No Fragments Archive 12: Textmags & Docs

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ No Fragments Archive 12: Textmags & Docs / nf_archive_12.iso / MAGS / TEXTMAGS / ZNET / ZNET9149.ZIP / ZNET9149.ASC < prev

Wrap

Text File | 1991-11-22 | 58.3 KB | 1,222 lines

| (((((((( | Z*Net International Atari Online Magazine | (( | ----------------------------------------- | (( | November 22, 1991 Issue #91-49 | (( | ----------------------------------------- | (((((((( | Copyright (c)1991, Rovac Industries, Inc. | | Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, NJ 08846 | (( | | (((((( | CONTENTS | (( | | | * The Editors Desk............................Ron Kovacs | ((( (( | * Z*Net Exclusive-History of Artifex Board..Mike Schuetz | (((( (( | * Z*Net Newswire........................................ | (( (( (( | * Midi-Update.........................AtariUser Magazine | (( (((( | * Final Chicago ComputerFest Update..................... | (( ((( | * Goldleaf Update..........................Press Release | | * Silhouette Version 1.25..................Press Release | ((((((( | * Z*Net Software Shelf....................Ron Berinstien | (( | * Raytrace User Group................................... | ((((( | | (( | | ((((((( | ~ Publisher/Editor............................Ron Kovacs | | ~ Editor.......................................John Nagy | (((((((( | ~ Z*Net Newswire Ltd..........................Jon Clarke | (( | ~ Contributing Editor.....................Bruce Hansford | (( | ~ PD Software Reviews.....................Ron Berinstein | (( | ~ Reporter....................................Mike Brown | (( | ~ Assistant News Editor.......................Mike Davis ======================================================================= Z*NET SUPPORT SYSTEMS - USA: Z*NET - (908) 968-8148 CCBBS - (609) 451-7475 THE GARAGE - (618) 344-8466 ======================================================================= * THE EDITORS DESK by Ron Kovacs ======================================================================= The Chicago ComputerFest By Atari is on for this weekend. Z-Net will be reporting "live" from the show and have reports throughout the weekend on our BBS and other online services. The live reports are scheduled on GEnie is the ATARI ST RT at 5pm eastern time, 2pm pacific. Please attend if you have the time! The final update about this event appears in this issue. ERRATA Last week we ran a story in our Newswire about Atari looking at NEW chips. R.J. ROBINSON actually wrote the comments on GEnie in the Atari ST Bulletin Board's Catagory 18, Topic 15, Message Number 59. John Nagy captured the message and for some strange reason forgot about crediting the original writer, of which he apologizes. Sorry for the error! ======================================================================= Z*NET EXCLUSIVE HISTORY OF ARTIFEX' TOS EXTENSION CARD AND ATARI'S TOS 2.06 ======================================================================= by Michael Schuetz Since there seems to have developed some confusion on American OnLine Services like GEnie and Delphi about one of our products here in Germany, Artifex Computer has decided to shed some light on the situation by providing the following report to ZNET for immediate publication: When the Atari TT was launched in Germany at last years' Atari fair in Duesseldorf in August, the new TOS was one of the biggest surprises. A few weeks later the Mega STE was introduced at COMDEX in Las Vegas and everyone was pleased to see that the new machine also included a new TOS with a highly improved Desktop. At this point many users of the "old" ST models jealously looked at the new TOS 2.05 and it's additional features hoping that a solution would be found to make the new TOS also work on old ST models soon. The problems to solve were that TOS 2.05 had the size of about 256 KB (TOS 1.0x: 192 KB) and that it was meant to run at different memory location than the older TOS versions. Also, TOS 2.05 of course made use of the special STE hardware (DMA-sound, enhanced color palette, hardware scrolling etc.). The old models lacked these features and calls of these routines would result in bus errors. Shortly before the Atari Messe in Duesseldorf this August two German developers of Artifex Computer succeeded in creating a slightly modified TOS 2.05 that - in conjunction with a small hardware device, called the TOS Extension card - would make the new operating system run on ALL known ST models, no matter what their year and make. Talks between Atari officials (among them Bill Rehbock and Leonard Tramiel) and Artifex during and after the show in Duesseldorf revealed that Atari itself had been working on a new TOS version called TOS 2.06 that should substitute 2.05 (which is - as all TOS versions with odd numbers as the last digit - a preliminary non-ROM version). After a while Artifex succeeded in convincing Atari to include the modifications required for running on "old" STs in their new 2.06 version. Artifex provided Atari with the routines and patches that they had used to make TOS 2.05 work on the old STs. Atari included those - and some other - modifications in 2.06. From that point on Artifex tested over the last couple of weeks preliminary versions of TOS 2.06 in conjunction with their TOS Extension Card in old ST models. About one week ago Atari US declared TOS 2.06 to be finally ready for release. As soon as the first series production batch of TOS 2.06 sets has been flown in via air courier to Frankfurt and has passed customs, shipping of the TOS Extension Card WITH TOS 2.06 on board will start in Germany. We expect this to happen within the month of November or the first days of December. At first TOS 2.06 will be available in Germany only in conjunction with the TOS Extension Card from Artifex. Atari Germany so far has not announced when TOS 2.06 upgrade kits only consisting of the ROMs - for use in 1040STEs and Mega STEs - will be made available. TOS 2.06 features Before I start describing the TOS Extension Card hardware let me just summarize the basic features of TOS 2.06: TOSS 2.06 differs from earlier TOS versions in various points. The most important feature without doubt is the new desktop known from the Mega STE and the TT. Integrated into ROM it bears the advantage opposed to alternative desktops that it doesn't use up any RAM and is already loaded and at your fingertips as soon as you turn on your computer. Programs, files and even folders can be put directly on the desktop and can be started directly from there just with a double-click. Furthermore 20 programs can be started with the help of the function keys. Data files can be dragged over a program with the mouse, so that after the program itself has been loaded, automatically the data file is loaded in, too. Icons for files, folders and drives can be freely chosen. New icons can be created and all those that are placed on the desktop can be given unique names, to describe the program, folder or drive that they stand for. Each file type can receive its own icon. For example you can mark all picture files with a brush Icon, all fax documents with a fax machine icon, all text documents with a typewriter icon and so on. Almost all new functions of the desktop can alternatively to the drop down menus be called up by keyboard commands. You can even assign your own keys for the functions. The new desktop also includes a powerful search function that lets you search and mark files that match certain criterias, given by you. Also scrolling through windows in the desktop has been improved and it is now possible to view directories in an "unsorted" way (a very helpful feature when rearranging the AUTO folder). In the former TOS versions selected files were de-selected as soon as you would scroll through the window. With the new TOS the selected files remain selected even when you scroll through. Already during boot-up of TOS 2.06 - and this is even new compared to 2.05 - you will notice a difference: The Atari Fuji will appear in the upper left corner of your screen. Then a memory check is done that is shown graphically on screen through a 'growing' bar. Then a boot-delay kicks in to allow hard drives to get powered up. The delay time is also been made 'visible' through a bar. A keypress of course lets the boot process continue. Furthermore pressing the Control key after a reset prevents that programs of the AUTO folder are run, accessories are installed and the NEWDESK.INF is being loaded. TOS 2.06 also allows you to open up to seven windows and a consequent jumping from window to window. Another new feature - well-known in the MS-DOS world - has been added now, too: In conjunction with the Alternate key and the numeric keypad, any character of the special character set can now be 'typed in' by typing in its the ASCII-code. Goodies for programmers: The cookie-jar is automatically initialised and the correct system values are being set. When the appl_exit() function is being called up the operating system now waits until all accessories have received the according message before the main program terminates. This allows the secure saving of data, when accessories are loaded in anew after changing screen resolution. Also the new BIOS function Bconmap() that allows integration and controlling of custom-made driver-software opens new perspectives to programmers. GEMDOS has also been severely revised, so that many functions and the I/O-redirection run more reliable. TOS-Extension-Card data So far for the features of TOS 2.06. Now here are some details about the TOS Extension Card: TOS 2.06 with its new functions requires more space in the ROMs, namely 256 KB opposed to the 192 KB of the older TOS versions up to TOS 1.04. And since the new TOS also has been located at a new place in memory, the new ROMs can not be put directly into the old ST models. This problem is solved by the TOS Extension Card, a small hardware board for all ST models from 260ST/520ST to the 1040STF/M up to the Mega STs. Although the board-layouts of the different ST-models vary a lot in some cases, the TOS Extension Card was designed in a way that it would fit in all STs. Even MS-DOS emulators, most hardware accelerators and graphic expansion cards work fine with it. The installation usually requires a bit of soldering work, but the task can easily be taken care of by electronic-hobbyists or by qualified dealers within several minutes. A 100% plug in option is available, too (see below). The TOS Extension Card is a small board that has the size of 2.5 by 2.5 inches and contains - of course - the two TOS-(EP)ROMs, one GAL and two capacitors. Since space is valuable especially in the 'small' STs (260/520ST and 1040ST) it was important for the developers of the board to find a solution, so that the board could be placed at any place in the computer. And this indeed has been accomplished through the fact that the necessary signals are brought to the board via flat-tape-wires. One of the flat-tape-wires leads to a DIL-plug that plugs into one of the ROM-sockets where the old TOS used to reside. The other flat-tape- wire is split up into 22 single wires that have to be soldered onto the CPU. This allows a variable placing within any ST model, no matter if memory expansion, MS-DOS emulators or graphic cards reside in the same case. Especially for owners of Mega STs who want to save themselves the soldering and whose Mega ST bus is still unoccupied, Artifex offers the TECbridge BUS option. Instead of the soldering-to-the-CPU-solution the second flat-tape-wire ends into a bus-plug that fits nicely onto the Mega bus. Another alternative available is the TECbridge CPU. It just plugs onto the CPU and is recommended for models where the CPU is already socketed or where a socket has been soldered on the CPU. This of course recquires that there still is enough room above the CPU within the case. The Price is right The TOS-Extension-Card retails in Germany for DM 198,- (approx. US$ 120). This price includes the board, Atari's official TOS 2.06, the new control panel XControl on disk together with some utilitites and a manual that describes both the installation of the card and the new functions of TOS 2.06. This price is extremely cheap, if one considers that the TOS 1.04 upgrade in Germany did cost the exact SAME amount of money ... and with TOS 1.04 you just got the ROMs, no board, no manual etc. The TECbridge BUS and the TECbridge CPU options both are available for the (small) additional fee of DM 25,- ($15). TOS 2.06 in the US? Artifex is engaged in negotiations with a lot of distributors all over the world right now. It is very likely that TOS 2.06 and the TOS Extension Card will be available in the US, Canada and most European countries within a few weeks. Artifex Computer GmbH Holbeinstr. 60 D-6000 Frankfurt/Main 70 FRG Tel.: 01149-69-6312456 Fax: 01149-69-6312600 Artifex can be reached on GEnie: - by sending EMail to the MIKE.SCHUETZ account - by leaving a message in the Germany RT (Page 725, CATegory 3, TOPic 8) Michael Schuetz Artifex Computer GmbH November 20, 1991 ======================================================================= * Z*NET NEWSWIRE ======================================================================= MEGA POWER NOT MEGA PRICE Atari Canada announced major price reductions in the Mega 1 and Mega 2 series. The new pricing effects units with harddrives only but basically reflects a 15% to 20% reduction in cost at dealer level. The new pricing will bring the Mega series closer to the 1040STE pricing, making the Mega more price competitive. ATARI INSTALLS FREE COMPUTER LABS Atari Canada is in negotiations with several Universities to install 1040STE computer labs. The equipment is donated free of charge in hopes that it will generate sales to students. One site already approved for the labs is the Royal Conservatory of Music at the University of Toronto. Those wishing more information please contact: Murray Brown, Atari Canada, 90 Gough Road, Markham Ontario, Canada, (416) 479-1266. SUPERCOMPUTING TRADE SHOW Show organizers announced that Supercomputing Japan 92, Japan's Third International High-Performance Computing Exhibition and Conference, will take place April 22-24, 1992 at PACIFICO YOKOHAMA, Japan's newest convention center. Virtually every major high-performance vendor in Japan, the United States, and Europe has already signed up to exhibit at the show: Alliant, C. Itoh, Canon, CONVEX, Cray, DEC, Encore, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, IBM, IMSL, Intel Kubota, MasPar, Matsushita, nCUBE, NEC, NKK, Nippon Steel, Sanyo, Silicon Graphics, Sony, Sumisho Electronics, Sumitomo, Sun Microsystems, Thinking Machines, Tokyo Electron, UNIRAS, Ultra Network, and many others. For more information contact: Kiyoshi Sakamoto Supercomputing Japan Office, Tokyo Phone: (03) 5496-9411 Fax: (03) 5496-9417 or Gerard Parker Supercomputing Japan Headquarters, San Francisco Phone: (415) 381-2255 (800) 879-4454 Fax: (415) 381-1451. KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURE UPDATE Knowledge Adventure has announced the shipment of Knowledge Adventure -- The Most Exciting Journey of All, the first multimedia educational software product for the PC that lets users access a rich, hyperlinked database of images and text without requiring the added expense of CD- ROM. Knowledge Adventure will carry a suggested retail price of $79.95. Knowledge Adventure runs on IBM, Tandy and compatible PCs. A hard disk and an EGA or VGA monitor are required. A mouse is recommended. ======================================================================= * MIDI-UPDATE AtariUser MIDI Column for October 91 (#6) ======================================================================= The following article is reprinted in Z*Net by permission of AtariUser magazine and Quill Publishing. It MAY NOT be further reprinted without specific permission of Quill. AtariUser is a monthly Atari magazine, available by subscription for $18 a year. For more information on AtariUser, call 800-333-3567. MIDI ALERT: Now part of the Yes reunion tour, keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman is an Atari user. He originally used the Pro 24 III sequencer from Steinberg/ Jones and has since moved up to Cubase, their new high-end sequencing platform. One of the hardest parts to setting up a MIDI studio is deciding what to buy. Electronic Musician magazine has been running semi-monthly comparison articles designed to help you make informed choices. Topics covered to date include keyboard and expander synths, drum machines, tape recorders, sequencer and notational software, and samplers. Making MIDI Most Growing Your Studio In earlier issues of AtariUser, we looked at what would be needed to get started with MIDI applications on Atari computers. These focused on general interest, low cost (relatively speaking) setups for beginners or those just wanting MIDI sound capabilities for their games. This time, lets turn up the gain and see what could be found in a high- end hobbyist or semi-pro home studio. Much of this also applies for the needs of professional musicians--the differences tend to lie in number, rather than type, of equipment. Pro's will also have synchronization gear for combining audio, video, and MIDI tracks with those lucrative artist contracts (right!). MIDI devices can be split into 4 broad categories: synths, samplers, effects, and MIDI data manipulators. The first two generate sound, the third colors it, and the manipulators (including your Atari computer) make it all happen. We'll cover the first three classes this time. MIDI data manipulators cover a host of useful and esoteric capabilities, ranging from patch bays and mergers up to arpeggiators and guitar strumming simulators, and demand a column of their own. Synthesizers use some combination of analog and digital electronics to produce sound. There are several general families of synthesis techniques, each having their own general timbral qualities and control options. The better known ones, along with examples, are: subtractive analog (classical fat synth a'la Moog), FM (Yamaha DX7 family), phase distortion (a variant of FM, used by Casio in the legendary CZ-101), wavetable (uses digitized waveforms instead of analog, as in Korg Wavestation), L/A (hybrid of synth and sampler used in the Roland D-50 family), sample playback (processing of stored digitized sound samples, used in the Proteus) and additive (purely math driven, basis of Kawai K5 as well as Digidesign's Turbosynth program). As you upgrade your studio, a general rule is to add instruments from different synthesis families rather than multiples of a single one. This gives you a greater timbral palette and more versatility. It also helps to balance regular synths against multitimbral synths (typically manufactured as rackmount units without keyboards). A normal synth typically can play 16 or so notes of a single sound at a time--perfect for piano or other lead keyboard parts. Multitimbral synths can play several sounds at once but only a few notes of each. They lend themselves well to ensemble sounds of monophonic instruments--string or brass sections, bass, flute, etc. Samplers are the flip side of synthesizers. Rather than producing sound from electronic first principles, they record and process acoustic sounds--much like putting a keyboard onto a tape recorder. A natural use for samplers is to provide equivalents for instruments that are difficult (if not impossible) to mimic by synths--such as guitars, vocals, and ethnic percussion. Working with a sampler generally is more complex than a synth. With both, you need to select appropriate processing parameters to get a desired sound. Samplers, however, have no built in sounds or waveform building blocks. It's up to you to record and properly setup the starting sound sample. This requires specialized software for auditing and editing the raw sound file to get it as clean and tight (to save memory) as possible. While these routines are part of a sampler's operating system, the ease of use and degree of sophistication vary considerably between samplers (and, not surprisingly, are directly related to cost). Sound effect devices generate no sound on their own but rather modulate input sounds from electronic instruments or microphones. These can be used to simulate natural acoustic effects, such as reverberation and echo, or provide totally gonzo sonic mutations never heard this side of the Twilight Zone. Going a step further, most of these devices allow for real-time control of the type and intensity of the effects. Reverb has been the mainstay recording effect for years, giving a sense of warmth and ambience by simulating reflective sound waves in a concert hall or other imaginary room. It takes on new dimensions when you can manipulate the degree of reverb as you play--such as imploding the imaginary room from open space to a tiny room. Other effects may be similarly customized; change the number and timings of echoes, speed of panning, amount of distortion, delay time, etc. Either change them manually while you play or pre-program the initial settings and any changes into your sequencer. While not typically considered an effect device, MIDI controlled mixers operate in much the same way to set up tracks for play/mute or relative volumes. The latest craze has been the advent of multi-effect boxes, such as the Alesis Quadraverb Plus. These contain several of the choicest types of effects with varying degrees of control. On the whole, such boxes are the most cost effective way to add effects processing into your studio. Some boxes have their component effects prestrung in a set signal path (e.g. reverb, then distort, then delay, etc.); you can use desired effects but cannot alter the routing. More involved units extend the control to specify signal path along with effects controls--you pay for what you need. - Jim Pierson-Perry BIO: Jim Pierson-Perry was the former MIDI editor for STart magazine and is a frequent contributor to Electronic Musician. He is currently working on a synthesized interpretation of Roger Zelazny's Amber novels. He's been trying to quit AtariUser but can't quite kick the habit. ======================================================================= * FINAL CHICAGO COMPUTERFEST UPDATE ======================================================================= This is the FINAL update for this weekend's Chicago ComputerFest By Atari. Chicago ComputerFest by Atari Update- November 20th We have updated exhibitors list for Chicago ComputerFest: Our star- studded line-up: Main Floor ---------- ABCO *** Kaleita Art Apple Annie Mainstream America Application and Design Software Mars Merchandising ASTMUM Montreal User Group MaxWell CPU Atari Corp. Megatype Atari Entertainment Michtron Atari Explorer Micro Creations Atari Interface Magazine Migraph BEST Electronics Missionware Branch Always Software M-S Designs Clear Thinking One Stop CodeHead Software Oregon Research Associates CompuSeller West Phil Comeau Software CSA Ltd. Rimik C-Lab Rising STar Computers Double Click Software Roland Corp. D.A. Brumleve SKware-One Electronic Spinster Graphics Soft Logik eSTeem ST Informer Gadgets by Small Step Ahead Gribnif Sudden, Inc. Guitar Plus Toad Computers Hybrid Arts WizWorks! ICD Wuztek/OPI ISD Marketing Zubair Interfaces JMG Software *** Appearance Cancelled 8-bit Area ---------- Atari Game Developers Arena LJK Computer Software Services (CSS) Mars Merchandising Dataque Newell Industries ICD RACC (Rockford User Group- Demos) K.O. Distributors LCACE Atari corporation and ICD have promised that a VAST amount of 8-bit hardware and software will be available from them in the 8-bit area. This show may be the last chance for 8-bit users to obtain some of these items - don't be left out! Rumor has it Atari is sending a separate 40 foot semi trailer with 8-Bit products to sell at tremendous savings. Atari Entertainment has promised a special gift "while they last" for Chicago ComputerFest by Atari attendees. You may collect your gift on the main floor where we have the door prize drop box. Our seminar schedule is one of the most comprehensive ever to be assembled for an Atari-related event. There will be something for everyone both days! For a tentative listing of seminars, please see the end of this update for the full schedule. GEnie is the official source for Chicago ComputerFest by Atari information, please stop by the ST Roundtable, Category 11 (Shows) Topic 10 (Chicago ComputerFest by Atari) for the latest in information, and show specials by our exhibitors. Our "hands on" training seminars have been finalized, please see the seminar schedule at the end of this update for the times and subjects - each session requires advance registration and a $15 "materials fee". Buy your tickets for the Desktop classes early. The Computerfest by Atari is being held at the Ramada Hotel on Manheim Road just north of O'Hare Airport in Chicago Illinois. The Show is this weekend November 23rd and 24th. The Show hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day. Tickets are $6.00 per day or $10.00 for both days. Seminar Schedules Saturday November 23rd 11:00 AM Plaza Introduction to Calamus with Mario Georgio ($15.00 Materials charge) 11:00 AM D-12 Missionware-LottODDS. 11:30 AM D-11 D.A. Burmleve-Using Computers to Foster Creative Thinking by Michael Marks. 12:00 noon D-10 Clear Thinking-Ed Hak,Metaphsycology 12:00 noon D-12 Dataque-Future of the 8-Bit. 12:00 noon D-23 Guitar Plus-Atari for the home MIDI hobby/ B Lytle 12:00 noon Salons Atari Corp- "Atari Speaks" 12:30 PM D-11 Step Ahead- Tracker ST 3.0 1:00 PM D-10 Aladdin PC/Genie/HUGS meeting with Jaun Jimenez On-Line Demo / TnT / Prizes for attendees. 1:00 PM D-12 Atari Corp. - Portfolio Q & A with Donald Thomas 1:00 PM D-23 Roland Corporation- New Products. 1:30 PM D-11 CodeHead- Professional Graphics tools. 1:30 PM Salons Gadgets by Small- "Small World" by Dave Small 2:00 PM Plaza Introduction to PageStream with Dan Weiss ($15.00 Materials charge) 2:00 PM D-10 Sudden, Inc.- Sudden View. 2:00 PM D-12 Atari Explorer- Magazine Production with John Jainschigg. 2:00 PM D-23 Atari Corp.- Atari ST and the professional musician. 2:30 PM D-11 Rimik- Multi GEM Demonstration. 3:00 PM D-10 Missionware- FLASH II. On-Line Demo. 3:00 PM D-12 RACC- 8-Bit Printer codes in popular WP's. 3:00 PM D-23 Hybird Arts- Product Workshop. 3:00 PM Salons Atari Entertainment Division- "New Games & Systems" with Bob Schuricht 3:30 PM D-11 Electronic Spinster Graphics- Spinning bits into images. 4:00 PM D-10 Aladdin ST/Genie with Tim Purves. On-Line Demo 4:00 PM D-12 Branch Always- GEMulator PC 4:00 PM D-23 ASTMUM- MIDI Tips and Tricks. 6:45 PM Salons Chicago Computerfest Banquet ($25.00 per person- advance) Main Speaker- Greg Pratt, Pres. Atari U.S. Desktop Publishing Classes at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM ($15.00 each) Sunday November 24 10:30 AM Plaza Advanced PageStream with Dan Weiss (Tentative) ($15.00 Materials Fee) 11:00 AM D-10 Atari Inc.- Tech Topics/TOS 11:00 AM D-12 Atari/Motorola- 680xx internals (Tenetive) 11:30 AM D-11 Gribnif- Rick Flashman Presents Arabesque Pro. 12:00 Noon D-10 Double Click- Real Time Data Compression. 12:00 Noon D-12 Atari Entertainment- Lynx Gaming tips and Technique 12:00 Noon D-23 Guitar Plus- Atari in Professional Studio Applications by Bob Lytle. 12:30 PM D-11 SKWare One- Seuat Demo/TnT 1:00 PM Plaza Advanced Calamus with Mario Georgio (Tentative) ($15.00 Materials Fee) 1:00 PM D-10 Aladdin ST/Genie with Gorden Monnier. On-Line Demo 1:00 PM D-12 Dataque- T8/16 Q&A 1:00 PM D-23 Hybird Arts- "Hands On" 1:00 PM Salons What's New From Atari 1:30 PM D-11 Step Ahead- Retouche Pro CD. 2:00 PM D-10 Atari Explorer- Atari Journalism with John Jainschigg. 2:00 PM D-12 A & D Software- Universal NETwork. 2:30 PM D-11 eSTeem, Inc.- eSTeem PILOT Authoring Language. 3:00 PM D-10 Aladdin PC/GEnie with Juan Jimenez On-Line/TnT. 3:00 PM D-12 Atari Corp.- Portfolio Q & A / TnT 3:00 PM D-23 Roland Corporation- New Products Demo. 3:00 PM Salons Guitar Plus- Basic MIDI and how it works by Bob Lytle 3:30 PM D-11 JMG Software- Hyper LINK. 4:00 PM D-10 ICD, Inc.- HD/Mass storage tips. 4:00 PM D-23 X-Lab- Product Seminar by Bob Lytle. Desktop Publishing Classes at 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM ($15.00 Material Fee) ======================================================================= * GOLDLEAF ANNOUNCES COMPO SOFTWARE IN NORTH AMERICA Press Release ======================================================================= Goldleaf Publishing, Inc., publishers of Wordflair II, the standard for producing short compound documents, has announced its exclusive distribution of COMPO Software products in North America. COMPO Software is one of the leading software houses for the Atari ST in Germany where the number one selling word processor is COMPO's That's Write. COMPO Software has earned a reputation for great products and the best ST technical support. This tradition will be continued in North America by Goldleaf Publishing. Immediately available are the new standard for word processing, That's Write, and its sister product Write ON. WHO OUGHT TO BUY THAT'S WRITE? Are you new to word processing? Or have you outgrown your first word processor? Whatever your situation, you need to know that That's Write is the new standard for ST word processing. That's Write brings word processing power to the ST previously only available on PCs and Macs. Features such as WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) display on screen and proportionally spaced fonts will delight, yet That's Write is faster than some non-WYSIWYG word processors. That's Write is the only ST word processor, apart from Write ON, to incorporate COMPO's unique printing technology - we believe its the only way to get your printer and ST working together. . . COMPO'S UNIQUE PRINTING TECHNOLOGY That's Write features COMPO's unique printing technology - unique because it uses two different printing mechanism's in the same document. Some ST word processors are limited to a few of the fonts in your printer, which makes for very fast printing, but within a very restricted font range. Other ST word processors use nothing but "bit map fonts" which are sent from your ST to the printer. With this system you can have large point sizes or create special fonts... but whichever font you use, printing is always slower. COMPO's printing technology gives you the best of both worlds. You can use the fonts in your printer for fast printing of the majority of your text, then add bit map fonts for distinctive headlines or special characters. That's Write supports ALL of the fonts supplied with most popular printers and optionally prints directly to high speed printers (such as the Atari laser printer) for extremely fast output. THAT'S WRITE FEATURE LIST File Handling o Load and save 1st Word Plus and ASCII file formats, optionally stripping CR/LF from within paragraphs o Load pictures o Copy, Rename, and Delete files from within That's Write o Edit multiple files at the same time Printing o Supplied with printer drivers for most popular printers o Additional printer drivers available o Many printer control options - Print only odd/even pages, Single feed or sheet fed paper, With or without pictures, Print to disk, Automatically adjust margins for binding, Change printer drivers from within That's Write Mail Merge o Powerful Mail merge within That's Write o Option to print All or only Selected records o Uses industry standard comma delimited files for data o Simple commands embedded within a document to insert records Text Editing and Styles o Full Cut, Paste, and Block functions o Text Font and Style set by Block or Paragraph tag o Supports the ST clipboard for exchange with other programs o Supports four clipboards for great editing flexibility o All standard text styles including Double Underline and Strike Through o Left, Right, Center, and Decimal Tabs o Up to 100 Tabs in any one line o Line spacing of 1, 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2, and 3 with optional extra space between paragraphs o Search and Replace with options for prompted replace, case match, and complete words only Images o Import standard .IMG files o Scale to any resolution including for the installed printer o Optional display of images on screen when editing Fonts o Full support for proportionally spaced fonts o Use up to 20 fonts in any one document o Mix printer resident and That's Write fonts in the same document o Display sample of fonts on screen when selecting font o Font editor supplied to create or edit fonts o Utility program to convert Signum/Script fonts to That's Write format Other Features o Headers and Footers o Hyphenation, either prompted or automatic o Keyboard shortcuts for every That's Write function o Unlimited user defined keyboard macros o Decimal character either . or , o Optional automatic save at user defined intervals o Manual or Automatic document reformat & pagination o Widow and Orphan control o Automatically insert current date and time o Optional password protection for any document o Word count WHAT ABOUT WRITE ON? Like That's Write, Write ON has all the above features. However, That's Write also includes a number of features to enthuse the specialist user, such as footnotes, endnotes, automatic index and table of contents generation, multiple columns with user-definable gutters, and a spell checker with optional automatic capitalization of proper nouns and suggested alternatives for misspelled words. If you buy Write ON, then find you need some That's Write features, don't worry - there is a simple upgrade path and all your Write ON files can be transferred. Goldleaf Publishing and COMPO Software are committed to the ST market and its users. Several important upgrades to That's Write and Write ON are currently scheduled for release next year, as are many other exciting products. Available soon are C-Font, a font converter to convert Calamus format fonts to That's Write, Write ON, GDOS, and other formats; and CompoScript, a fast PostScript interpreter that allows you to truly use PostScript at its best, complete with Type 1 fonts. If you are currently using a COMPO product then you can officially register it either by writing to, or calling, Goldleaf Publishing. Registered users will automatically be notified of any upgrade. That's Write is available now for $199.95. Write ON is available for $99.95. For more information please contact your dealer or call us directly: Goldleaf Publishing, Inc. 700 Larkspur Landing Circle suite 199 Larkspur, California 94939 USA 415/257-3515 ======================================================================= * SILHOUETTE 1.25 Press Release ======================================================================= Silhouette Version 1.25 debuting at Chicago-Fest Low Priced Power - $94.95! New Features: Improved auto-tracing, advanced duplicaton methods, grid/ ruler, new GEM display, full documentation, 68881 and TT support, Postscript output. Maxwell Computer Products Unlimited will debut Silhouette Version 1.25 at the Chicago Atari Computer-Fest. Silhouette is a bit-image and vector graphics drawing program with auto-tracing function. Version 1.25 enhancements include new drawing functions, improved interface and advanced auto-tracing function. In keeping with Atari's motto of 'Power without the Price', Maxwell has advanced the drawing capabilities of Silhouette while maintaining a modest price. While Atari users can now pay $200 or much more for german software, Silhouette is being offered for just <$94.95>. Silhouette offers a formidable array of drawing features; some you will find nowhere else. The program's GEM interface has been improved by placing the toolbox permanently to the left of the screen. The dropdown menus and tools are presented in a no-nonsense GEM display. Silhouette Features: ADVANCED AUTO-TRACING FEATURE: Load bit-images and automatically convert them to vector graphics (which offer higher quality and more editability). The auto-tracing function has been advanced beyond V.1.0 and much closer to auto-tracing functions which cost hundreds more. Further details below. DRAWING TOOLS: ~ LINES. Depress the CONTROL key for horizontal/vertical lines or ALT key for multiple lines (star pattern). ~ POLYLINES convertible to/from multi-point beziers, standard 4 pt. beziers or to b-splines. ~ Multi-point BEZIERS or standard 4 point bezier curves and B-SPLINES curves. ~ FREEHAND PENCIL which can also draw with the B-spline smoothing on. ~ Sizable bit-image ERASER and SPRAYCAN, FLOODFILL. ~ ROUND EDGE BOX. Each corner independently adjustable. ~ RECTANGLE. Begin rectangle from left corner or from center and/or restrict to a perfect square. ~ ELLIPTICAL/CIRCULAR ARCS. Hitting the SPACE-BAR will shift the mouse pointer amongst the three defining pts. (center, 2 angles). ~ ELLIPSES/CIRCLES. Ellipses and circles are convertible to BEZIER curves (allowing warping). ~ STARS. Create multi-point stars (up to 99 points). While defining size and location, also define the inner diameter of the star and the number of points with the ARROW KEYS. ~ POLYGONS. Create polygons with up to 99 sides adjustable while you size and locate. ~ PARABOLAS. A conic section (ellipses, circles, hyperbolas) common to optics and a great addition to the drawing family. ~ SPIRALS. Employed by the nautilus, the DNA structure and now available in a ST/TT drawing program. As you draw, adjust the number of windings, the steepness of the wind or unravel the spiral. ~ TEXT. Type with GDOS fonts. Includes FSM-GDOS support - skewing and rotation to 1/10th degree. ~ Also in the TOOLBOX is a scrollable array of FILL PATTERNS. ~ WILD CARD TOOL ICON. Select a favorite drop-down menu option and declare the icon as its controller. THREE WINDOWS are available. One offers bit-image drawing, the second vector graphics and the third, pixel editing. Vector Graphics can be magnified up to 16 times, giving the equivalent drawing resolution of 3200 DPI. AUTO-TRACING: Auto-tracing is a form of artificial intelligence. The Silhouette auto- tracing function is presented a clip-area and with its special rules searches the complete image area for image outline. The outline is saved as polylines and optionally the image's outline is purged of un- needed points and the curves are smoothed by b-splines or beziers. As vector graphics, images can be more easily edited and without losing image quality. Furthermore vector images are usually smaller files and processed by printers more quickly. COMPATIBILITY: Silhouette runs on all ST and TT computers in High ST resolution, or in TT high resolution and on big screen monitors. It supports the MATH COPROCESSOR with the ST and also is offered in a special TT version which takesa advantage of the 32 bit architecture of the TT (upcoming update will support the 68881/68882 in the TT). Silhouette requires just 1 Mbyte. Silhouette has been recompiled in an advanced compiler offering greater efficiency and compact code. LOOK FOR US AT THE CHICAGO-FEST SHOW. Purchase Silhouette directly from its U.S. developer: $94.95 + handling (call for shipping choice, overseas shipping at reasonable cost) Maxwell C.P.U. 2124 W. Centennial Dr. Louisville, CO 80027 (303)666-7754, Mon-Sat, 8-5PM MDT. VISA, MASTERCARD, personal check, COD ======================================================================= * Z*NET SOFTWARE SHELF by Ron Berinstein ======================================================================= "What the World Needs Now," is one more archiver revision! Right? Right! Well Tomas Quester and company proves relentless again in their pursuit of the perfect compression file. Now what can we do to convince these guys to become school teachers, or politicians, or even just very vocal statesmen? It would seem that what the world really needs is their combustion and output. Perhaps they could write motivational software to encourage both peace and prosperity? The way I see it is that they could at least slip some subliminal message across that we could possibly all benefit from. Chances are they could use their files as a conduit. After all who would notice just one more file amongst all that are present and accounted for already? As for this person, I still haven't read all the docs that emerged and joined my Syquest's file ranks when I simply typed "x -rm" on the line, and clicked OK! The way I figure it, if we should go thru all that stuff, why shouldn't we be rewarded with peace and prosperity? Anyway, this time I'm going to give it a try. Maybe it will work! <smile> So for those waiting for those waiting for the chase scene.... LZH201I.TTP Quester's archiver, ver. 2.01I! This is a self-extracting .TTP file. It has been checked for compatibility with ArcShell 2.6a and it seems OK! So... Download away! While on the subject of compression techniques... PKUNZIP.ARC Source code in portable C and Turbo Pascal for a .ZIP file extractor. ZIP has become popular on IBM BBSs and now in the ATARI world as well. This is source code only, and is an older file (1989) ST_ZIP09.LZH together with ZIPSHELL.LZH, as well as ST_UNZIP (UZ283.LZH) together with UZSHL (UZSHL1.PRG) are more current. One might find it prudent to be very careful, however, in choosing their active accessories onboard when running some of these programs. So... Can we talk? STKR3DMO.ARC STALKER 3 DENO is here! This is the demo version of Eric Rosenquist's STalker 3. Several features are disabled in this demo, and use is limited to about 30 minutes. It works on all versions of TOS (TT/ST/STe), and, in any resolution 640x200 or greater. I have been told that Stalker and Steno have been "pulled apart" and are now marketed as components separately. So, prepare to stand at the cash register with two packages instead of just one. TPZMODEM.ZIP contains Zmodem source code written in Turbo Pascal, but, the uploader notes that one should be easily able to convert it to other high level languages. So pussycat, what else is GNU? GC30F.LZH is GNU Chess 3.0f, an improved variant of GNU Chess, not sanctioned by the Free Software Foundation. Our inside source says that it plays better than ordinary GNU Chess. C source code only. TLS151.ARC contains ST Tools, and is reminiscent of PC Tools for MS-DOS computers. The main display includes a directory tree and a listing of files by directory. The program is a set of tools for use on the Atari ST. Current functions include listing FAT, Hex dumping of files, sectors or memory and searching files, sectors or memory. V.1.51 now works w/larger partitions, a GEM prg. For folks that wish to draw their own conclusions... LACHDR.LZH This is a demo version of a shareware drawing/animation program called Lachdraw... If there are any questions about it, the uploader asks that you refer them to him. He says that it is "nat bad" as drawing programs go... As I said, draw your own conclusion... <smile> F183D2.LZH A highly detailed collection of 3D2 objects for your animations. The archive contains CAD-3D 2.0 .3D2 files. Must either use CAD-3D 2.0 or CHRONOS to view. DMJGIF3.LZH The all-new, DMJ GIF v3.0. Features include decreased conversion time. Also, you can convert batches of GIFs at a time. Just start it and let it go. You can also convert GIFs to Degas and other formats. Full docs included. Shareware, $15. TT Compatible. ST MEDIUM RESOLUTION ONLY! STOCK34.ARC Lets you draw a different sort of conclusion. STock-> Smart is a stock charting and portfolio program. Follow your favorite stocks. Price quote updates are FREE from GEnie's daily stock quotes in the *MONEY section. Two minutes and the totally automated program will collect the data! The portfolio' scan each hold up to 100 transactions and STock->Smart will produce a tax report too! Sounds like you should get a copy CodeKeys, set it up to run by itself, let it and STock->Smart do the work for you, as you stay in bed for an extra hour of sleep! MEGACHEK.LZH Ver. 1.0c Offers better better selection of accounts with the mouse, as well as the "Legal amount" report field for printing on any check form. MEGA-Check is a finance manager capable of balancing checkbooks, printing checks, automatically paying bills and automatically generating financial reports. Color and monochrome versions included. Works on a TT in ST rez. Some new and some old... first, some new: ALMANC21.LZH Almanac is a combination calendar, daily planner and almanac of past events. The program shows thousands of events in history, music, movies, sports, etc. listed by dates and displayed by the year. It also allows you to print a copy of the month including holidays, birthdays, etc. A nice looking program. That comment is of course made with reservation... if this program is updated as often as another current CALendar program, it may be to soon to tell whether it is a good program yet! <smile> Now some old... these are for all those who haven't seen them, (after all, currently there is a lot of used gear and software being traded around) or, for those who might have forgotten about them, but now could find the 1ST WORD oriented files useful. 1ST_PRNT.DOT It contains all the proper printer codes to control all of the SG10 and SG15 print styles, including NLQ. WPLUSMAC.ARC This is a STartkey (you must have Startkey) macro file that gives full keyboard control of First Word Plus word processor. First Word Plus is a powerful and versatile wp but is mostly menu driven. Once you get to know the program you want to be able to direct it more from the keyboard. That is what this file allows you to to. FWPLNX10.ARC This is a combination of several printer driver files; the NX-10 driver for 1st Word, the Epson-FX driver for 1st Word Plus, one of the other drivers for a type of Star (non-NX10), etc. As far as I have been able to test it, it is very complete. It will allow for correct printing of both text, and the graphics you have imported. Special characters, & More! 316MACRO.ARC Use 316MACRO.MAX with 1st Word Plus ver. 3.14 and STARTKEY: ctrl-l accesses the spelling dictionary, ctrl-t moves to top of file, ctrl-b to bottom. This version fixes the ctrl-l macro, which, unknown to me, wasn't working with ver.3.14. It also contains some cautionary remarks concerning the use of STARTKEY. 1WORDPLS.RSC Rename this file WORDPLUS.RSC to replace original to fix the problem with entry of headers and footers in the Layout option. Footers will print, but headers won't. Oh well, better than nothing! SG10.HEX Star Gemini SG-10 driver for 1st Word. NX10.HEX This is a printer driver for the Gemini NX10 and 1st Word. 1STWRD_1.ARC Discussion from the 1st Word Plus topic on GEnie from May 24, 1989 through October 22, 1990. Also includes some information on printer drivers. The discussion continues in Category 13 Topic 4 of GEnie Online Service. 1STSHOW.ARC Improved version of the 1st Word text file displayer. Still shows 1st Word formatted text files with all special text styles displayed on screen; now allows flipping forward & backward a page at a time. Also, the actual drawing of text on the screen has been speeded up quite a bit. 1STPR182.ARC 1stprint prints 1st Word or 1st Word Plus documents to a printer, or captures them in text files for later use. The output that is printed is not just an ascii translation but a fully formatted document printed just as if the 1st Word word processor had been used. This version contains many bug fixes & better page formatting. Under the Heading: Starstuck Lover? STAR2000.LZH This is this year's yearly update of Star 2000: a freeware subset of Star Base. It has the 2000 brightest stars, 100 deep sky objects (NEW!), planets, on-line help and more. Runs on any monitor, any ST or TT. If your interest in astronomy is more casual, Star 2000 will meet your needs. Or, just Lover? LOVETHME.ARC is a sequence for C-Lab\Notator users of an electronic orchestration of Nino Roto's classic theme from the Godfather Trilogy. Scored for Dx7. A safe "fix?" PATHMAP.LZH contains a "safe fix" (I hope). This program will "fix" the "Install Application" bug in TOS versions before 1.04. It shows GEM _where_ the program you want to run is--no more "This Application can't find the folder or file..." alerts! Also allows you to install multiple applications for a single program. TT compatible. And for those who regularly fix things up for themselves... (no, not a cookbook!) RESISTR.ARC contains the new version of the electronic Resistor calculator. It is a full GEM application and works on 1.4 color, or mono. Also works on any Atari. This program calculates the value of electronic resistors. A must for the electronic hobbist. TT Compatible. KEYCODES.ARC is a Standard C file containing easy to remember #defines for all the ST keycodes. A second include file contains the same definitions for MS-DOS allowing you to write portable applications. Free from Tyson Gill and GT Software! Under the heading: You have time for another game, don't you? AMAZE2.ARC Version 2 of Amaze, a random maze generator and solver. It runs in any resolution. You can try to solve the mazes yourself on the computer, print them and challenge your friends and family, or show off your ST or TT by putting it into the self running demo mode. This new version leaves wrong decisions shaded when it solves the mazes. Freeware. REACT2.ARC This is an Excellent Strategy Game! If you've played REACTION and liked it then you'll love the Sequel! Reaction II now has Improved graphics (is this possible?), Multiple Playing Levels, Multiple Difficulty Levels. TT030 Compatible in ST LOW. Color Monitor Required. And GFA folks ALERT! I'll pass this along. (Nope, I know nothing about it.) GBUGDEMO.LZH is a file that says: ATTENTION GFA BASIC ENTHUSIASTS! Look into the GFA Basic Users Group disk based newsletter: the GBUG Diskazine. Published bi-monthly on a DSDD disk for the Atari ST/STe/ MEGA/TT computers. GBUG is dedicated to advance the art of GFA Basic programming. Communicate with the members via the MEMBERS' FEEDBACK column. Keep up to date with the NEWS. Under the Heading of: "Ooops" It seems that we owe all an apology... NBM 1.1 is OKay to run on the TT after all. Last week we noted that it didn't... Our source for that incorrect information has been ordered to go on vacation for a long, long time! <smile> The above files were compiled by Ron Berinstein co-sysop CodeHead Quarters BBS (213) 461-2095 from files that were either directly uploaded to CodeHead Quarters BBS, or downloaded from GEnie, Compuserve, and Delphi online services. ======================================================================= * RAYTRACE USER GROUP Announcement ======================================================================= As an avid Raytrace user, I am interested in contacting other users, sharing operational tips, and seeing some of the creations others have been able to produce with the program. I feel that by forming an informal sort of User Group, we can all benefit from each other's experience and get the most out of our purchase. It is also my hope to build a Community Library showcasing the talents of Raytrace users, and making it availiable to anyone who is interested enough to send in a disk of thier work to contribute to the library. An informal User Group indeed! There is no cash of any sort involved here. All that will be required is a floppy disk of your Raytraced creations to get on the mailing list. CONVERSION UTILITY NEEDED!!! My main reason for organizing this group is to get a pic conversion utility for Raytace users, ideally one that converts .SUL/.SCL files to Spectrum 512 format. However, a well written 16 color converter might be a simpler alternative. Either or both are needed. My initial efforts are paying off - work is now in progress at GFA Germany to make some of Raytrace's code available to developers to make such a converter possible. Details of this are still in progress, but able programmers fluent in GFA Basic and its use of in-line assembly should contact GFA USA, UK, or Germany or me directly for more info. THE DISK LIBRARY The 'cost' of subscribing to this newsletter is a disk, single or double sided with some examples of scenes you've created in Raytrace. We all know that there's alot of trial and error in creating a scene. But once in awhile you get the objects, the lights just right and its worth saving. Whether its some Wireframe data, or a 10 frame full-blown animation, rendered screens, or Spectrum, Neo, or other pics you use for ground, sky or texture maps, put them on a disk with your name and address. You be put on the list for the newsletter and get your disk back filled with the best works of other Raytrace users. Your 'subscription fee' becomes part of the library, and the best of the library will be mailed back to you promptly. HOW TO GET YOUR NEWSLETTER Send your disk to: GFA RAYTRACE USERS USA c/o Nick S. Smith 4406 5th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55409-2124 I can be reached on GEnie by sending E-mail to S.SMITH65 On Compuserve my mail address is: 70412,2667 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To sign up for DELPHI service, call (with modem) (800) 695-4002. Upon connection, hit <return> once or twice. At Password: type ZNET and hit <return>. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To sign up for GEnie service call (with modem) (800) 638-8369. Upon connection type HHH and hit <return>. Wait for the U#= prompt and type XJM11877,GEnie and hit <return>. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To sign up for CompuServe service call (with phone) (800) 848-8199. Ask for operator #198. You will be promptly sent a $15.00 free membership kit. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Z*Net International Atari Online Magazine is a weekly publication covering the Atari and related computer community. Material published in this edition may be reprinted under the following terms only. All articles must remain unedited and include the issue number and author at the top of each article reprinted. Reprint permission granted, unless otherwise noted, to registered Atari user groups and not for profit publications. Opinions present herein are those of the individual authors and does not necessarily reflect those of the staff. This publication is not affiliated with the Atari Corporation. Z*Net, Z*Net News Service, Z*Net International, Rovac, Z*Net Atari Online and Z*Net Publishing are copyright (c)1985-1991, Syndicate Publishing, Rovac Industries Incorporated, Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, New Jersey, 08846-0059, Voice: (908) 968-2024, BBS: (908) 968-8148. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Z*NET: Atari ST Online Magazine Copyright (c)1991, Rovac Industries, Inc... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~