Fujiology Archive/fujiology_archive_v1_0.iso/!MAGS/AEO_MAG/AEO_0305.ZIP/AEO_0305.TXT

Text File | 1994-03-22 | 152.2 KB | 3,093 lines

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 :: Volume 3 - Issue 5       ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE         22 March 1994 ::
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 ::                                                                      ::
 ::  ATARI .............. News, reviews, & solutions ............ ATARI  ::
 ::    EXPLORER ............ for the online Atari .......... EXPLORER    ::
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 ::    Published and Copyright (c) 1993-1994 by Subspace Publishers      ::
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 ::  Publisher ........................... Michael Lindsay   EXPLORER    ::
 ::   Editor .................................. Travis Guy   AEO.MAG     ::
 ::    Assistant Editor GEnie................ Ron Robinson   EXPLORER.1  ::
 ::     Assistant Editor CompuServe.......... Albert Dayes   AEO.1       ::
 ::      Assistant Editor Delphi......... Andreas Barbiero   AEO.2       ::
 ::       Assistant Editor Internet........ Timothy Wilson   AEO.8       ::
 ::        Atari Asylum ... [Closed] ...... Gregg Anderson   AEO.7       ::
 ::         Unabashed Atariophile ..... Michael R. Burkley   AEO.4       ::
 ::          Atari Artist ................... Peter Donoso   EXPLORER.2  ::
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 ::                             Contributors:                            ::
 ::                             """""""""""""                            ::
 ::                        Jay Miller, Dave Glowacki                     ::
 ::                     Ron Whittam, Patricia Barbiero                   ::
 ::                     Tal Funke-Bilu & Harry Kinney                    ::
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                              Table of Contents


* From the Editors .................................... TEMPEST Certified.

* Tempest 2000: Review 1 ............ One of the "Tempest 2000 Ten" tells
                                          us of his experiences with this
                                               Jeff Minter Jaguar classic!

* Tempest 2000: Take 2 ................ Not enough Tempest 2000? Not by a
                                          long shot. There's more in this
                                                  cart than meets the eye.

* Jaguar Tackboard ..................... Updated Developer List - Rehbock
                                           takes the Jag "On Computers" -
                                              Jaguar NewsPhrases - Quotes.

* Andreas' Den ............... Pulled on duty, Andreas' better half talks
                                       about her Atari United! philosophy.

* Atari User Groups ................ An essential means of communication,
                                       Atari User Groups will be explored
                                           in this series of AEO articles.

* Patrician .......................... Patti Barbiero rules the Baltic in
                                       this historical trading simulation.

* The Unabashed Atariophile ................... PD and Shareware files for
                                                     _your_ Atari computer.

* GEnie News ........................... New files & happenings on Atari's
                                                  Official Online Resource.

* Developing News ............................ CN Shop & Swap
                                               Photo Show Upgrade/ExtenDOS
                                               GEnie Improvements Contest
                                               VOX-Mail for Falcon
                                               PDP Magazine for ST & Amiga
                                               Atari's Online Lynx Offer

* Shutdown ............................ Around the world and up your block.


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||  From the Editors ....... Atari Explorer Online: The Next Generation
 |||  Travis Guy
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.MAG   Delphi: AEO_MAG   Internet: [e-mail]
      -------------------------------------------------------------------

Dawn is breaking as I put these words onto paper. (I longhand my
editorials.) The breakfast news shows are spouting their brand of fear
and cheer (Nuclear Nerves in Korea, UN Envoy Lands in Tuzla,
"Schindler's" Tops Oscar's List), heralding another day. Gossip and
scandal are the coin of the mundane, and apparently there's quite a
market set up for business.

Dawn is breaking in the World Atari - the Dawn of Jaguar software.
Tempest 2000 (a.k.a., T2K), the first of the new wave, has made its
presence known, showing off the raw power invested inside Atari's Cat.
Many of the ten advance T2K copies that were sold via Atari's first
ever online offer are generating intense interest in many - and
realization and the first thoughts of revisionism in the eyes of those
who not too long ago (nay, only weeks ago) were tossing Atari and the
Jaguar on the scrap heap of history.

I said it here over six months ago: "Back in the 70s, Atari _created_
videogames. Today, Atari has the power to _redefine_ videogames." The
redefinition has started. By late summer, the lines will start to be
blurred. By winter, even the mundanes will talk of nothing but. AEO
stands ready to lead the way, as we have since the beginning. Poor
Veronica is still gossiping on the party line.

Tempest is -so- hot that all of the excitement couldn't be contained
in -one- review. Double your AEO reading enjoyment with TWO Tempest
2000 reviews! Dave Glowacki and Jay Millar (Notre Dame, Class of 93 -
the only team to beat FSU last year - I had to say that to get Jay's
review ;) take turns showering praise on an Atari game that's so
stunning, even EGM gave it "Game of the Month" accolades. (Yes,
Tempest 2000 -is- that hot!)

//// Comings and Goings

Well, it's mostly goings this time around, as far as AEO is concerned.
The keeper of the Digital Briefs, Albert Dayes, spent last week at a
software development retreat, and was unable to provide his usual
timely and well received look at events in the computer and video game
industry. Look for Albert to be back in AEO next issue, after he
finishes issue 4 of AEO-PJ.

Our resident fly-boy, Andreas Barbiero was called to special duty by
the Navy, an assignment that promises to keep him busy for three to
four more weeks. Andreas has several writing assignments on hold,
including a review/comparison of Atari magazines that will be a must
read.

On long-term extended leave from AEO is the head inmate of the Atari
Asylum, Gregg Anderson. Gregg is going through government training
(what is this, some kind of plot?) for his new job, and will be out
of touch for most of the next six weeks. Pending his return, I've
taken it upon myself to seal the gates of the Asylum - but I fear I
was too late, as it appears massive therapy is still needed in some
quarters. Gregg will return to conduct more group encounter sessions
in the future.

Signing on board the good ship AEO is Ron Whittam, president of the
Boise, ID Atari Users' Group. Ron will be inking a series of articles
on the importance and maintenance of local user groups. If we're lucky,
we can talk Ron into becoming a regular columnist - keeping AEO in
touch with user groups around the country.

Speaking of user groups, Patti Barbiero's Atari United! group has
compiled a hefty listing, but she complains that the list's out of
date. Accompanying AEO in our archived package is Atari United's
list. Scan through it to see if there are any groups in your area,
and if there's any corrections that need to be made, drop Patti an
EMail with them.

//// "All Good Things"

This issue of AEO marks the passing of another tradition - the final
episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation has finished shooting, and
heads to post-production, to air in late May. It may yet be another
generation before new adventures of a new starship Enterprise will
cross our television screens, but even in its current passing, the
Enterprise-D will live on. Principle shooting for the first Next
Generation motion picture should start this week.

//// "It's a Wrap"

That's it for me this time. Join AEO in two weeks for the next Bob
Brodie RTC, and, if all goes right, maybe a sneak peek at the first
independent Jaguar programmer - she's going to take video gaming back
to its roots. Just follow the bouncing ball....


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Tempest 2000 - Review 1
 |||   Review by: Jay T. Millar
/ | \  Delphi: JMILLAR
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

Back in the initial heyday of the video arcade, when technology took a
backseat to original game ideas, a game innocently named Tempest hit
the scene. This game was different than others, however, because it
combined an original idea with novel presentation. Because of its
unique position among video games, Tempest has been dubbed a classic
video game.

//// Enter 1994

With the advent of video game console hardware that surpasses that of
the arcades, Tempest has been reintroduced to a game market desperate
for innovative and lasting game ideas. Jeff Minter's resurrection of
Tempest in his game, Tempest 2000, for the Atari Jaguar repeats the
precedent set back in 1981. Tempest 2000 takes an innovative idea, and
reworks it with state-of-the-art hardware to create a package that
finally displays what we have always know the Atari Jaguar possessed:
enough raw processing power to befuddle the eyes and shake the house
at the same time.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Tempests Galore!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Four variations of the game Tempest can be found in the same
cartridge.

//// Traditional Tempest:

As close to the original as I remember it (except for the sound
effects and that unique wheel/spinner/knob controller), Traditional
Tempest emulates the arcade version we all know and love. Even the
levels and level progression is the same!

//// Tempest Plus:

This version adds elements from Tempest 2000 to the Traditional
Tempest version with a couple of unique differences. In Tempest Plus,
one can choose to play with a friend, creating a team version of
Tempest where the two Blasters (your "craft") appear on the web (the
playfield) at the same time. Also, one has the choice to play solo
with help from a friendly gent affectionately dubbed the "A.I.
Droid." The A.I. Droid is basically a rotating cube which floats
behind your Blaster and backs you up with an itchy trigger finger.
With the droid enabled, things are a little easier going and one can
train in a more friendly atmosphere.

//// Tempest 2000:

Tempest 2000 throws out all the stops with power ups, deadlier and
more varied foes, polygon-based rather than vector based objects,
shaded webs with smooth color cycling, and an ultra-slick techno-rave
soundtrack that will churn your blood!

//// Tempest Dual:

Tempest Dual allows a head-to-head competition between two players.
The display contains two views: one player on one end of the web and
the second player's view on the other end. Add to this environment,
mirrors and fatal geometrical objects, and you have enough for a
grueling dual between Blasters.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Let's Take a Look!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Let us focus on Tempest 2000 since it is the primary playing mode.
The objective of the game is still the same as the original: Blast the
hell out of everything while getting past the most levels as possible
with the greatest number of points. What Tempest 2000 adds to this
concept really makes the experience more enjoyable.

//// Viewing Modes:

The player has a choice of Blaster viewing modes. There is the
traditional fixed view mode where the web remains in the same
position during gameplay and perspective does not change. The default
viewing mode is the most visually pleasing. Your view of the web
actually moves in relation to how you move the Blaster, altering
perspective. The third viewing mode is the close-up mode, which, like
the default, moves the web in relation to your movement, but the
actual view is closer to your blaster. These three views are changed
by pressing any one of a group of three buttons on the controller and
can be accessed in any of the three non-dual game types.

//// Enemies:

A wide array of foes challenge your Blaster in Tempest 2000. The
weakest and most common is the Flipper. These enemies work their way
down a corridor, firing at your Blaster as they go, and flip around
the rim in an attempt to destroy you. The Flipper is the pawn of
Tempest 2000, not much of a challenge. Things get more interesting
when Spikers and Fuseballs are introduced. Spikers construct, believe
it or not, Spikes at the end of corridors which destroy your Blaster
if you encounter them on your ride out of the web after finishing a
level. Not particularly noticeable while blasting away at other
enemies, Spikers can sometimes be the most dangerous. One wrong move,
and you'll find yourself impaling your Blaster on a Spike, cursing
your ambivalence towards Spikers.

Fuseballs, on the other hand, are slightly more active in their
attempts to destroy you. Fuseballs are multi-colored, Medusa-like
wriggling lines which aren't confined to a fixed corridor like
Flippers. A Fuseball's purpose is to collide with your Blaster,
sending you to an untimely demise. Fuseballs are much more difficult
to destroy than Flippers because they can transit from corridor to
corridor and are impervious to Blaster fire when in transition.

The most subtle, but deadly, enemy in Tempest 2000 is the Pulsar. This
enemy advances down a corridor, much like a Flipper, but "pulses" a
corridor with a burst of energy every so often. (Listen for its roar!)
A novice Tempest player will rely on simply spinning consistently
around a web, blasting as he or she goes.  A Pulsar is a bane to the
existence of this type of player. If a Blaster touches the energized
corridor a Pulsar is producing, the Blaster is immediately fried.
Another common enemy is the Tanker. This enemy is a diamond shaped
object which turns into multiple enemies, whether they be Flipper,
Fuseballs, or Pulsars, after the Tanker's been destroyed.

The more uncommon enemies are Mutant Flippers (very fast, aggressive
Flippers), Mirrors (reflect your shots back at you, so move quickly!),
Demon Heads, and UFOs. Demon Heads are very aggressive enemies which
fire their horns at you after you shoot them. Make sure to move out of
the way after destroying one of these! UFOs are extremely elusive
enemies which are also difficult to kill. UFOs hover above the web,
attempting to zap you with lightning bolts. The only way to destroy
one of these is to have gotten a jump enabling power up, allowing you
to jump off the web and catch the UFO from behind.

//// Power Ups:

After blasting one of your enemies to smithereens, if you're lucky, a
power up token will appear and move towards the rim down a particular
corridor (section of the web.)  If you have enough time to intercept
the power up you will be rewarded in various ways. The first power up
is a particle laser, basically a higher powered version of your
standard shot. This weapon allows you to destroy enemies faster and
eliminate spikes more effectively. Another power up is "Zappo 2000,"
basically a free 2000 point bonus.

Jump Enabled power ups allow the Blaster to physically "jump" back
off the web and allows you to deal with any nasties that have made it
far enough to infiltrate the rim. Believe me, this comes in real handy
and is a very nice graphical effect to boot!  One of the most helpful
power ups is the A.I. droid. This little fella (I thought the term was
more endearing than "rotating cube") floats just behind the rim and
unleashes a deadly barrage of particle laser fire. Although he does
help out quite a bit, the A.I. droid is just that, Artificially
Intelligent, so don't expect him to work miracles for you.

Another extremely deadly power up is the SuperZapper. Basically the
equivalent of the "smart bomb," the SuperZapper unleashes deadly bolts
of electricity which destroy any enemy currently on screen.
Unfortunately, this power up comes along only later in a round and
between levels. One of the more rare is the "Out of Here" power up.
This power up awards you 5000 bonus points and ends the level. By far
the most interesting power up is the Warp Bonus Token. After
collecting three of these power ups, you are taken on a super
psychedelic Warp Journey bonus level which allows you to collect major
points. There are three different warps (so I'm told), as I've only
seen two of them. The graphics effects and music in the sequences are
simply stunning. Make sure to purchase one of the video adapters and
have your Jag hooked up to a good stereo for these! The first warp
level will take your breath away!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Verdict
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

This is the game Jaguar owners have been waiting for (yes, not AvP.)
Jeff Minter has really done his homework on this one folks. If you've
played any of his shareware games for the ST, you'll be familiar with
the frantic style of game Jeff produces, and Tempest 2000 is no
different. The power of the Jaguar's hardware is immediately apparent
in the 2000 version of the game. This game is a true showcase
featuring multiple enemies, shifting viewpoints, excellent graphical
explosions, powerful sound effects, a CD quality soundtrack, zooming
screen messages, and ultra-smooth true color cycling. There are only
so many things one can keep track of at the same time! The game also
features trademarked Melt-O-Vision graphics and the psychedelic warp
levels, something only Jeff Minter could dream up.  You really have to
see it as it defies description. This game is _really_ hard to put
down!

Many Tempest purists are concerned with the method of control used in
Tempest 2000, since the Jag doesn't currently have any 3rd party
controller offerings. I was a bit skeptical myself as to how the
joypad would perform for Tempest in comparison to the controller found
on the original. At first, it's a bit tricky to get used to, and sense
of direction is sometimes lost, but after playing for a longer period
of time, it feels natural to control the Blaster this way. There
really is nothing to worry about.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of T2K, which wasn't part of the
original, is the ability to have two people playing at the same time!
Even better, there are two different variations of two-player mode.
The first flavor is team mode in Tempest Plus.

Team mode, as the name implies, allows the two players to play
cooperatively on the same web while blasting common foes. Time to grab
a fellow Jaguarian! Team mode is just plain fun, and features some
very interesting web shapes that manage to make it even more confusing
as to which player is which! (One player is yellow, while the other
player is green... though most of the time even that differentiation
doesn't help!) It's unfortunate that this feature wasn't added to the
2000 version, but then again, it would probably be impossible to keep
track of what was actually going on!

The second flavor of two-player Tempest is Tempest Dual, a head-to-
head competition between two players. In this version, the two
Blasters are situated at opposite ends of the web (two views are
shown, both ends of the same web) and the main objective is to blast
your friend into oblivion (aren't video games fun?) It isn't as easy
as it sounds, though, because both Blasters are equipped with mirrors
to deflect the other Blaster's shots back at your opponent! The
mirrors dissappear when you fire a shot, instantly reappearing in
front of your Blaster afterwards.

Although, the mirrors make it sound as if you could stay alive
indefinitely, there are still the normal enemies to deal with, as well
as a nasty spinning cube! What at first looks like your supposed
friend, the A.I. droid, is actually a menacing geometrical object
which ping-pongs between the two ends of the web. Your objective is to
keep the cube from reaching your end of the web by hitting it with
Blaster fire. Otherwise, the cube unleashes electric fury, (as only
cubes can), destroying your Blaster as it reaches your end. Anyways,
the cube makes this game tough!

Unfortunately, Tempest Dual isn't as fun as I thought it would be.
The concept itself is interesting, and the added elements in this
version are unique, but I preferred team Tempest Plus over this one.
Also, there seems to be a bit of slowdown in gameplay and response in
this version. Maybe I'll warm up to it more after I've played it a few
more times, but for now... well, I've passed judgement!

Overall, I'd definitely have to say this is the BEST game to come out
for the Jaguar thus far and well worth the money. The added elements,
playability, and Minterisms make it a sure-fire winner. A veritable
rock on the beach of Jaguar games.

Bio: Jay Millar is a recent Notre Dame grad (home of the only football
team to have beaten FSU last season!) currently working in Valley
Forge, PA as a Systems Programmer for Martin Marietta Corp. His first
Atari computer was the classic  Atari 400, which was followed by an
800XL, 520STfm, and his current Falcon030. His unhealthy interest in
videogames has taken its toll, having owned the original 2600, an
Intellivision, a brush with a Nintendo (blech), and the current king
of the video game jungle, the Atari Jaguar.

Jay hopes to see the Jag reign supreme with the introduction of Alien
vs Predator and DOOM, but will remain content for now being one of the
only ten consumers in all of North America to possess THE game,
Tempest 2000. :)

                    AEO Ratings - Tempest 2000
                    """"""""""""""""""""""""""
     Platform: Atari Jaguar            Producer: John Skruch
    Game Type: Arcade Classic        Programmer: Jeff Minter
      Players: 1 - 2                     Artist: Joby Wood
   List Price: $59.95US         Music and Sound: Ted and Carrie Tahquechi

Sound:     *****  Typical Jeff Minter. Great Samples for everything!
Music:     *****  Pulse Pounding Techno like you wouldn't believe!
Graphics:  *****  Smooth, Fast, Melt-O-Vision! What more can I say?
Controls:  ****+  Joypad takes getting used to.
Gameplay:  *****  Furious! Sweat-inducing.
Overall:   *****  Jeff Minter has done it again!

             Key: ***** Mind Blowing! Minter-esque!
                  ****  Stunning!
(* = full point   ***   Very Good
 + = half point)  **    Ambivalence Inspiring
                  *     I could program better
                  -     Who's the idiot?


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Hints for Tempest 2000
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

- The key to this game is power ups. Grab as many as quickly as you
  can. The ability to jump off the web, and the help given by the A.I.
  droid as well, are invaluable assets as more and more enemies are
  thrown your way.

- Beware of Pulsars! Too many Blasters are lost randomly spinning
  around the web! Accurate movement coupled with short, controlled
  bursts of particle laser is essential to your survival.

- Attempt to rid yourself of Pulsars and Demon Heads as soon as they
  emerge.

- The quicker Pulsars are dispatched, the more time you have to freely
  move about the web.

- Demon Heads are deadly at close range. Once you've destroyed them
  (you must use the Particle Laser), they fire their horns at you and
  you don't want to be in close proximity when this happens!

- If you have jumping ability, use it to eliminate the Demon Heads and
  Pulsars. For Demon Heads, this is advantageous because you are
  further away from the enemy (and his horns!) For Pulsars, this is to
  your benefit because you're physically off the web.

- Take advantage of the SuperZapper powerup. You receive a recharge
  for every Blaster, so don't bother saving them if in a desperate
  situation!

- Don't get killed! The game lasts longer if you keep your Blasters!
  <g>

Of course, these tips are easy to follow when you're not actually
playing the game!


                            --==--==--==--==--


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                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   TEMPEST 2000 - Take 2
 |||   Review By: Dave Glowacki
/ | \  Internet: [e-mail]
       ----------------------------------------------------------------

They've done it. With the upcoming release of Tempest 2000, Atari will
finally deliver the goods Jaguar owners have been waiting for. Sure,
Cybermorph beat Starfox hands-down and Raiden is an almost identical
arcade port, but each of these games has its own share of flaws.
Moreover, none of the currently available Jaguar carts really show
what the big cat can do. I suppose you could say what Jag owners have
been waiting for is a game that is addictive, undoubtedly 64-bits, and
- more or less - *perfect*.

Well Jag owners, the wait is over. As one of the ten lucky people to
win an early copy of Tempest 2000, I've had the good fortune of
enjoying the game for the past week - let me tell you, I'm convinced.
While it may not be absolutely "perfect," Tempest 2000 (T2K) comes
astonishingly close. I haven't played such a fast, furious, engaging
game in a very long time - in or out of the arcade. T2K is the game
that makes me very glad I own a Jaguar.

In the next few paragraphs I will try to outline the gameplay and
features of T2K and give you an overall view of what this incredible
game is all about. I'm assuming that most readers are familiar with
the general idea and layout of Tempest. If you're not, get to an
arcade - Tempest is a game you really have to play to understand.

//// Four Ways to Play

Tempest 2000 lets you select from four different games. They are:

[] TEMPEST TRADITIONAL: This is a very fine port of the 1981 arcade
classic. If you're over 16 and have never dropped quarters in a
Tempest machine, I'm sorry - your childhood has been seriously
deprived. Traditional is identical to the arcade version, with a few
exceptions: a multi-colored, moving starfield behind the webs, the
incredible techno-rave soundtrack, and the "follow-cam" (described
hereafter). The later of the two can be turned off, but the starfield
is permanent. Most importantly however, the -game-play- is very much
like the arcade version - and that, of course, is what matters.

[] TEMPEST PLUS: A souped-up version of Traditional. Plus adds
snazzier explosions and some filled polygons to Traditional's
all-vector look. The web, music, starfield and levels are all the
same, though. The most notable addition to Tempest Plus is the ability
to play solo, cooperatively with another player (both players'
blasters are on the same web), or with the assistance of an A.I.
Droid. The droid is a little spinning cube that hovers and circles
over the web, constantly firing at the bad guys. This is a great
option for first-time Tempest players, as it allows them to get used
to the game controls without having to worry about every last baddie
coming up the web.

[] TEMPEST DUAL: This is the two-player, head-to-head version. Two
webs sit side-by-side, stationary on the screen. The basic idea is
that player one (left side) is looking down the opposite end of player
2 (right side). Each player has a mirror in front of their blaster
that will send the opponent's fire flying back at them. This mirror is
always active - except, of course, when -you're- firing.

Add to this the problems posed by a purple flipper generator located
in mid-web. (FYI, flippers are the four-legged "crawlers" - the
standard enemy in Tempest) The flipper generator... generates
flippers! It makes two kinds of flippers - red ones that move toward
player one's end, and blue flippers that move toward player two's.
The generator cannot be destroyed, but it can be "pushed" away from
you (and closer to your opponent), by shooting it. (Hint: If your
opponent seems committed to firing at you, try to stay in the
corridors that contain the flippers that are chasing you, so your
opponent's shots will take out the flippers.)

On top of all this, certain levels have what appears to be an A.I.
droid-like cube in mid-web which moves back and forth down the web.
This cube's not anybody's friend though, since when it reaches one end
of the web or the other, that player's blaster gets fried. I can't say
much more than that since I just got my second controller yesterday
and haven't had a lot of time to play Dual.

[] TEMPEST 2000: -The- game to be playing. T2K is the ultimate
rendition of Tempest - it does not disappoint. The first thing you'll
notice are the shaded webs - beautiful, vibrant, color-cycling
gradients that scream "Go home!" to 8-bit color. Next you'll find the
power-ups; what's this - things coming down the web that I -want- to
catch? Yes indeed, power-ups will grant you particle lasers (a
necessity), bonus points, jump enabling (the ability to momentarily
jump off and away from the web), a handy A.I. droid (good for one
level only), and the all important bonus warp token. (Warp token,
what's that?)

Hold on, because before you see any warping at all you'll be
encountering new forms of baddies. That's right, in addition to your
standard fare of flippers, spikers, fuseballs, and tankers, Tempest
2000 is also endowed with mutant flippers (silver-colored, faster and
much more dangerous), mirrors (like what you use in Tempest Dual,
except not on your side), demon heads (just what they sound like -
shaded polygon faces that come after you), and UFOs (you have to jump
to nail these guys as they circle around the web). The extended menu
of enemies means more variety - and more difficulty, too.

Now we come to the warp stages. There are supposedly three different
types of warp stages, of which I've come across only the first two.
You can only get to a warp stage in Tempest 2000, and only by first
collecting three warp tokens (see above). Warp stages can help you
along as you play, giving you bonus points, free lives and jumps to
new levels.

The first stage is portrayed in many of the T2K screenshots - rings of
triangles with a scrolling "river of fire" above them. The basic goal
is to direct yourself through all of the rings - much easier said than
done, as the controls are -extremely- sensitive here.

The second warp stage looks rather similar to the revolving tunnel of
color familiar to many Dr. Who fans. The goal here is to follow the
green path. Again, -much- easier said than done. You'll want to get
back to the game before too long.

//// Playing with a Perspective

All of the versions of Tempest allow you to choose how you see the
game. The default is view with a "follow cam." As your blaster moves
around the web, the "camera" follows - thus your orientation to the
web is constantly changing. Using the keypad, you can choose two other
perspectives: Zoom, a closer-in version of the follow-cam, and Arcade,
where the web remains stationary in the middle of the screen.

I'm glad Atari included these options for two reasons. First, it
allows one to play Tempest Traditional just as in a true-to-the-arcade
fashion; and second, because changing perspective can be a valuable
tool - especially on trickier levels.

//// A Soundtrack to Die For

No, I'm not kidding. If you've heard anything about Tempest 2000,
you've surely heard mention of the "outstanding soundtrack." Well,
outstanding may be putting it a bit mildly. Pausing the game and just
listening, you'd swear you were listening to a CD of house music. The
instruments sound fantastic, the samples are clean and -very- cool,
and beat is nothing but addictive. There have been rumors circulating
that Atari is releasing a CD of the music they couldn't include with
the game. When I heard this I was rather skeptical at first, but I am
no longer. If this "extra" music matches up to what's on the cart,
then there's no reason Atari couldn't or -shouldn't- release it.
[Editor: It's not a rumor. Current plans -are- set to release this
audio CD!]

Of course, the best part about the T2K's soundtrack is that it simply
makes the game ROCK. With the joypad and buttons flipping fast and
furiously in your hand, the music simply pumps you up. Add some
headphones and you're fully prepared to enter "the zone" and become
completely oblivious to the outside world.

//// Lots of Little Extras

In the end, it's all the nice little touches that make Tempest 2000 a
truly well-crafted game. Lots of attention to detail and TLC on the
programmers' parts really shows. A few examples:

[] THE PSYCHEDELIC ATARI LOGO: The background to every menu screen,
this wavy, melted, multi-colored fuji makes you wonder what was really
on your frosted flakes.

[] MELT-O-VISION (TM) GALORE: Yep, it's trademarked. Melt-O-Vision is
used as a tripped-out transition between screens and in such places as
the dreaded "Game Over" sign. Melt-O-Vision convinces you to go ahead
and have another bowl of those flakes after all.

[] VECTOR BALLS, VECTOR BALLS: Referred to on the box as "particle
displays", vector balls are what you get when you blow away baddies in
Tempest Plus and 2000. V-balls are also what make up the nifty
starfield in the background and the body of the second warp stage.
They may not sound like much, but they add a lot to the look of the
game.

[] BAD-ASS SOUND FX: The music not enough for you? Think of your
superzapper as sounding like a small-scale nuclear device; the warp
sound between levels makes you want to buckle-up for lift-off.

[] DISTORTED TEXT EVERYWHERE: Every time you get a power-up, an extra
life, bizarre, translucent, stretching zooming/rotating/morphing text
appears on the screen. You'd think it would inhibit game play but for
some strange reason, it doesn't. Probably because it's moving so damn
fast. Gotta have one more bowl.

[] LOTS O' OPTIONS: Like other Jaguar games, you can re-orient the
fire button functions, and independently adjust the sound and music
volumes from pause mode. Additionally, T2K lets you choose fat webs
(vectors twice as wide) and allows you to select between interlaced
and non-interlaced display modes.

//// Wrap-Up

If you haven't figured it out by now, I -really- like this game. I've
heard a few comments about screenshots being "unimpressive," and I
would have to agree, because no static screenshot can even begin to
capture all the action in this game. The key word here is motion;
everything is constantly moving - your blaster, the web, the baddies -
all while vector balls are exploding around and whacked-out text is
zooming through you. Of course, during all of this, you've got the web
color-cycling and the starfield going nuts with all sorts of different
patterns in the background.

The fact is, it's really hard to describe. If you've ever seen one of
Future Crew's demos running on a fast system, then you might have a
pretty good idea of what I'm getting at.

Ah, gameplay. I know one of the big concerns among Tempest aficionados
(especially on the Jaguar-list) was having to use the control pad as
opposed to an arcade-like paddle. While I will admit that the joypad
takes some getting used to, let me assure you that the transition is a
short one. I don't know exactly how - call it great programming - but
after a while the standard controller feels every bit as quick and
precise as the coin-op. The basic control has you pressing left to
move clockwise, and right to move counterclockwise.

There you have it. I feel quite safe in saying that every Jag owner
who likes high-speed, high-action games will own a copy of Tempest
2000. This is a game that could *easily* stand on its own in an arcade
- especially since it sounds better than most coin-ops out there! This
is the kind of game I bought my Jag for; Atari has clearly given the
gaming world a product to admire. If the folks in Sunnyvale can keep
this up, the future looks very bright for the Jaguar indeed.

Bio: Dave Glowacki is a native of Crystal Lake, Ill.  He is an
undergraduate student at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., with
a combined major of political science and communications. Dave's Atari
experience stretches back to the days of his 400 computer (nothing
like the feel of a membrane keyboard!) and 5200 SuperSystem.  In
recent years Dave has flirted with the dark side, specifically in the
forms of an NES and Genesis. However, with the advent of the Jaguar,
he has seen the light and re-joined the Atari community.

In addition to being a gaming fanatic, Dave is also an amateur
filmmaker, and this past January fulfilled a dream by creating
Horizontally Divided Productions with a few friends. HDP in turn
produced a short flim which takes a unique look at college life titled
_K_.  Anyone interested in this fascinating display of avant-garde
imagery and computer-generated images wrapped around a contemporary
commentary should feel free to contact him at [e-mail].


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Jaguar Tackboard
 |||   Confirmed information about Atari's Jaguar
/ | \  Compiled from online and official sources
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Independent Association of Jaguar Developers
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The IAJD (Independent Association of Jaguar Developers) has started
accepting members on GEnie. The IAJD is a private group where
confidential discussions can be freely held. (Category 64 of the ST
RoundTable is the IAJD meeting place.) Consequently, membership in the
IAJD is limited to Jaguar developers who are registered with Atari
Corp. To apply for membership, send EMail to ENTRY$ on GEnie (or
<entry$@genie.geis.com> if you're not on GEnie). Regular EMail
correspondence with the IAJD should be sent to IAJD$ (again, or
<iajd$@genie.geis.com> if you're not on GEnie).


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Developer / Game List 1.6
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

//// Editor: The following developers, licensee and game titles have
been confirmed to the best of AEO's ability as of March 21, 1994.
Entries in the "S"tatus column reflects any "e"rrors, "u"pdates, "n"ew
titles, or new "d"evelopers since the last AEO list. The "?" entry
represents developers or titles that once were confirmed, but are now
in questionable status. Titles in brackets (e.g., [Cybermorph]) have
been completed and are available in the US.

There are more Jaguar developer units in the field than listed here.
One well known Japanese entity has -three- Jaguar development systems.
Things are cooking, fellowbabies.

S Developer/Licensee            Titles under development
" """"""""""""""""""            """"""""""""""""""""""""
  21st Century Software       - Pinball Fantasies
  3D Games
  Accent Media Productions
  Accolade                    - Al Michaels Announces Hardball
                              - Brett Hull Hockey
                              - Busby in Clawed Encounters
                                       of the Furried Kind
                              - Charles Barkley Basketball
                              - Jack Nicholas Golf
  Activision                  - Return to Zork CD-ROM
  All Systems Go              - Hosenose and Booger
                              - Jukebox
u Anco Software Ltd.          - Kick Off 3
                              - World Cup
  Anthill Industries
  Argonaut Software           - Creature Shock CD-ROM
                                (For Virgin)
  Atari Corp.                 - Battlezone 2000
n                             - Chaos Agenda CD-ROM
                              - Club Drive
                              - [Crescent Galaxy]
                              - MPEG 1 and 2 carts
                              - Star Raiders 2000
                              - Tiny Toons Adventures
                              - VR Helmet
n                               MORE
  Atari Games Corp.
u Attention to Detail         - Battlemorph: Cybermorph 2 CD-ROM
u                             - Blue Lightning CD-ROM
                              - [Cybermorph]
                                (For Atari)
  Audio-Visual Magic
  Bethesda Softworks
  Beyond Games Inc.           - Battlewheels
                              - Ultra Vortex
  Black Scorpion Software
  Bjorn Joos/Kris Van Lier
  Borta & Associates
  Brainstorm                  - [x86 Jaguar Development System]
  Bullfrog Productions Ltd.
  Clearwater Software
  Computer Music Consulting
  Cybervision
  CyberWare
  Delta Music Systems Inc.
  Dimension Technologies
  Domark Group Ltd.
  DTMC
  Duncan Brown
  Elite
  E-On
  Eurosoft
  EZ Score Software Inc.
e GameTek Inc.
e Genus Microprogramming Inc.
  Gremlin Graphics Ltd.       - Zool 2
                              - UNKNOWN TITLE (racing) - MORE?
  H2O Design Corp.
  Hand Made Software          - Kasumi Ninja
                                (For Atari)
  High Voltage Software
  Hisoft
  ICD Inc.                    - Cat Box (AV & comm expansion box)
e id Software                 - Doom: Evil Unleashed
                              - Wolfenstein 3D
  Imagineer Company Ltd.
  Imagitec Design Inc.        - [Evolution Dino-Dudes]
                              - [Raiden]
  Interplay                   - BattleChess CD-ROM - MORE?
  Jaleco
  Krisalis Software Ltd.      - Soccer Kid
  Limelight Media Inc.
  LlamaSoft                   - Tempest 2000
                                (For Atari)
  Loricel S.A.
  Manley & Associates Inc.
  Maxis Software
  Microids                    - Evidence
                              - Commando
u Microprose                  - Gunship 2000 - MORE SIMULATIONS
  Midnite Software Inc.       - Car Wars
                              - Dungeon Depths
  Millenium Interactive Ltd.
  NMS Software Ltd.
  Ocean Software Ltd.
? Park Place Productions      - UNKNOWN TITLE (American Football)
  Phalanx                     - Phong 2000
n Photosurrealism             - Galactic Gladiators
e PIXIS Interactive
  ReadySoft Incorporated      - Dragon's Lair CD-ROM
                                Dragon's Lair II CD-ROM
                                Space Ace CD-ROM
  Rebellion Software Ltd.     - Alien vs. Predator
                              - Checkered Flag II
                              - Legions of the Undead
                                (For Atari)
  Rest Energy
  Sculptured Software Inc.
  Silmarils                   - Robinson's Requiem
  Software Creations
  Team Infinity
  Team 17 Software Ltd.
e Tecnation Digital World
  Techtonics
  Telegames                   - Brutal Sports Football
                              - Casino Royale
                              - European Soccer Challenge
                              - Ultimate Brain Games - MORE?
  Teque London Ltd.
  Thrustmaster
  Tiertex Ltd.
  Titus
u Tradewest                   - Double Dragon 5
n                             - Troy Aikman Football - MORE?
  Trimark Interactive
  U.S. Gold Ltd.              - Flashback
  UBI Soft International      - Jimmy Connors Pro Tennis - MORE
  V-Reel Productions          - Arena Football
                              - Horrorscope
  Virgin Interactive
       Entertainment Ltd.     - UNKNOWN ("Movie title")
  Virtual Xperience           - Indiana Jags
                              - Zozziorx - MORE?
  Virtual Xperience
  Visual Concepts
  Williams Brothers
  WMS Industries


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Jaguar NewsPhrases
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

//// Rehbock On Computers

Sunday March 6th, Bill Rehbock from Atari was the featured guest on
the SNP Radio Network's "On Computers" high-tech talk show. Some
interesting news items from the show were:

[] The MPEG cart will have some additional RAM for buffering. It will
   support whitebook video.

[] Wolfenstein-3D and Doom for the Jaguar will use 128x128 pixel
   textures (versus other versions which use 64x64 textures). Screen
   resolution will be 384 x 240.

[] Kasumi Ninja will include hidden characters in addition to the nine
   regular ones.

[] Acclaim does not want to work with Atari to bring Mortal Kombat to
   the Jaguar.

[] Over 100 development systems are in the field. 31 titles by third
   parties are to be out by this Christmas. An additional 20 titles
   will be out by Xmas from Atari.

[] AvP is expected to be on the shelves in May.

Thanks to the SNP Radio Network for providing cassettes of the entire
March 6th program to AEO. If "On Computers" plays in your area, you
should tune in - Leo Laporte and Gina Smith are hosts of a three-hour
weekly high tech listener call-in show. Definately a break from Rush!


//// The "Tempest Two Thousand" Ten

Don Thomas announced the "winners" of UPS Red Label shipped copies of
Tempest 2000:

 NOTE: THIS MESSAGE MAY BE RE-BROADCAST AT READER'S
 DISCRETION. (text file created 03/08/94 by Donald A. Thomas, Jr.
 @ Atari Corporation)

 I am pleased to report that Atari Corporation has begun accepting
 preorders for Tempest 2000. This award winning Jaguar game cartridge
 features four mindblowing versions of Tempest on one cart. Features
 include classic variations of the original Tempest PLUS three
 enhanced variations including Tempest Dual (for two players).

 To help celebrate the release of this product, ten copies of Tempest
 2000 have been flown in advance. These have been sent this afternoon
 (3/8/94) by means of U.P.S. to ten qualified preorder customers.
 Congratulations to the following ten "Jaguardians":

    P. Blagay of La Mesa, CA
    R. Cupples of Ames, IA
    T. Funke-Bilu of Claremont, CA
    G.A. Glenn of San Diego, CA
    D. Glowacki of Greencastle, IN
    K.M. Lee of Corpus Christi, TX
    J.T. Millar of Jeffersonville, PA
    R.J. Sherman, Jr. of Louisville, KY (1 of 2 ordered)
    T. Steimle of Cleveland, OH
    J. Van Valer of Menlo Park, CA

 We, at Atari, thank everyone who has placed a pre-order. PLEASE tell
 your friends that they will be able to find Tempest 2000 within a
 couple of weeks at their local store!

 For those who are interested... all the orders collected by a
 pre-determined time were printed and alphabetized. Duplicates were
 removed. Mike Fulton wrote a quick program in C that provided a list
 of random numbers from -10 to 10 over the total number of orders. (I
 broadened the range to make certain there was no preference or
 abandonment of the first and last number). We used the list of random
 numbers to represent positions in our alphabetized stack.

 Tempest 2000 is $59.99. Orders may be placed through Atari
 Corporation if desired. Fax [phone]; Voice 408/745-2098.


//// Tal and Harry Visit Atari

[Editor: In the past few days, Tal Funke-Bilu, a Tempest 2000
"winner", and his partner in gaming, Harry Kinney, spent some
time inside Atari, conducting interviews for a article they
hope to have printed in a gaming magazine. They've shared some
of their discoveries with AEO.]

   For those of you who have been wondering if Atari is ever going to
   get moving and distribute the Jag nationwide with some good
   advertising, we can assure you - the wait has been worth it.
   Atari, during the past few months, has COMPLETEY restructured its
   inner workings (or should we say HER inner workings). This includes
   everything from janitor to beta-tester to product manager levels.
   Atari has some tricks up her sleves, and boy, you're gonna love
   them! We can practically guarantee that by mid-summer, every kid in
   the U.S. will know he/she NEEDS to have a Jag! Bottom line: The
   wait is worth it!

   Kasumi Ninja is going to blow Mortal Kombat away... sure, you've
   heard it before, but we're convinced now. Atari has many quality
   people working for them. They know games. They are dedicated to
   making each game the best possible. For example, what is the idea
   behind Kasumi Ninja? Simple; to make the best, most violent,
   realistic fighting game ever - and to make MK look like crap.

   Atari, in the months to come, is definately going to stress the
   fact that the Jag, as opposed to other systems, finally lets you
   have ARCADE action in your home. The games you will play will be of
   ARCADE quality, rather than toned down games for home systems.

   Atari is also focusing a lot of their "in-house" development on
   making full use of the CD peripheral. This is going to be one CD
   system you won't want to miss - TRUE MULTIMEDIA! One title, Legions
   of the Undead (ex-Jaguar Dungeon), will appear as a cart with about
   nine levels, all on 64x64 layout maps! (Over twice the size of the
   Eye of the Beholder maps.) Later, a CD version of the same game
   will be released, with enhanced sound and many additional levels!

   Atari is committed to becoming the video game leader!

(Harry and Tal are both students at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont,
CA. Tal is majoring in Computer Science, while Harry is an Electrical
Engineering Major. Both have the same problem of playing the Jag too
much, especially when they should be doing homework.... They are
currently developing a Windows Strategy pack which they hope to have
out by Christmas.)


//// Jaguar Programming Conferences

Atari will be sponsoring a series of Jaguar Developer Conferences
beginning on March 21-22 in the Bay Area, Northern California (Santa
Clara, San Jose, Sunnyvale) site to be determined. It will be a two
day conference of technical information intended for Jaguar licensees
who are currently involved in Jaguar programming projects.

Other conference sites will be announced but the UK has been confirmed
in conjunction with the ECTS show which is April 10-12. Interested
developers who are not licensees should contact Atari by fax at
408-745-2088 giving us your mail address, phone, fax, primary company
contacts, any relevant experience and planned Jaguar projects. You
will need to return a signed license agreement and purchase a Jaguar
Technical Reference guide in order to attend any of the conferences.
Reference manuals are $299 which is applicable towards purchase of a
development system. Other conference sites tenatively planned are
Chicago and Texas.


//// Various and Sundry

[] KASUMI NINJA's final character line up has been set expect quite a
bang out of one of them.... KN is proceeding through development at a
nice pace, and AEO's anticipated "on shelf" date is late July/early
August.

[] GALACTIC GLADIATORS, from Photosurrealism, is a multiplayer space
combat title. Ships can be configured with different types of engines,
shields, weapons, sensors, etc. Winning battles earns you "prize
money" which can be used to enhance your ship.

Photosurrealism says visuals and audio should give you a good
sensation of being there. They are experimenting with surround sound
and other tricks to provide good audio cues.

The memory on the cartridge is used to store current stats, so players
can build up a better ship as they win battles.

Allen Braunsdorf states: "We got the idea for this many years ago,
but never had a chance to do it right. I think the Jaguar finally
provides that opportunity. The game's still in its early stages, but
we hope to have a prototype available for showing at SCES."

[] JOUST has been spoken of in gaming publications as a hidden game,
residing inside another Jaguar game. Atari is being very tight-lipped
about Easter Eggs and the like in any Jaguar games, and the only
comment I have been able to obtain about "goodies" was this, about
TEMPEST 2000: "There's certainly enough room inside it [the TEMPEST
2000 cart] -for- another game."

[] There -are- plans to release an audio CD of TEMPEST 2000 music.
Approximately 70 minutes of music were created, and only 30 minutes
made it onto the cartridge. No further details were revealed.

[] Quotes about the specifications to the Jaguar's CD-ROM unit has it
roughly twice as effecient at transferring FMV data as the CD-ROM
based Panasonic FZ-1 3DO Multiplayer. Will this be the final nail in
the coffin of the "Jaguar-3DO" hardware wars that have been fought
since last fall? Time will tell, as it always does.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Jaguar Quotes
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

//// Jeff Minter <[e-mail]> responds to a query about
the screen resolution of Tempest 2000:

[] FWIW, T2K uses a screen size of 384x240 (384x280 for PAL). Not all
   those pixels are displayed on a normal TV though, 'coz it's Atari
   policy that all games run in full overscan (nobody likes a border).
   This is particularly good news for us Europeans, as both the SNES
   and Genesis don't allow for the increased vertical resolution of
   PAL TVs, and their displays on our TVs are 'letterboxed' by an ugly
   black border at the top and bottom of the display. Atari are also
   to be praised for their policy on Jag carts being able to run
   correctly on your system *wherever* they are bought - none of these
   nasty little messages saying 'I refuse to run on your system' which
   you get if you buy a Famicom or US SNES cart and try and run it on
   your UK SNES...

   \
   (:-)   - Happiness is a warm goat
   /


//// Adisak Pochanayon <[e-mail]> of High Voltage Software
adds this information about Jaguar screen resolutions in general:

[] Well, using NTSC, any video modes above 240 lines vertically (NTSC
   overscan = PAL normal scan approximately) would have to be in
   interlace mode which would cause some flickering. However, for
   hi-color (16 bit+ pictures) this shouldn't be much problem if
   there is a lot of motion. However, it is more practical to display
   in non-interlaced mode and much easier to program (don't even know
   how to program interlace on the jaguar yet ;). As for horizontal
   resolution, the Jag is capable of a resolution greate[r] than 1000
   pixels per scanline using a dual object list restarted twice per
   line. However, the resolution limitation of standard objects in
   non-interlace overscan is around 240 lines vertically and a maximum
   of 720 pixels horizontally... so you could have 720x240 with no
   flicker quite easily.


//// Darryl Still <[e-mail]> of Atari UK had this to
say about the Jaguar development numbers, and about Jaguar development
'cross the pond. Sounds like a "title wave" is brewing (I'm allowed
one bad pun, surely):

[] When an Atari license agreement is signed it includes a section to
   order a development kit. That is part of the license agreement. If
   this section is not completed then we consider the signed
   agreement as just a request for development information and the
   company involved does not get included on our list of "Official
   Licensees" that are released to the press. Therefore evry one of
   the licensees announced has, or has an order for, at least one
   development system. These, as you can imagine, do not come
   particularly cheap and as the current situation stands, I cannot
   imagine them stumping up the cost unless they are going to use it.
   Therefore you can take as read that every company announced is
   developing something for the Atari Jaguar. I know of some companies
   in the UK who are developing as many as 6 different titles....and
   indeed since we made the announcement, many other companies have
   approached us and signed, nothing breeds success like success guys,
   there's a wild ride coming....


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Andreas' Den
 |||   Special appearance: Patti Barbiero
/ | \  Delphi: ATARIUNITED
       ----------------------------------------------------------------

One of the frustrating aspects of military life is that rarely can you
ever make plans. I have been a military dependent most of my life,
first as an "Air Force brat" and then later as a Navy wife. I should
be used to the transitory lifestyle by now, but I still find it
unsettling to have my husband disappear for days and weeks at a time,
sometimes with very little notice. Such was the case this week. Last
Saturday night, Andreas was called by his squadron and told to pack
and be ready to leave on a trip to San Diego on Sunday morning. He was
told to expect to return on Thursday, however his long distance phone
call last night changed all of that. He might be back on Sunday - or
not for three more weeks. And the most frustrating thing of all is
that not only will he not be home for his 26th birthday, but most
likely he will miss our youngest son's first birthday, and also the
Easter holiday. Andreas' original plans would have allowed him to
write this column before he left, but God and Uncle Sam had different
plans. So, as a military wife, I just take a deep breath and go on
with the day to day life, taking over all of my husband's
responsibilities until he returns, including this column!

Many of you out there are familiar with the organization I am involved
with called ATARI UNITED!. Travis has been kind enough to run our
press releases and other information that we put out here in AEO, so I
am sure he won't mind if I run on a bit about what Gordie Meyer (my
co-founder) and I are up to these days.

//// Our Purpose

Let me start with a brief history. We just got started last June/July
with our first press releases, to let everyone know that we wanted to
build a centralized database of information about user groups,
individuals and other types of local support for Atarians. Although
our focus is on the United States, we are taking in information from
Atarians all over the world. The idea was to provide this information
to any user who called and asked for help in finding support in his
local area. In addition, since we need the help of user groups in
contacting individual users, we thought that we could provide a base
for networking between user groups. In the future, when we have built
our databases up to a size that would be useful to dealers and
developers, we plan to make this information available for mailings
and advertising.

At this point we are still working with a relatively small database
when it comes to individuals, but we have got a foundation going, and
slowly but surely people are registering with us. I am proud to say
that I have been able to help a number of people locate user groups,
dealers, etc. that can help them with their computing needs. Steve at
STeve's Software Sales has been extremely supportive and helpful to
us - I don't think Gordie and I could thank him enough for the
assistance he has given us in our endeavors to reach people.

//// The DiskMagazine

In September we released a preliminary issue of ATARI UNITED!
DiskMagazine, which we plan on publishing quarterly. As I type, Gordie
is putting the finishing touches on the latest issue. Right now the
magazine is fairly simplistic, but we have great plans for it. For
$16 dollars you get a yearly (4 quarterly issues) subscription. The
magazine is floppy-based, and comes in its own cd-jewel type casing.
We would like to use the cover inserts for printing advertisements,
but at this time we have not actively solicited advertisers. (If you
are interested in placing an advertisement, please contact us!) Scott
Ettinger and Bry Edewaard graciously put together a very professional
reader (AU! View) for us, and John Duckworth is now continuing its
development.

At this time AU! View allows the user to browse a table of contents
and select articles, and we also have advertising windows that pop-up
between articles. In addition to news, press releases, reviews and
information in the magazine, Gordie selects various shareware and
public domain software that an isolated user might not have access to,
and would find useful and interesting. In other words, the focus of
our magazine is on the isolated user, individuals that may not have
access to the various online services or have easy availability of
other bulletin board services. We have a special subscription deal for
user groups, and all information and software included in the magazine
is free to be put into newsletters and disks of the month of
subscribing groups. If you are interested in subscribing, or just
buying one issue, would like to advertise or submit an article, please
contact Gordie Meyer at 515-232-1627 or via email at
[e-mail].

//// AU! Activism

More recent developments with AU! have been our letter campaign in
February to Soft-Logik regarding an upgrade to PageStream. My husband
brought to my attention that Soft-Logik is releasing an upgrade to
PageStream for the Amiga, and has not made a decision on whether or
not to release it for the Atari. Concerned that Atari users might lose
the support of a major DTP program, Gordie and I did an "alert" which
was sent via EMail to our registered individuals and groups. Hopefully
by the end of this month we will know if our efforts were successful!

//// User Group Directory

Also in the last couple of weeks, AU! has released a comprehensive
list of user groups in the United States. We also included a few of
the international groups that had contacted us. Although many of the
listings in the directory are probably incorrect, we released it in
the hope that individuals with current information about the user
groups would contact us.

I have already received several corrections and should be able to
release a revised directory in a short while. While we have tried to
contact -every- group on the list at least once, getting up to date
information has proven to be difficult. I think that Travis is
planning to include a copy of the directory in this issue of AEO.
Please take a look, and if you see information you know to be
incorrect - drop me a line! If the directory is -not- attached to this
issue, you should be able to find it in the databases on Delphi or
GEnie, or you can request a copy from me directly and I will be happy
to send it to you.

//// Shareware Publishing?

Collecting information and maintaining AU! has proven to be expensive.
We certainly would never charge someone registering with us, and while
of course maintaining the databases does not cost anything, all the
expenses of mailings, placing advertisements, maintaining a PO box,
phone calls, and starting the DiskMagazine are coming out of our
pockets. As readership for the magazine grows we will be able to start
funding AU! with the proceeds, but until then we have had to start
looking around for other ways to bring in some income to continue our
efforts.

As a result, Gordie has decided to start the ATARI UNITED!
SoftWareHouse. Whether this is a venture that will succeed is yet to
be decided, based on whether or not we receive enough interest in this
new service. AU! SoftWareHouse will handle shareware registrations and
distributions for a cut of the shareware fee. This would benefit and
encourage shareware authors in a number of ways: first, we will
support the author through the development of his program. We will
help with the beta testing, pulling together documentation, and
offering suggestions on a professional presentation. If the author has
a question about how to do something during development, we will
assist in getting the answer! Second, work involved after the program
is released. Once a month we will send the author a print out of his
registrations, and a check for the registration fees. Registered
versions of the program would be sent out on a floppy disk, enclosed
in a jewel case, with a cover designed by us - with the author's
approval. Interested programmers should contact Gordie Meyer or
myself.

AU! already has a verbal agreement with Aaron Hopkins of Freeze Dried
Terminal, but at this time we do not know when v2.3 will be complete
and ready for release. AU! has negotiated conditions for settlement
with any individual that did not receive a registered key to FzDT that
paid for one. Anyone who can prove payment to Aaron that did not
receive a key will be able to contact AU! and a registered key to v2.3
will be sent free of charge. Aaron is working on v2.3 in his free
time right now, but since he is attending college and holding down a
job, he does not have a lot of spare time! As soon as AU! SoftWareHouse
is ready to roll with FzDT v2.3 we will put out a press release here
in AEO and everywhere else.

Well for now I think that pretty much sums up AU!'s current activities.
I only have one more item to add to all of this, and that is to try
and dispel the idea that AU! is a Delphi organization. It was pure
coincidence that Gordie and I are on Delphi, and while we have used
Delphi as our "base of operations" we are not in anyway associated
with Delphi. We would love to personally be on GEnie in addition to
Delphi, but unfortunately it is very impractical for both of us.
Gordie is an assistant sig manager on Delphi and does not have the
time to maintain two accounts, and I am living on Whidbey Island in WA
State where there is no local access to GEnie. Not only can I not
afford a second account, I can't afford the phone bill! Andreas and I
are already stretched too thin paying for two Delphi accounts and his
long distance bill to stay in touch with his GEnie account!

Eventually, AU! would like to have a presence on GEnie, but until
then, if any of you GEnie folks out there want to get in touch with
us, GEnie does allow users to send EMail via the Internet. And that
goes for CompuServe users also!

To get in touch with ATARI UNITED!:

Patti Barbiero                        Gordie Meyer
[e-mail]                [e-mail]
P.O. Box 691                          P.O. Box 1982
Mountain View, CA  94042-0691         Ames, IA   50010-1982
206-679-6267                          515-232-1627

Please feel free to contact us with any comments, questions,
suggestions, whatever!!

I hope that in the next issue Andreas will be able to return with his
usual column - but one never knows when it comes to the US Navy!


                            --==--==--==--==--


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--       --==--==--      Delphi Sign-Up Information      --==--==--      --
--                                                                       --
--  To enroll as a Delphi subscriber, modem call 1-800-365-4636. Press   --
--  [Return] until you see "Password:", then type IP26 [Return]          --
--                                                                       --
--  Answer all of the questions, and you'll be cleared for Delphi        --
--  access in a few days. If you have questions about Delphi services,   --
--  give a voice call to Delphi Member Services at 1-800-544-4005.       --
--                                                                       --
--       --==--==--      Delphi Sign-Up Information      --==--==--      --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   "From a saved backup. . ."
 |||   By: Ron Whittam
/ | \  GEnie: R.WHITTAM
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

//// Opening the dialog box on Users Groups.

In this column I hope to foster communication and support for 8-bit
and ST computer owners... presenting a positive and directive approach
that will help to strengthen the users group base and encourage the
executive element.

The ATARI USERS GROUPS are the backbone of the Atari community.
Someone once said that without communication there is no community. So
true - and never more so then with the Atari computer platform. While
other platforms seem to have hosts of magazines, products, software,
and books readily available at any bookstore or computer outlet, the
Atari platform is limited in these areas. This limitation makes a
lonely existence for the computer owner without a users group
affiliation. Because of this, there are literally thousands of useful
Atari computers collecting dust in an attic or garage, waiting to be
sold at the next yard sale. While nearly forgotten, these (still)
innovative pieces of silicon technology have a very capable use in
this world of computers. Certainly it is true that the main reason
some of these computers is still in use is because the owner is an
active member of a local users group.

Atari users groups are interested in the momentum that takes place on
the cutting edge of technology. They follow the ATC stock listings and
watch intently for Atari advertisements in magazines and the TV. They
cheer the advancement of Atari's technical prowess with the Falcon030
and the Jaguar. However, the users groups are also practical. They're
a group who bought the "power with out the price" because they just
don't have the cash to pay more. This group made an investment and
must resolve to use it as it is. They can't buy another computer. They
must use the one they have.

Atari users groups provide support, assistance, help, and (most of
all) communication to these owners of Atari computers. This is the
Atari community - a community that is often unknown to many Atari
computer owners. I had owned an Atari 1040ST for two years before I
learned that there was a nearby users group for Atari computer owners.
I hear about it from a local BBS SysOp. I was using my Atari to logon
to local Bulletin Board Systems that supported C-64, TI-99/4A, IBM,
and MAC computers. Every board I logged onto, I queried the SysOp as
to the status of ATARI computer support. One of these SysOps pointed
me to a friend of his that owned an Atari. He said I could meet him at
the monthly Atari Boise Users Group meeting.

HUH? Atari HAD a users group?! Boy was I surprised to find 20 computer
owners sitting around discussing the merits of database, spreadsheet,
and word processor programs for the Atari, (I still had 1st Word). I
saw a MIDI demo that blew my socks off.  And I was introduced to Atari
programmers. This first short visit was the beginning of my experience
in the Atari community. Atari users groups can provide this sort of
community and support because its membership consists of common people
who have had the experience of learning the computer by trial and
error. While some lean to the technical, guru- like status, many are
electricians, government officials, students, plumbers, road
construction workers, trucker brokers, grocery clerks, and librarians.
These people have spent hours working on their computer and have a
wealth of good advice and cautions to other computer owners. The users
group prevents the re-inventing of the wheel by sharing these tips at
the local meetings.

There is a growing trend in the attitude of users group members that
they are no longer needed. They feel that since Atari Corp. is moving
on to bigger and better technology, they have no need to have a group.
Oh, so UN-true, for then, the users group is needed more then ever.
Just because the product isn't being made anymore is no reason to stop
supporting those who own it. When people sell an older Atari computer,
someone BUYS an older Atari computer. Someone who needs all the help
and support they can get.

In the future we will cover: Meeting agenda, Newsletters, Membership
(methods of increasing it), Demos (where and how), etc.; and I will
share from my own exploits as a users group president - the
frustration and the elation. Stay tuned.

Ron Whittam is a Customer Support Specialist for a small international
software firm in Boise, Idaho;  and  the  President of the Atari Boise
Users Group. He can be contacted on GEnie, or through the Internet,
at <[e-mail]> and on ROVER BBS (208-362-2243).


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   The Patrician - A Historical Simulation
 |||   By: Patricia Barbiero
/ | \  Delphi: ATARIUNITED
       ----------------------------------------------------------------

Are you a closet history buff? Are you more interested in social
climbing than smashing things and killing people? Even if you are just
a budding entrenpeneur, the Patrician is a game that will interest
you. I have been playing Patrician for several weeks now, and I am not
bored yet. Unlike my husband Andreas, whose game reviews many of you
are familiar with, when it comes to computer game playing, I am quite
the novice. Most of my experience in the gaming world is from watching
over Andreas' shoulder as he plays games that demand much more
hand-eye coordination with the mouse than I can manage. Plus, his
favorite games revolve strictly around fighting and killing.
Definitely not my style. I want a game that moves at a pace that I can
handle, but doesn't put me to sleep. Trust me, after a day of chasing
my two boys, and their father, I don't need help with sleep!

Historical simulations have the ability to recreate a time and place
in the past and allow the player to see how they would fare in that
world. The Patrician recreates the medieval Hanseatic League, which
was the most powerful commercial (and hence political) organizations
of the time. As a lowly merchant, your aim is to become rich and
successful trading throughout the Baltic towns and to win public favor
by holding city-wide feasts and providing protection for the citizens
of your home town. You can send your fleets to sixteen towns and carry
eighteen different types of goods, attempting to buy low and sell
high. Eventually, as a successful merchant, you will be elected mayor,
and then be able to participate in the bi-annual Hanseatic meetings,
consequently vying with other mayors for the title of Alderman
(Patrician). To reach this rank you need to be elected by the elders
of all the Hanseatic towns, uniting their favor despite the inevitable
political infighting, while simultaneously maintaining a powerful
trading fleet that is capable of defeating pirates and creating the
wealth you will need in your rise to the top.

This game is TT030 compatible, and installs easily on a hard drive. It
is fairly hardy, which is to say that I can boot my TT030 and my
MegaSTe, switch to low resolution, and go - most of the time. One
warning - do not try to play this game if you have SpeedoGDOS loaded.
For the most part however, I didn't have to mess around with turning
off all of the applications and accessories my husband insists on
running. And of course, domestic tranquility is an important aspect to
any marriage! I did have the occasional crash, but the game seems to
be very stable.

The German origins of this software is probably why it is so
efficient. Many UK games assume that the user is limited to a floppy
based 1040STe, and this is very frustrating to someone who has extra
hardware, but is forced to do without it. TT030 compatibility shows
foresight and proper coding techniques, even though there are a few
bugs which crop up every now and then. But those bugs may be isolated
to the TT030 since I haven't noticed them on the Mega STe. I have not
had the chance to test it on a Falcon030, but I feel there is a good
chance that it will work.

Graphically, the game is nice and catches the spirit of the 16th
century, the era of the Hanseatic League. It was designed to be used
with 256 color screens, and some of the text is hard to read when over
a picture because of the 16 color limitation of ST-Low. There are also
problems with the conversion from German to English. Spelling and
grammar mistakes appear throughout the game, and while you won't lose
the game because of them, it is disconcerting. There are digitized
clips used as faces and in enhancing backgrounds that are mostly
fuzzy, but do add a bit to the artwork. For example, when you are
approached by a marriage broker down on the wharf, there is a
digitized face on a slightly cartoonish body, and the face of the
potential mate he has for you is also digitized. You have the option
of selecting your sex at the beginning of the game, so that the broker
can offer you the appropriate marriage partner. Some of those widowed
merchant's wives or rich skippers are REALLY scary looking, but when
you can get a ship or two out of the dowry, or several memberships to
various guilds, they tend to get better looking!

Multiple players can compete against each other (up to four), as well
as against roughly a dozen computer opponents who are always present.
The game can take quite some time to complete, so they afford the
option to play a short game, which allows you to start off in a better
situation, and simplifies the process to being rich and famous. On
the competitive level, you start the game in port of the town you
choose to make your home office in, with one small ship.

I liked the artistic manner in which the game options and functions
are handled.  Rather than the customary drop down menus, or option
panels, game play is managed by clicking on the various scenes,
objects and buildings. (The game is almost entirely played via the
mouse but I have found keyboard equivalents for almost all the menu
selections.) The shipyard scene is a good example. It will allow you
to rename your ship, order a new one, scrap an old one, store
shipborne weapons, and repair a ship. The scene consists of several
buildings (your arms warehouse), a ship in drydock (rename ship), a
man standing on the gangplank (ship inspector),and men pulling a ship
on to shore (repair).

Once I got into trading, I found that the game does try to remain
historically accurate to a point. While every game is a new game and
never predictable and obviously can not follow the historical events
precisely, it is interesting to see the Hanseatic League in action.
The League can impose trading boycotts and blockades of rebellious
towns, and it is not uncommon for a royal head of a country to begin
seizing Hanseatic property. Pirates abound, and the Hanseatic league
will call up fleets of ships in military campaigns to try control the
problem. Plagues and fires break out in the cities and can effect
trade, and other aspects of life.

I have had warehouses burned to the ground, and I have lost a spouse
or two to the plague. Of course this means I get the chance to
remarry, hence improving my social standing and/or wealth. While your
primary regard in this game is to make money, your secondary concern
has to be the economic health of your town. Trading in only luxury
items will increase your wealth very quickly at first, but as you try
to buy low and sell high, too much of a good thing can hurt prices and
trade. Making sure that your town receives a balanced supply of all
goods will not only keep your town economically stable, your
popularity with the citizens of the city will increase, and your
ability to make money will also be helped.  Popularity is very
important, since it is the citizens who elect the mayor. Elections are
held every couple of years, and if you have been successful in
capturing the attention and goodwill of the people it will show at the
ballot box.

There is a seedier side to life in the Middle Ages and as a married
individual, you certainly don't want to tarnish your reputation by
spending time in the public bath houses. And if you should get caught
bribing town councillors you may make yourself vulnerable to black
mail by your opponents. Of course, if you do make these mistakes, or
just want to score a few points, head for the local Catholic Church.
These are the days before Luther, so you can purchase an indulgence
for your sins, say your prayers, and make those important donations to
the church building fund or the poor people of the town. The effects
of your behavior will not be erased by a trip to the church, but it is
a good start on the road back into the affection of the citizenry.

Once you have been elected as mayor of your town, you are responsible
for collecting taxes, protecting the town from pirates, and of course
maintaining a balanced trade. As mayor you may call up "capture
fleets" from ships of your town to chase pirate ships threatening your
town, and you are allowed to hire up to 200 mercenary soldiers with
tax money. If you need more, the payroll is out of your pocket!

To win this game you need to be elected as the Alderman of the
Hanseatic League. Being elected mayor of your town is an important
step in that direction. Now, not only must you fend off your opponents
for mayoral office by keeping the good will of the townsmen, but you
must now play the politics of the Hanseatic League. I have yet to make
it this far in the game, but I am well on my way to being elected the
Mayor of Bremen, and of course I am convinced that I will quickly be
elected Alderman by the mere virtue of my political charisma. NOT!

I am really enjoying the Patrician, for all its little programming/
porting flaws (all too common in ported games these days), it is a
refreshing change to the typical shoot 'em up style games that are so
popular. If you are not a real big "game" person, but do like an
occasional diversion, I suggest that this would be a nice game to try.

Ascon (UK)Ltd.
2 Canfield Place
London NW6 3BT

Atari ST,STe,MSTe,TT030
1 MB, color only
HD recommended
$59.95
$44.95 at STeve's Software
1-800-487-7753
1-916-661-3328


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   The Unabashed Atariophile
 |||   By: Michael R. Burkley
/ | \  Delphi: MRBURKLEY    GEnie: AEO.4
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

Aren't computers wonderful? And not just any computer, but our STs
(520s, 520fs, 520STfms, 1040STfms), Mega STs, STEs (520 STE, 1040STE),
Mega STEs, TT030s, and Falcon030s (did I forget any of them?).  I'm
still excited about our "old" computers, and even more excited about
our newest edition to our flock - the Falcon (I wish I had one!).  I
have a friend who works for a major company that programs Windows'
software, and she still says that the ST is easier to use (and she has
an old TOS 1.0 1040 ST!).

But that's not to say that she says the ST is a more capable machine
than the 486 66 MHz machines she regularly works with. It isn't, at
least the machine she is using. The system she is working with has
more colors, a faster CPU, easier access to CD technology, and a
broader base of software (it's also a pain to configure, she says).
Wishing otherwise won't make things any different, but that doesn't
make me want to rush out and sink my money into one of those "other"
computers, be it MAC or IBM. It's not worth the trouble. I can do
almost all I want to do with the system I have now, and when I get my
Falcon (it's out there somewhere!) I'll be able to do even more.
That's enough for me, what about you? Right now I'm not willing to put
up with all the trouble of learning a new system to get a few extra
capabilities I don't really need, and to pay through the nose for it,
too. Plus, what would I do with all the PD software I've collected?
There is a MASSIVE amount of that which I've collected and cataloged,
and thinking about starting that task over again in the MAC or IBM
world would be just too discouraging!

As I said last time, I've been spending a lot of my time cleaning out
my hard drive(s). Sorting through huge piles of Roundtable discussions
on GEnie (WOW! The conversations and developer support available
there is astounding), writing descriptions for older files I've
downloaded, and downloading new files (the output has been astounding
for the past two months!) have all kept me busy. Free space on my
drives went up as I compressed loose files and then went down as I
downloaded more! Now I'm going to be signing up for the Internet on
Delphi and downloading files from all over the world! Yikes!

Finally, my son is turning into a sportscard collector. His Cub Scout
Packmaster is a card enthusiast and regularly gives out cards at Pack
meetings. Last night he gave out 20,000 cards to about 50 boys! A
month before he gave out another 20,000 at our annual Blue and Gold
Banquet. What really started my son's collection was when he won the
entire 1990 Pro Set of Football cards at another Pack meeting. The
PackMaster buys all of these cards himself and hands them out. That's
dedication to the boys! What does this have to do with the Atari
world? There are a number of databases specifically designed for
sportscard collecting, and others for all sorts of collections. Here
are a few to start off this issue's descriptions!

[] BBAL_HAP is a simple HyperLink database designed to keep track of a
baseball card collection. It illustrates how HyperLINK can link data
to graphics, text, and more. It can be used with the HyperLINK
run-only version.

[] CARDMAST is CarD MasteR v.1.0 by Eric S. Caruso. CarD MasteR is a
very complete SHAREWARE sports trading card database. It keeps track
of all your cards, prints several reports including a "want list". It
works on all TOS 1.0--1.62 machines (at least). Color or mono. Docs
included.

[] CARDTRAK is CardTracker by John L. Wade. This is a sports card
collectors program for keeping track of what cards you have and what
they are worth. Limited in that you can only work with 20 records at a
time (the full version can hold 1,500 records on a one-meg machine).
This will let you enter, edit, sort, print and calculate what sport
cards you have. You are not limited to one sport or card company.
Load, save, split, merge and print your files. Keyboard or menu
driven. Ordering information included.

    Of course there are other types of collections, too. Here are some
    other Databases which could be used to keep track of those.

[] COINBOOK is a the Collector's Coin Book v.1.01 by Gerry Kichok. It
is a simple HyperLINK database for keeping track of coin collections.

[] COLLECTR is Collector by Albert Baggetta (that wizard of ST game
and productivity software. The Collector is a coin or stamp database
for the novice to intermediate collector. The Collector is presently
set up to hold 1000 records. It allows you to define and print the
data on your collection by all the standard criteria for coins and
stamps. Very well done (as always). Extensive docs included.

[] COMIK is a demo (save disabled) of The Comic Book Collector v.2.0
by Albert Baggetta. According to the author this is the ultimate comic
database when it comes to simplicity and thoroughness. Collecting,
sorting, cataloging, listing, reading, scanning, updating your
collection is only a key or mouse press away. This is an easy to use
and capable program. Color or mono.

    And now on with the show!

[] 93TAX contains two 1993 ST Tax Templates courtesy of George Iken
of the Houston Atari Computer Enthusiasts. It's with a certain dread
that I realize that April 15th isn't far away. While I don't mind
paying taxes (well, not much), I HATE getting together all the
information and filling out the forms. This file contains an LDW Power
spread sheet program (and an identical Lotus 12-3 worksheet) which
will help you to check your 1993 tax calculations. Directions for use
are included.

[] ALICE by Ralf Kaufmann is ALICE Another Little C Editor v.1.42
(dated August 1992). This is a great GEM oriented editor for
ASCII-files. It is a:

 - GEM-based text editor
 - simultaneous editing of several texts in GEM windows, 10
   additional texts may be held in cut/paste buffers
 - full mouse support
 - all menus are selectable by the keyboard
 - simple printing facilities
 - block operations (cut/paste) with up to 10 buffers
 - search and replace
 - runs on any ATARI ST/STE/TT
 - program versions exist in English, German and French
 - prints with any Epson compatible printer

I really like this program, especially the ability to work with
several texts at once (up to six at once) and to cut/paste with the 10
buffers. Color or mono. Docs included. Highly recommended.

[] ANSICODE is a series of text files and ANSI drawings giving
information and examples about VT100 codes of use to SysOps and
programmers. This began life on an MS/DOS board as the text file
discusses running .EXE files and typing DOS commands, etc.

[] AUDICALC is the AudioCalc™ v.1.0 demo from Hinton Instruments of
England (release Nov. 1993). Yes, I know I reviewed this last issue,
and I called it v.2.5. Where did I get that version #? Who knows!
That version said v.1.0; this version says the same, but it is nearly
twice as large. Anyway.... This GEM based "Professional Audio
Calculator" for the ST--Falcon computer (ST mono or higher res color
compatible). AudioCalc is a PRG/ACC which has been developed to
provide the most useful day to day utilities commonly required in an
audio engineering environment.

AudioCalc is intended to be used in conjunction with a sequencer,
audio editing or multi-media application. It presents a small
on-screen movable dialog box which opens up and allows you to select
the five main functions of the program. The full version will allow
you to calculate delay times based on tempo, disk requirements for
digital audio, pitch change from from tape speed variation, analog
level variations, and even the time taken for sound to travel allowing
for room temperature (only the last two are enabled in this demo and
it will only run as a program. Docs and ordering info included.

[] BCKW252 is Backward v.2.52, "the" ST emulator for FALCON O3O by
Cyrille Dupuydauby (dated Feb. 2, 1994). The author continues to
improve this already excellent program! While Falcon TOS is compatible
enough with older versions of TOS so that about 90% of GEM programs
will run fine, the game compatiblity is something else. About 75% of
games won't work because of hardware changes in the Falcon. Here's
where Backward can come to your rescue! It is designed to handle those
hardware differences so that instead of 75% of games not running you
will find that about 70% of your games DO run. Now that's an
improvement! This user friendly program allows you to save individual
configurations designed for each of your programs so you don't need to
set them up every time (much improved over the freeware version). This
version fixes a small bug in resetting screen colors. Requires a
Falcon with at least 4 Meg of RAM and any video mode (set up requires
a non-40 column mode). Shareware (limited in only allowing twenty
configurations saved while the registered version allows 2,000!). As
the older versions (v.1.44 and below) of Backward are freeware the
author says that if you don't want to register please use one of them
and not this upgraded version (support shareware authors!). Not MiNT
compatible.

[] BIGDUMMY is the Big Dummy's Guide to the Internet by the Electronic
Frontier Foundation (dated July 15, 1993). Supported by Apple
Computer, Adam Gaffin was hired to write this guide. The idea was to
write a guide to the Internet for folks who had little or no
experience with network communications - and then to give it away! And
that they did! This book (399K uncompressed) will help you to use the
Net to:

  - Stay in touch with friends, relatives and colleagues around the
    world, at a fraction of the cost of phone calls or even air mail.
  - Discuss everything from archaeology to zoology with people from
       around the world.
  - Tap into hundreds of information databases and libraries worldwide.
  - Retrieve any of thousands of documents, journals, books and computer
       programs.
  - Stay up to date with wire-service news and sports, and government
       weather reports.
  - Play live, "real time" games with dozens of other people at once.

And much, much more! Excellent! I found this on the CodeHead BBS.
It's on the GEnie INTERNET-RT too.

[] CLASS_45 is Class v.4.5 by Gary Wren, a combination database and
useful spreadsheet for teachers (uploaded Oct. 1993). You can use it
as a gradebook, grade calculator, graphics and statistics package for
teachers. At its heart, CLASS is a computerized class roster,
providing a record of students and their grades. The version you have
will do that and much more,including the following:

      - alphabetize, store, and print a list of all students,
        their grades and personal comments
      - store and display up to 30 grades, including the GPA/AVG
        and the final grade, for each student. With the grade
        transfer function, the number of grades possible per
        student is practically unlimited.
      - rank students according to their scores on any
        assignment
      - calculate current or final averages for each student
      - act as a "grade calculator" for unrecorded grades
      - determine the letter grade that corresponds to each
        student's score
      - calculate the frequency, mean, variance, and standard
        deviation for each grade or assignment
      - display a table and graph of the distribution of grades
        for each assignment
      - let you record letter grades quickly using the
        number keypad
      - allow you to set and change the ranges and weights
        for each grade
      - let you set a "curve" for any assignment or for the
        GPA or final grade, and calculate grades accordingly
      - let you experiment with different curves and immediately
        see the results in graph form
      - transform all grades and files recorded as scores
        into equivalent letter grades
      - automatically set or adjust the ranges for each grade
        based on either the maximum score or a normal curve
      - automatically check for typos when recording grades
      - print roster with single, double or variable spacing
      - print names only, parts of a record, or names and a
        grade, in single or double columns
      - merge two or more files together
      - transfer grades or names from one roster to another
      - erase or rename disk files from within CLASS
      - do all of the above for either number or letter
        grades, instantly

Plus a zillion more features common to past versions and newly added
to version 4.5. Color or mono. Docs included. ST/STe/TT/Geneva/maybe
Falcon compatible. Obviously a lot of work has gone into this program,
and I see regular updates to it. SHAREWARE.

[] CLIP_SET is the Clipboard Setter .ACC by Anthony Watson of Mountain
Software (dated 1994). The Atari system clipboard is a wonderful tool
which allows data exchange between a variety of programs (I use it to
cut and paste between STeno and STalker all the time). Normally it's
to a hard drive or floppy disk to which the clipboard files are
directed. I have a hard drive to which the clipboard files are written
which is fast and efficient. Not so for the floppy drive. The author
has created this program which allows one to redirect the clipboard
output to a RAM disk. You supply the RAM disk and let Mountain
Software supply the expertise (they're good at that, if you've noticed
the fine selection of software Anthony Watson has produced!). I
imagine it's compatible with just about anything (though the docs
don't say).

[] CLPART12 is another in a long list of Clip art files uploaded by
GUAMBOMB of Delphi. These 300 dpi .IMG files have been scanned and
cleaned up using TouchUp from MyGraph. Here's some brief descriptions
of these files.

    BESQUARE is a drawing of a smiling cube with legs and arms. A
    friendly sort of guy, a square, in the older meaning of the term.

    BOOKSALE is a drawing of a skinny jockey-type guy pulling a kids
    wagon full of books. He's yelling out what the sign says, "Book
    Sale."

    BOOMBOY is a drawing of a teenage boy carrying a boom box to his
    ear and strutting along.

    CRAFTMAN is a drawing of a smiling alien carrying a saw, electric
    drill, and hammer.

    DETECTIVE is a drawing of a detective remeniscent of Peter Sellers
    of Pink Panther fame. He is bug-eyed looking through a magnifying
    glass.

    EASTEREG is a drawing of a man holding (barely!) an Easter egg
    almost as large as he is!

    FEETSMEL is a drawing of a man sitting on a locker room bench
    holding his foot in one hand and his nose with the other. His
    sneakers are on the floor, and you can just tell that they all
    stink!

    HAVABALL is a drawing of a baseball glove and ball with the words,
    "We're having a ball!" curved above and below the glove.

    HOMEWORK is a drawing of a young woman carrying a huge load of
    books strapped to her back. They are labeled "Homework," "More
    Homework," "Even More Homework," etc..

    PLUMBER is a drawing of a man wearing flippers, wet suit, and gas
    mask while carrying some plumbing equipment. It looks like he's
    prepared for some job!

    PROFESOR is a drawing of a mangey, crazy looking old professor
    lecturing you with clipboard in hand.

    SNOWTUBE is a drawing of a fear-crazed man riding an inner tube
    down a snow covered hill. Tubeing is fun, as I'm sure that this
    man would agree - once he's down the hill!

[] CON24UP is a necessary update by Wolfgand Wander to CoNnect v.2.46
(which was dated Feb. 2, 1994). This file (dated March 5, 1994) fixes
a major bug in CoNnect vs. 2.45 and 2.46 concerning the built-in
Z-Modem. While downloading, this bug could cause the loss of the
file's beginning. Yikes! It contains the program and help files which
just replace the corresponding files in CoNnect v.2.46.

[] CVTRAN30 is the CV-Translator - an ST Language Translator v.3.0 by
Carlos Varela (dated March 12, 1994). The author of German-To-English
(GER2ENG3) has now produced CV-Translator, the GEM based, MultiTOS,
Geneva compatible update to GER2ENG3 that can now help you to quickly
translate text between different languages. It currently supports
English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese
(minimal dictionaries included which only translate a few percent of
the German words in a normal German text). It's appears to be much
faster than GER2ENG3, and while it doesn't make any attempt to
translate language concepts or grammer, it will make a word or word
translation of a text file which will allow you to begin to puzzle out
its meaning. ST/STe/Mega STe/TT/(Falcon?) compatible. SHAREWARE
(register and get a 30,000 word English/German dictionary, plus other
available dictionaries). Previous versions would work with
uncompressed dictionary files, but this version will only load the
program's own compressed dictionaries. Recommended. Support Shareware
authors!

[] DIGITAL is the Digital Tracker v.2.15 demo by Emmanuel Jaccard
(dated Feb. 23, 1994). Upgraded again, this program is a SoundTracker/
NoiseTracker/Fasttracker, FLT8, x9CHN, FA0x, and CD81 compatible MOD
editor/ player for the Falcon030. It will play and edit four, six, or
eight voice MODs (and play 16 bits). An .ACC player is included which
will allow you to play MODs in the background. It contains tools to
manipulate blocks, tracks, and patterns of notes, and will search and
replace notes as well. The docs are almost all in French and since I
don't have a Falcon.... This archive contains several sound sample and
MOD files. SHAREWARE. I've been told that a previous version puts out
fantastic sound, and so I assume that trend continues here.

[] DSKMRF10 is Deskmorf v.1.0 by David E. Rutherford. DESKMORF alters
the appearance of the GEM windows, icons and dialog box buttons to
give them a "3-D" look. Any program that uses these objects will
display them in "3-D" as well. An .ACC is included which will allow
you to select the colors displayed (with color monitors!) or patterns
shown (mono). This is a demo version with a ten minute limit and a
shareware advertisement. ST res. only. In conversations with the
author I have found out that he programmed it on a TOS 1.2 machine
using TOS specific techniques. It won't run on my TOS 1.0 machine
(locks up) nor on my TOS 1.62 STE (it doesn't do anything), or on TOS
2.05 (so I've been told). The author says he will be working on
versions which work on other TOS than 1.2. Docs included. If you have
TOS 1.2 then this is a nice program. Otherwise, let's hope for a
version 1.1 soon!

[] GEMINI2 is Gemini v.1.99 replacement desktop by Stefan Eissing of
Germany (dated Dec. 31, 1994). This is a huge utility (uncompressing
to 1.7 meg!), but you don't need it all to run the desktop. It
includes an integrated command line interpreter, the ability to place
programs on the desktop, and intelligent install applications ability,
and much more. Most of the program is in English, but almost
everything else is in German. Geneva compatible. Shareware.

[] HDFRE12E is the Hard Drive & Memory Free CPX-Module by Michael
Fordermair (dated April 9, 1992). This CPX will show you quickly using
a nice little bar-graph all the available space on all partitions from
drives C to Z. It will also show the available memory in your system.
Translated into English by Stephen Foskett, the founder of BOAST (Best
Of Atari ST Shareware). BOAST is attempting to translate the best of
the German language Shareware into English Thanks Stephen! Requires
Atari's XControl (currently at v.1.31) to be used.

[] LOU_CONS is an archive containing a NeoDesk icon file (.NIC) by Lou
Trapani. Adjusted for TT Medium resolution, these 93 NeoDesk 3 icons
are the ones he uses all the time. Some of the included icons are for
PageStream, HyperLink, Aladdin, a variety of folder types (animations,
graphics, sounds), and file types (.AVR, .SND, .PNT), and much, much
more). I especially like the R2D2-type trash can! All well done, too.

[] POV22BIN is v.2.2.tc/pc of POVRay, the Persistance Of Vision Ray
Tracer by the POV-Ray Team and ported to the ST/STE/TT by Dirk Klemmt
and dated Feb. 24, 1994. Dirk is the author of POVSH111 (a shell
program for POV-Ray which I HIGHLY recommend you use with POV-Ray).
This file actually contains two version of the program. One is for all
Atari 68000 machines without an FPU, and the other is for TT/Falcons
equiped with an FPU. POVRay is a cross-platform raytracing utility has
become widely known for the fantastic 3-D photo-realistic raytraced
images it produces.

You create a text file containing information describing the objects
shapes, colors, textures, and lighting in a scene and the program
generates an image of that scene from the view point of a camera also
described in the text file. Ray tracing is not a fast process by any
means, but it produces very high quality images with realistic
reflections, shading, perspective, and other effects. This version
(which does not add any features over v.2.1 but just fixes several
bugs) includes the ability to animate your creations and to include
features like bezier patches, blobs, height-fields, bump mapping, and
material mapping. Color or mono. I don't think that you would need a
hard drive to run this, but it would certainly be recommended! This
file doesn't include the main documentation for the program or any
sample maps. For those see POV20DOC and POV20SCR (which even though
they are listed as for v.2.0 they are also appropriate for
v.2.2.tc/pc.

[] RECIPE44 is The Recipe Box v.4.4 by Anthony W. Watson (Dated March
4, 1994). This is a very useful program with a very attractive and
easy to use interface that allows you to enter, store, view, edit,
resize, and print out your up-to 2.5 million recipes (with lots of
options all around). Not only can you store recipies, but you can
organize your grocery purchases, plan your meals, check the calories
of a wide variety of foods, take advantage of the Atari Clipboard,
export your files to other recipe formats, and more!

This program has certainly improved since I first saw it (but then
again, what else could I expect from a dedicated programmer like A.W.
of Mountain Software!). The Recipe Box will import Computer Chef, The
Recipe Box (v.3.5), and Meal-Master (any version) recipe files. GEM
based. This will accept GDOS fonts if GDOS is installed. You can
customize your printer. Color or mono. ST/STe/TT/ Falcon and even
Cyrel Graphics Card compatible. Docs (online and written) and numerous
recipes included. SHAREWARE (limited only in that but 60 recipes may
be loaded). Check this excellent program out!

[] SEARCHER is Searcher Deluxe v.2.01 by Alex Nicholls. Search deluxe
will help you to do your "Spring Cleaning" on your disks! It will
search any Floppy/Hard drive (including ICD extended formats)/RAM
disks and tell you exactly what is on that drive that matches your
search parameters. You can then delete, alter file flags, or just
record the information about those files. The interface is easy to
use, and the docs are comprehensive. The only problem I had with this
is a conflict with Geneva (and I could probably fix that if I fiddled
with it). When Geneva is loaded the program locks up after each search
is completed. Shareware.

[] STARGAZE by Kevin Fanning (dated Feb. 24, 1994) is a series of
files which you can use with CAD-3D v.2.02 and Cyber Control to create
a .DLT animation file entitled Stargaze. The view is of a Starship
Bridge and a "Quad-Bot" walks onto the Bridge from the Turbo-Lift.
Another walks across the Bridge to the Turbo-lift. Directions and
information on obtaining the utilities used to create these Cyber
scripts is included.

[] STIS is the Stereoscopic Image System by Phillip W. O'Neal v.1.00
(dated early in 1993). 3-D photos and movies normally require special
lenses glasses to view. This program creates 3-dimensional images on
the ST that need no special glasses or anything else to see them in
3-D! It's amazing, but true! Several images are included, plus the
program itself will create (and print out!) more images for you. It
takes a while to learn to see these pictures, but once you can, it's
easy to see new ones as well. Color or mono. Docs included. SHAREWARE.
This program has traveled far and wide since it was first uploaded
last year. It's being passed around again, so I thought I would give
it another review. Excellent!

[] TERAD138 is Tera Desktop V1.38 by Wout Klaren (dated Jan. 17,
1994).  The Tera Desktop is a replacement of the ST (and TT) desktop.
This desktop offers many of the same features as NeoDesk, DC Desktop,
the Atari NewDesk (TOS 2.06 and above), and then some. With this
program (which uses about 140K of RAM) you can place files and
programs on the desktop as icons, and view files in a window (one nice
feature is that you can select the size of the font, small, normal,
large, and very large, used in displaying text - both in the file
viewer and in the windows). Buttons in dialog boxes can be selected
with the keyboard! There are really too many features to be listed
here. It will work with any TOS (though the docs don't specifically
mention the Falcon) and from a floppy or Hard Drive (Hard Drive is
definitely recommended). It can be run from the AUTO folder or from
the desktop. Color or mono. Docs included (now program and docs are
in English, French, and Dutch - you choose). One nice feature is the
ability to view .IMG and Degas pictures. This file contains both the
ST/STE and TT versions of this program. I recommend that you check
this program out! Geneva compatible.

[] TUMBLEFB is the Feb. 1, 1993 (or is 1/02/93 Jan. 2, '93 in
Britain?) catalog from Tumblevan Software in the UK. Tumblevan is a PD
distribution company which has a very good attitude. They provide
inexpensive PD disks, well described as to contents, and they have
lots of other nice touches as well (for one they give a significantly
cheaper price per disk if you're unemployed!). This catalog lists
quite a lot of software that I've never seen, and as you might
suspect, that's saying something! It made for interesting reading. The
catalog also contains three older PD games and information about
"licenseware" software which they distribute.

[] ULTIMATE is the Ultimate Tracker v.2.0 .MOD player for the STE/TT/
Falcon by Equinox and the Black Cats. This nicely presented .ACC will
allow you to play SoundTracker/NoiseTracker .MOD files in the
background as you do something else (like write descriptions of files
<grin>). It has Fast Forward and Reverse, and continuous loop options,
and allows you to select playback Hz from 6.25 through 50 Hz (50Hz on
Falcon only). Geneva compatible.

[] USRGPDIR is the ATARI UNITED! User Group Directory, Revision 0
dated March 10, 1994. Atari United! is a nationwide Atari users group
that is attempting to support Atari users in just about any way they
can. This directory lists all of the user groups and contact persons
they have become aware of in their searches. Is your group listed?
Get this file and find out! To find out more about Atari United!
contact Patti Barbiero at: [e-mail] or at P.O. Box 691
Mountain View, CA 94042-0691 or 206/679-3237 (before 9pm Pacific
Time).

[] VOICE is a program by Rüdiger Busch for your Falcon030 which will
take a text you type in and speak it. The problem for non-German
typing people is that the program is configured to pronounce words as
if they were written in German. So...be prepared for some strange
words and accents coming out of your Falcon's "mouth!"

[] VOXMAIL is VOX-Mail v0.99 by Michael Fung. VOX-Mail is a voice mail
system designed for the Atari Falcon 030 computer. It utilizes the
sound hardware available in the Falcon for playing as well as
recording sound directly to hard disk in real time. A hardware board
interfaces the computer to the telephone line. At present, VOX-Mail
detects incoming calls, picks up the line, plays customized
announcements/tones and records messages to the hard disk with line
monitoring. In other words, it acts exactly like a good answering
machine, with messages stored digitally. These messages can be loaded
into a sample editing program, e.g. the System Audio Manager. In order
to make full use of this program you need the hardware board which you
can obtain from the author for a $54 shareware registration fee
(sounds inexpensive to me!). Docs and lots of hints for use are
included.

[] WINGLORD is a demo of WingLord by Victor Bruhn (dated 1993). This
game is reminiscent of Joust. Designed with DMA sound in mind, this
game will play on any ST--Falcon, but if played on an ST, you lose
out on the DMA sound. WingLord has the player in control of a knight
mounted on a flying unicorn. Using the joystick you control the wing
flapping rate and hence the speed and height of the knight. Destroy
your enemies through crashing into them with your lance (just make
sure you hit them from a higher level - don't let them get above
you!), or shooting them with your gun. Watch out because at the higher
levels they shoot back! One or two players with a computer controlled
demo available. Excellent text and online animated documentation.
Shareware (registration allows you to progress past level 19 and some
other perks here and there). Color. This version has been fixed so
that it works correctly with TOS 2.05 & 2.06. This is another one of
those "I'll try it one more time" games.

    Here are some more space related files I've downloaded from the
    GEnie's SPACE Roundtable.

[] AUSROC3 is a text file describing the development of AUSROC III, an
Australian Space Launch Vehicle. Ausroc III is the third of the Ausroc
series of liquid fueled rockets aimed at the promotion of research,
development and education of the field of launch vehicle technologies
within Australia. Ausroc III is being designed as a sounding rocket
capable of lifting 100kg of useful scientific payload to an altitude
of 500km and then recovering it intact. This file details the history,
structure, and goals of the AUSROC III and the whole Australian space
program. Interesting! GEnie SPACERT # 3431

[] C1993EBB is an interesting ASCII file detailing information about
comet 1993e and it's collision with Jupiter in late July 1994. It's
quite amazing what can be deduced concerning the structure of the
comet and the effect of its impact will be. Current as of Sept. 9,
1993 (a very nice birthday type day!). GEnie SPACERT # 3439

[] DELTA293 is DELTA: The Newsletter of the Canadian Global Change
Program Vol. 4., No. 2, Summer 1993. Just a few of the articles in
this newsletter are: Scientist's Warning to Humanity; Prairie Biology
Students Discuss Global Change; Inter-American Institute for Global
Change Research; UN University Research and Training Centre;
Campfires - the Environmental Costs, and Symposium on Ecosystem Health
and Medicine Interesting and challenging reading. GEnie SPACERT # 3421

[] ECO893-3 is the ECO Newsletter (dated Aug. 18, 1993). Some of the
topics covered are Fairness on Emissions Demanded; East Germany - Lost
Chance or Blueprint for the Future?; Leman; SOS from Small Island
States, and "The Elephant in the Room" (an insightful editorial). I
must say though that this seems more of the "how terrible the
developing nations have been - nothing good in them at all" style of
writing. I liked it anyway. GEnie SPACERT # 3328

[] ECO893-4 is the Aug. 19, 1993 issue of the Eco Newsletter. A brief
summary of the topics covered is: Excremental Outburst from Norway to
the U.K. over Acid Rain; a rough ride for Joint Implementation of
Greenhouse gasses accord; Clear-cutting last temperate rain forest in
Canada, and much more. Enlightening reading. GEnie SPACERT # 3336

[] ECO893-5 is the ECO Newsletter (dated Aug. 20, 1993). Some of the
topics covered are:  UV-B Increase Observed Over Populated Areasl;
Towards a Fossil Fuel Free Future; US, European, and Turkish Cities
Complete Local CO2 Inventories (very interesting!), and more. GEnie
SPACERT # 3337

[] EMF_FAQ is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about
Power-Frequency Fields and Cancer (compiled by Dr.John Moulder of the
Radiation Biology Group, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, v.5,
and dated 27-Aug-93). I found this article very interesting and
informative. Questions like: "Why is there a concern about power
lines and cancer?," "What sort of power-frequency magnetic fields are
common in residences and workplaces?," and "What is the difference
between EM radiation and EM fields?" are discussed both in general in
specifically. One thing I appreciated about this article was that it
clearly laid out the facts, known, unknown, and uncertain. GEnie
SPACERT # 3384. Recommended reading!

[] FORENSIC is an ASCII file by Ed Uthman, MD, Diplopae, American
Board of Pathology. Entitled "Forensic Pathology" this article deals
with the "what's" and "Why's" of Forensic Pathology. Most of the
article deals with causes and conditions of sudden death. Gross, but
interesting. This field, which for practical purposes deals with the
postmortem investigation of sudden and unexpected death, is about as
far from the mainstream of medicine as one can get, short of actually
becoming a VA section chief or a medical school dean. The training of
a forensic pathologist generally entails a complete five-year
residency in anatomic and clinical pathology, followed by one or more
years of fellowship training in a medical examiner's office in a large
city "fortunate" enough to have hundreds of homicides per year. The
good forensic pathologist is an amalgamation of pathologist,
detective, politician, and public relations person. This file details
a lot about it! GEnie SPACERT # 3327

[] GAL-IDA is a text file (dated Aug. 1993)  detailing the encounter
of the Galileo spacecraft with the Gaspra Asteroid (on Oct. 29, 1991)
and the planned encounter with Ida, another asteroid. The history of
the Galileo probe to Jupiter is given along with some details of its
main mission. A brief overview of facts known about asteroidal origins
and settings is given. Details about the shape, composition, and
derived history of Gaspra are provided, and estimates about Ida (my
maternal Grandmother's name!) are listed. GEnie SPACERT # 3433.

[] OZONEFAQ is a four part FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on
stratospheric ozone depletion by Robert Parson. Using a conservative
methodology, i.e., what is known and probable, rather than worst case
scenario, the author investigates the effects of stratospheric
chlorine and bromine (and other molecules as well) on ozone depletion,
the physical and chemical effects, the Antarctic Ozone "Hole" and
more. Very interesting and well done. I highly recommend this file.

[] PLUT9309 is a text file detailing some of what we know about
Pluto. It tells of Pluto's discovery in 1930 and the discovery of
Charon, Pluto's moon, in 1978. Moving on to further possible means of
gathering information about Pluto, this files describes an under study
"Fast Flyby" mission which could reach Pluto in 2006-8, well before
the Plutonian atmosphere "freezes out" near 2020 (Pluto is currently
heading outward from the sun). GEnie SPACERT # 3430

[] SEALEVEL is an ASCII file compiled by Bob Grumbine of the National
Meteorological Center (last revision on 6/93). In it the author asks
and answers all sorts of questions about sea levels and how they are
affected by various climatic changes. This file covers the effects of
possible melting of the Greenland, Antarctic, and North Polar ice
caps. I found it very interesting. GEnie SPACERT # 3344

[] SPACEPOL is a series of ASCII files containing the text of the
following space related treaties: Treaty on Principles Governing the
Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space,
Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (1967); Agreement on the
Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of
Objects Launched into Outer Space (1968); Convention on International
Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects (1972); Convention on
Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (1975), and the
Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other
Celestial Bodies (1979).

    I do a lot of formatting disks and copying files. Here are just a
    few of the utilities that allow me to do that efficiently and
    quickly.

[] A_FORMAT by A. Sudakov is a floppy disk formatter from Russia. This
program will format your disks using the twister format, 1-99 tracks,
9-11 sectors per track, and with 16-96 directory entries (whatever
that means!). I formatted a 927K floppy with this! Color or mono.
ST/STe/TT compatible. All prompts in English.

[] BACKUP is a hard drive backup program that comes in a form useable
on any ST and one particularly adapted to take advantage of the TT. It
supports the use of the Archive bit (so when you make a new backup you
don't need to back up your WHOLE drive but only those parts that have
changed). It compresses the file using LHARC (which you need to order
separately). This program can keep you safe from the terror of a hard
drive crash. It also saves on the number of floppies you have to use
through the compressing of the files. GEM based and fast. Color or
mono. Docs included. SHAREWARE.

[] CDC220 is The Chaos Disk Compactor V.2.20 by Miles Vignol. This
program (CDC) will turn whole disks into files. Why?  Well, some uses
could be to backup entire disks to your Hard Drive, send an entire
disk over a modem, etc. If the ST can read the disk, CDC should be
able to compress it. CDC will also decompress Magic Shadow Archiver
files. Color or mono. Docs included.

[] MSA_2_32 is the Magic Shadow Archiver II, version 2.3+. Fully
GEM-based and works with MultiTOS. MSA_2_32.PRG can be renamed
MSA_2_32.ACC and run as an accessory. New in this version: A filename
can be passed by command line to MSA-II. This file becomes the default
.MSA file. Used by certain shells when dragging a file on MSA-II.
Magic Shadow Archiver reads in an entire floppy disk and compresses it
into a single file with an .MSA extension. It also reads .MSA files
and creates a full disk.

[] CHNGSIZE is a utility by Mike LaChapelle & Mike Lanzarotta (dated
Sept. 19, 1989) that will allow you to add 10K extra to each of your
floppy disks. Were does this 10K come from?  The ATARI DOS uses units
of measure called 'clusters' to store it's information. A 'cluster' is
1K in size, thus using two sectors (each sector is 512 bytes). By
changing the number of sectors per cluster from "2" to "1" the extra
10K is released. The only effect of this is to make the disks
read/write -slightly- slower. TOS 1.0--1.62 compatible (at least).
Docs included.

[] DBIIDEMO is the demo of Diamond Back II v. 2.42. This hard disk
backup & restore program is fast, flexible, and reliable. With Diamond
Super faST compression backups are even faster! Faster backups using
1/2 the disks. Sounds like a good deal! This demo version cannot be
used to backup your harddrive. Only the first disk used in the backup
will have data on it. You will be able to see how fast the backups go,
and very likely you will want this program (or one like it, I must
add).

[] DFORMT21 is Diamond Format V2.1 by Robert D. Luneski. This PRG/ACC
is simply the best disk formatter of which I know. I had a 2K+
description of this file written, but I've chucked it. Get this file.
That's good enough. Get it! TROUTWARE (see docs). Color or mono. Any
ST/STe/TT.

[] FCOPY3 is v.3 of the popular F-copy by Martin Backschat. This is a
great, high-speed disk formatter and copier from Germany. It can run
as a .PRG or .ACC and provides you with many, MANY options. This is a
very useful program that I recommend to you. Color or mono. Docs
included.

[] FLRMT3_5 if Floormat v.3.5 from D & W Associates. This amazing (and
beautiful) is a do it all the way you like it formatter (multi drive
and disk formatting, disk volume labelling, IBM boot sectors, undo
accidental format, change cluster, directory and FAT size, recognize
physical error locations on disks, and more). It also has a virus
utility within itself. You can recognize viruses, kill them and make
disks immune, plus lots more. Color only. Docs included + online help.

[] HCOPY16S by is a copy/format utility by Robert Weiss (dated April
22, 1992) that has been around for awhile now. I was pleased to see
this newer version (it's nice when people keep supporting their
products, isn't it!). This SHAREWARE program (or .ACC - just rename
it) will run in color (due to Mark Matts releasing a med. .RSC file on
Sept. 18, 1993) or mono on any ST/STe/TT with TOS 1.2 or newer (it's
funny, older versions of this ran just fine on color systems straight
from the author). It now has High Density floppy support, formatting
your HD drive to 82 tracks and 22 sectors! Of course it does
everything for your standard floppies as well (5.25", too). You can
format your disks with any track or sector density, twisted or not,
set the step rate, zero your disks (for FAST erases), do multiple
copies of disks, automatically format your destination, and much more.
It is mouse or hot key controlled. One feature I like is the detailed
info on a disk you can get with the click of a button. SHAREWARE. The
program is in English with German docs.

[] INCCOPY is INCCOPY, an inclusion file copy program by Paul Severn,
v.1.00 (dated Sept. 26, 1991). This program will copy up to 100
different files from any combination of sources to a single
destination. Think about how useful this is (it really is!).
St/STe/Mega STe compatible. Color or mono. Docs included.

[] KDP65 is the Kwik Disk Configuration Editor v.6.50 by Magnum
Software. This amazingly complete and ingenious utility has been
continuously improved over the years. As the authors state:  Kwik Disk
was first released as a Desktop Accessory in August 1988. It was
intended to increase the access time for reading and writing to the
floppy drives. As it was continually updated, we added the ability to
select the seekrate for each drive separately, increased drive access
speed and optimised the accessory to be as fast as possible and use as
little memory as possible.

Next we came up with a Kwik Disk program that would run from the AUTO
folder. This would install Kwik Disk at boot-up and use as little
memory as possible. Later it was further optimised until it would use
LESS THAN 600 BYTES! All this was great. We had increased our access
speed to as much as 200% while using a minimal amount of memory. What
else could we possibly do to further improve this wonderful utility?
Three things had not yet been done: 1) A configuration program (for
the user to enter his/her own settings for boot-up time) 2)
Compatability with all present and future versions of TOS 3) A version
of Kwik Disk that would load from the bootsector of a floppy-disk and
USE NO MEMORY AT ALL! Every one of the above features were built in to
the Kwik Disk Configuration Editor! This version fixes a bug that
could trash your hard drive (a Serious bug!) Color or mono. Docs
included. SHAREWARE.

[] MAXIDISK installs a resetproof ramdisk, which compresses the files
stored in it. It is usually possible, to store about 750 kB in a 500
kB ramdisk! Any memory size, up to 4 megabyte, is supported.
(Although it makes little sense to use a ramdisk on a 512 kB system.
UPGRADE!) Two utilities, one to copy files to the ramdisk on Boot-up
and the other to set the time, are included. Excellent documentation
included. Color or mono.

[] PFILE101 is ProFile! v.1.01 (dated Aug. 29, 1993). ProFile! is the
upgraded and completely re-written version of UncleLib. This Floppy
and Hard Disk librarian is an excellent tool! It really has too many
features to mention here (I took a page and a half to describe
UncleLib, but this time I've decided that's just too much ! Just get
this, OK?  After I say this here are some of the features! Not only
will ProFile! allow you to catalog all of your disks in a quick and
easy manner, it also allows you to save your library files in 3
possible formats (each containing differing levels of information).

One feature that is FANTASTIC is that all files are saved as ASCII
text making it possible to review them in any text editor or from the
desktop. But that's not all! Profile contains an extensive text
editor, a multitasking floppy formatter, user defined mice,
configurable printer fonts, and much more. Docs included. Color or
mono. SHAREWARE. Highly recommended. This demo is save and convert
(for upwardly converting file formats) disabled, but it is STILL very
useful as is (but make sure to register anyway - I have - support
SHAREWARE authors!!!).

[] REPLICA is REPLICA v.1.30 by Dan Panke, the founder of ST PLUG.
REPLICA is a very simple file copier/mover that works with all
versions of TOS with any memory configuration. Copy/Move as large or
as small a file (up to 18 at a time from any single or multiple
location) you wish. Mouse controlled and uses the built-in
fileselector. I especially like this because you can copy multiple
files from multiple folders all at one time. This can save you
multiple steps! Docs included. Color or mono.

[] SYQ_BACK is the SyQuest Backup and Restore system by Larry D. Duke
(dated Jan., 1993). This is an incremental backup and restore system
for the ST/TT (and probably Falcon 030) and your SyQuest and Fixed
Hard Drives. Mouse controlled. It will allow you to easily backup one
or more of the partitians on your fixed drive on to one or more
SyQuest carts. Requires at least one meg of RAM. Color or mono. Docs
included. GFA BASIC source code included (.GFA).

That's it for this time! I'll keep on trying to catch up with my
download description writing. You keep on trying to put me behind!

All of these files can be found on one or more of the following
on-line services: GEnie (M.BURKLEY1), Delphi (MRBURKLEY), The CodeHead
BBS (213-461-2095), and at Toad Hall, now the official BBS of the
Boston Computer Society (617-567-8642) (Michael R. Burkley). Drop me a
line!

Michael lives in Niagara Falls, NY. He is a former Polyurethane
Research Chemist and is presently the pastor of the Niagara
Presbyterian Church.


                            --==--==--==--==--


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--       --==--==--    CompuServe Sign-Up Information    --==--==--      --
--                                                                       --
-- To sign up for CompuServe service, call (voice call) [phone].  --
-- Ask for operator #198. You will be sent a $15.00 value CIS membership --
-- kit for free.                                                         --
--                                                                       --
--       --==--==--    CompuServe Sign-Up Information    --==--==--      --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Atari ST RT News
 |||   By: John G. Hartman
/ | \  GEnie: J.G.H.
       -----------------------------------------------------------------


Atari RT Weekly News 3.2

= UPCOMING REAL TIME CONFERENCES =

     Join us for the GEMini RTC on Wednesday, March 23rd at 10 p.m. EST.
Eric Tremblay and Rene Guimont of Walnut Creek CD-ROM are the guest
speakers for this Real Time Conference and will discuss the GEMini CD-ROM -
the new PD/Shareware CD-ROM collection.  Two free copies of GEMini will be
given as PRIZES!  For more information type "ST" and go to CATegory 16,
TOPic 8.  Attend for the chance for a PRIZE!

     PROCESSOR DIRECT MAGAZINE GOES TO PRESS!  Come join us March 30th, at
10:00pm for the Processor Direct Magazine RTC. Chance to win one of FIVE
DOOR PRIZES!!!

     Gribnif Software's Geneva and NeoDesk 4: Productivity for the 90's
Wednesday, April 13, at 10 p.m. with Dan Wilga and Rick Flashman

     Coming soon! Current Notes RTC!!!

     Can't make it to a RTC? Leave a question in cat 1, topic 11.

= ATARI RT LIBRARY =

= RTC TRANSCRIPTS =

      ------------------------------------------------------
32149 BRODIE19.ARC             X ST.LOU       940305   21376    335  13
      Desc: Jaguar Staff! Ads! Tempest 2000!
32053 PRGRTC07.ARC             X MIKE-ALLEN   940223    6784     32  13
      Desc: Programming RTC 17Feb94
31915 PRGRTC06.ARC             X MIKE-ALLEN   940211   16256     43  13
      Desc: Programming RTC 3Feb94
31865 BRODIE18.ARC             X ST.LOU       940205   17152    621  13
      Desc: TT's, Falcons, Jaguars and more...
31796 CD_ROM.ARC               X ST.LOU       940129   12928    324  13
      Desc: Latest Developments for Atari CD ROM
31570 BRODIE17.ARC             X ST.LOU       940109   16512    579  13
      Desc: Jaguar Wins CES Awards!
      ------------------------------------------------------

= LAST WEEK'S PRESS RELEASES =

      ------------------------------------------------------
32195 TAFMEET.TXT              X H.CARSON1    940310    3072      9  14
      Desc: Tor. Atari Federation March meeting
32194 TOAD0394.ZIP             X TOAD-SERV.   940310    5248     51  14
      Desc: TOAD ANNOUNCES RETURN OF STE's!
32187 JAGCABLE.ASC             X D.RENNER2    940309    1408     69  14
      Desc: ALL-IN-ONE JAGUAR CABLE AUDIO/VIDEO
32151 AVERY.DOC                X C.PERKINS2   940305    2432     92  14
      Desc: Avery Labels for Calamus/Pagestream
32144 GLMPR352.LZH             X R.FAULKNER4  940305   32896     89  14
      Desc: GEnieLamp Press Release #3.52
32107 TAF94DV.ZIP              X R.HELSEL     940301    4736     24  14
      Desc: Developer/vendor info for TAF '94
32101 TAF94UGR.TXT             X R.HELSEL     940228    2688     64  14
      Desc: User group info about TAF '94
32039 F030MAIL.ASC             X TOAD-SERV.   940221    2048    224  14
      Desc: Falcon's via mail order from Toad
32023 SACE_DIR.TXT             X R.NABITY     940219    1152     41  14
      Desc: SAC Expo info for out-of-towners
32019 GCCHANGE.TXT             X C.FLUEGEL    940219    1152     94  14
      Desc: Please Read! Changes at G.C.
32000 TRANS_PR.ASC             X R.WATSON15   940219    1792     75  14
      Desc: Transcendence BBS Press Release
      ------------------------------------------------------

= LAST WEEK'S DEMO RELEASES =

      ------------------------------------------------------
32138 RECIPE44.LZH             X A.WATSON6    940304   99072     96  10
      Desc: The Recipe Box (4.4)
32134 DSKMRF10.LZH             X D.RUTHERFORD 940304   18688    139  10
      Desc: "3-D" Windows and Buttons
      ------------------------------------------------------

= LAST TWO WEEK'S TOP 10 DOWNLOADED PROGRAMS/FILES =

      ------------------------------------------------------
32038 MKM_II.ZIP               X CODEHEAD     940221   90112    360   2
      Desc: New shareware from Charles Johnson
32047 WINGLORD.LZH             X A.WATSON6    940222  155776    201   8
      Desc: Winglord Game (A great Joust clone)
32075 MEMWTCH1.ZIP             X DMJ          940226   17152    192   2
      Desc: Do you have fragmented memory? v1.1!
32079 BCOLORS.ZIP              X A.FASOLDT    940226    2816    183   2
      Desc: Background Colors CPX from Atari.
32065 EULER.ZIP                X A.FASOLDT    940224  417792    148   6
      Desc: Incredible mathematical formula app.
32136 WHATIS.ZIP               X VILLARREAL   940304   20992    141   2
      Desc: Whatis 6.6
32134 DSKMRF10.LZH             X D.RUTHERFORD 940304   18688    139  10
      Desc: "3-D" Windows and Buttons
31995 MB35_BIN.LZH             X H.LESTER1    940219  117504    139   2
      Desc: MasterBrowse 3.5 by Electric Storm
32063 SCHROTTI.ZIP             X GRMEYER      940224    9216    134   8
      Desc: Space Invaders game (MONO)
32050 TARTAN.ZIP               X GRMEYER      940222   33920    128   8
      Desc: Chess game from Germany
      ------------------------------------------------------

= INTERNET ARCHIVES - Library 48 =

      ------------------------------------------------------
32057 INET94.ARC               X DARLAH       940223   83840     32  48
      Desc: Internet February 22, 1994
32025 INET93.ARC               X DARLAH       940220   15232     37  48
      Desc: Internet Archive Feb 20, 1994
      ------------------------------------------------------


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Developing news!
 |||   Items of interest from TOS platform developers and supporters
/ | \  Send your Press Releases to: [e-mail]
       -------------------------------------------------------------------

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// CN Computer Shop&Swap
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Kiss your outmoded computer equipment goodbye and collect quick cash
for that long-awaited system upgrade. Make your own deals with
computer users who've run out of room and have to sell their wares at
deep discounts. Discover lost caches of out-of-print software and
sample demonstrations the latest that the Atari market has to offer.

That's the agenda for the 2nd annual "Connecticut Computer Shop &
Swap," a high-tech "flea market" slated for Saturday, April 9 at St.
Benedict's Church Social Hall in Stamford. The show will run from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m.

The second-year event being staged by ACT Atari Group, a network of
seven non-profit user groups throughout Connecticut and Western
Massachusetts. The "Shop & Swap" is aimed at computer owners looking
for new products and services with which to upgrade their systems, or
those seeking buyers for old gear they've outgrown.

Some leading East Coast Atari developers are expected to attend,
offering attractive discounts on their hardware and software products.
They and regional user groups are expected to provide exciting
demonstrations featuring the Atari Falcon030 computer and the 64-bit
Jaguar game system. The exhibitor line-up is not finalized, but some
of last year's vendors included Gribnif Software, BaggettaWare
Software, Derric Electronics and Atari user groups from Fairfield
County, New Haven, Danbury, Bristol, Greater Hartford and Western
Massachusetts.

Admission for the show is $4 for adults, $2 for children under 12.
Any individual may bring computer equipment to sell, regardless of the
brand or model, for an exhibitor's fee of $15; recognized Atari user
groups will be charged $25 per booth. Space is limited, tables will be
sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so make your reservations
now.

For more information about exhibiting or attending, contact Vincent
Veich, 1 St. Benedict Circle, Stamford, CT 06902 [Phone (203)
327-7250; E-Mail EAGLES (GEnie)]; or Doug Finch, 46 Park Avenue, Old
Greenwich, CT 06870 [Phone [phone]; E-Mail D.FINCH7 (GEnie),
76337,1067 (CompuServe)]. Look for travel directions and other show
news in upcoming bulletins.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Photo Show Upgrade / ExtenDOS Offer
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

ALL PHOTO SHOW OWNERS:

UPGRADE to Photo Show Pro 2.2 and ExtenDOS from Photo Show ... $35.00.
To Photo Show Pro 2.2 and ExtenDOS from Photo Show 2.x .... $23.00.

ExtenDOS alone $20.00. Highly suggested for fast access without MultiTOS.

When used with ExtenDOS, load times for Photo CD images on the Falcon
are now under 5 seconds using a double speed drive! Running without
MultiTOS frees up over an extra meg for sound samples.

Write Randall Kopchak
      2233 Keeven Lane
      Florissant MO 63031.
All orders are shipped postpaid.

ExtenDOS will read both 9660 and Kodak Photo CD format with Photo CD
ready NEC drives and Toshiba 3401. Will also read read Photo CD with
any drive that auto-detects XA format too.

We speed tested the ExtenDOS / Photo Show Pro on a stock Falcon
against Imagein Photo CD Import of a 486 DX-50 using MSCDEX. The
winner is Photo Show Pro and the Falcon.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// GEnie Improvements Contest
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

GEnie has a variety of services on-line but what don't you see that
you would like to see?

Is there an area that you would like to see covered that isn't
available on this service or perhaps on any service yet?

If you could possibly take the time to drop us a letter in GE-mail by
typing M475;6 telling us what you would like to see, we will make sure
your voice gets heard.

The person who comes up with the greatest amount of viable ideas
between now and April 15th, will receive a GEMINI Atari CD ROM disk
filled with PD/shareware files that will keep you busy forever and
ever. What? No CD player? There are many places that will back your CD
up to floppies.

Still not interested? Well how about a full 24 hours of connect time?
This must be used in one 24 hour slot of your choice. You tell us
when.

To add more interest...we will give prizes to the top 3 folks.  If we
use your idea, we will triple the connect time. That means 3 FULL days
of connect time.

So put on your thinking caps and let us know what you think. We want
to hear from you.

Duplicates will not be counted nor frivilous non-viable suggestions.
We don't want to hear about a can collecting RT or anything similar.
We want truly usable ideas.

Judging will be done by the ST RT staff as a joint effort. So send in
those ideas TODAY!! We care what you think!

Just want to say, I *appreciate* the time it takes to visit the ST RT.
If you want to throw in any changes that you would like to see in this
RT, please do so. We want to hear any and all suggestions. We really
do care.

If you don't want to see these sort of mailings from this RT, please
send mail to our staff by typing M475;6  <-- We rarely send out
letters but we understand if you would like to be off our mailing
list.

Thanks for visiting us. Without you, we wouldn't be who we are. We
mean that!!

-Darlah Potechin
 Contract Holder and
 Chief SysOp
 GEnie ST RoundTables


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// VOX-Mail for Falcon030
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I am pleased to announce that VOX-Mail, the voice-mail system for the
Falcon, is now finally available for release.

The program is now fully GEM and the hardware functions completely as an
answering machine right now.

Thank you for the interest that you have expressed in VOX-Mail. I shall
be sending VOX-Mail to the ftp sites very soon now. However, if you want
the evaluation copy fast, I can send you an UUEncoded version.

Feel free to write to me if you have any questions/suggestions. Thanx!

   Email: [e-mail]
CMU acct: [e-mail]
   Phone: [phone]

Mail: Michael Fung
      1060 Morewood Avenue, Box 1334
      Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// PDP Magazine for ST & Amiga
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

A non-profit making, paper-based, magazine for Atari ST and Amiga
owners - a venture run by two computer science students.

Topics covered include full page reviews (inc screenshots), mini
reviews, reviews on Public Domain Libraries, programming in AMOS,
C, GFA, STOS.  Also includes support for WisDom (the BBS on a disk)
and a number of general computer related articles.

PDP has changed just recently, it is now bigger, covers more news and
interests - if you haven't read a copy of PDP in 1994 then you really
should!

GOOD NEWS! - Due to new printing terms we are able to half the
             cover price!

PRICES - 1 Trial issue ........ 60 UK pence
         4 month subscription .  2 UK pounds
         8 month subscription .  4 UK pounds

These are the prices for residents of mainland UK, please mail for
overseas prices.

Mail me for subscription form or write to :

      PDP Magazine
      22 The Birches
      South Wootton
      King's Lynn
      Norfolk
      England

email - INTERNET: [e-mail] (Editor/Atari)
                  [e-mail] (Subscriptions/Amiga)


HELP!! - WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO WRITE FOR US! - It doesn't
         matter if you have never writen anything before,  or
         you think you cannot write (let us be the judge of
         that!) - if you have anything to say about the
         computer world, or can review Atari and/or Amiga
         software then you can help us!

If you want to more info or have any questions etc.. then please
feel free to ask! I look forward to hearing from you.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Lynx Offer From Atari
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

NOTICE: PLEASE FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS OFFER TO FRIENDS!

 Atari Corporation is looking for ways to reward onliners for their
 dedicated support of our products. We have come to appreciate the
 volume of great ideas, suggestions, criticisms and compliments. We
 know you are buying our products already, but we think you deserve a
 little more.

 The followng offer is available to members of all popular online
 services including the Internet and public access BBS's. It is also
 available to readers of popular online magazines who choose to
 support their readers by reprinting this offer. Look for other online
 offers soon.

 SPAN:         Good from 3/1/94 to 6/1/94
 OFFER:        Buy a Lynx, get 2 carts free.
 BONUS:        Free Scorpions CD Single to first 100 orders!
 DESCRIPTION:  Buy a Lynx game system for only $99.99 and
               receive your choice of TWO game carts free.
               ($80 value. That's like getting the Lynx for
               just $20!)
 CHOOSE FROM:  Any of Atari Corp's existing stock of Lynx
               titles. (List follows.)

 WHAT IS A LYNX?

 Atari(r) Lynx(tm) is the ultimate portable video game machine. It
 delivers over 4,000 colors, up-to 8-player connectivity potential,
 16-bit graphics engine, 3.5" diag. playing screen, hardware scaling,
 headphone jack, right/left handed controls and lots and lots of
 cartridges to choose from. ...Arcade video game fun everywhere you
 go.

 Note: If you already own a Lynx, use this one to ComLynx with
       family members or put it aside as a gift
 ... (keep the free carts for YOU!)
 ... or form an alliance with a friend and split the costs!

 Terms subject to change without notice. Offer valid only to North
 American locations.

 HOW TO ORDER ATARI CORPORATION OFFERS: (It's easy)

 1) Fill out the order template below.

 2) a. Fax order to 408/745-2088. (BEST METHOD)

    b. EMail (PRIVATELY) this order to:

        Don Thomas <[e-mail]> or
                   (75300,1267 on CompuServe)
        Bob Brodie <[e-mail]> or
                   (BOB-BRODIE on GEnie)

    c. Call your order to 408/745-2098 (9-5 PST)
       Note: Phones are often jammed with excited Jaguar
             callers. Please be patient!

       FULL NAME TO SHIP:
         ADDRESS TO SHIP:
   APARTMENT, SUITE, LOT:
   CITY, STATE, PROVINCE:
             POSTAL CODE:
        DAY PHONE NUMBER: (    )
      NIGHT PHONE NUMBER: (    )
     ONLINE SERVICE USED:
  ONLINE USER I.D./ADRSS:
          (NOT PASSWORD)

 ----- Complete if first order in 12 months -------
     NAME ON CREDIT CARD:
  MASTERCARD/VISA NUMBER:
         EXPIRATION DATE:
 --------------------------------------------------

 EDIT ORDER BELOW:

    DESCRIPTION           QTY      EACH    EXTENDED
 ==================================================
 1  Lynx complete          1   $  99.99    $  99.99
 2  ??????? cartridge      1      $$.$$        FREE
 3  ??????? cartridge      1      $$.$$        FREE
 4
 ==================================================
    SUB TOTAL ............................ $  99.99
    CALIFORNIA TAX (8.25% if applicable).. $   x.xx
    SHIPPING & HANDLING* ................. $   4.95
 ==================================================
    TOTAL (U.S. funds) ................... $ xxx.xx


List of Atari Corp. Lynx Titles
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

 $49.99
 ======
 BATMAN RETURNS
 NINJA GAIDEN III
 PITFIGHTER

 $39.99
 ======
 A. P. B.                                STEEL TALONS
 AWESOME GOLF                            S.T.U.N. RUNNER
 BASKETBRAWL                             SUPERSKWEEK
 BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE        TOKI
 BLUE LIGHTNING                          TOURNAMENT CYBERBALL
 CALIFORNIA GAMES                        TURBO SUB
 CHECKERED FLAG                          VIKING CHILD
 CRYSTAL MINES II                        WARBIRDS
 SWITCHBLADE II                          XYBOTS
 HARD DRIVIN'                            DRACULA THE UNDEAD
 HOCKEY                                  POWER FACTOR
 HYDRA                                   DINOLYMPICS
 KUNG FOOD                               DIRTY LARRY, RENEGADE COP
 LYNX CASINO                             WORLD CLASS SOCCER
 NINJA GAIDEN                            JOUST
 ROADBLASTERS                            GORDO 106
 SCRAPYARD DOG                           JIMMY CONNORS TENNIS
 SHADOW OF THE BEAST                     LEMMINGS
 N. F. L. FOOTBALL                       MALIBU BIKINI VOLLEYBALL
 PINBALL JAM

 $34.95
 ======
 BASEBALL HEROES                         RAMPART
 RAMPAGE                                 RYGAR

 $29.95
 ======
 CHIP'S CHALLENGE                        BLOCKOUT
 ISHIDO                                  ELECTROCOP
 MS. PAC-MAN                             GATES OF ZENDOCON
 PACLAND                                 GAUNTLET THE THIRD ENCOUNTER
 PAPERBOY                                KLAX
 SHANGHAI                                ROBO-SQUASH
 TODD'S ADVENTURE IN SLIME WORLD         ROBOTRON 2084
 XENOPHOBE                               ZARLOR MERCENARY


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||
 |||  Shutdown ............................ Power off, EXIT, BYE, Logoff
/ | \ ------------------------------------------------------------------

We welcome feedback from all of our readers; feedback both positive
and negative. Whatever you think of our efforts, we sincerely would
like to know. Our EMail addresses are sprinkled throughout each
issue - with the new Internet gateway into GEnie, you can reach us
through the Internet also. Append "@genie.geis.com" to any of our
GEnie addresses.


Until the next issue of AEO, I remain,
Your Editor
Travis Guy
Internet: [e-mail]


                            --==--==--==--==--

                (This issue printed on recycled photons)

                            --==--==--==--==--

                                  DNFTEC

                            --==--==--==--==--

                                    #1
                        Wide_left > 2*(Wide_right)

                            --==--==--==--==--

                          No Inflation Necessary

                            --==--==--==--==--


Atari Explorer Online Magazine is a bi-weekly publication covering the
entire Atari community. Reprint permission is granted, unless
otherwise noted at the beginning of the article, to registered Atari
user groups and not for profit publications under the following terms
only: articles must remain unedited and include the issue number and
author at the top of each article reprinted. Other reprints granted
upon approval of request. Send requests to <[e-mail]>.
Opinions presented herein are those of the individual authors and do
not necessarily reflect those of the staff, or of the publishers. All
material herein is believed accurate at the time of publishing.


                            --==--==--==--==--


Atari, ST, Mega ST, STE, Mega STE, TT030, Atari Falcon030, TOS,
MultiTOS, NewDesk, BLiTTER, Atari Lynx, ComLynx, Atari Jaguar, Atari
Portfolio, and the Atari Fuji Symbol are all trademarks or registered
trademarks of Atari Corporation. All other trademarks and identifying
marks mentioned in this issue belong to their respective owners.


                            --==--==--==--==--


                      Atari Explorer Online Magazine
                       "Your Source for Atari News"
               Copyright (c) 1993-1994, Subspace Publishers

                                   * * *
                                   * * *
                                   * * *
                                  *  *  *
                                 *   *   *
 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: A    E    O :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
 :: Volume 3 - Issue 5     ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE           22 March 1994 ::
 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::