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Z*NET Online Magazine Issue 91-22
==(((((((((( == Z*NET INTERNATIONAL ATARI ONLINE MAGAZINE
=========(( === -----------------------------------------
=======(( ===== MAY 24, 1991 Issue #91-22
=====(( ======= -----------------------------------------
==(((((((((( == (c)1989-1990-1991, Z*Net Publishing
CONTENTS
THE EDITORS DESK.............................John Nagy
Z*NET NEWSWIRE........................................
HYPERLINK CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS..................GEnie
BLUE RIDGE ATARIFEST.....................Press Release
CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT'S GAME ROOM.................Drew Kerr
MIST ATARIFEST III.......................Press Release
CIS 9600 BAUD UPDATE........................CompuServe
Z*NET SOFTWARE SHELF....................Ron Berinstein
REVIEWLETS FROM ATARIUSER MAGAZINE...............Quill
=======================================================================
THE EDITORS DESK
----------------
by John Nagy
=======================================================================
Were proud to present another NON System 7.0 information issue. We do
Atari News....and NO ONE does it better, but you knew that.
"Next Fridays News...This Saturday -- Z*Net"
And you can quote me.....
=======================================================================
Z*NET NEWSWIRE
--------------
=======================================================================
START MAGAZINE SALE POSSIBLE
Despite the debt position of START Magazine, Antic Publishing may indeed
have a interested buyer according to comments from the staff of the
recently discontinued Atari publication. Start may be sold for an
undisclosed amount to a buyer outside the USA. Several overseas
magazines have been eyeing the US market, including those in Germany and
the UK. One of the most popular imported magazines, ST FORMAT of
England, is thought by many to be the leading contender in the STart
purchase. There are no predictions as to what a new incarnation of
STart might look like or be called, but at this time there is some hope
for a publication to take up where STart left off. As recently as March
1991, subscribers were solicited for "discount offer" STart renewals at
$80 and up by Antic Publishing. Mail from subscribers moan of three to
six year accumulated subscriptions due to them from STart, accrued from
their ANTIC, START, ST-LOG, and ANALOG subscriptions that had been
rolled together, then to be doled out in bi-monthly STart magazines...
and now, who knows?
Z*NET MONTHLY THREATENED BY START FAILURE
Ripples from the STart magazine closing continue to affect many parts of
the Atari community. The latest to fall victim may be Z*Net Monthly, an
extension of Z*Net International Atari Online. In production since
March, 1989, Z*Net Monthly has served over 40 user groups as a
newsletter supplement. The costs of Z*Net Monthly were to be subsidized
by proceeds from STart Magazine's contracted use of Z*Net News material
in their own magazine. With an unpaid debt to Z*Net of several thousand
dollars, STart's closing makes it difficult if not impossible for the
monthly supplement to continue. Z*Net also appears in AtariUser
Magazine, but revenues lost to STart may cripple the project. No final
decision has been made, but the July issue of Z*Net Monthly might well
be the last.
PANTHER DROPPED BY ATARI
Word from the game design center in Chicago says that Atari has
completely dropped development of the PANTHER game machine. Panther was
to have been a new pinnacle in home game units, using the Motorola 68000
CPU much like an ST computer. It was said to be designed to offer
remarkable graphics with high-power "object oriented" programming that
would make scaling and 3-D viewpoints easy and fast. Panther was also
to interface to the Lynx hand-held game units for multi-player action on
the home TV. Official reasons are "technical problems", but insiders
agree that the most worrisome problem is the "Super Famicom", re-dubbed
"Super NES" unit from Nintendo. The Nintendo unit will be commercially
available long before Panther could have been, and is certain to capture
the high end of the home game market with Nintendo's command of the
software industry. Super NES will also use advanced peripherals like a
CD ROM and will be compatible with other NES products. Atari staff say
that they are now working on "other exciting projects".
ATARI PASSES ON CES
The bi-annual Consumer Electronics Show will be held June 1-4 in
Atlanta, Georgia. This conclave of home and entertainment goo-ga's is a
mecca for game-machine dealers, but Atari will not appear on the CES
floor this summer. A lack of new game products, and the cancellation of
the Panther project are likely reasons for the decision to offer an off-
site suite for dealers who are seeking Atari product distribution.
MORE ON WORDPERFECT FOR ATARI
Z*Net announced weeks ago that WordPerfect was going to end its Atari
support after a cancellation of a major order by Atari Germany. The
story continues to develop. The German order was for version 5.1 of
WordPerfect, which is not yet completed and may now never be.
WordPerfect programmers had prepared the code and had grafted major
parts of the NeXT computer version of 5.1 into what was to be the Atari
version. Full FSM GDOS management and compatibility was also
integrated, making the Atari WordPerfect 5.1 perhaps the most advanced
version that would have been available on any platform. However, after
Atari Germany canceled their advance order of 10-15,000 units under
pressure of German developers, WP contacted Atari in Sunnyvale. Reports
vary somewhat, but the result of that talk seems to be that Atari Corp
will not at this time back WordPerfect by assuring a minimum order. It
is said that Atari cold-shouldered WP, saying that "we have our own FSM
GDOS document processor, called WORDUP!, and we don't need to be funding
the competition." WP has left the matter open-ended, and does plan to
continue the periodic bug-fixes and minor tweaks of the 4.1 version that
is available for the Atari. Some Atari officials are working to reverse
the situation and persuade all parties to take whatever measures needed
to assure production of WordPerfect 5.1 for the Atari. Letters to Atari
and WordPerfect might help. Atari Corp, attention BIll Rehbock, 1196
Borregas Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94088. WordPerfect Corp, 1555 N.
Technology Way, Orem, UT 84057.
KIDPRGS BUNDLE FOR SCHOOLS
D.A. Brumleve, developer of Kidprgs, now offers a hardware/software
bundle designed for children attending a preschool, day care center, at-
risk program, or Kindergarten - Grade 1. The package includes a
1040STe, 11 programs and disk-box, mouse, and mousepad. Used with a
color monitor or tv, the package provides a complete computer center for
a school program aimed at kids ages 2-7. Brumleve presented the package
at the Midwest Association for the Education of Young Children
conference in Des Moines, April 18-20, and was well-received. Programs
included with the package include PD and commercial offerings which have
been specially modified to suit the needs of a classroom setting.
Interested teachers/directors should contact Dorothy Brumleve at 217-
337-1937.
TIMEPAC-5 NOW AVAILABLE
A professional time and expense management software package for the
Atari Portfolio is now available from ONLine Technologies. The $125 ROM
card offers menu-driven entry of client job information, and will
prevent lost billable hours due to the convenience of recording the
information wherever and whenever it occurs. ONLine Technologies Inc,
23715 Mercantile Road #203, Beachwood, OH 44122, 216-831-6160.
PAGESTREAM 2.1 AT THE DOOR
Soft-Logik is now mailing upgrade notices to registered owners of
Pagestream for the Atari. The new version, 2.1, is about ready for
shipping. Using hinted Compugraphic fonts OR Adobe Type 1 IBM format
(without hints to non Postscript printers), Pagestream 2.1 displays
these outline fonts on the screen plus prints them out to laser, dot
matrix, inkjet, non-postscript and PostScript printers. Color
separation features are enhanced, allowing manipulation of eve 24 bit
color images. PageStream 2.1 retails for $299.95. Registered owners of
previous versions of PageStream can upgrade for a limited time for
$75.00. Registered owners of Publishing Partner can upgrade for
$175.00. Soft-Logik, 314-894-8608
$10,000 COMPUTER CONTEST FOR DISABILITIES SOLUTIONS
Johns Hopkins University is sponsoring a "National Search for Computing
Applications to Assist Persons with Disabilities". Devices and software
of any kind that assist the nation's 25 million persons with physical or
learning disabilities are eligible as entries. First prize in the
competition is $10,000, with over 100 additional prizes to be offered.
The program is made possible by grants from the National Science
Foundation and MCI Communications Corporation. In conjunction with the
contest, a national effort including workshops and television events are
expected to bring the cause to persons of every walk of life. Science
Museums across the country will hold exhibitions in December 1991 where
regional winners will be selected. The top 30 regional winners will go
to be exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., where
the 10 National Winners will be selected and honored. The eligible
solutions can be on or for any type of computer, from the smallest to
the largest, and need not even be electronic in nature. A cheap and
easy to use device that helps a sight-impaired person to read the screen
might be optical or mechanical, for example. Louis Biggie, National
Search Coordinator, contacted Z*Net because he is a believer in the
ingenuity of Atari owners. He expects that a number of entries will
come designed for use on or with Atari Portfolio, ST, or 8-bit
computers. A similar search conducted 10 years ago resulted in 8,000
participants and a wide variety of solutions for the handicapped,
including a reading and a writing machine for the blind, adaptive
firmware for Apple II applications, and lots more. The competition is
open to US residents, and the entry deadline is August 23, 1991. Get an
entry flier from: CAPD, P.O. Box 1200, Laurel, MD 20723. All invention
rights remain with the contestant.
APPLE CONSOLIDATES OVER NEXT 12 MONTHS
Apple announced this week that it will restructure parts of the company
over the next 12 months to reduce operating expenses. The restructuring
will include a 10 percent workforce reduction, relocating and
consolidating some functions and reducing management levels in order to
reduce expenses. Apple's current workforce is approximately 15,600
people, including contractors. In a related story, The San Francisco
Chronicle reported last Friday that Apple is considering up to 2,000
layoffs, or nearly 13 percent of the company's workers. Also,
executives quoted by the Wall Street Journal said the company is
considering dismissing at least 1,000 workers as part of an effort to
reduce operating expenses by $400 million. An Apple spokesman would
not confirm or deny this report.
NEW 68040 COMPUTER
Motorola has introduced the MVME167, a new single board computer based
on Motorola's MC68040 microprocessor. This new computer board has all
of the processor, memory and communications capabilities of a UNIX
computer on a single VME board, requiring only a power source,
peripheral devices and enclosure. The $3,995 MVME167 achieves 20
million instructions per second performance at 25MHz.
SAFARI FONTS DISK - Press Release
Computer Safari Proudly announces Safari Fonts Disk #6 (formerly Soft-
Logik #6). Now #6 is completely updated with fonts for PageStream 1.82
and 2.1! Also includes files for Calamus, Calamus Outline, and IBM Type
1! Safari Fonts #6 contains 3 display fonts. Fab Fifties, STENCIL CAPS
(upper case) and SPEAK EASY (upper case). Character sets have been
completely re-designed to follow the conventions of Adobe Type 1 fonts.
The results are tighter, more precision, higher quality print-outs.
Curves are smooth and symmetrical. Kerning pairs adjust letter spacing
to keep all characters as close together as possible. Early fonts had
few or none. Safari Fonts #6 (PageStream and Type 1) have been
meticulously adjusted to produce some of the best looking print-outs
ever! Fab Fifties has over 1200 pairs! The Type 1 fonts contain
"Hints" or instructions to improve the print-out quality. Postscript
lasers use "hints" to create 12 point or smaller text. PageStream 2.1
allows type 1 fonts to work with any printer. At the present time,
Safari Fonts #6 is only available as an upgrade. Send $12 plus your
original Soft-Logik Disk #6, or Pierstorff More! Fonts #1. Available in
Amiga or Atari Disk formats. Calamus files are on the Atari ST versions
only. We have lots of fonts for PageStream and Calamus! Contact us for
our catalog! Safari Fonts #6 is produced under license to PCG/Megatype.
Computer Safari, 606 W. Cross St., Woodland, CA 95695, Phone/FAX (916)
666-1813, GEnie J.PIERSTORFF
=======================================================================
HYPERLINK CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
-------------------------------
Edited by Ron Kovacs
=======================================================================
<[Vince-Cubed] VINCE.A> George and Dave are here from JMG Software
tonite to talk about their new product(s).
<[George&David] JMGSOFT> Okey, here's an attempt to upload our opening
statement.... Welcome to the HyperLINK Conference... Thanks for coming.
The company is JMG Software, and on this side of the phone line it's
George Geczy (the programmer & bottle washer) and David Thompson
(Marketing, administration, other junk like the (gosh!) manual). The
product is of course HyperLINK, a multi-media object based application
generator (wow!), (sort of like Hypercard on the Mac for those of you
who didn't understand that description). We are here tonight to talk
about HyperLINK and answer any questions you may have on it. We think
it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Well, so so on the upload.
ask away anyways...
<R.MONFORT1> I have a question about the TT use for Hyperlink. What
graphic format can we use?
<[George&David] JMGSOFT> At the moment HyperLINK supports only IMG
format directly. on the TT
<R.MONFORT1> Please give a sample of a Hyperlink application. I have a
TT.
<[George&David] JMGSOFT> Well, sample HyperLINK apps can vary widely...
unfortunately, we were not able to get the demo on line here before this
conference, but to give an example of what we have cooking. In the demo
we have two sample apps... one is a baseball card application, where we
have the data on a player (ie in a dbase database), linked to a scanned
image of the card, and also linked to a text file giving more details on
the player.
As a second example, we have a Europe-map demo. The main screen is a
map of Europe, and you can click on a country to get a database screen
about that country, and then you can click on icons to either 1) show a
picture of their flag, 2) play their anthem, or 3) show a text file.
<[Ken] SFRT-ASST> First off, you mention DBase III. Does that mean that
any book on DBase will help with programming the database part of
HyperLINK? Second, do you have DeskJet 500 support? And third, I would
like to compare two files (GEnie Addresses) and place the names that
are different into a third file. Will HyperLINK allow me to do that?
And last, how easy is it to input data into a HyperLINK application?
<[George&David] JMGSOFT> First, No. Second, No. Third, No. to explain
in more detail...
First, HyperLINK uses dbase data files, not command programs. The
scripting language in HyperLINK (which is actually not in the first
release in a "real" way, but will be very shortly) has some dbase
commands as part of it, but it is based on a much different type of
language ( psst... Hypertalk... but don't tell apple!)
So, only dbase data files are directly transferrable. Second point,
HyperLINK will only support graphics printers through GDOS. (don't all
boo at once!). This support (ie graphics printing) will be showing up
in a month or so, as soon as I play with FSMGDOS. Third, I don't know..
let me think about it.
Last point... It is VERY easy to input data into a hyperlink application
(hap, we call 'em) Bascially, just create the layout of the database
(in the "builder"provided) on the screen, save it, and presto! start
inputting data.
<A.CHESLEY> You stated that Hyperlink is an object oriented system.
This implies that the "objects" are in some way intellegent, that is
they "know" what they can do. Is that intelligence based in the data or
in drivers for each media?
<[George&David] JMGSOFT> Well, we're working that way. It would be
another year before HyperLINK would be release if that got fully
implemented first time around. But, the capability is built into
HyperLINK. For now, most of the onus of object "capabilities" (ie
"code", etc) is defined by a combination of two things: 1)user settings
on the app building, and 2) defaults assumed by HyperLINK. The user
settings can be quite powerful, but confusing.
<A.CHESLEY> That is, is the "code" that controls the way the data is
handled/displayed part of the data file or is there a separate driver
that handles it? Also, will you be releasing info on "handles" that
allow new "objects" to be integrated into the Hyperlink system as they
are invented or will you be keeping that info as part of your additional
"value-added" to the basic system.
<[George&David] JMGSOFT> At present, new objects are defined by their
controlling "modules" (ie sub-programs) that the user can load in. For
instance, basic HyperLINK comes with modules for database, text,
graphics, sound, animation (page-flipping), and maybe a hokey speech
module soon.
In the future, we'll release MIDI, CD-ROM, and others. As well, we'll
be releasing the info on how to program (ie in C) your own modules for
HyperLINK to support your own objects. These will integrate seamlessly
into the whole object system. PS - we may also release some "specialty"
modules,for which we'll charge a bit (not much!).
<[Z-Net] T.SCHREIBER1> I have two questions - first is the database able
to be constructed so it can be in read only format? That is that data
can be accessed but not changed?
<[George&David] JMGSOFT> It's possible to make the files "Read Only" but
there will be better support for this in the future.
<[Z-Net] T.SCHREIBER1> Secondly - will communications support be built
in or supported for access by modem?
<[George&David] JMGSOFT> That might be one of the future modules we
develop or that a third party may develop. For now there wasn't much
reason for it. HOWEVER... Network support! That's another story!
<DRAFTERY> Does hyperlink have a runtime module which will allow us to
distribute our applications?
<[George&David] JMGSOFT>> Ah, the infamous "run time module" question!
Well, yes, there will be a "Run-only" version, but unfortunately there
will not be a "run-time" generator. The reason for this is due to the
mish-mash of modules etc required to run most apps; it's just very
difficult to make a "compiler" type thing.
<T.OSBORNE> I have a question about random event generation for modeling
is that support by the Language in HyperLINK? Also, what are the system
requirements, and availability of the Hyperlink package?
<[George&David] JMGSOFT> When the full scripting language is released
next month, it will contain commands related to random number
generation, etc, that could be used that way.
<[Vince-Cubed] VINCE.A> Also, what is the price of the package?
<[George&David] JMGSOFT> HyperLINK is currently available only directly,
at a special intro price of $99 US. When the price goes up to $149
middle of next month, three things will change:
1) Dealers will carry it (distributors too, of course.
2) "missing" pieces like scripting, report generator, etc will be there
3) the manual will be better.
All intro purchasers will receive free upgrades for at least 90 days,
including manual updates.
<[Vince-Cubed] VINCE.A> Any closing comments?
<[George&David] JMGSOFT> Just to say keep an eye open for the demos/info
we'll be uploading soon, and don't forget to take a look if you're
visiting the Vancouver show, and the intro special expires right after
vancouver... Any questions or requests for info can be directed to our
GE mail address, JMGSOFT. we will be preparing some mail-out brochures
as well.
(C) 1991 by Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the Atari Roundtables. May be
reprinted only with this notice intact. The Atari Roundtables on GEnie
are *official* information services of Atari Corporation. To sign up
for GEnie service, call (with modem) 800-638-8369. Upon connection type
HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt. Type XJM11877,GEnie
and hit RETURN. The system will prompt you for your information.
=======================================================================
BLUE RIDGE ATARIFEST
--------------------
Press Release
=======================================================================
The Blue Ridge Atari Computer Enthusiasts (BRACE) invite you to our 2nd
Annual Blue Ridge AtariFest. THE BIGGEST LITTLE ATARIFEST IN THE
SOUTHEAST, Confirmed exhibitors:
Atari Corp. (Mgr of User Group Services) ..... Bob Brodie
Double Click Software ........................ Mike Vederman
Dragon Studio - MIDI demo .................... Mike Cloninger
GEnie ST Roundtable SysOp .................... Darlah Pine
Goldleaf Publishing ..........................
ICD Inc ...................................... Jeffrey Williams
ISD Marketing (Calumus, DynaCADD, etc.)
and Pres. of the IAAD ......... Nathan Potechin
KAUG; MIDI demo .............................. Eric White
KAUG ......................................... Mary Pinckard
kidprgs ...................................... D.A. Brumleve
K5/K5M voice librarian demo .................. Dr. Timothy Brumleve
ST-Report .................................... Ralph Mariano
Willard Productions (DeskTop Video) .......... Clifton Willard
Tentative exhibitors:
Step Ahead Software (Tracker ST) ............ Nevin Shalit
Seminars:
D.A. Brumleve ..... Topic and time being verified
We would like for anyone interested to add his or her name to the list
above in putting on a demo of what you do best with the Atari computer.
(Word processing, Desktop publishing, games, graphics, etc.).
Developers, individuals and user groups are welcome to reserve a booth
space -- cost is FREE!
Where: Westgate Shopping Center - Asheville, N.C.
Take any major highway into Asheville (US 19-23, US 26 or I-40) to the
I-240 loop, then take the "Westgate/Hilton Inn Drive exit" into the
Westgate Shopping Center parking lot.
When: 20 July 1991
Time: 12:00 to 6:00+
Points of contact:
Van Estes, BRACE Pres. Clifford E. Allen, V.Pres.
704-685-8358 GEnie: C.Allen17
704-258-3758
Sheldon Winick
GEnie: S.WINICK
Computer STudio 704-251-0201
Come for the day or come for the weekend, but do come and enjoy
yourself.
=======================================================================
CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT'S GAME ROOM
----------------------------
by Drew Reid Kerr
=======================================================================
Editors Note: Comments for Drew can be sent email via GEnie at D.KERR1
Suddenly, it's 2am, and you're desperately trying to convert your smog
ridden SimCity town into a full-fledged city. Whoah, I've got to get to
work tomorrow, you tell yourself... but I'll just add a few more
residential zones and see what happens....Another half hour passes...
an earthquake hit and suddenly it's a scramble for the fire departments.
outside, you hear the birds chirping... now you don't need your night
light.... You stumble into the bathroom, look into the mirror and
mutter, "Oh God, just grow up!"
Every month, we're going to dish the dirt on Atari ST entertainment.
Needless to say, if you go to your local computer stores, you'll be
lucky to find more than half a dozen titles. But due to the marvels of
international shipping and mail order, the hottest European games are
accessible everywhere, so no excuses!
STE ALERT!!
Some games have been coming to my attention that are incompatible with
the STE, so beware before you purchase: Populous (Electronic Arts), F-29
Retalliator (Electronic Arts/Ocean), Puzznic (Ocean), and Stunt Car
Driver (Microstyle).
SIMCITY UPDATE
If you don't know by now, the U.S. version of SimCity has a virus and
should be mailed back to Maxis as soon as possible for clean copies!
If you're looking for some PD additions for SC, go to the software
libraries and check out TERRAFORM.ARC and SIMCTOT.ARC. One of a
combination budget cheater/terrain editor while the other helps you
count zones so you can carefully monitor the growth of your city. In
the new issue of STart, there's a good desktop accessory cheat that acts
as a "loan provider" and will add some dough to your coffers.
There are now two guidebooks for SC on the market -- "The SimCity
Planning Commission Handbook" by Johnny L. Wilson ($14.95, McGraw-Hill)
and "Master SimCity/SimEarth" by Dan Derrick and Dennis Derrick ($19.95,
SAMS). Unless you have a third grade reading level, the book to
purchase is Wilson's -- it's intelligent, explains many planning
theories in depth and the computer mechanisms that create an urban
environment. I learned almost nothing from the Derrick book and it was
pretty silly.
GAMES TICKER
The best package to arrive from Europe in months is the new one
combining SimCity and Populous for one inexpensive price! Check out
these two masterpieces... Still awaiting SimCity Architecture Disks,
which are already out for the PC. Like the Populous Data Disks, you can
create cities in Ancient Rome or the far-out future... Also delayed but
should be out any day now is Midwinter II: Flames Of Freedom, a sequel
to last year's fabulous strategy/adventure game... Lemmings (Psygnosis)
took Best Computer Game honors at the European Computer Leisure Awards
in London...Vektor Graphics (Fighter Bomber) is programming a space
shuttle simulator for Virgin for late 1991 release... By the time you
read this, the Bitmap Brothers' Gods will be out....
POWERMONGER SECRETS
Here are some tips about one of the year's best games, hands down:
o Don't kill all the sheep or something very strange happens.
o Enlist a shephard with sheep into your army as a portable food source.
o For an invincible army, gather 10 people with boats, bows and arrows
and attack from the water.
o To speed up building a cannon or catapult, make your Captain
aggressive before clicking on the town and then click Invent. After
10 seconds, click on the Invent icon again and then on the town.
o Try chopping down all the trees in the world for a strange
consequence.
TEAM YANKEE (EMPIRE) VS. M1 TANK PLATOON (MICROPROSE)
Two tank simulators vying for your attention and bucks. They're very
different, so I'll explain what I like about them and you decide:
M1 TANK
Like all Microprose product, this comes with a "War And Peace" - style
manual that not only explains this very detailed simulation, but is
virtually a primer on tanks, period. It'll probably take you a few go's
through the book to finally comprehend what the gist is and then you're
off to artillery practice!
As opposed to Team Yankee, you can only see one tank's view at a time.
The graphics are slightly chunky but very good. Sound is about as good
as it gets -- a lot of white noise explosions. Although I am a big fan
of Microprose (Red Storm Rising, F-19 Stealth Fighter and Gunship are
three of the all-time best simulations), I find M1 slower going than the
others. I think the realistic detail for a tank simulation makes it
denser to get into. Tanks are slow-moving beasts as it is, so patience
is definitely required. For tank/Microprose fanatics only.
TEAM Y
Created by the Brits and based on Harold Coyle's bestseller about one
American tank platoon during a war with the Russians. The game attempts
to actually simulate incidents and battles in the book (all described in
the manual).
The TY approach is considerably lighter than M1 and the guidebook is
understandably breezier. You get four tank views at once, giving you a
little more of a "platoon" concept. TY is easy on the tank's mechanical
details, which makes for better gameplay. The practice range is
logically thought-out with a parade of opposing vehicles to kick off the
activities. The game's most noticeable drawback is the relatively small
amount of missions, especially compared to M1. TY is definitely the
mainstream choice.
**
Drop me a line through GEnie at D.KERR1 and let me know: what are your
playing now? What games have been bombs for you? If you have one of
the tank simulations, what do you think? Any Powermonger, Red Storm
Rising or F-19 tips you want to share?
ABSOLUTELY WORTH YOUR WHILE: Speedball 2, Night Shift, Lemmings,
Captive, B.A.T., UMS II, Tower of Babel.
=======================================================================
MIST ATARIFEST III
------------------
Press Release
=======================================================================
Saturday July 27th, Indianapolis, Indiana
Bob Brodie has CONFIRMED his attendance for the Third Annual AtariFest!!
Thanks, Bob!!
For a third year, an AtariFest is planned at Indianapolis, Indiana on
Saturday, July 27th, sponsored jointly by the user groups at
Indianapolis, Bloomington and Purdue known as MIST (Mid-Indiana ST).
The show was formerly titled the MIST SwapFest, and took place in
Nashville, Indiana.
Past shows have seen folks like D.A.Brumleve, SKWare One, AIM, MS
Designs, Computer Works, Cal Com, One Stop, T&H, and others. Last
year's show was quite successful, and this year looks like it'll be even
better! D.A.Brumleve, AIM, Compuserve, Clear Thinking, MS Designs and
others have commited to attend this year. We have tentatively lined up
ISD, and are working hard on other developers.
MIST AtariFest III will be held at the Castleton Mall Conference Center
on the north side of Indianapolis. The address is: 6385 Castleplace
Drive, Indianapolis, In. 46250-1902. There will be specific directions
in a later posting. Public admission to the 'Fest will be $3.00, and
will include a raffle ticket. We will be raffling hardware from Atari
Corp, and software from attending vendors and developers. Additional
raffle tickets will be available for purchase.
Our location this year provides us with two rooms, with a total of
nearly 4000 square feet. Tables for vendors will be approx. 3'x6', with
power provided, although you should bring your own power strips. The
tables will sell to vendors and developers for $50.00 for the first
table, and $25.00 for each additional table.
Anyone interested in attending or reserving vendor/developer tables
should contact MIST by one of the below methods:
Leave mail on GEnie to W.LORING1, or D.WARD10
Call the BL.A.ST BBS at (812)332-0573 2400bps, 24 hours. Write us at
BL.A.ST, PO Box 1111, Bloomington, IN. 47402
Call William Loring at (812)336-8103, or Dan Ward at (317)254-0031
Vendor packets are available. If you didn't receive one in the first
mailing, PLEASE let us know! We want you to attend our show!
Brought to you by MIST (Mid-Indiana ST). We are ASCII (Atari St
Computers In Indianapolis), BL.A.ST (BLoomington Atari ST), and PAUG
(Purdue Atari User Group).
Thanks for your interest, and we'll see you at the 'Fest!!
Sincerely, William Loring, President of BL.A.ST
=======================================================================
CIS 9600 UPDATE
---------------
Ctsy CompuServe
=======================================================================
Following is an updated listing of CompuServe Local Access Nodes for
V.32 9600 baud modems.
CIS 9600 baud is billed at $22.50 per hour. GO RATES for further
information.
Dates in parentheses indicate "effective date" for new nodes.
City State Net AC Access #
----------------------------------------
Atlanta GA CS 404 841-0578
Baltimore MD CS 301 337-0026
Cambridge MA CS 617 661-7071
Charlotte NC CS 704 358-8991
Cherry Hill NJ CS 609 667-8865 (5/23)
Chicago IL CS 312 201-0711
Chicago IL CS 312 693-4100
Cincinnati OH CS 513 771-0592
Cleveland OH CS 216 623-0007
Columbus OH CS 614 792-0669
Dallas TX CS 214 720-9183
Dayton OH CS 513 224-4576
Denver CO CS 303 595-0123
Detroit MI CS 313 535-1466
Fairfax VA CS 703 591-0461
Ft. Worth TX CS 817 685-2737
Grand Rapids MI CS 616 956-0075
Greenville SC CS 803 232-5328
Hartford CT CS 203 727-8708
Honolulu HI CS 808 528-0430
Houston TX CS 713 460-2705
Indianapolis IN CS 317 638-8129
Jacksonville FL CS 904 730-0046
Kansas City MO CS 816 221-3817
Los Angeles CA CS 213 624-3730
Macon GA CS 912 922-2179 (5/23)
Miami FL CS 305 262-9325
Minneapolis MN CS 612 339-1805
New York NY CS 212 766-2080
Newport Beach CA CS 714 252-1131
Norfolk VA CS 804 461-5354 (5/21)
Orlando FL CS 407 896-6122
Philadelphia PA CS 215 563-3586
Phoenix AZ CS 602 468-0285
Pittsburgh PA CS 412 471-6417
Portland OR CS 503 238-6729
Rochelle Park NJ CS 201 368-0912
Saginaw MI CS 517 753-5100
Salt Lake City UT CS 801 521-9777
San Diego CA CS 619 467-9508
San Francisco CA CS 415 434-1580
Santa Clara CA CS 408 727-8113
Savannah GA CS 912 353-8559 (5/21)
Seattle WA CS 206 242-9992
St. Louis MO CS 314 421-5651
Stamford CT CS 203 324-1115
Tampa FL CS 813 229-3200
Toledo OH CS 419 242-5706
Troy MI CS 313 244-8740
Tucson AZ CS 602 571-0207
Tulsa OK CS 918 621-1036
=======================================================================
Z*NET SOFTWARE SHELF
--------------------
by Ron Berinstein
=======================================================================
**** CodeHead Quarters BBS, 1610 Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028 ****
The following is the truth and nothing but the truth, though certain
filenames have been changed in order to protect the innocent. The
country is the U.S.A. The date is now. The subject is those that are
willing to risk your hard drive's life and the life of your files and
their loved ones.
Tony became irate. It seems that his computer's mouse pointer went to
the left when he moved it to the right, and to the right when he moved
it to the left. The diagnosis: A computer virus. No, his computer
didn't start to cough, though Tony may have begun to. What happened was
that some "hacker" wrote a program capable of replicating itself. As
events unfolded it became clear that all of Tony's floppy disks had
become infected, as all of his floppies were regularly inserted into his
computer. In Tony's case the damage was minimal, in other cases, entire
databases can be wiped out.
The sentence for virus writing and subsequent tampering with someone
else's computer system can no doubt be serious jail time. How can you
protect yourself from this either annoying or potentially devastating
situation? You can do so by regularly checking the boot sector of your
disks and your drive for irregularities. Any disk you obtain should be
checked. Spiteful employees have been known to infect commercial
software disks as well. Disks that have been traded, and those that you
just acquired should all be checked. One note though, certain disks,
particularly game program disks, require "executable boot sectors." As
such, those should not be "killed."
For protection against virus infection download George Woodside's
VKILLR.LZH. The newest version is 3.84 and has many new features. This
program is perfect for checking floppy disks, and Mr. Woodside, the
author, has long been recognized as a pioneer and expert in the
detection of ST viruses. Also, HOSPITAL.LZH is a very complete set of
European designed virus detectors.
And now for our regularly scheduled list of currently available files
that deserve your attention.
Under the Heading of: "New and Improved!"
B_BUX_14.ARC is the current version of Big Bux. New features include,
stock options analysis, growth rate, etc. By the way, I can give you my
analysis of stock options... They are ONLY for those prepared to loose
their investments! For the authors, you'll just have to download the
program. <smile>
OCULT1_8.ARC is the newest version of the hard drive security program.
Hmmm.. some might wonder if it might work for Prodigy users.. <smile>
TACCAT2F.ARC is the current "TAC-CAT Librarian/Orderer." If you
maintain a group disk catalog, this may be for you. Create, maintain,
and print your lists. Your group members can use the "Orderer" program
to order the disks they choose.
TN_PCALC.LZH is version 1.25 of the "programmer's calculator." It
fixes prior bugs, provides TT support and will run in Low Res. This,
plus it gives C programmers an extra function to make them happy.
STWEL40.ARC represents a close of an era. As I recall, ST Writer
almost existed before STs did! This is the latest, but also the LAST
upgrade. As promised by the author it includes TT support. It has
fully configurable format settings, tab choice capability, screen color
options, and three ST, as well as three TT resolutions. STWGERSP.ARC
provides German and Spanish versions of the program. Download
STWELDOC.ARC for the "docs."
CLASS_30.ARC will yield the best yet version of Class, ideal for
teachers who would like to chart student data.
TOOLS1.ARC is version 1.1 of ST Tools, fashioned after PC Tools.
Directory trees, Hex dumping of files, sectors and memory, FAT listing,
improved scrolling, and file search routines.
NAARJEK2.ARC is the answer to all of you that played version number
one, and felt it was too easy. Good Luck! <smile>
RESAMP2.LZH is Resample, a program designed to convert digitalized
sound files to the sample rates supported by the STE and TT computers.
It will also save converted files back to disk and play them, i.e. if
you have a computer with DMA sound.
DMJGIF20.LZH improves upon it's first edition. All bugs are now fixed.
(Hmm, you'll have to be the judge of that!) Full Ste support, high
dithering, the ability to save work in SPC or SPU formats, and it will
handle interlaced, or non-interlaced pictures. Plus, it gives ST folks
the chance to see STe pics! Editors Note: It can take up to 20 minutes
to covert a GIF graphic, so beware!!
RT_MOVE2.ARC is Alex Hamilton's new project. This is for TOS 1.4
operators only, and it fixes the previous difficulty found with HOTSAVER
installed.
Under the Heading: "DEMOnstrative!"
TT_WARS1.LZH (353k) and DAT1.DAT (625k) provide together what is the
latest in TT demos. It is both animation and sound featuring digitized
pictures from Star Wars. Ste's can hear the sound but will not be able
to display the digitalized pictures.. And, actually if you consider
download time, maybe renting the video might be a better idea! <smile>
ST_HDCB.ARC is a small program that allows you to turn on your ST and
your hard drive at the same time. This is possible because of the delay
that the programs orders up for the computer while the Hard drive is
warming up.
Two sources for finding directory "sort" programs include:
DIR.LZH which can search a path or a partition and sort the data with
any of several criteria as it's objective.
SORTIE.LZH Sortie v. 1.0 will sort any directory as well. It will do
so either in unattended "batch" mode, or in "manual" mode making use of
a file selector.
CNVERT.ARC is a utility for changing text files to delimited files
which then can be imported into several popular databases.
OKI400.LZH provides a printer driver for Wordwriter fans choosing an
HPII laser as their printer solution.
BENCH.LZH is a beta version of a new benchmark program for the ST/STe/
TT. The author needs your input. Now here is your chance to be a
"Beta Tester." You'll find the file on CompuServe.
SERIALNO.PRG was written by John Eidsvoog so that folks can see quickly
the serial numbers of their floppies. This might be particularly useful
if you were victimized recently by a fast disk copier that was fast, but
was also VERY complete... it copied the same serial number to every
disk! <moan>
Attention owners of early TT and Mega STe models!
SERPTCH2.LZH weighs in at only 3.5k but it fixes some of the problems
with the serial port! If you have TT TOS (up to 3.05), or STe TOS (up
to 2.05), download this file.
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.
=======================================================================
REVIEWLETS FROM ATARIUSER MAGAZINE
==================================
Copyright (C)1991, Quill Publishing
=======================================================================
The following "Reviewlets" are reprinted from the May, 1991 Issue of
AtariUser Magazine, by permission. Further reprinting of this column is
prohibited without specific permission of Quill Publishing, 113 West
College Street, Covina, CA 91723. AtariUser magazine is published
monthly and covers the entire line of Atari computing products. For a
subscription ($15) or to arrange free bulk delivery to user groups,
contact AtariUser Magazine at 800-333-3567.
GramSlam for Better Writing (ST, TT)
GramSlam is a Grammar and Style Checker by Phil Comeau Software. The
new GramSlam Version 3.01 checks for over 1200 common grammar and
writing-style problems. As the manual states, GramSlam "...examines
documents for wordy phrases, common grammatical errors, and misused
words. Each suspect word or phrase is displayed in the context in which
it appears, along with a description of the problem and a suggestion of
how you might correct it." GramSlam has a built-in problem phrase
editor and also gives you writing style and readability statistics. It
can be run as a desk accessory or from the desktop. Although GramSlam
works with any word processor documents, it delivers most accurate
results (word count, etc.) if checking an ASCII text file with no
imbedded control codes.
GramSlam also offers different reporting levels. For example, Level 4
adds checking for archaic words, while level 3 checks for contractions
and Double Negatives. You'd want to omit contractions when you're
writing a formal document.
Unlike more sophisticated (and expensive!) grammar checkers available on
other platforms, GramSlam doesn't check your context to see if your word
usage is already correct. It locates typical trouble words and phrases,
like "their", or "it's", or a preposition ending a sentence, and reports
that there is a potential for a usage problem. You have to decide,
although the program supplies examples of correct alternative usages.
If you figure you don't need help on the matter reported, you can select
"Don't report this problem again", but then you risk missing a later
actual error.
I find that GramSlam is a little more picky than I am... but then, why
else use it? But then again, I tend to write a little casually, so this
program is a must for me. I suggest that students buy it for use in
writing term papers. Also, budding authors might find GramSlam might
make the difference between getting an article accepted or being
rejected. $39.95 from Phil Comeau Software, 43 Rueter St. Nepean,
Ontario Canada K2J 3Z9, (613) 825-6271. - John King Tarpinian
Hard Drivin' II - Drive Harder (ST)
In many ways, Hard Drivin' II is not so much a sequel as a remake.
Although the original Hard Drivin' lived up to the arcade version in
almost every way possible, some were disappointed that it didn't offer
more. Once you mastered the one track, the game lost much of its
appeal. Fortunately, Hard Drivin' II addresses most of the shortcomings
of the original by offering four new, generally more difficult tracks at
three difficulty levels, as well as a track editor and the ability to
link machines together to allow head-to-head racing.
Using the built-in editor, you can create your own tracks or customize
any of the original four tracks. One nice thing about the track editor
is that you can make the original tracks a little easier to handle if
they are too tough for you.
You can use either the joystick or the mouse. But although the manual
claims an improvement with controller handling from the original, I
found the mouse was the only way to go. With the joystick, the car was
just way too easy to oversteer, and I would recommend it only for the
very best drivers.
When I tried the game using the 16mHz accelerator in my 520STFM, it came
up just fine, and with a much faster screen refresh rate.
Unfortunately, the joystick handling was twice as sensitive, so my
warning about the joystick goes double. If you use the mouse, however,
the game is very controllable at 16mhz, and in fact offers a whole new
dimension in play, because although the game is happening so much
faster, the timer still clicks off at the correct speed, which means
it's very easy to reach your checkpoints.
I also had a chance to try the game on a TT030, and although it did
work, it was so unbelievably fast that there was just no way I could
control it. I can't wait for a game like this designed with the TT030
in mind.
Hard Drivin' II will be enjoyed by anyone who likes driving games. If
driving games aren't your cup of tea, I recommend you take a look
anyway, because Hard Drivin' II may make you change your mind. $49.95,
from Domark (Import) - Michael Alfred
Blockout - A Tetris Buster (ST, Lynx)
Tetris inspired an entire genre of games, and Blockout provides pleasing
new twists to what is by now a familiar theme. In contrast to the flat,
two-dimensional side view of falling game parts in Tetris, Blockout
presents the player with a three dimensional view of a pit 10 spaces
wide by 10 spaces tall, by about 18 spaces deep, as viewed by the top.
Instead of filling a horizontal row of 10 blocks, you have to fill an
entire level of 100 blocks in order to clear it! Fortunately, you have
that much extra room to place blocks. Unfortunately, that also makes it
just all that much harder to plan how you arrange the blocks.
Blockout allows you to rotate the pieces in all three dimensions, and
this is where the game really gets interesting. Nearly every piece can
fill a hole somewhere, as long as you can figure it out before the piece
reaches the bottom.
Despite similarities, Blockout ultimately stands out as being a
significantly different game than Tetris in many ways. The differences
in perspective and how you rotate the blocks dramatically increase the
strategic considerations of the game.
Graphically, the game is not stunning. Most of the screen is taken up
by the three-dimensional block pit. The blocks themselves are three-
dimensional wireframe outlines as they fall, changing into solid-colored
blocks as they reach the bottom of the pit. The game features music
while you play, tends to get annoying in long playing sessions.
However, graphics and music aren't what this game is all about, so none
of this should bother anybody too much. This game is about playability,
and it's got that!
By the time you read this, a version of Blockout for the Atari Lynx
handheld color video game system should have appeared. But regardless
of which system you have, I strongly recommend you check out Blockout.
From California Dreams (by LDW) - Michael Alfred
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Z*Net International Atari Online Magazine is a weekly publication
covering the Atari ST/TT/MEGA community. Reprint permission is granted
as long as each article contains the author and the following:
"Reprinted from Z*Net Online, Issue #91-22". Some articles that appear
in this issue MAY NOT BE reprinted and contain information from the
original source of the material. This online magazine is NOT affiliated
with Atari Corporation. Entire contents, except where otherwise noted
is Copyright (c)1991, Rovac Industries Incorporated.
========================================================================
========================================================================
