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- -- -- ---- --------------------------
- Atari Source Code Central Project
- by Trophy
- ------------------------- -- - -- ---
-
- 1. The Prologue
-
- Yes... it's my idea rather than a real project for today. I plan to run this in
- June /July 2002, but first I have to finish my studies (yes - you wait for this
- moment for 5 years and when it comes you feel that you're missing something,
- believe me). So, it's even better for the project because there is still time
- to collect your opinions, I need them to make sure that my idea is good enough.
- If you think this is nonsense please let me know. Ok, my Email is at the end of
- this text but let me introduce my ideas.
-
- 2. What it will be ?
-
- Atari Source Code Central will be a website created using pure HTML and maybe
- a little JavaScript to work on as many web-browsers as possible. I want this
- site to work fine even on text-mode browsers like Lynx under Linux/Unix. It's
- the main point, of course, to make it compatible with Crystal Atari Browser but
- I think most people will use I.E. and Netscape.
-
- The ASCC (Atari Source Code Central) will collect source code of any kind ;
-
- - 680x0 assembly language
- - GFA Basic
- - other Basics
- - C
- - Pascal (I'm not quite sure about this one)
-
- But I also want to have some tutorials on the site and also any technical docs
- or reference. It should be helpful for still active coders, people interested
- in programming Atari for any reason (ex for fun), emulator programmers and real
- Atari users.
-
- 3. Why it should happen ?
-
- Many people think there are enough sites for Atari, hmm, I don't think so, the
- more there are the better both for Atari Society and Atari Scene (lets say that
- Atari Scene is a part of Atari Society). We have a lot of websites created by
- scene group members, gamers, emulation fans and even if you're only interested
- in watching someones productions, looking for some games or emulators and so on
- But what if you just want to have some more fun with your machine, for example
- you have some spare time to write some simple programs on your Atari, or you're
- looking for some tutorials because you feel that you want to support the Atari
- Scene? There is no place for you to find any kind of tutorial or source code to
- learn something.
-
- This is the reason why I want to create this website. I just want to collect as
- many things as possible connected with Atari programming. Maybe it will help
- others in developing new Atari programs. I think this is a good idea.
-
- 4. Yes - you're right !
-
- OK. It's true that everything that we need in most cases is possible to find
- somewhere on the Internet. But should I look for 'somewhere' each time I sit
- down to write something ? I think the better way would be to know one site that
- just collects documentation, references, tutorials and sourcecodes. And nothing
- more...
-
- And 'of coz' it's an impossible mission for an Agent like me, so I need you to
- co-operate. Please send me as much as you have with a small description - what
- it is. When you choose the source code you will see a file to download (in ZIP
- or LZH format) and some words about it. That's all, for example:
-
- 'here is non complete assembly source code for X intro. You will need XYZ
- assembler to compile some of the listings'
-
- or
-
- 'ABC is a full and fast library to work with Falcon graphics in any mode. It's
- written in asm and Pure C'
-
- or
-
- 'here are some examples of known effects like bump, stars, simple texturing,
- and many scrollers. Some sources include short descriptions.'
-
- Other section could collect all technical texts about hardware and coding using
- the same system - a file to download and short info. No on-line publications.
-
- Of course there will be information about author and people involved in any
- project (sourcecode or documentation). I will also publish info about website
- supporters (people that have sent something).
-
- 5. Supported platforms
-
- I think it should support a wide range of 16/32 bit Atari computers and also
- their clones such as Phenix and Milan. The point is not to create a scene
- oriented website but omething like an Atari library. There is also a strong
- need for support from others, maybe if you like this idea you should make your
- own site and we would be able to link our sites.
-
- About national language? All are acceptable. If the sourcecode or documentation
- is in German or French it should be published, maybe someone will translate it.
- If not, there are many people using their own national language and at least
- one foreign like English or German. I know that English is the most popular but
- there is still a lot of interesting things written in Polish, German, French or
- any others. The answer is simple, make sure the short description is written in
- English.
-
- 6. Further evolution
-
- If the website is successful it should have a more advanced search and indexing
- system, such as automatic uploading for registered users. But there is a small
- problem with Atari browsers. Maybe it would be a good idea to rebuild the
- website one day, using all the new technologies supported by the PC platform.
- It depends on the level of interest from the users, so if we make it
- incompatible for most Ataris, there is still a simple answer: "PC is an
- extension" - that means that we should use our PC everywhere if we can't use
- our Atari to help on developing of Atari software using the commercial
- standards of toady. I think it's a good idea because many of us are using PC
- or Mac beside our Ataris. Simple war strategical method - if you can't fight
- your greatest enemy just treat him as your better friend ;-)
-
- 7. Is it a good idea ?
-
- I think 'yes'. But everything depends on your opinion, so feel free to contact
- me via E-mail:
-
- trophy@atari-area.net
-
- Look - the future of our machines and the Atari Scene depends on development
- but people still need some support to believe that coding/programming for Atari
- is worth it.
-
- Another thing is a 'honour'. Few days ago I was in the technical library and
- what did I find ? Some printed magazines and one book for Amiga users. Right,
- I knew that Amiga society is bigger than Atari one but maybe they are just more
- aggressive with their ideas. Think how many of us are still talking about death
- of Atari.it seems that this 'death' has some symbolic meaning as a 'neverending
- death'. It's high time to be born again from the ashes to rule the world (of
- Atari of course). The EIL#2 was a good starting point.
-
- - -- --- --- ------------------------------------------------------------------
- CHOSNECK team contact us:
- people faithful 2 da roots! atarimsb@wp.pl
- ------------------------------------------------------------ - -- --- ---- ----
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