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Atari Explorer Online Issue 1992 12
ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE MAGAZINE
------------------------------
Published and Copyright (c)1992, Atari Corporation
1972-1992 - 20 Years Of Service
1196 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, California 94088
AEO STAFF
~ Editor In-Chief......................................Ron Kovacs
~ Contributing Editor...................................Ed Krimen
~ Contributing Editor..............................Ron Berinstein
~ Contributing Writer...................................Bob Smith
~ Contributing Writer.................................Stan Lowell
GUEST COMMENTATORS - WRITERS
~ Commentary.........................................Gordie Meyer
~ Atari Explorer Column...........................John Jainschigg
~ Atari Explorer Column..........................Maura Fitzgerald
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
~ President, Atari Corporation........................Sam Tramiel
~ VP Software Development.........................Leonard Tramiel
~ Developer Relations Manager........................Bill Rehbock
~ Director, Marketing Services.........................Don Thomas
~ Director of Communications...........................Bob Brodie
~ Corporate Director, International Music Markets....James Grunke
~ Atari Explorer Magazine............................Mike Lindsey
Z*NET STAFF
~ Ron Kovacs ~ John Nagy ~ Jon Clarke
~ Stan Lowell ~ Bob Smith ~ Lisa Ruff
~ Mike Davis ~ Ed Krimen ~ Bill Whiteman
~ Dr. Paul Keith ~ Ron Berinstein
***********************************************************************
Volume 1 Number 12 Issue #12 August 29, 1992
***********************************************************************
| | | TABLE OF CONTENTS | | |
||| Z*Net Newswire........................................
Latest Atari News and Industry Update
||| Dusseldorf Report............................John Nagy
Story Courtesy of AtariUser Magazine
||| Network Flow Control.........................Ed Krimen
Formerly Perusing GEnie, Line Noise.. NOW....
||| Falcon Specifications.................................
Facts, and prices!
||| Z*Net Global News Gateway...................Jon Clarke
Request for discussion on New Newsgroup
||| Atari Classics...........................Press Release
New 8-Bit Magazine offering
||| Lynx Game Reviews.....................Maura Fitzgerald
Reviews from Atari Explorer Magazine
||| Gemulator Update.........................Press Release
Software to be released 9-11-92!
||| Computers, Luck and Other Things.............Bob Smith
30 rules you may have forgotten!
||| GEnie ST Roundtable News..................John Hartman
What's happening on GEnie!
||| Guest Commentary..........................Gordie Meyer
Delphi SysOp, comments.....
||| Hyperlink Review......................................
From Atari Explorer Magazine
||| Edhak Reviewed.........................John Jainschigg
Review from Atari Explorer Magazine
||| The Editors Desk............................Ron Kovacs
Short commentary and update....
| | | Z*NET NEWSWIRE
| | | Atari News and Industry Update
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
GLENDALE ATARIFEST UPDATE
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. SASE must be received by 9/4/92 to
insure delivery.
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 818-843-6000
(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.
There will be a $25.00(US) fee for these hands-on classes. DMC (ISD)
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, ten days 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. Registration must be postmarked by 9/1/92.
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. List of the
exhibitors and demonstrators for the THE GLENDALE SHOW
ATARI CORPORATION THE COMPUTER NETWORK COMPUTER SAFARI
OREGON RESEARCH ASSOCIATES FAIR DINKUM TECHNOLOGIES
CLEAR THINKING D.A. BRUMLEVE SUDDEN INC.
MICRO CREATIONS BRANCH ALWAYS MID-CITIES COMP-SOFT
FREEZE DRIED SOFTWARE McDONALD & ASSOCIATES WINTERTREE SOFTWARE
BEST ELECTRONICS JMG COMPO
ICD S.D.S. CODEHEAD
FAST TECHNOLOGIES LEXICOR MIGRAPH
DRAGONWARE GENIE ISD/DMC
BECKEMEYER BIO ILLUSTRATIONS GRIBNIF
ST INFORMER MAGAZINE ATARI EXPLORER MAGAZINE Z*NET
ATARIUSER MAGAZINE ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE
Plus demonstrations by:
BAREFOOT SOFTWARE STEINBERG/JONES DIGITAL F/X
GOLDLEAF SOFT-LOGIK
USER GROUP BOOTHS:
A.C.A.O.C. SOUTH BAY A.C.E. NOCCC-ST SIG
R.A.M. L.O.C.H. ACE
H.A.C.K.S. (host club, no booth)
GCR OWNERS REJOICE - MacSEE from Reeve Soft
Will every GCR user who has had problems moving files between their ST
and Mac-emulation partitions, please raise your hand. Just as I
thought, there are lots of us. We move between the ST world and the Mac
world and struggle to transport files easily and quickly between the
two. Transverter is "okay", but it only works with MFS formatted disks
and partitions ... and as you well know, EVERYTHING is in HFS format!
But now you have an alternative!
I was just given a pre-release copy of a new program for the Atari ST
and TT systems. The program is called "MacSEE" and is created by Reeve
Soft. Simply put, the program allows you to move files between your ST
and a Macintosh (or GCR/Mac-emulated partitions) with complete ease and
efficiency. MacSEE lets you --
* Read Macintosh (HFS & MFS) volumes with your Atari ST or TT
* Write to Macintosh volumes with your Atari ST or TT
* Read and write 800K Spectre-format disks & 1.44-megabyte disks
PLUS, MacSEE supports --
* MacBinary and translated modes
* Spectre format hard disk partitions
* Macintosh format hard disk partitions
And MacSEE can be used on a wide range of removable devices, including
SyQuest hard disks.
After using the program for a few hours, I found it to do everything it
promised ... and flawlessly! It's completely GEM-drive, so all you do
is "click" through the choices, select the file you want moved from a
standard item selector window, and BOOM -- Done! No fuss, no strain, no
pain ... just simple efficiency. And in comparison to Transverter,
MacSEE is a speed demon! Hard drive partition to partition copying took
no time at all. Partition to floppy was just as fast a copying a
standard ST file.
Distribution and technical support for MacSEE is being handled by:
Compu-Seller West
220 1/2 West Main Street
St. Charles, Il 60174 (708) 513-5220
To order your copy of MacSEE, or for more information, call CompuSeller
West at 708-513-5220 and ask for Don Bahr. Tell him "Monochrome Steve"
sent you!
CHICAGO COMPUTERFEST '93 CANCELLED
Chicago ComputerFest by Atari 1993, a continuation of the successful
cooperative venture between the Lake County (Illinois) Atari Computer
Enthusiasts and Atari Corporation, planned for May 15 and 16th 1993 at
the Ramada Hotel O'Hare has been cancelled. Director of Communications,
Bob Brodie, stated that he expected to only make show appearances for
the remainder of 1992, for which Atari has already purchased non-
refundable discount airline tickets for him. LCACE enjoyed the
partnership with Atari to bring major Atari-oriented developers and
vendors to the Midwest, and is disappointed that Atari is apparently
unable to commit support of this event. LCACE is uncertain if they will
organize a local-oriented show such as the two shows prior to the 1991
ComputerFest.
KAO UNVEILS NEW BRANDED DISKETTE PACKAGING
Kao has unveiled its new branded diskette packaging which is intended to
enhance the company's strong and growing position in the branded
diskette market. Kao's new tiered packaging approach clearly
differentiates diskette capacity for the user. The double-density
diskettes, in silver packaging, are designed for users requiring a
standard-density product; the high-density diskettes, in gold, have
twice the storage capacity of the standard-density diskettes. The new
packaging features a "100 Percent Certified" seal, highlighting that
each diskette is individually tested for error-free performance. Each
diskette package also features a "Made in the USA" or "Made in Canada"
logo emphasizing that the diskettes were produced locally.
OS/2 2.0 SURPASSES ONE MILLION
IBM announced that its new software product, OS/2 Version 2.0, has
vaulted past the one million shipment mark. Historically popular with
corporate users, early indications are that OS/2 is also gaining
widespread acceptance in the end-user community as a result of its
power, reliability and ease-of-use. To commemorate their on-going
support and commitment to OS/2, Caterpillar was presented with the one
millionth copy at the Windows & OS/2 Show at Boston's World Trade
Center, August 18-21. Between Aug. 1 and Oct. 31, 1992, users who call
the 1-800-3-IBM-OS2 phone number can purchase OS/2 for the following
prices: Windows upgrade $79; DOS upgrade $99 and first time buyers $149.
OS/2 is an advanced 32-bit operating system that supports DOS, Windows
and OS/2 applications in a single package.
ADOBE SHIPS 22 NEW TYPEFACE PACKAGES
Adobe announced the availability of 22 new typeface software packages
from the Adobe Type Library, including new packages from leading type
foundries such as Linotype, Monotype and Berthold. All packages can be
purchased from Adobe Authorized Dealers or through Font & Function,
Adobe's type catalog. Customers interested in the Adobe Type Library
should contact Adobe at 800-83-FONTS.
NEW EPSON ACTIONPRINTER
Epson has announced the ActionPrinter 2250, a 9-pin version of its
ActionPrinter 3250. A unique feature is a covered printhead that keeps
noise in while keeping dust, food or sticky fingers out. Operating at
a quiet 50 decibels minimizes disruption to meetings and phone calls.
At a suggested retail price of $199, it provides the sharpest possible
near-letter-quality output at draft speeds of up to 240 characters per
second. Users have a choice between Roman and Sans Serif fonts with
graphics resolution of 240 x 144 dots per inch. Epson's industry-
standard control language for 9-pin printing, ESC/P, ensures widespread
compatibility with popular software. Information about the product,
including reseller locations, can be obtained by calling 1-800-922-8911.
NEW HP PLOTTER
Hewlett-Packard has announced the HP DesignJet 600 plotter, a high-
resolution monochrome inkjet plotter for fast output. The new plotter,
which uses commonly available media offers better print quality, broader
connectivity and greater functionality at a lower price than its
predecessor. The HP DesignJet 600 plotter, which replaces the HP
DesignJet plotter, is available in two models -- E size (36-in. wide)
for $9,995 and D size (24-in. wide) for $8,495 (U.S. list).
| | | DUSSELDORF REPORT
| | | Story by John Nagy, Courtesy AtariUser Magazine
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: This article may NOT be reprinted without written permission
of Quill Publishing. Copyright (c)1992, AtariUser Magazine, John Nagy
Atari's Newest Machine is introduced in German Atari Fair
The floor of the world's largest annual Atari fair had "Falcons all over
the floor of the show, in almost every booth," according to Nathan
Potechin of DMC Publishing, Inc., who gave AtariUser eyewitness accounts
during the show. Other estimates said that about 20 Falcons were
roosting throughout the sprawling conference center. Many show-goers
thought they were looking at regular 1040's since the Falcons on display
were not black as originally thought.
The Dusseldorf, Germany locale for Atari Messe was again inundated with
Atari--the huge trade show spans roughly four football fields of floor
space. Nathan reported that the show this year (August 21-23) is
similar in size and attendance to last year's event, which brought
30,000 of the faithful to visit 180 vendors.
The announcement of the Falcon 030 was the first order of business at
Dusseldorf. The crowds knew what they were coming to see after months
of nearly-accurate profiles of the coming machine were offered by most
of the Atari media, and the excitement was high as they saw it
firsthand.
However, numerous reports have been made by developers and attendees
that indicate that the Falcon is not quite ready to fly. While many
existing software products are said to run flawlessly and swiftly,
reports of spectacular crashes when running software already loaded on
the demo units hard drives blemished the premier.
In any case, many vendors at AtariMesse had new applications that
exposed the power and features that are new on the Falcon 030. DMC
Publishing (Calamus) again had the largest booth on the floor, spanning
4,000 square feet with about 40 people working in it alone. Other large
booths included TMS, Matrix, 3K, and Maxxon. Many new products were
shown, and AtariUser will report on them in detail in our next issue.
Prices and Plans
The "base" Falcon 030 will retail for $799 in the USA in a one-megabyte
configuration. The next option up the scale will be a four-megabyte RAM
Falcon with 65 megabyte hard drive at $1,399. Availability in the US is
slated for "October" in limited quantities. The FCC type acceptance for
domestic sales is not yet in hand, but is predicted to be a sure thing
this time, due to extensive tests done in-house at Atari.
Marketing plans for the new machine in the USA were also revealed in
Germany. Sam Tramiel told dealers and developers at Atari Messe that
the US launch will be via regional marketing build-ups. Individual
regions of the USA will be targeted, one at a time, with major "dog and
pony shows" to both woo and educate computer dealers. Significant co-op
advertising money will be offered to dealers who join in the roll-out.
Once enough regions are served by a new operating dealer network, Atari
will launch a national advertising campaign.
Industry observers suggest that this plan will make the most of Atari's
cash and production resources. By serving a small but growing dealer
network with product, on-board Falcon dealers can be more assured of
delivery of product during the build-out stages of the plan. Dealers
will help and be helped in promotional costs, enabling Atari to make a
bigger splash in smaller ponds with less of their own money, and
allowing Atari's resources to go towards increasing production of Falcon
computers. As production and sales increase, so will revenues with
which to attack new regions. Meanwhile, Falcon specific software will
mature and present a solid base for the later national marketing
efforts, to come in 1993.
The Word on the Bird
Atari's CEO Sam Tramiel made conference appearances on the GEnie and
Delphi telecommunication networks the week before AtariMesse, giving the
fans worldwide a chance to "talk" to him "live." Communicating via
modem to the conferences, the audience could ask questions directly of
Sam and the Atari technical team, and get answers in real time. The
result was the best look we've had to date at the intention and
potential of Atari and the new Falcon.
The corporate view of the Falcon 030 is that it exceeds all of the
multimedia expectations of the computer buying public, while being an
exceptional value as a home computer system. Sam took fire on the
conferences over the 1040 style case, which is seen by some as a curse.
Sam reiterated the Atari position that the Falcon 030 is the consumer/
introductory unit of a new series of computers, and alluded to a 68040
to come, but would say no more.
Conversely, Sam Tramiel said of sales and advertising of the current
line of Atari computers: "We felt that the present ST/STE family was not
strong enough to market in the US. We have been waiting for this new
product, and we do plan to support it and market it in the US. It will
be a hard battle, but we will put a good effort behind it." He added
that the STe and especially the TT lines will continue to be produced
and supported.
More:
||| MultiTOS is a combination of rom and disk based software. Most well
written applications seem to work fine. MultiTOS will be available
as an upgrade for the TT030 and future 68030 and above machines.
||| Bundled software will be packaged with the Atari Falcon030 will
include games written especially for the Atari Falcon030, including
LandMines and a BreakOut kind of game. There will also be a Rolodex
type of application called Cal/Apt, a calculator application called
ProCalc, and a Talking Clock desk accessory.
||| New STe compatible analog joysticks will have 15 buttons, with three
fire buttons and a 12 key keypad.
||| A true expansion bus via a direct processor slot with all of the
necessary data and control lines to allow plugging in optional third
party coprocessor boards. This will allow more complete PC and Mac
emulators, for example.
||| According to Sam, there are some 30 new developers that are
producing software for the Atari Falcon. Several of the developers
are also NeXT developers.
||| Contrary to a few scare rumors, the MIDI and cartridge ports are
still standard. However, there is no external floppy connector for
a second disk drive, and no ACSI/DMA port for Atari brand hard
drives and laser printers. Sam explains that Atari opted for the
industry standard and faster SCSI II. Third party companies have
developed converter boxes to allow the SLM printers to connect to
the Atari Falcon 030.
Memory Matters
The Falcon 030 can have 1, 4 or 14 megabytes of RAM. The memory is
addressed continuously, and any application or MultiTOS can see all the
memory at once. Memory upgrades will be through a "Atari Falcon" ram
board. There are no memory controllers on the board like on the TT, and
Atari's pricing on the RAM will be "very competitive." The RAM in the
Falcon is 32-bit wide, and the limited total RAM configurations allow
faster memory access than other multiples.
Why 14 instead of 16 or more megabytes? In order to maintain a high
degree of compatibility with ST software, a 16 meg window was maintained
despite the ability of the 68030 chip to "see" far more memory. The top
two meg of the 16 meg a 68000 is capable of addressing are mapped as I/O
device handling areas, so they are not used by the Falcon either. The
result is a lot of RAM that is used just like ST memory instead of the
switching scheme used in the TT.
Sightings
The Atari Falcon030 will work with any VGA, or Atari ST Color Monitor...
SC1224 or SC1435. The 16 bit True Color (non-palette) mode will work in
640 x 480 interlaced on a TV or ST style monitor. A special cable will
let you use an older ST monitor. True Color will also work in 320 x 480
on VGA monitors. The BLiTTER Chip has been sped up to 16 MHz to handle
the extra bandwidth and does double duty for fast hard drive access.
The Falcon 030 is easily "Genlockable" for multimedia and TV use; a
cheap third-party external device is required to strip the sync from the
external signal.
| | | NETWORK FLOW CONTROL
| | | Compiled by Ed Krimen
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
Some messages may have been edited for correct spelling, grammar, and
irrelevant material.
WHAT?! NO FLOPPY PORT ON THE FALCON?
-------------------------------------
-=> In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14)
-=> from the "Atari Falcon 030 Computer" topic (20)
Message 35 Mon Aug 17, 1992
K.CAVAGHAN2 [OakSprings] at 00:38 EDT
I am very excited about the Falcon and it's potential. I only have 1
question (of course).
I'm hoping I am wrong but is the Falcon limited to just the internal
floppy? I hope I read the spec's wrong but if so, may I ask why?
Thanks,
Kent
----------
Message 39 Mon Aug 17, 1992
OUTRIDER [Terry] at 11:04 EDT
Kent, There is no external floppy port, but from what I understand you
can hook up a high density floppy drive to the SCSI II port.
- Terry -
----------
Message 40 Mon Aug 17, 1992
J.ALLEN27 [FAST TECH] at 12:14 EDT
If you need an external floppy you can buy a SCSI unit. I think the
strategy behind having only one floppy is that EVERY Falcon comes with a
hard drive interface built in, and you can get a small Hdrive for the
price of a second floppy, so that is what people would do, rather than
investing in two floppies. With the early STs that wasn't the case,
remember that it was many months before the SH204 was out in quantity,
and back then a hard drive wasn't thought of as cheap enough to be
affordable to anyone...20Meg IDE's are affordable to anyone who can
afford the computer in the firstplace ;-)
===================================
MORE NOTES ON THE FALCON FROM JIM ALLEN
---------------------------------------
-=> In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14)
-=> from the "Atari Falcon 030 Computer" topic (20)
Message 17 Fri Aug 14, 1992
J.ALLEN27 [FAST TECH] at 22:54 EDT
The internal expansion bus is very general, it can be used for anything
...386sx, acceleration, video, etc, etc.
I look forward to making an accelerator for this unit, it is the best
baseline we've ever had to start with!! Should be easy to make it quite
peppy.
The memory daughterboard is ALSO a good place for video expansions, the
sky really is the limit on the neat things you can do down the road with
this machine....of course it's gonna be a while before there are
1,000,000+ units out there.
The only continued limitation on PC emulators will be the fact that
although there is 640x480 mode it isn't done with the weird bank
switching stuff the PC VGA cards are, making it tough to emulate VGA
color, so much PC software goes right to the hardware on the VGA cards.
But it may be possible to build a video/memory daughterboard that could
really act like a VGA card to a PC emulator. We'll have to see.
The Falcon has a SCSI II port, just like the Mac, but there is no more
Atari ACSI port. 3rd party's are going to come out with a SCSI
interface box for the SLM printers, to replace the original controller
box....which is kinda neat, because from there all you need is a driver
to be able to use the SLM on a fast Mac or PC with SCSI....hmmm.
Of course a fairly inexpensive accelerator will be able to bring the
Falcon up to the equivalent of a 486-100 ;-) With some hires mono video
tossed in and a 19" Mac mono monitor would give you a KILLER DTP/
Graphics machine for about $2,500 in the Falcon. Add a BIG Hdisk and
the Unix software and for $3,000 you've got a kickbutt lowend Unix
workstation....just get NeXT Step ported to it...pleeeease ;-)
===================================
FLOPTICAL DRIVES AVAILABLE FOR ST AND FALCON
--------------------------------------------
-=> In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14)
-=> from the "Atari Falcon 030 Computer" topic (20)
Message 150 Mon Aug 24, 1992
MAG.SOFTWARE at 01:39 EDT
For those interested in an external floppy drive for the Falcon, New
Dimensions Computer Center sells a 20MB Floptical drive with 1 20MB disk
for $459. With 'shoebox' case, 60 watt power supply and SCSI cable for
$589. With 'shoebox' case, 60 watt power supply, ICD AdSCSI Host
Adaptor, DMA cable and software for $659.
This Floptical drive will read, write and format 720K and 1.44MB floppy
disks as well as the 20MB disks. Floppies run TWICE as fast as a
'regular' floppy drive.
Extra 20MB disks are ONLY $24.95.
Contact: New Dimensions Computer Center
9026 W. National Ave
West Allis, WI 53227
(414)327-3311
===================================
C++ FOR THE ST
--------------
-=> In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14)
-=> from the "Atari Falcon 030 Computer" topic (20)
Message 71 Thu Aug 20, 1992
CBARRON at 01:38 EDT
>Is anyone planning on implementing C++ on the atari platform?
It is near completion. Comeau Computing (I think that is the name the
vendor of Comeau C++ for unix anyway.) has an almost completed port of
their software to the atari platform. It is AT&T 3.0 with templates,
etc. compliant and very portable accross platforms. Reviewers in the
unix segment of computers think very highly of this product.
----------
Message 72 Thu Aug 20, 1992
CHERRY.FONTS [Todd] at 02:04 EDT
A fellow developer friend uses GNU C++ for all his commercial Atari
software projects. It exists and is free (available here on GEnie I
believe,) and is quite capable.
..Todd Cherry Fonts Member IAAD
===================================
MAKING THE RIGHT THINGS HAPPEN
------------------------------
-=> In the "Flaming - Debating - Discussions - Rumors" category (18)
-=> from "The Soapbox: Editorials about Atari" topic (2)
Message 173 Fri Aug 21, 1992
LEXICOR [Lee] at 00:29 EDT
I know it's hard to understand, and I am probably the last person to say
so: "But" you should understand that there are a lot of honest, hard-
working, devoted people working at ATARI doing their level best to make
the "Right" things happen.
I have met and had dinner with Sam T, Bill Rehbock, and others, and I
believe that these two and all those who they work with are doing
everything possible. You have to really be in this business before you
can begin to understand how complex and how hard it is to get everything
to happen when you want it to. Yes, I know I rant and rave sometimes,
both here and elsewhere, but do understand I hope that what "I want" for
LEXICOR and what ATARI "needs" is not always the same thing. They can
no more drop everything and do for me than they can drop everything and
just start pandering to the US market.
I am not making excuses for ATARI; and I am not saying that "my view" of
the ATARI market is any better than theirs is. What I am saying is that
it is really quite pointless to challange Sam T. or, as I often do,
challenge Bill Rehbock when I am frustrated. These men have many
restrictions on what they can and cannot do. I would be willing to bet
that no matter what choice they make on any given issue, business
situation or who gets what and when, there will always be someone who
will be unhappy.
It is really quite unfair to expect any large company to be sensitive to
each and every need of each patron. Even at LEXICOR we often have
chronic problems. I could show you a file of small problems and nearly
a thousand letters sent to me by customers who just wanted a little
attention -- you know, just four or five questions. There is no way I
can ever answer all these letters as much as I would like to. I have
two telephone lines, one direct. I publish this one so that our
customers can call and try to get problems solved directly. But even
so, this does not always help. There is little I can do about some
problems, albeit I have complete authority to do whatever I want! But I
can't do anything to make disk deliveries speed up, or make UPS find a
lost shipment. In many cases, I can only ask for help from this vendor
or that vendor. In many cases, I have to shell out cash before I can
order. Think what it is like to pay for all the "Bazillion" bits and
pieces to build a computer, and how amazing that they even work at all!
I hope these comments will be of some interest!
Lee
===================================
POSSIBLE 68040 UPGRADE FOR FALCON
---------------------------------
-=> In the "Hardware" category (4)
-=> from the "Turbo16-30 from Fast Technology" topic (11)
Message 109 Sun Aug 16, 1992
J.RICE5 [Joe Rice] at 03:59 EDT
Jim, I saw that Sam Tramiel indicated that the Falcon couldn't be
upgraded to a 68040. I assume you know something he doesn't, right?
Joe
----------
Message 110 Sun Aug 16, 1992
J.ALLEN27 [FAST TECH] at 12:48 EDT
Yep, the design of the Falcon doesn't have any built in "gotcha's" that
make using an 040 impossible... which IS the case with the ST(E) design.
Also, the OS has been "fleshed out" in many ways by Atari, so that
MultiTOS knows what to do with each of the possible processors it might
end up running on. I've done a study of what's required and it will be
possible to put a board in, although it may be in the $1,100 range.
I've also scoped out the Tiny030 for the Falcon, and will provide swap-
grades for Tiny030 owners in the future when they want to move to a
Falcon. I'll probably yank out a design I have for a Mac monitor
compatible high-res monochrome and slap that onto the Falcon Tiny030.
Since the RAM system is 32bit on the Falcon -- not burst mode but 32bits
wide -- the cache for it will be 32bit and I've got a really neat design
done. It should be a serious screamer... 40 or 50Mhz 030, cache, and
1152x870 19" mono video circuit.
----------
Message 111 Sun Aug 16, 1992
AD-VANTAGE at 12:58 EDT
Joe, I would read Sam Tramiel's statement to mean *ATARI* will not be
offering a 68040 upgrade for the Falcon. With the processor direct
connections, just about anything is possible in the way of Falcon
upgrades with the help of 2nd party developers such as Fast Technology.
-- Ron
===================================
SO WHAT'S IT LIKE?
------------------
-=> In the "Flaming - Debating - Discussions - Rumors" category (18)
-=> from the "Atari systems vs. Other systems" topic (22)
Message 118 Fri Aug 14, 1992
D.D.MARTIN [Swampy] at 18:34 EDT
Well, folks, I've had my PC for a little over 2 weeks and am here to
tell you that I'm not overly impressed. Understand that it is a truly
dedicated system. I run it only to do research for my business. What
it does for me in this regard is worth the expense.
The system I have is a 386-DX, 4 megs RAM, 3.5 and 5.25 high density
floppies, 80 MEG h/d and a CD ROM player (the research data base is on
CD disc), and super VGA monitor.
My _first_ impression of this rig was geeezus, it's so BIG!! The CPU
case turned out to be too big to put on my desk top so I moved it down
under the desk. Besides, it's _ugly_.
My sister (a programmer and systems anylist) put the system together for
me and set everything up so that when I turn it on it goes straight to
the research program. I don't think I could have gotten all the
config.sys and autoexec.bat files done by myself. I don't _want_ to
learn computing I just want to _use_ a computer!
I never will forget setting up my first ST. It was so easy! Plug and
play! I had the system up and running and was logged on to GEnie using
FLASH within a half hour of getting home with my new computer. It took
my sister 2 hours to get the PC set up and she _knows_ what she's doing!
Pitty the poor soul who knows very little about computers that buys a PC
at SAMS and faces the overwhelming task of getting it running.
Hugs...Swampy
----------
Message 176 Sat Aug 22, 1992
C.HERBORTH [-Chris-] at 16:26 EDT
BTW, a friend of mine just got a TT. We're planning to kill him so we
can take it... We've also been playing with the LC II at the Future
Shop and yes, it's slow as molasses. Yuck. Reminds me of when I had a
C=64 and it took a half hour to load a game. The one guy who's a
hardware guru said "_THIS_ is an 030?!?!?"
Then there's my '486 at work. We've paid about $2000 for the software
on it (only one pirate application! wow! NCR's pretty good about that)
and are there any useful _tools_ on it? Nope. If I need to convert a
picture from one format to another (since Word can't deal with most TIFF
images we have, and PCX is a Bad Thing) I either have to bring it home
for my ST to churn away on, or hack something together on the unix
server. Have you ever tried programming with MicroSloth C?!? There's
about 200 command switches you _need_ just to compile a simple hello.c
program (ie, a program that prints "Hello!" and does nothing else)...
Not to mention the fact that most software doesn't work properly on it,
since I don't have a VGA monitor. We dropped > $3000 to put a 19"
monochrome on it. Oh, so fast on that 8Mhz bus.
I'm _very_ eagerly awaiting a Mega-style Falcon 030. If they don't fly
in North America, I'll have to move on from my ST... Probably to an SST
or TinyTurbo 030. DOS is the choice of the stupid generation (ie,
people who don't know anything about computers and buy it for work; and
business people who still think IBM is the safest business machines,
despite the fact that they grab the cheapest klone they can find) and
Macs are so over-priced that it's not funny. Mind you, if I won a
lottery, I'd probably consider a Quadra 950... then I'd buy a NeXT.
Didja ever notice how much PC owners/users talk about "compatibility"?
How they pay an extra $100 or whatever to have that archaic 5.25" drive
installed "just in case"? DESPITE THE FACT that they never pass data
files around?!? And even when they do, they're doomed, since they don't
have the same application, or the same _version_ of the application.
-Chris-
===================================
CAN YOU EVER HAVE TOO MUCH FALCON INFO?
---------------------------------------
-=> In the "Flaming - Debating - Discussions - Rumors" category (18)
-=> from the "Atari 'Falcon' Project' topic (20)
Message 229 Sat Aug 15, 1992
J.ALLEN27 [FAST TECH] at 03:12 EDT
The Falcon is a really really spiffy offspring of the STE and shares the
same basic memory map. The top 1 Meg is used for IO devices, the next
to top 1 Meg is used for Tos ROMs. That leaves 14 Megabytes out of the
16 Megabytes total address space. You can now use the full 14 Megs of
address space as RAM, the RAM controller even does the work for you!!
Yes, the 030 chip allows more than a 16 Megabyte address space, but NOT
when you are trying to be as compatible as possible to the STE. Far too
many ST applications, especially games, are not and never will be "32-
bit clean". So Atari made the new machine so it didn't _require_ 32bit
clean software, it will run the older non-32bit clean software...like
Tempus the editor as an example, and Calamus 1.09N as another example.
It's really a very nice compromise, and if you _need_ more the 14Megs it
can be arranged, by slapping a memory expansion board in the CPU
expansion slot, rigged up to act the way TT ram does now in the TT...and
on the Turbo030 accelerator ;-) So you could add, hmmm, 8 16Megabyte
SIMMs, or something equally rediculous. ;-)
On the video, yes, by implementing the "interlaced" mode you can get
most resolutions on the SC1224, making the transition for ST users much
less costly to begin with. Neat.
NTSC has 525 periods of information between vertical sync pulses, so
there is the ability to put 525 lines worth of info on the screen.
Oops, that's 525 lines between even vertical sync pulses. Each period
of information is unique, so that's about as close to having 525 lines
of resolution you're going to get on a TV. But because TV is
"overscanned" on the tube, you actually only see about 480 of those
lines, the rest are "off screen". If you could scrunch the vertical size
down enough you could see them all.
Overscanning is used so they don't have to be as precise in
manufacturing the TVs about lining up the display on the tube, the whole
tube face gets zapped, otherwise you'd have to precisely adjust the
position of the display so it was located neatly on the screen.
The Falcon will be "acceleratable" easily, 40 or 50 Mhz would be the
target for an 030, if you're going to the trouble of speeding up, why
stop at 33? ;-)
Atari has been very sensible from the start on upgradability with the
Falcon. If they can't meet the $35/Meg RAM price, I'm sure a 3rd party
will. Since the 4 Megabyte size board would require 8 1Megx4 chips, a
small PC board, and an inexpensive connector, it should be salable for
around $159 retail, or $40/Meg and still make a profit for the developer
and dealer.
The internal IDE needs to be a 2.5" drive to fit, and I'm sure they'll
leave the space there, ready to have a drive slapped in, no tricks, no
hurdles, no crippling.
There's been a real, fundamental, change in Atari's view toward 3rd
party enhancements and user upgradability, and the Falcon will show it.
The IDE and SCSI II ports are DMA'd ports. The Blitter chip is used as a
generic DMA controller, not only drawing lines on the screen like
lightning, but also reading/writing to disk. Something the Mac's lack
and could REALLY use. ;-)
The Falcon only knows about 14 Megs of RAM, CPU, blitter, DMA, etc. It
is out of the box a 24bit machine...ie, only the first 24 bits of the
68030 address bus are connected to anything. This is REQUIRED in order
to be thoroughly compatible with the ST software that is not "32-bit
clean".
Yes, a 3rd-party can add "TT RAM" since the OS continues to have all the
appropriate support built in. I'd assume that will happen, as I said,
this is a VERY EXPANDABLE machine; there are very few limitations.
However, adding "TT RAM" type boards will change the system into a 32bit
device and it will have then have some of the incompatibilities that the
TT has. I'd suggest someone doing such a board include a "defeat" to
allow return to 24bit-ness.
----------
Message 55 Sat Aug 22, 1992
D.ENGEL [Thunderbird] at 09:41 EDT
Towns: Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions, minus the
questions about advanced models and marketing strategies...
Fire 1: Does the Falcon 030 come with MultiTOS. I mean, is it done and
ready and shipping in Falcons, or will it be an 'upgrade'?
Fire 2: Has GEM been tweaked up with nice multi-colored (aka more than
2) Icons and Gadgets? Maybe even 3-D like buttons, etc?
Fire 3: In a 14 meg unit, where the 68030 doesn't "see" the last 2 megs,
did you guys at least give the hardware access to it? Like,
could it be used by the sound stuff, or the blitter? Is there
possibly a way of "bank switching" a la 130XE, which lets me use
the RAM for anything? (I mean my whole computer only has 2 megs
now, so it seems like a waste to not have access to it) I don't
suppose that the Falcon RAM card only has 14 megs populated?
Opinion around here says that it has the full 16 on it.
Fire 4: What is the difference about VGA monitors which won't let the
Falcon do 16 bit color in 640x480 mode, yet it will work with a
TV? I was always under the impression that TV was poor quality
and that monitors were much better. Is it because of the
interlacing?
Fire 5: Will I be able to take advantage of the new resolutions on my
SC1224? If so, will they suffer because the monitor is
outdated?
Fire 6: Does the BLiTTER and other hardware video features work in ALL
resolutions? The BLiTTER seems to be set up for the 4 plane, 2
plane, and 1 plane modes of the ST. Have to new modes been
designed to fit the Blitter, or the other way around? How about
horizontal and vertical scrolling? Overscan?
Fire 7: How much does it cost to become a Falcon Developer? What would
one get from Atari if one were to register?
Fire 8: Will MultiTOS really be able to run concurrently such existing
programs like Pagestream, DynaCADD, Aladdin, etc? Or, will only
special versions run with it? Also, is there a "I'm a bad
program and I only run when I have the whole system" mode, which
will allow poorly written programs to run?
Fire 9: What portions of MultiTOS are on disk? Does this mean that
perhaps periodic upgrades to the disk portions of MultiTOS will
be available on the Official Online Service of Atari Corp? Why
put it on disk in the first place? It's not a RAM hog like
windoze, is it?
Fire 10: Can you tell us about any potential uses for the DSP, other
than the sound processing capabilities?
Thanks for taking the time to read and consider these questions, which
have been nagging at us all for so long. It seems like every answer
spawns 10 more questions, but any information is truly appreciated.
thanks.
----------
Message 56 Sat Aug 22, 1992
J.ALLEN27 [FAST TECH] at 11:12 EDT
TBird, the 16Meg board will only allow 14Megs to be accessed. The ROMS
have 1Meg of the memory map, and IO devices have another 1Meg. The
Blitter needs to access the ROMS and the IO devices. SO nothing that
could use the access will be able to, that's life. Why is it so hard to
understand?
If you take a Mac Plus or Classic, stuff a 68030 board in, and stuff 16
Megs on RAM on it, you will still only get access to 14Megs of it...for
exactly the same reason.
A 16Meg upgrade should be around $399 from 3rd parties, based on the
price of 4Meg Drams these days.
----------
Message 60 Sat Aug 22, 1992
FIFTHCRUSADE at 16:52 EDT
Thunderbird, I can answer some of these.
#5 You'll be able to use your old monitor with an adapter, and it will
work with any resolution with 200 horizontal lines. The number of
colors doesn't matter. You'll want a new monitor for the higher
resolutions.
#9 Why put it on disk anyway? That's where a large complex operating
system belongs. The main reason to have TOS in ROM is so you can use
the system without a hard drive. You can't realistically run more
than one application at a time unless you have a hard drive anyway,
so Multi-TOS should be on the hard drive for upgrade purposes, and to
save ROM space.
#10 Lots of DSP uses. I hear rumblings of "realtime-raytracing".
Ben White
5th Crusade Software
----------
Message 62 Sat Aug 22, 1992
TOWNS [John@Atari] at 17:25 EDT
1. To my knowledge, MultiTOS is NOT currently shipping with the
Falcon030 machines in Germany. I don't know when that will happen,
but we still have some work to do on MultiTOS.
2. The Falcon030 version of TOS (known as TOS 4.0) has numerous new
features. They include support for DMA sound playback and record, DSP
support, 3D objects (the windows from the desktop are 3D), sub-menus
and popups built into the OS, and up to 256 color icons.
3. Currently, the extra 2 megabytes is not available for use in
Falcon030. They do have the full 16 megabytes on the board.
4. True Color, 640x480 on a VGA monitor is too much bandwidth for the
video hardware to handle. TV modes look okay, but I think the best
route is an Atari color monitor (the same as the current Atari Color
monitor).
5. Yes. And no.. the new modes look fine on a SC1224.
6. There is a re-designed BLiTTER in the video chip that runs at 16Mhz
instead of 8Mhz and is used in all modes. Overscan is built-in and
Hardware scrolling works the same as the STE.
7. The developer information has not changed. You should talk with Gail
Bacani at Atari.
8. If you have a bad program, you should pressure the author of the
program to fix it. However, if you run that program as the only
program in the system, it will probably work. Besides, since current
versions of MultiTOS are soft-loaded, you can disable MultiTOS when
you boot up your system for those annoying programs. And yes,
MultiTOS does run existing applications concurrently. There are some
programs that don't work, but the major applications are running now
or may require a small update.
9. MiNT and the new AES are on disk. The VDI and the lower level OS
functions are used out of ROM. MultiTOS does use some RAM, how much I
am not sure about. As for availability of MultiTOS, I have no idea
when that will happen and how it will happen.
10. Well, it can be used for decompress of JPEG pictures. We are
already doing that here at Atari. How about a modem? There are DSP
modems out there that are just an adapter that plugs into the DSP
port and processes the analog signals from the modem.
If there is anything else.. or you would like me to expand on something,
please feel free to jump in and ask.
-- John Townsend, Atari Corp.
Resolutions available on the Atari Falcon030 (c) 1992 Atari Corp.
Written by John Townsend
=========================================================================
This document may be re-printed again and again as long as the Atari
copyright remains intact.
=========================================================================
A couple of notes: Unlike previous machines, there are just too many
resolutions to give each resolution a name. Therefore, I will do my
best to describe what the resolution is and which monitor it is on.
- NOTE: TV and a Color Monitor are the same.. by Color Monitor, I am
talking about the standard SC1224. By VGA, I mean a standard VGA
Monitor.
40 column modes ( "column" means the number of x pixels divided by 8)
---------------
4 color, normal, TV: 320x200, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, normal, TV: 320x200, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, normal, TV: 320x200, 256 colors, 8 planes
True color, normal, TV: 320x200, true color
4 color, interlace, TV: 320x400, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, interlace, TV: 320x400, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, interlace, TV: 320x400, 256 colors, 8 planes
True color, interlace, TV: 320x400, true color
4 color, normal, VGA: 320x480, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, normal, VGA: 320x480, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, normal, VGA: 320x480, 256 colors, 8 planes
True color, normal, VGA: 320x480, true color
4 color, line-doubling, VGA: 320x240, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, line-doubling, VGA: 320x240, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, line-doubling, VGA: 320x240, 256 colors, 8 planes
True color, line-doubling, VGA: 320x240, true color
80 column modes
---------------
2 color, normal, TV: 640x200, 2 colors, 1 plane
4 color, normal, TV: 640x200, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, normal, TV: 640x200, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, normal, TV: 640x200, 256 colors, 8 planes
True color, normal, TV: 640x200, true color
4 color, interlace, TV: 640x400, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, interlace, TV: 640x400, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, interlace, TV: 640x400, 256 colors, 8 planes
True color, interlace, TV: 640x400, true color
2 color, normal, VGA: 640x480, 2 colors, 1 plane
4 color, normal, VGA: 640x480, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, normal, VGA: 640x480, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, normal, VGA: 640x480, 256 colors, 8 planes
4 color, line-doubling, VGA: 640x240, 4 colors, 2 planes
16 color, line-doubling, VGA: 640x240, 16 colors, 4 planes
256 color, line-doubling, VGA: 640x240, 256 colors, 8 planes
and lastly.. there are compability modes for ST Low, ST Medium, and ST
High on both VGA monitors and SC1224 monitors. (On a color monitor, ST
High is achieved by using the interlace mode).
Also, the ST Monochrome monitor (the SM124) will work with Falcon030 as
well. However, it only supports one resolution: ST High Resolution.
All modes on a TV can be overscanned. This means multiplying the X and Y
resolution by 1.2. For example, modes with 320 pixels of horizontal
resolution (X res) will become 384 pixels across, and modes with 640
pixels will become 768 across. Overscanning is done in the X and Y
resolution. You can't do them independently. Special Note: On a VGA
monitor, overscan is "faked".. since the video hardware doesn't have the
capability to do overscan on a VGA monitor, we made it so that if a
overscan mode is set on a VGA monitor, you still see the normal size
screen, but the screen is a window onto the bigger overscanned image.
Make sense? We did this for compatibility. This way if a game that has
an overscanned starup picture can use the same pic on both the VGA
monitor and the TV monitor. Pretty cool, eh? <grin>
BTW.. Overscan can NOT be set from the desktop. The AES and Desktop
will work just fine with it, but because you can't see the parts of the
screen, we thought that that option shouldn't be available from the
desktop. We don't want to confuse people. However, Overscan can be set
using a new XBIOS call (Vsetmode()).. so it is still available.
I hope I haven't made any mistakes. I triple-checked this document in
search of errors and I couldn't find any. If you do find some, send me
Email on GEnie (to TOWNS) or CIS (70007,1135) and let me know.
-- John Townsend, Atari Corp.
PS. Anyone who would like to reprint this message, please do so! The
smaller the number of times I have to type that message, the more my
fingers with thank you! ;-)
After looking at this one more time.. one point to clear up: By saying
SC1224 Color Monitor, I mean any Color Monitor that Atari have
manufactured for the ST/Mega/STE/MegaSTE computers. Clear as mud? ;-)
===================================
FALCON VERSUS TT
----------------
-=> In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14)
-=> from the "Atari Falcon 030 Computer" topic (20)
Message 153 Mon Aug 24, 1992
J.MEEHAN3 [>> Joe M << ] at 05:59 EDT
Jason, What are your needs in a computer? The TT and the Falcon are two
different manchines. Your needs should determine which you want.
In general, I would say if you are into DTP or CAD, you will want the
TT. If you run more towards MIDI and general use, the Falcon may be a
better machine for you. It also might be interesting to see what add on
hardware may be made available for the Falcon. From the talk I hear it
may out speed the TT with a little help.
>> Joe Meehan <<
----------
Message 154 Mon Aug 24, 1992
S.WINICK at 07:46 EDT
Jason, I really don't understand why so many folks are trying to compare
the Falcon with the TT030 and are holding off purchasing a TT to wait to
see the Falcon. I suspect it's because so far all most of you have been
only able to see are written specs rather than the machines themselves.
But the TT030 and the Falcon are so totally different machines, it's
really not a logical comparison. It's kinda like going car shopping and
trying to decide whether or not to buy a currently available mini-van
that'll handle all your growing families current and anticipated future
needs, or waiting to see what next years 2-seater convertables will look
like.
If you have a current need for the raw power the TT030 offers, the
Falcon is simply not a viable alternative as it is simply NOT YET
AVAILABLE in this country. If you need a large screen monitor for CAD
or DTP work, the TT030 is ready NOW to meet you needs. If you need high
resolution color graphics, VME boards for the TT030 are available NOW.
If you need maximum processing speed for these type of demanding
applications, the TT030 is already running along at a blazingly fast
32MHz, offers the ability to use extra fast TT-RAM, and the math
coprocessor chip is standard equipment. If you need to run multiple
peripherals such as scanners, plotters, modems, etc., the TT030 already
has multiple serial and modem ports.
Basically, the TT030 is part of currently available system 'solutions'
for high-end professional applications. And its professional-style
keyboard is no small item for anyone who needs to do a lot of typing.
On the other hand, if your current computer is meeting all your current
needs and you are in no rush to upgrade your home or personal computer
needed primarily for a variety of personal applications, then waiting
for the Falcon may be right for you. If you're a home user who wants
maximum compatibility with computer games, the Falcon, provided of
course that Atari can eventually deliver it with an FCC Class B
certification, would be a better choice (the TT030 is a Class A Business
machine).
Of course, if you're currently using a 520/1040 series system and simply
need a little more horsepower, built-in hard drive, and better keyboard,
the MegaSTe may also be a good choice.
As with any 'new' computer model, remember that it always takes a little
time before the software can catch up to the hardware's potential. The
potential the Falcon offers for direct to disk recording and true-color
graphics are impressive. But until the software is developed to take
advantage of those capabilities, you will have to wait to achieve that
potential.
Basically, determine your computer needs, and if at all possible,
consult with a quality dealership who can make logical recommendations.
I'm sure that once you make a list of your own needs and desires, the
choice will become readily apparent. I'm sure that once Atari can
provide their dealerships with at least a Falcon demo model, most people
will have little trouble deciding which Atari model will be best for
their individual needs.
Now, if you still really feel the need to try to compare the Falcon to
other models, why not try the new Apple machines or the Amiga? ;-]
Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
===================================
=========================================================================
| | | FALCON SPECIFICATIONS
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
Atari Falcon Specifications
/// CPU: Motorola 68030 running at 16 Mhz
- 32-bit Bus
- Optional 68881 or 68882 FPU
- RAM: 1,4, or 14 megs
- Standard Atari Cartridge Port
- Motorola 56001 DSP chip
/// EXPANSION BUS: Internal direct processor slot for 386SX PC
emulation, or other coprocessor
/// GRAPHICS:
- Super VGA graphics: 640x480 with 256 colors
- True color 16 bit mode allowing a display of up to 65,536 colors
- Accepts external video sync signal, allow high quality genlocking
- Overlay mode for easy video titling and special effects
- Overscan on TV's and ST Color monitors
- 262,144 possible colors
- Hardware-assisted horizontal fine scrolling
- BLiTTER graphics co-processor
/// SOUND FEATURES:
- Eight 16 bit audio DMA record and playback channels
- Stereo 16 bit digital DMA input
- Stereo 16 bit DMA audio output
- SDMA sound/DMA Coprocessor
/// STANDARD PORTS:
- SCSI II port with DMA
- High speed LocalTalk compatible LAN
- Connector for analog RGB color (ST or VGA) or composite video
- RS232C serial port
- Bidirectional parallel port
- MIDI IN/MIDI OUT
- Stereo microphone input, miniature stereo plug
- Stereo audio out, miniature stereo plug
- Two joystick connectors
- Two enhanced digital/analog controller/light pen connectors
/// DATA STORAGE:
- 1.44 Mbyte floppy disk drive
- Optional internal IDE Hard Disk
/// SYSTEM SOFTWARE:
- Pre-emptive Multitasking with adaptive prioritzation (MultiTOS)
- Inter process communication
- NewDesk desktop and eXtensible control panel
- Multiple window user interface; number of windows limited only by
memory or software in use.
/// PRICING:
- 1 Meg RAM base configuration: $799 US
- 4 Meg RAM with 65 Meg internal hard drive: $1,399 US
/// AVAILABILITY:
- Shipping to begin in October, 1992, with limited US distribution
pending FCC type acceptance.
| | | Z*NET GLOBAL NEWS GATEWAY IN AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND
| | | From Jon Clarke, Z*Net Pacific
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: RFD: alt.znet
Followup-To: news.groups,alt.znet
Request For Discussion (RFD): alt.znet
Status: unmoderated
This is an official Request For Discussion (RFD) for the creation of a
Usenet newsgroup called alt.znet
Charter:
Comp.sys.atari.znet is for discussion of all aspects of the ASCII
Magazines produced by Z*NET including feeds from Z*NET FNET (FoReM NeT,
Gatewayed via The Z*NET Global News Gateway "status.gen.nz") also
including discussion on all aspects of the following
- Atari Explorer On-line
- Z*NET PC
- Z*NET Fido echo's (Zone 3)
- Z*NET FNET
Topics would include those current discussed in the Z*NET FNET echo,
GEnie, Delphi, Compuserve, Bix, Fido and comp.sys.atari.st which cover
Z*NET Topics
- Letters to the Editor
- Current issue feedback
- Columnist's reply
- Letters to the Z*NET Global Crew
- Atari Explorer On-line
- Z*NET PC
- Z*NET FNET echo's
- Z*NET Fido echo's (zone 3)
- Z*NET Pacific
- Z*NET Europe
- Z*NET USA
- Z*NET Canada
Topics will also include an open forum to discuss topics of interest
with the Director of Communications at Atari Inc, USA and will be open
to all Atari based computers ie 8bit Series, ST Series, PC Series etc.
Feedback will be gatewayed back to fido net and FNET thus allowing a
great interaction of users across three networks.
Discussion of this proposal should be posted to news.groups. As per the
Guidelines, discussion that occurs there is the only discussion that
counts. If your site does not carry news.groups, and you are interested
in this discussion, get your administrator to carry the group.
_
- Jon Clarke o( )
jonc@status.gen.nz / /\
The Z*NET Global News Gateway in Auckland, New Zealand
| | | ATARI CLASSICS
| | | Press Release
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
A New Magazine for the 8-Bit Enthusiast!!!
Greetings Fellow Atari 8-Bit Users!
My name is Ben Poehland, and I'm pleased to announce that I shall be
serving as Managing Editor of Atari Classics (AC), a new magazine
exclusively devoted to the Atari 8bit user. If you are among the
thousands who have bemoaned the recent loss of nationally distributed
magazines that once supported your beloved 8-bit, I'm here to add a long
-overdue ray of hope to your 8bit future!
The philosophical orientation of AC- incorporated in its Manifest is to
be a magazine "of, by , and for the Atari 8bit user". Unlike previous
8bit periodicals, the content of AC will directly reflect the expressed
desires of the user community, especially as recorded during the Mail-In
Campaign conducted January 15- May 2, 1992. The magazine will be
staffed by members of the user community, and its content will be drawn
entirely from the user community.
Unicorn Publications, already well-known for its outstanding Atari
Interface Magazine (which covers
both the ST and 8bit markets), has
agreed to provide publishing services for AC. AC and AIM will be
essentially independent publications, and the addition of AC to
Unicorn's stable of products will not affect AIM's present subscribers.
One of the many unique arrangements concerning AC is that its actual
day-to-day operation will be largely in the hands of the user community
rather than the publisher. Whatever "flavor" we decide to give it will
be entirely our own.
Atari Classics represents a unique experiment in the history of the Home
Computer Revolution that began in the mid '70s. With Atari Corp.'s
announcement of discontined support for all 8bit products in January
1992, an entire class of machines with a global installed user base
numbering in the hundreds of thousands was abandoned along with the
community of users who still use them. But for the first time, a
rejected user community has marshalled its resources and declared its
right to exist independent of Corporate America.
We respond to Atari's challenge in a way that would make our forefathers
proud: by rolling up our shirtsleeves and doing the job ourselves!
This will be YOUR magazine. AC will succeed- or fail- on the number of
subscription orders it receives. Although seed money to print the
Premier Issue has been provided, the magazine will need 500 paid
subscriptions to succeed. A limited production run of 800 issues is
scheduled for October or November 1992. Most of these will be
distributed- FREE OF CHARGE- to the roughly 600 people who sent in
commitment cards during the Mail Campaign.
That's right: if you sent in your card, YOU WILL GET TO READ THE FIRST
ISSUE FOR FREE BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO BUY.
(When was the last time you saw a deal like that??)
Of course, there were some folks who got missed in the Mail Campaign.
So we ordered up those few extra copies which will also be distributed
for free. First come, first serve, please don't block the stampede!
You can write to:
Atari Classics
179 Sproul Rd./Rt. 352
Frazer, PA 19355 USA
ATTN: B. Poehland, Managing Editor
to have your name added to the list for a free copy of the Premier
Issue. (No guarantees, and be sure to include your postal mailing
address!) If you sent in your Campaign card it will NOT be necessary to
request your free trial issue, as your name is ALREADY among the LUCKY
600!
The basic subscription fee is $25/year in the USA, with higher fees for
Canadian and other non-US subscriptions. Full details on subscriptions
will appear in the Premier Issue and in future announcements. Beginning
in 1993 the magazine will be distributed bimonthly (6 issues/year).
A software disk bearing programs published in AC plus selected offerings
from the Public Domain, will be availble separately for $9/year in the
USA. The disk will be distributed independently but will be timed to
appear with every other issue of the magazine (3 disks/year). Full
details on disk subscriptions will also appear in the Premier Issue and
in future announcements.
The content of Atari Classics will initially lean toward user
applications, hardware tutorials and modifications, programming, and
software reviews. We plan to agressively recruit paid commercial
advertising from scarce 8bit vendors, and to publish periodic lists of
current 8bit supply sources.
Best of all, PAID subscribers will be able to place FREE ads in AC to
buy, sell or trade their personal 8bit treasures! (But of course, yah
gotta SUBSCRIBE first!)
And, we'll have a whole bunch of other stuff, contributed by some of the
most talented writers and hackers in the Atari 8-bit world, authors
whose names you've seen gracing the pages of ANTIC, ANALOG, Current
Notes, and Atari Interface Magazine. (You'll notice not very many
details there - we wanna pique your imagination!)
As of this announcement (August 5, 1992) only a few of the Staff
positions at AC have been filled. We are starting completely from
scratch, but anticipate most of the administrative machinery for
operating the magazine will be in place by the end of August and
production begun on our Premier Issue. (We'll need a month to get used
to working with each other in an environment of near-total chaos!)
And when you see that first issue appear in your mailbox this autumn,
IT WILL BE YOUR TURN TO DECIDE THE FUTURE OF YOUR MACHINE!!
Please post/copy/distribute this announcement freely, and stay tuned for
future announcements !!!
| | | LYNX GAME REVIEWS
| | | By Maura Fitzgerald
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE
Manufactured by Atari Corporation
Price: $39.99
Whoa, dude! Excellent game. Bill and Ted's most favored bodacious
babes, Joanna and Elizabeth, have been kidnapped by the Grim Reaper and
secreted in the fiery pits of Hell (all to keep you from completing your
musical masterpiece). So it's up to you and your time travelling
telephone booth to tour foreign lands and distant eras in search of
clues to rescue these most abused and long suffering maids.
Fortunately, the wily women in question have marked the winding way to
Hell with musical notes and phone book pages, bearing crucial
information. Your phone booth, caught in the whirling vortex of the
winds of time, safely deposits you in the sands of Ancient Egypt. Then,
it's on your laid back way, past guards, quicksand, giant scarab beetles
and other bogus impediments, collecting musical notes, gold nuggets,
color coded keys, and other objects; all of which can help you in your
most heroic quest.
Bill & Ted is not a fast)paced adventure, but requires perseverence and
puzzling. Fortunately, the game is designed so that progress can be
cumulative. In fact, you can take a break at any point in the game,
just by writing down a password. Later, you can re-enter the password,
and the game will pick up exactly where you left off.
Play alone, or via ComLynx. When playing with a partner, Bill and Ted
are both in action, and must cooperate. Either way, this is one most
non-heinous game, with a funky Egyptian style soundtrack and great
visual effects. And that Grim Reaper: Man! What an ugly dude!
M.T.F.
FIDELITY ULTIMATE CHESS CHALLENGE
Manufactured by Telegames, P.O. Box 901 Lancaster, TX 75146
Stumped, stymied, struggling yet determined, I battle the overwhelming
odds of woman against machine. This isn't just a game, it's the
Ultimate Chess Challenge, brought to you by Fidelity Electronics, via
Telegames. Fidelity are computer chess pioneers and developers of the
only United States Chess Federation Master rated (2,325) program. And
as far as I can tell, the Fidelity Chess Engine has lost little or
nothing in its translation to the Lynx format.
Battling the machine will certainly improve your game, if not salve your
ego. Those who play chess only occasionally will wish to leave the
machine at its lowest playing strength for a good long while, until they
get the hang of playing against a mechanized opponent. For serious
players, Fidelity Chess offers eight levels of time limited analysis,
eight levels of depth limited analysis, and an "unlimited" mode (to be
honest, we haven't dared try it, though we assume the machine will
decide on a move some time before the heat death of the universe).
Faithful to the aesthetics of this age old game as it enters the
computer era, Fidelity's chessmen are classically shaped silver and
gold. Viewed in orthagonal perspective against a red and white
checkered board, this makes for a pleasing and easily deciphered
display. For more abstract strategizing, a bird's eye view is also
available. Additional play options permit moves to be withdrawn, hints
granted, and game statistics to be viewed. The game (or rather, the
virtual chessboard) can also be used by two human players, and will
automatically rotate 180 degrees after each move, facilitating
visualization from two player perspectives.
M.T.F.
TOURNAMENT CYBERBALL
Manufactured by Atari Corporation
Price: $39.99
Forget kinder and gentler. This is a leaner, meaner, more dangerous,
robotic version of the game we all know and love. You know, the one
with helmets and cheerleaders, touchdowns, tackling, and homecoming
queens? It's 2072, and it might as well be the Roman Coliseum, because
the crowd is hungry for blood. Fortunately, these are robots playing
instead of people, because football has taken on a new and nasty twist.
The ball has been replaced by an atomic Cyberball which gets closer to
exploding with every play unless your team manages to defuse it!
Choose your coach from among four snarling specimens (One of them,
female!). Then select your team: Crush or Thunder, Machine, or
Lightning. You control the key player, in silver. He's the one that
catches the ball and makes his way up the field against all odds.
Comlynx up to four players and your team)mate will pick a second player
to control. As you line up for each play, statistics will appear on the
screen, informing you of yardage gained, and of how many yards you need
to gain in order to defuse the Cyberball.
Whether you're on defense or offense, you call the play. On offense,
Run, Option, and Pass strategies are available; on defense, Short,
Medium and Long. And you can choose which player to control. Play is
intense and exciting. There's not much margin for error when the ball
is approaching critical. Scoring is along old-fashioned 20th century
lines, but points are rewarded with dollars. And the more money you
earn, the better players you can afford. So buy yourself a more
powerful cyberbot at the next timeout, or bide your time until you can
afford an even stronger and faster one. Hike!
M.T.F.
AWESOME GOLF
Manufactured by Atari Corporation
Price: $34.99
Sand traps along the fairway, or ponds on the edge of the green. These
are the natural (if manicured) hazards that confront you in this
realistic golf simulation. Three enormously challenging international
golf courses are at your disposal. So shoe up and practice a few holes
by yourself, or Comlynx several players for a tour of 9 or 18 holes.
Start by choosing what country you want to play in, the U.S., U.K. or
Japan. Then proceed to the clubhouse to set up your game options. Let
the Lynx know what type of player you are -- male or female, blond or
brunette -- and what your handicap is. Will you play on a mildly breezy
day or a windy day? And with how many players? Finally, you're ready
to tee off!
Zoom in and out to study the layout of each hole on a realistic map,
then select your club from among the full set offered. Now that you're
finally up at bat (so to speak), you'll find that the programmers have
come up with a remarkable device to make hitting (or missing) the ball
as realistic as possible. In the course of any long stroke, you must
hit button A three times, in quick succession: once to start (placing
your club by the ball); twice for power (the backswing); and a third
time, to indicate direction. Strength and direction are indicated by a
moving Power Bar to the right of your screen, and it takes some practice
to improve your form! Putting is a little simpler, but still realistic,
with on screen indicators helping your aim, and showing you the lie of
the green.
Course details are realistically depicted, and water hazards, rough,
bunkers, and other obstacles function pretty much like their real world
equivalents. Score cards can be accessed at any time during the game --
but you won't really need them. Chipper, your announcer, will let you
know exactly how you're doing with commentary ranging from high praise
to derisive laughter. And even if you turn his voice off there are fun
icons that appear to encourage you along the way, such as Bogies.
M.T.F.
QIX
Manufactured by Atari Corporation
Price: $39.95
Imagine a nice harmless Etch-a-Sketch. You're turning the knobs to
create enclosed areas, large and small. And every time you complete
one, it magically fills up with a colorful pattern and becomes your
territory. At the same time, there's a deceptively pretty, spinning
helix roaming randomly around the screen; trying to crash into you and
fragment you into a gazillion splinters. Oh, and don't forget: you're
also being chased by Sparx, that travel along the edges of the playfield
and up the lines you're drawing, mercilessly hunting you down. And
should you stop for a moment to let danger pass you by, the lines of the
box you're drawing ("stix" in Qix parlance) will ignite and become a
deadly fuse, very difficult to outrun.
Qix is one of those incredibly fun, incredibly exasperating games that
will have you hooked in no time -- a classic blend of action and
strategy. Long a favorite of ours on the Atari 8 bit, it's great to see
the game released now for the Lynx. The graphics of the original game
translate beautifully to the small screen, and have even been enhanced.
It's very gratifying to see the playing area fill up with your very own
colorfully patterned boxes (even if the plaid patterns do boggle the
eyes a bit and make playing more challenging. And the sound effects are
as fun as they are telling.
As you progress through increasingly difficult levels, you must
"capture" a larger and larger percentage of the playfield. Additional
and more excitable Qix's will plague you. And for added challenge (and
double points), you can voluntarily slow your own progress across the
screen, by pressing the fire button.
M.T.F.
S.T.U.N. RUNNER
Manufactured by Atari Corporation
Price: $39.99
It's the ultimate sport of the future, but you're not just playing to
retain your title as S.T.U.N. Runner. As you steer through harrowing
courses at heart stopping speeds, you must also fend off ruthless
challengers and indestructible droids who feel no piddling constraints
to play it fair.
Your vehicle is a cross between a DeLorean and a frictionless bobsled,
capable of speeds over 900 miles per hour. Fully capable of steering
along the sides of a tunnel, it's also outfitted with lasers to shoot
down your enemies. Gain time and pick up firepower along the way by
driving over stars and shockwaves. Defensively, you're outfitted with
six protective shields which are lost be hitting walls, rails, and, of
course, your enemies. Bang-ups will also slow you down. But completing
a level successfully will earn you an extra shield.
Strategy and timing are crucial. You only have a limited time to get
through each course to the next level. But you can't simply accelerate.
Speed is controlled automatically, dependent on such variables as
terrain, how nimbly you're handling your S.T.U.N. craft, and most
importantly, on the number of power boost pads you drive over. Boosts
can max your speed, win you points, and earn you temporary
invincibility. And on the downside, you can't even complete some of the
levels fast enough to win, unless you pick up speed from boosters along
the way. Additional "challenge" levels provide even more action!
The graphics of this game are very satisfyingly futuristic; and gameplay
is enhanced by great sound effects and by such details as a reassuring
computer generated female voice, delivering instructions. I love the
way the S.T.U.N. craft glides up and around the walls of the tunnels,
and the appropriately metallic echo of the laser blasts in the tunnel
environment. All in all, a beautifully executed rollercoaster of a
game!
M.T.F.
| | | GEMULATOR UPDATE
| | | Press Release and Annoucement
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
DOS compatible computer runs Atari ST software!
GEMULATOR A REALITY
Yes, it's true! Gemulator allows users to run Atari ST software on 386/
486 DOS compatible computers. And it's ready to be shipped on September
12, 1992. Gemulator, which is produced by Branch Always Software, is
now distributed world-wide exclusively by PMC (Purple Mountain
Computers). The retail price has been reduced from $499.95 to $299.95.
How were we able to do this? The Gemulator software is being offered as
shareware, with a nominal shareware fee.
For the $299.95 users receive the Gemulator hardware board, TOS 2.06
ROMs pre-installed, and the shareware Gemulator software.
GEMULATOR FEATURES
Gemulator offers the following:
||| ability to install up to four versions of TOS 1.0 to 2.06 at once
(great for developers testing software compatibility)
||| access to the STE 4096 color palette
||| use of all three ST screen resolutions (on one VGA monitor)
||| total compatibility, runs most major software such as:
~ Calamus ~ PageStream
~ Degas ~ Sierra graphic adventures
~ Flash ~ Sim City
~ GDOS/G+Plus ~ Tempus 2
~ HotWire ~ Warp 9
~ LDW Power ~ Word Writer
||| printing from any ST program (including Calamus or PageStream)
||| access to all ST disks (including TOS 1.0 and Twisted disks)
||| access to hard drives
||| in fact, you'll be able to share your PC's disk drives, hard drives,
printer, monitor... there's no need for having duplicate equipment
if you don't need it
||| Windows compatible
||| easy installation, all you need is a screwdriver
All of Gemulator's incredible features will be demoed by Gemulator
creator Darek Mihocka at the Glendale Atarifest (September 12th and
13th).
GEMULATOR TESTED
Gemulator has been thoroughly tested on a variety of equipment including
386 machines, laptops (portable ST's are now a reality, even though
Atari has stopped production of the ST portable Stacy), large screen
monitors, 486 33 and 50 MHz machines, and with hundreds of software
titles. The minimum requirement is a 386 DOS compatible with 4
megabytes. On 486 machines Gemulator will emulate an ST at full speed
(equal to the speed of a standard stock 1040 ST) or faster (our test
computer -- a 486 33 MHz with VRAM II Ergo video card ran approximately
30% quicker than a standard 1040). On 386 machines Gemulator will
emulate an ST slower than full speed; however, Warp 9 may be used to
significantly boost performance. We are in the process of acquiring a
66 MHz machine for testing, but we anticipate at minimum a speed quicker
than the Mega STe.
OUR GOAL
Is there a reason why we're doing this? Aside from profit, which
because of our price reduction is a moot point, we do have a primary
reason for offering Gemulator: to expand the Atari market. When Darek
first came to us, we saw this as a perfect opportunity. We don't have
to wait for Atari do their thing (advertise, expand, etc.) Now you, the
user, have that power. By giving DOS clone users the opportunity to run
ST software (and invest money into ST manufacturers), the ST market will
expand. Money is the most powerful tool (money talks) and it'll be
telling ST developers that the market is growing, they'll make more
software, and then things will finally take off for ST users. So help
us achieve our goal to expand the market, buy a Gemulator board, and get
others to buy one too.
SPECIAL OFFER
If you send in your order with payment (MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO PMC)
postmarked by September 14, 1992, you'll receive a special price of
$199.95. You can also FAX your order with Visa/MasterCard number and
expiration date. Either way, add $15 for Insured UPS 2nd Day Air
shipping/handling (if you reside outside of the USA, call for shipping
price). This price is a special offered to the hundreds of people that
have already pre-ordered and has been made in dedication to their
tremendous support. This special discount will also be available to
users at the Glendale Atari show. After September 14, 1992, Gemulator
will be available directly from PMC and at finer computer dealers near
you for $299.95. Demonstration videos are available for $10, and
information brochures are free.
For further information contact:
Purple Mountain Computers, Inc.
15600 NE 8th St. Ste. A3-412
Bellevue, WA 98008 206.747.1519: voice/fax
PMC.INC : GEnie
72567,302: CompuServe
Comments From Darek Mihocka
I've done a lot of optimization work on the software. The executable
file is now well under 3 meg in size, so it takes up less disk space and
memory. The speed is also improved. I'll be uploading the software to
GEnie on 9/11/92, so you can just download it and use it with the
Gemulator boards you already have. If you need one or two more boards
drop by at the Glendale or WAACE shows to talk to me and I'll give you
some.
The shareware price will be about $50-$70, and those users will then
receive updates. I've already got a version of Gemulator that emulates
4 meg and 8 meg STs, as well as a 486 version which runs faster than the
regular 386/486 version.
So, here's hoping it sells well. I had moderate success with shareware
before (Quick ST and ST Xformer) so I'm going to give it one more try.
The feedback I received from users at the recent Atari shows I demoed
Gemulator at was that $199 was a price they liked, but $499 wasn't. So
by breaking it up into two products (the $199 board and ROMs, and a $50
shareware program) the average user can make his PC into an ST for $199
or $249 with all the bells and whistles.
| | | COMPUTERS, LUCK AND OTHER THINGS
| | | By Bob Smith
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
In the years that I have become addicted to those all consuming and at
the same time wonderful Atari computers, little changes have taken
place. These changes include a: growing stoop shouldered, b: turning
very pale, c: a dramatic increase of my clumsiness, etc. With that, I
set out to find out why. I quickly came to the conclusion that there
were outside forces at work and while most of the changes in my life
were attributable to a: poor seating at the computer console, b: no
sunlight, the third reason completely escaped my extensive detection.
My clumsiness was a very real symptom and I just had to find out why.
One day, I was talking to several computer engineer friends of mine and
the discussion was concerning this mutual affliction that we all seem to
have. It amazed me that clumsiness was so wide spread amoung the
computer fraternity and there seemed to be no explanation. From those
discussions, I started to feel that outside influences were at work here
and perhaps they were governed by a separate set of rules and laws. I
decided to proceed along that direction and see if I could uncover these
"laws" or at the very minimum find a cause to my problem.
At this point, let me relate a typical instance.... I could be in the
middle of using my favorite Atari word processor and be merrily tooling
along, writing this very lengthy paper and be well into it and suddenly
everything goes blank. Normally, you would chalk this up to a onetime
occurrence and let it go at that. Now in my situation, this has
happened on several occasions. Another instance might be when I have
had floppies to move from one side of the table to the other. Normally,
I wait to move several at a time, but I have waited until the pile was
fairly large and sure enough, as soon as I had picked up those 3 1/2
plastic jacketed floppies, away they went in all directions.
There had to be a connection between these and other unnatural
happenings. What could it be? About the time that I was considering
this, a friend Of mine, who is a locally recognized Sysop, happened to
mention that he had suffered from a "Murphy's Law". Suddenly in my
mind, the lights went on, trumpets sounded and an angelic look swept
over my face. I politely said thank you to him and proceeded to hurry
home. The answer was in front of me all of the time and I didn't see
it.
I proceeded to get into some very heavy research to the exclusion of
almost everything else, not counting my computers of course, but many
other things. Anyway, this research did not resolve the problems, but
did provide me with the 'Laws' as to why these occurrences were
happening. I will share these 'Laws' with you so that you too won't
stay awake nights wondering why these things are happening.
The all important 'Laws' are laid out in no particular order and you
will have to real all of them to find your specific 'Law'.
1- No good deed goes unpunished.
2- Leakproof seals - will.
3- Self starters will not.
4- Interchangable parts - won't.
5- There is always one more bug.
6- Nature is a Mother.
7- If you're feeling good, don't worry, you'll get over it.
8- All warranties expire upon payment of the invoice.
9- Where you stand on an issue depends on where you sit.
10- If you try and please everybody, nobody will like it.
11- A short cut is the longest distance between two points.
12- You will always find something in the last place you look.
13- Anything that can go wrong will. (Most famous one)
14- Every solution breeds new problems.
15- It is impossible to make anything foolproof, because fools are so
ingenious.
16- An ounce of image is worth a pound of performance.
17- You will remember that you forgot to take out the trash when the
garbage truck is two doors away.
18- When in doubt, mumble. When in trouble, delegate.
19- Nature always sides with the hidden flaw.
20- Murphy was an optimist.
21- A bird in hand is safer than one overhead.
22- To know yourself is the ultimate form of aggression.
23- Anthing you try to fix will take longer and cost more than you
thought.
24- If you fool around with a thing for very long you will screw it up.
25- A $500 computer will protect a .10 fuse by blowing first.
26- If it jams - force it. If it breaks, it needed replacing anyway.
27- Any tool dropped while repairing a car will roll underneath to the
exact center.
28- The repairman will never have seen a computer quite like yours
before.
29- When a broken computer is demonstated for the repairman, it will
work perfectly.
30- If everything seems to be going well, you obviously don't know what
is going on.
My research has produced more 'Laws' but the previous list should give
you a fairly good place to start your own research. Now if I can only
figure out a way to stop spilling my coffee on the keyboard.
| | | GENIE ST ROUNDTABLE NEWS
| | | Compiled by John Hartman
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
= DARLAH'S TREAT OF THE MONTH =
Last week for this month's "Darlah's Treat of the Month" on page 475,
Option #9. This month's file is MONOCHROME ONLY.
This demo version of INVISION Elite contains many new features not
included in the first demo. Also included are sample pictures, ordering
information, and the INVISION Elite RTC transcript. INVISION Elite.
The ultimate black and white imagining package. New from Power Thought
Software. For more info and support, see Category 7, Topic 6 ("Invision
Elite") in the Bulletin Board.
File: INVDEMO3.LZH is 366720 bytes.
Remember.......this file is FREE........yes........FREE.
-*Last month's TREAT was accessed 863 times. A hit indeed!!*-
= REALTIME CONFERENCE = Scheduled Wednesday RTC Guests =
Have an idea for an Realtime Conference? Wish to promote a product, show
or service? Atari Roundtable Realtime Conference provides an excellent
platform for announcements and discussions. Contact RTC$, Jeff Williams
[JEFF.W] for requirements and information on holding formal RTCs. Jeff
also captures and edits the formal conferences and uploads them into the
Atari RT's Library.
= Monday Realtime Conference =
Stop in for Monday's Desktop Publishing Realtime Conferences. Hosted by
Lou Rocha with regular guests dealing with all aspects of DTP and
associated topics. All conferences begin at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time
= Atari ST Help Desk =
Atari ST Roundtable holds a Sunday Help Desk to answer your questions on
GEnie, Atari ST Roundtable and the line of Atari computers. Stop in and
ask questions or just visit the Atari RT staff and users. The Help Desk
starts at 7:00 pm EST Sunday on page 475;2. For Realtime Conference
inquires and comments contact: RTC$
= LIBRARY =
Last Week's Top Downloaded Programs/Utilities:
----------------------------------------------
25390 MPLAY_13.LZH X A.DOLORICO 920822 27776 149 29
25389 PAULA20.LZH X OUTRIDER 920822 61056 130 29
25388 ZOO214.LZH X W.PIKE 920822 81408 112 40
25394 SPC-3375.LZH X J.PIERCE5 920822 13696 103 2
25287 HZ_FLIP.LZH X GRMEYER 920815 2432 74 2
25355 GOGOST50.LZH X M.CAWTHON1 920817 51712 69 2
----------------------------------------------
Last Week's New Demos:
----------------------------------------------
25376 GIGADEMO.ASC X D.PETERS18 920820 1280 17 10
25374 SHADOW.LZH X S.KIPKER 920820 303232 30 10
25284 F_DEMO.LZH X C.THORPE5 920815 447744 60 10
----------------------------------------------
| | | COMMENTARY
| | | By Gordie Meyer
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
This text file is written by Gordie Meyer. Gordie is a sysop on the ST
Advantage area of Delphi, known to Delphi members as BIBLINSKI. This
file was made available from the databases of the Atari ST Advantage SIG
on Delphi. The only change that has been made to the file is the
addition of this text to identify Gordie Meyer as the author, and to
include DELPHI sign up information at the end.
The following is an opinion. Specifically, my opinion. It doesn't
necessarily reflect the views of the management of this SIG, nor the
management of this service. But, it is a result of much consideration
on my part, and I have not arrived at it frivolously.
I've been an observer of the Atari community for about a decade now. In
all those years, I have heard much discussion about how Atari has failed
to properly support its users. It seems to arrive in waves, with blame
being cast on everyone from an allegedly unscrupulous local dealer to
the highest levels of Atari management. Yet, in all those years, I can
remember only a very few instances where all that discussion has led to
any positive change. But, I remember many instances of hard feelings
and escalated conflict, that did little to make the life of the average
Atari owner any better.
As in most 'Atari vs. the User' situations, I find myself a little
confused. While we all have a right to have an opinion about how any
company does business, the reality of it is that a company does business
in the way it sees fit to do so.
I seem to always find myself translating things into terms that I'm more
comfortable with, and once again, I'm going to do just that. I operate
a restaurant, and deal with customers on a face-to-face basis almost
every hour I work. And, while I'm aware that the customer is the focus
for my business, without whom I wouldn't have a job, I am also aware
that there are some people who I don't really care to have as customers.
I have no responsibility to cater to every whim of every person who
walks through my door. I have a product to sell, one I'm proud of.
But, if it isn't what a person wants, I can live with the knowledge that
there is someone out there who doesn't like what I sell. It doesn't
make sense for me to alter my product, just to please one person, who
may or may not return. While the customer is the focus, profits are the
motivation.
I've had customers come up and tell me I should do this or do that to
improve my business. While I appreciate their suggestions, and listen
to them, I am the only one who can decide whether my busine ss needs
improvement or not. Most people outside the restaurant business have
little concept of the costs involved in operating a restaurant, and so,
aren't always in a position to intelligently make suggestions about how
things should be done. Often, what they think would be an improvement
would prove to be a major expense, with little return. Anything I add
must be weighed pro against con. And if it fits with the concept, and
it would physically fit somewhere, and would provide enough income to
pay its way, and wouldn't detract from the existing products, then
maybe, if I can afford it and the promotion it would need to be
introduced, I'll add something. But, as a small business owner, I can't
afford to take risks with either my proven products or my finances. Any
changes must be looked at long and hard before being made.
I would assume similar decisions are made at Atari, with the same
careful consideration. That little feature that some user thinks would
be a wonderful addition to the STe might only add $5 to the production
cost of a machine. A pittance! But, when you're building 50,000 or
500,000 machines, that little $5 starts to add up to real money. And
unless it can increase the usefulness of the machine to the majority of
the users, can it really be justified? Bells and whistles are nice, but
add little real value to a machine. And, with Atari's small size, value
is more important than geegaws.
That concept of value has a major impact on upcoming Atari products.
The Falcon is intended as a mass market, low end machine. It has
improved graphics and sound, which are important to finding a place in
the multi-media market that seems to be on the horizon. To sell a
product in that market, certain concessions to economy must be made.
One complaint about the announced configuration of the Falcon is that it
will reside in the old 1040 case, wit h its built-in keyboard. That's
the kind of concession that keeps the Falcon's price within the range it
needs to be, to sell as a mass market, low end machine. Designing and
producing a new case is expensive. Dave Small estimated that the molds
for the 1040 case must have run in excess of $100,000, based on his
experience with the case for the Spectre GCR. That might not be a lot
of money to IBM or Apple, but it represents a major sum to Atari. One
that couldn't be justified for the Falcon.
Atari isn't a large company. And in the current economy, it has had to
get leaner than it might have wanted to. Some services have suffered,
but Atari is still in business, making computers that provide a great
deal of power at an affordable price, while still being friendly to use.
Maybe some of us have forgotten why we bought our Atari's in the first
place. Our computers are some of the finest tools available, without
being expensive. Just as they were intended to be.
Nobody at Atari ever promised me that I'd be buying the only computer
I'd ever need. They didn't say I'd be able to easily upgrade my
computer with every new generation of technology. They didn't lead me
to believe that my computer was the fastest, or the most powerful, or
even the best. They simply sold me a machine that would perform the
things I needed a computer for, and perform them well, without making me
take out a second mortgage on my house to afford. And it has done just
that.
As our computing experience grows, so do our computing needs. While I
was perfectly happy with my old desktop publishing program when I
started, I outgrew its capabilities. So I got a new program, which has
served me well. Now, I find I need more speed from my machine, and will
most likely be getting something to accelerate it. But, that's a result
of my growing needs and expectations, not the fault of the computer.
Many of us started with some old beater car, and found down the road
that we needed , or wanted, something a little nicer, a little faster,
and unfortunately, a little more expensive. The same thing happens with
our computers. I didn't fault Buick when my '67 LeSabre just didn't cut
it any more, and I don't fault Atari that my 1040STe isn't as fast as
I'd like it to be. I bought my machine for the set of needs I had at
the time. Now, those needs have changed. There isn't any blame to lay
at anyone's feet, only reality setting in.
Reality reared its ugly head to the Director of Communications at Atari
Computer Corp. recently, as well. It is easy to get caught up in one
aspect of the Atari community, especially when it's as engaging and
active as telecomputing is. But, as important as being online seems to
be, in reality it is only a small part of the overall Atari experience.
According to a survey done by STart magazine back in 1990, less than 43%
of their subscribers used one of the national online services. Less
than 27% listed telecommunications as one of the first 3 most frequent
uses for their computers. That's hardly a major concern. But, Bob
Brodie has been taken to task for not spending even more time online.
What's the point here? Is it fair to expect a corporate Director of
Communications to devote a disproportionate amount of his limited time
on something that represents a minor concern for most Atari owners? I
don't think so. And evidently neither does the management at Atari.
Some online representation should be available, but it needs to be done
with the proper perspective. For the most part, the online regulars are
a bit more experienced, more knowledgable, and have higher expectations
of their systems. Perhaps online support should be provided by more
technically oriented Atari staffers regularly, with occasional visits by
the Director of Communications. Whether Atari has any tech people who
have the time to provide such support is another matter. Given the
restructuring of the company, uncommitted time must be limited, and is
probably spent carefully. Perhaps online support will be seen as a
valid expenditure of that time.
There will certainly be those who will view what I've written here as an
attempt to excuse Atari's less-than-sparkling performance of late. That
is not the intent, however. Too often, we find ourselves caught up
looking at trees without being aware of the forest. Taking a few steps
back, and trying to get a larger view of the whole situation sometimes
brings better understanding of the smaller events that occur. Finding a
more effective means of reaching a greater number of users should be
seen as a positive step in bettering overall customer relations, instead
of a slap at the relatively small number who are currently being
reached. After all, shouldn't as many users as possible have access to
Atari personnel, as directly as possible?
Don't get me wrong. I have questions about what Atari did in the past.
The purposeful non-conformity of many Atari system components seems to
have been counterproductive to my eyes. Why wasn't a standard graphics
bus adopted? There is a huge number of existing graphics boards
available, with a range of resolutions and palettes that we can only
dream of having without spending much more than our computers cost. Why
develop an entire font standard of their own? PostScript compatibility
would have made life much easier, and provided a whole range of existing
products to draw from. Why not design the motherboard to utilize as
fast a CPU as might be available, without crippling it with slower
support chips? In all these cases, the user has been limited in his or
her choices about what kind of machine they want to have. Perhaps the
sophistication of the user was underestimated, and it was assumed that
such choices wouldn't be desired. But, a base model could have been
developed, with the built-in ability for upgrade by owners who so
desired, without detracting from the salability of the product. Some
effort to do just that was made in the STe, so maybe that closed-end
concept that plagued the early mass market STs has changed.
But, all of those are things I have come up with after gaining a certain
level of expertise. They weren't part of my original decision at all.
So, while I wonder why things weren't done differently, I don't blame
Atari for not doing them that way. Hopefully, they will consider that
many of their users grow more sophisticated with time, finding they have
a need or desire to improve their computers after putting them through
their paces for a while. And build a machine that can grow with their
users. But, that's something for the future. The Falcon hasn't been
released, so whether the evolution of the Atari computer has continued
or taken a step back is yet to be seen. We can only hope the tentative
steps of the STe haven't turned into stumbles.
****
To get your own DELPHI account and join in on the many activities
sponsored by the ST Advantage and the Atari Advantage on DELPHI, use
your modem to dial up DELPHI at 1-800-365-4636. Press <RET> once or
twice to get a connection, then at Password:, type in IP26 then press
<RET> again. Basic sign-up is free!
| | | HYPERLINK VERSION 1.52
| | | Hypermedia Application Development System
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
Hyperlink v. 1.52
System: Atari ST/STe/TT
Manufacturer: JMG Software International, Inc.
892 Upper James Street
Hamilton, Ontario Canada L9C 3A5 (416) 575-3201 Price: $199.00
The concept of hypermedia has been around since the mid-1970s. Emerging
first as hypertext ("database documents" containing trigger words or
phrases that when selected, reveal additional information), it wasn't
long before the developing power of personal computers prompted
visionaries to extend the concept to include graphics, sound, and other
media.
Easy to use hypermedia development systems, such as HyperCard, have
become popular on several current platforms enabling normal users to
create highly interactive custom programs for personal and commercial
use.
Now JMG's Hyperlink brings hypermedia development to the Atari ST. When
you first install and run Hyperlink, it brings you to its main work
screen. A menu stretches across the top of the screen, and a box to the
left holds icons that represent loaded Hyperlink applications. Sample
applications, such as a Baseball Card Tracker, Telephone Message Pad,
and Address book, are included with the package.
Using a Hyperlink application is quite simple. Load the application,
using one of the menu selections. The application's icon will appear in
the box on the left side of the screen. There after, clicking on this
icon will make the application active, putting its input form on the
display. Multiple applications can be loaded at once, and their forms
displayed simultaneously, much as with desk accessories.
Hyperlink applications work by calling ("linking") program modules
supplied with the system: a text editor, database, graphics display, and
other modules are presently supported, and additional modules are
promised soon for handling sound and even speech! The linking mechanism
is extremely flexible: links can be established that tie together input
forms, buttons, and other "objects" with one another, with underlying
module "engines," and even between Hyperlink applications, coordinating
their activities. For example, the sample Telephone Message Pad and
Address Book applications are linked in such a way that clicking on the
name of a caller on the Message Pad will activate the Address Book to
find a matching record, revealing the caller's phone number and address.
Modules can access external graphics, text, andother files, meaning that
standard graphics, DTP, and other software can be used to develop
materials for presentation by Hyperlink apps. The Baseball Card Index,
for example, offers a "Stats" button that loads the editor module to
display an external text file containing statistical information about
each player. A similar "Camera" button employs the graphics module to
display scanned player images. Hyperlink even permits words in external
text files to be linked with modules and objects, so that these "hot
spots" can elicit responses from the system, a la hypertext.
Rolling your Own
Hyperlink applications are composed using the Builder module, which
works somewhat like a GEM Resource Construction Set. The Builder screen
contains a blank work area" and a set of icons representing the
different objects that can be incorporated in an application's input
form. The palette of object types includes Text, Database Field,
Button, Box, and Icon, and more complex meta objects, such as sets of
"radio buttons," can be built from these.
Like an RCS, Hyperlink's Builder lets you design a Hyperlink input form
by dragging objects into its work area. Once objects have been placed,
they can be moved around or sized with the mouse. Each object may then
be named, and parameters set to control its appearance and reaction to
mouse moves and clicks. Finally, its links to Hyperlink modules and
external files are specified. Once all objects have been defined,
further parameters are set to define characteristics of the
application's display window, and to refine further object and file
linkages.
Bumpy Ride Ahead
Hyperlink shows enormous promise, though version 1.52 still has a few
rough spots. For example, though you can define a hypertext link in an
external text form inside the Editor module, editing that link requires
leaving the Editor, loading the Text Link module, and modifying an entry
in its database. When designing an application that employs a custom
database, Hyperlink will not let you modify the format of that database
after definition (though modification is possible using dBman IV, whose
file format is compatible with Hyperlink's). Nor does Hyperlink offer
any kind of report builder (though again, you can use dBman's). There
is a print command in the pop up menu for applications, but it is
apparently not yet functional.
Worst of all, though, is the complete inadequacy of the manual. Not
only is it poorly)organized, but fails to adequately cover many of the
most difficult aspects of Hyperlink, leaving you to experiment and study
the sample applications. The manual lacks a reference section, and even
the walk-through of a sample application doesn't work -- the examples
don't match the screen shots. This is true of some of the explanations
as well.
George Geczy is hard at work, and even as this was being written,
version 1.6 was being rushed to completion. Speech and Sound are to be
added almost immediately, and some of the more difficult to use items in
the Builder module are being cleaned up. A scripting language is due to
be added as well,(version 2.0) allowing programmers to specify
symbolically how each object in a form should respond, instead of being
"limited" to just creating links. Version 2.0 will also feature a
completely rewritten manual.
| | | EDHAK
| | | By John Jainschigg
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
Like most long time ST users, I have an "ACC" folder on the root
directory of my hard disk that contains the "acc" umulated fruits of
many years of DA collecting. Why do ST and TT users find Desk
Accessories so fascinating? Because the best DA's are remarkable
displays of programming, combining a high degree of GEM compliance with
all around good engineering. And because DA's can be wonderful tools
for increasing productivity.
EdHak, now in version 2.25 from Clear Thinking Software, is a winner on
both counts: beautifully designed and easy to use, this accessory text
editor will find a favored spot on the root directory of your boot disk
in no time.
Installation
"No time" is just about what it takes to get up and running with EdHak.
Just copy EDHAK225.ACC from the distribution disk to the root directory
of your boot disk, and reboot to install the program in your Desk menu.
(If you prefer, you can run EdHak as a regular GEM application, by
changing the extension to .PRG.) EdHak defaults to a 10K buffer (user)
alterable, and because it occupies only about 77K of RAM when installed,
should run transparently on all but minimal configuration STs. If
you're suffering a real memory crunch, however, don't despair! Clear
Thinking has thoughtfully included a stripped)down "freeware" version of
EdHak (called DIARY20S.ACC) that occupies only 38K!
Clicking on the EdHak entry causes the half screen window to appear.
The window can be increased to full*screen size by clicking on the
"fuller" button at the upper rightcorner. In Text mode, EdHak functions
as a swift, stripped down text editor for ASCII files. Unlike many
conventional text*editors, however, EdHak offers adjustable margins and
tabbing; word wrap; fluid, mouse based cut and paste; full search and
replace (for text 2 and 3 decimal or hexadecimal byte patterns);
automatic date insertion; macros; and other convenience features all
accessed from a nifty little menu built into its window's move bar, or
via Function and other key combinations.
The EdHak text editor is ideal for programming, but doesn't fall short
as an all around utility for correspondence and general writing. Full
printing features make it ideal for quick jobs such as envelope
addressing. And its ability to output text on command to the serial
port makes it an ideal "helper" for use in combination with GEM based
telecommunications programs.
Hacking Features
But text editing isn't the only trick EdHak knows how to do! In Hacking
mode, EdHak can display the contents of RAM directly, either in response
to a search command (for text string or byte\sequence) or to entry of a
start address. The contents of RAM are displayed as characters in
EdHak's window (one byte per character), and can be edited freely and
written back to RAM in any location. As an additional aid, the hex
equivalent for the character presently under the cursor is displayed in
EdHak's menu bar.
But that's not all. EdHack also lets you load, edit, and rewrite disk
sectors directly, again, either in response to a search, or starting
from a specific sector number. Though the feature is potentially
destructive if used carelessly (Full Hacking is disabled in the
program's default configuration), I was able to put it to good use,
immediately, eliminating a viral advertisement placed in my boot sector
by FastCopy Pro ("I am your personal Boot Sector Guardian," indeed!)
EdHak's documentation isn't disappointing, either. Its little manual,
though a bit "home made" looking, explains each of the program's many
features clearly and completely; and even includes a bound in keyboard
command summary. All in all, and particularly at the low price of
$18.95, I think EdHak is a great buy!
System: Any Atari ST, STe, or TT, mono or color
Price: $18.95
Manufacturer: Clear Thinking, P.O. Box 715, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
| | | THE EDITORS DESK
| | | By Ron Kovacs
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
We have returned from a brief summer vacation, and during our hiatis,
the Dusseldorf Atari Messe Show has taken place, Sam Tramiel appeared
on GEnie and Delphi with Falcon information, and we have "improved"
Atari Explorer Online Magazine.
Also, a few personal changes have taken place that I am not comfortable
going into details about, but have played a part with the "forced
vacation" of this publication and the other Z*Net offerings. Without
going into great detail, I have seperated from my wife and processing
a divorce. It has been a difficult time and the reason for the sparse
support and release schedule. I want to thank a few people for their
support over the last six weeks: John Nagy, Bob Brodie, Bob Smith, and
Stan Lowell.
Almost two months have passed and things are on the positive side of
the cycle. Anyone who has gone through this type of problem knows the
effect it plays on your emotional state. It also adjusts your
priorities dramatically. However, life does go on and things are
looking brighter. The reason I am sharing this with you is because
there are a few who have known, probably more than I would want to know,
and people do talk. The best way to squelch a rumor is to address it.
So, everyone knows, and hopefully this will be a dead issue.
Thanks for reading! We have returned to weekly release. All future
releases will be available after 9pm each Saturday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reprints from the GEnie ST Roundtable are Copyright (c)1992, Atari
Corporation and the GEnie ST RT. Reprints from CompuServe's AtariArts,
AtariPro, AtariVen, or Aportfolio Forums are Copyright (c)1992, CIS.
Reprints from AtariUser Magazine are Copyright(c)1992, Quill Publishing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This edition of AEO was put together on an Atari TT030 using WordWriter
and WordPerfect.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Atari Explorer Online Magazine is a weekly publication covering the
Atari computer community. Material published in this edition may NOT
be reprinted without written permission, unless otherwise noted in 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 Corporation. The
Z*Net Newswire is an independent column and organization not affiliated
with Atari Corp. and is Copyright (c)1992,Z*Net News Service/Ron Kovacs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Z*Net News Service - Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, New Jersey 08846-
0059. BBS - (908) 968-8148. Voice - (908) 968-2024. Fnet Node 593,
AtariNet Node 51:1/13.0. You can contact Atari direct via Fnet Nodes -
706 or 319 or via AtariNet 51:1/10.0. Z*Net South Pacific - Fnet - 693.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Atari Explorer Online Magazine
"The Official Atari Online Journal"
Copyright (c)1992, Atari Computer Corporation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
