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Silicon Times Report Issue 0810
*---== ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
from
STR Publishing
""""""""""""""
March 06, 1992 No.8.10
==========================================================================
STReport International Online Magazine
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32205 ~ 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
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__________________________________________________________________
> 03/06/92: STReport #8.10 "The Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine!"
-------------------------
- The Editor's Desk - CPU REPORT - VIRUS MYTHS?
- SUDDEN VIEW! - PORTFOLIO NEWS - PDC NEWS!
- ISD Conference - T25 FAST!! - Gemulator News
- NEW PRODUCTS - HOT TAF NEWS - STR Confidential
-* TAF IS GONNA BE BIG! *-
-* ST BOOK - RSN? *-
-* ATARI & GRAMMY *-
==========================================================================
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!
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WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (March 3)
VENDOR DIRECTORY NOW AVAILABLE!
Thanks to the programming expertise of our own Bill Aycock, the Atari
Forum staff are pleased to announce the availability of our VENDOR
accessory datafile. Download file VENDOR.ARC from LIBRARY 6 of the Atari
Productivity Forum (GO ATARIPRO).
This package contains a desk accessory/program (just rename it
appropriately) VENDOR.ACC which accesses a standardized format datafile
named VENDOR.DAT. With this program you can have instant access to the
names, addresses, phone numbers, CompuServe User IDs, and some product
names for vendors that support/service the Atari computer community.
The Atari Forum staff pledges to update and expand the info in VENDOR.DAT
on a regular basis. The sysops have found this accessory to be handy in
our job of answering user queries and now we'd like to share it with the
rest of the Atari community.
A little gift from the Atari Forum staff to our members.
NEW IN ATARIVEN
The TEC board, featuring TOS 2.06 for all machines, is now shipping. For
details of a special discount offer, see the file TECREL.TXT now in
LIBRARY 16 of the Atari Vendors Forum (GO ATARIVEN).
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.
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 #10
Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
-- Verbatim Corp. Clarifies Computer Virus Myths
Publicity about computer viruses has led to a number of misconceptions
concerning how they are transmitted. Verbatim Corporation, the world's
leading manufacturer of computer image and data storage products, is
clearing up those myths about computer viruses through technical
bulletins and its on-line technical staff.
According to Nicky Hartery, president of Verbatim, to date there has not
been a single case of contracting a virus on Verbatim media as supplied
by the company.
He says that stringent security and audit procedures are in place to
prohibit any introduction of a virus program to Verbatim's products.
As a service to its customers, Verbatim provides the following infor-
mation concerning viruses:
What is a computer virus? -- It is an executable computer program
designed to damage data, slow data processing, or display a message, and
it may be hidden within other programs. A computer virus program is
self-replicating and once present, it will copy itself to hard drives,
removable media and network drives.
How does it work? -- Automatically activated, it can be triggered by any
parameter monitored by the computer, such as the internal clock. It can
remain hidden until activated, remaining dormant for extended periods.
How is it spread? -- A virus spreads by downloading through a modem, a
file transfer, or disk access. The disk access can be write, read, or
format.
-- Users are typically unaware of the transfer. How do you detect and
remove a virus?
-- Viruses often are detected only upon activation. Detection software
is available, such as Central Point Software Anti-Virus, Norton Anti-
Virus, Virex, which can be loaded to prevent re-infection.
-- Viruses are eliminated through virus-killing software programs. All
memory, hard drives and floppies must be cleared of the virus.
What else can I do to prevent a computer virus?
-- Make sure your new computer disks are still in the shrink-wrapped
package.
-- Buy good anti-virus software from a well-recognized publisher and use
it religiously on data transmitted to you by modem, through networks or
by disks.
-- Devise, and stick to, a backup schedule. Before backing up, make sure
your data is virus-free. Recovery from virus is easier if you maintain
good backup practices.
-- Use only properly licensed software. Do not use bootleg or
unauthorized software copies.
-- Avoid borrowing or copying software from other users. Be cautious of
"demonstration" or game software of uncertain origin.
-- Make all software and media purchases from reputable retailers. Do
not accept opened packages of any kind, or packages that have been
obviously resealed.
-- Use password protection for computer and application software.
Contact Verbatim Corporation, 1200 W.T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, N.C.,
28262, for more information.
-- Hyundai First with "LIFETIME WARRANTY"
As part of its "Get a Lifetime of Value" promotion, Hyundai Electronics
America has become the first computer maker to offer a lifetime warranty
on PCs. The new warranty will be offered free to buyers of qualified
Hyundai PCs between now and June 30.
The warranty covers the motherboard and related components such as video
card, floppy disk drive and keyboard. It will be offered in all the
contiguous states plus Alaska and Hawaii. Hyundai's lifetime warranty is
limited to the original user of the equipment.
Also in the promotion, customers can get software at discounts from PEED
Corp., Borland International, Software Publishing Corp., Proteo, Aselco,
Microspeed, Software Support and East Coast Software.
-- Intel Announces new 486 DX2 Chip
According to reports, Intel Corp. this week introduced the Intel486 DX2
microprocessor that will allow computer makers to increase the speed of
existing Intel 486 CPU-based systems. The Intel486 DX2 offers a speed
doubler technology that allows the chip to operate twice as fast as sur-
rounding components so that systems using the 486 DX2 will perform up to
70% faster than those with the first generation 486 DX.
The same day as the Intel announcement, NCR Corp., Gateway 2000 and Zeos
International Ltd. all introduced new computer models based on the
Intel486 DX2 chip.
-- More Jumping on the Intel486 DX2 Bandwagon
Dell Computer announced its new Systems 486P/50 and 486D/50 and the
PowerLine 450DE/2 and 450SE/2, ranging in price from $2,319 to $8,348.
Radio Shack says it has started sales of the Tandy 4850 EP computer,
which sells for $2,699. A multimedia PC version of the system will sell
for $3,499.
Wyse Technology announced its Decision 486/50DX2, available next quarter
in four configurations. It also plans a 66MHz PC in the second half of
1992.
GRiD Systems Corp., a Tandy Corp. subsidiary, has introduced two new
desktop computers.
The GRiD APT/450e, a $4,499 system that uses an EISA bus and comes
standard with 4MB of RAM, seven 32-bit EISA expansion slots, five
expansion bays, including one 2.88MB, 3.5-inch floppy drive, high-speed
Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) hard disk interface, dual serial,
parallel and mouse ports, a 16-bit VGA card with 512K video memory
supporting 640 by 480 in 256 colors.
The $2,599 GRiD MFP/450 that comes with 4MB of RAM, three ISA-based
expansion slots, on 1.44MB 3.5-inch floppy drive, two free expansion
bays and 16-bit VGA integrated on main logic board.
-- Matsushita Might Join with AT&T and Electronic Arts
Recent reports say that Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. is
thinking of joining forces with AT&T and Electronic Arts Inc. to
develop next-generation computers.
Japanese financial daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported today Matsushita
plans to set up separate joint ventures with AT&T and Electronic Arts.
It said Matsushita and AT&T's planned joint venture will develop
portable PCs by next year and will market the computers first in the US
and then in Japan.
That report also said Matsushita's joint venture with Electronic Arts
will produce multimedia computer systems for home use, such as video
games and that the new company will sell hardware and software for such
systems in Japan starting in spring 1993.
-- Seagate Announces Low-Power 214meg Hard Drive
Seagate Technology has unveiled a low-power 214MB, 3.5-inch hard disk
drive. The ST3243A, which is based on Seagate's ST3144 line, features an
AT interface and an average seek time of 16ms.
Seagate is aiming the ST3243A at the midrange to high-end and portable
computer markets. The ST3243A has a suggested retail price of $395. The
company said it will be available for sale during the second quarter.
-- Toshiba Cuts Prices Up To 26%
Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. has cut prices by up to 26% on
versions of its T2200SX and T3300SL notebook computers.
-- The Revolving Door Continues in "other circles.."
William O. Grabe, IBM vice president and general manager of US marketing
and services has announced he will leave the company. Grabe is the 3rd
IBM executive in recent weeks to leave IBM for outside jobs. Grabe has
30 years of service with the company and is joining a venture capital
group.
***********************************************************************
: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. Feb GEnie Billing Complete. To review your bill type:......*BILL
2. ICD Product Support RT Comes To GEnie.......................ICD
3. Bring your home-living questions to our Open House RTC......HOME
4. Guess Who Won the GEnie Presidential Straw Poll.............*SURVEY
5. Special RTC, 3/7, 9 PM EST: "The Mars Effect" and...........ASTROLOGY
6. EMERGENCY ACTION LIVE: Intro to scanner radio - RTC 3/8 in..RADIO
7. Merchants Guild proud to present Peddler's Gathering in.....DGATE
8. Get Ready for SPRING -- Order your Catalog NOW..............LANDSEND
9. LOTS of New Titles on CD @ LOW PRICES at....................NOTEWORTHY
10. Chat with SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR RTC 9:30 3/11...ERT
11. System 6 news and heavy-hitting files land in...............A2
12. An AFFORDABLE Online Business & Resume Database.............DIRECTORY
13. The Building of Walt Disney World -- a little history in......FLORIDA
14. Weather Observations and Discussion Now Online................SCIENCE
15. There is more to France than just Paris Check it out in.......*TRAVEL
Welcome to the ST Roundtable
==============================================================
ASK LEONARD TRAMIEL!
Atari's Vice-President of Software, Leonard Tramiel, will be
answering questions from Atari users in the Bulletin Board and
the Software Library, and then later in a Realtime Conference.
See Category 14, Topic 25 for details on how to "Ask Leonard."
==============================================================
New Contest in the works from GEnie Atari RT and Atari Corp. top prize
will be an Atari NOTEBOOK COMPUTER. Details and Rules will be released
when everything is finalized. Contact: DARLAH, BOB-BRODIE
= New Personal in Atari Roundtable =
GEnie Atari RT adds two personal to the Staff.
John Hartman [JOHN-STE] working in Media and Promotions.
Terry Quinn [TQUINN] working in the Bulletin Boards.
March 11 Fast Technology/Turbo 16/20/25/30 Accelerators
- Jim Allen, President
March 18 (Tentative) Ask Leonard Tramiel
- Leonard Tramiel, Atari's Vice President of Software
March 25 Joppa Software/New Send/Receive Fax Software
- Charles Smeton
April 1 Atari/Canada
- Geoff Earle, President Atari Canada
GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission
***********************************************************************
> ISD's GEnie Conf. STR FOCUS ISD & Calamus SL Conference
===========================
March 4, 1992
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
On behalf of the Atari ST Roundtable, I welcome all of you to the ISD /
Calamus SL RealTime Conference. Before getting started, some business
about how an RTC works.
While the RTC room is in Listen-Only mode, you can only address our guest
when I let you talk.
To get my attention, just /RAIse your hand. Just enter this from your
keyboard:/rai
I'll acknowledge your raised hand as soon as I can, but please be patient.
I -WILL- let you know when your turn is coming up.
Some other RTC commands are:
? - Lists all RTC commands.
/sta - Status (list) of everyone in
the RTC room.
/exi - Exit the RTC, but you remain
logged onto GEnie.
/bye - Log off of GEnie directly from
the RTC.
/rai - Raise your hand. Lets me know
you wish to address our guest.
And now, let's get started.
Calamus, one of the best (some say THE best) desktop publishing products
available for any computer platform, has recently gotten even better with
the release of Calamus SL.
Here to tell us all about it and to answer your questions is Nathan
Potechin, president of ISD Marketing. ISD is the North American
publisher/distributor of the Calamus family of DTP products.
Let's get this rolling now...
Nathan, thank you very much for joining us this evening. Do you have any
opening remarks to make before I start taking questions from the floor?
(You folks can start /RAIsing your hands now.)
<[Nathan] ISD>
Thank you for joining us tonight. I believe it fair to say I am no longer
an unknown entity online, especially on GEnie, as I once was and I am
pleased that you have all made time to join us. With me this evening is
Mario Georgiou, ISD's own Graphic Artist with 12 odd years of experience
(In Mario's case, I stress the term "odd") :-) and Lou Rocha, a local
desktop publisher, Editor of the Calamus SL manual and a school Principal
by profession.
Since we began filling backorders on Calamus SL almost one month
ago now, the action online in our Category 16, has become fierce. :-) We
have all been used to seeing 5 or 6 or even a dozen questions a day on
Calamus but NOW, 45 or even 60 new messages every single day. ARGGGHH!!!
:-)
We hope to have the last backorder out the door by the end of this week
and will finally begin offering the product for sale to the Atari Dealers
throughout North America, Australia and New Zealand. I made a decision to
satisfy our customers needs first, and now will spend the next week
insuring that all appropriate Magazines, both Atari and generic DTP
related, receive their review copy and the proper followup. So, first came
the customers, then the press, then the dealers. I suppose I'll have to
start advertising fairly soon too, judging by the telephone calls I have
already received on this subject. :-)
I imagine I did this sort of backwards but I must say I am very pleased
that I was in a position to do so and I will certainly take this
opportunity to thank all of our valued customers for all of their support
of us and our products over the years. Thank you!
How did that little bit of ASCII upload Jeff?
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
It came out fine, Nathan. You done good! :-)
<[Nathan] ISD>
I have lots more, depending on the questions :-)
Perhaps we can get a feel for the people that have joined us this evening,
in terms of experience with or lack of...with Calamus.
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
How about starting with a brief overview of Calamus SL and what makes it
different from prior Calamus versions?
<[Nathan] ISD>
Sure :-)
Calamus SL - The new direction in Pre-Press and publishing systems.
Calamus SL offers a new concept in design and functionality providing a
greater level creative control than other publishing systems.
Calamus SL is a totally open system allowing for the addition of modules
for specific tasks.
Within Calamus SL, the complete world of desktop design and layout is
placed at your fingertips. Calamus SL integrates the process of design and
layout by standardizing the way you use different applications. Calamus SL
is an environment designed to fulfill the requirements of anyone involved
in the fields of Desktop Publishing, Prepress and Graphic communications.
The system has been designed to allow full flexibility in terms of
features, as such, Calamus SL is modular allowing the user to add or
remove features to their application when they require them or to remove
features when they have completed their work.
Calamus SL has adopted a WYNIWYG philosophy, What You Need Is What You
Get. There are modules for autotracing, color separation and calibration,
data and document handling, the production of multimedia presentations,
image management and editing, and many others. The software's capabilities
make it a digital chameleon allowing it to change to suite the environment
it is used in.
Calamus has support for output devices ranging from dot matrix printers,
laser printers, color thermal, dye sublimation and Imagesetters and
Prepress Systems and technologies. Calamus SL's vector outline fonts can
be scaled as large as required. Through the use of its own font rendering
technology Calamus SL has true WYSYWYG allowing the user to know exactly
what their documents will look like 100% of the time. This built in
rendering technology uses the same font description for all display and
output devices. Calamus SL has high speed document output through the use
of its own powerful Page Description Language.
Calamus SL has built-in support for 24 bit color. Calamus SL has support
for RGB, IHS, CMY, HKS and CMYK color models and built-in Spot and Process
color handling with a variety of calibration options.
Up to seven documents can be loaded at the same time with interactive
clipboard functions allowing the transfer of elements from one document to
the another. Calamus SL also supports the import and export of industry
standard text and graphic formats.
Rotation of all Elements 360 degrees (Bitmaps are rotated 360 degrees
through a module for image management.
A user-definable autosave feature makes the complete loss of documents an
unlikely event.
Calamus's text capabilities include text alignment, kerning, tracking,
vertical justification, rotation, flow around graphics, style tagging,
widow and orphan control. A Text editing window allows for quick editing
with functions for hyphenation and spell checking, search and replace,
ruler and style definition, blocking functions with an undo feature.
Calamus is capable of handling documents of unlimited physical size, with
lengths up to 99,999 pages. This is enhanced with built-in virtual memory
handling and File locking for the protection of various elements. Open up
to 7 documents simultaneously while using the interactive clipboard for
complete and easy passage of contents between documents.
Calamus SL has approximately one thousand features with more on the way.
How's that Jeff? :-)
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
Let me guess....you anticipated that question? <grin>
<[Nathan] ISD>
I've anticipated a few others as well. :-) I've done this before
<ELLIOTT.C>
I haven't even seen Calamus yet ...
<[Nathan] ISD>
We forgive you Elliot. :-)
<ELLIOTT.C>
...wondering about kerning - how much manual adjustment needed after Auto
is done.
<[Nathan] ISD>
Elliot, in most cases, the automatic kerning features inherent within
Calamus SL leave very little for manual adjustment.
However, if you should feel the need, you may perform adjustments in 4
directions, in 1/1000 of a point!
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
Followup, Elliott?
<ELLIOTT.C>
Suppose I do "cj", turn the j into a superscript; in Quark Express
the letters would end up crashing.
<[Nathan] ISD>
They would NOT crash in Calamus SL.
<C.S.SMETON>
Nathan, What support for 3rd party module add ons exist, i.e. Developer
documentation for creating printer drivers, import file filters, etc.
<[Nathan] ISD>
Hi Charles.
I did bring back serious docs on exactly that issue but they remain in
German. That is a problem. :-)
Another is that they keep adding to, enhancing and changing the code all
the time presenting a moving target. :-)
This is a big priority of mine as I am anxious to offer many interested
North American developers, almost all of which are my friends, :-) to
write modules!!
<C.S.SMETON>
Thanks Nathan
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
Folks....there will be a giveaway later during the RTC. A free copy of
Calamus SL or a $500 font package (if the winner already has Calamus SL).
So stick around. :-)
<[Nathan] ISD>
;-)
<[Bad Doggie] C.F.JOHNSON>
You mentioned that SL can do color separations -- I have 2 questions about
this:
1) does SL support the Pantone standard, and
2) is there a service bureau in the US that can output these color
separations at high res, on film?
<[Nathan] ISD>
We have not yet finalized an agreement with PANTONE themselves although we
do have the offer sitting in-house. I am once again faced with a quandary
over IBM type prices for my Atari product :-) but we do indeed intend to
be able to offer PANTONE as soon as possible. In the meantime, we do have
a few other color tables available now, one of which is FOCOLTONE which I
am told is VERY precise! So the answer to 1. is not yet.
As far as service bureaus, the one bureau with an Atari workstation in San
Francisco is Omnicomp and offhand I don't know if they have upgraded to
Calamus SL yet or not. But they should have :-) so I will call them
tomorrow. Obviously we need more service bureaus out there capable of
handling the Calamus solution, which is something to which I will devote a
great deal of effort in the coming months.
<[Bad Doggie] .F.JOHNSON>
Is FOCOLTONE a German color standard? I've never heard of it.
<[Nathan] ISD>
FOCOLTONE originated in Britain 6 years ago. It is well known in Europe
and is now getting established in North America. They are said to have far
more precise color matching than ANY other color standards and are now
available with those other well known DTP packages like Quark and
Illustrator :-).
<[Scott L.] S.LAPHAM1>
Since you seem prepared for common questions, could you please shoot us
the upgrade info (cost, etc.) from 1.09N? And since I've only had 1.09N
for a week, can I send in the upgrade cost with the 1.09N registration
card to get SL?
<[Nathan] ISD>
Scott...ANY Calamus related questions are welcomed. :-)
The cost is US $200.00 from 1.09N to SL but there are other options
available.
If you have access to a fax machine I will be happy to fax you our latest
customer mail out. Please leave me email with the number and I will take
care of it tomorrow. And yes, please do upgrade when you send in your
registration card from 1.09N.
There are 6 pages of info on the upgrade Scott, by the way. :-)
<[Scott L.] S.LAPHAM1>
I just bought a HP DeskJet 500C..is there a driver for it in SL?
<[Nathan] ISD>
YES, there sure is. I love having the right answers for a change.
:-)
<[Jim] J.KUDRON>
Nathan, are there any plans for releasing some "forms" ala Quickforms and
the package that SoftLogik offers?
<[Nathan] ISD>
Hi Jim.
There are a few up in our library #30 already but frankly although I have
thought of it a few times, I have not had the time to put someone on it. I
expect that we will eventually locate someone capable of preparing a
proper forms package for us and then market it for them. :-)
<[Jim] J.KUDRON>
Sounds like I've got work to do!
<[Nathan] ISD>
Please!! :-)
<K.BROOKS1>
Nathan, SL arrived today. My wife thinks I'm having an affair with all
the OOOOOH's and AAAAAH's coming from the computer room.
Now what!? Seriously, what an incredible package! How soon for PS/EPS?
See you at ACE?
<[Nathan] ISD>
There is a market for Forms as you know.
Are you using a GE Soft expansion board on your TT Keith? :-)
PostScript and EPS will be made available upon the release of the
Dataformer modules, which are next up for release actually. Lou needs to
write the documentation so start bugging him. :-)
<K.BROOKS1>
Any word on the release of Studio to complete the package?
No, Atari 4Mb...Bruce has the GE Soft board!
<[Nathan] ISD>
TMS Cranach Studio is supposed to have a completed manual on my desk last
week actually. I think I'll make an angry phone call. :-)
Seriously, it should be within the next 4-6 weeks.
<K.BROOKS1>
Why are the flags set not to use TT RAM with SL?
<[Nathan] ISD>
Wrong, the default setting on the Calamus SL program automatically sets
the TT RAM flags.
Did this get switched somewhere along the line? Hmmm. I'll check.
<[james] J.ARMSTRON20>
Nathan, What about the Functions that are disabled in SL. Like Spellcheck
& Set Layout/Work Area.
<[Nathan] ISD>
James, my apologies. There will be a new version following the completion
of the upcoming CeBit show in Hannover that runs for 10 days starting next
week. At the end of that time I expect many of the features that had not
been activated will now be up and running. Spellchecking was absolutely
100% promised to be one of those. These kind of inactive features will
eventually all disappear at no cost to yourself, other than shipping and
handling perhaps but no way I could delay the release of the product
itself any longer without getting hung. :-)
<[james] J.ARMSTRON20>
What about converting PD Postscript fonts and the "Illegal Font, Serial #
does not match SL #"?
<[Nathan] ISD>
If you have a program/utility that converts PD fonts to Calamus format,
properly, it should work fine regardless of your serial number as they are
not protected fonts, however, some PS fonts when converted may act as
though they are serialized.
Hmmm, I believe you also need to load them FIRST because if you load a CG
font first, that serial number will already be in the system.
<[Drew] D.KERR1>
First, congratulation and best of luck, Nathan.
Could you please explain what PKS Write has over the text editor in 1.09?
<[Nathan] ISD>
Thanks for the congrats, Drew. The best feature that is now available in
PKS Write is the ability to modify layout from within the text editor.
This includes pre-tagging information on just about everything that you
could imagine. Besides, it also includes more advanced block functions,
ability to apply key bindings inside the editor, edit kerning information,
hyphenation and rulers and on and on. Drew, its has LOTS more than the old
Editor.
<[Drew] D.KERR1>
I believe there are a thousand features in SL. You mentioned "many more to
come." Could you reveal any of those "many more to come?"
<[Nathan] ISD>
I will cover a few of the modules. I just happen to have the proverbial
block to upload. :-)
Coming Soon.....
Type Art
This package was specially designed for the creation and manipulation of
Typefaces and Logos. This software facilitates control over a fonts global
kerning characteristics and specific kerning pairs. It also allows for the
autotracing of scanned lineart allowing Logo libraries and fonts to be
created. The tools allow the use of primitives and the merging of
component parts such as stems and serifs etc. Two fonts can be in memory
at any one time allowing the exchange and editing of up to 256 characters.
Type Art also has built-in digitizer plotter support. The tools are second
to none including floating pop up tool menus and very powerful mapping
functions. A transformation calculator allows the use of formulae while
other functions include a text preview window for the contextual fine
tuning of kerning information, magnetic snap to grid and guidepoints,
online help, stamp, join and auto-outlining functions and clipboards. This
is the perfect tool for the Typographic designer.
Outline Art 2
This product is for the creation of vector based illustrations using lines
and bezier curves. It has tools for typographic manipulation and mapping.
Outline Art 2.0 has 24 bit color support, allows type to be put into
circles, to follow freely defined paths, to be graduated or mapped onto
planes, and transformed or distorted. The use of intelligent clipboard and
calculator functions make this a typographic special effects dream.
Dataformer
Dataformer is a series of modules specially dedicated to the export of
data from Calamus SL. The product allows the export of any element or page
from a document in a variety of formats. The first of two Dataformer
modules can export to the following bitmap formats - GIF, IFF, IMG, PCX,
TIF, TGA and the following vector based formats CVG, EPS (with or without
TIF headers), WMF, GEM, HPGL and DXF. More formats will be added in time.
Crescendo
For music publishers the introduction of a package to convert an I.M.M.A
standard MIDI file to a notated text file for inclusion in a document or
for the publication of music sheets. The capability to prepare notated
pages within Crescendo using polyphonic notation makes it a must for all
music publishers.
Job Manager
This is a module designed for use by service bureaus or production houses
to allow the queuing of jobs. It allows the specification of documents for
printing and assignation of printing characteristics such as mirroring,
inversion, page selection, multiple prints, scaling, resolution,
pagination, color separation and output device selection.
Mount and Print
The specialist print module for Calamus. This module controls the final
output of your document. Create left/right offsets for magazine
production, collation, Imposition, tiling of pages, together with a host
of other specialized functions to define your complete printing parameters
to achieve optimum results.
Multimedia Module
This module is for the preparation of documents which include video and
sound data for the purpose of preparing multimedia presentations.
Purposely designed for the creation of product and advertising
presentations, this module allows the specification of sound sampling
rates of 6KHz to 50KHz. Video capabilities include control of playback
speeds, Intensity, Hue, Saturation, Dissolves, etc,. Future Modules,
specifications subject to change without notice, include:
Paint & Draw : a raster and vector graphic editing module
Curve & Line : an auto-tracing module for Monochrome, Grayscale and Color
Images, which will be an upgrade from Speed Line.
Logo Art : a special vector editor for company logos and a Barcode
generation module. And about 95 others. It is my intention to release a
few modules every couple of months without fail for the next few years.
And I fully intend to meet that commitment!
<[John Nagy] Z-NET>
First, WOW!
Next, thanks, Nathan and Jeff.
I want to say that my testing on SL so far has been a delight! It is much
faster than I anticipated, even though I must suffer along at ST speed...
so far. ;^)
SL is clearly a full-out professional grade package. Which leads to my
question... what about "CALAMUS S"? Is it being dropped? Will 1.09N be
the monochrome home use standard for some time to come? It certainly
remains as fine a product for 99.5% of the uses a person could have at
home... and at the price difference (below SL), 1.09N remains the
affordable choice... if it is offered.
<[Nathan] ISD>
Apparently, there will be a version called Calamus S. Until it is actually
finished and in my hand, I will keep quiet on it. Once it is done and
released, it will replace 1.09N without a doubt. In the meantime, Calamus
1.09N remains an excellent desktop publishing solution that still shines
proudly on all our Atari computers!!
<[John Nagy] Z-NET>
Better than excellent, Nathan. Thanks, and keep at it.
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
Okay, folks. We're going to pause long enough to give something away.
Nathan...care to describe the prize options?
<[Nathan] ISD>
Nah, you do it. ;_0
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
Thanks. The winner receives a free copy of Calamus SL or if the winner
already owns Calamus SL, an expensive font package. Which one is it,
Nathan?
<[Nathan] ISD>
We will let the winner make that decision. The choice will be theirs to
make; Calamus SL, complete, or equivalent value in CG fonts.
If you haven't yet upgraded your 1.09N, you just saved hundreds.
If you do not own Calamus, consider this an $800 value. :-)
I am anticipating sheer pandemonium. :-)
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
Okay...Here is how we'll do this:
I have an ISD Trivia Question. The question is "Name 5 products
represented by ISD Marketing". You can include Calamus, but not Calamus
AND Calamus SL. :-)
You know the question so get your answer typed in but don't hit RETURN
yet. I'm going to take the room out of Listen Only. When I do this, the
first person's correct answers will win.
Nathan will be the judge.
So, type in 5 names of products represented by ISD NOW. I will give you
all 15 seconds from now before taking the room out of listen only.
[15 Seconds Later...]
Room is now in the talk mode.
<[Martha] M.DYCUS>
Calamus, Outline Art,font editor,...oh rats!...sigh
<[Steve] S.GOLD6>
Dynacadd, MasterPlan, VIP PRO, ST Accounts, OUTLINE ART, CALAMUS FONT
EDITOR
<R.NOAK>
Calamus, Outline, ST Accounts, Masterplan, TMS Cranach Studio
<[john] J.E.DONOHUE>
PKS Write Calamus DynaCadd Outline Fonteditor
<J.EIDSVOOG1>
Calamus, Outline Art, VIP Professional, Calamus font Editor, DynaCadd
<[The King] ATARIUSER>
Qutline, Font Editor, Guide to Calamus Desktop Publishing, DynaCADD,
MasterPlan
<A.RIDLEY1>
dynacadd,calamus,vip prof,st accounts,accounts 2
<[Duane] D.CHARTER>
vip, calamus, dynacadd, outline, font
<[Doug Walter] D.WALTER7>
MasterPlan, VIP Professional, Calamus, Outline Art, Vector Art Packages.
<VORTEXT>
calamus, outline art, font editor, tms cranach studio, cg fonts
<[John Nagy] Z-NET>
Font Editor, DynaCadd, Calamus, ST ACCOUNTS, Compugraphic Fonts, TURBO 030
<B.KLASSEN>
calamus,dynacadd,outline art,st accounts,fonteditor
<K.BROOKS1>
ST Accounts, VIP, Outline Art, tms Cranach Studio, FastTech 68030 board
<S.FEENEY>
PKS Write, Dynacadd, VIP Professional, Outline, and the Calamus Font
Editor
<[Ringo] R.MONFORT1>
Calamus, Outline, Fonteditor, DynaCADD, Softrip.
<[DOUG] D.HOPP1>
calamus dynacadd font editor cg fonts outline font
<[David] D.NICOLAU>
Calamus, outline art, Fonts AGFA, Turbo030,Fonts editor
<C.S.SMETON>
Outline Art Cal Font Editor Cranach Studio CG Fonts PKS Write
<[Baaad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE>
Kidpublisher Professional...
<[Bad Doggie] C.F.JOHNSON>
Calamus, Calamus Font Editor, Dynacadd, Outline Art, VIP.
<BOB-BRODIE>
MasterPlan, DynaCadd, STAccounts, Outline Art, Calamus
<[Rob] R.QUANCE>
Calamus, Dyna CAdd, Fonteditor, Type Art, Cranich Studio
Room is now in listen-only mode.
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
Dorothy -- Kidpublisher Professional? :-)
Okay, Nathan, who won?
<[Nathan] ISD>
Hmmm, who is eligible? If all are eligible, it seems that Steve beat Randy
by a reflex. Martha was first in but without enough answers. :-)
I am making a judgment call on this one. Steve Gold already owns Calamus
SL and will be happy to get his hands on more fonts and I won't hold the
fact that he works as a REP for Atari against him but I think we'll also
upgrade Randy for free to Calamus SL as he came a close second!!
[Note from Jeff to readers of this transcript: The reason for Nathan's
deliberation over who is eligible is because Steve Gold (S.GOLD6) works
for a marketing firm and Atari is one of his accounts. In a wise and
generous move, Nathan decided to let both Steve -and- Randy win!]
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
What a guy! Congrats to both Steve and Randy!
I think we'll want reviews for GEnie Lamp from both of you on the fonts
and SL! <grin>
Now on with the RTC..
<G.MATTHIJETZ>
Hi, Nathan. Since I am a fan of Vector based graphics, any idea as to
when .GEM will import properly?
<[Nathan] ISD>
Whoa, GEM Metafiles now import into Calamus SL better than they have ever
done, including font import now for those fonts attached to the GEM file.
We do import GEM 3 and have even imported a color GEM 3 file from Corel
Draw as a test. Are you encountering a problem of which I am unaware?
<G.MATTHIJETZ>
I think so. No matter what size frame I draw up for import, whenever I
import, the frame becomes full page size and only contains half to one
quarter of the drawing.
<[Nathan] ISD>
What is the source of these GEM files please?
<G.MATTHIJETZ>
EZDraw
<[Nathan] ISD>
Lou says he imports EZDraw files all the time, including earlier today.
Lou here with Mario. Nathan is overwhelmed!
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
Maybe this needs to be pursued further in the Bulletin Board?
<G.MATTHIJETZ>
Sure.
<[Nathan] ISD>
There have been a series of messages this week indicating success at
importing GEM files WITH fonts.
<S.FEENEY>
Why can't the Germans translate the code and stuff as they go? :)
Is it just too much to deal with at once or what can be done so that we
get what they get :-)
<[Nathan] ISD>
This is Nathan again.
Shaun...they have 20 people on staff. They have something like 30,000
registered Calamus owners and an estimated 100,000 PIRATED customers of
Calamus :-) and tend to concentrate on their immediate needs and leave the
rest to me to get done. :-) If I waited for them, it would never get
finished.
<[Steve] S.GOLD6>
Hi Nathan, Will Mario be getting his own account?
<[Nathan] ISD>
Ah, I hadn't given it much thought Steve. Why do you ask?
<[Steve] S.GOLD6>
Will you post the names of the 3rd party vendors in Germany that have SL
Modules that you will not be importing? And has anyone else reported SL
bombing in PKS?
<[Nathan] ISD>
I will be importing ALL viable Calamus SL modules, of course! We have not
had reports of bombs in PKS Write and we have been using it ourselves
intensively.
<[Steve] S.GOLD6>
The reason I ask is that Mario would be a good online resource and would
relieve you and Lou of some of the BURDEN!
<[Nathan] ISD>
I agree re: Mario but he needs to be attached to a ball and chain. :-)
<K.BROOKS1>
My copy of SL shows the _run_ in TT RAM on but _use_ not set. Yet, in SL
I do show 5.9Mb available under 'Statistics'.
See ya at ACE in Toronto, Nathan..... love SL!!!
<[Nathan] ISD>
I don't know why Keith. Calamus SL certainly accesses all available RAM in
the system and then some. It has been known to stand up and boot out
unnecessary accessories without a qualm.
:-)
<K.BROOKS1>
I'm done ... thanks!
<[DOUG] D.HOPP1>
I have ver.1.09.6 and overscan the text editor does not work in overscan.
Is this corrected in 1.09N or SL?
<[Nathan] ISD>
I am sorry, Doug. I cannot be responsible for the response of Calamus
product with Overscan. I believe that it is compatible with 1.09N but I
literally have no idea if it works with SL or not as I do not have
Overscan
myself. Sorry.
<BOB-BRODIE>
Nathan, I've had visitors in my office on and off during the CO, so my
apologies if my question was already asked. Garry says Hi, BTW.
Would you please comment on the various color boards that are available
(or that are known to be in development) and their compatibility with
Calamus SL? IE Crazy Dots, Matrix, etc. Any specific recommendations?
What capabilities are available for our users ie rez, colors, etc.
<[Nathan] ISD>
I have just been told that Overscan works with Calamus SL.
Hi Bob. Hi to Garry.
I am personally aware of the Leonardo from Jay Craswell, the Crazy Dots
board represented by Gribnif, the ISAC/AlberTT combo by Jay again I
believe, the Matrix cards and the Cybercube cards. I cannot imagine any of
those products NOT working with Calamus SL and have personally seen both
the Matrix, the ISAC and the Cybercube Sunrise up and working. One of my
close associates just /sent me a note stating Calamus SL has been tested
and performs nicely on the Crazy Dots board as well.
Calamus SL has 24 bit color built-in. It will handle any variation of same
without a hitch. I do recommend that if anyone starts doing serious color
work, both on screen and output that they either purchase a TT or an
accelerator board like the TURBO 030 from Jim or Dave's SST.
<BOB-BRODIE>
Thanks, that pretty well covers it. Congratulations, Nathan!
<[Martha] M.DYCUS>
I have the very first version of Calamus released. Can I upgrade or do I
have to start over? I don't remember the version #.
<[Nathan] ISD>
Ringo just informed me that he is about to receive a Leonardo board so he
will test Calamus SL with it shortly.
Hi Martha.
You can certainly upgrade and I strongly recommend that you do. From the
initial release of 1.04 to 1.09.6 we never even charged to update. 1.09N
cost $30. So, you can go from whatever you have to 1.09N for $30.00 or
directly to Calamus SL for $230.00.
<[Martha] M.DYCUS> Great!!!...Thanks!
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
With that, we'll draw a close to tonight's RTC featuring Nathan Potechin
and Calamus SL. Nathan, do you have any closing remarks and or prepared
texts that you haven't uploaded yet? :-)
<[Nathan] ISD>
Hmmmm let me check .... :-)
I would just like to take this opportunity once again to thank everyone
that has supported us over the years and a sincere thank you for attending
this evening and listening to what one die-hard Atari Developer has to
offer. :-)
Thank you.
<[Sysop] JEFF.W>
Many thanks to Nathan for his generosity of time and for the giveaways.
Thanks, Nathan. And thanks to all who attended and participated.
Remember, next week is the Fast Technology RTC with Jim Allen.
You DTP folks might like accelerating your DTP workstation! :-)
Thanks again everyone.
P.S. The Leonard Tramiel RTC is coming...March 25th!
=======================================================================
(C)1992 by Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the Atari Roundtables. May be
reprinted only with this notice intact. The Atari Roundtables on GEnie
are *official* information services of Atari Corporation.
=======================================================================
> The Flip Side STR Feature "...a different viewpoint.."
=========================
A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT
==================================
by Michael Lee
----------------
A tip from Sheldon Winick (Computer Studio) - Cat. 14, Topic 40, Msg 235
- from the ST Roundtable on Genie...
For those of you who haven't see Bob Dobbs picture in Atari's
character set, here's how to get it:
With any text editor that will display Atari graphic characters
(Flash's capture buffer will do just fine)...
Hold down the SHIFT and the CONTROL keys while you press the comma (,)
key.
Then hold down the CONTROL key while you press the equals (=) key.
Press RETURN to go the next line.
Then hold down the CONTROL key and press the six (6) key
And then (while still holding down the CONTROL key) the minus (-) key.
There he is!
----------------
Some info about the ST Book from Mark Jansen - Cat 14, Topic 30, Msg 154
- from the ST Roundtable on Genie...
I was talking with Tracy Hall, designer of the ST Book, and I have a
correction to my earlier message -- adding a backlight to the ST Book
would not halve the battery life. It would reduce it by _five sixths_!
The ST Book uses about one Watt on average, and the best backlight
system he's found uses five Watts, bringing the system total to six
Watts.
In other words, you'd increase power usage sixfold! Further, you'd
_have_ to use the backlight if you had it, because (I also verified
with him) there aren't LCD screens that work well both backlit and
unlit -- it's one way or another.
Tracy would be "thrilled" to find a backlighting system that uses far
less power -- if you can help him make the product better, he'd love
it.
Question from R.WILSON36...
Just a thought, which I am sure has come up before. IF Atari wants the
book to sell to non Atari owners (which hopefully they do or they will
not sell many) it would be nice if there was built in software to pass
files to a PC and also if there were such items as a word pro and
calendar and spreadsheet on the hard drive.
I saw in Byte where one of the Japanese companies showed a 2.2 pound
full keyboard and full screen unit at the Tokyo show. The price was
not bad, no hard drive, sort of like a giant portfolio.
Answer from John (Atari Corp.) Townsend...
The machine does have file transfer software built in. It will also
ship with a Desk Accessory Calculator and a Calendar Application that
will keep track of important events, phone numbers, notes, etc.
I understand that we will have PC transfer software that will talk to
the STBook's transfer software soon.
----------------
About Computer Third Reich - Cat 9, Topic 4, Msg 1, 6-11 - from the ST
Roundtable on Genie...
I just purchased Computer Third Reich for the ST. It's a terrific
simulation war game for the computer. It is also a faithful re-
creation of the old board game 3 Reich....
As the name implies it is a World War II (European Theater) simula-
tion. It based on the old board war game which is about 20 years
old. The map covers all of Europe and North Africa and the units are
corps size, the turns are 3 months game time.
One or two players, game save feature, several scenarios. Lots of fun
for us old war gamers starved for this kind of game!!
From Tom McComb...
There is a full page ad for it in the March issue of Computer Gaming
World. Avalon Hills 800 order line is 800-999-3222. The game is only
$34.95 plus shipping.
If you don't already own the board game, you might want to order a
copy of the rules to the board game version too, it explains things in
much more detail than the computer edition of the rules. A copy is
only $5. They also sell something called a Gamers Guide for Third
Reich that is $8. I have no idea what's in that.
The cat number for the ST version of 3rd Reich is 45958.
It requires 512K ram (min), double sided drive and color monitor (it's
in med res.) Single sided disks available upon request.
Comments from Chuck Davis...
It does have problems
1) I doesn't run with or from my hard drive.
2) It doesn't allow for you to quit the game back to the desktop. It
requires a reboot.
3) For 3rd Reich players it's missing Beach heads. Invasion hexes
don't stack any differently from other hexes. The Axis minors are set
up at home in 44 scenario not on the front. And axis minor builds are
built in Germany which can be a problem.
4) The Computer AI is abysmal.
It is still a good simulation of 2 player 3rd Reich (the manual needs
help bigtime, especially if you don't already know 3rd Reich. It is
still worth buying.
Comments from Ted Evans...
Just got the game 2-day. Went over to my brother's (bought 2-games
BTW) and played it, awesome. He has an 1040STfm with a 2.5 meg
upgrade. Everything worked fine. Came home fired up my STe 4mb and I
get to the 1st map screen where the computer moves and 1-move and
locksville... Freeze time... Reboot same thing.... Bare machine.. Same
thing.... Oh woe is me.....
Anyone else having problems? I hope its not my STe? This machine has
so many problems with games, shudda kept my old plain vanilla 1040!
Maybe I just got a bad disk huh? I am depressed... Was gonna play the
game ALL day 2-morrow...:-(
More comments from Tom McComb...
Same here... I have a 4Meg STE and it only runs up to the point where
it asks for the copy protection "word". Locks Solid....
Help from Ted Evans...
Just got off the phone with a Mr. John Huff of Avalon Hill Game
Company. It seems that THIRD REICH *WILL NOT* run on machines with TOS
1.6 or higher...That is why the game ran on my brothers 1.2 1040, and
not my STe...
According to him they just found out about it! He promised a fix in a
couple of weeks... It's a shame, I played it on my brothers machine
and it is super..Just like the board game with a couple of exceptions.
I am so depressed, I'm just sitting here looking at the box... He
offered a refund but I'm willing to wait awhile....
Sooo, you higher TOSer's may want to hold off for a couple of weeks
before you buy the game.. I'm telling you, it will be worth the
wait...
Just thought I try and save some of you a little aggravation.
----------------
Comments about the Zoom V32 Turbo modem from Gerry Cross - Cat 8, Topic
10, Msg 48 - from the ST Roundtable on Genie...
I recently purchased a Zoom V32 Turbo modem. I may have made a
mistake. That old saying that if the price was too good to be true, it
usually isn't come to mind here.
After only a couple weeks of use I'm having nothing but problems. I
though this was just an isolated case, but several messages on the
local FidoNet tells me that several other users are having the same
problems.
This modem is being sold for around $300 from several sources. For a
high speed modem this sure is a good price, but you had better buy it
from a dealer who will not give you a bad time if yours is defective.
----------------
About the TinyTurbo 030 board - Cat 4, Topic 11, Msg. 228 - from the ST
Roundtable on Genie...
Question from GUNNER...
So what's up with TinyTurbo 030??? Got a press release coming soon?? I
certainly hope so...
Getting ready to start selling of STuff to afford an accelerator for
the second ST and TinyTurbo has my interest up...
Answer from Jim Allen (Fast Tech)...
...I'll give you a sneak peek. The Tiny will be available for the ST
(520,1040,Mega) and a second PCboard layout will be available for the
STE/MegaSTE. The list price will be $999, but we will have a VERY
attractive introductory price...limited time...of $LESS!!! It will be
a 40Mhz unit, running at 40, 42, perhaps even 46Mhz standard!! Will
have a spot for the 68882 with separate oscillator, and will have a
Virtual Memory option which includes an upgrade to a 50Mhz 030. This
design has been in circulation for a year, and has been thoroughly
debugged, as a subset of the Turbo030 board. The official blurb comes
out this week, and we have an RTC coming up in a couple weeks to talk
about it.
----------------
More on the new SM147 monitor - From R.BROWN30 - Cat 4, Topic 15, Msg 48
- from the ST Roundtable on Genie...
SM124 Blues can be cured forever with the new SM147, made by Quadrant
Components in California.
FULLY adjustable screen size (to 7 1/2 " H x 9 3/4" W, or 12" diagonal
measure when tweaked to full screen height). This is 180% larger than
a stock SM124 screen. Full brightness, contrast, image height,
horizontal phase (left/right positioning), focus, and subcarrier
brightness controls provided.
AMAZING BRIGHTNESS: It is "Paper White", measuring 2 f-stops (via
professional photographic meter) BRIGHTER than max brightness
(measuring "white") on an SM124. That's 400% BRIGHTER, folks.
The only caveat: the SM147's manual reveals the truth - it's an IBM
Super VGA monochrome monitor... and remember, without spending the
dollars for sound, IBM's are generally SILENT, save for the annoying
"beep" tone in the CPU case. What does this mean? The SM147 has _no_
volume control, and therefore, _no_ speaker! It makes no noise!
I have to attest: this was surprising, and took as much time to get
used to as it took to type this sentence.
Goodbye, SM124, and rest in peace. The SM147 ushers in a new age for
Atari Monochrome. Dealers should price it from about $210-$230, maybe
more, maybe less, but it will change the way you view your ST forever.
I have a 147 and a 124 on simultaneously (2 machines), and every time
you stop to look.... WOW! What
a DIFFERENCE!
----------------
Why are we limited to 4-meg? Cat 14, Topic 14, Msg 316 - from the ST
Roundtable on Genie...
Question from Gerald Nelson
I just saw an add for a Mac powerbook 100 which uses the 16mhz 68000
it stated that its ram was expandable to 8 meg, since the Mega STe
uses the same processor is it possible for it to also access 8 meg of
ram? Or are there a couple different versions of the 16 mhz 68000
which allow different access amounts.
Answer from John Townsend (Atari)...
It isn't the CPU that limits the amount of memory in your system. It
is the Memory Management Unit or MMU for short. This chip is designed
to handle a maximum of 4 Megabytes.
----------------
Comments and questions about the T25 accelerator from Fast Tech - Cat 4,
Topic 11, Msg 231-232
From Tim Rosenquist...
I just got the T25 installed and running. What a speed demon! A great
blast for the buck. So far there have been no problems and Notator
works perfectly as well. This is one very impressed Canadian.
A couple of questions before I go. First, is the Cache option on the
board valid? If so, can the Cache be toggled off and on like the 8Mhz
mode? Notator will apparently run on an accelerated system without a
Cache, so I would like to give that a try. Secondly, is there enough
power coming off of the 8Mhz switch line to drive a LED? I'm thinking
of putting a Turbo light in;-) What is the status on switching modes,
still best only on reset?
If the Cache option is viable, I will probably hook that into the
Yamaha chip, I have the 8Mhz on a toggle switch.
Answer from Jim Allen (Fast Tech)...
Tim, I'd put the 8Mhz on the Yamaha, it allows on-the-fly controller,
also if you want an LED, you need to connect a 4.7K res to VCC,
connect the other end to the LED and to the "S", connect the other end
of the LED to ground, this way when you're in 25Mhz mode, the LED has
VCC on it, but when you switch to 8Mhz mode the VCC on the LED is
shorted out so there's 0 volts across it. That will work.
The cache control on these is only for manufacturing test, I don't
recommend it for anything but emergencies...like getting past the sub-
4Meg memory test in Spectre. Otherwise don't diddle it. The next rev of
the T2x will handle the cache on/off differently and do what you want.
----------------
From Oscar at PDC - Cat 8, Topic 19, Msg 144 - from the ST Roundtable on
Genie...
Ok, everyone, just wanted to let you know that we have not abandoned
Stealth, in fact, we've been setting up groundwork for the new
version. It WILL be supported -- it's not a dead product. Right now,
we'd like everyone to post bugs (if you've already posted please do so
again with the following info: 1. the bug, 2. what did you do to see
it, 3. your system type) and recommendations. These will be taken care
of shortly.
----------------
Question about the 68010 - Cat 4, Topic 16, Msgs 237-239 - from the ST
Roundtable on Genie...
Question from Rob Glover...
I was thinking... what would happen if I were to plug a 16MHz 68010
into my AdSpeed?
Answer from DOUG.W...
Using TOS 1.62 or later, it would stand a fairly good chance of
working except for the fact that 68010s have never been made for 16
MHz. You might also run into some software incompatibilities, and the
speed increase with a 68010 is very minimal.
Answer from John Townsend (Atari)...
I doubt that it would work.. depending on what TOS version you have.
----------------
About the Stereo Reply cartridge - From Gordon Moore - Cat 10, Topic 6,
Msg. 12 - from the ST Roundtable on Genie...
I recently purchased a Stereo Replay cartridge and I have to say I am
pretty disappointed in it. Having no local dealer I had to buy it
sight unseen. The first piece of documentation I find in the package
is a note stating that they put the input/output sticker on backward,
and if I want a correct one to contact the company. The manual looks
as if it was photocopied and stapled together, and for some reason is
in three booklets (maybe the stapler couldn't handle all of the
pages?). One picture is unreadable.... one has to wonder why they even
bothered to put it in. It has good information in spots, but other
portions are cryptic and don't really explain what all of the menu
options do.
It does work, although their claim of "STE Support" seems pretty close
to false advertising. It can't record at the STE frequency, and it
can't convert from a Stereo Replay frequency to a DMA frequency (at
least I haven't been able to get it to. It will let you play it back
over the DMA chip, but of course it sounds like a 45 rpm record played
at 33.
I was also disappointed that it could not do real-time effects, such
as applying echo as you record. I saw a Digisound cartridge which
could do this and was really impressed. And, maybe it's just me, but
the software seems incredibly slow. It may be because I'm running with
4 megs, but it looks like some optimization could be done somewhere.
But, it is the only digitizer I've seen that can do stereo
digitization, so I am writing a program to get around the STE problem.
It will convert from any sample rate to any other sample rate you
choose, in stereo or mono.
Pink Floyd's "Welcome To The Machine" is pretty awesome playing on the
STE when booting up in stereo...
----------------
About Diamond Back from Bob Luneski - Cat 2, Topic 42, Msg 71 - from the
ST Roundtable on Genie...
The current version is V2.42. I will be posting patch files to patch
V2.41 & V2.41a to V2.42. Otherwise upgrades from earlier versions are:
From Version Upgrade fee
V2.20 and above $10+$2 S&H
V2.11 or earlier $15+$2 S&H includes new manual
----------------
Coming up on Computer Chronicles - From P.LOUIE1 - Cat 14, Topic 3, Msg.
168 - from the ST Roundtable on Genie...
I saw the MIDI episode and the first feature of the show was Atari at
NAMM. They showed Notator 3.1, Digital Master, the Hotz Box and other
stuff that I can't remember right now. They interviewed Mike Pinder of
the Moody Blues and Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac. I don't remember
any other familiar faces except Chester Thompson, drummer for Genesis
and Phil Collins. They didn't show any Atari people though. I couldn't
tape the show here because the local cable company doesn't carry the
channel that shows the Computer Chronicles. (My VCR is hooked up to
cable)
Ron: The MIDI show will be on the next episode.
----------------
Question from Ken Vandellen - Cat 14, Topic 32, Msgs 142-143 - from the
ST Roundtable on Genie...
I saw a message elsewhere in this category regarding TOS on disk being
illegal and possibly a source of problems. I have a MEGA STE, and I
like to use Maps and Legends from ANTIC (I wrote a review of it that
made the cover of an educational magazine a few years ago), but it
needs TOS 1.0 or whatever the first TOS on ROM was. That TOS was
originally released on disk, and I wonder if it would be legal and
possible for me to use it on disk to run this program. Or is there a
better way? Or do I need to ask somewhere else?
Answer from John Townsend (Atari)...
I don't think TOS on disk (older versions) would even work on your
MegaSTE. The hardware is more than a little different.
The correct solution is to have the author of the program update the
program so that it works correctly. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem
to be possible in this case. I wish I had an answer for you.
----------------
Until next week.....
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> MIHOCKA SHOUTS BACK STR SOUND OFF "'Setting the record Straight"
=================================
GEMULATOR IS REAL!
==================
From CIS
--------
Hi. It seems that in my absence over the last few months a lot of
people have sent me email about Gemulator and there are also a few bogus
rumors flying around about it. So why don't I clear things up. If you
have any questions about Gemulator, ask them here and you'll get a reply
right from the horse's mouth.
First of all, I ran out of the newsletters that I started distributing
at the Chicago show. I am preparing a new newsletter now, which gives
more accurate information. Since the Chicago show, Gemulator has become
functional. Most ST software already runs, including AUTO folder software
that takes over vectors like Quick ST.
The first public demo of Gemulator will be on April 4th and 5th at the
ACE show in Toronto. Drop by the Branch Always Software booth and touch
and see Gemulator for yourself. I even invite people to bring their
favorite ST software to try out.
The Toronto show will decide the future of Gemulator. Like I said, a
lot of people have expressed interest in Gemulator, but before I go and
spend a lot of money to market a product I want to make sure people will
actually buy it. So please, if you can, come to the Toronto show and
check it out.
If you would like to be put on the mailing list to get the next
newsletter, send PRIVATE email to account 73657,2714 here on Compuserve
and you'll be added to the list. If you don't hear anything for a few
weeks, don't worry. I just read email, capture it to a buffer and merge
it into a mailing list. I don't reply to each email. You should expect to
get the newsletter before the Toronto show.
And to settle any rumors, Gemulator is not vaporware. I have already
demo'ed it to other ST developers. It exists. it works. It runs software
at full speed or faster than full speed on a 486 based machine. On a 386
based machine it's slightly slower but you can make up for that by
running, what else, Quick ST!
In side by side comparisons, a PC running Gemulator looks and feels
like an Atari ST. At the Toronto show I will have a side-by-side
comparison set up, so again, drop by and take a look!
Darek Mihocka
____________________________________________________
> TAF UPDATES STR SHOW NEWS Big doin's going on here!
=========================
NEW PROGRAMS AND HARDWARE TO DEBUT AT ACE 92
============================================
The Atari Canadian Exposition, ACE '92, to be held in Toronto on April
4th and 5th, will be the site of a number of new programs for the Atari
computer, as well as the first time users in North America will get to see
new Atari hardware and peripherals that have long been under development.
Although specific details are not presently available, Atari has long
promised that any new hardware that will be shown at the upcoming CEBIT
Show in Hannover Germany (which opens on March 11) will also be shown in
Toronto. Atari has not yet released specific details of what that will
include, but at a February 20th meeting of the Toronto Atari Federation,
both Atari Canada General Manager Geoff Earle and Atari U.S. Director of
Communications Bob Brodie indicated that there will be exciting new
computer products to be shown.
One definite star will be the Atari ST Notebook, a small laptop
computer with a 40 meg harddrive and an estimated battery life of ten
hours on a single charge. One was available at the recent TAF meeting for
users to try out, and it created great excitement.
But Atari won't be the only company making announcements and
demonstrating new developments at ACE '92. ISD Marketing will host a
workshop at which features of the new Calamus SL will be not only
demonstrated but taught, and FLASH II, the long-awaited communications
program will be available for purchase, as well as being the subject of
demonstrations. ABC Solutions promises that not only will they have
upgrades for First Word Plus and Timeworks Desktop Publisher, they will be
releasing a new CAD program by a local Toronto developer.
Darek Mihocka will be present to demonstrate his long-discussed
GEMulator, the program that will let Atari programs run on DOS-based
machines, and Dragonware will be showing (and selling) an internal battery
modification for the STacy. Additionally, this new company in the field
of software development will be showing off 5 programs, including one that
manages GDOS and FSM-GDOS set-up. Joppa has hinted that they will have a
new program, as has WizWorks, and Fair Dinkum has definitely announced it
will have Cryptographer ready for public demonstration and distribution.
Dorothy Brumleve, rightfully famous for her children's productivity
programs, has announced that MULTIPLAY, a brand new program of "Math
Exploration, Discovery, and Practice" will make its debut at ACE '92. A
math program for ages 5-11, it is adaptable to the child's age and
ability, and features games, drills and puzzles. Additionally, there will
be an upgrade for KidPublisher to version 6.4. (The upgrade will be FREE
to those who bought 6.1 at the last TAF Show in 1990.)
Clear Thinking will not only have EdHak 2.3, but will have
Metapsychology Primer available. And speaking of new things, Advantage,
the new Atari magazine, will not only have 6 subscriptions available as
door prizes, 1,000 copies of the new publication will be available at no
charge to the first 500 people entering the show each day.
Press releases and announcements are still coming in, but ACE '92
seems to be the place to make announcements and show off what Atari
developers and creators have been doing over the winter. To see what's new
and exciting in the world of Atari computers, ACE '92 is obviously the
place to be!
PRIZES, PRIZES EVERYWHERE
=========================
ACE '92, the Atari Canadian Exposition to be held in Toronto on April
4th and 5th, will not only feature the latest in software and hardware,
demonstrations and training sessions, but those who attend will walk away
with thousands of dollars in prizes and awards.
All who purchase an admission ticket to either day of the Exposition
and submit a filled out stub will be eligible for Door Prizes throughout
the day they are attending. Although a complete list of door prizes is
not available at this time, prizes will include software, hardware and a
wide range of accessories. A sample of the kinds of prizes available
includes four copies of the Essentials Set, a 5-disk collection of
accessories and programs that all ST Users should have, from the TAF
library. And once each day, a full year's membership in TAF will be
awarded. A hard disk has been donated by ABCO Computer Consultants in
Florida. Dorothy Brumleve has donated a copy of KidPublisher
Professional, and Sudden Inc. is offering four copies of the student
version of Sudden View. A Lynx II game and cartridge is the gift of Click
Here, and Mission Software is providing copies of Flash II, Printer
Initializer, and lottODDS, a lottery selection program. Fair Dinkum's
Crossword Creator II, Word Search Creator, and Cryptographer will be
given away, as will EdHak 2.3 and Metapsychology Primer. The list goes
on.
Besides making the entrant eligible for Door Prizes, each filled out
stub will also be part of the Grand Prize Draw, the last event of ACE '92.
The Grand Prize package is a complete computer set-up, including:
1) a Mega2 STe with a 50 meg hard drive and mono monitor,
contributed by Atari Canada.
2) a Stow-A-Way computer table, a 30"x42" computer desk with
a height adjustable base that fold for storage and an adjustable
stool. Donated by Pi Precision Importing Inc.
3) The new Calamus SL, the outstanding Desk Top Publishing
Program for the Atari. Donated by ISD
The ACE Talent Show is a featured event that will let Atari users
display their creative skills in Graphics and the field of music and MIDI.
From those demonstrating and performing on Saturday, April 4th, 3
finalists will be chosen in each division. They will be invited to attend
the Gala Banquet on Saturday evening as guests of Atari Canada, and will
again present their creations to the assembled banquet guests. A special
panel of judges will then award the three prizes in each division:
1st Place - $700 Gift certificate and one year membership in the
Toronto Atari Federation (TAF). 2nd Place - $200 Gift certificate and 10
disks from the TAF Library. 3rd Place - $100 Gift Certificate and 5 disks
from TAF Library.
One of the Games Areas that promises to be busy throughout both days
of ACE '92 is the LYNX CHALLENGE, where dedicated games players will
compete against the computer, and where each day's high score will win a
complete LYNX system, including AC Adapter and a selection of cartridges.
All proceeds from the LYNX CHALLENGE as well as the GAMES TESTING AREA go
to support Sick Children's Hospital, so in this area, truly everybody
wins!
ACE '92 is co-hosted by the Toronto Atari Federation, a volunteer
computer club. Over 100 volunteers will donate their time and energy to
make this exposition and all its many activities take place, and Atari
Canada has established a special prize for which only volunteers are
eligible. All who work at least one shift for ACE '92 will be entered in a
special draw for a 1040 ST with a color monitor that will be awarded just
prior to the Grand Prize Draw on Sunday evening.
For an up to date list of those attending, exhibitor kits, display
advertising rates, Talent Show entry forms or any other ACE information,
contact ACE '92, c/o Toronto Atari Federation, 5334 Yonge St, Suite 1527,
Willowdale, ON M2N 6M2. For faster response, call Paul Collard, Exhibit
and Volunteer Coordinator (416) 477-2085, or John R. Sheehan, SJ, TAF
President, (416) 926-1518. GEnie J.Sheehan14. TAF BBS: (416) 235-0318, TAF
InfoLine and Voice Message: (416) 425-3537.
_______________________________________________________
> DONATIONS BY ATARI STR FOCUS Interesting comments about donations
============================
ATARI DONATIONS
===============
Compiled from Posts on the ST Roundtable on Genie
By Lloyd E. Pulley, Senior Staff Editor
All posts are from Cat 11 and Topic 5...
From Steve Johnson...
I've always found it strange that Atari hasn't/doesn't donated any
machines to ANYONE (well, maybe a FEW). The only one's I know of are a
small handful that have been awarded as door prizes or prizes to
contests...and the recent Keyboard giveaway in which they're giving
away 4 systems (Boy! Do I WANT that TT!!). Anyway, it would be nice if
Atari could donate some systems to schools and for various other
things such as the BCS "Resource Center."
Reply from D.A. Brumleve (Kidprgs)...
Actually, not a lot of brouhaha is associated with it, Steve, but
Atari _does_ indeed donate computers to worthy individuals and
institutions.
Our neighborhood school was given 9 of their 11 STs courtesy of Atari.
One of my school customers is a teacher who was given a Mega. There
was an article in STart about a college to which Atari donated STs.
With such a low profit margin on their hardware, Atari has to be
careful about making such donations wildly, but they do indeed donate.
I would urge anyone interested in pursuing such a possible donation
(or a reduced price or other assistance) on behalf of a worthy
organization to write to Sam Tramiel. What's the worst thing that
could happen? Well, he might say "no, sorry". No different result than
if you hadn't written. What's the best? Your wish might come true!
Reply from John Cole...
While Atari may not donate machines too freely, they do support
important events! I am happy to say that Atari donated a Mega 2 STE
w/HD to the Huntsville Atari User Group for a door prize at the 1992
IEEE fair this past weekend. Atari supported us 100%!!! Banners,
Flyers, and most importantly Ralph Rodriguez of the Atari SVR4 Unix
group WITH his Unix machine! All of the credit MUST go to Bob Brodie
for his unending help in getting this for our fair.
Again we had the Largest display of over 100 Companies and had a good
time showing off Atari computers. Our new local dealer was very
impressed with Atari's support and the level of enthusiasm in our user
group.
Don't be too surprised if the Boston UG is able to get a computer from
Atari for the Resource Center! Atari is doing many thing right
recently and I think you will really see a change in atari's view of
the US market.
From Jeff.W (ST sysop)...
A few years ago, there was an article in one of the ST magazines (it
may have been Analog or ST-Log...or maybe not) about how a physically
challenged gentleman was earning his livelihood at home using his ST
computer and doing desktop publishing for others. I believe that Atari
donated a hard disk drive to him.
It's not prudent to make unwarranted assumptions about things just
because you haven't heard any facts pertaining to the subject. These
kind of donations are not the kind of thing that a company should be
issuing press releases about and tooting their own horn over how good
they are. Naturally, you're not going to see much, if any, coverage
about such things. That is as it should be.
The BCS situation might be a very good place to install some Atari
systems and this upcoming show might be the ideal occasion to do it. I
wonder if anyone from BCS has suggested this to Atari previously?
Reply from John Townsend (Atari)...
Well, it would be nice to donate machines to every worthy cause, but
there are far too many worthy causes out there! Me for example! <grin>
Each case is considered individually. We have donated to quite a few
organizations in the past.
PS. Trivia Note: Did you know that there are some STs in the
California Prison System for use by Prisoners. I used to get a lot of
mail in Technical Support from Prisoners who were learning to write
programs in ST Basic. Interesting, eh?
Reply from Bob Brodie (Atari)...
Atari always gets far more solicitations for donations that we could
possibly respond to. Sometime, simply because of the huge volume of
mail that we have, things slip through the cracks.
In the case of BCS, I personally visited the BCS Resource Center a
little over a year ago. While seeing that many computers in one place
was impressive, I was disappointed in the fashion that they were
displayed. Elie Kenan stopped by briefly, and shared my view. However,
I'm told that BCS has moved, and the resource center has changed
dramatically. So, we'll have another look at it this year.
_________________________________________________________
> D.A.BRUMLEVE - NEW GOODIES! STR InfoFile "..absolutely new product.."
========================================
compiled from:
GEnie ST RT
D.A. Brumleve will debut a completely, absolutely new product at the Atari
Canadian Exposition on April 4th and 5th:
MULTIPLAY
"""""""""
MATH EXPLORATION, DISCOVERY, AND PRACTICE
MULTIPLAY is a math program for ages 5-11, list price: US$40.
Although it has rote drill components, it's a rote drill program the likes
of which the world has never seen! MULTIPLAY is unique in the freedom of
choice given to children, its open-endedness, and in its opportunities for
creative thinking and expression. Using MULTIPLAY, children internalize
math concepts while discovering those concepts for themselves. Built-in,
self- motivating games help children commit math facts to memory. Like a
deck of cards, MULTIPLAY also serves as a tool for playing games invented
by the children who use it.
Like all commercial kidprgs, MULTIPLAY can be configured to meet a child's
current needs, and the configuration can be changed as the child grows in
skill and confidence. Parents and teachers can decide whether a child will
work with multiplication, addition, or both -- and whether the elements
0-9, 0-19, or 0-29 will be involved in the child's equations. There's even
a choice of the symbol to be used for the multiplication operator!
Children choose their own game questions and can even make their own
pictures for a puzzle game. This program is stimulating and challenging
for the beginner and the math wizard alike! The mathematician in your
child will *love* this program!
KIDPUBLISHER PROFESSIONAL VERSION 6.4
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
A Desktop Publishing Program for Young Writers
We'll also be offering an upgrade to KIDPUBLISHER PROFESSIONAL at the
show! At the 1990 TAF Atari Users Convention, we sold version 6.1 of this
program. Shortly thereafter, a major upgrade became available (6.2), and
it is this version that has been sold ever since. 6.2 added a number of
features, including:
* 10-page documents (this option requires a 1040 or greater)
* ability to scroll through pictures, fonts, fill patterns in
sequential or reverse order
* LOAD option
* Installation Program to allow parents and teachers to choose options
appropriate to the child's needs
* automatic provision of an appropriate autobooter for your ST
* improvement of the already kid-friendly interface
* full support of International and UK keyboards
* memory-handling enhancements
Our new upgrade, 6.4, adds two more oft-requested features:
* mirror-imaging function on the drawing screen for horizontal or
vertical mirroring or both
* date on the title page in US or European format
* additional memory-handling improvements
Version 6.4 will be given *free* (at the show *only*) to our Canadian
friends who purchased it at the TAF ATARI USERS CONVENTION IN 1990! (We
know who you are...You don't have to bring your disk to qualify!)
KIDPUBLISHER PROFESSIONAL version 6.4 has a list price of US$40. Version
6.4 will also be available for purchase by those few who don't yet have
the earlier versions!
We'll be offering our complete line of commercial programs with a special
discount for purchasers of 2 or more items. All kidprgs require any color
ST/STe. We've learned how to cope with cross- the-border MasterCard and
VISA charges, so you can use that plastic with confidence!
We're out to show North America that the ST is *the* computer of choice
for use with young children! The Atari Canadian Exposition is the computer
show of choice for kids, too! *Don't* leave those young'uns at home!
For more information contact:
D.A. Brumleve
"Creative Applications
for a Child's World"
607 West Illinois ST.
Urbana, Il. 61801
1-217-337-1937
GEnie: D.A.BRUMLEVE -=- CIS: 71451,1141
____________________________________________
> STR Portfolio News & Information Keeping up to date...
================================
THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM
=========================
On CompuServe
by Judith Hamner 72257,271
The prolific Don Thomas has a new crop of graphics animations for us.
Each uses Don Messerli's software tools to create a self-running .com
file. LIVE.ZIP is the logo for the T2/Live Home Video, another Terminator
tie-in. There is a humorous theme this week. HP.ZIP pokes fun at the
competition by showing an HP95LX being smashed. LIPS.ZIP is for those who
want to impress their friends. Finally is the triple X-rated XXX.ZIP. If
you liked the Portfolio flight simulator, you'll love this one.
NUTIPS.ADR is a database of information for new users of the
Portfolio. The file is in address book format so you can keep it handy.
Everyone is invited to contribute their own tips.
PFICON.ZIP contains a few Windows 3 icons which depict the Portfolio.
These can be used for your Port-related PC programs.
There have been requests for a compilation of the files in the forum
libraries. FILES.TXT contains an alphabetical listing. There is also a
compressed file FILLST.ZIP which lists the files in short form
alphabetically. In order to unzip FILLST.ZIP you will need to download
PK193.EXE. This is a pre-release version of the latest update. PA10.TXT
is issue #10 of Portable Addiction magazine.
______________________________________________________________
> MIST STR SHOW NEWS MID-INDIANA SHOW DATES SET...
==================
MIST Atarifest IV
=================
Mid-Indiana ST (MIST) is pleased to announce confirmed dates for their
fourth annual Atarifest, to be held on Saturday, July 25, 1992. The show
will run from 10:00am to 5:00 pm. MIST Atarifest IV will continue to
build on the successful formula of our previous three shows.
MIST Atarifest IV will be held in the same quality location as last year's
show, the Castleway Conference Center at 6385 Castleplace Drive,
Indianapolis, Indiana. This air-conditioned and fully carpeted location
on the north side of Indianapolis has ample parking and is close to
several major highways, many fine restaurants and hotels, and the largest
mall in Indianapolis.
MIST Atarifest IV will be an excellent opportunity for you to buy and sell
hardware and software. Public admission to the fest will be $3.00 and
will include a raffle ticket to win one of the many hardware and software
items donated by attending vendors and developers. Additional raffle
tickets will available for purchase. Last year over 50 items were given
away.
Vendors may purchase booths (8' x 8') at $50.00 each. User groups may
purchase booths for $10.00 each. There will be a limit on the number of
user group booths available. Plans are underway to offer seminars as well
as our ever popular Midi-maze and Lynx tournaments.
Last year over 500 individuals and 30 vendors attended MIST Atarifest III.
We anticipate similar success this year. Packets will be going out in the
next month with more information detailing MIST Atarifest IV. However, if
you wish more information now or want to insure display space at this
year's show, contact Dan Ward via GEnie (D.WARD10) or give him a call at
(317) 254-0031.
We look forward to seeing you on July 25, 1992!
___________________________________________________________________
> STACY BATTERY! STR InfoFile "..two part upgrade for the Stacy.."
===========================
compiled from:
GEnie ST RT
DRAGONWARE SOFTWARE INC
announces the
STACY INTERNAL BATTERY!
This two part upgrade for the stacy is 2.2 pounds! The "Dragon Battery
kit" will include a dealer installed cable and jack and one 2.2 amp hour
battery. On a stock Stacy this will give over two hours of use on one
charge. The kit also includes a fast charge option that will charge the
battery in about two to three and a half hours while you use the computer
or sit it on a shelf. If you use the standard Stacy power jack the
battery will be kept at top charge at all times after an initial fourteen
hour slow charge or a quick charge! The Dragon Battery Kit will have an
SRP of $94.95. The Dragon Battery alone will have an MSRP of $74.95
For more information on the Dragon Battery kit for the Atari Stacy write:
DragonWare Software Inc.
P.O. Box 1719
Havre MT 59501-1719
406-265-9609
_________________________________________________________
> STraight FAX! STR InfoFile "...new send/receive FAX program.."
==========================
compiled from:
GEnie ST RT
JOPPA SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
PRODUCT UPGRADE ANNOUNCEMENT
From C.S. Smeton
The new send/receive FAX program from Joppa Software Development, titled:
"STraight FAX!", will work with Class 2 compliant send/receive FAX modems
and SendFAX modems (in send only mode).
We will be premiering this product at the TAF show in Toronto on April
4-5, 1992. Also, we have been tentatively scheduled for an Online GEnie
conference on Wednesday, March 25, 1992 at 10:00 PM in the ST Roundtable.
The FAX/modems that we have tested so far are the new Supra 2400/9600 and
the Zoom 2400/9600 FAX/modems.The Supra 9600/9600 and 14400/14400 FAX
modems should also work when they are released. We will be posting a list
of known modems that work with our software, as the list grows.
The thing to check out is the manufacturer of the chip set and the
revision of the firmware, while there are only a few chip manufacturers
actually making the chips and firmware, there are many FAX/modem
manufacturers that use these chip sets. The Zoom and Supra FAX/modems that
we have tested use various chip sets and firmware available from Rockwell.
Sierra chip sets should also work with out any problems. Here is what
anyone can do to see if a FAX/Modem is compatible with our software:
From a terminal program at 2400 baud...
Type:
AT+FMFR? (followed by a carriage return)
The response will indicate the chip manufacturer.
Type:
AT+FREV? (followed by a carriage return)
To determine the firmware revision.
Type:
AT+FMDL? (followed by a carriage return)
To determine the modem model
Type:
AT+FCLASS=? (followed by a carriage return)
to determine what protocol Classes the FAX/modem supports.
If the response is: 0,2 Then the modem supports Class 2
0,1 Then the modem supports Class 1
0,1,2 The modem supports Class 1 & 2
Currently STraight FAX! does not support Class 1, but support for these
FAX/modems may be added if there is sufficient demand. Most new FAX/modems
will support Class 2.
You can also type:
ATI4 (followed by a carriage return)
To determine the manufacturer.
Also if the response to any of the above is ERROR, then the modem does not
support the feature that is being checked.
Anyone can send the terminal program buffer capture of the above typed
commands to our GEnie mail address (JOPPA-SOFT) and we will attempt to
determine if the modem is supported.
Joppa Software Development.
_____________________________________________________
> DATABASE? STR FOCUS Where is THAT file? "I don't know !"
===================
WHERE DID I PUT THAT DARN THING
===============================
by Bruno D. Puglia
I am going to provide information on an alternative to Mr. Helms'
database filing system (STR 8.06). I have a few comments I would like to
make first. Mr. Helms' DATABASE information made very made interesting
reading, but more importantly, rather than it being in a selected category
or topic on a service network that you or I may never see, STR presented
it to many telecom STR readers. STR provides a good platform for Atarians
to come forward and share information with other Atarians. Thanks Ralph !
Having a different reference point from Mr. Helms, I am going to take
advantage of the STR platform and attempt to present another alternative
for a file system based on the use of carefully selected directory names
which I will refer to as Folders.
The system is based on the use of folder names in which files are
kept. File names and extensions are left intact and your utility and
other programs can be used without any alteration. This expanded folder
system requires some consideration to be given to folder names and will
make use of folder names which are broken up, coded, numbered, setup for
sorting, and wildcarding.
There are 6 main parts to the system:
1 - Single line cataloging which has normal file information, plus
folder/s and disk name on each file line.
2 - Custom coded folder names setup for wildcarding, column
sorting and numbered too.
3 - Coded disk names used to indicate the floppy, platter, HD, tape
etc. storage device. I refer to this as volume name referencing.
4 - Catalogs can be saved to disk or printed, edited, merged,
searched (with multi wildcards or multi textfinds), and lists
may be compared in several ways, etc.
5 - You will need support programs like an append/merge, multi-level
"SORTER", multi-level TEXTFIND, and program like CAT3 as starters.
6 - Custom programs you write, others have, or might write and release.
I will speak about multi-selected drives, multi-Folder/file/EXT
wildcarding programing later on.
The first problem is to get around folder names which are different
than the normal folder names. In my system, Folder names for filing
always start with an under_score, "_". I have custom, and PD programs,
plus selective wildcarding that do use this "_" as a "hook" to indicate
filing or archive folders. The rest of the folder name would carry the
information needed to create a custom filing system. Other folder name
rules were also set. The folder name should always be normal ASCII
characters and be full-length folder names with extensions so the ASCII
catalog list/s could be merged and be multi-level column sorted.
The disk name reference (3001Dgs2.o15) in the list below may look
strange to you because it is my custom "volume name reference" for an ICD
tape system. This is NOT part of ICD's tape catalog system. In the
catalog below, the files on the tape are all on the same tape, part
number, and drive letter. The "+" is also used to show that file is
located on a tape archive. The other disk name shown below is the HD 16
meg partition "E". This edited list only shows some of the 'magazine'
folder names used in this system, They will give you a general idea of
how to create folder names of your own filing system.
Filename Bytes Volume name Folder name
CAPMID_1.LZH 15167+11/14/91 3001Dgs2.o15 \_MAZ_MX_.213\
DSKAZEEN.LZH 29095+06/13/80<3001Dgs2.o15 \_MAZ_DK_.213\
FEST90 .LZH 9548 01/14/92 HARD____.E16 \_MAZ_ST_.613\
GELMP101.LZH 23962+09/25/90 3001Dgs2.o15 \_MAZ_GE_.513\
GELMP339.LZH 39980 01/04/92 HARD____.E16 \_MAZ_GE_.513\
GELMP340.LZH 46268 01/17/92 HARD____.E16 \_MAZ_GE_.513\
GLMPR101.LZH 26748+03/30/91 3001Dgs2.o15 \_MAZ_GL_.113\
GLMPR207.DAX 362 02/15/92 HARD____.E16 \_MAZ_GL_.113\
GLMPR207.LZH 22528 02/15/92 HARD____.E16 \_MAZ_GL_.113\
PCR001 .LZH 10660+07/11/91 3001Dgs2.o15 \_MAZ_PC_.753\
PD_Q1_01.LZH 22304+04/14/90 3001Dgs2.o15 \_MAZ_MX_.213\
REVIEW .LZH 21892+12/16/91 3001Dgs2.o15 \_MAZ_MX_.213\
STARTMAY.LZH 351363 05/03/90 HARD____.E16 \_MDK_E__.913\
STARTOCT.LZH 249447 08/30/91 HARD____.E16 \_MDK_E__.913\
STR005 .LZH 18405 02/07/92 HARD____.E16 \_MAZ_ST_.613\
STR010 .LZH 22054+02/22/91 3001Dgs2.o15 \_MAZ_ST_.613\
STR750 .LZH 36042+12/23/91 3001Dgs2.o15 \_MAZ_ST_.613\
STR801 .LZH 32894 01/04/92 HARD____.E16 \_MAZ_ST_.613\
STR807 .LZH 57688 02/15/92 HARD____.E16 \_MAZ_ST_.613\
STZMAG53.LZH 27028+12/25/85 3001Dgs2.o15 \_MAZ_ZM_.953\
ZMAG200 .LZH 19923 01/12/92 HARD____.E16 \_MAZ_ZM_.953\
ZMAZ030 .LZH 22488+10/12/91 3001Dgs2.o15 \_MAZ_ZM_.953\
ZNET9206.LZH 33431 02/09/92 HARD____.E16 \_MAZ_ZN_.813\
ZNETPC08.LZH 41071+06/08/91 3001Dgs2.o15 \_MAZ_PC_.753\
| name .| | |-----|*| |*| . | | |
00000000111111111122222222223333333333444444444455555555556
12345678012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890
47,48,49 indicate a MAZ and 51-52 the actual magazine. ST = STR etc.
Later on, you'll see other folder names. If I had multi-level sorted the
list at columns 47-58 and 1-12, I would have a list sorted by folder names
'magazines' STR, GLMP, etc and then the actual Arc_ed or Lzh_ed magazines.
You can use various combinations of letters, numbers and the
important "_" to indicate archive folders. There must be an overall
scheme used when creating the folder names. You should be able to sort by
columns but still have a little bit of common sense for the coded folder
names. All "ST" for STR magazines, etc. There are hidden features or
"tricks" you can create in your system. A scan for extensions of ?13 and
?53 would find all "M"-related files.
Below is a SL_CAT (Editor's note: SL_CAT is Mr. Puglia's 'single line
catalog program) of some ARC/LZH/SFX files I am going to put on tape.
This is an edited list of multi drives, sorted catalog, with a "find" mask
of for all _???????.??? folders. The catalog only shows the "_" archive
folders and the other files and folders on the drives do not appear in the
catalog.
A sequence of 27 folders for numbers (#) to Z files does exist in my
system, .000 to .026. The first file 144UTIL2.LZH below is in the numbered
0 to 9 folder. Other subject folder names like BAS, GAM, PAS are also
shown. The single letter "D" is for PD, "M" is PD and commercial mixed,
and "E" is commercial. I should have put "S" for shareware in the
original system. I have edited into the cat below some key words for the
coded folders names. 'A number' means a file which starts with a number 0
to 9.
Key word
144UTIL2.LZH 46604 06/17/91 HARD____.K32 \_____D_1.000\ A number
1STASCII.LZH 12278 10/08/90 HARD____.I19 \_WRD_D__.223\ Word
2DXXCUBE.LZH 13770 09/09/91 HARD____.J32 \_GAM_D__.207\ Games
2JOYSTIX.LZH 3072 03/16/91 HARD____.O16 \_STS_M__.919\ STOS
2_COLUMN.LZH 30350 10/13/90 HARD____.J32 \_BAS_D__.802\ Basic
3REZ .LZH 2894 09/23/91 HARD____.K32 \_____D_1.000\ A number
9600_HYS.LZH 918 02/27/91 HARD____.I19 \_TEL_D__.420\ Telecom
A68 .LZH 17501 10/13/90 HARD____.K32 \_LAG_D__.812\ Language
ABCD .LZH 18075 01/03/91 HARD____.J32 \_KID_D__.811\ Kids programs
ACCOUNTS.LZH 6853 10/13/90 HARD____.L16 \_VIP_M__.322\ VIP
ACCS1 .LZH 1095 03/10/91 HARD____.K32 \_____D_A.001\ Letter "A"
ADAPTEC2.LZH 1096 02/27/91 HARD____.K32 \_____D_A.001\ Letter "A"
ADOBEFNT.LZH 201216 10/04/91 HARD____.O16 \_PS2_M__.576\ Pagestream 2
AIRWAR .LZH 89711 09/08/91 HARD____.J32 \_AIR_D__.401\ Air Warrior
ALADOC10.LZH 75519 04/29/91 HARD____.J32 \_GEN_D__.407\ GEnie
ALAD_DOC.LZH 84943 10/19/90 HARD____.J32 \_GEN_D__.407\ GEnie
ALARM .LZH 2326 01/29/90 HARD____.J32 \_CLK_D__.733\ Clocks
AMIGAEML.LZH 22086 11/23/89 HARD____.J32 \_EMU_D__.405\ Emulators
AMS2MS .LZH 13176 11/23/89 HARD____.I19 \_MUS_D__.413\ Music
ANAT_ECT.LZH 130591 10/19/91 HARD____.L16 \_EDU_E__.305\ Education
ANTIBOMB.LZH 12950 11/23/89 HARD____.I19 \_TOS_D__.820\ TOS
ARC2LZH2.LZH 7317 09/08/91 HARD____.J32 \_ARC_D__.501\ ARC programs
ASTRO .LZH 63685 11/23/89 HARD____.I19 \_PAS_D__.816\ Pascal
AUDIOLIB.LZH 23236 11/23/89 HARD____.J32 \_BAS_D__.802\ Basic
STSFIX16.LZH 189440 11/03/91 HARD____.O16 \_STS_M__.919\ STOS
TINYVW2 .LZH 5111 11/10/90 HARD____.I19 \_TNY_D__.320\ TNY Pix
TINY_DOX.LZH 6886 08/01/90 HARD____.I19 \_TNY_D__.320\ TNY Pix
UNLZH172.LZH 16058 11/18/90 HARD____.I19 \_LZH_D__.212\ LZH programs
UNLZH17D.LZH 722 12/02/90 HARD____.L16 \_LZH_E__.503\ LZH programs
UNZIP20 .LZH 11731 12/01/90 HARD____.I19 \_ZIP_D__.426\ ZIP programs
USR9600 .LZH 6784 06/26/90 HARD____.I19 \_TEL_D__.420\ Telecom
VDU3_MCA.LZH 32401 12/09/90 HARD____.I19 \_VIR_D__.222\ Virus
VER_SYS .LZH 19456 04/27/90 HARD____.K32 \_____D_V.022\ Letter "V"
VGIF .LZH 69504 11/08/91 HARD____.J32 \_GIF_D__.607\ GIF pix
X_WING .LZH 30052 09/24/91 HARD____.J32 \_3D2_D__.200\ 3D2 sequence
YARD900P.LZH 498 04/17/90 HARD____.I19 \_RAM_D__.218\ Ram Disk
ZIPSHELL.LZH 22016 07/03/91 HARD____.I19 \_ZIP_D__.426\ Zip programs
ZOO .LZH 59264 03/22/90 HARD____.I19 \_ZOO_D__.726\ Zoo programs
Think about your list of names and allow for expansion or changes.
As an example, I did not start with "S" for shareware, just the D, M, or
the E.
Think about the storage devices you have and the volume names you
will use for the disks.
DISK____.001
DISK____.002
Disk names can also be packed with all kinds of data as in the
example of a tape backup volume name reference string. Here is an
example:
3001Dgs2.o15
Tape 30, part 01, drive D, Gem (512 bytes), standard file mode
Tape pgm Ver 2, optimized mode , 15 megs of storage.
You should use a formatter which puts a volume name on the disk, or
use a volume-name program to create or change the volume name.
The disadvantages of such a system is mainly ATARI and the way it
"does not" handle large amounts of folders (ala 40-folder fix) and I have
had trouble with more than 255 files in a folder. If you have TOS 1.0,
you might have serious problems when limits are reached. From what I
hear, you might even have troubles with 1.4. In addition, some programs
simply do not handle empty folders at all. Cat3 and the ICD tape backup
program never see empty folders. You may have to keep the master list of
empty folders on a floppy backup. Additional problems could also occur
when attempting to merge folders/files from storage to existing folders
on a drive. Serious crashes might occur if the folder and file merging
routines do not handle the merging correctly, or limits are reached. If
you get folders with the same name, back to back, you may crash the drive.
Another problem is memory and disk space. Merging large catalog files,
editing them, and sorting or resorting them may take a lot more memory
then you have. In the old 8-bit days, programs like append, sort/merge
(with input and output keys) and editors were written to handle files
larger than available memory. This is generally not the case with the ST
ATARI programs. Assume 80 characters per file line (times the number of
file lines) to get the total number of bytes for a catalog file or free
memory required to handle a singleline catalog.
While a catalog of 'verbose' type archive folder/s and files is not
shown here, I do have some; and once they exist, than another phase of
"The SL system" comes into play. Part 6 of the SL_CAT system includes
large scale multi-folder/file/ext and full wildcarding. File databases
using ASCII files can be helpful; and you can design your own system/s.
When multi-drive, multi-folder, multi-file, multi-.EXT wildcarding is
used, the system can be very powerful. I am talking about a wildcard scan
of as many as 20 folders, 20 files, or 20 extensions with options to
include root directory (or not), do it on a single or on all drives and
scan for 'ALL' selected wildcards in a single pass.
Selected drive/s : A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
up to 20 Folders : ????????.??? or ............
up to 20 Files : ????????. or ........
up to 20 Exts : .??? or ...
I prefer the alternate or "." format since I do not need to keyboard
shift to get the "?". In a SLV_cat (single line verbose type de_arc
lzh_ed catalog), I may want to scan drives D,E,G,I or a catalog for
"_..........." archive folders for files with .EXTs of .3D2, TN., and PI,
all in a single pass.
I assume most programmers and users will not think much about this
type of programing, but please don't knock it until you tried it.
The program ideas for Single line catalogs goes back to pre-1985,
8-bit days of (SWTPC-FLEX) and programs dealing with single line cats were
placed in PD many years ago. If you programmers see anything that you can
use, be my guest. As far as my "SL_plus" with SL_cat, SLV_cat, SLT_cat
(an ICD cat conversion), etc. is concerned I am not a real programmer and
SL_plus is worse then an alpha program! It will not be released. I
think of it more as my live notebook and it allows me to play with single
line catalogs and other programming ideas. Programs like SL_plus, real
multi/wildcarding, fast append/merges, a sort merge package with input
and output keys, etc. are programs which all work with files larger than
available memory and will have to come from _real_ ATARI programers.
I do have another section of SL_plus which deals with using single
line catalogs made from various BBS and GEnie file listings which puts
them into a common format which matches the catalog listings shown above.
The volume reference carries the BBS code, file number (if used), and sig
or Library information. Maybe next time I'll cover that subject and other
items like those "READ_ME" file names.
_____________________________________________________
> RADICAL TYPE STR InfoFile I-KOEN DESIGN GUIDE TO PAGESTREAM 2
=========================
RADICAL TYPE
---
The Amiga and Atari DTP Magazine
Radical Type is the only magazine dedicated to Amiga and Atari Publishing.
Each issue has tutorials and hints for PageStream and Professional Page
beginners and experts. Radical Type has reviews of fonts, clip art, books
and other DTP related products, plus the latest Amiga and Atari desktop
publishing news. Whether you use PageStream, ProPage or Saxon Publisher,
you'll find help in Radical Type.
Subscription Rates: 1 year (6 issues)
USA: $18.95 US
Canada: $21.95 Cnd (includes GST)
International: $24.95 US (sorry, no checks for international orders)
I-KOEN DESIGN GUIDE TO PAGESTREAM 2 --- Available March 20
===================================
The complete reference guide for PageStream publishing. Reference charts
for fill styles, halftone screens, line styles and object effects at 300
and 1200 dpi. Samples of PageStream fonts and standard PostScript fonts.
Character set comparison charts for Soft-Logik, PostScript and
Compugraphic fonts. Keyboard reference charts for Dingbats and Symbol
fonts. Text size, style, tracking and leading samples. Reverse type,
baseline shift and other text effects. Plus a guide to writing macros and
keyboard equivalents. The I-Koen Design Guide to PageStream is printed on
durable stock in a 20 page letter-sized booklet.
Price:
USA: $6.95 US
Canada: $7.95 Cnd (includes GST)
International: $8.95 US (sorry, no checks for international orders)
IDEA FORMS ONE --- Templates for PageStream
==============
Idea Forms One is a personal productivity package for use with PageStream.
Idea Forms includes over 200 templates and forms for personal or small
business use. The templates are divided into 11 design series, allowing
you to maintain a uniform appearance for a range of documents. Requires
PageStream 2.1 or higher. Includes 3 disks and a 24 page manual.
Price:
USA: $39.95 US
Canada: $45.95 Cnd (includes GST)
International: $45.95 US (sorry, no checks for international orders)
ORDERING INFORMATION
====================
Send orders to:
I-Koen Design
P.O. Box 107
Lazo, B.C.
V0R 2K0, Canada
Pay by check, money order or Visa. Sorry, MC, Amex and Discover are not
accepted at this time.
Please include the following information:
Name (if VISA, include name on card):
Billing/Mailing Address:
Visa # (if applicable):
Expiry Date:
Signature for Visa orders:
INFORMATION SURVEY
==================
Providing us with this information helps us to tailor Radical Type and our
other products more closely to your needs.
Computer Type and Model:
RAM:
Printer Type (9 pin, 24 pin, inkjet, laser, postscript):
Scanner Type (hand, flat, color):
Desktop Publisher(s) Used:
Paint/Draw Software Used:
Word Processor(s) Used:
Experience (novice, hobbyist, professional, service bureau):
NOTES
=====
I-Koen Design will be moving to the United States in May 1992. Radical
Type publication will be interrupted after the March/April 1992 issue for
two months. It will resume publication as a monthly magazine with the
July 1992 issue. A new address and new rates will be published when
available.
The last date we can accept Canadian funds is April 30, 1992. After April
30 orders must be paid in US funds.
Write for information on other products, including the I-Koen Design PD
Font and Clip Art library. Orders are accepted via GEnie mail. Send
orders to M.LOADER1.
__________________________________________________________
> ICD HAS OWN RT! STR Spotlight ICD offers MORE Support!
=============================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3 March, 1992
ICD Launches RoundTable on GEnie
================================
Rockford, IL - ICD, Incorporated, a leading innovator in microcomputer
peripherals was incorporated in January 1984 for the purpose of developing
and manufacturing computer software and hardware.
Since its inception, ICD has focused on the production of a variety of
add-on peripherals, although several software packages are offered as
well. The peripherals include printer interfaces, memory expansion
boards, internal and external hard drive storage systems, streaming tape
back-up systems, accelerators and associated products. From the
beginning, ICD established a reputation for offering unmatched levels of
price/performance, technical support, and quality.
ICD primarily sells its products through distributors and dealers
throughout North America and Western Europe. ICD products are also sold
in Eastern Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, the
Philippines, Japan, and other areas.
To satisfy the tremendous overseas demand, ICD created a new division, ICD
Europe GmbH, in Frankfurt to provide sales and support for ICD products
throughout Europe.
ICD is now taking another step forward in providing technical support to
its many customers by opening a product support RoundTable on GEnie. The
ICD RoundTable will be hosted by Douglas N. Wheeler. Several other ICD
employees will also frequent the RoundTable sharing their own expertise.
The ICD RoundTable can be found at page 1220 or accessed with the keyword
ICD from any GEnie page prompt.
Congratulations!
____________________________________________________
> PDC NEWS! STR InfoFile PRODUCTS GALORE!! for 1992!
======================
XTRA-RAM DELUXE PRICE REDUCTION
===============================
PDC has reduced the price of the very popular Xtra-RAM Deluxe upgrade
board which uses SIMM chips to upgrade your ST up to 4 megabytes! Due to
price reductions on components and a larger purchase we are able to offer
the board for just $99.95, that's a $40 savings! And even though UPS and
the post office have increased their rates, we have been able to maintain
the same $6 shipping cost. The money back guarantee is still in effect
so if you're planning on upgrading, don't wait, order the Xtra-RAM Deluxe
today!
The Text Processor
Tired of plain-vanilla text files? Do you need to write a quick letter?
TX2 is the answer. TX2 is an advanced, yet easy-to-use text file viewer
and editor. It offers a variety of features:
~ Special effects (bold, italics, colors, sizes)
~ Use pictures in your text!
~ Compatibility with all ST/TT's
~ Resolution independent (even works on Image Systems 24" monitor)
~ Fast smooth scrolling
~ Bookmarks
~ EDM or GEM menu selection
~ Keyboard Alternates
~ Context sensitive help
~ Word wrap
TX2 is a tried and proven program, having undergone a lot of beta testing.
It has also been used for quite some time by GEnie Lamp, GEnie's ST
magazine. A full manual and help system are available directly via the
program; you can look up instruction in seconds via the Search function.
You can create your own printer driver to print the special effects to
your printer. Easily install TX2 to act as a file viewer from the GEM
Desktop or an alternative desktop (such as NeoDesk). Combine Neochrome,
DEGAS, or PUT graphics in your text file to produce easy-to-understand
documentation for your own programs. David Holmes, the program author, is
very a
ctive on GEnie and is planning on updating TX2 as often as necessary
to satisfy users. So get rid of the old used editor you're using and
start fresh with TX2^P, the best in text processing for only $24.95!
Online Special
Order before March 31, 1992
and receive TX2 for $19.95
and
get FREE Shipping!
KUMA QUALITY SOFTWARE
=====================
PDC is the exclusive distributor for the Kuma Software (for Atari ST,
Amiga, and IBM) and Book (Amiga and Atari ST) line.
Atari ST products include:
K-Data - $79.95
This is a Powerful and Professional database. It has an easy-to-use GEM
interface and:
~ 32 MegaByte maximum file length
~ 6 simultaneous open windows
~ comprehensive printer configuration package
~ compatible data with K-Graph 3, K-Spread 4, and K-Word 2
K-Word 2 - $69.95
Looking for a beginning word processor? K-Word is an easy-to-use word
processor that fully uses the GEM environment.
Features include:
~ spell-checker
~ mail merge
~ compatibility with a wide range of printers
~ 4 simultaneous windows open
~ definable function keys
~ on-screen Help menus
~ headers and footers
~ multi-copy printing
K-Resource 2 - $69.95
This is the perfect resource editing utility. Built in functions include:
~ Icon/Image editor
~ Simultaneous edit of any number of resources
~ Output files for C, Pascal, Modula 2, Fortran 77
~ Auto Snap and Size
K-Graph 3 - $79.95
Ready to produce some outstanding great-looking charts? Do it the quick
'n easy way with K-Graph 3. A graphic desktop-like environment allows you
to easily produce line, scatter and area graphs, pie charts, stacked,
horizontal, 3D and normal bar charts, and XY graphs.
Features include:
~ Statistics
~ Math and Logical expressions
~ Auto Axis Scaling
~ Log Scales
~ IMG or Metafile output for use in other programs
K-Roget - $79.95
This Thesaurus makes full use of GEM as a desk accessory. Access it from
any GEM word processor or program. Express yourself more clearly by using
a variety of words. The comprehensive dictionary contains over 150,000
words and phrases. Phonetic misspellings are trapped and corrected
alternatives are suggested by K-Roget.
Special
Order before March 31, 1992 and receive 50% off the
prices listed above!
Budget Desktop Publishing Program
It's easy to get swept away just by looking at $300 Desktop Publishing
programs with features like auto-kerning and vertical justification.
However, there are a lot of people out there that don't need that kind of
sophistication and don't have the money to spend.
Enter EASY TEXT PLUS, a new entry-level Desktop Publishing program for the
rest of us. At just $69.95, EASY TEXT PLUS is a no-frills Desktop
Publisher that still offers good quality output on 9 pin, 24 pin, and
laser printers (including the Atari SLM804 and HP Laserjets).
EASY TEXT PLUS comes on two double sided disks (single sided version
available) and will work with all configurations of Atari ST's right down
to a color 520 ST with 1/2 meg. Clip Art and text (ASCII and First Word)
can be imported. A complete 88 page printed manual is included. Support
is top notch from a desktop publishing expert. EASY TEXT PLUS is
completely GEM based utilizing the menu bar, dialog boxes, and a host of
GEM functions.
Some features include justified text, word wrap, 36 different graphic fill
patterns, clip art can be clipped to size, and keyboard equivalent
commands. EASY TEXT PLUS is available at finer Atari dealers across the
North American continent, drop by your local dealer for a demo. Or
download a functional demo of your local BBS or online network (GEnie,
Compuserve, etc.)
AT A GLANCE:
~ Import graphics and text
~ Keyboard alternative commands
~ Text editing with word wrap
~ Undo functions
~ Full graphic drawing functions
~ 9-pin/24-pin/laser printer support
Online user special: $25 off!!
Yes, get EASY TEXT PLUS for only $44.95, this offer ends
March 31, 1992, don't miss out!
TO ORDER
--------
When ordering specify printer type:
[ ] HP Deskjet/Laserjet
[ ] Bubblejet
[ ] NEC P6
[ ] Atari SLM804 Laser
[ ] Atari SMM804 Dot Matrix
[ ] Epson Compatible 9-pin Dot Matrix
[ ] Epson Compatible 24-pin Dot Matrix
Disks are double sided (add $5 for single sided disks). Add $4 for
shipping/handling.
MAIL
PDC
4320-196th SW Ste. B-140 - Check/Money Orders
Lynnwood, WA 98036
PHONE
206/745-5980 - Questions/Visa-MasterCard Orders
206/347-8766 - FAX
ONLINE
GEnie: PDC.SW
CompuServe: 72567,302
Excerpts from:
EASY TEXT PLUS
==============
by Charles Michael
in Atari ST User
"It's easy to get carried away and look only at DTP's costing well over
the [translates to $200 US] mark, comparing esoteric features like
auto-kerning and vertical justification. However, there are plenty of
people who don't have that kind of money and who don't need that degree of
sophistication in their page layout. There's something for everyone in
the ST world though, and Easy Text Plus has lots to offer for a mere
[translates to $69.95 US]. The product of one man, Easy Text Plus is a
no-frills DTP which can still offer reasonable quality output to 9 pin, 24
pin and laser printers. The working methods may vary from traditional DTP
- if such a new work area can have a tradition - but the end results can
often be much the same.
The program comes on a double disk and is less than 100K long. You see a
mainly blank screen with a GEM slide bar down the right and a menu bar
along the top. The program is frame-based, but with a slightly different
philosophy from most others - I suspect mainly for ease of programming."
"Graphics can also be importer, though only in Degas format... Lines can
be given varying widths, styles and ends and any of 36 fill patterns can
be used on graphic or text frames. Also frames can be square or round
cornered.
Typography is reasonable, with facilities to adjust leading and kerning
globally. Text can also be flushed left or right, centered or pushed to
both margins. User-sized guide frames can be placed on the page for
aligning columns, and column widths can be carried from frame to frame for
easy matching.
Easy Text Plus works under GDOS and can therefore use GDOS fonts, it's
able to display text up to 36 point high and apply bold and italic styles
to it. Versions are available to print to 9 pin and 24 pin printers, but
you can also use the Atari Laser..."
"Most of the foregoing comments on Easy Text Plus are those you would
expect in a review of a [translates to $300 US] product. Considering that
this program is a mere [translates to $69.95 US] it certainly represents
excellent value for money. It's being continually developed..."
PDC
4320 - 196th SW Ste. B-140
Lynnwood, WA 98036
(206) 745-5980
GEnie: PDC.SW
_______________________________________________________________
> SUDDEN VIEW! STR InfoFile The release version is shipping!
=========================
SUDDEN VIEW
===========
compiled from:
GEnie ST RT
For immediate release:
Sudden View In Final Release
Reno, Nevada - March 1st, 1992
According to Rod Coleman of Sudden Incorporated, the final release of
Sudden View has just been shipped to dealers. After several months in
Beta test, 126 changes and enhancements have been made to produce the
final version for the Atari ST. It now supports Moniterm and TT high
resolutions, as well as 8 X 8 font on monochrome monitors.
Sudden View is remarkable for its fresh approach to editing fundamentals.
It uses something called Virtual Control, which allows the user to have
the feeling of virtually touching his text as he edits and arranges it.
Sudden View's most obvious feature is its ability to dynamically scroll
text and move text blocks. These functions occur in real time and in
direct response to the user's movements. The program responds quickly
enough to move the text as the user moves his hand.
Even though Sudden View only edits ASCII files, they are internally
indexed so that the user can display any part of the file instantly. This
is true whether the file is two Kbytes or two megabytes long. Another
difference is that Sudden View has no "Insert" or "Replace" modes.
Editing action is cursor-position dependent, allowing the user to just
place the cursor and type. If the cursor is over a space to the left of
any text, it will insert; otherwise it will replace.
All deletes and changes are kept in a twenty-element buffer stack so that
the user can restore something that was deleted some time ago. This
buffer stack also works in concert with Dynamic Text Arrangement as a
scratch pad.
Sudden View has no margin bar, yet can support as many different formats
as the user wishes. Each line is its own format. Therefore, the format
conforms to the user's actions, and not the other way around. It is also
very flexible in setting and adjusting word-wrap.
The Power Menu is another unique feature of Sudden View. It is a
multiple-level menu system that can be keyboard- or mouse-activated. Even
though it is as fast as normal power key combinations, it requires no
memorization. Learning it is very natural.
Quick Find in Sudden View allows the user to do a partial-key dynamic
search for any character string. It searches as the pattern is being
entered at over 100,000 characters per second. Normally, the string is
found before the user completes the pattern entry.
Sudden View's copy, cut, paste, and move features are its real strengths.
It defines four different types of text blocks which can be selected and
manipulated without using any menus. The block types are Character,
Sentence, Field and Line. They allow for a very direct and powerful
arrangement of text.
The user can drag a Sentence through a paragraph as it dynamically
re-formats in real time. A group of Fields or a column can be deleted,
replicated or moved as the user directs. The text becomes an extension of
the user's thoughts; control is virtual.
Since Sudden View presents a significant number of new concepts, a Student
version is available at $24.95 suggested retail. It has all of the
standard features and complete one-hundred page manual as well as
occasional study breaks for learning the program.
The Master version has several extra features for the advanced user but
no study breaks. Owners of the Student version can upgrade to the Master
version for $40.00, or both versions can be purchased initially for a
suggested retail of $64.95. Sudden View files are not copy protected.
The Student version is available from Atari ST dealers now. Either
version can also be ordered directly from Sudden. For more information,
contact Rod Coleman, Sudden Incorporated, 5081 South McCarran Blvd., Reno,
Nevada, 89502, or call 800-421-4228 for orders or 702-827-2996 for support
or other questions.
TO ALL BETA USERS:
""""""""""""""""""
You have probably notice from the last message that Sudden View is now in
final release. Beta and final test copies will no longer be supported,
nor their copying or downloading encouraged. All final release versions
may not be copied except for use as backup of the original owner. All
Sudden files are copyrighted but not copy protected.
What this all means is that I would like to encourage everyone reading
this to get a final release copy of Sudden View. If you bought a
registered Personalized beta version, relax; you should be getting your
free final release upgrade shortly (we have already started shipping
them).
If you paid $9.95 for a registered Demo copy of Sudden View, you're in
luck. You can now upgrade to the Master version with complete hard copy
documentation for only $40.00 (it used to cost $49.95).
Call 800-421-4228 and make sure you mention the registered Demo copy.
If you downloaded a beta Demo copy or got a copy from a friend, RUSH down
to you local dealer and pick up a final release Student version of Sudden
View NOW! If there is no dealer close, just call 800-421-4228 and we'll
help you out for $24.95.
For those of you who don't rush out and get a final release copy of Sudden
View, be forewarned! The beta and even final test versions have several
major bugs! Most are not common, so you may not notice them right away,
but they are there, and they will not be supported. These bugs can
corrupt your text files and in the case of saving a file to a full disk,
the directory may be corrupted. We recommend that you destroy any beta or
demo copies of Sudden View immediately. We will not answer questions
about any versions other than the Final release.
Some other reasons to get the Final release of Sudden View are listed
below. This is not a complete list of enhancements since many of them
were subtle.
ENHANCEMENTS
""""""""""""
One hundred page manual with index which has been
largely rewritten.
The AutoSave feature now defaults to off due to several
requests. It can be set on under the Filer Options
menu or configuration. Control Codes other than CR,
LF, TAB, FF are imported and exported passively. They
can also be Copied, Cut, Pasted and Moved. You can now
search for the first 20 characters of the last block
selected. This is to support control code searches,
and to make some other searches more handy. (see
above).
There is now an "Un-wrap" All feature in the Master
version to support exporting into publishing programs.
There are fewer study breaks (commercials) in the
Student version than commercials in the Demo version.
"Move one word left and right" as well "move one screen
up and down" have been mapped into their own power keys
for more direct use. See the help screen.
"Move one word left and right" also now tracks the
paragraph as the power cursor keys do (you final
testers haven't even seen this one).
Sudden View will now autoload a file called AL.TXT
instead of SV.RSC. This was a trick to get people to
read the documentation.
Sudden View will now accept a command line parameter
for the personalized version. It can therefore be
"Installed" and activated by selecting a data file from
the GEM Desktop. A file type of TTP also works with
some limitations.
Another useless side effect was the display at boot
time. It no longer occurs.
If the repeat rate is not configured, the pre-existing
rate will be used instead of using the default.
The Moniterm monitor is now supported, but it slows
things down on a standard ST.
Atari TT high res along with ST med and high res are
now supported on the TT.
Small (8 * 8) font is now supported on all mono
displays (SM 124, Moniterm, or TT high res) for the
Master version only.
For more information
contact:
Rod Coleman 800-421-4228
______________________________________________________________
> STReport's Editorial Page "Saying it like it is."
From the Editor's Desk
----------------------
Atarians the world over are waiting anxiously to find out just what
the "new" machines will be and when they will become available. Also, the
stories abound about the "Book" shipping. We shall see. in any case, its
a neat idea to think things are really getting better. You know, they
really are!
Atari's presence is still being felt in the computing world both in
terms of practical applications and high tech super stuff. Seems the TT
is well suited for use in the super secret NASA labs for graphical
representations. Not bad. I am going to keep this editorial short
because this issue is packed with all sorts of neat info. New product
announcements galore! Not to mention the features we have for you.
So enjoy, read away and think of the good things, times are changing.
Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine
Friday, March 6, 1992 - 5:34:22 pm
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport's Staff DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU!
----------------
Publisher - Editor
------------------
Ralph F. Mariano
PC DIVISION AMIGA DIVISION MAC DIVISION
----------- -------------- ------------
Roger D. Stevens Charles Hill R. ALBRITTON
STReport Staff Editors:
-----------------------
Lloyd E. Pulley Sr. Dana P. Jacobson Michael Arthur
Lucien Oppler Brad Martin Judith Hamner
John Szczepanik Dan Stidham Joseph Mirando
Steve Spivey Doyle C. Helms
Contributing Correspondents:
----------------------------
Michael Lee Richard Covert John Deegan
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 Bruno Puglia
IMPORTANT NOTICE
================
Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
via E-Mail to:
Compuserve.................... 70007,4454
GEnie......................... ST.REPORT
Delphi........................ RMARIANO
BIX........................... RMARIANO
FIDONET....................... 112/35
FNET.......................... NODE 350
NEST.......................... 90:19/350.0
____________________________________________________________
> STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips"
=====================
- San Francisco, CA ATARI HELPS NET GRAMMY NOMINATION!
-----------------
The music award, The Grammy, known worldwide as a symbol of musical
excellence and accomplishment, is about to be awarded to this year's fine
artists. Scott Gershin has been nominated for a Grammy in recognition for
his superb music in the movie JFK. He used Atari equipment to compose the
musical score.
- Ashville, N. Carolina BLUE RIDGE AtariFest ANNOUNCED
---------------------
The Blue Ridge Atari Computer Enthusiasts (BRACE) and its sponsor,
Sheldon Winick & Computer STudio, recently announced the 3rd Annual BLUE
RIDGE AtariFest to be held in Asheville, N.C. on Saturday, July 18, 1992.
After last year's terrific festival, there is no doubt attendance will be
high.
- Chicago, IL. LISTENING CAREFULLY
------------
The (Sparrow & Falcon)(68030-68040) are rumored to be announced
sometime in the second quarter. Atari Corp is very tight lipped when
asked about performance stats, but the word is these machines are hot! In
fact, most "learned ears" say they will sport true SCSI ports and not
ASCSI ports. Hopefully the new products will be ready to ship soon after
their initial showing. Rumor also has it that a few Books have already,
or are about to ship. Good news sure feels nice. In addition, the ABC
line of clones are being given serious attention and could possibly be
enhanced and priced competitively. 1040STe units seem to be in very short
supply, while the MSTE units are doing very well.
____________________________________________________
> STR Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard"
=============
STReport's MailBag
==================
From GEnie
------------
Category 4, Topic 25
Message 175 Wed Mar 04, 1992
V.HUTZ at 23:14 EST
Remember, "You're all adults here!"
Pin #1 blue to #4TT
Pin #3 green to #13TT
Pin #4 red to #14TT
Pin #6 white to #15TT
Pin #7 braid to Body of TT
Pin #8 black to #10TT
Pin #9 brown to #9TT
Suggestion: wait for a couple days for someone else to try this and screw
it up! Just kidding but Jim did suggest some boards may need a little
tweeking and/or if something goes wrong with your experiment I am an
expert woodworker (viewed in 60,000,000 homes daily) but know little more
than the hobbyist about electronics and my intent is not to open up a can
of electric worms for baiting....master or not! Your own risk please, I
just heard this somewhere and am posting to see if it may be correct?
Although my source is both brilliant and honest!
By the way, if your colors are different......well then you will just have
to fly with different colors.
Later, Vern
------------
From Usenet:
Article 22931 (33 more) in comp.sys.atari.st:
From: trh@atari.uucp (T R Hall)
Subject: Re: Additional STe ports on left
Message-ID: <1992Feb27.200212.12128@atari.uucp>
Date: 27 Feb 92 20:02:12 GMT
References: <1992Feb20.162033.21346@irscscm.UUCP>
<1992Feb25.162131.1026@cs.hw.ac.uk>
Organization: Atari Corp.,
Sunnyvale, CA Lines: 115
neil@cs.hw.ac.uk (Neil Forsyth) writes:
--..... They're 15 pin female ports. What are they for?
- Nothing. They don't work. Nobody knows how to make 'em work either.
- But I'm all ears if someone does.
- ! Neil Forsyth JANET: neil@uk.ac.hw.cs
Oh? Perhaps you don't like to order and/or read developer documentation
(of course you are in the UK, and I am aware of the problems they have
getting doc's out...)
I quote from the STE Developer Addendum:
CONTROLLERS
FF9200 0000 0000 0000 xxxx
||||
|||- Fire Button 0
||-- Fire Button 1
|--- Fire Button 2
---- Fire Button 3
FF9202 UDLR UDLR UDLR UDLR
|||| |||| |||| ||||
|||| |||| |||| ---- Joy Stick 0
|||| |||| --------- Joy Stick 1
|||| -------------- Joy Stick 2
------------------- Joy Stick 3
Four new joystick ports are added. These ports are controlled directly
by the 68000. The current state may be sampled at any time by reading the
above locations.
Joy Stick 0 and Joy Stick 2 bits are _*read/write*_. If written to, they
will be driven until a read is performed. Similarly, they will not be
driven after a read until a write is performed.
FF9210 0000 0000 xxxx xxxx X Paddle 0
FF9212 0000 0000 xxxx xxxx Y Paddle 0
FF9214 0000 0000 xxxx xxxx X Paddle 1
FF9216 0000 0000 xxxx xxxx Y Paddle 1
Paddles:
One pair of paddles can be plugged into Joystick Port 0 (Paddle 0).
A second set can be plugged into Joystick Port 1 (Paddle 1). The current
position of each of the four paddles is reported at these locations. The
fire buttons are the same as for the respective joystick. The triggers for
the paddles are read as bits 1 and 2 of FF9202 (JOY0 L and R).
FF9220 0000 00xx xxxx xxxx (X position)
FF9222 0000 00xx xxxx xxxx (Y position)
Light Gun/Pen
A light gun or pen can be plugged into Joystick Port 0. The current
position that the gun or pen is pointing to is reported by these
registers.
The position is accurate to within (X direction only):
4 pixels in 320x200 Mode
8 pixels in 640x200 Mode
16 pixels in 640x400 Mode
Accurate to 1 pixel in the Y direction in all modes. Accuracies do
not account for the quality of the light gun or pen. Note that the X
position is given in pixels for 320x200 only. In order to get correct
results in 640x200 mode this number needs to be shifted left one bit; in
640x400 mode, shifted left two bits.
Controller Pinout
5 4 3 2 1
10 9 8 7 6
15 14 13 12 11
Joystick Port 0 Joystick Port 1
1 UP 0 UP 2
2 DOWN 0 DOWN 2
3 LEFT 0 LEFT 2
4 RIGHT 0 RIGHT 2
5 PAD 0 Y PAD 1 Y
6 FIRE 0 FIRE 2
7 VCC VCC
8 n/c n/c
9 GND GND
10 FIRE 1 FIRE 3
11 UP 1 UP 3
12 DOWN 1 DOWN 3
13 LEFT 1 LEFT 3
14 RIGHT 1 RIGHT 3
15 PAD 0 X PAD 1 X
from GEnie
------------
Category 25, Topic 13
Message 84 Thu Mar 05, 1992
N.STEEL at 01:54 EST
To All,
Last summer I ordered and paid for the complete Phase 4 package, and I
must admit to having several doubts. My first doubt was wether I should
buy from RIO/Datel, as I had previous dealings with Datel, back in
England. My second doubt was about the future of Atari in the US market,
or the world.
I shall not comment about my first doubt, and I get the feeling that Atari
may finally be getting it's act together. They still have to dispel the
'Game Machine' image though, it still lingers. Lexicor are about to help
them. (Along with ISD, Ditek, Goldleaf, & Codeheads. Sorry if I missed
some)
The Phase 4 software, from Lexicor, is reaching maturity, and it shows. I
recently purchased the informal demo video from Lee, and I must say I was
very impressed. If you make allowance for the fact that the tape was
copied on a standard VHS deck, then I think you will agree that Prism
Render, along with the Leonardo board, do produce 'Professional' quality
renderings.
If you haven't already bought this video, or are wondering if the Leonardo
boards quality, is doubtful, then I strongly urge you to cough up twenty
dollars and get it. As I said before, the actual video quality is not the
best, due to it's reproduction, but the still images and animation
segments are truly great. Various companies and individuals have helped
to show off the Leonardo's capability. These include PIXAR, Silicon
Graphics, and the JPL labs.
I cannot thank Lee Seiler enough, his enduring patience with my endless
phone calls, have often pushed him to his limit. He has been battling
against very great odds, to bring this software to the Atari community,
and people leaving the Atari platform do not make this any easier.
The very fact that companies like this exist, convinced me to buy an Atari
TT, instead of the 486 I was looking at. I sincerely hope that those of
you who read this continue to support Atari, Lexicor, and all the other
hard working publishers and importers of software for our machines.
Yours at length,
N.Steel
ps. I am not, have not and probably never will be, employed, related
or in any way associated with any of the above mentioned
companies or people. I am also not responsible for any spelling
or grammatical errors that may be found in this letter. That is
entirely the fault of too much caffeine.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> A "Quotable Quote" "....in hope of a better time"
==================
"TIS A FAR BETTER THING TO LIGHT A CANDLE..
..THAN TO FOREVER CURSE THE DARKNESS!"
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> 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 AVAILABLE Call for Info!
PLEASE NOTE: The above is partial listing only!
FULLY ASSEMBLED SCSI DRIVES DEDUCT $60.00
ADD $35.00 for 4 BAY SUPER CABINET w/250+w PS
EXOTIC TOWER CABINETS AVAILABLE Call for Info!
PLEASE NOTE: The above is partial listing only!
CPU ACCELERATOR & MEMORY UPGRADES AVAILABLE & INSTALLED
*****
>> ABCO proudly offers the fabulous 1040 & MEGA STe Computers <<
Call for ABCO's * VERY SPECIAL * Introductory prices!
ATARI COMPUTERS * STILL THE BEST VALUE!
*****
If you don't see what you want listed here, call us.
Odds are, we either have it or, can get it for you!
* GUARANTEED * AT THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICE!
** 800-562-4037 **
"WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL"
****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******
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- SYQUEST 44 MB DRIVE - ICD ST ADSCSI PLUS H/A
- ICD Utility Software - 3' DMA Cable
- Fan & Clock - Multi-Unit Power Supply
(1) 44 MB Syquest Cart.
--->> SPECIAL! NOW ONLY __$ 645.00__ <<---
**** SCSI UNITS -> ONLY $549.00 ****
WE PAY SHIPPING & INSURANCE! >UPS!<
(Cont. USA)
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Cart and Utility Software Included!
EXTRA CARTS: $ 69.50
DRIVE MECH ONLY: $ 339.95
****** 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 **
Or, YOUR choice of Hard Disk Mechanism!
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 Facsimile
** $41.95 shipping included **
-- ALL TONER KITS * IN STOCK * --
* Toner Starter Kits-$62.95 *
* Replacement (804) Drums-$186.95 *
ABCO is PROUD to announce the acquisition of
exclusive U.S.A. distribution rights for
Bitblit's ///Turbo Board BBS. This fine BBS
program and user support is available through
ABCO to all Turbo customers in the USA. Call
for current pricing.
>> 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" March 06, 1992
16/32bit Magazine copyright 1987-92 No.8.10
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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
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mation contained herein or the results obtained therefrom.
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