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The WeST of Scotland Issue 06
WEST OF SCOTLAND ATARI USER GROUP
(Affiliated to The Association of Atari User groups)
Issue number SIX, July 1996
June 11th Meeting
There was a smaller turnout at the last meeting (about 15 or so) but
that is as I expected to happen as we ran into this time of year.
AGM
It might seem a bit early but there are only another 2 meetings before
the AGM in September. I am looking for some input from the membership
prior to this meeting.
There will be a formal agenda at the meeting. Obviously the steering
committee will put together what they think should be on the Agenda,
but it is vital for everybody else to have a say too. So I am looking
for proposals for the agenda, ideas, thoughts anything at all.
Letters(remember SAE) or e`mail are all welcome.
As far as finance is concerned, it is looking as if we'll be OK up to
the September meeting with what we have in the kitty so far. There
will be a set of accounts published in the newsletter prior to the
AGM. At the moment I think that we can stick with 5 for a 6 month
subscription. Whether this should be collected annually or twice a
year is something to be discussed at the AGM.
IN THIS MONTHS ISSUE....
COMMS
More on the Comms scene and
what there is out there.
ED's JUKEBOX
Still taking a break, but will make a welcome return next month
ATARI News
Floppyshop are now selling Positive Image. A press release from the is
reproduced here
1996 UK Atari Shows
Good news...
The Shows have now been confirmed :-)
Birmingham - 28th September -
National Motorcycle Museum.
London - 29th September -
Osterley Four Pillars Hotel.
(Osterley is on the A4 between
Hounslow and Hammersmith)
Mike Goodman has taken the
plunge and booked these venues.
Many of the top Atari suppliers
have already said they will attend
the shows - A list of exhibitors
will follow. ST Format are
sponsoring the shows.
For details contact Mike at Goodman International PDL on 01782-335650,
01728-316132 fax or fdl8@dial.pipex.com
The WSAUG MPVGC
(est 1996)
The first outing was cancelled due to.........
The truth is we never had a chance prior to the meeting to test the
Golf on the machines that were going to be there. It is difficult at
best to get it to work with the Falcons, and it would appear not to
like TOS 2.06 at all We will try this again some time over the summer,
but I'll try to arrange that we have a better or more suitable chioce
of Hardware. Sorry folks
JAGUAR Stuff
I know of at least one member who has bought, or is about to buy a
Jaguar. We await reports........
LOGO COMPETITION
We've had one entry for this so far from Ed McGlone. It has already
been decided that it will appear somewhere on our WWW pages
See you all on the 9th July
Al Goold
21 June 1996
COMMS
It's easy to get confused by the world of Comms. What is the internet,
what is the WWW, what are BBS's etc etc ?
There is little doubt that finding your way about is difficult to
start with, but if you persevere there is a lot of knowledge and
pleasure to be gained. In this and future issues I hope to try to
shed a little light on the mysteries that surround comms, and at the
same time encourage those of you who don't have a modem, to seriously
think about getting one.
We'll start with NeST,
NeST
What is NeST?
-------------
NeST (Network ST) is an international network based on FidoNet
technology, dedicated to the Atari range of computers, in particular
the Atari ST, TT and Falcon. The aim of the network is to provide
messaging facilities to all Atari users the world over who are
interested in the world of communications and in the ST. Eventually
it is planned that NeST will extend to virtually every country in
the world, however NeST now links the following countries: United
Kingdom, Canada, The United States, Germany, The Netherlands,
Australasia, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Czech
Republic, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg and South East Asia.
This is by far the largest Atari dedicated network in the world, and
it is growing rapidly, with an average of a new country coming online
every couple of months.
NeST members work closely together to generate a good atmosphere.
Within NeST you will not find any political battles, something which
can't be said for a lot of other alternets. NeST also has a habit of
collecting programmers from every walk of life, including some very
well known names, who are either members of the network itself, or
affiliated with it.
NeST has a wealth of message and file echos, ninety percent of
which are echoed round the world, and replies can be achieved
within three to four days. The message echoes cover a terrific
range, running from software support (ACS, LED, JEKYLL, JeTMail,
MakeDiff, etc), programing (GFA, C, assembler etc), and general
interest echoes like the common room where chaos rules, and users let
off steam, and the Q&A echo where weird and wonderful queries are
posted.
Or if you are looking for something a little different why not
take an interest in Space Empire Elite? The game runs throughout the
network, using special programs coded by NeST members to
coordinate and send inter-BBS attacks through the network.
NeST allows the use of almost any mailing software, be it
F-Net/Crossnet or FidoNet technology, to be used to collect mail,
giving a very flexible system of mailing. Point systems are given
rights too, if they take a 'Pvt' address in the master NeSTList, they
are allowed full participation in the network, including taking part
in votes on major changes within the network, something which is
rarely allowed in other networks.
One item that worries some users, and sysops is cost, that is
network fees for linking into the network itself. With NeST no such
fees exist, as each member works freely to gain the best
connections, minimising mail costs as much as possible.
If you want to join a network that's friendly, fun, well
informed and conscious of what's going on, well why not try NeST, I
don't think you'll regret it!
For more information contact:
Daron Brewood - 90:90/0.1@nest.ftn
- 95:150/0.1@fanfiles.ftn
- dbrewood@nest.demon.co.uk
- dbrewood@cix.compulink.co.uk
I look forward to hearing from you... DB
(*OB*Here's a list of UK BBSs from which you can access the NeST network.
Name Location Sysop Name Phone
42BBS Hants Colin Fisher-McAllum 01256 895106
680+ Hull Peter Buscada 01482 509700
Ad.Lib Chester Le Street Andy Curtis 0191 370 2659
All At Sea Coventry Antony Lacey 01203 601448
Chameleon Yate Martin Stacey 01454 881095
DanSoft Carnforth Daniel Horne 01524 732957
Dog House Royston Neil Burton 01763 230043
Dream Machine Cardiff David J. Thomas 01222 689812
Druid Prestatyn Peter Carr 01745 853503
Dysfunctional Doncaster John Richardson 01302 744241
Empire Ipswich 01473 692882
Folkestone Folkestone Robert Darling 01303 249306
Fortress Plumstead Kevin Osborne 0181 244 9825
Fractal Dorchester Tim Putnam 01305 266304
Keith's Point Derby Keith Jackson 01332 662988
Magic Castle Birmingham Mick Coleman 0121 430 3761
Penske Kidderminster Andy Taylor 01562 743661
PMT Blackpool Paul Seed 01253 344819
STandard Felixstowe Karl Foley 01394-271550
SysTem BBS Shotts, Scotland Paul Leonard 01501 825756
Tavern London Paul Baker 0181 445 6514
T.G.M Bradford Paul Simmonds 01274 787361*OB*)
ATARI NEWS
Positive Image
Floppyshop have announced the release of Positive Image, a high end
image processing tool developed primarily for the Atari TT and
Falcon 030 but which also runs capably on a standard ST. Positive
Image has come about as a result of extensive research into
professional photographic image retouching packages on non-Atari
machines. The result is an image processing studio, such as has never
before been seen running on Atari computers!
Positive Image runs on any TOS based computer but is enhanced to take
full advantage of the improved hardware on the STE, TT and Falcon,
especially the DSP on the Falcon. The blitter (if present) is also
used to maximum effect.
There are two versions of Positive Image, one for 68000 based
ST/e's the other for 68030 machines (including PAK 68/3 accelerated
ST/e's and Apple Macintosh machines running MagiC Mac). The basic
68000 version contains all the features of its big brother, being
limited only by the slower processor speed and lower resolution
displays. If your ST/e, TT or Falcon has a processor accelerator
or graphic card fitted, this too will be used to its fullest
capabilities.
Positive Image is the ONLY GEM based image processing program to
allow the editing of 24-bit True Colour graphics on an ordinary ST
in any resolution (including low res!). A high spec system is not
necessary in order to run Positive Image, but the program will take
full advantage of the increased processing power if it is there!
The following is a list of the program's main features:-
System Compatibility
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
* Minimum requirements: 1 Meg of RAM only, 4
Meg of RAM (or more) and a hard drive are
recommended for serious use.
* Supports all screen resolutions (including ST low
res) on the ST/e, TT and Falcon including overscan,
all virtual screen drivers and the various resolution
boosters such as Autoswitch Overscan on the ST and
all known hardware and software resolution boosters
on the Falcon 030.
* Compatible with all official releases of TOS (1.0,
1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.62, 2.05, 2.06, 3.05, 3.06, 4.01, 4.02,
4.04) and the developer version of 4.92.
* Fully compatible with GDOS 1.1, AMC GDOS,
FontGDOS, FSM GDOS, SpeedoGDOS v4,
SpeedoGDOS v5, NVDI 3 and NVDI 4 with regard to
both font and printer support.
* Compliant with all 100% GEM compatible
graphics cards.
* Fully compatible with MagiC Mac.
* Fully compatible with Gemulator 4.
* Supplied in two versions for the different models in
the Atari range. The basic program runs on any Atari
and the 68030 version runs on any 68030 or 68040
based TOS compatible system and takes advantage of
the DSP in the Falcon.
Multi-Tasking Features
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
* Fully compatible with Multi-TOS, Geneva and
MagiC 3 or 4.
* Supports extended AES messages from Multi-TOS,
WinX, Geneva and MagiC 3 or 4.
* Supports the Xacc and AV protocols for sending
messages between programs.
* Support for Multi-TOS and MagiC 3 and 4's drag
and drop protocol whereby a group of images are
dragged onto an open window and are all loaded in a
single operation.
General Features
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
* Extensive file support allows the following
graphic formats to be imported: AIM, Degas,
Windows and OS/2 Bitmap, EZ-Art Pro, IFF
(including Deluxe Paint ST, standard HAM, high res
HAM, HAM6, HAM8, HAM12 and 24-bit HAM),
IMG (including HyperPaint X-IMG and conventional
X-IMG), InShape, Imagelab, JPEG, MTV
Raytrace, NeoChrome, PC Paintbrush,
Photochrome, Portable Network Graphic (PNG),
Prism Paint, True Paint, Spectrum 512 (both 50hz and
60hz pictures), TrueVision Targa, TIFF v6 (including
CCITT fax and JPEG support) and Tiny.
* Saves out in most popular formats including TIFF,
BMP, JPG, PNG, TGA, XIMG, EZA, P?1 and NEO
amongst others.
* Full support for true (i.e. non paletted) 256 level
Greyscales, fully preserving the colour depth.
These are even supported for image formats which
do not ordinarily handle this type of image!
* Comprehensive file information (filename, format,
compression method,
dimensions, memory required, memory free) given
when loading images.
* Handles conversions between monochrome, 16
colour, 256 colour, Greyscale and True Colour,
performing colour quantisation or palette boosting as
necessary.
* Colour selection compliant with both RGB and
CMY standards.
* Supports separate editing of the red, green, blue
and mask channels with colour images.
* Subject to memory and/or available hard drive
space, an UNDO buffer is available at all times,
allowing 'mistakes' to be reversed easily. UNDO
works for almost all operations in Positive Image.
* All images are stored internally in 24-bit format
and all operations are carried out on the 24-bit
representation held in memory. This ensures that the
same quality results are obtained whether pictures
are edited in monochrome or True Colour.
* Near-instantaneous screen redraws in True Colour
mode.
* Images can be intelligently rescaled and
anti-aliased to suit the size of your paper (or the
dimensions of your choice provided they do not
exceed that of your paper!). Realistically you can
print out an image at up to 400% of its original size at
300dpi without any noticeable loss of quality.
* Optionally uses windowed dialogues which may
be moved to a more convenient location when
work is being obscured. Access to the menu bar or
other GEM applications is also supported when
running under Multi-TOS with this feature enabled.
* Multiple dialogues can be open at the same time
and you can move between them freely, even under
single-tasking TOS. In fact different tools can be
active for different images and Positive Image
always remembers the currently selected tool for the
appropriate image!
* Includes its own virtual memory feature which
runs on any Atari with a hard drive. Positive Image
is also fully compatible with TT Fast RAM and
virtual memory drivers on the TT and Falcon such as
Outside.
* Supports multiple loading of up to five images at
once from the Selectric file selector and inserts the
filemasks for
supported formats
into Selectric's list of
masks. These
features are also
available to users of
the Freedom file
selector.
* Makes use of the GEM Clipboard for cutting and
pasting of blocks.
* Allows you to specify your Clipboard directory
and creates a Clipboard for you if you don't already
have one.
* Retains multiple blocks in the Clipboard to
facilitate easier creating of montages.
* Clipboard support includes the ability to clear all
blocks or delete individual blocks after use.
* Support for Brainstorm's DSP based JPEG decoder
on the Falcon.
* Standard GEM compliant keyboard shortcuts for all
menu options.
* Iconification of images to maximise desk space.
* All your preferred settings can be saved as default
to save valuable time when next using the package.
* Floating toolbar with short tool descriptions being
displayed (except in 40 column modes) as you hover
over their icons.
* GDOS fonts may be unloaded when not in use, in
order to save memory.
* All the common text attributes such as bold,
italic, underline and outline may be applied to your
text and previewed on screen before use.
* Powerful block handling features include the
choice of 11 different overlay methods with user
definable transparency feature.
* The ability to use any of the RGB channels of the
block or image as a mask channel when pasting
blocks.
* Supports the creation of 3D random dot
stereograms and foreground enhanced stereograms.
* Sixteen zoom levels allow you to scale an image
up or down to a maximum factor of eight. When
zoomed (in or out), blocks, brushes etc are all scaled
accordingly. Outsize images can be zoomed out to
view the entire image for pasting blocks or defining
localised regions for processing. Zooming in allows
fine editing right down to individual pixels.
* Fully illustrated in-depth 136 page manual which
covers not only the use of Positive Image itself but
also the fundamentals of image processing. Includes
extensive cross-referencing, a glossary of over 250
terms used within the manual, a guide to the various
graphic file formats and a handy trouble-shooting
section. Written by a former regular contributor to
several popular Atari magazines.
Falcon Specific Features
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
* 3D graphic interface.
* Compatible with 32Mhz and 40 Mhz accelerators
(including BlowUp-FX).
* Fast DSP code handles most processor intensive
operations such as rescaling, rotating, filtering,
dithering and such like.
* Works on both VGA and RGB monitors as well as
ordinary TV sets.
* Fully compatible with ScreenBlaster BlowUp030
and other resolution enhancers.
Printer Support
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
* Fully supports printing from any version of GDOS
or SpeedoGDOS.
* Also includes its own printer drivers as an
alternative to those available with the various GDOS
versions.
* Non-GDOS based printer support includes all
9-pin and 24-pin Epson and IBM models, HP
DeskJet (colour and mono), HP LaserJet, IBM
ProPrinter, Epson Stylus (mono and colour) and
Postscript printers.
* Supports half-toning, random dithering, clumped
(the method used by newspapers) and
Floyd-Steinberg dithering as options to use when
printing out.
* Uses data compression when printing to HP
Laserjets and Deskjets to reduce printing time.
* Images can be printed to disk if memory is low.
These files can then be double-clicked from the GEM
Desktop and sent directly to the printer. They can
also be printed out from PC, Mac and Unix machines
if you transfer them via a PC formatted disk.
* Can export images in PostScript format.
Image Processing Features
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
* All the usual tools such as Brightness/Contrast,
Contrast Stretch, Negate, Threshold, Histogram and
Equalise are present as well as many revolutionary
new ones.
* Images can be rotated to any angle in either a
clockwise or anticlockwise direction to an accuracy
of one degree. Uses DSP on the Falcon.
* Real-time mirroring of images.
* Comes supplied with six commonly used image
processing filters (including smooth, sharpen and
remove noise) built-in.
* Allows the user to create his/her own external
filters for use with Positive Image. The package
includes about a dozen useful pre-defined external
filters including Blur, Emboss, Erode and Vibrate.
* Supports 256 level (8-bit) masking. Includes a
configurable gradient mask tool which allows you to
create your own masks.
* Allows processing of user defined rectangular,
circular, elliptical and bezier area definitions within
Greyscale and True Colour images without affecting
other areas of the image.
* Powerful auto-trace tool supports user-defined
tolerance level to allow easy selection of
multi-coloured areas of similar RGB value eg; could
be used to select a sky background.
* Pixel precise area selection of any shape
supported by use of Alpha Channel handling.
* Image warping (two different implementations
supported) and shearing enable life-like twisting
and distorting of images. The closest you'll get to
morphing on a non-frame based package. You must
see these features to believe them! They are fully
operational in the demo version!
* Supports gamma correction of images for screen
and/or printer.
Image Retouching Features
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
Besides having a powerful compliment of image
processing tools, Positive Image includes a number
of localised retouching tools with user definable
brush size and shape. These are for the main part,
similar in concept to those found in any standard
graphics package, but further enhanced to fully
exploit the image processing capabilities of Positive
Image. The retouching tools are as follows:-
* Sharpen/Blur - A dual purpose tool which applies
a local high pass sharpen (or blur) filter to the pixel
beneath the mouse.
* Dodge/Burn - A dual purpose tool which lightens
or darkens each pixel in the area beneath the mouse,
when used on Greyscale or True Colour images.
* Eraser - Erases any given area with the eraser
adopting the size of the currently selected brush.
* Fill - A standard fill tool as found in most graphics
packages but with user control over opacity, fade and
strength.
* Spraycan - A traditional airbrush tool with the
added advantage that you can set opacity, fade and
strength to suit.
* Paint - A standard painting tool which applies your
chosen colour to the image relative to the size and
shape of your selected brush.
* Pencil - Identical to paint except that it always
works at single pixel level, regardless of the size of
the brush.
* Rubber Stamp - A multi-purpose cloning tool.
* Full user configurability of all image processing
tools allowing you to set the Opacity, Fade and
Strength to make them work like 'real' paint!
All retouching tools may be used in Positive Image's
variable zoom mode to ensure pixel precise accuracy,
Price
ÿÿÿÿÿ
Positive Image is available NOW. It normally costs
79 pounds + P&P, but you can order your copy at a
special introductory price of just 65.00 + P&P (2)
Contact:- Floppyshop, PO Box 273, Aberdeen,
Scotland, U.K. AB15 8GJ.
Tel:\Fax: 01224 586208, International +44 (0)1224
586208
email: sdelaney@steil.wintermute.co.uk
NEWS FROM OTHER ATARI USER GROUPS/CLUBS
The WeST of Scotland Atari User Group are pleased to welcome The
Wessex Atari User Group to the growing fold of Atari specific User
Groups. Roy Goring (WSAUG member #41) is a leading light in the group
and a head WAGger. Maybe if any of us are on holiday in that area we
can manage a meeting, conversely if any WAGger are on hols in Scotland
you're welcome to drop by.
CURRENT MEMBERSHIP LIST
For various reasons since the group started there has been some
messing about with membership numbers. So that there is no confusion I
have included a list of the membership as of todays date (21 June
1996). As you'll see we've now got a total of 49 members. Hopefully
we'll break the half century sometime this month or next. For general
interest I have included the town of origin of all members. It is not
my intention to publish addresses and telephone numbers. It may be
possible in the future to have an encoded database of the membership,
but that would entail everyones agreement.
MEMBER: NAME: TOWN:
01 Alasdair Goold Johnstone
02 Sandy Thomson Howwood
03 Stuart McAllister Beith
04 Andrew Wilson Houston
05 Brian Stanton Troon
06 Eddie McGlone Glasgow
07 Jennifer Routledge Paisley
08 William Copeland Beith
09J Andrew Irvine Wishaw
10 Kerr Reid Glasgow
11J Lee Anne Reid Glasgow
12 David Owen Glasgow
13 Peter Watters Kilbarchan
14 David Smith Balloch
15 Jim Webster Greenock
16J Tracy Webster Greenock
17J Lorna Webster Greenock
18 Ken Johnston Glasgow
19 David Rodger Renfrew
20J Sara Goold Johnstone
21 Bill Perrie Renfrew
22J Craig Thomson Howwood
23J Carrie Thomson Howwood
24 Graham Brydson Howwood
25J Douglas Stevenson Glasgow
26 Marshall F. Middleton Paisley
27 Margaret Gilliland Patna
28J Paul Leonard Shotts
29 Thomas Fleming Glasgow
30J Peter Campbell Glasgow
31 H Harry Sideras Birmingham
32J Stuart Mackie Glasgow
33 Derek McMenamin Alexandria
34 Fraser Blacklaws Livingston
35J Stuart Gilliland Patna
36J David McMenamin Alexandria
37 Craig Petherick Glasgow
38 Guy Baldwin Dumfries
39H Paul Walsh Alloa
40 Domhnall Dodds Edinburgh
41 Roy Goring Havant
42H Colin Fisher-McAllum Whitchurch, Hants
43 Joseph Mooney Glasgow
44 Campbell Murray Motherwell
45H Robert J Paton Neilston
46J Alastair Lang Paisley
47 Duncan Lang Paisley
48 Mark Bradley Dalkeith
49 Eric Anderson Beith
1996 MEETINGS
All meetings will take place within the upstairs lounge of The Railway
Inn, Main Street, Howwood. The doors will be open from 7pm . The
formal opening of each meeting will take place at 7:30pm. The propos
dates for the meetings to be held in 1996 are as follows.
All dates are provisional at the moment and will depend on both the
response to the groups as a whole, and the suitability of the Railway
Inn.
1996 MEETINGS
11 JUNE
9 JULY
6 AUGUST
3 SEPTEMBER - AGM
1 OCTOBER
29 OCTOBER
26 NOVEMBER
24 DECEMBER -NO MEETING
SOFTWARE PIRACY
The WeST of Scotland Atari User Group does not condone software piracy
and will not allow the group meetings be used to copy commercial
software.
Next Month............
With a bit of luck we'll see the return of Ed's Jukebox, I hope to
have an article ready on the superb "Freedom" Item Selector, and we'll
have something else on Comms. I'm not sure what yey, but I genuinely
believe that it is the way forward for Atari Users, and will keep all
of us from not only Scotland and the UK, but from all over the world
in Contact.
An example of this is "Current Notes" magazine. This is an excellent
bi-monthly mag, reminiscent of ST Applications which is published in
Canada. You can now get a years subscription (6 issues) for 33 from
Denesh Bhabuta,
203 Parr Lane,
Bury
BL9 8JW
(dbhabuta@cix.compulink.co.uk).
I would suggest getting in contact with him first to confirm
availability.
The WSAUG is now also in contact with The Nova Scotia Atari Computer
Users Group, and with luck I'll have a copy of the Groups next
newsletter at the July meeting for you to have a look at.
The message areas on 42BBS continue to thrive, and I have to thank
Colin Fisher-McCallum, the sysop for his support for not only us, but
all User Groups. He has quite a few local areas now including, ours,
ANL's and TUG's.
I hope to see you all at the next meeting. I appreciate that as it's
the holidays it's likely to be a bit quiter than in the past, but we
have anticipated that. Remember to think about the AGM. As I said way
back in issue one, "It's your User Group, Use it or lose it".
CREDITS
This Newsletter was prepared using Papyrus Gold
with N.V.D.I.4 and printed at 300 dpi on a Hewlett
Packard Deskjet 500C.
Editor: Al Goold
(½ WSAUG, 1996)
