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==(((((((((( == Z*NET INTERNATIONAL ATARI ONLINE MAGAZINE =========(( === ----------------------------------------- =======(( ===== APRIL 19, 1991 Issue #91-16 =====(( ======= ----------------------------------------- ==(((((((((( == (c) 1991, Z*Net Publishing PUBLISHER\EDITOR: Ron Kovacs EDITOR: John Nagy ======================================================================= CONTENTS -------- April 19, 1991 - Issue #9116 ======================================================================= EDITORS DESK.......................................Ron Kovacs NEW GRAPHICS FOR THE ST,TT......................Press Release Z*NET INTERNATIONAL: CANADA...................Terry Schreiber Z*NET NEWSWIRE............................................... CALAMUS TUTORIAL - PART IX......................Geoff LaCasse MICROSOFT MOUSE TO AN ATARI ST.....................CompuServe MISSIONWARE SOFTWARE............................Press Release Z*NET SOFTWARE SHELF...........................Ron Berinstein AUA EXTENDS VOTING DEADLINE...................Derek Signorini PUBLIC DOMAIN UPDATE............................Keith Macnutt Anyone interested in writing articles for Z*Net Publishing magazines should leave email to Ron Kovacs, John Nagy on GEnie (Z-NET), to Jon Clarke on Usenet, on GEnie (J.CLARKE6), to Terry Schreiber on GEnie (T.SCHREIBER1) or email to SYSOP at Node 593. ======================================================================= THE EDITORS DESK ---------------- by Ron Kovacs ======================================================================= First I would like to welcome the new nodes now supporting this publication in FNET. We are now available each week on 48 FNET systems around the country and in Canada. Issue #5 of the Z*NET PC is now available in the Z*NET PC Conference and the Z*NET ONLINE BBS at (908) 968-8148, FNET NODE 593. Congratulations to Ron and Dawn Luks on the the arrival of their daughter Jennifer. The 7 pound plus girl was born last week. If your on CompuServe, give Ron some things to read by sending mail to his PPN 76703,254! Tell him Z*NET sent you and pass along your best wishes! I am sure he will be happy to read this? (smile) ATARI NEWS FIRST ======================================================================= PRESS INFORMATION FROM CEBIT ---------------------------- NEW GRAPHICS FOR ST, TT ======================================================================= MATRIX Daten Systeme GmbH Talstrasse 16, D-7115 Oppenweiler Phone 07191/4088, FAX 07191/4089 The new graphics cards for the VME slot of the Atari TT and Mega STe: Three alternatives are possible: * MatGraph COCO (Color Controller) Resolution up to 800 x 600 in 256 and 1024 x 768 in 16 colors, 720 x 512 in 256 colors on the TT's VGA monitor. Palette: choice of 256 from 262,144 or from 6 million colors. Color planes: 1, 4, & 8 equivalent to mono, 16 & 256 colors respectively. Video memory: 1Mbyte DRAM. * MatGraph MOCO (Monochrome Controller (ECL) Resolution 1280 x 960, 66(75)Hz with a 100(125)MHz pixelclock or optionally 1664 x 1200, 60 Hz with 160MHz. Video memory: 256KB DRAM. * MatGraph MICO Mixed Controller Technical data same as COCO + MOCO. COCO and MOCO can be expanded to MICO. Powerful Graphics processor (i82786) with fast graphics functions, supports variable resolutions, hardware windows, and hardware zoom. Software: GEM/VDI driver, C Library for Turbo-C, Unix, and others on request. Consumption: typical: +5 V at 500 mA; +12 V at 300 mA ----------------------------- MatScreen M110/120 Monochrome - Large Screen Systems * Suitable for all ATARI Mega ST computers * Display area 5 times greater than that of SMl24. Particularly suitable therefore for CAD, DTP, word processing and spreadsheets. * All systems use the same controller guaranteeing full compatibility amongst themselves. * The system excels through its most simple installation. Without change to the Mega ST the controller is plugged into the internal bus. * Two systems are available in the standard size of 19" (M110 & M110L). The chief difference is in the anti-reflection technique. The OCLI layer of the M110 permits a stronger display contrast. * The system can work with or without the SM124. In dual-mode the system can work with the large screen and the SM124 simultaneously. * Fast dual-ported SRAMs (256 kbyte) allow access to the screen memory. This allows bit-block transfers between main memory and screen memory. * All systems can be extended with the C27 option. An additional 14"' multisync monitor allows an image of 640 x 480, 66Hz non-interlaced with a choice of 16 from 262,144 colours to be displayed. The GEM driver is usable from TOS 1.4 upwards. * Available optionally with the floating-point Coprocessor MC68881, 16MH. * The use of the graphic processor ACRTC 63484 from Hitachi is unique. Used to its fullest it is responsible for: fast picture construction background construction of second pictures SM124 emulation mode (zoom): With a resolution of 640 x 400 the whole screen area is used. The enlarged display is ideal for training, demonstrations, and helping those with sight difficulties. In this mode almost all software is executable. * All GEM programs are executable with the resolution 1280 x 960. For years the MatScreen systems have been used for professional CAD, DTP and word processing. * Two GEM drivers at once are delivered. Both work with all TOS versions without hardware intervention. DAVI - works without GDOS GOLI - works with GDOS or AMCGDOS * Wide ranging utilities (Night, Mouse Accelerator, Screen Dump to SLM804, programming examples) MatScreen C32 The Extendable Graphic System The C32 graphic board is ideal for those that wish to grow with the times. A powerful and reasonably priced basic system which provides an easy entry without prohibiting the transition to professional applications. The power of the system is increased simply by adding options. Of particular interest is the "Extended Graphic" option which apart from improved colour graphics includes the covetous high resolution monochrome mode, Simply take off with this good basic system. The sooner you begin the sooner your results will be achieved. * The C32 is for use in the ATARI Mega ST, in the 1040ST (using an adapter box) and with VME systems, for example ATARI TT. * A broad spectrum of applications presents itself for ATARI users and programmers. Worthy of mention is the colour display on common 14" multifrequency or ATARI SC1224 monitors and uncomplicated extension with a variety of options. * The standard memory of 256kByte DRAM allows a resolution of 640 x 400 pixels with 256 out of 262,144 colours. A notable non-interlaced picture rate of 8OHz is achieved through the use of a 32MHz pixel clock. Memory options allow higher resolutions and at the same time provide memory space for effective hardware windowing. * The EG (Extended Graphic) option requires a memory option of at least 512kByte. * An adapter box (in preparation) for the 1040ST allows the use at last of controllers with the ATARI-bus on computers of this widespread series. * The graphic processor in use (Intel 82768) can be applied universally. It supports variable resolutions (from video to hires), 1 to 8 bits per pixel, and has fast graphic functions available e.g. h/w windows and h/w zoom. The pixel frequency is selectable from 16, 25, and 32 MHz, optionally 50, 110, or 160MHz. * The different resolutions and colours can be selected comfortably using software. * The choice of 16 or 256 colors can be selected from a palette of 262,144 colors. * Available optionally with the floating-point Coprocessor MC68881, 16MHz. * Further options e.g. genuine 3D with shutter-glasses are being prepared. * Interfaces for Modula-2, GFA-BASIC, C and Assembler. A development packet which gives an insight to the technical details. * All GEM programs are executable with the Colour-VDI-Driver in the various resolutions. The computer must be equipped with a blitter and run under TOS 1.4 or greater. * Sales are conducted by specialist ATARI dealers. MatScreen C110/128 Colour - Large Screen Systems The C110/128 graphic board is designed for those who desire or require the utmost in performance. One of the features of this series is the VRAM based design necessary for the rapid image construction. This advanced approach was necessary since conventional DRAM controllers could not hope to cope acceptably with the arising flood of pixels. The board excels in the market furthermore because of its unequalled flexibility and performance. * This series is suitable for all Mega ST and TT computers. Controllers will be offered with ST-Bus or VME-Bus for the different bus systems. * What are the differences between C110 and C128? Solely the clock frequency of 11OMHz or 125MHz. It is noteworthy however that colour monitors with a bandwidth of 125MHz are very expensive. For this reason the C128 is provisionally recommended only for gray-scale systems with an excellent EIZO monitor. * The number of colours able to be displayed and the number of gray- scales are equivalent. Gray-scale monitors compare very favorably in price to corresponding colour monitors. * All systems can also work in monochrome mode. This is particularly important because programs which may not yet be suited to colour can be used with the new hardware. * The controller is available with 1MByte or 2MByte of memory. The resulting differences in technical data can be seen in the table. * The systems are offered complete with the matching monitor. When purchasing a controller alone it is important to consider the compatibility of the monitor. A utility to adjust the controller's monitor parameters is provided. * The full performance of the system emerges once a display of 1280 x 960 for the 20" colour or gray-scale monitor is reached. A less expensive possibility is 1024 x 768 and a 16" monitor. * The fast Intel 82786 graphics processor optimally employed by the GEM- VDI driver refutes the common argument about loss of speed with GEM programs. The graphic processor makes functions possible like h/w windowing, zooming and overlaying. A blitter and TOS version of at least 1.4 are required. * The system leaves the free choice of resolutions and number of colors/ gray-scales within its limits. * The pixel frequency Is variable within broad bounds (16 to 125MHz) * 256 colours are available from a palette of 16 million. * Available optionally with the floating-point Coprocessor MC68881, 16MHz. * A True Colour (TC) option conjures one of 16 million colours for each pixel on the screen with a resolution of 682 x 1024, 66Hz. * An exciting supplement to the TC Option is the integrated real-time digitizer for video and genlock applications with 16 million colours. * Interfaces for Modula-2, GFA-BASIC, C and Assembler. A development packet which gives an insight to the technical details. ======================================================================= Z*NET CANADA ------------ by Terry Schreiber ======================================================================= ATARI ATTENDS E.C.O.O. Atari Canada will once again be attending the E.C.O.O. (Educational Computing Organization of Ontario) conference being held this year in conjunction with I.C.T.E. (International Conference of Technical Education). The event will take place at Toronto's Harbour Castle Western, May 7 thru 9th. Last year Atari Canada had its MS-DOS compatible platform recognized by the Ontario's educational purchasers which led to many large sales to schools in the educational market. This year Atari plans to solidify this decision by demonstrating two classroom networking systems. One planned network is for the PC platform and one for the ST/TT platform. Ontario regulations stipulate that a computer purchased for educational purchases must be networkable. PACIFIC NORTHWEST ATARI FESTIVAL June 15th & 16th, Steveston Senior Secondary, Richmond B.C., Canada The response to this show has been tremendous. We have completely booked our main showroom and have moved the usergroup area in order to facilitate more space. We have designated this area as a music area and have moved most music related developers and stores into this room which makes a few more booths available in the main show area. Atari (Canada) Corporation Gadgets by Small Application and Design Software Gribnif Software Codehead Software ISD Marketing PDC Software Branch Always Software Sliccware Software Cherry Fonts Phil Comeau Software Micro Creations Roll-yer-Own Software Genus Software Maxwell CPU DreamPark Developements Soft-Logic MusicCode Software ICD Mind Over MIDI ST-Informer Magazine Z-Net Online Magazine ST Report Online Magazine Puget Sound Atari News Magazine Tom Lee Music Noteworthy Music Infinite Grafix Minitronics Computer Center Wizard Computers Atari Canada will be using a smaller cut-down version of their large booth on one of the stages while the second stage will be used for MIDI expos and entertainment. Seminars will be running both days continuously in two and possibly three seminar rooms. Thank you to the people who have helped to insure this event is a success. ======================================================================= Z*NET NEWSWIRE -------------- ======================================================================= APPLE POSTS $131 MILLION Apple announced this week that unit shipments of its Macintosh personal computer grew by approximately 85 percent in its second fiscal quarter, compared to the same quarter last year. Net revenues increased by 19 percent, and earnings per share increased by 3 percent. Apple's fiscal quarter ended on March 29, 1991. Apple's net revenues for the quarter grew to $1.598 billion, compared to $1.346 billion in the year ago period. International revenues accounted for 52 percent of total revenues, compared to 47 percent during the second quarter of fiscal 1990. FUJITSU TO START DATA SERVICES IN AUSTRALIA, N.Z. Fujitsu Ltd and CompuServe of the US will join to offer computer- information services in Australia and New Zealand starting in September. The services will consist of data on corporate accounts, commodities market prices, and other financial information which will be accessible through personal computer terminals. VENTURA SOFTWARE DISCOUNTS Ventura Software announced this week, significant discounts on software packages that complement Ventura Publisher desktop publishing software (DOS/GEM, Windows, OS/2 and Macintosh versions). Under the program, customers who purchase Ventura Publisher, Windows or OS/2 Editions can purchase the CorelDRAW drawing program for $319, a savings of $376. With the purchase of Ventura Publisher, Macintosh Edition, users can purchase NEC's CDR-36 type storage and fonts for $479, a savings of $618. Discounts will be effective on products purchased between April 15 and July 31 1991. Customers must provide proof of purchase, a completed registration card and coupon which will appear this month in Ventura Publisher advertisements in major trade and business publications. REDUCED-EMISSIONS VGA MONITORS Compaq Computer introduced the Reduced Emissions Video Graphics Color Monitor which complies with electromagnetic emissions guidelines developed by the Swedish National Board for Measurement and Testing (Swedish MPR 1990 documents). Compaq also announced this week that the Video Graphics Monochrome Monitor now complies with the same guidelines. The new Reduced Emissions Video Graphics Color Monitor, Suggested Resale Price: $799, reduces ELF (extremely low frequency) emissions, VLF (very low frequency) emissions and electrostatic potential on the face of the screen in compliance with the emissions recommendations of the Swedish MPR 1990 documents. It is offered in addition to the standard Video Graphics Color Monitor ($699) which is currently available. A new Video Graphics Monochrome Monitor ($299) replaces the existing model, and delivers the same emissions reductions as the new color monitor. NEW 68000 Motorola this week, introduced the 68EC0x0 family, a new family of low- cost, embedded control microprocessors and added the 68330 microprocessor to its 68300 family of integrated microprocessors. The new microprocessors are tailored for price-sensitive embedded-control applications, such as palmtops, laptops and laser printers. COMMODORE LAUNCHES PLAYER Commodore introduced its CDTV player, an Interactive Multimedia product that combines audio, video, graphics and text into a new form of education and entertainment. The CDTV player, which is the first multimedia product available for consumers retails for $999 and is currently available at Software Etc. and Hammacher Schlemmer in the Los Angeles area. NEW HOME COMPUTER Radio Shack introduced the Tandy 1000 RLX, the next generation of its home computer. The Tandy 1000 RLX personal computer carries the extra power of a 10 Megahertz (MHz) 80286 processor and one 3.5-inch 1.44 MB floppy disk drive. A second 3.5-inch drive bay will accept either a floppy disk drive, or a 20MB or a 40MB hard drive option. The system also has one PC-compatible expansion slot. BUSH TO LEARN HOW TO OPERATE A COMPUTER President Bush said this week that he doesn't know how to operate a computer and he's going to "begin study" next week to learn how. APPLE PAYS $400,000 Apple, settling a race discrimination case, paid more than 400,000 dollars to 15 blacks who were refused jobs because of their race. The 15 black men and women who filed the complaints in January 1990 were also offered employment in the settlement, the largest of its kind to be negotiated in the San Francisco Labor Department. All but one accepted the jobs. Apple, which admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement, paid 436,687 dollars in back wages to the plantiffs and agreed to reexamine its hiring process to ensure fair evaluation of job candidates. ======================================================================= CALAMUS TUTORIAL - PART IX -------------------------- by Geoff LaCasse, GXR Systems ======================================================================= MULTI-PAGE, MULTI-COLUMN DOCUMENTS II Reload your document from last session. We left off with a multi-page document, a header/footer (hereafter header) frame on the odd numbered pages, and no frames on the even. Page numbering was set (with start number at 3) but not visible on the even numbered pages because no header frame existed. Select the header frame from page 1, and copy (not cut) it to one of the Frame Clipboards. Bring up page 2 of your document and paste (or copy) the clipboard frame to the document. It's an exact copy of page 1, including its placement on the page, except the number 2 will be visible in the page number frame at the bottom of the document. At this point, we need to move the frame to match the margins of the document page. Click on dX (X POSITION) in the upper right of the screen, and replace the present value with 0.75. When you press RETURN, the frame will match the margins of the page. We now need to rearrange the header frame components to create a document layout where the pages have a mirror-image format (look at any computer manual, novel, or text book). The component frames which make up a header frame can be modified only when ungrouped. Select the header frame on page 2 and click on UNGROUP FRAME (under FRAMES, FRAME GENERAL FUNCTIONS). When a dialogue box appears asking if you would like to ungroup on CURRENT PAGE, ALL PAGES, ALL PAGES BEFORE, or ALL PAGES BEHIND, select the last item. The header will ungroup into its individual frames (including line frames) each still selected, and which can then be de-selected by clicking on the right mouse button. Calamus allows you to designate any page as a Master Page, i.e. its header frame is copied (automatically) to any following pages or until we select another as Master Page. Master Page changes may be as small as a new numbering scheme (various formats can be present in the same document), or involve more major restructuring of the layout. Single- sided documents have only a left Master Page, but in our example--i.e. double-sided, the header frame we created on page 1 remains in force for all odd numbered pages (go to page 3 to see how the header frame is duplicated from page 1). To see other options, experiment with the other commands in the UNGROUP FRAME dialogue box (ADD more pages for greater effect). For example, CURRENT PAGE ungroups a header only on the current page, and leaves intact headers on following pages. Current Page is useful when creating title pages, temporary changes in format, and the like. Any changes we make to frame components on page 2 will, when individual frames are recreated as a header frame, be reflected on all following even numbered pages. Select the page number frame and move it over to the left margin of the document (either by using the mouse, or by changing its dX value to 0.75). We also need to change text justification on the page number frame. Go to the TEXT icon pad, and select the page number frame. If we click inside the frame with the left mouse button, a text cursor will appear. If we click with the right, a Text Ruler--looking like a small box--will appear stretched along the length above the document's text frames. Cursor shape is now a small cross. You may have noticed [TEXT RULER] (as well as [STYLE)] in the Text Editor. [TEXT RULER] shows Text Ruler placement in a text file, a Text Ruler controlling paragraph formatting (paragraph tagging), including indents, tabs, leading (or line spacing), word and letter spacing, and justification (Centre, right, left, etc.). Text Rulers are complex, time-consuming, and--at times--very unfriendly. Text ruler commands can be found under TEXT RULER (in TEXT). Some of its commands are familiar. At the top of the icon pad can be found the Tab/Paragraph Indent functions, just below and to the right are those for line spacing, and to the right are the various paragraph justifications. In this Calamus introduction, I have space for only a brief overview of Text Rulers. Rulers are composed of a number of components. Each must have one (and only one) First Indent (hollow flag pointing right), and Left and Right Indent (black flags pointing right and left, respectively). Only one Ruler per line is allowed (this does not effect style changes which are not governed by Text Rulers). A Ruler when inserted takes either the default format (if first of new session) or the last one selected. If multiple rulers are inserted into a document, and major changes to format need to be made, it is sometimes easier to reformat the entire document and start again. Go to TEXT, select a frame, SELECT ALL from the EXTRAS drop-down menu, and change text justification to eliminate Text Rulers. Alternately, click the small cross cursor (with the left mouse button) on each ruler in turn and then select DELETE TEXT RULER (the small trashcan at the bottom-mid of TEXT RULER icon pad). Experiment with all the Text Ruler tools. The time you spend learning the rules will not be wasted. Return to your page number frame on page 2 and click on its Text Ruler. A thicker border will appear and justification (as seen in TEXT RULER) will indicate right. Select left instead to move the page number to the left side of the frame. Go to the top frame (Geoff's Newsletter) and change its Text Ruler to left justification also. Press ALT-E to bring up the Text Editor and change the text to Magnificent. Double-click on [STYLE]. Change the default point size and font in the dialogue box which appears (perhaps to 25 points, Italics, ??font). Text will reformat when you exit the Text Editor. Turn off the Text Rulers by clicking on TEXT RULERS ON/OFF in the TEXT drop-down menu (not to be confused with the Text primary icon pad). Re-create a new header frame on page 2 from its two text and two line frames (note that page 4--our number 6 will have the same format as page 2). Go back to page 1 and UNGROUP its header frame. Go back to TEXT, then DICTIONARY (icon pad to the right of TEXT RULER), select the top frame, and bring up its text ruler. Dictionary also holds--besides the dictionary functions--letter and word spacing commands which can be found at the bottom of the icon pad. Select LETTER SPACING (above) and change the default value to 4.0, and press RETURN. Select WORD SPACING (below), and change its value to 6.0. Tracking (word & letter spacing) increases the default letter and word spacing on any paragraph but is particularly useful for large headlines (single-line paragraphs). Get rid of the Text rulers and create a new Header frame on page 1 (again two text and two line frames). Next session we add the text frames, text, and graphics. ======================================================================= MICROSOFT MOUSE TO AN ATARI ST ------------------------------ Captured from CompuServe Atari Forum ======================================================================= Here's a repost of my article of wayyyy back (Feb 1989) on how to hook a Microsoft mouse to an Atari ST. No software changes are required. All it takes is creating a special cable between the mouse and the Atari. I've been using a Microsoft mouse now for around 2 years on my 1040, with nary a glitch. It's so much better than the Atari mouse, I'd never go back. (IMHO) Well, here is how to connect a Microsoft Mouse to an Atari ST. (520/1040) The Atari has a 9-pin D-type connector. The Microsoft Mouse has a rather strange connector on the end. To prevent having to cut the mouse cable up, I made this adaptor. If you still can't follow it, please let me know and I'll try to redescribe it. This does work for me. I've been using it for 6 or so months now, [Note, it's been 2 years now!] with no problems at all. It does take some soldering skills, so if you're not so hot at soldering, find a friend to help. As far as I know, this does not effect your Atari's warranty. However, I have not asked Atari. Atari ST Microsoft Mouse ST expected signal ----- -- --------- ----- -- -------- ------ 1 5 XB 2 3 XA 3 8 YA 4 9 YB 5 N/C N/C 6 2 Left button 7 N/C +5VDC (N/C) 8* 6 and also tie to pin 1 Ground 9 7 Right button * = I am not sure why I have pins 6 & 1 tied together, but it does work. The Microsoft mouse connector looks like this. This is the solder side, with the leads pointing up. --------------- | 1 | | 2 3 4 5 | | 6 7 8 9 10 | | | --------------- If you can not use the connector, the pins are numbered as follows. This is the connector side from the Microsoft Mouse plug: /------------\ This is a view at the front of the connector. / Blank "KEY" \ It is where the plug from the mouse would be. /----------------\ The pin labeled 'n' is not connected. | n 4 X 8 | The place labeled 'X' is filled, and does not | 9 7 1 2 | have a pin. | 5 6 | \ / \------------/ Have fun! For those who don't want to face wiring up a Microsoft mouse to their Atari, there is another solution. I just bought a Golden Image Mouse and I'm very pleased with it. They have an Atari ST version, so you just plug it in. The feel is similar to a Microsoft mouse, but the mouse is slightly larger. It's made my working time with the computer much less stressful. I highly recommend it to anyone who works with their Atari a lot. I'm not affiliated with this company in any way, I just like this mouse. It cost me $70 Canadian, and was worth every penny. As a comparison, the standard Atari mouse costs $45 here. ======================================================================= MISSIONWARE SOFTWARE -------------------- Press Release ======================================================================= WELCOME TO MISSIONWARE SOFTWARE! Missionware Software is a brand new company that will be focusing it's development efforts for the Atari ST/STE/TT line of machines. We herald from Palatine, Illinois, and plan to be around a long time, depending of course on your support for our products. About The Company and it's Founder... The President of Missionware Software is John Trautschold. John has been programming computers of all types for over 15 years. His first computer was the veritable Altair 8800 (which still runs by the way!) Later, he moved on to MSDOS machines, and of course, the Atari ST line. His experience ranges from assembler through C. Through the present, John has worked in television and radio broadcasting as an engineer, both hardware and software. In between the time he spends programming the ST, he works for CBS Television in Chicago (WBBM TV) as an engineer doing maintenance on high-end video tape and graphics systems. Additionally, he's developed a number of hardware/software microcontrollers for use at CBS. When John isn't programming a 68000 in the ST, he's programming and designing around the 68HC11 microcontroller. About Our Products... Missionware Software begins its existence with two packages. lottODDS The first is called "lottODDS" and is a lottery number generation program. If you enjoy playing your state or local lottery, then this program will make that much easier and more fun to boot! lottODDS (pronounced "lotto odds") will help you maintain a database of numbers chosen over the years, which can then be used either for generating numbers to play (using 7 statistical and proprietary methods developed in house by Missionware) or for your own statistical analysis. lottODDS picks numbers using a "least" or "most" algorithm, statistical averaging, "hot" numbers, and statistical "between", "consecutive" and "pairs" match ups. But lottODDS does much more than that! We've designed a special wheeling method that distributes the numbers picked more evenly and over a greater and more flexible range than any wheeling system yet developed. You have total control over how your numbers will be distributed. But that's not all! The program also permits you to enter your own numbers (if you wish to play birthdays, special dates, or any special numbers you wish). It will also generate random numbers (our own version of quick picks) and then permit you to wheel them for best distribution. Once the numbers to play have been chosen, by whatever method you decide to use, you can now print them out for transfer to your lottery playing tickets, or you can use the handy on-screen dialog to scroll through the chosen number. If you play a lot of games each week, lottODDS will also keep track of the numbers you've played. When the actual numbers have been picked by the lottery agency, all you have to do is enter those. lottODDS will then do a comparison between those numbers and the ones it (or you) picked and display the games that have matching numbers in them. lottODDS permits you to play in lotteries that pick between 3 and 10 numbers out of a field of 99 numbers. And that covers any known lottery currently in existence. You can also use the program to play multiple lottery games...just load in the file for the game you wish to play, and you're off! Everything is handled through the easy to control GEM interface. lottODDS is not copy protected (although you must "register" your software before it can be used) and is usable on either a color or monochrome system. It's also installable on your hard disk. The program lists for $34.95 and can be purchased directly from Missionware Software. Dealer distribution is also being setup, and for now you can also purchase directly from Pacific Software Supply. Printer Initializer The second program available from Missionware Software is called the "Printer Initializer". This is an ultra-handy utility program that's actually two programs in one! But first, just what is "Printer Initializer" and what can it do for you? The programs (installation and desk accessory) give you something you've *never* had before...quick, total, and *easy* control over your printer's control functions. Now we know that most programs, such as word processors and database programs, have printer configuration menus. But for the most part, they're a pain to use and setup, and when you need to make a quick change in font style, line spacing, etc. not only do you need to remember how to do it within that program, but you probably have to dig out the printer operations manual to look up the codes. That all takes time, and time is what Printer Initializer gives back to you. It's there, waiting for you at the click of the mouse. Want to change tab spacing to 4 from within your spreadsheet? Good luck! With Printer Initializer, it's easy! So, what are the two programs you receive and how do they work? The first is called "Printer Install" or "pinstall.prg". This is the program you use to generate your own printer drivers. You can generate as many drivers as you wish, although you'll be permitted to use only six later in the desk accessory. You can generate multiple drivers for one printer or for multiple printers. As you generate the drivers, you can easily test the functions too...just to make sure that what you've created really works! The printers can be used from either the parallel or serial port. If you have multiple printers online (one to each port or through a selector switch) the program will automatically set internal printer output redirection so that your GEM host program knows where to send it's printer output. The other part of the program is a desk accessory called, strangely enough, "Printer Initializer", or "prt_init.acc". This is the program you'd normally use on a day-to-day. The desk accessory is usable within any GEM based program that permits the use of DA's. When activated, you'll see the same dialog screen that you saw when you initially configured your drivers, but now, instead of doing the configuration, you'll be activating the functions in your printer. That includes the output redirection between serial and parallel ports discussed earlier. The distribution disk includes two ready-made drivers, one for the Epson FX80 series of printers, the other for those cute Kodak Diconix 150 portable printers. The programs started out as an in-house utility for us at Missionware, but quickly became so useful, we decided to polish it up and offer it for sale. We think you'll quickly find the program indispensable too, and at only $24.95, it's truly a bargain. As do all of Missionware Software's products, these programs run in both monochrome and color. Although not copy protected, you must "register" the program before you can run it (a very simple software procedure!) and once registered, you can can use the programs on either a floppy or hard drive based system. You can order this directly from Missionware Software, or through the distribution network described earlier. Demonstration Programs Available... Demos are available of both of these programs. The demo itself (based on Atari's DemoPlay program) will run in medium res color only, although the programs themselves will run in either color or monochrome. In both cases, the demo programs are fully functional except for being able to save a file. You can find the lottODDS program uploaded as "lottODDS.arc" and Printer Initializer uploaded as "prt_init.arc". Demos are also available free of charge directly from Missionware Software. Just send us a blank, formatted disk with a self-addressed stamped return mailer and we'll get the demos out to you ASAP. Our address is: Missionware Software 354 N. Winston Drive Palatine, IL 60067-4132 Thank you in advance for your support. We promise to support you as well on most of the major online services. We're currently working on setting up support on BIX, CompuServe and GEnie. See you there! Telephone support is coming as well... Thank you, and we hope you enjoy Missionware Software products. Missionware Software is always looking for products to sell and support. If you have a product you'd like to have us consider publishing for you, please contact us either online or via our address above. Thanks! ======================================================================= Z*NET SOFTWARE SHELF -------------------- by Ron Berinstein ======================================================================= Why is this week different than all other weeks you ask? Because this week was moving week! That's right I found a little house and today in fact was it.. the official day that has ended my days as an apartment dweller and has become the first day as a home resident. This though I've been sampling the house for the past week, particularly the jacuzzi! Yes, I must admit that I've already had the first few "warm water retreats," and in fact if I can finish this column fast enough, another is scheduled for tonight! I'll let you know all the details next week. So, I've discovered this new approach at viewing something that I use everyday of my life. First, the background... Everything I moved today (I saved a lot for the last moment) was really heavy! Nothing that I moved today was more important than the functions that my computers perform. Now, the meat of the issue... My software doesn't weigh anything! I modem this to that, and that's that! Everything else that is important to me, Margo, the dogs, the furniture, not to mention little things like air, water, and food, all weigh something, if not in fact a lot of something! So, next time I'm going to take charge of the software, Margo and the dogs can take the furniture. STEX14F.LZH replaces the previous issue and fixes the bug that prevented a text block from being saved. DTERM_1I.ARC is the new and improved DTERM terminal program. TEMPUS II users should check out KEYSYS.LZH, which fixes problems with the "\" key. MAKEFAST.PRG according to rumor can be thrown away and replaced with PRGFLAGS.LZH. With this you should be able to see the status of all your programs and accessories. Set and unset the fastbit from a menu, and set/unset the "use ST Ram & "Run in TT Ram" flags as well. SIMMFIX2.ARC replaces SIMMFIX.ARC which allows an STE memory configuration of 2.5 megs by changing a system variable. TIMEDATE.LZH is a time and date setter for STs without a battery clock. AREAL36.ARC is software that supports those with clocks.. This version has been fixed to correct a problem when booting on an STe or when running a RAM TOS on an STe. CHECK_BK.ARC Fixes the bugs in version number one. Other than that this little program combines both GEM and keyboard commands and lets you handle your checkbook affairs. Note: My affairs almost never help to balance my checkbook. <smile> MINILEDG.ARC (Demo.- prg. cost: $39.95) Mini Ledger is the "easy to use computerized financial accountant." For those of you who like the TX2 format, and have downloaded the the TX2 program, you might like to download TX2CNVT3.LZH as well. Same will convert certain ASCII publications like the AUA Newsbriefs, etc. to TX2 format. Beware of STOCKGRF.ARC Personally speaking though I haven't taken a lot of time to try, it didn't run on my machine.. but, more importantly, rumor has it that at least one of the files available for download has been compressed with Magic Shadow and contains a virus. The copy I downloaded from GEnie was not archived with MSA. Gamesters may want to address themselves and their modems to: DUNG306.LZH (Shareware $15) a maze type game which requires you to find paradise in order to graduate with a congressional medal of honor. It comes labeled, "University skill level." REACTION.ARC (Shareware $10) a game that takes after the arcade game ATAXX. A strategy game that was written in GFA 3.5. 512's ok, so are STs and STe's. If Graphics are your interest... ARTST.LZH (Shareware $15) is a neat little drawing program that will work in low, medium and high resolution. It has it's own slide show feature which is useful because this program lets you use your computer's memory to support multiple picture buffers. Perhaps 110 or so, on a Mega ST4! I_FLOYD.ARC A color .IMG file viewer for those with Monochrome monitors. Musicians, you may want to "conduct" a search to find these: DIGIPLUS.ARC claims to be one of the best digitalized sound players ever put into P.D. Built in Docs, and BASCODE.EXEs, 10 loadable sound slots, compatible with five digitalized sound formats, six playing speeds, "filtered averaging" sound graphing, plus it uses both mouse and keyboard input. ROBO_BOP.LZH (Shareware $20) gets at least 10 points for THAT name! It's a Midi rhythm editor for the ST. You can create rhythms by pasting notes into grids.. works with any drum machine. Pagestream users might want to "address" themselves to two font files uploaded this week. MGSTRSNS.LZH similar to Letraset Superstar. Includes DMF, FM, 24H, PS, & PSF files. MGSTRSRF.LZH similar to Letraset Superstar with equal weight.. Programers might want to check out the new activity on the services and BBS that include: OLD2ANSI.LZH which converts old C CODE to ANSI STYLE function protocols. SCROLL_S This file is Dev Pac source code for fast scrolling. DTREESRC.ARC Source code for a directory tree program DB_CUJ.LZH a database program from the C USERS JOURNAL DBF.LZH read/write Dbman and 3/Dbase 3+ files with C source code LCFIX.LZH (NEW VERSION) for Laser C version 2.1 users.. an updated fix replacing last weeks.. CFLOW.LZH which gives an overview of all the functions in a new C program. It includes executable, documentation, and C source... Compiler/hardware independent.. My favorite program of the week! Well it wins hands down.. Just uploaded today (04/18/91), the new version of ARCSHELL! This is version 2.5! (Shareware) It will let you arc files (even those from different directories!) by just making your choices right up front. Then, after the chosen files are selected you can walk away.. no more one file at a time waiting! Direct access to Maxifile 3, and many more features! The above files were compiled by Ron Berinstein co-sysop CodeHead Quarters BBS (213) 461-2095 from files that were either directly uploaded to CodeHead Quarters BBS, or downloaded from GEnie, Compuserve, and Delphi online services. ======================================================================= AUA EXTENDS VOTING DEADLINE --------------------------- by Derek Signorini ======================================================================= If you have not yet entered your vote in the Users Mark of Excellence, you are in luck. The original April 15 deadline has been extended due to heavy voting in the last 3 weeks. The new deadline is bumped up to May 15 and you are encouraged to participate. The Users Mark of Excellence is a group of awards given to the best software packages available during the past year for the Atari ST platform. Instead of re-printing the award information here again this month, we will only give you the voting application: AUA USERS' MARK OF EXCELLENCE ENTRY FORM Note: By filling out this entry form, we will use this information as your membership application to the AUA. All information regarding your vote will be kept completely confidential! First Name:_____________________ Last Name:_____________________ Address:_________________________________________________________ City:________________________________STATE:_____________ZIP:_____ AUA ID Number (if currently a member):___________________________ Telephone:_______________________ Alt.Tele:_____________________ GEnie Email Address:_______________ CIS Email Address:___________ [ Productivity ] [ Entertainment ] TITLE: 1._______________________ 1._________________________ by: _______________________ _________________________ TITLE 2._______________________ 2._________________________ by: _______________________ _________________________ TITLE 3._______________________ 3._________________________ by: _______________________ _________________________ [ Utilities ] [ Hardware ] TITLE: 1._______________________ 1._________________________ by: _______________________ _________________________ TITLE 2._______________________ 2._________________________ by: _______________________ _________________________ TITLE 3._______________________ 3._________________________ by: _______________________ _________________________ [ Miscellaneous ] TITLE: 1._______________________ 2._________________________ by: _______________________ _________________________ TITLE 3._______________________ 4._________________________ by: _______________________ _________________________ TITLE 5._______________________ 6._________________________ by: _______________________ _________________________ Please complete and send all forms by 5/15/91 and mail to: The Atari Users Association Users' Mark of Excellence Voting P.O. Box 123 Canonsburg PA 15317 USA or Email your form electronically to the following areas: GEnie: DC.SIGNORINI Compuserve: 72327,1060 Fnet Node 589 AUA Online BBS: 412-746-8699 ======================================================================= PUBLIC DOMAIN UPDATE -------------------- by Keith MacNutt ======================================================================= In this weeks column I'd like to change the format slightly and review two very interesting utilities that I think may become indispensable to a majority of ST users. DCTOPPER by Double Click Software program by Michael B. Vederman and Keith Gerdes P.O. BOX 741206 HOUSTON, TX 77274 When Double Click challenged the ST community to witness their commitment to the ATARI format by saying that they would produce a program a week for 1 year, I for one thought that they couldn't keep up the pace and produce the first rate utilities that have to this point. This commitment shows no signs of slowing down, and the ST community is reaping the benefit of some of the best utilities found on any machine available today. On of these prized programs is DCTOPPER. DCTOPPER will activate any window that the mouse arrow happens to be on, unless a mouse button is pressed or a file is selected in one of the windows. If you had 2 or more windows open at one time on the desktop, the old way to select an active window would be to drag the mouse pointer to the new window and click, but with DCTOPPER all you do is move the mouse pointer to another window and which ever happens to be under the pointer will automatically be highlighted. For power users, this is gonna be sheer heaven in moving and copying files from one window or drive to another. Installation ------------ Simply copy the file DCTOPPER.ACC in to the root directory or where ever all your other accessories reside, and reboot the computer. Configuration ------------- To configure DCTOPPER, first go to the DESK menu and find the accessory called 'DC TOPPER V1.0'. Click on the accessory and an introduction alert will appear. Click on the configuration button and choose either ON or OFF will write the choice to the DCTOPPER.ACC file. Please insure that the program is in the root directory or a 'save error' will result. FREEWARE- no money requested but it cannot be sold or altered. ABFORMATTER by Gregg Hungerford 1718 Ocala Ave #117 San Jose, CA 95122 ABFORMATTER is a program that I thought would never be written for the ST. Everytime I used an IBM at work. I envied the manner in which it would spare out the bad sectors on a floppy after it was formatted. I'm sure that everyone has by now come across a disk that wouldn't format in double sided double density, but would almost always format in single sided double density. So you now have a single sided disk with a few bad sectors on the other side, and half the possible storage gone due to the inability to spare them out in the file allocation table. FEATURES -------- Multitasking in that 2 drives are supported and each is formatted independently of the other. Drive one can be a 3.5" 80x9x2 sectored disk and drive two can be a 3.5" 82x10x1 disk. If a label is entered it will be written to the disk. Both disks are formatted at the same time, with the program formatting one track of one drive and then a track of the other drive. Bad sectors are spared out in the File Allocation Table and a message stating that the disk is a good format. Spared sectors must be non- critical ones, meaning that they can be any sector but one found in the File Allocation Table area. Conclusion ---------- After trying this program on one of my bad disks, I was hooked. For the price of a few lost K's on a disk, I never have to throw away another disk again. SHAREWARE donation of $5 requested. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Z*NET International Atari Online Magazine is a weekly online publication covering the Atari ST, MEGA, TT, PortFolio and related computer community. Material contained in this edition may be reprinted without permission except where noted, unedited and containing the issue number, name and author included at the top of each article reprinted. Opinions presented are those of the individual author and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff of Rovac or Z*Net. This publication is not affiliated with any Atari or related Corporation. Z*Net, Z*Net PC, ZMAG, Z*Magazine, Z*NET International Atari Online, Z*Net Newswire, and Z*Net News Service are copyright(c)1986, 1987, 1988 by Syndicate Publishing, (c)1989, 1990, 1991, Z*Net Publishing, both a subsidiary of Rovac Industries Incorporated, a registered New Jersey corporation, PO Box 59, Middlesex, New Jersey 08846-0059. Voice (908) 968-2024, BBS (908) 968-8148 at 1200/2400 Baud 24 hours a day. We can be reached on Compuserve at PPN 71777,2140 and on GEnie at address: Z-Net. A FoReM BBS Supporter. FoReM FNET Node Number: 593 (Z*Net East) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Z*NET INTERNATIONAL ATARI ONLINE MAGAZINE Copyright (c)1991, Z*Net Publishing ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~