@database BenSpeaks
@author "Ben Vost"
@$VER: 1.4 (10.03.97 - AFCD13)
@node MAIN "Welcome to AFCD13"
@{b}AFCD13
May 97@{ub}
As of the time time I write this (about 2pm on the 10th of March. Happy
birthday Ma and Errol!), there's no news about the buyout yet. Still, all is
not lost, I'm sure there'll be something by the time we have to write news
(crosses fingers and touches wood).
But this month, I have dragged you here to talk about the Internet and just how
fab and groovy it is. You may not be wildly interested in cruising the web for
stuff, or trawling through the newsgroups - it can all take a long time and a
huge toll on your phone bill, life and relationships, but it is extraordinarily
handy for a lot of stuff, email being my biggest boon.
If you read my cover feature this month about all the groovy packages I look at
as I explain just how easy it all is, you may wonder to yourself whether it is
only easy for someone, like myself, that has been using Amigas in all sorts of
situations for a vast number of years. You're probably saying to yourself,
"Yes, but I couldn't get online. It looks far too hard.", but you'd be wrong.
Packages like Miami make sure that getting online is just as easy as formatting
a floppy disk and that and the new breed of add-on tools like AmFTP and iBrowse
are ushering in a new age of easy-to-use, easy-to-configure networking tools
that anyone with an Amiga, a hard drive, 6Mb RAM and a very, very small amount
of nouse can get to grips with.
There's not much point rehashing all I'll be saying in the feature, suffice to
say, you can do it.
All the online best,
 @{"Ben" link "thought" 0}
PS. @{b}STOP SENDING YOUR MODULES! WE CAN'T USE THEM!@{ub} (If you don't
understand why, try taking a look at the @{"submissions advice" link "sadvice" 0})
@endnode
@node sadvice "Submissions advice"
                      @{"Print this file out!" system "c:copy AFCD13:-ReaderStuff-/Submission_advice prt:"}
                      @{b}HOW TO SEND US YOUR SUBMISSIONS
                      ===============================@{ub}
@{b}IMPORTANT! We can no longer accept your music modules as submissions for the
Amiga Format CD owing to copyright problems with sound samples from copyrighted
sources. Thanks for all your music submissions up till now, but please don't
send any more...@{ub}
We want you to send us your programs, animations, pictures, game tips and
cheats, hacks, hardware projects, basically anything you can think of that you
have done with your Amiga. It must be your own work - no passing off Chris
Achilleos' greatest masterpieces as your own, and we need a variety of things
from you in addition to your submission and we need them on your disk.
     @{b}1.@{ub} We need your name and address so that we know where to send your prize.
	You should also put your name and address on labels on your media.
     @{b}2.@{ub} We need two read me files accompanying your work; one for us and one
	to go on the CD itself (title them @{b}AF_ReadMe@{ub} and @{b}ReadMe@{ub}). These can be
	as in-depth as you want them to be, but should contain instructions for
	us on getting your work running if it is a complicated procedure,
	including things like necessary libraries and so on. The readme that
	will go on the CD will be the introduction of your work to the whole
	Amiga Format reading world so check your spelling and grammar and show
	people just what is so good about your work.
     @{b}3.@{ub} If your work requires files such as libraries which you cannot send
	us owing to copyright reasons make sure we know about them so that we
	can either arrange to put them on the CD, or warn our readers about
	them (you will probably do this in your CD read me).
     @{b}4.@{ub} Be aware that we won't be as interested in programs that need to
	boot or that require to be in a certain place on the CD, unless, of
	course, that place happens to be in your directory on the CD. Your
	directory will almost certainly have the path:
	@{b}"AFCDx:-ReaderStuff-/your_name/"@{ub} but then no-one will be able to run
	your program except from the CD, limiting its usefulness or appeal.
	If we do put something on the CD that needs to autoboot, it will almost
	certainly only be as a DMS that readers will have to extract to disk
	before they can use it.
You can send us your work on pretty much any sort of media whether it be floppy
disks (high or double density, but don't send us work on high density disks
unless you yourself have a high density drive. High density disks used in a
double density drive aren't as reliable as using double density disks), a
floppy disk back up using AmiBack, Quarterback or any of the shareware backup
tools, Zip disk, Jaz cartridge, SyQuest 44MB, 88MB or 105MB or EZ Drive, DAT
tape backup from any of the above-mentioned programs (the only thing we're not
very keen on is the Video Backup System that Power Computing sell in the UK,
we've had nothing but trouble with it), FTP upload to @{b}ftp2.futurenet.co.uk@{ub},
(you'll only be able to put your file in the incoming directory, you won't be
able to see it once you have finished uploading, but don't worry, it'll be
there. Make sure that you name your file with AF at the start so that we know
it's for us) basically anything apart from a listing on paper. We don't want
to have to type in your program too!
We will return any media more expensive than high density floppies via
registered post, so you won't have to worry about losing seventy quid's worth
of Jaz cartridge.
Send your submissions to:
	@{b}CD submissions
	Amiga Format
	30 Monmouth Street,
	Bath, BA1 2BW@{ub}
@endnode
@node thought "Thought for the month"
@{b}On my soapbox again!@{ub}
Bizarre eh? I only go and mention Quake in this section when all of a sudden a
version for the Amiga pops up. Mind you, most people won't be able to run it at
a playable speed since it requires the pokiest of machine to even get running.
Apparently, it was all based on source code from iD casually left lying around
on a webserver somewhere just waiting for someone to download it. The version
we've played in the office has no sound, runs at about 4fps in a tiny window
and has keys that are not documented. It is supposed to work over a TCP/IP
network so you should eventually be able to play against others over the line,
but I wouldn't bother unless you have an 060 and a graphics card - you'll be
blown away before you even see anyone because of the slow screen update.
It is interesting though that someone should attempt to do it and it proves
that there is the processor power available, not to mention the graphics
prowess, on the Amiga to even attempt such a project. I'm hoping they manage to
do a Picasso96 version soon so that I can give it a go at home!
Th-th-th-that's all folks!
@endnode