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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Z*NET ATARI ONLINE MAGAZINE - AUGUST 31, 1990 - ISSUE #535 Your Weekly Atari News Source ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Published by Rovac Editor: Ron Kovacs Asst Editor: John Nagy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Staff Columnists: Jon Clarke, Terry Schreiber, Terry May Advertising: John King Tarpinian Distribution: Bruce Hansford ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTENTS Z*NET NEWSWIRE......................................................... PORTFOLIO PD UPDATE..........................................Ron Kovacs 10 COMMANDMENTS OF TELECOMMUNICATING................................... Z*NET SYSOPS CORNER...........................................Terry May Z*NET ECHOES............................................Terry Schreiber 8-BIT PD UPDATE..............................................Ron Kovacs Happy Labor Day! |*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*| |*| Z*NET NEWSWIRE |*| |*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*| => GLENDALE SHOW SETS UP SURPRISES September 15 & 16 will bring the largest collection of Atari exhibitors ever to Glendale, California. The vendor list is firming up, and next week we will have a new all-confirmed compilation of those who are coming. The Southern California Atari Computer Faire, Version 4.0b, is being managed by John King Tarpinian, who can be reached for last minute bookings or other information at (818) 246- 7286. Atari has let it be known that they have some very special things planned for this show, and even Elie Kenan, new General Manager at Atari, has taken part in coordinating the advertising for the show in major papers and on radio. Bob Brodie and many other Atari employees will be attending. A first for any show will be a LYNX-LINK PLAYOFF, similar in concept to the Midi-Maze competitions that have been popular at many events. Prizes for those competing in the continuous multi-player LYNX games will include , of course, Lynx game units and lots of game carts. Late word says that Portfolio developer Xetoerix will display a remarkable 20 meg hard drive for the palm size Portfolio computer. New seminars being planned include a hands-on HOTZ MIDI TRANSLATOR session and a pair of PORTFOLIO "classes". Look for more detail next week in Z*Net. => FREE TICKETS TO GLENDALE SHOW John King Tarpinian is offering FREE tickets to the Glendale Atari Show. Regular admission will be $5.00 each day and only $3.00 for any Atari user group members with membership identification. In the interests of helping to support a wide mix and representation of Atari users from other states, John will also send up to 10 pairs of FREE tickets ($60.00 worth), to any requesting user group based outside of the Southern California area. Requests should come from a club officer and tickets are not for resale except to members for the benefit of the club treasury. Act soon to allow mailing time. Remember, the show is this September 15 and 16. Call John at (818) 246-7286 at reasonable times. (Pacific Time) => ATARI STE FIXED Sources close to Atari have let it known that the hard drive operation problem in the Atari STe computers has been eradicated completely in the new production machines now leaving Sunnyvale. Since no official statement has as yet been made by Atari regarding the resolution of the nastyu DMA problem, Z*NET has asked Bob Brodie to investigate and make an official respons to our inquiry about it. We hope to have the last word on this and on the handling of exisiting machines by next week. => ST-WORLD SENT THE FRAUDULENT FAX A joint statement is expected shortly from Atari Corp and former ST- World Magazine owner Richard Tsukiji, explaining that investigation of the "Bob Brodie FAX" incident has determined that the fax was in factsent from the ST-World offices, but from persons unknown. The FAX in question falsely purported to be from Atari Manager of User Group Services, Bob Brodie, and urged a boycott of World of Atari shows. ST-World Magazine offices were closed and Tsukiji was allegedly out of the state on July 2, 1990, when the FAX was sent. Tsukiji is said to suspect that disgruntled former ST-World employees sent the damaging FAX. Tsukiji transferred ownership of the magazine to several employees for the sum of $1.00, bypassing other employees and editors who had expected to take over the ST publication. => ICD ADSPEED TECH INFO - From GEnie ST Roundtable Topic 4 Cat 16 AdSpeed ST has been tested with and is fully compatible with Spectrum 512 in the 8 Mhz mode! We have also successfully tested AdSpeed ST with Calamus, Omikron BASIC, and other software. No blitters have caused any problems but we are still searching for some of the elusive "bad" blitters to test. If you have one you would like to sell or trade, please leave me EMAIL (ICDINC). Big screen monitors will be tested shortly. Quick Index 2.1 was used to run the following benchmarks (the same times also result using Quick Index 1.5) The computer under test was a USA version Mega 2 with TOS 1.4 using floppy disk drive A: With the Blitter OFF and AdSpeed ST in 16 Mhz mode and no resident software loaded. CPU memory 164% CPU register 204% CPU divide 203% CPU shifts 207% DMA 64K read 100% GEMDOS files 100% Disk (RPM) 300 TOS text 161% TOS string 158% TOS scroll 114% GEM dialog 166% With the Blitter ON and AdSpeed ST in 16 Mhz mode and no resident software loaded. CPU memory 164% CPU register 204% CPU divide 203% CPU shifts 207% DMA 64K read 100% GEMDOS files 100% Disk (RPM) 300 TOS text 122% TOS string 123% TOS scroll 133% GEM dialog 163% With the Blitter OFF and AdSpeed ST in 16 Mhz mode and Turbo ST 1.82 loaded. CPU memory 164% CPU register 204% CPU divide 203% CPU shifts 207% DMA 64K read 100% GEMDOS files 100% Disk (RPM) 300 TOS text 521% TOS string 2001% TOS scroll 144% GEM dialog 461% With the Blitter ON and AdSpeed ST in 16 Mhz mode and Turbo ST 1.82 loaded. CPU memory 164% CPU register 204% CPU divide 203% CPU shifts 207% DMA 64K read 100% GEMDOS files 100% Disk (RPM) 300 TOS text 521% TOS string 2001% TOS scroll 137% GEM dialog 438% With the Blitter OFF and AdSpeed ST in 8 Mhz mode and no resident software loaded. CPU memory 100% CPU register 100% CPU divide 100% CPU shifts 100% DMA 64K read 100% GEMDOS files 100% Disk (RPM) 300 TOS text 100% TOS string 100% TOS scroll 100% GEM dialog 100% With the Blitter ON and AdSpeed ST in 8 Mhz mode and no resident software loaded. CPU memory 100% CPU register 100% CPU divide 100% CPU shifts 100% DMA 64K read 100% GEMDOS files 100% Disk (RPM) 300 TOS text 110% TOS string 106% TOS scroll 132% GEM dialog 133% => STACY POWER SUPPLY Tired of lugging that power supply around for your Stacy? Most people will never run their Stacy on batteries due to the short duty cycle. You now can have your power supply mounted inside the battery case and use a standard power cable to plug in your unit. This modification leaves your present power plug available for use in other applications such as a car cigarette lighter and gives you the alternate plug for running on standard current. For further info: Quay Computers, Unit 233b, 810 Quayside Drive, New Westminster B.C., V3M 6B9 => ENVIROMENTAL ATARI Delta Controls, a major supplier of heating and air-conditioning units for large office complexes has developed new software for the Portfolio. Using the Portfolio's serial interface and connecting to the buildings environment system, the user is supplied with all programming data such as area temperatures, run cycle time, duty cycle time, on/off times for each floor and/or rooms. The unit can even tell if it is functioning properly through it's own self-test mode. The temperatures can then be adjusted to maximum efficiency for occupancy and energy conservation. Data can then be stored in the Portfolio and transfered to a PC via the card drive for storage or further analysis in a graphical representation of the building. => LYNX OWNERS UPDATE Are you tired of scanning through page after page of Nintendo stuff in video game magazines just so you can find a little Lynx news? Don't you wish there was... oh,I don't know...a newsletter that was devoted solely to Lynx news and game tips. Well now there is. APE (Atari Portable Entertainment) is a quarterly newsletter that covers the Lynx exclusively. The June Premiere issue features Summer Consumer Electronics Show news, Lynx Game Secrets, tips and hints for California Games, Blue Lightning, Chip's Challenge, Electrocop, Gates of Zendocon, and Gauntlet 3. The editor of APE is Clinton Smith. Smith is an avid Atari game player and has written several reviews for Atari Explorer and has some coming up in STart. If you're interested in subscribing now, (you'll receive the free Premiere issue automatically) send your Check or money order for $6.00 to: APE SUBSCRIPTION 2104 NORTH KOSTNER CHICAGO,IL 60639 CHECKS AND MONEY ORDERS MUST BE MADE OUT TO CLINTON SMITH. => INK CARTRIDGE REBATE The Haystack Company we will be offering $7.00 for your dispensed Desk Jet Ink Cartridges. Just send us the empty cartridge, being very careful not to damage it, and we'll send you a check for $7.00 immediately. The units are needed for testing. This is a limited time offer since we only need a fixed amount. Depending on the response, the offer could expire at any time. However, they will guarentee the offer until September 23, 1990. Send to: The Haystack Co., 215 West 88th St., Room 8G, New York, N.Y. 10024. => APPLE TO INTRODUCE NEW LOW-COST MAC Apple responded to criticism regarding the pricing of its Macintosh computers by planning to introduce three models in October including a version expected to sell for less than $1,000. Apple has not disclosed prices or details about the new machines. => SEARS OFFERING NEW IBM PS/1 Sears rolled out the IBM PS/1 in about 800 Sears Brand Central stores and 60 Sears Business Systems Centers. Sears will also introduce the PS/1 in its catalog, which will be issued to 12.3 million households in September. => HP INTRODUCES DESKJET 500 Hewlett-Packard introduced an improved, lower-priced HP DeskJet printer this week labled the HP DeskJet 500. This printer replaces the HP DeskJet PLUS and DeskJet printers and will be priced at $729. The HP DeskJet 500 printer will be offering more fonts and better font spacing, water-resistant ink and compatibility with Microsoft Windows 3.0. => HP TOLL-FREE HOTLINE Hewlett-Packard now has a US only toll free telephone number (1-800-233-5153) that customers can call to determine if their HP LaserJet IIP printer is one of approx 70,000 manufactured during the early months of the printer's release that have faulty power supplies. HP will replace the power supply of affected HP LaserJet IIP printers at no charge. Customers in Canada should contact their local HP-authorized dealer or HP customer-service center. The failures do not represent a safety hazard but will result in a front control panel message "50 NEEDS SERVICE" that halts operation of the printer. Owners of this printer purchased before March 1990 are encouraged to call the toll-free number. Customers who have printers with faulty power supplies will be given the option to: - contact their local HP authorized dealer or HP customer-service center to have the power supply replaced free of charge - return the printer to HP and receive a remanufactured printer with a full one-year warranty in exchange => NEW MOTOROLA 68300 Motorola announced the 68331 (331), the newest member of the 68300 family for embedded control this week. The 331 is similar to Motorola's 68332 (332) with cost saving changes which allow Motorola to make 32-bit power available to cost-sensitive applications. Motorola also announced reduced pricing for the 332 and a new development system for the 68300 family. The 68331 is sampling now and is priced at $36 in 1K quantities. => GENIE OFFERS FLAT MONTHLY RATE The GEnie online service announced this week the introduction of a flat subscription rate of just $4.95 (U.S.) per month including unlimited, non-prime time access to more than 100 products and services. The rate for US access to those GEnie service products/ services not covered under the flat monthly rate has been set at just $6 per hour during non-prime time for all three access speeds of (300, 1200 and 2400 baud). The prime time rate will remain at $18 per hour for all three access speeds. In Canada, the monthly subscription rate is $5.95 (Canadian), with a non-prime time rate of $8 (Canadian) per hour for all three access speeds. The $29.95 sign up fee for the GEnie service also has been eliminated for all new subscribers effective immediately. If a subscriber does not like the new service, they can cancel their membership and the GEnie service will refund the $4.95 subscription fee to them. => COMPAQ COMPUTER PROBLEMS Compaq's notebook-sized laptop computers have been developing hairline cracks after a couple of months of use. The cracks are developing along the sides of the LTE and the LTE 286 models, which were introduced in October 1989. The tiny fractures are the first widespread defect Compaq has experienced on a product shipped to the market. Compaq is reimbursing dealers for replacement of the plastic cases on the laptop machines and until a cause is found, Compaq has extended the one-year warranty on the computers an extra year to cover the plastic case. => NINTENDO UPDATE Nintendo has launched three television commercials which showcase Nintendo's creative philosophy: having fun through game play transcends all ages. Incorporating real-life scenarios in all three commercials, Nintendo demonstrates how its Game Boy portable video game system can play a role in the lifestyles of two disparate age groups: kids and teens, ages 6-17; and adult males, ages 18-49. |*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*| |*| PORTFOLIO PD UPDATE |*| |*| by Ron Kovacs |*| |*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*| Filename: MACPF9.SIT This is a MacWrite 5.0 document that explains how to use a Portfolio with a Macintosh. Included in this file are tips on using Mac utilities to extract ARC and ZIP archives. Filename: MUSICJ.ZIP Three short music pieces in PBASIC 2.1. Included are Bach, Beethoven, Happy Birthday along with a text file on how they were written. Filename: ADDRES.SIT This Hypercard Address Book provides a means to export addresses into a format that can be ported directly into the Portfolio Address Book. Filename: PBAS21.ZIP PBASIC 2.1.. Fixes the bugs in 2.0 and adds a few new statements: DATA, READ and RESTORE, for the Portfolio. Filename: TETRAD.EXE This is Tetrad7, a Tetris-like game for the Portfolio with a twist: The player has the option of changing the keys used to control the pieces and also which direction (left or right) the pieces fall. Documentation in not included in this file and available seperatly. Filename: A86V32.ZIP This is A86 version 3.22 which will work on the Portfolio. Earlier versions of this assembler would not (they would cause a system crash on reboot.) This is a powerful, fast and small (26k) assembler that is very well documented. Filename: PVIEW.COM A Page Preview program. Will display the text as dots, much like the thumb nail display on Wordstar. Two pages per screen, any key to display the next two pages, <ESC> to exit. Not arced. Filename: SPELLP.ZIP The is a small dictionary program. It needs 70k of disk space and 90k of memory to run, but has a built in dictionary of 40k words. Displays the mispelled words and what line they are on. You might want to set the screen to tracked mode so you can scroll back in the list. Filename: ADDTIM.BAS A small PBASIC program to add up running times. Helpful to those involved in broadcasting and entertainment production. Very straightforward. NOTE: Modified to run under PBASIC 2.1 Filename: PCHESS.ZIP Portfolio Chess, version 1.0. Based on Qchess. Filename: SM.COM A simple program to set the display mode to STATIC, NORMAL or TRACKED from the command line or inside a batch file. If in a batch file, recommend that you place a CLS instruction immeditaly before it. eg: SM S to set to static. by BJ Gleason, Thin Air Labs. |*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*| |*| 10 COMMANDMENTS |*| |*| OF TELECOMMUNICATING |*| |*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*| 1. Read all notices. Including New User notices, system bulletins and messages left by the Sysop in the message base to the users. This is where you learn about how the system runs and when changes are made. 2. Follow the rules. You are a guest in the Sysops/Owners computer. The Owner has a right to set the rules just as you have a right to set house rules for your guests. Alot of systems are set up for a particular reason. It is not polite to try to force your way in someone else's system. 3. Take your time and use the menus. Almost all BBS systems allow you to enter something like ? when you need a Menu. Some also have a "panic" command like "Menu" that brings you back to the Main Menu if you get lost. Most things are clear if you take your time. One suggestion is the first time you get on try all the choices on the Menus to wee what they do. 4. Leave a message once in awhile. If nothing else say something about yourself. Someone has to start talking before a conversation can get going. I've seen a lot of conversations on BBS systems start with "Why did you buy a computer/ modem?". Only going to the File sections of a BBS is like going to a party and sitting by yourself at the food and eating. Sounds kind of strange when put that way. 5. Keep your language and discussions clean and legal! BBS systems are used by all kinds of people of all ages. Unless the Sysop has a Smoking section...don't smoke. Before you type something ask yourself if you would say it in Church. That's a good rule of thumb. You can express yourself without getting vulgar, can't you? It only start the ball rolling to worse things. 6. Type in lower case and take your time. HAVE YOU EVEN TRIED TO READ SOMETHING TYPED IN ALL UPPER CASE. ALSO HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO READ SOMETHING THAT HAD ALOT OF TYPOS. THIS IS USUALLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PERSON TRIED TO BE A SUPERTYPER AND TYPE FASTER THAN THEY COULD. ALSO ITS A SIGN THAT THE PERSON WAS TO LAZY TO CORRECT THE MISTAKES. Grammar is only important to the extent that other users can understand what you are trying to get across. It's not a term paper or formal letter, but we would all like to understand what you are saying. 7. Stay on the topic. If you change the topic, change the message header. All BBS system message bases that allow this. If the message base you are in is about ST Support, talk about something to do with ST Support. 8. If you find a good PD or Shareware program upload it to the proper section. This is how the new programs got there that you see. Either someone uploaded it to a BBS that the Sysop calls or someone uploaded it to this BBS. Someone was nice enough to see that you got it. Alot of people only call a few BBS systems and don't come across programs that the others don't have. We are not all rich. Just upload when you have them and use the message base also. 9. Don't use BBS systems that allow stolen software. This will hurt you in the long run. Do you want to see a computer system die fast? Then you will have a $1000 paper weight on your hands. Would you work for free? 10. Last but not least, leave the Sysop(s) suggestions and comments nicely. They, like all people, do not like to be commanded to do something, or being cursed at, because the download section is acting up. You can be sure if the suggestion is worth while it will appear. -Author Unknown |*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*| |*| Z*NET SYSOP'S CORNER |*| |*| by Terry May |*| |*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*| The last issue of each month, starting with this issue, I'm going to be taking a break from the normal Public Domain/Shareware reviews and write a column for SysOps. I've been running a BBS since October '85, starting with the infamous BBCS software for the 8-bits, graduating from there to BBS Express! 850, then BBS Express! ST and currently STark, with a small stop with MichTron 3.0 along the way. Sysoping remains my greatest love in computers, and hopefully this column will reflect that, though it's not my intention to gloss over anything. Each month I'll be covering the latest BBS news, including reviews of the latest BBS software, utilities, games, etc. If any of you sysops have anything to add, by all means let us know! STark Authors 'Charged' With Credit Card Fraud ------------------------------------------------------------------- The big news these days is the news from Twilight Zone Software (TZS) that they (the two authors of STark) have been charged with illegal use of a credit card number. TZS had previously maintained their problems (there hasn't been an update since early April) were the result of hardware failures due to a lightning storm. TZS originally consisted of David Brown and Jason Dickens. David and Jason have since had a falling out, leaving TZS with David by himself. David is now accusing Jason (a minor) of falsely supplying him with the credit card number, telling David the number belonged to him (Jason). David further contends that the Kentucky legal system wants to make an example in this case, and since Jason is a minor, they are going after him, instead. It's hard to know whether David is lying or just plain naive -- I would have a difficult time believing that a minor could have his own credit card. In any event, the case goes to trial in November. In the meantime, David is without the source code to STark, making updates impossible. I feel STark is potentially the finest BBS software for ANY computer, so I certainly hope this is resolved soon -- for the good of all ST sysops. Jason Strautman [*> Second Generation <*] Commercial: $70 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- GEnie: SGDEMO.ARC (#16228) CIS (PRO): SGDEMO.ARC, SSGFEA.TXT Second Generation (SG) is the latest entry into the ever growing ST BBS software market. It is very new in the development stages, and as such, any criticisms will possibly be corrected as the program matures. It's extremely difficult to get a handle on this program. While it has an abundance of features, it's not very user-friendly, even for an experienced BBS caller (not to mention sysop) such as myself. It is also very sluggish, both from the caller's perspective and the sysop's (using the demo). I tend to think the user-friendliness problem could be overcome by a good sysop (Jason seems to be better at programming than actual sysoping). Hopefully the sluggish problem will be corrected as the program develops. The program revolves entirely around a script language, the 'brain' being a MENU.CTL file that tells SG what to do. SG's script language does not appear to be a full fledged language, as with Express and MichTron, but rather a simple command processor. In other words, don't expect to do anything fancy, like games and such with this language. Still, there is a lot of room for customization with this script language. SG allows you to have multiple SIGs, with each SIG containing its own message bases and file sections. It's like having multiple BBSes within your BBS! Of course, each SIG can have its own sysop. Imagine having an entire BBS devoted to the ST, another to the IBM, etc. -- each one almost transparent to the other. I could go on and on about SG's features and shortcomings, but it would be like writing a novel! Suffice it to say, this is a POWERFUL program, but with some annoying shortcomings. It seems to be geared more towards the 'power sysop' than the rookie, what with all the files to edit, and the script language. If you are just starting out, you're probably better of with something like Express. Otherwise, I urge you to take a look at the demo and see if SG is for you! Joe Blenke [*> Cows v7.0 <*] Freeware ----------------------------------------------------------------------- GEnie: COWS_70.LZH Grade: USDA! CIS (ART): COWS70.LZH Cows is a text adventure full of graphic violence and borderline adult language. It is highly offensive to animal lovers, puritans, cows and k.d. lang. If none of those apply to you, you're going to LOVE it! Cows should run on virtually any BBS software that allows 'doors,' though some might require the caller to manually enter their name. It is chalk full of humor, and if you're not easily offended, chances are you're going to find yourself laughing throughout; or at least smiling! The object of the game is to infiltrate the "Moovian Cow Base" and blow up their secret weapon. Along the way you are confronted with guards of the cow persuasion. Cows are not real intelligent, so even if you are a dimwit, chances are you'll get by the guards, usually by removing them in a graphically described manner. In fact, I've found the secret to higher scores is to NOT try to win, but rather do what's FUNNY! Cows v7.0 - "Nothing fancy, but then cows are stupid anyway" *** MONTHLY SYSOP'S CONFERENCE ON GENIE -- SAT 1 SEP 6:00PM PST *** ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*| |*| Z*NET ECHOES |*| |*| by Terry Schreiber |*| |*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*| ATONCE 286 AT EMULATION General Specs from the manual ----------------------------- - 16 bit, 8MHz 80286 CPU - Norton factor 6.7 - 704kb DOS-Memory (in ST's with at least 1 MB RAM) - up to 3 MB(e.g. Mega ST 4) Expanded/Extended memory for example as RAM-DISK or as RAM for certain programs - Administration of up to 24 GEM-DOS-compatable partitions under DOS - DOS can be booted directly from one of these partitions - Supports hard disk and removable hard disk subsystems (for example votex HDplus, vortex DataJet) (Ed.note: commonly refered to as Syquest mechanism) - Video-Emulations: CGA, Hercules, Toshiba T3100, Olivetti (with the Atari color monitor CGA only) - Use of the Atari Mouse as Micro-soft-Mouse (on COM1 as well as COM2) - Supports the parallel and serial interface - Complete integration of the internal 3.5" floppy drive as 720KB DOS floppy drive, as well as one external 3.5" or 5.25" as 720KB/360KB DOS floppy drive - Sound support - Adapter for 1040STE and Mega ST (optional extra) The first striking this about this product is the guarantee. "Votex guarantees that on leaving the premises of vortex the product is in a faultless condition and is manufactured to the product specifications. No further guarantee is given." With this in mind I suggest that you have an experienced tech install this unit, although I did install my own and it took about 35 minutes. The manual is quite informative as to the install in all the Atari product line excepting the Stacy. The size of the ATonce makes it an instant sell in the Stacy as the board measures 2 3/4" X 3 1/4" by 5/8" height requirements. After the install I did find that being used to Supercharger and it's handling of GEM partitions I became spoiled. All partitions to be used as DOS partitions need to be formatted under dos therefore making most drives need re-formatting and/or re-partitioned for the size that you need. A 16 meg partition is the maximum you are allowed. After the install you are ready to boot. There is a noticeable difference in speed in the boot-time as compared with the Supercharger, the ATonce is about 1/3 faster. As for benchmarks and speed checks I didn't do any but the speed increase is very noticeable. I tried it on both color and monochrome and the color was somewhat lacking. A future upgrade to some software emulations for color would be nice so that you can run Hercules and EGA, VGA would also be nice but I would, for now be satisfied with Hercules. Running Better Working's "Eight-in One" software I connected a modem and Voila'- connect 9600 ARQ to a local system. As for Atari Laser printer, the manual doesn't state anything regarding the laser. I will try it out in the next week and see what happens, hopefully it will work as well as the Supercharger. FNET UPDATE Personal conflicts continue to flare in messages through-out the F-Net. As in reported in last weeks issue (Z-Net 533) the arguements for and against Atari continue but something new has been added. Each cross-net message base or sig (special interest group) has it's own lead node or main B.B.S. which hosts the conference. The sysop's job as lead node is to keep the messages of that base on topic, not at all an easy task. Due to some conflicts between users and lead nodes some sysops (bulletin board system operators) are pulling the plug on some bases and some have even gone the extra mile to re-route their system through other systems. There has even been some talk of nodes being blacklisted or deleted so they no longer have a route to many of the major routes. This all may sound like childish games but it has escalated to a point where I feel it is worth mentioning. There has also been some talk of re-routing of most of the network. If one of the main hub boards should go down or decide that he didn't want to route anything from a particular conference, he could shut off a base to a major portion of the network. I do like the hub idea the best as information is passed along much quicker and more efficiently than an open network but an alternate plan must be implemented to make sure that the routes remain open and that no one is capable of cutting off the flow of messages either by accidental or deliberate. Plans are going into effect to direct connect to three of the main hubs and should provide a small buffer to any of the problems that the net might encounter. All F-Net nodes are invited to join the Z-Net Online conference current lead node is #448 Crash St BBS - conference code 20448. |*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*| |*| 8-BIT PUBLIC DOMAIN UPDATE |*| |*| by Ron Kovacs |*| |*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*| (Reprinted from ZMagazine Issue #184) GEM.ARC Printer utility to setup your printer from DOS. Uses Sparta command line with parameter passing or a menu with less capable DOS's. Written in ACTION! with source for easy reconfiguring with other printers. APACSHW2.OBJ Latest version of APACSHOW, the slide show program. This version works correctly with DOS 2.0/2.5, displays in an interlaced mode, (gets rid of those annoying black lines in APAC), and fixes a few other bugs. APACVW20.ARC Latest version of APACVIEW decodes and displays GIF images in APAC (256 color) mode. It also allows you to create color-separations (.R, .G, .B) for viewing with COLRVIEW in 80 x 192 resolution with 4096 colors. This version also has some additional fixes noted in the doc file. ERIKA.ARC Use COLRVIEW to view. RGB source files of digitized woman, done on an Amiga with a flatbed scanner in overscanned HAM mode, then converted to the 8 bit with a program under development. RGBCHESS.ARC COLRVIEW source RGB files of some raytraced chess pieces. Converted from an Amiga HAM pic. RGBBALLOON.ARC RGB source files for use with Jeff Potter's Colorview. SPLIB12.ARC SpartaLibrary 1.2. Disk cataloger program. Runs under SpartaDOS only. Reads SpartaDOS, DOS 2.x, maybe MYDOS, disks. Features automatic subdirectory reads, describes and sorts by volume name, subdirectory name, file name and file description. Fixes bugs in version 1.1 and contains support files. VT52100.DCM This file is an update to an early version vt52/vt100 terminal emulator. A bug in the old version that affected the backspace (and a few other keys) in half duplex mode only. This program is 100% machine language, offers a very complete emulation of a VT100 as well as VT52 terminal, and has xmodem and ascii file transfer capabilities. RGBFIDO.ARC Touchtablet RGB picture of Fido. Lots of anti-aliasing around the eye. T816UPGRADE.ARC This file contains all the distribution files in an archive. This would include: Installation, Usage, Examples, Hardware upgrade nstructions, Software (TOS) version differences, PAL usage, OS cross- reference, 65816 Macro file, TOS Include file, Bus connector, memory maps, and much more. T816INFO.ARC This archive contains the current price list and product list available from DataQue Software. Included are the Turbo-816 system components, Turbo-Calc, MV-80 etc. DD3LABEL.TXT This is a text file describing some simple modifications that allow Daisy-Dot III to more easily print 3.5 X 15/16" continuous labels for addresses, disks, etc., from Roy Goldman. MFD35.DCM This file must be expanded using Diskcomm 3.2 or higher to create the MFD 3.5 disk. Atari DOS 3 and XL/XE machine required. This is the newest version of the Master File Directory also known as the File Organizer. It includes all features of older version plus more, like the ability to delete unwanted records and new ways to search records. If you use any one of the older versions (1.5 or 2.0) you need, along with this file, the upgrade kit. New users only need this one. You MUST read the docs before using the program because it can't be used as it comes from the archive. Some setup is needed before using the program for the first time. Due to a minor quirk related to screen handling (which DOES NOT affect program operation) you should hold OPTION during boot-up even though the docs tell you this isn't necessary. Not doing this may produce annoying garbage in the screen when you search records. This can also be fixed by re-starting the program by pressing RESET once it has booted. Documentation is NOT included in this archive. MFD35DOC.ARC This file contains the docs for the new Master File Directory 3.5. If you use any of the older versions be sure to get the upgrade kit. UPGRADEKIT.ARC This is intended only for users of the older versions of the Master File Directory also known as the File Organizer. This archive contains a program that will convert the data files you use with your older version to the format used in the new 3.5 version. Included are the docs to this program. You need to have Atari DOS 3 and XL/XE machine with at least 64K. GAMELINK.ARC This archive contains the source to GameLink (by itself) and the GameLink code loaded into BASIC data statements. An example file showing how to use this data, in BASIC, is included. The GameLink.Doc file also is included, to show how the cable is constructed, in addition to other GL information. LIBDBASE.BXE Read the GEnie library list as you would normally see it. Search on different fields. You must download a library listing from GEnie and store it in a disc file. The program was written in ICD/OSS BASIC XE but will run under BASIC XL. It will NOT run under Atari BASIC! PSDEMO.ARC ARC file with PS icon fonts and a text file demonstrates how to incorporate Print Shop icons (converted with PSTODD3B) into documents to be printed with Daisy-Dot III. Included are 4 Icon fonts and a total of over 50 fonts (fancy alphabet, Atari icons, horoscope and Bart Simpson). The demo itself doesn't require PSTODD3B but does require the registered version of DD3. You will need PSTODD3 to make your own icon fonts. From DD3, choose ROMAN2 as the initial font and TEST.TXT as the text file. Make sure all other font files in ARC file (*.NL?) are on the default drive. Demo prepared by John McGowan from Columbia, MO. PSTODD3B.ARC ARC file with program and documentation by John McGowan of Columbia, MO for conveniently converting Print Shop icons from "OTHER" disks into DD3 fonts that can be easily used within a document. Very impressive and useful. SLOGRO.ARC A model of diffusion limited aggregation: a particle is released from the edge of a circle and wanders on a random walk until it hits a central dot and becomes "stuck" in place. This continues with additional particles until a "dust-ball" of accumulated dots fills the screen. This program is released by the author to demonstrate one of the educational disks available from Bresnik Software. TT2.ARC This is an archive of the GameLink, and TT2 source/com/docs. Included is the source, and specifications for the GameLink serisk (serial) driver. TT2 is a two player tic-tac-toe game in 100% assembly language. AMS_R.ARC 28 AMS tunes. It will fit on a single density disk (it's 317 DD sectors long). AMS_C1.ARC This file contains 33 AMS tunes. It is 304 DD sectors long and will fit on a single density disk. BASICMOD.COM Change BASIC rev. B to C; quiet the noise during disk access; speed key repeat; increase screen contrast; autoload a program in BASIC that is named "HELLO" [no extension]. This program loads into memory on page 6 and is protected against "RESET". UNDRSCOR.TXT This is a short text file telling how to get DOS 2.0, DOS 2.5, SmartDOS, and DOSXL to recognize the underscore character. This will let you batch download from GEnie using these DOS's. THEPLAYR.ARC The Music Player plays AMS I or AMS II tunes. If you have a 2nd pokey installed it will play in 16-bit stereo, 8-bit stereo, or 8-bit mono. Up to 69 files can be seen on the screen. Autoplay, Tag, Untag, and Play Tagged are some of the options. You can switch modes (16-bit S, 8-bit S, or 8-bit M) while a tune is playing. The name of the song being played is displayed on the piano screen. This is a GOOD AMS player. If you haven't done Chuck's Gumby upgrade yet, this should give you a reason to. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Z*Net Atari Online Magazine is a weekly magazine covering the Atari and related computer community. Material contained in this edition may be reprinted without permission, except where otherwise noted, unedited, with the issue number, name and author included at the top of each reprinted article. Commentary and opinions presented are those of the individual author and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Z*Net or the staff. Z*Net Atari Online Magazine and Z*Net are copyright (c)1990 by Rovac Industries Inc, a registered corporation. Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, New Jersey 08846. (908) 968-2024. Z*Net Online BBS 24 Hours, 1200/2400 Baud, (908) 968-8148. We can be reached on CompuServe at 71777,2140 and on GEnie at Z-NET. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Z*NET Atari Online Magazine Copyright (c)1990, Rovac Industries, Inc.. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~