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Silicon Times Report Issue 0806
*---== ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
February 07, 1992 No.8.06
==========================================================================
STReport International Online Magazine
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32205 ~ 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
-----------------------------------------
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EST
BBS: 904-786-4176 USR/HST DUAL STANDARD
1200 - 19.2bps V.32 - 42
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-----------------------------------------
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FNET 0075 - STR West: Bloom County BBS 1-415-965-9347
FNET 0018 - STR Canada: ///Turbo Board BBS Support 1-416-274-1225
FNET 1031 - STR Europe: <<< INTERNET - UK>>> 011-44-296-395-935
__________________________________________________________________
> 02/07/92: STReport #8.06 "Reporting ABOUT Atari not FOR Atari!"
-------------------------
- The Editor's Desk - CPU REPORT - APPLE CUTS PRICES!
- SIERRA PROFITS UP! - SIMM PRICES FALL - TAF SHOW NEWS
- FLOW CONTROL EXPLAINED - BCS CHOSEN! - "CRYPTO 101"
- VOODO & THE ST! - PORTFOLIO NEWS - STR Confidential
-* GADGET'S SST SHIPS! *-
-* IRS COMPUTER BURPS $$ *-
-* BIX SOLD! *-
==========================================================================
ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
The _Number One_ & Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine
-* FEATURING WEEKLY *-
"UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information
Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
==========================================================================
STReport's support BBS, NODE 350, invites BBS systems, worldwide, to
participate in the Fido/F-Net Mail Network. Or, call Node 350 direct at
904-786-4176, and enjoy the excitement of exchanging information relative
to the Atari ST computer arena through an excellent International ST Mail
Network. All registered F-NET - Crossnet SysOps are welcome to join the
STReport Crossnet Conference. The Crossnet Conference Code is #34813, and
the "Lead Node" is # 350. All systems are welcome and invited to actively
participate. Support Atari Computers; Join Today!
==========================================================================
AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON: GENIE ~ CIS ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ FIDO ~ F-NET
==========================================================================
COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME
to the Readers of;
ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY!
CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198
You will receive your complimentary time
and
be online in no time at all!
WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (February 7)
===========================================
ATARI FORUMS EXPAND LYNX COVERAGE
In response to the increased sales of Atari's LYNX, the first handheld
8-bit videogame unit with a color LCD screen, multiplayer capabilities
and stereo sound, the staff of the Atari 8-Bit Forum has recruited the
services of two well-known LYNX gaming experts, Jeff Kovach and Todd
Ellering. A new library devoted to LYNX files will include game maps in
GIF graphics format, help and hint files, and press releases detailing new
game introductions. Kovach and Ellering will be online daily to answer
LYNX questions and will host special conferences with playing tips. For
more information, GO ATARI8.
NETWORKING AN ATARI TO A PC
If you've ever wondered about hooking up your Atari computer to a local
area network (LAN), please visit the Atari Productivity Forum (GO
ATARIPRO) and read and respond to message #56532. (Especially if you
want to hook it up to a PC network.)
**** NEW FROM ATARI! ****
Atari has uploaded the latest version of their Hard Drive Utilities! Look
for ATHDX5.LZH in Library 4 ("Utilities") in the Atari Productivity Forum
(GO ATARIPRO) for version 5.0 of these utilities.
ANOTHER NEW VERSION OF PINHEAD NOW AVAILABLE!
Charles F. Johnson has uploaded the latest version of PinHead, version
2.1, to Library 6 of the Atari Productivity Forum (GO ATARIPRO). This
version works with ANY version of TOS... Download PINH21.ARC and get the
fastest bootup you have ever seen!
ATARI OVERSEAS
The Sysops have opened up a new message section (15) of the Atari Arts
Forum (GO ATARIARTS) entitled ATARI "OVERSEAS" especially for our new
members from the UK, Europe and Australia.
MESSAGE SECTION CHANGES IN ATARIPRO
We've made a slight modification to the names of our message sections in
the Atari Productivity Forum (GO ATARIPRO). Sections 4 and 5 (Personal
Applications and Business Applications) have been combined into a single
section named APPLICATIONS and a new section has been setup under the
subject NETWORKING ATARIS. Both sections are available to the entire
membership, but adjust your individual section settings accordingly.
PORT-A-THON COMING SOON!
Just a reminder -- *the* social event of the year, our online PORT-A-
THON will be held in the conference rooms of the Atari Portfolio Forum
(GO APORTFOLIO) on Feb 21-22. Tons of prizes (both hardware and
software). Spread the word! (Black Tie optional)
THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM ON COMPUSERVE
HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AN
OFFICIAL SUPPORT SITE BY ATARI CORPORATION
"GO APORTFOLIO TO ACCESS THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM"
***********************************************************************
> CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
=================
Issue #06
Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
-- Apple Cuts Mac Prices
This week, Apple Computer announced 9-37% prices cuts on many models of
its Macintosh computers. The low-end Macintoshes, the Mac II, Mac LC,
and Classic, will experience the highest cuts. While no price cuts were
announced for the Quadra or Powerbook 140 or 170 lines, the low-end
Powerbook 100's price was cut between 12-13%. Also, the Stylewriter
printer was cut 33% bringing its retail price to just under $400.
Apple has said it was planning to more aggressively pursue the U.S.
market.
-- Microsoft Dumps President
In a surprise move, Microsoft replaced president Michael Hallman with a
triumvirate. Mike Maples of applications, Steve Balmmer head of systems
and Chief Financial Officer Francis Gaudette, will be assuming the res-
ponsibility of running the company.
Under the new structure Ballmer will become chief of sales and service.
Maples will take over development of operating systems as well as
continue leading the applications software division. Gaudette, who will
continue as CFO, will also oversee the company's manufacturing, distri-
bution, human resources, and other business operations.
-- Sierra Posts 3rd Quarter Profits
Sierra On-Line announced net earnings of $2.5 million from revenues of
$16.4 million for its 3rd fiscal quarter ending December 31, 1991. Over-
all earnings for the nine month period were $33.6 million compared to
$25.7 million for the nine months of the previous year.
Sierra On-Line, known for its games including King's Quest IV and the
Leisure Suit Larry series, has introduced several new game titles in-
cluding the newly released Ecoquest -- the Search for Cetus and The
Castle of Dr. Brain.
The company says it publishes software game titles for the IBM personal
computer and compatible, the Apple Macintosh, and the Commodore Amiga
computer platforms, but has also licensed "King's Quest V" to Konami
which develops for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
-- IBM to Start Two Computer Magazines
IBM this week announced that later this month it will be starting two
new computing magazines intended for customers and potential customers.
According to reports, the magazines will be distributed by controlled
circulation and will come out every other month. They will be sent free
of charge to those that meet the qualifications.
The magazines will be called Profit and Beyond Computing and essentially
are to be marketing vehicles for IBM, though they will accept ads from
competing computer and software companies.
Profit will be aimed at small business owners, while Beyond Computing
will target executives at medium and large companies. According to IBM,
each will have circulation of 200,000.
-- IRS Computer Goofs
Due to a computer glitch, the IRS mistakenly told more than 36,000 tax-
payers filing electronic returns that they were getting about $40
million in refunds. An IRS spokesperson said that they glitch has been
corrected and that the only returns effected were ones filed with the
Witchita, Kansas center between Jan. 10-27.
According to reports, many taxpayers have already borrowed money against
the refunds, so banks now stand to lose millions of dollars.
One advantage to filing a computerized return is that the IRS can give
quick confirmation by computer of the amount the taxpayer can expect in
a refund. Many people then use that information to borrow from a bank
while they wait for the refund. The IRS then sends the refund directly
to the bank.
Netherlands "Hackers" Arrested; Charges Pending
Two computer hackers have been arrested in connection with allegedly
gaining unauthorized access to a variety of computer networks around the
world. The two men "hacked" into the Bronto on-line computer system at
Amsterdam's Free University late last year. Following the November
accesses, the pair then used the Telnet and Usenet links to gain onward
access to a number of computer networks in Italy, Norway, and Spain, as
well as the United States.
According to reports, the pair were the first hackers to be caught by a
special computer crime operations unit in the Netherlands. It seems
likely that they will be charged with forgery, computer fraud, and
criminal damage.
***********************************************************************
:HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
_________________________________
To sign up for GEnie service:
Set your communications software to Half Duplex (or Local Echo)
Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
Wait for the U#= prompt.
Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.
GEnie costs only $4.95 a month for unlimited evening and weekend access to
more than 100 services including electronic mail, online encyclopedia,
shopping, news, entertainment, single-player games, and bulletin boards on
leisure and professional subjects. With many other services, including
the biggest collection of files to download and the best online games, for
only $6 per hour.
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! Any time during your first month of membership if
you are not completely satisfied, just ask for your $4.95 back.
GEnie Announcements (FREE)
1. A WORD FROM GENIE REGARDING SYSTEM SPEED......................
2. January '92 GEnie Billing Complete. To review yours, type:.*BILL
3. Romance, Love, Parties, Prizes..............................*VALENTINE
4. NEW STORE AT GENIE MALL: Parsons Technology.................PARSONS
5. Commodore 64/128 owners win big in the.....................FLAGSHIP
6. RTC 2/9:How to get PUBLICITY--Learn an Expert's Secrets.....HOSB
7. Is ROMANTIC LOVE a myth...Join BB debate and 2/9 RTC in.....PF
8. Sports fanatics, show us what you've got, play..............TRIVIA
9. Homestead Records - How to Get the Most from Them...........GENEALOGY
10. Don't be Afraid to Venture Into.............................GEMSTONE
11. NEW Files now available, RTCs planned..Check out the SUN in.FLORIDA
12. Not one but >TWO< contests now plugged in and playing in....MIDI
13. Meet The SysOps of GEnie's Real Estate RoundTable...........GENIEUS
14. Yes sir, that's my baby -- rock & romance in . . ........*MUSIC
15. FREE magazine offer for gamers..............................SCORPIA
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 to your own computer system 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'.
GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission
***********************************************************************
> The Flip Side STR Feature "...a different view point"
=========================
A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT
==================================
by Michael Lee
----------------
From the folks at the new Atari Advantage magazine - Cat. 15, Topic 4,
Msg. 7, 13 - from the ST Roundtable on Genie...
Are you intrigued by the inside stories and the best late breaking
news in the Atari market? We extend a warm welcome to NEVIN SHALIT
and his famed RUMOR CITY column starting in the CHARTER issue of ATARI
ADVANTAGE!
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Are you ready for personal fame, fortune or fun? ATARI ADVANTAGE is
expanding coverage of the Atari market. We are looking for additional
reviewers experienced in products and applications ranging across the
following areas:
* Graphics Programs * Desktop Publishing
* Business Applications * Utilities
* Hardware * Tutorials (all areas)
Please leave email to Mike Lindsay at AT-VANTAGE if interested.
**************************************************
***** ATTENTION ATARI DEALERS and DEVELOPERS *****
**************************************************
We at Atari Advantage Magazine have an offer you just can't pass up...
A FREE AD!
Here's the deal. If you are going to advertise with us in our first
few issues, with at least a 3 time contract, we will run your ad for
free in our first issue. If you decide not to sign a contract with us,
we'll only charge half price for the ad. Also, we're asking that you
submit an ad similar in size to what you are going to be running in
the future.
We've spent the last couple days trying to call everyone with this
offer, but we're not reaching everyone fast enough. We want to give
anyone interested in advertising with us a chance to take advantage of
this offer. If this sounds like the deal for you, call and let us know
what size you are going to send in, and then get your ad in the mail
to us! We are trying to put our first issue out by February 19-21, so
we need to know RIGHT NOW if you are interested in this offer! We only
have so much space to give away, so ads will be placed on a first come
first serve basis--don't be the last one in!
Atari Advantage can be reached in the following ways:
Phone: (503) 476-3578
FAX : (503) 476-0719
GEnie: AT-VANTAGE
CIS : 70007,3615
U.S. Mail:
Atari Advantage Magazine
P.O. Box 803
Merlin, OR 97532
UPS, FedEx:
Atari Advantage Magazine
400 Galice Rd.
Merlin, OR 97532
----------------
From Jim Allen (Fast Tech) - Cat. 4, Topic 11, Msg. 123, 142 - from the
ST Roundtable on Genie...
We have the fastest 68000 accelerator in the world, the T20 and T25,
which run a 20 and 25Mhz.
T20....$329.00US
T25....$379.00US
These fit all 520, 1040, and Mega STs. With a small adapter they fit
the 1040STE also.
STE adapter...$49.00US
We also offer TOS 2.06 to our customers, along with an installation
kit, to allow you to upgrade any 520, 1040, or MegaST.
TOS 2.06....$60.00US option
We also have in limited release the TURBO030, 40Mhz 68030 accelerator.
It comes in two versions, half populated, and fully populated. Full
surface mount design, the only user installable option is the FPU
upgrade, comprised of a 60Mhz 68882 coprocessor.
TURBO030 cache-only...$1,199.00US...$999.00US to T16/2x and ISD users
TURBO030 4Meg........$1,999.00US...$1,495.00US to T16/2x and ISD users
As soon as the 16Meg DRAMs are available, there will be a 16Meg
version, hopefully by this summer.
The FPU option is for Dynacadd and Lexicore SW users....$299.00US
We are also working on a Virtual Memory SW option, to allow your
system to have up to 128Meg of ram. Price to be set, but we are
targeting $299.00US.
...the upgrade [from T20 to T25] to 25Mhz is $50, plus shipping.
Anyone out there with a T20 who wants to move up, I would be more than
happy to grant your request. In fact, there have been a couple
enhancements, interface-wise developed that will be incorporated into
any units upgraded.
The TOS [TOS2.06 upgrade], and requires some soldering, but if you can
handle putting a T2x in you can handle the TOS no sweat...
----------------
Question from Christian Schmitt on CIS...
I've been using a 2400bps for a couple of years now and had no trouble
with it. But now, when I learned about the new line of low-priced
Supra v32 modems, I am really thinking about upgrading.
I read now that you (or your computer) should talk to the modem at
38400bps for best results. But as far as I know the ST's serial port
can only be set to 19200bps. So, working with v32bis, v42 and v42bis
my maximim throughput is at approx. 1920cps.
Is there a way to set the RS232 port to higher speeds than 19200bps or
should I go with v32 and not v32bis?
What do the people who already own and use a high speed modem think?
Answer from Pat Augustine on CIS...
Even at 19,200 baud you are doing ok. V32bis only goes 14,400 baud.
All other speed improvements are due to compression. Yes, being able
to set the port to 38,400 would be nice. I have a DA that says it does
that, but whenever I attempt to use it, I lose a LOT of data from the
drive, so I've pretty much given up on it. The DOCS are in German,
though, so maybe I'm doing something wrong.
In any case, if you spend a lot of time downloading compressed files
(files that are ARCed or LZHed) you are not going to get any
additional compression. Things that will be compressed will be text
(like getting new messages from here, but then CIS doesn't allow
compression, so it doesn't gain anything).
I've got a USR Dual Standard V32. I called them to see what it would
cost to upgrade to V32bis, but they don't do upgrades, according to
the guy I talked to. No big deal, V32 is wonderful. But for the price
difference Supra is asking, the V32bis allows for the future.
----------------
Good comments about JRI from Michael Burkley on Delphi...
I have the JRI SIMM upgrade and I love it. It was hard for me to
install (but I am a total flop as a solderer). I managed to bungle it,
but John Russell took the ST and fixed it right up. He even said that
since I had done most of the work he wouldn't charge me [anything] but
shipping and $5.
It has a connector for an external GENLOCK device that he sells, and
another socket for a video chip that he also sells that allows your ST
to display as many colors as the STe. It's a very good upgrade....
---------------
From Ron Martin (Network 23 Software) - Cat. 14, Topic 40, Msg. 191 -
from the ST Roundtable on Genie...
Be careful. Some places that sell SIMMs at very low prices only ship
FedEx - meaning $9 and up to get them to you.
I bought my SIMMs about 2-3 weeks ago from The LLB Company. At the
time they had...
100ns for $34.00
80ns for $36.00
70ns for $38.00
Don't be concerned about speed, though. You don't get any speed
improvement with SIMMS faster than 120ns. I don't know if you need
faster SIMMs for the TT or if you add an accellerator to your STE, but
unless you'll be upgrading, save your money and buy 100ns. I think my
machine has two 70s, one 80, and one 100. How's that for hodge-podge!
A little off the subject, but they are also selling 44meg Syquest
carts for $66.00.
The LLB Company: 1-800-848-8967
Overnight : $6
Ground UPS: $3
Orders before 7:30pm EST weekdays ship same day.
They're located in Bellevue, WA.
----------------
From Dave Seberg - Cat. 4, Topic 41, Msg. 14 - from the ST Roundtable on
Genie...
....There are several H.P. support numbers depending on what your
needs are. They are as follows:
For supplies and accesories ..................... 1-800-538-8787
For information on products and nearest dealer .. 1-800-752-0900
For help with printer operation or set-up and for
nearest H.P. authorized repair center ........... 1-208-323-2551
----------------
Comments about the M24LMAX monitor from Chris Kehoe (Finer Details) -
Cat. 4, Topic 25, Msgs. 129, 130, 133 - from the ST Roundtable on
Genie...
To Whom It May Concern,
I got my M24LMAX today. I'm sorry to say I'm not at all impressed.
First off, although it's supposed to be a 24 inch monitor, I could
only get it to give me a 19 1/4 inch working area with a 2 inch black
frame around all edges. Using the four little knobs on the back, I
tried for hours to get the screen bigger but anything beyond a 19 inch
screen was distorted.
Not only is the usable screen not much bigger than my old 19 inch
Moniterm but the imagery is not as sharp either. The center may be
focused while the edges are fuzzy. And the mouse pointer has a ghost
1/4 inch to the right of it unless I turn up the brightness to the
point of making everything blurred. And while straight lines are
straight at the bottom and left sides of the screen the top bows in at
the center and the right side is anything but staight.
I'm p***ed! The liturature I got from Image Systems has a photo with
the usable screen almost to the corners of the tube with no distortion
or bowing at the top. That's what I expected.
Lemon or no lemon, this piece of $#!+ gets shipped back to Image
Systems first thing tomorrow. I'm keeping my Moniterm.
....I just talked to Joe Lloyd at Image Systems. He gave me authori-
zation to send the unit back so he could check it out. I told him I
didn't want the moniter if it couldn't match the usable screen size
and clarity of a 24 inch Viking Moniterm. I'll post what happens.
BTW, measuring the LMAX's tube diagonally from left bottom corner to
top right corner gives you a 22 1/2 tube, not 24 inches.
...Joe @ Image Systems was very understanding and wanted to do what-
ever was necessary to fix my situation. He suggested I send the
monitor back and he'd have his tech check it out. He even offered to
set it up himself and adjust it to the largest possible usable screen
size.
I told him that if he could not get the LMAX's usable screen size to
match or better the usable screen size of the 24 inch Viking Monitern
then I would not be satisfied with it. He then said a full refund of
my money would not be a problem but that he'd do his best to get the
LMAX to perform to my expectations.
Just to be on the safe side, I had Wells Fargo Bank put a "Stop
Payment" on the check I gave to UPS for the LMAX. I doubt I'll be
seeing the LMAX again because personally, from what I've seen, I don't
think the LMAX can match the Moniterm's screen size. In a side by side
comparison the 24 inch Moniterm's usable screen is as big as the Image
Systems whole tube! Although the LMAX claims to be a 24 inch monitor,
it's tube is only 22 inches (diagonally).
Not only that but, one of the selling points of the LMAX was that it
"provides twice the brightness of most other monitors, greatly
reducing eye strain in ambient lighting conditions". Well, when I
explained to Joe that if I turned up the brightness on the LMAX to
anything higher that what I was used to on the Moniterm, everything on
the LMAX became fuzzy, out of focus. He told me that was normal and
that some people are willing to sacrafice some clarity for brightness.
He also said that it is also normal for the corners to be a little out
of focus on any 24 inch monitor. My freind's 24 inch Viking Moniterm
is crisp to the edges, just as is my 19 inch Viking Moniterm. I
expected no less from the LMAX.
For what it's worth, the LMAX's appearance isn't as refined as the
Moniterm's either. My freinds older 24 inch Moniterm looks a lot more
together/polished than the LMAX. The LMAX looked more like a prototype
than a finished product. But then again, that's only my opinion.
Anyway, Alex @ ALX Technology fixed my 19 inch Moniterm and unless I
run into an exceptionally good deal on a 24 incher, I'll be quite
content with my Viking 2/91.
----------------
From Bill Rehbock (Atari) - Cat. 14, Topic 18, Msg 66 - from the ST
Roundtable on Genie...
I'll put together a listing of the printer drivers, etc. that are
included with FSM GDOS. Off the top of my head...
FSMGDOS.PRG...The O/S extension itself, scales fonts from 4 to 1000
points, gives the VDI GEM/3 Bezier drawing capability and enhanced
polyline/polygon functions, caches old GDOS bitmap fonts and uses
separate cache for FSM Font information and bitmaps.
FONTGDOS.PRG...Alternate non-scaling version that uses only GDOS
bitmap fonts and not FSM scaleable ones. Doesn't slow the VDI down by
30% like the old GDOS did. (Neither does FSMGDOS :-) Extends the
drawing capabilities of the VDI also. Caches bitmap fonts for more
efficient use of memory. Designed for the user that is squeezed for
memory.
FSMGDOS.CPX/ACC...Allows user to configure FSM Caches, current library
of fonts to use, special options are provide for maximum compatibility
with old, poorly written programs.
FONTGDOS.CPX/ACC...Primarily a "Printer- Picker"; never edit an
ASSIGN.SYS file again! Allows Draft/Final quality control of printer
driver, installation and configuration of GDOS bitmap fonts and
extended drivers for Metafiles, Plotters, Screen Drivers, etc. Also
sets up Driver/Bitmap Font path configuration.
FSMPRINT.CPX/ACC...Allows user to customize printer drivers to set
page size, default quality, and in the future paper tray selection,
etc.
Printer Drivers include...SLM, FX80/LX (standard & wide), NX1000, JX80
(color), Oki Color, LaserJet, DeskJet, Canon Bubble Jet, NEC P6/P7,
Epson Compatible 24 pin (B/W & Color), and the new Epson LQ570. (I am
sure that this list is not complete.)
But that's not all...you also get a very user-friendly Install program
that sets everything up for you.
One happy and important note...Atari is making the FSM Printer Driver
Builder Kit available to qualified developers AT NO COST under the
following stipulations:
1) The driver must be approved by Atari before it is released by the
developer.
2) The developer must not attempt to add functionality to the driver
without first consulting Atari. (To ensure maximum upward
compatibility.)
3) The developer must give Atari non-exclusive rights to the source
code of the driver. (To ensure that the driver library is available
to all users, and can be updated quickly should the need arise.)
----------------
From John King Tarpinian - Cat. 11, Topic 12, Msg. 7 - from the ST
Roundtable on Genie...
*-*-*-*-* ATTENTION *-*-*-*-*
Due to a possible conflict with the preferred four week distance
between shows, THE GLENDALE SHOW has been able to change it's dates to
September 12 & 13, 1992.
For future reference, The Glendale Show has reserved September 18 &
19, 1993 for next year's show.
John King Tarpinian
THE GLENDALE SHOW
Faire Chairperson
----------------
Until next week.....
___________________________________________________________
> TAF SHOW 1992! STR SHOW NEWS SHOW NEWS & UPDATES!
============================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: John R. Sheehan, SJ
TAF President - (416) 926-1518
GEnie: J. Sheehan14
+ + +
On April 4th and 5th, Atari Canada and the Toronto Atari Federation
will host what may be the most exciting Atari event in North America in
1992. To be held at the Skyline Hotel on Dixon Road, near Pearson
International Airport, , ACE '92, the Atari Canadian Exposition will
feature the most outstanding developers in the Atari world with some of
the latest programs and program updates. Local dealers will exhibit the
latest hardware and peripherals, and user groups from across Canada and
the United States will be on hand to share Public Domain and Shareware
programs and exchange knowledge. Door prizes throughout both days of the
show, special show prices and several major door prize packages will add
to the excitement.
Facilities will include a 22,000 square foot convention area, an
additional 7,000 square foot display and exhibit space, and 7 separate
meeting rooms that will host a wide range of seminars, demonstrations and
mini-concerts. On Saturday evening, a formal banquet will bring together
local users with major figures in the present and future course of Atari.
This is the third major convention that the Toronto Atari Federation
has hosted in recent years. As one of the largest user groups in Canada,
if not all of North America, TAF has consistently helped bring the best
and most contemporary computer technology to Toronto users. With
membership of approximately 300, TAF will provide the core volunteers that
make an event like this possible. However, other user groups will also be
invited to participate, to help stimulate exchange of information among
the various Atari groups in this region and to help broaden the base of
support for this special event.
Atari Canada General Manager Geoff Earle has said that this April
event could easily surpass the recent Chicago convention, both in
attendance and participation by developers and programmers. Basing their
participation on the successful Chicago model, Atari Canada will assume
many of the initial commitment costs, including facility costs and
advertising. TAF will coordinate activities and provide volunteer help.
TAF President John R. Sheehan, SJ noted, "The enthusiasm of our members
is the reason we felt this was a good time for a show. So many members
had been asking about a show, and volunteering to help that we felt we
really could present a spectacular two-day event. We couldn't try it
without our volunteers, but with their help, this April will see the most
exciting Atari show Toronto has ever seen!"
Packets for dealers and developers are being prepared and should be
mailed by the end of January. Information packets for user groups will
be available at around the same time. The Skyline Hotel will be offering
special room rates to participants, and special travel plans should also
be announced shortly.
To be placed on the mailing list for Convention information, please
send your name, address, and affiliation (developer, user group, dealer,
etc.) to TAF's mailing address, 5334 Yonge Street, Suite 1527, Toronto, ON
M2N 6M2 or leave a message at (416) 425-5357.
ATARI TALENT SHOW ANNOUNCED
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
As part of the Atari Canadian Exposition, ACE '92, April 4/5, a
special talent competition has been announced. To demonstrate the many
ways that Atari computers can be used in creative entertainment, two
divisions will be open for submissions. The contest is open to all Atari
Users.
MUSIC AND SOUND
---------------
Since Atari has long been an industry leader in MIDI applications, one
division will be open for applications of sound and music. Entries may be
live performance, combination of live and pre-created or totally
pre-created arrangements of music and sound. Entries may be original
compositions or adaptations of existing material. (Initial submission
must be made on cassette tape; if accompanied by visual effects,
appropriate disk program or description must also be included.)
GRAPHICS OR ANIMATION
---------------------
Since Atari can manipulate over sixteen million separate colors,
visual arts provides another rich field for creative work. In this field,
entrants may submit animated segments, or graphics displays. Submissions
may include "slide shows" of created works, demonstrations of works being
created, or animated creations of any type. Entertainment value will be
the criteria for judging.
Individual presentations should last no more than 10 minutes. Entries
will go through preliminary judging, and those who are accepted will make
public presentations or performances throughout the day on Saturday, April
4th, at ACE '92. Performances will be open to those attending the
Exposition at no charge, and judging of finalists will take place prior to
4PM. Winners will attend the evening banquet as guests of Atari Canada.
Each contestant will present their entries or performances at the evening
banquet, at which time they will be judged a second time, and prizes
awarded. Judging will be on the basis of creative use of the computer and
entertainment value.
FIRST PRIZE in each division will be a $700 gift certificate from Atari
Canada, good towards the purchase of any Atari product, and a one-year
membership in the Toronto Atari Federation.
SECOND PLACE WINNERS will receive a $200 gift certificate from Atari
Canada, and their choice of 10 disks from the TAF Library. Third Place
Winners will receive a $100 Gift Certificate, and their choice of 5 disks.
For an entry form, contact:
ACE '92, c/o TAF
5334 Yonge Street, Suite 1527
Toronto, ON M2N 6M2
Or call:
John R. Sheehan, SJ
TAF President
(416) 926-1518
or
leave a message on the TAF BBs
(416) 425-0318.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
=================
As a reader of STReport International Online Magazine, you are entitled to
take advantage of a special DELPHI membership offer. For only $29.95 ($20
off the standard membership price!), you will receive a lifetime subscrip-
tion to DELPHI, a copy of the 500-page DELPHI: THE OFFICIAL GUIDE and over
$14 worth of free time.
NOTE: Special offers can be found in your favorite Atari magazines:
START CURRENT NOTES ST INFORMER
ATARI INTERFACE MAGAZINE
SIGNING UP WITH DELPHI
======================
Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access
DELPHI services via a local phone call
JOIN -- DELPHI
--------------
1. Dial 617-576-0862 with any terminal or PC and modem (at 2400 bps,
dial 576-2981).
2. At the Username prompt, type JOINDELPHI.
3. At the Password prompt enter STREPORT.
For more information, call DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005, or at
617-491-3393 from within Massachusetts or from outside the U.S.
DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge, Mass.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
--------------------
Beginning September 1, 1990, DELPHI will begin offering a new plan
that will save you money! The new plan is called the 20/20 Advantage
Plan and it features 20 hours online for just $20 a month! The $20 is a
monthly fee that covers your first 20 hours online via direct dial into
one of DELPHI's two direct-access lines, or via a special Tymnet 20/20
Access code. It also gets you additional hours at just $1.20 per hour.
And you get free access to several services on DELPHI as part of the
Advantage Perks.
Other telecom services may have additional charges. Canadian Tymnet
users have an additional telecom charge. Office Time access (7 a.m. to 7
p.m., weekdays) may have an additional charge. And of course, other
restrictions may apply. But this is still an amazing deal!
For more information, contact DELPHI at 1-800-544-4005 and ask for
Member Services.
DELPHI- It's getting better all the time!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> DELPHI & BIX STR FOCUS DELPHI & BIX UNDER ONE ROOF!
=======================
GENERAL VIDEOTEX PURCHASES BIX ONLINE SERVICE
=============================================
General Videotex Purchases BIX Online Service from BYTE Magazine
General Videotex Corporation (GVC) announced today that it has purchased
BIX, the online service developed by BYTE magazine. Terms of the purchase
were not disclosed. No stock was transferred between the parties.
BIX is an online service for computer professionals that features
interaction, advice, and programming code from top programmers, designers,
and consultants. BIX is popular with hardware and software engineers,
system designers, independent consultants, technology buffs and computer
industry celebrities.
A close alliance will continue between BIX and BYTE magazine, and BIX will
remain the privileged means by which BYTE's audience and computer
specialists worldwide can gain electronic access to the BYTE editorial
team. In addition, the full text of BYTE magazine, BYTE's online news
service, MicroBytes, and BYTE program listings will continue to be
distributed through BIX.
GVC also operates DELPHI, a consumer online service. Accessible with any
computer and modem, DELPHI is popular for its extensive information and
entertainment services and for the friendly community of people who make
up its membership. The addition of BIX enhances GVC's position as a
worldwide leader in the online services market.
"We're happy to add BIX to our family," said General Videotex President
and CEO Dan Bruns. "BIX addresses the needs of the high-tech professional
while DELPHI appeals to the consumer and personal computer market. BIX is
a perfect fit for General Videotex."
BYTE publisher Ronald Evans cited the increasing specialization required
to operate an electronic service as a prime motivator behind the sale. "
We decided that we wanted to devote our resources to our publishing
operations and work closely with General Videotex who will be able to
enhance and extend BIX at the pace of the industry. BIX subscribers will
come out ahead because of the expertise General Videotex already has in
this marketplace, and BYTE will come out ahead because of our continuing
editorial contribution to the new alliance with GVC."
Steve Laliberte, Director of BIX for BYTE, will join GVC as its Director
of Computer-Related Services. "The strength of GVC's product portfolio
will translate into greatly enhanced services as BIX and DELPHI grow,"
said Laliberte. "GVC's expertise will ensure BIX's continued leadership
in the high-tech market."
GVC plans a transition of ownership to ensure continuity of service for
BYTE's BIX subscribers. GVC's purchase includes the computer system and
software used to operate BIX. The command structure and menu design will
remain unchanged. All present products, such as binary mail attachments
and the MicroBytes daily newswire, will be available.
GVC has assumed all BIX subscription and customer-service obligations.
Callers to the BIX toll-free help line will be assisted through GVC's
Member Services department in Cambridge.
GVC also designs and develops interactive services for other media. GVC
currently distributes information through cable television, telex,
Regional Bell telephone gateways, and throughout Latin America. The
combined scope of DELPHI, BIX, and these media partners gives GVC an
electronic publishing mix unmatched in the industry.
Interested parties may join BIX by using their computer and modem to call
1-800-225-4129 (617-861-9767 from within Massachusetts). Once connected,
press return. When asked to log in, type "BIX" and then enter "NEW" when
asked for a name.
General Videotex, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, began operations in
1981. It is located at 1030 Massachusetts Ave., 4th Floor, Cambridge, MA
02138, (617) 491-3342 or (800) 695-4005.
______________________________________________________________
> A STUBBED TOE! STR FOCUS ".. youthful indiscretion.."
========================
EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF?
======================
by John Barnes
On January 25th John Townsend, a well-known employee of Atari
Corporation posted a collection of small utility programs designed to
control the cache and speed of the Mega STe computers. In most instances
such an act would be seen as a gesture of corporate good will aimed at
providing potential buyers with a little something extra for their money.
The MEGASTE.LZH package, however, contained something different: a
notice that programs were shareware, that the rights were reserved to Mr.
Townsend, and a request to send the $5 shareware fee to his home address.
Even today, after 11 years of savings and loan scandals, tax evasion,
and profiteering most America corporations do not look kindly on such
actions by their hirelings. Employees of corporations are almost never
permitted to publish anything related to their work without company
approval. Such publications do, after all, reflect the professionalism of
the company and its staff as well as company's attitudes and policies
toward its products and its customers.
Use of company resources for private gain is normally prohibited
because the potential for fraud and abuse is too great. Even employees
who leave a company and subsequently make use of their specialized
knowledge can be punished.
While John Townsend was not operating on the scale of Michael Milkin
or Charles Keating, what he did was wrong, and I so advised him in a
private GE Mail letter on Sunday, February 2nd. By February 5th the file
was gone from GEnie. In the absence of a reply from Mr. Townsend I have
no idea whether the letter played a role in this action. I hoped that
Atari would release the files without the shareware statement and that the
most Mr. Townsend would suffer would be a mild rebuke for his youthful
indiscretion. Since more than 100 people had downloaded the file during
the 10 days that it was posted on GEnie, it would seem that some sort of
public explanation is necessary.
If Atari lacked a formal company policy on such matters before this
incident it is to be hoped that they now have some means of keeping the
ethical compasses of their employees pointing in the right direction. A
corporate culture in which "Every Man for Himself" is the prevailing
attitude is one that is on the verge of total disintegration.
________________________________________________________________
> CRYPTOLOGY 101 STR Spotlight Exploring the "real" meanings.
============================
CRYPTOLOGY 101
==============
Fourty-Five different definitions of
what the initials IBM stand for
Compiled from about 30-40 different posts...
1) <I>'ve <B>een <M>ugged
2) <I> <B>uy <M>oney
3) <I>t's <B>etter <M>anually
4) <I> <B>ought <M>acintosh
5) <I>'ve <B>een <M>isled
6) <I>t <B>it <M>e
7) <I>tty <B>itty <M>achines
8) <I>t <B>ombs <M>any
9) <I>gnorant <B>ull <M>anure
10) <I>diotic <B>ovine <M>anure
11) <I>ncessant <B>owel <M>ovement
12) <I>ttiy <B>itty <M>orons
13) <I>nferior <B>ut <M>arketable
14) <I>diotic <B>rainless <M>utants
15) <I>ncredibly <B>oring <M>achinery
16) <I>tty <B>itty <M>icroprocesser
17) <I>ntroverted <B>rain <M>auler
18) <I>mbeciles <B>ecome <M>anagers
19) <I>nstall <B>igger <M>achines
20) <I> <B>ecame <M>acintosh
21) <I> <B>lame <M>icrosoft
22) <I>cky <B>lue <M>achines
23) <I>diotic <B>ull Meter
24) <I>diots' <B>ewilderment <M>achines
25) <I>diots <B>ought <M>e
26) <I>mmense <B>ins of <M>oney
27) <I>mperialism <B>y <M>arketing
28) <I>mpractical, <B>ut <M>arketable
29) <I>n a <B>efuddled <M>anner
30) <I>ncest <B>reeds <M>orons
31) <I>ndustry's <B>iggest <M>istake
32) <I>nert <B>lue <M>onoliths
33) <I>nstalled <B>y <M>asochists
34) <I>nstitute of <B>roken <M>inds
35) <I>ntrepid <B>ureaucratic <M>adness
36) <I>nvoluntary <B>owel <M>ovement
37) <I>t <B>eats <M>attel
38) <I>nescapable <B>ut <M>ediocre
39) <I> <B>arely <M>ove
40) <I>ll <B>egotten <M>achine
41) <I>t's a <B>roken <M>achine
42) <I>nternational <B>it <M>anglers
43) <I>nteresting <B>ut <M>eaningless
44) <I>dolized <B>y <M>orons
45) <I> <B>e needing more <M>oney
_____________________________________________________________
> VOODO & YOUR ST! STR Spotlight What's going on here????
==============================
DOES VOODO WORK ON YOUR ST?
===========================
by Lloyd E. Pulley
On August 13, 1991, Jim Allen (Fast Technologies) left a post on the ST
Roundtable on Genie (Category 28, Topic 18, Message 1) concerning a pos-
sible fix that he had discovered for a problem that some GCR (Gadgets by
Small) users were experiencing. The problem was that _some_ Mega ST's
and TT's internal floppy drives didn't read or write properly when in
Mac mode.
Jim's fix was to add a second 7406 driver chip (a $.20 chip) on top of
the original chip, i.e. piggybacking it. Jim mentioned in that post and
in several others that he couldn't guarantee that the fix would work for
everyone, that it worked for him. NOTE: at this time Gadgets did not
have an official fix for this problem, they now do.
Post #1 - "Your mileage may vary, the fixes might or might not work
for YOUR TT, but they have worked for mine...at least my borrowed
TT ;-)"
Post #4 - "At least it worked for me, before adding it, Mega no
format Mac disks, after adding it Mega now formats Mac disks. Same
circuit on the STEs and TT too."
Post #4 - "It helped out a borrowed TT too, so all I can say is
give it a try."
Jim admitted that he didn't know exactly why the fix worked and why it
only worked on certain systems because basically all it was doing was
"Boosting output by using two of them helps improve the S/N ratio." In
two posts in Category 4, Topic 11, he said...
"...I don't pretend to explain it, I don't have the SPECTRE code to
use to try and understand it. It works in some cases, that's all I
can say. Since it can't hurt, and since it cost about $.20, what's
the problem?"
"There are things in this world George that simply never get
explained. Like gravity, time, the Joule-Thompson effect, etc."
Jim's post was re-printed by Michael Lee in one of his columns for STR
and it was also re-printed by Atari User magazine. And that is when the
problems started for Dave Small (Gadgets by Small) and George Richardson
(Merlin Group - who now does all of Gadget's warranty and service work).
Some people who tried the 7406 fix found out that it didn't work for
them. So they started calling Gadgets and George blaming them because
Jim's "7406 fix" didn't work on their systems. They forgot, or ignored,
that Jim said in his post(s) that he couldn't guarantee that the fix
would work on all systems, it just worked on his...also that his fix was
an unofficial one and that Gadgets was not responsible for it. Needless
to say, and very understandably, with the hassle of trying to get the
SST out the door, Dave and George didn't appreciate people blaming them
because Jim's unofficial fix didn't work for everyone. (NOTE: Dave
started shipping the SST's this week!!)
So to help clarify the situation....
Jim Allen's "7406 fix" only works on some systems - and no-one knows why
it works. His fix is not an official fix that is endorsed by either Fast
Technologies nor Gadgets by Small, it was just a helpful hint from one
ST owner to other ST owners. The fix does not in any way "...infer that
there is anything wrong with the GCR. The problems experienced with TTs
are solely due to differences between the ST cartridge port and the Tt
cartridge port, which Gadgets could hardly have anticipated."
If you have tried the fix and it did not work, don't blame (or call)
Gadgets complaining about it. In some machines it works, in others it
does not (it worked on my friend's - Mark Kiel - Mega). Gadgets in NO
way endorses nor advocates this fix. Gadgets now has their own official
fix for attempting to take care of this problem.
Finally, in NO case should you attempt any hardware modifications to
your system unless you are a qualified technician...and even then, they
sometimes mess up. Neither Jim nor Dave should be held responsible for
any problems resulting in attempting to install this, or any other fix.
Below is Gadget's _official_ position about this problem...
Atari-ST RoundTable
Category 28, Topic 19
Message 21 Sat Nov 02, 1991
G.RICHARDSO1 [George] at 08:54 EST
Gadgets by Small now has a tech note available on modifying your
GCR to improve compatibility with the TT.
This does not solve all problems, but does resolve all the problems
with the GCR hardware. In some cases this may actually correct
problems with the GCR & some other types of STs as well.
The most common problem it fixes is the "You have bad or Switched
ROMs" message. It may also fix some problems with Mac format disk
reading, writing and formatting, although there seems to be some
interaction between this and the 68030 cache as well.
To Get the bulletin, either call or fax Gadgets at:
Phone: (303) 791-6098 from 8:30am to 2:30pm Mountain time on
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Fax: (303) 791-0253 anytime.
George Richardson
Merlin Group, Inc.
----------
Disclaimer: This article was put together right before STR "went to
press". I've attempted to consolidate 35k+ of posts into a quick 5k+
article. If there are any mistakes in the article, they were inadvertent
and I apologize.
______________________________________________________
> STR Portfolio News & Information Keeping up to date...
================================
THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM
=========================
On CompuServe
by Judith Hamner 72257,271
We have some handy new uploads this week. Craig Davis has uploaded
PKL113.EXE. This is the latest version of PKLite. This program will
compress EXE and COM programs so that they take up less room on your ram
cards. Programs are ready to run in the compressed form with no extra
de-compress step.
VBRUN.ZIP is the Windows DLL file needed to run PRTCRD.ZIP and
PRTCAL.ZIP. These are programs from the library. PRTCRD will transfer
data between the Windows 3 cardfile and the Portfolio's .adr files.
PRTCAL is for exchanging data between the Windows calendar and the Port's
.dry files. VBRUN is a library which is required to run these programs
on your desktop. Thanks again to Craig Davis for locating these files
and posting them here. Craig Jacobson has created several batch files to
allow you to send faxes from the Portfolio. PRTFAX.DOC contains all
three files. Craig makes use of Jim Ness's program Portcis which is also
available in the forum library.
Katsumi Nakamura has given us another use for the Portfolio. PLM.ZIP
is a program to allow the Portfolio to be used as a serial line monitor.
For those of you old enough to remember, there are fond memories of
the Infocom series of text adventures. These have just been re-released
in a collection called "Lost Treasures of Infocom". The games were text
based and ported to several 40 column computers. This makes them
adaptable to the Portfolio. Bill Oakes offers some pointers for set-up
in INFOCO.TXT. Also, some of the games may require ANSI.SYS. There is a
version suitable for the Portfolio in the forum library.
There has been interest expressed in the use of the Portfolio in
medical applications. We have news of a few of these this week.
TROPME.ADR was uploaded by Theo Guentert. This address book file compiles
the usage of drugs in tropical countries. It includes indicators,
toxicity, side effects along with general remarks.
BJ Gleason has shared a marvelous story with us which is printed here
in its entirety:
#: 24799 (H) S1/Forum Business
02-Feb-92 22:17:48
Sb: #Why I Wrote PBASIC...
Fm: SYSOP*bj gleason 75300,2517
To: All
All:
Something really nice happened to me tonight, and I wanted to take a
moment to tell you about it, because I am rather proud of this "event."
[The names have been changed to protect the innocent.]
I just got back from dinner, with a PBASIC user, who happened to be in
DC this weekend. At home, he is a doctor, and works with children who
have diabetes. He told me a story about a young boy with diabetes. The
boy's parents are slightly retarded, and deaf. They were having a hard
time dealing with the child's illness. So this doctor wrote a PBASIC to
analyze the boy's blood sugar reading, and print out exactly what should
be done [get some exercise, drink water, call doctor], and to help the
parents, it also displays the information in sign language.
This is why I wrote PBASIC.
PBASIC is like a child to me. I am very proud of it. But I am even
prouder of the programs that people write using PBASIC. I consider these
programs to be my "grandchildren." And like all grandparents, I am very
proud. I just wanted share this with you all.
________________________________________________________
> BCS IS CHOSEN! STR FOCUS "...this new machine will be the 68040 TT."
========================
ATARI TO UNVEIL ITS LATEST MACHINE(S) IN BOSTON!
================================================
Boston Computer Society To Host the North American Debut!
=========================================================
by Dana P. Jacobson
In a recent casual phone conversation with Bob Brodie, Director of
Communications at Atari, early last week, I became involved with helping
to initiate the planning of Atari's North American debut of its latest
machine(s) in Boston at the Boston Computer Society's (BCS) General
Meeting. Since the BCS is in a transition period now while looking to
fill its leadership position; and the BCS/Atari group is also in
transition, I referred Bob to Harry Steele, STR Correspondant, long-time
BCS/Atari member and BCS activist. Harry has been an integral part of the
planning of many BCS/Atari events in the past and seemed the logical
person for Bob to initiate discussions of this proposed event.
According to Harry, "Bob Brodie called my home last week. Bob
informed me that Atari would like to make a first U.S. showing of its
newest computer at a BCS monthly General Meeting. Having been a loyal
Atari owner and BCS member for the past 11 years, I helped make the
necessary arrangements for Atari to attend ASAP. The staff of the BCS was
thrilled that Atari wanted to unveil their newest product at a BCS
meeting," Harry added.
Rumors are flying in an attempt to learn what new machine will be
unveiled at the BCS, but Harry states that "Bob could not tell me at this
time what machine will be announced at the BCS meeting. A non-disclosure
agreement is in the mail." Best guesses at present is that this new
machine will be the 68040 TT. Harry added that "at this present time, we
do not know exactly who from Atari will be attending to announce Atari's
newest computer."
This will not be the first time that Atari has unveiled its newest
machine at a BCS meeting. According to Harry, "in 1985, Atari made its
initial showing of the 520ST at a BCS General Meeting...in Boston. At
that meeting in '85, over 600 members were in attendance." Atari is not
alone in its consideration of the Boston Computer Society as the
organization to announce new products. Harry added that "in the past,
many giants of the computer industry have shown new products or given
talks to the BCS members at our monthly meetings, including (to name a
few):IBM, Commodore, Apple Computer, Lotus, Microsoft, Compaq, Digital
Equipment Corp., USRobotics, and NeXT."
I asked Harry why he thought Atari decided on the BCS; and what the
BCS had to offer to be considered for this honor. "I believe that Atari
wants to announce its new product to as many non-Atari owners as possible
at the BCS meeting and to show them what we already know - that Atari
Corporation is still an innovative leader in the computer field,"
responded Harry. "The Boston Computer Society is one of the largest
non-profit computer organizations in the world. The BCS has over 25,000
members in all of the 50 United States, and 48 countries. Of these, over
800 members actively volunteer an average of 10 hours per month to the
BCS. Currently, there are approximately 300 Atari BCS members. Our
mission is twofold: to make personal computers understandable and
accessible to everyone; and to help people get the greatest possible
benefit from the technology. We achieve this by providing more than 150
educational services to our members and the public. The BCS sponsors more
than 1,500 meetings and educational programs each year to 50 computer user
and special interest groups."
Even though specifics are sketchy at the present time, response has
been good. "Everyone whom I have talked to is excited that Atari has
chosen the BCS and Boston," said Harry. "I view this event as something
really positive from Atari. Having been involved in the planning of two
AtariFests in Boston (1987 and 1990) and currently co-Director of the
Atari user group and the SysOp of BCS/Atari BBS, I'm looking forward to
attending this Atari guest appearance at the Boston Computer Society."
According to BCS representatives, "at this present time, the BCS does
not have a president. A Transition Committee has been formed for the
daily operations of the BCS. Dan DiBartolomeo and the BCS/Atari user
group are coordinating the presentation by Atari. For more information,
please contact:
The Boston Computer Society
One Kendall Square
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 252-0600
You can also contact Harry Steele via the BCS/Atari BBS, at (617)
396-4607. Information may also be available from this STReport editor on
FNET Node 350 (DPJ), Delphi (DPJ) or GEnie (D.JACOBSON2).
The BCS monthly General Meeting is open to all BCS members and their
guests. All non-BCS members are welcome to attend this meeting. The
presentation/meeting will take place April 22nd, 7:30 p.m. at the New
England Life Hall. New England Life is in Copley Square in Boston, at 225
Clarendon Street. The Boston Computer Society hopes to see many of you
attend.
Remember:
"Atari Unveils New Machine!"
April 22, 1992
New England Life Hall
225 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA
7:30 p.m.
________________________________________________________
> FLOW CONTROL EXPLAINED STR FOCUS "Know your Modem's Power!"
================================
A primer on using:
FLOW CONTROL (FIXED LINK OPERATION)
WITH THE ATARI ST COMPUTER
David B. Chiquelin
Author of FMAILER.TOS
FNET Mailer program
I, like I'm sure nearly everyone else, has gone through a learning
curve on using Flow Control with the ST computer. To help you avoid the
same mistakes I made I have put together this info file. I hope you will
read it. It might be too basic at times, but if you bear with it you
might learn something and avoid problems or the spreading of
misinformation.
At the end of the section on Flow Control I have added a section on
general modem info. I found a good source and wanted to share the data
with everyone, as it is often confusing on what V.32, V.42, Bell 208A, etc
exactly are.
Why use flow control?
This is explained in the modem literature that comes with modems that
can benefit from flow control, but I will try to cover it for those who do
not have one of those modems but are nonetheless interested in its use.
Some modems can perform what amounts to data compression when
connected with compatible modems. What this means is the amount of data
transferred can exceed the amount that would be sent using 2 "standard"
modems. To understand how they perform this feat you need to understand
how a standard modem operates.
Modems communicate with the computer using the RS-232 port, an
asyncronous device. Asynchronous means Not Synchronous. So, what does
Synchronous mean? Well, a synchronous device sends a steady stream of bits
no matter what. The bits may just be saying "nothing being sent", or they
may contain data. Because the bits are always there the modem and
computer are constantly communicating and in synch. An asynchronous
device only sends bits out the port when there is data. That would seem
more efficient, but the computer and modem need to know when data is
coming and for how long. That is why you have the familiar 8 bit, No
parity, 1 stop bit type settings in terminal programs. (Or 7 bit, Even
parity, 2 stop bits, etc) All asynchronous protocols have a start bit that
tells the modem/computer "Here comes some data". This is because bits are
represented by a voltage level, and if 0 volts is a 0 and 12 volts is a 1,
the device receiving a byte represented by 00100110 would not know what
was being sent, since the first "bit" of data it would receive would be
the third bit which is the first voltage signal. Using a start bit and
end bit the device would then see 1 (12 volts) 00100110 and 1 (12 volts
for the stop bit). It can then figure out the 0s and 1s of the data byte
by the voltages and timing between the start and stop bits. So when you
are operating 8-N-1, which is the normal mode for data transfers, the
computer and modem send:
Start bit - 8 data bits - Stop bit
That works out to 10 bits for every byte of data sent out or coming in
an asynchronous port. This is why a 300 baud modem sends and receives 30
characters per second instead of 37.5, and why a 2400 bps modem sends and
receives 240 cps instead of 300. (2400 (bits per second)/8 (bits per
byte) would equal 300 characters per second, if only the data was being
sent.)
As you can see, if you could strip some of those start and stop bits
from the data stream you could achieve higher transmission rates, which is
exactly what certain modems do. Microcom Network Protocol (MNP) modems at
service class 3 are one example. The international standard V.42 modems
are another example. MNP is an error detection and correction protocol so
it has overhead that takes away from the gain you would expect by removing
the start and stop bits. This means you end up with an 8% speed increase
instead of the 20% expected. MNP service class 4 modems use a streamlined
protocol to reduce the overhead and achieve about a 15% transmission speed
increase. Service class 5 adds actual data compression to achieve
variable transfer speed increases, depending on how "compressable" the
data stream is. A file being transferred that is already compressed may
actually take longer to send than if service class 4 was used, since the
data can't be compressed any further and the added protocol overhead
comes into play. But when transferring something like a text file, speed
increases of about 200% are not unusual.
However, speeding up the transfer of data between modems, which is all
the data compression type modems can do, can't help you at all if your
computer only sends to the modem at the connection speed. In other words,
if you set the ST to 2400 bps and send data as fast as you can out the
RS-232 port, you will achieve 240 cps. It doesn't matter if the modems
could transfer that data at 400 cps, you are only giving it to them at 240
cps. That is exactly what happens when you set a computer port to a
certain speed, the port will not send data faster than that rate. It will
also not receive data faster than that rate.
So why not send data out the computer faster? That is exactly what you
do to take advantage of MNP (or V.42) type modems. Using a standard setup
with the RS-232 port set to 2400 bps, lets imagine we connect using an MNP
modem to another MNP modem at 1200 bps. Your computer sends data at 240
cps to the modem. The modem compresses the data and transfers it to the
other modem at 240 cps over the 1200 bps signal. The other modem uncompr-
esses the data and sends it to the other computer at 240 cps also (as-
suming the other computer was also set to 2400 bps). All fine and dandy.
But lets now suppose you send something that can't be compressed very
much. Your computer sends it at 240 cps to the modem. The modem tries to
compress it and achieves maybe 140 cps between the two modems. Where are
the other 100 characters each second going? Well, into the big bit-bucket
in the sky! Your data will NOT get through... There must be some way to
solve this problem and the answer is Flow Control.
Flow Control
There are two types of flow control commonly available, hardware and
software. Software uses certain characters to start and stop transmission
of data. Those characters are the XON and XOFF characters, or ASCII(19)
which is a ^S to stop the data transmission, and ASCII(17) which is a ^Q
to restart transmission. Software flow control isn't very useful if your
data being transmitted contains these two characters. The software must
intercept those characters when they appear in the data stream and somehow
code them to other characters for transmission. The receiver must then
intercept the coded characters and change them back to the original ^S and
^Q data characters.
Hardware flow control takes advantage of the control lines that are
part of the RS-232 standard to control the transmission of data instead of
using characters. The modem can raise the CTS (Clear To Send) signal line
to signify that it is ready to send data and it is ok for the computer to
send it to the modem, or lower it to tell it not to send any more. The
computer can lower the RTS (Request To Send) signal if it needs to tell
the modem not to send any more data (to the computer) that it has received
from the other modem, and raise it when it is ok to send.
This sounds simple enough, but the control via hardware is not as
automatic as it seems, at least not on the ST. First, the ST Operating
System (TOS) was not written properly at first to handle CTS/RTS flow
control. In TOS 1.0 when the modem lowered the CTS line the computer
would stop sending, and when the modem raised the CTS line the ST
continued to not send data! Not a very effective method of hardware flow
control. In TOS 1.2 they corrected the problem, but for some reason in
TOS 1.4 they screwed it up again and flow control could not be turned on,
or when it was on it simply had no effect.
For TOS 1.0 a patch program was written by someone called TURBOCTS
that you could use to correct the CTS bug. Unfortunately, the added
overhead of the program reduced the speed at which data could be sent and
received. It worked, but because it had to constantly do its thing to the
RS-232 port, slowed things down a little. Slow when compared to what
would be sent/received if the port was functioning properly without the
need for a fix that is.
For TOS 1.4 Atari itself provided the patch to correct the bug. Their
corrected code replaces the code in the ROMs, so no slowdown in data
transmission occurs. If you have TOS 1.4 you must use TOS14FIX.PRG if you
want to use hardware flow control. TOS 2.05 users look for SERPTCH2.PRG.
However... Just having hardware and an OS that properly supports it
does not mean you can use CTS/RTS flow control on the ST! You would think
from the name (hardware flow control) and its use of the RS-232 signal
lines, that you wouldn't have to do anything in software in order to use
it. Unfortunately that is not the case.
The software communication programs, whatever they are, must check the
status of the output port before they send each byte of data in order for
hardware (CTS/RTS) flow control to work on the ST. This adds a little
overhead to the code, which slows down the actual data transfer rate out
the port. Many earlier programs did not check the port setting, and with
the ST rendition of hardware flow control that means that having CTS/RTS
turned on may be doing nothing at all. Also, any data that has made it
into the ST's RS-232 buffer is still sent even after the CTS signal has
been lowered. (I always assumed that since "hardware" flow control was in
use, and the modem signaled the ST to stop sending data, that the ST
*would* stop sending data. The ST though doesn't work this way, and
continues to send data from the buffer. It simply "tells" the software
not to send any more.) The ST's default RS-232 output buffer is 256
bytes, so you could have over 200 bytes sent to the modem *after* it says
stop sending, even if your software immediately stopped sending data to
the port. The modem though, has its own buffer and can normally handle
the extra 200 or so bytes that it would be receiving. I say "normally",
as there is an option on the HST modems that allows you to reduce the
modem's internal buffer to 128 bytes on non-MNP connections. By doing
this you reduce the amount of data that is "in-transit", and make the
entire data exchange seem more "lively" to the user. You also take the
very real risk of overflowing the modem's buffer unless the software is
configured properly.
Setting up Flow Control
Now that we understand how flow control works, how do we set it up? As
I already mentioned you *must* have an OS that supports it. This means
TOS 1.2 or TOS 1.4 with TOS14FIX.PRG in your AUTO folder. You can also
use TOS 1.0 and TURBOCTS.PRG, but your results will not be as good as
using a higher TOS version.
If you have an appropriate TOS setup the next step is to configure the
ST's RS-232 port. When running flow control you can only achieve higher
cps rates if you have the ST-modem interface running faster than the
modem-modem rate. With most modems this means you set the RS-232 to 19.2K
bps. The original EMULATOR.ACC did not have a setting for 19.2K, so you
must obtain a version that has this setting. There is also a CONTROL.ACC
that includes the RS-232 port setting function and it handles 19.2K. Set
the port speed to 19.2K and click on CTS flow control. Be sure and have
XON/XOFF or software flow control OFF. Do not enable Strip bit, as this
removes the high bit from each character going out the port! After you set
the port up, save your desktop. This will save the port settings so every
time you boot your RS-232 port will automatically be set to 19.2 with CTS
enabled.
Now you need to set the modem up. The exact settings will depend on
your modem, so I'll just give the items that must be set based on my
experience with the HST and the HST commands.
Data Terminal Ready Override. Set so the RS-232 port controls the
modem. On the HST this is switch 1 in the UP position.
Data Rate, terminal-to-modem (DTE/DCE) variable or fixed. Set this to
fixed. *IMPORTANT* you must set this with your terminal program at the
rate you want the modem to remain fixed at. In other words, send this
command at 19.2K bps. If you send the modem this command at 2400 bps,
your modem will continue to send data to the ST at 2400, even on a higher
speed call. On the HST this is the &B1 command.
Link Data Rate (DCE/DCE) variable or fixed. Set to variable. On the
HST this is the &N0 command.
Transmit Data flow control. Set to Hardware (CTS, Pin 5) flow
control. On the HST use &H1.
Received Data software flow control. Set OFF. On the HST it is &I0.
Received Data hardware flow control. Set this to Received data output
to terminal on RTS high. On the HST it is &R2.
Data Set Ready (DSR, pin 6) override. This is not a flow control type
setting, but should be set so the modem controls DSR. The command is &S1
on the HST.
MNP Level 5 Data Compression. Your setting will depend on the type
data that will be exchanged. If you will be sending compressed files
(ARCed, LZHed, etc) you are probably better off leaving this turned off.
To set it so compression is only enabled when the terminal-modem rate is
faster than the modem-modem rate (the only time it can do you any good)
use &K1 on the HST. To turn it off the command is &K0. To force it on
all the time the command is &K2 on the HST.
Transmit Buffer Sizes. On the HST the transmit buffer is normally
3.5K for ARQ calls (MNP) and 1.5K for non-ARQ connections. You can reduce
the transmit buffer for non-ARQ calls to 128 bytes by setting S15=8 on the
HST. Whether you want to or not is a personal decision.
That takes care of the OS setup and the modem setup. Now all you need
is software that use flow control properly! If you use ST-TERM it does not
handle flow control, unless you can pick up a "fixed" version. FLASH, at
least the early versions, also does not. I am not sure about any other
terminal programs although I would suspect that any terminal program that
is still being supported would have flow control working if you obtain the
newer releases.
If you are running a FoReM or ///Turbo BBS then in the FOREM/TURBO.OPT
file you need to put HST on the first lien of the file. This is the baud
speed to use for sending commands to the modem, and tells the BBS to
always remain at 19200 bps.
If using the Fmailer you also need to tell it to always use 19200 bps.
You do this by placing the Fixed Link command in the node 0 area of the
FNETLINK.DAT file. Note: If you use the Fixed Link command but you do not
have a TOS that supports flow control, or do not have the fixes that
enabled flow control to work, you will have ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. You
*must* use CTS flow control if you have Fixed Link in your FNETLINK.DAT
file. If you have CTS enabled but do not use the Fixed Link command it
won't hurt you, but it won't help you either.
Everything said so far about setting up the system is geared toward a
high speed (9600 bps or higher) modem. However, there are many 2400 MNP
capable modems in use. If you have one of these the only change in
setting things up is the ST's port speed setting. Instead of using 19.2K,
you just want to use the fastest speed the modem can recognize data at.
This is probably going to be 9600 bps, but your modem documentation will
give you the exact speed. Make sure you send the Data Rate command at
9600 bps. If using the Fmailer you would use the Fixed Link 9600 command
instead of just Fixed Link.
The V.42 modems are becoming more and more common also. The setup
should be similar to setting an MNP modem since the theory and operation
concerning flow control is the same.
- * - * - * -
General Modem Information
(Or everything you wanted to know about standards but were afraid to ask)
Source: Black Box Catalog, May 1991
CCITT V.XX Standards
The Consultative Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone
(CCITT) is an association that helps to establish worldwide communications
standards.
V.22, V.22 bis - synchronous/asynchronous data transmission, full duplex
operation over 2-wire leased or dialup lines; 1200-bps data rate (2400 &
1200 bps for the V.22 bis).
V.25, V.25 bis - provides for automatic calling and answering circuitry
for use in the public switched telephone network (dialup lines). V.25
defines a dialup parallel interface; V.25 bis defines a dial serial inter-
face.
V.29 - synchronous data transmission, full-duplex operation over 4-wire
lines, half-duplex operation over 2-wire lines, leased lines; 9600-,
7200-, or 4800-bps data rate. [The V.29-compliant modem is the next step
in high speed modems. It specifies high-speed service over 4-wire leased
lines in multipoint networks. By using a unique signal modulation techni-
que called QAM, a V.29 modem can send more bits of information in the same
time period than with most older modulation techniques.]
V.32 - synchronous/asynchronous data transmission, full-duplex operation
over 2-wire dialup or 2-wire/4-wire leased lines; 9600-bps data rate
(fallback to 4800 bps). [The V.32 recommendation is the first universal
standard for 9600-bps modems on both types of phone lines. V.32-compliant
modems are the industry standard for high-speed networks. The main featu-
res of a V.32 modem are: synch or asynch data transmission to accommodate
any computer device; full-duplex operation (two-way, simultaneous data
transfer) for the most efficient data exchange; trellis encoding modula-
tion (an advanced form of QAM) that enables high data speeds and reduced
errors; data is sent over standard dialup lines - a lot less expensive to
use than leased lines. And V.32-compliant modems will work anywhere in
the world, providing universal compatibility.]
V.33 - synchronous data transmission, full-duplex operation over 4-wire
leased lines, 14,000- or 12,000-bps rate.
V.13 - This standard provides for simulated half-duplex (switched-carrier)
control. V.32-and V.33-compliant modems that support this standard can be
used in synchronous IBM RJE environments, allowing these types of networks
to take advantage of the benefits of V.32/V.33 technology.
The Bell Standards
In the 1960s and 70s, Bell Labs created carrier standards for use with
Bell equipment and lines, and to accommodate customers' fledgling
networks.
Bell 103 - asynchronous data transmission, full-duplex operation over
2-wire dialup or leased lines, 300-bps data rate. Comparable to CCITT
V.21.
Bell 201 B, Bell 201 C - synchronous data transmission, full-duplex
operation over 4-wire leased lines and half-duplex operation over 2-wire
leased lines; 2400-bps data rate. Bell 201 C - synchronous data
transmission, half-duplex operation over 2-wire dialup lines; 2400-bps
data rate. Comparable to CCITT V.26.
Bell 208 A, Bell 208 B - synchronous data transmission, full-duplex
operation over 4-wire leased lines, half-duplex operation over 2-wire
leased lines; 4800-bps data rate. Bell 208 B - same as 208 A, but 2-wire
dialup lines. Comparable to CCITT V.27.
Bell 212 A - synchronous/asynchronous data transmission, full-duplex
operation over 2-wire leased or dialup lines; 1200-bps data rate.
Comparable to CCITT V.22.
Protocol for Error Correction and Data Compression
Error correction and data compression protocols ensure accurate, swift
data transfers. The protocols are applied during the data exchange
between two modems. The following protocols are the most widely used in
today's modems.
MNP Levels 1-4 - The Microcom Networking Protocol (MNP) developed be
Microcom, Inc., enables error-free asynchronous data transmission.
Although MNP is a proprietary protocol, it became an industry standard in
the 1980s by default because users demanded it from manufacturers. Both
modems in a connection must implement the same MNP protocols.
MNP Level 5 - Incorporates the first four levels and employs a data
compression algorithm. It "compresses" data by a factor of 2 to 1,
allowing you to send twice the data of the modem's top transmission speed
(for example, modems that transmit data at 4800 bps would send an amount
of data equal to an uncompressed 9600 bps).
V.42, V.42 bis - These "V Series" protocols were developed by the CCITT
and are now internationally recognized standards for error control and
data compression. V.42 is the CCITT's recommendation for error control;
it contains two algorithms (LAPM, or Link Access Protocol, and MNP 1-4).
When two V.42-compliant modems establish a connection, they use LAPM to
control data errors and retransmit "bad" data blocks. If one modem
supports V.42 and the other only supports MNP, then the two negotiate to
use MNP protocol. In both cases, the error-control process is automatic
and requires no special user actions or software programs. V.42 bis
roughly corresponds to MNP Level 5. The difference is the amount of data
compressed. V.42 can usually generate a 4:1 ratio of data compression
(depending on the type file transmitted).
________________________________________________________
> STReport's Editorial Page "SAYING IT LIKE IT IS!"
From the Editor's Desk
----------------------
This past week, the userbase was made aware of the imminent closing of
another well known and respected Atari dealer. The news came in a
message posted on GEnie from T. Seigal.
Category 14, Topic 2
Message 122 Tue Feb 04, 1992
T.SEIGAL at 00:01 EST
Just thought some people at ATARI should know that another DEALER is
closing down.........This one shows how much ATARI is hurting in the
U.S.A. The name is "HORIZON COMPUTERS" in Denver CO, and they were a
major wholeseller for the ATARI COMPUTERS..........
------------
At first, I felt a twinge of the old, "here we go again" feeling.
But I must admit that after giving this news some thought and when coupled
with other reports filtering in I came up with the following thoughts.
While I deeply regret the closing of another dealer, I cannot, in all
fairness, blame Atari entirely for these tragedies. One of the swiftest
killers of Atari's dealers are the LOW BALL ARTISTS. Those dealers who
are just coming on board and of course, those who are 'old timers' must
resist getting "sucked in" to participating (trying to compete) in this
catastrophic practice.
An effective method to employ in protecting the vitality of the
dealers out there now and for the future would be to agree upon not
posting _any_ prices in ALL advertisments. Perhaps, a statement along the
lines of;
"WE WILL MATCH OR BETTER ANY ADVERTISED PRICE" will
give those who insist on lowballing and advertising
the lowball prices an indication that even with the
lowball tactics they will face stiff competition.
That suggestion was made to me by a very successful and responsible,
dealer for whom I have the greatest respect. I might add... its a great
idea!
What prompted this?? Why the rehash the grief caused by lowballers?
Try this on for size, this past weekend a very prominent mail order dealer
proceeded to DROP THE BOTTOM OUT OF THE ONLY ATARI MARKET that's
generating _any_ real quantity of sales and profits. They advertised
prices, in three states*, that ARE AT OR BELOW the average dealer cost
price! The smaller dealers in the vicinity of this lowball artist were
advised by us to buy up as much of the product as they could aford. After
all, they would be buying the product for less dollars than they could
from Atari. They also would be protecting their own market area while
providing a savings to be passed on to their loyal customers.
* Three state's newspapers, but those very newspapers are shipped and
mailed all over the world...
Once again for clarity, the actions of any low baller cannot and must
not be considered Atari's full responsibility. After all, once Atari
sells the product.. the buyer may do what they wish with that product.
The 'aftershocks' of such practices cause the "real damage" which is yet
to be felt. As an example, the lowballer effectively removes the VALUE of
the product and dimishes the credibility of the product, as a real
contender, in an already weakened marketplace.
So you have noticed, no mention is made of the lowballer's name. Why
give them any publicity at all, let 'em spend to spread their word. The
lowballers may provide a "bargain" or two, but in the long run, anyone who
patronizes these parasites is, in reality, only contributing to the demise
of the market as we know it today or, what's left of it.
Atari may signing on 200+ dealers at shows etc.. That's good but the
REAL "trick", is to KEEP all those NEW 'enthusiastic' dealers. With
lowballers actively pulling the rug out from under a perilous market as we
know it now, keeping the newly signed on dealers will indeed be quite a
task. Imagine if you will, Mr. "New Dealer" receives in his initial
order, sets it all out on his shelves and proudly places his ads. When
the newspaper comes out, he anxiously flips through the pages to see HIS
advertisement. He reads it with pride and then decides to look at the
sports pages. DISASTER! He spots "Joe Glotz's" LOWBALL AD with the price
SO LOW the new guy is literally STRANGLED. There you have it. That is
exactly what is happening at this time to some of the new guys.
The older, more experienced dealers have been 'hanging' in there for
almost umptyump years and enjoy what they are doing for a living. Along
comes our friend "Glotz" with the MARKET CRUSHING ADS and our friendly,
dealer is now threatened and feels he must retaliate. What does he do?
Also takes out an ad in hopes of competeing with Glotz! Bad move unless
the little guy has bottomless pockets. Why? Because Glotz bought a
boxcar load and got a _very_ good price.
Almost at the same time, another fine dealer sent us a note detailing
his impressions of the entire affair. Of course, to protect his
dealership, we have witheld his name but his words are ever so profound.
"Horizon was unfortunately fighting an uphill battle in this tight
economic market. Their wholesale distributorship provided excellent
personalized service, but in these tough economic times, they were
simply not able to meet the lower pricing structures of the larger
distributors. With everything they sold being offered direct to the
consumer through lowball mail-order merchants, dealers purchasing at
Horizon's regular dealer pricing were simply unable to remain
competitive with others who were purchasing from the larger
distributors at lower prices. In any event, they will be sorely
missed. It is indeed a sad day whenever we lose such an excellent
supporter of the Atari platform."
The situation is slowly changing, with Atari becoming more and more
involved in the mass market arena, we should see the "lowball, quickie
kill artists" neutralized rather handily. Atari must penetrate the
marketplace in the USA and to this end, they are seemingly making the
right moves. When one considers they are in the wholesale distribution
channels and at the same time appearing on the shelves in national chain
stores, the future holds some real promise.
CeBITT is coming up fast... it has been told to us Atari will be
showing the NEW machines at this show. This should give this year a real
shot in the arm. Can you imagine the marketplace if they were to ship
these machines they are showing this year??
Thanks for the support!
Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine
"Reporting ABOUT Atari, not FOR Atari!"
Friday, February 7, 1992 - 5:05:08 pm
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport's MailBag
==================
> STR Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard"
=============
From GEnie's ST RT
------------
Category 36, Topic 20
Message 270 Sun Feb 02, 1992
D.ENGEL [Thunderbird] at 11:06 EST
Don't gave the expandability of the PC _too_ much credit for it's success.
The _real_ reason that so many have sold is simple: Many people had see
and used PC's at work because it was originally designed as a business
computer. These people chose to buy a PC for their home computer because
they had a lot of interesting and expensive programs at work which they
could take home and use (pirate). Soon, these people found that there were
games and entertainment software available for their machine, so they
bought some. At this point, they brought their programs to work because
they realized that their other friends there with PC's could trade
(pirate) their new software with them. These individuals knew many people
who didn't use computers at work, but wanted to get one for home use.
These people looked closely at the attractive platforms offered by Apple,
Atari, and Amiga, but soon discovered that none of these poor computers
could run the extensive library of PC programs which their friends offered
to give to them (pirate). So, they put up with the klunky old PC and lived
frustratedly ever after (DOS).
The story you have just read is true. I know several people at work who
were convinced to buy a PC over anything else, because they could take
home copies of things like WordPerfect, Norton Utilities, Windows,
Microsoft C, Turbo Pascal, Ventura Publisher, Corel Draw, Arts & Letters,
etc., etc., etc., and so on.
As far as the expandability of the PC is concerned. It isn't really a
cause for it's success. It's merely the reason that the PC hasn't died
yet. Take a good look at the latest PC's, and what do you have? A
kludged-up obsolete antique on steroids! Having an expandable game system
would be nice, but the added expense might hurt the sales of a consumer
type item such as this. Putting the expandability in the computer versions
would be a welcome change.
By the way, designing the graphics chips for this game machine, and then
using them in a new line of computers is sheer marketing genius. Think
about it. If you can sell millions of consumer game machines with the same
chips in them, you get to purchase or manufacture them in bulk, and get
better prices. You also have less R&D cost per component because you
divide the R&D cost by a larger total of components made.
I really hope they use "game machine" chips in the new computers... it's
what really gave the 400/800 it's edge over everything else at the time.
__________________
\hunderbird
------------
Category 36, Topic 20
Message 272 Sun Feb 02, 1992
ERIDDLE [Vidiot] at 13:50 EST
D.ENGEL [Thunderbird]: As the FORMER owner of many Atari based products
and the current owner of a 25MHz 486 Tower & 20MHz 386SX Notebook I must
say that PC Clones are definetly the way to go!
Not because they are better than the Atari machines, not because the
Atari's suck, not because of the piracy (On either platform (Atari or
IBM)... how many US developers are STill developing for the ST/TTs?). But
because I like to be able to walk into ANY software store any buy what
ever I want. Not having to drool over stuff like Wing Commander, Eye of
the Beholder, F- 117A, Red Baron, etc, etc... and saying "I wonder if this
will EVER come to the Atari platform?"
And it's not the developers fault, it's Atari's fault. I have always said
that they make great products... but as a marketing company they can't
handle it. The ST/TT based machines are great, Calamus DTP is
unstoppable on ANY platform period! And there are other such products
available also that are not available for the PC world (Stienberg/Jones
Cubase... The best MIDI Sequencer program!). But Atari dosen't know how to
market their products. Hell, the one thing that they really advertised
besides the Lynx was the STacey laptops, and they were the biggest joke
ever... great machine if your screen lasted for more that three months!
Then we get to the Lynx, it is probably the best handheld available from a
technical aspect but it still suffers in one respect... it has an Atari
backing. If the Lynx had been purchased by Nintendo (If you remember Epyx
designed the machine and sold it to Atari) EVERYONE would own one and we'd
been playing with Super NES Handhelds before the Super NES was released!
Stepping off my pedistal...
Vid the Ripper...
------------
From DELPHI
35700 5-FEB 01:17 General Information
ST-to-STe??
From: RMORROW To: ALL
I called Atari Customer Support today to check on this "ST-to-STe (+$300)"
deal I had heard about months ago. Well, I called (they answered on the
2nd ring), and said that the person (name?) I needed to talk to was out at
lunch, but would be back and they she took my number, saying he'd call
back. Sure enough, about 2 hours later he called back saying that there
IS NO such offer, HAS NEVER BEEN such an offer, and was most likely the
result of someone trying to 'play a game'. He said that he gets quite a f
ew calls like mine.
(The "deal" was, as I remembered, you could exchange your old ST and $300
for a new STe.) However, he did give me the number of a local
Sunnyvale-area Atari dealer that did take trades and I called them.
The two that I dealt with at Atari were quite professional and I hope that
continues! I'll give them an A in customer relations. (seriously)
FROM CIS
30889 S17/Community Square
05-Feb-92 23:05:12
Sb: #30869-Wash Apple Pi
Fm: SYSOP*John Davis 76711,127
To: Jim Ness 74415,1727 (X)
There are a couple of reasons why I don't think the ST Book will have
that much impact. First, the MIDI ports aren't standard size, and will
require some type of adaptor. Not a big deal at all, but I suspect that
the competitions' loyalists will bring it up enough that new purchasers
may look at more 'standard' solutions. Actually, that may not be an
issue at all, but the fact that you can't take off-the-shelf software and
put it directly into the book will be the biggest problem. An ST MIDI
developer at NAMM asked to borrow the ST Book, so that he could see if
his software would run ok. He couldn't, because there wasn't any way to
transfer his software to the ST Books hard disk. Even if he could have,
this particular developer uses copy protection, which practically demands
that the computer running it has a standard floppy disk, so he would
still have been out of luck.
The issue with the TT is compatability. Although many of the more popular
apps are being re-written for the TT (or already have been), much of the
older stuff just won't work.
Luckily, the older ST's still fill the bill just fine - I still don't
think you'll find any better MIDI software on any other platform.
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STReport's Staff The regulars and this week's contributors!
----------------
Publisher - Editor
------------------
Ralph F. Mariano
PC DIVISION AMIGA DIVISION MAC DIVISION
----------- -------------- ------------
Robert Retelle Charles Hill R. ALBRITTON
STReport Staff Editors:
-----------------------
Michael Arthur Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr. Dana P. Jacobson
Lucien Oppler Brad Martin Judith Hamner
John Szczepanik Dan Stidham Joseph Mirando
Doyle C. Helms
Contributing Correspondents:
----------------------------
Michael Lee Richard Covert Roger Stevens
Brian Converse Oliver Steinmeier Tim Holt
Andrew Learner Norman Boucher Harry Steele
Ben Hamilton Neil Bradley Eric Jerue
Ron Deal Robert Dean Ed Westhusing
James Nolan Vernon W. Smith
IMPORTANT NOTICE
================
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____________________________________________________________
> STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips"
=====================
- Ann Arbor MI AIM HITTING THE "BIGTIME!"
------------
AIM magazine's distributor has recently succeeded in placing the Atari
dedicated magazine in approx 250 ADDITIONAL Walden Bookstores.
- Littleton, CO SST IS SHIPPING
-------------
Gadget's SST shipped at the beginning of this week in quantity.
Shipped were the bare-board, Option A, B, C, and C&D configurations. The
unique packaging sports an eye catching box with an SR-71A Blackbird
Stealth Spy Plane on its cover.
- Lake Oswego, OR PHANTOM OF THE LASER "POPULAR"
---------------
There is an affordable, high quality product known as the "Phantom of
the Laser". The device permits the user to turn off the SLM 804/605
Laser Printer. This is accomplished by the device supplying the power to
the interface that was previously supplied by the printer. Works
Perfectly, I've been using one from my days with an '804' and now, with a
'605'. It can be obtained from Widgets by Decker, 2399 SW Palisades Crest
Dr., Lake Oswego, OR 97034-7519, 503-638-3940.
- Sunnyvale, CA IS IT TOS 2.06 OR 2.07 OR WHAT!
-------------
It seems now, that the word is out that the NEWDESK TOS 2.05 was going
to be called 2.07 after being fixed.... The "powers that be have now
decided to call it 2.06 after all! Apparently, the 'fix' to the bug
introduced when the fix to the double scrolling bug was fixed was not
serious enough to warrant a name change. Wonder if the SERIAL PORT
PROBLEMS have been fixed and the FLOW CONTROL "features", have they been
refined? Is it is....?? OR is it ain't?! Who's on first? :-)
____________________________________________________
> A "Quotable Quote" Words of Wisdom
==================
"THERE IS NOTHING AS CHEAP OR FEEBLE IN DEBATE....
AS AN ASSERTION NOT BACKED BY SOLID FACT!"
ZIGGY "The Zigster" ZIRCON
__________________________________________________________
> ABCO SPECIALS! STR InfoFile * NEW 1992 Prices! MORE Products! *
=========================== --------------------------------
** EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY! **
NOTICE: ABCO will BEAT OR MATCH * ANY *
Advertised or Invoiced price * We will NOT be undersold!
ABCO COMPUTER CONSULTANTS
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)
(all cables and connectors installed)
- Available for all Platforms -
* ICD HOST ADAPTERS USED EXCLUSIVELY * OMTI HIGH SPEED CONTROLLERS *
* ICD ADSCSI+ HOST ADAPTERS * FULL SCSI COMMAND SET SUPPORTED *
* SCSI EMBEDDED CONTROLLER MECHANISMS *
-- QUANTUM: THE "ROLLS ROYCE" OF HARD DRIVES --
WE PAY SHIPPING & INSURANCE!!! >UPS!<
(Cont. USA)
Deluxe 2 bay Cabinet w/65w auto-switching PS
TIME PROVEN to be the most reliable!
Model Description Autopark Price
==================================================
SGN4951 51Mb 3.5" Y 439.00
SGN6277 65Mb 5.25" Y 469.00
SGN1096 85Mb 5.25" Y 549.00
SQN1055 105mb 3.5" Y 599.95
SQN2055 170Mb 3.5" Y 689.00
SQN3055 240Mb 3.5" Y 939.00
SQN4055 426Mb 3.5" Y 1610.00
==================================================
FULLY ASSEMBLED SCSI DRIVES DEDUCT $60.00
ADD $35.00 for 4 BAY SUPER CABINET w/250+w PS
EXOTIC TOWER CABINETS AVAIALABLE Call for Info!
PLEASE NOTE: The above is partial listing only!
FULLY ASSEMBLED SCSI DRIVES DEDUCT $60.00
ADD $35.00 for 4 BAY SUPER CABINET w/250+w PS
EXOTIC TOWER CABINETS AVAIALABLE Call for Info!
PLEASE NOTE: The above is partial listing only!
CPU ACCELERATOR & MEMORY UPGRADES AVAILABLE & INSTALLED
*****
>> ABCO proudly offers the fabulous 1040 & MEGA STe Computers <<
Call for ABCO's * VERY SPECIAL * Introductory prices!
ATARI COMPUTERS * STILL THE BEST VALUE!
*****
If you don't see what you want listed here, call us.
Odds are, we either have it or, can get it for you!
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** 800-562-4037 **
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* SYQUEST 44MB (#555) >> ABCOFILE "44" << REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE *
- SYQUEST 44 MB DRIVE - ICD ST ADSCSI PLUS H/A
- ICD Utility Software - 3' DMA Cable
- Fan & Clock - Multi-Unit Power Supply
(1) 44 MB Syquest Cart.
--->> SPECIAL! NOW ONLY __$ 645.00__ <<---
**** SCSI UNITS -> ONLY $549.00 ****
WE PAY SHIPPING & INSURANCE! >UPS!<
(Cont. USA)
COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED AND READY TO RUN!
Cart and Utility Software Included!
EXTRA CARTS: $ 74.50
DRIVE MECH ONLY: $ 349.95
****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******
* TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT *
SPECIALLY PRICED ** $995.95.00 **
Includes: * TWO * cartridges!
* SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS *
- Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives -
** 50mb SQG51S $789.00 105mb SQG105S $989.00 **
LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS
CUSTOM CONFIGURATIONS AVAILABLE
** ANNOUNCING THE NEW! -> ABCO CD-ROM! **
:Special Introductory offer:
ABCO CD-ROM $389.95 (limited time only)
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)
* IBM - MSDOS - AMIGA - ATARI - APPLE - MACINTOSH *
ALL UNITS COMPATIBLE WITH --> SUPERCHARGER - AT/PC SPEED - GCR
LARGER units are available - (Custom Configurations)
*>> NO REPACKS OR REFURBS USED! <<*
- Custom Walnut WOODEN Cabinets - TOWER - AT - XT Cabinets -
Atari SLM 804, SLM 804PCV Laser Toner Kits
Memorex 2108, 5287
Oasys Laserpro 5287, 5308, Express 830, Express Series II
Silver Express, Gold Express
** $41.95 shipping Included **
Atari SLM 605 Laser Toner Kits
AT&T 593, CAF Laser, DSI Laser, DTP Systems, Epson EPL-6000
Facit P6060, Fontx Syslaser, Harris3M 2006, M-Tally MT905
Microtek Turbo PS, OAS Laserpro Executive, Packard Bell 9500
TEC LB 1305, Toshiba PageLaser 6
** $41.95 shipping included **
(TWO Toner Carts Incl.)
Panasonic Laser Toner Kits
Panasonic KX -P 400 series, Panafax UF-750 Facimile
** $41.95 shipping included **
-- ALL TONER KITS * IN STOCK * --
* Toner Starter Kits-$62.95 *
* Replacement (804) Drums-$186.95 *
ABCO's Replacement Toner Advantages
===================================
>> MANY other ATARI related products STOCKED <<
ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED
-* 12 month FULL Guarantee *-
(A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE)
WE PAY SHIPPING & INSURANCE! >UPS!<
(Cont. USA)
QUANTITY & USERGROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
_________________________________________
DEALERS and DISTRIBUTORS WANTED!
please, call for details
Personal and Company Checks are accepted.
ORDER YOUR NEW UNIT TODAY!
CALL: 1-800-562-4037 -=**=- CALL: 1-904-783-3319
Customer Orders ONLY Customer Service
9am - 8pm EDT
Tues thru Sat
ABCO is EXPANDING!! CALL FOR INFORMATION!
SEND FOR YOUR NEW ABCO CATALOG TODAY!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport International Online Magazine
Available through more than 10,000 Private BBS systems WorldWide!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" February 07, 1992
16/32bit Magazine copyright 1987-92 No.8.06
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
the editors/staff, PCReport, STReport, AMReport, MCReport. Permission to
reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Each reprint
must include the name of the publication, date, issue # and the author's
name. The entire publication and/or portions therein may not be edited in
any way without prior written permission. The entire contents, at the
time of publication, are believed to be reasonably accurate. The editors,
contributors and/or staff are not responsible for the use/misuse of infor-
mation contained herein or the results obtained therefrom.
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