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==(((((((((( == Z*NET INTERNATIONAL ATARI ONLINE MAGAZINE =========(( === ----------------------------------------- =======(( ===== June 21, 1991 Issue #91-26 =====(( ======= ----------------------------------------- ==(((((((((( == (c)1989-1990-1991, Z*Net Publishing Publisher/Editor - Ron Kovacs Editor - John Nagy PC Newswire Editor/BBS SysOp - Mike Mezaros Z*Net Canada - Terry Schreiber Z*Net NZ - Jon Clarke Z*Net Germany - Mike Schuetz Columnist - Drew Kerr Shareware/PD Reviewer - Ron Berinstein Contributors: Mike Brown, Dr. Paul Keith, Keith Macnutt Research Assistant - Kathleen Johnston CONTENTS THE EDITORS DESK.............................Ron Kovacs Z*NET FEEDBACK - NEWSWIRE UPDATE....................... Z*NET NEWSWIRE......................................... THE PORTFOLIO PICAYUNE........................Drew Kerr Z*NET ATARIWATCH 1991 CALENDER UPDATE.................. BBS EXPRESS UPDATE........................Press Release LYNX COLUMN...............................Clinton Smith Z*NET CONFERENCE BBS MEMBERS LISTING................... ST CARTRIDGE HOLDER...........................Ken Brick ZMAGAZINE ARCHIVES....................Kathleen Johnston Z*NET PC #10 CONTENTS.................................. ======================================================================= THE EDITORS DESK ---------------- by Ron Kovacs ======================================================================= The staff is currently scheduling vacations, including myself and the next three weeks will obviously show. There may also be an interruption in issues during the week of July 4, 1991, but we will let you know more next week. Terry Schreiber's Vancouver Atarifest took place last week and will be reported on next week. Terry needed the time off to recover. All in all, it was a decent show and we look forward to Terry's report next week. Also, I want to thank Terry for passing out the Z*Net buttons at the show. If you cannot locate an AtariUser Magazine near you, anyone interested in more information should call (800) 333-3567 for ordering a subscription. USA rate is $18.00 a year, Canadian rate is $22.00 (US) a year, UK is 17.50 (UK) a year, EEC is 20.00 (EEC) a year. Send your check or money order in US funds to: Quill Publishing Co. 113 W. College Street Covina, California 91723-2008 UK and EEC Subscribers should contact: Bath Publications 43 Midford Road Bath, BA2 5RW England Voice: 44-0-225-836182 Fax: 44-0-224-840600 (cut here) ATARIUSER SUBSCRIBER FORM NAME:________________________________________________________________ STREET ADDRESS:______________________________________________________ CITY:____________________________ STATE___________ ZIP:______________ COUNTRY:_________________________ PHONE:_____________________________ CHECK NUMBER/MONEY ORDER AMOUNT:_____________________________________ The July issue is near release! Sign up today! ======================================================================= Z*NET FEEDBACK - NEWSWIRE UPDATE -------------------------------- ======================================================================= From Atari Australia While it was nice to see Atari Australia's exposure in the latest Z-Net issue, regarding the Victorian Education Department, some of the information was incorrect. Below you will find the press release that went out advising of our successful tendering. Press Release SYDNEY, 7th May 1991. The Victorian Ministry of Education have again appointed Atari Computers as an approved supplier to Victorian Schools. After a detailed evaluation, the Victorian Ministry of Education have chosen to recommend the Atari STE, the Atari MEGA ST and the Atari TT computers as approved computers for purchase by Victorian schools. The criteria used within the evaluation process covered such issues as ease-of-use, manufactured quality, value for money, upgradeability, software support, reseller support and the ability of all the computers to work within a larger school network. Nigel Shepherd, Managing Director of Atari Computers, said "This decision by a highly qualified reference group confirms that our current range of computers offers outstanding value and suitability across the K-12 curriculum". He noted that "The Ministry's decision to include the new Atari TT computer on their list confirms that schools recognise the benefits offered by a personal workstation in such areas as graphic design, CAD, Classroom Publishing, simulationand video applications". He went on to say "Combined with its ability to act as the central hub in a classroom network together with its industry standard architecture, the TT provides schools with an affordable platform that meets the majority of their computing requirements". The Atari 1040STe with a colour screen and 1 megabyte of memory has an educ ational price of $1,319 and $1,210 with a monochrome screen. The Atari MEGA ST with a colour screen, 2 megabytes of memory and a 30 Mb hard disk has an educational price of $2,824. The Atari TT with 4 megabytes of memory, a VGA colour graphics screen and an internal 50 meg hard disk has an educational price of $4220. For further information contact: Mr Alistair Campion Technical Director, Atari Computers 277 Lane Cove Road North Ryde, NSW 2113 Tel. (02) 805-0344 Fax (02) 887-2231 ======================================================================= Z*NET NEWSWIRE -------------- ======================================================================= XCONTROL RELEASED Atari Corp has released on GEnie the new XCONTROL panel for the STe and TT. The arced file contains full documentation and the CPX control files. Get it now on GEnie, CompuServe and the Z*Net BBS. EDUCATION GRANTS ANNOUNCED Apple recently selected 19 learning projects in elementary and secondary schools across the US to participate in its Crossroads II Education Grants program. Through the program, Apple provides computers, printers, modems, and other peripherals, funds for teacher training and curriculum development, and access to AppleLink. Claris and Microsoft are donating software. Grants are awarded to schools where economically disadvantaged students make up the majority of the student body. FIRST SCSI HOST ADAPTER ANNOUNCED Adaptec became the first company to announce a Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) host adapter to support Insite Peripherals' new high- capacity 21Mbyte Floptical drives, debuting next week. Adaptec's AHA- 1520 AT-to-SCSI host adapter, with Floptical drive support built into its BIOS, enables Floptical drives to be integrated seamlessly into AT- class microcomputers. A working demonstration of the unit with an Insite Peripherals Floptical drive will be demonstrated June 25-27 at PC Expo, Booth 5555, Javits Center, New York. WORLDS FIRST GAS PLASMA DISPLAY Toshiba announced it would start selling four new models of its Dynabook 32-bit notebook-size personal computers with gas plasma displays on the Japanese market from July 1. They will be the world's first notebook- size computers with gas plasma dislays which respond to instructions faster than liquid crystal displays as well as offering a wider screen viewing angle and a higher contrast ratio. The four models are priced between $2,843 and $3,557 with a 3.5-inch internal disk drive. DISTINCTIVE SOFTWARE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT Electronic Arts announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Distinctive Software Inc. Electronic Arts will pay $782,900 and issue 488,157 shares of new common stock in exchange for all the outstanding capital stock of DSI. DSI will be operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Tarrnie Williams, 50, will continue as president and chief executive officer of the new subsidiary. Don Mattrick, 27, founder, chairman, and vice president of marketing and design for DSI, will become vice president of strategic planning for Electronic Arts. Distinctive Software has created over 40 titles and 90 SKU's for leading publishers including Electronic Arts, Broderbund, Konami, Walt Disney Computer Software, Mindscape and Accolade. It has participated in the development of Test Drive and Hardball. It has designed Evolution and The Duel: Test Drive II. It has also developed Ace of Aces, Dambusters, Grand Prix Circuit, Hardball II, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. SMARTMODEM 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Hayes announced the Smartmodem Tenth Anniversary by kicking off a year- long celebration, beginning with the biggest cash rebate ever on Hayes modems in the United States and Canada. From June 17 to Aug. 18, 1991, Hayes provides customers with a US$150 rebate on ULTRA 96 or V-series Smartmodem 9600; a US$100 rebate on Smartmodem 2400, Smartmodem 2400P, Smartmodem 1200, or Smartmodem 1200B; and a US$35 rebate on Smartcom Exec or Smartcom II for the Macintosh when purchased with one of these modems. Hayes has set no volume limitations on individual or total unit rebates. Customers may also obtain rebate coupons in metropolitan newspapers and major industry magazines as well as through Hayes electronic bulletin board system at 1-800-US-HAYES or 1-404-HI-MODEM. For more information, contact Hayes Sales Support at (404) 840-9200. ======================================================================= THE PORTFOLIO PICAYUNE ---------------------- by Drew Reid Kerr ======================================================================= GEnie D.KERR1 DELPHI DRKERR SEEN RECENTLY IN THE LOVELORN SECTION OF AN ATARI BB: SINGLE MALE PORTFOLIO, good memory, looking for a hot "female" connection to L.U.S.T. (Lovable Underrated ST). Must be good communicator... fast.... Well, you've got that 128k baby and you want it to create beautiful music together with your ST. No sweat. Just follow the easy instructions and these two machines will be purring like lovebirds in Atari Heaven. 1. Buy the serial interface for the Portfolio. This accessory not only provides ST communication, but modem accessibility as well. 2. You need this configuration of a cable: 9-pin female to 25-pin female. There are two ways of getting this cable: buy a null modem cable with this configuration already or buy a null modem cable with a null modem cable adaptor to make the 25-pin male into a female. The advantage of the latter is that the adaptor can be removed so you can hook the male end into a modem, leaving you a lot of flexibility. Check out your local Radio Shack or electronic store. 3. The right term programs for both the Portfolio and the ST. For the former, you can get XTERM2, available on CompuServe and GEnie Portfolio SIG's or the DOS Utilities Card available from your Atari dealer. For the ST, there are a couple of PD programs avilable and they are tricky, to say the least. No question about it, buy Transport by Donald Thomas from Artisan Software (P.O. Box 849, Manteca, CA 95336). It goes for something like $25 and is worth every penny. This program will make your file transfers a breeze! Now, it's simple. Attach the serial interface, connect the cable, boot up Transport on the ST and XTERM2 on the Portfolio. Let's say you are sending a file from the ST to the Portfolio. On Transport, go to the Extended Options setting. Press [U] for "upload" and the program will ask you what kind of file you are sending (.EXE, .COM, .BAT, etc.). A file selector comes up, you choose the file you want to send. Transport is now in waiting mode, ready for your Portfolio to say, "C'mon over!" On your Portfolio, press [Function] 2 (capture) and it will ask you the name of the file. Type in the exact name of the file you are sending. If you're not sure, look on your ST monitor -- it will be written on your screen. Press Return. On your ST screen, Xmodem blocks will be sent to your Portfolio. On your Portfolio, you'll see little dots, representing blocks, going across the screen. When finished, it will say "Done!" Press [Function] 1 to exit XTERM2. Now the new program will be siting in the directory in which XTERM2 is located, ready to be used. Make sure you use "Check Disk" to assure there is enough space in your drive for the new program coming over. Once you transfer your first file, you'll be going hog-wild downloading new Portfolio programs. Take my word, this is the way to do your Portfolio/ST Love Connection! * THE MEMORY CARD MOTEL At this time, memory cards come in three configurations: 32k, 64k, and 128k. If you are wise, you'll skip the 32k's and get a few of the others. This is intelligent Portfolio-ing and here's why: Your Portfolio can only handle so many files. If you've got a good- sized address book and diary, keep worksheets, keep XTERM 2 in your C directory, you'll have very little space left over. Your flexibility lies in your RAM (memory) cards. Using FDISK, format your C drive to 8k (16k if you use alarms). This will save the bulk of your memory for doing the hard work. Put all your address, editor, diary and worksheet files on the RAM cards. Do all your work from these cards. This will give you plenty of space to work the Portfolio while have maximum memory power punch. This is especially true for XTERM2. Put it on a 64k or 128k card, and you've got no space worries when tranferring programs in! BOOK'EM, DAN-O! The only book on the market devoted to the Portfolio is The Complete Guide To The Atari Portfolio (Abacus; paperback). My advice is don't bother -- everything you need to know can be found in two places: the Portfolio manual (which is good) and the forums and libraries of CompuServe and GEnie. From the latter, not only can you find plenty of help and discussion, but post a question and you'll get personalized help! MODEM, LARRY & CURLY Keeping the portability concept in mind, you may want to go on-line at a moment's notice with your Portfolio and Serial Interface. There are two pocket modems recommended, both the size of cigarette lighters, powered by 9-volt batteries and useful up to 2400 baud. The first is the Practical Peripheral Pocket Modem, personally used by Atari's Bob Brodie himself. The second, recommended by Transport's Donald Thomas, is the World Port, manufactured by Touchbase Systems, Inc., 160 Laurel Avenue, Northport, NY 11768 (516-261-0423). I DIG SIG'S Portfolio support on-line comes down to two services, CompuServe and Genie. If you own a Portfolio, the best thing you could do is support them -- they have terrific programs and help files, advice is there for the asking, and it shows Atari (and the world) you dig their 16bit portable thinking machine. Here's a look at the two services: CompuServe Type in APORTFOLIO and you'll have your mind blown Portfolio-style. This is considered Atari's official forum for the unit. It shows. There are an incredible amount of message forums but what will really do it is the Libraries. Thousands of programs and help files ready for your downloading. Your first move should be to the New Uploads section to download the list of all Portfolio files in all the libraries. Yes, it's a mother of a list to print out, but worth it. Look through the utilities, games, applications and graphics program descriptions. If you're curious about something, circle it and bring it on down! Programs have been coming in at a rather slow rate the last few months. You'll also notice that Portfolio files are either downloaded by a dozen people or hundreds. GEnie This SIG is in stall mode and really needs a good shot of support to help it. As a matter of fact, the way this area is set up, it almost seems like second-class treatment. There are literally only slightly over 100 files in the library. Most of the files a very good, but scant compared to CompuServe. The Portfolio newsletter needs updating and I can't recall the last Portfolio conference either. Part of the blame seems to be lack of a good Portfolio sysop. The SIG needs pushing, cajoling, promotion and most of all, YOUR SUPPORT!!! If you have good knowledge of the PT, send Atari sysop Darlah Pine e-mail and let her know you are interested in being a Portfolio SIG caretaker (her address is DARLAH). Also, if you have a Portfolio, download the files and put up some messages. The files may be small in number, but the amount of downloads is impressively large. The best thing about the GEnie Portfolio SIG (M 950) is the Bulletin Board. It's easy to handle and navigate. Every topic is covered well and in a friendly demeanor. You want to know about Portfolio programming? Transferring files between a PT and a Mac? Portfolio tricks? This is one area you should not miss! GET YOUR HOT PROGRAMS! There's a battery of dedicated Portfolio programmers who are always uploading wonderful new programs to the SIG's. As a matter of fact, they often get their ideas from user e-mail! Look for fine work by folks such as B.J. Gleason, David Stewart, Jim Straus and Don Messerli. Here's a smattering of top stuff: DIAL.ARC: Dial program for XTERM2. GO.BAT: Batch file with multiple utilities like backup, sort, etc. BATCH.ARC: Uses a KeyFake program to automatically call a name, invoke the editor, search for name in address book, etc. BACKUP.BAT/DOC: Three backup programs. PRTRIS: Tetris for the Portfolio! Great! CASINO.COM: Blackjack... a big file so watch it! PORTFOLIO TOOL KIT 2.0: Utilities including -- disk and system info, system operation setter, tone generator (music!), document filter, function key reassignment, directory display and more! SKETCH: Drawing like the old Etch-A-Sketch!! BATTERY MONITOR: Displays the number of days since you installed the battery. Is the DOS Utilities RAM Card worth buying? No doubt, it's convenient having XTERM2 ready for input. But keep in mind that a good percentage of the programs are now available on-line. MY PORTFOLIO AND ME I've had my Portfolio for one month, so I'd like to share my uses with you, incase you're wondering if it's worth buying one or you're figuring out what to do with the thing. I run a one-man public relations firm in Manhattan, Four Corners Communications. Portability, notes, appointments come to mind immediately when you are a small business and on the run. I TAKE THE PORTFOLIO EVERYWHERE. THAT'S WHAT IT IS FOR. When I'm at a client and I need to take quick notes of ideas, out comes the Text Editor (don't need a notebook). I have various media events and calls to keep track of, so the Diary is my appointment guide. What I have really made use of is the Address Book -- like an unlimited Rolodex with the world's longest cards, I can call up tv stations, writers, producers on the go without calling directory asssistance or searching my own faulty memory. I've transported some ST programs between by office computer and my home computer. Instead of a floppy disk sitting around, easily susceptible to damage, it's hibernating in my Portfolio, ready to get vacuumed out to my STE! THE CRYSTAL BALL One great development in the works is the converting of popular text adventure games to the Portfolio. Supposedly, the classic Infocom games like "Leather Goddesses of Phobos" and "Wishbringer" are likely candidates (easy to do and financially prudent) or original games. Keep an eye open for these work distractors! FACT: As of January 1991, 250,000 Portfolios had been sold worldwide! **** Drew Kerr publishes "Four Corners," an on-line public relations newsletter for small business and pr professionals. It can be downloaded from CompuServe (PRSIG, WORK, USEN), GEnie (HOSB) or Delphi (Business Forum). ======================================================================= Z*NET ATARIWATCH 1991 CALENDAR ------------------------------ ======================================================================= CANCELLED !!!! June 29-30 CANCELLED!!!! The Great Lakes Atari Computer Users Conference at the Mercyhurst College Campus Center (501 East 38th St.) in Erie, Pennsylvania. CANCELLED!!!! GLACUC, call Patty Marshall at 412-225-8637 July 20 Blue Ridge AtariFest, Noon to whenever, Saturday July 20, Westgate Shopping Center, Asheville, North Carolina, at I-240 and US 19-23. Contact B.R.A.C.E., Van Estes, 704-685-8358 July 27 MIST AtariFest III in Indianapolis, Indiana on Saturday, July 27th, sponsored jointly by the user groups at Indianapolis and Bloomington known as MIST (Mid-Indiana ST). Held at CADRE, Inc., 6385 Castleplace Drive, Indianapolis, IN. Bill Loring, 812-336-8103. August 8-11 GEN CON, the world's largest Game Convention (12,000+), at MECCA in Milwaukee Wisconsin. MilAtari Ltd. will host a computer gaming section again. August 23-25 Dusseldorf Atarimesse. This is the huge all-Atari show held annually in Germany. Contact Alwin Stumph, Frankfurterstrasse 89-91, 6096 Raunheim. Phone 49-6142-2090 FAX 49-6142-209180 September 14-15 The Southern California ATARI Computer Faire, Version 5.0, also known as THE GLENDALE SHOW has been confirmed for September 14 and 15, 1991. Contact: H.A.C.K.S., 249 N. Brand Bl. #321, Glendale, CA 91203, or call John King Tarpinian, Faire Chairperson, 818-246-7286. October 12-13 WAACE AtariFest '91, Sheraton Reston Hotel, Washington D.C./Virginia, contact J.D.BARNES, 7710 Chatham Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. October 21-25 Fall COMDEX Las Vegas Nevada November 23-24 Chicago Atari Computer Show BY ATARI. Contact Larry Grauzas, P.O. Box 8788, Waukegan, IL 60079-8788, phone 708-566-0671. Administrated by the Lake County Atari Computer Enthusiasts (LCACE). ======================================================================= BBS EXPRESS UPDATE ------------------ Press Release ======================================================================= B B S E X P R E S S ! S T N E W S V1.70 NOW AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED SUBSCRIBERS! Support Line #1: The Rebel BBS......702/435-0786 FidoNet: 1:209/745 Support Line #2: ST Synchronicity...415/526-6471 PC Pursuit: "CAOAK" Support Line #3: Psychlo Empire.....214/251-1175 Central Support (TX) Support Line #4: Terrapin Station...203/656-0134 Eastern Support (CT) Yet another major update, folks -- the third such major update in a row! While others may add a feature here and a bug fix there, we're not happy unless we keep giving you more and more power and flexibility with each new release! (Does anyone remember what v1.30 looked like? ;^) Here's just a sampling of what's new in v1.70 of BBS Express! ST: >>> PROMPT.DAT >>> Those of us back in '86 running the old BBS Express! for the 8-bits appreciated the ability to customize all our text strings and prompts via the PROMPT.DAT data file. BBS Express! ST has always enjoyed the reputation for being the most customizable BBS software for the Atari ST. Well, that ability has been enhanced even more with the addition of this great new feature! Customize nearly 260 prompts (with more on the way) to your liking. Support ASCII/VT52/ANSI Color/Mono and 40/80 columns ALL IN THE SAME PROMPT, USING _ONE_ PROMPT.DAT! >>> ONE-LINERS >>> So you think your a comedian, huh? Well, even if you're not, you're sure to love the new one-liners that are displayed at _random_ just before the main command prompt is displayed. "One-liners" is actually a misnomer, since they can be as many lines as you can fit into the 132 byte limit for each one. They are a part of PROMPT.DAT and can be changed to anything you like. In addition, a new script command has been added to toggle them ON/OFF, useful for giving your callers the ability to turn them on and off, or, if you don't like them, you can turn them off permanently. >>> CHAT MODE ENHANCED >>> Chat mode now has word wrap that can be toggled on/off by either the SysOp or the caller. In addition, with each Carriage Return (by either party), Express! will automatically give both ends a colored (provided the caller is in color) paragraph separator, giving chat a nice 'neat' easy to follow look. >>> STATUS BOX TOGGLE >>> You can now toggle the Status Box at the top of the screen ON/OFF at will! This gives you the ability to see what the caller sees -- especially useful for testing scripts. In addition, a new ampersand variable tag has been added which will return the condition of the Status Box! >>> DEFAULT PATH IN SCRIPT >>> A new script command has been added that will automatically restore your working directory to the path that you load the BBS from! This is especially nice for passing scripts around (no longer does each sysop have to edit their default paths), and for when you change your BBS configuration around. Ah heck, it's just plain EASIER! >>> CALL EDITOR FROM SCRIPT >>> You can now use perhaps the finest editor of any ST BBS program in any of your scripts! You choose the title to be displayed, along with the maximum message size and you have a real fancy editor in your very own scripts. If you've ever imagined having things like word wrap, letter and word pasting, color (translated for the caller) and all the other great features of the Express! editor in your very own scripts, well, now you can! >>> FILE SELECTOR >>> You can now instantly call up whatever file selector is installed in your system with a single keypress from the SysOp command shell! This is especially handy if you're using a custom file selector with built-in file maintenance features. (You can use that file selector's file handling routines, rather than Express!'s CLI.) >>> UE ENHANCEMENTS >>> The CLI (Command Line Interface) has been dumped in the online UE (User Editor) in favor of Hot Keys, making getting around much easier and faster. In addition, when editing user flags, you can now terminate the typing of all the Y's and N's by pressing Return, and all of the Y's and N's after that point will remain as they were. >>> UNLIMITED USER MASKS >>> You now have virtually an _unlimited_ number of User Masks at your disposal! If you don't know what User Masks are, they are predefined security levels, time limits, DL:UL ratios, etc., that you assign to a user by typing in a simple number. In this case, that number can be _any_ valid user number in your userlog, whether it's a real user or a 'dummy' account you have set up previously. All pertinent settings will be extracted from that account and placed into the account you're editing. That means the amount of masks you can have is limited only by the size of your userlog! >>> ZEPHYR! UPDATED AND EXPANDED >>> Thanks to XYZ author Alan Hamilton, Zephyr! has been improved both in performance and in screen display! Now, _all_ Express! transfers are done through Zephyr!, freeing up yet even more memory for 1/2 meg SysOps. It also means an improved Xmodem display and greater performance with Xmodem-1k. The interface has also been greatly improved, with Express! now accurately detecting the success of each and every transfer. Of course, there are many other minor enhancements, not to mention a few bug fixes <blush>. Suffice it to say, the best is only getting better! Spread the word -- BBS Express! ST is growing by leaps and bounds! To order BBS Express! ST: First time buyers: The price is still $79.95 (cheap) and includes two disks, documentation, Script examples, and the Script language Compiler, of course. A special offer only at the time of purchase allows you to buy (1) year of unlimited updates downloadable via one of the support BBSes for only $15.00. This is normally $25.00. Registered owners: The yearly subscription fee for unlimited updates via modem is $25.00 -- you will be able to come online and grab the latest version was soon as it hits the streets! Send the applicable amount (personal check or money order) payable to "T2 Ltd." to the address below: T2 Ltd. P.O. Box 1947 Fontana, CA 92334-1947 (C) 1991, T2 LTD. - PERMISSION GRANTED TO REPRINT ONLY IN ITS ENTIRETY ======================================================================= LYNX COLUMN FROM ATARIUSER MAGAZINE, JUNE, 1991 ----------------------------------------------- by Clinton Smith ======================================================================= Copyright, 1991, by Quill Publishing. This article may NOT be reprinted without permission of AtariUser Magazine. Information and subscriptions are available at 800-333-3567. ALERT BOX ITEMS NEC's TurboExpress portable game unit will not be released in Europe due to the established popularity of the Lynx there, according to reports in an online magazine from the Netherlands. Portable Addiction, edited by Tjerk Heymens Visser and Yiri Kohl, is a new monthly Lynx and Portfolio support magazine, distributed electronically from Europe via USENET, and also available on U.S. BBS systems and pay services. Consolidating its resources, Atari relocated its entire entertainment division to Lombard, Illinois, formerly only the Lynx software development center. Lawrence Siegel, a 20 year veteran of the amusement and video game industry with Sega, Seeburg, and Williams and former head of Lynx software development, has been appointed President of the Atari Entertainment Division. NEW LYNX GAMES - PREVIEW! Insider's first look at games in development By the time you read this, Warbirds and Blockout should both be out, but I took advantage of my proximity to the new Atari Entertainment Division in Chicago to get an early peek. I gave them a call and they invited me down to their offices to check out some upcoming games and get the lowdown on what is to come. These aren't quite reviews--I like to spend some serious time with a game before I make a definitive opinion. I'll give you the final word on these as soon as I get my hands on them. WARBIRDS Warbirds is a World War I dogfighting game where you fly in 3-D through the skies, engaging enemy aircraft. The surprising thing is that this isn't the shootemup that you would expect on a video game system. Instead, it's more like the flight simulators that you're used to seeing on 16-bit computers like the ST. You view the game from your biplane's cockpit. Since they didn't have radar in WWI, you have to scan the skies with your eyes to find your opponent. Holding down your B button and moving your joypad will let you look around and behind you. Warbirds features exceptional graphics. The 3-D environment is very smooth and even has clouds to hide in. When an enemy plane is damaged, smoke starts pouring out of its tail. The game also has some nicely detailed, digitized pictures at the end of the mission. If you feel like making your friends crash and burn, you can ComLynx up to 6 players. BLOCKOUT Blockout is a 3-D puzzle game which is already available for most computers. It's very similar to Tetris, but the action is viewed from above. Three dimensional blocks fall into a pit, and you must rotate them as they fall so they will fit together. Fill up an entire level and those blocks disappear. If your block placement isn't very good, the blocks will start to stack up and once they reach the top of the pit, GAME OVER. The 3-D graphics of Blockout fit in perfectly with the Lynx's 3-D scaling abilities. Like other puzzle games of this sort, it's extremely addictive and will be eating up a lot of man hours. THIRD PARTY DEVELOPMENTS A number of third party companies are working on games for the Lynx: COLOR DREAMS is best known as one of the companies who has produced third party NES titles without Nintendo's permission. Their first Lynx title is Crystal Mines 2. CM2 is a puzzle/strategy game which looks similar to the classic Boulderdash. They're also working on a game based on the gruesome horror film, Hellraiser. LORICIEL (one of the biggest French developers) is doing Superskweek, an action game where you must repaint tiles, rescue imprisoned Skweekettes, and kill the monsters that are infecting your planet. The game has 225 levels for you to get through. SHADOWSOFT is a Canadian firm which is converting the arcade classic, Robotron. They are also rumored to be working on a Lynx version of Joust. TELEGAMES USA is readying a comprehensive chess game titled Fidelity Ultimate Chess. The game features 2-D and 3-D views. Next up is a 3-D miniature golf simulation. Most of these games are due very soon. PLAY TIPS In XENOPHOBE, the Poofer Gun is the most powerful. It has a short range but is very effective right through the last levels. Jump to level 144 in CHIP'S CHALLENGE with code GVXQ. And try code MAND for the hidden Mandelbrot explorer, where every button has a new function. NEXT MONTH we'll have more on "games within games", hidden levels, and more playing hints. If you have Lynx questions or suggestions for this column, contact me in care of my quarterly newsletter. APE Newsletter, 2104 North Kostner, Chicago, IL 60639. I also can be reached on GEnie - leave a message to me at C.SMITH89 - Clinton Smith ======================================================================= Z*NET ONLINE MAGAZINE CONFERENCE MEMBERS ---------------------------------------- ======================================================================= Node BBS Name BBS Phone City, State, Country ---- ---------------------- ------------- ------------------------ 55 Hi-Tech 203-776-2850 North Haven, CT, USA 68 CFB Atari 416----------- Toronto, ON, Canada 123 EastSide BBS 618-254-6077 Wood River, IL, USA 133 Hologram Inc. 908-727-1914 Old Bridge, NJ, USA 168 C.C.B.B.S. 609-451-7475 Bridgeton, NJ, USA 171 The Outland 403-475-9588 Edmonton, AB, Canada 204 Full Moon: FoReM Spt 508-752-1348 Worcester, MA, USA 224 Flash BBS 314-275-2040 St. Louis, MO, USA 266 The Patch House 212-824-5512 New York, NY, USA 300 ST.AT.U.S. BBS 203-528-7693 East Hartford, CT, USA 304 The Twilight Zone 407-831-1613 Longwood, FL, USA 378 Little Lulu's Playgrnd 415-458-3659 Pittsburg, CA, USA 390 HyperSpace II BBS 803-574-6738 Spartanburg, SC, USA 410 ACE Information Srv 513-233-9500 Huber Heights, OH, USA 422 Virtual Reality 817-547-1734 Copperas Cove, TX, USA 423 White Runes/Tinuviel 303-972-8566 Littleton, CO, USA 440 {{ Realm of Chaos }} 602-789-9426 Phoenix, AZ, USA 441 The Boiler Room BBS 313-562-1142 Detroit, MI, USA 467 Sherwood Forest 718-522-0768 Brooklyn, NY, USA 469 The Outer Region BBS 303-766-2778 AURORA, CO, USA 479 Cave Creek BBS 206-525-7046 Seattle, WA, USA 489 STeal Your Face 201-920-7981 Brick, NJ, USA 500 Battlezone 301-969-0621 Glen Burnie, MD, USA 501 STormShadow 301-360-1480 Pasadena, MD, USA 504 Media 2000 301-360-0397 Pasadena, MD, USA 505 ATARI WEST BBS 604-272-5888 RICHMOND, BC, CANADA 513 The Forgotten Realms 615-833-4971 Nashville, TN, USA 523 Leftover Hippies BBS 416-466-8931 Toronto, ON, Canada 532 Bill's BBS 403-461-7546 Edmonton, AB, Canada 534 Pinky's House of Horror 415-531-1576 Oakland, CA, USA 538 The Dragon's Lair 803-788-7806 Columbia, SC, USA 546 Bear Swamp BBS 513-644-0714 Marysville, OH, USA 555 The Grid BBS 415-351-1385 San Leandro, CA, USA 556 Thieves Guild 301-894-8516 Suitland, MD, USA 562 Midwest Connection 708-423-1568 Chicago Ridge, IL, USA 574 Asylum 505-897-4306 Albuquerque, NM, USA 592 The O-Mayer V BBS 213-732-0229 Los Angeles, CA, USA 593 Z*Net Online 908-968-8148 Middlesex, NJ, USA 595 Temple of Doom 403-436-0328 Edmonton, AB, Canada 596 Super 68 206-859-9644 Kent, WA, USA 602 Cartoon Haven 719-574-7406 Colorado Springs, CO, USA 610 The Songwriter's Den 908-859-0004 Phillipsburg, NJ, USA 616 MoDeM MaDnEsS BBS 516-295-3827 Woodmere, NY, USA 621 The Garage 618-344-8466 Collinsville, IL, USA 624 Paradox 314-631-5449 St. Louis, MO, USA 625 Phil's Hangout 412-331-2795 Mckees Rocks, PA, USA 633 The Dark STar BBS 801-269-8780 Murray, UT, USA 635 STormbringer 307-638-7036 Cheyenne, WY, USA 641 Midgard Serpent 718-714-1423 Brooklyn, NY, USA 643 The Ringworld 303-699-0402 Aurora, CO, USA 647 E.H.C.R. 203-528-4448 East Hartford, CT, USA 656 The Isle of Lucy 604-339-0006 Comox, BC, Canada 664 LaST C.A.S.T.L.E. BBS 719-390-9837 Colorado Springs, CO, USA 667 Star Ship Enterprise 602-247-9431 Phoenix, AZ, USA ======================================================================= ST CARTRIDGE HOLDER ------------------- by Ken Brick ======================================================================= Everyone that owns an Atari ST and a plug in cartridge such as a Spectre GCR has a problem with the cartridge. It always is in danger of being knocked out by an accidental movement of your hand or the machine itself. When that happens, you just hold your breath and wonder how many dollars it's going to cost to repair this time. Most of the time you make out and nothing happens, but I couldn't stand the suspense. I wanted to figure out a way to hold this cartridge in its slot much more securely. What came out of my brainstorming session was simple, cheap, and effective. (sounds impossible I know). What you'll need is 2 mating pieces of velcro (one hooks and one loops) about 6 inches each. One of them (either one) needs to be sticky backed and the other plain backed. Try a fabric shop for these. Here's how it works. Unplug your ST's power cord, and with your cartridge device still plugged in, turn it over, back side up. Cut the sticky backed velcro into 4 pieces about 1.5" each. Stick 4 pieces on, two on the cartridge and two on the ST. Then take the velcro of the opposite non-sticky gender and cut 2 pieces that are long enough to go across the separation between your cartridge and ST and stick onto 2 opposing pieces of velcro you had stuck on previously. Repeat the process with the remaining two pieces of velcro and you are done. The velcro prevents the cartridge from being pulled out of the slot without first removing the velcro. This is a very effective idea that even makes it difficult to remove the cartridge when I want to. The velcro is that tenacious. Try this, it will make you feel better about those hanging cartridges. ======================================================================= Z*MAGAZINE ARCHIVES ------------------- Compiled by Kathleen Johnston ======================================================================= ST DESKTOP PUBLISHING DeskTop Publishing for ATARI Will the ST become a challenger to the Macintosh in the hot desktop publishing market? According to the United Kingdom Atari magazine, Page 6, a new software package, Fleet Street Editor, could change the face of society newsletters and small publications. This full design and layout system from Mirrorsoft is capable of driving a photo- typesetter. Expected UK debut is next month. Meanwhile, stateside computer market analysts are calling desktop publishing "the hula hoop of 1986." THE YUPPIE ST "Atari's now computer serious threat to the Macintosh. Will the Amiga survive?" You'll find this headline in Newsweek magazine, but it's not on a news story. It's an advertisment. JS&A, a nationwide mail order marketer that pitches high-technology product. Their full-page ads claim "the ST will open up a major fight in the personal computer market," and then proceed to make a detailed comparison of the Macintosh to the ST. In a bold approach, the Northbrook, IL company invites owners to "put the ST next to your Mac or Amiga or even IBM," after a small down payment, for a 30-day trial basis. The components are sold separately. The ST computer and mouse for $299, disk drive $199, and monochrome monitor $199. NEW PRODUCTS Epyx Software will release Winter Games, Rogue (originally a mainframe adventure game popular on college campuses) and Temple of Apshai Trilogy for the Atari ST and the Commodore Amiga in March. Paul Henckel, of Quickview Systems of Los Altos, CA and the author of "The Elements of Friendly Software Design," (Warner Books, 1985) has finished Zoomracks for the ST and IBM PC family. It uses "racks" rather than files to display information in a compact way on screen. Visualize this as a stack of time cards. All of the cards are visible at once, with most of one card hidden behind the next card, and only one or two lines of information about each card visible. ATARIS HELP BILK THE BANK? How did Richard Mamarella get $22 million in bank loans from a New Jersey bank? According to a recent Wall Street Journal account, Mamarella bribed a junior bank officer with $30,000 and two Atari sets, to approve the fraudulent loans. After pleading guilty to bank fraud and extortion charges, Mamarella is serving a nine-year prison term. AMIGA HAS TOS, TOO What's in a name? Metacomco, the British company that developed LISP and Metapascal for the ST also developed the operating system for the Amiga PC. The name of a multitasking OS at the core of the Amiga OS -- TRIPOS. DRI Batteries Included may have a difficulty shipping Atari ST GEM applications by their original April deadline. Like other programmers and developers, BI is anxiously waiting for Digital Research of Monterey CA to finish up the GEM 68K developer's kit. Industry analysts say delays in shipment of final versions of the kit is a serious problem for ST software developers. Research and development seems to be continuing at the Monterey, CA- based developer of the GEM operating system for Atari and IBM. DRI has placed ads in the Silicon Valley-Area San Jose Mercury News searching for graphics development Software Engineers. "Become involved with the team responsible or developing this leading technology of the future -- right now! Responsibilities include exploratory development and prototyping of new products, writing graphics applications in C for the GEM environment, and implementation of new device drivers." ======================================================================= Z*NET INTERNATIONAL PC ONLINE MAGAZINE -------------------------------------- This Week's Contents ======================================================================= Z*Net PC is a free, bi-weekly magazine in electronic format that features news, reviews, commentary, and other information of interest to users of IBM PC and compatible computers. This is merely a comprehensive table of contents. The complete Z*Net PC Issue #10 is available on: GEnie in the IBM PC RoundTable (IBMPC) as ZNETPC10.ZIP CompuServe in the IBM Applications Forum (GO IBMAPP) as ZPC10.ZIP THE EDITOR'S DESK..........................................Ron Kovacs Z*NET NEWSWIRE, PC EDITION................................Z*Net Staff The Latest Industry News and Events. Why Wait Weeks for the Print Magazines to Bring You The News That Z*Net PC Offers Today? - Apple Announces Education Grants - PC Windows Expo for San Francisco - IBM Establishes Soviet Division - Adaptech Supports 21MB Floppy Drive - IBM Launches IBM Networking Systems - SyQuest's "SyDOS" Division for PC's - Toshiba's Gas Plasma Notebook Display - Tektronics Color Printer Uses Any Paper - Electronic Arts Acquires Distinctive Software - Sony Includes Jack Nicklaus Golf Demo as 11th Disk - Hayes Smartmodem 10th Anniversary Rebates - Abobe Photoshop 2.0 for Macintosh - Excel 3.0 Released for OS/2 PM - Apple's New AU/X Developer's Toolkit - GRiD's CD-ROM Notebook PC's - Phoenix Extends MS-DOS Agreement - New CMS Drives for PS/2's - Ashton-Tate's Framework IV - MS-DOS 5.0 Released - IBM DOS 5.0 Released - MS-DOS 5.0 100% Upgrade Program - MS-DOS 5.0's Major New Features - MS-DOS 5.0 Support Forum on CompuServe - IBM Trade-Up for Compaq, Mac Owners - Computer Shopper in U.S.S.R. - Erasable Ink for Printers, Copiers - IBM's New PS/2's - 20Mhz 386SX, 2.88MB Floppies - New Chinese Anti-Piracy Laws - Ergo's New 486SX and DX "Brick" PC's - Apple vs. Microsoft Swings in Microsoft's Favor - IBM's 8516 Touch-Screen Monitor - Apple/IBM Technology Sharing Talks - AimTech IconAuthor 4.0 for Windows - PC Multimedia Climbs, Mac Declines - ZBASIC: Develop 32-Bit Windows 3.0 Applications - Fujitsu buys Poqet, 32-Bit Poqet PC Planned - 1-2-3 and Realtime for SPARC from Lotus - Cirrus's Tiny VGA Adapter for Notebooks - Bill Gates Memo Blasts IBM, OS/2 - FAST Sony Optical Drives, 40ms - Norton Desktop for Windows Debuts - PC Magazine Now In The U.S.S.R. - 68040 Power for Macintosh - Lotus, SCO Settle "Look and Feel" Suit - Lotus, Borland "Look and Feel" Battle Rages On THE GRAPHICAL EDGE.......................................Mike Mezaros The Latest GUI News, Commentary, and Software Reviews. - Apple Developing Windows Software! - Microsoft Works for Windows? - Sounder 2.0... Mac Sounds in 386 Enhanced Mode - PowerBBS: BBS Software Designed for Windows! - WinCLI Update - A True Bargain in Latest DAK? - Visual BASIC Banter - Windows 3.1 Dialog Box Mystery Continues - PC World Windows Survey: Surprising Numbers - Reviewed: MicroLink Terminal Software for Windows - Realizer BASIC for Windows - Excerpts from Apple/Microsoft GUI Agreement DRAWPERFECT CONTEST.....................................Press Release Win free connect time on GEnie, or WordPerfect products, by entering the WordPerfect RoundTable's DrawPerfect Contest. MS-DOS 5.0: FIRST IMPRESSIONS............................Mike Mezaros How is life with the new operating system going so far? What REAL benefits does it offer? Is it worth upgrading? NORTON 6.0 TO INCLUDE 4DOS...............................News Release 4DOS, the popular COMMAND.COM replacement, has been licensed in modified form to Symantec, and will ship with Norton Utilities 6.0! This news release from the makers of 4DOS explains the future of 4DOS as an independent product, and as part of the Norton package... ASYNC PROFESSIONAL......................................Press Release Async Pro is an asynchronous communications library that allows programmers to get their communications applications working FAST. This press release profiles all of Async Pro's features, including Z-Modem. SHAREWARE/PD SHELF........................Compiled from GEnie and CIS Which new files are worth downloading? Z*Net PC lists some contenders. Includes software for DOS, Windows, and OS/2, compiled from various libraries on GEnie and CompuServe. TRASH-IT: A TRASH CAN FOR DOS (ALMOST)...................Mike Mezaros A complete review of the shareware program Trash-It, which promises to bring the functionality of the Macintosh's trash can to MS-DOS PC's. WILDCAT! BBS VERSION 3.0................................Press Release WildCat!, the only BBS program available through retail outlets, has been upgraded to version 3.0! Dozens of news features have been added, as this is a complete re-write. Z*NET CONFERENCES.................................................... A list of the FoReM-Net BBS systems connected to the various Z*Net conferences. These conferences carry the three Z*Net online publications, as well as discussion about the articles contained within. ======================================================================= Z*Net International 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*Magazine Atari 8-Bit Online Magazine, Z*Net Atari Online Magazine, Z*Net and Z*Net PC are copyright (c)1991 by Rovac Industries Inc, a registered corporation. Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, New Jersey 08846. (908) 968-2024. Z*Net USA BBS EAST 24 Hours, 1200/2400 Baud (9600 Coming Soon!), (908) 968-8148. We can be reached on CompuServe at 75300,1642 and on GEnie at Z-NET. ======================================================================= Copyright (c)1991, Rovac Industries, Inc.. =======================================================================