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GEnieLamp Online Magazine Issue No.3.41
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~ QWIK_QUOTES ARE BACK! ~
~ PD_QUICKVIEW: EDM Shell ~
~ MINI_BYTES: 3 ON SUPER BOOT ~
~ DEALER VIEWPOINT: Be A MIDI Addict! ~
~ HACK'N ATARI: TRACKBALL/NES CONVERSIONS w/PICS! ~
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
February 1, 1992 ~ A T/TalkNET OnLine Publication ~ Issue No.3.41
////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Publisher/Editor ................................... John F. Peters
Co-Editor ........................................ Darlah J. Pine
TX2 Editor ....................................... David Holmes
[IDX] """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ WHAT'S HAPPENING ON GEnie? TAKE A LOOK! ~
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
[*] = With TX2 Pictures!
FROM MY DESKTOP ......... [FRM] HEY MISTER POSTMAN ...... [HEY]
Notes From The Editor. Is That A Letter For Me?
OF MICE AND BYTES ....... [MIC] HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM]
Battle With Devil. Say It Like You Mean It!
F.Y.I. .................. [FYI] DEALER VIEWPOINT ........ [DLR]
RTC Invitation. MIDI Addiction.
ST ELSEWHERE ............ [ELS] THE ONLINE LIBRARY ...... [LIB]
Other Areas Of IntereST. [*]PP'S: HOT Files!
PD_QUICKVIEW ............ [PDQ] HACK'N ATARI ............ [HAC]
[*]EDM Shell:For The Asking. [*]Down To The Wire.
MINI_BYTES .............. [MIN] LINKING UP WITH LYNX .... [LYN]
[*]3 One 1: Super Boot 7.2 Atari Handheld Power!
LOG OFF ................. [LOG]
GEnie Lamp Information.
~ GEnie LAMP AND TX2: SEE THE DIFFERENCE! ~
[REA] """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
READING GEnie Lamp GEnie Lamp has incorporated a unique indexing
"""""""""""""""""" system to help make reading the magazine easier.
To utilize this system, load GEnie Lamp into any ASCII word processor
or text editor. In the index you will find the following example:
HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM]
[*]GEnie Fun & Games.
To read this article, set your find or search command to [HUM]. If
you want to scan all of the articles, search for [EOA]. [EOF] will take
you to the last page, whereas [IDX] will bring you back to the index.
TX2 FORMAT What are you missing when reading the ASCII version of
"""""""""" GEnie Lamp? EXCITEMENT! Whenever you see a [*] in the
index or in the article header, that indicates that the article contains
TX2 graphics and/or pictures. To see the graphics, you will need the
following files:
LMP_341.LZH GEnie Lamp in TX2 format.
LMP341_C.LZH Graphics/Pictures for MONOchrome users.
LMP341_M.LZH Graphics/Pictures for COLOR users.
MINI_TX2.LZH Mini-version of TX2 Viewer (File #20441).
MESSAGE INFO To make it easy for you to respond to messages re-printed
"""""""""""" here in GEnie Lamp, you will find all the information you
need immediately following the message. For example:
(DARLAH, CAT6, TOP1, MSG:58/M475)
_____________| _____|__ _|___ |____ |_____________
|Name of sender CATegory TOPic Msg.# Page number|
In this example, to respond to Darlah's message, log on to page
475 enter the bulletin board and set CAT 6. Enter your REPly in TOPic 1.
A message number that is surrounded by brackets indicates that this
message is a "target" message and is referring to a "chain" of two
or more messages that are following the same topic. For example: {58}
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
///////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "You can send mail to _ANY_ Atari Employee online. We are /
/ never to busy or high up the latter to assist our customers. /
/ If you have any other concerns, please let me know. I will /
/ be happy to help you." /
/////////////////////////////////////////// JOHN TOWNSEND ////
[EOA]
[FRM]//////////////////////////////
FROM MY DESKTOP /
/////////////////////////////////
Notes From The Editor
"""""""""""""""""""""
By John Peters
[GENIELAMP]
o TOP OF THE PAGE: Random Ramblings.
o THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW: RoundTable Happenings.
o HOT SPOTS: Where The Action Is.
o IT CAN'T WAIT: Hot Info!
TOP OF THE PAGE A very important issue has recently been raised
""""""""""""""" concerning the bulletin board. Sometimes when the
words get to flying, the bulletin board area can become -- how do I put
this... intimidating to some readers. John Townsend sums it all up
best:
Atari-ST RoundTable
Category 26, Topic 2
Message 85 Thu Jan 16, 1992
TOWNS [John@Atari] at 04:21 EST
If anyone out there is reading these messages and they are afraid
to post, please post a message! Your opinions and thoughts are just
as important as any of us regulars here on GEnie. In fact, your
comments could be _more_ important. You may have a fresh prospective
whatever issues we are discussing that could be very valuable.
Again, if you are not posting because you think we don't want to hear
what you have to say, you sadly mistaken. We would love to hear from
you.
For me, it will make my day to talk to a new Atari User or an Atari
User who has found his/her way to GEnie. New people always make
things interesting..
-- John
To the Bulletin Boards!
>>> THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Now that the CodeHeads have obtained the rights to Quick ST, are
the Codeheads required to stick to Brasoft's former upgrade policies?
Get in on the conversation in CAT32, TOP31, MSG:{98}. Also, in the same
area Charles Johnson reports that next version of Quick ST is going to
be a very substantial upgrade with lots of bug fixes, performance
improvements and new features. For example, FSM GDOS and Calligrapher
are now compatible with Quick ST and Charles has added the ability to
install Quick ST as a desk accessory. Charles says that installing it
as a desk accessory pushes Quick ST to even greater speeds then when
installed as an Auto program. Nice! As to a release date, it is still
too early to announce.
How much does it cost to put out a product for the ST? How much is
a fair profit for the developer? Different viewpoints as to who should
get what is now going on in CAT14, TOP8, MSG:{86}.
Tim Purves has decided to release the next version of ST Aladdin as
a self-extracting file. Personally, I think this is a good move. Even
the ST RoundTable has released a self-extracting file, (ARC_LZH.PRG).
Although this file is an exception, and the ST RoundTable is presently
not allowing self-extracting files in the library, it's an indication
that things are slowly changing. Who knows? Maybe one day soon even
ZIP will become an Atari standard.
There hasn't been an issue of Explorer released since September.
However, there is good news from the editor, John Jainschigg. John
reports that they will release an issue in January (???) and the much-
awaited MIDI issue in February. John is back and ready to take on your
comments and suggestions. You can contact him in CAT14, TOP30.
Do you have an Atari dream machine? A fun topic on what you would
like to see implemented in the next Atari computer has started in CAT18,
TOP6, MSG:{19}.
>>> BULLETIN BOARD HOT SPOTS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
[*] CAT4, TOP36, MSG:{239}....Mutant STs.
[*] CAT19, TOP15, MSG:{1}.....PC Clone ST emulator from Brasoft.
[*] CAT3, TOP31, MSG:{160}....Learning C on an ST.
[*] CAT14, TOP8, MSG:{140}....Keeping dealers up on Atari information.
Whose responsibility is it?
[*] CAT18, TOP23, MSG:{1}.....Who and how much when it comes to profit?
[*] CAT6, TOP32, MSG:{212}....Counterfeit registration cards?
[*] CAT26, TOP2, MSG:{641}....Latest STReport controversy.
[*] CAT14, TOP16, MSG:{26}....Atari's new clipboard standard.
[*] CAT26, TOP2, MSG:{18}.....Bob Brodie's new BBS _name_.
[*] CAT18, TOP6, MSG:{1}......The Atari Dream Machine.
[*] CAT9, TOP9, MSG:{75}......Knightmare game.
>>> BULLETIN BOARD OFF_TOPIC <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
[*] CAT14, TOP3, MSG:{216}....Sci-Fi cable channel.
[*] CAT18, TOP14, MSG:{45}....Rights for women.
[*] CAT14, TOP16, MSG:{10}....Jolt Cola?
[*] CAT18, TOP4, MSG:{3}......Senators, Congressmen and Representatives.
[*] CAT2, TOP42, MSG:{54}.....Giving birth. Men's views, women's
responses :-).
IT CAN'T WAIT DEPARTMENT Now hang on a second. If there are no "hooks
"""""""""""""""""""""""" for multitasking" in TOS 2.06, then that's
fine. But we did _not_ spread information without a reliable source --
we don't do that. I'm not going to name names, but this information
was given to us by someone _at_Atari_. If it was incorrect, then it was
incorrect. But we certainly didn't make it up. -Charles
(C.F.JOHNSON, CAT14, TOP8, MSG:127/M475)
>>>>> I can't really give you an information on a multitasking TOS,
""""" other than Atari is working on one. You will have to wait and
see what will announce :-) Sorry, I don't get into vaporware.. <grin>
One small note.. This isn't the fault of the CodeHead people. I
would suspect that this is probably information passed along to them by
someone is Germany. -John Townsend, Atari Corp.
(TOWNS, CAT14, TOP8, MSG:131/M475)
>>>>> John Townsend, Thank you for clarifying the following:
"""""
1. There is no Artifex code in TOS 2.06.
2. There are no "multi-tasking" hooks.
As Charles mentioned, we were told both of these things by a
"reliable" source at Atari (and number 1 was also confirmed by other
sources). Perhaps he is unaware of the inaccuracies of these state-
ments. We'll follow this up privately, and make public statements of
the corrections in our own Category. I'm sorry if these statements
confused anyone and we'll make every effort to set the record straight
in the future. Thank you.
John Eidsvoog /|\ Member of the IAAD
CodeHead Software \|/ Serving the Atari Community
(J.EIDSVOOG1, CAT14, TOP8, MSG:133/M475)
Hmmmmmm..... very interesting! 'till next time,
Take care...
John Peters
[GENIELAMP]
///////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "I'm not a professional programmer but I can still tell that /
/ Aladdin is an incredibly complex project. These guys must /
/ have ulcers by now. But then again maybe they just love /
/ every minute of it." /
////////////////////////////////////////////// J.ZORZIN //////
[EOA]
[HEY]//////////////////////////////
HEY MISTER POSTMAN /
/////////////////////////////////
Is That A Letter For Me?
""""""""""""""""""""""""
o ATARI ODDS & ENDS
o WHAT'S NEW?
o ATARIAN MINDS WANT TO KNOW
o MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT
>>> ATARI ODDS & ENDS <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
2400 BAUD INFO Here's the message from Toby Nixon. I basically asked
"""""""""""""" him what V.32bis provides over V.32, and that I have a
2400bps modem now. I also told him that I'd use the modem for
connecting to BBSs, public access Unix sites, and GEnie.
Return-Path: <well!hayes.com!tnixon>
Date: Wed, 1 Jan 92 23:52:09 EDT
Subject: RE: V.32/V.32bis
To: well!wet!ekrimen
X-Vms-Mail-To: UUCP%"uunet!kpc!apple!well!wet!ekrimen"
X-Vms-Mail-Cc: TNIXON
V.32bis modems are 100% backward compatible with V.32. But IN
ADDITION to the capabilities of V.32 (which are full-duplex async and
sync communications at 4800 and 9600 bps on dial-up lines), V.32bis
also offers communications at 7200, 12000, and 14400 bps. 14400bps is
50% faster than 9600, and therefore when you're connected to another
V.32bis modems your transfer times will be cut by a third.
There are quite a few BBSes out there now with V.32bis modems. I
don't know about the public access Unix systems. I doubt that GEnie,
CompuServe, or any of the other commercial services will be getting
V.32bis within the next two years; they've really just had V.32 for
about a year as it is.
If you're running 2400 now, a 9600bps V.32 modem will be a major
improvement and cost savings for you. Going to V.32bis may not be
worth the money unless a lot of the places you call have them already.
-- Toby
---------------------------------+--------------------------------------
Toby Nixon, Principal Engineer |Voice +1-404-840-9200 Telex 151243420
Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc|Fax +1-404-447-0178 CIS 70271,404
P.O. Box 105203 |BBS +1-404-446-6336 AT&T !tnixon
Atlanta, Georgia 30348 |UUCP uunet!hayes!tnixon Fido 1:114/15
USA |Internet tnixon@hayes.com
---------------------------------+--------------------------------------
(E.KRIMEN, CAT8, TOP4, MSG:81/M475)
POWERBOOK 100 The PowerBook 100 does _not_ come with a floppy drive,
""""""""""""" the external floppy for the STBOOK is 1.44meg. You can
not even begin to compare the power management systems between Atari and
Apple, the way that 'save and resume' on the PowerBooks work is
ridiculous! Please go to an Apple Dealer, run an application and in the
middle of the application, put the PowerBook to 'Sleep'. Now remove the
battery. Ask how long the battery life is. Ask how long it takes to
recharge the battery. There are enough comparisons that we best the
PowerBooks at, that the price is fair.
(B.REHBOCK/ATARI/CAT14, TOP7, MSG:191/M475)
PLAY IT SAFE WHEN ORDERING BY MAIL You can order the new TOS ROMs from
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" any authorized dealer. However,
keep in mind that they are NOT yet available. Atari has announced their
pending release, but they have NOT yet begun shipping them. I really
don't expect a long delay, but until any new product actually arrives
at the store, my position is that it still doesn't actually exist (at
least as far as I and my customers are concerned).
Choose any reputable dealer you prefer to order from and place your
order, or get on his waiting list. BUT..... as with any product that
isn't yet actually available, my recommendation is to choose a dealer
that DOES NOT require prepayment and will NOT process a charge or check
until the product actually ships, or is willing to accept your order for
a C.O.D. shipment to ensure you won't be prepaying for something that he
cannot guarantee you a delivery date on. And no dealer can guarantee a
delivery date on a product that is not in stock or has not yet been
released.
If you don't have a local dealer, you should have a good choice
from among the better dealers who are active here on GEnie. Drop one a
note in E-mail for specific ordering information.
One note of caution to anyone planning on doing their own up-
grading. The internals of your computer contain sensitive electronics,
which can be easily damaged through improper handling. Unless you are
qualified to do the work yourself, and know how to properly handle IC's,
please have the work done by a qualified service technician. You'd be
surprised how many systems we see in our service department that
wouldn't be there at all if the user hadn't chosen to open the system up
and do something himself.
Regards, Sheldon Winick (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)
(S.WINICK, CAT14, TOP8, MSG:151/M475)
TOS/GEM NON-DISCLOSURE INFO I have been told by Don Thomas, of Atari,
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" that all non-disclosure has been dropped,
under the gimme-the-docs program.
Assistance for true commercial developers, however that is now
defined (the higher tier) still requires non-disclosure, if I understand
Don.
I think it's a great big step forward.
We non-pro software authors can now have access to TOS/GEM docs for
newer machines, without non-disclosure. There is no other source for
this info. We can ask questions here, and knowledgeable folks can
answer without worrying about their non-disclosure paper. -JN
(J.NESS, CAT3, TOP7, MSG:5/M475)
>>> WHAT'S NEW? <<<
"""""""""""""""""""
SUPRA CORPORATION REALTIME CONFERENCE
GEnie's Atari ST Roundtable
Wednesday, February 5, 1992
10:00 p.m. EST
Supra Corporation, a long-time manufacturer of hard drive systems
for the Atari ST and Commodore Amiga, has added a new line of low-
cost 9600 baud modems and fax/modems to their existing 2400 baud modem
line up (see SUPRAV32.ARC (file #22271) in the ST Roundtable Software
Library for details).
Supra will be the featured guest for a formal Realtime Conference
in the ST Roundtable on February 5th beginning at 10:00 p.m. EST. Find
out more about these new modems as well as Supra's ST product line and
get -your- questions answered directly from the source!
NEW SWITCHBOX FROM WUZTEK We are now selling the new Omnix3 switch box
""""""""""""""""""""""""" which is an improved version of the video
controller that we have been bundling with the OMNIMON monitor. The
Omnix3 has a standard 15pin VGA output connector so it will work with
ALL true "multi-sync" (not multi-scan) monitors. Please don't confuse
our product with other cheap imitations. Most of our competitors use
mechanical switches to channel video signals to the monitor and suffers
greatly in monochrome clarity. Our Omnix switch box uses state-of-the-
art digital circuit that is carefully designed to give you the best
monochrome video signal possible on a color monitor as witnessed by our
own Omnimon Rainbow monitor.
The switch box carries a suggested retail price of $99. For more
information, please contact OPI at 714-753-9253
(WUZTEK.OPI, CAT4, TOP31, MSG:67/M475)
LEXICOR SOFTWARE A tidbit of news......Rosetta was shipped to Rio last
"""""""""""""""" week and I should be shipping Prism Render some time
this week. When this happens Lexicor will have completed the first
complete series of the originally planned programs for Phase-4.
(L.SEILER, CAT25, TOP2, MSG:185/M475)
>>> ATARIAN MINDS WANT TO KNOW! <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
(Facts, Fiction & Maybe)
JERRY IS AT IT AGAIN! Jerry Pournelle recently posted that he's
""""""""""""""""""""" hooking up his TT again... let's all try to be
*nice* this time, huh? Some of my fellow Atarians out there did a
great disservice to the machine last time out.. anyone who's able to
offer real support to the original ST fan do your best!!!
(W.MCCARVER1, CAT28, TOP2, MSG:93/M475)
REPRO STUDIO We have evaluation copies of the latest versions of Repro
"""""""""""" Studio now (just got 'em), and hope to be able to
announce something real soon. These new ones look _really_ good; full
photo-realistic grey scale capabilities, and lots and lots of nice tools.
(C.F.JOHNSON, CAT32, TOP11, MSG:212/M475)
MORE CODEHEAD... Excuse me while I wax enthusiastic. WOWEE!!! Wait
"""""""""""""""" til you see this CVG/CFN import module that John's
been writing for MegaPaint Professional. It lets you import any Calamus
Vector Graphic or Calamus outline font directly into MegaPaint. Calamus
fonts are imported as MegaPaint "Symbol Libraries," which are just
collections of vector graphics; once a font is imported, you can use
MegaPaint's "line editor" to enter strings of text, or insert individual
outline font characters directly into the picture ... and then use all
of MegaPaint's vector tools to work on individual letters or text
groups. When CVG files are loaded, they're converted to MegaPaint
"outline" graphics. Then you can save them back out as Calamus Vector
Graphics files for importing into Calamus or Avant Vector. This is
REALLY COOL. - Charles
(C.F.JOHNSON, CAT32, TOP24, MSG:93/M475)
MORE MUGSHOT DISKS We are working on the ladies purdy and ugleeee
"""""""""""""""""" disk for MugShot at this moment. Real Soon. We
are also working on a coloring program that will let you load saved
MugShot IMG files to color.______Chet at \/\/iz\/\/orks! ;^{)
(C.WALTERS1, CAT7, TOP5, MSG:252/M475)
STILL LOOK'N FOR FSM-GDOS Since Bill Rehbock is currently out of town.
""""""""""""""""""""""""" I will attempt to answer for him. The
latest information that I have is that we are still working on
packaging. We had some foul-ups with the company we were working with
and that has pushed us back on a release date.
We are still working on it and hope to have the packages available
soon. Trust me, we want to sell this thing to you as much as you want
to buy it! -John (TOWNS, CAT14, TOP18, MSG:29/M475)
SEURAT II GOING STRONG Seurat II is alive and kicking. Kelly Webb had
"""""""""""""""""""""" a booth at the Chicago show. Do not despair! ;-)
(D.A.BRUMLEVE, CAT7, TOP12, MSG:30/M475)
HP BUMMER The letter I received today from HP states that the DJ500C
""""""""" will have no ability to emulate an Epson or ProWriter.
Bummer. (MUSE, CAT4, TOP3, MSG:54/M475)
SUPERBASE 4.0? From what I have been told SuperBase 4.0 for the Atari
"""""""""""""" was in early Beta test last summer before Prescion
(sic) was sold. As for version 3 it certainly does exist. The people
at Oxxi are just getting geared up and are not up to 100% yet. They
are an Amiga based company and got the ST version as a bonus.
-Steve (S.GOLD6, CAT6, TOP17, MSG:42/M475)
>>>>> From a rumor I heard Friday, Commodore paid them a _LOT_ of
""""" money to get the version that Amiga currently has. Even the
Amiga didn't have enough sales to warrent the new version until
Commodore kicked in some bucks.
(ST-REPORT, CAT6, TOP17, MSG:43/M475)
>>>>> Lloyd, that is true. I knew the folks from Precision very well,
""""" and they did the Amiga version of SB4 for a _very_ nice fee.
The Amiga sales and Atari sales were much much much smaller than their
Windows sales. However, Oxxi does not own the Windows version, and so
they don't have anything else to fall back on... --Nevin
(NEVIN-S, CAT6, TOP17, MSG:44/M475)
THEY'RE WORKING ON IT! By the way, the new version of Quick ST is
"""""""""""""""""""""" _really_ coming along. This is going to be a
very substantial upgrade, with lots of bug fixes, FSMGDOS and
Calligrapher compatibility, performance improvements, and even new
features. -Charles
(C.F.JOHNSON, CAT32, TOP31, MSG:196/M475)
NEW ST FAX SOFTWARE? I have heard rumours that the Codeheads are
"""""""""""""""""""" developing or purchasing the rights to send/
receive fax/modem software...can you comment on this. Thanks.
-Graham Norton/Wizard Computer Systems
(G.NORTON, CAT32, TOP19, MSG:19/M475)
CODEHEADS CONFIRM Graham, Our French distributors have some FAX
""""""""""""""""" software that we were considering importing but it
may not be up to our standards. We're now considering writing our own.
-John (J.EIDSVOOG1, CAT32, TOP19, MSG:20/M475)
SUPRA TOO? >> ST Fax software for Supra faxmodems. We are still
"""""""""" looking for software, we have looked at a couple ST fax
packages, but have yet to find what we are looking for. We are making
a strong push into Europe with both our ST and Amiga lines. So there
could be a decent market. -Mark
(SUPRATECH, CAT8, TOP4, MSG:85/M475)
>>> MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
Atari-ST RoundTable
Category 14, Topic 5
Message 137 Sun Jan 19, 1992
JMGSOFT [George @ JMG] at 00:58 EST
EXACTLY, Bob!! The local Mac Dealer in town has charged $250 to
fix TRIVIAL problems for people that I know, problems requiring NO
PARTS, only 15 minutes labour.
And real IBM PC's and PS/2s?? Do you have ANY idea AT ALL of how
much it costs to get an IBM authorized dealer to fix a PS/2 Model 70?
Reading right off the service rate sheet of a local MicroAge store, it
says "$70 per hour, 2 hour minimum". That's ONE HUNDERED FORTY DOLLARS
before he even picks up his screwdriver!
And you said I was off the mark about having to send the machine
away when "there are so many Mac and PC dealers within 15 minutes
drive". Well, what if he had an ALR. Or an AST. Or a Samsung. Or any
number of other big-name IBM compatible brands. You _may_ have a dealer
in town that handles one of those brands, but chances are you DON'T.
And the parts are proprietary, so that you cannot just take an ALR to
any old dealer and expect it to be fixed. So what do you have to do???
Send it away, of course!
I'm sorry to hear that your local dealer has become apple-like in
his service policies and prices. But in my opinion, that's all he is -
just treating you like oh so many dealers of other systems already treat
their customers.
Atari users have, in a way, always been spoiled - they're used to
paying less for their systems, less for their software, and less for
their service than Apple or IBM (_real_ IBM brand) owners are. All
that's happened is your friend has encountered the real world.
-- George.
PS - The Atari exchange plan is a very reasonable plan and price;
and it is very similar, only much less expensive, to plans provided by
Apple and Compaq for repair/exchange of certain hardware items that are
out of production by these companies.
[*][*][*]
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 /////
/ "I think that it was just my computer's way of telling me: /
/ Listen rookie, you got this code out of a magazine and if it /
/ works properly right off the bat you won't learn anything. /
/ When you fully understand the code, then it will work." /
///////////////////////////////////////////////// R.ROY17 ////
[EOA]
[MIC]//////////////////////////////
OF MICE AND BYTES /
/////////////////////////////////
Battle With The Devil
"""""""""""""""""""""
By Richard Brown
[R.BROWN30]
>>> THE NEW COMPUTERS ARE HERE! THE NEW COMPUTERS ARE HERE! <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
~ But First, We Battle the Devil ~
Lately, there has been a flood of sentiment regarding Atari and its
future in GEnie's Atari Roundtables. Some would seem to revel in their
self-assured prophecies of doom. They have forgotten that the job of
the critic is not to whine as a defeatist, but rather to offer a
productive discourse.
So much for the doomsayers.
On the other hand, there are others who have assailed this
negativism and have shown a backbone more akin to what one might expect
from an Atari user. It seems odd that negativism should pervade Atari's
message base. A computer user tends to become a member of his or her
computer's "army", starting with the "platoon" of "soldiers" who have
most likely influenced the system purchase, which is in turn supported
by a worldwide force of users.
In this scenario, each "soldier" is quick to defend the mission of
the army. If you are an Atari user, try having a meaningful cross-
platform discussion with and IBM or Mac user. More likely than not, the
"other" platform's users will discount Atari at the outset.
Put a hundred users of the _same_ platform in the same room, and
you will see productive energy and dialogue. They may offer
_constructive_ criticisms, but the "discouraging word" is verboten.
Unfortunately, Atari's doomsayers, as they fire their volleys to
bring down the Fuji, fail to understand their role in the Atari market.
Perhaps they do not understand that they are even a part of the market,
a point magnified in the light of Atari's small U.S. user base.
A stone cast in Atari's little pond will indeed make waves. In the
IBM ocean such a stone goes unnoticed.
That is the difference: each Atari user, by virtue of belonging to
a much smaller throng, carries a far greater relative importance than
the average IBM or Mac user. Concurrently, an Atari user's voice carries
to a proportionately larger audience. With nearly universal agreement
that Atari in the U.S. is a situation of delicate balance, the need for
a groundswell of support at the user level is imperative. It would be
impossible to expect Atari to continue with its U.S. marketing efforts
if the company felt a wave of anti-Atari sentiment from its own user
base.
Yet there are those who, in a public forum, choose to differ,
provoke, and attempt to dissuade. Are these people "Atari Users"?
Have they spent time in that quagmire of interfaces, Windows for
DOS? A multi-platform dealer (Atari, Amiga, Amiga UNIX, IBM clone) in
south Florida has, and has pointed out some marketing idiosyncracies.
To place an 8 mhz Atari STe next to a DOS machine running Windows, he
prefers a high speed 486 DOS clone to avoid embarrassment from the
sluggish Windows interface.
When asked about the functionality of Windows, the owner commented
that it was "almost like an Atari" on the 486 IBM clone, but still
cumbersome. A further comment lamented about the lack of a quality
desktop publishing solutions for the IBM, mentioned while knocking out a
flyer within PageStream.
Perhaps it seems a little silly that a machine of "ancient"
technology still holds its own against most every DOS counterpart.
This is not to say the basic ST is even in the same ballpark for
processing speed: it isn't. Not by the longest shot. The 489 DOS machine
is much faster in theory. Has to be. Yet for the average user, it could
be easily argued that this speed difference would rarely be an issue in
the scheme of the average chores required of the average user. The fact
is, most of the time-intensive "terminal time" is identical on either
machine. A 486 DOS machine will not speed up your typing. And then, by
turning automatic recalculation off on your 650 kilobyte spreadsheet
(which is a trick to make work on an IBM), your ST can 'zoom' along at
basically the same rate as the DOS machine. The difference occurs on
that final recalculation: the 486 DOS machine will crunch the numbers on
that big spreadsheet in the blink of an eye. Your 8 MHz, 16 bit Atari
with no floating point maths coprocessor will recalculate in about two
seconds. Tick-tick. Big deal.
Then, the software issue...
Atari's doomsayers are quick to repudiate the ST for lack of
software support, saying that there are too few alternatives and that
sometimes a company will even drop its support for the ST.
That's survival of the fittest, folks. How many times must we be
reminded: sure, WordPerfect is probably going no further on the ST, but
there are still a few choices:
o WordFlair 2 (A WordPerfect 5.x equivalent of extreme power)
o That's Write (more text and graphics)
o Write On (A less intense cousin of That's Write)
o Calligrapher (_another_ WordPerfect 5.x equivalent)
o Calligrapher Junior (a _powerful_ subset of Calligrapher)
o Redacteur3 (the #1 French word processor with cross-compatibility)
o Protext 5.5 (need WordStar/Word compatibility?)
o Signum (_another_ high end document processor that likes math)
o Word Writer (a classic; hard for the educated to outgrow)
o First Word Plus (for the educated who like pictures)
o Steno (that's where I'm writing this!)
o Tempus (for the programmer in you)
o Tempus Word (mainly for the Germans, but _powerful_)
o ST Writer (downloadable in the public domain)
o WordUp! (not unlike many of the others)
(that's more than a baker's dozen)
For the most part, this list of word/document processors is heavily
supported and update prone. But not necessarily. Programs like Word
Writer haven't been heavily updated, but there has been no need: it
fills a certain, perfect niche in the ST world. This is a concept that
does not sit well with the doomsayers. They hate having something
simply work and offer complaint-free productivity.
Most of these products were not born in the U.S.A. Neither are
Porsches, Maseratis, Ferraris, or ST's (where is the latest plant?).
However the U.S. does stake its claim to some of the finest and
best ST hardware and software supporters:
Like CodeHead, which has diversified into three (at my last count)
units:
1. CodeHead Software: Maxifile, Multidesk Deluxe, CodeKeys, etc.
2. CodeHead Graphic Tools: importing and _supporting_ the awesome
Avant Vektor and MegaPaint (see my review of MegaPaint coming in
the next issue of GEnie Lamp).
3. CodeHead Technologies (home of the TOS 2.06 Extension card for
all older ST's). Want ST"E" or TT system power in your ST?
Next in line, Double Click Software, with DC Data Diet and a host
of first rate utilities, not to mention its own hardware products line
for the Atari computer. Double Click is well-known on the on-line
services for their "program of the week" series, offering some niceties
like the very useful DC Backspace Help (great for word processing).
Then there is Soft Logik Publishing, with PageStream. This
Postscript based DTP solution is one of the most powerful packages of
its kind on any platform. (It's European counterpart, Calamus SL, is a
powerhouse in its own right. Mac and IBM users alike can simply sit back
and wonder as the ST deals out its powerful DTP one-two punch.)
Of course, the ST is know for music and MIDI, and California is
home to Hybrid Arts, purveyor of ST-based hardware and software used by
musicians and recording studios around the world. And isn't the popular
Dr. T's also a U.S. company?
Migraph, in the great northwest, brings its 400 dpi hand scanner,
Touch Up image editing software with gray scale capability, its Easy
Draw bit-image drawing package, and now, OCR software to the Atari ST.
One of the most successful ST product developers, Gadgets by Small,
headed by the speed demon himself, Dave Small, hails from Colorado.
Gadgets offers both the sensational Spectre GCR, offering what Mac
aficionados would find to be a disturbing amount of Mac compatibility,
and the SST 68030 upgrade kit, allowing 8 mhz ST users to feel what it's
like to have a dragster on the desk... or one of the fastest Macs
anywhere.
This was only a taste of the vibrant ST market that still exists,
despite the efforts of the doomsayers. I HAD A DREAM...
Picture how the Atari world would change if only progressive
thoughts and ideas were espoused under a new sense of product loyalty.
Atari users could make it their own business to increase Atari's
business, if only in a passive way. Countless machines and software
packages could be sold through personal demonstrations as to the
flexibility and power the ST can provide.
After all, at the price of a computing system, how many people will
simply walk blindly into a showroom and say "yes" to the first salesman
who offers a $17,850 system? Are not most decisions of this magnitude
weighed by the individual? Are not the opinions of others an important
part of this decision? As far as "office compatibility" goes (read that
'DOS'), how many people _really_ expect to bring their work home from
the office?
For most people, finding reason _not_ to buy an ST _should_ be
difficult in the extreme. There is simply very little the ST fails to
handle in even the most demanding day to day computing needs:
Writing Mailing Lists Sound Digitizing
Desktop Publishing Advertising Video Frame Grabbing
Presentations Personal Scheduling Archiving Spreadsheet
Analysis Home Budgeting Newsletters
Job Bidding On-Line Services Education Research
Graphics and Design Child Productivity CAD
"Moonlighting" Income Music Databases
Recipe Lists CD and VHS libraries Programming
Games Contact Lists
etc. etc. etc...
Now, how are you going to spread the word to your friends and
neighbors. You're not a dealer. You don't get the fresh, hot off the
press 1992 product catalogue from Atari.
Well, at least you can know the LIST prices:
ATARI'S COMPUTER LINE-UP FOR 1992:
MSRP is the "M"anufacturer's "S"uggested "R"etail "P"rice
Model Product MSRP
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
THE BASIC ATARI STE
"""""""""""""""""""
520 STe The venerable, 512K STe $ 399.95
1040 STe As above, 1 MB RAM $ 599.95
(I do recommend getting at least 1 MB RAM)
8 MHz 68000 Processor, RA modulator, Digitized PCM Stereo, 4096
Color Palette, 2 analog joystick ports, Blitter Graphics Coprocessor,
Three resolutions built in, hardware based smooth scrolling, GENLOCK
capabilities, 3.5" 720K floppy disk drive, MIDI I/O.
THE MEGA STE
""""""""""""
Mega STe 1/0 1 MB RAM, no hard drive $1,199.95
Mega STe 2/0 2 MB RAM, no hard drive $1,249.95
Mega STe 2/50 2 MB RAM, 50 MB hard drive $1,699.95
All machines: 68000 at 16 MHz (seems _faster_), 3.5" 720K floppy
disk, 1 VME Expansion Slot, 3 video resolutions built in, Enhanced
Operating Systems, MIDI I/O, New Desktop.
THE TT030
"""""""""
TT030/2-0 2 MB RAM, Hard Drive Ready $1,985.95
TT030/2-50 2 MB RAM, 50 MB Hard Drive $2,299.95
TT030/2-80 2 MB RAM, 80 MB Hard Drive $2,479.95
TT030/2-213 2 MB RAM, 213 MB Hard Drive $3,079.95
TT030/2-340 2 MB RAM, 340 MB Hard Drive $3,679.95
CA401220 2 MB Floppy Upgrade Kit $ 149.95
All machines: 32 MHz 68030 Processor, 68882 FPU, 720K DS/DD Disk
Drive, 1 3U VME Expansion Slot, High Resolution 1280x960, TT TOS New
Desktop, Six Video Resolutions Built-In, MIDI I/O.
THE ST BOOK
"""""""""""
*********************************
YES! THE PORTABLE ST HAS ARRIVED!
*********************************
STBOOK 1 MB RAM, 40 MB Hard Drive $1,999.95
The STBOOK features an 8 MHz 68000 processor, Parallel and Serial
Ports, BLITTER Graphics Coprocessor, MIDI I/O, 19 ms Hard Disk, a
640x400 (ST Hi Resolution) reflective screen, and is only 8.5 x 11 x 1.4
inches (closed). It weighs just 4.31 pounds and can run on seven "AA"
batteries.
Your Author Has Handled the STBOOK: (Other accessories and
configurations were hinted at when I saw the STBOOK at the Glendale Show
last September. The mouse replacement is the most workable one I've seen
to date. It requires a floppy interface for floppy I/O, but [in the demo
model I handled] has an exceptional feel. A traveling writer's dream
come true! Additional RAM, bigger HD's were definitely a topic of
discussion at Glendale. Perhaps there will be more to write about in the
near future.)
MORE STuff - PERIPHERALS
""""""""""""""""""""""""
SM147 14 inch paper white display, ST $ 259.95
SC1435 14 inch stereo color monitor, ST $ 399.95
PTC1426 Multisync color for TT 29mm dot pitch $ 549.95
TTM195 19 inch paper white TT monochrome $1,399.95
1280x960
SLM605 Laser Printer, 300 dpi $1,295.95
Megafile 44 44 MB removable cartridge hard drive $ 899.95
comes with one 44 MB cartridge
A final note on pricing: MSRP pricing rarely reflects the street
price of a computer. Usually, a dealer can afford to make a "deal" in
one way or another, perhaps by shaving off a few percent on the price,
or throwing in a peripheral (cables, software, etc.) that makes the
"deal" a good one.
NOW IT'S UP TO YOU Tell two friends.... you know the story.... talk
"""""""""""""""""" price with your dealer... Don't have a local
dealer? Pick up the phone:
Atlantic:
Toad Computers (the cool guys in Maryland) 800-448-8623 ** SA SE HD
Southeast:
The Computer Room (Florida) 305-771-9035 * SA SE
ask for Brett
Micro Computer Depot (South Carolina) 800-845-3070 SA SE
Midwest:
Rising Star Computers (Ohio) 800-252-2787 SA
D&P Computer (Ohio again!) 800-535-4290 SA
Northwest:
Cave Creek Computers (Washington state) 206-783-0933 SA SE
West:
The Computer Network (California) 818-500-3900 ** SA SE MU HD
Mid Cities Computers (California) 213-867-0626 ** SA SE MU HD
ask for Nita
ATY Computer (California) 510-482-3775 SA SE
KEYS:
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
* = personally recommended by your author. (He spends money there.)
** = _very_ recommended by your author. (Spent money, impressed by
store.)
Store Features:
SA = Sales (ST, TT and peripherals)
SE = Service (Repairs and Upgrades)
MU = Music and MIDI specialists
HD = Excellent store-brand Hard Drives at good prices
IT'S SO FAR AWAY.... If you are worried about being at a distance from
"""""""""""""""""""" a service center, one thing to remember is that
the Atari, unlike IBM's, are not usually sold with service contracts -
due to the high reliability of the machine.
The Mega on which I work recently (yesterday) went in for service
for the first time since I bought it with flood-damaged packaging. This
Mega has averaged 18+ hours service per day for the last 5 months (with
quite a few all-nighters based on my modem schedule which is often
unattended). It is on seven days a week. This is what it is to be self-
employed in four or five arenas. The computer takes a beating,
sometimes over 500 hours a month, certainly thousands of hours a year,
and, I would estimate about 6,000 - 8,000 hours between failures. The
problem was just a heat-buggy sound chip that went bad after a 32 hour
day, and was fixed in seven hours, six of which were spent waiting for
the repair facility to open.
[*][*][*]
So, we've battled the devil and sold a few ST's... Not a bad start
for the new year. Next issue:
A revealing look at ST graphics: MegaPaint II.
...and maybe a few surprises
/////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "Jim: That "Kent" guy is right here... /
/ Sure, I vote we make GEnie FREE!" /
/ /
/ [NO CARRIER] /
/////////////////////// DRACO@GEnie ////
[EOA]
[HUM]//////////////////////////////
HUMOR ONLINE /
/////////////////////////////////
Say It Like You Mean It!
""""""""""""""""""""""""
Compiled By Terry Quinn
[T.QUINN1]
WRITING ONLINE... WITH FEELING! I "borrowed" this from the Gardening
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" board, but I don't think they'll mind.
:) With special thanks to Rich D'Angelo, who compiled the list.
Note- Abbreviations and symbols found on left, definitions and
explanations are Found on right.
Table of Contents of this message.
Section 1. Alphabetical List of Acronyms.
Section 2. Acronyms Beginning with Numerals.
Section 3. Faces.
Section 4. Other Symbols.
Section 5. Batman Series.
Section 6. Clam Series.
[*][*][*]
Section 1.
Alphabetical List of Acronyms. Contents sorted mechanically.
AFK Away From Keyboard
BRB which is Be Right Back.
BRB Be Right Back
BTW By The Way
CU See you
CUL8R see you later
FMD,IDGAD Rhett said this to Scarlett in GWTW in GA
(Brian Beals)
FOBL fell outta bed laughing
FOCL fell outta chair laughing
FOMC Falling Off My Chair (laughing)
FOMCROFL fell of my chair rolling on floor laughing!
FYI For Your Information
G,D,R Grin, Duck, Run (used when you've said something
outrageous)
GMTA Great Minds Think Alike
grin I'm smiling as I write/wrote this.....
IHOC International House of Carbo-Hydrates
II) a tankard of beer
:@) A pig, maybe Miss Piggy O'Brien
IMHO "In My Humble Opinion"
L8R Later
LOLLOL Little old lady laughing out loud/Laughing out
loud little old lady.
LOL laughing out loud; also little old lady.
NCATT NO Comment at This Time
QAL Queen Anne's Lace
ROFL Rolling On (the) Floor Laughing
ROTF Rolling On The Floor (laughing)
RTDM41 Read the Darn Manual for once
TYVM Thank You Very Much
WFF White Flower Farm
WYSIWYG What You See Is What You Get
SECTION 2 Acronyms Beginning with Numerals.
"""""""""
2B|^2B - Message about Shakespeare
SECTION 3 Faces. Contents sorted mechanically.
"""""""""
ABOUT THE FACES "You can get really silly with these, to the point
""""""""""""""" that no one can possibly figure it out without an
explanation. I usually keep to :) and :( and ;) with an occasional :P
thrown in. Most people can figure these out without a guidebook.
:)" --Angie
O:-) angel
O:-) innocent
X:) lady with bow in her hair
##:)=B=|> WOMAN IN BIKINI
#-) overcommitted
%-) cross-eyed
%:) LOL WITH HAIR IN CURLERS
&:) RONALD REAGAN
:P or :b two versions of sticking tongue out
:"-( Crying
:"< }-": Crying
:'-( :'( Crying (Only One Tear)
:-O---- Throwing up
:) :( ;) smile, frown or sad face, wink,
:) smiley face
*:-) Smiley face with fuzzy hair
8--) Smiley wearing glasses
B:-) Smiley with sunglasses on head
:)X man with bow tie
:)# man with beard
:-c :-C Unhappy (Very Unhappy)
:-)..:-(..:-) Manic-Depressive
:-D big smile
:-O surprise
:-P smoking pipe or sticking out tongue
:-P' sticking out tongue and drooling
:-') runny nose
:-(*) getting sick
:-) <:-( Asking a Dumb Question
:-)8 all dressed up
:-)' drooling
:-)) :->> Smiling a Huge Smile
((-: Smiling a Huge Smile
:-)) too many brownies
:-* |-* (eyes closed on the second one) Kiss
:-* kiss
:-| B-| Straight Face
:-I |-8 Straight Face
:-} sticking out tongue
:-p Tongue sticking out
:< too bad (actually, means "seams don't
match" but not relevant here?)
:{ man with mustache
:{# man with beard AND mustache
;-) wink
=:-O Margaret calls it terror with hair on end.
Someone else: Bart Simpson.
:-X My Lips are sealed
=:-) hair standing up
=|:-)= Uncle Sam
@:) DICK CLARK
[-) sleeping
];> Devilish Smile
{]:) MAN IN BASEBALL CAP
{]:) MAN IN BASEBALL CAP
|-( |-) Tired, Very
};-> Another devilish Smile
SECTION 4 Other Symbols. Contents sorted mechanically.
"""""""""
SOLIDLY CAPITALIZED TEXT YELLING
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
#@$!%@#!! [*CENSORED*]
* * * kisses
...---... S.O.S.
@-->---- a rose
@-->------ x 12 (a dozen roses) to you
@-->--------- a long-stemmed rose
@>--->---- A rose
[!] A hug
[( ) Cup of coffee or beer mug
[[[]]] or ((())) lots of hugs
[] or () a hug
[]) a mug of coffee
_text_ Underline text *text* |
Italicize text
{{;]}} doubly armored tank
SECTION 5 Batman Series. Contents sorted manually.
"""""""""
>) BatMan
>:) BatMan after catching a glimpse of the girl
>:P BatMan after getting a date with the girl
>)X BatMan going to the date, wearing a formal bowtie
<|P BatMan after the date
*>) X-Mas BatMan
8->) Wind-up BatMan
|(>) BatMan wearing Calvin's beanie
SECTION 6 Clam Series. Contents sorted manually.
"""""""""
() Standard clam
(:) Clam just woke up
(8) Psycho Clam
(8P Psycho Clown Clam
(*) Clam waving pompom at clam olympics
8-() Wind-up Clam
(1) Cincinnati Clam
(_) Empty Clam
(+) Red Cross Clam
(;) Clam Tease
[:) Pop-top Clam
{:} Armored attack clam
(|) Klaatu Klam
(=) Clam, rear view
<=:) Conehead clam
(^) Rare endangered toothed clam, top view
(X) Prodigy Censor Clam
(#) Puerto Rican clam (that's a mosquito net)
(@) Alien Clam, just landed
/ \
(:)) happy as a Clam at high tide.
Tha-tha-thats ALL folks!
I know there's probably a few more that weren't on the above, but
you get the idea! :) -Mark - Sepulveda, CA
(M.GOLDSTEI15, CAT6, TOP390, MSG:1/M475)
////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "You know, there ought to be a special area reserved in Hades /
/ for people who go 6 months (or longer) without backing up /
/ their hard drives!!" /
///////////////////////////////////////////// LLOYD PULLEY ////
[EOA]
[FYI]//////////////////////////////
F.Y.I. /
/////////////////////////////////
RTC Invitation!
"""""""""""""""
By Jeff Williams
[JEFF.W]
>>> ATTENTION ATARI DEVELOPERS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Happy New Year! I hope 1992 will bring health, happiness, and
success to you and your families.
I coordinate the weekly Wednesday evening Realtime Conferences in
the ST Roundtable on GEnie. Most of you are probably familiar with our
RTCs (you may well have been a featured guest at one or more of them).
But for those who may not know about them, the Realtime Conference is a
realtime "chat" or "CB" area in the ST Roundtable where everyone in the
RTC room can instantly communicate with everyone else in attendance.
What you type on your keyboard is seen by everyone else when you hit
the RETURN key.
Most of our RTCs are informal and free-wheeling. We get together
on Wednesday evenings starting at 10:00 pm Eastern Time and start party-
ing and chatting about anything that comes up. There is usually more than
one conversation going on at any particular time, which makes for an
interesting, maybe challenging, time for all in attendance. These
informal RTCs eventually wind themselves down after a few hours.
On special occasions, we have a special guest in the RTC. For
these events, I'll put the room into Listen-Only mode. We call these
formal conferences. Only my guest(s) and myself can speak freely during
a formal RTC. When it comes time for questions and answers from the
floor, I let folks address my guest(s) in an orderly fashion, one at a
time. I control who can speak and when they can speak. But I can't
control -what- they have to say. <smile>
The formal conferences generally last for about an hour, but if my
guest(s) and the conference attendees are up to it, we'll go longer.
I am putting together a schedule of Realtime Conferences for the ST
Roundtable. I would like to schedule an RTC to cover your product(s)
or special interests.
If you are coming out with a new product, a Realtime Conference is
a great way to get word out and answer questions directly from your
potential customers.
If you have a special interest or expertise, like Music, Desktop
Publishing, Games, etc., it may well make for a good RTC.
For our ST Roundtable membership who cannot attend a formal RTC, I
place an edited transcript of the conference in the Software Library.
By doing this, we can bring your RTC to a lot of folks who could not
attend. These conference transcripts are frequently reprinted in
online magazines and user group newsletters. I've even seen our formal
RTCs credited as the source of information appearing in U.S. and British
magazines.
As you can see, the ST Roundtable Realtime Conference provides an
excellent forum to highlight your product or cause.
If you don't have anything coming up soon, please consider this an
open invitation to be my guest for an RTC in the future. Please send
email to JEFF.W at any time, letting me know when you can be available
for a Realtime Conference.
Please feel free to drop in for our informal conferences at any
time. Several Atari developers and users regularly attend the informal
conferences. It's a casual setting for a relaxing conversation with
other Atari developers and users. Most folks liken our informal
conferences to cocktail parties. Some big advantages of our informal
conferences over cocktail parties are that you don't have to dress up
to attend, you can have whatever you want to eat or drink (B.Y.O.B.),
and you don't have to worry about driving home afterward.
If you have any suggestions for RTC subjects, even if they don't
include you as the guest, please pass them along to me. If they
interest you, they are sure to interest many of our ST Roundtable
members.
Thank you.
Regards,
Jeff Williams
Atari ST Roundtable
/////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "On the other hand, I've heard that the DeskCart incom- /
/ patabilities can be fixed with a heavy blow from a hammer. /
/ Just make sure to remove the DeskCart from your ST before /
/ applying the fix. <Kids...Don't try this at home!> <grin>" /
//////////////////////////////////////////////// JEFF.W ////
[EOA]
[DLR]//////////////////////////////
DEALER VIEWPOINT /
/////////////////////////////////
MIDI Addiction
""""""""""""""
By Sheldon Winick
[S.WINICK]
Last week's BRACE (Blue Ridge Atari Computer Enthusiasts) meeting
featured an incredible MIDI demonstration and live performance of an
original score by one of our members, Matt Cox. The music was his final
project for a creative music course he was just completing here at the
University of North Carolina at Asheville. The course instructor is Dr.
Robert Moog -- yes, the father of the Moog Synthesizer that helped start
the electronic music revolution.
Dr. Moog has personally visited with us in the past, and has made
his own creative music presentation and demonstration of the concepts of
electronic music. He has also shared tapes of other student's final
projects with us at previous meetings. Dr. Moog continues to be on the
cutting edge of this revolution, and is providing his students with a
solid foundation upon which to foster their own creativity. Helping
them to release their creative talents are, of course, Atari computer
systems. And for their sequencing and scoring software, his students
are treated to Steinberg-Jones Cubase.
But what made last week's presentation even more unique is the fact
that it wasn't a typical electronic keyboard that was used. Instead, the
featured instrument was a percussion board. About the size of a typical
electronic keyboard, it contained no keys. Instead, it featured two
rows of foam covered percussion pads, activated by drumsticks. But
instead of the drum sounds you might expect, all sounds were instead
created by editing of real-time sampled sounds which were carefully
edited, adjusted and modified using Steinberg-Jones Avalon software
package; then stored on disk and loaded as needed into the electronic
instruments. Sound changes were accomplished by drum pads which were
programmed to control the loading of the sound patches remotely from the
computer. The sampled sounds could be modified and adjusted from the
percussion pads and foot pedals to produce the exact sounds and effects
desired by the artist.
The creative spirit of any artist can only benefit from equipment
that is powerful and easy to use. Teamed with high end software
packages like Steinberg-Jones Cubase and Avalon, the Atari computer
platform excels among creative musicians to help unleash the creativity
inside their minds. Instead of having to be burdened by cumbersome,
difficult to learn and use equipment, the Atari platform provides the
musical artist with the tools necessary to allow their creative energies
to flow.
Quality computer equipment and software, in the hands of talented
individuals, can become an invaluable tool to help unleash that
creativity. Not only does the Atari platform offer built-in MIDI ports,
but an operating system that that is as user-friendly as it gets. The
artist won't be burdened with having to memorize all sorts of
'computerese' just to use the equipment. Instead, he can concentrate on
what he really wants those electronic tools to do to assist in releasing
his creative talents.
The Atari platform also offers the artist the largest selection of
quality MIDI software available for any platform. The list of software
huge; everything from educational applications to hardware-specific
tools are available.
But your Atari's MIDI capabilities aren't limited to professional
artists alone. Nearly everyone can benefit from knowing how to use
those two little ports on the side or rear of your ST. Educational music
software is available to help you learn about your keyboard and music in
general. This type of software actually plays through your electronic
keyboard and serves as a tutorial to assist you in learning about
whatever your needs or desires require.
I have customers who are talented enough to know how to play a
keyboard, and even create their own musical scores, building up
wonderful music by sequencing multiple tracks of music into each
creation, yet cannot even read a note of musical score.
Most MIDI keyboards today are capable of playing multiple tracks of
music simultaneously. With the help of your Atari and a sequencing
software package, you have easy access to that capability. And if you
hit a wrong key during a session, you can easily go back and make the
correction on screen to modify the note, duration, aftertouch, etc. to
give you exactly the sound you want.
I also have customers who can't play a note themselves, but enjoy
the ability to input the musical notation directly through their
computer keyboard and have a finished piece of music play back through
their MIDI equipment. And a keyboard isn't even necessary for this type
of application -- it can be done with a rack-mount or module version of
a standard keyboard. A rack-mount box or module is essentially the same
system that is inside an electronic keyboard, but without the keys. The
sounds are the same, and it offers the same programming and playback
capabilities as a keyboard. For musicians who already own a quality
keyboard, a rack-mount unit or module offers them the ability to add a
whole new array of sounds to their existing equipment. For the
individual who cannot play a keyboard, they offer the ability to produce
those same sounds and songs by sending the musical data directly from
their Atari computer.
Most everyone is familiar with how a tape recorder works to record
sounds for later playback. A sequencing software package is similar in
its operation, except instead of actually recording the sounds, it
records the actual music data necessary to recreate those sounds on the
original synthesizer. The advantage of this should be obvious. It
offers the ability to correct and modify the data easily, sequence
multiple tracks of sounds together for simultaneous playback on the same
synthesizer or multiple synthesizers, and do so without even the
slightest chance of any audible distortion being introduced in the
process. Since no actual sounds are being recorded, there's no chance
for audible distortion, and hence no longer any need for an expensive
sound studio for the 'taping'. Any room of your home can become a
"studio" where you can record perfect sound!
Many keyboard artists today count on their Atari's for these
abilities. Even live performances are enhanced by their ability to
easily control the sound capabilities of their equipment through the
computer. Many pre-record and save several tracks of musical
accompaniment for playback through their MIDI equipment during "live"
performances. With the right software, they can even assign certain
keys of their musical keyboard to control the loading and modifying of
different sound patches into that equipment. They can easily redefine
the sounds each key will produce, and can split the keyboard
electronically into sections for differing sounds and effects.
The MIDI data, once stored on disk by the computer, can easily be
recalled at any time to recreate the original performance. That data
can also be loaded into scoring software and sent to a dot-matrix or
laser printer to produce finished musical scores. If words to a song
are desired, they can be easily added on your ST's keyboard, and
automatically centered on the musical notation. This ability is not
only invaluable for the professional musician, but can also make it
possible for groups such as church choirs to customize and print the
music they will be using for church services.
Most of us are aware of the power of word processing software, and
how it has made creation and editing of the written word so much easier.
You can think of musical sequencing and scoring as word processing for
the musician, only better. Sequencing software enables one to cut and
paste notation as you would sentences or paragraphs. Just like your word
processor gives you the ability to recreate any saved document exactly
as it originally appeared, MIDI software allows you to exactly recreate
any musical performance also in its original form.
The technology is exciting. And all that power is sitting there
inside your Atari just waiting to be unleashed. The computer is merely
a tool, waiting for you to take advantage of its capabilities.
Fortunately, for we Atarians, our systems have these capabilities
already built-in. It's up to us to take advantage of them. Your Atari
sits there ready to lead you into a world of opportunity and challenge.
The only limitation is your own imagination.
Happy (Atari) Computing.
Sheldon Winick (GEnie Address: S.WINICK)
Computer STudio (Asheville, NC)
[*][*][*]
Sheldon owns and operates Computer STudio, a full-service
Atari dealership in Asheville, North Carolina. In addition to
(Atari) computing, other interests include motorcycling,
skiing, camping and hiking. He is also Newsletter Editor for
the Blue Ridge Atari Computer Enthusiasts (BRACE) and was past
president of that user group. Sheldon is also a registered
architect, and operated his own architectural office between
1971 and the time he turned his computer hobby into Computer
STudio in 1988. He still does architectural work for select
clients, and currently has work in progress in Florida, North
Carolina and Colorado. His current architectural drawings are,
of course, being prepared on his Atari based CADD system,
using DynaCADD software.
/////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "I brought the "BEST" mouse for $25.00 and I LOVE IT. It moves /
/ like a sleek race car, my Atari mouse now feels like a triple /
/ box tractor trailer." /
///////////////////////////////////////////////// G.JONES25 ////
[EOA]
[ELS]//////////////////////////////
ST ELSEWHERE /
/////////////////////////////////
Other Areas Of IntereST
"""""""""""""""""""""""
By Terry Quinn
[T.QUINN1]
>>> THIS TIME - FOOD & WINE! <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
This months elsewhere is Fun!!! The Food & Wine roundtable (Page
1150) is one of the newest roundtables on GEnie and is in many respects
a microcosm of the entire GEnie system. There are technical topics
(Tech Angels, Kitchen Equipment, etc.), Party topics (the virtual city,
virtual food fights, etc.), Humor topics, file libraries, and of course
recipes from all corners of the globe (plus a few from elsewhere I
think!).
Like many Roundtables, what makes this one special is the people
who hang out here. Gail, the sysop may keep things running smoothly but
this RT would be a boring place without such luminaries as Lady.Luck,
Garlic Queen or the Cookie Lady. There is such a collection of cooking
aficionados here both amateur and professional that you can literally
find answers to almost any cooking question you can imagine.
For example, ever encounter a really tough steak? Here is the
solution to your problem word for word:
Food and Wine Roundtable
Category 2, Topic 14
Message 250 Fri Jan 10, 1992
S.MEASE [COOKIE LADY] at 00:11 EST
-Begin Recipe Export-
Title: How to Cook a Tough Steak
Keywords: British, Steak, Humour
Put a piece of tough steak in a pan and pour over same 1 wineglass of
whiskey, 1 wineglass brandy, 1 wineglass of Cointreau and cook for 10
minutes. Add 1 wineglass of Benedictine. Lift the steak from the pan
and throw it in the dustbin and drink the gravy.
-End Recipe Export-
----------
If you are interested in touring the world (or at least eating like
you are), you can find local specialties from every corner of the
globe. You can begin in England with Bangers and Spotted Dick (Category
6 Topic 22) and journey all the way to the Africa (Category 6 Topic 21)
or the Far East. You've never really lived until you have enjoyed
plunging your fingers into a Moroccan Bisteeya or eaten a freshly
grilled Malaysian Satay. Besides learning to prepare specialities like
these, you can also learn to appreciate or actually make wines, beers or
cheeses.
Besides the culinary arts, you also can learn ancillary arts like
party preparation, etiquette, entertaining a crowd and other useful
things. If you have old cookbooks or appliances, there are even some
"swapshop" topics where you can exchange your old "treasures" for
someone elses "junk" (or is it the other way around?) All this and more
awaits you in GEnie's Souk - the Food & Wine Roundtable!
////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "BTW My wife is either starting into labor or will be in the /
/ next day or so. I do not expect to be logging on for the /
/ next week. Call if you need immediate support." /
/ /
/ "Heh, heh. Bob thinks he's only going to be busy for a week." /
//////////////////////////////////////// B.LUNESKI1 - MUSE ////
[EOA]
[LIB]//////////////////////////////
THE ONLINE LIBRARY /
/////////////////////////////////
[*]PS's: Get It While It's Hot!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Mel Motogawa
[M.MOTOGAWA]
>>> P.S.'s <<<
""""""""""""""
Whew! I took a one-issue hiatus from the P.S.'s column, and you
should see how many new files were uploaded to the file library on a
daily basis. As I edit this, there have been 347 files uploaded to the
ST RoundTable in just 26 days, an average of 13 files a day. I don't
know about you, but that seems to me to be a very positive sign that at
least the ST is moving out of its "recession" and seems to be headed for
good times. Here is a sampling of some of the files uploaded.
Any comments of my own are shown within double asterisks "**...**"
after the file description, in the ascii GEnie Lamp version, and also in
italics in the TX2 version. (If you haven't experienced reading the
Lamp in TX2 format, why not download the TX2 file viewer (file #20441)
by David Holmes? You may be surprised at the versatility and power of
this program, above and beyond viewing TX2 Lamp issues.) Enjoy!
[*][*][*]
#22445 PINHED21.ARC 12544
Hot on the heels of PinHead 2.0 comes PinHead 2.1! Version 2.1 is now
compatible with ALL versions of TOS in ROM, from TOS 1.0 up to TOS
2.6/3.06. (Version 2.0 only worked with TOS 1.4 and above.) PinHead is
the *tiny* AUTO folder utility that speeds up the loading of all
programs - you won't believe how much faster your bootup goes! It's
similar to TOS's "fastload bit," but completely automatic and more
compatible with problem programs and accessories. Please read the
included docs carefully! PinHead 2.1 is *shareware*. Copyright
1989,90,91,92 Charles F. Johnson & Little Green Footballs. All Rights
Reserved.
Extract with ARC602ST.ARC (#13310) ** Pinhead really does work and
I prefer it over using the fastbit setting. The faster boot times are
especially noticeable when you boot your auto folder. Super shareware
that pays you back every time you boot or run a program. **
#22443 STZIP11.LZH (LH5)LZH 85888
ST ZIP version 1.1 has a full GEM menu interface. It's fast and it
makes a smaller overall file than ARC. Included in this file is a
smaller .TTP file for use with a custom shell or BBS. The program file
may be renamed to a TTP and used. Both programs operate perfectly after
being packed (PFXetc.). Everything has been translated, docs and
programs. Fully compatible with PKZIP. LZH'd for easy access. Enjoy!
-----
Extract with an LH5-compatible LHARC utility like LZH201I. ** A
very good Zip creator/extractor. Handy if you frequent the IBM RT.
Overall, not as good as the LH5 format in compressing, but its strong
point is speed. **
#22427 BONBON.LZH(LH5)LZH 16128
File includes two ACC/PRG (rename as needed) games from Germany.
Breakout ('nuff said) and KUBIS - a Tetris clone. They work in Mono or
Color. A small English read.me is enclosed, the actual docs are in
German but the programs are easy to figure out. Just the thing when a
quick time-wasting game is needed. This is an LH5 archive. -- Sysops
note: Please use the latest LZH extractor. QUESTOR Mode: Both games can
be used as an .ACC or as a .prg file
#22407 MEGASTE.LZH (LH5)LZH 9984
This is what I call the MegaSTE Configuration Set. This is a collection
of four small programs to set various Cache and Speed settings for the
MegaSTE computer. All of the programs will run from the Desktop, AUTO
Folder, and TOS Mode. There are FAST (16Mhz, Cache), NORM (8Mhz, No
Cache), FASTNC (16Mhz, No Cache), and WHATAMI (This tells you your
current configuration). There is a READ.ME file inside this archive
which explains in detail how to use these programs. These programs are
considered Shareware. -- Please use the latest LZH extractor.
#22402 MERCURY.ARC 485248
This is Rodnet Volz implementation of uucp/uucico/rmail/rnews/tar and
all the other things required to set you up for internet/usenet. We have
configured it to work from un-arc to click to run. For those of you who
have access to Internet or Usenet at work/school this will allow you to
do it all from home. Will work with Forem and other BBS (we use it as a
mailer etc for our MBBS) as a door and the likes. -- Please use
ARC602ST.ARC (file# 13310) to extract.
#22401 PGS_CS.ARC 26496
This desk accessory replaces PGS_AP_D which allows access to those "odd-
ball" characters which normally would require complex key combinations
and a chart. This version is updated to work with the latest version of
PageStream (which is required; this accessory is of little use without
it) and to include the low-end characters (card suits, etc.). The ARC
file contains the .ACC, a READ.ME text file and the documentation in
PageStream 2.1 format. -- Must have PAGESTEAM 2.1 to use. Please use
ARC602ST.ARC (file# 13310) to extract.
#22394 DCRSRV12.ARC 6656
DC Reserve will reserve a predefined amount of memory when you execute a
program. For instance, if you run FLASH! it normally uses all available
memory for a capture buffer. With DC Reserve installed and set to
reserve 100K, when you execute FLASH! you will have 100K free RAM in the
program for use for other things (like Data Diet and DC Shower). Try it
as a replacement for other memory reserve functions...it's that good!
------ Use ARC602ST.TTP (#13310) or other current ARC utility to
extract. TESTED->TOS 1.4/1.0 ** Works great on my 1040 STe. Allows you
to use desk accessories in programs where you formally couldn't due to
the application grabbing all available ram when it booted. Reserve can
also be run from the auto folder. A screenshot is included in the
color/mono TX2 issues. **
#22386 BOOTTYME.ARC 5888
Install BootTyme on the floppy in drive A, then boot your system with
one switch. Automatically waits for hard drive, no y to press. Bypass
the 90 second delay in the new TOSs.
--------
TT Compatible.
Use ARC602ST.TTP (#13310) to extract.
SYSOP NOTE: This program will write to the boot sector of your disks.
As with all programs that do this, use with caution.
File shows up as a VIRUS on many virus detection utilities
However, I have found it not to be the case.
#22367 STW45GS.ARC 98176
UPDATED GERMAN AND SPANISH VERSIONS OF ST WRITER ELITE V.4.5 WORD
PROCESSOR. This version does not trash DC Desktop. Has floppy
formatting routines for 1.44 Meg disks on computers with H.D. disk
drives. Fixes numerous misspellings in German and Spanish.
-----
Extract with ARC602ST.TTP (#13310).
#22366 STWEL45.ARC 44672
LATEST UPLOAD OF THE FAMOUS WORD PROCESSOR. This version has compat-
ibility with DC Desktop, and allows 1.44 Meg Floppy disk formatting on
ST's and TT's equipped with H.D. drives.
-----
Extract with ARC602ST.TTP (#13310).
#22365 TANDY2ST.TXT 2816
This is a short text file with a wiring diagram for connecting a Tandy
floppy to an ST.
-----
NOTE: The author and GEnie assume no responsibility for problems that
may occur while attempting this procedure.
ASCII text file. May be <V>iewed online or <D>ownloaded.
#22363 CLDEMO.ARC 98048
This is a demo of Cleanup ST, ICD's hard disk diagnostic and repair
program. The demo does everything the real version does except write
its changes. Confused FATs, disheveled directories, and corrupt
clusters are no match for this program. Both the demo and the real
program require an ICD host adapter. Unauthorized distribution is
prohibited. Use ARC 6.02 or later to decompress. ** A very good
program to have if you're using an ICD host adapter. Check it out. A
screenshot is included in the color/mono TX2 issues. **
#22362 ICDHOST.ARC 351232
This file contains the latest versions of all ICD host adapter support
programs. Check the file VERSIONS.TXT for specific version numbers
(included in this archive and separately). Unauthorized distribution is
prohibited! Please don't upload this to your local BBS or put it in
your club library. Use ARC 6.02 or later to decompress.
#22361 VERSION.TXT 640
This text file contains the latest version numbers of the files found in
ICDHOST.ARC and CLDEMO.ARC to help you better decide if the download is
for you. As with all ICD files (unless otherwise noted), this file is
copyright by ICD, Inc. Unauthorized distribution is prohibited.
Download it but please don't spread it around.
#22354 UNARJST.LZH 10880
This file decompresses *.ARJ files which are found in many IBM BBS's.
----
Please use the latest version of Questor LZH to extract.
Tested on a TT030.
#22341 ARC_LZH.PRG 112128
Download and run this program and click on the EXTRACT button. This
will create 4 files: READ_ME.1ST, ARCSHELL.PRG (v3.1), ARCSHELL.TXT,
ARC602ST.TTP (v6.02), and LHARC.TTP (v2.01I). These files will let you
extract files from virtually every .ARC and .LZH file in the ST
Roundtable Software Libraries. Read READ_ME.1ST and ARCSHELL.TXT for
instructions. Normal library policy prohibits the uploading of self-
extracting archives, but this one is an exception.
-----
This program is a self-extracting archive. You do not need any other
utility to extract the files. Just run it and select EXTRACT. ** If
you download files and are confused by the LH5 lzh format, here's an
easy way to cover all the bases. Everything you need to get up to speed
on extracting ARC or LZH files. **
#22328 FUJIMAUS.LZH (LH5) 15872
Latest (bug free) enhancements to FujiDesk. A mouse pointer that looks
where it's going and falls to dreamland after a period of inactivity! A
ticking watch replaces the boring busy bee! A spinning or rainbow Fuji
adorns your menu bar. PLUS! At LAST! A "fix" for nasty alerts that have
NO MOUSE POINTER! Configurable with enclosed ACC/PRG. Full dox. Works in
ST high-med-low-mono overscan-mono bigscreen & TT Medium & mono
bigscreen (that's the Fuji, the mouse works with anything!) ShareWare
from Chet Walters @ WizWorks. Short DL! Grab! Questor LZH'd.
(crashing ACC bug fixed in this version 1.31) ** Another great program
by Chet Walters. Does everything it says and I particularly like the
reliable mouse recoverer. Support shareware! A screenshot of the
configuration utility is included in the color/mono TX2 issues. **
#22315 TX2CNVT1.LZH 21376
This is the first released update to the TX2 Converter in quite a while.
It will convert Z*Net, STReport, and GEnie Lamp [PR] to the TX2 format,
with plenty of special effects and an index! It can also convert
between ST Writer and TX2 files, so you can create and edit your own TX2
files. This new version creates Level 4 files only, so you will need
either Mini_TX2 1.50a or the TX2 Text Processor to view the created
files. It has new Z*Net algorithms for their new format, plus several
other new features. Freeware.
----
Please use the latest version of Questor LZH to extract.
#22267 SPBT72.LZH (LH5)LZH 122624
Super Boot V7.2 -- Lets you select which desk accessories, auto
programs, and DESKTOP.INF file to use. Set the date, time, write
verify, and more. Lets you select GEM programs to autoboot. Use
function keys to select commonly used sets of files. Password
protection of your hard drive. Graphic Welcome Screen & digitized
sound. NEW: Now works on all ST & STE models & all TOS versions, new
sequential picture/sound mode, new status screen, bug fixes, more....
USE LATEST QUESTER.LZH TO EXTRACT. TESTED->TOS 1.4
#22254 MEGACHEK.LZH 194048
WELCOME, 520 USERS, TO THE ULTIMATE FINANCE MANAGER! That's right,
MEGA- Check now runs on 512K machines despite the ADDED enhancements in
version 1.1a. Color or Mono (mono highly recommended). TT COMPATIBLE
IN ST RES'S. MEGA-Check is a program which will allow you to manage and
answer questions about your personal finances with a full GEM interface.
Pay any bill with a single mouse click or use the built-in PayMinder
alarm system to automate your entire bill paying process. MEGA-Check
will even print the checks for you on ANY printer. Handles multiple
checking accounts. Full featured GEM generator. Will import ASCII data
from other packages. Version 1.1a, only $39.95 from Muller Automation.
Use any LZH extractor. TESTED->TOS 1.4
#22245 ESHLL222.LZH 48896
EDM Shell 2.22 by David Holmes This is the newest version of EDM Shell,
an easy-to-use archive shell that handles ARC, LZH (both -lh1- and -lh5-
), ZIP and ZOO. It has editable command lines, and a powerful CONVERT
function that can convert archives from one format to another.
Shareware.
NEW: Version 2.22 fixes a lot of bugs and sports a few changes for
smoother operation.
----------
Use UNLZH.PRG to extract.
TT Compatible in ST and TT Resolutions (slight redraw problem
sometimes) ** A Browse File button now allows you to call a file
viewer for reading text files you've just extracted. A screenshot is
included in the color/mono TX2 issues. **
#22206 DISKDIAG.ARC 13440
Examines your hard disks and warns you if it finds problems. Run it
when you have problems accessing files or folders on a disk. You
should also run it occasionally to detect problems before they become
serious. Automatically checks all the hard disks on your system. If it
finds problems, it will report information about the problems and stop.
May be placed in your AUTO folder to check your disks each time you
boot. FREEWARE. Courtesy of Beckemeyer Development. ** Just run it and
it does the rest. Automatically checks all partitions and let's you
know if something is amiss. **
-----------
Use ARC602ST.TTP (#13310) to extract.
TT Compatible in any resolution.
#22171 AREACODE.LZH 47872
Area Code Locator v3.0a from DO NOT STAMP Software. This prg/acc
identifies every telephone area code in North America, along with local
cities, time zone, and local time. This minor update adds and corrects
some city listings as well as fixing a memory allocation bug. Freeware.
Works on all ST/TT030 machines in any resolution. ** Very handy for
id'ing those telephone numbers in ads with no address. **
--------
Use UNLZH.PRG to extract.
#22170 SHREDRPL.LZH 32256
SHREDR+ v3.0a from DO NOT STAMP Software. This shareware utility will
totally and completely delete files by overwriting them with random
characters. Use it to ensure that your private files remain private.
Full GEM interface, .GTP compatible, command line support. Uses Maxifile
III for multiple file selection. Many more features! This minor update
improves memory allocation. Works on all ST/TT030 machines in all
resolutions. ** A screenshot is included in the color/mono TX2 issues.
**
-------------
Use UNLZH.PRG to extract.
[[ SHREDRPL.P?? HERE ]]
#22166 DB_EYES.ARC 9728
DB_EYES is an AUTO-FOLDER (tsr) program that places a pair of vigilant
mouse-watching eyes on the screen. Each eye follows the mouse, where
ever it may go, visible or not. Extra features: eye blinks when mouse
button is depressed. (they also blink when you poke at them with the
mouse) Sister application, CFGEYES.acc (or prg) configures all the
parameters such as eye coordinates, blink rate, on/off and also saves
them as new defaults.
!******* Runs in low/med/hi resolutions *******!
!******* Definitely a giggle a minute! *******!
#22476 WHATIS56.ARC 21632
Here is another version of WHAT IS. This accessory will identify over
100 types of files. Just the thing if you put the wrong extender on a
file or were unsure just what type of file you tried to load into a
program. Also very good to identify types of files in your disk crashes
and you are able to recover some of the files but no names for them at
least you will know what files are what. -- Please use ARC602ST.ARC
(file# 13310) to extract.
#22153 GEMVIE11.LZH (LH5)LZH 107008
This is a accessory that allows you to view almost any type of graphics
file. Includes GEM, Degas, Neo, GIF, SUN, IFF, and many others.
-----
Please use the latest LZH extractor.
#22127 NBM12.LZH (LH5) 20352
NBM, v1.2 - adds the NBMG graphics tests NBM will benchmark your
ST/STe/TT, allowing you to compare the efficiency of your system with
that of others. The built-in Compare function lists results obtained
from various hardware setups. Also includes a Print function, so that
you can print your results.
----
Please use the latest version of Questor LZH to extract.
#22099 S_CARD_2.ARC 88064
A Database program that is easy to use.
-----
Please use ARC602ST.ARC (file# 13310) to extract.
#22098 S_CARD_1.ARC 101632
A Database program that is easy to use.
-----
Please use ARC602ST.ARC (file# 13310) to extract.
#22075 N_DESKTP.LZH 3584
N_DESKTP.ACC changes the background pattern of the desktop. The standard
fill pattern can be replaced by any standard VDI fill pattern. This is
version 1.4. Free software from Noud van Kruysbergen in the Netherlands.
<kruysbergen@nici.kun.nl>
-----
Please use the latest LZH extractor.
[*][*][*]
Mel Motogawa has been hooked to his ST since 1986 and when not
online, enjoys reading every ST mag he can lay his hands on.
"After years of just reading messages and garnering infor-
mation, I decided it was time to break out. Don't be a lurker
forever, get the most out of the ST Roundtable. Ask questions
online or answer the ones you can. Share the wealth!"
////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "Ooooooh, how I love finding functions that I was going to /
/ write, when someone else has already written/debugged them... /
/////////////////////////////////////////////// C.HERBORTH ////
[EOA]
[PDQ]//////////////////////////////
PD_QUICKVIEW /
/////////////////////////////////
EDM SHELL: Yours For The Asking
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
By Fred H. Koch
[F.KOCH]
Program Name : EDM Shell 2.22
Filename : ESHLL222.LZH
Library Area : 40
Program Number : 22245
File Size : 48896
Program Type : Archive Shell
Author : David Holmes
Version Reviewed: 2.22
File Type : Shareware, $10.00
[*][*][*]
WHAT IT IS EDM Shell provides a GEM interface for the four most
"""""""""" popular Archive utilities, ARC, LZH (lh1 & lh5), ZIP,
and ZOO.
WHAT IT DOES EDM Shell is designed for use by both beginners and
"""""""""""" advanced users. Everything is already set-up for basic
use, but it is also very versatile and configurable. Its editable
command lines ensure future compatibility while providing maximum
flexibility. It also adds a powerful CONVERT function which can convert
an archive into any another format. This program should run on any
ST/STe/TT in any resolution.
The program does not use GEM; instead, it uses a remarkable new
interface called EDM. The custom interface provides keyboard
equivalents to almost every menu and alert box selection. Very handy
for those who prefer using the keyboard.
[opening screen, picture 1]
The Shell can be installed as an application for the following
extenders: ARC, LZH, ZIP, and ZOO. If this is done, any time you click
on an archive file, EDM Shell will launch and ask what you want to do
with the file. You can also pass filenames any way your alternate
desktop allows.
EDM Shell can be configured for just about any set-up you choose.
Archive utilities can be in any location on any drive and with any name.
It has five archive utility slots one for each basic archive type and
two for LZH, one which uses the older LZH command structure and one for
the different Quester LZH commands. The default path, archive utility,
five additional commands, and even a text viewer can all be selected and
saved for use each time EDM shell is run. Any of the basic command
lines can also be changed to account for changes in the archive
utilities without having to wait for an update from the author.
[configuration screen, picture 2]
The Following is a brief description of the five basic functions.
o ADD: adds files to an archive or creates a new archive.
o EXTRACT: extracts all files from an ARC/LZH/ZIP/ZOO file.
o LIST: lists all of the files in an archive.
o MOVE: similar to ADD, except that after a file has been added
to an archive, the original file is deleted.
o CONVERT: converts an archive to a different compression type
(i.e. ARC to LZH). This is an internal function of EDM Shell.
The Beginner Menu has only the five basic functions. The Advanced
Menu contains the five basic functions, plus five user defined buttons.
These user defined buttons are originally set up for "Verbose List,"
"Test," "Update," "Freshen," and "Delete."
[picture of advanced menu, picture 3]
EDM Shell allows choosing to use the standard GEM item selector,
including any of the alternate ones you might have installed, or the
custom EDM fileselector. The EDM Fileselector is different from the
standard GEM fileselector in many ways. There are two scrollable areas:
the left box is for directories, the right is for files. Between the
two boxes are the search masks. At the top is the current path, and
the currently selected file is on the right, just above the exit buttons
and drive selector.
If you are using the EDM Fileselector, you will only be able to
select between the two LZH programs. This is because the EDM File-
selector uses multiple search masks, and will automatically assign ARC,
ZIP, and ZOO files to the appropriate archive program; however, since
the LZH extender is used for both LZH compression methods, you must
select which you wish to use.
[picture of file selector, picture 4]
[*][*][*]
PD_Q RATING * * * *
"""""""""""
DOCUMENTATION GOOD
"""""""""""""
PD_Q COMMENTS If you use an archive utility you need an archive shell.
""""""""""""" EDM shell has about every feature I could want in a
shell except extraction of multiple files using wild cards. The file
viewer is very handy and can use just about any one you choose,
including file editors. This feature alone has saved me much time
switching between programs.
EDM Shell 2.22 is very easy for the beginner since it has the
commands for basic Arc/unArc preconfigured, but flexible enough to make
most power users happy too.
Previous versions had several bugs, some of which made it almost
unusable, but this version seems very stable. I highly recommend it!
//////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "Just be careful using DB_EYES with TOUCH UP. Did some picture /
/ editing last night and wound up having to do some eye surgery!" /
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////// SM ////
[EOA]
[HAC]//////////////////////////////
HACK'N ATARI /
/////////////////////////////////
[*]Down To The Wire
"""""""""""""""""""
By Bill Yung
(TX2 MONO ONLY)
o HACK'N PART I: Convert A NES Advantage For Your ST
o HACK'N PART II: Modifying A CX-80 Trackball For Your ST
PLEASE REMEMBER! You are responsible for any damage or liability when
"""""""""""""""" you make any modifications or upgrades to your
equipment. Also keep in mind that opening your computer may void your
guarantee. If you are unsure of your ability to take on a hardware
project, find someone who isn't.
SEE THE DIFFERENCE Note that this is a TX2 article which contains
"""""""""""""""""""" detailed illustrations on how to convert a
Nintendo Nes Advantage joystick and to make a CX-80 Trackball, both of
which are compatible options for an ST or Amiga computer. Note
that due to the detail involved, TX2 graphics for this article are
available in MONOchrome format only. (LMP341_M.LZH)
[*][*][*]
>>> CONVERT A NES ADVANTAGE FOR YOUR ST <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
1) Remove feet from bottom of Joystick
2) Remove screws from bottom of Joystick and open case.
3) Cut existing double Nintendo cable loose and discard.
4) Cut the wires from the joystick assembly to the main pc board
near the pc board end making note of the original position of
the wires before doing so, EXCEPT FOR THE GROUND WIRE. Leave
the ground wire connected between the two boards.
5) Using pin out chart, route the wires to the appropriate pins as
described on the bottom of the picture.
6) Close it up and enjoy.
You'll have to find a db-9 with all nine conductors to get power to
the circuit to run the turbo buttons. Often times in other "how to"
articles, I have read authors' recommendation to purchase a joystick
extender from Radio Shack. They no longer carry this item. They do
carry db-9 connectors and cable to make your own though the db-9 they
carry will not work on a 520 because it has ears on it for screws to
secure it to the connector ala AT-serial type. It will fit fine on any
ST that has the connectors under the keyboard instead of on the side.
If you have an old 520 with the joystick ports on the side, a mouse
cable would be a convenient solution. IF you do choose to use a mouse
cable, the strain relief will work nicely on the Advantage and looks
great too.
An important point to mention about noise is briefly mentioned at
the bottom of the picture. There is a piece of metal that is held on
top of one of the six posts by a screw in the pc board. Remove the
screw and discard the metal piece. The small piece of metal connects
the case bottom to ground thus making it a giant rf transmitter causing
noticeable sparkles of interference when using a TV for a monitor.
The lock on feature will in effect hold down the "A" button for you
when the slow button is up. Pressing the button down will defeat the
feature. It has no effect on the "B" button.
This modification really works great! I love mine and am un-
stoppable in most shoot'em ups with it. I don't know of a better joy-
stick. The NES Advantage won't work with the new Super NES so look for
them cheap if you don't already have one. They have a heavy steel
bottom lending great stability to the unit and are well worth the money.
>>> MODIFYING A CX-80 TRACKBALL FOR YOUR ST <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
The section in the center of the drawing is the real key to the
mod. It shows a letter and corresponding color. The letters represent
points marked on the pc board to which it is necessary to reroute the
wires. Here's a step by step.
1) Remove feet from bottom of Trackball
2) Remove screws from bottom of Trackball and open case.
3) Pull the wires that are mentioned in the center of the pi3 file
loose from the pc board. (They are attached by spades)
4) Reroute the wires to the appropriate points A-D.
5) Close it up and enjoy.
If you need the right button to function as a right mouse button,
things get a little more difficult. The problem is, Atari didn't provide
your db-9 connector with all 9 conductors. You'll have to find a db-9
with all nine conductors or at least 8 of them to get the right button
to work. Often times in other "how to" articles, I have read authors'
recommendation to purchase a joystick extender from Radio Shack. They
no longer carry this item. They do carry db-9 connectors and cable to
make your own though the db-9 they carry will not work on a 520 because
it has ears on it for screws to secure it to the connector ala AT-serial
type. It will fit fine on any ST that has the connectors under the key-
board instead of on the side. If you have an old 520 with the joystick
ports on the side, a mouse cable would be a convenient solution.
I might also mention Double Click has a utility out that allows one
to use the right shift key as a right mouse button and this works very
well. DCslick I think it's called.
This may be a better idea than going to the trouble and expense to
hook up the right button as a right button. The right trackball button
will function as a left mouse button unless you cut the trace at
hackpoint "E".
Having the cable ready to install, here's the step by step to
enable the right mouse button:
1) Cut trace at hack point "E".
2) Using the plug view chart on the pi3 file, find the wire for pin
9 and connect to the side of the hack point nearest the right
edge.
3) Use the pin out chart on the pi3 file to determine where to
attach the remaining wires on the new cable.
4) The center section, which is the key to rerouting the wires,
will not necessarily have the same colors as the cable you are
using so use a voltmeter and the pinout chart on the pi3 file to
convert the info for your use.
Example: The center section starts with "A=red"
This means the red wire should be rerouted to point "A". Using the
pinout chart at the left, you can see that red, on the original cable,
went to pin 2, thus connect whichever wire that goes to pin 2 to point
"A" and so on...
5) Close it up and enjoy.
NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR My apologies to the Amiga users out there if
""""""""""""""""""""" this text file doesn't apply perfectly to your
specific drawing. I also didn't verify the operation of this for you
guys since I don't have an Amiga to try it on. I did however have
access to the Amiga repair manual and used it to convert the first 4
pins so if I made a mistake your mouse will move the opposite way of
what it should but that would be the worst case scenario. I'd love to
hear from you if you try this on an Amiga and find it's right already
or needs fixing.
Hope you guys enjoy your Trackball. If you do this modification and
like it, say a little prayer for me. Yeah, that's it..... It's
prayerware!
Bill Yung
TUC BBS (614)575-2135
1/5/92
/////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "Those joypads...can you say "constant thumb blisters?" I /
/ knew you could! Can you say "permanent dent in left ring /
/ finger?" I knew you could!!!" /
/////////////////////////////////////////// BLUE.MONDAY ////
[EOA]
[MIN]//////////////////////////////
MINI_BYTES /
/////////////////////////////////
[*]Three On One: SUPERBOOT 7.2
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Program Name : Super Boot
Filename : SPBT72.LZH
Library Area : 2
Program Number : 22267
File Size : 122624
Program Type : Boot Utility
Author : Gordon Moore
Version Reviewed: 7.2
File Type : ShareWare, $15.00
[*][*][*]
FROM THE AUTHOR Super Boot is an "all-in-one" type program that does
""""""""""""""" just about everything you could ever want to do each
time you boot your computer.
It allows you to:
o Choose which Accessories to load in
o Choose which AUTO programs to run
o Choose from a number of DESKTOP.INF files, allowing
you to change your resolution, color scheme, etc. on
each boot
o Choose from a number of ASSIGN.SYS files for GDOS
o Choose other data files used by up to 8 different
programs
o Display a welcome screen from any picture in Degas,
Neochrome, or Tinystuffed format, even on systems with
both color and mono monitors, and it can rotate colors
on color systems
o Play digitized sound
o Set the date if you so choose
o Set the time if you so choose
o Choose whether or not Super Boot will run by holding
down a "hot-key", by a time delay feature, or by both
o Restrict access to your system by use of a password
(mainly useful for hard drive owners)
o Set the floppy disk seek rate
o Have Write Verify turned off if desired
o Select the most used file configurations by simply pressing
a function key, with up to 30 function keys supported
o Customize Super Boot the way you want it using The Super Boot
Construction Set -- a separate, easy to use GEM program.
o Auto boot any GEM program
o Set a default configuration if Super Boot is bypassed
Super Boot works on all Atari ST and STE models, from any boot
drive, on any version of TOS, and on both color and monochrome monitors.
On color monitors, it will automatically be displayed in 4-color medium
resolution. Super Boot can control up to 151 files at once.
Super Boot's file selection functions work by changing filenames
and copying files. Inactive accessories and autoboot programs will have
an "X" as the last letter of the filename (CONTROL.ACX or GDOS.PRX for
example). Since the ST only recognizes .ACC or .PRG files as valid
accessories or programs, those files with "X" as the last letter in
their name don't load. Super Boot makes it easy to control which of
those files are active and which are inactive. It controls the
DESKTOP.INF and ASSIGN.SYS files by copying one of several data files
chosen by the user to the DESKTOP.INF or ASSIGN.SYS file. Super Boot
also supports the data files of other programs, allowing the user to
easily activate or inactivate them.
In addition Super Boot utilizes the function keys by allowing
separate file configurations to be assigned to each one (for 30
different function key combinations). When a function key is pressed,
all files specified for that function key will be activated, and the
other files not specified for that key will be inactivated. If one of
the files which is assigned to a function key is deleted from the boot
disk or is renamed, Super Boot will simply ignore it and the other files
will be selected as usual.
[*][*][*]
MINI_BYTE BY HERETIC [70] For those of you who don't know, Superboot
""""""""""""""""""""""""" 7.2 is the latest release of one of the
original hard disk drive boot managers. With it, you can enable (or
disable) autofolder programs, accessories, and even assign.sys files and
desktops. Like other programs of its type, it works by renaming files
at bootup time.
What distinguishes Superboot from others of its kind is its heavy
reliance on multiple setup/configuration files as its default method
of operation. For example if you are wanting to fire up your computer
for a heavy "Aladdin" session, just select the Aladdin configuration
from your opening menu and it will select all the accessories, auto-
folder programs, etc. you want to work with Aladdin instantly. A great
convenience if this is the way you normally use your ST, however not so
great a convenience if you normally don't use your ST in this manner.
One other not so likable characteristic of Superboot is that it
seems to suffer from creeping featureitis. Not only does this program
help you manage your boot sequence but with its fancy show picture and
play sound routines, it's supposed to keep you entertained in the
process. This is all a bit much if you prefer a simpler more stream-
lined approach to this task. Another dislikable feature is that it re-
quires the use of a separate program (Superboot Construction Set) to
change any of the options of the program itself. Again, this is both an
inconvenience and an unnecessary complication.
What kind of should this latest offering get? Well it deserves a
passing one since it works and is bug free but for suffering from
creeping featuritis it deserves about a 70.
MINI_BYTE BY MOGUL [30] After spending a good deal of time rebuilding
""""""""""""""""""""""" my previous boot partition and diligently re-
moving the Superboot folder and adjunct files from my hard drive, my
review of the latest Superboot may be predictable.
I found Superboot to put both me and my system in a quandary.
Besides slowing down the boot process considerably, a great deal of re-
configuration was required to get Neodesk online through Superboot, and
in between, various (and scary) desktops would appear, the kind that
make you feel you should look for your hard disk utility floppy to
effectuate some hard disk surgery.
Luckily, no "fatal" problems occurred, but the relative value of
this utility becomes questionable. Boot pictures were inconsistent
(sometimes no picture at all), Sound Off files were incompatible, and
the main setup screen did not support the mouse for selection.
I feel compelled to ring the gong this time around. Superboot
rates a 30 out of 100. As a side note: Charles Johnson's "Desk Manager"
is VASTLY more intuitive and user friendly for this type of boot
management (and uses the mouse!).
MINI_BYTE BY SHEPHARD [95] Super Boot is an indispensable program for
"""""""""""""""""""""""""" anyone who ever changes their boot-up
configuration. It can take quite a while to shift things around if you
have to do it manually and have 20 or so different auto/acc programs to
choose from as I do. With Super Boot it is as easy as pressing a single
function key or selecting the desired programs with the cursor keys and
space bar. The best part is once the selections are made, Super Boot
finishes its work and is gone, taking NO memory after it is run, so it
is available on even 512K machines with tight memory use. It is just as
useful for floppy drive users since it can be placed on your boot disk
with the AUTO and ACC programs, select those you want and off you go.
It can be set to come up automatically or be bypassed unless you press a
HOT key to call it up during boot-up. A very flexible program. If you
change your boot-up configuration more than once or twice a year, you
need this program. The Shephard's humble opinion.
[*][*][*]
No. File Name Type Address YYMMDD Bytes Access Lib
----- ------------------------ - ------------ ------ ------- ------ ---
22267 SPBT72.LZH (LH5)LZH X G.W.MOORE 920111 122624 313 2
Desc: Super Boot V7.2 - New & Improved!
18492 SBSOUNDS.ARC X G.W.MOORE 910303 192780 372 17
Desc: Sounds & Pictures - Super Boot V7.0
18493 SB_OTHER.ARC X G.W.MOORE 910303 78120 438 2
Desc: Utilities useful for Super Boot V7.0
GEnie LAMP MINI_BYTE'S RATING
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
HERETIC ............................................ 70
MOGUL .............................................. 30
SHEPHARD ........................................... 95
""""
MINI_BYTE SCORE .................................... 65
MINI_BYTES RATING SYSTEM
""""""""""""""""""""""""
0 / 9 Not worth the download - pass on this one.
10/20 Bored? Looking for something to do?
30/40 Got money to burn? Go for it! A definite maybe.
50/60 You may like this one - unfortunately, I did not.
70/80 I like it! You will probably like it too.
90/100 What? You haven't downloaded this program YET?
>>> REVIEWER PROFILES <<<
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
SHEPHERD...Shepherd - uses mostly information storage
programs and utilities, crazy about time
saving programs, spends lots of time on-
line, only plays games very rarely.
MOGUL......uses the ST as a full-time professional
platform, emphasizing word processing,
spreadsheet, DTP, graphics applications,
and a host of utilities/accessories for
all exigencies.
HERETIC....Uses mostly Wordwriter ST, Aladdin, and
ST_Talk Professional. He writes a lot and
is very hard to please. Loves sticking
pins in sacred cows (both computer and
political). He rarely has time for games
(either the enjoyable kind or Bureaucrap!)
///////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "1. Save your objects as a 3D2 file from within Cyber Sculpt /
/ 2. Run Cad 3D. 3. Load the 3D2 file and execute your stamp /
/ operation. 4. Wait several hours. 5. Cuss when CAD-3D /
/ mangles your object!" /
///////////////////////////////////////////// J.STANFORD2 ////
[EOA]
[LYN]//////////////////////////////
LINKING UP WITH LYNX /
/////////////////////////////////
Atari Handheld Power!
"""""""""""""""""""""
"Actually one of Atari's problems right now is that they don't
have enough systems to meet stores demands. They plan to step
up production next year so they'll have enough to get into more
of the chain stores that want the Lynx." -Clinton Smith
>>> LYNX NEWS, RUMORS, REVIEWS AND VIEWS <<<
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
LYNX FINALLY ARRIVES! From the "Here's proof we've finally arrived"
""""""""""""""""""""" category:
In the February 1992 issue of Playboy, in the "Playboy Collection:
things you can live with out, but who wants to?" section:
"Atari's newly improved Lynx hand-held video-game system is reduced
in size but still boasts a 3.5 inch screen, the largest in its class,
$150, including an A.C. adapter and a game."
Very nice picture of the unit with Blue Lighting on the screen
(paused) and a glimpse of the RoadBlaster cart lying next to the system.
Sure made my day!
(ROBOCOP, CAT36, TOP5, MSG:85/M475)
LYNX AGAINST THE WORLD
""""""""""""""""""""""
Lame Toy:
1) Lame Toy Base w/cart. (SPECIAL) $79.95
2) Lame Toy 4 Player Interface $19.95
3) Lame Toy Carrying Case $ 9.95
4) Lame Toy A.C. Adaptor $ 9.95
5) Lame Toy Screen Light/Magnifier $ 9.95
Lame Toy A.C. Adaptor for #5 $ 9.95
6) Lame Toy COLOR Adaptor n-a
7) Lame Toy CPU Turbo 4Mhz n-a
8) Lame Toy Second Cart. (your choice) $29.95
9) Lame Toy 16 Bit Graphics Engine n-a
10) Lame Toy 32 Bit Sound Processor n-a
11) Lame Toy Comfortable Controller n-a
12) Lame Toy lefthand player adaptor n-a
13) Lame Toy Non-Cheesy looking chassis n-a
14) Lame Toy Hardware Sprite Scaling n-a
------------------------------------------------
Grand Total $169.65
"How does the Lame Geer Fit in?" I hear you ask...
Lame Geer:
1) Lame Geer Base w/cart. (SALE) $139.95
2) Lame Geer Multi Player Interface $ 9.95
3) Lame Geer Carrying Case $ 9.95
4) Lame Geer A.C. Adaptor $ 9.95
5) Lame Geer Screen Magnifier $ 9.95
6) Lame Geer COLOR Screen standard
7) Lame Geer CPU Turbo 4Mhz n-a
8) Lame Geer Second Cart. ("Sonic") standard
9) Lame Geer 16 Bit Graphics Engine n-a
10) Lame Geer 32 Bit Sound Processor n-a
11) Lame Geer Comfortable Controller n-a
12) Lame Geer lefthand player adaptor n-a
13) Lame Geer Non-Cheesy looking chassis standard
14) Lame Geer Hardware Sprite Scaling n-a
---------------------------------------------------
Grand Total $179.75
So, where does that leave the Lynx???
Lynx Deluxe Package:
1) Lynx Console w/cart. $129.95
2) ComLynx
Cable standard
3) Lynx Carrying Case standard
4) Lynx A.C. Adaptor standard
5) Lynx Large Lighted Screen standard
6) Lynx COLOR Screen standard
7) Lynx 4Mhz Turbo CPU standard
8) Lynx Second Cart. (your choice) $29.95
9) Lynx 16 Bit Graphics Engine standard
10) Lynx 32 bit sound processor standard
11) Lynx large comfortable controls standard
12) Lynx Lefthand Player feature standard
13) Lynx High Quality Chassis standard
14) Lynx Hardware Sprite Scaling standard
------------------------------------------------
Grand Total $159.90 ***WOW ***
So, provided that the messages and information I've read here
pertaining to the standard equipment of each system has been truthful
(since I do not own all 3 systems), we can see that the Lynx Deluxe
Package not only is the least expensive system, but also the MOST POWER-
FUL! It seems like Nofundo could have done a LOT MORE considering their
system costs MORE than the Lynx System.
______________________________
/hunderbird "Beep Beep! Zoooooom!"
"Wile E. Riddle: 'Super Genius'"
(D.ENGEL, CAT36, TOP5, MSG:73/M475)
CYBERBALL MINI_VIEW The end of a years wait! The game that I origin-
""""""""""""""""""" ally bought the Lynx for is finally out,
Cyberball. With some of the other great games out for the Lynx, I
thought this one couldn't miss. Boy was I wrong.
Tournament Cyberball is a big disappointment to me. I've played
the arcade version many times but I can't handle the Lynx version at
all. Like one of the above posts said, handoffs and passing are almost
a random event..it is if you had to rely on the docs to tell you any-
thing. And the robots on the Lynx almost seem too big in relation to
the field. I can't ever do a running play because the opponents are on
me like that. Sometimes you seem to get tackled even when nothing is
directly touching you. It's like the just have to get close and your
caught.
I do have some success with passing though. YOU might try this
suggestion. I seem to manage well with passes if you push the joypad in
the direction of the spot you want to throw. Usually there are at least
2 and sometimes 3 "X" to throw to. If you want to throw to the left
one, push the joypad left just as you hit the A button (don't push any
diagonals to throw..they never work for me). If you want to throw
midfield, push the pad Up (or sometime no push at all). If you want to
throw right, push right on the pad. Thats the only way I can make
progress on the field. Runs are out.
On the Arcade version, each coach plays differently and each team
plays differently. They don't tell you if thats the case on the Lynx
version. (they do say something about the coaches but its unclear).
Defense Turbo is also not documented in the docs. I think the A button
kicks it in.
There are a few things I like about the game. The music and voices
are pretty much dead on. And you do get to try and buy new players as
the game progresses. The only thing I've ever been offered though is
the Magnesium (I think) and Titanium tight-ends. Of course, since it's
so hard to make a touchdown on here, you may not ever get the money to
buy any new players. I only managed for the first time last night after
a week of playing.
Overall, I would return this game to the store and exchange it for
something else if I could. But the Toys R Us store here doesn't take
back games that are opened. How are you supposed to know if you like
something if you can't open it??? It's not like if Cartridges can be
copied like disks. Oh well, unless I can sell it to someone, I'll have
to make do with it. Will sorta put me off on buying anything new until
I can somehow TRY it first.
On a scale of 1-5 (low to high), I give it a 2 and a half.
-George (G.HILL15, CAT36, TOP29, MSG:5/M475)
STAR-LINX BBS WILL RETURN Star-Linx will be back online in early to
""""""""""""""""""""""""" mid-January. I (and the BBS) moved a couple
of weeks ago, and decided to remodel the BBS in the meantime. The
number will be the same as before, 602-464-4817 but the 2400 baud line
(464-1136) will no longer be functional. The 464-4817 line will operate
at 2400/1200/300 with 9600 bps coming within a couple of months. Also,
long distance callers should find it easier to connect, as the logon
routine has been rewritten and shouldn't have the problem of detecting
the wrong baud rate due to line noise that frequently accompanies the
first few seconds of a connection. Also, the problem we had with people
calling with MNP modems should be resolved by this too. See you in a
few weeks! Happy holidays and Happy Lynx'n to all!
Sincerely, Jeff Kovach, SysOp Star-Linx
(J.KOVACH, CAT36, TOP21, MSG:15/M475)
NEW GAMES IN THE PIPELINE When I talked to Telegames at the Summer CES
""""""""""""""""""""""""" they indicated that they were talking with
several companies regarding licensing games for the Lynx. I just got a
press release from them today announcing that they've got the rights to
do Lynx conversions of Tradewest titles. First up will be Double Dragon
in July. It will be playable by 1 or 2 players. Super OffRoad will
come out in August with up to 4 players. This also opens up the
possibility of the popular Battletoads showing up on the Lynx.
-Clinton Smith/APE NEWSLETTER
(C.SMITH89, CAT36, TOP5, MSG:100/M475)
SICK LYNX? If your cousin's Lynx works on your power supply, then
"""""""""" there is an internal problem with your Lynx. If it is
within the 90 day warranty period, you can return it to the place of
purchase for exchange, or send it in to us, along with a copy of the
receipt and we will replace it. If it is not in warranty, we will
replace it for the $50 repair/replacement fee. -Dan
(D.MCNAMEE, CAT36, TOP9, MSG:136/M475)
YES, ANOTHER LYNX MAG! Announcing a new quarterly Lynx newsletter:
"""""""""""""""""""""" PAGS - Portable Atari Gaming System
PAGS is a quarterly newsletter which caters to the Atari Lynx portable
gaming system. Each issue of PAGS will feature 6-10 new game reviews,
editorials, news & information, and hot new gaming tips.
PAGS is a non-profit newsletter and is produced by Eric Schofield,
John Karakash, and Charles Wells. Reviews and comments from readers are
welcome. Readers who write reviews for PAGS will be compensated as
well. For every 4 articles which appear in PAGS, the reviewer will
receive a $10 gift certificate to Babbage's or Electronics Boutique.
All reviews must be 250-500 words in length and should discuss graphics,
sound, difficulty, playability, and lasting appeal.
The release schedule for PAGS in 1992 will be March, May, August,
and November. Reviews must be submitted by the 20th of the proceeding
month of release. Reviews must be typed or word processed and can be
sent to our address. We will also accept f-mail through GEnie. The
files must be in ASCII format and the mail address is E.SCHOFIELD.
A 1 year subscription to PAGS costs $12. Please send either a
personal check or money order to PAGS.
PAGS
P.O. BOX 37692
RALEIGH, NC 27627-7692
(E.SCHOFIELD, CAT36, TOP5, MSG:117/M475)
AWESOME GOLF IS AWESOME My Awesome Golf works great. I am not a golf-
""""""""""""""""""""""" ing fanatic, but I find myself playing Awesome
Golf more than any other Lynx game, because it's nice and relaxing,
while still being challenging. The only "trick" was figuring out how to
aim -- it's well hidden on the poster. Also, I didn't notice it
documented anywhere that the 'B' button allows you to back up through
the sequence, so if you change your mind after choosing which club to
use, or want to change your aim a bit, you can hit 'B' to back up to
those options.
So, all in all, I think that Awesome Golf is a great game. The
controls are straightforward, it seems to be realistic (granted, I don't
play golf) in contrast to the golf games where things feel "too
perfect". The zoom graphics are fantastic -- I love being able to zoom
in on the course to check details and aim carefully, but zoom out to get
a feel for the entire course.
The only change I would make to Awesome Golf would be to port it to
the Jaguar. :^) (L.A.POPKIN, CAT36, TOP7, MSG:18/M475)
MIDIMAZE AIN'T DEAD YET! That is not true at all about midimaze. We
"""""""""""""""""""""""" are still working with the people at Xanth.
A Lynx version is still well within the relm of possibility. -Dan
(D.MCNAMEE, CAT36, TOP6, MSG:119/M475)
>>>>> I certainly hope a Lynx MIDI-Maze comes about. The people I
""""" talked to at Xanth seemed a bit discouraged, because they very
much want to do a Lynx version, but don't have the resources to do it
the way Atari wanted to. I promise that if a Lynx MIDI-Maze comes out,
I'll buy at least two copies, and probably four. I own two Lynxes, and
have two friends with Lynxes, and I *really* want to be able to blow
them up. <smile>(L.A.POPKIN, CAT36, TOP6, MSG:120/M475)
/////////////////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE /////
/ "I agree emphatically! The FA-ST tape backup is a _great_ /
/ device; I've been using it religiously for over two years, /
/ and if I had to do without it I'd probably just sell my /
/ computers and move to Borneo." /
/////////////////////////////////////////// C.F.JOHNSON ////
[EOA]
[LOG]//////////////////////////////
LOG OFF /
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GEnie Lamp Information
""""""""""""""""""""""
o COMMENTS: Contacting GEnie Lamp
o GENIE LAMP STAFF: Who Are We?
o WITH A LITTLE HELP: GEnie Lamp Writers
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o HOT OFF THE PRESS: When And Where?
COMMENTS? If you would like to ask a question, leave a comment or just
""""""""" drop in and say hi, you can contact us in CAT 34 in the ST
bulletin board area. If you prefer to remain private, send your GEnie
Email to GENIELAMP$ on page 200, or leave a message to one or more of
the following addresses:
GEnie LAMP STAFF
""""""""""""""""
o John F. Peters [GENIELAMP] Publisher/Editor
o Darlah J. Pine [DARLAH] Co-Editor
o Jeff Williams [JEFF.W] Technical Editor
o David Holmes [D.HOLMES14] TX2 Editor
GEnie LAMP STAFF WRITERS
""""""""""""""""""""""""
- Richard Brown [R.BROWN30] Of Mice & Bytes
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GEnie LAMP ADVISORS
"""""""""""""""""""
o Larry Duke [LARRY.D] GEnie Lamp Advisor
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U.S. MAIL
"""""""""
T/TalkNET Publishing Co.
% John Peters
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ATTENTION WRITERS Have you ever thought about writing an article?
""""""""""""""""" Well, here's your chance. WRITERS.ARC File #17920
located in the GEnie Lamp library, #35 is a short text file that will
give you information on our polices, what we are looking for and how to
go about writing and submitting your article for possible publication in
an upcoming issue of GEnie Lamp. Whether you are interested in taking
on one of the columns now found in GEnie Lamp, starting a new column, or
just submitting a one time article, we want to hear from you. So, take
a quick look, fire up the word processor and get busy on that article!
HOT OFF THE PRESS GEnie Lamp is published on the 1st and the 15th of
""""""""""""""""" every month for our Atari ST RoundTable members on
page 475, option 5. If you prefer to download your issue of GEnie Lamp,
you will find the current issue as well as all the back issues on page
476, in the GEnie Lamp library, #35. GEnie Lamp is also distributed
on electronic bulletin boards worldwide. (If your favorite BBS doesn't
have it, upload it!)
DON'T FORGET! GEnie Lamp sisters issue, GEnie Lamp [PR] is released
""""""""""""" every Friday night here in the ST Library, #35. In
GEnie Lamp [PR] you will find all the latest press releases,
announcements show information and want ads from the library and
bulletin board compiled into one easy to download file. Contact Fred
Koch [F.KOCH] for details.
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Material published in this edition may be reprinted under the
following terms only. All articles must remain unedited and
include the issue number and author at the top of each article
reprinted. Reprint permission granted, unless otherwise noted, to
registered Atari user groups and not for profit publications.
Opinions present herein are those of the individual authors and
does not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or staff of
GEnie Lamp. We reserve the right to edit all letters and copy.
Material published in this edition may be reprinted only with the
following notice intact:
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(c) Copyright 1991 T/TalkNET OnLine Publishing, Atari Corporation,
GEnie, and the Atari RoundTables. The Atari RoundTables on GEnie
are the *official* information services of the Atari Corporation. 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
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\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
[EOF]
