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Z*NET Online Magazine Issue 91-54
| (((((((( | Z*Net International Atari Online Magazine
| (( | -----------------------------------------
| (( | December 28, 1991 Issue #91-54
| (( | -----------------------------------------
| (((((((( | Copyright (c)1991, Rovac Industries, Inc.
| | Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, NJ 08846
| (( |
| (((((( | CONTENTS
| (( |
| | * The Editors Desk............................Ron Kovacs
| ((( (( | * Z*Net Newswire........................................
| (((( (( | * Year In Review: 1991 Nagy's News & Comments..John Nagy
| (( (( (( | * X-Boot...................................Press Release
| (( (((( | * Perusing GEnie...............................Ed Krimen
| (( ((( | * Reader Response.......................................
| | * Opposing The Telecommuniations Act..........Kaleb Axon
| ((((((( | * Top 100 Downloads-AtariPro..................Ron Kovacs
| (( | * Z*Net Software Shelf....................Ron Berinstein
| ((((( |
| (( |
| ((((((( | ~ Publisher/Editor............................Ron Kovacs
| | ~ Editor.......................................John Nagy
| (((((((( | ~ Z*Net Newswire Ltd..........................Jon Clarke
| (( | ~ Contributing Editor.....................Bruce Hansford
| (( | ~ PD Software Reviews.....................Ron Berinstein
| (( | ~ Reporter....................................Mike Brown
| (( | ~ Assistant News Editor.......................Mike Davis
| |
|----------| $ GEnie Address....................................Z-NET
| ONLINE | $ CompuServe Address..........................75300,1642
| AREAS | $ Delphi Address....................................ZNET
| | $ Internet Address.............75300,1642@compuserve.com
| | $ America Online Address........................ZNET1991
|----------|
| Z*NET | * Z*Net:USA New Jersey...(FNET 593).......(908) 968-8148
| SUPPORT | * Z*Net:Golden Gate......(FNET 706).......(510) 373-6792
| SYSTEMS | * Z*Net:South Pacific....(FNET 693).NZ....(644) 4762-852
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| | * Z*Net:Illinois (Garage)(FNET 621).......(618) 344-8466
| | * Z*Net:Florida (Twilight Zone)(FNET 304).(407) 831-1613
=======================================================================
* EDITORS DESK by Ron Kovacs
=======================================================================
Here is it, the LAST issue of 1991. We continue our Year In Review
articles and will complete this series next week in Issue #9201.
Happy New Year from everyone at Z*Net!
ARTICLE UPATE
The following text has been reprinted from the Z*Net Category on GEnie
------------
Category 31, Topic 1
Message 29 Sun Dec 15, 1991
G.RICHARDSO1 [George] at 19:03 EST
I understand that the latest issue of Z-NET published my instructions
for modifying the GCR for better TT/68030 compatibility. Unfortunately
the instructions had a typo.
Instead of connecting a wire to pin 9 of U4, the wire should be
connected to pin 9 of U3. If it's connected to U4, no damage will
result, but the GCR will not function at all.
Also, if anyone can't find someone to do the modification for them, we
are doing the modification and complete testing for $25.
I can be contacted on Compuserve [75275,1363] or Genie [G.RICHARDSO1] by
Email, or by phone at the Merlin Group, Inc. (201) 998-4441.
=======================================================================
* Z*NET NEWSWIRE - CALAMUS SL UPGRADE - $200?
=======================================================================
According to ISD's Nathan Potechin in messages in his support area on
GEnie, the new Calamus is now slated for release in January. Although
promised for many dates before, the program is considerably improved for
its delay.
The original SL version was terribly slow on re-draws, making it almost
unusable on a standard speed ST computer. Nathan says that the routines
were reworked so that only the zoom area is recalculated, making it far
faster than on the demo versions seen months back. Changes in the text
formatting also net a speed increase. Pricing now looks like $69.95 for
upgrading from Calamus 1.09N to Calamus S, and possibly $200 for 1.09N
to SL.
The difference between S and SL is in COLOR capabilities of SL, which
will sell for $795 with an auto-tracing module called SPEED-LINE, CG
Fonts, PKS Write, Vector Line ART modules, etc. The upgrade version may
be stripped down, allowing the economical purchase of what is needed
only when it is needed.
While PKS Write will be enclosed with every Calamus S and SL, Speed-
Line, for example, may sell separately for $49.95. The Vector Line Art
module may be $99.95. The Vector Line Art module is not an upgrade to
Outline Art, although Outline Art 2 is planned.
Other notes from ISD include that their DYNACADD is currently available
not just on the ST/TT, but on the Amiga, and the IBM using GEM. A much
enhanced Windows 3.0 version of DynaCADD should be out before mid 1992.
ISD has moved to a new building, but just across the street from their
5 year location in Canada. The ISD Post Office Box address, telephone
(416) 479-1880 and fax (416) 479-1882 remain the same.
=======================================================================
YEAR IN REVIEW: 1991
NAGY'S NEWS AND COMMENT: 1991 - THE ATARI YEAR IN REVIEW
by John Nagy (with thanks to Z*Net Atari News Services)
=======================================================================
PART 1 OF 2
This article is reprinted in part from the January 1992 AtariUser
Magazine. Additional material provided by Z*Net. For reprint
permission for this article, specific prior approval of Z*NET is
required. See the general reprint information at the bottom of this
issue.
Another year slipped away from us, somehow. They say that those who
cannot learn from the past must repeat it. So, let's take a look back
at the major stories in Atari news through 1991, and see if they can
tell us anything about the future.
For the most part, this review will only cover Atari activity. Third-
party events and announcements are omitted for space reasons, not
because we're implying that they aren't important. (In next week's
Z*Net, a full overview of 1991 third-party events!)
SETTING THE STAGE:
In late 1990, Elie Kenan had left his position of General Manager of
Atari USA, Canada, and France, and Greg Pratt was appointed President of
Atari USA. Although anticipated by some, the Mega STe was introduced as
a surprise at the November COMDEX, ahead of anywhere else in the world.
It was shown in Germany for the first time in December.
As we began 1991, our optimism was high for the year ahead. The new TOS
desktop and the 32 MHz TT030 were a reality, and Atari announced that
the Mega STe had passed FCC Type B testing. The TT030 was still Type A
(commercial only), but began shipping to US dealers for $2,995 in the 2
meg RAM, 50 meg hard drive version.
DECEMBER 1990:
Atari Corporation reports a third-quarter (ending Sept. 30, 1990) net
income of barely over three million dollars on sales of $89 million,
compared to a loss of $5 million on sales of $81 million for the same
period last year. This year would have been a $3 million loss except
for an offset of a $6 million gain from Atari repurchasing debentures at
a favorable term.
Antonio Salerno, Vice President - Applications for Atari Corporation,
resigns December 6, 1990. James Grunke, technical man for the super
group BEACH BOYS, leaves the band replace Frank Foster at Atari as the
Music Industry Representative and MIDI promoter. Formerly of NEOCEPT,
defunct makers of WORD UP, programmer Mike Fulton is hired in Atari's
customer and developer support area. This fuels earlier speculation
that Atari may eventually buy and support Word Up as an Atari brand
product.
Atari gives Jimmy Hotz the rights to marketing for his full-size Hotz
Midi Translator, also known as the Hotz Box. Atari retains the rights
to marketing any consumer version.
Word spreads in Germany that the head of Atari Germany, Alwin Stumpf,
will leave Europe to go to North America to pilot the Atari Corporation.
No official comment or confirmation is available from Atari.
Atari-New Zealand is promoting the $999 (NZ) Atari Discovery Pack, a 520
STFM with a colourful box sleeve and software bundle, in time for
Christmas 1990.
Atari donates LYNX video game systems to Operation Desert Shield to
alleviate some of the boredom in the armed forces on alert in the
mideast.
Software cards from Paragon Technologies offer Portfolio users high-
power flight planning and navigation databases. They can even file the
flight plan from the Portfolio.
Rumored for 1991: a new 68000 based game machine called the PANTHER; a
Unix-compatible TT with multiple slots; a smaller, cheaper version of
the LYNX; a new, smaller STacy.
Atari stock is down to $ 1 3/4 at the close of 1990.
JANUARY 1991:
Calamus Version 1.09N is made available. Calamus S and SL are in beta
testing in Germany, and are anticipated for an early March release.
Atari's Manager of User Group Services Bob Brodie begins a continuing
column for STart Magazine, the largest US Atari specific magazine.
Sales VP Bill Crouch's last day at Atari was Friday January 4, 1991.
There has been no official response from Atari on his departure, but low
fourth quarter "numbers" may have played a part in his leaving.
Atari Canada announced a full one year warranty on all computer
products, up from the 90 old standard.
The Atari DEMO CONTEST is announced, with a TT030 first prize for the
best demo for the STe and TT computers.
Atari relocates the entertainment division to the Chicago Area and names
Lawrence Siegel as its president.
Reworking the marketing plan, Atari fires all of their full-time sales
representatives and let most of their contracted rep firms go as well.
Pacific Software begins offering one-day shipping of all Atari hardware
except the TT030.
Atari shows selected developers and distributors their PANTHER game
console, still in development, at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Atari and third-party developers unveil 14 new software titles for the
Portfolio.
Atari Entertainment begins a media campaign using cable and syndicated
television and targeted spot radio ads for the Lynx. Sixteen titles are
available and another 14 are slated.
Atari Canada announces the Mega 1 STe, a minimum version of the computer
without a hard drive and with a low price. Upgradability is promised,
using any third party drive and user RAM.
The 1991 Winter NAMM (National Association of Music Merchandisers) Show
features Atari with the largest computer company display among 600 music
exhibitors. MIDI developer C-Lab and Atari announce a joint marketing
and dealer support program.
ST JOURNAL from Quill Publishing stops production of their bi-monthly
magazine while a re-evaluation of the format and marketplace is being
done. A smaller, all-Atari product monthly magazine is suggested to
replace the ST specific magazine in April.
FEBRUARY 1991:
Atari Canada lays off approximately 30% of its staff in a restructuring
of Atari in North America. Atari still refuses to comment on Alwin
Stumph and the Atari North America plan.
Editor Tom Byron says START Magazine will begin a bi-monthly publishing
schedule beginning immediately. He expects that START will return to a
monthly schedule at some later date if the industry picks up.
Subscribers are assured of getting the number of issues they paid for,
and that each issue will be larger and feature more in-depth articles.
Atari USA President Greg Pratt attends a GEnie live teleconference and
announces reduced prices on hardware. He defends the overhaul of the
distribution network.
Director of Technical Services Bill Rehbock announces a revised
Developer plan with two tiers of support on a CompuServe teleconference.
CompuServe is named an Official Support Site for the Portfolio computer
by Atari. Over 200 files are available in the CIS APORTFOLIO Round
Table.
An Atari portable STACY computer becomes a new regular band member for
the popular ARSENIO HALL SHOW, clearly visible many times in the
program.
Electronic Arts announces a series of seven new games for the ST and
other computers scheduled for early 1991.
Atari CEO Sam Tramiel is the guest of a special free conference on
CompuServe. He discusses UNIX (to be shown in March in Germany), the
PANTHER (to ship early 1992, with Lynx interfacing), a notebook ST, and
MIDI-TASKING (to be ready when it is finished).
MARCH 1991:
Don Mandell takes the position of Vice President of Sales. Mandell is a
long time associate of Jack Tramiel, owner and chairman of the board of
Atari, and worked with Jack at Commodore years ago.
It becomes known that the Mega STe is not FCC approved, contrary to
Atari's announcements. Atari says that the lab that had tested the unit
was decertified, causing the Mega STe to have to be tested again. The
Mega STe 1 is found to be deliberately crippled, with a unique hard
drive cover that must be replaced with a new one from Atari in order to
install a hard drive. The cover is not available without Atari's
complete hard drive kit.
Quill Publishing, former publishers of ST JOURNAL MAGAZINE, announces
its replacement, ATARIUSER, to be distributed free internationally
through computer stores, Atari dealers, developers, distributors, and
registered Atari user groups. The premier May issue should be released
in late April.
Darek Mihocka of Branch Always Software (Quick ST) confirms rumors that
he has a functional 68000 emulator working on an IBM platform. He calls
it the GEMULATOR, and it requires a 386 or higher CPU. Darek says that
further development of the Gemulator will wait for this summer after he
completes and ships Quick ST version 3.
Atari attends CeBIT in Hannover, Germany. It's the largest computer
show in the world--about 500,000 attended. Atari surprises everyone
with their announcement and demonstration of the portable ST BOOK and ST
PAD computers. The ST Book is the smallest 68000 computer ever built,
and at 4 pounds, still has a 40 meg hard drive and 4 megabytes of RAM,
sealing the fate of the heavy STACY. A "vector pad" motionless mouse
uses technology developed for the Hotz Box. The ST PAD, also called the
STylus, has handwriting recognition and no keyboard. Production of both
units is forecast for the end of 1991. A new CD-ROM was introduced, to
be available Fall '91 for about $400. Atari shows and promises UNIX by
the middle of April.
Atari Corporation reported a fourth quarter 1990 net income of 8.8
million dollars with an 11% decline in sales for the period. Sales for
all of 1990 were 411.5 million dollars, a decrease of 3 percent from
1989. Net income for 1990 was 14.9 million dollars against 4.0 million
dollars for 1989.
APRIL 1991:
PD JOURNAL, a German Atari magazine, interviews Alwin Stumph and asks
his responsibility in Atari: "My range of responsibility concerns all of
Atari's divisions, including the U.S. That means my role in the U.S. is
practically the same as in Holland, Austria, or Germany. The section
heads report to me." This was Alwin's last public interview as
President of Worldwide Marketing and Sales.
Atari plans to set up a huge multi-million dollar factory to build
computers in Israel, according to the Israeli Trade and Industry
Ministry. Investment costs are expected to total 150 million dollars,
which will be shared by Atari and the Israeli government.
CEPS, the Corporate Electronic Publish Systems trade show, is graced
with Atari's premier of the "Professional Systems Group", a division of
Atari devoted to the very high end of publishing. In cooperation with
Softlogik, ISD, Goldleaf, and others, the "Direct To Press" campaign
begins. It includes tools for every phase of pre-press work from
document processing and design, to photo retouching and imagesetter film
output.
AtariUser Magazine's premier issue is released before deadline and goes
to 30,000 users.
MAY 1991:
Atari's Bob Brodie and Mike Fulton announce that the long awaited
scalable font GDOS will very likely be sold to existing users at a price
"under $100" and that it will include a full single font family of
Ultrascript fonts. Plans also are to include it automatically with new
Mega STe and TT computers, already installed on their hard drives.
Atari purchases the source code and rights to WORD UP, a graphics and
word processing system that pioneered the document processing field in
the Atari market. It is possible that the eventual Atari product
resulting from the purchase will be made available as an upgrade for
WORD UP owners.
Word Perfect gives notice that they intend to abandon efforts to produce
a major upgrade for the Atari platform for their high-end word
processing system, currently at version 4.1 on the Atari and 5.x on most
other platforms.
Atari Canada's General Manager Geoff Earle announces a new trade up
program for owners of Atari 8-bit computers to a 520STFM for $250. The
8-bit computer line is admitted to be discontinued.
Under 1,000 people attend the Windsor/Detroit Atarifest, sponsored by
user groups WAUG of Ann Arbor Michigan and WAUG of Windsor, Ontario
Canada. Sales are slower than hoped, partially due to fears of customs
charges at the international border. MultiGem premiers in America, shown
and sold by Rimik Enterprises.
On May 15, it is confirmed that Atari magazine STart will NOT publish
another issue. Amidst debts to writers and subscribers, Antic
Publishing remains silent while continuing production of their PC HOME
JOURNAL magazine with the same staff as did START.
Richard Miller, Vice President of Technology at Atari Corporation, holds
an online conference on GEnie. He discusses coming technology and
announces that the Mega STE finally passed FCC Class B approval.
JUNE 1991:
The game design center in Chicago says that Atari has completely dropped
development of the PANTHER game machine. Atari staff say that they are
now working on "other exciting projects". The Jaguar, a yet higher
technology game unit under Atari development, is then rumored to be the
project that bumped off Panther.
Z*Net Monthly, an extension of Z*Net International Atari Online,
produces its final issue. It served over 40 user groups as a newsletter
supplement, and was to be subsidized by proceeds from STart Magazine's
contracted use of Z*Net News material in their own magazine. With an
unpaid debt, revenues lost to STart cripple the project.
ISD's Nathan Potechin says Calamus S, the modular replacement for the
current Calamus 1.09N, will be available as an upgrade in July for
$69.95 (U.S.).
The long awaited SOFTSOURCE KNOWLEGEBASE opens on the GEnie
Telecommunications Service. The database of "all" Atari hardware and
software is planned to include demonstration versions of most
applications, downloadable from the database. Only a few hundred
entries are now in the database, which was conceived and announced
nearly two years ago. The project is also to spawn a CD ROM disk with
every known product and demo on it, for real-time use at dealers.
Atari announces that it has signed a contract for the sale of its
property in Taiwan. The facility will be sold for $60 million, and
closing is scheduled for later this month. Atari noted that assembly
operations have been relocated in a move to increase efficiency and
reduce costs. It now contract with three plants in Taiwan alone.
Production will be up, and cash flow is greatly improved. A portion of
money will be used to reduce bank debts of $27 million.
Atari Corp releases the new XCONTROL panel for the STe and TT as
freeware on the telecommunications services. The arced file contains
full documentation and the CPX control files. It is required for use
with FSM GDOS, promised to be available soon.
The Atari Portfolio saves the world in the new Schwarzenegger
blockbuster, "Terminator 2: Judgement Day." It's a Portfolio that is
used to brrak into a bank's automatic teller machine and later to open
an electronic locked door.
The Pacific Northwest Atari Festiial nets under 900 people in the
Canadian suburbs of Vancouver. Expected to be a major show, the turnout
is disappointing. Hardware, both Atari and third party, sell BIG and
FAST, with Atari Canada exceptionally pleased. Software, especially
established titles, sell slowly. Omnimon Peripherals demonstrates their
new DEKA interface for the first time, and Gribnif premiers Cardfile and
STENO. Darek Mihocka shows and sells Quick ST for the TT030, another
first.
Next week Part 2!
=======================================================================
* X-BOOT Press Release
=======================================================================
NEWS RELEASE
Gribnif Software
P.O. Box 350
Hadley, MA 01035
Tel: (413) 584-7887
Fax: (413) 584-2565
XBoot - The Boot Manager
Gribnif Software has announced for imminent release the amazing new
"XBoot - The Boot Manager" program for the Atari ST, TT and compatible
personal computers.
This program has been designed to let the user regain control of the
increasing number of AUTO folder programs, desk accessories, and
configuration files that are used when booting the Atari computer.
Running as the first program in the AUTO folder, it lets the user
independently control each AUTO folder program or desk accessory. XBoot
also lets you configure special setups, which allow you to customize the
system for different applications, all at the click of a button.
Unlike any other program of its type, XBoot has a true GEM-like
interface, which is available directly from the AUTO folder at bootup.
You work with a real mouse pointer, dialog boxes, scroll bars, buttons,
and alert boxes, just as if you were in a regular GEM program. Its
numerous features include:
o Complete GEM-like interface with dialog boxes, scroll bars, mouse, and
buttons.
o Fully controlled from either the mouse or keyboard.
o Automatically runs in 80 column mode (on a TT color display, it runs
in TT Medium).
o Often used setups (for different purposes) can be saved as a SET.
o The execution order of AUTO folder programs and desk accessories can
be changed at will.
o The programs and accessories can be listed as sorted or unsorted.
o The system date and time can be set. It can even optionally prompt
you for this information whenever it runs.
o Even without a battery backed-up clock, maintains the correct time and
date after a system reset.
o Configuration of DESKTOP.INF & NEWDESK.INF options, such as key-click,
keyboard-repeat, RS-232 parameters, etc.
o Installation of any info file (like ASSIGN.SYS, DESKTOP.INF, etc.) can
be changed on the fly.
o Autostart any GEM program, regardless of TOS version.
o Ability to copy, delete, and rename files, create & remove
directories, check for files, and execute TOS programs from special
command scripts. Useful for setting up ramdisks or directories.
o A password can be specified to prevent unauthorized access to the
computer.
o Includes a complete, easy to read, illustrated manual.
XBoot will carry a list price of $39.95. A special introductory price
of only $29.95 is currently available, on orders placed directly with
Gribnif Software. Shipments will begin the first week in January, 1992.
To place an order, or for more information, please contact Gribnif
Software directly.
|===========[ XBoot Order Form ]=========[ US and Canada Only ]========|
| |
| Name: ______________________________________________________________ |
| Address: ___________________________________________________________ |
| City: ___________________ State: _________________ Zip: ____________ |
| |
| Please send me ____ copies of XBoot at the low intro price of $29.95 |
| Also enclosed is $3.00 to cover all shipping and handling costs. |
| |
| I've enclosed the following payment: [ MINI INVOICE ]============|
| [ ] Check | |
| [ ] Credit Card (MasterCard & Visa only)| XBoot Special .... $29.95 |
| | S & H ............ $ 3.00 |
| Card# _______ - _______ - _______ - _______ | ------ |
| | Total (Pay this).. $32.95 |
| Expiration Date: ____ / ____ | |
| |===========================|
| Signature: ________________________________ |
| |
| Please return this order form to: Note: |
| |
| Attn: XBoot Order Please wait 2-3 weeks for |
| Gribnif Software your order to arrive. Any |
| P.O. Box 350 questions? Call us at |
| Hadley, MA 01035 (413) 584-7887 |
| |
|======================================================================|
=======================================================================
* PERUSING GENIE by Ed Krimen
=======================================================================
This week in "Perusing GEnie," I'm going to try something a bit
different. If you preferred the previous method I used to report
information found on GEnie, please let me know. Leave me a message on
GEnie at E.KRIMEN, or leave a message at any Z*NET contact site.
AdSpeed Troubles -- Message 139, Topic 16, Category 4
================
According to Tom Harker at ICD, the "AdSpeed has a problem fitting in
STs that have the CPU directly under the keyboard." He says "about the
only solution is to solder the unit directly into the PCB and that has
its problems (like voiding all warranties, troubleshooting, etc.)."
But George Richardson, designer of Gadgets by Small's SST 68030
accelerator says [in Message 141] that "if you have a 520ST without a
disk drive, I would think that the AdSpeed would fit fine." "It did in
mine."
TOS 2.06 and 1.44meg floppy drives -- Message 47, Topic 4, Category 14
================================== Message 19, Topic 6, Category 28
Mike Drysdale of Team Computers says that every STE is ready for TOS
2.06. "Just remove the old TOS and plug in the new chips. No boards or
modifications are needed."
He adds that every Mega STE and TT is ready for a 1.44meg or 2.88meg
floppy drive. "Install [Atari's] Ajax chip, a 1.44 (or 2.88) mech, a
flip dip switch #7. Yes it will still read, write, format, 360K (single
-sided) and 720K (double-sided) disks as well as other perverse and
extended format disks (IBM, Spectre, Mac, etc.)."
On the other hand, he adds, "if you have an ST or STe (the older stuff),
adding a 1.44 floppy will will much more complex. AND MAY NOT BE
POSSIBLE AT ALL."
Finally, he recommends, "owners of older STs (NOT e's) who want TOS
2.06, go directly to Codehead (do not pass GO)."
But Jim Allen of Fast Technology, developer of the Turbo16, Turbo20,
Turbo25, and Turbo030 accelerator boards, warns "there are some pieces
missing from the HD floppy code in machines with 2.05 or 3.05. You can
end up with things like floppy buffer data bleeding into video memory...
so you see it ;-) ."
AlberTT -- Messages 82&84, Topic 28, Category 4
=======
Mike Lee wanted specifications on the AlberTT card from Dover Research.
Jim Allen from Fast Technologies responds, "it's a 1024x768x16 color
card. Sort of like a BIG TT medium res, and very big ST low res. Can
also do 1024x768x2 color, for use as a big mono screen for programs like
Calamus that run in mono only. Calamus SL runs great in the 16 color
mode."
"Both AlberTT and ISAC are nice boards...they give good display ;-) ".
Atari's "Cookie Jar" Explained
==============================
Atari-ST RoundTable
Category 14, Topic 14
Message 108 Wed Dec 25, 1991
TOWNS [John@Atari] at 13:50 EST
Cookies are a tool used by programmers to find out what your system
consists of and also as a tool to find out if their program is installed
already. For example, when HotWire (from CodeHead Software <plug> :-)
is executed, it will check for a "cookie" in memory to see if it is
already installed. If it is, then the program will tell the user that
HotWire is already installed. If not, then the program will install
itself and then install a cookie for itself.
Atari has defined something called a Cookie Jar that is designed to be a
standard way of dealing with Cookies and a place to put them. In the
jar are cookies that are installed by TOS for programs to look at. They
include CPU type, Sound Type, Video Type, etc. Programs can look at
these cookies to find out what kind of system you have.
As for your question about whether they are important to the user and/or
programmer.. well, they are important to the programmer and if done
properly, the user need not even know they exist. They are just another
tool to help make the programmer's life easier.
I hope that answers your question.
-- John Townsend, Atari Corp.
DeskJet 500C Support -- Message 38, Topic 3, Category 4
====================
Scott Sanders from Software Development Systems promises that "as soon
as SDS has gotten our in-house DJ upgraded you can be sure to see some
drivers appear. An Alt-Help screen dump in TT and ST res's will be
first priority."
TT with TOS 3.06 and 1.44meg drive -- Message 82, Topic 2, Category 28
==================================
A. Fegley says "I just got my TT yesterday and was pleasantly surprised
to see it had TOS 3.06 and an operating 1.44 meg drive."
HDrive from Omnimon Peripherals -- Message 36, Topic 17, Category 4
===============================
For those that can't wait for 1.44meg drives from Atari, Paul Wu from
Omnimon Peripherals states that "The HDrive kit is $199 which consists
of the controller and a replacement disk drive. Yes, this kit can be
moved onto an STe without much hassle."
Atari HDX Info -- Message 153, Topic 9, Category 18
==============
John Townsend from Atari Corp. states that with HDX 3.0x and above, "you
can create partitions that are a maximum of 256 Megabytes. That means
that the whole SyQuest cart could be one partition, but I would
recommend at least two."
He adds, "Remember, the smaller the partition... the fast[er] the read/
write access will be. With big partitions, you will have a slower drive
as the drive get[s] full."
ICD Clock Life -- Message 119, Topic 40, Category 4
==============
Tom Harker from ICD explains that the life of an ICD clock is three to
five years. "IF you check it with a voltmeter it needs to be above 2.2
volts to operate and should be close to 3v when new. Call 815-968-2228
from 10-2pm CST if you need more help with it."
Intersect Lives -- Message 160, Topic 40, Category 14
===============
Steve Johnson relates that "Intersect IS still around, but they're
focusing on IBM compatibles right now. However, there is almost
definitely a new version of Interlink ST in the works. After the
failure of Masterlink ST, they were going to make a Super Interlink
which was basically Masterlink minus the background task manager, then
they scrapped that and said they would just make a Zmodem .TXF protocol
for it and maybe a Ymodem-G one. Now they're back on a new and improved
Interlink. Just have to wait and see now."
OCR for the ST -- Message 18, Topic 10, Category 5
==============
Charlie Montgomery at Design for Print says "I've had a few hours with
Migraph OCR. It has a professional look and feel. Very nice interface
works as advertised and is fast. Has a slight learning curve that's
well worth the effort. If you've been waiting for OCR this is it."
OCR stands for "Optical Character Recognition" and is a method by which
a computer can read text from a page of paper. The text can then be
used for such applications as desktop publishing.
From the Gadgets by Small Roundtable
====================================
Category 7, Topic 68
Message 440 Mon Dec 23, 1991
K.SCHAFER4 [Necromancer] at 00:55 EST
Actually, coming from a person who bought one of the first Magic Sac's,
I can say that over the years I have been WELL taken care of by Dave
Small and company. I think what you all need to remember is that
Gadgets is a VERY SMALL (pun sorta intended) company that is run (at
least the last I'd heard) out of Dave's home. Give the guy a break, ok?
----------
Category 7, Topic 68
Message 441 Mon Dec 23, 1991
STACE [RT SysOp] at 18:40 EST
Yep...Gadgets HQ is still the Small <pun intended> basement. There
*are* advantages to dealing with a smaller company. For instance, while
many big companies are giving their employees two weeks off during the
holidays, the folks at Gadgets are busting their butts 'round the clock
to get these products shipped.
Mark
=======================================================================
* READER RESPONSE by Donald Swelgin
=======================================================================
This a response to a Article in your Issue 52 of * Z-NET * concerning
"21 Considerations in Selecting a BBS".
21 Consideration in Selecting a BBS - The Other Side
The Keep BBS - (717) 675-4068
After reading the article in the Last * Z-NET * by Ken Buchholz about
selecting a BBS I had to respond in same fashion to the points he listed
and counter them with common sense from a Sysop's point of view. I have
been a Sysop of a Atari board for over 7 years starting out with a Atari
8-Bit and AMIS BBS. All history aside, I gradually moved to the ST and
BBS EXPRESS! for my system and it has been running on that for the last
year and a half.
Now on to Mr. Buchholz points....
1) True, you can tell alot about the SysOp by the 'flavor' of his
questions and responses asked for, but the information asked for by the
SysOp is usually for his records and any information which you feel is
'too private' or 'sensitive' does not have to be disclosed if you
politely ask the sysop not too. If by 'thinking he is god' you mean it
is his system you are on, and that you are in sense, in his HOME, then
yes...he makes the rules you have to follow. Simple and to the point.
If a person is in your house and you do not like what they are doing,
you ask them to leave or stop it. Same rules apply to a BBS.
2) "Adequate support" such as a 9600 baud? Many GOOD systems still
might run at 2400 and are 'adequate' for large majority of users who
enjoy them for the services they offer at that baud rate. Judging a BBS
solely on their highest Baud rate does not mean it is a GOOD system in
any aspect. And as for being BUSY, that does not always mean a SysOp is
taking his board down or has 'too many users'. Most SysOps have two
systems to call out on and his BBS might be 'busy' due to 'many' GOOD
USERS calling in to use it.
3) "Force you to suffer through endless screens of totally useless
information?" Most systems allow you to either hit CONTROL-C or CONTROL
-X or SPACE to abort such screen or a option at logon to abort such User
information. Sometimes the information presented in most aspects deals
directly with the User online as to his stats and System Bulletins
concerning downtime due to hardware failure or System maintenance which
must be done. Not all this information is 'Useless' and is generally to
the User's advantage to be aware of it.
4) Changing Logon/Welcome screen might screw up a Auto-logon procedure
for some users, but add a variety to the BBS to keep it interesting and
fresh to the Users. Most of these Screens can be aborted several ways
and if you have a GOOD terminal program like FLASH or STALKER3.0, then
it is not problem for a Auto-Logon.
5) The name of the BBS system is important to a theme yes, but does not
the mean the BBS is totally dedicated to that one aspect. Some boards I
have been on with Heavy Metal themes have had the most insightful
messages about MIDI I was not aware of. Their files were always current
and did not deal ENTIRELY with Heavy Metal or music. I know calling a
BBS because of its name might be a draw to itself, but it is the heart,
or the 'guts' of a BBS which make it, not the NAME.
6) I agree with a name change is a sign that a BBS is trying to get out
of a slump. Usually this does denote a flakey, unreliable SysOp...
Sometimes, not always.
7) A Upload/Download Ratio is a important aspect in FILE EXCHANGE. It
encourages users to upload and maintain the system they are using.
Without a ratio, people would become 'File Grubs' and never use the
system for other then a 'file dump' to pull the latest files off. And
Unless the SysOp has a current user account on alot of different BBS's
and wishes to pull all the latest software down by himself, the users
can help by uploading for what they take. Most systems maintain a 3, 5,
or 10 to 1 download type ratio on files.
8) I agree with Mr. Buchholz on the 'War Board' issue too. Not worth
your time and effort to call to hear someone downgrade another user.
9) Same here on the message bases not having messages which are up to
date, or several weeks or months old. As long as it is not just ONE or
TWO bases though. Some bases might get used more then other. Be sure
to check not just one.
10) Again I agree on this point, a well organized board will make it
easy to find what you, where you want it in a neat orderly fashion.
Separation of files by type is helpful for most users that don't want to
wade through just one or two sigs.
11) Compression of files is important, but GIF pics are not the only
hard to compress files. Sound Samples, and Amiga MOD files are two
other examples. Better compressions for the ATARI ST are the new LZH
2.01x, and for the IBM, both the LZH and ARJ do a far better job then
ZIP does.
12) "Privacy of your information." This, in one aspect, I give Mr.
Buchholz. If the SysOp is a low life that does use your information for
amoral or illegal purposes, then fine...drop the BBS and sue him. Have
him arrested. On the other hand, most SysOp's are not these crazed
people that everyone thinks we are. Most are quite conscientiously of
the need to keep your information PRIVATE and not release it. Most
systems allow other users only to see your Handle/Name, City/State and
Last Call Date and possibly your Cpu type. Other then that, everything
else you give the SysOp is kept in confidence.
13) Theme is a important aspect of any BBS, and yes, the BBS might deal
entirely with that one aspect. But by judging a BBS by its theme alone,
you never see it for what it is totally.
14) Mr. Buchholz did a repeat on the message base activity theme here
and I answered that one already in item #9.
15) Age of a Sysop does not matter. Some of the best boards I have seen
were run by people 15, 16 and 18. I know of One Sysop who started his
BBS when he was 14 and he is almost 17 now and still running it. Better
to Base your judgment of a BBS on its content, not the AGE of the SysOp.
To base your reason to call on the age of the SysOp is attaching a LABEL
on someone and in one form, discrimination. (I have been a sysop for 7
years and am 33 years old, in case people are interested.)
16) Transfer Protocols are important, but not having ZMODEM does not
make it a 'bad' system. Maybe they have YMODEM batch and that is the
best they can get for the time being. Although ZMODEM is better in some
aspects, it is not the whole point of downloading. Poor arguement for
not calling a system.
17) Networking is good, and on a local note, it can tie in otherwise LD
boards to one another. But to say that they send mail at a "snail's
pace' is highly doubtful. Most systems call daily to send and receive
network packets and email sent through one system to another does not
take that much time. Try sending letter via US MAIL and see the
difference.
18) I agree again with Mr. Buchholz, Users attitudes make the system to
some aspect, but it is the SysOp's hand on 'the helm' that gets users
involved. If the SysOp actively participates in the message bases and
keeps the file sigs current, then the users will respond and use the
system to its fullest extent.
19) Part time BBS's sometimes surprise people as they might be run by a
person with limited time, or a college student. Usually these boards do
not stay part-time, but might go down, or maybe go full time in the near
future. As a LD caller, yes, this might be a waste of time. But as a
local caller, go for it. I think you will find some boards of good
quality running part-time.
20) "Easy of use" is a matter of opinion. According to Mr. Buchholz,
you just drop carrier anywhere in the system that does not suit your
taste, be it file areas, message bases, at logon, or any aspect of the
BBS you are on. This just shows LITTLE or no consideration on his part.
Most systems recover with no problems from this 'drop carrier' type
people, but it is ignorant and rude. If you have a problem, ALL SysOp's
will go out of their way to help you in any aspect of their system.
When all else fails, hitting a "?" which is universal for HELP on any
system.
21) Pay systems are generally well organized and the SysOps knowledgable
of your needs if you only but ask. That is the key, don't be afraid to
ASK FOR HELP. BBS's that ask for donations if you use them are the best
bet. If you feel it is worth a few extra bucks to send for the files
and information that you have recieved, then go for it. That way it is
up to you. Most SysOps do not have the support of hugh Computer Stores
or Software Companies, so they ask for help to continue their service to
you and other users.
After reading and reviewing Mr. Buchholz's article in last week's to
call out and IF he has ever been a SysOp, or seen the workings of a BBS
from the 'inside' as it were. People's opinions vary on different
aspects of using a modem and I in no way refer that he might not be
'knowledgable' on some aspects of telecommunicating, just that his
dealing with the subject of selecting a BBS is not objective.
=======================================================================
* OPPOSING THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1991 by Kaleb Axon
=======================================================================
1:280/77 @fidonet
This is important reading for everyone. I strongly encourage each sysop
reading this article to make it available for your users to read and/or
download.
This article is concerning a bill brought before the Congress of the
United States. People outside the United States need not be concerned
about this bill... unless, of course, American politics interest you.
:-)
WHAT'S THE STORY?
-----------------
On October 8, 1991, a bill was brought before Congress which, if passed,
will prevent the Bell companies and other local phone service carriers
from monopolizing the information services. This is a well-intentioned
bill, and it has potential. However, it was apparently written by ill-
informed lawmakers. It does not address the needs of BBSs. Whoever
wrote this bill apparently didn't even know that we exist, or else
simply doesn't even begin to understand the issues.
*************************
If this bill is passed in its present form, the Bell companies will be
free to charge BBSs whatever rates they see fit.
*************************
HOW CAN THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS?
--------------------------------
Section 201A(b)(1) of this bill's proposed ammendment to the
Communications Act of 1934 states that...
"Each local exchange carrier [that is, local telephone service provider]
shall provide interconnection, on a reasonable and nondiscriminatory
basis, to common carriers and other providers of telecommunications
services and information services who request it."
The phrase "on a reasonable and nondiscriminatory basis" is very vague.
The word "reasonable" can mean a lot of things. What is clear is the
word "nondiscriminatory." This means two things:
1. The phone company cannot charge a competing information service a
higher rate than it charges its own information service subsidiary.
This is good.
2. The phone company cannot charge different rates to different
information services. Since a BBS is an information service, it must
be charged the same rates as a for-profit service. This is not good.
Section 201A(e) of this bill's proposed ammendment to the Communications
Act of 1934 states that...
"A local exchange carrier shall prepare and file tariffs in accordance
with this Act with respect to the interconnection and network access
services required under this section. The costs that a local exchange
carrier incurs in providing such services shall be borne solely by the
users of the features and functions comprising such services."
What this basically means is that the phone company may add a surcharge
onto the standard phone rate, to cover whatever costs it can dream up.
Our government's regulatory commissions do not have a good track record
as far as verifying the validity of such costs. Remember that we are
already placed in the position of having to pay business rates by the
"nondiscriminatory" clause. This section places on us the added burden
of what would effectively be modem surcharges.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
---------------
Write to your congressmen! Let them know that you are opposed to this
bill in its present form. Let them know that if a section is added
which guarantees that free BBSs will only be charged residential rates,
then and only then you will support the bill.
Be sure to tell your congressmen that the bill you are opposing is House
bill HR 3515. The following points should also be brought up in your
letter:
1. BBSs are not-for-profit.
2. BBSs are not typically used as heavily as larger, for-profit
information services.
3. BBS operators do not typically charge money for use of the system.
4. The section of the proposed bill which concerns us is (quote this
exactly):
section 201A(e) of this bill's proposed ammendment to the
Communications Act of 1934
5. In the state of Texas, Southwester Bell Telephone attempted to
charge business rates to all BBSs, and the Texas Public Utilities
Commission unanimously agreed that this was unfair. In your letter,
refer to Texas PUC docket 8387, Reginald A. Hirsch, et. al. vs
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
--------------------
The following related files may be requested from 1:280/77 @fidonet:
HR-3515.ZIP Text of House bill HR 3515, and an article concerning its
contents. This is not the article by James Bryant, but a brief summary
of this article.
TX-8387.ZIP A brief announcement of the decision in last year's Texas
case, and a portion of the text of that decision.
3515-LTR.ZIP A sample letter to be sent to your congressmen concerning
HR 3515. Please do not copy this letter exactly; letter-writing
campaigns are more effective if every letter is different, since that
shows that you are concerned enough about the issue to take the time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Power, Wealth, and Liberation by John Baltzer (1:100/355)
Southwestern Bell Telephone's attempt to impose business rates on BBSs
operating from people's homes and the RBOCs' interest in selling
information services is no coincidence! The roots of this issue go far
deeper than the desire to eliminate competition for information
consumers' dollars.
What is happening is a fundamental conflict between an old structure of
power centralized in the hands of the few (SWBT, MO PSC, and so on)
with an emerging, new structure of power (knowledge) decentralized and
distributed throughout the whole. There is a major transformation
taking place in our society, and the old power brokers don't want to let
go of their privileges.
To control the flow of information is to control people's minds. To
liberate the flow of information is to liberate people's minds. The
latter is the path to true wealth.
The Greater Kansas City Sysops Association is currently mobilizing a
campaign to block SWBT's proposed change in tariff. The GKCSA campaign
is needed to deal with the immediate threat to hobbyist BBSs. Perhaps
an additional, more radical, effort is needed to deal with the roots of
the issue.
A special supplement with the Dec. 2 issue of Telephony contains a
number of articles on the topic "Building the Infrastructure". One
article states that a number of the Bells have issued requests for
proposals for fiber in the local loop. BellSouth is studying responses
to its RFP, and hopes to pick vendors this year. Bell Atlantic is
looking at the first half of next year for vendor contracts.
Who is going to pay for these upgrades to the network? We, the
ratepayers, will. Not only will we pay for the upgrades, we'll also be
paying for the fatcat salaries of management (who make decisions about
changing tariffs on BBSs), and for the profit that goes into the pockets
of the stockholders.
Southwestern Bell's 1990 Annual Report states that total stockholder
equity is $8.5 billion. With a net income of $1.1 billion, in less than
8 years we, the ratepayers, will have given the stockholders more than
they put into it.
It does not make sense to me that we continue in this fashion. I would
like to see the users design the network, and make the pledges and
payments to the vendors and the craftspeople to cover the costs of
implementing a public, multi-media, fiber optic network.
Bills have been introduced in Congress calling for ubiquitous broadband
telecommunications capabilities by the year 2015. If we put our minds
to it, we could have it in place through direct citizen action by the
year 2000.
======================================================================
------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION ----------------
Editors: Tom Jennings, Tim Pozar
Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell, Vince Periello
Special thanks to Ken Kaplan, 1:100/22, aka Fido #22
"FidoNews" BBS
FidoNet 1:1/1
Internet fidonews@fidonews.fidonet.org
BBS (415)-863-2739 (9600 HST/V32)
(Postal Service mailing address)
FidoNews
Box 77731
San Francisco
CA 94107 USA
Published weekly by and for the Members of the FidoNet international
amateur electronic mail system. It is a compilation of individual
articles contributed by their authors or their authorized agents. The
contribution of articles to this compilation does not diminish the
rights of the authors. Opinions expressed in these articles are those
of the authors and not necessarily those of FidoNews.
FidoNews is copyright 1991 Fido Software. All rights reserved.
Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes
only. For use in other circumstances, please contact FidoNews (we're
easy).
OBTAINING COPIES: FidoNews in electronic form may be obtained from the
FidoNews BBS via manual download or Wazoo FileRequest, or from various
sites in the FidoNet and via uucp. PRINTED COPIES mailed may be
obtained from Fido Software for $5.00US each PostPaid First Class within
North America, or $7.00US elsewhere, mailed Air Mail. (US funds drawn
upon a US bank only.)
=======================================================================
YEAR IN REVIEW: 1991
TOP 100 DOWNLOADS FROM COMPUSERVE ATARI PRODUCTIVITY FORUM
Compiled by Ron Kovacs
=======================================================================
Rank Filename Bytes Accesses Upload Date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 8BSALE.TXT/Asc Bytes: 10691, Count: 184, 03-Jun-91
2. ICDHST.ARC/Bin Bytes: 445892, Count: 128, 01-Mar-91
3. README.ARC/Bin Bytes: 9537, Count: 105, 11-Mar-91
4. MTPRIC.TXT/Asc Bytes: 2314, Count: 96, 20-Jun-91
5. DCRMAG.ARC/Bin Bytes: 5376, Count: 91, 24-May-91
6. MODEMS.TXT/Asc Bytes: 2022, Count: 91, 09-Oct-91
7. DROPFI.DOC/Bin Bytes: 2560, Count: 85, 26-Dec-90
8. FIXPCH.ARC/Bin Bytes: 184448, Count: 83, 01-May-91
9. DCRUNR.ARC/Bin Bytes: 4864, Count: 81, 30-Aug-91
10. DCBTIT.ARC/Bin Bytes: 5120, Count: 77, 26-Apr-91
11. DCPOPB.ARC/Bin Bytes: 8960, Count: 77, 03-May-91
12. DCMTRK.ARC/Bin Bytes: 5376, Count: 74, 18-Jan-91
13. DCFKEY.ARC/Bin Bytes: 5888, Count: 74, 09-Feb-91
14. FLMPLY.LZH/Bin Bytes: 11904, Count: 65, 11-Dec-90
15. IMG.IMP/Bin Bytes: 1668, Count: 62, 16-Feb-91
16. DCADMP.ARC/Bin Bytes: 5376, Count: 62, 18-May-91
17. PATCH1.SIT/Bin Bytes: 4352, Count: 60, 03-Dec-90
18. FMDOIT.ARC/Bin Bytes: 20608, Count: 59, 23-Apr-91
19. CHLIST.TXT/Asc Bytes: 1763, Count: 58, 30-May-91
20. DCMRAP.ARC/Bin Bytes: 5504, Count: 57, 31-May-91
21. DCSLVG.ARC/Bin Bytes: 5760, Count: 55, 21-Jun-91
22. MF30-2.TXT/Asc Bytes: 7186, Count: 55, 30-Mar-91
23. DCSTAT.ARC/Bin Bytes: 11136, Count: 55, 12-Jul-91
24. DCDDMP.ARC/Bin Bytes: 5504, Count: 54, 15-Feb-91
25. FIXQUE.ARC/Bin Bytes: 8064, Count: 53, 01-May-91
26. DCTOP2.ARC/Bin Bytes: 6144, Count: 53, 07-Jun-91
27. DCFLIT.ARC/Bin Bytes: 2304, Count: 51, 16-Dec-90
28. DCMSTK.ARC/Bin Bytes: 5504, Count: 51, 30-Nov-90
29. LINGER.LZH/Bin Bytes: 26185, Count: 50, 01-Feb-91
30. DCMETR.ARC/Bin Bytes: 6528, Count: 50, 16-Aug-91
31. DDDEMO.ARC/Bin Bytes: 60160, Count: 50, 05-Oct-91
32. DCRTCL.ARC/Bin Bytes: 4864, Count: 49, 10-May-91
33. DCECP.ARC/Bin Bytes: 2560, Count: 49, 21-Jun-91
34. MDDPRS.TXT/Asc Bytes: 5069, Count: 47, 16-Aug-91
35. DCMSHF.ARC/Bin Bytes: 3712, Count: 46, 04-Jan-91
36. DCLOFF.ARC/Bin Bytes: 3840, Count: 46, 23-Aug-91
37. HOT30.TXT/Asc Bytes: 11957, Count: 45, 24-Feb-91
38. POPBR2.ARC/Bin Bytes: 11520, Count: 43, 20-Sep-91
39. CUSUPD.TXT/Asc Bytes: 5437, Count: 43, 21-Dec-90
40. ANIM1.ARC/Bin Bytes: 5692, Count: 43, 03-Aug-91
41. PGS2GR.LZH/Bin Bytes: 13440, Count: 43, 31-Jul-91
42. POSTSC.PRT/Bin Bytes: 24666, Count: 42, 31-Aug-91
43. PNTVIE.ARC/Bin Bytes: 16512, Count: 42, 06-Dec-90
44. AVPR.TXT/Asc Bytes: 5399, Count: 42, 12-Sep-91
45. MEMFIL.ARC/Bin Bytes: 45056, Count: 41, 18-Feb-91
46. SAFEKY.TXT/Asc Bytes: 3194, Count: 41, 12-Dec-90
47. DSKZAP.SIT/Bin Bytes: 11648, Count: 41, 10-Dec-90
48. DCNOST.ARC/Bin Bytes: 7168, Count: 40, 26-Jul-91
49. SIM020.SIT/Bin Bytes: 13952, Count: 40, 14-Jan-91
50. DCFLPC.ARC/Bin Bytes: 4096, Count: 40, 01-Mar-91
51. MDDPR.TXT/Asc Bytes: 2555, Count: 40, 19-Sep-91
52. DCTOPR.ARC/Bin Bytes: 4992, Count: 39, 12-Apr-91
53. DCCRC.ARC/Bin Bytes: 3840, Count: 39, 25-Jan-91
54. BIGSCN.ARC/Bin Bytes: 4896, Count: 39, 15-Dec-90
55. INTRO.TXT/Asc Bytes: 7667, Count: 38, 03-Aug-91
56. FONTQU.LZH/Bin Bytes: 1024, Count: 37, 20-Oct-91
57. NEWPRC.TXT/Asc Bytes: 1105, Count: 37, 19-Sep-91
58. MAX30.TXT/Asc Bytes: 12106, Count: 37, 08-Mar-91
59. MFUPD.TXT/Asc Bytes: 3032, Count: 37, 05-Apr-91
60. MDDELX.ARC/Bin Bytes: 32402, Count: 36, 20-Sep-91
61. DCBSET.ARC/Bin Bytes: 4608, Count: 36, 19-Apr-91
62. VIDBRD.TXT/Asc Bytes: 3044, Count: 35, 10-Nov-91
63. MACIMG.ARC/Bin Bytes: 13568, Count: 34, 12-Feb-91
64. CLKSET.ARC/Bin Bytes: 3582, Count: 33, 06-Jul-91
65. ANIM2.ARC/Bin Bytes: 2638, Count: 33, 09-Aug-91
66. DCSHOW.NEW/Asc Bytes: 3840, Count: 33, 31-May-91
67. AVDEMO.ARC/Bin Bytes: 129124, Count: 33, 12-Sep-91
68. FORMAT.LZH/Bin Bytes: 33920, Count: 33, 09-Oct-91
69. DCRTDC.ARC/Bin Bytes: 4096, Count: 32, 05-Apr-91
70. DCBHLP.ARC/Bin Bytes: 2816, Count: 32, 15-Mar-91
71. STALK.BIN/Bin Bytes: 6272, Count: 32, 10-Dec-90
72. BARTMA.ARC/Bin Bytes: 5760, Count: 32, 27-Apr-91
73. DCINV.ARC/Bin Bytes: 3712, Count: 31, 08-Mar-91
74. MPAINT.TXT/Bin Bytes: 4807, Count: 31, 03-Nov-91
75. ARABPR.TXT/Asc Bytes: 3195, Count: 29, 08-Oct-91
76. DCFF.ARC/Bin Bytes: 2176, Count: 29, 22-Feb-91
77. DCRSRV.ARC/Bin Bytes: 8576, Count: 28, 14-Jun-91
78. CONTST.WIN/Asc Bytes: 1152, Count: 28, 16-Apr-91
79. DCMSER.ARC/Bin Bytes: 4992, Count: 27, 19-Jul-91
80. ICTHYO.LZH/Bin Bytes: 19584, Count: 27, 11-Dec-90
81. SYL1.TXT/Asc Bytes: 4204, Count: 27, 24-Aug-91
82. DCGTP.ARC/Bin Bytes: 6784, Count: 27, 28-Jun-91
83. FONTS1.DOC/Bin Bytes: 4096, Count: 27, 08-Aug-91
84. MAXPAT.PRG/Bin Bytes: 8514, Count: 27, 27-Apr-91
85. HW1.ARC/Bin Bytes: 23641, Count: 26, 09-Aug-91
86. SCRDMP.ARC/Bin Bytes: 8320, Count: 26, 18-Feb-91
87. SHOMEM.ARC/Bin Bytes: 4639, Count: 25, 06-Jul-91
88. M30DEM.LZH/Bin Bytes: 62345, Count: 25, 05-Apr-91
89. HPDJDR.SIT/Bin Bytes: 31488, Count: 25, 12-Jun-91
90. REMOVE.LZH/Bin Bytes: 14848, Count: 25, 03-Oct-91
91. CU4DOC.TXT/Asc Bytes: 13693, Count: 24, 30-Jun-91
92. INFO1.TXT/Asc Bytes: 4268, Count: 24, 23-Apr-91
93. DCDSND.ARC/Bin Bytes: 2432, Count: 24, 16-Dec-90
94. DCLKME.ARC/Bin Bytes: 4608, Count: 24, 01-Feb-91
95. FISHOB.LZH/Bin Bytes: 9187, Count: 23, 05-Oct-91
96. MODEMF./Asc Bytes: 3264, Count: 23, 18-Apr-91
97. CONTST.TXT/Asc Bytes: 2607, Count: 23, 01-Mar-91
98. EMPTYF.ARC/Bin Bytes: 2688, Count: 23, 21-Jun-91
99. DCDDTR.ARC/Bin Bytes: 3968, Count: 22, 06-Sep-91
100. DCNALR.ARC/Bin Bytes: 5248, Count: 22, 13-Sep-91
=======================================================================
* Z*NET SOFTWARE SHELF by Ron Berinstein
=======================================================================
There certainly has been enough talk about it already, though I suppose
it may have been possible to miss because of the holidays, so... if you
haven't given yourself that extra special Christmas gift, here is your
chance! ARCSHL31.ARC is the follow up to Arcshl30, and it was just
recently released. Now you can configure the program to extract files
to where you want them to reside. Also included are the rest of the
special Quester LHARC functions to the ARC Shell menu, & it also has
several other important enhancements and LOTS of bug fixes. Of course
full documentation is included, with over 140 lines of new text for
version 3.1.
And while on the subject of gifts, I sincerely hope all had a pleasant
holiday! Plus, if you are in the mood for more holiday surprises, stay
tuned, because upcoming is some great PD/Shareware for you and your
family to enjoy throughout the coming special season...
For those who seek to follow the stars, and search beyond the easily
obtainable... (after all this is the season that celebrates certain
wise men, and the star they
followed!)
ASTROLAB.LZH This program shows in several different modes, the
celestial sphere, with the stick-figures of the constellations projected
on it. It rotates, and there can be different magnifications. Mono TOS
1.4.. Includes Mono_Emu for those with only color monitors.
STERNBLD.LZH Part 1.. Fantastic planetarium prg.,unlike either
Planetarium, Gnomplot, or Astrolab. This prg., which has English menus,
(_if_ you type `e' at the start-up menu), shows you whichever
constellation that you click on (be sure and print out the instructions
from the start-up menu!) You can look at any constellation, animate it,
ID the stars etc.,at any period in time. STERNBL2.LZH Part two..
TOS 1.4 Color/Mono
SATURN.LZH lets you observe Saturn's rings and moons for any date,
animation at your discretion. Magnifications available. Want to know
how well the rings will show up in your telescope, or binoculars on a
given day? Want to know which moons you actually saw? This program
will do it. (German) Mono.
SAT403.LZH (LH5)LZH Satellite Prediction program version 4.03 used for
tracking satellites. Many options provided for visual tracking or
amateur/weather satellite use. This version is a bug fix. The shadow
routines in 4.02 were broken and are fixed in this version. A hold
feature was added in the multi-satellite display and sunrise/sunset was
fixed for high latitudes. Program will use Math Coprocessor, if
available.
And so that everyone's holiday is more picturesque...
RAYVIEW.LZH View -Uncompressed- GFA Raytrace 512 color pics with this
viewer. GFA BASIC source code included for further modifications, and
since this is definitely beta, improvements are needed. Sample Raytrace
pic included, for those who don't know what they're missing (neg. TT).
... and for those Ratrace users..
RAYNEWSL.TXT Newsletter for GFA Raytrace users or those interested in
raytracing on the ST. Includes tips on using Raytrace, info on
upgrading to the latest version. Phone numbers and addresses for
contacting GFA US, UK, Germany directly, as well as my plea for a GFA
Raytrace to GIF/Spectrum converter. Source code from Raytrace will be
made availiable to developers who are willing and able to decipher
Raytraces 512 color format. Help if you can! Though it may be read
online, this .TXT is best downloaded and printed out for handy
reference!
GEMVIEW1.LZH An update to the previous version. It allows you to view
GIF, SPC, SPU, NEO, PI?, PC?, IFF, GEM, and MORE. Also you can save
files in different formats (some restrictions...). Works in all
resolutions. Scale pictures, take some clips from others, read IBM-
Windows 3.0 .BMP files, lots more. There has been some talk though that
this program doesn't close the "workstations" that the program opens,
and from a program writer's view, that it may well open more
workstations at one time than it really needs to. Unclosed workstations
result in fragmented pieces of allocated memory.
MEGA_SLM.ARC contains a patch program which changes CodeHead Software's
MegaPaint Professional so that it can use US page sizes (8.5 x 11)
instead of European A4 and A5 sizes, when printing to an Atari laser
printer. A short text file is included, explaining what the patch
program changes and how to use it. Be sure to patch a *copy* of your
MegaPaint file. (For the English version 4.00)
MEGAMODS.ARC REUPLOAD (bugs fixed) External modules for MegaPaint
Professional. There are 5 modules: import modules for TNY & PC3
pictures, a module to get at your desk acc's, a module to call MaxiFile
III, & a module to call Dr. Bobware's SCANLITE to allow scanning
directly into MegaPaint with Migraph (and other) scanners. Plus: a
change module parameters prg., & READ_ME file.
CADTCVT.LZH This program will convert CAD 3D XTR template files to TMP
files which may be read by Cyber Sculpt. The program is especially
useful when used in conjunction with CALCAD3D.ACC to greatly simplify
the creation of objects from Calamus fonts.
CLIPBORD.LZH This is version 1.0 of the Clipboard Configuration CPX
from Software Development Systems. This version allows viewing .IMG,
.ASC, .TXT, and .XIC files stored in the clipboard. This file requires
XCONTROL.ACC available on GENIE and at your local dealer. Eventually
this CPX should become a must-have. Freeware.
So.. If it looks good, it should sound good too! Right?
TLC_PLAY2.LZH Newest version of the Sound Machine runs in color or
mono. It will load and play digitized sound files from Soundoff!, ST
Replay, MasterSound, DigiSound, and more. You can reverse, stretch,
squeeze, amplify, soften sounds as well as changing speeds. It allows
endless looping and saving the modified sounds in several formats.
SHAREWARE
PCMPLAY.LZH for the STE only! But, it lets you load, play, & convert
.SPL, .PCM, .SD, and Roland S-50 sounds.
STESOUND.LZH STe DMA Sound File Player v1.0! Excellent program for
playing digitized stereo/mono sound files through the STe's DMA chip.
Includes such options and controls as Play Once, Loop Play, Master
Volume, Left/Right Volume, Bass, Treble and Mix Type. MUST have Ste/TT
Supports all STe "SIGNED" sample rates: 6KHz, 12KHz, 25KHz and 50KHz.
EPLAY.LZH Here is EPLAY.TTP (with doc file) that allows STe, or other
computers with DMA sound chips, to play signed digitized sound samples
(mono or stereo) in the background with NO loss of processor time!
And for your spare time around the holidays...
STOMPER.LZH is a MONO game. Sort of a maze game, and the docs for it
are in German.
NOIDS100.ARC This is the latest version of NOIDS. This archive
contains both NOIDS and MKNOIDS, the game creator. Works best in STLow,
but the game will also run in TTMed. MKNOIDS works in STLow ONLY!
3_SHOOTS.ARC Low resolution required, any ST/STe. Juergen
Reichenwallner of Germany designed these three joystick-controlled
games, and sent them just in time for to share them with you and yours
for Christmas! Games include a spaceship battle, a rescue mission with
a military theme, and a Duck Hunt clone. These must be booted from a
floppy in Drive A and require a special disk set-up (not too hard, so
don't be scared off), so read the READ_ME and get it right the first
time! Enjoy!
And for those occaissions when you need to run in low..
LOWREZ11.LZH LOW REZ RUNNER v1.1: Now offers file selector when
LOW_REZ.INF file cannot be found. LOW REZ RUNNER runs LOW rez files
from medium rez (in most cases) without a resolution change. Works
great from menu programs.
Under the Heading: "Speed it up Charlie!"
OUTBURST.LZH This is a demo version of OutBurST! This program can
reduce the time it takes Pagestream to output to fast HP LaserJet and
Deskjet compatible printers. PRINTING PAGE time for a full page with an
HP IIIP and ADSPEED is about 19 seconds! That compared to 47 seconds
with FPPRNT.
And here's something you need to address!
GEMVLP26.ARC GEMvelope is an easy envelope printer for the ST/TT. This
is a fully functional demo with a couple of features removed. It can
extract addresses from any word processing document and merge a series
of addresses from a database file. Can print POSTNET bar codes to save
you 2 cents/letter in the near future (according to the USPS). Ideal
for laser printers.
TLC_BOOK2.LZH The TLC Address Book Version 2.01 has had custom GEM
editing routines added, Hot keys in ALL the dialog boxes, variable page
and label size, and various other added features. Prints labels for
addresses, occasions (Birthdays, Anniversaries, etc.) by month or year,
address book pages, date book pages by month or year, etc. It even
allows multiple printing of one address (Great for return address
labels). Configurable for any printer.
And, you have all been waiting for it. So, here it is. This is the
"Software Shelf collection of Stocking stuffers from 1991."
AFXCONTR.LZH is the control panel to be used with AFX 2.0, Thomas
Quester's realtime data file compactor. Plus the English ver. of AFX
2.0. THE CP IS NEEDED FOR COMPATIBILITY WITH MAXIFILE 3. Quester has
given permission to upload the cp; The cp will allow you to turn AFX off
(for backups), allocate more memory for it, & report the original
filesize of packed files. +More!
BAKTRACK.LZH Here's a handy helper for Step Ahead's TRACKER users with
hard drives. It's an automatic back up utility that is fast fast fast
and easy to use. This will encourage frequent back ups of your
important data files if you use TRACKER and use it on a hard drive.
This file does require TRACKER/ST.
FZT_D210.LZH is yet another updated version, but a good one! The
monochrome interface, which was never very satisfactory, was completely
redone. Other changes include: scrollback has been redone, more options
included for the text editor, "Auto Learn Logon" feature added for
creating autologon sequences easily, speed enhancements for input
processing and loading of text files, max size of text editor and
scrollback enlarged to 32,000 lines, fixes infamous bombing, and much
more! Because this program is now in it's current phase[s] serious
attention is being given to it.
TLC_NAMR2.LZH The File Namer allows you to use ANY of the STs extended
character set in your filenames (i.e. the copyright symbol, etc.). It
runs as an Accessory or Program in color or mono.
TLC_FORM2.LZH The Formatter runs as an Accessory or Program in color or
mono. It formats backwards, can be set to do 'hard verify' and formats
using the dead sector scheme to make disks read and write faster than
twister format. It will detect drive B: and allow auto formatting of 2
disks.
TLC_FXR2.LZH The File Fixer runs as as accessory or program in color
and mono. It allows easy searching and replacing of ASCII text strings
within programs. It will load and search up to 20 files to search/
replace strings in.
May all of you enjoy a wonderful new year!
The above files were compiled by Ron Berinstein co-sysop CodeHead
Quarters BBS (213) 461-2095 from files that were either directly
uploaded to CodeHead Quarters BBS, or downloaded from GEnie, Compuserve,
and Delphi online services.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To sign up for DELPHI service, call (with modem) (800) 695-4002. Upon
connection, hit <return> once or twice. At Password: type ZNET and
hit <return>.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Z*Net International Atari Online Magazine is a weekly publication
covering the Atari and related computer community. Material published
in this edition may be reprinted under the following terms only. All
articles must remain unedited and include the issue number and author at
the top of each article reprinted. Reprint permission granted, unless
otherwise noted, to registered Atari user groups and not for profit
publications. Opinions present herein are those of the individual
authors and does not necessarily reflect those of the staff. This
publication is not affiliated with the Atari Corporation. Z*Net, Z*Net
News Service, Z*Net International, Rovac, Z*Net Atari Online and Z*Net
Publishing are copyright (c)1985-1991, Syndicate Publishing, Rovac
Industries Incorporated, Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, New Jersey,
08846-0059, Voice: (908) 968-2024, BBS: (908) 968-8148, (510) 373-6792.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Z*NET: Atari ST Online Magazine
Copyright (c)1991, Rovac Industries, Inc...
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