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Silicon Times Report Issue 0067
*---== ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original Online ST Magazine"
-------------------------------
December 26, 1988 Monday Volume II No.67
==========================================================================
ST Report Online Magazine ½
------------------------------
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32236 ~ 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
_________________________________________
Headquarters Bulletin Boards
----------------------------
North South
201-247-8252 904-786-4176
Central West
216-784-0574 916-962-2566
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Highlights
==========
~ From the Editor's Desk............. ~ CPU Report....................
~ ST REPORT Directory................ ~ Atari Steppin' Out............
~ Spectre and Discovery.............. ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL........
and....much more!
========================================================================
AVAILABLE ON: COMP-U-SERVE ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ THE SOURCE
========================================================================
From the Editor's Desk:
-----------------------
Christmas! A time for family, a time for love, a time for
friendship and the beginning of the end for another year. In a few days
we will be into a NEW YEAR. New Year's day is many things to folks around
the world, but one thing it seems to be to all is a perfect opportunity to
reconstruct old friendships and build new ones...Hopefully, we in the
Atari userbase can do just that too.
The NEW YEAR presents many opportunities to all of us. The primary
one of course is to unify! As a unified userbase, we will have a
resounding effect on our wants, likes and dislikes. One can't help but
notice the gradual but steady increase in user hope for Atari and it's
plans for the both the company and the ST. We at ST Report can assure the
entire userbase that we will support the ST to the best of our ability.
With this being our last issue of 1988, it reflects many things that
have occurred throughout the year. Some issues were worthwhile some really
were a waste of time. But, as we said before, all were a learning
experience for everybody, particularly ourselves. The New Year promises
to be a very interesting year. With our new CPU Report receiving positive
mail we will expand it as it's popularity grows. We have a number of new
features in store for the readers (all guaranteed to please).
At this time, we are very proud to announce we have begun accepting
Names and Addresses for our mailing list for the first in a series of
complimentary issues of ST Report's cousin..CPU NEWSLINE ½ a HARD COPY,
bimonthly newsletter. Just leave your address in E-mail or send us a
postcard to our address listed above.
To each and everyone of our readers we wish a very
Happy New Year!
As always, please, do not drink and drive.....
Ralph.......
************************************************************************
:HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
---------------------------------
To sign up for GEnie service: Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
Wait for the U#= prompt.
Type XJM11877,GEnie and hit RETURN.
The system will prompt you for your information.
THE GENIE ATARI ST ROUNDTABLE - AN OVERVIEW
-------------------------------------------
The Roundtable is an area of GEnie specifically set aside for owners and
users of Atari ST computers, although all are welcome to participate.
There are three main sections to the Roundtable: the Bulletin Board, the
Software Library and the Real Time Conference area.
The Bulletin Board contains messages from Roundtable members on a variety
of Topics, organized under several Categories. These messages are all
open and available for all to read (GEnie Mail should be used for private
messages). If you have a question, comment, hot rumor or an answer to
someone else's question, the Bulletin Board is the place to share it.
The Software Library is where we keep the Public Domain software files
that are available to all Roundtable members. You can 'download' any of
these files into your own computer by using a Terminal Program which uses
the 'XMODEM' file-transfer method. You can also share your favorite Public
Domain programs and files with other Roundtable members by 'uploading'
them to the Software Library. Uploading on GEnie is FREE, so you are
encouraged to participate and help your Roundtable grow.
The Real Time Conference is an area where two or more Roundtable members
may get together and 'talk' in 'real-time'. You can participate in
organized conferences with special guests, drop in on our weekly Open
COnference, or simply join in on an impromptu chat session. Unlike posting
messages or Mail for other members to read at some later time, everyone in
the Conference area can see what you type immediately, and can respond to
you right away, in an 'electronic conversation'.
************************************************************************
CPU REPORT ½
============
By Michael Arthur
Dream Computer Systems: Who's really the best
---------------------------------------------
Part II:
--------
In Part I of this Series, I showed a list of the most powerful Dream
Systems that could be configured in the microcomputer market. While there
were newer computers that could have been included, the list was generally
accurate. Now I will compare the Dream Systems, their various features
being stacked against each other to determine which ones you could safely
consider the "best".
Now, making up a list of Dream Systems might seem useless and contrived,
but it seems that not only is it a pretty good way to see how powerful
a computer can be configured, but that seeing the high-end of the market
can greatly help determine what capabilities OUR computers may have in
the near future....
Here is a Graph of the features of each Dream System:
Dream Systems List:
(Comparison of each Systems' Optimal Features)
________________________________________________________________________
System |Main Chips,|Speed of|Hard Drive|Expansion|Graphics Displays |
Features |Megs of RAM|System |Storage |Slots |Best Resolution(s) |
----------|-----------|--------|----------|---------|-------------------|
IBM 386 |80386/80387| 25 MHZ | 300 | Eight |640*480*256 Colors |
System | Four Megs | |Megabytes |IBM PC/AT|1024*768*16 Colors |
----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
Mac IIx |68030/68882| 16 MHZ | 300 | Six |640*400*256 Colors |
System | Four Megs | |Megabytes |NuBus |1024*768*16 Million|
----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
Amiga 2000|68020/68881| 16 MHZ | 150 | Seven |320*200*4096 Colors|
System | Five Megs | |Megabytes |Zorro II |1008*800 w/Monochr.|
----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
NeXT |68030/68882| 25 MHZ | 670 + | Three |1120*832 w/Monochr.|
System |Eight Megs | |Megabytes |NuBus |(Color in future) |
----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
Mega 4 ST |68000 | 16 MHZ | 250 | Eight |320*200*16 Colors |
System | Four Megs | |Megabytes |Mega ST |1280*960 w/Monochr.|
----------'-------------------------------------------------------------'
Based on both this graph, and the System Descriptions, I have made these
Standings:
IBM 386 Dream System: Second Place
While the IBM system is very well rounded in features, and has all
the power of a Dream System, the Macintosh is better in graphics, and the
NeXT system is superior to in many other aspects.
Mac IIx Comparison:
------------------
IBM is superior to the Mac IIx in speed and the number of Expansion
Slots, and is equal in Hard Disk Storage, but it is inferior in graphics.
Since the VGA Extended Modes can serve just as well as the Mac Graphics,
the IBM scores higher than the Mac IIx.
Amiga Comparison:
----------------
IBM is superior to the Amiga in speed (although you can get 25 MHZ
68020's), Hard Disk Storage, and Graphics. It is roughly equal in the #
of Expansion Slots. Because the 80386 is also more powerful than the
68020, the IBM scores higher than the Amiga.
NeXT Comparison:
---------------
IBM is only superior in # of Expansion slots. Besides that, there
is no comparison between these two systems. The NeXT is just as fast, has
more Hard Disk Storage, and has a higher resolution. If you can wait for
color, the NeXT scores much higher than the IBM.
Mega ST Comparison:
------------------
IBM is superior in speed and Storage, equal in # of Expansion Slots,
and is inferior only in Monochrome Resolution. Also, since the 80386 is
apparently more powerful than the 68000, the IBM wipes out the ST.
Macintosh IIx Dream System: Fourth Place
Strangely, while the Mac IIx is unbeatable in Graphics, it seems to
falter in the area of speed, and is seemingly not well rounded for a
system that is supposed to be the successor of the Mac SE. Also, other
Dream Systems beat it based on its disparities.
Amiga Comparison:
----------------
The Mac is superior in the areas of graphics and Hard Disk Storage,
is roughly equal in # of expansion slots and speed, and is inferior only
in Megabytes of RAM. Also, since the 68030 is more powerful than the
68020, the Mac II scores higher than the Amiga.
NeXT Comparison:
---------------
The Mac is superior in graphics and # of Expansion Slots, and is
inferior in everything else.... The NeXT has more Storage, more RAM, and
is MUCH faster. As always, if you can wait for color, the NeXT scores
much higher than the Mac IIx.
Mega ST Comparison:
------------------
The Mac is superior in graphics, is roughly equal in Hard Disk
Storage, speed, and Megs of RAM, and is inferior in the # of Expansion
Slots. But as the 68030 is more powerful than the 68000, the ST has no
Math Chip, and there are more expansion cards for the Mac, the Mac IIx
scores higher than the ST.
Amiga 2000 Dream System: Third Place
The Amiga, surprisingly, came out of this Comparison as one of the
stronger systems. It is well rounded, you can get faster 68020's for it,
and its only weakness is the high price of Hard Disk Drives. It is not
at the caliber of the IBM System, but is a very decent System indeed.
Macintosh IIx Comparison:
------------------------
This was already discussed, but something else needs to be
emphasized. While the Mac IIx is more powerful in Hard Disk Storage and
Graphics, and is equal in speed, you can get faster 68020 chips (up to 25
MHZ) for the Amiga (making it faster), and the Amiga has more expansion
cards than the Mac II. Based on this, you could make a strong case for
the Amiga's scoring higher than the Mac IIx. Also, there are 68030 cards
being developed for the Amiga....
NeXT Comparison:
---------------
The Amiga is superior only in the # of Expansion slots, and the NeXT
is faster, has more RAM and Hard Disk Storage, and the 68030 is more
powerful than the 68020. The NeXT only needs color to wipe out the Amiga.
Mega ST Comparison:
------------------
The Amiga is different in many aspects except for Hard Disk Storage.
It is roughly equal in speed and # of Expansion Slots. As the 68020 is
more powerful than the 68000, the Amiga scores higher than the Mega ST.
NeXT Dream System: First Place - The Best Computer Currently Out There -
-----------
Even though you probably knew this already, the NeXT just is more
powerful than the other Dream Systems. It is VERY well balanced in its
features, and since its features are VERY good, it comes out the winner.
Only the lack of color (a serious oversight, which will be corrected soon)
prevents its victory from being total....
Amiga Comparison:
----------------
The NeXT is superior in Hard Disk Storage, amount of RAM, and in
speed, and is inferior in both the # of expansion slots and in graphics,
due to the NeXT's lack of Color. Although there are faster 68020's for
the Amiga, the 68030 is still more powerful than the 68020, so you could
safely say that it scores higher than the Amiga.
Mega ST Dream System:
As the Atari ST was only meant for the lower end of the market, I
apologize greatly for including it in my list (which was meant to show the
high end of the market). Since the ST does not have the improved features
of a Mac II or NeXT, I should not have expected it to do as well as they,
and I am sure that if I were comparing the ST to the Mac SE, that the ST
would win handily. But I find it truly tragic that while Apple and IBM
were busy developing products like the Mac II and PS/2, that Atari was not
also significantly improving their computer.
However, Sig Hartmann of Atari has indicated that the 68030 TT (to
be mentioned later) will be a "souped up" version of the Atari ST, having
greater capabilities intended for people wanting a higher-end Atari.
(Note to the Editor: Mr. Hartmann had an interview with Atari Explorer in
the Nov/Dec 1988 where he said this)
Given this, I speculate that if the ST held up as well as it did
against vastly superior systems such as the Mac II, that when Atari makes
a New Generation ST, that it will be more powerful than even systems like
NeXT's, and that a "68030 ST" Dream System will do a LOT better than the
Mega ST did this time....
So as to be fair, I have included a list of Upcoming Dream Systems,
so accurate comparisons can be made between present and future computers.
Curiously, while every one of these computers was more powerful than any
current Dream System, the Mac IIx System remained unbeatable in graphics.
Upcoming Systems' Features:
________________________________________________________________________
System |Main Chips,|Speed of|Hard Drive|Expansion|Graphics Displays/ |
Features |Megs of RAM|System |Storage |Slots |Best Resolution(s) |
----------|-----------|--------|----------|---------|-------------------|
Atari |68030 | 16-20 | 80 |Eight (?)| 640*400*16 Million|
68030 TT | Four Megs | MHZ |Megabytes |VME Bus |1280*960*16 Colors |
----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
Abaq |13 T-800's |1/4 of | 40 | Four |1024*768*256 Colors|
Transputer| Four Megs |Cray XMP|Megabytes |Abaq |1280*960*16 Colors|
----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
Cheetah |80386/80387| 33 MHZ | 300 | Eight |640*480*256 Colors |
386 System| Five Megs | |Megabytes |IBM PC/AT|1024*768*16 Colors |
------------------------------------------------------------------------'
(Note: Keep in mind that these specs are not final, and that when the
actual systems are introduced, they will probably differ in some way from
the systems that are shown.)
System #6, the Atari 68030 TT, has a 68030 chip, 4 Megs of RAM, and an 80
Megabyte Hard Drive, as well as a VME Expansion Bus with an unknown number
of slots. Cost is reportedly around 3000-3500 dollars.
Resolutions: 640*400 with 16 Million Colors at the same time
1024*768 with 256 Colors out of 16 million
1280*960 with 16 Colors out of 16 million
Comparisons with Other Systems: There are great innovations in the areas
of Graphics and Expansion Cards, and the 68030 TT is equal to the NeXT
computer in many of the other aspects covered. But since the NeXT is also
a UNIX machine, the 68030 TT may not have as large an impact on the UNIX
market as hoped.
However, it seems that the 68030 TT will not only be compatible with
present Atari ST software, but will be a new type of ST altogether. If
this is so, then the 68030 TT will be a formidable entry into the middle
end of the microcomputer market, and will be an excellent successor to the
Atari ST.
System #7, the Abaq Transputer, is an Abaq with a T800 Chip, 4 Megs of RAM
a 40 Megabyte Hard Disk, and 4 Expansion Slots. To this I have added Four
Abaq Expansion Cards, with 4 T800 Chips on Each Card. Each T800 has its
own Math Coprocessor, and can run at 10 MIPS, and since the Transputer is
a Parallel Processor, you can have additional T800's working at the same
time. Resulting in that 17 T800's let the Abaq run at 170 MIPS, about 1/4
the speed of a Cray X/MP Supercomputer. Cost of system is unknown.
Resolutions: 512*480 with 16 Million Colors at the same time
1024*768 with 256 Colors out of 16 Million
1280*960 with 16 Colors out of 16 Million
Comparisons with Other Systems: The Abaq is MUCH faster than other
systems, has pretty decent graphics, and is very powerful. It is an
excellent machine, which should be a player in the high-end part of the
computer industry. Also, I predict that it will dominate the growing
market for parallel processing computers, becoming the first such standard
in the industry....
System #8, the Cheetah 80386 system, is an IBM Clone with a 33 MHZ 80386,
an 80387 Math Chip, 300 Megabyte Hard Drive, 5 Megabytes of RAM, and a
Designer VGA Card. Cost is enormous, and not worth mentioning....
Resolutions: 320*200 with 256 Colors out of 256,000
640*480 with 16 Colors out of 256,000
Extended Mode has 640*480 with 256 Colors out of 256,000
800*600 with 16 Colors out of 256,000
800*600 with 256 Colors out of 256,000
1024*768 with 16 Colors out of 256,000
Comparisons with Other Systems: This system will be a formidable Clone,
mainly because of its 33 MHZ 80386. Although other IBM Clone Makers will
be coming out with similar products, the Cheetah's other features ensure
its being a major factor in the high-end IBM Market, and remaining quite
a powerful system for years to come.
Both the Abaq and the Cheetah 386 system, though, as well as the other
Dream Systems mentioned, are very interesting prospects for another topic
which seemingly began with the NeXT System, over which Computer would be
the "Machine of the Nineties...."
While no person can say which it may be, one thing is for certain:
It will have to have features equalling (or surpassing) the Dream
Systems shown above in order to establish a standard in an industry which
does not easily accept new computer systems. And although all these
computer systems are very powerful, only a few can become dominant in the
computer industry....
But ponder, if you will, these questions for next week:
1) If you had actually gotten one of the Dream Systems discussed above for
this Christmas, how would you have specifically used it?
2) What if Digital Research developed a new GEM?
---=====***=====---
CPU REPORT CONFIDENTIAL¿
=======================
Lewiston, NY ReadySoft Inc. has announced a $150.00 Mac Emulation
------------ Board for the Amiga, which will support Mac 64K and
128K ROMs in a Magic Sac-type configuration. No word
on the level of compatibility, its ease of use, or on
how much memory it will support. It will be shipping
in Jan/Feb 1989.
Armonk, NY IBM recently started development on a version of OS/2
---------- for the 80386 machines. It will support 32-Bit Data
Segments, multitask DOS programs, run OS/2 programs
without modifications, and have faster memory access.
IBM and Microsoft are aiming to release it in the
Summer of 1990.
West Chester, PA Commodore has started to enter into the educational
---------------- market, setting up a network of 150 Educational
Dealers (many of whom are already Amiga Dealers), and
starting a large advertising campaign to sell the C-64
and Amiga 500 to Schools and Universities.
New York, NY Seven companies (including IBM, Hewlett Packard, and
------------ DEC) have announced their backing of the Open Software
Foundation, an independent corporation whose goal is
to establish a new systems/software standard for UNIX.
AT&T, who is also developing a new version of UNIX in
conjunction with Sun Microsystems, has declined to
join the OSF....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
* OFFICIAL ST REPORT DIRECTORY *
============================
1988 - 1989
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
===============
: STR001.ARC
Description:
ST Report.....THE FIRST ISSUE......JUNE 1987
: STR002.ARC
Description:
ST REPORT ISSUE NO. 2
JULY 04, 1987
: STR003.ARC
Description:
~ Atari Fest Cancelled....BBS Messages......New Products...
~ Copyright Info..........How to use ARC....Telecommunications
~ Atari News Update.......Reader Comments...SysOp Rights
~ CES Report..............8 Bit News
: STR004.ARC
Description:
ST Report 4th edition.......
: STR005.ARC
Description:
~ Publisher's Page........Garbage on the Line.....Review of Vegas G
~ Lock and Key for ST.....Hybrid Arts Contest.....New Products
~ News and Rumors MAM mag.BBS Spotlight...........Intnl Mail
~ ST Magazines II.........PC Pursuit..............Stone Age Ann.
: STR006.ARC
Description:
~ Intnl News Wire.......TOS ROMS Blit ver......Dbase Conference
~ GEnie Help............VIP Professional.......Datatrieve Review
~ Atari buys Federated..D. Mihocka CIS CO......ST Magazines III
: STR007.ARC
Description:
~ Atari Magic Show I......Atari Magic Show II.......Disk Drives for the ST
~ 80 Track 3.5 disks!.....Review-Informer-Easel ST..GDOS Help
~ Scientific ST........
: STR008.ARC
Description:
~ Atari News......New Products,Chess ST - Word Up....Techie News
~ Teletalk........THE MEGAS ARE COMING!
: STR009.ARC
Description:
~ Atari News..........MEGA 2/4 RELEASED!......New Products
~ Upgrade Info........Hdug Price List.........Interlink ST
~ FCC Update
: STR010.ARC
Description:
~ Atari News......Silent Service and Rogue.....BBS List
~ FoReM ST........ST Xpress Debut..............ST Upgrade Kit
~ CDROM Update
10-24-87
: STR011.ARC
Description:
~ Atari Comdex News....Antic Comdex News.....Software at Comdex
~ Hayes 1200 Mod.......ST Mods...............Atari C/PM Emulator
~ Unarcing w/ SS Drive DC AtariFest News
11-07-87
: STR012.ARC
Description:
~ Atari Scuttlebits......Shareware.......Lunar Lander...
~ Terminal Settings
11-21-87
: STR013.ARC
Description:
~ 2cnd Disk Drive to ST.......THE ABAQ.........Techie News
~ Garbage on the Line.........IBM Emulator.....MIDI News
12-05-87
: STR014.ARC
Description:
~ Atari News........GFA Errata (BUGS)......Michtron Contest..
~ Educational SWare Cable Tech Expo........Forem News
~ Error 164................................Probing your ST
12-19-87
: STR015.ARC
Description:
~ A NEW Atari Factory!.......Computer Health......Probing your ST
~ Atari Drives...............SAGA of the MEGA.....GFA Help
12-30-87
: STR016.ARC
Description:
~ Reader Comments......FCC Update.........Star Trek Hints
~ Hard Disk History....Probing your ST....Final Words
01-06-88
: STR017.ARC
Description:
~ Winter CES News............ProWriter Commands.......Probing your ST
~ ST Usergroup Profile.......Atari Scuttlebits........Next Week
01-13-88
: STR018.ARC
Description:
~ Editor's Desk.........Atari News............Magic SAC
~ D/S Drives............US Gov't BBS List.....Ansi Codes
01-20-88
: STR019.ARC
Description:
~ Atari News.......520 STFM 1mb............TrackBall.........
~ Supra Fix........Analog CO...............Toll computer #s
~ Probing your ST
01-27-88
: STR020.ARC
Description:
~ Atari News...........Garbage on the Line........Avatex Modem.....
~ MaxThink Rev.........New Products...............Probing Your ST
~ CES Report...........Comp U Serve Overview
02-03-88
: STR021.ARC
Description:
~ Atari News.............Atari Scuttlebits........Survey Results
~ Nite Lite Multiline....ST Desktop...............Star Trek
~ Zoomracks Update.......ST Transformer Update....Databases
02-10-88
: STR022.ARC
Description:
~ UserGroup List.........Installing an 80Trk FD55F Drive
~ What's Up Atari?.......Garbage on the Line....Unix BBS List
02-17-88
: STR023.ARC
Description:
~ Editor's Desk..............Atari News...........NEC Monitor
~ Tax Time 87................Gunship Review.......Dungeon Master
~ ST News Lock & Key.........Mac Report...........Crossroads
02-24-88
: STR024.ARC
Description:
~ Editor's Desk.......Atari News.........MAC Report.....IBM News
~ QMI Update..........Michtron Update....Modem Noise Killer
~ Regent Products.....FTL CO
02-29-88
: STR025.ARC
Description:
~ Editor's Desk.............Garbage on the Line........Benchmarks
~ 3/88 ST Express Mag...... Migraph New Products.......Sam T Speaks!
~ MAC Report
03-07-88
: STR026.ARC
Description:
~ Editor's Desk..........Antic Online News......SX212 Review
~ GT100 Disk Drive.......Mac Report
03-14-88
: STR027.ARC
Description:
~ Editor's Desk.........Atari News..........PD Shelf.....FCC Update
~ Michtron BBS Mod......WordUp Info.........Zoomracks
~ WORD PERFECT YES...OR NO! The Article that Started it All!!
03-21-88
: STR028.ARC
Description:
~ Editor's Desk...........ST Virus............Antic Online
~ Atari News..............W.P. review.........SPA Notes
~ Probing Your St.........Line Noise
03-28-88
: STR029.ARC
Description:
~ Editor's Desk........Atari News..........PD Shelf
~ Michtron Update......New Products........Mac Report
~ A Few Words..........Digisound Review....Turbo ST Review
04-04-88
: STR030.ARC
Description:
~ Editor's Desk.........F-Neting..........PD Shelf
~ Computer Calendar.....Mac Report........Atari Scuttlebits
~ Reader Comments.......Compute Protest...KX-P1524 Review
04-11-88
: STR031.ARC
Description:
~ Editor's Desk.........MAC REPORT...........Timeworks DTP
~ Light Gun Mods........Modem Guide..........FCC Hoax
~ Atari News............Probing Your ST......PC Ditto
04-18-88
: STR032.ARC
Description:
~ Editor's Desk............Symmetry Review........Red October
~ Destroying the HD Myth...Neodesk NEW PRODUCT....PD Shelf
~ Garbage on the Line......NEC MultiSync..........Reader Mail
04-25-88
: STR033.ARC
Description:
~ Editor's Desk..........A Serious Observation.....UIS I
~ GFA Reference..........BBS 10 Commdmts...........Aegis ART
~ WP CIS CONFERENCE......GFA Draft.................NEWS Line
05-02-88
: STR034.ARC
Description:
~ Editor's Desk............FoReM V2.2 Update............Apple & ?
~ AIR WARRIOR Conference...Chinon Mysteries Exposed ....EasieST RAM
~ SLM 804 BUGGY?...........Word Starved.................Saga Continues
05-09-88 **** A Visit with an Old Friend ****
: STR035.ARC
Description:
~ Publisher's page...........Multi-Sync to ST......N.Harris CO
~ Interlink and PC Pursuit..ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
~ SPRING COMDEX NEWS........Vdos..................Neodesk Review
05-16-88 ***** NEW TOS (1.4) TO BE READY IN FALL! *****
: STR036.ARC
Description:
~ EXCLUSIVE! WP & ATARI.....NO COST UG PROJECT.........CD/ROM Report
~ WORD PERFECT REVISITED....Dawn Gordon Builds a 386!..SHADOW!
~ Video Key New Product.....C Programming..............Revolver!
05-23-88 ***** WP TELLS IT LIKE IT IS *****
: STR037.ARC
Description:
~ Publisher's Page.......Editor's Desk...........COMDEX SPRING 88......
~ Reading Atari Around...SCOUT WORLD 88 & Atari..Visiting Federated.
~ Open Letter To Atari...Atari DTP Challenge!....MACRO MOUSE.........
05-30-88 *** INSIDE FEDERATED ***
: STR038.ARC
Description:
~ From the Editor's Desk............. ~ All About GDOS and more....
~ STAR NX 1000 Review................ ~ WP Co Delphi...............
~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL............. ~ A Temper Tantrum...........
06-06-88 *** CIS FACELIFT ***
: STR039.ARC
Description:
~ From the Editor's Desk............ ~ Intersect Success Story....
~ The Discovery Cartridge........... ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL.....
~ Atari ON THE MOVE................. ~ My Computer Store..........
06-13-88 *** SUMMER CES COVERAGE ***
: STR040.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk........ ~ Wholly Macro - A Review........
~ GEnie MAC SAC Conference...... ~ ARC Ver. 5.21 Notes/Comments...
~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL........ ~ Getting Started W/MAC SAC......
06-20-88 *** ATARI SUICIDE? ***
: STR041.ARC
Description:
~ From the Editor's Desk......... ~ Remember When? Atari.....
~ Laser Quality without the PRICE ~ ISGUR Reports on Atari....
~ WHY ALL THE DOUBLE TALK?....... ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL....
06-27-88 *** A PLEA ..A CALL TO PENS! ***
: STR042.ARC
Description:
~ From the Editor's Desk......... ~ As the Modem Trips.........
~ Hard Disk FACTS & FIGURES...... ~ ST XFORMER II..............
~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL......... ~ THE BEAT GOES ON...........
07-04-88 *** BYTE MAGAZINE & NEIL HARRIS ***
: STR043.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk.......... ~ Arc Shell Docs..............
~ About.. #s 41 and 42............ ~ GFA Basics..................
~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL.......... ~ The ST Book.................
07-11-88 *** JAPAN CHOKES USA ON DRAMS ***
: STR044.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk.......... ~ Intersect Conference on GEnie..
~ Leaning Toward The Future....... ~ Nostalgia Remember When?.......
~ The Transputer.................. ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL.........
07-18-88 *** SAM TRAMIEL POURS OIL ***
File # 58 Treasure: STR045.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk......... ~ Forem 2.2b Updates...........
~ Nostalgia, Remember When?...... ~ GFA Basics A & B.............
~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL......... ~ A Dirty Word.................
07-25-88 *** ATARI DEVELOPER KIT EVALUATED ***
: STR046.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk......... ~ GEnie ST Xformer Conference.....
~ GEnie Roundtable Overview...... ~ Nostalgia, Remember When?.......
~ Atari Scuttlebits.............. ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL..........
08-01-88 *** 520 STFM SHIPPED W/ D/S DRIVES! ***
: STR047.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk......... ~ SLM (slime) 804 REVEALED!......
~ Open Letter to Atari........... ~ Is This the SAME Atari???......
~ The Alarm Rings on............. ~ Nostalgia, Remember When.......
08-08-88 *** TOM HUDSON SPURNS ATARI ***
: STR048.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk......... ~ Atari News......................
~ Nostalgia, Remember When?...... ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL..........
~ How's Yer FAT?................. ~ A Healthy Wallet................
08-15-88 *** SPECTRE 128 IS REAL! ***
File # 62 Treasure: STR049.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk........ ~ Late Breaking News...............
~ ArcShell Docs................. ~ Surgery is a CURE................
~ The Twilight Zone............. ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL...........
08-22-88 *** WHAT IS A STACY? LAPTOP ***
: STR050.ARC
Description:
From The Editor's Desk............ ~ GFA Basic Ver. 3...............
The Federated Saga................ ~ ERGO Stick.....................
ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL............ ~ BOOTSTRAPPING ATARI............
08-29-88 ***** FEDERATED EATING ATARI UP *****
: STR051.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's desk........ ~ TOS IN ROM a description..........
~ BOOTSTRAP--A SECOND LOOK...... ~ A Day at the Races A review.......
~ The Beat Goes ON.............. ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL............
09-05-88 *** NEIL HARRIS FIGHTS BACK! ***
: STR052.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk........... ~ SHADOW A Full Review..........
~ GEnie Conference................. ~ DO IT TO IT...................
~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL........... ~ Pro GEM Windows #3
09-12-88 *** SPECTRE 128 GOES ON SALE! ***
: STR053.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk.......... ~ The Presidential Conference.....
~ INSIGHTS, Atari's Future........ ~ ST Pro GEM #4...................
~ Shakespeare and FUJI............ ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL..........
09-19-88 *** ST GAME MACHINE IN 1989! ***
: STR054.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk......... ~ The Presidential Joke!.........
~ Heros of the Lance............. ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL.........
~ ST REPORT AWARDS............... ~ The Beat Goes ON...............
09-26-88 *** NEIL HARRIS RESIGNS! ***
: STR055.ARC
Description:
~ From the Editor's Desk......... ~ THE SKY IS FALLING!.............
~ The Beat Goes On............... ~ Hard Disk Facts.................
~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL......... ~ WORD PERFECT & ATARI............
10-03-88 *** SPRING COMDEX PROMISES FAIL! ***
: STR056.ARC
Description:
~ From the Editor's Desk........... ~ Codehead Fine Products..........
~ The "PRESIDENTS" Conference?!?... ~ Revolver........................
~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL........... ~ THE BEAT GOES ON................
10-10-88 *** ATARI TELLS DEVELOPERS - SELL TO EUROPE! ***
: STR057.ARC
Description:
~ From the Editor's Desk.......... ~ TANDY and the ST...............
~ At What Price? LOYALTY.......... ~ HE believes in AMERICA!........
~ UPBEAT - MIDI BEAT.............. ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL.........
10-17-88 *** NeXT DEBUTS! TO OVERSHADOW FALL COMDEX ***
: STR058.ARC
Description:
~ From the Editor's Desk.......... ~ A Developer's Friend or Foe?.....
~ NeXT in a Nutshell.............. ~ Changing Times...................
~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL.......... ~ dBMAN VER. 5.....................
10-24-88 *** DEVELOPERS NOT HAPPY WITH ATARI! ***
: STR059.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk.......... ~ Anaias Who?...................
~ A "Veteran" Retires............. ~ In Search of Atari............
~ Italy and Atari................. ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL........
10-31-88 *** PIRATES IN ITALY! **
: STR060.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk.......... ~ The Melting Pot Runneth Over....
~ DC Atari FEST................... ~ A NEW Blivett!..................
~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL.......... ~ The Archival BIT................
11-07-88 *** ATARI FAVORS EUROPE! ***
: STR061.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk......... ~ CIS Conference with ST Report.....
~ Elwood's Postscript............ ~ Pocket What?......................
~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL COMDEX.. ~ Pro GEM Windows #12...............
11-14-88 *** COMDEX PREVIEWS and GUESSES ***
: STR062.ARC
Description:
~ From The Editor's Desk.......... ~ COMDEX - COMDEX - COMDEX........
~ THANKSGIVING IS FOR EVERYONE.... ~ Goodies Galore..................
~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL.......... ~ A HARD DRIVE FOR ALL............
11-21-88 *** COMDEX - STACY - TT - ATW ***
: STR063.ARC
Description:
~ From the Editor's Desk............. ~ PageStream...................
~ The Versatile ST................... ~ XL/XE Xformer Support........
~ Discovery Delivers................. ~ Pro GEM Windows #14..........
11-28-88 **** ATARI - TURNING POINT? ****
: STR064.ARC
Description:
~ From the Editor's Desk............. ~ COPYRIGHT?...................
~ DISCOVERY & SPECTRE................ ~ ST XFORMER SECRETS!..........
~ Pro GEM Windows # 15............... ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL.......
12-05-88 *** ST REPORT goes INTERNATIONAL ***
: STR065.ARC
Description:
~ From the Editor's Desk............. ~ Spectre 128 and Discovery.....
~ Living in Atari World.............. ~ NEW on GEnie..................
~ Pro GEM Windows # 16............... ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL........
12-12-88 **** GOOD and BAD SYSOPS ****
: STR066.ARC
Description:
~ From the Editor's Desk............... ~ FOND FAREWELL................
~ CPU REPORT (A sneak preview)......... ~ A Different Viewpoint........
~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL............... ~ Interlink Ver. 1.85!.........
12-19-88 ******** MERRY CHRISTMAS *********
: STR067.ARC
Description:
~ From the Editor's Desk............... ~ CPU REPORT..................
~ ST REPORT Directory.................. ~ Atari Steppin' Out..........
~ Spectre and Discovery................ ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL......
12-26-88 ******* HAPPY NEW YEAR *******
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIG HARTMAN VISITS PAC
======================
By Bill Pike (PAC)
On December 5th Mr. Sig Hartman joined the PAC for their first ever
Christmas Party. Mr. Hartman brought the latest news from Atari to our
user group along with quite a few other goodies for the raffle.
This project started back in August when David Moore (Special
Project Director) paid a visit to Atari in Sunnyvale. As we drove to the
airport we still were not convinced that Mr. Hartman would arrive. We
felt that we were still working with the old Atari that would promise
anything but give little if nothing.
After a lot of running around to get things ready for the Christmas
Party in the morning, and massive cleaning of a car both Dave and I were
more than a little nervous. There we were in our "I Speak Atari" hats
trying to find out where the Short- Term parking was and checking our
watches every few minutes.
We finally got to the gate and still were discussing what to do if
Mr. Hartman was a No-Show. Then surprise, surprise, surprise, who came
walking out of the boarding ramp but a white haired gentleman with a brown
garment bag and attache case. There were also two cardboard boxes waiting
for us in the baggage area with the Fuji symbol on them full of goodies
for the raffle. ATARI HAD COME THRU. As it turned out Sam Tramiel could
not have picked a better spokesman than Mr. Sig Hartman.
Most of the trip to the hotel was spent in a three-way discussion
of the lack of support for USER-GROUPS as well as the lack of support for
Atari owners. Sig replied to our questions, admittedly some of them were
rather pointed, stating the new policy of Sam Tramiel and Atari of MUCH
greater support for User Groups and Atari owners. Also brought up during
the trip was Sam Tramiel and Atari's support and lack there of for the
8-Bit systems. Sig said that Sam Tramiel was anxiously looking to
support the 8-Bit but that there is a lack of software being written.
The new Diamond (ST Jr.) was mentioned to him and he said that Sam
Tramiel and Atari had received several copies of this program but it still
had some bugs in it. He said that if Atari can get a bug free version of
the program that Sam Tramiel would consider including it with the XE
series computers as well as helping advertise and market the product.
There wasn't much time left after the previous grilling to discuss much
else except what time we would pick him up from the hotel to go to
meeting. The meeting started out with, what else, food. There were
sandwiches, soda, potato chips, and cake with the Atari symbol on it.
After the eating slowed down it was Mr. Hartman's turn.
The first thing that Mr. Hartman said was to assure us of a
fundamental change in the policy of Atari. Sam Tramiel and Atari is going
to give much more support the User-Groups. Some of this support will be
in the form of a much closer contact between the user groups and Sam
Tramiel and Atari. The support will also come in the form of donated, by
Sam Tramiel and Atari, equipment and software. There was also discussion
of a published list of all the User-Groups in the United States and a
listing of all the Atari User-Groups worldwide. Another thing was
mentioned was that the Federated Stores that Atari purchased would be
giving out lists of local User-Group information and the possibility that
Atari might pay for 1 years membership to a local User-Group with each
computer purchased.
Sam Tramiel and Atari was also interested in assisting user groups
to have shows and public events, Atari would loan front money as well as
assistance in contacting other groups who have put on shows. We were
assured a number of times of the support of the 8-Bit machine as well as
the ST machines. Several times Mr. Hartman ask, almost pleaded for those
who were writing 8-Bit software to please submit the programs to Sam
Tramiel and Atari for possible purchase and royalties.
There were questions regarding the lap-top ST. Mr. Hartman said
that it was still in unfinished form and that Atari was still working on
it. The questioning moved to the TT machine (68030 processor based, True
Thirty Two bit machine). He stated that the machine would be upward
compatible with the existing ST's and Megas. Also that the TT would be
able to run either the standard ST operating system or UNIX 5.3. There
were questions regarding the lack of ST's and Megas in the USA and why
were all the machines being shipped to Europe. The reply was that the
machines were selling faster than they could be produced, however that Sam
Tramiel is committed to shipping many more machines (ST's and Megas) to
the U.S. in the coming year even though this might cut into the European
market. The DRAM shortage was discussed and we were informed that this
had alleviated to some degree.
The possibility of a 16-Bit Game Machine was brought up. We were
informed that this is in the works. The long talked about Atari PC was
asked about. Yes, Sam Tramiel and Atari is in the final stages of
preparing to market this in the U.S. Yes, the machine is basically what
the advertising has said. The Transputer (Abaq) was spoken of and that it
still was under development as a stackable unit to the Mega machines. The
machine would have true multi-processing capability as well as a
expansion port to daisy-chain several Transputer units together for added
speed and memory. The possibility of a add-on math co- processor for the
ST and Mega machines was asked about. The reply was that nothing was
immediately in the works for this.
Several other questions were adeptly handled by Sig then the
meeting went to the distribution of goodies, by raffle. There were two
XEGS's (XE Game Machines), copies of the new word processor, for the ST,
Microsoft Write from Atari, about a dozen educational programs, and about
a dozen game cartridges for the 8-Bit machines. All of this was donated
to the club by Sam Tramiel. There was also a $15 dollar Gift Certificate
donated to the raffle by Portland Computer Accessories.
We would like to express our thanks to Sam Tramiel for the
opportunity to meet with Mr. Hartman. We also appreciate the donation of
all the software and hardware that made the meeting so successful. We
look forward to a much closer relationship with Sam Tramiel and Atari than
in the past.
Sam Tramiel and Atari were willing to send one of it's most able
executives to meet with a SINGLE User-Group. We hope that this
foreshadows a much greater support of the User-Groups by Sam Tramiel and
Atari, possibly a rotating schedule of Atari people meeting with
User-Groups. Atari is still supporting the 8-Bit machines in fact during
the trip back to the airport Sig asked us to share the upgrade information
on the 130XE machine. He was also taking some of our suggestions as far
as a new 8-Bit with a 65816 microprocessor and 320K of memory as well as a
expansion bus and the possibility of emulation modes for the other popular
8-Bit 6502 based systems.
We hope that this event will prove to be the rule rather than the
exception in our contacts with Atari. We look forward to the release of
the Diamond operating system.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL HOTLINE
=====================
Conf : ST Report
Msg# : 6 Lines: 16 Read: 2
Sent : Dec 24, 1988 at 9:46 AM
To : ALL
From : CLIVE STRUDWICK
Subj : NEW Design 520 STFM
* Dateline: 24, December 1988 *
---------------------------
London, England
---------------
All NEW 520 STFM's being imported in to the UK have a nasty trick
in store for those who want to upgrade to 1 meg by putting there own Ram
chips in. The ram chips now in use are DIPs which are surface mounted and
the chips are rectangular with 2 sides of four legs and 2 sides of five
legs.
Is this Atari's way of forcing the user to buy the the less popular
AND overpriced (compared to the 520 with a chip upgrade) 1040ST or a
slick answer to the chip shortage.
Clive Strudwick
Twilightzone II
London, England
Ed Note: If Atari has solved the chip shortage answer by using the
"DIP" approach it's a marvelous solution as long as the older machine
owners are given a path to upgrade and keep contemporary designs. Right
now, the only way is to go for the exchange (which ain't bad). Our
opinion is that the user/customer should seriously consider purchasing a
MEGA 2/4 before even thinking about a 1040....the price difference between
the MEGA 2 and a 1040 makes this a very attractive consideration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPECTRE & DISCOVERY
===================
"Peace and Tranquility"
-----------------------
How great a prize peace is....how nice it is to log on to the
various systems and NOT read hateful messages. 'Tis mahvelous to see we
all can now get back to the business of enjoying these two fine products
to their fullest extent. If one were to sit back and look at the two
goodies and observe just what they can do for ALL the users, we would find
that two MAJOR gripes have been answered thoroughly by these two fine
products.
The first gripe is echoed in many different areas, to quote: " Wow!
Look at all that neat software they have for the MAC, Why ain't we getting
that stuff?" Well Bunky...With Spectre your troubles are over! Your
powerhouse ST will now run most MAC Software. Coupled with Discovery, the
conversion to Spectre format disks is quite easy and very fast.
The second gripe is very loudly heard everytime a new and popular
program hits the market. We hear folks complaining about the inability to
make a personal back-up of those heavily protected programs, well the
Discovery is the answer here also. In addition, Discovery is probably one
of the most powerful tools any ST owner can have at his disposal, it also
allows more than just two floppies to be connected to the system!
In view of the few features mentioned here about these two products,
we again applaud these folks for having brought forward such fine products
and hope that in the next few months we will see an increase in positive
compatibility become a reality between the two.
Gadgets by Small Inc. is planning a GCR, this will become the
darling of the ST community when it is released. The GCR (we shall call
it that for now) will read a MAC disk directly from within Spectre and pop
the icon up for the user to put to good use. The ongoing enhancements
are what we should really look forward to. After all, if the developer
doesn't see the encouragement coming from the userbase then there is a
good chance his enthusiasm will dwindle rapidly.
If any of you have hesitated to obtain either the Discovery Cart or
the Spectre Cart, don't wait any longer...these are two powerhouse goodies
that will yield many hours of productive enjoyment. They are both of high
design and manufacture quality and will give many hours of top notch,
reliable service.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A HINT AT THE FUTURE
====================
SUBJECT: A taste of rev 2.8, and more!
Here is a sample of the features that will be added to the 2.8 software,
that I am working on. Please be aware that this is just one of my
projects! It probably won't be available until the end of January (1989).
For the DMFMBKUP program:
Online backup control file edit & display. More backup control files.
Better support of AMIGA disk backup. More precise support of fast 11
sector format backup. Expansion of buffers to permit narrower bit widths
and longer tracks. Documentation regarding the built in read analysis
mode. The ability to use the ALTERNATE DESTINATION DRIVES with FILE TO
FLOPPY mode.
For the DMMXFER program: direct MAC to MAC disk copying.
*******
On a different note, and for the record:
---------------------------------------
It is illegal to copy the SPECTRE 128 or MAGIC SAC software and manuals
unless you have purchased them. If you use these products without paying
for them, then you are in criminal violation of the copyright laws. Even
if the Discovery Cartridge is the home for your MAC ROMS, you must
purchase the MAGIC SAC or the SPECTRE, to use these products legitimately.
Richard Adams
Happy Computers, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL¿
======================
Sunnyvale, CA Seems the whole place is in store for some needed
------------- reorganization in the name of efficiency and perhaps
a new twist! Look for added responsibilities at the
Federated Stores.
Houston, TX Looks like the negotiations are on hold for Ole' St.
----------- Nick to get done with his duties and for the New
Year to arrive....
Ann Arbor, MI MAM, Michigan Atari Magazine, has changed it's name.
------------- Beginning with the January Issue, The magazine will
be known as AIM, Atari Interface Magazine..."Your
Connection to the Atari User Community".
Miami, FL Souchi! 10 lbs. of Souchi! Oh well I guess it's
--------- very much needed when using the new ATW and getting
all the ducks (minnows) in school. Hope your
Holiday in South Florida is great! I am sure when
Julius gets back, he'll tell us all about it.
London, UK Atari ST Consumers here are somewhat miffed at the
---------- constant flow of unannounced changes in design and
components on the motherboards of the "new arrivals"
Liberty, NY Tired of cleaning the rollers in your mouse?
----------- Sliding door getting very sloppy? You can send in
your tired old mouse and get back a new mouse with
"no stick" Teflon rollers and a positive latching
door! Call Atari Customer Service for the cost of
the exchange
Orlando, FL Neodesk II is a quantum leap above it's predecessor.
----------- The improvements are an excellent example of "Mr.
Developer" listening to the users. Neodesk II is
sharp, well thought out and planned with the user in
mind. It does require a bit of memory and as such
it really shines in a MEGA 2/4 system. It does
however, run quite well on the smaller 1040.
Jacksonville, FL As stated in last week's STRC, TURBO ST Ver. 1.4
---------------- has been released by SOFTREK and it's author Wayne
Buckholdt. It is "happy" with 99% of the programs
out there. It is a superbly written program that
certainly deserves the support of the userbase.
Call Softrek: 407-657-4611 for your copy of the
"Software Blitter"
San Diego, CA FTL is confident that the sequel to Dungeon Master,
------------- "The Revenge of Chaos", will be shipping by the end
of January 1989, and will sell for $29.95.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CYBER TOOLS
===========
by Krsek Inc.
I have developed two tools that are of interest to anyone owning
Antic's Cyber series of animation software. One is called JOIN. This
utility allows a user to create .SEQ files as large as, (or even larger),
than they can play back in their machine. I used this tool to create the
DREAM sequence on a one megabyte 520 ST. My problem was that I wanted to
use Cyber Paint to do all my post production work but since Cyber Paint
itself was taking up RAM. I was left with less than 500K in which to do
my animation. The ANIMATE program is really quite small and with some
RAM taken up by TOS it is possible to play sequences that expand to almost
800K when loaded into the machine.
I decided that if I wrote a utility that spliced SEQ files together
I could create the animation in parts and then put them together using
disk space instead of RAM. This is exactly what this tool does. You
merely create your animation in pieces and then join them together into
one SEQ file. This file appears as though it was created on a larger
machine and saved normally in Cyber Paint. This means you can create an
animation that's nearly 800K in a megabyte machine, 1800K on a two meg,
etc..Anyone who has worked with these tools realizes that animation
takes up a great deal of memory and every byte you can squeeze out can
make you sequences longer or more complex.
The second tool that I have written works with the new Cyber Sculpt
program. This tool converts 3D files into 2D template files. Why would you
want to do this? Well, I thought about doing it merely because there are
things you can do in the 2D editors that you can not do in 3d and vice
versa. Since some of the objects I use were purchased (i.e. Cad fonts),
I do not have the template files available if I want to make minor changes
in a 3D letter. The real incentive came when I wanted to copy the logo
for GTE. If you have seen this logo you will have noticed it is a
negative object. The letters appear as being subtracted from a larger
extruded oval. As much as I tried I could not get CAD 3D to do the
subtraction. I kept getting the object too complex message and I now own
a mega 4 so RAM was no problem.
Since the extrude editor in Cyber Paint allows you to create
objects with holes in them I thought I would create the object there.
Well I realized even though I have these nicely formed, proportionate
letters I couldn't use them and would have to recreate the lettering in
the 2D editor to accomplish what I was after merely because there was no
way to load them into the template editor.
This utility allows you to do exactly that. There is some minor
preparation that has to be done in Cyber Sculpt, then the file is saved
and the UNEXTRUDE utility is run on that file. Afterwards, the 2D
template created can be loaded into the spin or extrude editors of Cyber
Sculpt normally. I ran this utility on my three letters, created the
surround oval, extruded it normally and there was the logo without the
typical tears you might see if you managed to get CAD 3D to do the
subtraction. There are other handy uses for this tool. If you are like
me, you have neglected to save your own templates occasionally only to
wish you could make some minor adjustments at a later date. Now you can
re-create them.
O.K here is the pitch. Now you too can own these handy utilities.
these are GEM-based tools that would make a nice addition to any animators
tool collection. Send your check or money order for $25 and I will send
you both the JOIN and UNEXTRUDE utilities. That's a mere $12.50 per tool!
Send your order to...
------------------
KRSEK INC.
ANIMATION TOOL DISK 1
ROUTE 1, BOX 24
WHITESTOWN IN, 46075
Be sure to include your name and address with your order. Indiana
residents add %5 sales tax. Cyber Sculpt, CAD 3D, and Cyber Paint are
trademarks of Antic Publishing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS WEEK'S QUOTABLE QUOTE
==========================
Knobby Frobish Sez;
-------------------
Never forget to remember, the only true sign of success, other than
a million dollars, is imitation. For Imitation IS the HIGHEST form
of Flattery there can possibly be!!
*** Happy Holidays to all our Friends ***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ST-REPORT¿Issue #67 "Your Independent News Source" December 26, 1988
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ½ copyright 1988
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those
of ST Report¿ or CPU Report¿. Reprint permission granted, unless noted
otherwise. All reprints must include ST Report or CPU Report and the
author's name. All information presented herein is believed correct, ST
Report or CPU Report, it's editors and staff are not responsible for
any use or misuse of information contained in this publication.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
