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GEnieLamp Online Magazine Issue No.2.31
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~ MEL MOTOGAWA: TAKES A LOOK AT CLEANUP ~
~ RICHARD BROWN: ATARI AND THE REAL WORLD ~
~ FRED KOCH: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ST LIBRARY ~
~ TERRY QUINN: THAT'S ON ON GEnie? ~
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
September 15, 1991 ~ A T/TalkNET OnLine Publication ~ Issue No.2.31
////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Publisher/Editor ................................... John F. Peters
Co-Editor ........................................ Darlah J. Pine
Technical Editor ................................ Jeff Williams
TX2 Editor ..................................... David Holmes
[IDX] """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ WHAT'S HAPPENING ON GEnie? TAKE A LOOK! ~
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
FROM MY DESKTOP ......... [FRM] HEY MISTER POSTMAN ...... [HEY]
Notes From The Editor. Is That A Letter For Me?
ATARI & THE REAL WORLD .. [WOR] ATARI_QWIK_TIPS ......... [TIP]
IBM? Think Again! Atarians Helping Atarians.
MEL'S MANOR ............. [MEL] OFF THE RECORD .......... [OFF]
Rx For Your Hard Drive. Mini_Qwik_reViews.
ST ELSEWHERE ............ [ELS] THE ONLINE LIBRARY ...... [LIB]
_That's_ On GEnie? Get It While It's HOT!
HACK'N ATARI ............ [HAC] FOCUS ON... ............. [FOC]
Down To The Wire. GCR: Tips From A New Owner.
LINKING UP WITH LYNX .... [LYN] LOG OFF ................. [LOG]
Atari Handheld Power! GEnie Lamp Information.
[REA] """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
READING GEnie Lamp GEnie Lamp has incorporated a unique indexing
"""""""""""""""""" system to help make reading the magazine easier.
To utilize this system, load GEnie Lamp into any ASCII word processor
or text editor. In the index you will find the following example:
HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM]
[*]GEnie Fun & Games.
To read this article, set your find or search command to [HUM]. If
you want to scan all of the articles, search for [EOA]. [EOF] will take
you to the last page, whereas [IDX] will bring you back to the index.
TX2 FORMAT What are you missing when reading the ASCII version of
"""""""""" GEnie Lamp? EXCITEMENT! Whenever you see a [*] in the
index or in the article header, that indicates that the article contains
TX2 graphics and/or pictures. To see the graphics, you will need the
following files:
LMP_231.LZH GEnie Lamp in TX2 format
MINI_TX2.LZH Mini-version of TX2 Viewer (File #20441)
GEnie Lamp Online Magazine: SEE THE DIFFERENCE!
MESSAGE INFO To make it easy for you to respond to messages re-printed
"""""""""""" here in GEnie Lamp, you will find all the information you
need immediately following the message. For example:
(DARLAH, CAT6, TOP1, MSG:58/M475)
_____________| _____|__ _|___ |____ |_____________
|Name of sender CATegory TOPic Msg.# Page number|
In this example, to respond to Darlah's message, log on to page
475 enter the bulletin board and set CAT 6. Enter your REPly in TOPic 1.
A message number that is surrounded by brackets indicates that this
message is a "target" message and is referring to a "chain" of two
or more messages that are following the same topic. For example: {58}
[EOA] """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
///////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "I'll try it! This place is great. How can ANYbody with an /
/ Atari not be on GEnie? /
/////////////////// SFRT, CAT6, TOP32, MSG:83/M475 ///////////
[FRM]//////////////////////////////
FROM MY DESKTOP /
/////////////////////////////////
Notes From The Editor
"""""""""""""""""""""
By John Peters
[GENIELAMP]
o TOP OF THE PAGE: Random Ramblings.
o THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW: RoundTable Happenings.
o HOT SPOTS: Where The Action Is.
o IT CAN'T WAIT: Hot Info!
o WHO ARE WE? ST RoundTable SysOps
TOP OF THE PAGE BUSY, BUSY BUSY! Where do I begin? First off, I'm
""""""""""""""" now legit! When I first proposed doing GEnie Lamp
to Darlah, she gave me temporary access to her ST-GUEST account. Well,
a little over a year later :-), my GEmail address has now been changed
to GENIELAMP. Make a note: ST-GUEST will no longer work. From now on,
use either GENIELAMP _or_ GENIELAMP$.
We're pleased to announce that Nathan Potechin of ISD is now a
GEnie ST RoundTable SysOp. Nathan's GEmail address will remain the same
as before, [ISD]. Welcome aboard, Nathan!
By the way, Nathan has uploaded the long awaited demo of the
Calamus S/SL shell. Also included are the Frame, Page, Text, Style,
Line, Raster and Document Converter modules along with a few import
drivers and printer drivers. Check out this _hot_ demo. (Would you
believe over _200_ downloads in less then one week?) It's file #20711.
Richard Brown [R.BROWN30], our newest staff member is (right now!)
covering the Glendale AtariFest for GEnie Lamp. Whispers from behind
the scenes promise that this is going to be one dynamite show with some
new surprises. Periodically, Richard will be uploading GEnie Lamp show
reports to library #35. Watch for 'em!
Also, be sure to check out Richard's article in this issue.
Richard has a way of making me feel _good_ about owning an Atari ST. I
think he'll do the same thing for you.
CPU Publications has sure been busy! ST Connection, their flagship
newsletter has recently undergone some major changes in looks and size.
With their latest issue you now also get ST Link, a newsletter devoted
to desktop publishing. It's like receiving two newsletters in one.
Subscriptions rates are $14.00 per year.
Another project CPU has going is a newsletter for Lynx aficionados
called GAMEMASTER. The first issue has actual screenshots, reviews of
Warbirds and Klax, game hints and clues and more. Subscriptions are
only $10.00 per year. If you're into Lynx, get into GAMEMASTER!
For more information on ST Connection or Gamemaster, drop a line to
Stan Swanson right here on GEnie. His GEmail address is: STCONNECTION
On to the bulletin boards!
[*][*][*]
ICD reports that they have just sent out the latest version of
their FaST Tape backup software and it is available to ICD Tape Backup
owners via Email. This is version 2.11 and it is TT compatible. For
more information, see CAT4, TOP4, Msg:{81} or leave GEmail to [ICDINC].
George Richardson of Merlin Group, Inc. who is working with David
Small of Gadgets let on that the Gadgets 68030 SST Accelerator and
Memory Expansion boards are now in production. However, the software is
not ready and David, "will not ship until he makes it more compatible
with and ST that the STe is!".
Lee Seiler reports that he is putting the final touches on his
online tutorials which will be held here in the GEnie ST RoundTable.
To keep tabs on this exciting program, keep an eye on CATegory 7, TOPic
10, Msg:{10}.
Gordon Meyer of DO NOT STAMP Software is now updating his handy
program Area Code Locator and he wants to hear from you if you have any
suggestions or to report any bugs you may have found. Contact Gordon in
CATegory 2, TOPic 38, Msg:{1}.
Atari, for some strange reason, has made it somewhat difficult to
upgrade the hard drives in the MegaSTe line. For gripes, comments AND
some creative solutions, see CAT14, TOP14, Msg:{84}.
It's certainly too early to panic... Stu Lyster [S.LYSTER] reports
that he believes that he has been bitten by a particularly nasty virus.
According to Stu, he lost access to his drive A:. He goes on to say
that the virus seems to survive a cold boot (???) and it will even
survive a re-format of the disk! (VKILLER reports executable code on a
newly formatted, pre-infected disk.) There is some question as to
whether or not this is truly a virus or something else that Stu may be
not seeing. The conversation continues in CATegory 12, TOPic 16,
Msg:{112}.
>>> THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
ST Abreviator apparently does not work on all Atari TT computers
(it bombs). Kyle Cordes of CorCom Software Products, author and
distributor of ST Abreviator is looking into it and hopes to have a fix
soon.
Sheldon Winick of Computer STudio in Asheville, NC reports that he
has just received a bundle of the latest issue of Atari Explorer and
that they are going fast. Better late then never!
Ed Krimen reports that he had talked with Mike Groh of Atari in
Sunnyvale. Mike said that the next shipment of TTs should be around the
end of October and will be class B. Ed says that he saw "piles and
piles of MegaSTEs with 800 more in the truck container outside."
Bob Luneski, programmer of the popular back up software, Diamond
Back, has left a teaser stating that he will be at the Glendale show and
he will have a "significant surprise" for us. Richard Brown, our
Glendale reporter promises to look into it... watch for show reports in
the GEnie Lamp library.
Wonder whether or not you got a Math chip with your STe? [REALM]
reports that if you take a flashlight and look down through the slot in
the top cover you will be able to see the chip. It's located towards
the front left corner, is square and has MC68881B16 printed on it. If
it's not there, there will be an empty socket.
FROM DOUBLE CLICK Now that I am back, I'll go ahead and post a bit
""""""""""""""""" more info about DC NoveTalk. What we demonstrated
at the Duesseldorf show was our ethernet host adaptor connected to a
Novell network using twisted pair (10 Base-T) under the AT-Speed PC
emulator. This is the current Novell networking capability: full
Novell networking using your ST as a PC.
At the Duesseldorf show, we received promises from Vortex, Beta
Systems (Supercharger), Compo (AT-Speed) and Hans Sack himself pledging
full cooperation in getting this working with their emulators.
As for the TOS solution, Novell networking does not yet work into
the scenario.
DC NoveTalk, however, will provide a localtalk compatible port
(similar to the port on the Mega STe, TT and Macintosh) which will be
used for networking on the TOS side.
The original prototype of this is being redesigned for use as a DMA
device. A localtalk cartridge, however, will also be available for
plain TOS networking on all ST computers.
Currently, plans are being worked out to use the Universal Network
for the TOS side.
Retail price is not available yet, altho we expect it to be
extremely reasonable. - mike
(DOUBLE-CLICK, CAT30, TOP11, MSG:9/M475)
>>> BULLETIN BOARD HOT SPOTS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
[*] CAT14, TOP31, Msg:{120} Voice Mail wars! Atari has recently
installed a voice mail system. It seems
to be off to a somewhat rocky start!
[*] CAT2, TOP19, Msg:{1} Reports and comments about a new multi-
purpose ACC from Germany called Edison
Utility.
[*] CAT18, TOP7, Msg:{80} The "quotes" issue has changed its focus
to the rights and wrongs of using quotes
in advertisements.
[*] CAT18, TOP16, Msg:{84} Are Atarians, as a whole, more knowledge-
able about their computers then MS-DOS
or Macintosh users?
IT CAN'T WAIT DEPARTMENT Tim has released the latest version of ST
"""""""""""""""""""""""" Aladdin to the beta testers... it doesn't
sport any major changes, but it does make some significant improvements
over the previous versions.
Gordon inadvertently released the beta copy into the public area so
this version of ST Aladdin took on around 20 or so enthused but un-
authorized beta testers. No harm done though... according to Gordon,
barring any major bugs, this version will probably be the same one that
is released sometime next week.
New features include now include a "STAY" toggle - no more hitting
that F5 key everytime you log on! Also now available is a new auto-pass
called, "Custom Pass." Believe me, you're going to love it. For me it
was just what the doctor ordered! Interestingly enough, there's a new
protocol offered in the configuration menu called "FAST!". However,
it's grayed out since GEnie doesn't have FAST! implemented yet. Watch
for details here in an upcoming issue of GEnie Lamp.
Once online, don't delay grabbing this ST Aladdin update. This
isn't the version that Tim said would "knock your socks off," but it
does offer enough changes to warrant the download.
STOP THE PRESSES! ST Aladdin 1.3 is now available for downloading in
""""""""""""""""" the ST Aladdin RoundTable. (M1000) FILE #139.
>>> WHO ARE WE? <<<
"""""""""""""""""""
HAVE A QUESTION? If you have a question about GEnie, the RoundTables
"""""""""""""""" or whatever, you can now ask a SysOp! Post your
question in the GEnie Lamp bulletin board, CAT 34.
o Darlah J. Pine [DARLAH]
o Sandy Wilson [SANDY.W]
o Jeff Williams [JEFF.W]
o Fred Beckman [FB]
o Larry Duke [LARRY.D]
o John J. Kennedy [JJKENNEDY]
o John Peters [GENIELAMP]
o Vince Averello [VINCE.A]
o Nathan Potechin [ISD]
Take care...
John Peters
[EOA]
[HEY]//////////////////////////////
HEY MISTER POSTMAN /
/////////////////////////////////
Is That A Letter For Me?
""""""""""""""""""""""""
o ATARI ODDS & ENDS
o WHAT'S NEW?
o ATARIAN MINDS WANT TO KNOW
o MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT
>>> ATARI ODDS & ENDS <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
RUNTIME FOR HYPERLINK There will be both a "RunTime" version of Hyper-
""""""""""""""""""""" LINK (probably with a Sug Ret of $19.95) out as
one of the priorities after the scripting gets finished. Of course
there will also be Licensing of HyperLINK available to those wishing to
include the runtime in the packaging with their HAP. -djt
(D.THOMPSON66, CAT6, TOP32, MSG:82/M475)
THANKS ATARI! I'd like to publicly thank Atari for their help in
""""""""""""" making CodeHead Software's trip to the Atari Fair in
Duesseldorf, Germany a resounding success! The assistance provided by
Atari (Bob Brodie and Bill Rehbock in particular) was top-notch --
ranging from procuring parking passes to introducing key distributors
and developers to actually demoing our software. Well done, guys!
Charles F. Johnson - CodeHead Software - Member of the IAAD
(C.F.JOHNSON, CAT14, TOP31, MSG:94/M475)
DYNACADD/MATRIX BOARD I am very pleased to report that the latest
""""""""""""""""""""" version of DynaCADD has had a VDI only mode
added to the startup dialog. This option provides 100% compatibility
with the Matrix board :-)
We are currently expanding some of the color dialogs of DynaCADD
to allow the user to select all 256 colors.
Any version of DynaCADD 2.00.06 and above has this feature.
(DITEK, CAT16, TOP3, MSG:100/M475)
ST BOOK NOTES The STBook has Parallel Port, Serial Port, MIDI ports,
""""""""""""" Pseudo-ASCI Port (combined DMA and Floppy Port), [huh? -
ed.] key-board expansion port, a "bus" type expansion connector, etc.
No LAN connector though. -- John (Atari Corp.)
(TOWNS, CAT14, TOP7, MSG:57/M475)
INTERESTING TIDBIT "In 1990 Apple spent a whopping $750 marketing
"""""""""""""""""" each Macintosh it sold." --Doug
(Quote from MacWorld September 1991, p. 170)
(DOUG.W, CAT18, TOP11, MSG:17/M475)
BRIDGEPORT SHOW I visited the Bridgeport show Saturday. The main
""""""""""""""" attraction was, of course, Bob Brodie. He impressed
me with his patience and good humor through a full day of nonstop
questions from showgoers. The most interesting things I heard him say:
o FSM GDOS is finished, but won't ship for another month because
the product must still be manufactured.
o The TT is back in a lab for FCC Class B certification, this time
with a 1.4M floppy. Bob is confident of certification by
Christmas.
o Atari will offer an upgrade to 1.4M floppies for TT's and Mega
STe's.
o An American developer is working on a CD-ROM 'front end' that
will enable Atari computers to use the optical data discs now
proliferating in the 'other' markets. No promises here, though.
o Yes, Atari has Mike Fulton working on a new version of Word Up.
Unfortunately, Mike has been so busy with his support job that
he hasn't had a chance to do much. Bob was hopeful that Atari
will hire another support staffer so Mike can concentrate on Word
Up. Maybe next year...
In the 'Keep the Faith' portion of his presentation, Bob was
effusive about how well Atari equipment has been received at recent
printing trade shows, and indicated that this is the major 'niche' that
marketing efforts will be concentrated in... If Europe is taken as a
whole, Atari is still #1 there.
The reason that FSM has been delayed is that there was a question
about how certain shapes were to be handled. An American developer
wanted it done one way, a German developer another. It wasn't until
last month's show in Germany that the two got together and agreed on a
solution.
The other big attraction for me was Gribnif. Rick Flashman
demonstrated three programs that were new to me. One was a German DTP
image manipulating program. Since I'm not a DTP person, I'll pass
comment. You'll surely be hearing more about it since Rick seemed quite
excited about getting the US distribution rights.
Two other programs he showed excited ME. In fact, I went right
over to the Gribnif booth and ordered them after the demo. They are
designed to work together, and both are desk accessories. The first is
STeno, a text editor with all the most-wanted features like word wrap,
tabs and blocks. With a 32K buffer (can be made larger), it appears to
use about 94K.
STalker is the other ACC. This is a full-featured telecomm
application, complete with script language, macro recording, full
customization for each phone entry, multiple fonts, and a realtime GEM
window. It also speaks 16 color ANSI.
Want type-ahead? Use STeno as another window. Steno can also be
used to manipulate any text you clip from STalker. The neatest features
Rick showed were possible because these two programs are desk
accessories. You effectively have multitasking; close either ACC and
whatever was happening will keep on running. Download in the background
with STalker while you run another program. Type some notes on STeno,
then return to them later...they're still there. It sounded good to me,
and I bought 'em. Stalker's manual wasn't ready, so I could only order.
I hope to be able to use them together real soon.
Finally, at the GFA booth I learned that people like me who bought
just the Version 3 interpreter and later updated to both the interpreter
3.5 and compiler 3.5 can buy the compiler manual for $15 or the complete
manual for $25 direct from GFA in Massachusetts.
I think it's obvious that I'm glad I went! Thanks to F.A.C.E.,
ST.A.R.R., and Computers, Etc. for bringing a show to the Northeast.
(F-D-PERCIVAL, CAT11, TOP13, MSG:13/M475)
>>> WHAT'S NEW <<<
""""""""""""""""""
CODEHEAD SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES Automatic vectoring has arrived!
AVANT VECTOR & REPRO STUDIO! CodeHead Software is releasing two power-
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ful new high-end graphics and image
manipulation packages for Atari computers -- Avant Vector and Repro
Studio! We're proud to bring these excellent state of the art products
to North America.
At CodeHead Software we're quite selective about the software we
use personally. Not very many programs get a big "WOW!" out of us. But
to say that we found Avant Vector and Repro Studio impressive is a major
understatement ... in fact, they blew us away!
AVANT VECTOR Avant Vector is an object-oriented graphics program, with
"""""""""""" sophisticated automatic tracing abilities which allow the
conversion of bit-image graphics (such as IMG files or Degas drawings)
to vector graphics consisting of lines, curves, and filled shapes.
Vector graphics have several big advantages over bit-image graphics; the
most important is that once an image has been converted to a
mathematical vector description, it can be scaled up or down to any size
without losing detail or looking "blocky".
Bit-image graphics can be imported into Avant Vector in many
formats, including IMG, TIFF, IFF, and Degas (both compressed and un-
compressed), and also vector graphics in the CVG (Calamus), GEM (GEM 3
metafile), and EPS (Encapsulated Postscript) formats. You can save
vector graphics in CVG, GEM, or EPS formats (in Avant Plot) for use in
desktop publishing applications. New drawings can also be created from
scratch with Avant Vector, and up to seven graphics windows can be
opened at once with cut-and-paste and merge functions. The graphics
created by Avant Vector can be imported into most popular Atari DTP
programs, and can also be printed directly from within Avant Vector
itself, with support for the Atari Laser, NEC 24-pin, and Epson 9-pin
printers.
In a recent review of seven auto-tracing programs for the Mac, PC,
and Atari ST/TT in a European magazine, Avant Vector was rated the best
of the bunch! The reviewer gave Avant Vector high marks for its totally
unique "manual tracing" mode, which snaps curves and points along a bit
image AS YOU DRAW THEM!
The most amazing thing about Avant Vector is its smooth, almost
transparent interface and extremely simple, consistent operation. You
can learn everything you need to get around in minutes, and be creating
extraordinary graphics in no time at all!
There are two versions of Avant Vector. The high-end version,
Avant Plot, contains extensive plotter support for serious professional
applications, and EPS file import/export features. Both Avant Vector
and Avant Plot are available immediately.
REPRO STUDIO Repro Studio is a next-generation graphics program with a
"""""""""""" dazzling array of professional features. Available with
or without a hand-held scanner (256 gray level), Repro Studio is the
first ST graphics program to let you create and edit images with true
grey tones, as well as standard monochrome or color images in many
different formats.
In Repro Studio the dots that make up your image can be set to a
grey level instead of being simply on (black) or off (white). If you
have a standard ST monochrome monitor, grey scales won't be shown on
screen but rather are displayed as fill patterns. But you _can_ edit
them and manipulate them with Repro Studio for use with DTP applications
and in professional printing situations.
In addition to its grey level capabilities, Repro Studio has an
enormous number of powerful tools for working with bit-image graphics,
including flexible cut-and-paste functions, many shape and fill options,
bezier curves, lasso and masking functions, pixel prioritizing, raster
"screens" for printing purposes, anti-aliasing and dithering, the
ability to combine pictures in many ways, the ability to read and use
GDOS, Calamus, and Adobe Postscript fonts, and much more.
Repro Studio is able to load many different types of graphics
files, including IMG, TIFF, Degas, Art Director, and Neochrome formats.
After editing, touching up, or scanning, images can be saved in any of
the above formats, or as Postscript files.
Repro Studio comes with or without a 256 gray scale scanner. It is
expected to be available by the end of the year, and like its companion,
Avant Vector, will work with all ST, STe, and TT computers.
PRICING Retail pricing for Avant Vector and Repro Studio is as
""""""" follows:
Avant Vector ............ $ 495
Avant Plot .............. 1195
Repro Studio ............ 195
Repro Studio w/scanner .. 895
--==* Special Introductory Prices *==--
If you place your order before December 31, 1991, you can purchase
Avant Vector or Avant Plot for the following prices:
Avant Vector ........... $ 445 (a savings of $50.00)
Avant Plot ............. 1095 (a savings of $100.00)
Order directly from us before the end of the year and save! (Most
major credit cards accepted.)
For further information contact:
CodeHead Software
PO Box 74090
Los Angeles, CA 90004
voice (213) 386-5735
fax (213) 386-5789
CodeHeadQuarters
September 12, 1991
(C.F.JOHNSON, CAT32, TOP23, MSG:1/M475)
ATTENTION ATARI DEVELOPERS ATARI SOFTSOURCE UPDATE Atari is now
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" making the Atari Softsource database and
demo collection available on Syquest to dealers who request the info-
rmation. We are making the database available in this way to prepare
our dealers and users for the CD ROM version of Atari Softsource that we
are now preparing.
What does this announcement have to do with you, you may ask? What
it means is that now is the time to act! If you have not yet made
entries for your products, please do so now so that you can be listed on
the first Atari Softsource CD. It also means that if you have already
made entries for your products, you should check your entries (page 475,
option 7) to make sure that the information in your entries in accurate
and timely.
If you have any questions about how to create an Atari Softsource
entry, or if you already have an entry made, but need to change some of
the information in it, please feel free to email me at my D.MCNAMEE
account.
Dan McNamee
Atari Softsource Administrator
BUY ATARI ST SOFTWARE ON GEnie Dear Silicon Direct Shopper, We have
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" finally put an Atari ST section in our
on-line GEnie store. We plan to add new Atari titles every week to our
current list of 50 entertainment titles. Within a couple weeks this ST
section will include software for productivity, entertainment and edu-
cation. You have the ability to dictate exactly what these sections
include just by sending us your E-mail suggestions. We will be
discounting everything in this new Atari section. If you have any
comments or questions please feel free to contact us.
Thank you for your time and patience, Todd Mollenkopf, Silicon
Direct (FORWARD FROM DARLAH, CAT27, TOP18, MSG:1/M475)
DC SOURCE NEWSLETTER Just a reminder to everyone that we have mailed
"""""""""""""""""""" out our "DC SOURCE" award winning newsletter the
2nd and 3rd week of August.
This newsletter only went out to registered owners of Double Click
Software products (in other words, you sent in your registration card).
DC Source details our new products, give tips and hints, and has a
discount offer on all our products (new and established products) that
can go up to 45% off all products purchased!
If you have not received your DC Source, please give us a call at
713)977-6520 so we can remedy the situation. - mike
(DOUBLE-CLICK, CAT30, TOP9, MSG:30/M475)
DIAMOND BACK V2.30 RELEASED Announcing Diamond Back V2.30 including:
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Diamond Super faST Compression
------------------------------
The compression algorithm used in Diamond Back II has been upgraded
to the current state of the art in Lemple-Ziv derivative algorithms and
has been converted to hand optimized 68000 assembly language code. The
net result is compression speeds greater than %600 faster (yes, that is
more than 6 times faster) and compression ratio %20 smaller than V2.26.
Effective compression rates can reach in excess of 100 Kb/sec.
This results in compressed backups being actually FASTER than standard
non-compressed backups because of the decreased disk activity.
Faster backups using 1/2 the disks. Check it out at it's world
premier at the Glendale show! Enjoy, -Bob
(B.LUNESKI1, CAT2, TOP42, MSG:138/M475)
>>> ATARIAN MINDS WANT TO KNOW! <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
(Facts, Fiction & Maybe)
ATARI NOTEBOOKS? Laird, as far as I know, they have NOT been shown
"""""""""""""""" since last Sunday, when the AtariMesse in
Duesseldorf ended at 6.oopm. The machines shown there were five
production-model Books; there was also at least one Stylus, but I don't
know if it was factory-made. Last night Bill Rehbock said in the RTC
that the Book will ship to Europe in September and to the US at Comdex;
Comdex is in October this year. He did not give a price, but he did
say US pricing would be "competitive".
(D.A.BRUMLEVE, CAT14, TOP7, MSG:33/M475)
MAKE*A*DATE The commercial version of Make*A*Date (2.0) will be
""""""""""" available within the next couple of weeks. Jonathon is
doing some fine-tuning on the print drivers and I am getting the manual
finished up as well. Although the program will retail for $24.95, those
who order by December 31st, 1991 can get it for $19.95.
(STCONNECTION, CAT2, TOP4, MSG:69/M475)
DYNACADD DOES WORK ON SST By the by, contrary to what I believe was
""""""""""""""""""""""""" reported here previously, the TT version of
DynaCadd *does* work on the SST. I think when Dave tested it, the Math
Coprocessor was not installed in his machine. Without that the TT
version won't run. Runs great with it installed. I guess some people
(myself included) are going to want FPU chips after all!
George Richardson - Merlin Group, Inc.
(G.RICHARDSO1, CAT4, TOP44, MSG:140/M475)
FSM-GDOS? The initial run of FSM-GDOS is being manufactured locally.
""""""""" We had hoped to have units in for the Duesseldorf Atari
Messe, but there were problems with the package design. My (personal
opinion) guess is that the first FSM-GDOS packages that ship to Goldleaf
will be sans outer box. The first real, live, full shelf units will
show up at Glendale. -Bill Rehbock, Atari Corp.
(B.REHBOCK, CAT14, TOP18, MSG:47/M475)
24BIT BOARD There does not currently exist a 24bit board for the
""""""""""" Atari. However, I believe the first one will probably
come from Cybercube within the month.
(ISD, CAT16, TOP3, MSG:104/M475)
DATA DIET Data Diet is being introduced at a price of $59.95. As soon
""""""""" as the manual is completed it will be ready to go (we're
shooting for the Glendale show, but I'm not promising). - mike
(DOUBLE-CLICK, CAT30, TOP12, MSG:15/M475)
GEnie GOING FLAT FEE? The last I heard was that they were not going to
""""""""""""""""""""" do anything to GEnie*Basic service for a few
months as they wanted to see exactly what was happening. (This was in
March). They want to see what people are doing, and what GEnie users
are doing.
You have to remember GEnie is part of GE, big companies do things
slowly. Once GEnie makes up their mind what they want to do, they have
to get it approved by higher ups. This can take a very long time!
(GORDON, CAT1, TOP5, MSG:32/M1000)
CAN'T WAIT FOR MULTIDESK DELUXE As the release date for MultiDesk
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Deluxe approaches, we have still not
finalized the prices for the purchase or the update. If you really want
to make sure to get the update as fast as possible, and you trust us
<grin>, you can send in your disk with a credit card number. Then we'll
just charge the appropriate amount when we are ready to ship. If you're
not happy with the price when we announce it, you can E-mail us a
cancellation.
I can guarantee that the update won't cost more than $300 <grin>
...in fact I can even guarantee that it won't be more than $30 (or less
than $15).-John (J.EIDSVOOG1, CAT32, TOP8, MSG:31/M475)
>>> MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
Category 18, Topic 7
Message 101 Fri Sep 06, 1991
J.STEINER [John] at 23:52 EDT
Nathan:
Don't worry about feeling that you are inadequately expressing
yourself, because you have me for company. I tend to keep my mouth shut
because, occasionally, people misunderstand what I am attempting to say.
For example, Dana could have perceived that I was attacking him. I
wasn't, but he could have perceived it as being so.
I know the rule is to attack ideas, not people. Occassionally the
people are so bound to the idea that attacking the idea is considered an
attack on the person.
<<Ramble mode off>>
Thanks for the post...
John
[*][*][*]
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 Atari, the GEnie Lamp 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]
[WOR]//////////////////////////////
ATARI AND THE REAL WORLD /
/////////////////////////////////
IBM? Think Again
"""""""""""""""""
By Richard W. Brown
[R.BROWN30]
The ABC's, and the Birds and the Bees
A.K.A. The Downfalls of IBM, or
Why Atari User's Should Keep Their Pearly Whites A-Grinin'
So, you've decided that your Atari ST has run its course. It's
time to move on to the wonders of IBM, or the countless numbers of DOS
clones. Instead of selling your Atari, you give it to your cousin Timmy
so he can play 'all those games.'
You're in charge, so you take the credit card down to the BIG
computer store, nothing like that Mom and Pop Atari store where you once
shopped...
Think of the power! And with all this COMPETITION in the IBM
marketplace, think of the LOW PRICE! Think of the software selection!
Think of all the things you'll FINALLY be able to do...
Think again.
Entering the world of DOS is a step toward the Stone Age. Let's
say you're into spreadsheets, and that 386 or 486 number cruncher really
seems like the cat's meow.
Remember desk accessories and TSR's (_T_erminate and _S_tay
_R_esident programs, a.k.a. AUTO folder prg's like The Little Green
Selector), those little GEMS that made life a breeze?
Things like CardFile 3, that great address book, phone dialer,
appointment calendar? Or Stalker/Steno, the great coms program/text
editor duo? Or Maxifile? Or DC Shower?
FORGET THEY EVER EXISTED!
Enter the DOWNFALLS OF DOS. No matter what IBM you're going to
purchase (more than likely it won't be an IBM, anyway), you are going
to learn the horrors of the DOS 640K limit.
Like a well-hidden scorpion poised to strike its unsuspecting
victim, DOS is there ready to dish out 'OUT OF MEMORY' statements.
Of course, coming from the ST world, you are already savvy to the
need for memory: stock ST's always had .5 to 4 megs of RAM available to
do all your bidding.
With a 4 megabyte Mega ST, remember not thinking twice about
loading in 300-400K of accessories? Remember the joys of Multidesk,
where you could get past the 6 accessory limit, and load up 10 or 15
accessories, encompassing a good megabyte of RAM? It was so convenient.
RAM to burn...
So, you know better. You'll fix those memory woes. Your shiny new
386 is going to come with 8 megs of RAM, just to show the ST that you've
got power to spare.
Finally, it's all set up. You've got Windows 3. You've got the
Norton Desktop. You've got Lotus. And you've got a MATH CO-PROCESSOR
to make Lotus run at WARP SPEED!
So you fire up your machine. You note with some puzzlement, that
the machine is dumb. It won't boot without the DOS floppy disk. Oh, no
problem! You soon learn that all you need to do is to copy all those
DOS files onto the boot partition. In fact, the installation procedure
is kind of fool proof. Pretty soon, you get the computer booting
flawlessly from the hard drive. Great!
Then you add your Microsoft Mouse. That helps out. Starts to feel
like your old Atari. So you get a little cocky... You get an equivalent
amount of accessories and TSR's that make your IBM wonder FEEL like the
Atari you once knew.
Now after a minute or so of booting, you begin to wonder, 'Wow!
The VGA color is great, but gee, that's quite a long boot time." No
problem though, it's all there and working like a champ.
So you load up Lotus. Now you're ready for some real action. Just
to snicker at your ex-ST friends, you pull a disk from your pocket.
Sly devil! You've saved out that Atari LDW file in Lotus format!
You won't even have to re-type a thing! The best of two worlds! All
that slaving you did on your Atari, all that finger as that abysmally
slow 68000 did that "I think I can... I think I can..." super slow
recalculation... It's all going to be such a breeze on the B'mer that
you just have to laugh.
And there's icing to cement your grin. Now, you have ALWAYS for
Lotus, too! Wow! WYSIWYG and PostScript to boot! The Atari never had
it so good.
Smiles come to your face. The file is loading... You think of the
SPEED your gonna have with the co-processor. And that FAST, 32 BIT
processor... and ALWAYS to boot! You're riding high on expectation, the
grin spreading ear to ear...
WAIT A MINUTE! OUT OF MEMORY? I'VE GOT 8 MEGS!
The scorpion strikes. You've been stung. The accessories, TSR's,
and yes, even that cute mouse have robbed DOS of the so precious as to
be divine 640K. The DOS barrier. But you know Lotus can access above
640, it says so! Access above it, yes, but need the base 640? Yes on
that, TOO.
And you've robbed your machine of that 640K. Your spreadsheet has
yet to breach a megabyte of RAM, and yet you're out of memory. Even
with 8, 10, 12, or 100 megs online.
That's just the way it goes. By now, the sun's gone down, you're
computer room is dark. As you reach for the light switch, you remember
a line from a horror movie, "Welcome to _Fright_ _Night_... for
REAL...."
Disgusted, you check on free RAM. 8.13 megs FREE??!!! Ouch! The
scorpion strikes once more for good measure.
So you re-boot, leaving the computer off for a time. 'Let the RAM
die for a good re-boot...'
And you try again.
OUT OF MEMORY!!?? I'VE GOT 8.13 MEGS FREE!!?!?!?!
Yeah, you can cope...
As the frustration mounts, you disassemble your true glory. One by
one, you dismantle the desk accessories, the TSR's, ALWAYS... everything
until all you see is the repulsive command line interface.
You see:
C:\>
So you start typing:
C:\>D:
You get:
D:\>
You type again:
D:\>cd LOTUS
You get:
D:\LOTUS>
It's bare. Stripped to the bone. Lotus loads. No accessories.
No TSR's (except the BUNCH of patches you KNOW you need for that 8 megs
of RAM you bought).
And you try that file again... Not even sure that it will load at
this point, maybe even doubting it...
Will the scorpion strike? You've got no mouse, no accessories, no
convenience...
As the sweat beads on your brow, you think, "I've got no ST..."
And you're right. Any DOS user who works day in, day out with
IBM's or clones will echo this story. Same thing happens with some of
the mainframe coms programs at the office. 'OUT OF MEMORY.'
Get used to it. You have a DOS machine now. Trouble from the
start. Not quite right. Antiquated in some respects.
You remember, way back, to those days of Atari. What was it you
used to call DOS. "Disk Operating System?" Or was it "Dim-WITTED
Operating System?"
So, you keep on the IBM trail. So many users have got to be RIGHT,
right?
It's true, some things shine through, working really well. The VGA
color is great. But various glitches in your day to day work start to
show up.
So, you look for a breath of fresh air. You log on GEnie, and
download IBM Aladdin... The textual interface is so far a cry from ST
Aladdin that you find it, in practical terms, useless. Then you
remember how it was. You really enjoyed the power of instantly probing
DEEP into sub\sub\sub\sub\sub directories on the ST. Quickly finding a
file to upload 3 directories and 4 sub directories away...
The simple things that you simply can no longer do... Not as fast.
Not as well. Not with Windows. Not with Norton. So you end up
simplifying the use of directories on the IBM. You end up simplifying a
LOT. You end up PAYING a LOT for software. You find that what once
took one now takes three steps.
Again, some things are really nice, some things are really
wretched.
But you start getting critical. Your wonder machine has lost its
diamond-lustre. You find Windows by itself restricts operations, even
without Norton's desktop. Nothing seems so rosy anymore.
In the end, you wonder if peer-pressure made you do it, and why,
why... you stick with it. So, you develop a sense of humor about the
whole thing. You arrange a cute little start-up message for only you to
see:
Each day you boot-up, and the computer pleads to you...
WARNING!
USE OF THIS DEVICE MAY REVERSE DARWIN'S THEORY...
YOU RISK BECOMING A BLUBBERING THING OF THE PAST!
IS THAT THE PRIMORDIAL SWAMP A-CALLING?
UGGA-MUGGA!
[EOA]
[TIP]//////////////////////////////
ATARI_QWIK_TIPS /
/////////////////////////////////
Atarians Helping Atarians
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
o FOLDER TALK: The 40 Folder Limit Re-visited.
o PHA$AR NOTES: Tips & Hints.
FOLDER TALK Al Fasoldt writes:
"""""""""""
>>> The 40-folder bug can cause a worse problem with TOS 1.0 than
>>> the loss of a few k of memory by using FOLDRXXX. Keep in mind
>>> that a "folder" to TOS is not just a subdirectory.
Quite right! Just having a _drive_ increases the 'folder count'!
>>> And realize that you won't (usually) get bombs on the desktop to
>>> tell you you've reached the limit. Instead, you'll get trashed
>>> directories and other gross yuck.
>>> Go without the folder fix at your own peril.
This part of your message bears _repetitive_ retelling! I totally
agree!
My point is that it just doesn't make sense to increase it up _too_
far however. A user isn't likely to create 100 or so directories in a
series of sessions at the computer. Remember that the 'XXXX' in
FLDRXXXX isn't the _total_ number of folders and drives the user has,
just the number of _additional_ folders and drives _added_ to the
'40-folder limit'. Thus, putting 100 in there would increase it to 140,
not 100. Mine's set at 20 giving me a total of 60 drives and folders
before I'd hit the 'bug'. Counting the external drive and the 4
'partitions' of my hard drive, that gives _me_ 55 folders left or 11 per
drive. Since the disk in my external drive is almost always just a
blank formatted and write protected disk, I can use those 11 elsewhere
on the hard drive partitions. (11 folders on a single single sided disk
is a bit much. Not likely to occur!)
Again, my point is to make _intelligent_ use of FLDRxxx.PRG. And
if you're running off a 512K machine, intelligence in memory use is a
requirement! (I started off in computers in the 4-bit days, before the
first Atari 400 came out, when memory was literally hand-made, so I'm
used to using tiny amounts of memory. <grin> Other users, especially
these days, are not as likely to be so lucky. Programmers, in North
America anyways, seem to forget that we don't all have 4+ Megs of memory
available!) Opps! Sorry for the 'sermon'.
(C.GRIMSBY, CAT14, TOP32, MSG:83/M475)
>>>>> C.GRIMSBY, you say that a user is unlikely to create 100 or so
""""" directories in one session; you are of course aware that the
number of folders in your pool has to do with folders already existing,
as well as those the user creates?
In the older TOSes, even just LOOKING at a folder (without
opening it) added to your folder count. I believe that that's been
fixed (or is fixed with one of the patches) so that you have to actually
OPEN it to add it to your count, but this meant that if you had two
folders on your drive, and each folder contained ten folders each,
opening ONE folder would put thirteen pathnames in your pool.
As you say, TOS uses the pool for more than just folders, so
having a 40-folder limit and saying "Gee, I only have opened 35 folders"
is asking for trouble.
It's easier to rack the folder count up than you think. I just did
a quick check in Maxifile and counted 420 folders on my hard disk.
Fortunately, I use ICD Boot to increase my folder count to 440, I use
Poolfix to dynamically re-arrange that pool, and Maxifile itself has
routines to keep my pool from getting too full, so I NEVER see the
Folder limit anymore.
Here's a rule of thumb you can use for folder management on a hard
disk:
Temporarily set your folder limit to some ridiculous number (999
will do!) and actually count your folders using the Show Info on your
drives. Allow TOS to have the 40 built-in slots for its own use (i.e.
don't take them into your calculations). Add 10-20% to your folder
count for future expansion depending on your estimated need, and add
another 10 for use on floppies (If, like C.Grimsby, you never use
floppies, don't bother). Reset your FOLDRXXX.PRG to this amount (XXX =
AmountOfActualFolders + 10-20% + 10). Then make ANOTHER copy of
FLDRXXX.PRG, install it directly after your first copy, and rename it
FOLDR100.PRX. Remember that everytime FOLDRXXX runs, it ADDS to your
folder count, so if you had five FOLDR100.PRG files in your AUTO folder,
you'd end up with 540 available folder slots.
Use this extra FOLDR100.PRX file for those times when you're doing
folder intensive work, like backups, file maintenance, installing new
software, cleaning up all those little files that seem to appear like
magic on computers (*.BAK files, and the like) and other work that's
going to take you into the depths of your file system. -Ron Grant
(R.GRANT11, CAT14, TOP32, MSG:84/M475)
PHA$AR NOTES You are right, PHASAR isn't set up to use more than one
"""""""""""" register file at a time, at least easily. I don't have
the latest version 4, only version 3, so this advice may be dated.
If you run from two floppy drives, put phasar.prg on say floppy A
and put a copy of the tutorial register file on floppy B. Then fire up
PHASAR from drive A and modify the tutorial file in B to what you want
and save it. This way you could have each register on a separate floppy
(identify the floppy jacket with a pen so you know which it is because
the files will always be named phasar.reg), and just put the disk with
the file you want to work on in drive B before firing up Phasar from A.
I use a hard drive so it's a bit trickier to access the register
file you want from multiple ones. I put each .reg file in a separate
folder named in a way that makes sense to me (Phasar89 for example) and
have phasar.cfg files (or whatever the setup/configuration files are
called) in another folder for each .reg file that sets the path to the
appropriate register's folder. Then I activate the register I want by
changing the 3 letter extension of the appropriate .cfg file to a valid
one (otherwise I leave it as .cfx or something phasar doesn't
recognize). Then when PHASAR is launched, it sees only one .cfg file
and it sets the path for the .reg file I want to use. This all can be
set up for easy use with SuperBoot. -Rob
(R.WOODBRIDGE1, CAT6, TOP13, MSG:182/M475)
>>>>> Interesting solution, Rob. You can do something similar if you
""""" just move the REG files to where PHA$AR can't find them. PHA$AR
will then ask you for the path/file you want when you first run the
program. Not quite as fancy as your method, but it works for the few
times I have needed to access a separate file.
(SANDY.W, CAT6, TOP13, MSG:183/M475)
>>>>> I sometimes need to look at records from previous years, so I
""""" just save them as PHASAR.R89, PHASAR.R90, etc. The current one
is PHASAR.REG, of course. If I want to look at a previous year, I
change the current one to PHASAR.R91 and change the one I want to look
at to PHASAR.REG. It works fine. You just have to keep track of which
file is which, but that's easy enough. The extensions tell you which
one is "missing", and therefore current.
There seems to be something in the menu that allows you to call for
a different file, but I've never been able to use it. I guess the .REG
extension is critical.
(K.VANDELLEN, CAT6, TOP13, MSG:184/M475)
>>>>> The current version of Pha$ar allows you to switch REG files.
(CHAZ, CAT6, TOP13, MSG:185/M475)
>>>>> Yes, Chaz is right. Ver 4.0 of Phasar allows you (via menu
""""" selection) to change REG files. All you have to do is keep them
in separate directory (such as Rob suggests above i.e. 'Phasar90'
folder, 'Phasar89' folder etc.). When you select 'change register file'
under the file menu it will ask you where the new REG file is. See page
135 in the manual. -KMRick
(R.MARTIN46, CAT6, TOP13, MSG:186/M475)
[EOA]
[MEL]//////////////////////////////
MEL'S MANOR /
/////////////////////////////////
Rx For Your Hard Disk!
""""""""""""""""""""""
by Mel Motogawa
[M.MOTOGAWA]
>>> CLEANUP ST 4.16 <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""
~ Rx for your hard disk! ~
Peace of mind is a very desirable thing. But any computer user
knows that he has to live with the possibility of hard disk or floppy
errors. For a variety of reasons, "so let it be written, so let it be
read" is not always true. Whether the blame is laid on the power
company, the software, our hardware or ourselves, at times data on a
hard drive can get corrupted and happily it's not always irreversible.
Anything that can minimize the chances of this happening, and helping
out when it does, is well worth the expense in my mind.
CLEANUP ST from ICD, Inc. is one of those programs in my software
"""""""""" toolbox that I wouldn't be without. A GEM-based program
that runs in medium or high resolution, it is designed to analyze the
disk structure of your hard disk. By recognizing various types of
corruption and repairing it when possible, it has saved my skin more
than once and has come to earn my highest respect.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT To use Cleanup ST, you must have any model of an
"""""""""""""""""" ICD host adapter in your system. You can have
other hosts online too, if the ICD one is somewhere in the system.
Since an ICD host adapter came with my hard drive, this was no problem
and I think that many ST users are also in this camp, from what I hear.
Be sure to also use the latest ICD hard disk driver (included on the
Cleanup ST master disk). Cleanup ST will work on TOS (GEM) and PC-Ditto
partitions, as well as ramdisks and floppy drives.
MR. CLEAN Cleanup ST is very comprehensive in the tests it runs,
""""""""" checking such things as the boot sector, FAT, directory and
for bad sectors. The list is exhaustive on what all it checks. The
biggest problem I've had on my drive is developing occasional invalid
clusters or a cluster chain error. I've tried recovering from these
types of errors in the past with other utilities and Cleanup ST beats
the others hands down in ease of use and friendliness. Little messages
will pop up letting you know what the program is doing and whether it
should proceed with an operation. There have been times when I wasn't
sure whether to proceed or not, but I just went ahead and turned Cleanup
loose and so far it's always fixed the problem properly. This
intelligence in the program is something I really appreciate. How many
people are heavy-duty disk hackers? I shudder to think how bad my hard
disk would be right now, if I didn't have Cleanup ST regularly
inspecting its confines. Since I'm always paranoid about having
something awful happen to my data, I use Cleanup ST to do a full sweep
of my hard disk partitions every few days. It usually finds a few
errors and wipes them out pronto. The same goes with floppy disks, I
usually won't trust one until the program has given it a clean bill of
health.
Cleanup ST has hotkeys for many of the dialog box buttons, which I
love since I'm a hotkey fanatic. Usually it's the first letter of the
button text. A Control-C aborts a check that is in progress. You can
choose to check one or more partitions at a time. And you can set up a
special configuration file, in the same directory that Cleanup ST runs
from, that will automatically configure many of its parameters when it
boots. There is a Test mode that doesn't make any corrections to the
drive. Auto mode disables some of the messages from Cleanup ST freeing
you from interacting with the program unless it finds an error. A new
Print mode allows you to send a defect report to the printer. You can
configure how the program checks for bad sectors, save and restore
partition and boot sectors and a whole lot more.
DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT To me, Cleanup ST is the next best thing
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" to having a seasoned hard drive expert
living next door. But, if you need help working with the program, it
comes with a clear 24-page manual (not sure if I have the latest) or you
can get help from ICD online on GEnie (Category 4, topic 2) or by giving
them a call. The support of ICD for their products is some of the
strongest in the business and the program is constantly being updated.
A new demo of Cleanup ST was just uploaded to the ST RT file library
recently. (File #20832) Why not download it and try it out for
yourself? I appreciate the fact that ICD has created a great host
adapter, and then saw fit to create a powerful disk diagnostic tool to
work with it and their numerous other utilities. I sleep easier at
night knowing that my partitions are under the watchful eye of Cleanup
ST. If you are using an ICD host adapter in your system, I would
strongly recommend that you purchase a copy of Cleanup ST ASAP. It
hasn't let me down yet.
CLEANUP ST 4.16 $29.95 (upgrades from earlier versions- $10 and
""""""""""""""" original Cleanup ST master disk)
ICD, Inc.
1220 Rock St.
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 968-2228 Phone
(815) 968-2229 BBS
(800) 373-7700 Orders
[*][*][*]
Mel Motogawa has been hooked to his ST since 1986 and when not
online, enjoys reading every ST mag he can lay his hands on.
"After years of just reading messages and garnering infor-
mation, I decided it was time to break out. Don't be a lurker
forever, get the most out of the ST Roundtable. Ask questions
online or answer the ones you can. Share the wealth!"
[EOA]
[OFF]//////////////////////////////
OFF THE RECORD /
/////////////////////////////////
Mini_Qwik_reViews
"""""""""""""""""
>>> CALAMUS SL & DTP <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""
The major difference between Calamus SL over 1.09N or S is the fact
that Calamus SL handles colour. I am learning a thing or two in this
regard and perhaps I can share with you some of my ongoing education.
Especially since I've noticed that everyone has a different point of
view so this could really prove educational for us all.
The following is an example of the type of real world scenario
currently being enacted by one of my beta testers. I thought that some
of you might find this of interest. It is his last weeks report to me
and has NOT been edited to protect the innocent. :-) If he had his own
GEnie account I would have had him upload this himself. I'm working on
him. :-)
"Well, I've spent the last 2 weeks doing a wonderful 4 colour
process layout for a mailer, including a colour scanned TIFF image and
all sorts of fancy text effects (albeit with PD fonts...). In the
process I've gotten to explore SL quite a lot and I have to admit, it's
one hell of a program. Great attribute handling, virtual memory works
fine, (you use it a lot with a 1.6 Mb TIFF in your document) and in
practice it's really not so slow after all. I've also gotten to the
point where I go nuts without the magnifying glass feature in the old
Calamus... I like the way that the text attributes are organized now,
very efficient. The master page feature makes it very easy to do
registration marks/crops etc. but the TXT files Mario uploaded to me say
that the Final version will have a "Working space" function that will
automatically print cropmarks and the name of the separation. A damn
fine idea and one less advantage for Quark. :-)
The
tiling feature in the Print box is a godsend and I find I'm
using it 80% of the time I print, simply maaahvelous. And the Sort
feature lets me have the pages stack in order on the Deskjet. The
ability to control the offset of the frame copies is another major
improvement.
Now we get technical again... Colours in SL, hummm...
The txt files Mario sent me went a long way in explaining just what
was going on in that Colour/Raster Settings box and how the Separation
Module is supposed to work. I'll try to put it into layman's terms for
you. (Nathan here: I did need this in laymans terms. I'm also
learning!)
First a glossary of sorts:
RGB - Red/Green/Blue, The ADDITIVE colours, ie; R+G+B = White -
(monitors)
CYM - You know them, The SUBTRACTIVE colours ; C+Y+M = BLACK -
(print ink)
CYMK - Due to contamination of printing inks, C+Y+M = Brownish
Black so printers add a fourth colour (Black) to darken the
darks and increase the contrast of the colours.
UCR - Under Color Removal; Printers figured that since they were
going to print a black colour anyway, why not remove the
colours where the CYM colours were at 100% and just print
the black there. This gave darker blacks and saved colour
ink to boot.
GCR - Grey Component Replacement; Printers then figured out that
while they were replacing the solid blacks, they might as
well replace the areas where the CYM values made a grey (ie;
C,Y & M at 50%) with a corresponding screen value. (ie; Black
at 50%) TA-DA, more ink saved.
Second, a primer on how most North Americans design for color
printing:
The traditional way: A designer draws up comps and gets client
approval for the final design and type/colours/artwork/photos or what-
ever. The designer farms out the various parts to typesetters/artists/
photographers and then puts it all together into a "mechanical" with
overlays for each spot colour (specifying the colours as Pantone PMS
numbers or as CYMK%s.) He then gives it to the printer, who has the
artwork/photos separated (using the UCR and/or GCR methods) and then
everything is stripped together at the film stage. From film, a colour
proof is made (several types, most common are Chromalins and ColourKeys)
which is OK'd by the client. If OK, plates are made and the job is
printed.
The DTP (Mac) way: A designer draws up comps and gets client
approval. Near the final set of comps, he may opt for laser proofs or
even colour postscript output to sell the idea to the client. Once the
client OKs the idea, the designer locates the artwork/photos for the
piece and scans them into the document, adjusting for colour balance/
contrast etc.; The copy for the piece is imported from a WP document
and text attributes are set. Once the pieces are all in place, final
proofs are printed for client approval (B&W or Color) at 300 dpi. Any
colours in the piece are specified as PMS colours and translated to CYMK
values by the software. Once the client OKs the proofs, the piece is
output to film on a Lino (which requires special screen angles and
frequencies) via a RIP. Colour proofs (Chromalins) are made from the
Lino film as a last proof check before the print run. If OK, the plates
are made and the job printed.
The SL difference: (According to the information in the manual
parts I've seen and my own experience so far) Drawing up the comps and
getting approval is the same. SL supports all the good 300dpi colour
proof printers and if one can't be found, you can export the page as a
Postscript graphic and have it printed at any service bureau that has a
colour proof printer. The only trouble seems to be in specifying the
colours to be used. According to the manual, SL saves all colours in
the RGB system and calculates CYM values from the RGB values, adding
black only as a "calculated value" derived from the RGB intensities.
What this means is that you cannot enter a colour as a CYMK value, only
as an RGB value. ow for most amateurs, as long as the printed colour is
close to the colour they saw on their monitors, they'll be happy.
However, for professional designers, exact colour matching is
imperative, that's why the Pantone system was created. Monitor colours
are too inconsistent due to phosphor changes and colour balance settings
inherent in every monitor without software control of these variables.
Now, when doing 4-colour work, designers specify their colours as CYMK
%s ( ie; C @100% / Y @0% / M @63% / K @ 37%) so that the software has an
easier time doing the separation. There are many references in use that
give the exact CYMK %s for each colour displayed and the standard is the
Pantone to CYMK translator swatch book, which gives you the best of both
worlds.
At the moment, scanning is possible using the Microtek 3000z
directly with the German driver program or by porting it over from a
service bureau network for a fee. Mark at EpiSet just happens to have a
3000ZS (the one with the SCSI port) so if you can find that scanner
support driver, we'll try it out directly into the Mega. The TIFF I
scanned for my job was scanned by a Mac, edited in Photoshop and output
to a PC as a TIFF file of 1.6 Mb. We then hooked the PC and Mega up
with a NullModem cable and shot it across at 19,200 baud. Works great.
When I get my MultiSync monitor I'll try playing with the image colours
myself, but for now it's easier on the Mac's high rez screen.
I would recommend 26 Mb of RAM to anyone working with colour. My
TIFF was only 3x5" @ 250 dpi and it was 1.6 Meg! At 400 dpi it was 7
Meg! I am told that a letter size photo at 300 dpi is about 22 Mb
(sheesh) The print function doesn't seem to like working from Virtual
Memory either, it ends up dividing up the page into 1000s of parts and
crashing. You need at least 500k of real RAM left to print in any
reasonable time (especially @1270 dpi).
Summary: A very impressive program overall and quite addictive once
you let it spoil you. The colour issue is a big one though. Pantone
support is a must (or a module that lets you enter CYMK values and have
them translated to the SL system). Scanning needs to be supported, I
mean why support CYMK printers if you can't get the image in the first
place?
The ability to output to Postscript format is a stop-gap solution
that will keep a lot of smaller users happy until they can afford their
own color printers and Separation Modules. The Vector Dataformer should
be somehow registered like the CG fonts. By allowing PS output, you
could make pirate copies very useable, something you wouldn't want to
do; So I'd keep a tight rein on that particular module.
All in all, the potential here is incredible. The fact that you
can do so many things from within the main program gives a whole new
meaning to the words user-friendly. I get annoyed when I "have" to go
to Outline to do something now...talk about spoiled!
Talk at you soon;
P.S. Oh, about the radiused corner raster boxes. My buddy with
Pagestream II was showing off how he could control the radii in two
dimensions with this fancy dialog box. I had to admit that SL was lame
in this area until I realized that I could make one just as quick using
the Vector drawing tools with even more control... Shut him up I did,
yessir!
(Nathan again...As I mentioned earlier, I am not yet qualified to
comment on matters colour in nature. I do know a few things but readily
admit and look forward to the lots remaining for me to learn. It is
entirely possible that the above information is not entirely accurate
but it is certainly clear as far as the author understands it. In the
thought that I'm not the only one with a thing or two to learn, I have
taken the opportunity to share this file with you.)
Nathan Potechin
September 9, 1991
(ISD, CAT16, TOP20, MSG:1/M475)
[EOA]
[ELS]//////////////////////////////
ST ELSEWHERE /
/////////////////////////////////
_That's_ On GEnie?
""""""""""""""""""
By Terry Quinn
[T.QUINN1]
Samizdat in America
or
Publishing the Annals of Alternative Cultures
Narrator "I would like to take you, if I may on a strange journey."
Audience "Just how strange is it?"
(Rocky Horror Picture Show)
Everyone reading this is familiar with reasonably "official" online
publications like the GEnie Lamp but few are aware that lurking in the
bowels of GEnie are some publications that make the ruminations of this
online magazine seem positively normal. In fact the traditions of
alternative culture that arose in the 1930's (at least) has found its
way onto the data spaces of GEnie.
Now in case you haven't figured out what I'm talking about, drop by
page 470 and have a look around. Back in the early days of Science
Fiction there arose a subculture who was determined not to just read
about it but to actually try to do something. One of the ways these
pioneering individuals chose to do something was to publish their own
ruminations in the form of "Fanzines". Early fanzines were usually
crude, mimeographed tomes which were hard to read and still harder to
understand. One found bad puns, amateurish prose and a heck of a lot of
imagination in these early zines; in short nothing a commercial
publisher would touch with a 10 foot pole. Hence, individuals were
forced to publish their works themselves if they wanted to be read. A
few of these early fans kept at it despite ridicule from the mundane
world and eventually evolved into widely read commercially successful
writers (Isaac Asimov for example).
What has not been widely known or appreciated is that this process
of "evolution" by way of "fannish" acculturation has continued and even
flourished to this day. The advent of large networks such as GEnie has
enabled such activities to expand and flourish far beyond the original
days of hand distributed mimeographed pages. Online distribution has
in many respects expanded the original reach of such efforts to a
worldwide phenomenon. Browse through the SFRT and you will find such
efforts as "Imagenations" (the "official" SFRT zine), Other Realms
(mainly reviews of others works) and Furbytes (the Electronic Furry
Fanzine). Where else can you see such evidence of imagination as as
"Uncle Bobs Alligator Farm and Tofu Museum" or read about "Furnography"
(furry erotical modeled after Penthouse magazine.
In fact, much of what you will see in these fanzines can be
considered suitable as prize winning material for the Bulwer Lytton bad
fiction contest. Consider the following passage quoted directly from
one of the publications in the online SFRT library:
"They reeled back howling and we rushed upstairs to the door, only
to fined it barricaded with J.G. Ballard re-issues... That was the last
straw, because we know Ballard officially belongs to us... Our blood was
up, and we swarmed into the place, yelling the sacred name of LeGuin and
lashing out right and left with our shepherd's crooks..."
Still, at least writing such has this hasn't suffered from the
homogenization which is characteristic of most writing these days.
Spelling checkers and Grammar checkers would most likely throw up on
this stuff but the one problem with such helps is that they tend to make
writing look pretty much the same. No one can accuse fen of being
conventional and their writing certainly reflects this.
Further explorations in this area turns up other examples of
artistic expression that is in the very least not commercially
publishable. Poetry, songwriting and other art forms have been part of
this culture from the beginning and still continue to flourish in the
electronic medium. In fact, the relative low cost of this medium has
probably expanded the horizons of this culture far beyond the reach of
active fans of just a few years ago.
Next time you want to travel to a strange land, you need travel no
further than your own computer. Visit the SFRT and be prepared to see
things that you previously couldn't conceive even in your wildest
imaginings.
[EOA]
[LIB]//////////////////////////////
THE ONLINE LIBRARY /
/////////////////////////////////
Get It While It's Hot!
""""""""""""""""""""""
by Fred H. Koch
[F.KOCH]
>>> The ST RT Library <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ New files from Aug 25 to Sep 9, 1991 ~
HOT FILES! Here I will present a short summary of some of my favorite
"""""""""" files from the ST RT Library. I make no attempt to list
all new files, only those which were of particular interest to me and I
believe will be of interest to you.
The last line of the description indicates the file number, file
size, the approximate download time in minutes at 200 cps (within .5
min, overhead not included) and if the program runs in Monochrome or
Color. 200 CPS is generally achievable with Zmodem downloading.
>>> ARCHIVE UTILITIES <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
LZH201D.LZH Quester LHarc program, version 2.01d. This is the most
""""""""""" complete, lh5 compatible program for the ST! It works
fine with Arcshell 2.6A, allows recursive directories, it's very fast,
and generates the smallest archives of any compression program on the ST
(at this time). A must have for the serious telecommunications person.
Docs in German. ShareWare. Does not work with some shells.
[*]File number 20666, 40320 bytes, 3.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
>>> DEMO PROGRAMS <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""
GOGOST42.ARC Gogo->ST version 4.2. A program launcher with memo
"""""""""""" capability which will display a memo based on the
specified date/time. Launch 50 programs from each screen with a single
mouse click, or load another menu screen with a single mouse click.
ShareWare $15.00.
[*]File number 20678, 67200 bytes, 6 min, Monochrome & Color.
CAL_S/SL DEMO.ARC This is a complete working version of the new
""""""""""""""""" Calamus shell, save disabled. It will only work on
either an Atari monochrome monitor or on a TT in either ST high or TT
medium resolution. This is an arced file containing the demo program
itself as well as a small sampling of modules that will be included with
the program. It is almost entirely in English. For those of you
wishing to preview Calamus S/SL, this is it. Questions may be asked in
CAT 16. 1.5 meg min recommended.
[*]File number 20711, 661376 bytes, 56 min, Monochrome Only.
STENV42A.LZH This is ver.42a which clears up some bugs. Otherwise it
"""""""""""" still prints Envelopes in three sizes, Return address
labels in most any label config Mailing labels 1,2,3,or 4 across again
in most any label config. Rolodex/ Index cards . Photo labels and Photo
title labels and you can choose your Print font and type style has it's
own simple database. This is a DEMO Shareware Program ($7.00).
[*]File number 20726, 31488 bytes, 3 min, Color Only.
SLDRIVER.ARC This arced file contains the following additional drivers
"""""""""""" for use in the Calamus S/SL DEMO file #20711; ASCII,
DEGAS, GEM IMG, GIF, Wordperfect and 1st Word Plus import drivers as
well as two additional printer drivers; BJ 10E and HPLJII. These
drivers are only of use to you if you have already downloaded the DEMO
file.
[*]File number 20798, 27392 bytes, 2.5 min, Monochrome Only.
VRUSPCHG.ARC This is a demo of the ultimate Virus Killer 5.0. It will
kill all known viruses both bootsector and link. Also included in this
arc file is Flu a virus simulator program. Commercial 9.99.
[*]File number 20821, 93184 bytes, 8 min, Monochrome & Color.
>>> DESK ACCESSORIES <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""
PULLDOWN.LZH This ACC gives your computer Macintosh-like pull-down
"""""""""""" menus. English docs version of file number 20546.
ShareWare.
[*]File number 20667, 3200 bytes, .5 min, Monochrome & Color.
CLIPBRDE.ARC This ACC is the clipboard included with GEMINI 1.0. The
"""""""""""" original version had menus and dialog boxes in german.
This revision is about 95% english. With this program you can view
ASCII files from within other programs. You do not need GEMINI to use
this program. Displays text is a standard GEM window. Can run as a
program. Public Domain.
[*]File number 20826, 69120 bytes, 6 min, Monochrome & Color.
>>> GAMES <<<
""""""""""""""
STBLIPS.ARC This game will let you play BATTLE BLIPS (battle ship)
""""""""""" over the modem. It is a .ACC file, and it has graphics!
Play against another computer over the modem. It's real neat as you can
see their moves before they choose where to bomb. Can play against your
own computer too.
[*]File number 20758, 21504 bytes, 2 min, Monochrome & Color.
BOING.ARC BOING is an excellent arcade game. It is very addictive and
""""""""" has excellent graphics. Well worth the download time. No
Documentation.
[*]File number 20820, 38528 bytes, 3.5 min, Color Only.
COWS_87S.ARC Cows! v8.7s, this is a much expanded and improved Cows!
"""""""""""" on-line text adventure game. Save the world from those
crusty Moovian agents! A totally unique experience... Demo version 60%
disabled. Can be run from home computer as well (no BBS required).
ShareWare $10.00.
[*]File number 20829, 135168 bytes, 11.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
>>> GRAPHICS <<<
""""""""""""""""
ELIECOLR.ARC +++ The Eliemouse Complimentary Coloring Book +++
"""""""""""" Treat your young children to a magical coloring book
featuring Eliemouse. This full-featured program allows the user to
paint an assorted collection of pictures of Eliemouse (only two are
included in this demo). Magic touch sparkles as you choose colors and
as you paint the picture. Compliments appear randomly to commend good
work done. Fun for young and old alike. ShareWare $6.00.
[*]File number 20738, 51584 bytes, 4.5 min, Color Only.
GAR_FIELD.ARC This file contains three copies of the same picture the
""""""""""""" uploader drew of the famous JIM DAVIS cartoon
characters. The pose is in a director's chair. Includes a .PI1, PI3
(for monochrome users) and SPC for Spectrum users. AdWare.
[*]File number 20848, 38272 bytes, 3.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
>>> INFORMATION STORAGE <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
BDB_12.ARC Tim Early's Book Database ver. 1.2 This is a GEM library
"""""""""" database. Includes many features for ordering, sorting by
author/series etc. Full report generating functions. This version will
run in ST high/medium and TT medium rez. BDB is freeware.
[*]File number 20762, 79872 bytes, 7 min, Color Only.
FB18.LZH First Base version 1.8, a database program last uploaded as
"""""""" GEnie #19231. It further improves the search function and
provides for saving the file without exiting plus a few other minor
changes. This program is an in-memory data base program which makes it
very fast to access, sort, or review data. It is usable with just 512K
memory but for larger applications 1 meg or more may be needed. The
program provides for printing data in various formats or restoring to a
file in an altered form. Includes program to read disks into First Base
format. ShareWare.
[*]File number 20784, 43264 bytes, 4 min, Monochrome & Color.
>>> MUSIC <<<
"""""""""""""
4_SONGS.LZH 4 excellent quality QUARTET songs with VOICE set. You can
""""""""""" listen to these tunes if you own QUARTE or have downloaded
Q_PLAYER or Q_PLAY2. FreeWare.
[*]File number 20652, 45952 bytes, 4.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
Q_PLAY22.LZH QUARTET PLAYER 2. Includes the tune from a James Bond
"""""""""""" film, CASINO ROYALE. Play those QUARTET songs with ease.
This version eliminates the restriction of 20000 bytes of song files.
[*]File number 20814, 59904 bytes, 5 min, Monochrome & Color.
50FTWOMN.LZH QUARTET song: Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman by The
"""""""""""" Tubes. If you don't own QUARTET, use Q_PLAY22 (file
#20814).
[*]File number 20850, 50944 bytes, 4.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
THE_LOOK.LZH QUARTET song: The Look by Roxette. If you don't own
"""""""""""" QUARTET, use Q_PLAY22, file #20814.
[*]File number 20851, 47744 bytes, 4 min, Monochrome & Color.
>>> PROGRAMMING <<<
"""""""""""""""""""
GXXINC.LZH These are the include files for G++, the GNU C++ compiler.
"""""""""" These files are _required_ for proper operation. The co-
exist with, rather than replace, the GCC include files. More
instructions are available in the readme.txt file in GXXBIN.LZH. You
must already have GCC 1.39.1 or greater to use G++.
[*]File number 20730, 87168 bytes, 7.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
GXXLIB.LZH This file includes the object libraries for G++, the GNU
"""""""""" C++ compiler. This file is a companion to GXXINC.LZH and
GXXBIN.LZH. See the readme.txt file in GXXBIN.LZH for installation
instructions.
[*]File number 20733, 114432 bytes, 10 min, Monochrome & Color.
GXXBIN.LZH This package contains the binaries for the GNU C++
"""""""""" compiler, G++, as well as an installation manual. There
are two other files in this package, GXXLIB.LZH and GXXINC.LZH. All
three are needed for proper operation, as well as GCC, the GNU C
compiler. This file was archived using MSDOS LHarc 1.13.
[*]File number 20753, 432640 bytes, 36.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
FPLIB21.ARC This is version 2.1 of David Brooks' floating-point math
""""""""""" library for the Sozobon C compiler. If you're using the
original Sozobon release (not Ian Lepore's version), you should replace
your floating-point libm.a with this version. The archive includes
source code as well as the library objects.
[*]File number 20810, 40320 bytes, 3.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
>>> TELECOMMUNICATIONS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
DCDRPDTR.ARC DC Drop DTR will drop the computer's RS232 DTR line for
"""""""""""" one second, then reassert the line. This should hangup
any modem which is connected. Program suggested by James Faircloth.
100% assembly. ST, STe and TT compatible. FreeWare program of the
week.
[*]File number 20804, 3968 bytes, .5 min, Monochrome & Color.
TLINK31.ARC TripLinK! 3.1 , A VERY much Improved version to 3.0 with
""""""""""" a lot of add-ons, extra features, and fixes. The Only BBS
type program that supports Drop Down Menus, as well as a Full Online
Help Sysop Mode. Can be used to manage huge libraries or as a BBS.
Supports the St/STE, UIS, ANSI/ASCII/ VT52 and IG Menus. Too many
options to even list. Drop Down Menus are configurable as well as the
Fkeys in TinyTerM! and ChaT! up to 180 choices for each area. Built in
ARC/LZH/ZIP Verbose, Telecommunications, and Games. ShareWare $25.00.
[*]File number 20812, 307200 bytes, 26 min, Monochrome & Color.
>>> TEXT FILES <<<
""""""""""""""""""
TX2FORMAT.LZH This short text file gives complete details on the TX2
""""""""""""" file format, levels 2 though 4. Using this information,
anyone can create a program which can support TX2. The author wants
this to become a standard, so please, check this out. FreeWare.
[*]File number 20613, 3840 bytes, .5 min, Monochrome & Color.
CALAMS17.ARC Calamus discussion from the ISD category in the Bulletin
"""""""""""" Board. This archive contains general discussion, some
printer information, and speculation about Calamus SL. The discussion
continues in Category 16 Topic 2 in the BB. Feb 2, 1988 to Aug 26,
1991.
[*]File number 20638, 71522 bytes, 6 min, Monochrome & Color.
MEGASTE_4.ARC Messages from the Mega STe topic in the Bulletin Board
""""""""""""" from July 11, 1991 through August 29, 1991. This
archive contains much miscellaneous discussion along with some comments
about monitors and math chips. The discussion continues in Category
14 Topic 14.
[*]File number 20685, 63104 bytes, 5.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
HD_2.ARC General hard drive discussion from the Bulletin Board from
"""""""" April 16, 1991 through August 19, 1991. This archive contains
information about specific drives, problems and solutions. The
discussion continues in Category 4 Topic 39.
[*]File number 20687, 56064 bytes, 5 min, Monochrome & Color.
LIB_02.LZH Complete archive of files in the ST Library #2 - UTILITIES,
"""""""""" in text format.
[*]File number 20737, 69888 bytes, 6 min, Monochrome & Color.
LIB_03.LZH Complete archive of files in the ST Library #3 - LANGUAGE
"""""""""" AND PROGRAMMING, in text format.
[*]e number 20740, 28672 bytes, 2.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
LIB_04.LZH Complete archive of files in the ST Library #4 - GRAPHIC
"""""""""" ANIMATIONS, in text format.
[*]File number 20741, 14336 bytes, 1.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
LIB_05.LZH Complete archive of files in the ST Library #5 - GRAPHICS
"""""""""" AND ART, in text format.
[*]File number 20743, 65536 bytes, 5.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
LIB_06.LZH Complete archive of files in the ST Library #6 - BUSINESS,
"""""""""" in text format.
[*]File number 20745, 11392 bytes, 1 min, Monochrome & Color.
LIB_07.LZH Complete archive of files in the ST Library #7 - TELECOM-
"""""""""" PUTING, in text format.
[*]File number 20746, 22528 bytes, 2 min, Monochrome & Color.
LIB_08.LZH Complete archive of files in the ST Library #8 - GAMES, in
"""""""""" text format.
[*]File number 20747, 43264 bytes, 4 min, Monochrome & Color.
LIB_10.LZH Complete archive of files in the ST Library #10 - DEMO's,
"""""""""" in text format.
[*]File number 20748, 19456 bytes, 2 min, Monochrome & Color.
LIB_11.LZH Complete archive of files in the ST Library #11 - MUSIC, in
"""""""""" text format.
[*]File number 20749, 30720 bytes, 3 min, Monochrome & Color.
LIB_12.LZH Complete archive of files in the ST Library #12 - ADULT, in
"""""""""" text format.
[*]File number 20750, 20352 bytes, 2 min, Monochrome & Color.
LIB_13.LZH Complete archive of files in the ST Library #13 - ATARI
"""""""""" ARCHIVES, in text format.
[*]File number 20751, 16384 bytes, 1.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
ALASER7.ARC Discussion from the Atari laser topic from March, 1991
""""""""""" through August 31, 1991. Includes discussion of the SLM
804, SLM 805, toner, and the Phantom of the Laser modification. The
discussion continues in Category 14 Topic 11.
[*]File number 20773, 65152 bytes, 5.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
STQ&A4.ARC Messages from the hardware question and answer topic. Some
"""""""""" things covered include various monitor problems, looking
for parts, and some floppy drive information. These messages are from
October 1990 through August 31, 1991. The discussion continues in
Category 4 Topic 10 in the Bulletin Board.
[*]File number 20779, 52480 bytes, 4.5 min, Monochrome & Color.
BUILDDRV.LZH This file will tell you how to build your own 720k drive.
"""""""""""" Pictures included.
[*]File number 20825, 11392 bytes, 1 min, Monochrome & Color.
BBSX9109.LZH This is a listing of 104 verified BBS Express! ST
"""""""""""" Bulletin Board Systems in operation for September 1991.
[*]File number 20833, 4352 bytes, .5 min, Monochrome & Color.
>>> UTILITIES <<<
"""""""""""""""""
ST_TYPE.LZH This TOS program describes what kind of ST you have,
""""""""""" including TOS version and date, blitter status, GDOS
status, and more. C source code included. FreeWare.
[*]File Number 20622, 10752 bytes, 1 min, Monochrome & Color.
SAT400.ARC This is version 4.00 of my Satellite Tracking Program.
"""""""""" This program is for use in predicting a satellites location
using either the NASA two-line orbital data, standard Keplerian orbital
parameters, or a position and velocity vector (such as the NASA M50
format). A data file is provided containing two-line data for 638
satellites. This program is for the use of hams, weather satellite
users, or anybody interested in visually observing satellites. FreeWare.
[*]File number 20643, 146560 bytes, 12.5 min, Color only.
AV375.LZH Version 3.75 of Ascii-View, an Ascii Text File Reader. ALL
""""""""" features can be selected via the mouse or keyboard. Two
scrolling speeds are supported one lightning fast the other slow and
crystal clear. Desk accessories are now accessible. A benchmark
feature displays how fast YOUR computer can scroll a file. View 48
lines of text at once with a monochrome monitor. Recall previously
viewed files with just a keypress. Advanced Search, Set Marker, Block,
Print features are available and MUCH more. Extensive online help.
FreeWare.
[*]File number 20644, 59392 bytes, 5 min, Monochrome & Color.
DCRUNREZ.ARC DC Rez Run automagically switches resolution before
"""""""""""" running desired programs. Just say no to "Please run in
???? resolution" alerts! 100% assembly. ST, STe, and TT compatible.
Program of the Week. FreeWare
[*]File number 20698, 4864 bytes, .5 min, Monochrome & Color.
[*][*][*]
Fred is a computer addict from morning to dusk. Having worked
with Big Blue and Macs in various jobs, he settled down to the
ST as his computer of choice. He started with the trusty 400,
worked through each model, and is hoping for an STe in the
near future. His wife looks forward to power outages so she
can see him somewhere other than in front of the monitor.
[EOA]
[HAC]//////////////////////////////
HACK'N ATARI /
/////////////////////////////////
Down To The Wire
""""""""""""""""
o FEEL THE POWER: Installing A New Power Supply
o INSTALLING A 3 1/2" TOSHIBA DRIVE
FEEL THE POWER! Has anyone completely rewired their ST and drives to
""""""""""""""" am IBM 200 watt power supply, and done away with the
ATARI power supplies all together?
(N.HARD, CAT4, TOP36, MSG:152/M475)
>>>>> Everything I have in my 'Mutant' is powered from a 160 watt XT
""""" power supply. I removed the power connector from the mother-
board, installed a 6-wire male/female connector to it, and then
connected that to the power supply. The hard drive, hard drive
controller, and floppies use standard connectors so they weren't a
problem. You have to know the pinouts of your power connector to
install it correctly. I have the SAMS Photofact for my 520ST so that
wasn't a problem. If you have a manual for your ST there should be a
section in the back that shows the pinouts for the power supply
connector. The XT power supply uses standard color coding:
+5v Red
+12v Blue
-12v Yellow
GND Black
Hopefully those are right. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. I
cut off the standard motherboard connector from the XT power supply and
wired that to my new connector.
(H.SARBER, CAT4, TOP36, MSG:153/M475)
>>>>> Just an added note...ST's, starting with the STfm models, only
""""" use +5 and +12 volts; no -12. The six-pin connector going to
the ST mainboard has two red wires (+5), three black (ground) and one
blue (+12). I have remounted a 1040 STe and power everything from a PC
supply (200 or 220 watts). I have also modified this Mega4, removing
the floppy and rewiring to allow external floppies. I then bought a
midi-sized PC tower and mounted two floppies, two hard drives and a tape
backup unit in it (got room for one more drive). The host adapter is
also mounted inside, as well as the tape controller. All are powered
off the PC supply (250W), although I haven't haven't powered the Mega
from it, I could. -Norm
(N,WEINRESS, CAT4, TOP36, MSG:154/M475)
>>>>> I've got mine wired to a 230W (it came with the box) supply,
""""" it's no problem. Just remember that most of these supplies
require a minimum load on the B+ lines so you will most likely have to
load the 5V+ and 12V+ down (1-3A) depending on what you have (ISAC, T16,
ADSpeed, hard drives etc...). with some heavy (wattage) power resistors
or just put a few extra hard drives in ;-) -Carl
(C.STANFORD, CAT4, TOP36, MSG:155/M475)
A QUIET DRIVE FOR YOUR ST I just replaced the internal floppy drive
""""""""""""""""""""""""" on my 1040STf, and I thought I'd leave a few
comments.
The original drive was a Chinon, and even when it did work it was
horribly noisy. It failed by having the spring on the upper R/W head
break. Best Electronics sells a new head, but for $80. I got a new
non-Atari drive for $64.
The new drive is a 3 1/2 Toshiba. It's a 1/3 height drive. The
hardest part was configuring the jumpers. The catch is, you *don't*
configure them. There are three jumpers behind the power connection,
and two of them came shorted. I tried hooking the drive up, but
although the motor would run, the drive select light wouldn't come on,
and the ST wouldn't recognize it. I tried all possible permutations of
the jumpers, but nothing worked.
I finally noticed a *very* tiny switch next to the data plug. It's
a tiny black box with a miniscule lever sticking out of it. You may
need a magnifying glass to see the lever. I pushed the lever to the
opposite (right) position using a jeweler's screwdriver, and put the
jumpers back to their original settings. Eureka! The disk booted up
fine.
I got some 1/4" nylon spacers, and replacement mounting screws that
were 1/4" longer than the originals. I used a small hacksaw to trim out
the lower right corner of the drive opening in the upper half of the ST
case, to make room for the Toshiba's eject button. I screwed everything
together, and it works!
I noticed that some other people here said that they had to reverse
the plug on the data cable because the key was on the wrong side. I
didn't have that problem; the key matched the slot in the drive's
socket. However, I did have to put a half-twist in the data cable since
the socket on the Toshiba was rotated 180 degrees from the Chinon
socket. I was able to verify the orientation by noting which end of the
plug matched pin 1 on the Chinon, and matched that end with pin 1 on the
Toshiba. In addition, the wire for pin 1 on the ribbon cable had a
stripe. I have heard that Atari screwed this up on a number of STs (key
is wrong, or pin 1 is not the marked wire), so the safest way to do it
is to match the plug based on how it was connected to the original
drive.
Despite the key, it is possible to plug the Toshiba in upside
down. I did this by accident, and gave myself a real scare. If you do
this, when you power up the ST the drive lights go on right away,
instead of after a quick pause, and they don't ever go out.
It works fine now, and having a *quiet* drive is wonderful.
/
/ * / Alan
* *
(STARFALL, CAT4, TOP14, MSG:97/M475)
[*][*][*]
PLEASE REMEMBER! You are responsible for any damage or liability when
"""""""""""""""" you make any modifications or upgrades to your
equipment. Also keep in mind that opening your computer may void your
guarantee. If you are unsure of your ability to take on a hardware
project, find someone who isn't. -Ed.
[EOA]
[FOC]//////////////////////////////
FOCUS ON /
/////////////////////////////////
GCR: Tips From A New Owner
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
By Michael Fleming
[M.FLEMING8]
>>> TIPS FOR THE NEW GCR/SPRECTRE USER <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
I'm a new owner of GCR, and would like to share a few simple tips
with those considering a GCR purchase. If you're like me, you know very
little about the MAC and how to interface with it. I also didn't fully
understand how to get started with GCR.
A) If you have a MEGA Atari ST model, please search the GADGETS
libraries for a document by GEnie user 'STACE' on shielding your
internal floppy drive. I can't begin to describe how much trouble my
floppy gave me prior to being shielded. I wasn't even able to read the
MAC startup disk. Once shielded, the drive has worked flawlessly with
every disk I feed it. The shield will take a few hours of your time to
create, but is inexpensive and well worth it. Thanks, Mark, for this
great idea!
B) Be aware that once you buy the GCR, you must also purchase 2 MAC
PLUS ROM chips (see my entry in the 'Where can I purchase ROM's topic in
this bulletin board for info on buying these).
C) You also need a set of MAC 'System Tools' disks in order to get
your new 'Mac' up and running. In previous messages on the GADGETS
board, people have suggested going to an Apple dealer and purchasing
these System disks with their associated manuals. I found that no local
Apple dealer is selling the older versions of system tools now that
System 7 has been released (NOTE: do *not* try running system 7 just
yet). But, none of this was a problem. Most Apple dealers were very
willing to sell me an older version (they all charged $20). I was able
to find one local dealer who was willing to *give* me the 4 system tools
disks for free as a courtesy (I bought a box of floppies from them to
make the copies - thought they deserved a little something).
When you go to your Apple dealer, ask for copies of 'System Tools
package 6' - contains 'System 6.0.5' and 'Finder 6.1'. You can use
other systems and finders, but I find these to work very nicely. Note:
a manual is not included with these disks.
D) The last item I used and found very helpful is 'The Macintosh
Bible' book, buy Sharon Zardetto Aker et al. Most bookstores carry
this, but try to get it from a bookstore which also carries the
associated Mac Bible floppy disks - for minimal additional cost you get
2 floppies filled with free software, shareware, and public-domain
programs for the MAC. The disks are less expensive if bought with the
book; technical/computer bookstores should carry the version with disks.
I'm really happy with my GCR purchase. Every program I've tried
runs on it except one (a game which seems to 'lock up'- I'm going to
contact Dave Small on this; but it's pretty trivial compared to all the
major software I've been able to run flawlessly - keep in mind that
there are still buggy programs which can also lock up a real MAC too).
On the 'down' side, GCR is not a totally perfect 'MAC'; keep in
mind that for the most part GCR will not run MAC copy-protected software
(but there's not a lot of protected software around these days).
Personally, my only other quibble with GCR at this point is with
the MAC sounds being produced through my Atari's speaker - most sounds
are kind of average or even a bit 'grungy'; I wish they were as clear
and sterling as real MAC sounds. I read someone's post on the board
stating that GCR reads every other sound byte instead of every sound
byte - if this is true, perhaps it explains the someone lack-luster
sound production. In any case, sound does work and isn't the biggest
deal; just a minor disappointment.
THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT! Once you get your GCR up and running,
one of the first things you should do is use a shareware program called
'Heaptools' (comes on a disk with the GCR) to increase Heap system size.
This sounds pretty technical, but its easy to do. Read the instructions
which come with Heaptool. I increased my system size up to 256K I
believe. Prior to doing this, I ran into a problem running some
software, but after increasing, the same software runs perfectly. Note
that real MAC users often must do this too.
That's about it as far as some simple, condensed hints on getting
started with GCR. Follow the above suggestions and they should save you
hours or days of lost time trying to figure things out.
Enjoy your GCR!
(M.FLEMING8, CAT7, TOP18, MSG:146/M690)
[EOA]
[LYN]//////////////////////////////
LINKING UP WITH LYNX /
/////////////////////////////////
Atari Handheld Power!
"""""""""""""""""""""
"Gosh, with all of these people calling the Lynx II, "BatLynx",
maybe Atari could get it into Batman II... It's supposed to
be out next Summer... could be awesome to have Bruce Wayne Com-
Lynxed up w/Alfred and Vickey Vale in a heated game of Slime
World."
(ERIDDLE, CAT36, TOP4, MSG:186/M475)
>>> LYNX ODDS & ENDS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""
WHAT'S NEW? I just heard that APB will also starting reaching stores
""""""""""" very soon. Took a trip down to the PR offices today and
got to try out some upcoming stuff.
Checkered Flag-Pole Position style driving game, comlynable by 8
players. Tremendous scaling,graphics and sound. At the start, a guy
says "Gentlemen start your engines" and then begins waving the green
flag. They let me try out Super Monoco GP on GameGear to compare, and
Checkered Flag was infinitely better.
Ishido - Nice looking and sounding strategy game. The opening
credits are shown over fireworks going off (first time I've seen fire-
works at the start of a game). Turbo Sub-First person shooter with
great graphics and scaling.
Scrapyard Dog - Very fun, cute mario-style contest with lots of
hidden rooms and warps.
Hard Drivin - Smooth fast 3-d graphics, nice crash replays. The
control takes a little bit to get used to, but is useable and yes, if
you hit the cow it has a digitized moo.
Viking Child - Good platform game that looks a lot like the ST
version.
>>>>> Finally, I got to try STun Runner. This is a killer translation
""""" with fast smooth scaling and it plays and looks just like the
arcade game. It even has the digitized female voice "Welcome STun
Runner". This is the latest Lynx release schedule and as always it's
subject to change.
September: Ishido
Checkered Flag
Turbo Sub
Scrapyard Dog
October: Bill and Ted's
Hard Drivin'
Rolling Thunder
Viking Child
November: Bad Boy Tennis (that's a new one)
720 Hockey
NFL Football
Robotron
STun Runner (this may show up sooner)
Tournament Cyberball
December: Cabal
Hydra Lynx
Casino
STrider 2
Toki
Worldclass Soccer Baseball
Heroes Basketbrawl
Dirty Larry
GeoDuel
HyperDrome (used to be GridRunner)
Also, although there were some talks between Atari and SSI they
aren't currently working on anything. That may change in the future.
(C.SMITH89, CAT36, TOP5, MSG:158-159/M75)
PACLAND MANIA I bought PacLand a few days ago and I'm having a lot of
""""""""""""" fun with it. I find it much more relaxing than the
hitting/punching/kicking games that require split-second timing and
memorization of a huge game layout. When I play games, I want to be
relaxed. The ones that cause cramps in your thumbs and fingers and make
the player start twitching and yelping are the ones that bore me
quickly. <smile>
As of this moment, PacLand is my second-favorite Lynx title (my
favorite is Shanghai).
(JEFF.W, CAT36, TOP7, MSG:7/M475)
>>>>> Jeff- what's the deal with the spring board on the little
""""" island? How do you get enough ooomph to jump across the rest
of the water? Also, did you notice that jumping at the 'break' gets you
a 100 or 1000 point bonus? -Tom
(T.MCCOMB, CAT8, TOP7, MSG:8/M475)
>>>>> Tom, When you reach the end of the spring board, hit your A or B
""""" button to jump, then continuously press your joypad button
rapidly to the right and you will clear the water. As for the bonus at
the end of the level, I've gotten 100, 300, 1000 and now can get 7,650
bonus points most of the time. If you jump just as you hit the back of
the church, then jump again a split-second later, you should get 7650
points. Pac-Land's much better than I had expected. In fact, the first
GameGuide (due in just a couple of weeks) focuses on the game.
(STCONNECTION, CAT36, TOP7, MSG:9/M475)
>>>>> Tom - According to the poster/instructions that came with
""""" PacLand (I hate that poster/instruction sheet combo), you have
to "pump the joypad as fast as you can to give Pac-Man enough power to
clear the dangerous waters." I wasn't sure what that meant, but while
jumping, I keep tapping the joypad in the direction of the jump and it
works for me.
BTW, I don't know if it's been noted here already, but in Round 2
(going through the forest) if you push the 2nd tree stump you jump over
to the left far enough, you're leapfrogged into Round 9 and you get
about 80,000 points for your effort. I've noticed that this is only on
your first attempt for Round 2. If you've already lost a life before
attempting this, the stump won't move.
(JEFF.W, CAT36, TOP7, MSG:10/M475)
GAMEMASTER & STAR-LINX JOIN HANDS GameMaster and Star-Linx BBS are
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" proud to announce that the Lynx Game
Rating System (originated by Star-Linx) is being expanded and will be a
co-op effort. Lynx players are encouraged to rate their favorite (or
not-so-favorite) games so that Lynx enthusiasts in general can get a
good idea of what the current Atari Lynx game library has to offer.
BY SUBMITTING GAME RATINGS TO EITHER GAMEMASTER OR STAR-LINX, YOU
BECOME ELIGIBLE TO WIN THE NEWEST LYNX GAME TITLE EACH MONTH! A press
release with more information and a rating form is available in the
Press Release category of the ST file library. Rating forms will also
be available in each issue of GameMaster or by direct input while
visiting Star-Linx. Game ratings will be compiled and will appear in
each issue of GameMaster along with winner's names.
>>>>> GameMaster is proud to announce the creation of GameGuides for
""""" the Atari Lynx. Each GameGuide will focus on a specific game
title and will include a game overview, 3 reviews by 3 different Lynx
gamers, a game rating section and will also include hints and tips for
that game title. A new GameGuide will be available every month focusing
on the hottest new Lynx title. GameGuides will be available on a
subscription basis ($19.95 for 12 issues) and will also be available as
individual guides ($3.00 each/$2.00 each for subscribers). The first
GameGuide will be available in just a couple of weeks (mid-September).
If you'd like some additional information, read the press release
in Category 14 of the ST file library or ask your questions here.
(STCONNECTION, CAT36, TOP16, MSG:23-25/M475)
///////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE ////
/ "I HATE Airport Security Checks. /
/ I HATE Baggage Check-in lines. /
/ I HATE waiting in long lines just /
/ be harrassed by Customs Officials. /
/ Come to think of it, I don't like /
/ Customs Officials much either. /
/ (Needless to say, it was not a very /
/ fun flight back)." /
/ /
/ "On the bright side of the flight, the people /
/ at Frankfurt airport security did vacuum out /
/ my Stacy with some funny looking bomb-sniffing /
/ thing a ma jig. Thanks, guys :-)" /
////////////////////////////////// JMGSOFT C /////
[EOA]
[LOG]//////////////////////////////
LOG OFF /
/////////////////////////////////
GEnie Lamp Information
""""""""""""""""""""""
o COMMENTS: Contacting GEnie Lamp
o GENIE LAMP STAFF: Who Are We?
o WITH A LITTLE HELP: GEnie Lamp Writers
o WRITERS: Writing For GEnie Lamp
o HOT OFF THE PRESS: When And Where?
COMMENTS? If you would like to ask a question, leave a comment or just
""""""""" drop in and say hi, you can contact us in CAT 34 in the ST
bulletin board area. If you prefer to remain private, send your GEnie
Email to GENIELAMP$ on page 200, or leave a message to one or more of
the following addresses:
GEnie LAMP STAFF
""""""""""""""""
o John F. Peters [GENIELAMP] Publisher/Editor
o Darlah J. Pine [DARLAH] Co-Editor
o Jeff Williams [JEFF.W] Technical Editor
o David Holmes [D.HOLMES14] TX2 Editor
- Mark L. Dodge [M.DODGE2] Hack'n Atari
- Fred Koch [F.KOCH] PD_Q/Online Library/[PR]
- Mel Motogawa [M.MOTOGAWA] Mel's Manor/PS's
- Terry Quinn [T.QUINN1] ST Elsewhere/Softview
- Sheldon Winick [S.WINICK] Dealer Viewpoint
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o Larry Duke [LARRY.D] GEnie Lamp Advisor
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GEnie Lamp CONTRIBUTORS
"""""""""""""""""""""""
o Michael Fleming [M.FLEMING8] Focus On...
U.S. MAIL
"""""""""
T/TalkNET Publishing CO.
ATTEN: John Peters
5102 Galley Rd. Suite 115/B
Colorado Springs, CO 80915
ATTENTION WRITERS Have you ever thought about writing an article?
""""""""""""""""" Well, here's your chance. WRITERS.ARC File #17920
located in the GEnie Lamp library, #35 is a short text file that will
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go about writing and submitting your article for possible publication in
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a quick look, fire up the word processor and get busy on that article!
HOT OFF THE PRESS GEnie Lamp is published on the 1st and the 15th of
""""""""""""""""" every month for our Atari ST RoundTable members on
page 475, option 5. If you prefer to download your issue of GEnie Lamp,
you will find the current issue as well as all the back issues on page
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GEnie LAMP [PR] GEnie Lamp [PR] is a great way to keep up with all the
""""""""""""""" latest press releases, new product announcements and
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contact the editor, Fred Koch. [F.KOCH]
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
(c) Copyright 1991 T/TalkNET OnLine Publishing, Atari Corporation,
GEnie, and the Atari RoundTables. May be reprinted only with this
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////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
[EOF]
