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-
- Z*NET ATARI ONLINE MAGAZINE
- July 12, 1991
- Issue #91-29
-
-
- CONTENTS
-
- THE EDITORS DESK..............................Ron Kovacs
- Z*NET NEWSWIRE..........................................
- OPEN LETTER TO ST-REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE....Dot Brumleve
- SLAVE DRIVER...............................Press Release
- COMPUSERVE FREE TIME OFFER..................Announcement
- PAGESTREAM 2.1 REVIEW.......................Vernon Smith
- CHERRY FONTS UPDATE........................Press Release
- GLENDALE ATARI SHOW UPDATE.................Press Release
- DAVE SMALL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS.....................CIS
- ATARI ST COURSES ANNOUNCED.................Press Release
-
-
-
- =======================================================================
- THE EDITORS DESK
- ----------------
- by Ron Kovacs
- =======================================================================
-
-
- Well, I made it back from vacation and have spent the last 5 days
- getting the killed BBS system back up. I am happy to announce that I
- have succeeded with the assistance of STeve Rider and Mike Austin,
- FoReM sysops, who have taught me once again the in's and out's of the
- FoReM BBS program. Thanks for the assistance guys!
-
- Z*Net New Zealand now can be reached via BBS! More information on this
- next week. Jon Clarke is on his way to the New York area as I type this
- and can fill me in on these details later.
-
- The Summer Z*Net Survey is coming! Stay tuned for details!
-
- Last but never least... I want to thank Terry for standing in for me
- here and in FNET last week! I think he did a terrific job on last weeks
- issue! Are you ready for MORE Terry???
-
-
-
-
-
- =======================================================================
- Z*NET NEWSWIRE
- --------------
- Compiled by John Nagy, Ron Kovacs, Drew Kerr
- =======================================================================
-
-
-
- COMPUTER-AIDED ECLIPSE VIEWING
- The South-West United States had a rare solar eclipse viewing
- opportunity this Thursday morning, with a 100% eclipse in Hawaii and 70%
- in California. As always, experts warned of looking at the sun, as eye
- damage is very possible. While searching for the ideal sun-block filter
- for direct viewing, a Los Angeles clerk discovered the handiest and best
- media: computer disks. The disks we think of as opaque black are in
- fact transparent enough to see the sun through, and the resulting image
- is a clearly defined red disk. Disk format doesn't matter. The eclipse
- of the sun by the passing moon on Thursday morning was witnessed by
- growing numbers of L.A. office workers with disks taped to their
- glasses... another high technology answer to today's environmental
- challenges.
-
-
- BRODIE CANCELS ORLANDO APPEARANCE
- Atari's Manager of User Group Services was scheduled to appear in
- Orlando, Florida this weekend, but was forced to cancel. Bob Brodie
- sends his apologies, and adds that pressing matters in Sunnyvale
- required his presence this weekend. He hopes to be able to reschedule
- his visit to the South East. Brodie's user-group speaking engagements
- generally draw sizable crowds of interested Atarians, who are generally
- rewarded with an interesting talk and the latest inside-Atari
- information.
-
-
- NEW TAX THREATENS ATARIUSER MAGAZINE
- Free publications may face extinction due to revised sales taxes.
- California State Taxes have been revised to include publications, as the
- state struggles with its deficit. While it may seem a small impediment
- to operation to have the sale of publications taxed like other purchases
- (now at 8.5%), interpretations of the new sales tax may have far-
- reaching effects on "free distribution" magazines. Although
- interpretations by the tax people are not finalized, one proposal is to
- tax "free" magazines at 8.5% of their "comparative retail value". That
- would make the new AtariUser magazine have to pay--up front--perhaps 25
- cents per copy. At a 40,000 circulation, that will cost $10,000.00 each
- and every month. Of course, this is impossible. Other proposed schemes
- will tax the free magazines based on their gross income, at a rate of
- perhaps 11.5%. That might bring the bill far below $10,000 a month, but
- still make profitable business a pipe dream. Advertisers will not
- likely wish to see a 15% or more rate increase just to pay taxes. But
- wait--there's more. Although past sales can't be grandfathered into a
- new tax, subscriptions are being interpreted as an ongoing sale, and
- undelivered issues must be taxed. The currently favored interpretation
- of the tax collection effort will require publications to send a pre-
- paid reply form to every subscriber, allowing them to elect to pay the
- sales tax on their remaining subscription, or to cancel and receive the
- pro-rated unearned subscription charge. Overall, the new laws may
- affect or terminate the operation of perhaps 1,000 or more California
- "free" publications, including everything from the nightlife guides,
- TV/movie guides, music magazines, local community papers, computer mags,
- and even the prestigious and massive L.A. Weekly. Final fright: the tax
- people say that they don't yet know how they will interpret and enforce
- the new provisions. They suggest that publications continue to do
- business as usual and that the tax board will calculate and bill them
- for their taxes later. Yikes! The matter is, as you might guess, far
- from settled.
-
-
- FOREM MANUAL SHIPPING
- The version 2.8 manual for FoReM ST is now printed and ready to ship.
- Anyone may order a copy whether or not they have ever owned a copy of
- FoReM. The new manual is in a 8.5" x 11" format and is supplied in a
- standard three ring binder for ease of incorporating future updates. To
- order your copy of the FoReM ST version 2.8 manual send $20 in US Funds
- (includes shipping) to: Stephen Rider, 20 Cargill Ave, Worcester MA
- 01610. Payment may be made in cash, check or money order. Orders are
- usually shipped via UPS ground. Canadian and other foreign orders
- please include an additional $4 to cover international shipping costs.
-
-
- GENIE PORTFOLIO RT BOOMING
- The GEnie Portfolio RT has made an *outstanding* effort to build up
- their software library. In the past three weeks, over 60 new programs
- and text files have been added to the software library. Hats off to
- David Cagle and the Portfolio sysops!! Now, you Portfolio-toters, go
- check out this great new stuff in GEnie!
-
-
- TOP-SELLING COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES FOR MAY
- The Software Publishers Association announced the top-selling video
- games and MS-DOS computer games for May 1991. In the MS-DOS computer
- games, King's Quest V, by Sierra On-Line, takes the number one spot.
- Jetfighter II, by Velocity, takes the number two spot. Strategic
- Simulations' Eye of the Beholder moves from number one to number three.
- In video games, Nintendo's Super Mario Land takes May's number one spot
- followed by LJN's WWF Superstars at number two. Elecronic Art's Laker
- vs. Celtics moves into the number three spot, Konami's Teenage Turtle
- Arcade Game slips from number one to number four. Warbirds form Atari,
- Bill Elliott's NASCAR from Konami and Tecmo Bowl from Tecmo debut on
- May's list in the number five, nine and ten spots, respectively.
-
-
-
-
-
- =======================================================================
- OPEN LETTER TO ST_REPORT
- ------------------------
- by Dorothy Brumleve
- =======================================================================
-
-
- An Open Letter to the Editor of ST Report Concerning the IAAD Category
- on GEnie
-
- July 7, 1991
-
- To the Editor:
-
- Remarks by your Staff Editor, Lloyd E. Pulley, in this (Cat 26) and in
- other Categories suggest that ST Report may soon print posts which
- members of the Independent Association of Atari Developers have made in
- the IAAD Category. In addition, your commentary in a recent Editor's
- Podium column indicates that you are writing a "book", which may or may
- not likewise contain such private information.
-
- As you are aware, the IAAD Category is a private area here on GEnie
- designed for confidential exchanges between IAAD members. Members share
- their experiences and opinions on a variety of business-related topics,
- such as Atari, the media, the public, distributors, merchandizing,
- packaging, and on personal matters ranging from the War in Iraq to how
- to impress a woman. As in any exchange between human beings, the
- discussions sometimes become heated or silly and contributors may change
- their positions several times during the course of a thread. We "test
- out" our ideas on each other and reevaluate our plans and opinions. We
- share our frustrations and successes in a candid and intimate way, and
- this sharing has brought many of us closer together personally and has
- helped many of us through the hard times nearly everyone associated with
- Atari has experienced. Here, we are free to speak our minds among
- friends and peers. No Atari employee observes our discussion, no member
- of the press takes notes...with the exception of you and your staff.
-
- When the subject of a group Category was introduced at a formational
- meeting in your hotel room at WAACE '89, you were among those who
- stressed the importance of privacy in any discussion between members.
- We know, therefore, that you understand just how vital that privacy is
- to the success of the group.
-
- Each of our members has promised to keep the information in our Category
- private, and yet we find, time and time again, that one or another of
- the members has leaked information. In nearly every such case, it is
- you who has been the recipient of our private messages. We know that
- you are privy to our messages because you have called our members to
- tell them of your knowledge. You have identified various members as
- your source of information; when these cases are investigated, it is
- discovered that the parties you name are not involved at all.
- Unwarranted accusations have caused hurt feelings and bitterness among
- the members so named. It will not have escaped your notice that
- whenever a member announces that a breach has occurred, the area goes
- nearly silent and remains so for some time thereafter. Then members
- begin to relax, an important topic comes up, we let our hair down, we
- make some progress...and another breach of our privacy comes to our
- attention and the cycle begins once again. These leaks are thus a
- constant source of frustration to our board and to our members. They
- disrupt our progress both as individual programmers and publishers and
- as a group. That we are reduced to this public appeal is a measure of
- the very serious nature of this matter. The time we must devote to this
- problem might otherwise be devoted to improvements in our products and
- marketing, thus advancing the use of Atari computers, but instead we are
- having to defend our right to privacy.
-
- Obviously, we have at least one member who has not honored his pledge.
- This is an internal problem in the group, and we will deal with it
- internally.
-
- We have never attempted to breach your own private message bases. No
- "plant" sends us copies of your private discussions, nor would we accept
- them. We do not call you in an attempt to draw you into revealing your
- private discussions. We do not tease, taunt, or threaten you with
- lawsuits and exposure.
-
- We object to attempts, successful and unsuccessful, to receive
- information regarding our private discussions. We object to threats,
- latent and blatant, to publish our messages or to reveal publicly the
- information and opinions they contain. We find that these activities
- disrupt our personal and professional progress. We believe that they
- are ultimately highly detrimental to the entire Atari community.
-
- Please cease this activity at once. Please ask your staff to refrain
- from taunting us in their posts, under their own personal addresses or
- that of your magazine, with a proposed article on "Things Your
- Developers Don't Want You to Hear" or with similar revelations of our
- private discussions. Please refrain from publishing or disbursing any
- information already gleaned from our private Catagory. Please refrain
- from accepting our confidences from wayward members. Please refrain
- from discussing our Category and its contents with any of our members.
-
- Thank you for your strong support. It is much needed in this matter.
-
- Sincerely,
- D.A. Brumleve
- Member, Independent Association of Atari Developers
-
- Copyright 1991 D.A. Brumleve
- This letter may be reprinted only if it is not altered or reduced in any
- way.
-
- A REPLY
-
- Ms. Brumleve,
-
- First I would like to thank you for sharing OPENLY your letter to the
- Editor of ST Report.
-
- "OPEN". That is the active word here. By your OPENNESS you have brought
- to light a problem which can now be considered and hopefully worked out
- in full view of all and NO "secret deals" can be made. Secrecy is
- scary. Having been an American for the past 36 years I have seen and
- experienced many "cover-ups" and behind the scenes actions by our
- government and major corporations. The people and/or organizations felt
- what they were doing behind the curtain of privacy was for the
- betterment of all concerned (e.g. the American People). Where would
- this country be if it had not been for "Deep Throat" (Watergate)? The
- leaks that brought about enlightenment of the arm for hostages deals
- with Iran?
-
- Privacy and confidentiality are at the heart of A.A (and like)
- organizations since the onset. Still ANYONE can walk in and listen and
- /or participate.
-
- Why not hold these meetings and discussions in the OPEN? If someone has
- something to say that might offend someone else then resort to personal
- mail! I would not want someone in IAAD to discuss me or my Company,
- it's policies or whatever with a group of peers without my being there.
- What is being said in IAAD that should not be made public?
-
- Check out Delphi (ST Advantage) if you would like to experience OPEN
- discussion! EVERYTHING is said in the OPEN for ALL to see/read. Sure,
- sometimes peoples feelings get hurt. But when *I* am discussed *I* know
- about and can respond!
-
- I can understand secrecy when it comes to discussing codeing of programs
- and such, but not EVERYTHING!
-
- If people in IAAD get closed mouth when a leak is rumoured, then
- something is going on that they feel guilty about and don't want to be
- associated if the leak gets out. If nothing is wrong then why the
- subtle disassociation (quietness)?
-
- Please open the doors and let a little sunshine in. Let us, the ENTIRE
- Atari community know what you IAAD members are planning or discussing so
- we can make informed decisions about our future in the Atari community!
-
- Doyle C. Helms Jr.
- D.Helms [GEnie]
- STARTWO [Delphi The ST Advantage]
- Member in long (suffering) standing of the Atari Community
-
- Editor Note: Mr. Mariano responded to this open letter in the ST-Report
- bulletin board on GEnie and noted that discussions within the IAAD will
- not be part of any upcoming book or published in the weekly Atari online
- magazine of the same name.
-
-
-
-
- =======================================================================
- SLAVE DRIVER
- ------------
- Press Release
- =======================================================================
-
-
- MIND over MIDI Productions proudly presents: SLAVE DRIVER VERSION 2.0
- dedicated live performance software for the Atari ST/E
-
- We're seeing a lot of bad press these days towards the use of sequencers
- in live music performance. People are beginning to feel "cheated", as
- the "live" show they came to see is actually being run like clockwork
- from a computer. MIND over MIDI has developed a system that allows
- sequence playback to follow what the musicians are playing, rather than
- the musicians following a pre-programmed arrangement. This is the ONLY
- package that caters to the needs of the performing musician to such an
- extent available on ANY platform, and is bringing many new users, as
- well as IBM/MAC owners to the Atari world.
-
- Software Features
-
- * exhaustive mapping capabilites
- * full SYSEX support
- * controlled entirely from actions the musician would be doing anyway on
- their MIDI controllers
- * allows master instruments to control all other instruments, computer
- SYSEX transmissions, sequence playback, even loading and erasing of
- SYSEX and sequence files to the Atari from disk flexibly and easily
- * runs without Atari monitor by printing text to LCD displays of various
- MIDI devices
- * Remote display module frees approx 850k on a 1 meg machine for
- sequence and SYSEX data
- * built in generic SYSEX librarian transmits and saves system exclusive
- messages in MIDI file format, and allows you to enter and save SYSEX
- request messages
- * full GEM interface
- * transparent map changing allows you to change maps while playing,
- without sticking notes or shutting off all notes
- * extremely solid and reliable - suitable for concert touring or just
- jamming in the basement
- * allows you to improvise the arrangements of your sequences, based on
- what you play - jam out that solo or intro and the sequence will
- loop until you're done
-
- New Features for Version 2.0
-
- * allows up to 255 songs in memory
- * build tempo controls into your maps
- * re-organized menus, TOS 1.6 support, added quick keys, improved
- compatability with desk accessories, and much more
-
- UltraMIDI Owners
-
- MIDImouse Music no longer supports UltraMIDI. SLAVE DRIVER is a newer
- version of UltraMIDI, you can now upgrade and get continued product
- support by contacting MIND over MIDI Productions.
-
- UltraMIDI is a trademark of MIDImouse Music Ltd.
-
- SLAVE DRIVER has a suggested retail price of $299.00, although dealers
- may sell for less. Upgrades from UltraMIDI or SLAVE DRIVER version 1.5
- are $50 for a new program disk. UltraMIDI owners can also purchase a
- 1.5 manual for $15. Version 2.0 updates and corrections are listed in
- an accompanying text file, registered users can order 2.0 manuals for
- $15, check with us regarding availability.
-
- contact:
-
- MIND over MIDI Productions
- 302 9131 Capella Drive
- Burnaby, B.C. Canada V3J 7K4
- (604) 444-4424
- fax. (604) 420-6266
- GEnie address: MINDoverMIDI
-
-
-
-
- =======================================================================
- COMPUSERVE AT ST FORUM OFFER
- ----------------------------
- Announcement
- =======================================================================
-
-
- WIN $25 COMPUSERVE CONNECT-TIME CREDITS
-
- Traditionally, summertime has been the slowest time of the year for
- online activity in the Atari telecommunications community. We'd like to
- help boost this activity with a promotion that just about anybody can
- win.
-
- We're looking for new and interesting files for the data libraries of
- ATARIARTS and ATARIPRO Forums. Twice each month, during the months of
- July, August, and September, the sysops of the Atari Forums will award
- a $25 connect time credit to the individual who uploads the best new
- file to our NEW UPLOADS Library. This $25 credit can be applied to any
- area of CompuServe usage, not just time spent inside the Atari Forums.
- (a direct credit against your monthly bill)
-
- What defines the "best" new upload? Factors in judging will be
- uniqueness, general interest (i.e.- the number of downloads received),
- quality of graphics (if applicable), usefulness or entertainment value.
-
- All uploads to the NEW UPLOADS Library will automatically be entered
- into this promotion. Of course, uploads of files already existant in
- our libraries do not count. (Although, new versions of previous entries
- are eligible.)
-
- You do not need to be the author of the upload to win, but you MUST have
- sufficient rights to the program to make it an acceptable upload
- according to CompuServe operating rules. (i.e.- Anyone can submit a
- Public Domain or shareware program.) In case of duplicate uploads of
- the exact same file, the sysops will accept files based upon time of the
- first uploaded copy.
-
- The first upload period will run from July 1st thru July 15th
- (inclusive). Judging will be done by the sysop staff of the Atari
- Forums (influenced by comments from the membership!). One credit will
- be awarded to the best new upload in ATARIARTS and another for the best
- new upload in ATARIPRO.
-
- Please address any questions to Ron Luks [76703,254] via CompuServe Mail
- (EMAIL) or a message in any of the Atari Forums.
-
-
-
-
- =======================================================================
- PAGESTREAM 2.1 REVIEW
- ---------------------
- by Vernon W. Smith
- ACE of Syracuse Newsletter Contributing Edtior
- =======================================================================
-
-
- This review is uploaded to the BackStairs BBS sponsored by Atari
- Computer Enthusiasts of Syracuse for the information of Atari ST users.
-
- It may be distributed by and to anyone. Please credit the author, the
- BBS and Atari Computer Enthusiasts of Syracuse, NY.
-
- PageStream 2.1 is the latest upgrade of the first fully professional
- desktop publishing program for the Atari ST. Starting as Publishing
- Partner, it changed briefly to Publishing Partner Professional and then
- crawled through a series offirst-buggy-then-improving regenerations into
- a program which leads the rest of the ST desktop publishers.
-
- This newest version comes with a completely new User Manual and
- QuickStart Manual which are the best yet produced by Soft-Logik
- Publishing Corporation, P.O. Box 290070, St. Louis, MO 63129, Phone:
- 1-800/829-8608.
-
- Although Soft-Logik has abandoned the three-ring binder which made page
- changes easy to add, it has expanded upon it's well-organized, step-by-
- step approach to using easily a complex program. The QuickStart Manual
- uses two extended tutorials to cover the basics and painlessly introduce
- a new user to functions which might otherwise be overlooked.
-
- After completing a newsletter page and an organizational chart, you will
- have learned not only how to import text and graphics, but also how to
- use templates and create repetitive elements with a minimum of key
- strokes and mouse movements.
-
- The tables of contents and the index are comprehensive and 2.1 continues
- the tradition of 1.8 and the original Publishing Partner in providing
- sequential actions which are easy to remember with repeated use.
-
- The most noticeable immediate difference appears on the screen. Using
- the larger sizes of magnification, 200%, for example, type displays with
- the same characteristics which will appear on the printed page. It is
- much easier to adjust spacing and kerning between characters.
-
- Another type of appearance has been improved, too. That is the dialogue
- boxes which in 1.8 were plainer and more prone to the appearance of
- garbage characters during multiple operations. The 2.1 boxes frequently
- combine into one box elements which previously required two sequential
- boxes. For example, special type applications such as backslant,
- mirror, upside down, underline, etc., can now be selected from the same
- dialogue box as the name and size of the font. Fill style and color can
- be chosen in the same dialogue box. Previously, they were separated.
-
- These changes may seem trivial in the telling, but to an experienced
- user of earlier versions of PageStream they are quality improvements
- shaving minutes off preparation time for a document.
-
- An annoying bug in 1.8 was the way in which one had to complete
- selection of justification in the Tag section of the Text Menu. Tags
- enable the selection of several characteristics of text at one time so
- that they can be saved for future implementation with a couple of key-
- clicks. When justification was chosen, the dialogue box would appear
- briefly and then dump the user back to the attributes dialogue unless
- the left mouse button was held down and the cursor slid to cover the
- category of justification desired. In 2.1, that bug is gone. Click on
- the justification attribute and the dialogue takes its place (like the
- other attribute boxes do) firmly ready for a reasoned choice.
-
- A new feature which fits the description of quality improvement is the
- thickening of the cursor when it appears in dialogue boxes, which makes
- it easier to find. Where the cursor used to automatically come up at
- the left of any area in which the left mouse button was clicked, it now
- appears anywhere along the line. What this means in practical terms is
- that where the speediest way to change a multi-digit entry under the old
- system was to use Esc to clear the area and retype the whole thing, it
- is now easiest to place the cursor to the right of the characters to be
- changed and delete and reenter only specific changes.
-
- I did run into a couple of problems in making the initial installation
- and completing the tutorials.
-
- I installed the program with all its fonts (Compugraphic CS Times, CS
- Triumvirate, CS Garamond, and eight Soft-Logik creations) onto the F
- partition of my Toadfile 44 Syquest Removable Hard Drive. The
- instructions on changing the path for the fonts were skimpy and when I
- first tried to type in text, I got a request to insert the floppy disks
- from which I had made the installation. Because I was familiar with the
- earlier PageStream, I knew that I had to go to the Global Menu at the
- upper right of the screen to select Set/Save paths. Still, when I had
- indicated that the path for all of the folders in the program were
- F:\PGSTREAM\, the floppy disk request was repeated. I went back to the
- Set/Save dialogue and discovered a new button labeled Manager which
- brought up the fonts location dialogue box. The font paths here still
- showed the floppy disks. Changing them completed the installation.
- Although this procedure is described somewhat in the User Manual, it may
- be confusing to a new user who relies on the QuickStart Manual for
- setting up a hard drive.
-
- A bug which has not entirely disappeared is the tendency of the screen
- to repeatedly renew itself when text entries in a column reach the place
- where a new section of the screen has to be displayed. Apparently what
- happens with both 1.8 and 2.1 is that the speedy typist gets ahead of
- the computer and at the point where the screen has to change, each
- character triggers a refresh. The solution is to stop typing and look
- carefully for the location of the cursor which is also blinking on and
- off with the screen changes. Guide the cursor to the white area of the
- vertical scroll bar and click on the left mouse button. The refreshes
- will stop and work can continue. It does seem to me, however, that this
- bug is less prevalent in 2.1. It does not do this every time as it did
- in 1.8 but only on occasion.
-
- In the tutorial on setting up a Drop Cap (a large initial to start a
- paragraph made up mostly of smaller characters), I lost sight of the
- initial when following the instructions. Again, I knew what to do from
- prior use of the earlier versions of PageStream. I went to the Object
- Menu and placed the text column in back of the initial. Since the
- initial was in its own object area, this made it visible again. While
- the Bring to Front and Send to Back commands are covered in the
- tutorial, their application to this particular problem would not be
- readily apparent to a new user.
-
- I am always concerned when a tutorial doesn't do what it's supposed to
- do and there were two other instances of this in the PageStream 2.1
- QuickStart Manual.
-
- Text can be linked from one column to another and if there is more text
- in a column than it can hold a small plus sign appears at the lower left
- of the column. When the newsletter tutorial is completed as the Manual
- instructs, the last line of copy (a byline giving the supposed author's
- name) disappears from the screen and from any printout which is made of
- the page. The solution is to place the cursor in the white space
- following the last visible line and press Backspace until the hidden
- line reappears. The example simply has an extra line space between the
- last line of copy and the byline.
-
- A more complicated problem surfaces in the demonstration of Rotation of
- a GEM symbol used as a company log in the organization chart tutorial.
- PageStream (1.8 and 2.1) permits rotation by degrees. A dialogue box
- not only allows for entry of specific numbers but also has a rectangular
- box which changes to show how the rotation will look. (Skewing and
- slanting are also possible from this box.) In the organization chart
- demo, the GEM symbol which is imported has several layers of overlapping
- sections. The tutorial explains this and shows the user how to group
- and ungroup these layers. Unfortunately, it instructs the user to group
- all the sections before making the rotation. It turns out that this
- does not produce what the creator of the tutorial intended. An inner
- section which is supposed to be diamond-shaped goes to a broken square
- instead. It turns out that to get a match to the illustration shown in
- the QuickStart Manual the GEM symbol has to be ungrouped and only the
- extreme outside section rotated. Not a big deal to an experienced user,
- but a real frustration to a new user who probably would not know what
- was happening or what to do to correct it.
-
- With 1.8, I used to enter text directly into the columns (as I am doing
- now) with a user magnification of 125%. This was the magnification
- recommended in one of the earliest versions of Publishing Partner as the
- optimum operating mode. In 2.1, I find the 200% level of magnification
- more desirable for direct text entry. Not only are the characters
- easier to read, but at this size they show more of the characteristics
- of the finished printed letters.
-
- Those who were concerned because Soft-Logik spent a lot of time creating
- an Amiga version which reached 2.0 before Atari, can be reassured that
- the company has not short-sheeted its original Atari users with a look-
- alike product. By mistake, I received the Amiga version in the fall of
- 1990. The manual was very similar to the Atari 1.8 manual although the
- program itself had many of the features now appearing in the Atari 2.1
- version. The new Atari manual is nothing like the older Amiga one. It
- is completely produced with PageStream and output at 1270 dpi on a
- PostScript imagesetter in a wire-bound format that reflects the best in
- modern printing. No apologies are necessary to any other desktop
- publishing platform for the quality of this program.
-
- For users of previous versions of PageStream, there are a number of
- desirable changes.
-
- The Toolbox at the right of the screen now can be moved to any other
- location. The Reshape Tool supports the modification of Bezier curves.
- (What this means is that after drawing a shape, it is possible to change
- it in specific directions which will be automatically smoothed out when
- the operation is finished.)
-
- According to the User Manual, it is possible to design a page as large
- as 1200 foot (Yes, I said Foot) by 1200 Foot and as small as one inch by
- one inch.
-
- PageStream 2.1 allows up to six windows to be opened so that elements
- can be pasted from one document to another.
-
- Another change is called Smart Titles. If the title of a window is all
- in lower case, there have been no changes since the file was last saved.
- If the first character is capitalized, then alterations have occurred
- which should be saved before closing the file.
-
- Often you see commercial publications which have pictures extending all
- the way to the edge of the page. These are called bleeds. They are
- produced by printing on a larger sheet of paper than the finished page
- so that when they are trimmed in a paper cutter they appear to end at
- the cut edge. PageStream now supports this kind of production.
- Combined with crop marks to guide a printer, this enables a level of
- publication which has not been possible in Atari ST desktop publishing
- programs.
-
- Although designers of small newsletters are not likely to want to go to
- the extra expense of bleed pages, this feature makes the Atari able to
- compete at a higher level of professional magazine production.
-
- The new PageStream 2.1 contains several keyboard equivalents for former
- mouse-only instructions. For example, I mentioned earlier the
- occasional need to click with the mouse on the scroll bar when repeated
- refreshes tie up the screen. I notice that the keyboard equivalent for
- this is Esc U and the next time I get the refresh bug, I'll see if it
- stops the action as effectively as does the mouse click.
-
- There is some confusion in my mind about the fonts change in PageStream
- 2.1. I was informed when I telephoned my credit card order to Soft-
- Logik that it was not necessary to purchase new fonts to use the program
- with my UltraScript packages of equivalents to the PostScript faces
- found in many PostScript printers. (UltraScript is an emulation program
- which allows PostScript files printed to a disk to be used with dot
- matrix, deskjet, and laser printers.) PageStream 2.1 will print
- PostScript files to disk but to match the PostScript printer fonts, the
- User Manual recommends the PageStream Fonts Plus Pack which contains
- outline font files, screen font files, and font metric files for 11 of
- the most popular PostScript families: Avant Garde, Bookman, Chancery,
- Courier, Dingbats, Helvetica, Helvetica Narrow, Palatino, Schoolbook,
- Symbol and Times.
-
- I can use all those fonts now with PageStream 1.8 because I have a
- PageStream Disk A (converted from an earlier Publishing Partner Disk A)
- which provides the screen font files and the font metric files.
- However, the files from this disk do not show on the screen as they will
- appear on the printout, so I expect I'll purchase the PageStream Fonts
- Plus Pack which lists at $75.
-
- PageStream also offers a Font Pack 1 at the same price which provides 14
- more fonts.
-
- For the moment, at least, I'm keeping both PageStream 1.8 and 2.1 active
- so I can use either the new or the old fonts rather than experiment with
- trying to mix them in the newer program. The Manual makes clear that PS
- and PSF font files used in PageStream 1.8 should not be used in
- PageStream 2.1.
-
- I had expected kerning to default to automatic in 2.1 but it still has
- to be invoked by selecting the type to be kerned and either batch
- kerning the whole thing or manually kerning specific combinations. In
- other words, it can be made automatic but it does not default to
- automatic. Kerning is the process by which two letters like AV when
- next to each other can be reduced in space so that they do not appear to
- be abnormally far apart. When this text is viewed in a PageStream 2.1
- page printout, it should show that it has been kerned. It does not show
- on the screen as kerned, though.
-
- I am not impressed with the Spell Checker. I never used the one in 1.8
- and after spending almost 30 minutes spell-checking this document up to
- this point, I am unlikely to use it again. It does not recognize plural
- or past tense forms of common words. I also find it annoying that
- company words like PageStream have not been added to the dictionary!
-
- I'll save a discussion of graphics in the new PageStream 2.1 for another
- time.
-
- At this point, with two days of experienting with it, I am completely
- convinced of the value of upgrading to the new program which lists new
- for $299.95.
-
- VWS, 315/474-0450.
-
-
-
-
-
- =======================================================================
- CHERRY FONTS ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF FONT PACKS
- ------------------------------------------------
- Press Release
- =======================================================================
-
-
- Cherry Fonts proudly announces the addition of SEVEN new 'Font Packs' to
- their six existing packages. Each new Font Pack offers a complimentary
- collection of stylish and contemporary Calamus fonts. Each font
- features true optical character spacing akin to the methods used by long
- -established type foundries. All foreign characters, monetary symbols
- and ligatures are included where applicable. Each font has been
- thoroughly tested at all print resolutions from that of a 9-pin printer
- up to the many thousands of dots per inch that are within the
- capabilities of Linotronic and other commercial imagesetters. Smooth,
- even weight-balance of printed matter is the result of Cherry Fonts'
- dedication to typographical excellence.
-
- Cherry Fonts are intended for use with Calamus Desktop Publishing,
- Outline Art, and any other applications that utilize the Calamus font
- format.
-
- Font Pack #7
- This new group of 4 fonts features Cherry Benjamin Gothic in 4 styles.
- Benjamin Gothic is our version of the venerable Franklin Gothic. It is
- a sans serif text typeface that resembles Helvetica in many ways. The
- fours styles included are Book, Oblique, Demi and Demi Oblique. Uses
- for these typefaces extend from simple newsletter body copy to elaborate
- advertising headlines and practically any other graphic design function
- -- an extremely versatile typeface.
-
- Font Pack #8
- Font Pack number 8 is the first Cherry Fonts release of ornamental
- typefaces. Included in this bundle is Glissade Openface which is Cherry
- Fonts' version of Caslon Openface. For those not familiar with this
- design, it is a roman serifed typeface with inlined (hollowed) strokes
- and a low x-height. Its personality is one of sophisticated elegance.
- Also included in Font Pack #8 is Pirates Initial Caps, a set of 26
- intricate old english shadowed drop-caps that must be seen to be
- appreciated. Pirates is provided as a Calamus font file as well as 26
- individual .CVG (vector graphic) files.
-
- Font Pack #9 is another collection of serious advertising typefaces. No
- typeface is as popular with ad agencies as Paul Renner's Futura.
- Cherry's new Fura family pays tribute to this classic design. Pack #9
- contains the following four styles of Fura: Book, Italic, Bold and Bold
- Italic. Fura can also be used in forms. If you need a serious
- authoritative look in a sans-serif design, you should probably be using
- Fura.
-
- Font Packs #10, 11 and 12 are Script/Display font combinations. When
- you want to add some excitement to a dull newsletter or create a
- headline that people will notice, you'll need these high quality
- typeface designs. Each pack consists of five fonts; usually 2 scripts
- and 3 display faces.
-
- Font Pack 13 takes us back to text faces. This time it's Cherry Max, a
- slab serif design similar to Lubalin Graph (originally designed by
- Adrian Frutiger.) Max's personality is a strong, macho one. When you
- want to imply strength and solidity, Max is the perfect choice. Using
- Max bold in conjunction with an ornate script typeface would provide an
- exciting and appealing contrast.
-
- Catalog
- A free FONT POSTER may be obtained simply by calling or writing to
- request one. (Posters are only available to North Americans)
-
- Pricing
- All thirteen Cherry Font Packs have a North American suggested retail
- price of $42.95 (US) each ($49.95 in Canada).
-
- To Order
- Cherry Font Packs are available at Atari dealers everywhere or directly
- from Cherry Fonts.
-
- To order direct: Send US $42.95 (or $49.95 CDN) for each Font Pack plus
- $2.00 shipping. B.C. residents please add 6% provincial sales tax.
- Payment is accepted by Cheque, Money Order, Visa or MasterCard.
-
- Cherry Fonts
- 2250 Tyner Street, Unit #4
- Port Coquitlam, B.C.
- Canada V3C 2Z1
- Phone (604)944-2923
-
-
-
-
- =======================================================================
- GLENDALE ATARI SHOW UPDATE
- --------------------------
- Press Release
- =======================================================================
-
-
- For Immediate Release..... 7/10/91
-
- The Southern California ATARI Computer Faire, Version 5.0, also known as
- THE GLENDALE SHOW has been confirmed for September 14 and 15, 1991. We
- are proud to announce that, as with all of our prior Faires, ATARI has
- offered both its attendance, in force, and its complete support.
-
- This is the Premiere West Coast Faire. The Glendale Show was the first
- joint ATARI-User Group sponsored show in the nation, and last September
- featured the largest array of Atari vendors ever formed at a domestic
- consumer show. You can expect this year's show to again be the largest
- exhibition of Developers, Dealers and Retailers under one roof. You'll
- be able to meet the people behind the software, talk to the Atari
- officials you normally just read about, and see and buy the widest
- variety of Atari goods ever assembled in the USA.
-
- We also will offer more of our popular seminars, which last year
- featured standing-room-only talks by Leonard Tramiel, Bob Brodie, Dave
- Small, and many other Atari personalities.
-
- Make your vacation and travel plans now to come to the Los Angeles area
- this September, and be here for the GLENDALE SHOW, September 14 and 15,
- 1991. More specific details will be release as we get closer to the
- show date.
-
- This is a partial list of confirmed exhibitors and will be updated as
- needed:
-
- The Computer Network Mid-Cities Computers Goodman's Music
- Musicode Safari Fonts Sliccware
- Clear Thinking Micro Creations Rio Computers
- Best Electronics Branch Always Michtron
- ADG Productions CodeHead Software
- Omnimon Peripherals Gadgets by Small
- Zubair Interfaces ICD
- Grove School of Music S.D.S. Xoterix
- ISD Marketing Soft-Logik Publishing AtariUser Magazine
- PDC
-
- Please address EXHIBITOR questions to:
-
- H.A.C.K.S.
- 249 N. Brand Bl. #321
- Glendale, CA 91203
- or call: John King Tarpinian, Faire Chairperson 818-246-7286
-
-
-
-
- =======================================================================
- DAVE SMALL CONFERENCE
- ---------------------
- Original Edit by Ron Luks
- Second Edit by Ron Kovacs
- =======================================================================
-
-
- (3-10,Dave) Let me introduce us. I'm Dave Small, and hopefully my wife
- Sandy Small is logged in here tonight as well. We're part of "Gadgets
- by Small". We're based in Denver, Colorado. We're best known for the
- "Spectre GCR", a product that lets Atari machines run Macintosh
- software, but we've been with Atari computers doing things since before
- we were married, in 1981.
-
- We're releasing two new products, "MegaTalk" and "SST", which is mostly
- why we're here tonight. (If you have a Spectre GCR question, you can
- "GO ATARIVEN" here on Compuserve, get to the Gadgets by Small area, and
- ask there; however, if there's time tonight, we're always happy to
- tackle GCR questions.)
-
- "MegaTalk" gives your ST two 100% compatible Mac-compatible serial ports
- and a SCSI port. You can use them to get an ST with 3 total serial
- ports (1 ST, 2 MegaTalk), at up to 921,000 baud (!), but they're mostly
- to let you plug your ST right into any Appletalk/Localtalk (same thing)
- network. For instance, my Mega ST here can print directly from inside
- of Spectre to an Apple LaserWriter via our office Appletalk network. I
- can use file servers to get to files on other machines directy.
- MegaTalk also gives you a 100% compatible Mac SCSI port, so you can plug
- in lots of Mac SCSI devices, from hard disks to scanners to Ethernet
- adaptors...
-
- MegaTalk is for the Mega ST right now, but there are already adaptors
- that will mount it into other ST's from other manufacturers.
-
- "SST" is an upgrade board for the ST. It gives the ST a 68030 processor
- at very high speed, up to 8 megabytes of added memory, a fast arithmetic
- processor, the new TT 'desktop', and *expandability*. Expandability is
- important; successful computers -all have slots-. So we include a full-
- speed slot connector on the SST that you can do anything with; we put on
- no speed restrictions.
-
- There is already work on a video card that will knock your socks off in
- speed, number of colors displayable at the same time, the palette size,
- and so on.
-
- (In terms of speed, the SST is sort of a family thing. Sandy's dad flew
- in the SR-71, which is the fastest airplane ever built. I couldn't
- resist putting Chevrolet's best 454 into a '70 Camaro. And our 3-year
- old, Jamie, tells us that his trike can go "warp drive, Daddy". You see
- why I think it's genetic.)
-
- The SST is fast enough to easily blow a Mac IIci (Apple's second fastest
- Mac!) into the weeds. So, at Apple, there's only two machines faster
- than our SST; the Mac IIfx and their Cray computer.
-
- We've built SST's in the lab that outrun a Mac IIfx, but I'm afraid
- we'll have to let 'em have the Cray... Oh well. (*grin*)
-
- Technically, the SST can run at 16 to 33 Mhz (higher if we want, but
- more speed costs more money; a 50 Mhz 68030 costs a *lot* from
- Motorola!). It has 8 SIMM sockets that take one megabyte SIMMS, for 8
- megabytes total. This memory *adds* to your ST's memory, so, for
- instance, your Mega-4 becomes, well, a Mega-12. It uses a 68882
- floating point unit, which anyone will tell you is the top of the line
- in accelerating math. And it ships with TOS 2.05 (or whatever TOS 2.0x
- is up to by then), which gives you Atari's neat new desktop; Atari
- licensed us their new TOS.
-
- We built the SST to be *affordable* as a primary design consideration.
- Doesn't anyone remember "power without the price"? Look, *anyone* can
- build you an accelerator for a lot of money; the trick is doing it
- affordably. We researched the problem carefully, took every part off
- the SST that we could live without, and went with a standard, solid
- design so it wouldn't be flakey. (Besides, parts that aren't in the
- design don't break in service and don't add to cost!)
-
- For example, the SST does not use a cache, with a cache's expensive
- "static RAM" chips. There was no need. Because of its design, the SST
- uses ultra-fast "burst-mode" in the 68030. This makes it outperform
- cache designs by about 5:1, using ordinary, very inexpensive "page mode"
- SIMM RAMs. You can buy a megabyte of this RAM for $35; I know, we just
- ordered a bunch of it.
-
- We also designed the SST to run at many different speeds, (including a
- heck of a lot faster than the competition might think, *grin*), so you
- can afford to buy it a little at a time. You begin at 16 Mhz with no
- added memory. Then, changing from 16 Mhz to 32 Mhz is just swapping two
- parts. (We socket them so it's a 1-minute job). And add memory
- whenever you want; the more of this "FASTRam" you have, the more your
- machine will scream.
-
- Speaking of "affordable" ...
-
- A few years ago, the ST Sysops on Compuserve helped a brand new company
- named "Gadgets by Small" tell the world that the "Spectre 128" was
- available. They really bent over backwards to help us. So we're going
- to return the favor tonight.
-
- For tonight ONLY, you are eligible for a $100 discount on the SST, just
- for being here at the conference. To get this, just send a note to
- 76004,2136 (the "Gadgets" signon) *tonight* (after the conference is
- over or whatever).
-
- (3-4,bill) good to see you here too! ....will the sst fit in a non-mega
- ste?
-
- (3-10,Dave) (you're thinking of a non-Mega) yes and no. I know it fits
- into a 520 with the lid off, because George's Mega died and he had to
- finish debug on a 520! It is usually best to put it into a tower or
- clone case for this sort of thing; the 8 SIMMS are a certain size, and
- take up room. Also, the non-Mega machines don't have cooling fans,
- which really matters with the 68030 and this much RAM; RAM is really
- power hungry. On the Mega STE, George has mine; Things are -real- tight
- inside of the Mega STE; we have a few ideas, but nothing in a PC board
- yet. It's *extremely* tight in the Mega STE.
-
- (3-2,George Richardson) Although the SST works in an STe, right now it
- requires an adapter. There really doesn't seem to be any way to fit the
- current model in a 1040 STe, but once the current model is out I'll be
- trying!
-
- (3-10,Dave) (George knows better than to say "impossible".) (We answer
- before you ask. A benefit of the 68030.)
-
- (3-12,Pattie) Dave and George, how did you two start working together?
-
- (3-10,Dave) George designed a nice Appletalk adaptor for the ST, and was
- going into business with his wife marketing it. Sandy and I asked him
- if we could market it. It got a SCSI port and became MegaTalk. Then,
- the 68030 project came along, and George got the nod on it.
-
- (3-2,George Richardson) After Sandy convinced me that I had a lot to
- learn about marketing.
-
- (3-10,Dave) George seems to enjoy working for people who pay him ..
- *grin* But that's how it all started. I gather George has been
- freelancing on engineering for some time.
-
- (3-2,George Richardson) I run a company called the Merlin Group, Inc.
- The APpletalk project came about stricktly because of frustrations
- printing from Spectre.
-
- (3-11,Sandy) Ummm...the SST will ship whenever we get the signed
- TOS 2.0x contract from Atari, around 8/1 possibly (LT is on vacation in
- Hawaii). MegaTalk is sputtering along also around 8/1.
-
- (3-10,Dave) We had a pile of Megatalk PC boards made, and the
- manufacturers didn't put feed thrus on them -- total throwaways. *gnash
- teeth* After we shot the manager and whipped the staff, they shaped up.
-
- (3-15,keith) dave...after putting an SST in my mega and then adding a 24
-
- (3-10,Dave) On SST, we just can't ship until the paperwork is done on
- TOS2 2.05.
-
- (3-15,keith) bit color board and with a GCR hanging out the side, what
- kind of potential power supply problems are we looking at? I have
- replaced two already in 2 years and don't care to replace any more.
-
- (3-10,Dave) I spent today with an ammeter testing SST's; GCR's don't
- pull any appreciable amount of power. It boils down to the ST supply is
- rated at 3 AMPS (5 volt rail; 12 doesn't matter), and totally maxxed
- out with RAM and floppy on, we were under 2.5 amps (this was hammering
- on fastRAM in a worst-case). I don't know about the color card; that's
- George's. But we're well, well within the specs on the ST supply.
- Still, if we overload it (we thought of that), we have an alternate 5+
- amp supply we can ship ASAP that kicks in to supplement the the ST
- supply. I hear you on the power supply replacements; I've had to
- replace the capacitors in every Mega supply I have when they pop. Comes
- from using 16V parts in a 12V bus. You may find that *just* replacing
- the big caps with Radio Shack parts, and soldering the cold solder
- joints, will fix most bugs. (There's also the supply from Best
- electronics).
-
- (3-2,George Richardson) If you have a power supply problem, I can
- reccomend (or install for you) a nice 5 amp supply that costs less than
- the Best supply.
-
- (3-15,keith) I am just concerned about a possible overload but if it
- isn't a real problem then OK by me.
-
- (3-10,Dave) We were concerned too, with 8 megs of SIMMS, but the ammeter
- doesn't lie (digital, too); we've got plenty of headroom as is now.
- George, does the color board pull much power?
-
- (3-2,George Richardson) The Chromax can have up to 4 megs of VRAM on it;
- it may very well pull some current.
-
- (3-10,Dave) Keith, George is planning a subliminal effect.
-
- (3-1,Bill Rayl/AIM) I'm personally very interested in the SST board and
- what it allows ST owners to do...upgrade their current machines to the
- new and neato stuff...in that vein, I'm particularly interested in the
- Chromax color board. How does this compare to the TT's resolutions and
- other color boards we've been hearing about?
-
- (3-2,George Richardson) Ok, well Chromax is really in the formative
- stage now, but here's the scoop. The Chromax board will support up to
- 1200 *1200 minimum resolutions will the color availiable depending on
- the video ram installed. The pallet will be 16.7 million colors. The
- board will function at 33 mhz and be 32 data bits wide. If I can get a
- reasonable price on a newly developed Graphics processor I'm interested
- in it could do 3D modeling on screen with 256 colors and 1200 &* 1200
- res.
-
- (3-10,Dave) Careful George. Sandy's Radius monitor won't do that.
- *grin*
-
- (3-2,George Richardson) 640 by 480 resolution would do Trucolor (24 bit)
-
- (3-19,Mark Cinelli) I've been thinking about buying a GCR... but I hear
- there is a shortage of Mac ROMS. Any comments?
-
- (3-10,Dave) I can handle that one; there was a shortage of ROMS, but it
- goes in cycles. When the Amiga Mac emulator came out, they got short,
- the price went up, and more became available because people were
- motivated to sell. (I don't think the faked ROMs were a substantial
- portion of the market at all.) Recently we have been getting FAX's from
- people with ROMs that want us to refer customers to them; if you need a
- phone #, let me know. Happy to tell you. (They come in the original
- Apple packaging, I gather). So the shortage is well over.
-
- (3-19,Mark Cinelli) I hadn't actually gone hunting for the ROMS since I
- have no GCR as of yet, but I had heard there was a freeze. I guess I
- heard wrong, thanks for the info.
-
- (Ron Luks) Dave: First of all.... Thx for the discount offer to CIS
- members. A question about the SST board: Will the TOS 2.05 (with the
- neato desktop) be in ROM on the SST board or will it be loaded from
- disk?
-
- (3-10,Dave) yes.
-
- (Ron Luks) Will I need to remove the present TOS chips?
-
- (3-10,Dave) It's in 256K ROMs, along with a little Dave Small software.
- (little. <-pun.) Ron > Yes, it's preferable. Not a big deal -- 30
- seconds with a flatblade anything.
-
- (3-12,Pattie) About the discount offer... will people with STEs and
- Mega/STEs be able to get the discount, even tho it doesn't currently fit
- their systems?
-
- (3-10,Dave) That's a valid question, Sandy .. what do you think? The
- only problem is, it's a future product that we can't gaurentee we can
- generate in a reasonable amount of time. I think we well, but, I can't
- absolutely guarantee it.
-
- (3-2,George Richardson) Why not just do a new conference when the STe
- version is done?
-
- (3-10,Dave) George > Sounds good. Maybe we can come up with a bigger
- discount (grin)
-
- (3-4,bill) ok, I have a quick 2-parter (gotta get up too early :-)
- I have an _old_ mega, with a blitter fixer way off on the side stuck on
- some other chip (not the 68000). any problem hooking an sst on such a
- machine? does the 68000 get removed? ..... Any word on System 7 yet?
-
- (3-10,Dave) Bill, I just wrote that section of the manual! *grin* What
- it is is that the blitter needs another chip to kick everyone out of
- system memory while it works (a 7474). We put an equivalent circuit
- into the SST, so just rip that thing out of there. You will need to fix
- the 1 trace Atari cut while putting the 774 in there (right George?) I
- have been putting in some double overtime on Sys 7, and have enough
-
- (3-2,George Richardson) Right.
-
- (3-10,Dave) evidence to put a couple programmers that did their
- Installer into prison (kidding), looks like yet-another-rocky-horror-
- picture-show-version-of-zerostore. It is fixable. The SST is the
- priority at the moment, though. I would imagine that by WAACE we'll
- have the fix out to the world at worst, and probably much sooner
- (depends on how many Moonlighting reruns are on A&E cable channel.)
- Again, it's just like 6.0.5., a little bug. It runs purely by accident
- on a real Mac Plus ... truth!
-
- (3-15,keith) Dave....what kind of problems will the average hardware
- klutz like me have in installing the SST? I am not allowed to even own
- a soldering iron, so what would be a reasonable price for a dealer to do
- it?
-
- (3-10,Dave) Getting a socketed 68000 is easily 95% of the installation.
- Everything else can be done blindfolded. Socketing the 68000 takes a
- little desoldering skill, and is not something you want to learn
- soldering doing. I killed a 520 doing just this, and it is still dead
- ... maybe I can snooker George into fixing it (grin). We are talking
- with some Atari shops aboout becoming Certified SST Installers; it is
- EXACTLY the same thing they have to do to put in any ol' accelerator
- (like AdSpeed or that other one), and they charge, I think, $45 to do
- that (Toad Computers, Dave Troy), unless my mind is going. Other than
- that, putting SIMMs in is something so easy *even* Apple tells owners to
- do it, (just kidding), but it is major simple -- and there isn't
- anything else to hook up. No switches to set or any of that sort of
- nonsense.
-
- (Ron Luks) A masochistic part of me wants to try out UNIX. I'm
- reluctant to buy a TT. Will the SST board support a UNIX
- implementation? and if so, would it be as good or better than running
- unix on the TT?
-
- (3-10,Dave) I saw Atari's Sys V Rel 4 with their GUI at CEBit on a TT.
- It was running okay but needed tuning, but that's standard stuff. The
- guy at Atari to contact is Henry Plummer, I believe (if I didn't mis-
- remember the name). Anyway, the TT and SST, by total coincidence, share
- an identical memory map; our fastRAM is where theirs is, and so on.
- Last time I talked with their UNIX gurus, they were thinking about
- requiring a 16 mb fastRAM board, which really hurts when you do it with
- nibble-mode RAMS (we use page mode). I don't know if they are planning
- on using any TT-specific hardware (say, their DMA controller or
- something) that would cause UNIX to break on the SST. Without a copy of
- their UNIX, I just don't know. I've been calling a lot to become a beta
- tester, and that's one reason. By the way, you're 100% right on being
- leery of UNIX for an average user. It's very hard; the learning curve
- is a learning cliff. As for performance, we "generally" match the
- performance of a 32 Mhz TT, if we try REAL hard to slow down our RAM
- access and clock and wait states and burst waits. It's embarrassing
- getting Quick Index into 4-digit percentages... George really balanced
- the 68030 with a memory feed system so it wouldn't be starved on the
- intake side. Kinda like a 4-barrel.
-
- So, until Atari releases the UNIX into at least Beta, we just don't
- know. There are 80 reasons it ought to work, but until you put the disk
- in, you just don't know if the ol' convention center will work... *grin*
-
- I got a /send asking for the Quick Index numbers on the SST I've been
- software enhancing things, right now, they're at:
-
- cpu-memory: 971% (this will go > 1000% tonight after I fix bug)
- cpu reg: 811%
- cpu divide: 1024%
- cpu shift: 3534%
-
- This is where, 100% is equal to speed of normal ST. So, we average 10 x
- faster.
-
- (3-6,Randy Walters) How about pricing for the SST? Is the discount only
- for ordering tonight?
-
- (3-10,Dave) Randy, pricing comes in two parts. (sandy sez, $100
- discount is for email orders by time she logs in tomorrow morning, since
- east coast is already midnightish) First, you get the SST board,
- without the REALLY expensive stuff (CPU & RAM), then, you decide, "speed
- is expensive, how fast do I want to go?". You then order an "engine
- option" (pretty close analogy) for how fast you want, from 16 Mhz to 33
- Mhz, and RAM. We are VERY encouraging of people that want to supply
- their own CPU and RAM. By the way, did you know that if ya call your
- local Motorola rep, they might "sample" you two 68030's for that
- "embedded controller" you've always wanted to develop? (HINT! HINT!)
- Anyway.
-
- Sandy will punch in a price list here (take $100 off tonight)
-
- (3-11,Sandy) Retail Prices:
- SST board $599
- A: 16mhz 68030 $200
- B: 16mhz 68030+4 SIMMs $460
- C: 33mhz 68030, 68881, 4 SIMMs $800
- D: 4 SIMMs $260 (I hope I got it right - I can't tell if I typoed)
-
- (3-10,Dave) We decided that instead of waiting for what the future would
- bring for the ST, we'd go ahead and make a future for it. The ST with
- an SST in it is fully competitive with workstations near $8,000, for far
- less. I wonder if the Tramiels would mind if I ran ads saying, "Power
- without the price". It sure extends the life of the ST for another few
- years ... by which time, we'll all have cray equivalents on our desk
- anyways. Thanks MUCH for having us here!
-
-
-
-
- =======================================================================
- GXR ATARI ST COURSES
- --------------------
- Press Release
- =======================================================================
-
-
- GXR Systems, in conjunction with the Vancouver YMCA College, is pleased
- to announce the introduction of A T A R I S T C O U R S E S.
-
- Starting this fall, GXR Systems will be putting on a series of courses
- for your Atari Computer, as well as the most popular application
- programs.
-
- All courses are hands-on, with one Atari 1040STFM computer per person.
- Each station has a monochrome monitor, TOS 1.4, an internal double-sided
- disk drive, and one megabyte of RAM. Course materials are supplied and
- include necessary program, data and graphics disks*, and a course
- booklet. A certificate showing completion of a course will be issued at
- the last session.
-
- Minimum class size is 4, maximum is 12. Courses must be paid for in
- advance. Course costs include all materials. The Calamus dtp courses
- may be either version 1.09N or the new S or SL if available. Please
- contact GXR Systems for more information. Other courses will use the
- latest software versions.
-
- (All prices shown in Canadian Dollars)
-
- Summer Schedule Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
-
- COURSE DATES COST
- -------------------------------------------------
- New Users (dates to be set) $85
- Calamus 1 (dates to be set) $85
- Calamus 2 (dates to be set) $85
-
- (2 Saturdays per course/$150 for Calamus 1 & 2)
-
- Fall Schedule 7:00-9:00 p.m.
-
- COURSE DATES COST
- -------------------------------------------------
- New Users Sept 10 - Oct 1 $85
- Software on a Budget Oct 8 - Oct 29 $85
- New Products Nov 5 - Nov 26 $85
- Make Your System Go Dec 3 - 10 $45
-
- $250 for the four courses
-
- Thursdays 7:00-9:00
-
- COURSE DATES COST
- -------------------------------------------------
- Calamus 1 Sept 12 - Oct 3 $85
- Calamus 2 Oct 10 - Oct 31 $85
- Calamus 3 Nov 7 - Nov 28 $85
- Calamus 4 Dec 5 - Dec 12 $45
-
- $250 for the four courses
-
- Saturday Courses (as numbers warrant)**
-
- COURSE DATES
- ------------------------------
- Word Perfect TBA
- PageStream TBA
- LDW 2.0 TBA
- Superbase TBA
- DBMan V TBA
- DynaCadd TBA
- Using a Modem TBA
- Hard Disk Management TBA
-
- *Please note that certain application programs will be loaded from disks
- which must be returned at end of class; for some courses, you may be
- required to provide your own program master disk. Call for details
- concerning the software course of your choice. Special student
- discounts may be available for those who prefer to purchase their
- software as educational material.
-
- **These special courses will be available on Saturdays as numbers
- warrant. Alternately, design your own based on your needs; course
- length will determine costs. Minimum class size is four, maximum is 12.
-
- All courses to be held at Vancouver YMCA College, 1735 Inglewood, West
- Vancouver, British Columbia.
-
- Those wanting to register, looking for more information on Atari
- software course schedules, or needing a course outline should contact:
-
- Geoff LaCasse
- GXR Systems
- (604)939-5829
- or leave GEnie-mail to: R.GRANT11
-
-
- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Z*NET Atari Online Magazine is a weekly publication covering the Atari
- 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
- Z*Net Online. This publication is not affiliated with Atari
- Corporation. Z*Net, Z*Net Atari Online and Z*Net News Service are
- copyright (c)1991, Rovac Industries Incorporated, Post Office Box 59,
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- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Z*NET Atari Online Magazine
- Copyright (c)1991, Rovac Industries, Inc..
- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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