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- \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
- December 1, 1990 ~ A T/TalkNET OnLine Publication ~ Issue No.1.13
- ////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
-
- Publisher/Editor ................................... John F. Peters
- Co-Editor ........................................ Darlah J. Pine
- Technical Editor ................................ Jeff Williams
-
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
- FROM MY DESKTOP ......... [FRM] HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM]
- Notes From The Editor. GEnie Fun & Games.
-
- HEY MISTER POSTMAN ...... [HEY] DEALER VIEWPOINT ........ [DLR]
- Is That A Letter For Me? National Advertising.
-
- THE ONLINE LIBRARY ...... [ONL] ATARI_QWIK_TIPS ......... [TIP]
- Something For Everybody. Atarians Helping Atarians.
-
- MEL'S DINER ............. [MEL] ONLINE FUNNIES .......... [FUN]
- A Software Cornucopia! CowTOONS!
-
- PD_QUICKVIEW ............ [PDQ] OFF THE RECORD .......... [OFF]
- Oculter: Yours For The Asking. Mini_Qwik_reViews.
-
- ALADDIN ONLINE .......... [ALD] NIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE [RTC]
- ST Aladdin And You. RTC Happenings!
-
- ASK MS. GEnie ........... [ASK] GOING BUGGY? ............ [BUG]
- Questions & Answers. Problems & Solutions.
-
- ST ELSEWHERE ............ [ELS] LOG OFF ................. [LOG]
- Problems & Solutions. GEnie Lamp Information.
-
- [IDX]
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
- READING GEnie Lamp GEnie Lamp has incorporated a unique indexing
- """""""""""""""""" system to help make reading the magazine easier.
- To utilize this system, load GEnie Lamp into any ASCII word processor
- or text editor. In the index you will find the following example:
-
- FROM MY DESKTOP ......... [FRM] HUMOR ONLINE ........... [HUM]
- Notes From The Editor. GEnie Fun & Games.
-
- To read the article on Humor Online, set your find or search
- command to [HUM]. If you want to scan the articles, search for [EOA].
- [EOF] will take you to the last page, whereas [IDX] will bring you back
- to the index.
-
-
- MESSAGE INFO To make it easy for you to respond to messages re-printed
- """""""""""" here in GEnie Lamp, you will find all the information you
- need immediately following the message. For example:
-
- (DARLAH, CAT6, TOP1, MSG:58/M475)
- _____________| _____|__ _|___ |____ |_____________
- |Name of sender CATegory TOPic Msg.# Page number|
-
- In this example, to respond to Darlah's message, log on to page 475,
- enter the bulletin board and set CAT 6. Enter your REPly in TOPic 1.
- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
- //////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ///////////
- / "Just reading what you guys and girls are writing here makes /
- / me want to go out and buy Express, and I don't even need it." /
- /////////////////////////////////////////////// F.BELL1 ///////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [FRM]//////////////////////////////
- FROM MY DESKTOP /
- /////////////////////////////////
- Notes From The Editor
- """""""""""""""""""""
-
- o COMMENTS & OTHER MISC. RAMBLINGS
-
- o ATARI ROUNDTABLE NEWS
-
-
-
- TOP OF THE PAGE Christmas is just around the corner and there are only
- """"""""""""""" a few more hustle-and-bustle shopping days left. As a
- suggestion, why not send your online buddies a GIFT OF TIME present?
-
- With the GIFT-OF-TIME option, you can send to anyone who is a GEnie
- subscriber online time credit in the amount of $10.00, $25.00 or (for
- that really special online friend), $50.00 increments. It's fast, easy
- and will be appreciated a whole lot more than that tie you were thinking
- of sending. Good idea? Just type GIFTOFTIME at any GEnie prompt.
-
-
- OUR PRESENT TO YOU In the December 15th release of GEnie Lamp we will
- """""""""""""""""" announce and release a unique program that will
- change the way you read GEnie Lamp. (This one is gonna knock your socks
- off!) Watch for it.
-
-
- JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS Ever thought of GEnie as a way to make a
- """""""""""""""""""""""""" little extra money or acquire some
- inexpensive computer gifts?? Well, it's true.
-
- Most users are aware of the large number of "for sale" ads posted
- in the roundtable libraries offering all kinds of computer goodies for
- sale. Yet, if those are all you rely on, you are missing a good bet.
- The message bases also maintain a substantial "for sale" section which
- is broken down by category. Since most transactions are user to user,
- some terrific prices abound. For example, IBM emulators (hardware) for
- $60, Modems for $40, all kinds of software for $5. Also, if you are
- looking for a certain special package or product that the local computer
- store has never heard of, post a message. Odds are that someone either
- knows where you can get it or better yet, doesn't want it anymore and
- would be glad to sell it to you for cheap.
-
- Have you got a bunch of games you no longer play or some computer
- gadgets that you no longer think you need? Post an ad of your own and
- unload them for a little Christmas Cash. Odds are you can make someone
- else a little merrier this season and you will be merrier too.
-
- Terry Quinn
- [T.QUINN1]
-
-
- IN THE OOPS DEPT. Holy smokes! The GEnie Lamp Editors seem to have
- """"""""""""""""" indulged in a bit of an error.
-
- It happens that the quotes that are interspersed throughout the
- fine GEnie Lamp are what I look forward to the most each issue. Now,
- when I am quoted I feel really special. A bit of fame does wonders for
- the ole' ego!
-
- Now you can imagine my despair when I hit line 834 in issue number
- 112 of GEnie Lamp. There was one of my quotes. Yup, I read it a couple
- times and I can positively identify the little guy. Only problem was
- that the quote was credited to one L.BUDNICK. I don't know this person
- nor claim to be such person.
- Yours sincerely,
- Robert Ford
- [CYBERPUNK]
-
- p.s. I hope you realize that I really don't care about this matter,
- hence the silly delivery of the above message. Just thought I'd
- mention it!
- BBBBBBBBBB ^ )
- BB BBBB ^^ ^^ ))
- BB BBBB ^^ ^^ ))
- BBBBBBBBBB ^^ ^^ ))
- BBBBBBBBBBB ^^ ^^ ))
- BB BBBB ))
- BB BBBB ))
- BB BBBB ))
- BBBBBBBBBBB ))
- BBBBBBBBBB )
-
-
- >>>>>>>>>> Sorry 'bout dat! Our apologies, Robert, (and to L.BUDNICK,
- """""""""" whoever you are!). Below, you will find your quote re-
- printed as it was originally intended. (And btw, thanks for the great
- asciiART.)
-
- /////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ///////
- / "My HotWire! alarm worked! Thursday evening at 7:55 my Mega /
- / started to make that annoying little noise that I only, until/
- / very recently, had heard every morning at 6:50. Beep..beep.. /
- / beep. And the top line of my screen was printed... /
- / "The Simpsons!!!!!!!!!!" /
- / /
- / "Needless to say, I caught the Simpsons this week." /
- ///////////////////////////////////////////// CYBERPUNK //////
- ^^^^^^^^^
- Better, Cyber? :-)
- Take care!
- John Peters
- [GENIELAMP$]
-
-
-
- ATARI ROUNDTABLE NEWS
- """""""""""""""""""""
- OPERATION - LYNX It was announced today that Atari Corp is going to be
- """""""""""""""" shipping a number of Lynx systems to the troops in
- Saudi Arabia. The first shipment went out today, with another going
- out soon.
-
- Here's some more info, from an article in this morning's San Jose
- Mercury News, on the front page of the Business section no less:
-
-
- ATARI MARCHES INTO THE DESERT WITH VIDEO GAMES FOR TROOPS
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
- by Mike Langberg
- Mercury News Staff Writer
-
- Denied a real war to keep them busy, U.S. troops stationed in the
- Persian Gulf are getting a hightech distraction from Atari Corp. of
- Sunnyvale: the company's Lynx hand-held video game system, offering
- electronic conflict through games such as Blue Lightning, Electrocop,
- Gauntlet and Slime World.
-
- Atari is shipping 15 Lynx Kiosks, each containing four of the
- portable units, to military recreation centers in Saudi Arabia. The USO
- and Defense Logistics Agency are promising delivery by Christmas.
-
- "We're sending U.S. technology to Desert Shield," said Atari chief
- executive Sam Tramiel, taking a gentle poke at Atari's much bigger
- Japanese competitor, Nintendo.
-
- Atari is donating the kiosks and games, valued at $50,000, to the
- military. The company is also offering a special deal to Desert Shield
- GIs eager to zap space aliens: a Lynx unit, game cartridge and six AA
- batteries for $120, one-third off the retail price of $180.
-
- Shortly after U.S. troops arrived in Saudi Arabia, a soldier wrote
- Atari asking for a sun visor to help him play Lynx games in bright
- sunshine. Atari decided to donate Lynx units after more letters arrived
- from soldiers seeking everything from more game cartridges to desert-
- proof carrying cases.
- (DAVID.CAGLE, CAT36, TOP5, MSG:36/33/M475)
-
-
- ///////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE /////
- / "K-9 killer warbots! Yeow, can't wait to see them." /
- //////////////////////////////////////// L.NOVAC /////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [HUM]//////////////////////////////
- HUMOR ONLINE /
- /////////////////////////////////
- GEnie Fun And Games
- """""""""""""""""""
-
- o BUSTED!: It's The Topic Police!
-
- o ATARI MULTI-TASKING: Yes, It's True!
-
- o ARE YOU A BB LURKER?
-
-
-
- TOPIC POLICE MAKE A BUST! Hey, buddy, pull that keyboard over to the
- """"""""""""""""""""""""" side of the road. May I see your logon ID
- please?
-
- Oh, Mike Stepansky, eh? Well, Mike, I don't suppose you saw the
- sign at the topic heading, did you? This happens to be an ATW zone.
- This means we talk ATW's here. Discussion of unrelated subjects belong
- elsewhere. Using the letters "A, T, and W" once or twice in your
- message doesn't make the message ATW related unless you actually talk
- about the ATW.
-
- I'm going to let you off with a warning this time, Mike. This
- isn't your first offence, but I'm going to go easy on you anyway. One
- more case of reckless topic drift and I'm afraid I'm going to have to
- write a ticket. That means a week's worth of topic safety films for you
- to watch and 20 hours of community service.
-
- Be on your way now and modem safely. :-)
- (JEFF.W, CAT14, TOP38, MSG:152/M475)
-
-
-
- ATARI MULTI-TASKING I just found a new use for GEnie (works with and
- """"""""""""""""""" w/o Aladdin). I, like most ST users I think, just
- sit and watch the GEnie messages fly by as they're downloaded. Not any
- more. I made my life mutitasking, you can too.
-
- Using Aladdin during a normal week day...
-
- 1) Use the option 'AutoPass 1' to get onto GEnie.
- 2) Get up from your ST.
- 3) 'Wash the dishes'.
-
- As the normal message download takes awhile, (a lot of messages are
- coming over the line) you can also 'clean the bathroom'. If you're
- polling Sunday nights, (and didn't poll on Saturday) you can 'cook the
- evening meal'. Monday nights you can 'make the bed' and 'sort your
- socks'. If you're using a normal terminal program you have to write a
- script file first. If you have a bad comm line you may have to switch
- back and forth between GEnie and 'what ever else your doing' to keep
- things going. This of course slow thing down but that's mutitasking.
-
- I'm sure your spouse can help your find many other 'tasks' to
- perform if the above list is too short.
- (F.BELL1, CAT34, TOP6, MSG:51/M475)
-
-
-
- CALLING ALL BB LURKERS Are you a bulletin board lurker? Do you read
- """""""""""""""""""""" message after message and _NEVER_ respond?
- Would you like to get in on the fun of message bases but your not sure
- how to go about it? Now, here's your chance. In the GEnie Lamp
- bulletin board (CAT 34) we've started a nonsense topic message base
- which everyone (yes, even you!) has an opinion on. Two hot topics that
- are now being discussed are, "What do you eat with peanut butter" and,
- "Where are the missing socks?". Now, how threatening can peanut butter
- and socks be? Stop being a lurker... drop on by and leave a message.
-
- To help get you started, here's some examples of a few nonsense
- messages that have been recently posted by roundtable members.
-
- [*][*][*]
-
-
- Arrrrrrgh! Where do they go? I _know_ I had two pair of socks when
- """""""""" they went into the washing machine... by the time I pulled
- the load from the dryer, _one sock was missing!_ I now have a collect-
- ion of "mono-socks." Any help to as to where I might be able to locate
- the missing partners would be most appreciated.
-
- PS. I'm willing to spare no expense to bring back these lost "souls."
- (GENIELAMP$, CAT34, TOP6, MSG:34/M475)
-
-
- SURRENDER! Buy a dozen socks every month as a peace offering to that
- """""""""" Washer God: "Maya Taga"
- (BJ.KING, CAT34, TOP6, MSG:49/M479)
-
-
- THE SNEAKER TEST Well, this talk about vanishing socks got me wonder-
- """""""""""""""" ing, so I popped an old pair of sneakers in the wash,
- figuring that having been so close, they might be able to get the inside
- story. The missing socks have gone to a singles dance - a sock hop.
-
- Apparently they don't return, having found mates of their own,
- rather than the arranged pairings so callously made by their makers.
-
- I'm not sure I'd trust the word of apparel called 'sneakers', but
- they do liven up the rythem section in the dryer.
- (M.JONES52, CAT34, TOP6, MSG:41/M475)
-
-
- SELFISH? I think you guys are very selfish! Stop thinking of your-
- """""""" selves for a change. Think of the socks. Just how many
- happy couples have you split up? You keep these unhappy singles in your
- top drawers right next to those couples lucky enough to remain together.
- That is so cruel. (sniff) You cretins! (sniff)
-
- Why don't you put those mourning socks into the dryer so that they
- may be reunited with their true loves? Do it. Do it now! It may
- already be too late; the gate may have closed. You will know this
- happened if upon opening the dryer the socks are still there. Then you
- will have to live with that!
- (CYBERPUNK, CAT34, TOP6, MSG:42/M475)
-
-
- /////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE /////
- / "I dunno, I kinda wish my ZOOM modem would get a little warmer /
- / - it'd keep the coffee warm... just kidding, actually 8^)" /
- /////////////////////////////////////////////// M.JONES52 //////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [HEY]//////////////////////////////
- HEY MISTER POSTMAN /
- /////////////////////////////////
- Is That A Letter For Me?
- """"""""""""""""""""""""
-
- o ATARI_TID_BITS
-
- o ROUNDTABLE ODDS & ENDS
-
- o WHAT'S NEW
-
- o ATARIAN MINDS WANT TO KNOW...
-
- o HOT_TOPICS!
-
- o MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT
-
-
-
- >>> ATARI_TID_BITS <<<
- """"""""""""""""""""""
- (Bits & Pieces From The Bulletin Board)
-
- PAGE_1 [*] Darlah>>> I allow advertising in the ST RT for commercial
- """""" programs. GEnie does not allow ads for pd/shareware lists from
- companies that make their living doing such. GEnie does allow an author
- to place an ad for his own shareware program/demo etc. There is a
- difference. <smile> Some people hate the additions of the ads but I
- like them as it helps us know where we can obtain items. It is sorely
- needed for those that do not have dealers. [*]
-
- PAGE_2 [*] A Mega STE will not be able to run UNIX. [*] If you want to
- """""" be voice-mailed to death, you can call Seagate at 1-800-468-
- DISC. [*] Turbo ST does not work on the TT yet. I think Wayne was just
- waiting for the TT's release before producing it. (QuickST II runs on
- the TT) [*] The phone number to LucasFilm Games is 1-800-STARWARS [*]
- CHKDISK3 has some bugs which may cause you to lose data or files [*]
-
- PAGE 3 [*] Lucasfilm will be coming out with a Ball Blazer clone for
- """""" the ST [*] To gain Developer Status, call Gail Johnson at
- Atari [*] Programs like Thunder! should have less an effect on perfor-
- mance [with the new version of ST Aladdin]. [*]
-
-
-
- >>> ODDS & ENDS <<<
- """""""""""""""""""
- OWN ZOOM? YOU'RE IN LUCK! Due to tremendous amount of requests for the
- """""""""""""""""""""""""" SOFTWARE only part of our product we have
- decided to allow owners of existing Zoom/Generic 2400/4800 or Zoom/
- Generic 2400/9600 Modem/SendFAX's to purchase the software directly from
- us. These are the only modems that we are currently allowing this for.
- You MUST send us your modem to us as we modify it internally so that our
- software will work with it. The following options represents our
- current pricing:
-
- 1) Zoom/Generic 2400/4800 Sendfax to JoppaFAX SF-01 (4800) $39.95
- 2) Zoom/Generic 2400/4800 Sendfax to JoppaFAX SF-02 (9600) $69.95
-
- Option 1 represents a software only version of the modem.
- Option 2 represents software/hardware (new 9600 chip) of the modem.
-
- Send us your modem only along with $39.95 or $69.95 (postage
- included) and we will return it to you with the software and manual.
-
- Our current version 1.21 fixes the problem of not recognizing the
- modem. This was just a minor problem that we had discovered (doesn't
- always), and the new version fixes it.
-
- The RECEIVE [FAX] version is being worked on as we speak. Look for
- it soon.
-
- CURRENT OWNERS - We are currently up to version 1.21, send us your
- original disk and $1 and we will mail it back to you with the current
- version.
- Joppa Software Development
- PO Box 226
- Joppa, MD 21085
- (301)676-2989 Voice/FAX
- (JOPPA-SOFT, CAT4, TOP24, MSG:2/M475)
-
-
-
- >>> WHAT'S NEW? <<<
- """""""""""""""""""
- NEW GDOS FROM ATARI One good reason not to go into technical details
- """"""""""""""""""" about FSM GDOS is that they haven't entirely been
- nailed down yet. We're right now in the process of getting feedback
- from developers on the technical issues. When the specifications have
- been cast in concrete, that would be a better time to talk turkey
- (speaking of which, how's everybody's thanksgiving leftovers coming?
- <grin>).
-
- To summarize, to a user's point of view, what's been discussed
- here, with a few points of my own:
-
- o FSM (Font Scaling Module) GDOS supports characters of any size,
- rotated at any angle, with any aspect ratio, skewed at any slant.
-
- o FSM GDOS is compatible with GDOS Release 1.1. It works just fine
- with Microsoft Write, Word Flair, Easy Draw, and other existing
- applications which use GDOS.
-
- o Because FSM GDOS can scale characters to any size, outline fonts
- don't require separate font files for different sizes of screen
- and printer fonts. Each font style requires an average of
- roughly 50K of on-disk data in 2 files for all devices in all
- point sizes.
-
- o Not only can you still use your bitmapped fonts with FSM GDOS,
- those fonts work even better with it. It uses a font cache so
- that you can install as many fonts as you like in your
- ASSIGN.SYS, as long as there's enough room in the cache for the
- largest font. FSM GDOS will move fonts in and out of the cache
- as they are needed.
-
- o There is one important thing that FSM GDOS does NOT do. It does
- NOT slow down your system! The way that GDOS does its stuff has
- been streamlined. The CodeHead "Zoombox" benchmark shows that
- FSM is now only slightly slower than G+PLUS, and considerably
- faster than GDOS Release 1.1. So not only does FSM GDOS give
- you more, it gives it to you faster.
-
- o Speaking of speed, character generation from outline fonts is
- also fast. It can pretty much keep up with my typing on an ST,
- and I clock in at around 80 wpm. On a TT, FSM GDOS can generate
- characters considerably faster than I can type. I can't say the
- same for ATM under Spectre...
-
- o FSM GDOS will come with a couple of utilities: an accessory/
- program/CPX which allows you to specify various operating
- parameters, and an application program that will take full
- advantage of FSM's font power, letting you create and print
- simple single page posters/flyers with rotated, arbitrarily
- sized text and imported graphics.
-
- Availability? Best answer I can give is RSN. What with the
- vagaries of distribution and productization (geez, I love marketing-
- ese), I haven't a clue how long before it will get into users' hands.
- As I mentioned, we're just now getting feedback from developers on
- technical issues. They may come up with something we left out, which
- will require revising and testing. I must say that FSM GDOS is solid
- and bug-free as far as I can tell. The last major bug I can remember
- was squashed a couple of weeks ago. I use it daily--I'm working on that
- single-page creator FSM show-off program I mentioned above.
-
- ttfn...
- Ken Badertscher
- Atari Corp. System Software Engine
- (K.BAD, CAT14, TOP18, MSG:57/M475)
-
-
- WORDPERFECT UPDATE Printer disks 1-4 release 11/1/90 for WordPerfect
- """""""""""""""""" Atari are now available in Library 5 of the
- WordPerfect RT. Those include dot matrix, laser, postscript, and
- limited support. Files #1339 - 1342.
- (WP.DAVE, CAT13, TOP2, MSG:69/M475)
-
-
- BREACH 2 MicroProse is now marketing Breach 2. It is being published
- """""""" by Mindcraft. Omnitrend is still the sole developer.
- Confusing, huh? There is a new, enhanced version now available. You
- can find out more by calling (800) 525-4993. You can exchange your
- current version for the enhanced one for $14.95.
- (OMNITREND, CAT9, TOP80, MSG:49/M479)
-
-
- LYNX - WHAT'S AVAILABLE? Just got back from my local Babbages and
- """""""""""""""""""""""" thought that I would give you all the info-
- formation I got. (The following list may seem a bit redundant, but this
- way you can print it out and give it to people who know nothing about
- the Lynx.)
-
- Currently Available
- '''''''''''''''''''
- o California Games o Gates of Zendocon
- o Blue Lightning o Electrocop
- o Chip's Challenge o Gauntlet III
- o Slime World o Klax
- o Paper Boy o Xenophobe
- o Robo Squash
-
-
- OUT BEFORE CHRISTMAS The following games SHOULD (and I stress should)
- '''''''''''''''''''' be available before Christmas. (According to the
- Babbages computer store.)
-
- o Ms. Pac Man o Rampage
- o Zarlor Mercenary o Road Blaster
- o Rygar
-
- I tried to list the games in the order that they are supposed to be
- released but remember, this is only speculation based on the dates that
- the Babbages computer had.
- (A.FRIESEN, CAT36, TOP2, MSG:29/M475)
-
-
-
- >>> ATARIAN MINDS WANT TO KNOW! <<<
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
- (Facts, Fiction & Maybe)
-
- HOT_HOT_HOT! Anyone else notice the article in PC Week last week?
- """""""""""" Could be coincidence, but to quote from the article
- "These enhancements will strengthen CASE;W position as a strong
- application prototyping tool, said Bill Teal, a partner in Avant Garde
- Systems, Inc., a contract programming company in Jacksonville, FL.
- Avant Garde, which specializes in producing programs for the federal
- government, is preparing to upgrade from CASE;W 1.2 to the 3.0 version,
- Teal said, "The article is about CASE tools, and has some other quotes."
- I suppose it could be another Bill Teal in another Avant Garde systems,
- in another Jacksonville...
-
- Too bad. I am a happy customer. Sorry he was driven out of the
- Atari market... Thanks, Bill. You were good while it lasted...
- (D.MARSH, CAT19, TOP2, MSG:28/M475)
-
-
- EXPLORER DEAD? I talked with John Jainschigg about a week ago, and he
- """""""""""""" said the next issue of Atari Explorer is due out the
- end of November. If so, it shouldn't be long now.
- (C.WALNUM1, CAT14, TOP30, MSG:113/M475)
-
- Atari Explorer's new address is 29-05 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106.
- Phone: (718) 545-2900. Send submissions to John Jainschigg.
- (C.WALNUM1, CAT14, TOP30, MSG:117/M475)
-
-
- OCEAN NOW EA Electronic Arts will indeed be releasing F-29 Retaliator
- """""""""""" in December '90... Yeah, Ocean is now an affiliated
- label of EA. How about that?
- (A.BITTON1, CAT8, TOP14, MSG:21/M475)
-
-
- LYNX II? Lynx II...yes, there is supposed to be one. I've never
- """""""" heard it called a super Lynx though. It is supposed to be a
- less expensive, smaller version of the Lynx, but supposedly it has the
- same right and left handed feature. I don't know how they will fit
- that into a smaller case. It also will have the same resolution screen.
- (A.FRIESEN, CAT36, TOP2, MSG:34/M475)
-
- Rumor has it that there will be a lower cost Lynx coming out. It
- has been referred to as a Lynx Jr., and is supposedly smaller, along the
- lines of the GameBoy or TE -- a vertical machine with a horizontal
- display, and with a smaller screen that cannot be flipped. But Atari
- has consistently denied these rumors, so they may be just wishful
- thinking. (L.A.POPKIN, CAT36, TOP2, MSG:42/M475)
-
-
- MORE LYNX Another 3rd party company has signed up for the Lynx. Color
- """"""""" Dreams (a renegade Nintendo and Genesis cartridge maker) has
- gone the official route with the Lynx and are officially sanctioned by
- Atari. Right now I know of 2 Lynx titles they are doing (most likely
- even more): Crystal Mines 2 (sounds a little like Boulder Dash) and
- Hellraiser (based on the bloody, horror film).
- (C.SMITH89, CAT36, TOP2, MSG:17/M475)
-
- Crystal Mines 2, Hellraiser and Happy Camper are supposed to come
- out (so the people at Electronics Boutique say) NEXT WEEK...
- (M.KENNEDY3, CAT36, TOP2, MSG:18/M475)
-
-
- ST BALL BLAZER? I was overjoyed to find out that Master Blazer was
- """"""""""""""" coming out for the ST. Ball Blazer was my most
- favorite 8-bit game, so I can hardly wait for this one. It seems up to
- 8 people can play via the MIDI ports ala MIDI Maze.
- (E.BAIZ, CAT9, TOP44, MSG:1/M475)
-
-
- ATARI UNIX To be honest, folks.. It's a little early to give out any
- """""""""" information on the Atari UNIX Product. Give us a little
- more time! We need to make some announcements before we start answering
- some questions.. (TOWNS, CAT14, TOP36, MSG:12/M475)
-
-
- ST TRANSPUTER Did you see the Dec 90 issue of ST Format where they
- """"""""""""" talked about a proposed STT (ST Transputer) that Atari
- was supposedly considering. Is something like this possible? According
- to the article, the machine would be VERY inexpensive. Of course, I'm
- not sure what I'd do with a machine that powerful in my house anyway....
- But, if it was indeed inexpensive, why not.
- (J.LYONS16, CAT14, TOP38, MSG:168/M475)
-
-
- CLEARING THE AIR Gadgets by Small has not been contacted by ANYONE
- """""""""""""""" regarding the situation surrounding Dennis Hayes.
- Mr. Hayes was caught counterfeiting Macintosh ROMs and has been
- convicted. As Jeff stated, Gadgets by Small, is/was not ever associated
- with Mr. Hayes, and has also never participated in the sale or
- distribution of Macintosh ROM chips. MacWeek, MacUser, and Byte
- magazine (as well as others) are all aware of the current situation.
- (DOUG.W, CAT24, TOP5, MSG:24/M475)
-
-
- ULTRASCRIPT REVIVED? I will have lots of information hopefully before
- """""""""""""""""""" Thanksgiving regarding UltraScript ST. Right
- now, I will say that I had a very positive chat with QMS at Comdex and
- you may look for good things down the road. -Bill @ Atari
- (B.REHBOCK, CAT5, TOP14, MSG:100/M475)
-
-
- UNITERM The USENET chatter is that Simon Poole (Uniterm author) is
- """"""" pursuing his income from a company which has no installed
- ST's, and thus has no ongoing requirement for supporting Uniterm. The
- latest (maybe LAST) version is 2.0e 010 (from the "About Uniterm" menu)
- -- I've been running with 002 for the last 16 months (approx.) with no
- problems. VT102 / VT200 mode is rock solid, the Altos should support
- that if it supports TERMCAP or TERMINFO (assuming it's a XENIX
- derivative). (W.WEBER, CAT8, TOP16, MSG:5/M475)
-
-
- MASTERLINK, REALLY? Jeff Rigby told me that they have held our money
- """"""""""""""""""" long enough. They still plan on upgrading
- Masterlink, but who knows how much longer it might take. They promised
- refunds to anyone who asked for one, and when (when ever) the upgrade
- is available we would be notified. Then at that time we could send our
- money back in for the product. I think that's there nice way of saying
- that they are not stealing our money. They want to sell Masterlink,
- but not until it is done. It is just an option.
- (S.HOLMES1, CAT8, TOP17, MSG:54/M475)
-
-
- PANTHER? I would guess that the "Panther" is NOT an ST. First, the ST
- """""""" cartridge port only has a 128K address space (the carts in
- the SEGA Genesis have a 1MB additional space). Second, the ST has no
- sprite capabilities. And even the STE has a limited capability for
- scrolling (try to make an ST recreate some of the scenes in some of the
- newest Genesis games like Phelios and Thunder Force III). Third, the ST
- can still only display 16 colors (without tricks) to the existing STE,
- the main logic behind using the ST hardware would become irrelevant.
- The only reason you would want to use the ST as a frame would be to
- provide an easily accessible software base (like the XE game machine).
-
- Since none of the existing programs would use the new features
- (most don't even use the STE features and 'most' of the world has been
- able to purchase STEs for almost a year!), all the existing works would
- pale next to the Genesis or Turbo.
-
- Also, the few reports (rumors) that do exist claim that the system
- has multi-planar scrolling and hardware scaling.
-
- As an educated guess...I would speculate that the "Panther", if it
- exists, uses an 8 or 16mhz 68000. It probably has sound comparable to
- the Lynx (except in Stereo), a derivation of the Lynx chipset for
- scaling, a new sprite engine (at LEAST 80 sprites...hopefully more), a
- 4096 color palette (maybe 32,768) with 256colors in 320x480 ala the TT.
- Since Atari has expressed an interest in a 'CD-ST' in Europe...a CD-ROM
- as an option or perhaps even a standard feature is possible.
-
- The main reason I chose these features (THEY ARE TOTALLY MY
- CREATION, NONE OF THESE NUMBERS IS BASED UPON ANYTHING MORE THAN
- SPECULATION) is that ALL of them can be derived from hardware that
- already exists in Atari's arsenal (except the sprite chip, which really
- MUST have 80 sprites just to be competitive with the other systems).
-
- I wish someone at Atari could give me a 'hint' as to whether or not
- I am even close to correct on this one...but I guess we will have to
- wait and see if the 'Panther' ever surfaces.
- (M.KENNEDY3, CAT36, TOP5, MSG:32/M475)
-
-
- WAITING FOR FATBACK? I assume you're referring to the elusive and
- """""""""""""""""""" vaporous "FatBack". :^) You also know from
- talking to me in Chicago that although we haven't scrapped FatBack
- completely, there are no definite plans to finish it and release it. I
- currently recommend Diamond Back to anyone who asks. :^)
-
- Please folks, don't put off backing up your hard disk because
- you're waiting for FatBack. When your hard disk crashes, the only one
- who will be more sorry than me will be you.
- (J.EIDSVOOG1, CAT2, TOP17, MSG:22/M475)
-
-
-
- >>> HOT TOPICS <<<
- """"""""""""""""""
- TAKING A STAND At CodeHead, we are strongly opposed to the renting,
- """""""""""""" leasing, or lending of our software in any form. On
- the outside back cover of all of our packages it says:
-
- Rental or leasing of any CodeHead Software
- product is strictly prohibited!
-
- Now that the new law has passed we will be adding the word
- "illegal".
-
- In order for someone to rent something, they must own it. When
- someone buys our software they do not _own_ the entire product, they own
- the physical package. Included on the disk is a magnetic form of some-
- thing that belongs to _us_, the software. No one has a right to rent or
- lease our property without our consent.
-
- As far as a lending library which does not charge any fees, I
- suppose there's nothing we can do about it, although we find it
- extremely immoral. Those that choose to lend our software should be
- aware that it contains serial numbers that can be traced. Each
- purchaser of our software is responsible for all copies made of that
- software so if any of the renters happen to upload it to a pirate BBS,
- the lender had best be prepared to be responsible for all damages
- incurred, should we decide to take legal action.
-
- We have freely distributed demo versions of all of our software
- (except the CodeHead Utilities) so there's no reason for anyone to try
- and use the common excuse/rationalization that they need to "try before
- they buy". (J.EIDSVOOG1, CAT11, TOP8, MSG:20/M475)
-
-
- >>>>>>>> In addition to the previous comments, I would like to add
- """""""" that we, as many other developers, have a slightly disabled
- demo version of our software in the GEnie library. It's free for the
- downloading. In fact, if you would rather not pay for the connect time
- to download it, we would be more than happy to send your user group a
- copy of the demo. Simply send me a private mail message.
-
- I can guarantee that once everyone is back from Comdex you will
- indeed see a LOT of messages in this topic! <smile> I doubt that there
- is a single developer who is not adamantly opposed to software rental
- and lending libraries. I, for one, would much rather "keep the honest
- people honest". (GRIBNIF, CAT11, TOP8, MSG:21/M475)
-
-
- >>>>>>>> A resounding NO to lending libraries. If they offer fully
- """""""" working versions of copyrighted software then they are only
- an invitation to theft. WizWorks! advertises that we send a complete
- demo disk with disabled versions of all of our software products for
- $2.00 which is refundable upon purchase. We also invite any user group
- to write to us and obtain those demos free of charge along with infor-
- mation about ordering and availability. We are certainly aware that
- there are few folks who can not go down to their neighborhood Atari
- dealer to take a test drive of any piece of software. That is why we
- send out demos essentially free. Most of our fellow developers do the
- same.
-
- That one can take a fully working version home for a full month is
- ludicrous. The temptation is too great. Even the most innocent will
- fall prey to the temptation. That's it. NO NO NO! Demo disks from
- WizWorks! are available for $2.00 refunded upon return of the demo disk
- to us. PO Box 45, Girard, OH 44420. Now, there. There is absolutely
- NO REASON that one needs to rent a fully working version of our stuff
- at all. We offer it!
-
- There is no excuse for a lending library. NONE! It's folly.
-
- In an "unofficial" survey (actually, just a poll of our data base)
- we have investigated those areas which we know to have user lending
- libraries. We have found that in those geographic areas, our sales are
- minimal. One or two copies, probably just to populate the libraries.
- Sales after that are nil in that geographic area.
- (C.WALTERS1, CAT11, TOP8, MSG:28/M475)
-
-
-
- >>> MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT <<<
- """""""""""""""""""""""""
- Atari-ST RoundTable
- Category 14, Topic 35
- Message 158 Sat Nov 24, 1990
- R.GRANT11 [Ron M. Grant] at 02:04 PST
-
- P.MCCULLOUGH:
-
- Having spent a few days with an Atari TT030, I can assure you that
- the price quoted for the system (yes, even including monitor, and RAM
- upgrade, and larger hard disk) is NOT ludicrous. This is definitely not
- a cheap IBM 386 clone, nor is it an average 'home computer' (wow, can
- you ever ZIIIIP through Space Quest, though!). This is an extremely
- powerful computer, both VERSATILE and MALLEABLE.
-
- I can tell you that in the very near future, ST owners will NOT be
- the "only people that care" that the TT exists. Not if companies like
- ours have anything to say about it.
-
- Not every Mac user needs a IIfx; similarly not every Atari user
- will need a TT. Fortunately, in the price range that seems to be
- popular these days, Apple offers the Mac Classic, while Atari offers the
- MegaSTE and 1040STE; far more 'power without the price'.
-
- Frankly, if you want to play the 'specifications per dollar' game,
- there IS no better deal than the cheap PC clones abundant in the
- industry. However, I have nothing but pity for the poor wretch who
- takes one of these cheap clones home these days. You can Window them to
- death, but you still won't turn a cheap pile of junk into anything but
- just that.
-
- Do you want my opinion of the TT computer? (Maybe not, but hey,
- this IS the right topic...).
-
- I'm amazed and impressed. This is _one slick box_. I'd like to
- personally congratulate those responsible for the NewDesk, and the TT
- TOS itself. The hardware configuration is excellent, and believe it or
- not, that "hideous" case (as I believe it was once called in this topic)
- is extremely attractive sitting under the new VGA-style monitor.
-
- I had problems running DynaCADD, though. My jaw kept hitting the
- space bar <grin>. Taking advantage of that 32Mhz 68882 (that's STANDARD
- equipment, at least here), this program really howls, and looks fabulous
- in hi-res color.
-
- No, this isn't a 'home computer', unless you have the dollars, or a
- real good justification. This is a PROFESSIONAL/CORPORATE computer, and
- as such is LUDICROUSLY PRICED, all right. But not how you meant it, I
- don't think. :-)
- Ron Grant GXR Systems, Ltd.
-
- [*][*][*]
-
-
- While on GEnie, do you spend most of your time downloading files?
- If so, you may be missing out some excellent information in the Bulletin
- Board area. The messages listed above only scratch the surface of
- what's available and waiting for you in the bulletin board area.
-
- If you are serious about your Atari, the GEnie Lamp staff strongly
- urge you to give the bulletin board area a try. There are literally
- thousands of messages posted from people like you from all over the
- world.
-
-
- //////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ///////
- / "I didn't see any wrong with you comment Tom! It readed just ok!" /
- /////////////////////////////////////////////// STACE /////////////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [DLR]//////////////////////////////
- DEALER VIEWPOINT /
- /////////////////////////////////
- National Advertising
- """"""""""""""""""""
- By Sheldon Winick
- [S.WINICK]
-
-
- Each month we receive copies of newsletters from several Atari
- User Groups in this region. We keep them in the BRACE (Blue Ridge
- Atari Computer Enthusiasts) library at Computer Studio for reference by
- club members. It's interesting that most groups express the same
- concerns and have similar problems. Interest and membership of 8-bit
- Atari computer users is declining in most groups. All are extremely
- concerned about Atari Corporation's poor image in the eyes of a large
- segment of the population in this country and, of course, Atari's
- apparent lack of a sense of direction and a truly national advertising
- campaign to educate and introduce more people to the Atari line of
- computers.
-
- Concerns are regularly expressed about what some feel is Atari's
- lack of interest in the U.S. and their foot-dragging in getting new
- products to market in this country. It usually appears that everything
- new Atari brings to market seems to be out in Europe well before we see
- it here in the states. And constant rumors of new products and
- release dates seem to spread around the Atari community with nothing
- appearing at the dealers when those dates arrive.
-
- Many areas of the country still do not have any computer dealers
- carrying the Atari line, and dealer support is severely lacking on a
- nationwide basis. Many Atari owners do not have a local dealer where
- they can receive assistance and have a good selection of hardware
- accessories and software for their computers.
-
- But in spite of all these gloomy predictions and negative
- comments, there is still considerable reason to hope for and anticipate
- a brighter future. Regional and national advertising is being placed
- by Atari, and can be seen in many of the monthly airline magazines,
- electronic music magazines and in general interest computer magazines.
- Select dealerships are working in cooperation with Atari, who is
- providing co-op advertising funding, in placing local advertising and
- local television commercials.
-
- The Atari logo of "Power Without the Price" is giving way to "A
- Computer for Everyone" on many of the new Atari advertisements,
- apparently aimed at computer users not normally considered
- "traditional" Atarians. The Stacy laptop is being heavily advertised
- in electronic music magazines in Atari's multi-page full-color spreads
- as Atari is aiming at maintaining and even increasing its already
- dominant position among professional musicians. The Portfolio handheld
- computer is also being touted in multi-page full-color spreads in many
- national general interest magazines and airline monthly magazines,
- aimed clearly at the businessman on the go.
-
- These campaigns are having an effect on the way the American
- public views the Atari. The "game machine" image, imbedded into many
- peoples minds will be hard to overcome, but we may be witnessing a new
- beginning for Atari in the United States. Locally, we are seeing
- customers coming into Computer Studio here in Asheville to see the
- Portfolio who would otherwise not have even considered walking into an
- Atari dealership. While here, they can't help but see and ask about
- the complete line of Atari ST computers. Most are totally surprised at
- their power, speed, and ease of use. Comments range from "I didn't
- know Atari even made computers" to "If they're really this good, how
- come everyone doesn't have one" or "So how come there are so many
- businesses using IBM compatibles instead of Ataris?".
-
- We are making converts, and as more and more Atari systems are
- being placed at professional and business locations throughout our
- community, we are seeing a marked increase in the number of customers
- coming in asking specifically to see the Atari systems as they shop for
- a new computer. Just getting them into the store is the major battle
- -- once in, the large majority of shoppers who are not already
- committed to another operating system WILL choose the Atari for their
- new personal or business computer system once they sit down for a
- complete demonstration and compare it to the alternatives.
-
- On the other side of the coin, Atari is also heavily advertising
- the Lynx portable entertainment system. Although it is undisputedly
- the best of the portable game systems, I can't help but feel that mass
- advertising for this product can in the long run have a negative effect
- on Atari in general as it may help reinforce the "game image" many
- Americans already have ingrained into their minds when they hear the
- name Atari. It's my sincere hope that Atari Corp. won't forget that
- national advertising for the ST's and its new business oriented TT
- systems, at the appropriate time, will do more for its image than mass
- advertising yet another game system.
-
- Atari, during this past year, has concentrated it ST advertising
- dollars where existing dealerships exist. That is fine and good for
- local communities that already have an Atari dealership, but it doesn't
- address the millions of Americans who don't know anything about the
- Atari computer systems and don't have the benefit of local
- representation.
-
- Atari's experience with getting the word out about the Portfolio
- shows that Atari DOES know how to properly market a product. The 1-800
- phone number listed in the Portfolio ads gives the caller instant
- referral to the closest Atari dealer -- or the option of ordering the
- product directly from Atari if no dealership exists within a reasonable
- distance. This referral system has brought Computer Studio customers
- from as far away as Charlotte and Raleigh, many of whom have taken a
- day to drive over to see and "test drive" the Portfolio at the store.
- While here, they can't help but take the time to look over the rest of
- the Atari line. Most businessmen are particularly impressed with the
- Mega systems and Atari Laser Printer -- especially with its speed and
- exceptionally high quality printouts. And we always have samples of
- original artwork just "lying around" to help catch their attention.
-
- Atari's recent roll-out of the new TT's at COMDEX in its large,
- well-designed booth is a positive sign that Atari is serious about
- aggressively attacking the business community in this country. I'm
- sure that the decision makers at Atari are well aware of the power of
- publicity and advertising, and at the appropriate time will apply their
- experience gained in this year's national advertising campaigns to the
- TT as well.
-
- But Atari and its better dealers still can't do it all. It's
- also up to us Atari enthusiasts to help spread the word among friends
- and business associates. Let them know what kind of computer system
- you have. Tell them about how powerful and easy to use it is. Better
- yet, show them whenever you have the opportunity. But please, tell
- them the price last. Its incredible how many people, especially in the
- business community, don't want to even consider that a system as
- inexpensive as the ST can truly be that powerful.
-
- Regardless of how much advertising Atari and its dealers place,
- it's necessary to remember that the best advertising of all is still
- the personal recommendation of a friend or associate who is a satisfied
- owner. Do your share to help spread the word about our favorite
- computer system. Remember that all of us are an important part of a
- truly effective "national" advertising campaign.
-
- Happy (Atari) Computing.
- Sheldon Winick (GEnie Address: S.WINICK)
- Computer STudio (Asheville, NC)
-
-
- //////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ////
- / "Ok topic police, I'll go quietly. <hands raised>" /
- ///////////////////////////////////// T.JOHNSON4 ///
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [ONL]//////////////////////////////
- THE ONLINE LIBRARY /
- /////////////////////////////////
- Something For Everybody
- """""""""""""""""""""""
-
-
-
- GFA BASIC PROGRAMMERS Fellow GFAers, I've put together a small
- """"""""""""""""""""" collection of GFA 3.0 routines that you might
- find useful. It's the file GFACODE.ARC, #17236 here on GEnie. There's
- code for formatting a disk, checking disk info through the boot sector
- and BIOS parameter block, imbedding DEGAS pics into your programming
- (no more extra files floating around), and checking the current
- directory path. Feel free to use them, modify them. I would really
- like to see a big library of GFA code here on GEnie, so lets build one!
- (ANTIC, CAT3, TOP8, MSG:98/M475)
-
-
- SUPERCHARGER TIPS I've uploaded SC_HELP.LZH. This contains a textfile
- """"""""""""""""" of users tips and a batchfile replacement for
- setup.exe. The batchfile requires a two drive system though.
- (R.OLLINS, CAT33, TOP3, MSG:62/M475)
-
-
- IMAGECAT DEMO Checkout the ImageCat by WizWorks. It will take IMG,
- """"""""""""" PI*,PC*,TN*,NEO and MAC graphics and print them into a
- catalog, complete with the file name and directory. It allows you to
- specify how many pics on each page, which determines how big they are
- printed. Retails for only 24.95. WizWorks PO Box 45 Girard, Oh 44420
- (216) 539-5623 (D.HARRIS8, CAT16,TOP2, MSG:192/M475)
-
-
- DOUBLE-PAGE III I've just uploaded Double-Page III to the library.
- """"""""""""""" For those of you who didn't know, Double-Page allows
- you to print up to 4 pages on a single sheet of paper with an SLM804/
- SLM605 laser printer!
-
- NEW version III features include:
-
- o SLM804 error handling
- o custom fonts
- o custom default settings
- o passing filename on command line
-
- Bug fixes include:
-
- o formfeed character now handled properly
- o there are now 66 lines per "page" (version II printed 67)
- o mouse pointer now changes to a "busy bee" during printing and
- font loading
-
- If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, this is the
- place. Enjoy! (DOUG.W, CAT14, TOP11, MSG:77/M475)
-
-
- ALADDIN UTILITIES The DAT2TXT.LZH file is used to convert the Library
- """"""""""""""""" .DAT file, that Aladdin creates when you get a file
- listing, to an ascii file. This will allow you to print out your
- Library file listing or load it into a word processor and do searches or
- whatever you want to do with it. I wrote it so that I could do a print-
- out of the file listing and be able to look it over without having to
- bootup Aladdin and so that I could search for a particular filename,
- etc. from within DC Show or a text editor.
-
- The TXT2DAT.LZH file is used to convert your old library file
- listing to Aladdin's .DAT format so that you could use an old listing
- that you already have without having to get a long listing again using
- Aladdin. I have a listing of the Atari ST Library section that goes
- way back and it saved me some money by being able to convert that
- listing instead of doing it all over again in Aladdin.
- (R.WATSON15, CAT1, TOP15, MSG:4/M475)
-
- 32 DAT2TXT.LZH X R.WATSON15 901116 8820 91 1
- Desc: Aladdin .DAT to .TXT
- 31 TXT2DAT.LZH X R.WATSON15 901112 10080 75 1
- Desc: Aladdin .TXT to .DAT
-
- [NOTE: The files listed above are in the ST Aladdin Roundtable (Page
- 1001, NOT the ST Roundtable.]
-
-
- SLIME WORLD Had a customer send me a listing of codes for this game.
- """"""""""" Seems he sat down and, over the time period of a week or
- two, entered all the possible code combinations possible. I've uploaded
- this list to the software library. It's file #17411, SLIMEWLD.ASC.
- (DAVID.CAGLE, CAT36, TOP15, MSG:16/M475)
-
-
- ATARI, MAC & PC It's here! The article and comparison chart on Atari,
- """"""""""""""" Mac, and PC DTP has been uploaded. File #17426
- contains ASCII, Calamus, PageStream, and PostScript versions of both
- files. I'll let it soak here for comments for about a week before I
- upload it to the DTP RT and send the files to BYTE magazine.
- (S.FRYE, CAT16, TOP2, MSG:226/M475)
-
-
- ////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ////////
- / "I tried all the ESP tricks I know. I even did a Vulcan Mind /
- / Meld to a carrier pigeon but I couldn't come up with your /
- / mailing address. I'll be happy to send you a catalog once /
- / you tell me where to send it." /
- //////////////////////////////////////////// T.JOHNSON4 //////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [TIP]//////////////////////////////
- ATARI_QWIK_TIPS /
- /////////////////////////////////
- Atarians Helping Atarians
- """""""""""""""""""""""""
-
- o TOS? WHICH TOS?
-
- o INK-JET OWNERS: Re-filling Supplies Available
-
- o LZH CONFUSED?
-
-
-
- TOS? WHICH TOS? Confused as to which TOS does what and what TOS you
- """""""""""""""" should be using?
-
- TOS 1.0 TOS 1.0 was the first ROM TOS and came in the 520s and 1040s.
- '''''''
-
- TOS 1.2 TOS 1.2 is the Mega TOS, sometimes called the Blitter TOS,
- ''''''' because it was written to support the blitter when the Megas
- were released. It now comes in all the 520s, 1040s and Megas (except
- the Mega STe).
-
- TOS 1.4 TOS 1.4 is a major upgrade, fixing a lot of bugs and speeding
- ''''''' up disk access. It has a feature called 'fastload' that
- speeds program loading by changing the way the computer clears memory
- before running the program. It is called Rainbow TOS because of the
- rainbow in the desktop information dialog _on a color monitor_. (I've
- never seen the rainbow, although I have 1.4.) TOS 1.4 only comes
- standard on Stacys (I think). Atari sells upgrades that can be plugged
- into all the other models.
-
- TOS 1.6 TOS 1.6 is rewritten for the STe to support the larger color
- ''''''' pallet and the stereo sound. Comes standard only on STes.
- (R.GOFF, CAT14, TOP4, MSG:97/M475)
-
-
- INK JET OWNERS Wandering around Comdex I found a company that was
- """""""""""""" selling ink in a really nifty little jar with a long
- tube on the cap. They even have colored inks and water proof ink for
- the ink jet. If you are interested... 1-800-669-GRAF
- (GORDON, CAT4, TOP9, MSG:94/M475)
-
-
- LZH CONFUSED? Ok, maybe if I detail EXACTLY what I am using, I can
- """"""""""""" help out here. I have LHarc 0.40B and LHarc 1.02. I
- compacted several groups of files with both and compared them.
-
- Extractor:
- | LHarc 0.40B | LHarc 1.02 | UnLZH 1.72 |
- -----------+---------------+--------------+--------------+
- Recognized | | | |
- CRC from | X | X | X |
- 0.40B | | | |
- -----------+---------------+--------------+--------------+
- Recognized | Reported | | |
- CRC from | "NO CRC" | X | X |
- 1.02 | & "CRC Error" | | |
- -----------+---------------+--------------+--------------+
- Comments: | Produced LZH | Used lower | Extracted |
- | that was 100 | case file | ALL with no |
- | or 200 bytes | names | problems |
- | smaller than | | |
- | 1.02 | | |
- -----------+---------------+--------------+--------------+
-
- Please note that 0.40 reported NO CRC when viewing the LZH and CRC
- Error when extracting. My files were fine even though they reported a
- CRC Error. Also, though I show 1.72 of UnLZH, I actually used 1.?
- (1.1?) for testing. I have since acquired 1.72 and use it. (I need to
- send that shareware contribution since I like it!) I hope this helps
- some in the overall scheme of things.
- (H.LESTER1, CAT2, TOP24, MSG:52/M475)
-
-
- ///////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ////
- / "The second thing I discovered is that Aladdin doesn't save /
- / unsent message replies between Aladdin sessions, so this is /
- / the second time I'm typing this, and I can assure you that /
- / the lost message was MUCH wittier, more urbane, humble, /
- / informative, chatty and otherwise readable. But you knew /
- / that. :-)" /
- //////////////////////////////////////////// R.GRANT11 //////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [MEL]//////////////////////////////
- Mel's Diner /
- /////////////////////////////////
- A Software Cornucopia!
- """"""""""""""""""""""
- by Mel Motogawa
- [M.MOTOGAWA]
-
-
- o DTERM 1.0: Uploading Ease For The ST.
-
- o EDHAK 2.0: Power Editing/Hacking For The ST!
-
-
-
- DTERM 1.0 - Uploading Ease For The ST
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
- Program Name : Dterm
- Filename : DTERM1.ARC
- Library Area : 7
- Program Number : 17297
- File Size : 65520
- Program Type : Telecommunications
- Author : Don Pefley
- Version Reviewed: 1.0
- File Type : Shareware ($10.00)
-
-
- Recently a new shareware version (1.0) of the telecom program Dterm
- has been uploaded to the ST RT library. Since I previously had
- experience with the pd version, I was interested in seeing what
- enhancements had been made. If you were using the last version of
- Dterm, you should check this one out as there have been a few
- enhancements to the program like an autodialer and the ability to view
- the capture buffer. I've used Flash for a long time and like it's
- script language and ability to run programs from within it, but there is
- a good reason for checking out Dterm.
-
- Although Dterm doesn't have .do files or offer access to desk
- accessories, its execution of sending files via Zmodem is bound to
- appeal to those who like to keep things as simple as possible.
-
- After getting sold on Zmodem downloads, I started wondering why I
- couldn't _upload_ at Z speeds too. (Well, we shouldn't just take all
- the time should we?) I tried a few of the Zmodem send programs and
- found they worked o.k., specify the file you want to send in the
- commandline with the proper parameters and there it goes Z fast. But
- Dterm does these even one better with auto Zmodem and the file selector.
-
- Auto Zmodem really makes uploading files with the Zmodem protocol
- painless. For example, let's say I'm logged on to my local Forem bbs
- and am answering all the prompts for a file I want to upload. Right
- after I specify a Zmodem upload to the host, interesting things happen.
- Forem will send a signal down the line telling me it's waiting for a
- Zmodem transfer. Dterm picks this up and automatically calls the file
- selector for you to pick which file you want to transfer. Just double-
- click on the one you want (or a simple right-click on it if you're using
- the Little Green Selector) and the file is on its merry way!
-
- I've tried this on Forem bbs's and an IBM board and auto Zmodem
- worked fine each time.
-
- You can configure the path that shows up in the file selector for
- your uploads/downloads, just click on the "set paths" button in the main
- menu and you can specify where you want your uploads to come from and
- your downloads to go to. All via the standard file selector. (Say, if
- you're still using TOS 1.0, your system is begging for an alternative
- file selector to jump to other drives/paths easily. TOS 1.4 was an
- improvement. May I suggest the above mentioned Little Green Selector?
- I use it all the time, even with TOS 1.6. A great enhancement to your
- system.) Your preferred paths, as well as several other options, can be
- saved to a configuration file for a custom setup every time you boot.
- No more having to worry about remembering what commandline you were
- supposed to type if you need to send a download to a different directory
- or upload a file.
-
- Dterm also allows downloads via Ymodem-G, another fast protocol if
- you have an MNP compatible modem and a bbs that supports it. (Lot's of
- boards do and MNP modem prices are on the way down.) For the purists
- out there, plane Xmodem and Xmodem 1k can be had also.
-
- If you want to get into Zmodem sending as painlessly as possible,
- check out DTERM1.ARC, file #17297 in the library. There is much more to
- Dterm, but I thought mentioning its easy access to Zmodem transfers
- would appeal to those who spend much of their time uploading. By
- exploring the program, you may find it to be just what the doctor
- ordered.
-
-
-
- EDHAK 2.0 - POWER EDITING/HACKING FOR THE ST!
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
- Program Name : Edhak
- Filename : EDHAK_20.LZH
- Library Area : 2
- Program Number : 16590
- File Size : 32760
- Program Type : ACC/PRG Text/file/disk/ram editor
- Author : Craig Harvey [C.HARVEY]
- Version Reviewed: 2.0
- File Type : Available as Registered or Shareware
-
-
- A long time ago when I was getting my feet wet with the Atari ST,
- I used to dutifully purchase each issue of Compute's Atari ST Disk and Magazine and thereby came across a handy little utility
- called Notepad.acc. It was a small gem-based desk accessory that
- brought up a window allowing you to write small notes to yourself while
- in another gem application. It was adequate for my needs and I used it
- for some time.
-
- But now, I don't even know if it's in my program archives any more.
- Another program came along that immediately caught my attention and
- hasn't let go since.
-
- Diary is a shareware editor that can serve as a simple notepad and
- much more. Back in its early days, I watched as the author Craig Harvey
- made more and more improvements and was very receptive to suggestions.
- I decided to make the shareware contribution early on and have not been
- disappointed. Many features have been added over the last year
- resulting in Diary maturing into a very powerful, bug free and capable
- program.
-
- Diary has an associated program called Edhak, which is simply
- Diary with the added ability to edit disk sectors and memory. (I'll
- discuss Edhak for the rest of this review.)
-
- The latest registered user's version of Edhak is 66k long and can
- be run as a desk acc. or a prg. When called, Edhak opens a full or half
- screen GEM window, depending on your preference. Now you're ready to
- jot a few brief notes or compose a long letter, but as we go on I'm sure
- you'll see Edhak comes with many intriguing extras.
-
- One thing to keep in mind is Edhak's feature list is so long I
- could probably fill this entire issue describing Edhak and still not do
- it justice. So I'm just going to cover a few of the neat things Edhak
- can do. Be sure to download the demo version and browse its manual for
- a full synopsis of Edhak's power.
-
- First, I like Edhak's speed. Even without a screen accelerator
- you'll find the rate of Edhak's screen paging breathtaking! Add an
- accelerator and you may find yourself dragging your favorite word
- processor program to the trash can icon. It's very quick. The rate at
- which Edhak can do search-and-replace operations is so fast I sometimes
- wondered if something had gone awry. It couldn't be done already! But
- it was.
-
- Edhak also has keyboard equivalents for its operations so once you
- become familiar with it you can save much time over using the mouse.
- You can jump to the beginning/end of each line, screen or buffer with
- ease. Scroll by line or screen with the unshifted/shifted arrow keys.
- And I really appreciate how Edhak's vertical slider bar isn't touchy.
- Ever noticed how some programs today do the slider-bar jitterbug? If
- you click once on either side of the slider bar, to advance to the next
- screen, you'll get two jumps instead. But Edhak's slider is well-
- behaved and I've found myself clicking on it just to marvel at how it
- works versus those that are way too sensitive.
-
- The work buffer of Edhak is user configurable from 4-64k in size
- and it's virtual. In other words, if you're tight on ram or just want
- to edit some small .sys files for your GDOS applications, you can
- configure a small buffer to save memory. And what if you try to load a
- file larger than the buffer you've specified? Well, let's say you
- configure a 10k buffer. Now you want to view a 50k file. Edhak will
- ask you what part of the file you'd like to view, so let's specify the
- default of the beginning. When you get to the end of the buffer, 10k
- worth, Edhak will then ask you if you want to load in the next 10k. In
- this way you can eventually read the entire file without setting up a
- new buffer size (which you may not be able to afford anyway) and
- rebooting. Neat!
-
- If you have some commonly used text that needs inserting, Edhak
- allows assigning up to one line of text to each function key for quick
- placement like a macro. There is also a automatic date insertion built
- into Edhak, just hit alt-d and the date will be inserted at the cursor.
-
- You can configure Edhak to autoload one file anytime you run it as
- a program or each time it is installed as a desk accessory, which is
- great for those times when you're continuously working on a certain
- file. Also, I've found Edhak works fine as an installed application in
- Hotwire. Pass it a filename when you execute it and it will load the
- file into its buffer automatically after booting. Setting up a menu of
- your files and booting straight into them with one keypress is so
- convenient.
-
- The saving of a .bak backup copy of the files you're working on is
- something I believe every productivity application should offer. Edhak
- doesn't let you down here. And with Edhak's flexibility, the creation
- of .bak files can be turned off if you want to save disk space. The
- ability to not just save, but append to a file comes in handy when you
- want to add some text to an existing document. Likewise, text can also
- be merged into your buffer at the current cursor location.
-
- When you're selecting a block of text with Edhak, you can do this
- with the keyboard or the mouse. And no Mac-envy here! You can click-
- and-drag the mouse offscreen, with the window scrolling, to select big
- blocks of text just like the Mac editors. Neat! Shortening or
- lengthening of the highlighted block can be easily accomplished also
- without reselecting. Once you've grabbed a block you can save it to
- disk, copy or print it.
-
- Edhak does NASA one better. Did you know you can launch a program
- from Edhak? Imagine being in the midst of writing a review of a program
- and finding you can't recall how a certain function or feature you're
- describing works. Just go ahead and run the program through Edhak's
- "launch prg" function, check it out and quit right back into Edhak's
- lap. (The docs warn you to be careful, though, about trying to launch a
- GEM program from the desk accessory version of Edhak.)
-
- If you're really feeling adventurous, Edhak will allow you to scan
- through your system's ram for a string. This has come in handy several
- times when I accidentally deleted something important. Like I'll be
- working away in my telecom program and accidentally delete a block of
- the capture I wanted to save. No problem. I just search my ram for a
- word I can remember from the deleted block and when Edhak finds the
- string it copies that portion into the buffer for easy saving to disk.
- Similarly, using the "open" command and not specifying a filename, just
- a drive, will allow you to edit disk sectors. Edhak will ask you what
- sector you want to start at and you're on your way.
-
- If you're a programmer and would like to incorporate Edhak into
- your next great idea, there are hooks built-in to do this as described
- in the documentation. I would think terminal program coders would
- particularly benefit from this since you wouldn't have to write your
- own editor/buffer. Edhak is ready and offers a host of features. Just
- write a little code to communicate with each other. To start you off,
- Edhak already can send strings out the serial port too, so you can send
- commands to your modem or shoot a late review out to your anxious
- editor. :-) (So that's how you do it. [grin] -Ed.)
-
- I probably haven't covered half the features offered by Edhak, but
- I think this will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect. And
- Craig has always been very generous about updating the unregistered-
- user version in the library so you can keep abreast of the new features.
- (You won't be able to save the configuration and you'll have to live
- with seeing the carriage return character at the end of each line. In
- the registered-user version you can toggle the carriage return
- characters off/on.)
-
- Check Cat. 2, topic 40 for the latest info.. Edhak has grown on
- me in the last year until I can't imagine what I'd do without it. If
- you need a multi-purpose text, disk and memory editor that is fast-fast,
- then you need Edhak 2.0. If you like using Edhak, be sure to support
- Craig's diligent efforts. Power editing/hacking has never been so good.
-
- Edhak 2.0R
- $12.00 suggested contribution
- C.HARVEY - Genie
- Clear Thinking BBS
- P.O. Box 715
- Ann Arbor, MI 48105
-
-
- //////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ///
- / "There is one way to remedy this SITuation. SIT down in front /
- / of the computer and teach DC Xtract how to SIT. Then DC Xract /
- / could teach all our computers how to SIT. That should take /
- / care of the SITuation. So whatSIT gonna be? A SITting or non- /
- / SITting DC Xract? We could SIT here and discusSIT some more /
- / if you like. To SIT or not to SIT, that is the question." /
- ////////////////////////////////////////////// R.WATSON15 /////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [FUN]//////////////////////////////
- ONLINE FUNNIES /
- /////////////////////////////////
- CowTOONS!
- """""""""
- By Steve "Hawk" Schultz
- (Head of Heifer Control)
-
-
- O__O \_|_/
- (oo) (oo)
- /-------\/ /-------\/
- / | || / | ||
- * ||----|| * ||----||
- ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
- "Cow at Disneyland" "Cow visiting the Statue
- of Liberty"
-
-
- ///////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ////
- / "Yes, I have found that I am online more, but I am spending /
- / most of that time in FREE areas." /
- / /
- / "I love looking at the bill log and seeing all those calls /
- / with NO CHARGE." /
- /////////////////////////////////////////// M.KELLER1 ///////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [PDQ]//////////////////////////////
- PD_QUICKVIEW /
- /////////////////////////////////
- Ocultar: Yours For The Asking
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""
- By Fred H. Koch
- [F.KOCH]
-
-
- Program Name : Ocultar
- Filename : OCULT1_5.ARC
- Library Area : 2
- Program Number : 16711
- File Size : 31500
- Program Type : Disk password protection
- Author : Carl J. Hafner [C.HAFNER]
- Version Reviewed: 1.5
- File Type : Shareware ($10.00 w/disk, $15.00 without)
-
- [*] [*] [*]
-
-
- WHAT IT IS This is a disk password protection program. It requires
- """""""""" a password be entered when the disk is booted.
-
-
- WHAT IT DOES Ocultar works in LOW, MEDIUM and HIGH resolution. It will
- """""""""""" work on both a floppy disk and a hard disk.
-
- Ocultar works by placing the password protection program as the
- first program in the AUTO folder. The boot process cannot proceed until
- the proper password is entered.
-
- A desk accessory is used to enter a new password or delete the old
- password. When creating a password, the first thing Ocultar will do is
- search for it's ReSourCe file. This is to ensure that the password file
- is being written to the correct path. Next you must enter a password of
- up to 11 characters. Once the password is entered there are three
- options for the password, VISIBLE, INVISIBLE or DELETE.
-
- VISIBLE: Creates a password file which is visible from the GEM
- desktop. Since the password is saved in ASCII (text only)
- format, anyone who double-clicks on this file may find out your
- password.
-
- INVISIBLE: Creates a password file which is invisible from the GEM
- desktop. No-one will be able to see it (including yourself).
-
- DELETE: Erases the password file completely. It is the same thing as
- dragging the file to the TRASH can, the exception being it will
- also erase the file if it is invisible.
-
- The first thing to appear after the password program has been
- activated is a prompt to LOGON <V>isibly or <I>nvisibly.
-
- <V>isible: Allows you to see your password as you type it in.
- <I>nvisible: Does not let you see the password as you enter it.
-
- You will next be prompted to LOGON your password. Enter your pass-
- word and hit <RETURN>. If the password is correct the program will
- allow you to proceed. If it is incorrect it will keep prompting you
- until you enter the correct password.
-
- By popular demand a "backdoor" option has been added. A backdoor
- is a password which is ALWAYS accepted by the program, regardless of
- what the current password is. This allows you to gain access to your
- system in the event that you have forgotten the current password, or
- someone has played a mean trick and changed it when you weren't looking.
- The back-door DOES NOT replace the password you have created with the
- program. It merely tells what the password is. You ARE NOT limited to
- 11 characters with the backdoor password.
-
- The password program uses VERY little memory (5,120 bytes) and
- releases it IMMEDIATELY after you run it. It DOES NOT require any
- autobooting programs such as STARTGEM to operate.
-
- The password setting accessory, when installed, requires close to
- 100,000 bytes to run. Those of you with memory restrictions need not be
- concerned by this. The accessory is ONLY required to create a new pass-
- word or change the existing password. Once the password is created you
- can disable the accessory, the password protection program will
- completely control your password operations from this point on.
-
- [*] [*] [*]
-
- PD_Q RATING * * *
- """""""""""
- DOCUMENTATION GOOD
- """""""""""""
- PD_Q COMMENTS Although this program will work on any disk, its primary
- """"""""""""" benefit is for auto booting hard disk drives. The
- program will prevent the completion of the disk boot process unless the
- proper password is entered. However, it is important to note that if
- the computer is booted from a non-protected disk the protected disk can
- then be read normally, since only the boot process is hindered by the
- password protection.
-
- Another problem is that the password file is hidden by setting the
- file characteristic bit to 'hide' so it can be seen by any program which
- bypasses the characteristic bits, (like the Universal Item Selector).
-
- This program works well for simple password protection to prevent
- access by the computer novice, but would not prevent an experienced
- computer user from accessing the disk. If all you desire is to prevent
- casual access to your hard drive, this utility will do the job.
-
-
- ////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE /////
- / "As the old saying goes -- When people tell 'little white /
- / lies', they soon begin talking in shades of gray. -- /
- / The same holds true for loaning software." /
- ////////////////////////////////////// R.HARRINGTO1 ///////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [OFF]//////////////////////////////
- OFF THE RECORD /
- /////////////////////////////////
- Mini_Qwik_reViews
- """""""""""""""""
-
- o PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS POCKET MODEMS
- Good Things Do Come In Small Packages!
-
- o STACY OR MAC_LAPTOP: A Hard Decision?
-
-
-
- POCKET MODEM I just picked up one of those Practical Peripherals
- """""""""""" Pocket Modems (PM2400PPM) to use with my Stacy.
-
- It gets its power from the telephone line and, therefore, needs no
- AC power pack. You just plug it into the the RS232 Modem port and
- connect the telephone line. It supports 300, 1200, and 2400 baud.
-
- Since it has no audio circuits, speaker, or LEDS they have included
- a "Visual Speaker" capability. Sending it an ATX5 command enables it
- to display text messages such as "dialtone", "ring", and each digit as
- it is dialed. It works well with ST Aladdin after changing the Reset
- Command string to "ATX5" and configuring its non-volatile memory with
- an "AT&F&C1&D2&W" command.
-
- For $99.95 (at Fry's in Sunnyvale) it is a good deal. Practical
- Peripherals has just released this new pocket modem so you may have to
- shop around to find one. It is about the size of your mouse.
- (D.HEINE1, CAT8, TOP12, MSG:2/M475)
-
-
-
- STACY OR MAC? As far as the Mac/Stacy question goes...I had to make
- """"""""""""" the same choice 6 months ago. (Actually it was between
- a MacIIfx, a MacLaptop, or a Stacy). The Mac IIfx was not portable
- enough and was rather expensive so it came down to the two laptops.
- I chose the Stacy for a few different reasons.
-
- First of all, the Mac screen is really bad. It is not backlit and
- requires a large amount of light in the room. And it really only looks
- good under certain types of lights because the screen often glares. The
- Stacy screen is also somewhat annoying at first, but I have gotten used
- to it (it took about 3 months for me to get really used to it and it
- also works better under certain lighting conditions). Also, the Mac
- laptop runs only a little faster than a standard MacSE because it is a
- 16MHz 68000 and not a 68030. So it is still much slower than the MacSE/
- 30. The Stacy with a t-16 upgrade (or even without) runs at a speed
- very similar to the Mac laptop because the Stacy has a more efficient
- internal architecture.
-
- Also, if you plan on using the mouse a lot (as opposed to the
- trackball), there is something to know about the laptop Mac's mouse.
- Although it is in the same case as their normal mouse, and appears
- identical, they changed the internals to conserve power. The new mouse
- (many sales people will deny there is any difference between the laptop
- mouse and the standard Mac mice) is not as accurate as the older ones.
- If you are into DTP and draw, you will notice this immediately. Its
- tracking is very inconsistent.
-
- The Stacy is less money than the Mac laptop and I have not found
- any software that will not run under Spectre GCR on the Stacy. The
- choice is yours, but remember if you do get a Stacy and plan on using a Mac
- emulator, think about what kind of printer to get. Get one that is well
- supported on both the ST and Mac platforms.
- (A.FRIESEN, CAT14, TOP29, MSG:52/M475)
-
-
- ////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE /////////
- / "A hard drive's such an insanely conceived electro-mechanical /
- / kludge anyway that it's miraculous that that any of them work /
- / for more than a nanosecond without self-destructing." /
- //////////////////////////////////////////// A.VALENT /////////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [ALD]//////////////////////////////
- ALADDIN ONLINE /
- /////////////////////////////////
- ST Aladdin And You
- """"""""""""""""""
- by John Peters
- [GENIELAMP$]
-
-
- "Before Aladdin, I had averaged about $50 to $60 a month on GEnie.
- I now do more and my bill should be between $10 and $15, maybe
- $20 tops. How can I complain about a program that saves me so
- much time?" N.B.GARDNER [BRUCE]
-
- [*][*][*]
-
-
- I hope you are enjoying ST Aladdin as much as I am. With using ST
- Aladdin three to five times a day, I _still_ watch the screen with total
- amazement at all the things it can do. What did I ever do before ST
- Aladdin?
-
- As good as the version is now, Tim promises that the next version
- will be faster, have a new editor and a whole slew of new up-grades and
- enhancements. It also appears that the mysterious "reply eater" bug has
- been squashed. Tim did leave a note in the ST Aladdin bulletin board
- that the new release is "close at hand".
-
- Want to avoid a lot of potential problems with ST Aladdin? If your
- GEnie parameters are set wrong, (such as the control character or page
- length) there's a good chance that you will have major problems getting
- ST Aladdin to work. Fortunately, GEnie has made it easy to insure that
- all of your parameters for ST Aladdin are set correctly. To do this, go
- to page 1000 and use option 6. (To do this semi-automatically, type
- M1000;6). That's all there is to it.
-
- If anybody is interested, for my own private use, I have captured
- all of the file descriptions from the ST RoundTable to date and have
- converted them to ST Aladdin format using R.WATSONS utility,
- TXT2DAT.LZH. If there is any interest, I'll upload the package to the
- ST Aladdin RT. (It's big, but it's not _that_ big!) Also note that
- Tim reports that the current version of ST Aladdin has a 10,000 file
- limit. He goes on to say that this limit (limit? :-)) _may_ change in
- a future update.
- John Peters
- [GENIELAMP$]
-
- 32 DAT2TXT.LZH X R.WATSON15 901116 8820 91 1
- Desc: Aladdin .DAT to .TXT
- 31 TXT2DAT.LZH X R.WATSON15 901112 10080 75 1
- Desc: Aladdin .TXT to .DAT
-
-
-
- >>> ALADDIN TIPS & TRICKS <<<
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
- UPDATING THE LIBRARY This is what I do when I want to update a Library
- """""""""""""""""""" listing.
-
- 1) Exit Aladdin and delete the appropriate .DAT, .IDX & .FMK (if one).
- For the ST RT Library it would be ATARISTR.DAT, etc.
-
- 2) Get back into Aladdin, go to the Roundtable section under the File
- menu and set the date back to as far as you want it to go. That
- should take care of it. Now you can do an Autopass or select the
- RT under the Roundtable menu selection and the do a Check for New
- Files under the Library section.
- (R.WATSON15, CAT2, TOP2, MSG:218/M1000)
-
-
- BORED? When I find a topic that turns uninteresting, I pull down the
- """""" Roundtable menu, click on Mark-reply old topics, hit P, hit
- [RETURN], then hit CTRL-RIGHT ARROW to jump to next topic.
- (C.EBERLE, CAT5, TOP1, MSG:451/M1000)
-
-
- MODEM HELP I know this may or may not help but ST Aladdin is somewhat
- """""""""" picky hardware wise. If your modem cable does not at least
- support lines 1 through 8 and 20 wired straight through, ST Aladdin
- won't work no matter what you do with all of the various commands.
-
- Also, you might try resetting the modem to the original factory
- settings then use just the commands to make it respond to the DTR and
- Carrier Detect lines (hardware). Aladdin does not respond to the
- "connect" message (really) but relies on the hardware carrier detect
- instead. (T.QUINN1, CAT2, TOP6, MSG25/M475)
-
-
- ST ALADDIN & EDHAK I've found that using Edhak 2.0 is a nice way to
- """""""""""""""""" browse files as well as memory and disk sectors
- while in Aladdin. (It can do all three.) The next time I lose any
- replies, I'm going to do a search of memory and see if I can find them
- there. I used to do this in Flash when I accidentally erased part of
- the capture buffer. I would use Edhak to search the memory and copy the
- portion of my erased capture into it's buffer. Nice! And since Edhak's
- buffer is virtual, you can work on any size file in it. When you get to
- the end of the buffer, it just asks if you want to load in the next
- portion of the file and so on until the end of the file.
- (M.MOTOGAWA, CAT6, TOP1, MSG:487/M1000)
-
-
- I DIDN'T KNOW THAT! Wow, what a bonanza. I just discovered that
- """"""""""""""""""" clicking on the scroll bar at the bottom of the
- message window will skip to the message just before the next/previous
- topic.
- Next Topic : Click to the right of the scroll cursor
- Previous Topic: Click to the left of the scroll cursor
- (P.ARMSTRONG1, CAT3, TOP1, MSG:113/M1000)
-
-
- MULTIPLE REPLIES This has come up before (being able to send more than
- """""""""""""""" one reply at a time to the same topic) and I've never
- understood the problem with only being able to have =one=. If you've
- already replied, and see another message you want to talk about, just
- hit reply, and the program will re-open your reply window. Then just
- put a line of "-------" or "*******" or whatever, and start over on a
- new message...
- *****************
-
- Like this.. You get your "separate" replies, just not an
- additional message header taking up space...
- (B.BALETKA, CAT5, TOP1, MSG:478/M1000)
-
-
- ///////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE /////
- / "'a zillion times faster'?!? WOW!" /
- ////////////////////////////////////////////// B.J.KING //////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [RTC]//////////////////////////////
- NIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE /
- /////////////////////////////////
- RTC Happenings!
- """""""""""""""
-
-
-
- TEE-SHIRT AND JEANS Anything goes when it's informal night!
- """"""""""""""""""" (Highlights from the Nov. 21 & 25 RTCs)
-
- <[Sysop] JEFF.W> MAS - Nothing special on the docket tonight. Next
- week, we're having an RTC on Deluxe Paint ST.
- <[Z-Net] T.SCHREIBER1> I played with the Mega StE Monday night -- really
- nice machine and a great buy
- <LRYMAL> T.SCHREIBER, how did you like the Mega STE's keyboard?
- <[Z-Net] T.SCHREIBER1> it has a better feel to it more like the clones
- but without the click
- <LRYMAL> Toying with getting the STe's keyboard for my Mega ST or
- getting the Wuztek keyboard adaptor and a nice AT keyboard.
- What to do?
- <[Eric] E.SLICK> My knuckles hurt on the clicking keyboards but never on
- my mushy ST
- <[Vince-Cubed] VINCE.A> David, do you know if any more games are due by
- Xmas? I just got Xenophobe and I love it......
- <DAVID.CAGLE> The rumors I hear is that Ms. Pacman and RoadBlasters will
- definitely be out by Xmas. Any other I'm not sure about.
- I do hope that one will be Rampage.
- <[Sysop] JEFF.W> I'm looking forward to both of those games.
- <[Bad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> I am so looking forward to Ms. PacMan.
- <[Vince-Cubed] VINCE.A> Good, I've had RoadBlasters on order with Sears for
- about 2 months now...
- <[BeKaye] B.RIDGWAY> think Gadgets can get out a Game Boy Emulator for
- the Lynx?
- <LARRY.D> I've talked a few people into getting a Lynx this week.
- GameBoy is $90, the screen illuminater is $20, and the power
- pack is $30. For $20 more, you get a real game machine.
- <[Bad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> One great thing about the Lynx, even with so
- few games, they are generally a _lot_ better
- than the typical GameBoy game my kids are buy-
- ing.
- <[Vince-Cubed] VINCE.A> The 11 games out right now more than equal the
- entire GameBoy line of games
- <[Bad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> Yes, if you count only fun games for the GameBoy,
- Vince.
- <[Dave @ Atari] DAVID.CAGLE> I haven't played my GameBoy (yes I have
- one) in over 4 months. It'll probably be a
- Xmas gift to my brother this year.
- <[Vince-Cubed] VINCE.A> I mean in quality not quantity
- <[Z-Net] T.SCHREIBER1> the Lynx sure is murder on batteries
- <LARRY.D> Picked up Blue Thunder yesterday. Looking ever so forward to
- Ms Pacman <one of my personal favorites of all time>
- <[Dave @ Atari] DAVID.CAGLE> Larry: for a treat, hook your Lynx up to
- the AUX ports on your home stereo while
- playing Blue Lightning. Great Sound effects
- <[Sysop] JEFF.W> LarryD -- Make sure you get Chip's Challenge.
- <[Vince-Cubed] VINCE.A> Well, it looks like the Turbo Express won't be
- much competition this Xmas. Most stores in this
- area only got 1 each
- <[Bad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> I got a cigarette-lighter adaptor for the car,
- and that's well worth it, Terry. Also, Radio
- Shack has these plug-in things for AC for only
- $7 (my official Lynx ones have both broken).
- <[Bad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> I heard there is a rechargeable pack coming out
- for the Lynx, though.
- <[Vince-Cubed] VINCE.A> The official Lynx AC adapter is on sale in
- stores now.... about $8
- <[Z-Net] T.SCHREIBER1> I have been selling them to Dentists for patients
- in the chair
- <[Eric] E.SLICK> In place of anesthesia?
- <[Vince-Cubed] VINCE.A> I've got a cigarette lighter adapter for my
- van, too. The adjustable type....
- <LARRY.D> How do they do root canal when people are jumping around? I
- do that in California games a lot.
- <[Bad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> In the chair? No way I could do that with my
- eyes open.
- <[Sysop] JEFF.W> Terry -- Dental patients playing Lynx while being
- worked on???
- <[Vince-Cubed] VINCE.A> Rinse, spit..... Unreal 360 ?????
- <LRYMAL> Jeff, I think they are talking about plugging in the power
- supply to the tooth rather than the Lynx. grin
- <[Z-Net] T.SCHREIBER1> yes in some cases - I took it to a dentist
- convention and it was a hit.
- <LARRY.D> HOW DO YOU DO AN UNREAL 360? I've tried for hours!
- <[Dave @ Atari] DAVID.CAGLE> I can't get over a Quad 360!!
- <[Vince-Cubed] VINCE.A> I'm writing a program to split an Aladdin input
- archive into individual Category/Topic files.... works
- good so far....
- <MICKEYANGELL> My total cost of upgrading my 1040ST to 4 meg was $530.
- The best place to look is in PC Week. It has better
- advertisers than InfoWorld. Also, it is a weekly
- magazine. Also the chips have a lifetime warranty.
- <D.A.BRUMLEVE> Did anybody show this ST-emulator for the Amiga at
- Comdex?
- <[Sysop] JEFF.W> I don't think so, Dot.
- <BOB-BRODIE> Nope, they got a call from our legal department
- <D.A.BRUMLEVE> hehe, might increase sales, though, Bob. Atari ought to
- consider its third-party support people.
- <BOB-BRODIE> If they go about it like Gadgets did, they won't have a
- problem. Buy the roms separate, mount them in a board,
- and go.
- <D.A.BRUMLEVE> Yes, I agree. And it is not as though you have to buy an
- ST to buy TOS ROMs.
- <[Mark] STACE> Yes, but, TOS ROMs are harder to get then Mac ROMs.<grin>
- <BOB-BRODIE> Shoot, the emulator required you to run a program on an ST....
- called GET_TOS.PRG, then take that disk to an Amiga.
- <BOB-BRODIE> Gee, what could be wrong with that???
- <[Mark] STACE> Hehe...I can see it now! Somebody will start a TOS ROM
- black market!
- <D.A.BRUMLEVE> Sounds whacky, JR. Maybe it's used ROMs.
- <DOUG.W> I thought it was interesting how Silicon Graphics was showing
- their revolutionary new 3-D glasses at COMDEX. Looked (and
- worked) like the StereoTek glasses without a cable... :-)
-
- [*][*][*]
-
-
- GET IN ON THE FUN! On Wednesday evening of each week, you can find
- """""""""""""""""" Realtime Conference sysop, JEFF.W (Jeff Williams)
- in RTC room one, along with several ST users and developers. JEFF.W
- and company can probably help you with many of the GEnie or ST questions
- and problems you might have. Stop by on Wednesday evenings starting at
- 10:00 pm Eastern for help for your problems and maybe even some rumors
- and gossip!
-
-
- ///////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE /////
- / "Would GRAMSLAM, for example, have caught "it's" in your /
- / third line above, Mel?" /
- / /
- / "I do believe you're running all these messages of mine /
- / through Grammatik, yes? :-) Actually, Gramslam has been /
- / pouncing on all of my ill used "it's" and wordy "that" /
- / phrases. You should have seen the size of my last out- /
- / put file! :-)" /
- //////////////////////////// D.A.BRUMLEVE / M.MOTOGAWA ///
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [ASK]//////////////////////////////
- ASK Ms. GEnie /
- /////////////////////////////////
- Questions & Answers About GEnie
- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-
- o XMODEM ONLY?
-
- o MNP MODEMS ON GEnie
-
- o REUSING TONER: Good Idea?
-
-
-
- HI EVERYONE! Welcome to, "ASK Ms. GEnie!" I've been selected by the
- """""""""""" GEnie Lamp Staff to field any questions that you may have
- about the Atari ST RoundTable, the ST, GEnie or anything else you can
- think of. Let's get started...
-
- [*][*][*]
-
- Dear Ms. GEnie,
-
- Does GEnie support protocols other than xmodem? If so, how do I
- set my parameters to use them?
- Sean Price
-
- Dear Sean,
-
- You can use Ymodem, Zmodem and Xmodem when downloading files from
- the libraries. You can only use Xmodem when uploading. How you achieve
- using the different protocols depends on what program you are using.
- There are various ways of doing it. From your question, I assume that
- you are familiar with Xmodem. Ymodem and Zmodem aren't really all that
- different then Xmodem, at least from a users point of view. For a
- complete review of transfer protocols used on GEnie, see GEnie Lamp
- #1.02 (The Online Library) which is available in the ST RoundTable in
- Library 36.
- Have A Happy!
- Ms. GEnie
- [*][*][*]
- Dear Ms. GEnie,
-
- Since I haven't received a reply from FEEDBACK perhaps you could
- help. What am I saying? Of course you can help. I mean you are Ms.
- GEnie aren't you!? =^)
-
- Here's me problem... I recently purchased an Avatex 2400mnp
- (.MNP.) modem. I find that in order to upload to GEnie I need to turn
- off MNP. I have looked through the manual repeatedly and just can't
- figger it out. Might you know how to turn MNP on and off?
-
- Thanks!
- Rob
- Dear Rob,
-
- Of course I'm Ms. GEnie, who else would I be? :^) MNP doesn't get
- along with Xmodem in the very least. The error checking and packet
- windows conflict, and creates havoc, resulting in efficiencies around
- 15% or so. Turn off MNP if you want to upload. Matter of fact, turn it
- off whenever you have to use Xmodem.
-
- I don't own an Avatex modem, so I have no idea what command turns
- off MNP for it. If it is not listed in the manual, you might want to
- give the folks at Avatex a call for support. But, just in the off-
- chance that the Avatex uses the same command as my ATI 2400etc modem,
- you might try giving AT&Q0 (disable MNP) and AT&U0 (disable data
- compression) a try. On the Telebit modem, the command is AT&Q0.
-
- Sure hope that helped! (Or at least got you pointed in the right
- direction.)
- Have A Happy!
- Ms. GEnie
- [*][*][*]
- Dear Ms. GEnie,
-
- Is it a bad idea to reuse toner in the residual toner compartment?
- It seems like such a waste to throw it away, I had a thought of putting
- it into the toner compartment. Any ideas on this? If it's used once
- should it not be reused?
- Oscar
- Dear Oscar,
-
- Don't reuse the residual toner. Once toner has been charged once,
- it doesn't charge very well (if at all) again, so it wouldn't stick to
- the drum/paper and would just contaminate the print engine. By doing
- so, you're just asking for some major headaches down the road.
-
- Have A Happy!
- Ms. GEnie
- [*][*][*]
-
-
- The questions and answers found in Ask Ms. GEnie have been taken
- from the bulletin board area. Ms. GEnie would like to thank Darlah
- Pine, John Peters, Juan Jimenez, Jeff Williams and Alan Hamilton for
- taking the time and effort to answer the questions in this issue's
- column.
-
- If you have a question you would like for Ms. GEnie to address,
- post your question on the GEnie Lamp Bulletin Board, CAT 34, TOPic 4 or
- leave E/Mail to me, Ms. GEnie. My address is GENIELAMP$. You can also
- reach me in the "Feedback to SysOps" option on page 475.
-
-
- ////////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE //////
- / "Oh no! WP leaves files open too. I hope this isn't becoming a /
- / trend. They're predicting more earthquakes over here in CA and /
- / I'd hate to have a power outage while a bunch of files are /
- / left open. Oh well." /
- /////////////////////////////////////////////// M.MOTOGAWA /////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [BUG]//////////////////////////////
- GOING BUGGY? /
- /////////////////////////////////
- Problems & Solutions
- """"""""""""""""""""
-
- o CODEKEYS 1.1
-
- o TURBODOS: Bad Idea?
-
- o VIRUS REPORT: Goblins _After_ Halloween?
-
- o GRAMSLAM BUG
-
-
-
- In GOING BUGGY? you will find messages that have been posted by RT
- members that have found a problem with a particular piece of software or
- hardware. We will also print their solutions (if any).
-
- It's important to remember that just because someone says they have
- found a bug or caught a virus that things are sometimes not always as
- they seem. There is the possibility that they may be having a problem
- with a conflicting desk accessory or auto-program or it could even be
- hardware related and specific only to their set-up.
-
- [*][*][*]
-
-
- CODEKEYS 1.1 You discovered a small bug in CodeKeys 1.1. In that
- """""""""""" version, macros assigned to a single key (with no shift
- keys) will sometimes abort prematurely. This is fixed in version 1.2,
- which will be released shortly.
- (C.F.JOHNSON, CAT32, TOP22, MSG:196/M475)
-
-
- TURBODOS TurboDOS is not recommended for use on any Atari system. It
- """""""" can cause extreme heartaches (such as corrupted disks).
-
- Get yourself one of the other disk caches. Better yet, upgrade to
- TOS 1.4. Take it from someone who used to use TurboDOS and was bitten.
- (DOUBLE-CLICK, CAT2, TOP21, MSG:2/M475)
-
-
- VIRUS REPORT Just got my December issue of Atari ST User from England.
- """""""""""" Ran the cover disk through VKILLER and found the Green
- Goblin virus. (J.BROSZKOWS2, CAT12, TOP16, MSG:63/M475)
-
-
- GRAMSLAM BUG There appears to be a small bug in GRAMSLAM. If you try
- """""""""""" to go straight to checking a file and outputting the
- results only to disk, after booting GRAMSLAM, you'll get 2 bombs and a
- reboot. Be sure to do some sort of checking to the _screen_, exit and
- then direct your output solely to disk.
- (M.MOTOGAWA, CAT13, TOP7, MSG:20/M475)
-
-
- ////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE /////
- / "Wouldn't it be a stroke of genius if Atari released a /
- / really inexpensive 16-bit home system that used existing /
- / Lynx cartridges? Only problem with that...sure would /
- / look silly turning my T.V. on its side to play Klax! :-) /
- ////////////////////////////////////////////// STACE //////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [ELS]//////////////////////////////
- ST ELSEWHERE /
- /////////////////////////////////
- Other Areas Of IntereST
- """""""""""""""""""""""
-
- o SPACEPORT ROUNDTABLE
-
-
-
- SPACEPORT ROUNDTABLE Greetings! I'm the Sysop of the Spaceport RT,
- """""""""""""""""""" and one of our new members is an avid astronomy
- hobbist AND Atari ST owner. The net result of that is a deluge of
- new Atari ST files in the Spaceport library!
-
- He noticed that the Atari ST was...under-represented in the Space-
- port library, and decided to upload his entire shareware library of
- Astronomy and Aerospace related material.
-
- I invite all the Atari ST owners who have an interest in astronomy
- and space related material to come over to the Spaceport and check out
- the new uploads!
-
- And while you're there, feel free to drop into the BB as well. We
- have many interesting discussions running right now, ranging from
- satellite tracking to the new "spot" on Saturn, and more!
-
- So please, stop by and take a look. I don't think you'll be
- disappointed. (SPACE, CAT12, TOP12, MSG:4/M475)
-
-
- ////////////////////////////////////// GEnie QWIK_QUOTE ///////
- / "Hmmm, does this mean I should get Charles and John to drop /
- / in for about a year to learn a million + lines of code so /
- / that they can add a feature to Calamus allowing the user to /
- / change the default? Nah, I didn't think so. :-) /
- ////////////////////////////////////////// ISD - NATHAN /////
-
-
-
- [EOA]
- [LOG]////////////////////////////////
- LOG OFF /
- ///////////////////////////////////
- GEnie Lamp Information
- """"""""""""""""""""""
-
-
- COMMENTS? If you would like to ask a question, leave a comment or just
- """"""""" drop in and say hi, you can contact us in CAT 34 in the ST
- bulletin board area. If you prefer to remain private, send your GEnie
- Email to GENIELAMP$ on page 200, or leave a message to one or more of
- the following addresses:
-
- o John F. Peters [ST-GUEST] Publisher/Editor
- o Darlah J. Pine [DARLAH] Co-Editor
- o Jeff Williams [JEFF.W] Technical Editor
-
- o Larry Duke [LARRY.D] GEnie Lamp Advisor
- o Sandy Wilson [SANDY.W] GEnie Lamp Advisor
- o Fred Beckman [FB] GEnie Lamp Advisor
- o John J. Kennedy [JJKENNEDY] GEnie Lamp Advisor
- o Vince Averello [VINCE.A] GEnie Lamp Advisor
-
- - Terry Quinn [T.QUINN1] Contributing Author
- - Mel M. Motogawa [M.MOTOGAWA] Contributing Author
- - Fred Koch [F.KOCH] Contributing Author
- - Sheldon Winick [S.WINICK] Contributing Author
-
-
- HOT OFF THE PRESS GEnie Lamp is published on the 1st and the 15th of
- """"""""""""""""" every month for our Atari ST RoundTable members on
- page 475, option 5.
-
- If you prefer to download your issue of GEnie Lamp, you will find
- the current issue as well as all the back issues on page 476, in the
- GEnie Lamp library, #35.
-
-
- \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\////////////////////////////////////
-
- (c) Copyright 1990 T/TalkNET OnLine Publishing, Atari Corporation,
- GEnie, and the Atari RoundTables. May be reprinted only with this
- notice intact. The Atari RoundTables on GEnie are the *official*
- information services of the Atari Corporation.
-
- Signed articles and message reprints are the opinion of the authors
- and are not necessarily the opinion of the publisher or staff of
- GEnie Lamp. We reserve the right to edit all letters and copy.
-
- To sign up for GEnie service, call (with modem) 1-800-638-8369. Upon
- connection type HHH. Wait for the U#= prompt. Type: XJM11877,GEnie
- and hit RETURN. The system will then prompt you for your information.
-
- ////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
- [EOF]
-
-