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Z*NET Online Magazine Issue 91-21
==(((((((((( == Z*NET INTERNATIONAL ATARI ONLINE MAGAZINE
=========(( === -----------------------------------------
=======(( ===== May 17, 1991 Issue #91-21
=====(( ======= -----------------------------------------
==(((((((((( == (c)1989-1990-1991, Z*Net Publishing
CONTENTS
EDITORS DESK.........................................Ron Kovacs
START MAGAZINE CEASES PUBLICATION.....................John Nagy
Z*NET NEWSWIRE..........................................Z*Staff
MAST ATARI SWAPFEST...............................Press Release
MIDI CITY........................................Drew Reid Kerr
HOTWIRE AND MAXIFILE III..........................Press Release
ATARI VP RICHARD MILLER IN CONFERENCE.....................GEnie
Z*NET SOFTWARE SHELF.............................Ron Berinstein
ST ACCELERATORS...................................Norm Weinress
COMPUTER PUBLICATIONS.............................Press Release
=======================================================================
EDITORS DESK
------------
by R. Kovacs
=======================================================================
This edition is Issue #21. You only missed a Z*Break this week which
has been titled Issue #9120. That original release has been expanded
in this weeks edition.
Last week I listed our new columnist as Dave Kerr and apologies are in
order already!! His name is Drew, which I knew, but was thinking about
Dave obviously, Sorry Drew!
Drew's first column appears this week. Midi City focuses on MIDI news
and information and this weeks debut article is VERY interesting and
worthwhile reading. Please forward any comments or suggestions to
Drew at his GEnie Address: D.KERR1
=======================================================================
START MAGAZINE CEASES PUBLICATION
---------------------------------
Story by John Nagy
=======================================================================
After days of conflicting rumors, it was confirmed by STart Magazine
staff members on Wednesday, May 15, that the bi-monthly Atari magazine
STart will NOT publish another issue.
"STart has suspended publication pending a sale of the magazine," said
Editor in Chief Tom Byron. A sale is said to be in the works with
unidentified parties, and no timetable is being discussed publicly.
Byron also said that the next issue, the June/July edition, had been
completed and was waiting for printing when he got the news today that
the suspension was in effect. There are no plans at this time for the
printing and distribution of that edition to be carried out.
STart had been building a reputation for fiscal difficulty for many
months. Writers and programmers typically waited for six or more months
to be paid for their free-lance and assignment work. After closing the
8-bit Atari magazine ANTIC, and folding it into STart last October 1990,
STart was to have become a much larger monthly magazine - 120 pages was
the discussed target. Instead, by January 1991, STart became a bi-
monthly, and remained at about 80 pages.
Meanwhile, the parent corporation of STart, Antic Publishing, was having
additional trouble. An Amiga computer magazine was launched and failed
despite a good market for Amiga magazines. Presently, Antic
Publishing's STart staff is assigned to produce PC HOME JOURNAL, aimed
at the IBM market. This venture appears to be doing better. Some of
those close to STart say that the Atari magazine was paying for itself
within Antic, but that all funds generated by it were being used in the
other corporate efforts. Dropping to a bi-monthly format, they say, was
more an effort to use staff for other projects than to economize the
Atari operation.
Now that production is suspended, the fates of subscribers and the many
writers to whom STart has owed moneys dating back to mid 1990 is not
known or predictable. If STart is sold, it may be that those owed will
be paid from the revenues, or the new owner may assume the liabilities
of the company. A third possibility is that there would be a
liquidation and sale of assets held by STart itself, which may be
negligible. Some observers speculate that a sale may be impossible, as
STart may have more liabilities than assets. Amounts owed creditors and
writers, plus the costs of substituted magazines to fulfill existing
subscriptions may overshadow the value of the established subscriber
base itself, estimated at perhaps over 20,000. Talk of a sale may be
real or simply an effort to postpone inevitable conflicts with
creditors.
Upset developers and writers stand to lose between hundreds and many
thousands of dollars each for published but unpaid work. Talk has
already begun regarding possibilities of legal actions and class suits
against Antic Publishing, who appear at this time to be remaining in
business.
Z*Net will continue to follow this story which is of great concern to
the entire Atari community. STart was the last independent commercial
"slick" magazine for the Atari in the U.S.A. It leaves behind only the
bi-monthly Atari Explorer (Atari's own magazine), newsprint publications
AtariUser and ST Informer, and smaller circulation user-group based
publications like Current Notes, AIM, and PSAN.
=======================================================================
Z*NET NEWSWIRE
--------------
Compiled by the Z*Staff
=======================================================================
NEW HANDHELD COMPUTER
Fujitsu has unveiled a new 16-bit handheld computer called the AcuTote
3000, featuring full PC XT and MS-DOS compatibility, enabling users to
develop applications on an industry-standard hardware platform.
SCANMAN 32
Logitech has announced ScanMan Model 32 for IBM and compatibles. This
is an easy-to-use, black and white hand-held scanner that offers gray-
scale image editing through software. The product will be available
through Logitech dealers and distributors in early June at a suggested
retail price of $299. Registered ScanMan Plus users can upgrade to
GrayTouch software through Logitech for $25.
ACCLAIM DOUBLES RELEASES AND ACQUIRES LICENSE
Acclaim announced this week that it plans to double the number of
software releases to the European market, having acquired the right from
Nintendo to release five additional NES titles per year for the European
market under the LJN label.
IBM OFFERS SPECIAL PRICE
IBM announced that Current(a) Version 1.2, a (PIM) software package,
will be offered at the special price of $129.00, when ordered directly
from IBM. IBM Desktop Software (IDS) will offer this limited time
promotion through August 31, 1991. The list price of Current is
$395.00. Customers may order Current directly from IBM, with a credit
card, by calling the Product Information Center at 1-800-426-7699.
NEW 2.5-INCH HARD DRIVES
Seagate announced the expansion of its lineup with 2.5-inch hard disc
drives for the portable computer market. The ST9077A and ST9038A drives
feature 64 and 32 formatted megabytes of data storage capacity,
respectively, and come equipped with an embedded AT interface. The new
models extend Seagate's ST9096 family of 85-, 42-, and 21-megabyte 2.5
inch drives. Each model weighs just 6.5 ounces.
ZENITH REDUCES PRICES
Zenith announced today that it will reduce the suggested retail prices
of its current line of laptop and desktop personal computers, effective
Monday, May 20.
PREVIOUS NEW PRICE
ZDS PORTABLE PRICE PRICE REDUCTION
SupersPort 386SX Model 40 $4,999 $4,399 $ 600 (12 pct)
Model 120 $5,999 $5,199 $ 800 (13.3 pct)
SupersPort 286e Model 40 $3,699 $3,199 $ 500 (13.5 pct)
SlimsPort 286 Model 20 $3,399 $2,599 $ 800 (23.5 pct)
Model 40 $3,999 $2,899 $1,100 (27.5 pct)
MinisPort HD Model 20 $2,099 $1,599 $ 500 (23.8 pct)
PREVIOUS NEW PRICE
ZDS System PRICE PRICE REDUCTION
Z-486/25E Model 80 $ 8,599 $7,499 $1,100 (12.7 pct)
Model 170 $ 9,999 $8,699 $1,300 (13 pct)
Z-386/33E Model 150 $ 9,699 $6,699 $3,000 (30.9 pct)
Model 320 $10,999 $8,399 $2,600 (23.6 pct)
Z-386/25 Model 1 $ 4,699 $3,699 $1,000 (21.2 pct)
Model 70 $ 5,599 $4,499 $1,100 (19.6 pct)
Model 150 $ 6,699 $5,199 $1,500 (22.3 pct)
Model 320 $ 8,399 $6,899 $1,500 (17.8 pct)
Z-386/20 Model 1 $ 3,799 $3,299 $ 500 (13.1 pct)
Model 40 $ 4,599 $3,999 $ 600 (13 pct)
Model 70 $ 4,899 $4,299 $ 600 (12.2 pct)
Z-386 SX/20 Model 1 $ 2,599 $2,249 $ 350 (13.4 pct)
Model 40 $ 3,199 $2,599 $ 600 (18.7 pct)
Model 80 $ 3,799 $3,199 $ 600 (15.7 pct)
Z-286 LP PLus Model 1 $ 1,799 $1,399 $ 400 (22.2 pct)
Model 20 $ 2,099 $1,649 $ 350 (16.6 pct)
Model 40 $ 2,299 $1,799 $ 500 (21.7 pct)
JOHN MAHER DEAD AT 43
Services are scheduled Saturday May 18, 1991 for John Maher, publisher
of Down Beat jazz magazine and president of Musicfest USA. Maher died
Thursday at Hinsdale Hospital at the age of 43. The cause of death was
not announced. Maher was named publisher of Down Beat Magazine in 1989
after joining the jazz publication as associate publisher in 1983. The
magazine is part of the family-owned Maher Publications. Maher is
survived by his wife, Margie; two sons, John IV and Brian; a daughter
Kelley; his parents, two brothers and four sisters.
HARRY REASONER SAYS FAREWELL
Harry Reasoner, who with Mike Wallace was a founding co-editor of CBS's
"60 Minutes," will sign off for the last time on Sunday, May 19.
Reasoner, 68, taped his farewell Thursday, as his colleagues - Wallace,
Morley Safer, Ed Bradley, Steve Kroft and Andy Rooney - added their
remarks. The veteran newsman had announced his decision to step down
and assume the new role of editor emeritus and contributing
correspondent in November 1990, but no final date was set until this
week. Reasoner and Wallace launched "60 Minutes" on Sept. 24, 1968. He
left CBS in 1970 to become anchorman for ABC's evening news, where
eventually he was teamed - against his will - with co-anchor Barbara
Walters, who ABC had hired away from NBC. Reasoner returned to CBS and
"60 Minutes" in 1978. "60 Minutes" has been in the top 10 of the A.C.
Nielsen Co. prime time ratings for 14 consecutive seasons. Reasoner
began his news career in 1942 with the Minneapolis Times and joined CBS
in July 1956. In the summer of 1987 he underwent surgery for lung
cancer, and two years later, in the fall of 1989, he had related
surgery. Both operatons were deemed successful.
=======================================================================
MAST ATARI SWAPFEST
-------------------
Press Release
=======================================================================
The Milwaukee Area ST User Group (M.A.S.T.) will be sponsoring an Atari
Swapfest on June 2nd, 1991 in Milwaukee, WI. We wish to thank the
following developers and vendors for committing to attend the show:
Apple Annie Branch Always Software Compu-Seller West
Dennis Palumbo Fonts G.K. Enterprises ICD
Innovative Concepts Kolputer Systems Komtech
Micro Magic MissionWare Software M-S Designs
Paper Express SKware One Taylor Ridge Books
Timeworks Toad Computers Touch Technologies
Other User Groups that will be attending;
LCACE MAAUG GCACE RACC
M.A.S.T. also will have two tables set-up for selling used equipment
both for our members and on a commission basis. There will be the new
TT and Mega STe computers at the show. I have been assured that both
machines are also for sale at the show.
We also will have the new Atari Coupon Books And Catalogs from E. Arthur
Brown Available to the attendees.
We hope that you will be able to join us in Milwaukee for this show. We
will be updating this notice as we have more information. Ticket cost
is two dollars in advance, three dollars at the door. If you need a
hotel, please contact one of the following:
Hampton Inn (414) 466-8881 (limited double rooms)
Budgetel Inns (414) 535-1300 (single rooms only)
The block of rooms are reserved until May 17th under the "M.A.S.T.
show". If you have any questions please feel free to call (414) 463-
9662. Thank You
Directions to the show: From NORTH of Milwaukee:
Hwys 41/45 - Travel South to the Burleigh St. exit. Turn RIGHT (West)
onto W. Burleigh St. Proceed to the traffic lights at N. 119th St.
Turn LEFT (South) at the lights, onto the frontage road leading into
BOWLERO.
I-43 - Travel South to Milwaukee and I-94. Turn RIGHT (West) onto I-94.
Travel West to Hwys 41/45. Turn RIGHT (North) onto Hwys 41/45 to the
Burleigh St. exit. Turn LEFT (West) onto W. Burleigh St. Proceed to
the traffic lights at N. 119th St. Turn LEFT (South) at the lights,
onto the frontage road leading into BOWLERO.
From SOUTH of Milwaukee:
Hwy. 43 - Travel North to I-894. Turn LEFT (North) onto I-894 and Hwys
41/45. Continue North on Hwy 41/45. Exit at Burleigh St. Turn LEFT
(West) onto W. Burleigh St. Proceed to the traffic lights at N. 119th
St. Turn LEFT (South) at the lights, onto the frontage road leading
into Bowlero.
I-94 - Travel West to I-894. Turn LEFT (West) onto I-894. You will
intersect and travel on Hwys 41/45. Continue North on Hwys 41/45. Exit
at Burleigh St. Turn LEFT (West) onto W. Burleigh St. Proceed to the
traffic lights at N. 119th St. Turn LEFT (South) at the lights, onto
the frontage road leading into BOWLERO.
From WEST of Milwaukee:
I-94 - Travel East. Turn LEFT (North) onto Hwys 41/45. Exit at
Burleigh St. Turn LEFT (West) onto W. Burleigh St. Proceed to the
traffic lights at N. 119th St. Turn LEFT (South) at the lights, onto
the frontage road leading into Bowlero.
For more information, check out the Milwaukee (MAST) show topic in the
GEnie Atari ST Roundtable (Category 11, Topic 16). Those of you with ST
Aladdin, don't forget to update your topic lists!
=======================================================================
MIDI CITY
---------
by Drew Reid Kerr
=======================================================================
"I know two tunes: one of them is 'Yankee Doodle,' and the other
isn't." -- Ulysses S. Grant
They say a bedroom should be a restful place with nothing to distract
you. One look at my bedroom and you'd think I was an insomniac: 4 Meg
Atari 1040 STE, Megafile30, Color Monitor, receiver, two BOSS mixing
boards, MIDI thru-box, Alesis SR-16 drum machine, Alesis MIDIverb,
Roland Juno 2, Roland JX-10, and a wooden rack mount unit featuring a
patch bay, Alesis Quadraverb, Oberheim Matrix 1000, Roland Digital Piano
Module P-330, Kawai K1r, Yamaha TG-33, Roland Sampler S-550, Korg M1R,
Roland D-550 and a dbx compressor. A Casio CZ101 sits on the floor. An
Akai 4-track 6-input recorder. Sound cards all over the place. Another
monitor for the sampler. Surge protectors protecting surge protectors.
Cables, cables and more cables....
Welcome to my nightmare! Every other week, we're going to dabble into
the MIDI cauldron, courtesy of the hippest musical computer around, the
Atari. We are going to share some tips, ideas, maybe a few chord
changes, news, and whatever falls into the pot.
I'm encouraging a lot of networking and interaction between musicians,
so I'd like you to drop me a line via GEnie e-mail (D.KERR1) and tell
me:
o What is your set-up?
o What sequencing software do you use? Why?
o What editor/librarian do you use? Why?
I'd also like you to put in your vote for your favorite five patches for
either the Roland D-50, Korg M1 or Yamaha DX-7 and WHY. Please include
the third-party source for each patch. I have to limit it to these
three synthesizers because of their overwhelming popularity. Every
other column, we'll highlight three top patches and discuss their makeup
and how they can be used.
CABLE CLEANLINESS
There seems to be a MIDI cable for just about every device in a studio.
Soon there are enough entanglements to rival an L.A. freeway! You first
step should be to get MIDI cables of different colors and assign a
different hue to each synthesizer. For example, blue could run to your
Roland D-50 and yellow to your EPS.
I've discovered a neat little trick to help organize cables and multiple
editor/librarians. Each editing session requires the cable from that
particular synthesizer's Out port to be plugged into the Atari's MIDI In
port, which makes for a lot of switching around.
Buy a cheap metal guitar stand at your local music store. Place it near
the MIDI ports of your computer. Hang each cable strand going from your
editable synth over the circular grip on the stand. You can even take
a piece of masking tape and label each cable with the name of each
synth: "D-50," "K4," etc.
Now you have all the cables right near the MIDI ports, ready to be moved
in and out for your editor/librarian sessions!
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DRUM MACHINE WRESTLING!
Just when you think you've got the greatest drum machine since history
began, along comes another mind-boggling array of percussion units to
get you running and jumping. The last several months have seen an
onslaught of not only superb drum machines but equally tantalizing drum
modules.
When Roland brought out its R-8 and R-5 units over a year ago, they
couldn't stock enough of them. Last fall saw the release of the Boss
DR-550, which supplied some of Roland's heftiest drum samples for the
mere price of $250! In one inexpensive box, you had a slew of R-8
sounds topped off with the perennial TR-808 snares, kicks and rides so
essential to today's dance music.
Three months ago, Alesis outdid them all -- the SR-16 for $350. This
little baby had four outs, 243 sampled sounds with almost half of them
in stereo reverb! In the bang for the buck category, I can't recommend
this drum machine high enough.
If you're looking for something to rack mount, there's no shortage of
new sampled drum sound modules. It's really just a matter of which
company's sounds you dig. Besides Roland's module version of the R-8
(R-8m), you can dive into hundreds of possibilities with Alesis' new
one, which is stock full of HR-16 and HR-16B samples. If those famous
Emu samples are your bag, the Procussion is the one for you.
16 CHANNELS AND WHAT DO YOU GET?
Finding 16 MIDI channels too restricting for your complex layering and
huge setup? There are rather expensive attach-ons that will double and
sometimes triple your MIDI channels on the market. Unfortunately, I
only know of one specifically for the Atari and that's C-LAB's Unitor.
Having 32 or 48 MIDI channels is a feeling that's almost better than
sex. You could stock up with synth upon synth, effects galore, MIDI
thru boxes and know that each and every one could be running at the same
time!
The Unitor only works with Creator/Notator. It plugs in as a dongle
into your cartridge port on the left side of your Atari. Not only does
it have two sets of MIDI In and Out ports, but it doubles as Creator's
SMPTE synch aide. If you're involved with scoring or want to try your
hand at sequencing to SMPTE, this makes it an essential buy. But beware
the sting to the wallet -- it runs over $400!
If you find yourself running short with 16 channels, there are a few
strategies to keep in mind. The first is: put your drum machines and
effects on the same MIDI channel. Generally, drum machines do not
respond to program changes, so use these channels to alter reverb, echo,
compression, etc.
Secondly, pay closer attention to your program changes. Multi-timbral
units can usually have their entire setups modified via the program
change. For example, let's say you have a Combination setup #1 on your
Korg M1 (or M1R) which has the piano on Channel 1, string pads on
Channel 2, and horn hits on Channel 3. Your entire unit is set to MIDI
channel 7. By sending a well-placed program change to channel 7 of 2,
the Korg immediately switches to Combination 2, which now has the organ
on Channel 1, the string pads still on 2, and analog lead on 3. You've
got two new sound patches introduced but the amount of MIDI channels
used remains the same!
In other words, don't be afraid to make multiple MIDI setups for one
song.
=======================================================================
HOTWIRE & MAXIFILE III: New & Improved!
---------------------------------------
Press Release
=======================================================================
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - CodeHead Software has announced major upgrades
for their flagship programs, HotWire and MaxiFile!
The GEM Desktop environment of Atari's ST computers is simple to work
with, but limited in many, many regards. Windows and icons are fine for
some tasks, but poorly suited for others. ST software developers have
been aware of this from the beginning, and a number have even produced
"replacement" environments for users who find GEM too limited.
Strangely enough, the most common approach taken in such replacement
environments is to emulate the GEM Desktop! The Desktop's general look,
functionality - and drawbacks - are reproduced, with only some
additional bells and whistles to make it "better." But imitating the
item you're supposedly replacing is hardly revolutionary.
The approach taken by CodeHead Software's HotWire and MaxiFile III
contrasts sharply with that of the GEM desktop and its imitators.
HotWire is a full-featured program launcher, which makes running an
application as easy as picking an item from a menu you design. HotWire
completely eliminates the time-wasting drudgery of opening window after
window and folder after folder to run programs. Instead, you simply
click the mouse on the title of the program you wish to run, or type its
assigned keyboard equivalent - press W to run your word processor, for
example. You can create as many menus as you like, and even set up
menus to load other menus! You can keep track of the time you spend in
each program and the names of any documents on which you worked, with
the help of "ledger" files. You can set up to 16 alarms (including
daily, weekly or monthly alarms) that will go off in any program! And,
in its latest update (version 3.1), HotWire is even more powerful and
flexible than ever, with support for color-coded menus, "global blocks"
of programs and/or documents, special hooks for synergistic
communication with MultiDesk, MaxiFile, and other CodeHead programs, and
full STe and TT compatibility.
MaxiFile III is a file-handling utility par excellence, providing
features and flexibility far beyond that of the GEM desktop or its
imitators. Furthermore, MaxiFile III can be installed as a desk
accessory, available from the Desk dropdown or via the shareware Little
Green Selector (included with the package). This means you can format
and copy disks, copy/move/delete/rename files, etc., from within most
common ST programs.
Here are just a few of the incredible new capabilities of MaxiFile III:
o the ability to search any drive (or combination of drives) at
lightning speed for files or folders according to their time/date
stamps, archive bit settings, or up to 16 simultaneous extensions - then
instantly jump to that path and select all matching files!
o a "dual display" mode that shows you both source and destination
directories at once, in scrolling windows.
o a "safe deposit" feature that protects you from accidental file
deletions in a fast, legal, transparent manner.
o TRUE MS-DOS floppy disk formatting.
o a "graphic disk info" display that shows the space on all connected
drives both numerically and with a bar chart, including cumulative
totals for all selected drives.
o a blazingly fast text file viewing mode, with scrolling up and down
via mouse or keyboard, tab settings, and fast string search abilities.
o keyboard equivalents for every operation, including selecting files
and folders in directory windows!
Owners of the original MaxiFile will definitely want to upgrade to
MaxiFile III - there are so many new features that an entire new manual
had to be written to accompany it!
Used individually, HotWire and MaxiFile can make working with your ST
easier, but when used together these programs become a complete,
integrated replacement for every aspect of the GEM Desktop. You can run
programs, install documents, manage files, set system configurations -
do just about anything you can do with the GEM Desktop, all from simple,
configurable menus. You may never need - or want - to use the GEM
Desktop again!
And memory isn't a problem either. HotWire and MaxiFile III can be
memory-resident or loaded and unloaded as you need them; they work fine
both ways. Furthermore, both products are fully compatible with all
release versions of Atari's TOS operating system. From the smallest
520ST to mightiest TT030, HotWire and MaxiFile III work without fail.
CodeHead Software products are well known and widely respected, but some
more casual users may have the mistaken impression that these programs
are for technical types. Not so! CodeHead Software is for anyone who
wants to make the most of his Atari ST/STe/TT. If you aren't using
CodeHead Software, you're wasting computing power!
For more information, contact us at:
CodeHead Software
P.O. Box 74090
Los Angeles, CA 90004
Tel (213) 386-5735
Fax (213) 386-5789
=======================================================================
GENIE REAL-TIME-CONFERENCE
--------------------------
WITH RICHARD MILLER, ATARI VP of R&D - 5/15/91
=======================================================================
[This conference has been edited for length by the Z*NET Staff, and
except for spelling and punctuation, the content presented is not
altered. Some questions and answers have been re-ordered in
presentation here to provide a more understandable flow. Not all
questions or answers that were part of the conference are included.
Decisions on editing questions were based on general interest and
information content.]
(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.
<JEFF.W> Richard Miller is Vice President of Technology at Atari
Corporation. From what I understand, this means that Richard is
involved with most of the hardware development that takes place at
Atari. So get your hardware questions ready folks... this is the man
who can answer them for you.
R.Miller: Basically, I'm responsible for hardware engineering and R&D
worldwide. Leonard Tramiel takes care of software. No machines have
been shipped with high density mechanisms so far. As we previously
announced, we will offer inexpensive upgrades in the near future.
R.Miller: There are a number of very nice video VME cards on the market
and in development from third party companies. The Matrix board is
currently available through Goldleaf, and there were others that showed
at CEbit. There is no standard for the software interface of VME cards,
and therefore no standard drivers exist, unlike, for example, Hercules
graphics cards.
<[Ron @ GXR] R.GRANT11> Firstly, will there be a 6U VME bus in future
models of the TT line?
R.Miller: Yes.
<[Ron @ GXR] R.GRANT11> And second, any plans to release a customizable
MegaSTE HD kit that DOESN'T come with a HD?
R.Miller: No. The host adapter will not be available separately. And
neither will the plastic cover. You have to buy complete hard disk
upgrade kits, with the cover, host adapter, and hard disk. We
considered SCSI on the motherboard, but it would have meant adding an
extra DMA channel and significant costs.
<[George G.] JMGSOFT> Then will Atari be selling 200 MB Hard disks?
R.Miller: Yes
<[George G.] JMGSOFT> Really? Truly? How long away?
R.Miller: In fact, we will be selling drives up to 600mb before the end
of the year.
<J.ALLEN27> I have to say this, no major technology company is in the
memory or hard drive business, Sun, Apple, IBM, all avoid commodity
products and concentrate on technology. Why the hard drive package? Why
the memory boards, etc. What's the strategy here?
R.Miller: First, all of those companies *do* sell memory and hard disk
upgrades. However, most of the time they don't give you the option.
They simply sell a more expensive machine with RAM and hard disk built-
in. We compete openly in these areas while also offering competitive,
unexpanded versions. I can't discuss specific vendors of hard drives,
but some of the new versions have significantly higher transfer rates,
on disk caches and access times. These features start at around 400MB,
and will cost *more*.
<[PD Journal] MIKE.SCHUETZ> Will the ST Book be out after the show in
Duesseldorf here in germany possibly?
R.Miller: Yes, the ST BOOK *should be* shipping by then, but in limited
quantities, because LCD's are on allocation and there is a severe supply
shortage.
<[Aric] A.FRIESEN> Anyway, can you give use any idea how much the ST
Book will cost?
R.Miller: Probably around $1500, certainly less than $2000, depending
on configuration. [i.e. RAM, HD, modem]
<[Z-Net] T.SCHREIBER1> I have heard rumors of a new palmtop being
developed - any comments?
R.Miller: We are definitely in the palmtop business. And we are going
to continue to compete in that arena. Recently a number of new
technologies have become available which open up new opportunities.
Specifically, 3 volt semiconductors including Intel & Motorola CPUs and
various types of RAM and ROM. This allows us to develop very long
battery life machines.
<[Z-Net] T.SCHREIBER1> The Portfolio...?
R.Miller: Yes we are working in that area, although that market is
getting pretty crowded now.
<[Z-Net] T.SCHREIBER1> Are there any plans to increase the display?
R.Miller: This is one of the biggest areas of incompatibility in the
Portfolio. It has to be increased.
<[Chuck] DATAQUE.1> Welcome!, I was wondering if there would ever be a
low-end machine with some type of multi-slot expansion buss?
R.Miller: The basic problem with a multi-slot machine is to allow
developers sufficient freedom to be able to make interesting cards
whilst at the same time insuring that everyone will work correctly
together. IBM's have this problem which is why they switched to Micro
Channel. There are also problems on NuBus machines. That is not to
say there is no solution, and we will be launching multislot machines
in the near future and they will work!
R.Miller: I'm sure you'll all be pleased to hear the Mega STE got FCC
Class B approval today.
R.Miller: I'm sure we've already mentioned that a multitasking version
of TOS is being worked on. Can't say much more than that.
R.Miller: Do you want to know anything about the STylus? We all think
the STylus is the opportunity to set a standard in pen input computing.
That's mostly because we're starting from a point and click interface
anyway, and because we have enough control of our hardware and custom
chips... to create a very small and power-efficient, totally compatible
product. There will be lots of ST titles that will work out of the box.
The expansion port specification will be published by August. This bus
is compatible between the ST BOOK and the STylus. As far as software
goes, just follow the rules. We don't think we've broken anything.
<[Ron @ GXR] R.GRANT11> Will Atari start producing peripherals such as
better keyboards and mice for people who would ordinarily have to
purchase weird switch boxes and stuff? I mean... I really like the TT
keyboard, but it seems that if I wanted to add it to my Mega, I'd have
to buy a TT. :-) Can't afford that for my Mega.
R.Miller: We never really thought of selling TT keyboards separately.
Thanks for the idea. There are already lots of third party mice
available.
<D.HAEFNER> Whatever happened to the Transputer concept? It seems to me
that this would be the most cost effective upgrade path (no monitors,
etc to worry about, just utilize what is currently available)?
R.Miller: The Transputer, now known as the ATW, is alive and well and
shipping through Atari U.K. The latest version supports Ethernet,
TCPIP, and there have been various other really nice enhancements over
the last few months.
<D.HAEFNER> I was wondering more about the concept. Using a TT as sort
of a through box, and adding the latest "wonderchip" to upgrade the
existing computer through a plug in box?
R.Miller: A company called INMOS in the U.K. have developed a 3U
Transputer VME card. It works with or without the ATW, details from
Atari U.K.
R.Miller: It's been a pleasure. It sounds like the Atari community is
still alive and kicking. By the way, I'm very pleased to announce that
Lean
R.Miller: tramielhn
R.Miller: will be appearing i
R.Miller: n the very near
R.Miller: fut\
R.Miller: futu\
R.Miller: future (kicking and screaming!!
<JEFF.W> I take it you meant Leonard Tramiel (part of that came out
garbled on my side here).
R.Miller: Sorry. Tramiel noise in the background.
<JEFF.W> Great! I'll be in touch to work out the details. <Greetings,
Leonard!>
=======================================================================
Z*NET SOFTWARE SHELF
--------------------
by Ron Berinstein
=======================================================================
Well, I decided to swiftly solve my problems. I would never tell anyone
even remotely interested in computers about my software collection
again! I found a new girlfriend who now buys me dinner, who opens my
car door, and who gives me subtle massages, and who is always there for
me when I need her.
I immediately ran out and bought a personal cellular phone.. This, so
that she can be called to assist me instantly when I require her. I
asked the bank to transfer all of my funds to a time certificate, this
because I am allowing her to support me. I even changed the name to
hers on my computer software charge account at TCN, the local dealer.
Yes, I am now set. Finally, I can work, or play on my computer in
peace, rest on the new sofa she bought, get a rubdown when I need one,
"RTFM" in the comfort of the new reclining chair purchased with her
credit card, and listen to the digital, stereo sounds of our new tuner/
amplifier/TV/CD/monitor.
After all I feel that if I am to report on the newest software available
in the ST market, I should be made to feel comfortable. You know it is
a hard job collecting the best of the best!
The above story excerpted from, "Dreams and Other Lies That Will Never
Happen," my unauthorized biography by Reginald Smith Esq. published by
Random Louse, 1991.
Under the heading: Give me a BIG Surprise!
ACCTS300.ARC (Functional Demo, prg. cost: $189.00) is a very nice
surprise to me. The search for business accounting software is a never
ending one, and since the demise of B.E.S.T. all are welcome. It is a
"biggy" weighing in at just over 437,760 bytes, and is the latest
version of the Hi-Tech Accounting program. The only limitation with
this demo is that each file only allows 50 entries, but GL, AP, and AR,
are all covered..
DCPOPBAR.ARC DC PopBar v.1.0 will give you a popop menu of the menubar
entries. This occurs wherever your mouse pointer is. ST and STe
compatible. 100% assembly.
Under the Heading: "Drawing Conclusions, Are You?"
XS_FX.ARC (Shareware $20) is a full featured drawing program that is for
both ST & Ste's. You may use 512 or 4096 colors with tools. Boxes,
ellipses, circles, line tools tools, bezier curves, and more. A special
effects menu plus the ability to create sprites help make this an
interesting file. Color cycling and the ability to create rudimentary
frames for animation too! Fill patterns, flipping and sizing as well.
Under the Heading: "Well Just What Sort Do You Want?"
FB175.LZH First Base database program is back with an update. This is
an "in-memory database" which makes it very fast to access, sort, or
review data.
QUICKSORT.LZH is a small file that provides you with a quick sort
routine for HiSoft Basic adapted from "Turbo Pascal" by Elliot B.
Koffman. It is said to have sorted over 2000 items in about 47 seconds!
Hmm, with that kind of record, I think I can get Elliot a job at the
local dry cleaners!
MULTIDIM.ARC perfect for those who wish to sort a multi-dimensional
array in GFA Basic. This is the source code that can be merged into
your programs that will do just that. Ascending or descending order
can be designed for any array except for boolean arrays.
STREE102.ARC (Shareware $10) is perfect for those with a Hard Drive.
This .ACC lets you search your drive for files matching some specific
specification. Filenames (Wildcards OK), date, time, size, attributes,
etc. One is then allowed to "manipulate" the resulting list.
ALPGED.ARC is up on CompuServe and this alphabetic GEDCOM file lister
produces a listing of GEDCOM v. 2.1 or higher files along with birth and
death information. This version (1.05b) fixes a bug with the files
produced by Social Security Death Index on CD Rom at the LDS l
Libraries. (Hmm, maybe you know what they mean!) Color or Mono.
Under the Heading: "Well, What Kind of Stock Do You Place In It?"
STOCK_20.ARC (Shareware $35) is a complete stock charting and technical
analysis program. You can use it to retrieve daily stock quote data
from the free GEnie quote area, and it gives you the ability to turn
your data into a stock history file format appending the previous days
quotes as well.
CAL51.ARC (Shareware $20) is the newest weekly version of CAL, the most
recently most updated personal calendar program for you and your ST.
New version includes HotWire alarms and DC-Squish compatibility.
For those Musically inclined:
DIGICOMP.LZH is a new upgrade of NoiseTracker. It gained fame because
of it's "Sampled" music files. STE/TT support now in this version, as
well as full stereo playback. It plays Amiga .MOD files.
TRACKER1.LZH (prg.cost $69.95) demos a new version of TCB Tracker. This
reupload has new support numbers and online support info. TCB Tracker
allows any user, "even music novices" to create using their ST. Source
included, programmers can use the sounds in their own programs, and it
is full STe.
TRACKER2.LZH (Demo) This is a DEMO showing off TCB Tracker. The file
description says that this demo played by your ST when hooked into your
stereo system will make others feel that they are listening to a CD or
tape!
HOUNDOG.MID Finally an Elvis tune up this month. "You Ain't Nothin'
But A Hound dog!"
And finally last, but not least! SPOCK.LZH is Star Trek's SPOCK
SINGING!
For Calamus fans: (And did you know that the word Calamus can be
defined as a quill, or part of a feather? - Sure you did!)
Two font sample files this week were uploaded. You might check out,
TALNT.CDK and/or ABSOL.CDK.
For HP Laserjet fans:
HPTOGD.ARC (PD) is a neat little program that will convert HP Laserjet
fonts into GDOS ones! There are a lot of HP fonts, so GDOS fans should
have a field day!
For those fans of the infamous SLM804:
PHNTKIT2.TXT (press release) will explain to you about the Phantom of
the Laser Kit from Widgets by Decker. As you know, the 804 has to stay
on if your computer is going to boot up. This device lets it rest in
the off position until you need it.
MYMONO.ARC is an STE Mono emulator that came straight from the land down
under. This version might be the fastest emulator of this kind. It
also has a software mode that displays 400 lines on a regular color
monitor.
Noel saw another STE Demo and uploaded it.
SINESTE.LZH has a "Thumping Stereo" soundtrack, and over 256 colors on
screen!
GALLERY.ARC (Shareware $15) will turn any Degas file into a self running
/viewing program. Even filename and four lines of information can be
included.
Now, onward to the jacuzzi for a bit of a rest!
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.
=======================================================================
ST ACCELERATORS
---------------
by Norm Weinress
=======================================================================
May 1991 - Premier Issue
Copyright 1991 by Quill Publishing, Reprint Permission Granted to Z*NET
Online only. May not be reprinted further without permission from
Quill. AtariUser Magazine is available without charge to User Groups,
Computer Stores, and Book Stores (shipping paid by reciever). 30,000
copies of issue #1 were distributed, 35,000 of the June issue are being
released this weekend. Contact Quill for home subscriptions ($15) or to
arrange distribution. Call Toll Free, 800-333-3567, 11 AM - 5 PM
Pacific time, weekdays.
ST ALERT:
The Mega/STe computers are coming! The new 16mHz, TT-styled machines
are now shipping to the U.S. and Canada at new reduced prices: $1,699
retail for a 2 meg RAM, 50 mbyte hard drive unit. A Mega/STe 1 may
become available at or below $1,000 that would have only one meg of RAM
and no hard drive, allowing the user to upgrade as he desires later.
Fujitsu introduced a 5-1/4" hard disk drive with a capacity of 1600
Megabytes. What does that do for me, you say? Well, small hard drives
(under 100 Megabytes) are now becoming a glut on the market. So if you
were thinking about getting one, now is a good time.
ST STuff - How fast is faster, and how?
Most new users of Atari products are impressed with their speed.
Windows in GEM move and programs load pretty quickly when compared to
Mac or IBM counterparts. But familiarity breeds contempt, and we heavy
users constantly look for ways to make the fast faster.
Your choices for speeding up your ST or STe are increasing. There are
new products announced by FAST Technology, Gadgets by Small, ICD and
several German companies. Atari itself is producing the Mega/STe, which
is essentially the 1040 STe with an accelerated processor. These
devices have taken two directions and it might be useful for you to know
something about them.
The idea of an accelerator is to replace the microprocessor in your ST
computer, a Motorola 68000 running at 8 megaHertz, with something
faster. The first direction is to use another 68000, but one running at
a faster rate. That rate is usually 16mHz (twice as fast as the
original), though 20mHz devices have been announced for release later
this year.
The advantage of this method is that most software will continue to work
on the souped-up ST, but not quite all. A few programs and add-on
systems are very sensitive to clock speed, and can't adjust to faster
processing. So, these acceleration devices generally come with a switch
that lets you slow down to 8mHz for those balky programs. Not all of
them accomplish a 100% complete 8mHz mode, however - check it before you
buy if you need Spectrum 512 pictures, for example.
The second method of speeding up is to use the newer and more powerful
68030 microprocessor, the one that comes with the Atari TT. You'll also
need the new TT TOS to make it work, and fortunately Atari has consented
to license their TOS for accelerators. This method can really zip
along, both because of the inherently faster processing of the 68030 and
the selection of available processor chips ranging up to 50mHz. Of
course, all this can also cause havoc with some programs, so one
manufacturer puts a 68000 on the same board so you can switch over to it
for programs that won't run on the new system. Very clever. Of course,
you pay for this versatility.
If you can stand some more technical talk, bear with me. Because the
ST's internal systems must run at the original speed, and the data
processing must share the pathways with the ST's screen display system,
just adding a faster processor doesn't generate a big speedup. Early
accelerators, introduced two years ago, were very disappointing because
of that.
To REALLY speed things up, the newer boards incorporate fast cache
memories. What these do is to transfer the portion of the system memory
that is currently being used by the program you're working with, into a
special, fast RAM that is on the accelerator board. So, while the
regular, slow memory is crawling along and sharing time with the screen
display system, your accelerator is running the program in this backup
copy of the data in fast RAM, with no need to share it's time with the
screen.
Now your program runs like greased lightning! When appropriate, the
data in fast RAM is written back to regular RAM and another section of
the regular memory is written into the fast cache. This way, all the
required info that should be saved to disk, or displayed on the monitor,
happens like it's supposed to.
All the current accelerator boards for the ST and STe use this method.
This is also how the Mega/STe accomplishes its 16mHz 68000 speed up.
There are small differences in the results you get within each of the
two types of accelerator, mainly caused by the way the manufacturer
decided to implement the cache. How important these differences are
isn't really clear, because benchmarking programs aren't particularly
good indicators of actual use.
The main thing is, the new accelerators can truly make your ST go like
crazy. And they are getting better all the time. But who should buy
one?
My advice is that if you are using programs that require a lot of memory
and calculations, these devices are for YOU! Desktop publishing, CAD,
big spreadsheets and the like, are much nicer to use with an
accelerator. Just ask yourself how often and for how long you sit,
tapping your fingers on the desk, waiting for a screen re-draw or a
calculation. Divide your budget surplus by the number of taps to
determine your true need for speed.
If you use your ST mostly for gaming, then an accelerator won't do much
for you, except give you bragging rights at your local Atari club.
On second thought, that might be worth it after all.
- Norm Weinress
The products mentioned are available from:
Gadgets By Small
40 W. Littleton Blvd. #210-211
Littleton CO 80120
303-791-0253
Fast Technologies
P.O. box 578
Andover, MA 01810
508-745-3810
ICD Inc.
1220 Rock Street
Rockford, IL 61101
800-968-2228
BIO: Norm Weinress is an Atari developer and former co-owner of an
Atari store in Southern California. He was an electronic engineer for
TRW under Sig Hartmann. Norm also hosts the "Spuds" meetings each month
for a variety of professional Atari users including programmers,
musicians, and writers... but trust me, that's a whole other story.
=======================================================================
COMPUTER PUBLICATIONS, UNTLD.
-----------------------------
The ST CONNECTION/ST LINK
Press Release
=======================================================================
Just a few short notes to let everyone in on a few of the things going
around here at CPU...
ATARI USERS COUPON BOOKS
We just finished mailing out the last few batches of the coupon book.
Most of you should have received your requested copies by now. If you
requested copies and have not yet received them, please leave me a note
on GEnie or give us a call at 303/423-6805 and we'll take care of you.
(Not many copies left, so hurry!)
MAILING LIST UPDATE
We just converted our Zoomracks database information over to Tracker ST.
It took a little work even with Tracker's great import feature, but
everything looks good so far. Of course, there's always the chance for a
glitch or two, so if you have problems receiving the May or June issues,
once again, please let us know and we'll give it our prompt attention!
ST LINK DEBUT SET FOR SEPTEMBER!!!
We're excited about this one. Beginning with our September issue, the
ST CONNECTION will be going to 16 pages with the inclusion of a desktop
publishing "insert". ST LINK will be providing news and information on
the desktop publishing environment as it pertains to the Atari ST/Mega
line. We will cover all the newest desktop publishing, word processing
and graphics products each month as well as reviews on specific
programs, fonts and clip art packages. That means all of you interested
in public domain and shareware software will still get all the
information you are used to in the ST CONNECTION and get to keep up on
the rapidly-growing desktop publishing scene as well. And desktop
publishers get the added advantage of finding out all about the PD/
shareware scene. If you're interested in both areas, then you're a
double winner!!! What could be better? Well, the subscription price is
still going to be just $14 per year! ($48 with double-sided Disk-of-the
-Month)
ATARI USERS COUPON BOOK...AGAIN
That's right! We're gearing up for production of the 2nd Edition of the
Atari Users Coupon Book. Once again, the booklet will contain coupons
for valuable offers and discounts. This book is even going a step
further with the addition of a third color and an increase in the
distribution amount to 10,000 copies! Information packets will be going
out to dealers in just a few days with distribution scheduled for August
to ST user groups, Atarifests and ST Connection/ST Link subscribers!
Subscriptions Available from:
COMPUTER PUBLICATIONS, UNLTD.
P.O. Box 2224
Arvada, CO 80001
Phone: 303/423-6805
GEnie: S.SWANSON1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Z*Net International Atari Online Magazine
Issue #91-21 May 17, 1991 (C)1991 Rovac Industries, Inc.
=======================================================================
