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Text File | 1991-08-09 | 58.7 KB | 1,264 lines

=========(((((((((( ==========((( ==(( ==((((((( ==(((((((( =========== ================(( ====(( ====(((( =(( ==(( ==========(( ============== =============(( =====(((((( ==(( (( (( ==((((( =======(( ============== ==========(( ==========(( ====(( =(((( ==(( ==========(( ============== =========(((((((((( ==========(( ==((( ==((((((( =====(( ============== Z*NET INTERNATIONAL ATARI ONLINE MAGAZINE August 9, 1991 Issue # 91-33 Copyright (c)1991, Rovac Industries, Inc. Publisher/Editor: Ron Kovacs Editor: John Nagy Z*Net USA BBS - (908) 968-8148 FNET Node 593 ======================================================================= * CompuServe - 75300,1642 * Delphi - ZNET * GEnie - Z-NET * ======================================================================= CONTENTS Z*NET NEWSWIRE......................................... AEGIS PROGRAM A HIT...........................John Nagy ST-REPORT ONLINE CONFERENCE.......................GEnie FOREM DISCOUNT COUPON.....................Special Offer LYNX II REVIEWED.............................Jeff Payne WAACE ATARIFEST '91 UPDATE................Press Release Z*NET NEW ZEALAND WORLD TOUR - PART 2........Jon Clarke ======================================================================= Z*NET NEWSWIRE -------------- ======================================================================= EMULATOR BUILT INTO ST Atari ST User Magazine reports in it's August 1991 edition that Atari has secretly developed a version of the ST with a PC emulator plugged in and a switch to swap between operating systems. Product Development Manager Richard Miller is quoted as stating "Absolutely no comment." Atari UK Chairman Bob Gleadow stated, "There are no plans to release such a product this year." Gleadow did go on to state that new hardware was to be unvieled at the Hanover Cebit Show. PANTHER COMMENT FROM THE UK Atari has scrapped plans to manufacture the Panther game console according to a report in the August 1991 edition of Atari ST User Magazine. The product was axed because the Jaguar, a 64 bit console is under development. An Atari spokesman is quoted as stating, " Atari has a policy of running development projects in competition with each other. Neither Jaguar or Panther has been formally announced anyway. Both were development machines and were all supposed to be the subject of non-disclosure agreements. It became obvious that Jaguar was going to succeed Panther very quickly. A decision was made to drop Panther and put all resources into Jaguar." GENCON SUPER GAME SHOW Atari is again attending GENCON, sponsored by TSR, the renowned leader of Dungeons and Dragons adventure gaming. Last year, more than 12,000 people attended the massive fest in Milwaukee's MECCA convention center. More are expected this year, and the MilAtari User Group in Milwaukee is helping to arrange and staff Atari's 2,000+ square foot area on the game floor. More than 60 ST machines will be set up for play, with 32 of them in a MIDI-MAZE ring. Last year, with something like 3,000 entry slots available throughout the show in the MIDI-ring multi-player shootemup, MilAtari SOLD all but 8 slots. Many more availabilities are planed this year. Lynx machines will be featured well this year too, and the Atari portables are expected to draw more attention (and square feet of exposure) than the Nintendo and Sega offerings, which last year remained mostly on the smaller sale floor, and not on the more popular gaming areas. Bob Brodie will attend GENCON along with the Chicago game division crew. The show is August 8-11. If you can, be there. POQET UPDATE Poqet Computer has announced an upgrade to the standard version of The Poqet PC. Effective immediately, the PC will be packaged with a 512 KB PC Card for file and program storage and a Poqet Link cable for connectivity to other personal computers. The PC Card and connect package are included with no increase in the $1,450 retail price of The Poqet PC. 1GB 3.5-INCH DISK DRIVE Toshiba announced the introduction of the MK-430 Winchester disk drives. The first product is the MK-438FB 1GB class 3.5-inch Winchester disk drive which uses eight platters to achieve an unformatted capacity of 1GB in the standard 3.5-inch form factor. The new drive also features SCSI-2 interface with Toshiba's "Virtual SCSI," 512KB of cache memory, a 12.5msec average seek time, a disk data transfer rate of up to 25Mbit /second and a SCSI bus transfer rate of 10MB/second. Evaluation samples are priced at $2,295 and are available now. Production is scheduled for the fourth quarter 1991. For more information, contact: Toshiba, Disk Products Division, 9740 Irvine Blvd., Irvine, CA 92718 714-583-3000. FLIGHT SIMULATOR VERSION 4.0 Microsoft announced the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator version 4.0 for the Apple Macintosh. This new version of the flight simulation software runs in color or black and white on all Macintosh models greater than the Macintosh Plus and includes new features such as state-of-the-art, three- dimensional graphics on both color and black-and-white Macintosh computers, choose from a fleet of aircraft, including Cessna 182, Lear Jet, Sopwith Camel and Schweizer 2-32 sailplane, design and fly your own planes with the aircraft designer, and tinker with both the appearance and aerodynamics of their aircraft and test them against the physical laws of flight. SONY TO MAKE PORTABLE PCS FOR APPLE A Sony spokesman said last week that it will produce notebook-size personal computers for Apple. However, an Apple spokeswoman denied the article, saying that although Apple deals extensively with Japanese firms, no contract has been struck with Sony or any other company regarding the production of its computers. TOSHIBA REDUCES PRICE ON NOTEBOOK COMPUTER Toshiba announced a reduction in its suggested retail price for the T1200XE 20MB and 40MB hard disk drive notebook computers. Effective Aug. 1, 1991, the new suggested retail price will be $1,999 for the T1200XE with a 20MB hard disk and the 40MB version will retail for $2,299. ======================================================================= AEGIS PROGRAM A HIT ------------------- by John Nagy ======================================================================= Thirty-five representatives from twenty-three separate dealers attended Atari's latest dealer education and assistance program, "AEGIS", this week in Sunnyvale. Called by some of those who participated "the single most encouraging and invigorating event ever in Atari dealer relations", the Aegis program was a major hit. The program was presented without cost to the dealers, and major distributors were also invited. According to Atari, "the AEGIS Strategic Partner program creates a unique relationship between Atari, its key resellers and its key developers. This relationship nurtures the development of both vertical -market and cross-discipline solutions, resulting in a strong and effective national sales organization." The first AEGIS Symposium was held August 5 and 6 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Sunnyvale, California and at the Cogswell Polytechnical College in Cupertino, California. Over 50 computer and music sales, third-party software, and Atari representative personnel were in attendance. The program began with presentations by Atari President Greg Pratt, followed by other Atari notables such as Art Morgan, James Grunke, and Bob Brodie. Even Jack Tramiel dropped by in the afternoon to shake hands and wish the group well. The keynote of the conference was "targeted selling". MIDI and DTP were each singled out as the areas where Atari can and does excel, and these strengths were reinforced with sales techniques and technical insights. More than just an Atari program, the Aegis seminar featured key software developers, including: C-Lab Software, Dr. T's Music Software, Hybrid Arts, Roland Corporation USA, Steinberg/Jones, Codehead Software, Goldleaf Publishing, Gribnif Software, ISD Marketing, Soft-logik Publishing and Step Ahead Software. Day two of the program split the dealers by their main product interest. The Music group went to the college at Cupertino for laboratory approach to their presentations, while the DTP group stayed at the hotel. Both sessions featured comprehensive presentations of the products by the developers in attendance, involving the dealers in the software that they already have to sell. By the dealers' increased understanding of the products and recognizing the power of the developers products, sales are expected to grow. A program of the "Professional Systems Group", the Aegis Strategic Partner Program was universally well received. Mark Krynsky of The Computer Network in Glendale, California, said that he was encouraged far beyond his hopes by what he saw and heard at the seminars. "I've already seen a significant effect on my store's sales after only a few days of implementation of what I learned at Aegis". Dealers were also coached on how to approach the vertical markets with private professional seminar programs. Many of the dealers are excited about the possibilities of these markets that they had previously not really considered. Dealers were also cheered up considerably by the assurances of imminent arrival of large quantities of Atari hardware, including the much sought but back ordered Mega STe. Over and above the training function of Aegis' first sessions, the dealers and developers got to know each other on a much closer basis. A Monday evening party in Nevin Shalit's room (Step Ahead Software - Tracker ST) was attended by many, including Leonard Tramiel. The social time was as valuable as many parts of the seminars to increase the sense of partnership in success in the Atari community... and offered an informal chance to discuss the hardware and software rumored to be forthcoming from Atari. Future sessions of the Aegis program are expected to be scheduled based on feedback and results of this first event. They are expected to be similar, but topics will expand to include other high-potential areas like video as well as more DTP and MIDI applications. ======================================================================= THE ST-REPORT ONLINE CONFERENCE ------------------------------- Edited by Ron Kovacs ======================================================================= <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Room is now listen-only. ok Ray go ahead... Sorry Ray...learning the commands go ahead.. <R.SKIBO1> Why was there so much trouble when your issue was pulled and yet you can edit or delete messages in the F-Net? <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> I never did such things and that question was raised well over a year and a half ago. No one was ever able to prove that allegation in any way. <[Larry Rymal] LRYMAL> Hi Ralph, what is the topic tonight? <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Larry, I would like to go with current events pertaining to the Atari world. <[Larry Rymal] LRYMAL> Ok, great. Is there any word on product, including monitors, etc. for the ST and TT/s in the U.S.? That would be a concern I'd like to see answer, especially with Christmas coming in a few months. <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Actually, I 'd like to see the market flooded with product for the holidays. It would be wonderful. From what I am privy to.. there is a ship due in about two weeks. ga <[Larry Rymal] LRYMAL> Do you know if it includes peripherals, such as the monitors? <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Actually I have no particulars other than there is a great deal of goodies on board this vessel. Thank God! <[Larry Rymal] LRYMAL> Gosh, that is exciting, at least I hope. Ok, Ralph. I am through. Great job and great service that you provide to us. On to some other user now. GA <DRACO> Thanks for joinming us tonight, Ralph. Two questions....1) what ever got you into the electronic newsletter biz? 2) have you quit kicking your dog? <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Answer to quwestion 1 is a double event.... Word Perfect and Ron Kovacs :-) And I HAD to quit kicking the dog. He's bigger than me! <R.SKIBO1> Current events - I understand you are currently receiving a pirate crossnet on your BBS. Is this your way of supporting the Atari computer? <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Ah yes... I was WAITING for this question..... How nice of you to oblige. Being in the business of gathering news, I am sometimes obliged to be in some rather unsavory places. ga <R.SKIBO1> Does this mean a crime reporter should go out and hold up a store? <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Ray, get real, a crime reporter goes into the den of thieves for stories but that does not mean he commits a crime. ga <W.VARGAS2> Good Evening Ralph, Have you received any kind of cooperation from ATARI when you try to report on something? <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> In most cases yes I do get cooperation to some extent. However when it comes to sensitive matters I find I am left open to my own devices. Thankfully, I have some excellent resources who manage to get the 'skinny' to me. ga <W.VARGAS2> Can you give us any example? Thanks Ralph, GA. <[IAAD Member] D.A.BRUMLEVE> If I understand your response re Z-Net's piracy charges you are comparing your board to a sting operation. Is that right? <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> No Dot you are 180 degrees out of phase... ga <[IAAD Member] D.A.BRUMLEVE> When will you report on what you have discovered in this den of thieves? <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> You will know when you read about it. :-) ga <[John] TOWNS> Yes, I was wondering.. How do you feel about the fact that a number of well-known and respected members of the Atari community (including some at Atari) have said that they don't read ST Report and don't recommend it to Atari owners that they come in contact with? GA <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> What goes around comes around. And.. STReport is for the users . :-) <[John] TOWNS> Then why is it writen in such a criptic form most of the time? They are things in ST Report that are so criptic that almost no one can understand them! Are the users supposed to get these riddles? <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> That sir..... is our style, such is life! :-) ga <[John Nagy] Z-NET> Ralph, if STR is for the Users, why do you not cover Glendale, Vancouver shows, and AtariUser mag>? Is it personal? <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Actually John we had good coverage for the Vancouver Show, you must've missed it. I'd be delighted to give Atariuser more coverage. But I have to make arrangements to be sure it's ok. <[John Nagy] Z-NET> I mean, there are press releases from the tiniest places, run complete but noth anything close to ZNET. I guess that will pass for an answer. Thanks anyway. Over. and out <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Thanks John and my compliments on Atari User it looks good! <MIKE-FULTON> Some months back, you solicited permission from people to reprint messages from GENIE. I denied permission for this, but a few issues back, you reprinted one of my messages from GENIE. Please explain what the situation here is. <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> I have insufficient informaton at this time, but as I am aware, you denied PARTIAL reprints to M. Lee. Not I, take it up with him please. <MIKE-FULTON> You are the editor, right? Aren't you responsible for the contents? <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> I am and the matter was partial reprints not a full reprint. Your message was a full reprint and yes, I now have a copy of your request that no partials be reprinted. The message you speak of was reprinted in full. I followed all the requirements asked of us. ga <MIKE-FULTON> I said I might give permission for specific messages on a one-by-one basis, but that I wouldn't give global permission for reprints. <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> This can go on all night send me email and I will address this matter in its entirety. ga <[IAAD Member] DOUG.W> What is it that motivates someone to write for and publish an on-line magazine when no income is derived from it? In your case, you are now publishing 4 such "magazines" (STR, PCR, MACR, and AMR) - what is the motivation for all that effort? ga <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Have you got about two weeks of spare time to listen to my reasons? It all boils down to one thing Doug, I enjoy doing it along with the other volunteer editors in our staff. ga <[Brien] B.KING8> Hi, I was just downloaded your latest STReport (731) and was wondering why ther e is so _little_ coverage of the ST in it? It had more to do with the Mac, Amiga and IBM than the ST...GA <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> This last issue was sort of top heavy in other areas, but there was and is a reason....you see, there are new developments that are just happening in those areas that we've had and enjoyed for years now. We intend to more on that to prove the grass is not greener elsewhere. :-) <[Brien] B.KING8> Well, I really dont see how most of what was in this STReport had to do with the ST... Maybe you could _cut_ the size of STReport and save us a few $$ in download costs if there isn't going to be much on the ST or maybe stick all the ST stuff at the top so we dont have to wade through all the other things to find the few articals on the ST. <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Thats a suggestion worth looking into... thanks ga <[Z-Net] R.KOVACS> I have asked you personally to come out and support the growing Anti- Piracy effort Z-Net is promoting in Fnet and you refused, can you ellaborate as to why you refuse to do so?? ga <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Ron, its not a matter of a refusal, its a matter of not being in that particular crossnet conference becuase Node 350 is not in your FNETLINK. DAT file. ga <[Z-Net] R.KOVACS> I fail to see the reason why that is important? The Anti-Piracy effort needs your support too? Why not support it!!! <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Simply put because Node 350 is not in the net you are talking about. You have not put 350 in there. Thus we are unable to participate. ga <[Z-Net] R.KOVACS> You need not be in the conference to support it. You can publically come out against pirating in FNET. And I can add you if that is what it will take to get you out supporting it! <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Actually STReport is strongly against any and all actions that are illegal. And yes.... Add Node 350 back in to the TWO conferences and we will ebe glad to support this effort. ga <[Z-Net] R.KOVACS> Let me know what you want. Pirates need to be crushed and we cant do it alone! Hmmm Didnt know it was that easy! Excuse me and look for node added soon! GA <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Ron you have a great idea and we support your efforts and will do our best. :-) ga <[Z-Net] T.SCHREIBER1> Ralph - a new quarter is decending upon us. Do you perhaps think a change is in order? You catch more flies with buttermilk than vinegar. A strong support of the IAAD is in order as well as the people at Atari to make this happen. ga <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Terry that's a "paramount idea and suggestion"! I think its definately worth a serious effort! The IAAD is an asset to the community, of this there is no doubt and deserves our strong support!! ga <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Folks, its three minute of eleven pm here on the east coast... and this old body needs its rest... so I'll take two more and say goodnight. <[Lloyd Pulley] ST-REPORT> How come you keep insisting on right justification? Even some of your best editors are getting away from it. <grin> <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> As you will notice in this last week's issue, we dropped the right justify as an experiment. Lets see how it goes... :-) ga <D.D.MARTIN> hi Ralph... just wondered what may be in your future..any plans? <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> DD, right now its a tossup... There is a good chance of a hard copy mag in the near future, and of course we know J. Durre is "back in town". :-) ga <D.D.MARTIN> town? I'd hardly call it a 'town'...grin... ?? thanks for coming tonight... ga <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> At this time I would like to thank GEnie, and all the great participants in this CO, its new to me! And I hope that, in the future, we will be able to come on here boasting about the GLUT of hardware out in the US market place...... and of course all the successful dealers. I have enjoyed it and I thank each and every one of you for stopping by!! <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> <R.SKIBO1> Another one bites the dust! <[Nathan] ISD> Glad you decided to attend Ralph <JEFF.W> Thanks for hosting this party, Ralph. NOTICE!!!! Please join us when GEnie's Hot Summer Nights hits the ST Roundtable this upcoming Wednesday (Aug. 7th). The Lexicor Software Realtime Conference featuring Lee Seiler will be FREE!!! Lee will be talking about all the fantastic graphic and animation products be offered by Lexicor Software. The show begins at 10:00 p.m. Eastern / 9:00 p.m. Central, / and 7:00 p.m. Pacific. Please join us! <BOB-BRODIE> I never got to ask my question! What a bummer! I hope I was intentionally overlooked! <BOB-BRODIE> Ralph, it's no secret that more and more people in Sunnyvale are objecting to your constant slamming of Atari throughout ST Report. You are among the most disliked people in the entire Atari Community. You have more enemies that anyone, which is quite a reach!! What are you doing to improve your relations with developers and Atari? Have you sincerely considered Dave Small's suggestion to retire? You really should! ST Report has deteroiated into nothing more than an electronic scandal sheet. <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> this is a question??? Bob, everyone is entitled t an opinion, even you! <BOB-BRODIE> I'd still appreciate a real answer to a very sincere question. <[Nathan] ISD> Yes, Bob has earned the right to offer his opinion!! <BOB-BRODIE> If you didn't get it all, I can u/l it again. <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> I have it captured <[Glenn] G.FOLLWEILER> Ralph, what do you mean about J. Durre' being back in town. I haven't seen him since I moved from Miami.. <[Nathan] ISD> As a follow-up to Bob's kind words, allow me to add that you have managed to alienate an amazing amount of Atari Developers. Was their some constructive purpose in doing this? <BOB-BRODIE> Ralph, I'm still waiting for an answer to my question. You invited me to ask, I have, I'd like an answer <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Bob the press is NEVER liked by those reported about. Especially if its not happy press! Goodnight all <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> has left. <[John Nagy] Z-NET> COP OUT TIIME!! <[IAAD Member] C.STANFORD> Enquiring minds want to know! <[John@GE_Lamp] ST-GUEST> don't leave mad :-) <[Bad Dog] C.F.JOHNSON> Whoosh! <R.SKIBO1> Quitter!!! <[Glenn] G.FOLLWEILER> Pretty rough tonight... <MIKE-FULTON> Bang, zoom, to the moon! <[Bill@Atari] B.REHBOCK> With his tail between his legs. :-) <[Ron] R.GRANT11> It's no wonder he hosted his own conference.... <[Z-Net] R.KOVACS> hehehehe <[Nathan] ISD> Quitter is right. <SANDY.W> can dish it out, but.... <[IAAD Member] D.A.BRUMLEVE> Gee, I like ST Informer, AIM, GEnie Lamp, AtariUser, Z-Net, PSAN, Atari Explorer.... <BOB-BRODIE> Sniff, Sam never ran out on anyone like that. <[The King] ATARIUSER> The Ralph has has left the theatre... <[Lauren ] WORDFLAIR> I guess he thought the heat was too high in the kitchen. Shoot, just when it was getting interesting. <[Nathan] ISD> Ah Lloyd's here :-) <[John Nagy] Z-NET> OH! Raalph is gone, but his mouth remains... <[Ron] R.GRANT11> Lloyd, you seriously expect us to believe that 'grass in not always greener' horsewash? <BOB-BRODIE> Hi Lloyd. But at least he stood and took the heat <[Lloyd Pulley] ST-REPORT> Yeah Nagy...Ralph don't like pig wrestling...I do <BOB-BRODIE> Lloyd, to his credit: he just called and said Goodnight to me. Of course, he then hung up on me, too! Quite amusing actually <[Nathan] ISD> Let's see what we've learned tonight. Did Ralph admit that he frequents pirate boards? <[IAAD Member] D.A.BRUMLEVE> Sort of. <[Z-Net] R.KOVACS> Yes... <[Ron] R.GRANT11> Yes. <[IAAD member] J.ALLEN27> He did? <[That Rob Guy] R.QUANCE> Wow! What a happy bunch <ducking> <[IAAD Member] D.A.BRUMLEVE> Ron, in last week's issue, you named ST Report's support board in conjunction with the pirate thing, but I don't understand all the stuff about its role. Could you explain it? I thought you meant Ralph's WAS a pirate board. No? <[John Nagy] Z-NET> Ralph admits to being a permanent part of a well established pirate information system. He says it is a news function. <[Lloyd Pulley] ST-REPORT> No...Ron has no prove of that...all Ralph did was join all the nodes which included the Elite nodes. <[Z-Net] R.KOVACS> Dot... There are private conference in FNET not permitted viewing by the public.... <[John Nagy] Z-NET> But what news? Have we EVERY heard any thing from Ralph on this? HOW LONG does he have to be in it before it gives news amoung other things <[IAAD Member] C.STANFORD> Ha! <[Z-Net] R.KOVACS> which are ELITE conferences and discussions pewrtain to pirating software amoung other things. Ralph is in these confrences. <[Lloyd Pulley] ST-REPORT> I've seen references made to stuff in the Elite conferences in his editorials. <BOB-BRODIE> Lloyd, I realize that Ralph is probably pissed at my question. But I don't think I was unfair, nor did he answer it properly. Don't you guys feel a tension amongst devs and yourself and Atari employees. <[Lloyd Pulley] ST-REPORT> Bob, I _know_ that Ralph tried to get you when you raised your hand that was the time when about 3-4 minutes went by without anything happening. <[John Nagy] Z-NET> Ralphs answers tonight were the exact kind that he blasts as irresponsible week after week in his mag <[Lloyd Pulley] ST-REPORT> What Atari employees? Oh yeah, there's still some left. <grin> <BOB-BRODIE> I honestly wish that you guys would make an attempt to make peace with the devs and Atari. <[Lloyd Pulley] ST-REPORT> Bob..._I_ have...but we won't 'kiss butts' either. <BOB-BRODIE> No one wants you to kiss butt. But you could try acting like professionals <[Lloyd Pulley] ST-REPORT> There's differences of opinions as to what is a 'professional' <BOB-BRODIE> Instead of the cryptic crap that goes into Quoteable Quotes <[Lloyd Pulley] ST-REPORT> John...you're right...to bad the 'consensus' doesn't agree with what 'professionals' say. <[John Nagy] Z-NET> I especially appreciate the screaming phone calls followed by messages of how I screamed at him... the man can't deal with others as he deals with them. <BOB-BRODIE> I just wished he wouldn't have ignored me during the formal time I never ignore him <[Lloyd Pulley] ST-REPORT> Bob...I know he tried to get you...I was on the phone with him. <BOB-BRODIE> I raised a bumch of times. Never got a send once telling me to ga <[Lloyd Pulley] ST-REPORT> You notice, he didn't 'dodge' any of the other tough people...he wanted to get all of them...including you <[John Nagy] Z-NET> "Professionals" have laughed at STR for several years now, LLOYD. But for those of us who LIVE in the Atari Community, it is more serious. Fouling the nest. <BOB-BRODIE> Did he have my job number wrong Lloyd? <[IAAD Member] D.A.BRUMLEVE> Did he have questions that weren't tough? Oh, yeah, right justify. <[Lloyd Pulley] ST-REPORT> He even asked me to do a /sta to make sure you were still on line. <BOB-BRODIE> I was here the whole time, Lloyd. I've got witnesses <[Lloyd Pulley] ST-REPORT> Dorthy...he didn't know if the questions were going to be tough he just EVERY one in line ======================================================================= Z*NET USER OFFER - FOREM DISCOUNT COUPON ---------------------------------------- Clip Out And Print Off ======================================================================= (clip here) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *-*-*-*-* Special Discount Coupon Offer *-*-*-*-* For a limited time only you may use this special coupon order form to obtain your copy of the world's leading Atari ST BBS program. This offer expires September 15th 1991. To use this coupon just print this portion of this weeks Z*Net Online, fill out and mail. $10.00 off the regular price of FoReM ST with this coupon only!! Regularly $79.95 including shipping, only $69.95 with this offer. Your Name ____________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________ City/State/Zip _______________________________________________ Your voice phone _____________________________________________ Your BBS Name ______________________________________________ Mail completed coupon with $69.95 to: Stephen Rider 20 Cargill Ave Worcester MA 01610 Orders must be postmarked no later than 9/15/91 *-*-*-*-* Special Discount Coupon Offer *-*-*-*-* Extracted from Z*Net International Online Magazine Issue #91-33 Void if Altered 08099133 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (clip here) ======================================================================= ATARI LYNX II - REVIEWED ------------------------ by Jeff Payne ======================================================================= Jeff Payne is the SysOp of The -=Rad=- BBS (209) 636-2723 located in Visalia, California. Voice number is: (209) 636-2274. On Monday, August 5, 1991, at approx. 3pm pacific, the U.P.S. man finally delivered my Lynx II unit, after several months of waiting. In January, I first heard about a newer Lynx unit which was smaller, lighter, and overall better than the original Lynx. I was ready to sink $180 into a Lynx I unit, but after hearing (and reading) several good things about the newer model, I decided to go for the model II. I called Atari Customer Relations the very next day and spoke with one of the reps there. The gentleman told me that the Lynx II units would be shipping "next week". I was delighted, so I placed an order for a Lynx II unit on my credit card. A couple weeks later, I noticed that the U.P.S. man hadn't delivered my "portable color video game you can get away with" yet, so I gave the Customer Relations Dept. another call. The fellow told me that they wish to move the rest of the original Lynx units in stock before they start shipping the original unit. And you can't blame them. The new unit has sooo many benefits over the original model, that if both were available at the same time for the same price, the model I would not move at all in sales. I'm the type of person who likes to wait for better things. Many of you know me for my STE and the collection of STE software which I have distributed. Back when I was ready to sink a few hundred dollars into an ST computer, I heard about the STE. I heard so many good things about it compared to the ST that I decided to wait. To this day I'm glad I waited. Today I wish I had a TT030, and if I budget myself accordingly, I should be able to have one shortly. Anyhow, this is the part of this text file which you've been waiting for; comparisons between the Lynx model I and the Lynx model II: The first thing I noticed was the obvious difference is overall design and appearance. Basically every general area of the unit is the same color (dark grey with black controls. The model I has a joypad that's round with a cross in the middle. The model II is just a cross, but in my opinion has a more responsive and better feel for game play. The B-A buttons on the model I are round with a round groove in the center. The ones on a model II are square with a round groove in it. On the model I, the option buttons (on, off, opt 1, pause, opt 2) are all horizontal. On the model II, they are verticle, and slant accordingly toward the screen, similar to a ( ) effect. This adds to what all made this model more compact than the original. The screen is no differnt in size or appearance. To the top left of the screen on the model II is a little amber colored light indicating that the unit is on. When the unit's batteries are low, this light blinks rapidly. The power light was intended to remind you that your unit is on if you choose to turn the back light screen, which I will explain on the next paragraph. Directly under the on/off buttons debuts a new button labeled "backlight". When pressed, it allows you to toggle between having the screen light on, or off. This comes in use full if you decide to pause a game for a long period of time, and if it's running of the 6 AA alkaline batteries (not included), not as much power will be used up. On a model 1, if you do not make a move for approx. 5 mins., and you're using batteries, the unit will shut off automatically. On a model II, the unit will only shut off if you press the off switch, or if you let the batteries run down. This is where the new backlight compliments that fact that there is not "time out" feature on a model II. The built-in speaker on the right hand side looks cooler on a model II that a model I (in my opinion.) On a model one, the speaker looks like ::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::: On a model II, it sort of looks like ))))))) ))))))) ))::::) ))::::) ))::::) ))))))) ))))))) It's hard to describe on a text file like this. Here's a cool part. On a model I, if you plug in stereo headphones, you will hear your games in monophonic sound. But on a model II, you will hear STEREO sound, depending of course upon what game card you have in. I have Klax. When I hear the initial music, I hear it in stereo. During game play, when a tile comes tumbling down the center column, a sound of the tile tumbling down comes out of both speakers equally, making it sound like it is coming down right in front of you. But if the tile is tumbling down the far left column, the sound of the tile tumbling down only comes out of the left speaking, making it sound like the tile is tumbling down to the left of you. Same goes respectivly for the right hand side. This is one of those things that make you go... Hmmmm..... Klax came out before the Lynx II did. Did the makers of Klax for the Lynx anticipate of having stereo sound for the Lynx at a later date? Quite possibly! Nice investment, guys!!! (boy, typing this part was fun!) On a model II, both the Brightness and Volume knobs are located at the top, same as where the headphones, comlynx, and power ports are located. On a model I, one knob is on the bottom, one on top. New on a model II is a rubber grip on the bottom of the unit. I like it, and a read in the latest issue of the Atari Portable Entertainment newsletter that the editor likes it as well. It makes grabbing onto the Lynx feel better. The rubber on the bottom boosts your self estime (just kidding, but it's a neat thing to have.) As I look on the back of my Lynx II, I see two things which appear to be slots where you can slip some sort of strap into, which I would assume would allow you to carry around your Lynx unit via a strap which is attached to these two things which are sticking out on the bottom of the Lynx II unit. I'm not sure if the model I has this, or anything like this. Battery life span of a Lynx I is approx. 4 hours. On a model II it's approx. 5 hours (ooo, and extra hour!!) If you want, you may want to take time to build a D-cell battery pack. I will be getting some instructions of a guy who has done this. It lasts considerably longer with D batteries, as opposed to AA batteries. Weeeeell, I believe I've pretty much proved my point that the Lynx II is definately better than the Lynx model I. And I don't need to go into how both Lynx models far exceed the Sega Gear, TurboExpress, and that other Lame Boy thing. Not just that Lynx costs the same now as Lame Boy does. Not just that all Lynx games are designed for a 3.5" screen, unlike the TurboExpress, all games of which are designed for a full sized television. Not just that the Lynx runs at a whooping 16 MHz, a speed the Sega Gear will never reach. Heck, that's even faster than my STE! In fact, if I'm not mistaken, the Lynx's speed is faster that any other home video game system out there (except for maybe the Atari Jaguar, which is still in the distant future.) Faster than Neo Geo, Super NES, and even the Genesis. Well, it was fun writing this article. If you've any questions, give me a call. My voice number is at the top. By the way, as of this writing, my BBS (-=Rad=-) is down for a little while due to hardware problems, but should be going back up soon. I'll be posting on all Atari boards when that is. I'm also in a program called Advanced Marketing Seminars, which I believe is a great business opportunity. If you'd like, call me sometime and I'll tell you more about it. The model number under the Lynx II unit reads "PAG-0401" or "PA 3201". You may need this info to gain "full Lynx access" on certain BBS's. I'm aware of three Lynx only publications: A.P.E., On Target, and GameMaster. You'll also find good Lynx coverage in AtariUser, Electronic Gaming Monthly, Atari Explorer, and I'm sure there are a few others. Call me and I'll get you info on these mags. Cheers, and happy Lynxing! See you at the Atari shows! ======================================================================= WAACE ATARIFEST '91 UPDATE -------------------------- Press Release ======================================================================= This posting is an attempt to answer some questions that have been posed in recent weeks. Hardcopy vendor packets will be sent out around the 15th of June. WAACE, Inc. AtariFest '91 Dates: The Fest is scheduled for 12 and 13 October '91. The show hours are from 10 to 5 both days. We also expect to sponsor some special events on Friday evening. The show will feature a full round of seminars and demonstrations. There will also be a swap meet. There will be a cocktail party and a banquet on Saturday evening. Location: The Fest will be held at the Sheraton Reston Hotel in Reston, VA, which is within 20 minutes of downtown Washington, DC and within 5 minutes of Dulles International Airport. This is the same location we used last year. For those who did not make the '90 event let us simply say that this is a pleasant, spacious conference facility located in a parklike suburban setting with plenty of free parking. Hotel Rates: Hotel rates are $59 per night for single or double occupancy, $66 for triple and quad. These rates are valid from October 10th through the 13th. Virginia hotel tax (4.5%) must be added to the above prices. In order to obtain these rates you must mention WAACE AtariFest '91 when making your reservations. Admission Prices: The admission price has not been determined yet except to say that show visitors who are guests of the hotel will receive a free ticket for each night that they book (limited to two tickets per room per day). Registered show workers will also receive free two-day passes. Members of non-WAACE Atari User groups may register as show workers and receive a free two-day pass. Please contact the WAACE representitives below for details on registering as show workers. Vendor Information: The basic rate for a single booth will be $500. There is a 30% discount for vendors who reserve their booth space before 31 July (by including a 50% deposit with their reservation). The booth payment is for a single 8 x 8 ft booth. Pipe and drape decoration, electrical outlets, tables, and chairs are provided. Prices for multiple booths are as follows: 2 - $850, 3 - $1100, 4 - $1350. A one half page ad in the WAACE Atarifest '91 Program is included in the single booth price. Vendors may upgrade the half page ad to a full page for $75. Standard full page ads may be purchased for $125. Note: Small vendors that wish to pool their resources and share a booth space may do so, but must elect a single point of contact with WAACE for vendor business transactions. Misc. Information: In addition to participating as a vendor at the AtariFest, WAACE provides additional areas for Atari developers and User Groups to participate: Seminars : One hour long presentations of topics of interest to the Atari community. Interested seminar presentors should contact the General Chairman below to reserve a seminar slot. Please indicate the topic of discussion as well as a preferred time slot. Demo Rooms: On going demonstrations of special interest topics (i.e. MIDI, DTP, Games, MAC & IBM Emulation, Productivity, Swap Room). Any Atari User Group or individuals interested in helping out in a demo room should also contact the General Chariman. Demo rooms also feature periodic demonstrations by Atari Developers of the latest hardware and software. Fest Program: Features articles written by many popular magazine authors in the Atari community. Interested authors should include a brief summary of their article to the General Chariman. Further Information: For additional Information please contact either of the following: General Chairman Vendor Coordinator Charles S. Smeton John D. Barnes P.O. Box 0122 7710 Chatham Rd Columbia, MD 21045-0122 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 GEMail: C.S.SMETON GEMail: J.D.Barnes CIS: 73047,2565 DELPHI: JDBARNES FNET: Charles Smeton, Node 500 Internet: JOHNBARNES@ENH.NIST.GOV WAACE Inc. 1991 AtariFest Vendor Price List Booths Ad Pages Standard Price Discount Price ** ------------------------------------------------------------ 0 1/2 $75 $53 1 1/2 $500 $350 2 1/2 $850 $595 3 1/2 $1100 $770 4 1/2 $1350 $945 0 1 $125 $88 1 1 $575 $403 2 1 $925 $648 3 1 $1175 $823 4 1 $1425 $998 ** To qualify for the discount price a 50% downpayment must be received with the reservation by July 31, 1991. Payment may be in the form of check or money order for all payments made by September 12, 1991. Payment after this date must be in the form of money order, travelers check or cash (sorry, no exceptions). ======================================================================= Z*NET NEW ZEALAND WORLD TOUR - PART 2 ------------------------------------- by Jon Clarke ======================================================================= New York to London After all the flying and the body going cold turkey due to lack of cigarettes we landed at Newark Airport in New Jersey. For some several months now GEnie Dan McNee of Atari had been asking for rain as it has been a little dry there in California. I told him on many occasions he should just fly me in and it would rain. Well to prove this point to Dan and to others who have been reading the Z*NET section of the GEnie BB. The day I arrived in Newark there was twelve inches of rain. Now Dan I rest my case. After 30 hours of travelling I finally made it to New York. I arranged for Ron (Mr Z*NET) Kovac's to pick me up from the airport and we would spend some time together for the day. Hmmm how do you spot a New Zealander newly arrived in Newark? This is what I asked myself as I didn't even know what Ron looked like other than a few .PI1 files I have seen of him. Its not hard to find him when he is carrying an "ATARI" bag I guess, as Ron came up and said "Hi Jon. How was the trip?". Ron ushered me off to the car park. With all the bags stowed away we were off to Hotel in uptown New York city. Well not quite, ( I have to laugh at this every time it comes to mind) I went to hop into the car as I normally do on the passengers side. When Ron said "You going to drive as well?" I didn't dawn on me till then I was getting in the wrong side of the car. You see we like most of the world drive on the left hand side of the road not the right hand side like yourselves. Anyway we were off heading for Wall Street in New York. What a great trip, roads flooded, rain everywhere and low cloud you could not even see the top of the World Trade Centre. On the way to the hotel Ron gave me a very informative tour of New York city and their driving habits. Talk about a personality change when we drove out of the Hudson Tunnel into the city. I guess it is true the "Yellow Cab" company runs the roads in the city. I would not have been as cool as Ron was for sure. We drove up Broadway, Park Ave, 5th Ave and all the other famous streets and had a little look around. Then we headed off to the hotel. They had Valet parking so they took the car and we took the bags. Now checking into a hotel in the USA proved to be fun. "How will you pay for this Sir?" the receptionist asked. "By cash", I replied. "Pardon Sir, we do not except cash, do you have a credit card?" "Yes but I want to pay cash". To cut ten minutes of entertainment to a minimum they took travellers cheques (which is cash) and we headed off to the room. One little observation I made here was as follows. What is this date 12/07/91 ? What is this date 07/12/91 and what is this date 12JUL91. Stop laughing Ron! You see we also do our dates back to front and the hotel staff thought I wrote the Travellers Cheques out for December rather than July, so if all else fails revert to 12JUL91. It is the little things you notice. Leaving the hotel behind Ron and I headed off to see New York city for a social hour or two. After a quick stop at a friend of Rons in the city we were motoring our way off to the country and the Z*Net Head Quarters. I must say even with the rain New Jersey is a lovely place and very much like some of the areas here in Auckland city with the motorway (freeway) running though the towns and the farms. After what seemed an age we hit Ron's town. Hit well not quite but what a neat place. So close to New York and yet this is a rural paradise just a few miles north of the city. Ron stopped so I could get some "nugget" and a few bits and pieces. "Nugget" well it was like pulling teeth trying to explain this one. In simple terms "Shoe polish". I had left Auckland in the middle of winter and here we were at 28 degrees Celsius and 100% humidity. Needless to say the buckets of water were flowing from the forehead again. We arrived at Rons house after a tour of the local country side. You guessed it. All computer people love coffee! Out came the daily fix of caffeine and I was alive again. The set-up Ron has would be the envy of most users out there. Well I fe lt right at home and seeing the BBS I thought I had walked into home of a few years ago. Ron runs the main Z*NET BBS on the FoReM software with a Mega ST, harddisks were everywhere along with a new V32 modem. So Jon being Jon I was into the BBS for a quick tour and see what the local BBS scene was all about. I was not disappointed, there were oddels of messages, files and here was the latest Z*NET ready to read. You see I too used to run FoReM at home when I lived in Wellington in a similar configuration to Rons. We now have the multi line MBBS system up and running in Auckland. I spent an hour or so reading the mail, popping onto GEnie and dropping my flatmate a note to say "Hi , I have arrived in the USA". Then we got onto the subject of BBS's and I explained about the "GEM" desktop emulation we have running on STaTus BBS via the IGS software written by Larry Mears. Well when I told Ron you can log onto our BBS and see a GEM Desktop rather than plain old ASCII he had to see it. Out came IGS215.ACC and we were dialing STaTus here in Auckland. We logged on and the BBS automatically recognises IG if you have IGS turned on. There was my saved desktop ready to use and allot quicker than ASCII. I guess all that has to happen now is for Ron to do the same in FoReM. There is a demo of the BBS desktop on GEnie which we uploaded some 6 odd months ago. We grabbed this and it is on Z*NET BBS now as well for you to have a look at. The file is called IGS_STAT.ARC . Ron was not going to let me out do him here so we called the "Full Moon" BBS to have a look. Great stuff, as I had not been on here for over 3 odd years and it was great to see where it is today. I left a note on here for the sysop of my old BBS in Wellington, Chris Thorpe. That will get him going I thought. (It did,he got it when I was in HongKong. More on this next week) I guess Ron could see by now I was quite taken by the US BBS scene and he was leaving the best to last. Next out came all the User Group magazines and newsletters. WOW. I guess those three letters say it all. I have not seen quality like this anywhere. To the User Groups out there keep the exceptional work. I took several copies (30 kilos) of magazines with me and proceeded to spread them around in my travels. Time like all things on a trip like this is far to short. It came time for Ron to drop me back into the city. I must say it was a breath of fresh air meeting Ron and his family. Thanks Ron for the hospitality, even if you do speak with a funny American accent (as I duck for cover saying this) (NOTE: It seems the people in the US have a little problem with our accent. If they can not understand you do this. Break into a bad Southern accent and they are with you all the way, I say AMEN, I said A-----MEN) Yarn, it was Sunday morning at 11am and I was waking up after my first decent sleep in three days. 11am hell that is 3am Monday at home, no wonder I was tired. Time to explore the city I thought. Where is the .45 ? I might meet a Ralf in the back streets. Heck I did not have a .45 , who cares I decided lets go and see the Big Apple. Seven and a half hours later I had walked from one end of Manhattan Island to the other. Being a nosey sort of a chap I ended up in some weird places and one that got the juices flowing was down by Central Park where you can purchase "Terminator 2" on video for $20. Along with piles of software for rates ranging $5 upwards. Hey what is the story here? I was told there are no Atari resellers to be found. In Chinatown there were the 2600 games machines all over the place along with the cartridges. Just off Broadway I found an oasis in the IBM wilderness. J&R Computing . (no this is not an add). Being an owner of several IBM clones I decided to pop in and have a look at the prices of the equipment. God, $375 for a XT clone with a 40 megabyte disk drive and EGA running at 16Mhz. This was like a dream come true. The more I looked the more the old pocket book was trying to jump out of my pocket into my hands. I listened to sales person explaining the advantages of "Lan-tastic" over Novell when I was a TT. I rubbed my eyes and thought I was seeing things. NO, I was not. Maybe it was heat stoke. No it was not. There sitting in the middle of the store was an Atari TT, Mega ST, and a STe. They were all running demo's. So I thought I would play "Bait the salesperson". (ever played this? Yes sure you have) "Excuse me. Can you tell me a bit about these machines?" Oh dear, I thought 15 minutes later this chap had done his homework. I explained who I was and how these were so cheap compared to New Zealand prices. (A TT030/50 will cost you over $NZ7000 and a 486 will cost $NZ3999). My hat is off to J&R computing for the great job they are doing. After another two days of work (the real reason for this trip) it was time to bid farewell to New York and the USA and fly to London. London. Well I arrived on the red eye direct from Newark. What can I say. I was asleep when I walked into the office. But more on this next week. Next week London, Dosseldorf, Frankfurt. Then onto the computer mecca HongKong. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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, Middlesex, New Jersey 08846-0059. Voice (908) 968-2024, BBS (908) 968- 8148 at 2400/9600 Baud 24 hours a day. We can be reached on Compuserve at PPN 75300,1642 and on GEnie at address: Z-Net. FNET NODE 593 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Z*NET Atari Online Magazine Copyright (c)1991, Rovac Industries, Inc.. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~