home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
Text File | 1990-01-19 | 47.0 KB | 1,135 lines |
-
- =======================================================================
- ////// // // ////// //////
- // / /// // // //
- // /// // // // ////// //
- // / // /// // //
- ////// // // /////// //
-
- ////// // // // ////// // // //////
- // // /// // // // /// // //
- // // // // // // // // // // //////
- // // // /// // // // /// //
- ////// // // ////// ////// // // //////
- =======================================================================
- Volume 5, Number 3 Z*NET ONLINE January 19, 1990
- Issue #239 ------------
- (©) 1990 by Rovac Industries, Inc.
- Post Office Box 59
- Middlesex, New Jersey 08846
- BBS - (201) 968-8148 3/12/24
-
- CompuServe Mail - 71777,2140 GEnie Mail - ZNET-ONLINE
- =======================================================================
- Editor: Ron Kovacs
- Editor: John Nagy
- ISSUE #239 TABLE OF CONTENTS
- ---------- -----------------
-
- - THIS WEEK
- New file format on GEnie for online magazines....Ron Kovacs
- - Z*NET NEWSWIRE
- Power Pack Update, STE, and more...........................
- - NAMM IN PROGRESS
- Eric Clapton and Cream in Concert!................John Nagy
- - Z*NET INDUSTRY NEWSWIRE
- Ashton Tate, Commodore, and more....................Z*Staff
- - ST STACK
- PD and Shareware Update.........................Alice Amore
- - PD PUB
- PD Wrap-up.......................................Mark Quinn
- - CHAOS STRIKES BACK
- A First Look?...................................Al Cummings
- - LINE NOISE
- Messages from the Z*Net BBS................................
- - RUN A BETTER BBS
- Tips and Traps...................................Regan Weed
- - REVOLUTIONARY CALENDAR
- January thru February..........................Ctsy Artisan
- - REVOLUTION RESULTS
- Open letter to 20/20........................Patrick McShane
- - Z*NET BBS LIST
- The first 100 of 1990............................Ron Kovacs
-
-
-
-
- * THIS WEEK
- -----------> January 19, 1990
- ----------------
- by Ron Kovacs, Editor
-
-
- Thanks to our readers for the input and positive remarks received this
- week. Your comments are appreciated along with your ideas. If you have
- suggestions or commentary, leave us some mail on the services and the
- Z*Net BBS.
-
- GEnie readers who have requested the ARC version uploaded, there is an
- update: Darlah Pine, GEnie SysOp told Z*Net in a send that GEnie's ST
- RT is currently only accepting one file format for the online magazines.
- Last week we uploaded both versions. If you have a preference over the
- LZH version currently being accepted, please leave mail to DARLAH on
- GEnie requesting a change to this policy. CompuServe is currently
- accepting both file formats. Stay tuned for the latest, since duplicate
- files are sure to become an issue.
-
- The REVOLUTION continues this week with the schedule for the rest of
- January and February. We also reprint a letter sent to 20/20 by Patrick
- McShane of the PCS School for Advanced Learning.
-
- Next week a full report on NAMM and more!
-
-
-
-
- * Z*NET NEWSWIRE
- ----------------> ATARI NEWS FIRST
- ----------------
-
-
- ATARI ENTERTAINS NINTENDO:
- Visitors to the NINTENDO reception at the January Consumer Electronics
- Show (CES) were surprised to be entertained by ATARI! Food, drink, and
- music were offered to all, and it was an Atari ST that ran part of the
- MIDI synthesized music for the evening. Try THAT on a GAMEBOY.
-
-
- POWER PACK UPDATE:
- Due to a shortage of 520 ST machines, the planned POWER PACK offering of
- a bundled ST and a slew of startup software might be postponed, altered
- to include a different model, or cancelled. No decisions have been
- announced, but reports out of Sunnyvale say that the warehouse report of
- many thousand machines in stock was the basis of the plan, but what the
- warehouse hadn't reported at first was that most of the machines being
- held were DEFECTIVE. Shippable units number more in the hundreds,
- hardly enough to mount a special sales campaign. At least this should
- help squelch rumors and grumblings that have abounded since the STE
- became available almost world-wide EXCEPT in the USA... no Atari is NOT
- holding the STE back in America in order to push off the "overstock" of
- "old" machines.
-
-
- STE IN FCC HANDS AGAIN:
- The STE is said to be back in the hands of the FCC, having had yet
- another new shield designed and installed. This one is expected to pass
- the emissions tests and allow the STE to make its U.S. debut within
- perhaps 60 days. With luck.
-
-
- NEW SYSOP:
- *** JAN. 19 *** Ctsy CompuServe AtariPro SIG
-
- Please join us in welcoming John Knight to the sysop staff of the Atari
- Forums! John will be supporting the Atari PORTFOLIO online. John is a
- 39 year old sales manager for a major entertainment company. His first
- computer was a Radio Shack Model 2 many, many years ago. If he wasn't
- the first person in the U.S. to own an Atari PORTFOLIO, he certainly was
- one of the first. He also owns a number of MS-Dos computers including a
- portable, a XT and a 286 VGA. Since he travels on business, he
- estimates that he uses his "Port" for MCI Mail and CompuServe at least
- an hour a night when he is on the road. According to John, "Using the
- Portfolio has made me become quite skilled in memory and file
- management." John is looking forward to helping others discover all the
- wonderful possibilities that the PORTFOLIO offers. Feel free to drop
- John a message at User ID number 72037,3303.
-
-
- BECKEMEYER UPDATE: (Press Release)
- SHAREWARE MULTITASKING MICRO RTX FOR THE ATARI ST!!!
-
- (OAKLAND, CA) BECKEMEYER DEVELOPMENT TOOLS has released a version of
- their multitasking operating system, MICRO RTX, as shareware for the
- Atari ST line of computers.
-
- MICRO RTX is a fully multitasking real-time operating system which adds
- multitasking extensions to TOS, Atari's native operating system. MICRO
- RTX can run standard TOS and GEM programs without modifications and
- offers additional operating system services for applications, such as
- interprocess communication, installable device drivers, file and record
- locking, device control, real-time prioritization of tasks, efficient
- memory management, event signaling, message passing, and much more.
-
- Full programming documentation is included with the shareware version,
- including source code to "C" bindings for popular Atari ST "C"
- compilers.
-
- End-user registration is a modest $35, which includes the program disk
- and printed manual. Full developer status with technical support
- services is $75. An advanced commercial version which includes an
- unlimited binary redistribution license is $250.
-
- CONTACT:
- BECKEMEYER DEVELOPMENT TOOLS
- P.O. Box 21575
- Oakland, CA 94620
- (415) 530-9637
- BBS: (415) 530-9682
-
-
- TURBO-GRAFIX 16:
- The favored few who were secretly shown what may become the NEC TURBO
- GRAFIX 16 PORTABLE GAME MACHINE at CES say that it is fabulous. Smaller
- than the LYNX, it has graphics that "blow away" the LYNX, let alone the
- GAMEBOY. Expected to sell at about the same price or a bit higher than
- the LYNX, NEC is still hedging on whether it will even produce the unit.
- If it does, NEC seems to be targeting not THIS COMING CHRISTMAS but
- instead, CHRISTMAS '91 for the dramatic portable. The industry appears
- to believe that the U.S. market is perfectly willing to trail the
- Japanese game/video market by well over a year. While we may disagree,
- observers say that this delay may be all that allows the LYNX to make a
- major impact, and that it had better do so in the next 14 months, then
- LOOK OUT.
-
-
-
-
- * NAMM IN PROGRESS!
- -------------------> Z*NET SPECIAL REPORT
- --------------------
- by John Nagy
-
-
-
- The National Association of Music Merchandisers is in progress at press
- time for this issue of Z*Net Online. Held this weekend at the Anaheim
- Convention Center across from Disneyland, this major show is for the
- music industry, NOT for computers. Yet, computers now figure in a major
- role in music making. Atari Corp will be the ONLY computer company with
- a display at this NAMM, much to the disappointment of APPLE and
- COMMODORE who each wanted badly to be there to show their MACINTOSH and
- AMIGA MIDI capabilities. However, since ATARI has supported and
- appeared at many NAMM shows in the past, when the floor totals for
- "computers" were tallied, Atari (having first choice) bought it ALL!
-
- Atari is occupying a pair of large rooms overlooking the snack bar, with
- a 54' banner inviting passers by to come and see 20 STACY machines
- driving the latest in MIDI synths and devices. Famous musicians are
- populating the exhibit both on behalf of Atari and as fascinated
- visitors.
-
- This evening, Friday January 19, Atari will sponsor a major concert for
- the industry visitors here at NAMM, featuring a never-expected reunion
- of the 70's super group "CREAM". Eric Clapton will headline the reunion
- in what is sure to be a fab show. Atari equipment will litter the
- stage, you can be sure!
-
- Z*Net will have more details in an eyewitness report of the rest of the
- NAMM show, plus pictures, next week.
-
-
-
-
-
-
- * Z*NET INDUSTRY NEWSWIRE
- -------------------------> by the Z*Staff
- --------------
-
-
- APPLE COMPUTER IN TOUGH TIMES:
- Apple Computer announced cost-cutting moves that will take away jobs and
- reduce pay raises for its workers and eliminate company cars for its
- executives. Apple's chief executive John Sculley told employees in a
- two-page letter this week that the company was being forced to reduce
- its operating expenses because of slowing sales.
-
-
- COMMODORE INTRODUCES PC:
- Commodore introduced a low cost personal workstation targeted at the
- 25MHz 386 market. The Intel 80386DX based Commodore PC60-III is
- designed to offer speed, versatility and access to mass storage at a
- lower cost. Equipped with nine expansion slots, the PC60-III will run
- virtually all applications from existing industry standard personal
- computers and will accept all the new mainstream operating systems and
- user applications. U.S. shipments are expected to begin in February.
-
-
- MCI TO PURCHASE 25% OF INFONET:
- INFONET and MCI announced that MCI has agreed to purchase 25 percent of
- the outstanding shares of the international value-added data network
- which operates in the United States and over 100 countries worldwide.
- MCI, which owns and operates the second largest telecommunications
- network in the world, will purchase shares formerly held by Computer
- Sciences Corporation and becomes the largest shareholder in INFONET.
-
-
- ACTIVISION RELEASES FIRST TITLES:
- Activision announced its first two titles for the 16-bit Sega Genesis
- video game system. "Hard Yardage" and "Tongue of the Fatman" were
- premiered in the Sega booth at the CEShow earlier this month and are
- scheduled to release in September. Activision is part of MEDIAGENIC,
- which also includes these other publishers; Infocom, Gamestar, Electric
- Dreams and ZSoft. Mediagenic also serves as an exclusive distributor
- for Absolute Entertainment, Interplay Productions, Dynamix Inc., Sierra
- On-Line, System 3, Vivid Images Ltd. and Motion Picture House.
-
-
- PARKER BROS:
- Parker Brothers has signed an agreement to produce and market video
- games for Nintendo's Entertainment System. In addition, Parker will
- market a computerized version of the "Trivial Pursuit" board game for
- the IBM compatible market. Parker says it will develop its first title,
- "Heavy Shreddin'", a snowboarding sports game, to reach retailers in the
- spring.
-
-
- SPECTRE USERS UPDATE:
- ASHTON-TATE PROMOTION (Press Release)
-
- ASHTON-TATE AND TECHNOLOGY WORKS ANNOUNCE NEW PROMOTION FOR THE
- MACINTOSH MARKET
-
- Ashton-Tate's FullWrite Professional 1.0 bundled with Technology Works'
- 4 MB Memory Upgrade Kit
-
- TORRANCE, Calif., January 3, 1990 -- Ashton-Tate Corporation and
- Technology Works of Austin, Texas, a leading supplier of memory
- upgrades, announced today a joint promotion that includes a free copy of
- FullWrite Professional version 1.0, Ashton-Tate's word processing
- program for the Macintosh, with every Technology Works 4 MB memory
- upgrade kit. This offering provides users a $395 savings and will run
- from January 2 through March 31, 1990.
-
- Said Bill Lyons, Vice President of Ashton-Tate's Applications Group,
- "This promotion is designed to promote market share for FullWrite. One
- of the product's strengths is its seamless integration of text and
- graphics. The additional RAM offered by Technology Works allows users
- to take advantage of this strength and obtain faster overall performance
- on their Macintoshes." Commented Mike Frost, President of Technology
- Works, "This promotion with Ashton-Tate offers Macintosh owners a cost-
- effective way to upgrade their system for the 1990's and receive quality
- word processing software at the same time."
-
- FullWrite Professional
-
- FullWrite Professional is an advanced word processor with true WYSIWYG
- ("what you see is what you get") editing. It features sophisticated
- editing, page layout and graphic design; import and export capabilities;
- a complete MacDraw-like drawing environment and integrated document
- outlining. These features allow users to perform complicated tasks such
- as wrapping text around irregular objects or changing format styles in
- mid-document quickly and easily.
-
- Martha Keaveny, FullWrite Product Manager, comments, "Power users will
- find that FullWrite's classification & citation, indexing, and sidebars
- improve the document preparation process as well as the final output."
-
- Technology Works Memory
-
- Technology Works' memory upgrade kits are designed for users to increase
- performance on their Macintosh computers. The 4 MB kit meets market
- needs by providing the RAM demanded by more sophisticated graphics,
- scanner files, and the multimedia integration of audio, video and
- animation. Each memory upgrade package includes an installation kit, a
- lifetime warranty, a 30-day money-back guarantee and full technical
- support from Technology Works.
-
- Price, Availability
-
- Technology Works' 4 MB memory upgrade kit, including FullWrite 1.0, is
- immediately available for $350. Alternatively, customers can purchase a
- 2 MB kit combined with FullWrite for $214. FullWrite normally retails
- for $395. This promotion is valid through March 31, 1990.
-
- Customers may elect to upgrade from FullWrite Professional 1.0 to
- version 1.1, available now, at no charge by sending in the registration
- card to Ashton-Tate. To order either memory kit along with FullWrite,
- customers should call Technology Works at (800) 622-2210.
-
-
-
- * ST STACK
- ----------> PD/SHAREWARE FOR THE ST
- -----------------------
- by Alice Amore
-
-
- With the new year comes a stack 'o new shareware/PD/ upgrades, so what
- say we get right to them?
-
- 90CALNDR.LZH: An elaborate "1990 Family Calendar" with built-in
- holidays, and room for your own notations. Makes nice personal
- calendars. Requires Timeworks Desktop Publisher ST using landscape
- format.
-
- CAL1990.ARC: Another 1990 calendar using Timeworks DTP ST. This one is
- of the simple, blocky variety with one month per page. Looks good on
- walls.
-
- CLDEMO1.ARC: Demo version of Cleanup ST from ICD, a program which
- checks the integrity of your disk structure (hard or floppy). This demo
- will not modify the target disk.
-
- COWORKER.LZH: A simple terminal program with a built-in split screen
- feature for better online conferencing. Includes VT-52, concurrent
- type/receive, 50K text buffer. Can be run from within Flash! or
- InterLink.
-
- IDEDITOR.ARC: ID EDIT allows the changing of ID numbers of GDOS fonts.
-
- MATH.ARC: "Simply Math" lets you design your own math tests using your
- own math examples. A set of children's math problems is included.
- Since there is no limit on the complexity of the math, all ages can use
- this program. Color/mono.
-
- STARSTRK.ARC: "Star-Struck" is the better screen-saver. It fades to
- black, then gives you an expanding field of stars until your next
- keypress or mouse-move. It will kick in after 3 minutes of non-
- activity, but can also be enabled from the desktop or from within any
- GEM program.
-
- CHANGER.ARC: Find and edit text strings in any file including
- executable code or other binary files. Includes search/replace and
- import/export.
-
- ATAWORDS.ARC: A text file containing 439 words which occur with some
- frequency when writing Atari articles and documentation. These words
- are not found in the WordWriter dictionary. The word list can be
- imported to most word processor dictionaries, or loaded in as a
- supplemental ("personal") word list. Courtesy of Z*NET.
-
- ALSIDE21.ARC: Excellent viewer program for NEOchrome and DEGAS pictures
- in any resolution. 70 variable fade-outs can be placed between
- pictures, and background music is available. Four pictures included.
-
- BATTLE.LZH -- DEMON_SK.LZH -- DEMON_TL.LZH -- DEMON_WR.LZH
- DRAGONS.ARC -- DRAGWAR.LZH -- MONSTERS.ARC
-
- Thanks to Darlah for this varied collection of monsters, ghoulies,
- grotesque reptilian creatures, and freaky warriors from hades. Some of
- these .IMG files are quite large, but if your printer can handle them,
- you'll have something interesting for decorating your cave.
-
- """"""""""""""""""""""""
- !!! UPGRADES !!!
- """"""""""""""""""""""""
-
- ICDNEW.ARC: The latest ICD boot and format programs. Requires the ICD
- ST host adaptor.
-
- ARC602ST.ARC: This upgrade is completely compatible with the PC version
- of ARC, and can create directories automatically. Speed has been
- increased 175% over the previous version.
-
- ARCSHL21.ARC: Newest version of ARC SHELL, a program which makes simple
- work of deARCing just about anything. Covers all popular ARChiving
- formats. New features/improvements are bountiful.
-
- BSTAT235.LZH: A sophisticated graphing and statistical analysis program
- in interpreted GFA BASIC. Speedy.
-
- CHEETAH2.ARC: A fast file-copying utility which can transfer up to 15
- megs a minute. Many new wrinkles and fixes.
-
- CPOKER.LZH: Version 2.5 of DRAW POKER/DOUBLE DOWN, a colorful poker
- game with excellent graphics. Runs in mono, too.
-
- DIARY17S.ARC: A stripped-down version of DIARY (ver. 1.7), this is a
- text editor in a desk accessory and takes up only 38K of RAM. Written
- in Modula-2.
-
- LGSEL_16.ARC: Version 1.6 of the mind-blowing LITTLE GREEN SELECTOR,
- which totally replaces the GEM item selector, and gives you doo-dads
- that previously were only in your dreams. There has been an update to
- this file, filename is LGSEL16B.ARC.
-
- PERUSER3.LZH: PERUSER is a text file reader with the ability to search
- for strings, embed picture files, and, now, to integrate music files
- into text files. This is version 1.03.
-
- PICMAN_2.LZH: PICMAN works with Charles F. Johnson's DESK MANAGER to
- allow the display of any Spectrum picture file during boot-up. This
- upgrade allows up to 50 picture files to be rotated.
-
- RELTREE2.ARC: Version 2.04 of Tree Chart, a database of statistics on
- family members capable of going back thirty-five generations. This
- version offers improved print-outs and GEDCOM output.
-
- STVI381.LZH: Here's the latest ST version of the UNIX VI text editor.
- Also supports UNIX, Minix (ST), MS/DOS, and OS/2.
-
- STVI381S.LZH: Contains the 'C' source code for the above-mentioned
- STeVIe, version 3.81.
-
- SUPRBT60.ARC: Multi-featured program which allows a multitude of
- configurables at boot-up time, this is version 6.0 of SUPER BOOT, and
- contains lots of new features.
-
- THE_VCR.LZH: This is version 2.0 of VCR ORGANIZER, a database devoted
- exclusively to organizing and printing lists of your videotape
- collection. GEM-based.
-
-
-
- * PD PUB
- --------> by Mark Quinn
- -------------
-
-
- We recently moved and are suffering under a backlog of files. So many
- of them are worthy of mention that it would be impossible to do an in-
- depth review of each offering.
-
- GRANPRX2.LZH: In this "Gran Prix" you race against the clock, trying to
- beat your best time. Uses joystick. Written in STOS BASIC.
-
- TREK1.LZH: Fantastic animation of the original starship Enterprise
- warping through interstellar space. Done with Cyber Sculpt.
-
- DEEPSPC.LZH: An animation of a Jupiter-like planet, and its ring and
- moons. Highly recommended.
-
- SPINDEMO.LZH: Beautiful demo of twisting text and a spinning globe.
- YOU control the video (to a certain degree).
-
- WORD4.ARC: Converts Word Perfect 5.0 files to Atari Word Perfect 4.1
- format. Point and click.
-
- AREACODE.LZH: Type in any three-digit American or Canadian area code,
- and this little program will tell you the state or province.
-
- POSTAL10.LZH: In the same vein as above file, but for state postal
- abbreviations.
-
- GEMTOUCH.ARC: Convert (or "touch") files to different time/date stamps,
- then sort them by date, arranging your directories to suit your needs.
- Use 1980, 1999, or today's date.
-
- MULTIPNT.ARC: MultiPaint, from the April 1989 issue of ST-LOG. See
- that issue for documentation. Looks great!
-
- DCSHOWIT.ARC: A replacement for the "show" command for viewing text
- files. Runs from the AUTO folder. Also views uncompressed DEGAS and
- NEOchrome pictures. From Double Click software!
-
- FREEDM89.LZH: A DEGAS PI3 (monochrome) picture file. A tribute to the
- great strides toward freedom made in 1989.
-
- QST18DEM.ARC: A demo of "Quick ST" version 1.8, a software screen
- accelerator from Branch Always software.
-
- SI_RAM.ARC: Update of a very nice RAM disk and printer spooler from
- ST-INFORMER Magazine.
-
- MUSINV32.LZH: A nice looking program that will keep track of your music
- collection. An updated version.
-
-
-
- * CHAOS STRIKES BACK
- --------------------> A FIRST LOOK
- ------------
- by Al Cummings, STarBase
-
-
- Dungeon Master (DM) fans rejoice! The long awaited sequel is out... and
- it is everything you liked in DM, plus a lot more! FTL describes Chaos
- Strikes Back (CSB) as a "DM expansion set." But, CSB is, in fact, a
- true stand-alone game. Although you must be familiar with DM, having
- the older game is not required. (The docs on the actual play of the
- game are almost nonexistent - so that would be the reason you would need
- DM.) You can also import characters (to CSB from DM) if your guys were
- in good shape. The price, too, is reflective of a stand-alone game.
- Most scenario disks run about $20 or less.
-
- CSB also has a utility disk in its package. There is an introduction
- scene with a message from Lord Chaos himself which expands the story in
- the manual. There is also a 'Hint Oracle', who will give clues based on
- your position in the game.
-
- The main area you need to work with, for now, is the game Editor. This
- is where you create the adventure. You can also edit the appearance of
- your characters with a pixel color editor. This is fun, and you can do
- some kinky stuff if you get bored.
-
- Starting out you must have some characters, either a saved game from DM
- or a new set from the CSB prison. The prisoners' attributes are all
- towards the middle of the range in Hit Points and Mana. Your old DM
- party might be father along so use the strongest group you can.
-
- CSB starts by stripping everyone of all weapons, armor and all other
- items. You show up in the starting room in your birthday suits, with
- only your wits and a few items on the floor. If that was not bad
- enough, everyone's favorite monsters appear at the same instant as your
- party - and the monsters' teeth are still intact!
-
- You might remember the purple worms from DM that gave everyone fits when
- you first encountered them.... Well, the new and improved yellow
- version are waiting for lunch. You start out with three worms - one to
- a side with your party backed against a locked gate. Warning: The place
- where you're standing is a trap that will release more worms if you move
- off and then back onto it.
-
- Once you have your fighting legs back and defeat the worms, you have
- some searching to do. There is much scattered around to find; and many
- other places to get assorted goodies. Take some time looking everywhere
- and then save the game. No need to fight the worms again if you die!
-
- That's about all for this month. Next month - maybe some real hints.
- But for now, remember....The walls are not always solid. It is worth
- the time to look everywhere.
-
-
-
-
- * LINE NOISE
- ------------> INFORMATION FROM THE Z*NET BBS
- ------------------------------
- (201) 968-8148 3/6/12/24
-
-
- Message : 272 [Open] 1-13-90 12:25am
- From : Robert Ford
- To : All
- Subject : Sierra
- Sig(s) : 9 (New Products)
-
- Straight from Sierra Online's BBS....(1-209-683-4463)
-
- Product Release Schedule (01/09/90)
- ----------------------------------
-
- Black Cauldron AMIGA-Mar.
- CodeName: IceMan: IBM-Jan.
- Colonel's Bequest: IBM-Jan., ATARI ST-Jan. , AMIGA-May
- Conquests of Camelot: IBM-Jan., ATARI ST-Jan.
- Gold Rush!: IIE/C-Jan.
- Helicopter Simulator 2.0: IBM-Available NOW!
- Hero's Quest: ATARI ST-Jan., AMIGA-Jan.
- Hoyle's Book of Games: AMIGA-Jan., ATARI ST-Jan., MAC-May
- King's Quest IV: AMIGA-Jan., MAC-Feb.
- Leisure Suit Larry II: AMIGA-Available NOW!
- Leisure Suit Larry III: ATARI ST-Jan., AMGIA Jan.
- Manhunter: San Francisco: AMIGA-Jan., IIGS-Feb., IIE/C-May
- Manhunter: New York: IIE/C-Jan.
- Police Quest II: MAC-Jan., AMIGA-Feb.
- Silpheed: On Hold
- Sorcerian: IBM-Jan.
- Space Quest III: MAC-Jan.
- Thexder: MAC-Jan.
-
- These dates are subject to change without notice.
-
-
- Message : 315 [Open] 1-15-90 5:13pm
- From : Robert Ford
- To : All
- Subject : PHASAR 4.0
- Sig(s) : 4 (Atari News)
-
- To all of you financially minded people out there, I thought that I'd
- let you know PHA$AR from ANTIC Software has been upgraded to version
- 4.0.
- Retail: $89.95
- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Upgrade from
- version 3.0: $39.95
-
- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- New Features:
-
- 1] 999 expense/income categories.
- 2] 500 accounts.
- 3] Up to 1500 transaction per month.
- 4] Set up and analyze finances quickly with new budgeting system.
- 5] Artificial intelligence parser predicts input to minimize typing.
- 6] Improved interface with multiple scrolling windows.
- 7] Prints checks the way you want.
- 8] Automatic payment reminder alarm.
- 9] Completely recoded for increased transaction and processing speed.
- 10] 1989 tax templates.
- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Above list taken from February 1990 STart magazine.
-
- the CyberPunk
- I'm Proud to Support the
- REVOLUTION!!!
-
-
- Message : 317 [Open] 1-15-90 5:13pm
- From : Robert Ford
- To : All
- Subject : SuperCharger
- Sig(s) : 9 (New Products)
-
- If you are interested in buying the SuperCharger PC board from Talon
- Technologies it can be purchased from:
-
- Medionix Inc.
- 243 N. Highway 101
- $399.00 Ste 18
- Solana Beach, CA
- 92075
- (619) 755-8808
- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- VISA/MASTERCARD accepted.
- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-
- the CyberPunk
- I'm Proud to Support the
- REVOLUTION!!!
-
-
-
- * RUN A BETTER BBS
- ------------------> BBS TIPS AND TRAPS FOR THE OPERATOR
- -----------------------------------
- by Regan Weed, VAUG
-
-
- Really, when you stop to think about it, most BBS's are the same. Most,
- if not all, have E-Mail, areas for general information, buy & sell,
- files to download, etc., etc.. So what makes one BBS better than
- another?
-
- SOFTWARE: A case can be made for the particular BBS software the system
- is running. Older programs may not feature much in the way of
- flexibility, such as "On-line Games" or " Color".
-
- HARDWARE: Obviously you can do more with a Mega ST2 and 40 Meg hard
- drive then with a 1040ST. But, bigger is not always better, and there's
- more to running a BBS than having lots of downloads!
-
- SYSOP (Systems Operator): Each BBS has a different flavor (even with
- the same software) because of this person. The SysOp is the catalyst
- and when you choose one BBS over another many times it's because of the
- SysOp. So what do you (the SysOp) need to do to 'Run a better BBS'?
- First have a 'message area' that reflects the interest of most users.
- If you have a 'general information' sub-section watch it for trends and
- open new sub-sections to fill the needs of your users. If there's a
- users group in your area, have a section setup for them to leave club
- messages. Keep things current by removing old messages. If things slow
- down in a message section start a discussion. If, after a period of
- time, it's still inactive, delete that section and try a new subject.
-
- AVOID COMPLAINING: Not enough messages posted, not enough users
- uploading ect. Once you start casting blame on your users you'll kill
- the board, and fast! If you wish to see more uploads then set a fair
- upload/download ratio, say 10 to 1. You can't make people respond to a
- message base or play an On-line game so don't even try. Some SysOp's
- limit the users time to try and get them to do more on their BBS. This
- is a little like trying to get blood from a stone - not exactly the way
- to get a favorable reaction!
-
- TIPS:
-
- Keep your log-on screen messages up-to-date and short (if there's no way
- to by-pass it). You have to remember your out-of-town users and their
- phone bills!
-
- When you have a limited system for downloads, try rotating half of your
- files every two to three weeks.
-
- Don't butt-in. Only use 'Chat' mode when your called or you'll make
- your users feel like their every move is being watched.
-
- Try your best and keep in mind.... A good BBS is just as much work as
- bad one!
-
-
- * REVOLUTIONARY CALENDAR
- ------------------------> MID JANUARY THRU FEBRUARY
- -------------------------
-
- (Editors Note: The following is reprinted ctsy of Artisan Software.
- This is the schedule of events for 1990 written by Donald Thomas. If
- you are interested in more information on the Revolution write: PO Box
- 849, Manteca, CA 95336.)
-
- WEEK 3
- January 14 through January 20, 1990 NATIONAL RUBBER STAMP WEEK
-
- Rubber Stamp week? Yep... that's what the man said! Every office
- supply store offers them and they are not expensive. Write:
-
- Join The
- REVOLUTION...
- Use an Atari Computer!
-
- on a piece of paper and take it to your office supply store or local
- printer. In less than a week, you will have a powerful tool to stamp on
- every envelope you mail out and your message can reach dozens of people
- with each letter. Mail sorters and carriers, the recipients and their
- families or co-workers will see the growing movement advertised on every
- envelope you mail. You will need to get a stamp pad; please use red.
- Go stamp happy and stamp everything you can.
-
- It may cost a little more for the convenience, but you may order this
- stamp from Artisan Software for $22. California, add 6% sales tax.
- Send your order to: Artisan Software, P.O. Box 849, Manteca, CA 95336
-
-
- WEEK 4
- January 21 through January 27, 1990 NATIONAL SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT WEEK
-
- There are two things two do during this week. First, review your
- library of computer software and see if there is any you own that you
- may have "inadvertently" received and did not pay for. Choose a title
- you use from time to time, or admire because of its quality. Send a
- check to the publisher, anonymously if need be, and thank them for their
- Atari software support. Shareware qualifies.
-
- Secondly, find a non-Atari software publisher in magazines or by asking
- around. Write a letter addressed to the President of that firm and ask
- them why they do not support the Atari computer and if they will please
- consider it. Ask them for a reply. Be polite.
-
- WEEK 5
- January 28 through February 3, 1990 NATIONAL "GO TO A BARR" WEEK
-
- Let's band together for a special episode of ROSEANNE...the most popular
- sitcom now being broadcast.
-
- In this episode, the family wins a home computer (an Atari) with a
- "REVOLUTION" strike force around every corner to help them set it up.
-
- Write to:
-
- ROSEANNE BARR
- c/o ABC TV
- 2040 Ave Of The Stars
- Los Angeles, CA 90067
-
- Tell her your nifty plot idea (as stated above) and ask for a special
- episode to be produced. Tell her every Atari fanatic in America will
- watch. Who knows, if they do it, maybe we can get Atari Corp. to
- sponsor it.
-
-
- WEEK 6
- February 4 through February 10, 1990 NATIONAL GOODWILL WEEK
-
- In honor of Valentine's Day on February 14, call your local Hospital and
- ask for the name of a child who may benefit form a little recognition
- and attention. Design a large outline of a heart on a paint program.
- Print it out and write: "On behalf of 'The REVOLUTION"; a national Atari
- computer user interest group, I wish you a speedy recovery. We admire
- your strength!" Sign and send it to the address the Hospital gives you.
- You may make the "card" as fancy as you wish, but artistic skills are
- not required. Parents, have your children pass out Atari generated
- Valentine's to classmates.
-
-
- WEEK 7
- February 11 through February 17, 1990 NATIONAL PRESIDENT'S WEEK
-
- In honor of President's Day, let's wish Mr. George Bush a pleasant one.
- To insure the publicity value, send your wishes to have a "REVOLUTIONARY
- PRESIDENT'S DAY" to the President in care of:
-
- CBS TV
- 51 West 52nd Street
- New York, NY 10019
-
- Send a cover letter to the network asking them to wish the President
- well in our behalf over the air. Mention our cause in your letter.
-
-
- WEEK 8
- February 18 through February 24, 1990
- NATIONAL USER GROUP RECOGNITION WEEK
-
- If you do not belong to a user group, find one in your area and join.
- If you already belong, make it a project to ask a minimum of one friend
- to be your guest to the next meeting. It's preferred that your invited
- friend does not own an Atari computer. This will be an opportunity to
- share information on why they may wish to consider one.
-
- Call your local newspaper and ask for the local news desk. Ask them to
- print announcements of meetings for your local group on a regular basis.
-
-
- WEEK 9
- February 25 through March 3, 1990 NATIONAL CAR WASH WEEK
-
- Get with your local users' group and organize a benefit car wash to
- raise money to buy an Atari computer for the school. Set a goal of one
- 520ST and go from there. Groups exclusively centered around 8-bit can
- set a goal of one XE system. Contact the school in advance for their
- permission and to help organize the event. Most local gas stations will
- donate space and even water access to do this since you will be
- attracting customers for them. Volunteer to help the school to set the
- system up. Make certain your local dealer participates and invite him
- to hand out flyers during the event. Put up Atari posters at the site.
- Also make certain to use "The REVOLUTION's" namesake for the event.
-
- Write to Atari and ask them to send you a window sticker for your car.
- They were available and, if not, they will just have to print more.
- Request one for each car you own.
-
-
- * REVOLUTION RESULTS
- --------------------> OPEN LETTER TO 20/20
- --------------------
- by Patrick McShane
-
-
- PRODUCER
- 20/20, ABC-TV
- 1330 Avenue of The Americas
- New York, NY 10019
-
- Patrick McShane
- Founder and Headmaster
- PCS School for Advanced Learning
- 623 Holly Street
- Nampa, Idaho 83686-5855
-
- January 8, 1990
-
- Greetings;
-
- This letter is to inform you that We, PCS Schools, Inc. place our entire
- weight and effort into THE REVOLUTION...
-
- We are a consumer interest movement organized to build public awareness
- about the best available computer values. We, as an organization, have
- chosen ATARI as a well rounded computer which is easily adapted for
- Education, Business, Music and Leisure. As an active member of this
- revolution as well as a recognized leader and pioneer in Computer
- Education, I ask that 20/20 provide coverage of this revolution. I am
- enclosing a letter I have sent to Sam Tramiel of Atari. This letter
- outlines some of my major concerns.
-
- I should further inform you that PCS Schools, Inc. provide kids, ages 3
- through 18, with the following educational opportunities:
-
- 1. Basic to Advanced Computer Studies
- 2. Principals of Mechanical Engineering
- 3. Applied Math and Physics
- 4. Music and Art
- 5. Creative Writing
- 6. Laser Work
- 7. Micro-Robotics
- 8. Electronics
-
- We have students who are considered extremely gifted (p.e. James Clough
- who won the National NSTA/Duracel Competition) as well as students who
- are ADD, Autistic, Dyslexic and brain-stem damaged.
-
- We have been visited and supported by such people as: Dr. Harvey Long,
- IBM guru for Educational Computing; CEO's of Micron; VP's from Hewlett
- Packard-Boise Division; Gov. Cecil Andrus; Lt. Gov. Butch Otter, and
- many more. All will gladly tout the PCS System Philosophy and share
- what they have seen and experienced in our schools.
-
- I ask that you kindly consider my request for coverage of this National
- Revolutionary Movement...It is time that we, the users of technology,
- especially the kids, become a voice to be listened to.
-
- Thank you for your kind consideration,
- Patrick McShane
-
-
-
-
- Item 6211577 90/01/14 14:42
- From: P.MCSHANE1 Patrick L. Mcshane
- To: Z-NET Ron Kovacs
- Sub: Z-Net Online
-
- Greetings;
-
- This is to inform ALL Z-NET Readers that Z-NET ONLINE is DL'd every week
- and then UL'd onto our HP 9000/500 Unix System. This System services
- the 500 Students and Staff of PCS Schools, Inc. and is the ONLY Online
- News Service that I will allow on our System. It is read weekly by the
- majority of our staffs and students. PCS Schools, Inc. was founded 5
- years ago by myself and has grown into a school system with schools in
- two cities, a corporate HQ in Boise, Idaho, and plans for schools to be
- started in other parts of the U.S. What follows is a short list of
- major players in our system:
-
- Patrick McShane Founder/CEO/Headmaster of PCS-Nampa
- 623 Holly Street
- Nampa, Idaho 83686-5855
- (208) 465-5443
- GEnie...P.MCSHANE1 CIS...70157,134
-
- Robert Grover Headmaster PCS-Boise
- 355. Orchard Avenue
- Boise, Idaho 83706
- (208) 377-3157
-
- Tony Meyer, General Manager PCS Schools, Inc.
- 355 N. Orchard Avenue
- Boise, Idaho 83706
-
- WE SUPPORT THE REVOLUTION !!!
-
-
-
- * Z*NET ONLINE BBS LIST
- -----------------------> THE FIRST 100
- -------------
- by Ron Kovacs
-
-
- The following is the January update to our BBS list. There are over 800
- numbers currently on file which we are trying to verify. Your system
- will be added to the list by letting us know who you are! Call the
- Z*Net Online BBS or leave mail on the services.
-
- This list is in area code order.
-
-
- BBS NAME NUMBER
- -------------------- ---------------------
- ABBUC e.v. (011) 02594/1645
- First Starr (011) 046-0340-51117
- Sorman Information (011) 046-470-22183
- Kisa Monitron (011) 046-494-12997
- PCACUG BBS (011) 507-60-0530
- Ace's High (201) 290-1133
- J.A.C.G (201) 298-0161
- GreySTone BBS (201) 362-8966
- Hanger BBS (201) 366-3891
- Hackers Hotline (201) 390-9782
- Wild West (201) 723-0824
- Hologram (201) 727-1914
- Zarden's BBS (201) 729-0097
- Blank Page (201) 805-3967
- Demon Pit (201) 948-2496
- Poison Pete's (201) 948-3428
- Z*Net BBS (201) 968-8148
- New Haven (203) 776-9723
- Sinkhole Utopia (203) 873-8518
- Bloom County (205) 461-7893
- Freelander BBS (206) 321-5127
- Sub-S*P*A*C*E (206) 756-8122
- Cave Creek (206) 783-5867
- STDIO (206) 822-4085
- The Reef (206) 848-3371
- M.A.C.H. (207) 784-0631
- Sierra On-Line (209) 683-4463
- The Bunker (212) 617-0153
- Akron Connection (216) 253-9247
- Rubber City (216) 376-0885
- Pirate Busters (216) 545-4817
- Command Headquarters (216) 758-0284
- Stairway To Heaven (216) 784-0574
- Manitou (219) 223-8107
- Pipeline (219) 336-3774
- M.O.U.S.E (219) 674-9288
- Acorn BBS (219) 693-3485
- Ratcom (301) 437-9813
- Orion Connection (301) 967-2207
- Action (302) 337-8461
- The Vault (303) 796-0539
- Checkmate (309) 797-5926
- Lion's Den (312) 690-3724
- Chicago Public (312) 890-8513
- Facts (313) 736-3920
- Innovative Concepts (313) 978-1685
- Magic BBS (313) 978-7363
- Bungalow BBS (314) 351-2837
- Gateway City (314) 647-3290
- Atari Hotel (315) 454-9612
- The D.E.N (315) 638-8569
- Dog House (317) 243-2177
- Griffon's Nest (402) 466-5339
- 68000 Mice (403) 242-0706
- Four Aces (404) 790-5593
- Garden City (404) 796-3805
- Buford Byte Size (404) 945-6021
- Alternate Universe (407) 747-9196
- Atari Domain (407) 855-1317
- Atari Inc BBS (408) 745-5308
- Electronic Zone (412) 349-3504
- Abacus BBS (415) 587-8062
- Stu's (415) 782-4023
- West Coast Syndicate (415) 825-2952
- Eleusesthai BBS (415) 871-9451
- Taf-On-Line (416) 235-0318
- NWOC (419) 636-4237
- Fantasy Island (419) 691-6459
- Atari Scene (502) 456-4292
- Cardinals Roost (502) 458-8302
- Milliways (504) 244-0768
- Atari C.A.L.C (505) 525-0388
- Asylum BBS (505) 897-4306
- Cookie Shoppe (508) 226-8028
- Ayre-Force (508) 772-9009
- StarShip (509) 375-4228
- Ace Info System Ltd (513) 233-9500
- L'Echange (514) 522-2301
- WQNR (516) 698-7456
- East Coast Midi BBS (516) 928-4986
- Chaos (517) 882-6716
- LUST BBS (519) 432-5144
- The Crypt (601) 385-1645
- CAUUG (601) 388-3490
- Think Tank (602) 435-9645
- Network 23 (602) 846-7357
- Atari West BBS (604) 272-5888
- VAUG BBS (604) 604-5485
- Missing Link (606) 271-1466
- Temporal Fixation (609) 423-4865
- C.C.B.B.S. (609) 451-7475
- TAIG (612) 522-2687
- Flight Line (612) 544-5118
- Mind^s Eye (614) 231-3716
- Pandora (614) 471-9209
- Starbase (615) 528-7153
- Vanishing Point (615) 665-1217
- Second System (616) 385-2448
- Lost Byte (617) 586-8840
- Westport (617) 674-8361
- S.W.A.T. (617) 675-8503
- Centurian (618) 451-0165
- The Ark (703) 560-6318
- Irata (707) 252-0631
- Pegasus (708) 623-9570
- W.A.S.T.E (713) 923-7392
- Double Click (713) 944-0108
- PC Widowmaker (714) 688-3204
- Acorn BBS (716) 436-3078
- Atari Apex (716) 458-2638
- Wizards Attic (716) 681-1654
- Al's Cabin (717) 686-3037
- Arrakis (718) 331-2236
- New York City (718) 604-3323
- Dateline (718) 648-0947
- Time Tech BBS (719) 543-1869
- Grasp (804) 744-8022
- Hot Rodderz (805) 773-5907
- Wonderful World of O (808) 423-3140
- West Terrace (812) 985-2083
- Tampa Bay (813) 398-5352
- Aardvark Inn (813) 425-5113
- Harbor Lights (813) 726-3449
- St. Petersburgh (813) 821-3188
- Travelers (814) 825-9410
- Sage BBS (814) 833-4073
- Elysium (816) 761-2190
- Foundation BBS (817) 444-3023
- Rivendale (817) 444-3023
- Gate BBS (Node 1) (817) 547-1734
- Gate BBS (Node 2) (817) 547-1739
- Infinity (Logical) (818) 760-0943
- Jakes Place (904) 244-0945
- Starbase (904) 432-6009
- Public Domain (907) 338-5005
- Talisman BBS (912) 244-1726
- Omega (914) 477-9597
- House of Chance (915) 757-0788
- Select BBS (916) 392-7279
- Shadow Haven (916) 962-2566
- Tektron BBS (918) 835-5198
-
-
- =======================================================================
- Z*Net Online is a weekly online magazine covering the entire Atari
- community. Opinions and commentary are those of the individual authors
- and do not reflect those of Rovac Industries. ZNET and ZNET ONLINE are
- copyright 1990 by Rovac Industries. Reprint permission is granted as
- long as ZNET ONLINE and the author is credited. Reprinted articles are
- not be edited without permission.
- =======================================================================
- ZNET ONLINE Atari News and Reviews FIRST!
- Copyright (c)1990 Rovac Industries, Inc..
- =======================================================================
-
-
-