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Atari Explorer Online Issue 1992 05
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ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE MAGAZINE
June 29, 1992 Volume 1, Number 5 Issue #92-05
Copyright (c)1992, Atari Computer Corporation
Published by Atari Corporation
Editor - Ron Kovacs
Contributing Editor - Ed Krimen
| | | TABLE OF CONTENTS | | |
||| The Publishers Workstation........................Bob Brodie
Survey update and more.....
||| The Editors Desk..................................Ron Kovacs
AEO Mailbag and new release schedule announced!
||| Z*Net User Group Newswire...................................
Atarifest Update!
||| Straight Fax................................................
Reprint from Atari Explorer Magazine - Review!
||| Perusing GEnie......................................Ed Krimen
Hot Topics of discussion on GEnie!
||| Lynx Owners Update..............................Clinton Smith
Latest Lynx News from AtariUser Magazine
||| AtariUser Magazine Reviews...................................
Great mini-reviews of interest!
||| Computer Terms...............................................
Terminology of frequent terms!
||| Zenobot's Game Cheats........................................
April update!
| | | THE PUBLISHERS WORKSTATION
| | | By Bob Brodie
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
WOW!!
In my last column, I explained that my online time was starting to
diminish. In an attempt to ensure that I was reaching the greatest
numbers of people, I asked for the online Atarians to tell me what
networks they wanted me to support. And tell me they have!
Without a doubt, this has caused a little bit of controversy. However,
most of the activity has been absolutely wonderful!! I have gotten mail
from MANY people that I have never heard from before! All of the
"lurkers" are crawling out of the woodwork to let me know their opinion
on this important issue.
Some people seem to feel that I was attempting to sway people by telling
them that I thought the results would be GEnie and the FNET. Nothing
could be further from the truth. It was my hope that the other networks
would respond by showing me the level of interest that each one of them
has in having my presence online. And to each and every one of you that
has responded, my thanks!
To each and every one of you that HAS NOT responded, in two weeks we'll
be done with this fact finding exercise. Please, if you haven't already
contacted me, do so as soon as possible. I'm really very open to
suggestions. If you think that I have only listed the networks that I'm
willing to be on, you're wrong! Let me know where YOU want me to be,
and I'll give it careful consideration!!! I've already heard from a
number of people on the InterNet, and the FidoNet!!
If you can't reach me online, feel free to write, call, or fax. You can
reach me as follows:
Atari Corporation Voice: 408-745-2052
1196 Borregas Ave. FAX: 408-745-2088
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1302
I have an answering machine on my system at work, and hey...feel free to
test out those new fax modems by sending me your opinion!!
A Word about CompuServe
=======================
Despite my request for input via E-mail, Ron Luks, the Atari Forum
administrator of CompuServe has started a limited poll for the members
of the CIS Atari Forums. This is not what I had hoped for. The poll
doesn't allow the same freedom that using e-mail does, and assumes
certain responses are satisfactory to the respondent. No provision for
alternative commentary or choices is made. Since Ron is determined to
see his poll through, I'll take it under secondary advisement as a
courtesy to our users on CIS. However, I encourage every member of the
CIS Atari Forums to please send me E-mail!!
At this point, I'm sorry to report that the response on CompuServe has
been pathetic...far and away the lowest number of respondents on any
network. You've got two more weeks to respond in e-mail, gang! Let's
see how many of the CIS World-Wide membership will respond...in e-mail!
My CompuServe ID is 70007,3240.
It's no surprise to me that some of the users of the networks use one
network to send me e-mail, while they encourage me to appear on another
one!! Somehow, I doubt that this would happen in a public survey
sponsored by a network. Further, there might be specific comments about
the particular network that people would be willing to share with me in
the privacy of e-mail, that they would rather not say in public.
Believe me, some of the commentary in the e-mail has been pretty
pointed!!!!
GEnie, on the other hand...
===========================
GEnie has shown once again why they are one of the leading online
networks for Atari owners everywhere. The amount of mail that came in
just last weekend alone was staggering! My heartfelt thanks to each of
you that responded as asked!! I'm especially grateful for the
cooperation of Head Sysop Darlah Potechin, who made certain that all of
the Atarians online in the ST Roundtables knew that I wanted to hear
from them. Reading this mail was one of the most encouraging things
that I have done in MONTHS!
Next edition, I'll share some of the comments that I've gotten in this
survey. It's my hope that you will enjoy reading them as much as I
have!!
I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank the people from
InterNet, FidoNet, and other networks that have contacted me to tell me
how much they appreciate Atari Explorer Online! I appreciate them
helping to distribute Atari Explorer Online to the other networks that
we don't directly log on to. It's seems that there is a pretty
impatient group out there, waiting to see the latest edition every two
weeks! Thanks for writing, it's just that kind of encouragement that
helps encourage the staff to keep up the effort!
New Editor Update
=================
An offer has been made to one of the candidates Atari is looking at to
head up Atari Explorer Magazine, and assume the publisher duties of the
online edition as well! We're doing some additional negotiations at
this time with the candidate. Needless to say, I'm hoping for a quick
conclusion to these negotiations...it's been a long time coming! As
soon as we have the name of the new editor, I promise that you'll know
RIGHT AWAY!
Coming soon to a city near you??
=================================
We're starting to move in to the show season. Following in the
footsteps of the hugely successful ACE '92 Show held in Toronto, Canada
in early April. I've also taken to the road again, and have been out
and about visiting user groups. A couple of weeks ago found me in
Milwaukee for the MAST Show, as well as visiting with the Lake County
ACE, and MilAtari members! I've also been in northern California, to be
with the Redding Atari Computer Enthusiasts, and the Sacramento ST Users
Group. Currently, I'm planning on attending the Mid Indiana ST
Atarifest in Indianapolis in July, as well as the Connecticut Atarifest
in August.
Mike Groh, our national sales manager will be attending the Blue Ridge
Atarifest in Asheville, North Carolina. I encourage all of our
southeastern Atarians to contact Sheldon Winick (S.WINICK on GEnie) at
Computer STudio in Asheville for details on the show! I've attended the
Blue Ridge Atarifest for two years in a row, it's an experience not to
be missed!!!
There are also plans in the works for the Southern California Atari
Faire, (The Glendale Show) Version 6.0 for the late Summer. We'll
update you on the fall/winter shows as they draw nearer.
New Products from Atari?
========================
Atari has made tentative plans for the North American debut of the
Falcon 030 at the Boston Computer Society on September 23, 1992. While
we have not finalized these plans yet, I'm personally comfortable enough
with them that I've got my airline tickets already! This will be the
first public showing of the Falcon 030 in North America.
Part of the excitement of the Falcon 030 is MultiTOS, something that
we've already shown to an anxious public at the extraordinary ACE '92
Show in Toronto. Since that showing, I've been assailed by hundreds of
questions about how MultiTOS works, and looks. While the product is
still in development, and therefore subject to some changes, it's solid
enough to show YOU how it looks! So we've included some screen shots of
MultiTOS with this issue to give you a glimpse of the future! I hope
you enjoy them!!
| | | THE EDITORS DESK
| | | By Ron Kovacs
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
Before continuing here, let me first state that this issue required
additional time to produce. Please note that I am not at all pleased
about releasing issues late, although the recent track record states
differently. There is some good news to report however, in just 4 DAYS
Atari Explorer Online moves to a weekly release schedule.
In the AEO Mailbag recently, we received a request or two for 8-bit
support. There are a number of things that require that to occur.
First and foremost we need material. Z*Magazine, another relative to
AEO and the grandfather of Atari Online magazines still exists. Z*Mag
issues are released on a monthly basis with 100% 8-bit coverage. The
need for an additional 8-Bit Online Magazine doesn't seem necessary in
my opinion. The process to create Z*Mag on a monthly basis takes effort
to produce because of the lack of information available.
To date there are over 208 issues of Z*Magazine dating back to May 1986.
There is plenty of information already available, however, there is a
need for coverage and the amount to be allocated for AEO has yet to be
determined.
The other point noted was the release of AEO issues in a format
compatible with the 8-bit machine. We are currently discussing this
situation and will have a response real soon now :-), or atleast by the
next release of this magazine. I am personally not to fond of resizing
the issue to 40 columns or editing out material not applicable to the
8-Bit. Stay tuned for details.
Another request received this week on GEnie was for Z*Net. Z*Net Atari
Online Magazine was merged with this publication. Z*Net PC Online
Magazine still flourishes and is currently away on summer vacation.
AEO replaces Z*Net Atari and the Z*Net Newswire, already a part of
user group newsletters and AtariUser Magazine continues in AEO.
Please continue to forward your comments and suggestions! Thanks for
reading and remember, Friday's belong to Atari Explorer Online Magazine!
| | | Z*NET USER GROUP NEWSWIRE
| | | Latest Shows Update
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
This column covers the Atari User Group Show schedule. If you have an
update to share, send all press release information to Z-NET on GEnie,
75300,1642 on CompuServe and via FNET nodes 593, 319, 706.
DISCOUNTS OFFERED ON ADMISSION TO HARTFORD ATARI SHOW
Budget-conscious Atari users can take advantage of a registration offer
that will save them money during their visit to Connecticut AtariFest'92
(CAF '92) here on August 15 and 16. Show organizers have invited on-
line and bulletin board users to pre-register for the Northeast's only
Atari show this summer and save up to $2 off the price of admission.
For a limited time, would-be show attendees can download an Earlybird
Registration Form, fill in the necessary data and get $1.50 discount off
the price of a one-day ticket, $2 off the price of a two-day pass.
Attendees registering at the show will pay $5 and $8 for one- and two-
day passes, respectively. Registrants must return the form with a check
or money order by midnight July 9, 1992 to qualify for discounts.
Organizers said the EarlyBird discounts will give showgoers a little
more buying power with which to fill shopping bags with goodies at the
show. By pre-registering, attendees can breeze through the check-in
desk on the days of the show and won't be left waiting in line while
other visitors grab the best bargains. CAF '92 Chairman Brian Gockley
said EarlyBird registants will also receive a pre-show mailer containing
news about specials that off-the-street visitors won't learn about until
the doors of CAF '92 open. Connecticut AtariFest '92 is rapidly shaping
up as the must-go Atari event of this summer. More than two dozen
leading developers and Atari dealers plan to attend. More than one
dozen Atari user groups from around the Northeast will also participate.
The show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday August 15 and Sunday
August 16 at the Sheraton Hotel at Bradley International Airport in
Windor Locks, 12 miles north of downtown Hartford. Show activities will
include presentation of the latest Atari products and services, seminars
on desktop publishing and video production, instruction from developers,
a hands-on Atari 'Petting Zoo' spotlighting unique user creations, MIDI
demonstrations, Lynx (game system) competitions, Portfolio (palmtop)
applications, 8-bit support and more. Prospective showgoers who do not
subscribe to a major on-line service or contact Atari bulletin board
systems in the Northeast can still get a pre-show discount. They should
address a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Connecticut AtariFest '92,
18 Elmwood Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605. For more information about the
show, contact Brian Gockley at the above address [Phone (203) 332-1721;
E-Mail GEnie = B.GOCKLEY], or Doug Finch, 46 Park Avenue, Old Greenwich,
CT 06870 [Phone (203) 637-1034; EMail CIS = 76337,1067 or GEnie =
D.FINCH7.
GLENDALE ATARIFEST UPDATE
Are you ready for the next Southern California Computer Faire? Yes,
Version 6.0 will soon be upon us. We anticipate that this year's
Glendale Show will be the largest ever. We also expect that there might
possibly be a new machine on display. Hint. Hint. There will be over
fifty developers, retailers, user groups and ATARI personnel on hand to
make this event a must. The show will be held Saturday and Sunday,
September 12-13, 1992 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1041 N. Verdugo
Road, Glendale, CA. Hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00
am to 4:00 pm on Sunday. General Admission is $6.00 per person with a
two day pass costing only $10.00. If you plan on attending and you live
outside of Southern California you may get FREE admission by sending a
self-address-stamped-#10 envelope to H.A.C.K.S., 249 N. Brand Bl. #321,
Glendale, CA 91203 and get a one day pass for two. For those of you
who will be needing lodging we have made arrangements with the Burbank
Hilton. Regular rates are $119.00 per night but if you mention ATARI
you will get a room for $65.00 per night, single or double occupancy.
Executive suites are also available for a per night charge of $95.00.
Reservations may be made by calling the Hilton at 800-643-7400 (in
California), 800-468-3576 (inside the USA) or at 818-843-600 (outside
the USA). The guaranteed reservation cut-off date is August 20th. If
you are quoted another rate ask for Roy Butler, Sales Manger. This year
The Glendale Show will be holding Desk Top Publishing Classes. This has
been a very popular addition at other shows. There will be a $25.00(US)
fee for these hands-on classes. ISD Marketing will be holding Beginners
and Advanced classes for owners and prospective owners of Calamus SL.
Classes will be held on Saturday and Sunday. Classroom size is limited.
Make your reservations by sending a check for $25.00(US) payable to
H.A.C.S.K., 249 Brand Bl. #321, Glendale, CA 91203. Be sure to state
the preference of day and class level. A confirmation will be sent,
about two weeks prior to the show, by return mail stating which class
you will be enrolled in. Enrollment in the classroom will also entitle
you to admission to the rest of the show for the day of your class.
Look for our full-page advertisements in upcoming issues of AtariUser
and Atari Explorer magazines. If you have any questions send mail to
H.A.C.K.S., 249 N. Brand Bl. #321, Glendale, CA 91203 or leave GEmail to
John.King.T or call John King Tarpinian at 818-246-7276.
WAACE ATARIFEST UPDATE
The Washington Area Atari Computer Enthusiasts will sponsor W.A.A.C.E.
AtariFest 1992 on October 10 and 11. The show will again be staged at
the Sheraton Reston Hotel in Reston, VA. Show hours will be from 10 am
to 6 pm on both days. In addition to the shopping bargains available
from over thirty vendors there will be a full round of demonstrations,
tutorials, and seminars. A banquet on Saturday evening will feature a
special speaker on Atari matters and Current Notes Magazine's "Author of
the Year" award. Special mixers will cap off the evening's festivities.
The 1990 and 1991 editions of the show attracted approximately 2000
visitors. The Sheraton Reston Hotel is a spacious, attractive facility
located in a parklike setting near Washington, DC. The hotel is
offering a special room rate of $59 per night plus tax to 'Fest
attendees. Call 1-800-392-ROOM or 703-620-9000 for reservations. Be
sure to mention W.A.A.C.E. AtariFest '92. The number of rooms available
at this special rate is limited, so make your reservations early. The
price that W.A.A.C.E. will have to pay for the exhibit space is directly
tied to the number of hotel rooms that are rented out. If you have any
expectation at all of attending the event we would like you to reserve a
room for Friday and Saturday nights. Immediately following the 1991
show Charles F. Johnson of Codehead Technologies announced that
W.A.A.C.E. '91 was the most profitable outing that they had ever had,
anywhere. For eight years W.A.A.C.E. has provided a complete Atari
experience. 1992 promises to be in that same tradition. For additional
information please contact: Charles Hoffmann, 5908 Bayshire Road,
Springfield, VA 22152-1146 (703) 569-6734 GEnie : S. Hoffmann
CompuServe : 73740,1507 Delphi : CHUCKHOFFMAN
| | | STRAIGHT FAX
| | | Atari Explorer Review
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
Requirements: Any ST, STe, or TT computer with 1 MB or more RAM.
Class 2 Faxmodem (receive and transmit) or SendFAX modem (send only).
Summary: Powerful and well-designed send/receive fax software package.
Manufacturer: Joppa Software Development, P.O. Box 214, Dallastown, PA
17313-0214 (717) 428-3231
Price: $89.95
Let me admit my bias: I think fax is pretty much an all-around stone
drag. Fax machines cost too much, waste paper, and produce substandard
output that can't be read directly by machines. Unfortunately, the
Luddite majority has been led to believe that fax is a miracle of
information science, and has embraced the standard with bleating,
sheeplike enthusiasm. The resulting trend leaves us technically-
literate types with no choice but to conform -- admitting that the fax
standard exists, and using it when there's no reasonable alternative.
The real miracle of fax, of course, is that people will pay upwards of
six bills for the equivalent of a cheap auto-dial telephone, a handful
of stock chips, and a low-res thermal printer. Luckily, however,
there's now an alternative. Just because we're forced to use fax from
time to time doesn't mean we have to put up with its unwieldy,
redundant, underpowered, and overpriced machinery. Combined with one of
the new high-speed faxmodems, Joppa's inexpensive STraight FAX software
turns your Atari ST or TT into a versatile facsimile workstation, as
powerful as the best stand-alone, plain-paper fax machines on the
market.
The Basics
STraight FAX works by coordinating system resources -- faxmodem,
printer, and hand scanner -- to substitute for the components of a fax
machine. But by dissociating these components, it achieves efficiencies
a stand-alone fax can't match. Unlike a regular fax, which accepts only
physical documents, STraight FAX can take input in file form --
transparently converting ASCII text (from word processors, spreadsheets,
databases, etc.), .IMG, and Degas files to its own "fax" format, prior
to transmission. This approach saves time and paper, eliminates feed
errors, and scotches any physical limitation on feed capacity. Perhaps
even more important, converted documents are free of the spurious data,
shadowing, and other problems introduced when physical pages are scanned
into a standard fax, making for far cleaner output at the destination.
To broaden the range of applications that can provide input to STraight
FAX, Joppa has created "printer drivers" for Calamus (1.9 and SL),
PageStream (1.8 and 2.1), and GDOS that let these programs produce fax
files directly. Multiple-page transmissions can be assembled from up to
33 files in any of the supported formats (ASCII, .IMG, Degas .PI3, and
"fax" (.J01 to .J99 extenders)); and the file-conversion routines can be
operated manually to convert files to fax format for later sending.
This capability is leveraged by sophisticated features permitting
deferred document transmission.
Faxing hardcopy requires a hand-scanner (MiGraph, Golden Image, etc.),
plus Dr. Bobware's ScanLite desk accessory. With ScanLite present,
STraight FAX controls your scanner directly, using ScanLite to combine
the narrow "strips" produced by each pass into a single, seamless image.
The image can then be reviewed, cropped, and massaged in one of STraight
FAX's four "view windows," before saving as an .IMG file for
transmission.
While this is admittedly somewhat more laborious than simply feeding
hardcopy to a fax machine, there are real advantages to this approach.
Not least of these is the fact that scanned documents can be "touched
up" (e.g., algorithmically smoothed, contrast-corrected, etc.) prior to
transmission, making for clearer output at the destination end.
As STraight FAX receives a document, it outputs a series of page-files
in its own "fax" format -- optionally displaying these in a view window
as pages are received. Once transmission is complete, fax files may be
printed (using GDOS), reviewed directly in a view window, or converted
to .IMG format for various purposes, including import to graphics, DTP,
or perhaps even OCR software. (Now there's irony for you: use all this
sophisticated tech to receive a fax, process it through MiGraph OCR, and
end up with the same ASCII text file you could have downloaded directly
if the ruminant at the other end of the line would learn how a modem
works! Is that high techno-camp, or what?)
STraightforward!
Though essentially a specialized telecommunications package, STraight
FAX is much easier to operate than regular terminal software. Once the
program is properly configured, it hides the complex business of
faxmodem management behind a simple user-interface that automates every
aspect of fax communication, and provides clear records of faxes
transmitted and received.
Initial installation is easy -- an "install" program is supplied on the
distribution disk, so all you have to do is point, click, fill in the
blanks in the online registration form, then (as a famous scientist once
said) "sit back und vatch der blinkenlights." STraight FAX can reside in
any folder, and can address independent folders for outgoing and
incoming material.
Additional preparations are only slightly more complicated. For
printing, STraight FAX requires that GDOS (or G+Plus, or Font GDOS, or
FSM/GDOS) be installed, though since the program does not require any
special fonts for printing, an existing GDOS configuration should work
fine. Depending on what version of TOS you're running, it may also be
necessary to install one of a variety of AUTO-folder "patches" to insure
proper handling of the modem port. The necessary patches are supplied
with STraight FAX (Atari has released these to the public domain), and
the manual contains a table correlating TOS versions, patches, and flow-
control options.
Finally, STraight FAX's unattended transmission and logging features
require that system time be set correctly. Because early-model STs lack
battery-backed clocks, Joppa has thoughtfully included a time-setting
utility with the package. This utility can be run as a program or
installed as a desk accessory. Additionally, if STraight FAX determines
that system time has not been set during the current work-session, it
will auto-execute the time-setting program if the utility is stored in
the same directory as the main application.
Once the program is up and running, online configuration is simple and
straightforward. You will have to identify the type of faxmodem you are
using (the program supports both Class 2 send/receive faxmodems up to
14,400 baud, and Joppa's own SendFAX, send-only faxmodem), though most
other low-level parameters (DTMF intertone delays, redial intervals,
comma pause times, etc.) are preset to tolerable default values.
Setting baud rate in the program is easy -- just set it to the highest
rate your faxmodem will support, and the modem will handle such
"stopping down" as may be needed to communicate with lower-speed
equipment. Additional configuration options may be set to control
automatic cover-page and page-header generation and appearance,
influence the formatting of .IMG and Degas files on conversion, and to
master certain cosmetic aspects of program behavior (use of "grow" and
"shrink" boxes, etc.).
Features and Details
Though menu-driven, all of STraight FAX's features may also be elicited
by keypress. Frequently-used features are coded to the main function
keys and to a small button panel, embedded in the screen background.
Faxes may thus be sent, received, and scheduled; phone lists may be
updated and logs reviewed, all with "one-touch" ease.
Four "send" buttons permit transmission of a single document in ASCII,
.IMG, Degas, or FAX format. When one of these buttons is clicked, a file
selector pops up -- its mask set to reveal only files of the selected
type. Once a source document is selected, conversion and transmission
proceed immediately unless automatic cover-page generation is active.
In this latter case, a default cover-page file is loaded and displayed
for approval or modification.
Cover pages contain standard fields for sender, recipient, and other
information, and can incorporate a graphic saved as a fax-format file.
Cover page parameters may be loaded and saved to disk, so several types
of cover sheets can be maintained. When a cover page is generated for
transmission, variable fields such as date, time, and total number of
pages are filled in, automatically. Recipient name can also be filled
in by the program, from information found in the telephone list. This
is particularly useful when sending the same document to multiple
recipients.
Selecting a destination fax number is the next step. Just point and
double-click, and your fax is on its way. Call progress is monitored by
a status dialog box, and automatic redial, re-sending of failed pages,
and other "hands off" convenience features are supported. Transmissions
are automatically made at the highest speed sender and recipient can
support, limited by current line conditions. Successful completion is
announced by an audio tone, and entries are automatically made in the
transmission log, for later reference.
Sending the same document to multiple recipients is just as easy: select
multiple destination phone numbers from the phone list (up to 100
numbers may be loaded at once, and phone lists can be saved and loaded
from disk), and off you go. STraight FAX automatically logs each
requested transfer into the scheduler (using the current time), then
calls each number and sends the document. Recipient information,
actual time of transmission, and date are automatically modified for
each cover page. Call history is saved in the transmission log file.
Deferred transmission is also handled by the scheduler: just select a
document, approve a cover page, designate one or several recipients,
then input a time and date. Entries to the scheduler can be edited or
cancelled at any time prior to transmission. STraight fax can only
process scheduled transmissions when active, but otherwise unoccupied --
it cannot inherently perform "background processing," nor "wake up" from
dormancy to perform pending tasks. For this reason, the program is
designed to perform any pending transfers whenever it is executed. A
similar problemette occurs on fax receipt: which STraight FAX performs
gracefully either in manual or automatic mode -- but only when up and
running.
Luckily, when Atari releases MultiTOS, later this year, both these
quibbles will go away. According to Joppa, STraight FAX is already
fully compliant with the promised operating system upgrade. As a
MultiTOS background process, STraight FAX will be fully capable of
unattended transmission and receipt.
Final Notes
STraight FAX's 80-page manual is complete, concise, well-organized, and
well-written -- covering each aspect of the program in ample detail.
The only problem with the manual is that several groups of pages appear
more than once -- confusing until you figure things out and remove the
extra sheets. Purchase and registration also gives access to Joppa's
technical support voice line and BBS, both of which are staffed by
technically-expert personnel.
The only reasonable objection to the program is its lack of background
processing capability, and this problem will evaporate as soon as
MultiTOS is released. Beyond this, it's hard to think of any
fundamental feature STraight FAX lacks, though it's possible to imagine
the program being enhanced, over time, to give access to a wider variety
of file-types for direct transmission.
Overall, STraight FAX is a very good piece of software. Anyone managing
a sales force, keeping in touch with a broad client base, zapping press
releases out to expectant media, or fielding any similarly advanced,
professional fax application (oxymoronic as this may sound) would be
well advised to purchase STraight FAX and an appropriate faxmodem,
straightaway. It's simply the cheapest, neatest, most efficient way to
deal with the fax phenomenon.
| | | PERUSING GENIE
| | | By Ed Krimen
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
Some messages may have been edited for clarity, correct spelling,
punctuation, and grammar.
40-FOLDER BUG REVISITED
-----------------------
-=> In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14)
-=> from the "Atari's new TOS 2.06" topic (8)
Message 201 Tue Jun 16, 1992
MUSE [Tomas] at 03:07 EDT
> FOLDRxxx is only necessary if you plan to have over 40 folders
> OPEN at one time.
Doug,
Who plans? I'm always trying to figure this out. Would a backup
session result in over 40 folders OPEN or just ACCESSED?
===Tomas=== (Who always listens when Doug talks.)
----------
Message 204 Tue Jun 16, 1992
J.WISNIEWSK2 [Jeff - ST'er] at 05:44 EDT
The 40 folder limit - you would have to have 40 or more windows open at
the same time, and the limit is now more than 40 so you will never hit
it, at least that is what I understand from some of the Codehead's
comments.
----------
Message 206 Tue Jun 16, 1992
J.EIDSVOOG1 [CodeHead] at 10:28 EDT
It really isn't possible to reliably predict exactly when you will hit
the "40-folder limit". Although it does have to do with folders being
open, there are other factors involved.
GEMDOS has a "memory pool" that is used for (at least) two things --
path structures and memory descriptors. Ever since the "fix" of the
40-folder limit was implemented in TOS 1.04, these two structures have
shared the use of the memory pool.
Each time a new path is accessed, a new structure is allocated from the
pool. If you do a media change on a drive, all of the path structures
belonging to it will be returned to the pool.
The pool is also used for memory descriptors. When GEMDOS first
initializes there are just two descriptors, one for the memory used by
GEMDOS and one for the free memory available. Every time a program
allocates a block of memory, an extra descriptor is taken from the pool
and assigned to that block of memory. If that block is freed (_and_ it
is contiguous with free block of memory), the memory will be combined
into one descriptor and the other will be given back to the pool.
With all of this action in and out of the pool, it is impossible to
predict how much pool memory will be needed by any particular system. I
choose to add "200 folders" to my setup (through ICDBOOT.SYS) no matter
what TOS version I run. It only takes 13K for this piece of mind.
Remember, this is not a bug fix...it's a system configuration. I'm
expanding my GEMDOS memory pool to fit my system. On an MSDOS machine,
this is handled by "FILES=xxx" and "BUFFERS=xxx".
If you want to dive into a pool, just make sure there's enough water in
it. <grin>
John
=======================================
EPIC
----
-=> In the "Games" category (9)
-=> from the "Epic by Ocean" topic (40)
Message 51 Sun Jun 21, 1992
HAINES at 15:56 EDT
To run Epic on a Mega STE at 16MHz boot normally to the desktop, set
speed to 16MHZ with cache in the Control CPX, run DC Bootit and set to
Low Res, 60Hz. Will run visibly faster. I have run Epic on a 1 meg
1040St with Tos 1.2, Mega STE 4 at 8/16MHz, and a SST with a total of
8meg ram. It does detect that it is running on a 68030 cpu, and tells
you that on one of the title screens. Very smooth motion on higher
speed machines, though the actual game speed does not change that much.
The game is too easy though, I finished the last mission the first time
through it. Was kind of dissapointed it was over. The storm mission
depends on how much damage and how fast you were earlier. You can have
to 200 fighters coming in. When you barely scrape through on the
earlier levels, and get to this one, and start seeing multiple squadrons
of fighters side by side coming in, it really envokes feelings of
Battlestar Galatica and Star Wars.
Oh, if you boot your Mega STE off the disk, it will be defaulted at
8MHz, running before the hard drive spins up. I have not noticed the 4
meg problem that was around with F-29. I wish there were real files you
could see though, so you could move it to a hard drive. The
intermissions take time.
=======================================
GEMULATOR UPDATE
----------------
-=> In the "Emulation for the ST" category (19)
-=> from the "GEMULATOR (Atari ST emulator)" topic (15)
Message 130 Mon Jun 22, 1992
D.SMITHRN [Smitty] at 01:06 EDT
Darek.... When do think you will have Gemulator ready to go? The reason
I ask is I really have been burned before and you do ask for a hefty
chunk of change for this. I still have bad memories of the PC DITTO
fiasco... (Yes It does linger...) I have tried the IBM emulators... PC
ditto, AtSpeed), But Now have a clone, so the Gemulator does look pretty
good to me.... I am one of the project managers for the up coming San
Diego Show... Interested in letting SDACE demo Gemulator? Let me know..
(That is If you are not selling them at Glendale)
Pax Smitty
----------
Message 131 Tue Jun 23, 1992
BRASOFT [Darek] at 00:09 EDT
Pax, you probably haven't read my newsletter. Gemulator I is being
RELEASED at the Glendale show. It's on schedule and I have 10 of the
units already installed at Atari dealers and beta testers across the
country. Gemulator is not a "PC Ditto fiasco" since the product has
already been demoed and is in the hands of magazine reviewers, and you
may notice that I AM NOT ACCEPTING MONEY at this time, not until the
product is ready to ship at Glendale. So please, read press releases
before you accuse me of scamming.
- Darek
=======================================
DOVER DOOHICKEYS
----------------
-=> In the "Hardware" category (4)
-=> from the "Dover Research Corp. (AlberTT & ISAC)" topic (28)
Message 146 Thu Jun 11, 1992
J.CRASWELL at 22:28 EDT
You will all be happy to know that Leonardo is going to be NTSC AND
super VHS. The two monitor scheme is the best we can do while we get a
screen driver that's ready to rock.
I'm getting very excited about the new things we are working on.
Leonardo, the 5 1.4 Optical drive and also RSN the 3 1.5 optical. This
is really nice in that the price is low and it's much faster than the
larger unit.
MultiTOS/MiNT appears to be a fantastic step (in the OS) for our
favorite machine. I can't wait for the release version.
Other companies are coming out with such great products. Jim Allen's
030 card turns your Mega into a monster speed computer (not to mention
the 20Mhz 68K cards). New software and nifty updates from the
Codeheads/Gribbys/Clickers etc.
It's so fun to be in on the ground floor with 24 bits. The world is
wide open for new applications. Working with the Lexicor cats really a
gas. Such talent and a world thats new ALL THE TIME.
I suspect these may well be the good old days <grin> Everything IS
possible and it's happening all around. Anyhow, got to get back to the
grind. Stay tuned for more hot info.
=======================================
CODEHEAD'S CARTRIDGE RAM DISK
-----------------------------
-=> In the "CodeHead Software" category (32)
-=> from the "Ask the CodeHeads" topic (11)
Message 22 Tue Jun 23, 1992
M.EASTER [Mike] at 09:05 EDT
Alpha Systems made a cartridge that could contain 4 megs of RAM (for use
as disk RAM), keep them alive with a battery that charged itself from
the cartridge port while the ST was turned on, and could contain a clock
chip. This thing came in various configurations and sizes of ram and
was called MegaDisk or UltraDisk. I've heard CodeHead reports of an
interest in this device, and have also heard that Charles or John didn't
like the provided Alpha software and did some kind of personal re-write
to do something better.
I don't think Alpha Systems is still in business. I don't know where I
would find an UltraDisk, or how well it would work if I did find one.
What is the latest CodeHead interest in such a device, are any of the
old Alphas still available, and what is wrong with the accompanying
software if one should be found?
Mike Easter
----------
Message 23 Tue Jun 23, 1992
J.EIDSVOOG1 [CodeHead] at 20:44 EDT
Mike,
The cartridge RAM disk is definitely still on our list. We currently
have someone designing the hardware to our own specifications. There's
no definite release date however.
As for the Alpha Systems software, the main problem which we fixed
immediately was that if you have a full population of four megs, it
could not be assigned to one drive letter without problems. Other than
that, it was clumsy, had a bad interface, and lacked extras (all things
which we will not tolerate, if you know our software). We've solved all
of those problems. One of the extras is the ability to run a program
from the RAM disk _before_ the hard disk or floppy boot up!
John
=======================================
ST BOOK MYSTERY
---------------
-=> In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14)
-=> from the "ST Book" topic (7)
Message 187 Thu Jun 11, 1992
ISD [Nathan] at 11:25 EDT
I hate to say it, but I think I will regardless; I remember Tracy Hall
showing me the ST Book over a year ago. I remember 5 of them I believe,
appeared at the Duesseldorf show LAST AUGUST! With all due respect, and
I certainly mean that literally, the ST BOOK should have been on the
dealers shelves a long time ago. It is not so obviously we are missing
some relevant piece of information that would give us all a better
understanding of the reason for this ridiculous delay. (sigh)
Personally, I was thrilled with the ST BOOK and fully intended to
replace my STacy 4 with it. I'm getting kind of resigned to doing
without it. By the way, I use TOS software. I want to use TOS
software. I couldn't care less about DOS or anything else in this
regard. My requirements are well met with the existing TOS software
that I use and love. All I wanted was a smaller, lighter more
convenient piece of hardware to run the exact same software. I had
hopes that the ST BOOK would satisfy my on-the-road computing needs.
I suppose that I am not alone in this. :-) BUT, I'd wager that Atari
needs far more of a potential market share to justify production on the
ST BOOK and their current marketing and advertising efforts do not
reflect any consideration to develop product awareness of Atari's
computer division at all, at least not that I've seen in the USA.
Nathan @ ISD
----------
Message 192 Fri Jun 12, 1992
TOWNS [John@Atari] at 03:29 EDT
The STBook is still in the works. We should have some to sell in the
near future.
I think the problem has been a number of production mess-ups. I think
these problems have been cleared up and we should be seeing the STBook
in the very near future.
-- John Townsend, Atari Corp.
----------
Message 203 Sat Jun 13, 1992
TOWNS [John@Atari] at 13:58 EDT
I think you people know me better than to attempt to pin me down to a
specific date. I don't believe in specific dates. There are so many
factors in producing a product that I am unaware of that I just don't
want to give a date. (The only exception.. They are done and are
definitely going to be in the warehouse on X day of this month! ;-)
As for FSMGDOS.. Packaging isn't the hold up. The hold up has been
legal problems. We are attempting to get this straightened out as soon
as we can.
Believe it or not, we don't develop products and just sit on them to
spite anyone. We really want to sell the stuff. Unfortunately,
producing products is a a process that involves a LOT of people and
steps. If a delay is encountered in a step, it throws off the rest of
the steps after that step. Those are just the facts.
-- John
=======================================
| | | LYNX OWNERS COLUMN
| | | Reprint from AtariUser Magazine - By Clinton Smith
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
The following article is reprinted in Atari Explorer Online by
permission of AtariUser magazine. It MAY NOT be further reprinted
without specific permission of AtariUser. AtariUser is a monthly Atari
magazine, available by subscription by calling (818) 332-0372.
LYNX BRIEFS
~ Look for unexpected fun in the new Lynx game TOKI (reviewed last
month in AtariUser). On level 3, a bug in the program (rather than an
intentional "Easter Egg" surprise) allows you to go through the ceiling
and bypass part of the game. It can make the game crash or distort the
display if you do go exploring. This might be fixed in a later
production run, making this a limited-time passport to the unknown!
~ As summer approaches, video game companies start dropping their prices
and the competition starts to heat up. This year is no exception.
Turbo Technologies started out by packing Bonk's Revenge with the
Turbografx-16 and slashing the price of their CD-Rom peripheral to an
amazing $150. Sega made their move next by dropping the price of
Genesis to $130, and were quick with a commercial that touted their
price advantage over the $180 Super Nintendo system. This would have
been a real coup if Nintendo hadn't dropped their price to $150 at the
same time. Who's going to be the winner? The game buying public.
LYNX SURVIVAL - The Essentials
What Lynx accessories and games are absolute necessities for Lynx
fanatics? AtariUser asked me to come up with some suggestions for you.
Accessories
The Lynx is a compact portable system, but if you plan to have your
essentials with you, a carrying case is a must. Atari's kit carrying
case is readily available and does the job nicely. However, if you can
find someone who has one of the modular Realm cases, see if they'd be
willing to part with it. The costs for making the cases was too much
for Realm to absorb and attempts to do a new case haven't panned out, so
they're something of a collector's item.
If you're planning on doing any outdoors Lynx play, you'll need a sun
screen. These handy items from Atari are very affordable (only $5) and
are available in versions for the original Lynx and the new smaller Lynx
(the original models are starting to get scarce so if you need one, be
sure to pick one up).
If you don't feel like buying tons of AA batteries to keep your Lynx
running you have two excellent options. If you're in range of a power
outlet, the AC adaptor will provide you with continuous power and tons
of playing time. But you're probably saying, "Clint, the Lynx is
supposed to be portable. What if I want to play a long time while I'm
on the move?" No problem. With the newly released Lynx battery pack
and 6 D batteries, you can go portable for 30 straight hours and play to
your heart's content.
Games
Best Puzzlers: If you want brain-twisting, you have 2 terrific choices.
Chip's Challenge was one of the first Lynx games and is still regarded
as one of the best (since its debut on the Lynx it's found its way onto
most computer platforms and the NES). Crystal Mines 2 is much newer but
is just as addictive. Fans of the classic Boulder Dash will be pleased.
Best Shooters: Want something less cerebral with more firepower? Blue
Lightning is a jet jockey's dream that makes excellent use of the Lynx's
scaling abilities. If you like the scrolling-power up-bosses type of
games then Zarlor Mercenary delivers. Expect to invest some time before
you see the final boss.
Best Run and Jump: This category has become a staple thanks to the Mario
Brothers, and the Lynx has a real standout with Scrapyard Dog. It has
lots of gameplay and plenty of hidden stuff to keep you interested.
Best Multi-player: Think you might run into some fellow Lynx
enthusiasts? The Lynx was built with multi-player fun in mind and it
has 2 real standouts. Slime World was the first game that really showed
just how good multi-player action could be (up to 8 people can join in).
Feel like a little dogfighting between friends? Then you need Warbirds.
Players take to the skies in World War 1 biplanes in a contest to see
who's the real ace.
Best Arcade games: Need some arcade action without the quarters? Tackle
the classic reflex tester Klax (regarded by many to be the best
conversion available). Martial arts more your speed? Then take on
Ninja Gaiden which is a tremendous mimic of the arcade game. An arcade
game that few thought could be done justice on any home system (let
alone a portable system) was the popular Stun Runner. Guess what? The
folks at Atari somehow pulled it off and it's very impressive.
Best Sports games: As I write this, we're still waiting for the flood of
new sports titles but there are now two goodies for sports fans.
Checkered Flag brings you formula 1 racing action and lets 6 people
compete against each other. If you fancy a round of golf, Awesome Golf
lives up to it's name. It's easy to grasp and quite challenging.
BIO: Clinton Smith lives for his Lynx. His APE NEWSLETTER is published
5 times a year now. Contact Clint at APE, 2104 North Kostner, Chicago,
IL 60639, or on GEnie at C.SMITH89.
| | | ATARIUSER MAGAZINE REVIEWS
| | | Reprint from the May 1992 Edition
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
The following article is reprinted in Atari Explorer Online by
permission of AtariUser magazine. It MAY NOT be further reprinted
without specific permission of AtariUser. AtariUser is a monthly Atari
magazine, available by subscription by calling (818) 332-0372.
Microprose Formula 1 Grand Prix (ST, STe)
Formula 1 Grand Prix is simply the best car racing simulation available
on any computer. Graphics are simply spectacular, blowing away just
about everything ever released for the ST, Amiga, and yes even MS/DOS
machines. You really feel like you are there! All 16 racetracks (taken
from the 1991 Formula 1 Season) have multi-colored buildings, bridges,
trees, skidmarks and other little details. The cars themselves are
different colors and each has its own multi-colored helmet sticking out
of the cockpit. Race marshals appear throughout the racetrack to inform
you of potentially dangerous situations by waving colored flags, just
like in real racing. Even the pits are fully detailed--you can see
other cars pull in and out and their crews work on them. The Formula 1
Grand Prix also features external viewpoints, instant replay, and the
ability to jump into any of the 25 cockpits.
With all details turned on, the screen update speed is very good on a
stock 8 mHz ST running TOS 1.0. It's also compatible with STe's and
Mega STe's, but I didn't notice any increase in speed.
You can setup your car just the way you like it for each racetrack and
save it to disk. You can adjust front and rear wing angles, brake
balance, tire type, and gear ratios. Controlling the car couldn't be
simpler, with either joystick or keyboard. Six driving Aids are
available, each with a status icon on the dashboard, to help you tame
that speed demon. The dashboard even shows the artificial intelligence
setting of the other drivers. While the sound is nothing special, it
does the job well.
Designer Geoff Crammond really did his homework and the manual is
crammed with all sorts of information about the Formula 1 racing world:
racetracks, teams, driving tips, technical data, etc... His previous
outstanding works include The Sentry and Stunt Car Racer.
Grand Prix is a high-quality product and deserves to do well. It comes
on 4 copy-protected double-sided disks and can't be installed on a hard
drive. But disk 4 contains a program that lets you backup all the
disks. You never wait more than 4 or 5 seconds between menus, and if
you have 2 double-sided drives, you won't have to do disk swapping.
Formula 1 Grand Prix is available as an import from Microprose UK,
$59.95. --Alex Bitton
XBOOT (ST, STe, TT)
Gribnif Software's latest import is a boot-up manager with a mouse
interface. XBOOT offers automatic or manual selection of your screen
resolution, AUTO programs, desk accessories, and configuration files for
GDOS or any application. More impressive, it also can execute a series
of batch commands as part of its preset activities: setting up RAMdisks;
copying files; creating, renaming or moving folders or files; even
checking to see if files already exist. It does all this from your hard
drive's AUTO folder in a GEM-like environment that looks and feels like
Gribnif's NEODESK--familiar, friendly and well thought out.
Although there are a number of shareware boot managers available, most
do without mouse input or use a modified, sometimes odd mouse response
due to GEM not being available until later in the startup sequence.
XBOOT emulates the feel of a normal GEM operation, even with variable
mouse speed!
File housekeeping is available, including rename, delete, re-ordering
the AUTO folder, checking and setting of fastload bits, etc. The clock
can be set, blitter and caches can be configured, and presets and
passwords can be created at any boot. By running XBOOT as a program
anytime from the desktop, adjustments can be made anytime to any
setting. Multiple DESKTOP.INF or NEWDESK.INF files can be configured
and selected and GEM programs can be set to auto-start as part of up to
40 presets.
I'll confess that I miss the random picture that some shareware boot
managers offer while starting up. And unlike a few shareware offerings
that offer an auto-set for each screen resolution, XBOOT has a single
"standard" setup. Change monitors or resolution, and you must manually
select an alternate preset or custom setup at boot time. But the
ability to tweak presets at any time without a config program makes it
more likely that I actually keep my setup evolving.
A good boot manager makes your computer easier and more fun to use every
time you turn it on, and XBOOT offers the most useful features of any of
them. Considering the good boot managers available as public domain or
shareware, some buyers may be put off by XBOOT's $39.95 SRP.
Fortunately, Gribnif is still offering an introductory price of $29.95,
and dealers may have itat some discounts as well. Gribnif Software,
P.O. Box 350, Hadley, MA 01035, 413-584-7887. --John Nagy
HOYLE OFFICIAL BOOK OF GAMES, Volumes 1 & 2 (ST, STe, TT)
Card lovers, this is it. The Hoyle Official Book of Games has come to
the Atari. In spades, shall we say?
Volume 1 has seven different card games, Crazy Eights, Old Maid, Hearts,
Gin Rummy, Cribbage and Klondike Solitaire. You have nine colorful
decks to select from, and your opponents range from novice to expert.
You can choose who you want to play with individually (even a dog!), and
can set table conversation on or off.
Volume 2 has twenty-eight solitaire games, including Klondike, Canfield,
Yukon and Pyramid. Two entirely new, never before seen solitaire games
by Warren Schwader are Slide and Bowling. Each game has an easy or hard
setting, plus complete game rules can be read on-screen.
Both of these packages are first rate. They are a throwback to the good
ole' days of playing cards on a rainy day. The opponents are
challenging enough to keep your interest, and the individual games are
excellent computerized versions of old favorites. The only drawback is
that the computer won't let you cheat.
The Hoyle game sets require only 512K and a double-sided drive, and run
on all machines, including the TT in ST modes, but not on the big TTM194
monochrome monitor. Volume 1 is $39.95, Volume 2 retails for $29.95.
The Hoyle games are by Sierra On-Line, P.O. Box 485, Coarsegold, CA
93614. --John King Tarpinian
CRYSTAL MINES II (LYNX)
What do you get when you cross DIG DUG with CHIP'S CHALLENGE? CRYSTAL
MINES II, a puzzle game for the Lynx and a sequel to Color Dream's
Nintendo title. You control a mining robot who gathers gems from
various caves, while facing falling rocks, monsters, radioactivity, and
a time limit. The robot has a laser and dynamite to fight creatures and
make caverns. Meet the gem quota, then find the exit to travel to
another level. More advanced challenges such as gravity switches and
item-changing pipes are used to create 181 challenging stages.
The best part of CRYSTAL MINES II is the diversity of game items, which
interact in numerous ways. Temporary robot enhancements are available,
and other items help or hinder depending on how they're used. A lot of
time is spent learning how things interact, as the instruction booklet
is intentionally vague. You have an unlimited number of lives, each
level has a four-letter password, and the game will let you skip a level
if you take too many tries.
Though this is a strategy title, it places a little more emphasis on
reflexes than other puzzle games. Aside from the first few introductory
stages, the levels are usually challenging and not quickly solved.
Sights and sound are functional, and no more. Graphics are drawn with
little or no animation. Similarly, music and noises are very simple,
with much of the sound coming from a background theme through the game.
CRYSTAL MINES II borrows much from earlier puzzle games and produces a
good challenge mentally and physically. It won't win awards for special
effects, but the demanding levels and wide range of game elements make
this a respectable game. Atari Corp., $34.95. --Robert Jung
TOKI (LYNX)
Toki the cave man was spending time with his lady when the evil High
Priest Vookimedlo kidnapped the girl and devolved Toki into a chimp.
Now able to spit fireballs, Toki musters his primitive machismo and
heads to the rescue. That's TOKI for the Lynx, an adaptation of the
hard-to-find arcade game.
None of the gameplay has been altered on its way to the Lynx, but the
original wasn't great to begin with. This isn't to say that TOKI is a
bad game, it just has little to distinguish it from the field. You
guide Toki through several scrolling stages of caverns, moats, and
forests, battling Vookimedlo's flunkies with fireballs or by jumping on
them. But there's a lot of variety and an irreverent tone, including
items like football helmets and anvil-loaded teeter-totters. And the
game is fairly hard; with four lives and two continues, a typical player
will be pressed to get by stage 3.
Graphics and sound capture the game's lighthearted attitude well.
There is good use of color and a lot of detail, but several elements are
very small. Worse, some backgrounds are too cluttered, making it hard
to see incoming objects. An unobtrusive theme plays through each level,
and individual sound effects are distinctive. Digitized clips are also
used throughout, such as Toki's death yelp and the cartoon-inspired
"boing!" sounds.
In the end, TOKI is a great adaptation of an average game. If you don't
like run-and-jump contests, this won't change your mind, but if you're
looking for a new arcade-action game, TOKI is worth considering. Atari
Corp., $34.95. --Robert Jung
WARP 9 (ST, STe, TT)
The successor to Quick ST (formerly from Branch Always Software), Warp 9
is a program/system redesigned by Codehead Technologies that's intended
primarily to speed up the screen performance on Atari computers. On the
way to that goal, a load of features have been added to it that each
make life easier, more fun, or prettier.
Most people who tried Turbo ST or Quick ST agreed that windows pop and
fill faster, dialogs bang into place, text rolls by with a vengeance,
and overall, the computer feels more enthusiastic about life. The down
side has been incompatibilities that have caused problems as niggling as
leftover marks in some software and as large as total bombing in other
software. The new Warp 9 disposes of these problems in two ways.
First, the known problems in Quick ST (over 36 of them) have been wiped
up better than coffee in a paper towel commercial. And IF you ever find
a problem, an automatic disabling feature (via a .DAT file with the
program name in it) can shut Warp 9 down during the problem application.
Skipping the boring index numbers, most screen text and dialog functions
are two to four times faster when Warp 9 is engaged. Some (string
printing) are ten or more times faster. And Warp 9 is faster than its
predecessor, Quick ST V.3.
Installation is simple, despite the outstanding 50 page manual: just put
it in the AUTO folder. A desk accessory provides "knobs" for the
extras, like alternate GEM fills, desktop picture, fonts (72 are
provided!), and use of function keys 1-3 to run any dialogs you
encounter. The mouse handling is unique: choose wrap-around, wrap-over,
jump to menu, or block from menu bar options, and even set up a custom
acceleration curve of your choice! The frills only work if the
accessory is loaded -- I'd prefer it to work without losing a slot. Of
course, CodeHead also sells MultiDesk Deluxe, which eliminates the six-
accessory limit anyway. By the way, an upgrade program for MultiDesk
owners is included with Warp 9, as you'll need version 3.4 to use it
with Warp 9.
Warp 9 is speed that anyone can feel, and anyone can afford at 44.95
retail. But if you upgrade from any Quick ST or Turbo ST version, it's
a give-away at only $20 (send payment and original disk to CodeHead).
CodeHead Technologies, P.O. Box 74090, Los Angeles, CA 90004, phone
(213) 386-5735. --John Nagy
SUPER SKWEEK (Lynx)
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's--an orange furball? No, it's SUPER
SKWEEK, a Lynx adaptation of the French computer game. You control
Skweek in his mission to paint blue tiles, rescue hostages, and shoot
the creatures on 250 levels. Skweek can find or buy icons for other
powers, play levels in a fixed or random order, and continue a game
saved with a password. ComLynxing two people together offers
cooperative or competitive play.
Though it sounds like a puzzle game, SUPER SKWEEK isn't; some of the
levels require strategy, but most levels require arcade instincts. This
title's biggest asset is its wealth of features--dozens of enemies,
enhancements, tiles and wall pieces. Almost everything in the game is
random, making pattern developing impossible.
While the game idea is fine, the implementation is not, and there are
problems in SUPER SKWEEK that may turn off some players. Shooting
monsters requires a direct hit, and near-misses prove deadly. Movement
is not confined to the "grid" of the tiles, meaning Skweek can straddle
tiles and accidentally walk into a dangerous area. There's also a
bug
if you die on a disappearing tile: if the tile is still missing when
your next life reappears, you immediately die again. The problems don't
ruin the game, but do increase the frustration.
Colors are spectacular, with bright pastels and lots of shades used to
compliment the whimsy. Game objects and text are small but easily
identifiable. Sound effects are nothing unusual, but the musical tunes
are slightly above average.
This is an unusual game that will not appeal to everyone. Still, if
you're willing to put forth a little patience, SUPER SKWEEK can return
many hours of fun. Atari Corp., $34.95. --Robert Jung
LOGOLIBRARY, QWIKFORMS (ST, STe, TT)
How do 1,000 logos in IMG format fit on six disks? Rather tightly. The
Sterling Connection offers their LogoLibrary for $39.95 and includes a
convenient booklet that shows every image in the set. Each 300 DPI
image is a separate file, despite being an average of well under an inch
square, making selection easier than some sets that require you to clip
an image from a collection file.
The LogoLibrary will be useful for some, but unless you're making
traditional business cards or phone books, you may find the collection
to be flat and unimaginative. Scaling any of the pictures up to even 3"
results in jagged edges. The manual suggests converting the images to
vectors if blow-ups are to be used, requiring one of the auto-trace line
art packages. But one look at the cover of LogoLibrary will let you
know what to expect, and if you have a use for them, the collection is
comprehensive at a fair price.
Sterling's QWIKFORMS for PageStream is over 100 forms and layouts, ready
for use as is or for modification for your own purposes. Everything is
here, from invoices to WHILE YOU WERE OUT pads, construction estimates,
calendars, plus legal forms, even wills. The 40 page book with
Qwikforms illustrates every form in the set. Two disks full of clip art
and logos accompany the set to make it four disks for $39.95 retail.
If you use PageStream, and if even one of these forms makes your life as
a publish-for-profit operation a bit easier, it will pay for itself. If
you find two or more, you'll bless this set. I just wish it was
available in Calamus format, too.
They also offer Lotus/LDW templates, PD disks, and more clip art sets.
Ask for their product flyer. The Sterling Connection, Box 4850,
Berkeley, CA 94704, phone 510-655-2355. --Dr. Paul Keith
WP SWITCH (ST, STe, TT)
This little utility has made my life easier, allowing conversion of Word
Perfect files between versions 4 and 5, as well as other text
conversions. The current PC Word Perfect (5.1) will import Atari (4.1)
files, but requires special export to make a file readable by 4.1. Even
then, expect an error message on loading on the Atari. It's a hassle,
and requires planning ahead to be sure files are saved in the right
format.
WP Switch is cheap (under $20) and simple. Choose the type of input and
output files, and give a name for the output. File types supported for
translation in any combination include WP5.1, WP4.x, 1st Word Plus,
ASCII, and Calamus Text. A few beeps later, your selected output type
file is ready. And the file types are right. Naturally, any imbedded
WP5.x graphics are lost in the translation, but the text is complete
with all attributes, margins, headers, etc. that are supported by the
Atari version. The small manual details ways to optimize conversions
for use in Calamus. For me, it's what the doctor ordered.
On the down side, translation is slow, and particularly when coming off
a floppy disk. I was able to improve a small (10K) document's
translation time from almost a minute to under 15 seconds by first
copying the file to a hard drive. I also wish the program were
available as a desk accessory, for use when I discover a problem file
from within Word Perfect.
I'd have rather saved my money for an upgrade for Word Perfect, but
that's not happening. I lived a normal life without WP Switch, but for
the price, I'm glad to have it. WP Switch, $19.95 by Rovell
Enterprises, Ltd., 16814 114 Avenue, Edmonton, AB Canada T5M 3S2.
--John Nagy
ROTOR (ST, STe)
Microdaft's release of ROTOR marks their first new title in four years,
and is a better game than the very generic box might hint.
Rotor is a strategy-oriented arcade game, where you are in command of a
highly sophisticated Rotor craft, flying solo through enemy fortresses
in an effort to destroy their primary defense systems. There are a
total of eighteen missions, with a password system to resume play on
higher levels. You can use a joystick or the keyboard to play, and the
handing of your craft is smooth as silk.
ROTOR is essentially a four-way smooth scrolling platform game with
pleasant but not outstanding graphics. A maneuvering simulator followed
by a combat simulator gives you the practice you'll need for the
missions that follow.
ROTOR is tough to master, you must keep your cool and plan ahead.
This is not a "kick in the door and blast anything that moves" arcade
game. Collecting pearls allow you to enhance the different features of
your ship, add hull armor, upgrade engine, add storm bombs or power
shield, even a duplicate ROTOR. The enemy are all fixed based units
with cannon or laser shots, plus generators which attract or repel
nearby ships.
I was frustrated with endless disaster in ROTOR until I finally reached
for the box and read the instruction manual. Now ROTOR is tough but
very playable. You must really earn your way to receiving the password
for the next mission. I know ROTOR will give me many months of fun.
Copy protection prevents use on hard drive, program is on one disk.
$39.95, Microdaft Software, 1012 S. Main Street, Taylor, PA 18517.
--Daniel Hanners
| | | COMPUTER TERMS
| | | Atari Explorer Guide - Part 1
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange
.ACC - Extender used to define that the program is a desk accessory.
ACK - Acknowledge
ANSI.SYS - An MS-DOS device driver that performs many of the functions
of the BIOS.
ANSI - American National Standards Institute
.APP - Extender used to define that the program is executable.
AUTOEXEC.BAT - An MS-DOS batch file that is automatically executed when
DOS is executed.
.BAT - Extender used to define the program is a batch file.
BAUD - Used to define the number of seperate events that can be
transmitted per second along a communications channel.
BIOS - The Basic Input/Output System. The BIOS controls the video
display, disk drives, and keyboard in an MS-DOS based system.
BLITTER CHIP - A co-processing chip in the MegaST. When on, it
improves the speed of text formatting and graphics operations.
BOOT - Term to define the loading of the computer operating system.
BPS - Bits per second.
BYTE - Eight contigous bits forming a character.
CACHE - A buffer between the CPU and main memory.
CD - Carrier Detect for telecommunications and modems
CLUSTER - A group of disk sectors that form the basic unit in which
disk space is allocated.
.COM - An MS-DOS program which has all memory addresses written into
the file before it is loaded to run by the computer.
CONFIG.SYS - A file that MS-DOS systems search for when booted.
CONTROL PANEL - A desk accessory supplied on disk with your Atari
computer which is used to ser up many of the systems features.
CPU - Central Processing Unit.
CRC - Cyclic Redundancy Check
CR/LF - Carriage return/Line feed
CRT - Cathose Ray Tube, your monitor
CTS - Clear To Send.
CYLINDER - The group of tracks at a given distance from the center of
the disk mounted in a hard drive unit.
CYCLIC REDUNDANCY CHECK (CRC) - An error checking technique where a
mathmatically driven code follows the transmission of a block of date.
Used in telecommunications/Modem programs.
DESK ACCESSORY - Application that is loaded into memory from your BOOT
disk.
DESKTOP.INF - This is a data file that holds the information chosen and
saved with the CONTROL PANEL.
DEVICE DRIVER - A software routine that controls and monitors a device.
DMA - Direct Memory Access. Used to make rapid ata transfers between
peripherals and memory.
DOUBLE CLICK - Not only a software company, but a term used to
determine the amount of clicks of a mouse.
EBCDIC - Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code.
EOF - End of File
EOT - End of Transmission
EPROM - Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. This chip can be
erased if exposed to Ultraviolet light.
.EXE - An extender used to define that the program requires relocation
in memory after it has been loaded in an MS-DOS machine.
EXTENDER - The three letters that follow the (.) after a filename. See
the listing for popular file extenders.
FAT - File Allocation Table
FCB - File Control Block
FF - Form Feed
FOLDER - A sub-directory to store files
FORMAT - To prepare a floppy disk for information.
GEM - Graphics Environment Manager
I/O - Input/Output
ITEM SELECTOR - A dialog box on the ST used to load or save files.
KILOBYTE - 1,024 bytes of memory
LF - Line Feed
MIDI - Musical Instrument Digital Interface
MODEM - A modulator/demodualtor, a device hooked between the phone line
and your computer.
MOUSE - A device used by the hand to move a pointer on the desktop.
MSB - Most Significant Byte
NAK - Negative Acknowledgement
NUL - Abbreviation for Null
PIXEL - A dot of video graphics
.PRG - An extender the denotes the program is a GEM application.
RAM - Random Access Memory
RGB - Red, Green, Blue
RTS - Request To Send
RI - Ring Indicator
ROM - Read Only Memory
| | | ZENOBOT'S GAME CHEATS COMPILATION (NEW ENTRIES)
| | | Updated 4-19-92
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
(X) Another World (US Gold): here are all the access codes.
EDJI (the beginning), HICI (inside the cage), FLLD (inside the vents),
LIBC (the first weapon recharger), CCAL (leftmost edge of the caves),
EDIL (rightmost edge of the caves, next to the second tank),
GABK (on top of the anvil-shaped rock),
KCIJ (columns room with friend crawling in conduit), these next codes
are somewhat similar to each other, but they revolve around 4 different
parameters: whether the grenade-throwing guard behind the 3 doors is
alive or dead, the second guard is alive or dead, the chandelier intact
or broken, or the power line in the cave is on or off:
LDCI (alive, alive, intact, on),
LAEA (alive, alive, intact, off),
ICAH (alive, alive, broken, on),
FIEI (alive, alive, broken, off),
LDIJ (alive, dead, intact, on),
GABK (alive, dead, intact, off),
FLAK (alive, dead, broken, on),
KCGB (alive, dead, broken, off),
LALD (dead, dead, broken, off), and now back to the normal codes:
KJIA (inside the battle tank),
LFEK (about to crash in the harem).
Armalyte (Hewson): pause the game and type DELTA 3 to turn off the
sprite collision detection.
Armour-Geddon (Psygnosis): start a game and go to the message screen.
Hold down the left mouse button on top of "Day 1" to make a constant
beeping sound. Press Escape while doing that and you get a message
saying "You wouldn't let it lie!". You're now invincible and have an
unlimited supply of whatever you load up with. You can still crash or
mess up your landings, but the enemy can't kill you.
The Blues Brothers (Titus): type HOULQ on the character selection
screen, then add 1 through 6 followed by the Spacebar to skip to that
level.
BSS Jane Seymour (Gremlin): level access codes: level 2 SLUMBER,
3 INTEREST (or INTERST), 4 BULKHEAD, 5 SHOWROOM, 6 MUSHBASH, 7 HAMPERED,
8 BLACKOUT, 9 WARRIOR, 10 VICTORTY, 11 TRAPPED, 12 FRENZY, 13 HANDYMAN,
14 CROWDED, 15 RADIATE, 16 VOLTAGE, 17 GLOOM, 18 PRIMATE, 19 MADHOUSE,
20 TRIUMPH.
Captain Planet (Mindscape): this is a weird cheat. You must own that
cool Dungeon Master style game called Captive to access it. Load
Captain Planet as normal and when the level selection screen appears,
remove the game disk and stick in Captive instead. Press Fire and "Disk
Error" should appear on the screen. Pull out Captive and stick Captain
Planet back in. The game will load with the cheat mode active.
Castle Master (Domark): start the game by holding Shift and L. Press A
at least 12 times or until you hear a thud. You'll see this diagram in
front of you:
4
1 2 3
Throw rocks at the boxes for these effects:
1 - increase rock travel,
2 - increase strength,
3 - get all keys,
4 - see end game sequence.
(X) Chip's Challenge (US Gold): press F once to flip the screen, then
type SAGGITTAREANS MAKE BETTER LOVERS. to get infinite keys, water
shield, and fire shield. Or, type 09/12/57. for infinite time. Or,
type I THINK THEREFORE I AM. so that no chips have to be collected.
You must include all the spaces and periods! And now, all 144 level
access codes!!!
Level 1 Lesson 1 BDHP 2 Lesson 2 JXMJ
3 Lesson 3 ECBQ 4 Lesson 4 YMCJ
5 Lesson 5 TQKB 6 Lesson 6 WNLP
7 Lesson 7 FXQO 8 Lesson 8 NHAG
9 Nuts And Bolts KCRE 10 Brushfire VUWS
11 Trinity CNPE 12 Hunt WVHI
13 Southpole OCKS 14 Teleblock BDTY
15 Elementary COZQ 16 Cellblocked SKKK
17 Nice Day AJMG 18 Castle Moat HMJL
19 Digger MRHR 20 Tossed Salad KGFP
21 Iceberg UGRW 22 Forced Entry WZIN
23 Blobnet HUVE 24 Oorto Gelo UNIZ
25 Blink PQGV 26 Chchchips YUYJ
27 Go With The Flow IGGZ 28 Ping Pong UJDD
29 Arctic Flow QGOL 30 Mish Mesh BQZP
31 Knot RYMS 32 Scavenger Hunt PEFS
33 On The Rocks BQSN 34 Cypher NQFI
35 Lemmings VDTM 36 Ladder NXIS
37 Seeing Stars VQNK 38 Sampler BIFA
39 Glut ICXY 40 Floorgasborg YWFH
41 I.C. You GKWD 42 Beware Of Bug LMFU
43 Lock Block UJDP 44 Refraction TXHL
45 Monsterlab OVPZ 46 Three Doors HDQJ
47 Pier Seven LXPP 48 Mugger Square JYSF
49 Problems PPXI 50 Dig Dirt QBDH
51 I Slide IGGJ 52 The Last Laugh PPHT
53 Traffic Cop CGNX 54 Grail ZMGC
55 Potpourri SJES 56 Deep Freeze FCJE
57 Strange Maze UBXU 58 Loop Around YBLT
59 Hidden Danger BLDM 60 Scoundrel ZYV?
61 Rink RMOW 62 Slow Mo TIGW
63 Block Factory GOHX 64 Spooks IJPQ
65 Amsterdam UPUN 66 Victim ZIKZ
67 Chip Mine GGJA 68 Eeny Miny Moe RTDI
69 Bounce City NLLY 70 Night Mare GCCG
71 Corridor LAJM 72 Blind Alley
73 Morton QCCR 74 Playtime MKNH
75 Steam MJDV 76 Fourplex NMRH
77 Invincible Champion FHIF 78 Force Square GRMO
79 Drawn And Quartered JINU 80 Vanishing Act EVUG
81 Writer's Block SCWF 82 Socialist Action LLIO
83 Up The Block OVPJ 84 Wars UVEO
85 Telenet LEBX 86 Suicide FLHH
87 Cityblock YJYS 88 Spirals WZYV
89 Blockbuster VCZO 90 Playhouse OLLM
91 Jumping Swarm JPQG 92 Vortex DTMI
93 Roadsign REKF 94 Now You See It EWCS
95 Four Square BIFQ 96 Paranoia WVHY
97 Metastable To Chaos 98 Shrinking TKWD
99 Catacombs XUVV 100 Colony QJXR
101 Apartment RPIR 102 Icehouse VDDU
103 Memory PTAC 104 Jailer KWNL
105 Short Circuit YNEG 106 Kablam NXYB
107 Balls O Fire ECRE 108 Block Out LIOC
109 Torture Chamber KZQR 110 Chiller XBAO
111 Time Lapse KRQJ 112 Fortune Favours The Code NJLA
113 Open Question PTAS 114 Deception JWNL
115 Oversea Delivery EGRW 116 Blockbuster III HXMF
117 The Marsh FPZT 118 Miss Direction OSLW
119 Slide Step PHTY 120 Alphabet Soup FLXP
121 Perfect Match BPYS 122 Totally Fair SJUM
123 The Prisoner YKZE 124 Firetrap TASX
125 Mixed Nuts MYRT 126 Block'N'Roll QRLD
127 Skelzie JMWZ 128 All Full FTLA
129 Lobster Trap HEAN 130 Ice Cube XHIZ
131 Totally Unfair FIRD 132 Mix Up ZYFA
133 Blobdance TIGG 134 Pain XPPH
135 Trust Me LYWO 136 Double Maze LUZL
137 Goldkey HPPX 138 Partially Post LUJT
139 Yorkhouse VLHH 140 Ice Death SJUK
141 Underground MCJE 142 Pentagram UCRY
143 Stripes? OKOR 144 Fireflies GVXQ.
Cisco Heat (Imageworks): pause the game and type TIME UP, then hit
Return. Infinite time is yours!
Daylight Robbery (Electronic Zoo): level access codes: Level 1 FIRST,
2 DRILLS, 3 ZOOOOO, 4 BUSHES, 5 MAYHEM, 6 XAMPLE.
Deuteros (Activision): press Caps Lock then press C twice. Two numbers
appear, and anything you design is available without actually building
it! And you get an infinite quantity of everything to boot!
Dragon Breed (Activision): hold down the left mouse button and press
HELP and UNDO while the end-of-level-boss is loading. The screen should
flash purple and you're invincible! Also, while the next level is
loading, hold down the left mouse button and press Delete and Help.
When the screen flashes, you can skip levels by hitting one of the keys
on the keyboard.
Elf (Gremlin): type CHOROPOO during the game to get 99 pets. Punch
W to become the Werewolf, or H to get the shades.
Escape From The Planet Of The Robot Monsters (Domark): hold down the
fire button and push the joystick up. It now takes 30 hits to kill you.
F-19 Stealth Fighter (Microprose): hit Alternate-N to toggle between
night and day. Also, if you want to shake off any enemy aircrafts, land
on an airfield, any airfield will do, and wait a few minutes. The
bogies will lose your radar trace and will fly away...
Fantasy World Dizzy (Codemasters): enter IMMORTAL on the high score
table, and you'll get infinite lives.
Final Blow (Storm): when you start to fight with your opponent, pause
the game. Press F10 six times and unpause. You have infinite energy.
Final Fight (US Gold): pause the game and type SHERIFF FATMAN for
infinite lives.
Gods (Renegade): enter SORCERY as a password to get infinite lives.
Heavy Metal Heroes (Players Gold): during the scroller, type THE OWLS
ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM.
Hudson Hawk (Ocean): while the title screen is visible, type
SANITYCLAUSISCOMINGTOTOWN for infinite lives. If that doesn't work, try
typing SANITYCLAWSISCOMINGTOTOWN instead.
James Pond 2: Codename Robocod (Millenium): press Control and the screen
flashes. Press Return and you'll have a shield, basically, infinite
lives.
Jimmy White's Whirlwind Snooker (Virgin): to see the computer perform a
perfect 147 break (whatever that be), do the following: go to the
trickshot menu, hit F7, then F4, then F1. You should hear a double-
click. Now, go back to the main menu, and enter the demo mode, or play
against Jimmy. Now, seat back and enjoy...
Leisure Suit Larry (any of them) (Sierra): select Load Game but use a
game disk instead. This lets you access specific parts of the game.
Lotus Turbo Challenge 2 (Gremlin): level access codes: Level 2 (night)
TWILIGHT, 3 (fog) PEA SOUP, 4 (snow) THE SKIDS, 5 (desert) PEACHES, 6
(motorway) LIVERPOOL, 7 (swamp) BAGLEY, and 8 (storm!) E BOW. Also,
TURPENTINE for infinite time, DUX for secret game, and DEESIDE to
continue to the next level even if time runs out.
Midnight Resistance (Ocean): play the game and press F10 to pause it.
Type OPEN THE DOOR HAL. Unpause the game, and you now have infinite
energy! Or, pause the game, type SAMANTHA LYON, and you now have
infinite everything! You can also pick which weapon you have by
pressing F1 for normal rifle, F2 for full auto, F3 3-way, F4 shotgun,
F5 fire, F6 homing missiles, F7 shower, and F8 for nitro. F9 and F10
make you quit the game.
Nightbreed (Ocean): type RISEN FROM THE DEAD at any point for good
things to happen (Muahahahaha!!!).
Pang (Ocean): on the map, type WHATANICECHEAT. The screen should glow
blue or purple. You can now go to any level.
Panza Kick Boxing (Futura): on the menu screen, enter your name as
PANZA. This lets you change all the specs to 99%!
Pipedream/Pipe Mania (Lucasfilm/Empire): assorted level access codes:
BALL, BLOB, WILD, DOCK, GRIP, TICK, OOZE.
Pitfighter (Domark): while playing, type LOBSTERS then press 1 through 0
to go to any level you want. Press C to go straight to the Championship
Match and L to visit the elimination match.
Prince Of Persia (Domark): press Shift-L to skip levels.
Railroad Tycoon (Microprose): hold down Shift and hit 4. A dollar sign
pops up and you get 500,000 extra bucks!
Revenge Of The Mutant Camels (Llamasoft/shareware): access codes:
level 1 SIETCH TABR
2 OLLANTAYAMBO
3 RAVEADELICA
4 NEWSCASTLE EMLYN
5 DROMEDARIA ZOOPHILIA
6 THIS IS BASINGSTOKE
7 OCCAM II
8 SMOKE ME A KIPPER
9 RED-HOT ZONE: RASPBERRY INFUNDIBULUM
10 WHITE-HOT ZONE: GOATS GOATS AND MORE GOATS.
Rick Dangerous 2 (Microprose): type JE VEUX VIVRE in the high score
table to get infinite lives. That's French for "I want to live" by the
way...
Rodland (Storm): pause the game and hit Help five times. You now have
infinite lives. Or, enter BIG BOSS on the high-score table.
R*Type II (Activision): pause, press F1, then F2, then unpause. You
gots yourself infinite lives!
Satan (Dinamic): hold down Alternate, 1, and D to get infinite lives
during Part 1. Hold down Alternate, 1, and M for infinite lives and
credits during Part 2.
Skweek (Loriciel): on the option screen, try pressing F2 while holding
down the Spacebar. This lets you move around the different levels.
Space Ace 2: Borf's Revenge (Readysoft): type CADAVERRA & see what
happens.
Terminator 2 (Ocean): pause the game, press keys F1 through F10 one by
one in order, press fire to unpause, then hit Escape to skip a level.
Test Drive II (Accolade): type GASS at any time during play to go
straight to the next gas station. Type OUTRAN to outrun your opponents
and the police cars. Type AERF to double your acceleration.
3D Pool (Mirror Image/Firebird): solutions to the 20 trick shots.
Simply set the position of the table to these figures:
1) 0768 024 63 10 2) 1002 041 63 09
3) 0032 100 63 00 4) 0962 024 63 10
5) 0512 024 63 10 6) 0405 060 63 20
7) 0018 061 63 20 8) 0771 099 56 12
9) 0932 024 63 11 10) 0927 027 63 20
11) 0751 100 16 20 12) 0916 025 55 10
13) 0004 054 58 20 14) 0864 100 63 10
15) 0084 076 12 00 16) 0880 048 39 20
17) 0372 100 63 10 18) 0512 100 63 10
19) 0601 024 63 20 20) as you wish.
Torvak The Warrior (Core): enter CHEAT and as many commas as you can fit
in on the high-score table. Now, hold down fire and press 1 through 5
to select a level.
Turrican (Innerprise/Rainbow Arts): get a high score and enter ANTIDOTE.
This gives you infinite lives. Or, enter BLUESMOBIL instead to get
infinite everything!
Turrican II (Rainbow Arts): when you get to the end of level 3 and
confront the guardian, turn into a gyroscope and stay on the guardian's
head. Nothing will seem to happen, except that your life counter will
start to increase but one unit at a time. You can do this until you get
99 lives! Here's another one: from the title screen, press the spacebar
to access the main menu. Now, press 1, 4, 2, then Escape. Start the
game, and you'll have infinite lives and power lines!
Xenon 2: Megablast (Imageworks): well, it's about time!!! Pause the
game, type RUSSIAN AIR, and unpause the game. Pressing N will advance
you by one level.
This file is public domain, and is updated every 3 or 4 month. If you
know of any special access codes, secret passwords, or other hints that
you didn't see listed here, tell me about them! If you own some of the
games I wasn't able to test, and the cheat codes work, I also want to
know about it!! I can be reached at the O'Mayer V BBS (213-732-0229),
the Jungle BBS (213-254-9534), and on GEnie (A.BITTON1) in the Atari ST
Roundtable, Category 9 (Games), Topic 22 (ST Gaming Digest). Copyright
1992 CyberSysTek
| | | NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT
| | | From the Z*Net Newswire
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
INVISION ELITE ANNOUNCED
INVISION Elite is a program which allows you to create sophisticated
black and white raster images. Stretch! Skew! Bend! Rotate! Thin!
Thicken! Copy! Outline! Anything you want! If you can think of it,
INVISION Elite can probably do it. Using images that you create in the
program, or ones from other sources, you can manipulate your graphics
in a hands-on manner to achieve stunning visuals. INVISION Elite's
easy-to-use processing features give you limitless possibilities.
INVISION Elite is a fully GEM based program featuring a slick and
surprisingly simple icon interface and supports up to seven images, each
in their own window, with image size limited only by memory. INVISION
is full of powerful functions including: Gradient fill, Image Bending,
Bezier Curves, Outlining, Smoothing, Rotation, Skewing, Mirroring, Atari
Clipboard Support, Instant access panning, and much more. This is a
_very_ slick, powerful, and fun-to-use program. It requires a
monochrome monitor and is compatible with large screen monitors. Try
the demo version now, and release the creative genius within you! It's
available on GEnie as files #24641 and #24642. The release date for
INVISION Elite is August 1, 1992. Suggested retail price is $174.95.
Pre-release versions are available now at a special price of $149.95.
This includes the full program, a quick-start manual, and the option to
purchase the full manual after August 1, 1992. Box #98, 275 King St.
East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5A 1K2, Phone/FAX:(416) 594-9355,
GEnie: H.HUGH, CompuServe: 76266,1064.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To sign up for GEnie service call (with modem) (800) 638-8369. Upon
connection type HHH and hit <return>. Wait for the U#= prompt and type
XTX99436,GEnie and hit <return>.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To sign up for CompuServe service call (with phone) (800) 848-8199. Ask
for operator #198. You will be promptly sent a $15.00 free membership
kit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A special limited time offer is available for subscribers to AtariUser
Magazine. The regular $19.95 subscription price is now just $15.00 for
a full year or $25.00 a year for first class mailing. For more
information contact AtariUser at (818) 332-0372. Credit card or billing
is available. This offer available for new and renewal subscriptions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Editorial material, including article submissions, press releases, and
products for evaluation, should be sent to the Z*Net News Service
Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, New Jersey, 08846.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can subscribe to the bi-monthly hard copy Atari Explorer Magazine
for $14.95 for 6 issues, $39.95 for 18 issues. Canadian subscribers
should add $5.00 per 6 issues,foreign subscribers should add $10.00 per
6 issues. Checks must be drawn in US funds on a US bank. Send orders
to Atari Explorer, Post Office Box 6488, Duluth, MN 55806. VISA and
MasterCard orders, call (218) 723-9202.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Atari Explorer Online Magazine is a weekly publication covering the
Atari computer community. Material published in this edition may be
reprinted in non-commercial publications unless otherwise noted at the
top of the article. Opinions presented herein are those of the
individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the staff.
Atari Explorer Online Magazine is Copyright (c)1992, Atari Computer
Corporation. Z*Net and the Z*Net Newswire are copyright(c)1992, Z*Net
News Service/Ron Kovacs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Atari Explorer Online Magazine
"The Official Atari Online Journal"
Copyright (c)1992, Atari Computer Corporation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
