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GEnieLamp Atari ST Vol. 4 Issue 74
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~ WELCOME TO GEnieLamp ST! ~
""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ Future Trends for Atarians in DEALER'S VIEWPOINT ~
~ Future Trends in Genie (for Atarians) in CONNECTIONS ~
~ Keeping Data Safe in MEL'S MANOR ~
~ TWO Shareware Reviews in PD_QUICKPICK & VIEW ~
~ Overbought and Oversold? Find Out in COMPUTERS & INVESTING ~
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GEnieLamp Atari ST ~ A T/TalkNET OnLine Publication ~ Vol.4, Issue 74
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Editor.................................................John Gniewkowski
Publisher.................................................John Peters
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~ GEnieLamp ST ~ GEnieLamp [PR] ~ GEnieLamp Windows ~ GEnieLamp IBM ~
~ GEnieLamp A2Pro ~ GEnieLamp Macintosh ~ GEnieLamp TX2 ~
~ GEnieLamp A2 ~ LiveWire (ASCII) ~ GEnieLamp MacPRO ~
~ Config.sys ~ Solid Windows ~ A2-Central ~
~ Member Of The Digital Publishing Association ~
GE Mail: GENIELAMP.ST Internet: genielamp.st@genie.geis.com
////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
>>> WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE ATARI ST ROUNDTABLE? <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ November 1994 ~
FROM MY DESKTOP ......... [FRM] HEY MISTER POSTMAN ...... [HEY]
Notes From The Editor. Is That A Letter For Me?
DEALER VIEWPOINT ........ [DLR] REFLECTIONS ............. [REF]
Where do we go? E-mail Psychology.
THE ONLINE LIBRARY ...... [LIB] PD_QUICKVIEW ............ [PDQ]
[*] Files, Files, Files! [*] LED Panel.
MEL'S MANOR ............. [MEL] PD_QWICKPICK ............ [PDP]
Data Safekeeping. [*] TreeView.
SEARCH_ME ............... [FUN] COMPUTERS AND INVESTING . [CAI]
Cartoon Characters. [*] Overbought and Oversold.
CONNECTIONS ............. [CON] LOG OFF ................. [LOG]
Future of Genie. GEnieLamp Information.
[IDX]"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
READING GEnieLamp GEnieLamp has incorporated a unique indexing
""""""""""""""""" system to help make reading the magazine easier.
To utilize this system, load GEnieLamp into any ASCII word processor
or text editor. In the index you will find the following example:
HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM]
[*]GEnie Fun & Games.
To read this article, set your find or search command to [HUM]. If
you want to scan all of the articles, search for [EOA]. [EOF] will take
you to the last page, whereas [IDX] will bring you back to the index.
MESSAGE INFO To make it easy for you to respond to messages re-printed
"""""""""""" here in GEnieLamp, you will find all the information you
need immediately following the message. For example:
(SMITH, CAT6, TOP1, MSG:58/M475)
_____________| _____|__ _|___ |____ |_____________
|Name of sender Category TOPic Msg.# Page number|
In this example, to respond to Smith's message, log on to page
475 enter the bulletin board and set CAT 6. Enter your REPly in TOPic 1.
A message number that is enclosed by brackets indicates that this
message is a "target" message and is referring to a "chain" of two
or more messages that are following the same topic. Example: Msg:{123}
TX2 FORMAT What are you missing when reading the ASCII version of
"""""""""" GEnie Lamp? EXCITEMENT! Whenever you see a [*] in the
index or in the article header, that indicates that the article contains
TX2 graphics and/or pictures. To see the graphics, you will need the
following files:
LMP_nnn.LZH GEnie Lamp in TX2 format.
MINI_TX2.LZH Mini-version of TX2 Viewer (File #20441).
ABOUT GEnie GEnie's monthly fee is $8.95 for which gives you up to four
""""""""""" hours of non-prime time access to most GEnie services, such
as software downloads, bulletin boards, GE Mail, an Internet gateway,
multi-player games and chat lines, are allowed without charge. GEnie's
non-prime time connect rate is $3.00. To sign up for GEnie service, call
(with modem) 1-800-638-8369. Upon connection type HHH. Wait for the U#=
prompt. Type: XTX99014,DIGIPUB and hit RETURN. The system will then
prompt you for your information. Need more information? Call GEnie's
customer service line (voice) at 1-800-638-9636.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
[EOA]
[FRM]//////////////////////////////
FROM MY DESKTOP /
/////////////////////////////////
Notes From My Desktop
"""""""""""""""""""""
What does the future hold for us? In this issue we have two insightful
commentaries on the future which you can read in the DEALER'S VIEWPOINT
and CONNECTIONS. Some people speak of a bleak future while if you listen
to others the future seems just fine. Why is this, I wonder?
The future is what you make of it (although I think this applies to life
in general, I'm speaking only of our future computing needs.) I truly
believe all it takes to see the future is a realistic review of your
requirements and a good understanding of what you expect a computer to
enable you to accomplish. I think many people will be surprised if they
take an honest inventory of what they require (rather than wish') and
compare that with the computer they thought had lost some of its
computing shine.
This reasoning also hold for peripherals. Take, for example, video cards.
Certainly we would all like one that shows millions of colors in every
imaginable resolution. Unfortunately we often have limitations placed
upon us by our local financial institution (whoops, overdrawn again?) Are
all those colors worth the extra $300 - $700 as compared to a more modest
video card which only supports one resolution and sixteen colors? We all
have to be the judge on that one, all it takes is a honest look at ones
needs.
Beginning with the December edition we should be bringing you more
library reviews in the form of our recently scarce Mini_Byte' and more
PD_Qwickviews' and PD_Qwickpicks.' This will be made possible by the
addition of two new staff members -- who I'll introduce to you in
December.
With the news of new members I have the sad pleasure' of saying farewell
to Fred Koch. Sad' because he is leaving GenieLamp due to busier off
computer' work, and pleasurable' due to the many years of great reading
he has given me. Fred first appeared in the September 15, 1990 issue of
GenieLamp and has been bringing the Atari community well written public
domain software reviews ever since. That's been over FOUR YEARS of hard
work and dedication helping users make wise downloading choices. It's
people like Fred, and many others just like him, which makes owning an
Atari a pleasurable, and productive, experience.
John E. Gniewkowski
Editor, GenieLamp ST
[EOA]
[HEY]//////////////////////////////
HEY MISTER POSTMAN /
/////////////////////////////////
Is That Letter For Me?
""""""""""""""""""""""
By John E. Gniewkowski
[GENIELAMP.ST]
o ATARI ODDS & ENDS
o HOT TOPICS
o WHAT'S NEW
o THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
o JAGUAR TALK
o MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT
>>> ATARI POT-POURRI <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ This And That, ATARI! ~
6 or 8 Cell Scanners? What you got with Touchup 1.65 was not only the
""""""""""""""""""""" older software but also a 6 cell scanning head
as opposed to the 8 cell head sold with version 1.84 and later. The 6
cell head _will_ work with the later versions - you simply have to
specify 6x6 when saving grayscales.
What's the difference? 6 cell and 8 cell heads are both bi-level - they
only see black and white. The 6 cell head dithers grayscale or color
scans to a 6x6 pattern which yields a maximum of 37 shades of gray
(counting white). The 8 cell head uses an 8x8 pattern to give 65 shades
of gray (counting white). Gray levels beyond 37 for the 6 cell head or
65 for the 8 cell head are obtained by software interpolation within
Touchup itself. Unfortunately Touchup does not give you the option of
setting intermediate gray levels when saving .TIFs. I say unfortunately
because the interpolations are one of the prime causes of "muddy" scans
that look blurry and lacking in contrast.
I find myself using my Migraph 6 cell head with Dr. Bob's Scanlite more
often than with Touchup. I "undither" the 6x6 IMGs to 32 gray level
pictures in Trueimage or Imagelab then process from there. Working from
a good, sharp scan with fewer gray levels is easier than working from a
"muddy" scan that has more grays. If you intend printing to 300 or 360
dpi printer your best results are with line frequencies of 50-60 lpi
which just happen to correspond _exactly_ with the capabilities of a 6
cell head. A line frequency of 50 on a 300 dpi printer yields the same
37 grays that the 6 cell head captures.
Touchup's .TIF export are of two varieties. Bilevel .TIF's which are
simply black and white line-art (like .IMG's) and 8 bit .TIF's which are
capable of up to 256 grays. Touchup's .TIF import is limited to bilevel
_only_.
I can't advise you as to whether obtaining the latest version of
Touchup is worthwhile or not. I don't plan to upgrade from 1.84 because
the _only_ thing I find Touchup valuable for is cleaning up screen shots
that I take with Imagecopy. It is absolutely essential to me for that
one job. For hand scanning Dr. Bob's Scanlite works just as well and my
photo processing software does a better job of handling the bitmap to
grayscale conversion than Touchup does.
I suppose it really depends on what, if any, of Touchup's other
functions you plan to use.
(M.HEBERT1, CAT7, TOP4, MSG:60/M475)
Who Needs POOLFIX? You're misunderstanding. You _do_ need Poolfix.
""""""""""""""""""
Poolfix is a _required_ bug fix for TOS 1.4 and 1.6. If you use one of
these TOS versions, you _must_ use Poolfix unless you want random
crashing.
The Poolfix bug can be demonstrated as simply as booting up with nothing
installed and running the CodeHead RAM disk. If you then open a window
for the RAM disk and hit Esc (to reread the directory), the system will
crash. This is an entirely predictable and repeatable bug with TOS 1.4.
TOS 1.6 also has this bug, but TOS 1.62 does not.
They are any number of other ways that this bug will crash the system.
There's no way to predict it. It does not wait until the folder count is
exhausted. The bug is not fixed by using FOLDRxxx.PRG nor by increasing
the folder count in ICDBOOT.
You are probably experiencing a lot of unexplained crashes which you just
shrug off as normal occurences. They will disappear once you start using
Poolfix.
The bug in TOS 1.4 and 1.6 is real and it is fatal. It is not fixed by
any other patch or program which does not have the word POOL in it.
Do not use POOLFX92.PRG. It introduces bugs of its own, while the
documentation claims it is fixing bugs which don't exist.
If you use CodeHead RAM Disk, use the POOLFIX4.PRG supplied on the
CodeHead Utilities disk. It is patched to fix a bug in handling the
reset vector which only shows up in CodeHead RAM Disk (no other software
I know of relies on the reset vector).
Atari released POOLFIX3.PRG (after Allan Pratt uploaded two versions
which simply didn't work at all). A German named Claus Brod released
POOLFIX4.PRG, which uses XBRA protocol. This version can be installed
after other programs which use Trap #1 and XBRA. For instance, it allows
you to run Warp 9 first. POOLFIX3.PRG needs to run first (or early) in
your AUTO folder so it must run before Warp 9.
I always try to explain this problem firmly, without emotion, but each
time I have to repeat myself I'm burning with anger because Atari decided
to keep it such a secret. For years, we've had to explain this problem,
sometimes every day, sometimes once a week, to customers who have
unexplained problems and are totally unaware of this REQUIRED system
patch.
Please use it. Pretty please? <grin>
(J.EIDSVOOG1, CAT18, TOP22, MSG:154/M475)
Modem Speeds and Port Speeds When your port speed is set higher than
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" your connect speed, it's the modem that
does the speed matching for you. The modem determines your port speed by
matching to the speed your commands arrive at. There is no cpu burden on
your computer.
There is also a fairly good reason to set your port speed higher when
connecting to another modem. If you have a v42LAPM connection (as
opposed to MNP4) the modems move 8-bit data, rather than the old standard
for serial ports, 10-bit. In other words, there are no start and stop
bits used between modems. If you do the math, you'll see that 9600 bits-
per-second divided by 8 bits per character yields 1200 characters per
second.
But, the connection between modem and serial port DOES use 10-bit
characters, so that part of the connection must be at a higher rate, to
support 1200 characters per second.
The caveat is that GEnie's nodes' modem to computer connection is set at
9600, rather than the higher rate mentioned above. Thus, even with
v42LAPM, 960 characters per second is the theoretical limit. The only
reason I even mention this here is that it may be that the new Sprint
connection will support the higher rate. It depends upon what speed the
Sprint-to-GEnie connection is.
You can get the higher rate if you use a 9600 modem to connect to a BBS
that supports higher rates. It's also possible to connect that way to
CIS, if you call one of their 14400 numbers with a 9600bps modem, using
v42LAPM.
(J.NESS, CAT1, TOP5, MSG:177/M475)
Networking Facts Al Fasoldt piqued my interest when he menitoned
"""""""""""""""" Little Net. The story about just finding MIDI cables
in Elizabeth City, NC, is a trilogy in itself, but I did it, and am now
up and running.
As I type, I'm working on Word Writer ST 2.0 on my Mega ST2 (TOS 1.2),
and am typing this in Aladdin on my 1040STe (TOS 1.6). File transfer
between the two computers is through an actual drive icon (which is how I
ran WWST2.0 on my Mega, from my 1040STe's hard drive)!!
No more swapping floppy's for me!
Anyway, I'm sure there are some more aspects to using something like
this, and would like to hear from others on the subject.
(ST.WALLY, CAT2, TOP36, MSG:1/M475)
No New Programs? TW3, AW, PapGold, Trueimage, Studio Photo, DAs
"""""""""""""""" Vector, Videomaster, VIDI-ST 12, Chagall, ExtenDOS,
Photo Show Pro, Speedo 5, Imagecopy 3, Arabesque 2 on the way, lots of
spiffy new shareware like the latest version of Idealist and so on and
so on. My cup certainly overfloweth!
Maybe somebody should tell _those_ developers that Atari is dead - they
didn't get the word somehow!
(M.HEBERT1, CAT14, TOP35, MSG:76/M475)
Fixing GNVA_TOS.PRG for the Falcon I recently got to the task of
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" figuring out why GNVA_TOS crashes on
the Falcon, and the reason is actually a very simple typo. It is possible
to correct this typo by changing just one byte in GNVA_TOS.PRG.
IMPORTANT:
1. Don't do this change unless you feel comfortable with a disk file
editor.
2. DO NOT change the GNVA_TOS.PRG on your original Geneva Master disk!
Change a COPY ONLY. Changing the original may prevent future patch
programs from working properly.
That said, you should use a disk file editor, like MemFile or EditPlus.
Edit GNVA_TOS.PRG and go to offset $4A4F. You will see these bytes:
D8 30 18 66 00 FE F4
Change the first byte, the $D8 to $D6. That's it!
For the technically minded, what this does is to fix an incorrect
branch in the section of code that deals with GEMDOS Fforce() and Fdup()
calls. Very few TOS programs use these in general, but Geneva uses these
calls whenever any program starts on a Falcon, which is why GNVA_TOS only
seemed to crash when run on a Falcon (though the crash would happen any
time the TOS program used these GEMDOS calls which, as I said, is not too
likely on anything but a Falcon.)
(GRIBNIF, CAT17, TOP21, MSG:107/M475)
>>> HOT TOPICS <<<
""""""""""""""""""
~ Too Hot To Handle, Almost ~
Atari Flatbed Scanner Well, called Migraph again today, to check again
""""""""""""""""""""" on the flatbed front and to pass along some of
the comments that have been made here regarding the flyers, or lack
thereof.
This info is from Kevin, and he has no problem with me passing this info
along.
All of the flyers were mailed bulk mail to those whose name appeared in
their database of registered users. So, if you never sent in the
registration card, or bought your copy used but never reregistered under
your name, you will not get a flyer unless you call them.
For those of you who live in Canada, keep your shirt on. <G> Canadian
flyers have yet to be sent. They will be coming.
I also suggested they place ads in Current Notes and ST Informer to reach
those who are not current Migraph product owners.
I also mentioned there were interested parties here, but were waiting for
some feedback as to the performance of the scanner.
Kevin said that the Atari version of the flatbed is, basically, on hold.
So much on hold, that some of what work is being done on it, is being
done at home by one of the 'engineers'. The reason for this is the
extreme lack of interest shown by existing Atari owners in the product,
as represented by the number of current owners on their list.
How many owners are on the list? One. That's right folks, only one
Atari owner has ordered a flatbed package from them. (And I'll give each
and every one of you just one chance to guess who that is. :-\ )
I've forgotten who posted it, but someone said something to the effect
that "they should dance with the girl that brung them". That goes both
ways, so it should be obvious that if there are no other Atari owners who
are willing to take a chance on a new product from them, there will be no
new product.
Interestingly enough, Amiga owners seem to be keeping them hopping. And
Commodore is out of business.
Commentary:
So it seems that if we expect (or desire) to see Migraph continue to
provide new products for this platform, there will have to be some faith
in Migrah from Atari owners, or we will no doubt lose another developer.
And this time it will be the fault of Atari owners, not Atari, not the
developer.
(K.SPRINGER1, CAT7, TOP4, MSG:113/M475)
Why I Like Atari For many years now I've had the opportunity to be
"""""""""""""""" able to reach out and touch someone when I needed an
explanation on how to use a program. I've been surrounded by knowledeable
computer types, not the least of which is my wife.
;-) In our home, I'm the one they reach out and touch when desktop
publishing is required. Seems I have some small expertise in that area.
In most other areas of general computer knowledge, Darlah is very well
informed. And she's stubborn too. :-) If she has a problem installing a
program, she stays at it until she figures out why! If Darlah says that
she ran into a problem or conflict with something or other, she did. And
she also tried everything obvious and some not so obvious things to
correct the problem. Try installing a new PC program onto your hard drive
each week. Try uninstalling Stacker once you've already installed it. (I
suggested she not use it when she got the larger hard drive.) ;-)
I still find it easier to deal with program conflicts, if they exist, on
my Atari than on my PC. By the way, I am typing on a Mega ST4 with one of
Jim Allen's TURBO 030 boards in it. The other desk in my office holds a
DEC Alpha with 64 meg RAM running at 150 MHz with NT and Calamus
installed on it. We also have a 486/66 with 16 meg RAM with all kinds of
stuff on it including NT and Calamus. And there is also an IBM Power PC
running the latest Daytona 3.5 and Calamus here as well. So I'm not
completely computer illiterate. Oh yes, there is a second DEC networked
to the first. Networking software comes standard as part of Windows NT.
But remember what I said, I'm still typing to you on my Atari! :-)
(POTECHIN, CAT18, TOP22, MSG:58/M475)
Whose Fault Is It? As to Speedo GDOS versions; As far as I know,
"""""""""""""""""" there were versions 4.0, 4.1, 4.11, 4.2 and 5.0 -
the last with various letter revisions. I believe the latest is 5.0c.
4.1, BTW, while identifying as 4.1 (3/5/93) during the sign on,
identifiies as 4.0 if the accepted method of identifying SpeedoGDOS
versions is used.
4.0 and 4.1 are from Atari. I don't know where 4.11 came from. I
believe 4.2 and, of course, 5.0 are from Compo.
I have used 4.0 and 4.1 extensively with Warp9 (3.80) and haven't
identified anything that would cause me to have to ditch one product or
the other. I'd really hate to be forced into that choice!
My real point is that Warp9 is a prermier product for the Atari line. I
can't imagine running with out it. SpeedoGDOS is the first GDOS that
really handles vector fonts correctly. This is something that Atari
users want and need. I feel that Compo is doing the Atari users a
service in attempting to upgrade and de-bug Speedo. If there is a
conflict between the Compo versions of SpeedoGDOS and Warp9, let's quit
casting stones at one another and work together to resolve these
problems.
Neither Compo or CodeHead can pretend that their products are perfect.
Were this so, Warp9 wouldn't be up to revision 3.80 (3.81 for 68030
users) nor would Compo's SpeedoGDOS be at revision 5.0c!
I test software (and hardware) for a living. I know from experience that
it borders on the impossible to have a "perfect" piece of software. It
is always growing and evolving.
Guys, quit this bickering! Your reputation suffers. All of you! We
really don't care "who shot John!" We just want the best of all possible
worlds: being able to use Warp9 and SpeedoGDOS 5.0!
Most of us would be willing to pay for an upgrade to either or both
products if that will solve the conflicts. No one's reputation suffers
from up front honesty. Everyone is hurt by endless finger pointing.
Please, folks, work this out and everyone profits!
(MIKE-ALLEN, CAT1, TOP16, MSG:149/M475)
>>> WHAT'S NEW <<<
""""""""""""""""""
~ New and Improved ~
Update: CaTT2 is coming!
""""""""""""""""""""""""
I have the first official benchmarks performed with the new CaTT2:
CPU: 175% RAM: 220% ROM: 172%
Overall speed index (with SPEEDOMETER): 821% @ 56 MHz
(CYBERCUBE, CAT4, TOP33, MSG:96/M475)
Load Aladdin The demo of Load Aladdin (release 6) is in the ST Aladdin
"""""""""""" RT- file #330.
Once you are satisfied with the demo, send me email stating that payment
is on the way. I will then send the registered user version (r7) in
GEFmail.
Basically, LoadAlad's unique distribution method was recently changed
from shareware to demoware. You evaluate it by test driving the demo,
which is what I should have done originally, but I didn't... At least I
got better response than the traditional shareware route.
OBTW, if you live in Canada, I now have special arrangements for payment.
You will have to contact me for details since the demo's info file hasn't
been updated (and probably won't be until the next release).
(K.GERDES, CAT2, TOP12, MSG:84/M475)
Screenblaster II - The Falcon Standard Screenblaster II is the
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" resolution enhancement system
for the Atari Falcon030. Combining powerful performance, easy
installation, and an affordable price, Screenblaster II can increase the
resolution displayed on your monitor (number of pixels) over 300%.
Screenblaster II is simply plugged in between the computer and the
monitor adapter plug. An additional control cable is inserted into one
of the paddle ports. That's it! Hardware installation is complete in
seconds. Then with the Screenblaster II software it is possible to
select one of many extended resolutions from an easy-to-use GEM menu,
including 768x576, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x832, and 1280x960. The preset
menus support VGA, SVGA, Multiscan, and Atari monitors.
New in version 2:
An entirely new, mouse-controlled Resolution Menu lets you select the
resolution and number of colors at bootup or from the desktop. The menu
has user definable options for controlling the menu's operation and
behavior.
The new Video Mode Generator lets you edit resolution menus to
customize the menus for your monitor. You can even create new
resolutions! Fast and easy to use, the Video Mode Generator gives you
the most your Falcon030 and monitor have to offer.
Screenblaster II also includes Screenblanker, a configurable screen
saver for your Falcon030 with Screenblaster II.
Screenblaster II is now available for $99.95.
Screenblaster II upgrade : Upgrades from version I are available from
COMPO Software for $25.00. The upgrade includes the Screenblaster II
software and the new Screenblaster II manual (hardware is unchanged).
COMPO Software Corp. 104 Esplanade Avenue Suite 121 Pacifica CA 94044
USA Tel: 415-355-0862 Fax: 415-355-0869 GEnie: COMPO
(COMPO, CAT30, TOP8, MSG:185/M475)
Audio CD Master Version 3.3 of Audio CD Master is now ready. If you
""""""""""""""" are a known owner of a Toshiba drive, you will be
getting the update free as it fixes some problems with this brand of
drive.
WHAT'S NEW
You can now save your programmed sequences of tracks for future use.
Up to 16 tracks from a CD can be programmed for either current use or
saved so the same program is available anytime the CD is in the drive.
You can select tracks by number from a popup menu very similar to the
drive selector used in Sound Lab.
You can now play a CD fom a given track, minute, and second offset. eg.
Play track 2 starting 1 minute and 14 seconds into the track.
Updates are available for $5.00, postpaid, to all registered users of any
previous version of Audio CD Master.
Write It's All Relative, 2233 Keeven Lane, Florissant MO 63031.
Toshiba owners, leave us e-mail to make sure you are on the free update
mailing list.
(GREG, CAT2, TOP5, MSG:45/M475)
Atari Specific CDs Available Our fall newsletter offers 14 different
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" CD's to Atari users including three Atari
specific CD's. Sterling Connection has also published an Atari specific
CD.
We expect 6 additional Atari specific CD's will be available by the end
of the year.
There are also several viewers/front ends soon to be available that
include the M.O.S.T. viewer for all of Compton's M.O.S.T CD's and the new
SARA player that will support a very nice variety of DOS CD's. Expect to
see encyclopedia support in the near future too.
We tried out a MPEG player for the Falcon this week that worked better on
the Falcon than the PC player I have for MPEG.
A list of CD's that are fully functional on the Atari line now includes
several hundred titles. The list is growing daily.
With Audio CD Master 3.2 or ExtenDOS Pro, all audio CD's can be used with
your computer.
The TT version of Photo Show Pro will be released shortly too.
If you have been waiting to buy a CD rom drive, the wait is over.
P.S. A SCSI-2 CD rom drive that you buy for the Atari can also be
connected to a Mac or PC too.
(GREG, CAT4, TOP19, MSG:183/M475)
Universal Item Selector YES, there really is an upgrade in the works.
""""""""""""""""""""""" New features will include formatting for
machines equipped to handle the 1.44 meg format, as well as a way to
increase the file listings past the 400 limit currently on the item
selector. CD ROM directories can get rather long. We also hope to give
the UIS III a little more of a 3D look. New graphics formats and some
thought to interface with other programs will also be part of the
thinking. Give us some time, we will get it done for you. "Keep on
Keepin' On" For A&D Software, Rod MacDonald @ ST-INFORMER
(ST-INFORMER, CAT2, TOP2, MSG:127/M475)
SpeedoGDOS Bug Fix SpeedoGDOS 5.0c is now available. It has several
"""""""""""""""""" bug fixes and enhancements, including:
Fixed - dots were printed to the screen when you changed the system or
desktop font in Neodesk 4 and Geneva.
Fixed - sometimes font files wouldn't be properly closed after an
application accesses them. This affected Papyrus and Gemini.
Fixed - Using text attributes was problematic. You should now be able
to use text attributes (bold, italic, outline, etc.). Remember that, in
most programs, using Bold and Italic attributes does not load the
corresponding Bold or Italic font. Also, there is a bug in Atari Works
that prevents attributes from working properly.
New - SpeedoGDOS now checks for non-standard Type 1 and TrueType fonts,
for improved compatibility. Any TrueType or Type 1 font should work
properly.
New - Initialization and rasterization of Type 1 fonts is faster.
New - Faster operation (internally optimized)
Registered users of version 5.0b may obtain the 5.0c upgrade by sending
$10 to:
COMPO Software 104 Esplanade Avenue Suite 121 Pacifica CA 94044 USA
Registered users may also obtain the upgrade - free of charge - via
email. If desired, send a request in email to COMPO (GEnie) or
compo@genie.geis.com (Internet).
(COMPO, CAT14, TOP35, MSG:80/M475)
Mountain Software Sale Mountain Software would like to wish you a
"""""""""""""""""""""" joyous holiday season. To make the season even
brighter, we are offering very special prices on our most popular
products:
====================================================================
The Recipe Box The Leader in Recipe Storage Systems
Sale Price: $25.00 (List: $35.00)
The Recipe Box is a complete meal management system for the Atari ST
Computers. It includes a full featured recipe database that can store up
to 2.5 Million recipes (including nutritional data), a Daily Meal
planner, a grocery list planner, a user editable calorie chart, and a
built in text reader. Use the search feature to find your favorite meals
quickly, resize them to any amount, and batch print or export several
meals at once. Recipes can be imported from Meal-Master, Computer Chef,
Assistant Chef, or any ASCII Text file. Recipes are exported directly in
Meal-Master 7.0 format for easy exchange with other platforms. Recipes
can be printed on any printer using standard ASCII text, or using GDOS
and the fonts of your choice. The Recipe Box runs in any resolution
(Color or Monochrome), on any ST/TT/Falcon, from floppy or hard drive,
with 1 Meg RAM. The Recipe Box multitasks with MultiTos or Geneva, and
is SPEEDO-GDOS compatible.
====================================================================
Mountain Reader II The Finest Offline Message Reader
Sale Price: $20.00 (List: $40.00)
Mountain Reader II is the finest offline message reader for the Atari
ST. It combines the most compatible QWK reader with full BLUEWAVE
support. It is the easiest reader to configure, and a built-in hypertext
help system provides immediate assistance when you need it. Mountain
Reader II supports 65536 message areas, with 65536 messages per area.
Messages can be read sequentially, or using any combination of message
and/or conference prescanning. The internal text editor makes message
entry a breeze and includes an easy to use quote feature (external
editors are supported). A built-in tagline manager features importing
and exporting, searching, and tagline "stealing" from any message
packet. Conferences may be configured offline, and Bluewave users can
make offline file requests. All bulletins are supported with full ANSI
emulation. A user definable search system allows you to quickly locate
messages. Other features include a built-in E-mail address book, a
bookmark system, user lockouts (twit list), support for conference
mail/file attachments, and group mail (carbon copies). Mountain Reader
II runs in any resolution (Color or Monochrome), on any ST/TT/Falcon
with a hard drive and 2 Meg RAM, and multitasks with MultiTos or Geneva.
====================================================================
Special pricing ends December 31, 1994. Prices apply to direct sales
only. Foreign orders add $5.00 shipping. Orders must be paid with a
MONEY ORDER to qualify (US FUNDS ONLY!).
Send orders to: Mountain Software
6911 NE Livingston Road
Camas, Washington 98607 USA
(A.WATSON6, CAT2, TOP44, MSG:57/M475)
Look II There were some questions and comments recently in the TouchUp
""""""" topic about alternative scanning software. One of the products
mentioned was GT Look II. I took the initiative of asking Ray Cross of
CGS in the UK about the product in response to a comment made by Ken
last week. When I heard back from Ray I figured it would make more sense
to place the response in its own topic. I know that some of you already
own this excellent software so perhaps we could discuss it here.
From Ray Cross of CGS:
Below please send this information to Ken S:
GT Look: II is scanning software for the Epson GT-4000, GT-6000, GT-
6500, GT-8000, and now the new GT-9000 scanners. Depending upon which
Atari the customer wishes to connect the scanner to a specially adapted
parallel cable is supplied or a SCSI cable for TT and Falcon 030 users.
GT Look: II is completely GEM compliant, and can open up a number of
windows of the same scanned image, scanned several different ways. Built
into GT Look: II is a variety of software definable settings such as soft
raster, hard raster, gamma correction and colour correction.
GT Look: II has it s own virtual memory management system which will
save the image to your hard disk if sufficient memory is not available
in your system.
The file formats available for GT Look: II are: DOO, PIC, STAD, PAC,
DEGAS, GEM IMAGE, TIFF 5.0, TIM, TIC, TIH, TGA, CRG.
Price; L149.99 (English pounds), but supplied free with a scanner
purchased by CGS ComputerBild. ----
I hope this information is of interest. Although Ray does not have
access to the Atari RT on GEnie at this time, he has been looking into
the possibilities involved to get here. In the meantime, I am not
adverse to assisting in this regard. If you have questions regarding
this product, I will be happy to pass them along to Ray in England and
post his answers right here.
(POTECHIN, CAT7, TOP35, MSG:1/M475)
Towers II Well, we are working hard to release around our deadline.
""""""""" The artist is a little behind, but everything else is moving
smoothly. Few bugs, little or no problems.
Towers II will have 65000 colors, allow you to pick up and drop object
similar to Towers. Creatures will talk to you (via text), and you can
offer objects to them, if they are looking for something. Game has 12
Levels, each of which are 4x the size of Towers levels.
Locked doors, traps, puzzles, Bathrooms :), etc....
If you have any questions about it, you are more than welcome to ask any.
(V.VALENTI, CAT9, TOP24, MSG:3/M475)
Where Can I Get ImageCopy 3? No. But, I _can_ say that Imagecopy 3
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" will be available soon from CodeHead
Technologies. John will be working out the details with FaST Club
sometime this week. The cost of the upgrade hasn't been set, so please
hold off on orders until you see the official press release.
(MUSE, CAT32, TOP36, MSG:155/M475)
More Atari CD ROMs CD Service's Shareware and Public Domain - VOLUME 3
"""""""""""""""""" is back from the presser. We expect to be shipping
it within the next two weeks.
I'll have all the details shortly on it.
From what I am told, this is going to be a super CD.
For those that are counting........
GEMini
Crawly Crypt
CD Service Shareware and Public Domain - Volume 1
CD Service Shareware and Public Domain - Volume 2
CD Service Shareware and Public Domain - Volume 3
All with very little duplication of files!
We expect to have TWO ADDITIONAL CD's available to ship in the next two
weeks with THREE ADDITIONAL CD's ready in December/January.
YES that makes TEN ATARI SPECIFIC CD's. Stay tuned here for all the late
breaking news.
(GREG, CAT4, TOP19, MSG:41/M475)
Muller Automation has a new address:
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
6644 Locust
Kansas City, MO 64131
The new phone # is: 816-444-3044
Resolution independence continues to be worked on. The first beta
version which has the resolution display code is ready and I'm going to
be evaluting/testing it over the next week or two. Then I'll send it to
a beta- tester that has a Falcon.
There are still some things that are not done though, like putting in
the code to make the entire MEGA-Check 2 window movable (hopefully this
won't take too much though), as well as making it Geneva multi-tasking
compatible.
(C.MULLER3, CAT6, TOP6, MSG:46/M475)
>>> THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ Rumors, Maybes and Mayhem ~
Where is Dave Small? After making his Spectre 3.1 "RSN" announcement,
"""""""""""""""""""" Dave Small disappeared from this dimension. He
hasn't shown up in his own personal RT, either - I think it's going on 6
months now.
(F-D-PERCIVAL, CAT4, TOP44, MSG:115/M475)
>>>>> I just recently tried to run my Spectre GCR on the TT. I only
""""" have the internal SCSI drive so I can't use my Hard drive. I
know Dave supposedly was near release on the software.......
Don't know if its true or not but someone mentioned in Mondays conference
that Dave lost the lawsuit with some chip manufacturer. Supposedly it was
to the tune of 250K+!!! I pray this is incorrect.
Anyone have any idea of another program that can format MFS disks like
DCFormat. I can't get DCFormat to run on my TT corectly. It craps out
right off the bat, when trying to format a disk. Transverter won't except
any of my Mac formatted disks since they are HFS disks. I want to move
some ST stuff to MAC Floppies to take to work. Any ideas, tips,
something Im missing?
I thought 3.0 was the only version to run on the TT. I may be wrong.
P.S. I called Gadgets by Small today for the heck of it. Their main
number is disconnected, but the fax is still there.
(M.HILL13, CAT4, TOP44, MSG:155/M475)
Atari Emulation on a Mac? My distributor in Germany is considering
""""""""""""""""""""""""" making available an Atari ST emulator which
runs on Macintosh 030/040 machines. He has asked me to start this topic
here on GEnie to assess how much potential interest there might be in
such a product.
Please leave whatever comments or thoughts you have about this subject,
any input would be appreciated.
(J.ALLEN27, CAT19, TOP7, MSG:1/M475)
Who's Doing Jaguar Audio? If you may be wondering why I haven't been
""""""""""""""""""""""""" posting in the past 2 1/2 months, please go
check out Alien vs Predator, I hear it's on the shelves. The audio
department at Atari put it's all in this one and I'm personally proud of
those efforts and the people involved. We spent the memory and carefully
planned the bandwidth on gameplay audio. I hope you enjoy the
experience. Kudos to Purple Hampton (Producer) for vision and
pertinacity, Sam T for seeing and hearing that vision before it was
there.
We are using Falcon's and TT's to do much of the tasks for these titles,
I am gaining a lot of faith in the Falcon architecture for multimedia
production throughout this process. I've met with Charlie Steinberg
recently and am very encouraged by his commitment to the technology. We
are moving forward with the C-LAB deal. I can- not write about details
until they are firm.
Thank you all for your ideas and encouragement. I'll be back.
James P.S. more recently, we have been cranking out a LOT of audio for
further products available this holiday season...
(JAMES-GRUNKE, CAT30, TOP6, MSG:104/M475)
MagiC Dead? The grapevine says Mag!c (or MaG!x or mAg!X or whatever
""""""""""" cute spelling they are now using) is not being developed
any further. The kid who developed it apparently had to devote his full
time to university studies, or some such thing.
(A.FASOLDT, CAT2, TOP10, MSG:25/M475)
>>>>> Last time I've heard about MagiC (that's the current spelling.
""""" It used to be Mag!X) it was pretty much alive and kicking. Being
developed by Behne and Behne and somebody else (Thomas Templemann, I
think) it isn't that dependent on some kid going to college... At least,
they were mentioning MagiC 3 being under development...
(EXPLORER.6, CAT2, TOP10, MSG:27/M475)
>>>>> Yes, Al, I, too, (don't you love all those apostrohpe's?)
""""" mentioned the 'rumour' of Mag!C's demise here in Vancouver, and
got much the same response as Boris aka. EXPLORER.6 [ParadoxDrive] gave.
Mag!c is alive and well.
(S.LYSTER, CAT2, TOP10, MSG:29/M475)
New MultiTOS? I heard on Internet today, that MultiTos 1.11 will
""""""""""""" probably be available end of this year. That is the
binary form. I don't know how reliable the information is. I tried 1.10
and you realy don't wan't to use it. It is too buggy. Don't know what the
status of AES 4.1 is.
(R.STEGELMANN, CAT14, TOP34, MSG:109/M475)
>>>>> You mean MiNT 1.11, I think. There was also some mention of TOS
""""" 5 (4.92 beta, actually). The person who tried it out said it's
far more stable and faster than TOS 4.1. Someone also mentioned that
Atari should release the new TOS when the new MiNT binary is released.
Fat chance of that, I imagine. :-[
(T.HOPPER, CAT14, TOP34, MSG:110/M475)
Full Genie Internet! GEnie's logon banner (which I hardly ever see)
"""""""""""""""""""" announces full Internet access by the end of the
year. I wonder what that means?
(MUSE, CAT1, TOP17, MSG:178/M475)
>>>>> Here's a clip from the official press release GEnie issued: """""
(elipses are mine)
---snip---
GEnie TO PROVIDE FULL INTERNET ACCESS BY YEAR END
ROCKVILLE, MD, October 17, 1994 -- GEnie announced today its plan to
release Phase I of its Internet Access Service by year-end 1994. ...
Phase I will provide GEnie subscribers with access to:
* The FTP Service... * Usenet Newsgroups Service... known as USENET.
* Outbound Telnet Service...
* Gopher Service...
* Wide Area Information Server (WAIS) Database Service...
---snip---
Help, Tomas?
(G.LEONE, CAT1, TOP17, MSG:180/M475)
>>> JAGUAR TALK <<<
"""""""""""""""""""
~ Atari Video Game News ~
Jag-Phillips CDI? Has anyone heard weather Phillips CDi and CDi-
""""""""""""""""" Digital Video will be compatible with the Jaguar.
Rumor has it that Phillips (who makes the Jag CD) may license the CDI
compatiblity and additionally add the Digital Video CDI's to the optional
MPEG Cartridge... lets here some rumors!!!!
(T.LIPSKY, CAT26, TOP2, MSG:208/M475)
Special Offer to Jaguar Owners In an effort to help developers release
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" quality games for the Jaguar in a
timely manner, Black Cat Design (BCD) is looking for a few good play
testers.
This is your chance to make a difference, to provide feedback to
developers and help mold the future of your favorite video game machine.
BCD play testers will receive EPROM versions of games in various stages
of completion during the test period. They will be required to play the
games actively and to provide written reports rating the games and levels
along with suggested improvements.
At the end of the test period, testers will be required to return all
development cartridges and the final "bug free" version will be sent to
them free of charge.
If this sounds like something that you would like to volunteer for,
please provide the following information and send your application
electronically to Tom Harker at ICDINC (GEnie) or 76004,1600
(CompuServe).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Name
Address
City, State, Zipcode
Country
Phone
Fax
Email Addresses
Age
Sex
Game Machines owned
Computers owned
Favorite Games
Jaguar Games owned, levels of completion, high scores, and time required
for completion
Hours spent each week playing video games
Other interests
Work experience including current job
Why we should select you as a play tester
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Please pass this message on to other networks supporting Jaguar.
(ICDINC, CAT26, TOP38, MSG:1/M475)
Gamepro News I picked up the November issue of Gamepro today...
""""""""""""
First off, you can tell the holiday magazine season has begun. This
issue is a whopping 280 pages. No staples this month. Gamepro is bound
this month(like EGM and DieHard).
There isn't much in terms of content regarding the Jag. They have a page
in the preview section where they show Bubsy, Double Dragon V, Blue
Lightning, and Troy Aikman NFL Football(there's no shots of players on
the field, just options stuff). We've seen most of the screenshots
before but there is an interesting new shot of BL. Remember on the Lynx
version when you'd turn. Your plane would bank while the ground remained
the same. It appears that in the Jag version, your plane stays the same
while the ground banks. It looks like a neat touch.
The most interesting developments are in the advertising department.
The latest Troy Aikman ad shows the boxes for the PC and Jag versions
along with the SNES and Genesis boxes.
There's an ad from the company who handles the 900 tip lines for various
game companies including Atari. They show the box for AvP in the ad.
UBI Soft has a half page ad. "So I've Got No Arms, No Legs...". There's
a picture of RayMan in a "what me worry" kind of pose and then "But I've
Got Attitude!" with a picture of RayMan holding his mouth open with his
hands and sticking his tongue out. "In Your Face This Fall!" with the UBI
and Jag logos at the bottom of the ad.
You've probably seen the 2 page Nintendo ads where they go after Sega
and then they followed up with the Sports ad. Their latest ad touts how
great Donkey Kong Country is and goes after more than 1 competitor.
"In Search Of The Next Level. The next level of video games is here, but
it's not what you might think. NEW HARDWARE NOT NECESSARY. For years
you've been promised the next level of video games. Some companies like
3DO and Atari claim that their game systems are at the next level. Sega
has claimed for years that Genesis is the next level. They also have
said that the Sega CD and 32X will be the next level, at least until the
Saturn comes along. Why don't they level with you? Because the next
level isn't necessarily a matter of high-priced new gear that will be
obsolete almost before it leaves the package. Nintendo looked at it the
other way around. Instead of engineering a new system every six months,
why not improve today's games through new software development
techniques? The result is Donkey Kong Country- the next level of video
game sophistication, programming wizardry and total fun. And you can
plug it into your Super NES Control Deck this fall. No gadgets. No
gimmicks."
An interesting point about the 32X but does Nintendo really think we're
all going to just forget that they're going to come out with Ultra 64
next year and they'll probably just ditch the SNES to the wayside?
Nintendo also goes after CD based games and then they take another swipe
(complete with a shot of Cybermorph(gee Nintendo, why not a shot of
RayMan?) and Total Eclipse).
"TALKING THE BIG NUMBERS. Both 3DO and Atari aspired to create the
ultimate high-end video game system. Not only did each of the two new
systems promise an evolutionary step up to the next level of gaming, the
hardware featured some big numbers. Both systems claimed fast processing
and enhanced graphics. But raw processing power doesn't make a great
game. In fact, the most impressive numbers are the high end retail price
tags of the systems- $250 for the Jag and a whopping $400 for the 3DO.
So far there haven't been many games released for these new systems
because the platforms haven't sold well. It seems that game players
aren't convinced that 3DO and Jaguar represent the next level any more
than the slow selling Sega CD. As for Sega's 32X adapter, how many games
do you suppose will be made for a tacked on system with a life
expectancy of maybe a year?"
Now let me get this straight. When a competitor releases a system for
$250, it's high priced. When Nintendo announces their next generation
system at $250 it's a great low price. Methinks they've been playing it
too loud.
Under the picture of Cybermorph is the caption, "Jaguar may have more
processing speed, but DK Country on the Super NES graphically outperforms
Jag games released so far. Why? Because programming is more important
than power."
That's good Nintendo. Just keep repeating that after AvP, Doom, Kasumi
Ninja, Ultra Vortex, RayMan, Iron Soldier, and Fight For Life come out.
Maybe you'll get some 6 year olds to believe you.
Far better than the Nintendo claptrap is a new 2 page Atari ad. Most of
the ad is taken up by what appears to be an x-ray shot of a large broken
bone with the following in big letters on the 2nd page,"Help, I've Been
DISMEMBERED And I Can't Get Up." You guessed it, it's the Kasumi ad.
There's a big screenshot on the lower left of the 1st page with the
following paragraphs of text above it... "So you may have to walk with a
slight limp. And people might call you "Lefty" or "Stump." All things
considered, though, you got off lucky. It's just the way things go when
you play Kasumi Ninja, the first 32-Meg fighting game for the 64-bit
Atari Jaguar. Yeah, things get graphic, all right. There are death moves
like scalping, kicks that puncture lungs, and enough blood to make a
surgeon hurl. But, unlike other fighting games, there's a point to all
this carnage. Beating your opponent means you sharpen your fighting
techniques and acquire secret items that you will help you through a 3D
labyrinth for your final battle with Gyaku, the possessed Ninja elder.
So after you maim Gyaku and butcher whatever else might come your way,
you win. Isn't that worth a limb or two?"
There are 6 screenshots across the top of the 2 pages from left to
right.
Shot 1: Angus standing tall with Thundra lying on the ground in
Scotland. "Angus MacGreggor shows Thundra there's more than one
legendary monster in Scotland."
Shot 2: Thundra giving a "cheeky" high kick to Danja in San Francisco.
"Danja didn't just leave her heart in San Francisco, Thanks to nimble
Thundra, she left a few pints of blood, too."
Shot 3: Habaki nailing Pakawa with a fireball in the Indian village.
"Apparently, the West was won with a charbroiling fireball. But wait till
you see what Pakawa has up his sleeve."
Shot 4: Danja kicking Thundra in the jungle scene. "It's a jungle in
there. Good thing Danja has the street-brawling skills needed to fight
her way out."
Shot 5: Pakawa hoisting Alaric over his head to slam him. "The brute
strength of Pakawa allows him to bench press even the most ruthless of
barbarians."
Shot 6: Senzo doing a thrust kick into Chagi's chest. "Senzo feels at
home in his 3D texture-mapped shrine. And his morning routine consists
of blood aerobics."
(C.SMITH89, CAT26, TOP2, MSG:89/M475)
Jaguar vs. 3DOH owners theoretical comparison (c) 1994 Thunderbird
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
All characters represented in this work are fictitious, and resemblance
to actual persons and/or institutions, living or dead, is purely co-
incidental.
The opinions expressed in this work are those of the author, and do not
reflect those of the RT staff or GEnie Management (no matter how likely
it would seem that they agree, but won't admit it in public).
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I see the typical 3DOH owners on my way to work every day...
You know the type: They're the ones who pull past the whole line of cars
at a traffic light before a bottleneck believing that they will be able
to use their superior Lexus or BMW to beat out the rest of the cars, and
be in front.
Much like the person who owns a 3DOH, they are the type that will believe
whatever techno-babble the sales literature throws at them. They believe
that somehow, installing a Rube-Goldberg contraption in place of a
valvetrain will somehow gain them an advantage over all other cars on the
road. Likewise, the 3DOH literature tends to emphasize useless technical
data to make their product seem like it is superior. The 3DO owner, like
his BMW counterpart, knows little about the technical aspects of his
purchase, forming their opinion based solely on the belief that "it costs
more, so it _must_ be better!".
The literature for the 3DOH boasts of things like "Interpolated NTSC
Graphics" and "Dual Bitmap Processors", and "Double Speed CD-ROM", which
equate to the "multi-valve" and "dual overhead cam" and "variable valve
timing and electronic control" engines in elitist cars.
These enhancements on the surface do as advertised... they increase
power. However, what the layman doesn't realize is that through added
weight and reciprocating friction, and other laws of physics, the
increase in power comes with an equal penalty in some other area of
performance (usually poor torque). Unfortunately, without power _and_
torque, a car is going to perform poorly.
The BMW/Lexus owner, firmly entrenched in his delusion that he owns
something much better than everything on the road, will challenge any car
at a bottleneck, seeking to show off their wonderful superior toy. Of
course, the majority of vehicles on the road already are inexpensive
econobox commuter transports, which get the job done but little else.
There are many, many, many of these on the road (resembling the Sega
Genesises and SNES's of the world). It's plainly obvious that it doesn't
take much at all to outperform on of these systems/cars, so the
3DOH/BMW/Lexus owner re-inforces his feelings of superiority by
outperforming them, and being the best.
Now, we come to the Jaguar. The Jaguar is like the Chevrolet Camaro
Z28... (Winner of the 1994 Motor Trend "Bang for the Buck" Comparison).
With the right mix of technical innovations AND good old-fashioned tried
and true BIG displacement V-8 power, the Camaro Z28 is the perfect
analogy to the Atari Jaguar.
The Jaguar, with it's high-tech parallel design, adds improvements to
enhance the performance of PROVEN technology... much like it's Z28
counterpart does by adding dual airbags, composite body-panels, standard
antilock brakes, to enhance the awe-inspiring power -and- torque
generated by the LT1 350 cubic inch V-8 with it's proven pushrod
valvetrain, lightweight aluminum heads, and brute-force method of
improving performance to unbelieveable levels! The Jaguar, posessing
paralleled processors, flexible output formats, networking ports,
perfectly enhances it's untouchable 64-bit wide processor bus!
Every once in a while, the 3DOH/Lexus/BMW owner will smugly challenge a
Jaguar/Camaro at a bottleneck, and to put it simply, the Z28 will utterly
defeat the 3DOH/Lexus/Jaguar. No contest. Despite the huge cost
difference between the two, the Jaguar dominates every possible measure
of performance, and will easily outstrip the 3DOH.
Of course, the 3DOH/Lexus/BMW owner will refuse to accept their utter
defeat, will usually become ENRAGED as a defense against admitting that
an inexpensive product is grossly superior in performance to their
'elite' product, and will attempt to gain the lead again by any method
possible (passing on a double yellow line, grossly violating the speed
limit, passing on the shoulder, running a red light, etc.)
Despite the fact that they failed miserably when competing on fair terms
(got dusted off at the green light), the 3DOH/Lexus/BMW owner will drive
off actually convinced that they have the superior vehicle, and will brag
about "beating a Z28" at the light!
It's very amusing to watch the antics of this type of personality.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(D.ENGEL, CAT26, TOP9, MSG:124/M475)
Jaguar Virtual Reality Contact: Ron Beltramo, Atari Corporation,
"""""""""""""""""""""" 408/745-2000 David Harrah, Edelman Public
Relations, 415/968-4033 Dr. Jon Waldern, Virtuality Group plc, UK, 44-
11-62-33-7000
For Immediate Release
ATARI JOINS FORCES WITH VIRTUALITY TO OFFER HOME VIRTUAL REALITY GAMES
BY CHRISTMAS 1995
SUNNYVALE, CA (October 25, 1994) -- Atari Corporation (AMEX:ATC),
the name that created the video game industry, has joined forces with
Virtuality Group plc, the leader in virtual reality technology and
arcade games, to create the world's first immersive virtual reality
games for the home market.
According to the just signed agreement, Virtuality will finalize
development of a consumer version of its head mounted display technology
(virtual reality headset) that Atari will manufacture and market for use
with the Atari Jaguar 64-bit multimedia home entertainment system. Terms
of the agreement call for Atari to contribute toward the development
cost and pay a license to Virtuality to produce and market the product.
The virtual reality headset will be available to consumers by Christmas
1995 with a targeted price of less than $200.
"The Atari Jaguar platform is the only 64-bit system currently on
the market and is ideally suited for immersive, virtual reality games,"
said Jon Waldern, chief executive officer of Virtuality. "This deal
propels both companies to the forefront in the home market for virtual
reality gaming. Thanks to the Atari Jaguar, fans of our many hit arcade
titles will soon be able to play their favorite virtual reality games at
home."
Atari President Sam Tramiel explained that both Atari and
Virtuality have worldwide reputations for offering the most advanced
gaming technology and performance. "Combining Virtuality's ability to
deliver low cost solutions for virtual reality technology applications
with the processing power capabilities of the 64-bit Atari Jaguar will
result in a very high quality virtual reality experience at a very
affordable price," he said.
Tramiel added, "By Christmas 1995, Jaguar owners will already be
wearing their virtual reality headsets and playing virtual reality games
at home. While others in the industry play catch up trying to offer 32
and 64-bit systems, Atari is extending our technological advantage over
our competitors by delivering a high-quality virtual reality
experience."
Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia entertainment
systems, including Jaguar, the world's only 64-bit game system, and the
only video game system manufactured in the United States.
Virtuality Group plc is the world leader in the design of high
quality virtual reality technology, arcade gaming systems and
software.
(AEO.MAG, CAT26, TOP23, MSG:2/M475)
New Jaguar Games in Production Folks, here's honest-to-goodness
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" official AEO news:
Dragon was released to production two weeks ago. Demolition Man and
Creature Shock are both progessing quickly, and Virgin have other Jaguar
projects well underway.
Ocean have just submitted Syndicate for Atari compatibility testing and
Theme Park is due before the end of the week. Both are definitely
Christmas titles. Ocean also are actively working on further titles for
Jaguar.
(AEO.MAG, CAT26, TOP24, MSG:28/M475)
>>> MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ Listen Up! ~
Category 7, Topic 4
Message 118 Wed Oct 12, 1994
S.KALEITA [SAK] at 07:22 CDT
Ken, Thats great and I here what they are saying, however; in order for a
company to generate new customers and inspire old customers to buy their
new products; that companys job is to show it's Support to it's
customers. They can't expect to mail out a flier and sit back to see what
happens, and react accordingly. The flier is to get our attention and the
support or PR is comvince use to buy.
I've never had a problem with anything from Migraph, and I am really
intrested in purchasing one of their flat bed scanners, but when I here
things like "it's on hold", or lack of intrest, or even,"If nobody is
willing to take a chance on a new product from them, there will be no new
product".
I take that as a insult and a threat. I would just hope that they do what
most other companies do to survive...They Do Something About the problem
as opposed to just sit back with their fingers crossed, hoping that
someone will buy a $1000.00 piece of hardware.
All Atari owners are in the same boat, we have to stick together, owners,
developers and vendors. It's tough for all of us. All I ask is that they
inspire us , not just with good products; but with good feelings and
support.
I don't expect them to be another DMC publishing, but I'm sure that no
matter how good Calamus SL is, DMC wouldn't be here today, supporting
Atari owners, if they didn't take it upon themselves to see to it that it
happened that way. God Bless them all!
They pored a strong foundation, and we Atari users will support them as
long as they support us. They are working at it. And we are appreciating
it. We all benifit!
As far as the scanners go...How do I find out weather this product is
what I need? What features does the software have? Is there a demo
available? What are it's advantages over Lookit II and the epson brand
scanners or the Microtek scanners? I'm new to flat bed scanners, should I
consider buying more RAM, in order to use the scanner? The flier you sent
out is nice and it had all the specs on it about the scanners, but what
does it all mean?
I need to be educated, I need to be inspired, and I need to feel good
about the purchase, both during and after.
I'm sorry but I just don't feel that way, even though I really need a
scanner. (I will probably eventually give in)
Thank you, thank you...I'll just step off my soap box now, and go away
quietly.
Steve :]
------------
[*][*][*]
While on GEnie, do you spend most of your time downloading files?
If so, you may be missing out some excellent information in the Bulletin
Board area. The messages listed above only scratch the surface of
what's available and waiting for you in the bulletin board area.
If you are serious about your Atari, the GEnieLamp staff strongly
urge you to give the bulletin board area a try. There are literally
thousands of messages posted from people like you from all over the
world.
[EOA]
[DLR]//////////////////////////////
DEALER VIEWPOINT /
/////////////////////////////////
Where do go from here?
""""""""""""""""""""""
By Sheldon Winick
[S.WINICK]
Recently, one of the many interesting discussions in the Atari
Roundtable has concerned future trends for personal computer
operating systems. While all of us Atari enthusiasts are partial to
the user-friendly TOS environment, even the most ardent Atari
supporter must realize that with Atari's current concentration
virtually entirely on their Jaguar entertainment system, there is
very little, if any, development going on in the TOS arena at the
present time.
What that means to all of us is that while our Atari systems may well
fill all our current and immediate future requirements, without
continual development future technological advancements in the
industry will eventually make our current equipment obsolete.
Many folks have speculated on the possibility of a third party
taking over Atari's proprietary operating system, but it doesn't
appear that Atari will be willing to relinquish their rights to the
TOS environment anytime soon. It is also doubtful that there is
really anyone with both the technical ability and financial support
to take on that enormous undertaking and have the potential for
success where Atari has failed.
Some have suggested that perhaps Atari's current relationship with
IBM in the production of the Jaguar game machine could grow beyond
its current status, and that IBM might be interested in taking over
TOS, bringing it up to current stands and marketing it as a system of
their own. While most of us would hope that TOS isn't going to die
from neglect, we must also realize that it is highly unlikely that
IBM would be interested in such an undertaking.
IBM is betting on OS/2 as their operating system for the near future.
They are working on refining and enhancing that system. OS/2 is far
more powerful and versatile than TOS, which would require a total
rewrite before it could possibly be of any value to IBM.
Unfortunately, today's IBM marketplace also requires that any
operating system be backward-compatible with the huge base of
existing software (DOS and Windows). OS/2 has managed that feat,
while also offering true 32-bit performance in its native OS/2 mode,
and IBM has already attracted a sizeable number of developers to
write OS/2 specific applications.
IBM has also managed to market OS/2 at very attractive pricing,
making it affordable to even the home user looking for increased
power and performance from his personal computer equipment. The
downside of OS/2 is that it, like Microsoft's Windows, is incredibly
H-U-G-E and complex. The amount of hard disk space it takes up is
astounding, especially considering that most personal computer users
really never need anything more than the basic 'stuff' that Atari has
managed to fit onto a couple of ROM chips!
As for the future of personal computing, I personally feel that the
next great sales surge will be in the multimedia environment. While
'multimedia' is the current buzzword in personal computers, that
typically merely means the addition of a CD-ROM and stereo speakers
under currently accepted definitions. The real multimedia systems
will come when a universal link to the 'information highway' becomes
an established standard, and when this task is accomplished in such a
way that even the most computer illiterate members of our society can
have near-effortless access to this enormous wealth of information.
As the personal computer revolution continues to engulf an
ever-increasing percentage of our society, the number of individuals
finding themselves totally overwhelmed by the complexity of current
personal computer operating systems is also growing. Before too long
we may find a huge market ripe for a multimedia system that can offer
access to the information highway without all the complexities and
pitfalls of a personal computer platform running an archaic operating
system such as MS-DOS and Windows.
An argument could easily be made that while Microsoft has been a
unifying force in standardizing the majority of the systems of
today, they have also been the major handicapping force in the
micro-computer industry during the last decade. Just imagine where
we could be today if the majority of today's personal computers
weren't handicapped with that rediculous cludge of an operating
system. Excellent marketing programs by Microsoft, however, have
more than overcome their software's deficiencies, and have
unfortunately established themselves as the leader in setting the
'standards' for personal computer systems throughout the world. But
the upside of all of this is that Mr. Gates has also managed to
convince the large majority of the world's population that personal
computers HAVE to be complicated and confusing, which may well prove
to be his undoing as the 'information highway' eventually becomes a
reality for the typical computer-illiterate consumer.
Atari may well have the right idea with the developement of a simple
to use multimedia system such as the Jaguar. While it offers far
superior graphics and performance in what it does compared to even
the most advanced mass-marketed personal computer system, it comes
with an installation procedure that even a moron could understand:
plug it in and turn it on!
While the Jaguar, in its current configuration at least, may not be
the true multi-media system of the future, offering access to the
yet to be developed information highway for the masses, it is
definitely a step in the right direction. Most members of society
will not need the complexity of a personal computer system,
especially one that becomes more of a source of aggrevation and
frustration than a real beneficial tool.
We have to realize that the computer revolution is still in its
infancy. Those of us who have been around for the past four decades
have seen the enormous advances in technology as the vacuum tube of
the 1950's gave way to the transistor, and eventually to the
integrated circuitry of today. We experienced the excitement of
replacing our mechanical adding machines and slide rules with
electronic calculators. We played the first commercially available
video game, a simple bouncing ball and paddles called Pong. We saw
that evolve into the Atari 2600 game machine, and saw the Atari name
become one of the best known name brands in the world during the
early 1980's. We witnessed those early game machines evolve into
Atari's 400 and 800 personal computer systems, and we saw those
evolve into the ST series and later TT030 and Falcon systems.
We saw the first generation of personal computers develop and evolve
from their meager beginnings to the powerful packages we have on our
desks today. We've seen how systems that once filled rooms of
specially conditioned space, required enormous amounts of electricity
and took teams of technicians to operate have evolved into today's
faster, more powerful personal computers that now can be squeezed
into portable notebook systems that can even run on batteries. We've
seen online communications evolve from hobby systems to major
networks such as GEnie, and we'll soon see the logical evolution of
this technology into a true multimedia system with access to a
national and international information highway system.
When you look back at all this development, you must also realize
that the largest majority of this advancement has really all come in
the last decade. The first major company to jump into the personal
computer marketplace was Xerox, with the introduction of their Xerox
820 personal computer back in 1981. IBM jumped into the fray a year
later with it's 8088-based IBM-PC the following year. Before that,
the personal computer marketplace was dominated by companies such as
Radio Shack, Atari, Commodore and Apple, plus numerous smaller
companies which are no longer with us. Commodore, unfortunately, has
recently also thrown in the towel.
Of those early companies that have survived and are still with us
today, only Atari and Apple have managed to maintain their
independence and unique operating system environments. Everyone
else has been swallowed up by the Microsoft tital wave. Apple is
struggling against the odds, and Atari is concentrating on developing
new entertainment systems. It may well be that IBM, the company that
originally unleashed Bill Gates on the world, may become the personal
computer industry's last chance to put that Microsoft genie back into
the bottle if they can somehow find a way to convince the public that
OS/2 is truly superior to Windows.
Ultimately, of course, all of this will be replaced by future
systems as technology continues to advance. The problem during the
past decade or so, has been that the major potential of new
technology has been extremely handicapped by the operating
environments that have not kept up with hardware advancements.
Instead of the full potential of hardware advancements being
realized, for the most part we have simply seen this more powerful
hardware being thrown at the backward software to make it run more
acceptably. Instead of fixing the problem, the industry has chosen
to merely throw more hardware at it, making the personal computer
systems of today even more complex and difficult to understand by the
average consumer.
But when you look at how far we've come in such a relatively short
period of time, the potential for the future is enormous.
Technological advancements continue to increase the power of the
personal computer while continually reducing its size and cost.
How well Atari Corporation will be able to succeed in this high
technology industry is yet to be seen, but they have been around
since the beginning of the computer revolution, and continue to be at
the forefront of developing new technologies. Many people have been
writing off Atari for years, but they have somehow managed to
continue to survive despite their enormous marketing blunders. They
have also managed to continually be at the forefront of new
development with systems that have challenged the competition and
excited their user base. Atari's latest 64-bit Jaguar multi-media
entertainment system broke new ground when it was introduced a year
ago, and continues to offer the most potential of any of the current
flock of home entertainment systems.
Man's mind is limitless, and computer technology today is barely
beyond its infancy stage of development. If one thing is certain in
the personal computer marketplace, it is that technology doesn't
stand still for very long. If history is any indication, the future
holds some truly exciting times for all of us. Even the science
fiction systems envisioned by writers of programs such as Star Trek
are getting ever closer to reality.
We are all very fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate
in this technological revolution. And as exciting as the past years
have been, the future will certainly be even better as the full
potential of this new technology becomes reality.
Happy (Atari) Computing.
Sheldon Winick (GEnie Address: S.WINICK)
Computer STudio (Asheville, NC)
[*][*][*]
Sheldon owns and operates Computer STudio, a full-service Atari
dealership in Asheville, North Carolina. Sheldon is also a
registered architect, and has operated his own architectural
office since 1971 (he is currently licensed in Florida, Tennessee,
North Carolina, and Colorado, as well as holding a National
NCARB certificate). His architectural practice has been using
Atari computers exclusively since 1988, when his last Xerox
computer system was retired. His current architectural drawings
are, of course, prepared on his Atari TT030-based CADD systems,
using DynaCADD software.
[EOA]
[REF]//////////////////////////////
REFLECTIONS /
/////////////////////////////////
Psychological Aspects of Electronic Mail
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
By Phil Shapiro
[P.SHAPIRO1]
Last week a friend of mine sent me an e-mail message explaining the
progress being made in her treatment for depression. She is taking
medication, which seems to help, and visits regularly with a therapist,
which she also finds beneficial. At the end of her message she inquired
whether a mutual friend of ours could be reached online.
As it happens, this mutual friend does have an electronic mail address,
but he hardly ever uses it. I explained to my first friend that despite
my best efforts to wheedle and cajole him, our mutual friend seems
reluctant to make use of online communications. At the end of my
message, I added, "Well, this just reinforces the age-old Confucian
adage: 'You can lead a horse to a modem, but you can't make him dial.'"
Apparently my silly little remark brought a brief chuckle to my friend.
Which got me thinking about the psychological effects that e-mail can
have on the human mind.
All communications has the power to lift the human spirit. But even more
so when the human spirit is flagging. When you hear a friend has
suffered an unexpected misfortune, your first inclination is to reach for
the phone to offer soothing words of commiseration and reassurance.
Human beings are intensely social creatures. To a large extent we derive
our emotional strength from our interactions with one another. Self-
esteem is largely a by-product of how others have treated us.
Thinking back to my friend undergoing treatment, it would be presumptuous
of me to think that a single e-mail message could have a salutary effect
on her depression. Clinical depression is a disease with a profound
impact on the human mind. But if an e-mail message I sent her helps
bring a single ray of sunshine into her life, that in itself is a
positive result.
I came to learn recently that my friend stays in touch via e-mail with
several other of her friends and colleagues. Who knows what the
collective influence of ten, twenty, or thirty e-mail messages per day
might have in her life?
Imagine if you yourself were stuck in a hospital bed for two weeks. Your
closest friend stops by with a laptop computer and arranges for an extra
phone line to be installed in your room. Within minutes you could be
online savoring the waiting e-mail messages in your mailbox.
And if the doctor ordered quiet bed rest, you could still have your e-
mail read aloud to you - - - with each message being whispered quietly
into your ear. Then you could quietly whisper a reply like: "Tell
Jackson that as soon as I'm able to get out of this bed I'm going to walk
over to his desk and whack him over the head with a foam rubber baseball
bat."
It's the emotional warmth of these types of messages that can bolster
one's spirits.
Forget the flowers and the phone calls. Reach out and touch someone with
ASCII. E-mail neither wilts nor wakes up a person who is napping. And if
you choose the right words, you can transmit just about any emotion from
your heart to someone else's heart.
And who knows what healing powers your messages might have.
Phil Shapiro
[*][*][*]
The author takes a keen interest in the social dimensions
of communications technology. He can be reached on GEnie
at P.SHAPIRO1; on Internet at: p.shapiro1.aol.com; or on
America Online at: pshapiro
[EOA]
[LIB]//////////////////////////////
ONLINE LIBRARY /
/////////////////////////////////
[*]Files, Files & More Files!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
By Mel Motogawa
[M.MOTOGAWA]
Over 300 files were uploaded to the ST Roundtable File Library this
month, so this month's column is on the long side to accomodate a mere
sampling of all the great uploads. So, without further adieus... (This
month's listing is slightly different from past listings in that the
newest files are at the end.)
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.)
#33923 EDITH1_0.LZH 69120 Edith 1.0 is a powerful freeware text editor
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" that can handle GDOS fonts. It features
real-time scrolling as an option, which few text editors for the Atari
include. It is ideal as a programmer's editor, but is less satisfactory
as a word-wrapping text editor. It is the uploader's editor of choice
while programming on the TT. (It runs OK on graphics-card equipped STs
and TTs also.) Please use the latest version of Questor LZH to extract
this file. ** A screenshot appears in the color/mono TX2 versions of the
GEnielamp. **
#33924 ESCAPE.LZH 480512 Game for all Ataris. Color. Please use the
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" latest version of Questor LZH to extract this
file.
#33925 MC_COY.LZH 20608 Tetris-style game; German. Please use the
""""""""""""""""""""""""" latest version of Questor LZH to extract this
file.
#33926 BNR_VIEW.LZH 27520 Fast Falcon-only GIF & TGA viewer. Please
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" use the latest version of Questor LZH to
extract this file.
#33928 BKWRD272.ZIP 87552 Latest version of the ST emulator for the
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Falcon. Use the latest version of ST ZIP to
extract this file.
#33947 MIDNIGHT.LZH 65920 Advanced screen saver; German. Please use
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" the latest version of Questor LZH to extract
this file.
#33948 NLIGHTB.LZH 2432 Tiny app lights drive A: LED on HD or RamDisk
""""""""""""""""""""""""" access. Please use the latest version of
Questor LZH to extract this file.
#33949 NU_UTILY.LZH 8192 Numbers line in text file. Can output to
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" screen, file or printer. Please use the
latest version of Questor LZH to extract this file.
#33950 MINI_BBS.LZH 66432 This program (from Norway, in English) sets
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" up a BBS on an Atari. Users with two Ataris
can monitor the one running the BBS through the MIDI port from a second
Atari using a supplied utility. Please use the latest version of Questor
LZH to extract this file.
#33951 SLARTR13.LZH 19200 Tetris clone; works with graphic cards.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Please use the latest version of Questor LZH
to extract this file.
#33952 SCAN_PRG.LZH 10880 Tiny scanner-manager ACC. Please use the
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" latest version of Questor LZH to extract
this file.
#33953 ST_KLICK.LZH 19968 Multifunction DA; German menus. Please use
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" the latest version of Questor LZH to extract
this file.
#33955 FILESPY.LZH 7680 Tiny TOS text reader/printer. Please use the
""""""""""""""""""""""""" latest version of Questor LZH to extract this
file.
#33956 TYPEWRIT.LZH 9216 Small ACC 'typewriter' for printer. Please
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" use the latest version of Questor LZH to
extract this file.
#33957 TASKTERM.LZH 21504 TaskTerm is a small desk accessory that
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" handles uploads and downloads in in the
background on any Atari computer. It is limited to Xmodem and Ymodem.
Press Undo to close the terminal screen; Help to access the configuration
menus. Menus and dialogs in German, but not difficult to understand.
#33958 PAPYRUS.ZIP 532736 This file contains a fully functional demo
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" of Oregon Researchss new Document Processor
Papyrus Gold. Much more than just a word processor Papyrus defines a new
class of application. For more information contact Oregon Research. Use
the latest version of ST ZIP to extract this file. Works best with SPEEDO
GDOS installed. ** If you're in the market for a high powered word
processor, you should check this one out. A screenshot appears in the
color/mono TX2 versions of the GEnielamp. **
#33959 XINFB100.LZH 219776 Unusual configuration and system info
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" program from Germany. Menus and dialogs in
German, but easy to follow. ** A screenshot appears in the color/mono
TX2 versions of the GEnielamp. **
#33962 PROTRFAL.LZH 72064 Protracker MOD player; Falcon only Please
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" use the latest version of Questor LZH to
extract this file.
#33963 TI59.LZH 13440 Texas Instruments classic TI59 calculator.
""""""""""""""""""""""" Please use the latest version of Questor LZH to
extract this file.
#33964 TREEPACK.LZH 39040 Fast folder-tree archiver. Please use the
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" latest version of Questor LZH to extract
this file. ** A screenshot appears in the color/mono TX2 versions of the
GEnielamp. **
#33965 TXTOOL.LZH 28928 Unusual GEM application to check work usage.
""""""""""""""""""""""""" Please use the latest version of Questor LZH
to extract this file.
#33966 UHR_T_T.LZH 4096 Well-behaved analog/digital clock. Please use
""""""""""""""""""""""""" the latest version of Questor LZH to extract
this file.
#33967 VIGILANT.LZH 10368 Anti-virus app; checks RAM, too Please use
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" the latest version of Questor LZH to extract
this file.
#33968 WATCH_IT.LZH 32896 Displays GIFs in GEM window Please use the
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" latest version of Questor LZH to extract
this file. Was designed for FALCON but docs state will at least start on
all ST's.
#33969 E_BACKUP.LZH 6784 Simple HD backup utility. Program and Doc's
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" in English. Please use the latest version of
Quester's LZH to extract (LH5 archive).
#33970 HOWFAST.LZH 20992 A program to graphically chart the speed of
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" read/writes to your hard drive. Program is in
a mixture of German and English, but can be understood. Please use the
latest version of Quester's LZH to extract (LH5 archive).
#33971 AUTO_SEL.LZH 31872 Freeware boot manager. Program and Doc's in
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" English. Please use the latest version of
Quester's LZH to extract (LH5 archive).
#33972 BATCH.LZH 29568 A program to run several applications in a row.
"""""""""""""""""""""""" Similar to the AUTOEXEC.BAT on the DOS o/s. Can
be used in your auto folder or from the desktop. Please use the latest
version of Quester's LZH to extract (LH5 archive).
#33974 DHRYSTON.LZH 20992 Program and 'C' source code for a Dhryston
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" test for the Atari computers. Program and
Doc's in English. Please use the latest version of Quester's LZH to
extract (LH5 archive).
#33976 J_SNAP20.LZH 21504 This program and it's Doc's are in German.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Please use the latest version of Quester's
LZH to extract (LH5 archive).
#33978 SNAPPER.LZH 30208 This program and it's Doc's are in German.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" Please use the latest version of Quester's
LZH to extract (LH5 archive).
#33980 CID_DEM2.LZH 42880 This is a much improved version of CID.ACC
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" which is designed to work the Supra Modem
with the Caller ID upgrade. You must have Caller ID service to your
phone from the phone company for this to work. The last demo had a
'mysterious' bug that could have caused intermittent problems with
initializing correctly. This does not! This does not work with all
other modem type, though. However, I am currently investigating level of
effort to support other modems. But it may work with yours even if it
isn't a Supra - check it out! If you have a Supra modem with Caller ID
capabilities, it doesn't get any better than this. You don't even need a
modem to see if this is something you'll like.
#33985 COMA_190.LZH 237184 Limited-use shareware program. All
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" documentation is in German. Supports Fax
and voice operations (with proper modem). ** A screenshot appears in the
color/mono TX2 versions of the GEnielamp. **
#33988 DOSTESTR.LZH 14720 Freeware from A&D Software. Tests disk
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" access speed. Extract with latest LHARC.
#33989 MAUSTREI.LZH 10240 German mouse accellerator. Docs in German.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Use latest version of QUESTER's LZH program
to extract
#33990 MANUAL20.LZH 31360 Manualizer 2.0 will load any standard ASCII
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" text file, and then print it in the form of
a booklet, or for placing into a binder. Version 2.0 now supports
GDOS/SpeedoGDOS for printing on any printer. The older HP2 modes are
still available for quick printouts on HP2 compatible printers. In
addition, special command strings may be placed in text files to allow
text centering and font selection. Manualizer 2.0 is SHAREWARE!
#33994 TOWRSIIP.ZIP 150656 Here are a couple of TIFFs of Towers II for
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" the Falcon 030 computer. Use latest version
of ST ZIP program to extract
#33999 FLS221D.LZH 105216 If you don't already own a copy of Flash II,
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" now is the time to check it out with our
latest demo version. Version 2.21 of Flash II was just released. This
demo version of Flash II is fully functional but limits you to the amount
of online time, size of file transfers, the saving of dial directories,
etc. All features of Flash II can be checked out with this demo. If you
already own Flash II and wish to upgrade to 2.21, please download the
file F221UP.LZH.
#34001 DATALINK.LZH 99072 ST Monochrome terminal program
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
#34002 IMGINFO.LZH 8832 Determines size of image files. Desk
""""""""""""""""""""""""" accessory.
#34005 SOLITAIR.LZH 10496 solitaire game desk accessory for all
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" resolutions.
#34006 TOGGLEWV.LZH 640 Desk accessory to toggle write verify for
""""""""""""""""""""""""" floppies.
#34007 TURBORS.LZH 12672 modem port rate increases with this program.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" Sysop Note: Unable to verify operation of
this file.
#34008 VISCALC.LZH 49280 VISICALC spreadsheet program in TOS format.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" No windows. Use latest version of LZH
archiver to extract
#34009 CK5A189B.ZIP 173056 This is a port of C-Kermit 5A revision 189.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Two TTP programs are included, one with
complete terminal emulation, the other works great in conjunction with
your favorite comms software. This is a complete implementation of the
Kermit protocol. Limited docs. Sysop Note: Unable to verify operation
of this file. Use latest version of ST ZIP program to extract
#34011 LEDPNL27.ZIP 21632 Version 2.7 of LED Panel. Shows time, date,
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" drive access (read and write), capslock, and
more in upper right corner of screen. Fully configurable. Not
compatible with graphic cards and true color.
#34012 MOUSE22.ZIP 4480 This utility lets you hook a PC serial mouse
""""""""""""""""""""""""" up to the serial port of your Atari. Now you
can buy less expensive mice! Some software incompatibilities.
#34013 NOTEPAD.ZIP 19968 Notepad by Michail Zuhl is a tiny little desk
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" accessory that lets you load, save, and print
about forty lines of text. This is one of the best (tiny) text editor
DAs I've seen. I 'have included an English translation as well as the
original German. Docs in German. Freeware.
#34016 CRACK136.LZH 581504 This is the Crack-Art upgrade V1.36. It
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" rivals most commercial art software. Mo-
better features than V1.0. File includes docs in german and
english(v1.0), printer drivers, lots of cool fonts, and new games. Watch
your floppy light! Shareware - some features may be limited. Includes
English and German doc. Requires ST Low resolution. Extract with latest
LHARC. ** A very powerful art program that is highly regarded in Europe.
**
#34017 ELFARC2.TOS 81536 General purpose archive program with GEM
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" interface. Sysop Note: Self Extracting
Archive. Will NOT overwrite files Archived files created with this
program are NOT compatible with .LZH archives in this library. Creates
.LZA files only ** A screenshot appears in the color/mono TX2 versions
of the GEnielamp. **
#34022 BAT17.LZH 8960 BAT17 is an arcade bombing game. Bomb selected
""""""""""""""""""""""" targets and avoid flak and enemy fighter planes.
Instructions on startup. Another fine program from BATSoftware. ST Low
Resolution only. TT compatible Use latest version of LZH 2.x to extract
#34026 OUTPUT_2.LZH 87552 Advanced doc. print util; in German Use
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" latest version of LZH 2.x program to extract
TT Compatible in ST Resolutions only
#34027 PHDIAL14.LZH 18432 Telephone dialer accessory. Use latest
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" version of LZH 2.x program to extract
#34028 MS074.LZH 179200 Molecular modeling program. GEM interface.
""""""""""""""""""""""""" Easy to use. Use latest version of LZH 2.x
program to extract
#34031 POLYFILM.LZH 304896 Animation player and generator program. ST
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Color resolutions only. Sysop Note:
Program is nice, but not always stable. Use latest version of QUESTER's
LZH program to extract
#34033 S_BACKUP.LZH 161792 Super Backup Utility. TT Compatible.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Backup hard drives to floppy. NOTE: ALL
DOCS AND MENUS ARE IN GERMAN! Use latest version of LZH 2.x program to
extract ** A screenshot appears in the mono TX2 version of the
GEnielamp. **
#34035 KGBSHELL.LZH 32000 CLI shell. Makes your ATARI work as poorly
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" as a DOS machine!
#34036 RAMINIT.LZH 20864 Batch file processor that
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" /deletes/copies files into a specified
directory or drive. Great for setting up ramdisks. Use latest version of
LZH 2.x program to extract
#34037 SMON_109.LZH 155648 System Monitor version 1.09. ALL DOCS ARE
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" IN GERMAN! Use latest version of LZH 2.x
program to extract
#34040 MVPXSNP.LZH 1664 Snapshot desk accessory for 16 color or higher
""""""""""""""""""""""""" resolutions. Saves in NEO format. Works in
TT resolutions Use latest version of LZH 2.x program to extract
#34041 FF32BIN.LZH 33536 For OLDER versions of TOS only (version 1.04
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" last one supported) Increases floppy format
and read/write speed. Does NOT work with high density floppies. As with
all programs like this, use it at your own risk.
#34042 DF.LZH 11776 TOS disk space reporting application. Try and
""""""""""""""""""""" read the data before it goes off the screen.
#34046 GEMRAM16.LZH 21120 German-language utility to copy GEM to RAM
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" (from ROM) so it can be modified by other
programs.
#34047 MDIAL103.LZH 61824 Latest version, with English docs and
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" English support menus, of the amazing
MultiDialog auto-folder utility. It turns dialog boxes into GEM windows
that can be moved and left on screen while other actions are taking
place. Very configurable, with a CPX instead of the ACC of the previous
version to handle configuration for any specific application. This is a
must-have for all Atari users who want to wrong the most out of GEM. Use
Quester's LHARC201 (lh5) to extract. ** This works better than earlier
versions I've tried. Nice to have access to desk accessories in more
locations than with normal GEM. **
#34048 NVDI_FIX.LZH 1920 Patches NVDI to fix a "bug". German
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" documention. Use at your own risk. Untested
by sysop.
#34049 RSRCADD.LZH 3968 German-language utility to exapand serial
""""""""""""""""""""""""" buffer. Use Quester's LHARC201 (lh5) to
extract.
#34050 STI87994.LZH 44032 This file contains the complete Table of
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Contents from the STInformer from the
present issue, Sept '94, back in time to the very first issue of May
1987. This is an ASCII file and may be read from the Desktop or from a
Text Reader, Editor etc.. Rod MacDonald has granted me permission to
upload these files for reference and for those people who may wish to
order 'Back Issues'. There will be an update to this file every quarter
and also each month there will be a TOC for the current month. These file
have been requested for sometime by the users of GEnie. Use Quester's
LHARC201 (lh5) to extract.
#34053 FASTBOOT.LZH 31488 This file contains a special floppy disk
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" boot-sector that prints an Anit-Virus
message to your screen, and sets the FaST Technology Turbo25 to 25Mhz
mode at the very start of the boot cycle. For T25 users only (won't work
on anything else)! Aloha, from the Happy Hacker! (Tim) ... FaST
Technology Turbo25 inside! Archive includes an MSA archive file and
extracting program. Only usable for owners of Turbo25! Use latest version
of QUESTER's LZH program to extract
#34055 OMENHER4.LZH 4736 Update on OMEN happenings: Lower prices, more
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" computers, floppy formatting, more graphics,
PC adaptation, settings & preffereerences, disassembler - knows OMEN
calls & commands, when's the development system coming out?, better word
processing, why write software for OMEN? Use latest version of LZH 2.x
program to extract
#34056 IQ320112.LZH 39424 IED-IDL EDITOR Version 1.12 IQ-IQUEUE
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" product #320 from Intella Digital Lists
(IDL). This is a line editor for text files. IED can be used as a .prg or
a .ttp type program with parameters. It can be configured to handle files
of any size. It has many unique features including: search & citate,
smooth scroll, auto-indent, modem output, line collect, file reduction,
block cut & paste, properize, sort, prefix, column insert&replace,
position retention, clipboard. Use latest version of LZH 2.x program to
extract
#34057 IQ380157.LZH 28672 IDISK-IDL DISK Version 1.57 IQ-IQUEUE
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" product #380 from Intella Digital Lists
(IDL). Sophisticated tool for disk analysis or repair. Program writes
directly to disk. Use caution with this file. Use latest version of LZH
2.x program to extract
#34058 IQ370151.LZH 19584 IVIEW-IDL VIEW Version 1.51 IQ-IQUEUE
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" product #370 from Intella Digital Lists
(IDL). Sophisticated tool for file analysis or pattern recognition. Use
latest version of LZH 2.x program to extract
#34059 IQ415107.LZH 10368 IAUTODOS-IDL AUTOFOLDER OS Version 1.07 IQ-
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" IQUEUE product #415 from Intella Digital
Lists (IDL). Rename problem auto programs or accessories upon boot.
Use latest version of LZH 2.x program to extract
#34060 IQ570114.LZH 16128 IKIDS-IDL KIDS Version 1.14 IQ-IQUEUE
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" product #570 from Intella Digital Lists
(IDL). Fun and Easy Activities for children. Type, Count, Draw, Music.
Use latest version of LZH 2.x program to extract
#34074 SVKP0_1.ZIP 72960 Sircware virus killer. The only non-
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" commercial virus killer that scans for link
viruses. It's a bit odd, but seems to mostly work okay. Please use file
32853 to extract (Zip Archive). ** A screenshot appears in the color/mono
TX2 versions of the GEnielamp. **
#34077 MCD_1094.ZIP 282368 Monthly listing of Atari hardware
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" (computers, game machines) and software
(utilities, audio visual, games, professional) applications for sale from
MicroComputer Depot. Also a demo of the game NERTZ from Majic Soft.
Please use file 32853 to extract (Zip Archive). This file can self-
extract if you change the filename to MCD_1094.TOS
#34081 FTKITDEM.ZIP 24448 A DEMO of TraceTech's Falcon030 ToolKit by
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Keith Gerdes -- a 'must have' collection of
utilities for ALL Falcon owners! Special price through November 15,
1994. And a disount on FastPath. Includes a demo of: 1) NVRAM
Configurator - setup your system preferences, simple to use 2) TraceTech
Formatter Jr CPX - quick and easy access for formatting 3) Plus the
shareware program TOS4Trap v1, the _original_ TOS4 "fix" utility. Accept
only the best, which gets better in TOS4Trap v2- available in the TKIT.
v2 ends those memory loss blues... ** Falcon users, take note. **
#34089 TIMICONS.ZIP 156160 I personally edited many of these icons to
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" suit NEO 4. They look great on my Cyrel
Video card and will look super on your TT-Med or better desktop. -- Use
STZIP26.ZIP File#32853 for latest extractor.
#34093 STSAVE27.ZIP 26368 With the Soft-Sci Warp 9 Extend-o-Saver YOUR
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" OWN custom graphic image floats around the
idle ST screen. This is version 2.7. - Shareware from Soft-Sci Extract
with latest version of STZip
#34096 GHOSTLNK.ZIP 28544 This program allows your ST to access any
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" drives on your IBM PC. It requires a NULL
modem cable from your ST to the PC. Fully supports the extra ports on
the TT/Mega STE. Comes with both ST and PC programs. The ST is the
master. You can't access ST drives from the PC, but you can read and
write to the PC drives from the ST. Works very well! Extract with latest
version of STZip Note: Sysop unable to verify proper operation of file.
#34097 M_SPOOL.ZIP 15104 Nice little auto folder program and CPX which
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" gives you a print spooler and print to disk
capabilities. You can use both features or one or the other. Fully
configurable. Doesn't have problems like Barrell has with large print to
disks (graphic images). Recommended Extract with latest version of STZip
#34098 EGEM_200.LZH 248320 This is a very nice Gem Library for the ST.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" It contains full source and is compatible
with Lattice and Pure C. You can have non-modal dialogs, pop up menus,
etc. Really nice. One problem is that all docs are in German. :-<
Extract with latest version of LHARC
#34099 CALC150.LZH 54272 Amazingly versatile 4-in-1 calculator from
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" Germany (with German docs, but most
operations are not hard to figure out). You have a choice of FOUR
calculators, each with different features, accessible through a GEM menu.
A copy and paste function lets you cut 'n' paste part of any calculation
into the GEM clipboard or back into the calculator. This works very
intuitively, also. The author has also created an impressive Microsoft
Windows varient, but the Atari version is faster and easier to use.
Includes an '881 version to take advantage of the math coprocessor in TTs
and some other Ataris. Runs as PRG or ACC.
#34100 MONOTILE.ZIP 20736 Here is 33 monochrome IMGs for use as
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" NeoDesk 4 desktop tiles. Mostly taken from
Windows BMPs, converted to IMGs with GemView, and massaged with Ed-Pat.
Some of them are pretty nice, for monochrome. Extract with latest version
of STZip
#34104 MICKICON.ZIP 55808 A collection of NeoDesk 4 icons. Almost all
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" have 2 and 4 color version, and some have 16
too. Many are animated. Most of them I touched up or changed to my liking
from other sources. Please use the latest version of ST Zip to extract.
#34105 MCR-NEO4.ZIP 31232 Made some mods to many of the teriffic icons
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" I've D/L'd from GEnie over the years. Most
are 3D, many are 'animated'. Please use the latest version of ST Zip to
extract.
#34122 STARBLFX.ZIP 191232 Give great sounds to that STARBALL pinball
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" game... Only for STE/Falcon and TT's...
#34125 CATT_II2.LZH 109696 Archive contains latest CyReL CaTTamaran
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" TT030 Accelerator Installation Hints &
Tips. New instructions for Rev.A & Rev.B TT's. New releases of the
CATT_ON.PRG & CATT_OFF.PRG as well as \AUTO\CATTAMRN.PRG files. Please
use the latest version of Questor LZH to extract this file.
#34126 CEA11150.LZH 38400 Read all about the exciting new SKYLINE CD
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" coming this November from Cybercube.
Contains the CyReL Electro Ad #11, a printable 150 dpi GEM Please use the
latest version of Questor LZH to extract this file.
#34129 MFFINE.ZIP 31744 PD TrueType font, PC version. Use the latest
""""""""""""""""""""""""" version of ST ZIP to extract this file.
#34131 MFWIDE.ZIP 31232 PD TrueType font; PC version. Use the latest
""""""""""""""""""""""""" version of ST ZIP to extract this file.
#34132 SBLAST_2.TXT 1920 Screenblaster II is now available. A major
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" upgrade, Screenblaster II is easier to use
and has many new capabilities. This text file has information on
Screenblaster II - and how to upgrade.
#34135 NEO_002.LZH 308608 This program will update a NeoDesk 4 release
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 001 disk, changing its contents to release
002. It will only work with English language versions of NeoDesk 4
release 001. This version fixes various small problems, and adds new
features to the icon editor. ** Neodesk 4 users should take note of this
one. **
#34137 POV_V22.ZIP 226432 Two versions are included. One for the 68000
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" and the other for Falcon/TT with an FPU.
There are no new features - fixes bugs from V2.1. This version will
display the graphic as it renders. Sysop Note: Docs are not included in
this release. Use latest version of ST ZIP program to extract
#34138 X_PERIEN.TOS 833280 This is a very impessive demo for the
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Falcon computer. It shows many interesting
effects like a tour through a polygon city(no people though) and a
texture mapped cube with each face being animated independetly. It does a
lot more too. I've only seen it work in RGB and always booted my system
with the 'CONTROL' button at bootup to get it to work. Sysop Note: NOT
FOR USE WITH VGA MONITOR! SC1224 REQUIRED! File is a self-extracting
archive.
#34142 MONOTYLE.ZIP 26752 Here are 41 more monochrome IMGs designed
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" for use with NeoDesk 4. A few more car
wheels, some delicate floral whatses, and a few pictures of windows -
make your desktop look like an apartment building! Use latest version of
ST ZIP program to extract
#34143 SUBMENU_.LZH 9600 Few Atari users probably realize how useful
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" the SUBMENU.CPX really is. It's an Xcontrol
module that regulates the behavior of submenus, including the drop-down
Desk Menu (also called the Applications Menu) of Geneva. Every Geneva
user or MultiTOS user should have this CPX running, and others with
modern TOS versions should find it helpful, too. Documentation is based
on a public message on GEnie from Dan Wilga. Use latest version of LZH
2.0x program to extract
#34147 STBALL16.ZIP 350080 Well here is the latest STARBALL, Hard
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Drive problems fixed and now you can save
scores.. also get the FZ file and get great sounds, but only if you have
a STE/FALCON or a TT... Use latest version of ST ZIP program to extract
#34148 MUNGER01.ZIP 8960 Howdy, FileMunger will append any text file
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" to any other text file. It has provisions to
also include a date/time stamp with each appending...or you can choose no
date/time stamp. I use so I no longer have to load a file into my text
editor, merge another file to the bottom, and then save both...only I use
it more than that. <G> Let me know what you think (I'm always curious).
Use the latest version of STZIP to extract.
#34153 BOOMPREV.TOS 499328 This is a demo of an upcoming game for the
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Falcon030 for the demo group NPG. It is in
three parts: a scrolling space shooter, a helicopter sim with a fractal
landscape, and a Wolfenstein like clone with variable walls that contain
highly detailed textures and is very fast. Boot your Falcon030 with an
RGB monitor while holding down CONTROL so no accessories or auto programs
load. SYSOP NOTE: Bombs terribly using a VGA monitor. RGB ONLY! Self
extracting archive Falcon030 ONLY!
#34157 IDEA351B.LZH 125696 IdeaList v.3.51 by Christoph Bartholme part
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" II. This file contains the acc & rsc
(English) and drucker (printer drivers, German) folder. Printer drivers
for 9 & 24 pin; Canon, DeskJet, and other ink; GDOS; LaserJet and SLM
lasers; and Special. Companion file IDEA351A.LZH contains the prg & rsc,
online help acc & doc, and text text files for the remainder of the
English version. Use latest version of LZH 2.0x program to extract See
files 34156 (tools/utilities), 34158 (part 1 of archive), and 34159
(docs)
#34158 IDEA351A.LZH 139648 IdeaList v. 3.51 by Christoph Bartholme
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" part I. This file contains the program &
rsc, online help acc & doc, and test text files; all English. Companion
file IDEA351B.LZH contains the IList 3.51 acc & rsc and drucker (printer
drivers) folder for the remainder of the English version. Use latest
version of LZH 2.0x program to extract See files 34156
(tools,utilities), 34157 (archive 2), and 34159 (docs)
#34159 IDEALDOC.LZH 16384 English docs also contained in IDEA351A.LZH
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" for introduction to IdeaList for those not
familiar with this powerful printing utility. Does up to nine columns of
ascii, Word Plus, and RTF type files with 9/24 pin, inkjets, lasers. Can
use GDOS & Speedo as well. Also contains contents.txt describing contents
of English IdeaList v.3.51 created by combining files IDEA351A.LZH and
IDEA351B.LZH See files 34156 (utilities), 34157 (archive 2), 34158
(archive 1)
#34174 BSTAT248.LZH 285312 B/STAT is a shareware graphics and
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" statistical analysis program. This is
version 2.473 and was last changed on Oct 10,1994. B/STAT requires 2
megabytes and a hard drive. It works on all ST machines except for the TT
in TT RES color modes. It works on the FALCON. B/STAT supports GDOS or
SPEEDO GDOS but does not require either. B/STAT will work in the super
VGA modes on a GEMULATOR. Please use the latest version of Quester's LZH
to extract.
#34175 EPRO_20A.LZH 44544 This patch program updates version 1.0 of
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" CDAUDIO.ACC and CDAUDIO.PRG to version 1.1
(version 1.0 was distributed as part of ExtenDOS Pro v2.0). This update
fixes a problem related to handling of Shuffle/Repeat (on all systems)
and window display (on Falcon systems). Note that ExtenDOS Pro v2.0A
includes this fix. CDAUDIO.ACC and CDAUDIO.PRG are the audio player
components of ExtenDOS Pro. ExtenDOS Pro is a commercial product from
Anodyne Software. Please use the latest version of Quester's LZH to
extract.
#34176 I_GERDES.ZIP 12288 E-Mail Interview with Keith Gerdes of Trace
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Technologies. As first published in Phoenix
- the newsletter of The Toronto Atari Federation. Great stuff. From the
heart of a dedicated Atari programmer (Data Diet, Data Rescue, Squish,
LoadAlad, FASTPATH, TOS4TRAP, F030TKIT and more). Interviewed by Howard
Carson (who actually manages to ask a couple of intelligent questions!).
Keith is entertaining and informative, too, which makes this download
worthwhile. Please use the latest version of ST Zip to extract.
#34180 TILES.LZH 71296 Collection of small IMG files that can be tiled
"""""""""""""""""""""""" as NeoDesk 4 backgrounds.
#34181 TREEVW24.LZH 100736 When NeoDesk 4 was described in a pre-
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" release newsletter, Gribnif Software listed
a "tree" mode as one of the features of NeoDesk 4's file-management
system. Although this feature did not make it into the current version of
Neo 4, you can add it easily with TreeView, a German accessory that runs
under all versions of TOS and with Ataris equipped with graphics cards.
This version of TreeView is much faster than previous ones, and it comes
with GDOS fonts and a META.SYS driver for those who use GDOS, so that
directory trees can be printed as GEM META files. Uses a resizeable GEM
window. Use latest version of LZH 2.0x program to extract ** A
screenshot appears in the color/mono TX2 versions of the GEnielamp. **
#34182 PRIORITY.LZH 30464 MultiTOS only! This GEM-windowed utility
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" lets you inspect and control the processes
currently running under MultiTOS. Other utilities do the same thing, but
this one has class. In German, but easy to understand and use. Use latest
version of LZH 2.0x program to extract
#34183 POCKET.LZH 35328 Pocket Watch is a German time-, date- and
""""""""""""""""""""""""" alarm-clock utility for all Ataris. Unlike
many alarm-clock programs and accessories for the ST, TT and Falcon, this
one works flawlessly. Menus and dialogs in German, but everything is easy
to figure out. Runs as a PRG or ACC. Use latest version of LZH 2.0x
program to extract
#34184 POINTER2.LZH 22528 When a calculator is too much and your own
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" mach skills are too hazy, this pop-up
windowed utility may be just right any time you need to convert a unit
from one mathematical base to another. Ideal for programmers and everyone
else who wants to be able to translate those mysterious hex codes or
binary numbers into something less daunting. With German docs, but the
utility itself is very easy to understand and simple to use. Use latest
version of LZH 2.0x program to extract
#34185 ST_CLOCK.LZH 11392 (See note below.) Cute full-screen clock
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" (when run in ST High Res) that displays the
time in hours, minutes and seconds as a huge wall clock, with cities
around the world listed at the left. The time at these other locations is
listed beside their names. For North American users, the clock has more
novelty value than anything else, because the clock's code is based on
the time in Berlin, and so the time in other cities is relative to Berlin
time. (A clever programmer could create a North American version easily.)
This ran fine on the CDII graphics card in 1024X768 monochrome mode also.
Use latest version of LZH 2.0x program to extract
#34186 TLIE.LZH 14464 Even if you don't know how to tie your shoe
""""""""""""""""""""""" laces and chew gum at the same time, you'll be
able to create or edit icons in a snap with the Tiny Little Icon Editor,
one of the easiest-to-use icon utilities in the real of Atari software.
Menus and prompts are in English. No documentation is provided or needed.
Tested in ST High Res and in 1024X762 monochrome on a CDII graphics card.
Use latest version of LZH 2.0x program to extract
#34187 POPPER.LZH 60160 MultiTOS only! This utility takes advantage of
""""""""""""""""""""""""" the new code in MutliTOS to provide 3D buttons
and a modern look to a windowed application launcher. In German, but very
easy to use. Use latest version of LZH 2.0x program to extract
#34188 TSWP.LZH 4608 Utility from Germany lets you put write-
"""""""""""""""""""""" protection on any disk or drive in your system
via an auto-folder TSR and a CPX module that runs in the Xcontrol Panel.
German docs, but the usage is quite clear: Select a drive or deselect it
via the CPX to add or remove write protection. Use latest version of LZH
2.0x program to extract
#34189 TIMER.LZH 39680 Keep a record for tax time! Keep tabs on all
"""""""""""""""""""""""" those little tasks that add up to big time
wasters! This windowed utility records the starting and ending times of
any projects you are working on, whether they involve your computer or
not. Modern GEM interface. Menus and dialogs in German, but all functions
are largely self-evident. Use latest version of LZH 2.0x program to
extract
#34191 TOSCRC10.LZH 9472 The small utility is most useful for those
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" who run TOS out of RAM (TT owners who use a
TOS relocator or ST owners who use GEMRAM). It calculates the CRC values
of the TOS code and reports the result. You can check the results
periodically. Use latest version of LZH 2.0x program to extract
#34193 M_READ23.LZH 93312 Mountain Reader II is the finest offline
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" message reader for the Atari ST, STe, TT and
Falcon. MR2 supports QWK and Bluewave message formats, supports 65536
areas w/65536 messages per area, Online Hypertext Help system, Message
Area Preselection, Message Header Prescanning, Bookmarks, Email address
book, full featured internal message editor, tagline editor with
"stealing", and much more. Version 2.3 fixes a bug with Bluewave reply
packet creation, and a few other bugs.
#34195 ICOED.LZH 148224 Exceptional icon editor from Germany that runs
""""""""""""""""""""""""" in its own GEM window. Four separate modules
are included: A GEM icon editor, a desktop icon editor, a Phoenix icon
editor and a mouse-pointer-icon editor. All actions are performed through
clear and easy-to-use icons within the editors. This set of editors is
perhaps the best available for the Atari.
#34196 ICONEDI.LZH 160896 Icon editor from Germany with dozens of
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" functions. This may be what you are looking
for if you need an icon editor that can handle anything. Runs full-screen
in ST modes; runs in a large portion of the screen on the CDII card in
1024X768 monochrome.
#34197 HDCPX120.LZH 6912 Fans of Atari's Xcontrol Panel will want to
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" check out this multi-function CPX. It reports
on disk space (total, used and free), memory and TOS-version information,
working very quickly.Displays are text only; no bar-graph displays are
used, which makes this module faster than other CPXes and accessories
that show disk space and memory in graphical form. In German, with German
displays, but relatively easy to decipher.
#34198 HPEDIT10.LZH 35584 If you have a DeskJet and use soft fonts
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" (downloadable fonts), you should check out
this font-installer and overall utility for the DeskJet.
#34199 HP_FONTS.LZH 73728 Fonts and an installation program for the
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" DeskJet series. In German. You need a RAM
cartridge for your HP Deskjet to use these fonts.
#34200 KLICK.LZH 4096 Tired of that same old keyboard click? Weary of
""""""""""""""""""""""" the puny "plink" of the bell in your Atari? This
German utility lets you choose different sounds for these two functions.
Works in normal resolutions and in high-resolution modes on the CDII
graphics card. Tested on an ST and a TT.
#34203 KEKSDOSE.LZH 13696 This German ACC displays all the cookies in
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" the Atari "Cookie Jar," an area of memory
where programs and accessories can store a brief notice that informs the
operating system or any other program that it is present. The IDs of all
the cookies are shown in a list that can be switched to binary or hex
display. An additional mode gives all added information available on any
cookie. In German, but easy to figure out. ST Resolutions only. Bombs on
exit (TT/030)
#34205 F030TKIT.P_R 7936 Press release for TraceTech's Falcon030
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" ToolKit by Keith Gerdes -- a 'must have'
collection of utilities for ALL Falcon owners! Special price through
November 15, 1994. And a disount on FastPath. File #34081 includes
demos of: 1) NVRAM Configurator - setup your system preferences, simple
to use 2) TraceTech Formatter Jr CPX - quick and easy access for
formatting Plus the shareware program TOS4Trap v1, the _original_ TOS4
"fix" utility. Accept only the best, which gets better in TOS4Trap v2-
available in the TKIT. v2 ends those memory loss blues...
#34208 GVW_V308.LZH 468352 Contains the latest release of Dieter
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Fielbelkorn's GEM-View File and Image
Viewer (Release 3.08). New *.ESM module, READ.ME file and install
program. See GV_308PR.LZH for more details. Use latest version of LZH
2.0x program to extract
#34210 KONTEXT.LZH 129280 German utility to convert texts from Mac
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" format to ST format and vice versa.
Interesting opening screen (watch for that "bug"!) with a TOS-style (not
GEM) main interface. Tested on an ST and a TT; runs on the CDII graohics
card, all modes. No English docs. Extract with latest version of LHARC
#34211 KOLUMBUS.LZH 105344 Kolumbus is an astonishingly flexible and
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" powerful file manager for the ST, TT and
Falcon, bringing many features to the desktop that are simply unavailable
otherwise in a single application. It produces quick directory trees
in
GEM windows, uses single clicks to navigate the trees (and open new
windows), launches executable files or opens them as texts or in hex
format, and even permits quick editing of texts and hex files in their
GEM display windows. Multitasks splendidly under Geneva, but apps it
launches will be single-tasking. No English documentation. Extract with
latest version of LHARC ** A screenshot appears in the color/mono TX2
versions of the GEnielamp. **
#34212 ENVIRON2.LZH 2688 Easy-to-use utility (in English) provides a
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" simple way for non-Geneva users to set GEM
environmental variables. Short documentation explains some of the
workings of the GEM environment. A must for those who have had trouble
with the other premiere GEM environment utility, GEMENV. Extract with
latest version of LHARC
#34220 ESSCD62.LZH 87296 Michael Forget's ESS-Code v.6.2. For
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" conversion of binary files to ascii for
network transmission. A uu-en/de-coder, GEM based, supporting UU, SHIP,
BTOA, MIME en/de-coding as well as RAW splitting and concatenating. This
v. improves support for Falcon, SHIP, and MIME over v.6.0. Uses ARGV
protocol and has ST-Guide format Hypertext help file. Extract with latest
version of LHARC ** This one is indispensible if you use the Internet to
send files. **
#34223 SUPERDMO.LZH 21632 Super Tic-Tac-Toe takes the classic game and
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" rewires it for the present. Instead of 1 row
of 3 X's or O's, the object of this game is to score as many rows as
possible against your opponent. The demo allows only 1 game, and human-
human competition. Keyboard or mouse control allowed. Please use the
latest version of Quester's LZH to extract.
#34226 RESETCOL.PRG 5248 Ever have a program leave the screen
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" unreadable after exiting? Install this very
short utility, written in GFA BASIC, to be available from the function
keys (you need ane of the newer versions of TOS for that fearture). Hit
the key and - presto! - readable screen colors. File is not compressed
due to already small size.
#34227 MB48_BIN.LZH 196992 Michael Forget's MasterBrowse v.4.8.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Improvements since 4.4 affecting: window
dialog hot keys, ST-Guide format context sensitive help, keyboard
shortcut manager, push-pop, internal font selector, envir var for help
acc, installation program, Falcon & TT compatibility, smaller menu
system, editability of shortcuts. Powerful file viewer & printer; can use
GDOS; has ARGV, XBra, multitasking, multiple windows, decompression, and
ST-Guide compatibilities. Extract with latest version of LHARC
#34228 SPRINTNT.TXT 768 This text file contains two scripts to
""""""""""""""""""""""""" automate your logon through GEnie's 9600 baud
SprintNet lines using Aladdin. File can be <L>isted or <D>ownloaded
#34229 MOUSESHO.PRG 896 Ever have your mouse cursor disappear after
""""""""""""""""""""""""" exiting certain programs when running under
Geneva or MultiTOS? Well, install this with a hot-key (I use F2) and
when that pesky mouse cursor disappears just use the hot-key to redisplay
your mouse cursor. That's all, really. Please let me know if this
doesn't work on a TT or Falcon...I don't have a way to test for those
systems. This program is not compressed.
#34234 GF19LC5.LZH 93440 If you plan on using Gemfast 1.9 or 2.0 with
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" Lattice C, make sure you download this file.
It contains updated libraries for use with LC versions up through 5.6.
Each library is used for different memory models within Lattice C. Please
use the latest version of Quester's LZH to extract.
#34235 ED-PAT_2.ZIP 38912 A new version of ED-PAT, the editor of
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" monochrome IMGs for use as tiled wallpaper
in Neodesk 4. A few bug fixes, now *MUCH* faster, IMGs up to 80x80
(135x135 on 1000x590 or better screens), and new features: flip, rotate,
and an actual mouse drawing mode. Special Bonus: see a fashion model
become E.T.! Requires 640x400 or better resolution and 200KB free RAM.
Freeware. Please use the latest version of ST Zip to extract.
#34242 TTART18.LZH 76416 Latest release of Massimo Farina's TT-Artist
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" GEM-based Fractal Screen Saver for the Atari
TT030. New modules, improved interface and some bug fixes. All details
inside. Please use the latest version of Quester's LZH to extract.
[*][*][*]
Sometimes files are removed from the library after we publish this
magazine. In many cases, the removed file has been replaced with an
updated version of that file. If you can't find one of the files listed
here, there is a way to check for a newer version. Do a keyword search
on
the library using a word that describes the file you are looking for.
Chances are, you will find a newer version of that file, or another file
that meets your expectations.
[EOA]
[PDQ]//////////////////////////////
PD_QUICKVIEW /
/////////////////////////////////
[*]Yours For The Asking
"""""""""""""""""""""""
By Fred H. Koch
[F.KOCH]
Program Name : LED Panel
Filename : LEDPNL27.ZIP
Library Area : 2
Program Number : 34011
File Size : 21632
Program Type : Utility
Author : Christoph Zwerschke
Version Reviewed: v2.7
File Type : FreeWare
[*] [*] [*]
WHAT IT IS LED Panel displays a status line in the menu title line
"""""""""" which can show disk access, date, time and caps lock status.
FROM THE AUTHOR "LED Panel" is a TSR program which makes any access to
""""""""""""""" BIOS drives (floppy, harddisk, RAM disk etc.) visible
and distinguishes between kind of access (reading or writing). As extra
options the program can show the state of the CapsLock key and system
date and time. The LED Panel will not work with most sorts of graphic
cards and "true color".
You can start LED Panel from the desktop or put it into the AUTO folder,
if you want it to start automatically. LED Panel should run as one of
the last programs in the AUTO folder.
You can configure LED Panel with an included config program. If the LED
Panel is active, you can watch the effects as you change them on the
screen. Configuration options include:
- Display all drives' status or only selected drives
- Show drive status by R/W or color changes of LED
- Distance of the LED Panel from the right side of the screen
- Show CapsLock status or not
- Choose symbol for CapsLock status display
- Display date and/or time or not
- Show date, time, date and time, or time and date when ALT pressed
- Choose space between LEDs
- Choose white or black background for status display
A lite version of the program is provided for those tight on memory which
can only perform the drive access functions of the LED Panel.
[*] [*] [*]
. __
(^) <^> /~ ~\
\-=======_/"\_======-/ \)
PD_Q RATING "\. FOUR LAMPS ./"
""""""""""" "\._ _ _./"
(_____) (1-5)
DOCUMENTATION GOOD
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS LED Panel is an interesting utility. It was written in
""""""""""""" Germany but has an English read me file which provides
sufficient instructions for those of us who don't understand or don't
remember enough of our German.
The program has just about every option you could want allowing selection
of what information is displayed and how it is displayed. About the only
thing missing is choosing the type of date format displayed.
If you ever considered wanting date, time or disk access displays
available on your screen, this program can provide all three and is worth
a serious look.
[EOA]
[MEL]//////////////////////////////
MEL'S MANOR /
/////////////////////////////////
Data Safekeeping
""""""""""""""""
By Mel Motogawa
[M.MOTOGAWA]
A crash is something I can really live without, but it seems like they're
as common as colds, everyone catches one occasionally. And Murphy's Law
says that they will catch up with you at the most inopportune times.
Isn't it a pain when you're long into that unsaved word processing
document, go to use a desk accessory and whammo, two bombs sprout from
the left side of your screen? You move the mouse to see if your worst
fears are realized and yes, horror of horrors, your system has locked up
solid, taking your hard work with it. But what if you had a silent bomb
squad waiting in the wings ready to pounce on any attempts by a terrorist
tsr to ruin your day? There is just such a utility, worth its weight in
gold if you asked me.
The Neoload Bomb Squad Neoload is a small auto folder program that is
"""""""""""""""""""""" part of the great Neodesk 4 replacement desktop
from Gribnif Software. It accomplishes several functions for Neodesk,
but one unhearalded feature involves its robust ability to mask off
crashes from your system. When your system bombs, Neoload steps in and
tells you what happened via a text message in the upper left-hand corner
of the screen. You are given an option to see some technical details on
the crash or to press a key and exit the crash page. Upon exiting, your
system may not even realize anything happened and you can hastily save
your document to disk and reboot, for good measure. Of course, there are
some crashes that will bring even Neoload to its knees, but even if it
only saved your skin occasionally, it would be worth it. I find it
recovers gracefully from most of my system crashes. Neoload has earned a
permanent spot in my auto folder and it works great even if you didn't
boot up to Neodesk 4. Information on Neoload and the latest on Neodesk 4
is available in Category 17, Topic 4.
The Edit Plus Recovery Team A second line of defense against crashes
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" doesn't hurt. The powerful Edit Plus
file/memory/disk editor from Clear Thinking can come in very handy if
your word processor likes to unceremoniously exit back to the desktop
after a crash. Your document may still be in memory and usable, with
Edit Plus able to search for it in memory and copy it to its buffer.
After a spot of editing, you can save it to disk. Unless you're using a
text editor, your file in memory may be full of word processing
formatting codes, but the time spent editing these out might still be
faster than rewriting the whole thing from scratch. With Edit Plus'
Kwiksend feature, you can highlight what you need and send it to your
word processor with a few keystrokes. Edit Plus is discussed in Category
2, Topic 40.
The Diamond Back 3 Backup A third prong of defense against data loss is
""""""""""""""""""""""""" the supremely powerful Diamond Back 3 backup
and restore utility from Oregon Research. The dramatic overhaul of its
interface is truly breathtaking and the support for using it in today's
multitasking environments is a real joy. Although hard disk backups can
be a real chore with some programs, Diamond Back 3 turns laborious
actions into point-and-click simplicity. It's fast, pretty, easy to use
and powerful beyond belief. If you use an Atari ST, you need this
program, no doubt about it. With all of your data backed up regularly,
you're ready for even the worst case data endangering scenarios. The
Diamond Back 3 topic is Category 33, Topic 2.
Greening with Data Diet On another note, there is a lot of sales hype
""""""""""""""""""""""" these days about "green" PC's and monitors that
save electricity. In one article I was reading about the subject, it was
suggested that instead of buying a second hard disk and using more
electricity, you could "green" your hard disk by using data compression,
doubling its capacity while using the same amount of electricity. Well,
I'm glad Atari ST users have the option too. I've been using Data Diet 2
and Squish 2 (both from Trace Technologies) for years and really
appreciate how they've given me so much extra room on my hard disk. And
yes, I guess I'm a part of the green scene by not having to get an
additional hard disk. Currently, I have 1451 compressed files on my hard
disk that occupy 15.3 megabytes. Without Data Diet 2 and Squish 2, they
would occupy 27.9 megabytes. Although I have a long way to go before my
hard disk is full, with this type of compression that day will be twice
as far off. The latest on Data Diet can be found in Category 2, Topic
12.
[EOA]
[PDP]//////////////////////////////
PD_QUICKPICK /
/////////////////////////////////
[*]A Recommended Program
""""""""""""""""""""""""
By Fred H. Koch
[F.KOCH]
Program Name : TreeView
Filename : TREEVW24.LZH
Library Area : 33
Program Number : 34181
File Size : 100736
Program Type : Desk Accessory Disk Utility
Author : Stephan Gerle
Version : 2.4
File Type : Unknown (Not Public Domain, German docs)
[*] [*] [*]
WHAT IT IS TreeView displays all folders on the selected drive in a
"""""""""" resizable GEM window.
WHAT IT DOES TreeView is a desk accessory which reads the selected disk
"""""""""""" drive and displays all folders on the drive in a tree
structure display.
This is an easy way to look for that folder of information you know is on
the drive somewhere but you just can't remember where. It is also a good
way to find those duplicate folders you suspect exist, but can't find
easily by looking through the normal nested folder structure.
No files are displayed so you can't use TreeView to find those missing
files you know are on the drive but just aren't sure where.
The documentation is in German so unless you read German they will be of
no
use, but the basic program operation is point and click so if your folder
names are in your own language, the program is usable.
[EOA]
[FUN]//////////////////////////////
SEARCH_ME /
/////////////////////////////////
Online Puzzle Fun
"""""""""""""""""
By Scott R. Garrigus
[S.GARRIGUS]
>>> CARTOON CHARACTERS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
G Q C Q K E D L M X C O S D P P C D I Y X P
T M H F M E Q G C A M P P C Q J D O G C R O
W S I A K B X D P J W I F F D M V Z R S E R
E B C S V Z G L F J X N T A H R S A E N T K
E A K L P F U K Y A C K O X X L Y G X M S Y
T B E U F C Q H D M B Y X U W T U D U X E E
Y O N P K A I F X O M U N Q P U L Y L B V M
M B B Y S L A P P Y G R S K B Z A T I R L M
K Y O W R F V U G F I D X T F N W Z S Y Y C
E L O V O P F C J G H X C G E G R L C N S R
Y P L O K Y N P W R C C Z N G R K O D Q E K
M N U U M N Z R P I D Z Y V I G O J K M G W
Y I P E V O C X G X O M Z S U A G E L C W O
U L N Y J T X S N O T T U B M Q R E S T A Q
T H B D A M L S I G D J N M W T P B Z Q I W
Y D J B Y A A G S U X G V F E G T Z S H Y R
N N D R C H B N H C K D M C U A A N L D O C
E R Y L X U F R U N T B W L O U B O N B F L
O F R S L I V S K E A S O F B L F Y F F A D
BABS BRAIN BUGS
BUSTER BUTTONS CHICKENBOO
DAFFY DOT ELMER
HAMTON MINDY PINKY
PLUCKY PORKY RITA
RUNT SLAPPY SYLVESTER
TWEETY WACKO YACKO
[*][*][*]
GIVE UP? You will find the answers in the LOG OFF column at the end of
"""""""" the magazine.
This puzzle was created with a freeware program called
SEARCH-ME 2, an Atari ST program by David Becker.
[EOA]
[CAI]//////////////////////////////
COMPUTERS AND INVESTING /
/////////////////////////////////
[*]Overbought and Oversold
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
By Sanford E. Wolf
[S.WOLF4]
~ Copyright (C) 1994 by Sanford E. Wolf ~
Prologue Commencing this month, some charts for the IBM edition will be
"""""""" in PCX color, generated on the PC T/A program 'TC2000'. I
must "apologize" to my Atari ST brethren, but the reduced vertical
resolution in PI2 format, and the restricted number of colors (4), do not
accomodate translation of the PCX format. The ST edition will try to
provide the PCX pictures in mono PI3 format (even this is not a
satisfactory translation). If you have a dedicated graphics reader, such
as GEMVIEW, you may find this the best way to read it. Some pictures for
both editions will continue to be generated on the ST program 'Stalk The
Market'. Although PI2 pictures are provided for those STers who prefer
to read GEnieLamp on their color monitor, these financial charts are much
better read in the higher resolution PI3. The reason for bringing on the
PC program is that 'STM', as good as it is, lacks several analytical
features which help to understand what is happening with a stock. (If
any reader knows how to get around the above graphics formating
obstacles, your advice will be welcome.)
One of the questions in the que for Q&A concerns the meaning of
"overbought" and "oversold", terms frequently heard when stock analysts
attempt to describe how a stock is progressing. We'll give it a start,
and continue in the future because there is more involved than might be
obvious.
Digital Equipment has been in the news quite recently, but I have
been watching it for a couple of months for the very interesting chart
pattern it seemed to be developing. This one doesn't show up too often,
and therefore is more intriguing.
Finally, Atari is playing "deja vu all over again". Once again in a
"consolidation" pattern (reducing its "overbought" condition), it should
soon show another breakout.
Q&A: Overbought and Oversold Have you ever attended a track meet and
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" watched the runners in the various events,
from 100 meter sprints to 3000 meter distance races? How about watching a
marathon race on TV -- we have a very popular one here in NYC every year
which will be run again on November 6.
Distance runners don't go all out at any one part of the race --
something which I didn't understand when I ran my first races in
elementary school. They know that excessive early effort may put them
ahead temporarily, but at the cost of depleting their stamina for the
long term, causing them to slow down later and perhaps losing or not even
finishing. They set an overall time goal, and pace themselves
accordingly throughout the race, perhaps with brief periods of faster and
slower running, but then returning to the pace they believe they can
sustain. Hopefully, at the very end, they have enough energy to put on a
final spurt.
Well, a stock is something like a long distance runner. Too fast a
spurt along the way invariably results in a subsequent sell off,
frequently a drastic one. Rather, a healthy stock moves in a long term
trend -- the pace -- with temporary fluctuations above and below, but
usually followed by a return to the trend. Different stocks may
demonstrate different degrees of trend, which shows on a chart as the
slope of price vs time.
Traders and investors are constantly trying to identify stocks with
established trends. Long term investors will seek to hop aboard a long
uptrend and stay with it all the way. They are impervious to short term
price fluctuations. Traders may do the same in isolated instances, but
they are usually more interested in the shorter term fluctuations above
and below the long trend, and seek to profit by identifying such
fluctuations and trading them -- both ways.
A short term fluctuation which moves the price up faster than the
trend is usually caused by some temporary increase in buying pressure. No
wonder, then, that traders refer to a sufficiently large move above the
trend as "overbought". A short term increase in selling pressure usually
results in a fluctuation below the trend, thus the label "oversold".
Yet, perhaps surprisingly, the techniques developed to quantify the
degree of being overbought or oversold generally pay no attention to the
degree of buying and selling, which can be estimated by watching the
associated trading volume. They rely almost exclusively on measures of
price movements. (A discussion of the measurement of buying and selling
was in the July GEnieLamp.)
So much for a general description. The concepts of "overbought" and
"oversold" are very much the creation of traders using the techniques of
Technical Analysis (T/A) to identify and _quantify_ fluctuations above
and below the price trend. Several charting techniques have been
invented to distinguish meaningful fluctuations, which can be traded,
from background "noise" in the price fluctuations. The most obvious
method is simply to watch how prices move up and down within a trading
channel. When prices approach the top of the channel, the odds are they
will soon reverse themselves and return towards mid-channel. The
opposite holds true when prices approach the lower boundary of the
channel. Many examples of such channels have appeared in the charts
displayed in these articles.
Most of the other methods -- Relative Strength Index (RSI),
Stochastics, and others -- involve comparing current price movements with
how prices have moved over some recent period of time. They are more
sensitive to _rate of price movement_ rather than the price itself. Most
of them are oscillators of some sort, which means they move up and down
between upper and lower limits. When near the upper limit, the
interpretation is that the price has moved too fast above the trend, ie
overbought. When near the lower limit, the interpretation is oversold.
We will look at the IBM chart and one of the more popular indicator
techniques for making these evaluations: "Stochastics". (If anyone knows
the meaning of that word as applied in this context, please let us know.
My dictionary suggests "conjectures", which strikes me as appropriate.)
IBM Let's take a look at the recent rise of IBM (translated from the
""" PCX format.) The line running through the usual price graph
depicts the average upward trend of price. Your eyes can see the price
fluctuations, in particular the more extreme ones, and the subsequent
returns to the average trend. While most fluctuations from the average
can be characterized by some degree of overbuying or overselling, not all
attain a sufficient degree to be worthwhile trading.
Beneath the price graph is a window which, in this instance, displays
the Stochastics indicator. You can see how the indicator moves between a
value of '100' at its maximum, and '0' at its minimum. Also drawn through
the window are horizontal lines depicting the '80' and '20' levels. When
the indicator is above '80', it is interpreted as showing an "overbought"
condition; when below '20', it suggests "oversold". Note how the peaks
and valleys of the indicator generally line up with the peaks and valleys
in the price graph. However, you can also see the sensitivity of the
indicator to _rate_ of price movement as well, as prices are
transitioning between extremes.
Many traders use such an indicator to give buy and sell signals. When
the indicator is in "overbought" territory, ie above 80, a drop back down
through 80 is often interpreted as a sell signal. The same applies at
the bottom: a rise from below to above 20 is interpreted as a buy
signal. I have put a vertical line -- about mid July -- between the
indicator and price graphs, which shows the last buy signal at a price of
about 57. It was a pretty good one. OTOH, the sell signal of late
August, at about 69, was obviously premature. IBM is now (October 26) in
overbought territory.
It should be noted that overbought and oversold conditions can
continue for relatively long periods of time before a trading signal is
given. I have seen them continue for many months. The signals can
sometimes be misleading, as the August sell signal shows. They should be
interpreted in conjunction with other chart information. Most of these
indicators lag behind the most recent trading; this is because they make
use of past prices, and the longer the "look back" period, the more they
lag.
Sometimes a moving average is used to "smooth out" the view of such
indicators, and perhaps you have seen stochastics displayed as a double
curve where the second curve is a moving average of the actual indicator.
When a moving average is used, the crossing of the indicator through the
MA is often interpreted as a buy or sell signal. We will probably get to
see this aspect of indicator interpretation in future articles.
Digital Equipment - A Classical Saucer One of the more fascinating, if
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" relatively rare, chart patterns
is the long "Saucer Bottom". It is slow to develop, sometimes taking
months, and only becomes clear towards the end. But when observed, it
takes on aspects of a work of art, and just beckons to be traded. So it
was last August, when I first noticed that DEC was putting on a classical
manifestation of a saucer in process of formation.
The insert (monthly chart) shows DEC's 7 year decline from its
historical high of 200 in October, 1987. (Remember October '87? I'm
sure you do.) The daily chart shows the bottom at 19 in April, '93,
followed by a sharp bounce to 24 in late May. Then began a gradual
decline back to 19 and slow rise back to 24 in late August. This entire
gradual decline and rise manifests a definite concavity, much like a
saucer. When it got back up to 24 in August, DEC spent about 3 weeks
tracing out a horizontal trading range, much like a "handle" for our
saucer. During this entire period, the associated trading volume
followed a fairly similar pattern.
This 4 month long bottoming pattern is almost a photocopy of the
drawing of an idealized saucer bottom contained in the book "Technical
Analysis of the Futures Markets" by John J. Murphy of CNBC fame. What
particularly struck me was the brief peak in both price and volume which
appears in mid July. This is just as it appears in the book, as is the
"handle" with its associated period of much reduced volume. The pattern
was completed with the breakout from the "handle" in late September.
The breakout from the handle is the ideal time to buy into such a
stock. However, as often happens, prices move so fast that one may miss
the opportunity. But there is hope in such a case; it also happens quite
often that prices will return to the level of the breakout, affording a
second opportunity to get aboard. That's what happened here. All and
all, this was a classical example of this type of long, slow, turnaround
after a major decline, literally right out of the textbook.
In mid October, as DEC was rising out of the saucer, the Wall Street
Journal carried an interview with 4 professional analysts. They were
uniformally negative, dismally so, in their assessment of Digital
Equipment. Shades of IBM!!
Atari The insert, a monthly chart, shows ATC from its initial publ
""""" offering (IPO) to date. In it, you can see how the trading high
in mid 1989, at 12_3/4, marked the onset of massive selling at the top in
November, 1994. Another example of a chart feature from the distant past
influencing current activity. It is also interesting to look at how
large the trading volume has become during the past year. Whatever
Atari's faults, there are a lot of people out there finding a previously
unseen degree of excitement with ATC.
The daily chart shows ATC consolidating once again. A break out, one
way or the other, can be expected any day -- last month it happened the
day after I submitted the October column, with a one day jump from 5_1/2
to 7_1/2. The odds again favor a break upward, although probably not as
large. A break down should be contained at about 5_1/2, with renewed
advances thereafter.
Last month's 2 day move up to 7_3/4 was clearly enhanced by
substantial short covering. The report for October 15th short positions
showed a 300,000 share decline from September, to under 4 million shares
for the first time since the top just 1 year ago. However, the short
position is still very large, and anything can happen on the way up once
again. In particular, if ATC can get over 8, the chart points to a near
term target of between 9 and 10, say 9_1/2 for argument's sake.
It is interesting to watch the fate of the gap which opened at the
breakout last month. Some people are expecting it to be filled, like
most gaps, but there is a good chance this one will become a true
"breakout gap", and not get filled for a long time to come. It was
partially filled during the reaction immediately following the breakout,
but is still open. To fill it now will require a break down through the
uptrending support line drawn on the chart.
Epilogue It is nice to see some of those with whom I chat in the ST and
"""""""" Investors RTs begin to do their own charting. It not only
offers substantial enhancement to one's ability to make investment
decisions, but it is a lot of fun as well. The Investors RT has many
T/Aers, some with substantial experience and using the most advanced
software. Interesting debates over interpretation of what the charts and
"fundamentals" are saying take place often, and one can get a good
education browsing around in those topics.
With my new PC based software, several new charting methods have
become potential subjects of future columns. Feedback will be welcome
from readers on particular techniques they might like to have discussed
here. Soon I'll have to finally bite the bullet and buy a PC to go along
with the software which I now run elsewhere.
[EOA]
[CON]//////////////////////////////
CONNECTIONS /
/////////////////////////////////
Future of GEnie
"""""""""""""""
By Al Fasoldt
[A.FASOLDT]
~ Copyright 1994 by Al Fasoldt. All rights reserved. ~
GEnie is facing a tough struggle, and we Atarians are going to be caught
in the middle if we don't speak up. The battle is going to be fought on
the turf owned by Microsoft Windows, which has become the standard
personal-computer operating system in the mid-1990s.
Arguments over the nature of Windows are pointless here. Atari fans can
revel all they want in the comfort of a real operating system (something
that Windows is not, given its actual function as a shell on top of MS-
DOS), but this will not change the course of telecommunications history.
What is happening, like it or not, is an inexorable shift by the major
online services toward telecommunications software based entirely on
Windows.
In the two most successful examples of this approach, used by America
Online and Prodigy, the software running on the local computer does as
much of the work as possible, in a manner mostly hidden from the user.
This frees up the online system's resources in several important ways,
making it possible for the online system to provide what it could not do
otherwise -- colorful windows and icons, sounds, even (in prototype
systems) motion pictures, delivered to the screen quickly enough to
satisfy most unsophisticated users.
Doing this requires 9600bps or 14.4kbps modem connections -- which all
the services either have already or are adding now -- and a standard
software platform on the user's computer. That standard is Microsoft
Windows. This means, of course, that even Macintosh users are in danger
of being left out, as Windows takes over even more of the general market
than it has appropriated already.
But while there is still a good chance that the major online services
will continue to support the Mac (and its new cousin, the PowerPC version
of the Macintosh), there is no likelihood at all that any of these
services will create Atari GEM versions of their new software. To put it
bluntly, there's no money in it for them. The Atari ST, TT and Falcon
community is too small to matter.
At present, the only services that lock out Atari users in this way are
Prodigy and America Online. Both services use so-called "front-end"
software (the programs users must run as interfaces with the services)
that runs under Windows (or MS-DOS) or on the Mac. (America Online also
supports earlier Apple computers, but the software for these models is
not likely to be upgraded.)
The three other major online services, CompuServe, Delphi and GEnie, are
still text-based. This is a big drawback from their point of view.
Text-based (or command-line) systems cannot support the kind of
integrated graphical software that makes America Online and Prodigy so
attractive to new users. The best these services can do is to offer a
Windows- or Mac-based software program that interprets mouse clicks and
icon selections as text commands to the service. CompuServe has had a
Windows front-end program for some time, and GEnie has been testing one
for many months.
Most Atarians who are members of GEnie use. or are aware of, the
alternative to such a Windows front-end program. It's called Aladdin.
Versions for PCs, the Amiga and the ST family of computers are available.
One of the ironies of the Aladdin saga is that the ST version is at once
the easiest of the three to use and the most endangered. If GEnie
switches its host software away from a text-based method, ST Aladdin will
no longer work. No tweaking or simple upgrades would fix it. It was
designed to issue commands to a text-based command-line system, and it
would have no function in a GEnie service that operated like America
Online.
Likewise, no regular telecommunications software for the Atari line would
be able to access GEnie either, if GEnie abandoned its current method.
Atari users would be shut out.
Common sense should tell us that GEnie needs to do something to regain
the market share it had a few years ago. GEnie has about 250,000 members,
and obviously not all of these members are on line each day; America
Online, by contrast, services 750,000 calls each day, and is by far the
fastest growing service in North America.
I have been watching the growth of the online services with considerable
interest for many years. As a software programmer, computer systems
trainer and journalist specializing in technology, I know what makes an
online service interesting to newcomers: It must have pizzazz. It must
have icons and windows and color. The folks who run GEnie know this, too.
But they will not know how Atari users feel about the future of GEnie
unless we tell them. The best way to start doing this is to do what comes
naturally: Log on and post a message telling how you feel and asking
others to react. Ask the ST Roundtable sysops to help, too. Speak up for
Aladdin. Try Aladdin if you aren't using it already, or, if you own
STalker, the multitasking telecommunications program, try GEnie Oracle,
available in the ST file area.
And speak up for your favorite computer. It may be a great MIDI computer
or a nifty game machine or a first-rate desktop-publishing device or
anything else. But it's also unknown to nearly everybody outside this
realm of GEM and TOS. Keep that flame burning. It's starting to get a
little dark out there.
[EOA]
[LOG]//////////////////////////////
LOG OFF /
/////////////////////////////////
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