Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Silicon Times Report Issue 0105
*---== ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original Online ST Magazine"
_______________________________
September 15, 1989 Vol III No.105
=======================================================================
ST Report Online Magazine½
__________________________
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32205 ~ 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
_________________________________________
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EDT
BBS: 904-786-4176 12-24-96 HST
FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EDT
_________________________________________
** F-NET NODE 350 ** FIDOMAIL NODE 1:363/37 **
Our support BBS carries ALL issues of STReport
and
An International list of private BBS systems
carrying STReport for their users enjoyment
__________________________________________________________________
> Issue: #105 STReport¿ The Online Magazine of Choice!
-------------------
- The Editors' Podium - CPU REPORT
- US Specs. for TT - PORTFOLIO SHIPS!
- PIRATES! a Review - SYQUEST 44mb Review
- FASTECH T-16 SHIPS! - BIG PIRATE/HACKER BUST!
- WAACE GOING STRONG! - ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
---===* SPECTRUM HOLOBYTE CLEARS THE AIR! *===---
---===** PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS RELEASES WIRELESS MOUSE! **===---
=======================================================================
AVAILABLE ON: COMP-U-SERVE ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ BIX
=======================================================================
> The Editor's Podium¿
Upgrade, upgrade upgrade...is it a fever or is it perhaps an honest
desire of the loyal user wanting to stay with Atari and keep them as their
computer company? Hopefully, it's the loyalty being manifested.
Amusingly we see where people not connected with Atari directly react
negatively towards the upgrade suggestions. One can't help but wonder
where their hearts are.
Let's take a look at the big picture, ie; Atari has 500,000 ST
computers in use in the USA, now they have introduced two newer models of
computers, the STE and the TT. People who have recently purchased the
Mega ST 2 and 4 are VERY interested in being able to upgrade to either the
TT or, at best have the features the STE offers. Personally, I'd rather
have the TT. Now comes party "A" and he suggests that Atari offer a
trade-in deal for the owners of Mega ST computers. A trade-in deal that
will in no way harm Atari or cause them to loose any money would not be
unreal to expect. Atari could accept or reject the trade-in machine on
it's own merit and issue the customer a value certificate which can then
be redeemed through the dealer of his/her choice anywhere in the country.
Atari can either sell the trade-ins or place them is schools. They
certainly will not loose any monies taking these steps.
Another method, where the dealers have the most to gain by going the
trade-in route, would be to offer the trade in package directly to the
user who has fresh money to spend, then offer the pre-owned computers to
others at excellent savings. Two things happen here; the dealer profits
and Atari rapidly increases it's userbase. Additionally, the mega ST
computers could be re-distributed to schools and other institutions of
learning. After all, how better to acquaint tomorrow's young executive to
the better features of Atari ST computers than the way Apple did? Put the
machines into the schools.
There are those who say the existing machines would cause Atari to
loose money if they took them in trade...we say baloney! Counterpoint;
The exchange program is not designed to loose Atari any money and yet they
are willing to accept a fried machine and say $575.00 and they'll give you
a new Mega ST4. Just think if they did the same thing and received
machines in perfect working order , they could very easily place them back
into the main stream of the world's (USSR) computing community almost
overnight! Instead of a static userbase, the userbase worldwide would
almost double in a very short period of time.
Certainly Atari listens to the userbase, after all didn't they
institute strategically located service centers all 'round the USA? Where
did you read that before? Granted, we are not saying Atari 'does not
listen' to the users, that would be outrageous. But.. it proves that they
can and do act from time to time with a grip on reality and common sense
on their side.
Thanks for your support...
Ralph......
"ATARI IS BACK!"
***********************************************************************
NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE
FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY
COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME
to the Readers
ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE¿
The Online Magazine of Choice!
NEW USERS SIGN UP TODAY!
Call any of the St Report Official BBS numbers
(Listed at the top of ST REPORT)
or
Leave E-mail to St Report - R.Mariano
Be sure to include your full mailing address so your
Compuserve kit can be immediately mailed to you!
NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE
***********************************************************************
> CPU REPORT¿
==========
Issue # 32 SYSTEM 7.0; MAC
===============
by Michael Arthur
Remember When....
In January 1986, IBM introduced the RT Personal Computer, the first
RISC-based workstation, which was intended to establish IBM domination of
that market, and how IBM ruined its chances of success by producing a
system which wouldn't interfere with their PC sales (by being priced sky
high), while not being powerful enough (with 80286-style performance) to
affect IBM mainframe sales?
CPU INSIGHTS¿
=============
Apple's System 7.0: Revolution, Evolution, or Adaptation?
----------------------------------------------------------
Ever since OS/2 was introduced, many of its capabilities, such as
virtual memory and interprocess communication, have come under much focus
in the computer industry. While being praised as the future of the IBM
industry, OS/2 has also been used to renew the IBM/Macintosh controversy,
in that many are comparing OS/2's features to the Mac's System Software,
in a "features checklist war" to see which is the "better" operating
system. However, with Presentation Manager's debut, OS/2 has been at a
clear advantage in features, as PM gave OS/2 a proven graphical interface
to complement its versatility, and as the Mac's System Software began to
falter in comparison.
While MultiFinder helped to advance the Macintosh's OS, it's limited
multitasking ability actually showed some of the Mac's shortfalls. This,
along with Steve Jobs' innovations with the NeXT system, only helped to
amplify the perception that the Macintosh was fast becoming obsolete.
In order to alleviate any fears in the Macintosh market that it's
technical edge was lost, Apple recently announced System 7.0, a new
version of the Mac OS, which promised to both take the Macintosh into the
1990's with sophisticated, yet vital features, and to extend the Mac's
lifespan by helping to fix its inadequacies, and greatly improving on its
present capabilities. System 7.0 will be the new standard for the entire
Mac product line, running on the Mac Plus, SE and SE/30, and the Mac II
family. But there is a price for progress: while Apple has said that
System 7.0 will fit in 1 Meg of RAM, it recommends at least 2 Megs of RAM
for effective use. However, for the cost of extra RAM, System 7.0 has an
impressive list of new capabilities, such as:
InterApplication Communication (IAC) Facilities
-----------------------------------------------
For several years, the Macintosh's form of IAC operations was the
Clipboard, a way to "cut and paste" graphics or text from one application
to another. System 7.0 refines the concept of the Clipboard with a new
feature called Live Copy/Paste. With the Clipboard, a cut/paste operation
was permanent, meaning that if you placed a graph from a spreadsheet
rogram to a DTP application, but later updated the graph, you would have
to "copy" the graph into the Clipboard and "paste" it into the DTP program
again.
In Live Copy/Paste, instead of performing a "Cut/Paste" operation, you
would "Publish/Subscribe" data. Once you "Published" a graph (by
essentially "Copying" it to a disk file called a 'publication'), the
spreadsheet program would become a Publisher. In order to "Paste" that
graph into the DTP, you would "Subscribe" it. Now, once you revised the
graph, the "Publisher" (or the spreadsheet program) would notify the
"Subscriber" (or the DTP program) that the graph had been changed, save
the graph into a new 'publication, and automatically update the graph that
had previously been "Pasted" into the "Subscriber", which would be the DTP
program. The reason that "publications" are used, instead of having a
direct, two-way data exchange, is that a Publisher can have many
Subscribers. This means that, when the graph was updated, the spreadsheet
program would perform the same operation on a Word Processing program that
had subscribed to the graph, as it did to the DTP program. Simple as
quantum physics, isn't it?
Another element of System 7.0's IAC abilities is Program-to-Program
Communication (or PPC), which extends the function of the Interprocess
Communication (or IPC) facilities provided by multitasking OS's. Like IPC,
PPC lets a program send messages and commands to other programs running on
the system. However, PPC also allows you to send messages through LAN
systems, so as to allow programs that are running on disparate systems to
"converse", and will store messages sent to a program not currently
running, sending them when the program is reactivated.
The third component of 7.0's IAC strategy is AppleEvents, a standard
set of commands and messages sent through PPC that can control actions of
other running applications. For example, a DTP application could use
AppleEvents to tell a terminal program to send a full Capture Buffer to
itself. So as to fully utilize this, Apple is designing an Arexx-like
user-scripting language called AppleScript, which will allow Mac Users to
write their own macros for controlling an application's actions using
AppleEvents. Interestingly enough, while AppleEvents will be available
with System 7.0, AppleScript itself won't be provided until much later.
32-Bit Addressing with Virtual Memory
-------------------------------------
Virtual Memory, first used in mainframe operating systems, and
recently, in OS/2, is the ability to use hard disk storage as additional
memory, so you can use more applications and data than can ordinarily be
placed in RAM at one time. It does this by swapping a segment of data
that isn't being used by a task or program running on the system, from
system memory to a hard disk. Later, when there is enough memory to hold
the data segment (or if the task needs to use the data segment), it loads
the segment back into memory. However, if there still isn't enough memory
to hold the segment, then it simply performes the same procedure on
another data segment which hasn't been used by tasks for a while. In
order to use virtual memory, the Macintosh will need either the 68851
Memory Management Unit (MMU), for use with a 68020 chip, or a 68030 chip,
which has an MMU built in. 68000-based Macs, like the Mac Plus and SE,
won't be able to use virtual memory. System 7.0 will allow up to 1
Gigabyte of hard disk storage to be used as virtual memory, but buying
more system RAM will still be a wise idea. Reason: Virtual memory can
sometimes slow down a system considerably, especially when running some
system-intensive applications, such as spreadsheets.
System 7.0 will also have a 32-bit memory address space. The Mac now
has a 24-bit address space, allowing it to access 16 Megabytes of RAM,
because its Memory Manager was designed for the 68000 chip's 24-bit
external bus. System 7.0 will now be able to use the 32-bit addressing
ability of the 68020 and 68030 chips to access up to 128 Megabytes of
physical system RAM. However, the Mac Plus and Mac SE will still only be
able to access 4 Megs of RAM, and only applications that are 32-bit clean,
having 32-bit handles to access all 32 bits of the 68020's address space,
will be able to access this extra memory. Interestingly enough, one of
the major innovations in A/UX (Apple's version of Unix), in an ongoing
committment to both run "well-behaved" Mac software, and A/UX programs
simultaneously, and to allow programs that can run on both the Mac's OS
and A/UX, was designing the standard for "32-bit clean" applications.
Outline Fonts and Typographic Line Layout
-----------------------------------------
One of the main reasons for PostScript's quick rise as a printing
standard, especially in the Mac world, is its use of outline font
technology. Using mathematical descriptions of lines and curves to
specify characters, outline fonts retain their appearance when scaled to
any point or size, and can be twisted, rotated, and generally manipulated
without degradation of quality. In comparison, bitmapped fonts cannot be
scaled, twisted, rotated, or manipulated without a loss of quality, and in
order to fully utilize DTP software, one would have to have an entire
library of files just to cover all of the possible sizes of a bitmapped
font. However, if you used an outline font, you would only need to scale
it to the size that you required, and only need one file on disk to cover
any possibilities. It was this type of appeal that secured Postscript's
place as an industry standard.
However, Apple has expressed a desire to remove Postscript from its
product line's appeal, and in an effort to do this, System 7.0 has
established its own outline font standard, which will function with
existing Mac software. One disadvantage of outline fonts is that they
don't display or print well in low-resolution monitors, or dot-matrix
printers. In order to make them look as good on these displays as on high
resolution or laser printer output, Apple's outline fonts have support for
grid fitting, which tell System 7.0 how to modify the font's appearance so
it looks its best at a particular resolution. In addition to a standard
set of outline fonts, other font vendors, such as Afga Compugraphic,
Casady & Greene, and Bitstream will be selling outline fonts using Apple's
standard. 7.0 will also have support for typographic line and text
layout. This will be useful in kerning, right/left justification, and in
displaying/printing foreign languages that don't have letters based on the
Roman alphabet, such as Japanese and Hebrew.
Finder 7.0, Enhanced MultiFinder
--------------------------------
The Macintosh Finder has long been considered the front-runner in
Graphical User Interface (GUI) technology. Due to its innovations in the
field (combined with Apple's marketing expertise), it has become a litmus
test, by which many GUI's have been compared. However, in the past few
years many of Mac Finder's innovations have been met or surpassed, by
newcomers like Open Look and NextStep, and by old favorites like Windows
and GEM.
In an effort to revitalize it, System 7.0 has made many improvements to
Mac Finder. First, all menu items, including those on the Menu Bar, and
hierarchical submenus, will be able to be detached, or "torn off" from
their original locations. In order to install fonts and Desk Accessories,
all one will need to do is to place them in the System "Folder", instead
of using the Font/DA Mover. Similarly, in order to print a document from
the desktop, one will simply have to drag it onto a Printer Icon.
As far as the Finder's desktop is concerned, some helpful additions
have been made. One will be able to play a sound, activate a Desk Acc,
show samples of a font, or perform a varied set of actions by double
clicking on the appropriate icon. One will also be able to create an
alias, or an icon which represents another icon, and which is capable of
accessing it. Aliases would be useful in many instances, such as filing
an icon by subject in one folder, and using its icon's alias to organize
it by date in another folder. Also, when one manipulates or zooms a
window, the Finder will only scale it enough to show its contents, and one
will also be able to display a help screen on any icon or menu bar.
Finder 7.0's most important feature, however, may be its file-search
capabilities. The Finder will be able to search for files containing a
word or phrase, for files edited within a certain date or time, for files
that are a certain size, or for any number of combinations or file
characteristics in between. Also, MultiFinder will be able to temporarily
hide any or all of the windows of open applications operating in the
background, resulting in easier system use, and faster overall graphics
performance. The last benefit is due to the fact that MultiFinder won't
have to take up so much CPU time on graphics operations for background
windows....
Audio/Sound Toolkits
--------------------
With System 7.0, Apple has put a great deal of emphasis into the area
of how the Mac handles sound, in all its forms. System 7.0 features a
MIDI Toolkit for Mac MIDI programs, and multiple audio channel support
with a multichannel sound mixer for various sound effects. 7.0 also has
real-time event sequencing for sound/graphics demos, and uses algorithms
to compact sound files by a 3:1 or 6:1 ratio, as well as playing the
archived files in real time.
Communications Toolbox, Print Architecture
------------------------------------------
The Macintosh's telecommunications support has always had room for
improvement. Besides the early problems with the buggy serial driver
included in the 64K Mac ROMs, Mac applications have never had a standard
way to configure modem communication parameters, such as the baud rate and
the number of stop bits, and in order to do so, had to access the serial
drivers directly. To solve this problem, Apple has introduced the
Communications Toolbox. Designed (like 32-bit QuickDraw) to work with
earlier versions of System Software, the Communications Toolbox provides a
ser of device-independent routines for applications to use in controlling
I/O activity. For example, while low-level serial drivers will still be
necessary for modem use, they will now be used by the Communications
Toolbox. It will then provide Macintosh terminal programs with a set of
standard dialog boxes for configuring things like baud rates, word sizes,
and stop bits. The Communications Toolbox also has support for standard
terminal emulation and file transfer protocols, also through dialog boxes.
Apple has also developed a new Print Architecture, for improved color
and gray-scale printing, custom page sizes, and background printing, as
well as a new Print dialog panel, for a standardized set of print options.
But while it is compatible with old Mac programs, this Print Architecture
will require new printer drivers.
System 7.0 has other improvements, including support for the CL/1
Remote Database Access language, allowing Mac applications to access SQL
databases located on other computers, improvements to its Hierarchical
File System (such as faster directory searches, unique ID numbers for all
files, and hooks for accessing files from DOS, OS/2, and ProDOS disks),
and Desktop Manager, a new utility for managing large amounts of files.
System Software 7.0, to be released by Late 1989 to Early 1990, truly is
an impressive leap forward, which shows promise in helping revitalize the
aging Macintosh, and helping it escape obsolescence in a new era of
computing. However, while it does have many impressive new features, some
of its features seem to be works in progress, as 7.0's work in outline
fonts and DTP tools pales in comparison to Postscript, its main
competition. Also, many other things, such as complete multitasking
capabilities for MultiFinder and full memory protection for Mac programs,
has been left for later incarnations of the System Software. But this in
itself may be a good sign, as it indicates that the Macintosh has much
untapped potential. And a commitment to use any untapped potential is
always a sign of good health....
---===*****===---
CPU REPORT CONFIDENTIAL¿
=======================
Mountain View, CA Lotus Development has announced that it will both
----------------- port versions of its software for Sun's 680x0-based and
SPARC-based workstations, and develop Unix versions of
its products utilizing their Open Look graphical user
interface. For Lotus, this is a way to jump into the
growing market for graphical Unix software. However,
Sun could benefit in several ways, in further
legitimizing Open Look as a good Unix GUI, and in using
Lotus software to become more popular in the business
world. Not to mention the advantages against other
workstation vendors....
Pontiac, MI OmniCard, a HyperCard-like product for the Atari ST
----------- which was originally developed by BerrysBit A.S.C., but
shelved when it went bankrupt, may now be introduced to
the US ST market as soon as Winter Comdex. Michtron is
reportedly financing BerrysBit's former staff, led by
Andrew Berry, in order that OmniCard may finally be
completed.
Designed as an integrated package, OmniCard before
featured a "mini-desktop" with file management tools,
a graphical Authoring Environment for programming
applications using a HyperCard-like "card metaphor",
and powerful database capabilities for Artificial
Intelligence development. Word processing, database,
and paint programs were also supposed to be bundled as
sample applications developed using OmniCard.
Santa Clara, CA While Apple's new 32-Bit QuickDraw has great promise,
--------------- one great handicap to its acceptance has been the high
cost of 24-bit Graphics Cards for the Mac II, which
were around $4000 - $5000. However, RasterOps has
recently introduced the ColorBoard 264, a 24-bit Color
Board selling for an incredible $1000.00. But to
achieve this price, the 264 only supports the standard
640*480 display, and to have 24-bit color at higher
resolutions, one would have to buy one of the $5000.00
video cards. But given that most Mac II users only
have a 640*480 display anyway, and that several other
Mac hardware vendors, like SuperMac and Radius, are
developing similar 24-bit video cards....
-----====***====-----
> TT SPECS USA CPU REPORT¿
=======================
The Power of a Workstation
The New Atari TT Computer
Premiering at the Dusseldorf Atari Fair, the TT, with the Motorola
MC68030 processor, moves the ST family into the 32 bit realm, achieving a
significant increase in computing power with full TOS compatibility. Our
goal for the TT was to design an expandable computer that would combine ST
compatibility with superior resolution, more computing power, and improved
sound generating abilities.
The 68030 CPU
At the heart of the TT is a 16 MHz MC68030 processor, which allows a
high degree of 68000 compatibility, while operating at a higher clock
speed and providing streamlined internal operations which make it even
faster. The 68030 has built in 256 byte instruction and data caches, and
an internal Memory Management Unit. Next to it on the board is a socket
for an optional math coprocessor (MC68881/MC68882). Memory in the TT is a
full thirty-two bits wide, both the ST RAM which is shared by the video
logic, and TT RAM which is not shared. These factors combine to result in
a memory bandwidth that is four times greater and program execution speeds
up to 17 times faster than on the ST.
ST Compatible
In both hardware and software, the TT is compatible with the ST. All
hardware registers are in the same locations as they are in the ST. The
ST video modes work the same way on both TT and ST, because they are
organized in memory the same way on both machines. Most important for ST
compatibility is the operating system in the TT: TOS. With TOS as the TT
operating system, existing programs can automatically use the improved
resolutions of the new video modes, as well as the larger color palette,
without any change to the software. All this ST compatibility has the
obvious benefit of allowing TT owners to take advantage of the large and
growing base of ST software.
Graphics
In addition to the three ST video modes, the TT has two new color
video modes available on its VGA monitor: 640 horizontal by 480 vertical
resolution with 16 colors, 320 horizontal by 480 vertical resolution with
256 colors. With a high resolution monochrome monitor, a 1280 by 960
resolution monochrome mode is available. All the color modes use a new,
expanded 4096 color palette which is also available in the ST modes. Even
ST monochrome (640x400) is actually a two color mode on TT; we call it
"duochrome."
Sound
The improved sound system uses stereo 8-bit PCM (Pulse Code
Modulation). This allows the TT to function as a digital tape player.
The hardware also includes an automatic variable low pass filter, a stereo
balance control and bass and treble tone controls. This sound is mixed
through the internal speaker as well as being output via two RCA phono
jacks located on the back of the machine. These features, combined with
the high power computing capabilities of the 16 MHz 68030, allow the TT to
produce a wide range of high quality sounds.
Interfaces
In keeping with the design goal of expandability, the TT has all of
the ports familiar from the ST: MIDI, parallel, serial, and the Atari ACSI
DMA port (for Atari hard disks, laser printers, or CD-ROM). The TT also
includes a 25 pin SCSI port. One of the four TT serial ports can be
configured as an industry-standard medium-speed SDLC network port. Of
course, the machine also provides an internal speaker, a clock with
battery backup, and a Mega ST compatible keyboard with ports for mouse and
joystick.
Expandable
In addition to the expansion capabilities provided by the TT's
external interfaces, the TT is expandable internally as well. The housing
can hold an internal hard disk and add-in memory cards. These memory
cards allow the standard 2 megabyte TT to be expanded to 8 megabytes, or
as much as 26 megabytes when 4Mbit DRAM chips become available.
Another example of internal expandability is the slot for a single
standard "Eurocard" style VME card. This slot allows use of any of the
large number of existing VME expansion cards. Some of the VME expansion
options currently available include memory expansion, Ethernet and other
network boards, coprocessors, graphics boards, and data acquisition (A/D
and D/A converters). Already planned for TT VME expansion are an Ethernet
board for networking, I/O port expansion, and graphics extensions.
UNIX Option
The workstation-like capabilities of the TT will be complemented by an
optional industry standard operating system. UNIX System V is being
ported for the TT. Also available will be X windows as well as an X
windows based graphic user interface, giving TT owners all the benefits of
UNIX without all of the difficulties usually encountered.
TT at a Glance
--------------
- ST compatible operating system, giving TT an extensive software
library
- ST compatible hardware, including all the ST interface ports
- Three new graphics modes:
1280 x 960 pixels high resolution monochrome
640 x 480 pixels with 16 colors
320 x 480 pixels with 256 colors
- All color graphics modes use an expanded 4096 color palette
- 16 Mhz Motorola MC68030 processor
- Socket for optional MC68881/MC68882 math coprocessor
- DMA with built in SCSI and ACSI ports
- Two serial ports, expandable to four ports.
- Parallel interface
- Detachable keyboard
- Internal "Eurocard" VME socket (A24/D16)
- Internal hard disk option
- 8 bit stereo PCM sound
- 2 Mbytes RAM, expandable to 8 Mbytes (26 Mbytes with 4 Mb DRAM)
- Real time clock with battery backup
- Network capable hardware
The Atari TT continues the Atari tradition of delivering Power Without The
Price!
We reserve the right to change technical specifications without notice.
UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T.
August, 1989
Atari Corporation
1196 Borregas Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
___________________________________________________________________
> PORTFOLIO SHIPS! STR NewsPlus¿ At last, Atari excites the MS DOS world.
=============================
Agency Contact:
Andy Marken
Marken Communications, Inc.
(408) 738-1115 - office
(408) 732-9589 - home
Client Contact: James Fisher
(408) 745-2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATARI COMPUTER SHIPPING FIRST PALMTOP COMPUTER
CAPABLE OF RUNNING ADAPTED MS-DOS SOFTWARE
SUNNYVALE, CA (September 13, 1989)
Atari Computer has announced the immediate availability of the
Portfolio(TM), the industry's first palmtop computer to accept adapted
MS-DOS software and MS-DOS compatible commands.
The one-pound personal computer, with a standard typewriter-style
keyboard, is slightly smaller than a VCR tape, retails for $399.95 and is
powered by three standard "AA" alkaline batteries. The compact system
includes a built-in Lotus 1-2-3 file-compatible spreadsheet and word
processing software, as well as a calculator, personal appointment book,
address book and phone directory.
In making the announcement, Sam Tramiel, Atari Corporation president,
said that the compact size, extensive features and low cost of the
Portfolio have already "won over" portable computer users worldwide.
"Atari Computer has been shipping the Portfolio to key European
markets for a few months and we can't keep them on the shelves," said
Tramiel. "With its recent FCC Class B approval, we expect the
overwhelming response to our initial announcement of the system in the
U.S. to continue."
Small System, BIG Features
The small size of the Portfolio doesn't mean that it only offers
limited capabilities. In fact, the 80C88 system equals the processing
power of an IBM PC in the palm of your hand.
"With other portables and laptops, users always have to determine
whether or not it's 'worth it' to carry the computer with them," he said.
"But the Portfolio is small enough to slip into a purse, coat pocket or
student backpack. It essentially becomes 'a part' of the user in much the
same way as their wallet or appointment book," Tramiel added.
The Portfolio has 128K of RAM as standard (expandable to 640K with
optional peripherals). A card drive and credit-card sized, solid-state
RAM cards (not included) with 32K, 64K or 128K of memory replace a floppy
drive and diskettes. The card drive also accepts PROM and ROM program
cards for optional software and data.
The system has a 63-key IBM PC software-compatible keyboard and an LCD
display with a 40-column by 8-line character mode and 240 x 64 pixel
graphics mode. The system's internal software is menu-driven and is
viewed in frames and overlapping windows.
"From the QWERTY keyboard to the MS-DOS-compatible commands, our
designers made certain that the Portfolio palmtop computer would look and
feel familiar to any IBM PC or compatible user," said Tramiel. "Because
Portfolio's operating system is so similar to MS-DOS 2.11, vendors of PC
software are already working to adapt popular floppy disk PC programs for
the system," he added.
A range of optional peripherals for the Portfolio will ship shortly.
Users may add a Smart Parallel Interface for parallel printers and
transferring files between a Portfolio and a PC or a Serial Interface may
be added for serial printers and other RS232-C devices, such as modems. A
Memory Expander Plus, which includes a second card slot and 256K memory,
will be available. An external card drive for PCs, which allows the
solid-state memory cards to be accessed directly by a desktop system, is
also available.
Applications Increase Value
The standard software included with the Portfolio makes the palmtop
computer an even more exceptional value. For example, the Lotus 1-2-3
file compatible spreadsheet is ideal for a salesperson who must provide
on-site price quotes. Executives can work out "what-if" strategies during
planning sessions or negotiations.
The system's internal text editor includes standard word processing
capabilities and a clipboard function allows users to move or copy data
within a file or between files and applications. Users will also
appreciate the personal appointment book program with its reminder alarms
and the phone list with built-in automatic phone dialing.
"Atari's goal was to create the smallest, most useful personal
computer ever developed," said Tramiel. "Now you can have the power of an
IBM PC or compatible in the palm of your hand. The technology,
capabilities and convenience are here, at a very affordable price," he
noted.
The Portfolio is now available for immediate, worldwide delivery
through Atari Computer's leading authorized dealers and from Atari direct
at (800) 443-8020.
For more information, contact:
James Fisher, vice president of marketing,
Atari Computer,
1196 Borregas Avenue,
Sunnyvale, California 94088;
(408) 745-2000.
EDITORS NOTE:
Complete technical and applications information, as well as photos, are
available upon request. For immediate assistance, contact:
Marken Communications, (408) 738-1115.
Atari is a registered trademark and Portfolio is a trademark
of Atari Corporation
Other products are trademarks of their manufacturers.
_________________________________________________________________
> 32,768 Colors! STR Feature Just keep on ..keeping on.......
==========================
32,768 Color Support for the Atari ST
by Barry Orlando
Public Domain, Dated 09-09-89
Here's a hardware modification for the standard Atari ST that
increases the color palette from 512 colors to 32,768 colors (32 shades of
gray), while still maintaining compatibility with existing Atari ST
software (including SPECTRUM 512). It is software compatible with the
JRI's 4096C color board and will also be compatible with the recently
announced 4096 color STE (enhanced ST).
It does this by adding increased bits of resolution so as to increase
the ST's 16 read/write colors palette hardware registers from their
standard 9 bits each, to 15 bits each. Each of the standard color palette
registers have the following bit arrangement:
FEDCBA9876543210
.....RRR.GGG.BBB
where, R, G, and B are the red, green, and blue components.
The higher the value for any of these grouped bits, the more intense
the resulting color component. The above bits marked '.' are ignored.
The JRI 4096C color board and the upcoming 4096 color STE add an extra
bit of resolution at bit locations 3, 7, and B, however these new bits are
least significant bits so as to maintain compatibility with existing
software.
The 32,768 color modification goes a step further by adding a fifth
(and less significant) bit to each color component at locations C, D, and
E. The new arrangement is then:
FEDCBA9876543210
.RGBRRRRGGGGBBBB
As with the JRI 4096C color board, this modification adds an
additional Shifter chip. However this modification is slightly more
involved in that it uses three additional integrated circuits, and
bypasses 9, 5% tolerance resistors used by the Shifter chip, in favor of
using 9, 1% tolerance resistors.
Disclaimer of Liability
This modification should not be attempted by anyone except by someone
with experience repairing or building digital electronic circuits.
Performing this modification will be done at your own risk and may void
the warranty on your computer.
Parts List
==========
Qty Description/Source/Cost
---------------------------------
1 Component Perfboard (3" x 2.5") cut from Radio Shack
#276-147 ($2.99).
2 3M Board Mounting Interconnectors (straight single-row
male).Digi-Key Part # 929834-08-36 ($2.05 each).
Digi-Key Corp.
701 Brooks Ave South
P.O Box 677
Thief River Falls, MN 56701-0677
Phone 1-800-344-4539 for free catalog.
1 Quad 2 input NAND Gate, High Speed CMOS (74HC00N). Digi-Key
Corp., Part # MM74HC00N ($0.28).
1 Quad Tri-State Transceiver, High Speed CMOS (74HC243N).
Digi-Key Corp., Part # MM74HC243N ($0.78).
1 Octal Tri-State Transceiver, High Speed CMOS (74HC245N).
Digi-Key Corp., Part # MM74HC245N ($0.82).
5 each 3.76K, 7.50K, 15.0K, 30.1K, 60.4K ohm metal film resistors,
1%, 1/4 watt. Digi-Key Corp., Part #s 3.76X, 7.50X, 15.0X,
30.1X, 60.4X (each value: 5 for $0.50)
2 3.0K ohm carbon resistors, 5%, 1/4 watt. Digi-Key Corp.,
Part # 3.0E (5 for $0.25)
5 0.1ufd Monolithic Ceramic capacitors, Radial, 50V, 10%, or
equivalent substitution, Digi-Key Corp. Part # P4525 ($0.19
each)
2 Shifter Chip, Atari Part # CO25914-38A, one chip is
obtained from your ST's motherboard, the other from your
local Atari Authorized Service Center ($30.00)
Installation of the Board
Located on the ST's motherboard is mounted a sheet metal box which
houses the Shifter Chip. This box has a hinged lid which can be opened.
Inside this box you'll find the Shifter Chip mounted in a 40 pin socket.
The board simply plugs into this socket so that the board is elevated
above the ST's motherboard with sufficient clearance to allow closing the
hinged lid.
Three wires are installed from the color board to three vias (trace
thru holes) located nearby on the motherboard.
Additionally, jumpers are installed across each of three 3.6K ohm
resistors on the motherboard. These resistors are easily traced from the
Shifter socket pins 21, 24, and 27.
Circuit Schematic
I was going to get the circuit diagram for this project digitized, but
just didn't get around to it (saved you the download). So if you want it
send me a self addressed stamped envelope to the following address:
Barry Orlando
1120 Deerfield Dr.
Napa, CA 94558
Board Assembly
Because the sheet metal box (discussed above) does not allow alot of
head clearance, all components are mounted directly to the perfboard. If
you use chip sockets, the hinged lid will not fit back on without
modification.
The diagram below shows the orientation of components. I soldered all
the components to the perfboard then soldered all the connections using 30
gauge Kynar wire wrap solid conductor wire (Radio Shack 278-502).
There is a slight modification to the circuit if you have any RAM
chips installed in your ST which are 150 nanosecond (i.e., slower than 120
nanosecond). Pin 1 (DIR) of the 74HC245N must be tided to ground instead
of to the R/W line on Shifter. This will only disable the read capability
for bits C, D, and E of each color palette register mentioned above.
Software
To be used with this modification is a program to display all gray
levels and colors. This is a very crude program but was intended to only
prove that the circuit works. I have also included the C source code
which provides the engine for converting basic color intensities to board
compatible bit patterns.
*************************************************************************
* *
* Color Board Layout *
* *
* |----------- 2 1/2" -------------| *
* __ ___________________________________ *
* | | ________ ________ | *
* | || | | -==- | | || *
* | || S | | -==- | | S || *
* | || H | | -==- | | H || *
* | || I | | -==- | | I || *
* | || F | | -==- | | F || *
* | || T | | -==- | | T || *
* | || E | | -==- | | E || *
* | || R | | -==- | | R || *
* | || | | -==- | | || *
* || 1 | | -==- | | 2 || *
* 3 1/2" || | | -==- | | || *
* || | | -==- | | || *
* | || *| | -==- | | *|| *
* | ||________| | -==- | |________|| *
* | | <> <> <> | *
* | | ____ | *
* | | <> |* | <> <------decoupling caps. *
* | | ____ | | ____ | *
* | | |* | | | |* | | *
* | | | | | | | | | *
* | | ()| | [] | | [] | | | *
* | | ()| | | | ^ | | | *
* | | ()| | | | | | |<------- 74HC243N *
* | | |____| |____| | |____| | *
* _|_ |_____^_________^_____|____________| *
* | | |_________ 3.0K ohm resistors *
* 74HC00N ______| |_____ 74HC245N *
* *
* *
* *
*************************************************************************
_________________________________________________________________
> GOOD Backup STR Spotlight¿ Another fine HD backup utility.
=========================
The GOOD backup utility not only does fast incremental backups of your
hard disk partitions, it also VERIFIES that the existing files, on the
both the hard disk and the backup saveset, are intact.
How nice, no more nasty surprises. With the use of this program, you
won't find your self trying to restore a hard disk partition with
corrupted backups. A checksum is stored for each file and may be
recomputed and tested on each backup run to maintain it's integrity or
discover if any surreptitious modifications have occurred to any of the
files.
Additionally,there is no more waiting for the completion of the full
backup or loose it all if you must stop your backup process. The GOOD
backup utility may be interrupted at any time and resumed at some time in
the future; the program will pick right up where it left off, as well as,
include any files added since the last backup was stopped.
FEATURES
--------
- Copies data from a selected partition to a saveset of ordinary TOS
format backup disks. Thus, they are as readable as any other TOS
disk is.
- You may store your saveset on single or double sided floppy disks,
removable media devices, or keep a shadow partition of your entire
partition on another hard disk unit.
- A file that is too large to fit on a floppie will be split and saved
across as many disks as needed and automatically reassembled when
the file is restored.
- Updates to the backup will only copy the files that have actually
changed. Therefore, if frequent backups are done, the time frame is
quite fast.
- Lost or damaged disks in the backup saveset can be replaced without
replacing the entire backup saveset. If you loose a backup disk,
simply tell the program the number of the missing or corrupted disk,
the program will then rebuild that disk, good as new!
- A built-in write-back disk cache is used to ensure that the backup
goes fast. Write verify is switchable on or off.
- Full format routines are built into the program so if the need
arises, GOOD backup can be told to format disks as they are needed.
- Checksums are used to insure that both the files being backed up and
the actual backups are intact and complete. Errors are found well
before they can become dangerous.
- Up to 16 wildcard specs may be given as a list of files that will
not be kept in the backup saveset. The selection are automatically
remembered and reused when the backup saveset is updated. Files
that easily replaced may be excluded in this manner, thus saving on
the number of floppies required to perform a backup. It is
possible to exclude entire directory trees, all files of a specific
type, and many other combinations.
- Instead of specifying files to be excluded from the backup saveset,
the 16 wildcard file specifications can list the files to include in
the backup, excluding all others.
- A backup may be interrupted before it is completed, and then be
finished at a later date. You are not obliged to do the entire
backup in one session.
- Files may be restored as an entire partition, or by wildcard
selection. When restoring an entire partition, only files that are
actually missing need to be restored. Like the backup, the restore
may interrupted at any time and continued later.
- A reference list may be produced for locating individual files
within the backup saveset.
- User interface is easy to use, everything is accomplished with a
few keystrokes.
- The help key is actually used in the fine application, pressing help
will provide the user with additional information about every
available option.
The back up program is quite solid and delivers exactly what is listed
above. For the introductory price of 29.95, one can hardly miss this
program.
For Retail orders: Call: The Computer Bug, 1-413-584-7722
The GOOD Backup Utility is a product of:
TidBit Software Engineering Company
25 Wood Lane
Maynard, MA 01754
508-897-7429
______________________________________________________________________
> FAST TECH! STReport InfoFile¿ T 16 SHIPS! AND BLITS BLIT!
============================
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen and all ships at sea"
NEWS FLASH......dit..dit...dit...ditdit...ditdit...
===================================================
The boards are shipping!!!!! Yes the T16s are finally going out the
door. The first batch is shipping now, the second batch is shipping OCT
1. So if you want a T16 see your dealer now to get your order in. What a
relief, I feel like a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I
hope we will hear shortly from users just how they like them. Please post
your feelings when you test out your board, pass on your opinions.
Another great bit of news, CMI has managed to get Atari to loosen
their grip on the BLiTTER chips. This is indeed a great day. Now with
BLiTTERs available and TOS 1.4 available a BLiTTER upgrade makes sense.
Our "FASTBLIT" upgrade board will be shown at the WAACE show. It allows
you to add a BLiTTER to your 520/1040 ST for $49+BLiTTER chip. You don't
even need to splurge on a T16 to get a BLiTTER!!! Just go for a BLiTTER
upgrade and TOS1.4, then add T16 in the future if your on a tight budget.
And "FASTBLIT" has the added feature of providing our PCDII adapter
connection so you can add PCDII to a T16 equiped system. PCDII's ribbon
cable will plug right into "FASTBLIT" for a seamless interface.
We will be contacting Atari directly to arrange a similar arrangement
(Hopefully) to be able to provide BLiTTERs directly. I was suprised, this
is actually quite a departure from Atari policies of the past and is a
truly bright sign of great things to come!!!!
Jim <thanks Atari> Allen
________________________________________________________________
> S-H Clears the Air STR FOCUS¿ Chopstick Louie does the right thing!
============================
ctsy: CIS
You have one message waiting.
13770 S8/Hot Topics
07-Sep-89 23:13:13
Sb: CEO letter re FALCON
Fm: Spectrum HoloByte 76004,2144
To: [F] All & 73710,1052
Dear Editor of ST Report:
First off, I want to thank all of those ST users who have supported us
by buying FALCON. As of August 25, 1989, we have sold 12,962 units in
North America. In addition, we have sold 1,640 FALCON Mission Disks
(Operation: Counterstrike) since the beginning of the month. For the
statisticians, total sales in August for ST FALCON were 202 units as
compared to 836 for the Amiga, 1,151 for the IBM and 1,167 for the Mac
version.
By the way, I have not been giving the ST users the "Silent Treatment"
as you claim; it's just that some of us are trying to get new products
out, such as the Mission Disk, and feel that this is the best way to
support ST users. The ST users who have bought our products have been
wonderful. They have shown that there is a market for the ST in the
United States, and they deserve the support of other software companies.
Many have written to me or left messages on on-line services. ST users
are fed up with piracy and have turned in a number of "pirate boards" to
us. We, in turn, have turned these over to the Software Publishers
Association (SPA). These boards should not be allowed to ruin the market
for the rest of us. While we were once again disappointed to see that the
Mission Disk for FALCON (the Mirrorsoft version) appeared on the bulletin
boards before we even released it here in the United States, we are not
going to let it distract us from servicing honest ST users. As long as
there is a market, we will support it.
It has never been our intent to slander the ST market but rather to
help educate the user base about some of the frustrations of being a
publisher, programmer or developer. You have helped us better understand
some of the frustrations users must go through. We have taken off the
disk-based copy protection on the Mission Disk and upgrade for ST FALCON
as a way of say "thanks for being honest." Thanks for all of the comments
and letters. It has been an educational experience for all of us here at
Sphere.
Sincerely,
Gilman G. Louie CEO/Chairman Sphere,
Inc.
Editor Note:
Gilman Louie, by the statements in the above letter to us and the
userbase, has exhibited a sincere positive attitude toward the ST userbase
and displayed a very high degree of professionalism. We thank Mr. Louie
for the frankness of his expressions and appreciate and welcome the fine
support he has given our community. As always, we will endeavor to offer
as much support as we possibly can and continue to encourage the userbase
to do the same.
_______________________________________________________________________
> SYQUEST 44MB STR Review¿ Taking a good look at 'em...
=======================
44 Meg Removable Hard Drives:
The Hard Disks of the Future!
=============================
by Erik Williams
Hard drives are one of those peripherals that are well nigh
indispensable once you have one of these cranky beasts attached to your
computer. They offer unbelievable access times, tremendous storage,
versatility, the works! Well, there is a new breed of hard disk out
there that blows a traditional hard disk out of the water. Move over
shoeboxes, the 44 meg removables are here!
A Little About Hard Disks
When choosing a hard disk, there are some technical terms that one has
to be aware of to make an intelligent choice. One of these terms is
average access time. This little statistic tells us relatively how fast
the hard disk can access information stored on it. It is in units of
milliseconds, the average hard disks of today having an average access
time of 40-65 milliseconds. There are some hard disks (say, a Seagate
296N) that can run faster than that 40 millisecond barrier, but they are
generally a little more pricey for the speed.
Another little term that is tossed around is interleave. This is a
very important characteristic of a prospective drive. It is always a
ratio, with a 1:1 interleave being the fastest. This came about a while
back when hard disks were really new things and the computers had not yet
caught up with the incredible data transfer speeds that the hard disk can
achieve. So, there had to be a way to slow the hard disk down so that
the data transferred to the computer would not be garbled. So, some
bright boy figured out that by formatting the hard disk in such a way that
it would take longer for the hard disk to access the data, then the
computer would not get lost. That is why a lot of IBM AT's and their
clones will format a hard disk at 2:1 or 3:1 interleave. These computers,
for the most part, were not built to handle the speeds of the hard disk.
However, on the ST, we have that nice DMA port that can transfer a meg a
second, so most of the drives that can be used on a ST will be
formatted 1:1 (which allows the disk to transfer approximately 518-550K
per second). However, there are some drives out there (again, the
aforementioned 296N) that has a ROM set that will only allow it to be
formatted at 2:1 interleave (because most of these drives go into those
AT's). So, be very careful about the interleave factor. Now that all
that technical mess is behind us, let's talk about the 44 meg drives...
What's so special about them anyway?
Most hard disks available for the ST are fixed mechanisms, meaning
that once you have bought it, that is all the storage it will provide
unless you have the space, controller, and host adaptor to handle another
mechanism. If you buy a Supra 30 meg shoebox, then 30 megs will be all
that you will ever see out of that shoebox.
That is where the important difference between the fixed media drives
and the new removable media drives. Unlike their shoebox cousins, there
is no top limit to how much storage you may have (except your wallet!).
If you fill one of these cartridges up, then just plunk another $100 down,
and you have another 44 megs (while a comparable mechanism upgrade would
cost about $300-400 for the mechanism alone. If you need other parts,
more moolah...). However, like the shoeboxes out there, the 44 meggers
are true hard disks, and perform as such. They have access speeds that
will knock your socks off. Plus, there are some other nice features, too.
More Technical Data
What really makes these drives so attractive is that they are faster
than the normal hard disk. All of the 44 meg systems (whether it is
Atari's or a mail order vendor's) will be based around the Syquest 555
mechanism. This mechanism sports a convenient park switch right in the
middle of it, a release lever (that also logs in a new cartridge), and
access times from 20-25 millseconds! That is almost twice as fast as most
of the ST hard disks (unless you have opted for a nice big mechanism in
the 65 meg range) available today!
The cartridges themselves look like 5.25" disks, except that the
cartridges are a whole lot thicker. Each cartridge will hold 44 megs,
partitioned however you deem necessary (four eleven meg partitions will
wor
k fine, or more if you want to really segregate your applications).
They will format at 1:1 interleave, and transfer on average about 515K
per second. Add to that all of those \AUTO folder programs that speed up
TOS and GEMDOS, and the hard disk seems to go even faster than that
(FATSPD, Pinhead 1.2, etc.). TOS 1.4 should really fly with the 44 meg
drives.
But, there is a catch!!
There is only one limitation. At this time, only the ICD hard disk
utilities (version 3.41) supports the removable media. The problem
arises when inserting a new cartridge. TOS still thinks that the old
cartridge is in there and writes to it as if it were the old cartridge.
Basically, your new cartridge has become silicon salad quite quickly.
ICD figured out a way around this. Whenever the Syquest returns a
code to the host adaptor to the effect of "I have a new cartridge in me,
log it in!!", a short message of "<Disk Change>" flashes in the upper
right corner, and TOS logs in the statistics of the new disk. Saves
having to reboot the machine every time.
The real catch is, that the ICD utilities will not work in a system
that does not have an ICD host adaptor. The 44 meg drives that are being
marketed right now are built around the ICD host adaptor and have the
requisite software to handle the disk changes. Atari may be devising
their own code for use with the Megafile 44 (yet to be released) and a new
version of HDX should be in order.
So I, like, have this drive. Now what?
Putting a new hard disk in the system is no difficult matter. If the
44 megger is your first and only drive, then it should be a quite simple
plug and chug operation. The drive should already come pre-configured for
SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) 0, LUN (Logical Unit Number) 0.
SCSI 0, LUN 0 is the device that TOS will boot from if it detects a
presence on the DMA port. Most drives these days are configured this
way, and should also be preformatted (in this case, the cartridge should
already be partitioned and a data sheet should be in the package telling
you how it was done and what partitions they are). All it takes, then is
booting the hard disk, and then installing the requisite amount of drive
icons to access all of the partitions. Then it is time to install your
software on the hard disk and enjoy blazing new speeds.
It does tend to get a bit more difficult with systems that already
have a hard disk sitting there being SCSI 0, LUN 0. So, that is what most
of the rest of this article will detail. If you don't have two hard
disks, you can ignore this and probably are missing nothing. However, if
you want to stick around, in case you are planning on sticking another
mechanism next to your 44 megger, then read on!
The Hard Disk Peace Talks: Two or more mechanisms...
This was the procedure that I went through to install the 44 meg drive
behind a 30 meg SupraDrive. I was planning to keep the Supra as my boot
disk and use the 44 meg drive as the last four partitions. So, a few
minutes after receiving my 44 meg drive (my Supra had crashed two weeks
earlier, and was already back in operation), I had the case opened and
was looking about.
The idea was to change the ID of the 44 meg drive so that it would
not conflict with the SupraDrive when it decided to boot. Make sure
that you are doing this with the drive powered down. Coulomb's Law is
not a nice thing to be on the receiving end of... On the back of most
hard disks, you will notice a row of pins toward the bottom and center
of the mechanism with a jumper hanging there. Normally, it is just
sitting there on one of the pins, which makes the drive think it is SCSI
0, LUN 0. I had to change the position of the jumper slightly so that
instead of it resting on just one pin, it was shorting out both the pin
it was on and the one directly below it. If you want to check to see if
you have the ID jumpered correctly (I wanted SCSI 1, LUN 0 because the
Syquest has its own controller, thus it needs a different SCSI number),
just run ICD's MAKEPARK.PRG. It will tell you all of the IDs of the
drives currently online and if you have not messed with your other drive,
them it should show the new mechanism like a sore thumb.
After I had the drive ID set so that both hard disks would not try to
boot at the same time (let me tell you, that was not a pretty sight!
<wicked grin>), I went ahead and closed the case back up and rearranged
the system to accommodate it. Now, the fun began, because I had to start
installing the ICD boot software on my Supra. Which was a problem
considering that there was already stuff on the Supra, and its own boot
software, etc. There had to be some serious choices made here as to who
would rule the booting kingdom. The Supra software did not stand a
chance, and after I had backed up everything that was on the drive at the
time (which wasn't saying much), the Supra got reformatted.
ICD's format software is fast and user friendly. I had the Supra
reformatted in no time, all those pesky bad sectors that had been plaguing
my E:\ partition were a thing of the past, and now, the removable drive
could now be used in the system. I also formatted both of the
cartridges to new sizes (eleven megs a partition, four partitions). Now,
all it took was installing the new boot software (ICD 3.41, which did not
last long when I managed to snag ICD 4.04. If you have an ICD, get it!
It is worth the price of admission...). Next, the boot software and
NeoDesk were installed, and then the rest of the software. Voila! Where
there used to be 32 megs, there were now 75 megs online at any give time.
The project was a complete success.
More Miscellaneous Things About The 44 Megger
One of the things that was a real pain with hard disks were that you
could not write protect them, unless you had the Michtron software write
protect. The Syquest cartridges come with write protect "disks" that you
turn, and the mechanism will not write to the cartridge. It is really a
neat little quirk of new hard drive technology.
Also, when you are installing your 44 meg drive, make sure you read
all of the documentation before you stick the drive into the system. It
will save you a lot of headaches later down the road, especially when the
thing does not work right away ("Gee, I should have remembered that, it
was so SIMPLE...").
Finally, if your 44 megger has an ICD host adaptor, then by all means,
use ICDBOOT.SYS on your disk (especially the new version 4.04, it really
screams!). However, if your 44 meg drive does not have an ICD host
adaptor, then stay away from the ICD utilities, else you will lock up
your system (ICD checks to see that at least one ICD host adaptor is in
the system, which in mine, it checks the second SCSI address, and then
continues the boot).
44 meg drives are such wonderful mechanisms. After using one, you
might well wonder how you got along without one!
The above article will appear in the October issue of The Blitter Beacon,
the newsletter of The Central Florida ST Users Group (CFSTUG). Permission
is given to re-print it as long as this notice, the author's name and the
article are printed unchanged.
Editor Note:
Being a little bit acquainted with hard disks and removable media devices,
we felt this article was highly informative and well written. Incidently,
unlike many of the articles we have seen pertaining to the Syquest, this
is the first we have seen that was as Joe Friday puts it "Just the Facts"
...most of the others read like 'expert commmercial advertisements'.
Congratulations Erik, this was a good 'un! You will find though that as
of the end of August, Seagate is discontinuing the slower '-0' type drives
and going to the 28ms configuration with the ST 251 and 277 drives, which
incidently, brings them up to comparable speed with the '296' genre .
Also, all of the 3.5 Seagate drives are 28-40ms. The 40ms 'barrier' is a
thing of the past.
________________________________________________________
> Atari Stock ~ STReport¿ We'd be willing to bet Sig is happy!!
======================
THE TICKERTAPE
==============
by Glenn Gorman
The markets were closed on Monday, Sept. 4th, for Labor Day.
Atari Stock rose 3/8 of a point on Tuesday. Dropped 1/8 on Wednesday.
Rose 3/4 on Thursday and up 1 point on Friday. Finishing up the week at
10 7/8 points. Up 1 1/4 points from our last report.
Glenn Gorman
+---------------------+
| ATARI STOCK WATCH |
| Week 09-04 to 09-08 |
+=======+==========+===========+=============+============+=============+
| | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
+-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
| Sales | | 1161 | 1438 | 5480 | 6117 |
+-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
| Last | | 9 1/4 | 9 1/8 | 9 7/8 | 10 7/8 |
+-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
| Chg. | | +3/8 | -1/8 | +3/4 | +1 |
+=======+==========+===========+=============+============+=============+
| From > THE CAVE ST BBS <> 609-882-9195 <> 300/14400 HST <> F-NET #351 |
+=======================================================================+
____________________________________________________________
> PIRATES! STR Review¿ Avast Ye matey! Pay heed to this here scrawl!
===================
PIRATES!
========
from Microprose
by William Y. Baugh
Well, the wait is finally over. Microprose has finally released the
long sought after Pirates! for the ST; and in my opinion, it was well
worth the wait. Pirates! is a great blend of action, strategy, romance
and great graphics all rolled into a very playable game.
As with most Microprose games, historical accuracy is of the utmost
importance. This fact is not lost in Pirates!. Your playing world is the
entire Caribbean Sea; from Barbados westward to Vera Cruz, Northward to
St. Augustine (Florida) and south to the Northern coast of South America.
All of the major, and some not so major, ports and cities colonized by the
four main nations (England, France, Spain and Holland) are included in
Pirates! world. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to become
the best Privateer or Pirate that you can be, become rich and retire early
with a huge savings, a wife, large amounts of land and a grand title! All
of this may be yours by trading, plundering and looting these various
cities and differing nations ships.
At the outset of the game, you have the choice of which nation you
will represent, what level (there are four different) and what time period
you'll play at. The eras are:
The Silver Empire (1560) Merchants and Smugglers (1600)
The New Colonists (1620) War For Profit (1640)
The Buccaneer Heroes (1660) Pirates' Sunset (1680)
Depending upon the time period is how hard or easy it will be on your
buccaneering lifestyle. The first two periods are totally dominated by
Spanish rule. As the Spanish start to decline in power, more of the
European nations move in to capitalize on the wealth to be found (these
are during the 1620 through 1660). These levels are the easiest for
novices. The last era is another harder level in that the different
countries Navy's have taken a distinct interest in the Caribbean. This
makes it tough on the one man operations.
Once these decisions are made and you have ousted the bum of a Captain
and confiscated his ship, you will find yourself in a port city under
control of the nation you chose. Inside the city, you are able to visit
the Governor, trade with merchant, visit a tavern, divide the plunder,
check your status and of course, leave. In visiting the Governor, you get
the low down on what countries your nation is at war with, get special
missions, receive bonuses of land grants and money for good work and also
get to meet his daughter (hubba hubba!!). Trading with the merchant is
just that, you can take the plunder and ships you've captured and sell
them at the differing cities, some give higher prices than others. You
may also repair your ships through him. In visiting a tavern you meet
people who will give you information for a price, but most importantly,
you may find a willing group of sailors to man your vessels. Dividing the
plunder is almost, but not quite like retiring. You may retire if you are
inclined to, but you may continue at your current level or move on to the
next higher level. You are eventually forced (crews will usually only
stay happy up to a year in service. After that they start deserting and
stealing your money) to divide the plunder because this is when you pay
your crew and they have the chance to finally get off your ships and live
it up for awhile. The graphics while in the city remind me of The Bard's
Tale. You have a window where the slightly animated graphics are shown,
with the text options listed in the lower right. The graphics are good
and unobtrusive. You may click through them very quickly once you've got
the game down.
Once leaving the city, you are shown an angled overhead view of the
ocean and your ship. The largest ship in your fleet becomes your flagship
while you are sailing. All controls are accomplished with the mouse.
Clouds pass by showing the direction and their speed along with the sound
tell the intensity of the winds. At the higher levels, when a cloud (or
storm) passes over you, you are usually caught by it and you have no
control over your ship. This is a real pain in the butt, but I guess it
is realistic for those types of ships. Speaking of ships, there are nine
different types of ships ranging from a small Pinnace up to the behemoth
Spanish Galleons. At the beginning of the game you are equipped with a
Sloop, but you may move up to larger ships if you can capture them. The
ocean travel is very reminiscent of Seven Cities of Gold on the 8-bit but
with a much larger viewing area (the entire screen). From this screen you
may travel around hunting ships or sail to the nearest city and go
looting; it's your choice!
Sea battles are similar to yet another 8-bit game from SSI called
Broadsides. The ships jockey for position while you have control of how
much sail you put up and the firing of the cannons. It is not near as
complicated as Broadsides, but it is not lacking for realism. The boom of
the cannons resonates while the cannonballs arc through the air to either
splash in the water or crash into the opposing ship. During the battle,
you may draw up close enough to the opposing ship to use the grappling
hooks and swarm aboard, or you may pound the ship to pieces of driftwood.
The former allows you to fence the ships' Captain and loot and keep the
ship (if you win). The latter does nothing except destroy the ship.
During some battles, if you lob a few well placed shots and cripple the
ship, or just scare them enough, the Captain will surrender without a
fight.
When plundering a city, you can sail into the city, fight the cannon
mounted fort (or forts, if any are present) and then fight the cities
guard to gain entry. Another method is to land away from the city and
take your men in this way. There are pluses and minuses to each method.
By sea, you have cannons that you may bear on the fort, but you are
limited to the number of men that you may bring on the offensive (you may
have a huge fleet with 300 men, but if the ship you choose only holds 80,
that's all you get). By land, you may bring your entire crew, but you are
more vulnerable to attack, especially if the militia comes out on horse
back!
This is just a brief overview of an extremely complex game. There are
numerous strategies that you must plan out if you are to be successful in
your endeavour to be rich and famous. You start out at the age of 25 and
will probably only last until your 31 at the oldest, so time is limited.
You must keep your crew happy by always plundering and selling off your
plunder for hard cash. Two ways to really make the crew happy is the
capturing of The Silver Train and The Treasure Fleet which is sailing
around the Caribbean. I lucked up during my current mission and captured
both in one city! (Over 100,000 ducats!!) Also, depending upon the level
your playing at is the percentage that you as the Captain will receive for
your troubles. At lower levels you get a small share because you are
getting help from other crew members, but as you proceed upwards, your
share and hassles get larger.
So in closing, if you've always wanted to be a Swashbuckling Pirate, look
no further for Pirates! is for you.
To Order, Call:
Microtyme at: 1-800-255-5835
__________________________________________________________________
> DISAPPEARING ACT STReport InfoFile¿ A move to improve....ANTIC!
==================================
To: All
Due to our gearing up for the fall sales season, we are temporarily
discontinuing On-Line Product Support. If you require Technical
assistance, call our office at (415)-957-0886 8am-12pm Pacific time or
write to Antic Software, 544 Second Street, San Francisco CA 94107.
Please include a SASE and write "Attn: Product Support" on your letter.
As for upgrades the following schedule is in effect:
GFA Basic 3.07 Interpreter and Compiler
(Atari ST version) available 9/20
1st time buyers (complete package) $139.95
2.0 owners (complete package upgrade) $ 69.95
3.0 owners (latest version interperter and compiler) $ 29.95
Zoetrope ver 2.01 for the Amiga available 9/20
2.0 owners $ 10.00
For upgrades return your ORIGINAL disk with check or money order,
include $3.50 for Shipping and Handling. First time buyers can call
1-800-234-7001 6am to 6pm pacific time to order. Sorry, updates and
upgrades must be mailed in for proof of purchase.
Thank you
Customer Service Antic Software
__________________________________________________________________
> Cordless Mouse! STReport InfoFile¿ Practical Solutions does it again!
=================================
September 8, 1989
For Immediate Release
THE MOUSE LOSES ITS TAIL!
========================
Tucson, AZ. Practical Solutions, Inc announces The Cordless Mouse, a
new innovation in input control. Compatible with all Atari ST and Mega
computers, The Cordless Mouse utilizes the latest in infra-red signal
transmission technology to give all mouse users long-awaited freedom. It
can be operated from up to five feet away from its base receiver,
eliminating those old cable tangles, while providing faster and smoother
mouse movement. According to company president Mark Sloatman, this new
mouse will advance the state-of-the-art for all input devices.
The Cordless Mouse features a sleek, lightweight, contoured design
allowing ease of use for both right- and left-handed operators. Using an
8 bit, 12 MHz CMOS CPU, The Cordless Mouse provides a high resolution of
over 200 cpi and a tracking speed of up to 600 mm/sec. This makes it
twice as fast as the Atari mouse, taking up less than half the rolling
room normally required on your mouse pad. The Cordless Mouse also has an
automatic shutoff to extend battery life (two "AAA" batteries required).
No special gridplate or mousepad is necessary.
The Cordless Mouse has a scheduled release date of October 20, 1989
with a suggested retail of only $129.95. It comes with a one year limited
warranty and unlimited technical support. Early response indicates an
overwhelming demand, especially for those that use their ST every day.
Sloatman says "Once you've used our mouse you'll never want to use any
other. It's the fastest, smoothest mouse available today."
For futher information please contact:
Practical Solutions
1135 N. Jones Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85716
(602) 322-6100
Fax: (602) 322-9271
CompuServe: 76004,2000
Genie: PSINC
_____________________________________________________________________
> WAACE ATARI FEST STR NewsPlus¿ Usergroups helping Atari and the users.
=============================
Washington Area Atari Computer Enthusiasts (WAACE)
Fifth Annual Atarifest
Scheduled for October 7th and 8th, 1989
The Washington Area Atari Computer Enthusiasts (WAACE) has announced
that the fifth annual Washington D.C. area Atarifest will be held at
Fairfax High School, 3500 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, Virginia on Saturday
and Sunday, the 7th and 8th of October. Atarifest is a computing
exposition featuring the Atari line of personal and home computers, as
well as the complete line of entertainment systems. The show features
educational seminars covering nearly all areas of computing;
demonstrations of various applications of Atari computers, including MIDI
music, desktop publishing, and entertainment; and exhibits by software
publishers and hardware manufacturers showing the latest developments in
the Atari world. In the past, representatives from Atari Corporation have
been on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.
This year's theme is "The Atari Alternative," and the goal is to show
how Atari computers can be used in business and in the home. It will
include demonstrations of both eight-bit (400/800/XL/XE) and ST software
and hardware. Whether for creative endeavors, helping with some of the
household paperwork, or just to have fun, the organizers of Atarifest '89
intend to show how the "Atari Alternative" can meet and beat other
computer systems in its class, and why Atari Corporation's motto is "Power
Without the Price."
WAACE is a confederation of Atari user groups in the Maryland,
Virginia, and Washington, D.C. area, each dedicated to supporting the
Atari community in their respective areas. Atarifest is co-sponsored by
the Fairfax County (Virginia) Public Schools' Office of Adult and
Community Education, and the emphasis has always been on educating the
public about computers and their uses. The 1985 Washington Atarifest was
one of the first such shows, which are now held in more than 10 cities
across the nation.
Atarifest has grown in popularity, attracting thousands of attendees
each year. This year, organizers hope to attract over 5,000 people. The
show is open to all persons who have an interest in computing, and the
FREE ADMISSION and hourly door prizes (including an Atari hard disk drive)
encourage attendance by those who may not yet own an Atari computer. It
is especially designed to have something of interest for everyone, from
diehard Atarians to mainframe systems managers to computer neophytes.
Fairfax High School is located at 3500 Old Lee Highway, just off
routes 29 and 50 in Fairfax, Virginia. The school can conveniently be
reached from the Vienna Metro station (Orange line) by taking the Fairfax
Cue bus. Hours of the show are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Most user group demonstrations will be
conducted on Saturday only. For further information, call John Barnes at
(301) 652-0667.
For further information contact:
Gary Purinton (703) 264-8826
John Barnes (301) 652-0667
Vendors should contact:
Johnna Ogden (703) 450-3992
-=***=-
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT WAACE ATARIFEST '89
Having recently learned that our canvassing of the Atari World missed
a number of people who are interested in participating in WAACE's 1989
AtariFest.
Locations:
==========
WAACE ATARIFEST LOCATION - Fairfax High School, Fairfax, VA
Headquarters Hotel - Quality Inn, Fairfax City, Fairfax, VA
Rate: 49.50 regardless of number of persons in room
Phone Toll Free - 1-800-223-1223 MD-VA-DC 591-5900
Be sure to say that you are with ATARIFEST
Banquet - Hunan Lion III restaurant - Buffet Style, $20
Key Dates:
October 7 - 10 am to 5:30 pm - User group demos, seminars, Vendor
sales.
October 7 - 6 pm to 7:30 pm - Hospitality at Quality Inn October 7 - 7:30
pm, Banquet, Sig Hartmann featured speaker.
October 8 - 12 pm to 5:00 pm - Seminars, Vendor Sales, MIDI Concerts
September 25 - Hotel Reservation deadline September 20, 1989
Deadline for material for the printed program September 20 - DTP Contest
deadline (this is an extension)
Costs - all are prepaid, send check with order
Admission for the public - FREE
Vendor Tables - $150 for 3ft x 12 ft table, limited number in main area,
plenty in overflow areas.
Program Advertising - $60 for full page - Provide Camera-ready layout in 8
1/2 x 11 portrait format.
Banquet Tickets - $20 each, total available - 100 Addresses:
Vendor Tables: Program Ads: Banquet Tickets:
Johnna Ogden Steve Rudolph Russell Brown
15 Wedgedale Dr 11914 Galaxy La 13757 Mapledale Ave
Sterling, VA 22170 Bowie MD 20715 Dale City, VA 22193
703-450-3992
______________________________________________________________
> ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL¿ Tellin' it like it is...
======================
- Detroit, MI. ****** SECRET SERVICE MAKES BIG PIRATE BUST! ******
------------
Secret Service agents investigating computer hacking networks seized
two computers, 2,000 disks, speed dialers and other devices Friday from
the home of a Warren man suspected of defrauding credit card and telephone
companies of almost $100,000 in good and services. James Huse, special
agent in charge of the Secret Service office in Detroit, said agents went
to the 28 year old man's home with a search warrant at 7am. "NO charges
will be brought against him at this time," Huse said, adding that
authorities could file charges at a later date. According to an affidavit
for the search warrant filed in U.S. District Court, a network believed to
include the Warren man infiltrated the computer systems of credit card and
telephone companies including MCI, AT&T and U.S. Sprint. They obtained
charge card and telephone credit card numbers, which were posted on a
computer bulletin board system (SURFBOARD BBS) that was made available to
members of the hacking ring, the affidavit said.
Huse said his office will not know for weeks the number of people
involved, the duration of the hacking and the total value of
misappropriated services. The network, uncovered several weeks ago after
a tip, is believed to include members in Canada and California, he said.
Huse said, "He owns the residence, and we entered the residence on the
basis of probable cause that the computers in the residence were part of a
defrauding scheme," he said. Huse would not say whether the home owner
was involved in the scheme, which he said bilked several long-distance
phone companies and financial institutions out of some $ 86,000 in costs.
Huse said the network had been operating for about a year and involved
several hackers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
- Groton, CT. ****** MEGA BUS ERRORS PERPLEXING ******
-----------
Apparently, in some ST machines the address buffers (74LS373's) need
to be replaced with 74AS373's. Some ST's have SGS (brand) devices, and
they are marginally capable of handling the capacitance that the new TOS
adds to the bus. Replace the 74LS373 chips in your Mega with some new
ones (TI's seem to work) and that should cure the bus bombs. The problem
quickly shows up when a cartridge is inserted or in use and the six chip
has been installed. A reminder though, this problem does not evidence
itself in all machines.
- New York City, NY **** ORDER YOUR PORTFOLIO DIRECT! ****
-----------------
CALL: 1-800-443-8020, (Atari's "800" #), and find that you may as a
private individual buy the Portfolio direct from Atari for list price!
$399.95 Now, if you do so, they say it will be delivered to your
doorstep within 5 days of your order, once they have them. The Portfolio
should get quite a boost in it's initial market penetration on a National
Basis. Considering the massive national ad campaign already bought and
paid for, Atari''s name should be on the lips of every electronics junkie
in creation.
- Baltimore, MD. ****** GAMEBOY RUNNING AWAY WITH MARKET! ******
--------------
Toys-R-Us says we can't keep them, in stock, Lionel Playworld says the
hottest thing since the hula-hoop. STReport sez ....where the heck is the
Lynx? Is this to become another of the well we got done this way and that
way and thats why we didn't make the Christmas 1989 sales? What is
holding up the Lynx? Come on guys, let loose with it already...
______________________________________________________________________
> STReport InfoFile¿ Custom Mass Storage Devices.
=================
NEW PRICES! & MORE MODELS!!
============================
ABCO COMPUTER ELECTRONICS INC.
P.O. Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672
Est. 1985
_________________________________________
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EDT
BBS: 904-786-4176 12-24-96 HST
FAX: 904-783-3319 12 PM - 6 AM EDT
_________________________________________
HARD DISK SYSTEMS TO FIT EVERY BUDGET
_____________________________________
All systems are complete and ready to use, included at NO EXTRA COST
are clock/calendar and cooling blower(s).
ALL ABCO HARD DISK SYSTEMS ARE FULLY EXPANDABLE
(you are NOT limited to two drives ONLY!)
(all cables and connectors installed)
SEAGATE HARD DISK MECHANISMS ONLY!
ICD HOST ADAPTERS USED
EXCLUSIVELY
* OMTI HIGH SPEED CONTROLLERS *
32mb #SG32238 539.00 42mb #SG44710 595.00
51mb #SGN4951 629.00 65mb #SG60101 679.00
80mb #SGN296 709.00 100mb #SG84011D 969.00
130mb #SG1244D 1099.00 145mb #SG3A4210 989.00
170mb #SGT41776 1389.00 260mb #SG1244Q 2169.00
320mb #SGN7788Q 3295.00
Listed above are a sampling of the systems available.
Prices also reflect various cabinet/power supply configurations
(over sixty configurations are available, flexibility is unlimited)
*** ALL Units: Average Access Time: 24ms - 34ms ***
ALL UNITS COMPATIBLE WITH --> MAGIC SAC - PC-DITTO/II - SPECTRE/GCR
LARGER units are available - (special order only)
* Removable Media Devices Available (44mb) Syquest 555 *
*** Available for ST - Amiga - IBM ***
LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS
- Custom Walnut WOODEN Cabinets -
TOWER - AT - XT Cabinets
ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED
12 month FULL Guarantee
(A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE)
Quantity & Usergroup Discounts Available!
_________________________________________
DEALERS and DISTRIBUTORS WANTED!
Personal Checks are accepted.
ORDER YOURS TODAY!
904-783-3319 9am - 8pm EDT
______________________________________________________________________
> A "Quotable Quote"¿
=================
Daffy Quote;
"Those who cry foul loudest .....have a BIG mouth!!"
....Miner's Minions
"ATARI IS BACK!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ST-REPORT¿ Issue #105 "Your Independent News Source" September 15, 1989
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ½ copyright 1989
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
the editors, staff, ST Report¿ or CPU Report¿. Reprint permission is
hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. All reprints must include ST
Report or CPU Report and the author's name. All information presented
herein is believed correct, STReport or CPU Report, it's editors and staff
are not responsible for any use or misuse of information contained herein.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
