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Silicon Times Report Issue 0906
*---== STReport International Online Magazine ==---*
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
from
STR Publishing
""""""""""""""
February 05, 1993 No.9.06
==========================================================================
STReport International Online Magazine
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32205 ~ 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
-----------------------------------------
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Support BBS Network System
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_____________________________________________________________________
> 02/05/93 STR 906 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!"
""""""""""""""""
- The Editor's Desk - CPU Report - PORTFOLIO NEWS
- PENTIUM FOR MARCH! - BIG BBS BUSTED! - NEW CIS FORMAT
- FAMILY ACCOUNTANT - INTERNET & DELPHI - 1.44MB UPGRADE
- PEOPLE TALKING! - MULTIWRITER!! - STR Confidential
-* OF FALCONS - SLM LASERS - HEAT *-
-* CT SWAP FEST TODAY! *-
-* ITS FEBRUARY - FALCONS RSN! *-
==========================================================================
STReport 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/NEST/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 all computers, worldwide, through the use of excellent
International Networking Systems. 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 your favorite computers; Join Today!
==========================================================================
CIS ~ GENIE ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ FIDO ~ FNET ~ NEST
EURONET ~ CIX ~ CLEVELAND FREE-NET ~ INTERNET
==========================================================================
=============
* ATARI EDITION *
=============
COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME
to the Readers of;
ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY!
CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198
You will receive your complimentary time
and
be online in no time at all!
WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (February 5)
NEW FORUM SOFTWARE
The long awaited new Forum Software has been installed in all of the Atari
Forums! Among other things, this allows longer messages and improvements
in sending CompuServe Mail from within the forum. Some old commands have
been dropped, and a couple of commands work slightly differently than they
used to.
Please see the file MSGFEA.DOC in LIB 1 of the Atari Arts Forum (GO
ATARIARTS) for details on the changes. Don't hesitate to leave a note to
SYSOP if you have any questions.
FAMILY ACCOUNTANT
Download file ACCTS1.ARC from LIBRARY 5 of the Atari Productivity Forum
(GO ATARIPRO) for the Family Accountant: an easy-to-use but effective
program for maintaining home finance records and establishing a budget.
It requires no formal knowledge of accounting (the author has none
either). It will handle up to 11 money accounts and 14 budget categories.
Requires monochrome high resolution monitor and 1M of RAM. For
documentation download actdoc.arc also.
Also download ACTDOC.ARC from LIBRARY 5 of ATARIPRO for the program's
documentation.
HARD DISK CACHE AND FAT SPEEDUP...
Download file FATCAC.LZH from LIBRARY 4 of the Atari Productivity Forum
(GO ATARIPRO) for a hard disk cache and FAT speed-up for TOS 1.0 and 1.2.
Faster, more compatible, more memory efficient than FATSPEED. Gives up to
1000% speed increase when copying files between partitions. Includes GEM
installation program and no technical knowledge require (please read the
docs though).
K&R COMPLETE "C" COMPILER/DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM
Download file HSC140.LZH from LIBRARY 3 of the Atari Productivity Forum
(GO ATARIPRO) for a complete C compiler system for the Atari ST. Includes
GemFast v1.8 GEM programming library. The compiler is based on the
Sozobon compiler, but contains many modifications, bugfixes, and
extensions. The compiler features an automatic installation process. Just
unpack the archive and run INSTALL.PRG to install and configure the
compiler.
CODEHEAD ANNOUNCED RELEASE OF CALLIGRAPHER 3...
Download file C3NEWS.TXT from LIBRARY 16 of the Atari Vendors Forum (GO
ATARIVEN) for the official announcement of the release of Calligrapher 3
-- the next generation of the Ultimate Writing Machine. Read this text
file for details about the new version of this powerful word processor.
Information on upgrading from earlier versions is included.
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!"
""""""""""""""""""""""
My, my its now February... the clock is running March is right around
the corner. Is it to be the "IDES of MARCH" or, the wonders of it all?
We can only hope Atari can deliver on its promise to deliver the Falcon030
by March '93.
The Falcon is indeed the salvation of Atari, if this machine does not
make it big... nothing will help. Absolutely nothing. If every member of
the existing userbase worldwide bought a Falcon it would only prolong the
agony. Atari must penetrate existing markets and actually create an
entire new market for the Falcon030. It is quite possible to do so.
That's one of the reason's most of us still hold onto a glimmer of hope.
The only downside is the ongoing games being playing in the
background, sooner or later Atari and its designates will realize the
userbase is a great deal sharper and "tuned-in". When they realize this I
am confident the games will cease and they'll devote the lion's share of
their energies to the business of making the Falcon a true success.
Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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:
"""""""""""""""""""""""
Dana P. Jacobson Michael Arthur John Deegan
Lucien Oppler Brad Martin Judith Hamner
John Szczepanik Dan Stidham Joseph Mirando
Steve Spivey Doyle C. Helms
Lloyd E. Pulley, Editor Emeritus
Contributing Correspondents:
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Michael Lee Richard Covert Scott Birch
Brian Converse Oliver Steinmeier Tim Holt
Andrew Learner Norman Boucher Harry Steele
Clemens Chin Neil Bradley Eric Jerue
Ron Deal Robert Dean Ed Westhusing
James Nolan Vernon W. Smith Bruno Puglia
IMPORTANT NOTICE
""""""""""""""""
Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
via E-Mail to:
Compuserve.................... 70007,4454
Delphi........................ RMARIANO
BIX........................... RMARIANO
FIDONET....................... 112/35
FNET.......................... NODE 350
NEST.......................... 90:21/350.0
GEnie......................... ST-REPORT
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STR'S "BELIEVE IT? OR.. WHAT?"
<>###############################<>
"There is no comparison! The Atari Falcon
is far superior to the PC platform."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"My new office, which has a better view than my old one, is so far
quite satisfactory. And Richard Miller is in my old office. The
Forbes article was a mish-mash and misconstrued article full of half
truths. We are anxiously awaiting the release of the Atari Falcon to
bring us back to the forefront. The article has given us some laughs,
but otherwise has not affected us."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"As I said before, all marketing announcements will be made at
Duesseldorf. I will not comment on future models of the Falcon.
WE ARE TALKING TODAY ABOUT A MACHINE.....
WHICH WILL BE SHIPPING NEXT WEEK."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"I've just returned from Asia, where I saw the first Atari Falcon
production coming off the lines. Let's hope this new offering will
make it in North America. I know that the specs are great."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"We have not yet even given the machine to the FCC. And we are only
applying for Class B approval. According to our "experts", it should
pass Class B."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"...... We are not working for Wall Street but to
make money for our shareholders and only think long term."
Sam Tramiel, 11/92
psssst.
FYI.... The Shareholder's equity is fine.... NOT!
The Stock is hovering around $1.12
CHRISTMAS '92 has COME and GONE...
FALCONS ....anyone?
By the Way.... Does the Falcon work well
with
any... of the SLM Laser Printers?? NOPE! NOT YET!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
=================
Computer Products Update - CPU Report
------------------------ ----------
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Issue #06
By: John Deegan
PENTIUM CHIP TO REINFORCE INTEL'S HOLD? - The Pentium chip, the suc-
cessor to the '486, is expected to be released in late March. Analysts
feel that it will take a year before the Pentium reaches mass popular-
ity but when it does, it will reinforce the firm's already dominant hold
on the microprocessor industry.
Intel refuses to reveal much information about the Pentium but
sources say that it will contain some three million transistors, or more
than twice the 1.2 million transistors on the 486 chip. The Pentium will
not only allow programs to run faster, but will also greatly improve a
computer's graphics and sound.
"Full motion video and multimedia for computers is going to require
more power, something in the order of Pentium power," said Dataqest ana-
lyst Ken Lowe.
NEW LCD PROCESS IN THE WORKS - Scientists in Tokyo say they have
developed a liquid crystal that may make it easier to manufacture flat
screens that use less electric power.
A report in Nature magazine says the new liquid crystal changes its
optical properties when it is hit by a laser beam. "New light-sensitive
displays could be a radical improvement on conventional LCDs, as they
would not require individual transistors for each pixel".
COMPUTERIST TO STAND TRIAL FOR TAMPERING WITH EX-WIFE'S FILES - A
Californian has been ordered to stand trial on a felony tampering charge
after admitting he sabotaged his ex-wife's computer files. The charge
carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
James Welsh told authorities he sent a disk with a "kamikaze program"
to his ex-wife to get back at her for what he considered the nastiness
of their 1991 divorce.
Welsh's former wife, Kathleen Shelton, testified all her files were
erased when she used the disk. All that was left was a taunting limer-
ick. Shelton said Welsh set up the system for her and she had continued
to rely on his expertise.
And here's a twist, "Welsh said the disk erased a program that he had
pirated. Because it was illegally created, he said, it was not protected
under the state's anti-hacking law."
FBI RAIDS OHIO BBS - According to the Software Publishers Association
(SPA), the FBI has raided a Boardman, Ohio, computer BBS called "Rusty &
Edie's", accusing the operators of illegally distributing copyrighted
software. The SPA said the agent seized computers, hard disk drives and
telecommunications equipment, as well as financial and subscriber re-
cords during the raid last Saturday.
The SPA says the investigation started several months ago, "following
the receipt of complaints from a number of SPA members that their soft-
ware was being illegally distributed on the Rusty & Edie's BBS."
The system, established in 1987, was described one of the largest
private BBSes in the country, with 124 nodes available to callers and
more than 14,000 subscribers.
"To date, the board has logged in excess of 3.4 million phone calls,
with new calls coming in at the rate of over 4,000 per day," the SPA
stated added. It included "over 19 gigabytes of storage housing over
100,000 files available to subscribers for downloading."
The SPA said the BBS had subscribers in the United States and several
foreign countries, including Canada, Luxembourg, France, Germany,
Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
For a fee of $89 a year, "subscribers ... were given access to the
board's contents, including many popular copyrighted business and
entertainment packages," the SPA statement says.
_________________________________________________________
> CompuServe's NEW Message Format & Commands! STR InfoFile
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Message Features Software Documentation
New Features / Version Notes
o The size of a message has been expanded to 10,000
characters.
NOTE: With the initial release of Message Features users of
DOS CIM, MAC CIM and NAVIGATOR will not be able to post a
10000 character message. Current development of HMI will
allow for this in the very near future. There is no
limitation on the size of messages that can be read.
o READ THREAD command now displays messages in
chronological order and also in section order. i.e., all
new messages in thread order from section 1, then all new
messages from section 2 and so forth. This feature
provides users with the context of messages. Given below
is a hypothetical display in the current Production
software, and new order of display with Message Features:
Hypothetical Production Display Message Features Display
Sec # Msg & Replies Sec # Msg & Replies
S4 Message # 11 R R R R S2 Message # 2 R R R
S2 Message # 2 R R R S4 Message # 11 R R R R
S13 Message # 21 R R R R R R S6 Message # 9 R
S6 Message # 9 R S8 Message # 5 R R R
S8 Message # 5 R R R S13 Message # 21 R R R R
The complete command syntax for the READ THREAD is given
below for reference.
The new display order applies to the READ THREAD command
and all its switches. The complete command syntax for
the READ THREAD is given below for reference.
READ THREAD [NEW] [ALL] [NUM #] [START: ##] [SECTIONS:]
No modifications have been made to REAd FORward or REAd
REVerse commands.
o When a READ nnnn command is issued (without any other
switches), where nnn is a message number, it defaults to
READ THREAD nnnn as it does in current production
software. Therefore the new display order applies to
this command as well.
o Another change is to the snapshot "high message number"
-- the highest message on the board at the time a
snapshot is taken. The user will not be able to view any
message above this "high number" until a new snapshot is
built. This change was done in an effort to ensure that
users would not miss any messages on the board. The
impact of this change is that an ASCII user will no
longer be able to read a reply they posted immediately;
this is already true in the HMI (CIM) interface.
If the user wants to read the reply, he will need to
issue a new REAd or SELect command so another snapshot
will be built to include their reply. In HMI, they will
need to "Freshen Messages" under CIM 2.x for this change
to take effect.
o When the user issues a PARent, ROOt, or REAd replies
command while reading a particular message, when they
return to the message the command was issued from, the
header of the message will be displayed along with the
message "** Enter RER to reread, REP to reply, or <CR>
to continue". Current production software displays the
entire message again.
o Since a message can now be 10000 characters in length and
a message that long would scroll off a member's screen
quickly, we have introduced "paged message display".
After 24 lines of a message have displayed, members will
see a "Press CR for more:" prompt if they have paged
message display enabled. At that prompt the user can
enter return to continue reading the message, M to return
to the Read Action prompt (thereby not reading the rest
of the message), or S to scroll rest of the message
without pausing.
To enable "paged message display", a member can enter SET
PAGED YES at any forum prompt. This will turn on paged
message displaying for this and any forum the member
enters during the current session. To make the change
permanent, the member needs to GO DEFAULT, choose option
2 (Change permanent settings), choose option 3 (Display
options), and then change option 1 (PAGED display) to NO.
Entering a SCROLL command at the Read Action prompt will
scroll the messages no matter what option the member has
selected.
o There is no longer a limit on the number of lines a forum
message can have.
o A new command has been added to the Editor - /MAIL. If
the user wants to mail a message, he no longer needs to
exit the editor and then specify MAIL. Now he can
specify /MAIL from within the editor. All the parameters
required for the MAIL command are the same as the /POST
command parameters.
o If the user wants to mail a message from within a forum,
they are limited to 50,000 characters - not 10,000
characters per message for forum messages. Production
software limited the user to the size of a forum message
but the Message Features software has removed that limit.
NOTE: A fix will be implemented in a future version of HMI
that will allow HMI users to mail a message containing 50,000
characters.
o Other important commands to remember:
REA NUM;NNNN - This command allows users to read an individual
message number. (RI is still supported.)
REA THR NUM: - Allows you to read only the thread you are
requesting. (RT nnn ONLY is still supported.)
Removal of "Old" Forum Commands:
To reduce maintenance and gain resources, we have removed
support for the following "old forum" commands from the forum
software.
A. Two character commands:
BR - Browse (Correct command is BRO)
FM - Forward Mail (Correct command is FMA or FMB)
RM - Read Marked (Correct command is REA WAI or RW)
RO - Read Old
SD - Scan Delete
SE - Send (Correct command is SEN)
TO - Touch
US - User Status (Correct command is USE or USERS)
WH - Who (Correct command is WHO)
GU - Guide (use HELP)
SB - Section Names (use NAMe)
CB - Conference (use CO)
CS - Change Section (use CHA)
B. One character commands:
C - Continue
E - Exit (use EX or EXI)
L - Leave message (use COMpose)
V - View Interests (Use MEMber)
______________________________________________________________
> ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
=====================
On CompuServe
-------------
compiled by Joe Mirando
73637,2262
As I sit here waiting for some magical force to begin this column (It
is true that the hardest part of writing is staring at that blank page, or
monitor in this case) there is a re-run of Star Trek: The Next Generation
on TV in the background. The episode features a young alien child
broadcasting an ancient question into the depths of space. "Is there
anyone out there"? It is a question asked by many on many different
occasions. I ask it now because I have heard very little from readers
about this column. The few comments I have received have been positive,
but I can't help feeling that there are ways to make the column even
better. If there is something you don't like about "PEOPLE ARE TALKING",
something you DO like about it, something you'd like to see in the future,
or even if you just want to say "Hey Joe", drop me a line at the account
number listed above.
Well, that's enough of that. There's a lot of "stuff" this week, so
let's see what little goodies we can find.
From The Atari Productivity Forum
=================================
If you have been following the emergence of the new "floptical"
drives, then you know that they can format a specially treated high
density 3.5 inch disk to 21 megabytes of storage space. Let's see what
other people can tell us about them.
Juergen Beurskens asks:
"Is it also possible to connect a floptical drive to the floppy port
when there is no HD-extension ?"
Tim Rule tells Juergen:
"No. Flopticals are SCSI devices and must be connected to the hard
drive (DMA - ACSI) port by using a SCSI host adaptor. I think ICD
"The Link" will do it, or a hard disk host adaptor which also supports
them (Data-Pulse range of hard disks)."
Scott Thumann joins in and ,after being told about what installing Atari's
High Density Disk upgrade requires, says:
"Oh well. I guess that I'm stuck with it (the original 720k floppy). I
don't trust myself to lobotomize my ST by messing w/chips, and the
flopticals don't really lend themselves to swapping between PC's &
Atari's. I just have to remember to put files from work on a DD disk.
Thanks for all the help Bob & Brian. You saved me a lot of grief. But
you made a lot of DD disks in this house very happy that they still
have a happy home. They thank you as well."
Brian Gockley of ST Informer jumps on in and tells Scott:
"Not that I want you to spend your money, but what do you mean:
Flopticals don't really lend themselves to swapping between PCs and
ST?
The Floptical will read those super funky optical 21 meg disks, but
they are really a super value *BECAUSE* they will *ALSO* read the old
720K and 1.44 meg regular old plain, magnetic, floppy disk, that are
so common on this planet now and that you would need to transfer your
files!
Now I want one! If you get one, you're problems will be solved, your
ulcer will clear up, your ex girlfriend will call you up and your old
car will start getting 40 mpg. Really! :)"
Everything now falls into place for Scott and he tells Brian:
"I'm sorry, I was not thinking straight. Correction: I was thinking
too straight, and too rigidly. Here I was, looking for a formatted
disk to take out of the PC's Hdensity drive (with a file on it) and
pop it right into my STe's drive, and happily load it. When I read
your previous msg, I realized what you had to spell out for me:
whether it's an ST disk (DD) or a PC disk (HD or DD), the floptical
will read it. Sometimes I can be dense (no pun intended).
They go for approx $300 eh? Any info in the LIBs re vendors, what's
needed to connect up (I have an ICD 105meg Hard drive), pros/cons, how
big this thing is, you know....stuff I need to know. This is a stab in
the dark but maybe there's a vendor here in Jersey...NOT (probably).
Thanks for waking me up."
Brian, being the helpful guy that he is, tells Scott:
"I would check your magazine of choice for advertisers, If you have an
ICD drive, then you should be able to plug right in!
I know that PLI and Purple Mountain Computers both carry them."
Scott takes the advice to heart and tells Brian:
"Thanks! I'll track down some recent mags & investigate further. don't
be surprised if I have more questions for ya down the road! (Ignorance
is NOT bliss, especially when it concerns computers.) All the help is
appreciated..."
Brian says what a lot of us are saying:
"No problem, Everything I know I learned from reading Albert's posts!
:)"
Hearing his name mentioned, Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine pops
in and retorts:
"And I everything I know is from reading everyone's posts in this
forum!!"
Remember how nice and easy it was when there was just one type of
archive program? All you had to tell someone who wanted to use an
archived program was that it was "ARCed". That person could then use
just about any version of ARC and would be able to de-compress it.
As is usually the case when dealing with computers, progress has reared
it's ugly head and given us a slew of archive programs that are not
compatible with one another. Now we have ARC, LHARC, LZH(LH5), ZIP, and
ZOO. And I'm sure there will be others soon. All the choices, as well as
what is/isn't compatible with what, make for a good amount of confusion to
those unfamiliar with them. Dr. Gerry Leavens utters the words that every
new computer user has spoken:
"I need some help. At one time I was able to use ARC for virtually
all programs on this board. Then something called .lzh came into the
picture. I have downloaded an .lzh program and then discovered that
there is more than one version of this as well. Talk about making a
computer annoying and no fun to use. What is going on out there? All
I need is some simple directions on which program will "decode" all of
the present .lzh stuff, and how to go about doing it. Do some of these
downloads extract automatically? When I have downloaded an .lzh
program and tried to extract it using the .lzh file that I got off
CIS, I consistently get a message that there is an error of some kind
and that the extraction cannot be done. In simple language that even a
dumb dentist can understand, is there anyone out there that can tell
me what to download and how to use it. Many, many thanks in advance."
Boris Molodyi, an old hand at this kind of thing, tells the good doctor:
"There is a new version of Lharc archiver, 2.01 and some letters (like
m or l, I don't recall). Files compressed using this version can not
be extracted with older versions (like UNLZH), they give "Bad CRC"
error.
You might want to download file "ARCLZH" (I don't remember the
filename extension) from this forum. It's self-extracting, and it has
latest versions of ARC, LZH and Charles F. Johnson's Arcshell,
graphical front-end which make archiving and de-archiving much
easier."
If computer users can figure out how to use all of these archive programs,
why can't those who design the software for these machines keep numbers
straight? Tim Rule asks:
"Do you generally find TOS 1.2 referred to as 1.02 and 1.4 referred to
as 1.04. They should really be 1.2 and 1.4, the reason a lot of people
put the 0 in is that programmers (lazy ones) often read the TOS
version number wrong. Thus many programs forget to reverse the last
two digits of the version number. Because of the way the number is
stored it does not cause problems with all version numbers, just 1.4
and 1.2."
Greg Wageman tells Tim:
"I'm not so sure that's true. I think that Atari officially now
includes that zero, so that TOS "1.4" is officially TOS 1.04, etc."
Dom Alvear jumps in and tells Tim:
"I beg to differ with you. I have a document written by John Townsend
of Atari that refers to Mega TOS as 1.02 and Rainbow TOS as 1.04. He
also calls STe TOS 1.06/1.062, Mega STe TOS 2.05, and TT TOS
3.01/3.05. I could upload it here if it's not already in the file
section."
Well, this is all very interesting, but the reason that Atari suddenly
began referring to TOS 1.2 as 1.02 and TOS 1.4 as 1.04 is that version
numbers with two digits after the decimal had not been a consideration at
the time the "version format" had been created. Everything went along
fine until STe TOS, known as 1.6 was found to have a few bugs. The new
version of STe TOS was to be 1.62, but to give it this designation, they
had to change the way that a program looks for the version number. This
is when they decided to change all of the numbers to X.XX instead of X.X.
As proof of this, I offer an addendum that came with my second 1040 ST.
It read as follows:
=================================================================
IMPORTANT
---------
This Atari ST computer is fitted with the Atari Operating System ROM
version 1.09. This is the latest version of the operating system and has
been introduced to facilitate your ability to upgrade to future products
such as the Atari Blitier (Yes folks, that's the way they spelled
it.)
Please ensure that you purchase software compatible with this operating
system version. Your Atari dealer has been advised of the few titles that
are incompatible with this version. The authors of incompatible software
products have been informed and will be releasing compatible versions.
==================================================================
Now this in and of itself is nothing special. What makes it interesting
is that at the bottom of the addendum is a date. The date is listed as
1989.
That's right folks, 1989. TOS 1.06 is the version that shipped with the
first 1040 STe's, correct? 1.06 already contained blitter support, as
well as other enhancements to take advantage of the new STe. So now comes
the question: Why would a TOS version that pre-dates the STe version be a
later version number? I'll leave it to people who have more time on their
hands than I do.
Okay, one more from the productivity forum, then we move on.
Jim Dunne asks about swapping parts between platforms:
"Can any hardware be exchanged between Amiga and ST, for example,
monitor or d disk drive?"
Hal Dougherty tells Jim:
"The only hardware that can be exchanged without more trouble than
it's worth between Atari ST and Amiga computers is the monitor.
Redmond Cable makes cables for both systems to exchange monitors.
SCSI hard drive mechanisms can also be switched between computers."
Jim explains why he asked:
"Thanks much for the info. That's what I thought. A friend of mine
bought a 3.5 disk drive for his ST from an Atari store, and when he
opened the drive, there was an Amiga label on the mechanism. I told
him I didn't think an Amiga drive would work on an ST, but I would
check."
Hal Dougherty provides Jim with the axiom that computer technicians have
always used:
"Try it and see, it should work. The Mac is the only system to use a
'strange' drive. Make sure pin 1 on the cable goes to pin 1 on the
drive. I've seen two ST's with the connector made upside down. Also
make sure the drive setting dip switches are set for drive 1."
From The Atari ST Arts Forum
============================
First off, Sysop Ron Luks has some news for us:
"I had not planned to publicly comment on this but due to the large
number of EMAIL questions I've received in the past few hours, I think
I have to make a statement.
For those of you who have seen the name of SAM TRAMIEL in the user
log, I will confirm that this is not a fictitious entry. It is either
Sam or his immediate family (wife, kids, pets, etc.).
Sam has decided to expand his horizons and visit the online services
personally (as well as with members of his family) and I am requesting
that our membership just carry on "business as usual" and not 'pounce'
on Sam immediately upon seeing him online. He will surely have to go
thru the same learning curve we all did before feeling comfortable
with the online software and I think he deserves the same
consideration as any of our new members.
I'm extremely proud of our staff and membership here and especially
the service we all provide to fellow Atari owners and given the
chance, I'm confident that Sam and his family will enjoy the benefits
of our online community.
I applaud this decision by the CEO and welcome him to the ranks of
other CEO's from major corporations who use and enjoy the CompuServe
network."
Ain't that something, boys and girls? The Chief Executive Officer of
Atari chose CompuServe for his kids. Now THAT'S news!
A few weeks ago I mentioned that those of us who are comfortable with
computers and the terminology that goes with them tend to take things for
granted. One of those things is the meaning of certain extensions for
files. Phil Banks posts:
"I have downloaded several graphics files from the Atari St Arts
forum. I have an IBM PC compatible computer and would like to know how
I can look at graphics files with the extensions of 'ARC', 'SPC', and
'LZH'"
Sysop Bob Retelle tells Phil:
"Phil, the ARC and LZH files have to be uncompressed before you can
use them.
The ARC files can be uncompressed with the PKARC utilities on the PC,
and the LZH files can be processes with the LHA series of utilities.
Also as Ron mentioned, the SPC files are Atari specific.. they CAN be
converted (on an Atari) into GIF format to be viewed on a PC, but I
don't know of any PC utilities to do that directly.
If you find any Atari files with the .PI1 , .PI2 or .PI3 extension,
those are files from an Atari drawing program called DEGAS. There is
a PC utility to display those on an IBM, and you can use a screen
snapshot program to save them in a PC format if you'd like. I don't
remember then name of the DEGAS viewer program, but I know you can
find it in the IBM File Finder here on CompuServe.
If you have any problems with anything you've downloaded here, let us
know and we'll try to figure out something to help..!"
Hmmm... remember a few paragraphs ago when I was rambling on about TOS
versions? Well, it seems that there is yet more confusion. "No. 19" from
Spectrum HoloByte posts about a mistake regarding TOS versions on the
packaging for their popular game, Flight of the Intruder:
"Oops, that was a mistake on the Flight of the Intruder package. It
should have read "TOS 2.02" but the utility we were using
misrepresented the TOS version. Btw, some FOTI players have been able
to run FOTI on a TT, but I haven't heard of any success on a Mega STe
unfortunately."
Sysop Ron Luks tells No. 19.:
"I've NEVER heard of a version of TOS numbered 2.02 or 2.2 or anything
close to that."
On another subject, Phil Venron tells us:
"I have been considering buying one of the Citizen GSX printers with
the color option but have limited knowledge about their use with ST
computers I want to be able to print color DEGAS type pictures. If
anyone knows if proper print drivers are available for this I would
appreciate your help."
Tony Barker from Moving Pixels tells Phil:
"I wrote an ALT-HELP replacement that would produce a color dump an
the GSX printers, it was configurable for 9 or 24 pin, size,
brightness etc. it should be in the libs here as........I can't
remember, just search with a key word of color or print.
I also wrote a little program to display and print Spectrum pics to
the GSX (well any epson compat really). It's called specprint (don't
know what the 6 character name is, a search as above will turn it up).
Finally I wrote a program that allows you to change all the settings
of the GSX 140 including macros, color, font, etc. using menus on the
ST. Thats not available I don't think I ever uploaded it.
Of course they are Epson compatible, so any good color epson driver
should work."
From The Atari Vendors Forum
============================
Sysop Bill Aycock posts:
"These great new Extend-O-Save modules are available in LIB 16:
[76004,2232] Lib:16
STACYB.LZH/Bin Bytes: 768, Count: 0, 31-Jan-93
Title : Warp 9 EOS module for Stacy computers
Keywords: CODEHEAD WARP 9 EXTEND-O-SAVE SCREENSAVER MODULE STACY
This Extend-O-Save module will turn off a Stacy's monitor display
in hardware, saving both your battery and wear-and-tear on your
display. The Stacy Screen Blanker requires Warp 9 3.70 or later. If
you don't have a Stacy, you don't need this module. By John Eidsvoog.
[76004,2232] Lib:16
ROLLEM.LZH/Bin Bytes: 1664, Count: 0, 31-Jan-93
Title : Warp 9 Extend-O-Save module
Keywords: CODEHEAD WARP 9 EXTEND-O-SAVE SCREENSAVER MODULE SCROLL
EOS
This Extend-O-Save screensaver module has a smooth display that
scrolls in two directions at once, bouncing back and forth. Roll'Em
requires Warp 9 3.70 or later. By John Eidsvoog"
Jody Golick asks the CodeHeads:
"I am planning to order the Calligrapher upgrade but I am waiting for
the new font charts to be posted so I can choose one. How soon will
the font charts be available?"
Charles F. Johnson, that CodeHead extrordinare, tells Jody:
"We'll have the font charts up here in the next day or two."
Denis Postle tells Mark at Gadgets by Small:
"When I recently tried to install ATM (v 2.0.3) it crashed right away
with a system error id 12.
I'm using system 6.0.5 and a 2 meg TT. The bit maps are installed OK.
Can Spectre handle ATM? the problem seems to be with the 68020/030
driver, is there an alternative? or a fix?
Any suggestions?"
Mark has one possibility right off the bat. He asks Denis:
"By any chance are you using the PYRO screen saver? PYRO caused me to
crash on my SST with ATM and the 68020/68030 extension. It worked
fine on a regular ST with the 68000 extension.
If so, try deleting PYRO and see if your problems go away. Also, it
might be one or another INIT/CDEV that is causing a conflict. Try
moving ALL of them out of your System folder (temporarily) and just
booting with ATM installed. If that works, slowly add the INITS back
into the System folder one at a time until the crash pops up again."
From the Atari Portfolio Forum
==============================
Chip Shabazian tells us:
"I am looking to upgrade my portfolio's memory, but haven't seen any
"recent" messages of anyone trying. the memory thread in the library
is 2 years old!!! I am looking for a supplier for the 128 x 8 CMOS
SRAM, but read that you also need to change a jumper. Does anyone
know which jumper this is, and if that is in fact the only change you
must make? Any help would be much appreciated.
P.S. I will upload my results for the entire process once I am done so
someone else interested in upgrading will not have the same problems."
Although I haven't had a chance to post it yet, my best recommendation for
upgrading a Portfolio is to send it to Megabyte Computers of North Texas.
I don't have the price handy at the moment, but they do a very
professional job of upgrading a Portfolio up to 512k. They also sell new
Portfolios upgraded to 512k. Their address is:
Megabyte Computers of North Texas
907 Melbourne
Hurst, Texas 76053
(817) 589-2950
If you call for information, ask for Robert and tell him that Joe from
STReport sent you.
The song says "When you wish upon a star..." let's see if the star will
smile upon Howard Blumenthal as he makes his wish:
"I'm back on the Portfolio Forum, and hoping to see a wish fulfilled.
This one is probably pretty simple. I want a stopwatch that fills the
screen with nice big numbers. Time should be displayed as
HOURS:MINUTES:SECONDS:TENTHS. Control should be start, stop, reset.
To get a bit fancier, display the previous timing in the lower left
corner, for reference.
It would be great if this could be a part of a larger clock program--
an attachment to the big clock, for example, so all I need to do is
move from the Big Clock to the Stop Watch with the press of a single
button. Not essential, but would be nice.
Anyone want to take a shot at this? It might be fun if this was
expandable, modular so that we could eventually add a world clock or a
pulse measurement or something else that might eventually cause this
to become "Super Clock." For now, though, I'd be thrilled to have my
stopwatch."
Now I ask you: Where else can you just jump into a forum and say "y'know,
I'd really like to have a program that will....", or "I wish that this
program would...", and actually have people consider writing the program
for you? (Boy, I wish I'd known about this when I was in college! ;^)
Well, that's it for this week folks. C'mon back next time (same time,
same station) and listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
_________________________________________________________________
> BAGGETTA DEALS STR InfoFile COME TO THE SWAP FESTEROO!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
BAGGETTA_WARE OFFERS DEALS
AT
CONNECTICUT SHOW
STAMFORD, Conn. -- If you're hunting for great deals on educational
and graphics software for the Atari computer, as well as home applications
and other programs, The Great Connecticut Trading Fair, is the place to
be.
The 'swap meet' this Saturday (Feb. 6) will also feature developers of
Atari software, among them Albert Baggetta, creator of Baggetta_Ware.
The show at St. Benedict's Church Social Center, 32 Sound View Avenue,
Stamford, will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $2
for children under 12.
Baggetta_Ware and Eliemouse will provide lots of bargains, among them,the
Eliemouse Complimentary Coloring Book (Version 6), bundled with 104
picture files, manual and disk (souvenir pencil, too, while they last).
All for $25 ($45 value if purchased separately).
Baggetta will be selling additional pictures files at $5.00 per disk.
Other featured items include: The Eliemouse Electronic Storybook,
Shakespeare: The Sonnets, The Comic Book Collector (with free collector
card enclosed), Smorgasboard Disks (25 assorted original programs),
Artworks I and II (collection of Degas and Spectrum artwork).
New for the artist in the family is a collection of 82 pieces of ELIEMOUSE
CLIP ART for use with ST or PC in .IMG or .PCX format ready for using in
all kinds of DTP. Great assortment for only $10. Bring the kids and let
them try The Eliemouse Complimentary Coloring Book which will be running
all day at our table. Lots of fun for children.
Eight-bitters haven't been forgotten! If you're into radio-controlled
racing, Baggetta_Ware has a program for the Atari 8-bit that will monitor
your races, keep track of laps, time the event and print results. Check
this program out.
Other scheduled exhibitors include Gribnif, Dr. T's, Danbury Electronic
Music, Derric Electronics, Computers Etc., Central Connecticut Computer
Club, Atari User Group of Greater Hartford, Fairfield Atari Computer
Enthusiasts and WACO (Western Pennsylvania).
The Great Connecticut Trading Fair is being staged by ACT Atari Group, a
network of seven non-profit user groups (computer clubs) based throughout
Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. It is a swap meet aimed at computer
owners who want to upgrade their systems or sell or trade their old gear.
Any individual may bring computer equipment to sell, regardless of the
brand or model, for an exhibitor's fee of $10. Commercial vendors will be
assessed higher fees.
For more information contact:
Brian Gockley
18 Elmwood Ave.
Bridgeport, CT 06605
[Phone (203) 332-1721];
or
Doug Finch
46 Park Avenue
Old Greenwich, CT 06870
[Phone (203) 637-1034].
***********************************************************************
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.
For more information, call: DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005
DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge, MA.
Try DELPHI for $1 an hour!
For a limited time, you can become a trial member of DELPHI, and
receive 5 hours of evening and weekend access during this month for only
$5. If you're not satisfied, simply cancel your account before the end of
the calendar month with no further obligation. If you keep your account
active, you will automatically be enrolled in DELPHI's 10/4 Basic Plan,
where you can use up to 4 weekend and evening hours a month for a minimum
$10 monthly charge, with additional hours available at $3.96. But hurry,
this special trial offer will expire soon! To take advantage of this
limited offer, use your modem to dial 1-800-365-4636. Press <RET> once
or twice. When you get the Password: prompt, type IP26 and press <RET>
again. Then, just answer the questions and within a day or two, you'll
officially be a member of DELPHI!
TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (2/3/93)
(1) STZIP 2.1
(2) STREPORT 9.05 01/29/93
(3) ZMODEMFX.LZH
(4) VIEW132D
(5) TOS 2.06 W/O A TEC BOARD
(6) AEO_0203.LZH
(7) GEM-VIEW 2.13
(8) SUPER PCS PICS
(9) PAULA21B.LZH
(10) FALC_TOP.LZH
All of the above files can be found in the RECENT ARRIVALS database for at
least one week after the posting of this list. Please Note that in the
case of online magazines, only the most current issue in the database at
the time of this compilation is considered for the Top 10 list. Also, for
all files, a submission is eligible for the Top 10 list for only four
weeks after its original uploading.
THE
_ _/
/ | / __ __/ ___/ __ \ | / ___/ __ __/
/ / | / / / / | / | / / /
/ / | / / __/ __ _/ / | / __/ /
/ / / / / / | / / / /
____/ __/ __/ __/ ______/ __/ __/ __/ __/ ______/ __/
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
Helping you connect to everywhere!
Walt Howe, INTERNET SIG Manager
Jim Monty, Assistant Manager
MS DOS USERS: Peter Scott's new HYTELNET 6.4 is in the Tools & Utilities
Database-- a comprehensive Internet resource guide you can
summon with a keypress. RECOMMENDED!!
Internet SIG Menu:
About the Internet Using Internet Services
Announcements Who's Here
Conference Workspace
Databases (Files) Help
Entry Log Exit
Forum (Messages)
Guides (Books) FTP
Mail Telnet
Member Directory Other Utilities
Register/Cancel
Internet SIG>Enter your selection: about
Contents
--------
1 BACKGROUND ABOUT THE INTERNET
2 NEARNET ACCEPTABLE USE GUIDELINES
ABOUT>(Enter Number, Scan, "?" or Exit): 1
1 BACKGROUND ABOUT THE INTERNET
The Internet is a nationwide computer network established, or perhaps a
better term is "cultivated," by the National Science Foundation (NSF). It
is actually a collection of many regional networks all interconnected
using a common communication protocol called the Internet Protocol or
"IP." The original intent was to enhance research and education projects
through open communication and exchange of data. Development of the
telecommunications backbone was subsidized by the government. Up until
very recently use of the Internet has been restricted to people or
organizations involved in research and education. The guidelines
governing acceptable use have recently been relaxed to allow commercial
companies and online services like DELPHI to use Internet mail for many
purposes. Compuserve, America Online, AppleLink, AT&T mail, MCI Mail, and
now DELPHI all have connections to the Internet.
Access to the Internet on DELPHI is provided through a connection to the
New England Academic and Research Network (NEARnet). This is the regional
authorized representative of Internet services.
There are literally thousands of services available through the Internet.
Most features of the Internet are now generally available to DELPHI users.
A feature called "FTP" allows users to transfer files from other hosts on
the internet, and a feature called "Telnet" allows users to connect from
one host to the other. Members on other hosts can connect to DELPHI using
Telnet, and DELPHI members can connect to other hosts.
ABOUT>(Enter Number, Scan, "?" or Exit): 2
2 NEARNET ACCEPTABLE USE GUIDELINES
Access to Internet mail on DELPHI is provided through a connection to the
New England Academic and Research Network (NEARnet). Use of Internet mail
is subject to NEARnet's acceptable use policy.
NEARnet - ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
This statement represents a guide to the acceptable use of NEARnet for
data communications. It is only intended to address the issue of NEARnet
use. In those cases where data communications are carried across other
regional networks or the Internet, NEARnet users are advised that
acceptable use policies of those other networks apply and may limit use.
NEARnet member organizations are expected to inform their users of both
the
NEARnet and the NSFNET acceptable use policies.
1. NEARnet Primary Goals
1.1 NEARnet, the New England Academic and Research Network, has been
established to enhance educational and research activities in New
England, and to promote regional and national innovation and
competitiveness. NEARnet provides access to regional and national
resources to its members, and access to regional resources from
organizations throughout the United States and the world.
2. NEARnet Acceptable Use Policy
2.1 All use of NEARnet must be consistent with NEARnet's primary goals.
2.2 It is not acceptable to use NEARnet for illegal purposes.
2.3 It is not acceptable to use NEARnet to transmit threatening, obscene,
or harassing materials.
2.4 It is not acceptable to use NEARnet so as to interfere with or
disrupt network users, services or equipment. Disruptions include,
but are not limited to, distribution of unsolicited advertising,
propagation of computer worms and viruses, and using the network to
make unauthorized entry to any other machine accessible via the
network.
2.5 It is assumed that information and resources accessible via NEARnet
are private to the individuals and organizations which own or hold
rights to those resources and information unless specifically stated
otherwise by the owners or holders of rights. It is therefore not
acceptable for an individual to use NEARnet to access information or
resources unless permission to do so has been granted by the owners
or holders of rights to those resources or information.
3. Violation of Policy
3.1 NEARnet will review alleged violations of Acceptable Use Policy on a
case-by-case basis. Clear violations of policy which are not
promptly remedied by member organization may result in termination of
NEARnet membership and network services to member.
DELPHI- It's getting better all the time!
***********************************************************************
> 1.44mb FLOPPY FOR YOUR ST STR FOCUS! LET'S DOITTOIT
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
HIGH DENSITY DRIVES ON THE ST
=============================
This document outlines the steps necessary to connect a PC High
Density drive to the ST. It will allow somebody with a basic
understanding and experience of electronics and the ST to go ahead and do
the mods but it is not a step by step set of instructions.
The upgrade is not difficult but you will need some knowledge of
electronics and the inside of your ST. Think about it carefully because
you're on your own if it goes wrong.
CONNECTING THE DRIVE
--------------------
Connecting a standard 1.44 MB drive to your ST is not a problem. You
will simply need to buy an HD drive and put it in the place of your
internal drive. The problem? Well it will only be able to read/write
720K disks.
MODIFYING YOUR ST
-----------------
The floppy disk drive controller chip for the ST is the WD1772 chip.
This chip has a clock input on pin-8 of 8 MHz to provide the correct
stepping pulse for DD floppies. This will also work with DD floppies in
HD drives. However, high density disks require double the stepping pulse
and therefore the clock input needs to be changed to 16 MHz in order to
read and write them. When an HD drive is using a DD disk though, it still
needs 8 MHz clock for the controller chip.
What needs to be done it to provide a means of detecting whether the
disk HD. If it is then the standard clock input must be doubled to 16
MHz.
High density drives detect whether the disk is HD by looking for the
extra hole. If the disk is high density then the HD detect line connected
to the drive is set low (high for DD). This HD detect line is pin-2 on
the 34 way drive connector cable.
This means that if we have a 16 MHz clock generator we can use the HD
detect line to select either our new 16 MHz clock and apply it to pin-8 of
the floppy disk controller or use the existing 8 MHz clock. To do this we
need a couple of CMOS (must be CMOS to operate at 16MHz) logic chips and a
multivibrator. Pin 8 of the disk controller must be carefully de-soldered
and lifted off the track. A jump wire is then attached to the track to
get our 8 MHz input. The lifted pin should then be hooked up to the
output of our circuit. A suggested logic schematic is represented below.
16 MHz -----|--------|
| NAND |-----------------|
HD detect -----|--------| |
| |---|-------|
|---|--------| | XOR |--- Pin 8
| | NAND |--| |---|-------| (WD1172)
|---|--------| |--|--------| |
| NAND |--|
8 MHz ----------------------|--------|
NOTES AND WARNINGS
------------------
The WD1172 chip is only designed for 8 MHz o
peration and so,
inevitably, some will fail at 16 MHz. There is no way of telling if yours
will work beforehand. If the chip does fail you will have to order an STE
Ajax chip from Atari (tel. 0753 533344). This new chip does work at 16
MHz and will replace your old failed chip.
If you have two floppy drives then, unless you make other alterations,
they must both be HD as DD disks will not work reliably with 16 MHz clock.
Lifting the pin on the disk controller chip is a delicate job and
there is a high risk of damage to the pin, chip or track. You should
definitely use a heat sink clipped onto the pin to prevent heat damage to
the chip. Perhaps it would be easier to de-solder the whole chip and
insert a doctored socket to plug it back into.
***********************************************************************
:HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
_________________________________
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. Jan. '93 GEnie Billing Complete - to review your bill, type:..*BILL
2. New Game, Free Weekend, New Features in.......................HYW
3. An automated Macintosh graphic interface for GEnie is in......MACPRO
4. It's back - Invest to Win Portfolio Contest...................*INVEST
5. RTC 2/7: How EMPLOYEE MANUALS Reduce Risk of Lawsuits.........HOSB
6. TeleCon, A Comics Convention Online...........................COMICS
7. AMA President Ed Youngblood Talks About Riding Issues.........MOTO
8. FREE GLOSSBRENNER'S GUIDE w/$40 order. At BRAND NEW...........MHBOOKS
9. CRAZY SALE PRICES on Video Laser Discs ONLY at.............LASERCRAZE
10. II Legit II Quit - 20,000 files can't be wrong................A2
11. NEW: Locate INTERNATIONAL TRADE Administration Offices......DIRECTORY
12. It's HOT, it's Out, it's _FREE_ and it's in..................GENIELAMP
13. Stocks Soar To Records Highs...Get The Latest Picks...........SOS
14. New instrument information now turning up in . . . . . .......MUSIC
15. Win FREE SOFTWARE in..........................................*FOOD
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THE FEBRUARY ISSUES OF GEnieLamp ARE NOW ONLINE!
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<<<>>> NEW ONLINE MAGAZINE RELEASED: Pacific Edge Magazine! <<<>>>
~ For IBM/compatibles - File # 1062 EDGE0193.ZIP ~
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3. About the RoundTable 4. RoundTable News (930119)
5.[*]FEEDBACK to GEnieLamp
6.[*]GEnieLamp IBM (930201) 7.[*]GEnieLamp Atari (930201)
8.[*]GEnieLamp Mac (930201) 9.[*]GEnieLamp MacPRO (930202)
10.[*]GEnieLamp Apple II (930201)
11. Newsbytes News Network 12. Computer & Electronics NewsCenter
GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission
***********************************************************************
> All 'Round GEnie STR Feature Takin' a look at GEnie!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
ALL AROUND GENIE
================
Compiled by John Deegan
ARE YOU ADDICTED TO YOUR MODEM?
From the Jerry Pournelle RT on Genie, from Jim Wells.
1. Do you own a modem? (If the answer is NO, STOP! read no further.
Anyone who would use a borrowed modem to access a BBS may one day
be a BBS addict, but is not one at this time.)
2. Is your modem 2400 baud or higher? (c'mon now, another obvious
question but one that has to be asked...we have to weed out the
fakes here.)
3. No matter what baud modem you own, (even a v.32bis) do you wish you
had one that was faster?
4. Have you used your modem in the past week?
5. In the past 24 hours?
6. In the past 3 minutes?
7. Do you regularly call more than 5 BBS'S?
8. More than 10?
9. Have you filled up your entire dialing directory and call them ALL?
10. Are your phone bills regularly over $100 a month?
11. Over $300?
12. Over $500?
13. Is your phone bill higher than your mortgage?
14. Is your phone bill so large it gets delivered by UPS?
15. Do you tell yourself after receiving a phone bill that you will
cut back on your long distance BBSing, and end up subscribing to
Dial-a-Visit instead?
16. Do you leave long tearful announcements on LD BBS'S telling
everyone that you will no longer be calling because you cannot
afford to, and then check back every 3 or 4 days anyway, "just to
see if anyone left me any mail?"
17. Does your phone company send you hand written thank-you notes?
18. When you return from vacation, do you get a call from your phone
company asking if everything is all right?
19. Do you find yourself taking naps so that you can be awake and
refreshed for a late-night BBS session?
20. Have you ever canceled a date cause he/she wants a late night
dinner when the phone rates are lowest?
21. Do you call during the morning hours, knowing the rates are the
highest with the excuse that "at least I will be able to get on?"
or "since volume is lower there won't be as much l|i{ne noi{se."
22. Is your spouse ready to oil the keyboard to get rid of that
annnoying late night "clackety-clack"?
23. Do you ever sleep for more than 2 hours at a stretch?
24. Have you suddenly discovered that you can touch-type from all
those BBS sessions done in the dark?
25. What else can you do in the dark?
26. Do you cringe when you see lightning coming your way and rush to
unplug your modem from the wall?
27. Do you continue your BBS session anyway because you are in the
middle of a 1200 block download at 1200 baud... and you are
willing to take your chances.
28. Do you own a backup generator so you can run your computer even
when the power company can't?
29. Do you have a complicated set of air motion devices hanging all
around your computer and modem, because you never turn them off?
30. Have you ever logged on to a BBS, and then realized that you have
no idea what city, state, or country it is in?
31. Can you log onto a BBS, browse, download and log off without ever
having to turn the monitor on?
32. Can your spouse spot you in a crowd from the back of your head?
33. Is there a worn spot in the rug in front of the computer?
34. Are the words ON LINE burned into the screen?
35. Do you know your modem initialization string by heart?
36. Do you consider yourself a militant non-techie, yet you still know
enough to be able to change the string to make the computer run
silently?
37. Do you know more about what is going on in the lives of the people
in in the BBS community that you do about the people you live
with?
38. Do you order disks in lots of 100 or more?
If your answered yes to more than 14 of these questions, then there is
no doubt.
More than 7? Yup. Sorry.
If you read this all the way to the end, well... you too are addicted.
_____________________________________________________________
> MULTIWRITER STR InfoFile A WYSIWYG WP THATS COMPATIBLE WITH ST WRITER
""""""""""""""""""""""""
MULTIWRITER
===========
PRESS RELEASE
=============
Medical Designs Software announces the release of MultiWriter for
the Atari ST/MegaSTE/TT/Falcon series of computers.
MultiWriter is a new, non-WYSWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get),
word processor developed to be fully compatible with ST Writer Elite.
MultiWriter is fully compatible with all versions of TOS and
MultiTOS , the new multi-tasking operating system from Atari Corp.
MultiWriter was developed because it was clear that ST Writer was not
compatible with the new operating systems. MultiWriter works with
existing ST Writer/ST Writer Elite files. The program displays and
operation resemble ST Writer Elite, so if you are experienced with ST
Writer Elite, you will be up and running quickly. MultiWriter has
been tested and works with Gemulator from Branch Always Software.
MultiWriter also as been tested with and works well with Spelling
Sentry, a spell checking program from Wintertree Software Inc.
MultiWriter is much more than an ST Writer Elite look-a-like. It
supports multiple font sizes, multi-colored menu items, loading and
saving in multiple file formats, use of the Atari Clipboard, is
configurable in three languages, works in all ST/TT/Falcon
resolutions, and is fully compatible with TOS and MultiTOS.
The program supports importing and exporting text in five formats;
ASCII, ST Writer Elite, WordPerfect , 1st Word , and Word Writer
formats.
MultiWriter supports three languages, English, German, and
Spanish. When the program is configured, one of the three languages
can be selected and the settings saved. From then on, all program
menus will appear in the selected language.
The multiple font size support includes support for a
larger-than-normal fonts for easier use by some people with visual
impairment.
Printer support is user configurable and printer configuration
files are provided for Epson compatiable and HP Laserjet compatible
printers.
If you use ST Writer Elite and will be upgrading to the new
MultiTOS or Falcon computers, MultiWriter is for you.
A demo version of MultiWriter is available on GEnie and
CompuServe. Check it out!
MultiWriter is available from:
Medical Designs Software
21701 76th Avenue West
Suite 206
Edmonds, WA 98026
USA
Phone: (206) 742-2032
Price: $69.95 US ($84 CAN) and $3 Shipping and Handling.
Dealer Inquiries Welcome
MultiWriter is a trademark of Medical Designs Software. Atari, TOS,
MultiTOS, ST Writer, ST, STe, TT, Falcon, and STacy are trademarks of
Atari Corporation. GEM is a trademark of Digital Research Inc. Word
Writer is a trademark of Timeworks, Inc. 1st Word is a trademark of
GST Holdings Ltd. WordPerfect is a registered tradmark of WordPerfect
Corporation. GEnie is a registered trademark of General Electric
Corporation. CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe
Incorporated.
____________________________________________________________________
> NVN WANTS YOU! STR InfoFile Another Network Supports Atari!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
National Videotext Network (NVN) has recently added an Atari ST Forum
to it's growing lists of available services. The Atari ST Forum is ready
and waiting for you!
The future of NVN will be one which continues to remain sensitive and
responsive to market needs. Additional services and advances in electronic
information will continue to be added, to provide unique and interesting
services on an on-going basis.
NVN service offerings can be broken into three categories: Basic,
Premium, and Premium Plus.
Basic Services
--------------
Most of the Basic services are available 24 hours a day with no
connect time charges beyond the basic membership fee. However, a select
group have functions for which transaction fees are charged. Basic
services are accessible through a flat rate charge of $5.95 per month.
Premium Services
----------------
For Premium services, Members pay connect charges for the amount of
time spent in a particular service. Premium services are accessible Monday
through Friday for a connect time charge of $9.00/hour from 8 am to 6 pm,
and $6.00/hour from 6 pm to 8 am; and on Saturday and Sunday for a connect
time charge of $6.00 all day (6 pm Friday til 8 am Monday), central time
zone. 9600 Baud access is available at no additional cost! Think of the
advantages of downloading at 9600 baud for 9.00 hr Prime Time or 6.00 hr
non-prime time!
Premium Plus Services
---------------------
Premium Plus services are subject to the same type of connect time
charge as Premium services. However, a surcharge is also added to the
connect time for these services.
You can join NVN one of two ways. By voice phone 1-800-336-9096
(Client Services) or via modem phone 1-800-336-9092. You will be issued
an Account # (usually within 24 hours) National Videotex Network and the
Atari ST Forum will be waiting for you.
_____________________________________________________________
> FAMILY ACCOUNTANT INTRO'ED STR InfoFile DON'T MISS THIS ONE!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY ACCOUNTANT
=================================
Welcome to FAMILY ACCOUNTANT version 2.5. This program has been
developed over the past two and a half years. My wife and I have used it
extensively to handle our finances. It is a simple, no-frills program
that will keep track of family finances automatically, with a minimum of
effort required on the part of the user. It is not designed for
businesses, but is specially tailored for home use. No formal knowledge
of accounting is required. The program features a specially designed
budgeting capacity, so that you can design and maintain your own budget
simply and efficiently.
We are offering this program as shareware. Please try it, and if you
find that you can use it please... please! ... do your part by sending
me $25. 15 Pounds will be gladly accepted from users in the U.K. Future
improvements are contingent on financial justice. (If you decide it is
fair to use it without paying for it, let me know, and I will see if I
can also get you a free copy of Plato's REPUBLIC.) We cannot offer any
warranty ("express or implied", as the merchants say); but to registered
users I will be happy to offer updated programs at a very nominal price if
time allows developing them. I will also welcome comments... and I hope
that there aren't many bugs left! (If you find one, let me know and I will
try find time to correct it.)
Send correspondence to:
Dr. S. Collins
22 Abanico Rd.
Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.A. 87505
I can also be reached on Compuserve at 71062,3255.
An online tutorial is not currently available, but a summary is
contained on the disk. The summary and a little practice should be enough
to help you quickly master FAMILY ACCOUNTANT. Happy accounting!
FAMILY ACCOUNTANT
1. Hardware
The program runs on the Atari ST, and requires a monochrome monitor
(sorry, color lovers!) in high resolution mode. 512K of RAM may be
adequate, but 1 Meg. is advisable.
2. Disks
In normal day to day use, this program performs disk operations
automatically; there is no need, for example, to do a "save" after
recording purchases, since the computer will do it automatically when it
is needed or when your session is ended. When you boot the program for
the first time, the computer will ask you if you want to create folders
for storing data; click on "OK". The computer will then create a folder
called "ACCOUNTS" and another within this folder called "BANKSTAT". All
of your accounting data will be stored within the "ACCOUNTS" folder. The
computer will also create a file called "current.cat".
N.B.: NEVER DELETE EITHER OF THESE FOLDERS, OR THE FILE ENTITLED
"CURRENT.CAT". DOING SO MAY CAUSE THE PROGRAM TO CRASH AND RESULT IN DATA
LOSS.
You can also keep the program itself on the data disk; we recommend that
you do this, and that you use one disk for each year of finance records.
(And, of course, be sure to make backups from time to time.)
3. The Main Menu
When you boot the program, it will begin by asking you for the date.
After you press return, the main menu will be displayed. This menu
summarizes all the operations that the program offers you. The operations
can be selected either by using the function keys (F1, etc.) or by moving
the arrow up and down using the arrow keys and pressing RETURN. In some
cases you can move between functions directly by using the function keys,
but if you are recording a purchase or a bank transaction you must first
press ESC.
The main menu also displays the month. You can go to a different month by
pressing F7. (When you enter the month, only three letters are
necessary.)
4. Setup
You can specially tailor the program for your own needs with the SETUP
function (Shift F10). The procedureis straightforward.You can have up to
eleven money accounts, anduptofourteen purchase categories. The purchase
categories need not be the same for every month, but (N.B.!) when you use
the TOTALS function, the computer will only include those months that have
the same purchase categories as the month you are currently in. The money
accounts can be renamed at any time; the computer simply handlesthem
according to their serial order, and will use whatever names you specify
for them. It will only display as many accounts as you specify in RENAME
ACCOUNTS.
To set up your monthly budget, use Shift F6, and then use the arrow keys
to select a budget category. After completing the budget, use RETURN to
exit. This program has a special "Float" feature in the budget.
Sometimes it is helpful to include a category in the budget even though it
doesn't make sense to try to budget for that particular category; you
might, for instance, want to have a "Medical" category included in your
total budget even though medical expenses themselves are not really
budgetable. In that case you can "float" the medical budget by simply
pressing F (or f). The computer will then include your ACTUAL medical
expenses as a part of your overall budget.
5. Data Entry And Display (F1 - F6)
Family accountant is designed to record your financial records in exactly
the same way that you usually think about them and deal with them. The
programhastwobroad classifications, "purchases" and "bank transactions".
Hence the two principal data entry modes are "Record Purchase" (F3) and
"Record Bank Transaction" (F5). For the purposes of this program, "bank"
refers to any money account, whether it be a bank, personal cash, credit
cards or other. The procedures are straightforward. Click on "OK" to
complete a record entry. The program is also designed detect errors or
missing data in entries; if you try, for instance, to record a purchase
without entering a dollaramount,thecomputerwill obstinately refuse to
accept it.
5.1 Bank Transactions (F5 and F2)
For bank transactions, use F5 andclickonthe appropriate buttons to
indicate accounts and transactions. Transactions will be recorded by the
computer in the order in which they are entered, and will be given the
current date. The computer will not allow you to do transactions that
make no sense, such as a transfer from an account into itself. Once you
have entered bank transactions, they can be reviewed or deleted under
"Bank Records" (F2).
The first option under "Transactions" in the F5 screen is "Revision". Use
this option when setting up the program to set your balances to the
correct amount. This function is also useful if you have a mutual fund
account or something similar that fluctuates in value from month to
month. If you revise the total value of the account monthly, the computer
will automatically calculate the gain or loss for you.
When reviewing bank records with F2, you can scroll up and down with the
arrow keys. The Up and down arrow keys preceded by the <home> key will
scroll a page at a time, and preceded by <home>-<home> they will move you
to the very beginning or end of the records. Bank record categories can
be reselected by hitting <enter>; the functionisexited entirely by
pressing <esc>.
5.2 Purchase Transactions (F3 and F1)
Purchase records are entered with F3 in a similar manner. You can select
a purchase category by clicking on "<" or ">". Records will automatically
be placed in order according to date by the program. They will be
displayed on the screen under the Record Purchase window (F1). (Press ESC
to view them after recording a purchase.) To move around in the F1 screen,
use the arrow keys. F9 (Search Mode) may be toggled on or off while the
purchase records are displayed; use Search Mode when searching through the
purchase categories for a particular purchase record, and Normal Mode when
you wish to move more quickly from one category to another. Purchase
records can also be deleted with the DELETE key. Purchase records also
show up as debits on the Bank Records screen.
[Two helpful hints: a refund can be entered as a negative debit. You can
also enter a debitthroughtheBank Transactions menu, which will then show
up ONLY as a bank transactionandnotinthe monthly purchase totals.
Occasionaly this is useful if you make a special purchase that you do not
want to have included as part of your monthly budget -- if for instance
you decide to buy a Jaguar, knowing full well that there is no way to
reconcile such a purchase with the budget your wife ...or husband... has
designed.]
5.3 Purchase Totals (F6)
By pressing F6, you can view the totals of all of your purchase records,
and view them against your monthly budget. Another special feature of
this program is the "Prorate" column in the F6 screen. This column
calculates the ratio of your total ANNUAL purchases in each category to
your MONTHLY budget. The number thus calculated shows what portion of
your annual budget you have spent so far IN TERMS OF MONTHS.
5.4 Account Balances and Balance Verification (F4 and F2)
The computer will automatically update your bank accounts when you enter a
bank transaction or a purchase record. F4 will display all of your bank
balances and totals in the first column of the screen.
You can also check your account transactions against your monthly bank and
credit card statements. First press F4 to display your account balances.
The second column will display the balance of transactions that have
already cleared. This should be the same as the "Opening Balance" or
"Previous Balance" on your bank statement. (If it is not the same because
you are just setting up the program, click on the button at the bottom of
the screen and revise the cleared balance.) Next press F2 to review the
transactions in the accountyouareverifying. When the transactions are
displayed, you can click between the parentheses on each transaction, and
the computer will display a check mark and add this transaction to the
total cleared balance that appeared in the second column of the F4
screen.
After you click off all of the transactions that appear on your bank or
credit card statement, your cleared balance should be the same as the
"Closing Balance" or "New Balance" on the bank statement. (Occasionally
while following this procedure you may have to use F7 to enter a previous
month. When doing this don't worry about disk file operations; the
computer will, as usual, take care of them for you.)
5.5 Cash Flow (F8)
By pressing Shift F10 you can display the cash flow into and out of each
account for the month you are currently in, or the cash flow for the
entire year. A menu will be displayed in which the options are fairly
self-explanatory. (Note: The graph only graphs the Annual Cash Flow by
Month Option; other options are by table display.) To return to the menu,
use <return>.
6. Summary
You now have the essentials needed to use FAMILY ACCOUNTANT. The
remaining functions on the main menu are fairly self-explanatory. We hope
that you will find this program both helpful and pleasant to use.
___________________________________________________
> STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips"
"""""""""""""""""""""
- Wilmington, DE REPORTS OF OVERHEATING & PS CHANGE HAUNT FALCON
--------------
STR's super snoop has had an opportunity to dig into the reports of
overheating and of a power supply change for the Falcon030 in the single
cabinet configuration. While most in the industry are remaining tight
lipped for many reasons called fear... Our snoop was able to find three
different sources of information. All had Falcons in their possession and
all agreed the heat was a problem the speculation was that when the
machine was at full memory and used for very long periods of time or in
the BBS environment, serious problems could possibly result. They all
suggested that added forced air cooling would be a very good idea. Also,
they confirmed the power supply to be in the Class B Falcons would not be
the same supply shipped in units shown in Boston, WAACE etc.. None would
confirm or deny the possibility of a case design change or the plans to
surprise the Atari community with a two piece unit within ninety days.
Meanwhile, there's STILL NO compatibility between the new Atari Falcon
and its own SLM series of Laser Printers. Reports insist that Atari will
be on time in its promise to deliver the Falcon030 with its software
bundles complete with all documentation and Multi-Tos by March 01, 1993 in
appreciable quantity. Time will tell.
- Sunnyvale, CA JAGUAR TO DEBUT THIS COMING SPRING?
-------------
According to a number of 'rumor' sources the Atari Jaguar, long
awaited super game machine, is planned to make its debut in mid spring of
this year. They also reported that since Leonard had taken the reigns,
the development of the Jaguar has been efficiently accellerated.
- San Francisco, CA ATARIUSER ANNOUNCES DELAYS
-----------------
AtariUser has been bitten by the same bug as most other mags...
Delays, late pays, and low advertising have now caused a short lapse in
the production of AtariUser. Full details are in the new Z*NET, but
breifly, we are doing a MARCH issue now, for release about Feb 10, that
will take over after the December 1992 issue, mailed in late December.
Subscriptions and distribution will pick up where it left off. Things
have been NASTY... I broke my foot, couldn't finish my moving or unpack
my computers and AU essentials for most of January. Yikes. Things will be
better very, very soon, assuming our invoices are paid by our clients in a
more timely fashion. We have enough ads... just not enough of them pay.
And, to be fair, we have not been billing in an orderly way since the
re-org, when Quill dropped out of AU. The records we inherited were
little better than random data. Bear with us, we are coming back.
John Nagy,
Publisher & Editor
AtariUser Magazine
_________________________________________________________________
> STR Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard"
"""""""""""""
STReport's MailBag
""""""""""""""""""
Messages * NOT EDITED * for content
-----------------------------------
From Internet
About STReport and the Politics in the ST RT on GEnie
-----------------------------------------------------
Date: 02-Feb-93 12:15 EST
From: 02-Feb-1993 1209 >INTERNET:rost@tecrus.enet.dec.com
Subj: Sorry To Hear It
Sender: rost@tecrus.enet.dec.com
Received: from crl.dec.com by ihc.compuserve.com (5.65/5.930129sam)
id AA11290; Tue, 2 Feb 93 12:14:02 -0500
Received: by crl.dec.com; id AA28356; Tue, 2 Feb 93 12:13:35 -0500
Received: by easynet.crl.dec.com; id AA20887; Tue, 2 Feb 93 12:13:31 -0500
Message-Id: <9302021713.AA20887@easynet.crl.dec.com>
Received: from tecrus.enet; by crl.enet; Tue, 2 Feb 93 12:13:32 EST
Date: Tue, 2 Feb 93 12:13:32 EST
From: 02-Feb-1993 1209 <rost@tecrus.enet.dec.com>
To: 70007.4454@compuserve.com
Apparently-To: 70007.4454@compuserve.com
Subject: Sorry To Hear It
Ralph,
I just read about the GEnie incident in Z*NET and was quite surprised and
a bit upset. I'm not a GEnie user, I got my fixes of STreport from a user
group member who downloaded the issues regularly. The thing that saddens
me more than anything is how the actions of Atari itself frustrating its
customers has the whole user community at each other's throats! The whole
thing is so far out of hand now, it's ridiculous.
I want you to know that I respected your editorial direction, I like to
hear *all* the news, not just the good news! Thanks for all the back
issues!
Brian Rost
rost@tecrus.enet.dec.com
508-568-6115
DEC, Hudson, MA
"Have you noticed how the hole in the ozone layer has grown
progressively larger since rap got popular?" -Anonymous
----> Brian,
The decisions made by the contract holder of the ST RT on GEnie are
the responsibility of that person and that person alone. While there may
be some agreement for it by others its predominately determined by the
"reasons" presented by the contract holder. Its quite well known the
level of co-operation and respect between this contract holder and
STReport has been somewhat "strained" if not downrightly outrageous. It
is indeed sad as we all know Atari needs all the support it can garner.
It certainly does not need the userbase polarized by the actions of a few.
Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine
From GEnie's ST RT
Category 18, Topic 26
Message 15 Fri Feb 05, 1993
D.D.MARTIN [Swampy] at 20:38 EST
LEE --
Regarding Ralph/STReport
>I think he has an obligation to let us know his position on his
>leaving Genie.
Ralph/STReport was effectivly kicked outta here by the contract holder of
this RT. Ralph _owes_ you (or me) nothing. Ask Darlah for explanations
since it was her decision not Ralph's.
If you _want_ to read STReport then download it from CIS, Delphi, NVN or
the BOUNTY. Obviously Darlah felt so strongly about this subject that she
is willing to give that portion of her income ($) the hundreds of
downloads and message traffic that Ralph/STReport generated for her (and
GEnie).
>I was surprised to see STReport gon [sic] when I got back on line.
You were? Lee, you've been following the STR topics (and participating in
them) long enough to know the constant differences between Ralph and
Darlah.
You were around here last summer when we went through the "gonna pull the
STR flags" debates. You have seen the unending flow of messages from
Darlah, Nathan, Lou et al since last summer. Issue after issue of STR
would hit the library and within _hours_ the same were posting messages in
the STR Catagory pointing out the latest STR "sin of the week". They
didn't like the editorial, they didn't like the number of bytes given to
GEnie's promotional ad, they didn't like anyone questioning the Falcon's
FCC approval date, they didn't like someone pointing out a discrepency in
something Atari said they were going to do and the fact that it wasn't
done, they didn't like the ABCO ad, they didn't like the ABCO with PC ad.
Week after week after week after week.... ad naseum. I seldom, if ever,
saw a common down to earth, everyday Atari user and GEnie customer post a
complaint about what they read. It was always the RT sysops, contract
holder, and what used to be called the Atari "clique" (with free flags)
until we were _told_ "there is no clique".
So why are you surprised, Lee? The powers that be around here wanted
Ralph/STReport gone. He's gone. It's gone. A real diservice to the
Atari/GEnie users, if you ask me. I think your surprise isn't that he/it
are gone, but that it happend so fast and you were not here to watch
(gloat) over it, Lee.
The final straw seemed to be Ralph's refusal to drop the peecee ad in the
ABCO ad on Darlah's request. I think it was a zenophobic request on
Darlah's part, but that's my own personal opinion. There are a number of
store front Atari dealers that sell clones in order to exist and support
the Atari products and service and to pay the bills. ABCO is probably no
different. But STReport is a product that caters to Atari users, it's
just a shame that you can't get it in the GEnie Atari RT. Official home
of Atari Corp.
Off my soap box.
Swampy
------------
Category 18, Topic 26
Message 20 Sat Feb 06, 1993
LEXICOR2 [Ringo] at 01:32 EST
Lets see first Swampy now Dana asking about Lees "results of _your_
complaints with ABCO?"! Swampy is Ralph keeping you posteded as to what he
ships or what should be said in this topics? What is Ralph shipping or
doing that he is keeping secret?
Maybe CIS is a good home for STReport. After all most of the messages
posted in the ATARI area in CIS favor the negatives that STReport
projects. Carry out by the same team that is now crying here.
Also maybe somethings are more valuable than the $$ hundreds of downloads
that STreports generates for Genie. Check out the top 100 downloads for
last year and you will see that another online magazine had more downloads
over STReport.
If STReport carries lots of negatives about ATARI and the communtiny and
also carries ads for PCs and ABCO, why?
Ringo
------------
---> Mr. Ringo....
You are quite astute in asking whether I keep D.D. posted as to the
shipments of goods to our customers. The answer is yes when it comes to
splashing those who seem to delight in the spreading of false or
misleading information. And speaking of funny games, UPS Inc. is very
interested in the fact that Lexicor is not acknowledging the receipt of
its goods that were delivered on January 8th 1993. According to the
report submitted to ABCO by UPS, in report number 003195, Lexicor received
awaited product at 10:30am, via tracking number: 13850590049, via pickup
record number: 644704156. You can be sure that D.D. Martin and any other
sincerely interested parties would be kept informed of the TRUTH if for no
other reason than to put down the libelous and actionable statements being
uttered by the lessor informed and those inclined to self-entertain for
whatever devious reason.
Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine
Posted by Don Harris....
Category 18, Topic 13
Message 200 Fri Feb 05, 1993
D.HARRIS8 at 05:37 EST
FOR THE RECORD:
By the grace of an independent Atari dealer who prefers to remain
anonymous, I am now the owner of a brand new, fresh-out-of-the-box,
sitting right here on my desk looking at me TT030. This dealer heard
about my dilemma and decided to send the TT to ABCO to give to me. No,
it's not the exact configuration I ordered, but I figured a TT in the
hand (is that allowed?) is better than $3800 in the bush. It has 4 meg of
ST ram, no TT ram, a CTX SVGA monitor and a 50 meg HD (that I'm supposed
to be able to swap for a 105 when it comes in [next week]). Ralph @ ABCO
still has to work out a payment plan for the remainder of the monies
owed, but he has assured me several times that he fully intends to refund
it.
We could use more ATARI dealers like this one. Come to think of it,
we could use more ATARI dealers period.
Don Still Smiling Harris
dated 05 FEB 93
---------------
From Delphi's Atari Area
47843 2-FEB 05:52 News & Reviews
Bob Brodie said this in AEO Online...
From: ATARIPOWER7 To: ALL
Here's a post in the Atari Explorer Online area in the net:
Conf : AEO Online
Msg# : 76
Lines: Extended Read: 3
Sent : Jan 30, 1993 at 12:38 PM
To : All
From : Bob Brodie at Z*Net Golden Gate - California (Node #706)
Subj : Conference Rules
Greetings, For some time now, I've been participating, and enjoying the
FNET. However, there are also considerable demands on my time and presence
on other networks, both commercial and free networks.
I'm very interested in getting as much information out to as many people
as possible, in the quickest amount of time. After getting proficent (well
as least _somewhat_!) in the FNET, I've begun participating in AtariNet,
which was founded by Bill Scull over at Fnet node #304. This is a FidoNet
compatible network, which has already established ties overseas that we
had not been able to establish with the FNET. Like Germany, Denmark, the
UK, Australia for example.
There has been some limited gating of messages from the FNET into AtariNet
in this conference, and vice versa. Most of this has been done on a manual
basis by Ron Kovacs...and at considerable effort I might add! Thanks for
your efforts, Ron. At this time there has been a request from a German
network called Mausnet to participate in this conference, via AtariNet.
That would mean a full on gateway between the three networks, using Atari
Explorer Online as the single resource for us all to communicate to each
other.
What does this mean for you, our users in the FNET? Well, for one thing,
the world can arrive at your doorstep...literally. Germany has long been a
terrific source of information about products for Atari computers. Some of
the stuff has trickled over from Germany, having the conference carried on
a wider basis offers the potential for a better flow of the shareware/PD
programs from Europe to make it here. Another consideration is the fact
that most of the FidoNet compatible networks have RULES that are followed
by all of the nodes in the conference. Most of these will have to do with
things that are relatively simple, and I would hope, painless. Things like
using your real name in the conference rather than a handle. No personal
attacks or flamming. No "my computer is better than your computer" fights.
At this point in time, I'm not enforcing any of these things very closely
here. That will change. Nor am I posting any new rules at this point
either. The point of this message is to inform you that they are in
development, and will be coming within a month. I will be happy to
consider any input that you might want to offer for things you would like
to see established in these rules.
Sysops of nodes in the FNET should plan on expanding this message base. I
expect that with the gating happening automatically there will be a
dramatic increase in the message traffic, especially when Mausnet comes
in. Those German guys like to talk :)
I will continue to be supportive of the FNET, and look forward to the
addition of AtariNet and Mausnet here in the conference. As I get samples
of proposed rules, I will post those here in the conference. As always,
I'm grateful for the assistance and support of the sysops in the FNET that
have made my involvement with the network so much easier for me...Ron
Kovacs of Node #593, STeve Rider of Node #204, Bill Scull of Node #304,
Bill Turner of Node #185, David Chiquelin of Node #3, and Dick Pederson of
Node #224. Thanks, guys!
Director of Communications Atari Corporation
..........................................................
Neat, aint it.... <Me and my ORPHANe, we be as happy as can be....>
AP7
Editor Note: So much for the contract with the ST RT on GEnie...
47855 2-FEB 11:32 News & Reviews
RE: Bob Brodie said this in AEO Online.. (Re: Msg 47843)
From: OCS To: ATARIPOWER7
> Sysops of nodes in the FNET should plan on expanding this message
> base. I expect that with the gating happening automatically there
> will be a dramatic increase in the message traffic, especially when
> Mausnet comes in. Those German guys like to talk :)
They sure do (I have never talked on MausNet)... there are so many new
messages each night that I don't have the time to read everything (unless
I'd leave Delphi, and that I certainly do not want).
By the way, the MausNet Atari discussions are in German! :)
Oliver
47931 4-FEB 22:12 General Information
ST REPORT & DARLAH GEnie ST sysop
From: MICKEYANGELL To: ALL
I see that DARLAH sysop of GEnie ST area has dropped or should I say
BANNED ST Report. I will continue to get my issues from DELPHI at a much
lower cost I might add.
I might not agree with everything in ST Report but then I do not agree
with everything in my local paper or on TV. Maybe GEnie will have ST
Report "burnings" to try to suppress all thoughts about ST Report.
47947 5-FEB 07:59 General Information
RE: ST REPORT & DARLAH GEnie ST sysop (Re: Msg 47931)
From: OCS To: MICKEYANGELL (NR)
- I see that DARLAH sysop of GEnie ST area has dropped or should I say
- BANNED ST Report. I will continue to get my issues from DELPHI at a
- much lower cost I might add.
I never got my issues from the "genius" service (GEnie = genius in
GErman). It's way to expensive.
- I might not agree with everything in ST Report but then I do not agree
- with everything in my local paper or on TV.
I try to read all three online mags, and I have problems with all three.
But the variety of opinions sure helps to get a better picture of what is
going on. While I understand that GEnie as a private business has the
right to ban whatever they want I don't think it is a smart move. It's
like the democratic news stand owner who bans all republican newspapers
from his store (or vice versa)... it might be legal, but it's dumb.
- Maybe GEnie will have ST Report "burnings" to try to suppress all
- thoughts about ST Report.
Hahaha, yeah, probably they are going to hack into the other online
services and delete the files there :)
Oliver47952 5-FEB 09:45 General Information
RE: ST REPORT & DARLAH GEnie ST sysop (Re: Msg 47931)
From: RMARIANO To: MICKEYANGELL (NR)
Thanks Mickey,
I think Darlah allowed her emotion to overrule her good judgement.
STReport has _no problems_ with GEnie itself, just the ST RT contract
holder. This matter has been a long time in coming to a head.
Thank you and all our other readers for the strong support,
Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine
47965 5-FEB 23:15 General Information
RE: ST REPORT & DARLAH GEnie ST sysop (Re: Msg 47952)
From: ATARIPOWER7 To: RMARIANO (NR)
Whaddya expect, Ralph?? Ya can only expect second rate decisions from
second rate online services. I like Delphi, and the ST area, especially.
For good reason, first rate product and service, low price. That beats
second rate product and service for premium price any day of the week.
And, I said what I just said and I meant it, why? OK:
I get 9600 baud here <one opinion from an unnamed birdie says they expect
that it's likely that 9600 buad become "official" with no expectation of
surcharge within a month or so, it seems> that works great, very reliable,
via either Tymnet or Sprintnet. All this with a connection that I
understand from many sources is superior in performance to the "other" two
services... MUCH le$$!!
Customer service here, and Sig management here <ST> are second to none.
NO, I have never used the other services. Why try to find something
better than the best you could hope for in the first place? I'd rather not
waste my time, HERE is where it's at. :):):)
And, think of it, very slowly and carefully, and you will understand WHY
Alladinis nothing more than a way to suck more $6 an hour online time outa
folks...
We all here on Delphi, not only here in the ST area, but the entire online
service here, should recognize the fine deal we got. So far as I'm
concerned, if developers and computer companies <Atari> provide "Official
Support" it's most likely because of kickbacks. I'll be blunt here, for a
company or software house or for that matter anyone decide to provide
"Customer Service/Product Support" and use profit motive as basis for
choosing an online provider, that's the height of idiocity... not to
mention conflict of interest being probable. Using "Online Support" as a
front for more profiteering is not, IMHO, good business. Things like
Customer Service, Politics, Profit making, and other business matters
sometimes seem to get unnecessarily mucked up together. If it aint a good
deal for ALL concerned parties, it's a rotten deal, period. I've used the
word Ethics before, and here it is again.... Having said enough, I'll
shut my trap now.
<Permission is given to print this post to anyone who wants to, so long as
it is in it's entirity and not altered in any way...>
<<< IMNSHO MODE OFF >>>
AP7
---> AP7, I firmly believe GEnie itself has been misinformed relative to
advertising and whose responsiblity is whose. But that's soon to be
resolved. You see, there are precedents set we may draw upon for wisdom
in this matter. Unfortunately, politics has been allowed to cloud the
issues. The services are nothing more than a vehicle delivering the
various electronic magazines to readers, much like the function of a
newsstand. However there are those who have seized upon the moment to try
and use an obscure decision, SOF, as an example. How very opportunistic
of them. ED.
From the FNET:
Reserve YOUR Falcon030 NOW!
Conf : For Sale
Msg# : 19169/19190 Lines: 3 Read: 2
Sent : Feb 01, 1993 at 2:32 AM
To : JAMES MCDERMOTT
From : Blaser at Fnet Node 326, ///Intentional Intellects
Subj : Re: <19153> 520 STfm for sale
Falcon inquiries -=> ATARI CORP. 408 745 2098
Call and reserve it now! They are seriously gathering a list!
6 months to a year!
The TRUE EXPLANATION OF SCSI & SCSI2
Conf : Atari 16/32 Bit
Msg# : 2267/2298 Lines: Extended Read: 1
Sent : Jan 29, 1993 at 7:08 PM
To : Marc Rhodes
From : Ed Krimen at Fnet Node 761, OMICRON-San Franciso BBS
Subj : Re: <2259> SCSI I & II
> Excuse my ignorance, but could someone tell me the difference
> between SCSI I and SCSI II? Thanks...
I knew I kept the following message for a reason. :^)
Article 29096 (3 more) in comp.sys.atari.st:
From: baffoni@aludra.usc.edu (Juxtaposer)
Subject: Re: Difference between SCSI and SCSI 2?
Message-ID: <l7b9npINN3ma@aludra.usc.edu>
Date: 28 Jul 92 19:58:49 GMT
References: <1992Jul27.122717.20063@crc.ac.uk>
Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Lines: 40
NNTP-Posting-Host: aludra.usc.edu
In article <1992Jul27.122717.20063@crc.ac.uk> naffara@crc.ac.uk (Dr. N.A.
A) writes:
Can anyone tell me what the difference between SCSI (1) and SCSI 2 is?
Or for that matter the difference between SCSI and for example IDE?
(apart from the fact that they use different connectors)
SCSI-1: First SCSI standard - specified an 8-bit bus that has a
throughput of 4MB/s, with a maximum of 8 SCSI devices possible (though
one designated controller with the other 7 slave devices). It uses a
50-pin ricable or a 50-pin Centronics style cable, or Apple uses a 25 pin
cable.
SCSI-2: Next major release of the SCSI standard. Specifies
16-bit (but can handle 8-bit devices for backward compatibility) and,
between two fully SCSI-2 compliant devices, can reach peak transfer rates
of 16MB/s, with sustained transfer rate of up to 10MB/s. SCSI-2 provides
for multiple accessing of devices on the SCSI bus - data can be written
from one device to up 7 other devices (SCSI-2 maintains the 8 device
limit) simultaneously, but all get the same info. I believe (not sure
about this one) that each SCSI-device can become bus master, so DMA
between SCSI-2 devices is possible. SCSI-2 uses the same cabling as
SCSI-1.
IDE: This is the successor to the MFM/RLL drives. It can pretend
be any MFM/RLL device of the same (or lesser) size, and will automatically
translate the heads/sec.per track/cylinders to the correct values of the
me transparently to the computer. It is an 8-bit bus, with maximum 4MB/s
(I think, but never saw it of course) with a maximum of 2 devices that can
be connected to the same controller. Their primary advantage is the cheap
cost of manufacture (and the subsequent cheap resale price). IDE uses a
40pin ribbon connector (I have yet to see an external IDE drive, so that
may be the only valid type of cable).
>(E-mail naffara@uk.ac.crc)
No prob.
End of article 29096 (of 29099)--what next? [npq]
From CIS some idle banter about the course of current events..
#: 80347 S17/Community Square
03-Feb-93 02:05:54
Sb: #80320-just looking
Fm: SYSOP*Bob Retelle 76702,1466
To: John J. Amsler 70275,676
John... I've often thought that if there was to be an "Atari Anthem", it
should be Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust"...
Every time I read about another dealer going out of business, or another
magazine ceasing publication, or another third party producer leaving the
market...
"Dum.. dum... dum...
And another one bites the dust...
And another one's gone,
and another one's gone...
and another one bites the dust..."
BobR
#: 80348 S1/Forum Business
03-Feb-93 02:13:48
Sb: #80151-Is Atari an Orphan??
Fm: Greg Wageman 74016,352
To: Lee C. Zion 76646,2443
Oh, serious bummer!
Well, thanks for the information. Another Atari software source goes
south.
-Greg
Read action !
#: 80319 S1/Forum Business
02-Feb-93 14:43:30
Sb: #80188-#Is Atari an Orphan??
Fm: John J. Amsler 70275,676
To: DR. GERRY LEAVENS 70247,3207
Dr. Leavens:
> "... THIS VERY STRANGE COMPANY ..."
"Strange" is not even the half of it!
> "RELYING ON BROKEN PROMISES ... IS AN ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE CONCEPT ..."
I could offer a different adjective in lieu of "unbelievable," but I
won't for the sake of not getting kicked off CompuServe. <g>
Just as Atari was the well-publicized object of study by the Harvard
Business School for its phenomenal success in 1981-1982, I suppose that
it will also be the object of study--although of a different focus--for
its nose-dive into oblivion during 1985-1991.
Sigh.
- John
(sitting at his MegaSTe, running TOS 2.06 and Warp 9, trying to hold
back the tears)
About the advertising angles being thrown about...
#: 36908 S14/ST REPORT
04-Feb-93 12:55:22
Sb: #36875-Inaccurate Reporting
Fm: SYSOP*Ron Luks 76703,254
To: Jim Ness 75300,3155 (X)
I don't know what the Supreme court would say, but previous lower
court rulings have held that an online service (specifically CompuServe)
was more closely compared to a news stand than the publisher of a
magazine.
When the Soldier of fortune magazine lawsuit resulted in SOF being
held liable for its ads, the courts did not rule that the news stands that
sold SOF were equally liable.
My interpretation of this is that while STReport is liable for the ads
it runs, neither GEnie nor CIS would be held liable. Of course, thats
only my interpretation.
---> How clear it all is when politics are not allowed to cloud the
issues. <sigh> Ed.
From Genie's ST RT
Category 14, Topic 41
Message 62 Wed Feb 03, 1993
B.REHBOCK [BILL@ATARI] at 11:00 EST
SpeedoGDOS and Atari Works are getting manufactured as stand-alone
products. The SpeedoGDOS add-on should be _around_ $60.00, and Atari
Works will be _around_ $120.00 or so and it will include SpeedoGDOS. These
prices are of course, are subject to change :-)
-Bill
------------
Category 14, Topic 41
Message 65 Wed Feb 03, 1993
ROB-G [Rob] at 20:39 EST
Hey Lou:
Even though I may have left for what I feel to be a superior machine (at
least for the time being), I still like the Atari, even though I still
feel Atari has earned the title, "Worst Managed Company in the History of
the World" hands down.
I, like many, still agree that Atari has shot themselves in the foot with
an automatic rifle on several key points of the Falcon -- entry level
machine or not.
I have a good friend in Florida that is still holding his breath for a
Falcon. He has cash in hand, waiting anxiously. He says if he doesn't
have one in early March, as Atari has promised THIS TIME, he's bailing
too. Probably to an A1200 like I did.
Even if the machine does come out, Atari still has to MARKET the machine.
If they do it, and it sells well, I'll be back. I'd like nothing better
than to see them finally stick it to Commodore and good. But I know it'll
never happen. Atari doesn't have the intelligence to do it right.
To all:
Re: hard drives. DC Drives is advertising a 128 meg 2.5" IDE for $379.
Not bad. I paid $199 for the Maxtor 80 megger in my A1200. The price on
the 128 megger (Maxtor 25128A) just came down. Almost wish I could get it
instead!
Tom:
It doesn't matter if it was used or not. It was still under warranty, and
nobody would work on it even if the original owner sent it in. NOBODY
WOULD. Not under warranty. I called the guy about it. He called around,
and nobody would do it. I even heard the conversations via three-way
calling. They all said, "Atari isn't reimbursing us for repairs, so we
don't do warranty work."
Now, the guy that IS doing it is having problems, because Atari's service
center documentation on the MSTE is crappy at best. It refers to the
modem ports as 10-pin ports, and has all sorts of screwed up stuff on
them.
Rob
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