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GEnieLamp Atari Vol. 6 Issue 84
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~ WELCOME TO GEnieLamp Atari ~
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ Historical Perspectives ~
~ A Visit to the LAW Roundtable ~
~ Corporate America and Windows 95 ~
~ Reviews of Load Aladdin 2 and Take-Off ~
~ Monthly Review of New Library Uploads ~
~ Monthly Analysis of High Tech Stocks ~
~ Online Communications & the Changing Nature of Friendship ~
~ Opposing Viewpoints Column: "Third On The Block" ~
~ Floppy Drive Replacement - Do It Yourself Instructions ~
~ Jaguar News ~ Humor Online ~ Press Releases ~ and More!! ~
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GEnieLamp Atari ~ A T/TalkNET Publication ~ Vol.6, Issue 84
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Publisher.................................................John F. Peters
Editor...............................................Sheldon H. Winick
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>>> WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE ATARI ROUNDTABLE? <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ September 1995 ~
THE EDITOR'S DESK ....... [FRM] ONLINE LIBRARY .......... [OLB]
Notes From My Desktop [*] Files, Files & More Files
DEALER VIEWPOINT ........ [DLR] COMPUTERS AND INVESTING . [CAI]
Historical Perspectives [*] High Tech Stock Review
AROUND AND ABOUT GENIE .. [AAG] ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS ... [TAO]
The LAW Roundtable Changing Nature of Friendship
HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HMR] OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS ..... [OVP]
Legal Brief Third On The Block
CLAW MARKS .............. [CMK] QUESTION CORNER ......... [QCR]
Two New Games and a Book Floppy Drive Replacement
WINDOWS 95 .............. [W95] JAGUAR NEWS ............. [JNW]
Headache for Corporate Mgrs. Message from Ted Hoff
MEL'S MANOR ............. [MEL] PRESS RELEASE ........... [SFG]
[*] Load Aladdin 2 S.F. Giants Community Fund
LITTLE GEMS ............. [LGM] CATNIPS ................. [CT2]
[*] Take-Off Jaguar Tidbits (95.08.28)
CATNIPS ................. [CNP] SEARCH ME ............... [OPF]
Jaguar Tidbits (95.08.23) Online Puzzle Fun
LOG OFF ................. [LGF]
GenieLamp Information
[IDX]"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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GEnie Fun & Games.
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*** GET INTO THE LAMP! ***
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[EOA]
[FRM]//////////////////////////////
THE EDITOR'S DESK /
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Notes From My Desktop
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by Sheldon H. Winick
[GELAMP.ST]
Summer is rapidly winding down and the Fall season is once again just
around the corner. Is it just me or does time seem to be speeding up the
older we get?
What a summer its been. The hurricane season over here on the East coast
continues to be a wild one. The storms continue to be lined up like a
railroad train between the east coast of the U.S. and the northwest coast
of Africa. I can't remember seeing such an active hurricane season since I
was a kid growing up in the early 50's.
The high tech electronics industry has also been extremely active as of
late. The home entertainment industry is once again getting crowded with
consumer options as more companies enter the gaming market. Atari
continues to hold onto their technological lead with their 64-bit Jaguar
system, but they are also continuing to be outdone in the marketplace by
less capable systems marketed by far more capable manufacturers.
August 24th was the much heralded release date for Microsoft's Windows 95
operating system software. It was also Atari's official release date for
the Jaguar CD-ROM. Microsoft's release was accompanied with incredible
media hype, huge advertising campaign, and an abundance of product on
dealer shelves. Atari's Jaguar CD-ROM release, on the other hand, turned
out to be more like a fizzle, with Atari claiming full success in meeting
their release (shipping) date by shipping a handful of demo/evaluation
units to selected parties only, but delaying shipping product to
distributors and dealers for consumer sales. The reason given was that
they underestimated the demand and decided it would be better to wait
until they were ready to fill all orders before shipping any.
Unfortunately, Atari chose to wait until the actual day of their announced
product release before telling dealers and distributors that they would not
be shipping any consumer product, which created yet another round of
controversy concerning Atari's marketing prowess. Anyway, the NEXT
projected actual shipping date for the Jaguar CD-ROM has been announced by
Atari as being September 11th. We should keep in mind that mid-September
is also the scheduled release date for Sony's new Playstation
entertainment system. Which do you think will get the most media
attention, dealer support and consumer sales?
As for Atari's aging computer line, software continues to be the big news
as there never seems to be a shortage of excellent programs and utilities
to make our Atari computers ever more enjoyable and productive. This
month, our staff editors Mel Motogawa and Al Fasoldt review Load Aladdin 2
and Take-Off with in-depth reviews. Mel's Online Library column provides
an overview of a host of last month's new entries to the Atari Library on
GEnie.
Lloyd Pulley takes you for a visit to GEnie's LAW Library, along with some
very interesting legal humor, particularly the Legal Brief that follows his
'Around and About GEnie' column. Our 'Opposing Viewpoints' column features
an interesting perspective on used Atari equipment, written by Lee
Benjamin. Phil Shapiro's 'Thinking About Online Communications' continues
with an installment focusing on the changing nature of friendship. Tim
Steed takes a closer look at two new games and a book for the Atari Jaguar
in his 'Claw Marks' column. Al Fasoldt takes a look at Windows 95 as it
relates to corporate America. Sandy Wolf takes provides his monthly
analysis of the high tech stock industry. Chris and Wayne Ketner outline
the ins and outs of replacing a bad floppy drive. We have Jaguar news
direct from Atari. Scott Garrigus' 'Search Me' column provides you with
another monthly puzzle to challenge your mind. And, even I was inspired
enought by all the recent commotion in the computer marketplace to write
one more installment of my 'Dealer Viewpoint' column.
Which brings us to a good starting point for this month's Lamp. Happy
reading.
///// GEnie Quick_Quote ///////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ I find the Atari platform just fine and dandy for me. /
/ I make money from DTP and short run printing and find /
/ the Atari ideal for that. /
/ /
/////////////////////////////////////// P.WALDING ///////
[EOA]
[DLR]//////////////////////////////
DEALER VIEWPOINT /
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Historical Perspectives
"""""""""""""""""""""""
by Sheldon Winick
[GELAMP.ST]
Well, I had said I was going to retire this column several months ago when
I took over the Editor position of GEnieLamp/Atari, but there has been so
much happening in the computer marketplace recently, I felt inspired to
write (at least) one more column.
August 24th was the big day for high profile product releases. Microsoft
finally rolled out Windows 95 for public consumption, and Atari finally
rolled out their CD-ROM accessory for the 64-bit Jaguar Multimedia
Entertainment System. Both products have received a great deal of
pre-production publicity and hype, and both were released considerably
later than originally announced by their respective companies.
That's about where the comparison stops, however. Just about everyone
living on this planet has heard about Windows 95; it's safe to assume that
the large majority of this planet's population probably doesn't even know
that Atari is still even in business.
Looking back at the early days of personal computing in the late 70's,
Atari was there at the forefront. Pong can probably be credited as one of
the earliest successful consumer oriented computer products, followed soon
by Atari's extremely successful 2600 game machine. That early computer
power rapidly evolved into Atari's first home computer, the Atari 400,
followed almost immediately by its big brother, the Atari 800. These
systems were truly revolutionary in that they came equipped with onboard
color graphics and stereo sound; this at a time when the rest of the
personal computer industry was struggling along without either. The
closest thing to sound in most other systems was limited to a few beeps and
squeeks, which as it turned out, became the 'industry standard' for over a
decade!
Of the other early home systems, the others which offered color and sound
were Radio Shacks Color Computer and the Commodore 64. The early business
systems were led by Radio Shack's TRS80 systems and the early Apple
computers, along with a host of CP/M-based machines by various
manufacturers. For those of you who either don't remember back that far
or are too young to remember, CP/M was the first disk-based operating
system that was openly marketed with the concept of becoming an 'industry
standard' among various manufacturers. CP/M, which stands for Control
Program for Microcomputers, was developed by Digital Research, and by
1981, had become adopted by the large majority of business oriented
microcomputer manufacturers. Even Radio Shacks TRS80 systems were based on
a variation of CP/M.
For a while, it appeared that Digital Research had a lock on making CP/M
the true industry standard, especially when Xerox became the first truly
major manufacturer to enter the microcomputer market when they rolled out
their Xerox 820 in 1981, along with CP/M as its operating system.
IBM's Personal Computer, the IBM PC, still hadn't been completed, and at
that time, IBM was still involved in negotiations with Digital Research to
use CP/M as well. For whatever reason, those negotiations broke down, and
IBM decided to develop their own operating system. That's where a very
young programmer named Bill Gates came into the picture. IBM hired him to
develop an operating system similar to CP/M, and agreed to allow him to
retain the rights to the system and market it to other manufacturers in an
attempt to make IT the industry standard. As it turned out, this was the
beginning of the 'open architecture' approach to personal computing that
enabled the industry to grow to where it is today.
Mr. Gates' MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System) was the result of that
effort. As it turned out, it was almost identical to CP/M in its user
interface and command structure. Of course, by the time that it was
finished, Digital Research was rolling out their next generation operating
system, CP/M-86, which was far superior to both CP/M and MS-DOS. But the
tide had already turned, and the MS-DOS bandwagon was already rolling,
leaving a host of far superior hardware and software in its wake.
The marketing prowess of IBM totally overran Xerox's feeble attempts, and
the open architecture approach that IBM took attracted much of the rest of
the industry to follow. Radio Shack soon abandoned their own platform and
became a clone manufacturer, as did most everyone else in the industry.
Only Commodore, Apple and Atari managed to survive as major independent
closed architecture personal computer systems. While the IBM/MS-DOS
bandwagon was attracting huge numbers of new computer users to the
user-unfriendly, slow and clunky command-line systems through excellent
marketing programs, Commodore, Apple and Atari continued to develop new and
exciting graphic-based systems.
While Bill Gates was busy making MS-DOS continually bigger and more
complicated, Xerox was developing one of the first true graphics-based
systems, their Xerox Star. Digital Research was developing their GEM
operating system (Graphic Environment Manager), upon which the Apple
Macintosh and Atari ST were based. But even before those systems made
their debut, Apple had already rolled out their Apple III, which offered
greater potential computing power than most everything else then in the
marketplace. Unfortunately, Apple was unable to attract much development
for that system, and without software, it was obviously of no value to
anyone. The Apple Lisa was rolled out with great fanfare; even MORE
computing power that definitely leapfrogged the industry, but it too was
doomed to failure, primarily because it was priced way out of the realm of
most microcomputer buyers' budgets.
Apple went back to the drawing board, took the Lisa's concepts and stripped
out the color and other bells and whistles, and out came the Macintosh.
Instant success! Here was a user-friendly personal computer, easy to learn
and fun to use.
About the same time, Commodore was rolling out their Amiga, and Atari their
ST. These were also user friendly systems, the Atari much more so than the
Amiga, but the main difference was that both Atari and Commodore had
managed to leave in all the bells and whistles, including excellent color
graphics and sound, and still bring their systems to market at an
affordable price. The Amiga's color graphics proved to be an excellent
platform for color video graphics applications, and as it turned out, the
Amiga dominated that niche market through most of the late 80's and early
90's.
The Atari ST, with its built-in MIDI interface, quickly became the
'industry standard' for musical applications. That niche market was one of
Atari's strongholds for much of that same period. The Atari ST also became
a favorite throughout Europe, where its 'Power Without the Price' was fully
appreciated. For whatever reason, Atari chose to concentrate nearly all
its marketing efforts overseas, and its American market was primarily
limited to a small core of dedicated users who knew about Atari and were
willing to search out a dealer who supported the platform. Throughout
Europe, the Atari systems also became a major contender in the desktop
publishing arena. In America, the Macintosh became the dominant player in
that market, and held that position for many years.
One thing that all these graphic-based platforms had in common was that
their architecture was based around Motorola's 68000-series processors.
While the IBM and MS-DOS based systems were built around the less powerful
Intel processors that had no intrinsic graphical ability, the Motorola
processors offered full graphical capabilities, without the need to add all
kinds of supplemental graphical upgrade boards to get that capability.
Motorola's processors also were not handicapped with the rediculous memory
limitations that were inherent on the Intel platform.
Those differences were readily apparent when comparing the size difference
between the big-case IBM/compatible systems (space for all those necessary
'upgrades' just to make them work) and the compact desktop cases of the
Macintosh, Amiga and Atari ST systems. But the mass appeal of the clone
market quickly made it the dominant platform and the industry standard.
The large installed base of IBM/clone users attracted a continually larger
share of development as well, both hardware and software.
Unfortunately, the clunky design of the hardware and operating system
software made those systems slow and difficult to use for most users.
Microsoft responded with frequent 'upgrades' to its MS/DOS operating
systems and finally rolled out 'Windows' with much fanfare, claiming to
have invented a better way to do personal computing -- with a mouse and its
pseudo-graphical interface. In reality, it was merely a graphical user
interface loaded on top of DOS, which caused even more slowdown in the
processing speed. The early releases of Windows were clearly feeble
attempts to copy the superior GEM systems that had been used by Apple
Macintosh and the Atari ST since 1985. In any event, the larger, more
complex operating systems from Microsoft continually demanded faster and
more powerful hardware in order for them to operate acceptably, and new
technology hardware was continually the solution for overcoming
deficiencies in the operating system software.
Now we have Windows 95, a complete replacement for DOS and Windows. While
previous Microsoft operating system software was limited to 16-bit
architecture, Windows 95 finally offers a true 32-bit operating system to
match the 32-bit hardware that has been standard for years. Of course, a
32-bit operating system is nothing new to Atari owners, who have been using
one for years. That simple fact is one of the primary reasons why software
has always run so much faster on the Atari platform, despite the fact that
the specs on the processor speed always sounded slow compared to the higher
numbers on the DOS clones.
In addition to its 32-bit capability, Windows 95 offers a much cleaner,
more user friendly graphical interface (something we've always had on the
Atari ST systems), the ability to install program icons directly on the
desktop screen (something Atari has offered since '91), and true plug and
play installation of peripherals (something the Atari ST line has always
had). Of course, Windows 95 does go beyond those basic 'catch-up'
features. With the large majority of the world's computer users
apparantly committed to the Intel/Microsoft platform, it is nice to see
that Microsft is finally heading in the same user-friendly directions that
Atari and Apple introduced a decade earlier.
The Intel/Microsoft bandwagon has clearly become the current industry
standard. Commodore called it quits last year, and Atari chose to withdraw
from the personal computer market to concentrate solely on home game
systems shortly thereafter. Even Apple Macintosh sales are apparantly
slipping as the Intel/Microsoft bandwagon is continually gaining even more
momentum with the rollout of Windows 95 to take better advantage of the
Intel Pentium processor.
In an attempt to counter this monopolistic bandwagon, Apple, IBM and
Motorola formed an alliance a few years ago, to develop a next generation
system based around Motorola's Power PC processor. Apple rolled out its
first generation Power PC systems last year, but IBM's Power PC systems
have been held up by delays in completion of their new Power PC OS/2
operating system. Industry gurus seem to agree that Motorola's Power PC is
clearly superior to Intel's Pentium, but even Motorola's 68000 series chips
held a technological advantage over their Intel contemporaries. With
Microsoft's rollout of Windows 95 before IBM could complete it's Power PC
OS/2 system, it appears that the Microsoft/Intel steamroller will continue
to gain even more momentum.
Meanwhile, Atari's move to the home entertainment system brought their
technological prowess to a market that was dominated by technologically
arthritic systems. Christmas '93 saw Atari's rollout of the first 64-bit
home entertainment system, the Atari Jaguar. Atari had technologically
leapfrogged the home entertainment industry, much as they had the personal
computer industry so many years earlier. But once again, they have
allowed that technological advantage to slip away without taking full
advantage of their potential. Now, almost 2 years later, the Jaguar still
only has around 30 games released so far, and the highly touted CD-ROM
accessory which was promised as a 'soon to be released' item when the Jag
was released in 1993, is just now finally making its way to the
marketplace.
Other players are also now coming into the high end home entertainment
marketplace, and Atari will no longer have that market all to themselves.
How well Atari can cope with the competition from larger, better funded
manufacturers who are also attracting better interest from the press,
developers and dealers, has yet to be seen. However, Atari's track record
in such instances has not been good.
One point cannot be denied, however, and that is the fact that Atari has
always provided its customer base with excellently designed hardware that
clearly has the potential to outperform its contemporary competition. The
Jaguar is no exception, and the just released Jaguar CD-ROM accessory will
open up even more possibilities for future excellence.
Sheldon (Editor - GEnieLamp/Atari)
(Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
///// GEnie Quick_Quote ///////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ Atari under Sam Tramiel has historically made mostly /
/ wrong decisions..... I have to believe that Sam has /
/ learned something and won't blow this great chance. /
/ /
//////////////////////////////////// ICDINC (Tom) ///////
[EOA]
[AAG]//////////////////////////////
AROUND AND ABOUT GENIE /
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The LAW Roundtable
""""""""""""""""""
by Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
[LEPULLEY]
These two guys, George and Harry, set out in a Hot Air balloon to cross
the Atlantic Ocean. After 37 hours in the air, George says "Harry, we
better lose some altitude so we can see where we are". Harry lets out
some of the hot air in the balloon, and the balloon descends to below
the cloud cover. George says, "I still can't tell where we are, lets
ask that guy on the ground". So Harry yells down to the man "Hey, could
you tell us where we are?". The man on the ground yells back, "You're
in a balloon, 100 feet up in the air". George turns to Harry and says
"That man must be a lawyer". Harry says "How can you tell?". George
replies, "Because the advice he gave us is 100% accurate, and totally
useless".
But not all lawyers' advice is totally useless. In fact, if you log onto
the LAW Roundtable (RT) on GEnie, you'll find a lot of useful advice
available to you. Advice, opinions and general information abound in this
RT.
What are some of the things talked about in the LAW RT and how can they
help you? Are you disabled or do you feel that you've been a victim of
sexual harassment? If so, 'Law and Social Issues' category (Cat) is where
to head. Maybe you think your employer has wrongfully discharged you. Go
straight to the 'Labor and Management Law' Cat. Someone there might be
able to help you or at least be able to point you in the proper direction
to get some help. Are you buying a piece of property and need to know what
to look out for (legally)? Check in the 'Real Estate Law' Cat and see what
they have to say. Is someone you know getting a divorce or has questions
about child support or child custody? Ask in the 'Family Law' Cat and see
if someone can't help you.
That's not all that's available. The LAW RT also has areas devoted to
'Corporate, Securities & Business Law', 'Entertainment Law (Film, TV,
Music, Books, Sports, and the Arts)', 'Constitutional Law', 'Criminal Law
and Justice', 'Medical and Health Care Law', 'Tax Law', 'Intellectual
Property Law (Copyright/Patent/Trademark)' and 'Wills, Trusts, and Estates'
- just to name a few.
Are you going to law school or thinking of becoming a paralegal? There's
others in the LAW RT doing the same thing, so there's plenty of people to
give you support and advice if you need it.
For you lawyers, the LAW RT even has a special Cat. devoted only to
lawyers. This is where you can ask your peers professional questions (ones
that shouldn't be asked in front of the general public) and get their
answers and advice.
I admit that I'm an O.J. Simpson trial addict. So the LAW RT is the place
I head each day so I can keep up with what's going on. The LAW RT has one
entire Cat. devoted just to the O.J. Simpson trial. It's frequented by
attorneys - both defense and prosecution - people who are experts in blood
testing, and many others in the law enforcement field (LEO's). Unlike
many other RT's that I've been in that had areas devoted to the O.J.
Simpson trial, this Cat. has a wide variety of opinions and theories.
You'll find all sort of people in the LAW RT. As I said earlier, there's
defense and prosecuting attorneys, attorney's who deal in bankruptcy, in
family issues, etc. Plus, there's attorney's from all over the country
who hang out in the LAW RT.
It isn't only attorneys who hang out in the LAW RT, there are also other
LEO's available - police officers, on occassion some judges, and others
connected to the law and law enforcement. But unlike some other LAW areas
I've been in (on other systems), the non-law person is very welcome to
voice his opinions in the LAW RT. You don't have to be an attorney to say,
"So what you're telling me is, if the Law = Justice, it's purely
accidental". I'd say that a high percentage of the people who take part in
the LAW RT are non-lawyers (my guess would be 30-40% - at least).
One of the many things I enjoy about the LAW RT is that the lawyers on it
don't take themselves too seriously. They have one Topic that's devoted
entirely to lawyer jokes.
"AFTER YOU HANG AROUND A WHILE, YOU That's where I got the intro
LEARN THAT LAWYERS ARE 'REAL PEOPLE', joke to my column. It was
JUST LIKE YOU AND ME." It was posted in the LAW RT
by Jim Peabody.] After you
hang around a while, you learn that lawyers are 'real people', just like
you and me.
An attorney phoned the governor just after midnight, insisting that he
must speak to him regarding a matter of extreme urgency. An aide
eventually agreed to wake the governor.
"So what is it?" the governor screamed into the phone.
"Well Governor," said the attorney, "Judge Williams just died, and I
want to take his place."
The governor responded immediately, "It's all right with me if it's all
right with the undertaker."
(Courtesy of Claire W., LAW RT sysop)
Every Tuesday evening at 10pm EST the LAW RT has a Real Time Conference
(RTC). This is where you can speak with other people in the RTC in real
time (just like on the phone) to other members of the RT. Last week
(August 22) the conference was on 'The DEATH PENALTY' - "I the death
penalty a deterrent to criminals? Is it needed or useful? Does the death
penalty violate the 8th amendment prohibition of cruel and unusual
punishment. And of course - is it FAIR? Would Susan Smith have gotten the
death penalty if she were male? If she were black?"
One thing that I feel that I need emphasise (and I'll quote from the LAW
RT's logon to make my point)...
The LAW RoundTable is not a replacement for professional legal advice.
It is a forum for discussion of legal issues and principles only. No
one may rely on information posted here as legal advice. Moreover, the
law changes over time (sometimes rapidly), therefore, it is important
that a person with a specific legal question consult an attorney
familiar with the area of law in question..."
State, county and local laws can vary from area to area, so what applies
in Louisiana might not apply in California or New York. Also, an attorney
licensed in New York is greatly limited (legally) in what he can tell a
person living in Colorado (where he doesn't have a license). But many
times they can give you valuable general advice that can help you a lot.
[Twice they've been able to help me on a couple of legal problems that I've
had.]
To get to the LAW RT, simply do a 'M 570' (Move to area 570). If you're
using Aladdin, simply add that number (those numbers) to your RT
configuration.
[EOA]
[HMR]//////////////////////////////
HUMOR ONLINE /
/////////////////////////////////
Legal Brief
"""""""""""
(Author Unknown)
In The United States District Court
Southwestern District
Tempe, Arizona
Case No. B19293
Judge Joan Kujava, Presiding
Wile E. Coyote, Plaintiff
vs.
Acme Company, Defendant
Opening statement of Mr. Harold Schoff, attorney for Mr. Coyote:
My client, Mr. Wile E. Coyote, a resident of Arizona and contiguous
states, does hearby bring suit for damages against the Acme Company,
manufacturer and retail distributor of assorted merchandise, incorporated
in Delaware and doing business in every state, district, and territory.
Mr. Coyote seeks compensation for personal injuries, loss of business
income, and mental suffering caused as a direct result of the actions
and/or gross negligence of said company, under Title 15 of the United
States Code Chapter 47, section 2072, subsection (a), relating to product
liability.
Mr. Coyote states that on eighty-five separate occasions, he has
purchased of the Acme Company (hereinafter, "Defendant"), through that
company's mail order department, certain products which did cause him
bodily injury due to defects in manufacture or improper cautionary
labelling. Sales slips made out to Mr. Coyote as proof of purchase are at
present in the possession of the Court, marked Exhibit A. Such injuries
sustained by Mr. Coyote have temporarily restricted his ability to make a
living in the profession of predator. Mr. Coyote is self-employed and thus
not eligible for Workmen's Compensation.
Mr. Coyote states that on December 13th, he received of Defendant via
parcel post one Acme Rocket Sled. The intention of Mr. Coyote was to use
the Rocket sled to aid him in pursuit of his prey. Upon receipt of the
Rocket Sled, Mr. Coyote removed it from its wooden shipping crate and
sighting his prey in the distance, activated the ignition. As Mr. Coyote
gripped the handlebars, the Rocket Sled accelerated with such sudden and
precipitate force as to stretch Mr. Coyote's forelimbs to a length of
fifteen feet. Subsequently, the rest of Mr. Coyote's body shot forward
with a violent jolt, causing severe strain to his back and neck and placing
him unexpectedly astride the Rocket Sled. Disappearing over the horizon at
such speed as to leave a diminishing jet trail along its path, the Rocket
Sled soon brought Mr. Coyote abreast of his prey. At that moment, the
animal he was pursuing veered sharply to the right. Mr. Coyote vigorously
attempted to follow this maneuver but was unable to, due to poor design and
engineering on the Rocket Sled and a faulty or nonexistent steering system.
Shortly thereafter, the unchecked progress of the Rocket Sled led it and
Mr. Coyote into collision with the side of a mesa.
Paragraph One of the Report of Attending Physician (Exhibit B), prepared
by Dr. Ernst Grosscup, M.D., D.O., details the multiple fractures,
contusions, and tissue damage suffered by Mr. Coyote as a result of this
collision. Repair of the injuries required a full bandage around the head
(excluding the ears), a neck brace, and full or partial casts on all four
legs. Hampered by these injuries, Mr. Coyote was nevertheless obliged to
support himself. With this in mind, he purchased of Defendant as an aid to
mobility one pair of Acme Rocket Skates. When he attempted to use this
product, however, he became involved in an accident remarkably similar to
that which occurred with the Rocket Sled. Again, Defendant sold over the
counter, without caveat, a product which attached powerful jet engines (in
this case, two) to inadequate vehicles, with little or no provision for
passenger safety.
Encumbered by his heavy casts, Mr. Coyote lost control of the Rocket
Skates soon after strapping them on, and collided with a roadside billboard
so violently as to leave a hole in the shape of his full silhouette.
Mr. Coyote states that on occasions too numerous to list in this document
he has suffered mishaps with explosives purchased of Defendant: the Acme
"Little Giant" Firecracker, the Acme Self-Guided Aerial Bomb, etc. (For a
full listing, see the Acme Mail Order Explosives Catalog and attached
deposition, entered in evidence as Exhibit C.) Indeed, it is safe to say
that not once has an explosive purchased of Defendant by Mr. Coyote
performed in an expected manner. To cite just one example: At the expense
of much time and personal effort, Mr. Coyote constructed around the outer
rim of a butte a wooden trough beginning at the top of the butte and
spiralling downward around it to some few feet above a black X painted on
the desert floor. The trough was designed in such a way that a spherical
explosive of the type sold by Defendant would roll easily and swiftly down
to the point of detonation indicated by the X. Mr. Coyote placed a
generous pile of birdseed directly on the X, and then, carrying the
spherical Acme Bomb (Catalog #78) climbed to the top of the butte. Mr.
Coyote's prey, seeing the birdseed, approached, and Mr. Coyote proceeded to
light the fuse. In an instant, the fuse burned down to the stem, causing
the bomb to detonate.
In addition to reducing all Mr. Coyote's careful preparations to naught,
the premature detonation of Defendant's product resulted in the following
disfigurements to Mr. Coyote:
1. Severe singeing of the hair on the head, neck, and muzzle.
2. Sooty discoloration.
3. Fracture of the left ear at the stem, causing the ear to dangle in the
aftershock with a creaking noise.
4. Full or partial combustion of whiskers, producing kinking, frazzling,
and ashy disintegration.
5. Radical widening of the eyes, due to brow and lid charring.
We come now to the Acme Spring-Powered Shoes. The remains of a pair of
these purchased by Mr. Coyote on June 23rd are Plaintiff's Exhibit D.
Selected fragments have been shipped to the metallurgical laboratories of
the University of California at Santa Barbara for analysis, but to date, no
explanation has been found for this product's sudden and extreme
malfunction.
As advertised by Defendant, this product is simplicity itself: two wood-
and- metal sandals, each attached to milled-steel springs of high tensile
strength and compressed in a tightly coiled position by a cocking device
with a lanyard release. Mr. Coyote believed that this product would enable
him to pounce upon his prey in the initial moments of the chase, when swift
reflexes are at a premium.
To increase the shoes' thrusting power still further, Mr. Coyote affixed
them by their bottoms to the side of a large boulder. Adjacent to the
boulder was a path which Mr. Coyote's prey was known to frequent. Mr.
Coyote put his hind feet in the wood-and-metal sandals and crouched in
readiness, his right forepaw holding firmly to the lanyard release.
Within a short time, Mr. Coyote's prey did indeed appear on the path coming
toward him. Unsuspecting, the prey stopped near Mr. Coyote, well within
range of the springs at full extension. Mr. Coyote gauged the distance
with care and proceeded to pull the lanyard release. At this point,
Defendant's product should have thrust Mr. Coyote forward and away from the
boulder. Instead, for reasons yet unknown, the Acme Spring-Powered Shoes
thrust the boulder away from Mr. Coyote. As the intended prey looked on
unharmed, Mr. Coyote hung suspended in the air. Then the twin springs
recoiled, bringing Mr. Coyote to a violent feet-first collision with the
boulder, the full weight of his head and forequarters falling upon his
lower extremities. The force of this impact then caused the springs to
rebound, whereupon Mr. Coyote was thrust skyward. A second recoil and
collision followed. The boulder, meanwhile, which was roughly ovoid in
shape, had begun to bounce down a hillside, the coiling and recoiling of
the springs adding to its velocity. At each bounce, Mr. Coyote came into
contact with the boulder, or the boulder came into contact with Mr. Coyote,
or both came into contact with the ground. As the grade was a long one,
this process continued for some time. The sequence of collisions resulted
in systemic physical damage to Mr. Coyote, viz, flattening of the cranium,
sideways displacement of the tongue, reduction of length of legs and upper
body, and compression of vertebrae from base of tail to head. Repetition
of blows along a vertical axis produced a series of regular horizontal
folds in Mr. Coyote's body tissues, a rare and painful condition which
caused Mr. Coyote to expand upward and contract downward alternately as he
walked, and to emit an offkey, accordion-like wheezing with every step.
The distracting and embarrassing nature of this symptom has been a major
impediment to Mr. Coyote's pursuit of a normal social life.
As the court is no doubt aware, Defendant has a virtual monopoly of
manufacture and sale of goods required by Mr. Coyote's work. It is our
contention that Defendant has used its market advantage to the detriment of
the consumer of such specialized products as itching powder, giant kites,
Burmese tiger traps, anvils, and two- hundred-foot-long rubber bands. Much
as he has come to mistrust Defendant's products, Mr. Coyote has no other
domestic source of supply to which to turn. One can only wonder what our
trading partners in Western Europe and Japan would make of such a
situation, where a giant company is allowed to victimize the consumer in
the most reckless and wrongful manner over and over again.
Mr. Coyote respectfully requests that the Court regard these larger
economic implications and assess punitive damages in the amount of
seventeen million dollars. In addition, Mr. Coyote seeks actual damages
(missed meals, medical expenses, days lost from professional occupation) of
one million dollars; general damages (mental suffering, injury to
reputation) of twenty million dollars; and attorney's fees of seven hundred
and fifty thousand dollars. By awarding Mr. Coyote the full amount, this
Court will censure Defendant, its directors, officers, shareholders,
successors, and assigns, in the only language they understand, and reaffirm
the right of the individual predator to equal protection under the law.
///// GEnie Quick_Quote ///////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ Ignoring GEnie is a poor choice for any Atari /
/ business person, of course, but there is no rule to /
/ say they _have_ to be here. /
/ /
///////////////////////////////////////// ST.MUSE ///////
[CMK]//////////////////////////////
CLAW MARKS /
/////////////////////////////////
Two New Games and a Book
""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Tim Steed
[T.STEED1]
Welcome to another installment of Claw Marks! Last time we took a gander
at some of the upcoming titles from Atari and other publishers. A lot of
those titles are progressing nicely, and I hope to tell you more about them
as time draws near for their release. Of particular note are Rayman,
BattleSphere, and Primal Rage, as well as Ultra Vortek (formerly Ultra
Vortex) and the big item itself, the Jaguar CD.
But this month, I want to take a look at three recent releases for our
trusty, fun-loving cat. Well, two games and a book. That's right, the Jag
now has it's very own book out, called "Atari Jaguar Official Gamer's
Guide" (referred to as Jag OGG, or JOGG for short).
JAGUAR OFFICIAL GAMER'S GUIDE
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
The Jag OGG is a 246 page hint book for many of the current Jaguar games.
The games it covers are:
Alien Vs. Predator
Brutal Sports Football
Bubsy
Cannon Fodder
Cybermorph
Doom
Dragon: Bruce Lee Story
Flashback
Hover Strike
Iron Soldier
Kasumi Ninja
Raiden
Rayman (preview)
Tempest 2000
Theme Park
Trevor McFur
Wolfenstein 3D
Zool 2
This guide, written by Zach Meston and Douglas Arnold, and published by
Sandwich Island Publishing, supplies the Jaguar fan with details about all
of the above games, from how to finish them, strategy suggestions, and even
some cheats. The info on the various games seems about as up to date as it
gets. Various maps (like Alien Vs. Predator, for example), though not in
color, are VERY sharp and clear (wish I had these several months ago), and
the screen-shots are very good. Each game section has a drawing of an
Atari joypad showing what each of the keys do.
The book also includes a FAQ (Frequently Asked Question file) for Jeff
Minter's upcoming Defender 2000, plus, there is also a FAQ for the
now-delayed Fight For Life (more on this later). Lastly, there is a
design-dossier presented by AEO's Travis Guy which includes an interview
with the 'father of the Jaguar', John Mathieson. John knows just how
64-bit our cat is, and he goes into detail telling us about it. Next time
your 3DO friend accuses you of having a 16-bit machine, ask him to read
this! After this section, there is an interview with the Yakster himself,
Jeff Minter, and then later, an interview with Andrew Whittaker, one of the
programmers for the mega-hit "Alien Vs. Predator." Lastly, there is a BIG
GEnie ad, listing some of the available Jaguar topics here on GEnie.
All in all, the book was well worth the price of admission, $16.95. The
author-info in the back was great, as was the Rayman preview, but the real
meat is the cheat-section/hint-section, where you can find some help with
the 17th level of Doom, the Pandora's Box mission in Iron Soldier, or the
8th mission in Cannon Fodder. If you are having a hard time with ANY of
these games, or want to check some cheat-codes for your favorite,
definitely give this book a look.
PINBALL FANTASIES FLIPS INTO ACTION!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
As most of you might know, Pinball Fantasies is out. This great Jaguar
adaptation comes as close to the real thing as you can without owing your
own pinball machine, and it saves a lot of space, too! Four tables are
included, four of the best from the PC version of Pinball Fantasies.
The music is good, and graphics are clean and crisp. The screen does give
a slight feeling of claustrophobia, but you quickly get used to it the more
you play. Up to eight players can play by using controller #1. Each table
has a different theme, different music, and different strategies.
The four tables are called Partyland, with an amusement-park theme; Speed
Devils, with a drive-fast-car theme; Billion Dollar Gameshow with a 'Price
is Right' theme, and Stones N' Bones, a creepy graveyard theme. Stones N'
Bones was my favorite, from board set-up to music (plus, it was the only
one I beat my wife on!).
The main competition coming for Pinball Fantasies is a game called
'Ruiner', but from what I've seen of it, it won't be as good as Pinball
Fantasies, at least facially. Ruiner has some very nice tables, but the
graphics seemed blurry and pushed together, almost 'dirty'. We will see
when it comes out just which title is the pinball player's best choice.
Right now, I'd give Pinball Fantasies a B, a B+ if you like pinball games.
SUPER BURN-OUT BURNS ITS WAY INTO STORES!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Also recently released is Super Burn-Out, a real-world motorcycle racing
game. There are no pipes or chains to beat other drivers with, and there
aren't any jumps that shoot you to the moon and back, this is REAL racing,
folks. With various tracks and even night-driving with headlights and
everything, the only thing I didn't feel were bugs in my teeth.
The graphics are very pretty, the road looks quite real, and your bike even
leaves skid marks when you peel-out. The bike itself is acceptable, my
only complaint being that with the big black rear tire, it just sticks out
like a big black spot. Other than that, no complaints. The terrain is
beautiful, and even wipe-outs are nice to watch. The music doesn't stir
the soul or bring tears to your eyes, it's just 'there'.
Control is very nice, no 'Checkered Flag Syndrome' here. Two player mode
is real nice, with a split-screen view with one player's bike on the top of
the screen, the other on the bottom. With the size of the bike and
information panels, the screen, especially for the player on the top part
of the screen, is really cramped.
Overall, another very solid title. Watching the speed and smoothness of
this game definitely proves to me that 'Need for Speed' or 'Daytona' COULD
be done on the Jag. I'd give this title a B+, with an A- to
race/motorcycle fans. It's as good as any arcade motorcycle racer gets!
NEWS, INFO, RUMORS....
""""""""""""""""""""""
Only a few bits of info to pass on, and then I'll let you get back to your
normal GEnie activities...
Flashback has recently arrived in stores along with White Men Can't Jump,
which includes the 4-Player Team Tap adaptor. Could the drought be over?
It could be, but one of the games we can't count on seeing soon is Fight
For Life. Recently, an Atari employee stated that, due to advances in
Jaguar development tools, the current Fight For Life has been suspended, so
don't start looking for a polygon fighter ala Virtua Fighter or Toh Shin
Den until sometime next year. Until then, we'll have to be content with
Ultra Vortek from Beyond Games, and Primal Rage from TWI. To be honest, I
think I can 'suffer' with Primal Rage for several months, or with Ultra
Vortek for easily as long! Atari, take your time with FFL, we'll have
plenty of other fighters...
At a recent Atari show in Indianapolis, Indiana, 4-Play was showing off the
latest incarnation of BattleSphere. Some of the attendees were quoted as
saying that they thought BattleSphere was finished! 4-Play members are
quick to add that they have a lot more cool stuff to add before it goes to
production, HOPEFULLY late September, early October. This is definitely a
title to watch for.
And what about that pesky CD player for the Jag? Will it ever be out?
Atari's official release date was August 24th, which happens to be the same
release date as MicroSoft's Windows 95. Could there be some meaning to
this? Is it coincidental? Will Windows 95 work on the Jag? Who knows!
Expected titles to be out at release include Dragon's Lair, Myst, and
Creature Shock, followed shortly by Demolition Man, Battlemorph, and
others. Some titles I am looking forward to include Varuna's Forces and
Highlander. The CD is supposed to come with Blue Lightning, Vid Grid, the
Tempest 2000 soundtrack, VLM, and a Myst demo CD! Expected price is
$149.99.
Well, that about raps it up for this month. Next month, if I'm REALLY
lucky, I'll be able to supply you with my first impressions of the Jaguar
CD.
If you have any questions or comments, you can contact me at one of the
various addresses below. I hope you enjoy what the GEnieLamp.Atari edition
can provide for you, and I hope you will join us again next month. For
now, Jag on!
CompuServe: 76123,3037
GEnie: T.STEED1
AOL: OTRTimS
Internet: otrtims@aol.com
t.steed1@genie.geis.com
[EOA]
[W95]//////////////////////////////
WINDOWS 95 /
/////////////////////////////////
A Headache for Corporate Computer Managers
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Al Fasoldt
[A.FASOLDT]
Copyright (c) 1995 by Al Fasoldt. All rights reserved.
The introduction of Windows 95 made a lot of PC users happy. It's one of
the most advanced operating systems for personal computers ever developed.
But corporate computer managers all over North America haven't been joining
in the cheers.
To many of them, Windows 95 is a headache that won't go away. Faced with
the unprecedented marketing hype that Microsoft has created for its new
software, PC users in hundreds of thousands of offices will be asking the
one question corporate information-system managers don't want to hear: If
I can upgrade my home PC to Windows 95, why can't I get it on my office
computer?
In many small offices and in some larger ones, the changeover is already
under way. As the main software that allows an IBM-compatible computer to
perform all its complicated tasks, Windows 95 is expected to be immensely
popular. But computer professionals have been telling the industry's trade
journals that most corporate sites won't be switching over soon.
The reasons? There are four:
- Windows 95 requires more computer memory and, usually, more disk
space. Upgrading each PC could cost from $400 to $1,200 for these two
hardware items alone.
- Windows 95 is so different from the current version of Windows that
retraining will be needed for all employees. Microsoft says Windows 95 can
be learned in 20 minutes, but apparently no one - not even Microsoft's own
experts - believes this.
- Windows 95 is so easy to install that employees who hear that their
company is about to change over are likely to do it on their own. This
sort of under-the-table switchover makes computer managers nervous because
they would be forced either to remove the new software (at a cost in
employee relations) or to begin supporting the newer Windows before they
were ready. It's a lose-lose proposition.
- Windows 95 makes connecting with other computers - in the office or
around the world - as simple as clicking a mouse button. Computer managers
worry that office PCs equipped with Windows 95 will be much more vulnerable
to computer viruses than PCs are now. They are also concerned that PC
users will find this built-in networking an invitation to cruise the
Internet while they should be working.
Microsoft had little choice in making Windows 95 different from Windows 3.1
and 3.11, the two older consumer versions of Windows. The older versions
are flawed in the way they handle computer memory, and were designed with
an odd, difficult-to-understand interface - the part of the software that
users have to deal with to get anything done.
But old habits are like old shoes, comfortable even when they are scuffy
and out of style. Training corporate PC users to make use of the new
features of Windows 95 is likely to take a couple of hours per employee
just for the initial session. Computer managers need their own training,
too, of course. Add the continuing job of support for users who have
questions and problems and you've described a major and costly project for
companies that are trying to cut expenses in a difficult economy.
This will be compounded with personnel issues if employees decide to
install Windows 95 themselves, without official permission. This may seem
innocuous to employees - after all, they're doing something that should
make them more productive - but it represents anarchy to information-system
managers. A standardized office system is their minimum goal, and they are
likely to view unauthorized installations of Windows 95 as threats to their
authority.
But what many of these these managers say they worry about most is the
easy-to-travel expressway for computer data - and therefore computer
viruses and hacker intrusions - that Windows 95 provides for all users.
Even when all the personnel and training issues have been settled, the
easy-entry problem will not go away.
PCs can be fitted out with anti-virus software, but surveys have shown that
most users and most computer managers haven't taken that step. Security
against hackers is much more difficult to provide. Basically, if a PC is
able to connect easily with another system, a hacker can get around any
passwords or other security measures without a problem.
Some computer managers say it may be a year before they switch - if they do
at all. An alternative to Windows 95 is also being developed by Microsoft.
It's Windows NT, which has been available in one form or another for a
couple of years. A new version to be released soon will be just as easy to
install as Windows 95 but will be much more powerful. And it will be very
secure against intrusion.
Windows NT is more expensive than Windows 95 and requires even more memory
and disk space, but its benefits are already attracting attention in
offices, universities and corporate sites. Microsoft is even advising
companies to consider Windows NT instead of Windows 95.
It has nothing to lose. Either way, it gains a customer.
///// GEnie Quick_Quote ///////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ Don't be sad that you own an Atari and not a /
/ "mainstream" computer. I own a PC-compatible, with /
/ all the trimmings. And yet, I keep finding myself /
/ booting up the Falcon or the Amiga 1200 instead. /
/ Some people just don't know what they are missing. /
/ In fact, I really pity the folks that are out there /
/ that don't know about the Atari's...... /
/ /
////////////////////////////////////// T.MILLERII ///////
[EOA]
[MEL]//////////////////////////////
MEL'S MANOR /
/////////////////////////////////
[*] Load Aladdin 2
""""""""""""""""""
by Mel Motogawa
[M.MOTOGAWA]
ST Aladdin certainly has been a boon for ST users. Where would we be
without this handy tool for accessing GEnie and the ST Roundtable? Having
used PC Aladdin for some time, I can vouch for the fact that ST Aladdin has
many features coveted by the PC crowd. ST Aladdin makes getting on/off
GEnie a fast and painless experience, which is important when the clock is
running. For some time Load Aladdin has been helping ST users wring even
more performance out of ST Aladdin and now a new exciting version has just
been released.
Load Aladdin 2 is a powerful demoware program by Keith Gerdes of Trace
Technologies. Demoware means you can try before you buy and the modest
price charged for it belies its great power.
Why Load Aladdin?:
""""""""""""""""""
"But I thought ST Aladdin worked just fine?" you may be wondering. Well,
take a gander at some of Load Aladdin 2's features.
(Editors Note: A graphic appears in the TX2 versions of GEnieLamp)
If you own a Falcon, Load Aladdin is the only way to use ST Aladdin on it
due to the way the serial port is accessed in ST Aladdin.
MegaSTe and TT owners can also have access to the extra serial ports on
their machines.
Another font can be used in the Terminal screen when ST Aladdin is doing a
pass. I can't believe how this livens up my online sessions after staring
at the system font for so many years.
The VDI text mode, in conjunction with your screen accelerator, can result
in
speedier text output to the screen in Terminal mode. I always wondered
why my screen accelerator didn't affect ST Aladdin's Terminal mode text,
but now it can in a big way.
You can set the DTE rate, the speed your computer talks to your modem, much
higher than ST Aladdin's 9600 baud limit. Flow control is also adjustable,
which is handy for those higher baud rates.
You have the option of determining whether you want to use the TOS serial
port routines or ST Aladdin's direct hardware access.
The blitter chip can be turned off, which allows more trouble free sessions
when accessing via higher modem speeds.
An online session can automatically be terminated after 1-9 minutes of idle
time, user-definable. This has often saved my wallet when GEnie faltered
while I was away from the helm. Otherwise, I would be getting charged for
online time while ST Aladdin was waiting for GEnie to come through.
If you've ever been startled by the sound effects Aladdin uses to signal
the end of a file download and such, you can change the volume of these in
Load Aladdin.
The main Alad.prg program can now be crunched way down in size via Squish 2
(executable compressor from Trace Technologies). Earlier versions of Load
Aladdin didn't allow squishing of Alad.prg.
A Run button completes the old Save-and-Run, so you can try a configuration
out before saving it as a default.
All Things Having Been Heard:
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Load Aladdin is painless to set up, simple to use, very reasonably priced
and you can try before you buy with the demo version which allows 5 minutes
of online time (also the .cfg file isn't maintained). And a very serious
plus in Load Aladdin's favor is the fact that it is being actively
developed on this side of the pond.
After reading the docs, I'm dazzled at all the 'smarts' in Load Aladdin.
It keeps tabs on a staggering amount of serial port and online activity to
make your online sessions with ST Aladdin as quick and painless as
possible. Check out the demo archive (files #36792 & 36765) and don't
forget to read the very verbose and helpful doc file which also lists the
price for new users and upgraders.
Load Aladdin and ST Aladdin are a true 'dream team' that no ST user should
be without.
///// GEnie Quick_Quote ///////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ Living out of your truck!?! How are you making the /
/ jump to the Information Superhighway from there? :) /
/ /
//////////////////////////////////// L.W.BENJAMIN ///////
[EOA]
[LGM]//////////////////////////////
LITTLE GEMS /
/////////////////////////////////
[*] Take-Off for a New Launch Pad
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Al Fasoldt
[A.FASOLDT]
Copyright (c) 1995 by Al Fasoldt. All rights reserved.
I am sometimes asked by my PC-user friends why I prefer computing on my TT.
I spell out the usual list of advantages -- ease of use, powerful
interface, competent multitasking using MagiC and Geneva, far better
control of memory, plug-and-play hard drives and a dozen other things --
but the reply I usually get has nothing to do with my 10-Best List. It has
to do with software.
Somehow, Atari users have fostered a belief among sympathetic non-Atarians
that we are missing out on all the real goodies in the software derby.
Sure, we don't have a graphically based online World Wide Web browser (but
we're coming close, as we'll see next month), and we don't have a
bank-by-computer program that works with our North American banking system.
(There are German Atari programs that work fine with European banks,
however.) And we're slow in getting software that integrates with graphics
and sounds on CD-ROMs.
But in one area, Atari software is among the best in the world. We have an
outstanding array of utilities -- too many in some categories, perhaps, but
only in the sense of being coddled by an embarrassment of riches.
That's a good way to describe the freeware program I'm highlighting this
month. It's a powerful additions to any Atari system, yet simple enough to
learn in a few minutes. And, of course, it's available here in the GEnie
Atari Roundtable libraries.
This freeware gem is Take-Off 2, a program launcher that can be run as a
program or a desk accessory. It was written by Thomas Klein and Oliver
Scheel of Germany. Although the last update was released in 1993, Take-Off
2 lacks nothing in its support for multitasking and in its ability to work
with all TOS and TOS-clone operating systems. (It's file number 30443,
TAKEOFF.LZH, in the ST RT libraries.)
(Editors Note: A graphic appears in the TX2 versions of GEnieLamp)
When Take-Off 2 opens, it displays a list of up to 16 items. It has a
second menu page of up to 16 items that automatically opens if you hold
either shift key while clicking on the Take-Off 2 entry in the Desk Menu.
(You can also switch to the second page by shift-clicking on the "About
Take-Off..." entry at the top of its display once it is open;
shift-clicking again toggles the first page back into view.)
As soon as the Take-Off 2 window opens, your mouse pointer jumps to the
item on the list closest to your pointer's previous location. You can move
through the vertical list with your mouse or your your arrow keys.
Clicking the mouse button or pressing Return runs the highlighted program.
A second instance of Take-Off itself can be one of the items on the list,
if you'd like to create a nested system of launchers. A control-click on
any entry, blank or not, opens Take-Off's configuration dialog. From
there, you can type in the path and name of a program or you can click in
the entry field to open the system item selector. If you check a box at
the right for TTP (or GTP) programs, Take-Off 2 will ask for a parameter
before it runs the programs. Another field lets you enter parameters that
will automatically be passed to the program -- a facility that adds so much
functionality that I'll cover it separately below. Take-Off 2 fills in The
filename of the program in yet another field, but you can (and should) type
in an alias of your choice, so that an actual description for each item, of
up to 16 characters, will appear in the drop-down lists. (Instead of
WORKS.APP, you can have Take-Off display "Atari Works," and, instead of
ALAD.PRG, you can have it show "Aladdin," for example.)
(Editors Note: A graphic appears in the TX2 versions of GEnieLamp)
A single click at the bottom of either page lets you save Take-Off's
configuration or load a new setup. You can have as many different setups
as you want, but the one that Take-Off 2 will load automatically must be
named TAKEOFF.INF. Take-Off is smart enough to save and load its
configuration files from the same path it was run from, a boon to all users
who keep their desk accessories in a folder.
(Editors Note: A graphic appears in the TX2 versions of GEnieLamp)
Take-Off 2 works transparently with the increasingly popular AV Protocol,
which allows programs to communicate in the background with each other and
with the desktop -- assuming that you are using an AV-compatible desktop,
of course. (Ease, Thing, Gemini and the next release of NeoDesk 4 all
support this protocol.) This means you can manipulate the Take-Off
accessory as if it were a program, by placing an icon for Take-Off on the
desktop and opening it by double-clicking on the icon -- or, as I have
done, you can pop open the Take-Off window by pressing a hotkey at the
desktop. (Most modern desktops let you assign hotkeys to programs, and
these can be assigned to running-but-closed accessories under an
AV-compatible desktop also.)
So, to invoke Take-Off, I press the F1 key. Because of another clever
feature of the AV Protocol, this F1 desktop macro can be activated even
when the desktop is not visible (when it's not the top application, in
other words), as long as another AV-compatible program or accessory is on
top. Properly written AV-compatible software is designed to pass "foreign"
keystrokes on to the desktop. (ST-Guide is the best example of this, and
there are many others. If I press F1 while working with ST-Guide,
Take-Off's window appears. The F1 hotkey "falls through" ST-Guide and is
acted on by the desktop.)
But the best aspect of Take-Off may be the way you can associate data files
such as texts or other documents with programs through the configuration
dialog. Other multitasking launchers can do this also, and at least one --
TraceTech's immensely powerful FlexMenu -- can even replace most of the
functions of the desktop. But Take-Off 2 holds its own in ease of use.
You just set the parameter and you're done.
Users who have not used this approach might appreciate a short digression.
Let's suppose you'd like to create a launch menu that would let you edit
some of your favorite configuration files -- ones for Pinhead or Warp 9 or
a desktop, that kind of thing. This is usually done with a text editor,
not a word processor, and my favorite is STeno. We'll use STeno as the
example.
You could create a launch item among the 16 in each page for STeno. Click
on that item, and STeno runs. Then you'd be able to drop down the STeno
"File" menu and load the configuration file you want to edit.
But that's the long way around. A much classier way is to select STeno as
the program and the configuration file of your choice as the parameter.
You'd then give that entry a sensible name -- something like "Edit Desktop"
-- so that the label would match the actual task. You could do the same
thing for your daily To-Do list; select the text editor as the program and
your To-Do list as the parameter, then type in "Reminders" as the alias.
You can get a lot fancier. One of my Take-Off entries is labeled "Font
selection," but it actually launches ASSIGN.PRG, a freeware ASSIGN.SYS
editor and GEM font displayer. The parameter is "C:\ASSIGN.SYS," which
keeps ASSIGN.PRG from opening the item selector to ask for the location of
the ASSIGN.SYS file each time it runs.
Another entry is labeled "Thesaurus." It does NOT run a thesaurus program.
Instead, it runs one of my fastest text-display programs with an electronic
copy of Roget's Thesaurus as the parameter. (One of my programs will open
a 4-megabyte text file in five or six seconds.)
You are limited only by your ingenuity.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled topic. Because Take-Off 2 provides a
simple way to specify parameters for programs, it is much more than a
launcher; it is a small data-management system. We're usually much too
interested in launching programs when we should be concerned with handling
data -- after all, your Uncle Mike doesn't care how your letter was written
as long as he hears from you now and then -- and that's just what Take-Off
2 can do when you spend the few minutes needed to set up each page of its
menus.
There are other little touches that show how well Take-off 2 has been
programmed. If you open Take-Off with a hotkey, it appears not at the
upper left of the screen (as it does when you open it the standard way) but
at your mouse-pointer's position on the screen. (A tip to Ease users: A
minor bug in the way Ease sends AV messages keeps Ease from supporting this
feature unless you give Take-Off 2 a single spacebar character -- a space
-- as the parameter.) Take-Off 2 also lets you change its configuration
with a text editor, if you're more comfortable working that way. And
multiple Take-Offs can be run from different folders, each one storing its
own configuration separately.
Take-Off 2 uses about 31 kilobytes of memory, a typical amount for a
relatively simple utility. That shouldn't be a drawback on even the oldest
of STs. But Take-Off's memory is given back to the system if you choose to
run it as a program or if you want to maintain maximum system speed by
loading as few desk accessories as possible. (DAs are always running, and
this can slow your computer down a bit.)
More powerful launchers are available commercially. FlexMenu is the
ranking champ, working perfectly with the Geneva multitasking system and
with regular TOS, and a Geneva-specific launcher with many features is
being released by Gribnif. But among freeware and shareware launchers that
operate under a multitasking system, you can't do better than Take-Off 2.
[EOA]
[CNP]//////////////////////////////
CATNIPS /
/////////////////////////////////
Jaguar Tidbits (95.08.23)
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Don Thomas
[ATARI]
It's here! D-Day! No, I'm not talking about WinEver '95. I'm talking about
the Jaguar CD-ROM. This morning, Ted Hoff gathered us together and was
grinning big time as he verified that the final pack-ins were being
delivered and the boxes would roll off the packout lines just as predicted.
Ted feels a peripheral as important as the CD-ROM should be blessed by the
retail buyers by sending the first units off the line to their attention.
Another batch will be shipped ahead of his arrival to New York to host a
formal press presentation next week.
In the past four weeks, orders from retailers for the CD-ROM have exploded
and Atari will ship in quantity as soon as ample quantities of the complete
packouts have been amassed. Unlike some of our software releases in the
past when only preorders
"THE CD-ROM SHOULD BE AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE are fulfilled, Ted is
WITHIN JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS!" demanding that delivery
schedules to retailers are
timed to be equitable and as fair as possible. The CD-ROM should be
available nationwide within just a couple of weeks! Yea!
FlipOut! will be shipping this Friday. I think it will be a surprise hit.
We will see. <g>
New Jaguar Book Contest from Atari Explorer Online....
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
It has a black glossy cover, with peering yellow eyes. It's full of cool
stuff. It even includes a few AEO interviews. Now =you= can win an author
signed copy of Sandwich Islands' "Atari Jaguar Official Gamer's Guide."
How? Atari Explorer Online Magazine is holding a contest, of sorts. It's
the "AEO 'Read Between The Lines'" contest. It's easy to enter, and you
could win a copy of the book that shows (among other things):
[ ] Just WHERE that darn Motion Tracker in Alien Vs. Predator is located.
[ ] How to lower the drawbridge over the Big Pit O'Acid in Level 3 of Doom.
[ ] Exactly the path needed to complete the final level of Zool 2.
[ ] Cheats, Codes and Funny Captioned Fotos of eighteen Jaguar games.
How to Enter....
""""""""""""""""
E-Mail a tip about a Jaguar game to AEO <aeo.mag@genie.com> before Midnight
CDT (UTC-5) August 31, 1995. (Please put the word "Contest" in the subject
line!! AEO regularly receives dozens of EMails every day, and it would make
the sorting job easier!)
=Any= tip for =any= Jaguar game will suffice. (Don't know any tips? Make
one up! This contest is well named.)
Two tips will be selected in a random drawing of all entered tips. The
winning entries will be notified, and their entries will be published in
the next issue of AEO, due out the weekend of September 2, 1995.
All submissions will be considered the property of Subspace Publishers, and
may be used in future issues of Atari Explorer Online Magazine. Void where
prohibited. Yadda, yadda, yadda.
Get those tips in NOW!
KIDSCOM...
""""""""""
Hey if you're a kid or know any kids between the ages of 8 to 14 years of
age AND they have access to Web Domains within the wonderful world of the
Internet, tell them about KIDSCOM. KIDSCOM is a new wholesome way kids can
learn, participate in surveys, exchange ideas on the "Graffiti Wall" and
even win prizes. To visit KIDSCOM, steer your Web Browser to
http:\\www.kidscom.com.
KIDSCOM currently includes Jaguar news including screen shots AND soon,
kids can win cool Jaguar stuff too!
Hover Strike: Unconquered Lands...
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Kristine Chambers tells me that "Hover Strike: Unconquered Lands" (the CD
descendent) looks really good. For you audiophiles, the left/right stereo
has been corrected <g> and there's a whole bunch of exciting new
improvements over the cart-based game that is available now. Kristine said
I could share some of them with you...
In the new CD version, there are full motion video sequences including a
real cool intro, between mission scenes and an exciting end-of-game reward.
There are 10 entirely new missions and 2 brand new terrain types. A new
rendering engine allows lighting effects on the texture mapped terrain as
well as more efficient overall coding and animated terrain textures. There
are high-resolution terrain textures for new missions and a new control
panel so the user can customize flying physics of the craft. Gamers will
discover improved flying with smoother movement physics and there will be
CD quality music during gameplay.
"Hover Strike: Unconquered Lands" will be available by the end of September
according to Kristine. Based on what she tells me, the new game will be a
natural for those who love the cart based game and it will offer a lot of
appeal for those who felt the original game may have been a bit hard to
control. Get on the presell lists now!
I know it's off topic, but my wife treated me to an unusual get-a-way this
past weekend. On Friday, she drove us to Wine Country (Napa Valley, CA)
and we checked in to what I later learned was one of the region's highest
rated Bed & Breakfast (Foothill House). On Saturday she rolled me out of
bed at 4:30 a.m. to take a hot air balloon ride at dawn across the valley.
There is no effective way to describe the beauty, courtesies and pleasures
of where we stayed or the nice times we had, so I won't even try. Let me
just tell you to book the best bed & breakfast in Calistoga, call
800/942-6933. Insist on the Quail's Roost cottage for at least two nights.
You can also have them book reservations at any one of the nicest nearby
restaurants for dinner. There are several. If you go all out and want the
best balloon ride, call 707/944-4408. Tell them you want to ride the
balloon named "Lucy" and you want it piloted by "Sonoma Bob". Feel free to
tell them that Don and Lynn Thomas promised the time of your life!
Stay tuned for a lot more Jaguar-related news coming soon. There are some
exciting releases scheduled for the upcoming weeks.
BTW, we know it may be frustrating if you're anxiously waiting for the
CD-ROM. This long awaited peripheral is being distributed very carefully
so that as our retailers and the gamers receive quality merchandise that
passes stringent Quality Assurance tests rather than simply loading them in
overnight sacks for the sake of just being fast. I am anxiously awaiting
the opportunity to get my hands on one too... I never did get to finish
any of the games I started at E3. <g>
///// GEnie Quick_Quote //////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ Actually, its times like this that make _ME_ think /
/ that Atari has more lives than the proverbial cat. /
/ 'No matter what it does', there are STILL all these /
/ fine folks around who still care! ;-) /
/ /
////////////////////////////////////// GELAMP.ST ///////
[EOA]
[OLB]//////////////////////////////
ONLINE LIBRARY /
/////////////////////////////////
[*] Files, Files & More Files!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Mel Motogawa
[M.MOTOGAWA]
This month is a telecommunicator's delight. An update of the ever popular
terminal program Flash 2 has hit the scene with a demo landing in the ST
Roundtable File Library. Joining it is a demo of the hot Load Aladdin 2.
A beta Web browser, an HTML browser, a QWK reader and a bbs program are
just some of the other telecom specific files you can find online.
Any comments of my own are shown within double asterisks "**...**" after
the file description, in the ASCII GEnie Lamp version, and also in italics
in the TX2 version. (If you haven't experienced reading the Lamp in TX2
format, why not download the TX2 file viewer (file #20441) by David Holmes?
You may be surprised at the versatility and power of this program, above
and beyond viewing TX2 Lamp issues.)
#36601 OCTOPS65.ZIP 762496 Octopus v0.65, the premier Atari BBS program.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Octopus can be ran as a TOS or GEM program.
As a GEM program it is multitasking & multiline friendly. Due to the GEM
interface, even singletasking systems can enjoy some multitasking benefits,
such as updating a caller or working in an ACC while a caller is online,
none the wiser. Octopus is written with networking in mind (though
certainly optional), and supports such popular programs as Semper, JetMail
and LED. QWK support is built-in. The script language provides power for
expert users, while still remaining friendly for novice users. Too many
features to list here! Check it out!
#36612 OCR14A.LZH 293632 This is the latest version of OCR, version 1.4a.
""""""""""""""""""""""""" Includes RSC file translations in several
languages including English. Please note that I am representing this
program in the United States and Canada. Please contact me if you want to
register.
#36614 CDPLR13A.LZH 96512 CD-Player V1.3. An audio CD-Player for ATARI
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" ST/STE/TT/Falcon. Contains both German,
English, and Spanish files. System requirements: * Atari ST/STE/TT/Falcon
* CD-ROM drive (must support audio commands) * CD-ROM driver for MetaDOS
(must support audio commands) Use latest Questor's LZH to extract. Note:
Sysop unable to verify operation of this file.
#36615 525V211E.LZH 52608 FIVE TO FIVE Version 2.11, released July 1995.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" English version. Five to Five is a program to
convert various sound file types, as used on different computer systems.
Some packing algorithms and the following file types are currently
supported by 525: DVSM (ATARI Falcon 'WinRec'), AVR (ATARI), HSN (ATARI
'CrazySounds'), FORTUNE (ATARI Falcon 'Fortune'), SND, AU (Sun, Mac, NeXT),
WAV (PC), AIFF (Mac, ATARI (Cubase)), and Raw data. Use latest Questor's
LZH to extract.
#36636 SYSTEM.TOS 2068 This is a mini-system configuration program that I
""""""""""""""""""""""" wrote as part of a Programmer's RTC exercise. It
reports various things about your ST/TT/F030. Not nearly as complete as
PROFILE, but it works. Mike Allen ST HelpDesk Sysop. Written: Monday,
July 24, 1995 SysOp note: This file is not compressed.
#36642 HD_ONOFF.LZH 1152 This is a little program that can be used to
""""""""""""""""""""""""" turn on/off any IDE or SCSI hard drives
connected to your system. This is the GFA Basic source code in .LST
format. I believe that it only works with the XHDI drivers. Please use
the latest version of Quester's LZH to extract.
#36643 KIVI141A.LZH 105088 This is the latest version of the Kivi QWK
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Reader program. This is version 1.41a and
just released on 07/19/95. There was a bug in version 1.41 as to where the
program hanged if you loaded a new packet and there was an old packet in
the work directory. Note that this bug only happened on some of the Atari
computers. As always, contact me if you want to register this program.
This is one of the ones that I represent here in the U.S. and Canada.
Please use the latest version of Quester's LZH to extract.
#36644 HTML094.LZH 112896 This is version 0.93 of the HTML Browser for
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" your Atari ST, TT, Falcon, Medusa, Eagle, or
MagiC-Mac system. Using HTML-Browser you'll be able to browse HTML files
off-line. Currently you'll have to download the HTML files, or read them
directly from CD-ROM, because HTML-Browser has no on-line capability. This
is also another program that I am the Rep of here in the U.S. and Canada.
So please contact me for anything about it. Please use the latest version
of Quester's LZH to extract.
#36676 LASCAN31.LZH 53120 This is Lace-Scan v3.10. This group of
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" programs is a complete replacement for the
Overscan set of programs. Please note that you still need the Overscan
hardware modification to use this software. Please use the latest version
of Quester's LZH to extract.
#36688 PYSGHM15.LZH 21632 This is Pysgham, version 1.50, released July
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" 1995. Pysgham will also add sort of virtual
drives to your machine but unlike RAM disks the new drives will correspond
to folders in other real drives. Up to eight different drives of this kind
might be installed at once by Pysgham. You can also turn Write Verify On
or Off for each drive and you can also write-protect the drives. Please
use the latest version of Quester's LZH to extract.
#36689 PARALLAX.LZH 123648 Parallax Painter is a three dimensional
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" platform game. It features smooth
multi-directional triple layered parallax scrolling, with scaling graphics
and the ability to jump between layers, in maps up to 15 layers deep. The
game also features stunning 4 channel digitised music, even whilst you
play!. With 7 different soundtracks, 3 Stunning different modes of play, a
one player mode, plus 2 multi player modes for double the action. Please
use the latest version of Quester's LZH to extract.
#36691 THIN059E.LZH 348544 This is the latest version of Thing, v0.59.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" And also the English version. :-} Enjoy...
Please use the latest version of Quester's LZH to extract.
(Editors Note: A graphic appears in the TX2 versions of GEnieLamp)
#36693 WINCOM15.LZH 238976 This is the latest version of WinCom, v1.50.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Just released. Please note that this is in
German. This demo (which needs re-enabling every 30 minutes) gives MagiC
many of the hotkey features of Geneva. Should run on MagiCMac, but not
tested. Please use the latest version of Quester's LZH to extract.
#36700 DPACCAN1.ZIP 9472 This is a listing captured August 2, 1995, from
""""""""""""""""""""""""" the Datapac Information Service, showing all the
Canadian "DATAPAC 3101 (ASYNC/ITI) IN-DIAL TELEPHONE NUMBERS", in
alphabetical order By City.
#36702 EUROPEAN.LZH 7936 Here is the updated listing of all the European
""""""""""""""""""""""""" programs that I am currently the North American
representative for. I list the program, GEnie file number, file size,
system requirements, brief description, and the registration amount.
Coming in ST-Guide format shortly.
#36704 CHK_OFLS.LZH 2432 Users of MenuInfo, the oustanding multipurpose
""""""""""""""""""""""""" freeware system utility (which can show dozens
of system parameters in addition to the date and time), now have a way to
set up MenuInfo to show the number and presence of open files in their
systems. CHK_OFLS is a small, copyrighted freeware auto-folder program
that is used by MenuInfo to determine which files are open at any time.
Kobold also uses CHK_OFLS to keep track of open files. MenuInfo is
available in the ST RT libraries. Use LHarc or the LHarc-Shell to extract.
#36707 BKIT161E.ZIP 90240 BoxKite v1.61e (English), as well as the
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" English Manual. The manual translation was
done by Lorant Oswald and Howard Carson of The Toronto Atari Federation.
BoxKite is a superb replacement File Selector with a host of well designed
features. It is resizable(!), non-modal, and offers somewhat more
flexibility than Selectric. Very nice and very compatible. Also uses AES
4 if its available. Terrific Shareware.
#36711 LEDSW_30.LZH 10496 Improved hotkey switch for users of LED-Panel
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" version 3.0. Allows you to turn the display on
and off at any time without running LEDPANEL's configuration program.
Includes assembly source and an installation program that lets you redefine
the switch key combination. Use latest Quester's LZH to extract.
#36716 AVAL_376.LZH 476160 This update, released 07/28/95 has a few bug
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" fixes over the previous version. AVALON v3.76
is an alternative shell to the well known "Tiny-Shell" for BINKLEY and
SEMPER. AVALON supports up to six different point setups and as many
different poll sessions; furthermore, file requests are improved and a
little CLI is implemented that allows you to run batchfiles within a
session setup. At the moment, AVALON works with any version of BINKLEY and
SEMPER. Note: Sysop unable to verify operation of this file.
#36717 GEOCAD.LZH 340608 This is GEO-Cad, a Cartography program. Runs on
""""""""""""""""""""""""" all Atari computers, includes a program for the
people that have a FPU installed. Works best if you have 1-Meg of RAM or
more. Please note that the program and docs are in German. Use latest
Questor's LZH to extract.
#36736 MTWDEMO.LZH (LH5) 118400 This is an updated demo which runs for 10
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" minutes at a time before dying. You can
do anything that the actual MultiWriter program does EXCEPT saving or
printing to disk. Try changing on-screen text sizes, configuring in
different languages (Spanish, German), or importing Atari WordPerfect 4.2
files, 1st Word, Word Writer ST, ST Writer or ASCII files. B.Noonan @
Medical Designs Software
#36738 LTMF130E.LZH 38144 Let'em Fly!, version 1.30, released July 15,
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" 1995. With `Let 'em Fly!' in your AUTO-Folder,
many normal GEM dialogs are movable with many new features. Furthermore
these dialogs can be handled by using the keyboard shortcuts `Let 'em Fly!'
offers, so that there is no need to keep swapping between keyboard and
mouse. There are many more features!. Let'em Fly! works on all Atari
ST/STe/TT/Falcon computers in all resolutions, including TruColor.
MultiTOS is supported also.
#36739 2IN1140E.LZH 149632 This is the 2-in-1 Archive Shell program,
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" version 1.40 in English. A very good archive
shell for all the different types of archiver programs available for your
Atari.
#36741 STDB12.LZH 64768 STDB, version 1.2, released 01/01/95. Special
"""""""""""""""""""""""" Database for Diabetics. STDB has been primarily
designed for use by people suffering from Insulin-Dependant Diabetes
Mellitus (IDDM) who use multiple pen injections in conjunction with
background insulin. Keeps track of the following in daily records: blood
glucose concentrations, Insulin doseage and the time the glucose
level/Insulin was taken. Also has a graphical display of this data.
#36742 CRP.LZH 15616 Atari-Crypt-O-Conv. This tool transfers ASCII-Text
""""""""""""""""""""" into strange characters from the ATARI system font.
Nevertheless you will be able to read it, unless this very font is
installed.
#36743 SNATCHER.LZH 4992 The Supreme Screen Snatcher, version 1.2. The
""""""""""""""""""""""""" Supreme Screen Snatcher is a memory-resident
utility that allows you to temporarily 'jam' the ST and then save the
currently displayed screen to disk. It also allows you to search through
the memory, looking for other screens or even sprites, fonts etc. The
Snatcher will also allow you to change the scanrate.
#36764 GEMHEXED.LZH 32768 Windowed hex editor lets you create,
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" manipulate, and view files of any format. Edit
in hex and direct ASCII key modes; also search/replace, cut/copy/paste
between windows via memory or disk (save and merge blocks), etc. A serious
tool for anyone who ever needs to examine or edit file contents at the dirt
level. Freeware by Mark Slagell, based on XXED by Jim Charlton.
#36765 LAV2DEMO.ZIP 21504 Demo version of Load Aladdin v2 from TraceTech.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" Upgrade is available. { 5 minute online
connect limit and LOADALAD.CFG is not maintained. } Value-added
enhancement for ST Aladdin. Useful for _ALL_ Atari computers. Run Aladdin
on the Falcon, and access the extra serial ports on the MSTe and TT.
Utilize accessories or programs that access the serial port when Aladdin is
running. Save money: includes 'Line Guard', don't sit idle online wasting
money! v2: SprintNet script fix, port access method (BIOS/Chip), use VDI
in Terminal mode (No/Yes), turn Blitter Off (No/Yes), sound effects volume,
alternate fonts, >19200 DTE rates on SCC ports.
#36767 FLS300D.LZH 120064 This is a demo of our all-new Flash II version
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" 3.00. The new version is fully multitasking
capable. It now contains 2 separate editors and a host of new features.
The demo is fully functional but limits you to 50 minutes online time and
50K file size per transfer. Some save functions are also disabled. The
demo runs in all medium and high resolutions on all Atari ST, STe, TT030
and Falcon computers. Please use the latest version of Questor LZH to
extract this file.
(Editors Note: A graphic appears in the TX2 versions of GEnieLamp)
#36771 ST-GUI14.LZH 280192 This is the latest version of ST-Guide that I
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" have been able to find. It is dated 08/02/95.
Everything is in german, including the new compiler version, but I have
converted the ST-Guide program to English for your enjoyment.
(Editors Note: A graphic appears in the TX2 versions of GEnieLamp)
#36775 RECIPE51.LZH 98048 The Recipe Box is a complete meal management
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" system with a full featured recipe database,
grocery list planner, and calendar/meal planner. Features include large
capacity, powerful searching, multiple import/export formats, user
definable interface, text storage capabilities, high quality printouts, and
more... ST/TT/Falcon with hard drive, 1 Meg RAM, Speedo GDOS is
recommended. This DEMO version is fully operational, but is limited to 60
recipes. Version 5.1 adds transfer code for versions 3.x and 4.x, and adds
index printing. Use latest Questor's LZH to extract.
#36786 CDWEBPGS.ZIP 887296 Another First from Computer Direct, Canada's
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Atari Specialists! Now everyone can view our
web pages, even if they don't have access to the Internet and the World
Wide Web! Use HTML Browser, a seperate file available here, on GEnie,
HTML094.LZH, to view these pages on an Atari computer. This file contains
both the text and the graphics. A seperate file, CDWEBPGT.ZIP, with just
the text and another seperate file, CDWEBPGG.ZIP, with just the graphics is
available as well. These pages will be updated as we update our Web pages,
and the new files will be uploaded here. Use latest ST-ZIP to extract.
#36792 LA2DMO2P.ZIP 4736 [release 2, 08/14/95, *DEMO* version]. The
""""""""""""""""""""""""" included PRG file replaces the PRG found in
LAV2DEMO.ZIP, file #36765. release 2 fixes the logon crash when using the
option: 'Port access method - Chip' NOTE: The "U#=" script fix is not
available in 'Chip' mode. Please use the latest version of ST Zip to
extract.
#36795 GEM_WEB.LZH 39680 This is a copy of the beta version of the new
""""""""""""""""""""""""" GEM Web Browser that wil allow Atari users to
cash in on the World Wide Web phenomena! Finally, it appears as though we
will have an on-line graphical web browser! Enjoy! Chris @ Computer Direct
Please use the latest version of Questor LZH to extract this file. SYSOP
NOTE->Tested and run offline with TOS 1.04, MONO and TOS 4.04, 640X480 256
color. NEEDS GDOS TO RUN !!!!!!
(Editors Note: A graphic appears in the TX2 versions of GEnieLamp)
#36796 TC_TST64.LZH 70400 This is an update to the T-Cache program.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" T-Cache is a Hard-Drive caching program that is
highly configurable. What's new in version 6.4 ? - Number of
Write-Accesses caused by flushing minimized. - Background-DMA with MagiC 3
and HDD>=4 is possible. 6.3 hangs. - Up to 32 virtual drives should be
possible but is not supported by the ACC. Both English and German versions
in this archive. Please use the latest version of Questor LZH to extract
this file.
///// GEnie Quick_Quote ///////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ Atari has learned from their mistakes... they've /
/ learned how to make the same mistake that much better /
/ each time.:) /
/ /
/////////////////////////////////////////// REALM ///////
[EOA]
[CAI]//////////////////////////////
COMPUTERS AND INVESTING /
/////////////////////////////////
[*] Monthly Review of High Tech Stocks
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Sanford E. Wolf
[S.WOLF4]
Introduction
""""""""""""
Because of deadline constraints this month, I'll spare you any of my longer
winded commentary. "Just the facts, ma'am." There is no doubt that
excitment is growing, and the next few days may be most dramatic ones.
MicroSoft
"""""""""
Last month, we looked at the MicroSoft chart and noted some evident
weakness (a similar situation applied to Intel, as was noted). It was
pointed out that the major gap which opened on July 18, associated with
unusually heavy volume, was a likely signal that the good times might be
over for these 2 stocks. Both stocks made mighty efforts to close their
gaps, but both failed -- MSFT just barely.
(Editors Note: A graphic appears in the TX2 versions of GEnieLamp)
The MSFT chart shows how it is now right on the edge of what might be a
substantial breakdown. If it breaks through the line shown, a decline to
the low 70's is not out of the question.
As I write this on Monday night, after the first full weekend of 'Windows
95' sales, MSFT is sitting right on that line, having fallen over 4% during
the day. Intel is in much the same position tonight. What will tomorrow
bring?
IBM
"""
Last month, we noted that IBM seemed to be undergoing some persistent
distributive selling, even as the price continued to rise to new highs.
The way to see this in the chart is to compare the trend of prices with
that of volume.
(Editors Note: A graphic appears in the TX2 versions of GEnieLamp)
Since February, it is clear that over every 10 or 15 day period that the
price trended upward, the volume was decreasing. On most days when the
price fluctuated downward, it did so accompanied by increased volume. That
is one good signature that distribution is going on. The result, most
often, is a good sized "correction" in the price. Indeed, the price fell
from 114 to 101, a 12% drop, during the last 7 trading days.
IBM is also sitting just above its 6 month upward trend line as I write
this. What will the next few days bring? BTW, a serious breakdown is not
necessarily in the cards, but the odds seem to favor some further decline.
Atari
"""""
Well, Atari devotees have good reason to be good and frustrated, even
angry, these days. The one bright light on the distant horizon, for over a
year, has been the CD attachment for the Jaguar. After repeated delays of
the release date, originally announced for about a year ago, the final,
final release date was supposed to be August 24, but it was on that very
day last week that Atari chose to announce a further delay until September
11. Oh well.
However, the ATC chart has assumed the status of a learning vehicle, an
interesting demonstration of the power of the chart.
(Editors Note: A graphic appears in the TX2 versions of GEnieLamp)
As you can see, ATC has been in a horizontal trading range between 2_1/2
and 3_1/2 since March. Last month we noted that the price was right at the
top of that range, but that a long term downtrending line of resistance had
just entered the trading range, intersecting the price precisely at the
top, and might frustrate any quick breakout. It was suggested that, if ATC
could manage to break upward through the downtrend line and the upper
boundary of the trading range, an interesting bounce might result.
Well, that downtrend line, dating back to the wonderful peak of November 3,
1993 (we showed the entire line last month) and effectively stopping the
sharp rally of November, 1994, as seen on the chart, is clearly showing its
power to push the price down. Just look! It even seems a bit eerie. How
did the chart know, starting nearly 2 years ago, that it would need this
particular downtrend line to drive the price down precisely in a manner to
allow "fundamentalists" to point to the CD fiasco of August, 1995, as the
reason? Or, put another way, how did the chart know, last November, that
it had to stop that rally precisely at that price, on that day, in order to
be able to construct this particular downtrend line which is so obviously
controlling the price behavior today?
Anyway, the same observation applies as did last month. If the price can
break through this strong resistance, a nice bounce might come along. Go!
Go! ATC!
CODA
""""
Well, I wish I had another day or three to see how these "cliff hangers"
turn out. But the Editor is going on a long Labor Day weekend, and this is
the only article lacking for the September edition. Thus, a somewhat
truncated article. These GEnieLamp magazines are getting better and
better, and receiving wider distribution. The staff deserves its
vacations. Next month's charts should be very interesting. Happy holiday
to all.
///// GEnie Quick_Quote ///////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ I think television is better when it's turned off! /
/ /
/////////////////////////////////////// A.FASOLDT ///////
[EOA]
[TAO]////////////////////////////////////
THINKING ABOUT ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS /
///////////////////////////////////////
Online Communications and the Changing Nature of Friendship
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Phil Shapiro
[P.SHAPIRO1]
Online communication is transforming how human beings interact with one
another. The nature of the medium is such that it helps people connect
with others of similar interest. So if you're interested in fly fishing
and you live in Calgary, Alberta, online communications allows you to
easily make contact with other fly fishing aficionados in other parts of
the world. But say your interest in fly fishing centers around a
particular aspect of the sport. Suppose that your interest in fly fishing
centers around building your own lures out of natural material. You have
nothing to say to fly fishing fans who don't build their own lures. And
you have even less to say to fly fishing fans who build their lures out of
man-made materials (heaven forbid).
The Internet allows you to zero in on just those people who share your own
particular interest. Without the Internet, you would have to settle for
putting up with fly fishing enthusiasts in your own neighborhood. The
locals may or may not be people you'd like to spend a lot of time with.
It's a good thing when people connect with others who share their
interests. Society is formed by a web of individual human bonds. The more
individual bonds there are, the stronger the fabric of society. And every
connection between human beings opens up new possibilities, new
opportunities.
Is it not true that every advance ever made grew out of the interaction
between two (or more) human beings? Conversely, it would be fair to
saythat there is no human being alive now (or alive ever) who created
something meaningful and lasting entirely on their own. But what is
really intriguing is that the nature of friendship is changing. Friendship
used to be a predominantly social thing. The new friendship blurs the
boundary between friends and colleagues.
A year or two ago I had an experience which got me thinking about the
nature of online friendships (o-friendships). The small software company I
run had a news story written about it in Newsbytes, the online news service
for international computer news. It just so happened that this Newsbytes
story contained a fairly significant factual error. This error was brought
to my attention by an o-friend of mine who happened to spot the story an
hour after it had been posted online. Within two hours of the story being
made public I was able to explain the mistake to the reporter who wrote the
story. Newsbytes posted a formal correction the next day. What this
experience taught me is the value of having o-friends looking out for your
own interests.
The modern day world is far too complex for any individual to pay attention
to all its myriad aspects. But the more o-friends you have, the greater
are the chances that you will be clued in to something that's of interest
to you. Instead of having just one pair of eyes, online communications
allows you to have a hundred pairs of eyes. The extra pairs of eyes come
in handy, I've come to learn. People watch out for each other in brand new
ways out here. And since every friendship is based on mutuality, every act
of friendship begets another act of friendship. Mutuality is rife in the
online world. It's rife and it's flourishing and it's coming soon to a
disk drive near you.
Remember the quaint old days when friends were people you used to spend
time with in person? Sure those friendships were great. There's no
denying that face-to-face friendships (ftf friendships) have a certain
esthetic appeal. But online friendships have far more promise in the
larger scheme of things, precisely because they allow a bond to be formed
based on genuine shared interest, rather than on a blurred blend of
geographic proximity and general shared interest.
Online communication magnifies the benefits of friendship. The more people
you know online, the more opportunities you will have to benefit from their
particular knowledge and
"THE MORE PEOPLE YOU KNOW ONLINE, THE MORE expertise. If it's true
OPPORTUNITIES YOU WILL HAVE TO BENEFIT FROM that the more online
THEIR PARTICULAR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE." contacts you have, the
greater the overall
benefits in your life, then it's just one extra step of logic to say that
online communications tends to make people more sociable, more extroverted.
There can be no denying that technology itself is changing how we relate to
one another. The effects of these changes are becoming increasingly
apparent in the world around us.
Phil Shapiro
(The author takes a keen interest in the psychological and social
dimensions of online communications. This essay is one of 26 think
piece essays in the "Thinking About Online Communications" series.
Feedback is invited at: pshapiro@aol.com)
///// GEnie Quick_Quote ///////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ As long as the Atari can run the music software that /
/ I use, it's a keeper. /
/ /
/////////////////////////////////////// H.SMITH12 ///////
[EOA]
[OVP]//////////////////////////////
OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS /
/////////////////////////////////
Third On The Block
""""""""""""""""""
by Lee W. Benjamin
[L.W.BENJAMIN]
Third On The Block - Getting by on a limited budget in the Atari World
I am an Atari enthusiast. I've had an ST in one form or another for over
six years now and with a house and family to look after, I haven't always
been able to just go out and buy what I wanted or even what I needed. For
example, there was the time I had a power supply go out in my 1040ST. I
looked at the prices for a replacement power supply and just about choked.
Over seventy dollars (at the time) for a dinky little, low capacity power
supply. I figured I could do better. The key to this quest was to use all
available resources. With a trip to a local electronics supply house and
another to a used computer dealer I soon had a power supply for the ST,
total cost about $30. Now, naturally this included some compromises. The
power supply is from a PC XT and sits on the floor next to the table due to
its size, but it works. The point? There are a lot more resources for the
Atarian out there than you might think at first, sometimes you've just
gotta go looking for them.
With many Atarians shifting to the PC or Mac there are opportunities to
find lots of Atari hardware and software at bargain basement prices. You
can choose to deal with individuals or with professionals. The key is to
keep your eyes open and to learn enough to know what might be useful to
you. As with all computer purchases think about what you want to do with
your computer and adjust your "shopping filter" accordingly.
Another consideration is that I'm not a "first on the block" person. Sure
I'd like to have all the latest stuff, but I'd like to see if it works
first and I usually can't afford the introductory price for the latest
wizz-bang program or peripheral. Sometimes I'll purchase stuff that's been
around and around again, thus the title of this article.
Now, I may offend some with my views of the used market; it could be viewed
as vulturism on my part and could be seen as depriving retailers of
business as well. That's simply not the case. The fact is that by
purchasing equipment from those who are moving on we're giving these
programs and peripherals new life and getting an opportunity to use some
things that we probably wouldn't have purchased otherwise. In fact some
retailers welcome this behavior as they often take trade-ins of older
equipment that's in good shape to encourage sales of "the latest and
greatest" items. This stock of good used equipment can then be re-sold at
reasonable prices to those who tend to come in and browse, but blanch at
the prices of the new stuff.
A good example of the value of being the third on the block is my CD-ROM
drive. I am the proud owner of one of the oldest, slowest CD-ROM drives
around: an Atari CDAR-504. I'm the third or fourth owner of this unit.
Atari introduced them in 1987, uh, well sorta. They built a few and showed
them at COMDEX and tried to get some Atari Specific CD-ROM software
developed by selling some units to developers at reasonable prices.
Unfortunately it turned into a "chicken and the egg" problem; the software
never came and Atari never released the CDAR-504 (or the later CDAR-505)
for public purchase in this country. By knowing what I was interested in
and watching the message bases and library files on GEnie I located one of
these rare beauties. I found the "Current Notes" CD-ROM on a close out
sale for $10. After getting the CDAR-504 running with MetaDOS, I then had
the distinct pleasure of connecting up with Roger Burrows of Anodyne
Software who was, at the time, thinking of writing a replacement for
MetaDOS and was looking for beta testers. Thus ExtenDOS was born. I don't
claim any credit for ExtenDOS, but even Roger agrees that I was helpful in
debugging the early versions and ensuring CDAR-504 compatibility. Thanks
for a great product, Roger!
The purchase of used and close-out equipment and software can also lead to
additional sales for the "new" market. My purchase of the CDAR-504 has led
to the purchase of several of the new Atari specific CD-ROMs that have
appeared along with some PC CD-ROMs of clipart, text and pictures. None of
these purchases of new software would have happened if I hadn't kept my
eyes open for a good deal on a CD-ROM drive. Similar deals can now be had
with many PC owners updating to 3x and 4x (speed) CD-ROM drives, their
older 2x drives can be had at bargain prices. If the CDAR-504 ever dies,
I'll be looking at them myself.
Caveat Emptor. The Romans had a phrase for it, "Let the buyer beware".
"""""""""""""" When purchasing used equipment or software from
individuals you can usually apply the same principles that you'd use if you
were purchasing from a store. Ask yourself these questions: Does the
seller seem to know what they're talking about? Does the seller seem to be
open and honest about what they're selling? Will they let you pay with a
check? Will they ship COD or even before you send money? Who pays for
shipping? What about insuring the shipment? What if you buy a piece of
equipment and it doesn't work when you get it? Can you delay payment until
you get it and test it out? You have to decide which of these questions
are important to you and which ones you can compromise on. Naturally there
are many more questions that can be answered. Use your good judgement; if
the situation makes you nervous there may be a good reason and you
shouldn't commit yourself to anything that you can't afford to lose
outright if a major problem develops. Remember, if you treat people fairly
they'll usually do the same in return. Good luck.
Now, I've talked about a few of my successes, but not a lot about how I
found them. I looked and I listened. On-line there are many opportunities
for finding used equipment. On GEnie you can browse through the message
bases in the Atari area and those areas which contain Atari related items,
but are outside of the Atari SIG. For example Lexicor (Nova boards and
graphic software) has a topic in the Graphics RT and SoftLogic (PageSteam)
has their own RT. Both have topics for used equipment and most any
discussion can easily diverge to the availability of used hardware and
software.
Don't overlook local bulletin boards either. If you have a local board
that supports the Atari, or even one that doesn't, you'll usually find a
used equipment section. Remember there are many printers, modems, hard
drives and monitors that can be used by the Atari computers available from
the PC and Mac worlds. Keep your ears open in the Atari specific topics
and learn what PC/Mac equipment can be used by the ST/TT/Falcon. An
overheard casual mention of an extra monitor on-line can be turned into an
opportunity with a simple e-mail message.
Don't forget those local computer shows, flea markets and yard sales
either. These have been a great source of joysticks and CD-ROMs for me.
In addition to your own attentiveness on-line there are opportunities in
the file areas of GEnie and your local bulletin board. Many people will
make up a list of hardware/software that they no longer want and post a
small message on GEnie or a local BBS. These lists, though sometimes
cryptic and lacking good contact information, can be a treasure trove of
"GEM"s for your larder. There are even companies that specialize in the
used Atari market. One of the oldest and best is CeeJay Software which
posts a list of used hardware and software to GEnie regularly. Carey Cates
(C.CATES in GEnie mail) keeps his eyes open and purchases mounds of used
Atari hardware and software and then makes it available by posting his
CeeJay Software lists to GEnie. He'll even keep an eye open for that
special item that you want, if it isn't listed in his current list. Just
drop him a note via GEnie. Even places that don't put up lists often have
used equipment to offer. Check out the ads in ST Informer Magazine and
you'll often find an e-mail address. Drop them a note asking about the
availability of used equipment along with an idea of the kind of things
you're looking for and you might be surprised at the positive response you
get and the rock bottom prices available.
About Copyrights. Most software that gets into the commercial channels are
""""""""""""""""" copyrighted. Many contain copyright notices that spell
out the rights of the seller and the first buyer. Most of these notices
don't address the rights of the second or third purchaser. In general as
long as you make sure you're getting ORIGINAL diskettes and an ORIGINAL
manual, you're safe. Some software companies even encourage you to contact
them when you buy used software and will allow you to transfer ownership to
get you the right to buy updates if available. If in doubt, write to the
company. Check the manual carefully and you might even be able to do it
all via e-mail.
I hope that this article helps you to expand the variety of things that you
do with your computer by showing you how to find the opportunities
available in the used hardware and software market. You can investigate
desktop publishing, graphics, sound and video capture, CD-ROMs, programming
and many other applications that you were interested in, but just don't
have the cash to spend on the latest and greatest hardware and software.
It's almost a "try before you buy" situation in that you may be able to
spend a little to find out if you're _REALLY_ interested in an area before
you go out and spend big bucks on something and then have your interest
wane. Just remember the following:
o Keep your eyes open, and listen to what's being available.
o Have fun! You don't have to buy anything you don't really want.
o With a little caution you can experience "safe shopping".
o Look everywhere, some bargains show up in unlikely places.
Happy Atari Computing!
Take Care,
Lee B. (L.W.BENJAMIN@GEnie.com)
Editor's Note: Lee is the Newsletter Editor of the Middle
Georgia Atari User's Group (MGAUG)
///// GEnie Quick_Quote ///////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ I'll continue to voice my opinions, whatever they may /
/ be, and I hope you will continue to voice yours. /
/ /
/////////////////////////////////////// A.FASOLDT ///////
[EOA]
[QCR]//////////////////////////////
QUESTION CORNER /
/////////////////////////////////
Floppy Drive Replacement
""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Chris and Wayne Ketner
[C.KETNER]
Question:
"""""""""
My floppy drive is not working right. When I put in a disk, it will give
me the directory of that
disk. But if I put in another disk it gives me
the directory of the previous disk.
Answer:
"""""""
This is a common problem. Sometimes it is simple to fix. If you are
lucky, all that needs to be done is to run a disk cleaner to clean the
heads.
More often however, the problem is not so simple. If you run a disk
cleaner and the problem does not clear up, then most likely the problem is
in the circuitry. There is a disk change line that checks the disk when it
is put in to see if it is a new disk, or if the same one has been put back
in. If this line is damaged, the disk drive no longer knows how to
determine if the disk has been changed. The best way to fix this is to
replace the drive. If you decide to do this you will need to decide if you
are going to do it yourself or if you would rather take it to a repair
shop. Taking it to the repair shop is of course the easiest option, but it
is also the most expensive.
Changing the disk drive yourself is not a difficult task, but does take
time and care. The most important thing to remember is to always make sure
that the power is off. Removing the power cord is the easiest way of
making sure of this, but you will lose your ground potential. One of the
biggest worries in dealing with the internals of computers is the problem
of static electricity. Your body acts as a conductor of this static
electricity. If you have ever walked across a carpeted floor in the winter
time and then touched a
"ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOLS YOU WILL person or something metal
NEED IF YOU DECIDE TO DO YOUR OWN REPAIR and you received a light
IS TO HAVE AN ANTISTATIC WRIST STRAP." shock then you have
experienced static
electricity. This same shock that feels fairly weak to you can destroy
your computers internals. One of the most important tools you will need if
you decide to do your own repair is to have an antistatic wrist strap. You
can usually get cheap throwaway ones at most computer stores where you get
your replacement drive.
If your computer is the desktop type, the first thing you need to do is to
move the monitor off of the top of the computer. If you have the tower
type of system, then pull it out where you can work on it. Look for the
screws holding on the cover. These are usually found either on the back of
the computer or on the sides. Remove these screws. Remove the cover.
Place the wrist strap of your antistatic wrist strap on your wrist. Then
place the other end in contact with the metal of the computer frame. Do
not place this end in contact with any of the electronics. Next, locate
the drive that you are replacing. Remove the cables on the rear of the
drive. One of these is the power cable. It has four wires going into a
white plastic connector. The other cable is usually a wide ribbon cable.
This is the data carrier that goes to the disk drive controller. Both
cables should be carefully pulled straight back from their connectors on
the drive. Next remove the screws on the sides of the drive. Slide the
drive out of the case and place to the side.
<< Editor's Note: If you connect your antistatic wrist grounding >>
<< strap onto the metal frame of the computer, you will lose most >>
<< of its grounding potential if you disconnect the power cord >>
<< from the back of the computer. When working on Atari systems, >>
<< or other computers with a plastic case, the grounding strap >>
<< should be plugged directly into the ground connection of an >>
<< electric outlet -- AFTER you have determined that the outlet >>
<< is properly wired and contains no shorts! >>
Then, you will need to prepare the new drive. If there are any rail guides
or special mounts on the old drive, remove them and place them on the new
drive. (If your new drive is of a different size than the old one, you may
need to obtain mounting hardware for the new drive that will fit your
cabinet.) Make sure when handling the new drive to not touch the heads or
the circuit board. Before sliding the new drive into place, look at the
connector where the ribbon cable goes. Look for pin number 1. Remember
this orientation when placing the drive in the case so that you know which
way to place the cable. When you have the new drive ready, slide it into
place and replace the screws. Then connect the ribbon cable. The side of
the ribbon cable that has the red stripe should be placed on the side that
pin 1 is on. Plug the ribbon cable in and then plug in the power cable.
If you can do so safely at this point it is a good idea to test the
computer before closing it back up. Remove your wrist strap and turn the
computer on. Test the new drive to make sure it works. If it does not
work, then most likely the ribbon cable is on backwards. Turn off the
power and remove the cable, turn it over and plug it back in. Turn the
computer back on and test again. After making sure that everything works,
turn the computer back off. Replace the cover and screws and put
everything back where it belongs.
///// GEnie Quick_Quote ///////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ Ted Hoff is in command at Atari. Ted Hoff has a /
/ tough and possibly impossible task ahead of him, that /
/ is save Atari from itself and prevent it from /
/ becoming irrelevant. /
/ /
/////////////////////////////////////// S.LEGRAND ///////
[EOA]
[JNW]//////////////////////////////
JAGUAR NEWS /
/////////////////////////////////
A message from Mr. Ted Hoff, President Atari North America
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
A couple weeks back, I sent out a public response to the on-line concerns
and confusion I was hearing about "Fight For Life". I want you to know
that I appreciate the megabytes of feedback everyone sent back through the
channels. You helped reassure me that I was hearing you properly from the
beginning and the decision to reexamine the "Fight For Life" project was a
good one.
Now that I have been with Atari for a short while, I find myself very glad
I came on board with my sleeves already rolled up. The people I counseled
with told me that consumers were concerned about very specific aspects of
Atari development and support. I was told Atari Jaguar users were happy,
but they were also hungry and I realized that one of my highest priorities
was to set the table. I have now taken a hard look under the hood and I
can tell you I agree. The Atari engine needs a tune-up. On the other
hand, I found a lot of high-quality polished steel and we have a heck of a
lot going for us. Of course all the improvements we need to make will not
all happen overnight. I know you've all heard this before, but we continue
to need a bit more of your valued patience.
I hope everyone realizes I cannot share everything I am working on, but I
do feel obligated to stay in touch with our most faithful users. Please
allow me to share some of the things I am working on.
Not too long ago, Atari hosted a media day at Atari which turned out being
a fun and very worthwhile event. It was an opportunity to speak directly
to the gaming industry's most prominent media personalities, grant them
unusual interviews, offer them previews and answer their questions. I am
sure you have read about the event in one of the on-line publications
already. Based on that success and addressing my eagerness to entice more
publications to cover the Jaguar, Ron Beltramo and our PR agency are
helping me to arrange a big media presentation next month.
The decision to provide the Team Tap peripheral with "White Men Can't Jump"
seems to very popular. I will be looking hard at similar ways to give our
loyal gamers great stuff like that in the future. Please check this title
out. Don Thomas just sent out a CATnips with an accumulation of kudos
collected from all the major on-line services. Look for the latest on-line
publications for reprints of that lengthy file.
We have just updated our snail mail list again and we have very definite
plans to use it soon so watch your mailbox. I have heard from retailers
telling me their customers are walking in to stores with the postcards in
hand so I know they seem to be working. I think you'll see that entire
campaign become more frequent and improve as we integrate the mechanism
into our routine.
We are taking a hard look at exploiting the growth of the Internet to
provide more timely news, unprecedented levels of support and access to our
company. I think we have a really cool company and I want people to
experience that with us.
You should all realize that right now is a very critical 4th quarter
planning time. There's the CD-ROM and a lot of software tumbling out of
the factories fast. To do it right, we are discussing specific strategies
with key retailers to accommodate their marketing plans. Some brand new
local and national retailers are coming on board... names you've been
telling us need to carry the Jaguar. Don Thomas has been persistent with
me with a request to let him know as soon as we can make announcements.
I've promised him I will keep him informed.
By the way, the Jaguar CD-ROM is still scheduled to begin shipping on
August 24th. I know there were once a lot of debates about VidGrid (which
just so happens to be a lot of fun), but "Blue Lightning" and the "Tempest
2000" Soundtrack will also be tossed in the mix. On top of that, I've seen
to it that a playable Demo of "Myst" is included. The "Myst" demo will
help highlight visual aspects of the complete CD-ROM/Jaguar 64 system that
are nothing less than astounding. The software which adds up to over $100
value is all part of the CD-ROM package.
I am going to make an effort to regularly issue a statement like this to
keep people up-to-date. I'm sure you understand I cannot answer everyone's
questions individually, but I don't want to be moving forward without
knowing how you feel. Make sure your forum/roundtable/topic SysOps collect
your questions and forward them to Don Thomas [75300.1267@compuserve.com].
If he cannot answer the question right away, I'll see what I can do to
answer it for everyone.
Finally, it is most important to once again say "thanks". I want you to
know that your word-of-mouth support of the Atari product line is valued
very much.
--Ted Hoff
President, North America Operations
Atari Corporation
///// GEnie Quick_Quote ///////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ My son loves all of his Jaguar games and his friends /
/ would rather play his system than their Segas, /
/ Nintendos and Game Boys. /
/ /
/////////////////////////////////////////// ST.LOU ///////
[EOA]
[SFG]//////////////////////////////
PRESS RELEASE /
/////////////////////////////////
ATARI CORPORATION GOES TO BAT FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS COMMUNITY FUND
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Contact: Jessie Nagel or Jennifer Hansen
Dorf & Stanton Communication, Inc.
310/479-4997 or 810/444-6663
SUNNYVALE (August 1, 1995) -- On Saturday, August 12, Atari Corporation
will donate $10,500 to the San Francisco Giants Community Fund. With over
300 Atari Corporation employees and their families in attendance, Sam
Tramiel, President and C.E.O. of Atari Corporation, will present the
donation to Giants' third baseman Matt Williams as the team faces the
Chicago Cubs at Candlestick Park. Last year, Atari Corporation committed
to donate $250 for every home run Matt Williams hit. Williams met Atari
Corporation's challenge, hitting forty-two home runs, and raising a grand
total of $10,500 for the Giants Community Fund.
"Atari Corporation is a proud supporter of the Giants Community Fund. It
is a vital organization, as it champions key programs for all ages,"
comments Atari Corporation President Sam Tramiel.
The San Francisco Giants Community Fund is a non-profit organization
dedicated to the improvement of local communities through the funding of
the Jr. Giants Baseball Program and other charitable endeavors. In 1994,
the Junior Giants program, which focuses on self-esteem training, ethics
and teamwork, served nearly 5,000 children in more than 50 communities.
Since its inception in 1991, the San Francisco Giants Fund has donated
hundreds of thousands of dollars to non-profit organizations throughout
Northern California. Recipients of the 1995 grant awards include Golden
Gate Senior Services, Friends of Recreation and Parks, Hospice of Marin,
and the San Francisco Consortium for Elder Abuse Prevention.
For over 20 years, Atari Corporation has provided consumers with
high-quality value-priced entertainment. Atari Corporation, located in
Sunnyvale, CA, markets Jaguar, the only American-made advanced 64-Bit
entertainment system.
///// GEnie Quick_Quote //////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ But, we have also heard of the demise of Atari for /
/ as long (or longer), yet they remain in business, /
/ developing and producing products that are, more /
/ often than not, ahead of their time. /
/ /
//////////////////////////////////////// M.POCHE ///////
[EOA]
[CT2]//////////////////////////////
CATNIPS /
/////////////////////////////////
Jaguar Tidbits (95.08.28)
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Don Thomas
[ATARI]
A very dear friend of mine used to tell me every once in a while, "I buy
you books and I buy you books and all you do is read the covers". I don't
know if that's an adaptation of some great movie quote or otherwise from
some memorable play, but I remember it was definitely something she used to
try to drill in my head. If I became enriched by the words at all, I
understand them to mean, "Don't you get it!?"
My friend did buy me a lot of proverbial books... lesson plans if you
will... figurative blueprints of brick wall head pounding in which I could
carry with me in some figurative form. I don't know if it was based more
on being ignorant or simply obstinate, but I often didn't read the books
she bought me. I would read the covers and because I knew the title, the
author and maybe the publisher, I felt I knew everything there was to know
inside of them also.
For a very long time, Atari has been promising a CD-ROM for your Jaguar.
In that time a lot of things had changed except for one... we never
seemingly got any closer to putting the CD-ROM on the market. Although at
trade shows and on specialty store videos, Atari has shown some very
impressive CD-based game footage, the CD-ROM peripheral seemed to many like
a book without any pages.
In little more than 8 weeks, Mr. Ted Hoff has stepped into a very
challenging role at Atari Corporation. While Ted continues to access the
condition and value of all the poetic books of business Atari has placed
before him to read and act upon, he is making decisions which everyone I
know at Atari applaud. One such decision is that the CD-ROM has been
supposedly "ready" and "promised" for an incredibly long period of time.
Ted figured if Microsoft can finally release Windows '95 after 1 or two
years, then Atari can start shipping the CD-ROM on that date too.
Based on that decision to start shipping on the 24th, a lot of actions had
to be implemented. Final tests and final decisions... final sign-offs and
final orders. Although, tainted by a one word spelling error on the back
of one of the pack-in software packages, the entire project finally came
together within about 5 weeks. This, after Ted's predecessors took forever
and a distant day. On August 24th, 1995, the first packed-out batch of
Jaguar 64 CD-ROMs rolled off the factory lines with everything packaged
together, including a $100 value software ensemble.
The book is entitled "Ted's Promise to Start Shipping CD-ROM's on August
24th". It contains pages and pages of a distribution plan so that
retailers get the product equitably (especially considering unexpected new
orders placed by retailers impressed by the progress being made since Ted
arrived at Atari). The pages of the book even detail a formal plan to
launch to the press within the first week of September in New York.
Somehow, amidst all this hoopla, some people appear to have expected
CD-ROMs to already be on store shelves for resale by 9 am on Thursday,
August 24th. To all those valued customers (including the one whom sent me
a message containing profanity for me and my family to enjoy), I am certain
your anxious desire for the new peripheral will be well rewarded within a
couple of weeks.
I think most of you know by now that the first batch of CD-ROMs were
shipped so that the store buyers, distributors and members of the press
received their units right away. Shipments since August 24th are being
distributed so that all our retailers will have sufficient quantities to
fill preorders and stock their shelves during the week of September 11th.
In fact, notifications announcing this strategy were express mailed or
faxed to stores the day after Atari released the first batch.
It is my opinion that Ted has made a wise decision to treat the CD-ROM
release more carefully than a standard software release. Keeping some
quantity within the distribution channel until enough have been packed out
will enable retailers to feel like they are being shipped fairly and that
customers who have waited a long time for their preorders do not hear their
friends getting unites from other stores first.
There's nothing I can do for the people who like to argue or try to
sabotage our launch with opinions in difference to Ted's strategies. But
to those who have been patient for so long, the message for you is that the
wait is virtually over. The CD-ROM is a complete package and the only
thing standing in the way of you having one is a couple weeks to make sure
no one unfairly gets one before you do.
I expect to get my hands on a copy of FlipOut! tomorrow so I can look at it
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" and tell you what I've
found after extended play. It arrived in Atari's warehouse late Friday and
began shipping today (8/28/95). I think a lot of you who liked the
"Pac-Man", "Centipede", "Klax" and "Tetris" games will love FlipOut! Please
send me feedback and tell me what you think. Look for reduced screen
images of this game on CompuServe, GEnie and CATscan [209/239-1552].
Ted Hoff and Ron Beltramo will be in New York early next week armed with a
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" full schedule of
appointments to "meet the press". The topics will be Atari's newest
technologies, release of the CD-ROM and the best next generation gaming
value there is.... oh, did I say Jaguar?! Planned meetings include
Fortune, Popular Science & Forbes, et al.
Look for a press release dated August 29 announcing Atari's signed deal
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" with Atomix; a powerful Hollywood
graphics, animation and Web Domain house. More details to follow.
The Jaguar Roundtable on GEnie will be hosting a live conference with Ted
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Hoff, Ron Beltramo and Laury Scott as
guests on Wednesday, September 13 at 6PM (Pacific). Be there or be square.
Stop by the Roundtable by typing JAGUAR at any system prompt for more
information.
I'll leave you with a tip. If you've been following STReport, you may like
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" to look at their newest graphics-based edition
which has been publishing for a few weeks now in concert with their
text-based edition. Special viewers are required, but the visual appeal is
outstanding INCLUDING the newly enhanced Jaguar section. Check it out!
[EOA]
[OPF]//////////////////////////////
SEARCH_ME /
/////////////////////////////////
Online Puzzle Fun
"""""""""""""""""
by Scott R. Garrigus
[S.GARRIGUS]
Just last month a new action game was released for the PC CD-ROM market by
GameTek called CyberBykes. It's a futuristic motorcycle battle game in
which you must fight the World Treaty Organization, the military arm of the
Central Government, because of their take-over of several major cities.
Why am I telling you about this one particular game? Well, it just so
happens that some of the music for the title was composed by yours truely
and I thought you might want to take a listen. One tune in particular is
the background music playing during the Paris mission.
No, I'm not getting any money if/when you buy a copy. I've already been
paid for my services. I just thought you might be interested and I also
needed a subject for this month's puzzle. ;-)
CyberBykes
""""""""""
ACTION S F E S R G M U S I C W N L M
ARMOR O N U L G G Q B X A I E E I O
BATTLE E A O T T U K Y B T E Z L F T
CDROM T U C P U T U K O I R I K T O
CYBERBYKES M V C T A R A J Z C T I S N R
FUTURISTIC X T I S I E I B L A A E T B C
GAMETEK W U Q R E O W S R G K A G Q Y
MILITARY N H D P T R N Y T Y X G Y A C
MISSILES O V U X J U C U B I A K R R L
MISSION I O D C S D A R H M C M M T E
MOTORCYCLE S Y I Q R U E L E S O T K O L
RESCUE S Q R O F B H T W R T R A L X
SRGMUSIC I X M J Y Q E G L F U T E Q F
VIRTUAL M R F C P K G Y K H T F Q M O
WEAPONS V U I P M I S S I L E S E M F
[*][*][*]
GIVE UP? You will find the answers in the LOG OFF column at the end of
"""""""" the magazine.
This puzzle was created with a shareware program called
Word Search Puzzle Maker by Impact D. Publishing.
[EOA]
[LGF]///////////////////////////////
LOG OFF //
//////////////////////////////////
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>>> GEnieLamp STAFF <<<
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>>> SEARCH_ME! ANSWERS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
ACTION S F E S R G M U S I C . . . M
ARMOR . N U L . . . . . . . . . I O
BATTLE E A O T T . . . . . . . L . T
CDROM . U C P U T . . . . . I . . O
CYBERBYKES . V C T A R A . . . T . S . R
FUTURISTIC . . I S I E I B . A . E . . C
GAMETEK . . . R E O W S R . K . . . Y
MILITARY N . . . T R N Y T Y . G . A C
MISSILES O . . . . U C . B I A . R . L
MISSION I . . . . D A R . M C M . . E
MOTORCYCLE S . . . R . E L E . O . . . .
RESCUE S . . O . B . T . R . . . . .
SRGMUSIC I . M . Y . E . . . . . . . .
VIRTUAL M . . C . K . . . . . . . . .
WEAPONS . . . . M I S S I L E S . . .
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
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[EOF]
