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Ictari Issue 02
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* m a g a z i n e *
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I C T A R I U S E R G R O U P
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Hi, and welcome to the second edition of iCTARi Diskzine. Featured on
this disk are a variety of sources in all common languages. The STOS
folder contains plenty of STOS code from Falcon, and the Pontoon game I
wrote for this new step by step to programming thingy I mentioned about
in the scroller.
The assembly folder contains some devpac source from Deicide. Including a
document displayer. This is quite good but it lacks the feature of being
able to load a document to read. If I used this it would be a horrible
job of retyping contributions directly into the source. BUT, as the
source is provided, it can be easily modified to allow files to be loaded
and read.
Also included in the folder is the source for the ictari menu, written by
Hanoi. This was supposed to be on disk #1, but I forgot to include it.
The C folder contains some more PD source which I've dug out. It also
contains the start of an iCTARi Database project.
The GFA folder contains an interesting FONT program by The WIZ!. I'm sure
someone will find a use for this program.
The PROGS folder contains the filemove program by Chris Robinson and ST
Zip. ST Zip has been included because I hope to launch Ictari PD Library
and therefore would appreciate any PD what so ever and Coverdisks you
have. With ST Zip, you can compress and cram stuff with your
contributions. Also, in future, stuff may be included on the disk
archived using zip, and therefore you might need this program.
There is also a MIDI folder which contains The WIZ!'s contributions to
this new midi section.
Ok, Thats it for this edition, enjoy and get those contributions, and
disks sent back to me for the next edition ASAP.
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-> WIZ!-Mag, The Ictari Disk-zine program that I am writing now has its
own RSC file, and I have written -some- code for it, but I'm now wading
my way through a program I have to write for the Balloon Company so it's
been put on hold for a week or so. <The WIZ!>
-> ST-Review was meant to finish this issue, having been a 12 issue
experiment by a publishing company with not much money. HOWEVER, they
have been bought out by EuroPress Publishing, the people behind ST User,
so it is saved and it should get better. Anyone with a copy of Issue 12
should try peeling that STOP PRESS sticker off carefully.... <The WIZ!>
-> Tandy US have just opened their 3rd Universal Experience Superstore.
These -huge- superstores house -everything- you could possibly imagine in
the way of electronics and techno-gadgetry. If you want, so the sales
spiel goes, they'll have it. The first store, which was opened just -
three years ago has just passed the $60 million mark in profit!! They
expect to have 3 million customers in the new -bigger- store within the
first 12 months.
Customers are referred to as 'guests' and sales people are 'guides'. Very
American... (info taken from Tandy-Net, Tandy UK's own closed WAN) <The
Wiz!>
-> An event is taking place across the UK at the moment called 'Around
the World in 80 days'. What it is, is a bunch of nutters who have got the
maps out and have discovered places around the UK with foreign sounding
names, for example there is a place outside Glasgow called Moscow. They
have 5 strangely shaped hot air balloons (Ice cream cone, 6 pack, etc)
and they are going to fly over all these sites in under 80 days. There is
a place near Ulverston, where I live, known as The Alps, and so on April
15th, they will be flying over it, with our Windermere Balloon in
pursuit. Now I'm not suggesting that you all tank up here to watch them,
but if you hear of it in your area, please go along and give your
support; its all in aid of Leukaemia Research. <The Wiz!>
-> I was 'jamming' on my keyboard a couple of nights ago and came up with
a little ditty that I thought you might like, so I have saved it as a
standard MIDI file in the MIDI folder. It needs a melody line, so if
anyone feels up to it, give it a whirl and let me know what you come up
with. More details in the MIDI folder. <The Wiz!>
+> Hey, who said it was only ST News :-) <iCTARi>
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P D A N D S H A R E W A R E
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
SHAREWARE:
Or 'Try Before You Buy'. A cut down version with functions disabled is
given to a public domain library. When someone buys the software from a
library they pay the library fee and can use the cut down version to
decide if they like the product. If they do then they can pay a
registration fee to the author which will normally bring an updated
version or manual. The author retains the copyright at all times.
PUBLIC DOMAIN (PD):
This is donated to the public by the author and the copyright is waived.
It is absolutely free, and the public can legally copy it as much as they
wish because there is no copyright on it. When a PD disk is bought you
are only paying the distributor to cover his costs.
FREEWARE:
This is software on which the author retains copyright but allows it to
be distributed free of charge.
CHARITYWARE:
If the public like the software they are requested to give money to a
charity specified by the author.
LICENCEWARE:
This is usually arranged with a library so that for every disk of your
software that is sold a proportion is sent to you.
I felt that it was important to clarify the differences between these
classifications as I am sure that many people have released their
programs as 'Public Domain' which waived their copyright when they meant
it to be 'Freeware'.
Martin Wright
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T H E S U G G E S T I O N B O X
-> Well done with the first issue - can I just ask if it is possible
to put the source for that scroller on this issue !?! <Morf>
+> Hmm, actually I left it off the first issue by mistake <iCTARi>
-> I don't know about you, but I think 1 month is too short a length of
time to get stuff ready in ! How's about 2 ? I mean you must really have
your work cut out ! <Morf>
+> Hmm, good point, although I don't expect everyone to contribute every
month so you can just send a blank disk with no contributions for the
next edition. If members can contribute alternative months, then a
regular flow can be generated, (I hope). <iCTARi>
-> Incidentally, how many of us are there ? Just wondered.
+> That's a tricky one, trouble is who do I count as exact members. For a
start I tend to know about 35 people who receive the disk. But this is
increasing every day, and most members pass on the disk to other friends.
Also the disks will soon be flooding the PD Libaries no doubt. (But why
pay them for a copy when you can get one off me, including back issues?)
<iCTARi>
-> Keep up the good work - I'm hoping to do an intro screen soon, but I'm
not too good with throwing sprites around the screen. I'll keep trying
though !! <Morf>
+> Thanks for the support. I'm not good at throwing sprites around the
screen either, so perhaps some jolly decent bloke out there can share
some really useful advice and source. <iCTARi>
Another suggestion was this. As well as having members profiles, why not
ask all those members with the appropriate equipment to send in a piccy
of themselves. Then we can put together a 'Rogues Gallery'!!!! <The WIZ!>
+> Hmm, what does everyone else think, incidently there was no GEM
picture on that disk you sent me !!!!. <iCTARi>
-> How many members are there at present? Did you get in touch with that
other guy in STF? <The WIZ!>
+> See above. <iCTARi>
-> Nice letter by the way. Incidentally, if you -do- want to frame it,
you are technically entitled to a copy of the bromide for that page,
seeing as the letter -is- your copyright. They will probably charge you a
small fee for time and labour, plus the page is -not- all your copyright.
Just thought I'd mention it. <The WIZ!>
+> I dont think the letter is my copyright, because it was edited so
much, and theres a bit in it that I didnt even write. 8-) <iCTARi>
-> I think the 'group project' idea is an excellent one. I will be
willing to provide C/Basic code and certainly music if we needed it. <The
Wiz!>
+> Ok, then I'm in, anyone else?, what should we produce? - get those
ideas in <iCTARi>
-> Just a minor point. You will have noticed that my disk came enclosed
in a jiffy bag. Now I realise that if you used a jiffy bag for -every-
member it would cost you a small fortune, but there is a cheaper
alternative.
The Royal Mail has -no- respect for mail. The train I catch to Bolton in
the morning is the early morning mail train, and I have seen packages
kicked thrown dropped and 'FRAGILE' boxes stacked in such a way that they
became crushed.
All you have to do, to protect the disk as much as you possibly can, is
to wrap it in a couple of sheets of kitchen or toilet roll, before
popping it in the envelope. Simple, but effective. <The WIZ!>
+> I agree, and I will in future protect the disk as best I can. Although
creating a carboard disk case is a good idea. Adopted by Morf from an old
printer ribbon box. <iCTARi>
-> Finally, my major suggestion. Why not arrange for the whole User group
to have an 'Annual General Meeting' over some holidays. I live in a pub
and could provide some accommodation, as long as you provide sleeping
bags. Being in the Lake District there are also plenty of camp sites for
those members who wish to tent/caravan/B&B it.
There are plenty of walks, orienteering, sailing, canoeing, abseiling
places (and I'm proficient at all these) and of course, you can book the
balloon for a group flight!! (you just knew that was coming didn't you!!)
<The WIZ!>
+> Sounds good but I personally can never say if I will be available.
Like the idea of the PUB 8-). Balloon flying, erm Gulp!. Well what does
everyone else think, still could be a laugh I suppose.
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I C T A R I P D
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iCTARi PD Library is shortly due for opening, however I am still
collecting PD, Shareware and Coverdisks. So please send me anything you
got.
Unfortunately due to my recent accident with an attack of viruses, I have
been left with a much decreased collection of PD. Also I seem to have
lost loads of disks, in particular many of my coverdisks. Therefore if
any one has ANY ST coverdisks, could they archive them, and send them to
me, as well as any PD what so ever. In particular I'm interested in some
of the old ST User Cover Disks.
A complete PD list will be done by Next edition of this Diskzine. All PD
featured in this list will be available to anyone free of charge, but you
must pay the postage, and supply the disk. Of course you will be able to
send for PD and receive it with the diskzine, if you wish, but having
said that the PD library will be a separate venture, and therefore
anything can be ordered at any time and sent back as soon as I deal with
the order.
Cheers Nik <iCTARi>
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I C T A R I M E M B E R S P R O F I L E
Name : Nick J. Bates
Aka : iCTARi, Nik
E-Mail : S11735@uk.ac.plym.pa
NICKB@uk.ac.plym.sc
Study : Computer Studies
Uni : University of Plymouth
Hardware: Atari 1040 STe upgraded to 4 Mbytes
2nd Disk drive
Philips CM8833-II Colour Monitor
Atari SM124 Mono Monitor
Star LC24-200 Mono Printer
Golden Image Scanner
Master Sound ST Sampler (Thanks Kev)
A Decent Mouse, and numerous Joysticks, inc Footpedals
Software: Way too much to mention here
List to follow <soon>
Likes : Sid Meiers Excellent Games, Civilization, Railroad Tycoon, etc
All Strategic Games, Flight Simulators, RPG's
All time best games = Dungeon Master, Sensible Soccer
All time best films = Terminator 2 and Aliens.
All time best books = Magician, and all Riftwar Books.
Best Software Publishers = Microprose, Psygnosis
Beating Nigel at Sensible Soccer
Computer Programming of course.
Sistes of Mercy, Mission, Cure, Dead can Dance, Neph
Dire Straits, Cure, Midnight Oil, U2, Simple Minds.
Cure, Cure and more Cure.
Hates : Crappy Ocean Arcade Conversions.
Not being able to program sound and graphics.
Alien 3
Being beaten by Nigel at kick off 2
Rap and Rave music.
Not being able to afford a Falcon or a Hard Disk <Sob>
Not being able to use Dialogue Boxes correctly. HELP ME SOMEONE
Home
address: 17 Elliott Close
Forches Estate
Barnstaple
North Devon
EX32 8EW
NB: 2 mins walk from the official STOS Club in Whiddon Valley
Uni
address: 3 Bernice Close
Lipson Estate
Plymouth
Devon
PL4 7HL
Progs : Basic, including STOS and GFA
C
Very little machine code (Still Learning)
Other Languages as part of my course, insignificant to mention
Done : Personal Accountant pre-release version 1 - See iCTARi Disk #1.
Arcade Pontoon Game - couple hours work <GRIN>
Elite type text game - original corrupted, lost for good <SOB>
Various other little things
Doing: Re-writing Personal Accoutant in GEM and C.
Need help with Dialogue Boxes.
Football Manager Game like the original and unbeatable Football
Manager on the old 8 bits.
Business Accountant - Business version of Personal Accountant.
Statistics Program.
Random Dungeon Adventure Game.
Numerous little crappy things.
Cant Do: Graphics, Sounds or Samples <Sob><Sob> anyone help?
- Thats why all of the above is GEM, and Text only.
Program anything decent in 68k - hmm still learning.
Still struggling with Professional GEM - particularly DIALOGUES
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Name : Ian D Hancock
Aka : Morf (on Monochrome and on Whip in Iowa)
E-Mail : I.D.Hancock
: Please DON'T put me on any junk mailing lists - thanks.
Study : Computer Science
Uni : Salford University (near Manchester if you wondered)
Systems : Monochrome at City (Morf)
Whip at Iowa USA (Morf) <How do you get on that? ED>
Hardware: 1040 STE , now 4 Mb
Colour Monitor.
(Also access to a 4 Mb Mega STE with mono monitor.)
Stereo Master sampler, Daatascan 200 dpi hand-scanner.
Likes : Sensible Soccer, Kick Off II, Captive (recently
completed mission 1 - finally), most Dungeon Master
style games - but doesn't play em much anymore.
The CURE a lot !!!! also PWEI,Neds Atomic Dustbin,
Leve11ers,Sugar,Mega City 4,Ministry,NIN,New Order.....
The Falcon - and wants one very much !! <Who doesnt? ED>
Uni
address: I.D. Hancock
D23 Davy Hall,
Oaklands Halls,
Oaklands Road,
Salford.
M7 OPX (please use E-mail to check if I'm there. Final
term here is 9 weeks duration).
Prog : Lattice C (Version 5) <Lucky you! ED>
Hisoft C (Interpreted) - now free on a magazine !!!
^ If you want to learn a bit of C, I recommend you get
this. I learned on it - then forked out #90 for Lattice
Incidentally Lattice C 5 is EXCELLENT. A total development
package, it's got an excellent debugger (Machine code)
and even a 680x0 assembler for simple objects.
Some machine code (usually linked with C object code)
Can program a bit in STOS and GFA Basic.
Done : A Sample sound sequencer program which I sent to ST Review
- they haven't replied yet (I sent it start of 2nd term !!)
A blockbusters game (average) for my A-level project.
<Send it to me then! ED>
Left
undone : Bits and bobs to do with STE sample sound.
A spectrum tape sampler which converts to ST Speccy
emulator format. Using Stereo Master sample cart.
- it almost worked, I got one game converted but it took
- 1/2 a week to do, with lots of fiddling.
Doing : Trying to write a 2 player beat-em-up like barbarian.
- Because barb. doesn't work on my STE. A lot of learning
- to do though first :-)
<Barb not work on my STE *8-( ED>
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Name:
James Roskell (-NOT- Jim, -OR- Jamie)
Alias:
The WIZ!, the_wiz (use former wherever possible)
E-Mail:
COM240155 @ UK.AC.BOLTON.BASIL (COM234114 too, but approx 15 mins
slower!)
Snail-Mail:
James Roskell
The Britannia Inn
Penny Bridge
Nr. Ulverston
Cumbria. LA12-7RJ
Date of Birth:
28th January 1971 (Aged 22 years, to save you working it out)
Aquarian
Marital Status:
Still looking.....
Studying/Life at the moment:
BTEC Higher National Diploma in Computer Studies
Resitting Commercial Programming Methodology Module flunked last year.
Two days a week, Thurs & Fris (explains why E-mail replies so sluggish)
<Second that, ED!>
Rejoining 2nd year full time from September.
Working as part-time Computer Consultant/Salesman in Kendal Tues-Wed
Sat - Mon (& Hols) Fly Hot Air Balloons, weather permitting.
Brief History:
Born & bred in Poulton-le-Fylde, nr Blackpool, Lancashire.
First used computer when 7 years old, Uncles Sharp MZ-80K, got hooked.
Built own ZX81 from Maplins Kit when 10. Still regular Maplins client.
Sold doorwedge and bought Tandy TRS-80, Model 1, 16K. Still got it, if
anyones interested. Also bought/sold Speccy/CBM 64
Bought Amstrad PCW8512 while still at secondary school to do homework
and 'O' level projects on. Still got, 3 inch CF2 disks still cost a
*#@+$& fortune.
Left school with 5 'O' Levels and studied for BTEC Ordinary National
Diploma in Computer Studies at Blackpool & The Fylde College. Left after
6 months because the course was underfunded and the staff went on strike.
Joined the Fylde Coast ITeC on a YTS scheme, studying for C&G in Advanced
MicroElectronics and BTEC Ordinary National Certificate in Computer
Studies one day a week at The Preston College. Bought Atari 520STFM out
of wages. 6 months later taken on as YTS Sound Engineer on 6 week trail
at the Wave Communication Group, a small broadcast video production
company.
Spotted Amiga in corner one day not doing anything. Showed boss what
could be done with it. Taken on full time as Computer Systems Manager.
Worked 5 days a week, designing and expanding system to 4 Amiga network,
with large hard drives and linked to over 250,000 pounds worth of
broadcast video equipment. I was in charge of the lot. (hehe!)
Completed BTEC OND, with Merit.
Produced computer animations and graphics for broadcast video and music
for soundtracks. Clients included ICI, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Rotary
International, Yorkshire Tourist Board. Bought lots of synth gear with
wages.
After two and half years recession hit and the company hit financial
trouble.
Left with decent golden handshake, shortly before it folded.
Decided to go back to college to gain further qualifications, and so
studied for BTEC Higher National Diploma in Computer Studies at Bolton
Institute of Higher Education, which brings you virtually up to date.
Parents had by then moved to small country pub in Lake District, so with
little money, moved in with them. Commute the 3 hour round trip to
Bolton- Ulverston by train.
Upgraded ST to current status using golden handshake and grant.
Got interested in ballooning through one of pubs locals, Simon Hepworth,
commercial balloon pilot who used to fly for Richard Branson Virgin
balloon company. He'd recently moved from Oz, and with no luck in
finding a 'proper' job decided to set up his own company.
Equipment (ST related) to date:
Atari 520 STFM
Self Upgraded to 2.5Mb RAM (6 hour solder job!)
Power Slimline (ICD) 40Mb Hard Drive, with clock
External Cumana Drive
Supra 2400 Modem (WIZ! BBS opening soon, Ictari SIG, watch this
space....)
<I'm Watching, ED>
Panasonic KXP-1123 24 pin printer
Keyboard Equipment:
Cheetah MKS 5V Mother Keyboard
Roland S10 Sampling Keyboard
Yamaha PSS-680 FM Synth (old & tacky, but great bass sounds!)
Roland MT32 Sound Module
Evolution EVS1 Sound Module
Kawai K4 Sound Module
Yamaha EMT-10 Piano Module <WOW, MEGA MIDI SETUP, ED>
Software:
Calligrapher Pro Gold
Cubase v3.0
Sequencer One
Lattice C v5.5 <one Jealous ED>
GFA Basic v2.0 (& compiler)
Deluxe Paint ST (not -half- as good as the Ami version, but not bad)
Michtron BBS v3.0
STAC <Laugh, sure you dont want me to edit this out, <GRIN>, ED>
STOS
3DCK v1.1 (v2.0 is 'not very good')
Every STF disk to date and one or two ST/Ami F Disks too <read personals,
ED>
About 90% of all ST User disks
Too much PD stuff to mention (most grabbed from Lancs Hensa/Goodmans PDL)
<tell me about it, ED>
Other bits of note:
-EVERY- issue of New Computer Express from 39 till its sad demise
Likes:
Microprose F1 Grand Prix, Lemmings, Adventures (but -not- a great gamer)
Cindy Crawford, Enrika Eneliak (ex-baywatch), Kate Bellingham
(Tomorrows World)
Nigel Mansell, Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost (regular Silverstoner)
Radio 1 FM, Simon Mayo, Steve Wright, Pete Tong
Jean-Michel Jarre, Jan Hammer, Enya, Underground Techno (-NOT- 2
unlimited!)
Burger King, Dominos Pizzas, Kentucky, junk food in general
Kim, my 5 year old golden retriever (animal lover) <ED pats Kim>
Dislikes:
Oceans Film Licence Games (different GFX, same game, still @#*&) <Well
Said, ED>
Carmel in Coronation Street (one sick bitch) <Who?, What?, ED>
Ayrton Senna, John Major, Norman Lamont
ILR DJ's who wibble inanely about nothing, Danny Baker <ARRGH NOT HIM,
ED>
99% of all cover versions (altho Rolfs was a good'un), commercial rave
most 'untuneful screaming' heavy metal
Most green veg, overcooked oven chips, onions
People who think its 'fun' to set two dogs on each other for money
Current programming projects (in C):
Weather analysis program, for monitoring weather for balloon
WIZ!-Mag, disk-zine shell for Ictari Disk (still in planning stage)
<STILL!, ED>
Ambitions:
To run own Computer Consultancy firm; designing, supplying, installing
and providing technical support for small business systems.
To buy own Hot Air Balloon (about 20,000)
To buy a Falcon
To buy either a Yamaha SY85 or a GEM S3 synth
To buy a new car (anyone want a W reg VW Polo in 'nearly' working order?)
<Hmm, Buy, Buy, Buy, Buy, ED>
Daft bit:
Does anyone have a solution for Lancelot? <Is that a game?, ED>
ED: Dafter Bit - Trust that old confused wizard to write his personal in
a completely different format to everyone else. Typical, and he sent me
a whole disk full of contribs, and has the cheek to appologise for it
not being much. Hmm, Keep up the good work. <iCTARi>
E N D O F S E C T I O N
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