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GenieLamp Apple II - Vol.5, Issue 53
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~ WELCOME TO GENIELAMP APPLE II! ~
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ FILE MECHANIC: New Files From Old ~
~ REFRACTIONS: The Dispoable Computer ~
~ PD_QUICKVIEW: Beagle Basic ~
~ HOT NEWS, HOT FILES, HOT MESSAGES ~
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GenieLamp Apple II ~ A T/TalkNET Publication ~ Vol.5, Issue 53
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Publisher................................................John F. Peters
Editor...................................................Douglas Cuff
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>>> WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE APPLE II ROUNDTABLE? <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ August 1, 1996 ~
FROM MY DESKTOP ......... [FRM] FROM MY MAILBOX ......... [MAI]
Notes From The Editor. Letters To The Editor.
HEY MISTER POSTMAN ...... [HEY] HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM]
Is That A Letter For Me? Parody: Print Some Fonts.
REFRACTIONS ............. [RFR] PD_QUICKVIEW ............ [PDQ]
The Disposable Computer. Beagle Basic.
FILE BANDWAGON .......... [BAN] FILE MECHANIC ........... [MEC]
Top 10 Files for June. Gillian's Bunny Game.
LOG OFF ................. [LOG]
GenieLamp Information.
[IDX]""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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Genie Fun & Games.
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//////////////////////////////////////// Genie_QWIK_QUOTE ////
/ What may interest a few trivia buffs is that the Skunk /
/ Works also has at least one tenuous connection to the /
/ Apple II. It's the inspiration for the name of the /
/ Byte Works. :) /
///////////////////////////////////////////// BYTEWORKS ////
[EOA]
[FRM]//////////////////////////////
FROM MY DESKTOP /
/////////////////////////////////
Notes From The Editor
"""""""""""""""""""""
by Douglas Cuff
[EDITOR.A2]
The news from KansasFest is the most exciting news I've heard in
years. Apple is now beta-testing GuS, an Apple IIgs emulator (in software)
designed to run on Power Macintosh computers. You'll read plenty about
that in this month's HEY MISTER POSTMAN.
It would be plenty exciting if anyone announced software emulation of
the IIgs, but the mere idea that Apple themselves are involved makes my
eyes light up. Let's face it, folks, however much we might curse it
sometimes, Apple's meticulous works for us here. They'll make sure the
emulation follows the rules.
Just the announcement of GuS will mean a shift in the thinking of
those who program the Apple IIgs. Even I, who no one will ever call a
programmer, have made an adjustment or two.
Like many who discovered the Apple II in the early 1980s, I taught
myself BASIC using the Applesoft Tutorial manual from Apple, Beagle Bros
tip books, _Open-Apple_/_A2-Central_, and _Nibble_ magazine. Once I
discovered the various ID bytes that let you determine exactly which model
of Apple II your program is running on, I became determined to use them in
my own BASIC programs to do scrupulous checks of a user's hardware.
The problem was that there was no single ID byte for determining if
software was running on a IIgs. No official byte, that is. But while Val
Golding was working for _Softdisk_, he reported on a byte that programmers
could check. Golding issued a caution: "It is not officially recognized
by Apple and therefore may not be valid for future versions of the GS."
Yeah, right. I didn't let that worry me. I just made sure that the
byte was valid on ROM 0, ROM 1, and ROM 3 IIgs's. No one, especially
Apple, was ever going to put out a new IIgs. Or so I thought.
It looks now as though I'll have to change my few BASIC programs that
make use of this unofficial ID byte. It might just be valid under an
emulator, of course. But you can bet your boots that Apple's
officially-sanctioned method of check for a IIgs _will_ work on the
emulator. Which is good news for all of us.
[*][*][*]
Last month, I told you how close you came to losing me as editor of
GenieLamp A2. (Which I still think would have been a good thing for all
you readers.) This month, I can tell you how close you came to losing
GenieLamp A2, GenieLamp A2Pro, and all other versions of GenieLamp.
As of mid-July, Genie closed a bunch of low-traffic RoundTables.
Among them was DigiPub, the gathering place for all of us who publish,
edit, and write for the various GenieLamps. (The problem was that it
wasn't much more than a gathering place for GenieLamp staff.) Thanks to
our publisher, John Peters, GenieLamp was saved at pretty much the last
minute.
As a result, none of us is sure what the future holds for GenieLamp.
It doesn't seem likely that it will stay exactly the way it was, but I
can't even guess what changes are coming.
As far as I know, GenieLamp A2 is the only version of GenieLamp
publishing this month. I'm publishing with John Peters' blessing, but very
little more... certainly there aren't any GenieLamp facilities any more.
This month, GenieLamp A2 is not _practically_ a one-person operation; it
_is_ a one-person operation. I suppose this means that even if the
GenieLamp structure folds, I can keep putting out some sort of magazine for
Genie's A2 RoundTable, whether it's called GenieLamp A2 or something else.
Now that I've soothed any fears, I have to announce that the
September issue of GenieLamp A2 is going to be late. I'm actually getting
a summer vacation this year, for the first time in at least five years. I
won't be back until September 1, which is the day the September issue is
due. Well, even if I _could_ put together an issue in less than 24 hours,
I don't intend to try, so you'll have to resign yourselves to a late issue.
I am hoping that by the time the next issue is due, we'll all know
what the future holds for GenieLamp A2, and that I'll have joined my
brother and sister GenieLamp editors in producing to a more regular
schedule.
See you sometime around the middle of September, I hope.
-- Doug Cuff
Genie Mail: EDITOR.A2 Internet: editor.a2@genie.com
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[EOA]
[MAI]//////////////////////////////
FROM MY MAILBOX /
/////////////////////////////////
Letters To The Editor
"""""""""""""""""""""
NINJAFORCE PROMISES NEW GAME You might have heard that we are busy
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" working on a new game for the IIgs. The
game is based on the popular Bomberman, an arcade classic which is
considered one of the best multi-player games of all time by many serious
game players around the world. Since its initial release in 1983,
Bomberman got converted for many computer and video game platforms,
excluding the Apple II. And since we have always been fans of the game, we
had the idea of making a GS adaption that would feature the same addictive
game-play. It will be a fast action-paced arcade game for up to four
players simultaneously! A screenshot has been uploaded onto Genie and
comp.sys.apple2. In case you were not able to pick a copy of it, please
let us know and we'll get one to you.
Greetings from Germany,
Jesse Blue & Clue / Ninjaforce
ug0a@rz.uni-karlsruhe.de
WANTED: APPLE II BBSES OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA My name is Doede Boomsma,
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" and you may know me of Dark
Castle Magazine. But I am not going to promote this well-running magazine
now. No, I'm going to tell something about Apple II BBSes. Maybe you are
interested, maybe you aren't.
More than two years ago I dialed a BBS in America. It was called
Computist BBS, and it still exists. I fell in love with the BBS software,
and wondered if it ran on an Apple II. After asking the sysop (Andy-C), he
confirmed that it ran on his Apple IIgs.
Since I wanted to start a BBS, I asked if I could get a copy of his
BBS software. So he sent me two disks with the software, and I was happy.
[lots of things happened]
And I'm still happy with the software. There have been updates and
fixes, and it even runs better now. We have internet email, usenet groups,
local conferences and networked conferences. And of course huge file
transfer sections.
The software that my BBS and those who are connected through the
network, is METAL/FutureVision 4.1. This software is great!
But unfortunately, a lot of Apple II BBS's have gone down, and
besides mine, there is only one other METAL/FV BBS in Europe. It is run by
Magnus Ericson, and his BBS is called Aug-Sweden.
Hereby I would like to ask other people in Europe, but also in
America and Australia, New Zealand, and other countries, to join the group.
This is THE way to get in touch with other Apple II users in the world if
you can't afford an Internet or Genie account.
For more information you can email me at
dark_dude@darkcastle.ecore.fnet.org, and I can send you a complete and
smoothly running system if you want. Or you can ftp it from the support
site.
Come on, and join the group. It is really worth it! You, as a
sysop, will help a lot of other Apple II users in your country or region.
Wanted systems: Belgium, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Finland,
France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Austria and maybe even more in
the eastern part of Europe.
Mail now, and ask for the software or ftp site address. It's all
free, even the Internet mail and usenet feeds!
On behalf of the whole crew,
-= Doede =- a.k.a. Dark Dude.
Dark_Dude@darkcastle.ecore.fnet.org
[EOA]
[HEY]//////////////////////////////
HEY MISTER POSTMAN /
/////////////////////////////////
Is That A Letter For Me?
""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Douglas Cuff
[EDITOR.A2]
o BULLETIN BOARD HOT SPOTS
o A2 POT-POURRI
o HOT TOPICS
o WHAT'S NEW
o THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
o MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT
>>> BULLETIN BOARD HOT SPOTS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
[*] CAT 5, TOP 14 ......... GuS, the Apple IIgs emulator!
[*] CAT 13, TOP 17 ......... IIe 2.0.1 for Mac
[*] CAT 44, TOP 8 ......... KansasFest 1996 reports and summaries
>>> A2 POT-POURRI <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""
HARTLEY SHAREWARE PROGRAMS NOW FREEWARE Computer Keyboarding 5 is now
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" freeware.
Scavenger Hunt, World Edition, is now freeware.
Scavenger Hunt USA is now freeware.
Scavenger Hunt USA, Junior Edition, is now freeware.
The freeware editions of these programs have been uploaded to the
library, and are now available. If you previously downloaded one of these
and didn't pay the shareware fee to get the passwords, you will need to
download these new editions.
For Computer Keyboarding 5, if you have a 3.5 drive or hard drive,
then download file #27484. If you are using a 5.25 disk drive, then
download files #27485 and #27486.
Scavenger Hunt, World Edition, is file #27487.
Scavenger Hunt USA is file #27488.
Scavenger Hunt USA, Junior Edition, is file #27489.
You may be wondering why I am making these commercial grade programs
available as freeware. The answer is simple. I have not received a
shareware payment, or had any new orders for any of these programs in quite
some time. It seems fairly clear that there are few, if any, folks who are
willing to spend money on these programs now.
Yet, I am reasonably certain that there are lots of folks who would
enjoy and benefit from these programs if they had them.
So, here they are. Enjoy them. Share them with your kids. Make
copies and take them to schools that still have Apple II computers. Spread
them far and wide. That way, you will make me and others happy.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the many many people who
paid their shareware fees, and purchased the programs from me. I am indeed
grateful for your support.
Before I conclude this message, one thing needs to be said. I know
that some will wonder if this means that I'm leaving the Apple II. The
answer is NO.
Charlie Hartley
(A2.CHARLIE, CAT13, TOP8, MSG:90/M645;1)
SECOND SIGHT PROGRAMS Just got hold of two new (or updated )programs for
""""""""""""""""""""" the SS. View DL 2.0 has been upgraded to use the
SS in color. Another called FLIccs (something like that) lets you look at
FLIs in full color with the SS. Pretty neat.
Andy
(L.MIDDLETON3, CAT20, TOP14, MSG:114/M645;1)
CHINOOK SCSI UTILITIES RELEASED Today I received the following letter in
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" the mail:
Chuck Newby
Attn: Software Licensing :)
9081 Hadley Place
San Diego, CA 92126-1523
Dear Chuck,
Please consider this letter as authorization from me to freely
distribute the program Chinook SCSI Utilities to anyone who has an interest
or a need. I believe that I own the software rights to that program. I
even have the source code (in Merlin) and if anyone has an interest in
that, I'd be glad to send hem a copy. I do not wish to receive any money
associated with this. I consider any APple II programs that I have written
over the years to be in the public domain at this time. This would include
any rights hat I may have to the No Slot Clock program, the Business Card
Clock program, Print Using & Friends, and any other programs you maay find
written by me. Many of these I have uploaded to GEnie in my name. You may
charge a small amount to cover your costs in connection with this
distribution if you wish to. Best of Luck to you.
Thanks.
Sincerly,
[signed]
Craig Peterson
2434 Hill Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
NOTE: In the Chinook SCSI Utilities Manual, it is noted that the
copyright to the software is in the name of Craig Peterson, while the
manual is in the copyrighted name of Chinook Technologies.
As to the No-Slot-Clock software, latest version, Craig Peterson may
not have copyright, but if the company, SMT is no longer in business, and
the software cannot be used by other than the No-Slot-Clock anyway, then
Craig probably has the right to release its use.........
Chuck Newby
Charlie's AppleSeeds
(A2.CHUCK, CAT7, TOP2, MSG:117/M645;1)
>>>>> Good news, Chuck! :) And yes, I would like to see the source code
""""" uploaded to A2Pro and available for download. Can you track that
down for us? If you wish, I can write Craig a letter instead. Let me
know.
Joat
(A2.TIM, CAT7, TOP2, MSG:119/M645;1)
JUICED.GS NEWSLETTER TO CONTINUE While at Kfest '96 last week, I made an
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" anouncement that I would now like to
share with everyone in the A2 RT ....
Juiced.GS will definitely be published in 1997!!!
It's been a great year so far, and there are big plans for future
issues. The support and encouragement I've received from the Apple II
community has been awesome, and I hope to keep this publication going
strong for a long, long time.
More info about the 1997 subscription drive will be forthcoming in a
few weeks.
I am pleased to tell you all that, thanks to the Kfest '96 Vendors
Fair, Juiced.GS has burst over the 200 mark (202 to be exact) in
subscribers!
Thank you all!!!
Apple II Forever ...
Max Jones
Juiced.GS
(M.JONES145, CAT13, TOP43, MSG:202/M645;1)
>>> HOT TOPICS <<<
""""""""""""""""""
KANSASFEST REPORTS I guess I get to make the first KFest report, which
"""""""""""""""""" only seems appropriate since I arrived here first, and
I'm the "Big Cheese".
The weather is warm, but doesn't seem too muggy -- yet. (Which must
mean the humidity isn't too bad.) I heard that it's supposed to be near
100 before the week is over. :)
I checked in with Avila, and they are ready for us!!!
If you arrive during the afternoon on Wednesday, you should just go
directly to Marian Centre to get your room assignment and key. If you
arrive during the 7:30 - 10:00 hours, you might want to stop at KC
Masterpiece (Metcalf and I-435) first, and then go get settled in your
room. There will be signs on the doors at Avila telling you who to contact
for late check-in.
Marian Centre and Ridgway Dorm are on the north side of the campus.
If you are going south on Wornall, turn left on 118th, and then take the
SECOND right into the parking lot, and you will see Marian Centre, and
Carondelet (sp) dorm. Ridgway is a little farther back.
Just remember to bring cool and casual clothes, and plan on getting
minimal sleep.
See yu'all tomorrow!!!
Cindy (aka Big Cheese)
(CINDY.A, CAT44, TOP6, MSG:1/M645;1)
>>>>> K.C. Masterpiece was very good last night
"""""
Today I attended Will Nelken's session on AppleWorks/Macros, which
was very enlightning, and might even inspire me to write a few macros of my
own. Then I went to Ewen and Dave Hecker's Specrum session, and learned a
bit about scripting and works in progress.
Lunch. College cafeteria fare, but I don't think anyone was
complaining about starvation.
After lunch GraphicWriter III with Richard Bennett & Dave Hecker,
where we learned more about the new features and some planned for the
future. I then went to the robotics session with Erick Wagner & Mike
Westerfield, and learned that there is more to learn than can be done in an
hour and a half. Mike's robots provided a lot of entertainment. Eric
covered the basics and sources.
It's almost time for supper, with the Keynote Address and couple more
sessions to follow. I actually slept well the first night, but tonight is
"Bite the Bag" night, with Pizza paid for by Roger Wagner, even though he
was unable to be here.
Carl Knoblock - Telephone Tech
From KFest '96 - Avila
(C.KNOBLOCK, CAT44, TOP6, MSG:7/M645;1)
>>>>> The pizza was fine, but the fire drill delayed consumption a few
""""" minutes, coming as it did just after they arrived. Bite the Bag
was postponed until Fri nite, because too many people decided to go out to
see Independence Day instead on Thur nite.
Dr. Stephen Buggie arrived tonight, late, and my Roommate, David
Stephens went to the airport to pick him up. We then each bought one of
his power supplies, and chatted a while, so here it is, almost 3 am, and
I'm typping this final report for Thursday. More tomorrow.
Carl Knoblock - Telephone Tech
From KFest '96 - Avila
(C.KNOBLOCK, CAT44, TOP6, MSG:14/M645;1)
>>>>> Well, Gary's speech is worth waiting a few minutes for. It may be
""""" longer due to the major thunderstorm arriveing just now. I'm
getting off before the power fails and going to watch Bite the bad
postponed from last night. More about my day and the roast later.
Later - The storm came close enough to give us a spectacular
lightning show, but no rain, and no power problems. I shut down without
sending the previous after two unsucessful attempts to call. Scott
Johnson, last years runner up, won the Bite the Bag contest, which I missed
seeing because I was watching the natural fireworks. I guess that means I
HAVE to buy the tape.
After breakfast, I went to the Apple Presents session and watched
QuickTime movies, then went to Dr. Stephen Buggie's Disk ][ and Apple
diagnostics session. He briefly described all the many dignostic programs
for disk testing, adjustment and repair that have been introduced over the
years.
After lunch, I went to the Desktop Publishing and the IIGS session,
presented by Juiced GS publisher Max Jones. He brought a sample of his day
job work, as well talking about layout and design in desktop publishing.
The next session was Tony Diaz with The Portable GS. He showed and
amazing array of disk drives that have been designed for Apples over the
years. Many were prototypes that never made it to market. At the same
time, Doug Pendleton and Dave Ciotti were next door, working on monitor
repair. I wandered back and forth, getting some of both.
Then it was Banquet time, followed by a roast of Joe Kohn. Buy the
video. ;) After that, it was time for the Bite the Bag and watching the
Olympic opening cerimonies. And the aformentioned storm watching.
Carl Knoblock - Telephone Tech
From KFest '96 - Avila
(C.KNOBLOCK, CAT44, TOP6, MSG:16/M645;1)
>>>>> Where did I leave off? Saturday morning, I chose sleep over
""""" breakfast. The Vendor Fair was fairly busy, and I got a few
things. Will Nelken's books, Quick Clic Morph from Mike Westerfield, a new
SCSI system cable from Doug Pendleton, The Spectrum 2.1 upgrade from
SevenHills, the Script Central set from Joe Kohn, a subscription to The
AppleWorks Gazette, and the three back issues from Howard Katz. Then lunch
in the cafeteria, my last meal there. Afternoon was product introductions.
There was an update to ProTerm Mac, some games and other stuff from Joe
Kohn, and the stunning introduction of Gus. Except for Gus, I spent most
of that time packing and loading everything into the van. At various times
during the day, there were goodbys as people departed for various reasons.
Most of those who were left at 7 pm went to Jess & Jims for Supper. Since
I was leaving from home from there, I limited myself to a 14 oz. fillet.
There were several larger cuts available.
The drive home was somewhat eventful. As I drove north on I-435,
there was a constant lightning show going on ahead of me. As I turned east
toward the airport and I-29, I drove into the rain. It was heavy enough
for me to slow down, and when I was nearly blinded by lightning, I stopped
under the next bridge, a wide one with a generous shoulder on the road. I
waited there for about half an hour, not only for the rain, but also for
the lightning to let up. When you get a flash-bang just as fast as you can
say it, it's too close. I stopped for gas when I got past the I-35
turnoff, and by then I was out of the rain, for the moment. After that, I
had light rain and drizzle on and off for much of the way home. I stopped
for a snack at the second Missouri rest stop, and stopped for a nap at the
Iowa rest stop. I got home about 3, unloaded with some help from my son
who was still up, unpacked my suitcase and got ready for bed. By then it
was 4 am, but I set my alarm for 11:30, planning to go to church. When the
alarm went off, I changed my mind and went back to sleep until 4 pm.
I put my system back together, using my new power supply from Dr.
Stephen Buggie. Everything seems to be working OK.
Carl Knoblock - Telephone Tech
Back From KFest '96 - Avila
(C.KNOBLOCK, CAT44, TOP6, MSG:21/M645;1)
>>>>> This was my second trip to Kfest, and remarkably enough, I seem to
""""" have survived quite well. Kfest is the premier event in the Apple
II world, and this years conference was no exception.
I arrived at Avila a little bit after noon, and wandered into the
Marian Center to register. The first person I saw was Cindy Adams, who,
true to form, came up to me and said "You're five minutes late!" Thwap!
Made me feel right at home, she did. After registrating, and getting my
room key, and my Kfest T-shirt, I walked over to the dorm, found my room,
and got my stuff squared away. I walked back over to the Center, and saw
Richard Bennett, Dave Ciotti and son, Erick Wagner, and Max Jones wander
in. (I keep using the word wander. That's what you do at Avila, you
wander around, meeting people and laughing your head off).
There was a new identification system in place. We all had to wear
blue wristbands to identify ourselves as guests of Avila. This was not a
big problem for me, though it did seem like we were all hospital patients.
Wednesday evening, everyone who was there by then went over to
K.C.Masterpiece. The food was good, though slightly overpriced to my
thinking. Heading back to the dorm, we wandered around, visiting each
other and looking at computers and just generally settling in.
The next morning, after breakfast, the sessions started. My first
session was 'Soldering - Which end is Hot', given by BINARY.BEAR, Dave
Ciotti. I had done some soldering in the past, but Dave went though all
the tricks that you can use to solder like a pro. I found out things that
I never realised before, so for me it was a very informative session.
Next up was '(All About) Spectrum'. Even though I don't have that
program, I was curious enough to try to find out more about it. It was a
very interesting presentation. So interesting, that later in the week I
bought a copy. :)
After lunch, It was 'GraphicWriter III', another excellent session.
After that, I attended David Kerwood's 'NETSCAPE - HOW TO' session. This
proved to be informative and useful for me, and I picked up a lot of tips
and tricks to get around. Nice job, David.
Thursday night was supposed to be BITE THE BAG night, but was
postponed to the next night, since most all the contestants went to the
movies. So, Pizza was bought and delivered (courtesy of Roger Wagner and
Mike Westerfield) and just as we were about to chow down on the pizza, the
Avila folks decided to hold a fire drill. Fun, huh? I grabbed what was
important, my pizza, and went outside. After a good laugh was held by all,
we went back inside. The rest of the evening and night were taken up doing
the usual visiting, playing on computers, and more.
Oh yes, I forgot. Gary Utter gave a keynote speech which I hope will
be uplaoded here on A2. It was inspiring to hear, and I was very impressed
by it. The word 'Community' was mentioned a lot. Very nice, Gary. And,
later, 'Wolfenstein 3D' was demoed. I understand it will be finally
released in a month or so. It is going to be a blast. Literally. :)
Friday, after breakfast, Kurt Ackman of Apple Computer demo'ed some
stuff that Apple Computer is working on. It was very informative, and we
were gentle with him. :) After that session, I attended the Publisher's
and Writers Forum, hosted by Ryan Suenaga. Howard Katz, Max Jones, and Joe
Kohn were on the panel. They each explained what their publications were
about, and why they were involved. To say the least, I was very impressed
with these gentlemen. (Yes, even you, Howard). If you have a chance, do
subscribe to their respective publications. They each fill a unique area
of the Apple II world, and are not to be missed.
After Lunch, I attended Brian Gillespie's HyperCard session. He
demo'd Quarknet, a hypercard offline processor for Genie. And much more,
too. Check it out, it's really nice. I was then going to attempt to
attend Charlie Hartley's HTML session, but got sidetracked, and was unable
to attend it all. But, I got the handout, and that should help a lot.
Maybe.
Next up was the roast of Joe Kohn. Poor Joe. He sure does have
some good friends. Steve Disbrow was master of ceremonies, and as usual,
Steve keeps the evening flowing. Sometimes, it's a river, sometimes its a
dry stream, but he really TRIES, you know? Anyway, Will Nelken, David
Kerwood, Tim Kellers, and Bill Heineman (BURGER.BILL) got up and told
stories about Joe. Very interesting stories. One thing I did glean from
what they said, is that Joe's Worldwide Headquarter's needs a janitor REAL
bad. :) It was a good time, and over much too quickly.
Later friday, back at the dorm, it was wonder around and visit again.
I did this, for a while, and being not too brilliant sometimes, had me a
few brews. I distinctly remember being in Ryan's room, visiting, and the
next thing I remember is waking up in my bed. I have no clue as to what
happened. Weird. But, Kfest is like that, there is so much going on, so
many people to visit, its hard to remember all.
Unfortunately, I had to cut my attendance a bit short and had to
leave Saturday. I did get to the vendor fair, and promptly spent all my
money. Had just enough to buy gas for the trip home. But, I was able to
get some really neat things, and it was all worth the trip. Well worth it.
There were new product announcements, unfortuately, I was unable to
see them. I did get a preview of GUS, which I think is just wonderful.
Well, that's my point of view. :) How 'bout you?
APPLE II FOREVER...NOW, MORE THAN EVER
(CAPTAIN.RON, CAT44, TOP6, MSG:23/M645;1)
>>>>> A lot of neat things happened during Kfest '96, but here's my top
""""" ten favorite moments of the festival.
10. Tim Kellers top ten list during the Joe Kohn Roast. (Perhaps it
will be uploaded here one of these days. Hope so!)
9. The "Cheesehead" presentation to Kfest Big Cheese Cindy Adams.
8. Huddling with Richard Bennett and Dave Hecker about possible
feature additions in the next version of GWIII 2.0
7. Steve Disbrow's creative way of waking up an unnamed Kfest
attendee who dozed off during one of the afternoon sessions. (I HAVE A
QUESTION!!!!!!!)
6. Listening to Greg Templeman explain (or attempt to explain) the
inner workings of his soon-to-be released GS movie player at 3 o'clock IN
THE MORNING. :) I don't know what he was talking about, but it was fun
seeing him try to get through to a non-techie type like me. He was even
drawing imaginary pictures on my door in an effort to make things clear.
(Programmers ... gotta love 'em!)
5. The rather indelicate (but hilarious) manner in which Tony Diaz
arranged two of Mike Westerfield's robots so that they chased each other in
a circle around a table. Describing this scene further would be too crude,
but suffice it to say that you've never seen a mouse and a dinosaur behave
in this fashion before. :-)
4. Sheppy's demo of Wolfenstein 3D, during which he announced that
the program would go into open beta testing on Genie in a few weeks, and
that the long-awaited game would eventually be released as freeware!!
3. Ewen Wannop's compelling presentation about the Spectrum 2.1
upgrade and his work in creating a new off-line message handler inside
Spectrum itself. When the message reader is finished, it will certainly be
worth a "Crock 'O Gold" :-)
2. Gary Utter's keynote address. Truly inspiring. A special moment
of Kfest '96!!
1a. The announcement that dates had been reserved at Avila College
for Kfest '97!!!!!!!!!!
1. The inaugural public showing of Gus, the IIGS emulator that will
run on the Power Mac. David Kerwood and Cindy Adams arranged this special
showing by working closely with Apple developer Andy Nicholas. The
unveiling of "Gus" was certainly the defining moment of Kfest '96.
OK, those are are my highlights. I'd love to hear others ....
Max
(M.JONES145, CAT44, TOP6, MSG:25/M645;1)
<<<<< Well, I'm home, somewhat rested, caught up on most of the laundry
""""" my family saved for me, restocked the refrigerator, etc, so now I
have a few minutes to post here. KFest was great!!!!! I have no
hesitation in offering to organize next year's. Now would be a good time
to write the dates on your calendar ---- July 30 - August 3, 1997. Those
are the Wednesday to Sunday dates that we have the dorm reserved. The
Conference itself will be July 31 - August 2.
I have to start out by thanking Tim Kellers, who I talked into
helping by saying he "only had to take the money", and Steve Gozdziewski
who did a fantastic job on getting all the sessions organized. They both
did a wonderful job, and made my job very easy. I was able to catch them
at the height of their sleep-deprivation period, and they agreed to help
next year. THANKS guys!
As would be expected, there were a few minor glitches and problems.
But certainly nothing we couldn't over come. It is the people there that
really make KFest the wonderful event that it is. I know I'm still in awe
of meeting some of the big names of the Apple II world.
Getting to be part of the Gus demo was certainly a thrill for me.
(read my post in the Gus topic) Hanging out in the halls after hours,
seeing other people's computer set up, trying to get the frisbee throwers
to calm down, learning more about desktop publishing, finding out how
better to use Netscape, etc, etc, are just a few of the things that will be
a part of this year's wonderful experience. Isn't it 1997 _YET_? :)
I also have to thank everyone that was there, just for being there.
And especially thanks to the presenters for giving KFest some credibility,
so that it wasn't just one big party. :) And of course, how could I forget
to mention the presentation of the Cheesehead hat that Greg Betzel sent.
I can hardly wait until next year! Start planning on it now!!!
Cindy (The KFest Big Cheese)
(CINDY.A, CAT44, TOP6, MSG:35/M645;1)
>>>>> As I'm almost recovered from Kansasfest, I thought I'd try and give
""""" a capsule of it.
The biggest hit of the show was GuS, no question about it. Even if
it was more of a surprise for some of us than others. :)
New product intros that might've been dwarfed by GuS:
EGO Systems and Shareware Solutions II premiering Script Central and
Stack Central/Studio City on CD Rom (Thanks guys! And yes, Joe, I did buy
them! :)
Spectrum 2.1, which feels more like Spectrum 3.0.
UltraMax from Will Nelken and Marin Macroworks.
Other show highlights:
Juiced.GS and Appleworks Gazette being there, along with old faithful
Shareware Solutions II.
The roast of Joe Kohn by David Kerwood, Tim Kellers, Steve Disbrow,
Burger Bill Heineman, and Will Nelken.
Everyone still staying up all night!
Roger Wagner Publishing buying pizza for Bite The Bag even when he
wasn't there, and Mike Westerfield for fronting the money :)
Burger Bill hacking non existant code for Tony Diaz's non existant
hardware.
Cindy Adams being crowned the Big Cheese.
Thanks to Cindy, Steve, and Tim for putting this together!
Apple II Forever! KFest Forever!
Ryan M. Suenaga, M.S.W.
Social Worker by Day, Apple II geek by night, KFester in July!
ANSITerm and CoPilot v2.55
(R.SUENAGA1, CAT44, TOP8, MSG:410/M645;1)
GUS--APPLE IIGS EMULATOR Today, at KansasFest '96, David Kerwood and
"""""""""""""""""""""""" Cindy Adams gave a presentation of GUS, an Apple
IIGS emulator for the Mac. GUS is a work in progress, and David and Cindy
are among it's beta testers. They were given permission by GUS's
developers to beginning discussing it.
Since I'm sure there will be considerable discussion about this
project, and other announcements will be forthcoming, this topic is being
opened to handle that discussion.
Charlie
(A2.CHARLIE, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:1/M645;1)
>>>>> Ah. Some more info. Right now Gus will not run on a 64k Mac.
""""" Andy has gone on record as saying that they hope to make a version
that will run on both PowerPCs and regular Macs, but right now the
PowerPC-equipped Mac or Mac clone is the only machine it will run on. I've
tested Gus on a PowerMac 8100/100 AV, the PowerBook 5300, and on a Mac IIsi
with a Daystar PPC card (100 MHz). Gus works fine on all three, and is
downright ripping on the 8100. Just as fast, if not faster, than my 11.5
MHz IIgs at the house.
This message was written and formatted on CoPilot v2.5.5, running on
Gus. The resulting a2.trt file was then exported to the Mac, where it was
posted via ProTERM Mac. If this gives anyone any ideas. :) Gus also
supports dragging and dropping of text from the Mac to itself, which the
latest version of CoPilot Mac supports as well. Gus does not allow for
dragging and dropping of text from Gus to the Mac, which you would expect,
but the IIgs clipboard can be exported to the Mac clipboard well enough.
David K. - Divemaster, A2 Abyss RTC, every Sat nite at 11:00 pm Eastern
(D.KERWOOD, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:11/M645;1)
>>>>> > Does GUS run on a 68040 Mac
"""""
Right now, it only runs on a Power Mac.
In the near (or not so near future) Gus will be available to download
from Apple's FTP site. You can then test it out for yourself. Watch here
for more information when it is released. (Also the web pages that have
been mentioned before.)
Cindy
(CINDY.A, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:42/M645;1)
>>> WHAT'S NEW <<<
""""""""""""""""""
ULTRAMAX APPLEWORKS ADD-ONS
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
__________________________________________
| \______________________________________/ |
| | | |
| | UltraMax | |
| | (a new set of AppleWorks add-ons) | |
| | | |
| /______________________________________\ |
__________________________________________
Marin MacroWorks is pleased to offer UltraMax, another collection of
seventeen (17) TimeOut add-on utilities. They include:
Age Detective -- Want to know just how old you (or someone you love)
are today? Ask Age Detective, for an immediate readout of years,
months, weeks, and days.
BatchFiler -- Process multiple desktop files at once. Save them, print
them, and/or remove them.
Beep Tester -- Experiment with the sounds of the <.Beep> command.
BlockBlanker -- Blank a block of text in a word processor document.
BlockCopy -- Copy a block of columnar text (not limited to full lines)
in a word processor document to another area of the same document.
Calendar Now -- Display a perpetual calendar, by the month, with any
date from January 1, 1582 to December 31, 9999.
Context Help -- Display a Solid-Apple keystroke command helpscreen,
according to the context (module) from which you call it. Shows the
default macro set for AppleWorks 5. Can be modified with TimeOut
HelpScreens.
DBX Printer -- Prints to a file an extended record (all data base
categories, PLUS the linked AWP helpfile data).
DJBookletMaker -- Print an AWP in booklet format (portrait or
landscape), automatically arranging the page order.
Hyphenator -- Auotmatic or interactive hyphenation for the word
processor.
IWBookletMaker -- Print an AWP in booklet format, automatically
arranging the page order.
IW Printer Utilities -- Display a menu of common ImageWriter printing
procedures (Quick Print, Print a Screen Block, Date a Hardcopy, Form
Feed, Line Feed, Printer Reset).
Just-In-Case -- Manage the case of an entire document: all upper case,
all lower case, capitalize every sentence, or capitalize every word.
Make FilePath -- Makes the current path the "original path" for an
existing (not new) file.
RestorePath -- Just a keystroke away from restoring the Standard Data
Path in AppleWorks.
Text Sorter -- Sort selected lines of text in a word processor file
alphabetically.
World Clock -- Disply the current time in twenty-four time zones.
Each program's function is documented, with screen shots, where
applicable, in AppleWorks files on the disk.
UltraMax is available in two versions: one for AppleWorks 4 and one
for AppleWorks 5. You must specify, when ordering, if you want the
AppleWorks 4 version.
UltraMax costs $12.95, postpaid.
Outside North America, please add $3.00 per order (up to 5 disks) for
airmail delivery.
To order, please send prepayment (check or money order in U.S. funds)
to:
Marin MacroWorks
1675 Grand Avenue, Suite 1
San Rafael, CA 94901-2211
USA
To contact by phone, please call (415) 459-0845
By FAX: (415) 459-4273
By Email: w.nelken1@genie.com
|
-(+)-
|
|
...Will (Cat 13, Top 11)
(W.NELKEN1, CAT13, TOP11, MSG:175/M645;1)
SPECTRUM VERSION 2.1 I (Dave Hecker of Seven Hills) had a great time at
"""""""""""""""""""" KansasFest. It was nice to see past acquaintances,
meet new friends, and FINALLY meet Ewen Wannop and Richard Bennett! :)
Everyone should plan NOW to attend next year!
At KansasFest we released "Spectrum Version 2.1 Update" on two 3.5"
disks, with no printed documentation. Word has already spread and we're
being asked, "Can I order it now???" The answer is YES! However, because
the printed documentation is not finished yet, and I won't be in town for
the next two weeks, your order can't ship until I return (see below for
shipping schedule).
In addition to numerous improvements and fixes, we have (of course)
included several new features. Here are a few of the changes between
version 2.0 and version 2.1:
+ Many new and enhanced XCMDs are included, giving scripts even more power.
+ File transfer settings have been split into two dialogs so separate send
and receive folders can be specified.
+ Includes great new !Help! NDA that we'll soon be releasing as freeware!
+ Supports new "menu item help" feature.
+ XCMDs can now customize Spectrum's menus...
+ The Kermit XCMD provides Kermit file transfer ability, and it integrates
right into Spectrum's Send and Receive menus, and into its File Transfer
menu!
+ Supports MacBinary wrappers to transfer files that have a resource fork.
+ Several new scripting commands and replacement items, including Make
CaseChange, Store Screen, Trigger strings, and others.
+ More!
You can order now with a Visa/Mastercard/Discover card & expiration
date via email or by phone (904-575-0566) or mail a check/money order to:
Seven Hills Software, 2310 Oxford Road, Tallahassee, FL 32304.
PLANNED
SPECTRUM ITEM SHIP DATE COST
=================== ========= ====
v2.0-=>v2.1 upgrade August 9 $25
v1.0-=>v2.1 upgrade August 16 $30
New/Full v2.1 August 16 $65 <=- SPECIAL PRICE UNTIL 8/31 !!!
U.S.: Add 7% tax if in Florida. Add $3.50 shipping and handling. Outside
U.S.: Add $3.50 s&h for either upgrade; $5.00 for full version.
Thanks for your continued support, and I hope to see you at next
year's KansasFest!*
--Dave
*Alternate version for David Kerwood: Thanks, --Dave
(SEVENHILLS, CAT43, TOP15, MSG:297/M645;1)
CHECKWORKS FOR APPLEWORKS 5 Shareware Solutions II, in association with
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Dan Crutcher, is pleased to announce the
release of CheckWorks 5, a complete and sophisticated Apple II based
checking account program that works as a TimeOut module from within
AppleWorks v5.x.
With CheckWorks 5, users of AppleWorks v5 will be able to write and
print checks, maintain a checkbook register, show current balances, and
reconcile checking accounts without ever having to leave the friendly,
familiar and integrated environment of AppleWorks Classic.
Noted AppleWorks expert Dan Crutcher originally released CheckWorks 3
as a shareware program for use with AppleWorks v3 (enhanced with
UltraMacros 4). After AppleWorks v4 was released by Quality Computers,
CheckWorks 4 was enhanced, updated and released by Quality as a commercial
add-on program for use with AppleWorks v4.
At the current time, the complete CheckWorks package, available
exclusively from Shareware Solutions II, includes the previously released
CheckWorks 3 and CheckWorks 4, as well as CheckWorks 5. No matter which
version of AppleWorks you use, CheckWorks can help you organize and keep
track of your checking accounts.
The complete CheckWorks package is available from Shareware Solutions
II for only $20, plus $3 additional for postage to anywhere in the world.
Additionally, low cost upgrades are now available to owners of older
versions of CheckWorks. Those who use CheckWorks 3 for AppleWorks 3 can
upgrade to CheckWorks 4/5 for only $10, plus $3 additional for postage to
anywhere in the world. Those who currently use CheckWorks 4 with
AppleWorks 4 can upgrade to CheckWorks 5, for use with AppleWorks v5, for
only $5 with no additional postage required.
To receive the special upgrade pricing, you must return your original
disk to Shareware Solutions II for verification. That disk will be
returned to you.
CheckWorks 4 and 5 will work with AppleWorks v4 and v5 with no
additional add-ons necessary. CheckWorks 3, for use with AppleWorks v3,
does require UltraMacros 4. UltraMacros 4 may be purchased from Quality
Computers.
To order CheckWorks, make a check or money order payable to Joe Kohn,
in US Funds only, and send it to:
Joe Kohn
Shareware Solutions II
166 Alpine St
San Rafael, CA 94901-1008
USA
(JOE.KOHN, CAT28, TOP4, MSG:129/M645;1)
COMPLETE STACK-CENTRAL/STUDIO CITY AND SCRIPT-CENTRAL ON CD I guess I
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" dropped some
hints before KansasFest about some new CD-ROMs from Shareware Solutions II.
They were introduced at Kfest, and actually went on sale at Kfest.
As you know, Shareware Solutions II has been distributing the 2
hypermedia collections that had originally been published by
Resource-Central (ICON). Those collection....Stack-Central (aka Studio
City) is a HyperStudio based collection, and Script-Central is a HyperCard
IIGS based collection.
It is those 2 collections that are now available on CD-ROM.
Each CD-ROM disk contains a single HFS partition, and each collection
is presented in 2 different formats. One format contains disk images as
they were originally shipped on 3.5" disk. The second format is where the
disks have been uncompressed and installed on the CD-ROM, all set to run.
The HyperStudio collection represents 30 (2 disk) issues of Studio
City, and that is still for sale, on 3.5" disk, for $120 plus $6 shipping
and handling for US delivery (or $20 anywhere else). The cost of the CD
collection is $110, with no additional shipping and handling.
The HyperCard collection represents 22 (2 disk) issues of
Script-Central, and that is still for sale, on 3.5" disk, for $99 plus $6
for shipping and handling for US delivery (or $10 to Canada/Mexico or $20
anywhere else). The cost of the CD collection is $89, with no additional
shipping and handling.
To order either collection (on CD-ROM or on 3.5" disk), send a
check/money order in US Funds to:
Joe Kohn
166 Alpine St
San Rafael, CA 94901-1008
USA
All CD-ROMs are shipped in a jewel case.
There are Sampler Disks of both collections available for downloading
from the Genie library.
(JOE.KOHN, CAT28, TOP4, MSG:132/M645;1)
>>> THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
REBIRTH OF A2-CENTRAL? Bizarre, cryptic, and mysterious mode engaged:
""""""""""""""""""""""
Is there room in the Apple II community for another paper based
publication, with a very A2-Centralish content (lead story, news, reader
questions)?
Bizarre, cryptic, and mysterious mode disengaged.
Ryan M. Suenaga, M.S.W.
Social Worker by Day, Apple II geek by night, KFester in July!
ANSITerm and CoPilot v2.55
(R.SUENAGA1, CAT2, TOP3, MSG:232/M645;1)
SPELLING CHECKER IN A DESK ACCESSORY? Well, let me try to answer a few
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" questions, and offer a few
speculations. Before I go too far, though, keep in mind that I'll be here
sporadically this month. I leave for HyperFest tomorrow, and can only
cound on 48 hours at a modem for the next 3 weeks.
The current spelling checker has these features:
* 45,000+ word dictionary, with a 100,000+ word version comming soon
* supports user dictionaries
* makes sure words that are supposed to start with an uppercase
letter really do (e.g. Washington)
* Insists on an uppercase letter after punctuation marks that
traditionally end a sentence ('.', ':', '!', '?'); this can be
disabled
* Insists on proper spacing around punctuation marks; e.g. makes
sure there is no space before a comma and exactly one after; this
can also be disabled
* Supports words with extended characters, like resume (with an
accent)
* Optionally allows you to skip words with all uppercase letters or
words with letters and numbers (e.g. NDA, 3rd)
* provides suggestions for unknown words when asked
* knows what a number is (e.g., knows that 1e4 and 3.14159 are
numbers, not errors)
Things it doesn't do:
* Allow user editing of the main dictionary (you can edit the user
dictionary)
* Allow selecting from multiple main dictionaries (but this is a
user interface issue. It could be changed on the Apple IIGS)
* Allow storing the dictionary in a user-selectable spot (but again,
this is easy enough to change)
* Support Canadian/British/Australian spelling (but I'm willing to
create international versions. Make that eager.)
As for the interface, there are a variety of things I can think of to
do on the Apple IIgs. Doing all of them is too much for a short project,
but I'd be interested in your preferences:
* A command-line version for the ORCA shell. This one would know
about Rez files and source file rules, and would check, say, a C
source file, intellegently checking strings and comments, and
perhaps identifiers, but not bugging you about "printf" all the
time.
* A desktop program that could check a variety of file formats as a
post-processor. This would work with ASCII files, and perhaps a
few other formats.
* A background checker that looks at the keyboard. I'm not sure how
well this would work in practice, but in theory it could warn you
about errors in anything, but it would be up to you to fix them
yourself in some situations. This needs thought, but would be fun.
:)
* What I thought you were looking for: An NDA/CDA that would be
available to check spelling. This could definitely check the
spelling of anything in the Scram Manager's text scrap. That means
it would work with pretty much any desktop program, but you would
have to select the text, copy it, then invoke the spelling checker,
and paste the result back into the application. I could probably
futz with TextEdit based applciations to check spelling in the
currently active TextEdit buffer, but this might not work as well
as you would think in all programs, since they have access to the
text edit data structures--and some programs make use of that
access in ways that might cause a spelling checker serious
problems.
Besides allowing for the fact that I won't be around for timely
responses, I want you to keep in mind that I'm thinking out loud. Nothing
here should be interpreted--for now anyway--as anything more that
discussing some interresting possibilities. I'm not (yet) commiting to any
products.
Mike Westerfield
(BYTEWORKS, CAT45, TOP3, MSG:191/M645;1)
TURBO ASB ON A CABLE Just read on the net this past week that Lightning
"""""""""""""""""""" Systems is working on a "cable-version" of the Turbo
ASB for Power Users who can't afford to lose an extra slot. Sounds good to
me!
Andy
(L.MIDDLETON3, CAT12, TOP39, MSG:37/M645;1)
>>> MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
Category 5, Topic 14
Message 9 Mon Jul 22, 1996
D.KERWOOD [Semper Gumby] at 17:03 EDT
A few words about Gus, and more to follow...
The demo of Gus at KansasFest '96 this past Saturday went off as
planned, and for that we are very much in Apple's debt. And specifically
thanks has to go to Andy Nicholas, Dave Lyons, and Jim Murphy for their
work, and to Andy for allowing us to proceed with the demo. Also, as I
thought it would be, Gus was the hit of the show. Literally. It was
pretty near a SRO crowd in the AV room at Avila, at what turned out to be
the last official event of the week's activities. The reaction of the
audience when Gus booted up in the monitor had to be seen to be
appreciated. Open-mouthed and dumbstruck would be putting it into a fair
perspective. Rumors of the upcoming demo had been flying fast and furious
all week, and a few had thought that what was going to be displayed was the
"Fast Eddie" IIgs emulator from Bright Software. The sheer delight of the
audience on actually seeing Gus was real, and working (mostly) was
something to behold. :)
This demo was a huge success, IN SPITE OF one individual taking it
upon himself to do an informal demo of Gus to a few individuals in the
cafeteria on Wednesday afternoon. As a result, he received the
richly-deserved disgust of many at KansasFest.
Naturally, as you might expect, the questions were coming in before I
even had a chance to shut my mouth. The biggest one was "When?" My stock
reply to everyone (I must've been asked this several dozen times during the
evening) was to have patience. When Gus is available for download the
location will be announced on the Gus Information Home Page that I had
previously prepared at http://users.ids.net/~kerwood/gus.html. The page
has an automatic email registration 'bot that would send an email message
when I had posted a location for downloading Gus from you. I will also put
up an additional (albeit identical) Gus Information Home Page on Cindy's
server, and the address for that will be
http://www.primenet.com/~adams/gus.html.
The demo itself went fine. Putting Gus through its paces was a piece
of cake, and Gus handled everything just fine. There were a few glitches,
such as when Gus bombed on Cindy's machine (we were running Gus on two
PowerBooks) while attempting to load up a game that accessed the Ensoniq
chip (I think that's what happened). One very interesting tidbit that I
had told after the demo was that the people who were developing the latest
update to one other highly regarded IIgs desktop application used Gus to
compile the program. They needed the speed. :)
Gus has several parts that are
incomplete. Some of the biggest were
Gus's inability to successfully emulate the Ensoniq chip, the total
incompatibility between Seven Hills' Hierarchic and Gus, and an awkward
interface between the Mac and the IIgs clipboard. Everyone agreed however
that the single biggest thing that needs to be implemented on the next
version of Gus is the ability to access the serial port on a Mac.
AppleTalk and printing aside, this is the only thing that really stands in
the way of having a truly portable IIgs that can do telecommunications,
which is highly desired in the Apple II world.
As to the status of the NDAs that the Gus testers have signed, I am
waiting for some clarification from Apple on that. As soon as I find out,
I'll let you know (you know who you are :)
So, in short, the Gus Demo was a huge success, as far as I was
concerned. For that, and speaking for the organizers and participants in
KansasFest '96, we are very grateful to the Gus development team for their
efforts, and for their cooperation and understanding in allowing us to
proceed last week.
+---------------------------------------------------------+
| David R. Kerwood Naval Undersea Warfare Center |
| Technical Publications & NUWC Webmaster Newport, RI |
| Apple II & PowerPC Roundtables and Promotions on Genie |
| A2 Real Time Conference Host every Sat nite @ 11:00 pm |
| WWW: http://users.ids.net/~kerwood |
| Com: (401)841-6781 Fax: (401)841-6778 |
| Email: d.kerwood@genie.com _OR_ daddy@ids.net |
| For Navy business - email: kerwood@am.npt.nuwc.navy.mil|
+---------------------------------------------------------+
[*][*][*]
While on Genie, do you spend most of your time downloading files?
If so, you may be missing out some excellent information in the Bulletin
Board area. The messages listed above only scratch the surface of
what's available and waiting for you in the bulletin board area.
If you are serious about your Apple II, the GenieLamp staff strongly
urge you to give the bulletin board area a try. There are literally
thousands of messages posted from people like you from all over the
world.
[EOA]
[HUM]//////////////////////////////
HUMOR ONLINE /
/////////////////////////////////
An Apple II Parody
""""""""""""""""""
by Steven Weyhich
[104024.432@compuserve.com]
>>> PRINT SOME FONTS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""
Copyright 1995 by Steven Weyhrich
(104024.432@compuserve.com)
(to the tune of "At The Hop" by Danny and the Juniors)
You can bold it, you can style it
You can even outline it
With a font
You can shadow, you can plain it
You can always underline it
With a font
Join the print sensation
That's sweeping the nation
With a font
Let's go print some fonts
Let's go print some fonts
(oh bay-bee)
Let's go print some fonts
Let's go print some fonts
Come
on
Let's go print some fonts!
[EOA]
[RFR]//////////////////////////////
REFRACTIONS /
/////////////////////////////////
The Computing Industry
""""""""""""""""""""""
by David C. Marriott
[D.MARRIOTT]
>>> THE DISPOSABLE COMPUTER <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
I saw an interview on television with Bill Gates a few months ago, in
which Gates began with the observation that he expected the average
computer user to buy a new computer every three years. I know that there
are many people in the computer industry who will agree with that
observation, and who will argue that it is justified, given the advances
that are being made in computer hardware.
However, it seems to me that the _needs_ of computer users,
especially home users, are not changing that fast. Most of us still use
our computers for the same things that we used them for ten years ago: word
processing, playing games, and visiting other computers online.
Admittedly, the games on the market have more sophisticated graphics, and
"going online" now means cruising the Internet, not just visiting a local
BBS, but basically, the things we use our home computers for haven't
changed dramatically. The Apple II can do all those things. You don't
need 16 megabytes of memory and a 133 mHz processor to write a letter to
your mother, or play a few hands of solitaire.
We shouldn't be too surprised that the computer industry has adopted
that attitude; it means that the public has to keep buying more and more
computers. After all, Apple and other hardware manufacturers are in the
business of selling new computers. Unfortunately, many software
manufacturers have also accepted the dictum. More and more computer owners
are finding that the computers they bought two or three years ago won't run
the software that's on the market today, without upgrading the memory, the
processor speed, or the operating system. I learned this lesson through
personal experience. I bought a Macintosh LCII in 1993. I've had to add
memory to it twice in the last three years, just to keep up with the
current standards required by the software. Even so, I find there is a
growing body of Macintosh software that my three-year-old computer can't
use.
What is surprising is that the computer-buying public has largely
accepted this three-year rule. Everyday, the classifieds are full of ads
for almost new computers, being sold by owners who feel the need to
upgrade. Why are we so willing to accept such a short period of useful
life from our computers? We certainly wouldn't accept such obsolescence
from any other appliance. How would you react if you were buying a stereo,
and the salesman told you that it wouldn't be able to play any new CDs or
tapes in three years? What would you think if the man at the furniture
store told you that you'd have to replace your new refrigerator every few
years? Would you buy a car that didn't offer a three-year warranty? Why
then do we accept the notion that a computer, which is probably the most
expensive single appliance in our home, should have a shelf life of only
three years?
That's why Apple has seemed so hostile to those of us who still own
Apple IIs. They want to sell us new machines, and we're still using the
ones they sold us five or ten or fifteen years ago. In 1983, Apple
unveiled the slogan "Apple II Forever"; now, the people at Apple Inc. seem
to find the longevity of their original computer is a source of
embarrassment, even annoyance.
Indeed, this may be where the average Apple II owner differs from
other computer enthusiasts. We have been looking for ways to make our
machines do more for us, instead of looking to replace them. Surprisingly,
against all odds, we are succeeding. In the past year, we've seen new
morphing and facsimile programs published for the Apple II. AppleWorks,
and popular desktop publishing programs like Graphicwriter III continue to
improve. Shareware has flourished, filling the vacuum left by commercial
publishers. Apple II home pages and ftp sites populate the Internet, and
we may even see a graphical web browser for the IIgs in the next few
months.
The computer industry is not the first to adopt the philosophy that a
product should be replaced every three years. In the 1950s and 60s, the
American automobile industry had much the same approach. The wealthy
bought the latest model every three years, and those with less money were
expected to snap up the used cars discarded by those who could afford new
ones. That attitude fostered another unfortunate view in the industry,
that it really wasn't necessary to build a car with quality or durability,
since the original owner wouldn't keep it, anyway. As a result, the
American automobile industry's reputation for workmanship dropped
dramatically in the late 60s and 70s. We all know what happened then. The
Japanese auto manufacturers saw a need, and rushed to fill it. By the
1980s, American car manufacturers were asking their government to put
import restrictions on Japanese cars, to allow them to recover the market
they had lost. For a complete history of the rise of the Japanese
automobile industry, and the corresponding decline of the American
automobile industry, read _The Reckoning_ by David Halberstam. He makes
the point that an industry cannot trade indefinitely on a product that is
not built to last.
Could the same thing happen in the computer industry? Probably not.
As noted above, the rapid development of new technology in the computer
field offers some justification for the attitude that computers should be
regularly replaced, apart from the greed of the computer manufacturers.
But I can't help but feel that the first computer manufacturer who promises
to build "the computer that you'll still be using five (or ten or fifteen)
years" will find a very receptive market. Wouldn't it be ironic if that
manufacturer turned out to be Apple?
[EOA]
[PDQ]//////////////////////////////
PD_QUICKVIEW /
/////////////////////////////////
Yours For The Asking
""""""""""""""""""""
by Douglas Cuff
[EDITOR.A2]
Program Name: Beagle Basic
Filename: BGL.BASIC.BXY and B.BASIC.DOX.BXY
Program Number: 11522 and 15857
File Size: 105,840 and 20,096 bytes
Program Type: programming language
Author: Mark Simonsen, Beagle Bros Micro Software Inc.
File Type: Freeware (license required for commerical use)
FROM THE PUBLISHER Beagle Basic is a set of programs that let you enhance
"""""""""""""""""" Applesoft and use new commands and features in your
programs. It also lets you rename standard commands and error messages,
for whatever reason you might have. Beagle Basic gets around Applesoft's
"permanency" by moving it from ROM into RAM (Random-Access Memory) or
changeable memory.
[*][*][*]
. __
(^) <^> /~ ~\
\-=======_/"\_======-/ \)
PD_Q RATING "\. 1 ./"
""""""""""" "\._ _ _./"
. __ (_____) . __
(^) <^> /~ ~\ (^) <^> /~ ~\
\-=======_/"\_======-/ \) \-=======_/"\_======-/ \)
"\. 2 ./" "\. 3 ./"
"\._ _ _./" "\._ _ _./"
(_____) (_____)
THREE LAMPS (1-5)
PD_Q COMMENTS There was a time when being an Apple II owner meant being
""""""""""""" an Apple II programmer, and when most Apple II programmers
were BASIC programmers. Programming wasn't a vocation, it was a hobby and
a diversion. I hope this explains why this file appears in the A2
RoundTable instead of the A2Pro RoundTable, and why this article is
appearing in GenieLamp A2 and not GenieLamp A2Pro.
In the 1980s, improving on Applesoft BASIC was a small cottage
industry. Beagle Basic, Blankenship Basic, the Roger Wagner Publishing
Toolbox series, Micol BASIC, AmperWorks, ZBasic, and ProBASIC were all
available. And that's not even touching on the Applesoft BASIC compilers
or the IIgs BASICs.
Beagle Basic was a fairly early entry in the field--it was designed
for the original Apple II and Apple II+ with 64K, and updated for the IIe
and IIc. It wasn't really possible to update Beagle Basic _fully_ for:
o the 80-column screen;
o the Apple IIgs; nor
o ProDOS;
but many commands were translated to ProDOS (any Apple II, including the
IIgs) by means of the & function.
By copying Applesoft to RAM, Beagle Basic made certain changes
possible:
o rename commands and error messages (CLEAR to WIPE, FORMULA TOO
COMPLEX to I'M CONFUSED);
o new commands and functions (ELSE, SWAP, TONE, HSCRN);
o enhancements to old functions (GOTO, GOSUB, LIST);
o named functions replacing awkward POKEs and CALLs; and
o goodies (better cursor, better beep);
Beagle Basic also included a bonus utility that let you create your
text screens using an editor and then automatically turned the screen into
BASIC code.
Beagle Basic is one of the few Beagle Bros disk archives that has a
separate documentation file (#15857, B.BASIC.DOX.BXY). Anyone who wants to
learn how to use Beagle Basic should also download and read that file.
What features are not covered by the documentation will be touched on in
this article.
TECHNICAL STUFF Beagle Basic is an archive of a DOS 3.3 diskette. You
""""""""""""""" must unpack the archive to a blank (or expendable) 5.25"
diskette. You can't unpack it to your ProDOS hard drive or RAM disk.
Beagle Basic requires 64K of memory. Anyone with an Apple IIe, IIc
or IIgs has at least this much memory. It is intended for use with the
40-column screen, and does not fully support 80 columns.
RENAMING COMMANDS Why would you want to rename Applesoft commands? You
""""""""""""""""" might want to change the names of commands to terms
you're more familiar with--GOSUB to JSR, GOTO to JMP, HOME to CLS. You
might choose commands that make sense only to you so that other won't be
able to understand your programs. In their advertisments, Beagle Bros
suggested that you might want to translate BASIC:
10 POUR X = 10 A 20
20 ECRIVEZ X;"BONJOUR"
30 ENSUITE: FIN
This can be misleading. You have a maximum number of bytes to put
all your commands in. If you change FOR to POUR, you're adding a letter,
so you have to make another command one letter shorter. In our example,.
this is accomplished in changing TO to A. (I'm not sure what using A as a
reserved word does to programs that use the variable A, nor even to
programs that use AT.) Changing END to FIN can be done with no loss of
space, but changing PRINT to ECRIVEZ and NEXT to ENSUITE means that you
have to subtract 5 letters from other commands. Given the abbreviated
nature of many of Applesoft's commands (DIM, GR, POS, REM), that's quite a
task. Translating BASIC from English to French isn't as easy as the sample
makes it appear.
In fact, while changing the names of Applesoft commands and functions
might sound neat in theory, in practice it's not such a thrill unless
you're the sort of person who thinks mugs with names printed on them make
neat personalized gifts. If you like customizing your programming
environment, this feature of Beagle Basic will make you coo, but otherwise,
it can leave you cold.
RENAMING ERROR MESSAGES Much the same is true of customizing Applesoft
""""""""""""""""""""""" error messages. An amusing novelty, but very
little more. You're limited here because "SYNTAX ERROR" is actually two
messages, "SYNTAX", plus the "ERROR" message that follows all Applesoft
errors. With only the 6 letters of "SYNTAX" to work with, it's hard to
turn "SYNTAX ERROR" into something more comprehensible to a beginner.
Interestingly, the Beagle Bros DOS Boss disk, which offered the
ability to change the name of DOS commands and error messages, should have
been as frivolous, but wasn't. Changing "CATALOG" to "CAT", "C", or "MENU"
was actually fairly useful. Perhaps this was because early Apple IIers
typed DOS commands in immediate mode significantly more often than they
typed BASIC commands in immediate mode.
NEW FUNCTIONS Here we have the meat of the Beagle Basic package--it added
""""""""""""" new commands to Applesoft. It made room for new commands
by eliminating old ones... specifically, old ones that almost no one
used--the cassette commands. Once disk drives became widely available,
their benefits were so obvious and exerted such a pull that loading
programs from and saving data to tape became an arcane rite. So Beagle
captured SHLOAD, RECALL, STORE, LOAD, SAVE and other cassette commands and
replaced them with ELSE, SWAP, TONE and others.
It's important to note that the LOAD and SAVE pre-empted by Beagle
Basic are the Applesoft commands, not the commands of the same name used by
the disk operating system! It's vital to be clear about this. Beagle
Basic also takes other Applesoft commands for which there DOS
counterparts--PR# and IN#. This seems a drastic step at first, but one has
to remember that it was still possible to boot a disk with PR#6, because
the DOS PR# command was still there. While there's nothing wrong with
this:
10 PR# 3: PRINT "80 COLUMNS"
it's more usual to see that line expressed like this:
10 PRINT CHR$ (4);"PR#3": PRINT "80 COLUMNS"
In the former example, Applesoft is turning on the 80-column card. In the
latter, DOS is handling the task.
Finally, Beagle Basic optionally took the lo-res graphics commands as
well. (If you had a program that used lo-res graphics, you had to do
without a few minor enhancements.) In fact, all the enhancements could be
used or not used, as fitted your situation.
The new functions made available in Beagle Basic were:
ELSE This one command could almost justify the entire package. Many
'''' other BASICs have the ELSE command to supplement IF and THEN, for
the very good reason that such a command is useful! ELSE would be
indispensable for anything who wanted to convert a "generic" BASIC listing
to Applesoft. It's possible to do a poor simulation of ELSE with standard
Applesoft, but the simulation makes the flow of the code hard to follow.
SWAP This command exchanges the values of two variables. This can be
'''' done in Applesoft by bringing a third variable into use:
10 TEMP=X: X=Y: Y=TEMP
This workaround is a little less quick and a little less elegant... but not
much.
TONE This command or one very much like it seems to turn up in most
'''' Applesoft enhancements--for the very good reason that getting sound
out of an Apple II is not an easy task for a beginning BASIC programmer.
Well worth having.
HSCRN Lo-res graphics have a command called SCRN, which tells you the
''''' color of any given square on the graphics screen. HSCRN does
something very similar, except for the purposes of HSCRN, there are just
two hi-res colors, black and white. Still, this is enough for HSCRN to be
useful in detecting hi-res "collisions". Programming arcade games in BASIC
is hard enough, but Applesoft's lack of a HSCRN makes it worse.
SCRLDN A decidely useful text screen command that allows you to scroll
'''''' text to the bottom of the screen. (Scrolling up is not a problem.
Display your text and then add enough PRINT statements so that it scrolls
to the top.) I was amused to note that the Beagle Basic demo claims that
this is not normally possible in Applesoft, yet demonstrates the technique
despite the fact that the demo program does _not_ require Beagle Basic.
Suffice it to say that it's possible to get this effect without a SCRLDN
command, but that it's a lot of work.
TXT2 A command to let you use text page 2, which is normally inaccessible
'''' except through plenty of jiggery-pokery. As I wrote very
text-intensive programs, this would have been very useful to me if I had
been introduced to it early enough.
G2 Similar to TXT2, this lets you access page 2 of the lo-res graphics
'' screen. Not likely to be as useful, since lo-res graphics are now
considered the poor relatives of the Apple II graphic format family.
ENHANCED FUNCTIONS These are not new commands, but improvements in the
"""""""""""""""""" way that existing commands work.
GOTO and GOSUB Beagle Basic made two valuable contributions to the way
'''''''''''''' GOTO and GOSUB operate. First, it made it possible to
GOTO/GOSUB a variable, as in GOTO START or GOSUB KEYPRESS. This makes for
programs that are significantly easier to write and read--the logic is more
readily apparent. Second, it made it possible to GOTO/GOSUB an expression
such as GOSUB I * 100 or GOTO ((NAME$="GENIELAMP") * 10) + 100. Integer
BASIC used to let you do this, and it's nice to have it return.
LIST This command was not changed in terms of the parameters it can take,
'''' but in terms of its display. First, Beagle Basic REM statements can
appear in inverse. This technique of making remarks stand out is very
valuable, and was pretty generally adopted once Apple's 80-column cards
became widely available.
Second, Beagle Basic's listing can have any width and indentation the
programmer wishes. This means it's possible to have listing which stretch
right across to the 40th column (instead of stopping at column 33), which
in turn means that tracing over code is much easier.
Bell Beagle Basic also lets you change the tone that you hear whenever
'''' the standard control-G bell is heard. (Under ProDOS, this true for
the & BELL command only.)
ALIASES FOR FUNCTIONS People who programmed Applesoft BASIC eventually
""""""""""""""""""""" learned that there were "secret" routines built
into their Apple II that could be called from BASIC, but only if you knew
the code number. For example, under DOS 3.3, POKE 49384,0 starts the drive
motor, and POKE 49285,0 stops it. Beagle Bros were one of the great
crusaders in making this "secret" information generally available by means
of their Peeks, Pokes, and Pointers charts, issued free with every disk
they sold.
Still, some POKEs and CALLs were used so frequently that even looking
them up on the chart became a hassle. So Beagle Bros took a bunch of the
most popular commands and create English translations for them, which were
much easier to remember.
BELL CALL -198 rings the Apple's bell
(or PRINT CHR$(7))
SCRLUP CALL -912 scrolls screen up one line
(or PRINT)
CLRKEY POKE -16388, 0 clear keyboard buffer
CLLN CALL -868 clear text screen from cursor to right margin
CLDN CALL -958 clear text screen from cursor to bottom
CRSU CALL -998 move cursor up one line
CRSD CALL -922 move cursor down one line
CRSL CALL -1008 move cursor left one character
CRSR CALL -1036 move cursor right one character
MODE1 POKE -16304, 0 graphics display
MODE2 POKE -16303, 0 text display
MIX0 POKE -16302, 0 split-screen (graphics and text window)
MIX1 POKE -16301, 0 full-screen graphics (no text)
PAGE1 POKE -16300, 0 page 1
PAGE2 POKE -16299, 0 page 2
RESL1 POKE -16298, 0 lo-res graphics
RESL2 POKE -16297, 0 hi-res graphics
All these commands are a great convenience, but not more. They don't
add much to the value of Beagle Basic.
BONUS: TEXT SCREEN FORMATTER (This utility works independantly of Beagle
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Basic. Karl Bunker has written a similar
utility for ProDOS called SCLU, which works in a slightly different
fashion.)
Any utility that lets you type your text on the screen without having
to worry about how to code it is a godsend. The only caveat is that such a
utility doesn't always pick the most efficient method. If you have a
dividing line of equal signs, it's considerably more memory efficient to
use FOR LOOP = 1 TO 40: PRINT "=";: NEXT LOOP than it is to write PRINT
"=======================================".
Unfortunately, there is documentation on how to use either the 40- or
80-column version of this bonus utility. Fortunately, GenieLamp A2 is here
to save you the time and trouble:
To start either utility, you can either BRUN or BLOAD it, depending
on your preference. Even if you BRUN it, nothing will happen. You must
CALL 25000 to start the utility running. Be sure you are already in 40
columns if using the 40-column version; same for the 80-column version.
Once the utility has started, there are no instructions and there is
no help command, so keep this chart handy:
control-A or up-arrow move cursor up one line
control-Z or down-arrow move cursor down one line
right-arrow move cursor right one character
left-arrow move cursor left one character
control-E scroll text up one line
control-X scroll text down one line
control-S scroll text right one character
control-D scroll text left one character
control-I inverse text mode
control-N normal text mode
control-F flashing text mode (MouseText in 80 columns)
control-@ clear entire page
control-L clear to end of line
control-P clear to end of page
control-C center text
control-O (40-columns only) print ], ^, and @ characters
Escape (40-columns only) toggle upper and lower case
control-W framing window on/off
control-Q quit utility and translate screen layout into BASIC
If you'd like to continue working on a screen after you've RUN it,
you can begin again _without_ clearing the screen by typing CALL 25003
instead of CALL 25000. It might be best to make the last line in your
program CALL 25003.
The first time you press control-Q, this utility starts creating the
necessary program lines, starting at line number 10, and increasing the
line numbers by 10 for each line. The next time you CALL the utility, it
will start just beyond whatever line number you left off. (If your last
line number was 80, the first line number for the second try will be 90.)
If you'd like to change the starting line number and increment, assign
values to the variables START and INC--right from the command line; you
don't have to put them in a program--and use these POKEs:
POKE 25006, START - INT(START/256) * 256
POKE 25007, INT(START/256)
POLE 25008, INC
KEEPING UP TO DATE As mentioned, Beagle Basic was written for the
"""""""""""""""""" original Apple II and Apple II+, and is only 100%
compatible with those two machines. If you have an Apple IIe (either
enhanced or not) or an Apple IIc, then you can only have access to all
Beagle Basic features if you modify the Beagle programs slightly so that
they will fool your Apple IIe or IIc into thinking that it is an earlier
model Apple II.
If you do not want to fool your Apple II or IIc, then you will be
limited to altering the names of Applesoft commands and functions, and
Applesoft error messages. You cannot use the extra commands in your
programs.
You cannot fool your Apple IIgs into thinking it is an earlier model
Apple II, so it would seem at first glance that IIgs users cannot use any
part of Beagle Basic whatsoever. In fact, you can, but you have to make a
small memory sacrifice (1-2K) to do so.
Ampersand Disadvantages Beagle has provided ampersand versions of its
''''''''''''''''''''''' commands, both for DOS 3.3 and ProDOS. This is
slightly more awkward, especially in the case of the ELSE command, now the
& ELSE command. The old syntax was simple:
100 IF I < 1 THEN PRINT "a" : ELSE PRINT "some"
The new syntax requires you to use IF with THEN, as always, but & IF with &
ELSE. (There's no such thing as & THEN.) If you try to use IF with &
ELSE, it won't work. So use this:
100 & IF I < 1 THEN PRINT "a" : & ELSE PRINT "some"
not this:
100 IF I < 1 THEN PRINT "a" : & ELSE PRINT "some"
This means that you're going to have to keep your eyes peeled for the
correct syntax. Who needs hassles like that?
The syntax of the hi-res command has changed and is slightly more
awkward. PAGE1 has simple syntax; & PAGE (1) gives you one more change to
forget exactly the right way to type the command.
Two commands have disappeared from the ampersand version--TXT2 and G2
are gone.
With the original Beagle Basic, you could chose which new commands
you wanted active. Now, you must have all of them or nothing.
& LIST and & BELL now require complicated POKEs to make them work.
Since you can access these features directly, power users will like the
POKEs, but beginners will be intimidated and curse a lot, since it's one
more thing to look up.
Ampersand Advantages With original Beagle Basic, you originally had to
'''''''''''''''''''' choose one of three groups of four commands:
o CLLN, CLDN, SCRLUP, and BELL
o MODE, MIX, PAGE, and RESL
o CRSU, CRSD, CRSL, and CRSR
That is, if you had the hi-res commands (second group), then you had to do
without the cursor-move commands (third group). With the ampersand
versions, you can have all the commands.
There is one new command in the ampersand version: & RDKEY (A),
which compliments & CLRKEY.
It's now possible to use the 80-column screen with many of the
commands. Exception are & SCRLUP and & SCRLDN, which will crash if you try
to use them with the 80-column screen active, and & CRSU, & CRSD, & CRSL,
and & CRSR don't cause a crash, which is good, but they don't all work
properly either, which is bad. Give all these commands a miss in 80-column
mode.
& TONE and & HSCRN work okay, but they parse a bit oddly, since they
both contain BASIC-reserved words, TO and SCRN. This means that listings
will show & TO NE (25, 75) and & H SCRN (0, 0), which looks odd, to say the
least.
LEGAL STUFF Beagle Basic is one of a series of disk archives from the old
""""""""""" Beagle Bros catalogs. These disk used to be available
commercially, but circa 1991, Beagle made them available freely on three
understandings:
(1) despite the fact that they were free, Beagle still owned them;
(2) despite the fact that Beagle owned them, they didn't support them;
(3) despite the fact that you could own them for nothing, you had to
pay Beagle if you used them commercially (that is, made any money
from their free software)
Beagle wasn't happy about the idea of their freebie disks showing up
on bulletin boards and networks--Genie was an exception. (I know GenieLamp
A2 has lots of subscribers who don't subscribe to Genie, so I'll mention
this now: Please don't write me asking me to send you a copy of Beagle
Basic. I can't. If you come to Genie, you'll be able to download a copy.
If you can download a copy somewhere else, it's probably illegal.)
SUMMING UP There are times when I feel I shouldn't be making an overall
"""""""""" recommendation, and this is one of them. If you've read this
column, you should have the necessary information to determine if Beagle
Basic is right for you. I find that I can't make a general recommendation
for all Apple II computer users.
If you have an old Apple II with 64K and have no 80-column card and
don't mind using DOS 3.3 only, you can use all the features that Beagle
Basic promises.
If you have an Apple IIe or IIc, you can limit yourself to DOS 3.3
and customize BASIC to your heart's content. If you can also limit
yourself to 40-columns, you can also have extra commands without having to
mess with &. Or you can have the commands too, if you don't mind messing
with &, in either ProDOS or DOS 3.3.
If you have an Apple IIgs, then the only way you can use Beagle Basic
is by using either the DOS 3.3 or ProDOS ampersand package. Keep in mind
that most ampersand commands work with 80-columns, but there are a few that
don't.
The most valuable parts of Beagle Basic are five commands: ELSE,
SWAP, TONE, SCRLDN and HSCRN. The ability to use variable in GOTO and
GOSUB is also valuable. As a BASIC enhancer, Beagle Basic doesn't rate
particularly high, because of the features it misses out on--where are
WHILE/WEND and REPEAT/UNTIL loops? What about & MID$, which allows you
overwrite a portion of a string with another string? What about & SEARCH,
which searches for a substring within a string? What about & TIME and &
DATE? What about & ERASE for erasing and removing arrays? There are so
many possible improvements to Applesoft that could have been made. Beagle
Basic may have been innovative for its time, but by today's standards, it
seems just a little backward.
Still, if you're just beginning to learn BASIC programming, then you
may find that Beagle Basic will make life easier for you. If you been
looking for a way to use ELSE or HSCRN in your programs, you could do worse
than download Beagle Basic.
RATING SYSTEM
"""""""""""""
5 LAMPS.........What? You haven't downloaded this program YET?
4 LAMPS.........Innovative or feature rich, take a look!
3 LAMPS.........Good execution, stable program.
2 LAMPS.........Gets the job done.
1 LAMP..........A marginal download.
0 ..............GenieLamp Turkey Award!
[EOA]
[BAN]//////////////////////////////
FILE BANDWAGON /
/////////////////////////////////
Top 10 Files for June
"""""""""""""""""""""
by Douglas Cuff
[EDITOR.A2]
This feature lists the ten most popular files for the month. To give
files a chance to seek their own levels, no files will be added to the list
until they've been in place at least a month. This month, we look at the
files uploaded 1-30 June 1996.
This isn't the Academy Awards ceremony, folks; it's more like the
People's Choice Awards (both of which are trademarked, by the way). The
Top 10 doesn't necessarily tell you what's new and interesting--what files
_you_ might find interesting--it simply tells you what files have been
downloaded a lot--what other people found interesting!
I was pretty pressed for time this month, so the long descriptions of
the files have been omitted. If you miss them, I hope you'll write and say
so. Either way, they should be back next month.
I've treated QUICKIES.BXY, QUICKIES2.BXY and QUICKIES3.BXY as one
file, so there 12 files in this month's list as a result.
File # Filename Bytes DLs Short description
------ --------------- ------ --- -------------------------------------
27438 A2.DOM.9606.BXY 410648 129 A2 Disk of the Month, June 1996
27333 QUICKIES2.BXY 237944 80 collected rSounds, part 3
27334 QUICKIES3.BXY 255276 76 collected rSounds, part 2
27295 APTEST.BXY 106852 76 A.P.P.L.E.'s diagnostics utility
27332 QUICKIES.BXY 117944 70 collected rSounds, part 1
27296 TUNE.5.25.BXY 20792 67 Tuneup procedures for 5.25 drives
27297 POWERSUPPLY.BXY 11612 62 Dr. Buggie's Power Supplies
27424 QUARKNET.BXY 125272 59 Hypercard Message processor
27314 BABE.JPG 58584 57 babe, the Jpeg pinup!
27437 A2.DOM.9605.BXY 499708 54 A2 Disk of the Month, May 1996
27300 MC.DEMO.BXY 276096 50 Music Composer version 4.00 demo
27325 OLDTSTMNT.2.BXY 306560 37 Old Testament 2 of 5
[EOA]
[MEC]//////////////////////////////
FILE MECHANIC /
/////////////////////////////////
New Files From Old
""""""""""""""""""
by Douglas Cuff
[EDITOR.A2]
Welcome to the File Mechanic. In this new column, we focus on files
in the Genie library that can be improved or updated. We'll give you the
exact steps necessary to make the recommended changes.
This month, we focus on a file that I began modifying simply to
update it. While doing that, I found some code that didn't work right.
[*][*][*]
Program name: Gillian's Bunny Game
Filename: BUNNY.GAME.BXY
Program type: BASIC program
Program number: 17118
File size: 14,336 bytes
Author: unknown (originally uploaded by T.DAWSON)
Gillian's Bunny Game is a game written by a father for his
two-year-old daughter. A rabbit and carrot are drawn in separate places on
the hi-res screen. The player uses the arrow keys to move the rabbit to
the carrot. When the rabbit reaches the carrot, the player gets a point
and starts again. Once a certain number of carrots have been eaten, a
farmer will appear and chase the rabbit. If the farmer catches three
rabbits, the game is over.
This game is tremendously simple to play. The author (not identified
in the program or its documentation) wrote it because his daughter found a
simple maze game on the "Apple presents..." disk too difficult. You should
bear this in mind before you download the file--let alone before you modify
it. This is a game for very young children.
This program will run on any Apple II, including the IIgs, without
modification. My modifications make for slightly better play on any Apple
II that can generate lower case key presses and proper speed on an Apple
IIgs. They also fix a minor bug in the program.
The documentation that accompanies the program has a section on
modifying the game. This was not as helpful as was intended as many of the
line numbers referred to are no longer there. I suspect that a program
"compacter" (such as COMPACT on the Beagle Bros' D Code disk) was used on
the program. The range of the line numbers given by the author seems
correct, but in many cases the lines themselves have disappeared as a
result of their having been combined with other lines.
We will be using subroutines to improve the lower case and speed
handling of the program. We'll place these frequently-called subroutines
at the beginning of the program (a good habit to get into).
The program as written starts at line 20. We'll put our subroutines
before line 20, and use a GOTO at the very start of the program to hop over
the subroutines:
1 GOTO 20
Our first two subroutines handle the speed of the Apple IIgs. A
stock, unaccelerated IIgs has two settings, Fast and Normal. (Apple must
have considered "Normal" a more encouraging term than "Slow". Fast food
places don't have a size for french fry orders smaller than "regular" any
more, either. Advertising types won't let us use "small, medium, or large"
any more. Heaven spare us.) You can change the speed of your IIgs from
BASIC by changing the contents memory location 49206. This memory location
stores other important information, so we have to be a little careful about
how we change the contents.
(If your IIgs is accelerated with a ZipGS card, then you can set its
"CPS Follow" option to On. Then the ZipGS will obey the instructions in
our modifications.)
Before we write the subroutines, we need a little code in the main
program that checks that the program is running on an Apple IIgs. The
official way to do this involves a short assembly language routine,
documented in Apple II Miscellaneous Tech Note #7.
Here, we POKE this routine into memory, call it, and then examine the
results. My method of poking the routine into memory uses a string
containing the values to be poked. Such routines often use DATA
statements, but I prefer this method, as it adapts more easily to programs
that already use DATA statements in their own code.
150 ROUT% = 768:W1 = 80:W2 = ROUT% - 1:A$ =
"05603203125417600214400616200814202300309616901615702300314002500309600000
0000000"
155 FOR L1 = 1 TO W1 STEP 3:W2 = W2 + 1:B$ = MID$ (A$,L1,3):W3 = VAL
(B$): POKE W2,W3: NEXT L1
160 CALL ROUT%: IF PEEK (ROUT% + 23) = 16 THEN IIGS% = 1
We will place the short assembly routine--longer than it needs to be,
since it also returns the ROM version of a IIgs, which is not relevant to
this program--at location 768 ($300 in hexadecimal) and then CALL it. We
split the long string containing 80 values into 3-character strings, and
POKE the value of the 3-character string into each successive memory
location. Once the routine is available, we CALL it and see if the Apple
II running the program has a 16-bit processor (Apple IIgs only) or an 8-bit
one (all other Apple IIs).
Once we know the program is running on an Apple IIgs, we can safely
change the memory location that contains the speed. We will need to slow
down the IIgs and of course speed it back up as well. First, the simple
subroutine that slows down:
5 IF IIGS% = 1 THEN W1% = PEEK (49206): IF W1% > 127 THEN POKE
49206,W1% - 128: REM slow down GS
6 RETURN
That is, if we have a IIgs, then check memory location 49206. If
it's not already slowed down, slow it down now. We use the sample code
with the logic reversed to speed up again:
10 IF IIGS% = 1 THEN W1% = PEEK (49206): IF W1% < 128 THEN POKE
49206,W1% + 128: REM speed up GS
11 RETURN
Now that we have the ability to slow down the IIgs and speed it up,
we have to consider when to do so. In some programs, it's best to slow
down a IIgs as the program starts and speed it up again just before the
program ends. In this case, most of the program could do with a little
speeding up. The exception are the "win" and "lose" routines. These go by
too quickly on a IIgs. That being the case, we'll slow down immediately
before the bunny getting a carrot and speed up afterward. Same procedure
for when the farmer gets the bunny.
First, change line 1080 to slow down the program just before the
bunny gets the carrot:
1080 IF D = 1 AND I THEN GOSUB 5: CALL 866: GOTO 1100
The only change here is that we've inserted "GOSUB 5" (slow down) before
"CALL 866". Now let's remember to speed things up once the bunny has done
its dance of joy:
1120 NEXT D,P:K = K + 1: DRAW J AT C,E: DRAW D AT X,Y: GOSUB 10: GOTO
1380
Again, a simple change--"GOSUB 10" (speed up) inserted before "GOTO 1380".
When we slow down before the "bunny caught" routine and speed up
after, we can make both adjustments on the same line:
1200 HCOLOR= 0: DRAW D AT X,Y: HCOLOR= 3: DRAW J AT C,E: VTAB 24: CALL -
868: HTAB 5: PRINT "The Farmer caught the Bunny!";: FOR B = 1 TO 11: POKE
864,B(B): POKE 865,A(B): IF I THEN GOSUB 5: CALL 866: GOSUB 10: GOTO 1300
We've put "GOSUB 5" (slow down) before "CALL 866" and "GOSUB 10" (speed up)
right after it. These are the only times we need to change the speed of
the Apple IIgs for the entire program.
Gillian's Bunny Game allows for play on an original Apple II or Apple
II+ by letting you use the I-J-K-M diamond to move the bunny. (Later
computers can also use the arrow keys.) Instead of checking for lower case
input (i-j-k-m), however, the program merely admonishes you to keep the
Caps Lock key down.
It would be simple enough to add a few lines of code to check for
lower case input, but we're going to do something even simpler--convert
each lower case key press into upper case. This short subroutine does the
job:
14 W1$ = "": FOR W1 = 1 TO LEN (A$):W2 = ASC ( RIGHT$ (A$,( LEN (A$) +
1) - W1)):W2$ = CHR$ (W2 - 32 * (W2 > 96 AND W2 < 123)):W1$ = W1$ + W2$:
NEXT W1:A$ = W1$: RETURN
In this program, the length of the string to convert (A$) is always one,
but this routine can be used for longer strings as well.
Now that we have the routine, we need to call it (almost) every time
the program looks for keyboard input--in practice, every time the
programmer used "GET A$", we need to put "GOSUB 14" immediately afterward.
Here are the lines to change:
520 LET A$ = "": POKE - 16368,0: GET A$: GOSUB 14:A = ASC (A$): IF A =
27 THEN 2540
2140 VTAB 12: HTAB 1: CALL - 958: PRINT "Do you want instructions? (Y/N)
-->";: GET A$: GOSUB 14: PRINT A$: IF A$ = "N" THEN RETURN
2910 HTAB 14: CALL - 868: PRINT "Play again? ";: GET A$: GOSUB 14: IF A$
= "Y" THEN CLEAR : GOTO 140
With lower case taken care of, let's fix a tiny slip that the
programmer made. He tries to make sure that messages about Caps Lock keys
and arrow keys are printed only if the program is not running on an
original Apple II or Apple II+. Unfortunately, he uses a non-standard PEEK
to check this.
I suspect that the author got this unsupported PEEK from Beagle
Bros--it appears in their Tip Book #7 (distributed with GPLE) and on their
Silicon Salad disk. Where Beagle Bros got it from, I don't know. Beagle
Bros were a great source of really nifty tips. Most of them broke the
rules and it doesn't seem to matter. A few of them--like this one--broke
the rules and it matters immensely. Once the IIgs came out, all bets were
off.
Fortunately, this is simple to fix. We just replace the unofficial
PEEK with the official one (from Apple II Miscellaneous Tech Note #7). The
first line we can change like this:
2040 HOME : VTAB 3: IF PEEK (64435) < > 6 THEN 2080
This causes the program to check for an Apple II with a Caps Lock key
and skip this line if the Apple II is an older model with no such key:
2060 HTAB 3: PRINT " Be sure <CAPS LOCK> key is down "
Wait a minute! We've already changed the program so that the Caps
Lock key does _not_ have to be pressed any longer. Line 2060 is now
redundant... but it doesn't really do any harm. You can choose to keep the
redundant line in there, or you make these simple changes:
2040 HOME
2060 REM
The next time the program checks up on the sort of Apple II being
used is when the game instructions mention the four arrow keys. Unlike the
example above, we can't just skip this change; we must make it! The
program doesn't print the message about four arrow keys if it's running on
an original Apple II or Apple II+. Again, we just need to change the PEEK
(and value being checked):
2180 HOME : POKE 33,35: POKE 32,5: PRINT : PRINT "Move the bunny to eat
carrots": PRINT "=============================": VTAB 6: PRINT " I":
PRINT " use J K to move the bunny": PRINT " M": PRINT : PRINT : IF
PEEK (64435) = 6 THEN PRINT " or use the four arrow keys": PRINT : PRINT
(As the programmer originally had it, the message about the four
arrow keys was not appearing when it should have, giving the impression
that all players had to use the I-J-K-M group of keys.)
That's all you really need to do! I'll give you a couple more
modifications for Apple IIgs users who are launching the game from the
Finder. They're by no means necessary, but they might make life a little
easier. They'll also work with an 8-bit program launcher, so you can use
them even if you don't have an Apple IIgs.
The first change goes right before the loading of the games' shapes
(line 20). All this change does is find out what the prefix of the game
is, and sets the active prefix there. If you didn't understand a word of
that, don't worry. This line is pretty harmless, so include it anyway.
15 PRINT CHR$ (4)"PREFIX": INPUT P$: PRINT CHR$ (4)"PREFIX";P$
We also need to make a small change to the first line we created so
that it reads:
1 GOTO 15
since our program begins a bit earlier than it used to.
The second change has two parts. The game as written simply ENDs...
that is, uses the BASIC END statement. You might find it more useful to
issue a ProDOS "BYE" command instead. This will take you back to the
Finder, or whatever program you used to launch BUNNY.GAME. Begin by
removing the END statement from the end of line 2940, so it looks like
this:
2940 TEXT : HOME : PRINT "Bye...": VTAB 23: FOR B = 1 TO 23: HTAB 24 - B:
VTAB B: PRINT "]";: FOR L = 1 TO 50: NEXT : PRINT CHR$ (8);" ";: POKE
864,8: POKE 865,2: CALL 866: NEXT : PRINT
Also, just before the end, we issue a GOSUB 10, which speeds up an
Apple IIgs. This is absolutely redundant--every time we slow down, we are
careful to speed up again when finished--but you might want to do it
anyway. It's a little like bearing a belt and suspenders, but go ahead if
it will make you feel safer:
2950 GOSUB 10: PRINT CHR$ (4);"BYE"
Finally, if you like, you can put a "GOSUB 5" at the beginning of
line 2940, so that it slows down the goodbye routine slightly. This is
very much a matter of personal taste, so try it both ways. If you _do_ use
the GOSUB and slower goodbye routine, be sure to use the GOSUB 10 in line
2950
If you don't care about double-locking your door and you did _not_
slow down the goodbye routine in line 2940, try just:
2950 PRINT CHR$ (4);"BYE"
[*][*][*]
That's all for this month. This column won't be a regular feature of
GenieLamp A2; it will just run when someone on staff finds files in the
Genie A2 RoundTable library that could stand some updating or fixing. Or,
if no one writes to say they found it useful or enjoyed it, it might never
run again.
//////////////////////////////////////// Genie_QWIK_QUOTE ////
/ A Dogcow is a Claris trademark, their mascot. It came /
/ about in the days of Appleworks GS. It is indeed half /
/ dog and half cow, and its call is "Moof!" /
/ /
/ Word has it that Claris chose this trademark to /
/ represent how their products worked; the cow represented /
/ the cash cow of Appleworks, the dog all of their /
/ Macintosh products. . . <tongue firmly in cheek> /
//////////////////////////////////////////// R.SUENAGA1 ////
[EOA]
[LOG]//////////////////////////////
LOG OFF /
/////////////////////////////////
GenieLamp Information
"""""""""""""""""""""
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[EOF]
