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Syndicate ZMagazine Issue 109
ZMAGAZINE JUNE 6, 1988 ISSUE #109
American Publishing Enterprises (APEInc)
Post Office Box 74
Middlesex, New Jersey 08846-0074
Publisher/Editor: Ron Kovacs Assistant Editor: Steve Godun
=========================Contents>
<*> Publisher's Desk <*> Recent Happenings
<*> BBS Update <*> Rex Reade
<*> My Own Headaches <*> Confidential Report
<*> Atari Magazine Back Issues <*> GEnie Node Update
<*> BBS Spotlight
=========================Publishers Desk>
by Ron Kovacs
As you can see we have changed over to a NEW format. No longer will you
find ZMagazine in 39 column. Due to the rather large task of formatting
the text to 39 from 80, we have taken an easier route to publishing.
I know a few of you will be upset with the changes. Since many readers
are accessing ZMag through the online services and local BBS systems, I
feel that word wrapping and settings already used on these services, will
format the text to your liking.
If you are an Express 850 user, you can capture the text with word-
wrap enabled. Or if you are interested, you can always convert the text to
39 column after you have captured or downloaded it.
Coming soon to these pages, Carina columns written by Larry Mihalik. The
return of the Basic Programming Series to conclusion, and a new feature
about the systems carrying ZMagazine weekly. Stay tuned for details!!!
We welcome Gary Gorski to the staff as Sales Manager. Gary is presently
part of the Jersey Atari Computer Group (JACG) as BBS SysOp and sales
director.
Our newest publication Amiga Report is in final production. Look for the
debut shortly. Please pass the word to your Amiga friends about this new
online magazine.
=========================Recent Happenings>
ATARI FOUNDER RENEWS TIES WITH FIRM TO HELP CREATE NEW GAMES
SUNNYVALE, Calif. (JUNE 2) UPI -
Atari Corp. said Wednesday its founder Nolan Bushnell will renew his
ties to the company he created by helping it develop video games for
the home entertainment market.
Under an ''exclusive'' agreement disclosed by Sunnyvale-based Atari, Axlon
Inc., a maker of toys and coin-operated games, will design and develop ''an
unspecified number'' of video games for two of Atari's three home entertainment
systems, called the 2600 and the 7800.
Bushnell is chairman of Axlon. He founded the Sunnyvale-based company in
1983 after selling a then-struggling Atari to Warner Communications for
$28 million in 1976.
''I'm very excited at the prospect of working again in the video game
industry, especially with my alma mater, Atari,'' Bushnell said. ''I hope
my contribution will add to the strong rebound in the industry.''
Sales of video games, which slumped beginning in 1982, have recently been
rising on renewed consumer demand and a new focus on games of strategy that
test wits as well as manual skills. But Atari, which claims 30 percent of
the video game market, faces strong foreign competition, including Nintendo
of Japan, which currently dominates the U.S. market.
Bushnell was one of the pioneers of the video game craze, cofounding Atari in
1972 with an initial investment of $250 and later introducing the popular
game ''Pong''.
''PAC-Man,'' another industry hit, was introduced by Atari in 1981.
After selling Atari, Bushnell launched a chain of pizza restaurants and a
venture capital company aimed at Silicon Valley entrepreneurs before
founding Axlon five years ago.
Michael Katz, president of Atari's entertainment electronics division, said
Bushnell's ''experience and expertise will be invaluable.''
''We're anxious for the first few games to hit the market later this year''
he added. Atari has previously promised to launch 45 new video games in
1988.
IBM EXPANDS LINE OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS
NEW YORK (JUNE 2) AP - International Business Machines Corp. Thursday
expanded its 14-month-old line of Personal System-2 personal computers
with a range of new machines, including its fastest PC ever.
IBM said its new Model 70, available in three configurations, can do jobs
up to 1 1/2 times as fast as its previous top-of-the-line PC, the Model 80
which stands on the floor.
IBM also introduced the Model 50 Z, which offers up to 35 percent better
performance than its current Model 50.
Also introduced were a low-priced local area network station, which is used for
tying clusters of PCs into groups; new storage features for its small low-end
Model 25 PCs; and new equipment for electronic publishing.
Prices for the Model 70 range from $5,995 to $11,295, depending on features.
IBM said two versions of the Model 70 would be available this month, while the
most expensive version would come out in the third quarter.
All the other PCs are to be available this month, but some of the add-on
equipment will not be available until later this year, IBM said.
The company also reduced prices on some of its older Personal System-2
computers, including the Model 60 and Model 80.
=========================BBS Systems Update>
Please add the following to your BBS Listing of carriers:
S109-312 The Crooked Dragon Inn (312) 690-2211
S110-201 Hologram BBS (201) 727-1914
X111-817 The Genesys I (817) 284-1520
X132-615 StarBase BBS (615) 528-7153
S112-403 68000-Mice (403) 242-0706
Please delete the following from the list:
X054-502 Bargain Basement
Z066-502 WAEL
X011-201 Timelink
Change status of X009-916 to H009-916 Shadow Haven ST CIS (916) 962-2566
=========================Thomas Rex Reade>
ST-Report Editor (Repinted from Issue #38)
The rumor mill is hard at work these days, seems Chuck Babbitt has left
Atari...if such is the case it seems to me we have lost another refreshing
breath of fresh air amid all the hot air and confusion. After having met
him at Atlanta, I was left with the impression He would truly get things
on the right track. Perhaps he was too truthful with the Atari userbase
and third party folks. Not knowing if he is really gone or not, and if he
has, the real reasons why he left, we are left in the typical abyss of
non-information Atari is so famous for.
I certainly want this company to be the number one company because I will
always feel they have produced a powerhouse of a computer and can only
see bigger and better things come from it.
It seems to me though, that attitude of Atari is wild and disorganized..
they show up where they are not supposed to be, the dep't heads in Atari
are NOT totally in touch with one another, they have defective and bad
sounding answering machines in use, they have NO set policy for true
customer relations. (Everybody gets a different deal) and worst of all,
their marketing methods are atrocious.
Atari truly has a fine product in the ST, but for goodness' sake let's
get the show on the road! Another year is slipping by us and still, the
US public hardly knows ATARI other than an ARCADE GAME COMPANY.
Some of the sharpest folks in the business are at ATARI now, and still
they are hampered by the guy who STILL calls ALL the shots. NEW
leadership may be the only way to allow Atari to grow in the USA!
Personally, I am waiting for the day ......For, in my opinion, only then
will Atari become the power in the computing industry it justly deserves
to be...
=========================My Own Headaches>
by Bob Rosendale
After reading a newsletter article entitled -Headache #69- in the
Michigan Atari Magazine, I decided to compile my own list of headaches
and some possible cures.
PD is nothing but Junk
----------------------
I don't know how many times I have heard this during the last five years
of operating my Atari computers. Public domain comes in all kinds of
functions, colors and sounds. There is Freeware, Shareware and of course
the newest variety, Begware.
How many have used the term programs done by Keith Ledbetter, Trent
Dudley or Matt Singer? How many have used the various archiver programs
such as ARC SHELL, MAGIC SHADOW, SCRUNCH, CRUNCH, the list goes on and on.
How many have collections of picture files done with Neochrome or Degas
and view them with a slideshow program? How many have Music Studio,
Music Construction Set or converted AMS music files and the various
players?
There are dozens of other utilities, applications, desk accessories and
even games too numerous to go into at this point and most keep getting
worked on and improved.
Support these programmers and developers with your feedback and financial
support. Public domain gives us programs, IF NOTHING ELSE, while we try
and save our pennies for the HIGH-priced stuff.
My Computer is BETTER than your Computer
-----------------------------------------
What started out as a friendly rivalry has grown into a battle for
others. If you have ever seen Commodore Kill and/or Apple Kill demos on
the 8-bit machines, you can tell they were done with humor instead of
hatred. Every type of machine, not just computers, have their own
specific advantages or limitations. Look at the number of styles of
automobiles, radios, stereos, even toasters.
My suggestion to anyone that needs to continue this line of thinking and
can't convince others that computing is a worthwhile hobby, no matter what
computer they may choose, should find another hobby like sand collecting
or cistron decoding. I use an IBM clone at work and my Atari ST at home,
I can not even start to compare the two. The clone does not have a
graphics card and my ST doesn't have Word Star.
Piracy will Kill the Atari
---------------------------
I have added this to my headache list because every article written about
it, in national publications, reinforces this -idea- to the WHOLE computer
industry, not just the prospective software developers, that there is a
-severe- problem with -ALL- Atari users. But yet the same magazines that
carry the Atari epitaph carry advertisements about who's products
-back-up- protected programs so -users won't damage their original disk-.
This problem is industry wide, but during the last several years it is
the Atari userbase that is getting all the flak. Pick up any computer
magazine and check out the ads. For example, in the July 1988 issue of
COMPUTE!'s Gazette for Commodore users there are 4 separate ads (two
companies even have a mini battle going) for backup -systems-.
One, in particular, has a full page color ad for a cartridge called the
-Replay IV-, all someone has to do is -just press a button at any
point and make a complete backup of any -*- memory resident program to
tape or disk-. Finding the other -*- on the page proclaims -In our most
recent test we were unable to find any program that AR4 could not cope
with-.
Yet COMPUTE! ST has met its demise because of being -unprofitable-. If
you still have your copies of the last several issues of COMPUTE! ST, read
the editorials and see for yourself why it died.
Complaining about Atari complainers
-----------------------------------
DRAM prices, ROM upgrades, Disk drives, Vaporware, Laser printers, user
group support, retailer support, developer support, and even mail order
supplies have been some subjects of interest lately. Complainers have
been targeted in a number of editorials, teleconferencing sessions and
even messages on the commercial services.
I, as a CASH paying consumer, have the right to complain or even
investigate why something is not up to date, doesn't meet my expectations,
or even throws a whole string of -bombs- across my screen.
BUT if I do take a course of action and complain, I am handed someone
else's set of values and am preached at to -just be thankful for what you
already have-. I have voiced some opinions in some of the online message
bases and then read several days later about what my opinion really
SHOULD HAVE BEEN! That really Sux!
I really do recommend that you get involved in anyway you can with your
computer, if not in your usergroup then with letter writing or even
attending some of the online conferences.
=========================Confidential Report>
Compiled by the Staff
LATEST DEPARTURES:
CHUCK BABBITT RICHARD FRICK
Are no longer with Atari according to our sources.....
Atari is SHOWING THE PORTABLE ST AT LAS VEGAS COMDEX AT THIS TIME....
We know they were not supposed to be there but they are....
Atari is reconsidering it's posture on (A) Advertising in the USA, co-op
and national network (B) Mail Order Sales [except flagship products].
Atari has contracted with a familiar name, N. Bushnell [Axlon Products] he
is the REAL Mr. Atari, he started the whole shibang and will be producing
carts for Atari...on a contract basis......interesting?
Atari, for all intents and purposes was shutdown by a warehouse
inventory...seems it was in such a mess that they had to reorganize the
warehouse then take the inventory, during this time NO new units or PARTs
were shipped at all. tsk tsk...
By The Way, did you know....If you bought a late model (Blit Ready)
1040ST ST, 6 weeks ago or so and found it to be defective, you can send it
in to be exchanged for another and if out of warranty, pay 125.00 for
another?..That's not bad...HERE IS THE CATCH! You run the risk of getting
back an ST (working) of early vintage (NOT BLIT READY)..seems they have no
way of telling which is what in the warehouse or, is it that they dont
want to be stuck with a bunch of old ST's? Make sense to you? Not me!
=========================Atari Magazine Back Issues>
ANALOG
Accurate back issue information not available at press time. Watch this
area next month for more information.
ANTIC
JULY 1983-MAY 1988 DISKS AND MAGAZINES
(EXCLUDING SEPTEMBER 1984 ISSUE)
ANTIC DISKS:$5.95 EACH
ANTIC MAGAZINES:$4.00 EACH
6-MONTH BACK PACKS ONLY $20.00 EACH
DISKS CATALOG
----- -------
JULY-DECEMBER 1983 DBP8302
JANUARY-JUNE 1984 DBP8401
JULY-DECEMBER 1984 DBP8402
JANUARY-JUNE 1985 DBP8501
JULY-DECEMBER 1985 DBP8502
JANUARY-JUNE 1986 DBP8601
JULY-DECEMBER 1986 DBP8602
JANUARY-JUNE 1987 DBP8701
MAGAZINES CATALOG
--------- -------
JULY-DECEMBER 1983 MBP8302
JANUARY-JUNE 1984 MBP8401
JULY-DECEMBER 1984 MBP8402
JANUARY-JUNE 1985 MBP8501
JULY-DECEMBER 1985 MBP8502
JANUARY-JUNE 1986 MBP8601
JULY-DECEMBER 1986 MBP8602
JANUARY-JUNE 1987 MBP8701
CALL 1-800-234-7001 (VISA/MC ORDERS)
OR SEND YOUR CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO:
ANTIC PUBLISHING
BACK ISSUES
544 SECOND STREET
SAN FRANCISCO,CA 94107
PLEASE INDICATE BY PRODUCT CODE WHICH ISSUES YOU WOULD LIKE. CALIFORNIA
RESIDENTS ADD 6 1/2% SALES TAX.
ALSO,INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING S&H CHARGES.
$1.00 PER MAGAZINE
$3.00 FOR 1-10 DISKS
$6.00 FOR 10+ DISKS
ATARI EXPLORER
FALL 1981
WINTER 1981/82
SPRING 1983
SUMMER 1983
WINTER 1986
SEP/OCT 1986
NOV/DEC 1986
JAN/FEB 1987
SPRING 1987
SUMMER 1987
SEP/OCT 1987
NOV/DEC 1987
JAN/FEB 1988
PRICE:$2.95 EACH or 6 issues for $15.
S&H $:$.69 book rate postage per issue
ADDRESS:
ATARI EXPLORER BACK ISSUES
7 HILLTOP ROAD
MENDHAM,NJ 07945
CURRENT NOTES
1985-JUL,SEP,OCT,NOV,DEC ($1 EACH)
1986-FEB,APR,MAY,JUN,JUL,SEP,OCT,NOV, DEC ($1.50 EACH)
1987-FEB,MAR,APR,MAY,JUN,JUL,SEP,OCT,NOV,DEC ($2 EACH)
1988-FEB,MAR,APR ($2.50 EACH)
SEND TO:
CURRENT NOTES BACK ISSUES
122 N. JOHNSON RD.
STERLING,VA 22170
FAMILY & HOME OFFICE COMPUTING
SINGLE MONTHLY ISSUES FROM 9/83
(PREMIERE ISSUE) TO MAY 1988 ISSUE.
SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER FOR $4.25 EACH TO:
FAMILY & HOME OFFICE COMPUTING BACK ISSUES
P.O. BOX 717,COOPER STATION
NEW YORK,NY 10276-0717
ONLINE TODAY
BACK ISSUES FROM 1983-1988 ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE (GO ORDER) ON
COMPUSERVE FOR $2.50 EACH. CALL 1-800-848-8990 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
START
COMING NEXT MONTH! STAY TUNED!
COPYRIGHT 1988 ATARI SCENE BBS (502) 964-2924 SYSOP:RICH LINK
EDITOR:WEATHERMAN
=========================GEnie Node Update>
88/06/2 -
Meridian, MS has a new GEnie access number for 300/1200 baud.
The old number of 601-693-5425 has been changed to new number 601-482-2655
effective immediately. There will be no $2/hour surcharge on the new number.
Please make a note of this change as the old number will be removed on
June 6.
=========================BBS Spotlight>
By Ron Kovacs
Connected To
The Piscataway Express
Running BBS Express! Pro Software
***********************************
BBS Express! Professional
(c) 1988 by Orion Micro Systems
Enter your user number or NEW if a new user: new
Thanks for calling The Piscataway
Express. You are welcome to become
a member if you wish.
To become a member, answer the following questions honestly, and you
will be validated in 12 to 24 hours, providing you answer all of the
questions.
If you just want to look around, answer -No- when asked if you would
like a permanent password.
Unlike the old Express! software you are permitted to choose a pass-
word of your own choosing. Please, whatever you do, don't forget to
write it and your user number down.
Do you want a permanent password? y
Is your terminal 80 columns?y
What is your REAL name? -> Ron Kovacs
What handle would you like to use? (<return> for Ron Kovacs)
->
What is your address? -> POB74 Middlesex NJ
Enter your city, state (or province) -> Middlesex, NJ
What is your zip/postal code? -> 08846
What country are you from? (<return> for -USA-)
->
What is your phone number? -> 201-968-8148
What type of computer do you have? -> ST
What is your age? -> 30
Enter a password of your choice -> **************
Here is the information that you have entered. Press a letter to
change any item.
[A] Real Name: Ron Kovacs
[B] Handle: Ron Kovacs
[C] Address: POB74 Middlesex NJ
[D] City: Middlesex, NJ
[E] Zip Code: 08846
[F] Country: USA
[G] Phone: 201-968-8148
[H] Computer: ST
[I] Age: 30
[J] Password: ***********
[K] V. Width: 80
[L] Auto-read Email at logon: Yes
[M] Clear screen after msg : Yes
[N] -Hotkey- 1-key commands : Yes
[O] Non-stop quickscan mode : No
[P] Message view page length: 24
Enter letter to change, OK when done, or <return> to list: ok
Wait, finding a slot for you...
Your user number will be: ***
PLEASE write it down...got it? y
Online: Ron Kovacs
Ron Kovacs
POB74 Middlesex NJ
Middlesex, NJ 08846
Welcome to The Piscataway Express!
The Insane One....Sysop
Preacher..........Co-Sysop
Dr. Image.........80 Col. Co-Sysop
Pegasus...........Adult Subop
System News
Last updated: Tue 31-May-88
Your last logon:
Read system news (Y/N)? y
System News
5-31-88
The Piscataway Express is proud to announce that it's running with
one of the latest creations from Orion Micro Systems, BBS Express!
Pro.
I won't take up too much of your time telling you about it, rather
I'll let you see it for yourself.
Feel free to leave me comments on your visit in feedback, I'd really
like to know how you like it.
What can I say? Enjoy!
The Insane One
Your parms are as follows:
Handle: Ron Kovacs
Name : Ron Kovacs
Pword : ***********
Addr : POB74 Middlesex NJ
City : Middlesex, NJ
Zip : 08846
Cntry : USA
Phone : 201-968-8148
Age : 30
CPU : ST
Last Call:
TL / Call: 10
TL / Day : 20
Min Today: 0
Last Read: 0
DL Ratio : 0:1
Downloads: 0
Uploads : 0
Msgs Post: 0
EM Sent : 0
Tot Calls: 1
Video Wid: 80
Checking for mail...
Sorry, there is no mail for you.
[2 Min] Command: ?
The Piscataway Express
__ __ __ _____ __ __ __ __ _____ __ __ __ __
/ : / : / : /_ _/ / : / / / : / : / ___/ / : / / / / / /
/ :/ : / : / / / :/ / / :/ : / /__ / :/ / / / / /
/ : / /: : / / / / / : / ___/ / / / / / /
/ : / :_/ /_ / / / :/ /__ / / / /__/ /
:__/:__/:__:/__/:__:____//__/:__/ /__/:___/:__:____/ /__/:__/ /______/
______________________________________________________________________________
[ A ] ASCII/ATASCII Translation [ B ] Browse Files for Downloads
[ C ] Call The Insane One [ D ] Download Locator
[ F ] Feedback to The Insane One [ G ] Goodbye (Log off the System)
[ I ] System Information [ L ] Library Text Files
[ N ] System News [ O ] Other BBS's
[ P ] Parameter Editor [ R ] Read E-MAIL
[ S ] Send E-MAIL [ U ] Userlog Search
[ W ] Last 50 Calls to Here [ Y ] Your Statistics
[ = ] Go to a Sub Board [ * ] Message Base List
[ Q ] Quickscan New Messages [ @ ] Edit Sub Board Scan List
[ # ] Ordering Info on Express Pro [ ? ] This Menu
[T]Title Screen
______________________________________________________________________
Please Make a selection for your Total Enjoyment!
[3 Min] Command:
The Piscataway Express Sub List
_____________________________________________________________________
[1] Express General
[2] Trading Post
[3] Mets, Jets, Nets
[4] Express/Net
[5] Atari User Sig
[6] Ask Dr. Image
[7] Opinion Line
[8] Live or Memorex
[9] For Adults Only
[10] Top Shelf
BBS Express! Professional
------------------------------------
Message Base Scan List Maintenance
Please wait, loading base data...
1. View marked status of each base
2. Set marked status of each base
X. Exit
Selection: 2
BBS Express! Professional
------------------------------------
Message Base Scan List Maintenance
1. Express General Mark? y
The Picataway Message Base Commands
<Return> reads the next message in the direction you are moving
<A> Read the current message again <P> Post a new message
<B> Set read direction to backward <Q> Quit reading current thread
<-> Set read direction to backward <R> Reply to the current message
<D> Delete the current message <S> See replies to current message
<E> Edit the current message <T> See thread of current message
<F> Set read direction to forward <U> Unlock the current message
<+> Set read direction to forward <V> Verbose mode toggle (on/off)
<G> Goto a certain message number <X> Exit back to the main menu
<J> Goto a certain message number <*> List of active message bases
<L> Lock the current message <@> Add/remove base from scan list
<M> Message base statistics <K> Search for a keyword
<N> Position at first new message <C> Continue keyword search
(0/12+) Express General: f
Read direction now FORWARD
(0/12+) Express General:
*Locked*
Message: 1 (#1)
Title: Welcome!
Author: The Insane One
To: All
Posted: Fri 27-May-88 at 12:23:17pm
Replies: 0
Welcome to the -Pro- version of The Piscataway Express. I hope that you
don't find things too hard on the changeover. If there are any bugs in
the program, please let me know, and I'll fix them as soon as possible.
The Insane One
(1/12+) Express General:
[9 Min] Command: g
Leave...Are you Sure? y
Closing the connection...
Well, goodbye Ron Kovacs
I hope that you enjoyed your visit to The Piscataway Express.
Time now 11:38:29pm on Fri 3-Jun-88
Hope you visit again real soon...
Member of EXPRESS/NET
The express was brought to you by:
BBS Express! Professional
(c) 1988 by Orion Micro Systems
Version 1.0
Cutting the connection..........Click!
================================================================================
ZMagazine Issue #109 (c)1988 APEInc June 6, 1988 80 Column Format
================================================================================
