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Syndicate ZMagazine Issue 001
____________________^^^____________
Zmag/A\zine HOT Atari News
and Reviews
___________________________________
Xx Zmag/A\zine Hot Atari News and Reviews
March 4, 1986 Issue
___________________________________
If you are not reading this with
QCOL80.OBJ and the new ZREAD v 1.4
you are really missing a treat!
This is the most fun ZMAG issue
yet, thanks to CLINTON Z. SMITH.
-----------------------------------
Xx New Zreader v 1.4 by Clinton Smith
Zreader
-----------------------------------
Well here it is.The new ZREAD program is here.Here are some of
its new features.Make sure that your zmag files end with the txt
extender or the program won't load them.Just rename them with the txt
extender and they will load fine.
You don't have to type ZZZ after every 22 lines and the
file doesn't need a return at the end of a line.
You can go back a page at a time to reread things and then
go forward again or you can return to the index to read a new issue
There is a scrolling head- line banner to highlight
important news.To use this feature in your own article,have an
uppercase X followed by a lowercase x,then type your message (It can be
up to 60 characters long.)followed by a return.If you read this doc.
file on ZREAD14 the following will demonstrate the feature
XxREEVE KEYPAD HANDLER IS HERE
If you have the QCOL80.OBJ program,you can use
zread14 with 80 columns.
1.Turn on your computer
2.From Basic go to the DOS menu
3.Load QCOL80.OBJ with the load binary option
4.Return to cartridge (select B)
5.Load ZREAD14.BAS
6.(Change line 170 to-FOR T=1 TO 700-)
7.Run the program
If you have any comments
please leave me a message on windy
city for me.
Clinton.z.Smith
Chicago,Il
-----------------------------------
FROM: CHUCK SCHWARK
TO: ALL
-----------------------------------
SUBJ: Xx CL.A.U.G. HOT-LINE
HotLine
-----------------------------------
CL.A.U.G. NOW HAS A 24-HOUR INFO
HOT-LINE! THIS INFORMATION LINE
HAS BEEN SET UP TO HANDLE ANY AND
ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING ALL MODELS
OF ATARI PERSONAL COMPUTERS AND
PERIPHERALS. JUST LEAVE YOUR NAME
AND NUMBER AND THE 'RIGHT' PERSON
WILL RETURN YOUR CALL.
________________^^^_^^^^___________
**** (312) 848-0333 *****
___________________________________
OUT-OF-STATE CALLS WILL ONLY BE
RETURNED COLLECT. IF ALL YOU WANT
IS INFORMATION ABOUT THE GROUP,
LEAVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND OUR
INFO PACK WILL BE SENT TO YOU.
ZZZ
-----------------------------------
Xx >> Windy City BBS Command List
Windy City Commands
-----------------------------------
Windy City is using the new BBCS from Scott Brause, and there is
much more to be seen on this already top notch, superresponsive
board. Give the board a call and start exploring with this new set
of commands:
Atari ......... Atari news and info
Boards ........ Access message
boards
Chat .......... Chat with the sysop
Down/Upload ... Program transfer
Goodbye ....... Log off the BBCS
Hang up ....... Quick disconnect
Information ... System information
List .......... Bulletin board list
System ........ Time at this
location
Time .......... Your local time
Utilities ..... User utilities
View .......... Show survey results
Zing .......... Take a survey
Windy City Atari BBCS 312-775-2970
Let's hear it for the RYTINAs !
-----------------------------------
Xx SCAT PLEXUS COMMAND SUMMARY
Scat Plexus Commands
-----------------------------------
The bold departure from normal BBS formats may have you confused at
SCAT. Be sure you send these commands to your printer, and keep
them in front of you when you log on at this progressive BBS. Post
your short messages and comments in the ZMAG conference, for inclusion
in this magazine.
>
SCAT PLEXUS COMMANDS:
>
? - This listing
Bye - Log off the system
Chat - chat with SYSOP
Date - Show current time & date
Do - Execute a Do batch file
Enter - Enter a message in
conference
Fortune - Spin the Wheel of
Fortune
Help - Help on all topics
Identify - This node (BBS)
Ids - List all caller log ids
Join - Join a conference
Mail - Read & send E-mail
News - Current news bulletin
Nodes - Other Plexus systems
Others - Other local BBS systems
Profile - Your user profile
Read - Read selected
conferences
Welcome - Reprint welcome message
For more information on a command, type
HELP <topic>
Hurray to John Semenek for sticking out his neck again! ....Bruce z.
-----------------------------------
Xx Atari Beginners Sig Formed
Beginners SIG
-----------------------------------
This letter appeared in the most recent SCAT newsletter:
We are new SCAT members and looking for help with our 800XL.
Specifically, we would appreciate a SIG for Atari basic. Is eveyone too
busy with the ST? We refer to the Scat Newsletter of February 86 and
an excellent article by Jim Roberts - -An 8 bit machine is only dead if
you kill it. And I think there is a lot of life left in it!-
At this time, Atari basic is killing us. Can anybody help?
Looking forward to a new SIG.
The Hirshfelds
Dan and Eileen Hirschfeld have decided to do something about their
own letter, and will be heading up the beginners SIG at SCAT, which
will include explorations of BASIC.
If you have any questions you would like answered as part of the SIG,
direct messages to ZMAG at your favorite BBS, to the ZMAG message
base at SCAT, or mail your questions to SCAT BEGINNERS SIG
c/o The Hirschfelds
8702 N. Osceola
Niles IL 60648
These questions will be answered in special ZMAG issues, and used as a
basis for setting the SIG agenda.....FIRE AWAY!
.....................Bruce z.
-----------------------------------
Xx Atari Sources
Where to BUY
-----------------------------------
The listing below is posted on the comprehensive CENTARI BBS Sysoped
by Tim Siml, Alan Reeve, and Steve Maney:
Atari Equipment and Repair
Companys
S=Software
H=Hardware
M=Mail order
R=Repairs
Software Plus
731 W. Dundee Rd. (op K-Mart)
Wheeling IL 60090
520-1717
Ask for Jeff Williams
or leave message at Remote Atari BBS 587-1349
S-H-R
Family Software
Willowood Center
2103-C Bloomingdale Road
Glendale Heights, Ill. 60139
(312)351-3730
S-H
Coz Enterprises
P.O. Box 47083
Chicago, Ill. 60647
(312)235-9629
M
Jaf-Data Systems
2217 W. 109th St.
Chicago IL 60643
312-238-4348
S-H-M
Reeve Software
29W150 Old Farm Lane
Warrenville, Ill. 60555
(312)393-2317
M
Mars Merchandising
15W615 Diversey
Elmhurst, Ill. 60126
(312)530-0988
M
Computer Direct
22292 N. Pepper Road
Barrington, Ill. 60010
(312)382-5050
M
Complete Computing Corporation
890 East Roosevelt Road
Lombard ,Ill. 60148
(312)620-0808
S-H-R
Ron's TV Appliance
132 W. Liberty Drive
Wheaton, Ill. 60187
(312)668-4490
R
Powder Horn Sport Shop
805 Cedar Ave.
St. Charles, Ill.
(312)584-6836
Digital World
711 Army Trail Road
Addison, Ill.
(312)543-9000
Ken's Adult Toy Shop
333 N. Addison
Addinson, Ill.
(312)834-8550
Pacific Stereo
4411 Fox Valley Center Drive
Aurora, Ill.
(312)898-9400
R
Pacific Stereo
19W549 E. Roosevelt Road
Lombard, Ill.
(312)629-7100
R
CSA LTD.
Conveniently available by leaving a message and your phone # on CLAUG II BBS
M
WINDY CITY ATARI
Conveniently available by leaving a message and your phone # on WINDY CITY BBS
S,H
Rich Andrews
Repairs and memory upgrades.
815-485-0108
Equipment may be transfered at CLAUG meetings...please make prior
arrangements before carting your equipment to the meeting.
R
This list is not complete. Please
help us with any information you
may have by leaving a message.
-----------------------------------
More help from Centari:
Xx What's an extender?
Disk File Name EXTENDERS
-----------------------------------
.BAS Basic file
.LIS File -listed- to disk
.OBJ Objective language file
.BIN Binary file
.AMS Advanced Music System
.MUS Music file
.SYS System file
.DAT Data file
.DOC Documentation file
.SRC Source code file
.TXT Text file
.ASM Assembly language file
.BAK Backup file
.TMP Temporary file
.GAM Game file
.UTL Utility file
.EXE Execute file
.MES Message file
.FNT Font file
.DEM Demo file
.PIC Picture file
.KOL Koala pad picture file
.ACT Action language file
.CUT Communications utility
.DUT Disk utility
>
MESSAGES
>
IF YOU WANT TO READ ONLY THE LATEST MESSAGES AND THE LAST MESSAGE IS
#45, THEN HIT -46-- AND THE MESSAGES WILL BE DISPLAYED TO YOU
IN REVERSE ORDER. HIT -<CONTROL>X- TO EXIT.
-----------------------------------
Xx 1030 BBS by Mark Lupescu
1030 BBS
-----------------------------------
For those that have 1030 modems, and want a ring detector and a bbs
for it. You can get all that for $74.95, from Duplication
Technologies Inc. (Formerly Gardner Computing) This system has 25
functions including U/l and D/l and user Passwords, it comes with a
double sided disk, full documents, plus a fully assembled and tested
ring detector. This can be used with any atari computer except
520st, of course, you need 1 disk drive, printer (optional), 835 or
1030 modem, and the ring dector. For more information look in ANTIC
magazine. 2 pages after page 20.
Mark
-----------------
ANTIC PUBLISHING INC.,COPYRIGHT
1986. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION.
==================================
Xx ANTIC ONLINE NEWS FEBRUARY ROUND-UP
Antic Online by GIGI
==================================
BY GIGI BISSON, ANTIC ASSISTANT EDITOR
----------------------------------
Xx ELECTRONIC ARTS PLANS TO RELEASE 8-BIT SOFTWARE
----------------------------------
Electronic Arts software company president Trip Hawkins has written
the last letter he will ever need to send to Antic Magazine.
-The response of your readers to Antic editorials is growing,- wrote
Hawkins. -We have received quite a few letters.- Quite a few indeed.
In a letter-writing campaign initiated over nine months ago with
a May, 1985 Antic editorial, not only Antic readers but the entire
Atari community begged EA and other major software publishers to
release more software for the 8-bit Atari computers.
EA promises to release Adventure Construction Set, Heart of Africa,
Mail Order Monsters, Marble Madness, Racing Destruction Set,
Skyfox, Software Golden Oldies (Software Country), and Ultima IV
(Origin Systems) for the Atari XL/XE 8-bit line of computers in
1986.
-We hope to see at retail the kind of response we have seen in
our mailbox!- Hawkins says in conclusion.
-----------------------------------
Xx PERCOM REPAIRS
Percom FIX
-----------------------------------
Percom Data Corp or Dallas, Texas has awarded STS Computers of
Falls, Church, VA a nationwide contract to repair all Percom
floppy disk drives, including those for Atari computers. STS has also
developed a new operating system ROM.
STS engineers are soliciting comment from users concerning
firmware bugs in hopes of improving the drives. Schematics are
available for $5. Contact: STS Computers, 1073 W. Broad St., Falls
Church, VA 22046. (703) 237-0558.
-----------------------------------
Xx TRAKED DOWN
TRAK Fix
-----------------------------------
Ever since the manufacturer went out of business, Trak disk drive
owners have been unable to track down repairs. Integrated Computer
Resources of Chicago will repair and upgrade Trak drives and supply
printer cables for the AT-D2 drive to utilize the built-in 4K printer
buffer. Write to: Integrated Computer Resources, Inc., 247 N.
Neltnor Blvd., Suite G1F, West Chicago, Illinois, 60185. (312)
231-6104. (This helpful information came to us online from
J. Kosiorek, 70717,3675.)
----------------------------------
Xx BRODERBUND STILL GROWING
Broderbund Grows
----------------------------------
The media broadly proclaimed that 1985 was a -dismal- year for
the personal computer industry. Broderbund Software proved
otherwise. Bolstered by several top selling home productivity and
educational packages, spearheaded by the phenomenonal bestseller,
Print Shop, Broderbund doubled their sales to $20 million during
1985.
The December issue of Inc. magazine ranked Broderbund as the
13th fastest-growing privately held compay in the United States.
Microcomputer software distributors First Software and Softsel
International also experienced rapid growth during 1985.
-----------------------------------
Xx ATARI VS. THE WORLD
Atari Sued
-----------------------------------
Atari Corp. has been sued again. This time for $55.2 million by an
(unnamed) Japanese printer maker that claims Atari reneged on a contract to buy 500,000 printers.
-----------------------------------
Xx ST DESKTOP PUBLISHING
DeskTop Publishing for ATARI
-----------------------------------
Will the ST become a challenger to the Macintosh in the hot desktop
publishing market? According to the United Kingdom Atari magazine,
Page 6, a new software package, Fleet Street Editor, could change
the face of society newsletters and small publications. This full
design and layout system from Mirrorsoft is capable of driving a
phototypesetter. Expected UK debut is next month. Meanwhile,
stateside computer market analysts are calling desktop publishing -the
hula hoop of 1986.-
-----------------------------------
Xx THE YUPPIE ST
Yuppie ST
-----------------------------------
-Atari's now computer serious threat to the Macintosh. Will the
Amiga survive?- You'll find this headline in Newsweek magazine, but
it's not on a news story. It's an advertisment.
JS&A, a nationwide mail order marketer that pitches
high-technology product. Their full-page ads claim -the ST will
open up a major fight in the personal computer market,- and then
proceed to make a detailed comparison of the Macintosh to the
ST.
In a bold approach, the Northbrook, IL company invites
owners to -put the ST next to your Mac or Amiga or even IBM,- after a
small down payment, for a 30-day trial basis. The components are
sold separately. The ST computer and mouse for $299, disk drive
$199, and monochrome monitor $199.
----------------------------------
Xx NEW PRODUCTS
What's New
----------------------------------
Epyx Software will release Winter Games, Rogue (originally a
mainframe adventure game popular on college campuses) and Temple of
Apshai Trilogy for the Atari ST and the Commodore Amiga in March.
Paul Henckel, of Quickview Systems of Los Altos, CA and the
author of -The Elements of Friendly Software Design,- (Warner Books,
1985) has finished Zoomracks for the ST and IBM PC family. It uses
-racks- rather than files to display information in a compact
way onscreen. Visualize this as a stack of time cards. All of the
cards are visible at once, with most of one card hidden behind the
next card, and only one or two lines of information about each
card visible. Antic saw this one at our office and the review is
underway.
----------------------------------
Xx ATARIS HELP BILK THE BANK?
Atari Con
----------------------------------
How did Richard Mamarella get $22 million in bank loans from a
New Jersey bank? According to a recent Wall Street Journal account,
Mamarella bribed a junior bank officer with $30,000 and two Atari
sets,- to approve the fraudulent loans. After pleading guilty to
bank fraud and extortion charges, Mamarella is serving a nine-year
prison term.
----------------------------------
Xx AMIGA HAS TOS, TOO
AmigaTOS
----------------------------------
What's in a name? Metacomco, the British company that developed
LISP and Metapascal for the ST also developed the operating system for
the Amiga PC. The name of a multitasking OS at the core of the
Amiga OS -- TRIPOS.
----------------------------------
Xx DRI
Digitalis
----------------------------------
Batteries Included may have a difficulty shipping Atari ST GEM
applications by their original April deadline. Like other
programmers and developers, BI is anxiously waiting for Digital
Research of Monterey, CA to finish up the GEM 68K developer's kit.
Industry analysts say delays in shipment of final versions of the
kit is a serious problem for ST software developers.
Research and development seems to be continuing at the Monterey,
CA-based developer of the GEM operating system for Atari and IBM.
DRI has placed ads in the Silicon Valley-Area San Jose Mercury News
searching for graphics development Software Engineers. -Become
involved with the team responsible or developing this leading
technology of the future -- right now!
Responsibilities include exploratory development and
prototyping of new products, writing graphics applications in C
for the GEM environment, and implementation of new device
drivers.-
-----------------------------------
Xx RUMOR HUMOR
HO HO HEH HEH
-----------------------------------
This satirical product announcement by Albert Lew of
ABACUS, was found recently in the San Francisco-area users group's
newsletter:
-Did you hear about the new $10 EPROM burner coming from Atari?
Stick some 128K EPROMS in the blue plastic slots, and pop into the
toaster oven. The docs recommend that you think hard about what you
want burned, (Commodore, Apple,
and IBM are suggested topics) and pray. If you are agnostic, you are
requested to send more money to Atari until you get reasonable
results.-
-----------------------------------
Xx XANTH, NOT XEVIOUS
Oops
-----------------------------------
XANTH Computer Systems,the Seattle, WA dealer inadvertently
responsible for one of Atari Corp's most successful marketing ploys,
the famous 8-bit Boink!, 130XE Fuji Boink! and the parrot and waterfall
ST public domain demo disks -- was incorrectly identified as XEVIOUS
Computer Systems in Antic Online's Consumer Electronic show coverage.
Last page !
-----------------------------------
Antic Online is a service of Antic magazine, posted in the section of
Compuserve reached by logging on with GO ANTIC.
Downloaded by
Bruce -Z- Kennedy Atari Zmag/A\zine
A printed version of the above is covered in the most recent issue of
SCAT magazine, the newsletter of the Suburban Chicago Atarians
Xx Be ready for some more big news based on the Hanover Show
/Computer Faire in mid-March.
Xx NewsRoom next for the ST called FLEET STREET Editor?
Your contributions, reviews of downloads, articles, AND QUESTIONS
FROM NEWUSERS will be received with enthusiasm by Zmagazine. Just post
as a ZMAG text file upload, or as a 14 line message in your BBS message
base. ZMAG, your Atari electronic magazine for finding out where to
look, where to get, and where to fix your Atari software, hardware.
Xx All the best and hottest news and reviews from your favorite BBS....
and Compuserve.
Xx see you next week !!!!!!!!!!!!
_______________________________________
Chicago Zmag/A\zine March 4, 1986
Bruce Kennedy
_______________________________________
