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Silicon Times Report Issue 0907
*---== STReport International Online Magazine ==---*
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
from
STR Publishing
""""""""""""""
February 12, 1993 No.9.07
==========================================================================
STReport International Online Magazine
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32205 ~ 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
-----------------------------------------
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EST
Support BBS Network System
* THE BOUNTY BBS *
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_____________________________________________________________________
> 02/12/93 STR 907 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!"
""""""""""""""""
- The Editor's Desk - CPU Report - PORTFOLIO NEWS
- K & R C DEV system - DELL CUTS $$$ - COMPAQ TO EXCEL IBM!
- APPLE-8 NEW Products - PRODIGY SUIT - PEOPLE TALKING!
- SST ATARI SHOW NEWS - KC SHOW UPDATES - STR Confidential
-* NeXT DROPS HARDWARE VENTURES! *-
-* FALCON DUE MARCH 1st *-
-* FALCON SPECS *-
==========================================================================
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 ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ NVN ~ GENIE ~ 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 12)
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. 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!"
""""""""""""""""""""""
There's a rumor that the Atari warehouse has a large number of crates
in it and they are gathering more and more goodies to spring on the Atari
community come March 1st. What a concept! Delivering the goods however
late they may be but delivering them in respectable numbers.
It'll be like Christmas in march and indeed Jim Dandy St. Pat's
celebration. We shall see. I can only hope that holding all the goodies
until a big splash can be made is being done to further the success of
the company and to ensure the success of the Falcon's marketing debut and
not to make anybody "look" good.
This weekend marks a repeat in the pleasant milestones STReport has
covered. We are now, once again, residing in the GEnielamp RT on GEnie.
We have library 21 and Category 12 in the GEnielamp RT BB. Come in, stop
by and say hello. Its a friendly place to be.
Thank you all for the kind letters and email you recently sent to us
as it did make the bumpy road a bit smoother.
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
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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!
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> CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
=================
Computer Products Update - CPU Report
------------------------ ----------
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Issue #07
By: John Deegan
NeXT TO STOP MAKING WORKSTATIONS - NeXT Computer Inc. will stop
making workstations and instead focus on its NeXTStep software. As a
result of the sale, reports say that NeXT will lay off about 300 of its
540 employees.
The company is negotiating to sell its hardware business to Canon
Inc. Canon, which has invested $165 million in NeXT, owns 17.9% of the
company and sells NeXT machines in Japan. Canon officials would not
elaborate, but indicated that they will make a decision on the purchase
by the end of May.
NeXT shipped an estimated 69,300 workstations last year while market
leader Sun Microsystems shipped roughly 217,000 workstations, according
to International Data Corp., a market research concern based in
Framingham, Mass.
COMPAQ COULD PASS IBM IN MARKET SHARE - The chief of Compaq Computer
Corp. said the firm could increase its worldwide market share for per-
sonal computers this year to rival IBM Corp. Chief Executive Officer
Eckhard Pfeiffer said that Compaq has already cornered 8.2% of the total
European PC market in 1992, compared with IBM's 8.0%.
"If we continue our first quarter run rates, Compaq will be in double
digit market share around the world, which will bring us close to the
world leader, which is IBM," he said.
APPLE INTRODUCES EIGHT NEW PRODUCTS - At the Macworld Exposition in
Tokyo this week, Apple introduced eight new products, including the long
awaited color Powerbook notebook computer, five new desktop systems, and
two new laser printers. It also announced that it has shipped its 10
millionth Macintosh computer.
The new PowerBook 165c, the first color laptop made by Apple, will be
shipped with a suggested price of $3,399 with 80MB of memory and $3,759
with 120MB. The unit's monitor will display 256 colors on a passive-
matrix and will weigh 7 pounds, slightly more than the black-and-white
PowerBook.
In addition:
-:- The new Mac Color Classic will sell for $1,389 with 4MB of RAM
and an 80MB hard drive. It will feature a 10-inch Sony Trinitron
monitor.
-:- Apple is improving its line of Macintosh LC desktop computers
with better displays. Enders says the units are priced from $1,349 to
$1,499.
-:- The Apple Quadra 800, designed for high-end business use, will
sell for a suggested price of $4,679 to $5,429.
-:- A new Mac line called the Centris will offer variations for home
and office use. They range from the low-end Centris 610, with 4MB of
RAM and an 80MB hard drive, for $1,859, to the Centris 650, which
will retail for $4,379.
Several of the new models are built around Motorola Inc.'s 68040
microprocessors.
-:- The company is adding two low-cost laser printers to its line.
DELL SLASHES PC PRICING BY UP TO $500 - In an unexpected move, Dell
Computer has cut PC pricing by between $50 and $500. At the same time,
the company has shuffled pricing down on its peripherals by as much as
$300. At least 14 PCs are affected by the cuts.
PCs affected the price reductions include four portable PCs, and ten
of the i486-based systems Dell introduced in early December 1. The cuts
are impressive -- the Dell 320SLi 3.6 pound notebook falls in price by
$699, when the 8-megabyte (MB)/120MB hard disk system is bought.
PROTOTYPE LASER-DRIVEN LCD BREAKTHROUGH - Tomiki Ikeda, an assistant
professor of Tokyo Institute of Technology, claims to have made a break-
through in the design of liquid crystal display (LCD) technology. If
Ikeda is correct, then his new technology will be capable of producing
larger and cheaper LCDs that can be manufactured at present.
Ikeda has applied the relatively new technology of photochemical
switching of polarization in ferroelectric liquid-crystal films to LCD
screens.
Put simply, Ikeda's technology allows the molecules that make up an
LCD screen to react to electrical current much faster, thanks to the use
of a laser. This translates into a faster screen update. Slow screen
updates have always posed a problem for portable computer manufacturers.
To date, the best solution has been to split large screens up, with each
segment a separate screen.
JAPANESE MASS PRODUCE 16 Mg DRAMS - Several major semiconductor com-
panies, including Fujitsu and Toshiba, have announced plans to commence
mass production of 16 Mb DRAM chips in Japan.
The announcement was unexpected as many U.S. companies thought the
recession had forced the companies to put a hold on mass production of
16Mb DRAM chips. The companies claim, however, that the computer market-
place is recovering, hence the resumption of their plans.
GATES SUGGESTS IBM BREAKUP - Microsoft Corp. chief Bill Gates says he
thinks IBM needs to break up into smaller firms in order to get ahead of
the pace of change.
Speaking with U.S. News and World Report, Gates said, "I think IBM
will soon be multiple companies and then we can talk about each of the
companies independently. I feel sure that until they really split up the
sales force, really split into multiple companies, they won't be able to
get ahead of the pace of change."
Gates added, "Some of their businesses, certainly mainframe and even
the mini-computer business, won't be there like they are today in three
or four years."
NORTH AMERICA RUNNING OUT OF PHONE NUMBERS - The one billion North
American telephone numbers created in a plan adopted by the telephone
company in 1947 are almost gone, and at least 14 area codes expect to be
out of numbers by the end of 1995. The plan currently in use is the
North American Numbering Plan, which offers one billion phone numbers in
144 area codes.
The problem is being blamed on the increased demand for numbers by
people adding extra phone lines to their homes and offices for modems
and fax machines, as well as the need for cellular phone numbers.
One billion is no longer enough numbers, and representatives from the
Federal Communications Commission and regional Bell companies will meet
in March in Washington, D.C. to consider a new plan that will add 640
more area codes and as many as five billion numbers. The catch is that
callers will have to dial 10-digit numbers for calls within their own
area codes.
LIBEL SUIT CENTERS ON PRODIGY MESSAGES - Some subscribers to Prodigy
are protesting the IBM/Sears information service's compliance with a
subpoena of electronic messages in connection with a libel case
involving comments that were made online.
Communications Daily reported this week the case centers on a suit
brought by Medphone Corp., a company that develops interactive medical
services, against a Babylon, N.Y., Prodigy member named Peter Denigris
over electronic comments he posted publicly in an area of Prodigy
dealing with financial issues.
The newsletter reports the suit, filed in U.S. District Court in New
Jersey, says DeNigris posted messages stating Medphone insiders were
"waiting to unload" their stock and that company was under investigation
by the American Stock Exchange. Medphone's suit contends DeNigris's
information was "patently false" and it backed up its complaint with a
statement from an Amex employee.
The suit says Medphone "received numerous phone calls" from stock-
holders who "have seen or heard about defamatory postings about Medphone
on Prodigy" and that the statements were enough to drive down the
stock's price in an otherwise inexplicable manner.
CD says the case is in discovery "and other Prodigy members who have
commented on Medphone have found that their messages, even ones no
longer available for reading, have been (the) subject of (a) subpoena,
as well as those of DeNigris."
Prodigy officials told the newsletter that, according to its member-
ship rules, all postings to message boards are public and that Prodigy
had no means of refusing the subpoena. Attorney William Schneck argues
public notes don't become private after they are archived and that, un-
der Prodigy guidelines, members are responsible for the content of their
postings. He said the guidelines protect Prodigy from any liability.
And now that position has some Prodigy users angry, CD reports, in
light of the system's recent decision to close a controversial Prodigy
bulletin board. As reported earlier, the feature, called the "Frank
Discussion" bulletin board of social issues, was discontinued last month
because, Prodigy officials said, the sexually explicit messages were
becoming offensive to some Prodigy subscribers.
"Members argued," says Communications Daily, "it's contradictory for
Prodigy on one hand to exercise close control over (the) content of
postings and on (the) other to assert that members are (on) their own
when it comes to lawsuits."
However, Prodigy General Counsel George Perry told CD he considers
the two cases to be "completely separate." He said the fact Prodigy can
establish standards for postings in general doesn't mean members aren't
responsible for what they say online.
"Prodigy cannot and should not be obligated to protect its members
from the consequences of their own actions," he added.
_____________________________________________________________
> ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
=====================
On CompuServe
-------------
compiled by Joe Mirando
73637,2262
Hello again folks. Yet another week has come and gone and the
questions and answers keep on coming here on CompuServe. I keep meaning
to thank those responsible for these questions and answers at the end of
each column, but I keep forgetting about it. So this week, I'll thank
them right up front... "THANKS, YOU GUYS (and GALS), for helping those of
us who know less about Atari computers than you do. Your help is one of
the things that make the Atari community a very nice neighborhood to be
in". Well, that having been said, it's time to get on with the Q&A so
let's get to it.
From the Atari Productivity Forum
=================================
We all know someone who's done it; gone from the Atari ST to either the
Mac or a DOS machine. Invariably, after they sell, give away, or throw
out the ST, they discover that there is a very important document, a
spreadsheet, or a database file on an ST floppy disk that they need to
transfer to their new machine. What to do, what to do? If the new
machine is DOS compatible, the job isn't too big. John Stalzer runs into
this dilemma and tells (who else?) Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer
Magazine:
"I used to have an Atari 1040st. I have a few first word(?) word
processor files on an Atari formatted diskette. Can I translate them
into DOS or MAC readable format somehow. I'd appreciate any help on
this."
Albert, being the fountain of knowledge that he is, tells John:
"If you can save them as ascii files you can move them to a PC quite
easily. Just format a 720K disk on a 3.5 inch PC drive and then you
can import it to any editor or word processor."
Sysop Bob Retelle jumps in and adds:
"The disk formats are virtually the same between the PC and the ST...
the main difference is three bytes in the boot sector which MS-DOS
does not recognize if the program that formatted the disk on the ST
doesn't put them in. Early versions of TOS on the ST didn't do this,
later versions did make MS-DOS readable disks.
Have you tried reading the disks in your PC already..? If you used a
compatible version of TOS to originally format the disks, there
shouldn't be any problem.
If the disks can't be read from DOS, you can use a disk editor on the
PC to make the changes in the boot sector. (I've never tried copying
an "unreadable" ST disk on a PC, but it might be a very good idea to
try making a DISKCOPY of the ST disks BEFORE you try editing them.)
Now, with all that said, I can't remember exactly what the bytes are
that have to be changed... I'm hoping someone else reading this will
know the exact changes... Anyone...? "
On another front, David Hagood asks:
"Are there any updates on when MultiTOS will be available? or how much
it will cost to upgrade to it?"
Jim Ness, the guy who gave us "QUICKCIS", tells David:
"According to Bob Brodie on Friday, MultiTOS is finished and will be
included with all Falcons.
They have not decided how to distribute it to other Atari users, yet.
Bob wants to upload it exclusively to GEnie, but there is opposition
within Atari (and here, too - heh) to that idea."
John Amsler adds:
"...I realize that Atari's "official presence" is on GEnie, and I'm
basically aware of the philosophical brouhaha between them and
STReport, but do you think they would really resort to the kind of
petty childishness to only upload it go GEnie, giving CompuServe the
"cold shoulder?" Is there no honor among Atarians, even if they're
polar opposites on the "political" spectrum? Sheeesh!"
Mike Mortilla, of ZNET Online, tells John:
"I hope you're correct in thinking that Atari won't "cold shoulder"
CIs users. From my own perspective, I'm on this service because I can
get support for my ST and Stacy. Should *that* aspect of CIs be lost,
I would make a quick exit from the service entirely and switch to
"something else.
I know the CIs people are aware of the messages left here and hope
they realize that I'm probably not alone in this. As a result, I would
hope CIs will make a strong effort to keep Atari online here.
Actually, I've seen lots of activity from Atari on CIs recently and in
my optimism, assumed that would indicate an increased interaction with
the service and its members.
Clearly, there are no losers in the equation. CIs members get support
for their investment(s), CIs gets $$$ for online time and Atari gets a
loyal users group to spread the word (and they *really* need that
right now)! The only "losers" might be IBM, MAC and the Clones! :>"
The big Kahoona, Master Sysop Ron Luks, tells Mike:
"You must understand that we have constantly expressed an interest in
keeping and expanding the Atari Corp presence online here. The Atari
Forums will remain open here with or without Atari's direct support
but it would seem a shame for Atari to further splinter their audience
further by denying support to their customers simply because they
don't choose to use GEnie. That would be like Atari refusing to
support Falcon computer buyers simply because they choose to use a
non-Atari peripheral."
John Amsler makes a very interesting point:
">"The only "losers" might be IBM, MAC and the Clones! :>"
I sure hope so!
You know, over the years I've known a lot of IBMers, several Macheads,
and a few Amigans. They are a fickle lot! They have little loyalty
to their computers or the companies. They will flit from one platform
to another, in a capricious manner, like a fly buzzing from one pile
of dung to another. In contrast, the Atarians I've known [in
particular since 1986, but also dating back to 1981] have demonstrated
an incredible passion for the Atari computer line(s). That fervent
loyalty is something I think Atari should consider a corporate asset!
Doesn't ANYONE out in Sunnyvale realize that we SERIOUSLY want the
Falcon030, the Jaguar040, the Falcon040, the two-piece Falcon040, the
Eagle050 [when it comes! <g>] to be nothing but a smashing success???
Don't they realize that we are rooting for Atari to knock Commodore
and Apple off their high horse?? (And I'm not just talking about the
"European" market; I mean here in the US!)"
Ron Luks adds:
"I spoke with Bill Rehbock about this issue over the phone a few weeks
ago and he told me that he had no plans to release MTOS as a
GEnie-only file but thats not to say that some of the very pro-GEnie
people (person) wont try to get this changed by release date.
For now, I'm sitting with Bill's statement that he sees no logical
reason why CompuServe and Delphi should be prohibited from having the
file(s)."
Jim Ness comes back and adds:
"Bob Brodie already thought of that. His idea would be to include a
distribution caveat that said the file could only be downloaded from
the other service. Probably for 30 days, or 60 days, to insure that
the bulk of the download royalties would go to the Atari roundtable
over there.
But, again, there are others within Atari who oppose that idea. Some
want to charge for the software, others want it to be freely
distributed everywhere.
So, no decision has been announced yet."
Harold Swaffield posts a plea for info on memory upgrades:
"A Can someone help a CPU guru with the appropriate answer to this
question. My hardware training is in the VAX (Digital) line, the Atari
is just a side line to everything. I bought the Atari new in 1986,
(old machine) and upgraded the 520 to 1 meg of memory. I have in front
of me some instructions for an upgrade to 2 meg. (Simm installation, I
can upload it if you like). Anyway, In it, it mentions that you must
remove the RAM chips from the system and install the Simms, the hookup
the wires to the appropriate places. My questions are......
Can I have a machine running 3 meg of memory? So I wouldn't have
to remove the RAMS?
Can the power supply give enough of a boost to all the chips on
the VCC line?
What is the purpose of the Address line 9 on the simms and why do
I need to use it?
3 major questions for the young at heart to answer. If you would like
to get a bit technical, that is fine with me, or if you would rather
leave a message to me personally, mail me here at 73217,2133"
Sysop Bob Retelle tells Harold:
"The ST can only support two banks of RAM because of design
restraints.
It doesn't matter what size those two banks are (up to the maximum
possible total of 4 Megabytes), but there can only be the two.
A 1 Meg ST comes with two banks of 512K each. If you want to add 1
Megabyte SIMMs, you have to remove (or at least disable) the existing
RAM chips before the internal MMU (Memory Management Unit) chip will
recognize the new memory.
Depending on the revision of your motherboard and chips, you can have
practically any mix of bank sizes, but never more than two at one
time.
My 520ST right now has a 2 Megabyte expansion board in addition to its
original 512K, for a total of 2.5 Megs. If I wanted to completely
populate the memory board with 4 Megs, I'd have to cut some of the
lines to the RAM on the motherboard, and tie them to +5v. to put them
in "standby" low power mode, or just remove them completely.
Since newer memory parts like SIMMs are generally lower power devices,
your original power supply should be able to power any memory upgrade,
right up to the full 4 Megabytes. Just make sure the power leads are
heavy wire, connected directly to the power supply, and be sure they
are bypassed properly.
I'm not exactly sure about that ninth address line on the SIMMs,
except that most SIMMs have 9 data bits (since they are generally
intended for use in IBM style systems which have parity checking built
into their memory systems), so it might be related to that.
The ST upgrades ignore the ninth bit, or can generally use SIMMs
intended for Macintosh applications which only have 8 data bits."
His question answered, Harold thanks Bob and adds a bit of humor:
"Thanks for the info, what I'll do is upload the procedure into this
conference for upgrading 520/1040 st machines to 2 meg with simms...
It does explain what to do with the 9th address bit. Engage......."
Ron Bielman asks:
"I have a 520ST that a friend gave(!) me, but with one problem: it
doesn't work. It has had a Supra 1meg memory upgrade installed. When
I attempt to boot the system (the ST, 20meg Supra HD, SC1224 monitor,
and the floppy) the drive(s) don't respond, and the screen displays
horizontal lines, thick then thin, randomly, but the lines are
consistent every time I try to start it up. I understand that the
computer received a sharp blow (my friend is given to tizzy-fits at
times) and since then, it refuses to work. I have had it apart, and I
can see no cracks on the motherboard, or any other visible faults. If
this sounds familiar to anyone, I'd really like to hear from you. I'm
trying to go cheap on the repair, if I can... If the fix is not
reasonable, I would like to buy a used computer with at least 1meg of
memory, (not the older versions with TOS in RAM), and a 1040 or better
would be nice. I also do not need a monitor, I would only be
interested in the computer itself."
Jeff at Intersect Software asks Ron:
"Horiz lines????? Are you sure the lines don't run up and down
||||||| Like that.
Those generally indicate a RAM problem, usually bad connections to the
MMU chip, or with third party RAM upgrades, pad connections to the RAM
upgrade board. Usually a damaged MMU chip socket."
Ron confirms the problem:
"Yes, I am sure they are horizontal lines. They start out at the top,
on the left they are thin, then go thick to the right. The next line
down might be thick, then going thin to the right side of the screen.
I had a friend of mine look at the board last nite, and we could find
nothing that looked wrong with it, but alas, the 'puter still would
not boot the floppy. Also, the lines are black and white, no color at
all....I have a feeling that the damage may be in the area of the RAM
chips, and the memory upgrade, since the Supra upgrade is near the
front of the computer, the most likely place for someone to smack it
in frustration."
Sysop Bob Retelle adds a bit of info for Ron:
"Ron, memory upgrades are notorious for causing problems, even when
they're not being smacked around...
Does it look like you might be able to remove the upgrade easily...?
That might at least give you a good starting point for diagnosis. I
had trouble with the first upgrade I installed, but the "stock" Atari
parts were always rock solid.
If the upgrade is one of the ones that attaches to the MMU chip by
ramming pins down into the MMU socket, it's very possible (as was
previously mentioned) that the MMU socket has been damaged (that's one
of the large square chips in a socket that completely surrounds the
chip.) These sockets are somewhat fragile and can easily crack under
stress (like being socked), and prevent the pins from making a good
contact.
It really sounds like a job for an experienced Atari technician."
From the Atari ST Arts Forum
============================
An interesting snippet of info from one of our friends across the pond,
Dazzz Smith:
"...One of the guys in Turbonet here in the UK just posted
a message that the newest release of MINT contains 040 specific
code....
Interesting eh?"
\/ INTERESTING STUFF \/
Jay Goodwin posts:
"I am currently an Amiga dealer in a small town and, after reading my
Byte magazine, have become interested in the Falcon.
As far as Atari goes, I've called four times in the last three days,
and have been unable to reach the man in charge of new dealers. After
Atari's lackluster sales performance in the US, I hoped that they
would be interested in finding a new US dealer, but obviously not.
This kind of hassle just for information does not bode well for dealer
support. I fought that with Commodore, and finally have good support,
I have no wish to put myself back in that quagmire! The Falcon is
exciting, cutting edge, and very marketable, but not if the public
cannot see it first hand. My customers are usually computer
illiterate, wanting a machine to do a specific task, and I can usually
provide them with the hardware and software to fulfill their need. I
see the Falcon as an extension of my ability to solve their problems,
but I can't recommend the machine in good faith if I can't even get
information on dealership. The Atari and the Amiga have remained
computers that are the essence of user friendly, while providing the
power that any user would want. I would like to include the Falcon in
my list of solutions for my clients, but unless Atari gets off its
proverbial butts and actively recruits dealers, then I'm afraid the
Falcon will remain a niche computer, even though it has the capability
to be a well-rounded machine for a variety of applications.
Sorry for the tirade, but perhaps this story will cause the forum to
provide an impetus to Atari, allowing the Falcon to become the machine
that it deserves to be."
Jim Ness tells Jay:
"My understanding is that Atari employees do read the messages here,
and occasionally print them out for appropriate management to read. I
am sure this will happen with your message, and I hope it results in
an email contact for you.
Atari has gone through some serious downsizing recently, in order to
get back on the profit track. Much like GM, IBM, AT&T, Sears, and
many others. One common problem with such downsizing is that the
company doing it almost always goes a bit too far. Customer service
suffers, until the situation is repaired.
The hope is that the Falcon you are interested in will bring Atari
back from obscurity. It is a neat machine, isn't it?"
From the Atari Vendor's Forum
=============================
The news of the demise of Double Click Software still rings through the
Atari world. John Amsler posts a sentiment that anyone who dealt with
Double Click shares:
"They were a very good company with some very nice shareware. They
ran the business very well, too."
To which Beth Jane Freeman replies:
"Yup; I was VERY disappointed to hear about their departure. They
made great stuff, er, STuff! <g>
I had always "ass"umed <g> that a company like Double Click would be
around forever. Who's next??
That Fujiland, it's a scary world! <g>"
Meanwhile in CodeHeadLand, a discussion about getting certain graphics
cards and programs to work with Codehead's Warp9 accelerator and it's
Extend-O-Save screensaver modules, Boris Molodyi tells CodeHead Charles
Johnson:
"Well, I guess changing addresses would not work with graphic cards.
But isn't PYROTECH limited in the screen modes it uses, anyway? I
don't know if it would work on Moniterm at all...
Also, some programs (as That's Write) might use screen output after I
set Warp to sleep (That's Write has funny ideas about updating the
display), and it would prevent me from preventing burn-in. :-)
STARSAVER that I used before, while limited only to standard ST/TT
modes, would allow a program to draw whatever it wanted in the
background (by any means programmer would choose), while STarSaver
would display it's stars on the actual screen, with no problems at
all. Warp 9, OTOH, has fits when a program outputs to the screen, like
Flash II's time display (it shines thru) or That's Write's flashing
cursor. BTW, how's the MTOS compatible version going? Without Warp 9,
MTOS seems so slow..."
Charles replies:
"We may change some of the modules to flip the screen base, to avoid
the problems you mentioned; we've been looking at doing that with
PYROTECH, in fact. However, the question of "to change the screen
base or not?" is pretty frustrating, because whichever way you do it
you'll have problems. If you do change it, the module won't work with
extended video cards. If you don't change it, you'll have trouble
with ill-behaved applications like That's Write.
(Have you seen the new Mandala module, by the way? It's in Library 16
here.)
Progress is being made on a Falcon/MTOS compatible version of Warp 9.
However, the slowdown you see in MTOS is not going to be helped much
by Warp 9, I'm afraid. The bottleneck is not screen output; MTOS is
sluggish because of its internal code."
From the Atari Portfolio Forum
==============================
Greg Burgess posts:
"I've had my Portfolio since it first came out, and its good to know
that others use these handy little machines. So far I've been using
only the built in software because I've never been able to manage a
file transfer. (I've moved three times since I bought it and lost the
manual that came with the parallel port.) Will a straight through
25-pin cable work, or do I need to have a special cable made up? If I
need a special cable can someone send me a pinout diagram? On a
related topic, is an AC power supply necessary for doing file
transfers?"
Sysop Judy Hamner tells Greg:
"A straight through 25 pin cable is what you want. If you are still
having trouble, check that your PC port is set for bidirectional
transfer. There are other threads active on this subject which you may
want to read."
Greg tells Judy:
"Hi. Thanks for the quick response. I've got the cable, but the one
time I tried it nothing happened. So I'll have to find out how to set
the bidirectional transfer. I'll be sure to look for the threads you
mentioned. I don't use my Portfolio as much as I should, and file
transfers should make it much more useful."
Sysop BJ Gleason tells Greg:
"A straight through cable is all you need. Typically, it would be 25
pin male to 25 pin male. It is recommended that you use the ac
adapter when doing file transfers, since the parallel port draws
additional power from the batteries..."
Greg replies to BJ:
"Thanks for the help. I've got the cable and the local stereo store
had universal AC adapters last time I was in. I was really glad to
find this forum on Compuserve. Up till now I was the only person I
knew with a Portfolio. Its hard to share ideas in a community of one!"
Theo Holl posts this interesting morsel:
"Reading some messages in this forum, I realized that quiet a number
of people want to power their Portfolio with NiCads to keep the costs
low. Because of the well known problems with the reliability of that
kind of power-source, most of them turn back to the usual batteries.
But that's no longer necessary ! I run my 512kb port with NiCads
together with an internal BACKUP-Battery - and this really works !!
It's a CR 2025 battery that serves as emergency power source. Together
with a special backup-electronic "card" it is installed in the port
and saves data for at least a year. (Whenever you use ac-power or
fresh NiCads the backup battery isn't active.) This great port-utility
is developed and distributed by:
Schneider Datentechnik Basler Strasse 60/I D-W 8000 Muenchen 71 phone:
++49-(0)89-7557598
Mr. Schneider also offers internal memory upgrade, 512kb and 640kb !
(He already upgraded my port to 512kb and it works to my full
contentment.)
Prices: Backup Battery Pack 98,00 DM Low Power 512kb 468,00 DM Low
Power 640kb 598,00 DM (prices include installation and German VAT [+
shipping and handling])"
Well, that's it for this week folks. I hope you've found some information
that you can use to make your life easier, more exciting, or just plain
more fun. C'mon back next week and kick back in your favorite chair, take
your shoes off, relax, and listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
***********************************************************************
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
=================
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======================
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$10 monthly charge, with additional hours available at $3.96. But hurry,
this special trial offer will expire soon! To take advantage of this
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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 (2/10/93)
STR906 FEBRUARY 05
Z*NET, JANUARY 30
VIEW132D
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AEO_0203.LZH JANUARY 30
DAVE SMALL SEZ..
GEM-VIEW 2.13
SUPER PCS PICS
SERFX20.LZH
ST GAMING DIGEST 1/93
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.
DELPHI- It's getting better all the time!
***********************************************************************
> FALCON SPECS STR InfoFile The Specifications for the NEW BIRD
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
FALCON SPECIFICATIONS
=====================
Atari Falcon 030 Specifications
-------------------------------
CPU: Motorola 68030 32-bit microprocessor @ 16MHz w/32-bit bus
FPU: Motorola 68881/68882 @ 16MHz (optional) """""""""""
DSP: Motorola 56001 Digital Signal Processor running in parallel @ 32MHz
w/ 32kWords (24-bit) of local zero wait state static RAM
ROM: 512kB
RAM: 1, 4 or 16MB(14MB usable) on daughterboard (RAM is 32-bit wide)
Expansion bus: Internal 'Processor-Direct' slot for 386SX emulation
(third party 386SX emulator nearly completed) or other
co-processors/etc.
Video: (See below for specific video modes/resolutions.)
16-bit BLiTTER @ 16MHz (also handles hard drive access)
Accepts external video sync to allow high quality genlocking
Overlay mode for easy video titling and special effects
Overscan support
Hardware-assisted horizontal fine scrolling
VIDEL (video controller) sits on 32-bit bus
Audio: Stereo 16-bit Analog-to-Digital DMA input
Stereo 16-bit Digital-to-Analog DMA output
Eight 16-bit audio DMA record/playback channels
SDMA sound/DMA co-processor
Ports: 128kB cartridge port
2 9-pin mouse/joystick ports
2 15-pin STe enhanced analog/digital controller ports (Atari also
has new analog controllers w/ a joystick, 3 fire buttons, and a
12-key keypad)
MIDI IN, OUT/THRU
Bi-directional parallel port
RS232C serial port
SCSI II w/ DMA
Analog RGB/VGA/composite video connector
Stereo headphone out (1/8" mini-jack)
Stereo microphone in (1/8" mini-jack)
DSP port (up to 1MHz data transfer rate)
RF modulator for TV hookup
Localtalk compatible LAN (up to 250kbaud transfer rate)
Misc: Internal 1.44MB 3.5" HD floppy
Internal IDE 2.5" hard drive (optional)
Pre-emptive mulitasking OS (MultiTOS) w/ adaptive prioritization
and inter-process communication (also 68040 compatible)
Realtime clock and battery backed up RAM
1040ST-style case w/ internal fan
North American availability in mid-October
Price: 1MB/no HD - $799 list
4MB/65MB - $1399 list
Resolutions available on the Atari Falcon030 (c) 1992 Atari Corp.
Written by John Townsend
=========================================================================
This document may be re-printed again and again as long as the Atari
copyright remains intact.
=========================================================================
A couple of notes: Unlike previous machines, there are just too many
resolutions to give each resolution a name. Therefore, I will do my best
to describe what the resolution is and which monitor it is on.
- NOTE: TV and a Color Monitor are the same.. by Color Monitor, I am
talking about the standard SC1224. By VGA, I mean a standard VGA
Monitor.
40 column modes ( "column" means the number of x pixels divided by 8)
---------------
4 color, normal, TV: 320x200, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, normal, TV: 320x200, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, normal, TV: 320x200, 256 colors, 8 planes
True color, normal, TV: 320x200, true color
4 color, interlace, TV: 320x400, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, interlace, TV: 320x400, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, interlace, TV: 320x400, 256 colors, 8 planes
True color, interlace, TV: 320x400, true color
4 color, normal, VGA: 320x480, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, normal, VGA: 320x480, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, normal, VGA: 320x480, 256 colors, 8 planes
True color, normal, VGA: 320x480, true color
4 color, line-doubling, VGA: 320x240, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, line-doubling, VGA: 320x240, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, line-doubling, VGA: 320x240, 256 colors, 8 planes
True color, line-doubling, VGA: 320x240, true color
80 column modes
---------------
2 color, normal, TV: 640x200, 2 colors, 1 plane
4 color, normal, TV: 640x200, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, normal, TV: 640x200, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, normal, TV: 640x200, 256 colors, 8 planes
True color, normal, TV: 640x200, true color
4 color, interlace, TV: 640x400, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, interlace, TV: 640x400, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, interlace, TV: 640x400, 256 colors, 8 planes
True color, interlace, TV: 640x400, true color
2 color, normal, VGA: 640x480, 2 colors, 1 plane
4 color, normal, VGA: 640x480, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, normal, VGA: 640x480, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, normal, VGA: 640x480, 256 colors, 8 planes
4 color, line-doubling, VGA: 640x240, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, line-doubling, VGA: 640x240, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, line-doubling, VGA: 640x240, 256 colors, 8 planes
and lastly.. there are compability modes for ST Low, ST Medium, and ST
High on both VGA monitors and SC1224 monitors. (On a color monitor, ST
High is achieved by using the interlace mode).
Also, the ST Monochrome monitor (the SM124) will work with Falcon030 as
well. However, it only supports one resolution: ST High Resolution.
All modes on a TV can be overscanned. This means multiplying the X and Y
resolution by 1.2. For example, modes with 320 pixels of horizontal
resolution (X res) will become 384 pixels across, and modes with 640
pixels will become 768 across. Overscanning is done in the X and Y
resolution. You can't do them independently. Special Note: On a VGA
monitor, overscan is "faked".. since the video hardware doesn't have the
capability to do overscan on a VGA monitor, we made it so that if a
overscan mode is set on a VGA monitor, you still see the normal size
screen, but the screen is a window onto the bigger overscanned image.
Make sense? We did this for compatibility. This way if a game that has an
overscanned starup picture can use the same pic on both the VGA monitor
and the TV monitor. Pretty cool, eh? <grin>
BTW.. Overscan can NOT be set from the desktop. The AES and Desktop will
work just fine with it, but because you can't see the parts of the
screen, we thought that that option shouldn't be available from the
desktop. We don't want to confuse people. However, Overscan can be set
using a new XBIOS call (Vsetmode()).. so it is still available.
I hope I haven't made any mistakes. I triple-checked this document in
search of errors and I couldn't find any. If you do find some, send me
Email on GEnie (to TOWNS) or CIS (70007,1135) and let me know.
-- John Townsend, Atari Corp.
P.S. Anyone who would like to reprint this message, please do so!
The smaller the number of times I have to type that message, the
more my fingers with thank you! ;-)
After looking at this one more time.. one point to clear up: By
saying SC1224 Color Monitor, I mean any Color Monitor that Atari
have manufactured for the ST/Mega/STE/MegaSTE computers. Clear
as mud? ;-)
Article: 00000 of comp.sys.atari.st
Path: xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx
From: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: The REAL Falcon specs wanted!
Keywords: Falcon specs.
Sender: network-news@cs.ruu.nl
Reply-To: xxxxxxxxxx
Organization: Dept of Computer Science, Utrecht University, The
Netherlands
Lines: 470
In-Reply-To: yyyyyyyyyyyy yyy
I found this file on the local ATARI Company's BBS : (original in Dutch)
This article is written by Wilfred Kilwinger (Support Manager) for Atari
Briefing, the newsletter by Atari (Benelux) B.V. for the Atari user
groups. It was specifically stated that it could be reproduced. I have
translated it in English with the assumption that an English translation
would be considered the same as the original.
The original also contained a description of all the features of the
Falcon which have been reproduced here a zillion of times so I did not
include those.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATARI CUSTOM CHIPS
VIDEL
The VIDEL takes care of the video functions of the system including
overscan, overlay mode and true color graphics
COMBEL
The COMBEL is the system manager of the Atari Falcon030. This chip
controls all system functions. Also the BLITTER is built in in this chip.
SDMA
The SDMA is the Sound DMA and controls the sound part. We have built in a
unique matrix switch function in this chip (more details in the second
part)
KEYBOARD PROCESSOR
The keyboard processor has been improved and is now also suitable for high
resolution mice.
Besides the above custom chips the Atari Falcon030 has a number of
standard chips like the Motorola 68030 and 56001 DSP. Another important
chip is the CODEC in which the 16 bit AD and DA converters are located.
Video modi
As you can see in the survey of Operating System calls the video hardware
is complete sotware controllable. The following combinations can a.o. be
chosen:
Mode Resolution Bit planes Colors Palette
ST LOW 320x200 4 16 4096
ST MED 640x200 2 4 4096
ST HIGH 640x400 1 2 4096
True Color 640x480 8 256 262144
320x200 15bpp 32768 N/A
The last mode asks for some explanation. Here there is no color palette
but 15 bits per pixel to describe the pixel itself. The format is
RRRRRGGGGGXBBBBB. VDI supports this mode thus programs that have not been
written for this mode specifically can use it nevertheless.
X is the overlay bit and can be used for video titling and special
effects.
320x200 16bpp 65 N/A
This mode is called the slideshow mode, is not supported by the VDI, you
are on your own. X is an extra green bit.
True Color in 640x480 is not possible because of the bandwidth of VGA
monitors.
Mode Resolution Bit planes Colors Palette
VGA 320 of 640 1,4,8 2,16,256 262144 (Overscan
Video 200 of 400
With Video we mean the Atari SC-monitors, the TV modulator and/or the
composite video output.
All modes can be gegenlocked. With adaptors we convert the 15-pole video
bus to thee standard Atari or VGA connections.
|----|
- -
/ \
/ \
/ \
| |
-|--------|-
Matrix coupling
To make the system performance in the audio part as good as possible Atari
designed a miniature 'telephone exchange' that can easily connect the
source devices to the receiving devices. Also it is possible to make more
than one connection at a time.
Source devices
EXT INPUT ---*-------*------*------*
CHANNEL | | | |
| | | |
DSP ---*-------*------*------*
TRANSMIT | | | |
| | | |
ADC ---*-------*------*------*
| | | |
| | | |
DMA ---*-------*------*------*
PLAYBACK | | | |
DMA DAC DSP EXT OUTPUT
RECORD RECEIVE CHANNEL
Receiving Devices
Ports andn interfacing
DSP CONNECTOR (DB26 Female)
Pin Signal Pin Signal
1 GP0 14 GND
2 GP1 15 SRD
3 GP2 16 GND
4 P_DATA 17 +12V
5 P_CLK 18 GND
6 P_SYNC 19 R_DATA
7 n/c 20 R_CLK
8 GND 21 R_SYNC
9 +12V 22 EXT_INT
10 GND 23 STD
11 SC0 24 SCK
12 SC1 25 GND
13 SC2 26 EXCLK
SCSI CONNECTOR (flat 50 pins SCSI II Female)
Pin Signal Pin Signal
1-10 GND 37 Not Connected
11 +5V
38 +5V
12-14 Not Connected 39 Not Connected
15-25 GND 40 GND
26 SCSI 0 41 ATN
27 SCSI 1 42 GND
28 SCSI 2 43 BSY
29 SCSI 3 44 ACK
30 SCSI 4 45 RST
31 SCSI 5 46 MSG
32 SCSI 6 47 SEL
33 SCSI 7 48 C/D
34 Parity 49 REQ
35-36 GND 50 I/O
SERIAL PORT (DB9 MALE)
Pin Signal
1 Carrier Detect 5 GND
2 Receive 6 Data set ready
3 Transmit 7 Request to Send
4 Data Terminal Ready 8 Clear to Send
9 Ring Indicator
PARALLEL PORT (DB25 Female)
The parallel port has extra signal to ease the connection of scanners.
Pin Signal
1 Strobe 8 Data 6
2 Data 0 9 Data 7
3 Data 1 10 Acknowledge
4 Data 2 11 Busy
5 Data 3 12-16 Not Connected
6 Data 4 17 Select
7 Data 5 18-25 GND
MONITOR CONNECTOR (DB19 Male)
Pin Signal Pin Signal
1 Red 11 GND
2 Green 12 Composite Sync/Video
3 Blue 13 Horizontal Sync
4 Mono/Overlay 14 Vertical Sync
5 GND 15 External Clock Input
6 Red GND 16 External SYNC Enable
7 Green GND 17 +12V
8 Blue GND 18 M1
9 Audio out 19 M0
10 GND
SCC LAN-port CONNECTOR (8-pin Mini DIN Female RS-422)
Pin Signal
1 Handshake Output (DTR RS 423) 5 - Received Data
2 Handshake Input or External Clock 6 + Transmitted Data
3 - Transmit Data 7 General-purpose Input
4 GND 8 + Receive
ENHANCED JOYSTICK (DB15 Male)
Port A Port B
Pin Signal Pin Signal
1 UP 0 1 UP 1
2 DOWN 0 2 DOWN 1
3 LT 0 3 LT 1
4 RT 0 4 RT 1
5 PAD0Y 5 PAD1Y
6 FIRE 0 / LIGHT GUN 6 FIRE 1
7 VCC (+5 VDC) 7 VCC
8 Not Connected 8 Not Connected
9 GND 9 GND
10 FIRE 2 10 FIRE 3
11 UP 2 11 UP 3
12 DOWN 2 12 DOWN 3
13 LT 2 13 LT 3
14 RT 2 14 RT 3
15 PAD0X 15 PAD1X
MIDI PORT (DIN 5 Female)
MIDI OUT MIDI IN
Pin Signal Pin Signal
1 Thru Transmit 1 Not Connected
2 GND 2 Not Connected
3 Thru Loop Return 3 Not Connected
4 Out Transmit 4 In Receive
5 Out Loop Return 5 In Loop Return
New Operating System calls
This information maybe subject to change and is certainly not meant as
documentation for programmers
DSP-calls
Dsp_DoBlock(a,b,c,d) (void) xbios(500,a,b,c,d)
Dsp_BlkHandShake(a,b,c,d) (void) xbios(501,a,b,c,d)
Dsp_BlkUnpacked(a,b,c,d) (void) xbios(502,a,b,c,d)
Dsp_InStream(a,b,c,d) (void) xbios(503,a,b,c,d)
Dsp_OutStream(a,b,c,d) (void) xbios(504,a,b,c,d)
Dsp_IOStream(a,b,c,d,e,f) (void) xbios(505,a,b,c,d,e,f)
Dsp_RemoveInterrupts(a) (void) xbios(506,a)
Dsp_GetWordSize() (int) xbios(507)
Dsp_Lock() (int) xbios(508)
Dsp_Unlock() (void) xbios(509)
Dsp_Available(a,b) (void) xbios(510,a,b)
Dsp_Reserve(a,b) (int) xbios(511,a,b)
Dsp_LoadProg(a,b,c) (int) xbios(512,a,b,c)
Dsp_ExecProg(a,b,c) (void) xbios(513,a,b,c)
Dsp_ExecBoot(a,b,c) (void) xbios(514,a,b,c)
Dsp_LodToBinary(a,b) (long) xbios(515,a,b)
Dsp_TriggerHC(a) (void) xbios(516,a)
Dsp_RequestUniqueAbility() (int) xbios(517)
Dsp_GetProgAbility() (int) xbios(518)
Dsp_FlushSubroutines() (void) xbios(519)
Dsp_LoadSubroutine(a,b,c) (int) xbios(520,a,b,c)
Dsp_InqSubrAbility(a) (int) xbios(521,a)
Dsp_RunSubroutine(a) (int) xbios(522,a)
Dsp_Hf0(a) (int) xbios(523,a)
Dsp_Hf1(a) (int) xbios(524,a)
Dsp_Hf2() (int) xbios(525)
Dsp_Hf3() (int) xbios(526)
Dsp_BlkWords(a,b,c,d) (void) xbios(527,a,b,c,d)
Dsp_BlkBytes(a,b,c,d) (void) xbios(528,a,b,c,d)
Dsp_HStat() (char) xbios(529)
Dsp_SetVectors(a,b) (void) xbios(530,a,b)
De volledige beschrijving van bovenstaande functie's staat in de Falcon030
Developers Documentation.
VIDEO SETMODE
int setmode( int modecode );
The setmode( int modecode ) call is used to place the Falcon/030 SHIFTER
into a specific mode. A bit-encoded value (called a "modecode") is passed
to setmode() to set the mode. setmode() returns the previous mode that
was set.
To help make the building of modecode values easier, here is a table of
defines:
#define VERTFLAG 0x100
#define STMODES 0x80
#define OVERSCAN 0x40
#define PAL 0x20
#define VGA 0x10
#define TV 0x0
#define COL80 0x08
#define COL40 0x0
#define NUMCOLS 7
#define BPS16 4
#define BPS8 3
#define BPS4 2
#define BPS2 1
#define BPS1 0
Using these defines, you can build a modecode for any possible mode.
For example:
For True Color Overscan:
modecode = OVERSCAN|COL40|BPS16;
For ST Medium Compatibility mode on a Color Monitor/TV:
modecode = STMODES|COL80|BPS2;
For ST Low Compatibility mode in PAL on a Color Monitor/TV:
modecode = STMODES|PAL|COL80|BPS2;
For 256 color, 80 column mode on a VGA monitor:
modecode = VGA|COL80|BPS8;
If you have a modecode and wish to know how many bits per pixel it has,
use the following:
if( modecode & NUMCOLS ) == BPS16 )
do_something_cool(); /* You have true color mode */
The setmode() call will return the previous modecode set. You must use
this value to get back to whatever mode you were in before you made your
setmode call.
int mon_type(void)
The mon_type() function will return the kind of monitor that is currently
in use. Here are the possible return values:
0 = ST monochrome monitor
1 = ST color monitor
2 = VGA monitor
3 = Television.
void ext_sync( int flag )
This function sets or clears external sync. If flag is set, external
sync is enabled. If flag is clear, then internal sync is used.
SOUND-calls
locksnd();
Used as a semiphore to lock the sound system. From other applications.
unlocksnd();
Used to release the sound system for other applications to use.
soundcmd(mode,data);
This command is used to get or set the following sound parameters. If a
negative number is used as the input then the current setting is returned.
MODE OPERATION MEANING
O LTATTEN Sets the current left channel output
1 RTATTEN Sets the current right channel output
2 LTGAIN Sets the current left channel input gain.
3 RTGAIN Sets the current right channel input gain.
4 ADDERIN Set the output of the 16 bit signed adder to
receive it's input from the ADC, Matrix or
both.
5 ADCINPUT Set the input the the ADC. The input can either
be the left and right channel of the PSG or the
left and right channel of the microphone.
6 SETPRESCALE Used for compatability. This prescale value
is used when the DEVCONNECT() internal
prescale value is set to zero.
setbuffer(reg,begaddr,endaddr);
This function is used to set the play or record buffers. REG selects
playback or record, while begaddr and endaddr are the buffers beginning
and ending locations.
(int) reg - (0) Sets playback registers.
- (1) Sets record registers.
(long) begaddr - Sets the beginning address of the buffer.
(long) endaddr - Sets the ending address of the buffer.
setmode(mode);
This function is used to set record or playback mode. The modes are as
follows:
MODE OPERATION
(int) 0 8 Bit Stereo
(int) 1 16 Bit Stereo
(int) 2 8 Bit Mono
settracks(playtracks,rectracks);
This function is used to sets the number of record or playback tracks.
setmontracks(montrack);
This function is used to set the output of the internal speaker to one of
the four tracks currently playing. The internal speaker is only capable of
outputing ONE track at a time.
setinterrupt(src_inter,cause);
This function is used to set which interrupt that will occur at the end of
a frame. If the frame repeat bit is on, this interrupt is used to allow
for double buffering the playing or recording of sound. Interrupts can
come from TimerA or the MFP i7.
buffoper(mode);
This function is used to control the operation of the play or record
buffers in the sound system. The input to this function is a bitmap. If
mode is set t0 -1 then the current status of the buffer operation bits is
returned. NOTE: The sound system contains a 32 byte FIFO. When
transferring data to the record buffer, software MUST check to see if the
record enable (RE) bit was cleared by the hardware. If the bit was cleared
then the FIFO is flushed, if not then software must flush the FIFO by
clearing the record enable (RE) bit.
dsptristate(dspxmit,dsprec);
This function is used to tristate the DSP from the data matrix.
gpio(mode,data);
This is used to communicate over the General Purpose I/O on the DSP
connector. Only the low order three bits are used. The rest are reserved.
This call, depending on the mode, can be used to set the direction of the
I/O bits, read the bits, or write the bits.
devconnect(src,dst,srcclk,prescale,protocol);
This function is used to attach a source device to any of the destination
devices in the matrix. Given a source device, this call will attach that
one source device to one or all of the destination devices. This call also
sets up the source clock and prescaler, protocol and protocol source if
used.
sndstatus(reset);
This function gets the current status of the codec. buffptr(pointer);
This function returns the current position of the play and record data
buffer pointers. These pointers indicate where the data is being
read/written within the buffers themselves. This function is also used to
determine how much data has been written to the record buffer. See
buffoper(). The above is not yet complete. Atari has also routines for
JPEG and andio conversion.
For anyone who hasn't seen the full specs, the Falcon appears to have
been designed as a 24 bit computer, partly to maintain compatability with
existing software. This doesn't mean third party boards etc. can't extend
that, but it explains the 14 meg memory limit. The other captures from
Jim Allen posts on GEnie say that the Falcon chips all seem to talk at
16mhz. Another poster mentioned here that there's an 8bit processor to
the dsp channel, I guess for uploading code into the dsp, though I don't
know if that means you can't tell the dsp to load a program from a memory
location itself, which would be faster, I'd guess.
Motorola says the top speed the 56001 is clocked at is 33mhz, so the
ad/da converters must be the parts clocked at 50mhz.
A couple thoughts: Near the start of that message, a line said that
the blitter chip handled hard drive access. That doesn't sound right. It
may be that the functions of the discrete blitter and DMA chips in older
machines have been combined into a single custom chip.
Atari insists on saying the Falcon 030 has truecolor modes. Saying it
over and over doesn't make it so. The machine has hicolor modes, allowing
up to 64k colors onscreen at once. 5 bits each of red, green, and blue.
This is hicolor. Truecolor is 16m colors at once, 8 bits or more of red
green and blue. I guess truecolor sounds better in the advertising.
***********************************************************************
: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
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7. II Legit II Quit - 20,000 files can't be wrong................A2
8. NEW: Locate INTERNATIONAL TRADE Administration Offices.....DIRECTORY
9. Online magazines and newsletters (Comics too) in............GENIELAMP
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14. CHRISTIAN MUSIC MINISTRY support now available in . . . ......*MUSIC
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|"""| |"""| |"""""""""""""""""""""""|
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Your RT Hosts: John Peters [GENIELAMP]
Jim Flanagan [JFLANAGAN] & Mike White [M.WHITE25]
THE FEBRUARY ISSUES OF GEnieLamp ARE NOW ONLINE!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
ATTENTION ALADDIN USERS A new script is in the library that will
""""""""""""""""""""""" automate all your GEnieLamp RoundTable activites
such as grabbing the latest issue of GEnieLamp or reading the latest
RoundTable news (the Disktop Publishing Association newsletter). A new
feature of this script is that it minimizes the amount of time you are in
GEnie*Value. Save $$$!) Written by master-script writer, Jim Lubin, this
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1093 GENIELMP.ZIP GET THE LAMP script for Aladdin
FILE OF THE WEEK Friday night it's STANZA Online poetry magazine!
"""""""""""""""" Can't wait? Download file #1092.
#7, This Page!
GEnie GENIELAMP Page 515
Computing on GEnie Newsletter
1. GEnieLamp Bulletin Board 2. GEnieLamp Real-Time Conference
3. GEnieLamp Software Libraries 4. About the RoundTable
5. RoundTable News (930205) 6.[*]FEEDBACK to GEnieLamp
7. GEnieLamp File Of The Week
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12.[*]GEnieLamp Apple II (930201) 13.[*]GEnieLamp A2PRO (930201)
14. Newsbytes News Network 15. Computer & Electronics NewsCent
GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission
***********************************************************************
> KC SHOW STR SHOW NEWS Shows, shows Galore!
"""""""""""""""""""""
KANSAS CITY ATARI CONNECTION
IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE
KANSAS CITY ATARIFEST '93
As most of you know we have been looking for a site for the first major
Atari Show here in Kansas City. We now have the show location and by the
time you read this, contracts will have been sent to as many dealers and
developers that we have addresses on.
The location for the show is Stadium Inn, 7901 E 40 Hwy., The date of
the show will be July 17 and 18th. Ticket prices at the door will be
5.00 dollars each day. Advance tickets will be 4.00 dollars each, for
advance tickets, please send 4.00 dollars to: Kansas City AtariFest, P.O.
Box 1653, Lee Summit, MO 64063 or if you belong to a user group please
mail a request for a user group information pack.
To make room reservations please call 1-800-325-7901, we are also
working with a local travel agent to get special airfares for the show.
You may call 1-800-874-7691 after February 1st to take advantage of the
special fares.
For more information please leave Email as follows; GEnie, B.welsch,
J.krzysztow, for CompuServe, Leave for Jeff Krzysztow at 74027,707, or
you cal call (816)224-9021, or mail to the address listed above.
We hope you will join us to welcome the following companies; Cali-Co
software, ICD, MissionWare Software, Fair-Dinkum Software, Systems For
Tomorrow, New Dimensions Computer Center, Electronic Spinster Graphics.
Bruce Welsch
Special Events Coordinator
_____________________________________________________________
> STR EDITOR'S Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard"
""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport's EDTIOR'S MailBag
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
From: BRYEDEWAARD
To: RMARIANO
CC:
Subj: STReport (what else?!?)
I read the latest STReport and I feel compelled to write you a letter.
Feel free to include this in an STReport if you so desire and I leave it
up to you if you feel that only portions of it are appropropriate.
Whatever.... :)
I have been really torn over the STReport debate that has been going
on for some time. It seems to me now that the forces against you are much
louder than the voice of reason, and it is the ST user that will suffer.
People have asked (me included) that if STReport hates Atari so much,
why does it continue. I now realize the answer: for those who really want
to be informed enough to avoid being 'unpleasantly surprized' by Atari's
actions. I, for instance, sold my SLM605 in anticipation of getting a
Falcon. Had it not been for STReport, I would be expecting to get a simple
adapter and use it on the Falcon.
Needless to say, having to wait months (maybe many months) for a
converter box, possibly at a high cost, would have made me very upset and
will probably cause the SLMs to drop in value. STReport may not always be
right, but it does try to let us know what we should know. If Atari kept
us well informed, there'd be no need for STReport, or Atari's hatred for
it.
What has impressed me most is STReport's handling of the GEnie fiasco.
STReport proved itself strong enough to rise above the entire mess with a
'business-as-usual' continuation, free of unbridled GEnie-bashing. I hope
that something good can come of this and that Delphi can continue to grow
as users seek a new 'Free-Press' area to read all online opinions and
share ideas. As I understand it, GEnie censors all references to Delphi
in their message areas, as a friend tried to give someone information on
Delphi's excellent internet services, only to have it deleted.
Anyway, I wish the best to STReport and to Atari, and I hope that in
the future STReport won't annoy Atari so much because Atari won't have so
much to hide.
Your reader and Atarian of 12 years,
Bryan Edewaard
Delphi: BRYEDEWAARD
Inet: bryedewaard@delphi.com
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
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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
Bryan and Brian;
Most loyal Atarians are seeing these matters pretty much the way you
are. Its sad to see happening but I must point out that its NOT GEnie
itself making these decisions nor can GEnie be blamed for controversy
after controversy between STReport and those operating the Atari RT on
GEnie. (Odd, it ONLY happens in the ST RT!) The bottom line, GEnie itself
is apparently quite pleased with the performance of STReport. Especially
when it comes to discussing the sign-up figures and GEnie's cost per new
user this is according to what we were told last year.
Another point that must be made is the operators of the ST RT have, in
our editorial opinion on more than one occasion, sought to destroy either
STReport's or its staff's credibility by any means at their disposal.
These are apparently undeniable facts as the captures of all their
shenanigans, the baiting, badgering and weekly hostilities are all a
matter of documented record. All such posts having been seen and/or
captured and witnessed by a large cross-section of non-partial users as
well as the members of the "clique" in the ST RT. What we are seeing is a
culmination of the pent-up resentment resulting from the events of August,
1992. This unfortunate exhibition of back room games is just the latest
in a long line of cheap shots and innuendo that STReport and its staff
have "enjoyed" at the hands of a vociferous and extremely biased few.
I honestly do not believe Atari had _anything_ officially to do with
this latest aggressive act on the part of the ST RT sysop. Atari seems to
be far more concerned with getting the Falcon out on time.
Folks really must understand that GEnie is not responsible for the
current situation. The contract holder, in our opinion, of the ST RT is.
Apparently, as result of this contract holder's actions, there is a good
chance _all_ types of dealer advertisements will not be allowed in any
form on GEnie at all. This is a classic example of how a zealot's
selfish, self-serving actions may be doing far more harm than good.
Facts are facts; STReport and most other responsible online electronic
publications have stated repeatedly "they _are_ magazines... that are
intended to entertain, enlighten and amuse. They're responsible for their
content _not_ the carrier. The analogy of the NEWS STAND is quite
appropriate here.. the News Stand is not held responsible. Period.
The sharpies used the Soldier of Fortune Magazine's suit as an example
which was a brilliant stroke but they missed one point... nowhere was a
news stand or any other source or purchase point named in the suit the
Supreme Court held up... only Soldier of Fortune Magazine was named in
the suit. But... the zealots apparently saw fit to panic and stampede
people's views. Its an excellent if not classic example of expert
manipulation of alleged facts to hopefully suit certain purposes.
In closing, please do not blame GEnie itself for any of the current
spate of comically sorry happenings. Its seemingly been brought about by
those who would do most anything to silence STReport. This entire matter
appears to have been engendered by the contract holder of the ST RT. The
first shot fired was by this party (as usual).
Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine
____________________________________________________________________
> 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.
_____________________________________________________________
> SST SHOW STR SHOW NEWS DON'T MISS THIS ONE!!
""""""""""""""""""""""
o----------------------o
** ** ** | S A C R A M E N T O |
** ** ** | |
** ** ** | .===, .###, ##### |
** ** ** | =, = #, # # |
** ** ** | =, #, # |
*** ** *** | =, #, # |
***** ** ***** | =, #, # |
****** ** ****** | = = # # # |
****** ** ****** | '===' '###' # |
****** ** ****** | |
| ST USER GROUP |
o----------------------o
Presents
\\__________mmmmmmmm______ ______mmmmmmmm__________//
==============////////======\\_mMMm_//======\\\\\\\\==============
===/////////////////////////\\\MM///\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\===
//////////////////////////\\\///\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
/////////////// \\// \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
////// //||\\ \\\\\\
// \\
/|\ /|\
* *
* THE *
* **** *
* * *
* *** *
* * *
* **** A C R A M E N T O *
* *
* *** *
* * * *
* ***** *
* * * *
* * * T A R I *
* *
* **** *
* * *
* * *
* * *
* **** O M P U T E R *
* *
* **** * * **** *** *
* * * * * * * * *
* **** ** **** * * *
* * * * * * * *
* **** * * * *** S I T I O N *
* *
* MARCH 13TH - 14TH 1993 *
* *
The Sacramento Atari ST User Group invites you to join them for a two
day festival of all things Atari. Fly high with the fabulous Falcon 030,
or taunt your taste buds with a tempting TT! While you're in the
Sacramento area, check out some of the great sights it has to offer.
Sacramento was the capital of the wild west, and historic old town
Sacramento is still much like it was over 100 years ago. Ride the rails
to the California State Railroad Museum, the largest of its kind in the
United States. Stroll the decks of the famous Delta King river boat or
tour the newly restored state capitol building; all just minutes from
the SAC Expo.
The show will be Saturday and Sunday, March 13th and 14th 1993. It
will be held at the Towe Ford Museum, 2200 Front Street, Sacramento, Ca.
95818. The Towe is another jewel in the capital city's crown, boasting
the worlds largest collection of antique Ford automobiles. The special
events area in which the show will be held is a replica of a famed area
theatre which was demolished in 1973 amid great public outcry. The
exterior and forecourt of the Alhambra theatre live again at the Towe,
including a giant Wurlitzer pipe organ donated from the estate of Cecil
B. De Mille. The show will actually spread out through various parts of
the museum, and the auto exhibits will be open free to show goers as an
added attraction.
We still have vendors signing on to the Expo, but to date you can
expect to see:
Barefoot Software
San Jose Computer
Codehead Software
STeve's Software
Oregon Research
ST Informer Magazine
Cottonwood Computer
Safari Fonts
B & C Computervision
Marcel Software of California
Branch Always Software/Purple Mountain Computer
A & D Software
Compo Software
There will be a festive grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony at
10am on Satruday the 13th. Sacramento celebrity Matias Bombal will be on
hand as master of ceremonies, and famed area organist Dave "Vox" Mereno
will kick off the Expo with a few grand tunes on the mighty Wurlitzer.
So be sure not to miss out on all the fun, and of course, the Falcon!
Tickets for the show are $6 for one day and $10 for a two day pass.
Advance tickets for the Expo are available from the SST. Send a self
addressed stamped envelope, including all necessary funds, to:
SST
PO BOX 214892
Sacramento, CA 95821-0892
All advance ticket orders will also receive a $5 coupon from STeves
Software at the show.
Travel arrangements for the show are being handled by Sports Leisure
Travel of Sacramento, ask for Mark or Del at 1-800-321-4758. For more
information contact SST President (and Vendor Coordinator) Nick Langdon at
(916) 723-6425; The Towe Ford Museum at (916) 442-6802, or SST via GEnie
account # M.WARNER8.
______________________________________________________
> STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips"
"""""""""""""""""""""
- San Francisco, CA TT030 IS WHAT?
-----------------
According to our super snoop, a certain Atari employee recently gave a
deposition relative to a certain proceeding. In that deposition, he
mentioned that the TT was an interim machine never intended to be aimed at
the general computing market and that's why the units shipping in the US
were not class B nor was the acquisition of class B of a high priority.
In fact, there had been no class B TT030 units manufactured. It was also
mentioned that the Falcon is the first machine they've had that the
majority of Atari's top brass had any real confidence in.
- Washington, DC FCC DILIGENT OVER "QUEENS"
--------------
In a recent discussion with its field engineers, the commission's
brass made mention of the fact they were highly concerned over the
practice of submitting special versions of hardware or of hardware
receiving certification while the actual units offered for sale were not
exactly the same as those submitted for certification. Its been decided
that "in the field" acquisition and re-inspection of certain devices,
computers and many type 15 devices will be placed under high priority. A
number of incidents in the last 18 months involving "Queens" and other
'substitution' abuses have made this action necessary.
______________________________________________________________
> STR Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard"
"""""""""""""
STReport's MailBag
""""""""""""""""""
Messages * NOT EDITED * for content
-----------------------------------
From GEnie's ST RT
Category 18, Topic 26
Message 33 Sun Feb 07, 1993
LEXICOR [Lee] at 00:16 EST
For the RECORD:
The post in STReport is not correct as a whole, and I was going to
wait till the final investigation by UPS internal security befor posting.
How ever:
Lexicor did receiv a package a day later than reported in the
STReport account. That Package was on the surface from purple Mountian
Computers, it's lable stated that it contained a gemulator. the box had no
indication that it was from Ralph.
the package was, along with several others packed for shipmant for
our move with out being opened. Mostly because we have no need of a
Gemulator and because we were packing every- thing.
We received no less than 4 inquiries from UPS about the delivery. We
reported in every case in writing that we did not have any record of
receiving any thing from ABCO, but that we would alert UPS if we did have
the delivery as soon as the Container which had the shipping box with the
Shipment in it was opened.
because of the problems we have had with RALPH/ABCO and the
statement by Ralph through third parties that he would never ship the
goods we requested that UPS have an investigator present when the package
was finally unopacked and opened.
Due to the fact that the package Claimed by Ralph was insured for
$500 dollars, which was at least 4 times the actual value of the goods and
because Ralph was demanding an insurance settlement from UPS right away,
The UPS internal security people did a comparison of the demands by Ralph
and found that they did not agree. One demand claimed that the package
weighed 10 pounds and it's contents were Unknown and another claimed the
package weighed 2 pounds.
the package was unpacked on friday and examined by UPS. they found
that the package had no other indentification than the Purple Mountian
original lable on it and that the contents did not match the insurance
calim as to value demanded by ABCO.
At this point the matter rest with UPS as to what they want to do
about a demand for excess value. Once they decide what they wish to do we
will then decide as to what we will anounce. Given the responces to
inquiries here by customers asking ABCO about their orders, if I wait till
June of 1995 to confirm a delivery from ABCO, I will have been as prompt
as ABCO was in filling the order, which would be fair and reasonable
I think it is very interesting that Ralph seems to think that it is
just fine and dandy to refuse to respond here and screams bloody murder if
he gets the same treatment.
So now we wait to see what UPS finds in the package and if it is
worth the $500 dollars claimed by ABCO.
Lee
------------
Editor Reply:
-------------
The post in STReport 906 was, (contrary to the misleading and
erroneous bleating presented above), entirely correct and accurate. As
was exactly what was related to us by UPS. The game being played is
quite obvious. Since the accurate description of the parcel has been made
it was no doubt received by Lexicor. Accordingly, we have forwarded the
above public message to UPS Internal Security and a copy of our original
request for a simple trace and verification of delivery. For the record,
the first report came back that since Lexicor was a private house, no
signature was sought. This caused some concern on ABCO's part. Thus, the
follow-up trace and subsequent verification post presented above. United
Parcel Servie's people were quite grateful to find this revealing
information and the fact that there was never a claim filed... not from
the firt trace inquiry till now. They now have a very good idea as to who
the real "perp" is. The fact is plain since the parcel's appearance is
fully described in the above post, there is now no doubt it was received
at its destination.
Category 18, Topic 26
Message 37 Sun Feb 07, 1993
G.CROSS [Jerry] at 11:05 EST
Lloyd,
Does that refer to his free flag or to any account he has? I can't see
how Darlah can stop him (like you) from paying to get on to the round
table and replying to messages.
Lee,
The fact that Ralph was willing to lose his Genie access over his
advertising only shows where his true priorities are. The reason for
STR's existance was to advertise ABCO, and this proves it.
D,D.,
"They didn't like anyone questioning the FCC approval date.."
I was the one who questioned his reporting, and I was the one who proved
Ralph was blowing smoke. He still has not admitted he was wrong, and he
is still passing around lies about the FCC certification.
"I seldom, if ever, saw a common down to earth, everyday Atari user and
Genie customer post a complaint about what they read."
What am I, a potted plant?
------------
Editor Note:
------------
Jerry, we've known each other for quite some time and I must say your
insistance upon this tack of my not having the real facts concerning the
FCC is ludicrous! The information was dictated to STReport and presented
verbatim in STReport 902. No embellishments, nothing but the facts just
the way we got them from the Engineer in Charge. You proved nothing,
absolutely nothing except that of an attempt to build a fascade of smoke
and mirrors. The Falcon was class B certified on January 8th. Since the
previous certification with its requirements were appealed by Atari, that
certification was rendered invalid. You failed to understand that point
of information.
About the potted plant... what type fertilizer do you prefer?? :-)
Category 14, Topic 16
Message 68 Tue Feb 09, 1993
TOWNS [John@Atari] at 17:25 EST
Tom.. I was slightly burned out on online stuff for awhile and we
have been attempting to get SpeedoGDOS and MultiTOS out the door.
Considering all of that.. I decided not to logon for quite some time.
I think maybe I am back now ;-)
I will check into the Clipboard path and Atari Works. I was certain
that it supported the standard Clipboard spec. Oh well.. If not, then
it needs to do it.
-- John Townsend, Atari Corp.
PS. That doesn't even take into account that I am getting married
in 5 days! Wish me luck.
------------
Editor; Good Luck John... Marriage is a wonderful institution... all
mental! Really.. all the luck in the world to you and your new wife.
Category 14, Topic 20
Message 34 Wed Feb 10, 1993
B.REHBOCK [BILL@ATARI] at 03:01 EST
Ken, Atari Works v1.0 supports only GEM Metafile graphics in the
Wordprocessor. If you have a GEM Metafile that refers to an IMG file (such
as from EasyDraw or TouchUp), the .IMG file will be printed. A wide
variety of Graphics import has been on our list and will show up in a
future release.
Wayne, RTF and DBF are imported and exported. It is command-compatible
with Excel; it does not currently import and export Excel files. The
Database Form layout is not limited to the screen, you can layout a form
in a window and the window will track the active field. Forms created for
1280x960 work just fine in 640x400.
Brian, the GEM metafile format is quite well documented, I have no idea
what you are talking about. All an application has to do to create a
metafile is open Device 31 and begin making VDI calls just as they would
to draw lines, cirlces and text on the screen, when you close the
workstation, the metafile is written automatically. This is slighty
simplified, but it _is_ a trivial task, even _creating_ GEM/3 Beziers.
I have quite a list of features that will be added to Atari Works from
revision to revision. I don't think anyone will be disappointed.
-Bill@Atari
Category 14, Topic 41
Message 128 Tue Feb 09, 1993
TOWNS [John@Atari] at 17:25 EST
This is the Overview information I found on the Falcon030 Audio
sub-system:
The Atari Falcon030 contains a sophisticated digital processing and
audio sub-system..
32MHz 56001 Digital Signal Processor with 96K bytes of zero wait
state RAM.
Eight track, 16-bit digital DMA record channel.
Eight track, 16-bit digital DMA playback channel
(operating in parallel with digital record)
On-board 16-bit stereo DACs, feeding the internal loudspeaker
and headphone jack.
On-board 16-bit stereo ADCs, and stereo microphone jack.
Sophisticated data path matrix between DSP, DMA, Codec and
external connector.
Sample rates up to 50KHz.
Serial data transfer rates up to 1MB per second.
Loudspeaker or headphones can monitor any stereo channel of
8 track digital playback data.
External serial record and playback channels connect to
industry standard DACs, ADCs and S/PDIF components
with minimum additional logic.
The digital processing sub-system has many features which make
it ideal for audio processing. However, the data being processed
can also be video (images), graphics objects (3D image manipulation)
or any other general purpose data.
To maintain the maximum flexibility, the Atari Falcon030 provides
an extremely general connection system between these components. All
data transfers are in a synchronous serial format. Any component can
talk with any other. Since some of the components have real time
response requirements, the clokcing schemes have also been made
especially general and flexible.
I hope this is enough broad information to answer some of the basic
questions you may have.
STEVE-J: Last I checked, Falcon030 Developer Documentation was
available to anyone who wanted to purchase it. What more do you want?
-- John Townsend, Atari Corp.
Category 14, Topic 44
Message 26 Tue Feb 09, 1993
TOWNS [John@Atari] at 17:25 EST
Leonard is not gone. He has just changed responsibilities here at
Atari. He is currently working on exciting new entertainment
technology. Sorry, but I am not at liberty to say much more.
-- John Townsend, Atari Corp.
------------
.........you mean the Jaguar???? The super duper dual cpu game system?
The one with the built in CD Rom? The one that's supposed to debut at the
spring CES? ED.
Category 14, Topic 20
Message 35 Wed Feb 10, 1993
D.FLORY [ALERTsys*Cop] at 10:27 EST
Bill, what formats does the spreadsheet componenet load/import and
export, besides its own? I'm hoping you'll say its at least comma/tab
delimited or DIF?
(-: Happy Bytes :-)
Dave Flory, ALERTsys*Cop
07:22 PST - 02/10/93
------------
Category 14, Topic 20
Message 36 Wed Feb 10, 1993
R.WILSON36 [Bob Wilson] at 18:22 EST
Bill "METAFILES are quite well documented"? The commands to set page size
, working area etc were not documented in the documentation package that I
recieved. These must be set so that the application recieving the file has
a vague idea of what size it is dealing with. This is especially true
since the original program if using text has to make some assumptions
about how wide and high the fonts are. VQT EXTENT returns either 0 height
or o width (can't remember which). that is why all those programs like
TWDTP and OPUS have font width files. If all you want to do is line draws
and boxes then yes it is as simple as opening driver 31. It is much more
of a pain in the you know what if fonts are involved. I have heard of
mythical META.SYS fonts but I have never seen them in any package which
supports .GEM files and I own 5 different programs that come with GDOS.
------------
Category 14, Topic 20
Message 37 Wed Feb 10, 1993
WAYNED. [Wayne] at 19:18 EST
>Wayne, RTF and DBF are imported and exported. It is command-compatible
>with Excel; it does not currently import and export Excel files.
Thanks for the info Bill. Glad to hear that they both import and
export. Hopefully it will import/export Excel files in the future.
>I have quite a list of features that will be added to Atari Works from
>revision to revision. I don't think anyone will be disappointed.
That's also good to hear. Hopefully Atari Works will grow in power as
time goes on.
Wayne
------------
Category 14, Topic 20
Message 38 Wed Feb 10, 1993
K.SPRINGER1 [FROZEN NORTH] at 22:48 EST
BILL@ATARI
Shucky-darns! I own TouchUp, so getting IMG files into Atari Works will
pose no problem. :-) My youngest sister is now interested in getting a
computer, and may give her one of my ST's to get her started. Atari Works
sounds like just what she needs in the way of software. Is it save to
assume that it will work with antiquated TOS 1.0?
Ken
------------
Category 14, Topic 20
Message 39 Thu Feb 11, 1993
BOB-BRODIE [Atari Corp.] at 01:19 EST
Al,
Thanks for your kind comments, I share your sentiments that we're close to
getting a record number of things out the door in short order!
As Bill has indicated, there are plans in the queue (almost said Works!)
to have additional upgrades done, but I want see it get out the door!!
Bob Wilson- I think that there is an entire section in the dev docs that
deals specifically with GDOS, and the meta file stuff is probably all in
there (Bill can give you the straight scoop on that, I'm just making an
informed guess). The GEM files that I've been importing into Atari Works
are ancient GEM files from old, old, Easy Draw images that I have on hand,
as well as the GEM file that Touch Up creates when it makes an IMG. :)
The point is that GEM files have been around darn near as long as there
have been STs. While the info might be buried to an extent in the docs,
it is there, and people have been using them for time now.
Chester,
Yes, you can for example, highlight some cells in the spreadsheet and then
plop them into the word processor! Same for tables and graphs.
All in all, I think everyone is going to be pretty happy with the initial
release of Atari Works. I started one of our sales administrators using
it a couple of days ago...and she's loving it!! One of the things that she
enjoys the most is the simple click on an icon ability to change from Left
Justified, Right Justified, Centered, and full justification in the word
processor.
It's pretty intuitive, but I'm finally starting to make my way thru the
manual to make sure that I haven't overlooked anything. There is lots of
stuff under the surface :)
best regards,
Bob Brodie
------------
Category 14, Topic 20
Message 40 Thu Feb 11, 1993
B.REHBOCK [BILL@ATARI] at 05:02 EST
Dave, the spreadsheet can handle tab, comma, or user-defined delimited.
You should stop by for a demo! ------- Bob, there is definitely no need
for metafile fonts or width tables. Atari Works cuts its graphs to the
clipboard using only plain-jane VDI calls to Device 31 using SpeedoGDOS.
It also has a feature that allows you to cut regions from the spread sheet
or a record in the database form view as metafiles, using the same, simple
technique. After these are pasted into a WP document, the user can even
scale them and the text gets scaled along with the metafile. Atari Works
has been a very good proof of theory regarding the O/S and GEM, and son of
a gun, it really does work :-)
I will see if I can put together some sample code and upload it. Our
department is in the middle of moving, but I'll try to get it posted over
the weekend.
------------
From Delphi's Atari area...
48062 7-FEB 18:50 General Information
RE: Falcon in Byte (Re: Msg 48048)
From: WAYNEDUNHAM To: OCS
I don't know about getting FCC clearance. I know that recently more and
more clone makers are paying attention to Class B compliance, but they've
all been doing component build-ups for years now. I'm just looking for
the same flexibility for the Atari. Especially since Atari has NEVER sold
an ST/STe/TT with what *I* would consider a proper compliment of options.
You either get a machine that won't take an HD (ala the Mega STe/TT), or
one with an HD you have to immediately chuck out the window because of
it's pitiful capacity.
Selling a Falcon with a 65 meg HD is like selling a Mac or CLone with a
cassette storage system. I'd just be happy if they'd sell me a machine
with NO hd that would allow me to add one later internally. I know it
wasn't allowed on the Mega STe (due to case and other limitations), not
sure about the TT, and I heard rumours that they were going to make the
Falcon either out of the box with an HD, or you couldn't add one
internally by just plugging one in.
Similiar to their chopping off the second 2 meg portion of Mega
motherboards on Mega 2's so you couldn't just add the chips to bring it to
4 megs. I was one of the lucky ones who got a Mega that had the intact
motherboard and the traces intact so all I had to do was solder in the Ram
and capacitors.
Wayne
48211 9-FEB 05:48 Telecommunications
RE: Modem Speed (Re: Msg 48133)
From: ATARIPOWER7 To: BOBBRO (NR)
I'm curious, Bob, it seems MANY folks don't have any idea what their
modems and computers are actually doing... I haven't the skill nor the
depth of knowledge to teach folks what their modem, computer, serial port,
the remote modem and all are doing when they're online. So, here's a
suggestion and a question:
Why don't you get some more knowledgeable folks <Technicians?> at Atari to
write up a little "High speed telecommunications primer" and upload it
here, so folks can download it and have greater understanding of just what
they're doning, and what their computers and other equipment is doing.
The question:
My Mega STe, with TOS 2.06 and 1.44 Floppy and 4 megs and 48 Meg internal
HD works great with hardware flow control, however, some have said I need
a RTS/CTS patch <I dont>. Will ANY ST with TOS 2. 06, regardless of other
elements of configuration, support RTS/CTS flow control flawlessly, or is
my MSTe somehow just lucky?? The only problem I've ever had is when I'm
receiving data <MNP5 or V.42bis> at high speed <9600 or 12,000> my serial
port can crash, <the rest of the system works fine> forcing me to reboot.
If the remote modem and mine are using modem to modem flow control, that
problemis practically negated, I only need to be careful to avoid my modem
trying to take data it receives at 12,000 or 9600 <MNP5 or V.42bis> and
uncompressing it and overflowing my serial port, if the remote modem keeps
sending data <Local Amiga BBS does this, no modem to modem flow control>
to my modem, eventually it will cause CRC errors <my modem and computer
protect themselves very well with flow control, fortunately> and muck up
downloads etc....
One more ditty, the internal harddrive is a Seagate ST157N. Really, isn't
that HD capable of formatting to more than 46.3 megs? Could I possibly
edit WINCAP and get more cylinders <tracks>???
Take care!
AP7
From CIS Atari Fora.....
#: 37031 S14/ST REPORT
08-Feb-93 17:37:05
Sb: #36976-#Inaccurate Reporting
Fm: SYSOP*Ron Luks 76703,254
To: Ron Kovacs - Z-Net 75300,1642 (X)
Since you asked, let me just jump in here to explain the legal aspects of
online services and online magazines as I understand them to be based upon
some 'sort of related test cases in court' and conversations with my
lawyers and CIS's representatives.
Of course, the situation is FAR from being crystal clear, but CIS (and I)
are operating under the analogy of comparing the online service to a
magazine stand. Along those lines, the magazine is probably liable for
its contents and its ads (as per the SOF lawsuit) but not the newsstand
which sells the generally available publication.
The newsstand is not under any legal obligation to carry or not carry any
publication, although there are some moral and business issues involved
which will affect that decision.
Carrying a publication on a newsstand does not imply any endorsement of
its content from a legal standpoint.
Of course, all the above is premised by the statemtent that "I am not a
lawyer...."
#: 37066 S17/Community Square
10-Feb-93 07:39:21
Sb: #37060-#platforms
Fm: STReport - Ralph 70007,4454
To: david d. hagood 73437,3162 (X)
David..
I am comparing Oranges to Oranges. In the post I also stated that
when importing into Calamus with its GIF driver, it was faster. The real
FACT is the TT is only 32Mhz while the PC used was 50Mhz. It was faster.
Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine
#: 37084 S17/Community Square
10-Feb-93 17:39:29
Sb: #37066-platforms
Fm: Pat Augustine 73670,2200
To: STReport - Ralph 70007,4454
Absolutely. A 486/50 should outrun a 32Mhz '030, especially if it's a
"real" 50Mhz. A clock-doubled 25 (ie, 50) will still beat it, but not as
bad. The '030 is a nice workhorse, but doesn't have the speed gains that
the '040 and 486 have.
By the way, did you see that Intel announced a delay in the Pentium
release? Apparently there's major heat dissipation problems, and beside,
they need to let the software houses build Pentium compilers because
there's little speed increase from a 486 to a Pentium unless the software
is optimised for the Pentium design. 386/486 software will not be
noticably faster on a Pentium until it's been recompiled.
So the 486 will remain "king" of the Intel line for a while, because it
will take time to recompile the major programs to be Pentium-fast.
#: 37118 S13/Ask ATARI Corp.
11-Feb-93 20:55:09
Sb: #Official Support area?
Fm: Victor Wood - Munich 100041,222
To: Atari Corp
I know Genie has an official support area for Atari, but thats no good to
me, I can not access genie!
Is this also an official support area, if not why not? Ci$ has the oldest
atari specific areas I think: Correct if wrong!
Victor
#: 37120 S13/Ask ATARI Corp.
11-Feb-93 22:03:27
Sb: #37118-Official Support area?
Fm: Atari Explorer mag - AEO 70007,3615
To: Victor Wood - Munich 100041,222
What type of support are you looking for? They do have
a private section
for Atari Developers in the Atari Pro forum. (GO ATARIPRO) And Atari
Employees frequent this here and answers questions from time to time as
well.
-- Albert Dayes @ Atari Explorer magazine
Read action !
#: 37145 S13/Ask ATARI Corp.
12-Feb-93 14:54:48
Sb: #37118-Official Support area?
Fm: SYSOP*Ron Luks 76703,254
To: Victor Wood - Munich 100041,222
You are correct. CompuServe has the longest running and most widely
available Atari specific areas of any online service.
We are Atari's official Portfolio support area, and we have a daily
active presence for the Lynx game unit.
We have official Atari developer support areas for registered
developers.
We are fortunate enough to have many Atari employees online here, but
they act on an unofficial basis.
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=========================
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Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672
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STReport International Online Magazine
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STR Online! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" February 12, 1993
Since 1987 copyright (c) 1987-92 All Rights Reserved No.9.07
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Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
the editors/staff of STReport International Online Magazine. Permission
to reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Reprints
must, without exception, include the name of the publication, date, issue
number and the author's name . STReport and/or portions therein may not
be edited in any way without prior written permission. STReport, at the
time of publication, is believed reasonably accurate. STReport, its staff
and contributors are not and cannot be held responsible for the use or
misuse of information contained herein or the results obtained therefrom.
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