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Silicon Times Report Issue 0827
*---== ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
from
STR Publishing
""""""""""""""
July 03, 1992 No.8.27
==========================================================================
STReport International Online Magazine
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32205 ~ 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
-----------------------------------------
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EST
Support BBS Network System
* THE BOUNTY BBS *
* TURBO BOARD BBS SYSTEM *
FNET 350 ~ Fido 112:35 ~ TNET 100:2/0
904-786-4176 USR/HST 24hrs - 7 days
1200 - 19.2bps V.32 - 42 bis 16.8 Dual Standard
FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EST
-----------------------------------------
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FNET.. 75 ~ TNET 100:28/0 Bloom County BBS.............1-415-965-9347
FNET. 350 ~ TNET 100:2/0 The Bounty *<Home of STR>*...1-904-786-4176
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FNET 1031 ~ TNET 100:1/0 <<< INTERNET - UK>>>.... 011-44-296-395-935
_____________________________________________________________________
> 07/03/92 STR 827 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!"
""""""""""""""""
- The Editor's Desk - CPU Report - PORTFOLIO NEWS
- INVISION ELITE! - CT. ATARIFEST! - BLUE RIDGE FEST!
- ATARI FUTURE - C-FONT - THAT'S WRITE 2
- ACTION LASER REVIEW - COMPOSCRIPT! - STR Confidential
-* FALCON IS REAL! *-
-* MBBS -> MNET DEBUT! *-
-* JOHN B. JAINSCHIGG RETURNS! *-
THE STORM IS COMING!
==========================================================================
ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
The Original * Independent * Online Magazine
-* FEATURING WEEKLY *-
"Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information
Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
==========================================================================
STReport's BBS, The Bounty, invites BBS systems, worldwide, to participate
in the Fido/TurboNet/Atari F-Net Mail Network. You may also call our BBS
direct at 904-786-4176, and enjoy the excitement of exchanging information
relative to the Atari and other computers worldwide through the use of
excellent International Messaging Networks. SysOps, worldwide, are quite
welcome to join the STReport International Conferences. The Crossnet Code
is #34813, and the "Lead Node" is # 350. All BBS systems are welcome and
invited to actively participate. Support Atari Computers; Join Today!
==========================================================================
GENIE ~ CIS ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ FIDO ~ FNET ~ TNET ~ INTERNET
EURONET ~ CIX ~ CLEVELAND FREE-NET
==========================================================================
COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME
to the Readers of;
ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY!
CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198
You will receive your complimentary time
and
be online in no time at all!
WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (July 03)
** NEW SYSOP IN ATARI 8-BIT FORUM **
Please join us in welcoming SYSOP*Jeff Kovach 70761,3015 to the staff of
the Atari 8-Bit Forum (GO ATARI8).
FONTGDOS AVAILABLE
FONTGDOS is now available (courtesy Atari Corp) in LIBRARY 9 of the Atari
Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS) along with Bob Wilson's help file.
NEW IN ATARI VENDORS FORUM (GO ATARIVEN)
SoftLogik Publishing Corporation is pleased to announce the release of
PageStream 2.2b for Atari ST/STe/TT computers!
Users of STalker version 3.01: Be sure to download STK302.LZH from
LIBRARY 8 for a program that will upgrade a registered copy of STalker
3.01 to version 3.02. An original (unmodified) STalker 3.01 disk is
required for the upgrade.
RECENT UPLOADS
PACFIC.LZH 183K 03-Jul-92 Pacific Islands Demo
XRDEMO.ARC 167K 30-Jun-92 Dr. T's X-OR DEMO
STF36.LZH 4K 30-Jun-92 July ST Format Contents, issue 36
UVKILL.LZH 91K 03-Jul-92 Ultimate Virus Killer (DEMO)
MNET13.ARC 109K 03-Jul-92 MichTron BBS - Networking supported w/MNET!
EMPUS1.LZH 2K 03-Jul-92 Patches TEMPUS II to use normal fselectors
DIARYB.ARC 11K 03-Jul-92 DIARY v 2.4B Very Small Text Editor ACC/PRG
ATARIA.TXT 8K 03-Jul-92 A Dealers view of Atari
ASTROL.LZH 269K 03-Jul-92 Astrology program
LZH21L.LZH 70K 01-Jul-92 LZH201L.LZH Latest update to LZH201x
CQREF.ARC 9K 03-Jul-92 Calligrapher Quick Reference prg/acc
SLDEMO.LZH 523K 01-Jul-92 New Calamus SL DEMO Version
PG22B.LZH 292K 01-Jul-92 PGST22B.LZH - PageSTream 2.1->PageSTream 2.2b
*** NEW FOR THE PORTFOLIO ***
The ULTIMATE PORTFOLIO DEMO is now available in LIBRARY 17 of the Atari
Portfolio Forum (GO APORTFOLIO), courtesy Don Thomas and Atari Corp. (This
demo runs on a PC, not on the Portfolio) Superb graphics and suitable for
an in-store self-running demo/promotion.
THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM ON COMPUSERVE
HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AN
OFFICIAL SUPPORT SITE BY ATARI CORPORATION
"GO APORTFOLIO TO ACCESS THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM"
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""
Atari's future is something to seriously ponder these days. One can't
help but wonder if, with the advent of the new machines.. ie., The Falcon,
Sparrow or whatever; "will the new products have the right 'send-off'?
STReport's entire staff wants to see Atari enjoy a monumental success in
the release of its new machines. This is the beginnings of Atari's NEW
ERA. The Falcon and its successors show all the promise we've desired in
machines from Atari for quite some time.
Atari's Director of Communications, Bob Brodie continues "demanding"
that users on _CIS_ use EMAIL to tell him they "love" him, sadly, the
entire scenario is fast becoming the _joke_ of the year. Head Sysop Ron
Luks' made his desires known, (shown elsewhere in this issue), that users
on CIS respond both in email and in public for all to see, as it is
happening on most other services. What is wrong with conducting an
information gathering poll in public for all to see? After all, the
results are bound to "touch" all of us. On top of which we find officious
appearing statements being presented by the "Director of Communications"
that are not in the least complimentary to any of the parties concerned.
For example, Brodie _claims_ in his editorial published this week;
"At this point, I'm sorry to report that the response on CompuServe
has been pathetic...far and away the lowest number of respondents on
any network." ...FROM ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE #9205
Any number of users who frequent all the services, just as Brodie
does, will find the above statement difficult to believe. Many observers
seem to find the response on CompuServe is more than likely comparable to
that on GEnie with Delphi close behind. As for the private hobby
networks, the reaction is mainly having little or, as in most cases, no
response either way. Director Brodie's recent actions appear to be an
embarrassment which all Atarians must unfairly to bear. Perhaps its time
for the Director to spend more time communicating about the new products
and less time with the obvious "obsession". The major online services
such as, GEnie, Compuserve and Delphi along with the hobby networks and
the loyal Atari users who subscribe to these services deserve Atari's
support on the major services of their choice, not that users must make a
pilgrimage and "go to Atari." Without a doubt, the loyal Atarians,
worldwide, deserve much better treatment than this.
On happier note, the userbase is being treated to a generous amount
of new programs debuting in the USA for the Atari ST/STe/TT computer
platform. This is a breath of fresh air. Please keep an eye on STReport
as we will be reviewing all these great new programs over the next few
months. Of course, the entire home computing industry is waiting
patiently for the official debut of the new Falcon'030. By all standards
we have become accustomed to, this is going to be a very powerful and
highly affordable new machine. Atari Advantage Hard Copy Magazine is
going to have a large spread dedicated to the new Falcon in their
June/July Issue. The moment of truth is at hand <grin> get out those back
issues of STReport and see if we had the stats right. Have a safe and
glorious Fourth!
Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine
Today, the third of July, is my birthday, I made fifty! Nicer than
that my first born son Ralph, is now 29. Sorry, I had to 'brag' just a
little. :-)
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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
Clemens Chin
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
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
=================
Issue #27
Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
-- Atari Finally Gives Up
Atari Corp. has withdrawn its appeal of a jury verdict and judgement in
a federal antitrust case, according to Nintendo of American Inc. In ex-
change for Atari withdrawing its appeal, Nintendo says that it "will not
proceed with its request to recover certain court costs from Atari."
Nintendo, which dropped its exclusive contracts in 1990, now controls
80% of the U.S. home video game market, while Atari has about 12%.
-- PC Prices Fall 20-40% in Two Weeks
PC prices have dropped 20-40% in the last two weeks according to Channel
Marketing (CM), a Texas research firm. While this is good news for the
consumers, the news isn't viewed as favorably by retailers who are
having to develop plans to double or triple sales to make up for the
lost revenue.
CM says, "Although PC manufacturers will share in the pain of lower pro-
fits, computer retailers will bear the greatest burden at a time when
their profits are already squeezed. For every computer a retailer sold
prior to the slash in prices, they must now sell 1.43 systems to gener-
ate equivalent gross profit dollars. This assumes an average price dec-
rease of 30%."
In a separate study, the company estimates unit sales of computer sys-
tems will increase by 25% over 1991 unit sales, with the biggest factor
being declining prices.
--Compaq Offers Printer Line
Compaq Computer Corp. is getting into the printer business with units
unveiled later this year to be connected to networks of PCs. The first
models to be released will be laser printers, with models based on other
printer technology coming later.
-- DEC Joins Low-End Price Fight
Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC), has joined Compaq and Dell in introducing
a lower-priced system. Under the new pricing plan, Digital's entry-level
PC316 will sell for $1,249, including hard drive and monitor. Sources
say that DEC lost $294 million in the last quarter but its PC sales have
been growing.
IBM is expected to announce sharp reductions in its PC prices later this
summer.
-- Borland Ships 2.5 Million Quattro Pros
Quattro Pro, Borland's spreadsheet application software, has hit the 2.5
million unit mark, according to Borland.
Borland quotes the Software Publishers Association in saying Quattro Pro
had 30% of the North American spreadsheet market in 1991 and 25% of the
world spreadsheet market in the same year. The company's 1992 estimates
are its North American market share is the same, but its world share is
up to 26%.
-- Sun Top US Exporter According to Fortune
Sun Microsystems once again was Fortune magazine's No. 1 US exporter, as
a percentage of total sales. Total Sun sales for the 1991 calendar year
were listed as $3.259 billion, of which 49.3% or $1.606 billion was from
outside the United States. In terms of overall export dollars, Sun moved
to the number 19 spot in 1991, from the number 30 spot in 1990, behind
companies many times larger in size.
-- TI 4-meg VRAM Introduced
Texas Instruments announced the introduction of its 4-meg video random
access memory (VRAM) which is said to be the first in the electronics
Industry.
TI has optimized the high density VRAM to deliver what it calls superior
graphics performance that workstation designers demand, while keeping
chip costs low enough to make it attractive to manufacturers of high-end
personal computers as well.
TI's 4-meg VRAM is expected to be a cost-effective memory alternative at
PC video display resolutions as low as 1,024 x 768 x 4 bits per pixel.
This resolution and color combination is one of the fastest growing
segments of the PC video market. To address this market, many
manufacturers are developing Windows accelerators - PC add-in boards
that are designed to boost Windows' graphics performance.
In addition to improving performance, designers who use 4 Mb VRAMs will
be able to reduce the size and power dissipation of systems that are
implemented with less sophisticated memories, TI says. By using denser
memories, they can expect to increase system reliability, and reduce
component and manufacturing costs.
-- Maxtor Intros 340MB 3.5-inch Disk Drive
Maxtor Corp. released its 340-meg MXT-340 inch-high 3.5-inch Winchester
disk drive this week. The company claims that the MXT-340 uses the same
components and features and offers the same seek times and data transfer
rates as its parent drives, the inch-high MXT-540, which provides 540MB
formatted storage capacity, and the full-height MXT-1240, which offers
1.2 gigabytes (GB) of storage.
According to the company the MXT-340 has a low average seek time of 8.5
ms and achieves full 'Fast' SCSI II compliance through the use of SCSI
(Small Computer System Interface) controller chips. According to Maxtor,
this allows the drive to achieve a SCSI bus transfer rate of 10MB per
second and a maximum disk transfer rate of more than 40 megabits (Mbits)
per second.
The high transfer rate is accomplished with a disk spin rate of 6,300
revolutions per minute (RPM) that yields an average rotational latency
rate of only 4.76ms, according to Maxtor.
The MXT-340 carries an OEM (original equipment manufacturing) evaluation
unit pricing of $895, with products to become available to OEMs at the
end of July. The company plans for volume production to begin in the
third quarter of calendar 1992.
***********************************************************************
: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. Friday, July 3, is a GEnie Holiday............................
2. There's a few GEnie Mugs left.................................*ORDER
3. Hmm .. Can I get a trademark on [YOUR-PRODUCT-NAME-HERE]....TRADEMARKS
4. D&B Company Profiles . Now Available Via GEnie............D&BPROFILES
5. Coming July 1: There's =MORE= on the Coast....................*LEFT
6. Summer's here and the time is right - for a tournament in.. BACKGAMMON
7. GEN CON/Origins - Register Online.............................TSR
8. Get REAL BARGAINING POWER for car & truck buying............AUTOQUOT-R
9. Get the BIG BOOK online & get $6 merchandise certificate.....SEARS
10. Multiplayer Gaming is FREE This Weekend in....................ORBWARS
11. Online Quilters Patriotic Quilt Show....Washington DC.........*HOBBY
12. REGISTER Now For Your SUMMER COURSES..........................CALC
13. HURRY before it's too late....................................SOFTCLUB
14. NEW: Locate SBA MICROLOAN Sources by State...................DIRECTORY
15. Live from Rome, Italy every Sunday (5 p.m. Eastern)...........GERMANY
Atari Roundtable Weekly News
=STAFF NEWS=
Atari Roundtable is proud to announce and welcome the addition of Charlie
Townsley [C.TOWNSLEY], Robert Glover [R.GLOVER3], and Gordon Meyer
[GRMEYER] to the RT Staff. They will be working in the library and helping
out in the other areas.
= FROM THE BANNER =
At last, the new DEMO version of Calamus SL has arrived, compiled June
1992!! Almost a year since the last DEMO was uploaded, ISD and DMC are
proud to bring you a look at a truly excellent, professional desktop
publishing system that remains an ATARI only product! D/L file #24684.
**** Calamus SL is fully supported in CATegory 16, TOPic 20. ****
Last Month's Top Downloaded Programs/Utilities:
-------------------------------------------------
24310 FONTGDOS.LZH X BOB-BRODIE 920531 462848 618 20
Desc: FontGDOS, complete with drivers
24292 POOLFX92.LZH X V.PATRICELL1 920530 16128 367 2
Desc: Update of PoolFix fixes all bugs!
24439 GVIEW1.LZH (LH5)LZH X R.BROWN30 920609 256384 236 28
Desc: MAJOR Upgrade: JPEG, COLOR support!
24594 MACREAD.ARC X T.KROFTA 920623 19840 234 2
Desc: read mac disks on an Atari
24411 COXCALC.LZH (LH5)LZH X E.KRIMEN 920607 10496 227 2
Desc: Calculator CPX.
24539 ICONS.LZH (LH5)LZH X ST.REPORT 920617 22272 219 19
Desc: * Super Icon Collection - NEWDESK *
24519 STKR_302.LZH (LH5)LZH X GRIBNIF 920614 121344 217 7
Desc: Upgrade STalker 3.01 to 3.02
-------------------------------------------------
Last Week's Top Downloaded Programs/Utilities:
-------------------------------------------------
24594 MACREAD.ARC X T.KROFTA 920623 19840 234 2
Desc: read mac disks on an Atari
24573 WHATIS61.LZH X W.PIKE 920620 19328 133 2
Desc: What is Version 6.1 more files IDed
24567 SPIRIT2.ARC X L.DOWDLE1 920620 117248 99 2
Desc: SpiritEd, Desk Accessory Text Editor
24635 RECIPE31.LZH (LH5) X A.WATSON6 920625 63360 93 2
Desc: RECIPE DATA BASE
24585 JUMPST26.LZH (LH5)LZH X P.LEFEBVRE 920622 29184 92 2
Desc: JumpSTART 2.6 Alternate Desktop
24565 KV_ADDUP.LZH (LH1) X K.KRESSIN 920620 79616 91 9
Desc: animated math game, 4-8 yrs
-------------------------------------------------
GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission
***********************************************************************
> BATMAN RETURNS! STR FOCUS! COMPUTER COMIC BOOKS?
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
BETTER COMICS
=============
by Dana P. Jacobson
Earlier in the week, the Boston Globe newspaper had an item in their
"Names and Faces" column which discussed some recent work by Rick Keene, a
local Atari user who has been featured in STReport on numerous occasions
because of his unique use of his Atari system. In light of the fact that
the movie, "Batman Returns", is such a big hit these days, we thought that
you'd find this piece interesting.
Holy airbrush, batfans! While "Batman Returns" continues to clean up
at the box office, Natick (MA) computer artist Rick Keene is flapping his
wings over publications of "The Dark Knight Archives, Vol. 1," an
anthology of 1940s-era Batman strips that Keene helped restore to their
original luster.
Keene, 38, joined the reclamation project after alerting D.C. Comics
executives to a new way of removing color from the old panels without
destroying them in the process.
"With the old method, you wound up with a paper original," Keene
explains, "and they can deteriorate over time. Working on the computer,
though, which still involves quite a bit of drawing, you can print out a
clean copy ready to be archived. Plus the original is stored on hard
disc."
Another drawback, says Keene, was that touched-up panels done by hand
seldom looked like the work of a single artist.
Keene remains coy about the new process itself, which he devised on an
Atari home computer. Also, he points out that he had zero to do with the
hit film by director Tim Burton - although Keene did draw the Penguin logo
for an upcoming Batman cartoon series scheduled for Fox TV.
However, he is a longtime comics buff as well as an admirer of
Burton's Caped Crusader. "In the '40s strip,"Batman has this split
personality we can all identify with - unlike, say, Superman. Burton
captures that mood pretty well. And as much as I loved Jack Nicholson as
the Joker, I knew it was Nicholson underneath all that makeup. Danny
DeVito's Penguin is something else entirely."
Ah, but what of the movie's missing boy toy, i.e. trusty bat- pal
Robin? "I loved Robin in the comics, especially the ones drawn in the
early '40s," Keene concedes. "But I'm not sure how Robin's bright costume
would fit into Burton's dark color schemes. He'd have to change his name
to Decoy, I guess."
______________________________________________________________
> FALCON REVEALED STR InfoFile ATARI ADVANTAGE TO TELL ALL!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| o | ATARI ADVANTAGE ANNOUNCES COMPLETE FALCON COVERAGE! | o |
| | """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" | |
| o | ATARI ADVANTAGE is proud to announce the first North | o |
| | American hands-on preview of Atari's hot | |
| o | new '030 computer -- THE FALCON. | o |
| | | |
| o | Complete Falcon coverage in the June/July issue of ATARI | o |
| | ADVANTAGE features over 10 devoted pages, including | |
| o | uncensored, up-close photographs that give you the first | o |
| | look at Atari's new entry level marvel. | |
| o | | o |
| | Detailed explanations on Digital Signal Processing, video | |
| o | capabilities, and many other Falcon facets take you into | o |
| | the architecture and clarify all rumors. We will also | |
| o | unravel the mystery of true color, stereo digital sound, | o |
| | how RAM sizes work, and other Falcon features which has | |
| o | everyone else guessing. | o |
| | | |
| o | Don't have a subscription yet? If you'd like to get your | o |
| | hands on this issue before it has sold out, you can do so | |
| o | by purchasing the June/July of ATARI ADVANTAGE from your | o |
| | local dealer or directly from us. To reserve your | |
| o | personal copy, please fill out the form below. | o |
| | | |
| o | Order your subscription today so you can be assured of | o |
| | getting this issue (which is sure to be a collector's | |
| o | edition) and future exciting issues covering the latest | o |
| | developments in the world of Atari. | |
| o | | o |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SUBSCRIPTION "2 FER" SPECIAL
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Yet another way to
take ADVANTAGE of us! Find a friend and the two
of you can subscribe for $15 each!
Don't have any friends? $30 will buy a two
year subscription. It's hard to lose either way!
Like all great offers, this one is good for only a limited time!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Sorry, we can't take telephone orders for a subscription at this low
price. Just print, clip and mail or E-Mail the following form:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
All subscriptions submitted with this form will begin with the
June/July issue which includes the Falcon coverage.
( ) YES! I want to take ADVANTAGE of the 2 fer offer. Please begin
two, one year subscriptions for me and my pal for $15 each. **
( ) YES! I want to take ADVANTAGE of the 2 fer offer, but I want to
keep the savings to myself. Please enter my two year subscription
for $30. **
( ) YES! Sign me up for a one year subscription at the regular price
of $22. **
( ) YES! Please send me the June/July issue with complete Falcon
coverage. I have enclosed $4 which includes postage and handling.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
** In Canada and Mexico add $6 per year for postage; outside the
U.S., Canada and Mexico add $10 per year for postage.
Subscriptions payable in U.S. funds.
( ) Check or money order enclosed ( ) Bill Me - Subs only
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Please make checks or money order payable to ATARI ADVANTAGE Magazine.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
ATARI ADVANTAGE Magazine PO Box 803 Merlin, OR
97532 (503) 476-3578 GEnie: AT-VANTAGE
CompuServe: 70007,3615
PDN: ADVAN2
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Editor Note;
At last, the truth be known, just remember folks where you read about
the Falcon first.. over a year ago in our crystal ball feature. Be sure
to give Atari Advantage a try, its a first class USA publication right up
there with AIM, Current Notes and Informer.
***********************************************************************
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
=================
STReport International Online Magazine is available every week in the
ST Advantage on DELPHI. STReport readers are invited to join DELPHI and
become a part of the friendly community of Atari enthusiasts there.
SIGNING UP WITH DELPHI
======================
Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access
DELPHI services via a local phone call
JOIN -- DELPHI
--------------
Via modem, dial up DELPHI at 1-800-695-4002
then...
When connected, press RETURN once or twice
and...
At Password: type STREPORT and press RETURN.
DELPHI's Basic Plan offers access for only $6.00 per hour, for any
baud rate. The $5.95 monthly fee includes your first hour online.
If you spend more than 200 minutes online a month, you'll save money
by enrolling in DELPHI's optional 20/20 Advantage Plan. You'll enjoy up
to 20 hours online each month for the ridiculously low price of just
$20.00! And if you go over that 20 hours, the rate goes up to only $1.20,
still 1/5th the price of other services.
There is no signup fee for joining the Basic Plan. There is a fee of
$39 when you join the 20/20 Advantage Plan, a one-time $19 signup fee and
your first month's $20 fee.
These connect rates apply for access via Tymnet or SprintNet (within
the continental United States) during home time (7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays
and all day weekends) or via direct dial around the clock. Telecom
surcharges apply for daytime or international access via Tymnet or
SprintNet. See Using DELPHI online for detailed information on telecom
surcharges.
For more information, call: DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005
DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge, Mass.
:IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
DELPHI INTRODUCES THE 10/4 PLAN.
Effective July 1, 1992, all Basic Plan members will be upgraded to the
10/4 Plan and receive 4 hours of usage each month for only $10! For full
details, type GO USING RATES. SprintNet home time to begin at 6:00 p.m.!
Effective July 1, 1992, you may access DELPHI via SprintNet beginning at
6:00 p.m. local time without incurring a telecom surcharge. To find the
SprintNet node nearest you, type GO USING ACCESS.
DELPHI- It's getting better all the time!
***********************************************************************
> Blue Ridge Fest! STR SHOW NEWS Summer Fun with Atari
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
BLUE RIDGE ATARIFEST '92
========================
Press Release - July 2, 1992
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
The Blue Ridge Atari Computer Enthusiasts (BRACE) and Computer STudio
invite you to participate in the third annual Blue Ridge AtariFest on
Saturday, July 18, 1992. The show will take place in the Courtyard Shop
area of Westgate Shopping Center in Asheville, North Carolina (Home of
Computer STudio).
Included in the software and seminar arena we are happy to have Joppa
Software Development with STraight FAX! "FAXing on the ST" will the
seminar to show and answer questions
Exhibitor's who have already made a commitment to attend
include (Alphabetical Listing):
Accusoft-ST (Michael Cooper) ................ PD/Shareware Software
Applied Audio Marketing, Inc.
(Bob Edsall, John Spencer)............ Atari Southeast
Regional Rep Firm
Atari Computer Corporation (Mike Groh) ......
ABC Solutions (Peter Zalesak) ............... Publisher ST2, First
Word, First Graph,
tbxCAD, Kuma's
KSpread4/Lite
Clear Thinking (Craig Harvey) ............... EdHak
CodeHead Software (John Eidsvoog) ........... Midi Spy, TOS Extension
Card, Megapaint II Pro,
Hotwire, G+Plus,
LookIt/PopIt, etc.
Computer STudio ............................. Visit a 'real' Atari
Dealership in the mall
DSA (Robert Dytmire & David Munsie) ......... GP Graphics Engine -
New product unveiling!
Goldleaf Publishing (John Fox) .............. Wordflair II, Didot,
Retouche, Sherlook,
etc.
Joppa Software Development (Mark Carver) Straight FAX!
"FAXing on the ST"
KAUG (Knoxville Atari Users Group) .......... P/D Library Disks
KAUG (Seminar by Erik White) ................ "Beginning MIDI"
Lexicor Software (John Cole) ................ Desktop Video Software
Maxwell CPU (Julie Reyes) ................... Silhouette
Reed Mountain Press (Don Terp) .............. Desktop Publishing
Seminar
Software Development Systems (Scott Sanders). NewDesk Icon Editor
CPX, Printer
Utilities Pak
ST Report/ABCO Computer (Ralph Mariano) ..... Seminar on current
events in the Atari
marketplace.
Steinberg-Jones ............................. MIDI (Cubase, etc.)
Step Ahead Software (Nevin Shalit) .......... Tracker ST (Nevin is
Current IAAD Pres.)
Twilight Zone Software (Wayne Watson) ....... Transcendence BBS
software.
Willard Productions (Clifton Willard) ....... Professional Desktop
Video
WorldComm (Ralph Roberts) ................... Author of several
computer books incl.
"Computer Viruses"
and hint books
Seminar Schedule:
12:00 Don Terp from Read Mountain Press
1:00 Joppa Software Development "FAXing on the ST"
2:00 Erik White "Beginning MIDI"
3:00
4:00 Ralph Mariano "Current events in the Atari
Marketplace"
5:00 Mike Groh (Atari)
Showtimes are 10am - 6pm.
Advance registration is only $2, or $3 at the door. Door prize
winners will be selected from registered guests. Advance registration
checks should made out to "BRACE" and mailed to:
Cliff Allen/BRACE
c/o Computer STudio
Westgate Shopping Center
40 Westgate Parkway - Suite D
Asheville, NC 28806
A Southern-style banquet will follow the show at the Pisgah View
Ranch. This will definitely be somewhat different from the usual
semi-formal type hotel affairs of the other shows, and will be a real
down-home, country party in the mountains!
Dinner will be served family-style....... as long as you keep eating,
they'll keep serving! And check out the menu:
Tossed Salad Country Ham Fried Chicken
Cornbread Dressing Rice and Gravy Green Beans
Sweet Potato Souffle Homemade Rolls Beverages
Homemade desserts
After dinner, there will be live entertainment in the air-conditioned
barn, guaranteed to bring out he 'country' in everyone! There's also
volleyball and shuffleboard if anyone still has the energy after the
excitement of the show. Or how about just sitting on the porch and
enjoying our clean mountain air.
Advance reservations are required for the Blue Ridge AtariFest
Banquet as seating space is limited to 100 people. Cost is $17.50 per
person (children under 6 are half-price). If you're planning on
attending, please return the following reservation form along with your
payment check as soon as possible.
=====================================================================
BLUE RIDGE ATARIFEST '92 - BANQUET RESERVATION FORM:
Name: _______________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________
City: _________________________ State: _________ Zip: ___________
Phone Number: ( ) _________________________________
Number attending: ______ Adults @ $17.50 each = $_______________
______ Children under 6 @ $8.75 = $______________
TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ............ $_______________
Banquet tickets and a map of directions to the Pisgah View Ranch will
be mailed to those with confirmed reservations.
PLEASE MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO "COMPUTER STUDIO" and mail this completed
reservation form along with your check to:
Computer STudio
Westgate Shopping Center
40 Westgate Parkway - Suite D
Asheville, NC 28806
======================================================================
For additional information, please contact either:
Sheldon Winick Cliff Allen, Show Coord.
GEnie: S.WINICK GEnie: C.ALLEN17
Computer STudio Internet: CALLEN@UNCA.EDU
Westgate Shopping Center phone: (704) 258-3758
40 Westgate Parkway - Suite D
Asheville, NC 28806
(704) 251-0201
or the Blue Ridge AtariFest topic on GEnie (Atari Roundtable,
Category 11, Topic 7).
_________________________________________________________
> INVISION! STR InfoFile THE NEW "KID" ON THE BLOCK!
""""""""""""""""""""""
INVISION Elite
==============
INVISION Elite allows you to do gradient fills in the standard
horizontal or vertical manner. It also allows you to do elliptical
gradient fills. You can define the ellipse to start at and the ending
ellipse. You can also specify at what percentage to start and end the
gradient fill.
INVISION Elite's gradient fills also allow you a choice of two types
of grays. The first is a fine pattern which allows for good definition of
objects. This one is similar to the gradient fills in Outline Art. The
second set of grays uses larger dots in order to make a smoother
transition from one shade to the next. If you are talking about the
gradient fill in Outline Art as they are displayed on the screen, this
method in INVISION Elite is superior.
Currently supported file formats are:
- .IMG - The GEM bitmap standard
- .P?3 - Degas compressed and uncompressed monochrome files
- .P?1 - Degas low resolution files
- .GIF - Graphics Interchange Format, with color support
- .MAC - MacPaint format
- .R01 - Raw mono raster data
- .CVG - Calamus Vector Graphic format More formats will be supported
in the next release.
INVISION Elite supports color Degas and .GIF files and it allows you
to select from two different types of grays for conversion. It also lets
you select the size of the resulting conversion. Each color pixel may be
assigned up to 64 pixels, for stunningly clear color conversions.
.CVG files can be loaded in at any size, with the option to correct the
aspect ratio.
Files may also be loaded in using the Atari Clipboard. A desk
accessory is included with INVISION Elite that enables you to load images
from any GEM program via the clipboard. Transferring images has never
been this easy.
INVISION's interface works in a way that is fast, and easy to
understand. Most commands can be accessed from the keyboard or from the
Icon Bar. The Icon bar is a column of icons down the left side of the
screen. Selecting an icon opens a row of icons. It is just like the menu
bar, only it works vertically and it uses icons. It is very easy and fast
because it works like your eye does when you read.
The interface also incorporates instant access panning. This means
that whatever you are doing, you can move the image to wherever you want
to be, without having to go over to the scroll bars. When you hold the
right mouse button and drag the mouse, the image moves in realtime.
There is also a fully configurable snap function, horizontal and
vertical locking, continually displayed co-ordinates in pixels or inches.
- Gradient fills and Gradient ellipses
- Image bending
- Custom patterns
- Instant access panning (scrolling)
- Multiple windows
- Bezier curves
- Block masking
- Outlining
- Smoothing
- Rotation, Skewing, Scaling, and Flipping
- Atari clipboard support
- Multitasking support (works properly with desk accessories)
- Unlimited size color .GIF importing
- Built-in font editing and styling
A few of the things the others don't do:
- Image bending (bend any image along a bezier curve)
- Multiple images displayed at the same time(in windows)
- Fully GEM compatible(read as MultiTOS)
- Use any image as a pattern(any size)
- Masking
- Outlining
- Thickening, Thinning
- Smoothing
- White/Black Dot removal
- Shapes, lines and curves of unlimited size
(even bigger than the screen)
- Clipboard support
- Previously mentioned file formats, interface, etc.
Plus everything else I forgot to mention.
What I think really makes INVISION Elite stand out however, is its
interface. It is actually fun to use. I find other programs to be
terribly cumbersome in comparison.
INVISION Elite has a suggested retail price of $174.95 and will be
released August, 1992.
Thanks again for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you.
Please contact:
Power Thought Software,
Box No. 98,
275 King Street East,
Toronto, Ontario
M5A 1K2
Phone/FAX: (416) 594-9355
GEnie: H.HUGH
CompuServe: 76266,1064
Thank-you.
Harlan Hugh, Power Thought Software
___________________________________________________________________
> ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
=====================
On CompuServe
-------------
compiled by Joe Mirando
Because I have a need for a portable computer and I'm already familiar
with the GEM Desktop of the ST, I've been watching for any developments
relating to Atari's portable, the ST BOOK. Evidently, others share my
thoughts, as Bob Wilson shows in the ATARI PRODUCTIVITY forum:
"Have they released the ST book in the UK?. Here it is just a rumor
and an overpriced and underpowered one at that."
Larry Green also mirrored some of my thoughts when he posted:
"Before you pay out for the ST book, give STacey a rethink! I have
seen them selling in the UK shows for under UKP 500! That was for
2Mb/40HD. I know that battery life was a nightmare, but it's nearly a
3rd of the price."
I guess we will have to wait and see if the rumor that the ST BOOK is
being re-worked to include a back-lit display and faster CPU. When/if the
news breaks, I'll be sure to include it in People... Are Talking.
Meanwhile, although People in-the-know have stated that TOS 2.05 (Mega
STe version) would not correctly support high density floppy disks (1.44
meg) and that 2.06 is the "lowest" version to support them, several people
have reported that their machines bearing both TOS 2.05 and high density
drives work perfectly.
Rob Huggins posts:
"Confirming that my MegaSTE has TOS 2.05 and a functioning high
density (1.4M) disk drive (also functioning hard drives<g>). I think
the matter of a HD floppy is more related to the disk controller chip
than to the TOS version."
Jeff Kovach says:
"I'm thoroughly confused. I too had heard that TOS 2.06something was
needed to use a HD floppy. But, my new Mega STE has TOS 2.05 and a HD
floppy. And it's working fine. Can anyone offer the truth on this
subject?"
Ian Braby joins in the fun:
"I think the _real_ point is that for a MegaSTE to use an HD floppy
you need, not only TOS 2.06 (TOS 2.05 _doesn't_ allow for 1.44Mb
formatting) _PLUS_ the AJAX floppy controller (rather than the usual
WD chip). Only this combination, I'm assured, will work; testified to
by the fact that the "official" (and, so far in the UK, totally
unobtainable) HD floppy upgrade kit includes not only the drive, but
replacement TOS 2.06 and AJAX chip."
Jeff Kovach counters with:
"My new Mega STE has TOS 2.05 and formats to 1.44Mb from desktop with
NO problems. (Please don't tell my computer it shouldn't work!) And,
using FCOPY, I've been able to format up to 1.8Mb. We are all
confused!"
Clive Parker relays his experiences with high density disks:
"I use a Mega STE which has the Ajax chip and 1. 44 Mbyte drive and
have had no problems with it except for the fact that I am able to
format a normal 720k disk to 1.44 without any objections from TOS 2.6.
I have informed Atari UK and their technical support chap is doing
some tests to check it out. I have a High Density interface and a
Panasonic 1.44 drive in one of my home machines and TOS 2.6 will not
let me format a 720k disk to 1.44Mb. I am using an elCo interface
(from Germany) and I am thrashing my poor old WD1772 at 16Mhz. I have
also installed TOS 2.06 in my STE and added a 68000 expansion port to
enable the Ajax chip does not care if you use 720K disks or HD
floppies with the extra hole. Atari did this deliberately. Besides,
everyone knows that the only difference between a DSDD disk and a HD
one is that the HD one is tested an guaranteed to work, while the DSDD
one is not, but will work 90% of the time anyway, and costs MUCH
less."
Jeff Kovach explains about the "regular" density floppies:
"The Ajax chip does not care if you use 720K disks or HD floppies with
the extra hole. Atari did this deliberately. Besides, everyone knows
that the only difference between a DSDD disk and a HD one is that the
HD one is tested an guaranteed to work, while the DSDD one is not, but
will work 90% of the time anyway, and costs MUCH less."
But, as with all things, there is a problem. Intersect Software explains:
"Jeff, the MEDIA (oxide coating the disk) if different on a HD disk.
It's similar to metal tape vs. regular oxide for audio. The drive
indeed cares which is being used! While it's possible to format a 1.44
disk 720K you should not format a 720K disk to 1.44. It's not
reliable. Try recording a metal tape with a tape recorder that
doesn't support it. The sound quality is terrible. Also try
recording to a standard tape with Metal bias turned on. Sound level
will be very low. While you are correct that the Ajax chip might not
care, the drive AUTOMATICALLY looks for the HD disk hole and changes
bias accordingly. The drive also send this information through one of
the lines back to the Ajax chip so that it knows it's not supposed to
format a 720 K disk to 1.44."
For those of us interested in emulating an ST on their boss's DOS machine,
Darek Mihocka, the creator of QuickST and now of the Gemulator, tells us
that we don't have to wait for a computer show to see the Gemulator:
By the way, the Gemulator demo video is now being shipped out. It's 28
minutes long and answers many questions about Gemulator as well as showing
off it's features. So if you can't make it to one of our demos at
Glendale, WAACE, or other shows, it's a bargain at $5 (tape and postage
included!). Send the $5 to Branch Always Software, 14150 NE 20th St, #302,
Bellevue, WA 98007 We're shipping the tapes 2nd day air, so you'll get
them fast. Great for showing off to Atari user groups.
Tony of GST Software asks:
What about for the UK? Does it handle things like the Cyber stuff?
Darek replies:
"It should. I haven't tested any of the Cyber programs specifically
but other related programs like Degas, Degas Elite, Prism Paint, and
CAD 3-D 2.0 all run fine."
Now the question on everyone's mind, upon hearing about the Gemulator,
from Tony at GST Software:
"So, is it purely software & how much, how do I get it in the UK and
what hardware does it require."
Darek fills us all in:
"Tony, no, Gemulator is both hardware and software. The 68000
emulation is done is software, while the plug in card takes care of
holding the TOS ROMs. You can plug in up to 4 different TOS ROMs on
each card and have multiple cards plugged in to the same PC. So you
can literally have every single version of TOS ever released plugged
in to your PC, and Gemulator puts up a menu when you run it allowing
you to select which TOS you want to boot up with. Of course, you can
at any time pop the menu back up and reboot with a different TOS or
even switch from color to mono, or mono to color. It's all demo'ed in
the video. If you get any American magazines look for the Gemulator
ad, or email me your mailing address and I'll send you our newsletter.
Sysop Ron Luks, ever vigilant, says:
"Darek:
"I wanted to give you a call, but can't seem to find your number
anywhere. (Please send it to me via EMAIL).
I enjoyed the GEMulator demo very much. (But my wife says you should
have worn a tie. [grin]) I thought the full screen shots of the
GEMulator screen were the most effective selling points. GEMulator
really does seem to run as fast, or faster than a stock Atari on your
system. congrats!
One thing that was noticeably absent, even when I watched the demo for
a 2nd and 3rd time, was any hard disk icons when you were displaying
the GEM desktop.
I'm *sure* you're going to support the HD on the PC and not just the
floppies, but I was wondering why the HD icon wasn't showing?"
Darek sets all of our minds at ease:
"The hard disk will be supported in time for the release in September.
Remember that the video was shot over a month ago using an earlier
version of Gemulator. The version in beta testing right now has just
about everything already in it except hard disk support. The printer
support work, so you can run Pagestream or Calamus, load in a file,
edit it, and print it out on your PC printer. Once hard disk support
is finished, it'll be ready to ship. I'm having a few hundred boards
made up this month just in case it is ready early, so that I'll be
able to make Gemulator available at the Connecticut show in August."
Since I will be at the Connecticut AtariFest in August, I'll make it a
point to scope out this, the first ST emulator for DOS machines, and let
you know how it looks. Stay tuned! And now a quick word about the
Connecticut show:
"MOMENTUM BUILDS FOR CONNECTICUT ATARIFEST '92 AS EXHIBITOR LINE-UP
GROWS WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. (May 13, 1992) - Eleven NEW companies have
agreed this week to participate in Connecticut AtariFest '92, a
two-day event scheduled for August 15-16, 1992 at the Sheraton Hotel
here. The firms, representing computer software developers, authorized
retail dealers and the trade media of the Atari community, are the
latest exhibitors to join the line-up for the Hartford area show, now
in its second year. Show organizers have received tentative word that
the following exhibitors will attend the Hartford show: ABC Solutions,
A & D Software, Atari Interface Magazine, Branch Always Software, The
Computer Zone, Derric Electronics, Manny's Music, Maxwell CPU, Re:Port
magazine, Take It With You magazine and Thin Air Labs.
With three months left before the curtain rises, booth bookings for
Connecticut AtariFest '92 are well ahead of those for the premiere
event in Bridgeport in September 1991. To date 25 exhibitors have
agreed to appear at the show, the last U.S. event before the
world-famous Dusseldorf (Germany) AtariFest. The following companies
were among the first to sign up for the Hartford program: Atari
Computer Corporation, Atari Explorer magazine, Boston Computer
Society, GEnie, Gribnif Software, GFA Basic, ICD Inc., Joppa Computer
Products, Sam Ash Music Inc., Step Ahead Software, Soft-Logik
Publishing, Tidbit Software and Toad Computers."
And if you're looking for information from developers, the ATARI
PRODUCTIVITY Forum is a good place to find them.
Steve Gold asks a question of Strata Software's Eric Rosenquist:
"Eric,
I know I'm doing something wrong, but I'm not sure what. When I run
the remote (bbs) portion of stalker there is no problem until I try to
run the CLI (tomshell). I get an error message from stalker that the
cli will not run. I probably have it set up wrong, somewhere any
suggestions. ( I do have the cli in my root directory and stalker has
its location listed in the inf file)"
Eric replies:
"If you're getting this error with 3.02 then it's probably because
3.02 now refuses to run an external program in ACC mode unless NeoDesk
or MiNT is present. It turned out that executing another program as
an ACC was very iffy - it works from the GEM Desktop but not from
anywhere else. Rather than have users get crashes I felt it would be
better to avoid the problem. The best solution is to run STalker in
.PRG mode when you're going to leave it in remote mode. If this is
happening with 3.00/01, then perhaps there just isn't enough free
memory to run the program. It would probably be helpful if you
modified the REMOTE script to display the error number. Change the
very end of the run_program() function from this:
output_string("\r\nError running the CLI program.\r\n");
to this:
sprintf(cli_name, "\r\nError %d running the CLI program.\r\n",
error);
output_string(cli_name);
Well, that's about all we have room for this week. See you next time with
more on using your ST.
___________________________________________________________
> ATARI FUTURE STR FOCUS! In response to Beth Jane Freeman's letter
""""""""""""""""""""""
"IS ANYBODY IN CHARGE HERE?"
============================
by Intersect Software
This is in response to a letter uploaded to CIS:
>> One of the little pins on my MMU chip broke off chip,
>> and the chip would not function correctly. The service
>> center had no replacement available.
The service center should have had one of those chips in stock.
I can understand that they may have had a run on them or one of
their employees forgot to reorder.
>> and they had no idea when they would be able to obtain one.
That is probably true. My experience with Atari parts varies, I've
received parts in as little as two weeks sometimes it takes longer.
One of the reasons for the delay is that all parts must be ordered
by invoice and include a check for the full amount of the order. This
adds 4 days (mail) to the order time.
Someone in Atari won't allow COD orders, this in my mind is a MAJOR
problem!!!!!!!
Atari has only one parts department for the US and it is located in
California, parts shipped from there take 7-8 days to reach the east
coast (or Florida).
{It would be nice, but not necessary, if Atari would relocate closer to
the center of the US. Many California companies are moving from there
to Tenn. and states in the SOUTH east. The cost of living in these
states is very low (compared with California) and the school systems
have vastly improved in the last 10 years.}
Parts can be ordered UPS BLUE, 2 day shipment time from anywhere in
the US to any other point in the US. This adds apx $7 to the cost.
>>A message base should also be available so that experiences and
>>ideas can be exchanged among technicians. The number for this BBS's
>>would only be given to Authorized Atari Service Centers.
Atari has a BBS that supports the Tech with Part #'s, prices, tech
tips, etc. It requires a password and authorization to use it.
It was a very good idea but Atari is understaffed and it is not well
SYSOPed, timely or complete. There should be a way to correct that.
Authorize sysops outside of Atari "proper" to support some of the
areas in the BBS.
Atari REQUIRED that new dealers also support MS-DOS machines. There
are in my mind several reasons for this: The store would have more
traffic, a larger customer base, (Atari only stores are generally
going out of business in the US which is a DOS only country) and more
interaction with the computer industry (less inbred).
I would add one more requirement, that they have a BBS supporting the
MS-DOS and Atari computers. On this BBS should be PD software,
utilities, DEMO software, lists of Commercial software availa
ble with
pricing, lists of hardware available with prices, local dealer numbers
by city and state, message base containing a HELP area as well as a
"GOSSIP" area about future Atari hardware.
Atari should help with ASCII files on THEIR BBS => Hardware, Software
and dealer lists as well as DEMO software.
If you have been a dealer for Atari for several years they you would
have received a Dealer list, a customer list and a MIDI product list.
Atari has been planning a CD-ROM with DEMO software for the last two
years.
The problem is that it's not current, sporadic and is not being
implemented by Dealers.
>>Each Authorized Atari Service Center should be easily identified
>>by the consumer, perhaps with a sticker for the front door.
I've had an Atari Sticker on my front window for two years!
>>All service centers should have up-to-date information for each
>>computer Atari makes.
Until the release of the TT and STE, I had up to date information on
all Atari products except the Atari Modem (not cost effective to
repair a $19.00 modem) and the Atari laser.
>>Another problem that needs to be addressed is advertising.
Atari is constantly knocked for lack of advertising. I personally
think that advertising dollars are wasted in the US unless there
is a specific market to target.
Atari is advertising in DTP and Music magazines. Their new
Falcon (or whatever it is going to be called) lends itself
to University LAB applications, DTP HIGH end, MUSIC, Medical
imaging and doppler sonar.
Lets wait and see what happens when the Falcon is released.
>>Another way Atari can help its retailers (and itself) become
>>more well known is by giving its retailers a kit containing
>>suggestions on how to promote Atari computers in their store.
>>There could be explanations of how to run an Atari day with
>>demonstrations of various programs, a floppy disk with desktop
>>publishing materials for creating advertisements with both
>>Pagestream and Calamus, demonstrations of MIDI music, and other
>>things that will make customer sit up and take notice.
An excellent idea! One that should help the smaller dealer support the
Atari properly. They have released disks at the various COMDEX shows
but it's been sporadic to dealers who don't attend.
>>we have seen that Supra Corporation has announced it will cease
>>making Atari specific products.
SUPRA will have no product to sell for the new ATARI computers
starting with the TT, Falcon and any new Atari products as these
support "off the shelf" components, HD's etc.
>>aware that you can get Word Perfect for the Atari, that we have
>>two very fully featured spreadsheet programs, VIP Professional
>>and LDW Power, that rival anything on the MS DOS market, and
>>visually blow Lotus 1-2-3 right out of the water, for less
>>money too.
This is an example of inbreeding, there are several version of Lotus 123
and LDW is indeed better than the first two. The third version is
more powerful than LDW.
There are over 20 million PC's in use ( don't know the exact number)
but only 5 million or so, the 386SX and above, are more powerful than
the ST.
Software authors have put GREAT effort into breaking the barriers that
are imposed by DOS and have succeeded. The software available for a
PC is amazing.
What sets the Atari apart is that 87 we had software very much similar
to what is being touted for the PC today, 5 years later. The TOP end
software for the PC requires a MINIMUM hardware collection of a: 25
Mhz 386 DX, 4 megs of memory, VGA color, 80 meg HD and mouse. And with
that MINIMUM it's only slightly faster than a ST when running windows.
In summary Atari MANAGEMENT is guilty of not following through. They
have supported their computers and hardware but not consistently!
Management can't just drop by when they hear of a problem or once
every couple of months. Employees need to be inspired....if they are
to consistently PERFORM. This is managements job!!!!!!
We hear of new computers to be released soon, we can only hope that
they are released SOON and in QUANTITY at a price that will again make
the ATARI a "POWER without the PRICE" computer AGAIN.
_________________________________________________________________
> STR Portfolio News & Information Keeping up to date...
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
On CompuServe!
by Judith Hamner 72257,271
BJ Gleason and Don Messerli have developed a method for adding menus
to batch files to make your simple batch files look like the pros.
MENU.ZIP contains the source code from their article in the May/June 1992
issue of Atari Explorer Magazine. The article is entitled "Portfolio
Programming: Batch Files Menus and File Selectors".
The mysterious absence of Don Thomas from the forum has now been
explained. Don was hard at work on his latest masterpiece. Don has
devised the ultimate Portfolio demo. This program runs on a PC equipped
with at least 640k mem, a 286 and VGA. It also supports Sound Blaster,
but it is not required. The demo is perfect for anyone shopping for a
palmtop. It is also good for use in stores. Portfolio fans will also be
interested in seeing the marvels of their favorite palmtop on display.
PDEMO.ZIP contains over 65 files which make up the demo and is quite
large. PDEMO.DOC contains only the docs for those who may want more
information before downloading.
Excitement is building in anticipation of the Connecticut AtariFest.
The show is scheduled for Aug. 15-16. LINEUP.TXT contains the latest list
of participants. This list is periodically updated as new exhibitors
join. It also contains information on how to contact the show organizers.
Early birds can pre-register and get a discount on tickets. The
information is contained in the files EARLYB.TXT and CAF6.TXT. The
organizers want to make sure they don't lose you. Three files give details
on travel arrangements. CTAIR.TXT contains all of the phone numbers and
info you'll need to make arrangements for arriving by air. BYCAR.TXT
contains driving instructions and phone numbers to call for help.
RAILS.TXT contains info on bus and train travel.
ST2POR.TXT is a reprint of an article from the July 92 issue of Atari
Interface. It provides detailed instructions for bootstrapping a terminal
from the ST to the Portfolio for the first time.
INPUT.ZIP is a batch file utility by Don Messerli. It will allow you
to pop up a text edit box for user input. The input can then be user as an
environment variable for use in the batch file. This is another program
written at the request of a forum user.
Lee Mann has uploaded two useful utility programs to enhance the
built-in diary application. DRYPRG.ZIP will help you keep your .dry
program clean. The program will purge all entries from previous months
and place them in separate files by month and year for archiving.
TMW11.ZIP contains version 1.1 of the utility to display today's and
tomorrows appointments without going to the diary application.
FIRE.TXT contains a testimonial letter from a survivor of the East Bay
Hills fire. Uploaded by Don Thomas of Atari.
Did you ever wonder what was the meaning of those cryptic collections
of punctuation that you will see in online messages? :) SMILIE.TXT
includes a list of all the smiley faces and variations.
____________________________________________________________
> C-FONT! STR InfoFile Convert Calamus outline fonts to GEM format!
""""""""""""""""""""
C-FONT
CONVERT CALAMUS OUTLINE FONTS
TO
GEM FORMAT!
About Fonts
"""""""""""
There are two fundamental types of fonts - bitmap fonts and outline
fonts. Any outline font must be turned into a bitmap before it can be seen
on a monitor or printed to a printer.
A bitmap font is a collection of dots; as such it is only a specific
point size. For instance Times Roman in 8, 10, and 12 point needs 3
different bitmap fonts for the printer and, for WYSIWYG programs, 3
different bitmap fonts for the screen.
An outline font is completely different. It is a mathematical
representation of a font in terms of lines and curves. In its own right
it is useless; before it can be used software must interpret it into a
bitmap for display or printing.
On Atari computers one of the most popular forms of outline font is
for Calamus. C-Font will take a Calamus outline font and produce a GEM
format bitmap font for both screen and printer.
Who needs C-Font?
"""""""""""""""""
Anyone who uses software that supports standard GEM format fonts will
benefit from C-Font. This includes COMPO's own word processors That's
Write and Write ON, any program that uses GDOS or G+Plus such as
Timeworks Publisher and Easy Draw, and other software such as the Diablo
emulator for laser printers.
How does C-Font work?
"""""""""""""""""""""
C-Font will run either as a stand alone program, or as a desk
accessory. All you need to do is load a Calamus font (normally a .CFN
file) and say what point size you would like C-Font to produce. C-Font
will automatically create the appropriate fonts for your monitor and
printer.
Technical bits . . .
Font sizes up to 99 points
Font resolution up to 999 dpi
User definable inter-character spacing
Automatic superscript and subscript fonts for That's Write and Write ON
Default information taken from GDOS, That's Write or Write ON screen and
printer drivers.
Full manual control of all parameters for maximum compatibility and
flexibility.
Support for compressed fonts, as used in That's Write 2 and Fontkit Plus.
C-Font costs $29.95 and is available directly from COMPO Software
or your favorite dealer.
COMPO Software Corp.
104 Esplanade Avenue Ste. 121
Pacifica California 94044
Tel 415-355-0862 Fax 415-355-0869
____________________________________________________________
> PORTFOLIO VALUABLE! STR Spotlight PORTFOLIO PROVES ITSELF AGAIN!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
The only solicited aspect of the following letter was that I asked a
call-in customer to fax his comments to me in writing as exactly as he
could from our phone conversation. He asked me what I wanted him to
emphasize and I told him to tell the truth and to simply emphasize
what he wanted to. This is what I received about 45 minutes later...
- Don Thomas, Atari
**********************************************************************
D.Garcia
California
June 22, 1992
Mr. Don Thomas
ATARI Corp.
Sunnyvale, CA
Dear Don,
Thank you for answering my questions about the Atari Portfolio.
As I mentioned to you over the phone, I am a survivor of the East Bay
Hills fire of October 20, 1991. We had very little time to evacuate, and
we were able to take with us only a few of our personal possessions.
I was the last one to leave the house, and I left behind many personal
things, including my wife's expensive pearls and many irreplaceable
movies of our children; but one thing I did take was the Atari Portfolio.
I took it for two reasons; one -- I'll be honest about it -- because it
was "right there" on my desk, since I use it all the time; and the other,
because it contained information that I thought would help us get back on
our feet -- as it did. I had telephone numbers of friends and relatives,
credit card and insurance information, etc., all of which proved extremely
valuable to me and my family in the terrible days that followed.
I have been using the Portfolio for several years (I was one of the first
users) and I have been very pleased with it. It was well worth saving
from the fire.
Thank you and regards,
D.Garcia
_______________________________________________________________
> COMPOSCRIPT! STR InfoFile POSTSCRIPT FOR THE ATARI!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
COMPOSCRIPT
===========
CompoScript is a very powerful application that permits working with
PostScript files on your Atari computer.
Why PostScript?
"""""""""""""""
PostScript is a page description language. It lets an application,
such as a word processor, publishing program, or graphics program output
files which are device independent - this means that you can output a
PostScript file that can then be printed on any PostScript printer, be it
a 180dpi dot matrix printer or 2400 dpi imagesetter. You'll always get
the highest quality that the printer is capable of. When using
applications that can drive a printer directly or via PostScript, printing
via PostScript often gives superior results. There is also Encapsulated
PostScript (EPS), which is a resolution independent file format for
exchange of data between programs.
PostScript has two typeface formats - Type 1 and Type 3. Type 1 fonts
are generally considered the highest quality fonts available because
they're stored as outlines that can be scaled to any size, and have
hinting. Hinting is a method of accurately reproducing fonts at any size
(when outline fonts are rendered at a small size or resolution, unhinted
fonts can lose important font details). There are literally thousands of
Type 1 fonts available, from famous font foundries or even the public
domain. Type 3 fonts are similar to Type 1s, but do not have hinting and
are generally slower and consume more memory.
PostScript, and Encapsulated PostScript, have become the standard for
data exchange on MS-DOS, Macintosh, and UNIX computer platforms. It is
becoming very popular with Atari users as well, because of it's
flexibility, quality, and transferability for users who work on DOS or
Macintosh computers or emulators who can now take files back and forth
with their Atari.
Why CompoScript?
""""""""""""""""
CompoScript gives your Atari and your printer PostScript
compatibility. At its most basic level of operation, it outputs
PostScript files on most any printer. It also lets you adjust printing
resolution, print (or preview) the image to the screen, convert PostScript
and Encapsulated PostScript files to GEM Image and TIFF (so you can load
these files into programs that don't support PostScript), adjust screen
frequency and angle for grey scale (halftone) images, and edit font names
and aliases, giving you font flexibility and preventing the problem found
all too often with some PostScript interpreters which default to Courier
when a file requests a font that isn't available.
CompoScript is the only PostScript interpreter for Atari computers
that uses Type 1 fonts. Any Type 1 font can be used by CompoScript,
simply by telling CompoScript where the font is located (a matter of a
couple mouse clicks). It also includes 35 Type 1 fonts, which can be used
with any application that uses Type 1 fonts!
You may already be using PostScript, or applications that can use it.
We invite you to experience the power of PostScript through our handy
upgrade program.
CompoScript runs on any Atari computer and has a retail price of
$349.95. Through August 31, 1992, users who own PostScript compatible
software (such as UltraScript, PageStream, Avant Vector, and even Spectre
GCR, among others) can purchase CompoScript for $200.00. Simply return
your original disk or, a photocopy of the disk or other proof of purchase
with your order (we'll even return your disk).
COMPO Software
104 Esplanade Avenue Ste. 121
Pacifica California 94044
415-355-0862
__________________________________________________________________
> ST -> PORT STR Tech Notes
The ST and Portfolio Talk to Each Other
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
Porting from the ST
MAKING THE ST AND PORTFOLIO TALK TO EACH OTHER
==============================================
Bill Rayl
Probably the hardest thing an Atari ST user encounters as a new Portfolio
user is getting the two computers talking to each other for the very first
time.
The Portfolio has built-in software for file transfers via the Parallel
Interface and the Parallel Interface comes with compatible transfer
software to run on an IBM. Unfortunately, this method cannot be used on an
ST, even under IBM emulation. The reason for this is that the ST's
parallel port does not use a couple pins that are extremely important to
this software.
So, how do you use your ST to transfer software to the Portfolio? Every
article written on the subject in Atari publications so far tells you that
you have four basic options:
Borrow someone's IBM and use it to transfer a telecommunications package
to your Portfolio.
Buy the DOS Utilities card from Atari or an Atari dealer (retail price
$89.95). It has XTERM, the PD terminal package of choice for the
Portfolio.
Find someone else who owns a Portfolio and has already gotten a terminal
package onto it, then have them copy it to your RAM card. (Some people
have even gone so far as to send their cards to Don Thomas at Atari to
have him give them a copy of XTERM!)
Purchase TransporT from Artisan Software (retail $29.95) and use a null
modem cable to transfer your terminal package to the Portfolio.
Of these options, TransporT is the one I'd recommend most...if you want to
use only those choices.
You see, all of those articles have missed the least expensive way to get
a terminal package onto your Portfolio from your ST. In fact, some of
those other articles state that what I'm going to tell you here is
impossible.
Other than the cables you'd need to buy anyway to use the Portfolio with a
modem, chances are you already have almost everything you need.
The Supplies
All the hardware you need is:
An ST
A Portfolio
The Serial Interface for the Portfolio
A modem cable and null modem adaptor (or just a null modem cable)
Your best option is to use a modem cable with 9-pin female connector on
one end and 25-pin male connector on the other. Then, get a null modem
adaptor with one 25-pin male end and a 25-pin female connector on the
other end. This way, you can use the modem cable minus the null modem
adaptor for normal telecommunications.
If all you can find is a modem cable with 9-pin AND 25-pin female
connectors and a null modem cable with both male ends (these do seem to be
the most prevalent), don't worry. Just pick up an RS232 Gender Changer
with 25-pin female connections at both ends. Your local Radio Shack should
carry all of these cables and adaptors.
The ST software you need is a terminal package that supports transfer
rates of as low as 110 baud. This includes Flash! and many PD and
Shareware packages. Chances are the ST terminal package you already use
can handle this.
If not, there's another option. First, you need the Atari Control Panel
(or any software giving you the capability to set your RS232 parameters).
Since the Control Panel comes with every system Atari sells, it's a good
bet you already have it, even if it's not installed. Then, you need a
program that can send information out the serial port. I personally used
EdHak (available from Clear Thinking) to test this, and it worked
beautifully.
As for the files you are going to transfer to the Portfolio, you need the
following:
HEXBIN.COM -- A utility to convert HEX files into BINARY runnable format.
File size: 257 bytes. Checksum: 408D. (Checksums will be explained later.)
XTERM2.HEX -- HEX version of the XTERM2 telecommunications package for the
Portfolio. Supports Xmodem and ASCII file transfers and lots more.
XTERM2.DOC -- Text documentation for XTERM2. You don't really need this
file for the transfer to work, but you'll probably need it to use XTERM2
effectively. You can simply leave this doc file on your ST and read it
from there or print it out for reference.
CHECKSUM.COM -- A small utility that gives you a Checksum corresponding to
a given file. This file is optional to the process, but it helps. File
size: 129 bytes. Checksum: 30A7.
These are all Public Domain files available from the Portfolio Forum on
CompuServe (GO APORTFOLIO). If you're at all interested in the Portfolio,
this is THE place to be. There are literally hundreds of programs for the
Portfolio there...all just a quick download away.
The files are also available on this month's ST disk, in the ST2PORT.APP
self-extracting archive.
The Starting Block
We'll assume you have all the files listed above somewhere on your ST. For
this article, I'm going to describe doing the transfers using Flash. If
you are using some other terminal package, you may need to slightly modify
these directions.
Start with both the ST and Portfolio turned off. It helps if you have both
machines fairly close together, so that you can type on them both without
moving from where you are.
Plug the Serial Interface into the Portfolio. Attach the modem cable's
9-pin end to the Interface, plug one end of the null modem adaptor into
the "normal" 25-pin end (adding on the Gender Changer if needed) and then
plug the whole thing into the ST's serial port.
On the ST Side
Boot up the ST and run Flash. Set the baud rate in Flash to 110 baud (use
Alt-B and click on the "110" button). While in the dialog box, make sure
you have 8-bits, no parity and 1 stop bit set, as well. Click OK when
done. If you want to watch the file's progress as it sends, you should
also set Flash to Half Duplex (type Alt-P).
Now, we'll go set the ASCII transfer options. Press the right mouse button
to switch to the GEM screen. Select "Ascii UL/DL" from the Edit drop down
menu. At the dialog box, set LINE PAUSE to its maximum of 9 and turn
everything else off EXCEPT METERING, which should be turned on. Click OK.
Go to the Upload drop down menu and select "File Ascii." Use the File
Selector to find the file HEXBIN.COM. Click ONCE on the file, but don't
send the file yet (i.e., select the file but don't press Return, don't
click OK, and don't double-click the file!). Place the mouse pointer right
above the OK button and leave it there.
On the Port Side
Boot up the Portfolio and get into Setup. Select "RS232 port..." from the
menu. Set the Baud rate to 110, Parity to None, Data bits to 8 and Stop
bits to 1.
Then, select Initialize! from the menu. If you get a "Communication error"
message the first time, try Initializing the Interface again. If you
repeatedly get this error, there's a serious problem with either the
Interface or its connection to the Portfolio. Turn the Portfolio off, make
sure the Interface is firmly connected and try Initializing it again.
Once the Interface is initialized, get to the DOS prompt (press Esc a
couple times). At the DOS prompt, path to your RAM Card by typing A: and
hitting a carriage return. Then, type the following (DON'T hit a carriage
return after this yet!):
COPY AUX: HEXBIN.COM
Ready, Set...
The next step takes a little bit of timing on your part. Thankfully, you
don't have to be too quick about this, though. What you need to do is
press Return on the Portfolio and then click the ST's left mouse button
(or press Return) BEFORE the Portfolio times out trying to copy from the
Serial Interface. You'll know if the Portfolio times out you'll see an
"Abort, Retry, Ignore" message on the Portfolio but the ST is still
sending.
If the Portfolio does timeout, simply type 'A' to Abort, retype the COPY
command (or press and hold the Fn key, followed by F3) and re-setup for
the file transfer on the ST side. Then, try it again.
If everything goes well, the ST will finish sending while the Portfolio
continues to display "AUX to A:\HEXBIN.COM." A few seconds later, you'll
see;
Not ready error
Abort, Retry, Ignore?
Yes, that's the same message you'll see if the Portfolio times out. That's
why it's important that you can recognize the difference between success
and failure here. If the ST is still sending and this error occurs, the
transfer has failed. If the ST has finished sending and you see this
error, everything is great.
Type 'A' to Abort and type DIR (followed by a Return). You should see the
file HEXBIN.COM safely stored on the RAM Card with a file size of 257
bytes.
Round and Round
Repeat the above file transferring steps for XTERM2.HEX and, optionally,
CHECKSUM.COM. You can use CHECKSUM to verify that the files transferred
successfully. At the DOS prompt, simply type CHECKSUM, followed by the
name of the file you want to test and a return. For instance, to test
HEXBIN.COM, enter the following (with a carriage return) at the DOS
prompt:
CHECKSUM HEXBIN.COM
Once you have both HEXBIN and XTERM2.HEX on the Portfolio, you're in the
home stretch. At the DOS prompt, type the following line (with a carriage
return at the end):
HEXBIN XTERM2.HEX
The HEXBIN program will now convert the hexadecimal values in XTERM2.HEX
into a binary, executable program. The output file is automatically called
RESULT.OUT. Type, again from DOS and with a return at the end:
REN RESULT.OUT XTERM2.COM
The new program file should be 2,898 bytes in length and have a checksum
of 99F3. If not...try, try again.
That's All Folks!
You should now have a working terminal program on your Portfolio. Turn
your Portfolio and ST back off (just to be safe) and disconnect the modem
cable from the ST. Keep the Serial Interface connected to the Portfolio.
Remove the null modem adaptor or null modem cable and use the normal modem
cable to connect the Interface and Portfolio to your modem.
Boot up your Portfolio and go to Setup again. Reset your RS232 port to
whatever your highest baud rate is on your modem -- XTERM2 can handle 9600
baud with no problem! You can skip Initializing the port, because XTERM2
will do it for you.
Now, get to the DOS prompt again, path to A: if necessary, and run XTERM2
by typing "XTERM2" (without the quotes) followed by a carriage return. You
should be greeted with XTerm's copyright notice and mini help screen. From
here on out, anything you type in is sent directly to your modem. If using
a Hayes-compatible, you can use ATDT to dial the modem, etc. Support files
on CompuServe can even give you a Dialing Directory of sorts for XTerm.
Make sure to read XTerm's documentation and keep a hardcopy of the docs
handy for reference.
That's all there is to it, folks! It may seem a little convoluted, but
it's basically no different than null modem file transfers to any other
computer...except you're starting out with no transfer software on one of
the machines.
I should note here that it may not be necessary to use 110 baud AND set
metering to its slowest possible option. Better to be a little slower than
necessary than too fast, though. I have had only mediocre success in
transferring files at 300 baud, so I don't recommend using faster than 110
baud. At 110 baud and metering set to 9 in Flash (or Slow in EdHak), I've
had 100% success with over a dozen file transfer attempts.
Another important note is that you should not try this method with larger
binary programs (like ACOM.EXE or even XTERM2.COM). It simply will not
work, because these files contain control characters that stop the
transfer dead. Things like Control-C, Control-D, etc. end the transfer.
Play it safe and transfer the files listed in this article. Then, use your
newly created XTERM2.COM to do Xmodem file transfers from then on. Of
course, you can use this method at any time to transfer ASCII text files
to and from your Portfolio.
Sometimes the impossible isn't really all that hard.
Unicorn Publications
3487 Braeburn Circle
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
(313) 973-8825
CompuServe: 70007,4640
GEnie: UNICORNPUB
Delphi: UNICORNPUB
Usenet: brayl@nyx.cs.du.edu
[NOTE: This article originally appeared in the July '92 issue of Atari
Interface magazine. It can be freely reprinted in non-commercial user
group newsletters, so long as this header appears with the reprint. All
other publications must first obtain permission (written or verbal) before
reprinting this article.
_______________________________________________________________
> EPSON LASER STR Review Epson's Action Laser II
""""""""""""""""""""""
Epson Action Laser II
=====================
by Doyle C. Helms
The Epson Action Laser II (forthwith known as EAL II) is a fine
compliment to the Epson printer family. This laser printer will emulate
not only the HPLJ II Plus printers, but also the "old" reliable Epson dot
matrix printers such as the LQ and FX series of printers. If your
software doesn't have a HPLJ driver, you can always fall back on the LQ/FX
modes.
The EAL II is very user friendly when it comes to configuring the
printer to the users specifications. The user can easily set-up the
printer to meet the need of just about ANY print job requirement. The
user accesses the set-up options via a LCD display panel. The EAL II is
driven by a 68000 CPU with a clock rate of 14.13 MHz. The EAL II, in
most cases comes standard with .5 megabyte memory. Some distributors
market a unit with 2.5 megabytes memory already installed by Epson. The
memory upgrade process is very simple. Two screws hold a side panel
which when removed reveal a memory board that the user simply unplugs from
the printer and then plugs in the memory chips for the configuration they
desire. The memory chips are of the common garden variety DRAM chips
rated at 80ns.
The EAL II can hold up to 5.5 megabytes RAM. I currently own the EAL
II with 2.5 meg RAM and I have found no shortage of memory for my needs as
of yet. I have worked easily with 750K IMG files plus text and the
printer seems to be as fast as if it was working with a normal page of
ASCII. Granted the computer process time for the page is increased when
working with files this large, but the time would be the same even if I
were using a dot matrix printer. I have used an Epson LQ 24 pin printer
for the past couple of years and I find the printout time is by far much
faster with the EAL II far faster than with the LQ series.
Let me drop an example or two on you here.
Calamus 1.09 printing a font example CDK file containing an entire
character set took 44 seconds from the time I clicked on PRINT to the time
the sheet finished rolling out of the printer. That time included the
time for Calamus to calculate the page for transmission to the printer.
The actual time of the EAL II print out from when Calamus finished
calculating(drawing) the page internally to the roll out of the finished
document was 24 seconds! As far as ASCII print time is concerned, one
document of 11077 bytes (4 pages) consumed 45 seconds from the PRINT
command at the DeskTop to the 4th page of the document. Another ASCII
doc of 15K (6 pages) consumed 1 minute and 1 second. The printer is rated
at 6 pages per minute and that is what it delivers!
The print quality of the EAL II is superb! Black is BLACK and the
gray scale capabilities are outstanding! The EAL II comes with 14 FONTS
and 16 SYMBOL sets regardless of the memory configuration you choose. The
EAL II manual lists 66 font cartridges currently available. The majority
of these font carts are the HP type. I'm sure there are more since the
manual was printed. The EAL II also has a IDENTITY CARD SLOT which
allows the user to further enable the printer to emulate other printers.
One example given in the manual is the HP 7475A/7440A Plotter! I have
confirmed (through Epson) that a Postscript card is available also!!
Another interesting feature of the EAL II is that more than one
computer system can be used on the EAL II. Two computers can be
connected to the EAL II and they can be using different emulation modes
for processing. The EAL II actually can accommodate three computer
systems if the user installs the OPTIONAL 32K INTERFACE board. The EAL
II footprint is 7 inches high, 18.9 inches wide and 14.3 inches in depth.
The weight of the EAL II is 29 lbs.
The EAL II comes standard with a LETTER size paper try (legal size tray
available as an option). The manual feed slot will also allow,via
guides, envelopes, cards, labels or whatever the user chooses (within
sizes limitations of course). The EAL II has an optional accessory which
allows up to 250 sheets to be handled at once. These sheets can also be
of mixed sizes. This is possible through the AUTO feed option from the
control panel. The EAL II has MANY options available via the CONTROL
PANEL which I will delve into in depth in the next installment. I just
wanted to hit the highlights of the printer this week so you would have an
idea of an excellent choice for a high powered printer at an extremely
affordable price. Brings back memories of the old saying "POWER WITHOUT
THE PRICE"!! The EAL II has worked reliably for me during the past
several weeks and I have yet to experience ANY problems, not even a paper
jam, with this unit. The ONLY shortcoming I have found, IMHO, is the 100
sheet letter tray. 100 sheets is just not enough!
The unit I purchased was from SAM's Wholesale Club for $799.00 w/2.5
meg memory. I also saw a EAL II at Circuit City for $688.00 with the
"standard" .5 meg memory. I am unsure of the "RETAIL" price. Before you
buy ANY laser printer check this one out, you won't regret it!
EPSON AMERICA Inc.
P. O. Box 2842
Torrance, CA 90509-2842
Epson Consumer Resource Center
1-800-922-8911
________________________________________________________________
> COMPO NEWS! STR InfoFile WRITE ON - THAT'S WRITE 2
""""""""""""""""""""""""
THAT'S Write and Write ON
=========================
You may have heard of That's Write - it's been available in Europe for
over four years. In fact, it's the number one selling word processor in
Germany. Well, after several years of limited availability in North
America, COMPO Software has opened an office in the U.S. to support its
products, including That's Write and Write ON.
What are That's Write and Write ON? They're the fastest, most
powerful word processors available for Atari computers. Of course, that's
a subjective matter but we think you'll agree. Write ON is the standard
version, and That's Write is the professional version.
Write ON has all the standard features you've come to expect from a
word processor - yet its many unique features make it stand out. Take,
for example, font and printer support. Thus far there have been two types
of word processors - text processors, that use your printer's built-in
fonts for printing (generally the fastest method, though you can't change
fonts within a document) and graphic text processors, which can use many
different fonts and styles, but typically are much slower. Write ON lets
you use both, in the same document! Even a single word may be made of
printer resident, downloaded, and graphic fonts - even if it's
proportional and justified - all the while completely WYSIWYG. Write ON's
output speed and quality, with either font type, is sure to impress.
Write ON supports all of the fonts included with most printers, and gives
you access to unlimited numbers and varieties of typefaces with graphic
fonts. It comes with at least ten fonts, depending on your printer type.
What type of graphic fonts can Write ON use? Write ON uses standard
GEM bitmap fonts, like those that you might use with GDOS. However, Write
ON runs without any memory-grabbing, system-slowing AUTO programs.
Additionally, with our C-Font program installed in your system, you can
use Calamus format outline fonts with Write ON!
Write ON uses an extremely powerful and efficient system for document
style and formatting - paragraph tags. Say you're doing a document that's
left justified in Times 12 font except for headings, which are centered
Helvetica 14. After typing in the whole document, you decide that
headings should be Avant Garde - simply change the font in paragraph tag
"Headlines" to Avant Garde. Of course, Headlines is just an example - you
create and edit the tags, with options like justification, line and
paragraph separation, style, font, etc.
COMPO has designed a protocol that allows Write ON to communicate with
desk accessories. Write ON is infinitely expandable via these accessories
(which, like everything else in Write ON, can be activated and controlled
via the keyboard). Included with Write ON are a snapshot utility and Key
Show, which displays the keyboard and where characters (in the currently
selected font) are mapped to the keyboard. No more hunting for special
characters! If you're not happy with the location of a particular
character, simply remap it with the included keyboard editor. Also
included are a font editor and a Signum-to-Write ON font converter.
Write ON takes standard word processing features and improves them.
Check these out :
-- Unlimited definable macros, be it program functions or text
abbreviations - whatever.
-- Edit multiple files on screen at the same time
-- Cut/Copy/Move block, with six buffers, including the Atari
Clipboard for transfer with other programs!
-- Page, line, picture, word, and stroke count; Available memory, too.
-- Automatic installation
-- Headers/Footers, and widow/orphan control
-- Pictures may be shown or hidden individually and scaled to any
resolution, including that of the current printer!
-- Built-in mail merge, using industry standard comma delimited files
-- All standard text styles including Double Underline and Strike Through
-- Left, Right, Decimal, and Center tabs
-- Display font sample on screen
-- Hyphenation, either prompted or automatic, which can be configured
to your liking
-- Optional password protection for any document
-- Optional automatic save at user defined intervals
That's Write, the professional version, adds even more features to
Write ON :
-- More fonts included, even Symbols, Greek and Cyrillic!
-- Spell checker with American English dictionary of 110,000 words.
We think it's the best spell checker available, period. Even
corrects capitalization and accent errors!
-- Automatic Index and Table of Contents generation
-- Outliner included - structure your document with up to 8 levels
-- Footnotes/Endnotes
-- Chaptering - if your document is too large to fit in memory, you
can break it into chapters, for easy editing and automatic
footnote/endnote updating!
-- Multiple columns
-- Table drawing
THAT'S WRITE 2
--------------
Version 2 of That's Write, a major upgrade, will be shipping in July. It
adds many valuable features to That's Write :
New User Interface
""""""""""""""""""
Up to 9 windows which can be resized from any corner and have optional
scroll bars.
New Accessories
"""""""""""""""
A new Macro Editor allows you to see currently defined macros and edit
them. Also new is a calculator that passes results directly to That's
Write.
Fonts
"""""
That's Write 2 will read compressed fonts! Created by C-Font or
Fontkit Plus, compressed fonts are typically a third of their uncompressed
size. Saves hard disk users precious storage space and lets floppy users
store more fonts which can be loaded faster.
Print Preview
"""""""""""""
Print preview on screen, with preview control. View a full page or
full size (1:1) preview of your printed document.
Command System
""""""""""""""
The new command system gives extensive new powers. Mathematical
functions allow automatic computing of an invoice, calculations on dates,
automatic paragraph numbering, and graphing.
Online Help
"""""""""""
Detailed online help at the press of a key.
Improved paragraph tagging
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
That's Write has had the most usable paragraph tagging of any ST
document processor. That's Write 2 now has even more options and
functions in paragraph and page layouts, including a Remark layout that
displays on screen but doesn't affect printout or formatting.
Outline Fonts
"""""""""""""
That's Write 2 includes C-Font, which runs as a desk accessory
enabling you to include outline fonts in your document. Outline fonts may
be scaled to any size without loss of resolution. C-Font uses the
standard Calamus format outline fonts, so there are hundreds of fonts
available, both in the public domain and from professional font suppliers.
Five .CFN fonts are included with That's Write 2 to get you started.
--------------------------------
Write ON retails for $99.95. We'd like you to give Write ON a shot,
so we're making a special upgrade offer :
Through August 31, 1992, you can upgrade to Write ON from any word
processor for $30.00.
If you later decide that you need That's Write, no problem. You can
upgrade to That's Write and transfer all of your Write ON files. That's
Write 1.5 retails for $199.95. Upgrades from Write ON cost $100.00. If
you would like to go ahead and try That's Write 1.5, you may upgrade from
any other word processor for $130.00.
That's Write 2 will be shipping imminently. Retail price is $259.95.
Copies of That's Write 1.52 currently shipping include a special voucher
for a free upgrade to That's Write 2.
Upgrades to That's Write 2 cost $60.00 from That's Write 1.5, and
$160.00 from Write ON.
To upgrade, simply return your original disk or, a photocopy of the
top cover of your manual, the original disk with the serial number
showing, if possible, with your order.
COMPO Software Corp.
104 Esplanade Avenue Suite. 121
Pacifica California 94044
Tel 415-355-0862
Fax 415-355-0869
__________________________________________________________
> CT Atarifest STR SHOW NEWS CONNECTICUT ATARIFEST '92
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
NEWS IN BRIEF FROM
CONNECTICUT ATARIFEST '92
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
HARTFORD, Conn. (July 3, 1992)
THE CLOCK IS TICKING...as the EarlyBird
Pre-Registration Discount offer for Connecticut AtariFest '92 (CAF
'92) (up to $2 off per person on tickets) expires in a few days. All forms
must be mailed with a check or money order by midnight July 9. See the
library for a copy for the form. THAT'S A GUIDE TO THE LINKS, NOT THE
LYNX... Computer programmer-turned-publisher Brian Harvey will be among
the guests demonstrating special talents at the Hartford area show.
Harvey, who recently published 'Golf in Connecticut,' a guide to public
golf courses throughout the Nutmeg State, will examine the rewards and
pitfalls of self-publishing. The avid golfer boasted few desktop
publishing (DTP) skills before undertaking this project, but produced a
data-rich booklet that is very strong on graphics. B. Dalton, Waldenbooks
and Barnes & Noble are among the retail chains distributing the regional
guide for Harvey, who brought it to life on his trusty Atari ST using
Calamus, dBMAN and other off-the-shelf programs.
LATEST EXHIBITOR SIGNED
"""""""""""""""""""""""
Speaking of desktop publishing, Connecticut AtariFest '92 is pleased
to announce that Goldleaf Publishing Inc., maker of Wordflair II,
Retouche, the Sherlook optical character recognition system, Didot Line
Art and other products, will appear in Hartford. Goldleaf is a part of
Atari's Professional Systems Group, the Direct to Press division
specializing in high-quality publishing systems.
KEEP AWAY FROM THE WINDOWS
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Local Atari enthusiasts will grab a share of the spotlight at CAF '92
when Ken Kittredge of Wethersfield, Conn. based Mach 1, a Korg M1 Users
Group, demonstrates the M1. The group, which boasts a growing number of
Korg T-series keyboard owners, has been meeting at the nearby Music
Exchange on the last Wednesday of each month, and has mostly disk-based
libraries for both voices and sequences. Members receive 6 newsletters a
year that help them get the most out of their synthesizers. Kittredge, who
works as a bridge engineer, admits that his playing skills don't rival
those of a professional musician, but he still enjoys being 'an audio
adventurer by night.'
POCKET PROTECTOR GANG:
""""""""""""""""""""""
WE'RE ONE STEP AHEAD OF YOU' When Atari Explorer Online hyped the
scheduled CAF '92 dinner-dance (Saturday, August 15) in a recent issue,
former AEO editors John Jainschigg and Peter Donoso (also professional
musicians; Donoso is CAF '92 music coordinator), who plan to perform in
the unique Atari 'jam session' elaborated:
"Yeah, man .. since the release of our album, 'Welcome to the (Not
Just a Game) Machine,' last year, we feel like we've lost touch with
the small club and user-group show audience," said Jainschigg. "So we
thought it would be a good idea to rediscover our roots, do a small
tour of Atari shows in the Bridgeport area, and like ... party until
everybody's ears bleed."
Mr. Donoso concurred: "People hear Atari music systems in the
hands of really competent, famous musicians, all the time." He said.
"We think it's important, however, for audiences to realize that Atari
computers, plus very large amplifiers, can even make essentially
talent-free, chopless blighters like ourselves sound good! It's
remarkable what an algorithmic composer, a decent sequencer, plus lots
and lots of wattage can do!"
Brian Gockley, organizer of the AtariFest, was quoted as saying:
"All I wanted was a little dancing. That's all. There's nothing to do,
at night, at these AtariFests. So I asked them, and now, all of a
sudden, they've got a truck, and an entourage, and I've got security
problems, and they're demanding backstage, full-service catering and a
suite at the hotel. I don't know what's going to happen. I ... I'm not
responsible. No further comment."
The article precipitated various anti-computerist slurs on electronic
message boards: 'Atarians, Dancing? You should come just to watch!'
'Computer "Nerds" dancing? Hope you have lots of accident insurance,'
they said. To which we reply: Hey, why do you think we moved the show to
Hartford? IN THE WORKS Organizers are feverishly working to assemble show
activities for all members of the Atari community. In addition to focus
areas that include Desktop Publishing, 8-bit and MIDI activities, CAF '92
expects to offer:
* LYNX CONTESTS - We're getting the word out to dealers throughout the
region that we'd like to see their best Lynx competitors in a
head-to-head battle of the Titans, with lots of prizes on the line.
* LEARNING BY DOING - In cooperation with participating DTP specialists
and area educators, Connecticut AtariFest '92 will publish
student-produced newsletters on both days of the show. As pupils
gather news about the show, they'll learn the basics of editing, page
layout and graphic design from some of the leaders of the industry.
And they'll be demonstrating how Atari computers can capture the
immediacy of an event.
* ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS - A local affiliate of the American Radio
Relay League, the international network of amateur (ham) radio
operators that is headquartered in Connecticut, is expected to
demonstrate gizmos for the Atarian with some electronics know-how.
Learn how to set up a bulletin board that bypasses phone lines; send
and receive faxes via radio. LAST CALL We're still looking for a few
good men, women and children to serve as exhibitors/demonstrators,
volunteers, blurb writers, go-fers, flyer printers, telephoners ...
you name it. If you have a particular computing or non-computing
talent, contacts or resources that would help the show soar, or to get
more information about CAF '92, contact:
Brian Gockley, Chairman Doug Finch, Vice Chairman
Connecticut AtariFest '92 Connecticut AtariFest '92
GEnie: B.GOCKLEY GEnie: D.FINCH7
CompuServe: 75300,2514 CompuServe: 76337,1067
18 Elmwood Avenue 46 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06605 Old Greenwich, CT 06870
(203) 332-1721 (203) 637-1034
or,
Scan the Connecticut AtariFest '92 topic on GEnie (Atari ST Roundtable,
Category 11, Topic 14, and other Atari RTs on GEnie) as well as ST, 8-bit,
Vendor and Portfolio forums of CompuServe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A S P E C I A L H O L I D A Y G R E E T I N G
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY (JULY 4TH)
to
Independent-Minded, All-American Atarians on this festive weekend.
Enjoy yourselves, but remember, especially you mobile Portfolio users
out there...DON'T DOWNLOAD & DRIVE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
___________________________________________________________________
> MNET! STR Spotlight MBBS GOES NETWORKING!
"""""""""""""""""""
MICHTRON BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM
THE MNET IS BORN!
by Dana P. Jacobson
I started running a MichTron BBS almost 5 years ago. The first
version that I used was 2.0x and finally 3.0 came out and I, like many
others, have been running the current version for quite some time. During
that time, MichTron has changed hands, and MBBS's author, Tim Purves, has
"semi-retired" from the Atari platform. Tim can be found now working on
GEnie's navigation program, Aladdin. He still owns the rights to MBBS,
but so far, hasn't chosen to upgrade the software.
There are a few features that most people who run MBBS would like to
see added, but it may not happen anytime soon. New transfer protocols and
a better message editor are just a couple of items. Another is the
capability to network, a feature many of the available BBS software
packages contain. It's a shame to see people switch software, just to
gain a few features lacking in their current software. It's a shame that
a lot of work gets tossed out and the process starting all over again with
something new.
Well, one of the desired features has been achieved recently. Yes,
networking is now possible thanks to an innovative MBBS SysOp from Texas.
Jeff Wells, who has published two MichTron Command Language (MCL) articles
in Atari Interface Magazine, has written some MCL code and a MBBS
interactive program to allow MichTron systems to network with each other.
So, what does all of this do? Donald Zabawa, the SysOp of "Buffaloe
Village BBS" in Philadelphia recently sent a brief description of what
MNET does. It's appropriate that we let him describe it:
WHAT IS MNET?
"""""""""""""
MNET is a new addition to the MichTron BBS system that allows your
messages to be sent to other MichTron BBS's throughout the country. The
MNET program was written by Jeff Wells of Killeen, Texas and is available
as shareware to any SysOp running MichTron BBS.
The MNET Message area is a series of message bases that is completely
separate from the normal message areas; and has it's own message numbering
system. However, once in the MNET area, the messages can be read,
replied to, or post new messages and more, the same as the normal message
areas. Just choose any option from the MNET menu, or the options that
follow each message as you read them.
Remember that your messages will be sent to BBS's all over the
country and read by a great many callers outside your normal calling
area. So please use discretion in all your messages.
As more and more BBS's become part of the MNET system additional
message areas will be added to cover topics of specialized interests
(Technical Help, Hobbies, Classifieds, User Groups, Programming, etc.).
The list of possible subjects is endless. As this list grows, not all
participating BBS's will have all topics available. The specific
interests of individual BBS callers will determine the message topics each
BBS will have available. This will also allow a local area, with more
than one MichTron BBS, to have different types of messages on each BBS for
their many users that call all of them.
With more people to read, and respond to these messages,there should
be a lot of interest in the MNET section, so watch for it to grow fast.
This will be a great opportunity to ask your questions, or express
opinions; and receive a response from fellow BBS users from almost
anywhere in the country. This will make MNET even more valuable to you,
the caller.
So, how do you set it up; and how does it work? Well, it's really
simple, especially if you have some experience with writing or editing MCL
code. Even the least experienced SysOp can manage it with a little
patience (like me!). The shareware package comes with a number of files.
First of all, there will be two CONFER files written in MCL, both
uncompiled in case you wish to make some changes to fit your needs. There
are also two patch files which you need to edit, and "paste" into your
main menu file (main.m). One of the patch files must be broken down so
that its first two command lines goes _first_ in your main.m file. This
must be down in order to work properly (more on this later). The rest of
this patch, and the other, just get entered (or cut and paste, and add) to
your menu. Another file is the MNET program, written in GFA Basic. Other
files included are your configuration, a system personalized TAG line, a
node list, ARC.TTP, FZDSXFER.TTP, and two documentation files. The docs
aren't commercial quality, but simple enough to follow.
Once you have all of your code finished and compiled, you're ready to
set up the others so that the MNET program will read them and proceed
accordingly. The configuration file is a simple text file which,
specifically, sets up your BBS system configuration, where each
MNET-specific file is located, your BBS name, SysOp name, Node number, and
the name and numbers for the MBBS system which you plan to network with.
A few other lines complete this text. The node list is simply the list of
available MBBS systems to network with, but the text is laid out in a
specific format so the MNET program can read it properly.
Place all of the resulting files into your system according to your
configuration files. I must repeat, do so exactly as you set it up in
your configuration file or the program (not the BBS) won't run properly,
if at all (I learned how to de-bug that real quickly, with help!). If all
went well, you should be able to initiate the BBS system as you would
normally. But now, you have a separate area within your system that
contains the MNET Message area!! This is like adding an all new
additional message base to your system. You can read, reply, and enter
messages as you now can in the regular message bases. There's only one
Conference active at the moment, but Jeff is almost ready with an update
which will include up to 200+ message bases, if you want that many! Also
to be included is the means to send non-message files as well. All
messages that originate from each MNET system will be "tagged" with an
'origin' notation so other systems will know where the messages
originated. To, From, Subject, Conference, and Message numbers are all
saved just like the normal message base, as well.
The MNET program is the heart of the networking system, as this
program allows you to send and receive messages and files between systems.
Here's what the MNET program does:
o Reads all configuration files and system-specific "key"
file.
o Locates any new mail packets received at your system,
un-ARC them, and place them in your MNET message area(s).
o Archives all outgoing message packets.
o Autodials your Hub system.
o Auto-logon sequence.
o Automatically downloads current mail packets from your Hub
system.
o Automatically uploads mail packets from your system to the
Hub system.
o Automatically logs you off the Hub system.
o Processes these new mail packets and places them in the
message area.
o Performs maintenance, deletes old mail packets (over 30
days, on Hub systems only).
o Displays the amount of mail packets and messages processed
during that call, and the amount of time that you were
online.
o Processes and saves a new node listing, if available.
o Then you manually bring the BBS back online, all done
within minutes depending on the size of mail packets.
So as you can see, the MNET program does quite a bit, in relatively
little time. Improvements are ongoing, and Jeff Wells has provided MBBS
SysOps with a lot of help, both online and voice.
MNET is relatively new, so systems running it are still small in
numbers. Presently, there are 15-20 boards running MNET, and more getting
it set up. Jeff hopes to get the word out to existing MichTron boards
that networking is now available. Hopefully, as the word gets spread, more
SysOps will join in.
A little Jeff Wells biography: Written numerous MBBS add-on programs,
initially, "NFL Yesterday" which he wrote first for FoReM BBS software and
ported it over to MBBS. He's also written other games for MBBS, such as
"Space Empire Elite" (similar to the one seen on FoReM and Turbo systems;
"ProduceM" (be a big-time movie producer and watch the box office numbers
climb); "Perrenlands" (a D&D game); "Empires" (create your ship and work
with others within your empire to destroy other empires); and "MCL
Baseball" (his best to-date). He's also written a Doors program which
will allow you to execute other programs by editing just one file; and
"BBS Crash", a hard drive crash simulation which all of his new users can
expect to experience when they first log on!
If you're interested in learning more about MichTron BBS, or MNET,
contact Jeff Wells on his Lone STar BBS at (817) 690-1993. Or, contact me
via E-Mail on Delphi (DPJ), CIS (71051,3327 ), or GEnie (D.JACOBSON2). If
you call MichTron boards and your SysOp isn't yet aware of MNET, mention
it to him/her. With a little time, the MNET can expand and provide a
great exchange of information and conversation!! Join the MNET today!
_________________________________________________________
> STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips"
"""""""""""""""""""""
- London, UK ROBERT KATZ LEAVES ATARI UK
----------
According to Gary Lawman, Atari UK, Robert Katz has left Atari to go
with Electronic Arts in the UK. Katz, well known by many UK Atarians, is
superceded by Alistair Bodin.
- Redmond, WA ATARI WITHDRAWS NINTENDO APPEAL
-----------
Nintendo of America Inc., Nintendo Co. Ltd. and Atari Corp. announced
Wednesday that Atari withdrew its appeal of the verdict and judgment
Nintendo was awarded in Atari's antitrust case against Nintendo. The jury
in Federal Court cleared Nintendo on May first of charges by Atari that
Nintendo had illegally tried to corner the home video game market in the
USA during the late 1980s. Nintendo will not proceed to recover court
costs from Atari.
- Cheshire, UK UK FORUM SYSOP KILLED IN CRASH
------------
David Moore, UKFORUM SYSOP, was killed in the crash of a restored,
vintage British Spitfire. David worked for Rolls Royce as a pilot, and at
weekends flew their Spitfire at air shows. Today, while flying the
Spitfire at The Woodford Airshow, the wing tip touched the ground and the
plane burst into flames. David
was a member of the UKFORUM Sysop team and
his messages from around the world will have been seen by most members.
David was also a regular at all the UKFORUM meets and many members will
therefore know him personally.
- Columbus, OH COMPUSERVE OFFERS SHAREWARE REGISTRATION PROGRAM
------------
CIS has started a program for the benefit of shareware authors to help
them get more of the registration fees. Basically, if an author has his
programs on one of the CIS forums and supports the program online, he may
register with CompuServe's SW registration program. Users who wish to pay
the SW registration fee can have it added to their regular CompuServe
monthly bill. CIS will collect all the registrations and forward the
monies after deducting a small handling fee. The idea is to make it easy
for folks to pay the shareware fee (without having to write out a separate
check, address an envelope, mail the envelope, etc) the authors will
benefit by more registrations that will outweigh the small handling fee.
To date, at least one author of a commercial program has mentioned
that he's going to convert it to shareware just so that he can participate
in the program. He said the lack of local atari dealers and the
difficulties of dealing with distributors, combined with the piracy he has
suffered from, makes the CIS shareware plan more viable than the
commercial route.
- Sunnyvale, CA JOHN B. JAINSCHIGG TO DO ANOTHER ISSUE
-------------
Atari Explorer magazine will enjoy the expert leadership and guidance
of John B. Jainschigg for at least one more issue. Jainschigg, acclaimed
for having brought Atari Explorer to "a cut above" from almost certain
extinction, was recently reported to have left the position of Editor.
This announcement, when received throughout the Atari community, generated
shock waves, world wide, almost immediately. Hopefully, Atari will see
the error of its ways and make every possible effort to keep Jainschigg at
the helm of Explorer. News of Jainschigg's temporary return to Explorer,
was followed shortly thereafter with News that Tina Brown editor of Vanity
Fair, was drafted to be Editor of the world famous New Yorker Magazine.
- Bellevue, WA GEMULATOR VIDEO TELLS ALL
------------
Darek Mihocka, Branch Always Software, is confident the GEMULATOR will
become the emulator of note in the PC world. With Gemulator, you can run
your favorite Atari ST, MS-Dos and Windows software on the same PC.
Gemulator includes a card which allows the user to plug in any version of
TOS, from 1.0 to the latest 2.6. Two versions of TOS may be plugged in at
once to facilitate greater compatibility with certain ST software.
Amazingly, a user is able to run two different ST programs at the same
time, each using a different version of TOS and running in a different
screen resolution. The video is quite informative and most certainly
establishes the fact that GEMULATOR is here to stay. Gemulator can be
ordered for a special introductory price of 199.00 until August 31, 1992.
________________________________________________________________
> STR Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard"
"""""""""""""
STReport's MailBag
""""""""""""""""""
From CIS
#: 33296 S8/Hot Topics
02-Jul-92 16:45:21
Sb: #AEO #5 comments
Fm: SYSOP*Ron Luks 76703,254
To: All
I feel that I must provide some additional details for those of you
who have read Bob Brodie's comments in the latest issue of Atari Explorer
Online. While chastising me personally for not going along with his
desires for private EMAIL responses, Bob went on to call the response he
has received from CompuServe members as "pathetic."
I have encouraged our membership to respond to the online support
survey in public and in "the sunshine" rather than via EMAIL because I
believe it is the most honest way to tally your feelings and get an
accurate count. I have also received a fair number of EMAIL comments, all
of which will be forwarded to Bob at the conclusion of the survey. The
results obtained have included not only specific responses, but many
offered additional comments, criticisms, and suggestions regarding online
support.
Since these comments and votes have not yet been presented to Mr.
Brodie (as I indicated to him in a telephone conversation last week), one
can only wonder what he hopes to accomplish for himself or the Atari
Corporation with these disparaging comments. He has clearly expressed the
preference for those "wonderful" messages of personal support he has
received from GEnie in his column. While every member is clearly
encouraged to send a private communication to Mr. Brodie (or anyone else
for that matter) if they feel it necessary or desirable or simply
inappropriate for public posting, I cannot in good conscience tell our
membership that they MUST respond in this way where the true totals and
results will not be visible to the general public. However, members
wishing to respond to Bob's EMAIL number at 70007,3240 may certainly do
so.
I am quite confident, seeing the large number of public responses
posted in the forum, that these, taken in conjunction with any private
EMAIL, will show the CompuServe audience to be significant and worth the
attentions of the Atari Corporation. No matter what the published outcome
of Mr. Brodie's personal survey may be, I promise the membership here that
I will continue to pursue the online support of the Atari Corporation for
the benefit of our worldwide audience of loyal Atari users.
Ron Luks
Manager
Atari Forums on CompuServe
#: 66281 S1/Forum Business
02-Jul-92 17:02:33
Sb: #66264-#Online support survey
Fm: SYSOP*Ron Luks 76703,254
To: carl barron 75066,3204 (X)
I've posted a formal reply to the comments in AEO #5 over in AtariArts
(where the magazine is made available in Lib 15).
To be honest, I didn't want to dignify the comments with a reply at
all. I personally have a pretty thick skin and can let comments like this
slide off my back, but I received a number of EMAILs, as well as public
messages about his editorial (or column or whatever it should be called)
from our members who found the comments offensive.
Although the magazine carries the (c)opyright of Atari, I'd like to
let everyone know that this is the first time I've heard words like
"pathetic" used in this context. We have had (in the past) and are
currently enjoying a very good relationship with most everyone at Atari
Corp., from the top of the ladder (Sam) on down the line. I find the
folks at Atari to be hardworking in a very tough environment and economy,
and most are working overtime to insure the success of the new machine.
I do not believe these comments are representative of the feeling of
most of the people at Atari and I don't want the members here to feel that
Atari Corp is turning a deaf ear to them. I consider this to be an
unfortunate episode and a poor choice of words and would hope to see more
care exercised in the future, and let it drop so that we can all
concentrate on more positive efforts.
These constant detractions from our efforts to support the Atari
computer line are a waste of valuable energies that could be better
directed.
As always, thanks for your support.
Ron Luks
#: 65946 S1/Forum Business
27-Jun-92 18:08:27
Sb: #65780-Online support survey
Fm: Ray Parnell (UK) 70374,1016
To: Bob Brodie [ATARI] 70007,3240
Bob,
I don't think that anyone is suggesting that Atari gives up or in any way
reneges on it's contract with Genie. I raised the point that in Atari's
latest annual report, the majority of sales seem to be taking place
outside North America. The interests of those users is better served by
CIS than Genie as there is no easy access to Genie from Europe.
I would not wish to pre-empt the results of the survey, but most people
would probably be happy to see a more regular Atari presence on CIS, even
if you do not have the time to appear yourself.
I hope that an 'amicable' solution can be achieved.
Ray.
From the FNET
Conf : STReport Online
Msg# : 20787/20895 Lines: 15 Read: 41
Sent : Jun 26, 1992 at 3:51 PM
Recv : Jun 28, 1992
To : Ralph Mariano
From : Chris B. Herting at Fnet Node 556, Suitland-MD
Subj : Re: <20710> ATARI EXPLORER - THE HARD
Well, you pretty much summed the whole thing up. Since Theives Guild has
not been receiving messages from the Z*Net Conf. since last February, I
have not been able to see their side of the story. But the bottom line
is, there really should be no fighting. I think it is great, and I am
sure many users will agree with me, that you are choosing to ignore Kovacs
and Brodie. That shows some class, it also shows who is more grown up. I
hope you do continue to keep ST-Report as the "Honest Online Magazine".
STR may print rumors from time to time, but at least they tell the truth
about Atari. I would have to say your magazine is the first to finally
stand up to Atari and tell them off. I would say more or less, STR
represents MOST of the userbase. Z*Net represents Atari. They do not
care about the U.S. market, and they do not care about their customers.
Sometimes you have to wonder if they really even care about themselves. I
was told yesterday by a FORMER Atari user that Atari dropped the TT line.
Is any of this true??
Editor Note:
Chris about the TT being discontinued, STReport has no information at
all about Atari doing so. To go further, we at STR have tried to be as
truthful as humanly possible with our readers through the years, this is
our ultimate goal. Apparently it shows, our readership has not faltered
a bit. In fact, it has grown. As for znet, Ron Kovacs has been doing his
best to bring forth a publication that appeals to his readers, there is
nothing wrong with that. Its true that lately, a perception on the part
of many Atarians is that znet is no more, since it was absorbed by Atari's
AEO, but I find that to hard to believe. ZNET will be back, once again
_independent and free_ of any undue internal influences. That's the right
way and only way it should be.. for _any_ publication. Especially those
publications which cover the industry as does STReport and ZNET.
From GEnie
Category 1, Topic 2
Message 118 Fri Jul 03, 1992
D.ELLIS16 [* AeroStar *] at 11:17 EDT
I too sent a GE-mail, But will also cast my vote here. Stay here on GEnie.
I am an American serviceman stationed in Japan. This (GEnie) is just about
my only informational source for Atari information.
*** STAY HERE, Please ***
*AeroStar*
The JELLY-BOWL is at it again...
Category 18, Topic 6
Message 1 Sun Jun 28, 1992
J.EIDSVOOG1 [CodeHead] at 08:48 EDT
I was awakened about 40 minutes ago (5AM) by the biggest earthquake my
wife and I have felt in the sixteen years we've lived in California. In
fact I just felt another aftershock as I typed the last sentence (with
fingers poised over the power switch to protect the hard drives).
No reports are in yet, but it seemed like this one should be well over
6.0. One interesting thing about earthquakes (wow, another aftershock),
is how long it takes for information to come in about them.
This one started with rapid shaking for about ten seconds followed by
long, slow swaying for another 40 seconds or so, although it seemed like
about 2 minutes. <grin>
We have 3 house guests, two from Arizona and one from Minnesota. It's nice
that they could have something memorable to bring back with them.
You LA eyewitness reporter,
John Eidsvoog
From GEnie
The unrest over, the long overdue, FSMGDOS continues..
Category 14, Topic 18
Message 25 Mon Jun 29, 1992
A.FASOLDT [Al Fasoldt] at 00:04 EDT
I suggest that all of us who believed Atari when the official line was
that FSM GDOS was ready except for the packaging should gather together
and suspend our belief in this latest reason for a delay.
Since it is now clear that FSM GDOS was *not* being delayed because of
packaging problems, someone at Atari was less than honest about the
subject. That's not good, folks. It's baaaad. It shows what little
respect Atari's senior management has for all of us.
It also means the same people who failed to tell the story straight
before are now telling a different story now (legal troubles? With nothing
to show as proof?), and I, for one, do not believe we are being told the
truth. Again.
Al
Category 14, Topic 18
Message 26 Mon Jun 29, 1992
R.NOAK at 02:06 EDT
I suppose that it couldn't be that the packaging _was_ a hold up and
_then_ this legal thing cropped up. Nah, that couldn't be it. Atari _must_
be lying to us all. Sheesh. Come on. There are hundreds of reasons why
software does not reach market when it is supposed to. Ask Nathan at ISD
about the delay for Calamus SL. Ask Softlogik about delays for
PageStream. At times it seemed that neither program would ever make it to
market, but both arrived. Late, yes, but, as the old cliche goes, "Better
late than never."
I prefer to believe that these delays will perhaps give us a better,
more bug-free FSM GDOS. As it is, FSM works with Touch Up, Easy Draw,
Silhouette, and others that I can't remember off-hand. It _is_ available
now from GoldLeaf.
Call my attitude "pollyanna-ish" if you like, but I have some faith in
"Atari's senior management". If my company were involved with legal
problems, I doubt that I would discuss them in a national forum either for
fear of prejudicing any case I might have.
Randy @ Southlake, Inc.
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STR Online! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" July 03, 1992
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