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GEnieLamp Online Magazine Issue No.1.12
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~ COMDEX REPORTS ~
~ MEGA STE: IT'S OFFICIAL! ~
~ DEALER VIEWPOINT: THE YEAR OF ATARI ~
~ M.U.L.E. ON THE ST? SAY IT'S TRUE! ~
~ ORPHAN SOFTWARE: MAKING THE BEST OF IT ~
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
November 15, 1990 ~ A T/TalkNET OnLine Publication ~ Issue No.1.12
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Publisher/Editor ................................... John F. Peters
Co-Editor ........................................ Darlah J. Pine
Technical Editor ................................ Jeff Williams
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
FROM MY DESKTOP ......... [FRM] ON THE BULLETIN BOARD ... [BOA]
Notes From The Editor. Orphan Software.
HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM] HEY MISTER POSTMAN ...... [HEY]
Peanut Butter & Socks? Is That A Letter For Me?
ATARI_QWIK_TIPS ......... [TIP] ONLINE FUNNIES .......... [FUN]
Atarians Helping Atarians. CowTOONS!
DEALER VIEWPOINT ........ [DLR] DC SQUISH ............... [DC1]
The Year Of Atari. When Smaller Is Better.
HELP!!! ................. [HEL] PD_QUICKVIEW ............ [PDQ]
(NOT) For Beginners Only. Let's Compare!
DC XTRACT 2.02 .......... [DC2] OFF THE RECORD .......... [OFF]
Power ARCing. Mini_Qwik_reViews.
NIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE [BUG] ASK MS. GEnie ........... [ASK]
RTC Happenings! Got A Question?
ST ALADDIN ONLINE ....... [ALA] ST ELSEWHERE ............ [ELS]
ST Aladdin And You. Other Areas Of IntereST.
LOG OFF ................. [LOG]
GEnie Lamp Information.
[IDX]
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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:
FROM MY DESKTOP ......... [FRM] ON THE BULLETIN BOARD ... [BOA]
Notes From The Editor. Orphan Software.
To read Terry's article on Orphan Software, set your find or search
command to [BOA]. If you want to scan the articles, search for [EOA].
[EOF] will take you to the last page, whereas [IDX] will bring you back
to the index.
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:
(TIMPURVES, CAT6, TOP1, MSG:58/M475)
_____________| _____|__ _|___ |____ |_____________
|Name of sender CATegory TOPic Msg.# Page number|
In this example, to respond to Tim's message, log on to page 475,
enter the bulletin board and set CAT 6. Enter your REPly in TOPic 1.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
//////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE //////
/ "It's three in the morning, and Aladdin says I still /
/ have 952 messages left to read.... teaches me to not /
/ log on in a week..." /
///////////////////////////////////// G.GECZY1 ///////
[EOA]
[FRM]//////////////////////////////
FROM MY DESKTOP /
/////////////////////////////////
Notes From The Editor
"""""""""""""""""""""
o COMMENTS & OTHER MISC. RAMBLINGS
o ROUNDTABLE NEWS AND VIEWS
TOP OF THE PAGE Recently, a member of the Atari RoundTable has been
""""""""""""""" making his presence known within the bulletin board
area by writing about how he feels about Atari. Yeah, we've heard all
the doom and gloom stories before: Atari needs to do this, Atari should
have done that, will Atari do this etc. etc. etc... But wait, this guy
is different. He not only writes about the positive things Atari is
doing, but he sounds as if he _really_ believes in what he is saying.
What is even more surprising is to find out that this person is an Atari
dealer! Who is this guy that dares to be different?
Meet Sheldon Winick. Sheldon owns and runs the Computer STudio
store in Asheville, NC. and from all accounts, it is apparent that he is
doing one heck of a business. In this issue we are proud to announce
that Sheldon has joined up with GEnie Lamp and you will now find his
comments and opinions in the "Dealer Viewpoint" column.
Looking for something different? Don't miss Sheldon's column.
NEW RT SYSOP We are pleased to announce Vince Averello as our latest
"""""""""""" addition to the ST RoundTable staff. Many of you already
know Vince from the weekly RTC conferences. You can now reach him on
the VINCE.A account effective immediately.
Just who is Vince?
Hello, GEnie Lamp readers! My full name is Vincent Averello III
(hence the reason I use Vince-Cubed as a nickname). I'm 24 years old,
happily married to the former Susan Sherry. We are now the happy owners
of Vincent Averello IV (or does he own us?).
As far as Atari-related matters go, I've been using Atari computers
since I got my first Atari 400 about 7 or 8 years ago. I later moved up
to a 1040ST in October of 1986. I quickly purchased a modem and
discovered the wonderful world of telecommunications. First, I only
called local BBSes, but in early '87 I began calling GEnie, after seeing
a small blurb about it in the now-deceased ST X-press. It began
innocently, calling GEnie once a week for an hour or two, then I
stumbled upon a Wednesday night RTC in progress and I figured I'd just
pop in and take a look. Well, one thing led to another and I became an
RTC regular.
Late last year I became the backup person for Jeff Williams, who
normally runs the RTC's, then finally a few weeks ago word came that an
assistant sysop spot had opened up and it was mine if I wanted it. I,
of course, accepted the position and that brings us to the present. I
hope that I can help the ST Roundtable in whatever way possible.
Vince
EASIER THEN EVER! Getting mail to to us is now easier then ever. To
""""""""""""""""" send us your comments, suggestions, article
submissions or whatever, address your GEnie Email to: "GENIELAMP$" (no
quotes). We _do_ listen. We will respond to _ALL_ mail received.
Take care!
John Peters
[GENIELAMP$]
ROUNDTABLE NEWS & VIEWS
"""""""""""""""""""""""
COMDEX AND ATARI Well, here I stand at the Atari booth at Comdex.
"""""""""""""""" Around me are many wondrous sights to behold. The
new SLM605 Laser printer looks REALLY nice. Small and compact. Print
quality is excellent (yes...in my opinion.. better than the SLM804)! I
hear the suggested retail price is around $1299.
There are TT030/8 Graphics workstations everywhere. The new
monitor stand for TT's monitor is outstanding! It "docks" very nicely
with the TT to make a attractive desktop package (if you like the looks
of the TT case that is <grin>).
The new "GDOS" is called FSM (Font Scaling Module). From the demo
I saw running it looks terrific. And FAST! Color fonts too!
A real-time 3D graphics animation was also being shown on the TT.
This sucker was spinning and resizing 3D object in real-time....not with
page flipping. FAST!
There are many MegaSTE in evidence here as well. The MegaSTE has
the same case as the TT and includes an internal HD. The configurations
being shown are 4 meg/40 meg HD. I hear that this might not be the Mega
STE's final configuration. The HD might be 60 or 80 meg. That has not
been set yet. There are "rumors" of a 2 meg/40 meg MegaSTE as well.
The MegaSTE uses a 16mhz 68000. It has been reported to me that
the MegaSTE will include Atari's new Extensible Control Panel which will
include a module to switch from 16mhz to true 8mhz operation! Yes...
Spectrum pictures and related software can be used on the MegaSTE.
The MegaSTE has the same, excellent quality, keyboard as the new
TT. Frankly, the easiest way to tell the two machines apart is by
color. The TT is a white colored case. The MegaSTE is the older Atari
grey.
I am currently using Flash on a 1040STE that is connected to one of
Atari's new SC1435 stereo color monitors! These monitors are designed
primarily for use with the STE line but can, obviously, also be used
with the the older ST line. I like the looks of the new monitor. The
screen appears to be a bit larger than the older SC1224. And, of
course, there are two speakers mounted on either side of the monitor.
The SC1435 also features the following: Tilt base, stereo headphone
jack output, volume, brightness, contrast and horizontal centering
controls right up front. There is also a convenient "green screen"
option built right into the monitor!! Press a button and you get a nice
green screen background!
Welp...that is all I have time for right now. Gotta see the rest
of the show. More, as time permits!
(STACE, CAT11, TOP13, MSG:19/M475)
MEGA STE: HERE AT LAST! Atari is unveiling the Mega STE at the Fall
""""""""""""""""""""""" '90 Comdex Show. This new computer is an
addition to the ST/STE/Mega line of computers. The Mega/STE runs at
16Mhz, comes in a TT style case, with a built in hard disk. Like the
TT, the Mega STE comes with our new desktop, as featured on the TT, and
comes with a VME bus, two serial ports, the DMA port (Now called ACSI).
The Mega STE also has a new control panel, using the extensiable control
panel of the TT. From this control panel, a user can change the speed
of the Mega STE on the fly, from 16Mhz with a 16K cache, to 16Mhz no
cache, and to a true 8Mhz. The true 8 Mhz speed will allow you to enjoy
using timing sensitive programs, like Spectrum 512, with no problems!!!
The machine will come configured with either two or four megs of
ram, and a fifty meg hard disk, and the LAN port, just like on the
TT030/2. The Mega STE will also have stereo output jacks, that can
either be plugged into the new SC1435 Stereo Color monitor, or into
external speakers supplied by the end user.
(BOB-BRODIE, CAT14, TOP14, MSG:1/M475)
NODE INFO I am not sure what the logic is but I do know that GEnie
""""""""" has nothing to do with it. GEnie uses the nodes that
GEisco has set up for its business customers. I think what is important
is that GEisco has a customer or two in that city who pays for the node
in the day time, then GEnie uses it for free in the night time. I know
my node in Pontiac Michigan is not a GE node.. What happens is that I call
this number and they connect to the GE node in Detroit.. So, I am
paying someone $2 an hour to connect me to a Detroit number.. And, that
is cheaper then the long distance charges, so I guess it's a good thing.
(GORDON, CAT5, TOP1, MSG:323/M1000)
/////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ///////
/ "Maintain...maintain...how long 'til COMDEX? /
/ Arrrgh...maintain...MAINTAIN!" /
//////////////////////////// D.ANDERSON22 ////
[EOA]
[BOA]//////////////////////////////
ON THE BULLETIN BOARD /
/////////////////////////////////
Orphan Software: Making The Best Of It
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
By Terry Quinn
[T.QUINN1]
This past week, a message from R. Magruder appeared in the ST
Roundtable (Category 8, topic 29, message 130) concerning his recent
purchase of ST-Talk professional. Now, to the uninitiated, this is an
orphaned product from a defunct company. Still, this message brought
home one of the most important reasons why an ST user should belong to
GEnie (or similar resource) - support!
The computer landscape is littered with orphaned products and
skeletons of deceased companies. Since quite often local dealerships
don't know or care about products which they don't sell a lot of, the
information they may impart may be either misleading or flat out wrong.
In many cases, the only hope a poor beginner may have is to be able to
tap into the _international_ user community for the unbiased accurate
information he (or she) needs.
A case in point - this original message was replied to less than
three hours later by Ron Hunter (NTACTONE) who informed Mr. Magruder
that he should try to get the dealer to exchange this product for either
Flash or STalker, two excellent products which currently enjoy excellent
support from a variety of sources. Where else but on GEnie could
someone get such a quick succinct accurate response regardless of the
time of day or night.
While this series of messages involved an orphaned program, this
kind of support is available for all kinds of computer related products.
A number of really first class developers (Gadgets by Small, Codehead
Software, Branch Always Software, etc.) maintain a constant online
presence on GEnie either in the message bases or in their own
roundtables. A question to any one of these companies regarding their
products will get one a fast accurate answer. When it comes to home
brews (hard drive systems, etc.) even if there isn't any manufacturer
involved, chances are that others have encountered your problem and can
tell you how to solve it quickly and easily.
In conclusion, if you are not taking advantage of the support
available to you on GEnie, odds are that you are missing one of the
greatest resources available. Even if you think you know enough to get
everything you want out of your computer, it's still worthwhile to
become involved. What you learn here could save you from an immense
amount of grief later.
/////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "Charles, I must be hanging around in this topic, and your /
/ BBS too much because I understood most of that! :-)" /
////////////////////////////////////////////// WAYNED. /////
[EOA]
[HUM]//////////////////////////////
HUMOR ONLINE /
/////////////////////////////////
Peanut Butter and Socks?
""""""""""""""""""""""""
By John Peters
[GENIELAMP$]
CALLING ALL BB LURKERS Are you a bulletin board lurker? Do you read
"""""""""""""""""""""" message after message and _NEVER_ respond?
Would you like to get in on the fun of message bases but your not sure
how to go about it? Now, here's your chance. In the GEnie Lamp
bulletin board (CAT 34) we've started a nonsense topic message base
which everyone (yes, even you!) has an opinion on. Two hot topics that
are now being discussed are, "What do you eat with peanut butter" and,
"Where are the missing socks?". Now, how threatening can peanut butter
and socks be? Stop being a lurker... drop on by and leave a message.
To help get you started, here's some examples of a few nonsense
messages that have been recently posted by roundtable members.
[*][*][*]
I love peanut butter.
I love jelly and jam.
However, I've never had the desire to mix the two. I find that as
I get older, I'm more willing to try new things - you know, break out
and live in the fast lane. I figure trying peanut butter and jelly is a
good start. Question is, what flavor of jelly is best for a rank
beginner? Which is best: crunchy style or smooth peanut butter? Any
helpful hints and or tips would be most appreciated!
(GENIELAMP$, CAT34, TOP6, MSG:1/M475)
Strawberry, John. Strawberry preserves, not jam. And definitely
crunchy peanut butter. Only wimps eat creamy peanut butter.
Now, I realize you may not be emotionally prepared for what I'm
about to say. But since you did mention that you were trying to break
out into the fast lane, I'm gonna say it anyway, and just hope you can
handle it.
Bananas, John. Try a peanut butter, strawberry preserves, and
sliced banana sandwich. (My God, what is he saying??!) And some dark
night when no one else is around and you really feel like cutting loose
and throwing caution to the wind....you could even substitute honey for
the strawberry preserves.
Be warned though. Once you set foot on the road to experience,
Grasshopper, you may never taste innocence again.
- Charles (hmmm...maybe a peanut butter and grasshopper sandwich?)
(C.F.JOHNSON, CAT34, TOP6, MSG:2/M475)
Charles - Very interesting. I'm sure Freud would have a field day
with this. I have one question though. Which way to you slice the
bananas? Do you slice them width-wise, making little banana-disks, or
do you slice them length-wise, making them long banana-strips?
(JEFF.W, CAT34, TOP6, MSG:3/M475)
Charles, Your comments re banana disks sliding out remind me of an
old Dagwood cartoon: Blondie catches Dagwood at the icebox making a
peanut butter and sardine sandwich (Bleeagh!) and questions his taste.
His reply? "The peanut butter is to keep them from sliding out."
Now on to more serious matters. You definitely left out something:
a slice of cheese. And one other glaring omission: warm just to the
toasting point in one of them little tabletop toaster ovens. Now THAT's
a sammich...
Now for the surgical bit: depending, of course, on the size and
shape of the bread(s) involved, and the size of the 'nanner, a good
rule-of-thumb is to bisect the banana on its transverse axis and then
bisect the two halves on their longitudinal axis. Since the bread
involved is often three banana sections wide, a piece is left for an-
almost half-sandwich, or for immediate ingestion as an appetizer or to
occupy the saliva already generated.
PS - a slice of liverwurst is optional.
(M.JONES52, CAT34, TOP6, MSG:11/M475)
NEXT ISSUE THE SOCK REVOLUTION (...blow'n in the wind?)
""""""""""
///////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "Well, that settles it then. I guess by tomorrow night /
/ I'll have a Macintari <grin>. Thanks for the info, Dave."/
///////////////////////////////////////// HOCKEY-ASST ////
[EOA]
[HEY]//////////////////////////////
HEY MISTER POSTMAN /
/////////////////////////////////
Is That A Letter For Me?
""""""""""""""""""""""""
o ATARI_TID_BITS
o WHAT'S NEW
o ATARIAN MINDS WANT TO KNOW...
o HOT_TOPICS!
o MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT
>>> ATARI_TID_BITS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""
(Bits & Pieces From The Bulletin Board)
PAGE_1 [*] We are beta testing a new library command that will allow
"""""" you to ignore specific libraries. Private libraries are now
also available [*] My Syquest was making the 'whiny' metallic sounds
with all my carts so I phoned Syquest, got a return number & got the
drive replaced [*]
PAGE_2 [*] ST ALADDIN TID_BITS: The ST Aladdin billing clock is
"""""" mean't to be a guide.. It is not 100% accurate [*] Cancel the
cats you no longer want to read. And select "Read all new replies" in
the configuration for the roundtable [*] Archive files are always
appended to... If you use the same name it will keep tacking the messages
onto the end [*] We talked about separate folders for each RT, but
decided against it, with the known problems with folders and Atari
machines [*] The next release (of ST Aladdin) will have a "SN" option
[*] Re: Deleting files, as long as you delete both files .MSG, and .KEY,
it should be ok [*] Depending on what Aladdin is doing during an auto-
pass, it will ignore mouse clicks on 'stay'. F5 always works for me.
[*] ST Aladdin uses Xon/Xoff flow control [*] GEnie changed the way it
works... It no longer turns the clock on an off.. Some people were
getting billed 5 or 10 cents each time they switched roundtables [*]
PAGE_3 [*] The TT030 does not use video RAMs. The system RAM can be
"""""" expanded to 10 Mb (before using alternate RAM). There are two
types of RAM in the TT system: - Dual Purpose RAM: This type of RAM is
very similar to the RAM in the ST. It is used for video RAM and for DMA
access. Burst Mode RAM: This RAM is the new TT RAM. It's much faster
than the Dual Purpose RAM. It can be used by programs and makes their
execution MUCH faster [*] The TT does not have any hardware sprites [*]
Don't get after GEnie development TOO nastily to provide a way to ignore
a topic permanently while reading it [*] Release Notes for TT TOS are
already available to developers [*]
>>> WHAT'S NEW? <<<
"""""""""""""""""""
MIGRAPH SUPPORT? Migraph is definitely still supporting Atari
"""""""""""""""" products. Please excuse them if they haven't been
too active here online. EasyDraw works _BEAUTIFULLY_ in 640 x 480 x _16
color_ mode on the TT, Touch-Up has one very small glitch, but it's
being addressed. If you require immediate technical assistance, feel
free to call Migraph.
(B.REHBOCK, CAT28, TOP6, MSG:68/M475)
DIABLO EMULATOR This new version of the Diablo emulator is a GREAT
""""""""""""""" improvement over v1.2. If you have an SLM you should
definitely d/l the new version. In plain english, the main improvements
are that you can turn off the emulator (great if you have both an SLM
and dot matrix hooked up to your system), the Diablo emulator's
accessory will NEVER say, "Sorry, the emulator is not installed", and
this version does not crash! And finally, you can install the accessory
into MultiDesk with no problems whatsoever. A very nice job...
(NEVIN-S, CAT14, TOP11, MSG:52/M475)
NEW FROM ATARI Holy Comlynx, I'm sick for two days and look what gets
"""""""""""""" released:
Part # PA2035: RoboSquash $34.99
Part # PA2041: Paperboy $34.99
Both cartridges, as always, can either be purchased from your local
Lynx dealer, or from Atari directly. For a dealer in your area, call
800-443-8020.
To order from Atari, send a check or money order to:
Atari Corporation
P.O. Box 61657
Sunnyvale, CA 94088
Attn: Customer Relations
All sales are final. Sales tax is as follows:
IL: add 6.76% CA: add 7.25% NY: add 8% TX: add 8.25%
Add $3.50 for shipping and handling after you calculate any taxes.
(DAVID.CAGLE, CAT36, TOP2, MSG:140/M475)
DC EXTRAS I hope everyone has had the opportunity to download the
""""""""" new files we uploaded this week:
16970 - DCDSK12B.ARC - a patch kit to update DC Desktop from
version 1.2a to version 1.2b (DC ICE to 1.2a and DC SHOW to v1.2a)
16969 - DCMENU.ARC - allows you to assign execution keystrokes for
up to 24 programs, without needing to put the programs on the desk-
top! You can also call up a menu to choose the program to run.
16989 - DCPICK.ARC - with this nifty little program/desk accessory,
you can have access to all the SHOW modules from one location, and
from either the desktop !or! in a program! Yep, now you can view a
text file in a program using DC SHOW, extract (or verbose list) an
ARC file using DC SHOWARC, or view any picture using DC SHOW PIC!
In any GEM program that lets you access desk accessories!
17055 - DC SHOW HEX will let you view files or memory. It also
performs FAST searches. Has presets to view certain regions of
memory (Line A variables, OS variable, ROM, cartridge, TT Fast
RAM, etc).
These programs and updates are FREE! Power with NO price! <grin>
(DOUBLE-CLICK, CAT30, TOP3, MSG:19/M475)
DUNGEON MASTER - THE ALBUM You've played the game, now hear the music!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" FTL Games is now releasing Dungeon Master -
The Album, actually it's a CD<G>, with music inspired by the game
Dungeon Master. It will ship very soon, and will retail for $12.95.
There are 21 tracks and the CD has a play time of approximately 40 min.
The music (so far, I'm only on track 6 as I type this<G>) is all
electronic music, and is similar in feel to Tangerine Dream. Go out and
get this one! It is very good!
(D.MCNAMEE, CAT9, TOP47, MSG:86/M475)
>>> ATARIAN MINDS WANT TO KNOW! <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
(Facts, Fiction & Maybe)
QUICK TOOLS Ignac is working on a new set of updates and new Tools and
""""""""""" Ian is working on adding some features to Quick Manager.
Any Quick Tools update that I do release (and there will be one, it's
just a matter of when those guys get it finished) would be independent
of any products I'm working on. There is a whole list of bugs in the
first release of Quick Tools that are being fixed for the update. (Such
as your menu bar problem which occurs on some STs).
(DAREKM, CAT2, TOP19, MSG:26/M475)
ROM TALK The Supreme court held back in ??? 78' that you can copy roms
"""""""" in a machine into ram and patch the code. The case had
something to do with surplus pacman arcade games that were converted to
"look" like something else. I don't know the particulars but it is
quite legal and most Mac and Amiga accelerators do it as a normal part
of operation. Now, blowing roms and selling them is definitely a copy-
right violation requiring the authors permission to do legally.
(J.ALLEN27, CAT4, TOP11, MSG:123/M475)
MEGAFILE NO MORE? I've just heard that Atari has stopped selling
""""""""""""""""" Megafile 44s, at least in Europe. I tried to get
one for a friend, was quoted a price, said it was ordered, and then two
days later - no deal. Does anybody know anything or heard anything
about this? (F.BELL1, CAT14, TOP28, MSG:38/M475)
CDAR NOW? There is an ad in ST Informer saying they have the CDAR for
""""""""" sale NOW. Are they mistaken? It seems everyone here is
talking about them as though they weren't on sale, so I have to assume
the ad was placed too soon, or they are mistaken...
(J.ROY18, CAT14, TOP28, MSG:70/M475)
SHANGHAI ON THE LYNX? The best rumor I heard at the Chicago AtariFest
""""""""""""""""""""" was that Shanghai is in the making for the Lynx!
My favorite game! I do hope it proves a better implementation, however,
than Activision's disappointing ST version, in which the randomizing is
very suspect...(D.A.BRUMLEVE, CAT36, TOP2, MSG:139/M475)
MARK WILLIAMS GONE? I believe the "latest and greatest" version of MWC
""""""""""""""""""" is 3.0.9. From all reports that will be the
*final* version ever produced. The folks at Mark Williams Co. say there
just wasn't enough profit in it to go for version 4.0, which was to
have been a full ANSI version.
(J.TRAUTSCHOL, CAT3, TOP18, MSG:51/M475)
SUPERCHARGER The VGA board for the SuperCharger should be done Dec-
"""""""""""" Jan. As far I know, this is the only way to have VGA on
the SC, and it is not quite ready yet.
(TALON.TECH, CAT33, TOP2, MSG:39/M476)
500 MEGABYTES FOR 7 1/2 CENTS? I literally saw a *flexible* CD,
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" stamped on a roll of mylar (bunch of
them, imagine them stamped on, oh, a roll of paper towels); cut them
apart and play them. Production cost for 500 megabytes of data was
*seven and a half cents*. That literally set my ears buzzing with
excitement; I expect to see "floppy" CD's as soon as the rest of the
R&D is done. (DAVESMALL, CAT14, TOP35, MSG:68/M476)
TT TALK Expansion RAM in the TT has been reported to start at the 16
""""""" meg address boundary; e.g., 0001 0000 0000. It has been
reported to be 4 megs long, or bigger if you go to 4 meg d-rams. These
are just reports I have seen; I have no intention of breaking non
disclosure. Reportedly the shifter cannot access this RAM; however,
burst mode is INCREDIBLY AWESOME at supercharging instructions and
ramming them into the 68030 at about 8 pounds of boost. The Gadgets RT
contains a cycle by cycle breakdown of burst vs. regular, and you want
burst; I applaud Atari for "going for it". I mean, you only go around
once in life, you have to grab for the gusto, right? I should write
beer commercials. If so, neat going. Nice way to sidestep the video
contention. The benchmarks are showing the TT doing amazingly well in
video RAM. (DAVESMALL, CAT14, TOP35, MSG:68/M476)
SMALL TRICKS Not only will the disks then be compatible with MS-DOS,
"""""""""""" but with some of the new tricks Dave Small has up his
sleeve, we'll soon be able to read those disks from within Spectre GCR
as well! Sure will be nice to be able to utilize one disk format for
ST, PC & Mac modalities!!!!!
(D.M.LEVY, CAT32, TOP7, MSG:107/M476)
TT REVOLVER Intersect is also talking about doing a TT Revolver.
""""""""""" (DOUG.W, CAT2, TOP44, MSG:78/M476)
XYZ 2.0 Well, I *almost* had XYZ v2.0 done. I was working on the
""""""" final touches on it Saturday, when my ST's monitor died. (I'm
using a PC at work right now.) Needless to say, I won't be able to do
anything with XYZ until my monitor gets out of the shop. Oh, well.
(A.HAMILTON1, CAT8, TOP14, MSG:80/M476)
M.U.L.E. FOR THE ST? Someone mentioned in their documentation to a
"""""""""""""""""""" public domain game that they were either working
on a MULE type game, or they were planning to. I also wish badly that
their was a MULE and an ARCHON for the ST (hey, there's ARCHON for
Nintendo...) Those are one of the only two reasons I've kept an 8-bit
system in the closet.
(O.STEELE, CAT14, TOP7, MSG:5/M476)
Mule will be available for the ST soon. It is under development
for the ST right now. Also sort of a Super Ballblazer will be coming for
the ST may be even ready for Christmas. Both program conversions are
done over here in Germany. Big 8-Bit revival for the ST. Now if only
someone would go out and convert my all time favourite 8-bit game The
Eidolun. (HILCHNER2, CAT14, TOP7, MSG:8/M475)
Are these licensed versions of MULE and Ballblazer, or clones?
Just curious because MULE is one game where I don't want the programmers
making ANY "enhancements" that will ruin otherwise perfect gameplay. If
they have to change things to make it different enough to avoid copy-
right problems, it ain't gonna be real M.U.L.E.
(DENNYA, CAT14, TOP7, MSG:13/M476)
FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER We're working hard on it, although I'm not sure
"""""""""""""""""""""" if it will -quite- make it by Christmas time.
(HOLOBYTE, CAT9, TOP34, MSG114/M475)
>>> HOT TOPICS <<<
""""""""""""""""""
Atari-ST RoundTable
Category 4, Topic 11
Message 79 Wed Oct 31, 1990
ICDINC at 10:22 EST
CAT 4, TOPIC 11 Great news Jim! This wasn't a result of our bundling
""""""""""""""" agreement with Darek for Quick ST and Quick Index was
it? ;-) As I have said, a little competition only helps the consumers.
How is Whoaboy coming along? Figured it out yet? Your "low cost"
SCSI host adapters shipping yet? I sure would like to buy one.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Gee Tom, I didn't even realize you had bundled with
"""""""""""""" Darek...does he know yet?
Figured it out? There are 4 ways of accomplishing the switching,
I am using one way for the Whoaboy, and another for the T16E. The T16E
will be compatible with PCSpeed ;-) If you are attempting to infer you
know something I don't how about I tell Darlah how Whoaboy works, and
you tell her how the ADSpeed works, and she can be the judge of whether
I am copying your method...which is what you are attempting to infer.
>>>>>>>>>> Okay.. both of you go to your rooms! :-) This thing is
"""""""""" getting silly guys...
CAT 18, TOPIC 22 If a person decides a show is too far or not worth
"""""""""""""""" it, that is there decision, but I am sick and tired
of listening to all the whining that there is never a show in your area
when many I know personally, including me, have been traveling over 500
miles MINIMUM to attend shows. And no, these are NOT rich people, or
even people with much extra cash...if any. These are just people who
know they don't have the time/ability to organize their own show, so
they attend what they can get to.
Personally, I am very grateful to the many who have spent so much
time and effort organizing shows for others to attend. To demand a show
be in a specific location, just so it is convenient to you, is the
height of arrogance.
CAT 26, TOPIC 12 What law says you can't buy old sets of Tos 1.2, 1.0
"""""""""""""""" from those who upgrade to 1.4 and plug them into your
Amiga medusa thingamabob? If they made their own custom chips that
mimic Atari's chips they can't be touched. If they use Atari custom
chips then Atari could dry up the repair supply, but I just don't see
any legal basis for being able to stop the Medusa. In fact it seems to
me the Medusa folks "chickened out" of Comdex when they didn't need to.
CBM should've stuck by them.
CAT 26, TOPIC 12 In the last week I have watched how you got upset
"""""""""""""""" with my sysop for even suggesting that someone talk
to Ralph about a user group show in sunny Florida and now I see you
making issue about the 10,000 BBS systems. To be honest, up front, I
don't care what he claims. Sometimes he has decent news, sometimes
your mag does. What does bother me is the persistence to slay the other in
whatever fashion is deemed necessary. I know I talk for MANY people as
they talk to me about the mag competition. Do yourself a favor and give
it up. It has been old and stale for too long. If my reaction is like
many, I could do without the whole bloody mess of you. The credibility
of what each says seems to taken a new low stage, for me at least and I
am sorry it has reached that point, but old this war is.
CAT 11, TOPIC 8 I am the first Vice President of the Cin'tari users
""""""""""""""" group and I'm hoping to get comments from the
developers on here about the ethics behind a club having copyrighted
software in its library.
Our club basically allows a user to check out software (no charge
to the user) for one month. We let them borrow a copy of the disk (we
don't want to lose the original). Now we tell our members not to copy
the disk for themselves, but we all know that there will be many of
will copy it.
Basically I would like comments from developers on here for the ST,
to tell me what their opinions are on this subject. I want to print
these replies out and take them to the meeting or publish em in the
newsletter.
CAT 14, TOPIC 3 There is another possibility that I haven't heard any-
""""""""""""""" one mention (maybe because people think you're crazy
when you bring it up) and that is that there may actually be a
conspiracy involved.
When something goes on for a very long time that just doesn't make
sense to anyone, there's a good chance that it could be because someone
_wants_ it to be that way. Did someone (Apple) strike a deal with some-
one (Jack) way back when that says "you keep a low profile in the US and
we'll leave you alone"?
>>> MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
Atari-ST RoundTable
Category 14, Topic 34
Message 132 Tue Oct 30, 1990
DAVESMALL at 21:04 EST
I hate to disagree with the consensus, but I personally feel, and
it really won't do much good to flame me, that the TT needs to have its
own identity separate from the ST. Part of that identity is the wedding
cake packaging; part of that identity is the interesting boot process
("drop it again, Doug"); part of that identity is the different desktop.
However, look, let's be serious. You know and I know that any good
hacker, say the Chaos Computer Club, can hack the TT TOS into the ST in
no time at all. It would not surprise me *at all* to dial up Pirate's
Harbor and find it there. That is not a statement of support of it,
just a statement of fact; I have seen some exceedingly complex stuff
cracked and modified -- including Spectre, which I consider a nightmare,
and ST Aladdin, which I consider like waking up in a nest full of Alien
babies going for your mouth. (ST Aladdin as in the German Mac emulator.
You know it won't even boot with our Zax in place? *We don't know how
they detect it* -- if it is timing, an accident, or what.)
-- thanks, Dave / Gadgets
p.s. I agree, the ST needs all the help it can get; I agree with much I
have read here. I just think the TT needs its own identity. I also
deeply, deeply suspect that the corporate people will see it that way
too.
[*][*][*]
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.
/////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ///////
/ "My HotWire! alarm worked! Thursday evening at 7:55 my Mega /
/ started to make that annoying little noise that I only, until/
/ very recently, had heard every morning at 6:50. Beep..beep.. /
/ beep. And the top line of my screen was printed... /
/ "The Simpsons!!!!!!!!!! /
/ /
/ Needless to say, I caught the Simpsons this week." /
///////////////////////////////////////////// L.BUDNICK //////
[EOA]
[TIP]//////////////////////////////
ATARI_QWIK_TIPS /
/////////////////////////////////
Atarians Helping Atarians
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
o REFILLING HP DESKJET CARTRIDGES
o BATTLE OF BRITAIN: WINNING TIPS AND HINTS
DESKJET CART REFILLS It is very easy to refill your cart. First you
"""""""""""""""""""" will need a hypodermic needle. You will need a
bottle of Sheaffer SKRIP ink. I use black but a friend of mine has
tried other colors but they tend to clog. The ink cost about $2 for a
2 oz. bottle which goes a long way.
Now take the needle and draw out some ink. On top of the cart, you
will see a small hole which is in the ARROW on the cart. Stick the
needle down into the hole. You will feel it hit the sponge. Now slowly
inject the ink. Depending on how low on ink you are depends on how many
times you may need to inject ink.
That is all there is to it. I have refilled my cart this way many
many times and I have not had a problem. If your cart had run out of
ink, you may need to prime it or print some stuff until it starts
printing normally.
(R.WATSON15, CAT4, TOP9, MSG:63/M475)
I use a "glue applicator" from my local hobby shop to refill my ink
cartridge. It has a long thin metal tube attached to a plastic squeeze
bottle. I found I had to puncture what seems to be a membrane above the
sponge in the cart. before it will take the ink. I now have two
cartridges one in use and one refilled and ready to go.
(J.MEEHAN3, CAT4, TOP9, MSG:67/M475)
WINNING WITH B.o.B. Other than the normal flying tips, etc.. There are
""""""""""""""""""" some guidelines to the SCENARIOS (read: MISSIONS)
which may not be obvious to some who haven't done this sort of
simulation before.
RAF: The mission briefing mentions 4 targets.. Forget about the other
'''' three and concentrate on the MAIN TARGET.. Position your flyers,
or flying teams, at different EXPECTED altitudes to intercept where you
expect the bombers and escorts to be.. If you have flown the Luftwaffe
scenarios then you can get an idea as to what to expect from the
computer generated attack.. Dependent on the plane types and targets
that is.. If you can put your supportive teams into a generalized flight
plan at the correct altitudes, then success will be assured.. GENERALLY
if you put one squad in a cross flight at one altitude, and another
squad in an intersecting cross flight at another altitude, they will
find the bombers/escorts and deal with them.
[A] [TARGET] [B]
10 \ / 10K alt and maintain
down to \ /
5 K alt \ _/________/
\ \
\_____________\_
/
The whole thing also requires experienced flyers, which you get by
flying them in the COMBAT TRAINING MISSIONS.. Beyond this, they also
heavily depend on how YOU do with the plane YOU are flying during each
mission. If you set yourself as a wingman ( instead of a solo flyer )
and blow up your flight leader, or fail to keep him alive, ( even just
dweeb out and get too far from the flight plan ) it seems to make a big
difference on how well you do. If you let the squads deal with their
own problems and take care of your own little part of the sky, things
seem to work out. Remember that the other 3 targets will get hit more
or less, dependent upon how well YOU do on the MAIN target. YOU
includes all flyers available. Don't waste flyers sending them to the
secondary targets. Instead set up a typical flight as above and fly a
free ranging CAP over the area yourself. If you expect TOUGH bombers,
the Hurricanes have more ammo and tougher hides. If you expect 109
escorts and/or fast bombers, the Spits will get you there ( and are
spiffy in the dogfights).
As mentioned, if the Luftwaffe scenarios are run, you can get a
good idea what to expect from the attacking forces. ( yep, heh heh, no
more quick answers, heh heh )....
LUFTWAFFE: This is a leetle tougher. You have three choices here.
'''''''''' Destroy the planes, kill the pilots, or cripple the
airfields. The planes themselves get hit each attack, and can be helped
by nailing the factories. The Pilots is a real tuffy.. I haven't gotten
too much of a percentage down and kept it there in this category. And
the runways are self evident, as to how to shut them down.
I suggest hitting the radar as much as possible at first. This
helps keep the intercepts down later. Since they are real close to the
Channel your losses should be low as well.
Then try a few Airfield and/or Factory runs.. This should lessen
the available planes.
My best approach is to hit Radar during July ( or until it is 25%
or less ). Then move to the closer factories/airfields during August.
If the war is still on in September, then go for the DEEP factories/
HQ's. You will notice that as time goes on you will have bigger and
badder bombers to use. BE WARNED: If they give you He111's or JU88's
then you are running out of time.
My best time has been DO17's in about mid August. It will depend a
lot on how well YOU do. Much the same as with the RAF discussion above.
If you blow it, the rest will do about as badly... It goes best if you
do your own bombing, but if you fly escort and can keep all the enemies
off your bufs, then it will still work. The best escort by far are the
110's. They seem easy to kill when going against them, but if you fly
the h*ll out of them they stay alive, plus have mega ammo and a tail
gunner to help out..
Maj.Tom ( T.COATS ) has also come up with a unique idea.. It seems
that the bombers will break up and go to checkpoint 2 sometimes when
they are attacked. What he does is set checkpoint 1, 2 and sometimes 3
to the target area and say 'yes' to attack. Then if they are broken up
they will regroup and return flight to the target. Be cautious with
this idea though as it can cost you some planes, especially with the
deep in-country targets.
Well, I tried to give some hints without spoiling the whole thing
for all. I hope I have accomplished BOTH goals, heh. I still strongly
suggest doing ALL the scenarios for ALL the plane types. It does give
you a good idea of what to expect from the computer, and you also get
your money's worth from the simulation.
Now I can't wait for the next version.. SALVOES OF ROCKETS UN-
LEASHED TOWARDS YOUR B17 !!! Bring em on, HAH !! "Broken Drum"
(S.BANKS1, CAT9, TOP74, MSG:76/M475)
/////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "This (ST Aladdin) is an incredible piece of software. /
/ It's just like somebody came up and took my order for /
/ what I really needed and then delivered it. Splendid." /
/////////////////////////////////////// GSCOTT-MOORE ///
[EOA]
[FUN]//////////////////////////////
ONLINE FUNNIES /
/////////////////////////////////
CowTOONS!
"""""""""
By From: chuck@ics-m.UCAR.EDU
(---)
( )
/-----\ (___)
| | (o o)
| | | (-----) \ /
| | | / / \ O
| * | * | O |
~~ ~~ -----
"Coward" "Phone Bull"
///////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ///////
/ "Call me wacky. Call me strange. I actually like the TT's case./
/ I'm sorry. I apologize. I can't help it. I like "different" /
/ and "strange" things. Hey, I like the WizWorks guys! That /
/ should explain my tastes." /
//////////////////////////////////////////////// CYBERPUNK /////
[EOA]
[DLR]//////////////////////////////
DEALER VIEWPOINT /
/////////////////////////////////
The Year Of Atari
"""""""""""""""""
By Sheldon Winick
[S.WINICK]
With the first year of this new decade mid-way into its last
quarter, I can't help but look back at this remarkable year. The
excitement of the holiday season is yet to arrive, but the year so far
has been the most exciting I can remember in the Atari world.
The "Year of Atari" has been promised for a long time, but 1990 has
been the closest thing to that mystical concept we've seen so far. The
past year or so has given us a wealth of new Atari products, starting
with the Portfolio and Lynx, and winding up with the STacy laptop
computers, along with new hardware and software for both the Portfolio
and Lynx.
We saw the Megafile 60 and the Megafile 44 Removable Hard disk
systems appear on dealer's shelves. And we saw the trusty old 1040STf
replaced with the new enhanced 1040STe system, with a whole new array of
features and additional power, all with a new, lower price. The past
year also saw price reductions for the 520STfm, the SLM804 Laser
Printer, the Mega2 and Mega4 ST's, all helping to make our favorite
systems continue to live up to Atari's famous "Power Without the Price"
motto.
By the time you read this, Atari will also have released its
powerful new 68030-based, thirty-two bit TT computer system and made
several other new and exciting announcements at the COMDEX show in Las
Vegas. The TT promises to be a serious competitor in the professional
workstation market, where users must have the maximum performance
possible for complex applications such as Computer Aided Design and
Drafting (CADD), Desktop Publishing and Desktop Video.
New software packages for the Lynx portable color entertainment
system continue to be released by Atari, the latest that are already
available on dealers shelves being Slime World and Klax, with several
additional titles scheduled to be released in time for the holiday
season.
New software packages for the Portfolio, Atari's 1-pound handheld
computer system, include the the Finance Card, DOS Utilities, and File
Manager/Tutorial (which is currently being bundled with every new
Portfolio, along with a free 32K RAM card and free Smart Parallel
Interface). Several other Portfolio programs have also been released
into the public domain by Atari, and are available for downloading here
on GEnie or can be copied at most dealers.
Atari has recently released two excellently designed well-padded
nylon carrying cases for the Lynx (a small Lynx-sized case and a larger,
travel bag style with enough room for the Lynx and all of its
accessories and game cards), as well as a snap-on sun shield (now you
know what those extra holes next to the color LCD screen are for) and an
auto power adapter that plugs into a car's cigarette lighter and is
capable of powering two Lynxes (the cord is long enough to easily reach
to the rear seat of the car).
An Atari soft leather carry case with a belt loop is available for
the Portfolio so owners of that system can now carry it around in style
as well as provide it with excellent protection while in transit. And
the latest Portfolio accessory from Atari is an external RAM Card drive
that connects to a desktop PC, giving the PC the ability to both read
and write directly to a Portfolio RAM card.
The past year has also seen new marketing strategies from Atari
Computer Corporation. Yes, we have for the first time in years actually
seen Atari embark on major national advertising campaigns on television,
national magazines and major newspapers. They are also cooperating with
their dealerships with excellent co-op advertising programs for local
and regional advertising.
This new visibility has also manifested itself with Atari computers
showing up on several major national television series during the past
year, which I understand has not been by accident.
1990 also saw the beginning of "The Revolution", a consumer driven
campaign spearheaded by Artisan Software to increase the public
awareness of Atari computer systems. The "Revolution Handbook" was
released as a disk-based book and calendar of suggested events for the
entire year. For 1991, the new "Revolution Handbook" will be released
as a softcover edition. Watch for it on your dealer's bookshelves, and
do your share to support the "Revolution" by introducing your friends
and associates to our favorite computer systems, so they too can
discover Atari's famous Power Without the Price!
1990... it's been an exciting beginning to this new decade for
Atari; and the promised release of the TT at COMDEX along with the other
announcements planned by Atari should not only be a fitting conclusion
to this incredible year, but also serve as a great foundation for Atari
to launch itself solidly into this new decade.
Happy (Atari) Computing.
Sheldon Winick (GEnie Address: S.WINICK)
Computer STudio (Asheville, NC)
//////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE //////
/ "I want the DJet as badly as I wanted my ST back in '85. /
/ You would think that I would learn that HARDWARE won't /
/ make me happy. Broke, productive, and "cool". But /
/ never happy. <G>" /
////////////////////////////////////////// SRFT-ASST /////
[EOA]
[DC1]//////////////////////////////
DC SQUISH /
/////////////////////////////////
When Smaller Is Better!
"""""""""""""""""""""""
By Mel Motogawa
[M.MOTOGAWA]
The hard fact. Your disk or hd is not infinite in size. Sooner or
later you're going to fill it up and then what? Buy a bigger one?
Delete some files or move them to floppies? I'm not trying to
discourage proper housekeeping on your hd, but there is another solution
with a lot of fringe benefits. (And yes, if you're too lazy to hd
housekeep, you can put it off a little longer.) ;-)
DC Squish is a program compressor. If you're new to the concept,
here's the lowdown. The guys at Double Click Software made this nifty
utility that can take programs (Any applications with an .prg, .tos,
.ttp, .app and .acc extender. Yes it does desk accessories too!) and
make them much smaller, while leaving them executable! Not only that,
you can expand them back to their original size if you want. If you've
got a bunch of programs you'd like to squish at one time, you can do
that too. They even throw in a nice status section that gives you the
lowdown on how much you're saving.
The end result has all kinds of nice ramifications.
With programs squished, you'll free up space on your floppies or
hard drive. Maybe bring that overflowing hd back to manageable limits?
Your programs will execute faster since part of the program will now
execute from ram rather than disk. If you're a developer or putting out
a magazine with a disk, you could license the squish technology from
Double Click and be able to put more programs on a floppy and perhaps be
able to leave your distribution disk single-sided for another year.
Guaranteeing that you'll be able to reach any ST user. (I haven't heard
of anyone using cassette drives with the ST, have you?)
So how much space will you save???
I did an informal survey to find out just that. Rooting through my
master disk box, I created a squish database of my most popular programs
and accessories. Many of you probably have these too since they are the
more useful programs out for the ST. I went ahead and squished them all
with DC Squish 1.4a and recorded their sizes before and after and the
percentage of squishing accomplished. The results were interesting and I
plan to keep adding programs to the 'base to keep tabs on how much space
Squish is saving me.
The programs and accessories ranged from 5k to 383k in size before
squishing. There were 39 of them in this survey and they altogether
averaged 86k in size before squishing. (Just in case if you were
wondering whether they were mostly small or large programs.) DC Squish
was able to squish all 3,337,067 bytes of programs down to 1,947,592
bytes for an overall savings of 41.6%. (Lowest savings was 11% and the
highest was a whopping 58%) Yeah, I know what you're probably thinking.
Statistics, statistics. Well, I'm no math prof, but I think this will
give you some idea of what Squish will do for you. I don't think saving
1.3 megs of disk space is anything to sneeze at, do you?
The ads say that Squish will compact a program smaller than arc.
Well, I couldn't resist so I went ahead and compared arc'ing some
programs via Dcopy and squishing them. The ads are true, the programs I
checked were always smaller after squishing than arc'ing. Amazing!
One thing I like is the batch squishing ability of DC Squish. You
can turn off the 'alerts' flag and point it at a directory. Squish will
go ahead and squish or update all the executable programs and
accessories there with no further interaction. Update? Yeah, Squish
allows you to set/unset flags for the fastbit or a tpa memory-clearing
function and update all your files in one fell swoop, if you so desire.
This is _real_ handy when you want to change the fastbit status quickly
in a lot of
programs.
When squishing, you can have squish save the original and placed
the squished version in another path. I always just squish right over my
backup copy of a program and haven't had any problems. The one or two
programs I found that behaved oddly when squished were o.k. once I
juggled the fastbit and 'tpa' buttons status.
Squish even tells you how long it took to squish the file. Come to
think of it, I should have recorded the times it took to squish to let
you see how fast Squish is at it's work. You know, a bytes squished per
second average. Oh well, maybe another day. And unsquishing when the
program is executing is very fast. It will actually boot faster than a
normal program since a portion of the squished program is executing in
ram rather than loading from disk. Floppy users will really see a
difference.
All the functions of Squish have keyboard equivalents too. So once
you're up to speed, using Squish is very fast.
"Oh no!" you say. "I'm sold on Squish but I have billions of files
that I packed with Pack.prg and I'm not about to laboriously unpack them
one-by-one (no batch facilities with Pack, y'know) to convert them to
squish format."
Well hey, keep your shirt on. Squish can automatically take a file
that's been packed and convert it to the great squish format. Sweet,
isn't it? Also, it can convert files squished with the older 1.0 and
1.1a versions of Squish. So whatcha waiting for?
What can I say? D/l the demo of Squish and DC Xtract in the files
section. File #16660, DCU_DEMO.ARC. Then grab the nearest phone and
place an order for the new Double Click Utilities 2.0 asap! Check
Category 30, topic 2 for the latest banter. Smaller is better.
Remember. When in doubt, squish it!
DC Squish 1.4a, a part of:
DOUBLE CLICK UTILITIES 2.0
$39.95
Double Click Software
P.O. Box 741206
Houston, TX 77274-1206
(713)977-6520 Phone
(713)944-0108 BBS
////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE //////
/ "Maybe you'd better make sure the drive works first, Dave. /
/ Do all the vacuum tubes glow when you power it up? :->" /
////////////////////////////////////// A.HAMILTON1 /////////
[EOA]
[HEL]//////////////////////////////
HELP!!! /
/////////////////////////////////
(NOT) For Beginners Only
""""""""""""""""""""""""
o GEnie QWIK_TIP 1: How Word Wrap Works On GEnie.
o GEnie QWIK_TIP 2: Where Am I?
o GEnie QWIK_TIP 3: A RoundTable Just For You.
o GEnie QWIK_TIP 4: Online Manual Available.
GEnie QWIK_TIP 1: GEnie's Bulletin Board will word wrap messages so
""""""""""""""""" that they fit on the caller's screen using the
screen width they have defined in their GEnie terminal settings.
If you want to make sure that a particular line doesn't get wrapped
up to the previous line, separate your new line from the previous line
with a blank line. Or use the space bar at least once before you start
typing the new line.
(JEFF.W, CAT1. TOP8, MSG:10/M1000)
GEnie QWIK_TIP 2: Star*Services refers to specific "areas" WITHIN
""""""""""""""""" GEnie. So, S*S is sort of a subset of all of GEnie.
You don't have to log on to a "different" place.
So, as long as YOU select only Star*Services places to visit (and
set up ST Aladdin to do that), then you won't be charged while in S*S.
Example: The bulletin board section of the ST Aladdin BB is a S*S.
So, no additional charge during the evening. BUT, the bulletin board
section of the Atari ST RT is NOT a S*S (just like the other computer-
specific RT's). So, you'll be charged for your time within the ST RT
whether you're using ST Aladdin or not.
(H.WOOTAN, CAT1, TOP2, MSG:2/M1000)
GEnie QWIK_TIP 3: There is a Roundtable on GEnie that is set up
""""""""""""""""" expressly for helping new users. It is the GEnie
Users Roundtable. You can get there easily by entering GENIE or M150 at
any GEnie page prompt.
(JEFF.W, CAT1. TOP8, MSG:10/M1000)
GEnie QWIK_TIP 4: There is an online GEnie users' manual available.
""""""""""""""""" You can capture and save all of it or just selected
chapters. Type MANUAL to get there from any GEnie page prompt. Or you
can place an order for a printed manual for a small fee by typing ORDER
at any GEnie page prompt.
(JEFF.W, CAT1. TOP8, MSG:10/M1000)
//////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ////////
/ "Cost is an issue to developers; convenience is an issue to users."/
////////////////////////////////////////////// D.A.BRUMLEVE ////////
[EOA]
[PDQ]//////////////////////////////
PD_QUICKVIEW /
/////////////////////////////////
Let's Compare
"""""""""""""
By Fred H. Koch
[F.KOCH]
Program Name : Compare
Filename : COMPARE.ARC
Library Area : 2
Program Number : 13466
File Size : 31500
Program Type : File Comparison Utility
Author : Larry Herzberg
Version Reviewed: 1.0
File Type : Shareware ($15.00)
[*] [*] [*]
WHAT IT IS Given any two files, COMPARE produces a detailed analysis
"""""""""" of any discrepancies they may contain, allowing review of
revisions to documents, checking program output, and confirming file
integrity.
WHAT IT DOES Due to COMPARE's GEM interface, using it is hassle-free.
"""""""""""" At the click of a mouse button or the press of a key,
COMPARE allows you to display files in any one of three formats (two
ASCII and one hex), set block marks that are retained between display
modes, search for hex or ASCII strings, and view or print out any
discrepancies found.
Any kind of file can be loaded into COMPARE: text, binary, graphic,
MIDI, or whatever. The file selected from the Load File 1 option will
be displayed in the top window, its complete pathname will be displayed
in the window's title bar. The file selected from the Load File 2
option will be displayed in the bottom window with its complete
pathname displayed in window two's title bar.
The default display is ASCII, which presents each byte as its
respective character in the current system font. The carriage-return
and line-feed characters will NOT be honored; instead, equal lines of
75 characters will be displayed.
Two other ASCII display modes are available to make the display
look more like a standard text file. Choosing ASCII c/r will break
each line at the carriage-return character. Choosing ASCII l/f will
break each line at the line-feed character.
Files may be displayed in hexadecimal format. Generally, this is
the mode to choose if the files being compared contain anything other
than words. Each byte will be shown as a two-digit hexadecimal (base
16) number.
COMPARE follows the standard GEM window scrolling conventions, but
also allows scrolling both windows simultaneously using only the active
window. This is accomplished by choosing the Sync Windows option. Once
synced, both windows will scroll line by line or page by page using
normal GEM window scrolling. With the exception of dragging the slider,
all window scrolling operations can be accessed from the keyboard as
well as from the mouse. A counter in each window's information line
keeps track of the vertical position in the file.
The ability to define blocks adds a significant measure of
flexibility to search and compare operations; limiting them to
whatever bounds are set. COMPARE allows choosing between three
different "styles" of block marking -- underlined, bold, and grayed.
Either file can be searched for ASCII or hex strings. The desired
string is entered is a dialog box and the file to be searched selected.
ASCII searches are case sensitive. Hex bytes can be searched in an
ASCII display or vice versa.
During a comparison, if no block has been set in either file, the
comparison will start at the first byte of each file and continue until
reaching the last byte of either file. If blocks have been set in both
files, the comparison will commence at the start of each block and
continue until reaching the end of either block. If a block has been
set in one file but not the other, the comparison will commence at the
start of the block and the top of the "blockless" file, and continue
until reaching the end of either. If the blocks or files were unequal
in length, you will be alerted to this fact at the end of the comparison
process (as long as you don't terminate the operation first).
If a discrepancy is found during the compare process, a detailed
report is provided giving; the byte number, ASCII and hex values of the
byte, COMPARE and ASCII line numbers and block byte number if a block
was set. The discrepancy report may be sent to the printer with
additional information if desired. The comparison may be automatically
continued from the next byte of each file, new start points set in
either or both files, or stopped at any point.
[*] [*] [*]
PD_Q RATING * * * *
"""""""""""
DOCUMENTATION EXCELLENT
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS This program does what is claims in a great way, fast.
""""""""""""" A comparison of two 90K files took less than 2 seconds.
The only problem I found was the synced window option did not move both
windows when dragging the window slider box with the mouse. Everything
else worked exactly as advertised and worked very well. The program is
very easy to use and the documentation covers every aspect without a
single error.
If you ever wanted a way to determine if that new version is really
different, or if the text files you found that look the same are really
the same, then this program is for you. If you use this program, please
send in your registration of $15.00. Authors who create such good
shareware programs deserve the support.
////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "If Atari never released it... (a TOS on disk) you can't /
/ have it... Therefore, it must be ok to copy it because you /
/ don't have it." /
////////////////////////////////////////////// GORDON /////
[EOA]
[DC2]//////////////////////////////
DC XTRACT 2.02 /
/////////////////////////////////
Power ARChiving Without The Price!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
By Mel Motogawa
[M.MOTOGAWA]
Tools. They're so handy. The right software can save you a lot of
time and frustration when you're using your ST. In any good telecom
toolbox you should find some kind of archiving program for compressing/
uncompressing files that you've downloaded or intend to up-load. Myself,
I like simplicity. If one program can do the work of two, alright. Of
three, super! Of four, yeow! Where do I buy it?
Double Click software has just released DC XTRACT 2.02, part of
their popular newly updated DOUBLE CLICK UTILITIES 2.0. Xtract is a
real telecom companion if I ever saw one. It's a nifty prg/acc (you
decide which it should be) that will compress and uncompress files in 4
different formats. You heard me right, 4 - Four - one more after 3 -
_FOUR_ of the popular archiving formats in the computing world today.
ARC, LZH, ZIP and ZOO are now at your disposal. If you remember the
original DC Xtract, this one is about 1000 times better.
What's the big deal?
Well now you don't have to keep loading/unloading different
programs and acc's to uncompress those files you downloaded. Typically,
I d/l files and convert any .arc files to the .lzh format. With Xtract
I can go ahead and unarc them and then lzh them without having to use
another program.
If you have a buddy with an IBM or an Amiga who doesn't have a
modem, you can d/l files for them and if they only have arc, arc them.
If they only use zip, zip them. If you're sending a text file to an
Amiga mag :-) and they want you to .zoo it, no problem. You also can
go visit the IBM and Amiga RT's and get at whatever clip art, pics, text
files exist over there as well as the PC programs if you have a PC
emulator.
So, besides offering multiformat capabilities in archiving, what
else does Xtract offer?
For one, I really like how it first lists the archive's contents to
a scrollable GEM window. You'll see all the files that exist in the
archive and can scroll up/down without worrying about them rapidly
appearing on the screen and disappearing before you can read them as on
other archive programs. Now, you can decide whether you want to extract
them all, view a few of the text files or maybe print out one of the
docs. Just click on the ones you want and then perform the function.
There's a column of function buttons to the right and .... well, just
d/l the demo and you'll see what I mean.
This windowed approach gives you a lot of flexibility when
manipulating an archive. After, say you've viewed a few docs (If you
chose more than one they're queued one after another automatically to
the screen. Hit the spacebar or left mouse button to page by screen.)
you will returned to the window to either do more work with this archive
or select another for processing. All the functions have keyboard
equivalents too, so once you're up to speed, using Xtract is _fast_.
A lot of the time I go ahead and compress whole batches of text
files from my word processor, for storage. With Xtract I can later go
into these archives and view any of the files for reference, print them
or extract them with GEM point-and-click ease. If you have lots of
files in one archive, there is a full-featured search function for
locating these and highlighting/unhighlighting them in the window as
you desire.
BTW, Xtract also supports archiving of subdirectories too. So you
can just tell it to archive everything on drive C, and it will take off
compressing every file in every folder and the root to one nice tidy
file.
Now lest you think that Xtract has the subdirectory flag on all the
time, relax. You can archive only files in the root by a unique method
Xtract uses to choose files. Say you just want to archive the .txt and
.bak files in the root directory of C and leave everything else, folders
included, alone. Just tell Xtract, in the file selector, to archive
"*.txt" and hit return. Conveniently, the file selector will pop up
again to allow another choice of a file or wildcard pattern. So type
"*.bak" and hit return, then cancel when the selector comes up the third
time. Now Xtract will only take the .txt and .bak files in the root
directory and compress them. You could also manually click on all of
the files you want compressed and then click on cancel when you're
through selecting. Is that nice or what?
Just the other day I d/l'd an online mag and didn't realize that I
had run out of free space. Obviously a corrupted archive for sure.
Listing it via Xtract showed a bunch of additional garbage entries, as
one would expect in such a situation. But, I was still able to read
what was there of the mag. Then I just went ahead and logged back on
to GEnie to complete the Zmodem transfer where it was terminated due to
lack of space. The final file listed beautifully, (Well I wouldn't
mind seeing a few more features in the file showing section, like being
able to scroll backwards too, but hey!) and this ability of Xtract's to
go after archives that were corrupted was very impressive and
comforting. I've gotten a few corrupted archives before with arc and
it was "C la vie" to their contents after that. I wish I had Xtract
then.
All I can say is that extraction ease is here! I think Xtract
alone is well worth the price of the Double Click Utilities 2.0 package.
But you also get:
DC Squish- Compresses prg/acc's smaller than arc, yet they're
still executable. Do I hear a shout from the floppy disk crowd?
DC Deskey- Much improved, new features and works on the STe now
too.
DC FreezeFrame- Great for writers to snap screens with. Degas,
Neo, Degas Compressed to any path you want via alt-help. Turn it
off/on at will and save the config to the prg/acc.
DC Ramit- Can be installed as an application so you can doubleclick
on the ramdisk image files and install them automatically.
DC Sea- Convert any arc/lzh/zip/zoo'ive to self extracting and back
again if you want. This works hand in hand with Xtract if you want
to give an archive to a friend who knows _nothing_ about extracting
programs.
DC Desk Organizer- Turn your desktop.inf files into executable
prg's so that you can create a custom desktop, open windows and
all, in a flash.
If you're married to the modem and need to get down to business
with your archiving right now! Then do yourself a favor and buy the
Double Click Utilities 2.0 package. You can check out the latest gossip
on the Utilities in Category 30, topic 2. D/l the demo from the RT
library, file #16660, DCU-DEMO.ARC. Archiving ease is here!
DC Xtract 2.02, a part of:
DOUBLE CLICK UTILITIES 2.0
$39.95
Double Click Software
P.O. Box 741206
Houston, TX 77274-1206
(713)977-6520 Phone
(713)944-0108 BBS
///////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ////
/ "The only rumor I can give you is that I am going to... /
/ ...oh well, I'd better not." /
////////////////////////////////////// RTC / NEVIN-S ////
[EOA]
[OFF]//////////////////////////////
OFF THE RECORD /
/////////////////////////////////
Mini_Qwik_reViews
"""""""""""""""""
o CARDFILE: More then a Rolodex
o MVG 1.3: Truly Amazing!
o LYNX: Xenopobe
CARDFILE I just bought Cardfile at my dealer recently and wanted to
"""""""" point out to prospective purchasers that this is much more
than just what the name appears to imply: not just a computer "rolodex",
it's also got a calendar upon which you can make notes, and it does
autodialing.
On top of this, I REALLY LIKE the "autocap" feature... where you
can have the program automatically capitalize the first letter of every
word without having to shift into the letter. (If you don't want a cap
letter, shift works as a toggle, momentarily.) It's a much nicer
feature than you may at first think!!
Overall, a very good program! Delivered more than I expected.
(C.GEEROMS, CAT2, TOP5, MSG:9/M475)
MVG 1.3 MVG 1.3 is truly amazing! Got my update today and it is even
""""""" better than 1.20q was. The Dr. has some truly incredible
features in there and more planned via the module's feature. And you
also get a bunch of other handy utilities, like a mini menu program
booter.
The module's I'm really looking forward to are the GEMimporting
and text/fonts and the hand scanner utility. (Wouldn't mind seeing auto
tracing too.) The manual is _very_ nice 35 page job with lots of
illustrations and explanations of the features. It's fun to read too!
What impresses me about MVG is the quality of the prg's layout and
the ton of features. Having watched it grow from version 1.0 I can
testify to the great features and power of the program. Masked clip and
the ability to run other prg's and the screen dump capture and the clip
to/from clipboard and the config. save and quickie views of other pics
without quitting ..... well, you get the idea.
You can get in touch with the Dr. at:
W. David Parks
180 N. Hazeltine Avenue
Campbell, OH 44405-1024
(M.MOTOGAWA, CAT7, TOP5, MSG:2/M475)
LYNX / XENOPHOBE plays very similarly to the arcade version. You use
"""""""""""""""" the A button to shoot, the B button to jump, and
Option 1 to do the other stuff (throw bomb, throw critter, use machine,
etc.) There are 9 space stations to explore in the game and they get
harder as you go along.
They have added some nice things to the game like the ability have
4 people playing instead of 3... and in comlynx mode, one of the players
can choose to be an alien (so he can join in the fight against the good
guys. The station levels have been expanded, with new challenges thrown
in (pits you can fall in if you don't watch where your running, etc.)
The sound is good, the special sounds (laser gun, electric gun) are
great. The graphics are exactly like the arcade version. The one thing
I like, since I'm not the greatest player, is when your player dies
you're put back to the 'pick a character' menu (and the one that just
dies has the international NO symbols across his/her/its face) and you
get to pick another member from the team and start up where you left
off. The points you earned do not continue on with the next team
member, but it does extend the playing time of the game.
All in all, I'd say it was a 7.5 on a 1-10 scale.... but I'm still
waiting for Rampage!!!
(DAVID.CAGLE, CAT36, TOP2, MSG:119/M475)
//////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE //////
/ "If someone wants to tackle this -- which sounds like a one- /
/ nighter--I can't promise world fame, but I can promise cash, /
/ in small, unmarked bills, with non consecutive serial /
/ numbers. I *really* need this one, folks." /
/////////////////////////////////////////////// DAVESMALL //////
[EOA]
[RTC]//////////////////////////////
NIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE /
/////////////////////////////////
RTC Happenings!
"""""""""""""""
o NEVIN SHALIT FORMAL RTC HIGHLIGHTS
o INFORMAL RTC HIGHLIGHTS
BLACK TUX AND TIE ONLY "Our guest tonight is someone who is a bit
"""""""""""""""""""""" difficult to categorize. You see, Nevin Shalit
wears many hats, so any single description does not really tell you
what it is that Nevin actually does. Many of you will recognize Nevin
as the sysop of the SoftLogik Roundtable here on GEnie. As sysop over
there, he helps support PageStream and its users."
"Others will recognize Nevin as the author of the RUMOR CITY column
that appears every month in ST Informer magazine. For a self-
proclaimed rumor column, Nevin's information is highly accurate nearly
100% of the time. How does he do it? Why does he do it?"
"Then there is Nevin Shalit, the reviewer. Nevin's product reviews
often grace the pages of ST Informer magazine."
"And now, we have Nevin Shalit, the ST software developer. Nevin's
company, Step Ahead Software, has a product called Tracker/ST on the
market. Tracker/ST is billed as a mailing list program, but as I'm sure
you'll find tonight, it is not just a simple mail label printing
utility."
INTRODUCTION "Well, I'll start with a little mini-bio. I am 29 years
'''''''''''' old, and as Jeff said I am just recently married. For
about 5 years I was a photographer (for the NY Times, etc) and now I do
about 10 things in the ST community (and a couple of non-ST things)."
TRACKER/ST NOTES "Tracker/ST is a professional mailing list program
'''''''''''''''' with lots and lots of extras. Extras like a full
built in mail merge system (including its own GEM text editor),
unlimited notes for each person in your files (you're not limited to
just a few words of notes. You can go on for pages and pages), super
easy and powerful reporting, and much much more. It prints mailing
labels of all types, including perfect labels to laser printers and the
HP DeskJet. The main thing I think is that even though Tracker/ST is
extremely powerful, it's very easy to use. It's fully GEM based with
familiar drop down menus and keyboard equivalents. Our mail merge
system is the easiest in the world...you click one button and you do
your merge! The truth is that our users really do love the program,
and I've been very pleased with the positive reviews we just received
in Current Notes and Start as well. Oh yes, I think the price is right,
too...$79.95 list."
"We have a lot of different types of people using Tracker. A lot
of real estate folks (individuals and folks from places like Coldwell
Banker). They use it for mailings (of course) but they also use
Tracker's Long Notes feature which lets them keep reams and reams of
notes on their customers (like "Mr/Mrs Hill are looking for a 3 bedroom
with a mirrored ceiling in the master bedroom"). Also, lots of
musicians (I think they do TONS of mailings) and many folks who make
newsletters (since Tracker has an automatic subscription aging
feature)."
"Pricing is probably the most difficult thing to do. Our beta
testers suggested anywhere from $49.95 for Tracker/ST (we shot that guy)
to $159.95. I decided that $79.95 list was right. We have had a VERY
good response. When we do a windows version we will charge a whole lot
more, believe me. Right now most folks have between 100-500 names in
Tracker/ST, but last week a user set a new record with 17,000 names. He
does a video newsletter for folks who build their own airplanes and uses
Tracker for solicitation letters and to manage his subscriptions."
PAGESTREAM 2.0 "Well, PGS 2.0 will ship "when it is ready" to quote
'''''''''''''' Deron Kazmaier. It is already shipping for the Amiga,
and it is AMAZING. Since I don't work for SLogik I can't say when it
will be released, but I do not think it will be too long."
"I _believe_ that the upgrade will be $75. But don't quote me!
They have to pay licensing fees for Compugraphic fonts and that is why
the upgrade is more substantial. One nice new feature of PGS/2.0 is
font size up to 186,000 points (in case you want to say something
REALLY LOUD!)."
"I do not believe it will require a mono monitor. PGS currently
works on a color monitor (both Atari and the Hi Res color monitors) and
this should not change. As for memory requirements I am not sure at
this time. I imagine it will work in 1 meg as there is still a bit of
room left with 1.82 loaded."
"If you do not see buying a PostScript printer (not in your budget)
and if you use PageStream I URGE YOU to buy UScript before it sells out.
Yes, the Safari fonts will look the same with UScript or without, but
Times, Helvetica, Schoolbook, etc look a LOT better through UScript
than through PGS native mode. Also with UScript you can print EPS (high
quality) graphics. It is very sad that Imagen decided to drop support
of UScript. But even with no support it is a must have for PGS users.
I could say a lot more about why Imagen dropped UScript but I don't want
to get a call from Sunnyvale tomorrow. <grin>"
"TOS 1.4 clicking bug has been fixed. We fixed that clicking bug in
July."
"Our ability to make a networking version is dependent upon
Precision Software in England. We can do TONS of new features and
enhancements, but multi-user we rely on Precision. It all depends on
how the ST continues to sell (and how any particular networking system
is adopted)."
ODDS & ENDS "I am an ST freak through and through and there will
''''''''''' always be support for Tracker/ST. But there will also be
Tracker Amiga and Tracker/Windows."
"Oh yes, [Atari] can turn it around. How? Well the obvious:
market the computer. Get the 1040 in mass merchants at a LOW price
($399-450 with monitor) and work hard to get dealers. I think there is
room for a great home computer. I do not think Atari has the ability to
go head to head in the high end business market, but the home/small
market is huge."
"Pricing on the TT? I do not know. I have been trying to pry that
one out but I could not. My _OPINION_ is that for it to succeed it had
better be under $3000 by a mile. Atari's main lure is Power Without the
Price. At the same price as other systems, well, other systems have
lots more software available. Sad but true. At much less than $3000
($2000?) it will do great. At more than $3000 it will not (in my humble
opinion). The Mega STe? It has been rumored for a long time and now is
as good a time as any!"
"But to summarize, if you are looking for a dynamite mailing list/
mail merge/person tracking program please check out Tracker/ST. And
check out our amazing animated demos as well (files 17052 and 17053).
And stay happy."
TEE-SHIRT AND JEANS Anything goes when it's informal night!
"""""""""""""""""""
<[John] Z-NET> Pricing for the MEGASTE is not announced but will be
under $1200, street under $1K.
<[John] Z-NET> The TT IS overpriced at retail, but that includes 33%
for the dealer.
<J.D.BARNES> What about the FCC approval (or lack thereof) on the TT?
<[John] Z-NET> True, no FCC, and no reliable prediction as to when.
<D.A.BRUMLEVE> What about the STe? Is that through the FCC?
<[John] Z-NET> The MEGASTE is expected after the first of 91.
(Job 2)<[John] Z-NET> Odd item: looks like no ANALOG joyports on the
MEGASTE.
<[Jimbo@Atari] JTITTSLER> There are NO analog joystick ports on the
MegaSTe
<[John] Z-NET> Altho it ALSO has a TV/RF out/
<J.D.BARNES> Is there any provision for add-ins for RGB and/or Genlock
on the Mega STe?
<[Jim] J.NESS> J.R. - I see COMDEX as one heck of a marketing push.
Expensive.
<D.A.BRUMLEVE> John, does the new color monitor also show mono?
<[Jimbo@Atari] JTITTSLER> Yes JD... just like STe.
<[John] Z-NET> The new color has a green-screen mode that is in my
opinion a waste of a switch...
<[Chuck](Job 2)<[John] Z-NET> it does not do hi res.
<[J.R.] M.FENNER1> John: will there be any major PC magazine coverage?
<[CaesarPalace] JEFF.W> Keep an eye out for USA tomorrow.
<[CaesarPalace] JEFF.W> ...there MAY be a very interesting piece about
Atari coming up.
<[CaesarPalace] JEFF.W> That should be: check out USA Today tomorrow.
<[J.R.] M.FENNER1> John: What I'm really trying to ask is - was Atari
taken seriously at Comdex...
<[John] Z-NET> I don't think they were taken lightly...
<[Jim] J.NESS> From the ZNET description of their booth, I'll bet the
exposition people took Atari seriously. heh heh.
<[CaesarPalace] JEFF.W> Bruce Johnson of the Beach Boys stopped by the
Atari booth today.
<[J.R.] M.FENNER1> Jeff.W - what piece in USA today - Atari Specific???
<[John] Z-NET> They played the part of a major player. That's the
Comdex game.
<[J.R.] M.FENNER1> John: Any word on new Atari dealers from Comdex???
<[CaesarPalace] JEFF.W> While the Beach Boy was talking with Greg Pratt
<[CaesarPalace] JEFF.W> ...someone from USA Today was talking with
Atari's PR rep. ....
<[John] Z-NET> Comdex is where the manufacturers court distribution
channels, both
<[John] Z-NET> in dealers and larger distribution. We will know more
about that success LATER.
<[CaesarPalace] JEFF.W> Bruce Johnson started talking to the USA Today
reporter about how fantastic Atari computers are and how the Beach Boys
use them in their studios and on stage, and that the Atari computers are
great for everything else in addition to music. He positively raved
how fantastic Atari computers are. So, maybe we'll see some good main-
stream press out of this tomorrow or soon in USA Today.
<[J.R.] M.FENNER1> Jeff, John: The #30,000 question - how is the key-
board on the new MEGA STE???
<[Jimbo@Atari] JTITTSLER> The same as on the TT JR. (Except the legends
are blue instead of the TT's green.)
<J.D.BARNES> My memory fails me on the issue of whether the Mega STe
has a VME port. That could be a route to expansion if someone comes up
with a cheap extender cage. The europeans may devise such a thing, but
I doubt that it could get past the FCC.
<[J.R.] M.FENNER1> Jimbo - how does it compare to the current mega key-
board???
<[John] Z-NET> Just like the TT, JR, very much like a MEGA, but wider.
<[Jimbo@Atari]JTITTSLER> Well... I prefer it JR... but keyboards are definitely a
point of personal taste.
<[John] Z-NET> stiffer. BUT THE FUNCTIONS KEYS ARE MUCH BETTER. And
contour is a bit better, easier to avoid typos.
<[Jimbo@Atari] JTITTSLER> The keys now have sloped sides (in addition
to the front/back slopes) which put a little more space between keytops.
<A.DIPIETRO> Also, are the new monitors on sale yet?
<[John] Z-NET> The new monitors will follow the existing stock 1224 into
the market, They are being sold now in Canada. They are approved, I
think. VERY nice picture, by the way. BIGGER than the 1224, and just
as sharp. Should be SAME or $20 higher than 1224...
<[John] Z-NET> JD, the MEGASTE is a STE.... just keep that thought.
<[John] Z-NET> The STE desk is the same as the TT, just enhanced ala
older NEODESK,
<J.D.BARNES> Aren't they driving the clock faster, though?
<[John] Z-NET> The clock is swithcable 8 or 16 MHZ, with or without
cache. And it outperforms (by inches) the accelerator boards.
(Job 6)<A.DIPIETRO> I take it memory will not be expandable???
<[John] Z-NET> Memory is card expandable at least to 4 meg.
<[CaesarPalace] JEFF.W> BTW, folks. This is the first ever RTC
conducted by a sysop using a Mega STE.
<LRYMAL> Sure sounds like a Mac Classic killer.
<[John] Z-NET> It HAS to be.
<J.D.BARNES> That really is history-making news. Now all they have to
do is get it out. Will the memory be expandable using SIMMS? I would
guess so if the STE is.
<LRYMAL> Amen! Our University is selling the Classic with HD for
$1100.00
<J.D.BARNES> What monitor is in the base price?
<J.D.BARNES> Of course most new Atari products are sold as
replacements for existing systems, so people ought to be able to use their old
monitors.
<[John] Z-NET> Nope, monitor will be additional. But street price with
mono should be $1100 or so.
<LRYMAL> John, what about monitor availability? sigh....!
<B.MALATESTA> What will the price be for it with no monitor??
<[John] Z-NET> Look for street at 999. I bet.
[*][*][*]
GET IN ON THE FUN! On Wednesday evening of each week, you can find
"""""""""""""""""" Realtime Conference sysop, JEFF.W (Jeff Williams)
in RTC room one, along with several ST users and developers. JEFF.W
and company can probably help you with many of the GEnie or ST questions
and problems you might have. Stop by on Wednesday evenings starting at
10:00 pm Eastern for help for your problems and maybe even some rumors
and gossip!
////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ///
/ "What is the gppm for the SLM804?" /
/ /
/ "8 gallons per minute." /
////////////// J.ROY18 / DAVESMALL //
[EOA]
[ASK]//////////////////////////////
ASK Ms. GEnie /
/////////////////////////////////
Questions & Answers
"""""""""""""""""""
o WHERE DID THE MENUS GO?
o ST ALADDIN DOWNLOADING
o TOPIC GAPS
HI EVERYONE! Welcome to, "ASK Ms. GEnie!" I've been selected by the
"""""""""""" GEnie Lamp Staff to field any questions that you may have
about the Atari ST RoundTable, the ST, GEnie or anything else you can
think of. Let's get started...
[*][*][*]
Dear Ms. GEnie,
PLEASE tell me how to get full-menu prompts back after Aladdin
has turned them off? I still like to use plain, old Flash for some
purposes and I am having a helluva time without the full menu prompts
(also am wearing out the [?] key). Thanks!
John
Dear John,
I can understand your frustration, John. Relax, it's easy. To
get the menus back, enter "C"<c/r> (without the quotes). Ta da! There
back. To get rid of the menus, just do the same thing.
In the bulletin boards, enter "PROMPT FULL".
Have A Happy!
Ms. GEnie
[*][*][*]
Dear Ms. GEnie,
I'd like to see a way to do a Zmodem download manually in Aladdin.
For instance I have several files I would like to download that aren't
in my 'Main List'. The reason they aren't in my Main List is that I did
not have access to the U.S. Treasury to pay for the 84 week's of online
time necessary to get the full list of files in the ST RT. :-)
However, I can see no way to do a Zmodem download. I do see a
selection to do an Xmodem download, but no Zmodem.
Wayne
Dear Wayne,
Zmodem downloads are automatic, Wayne. Just tell GEnie to do the
download and then just sit back and watch. ST Aladdin figures out
GEnie is trying to do a download and it starts it automagically. :)
Have A Happy!
Ms. GEnie
[*][*][*]
Dear Ms. GEnie,
I and a friend have both downloaded the ATARIMGR and neither of us
could un-arc it with the newest Dcopy or ARC602. Could you or someone
please, please upload it? I'd really appreciate it.
Mike
Dear Mike,
The arc602.ttp which I used was 66325 bytes long, and was invoked
from arcshl21.prg. Also, make certain that when you extract, you use
the "include subdirectories" command, since almost everything in there
is in a subdirectory.
A good first check is to invoke it with the "verbose list" choice
from ArcShell - the command should show as "vz atarimgr.arc". Also make
certain you are not using the "original arc," which doesn't understand
subdirectories.
Have A Happy!
Ms. GEnie
[*][*][*]
Dear Ms. GEnie,
Recently I used ALADDIN to update my topic list and noticed that in
certain categories there are gaps in the numerical order of the topics.
For instance, topic 10 would be followed by topic 12 (topic 11 missing)
Could you explain as to why this is so?
James
Dear James,
That happens when we delete or move topics for various reasons.
When a new topic is started, it gets filled in by the missing spot. We
used to move them to get them in sequence but that drove those that did
things by topic numbers literally up the wall. Therefore it now remains
as is. ;-)
Have A Happy!
Ms. GEnie
[*][*][*]
The questions and answers found in Ask Ms. GEnie have been taken
from the bulletin board area. Ms. GEnie would like to thank Darlah
Pine, Tim Purves and Walt Webber for taking the time and effort to
answer the questions in this issue's column.
If you have a question you would like for Ms. GEnie to address,
post your question on the GEnie Lamp Bulletin Board, CAT 34, TOPic 4 or
leave E/Mail to me, Ms. GEnie. My address is GENIELAMP$. You can also
reach me in the "Feedback to SysOps" option on page 475.
//////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE //////
/ "Darlah, hang around in bars and whaddya get? Another wallet /
/ missing and deeper in debt. St. Peter doncha call me 'cause I /
/ can't go. I gotta get my drives back from that heartless schmoe!"/
////////////////////////////////////////// C.WALTERS1 ////////////
[EOA]
[ALD]//////////////////////////////
ST ALADDIN ONLINE /
/////////////////////////////////
ST Aladdin And You
""""""""""""""""""
o MESSAGE BASE COMMANDS EXPLAINED.
o UIS PROBLEMS?
ST ALADDIN! No sign of the new version of ST Aladdin, but no matter,
""""""""""" I'm still having fun finding all the the bells and
whistles in the current version. Although I haven't been bitten yet, a
few ST Aladdin users have mentioned that they have lost some replies so
be aware.
Gordon Monnier reports that the acceptance of ST Aladdin has been
overwhelming. He goes on to say that due to the fact that using ST
Aladdin makes being online more fun that people are staying on much
longer the before. They are working hard on the new version - it will
be much faster and will sport a new and improved editor among other
improvements.
MESSAGE MESS CLEAN-UP When you first join any RT all messages are new.
""""""""""""""""""""" if you read all or browse you will get all the
messages in the RT .. could be a lot of messages. If you "IGN ALL" then
all the current messages will be marked by GEnie as if you just read
them and they will no longer be new to you. The next time you browse or
read new, you will only get the messages left after you did your IGN
ALL. All of this information is kept by GEnie not Aladdin.
If you "Mark" a topic by replying to it or reading messages there
GEnie will Mark it for you. This is also done by GEnie not ALaddin. IF
you do a Update Topic list with Aladdin then the Aladdin list will
reflect the same as GEnie's list.
Aladdin will let you get messages three ways:
o ALL NEW MESSAGES (Except those that have been Ignored perm)
Will get all messages new to you in all topics and Catagories
that you have not ignored PERM (Ign and Ign perm is another
whole topic)
o ALL NEW REPLIES (Think of this as All New Marked Messages)
Not a very descriptive title but it will get all messages new
to you in any topic you have "marked" but not others.
o CHECK FOR NEW MESSAGES (To select for reading) will sign on and
get a list of the number of messages by topic number that are
new to you in all topics except those you have Ign Perm'ed.
After getting the list you will be able to select which of the
new messages you want and have GEnie go get them.
All this allows you to get all messages, all messages in the areas
you have previously selected, or selected messages. You can also tell
GEnie to ignore certain topics or categories, until you tell it not to.
All in all this is a very flexible system.
(J.MEEHAN3, CAT2, TOP2, MSG:212/M1000)
UIS PROBLEMS? I spoke to Chris Lathem tonight about the reported
""""""""""""" problems using UIS III with Aladdin. According to
Chris, UIS III _never_ performs a forced media change on a hard drive
partition. A forced media change can only be instigated from UIS III on
floppy drives using the special mouse actions described in the manual.
UIS III works fine with Aladdin for me. I personally suspect if
anyone is having problems with UIS III, it may be due to manipulating
Aladdin files from the file selector that Aladdin allows to remain open.
This means you should not copy, delete, show, read, rename any of the
Aladdin files while Aladdin is active.
(RJROBINSON, CAT1, TOP5, MSG:1/M1000)
///////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE //////
/ "*** WARNING *** Kids..Do not try this at home! This can /
/ only be performed by experienced professionals! ICD will /
/ not be held responsible for radioactive leakage due to /
/ negligence when working on this type of equipment." /
////////////////////////////////////////////// ICDINC /////
[EOA]
[ELS]//////////////////////////////
ST ELSEWHERE /
/////////////////////////////////
Other Areas Of IntereST
"""""""""""""""""""""""
>>> Letters From Home <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
GE OFFERS FREE ELECTRONIC MAIL TO U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL IN
PERSIAN GULF ROCKVILLE, MD (NOV. 7) - GE Information Services today
announced "Letters From Home" - a program to allow families and friends
of those serving with the U.S. Armed Forces in the Persian Gulf region
to send free electronic mail messages via the GEnie service.
"Letters From Home", offered in cooperation with the U.S. Armed
Forces, the Saudi-American General Electric Company, GE Rents and Pitney
Bowes Inc., allows individuals in the United States with access to a
personal computer and modem to send personal messages to loved ones
serving in the Persian Gulf region.
Letters will be sent electronically via GE Information Services'
worldwide teleprocessing network to GE's local telecommunications
facility in Saudi Arabia. The letters will be received and printed on
computers and printers supplied by GE Rents.
The mail will then be folded, inserted, and sealed in envelopes
using state-of-the-art equipment provided by Pitney Bowes. The letters
will then be given to the U.S. Armed Forces for delivery to the
designated serviceperson.
In announcing "Letters From Home". GEnie general manager Bill
Louden said, "All of us at GE are proud of the men and women serving our
country in the Persian Gulf. And we are pleased that our electronic mail
service can significantly reduce the time required for delivery over
traditional mail."
"We also hope that the expeditious delivery of these letters
through our worldwide teleprocessing network can serve as a real morale
booster for the troops," added Louden.
Subscribers to the GEnie service need only type the word "Letters"
at any menu prompt on the service. Non-subscribers can dial a local
access telephone number or, if they are not near one of the more than
500 GE Information Services dial-up locations, access via a toll-free
800 number.
To send a Letter From Home, an individual will need to know the
name and rank, social security number, unit or ship and APO or FPO of
the recipient. The Letters From Home system will automatically prompt
senders for the appropriate information.
The GEnie service, one of the leading on-line information services,
is available throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany,
Austria, and Switzerland via a local phone call. For further information
on the GEnie Service and its free "Letters From Home" project, please
call GEnie Client Services at 1-800-638-9636.
/////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ////
/ "I ain't afraid of no stinkin' Topic Police!" /
////////////////////////////// N.WEINRESS /////
[EOA]
[LOG]////////////////////////////////
LOG OFF /
///////////////////////////////////
GEnie Lamp Information
""""""""""""""""""""""
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:
o John F. Peters [ST-GUEST] Publisher/Editor
o Darlah J. Pine [DARLAH] Co-Editor
o Jeff Williams [JEFF.W] Technical Editor
o Larry Duke [LARRY.D] GEnie Lamp Advisor
o Sandy Wilson [SANDY.W] GEnie Lamp Advisor
o Fred Beckman [FB] GEnie Lamp Advisor
o John J. Kennedy [JJKENNEDY] GEnie Lamp Advisor
o Vince Averello [VINCE.A] GEnie Lamp Advisor
- Terry Quinn [T.QUINN1] Contributing Author
- Mel M. Motogawa [M.MOTOGAWA] Contributing Author
- Fred Koch [F.KOCH] Contributing Author
- Sheldon Winick [S.WINICK] Contributing Author
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 476, in the
GEnie Lamp library, #35.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
(c) Copyright 1990 T/TalkNET OnLine Publishing, Atari Corporation,
GEnie, and the Atari RoundTables. May be reprinted only with this
0notice intact. The Atari RoundTables on GEnie are the *official*
information services of the Atari Corporation.
Signed articles and message reprints are the opinion of the authors
and are not necessarily the opinion of the publisher or staff of
GEnie Lamp. We reserve the right to edit all letters and copy.
To sign up for GEnie service, call (with modem) 1-800-638-8369. Upon
connection type HHH. Wait for the U#= prompt. Type: XJM11877,GEnie
and hit RETURN. The system will then prompt you for your information.
////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
[EOF]
