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////// // // ////// ////// // \/ /// // // // // /// // // // ////// // // /\ // /// // // ////// // // /////// // Atari Online Magazine Issue #510 ========================================= Copyright ©1990 by Rovac Industries, Inc. Post Office Box 59 Middlesex, New Jersey 08846 ======================================================================= Publisher/Editor - Ron Kovacs Z*Net Online 24 Hour BBS (201) 968-8148 3/12/24 CompuServe: 71777,2140 GEnie: Z-NET ======================================================================= MARCH 9, 1990 * TABLE OF CONTENTS * - THIS WEEK Australian User Groups...............................Ron Kovacs - Z*NET NEWSWIRE Weekly news update............................................. - Z*NET SPECIAL REPORT Michigan Bell Goes After Local BBS's................Jerry Cross - MAXWELL COMPUTER PRODUCTS ..................................................Press Release - PD/SHAREWARE STOP Recent PD/Shareware releases.........................Mark Quinn - VISITING ANAHEIM? Reprint of messages from GEnie ST RT........................... - ISD/ATARI AUSTRALIA Conference transcripts...........................Courtesy GEnie - DUTCH USER GROUP UPDATE 5500 Members disband............................Ernest Schreurs - USER GROUP NEWSLETTERS Toronto Atari Federation.............................Ron Kovacs - PIRACY Reader commentary..............................Joseph E. Hicswa *********************************************************************** THIS WEEK - by Ron Kovacs *********************************************************************** This month marks the First Anniversary of the Z*NET INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER. We are happy to welcome MACE (Melbourne Atari Computer Enthusiasts) to our growing membership. Z*Net IAN appears monthly in the MAG, Australian Atari Gazette, the monthly journal of the MACE group. The MACE group can be contacted at: MACE PO Box 340 Rosanna, 3084 Australia MACE BBS: (03) 764-1185 OTHER AUSTRALIAN USER GROUPS ---------------------------- Adelaide Atari Computer Club PO Box 333, Norwood 5067, S.A. BBS: (08) 214-0384 Atari Computer Enthusiasts (N.S.W.) GPO Box 4514, Sydney, 2001, N.S.W. Pracs BBS: (02) 529-2059 Canberra Atari Users Group PO Box E112, Old Canberra, 2000 Act. Geelong Atari Users Group Inc. PO Box 673, Geelong 3220, Victoria BBS: (052) 22-1670 Videotex Queensland Atari Computer Enthusiasts PO Box 10026, Brisbane, Old, 4000 W.A. Atari Computer Club PO Box 7169 Cloister Square, 6000 Perth. W.A. BBS: (09) 306-2134 *********************************************************************** Z*NET NEWSWIRE *********************************************************************** SUPERCHARGER FCC APPROVAL: Press Release FCC approval was granted this week to the pc processor "SuperCharger" from Talon Technology, Inc. Distribution of these units begins immediately. Advance orders are being shipped first. There is a two week waiting list. The unit cost is $ 399.00. Please note that this FCC approval is an "A rating" which means that it is only for business and industrial use. The more widely accepted "B rating" is expected in three to four weeks. Those wishing to order a SuperCharger must send their request with their: name; address; telephone number; and the statement "The SuperCharger(s) will be used for commercial or industrial purposes" to Talon Technologies. This is a legal requirement. For those unfamiliar with this device, it is the first external pc processor for the Atari ST. SuperCharger has shipped in Europe since October 1989 through the affiliate of Talon Technology, Condor Computer, Ltd. SuperCharger Specs: o Norton rating 4.4 o connects to STs via the DMA port with a thru port for additional devices -- no splices; no opening cases o has its own external 5v power supply o supports CGA Hercules, MDP PC screen standards for both color and monochrome STs 320x200 in four colors or 641x200 in two colors o supports the 8087 math co-processor o shipped with 1 meg of RAM (note the upgrade from 512K) o operates with a NEC V30 running a 8MHz o shipped with MS-DOS 4.xx o has a built-in bus which will be adapted in the future to accepts PC expansion boards o shipped with hard disc utilities software o shipped with DMA cable o 12 month warranty o supports all hard drives, serial port (comm 2), mouse port (comm 1), external 3.5" and 5.25" floppies o allows Atari mouse to be used as a PC mouse (Microsoft). o features a hot key to switch immediately back and forth from Atari to PC mode without reloading or rebooting Talon Technology, Inc. 243 N. Highway 101,Ste. 11 Solana Beach, CA 92075 (619) 792-6511 REMOTE KEYBOARD INTERFACE: Diverse Data Products has announced KX, a remote keyboard interface for the ATARI ST/MEGA line of computers. KX allows the connection of an IBM AT style keyboard to the ATARI ST/Mega computers. The KX hardware connects to the MIDI IN and OUT ports and are extended through the KX hardware and there is no need to alter your MIDI setup after KX is installed. The KX software allows the user to activate or deactivate the remote keyboard, define macro sequences for the function keys, and provide an online table of key scan codes for anyone desiring to access the remote keyboard directly. The software is supplied as an accessory and an application program. KX is available now at $59.95. Diverse Data Products, Inc. PO Box 695324 Miami, FL 33269 (305) 651-2393 APPLE'S FASTEST MACINTOSH: Apple is about to unveil the most powerful and expensive Macintosh yet. Apple sent out invitations this week to a March 19 news conference, where the company is expected to roll out its Macintosh IIfx. Apple isn't speaking about the new machine, but it is expected to run at a speed at least twice as fast as the IIci, Apple's current PC, and will be priced starting at $10,000 for a basic system. Along with the new Macintosh, Apple is expected to introduce an update to its version of the popular Unix operating system, a critical computer software system that is widely used in federal and technical markets. FCC EASING CONTROL OVER ATT: The FCC voted this week to examine new steps aimed at easing its regulatory control over AT & T. The FCC said it would begin writing new rules for AT&T in the area of major business users, one of the most competitive markets for long-distance telephone services. The FCC said its proposals would have no effect on home telephone service, which remains regulated. AT&T has an estimated 67 percent of the long- distance market while MCI has 12 percent and Sprint has 8 percent. ZIFF-DAVIS NAMES VP MAC PUBLICATIONS: Ziff-Davis Publishing has announced three moves within the executive ranks of its Macintosh group. J. Samuel Huey, 37, has been promoted to group vice president, a new position which puts him in charge of MacUser, MacWEEK and the Ziff Davis MacNetwork. Jeffrey Miller, 33, has been appointed director of the Ziff-Davis MacNetwork, an executive sales group selling MacUser and MacWEEK in combination. Robert Nolan, 44, has moved up as associate publisher of MacUser. MacUser, a monthly magazine edited to facilitate product buying and brand selection by Macintosh business buyers, currently delivers paid circulation of 300,000. MacWEEK, the only weekly newspaper for Macintosh volume buyers at large computer sites, reaches a controlled circulation of 70,000. 16 MEG DRAMS: First IBM, and now Texas Instruments have produced working 16 meg Drams. The fact that 2 American firms have shown 16 meg Drams, and currently no Japanese firm is close to producing such an item, should serve to boost the sagging confidence of American chip manufacturers. These 16 meg chips are expected to begin full scale production by late 1991, and it is expected that by mid 1993 the cost (millicents per bit) of a 16 meg Dram will be less than one third that of a 1 meg Dram (.30 versus .09). To put this in perspective, best figures currently available show that the minimum price that can be charged for a chip and still make the industry a profit is $3.00 for the 1 meg Dram, and $14.64 for the 16 meg Dram. We did not quote the figures for 4 meg Dram as it is becoming rapidly apparent that this chip will not be a factor at all in the Dram market, and will soon fade from view, overshadowed by the 16 meg chip, with a 64 meg Dram already on the horizon! *********************************************************************** MICHIGAN BELL GOES AFTER LOCAL BBS SYSTEMS *********************************************************************** Z*NET SPECIAL REPORT - by Jerry Cross (GAG) Once again the BBS community is being asked to go into battle against the phone company. A local bbs operator is spreading the word about problems he is having with Michigan Bell Telephone company and is requesting help. I find myself in the middle of this battle. I am a Michigan Bell employee, but I also run a multi-line bbs. Therefore, I can understand both sides of this argument and hopefully I can present both sides of this issue. Although many of the points in this story are true, a number of the claims are not. After reading this file on my own bbs I immediately contacted the VNS sysop to hear the whole story. At his request I will not use his real name. His on-line "handle" is Robert. I also called Dave Ellis, the chief spokesman for Michigan Bell, to find out what exactly Michigan Bell's position is, and to clear up some of the points made in this story that I thought were false. Here is the file as it was uploaded to the area bbs's. ================================================================= To: ALL USERS FROM: Variety-N-Spice BBS and THIS Sysop! RE: Michigan Bell vs Michigan BBS's and YOU! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- There is a fight in the making and THIS system and YOU are in the middle! I am sure that you have all heard about the FCC's recent attempt, 1987- 88, to make all modem and computer BBS's users and operators pay a surcharge because we did NOT use a "phone" in the use of the phone lines in our homes and businesses. Because of an EXTENSIVE letter writing campaign carried out by the modem users and computer operators, this attempt was called off by the FCC and it was dropped because they could not justify their claim that the use of a modem was something they could charge for at that time legally. It was dropped by the FCC, but now however, the 7 "Baby Bell" systems are taking the offensive on computer modem users on a STATE BY STATE basis. Pacific Bell tried it and they lost almost before they began. Southwest Bell is *STILL* fighting in Texas after 2 years and they have not gotten anywhere other than courts and making sysops very uncomfortable and miserable both in service and threats. Michigan Bell is now on the band wagon and they are starting with a 16 line system in Grosse Pointe, Variety-N-Spice BBS. They notified the Sysop in a letter that they are going after him since they claim that it is the largest BBS in Southeastern Michigan and will use it as a "test- case" before they go after ALL the other systems in Michigan!! (Start with the biggest and work their way down I suppose is the theory). What Bell is trying to do is call -ALL- (ANY AND ALL) BBS's a BUSINESS rather than a HOBBY, and charge BUSINESS rates to the sysops. They claim that ALL BBS's are making money in one way or another and they want their cut. When in fact, the truth is that NO BBS is making any money, although they may have a Membership that will help defray costs in running the system. This means.. VNS first, then the others and then YOU!!!!! fee or membership for access to their board!! According to the Horst Mann list of BBS's in the 313 area code, there are approximately 400 BBS's. If Michigan Bell WINS and starts charging the Sysops of these boards a BUSINESS rate, you'll find that the majority of systems will close down immediately. Those that stay running will no doubt be charging a LARGER rate than what they are NOW ..if they are charging anything NOW.. but they will have to START just to maintain the system! This is NOT good for you or me as this is something that we LIKE to do.. modeming is a part of our computer and communication fun! Our FIRST AMENDMENT rights are under fire here and we MUST fight to maintain our ability to have freedom of speech to communicate and express our views in an open forum such as a BBS!! -IF- you sit back and allow Michigan Bell to charge BUSINESS rates to the Sysops and the systems close down, you should know that there is another plan on the drawing board AS YOU READ THIS! (more on this below) A. They claim that they are losing money on the MODEM users and that they have to get their cut. B. They say that since we are using their phone lines for something OTHER than a 'phone', then we must be doing something that they can charge us extra for and as an operator of a system, WE are the ones that have ALL the money to pay them. 1. V-N-S has obtained one of the FINEST attorneys in Michigan to fight the fight for me AND -YOU-!! He is doing this because he is into computers and enjoys communicating with others via modem. He also feels that this is a violation of our FIRST AMENDMENT.. our constitutional right to communicate and speak our minds however we wish.. (within legal limits of course). 2. They have contacted a few State Representatives and also the ACLU about them joining the fight and also to get some more bite into this fight against Michigan Bell. 3. They have started a letter writing campaign to get more political action and make the government aware of what Bell is trying to do to US.. the users and operators of computer systems! (YOUR help is needed here!!!!!) 4. They are contacting ALL BBS's in Michigan to gain YOUR help in stopping this unlawful attack on computer boards and modem users. 5. A NON-PROFIT corporation for Sysops AND Users is being considered that will fight this very thing and help Sysops add more lines or other services that are needed. It will lobby against what is UNfair and get changes made that will benefit -US-, Sysops AND Users!!! A. Michigan Bell is installing (probably as you read this) a new device that will detect a call coming out of your home or business and tell them if it is a DATA or VOICE call. They are going after the MODEM -USER- after they have gotten ALL the BBS's in Michigan put under the BUSINESS "wing" and the rational is that if BBS's are a Business, then the USERS must be a business also, so THEY should be charged a business rate too! Makes sense eh? B. This would mean that ANYONE that uses a modem will be charged 8.7 cents PER call on their HOME line, for MODEM -AND- VOICE calls!! ANYONE that uses a modem PERIOD will be immediately switched over to a BUSINESS and charged accordingly! 1. IF you are detected in -A- DATA transmission, you will then be switched over to business rates and then ANY and ALL calls made ...modem OR voice will be charged the 8.7 cent per call rate. This means that if you call your Mother, your wife, your Dentist, your friend, ALL CALLS WILL BE CHARGED 8.7 CENTS A CALL!! How many calls do you think you make in a DAY?? 10? 100? Add it up and see what 8.7 cents a CALL would do to your phone charge.. Ohio, and while you are doing that, you also have to add another $2.50 on your line charge as a flat fee in addition to what you are already paying!! SIMPLE MATH: IF YOU ARE PAYING $20.00 FOR YOUR BASIC TOUCH TONE PHONE WITH CALL WAITING AND UNLIMITED CALLS, THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO ADD ON, PLUS THE BASIC $2.50 BUSINESS RATE EACH MONTH: YOUR BUS RATE BASIC NEW BILL 10/DAY @ 8.7 cents a call times 30 days = $26.10 + $22.50 = $48.60 20/DAY @ 8.7 cents a call times 30 days = $54.20 + $22.50 = $74.70 30/DAY @ 8.7 cents a call times 30 days = $78.30 + $22.50 = $100.80 40/DAY @ 8.7 cents a call times 30 days = $104.40 + $22.50 = $126.90 AND ON AND ON....... PLUS TAX -YOUR- NEW PHONE RATE PLUS YOUR ZONE AND LONG DISTANCE RATES ADDED ON TOO! OHIO.. I forgot to mention that you will ALSO have to pay a deposit on your new BUSINESS line of $100.00!! This is on ALL phone lines with different numbers in your HOME!!!!! How many lines do you have in your home?? This deposit will be held for 3 years and will be refunded upon your closing your "business" or unless you can PROVE that you are NOT using a MODEM anymore.. Why?? Because you are using a modem to call a BBS once in awhile, as part of your regular use of the phone. AND because Michigan Bell thinks that you are getting something that no other PHONE user is getting and THEY should be making money on it!! 1. If you and I pay for the ZONE calls and INTERLADA calls we make when we call other boards... what is the difference if we use the PHONE or a MODEM?? 2. Does Michigan Bell think that we are ripping off something like getting HBO for FREE or something??? Your local cable company would fight you on unlawful reception of cable stations, but what law are WE breaking by calling and PAYING FOR our calls (be it your girlfriend or a BBS ????) IF YOU DON'T HELP ME STOP THEM, -YOU- ARE NEXT!! UNLESS YOU FEEL THAT MICHIGAN BELL DESERVES TO WALK ALL OVER YOU -AND- ANYONE THAT USES A MODEM TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS, YOU MUST JOIN IN THIS FIGHT!! IT IS -OUR- SURVIVAL AND THE SURVIVAL OF OUR HOBBY THAT IS AT STAKE HERE.. DON'T SIT ON YOUR CAN AND THINK THAT YOUR LETTER WILL NOT HELP TO TURN THESE PEOPLE BACK.. EVERY LETTER COUNTS.. [SEND IN AS MANY AS YOU CAN] .. TO ALL THE LISTED OFFICES AND GET YOUR FRIENDS TO HELP BACK YOU UP, OR YOU WILL NOT HAVE A PLACE TO CALL AND WE ALL WILL BE PAYING CHARGES THAT ARE NOT LEGAL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!! This is NOT a dream.. this is REALITY! This is actually happening NOW and YOUR help is needed to stop this NOW!! Michigan Bell --MUST-- be stopped NOW before this gets any further. You are being asked to spend $2.00 in postage and a small amount of time to capture this file and print part of it out, then mail the resulting letter to the following people: 1. The Governor 2. YOUR State Representative 3. YOUR State Senator 4. Michigan Public Service Commission 5. Michigan Bell 6. YOUR Federal Senator 7. YOUR Federal Representative All you need to do is put this file in a TEXT EDITOR and put in the NAME of the person you are sending it to, address, sign it and stick it in an envelope and MAIL IT TODAY!!!!! There is a list of addresses and names of the State politicians so you can find YOURS and mail it to him or her. If you would rather CALL than send it, there are phone numbers listed also so you can VOICE your opposition to what this "Public Service" is doing to YOUR MODEM RIGHTS. MAYBE YOU ARE NOT INTO SAVING THE WHALES, OR FIGHTING FOR OR AGAINST FUR COATS BUT YOU -ARE- INTO MODEMING OR YOU WOULD NOT BE HERE READING THIS ... --THIS IS YOUR HOBBY.. THIS IS SOMETHING YOU LIKE TO DO.. DON'T SIT THERE.. GET BUSY.. SEND THOSE LETTERS AND HELP SAVE COMPUTER BBS'S AND MODEMING!! Variety-N-Spice BBS (313) 885-8377, 8-N-1, 300/1200/2400 NOTE: -AFTER- you have logged on and answered the questionnaire, you may leave FEEDBACK to ROBERT 1 and mention that you want info on this attack on OUR hobby!!!! ============================ This file also included a list of the state congressmen, and other officials to send letters to. It also included a sample letter to pattern your own letter after. =========================== As of this writing (3/7/90) the VNS bbs is out of business. Their phone lines have been disconnected, and Robert has been ordered to pay a $1600 deposit, plus some other back payments before he can get his lines turned back on. He is currently trying to raise the money to do this. Robert plans to take this before an administrative law judge and have them decide what the tariff really says. I hope he is successful. Now to sift through the "facts". Roberts BBS is not a free access board. He charges for access to specific areas on his board, but most of his bbs is open to the public. This includes the message base and file transfer areas. Michigan Bell is NOT going after ALL BBS operators! This claim is totally false. They are only going after those who charge a fee as a condition for using their systems. Michigan Bell is NOT installing equipment to detect data transmission over phone lines. After talking to Robert, I am convinced this story was dreamed up by an overzealous supervisor trying to put the fear of GOD into modem users. According to my sources who install and maintain central office equipment, no such equipment has ever been installed. Three very important questions were brought up in this letter. What is Bell's position on the billing of a bulletin board system? Does any person wishing to send data over a phone line have to pay business rates? And is Michigan Bell really monitoring lines looking for DATA? Other points raised in this file have no real bearing on this case, only to generate support. For example, is this really a violation of your first amendment rights? Hardly. I put these questions to Dave Ellis, MBT's chief spokesman. Mr. Ellis states that "A bulletin board becomes subject to business rates when there is a charge involved for accessing it. The state tariff mandates that when someone uses a residence line for business then they must be switched over to business service. A bulletin board becomes subject to that when it begins charging for access to it." Robert points out that that the part of the tarrif that MBT claims applies to his bbs, which was written in November, 1966, states: "The determination as to whether the telephone service should be clarified as a business or residence is based on the character of the use to be made of the service. Service is classified as 'Business Service' when the use is primarily or substantially of a business, professional, institutional, or otherwise of a occupational nature. Where the business use (if any) is incidental, and if the the major use is of a social or domestic nature, then service is classified as residential if it is installed in a residence." The tariff also states that "In any residence location where there is substantial business use of the service and the customer has no service elsewhere he is billed a Business rate." Robert argues that there is nothing on a bbs that is business oriented. BBS's are purely a social use of the phone lines. The tariff says nothing about charging a fee. He also argues that Bell has known for three years that he ran a full time bulletin board and never said anything. However they now insist he be classified as a business line, and must pay $1600 deposit on his lines. Robert claims that if the only offending thing to MBT is his request for donations to his bbs, then he will remove it. But he does not think Bell will back off since they want to make this into a test case. Will any modem user be required to pay business rates to hook his computer into a phone line? Mr. Ellis stated that "In terms of modem users, if you have a residence line and you have a modem on it, that's fine. That does not make you subject to business charges. If you just use it as a hobbiest, or to access services around the state, then that is not subject to business charges." I asked Mr. Ellis if requiring users to upload programs as a condition of access would be considered the same as requesting donations, and he said he did not believe so. This was one of the points brought up by another phone company that claimed putting any condition on a user to upload programs is the same as charging a fee. In response to my question about monitoring for data traffic Mr. Ellis replied "No, absolutely not! We can't. We don't monitor content of calls. It's against the law." Michigan Bell has had a long standing policy about monitoring phone lines. The only time they monitor lines is to determine service quality, such as monitoring operators and service representatives. All results are confidential and calls are randomly picked. Michigan Bell has no right to determine the content of calls. This is all spelled out in the employee handbook that all Bell employees must read. The bottom line to this story is this. Michigan Bell plans to begin charging business rates on any bbs that charges it's users a fee. IN NO WAY will it effect EVERY BBS!!! It will NOT effect the users and will not increase your phone bills. What concerns me is that Bell is beginning to pay attention to BBS systems in the state. It may not be legal now, but it's very possible that Bell could request a separate rate for BBS's in the future. For this reason you should continue to monitor what is happening on the VNS bbs, and show your support. I am completely surprised at the lack of support the MPSC is giving this case. This agency has the power and authority to decide what goes into the tariff, yet they have decided to take a hands off approach. They feel that letting this go through the courts will solve the problem! I just can't believe their thinking! Maybe we should direct our letter writing campaign to the MPSC, or better yet get those jerks running it replaced! Robert is facing some very large legal fees, and needs your help and support. If you would like more information, or wish to offer your help, I will be happy to pass on your name. You can leave me a message on my bbs (FACTS) at 313-736-4544. Robert said that the retainer fee could cost as much as $15,000, but he has enlisted the help of a few lawyers so that may cut the cost. *********************************************************************** MAXWELL COMPUTER PRODUCTS UNLTD PRODUCT NEWS RELEASE: FRACTAL FANTASY *********************************************************************** Press Release Maxwell is proud to release Fractal Fantasy, a new Atari ST program producing countless designs from the Mandelbrot Set - complex artistic shapes produced from the chaotic behavior of special mathematical equations. Fractal Fantasy will peak your interest in the mathematical discipline called Chaos and present intricate designs for use in desktop publishing. Its GEM based options, its manual and help function will guide you to developing fractal designs without the need for an advanced degree in mathematics. Develop fractals in two and three dimensional perspectives, save your images as DEGAS high or low resolution format. Contouring of the images can be defined by creating and saving your own color palette or defining the type of fill patterns. One can also cycle 512 colors through the image for psychedelic effects reminiscent of the safe and sane 60s. Stop and resume fractal development at will. There are several options for developing a fractal: Set Zoom, Texturing, Tightening, Projection, Monitoring, Distance Estimation, Level Set Method, Traditional Method, Revert, Maximum Iterations, Overflow, Pixel Precision, Stretch Factor, Color Spread, Color palette. Fractal Fantasy suggested retail is $23.95 with future upgrades just $4.00. Future upgrade plans include Spectrum format and color printout. MAXWELL PRODUCT UPDATE: GOGO-ST: GoGo-ST is a GEM based program that relieves ST users from the drudgery of searching through desktop windows and folders for every program to execute. GoGo presents a single menu from which the user can click on a program name installed in any one of 50 selector buttons and instantly run the program. After completion the ST returns to the GoGo-ST menu. GoGo also presents a editable digital clock and date and full access to desktop accessories. Select the log function and GoGo will maintain a log of the time and files used while in each of your programs. Presently GoGo-ST is at version 1.3. If you have a earlier version please send $4.00 and your registration card and we will be glad to upgrade your system. MEGSTENDER: If you would like to give your Mega ST keyboard more freedom to move, then MegSTender is what you need. MegSTender Mega keyboard extension cords come in lengths of 6, 8, 12 and 25 feet and we have LOWERED OUR PRICES. Prices are now only $11.95, $12.95, $14.95 and $16.95, respectively. MegSTender is great for MIDI oriented Mega systems or for Megas with peripheral RF modulator connections for TV gaming ... just move your keyboard to your TV/ST game activities. SILOUETTE, LASERPR & SMOKEOUT!: Look in the next issue of Z*NET Online for information on the new MaxWell products, LaserPR, Silouette and Smokeout! MaxWell CPU, 507 W. Baseline , Lafayette, CO 80026 // (303)666-7754. *********************************************************************** PD/SHAREWARE STOP - by Mark Quinn *********************************************************************** (Editors Note: Welcome back Mark!) File name: HOSPITAL.ARC Author(s): Neil Forsyth Program name: Various File type: Utility File name: VKILLER.ARC Author(s): George Woodside Program name: VKILLER File type: Utility The first archive contains a suite of programs dedicated to keeping your data intact. The following programs are contained within the archive. ACIDTEST.PRG BOOTCMP.PRG DT.TTP GOODBOOT.TOS MEDICAL.TOS RESET2.ACC SKULL.PRG VACCINE.PRG VECHECK.PRG WATCHER.PRG ACIDTEST.PRG checks for link viruses; BOOTCMP.PRG compares the boot sector of a floppy disk with a file; DT.TTP is a "Disk Toolbox"--with it, you can change the order of programs in your AUTO folder, show information about a boot sector, enable or disable an executable boot sector, show the BIOS parameter block, verify a floppy, and wipe FATs and the root directory; MEDICAL.TOS will "bulk check" disks for infection; RESET2.ACC allows you to do a soft or hard reset of your computer; SKULL.PRG flashes a skull on the screen when it finds an infected disk (the one reservation I have about it is that it locks up your computer when it does so) and apparently wipes away the infection; VACCINE.PRG prevents viruses from infecting disks, and warns the user when they attempt to do so; VECHECK.PRG compares "vulnerable areas of memory" with a file; WATCHER.PRG checks that the boot sector has not been altered during times when your system is vulnerable to infection. Functionality seems to have been stressed above flash in the above programs. I got the impression that some of them are of the "quick and dirty" variety. But sometimes that's what many users want. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There is nothing quick and dirty about George Woodside's VKILLER. The program is mouse/icon/keyboard controlled. All commands are accessible in either environment. You can check drives A and B by clicking on their respective icons. This program checks the disk's boot sector, both copies of its FAT (File Allocation Table), its root directory, as well as its first few data sectors. Once the anti-virus program checks the disk, data from the disk can be written to a file and either printed to the screen or a printer. VKILLER also has two different flavors (take your medicine, oh virus) of "guard boot sectors". The first displays the message "Virus free disk" on a clean disk at bootup. If that message isn't displayed at boot up, it would be wise to disinfect the disk. The second type of guard boot sector also displays a message and remains in memory, monitoring every disk the computer accesses. The program also repairs damaged boot sectors. The procedure for rebuilding your "bootie" is detailed in the documentation. VKILLER can do away with eighteen different types of ST viruses. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ============> The following file is SHAREWARE File name: RAMPLUS.LZH Author(s): John Harris Program name: RAMPLUS, DESKFMT File type: Utility RAMPLUS is a reset-survivable (the RAM disk must be reinstalled after each reset if your desktop configuration has not been saved and the program is not in your AUTO folder) RAM disk program that also functions as a mouse doubler and print spooler. The spooler uses RAM disk memory. RAMPLUS can be installed in the AUTO folder of your floppy or hard drive. Pressing any key before RAMPLUS boots allows the user to configure the size of the disk in 1K increments, from 0 to 9999. Configuring the disk for 0K disables the RAM disk, print spooler, and "cluster fix modules" (a fix for a bug in GEMDOS that increases disk storage by 2K. The programmer says to beware of other programs which may ALSO fix the bug--the other program will 'add' another 2K, possibly putting your poor drive in la-la land. This fix can be turned off). DESKFMT is a combination disk formatter/copier desk accessory. There are two format types available, "Twisted" and "Normal". The formatter supports up to 84 tracks and 11 sectors. The 11-sector format must be used with caution. The programmer warns to only use it for disks that are to be filled and never written to again, such as backup disks. Mr. Harris' 11-sector format is not compatible with other 11-sector formats. The copier works with TOS-format disks, and includes an AUTO mode that will ensure that the copy is in the same format as the original. A MANUAL mode is also included. DSKFMT seems to be a well thought out program. (I chose the three files mentioned above for two reasons, I was impressed by their usefulness and quality, and I thought that ST users could benefit from a more detailed look at them. This is a personal decision, a decision you may disagree with. Nonetheless, I must make it every week. Why not give some of the "Quickies" a closer look?) "Quinn's Quickies" BIORHYTH.LZH A desk accessory. Gives a three-week graph of your "physical", "intellectual" and "emotional" cycles in a window. Also tells you how many days old you are. =============> The following file is SHAREWARE CDIAL.ARC A fast dialer. "Multiple selection dialing" is supported: CyberDialer will dial lots of busy numbers repeatedly until it gets through to one of them. It is run from a terminal program as an external program. Dial directories can be saved and loaded. A SKIP function allows one to skip the current selection and dial the next in the list. REMOVE will take a board or information service out of the list of numbers being dialed. CHEKBOOK.ARC Very, very well organized program. Buttons "depress" when you click on them, too! Keep track of your checking account, ATM withdrawals, etc. Many mouse-driven commands have keyboard equivalents. Search feature. As far as I'm concerned, this one's a "keeper". DOUBLER.LZH Converts single-sided disks to double-sided. Handy, especially if you've just bought yourself a drive that can format double-sided disks. FIGHTTER.ARC Fly through STellar STarspace in your STellar STarship, find and shoot "Amigon", then return to headquarters. (I wonder if there's a fuji symbol somewhere at "headquarters"?) COLOR ONLY. FLIGHT.ARC Can you pilot your ship past energy pulses and through the right gate? The wrong one costs a life. COLOR ONLY. ICONDESK.LZH Assign different icons to your files. German. Must be run from AUTO folder. Configuration programs run ONLY in high res. MONOGRAB.ARC Monochrome ONLY. "Grab" section of picture, then save for use in GFA BASIC programs. MOON.ARC Good twist on the "BOINK" theme. Will it set a new BOINK standard? Probably not, but it's fun to play with. OH_CRAPS.ARC Roll them bones. Drag your chips in the "field", click on the dice and watch (and listen to) the dice roll. RESISTOR.ARC Determine the value in ohms of that resistor you intend to use in your next electronics project. Includes "STSPEECH.TOS" digitized voice. ROULETTE.ARC Belly up to the roulette table (err, computer table) , and take yer chances. Good animation of a spinning roulette wheel. In much the same vein as "OH_CRAPS", above. RT_MOVE.ARC For TOS 1.4 users. "Move" files on the desktop using the right mouse button instead of the control key. (I have an OLD TOS, so...) SENTINEL.ARC Tired of NOT being properly informed when your disk is full (ARC602 and Flash! users take note)? Write Error Sentinel to the rescue! Runs from AUTO folder. *********************************************************************** VISITING ANAHEIM IN APRIL? *********************************************************************** (Editors Note: The following is reprinted from Category 11 Topic 14, User Group Shows, World of Atari Anaheim April 1990. You've read the information regarding the show itself, here are messages posted by GEnie SysOp Darlah Hudson to assist those traveling to the area.) Reprint Courtesy GEnie ST RT by permission, Copyright 1990 GEnie Roundtables. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Category 11, Topic 14 Messages 84-87 Sun Mar 04, 1990 DARLAH [RT~SYSOP] at 10:20 EST Here is some information for all the out of towners. I use to live relatively close to that area when I lived out in California. I lived in LA, Santa Monica and San Diego. I will fill you in on some information for the 1st timers incase you are curious. Disneyland averages 15,000 to 25,000 (attendance) on weekdays for the 3 weeks before Easter. On Weekends the average is 30,000 to 50,000. What does this mean?? 25,000 is relatively quiet but at 30,000 you will see some lines at the most popular rides and at 45,000 it is crowded. Disneyland does have loaner cameras for those film buffs that like to keep some memories in print. I bring my own as I am most familiar with my camera. There are tons of spots to buy film but the cost is high within the park. Bank of America also is located inside the park with a mini bank. They can cash checks etc if you are in need. The park does have one day film service inside the park. What this means is drop it off in the afternoon and take it home with you that night. Strollers are available for those that are bringing young ones and babysitters are available at the Disneyland hotel but one must make arrangements ahead of time. If you are handicapped, Disney has gone to great lengths to make sure that you have access to most areas. Liquor is now served in the kingdom but ONLY after dark. Lockers are available and you best have your quarters ready for these. Locker space goes FAST and I have always found a use for one. Mailboxes are in several areas within the park for those fast postcards you want to send. Credit cards, cash and travelers checks are gladly taken in the park. Rush Hour in LA is between 6am and 9am and 3pm to 6pm. Be aware that traffic in LA is always high though in Anaheim it is less. Congested is a word that comes to mind but a car you do need if you want to go anywhere. Los Angeles Airport is 45 min away from Disney hotel at the best travel times. John Wayne Airport (Orange County) is 20 minutes. Airport Coach buses go from the airports to the Disney hotel, Emerald, Hilton, Marriott, Grand, and Howard Johnson. The phone # is 491-3500 or 772-5800. They service the airports from 5 am to 1030PM. Lounge Car Tours Airport Cruiser (761-3345) goes to these hotels -> Disney Hotel, Sheraton, Conestoga, Stovalls Inn, Inn at the Park, Hilton, Marriott, Quality, Holiday Inn, Howard Johnsons and Grand Hotel in Buena Park and in Anaheim during the same hours as the airport coach. Virtually all lodging places are served on request by airport buses with 24 hour notice. Some of these companies are Airport transportation (558-1413), Green Flag Airport Shuttle (991-5660) and Super Shuttle (973-1100). Here are the prices: LAX to hotel and back --------------------- Airport Coach $10 each way Airport Transportation $12 each way Green Flag $45 each way $5 for extra person SuperShuttle $10 each way Lounge Car Airport Cruiser $10 each way John Wayne to hotel and back ---------------------------- Airport Coach $4 each way Airport Transportation $14 each way $7 for extra person Green Flag $33 each way $5 for extra person SuperShuttle $10 each way Lounge Car Airport Cruiser $5 each way As I construct more information, I will post. If you have a specific question, I am sure I can get you the answer. Do let me know. Looking forward to seeing everyone there. More info on Disney Show: ------------------------- Night Spots and hangouts ------------- El Toritos, 2020 East Ball Road, 956-4880 Very active joint from what I remember. It is a great people watching joint. Sgt. Preston's Yukon Saloon, Disneyland Hotel, 1150 Cerritos Ave 778-6600 Singing Waitresses, good show, country music the last time I was there Pulse, Anaheim Hilton and Towers, Nightclub****, 777 Convention Way, Anaheim, Ca, 750-4321 Computerized light show and sound system. The latest music. Bandstand, 1721 S. Manchester Ave, Anaheim, Ca, 956-1412 Country and Western on Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays, Top 40 on Wed., Fri,. and Saturday. Closed Monday. Crackers, 710 East Katella Ave, Anaheim, Ca, 978-1828 Singing waiters and waitresses, musicians, jugglers and audience participation. This was a NEAT place from what I remember. The Original Cattleman's Wharf next to the Conestoga hotel, 1160 West Ball Road, Anaheim, Ca, 535-1622 Usually a live band doing Top 40s in the Barons Lounge upstairs. Mr. Stox, 1105 E. Katella Ave, Anaheim, Ca, 634-2994 Caters to young professionals. It is a pick up joint <--- Righteous Brothers Hop, 18774 Brookhurst Street, Fountain Valley, Ca, 963-2366 This spot bears its owners name. Music and special events. Sock hops, 50s and 60s music, hula hoop contests, trivia....great place. Crazy Horse Saloon, 1580 Brookhollow Drive, Santa Ana, Ca, 549-1512 Name country performers usually play here. The Cannery, 3010 Lafeyette Ave, Newport Beach, Ca, 675-5777 Big singles crowd at this one folks. Its a great restaurant and night spot with light rock. Peppers, 12361 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, Ca, 740-1333 Top 40s and shuttle from most Disney area hotels. The Laff Stop, 2122 Southeast Bristol Street, Newport Beach, Ca 852-8762 Comedians Wed through Sunday Newport Beach, 30 minutes away, Anyplace in Newport Beach will do. :-) T.G.I.Fridays, hmm a friend Jim used to manage this joint. Would love to see him again. 601 Anton Blvd, Costa Mesa, 540-2227 This is a busy joint with great food and friendly waiters and waitresses. The place is one of my favs and continues to be anywhere there is one. Disneyland Hours ---------------- Apri 4th and 5th 9am to 7pm Apri 6th 9am to midnight Apri 7th and 8th 8am to midnight Apri 9th 8am to midnight ------------ Costs to the Magic Kingdom -------------------------- Free Day Pass to those staying at the hotel (Disney) Adults Children Passports $23.50 $18.50 (3 to 11) Guided Tours $ 9.50 $ 7.50 Passports gets you on to all rides. Tours are in addition to the passports. 1990 is the 35th anniversary for Disney. New shows, parades and fireworks are in agenda but all tentative. Each guest to the park will receive a commemorative anniversary ticket which puts them in for a chance to win prizes from a camera, cash, car etc. A prize every 35 seconds will be given away. I hope one of you wins! *********************************************************************** ISD AND ATARI AUSTRALIA IN CONFERENCE *********************************************************************** (C) 1990 by Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the Atari Roundtables. May be reprinted only with this notice intact. The Atari Roundtables on GEnie are *official* information services of Atari Corporation. To sign up for GEnie service, call (with modem) 800-638-8369. Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt. Type XJM11877,GEnie and hit RETURN. The system will prompt you for your information. March 7, 1990 <[Sysop] JEFF.W> On behalf of the Atari ST Roundtable, I welcome all of you to the ISD/ Atari Australia RealTime Conference on GEnie. Before getting started, some business about how an RTC works. While the RTC room is in Listen- Only mode, you can only address our guest when I let you talk. To get my attention, just /RAIse your hand. Just enter this from your keyboard: /rai I'll acknowledge your raised hand as soon as I can, but please be patient. I -WILL- let you know when your turn is coming up. Some background about how this unique conference came about. Nathan Potechin, president of ISD, agreed to a conference for this date some time back. Ostensibly, the subject of conference would be the newly released Calamus Outline product, along with any of the other Calamus or DynaCADD products. Later, it turned out that Nathan would be in Australia on March 7th, but he still wanted to go ahead with the conference. Thanks to the folks at GEnie, this was arranged and Nathan is now sitting in the offices of Atari Australia. Not wanting Atari users to miss a unique opportunity, Nathan opened this conference up to the folks at Atari Australia also. So this RTC is of a dual nature. We'll find out about Outline as well as the state of Atari in Australia. We'll let the conference move in whatever direction your questions take it. With Nathan are Nigel Shephard and Alistair Campion of Atari Australia. Other guests are Julius Oklamcak and Shawn Wheatcroft, also of ISD, but holding down the fort in ISD's offices in Canada. So we have a very unique 'configuration' here that will make for a unique conference! <grin> I understand that Julius has an introduction prepared, so we'll start with you, Julius. The floor is yours. <[Julius] ISD2>: Welcome to the first formal GEnie conference on Outline Art. ISD is proud to announce the release of our new vector orientated graphic tool. For further information and specifics on Outline Art, please drop by category 16 topic 8 in the ISD customer support section of the ST bulletin board or our own library number 30 in the ST library where you will find a complete working version of this product. In addition, with the release of the new Guide to Calamus Desktop Publishing, we are continuing in our efforts to provide a truly professional integrated desktop publishing solution based on the Atari platform. This is the first truly international conference as we not only have the participation of ISD from their head office in Toronto Canada, but the adjudication of their President Nathan Potechin from the offices of Atari in Sydney Australia. We would also like to welcome Atari Australia to their first formal conference, in fact, the inaugural participation of an Australian company in the GEnie network. With us today are Nigel Shepherd, Managing Director of Atari Australia and Alistair Campion, National Manager, Business and Education Manager for Atari Computers. <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> Officially we would like to welcome Nathan to Australia. He has attended our two day dealer conference and starting tomorrow will be present at our annual Atari Expo. This is an Atari ONLY show running for the next 3 days. Slowly but surely Nathan is learning the language and by the time that he leaves we may be able to understand what he has been trying to tell us. <[Sysop] JEFF.W> What kind of attendance is expected for the Expo, Nigel? <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> Anticipate approximately 10,000 minimum <[Sysop] JEFF.W> So, it's safe to say that Australia has taken well to Atari? <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> Yes we are recognized as one of the major suppliers to both the home and small business computer market. <[Sysop] JEFF.W> Does Australia carry the full Atari line? (ST's, Megas, PC clones, etc.) <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> Yes, we sell all products in the Atari range. <P.LESTER> What is the difference between DynaCADD IBM and ST? Do you need the math co-processor to run on IBM? <[Julius] ISD2> DynaCADD 1.70 on the IBM and DynaCADD 1.78 on the ST are virtually identical. A math chip is not required to run, unlike some other CAD software...though recommended, as on the ST. <P.LESTER> What does it cost for both and does the IBM support auto shading? <[Julius] ISD2> Both versions retail for $995 US. Shading and 3D modeling is not currently supported. DynaCADD is more for technical drawings than for 3D modeling. <P.LESTER> Will there be an update and how do you get the demo on GEnie to run? I d/led but no luck in running it. <[Julius] ISD2> P.LESTER give us a call...we have prepared an introduction booklet for exactly that problem. Call (416) 479-1991, our customer service number. <[Deanne] J.FRANK2> Hi Nathan, Nice to chat with you again. I pick up my copy of Outline tomorrow. It has been something I have needed for a long time. As you know, I do DTP full time. I am wondering, will Calamus and Outline keep us up in technology? That technology will move faster than us and I may have to break down and go PC. <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> No chance. By the end of the summer we will have a Calamus solution for the TT that the PC will simply not be able to compete against. I am quite serious on this. <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> We have just completed and released the Calamus Guide to Desktop Publishing, which is a 300 page book with hints tips and tutorials on Calamus, Outline Art and the Font Editor. Currently it is only being made available to our registered Owners only. We are doing a mailout to all registered owners to advise them of its availability which should have already left my office to everyone. Perhaps Shawn can comment on this. <[Julius/Shawn] ISD2> The mailout is currently in progress...everyone should be getting something in their mailbox in the next week or so. <D.A.BRUMLEVE> This is for the Aussies: I've been enjoying several excellent UK magazines devoted to the ST. These are published in England. Does Australia have any ST magazines of its own? Are the few US ST mags widely available there? <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> All UK and US ST magazines are freely available in OZ and a local magazine is published quarterly. <J.ALLEN27> Nigel, is the OZzy market a good one for business enhancement products? <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> The answers is yes, particularly on the Atari range. Not huge but a market does exist. <J.ALLEN27> Can you help US developers like me get dealership intros? <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> Yes. Send details to Alistair Campion at Atari-OZ. He will follow up. <J.ALLEN27> What would you say the mix, 520/1040/Mega...of the Ataris in service in OZ are? <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> Total quantity of all ST's in OZ would be approximately 20,000 - 25000 units with a mix of (40% 520)(40% 1040) (20% Megas). And growing fast :-) of course. <J.ALLEN27> What's the phone number? <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> Atari OZ 02-805-0344 , Fax 887-2231 <[Sysop] JEFF.W> What is the developer situation like in Australia, Nigel? Are there many commercial products by Aussies being released in Australia? <[Alistair] ATARI-OZ> There is a small group of about 20 active Developers with key products such as: leading edge GENlocker for the ST, STe and Mega computers, simulation games, CD ROM software, Communication software and business productivity applications :-) <[Sysop] JEFF.W> Do you know if that genlock could work on US systems? <[Alistair] ATARI-OZ> Yes, it supports NTSC and PAL. <[Ron] R.GRANT11> Are Alistair and Nigel teaching you to say "Real Soon Now" in Aussie? <grin> Seriously though, the Guide has greatly changed my perception of Outline Art. I now eagerly anticipate it again. <gadzooks, again!>. My question...Now that Outline has shipped, will PKS Write be sent to a burner a little closer to the front? <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> PKS Write now moves to the front of the list Ron. It will be available "real soon now" :-) I hope to have it ready for sale by the end of April, early May. <[Mark] M.PHILLIPS14> Nathan, what is a realistic est. arrival of Calamus 1.1 and what new features will it include? <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> I cannot commit to a definite date at this time. Actually there will be 3 new versions of Calamus: Calamus S, Calamus SL and Calamus SLC. The last will be our true pre-press color separation version and will require the TT platform. I expect the three to be released sometime around the end of the summer. <[Mark] M.PHILLIPS14> How about auto-tracing? <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> Auto-tracing is one of the modules that will be included with the Calamus SL version, which is the modular shell. Other modules currently in place include TIFF, Word Perfect, Outline Art, etc. <[Mark] M.PHILLIPS14> Does that mean I need a TT for color separations. <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> Yes, definitely. To obtain the professional level to offer true color separation, the processing power of the 68030 is a must!! <JJKENNEDY> Alistair/Nigel, Local dealers are having a hard time obtaining stock from Atari. What is the situation there? <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> The situation here is OK. All products are readily available. <JJKENNEDY> Is the STe available? <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> Being released officially, this week!!! <[Dan] DERON.K> What will be the support for PostScript in the future of Calamus? <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> Currently we have received 4 beta versions now of a page image postscript driver. None of which have worked to acceptable standards. <[Dan] DERON.K> Page image ? <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> Page image means that we still do not use the ps fonts but transmit a page image of the Calamus page as a raster file. <[Dan] DERON.K> What about Outline supporting EPSF? <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> Are you asking if Outline Art supports Encapsulated PostScript? <[Dan] DERON.K> Does it output EPSF? <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> We wrote and included Convert2X.PRG with Outline Art specifically to convert Calamus Vector Graphic files to either PostScript or Encapsulated PostScript. <[Dan] DERON.K> Great, any possibility that we can get some samples for testing? <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> This program has been tested with Pagestream importing the EPS file created by Outline Art and works perfectly. Nevin Shalit tested them for us. Leave Email and we will be happy to send you a copy. <D.A.BRUMLEVE> I understand that the ST is making some headway into British schools. Is this also true in Australia? What percentage of monthly software sales for the ST are children/education-related? (Here, it's very low.) <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> The Atari ST is accepted by most major school systems in Oz and a high percentage of our software sales are children educational related. <D.A.BRUMLEVE> God, I've gotta get over there. I have a comment for Nathan, also. I want Nathan to know that a premium I plan to give away at shows was prepared by a devoted Calamus user with Outline Art. <[Ron] R.GRANT11> Nathan, could you clarify this modular concept a bit more for us? Does it mean that we'll be able to buy and install parts of a master program and install them as needed to create a whole? Isn't this awfully NeXT-ish? <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> The Calamus SL version contains all of the features of the current version of Calamus plus about 30 new ones, including tiling, text rastering, leader tabs, irregular text wrap, etc. In addition there will be many programs for which we will write import drivers so that you will be able to bring them within Calamus, ie; Word Perfect (providing you have the available RAM) without existing the Calamus program. <[Ron] R.GRANT11> Import drivers? You mean import the whole d*** program? What a concept. :-) How about third-party add-ons? <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> I believe that we will be able to make these import driver creators available to interested 3rd party Developers. I will confirm this in about 30 days. <BOB-BRODIE> A question for my fellow employees in Australia! I am the Manager for User Group Services for Atari US. What type of things are you doing in Australia for the user groups there? Do you have a user group coordinator? I enjoy getting several newsletter from the groups there, but worry about them expecting an "real" support from me. <[Alistair] ATARI-OZ> There are Atari User Groups in every capital city in OZ and New Zealand. We give them all the support that we can with the usual love/hate relationship. :-) :-) :-) <[Mark] M.PHILLIPS14> A lot of Calamus users own Ultra Script which is packaged with the Atari SLM804. It would be nice if there was with the Atari SLM804. It would be nice if there was some kind of support for all those great UltraScript fonts. Any chance of a converter? <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> Sorry, no. But we will have over 1000 new fonts available by the release of the new versions of Calamus which should eliminate any difficulty obtaining any font of your choice. <[Mark] M.PHILLIPS14> Does ISD offer a list of Linotype printing services that have ordered the interface? <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> Currently we have 4 interfaces up and running in Canada and we have just installed a fifth in the US. In a few weeks I will post a list. As I obtain more interfaces, I will try to situate them most effectively from a geographic point of view. <[Jon & STu] J.CLARKE6> Why is it that we in NZ only heard of this Atari show thru GEnie? <[Alex NZ] ATARI-OZ> All of our Dealers were informed and 9 of them have flown over to attend. Next year we will be happy to send you a personal invitation. <[Jon & STu] J.CLARKE6> Why were the User groups and users not informed? I will fly over tomorrow .. Tell us the details.. <[Alex NZ] ATARI-OZ> I might mention that we also have Alex from Atari New Zealand in attendance here. The show starts tomorrow at the Queen Victoria Building and runs through Sunday. You are most cordially invited. :-) <[Jon & STu] J.CLARKE6> Thanks , It is in Sydney then. <[Jon & STu] J.CLARKE6> I would like to thank the Atari guys for the amount of Product they have available for the users down, how ever at times the dealers have problems with suppling product information is this going to be addressed? When can we expect to see ATARI NZ at some of the computer shows as we did 18 months ago? <[Alex NZ] ATARI-OZ> We will be at the Auckland Bits and Bytes Show April 26, 1990. Dealers are supplied with a wealth of product information. Perhaps you'd care to meet us at the show for any further specific needs. <[Jon & STu] J.CLARKE6> Thanks for that and we will see you and Alex I will see you in CHCH very soon as well. <[Sysop] JEFF.W> I have a question for the Australian contingent. Have the Portfolio and Lynx invaded Australia yet? <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> The Portfolio has been available for around 4 months. Anticipated release of the Lynx, June. We are releasing at the show the first 3rd party commercial pkg for the Portfolio, a Time-Management system for accountants and lawyers. <[Sysop] JEFF.W> That was my next question! <grin> Is that an Aussie only product or is that scheduled for US release also? <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> They are actively looking for US representation. We are sending a copy of this program to Atari Sunnyvale to the attention of Antonio Salerno. Please contact him for further info. <[Nigel] ATARI-OZ> Thank you for your hospitality. We found it most interesting. Alistair is a regular user now and can be contacted for any additional OZ related information. <[Nathan] ATARI-OZ> On behalf of ISD I would like to thank GEnie for going through the logistics required to set this up and Atari OZ for kindly allowing us the use of and participation from their offices. This has been a rewarding trip. I will add more upon my return. Thanks everybody!!!! *********************************************************************** DUTCH USER GROUP S.A.G. TO BE DISSOLVED - UPDATE *********************************************************************** by Ernest Schreurs, SAG (Holland) and SPACE (Reprinted from the Puget Sound Atari News, February 1990) Holland. This week I received my PSAN newsletter again, just like every month. You never actually stop and wonder how much work goes into making this newsletter into what it is. Nor do you ever stop and wonder about all the work your club officers do to keep the users group interesting and fun... Reading the letter that Terry Schreiber wrote in the January PSAN (Ed., "Behind The Scenes" on page 2) had very special meaning to me. You know, you never realize how much benefit you get from being a club member until you find out all the things you will be missing once the club actually ceases to exist. This is what happened to the 5,500 members of the largest Dutch Atari users group called SAG (Dutch for Foundation Atari Users). The president of the club suddenly got a job offer in another part of the country, so he has to move there. Another club officer at that moment decided to fall, and hurt his foot, making him sit in a chair for the next six weeks or so. (He usually does all the things Jim Chapman does, like getting the newsletter together, getting some people to advertise in the newsletter, talk to various vendors and Atari.) Now all of a sudden he was no longer able to drive a car, let alone do all sorts of club business. That in itself is not really a problem, if not for the fact that at that point you start to realize that there is no one else to do it. At that point you look around and see how much of the club business has become so dominant in your life; that it is about time to take drastic measures, and quit doing it all together. The December issue of the SAG newsletter was therefore the final issue. It does not even have a single ad, because nobody else did it. It seems hard to imagine that in 5,500 members there is not enough people that want to do some of these tasks. Our club was one of those clubs that relied on the few dedicated souls that readily sacrificed a lot of their spare time. Keep in mind that all these people had a 40 hour a week job too! Now of course in a user group this big, there is bound to be a lot more to do than in a user group of under a few hundred members. So, the next time a club officer asks for volunteers or asks for newsletter input, stop and think about what happened to me and 5,500 other members. Don't let your users group end the way ours did, participate! Write something, or join in the other activities. It may seem little effort to you, but that is just what a users group is about. You all try to get the most out of your computer by sharing your experience with other club members. Sharing is supposed to go both ways. For me, this does not mean the end of the world. I am still a SPACE member, and we all still like Atari computers. Most people will find some other user group to join, and let's hope we all participate more actively in those. Still, reading the afore mentioned letter, and Jim's Z-Net article, it makes me respect all club officers all over the world. Thanks to all of you! *********************************************************************** USER GROUP NEWSLETTERS *********************************************************************** by Ron Kovacs From time to time we will focus on a user group newsletter that we think you should be reading, in the past we have told you about PSAN, (Puget Sound Atari News) and now ask you to take a look at Phoenix, the Toronto Atari Federation Newsletter for the Atari ST and 8 Bit Computer Enthusiasts. Please note that most groups require you to join to get their newsletter regularly. Most user groups have a BBS system which has a private area for members only, which would also be provided if you joined the group. TAF PHOENIX NEWSLETTER To get the newsletter you can join the group which offers the following: * 10 Meetings a year for both ST and 8-Bit users. * 10 Issues of the Phoenix Newsletter. * Experts on hand at every meeting to assist users on all Atari products and software. * Special Interest Groups * Beginner classes every month. * 10% discounts at most local dealers on hardware and software. * Reduced rates on TAF's library of over 200 disks of PD software. * Membership access to TAF-ONLINE BBS. $30 a year gets you this and more. Print out the following and mail to: The Toronto Atari Federation 5334 Yonge Street Suite 1527 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M2N 6M2 Last Name:________________________ First Name:________________________ Address:__________________________ City:______________________________ State or Province:________________ Postal/Zip Code:___________________ Phone Number: (___)_______________ Computer Model:____________________ Please include $30.00 annual membership. Allow 4 weeks to process by mail or you may bring this application to any TAF meeting and pick up your membership card. *********************************************************************** PIRACY - by Joseph E. Hicswa *********************************************************************** Reader Commentary I am sick and tired of commercial programmers and software manufacturers complaining about piracy. Show me the programmer who has never used a public domain program, who has not received FREE help from a friend, fellow employee, computer club member, or book from a public library. Those Pirate Blasters owe a debt to people who gave and give free help. Public Domain programs did not just materialize. Individuals spent hours, days, weeks developing and sharing their works with the computer community. That is what makes the computer world grow so rapidly. Piracy decriers who benefited from someone else's freebees now want to get weathy for their labors. Is this how those disk mongers repay the pioneers and friendly's? Computers are one of the greatest things that befall Humanity. Our progress is being accelerated like never before. Handicapped are becoming exceedingly productive; the mentally ill and slow learners are achieving astoundingly. New ideas, instantly displayed on monitors, soon grow into physical realities. There are minds in our world waiting to be opened. The cure of some devastating ill lies in one of them. Alas the cost of a computer and software is beyond the reach of too many. Rather then restrict the availability of software and computers because of cost, they should be distributed to everyone on earth. If piracy helps to accomplish this then piracy laws should be repealed. Friendly yours *********************************************************************** NEXT WEEK IN ... ////// // // ////// ////// // \/ /// // // // // /// // // // ////// // // /\ // /// // // ////// // // /////// // Issue #511 DC-DESKTOP ARRIVES! OZZY SHOW EXCLUSIVE REPORT Z*NET NEWSWIRE ALICE AMORE RETURNS ATARI ONLINE AREAS and more..... YOU DONT NEED A GUARANTEE WHEN IT'S FREE, ATARI NEWS FIRST! JUST SAY NO TO OTHER ONLINE MAGAZINES! ^^ _______________________________________________________________________ |*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*|*| Z*Net Online is a weekly online magazine covering the Atari community. Opinions and commentary are those of the individual authors and do not reflect those of Z*Net or Rovac Industries. Z*NET and Z*NET ONLINE are copyright (c)1990 by Rovac Industries Inc., a registered New Jersey Corporation. Reprint permission is granted as long as Z*NET ONLINE and the authors name is included. 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