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| (((((((( | Z*Net International Atari Online Magazine | (( | ----------------------------------------- | (( | March 21, 1992 Issue #92-12 | (( | ----------------------------------------- | (((((((( | Copyright (c)1992, Rovac Industries, Inc. | | Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, NJ 08846 | (( | | (((((( | CONTENTS | (( | | | * The Editors Desk.........................Bill Whiteman | ((( (( | * This Week In Atari History..................Ron Kovacs | (((( (( | * America Online.........................Glen Brensinger | (( (( (( | * What Would We Do Without Z*Net........................ | (( (((( | * Perusing CompuServe...................Michael Mortilla | (( ((( | * RatSoft ST........................Product Announcement | | * Perusing GEnie........................................ | ((((((( | * FoReM Owners Update................................... | (( | * The Software Shelf......................Ron Berinstein | ((((( | | (( | | ((((((( | ~ Publisher/Editor............................Ron Kovacs | | ~ Contributing 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 Canadian Correspondent...........Terry Schreiber | | ~ Columnist....................................Ed Krimen | | ~ Columnist................................Mike Mortilla | | ~ UK Columnist...............................Mick Jarvis | | ~ Features Editor.........................Dr. Paul Keith | | |----------| $ GEnie Address....................................Z-NET | ONLINE | $ CompuServe Address..........................75300,1642 | AREAS | $ Delphi Address....................................ZNET | | $ Internet/Usenet Address..................status.gen.nz |----------| $ America Online Address........................ZNET1991 | | | Z*NET | * Z*Net:USA New Jersey...(FNET 593).......(908) 968-8148 | SUPPORT | * Z*Net:Golden Gate......(FNET 706).......(510) 373-6792 | SYSTEMS | * Z*Net:South Pacific....(FNET 693).NZ....(644) 4762-852 | | * Z*Net:Pacific .(INTERNET/@status.gen.nz)(649) 3585-543 | | * Z*Net:South Jersey.....(FNET 168).CCBBS.(609) 451-7475 | | * Z*Net:Illinois (Garage)(FNET 621).......(618) 344-8466 | | * Z*Net:Colorado (Mile High)(FNET 5)......(303) 431-1404 | | * Z*Net:Wyoming (Stormbringer)(FNET 635)..(307) 638-7036 | | * Z*Net:Texas (Hacker's Haven)(FNET 705)..(512) 653-3056 | | * Z*Net:Florida (Twilight Zone)(FNET 304).(407) 831-1613 | | Fido Address 1:363/112 ======================================================================= * GUEST EDITOR DESK ======================================================================= Hi, my name is Bill Whiteman, a long time friend of Ron Kovacs and filling in for him while he attends to funeral arrangements and pressing matters at his REAL PAYING job. I work with him and late this week he asked me to do some of the editing and compiling while he worked on other matters. Since I am REALLY NOT sure what the heck this monster is about, I will babble a little bit and tell you more about what Ron Kovacs does at the "real job" a term I have seen a few times in the past. The Real Job is a Shop Manager for Maher Terminals in Port Elizabeth, New Jersey. This company, where I also work is a stevedoring outfit that unloads container, lumber, steel, copper, pulp, paper, billets and numerous other commodities including car ships. What we do in our department is repair and supply equipment such as tractors, fork-lifts, stackers, top-loaders, straddle carriers, jeeps, cars, vans and empty container handlers. We monitor over 1200 pieces of equipment. What Ron does specifically is manage a shop of 30 mechanics, the budget, repairs, equipment assignments and our newly transformed safety program. Besides this he has to answer the phone about 400 times a day putting out fires. I work directly for him as an assistant and have to follow assignments and assist with the labor, the ILA mechanics who are a real joy to work with! <grin> Well, I have babbled enough and when Ron get's done reading this, it might not even appear, but it is worth a try since I have seen this "real job" thing far too many times and NO explanation of what he actually does. This issue is probably the first and last appearance since I cannot afford the time required to put this together. We have an Atari computer here that Ron "brought in" that is amazing and better than the DEC system we have. Since he asked me to assist by writing and compiling the issue during my lunch hour(s) this week, which have all gone by while writing this, and three days of no lunch is enough for me. Next time he better ask someone else, perhaps the secretary??? The material received was processed and Ron is going to review it all before it is released. As I understand it, he will do that over the weekend. So, enjoy the issue. It really was a lot of fun and something I am not looking forward to doing again. I can see why he is tired sometimes, especially since I know he does MORE then just this. At any-rate, he better remember this in a few months when my review is do and give me a big fat raise for the effort! :-) ====================================================================== * THIS WEEK IN ATARI HISTORY Compiled by Ron Kovacs ====================================================================== 1986 - ATARI ANNOUNCES 2 NEW COMPUTERS (From Z*Mag 3-19-86) Atari announces (6) new computers and a long list of peripheral hardware, and all a rock bottom prices. Two Machines in the ST line of (Jackintosh). The 130ST with 128k at a cost of less than 399. The 520ST with 512k at 599. They are both 16-bit computers, which differ only in memory size, boast of graphics capabilities rivaling those of the $2,195 Apple Macintosh, thanks to a version of Digital Research Inc.'S (GEM (Graphics Environment Manager) operating environment, which works with the TOS(Tramiel Operating System.) The ST machines will be sold with either Basic or Logo according to Craig Suko, Atari software design engineer. Sig Hartmann, head of Atari's software efforts, vowed that there would be at least 25 to 30 software titles on the shelves when computers are shipped in early April. Tramiel said that be the second half of the year, Atari will be producing 200,000 ST units a month. 1986 - ATARI ANNOUNCES 8-BIT COMPUTERS 65XE (6502c cpu) 64k memory, 4 independent sound voices, built-in Basic, 22 Graphics modes, 256 colors, full-stroke keyboard w/graphic printed on the keys and a ROM Cartridge slot. Although more advanced, it will be offered at the same price as the 800XL less than $120. 130XE Exactly the same as 65XE except twice the memory for less than $200. XEP is a Portable version with 64k memory that includes a 5-inch monochrome monitor, a 3 1/2" drive, and a ROM slot. 65XEM (Music Micro) which is the same as the 65XE except for its Amy chip. This chip is so highly advanced that if you close your eyes, you can't tell if the music is coming from a piano or the computer, the XEM should retail for less than $150.00. Tramiel said that the typical Atari user is 16 to 26 years old. To saturate that customer base, Atari will begin a national school computer program in March. "Every educational institution that is eligible under our program will receive computers at no charge to the school. 1987 - MORE PANIC IN DETROIT Antic Magazine's publisher Jim Capperell wrote to Detroit's M.A.C.E. to notify them that they had to remove any and all ANTIC programs from their BBS. He reaffirmed that they are copyrighted, and to exchange them is piracy. Despite previous "understandings" about such things, it now looks like ANTIC wants to play hardball. Nothing was said in the letter about library inclusions of Antic material, but that is probably next. 1989 - COMMENTS ON THE FOLIO PBS program "Computer Chronicles", discussed the new Atari product "Folio". Here is a quote from the show. "Atari has introduced a new pocket computer that runs MS/DOS. It's called the Atari Folio. It is 8"x4", weighs less than a pound, and features a 40-character 8-line display. 1989 - BUSINESS AS USUAL AT FEDERATED Contrary to claims in the press that Atari Corp was to begin "closing Federated Stores", officials and managers at several Federated locations and headquarters in southern California told Z*Net that "business as usual" would continue at Federated Group locations. Managers and staff at several stores told us that they had been assured that most Federated Group stores were not going to be closed or affected by the reorganization or sale. The stores will continue to carry ATARI as their "first line" of computer products, and no change in stock or policy is anticipated. 1989 - TSUKIJI ANNOUNCES FUTURE SHOWS World of Atari's Rich Tsukiji announced his plans for future shows to a group of Michigan club officers last month while planning his June 22- 23 Detroit area show. Annual shows will be held in four or five locations which may include Disneyland, Detroit, and Seattle. 1989 - TOTAL CONTROL SYSTEMS David Sullivan of Total Control Systems maker of the soon to be released GOE (Graphics Operating Environment) Cartridge, expects at least limited compatibility with the similar Diamond Cartridge (Alan Reeve, Reevesoft). 1989 - PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS MOVES Practical Solutions announced a move into a completely gutted and remodeled warehouse, providing 10 times the room they had before. More office space and a new R/D area. 1989 - GIAMMATTEO MAKES STATEMENT Vince Giammatteo, new Vice-President and General Manager of the Atari Computer Division, has passed along the following. "Atari is excited about this year's Comdex show and will be introducing several NEW hardware items." In early May, check your local listings for the television program "Computer Chronicles", Atari will be the subject of the telecast. 25 major cities across the nation will soon be viewing 2 Atari TV commercials, one 30 second commercial on the 1040ST and one 60 second commercial on Atari's DTP system, plus newspaper ads. 1991 - ATARI REPORTS BEST SALES MONTH Atari's Entertainment Division reported this week that February was the best sales month ever for its color portable video game system, the Atari Lynx. 1991 - ATARI CORPORATION FINANCIAL STATEMENT The Atari Corporation reported at the Hannover CeBit 1991 show that the turnover for the fourth quarter 1990 was 151.9 million dollars with a net income of 8.8 million dollars. The sales for the financial year 1990, which ended on December 31, 1990, were 411.5 million dollars. 1991 - CALAMUS OWNERS UPDATE CAL-ASSISTANT, an online help accessory for use with CALAMUS DTP software, is a new release of Spar Systems. Using a desk-accessory approach to provide Hypertext-like interface, Cal-assistant offers "tear off" style menus leading to text, icons, and pictures giving instruction and tips for using Calamus features. 1991 - VIDI-ST VERSION 1.29 - UPDATE The fastest video digitizer available for the Atari ST has yet another version available. Although it bears a release date in May 1990, version 1.29 of the Vidi-ST software has only recently been seen stateside, packed with new VIDI-ST carts. ====================================================================== * AMERICA ONLINE - THE ONLINE WORLD HAS A NEW FACE * by Glenn E. Brensinger (America Online address - PC Glenn) ====================================================================== In March of 1991, Quantum Computer Services of Vienna, Virginia released their newest software product - America Online for the PC. Since then the network has increased membership dramatically, and has featured conferences with such personalities as Michael A. Banks, Dr. Jerry Pournelle, The Norton Group, Digital Research, and most recently Steve Ballmer of Microsoft. But - what is America Online? Quantum Computer Services was incorporated in 1985, and changed their name to America Online Incorporated in October 1991 to reflect their flagship product. Through the use of proprietary software and partnerships with Commodore, Tandy, and IBM, they run two major networks - Q-Link for Commodore 64/128 owners, and America Online for PC, Apple, and Macintosh owners. Quantum started as four separate networks: America Online (a Macintosh/Apple network), PC-Link (based on the Tandy DeskMate interface), Promenade (packaged with IBM PS/1 systems), and Q-Link (Commodore computers). In March 1991, America Online was merged with the two PC networks, and in less than a year has become the second largest interactive online service in the country. Since the merging of the systems, America Online has been adding and improving areas to better benefit the members. They offer everything from online shopping to stock quotes to real-time communications with other members to computing support to shareware libraries. There are 11 PC Computing Forums, such as DOS, Hardware, Windows, Programming, Games, and specialized support for the PS/1 system (via the Promenade software included with the PS/1). Each area has message boards and libraries to help out members, and each one hosts live meetings at least once a week. The Company Support area has such names as Sierra Online, Microsoft, Digital Research, Maxis, Spectrum Holobyte, and more, with a lot of others coming soon. The chat area, called "People Connection," allows members with similar interests to get together, talk, play games, or whatever. They also offer real-time online games, such as a full-color multi-player casino, and the most recent addition, Neverwinter Nights, an AD&D multi-player game styled after the SSI Gold Box Series. If you ever wondered what it would be like to play Curse of the Azure Bonds with real people, here's your chance. And speaking of AD&D, there's an entire area devoted to Dungeons and Dragons and other forms of role playing, complete with live and message based games. The PC America Online software, or PC/AOL for short, is based on the Geoworks Ensemble interface, and uses a window-and-icon driven environment to make navigating the system fast and easy. It will run on any IBM compatible system with an EGA or VGA card, hard drive, and a mouse, and will use extended or expanded memory if you have it. Because of the windowing, you can participate in a real-time conference and scan through message boards at the same time, rather than being limited to doing one or the other as with text based "command line" services. Many of the areas have attractive front ends, with "push button" icon access to most sections, and navigating is done via graphical mouse-menus or keyword shortcuts. The membership rate for PC/AOL is very reasonable. The monthly fee is waived for your first month, and you have 5 hours free to explore the system. After the first month, you are charged a monthly fee of only $7.95, and your first two hours are free. After those two hours, you are billed at the rate of 10 cents per minute, day or night. There are no hidden charges; everything online is accessible for that 10 cents an hour. You have the choice of charging it to your credit card or checking account, and there is no waiting period for credit authorization - you're online as soon as you complete the billing questions. America Online uses Screen names instead of real names or a string of numbers - this name is yours; no one else can use that name while you have it. (Unlike CompuServe, where screen names are on a daily first-come-first-serve basis unless you pay an additional monthly fee to reserve it.) You have one master screen name that cannot be changed, and the ability to add up to four additional names that can be changed at any time to reflect your current state of mind. The PC America Online software can be run as a standalone DOS application, as part of Geoworks Ensemble or Geoworks Pro, or as a Microsoft Windows Enhanced mode application. Future enhancements include 9600 baud access, Internet access (at no extra charge), and batch file transfers with crash recovery. America Online is definitely the one to watch. To order a free signup kit, contact America Online at (800) 827-6364. ====================================================================== * WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT Z*NET? ====================================================================== This is a long story about the Atari magazines and me. When I purchased my first Atari computer (800XL) the first thing I thought was that I needed some books or magazines to keep myself informed about the underground world of Atari computers. I started searching, and I found a magazine called COMPUTE!, great! It had type in programs and interesting info. It looked like a serious mag, I bought several issues until I took the decision and sent my subscription form. The only thing I had to do was wait..... when my first issue arrived, it included some news: we don't support Atari computers anymore! (argggg). Months later during a trip to U.S.A I found two magazines, just for Atari; Antic and Analog. Thinking about my experience with Compute! I wasn't sure if I should pay for a subscription. By this time, I had changed my 800XL for a new 520ST, now those magazines had the respective mags for the ST computers START and ST-LOG. That's when I decided to send my subscription card.......(guess what!) I just received one ST-LOG and a letter saying those magic words: "We're out of business, you can receive the START mag !!!!" What !!!! I got a START subscription too! (relax, after meditation) o.k., I will receive two numbers of START mag each month. But........I never received any single issue of START. Some time later, I paid two new subscriptions for ST-World and ST- Xpress. I just received five numbers of ST-World, and (O.K., don't say anything) those magic words again from ST-Xpress. At this time I had purchased a modem and I called some BBS's in the U.S.A., fortunately I found an on line magazine called Z*Net (fanfare!) and I started my weekly download. Last year I found Atari Interface Magazine in some bookstores (thank god it still exists) and in September I went to the Glendale Show, and I paid my subscription to ST Informer. The first thing to arrive was just the disk of the November issue, the next issues arrived normally but I read some news in Z*Net (oh,oh, problems with ST-Informer) today, March 14th, I received the February number without disk. That's why I have decided not to subscribe myself to any other magazine ever again. But......I'm really excited with Z*Net, in fact I download every week and I immediately place the issue in the only Atari BBS in Mexico City. Thank you Z*Net. My name is Jaime Motta Aviles, and I'm one of the two Sysops of the only Atari oriented BBS in Mexico City, "La Cueva de Atari" (The Cave) is running under FoRem ST and we are the node # 650 of the Fnet. AS soon as we receive our new 14,400 bps, modem from Supra. We'll start to operate the node. I'm also the president of the only Atari users group in all the country and we're in operations since 1985. We're going to publish our own news letter, and I would like to include some of your articles translated to spanish. Thank you in advance, and I hope you continue supporting the Atari community. Greetings from Mexico City. Sincerely yours, Jaime Motta A. Editors Note: We encourage message reprints in any Atari User Group newsletter. You simply need to follow the instructions at the end of every issue. Only articles that are specifically stated NOT FOR REPRINT or others that require additional directions. ====================================================================== * PERUSING COMPUSERVE by Michael D. Mortilla ====================================================================== "In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it." -Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde [1854-1900] This fits quite nicely into the "blunder of the week" by yours truly. We reported last week about problems extracting LHARC-ed and LZH-ed files, including the text of ZNET Online! We were not the only one's with this problem, as we read messages from other members with the same malaise. Alas, the problem was "user error." We were trying to extract from within the ARCSHELL.PRG but failed to select the "Questor" button. We selected the LZH and checked the alternate TTP as being correct, but that one little Questor button wasn't "pushed." And this on the heels of our tirade about reading instructions in shareware. Moving right along... Some insight was offered this week on the technical structure of CIS forums. This was prompted by a comment on the ATARIFF (Atari File Finder). A member was unhappy (and rightly so) that the files were not automatically updated as files were added, deleted or otherwise made "unavailable." Ron Luks explained that forums are limited to 18 message sections and 18 libraries, and that is the reason there are three ST forums instead of just one. As far as the file finder goes, Ron states: "One reason for the "non-linking" between the forum libs and the file finder is that they reside on different host computers and disk structures. Linking is just not a simple task. It may be easy to 'kludge' something for the Atari Forums, but for the PC and MAC file finders, the situation gets a lot more complicated. At least with the ability to search across all libs in a single forum, the need for an Atari file finder is greatly reduced." In visits to other forums, we see Category 0 and thus a full 18 (0-17). All the Atari forums are numbered from 1-17, giving us only 17 items. Maybe they're saving that last category for something special? Maybe it's invisible to all but the SYSOPs? Well, we have our hands full with 17 for now, but it is interesting to note the 18 item limitation. The buzz on the Freeze Dried Terminal program is that it's quite something. No complaints except it's lack of the CIS B protocol. But it's Ymodem-G implementation is said to be "excellent" according to SYSOP Keith Joins. Neil Burton replys: "If you can obtain the CIS B protocol you could install it as an external protocol with FDT... It's so versatile ..." Just a little aside here which may save you a phone call to Best Electronics. Their 50 page catalogue of ST and 8-bit supplies is available for $2.00 plus $1.67 shipping. send a check for $3.67 to: Best Electronics 2021 The Alemeda-Suite 290 San Jose, CA 95126 If you must phone them, the number is (408) 243-6950. So when the old power supply goes, you'll be ready with the part number... Copyright is one of those words that just can't be mentioned in a thread without "slings and arrows" going flying around. "Who said this," "Who said that," "Your not a lawyer," "I'm not a jerk." CALM DOWN KIDS! It's only a discussion for Pete's sake. The issue this week was prompted in none other but the Emulators area, on the subject of "STemulator for IBM?." The basic exchange went something like this: "Owning a copy of the ROMS doesn't give you the right to a disk copy". "Ah ..... but it does. You do NOT have the right to distribute _any_ copy of the ROMs. You may copy it though, for your _own_ use. This is according to the US Penal Code on Copyright, Title 17." "I told you the facts about copyright and fair use laws. Its your choice to seemingly question the law or interject supposition as part of this discussion that is totally irrelevant and obviously intended to distract or sidetrack the main topic of this discussion. Which, by the way, is whether or not the copying of ROM Chips is legal or not when one _owns_ an original set of said ROMS." It was mostly downhill from there. Comments like "my ignorant one" "You had to be completely ignorant" and other comments do not do much to maintain an open dialogue (assuming that is what we are after here). A note of caution: If you are going to downright insult someone in a public area, remember that there are laws against slander as well as copyright infringement. And if you are a vendor, remember your potential customers are probably reading your words too. We wouldn't want to have to deal with this type of hostility in a customer service situation! Would we? ...Now while the above comments are extracts from a larger thread, this type of exchange is fairly common in several other forums as well. We do not include them here in support of either view, but as an example of how a thread can change direction and how that change of direction might anger a participant in the discussion. Again, we won't offer "Rules" to telecompute by, but it seems that more and more, we are getting "in your face - up close and personal" when involved in a supposedly friendly, or at the very least "professional" discussion. We also will not say whether this is a good or bad way to conduct oneself, but we are reminded of Sir Richard Steele's comment in "The Spectator," No. 49 [April 26, 1711]: "When you fall into a man's conversation, the first thing you should consider is, whether he has a greater inclination to hear you, or that you should hear him." We think that Boris Molodyi sums up the whole issue of conduct quite succinctly: "I fully understand your position. This thread looks more like a war path ;-)" He continued later in the same message: "There are lots of questions to be asked about ...[omitted]. Alas, all we had seen was bashing of those who do not agree with some people's views." Thanks Boris! Over in the Atariarts forum, the discussions stayed somewhat more "casual" but no less exciting. Piracy was discussed and it was (obviously) felt that it should be discouraged. We heard the term "schoolyard piracy" for the first time, as well, and know that all the honest forum members will agree that piracy is bad for all of us! An acquaintance from South Africa once told of a "friend" he visited in the states (who happens to be a very well known software programmer -non Atari- and this programmer "gave" him copies of unprotected software. Lots of it! We are amazed that the same person who has openly written that piracy is a bad thing would distribute copies of programs! Maybe he felt bad that the prices in South Africa are high? But the guy was able to fly here! Even though he didn't "charge" for the programs, it was still illegal and unethical for him to give him copies! We really have to work to stop this abuse. It's a petty act and in the end could crush the market for quality software! Atari Corp. was online again this week, and had some insights into their marketing philosophy. John Barnes (not from Atari) prompted the "confession" by saying: "This time around I would hope that Atari shows us that they have faith in their product by getting the FCC work done before the "introduction" and by having plenty of machines on hand for sale to end users. This business of trotting out a product and seeing how people react to the prototypes before going into production has got to end." John Townsend at Atari responded: "Actually, its a case of users here in the United States being well connected to what is happening in Europe. See, in Europe.. the regulations concerning FCC type stuff aren't quite as strict as the FCC regulations are. This allows Atari to ship product to Europe fairly quickly after a product is off the drawing boards and pass the prototype stages. If we commit R&D dollars to something, we are usually pass the point of seeing whether or not it is worth making. Now granted, not in all cases, but in most cases this is true. Besides, what would you do if you were Atari? If you could show a new product in Germany and be shipping that product to the German market in 60 days, and it was going to take another 60 days to get the product pushed through the FCC process, are you going to hold the product from Germany's shelves? I don't think so. Especially when you stop to consider that the major share of Atari's business is in Europe. Now seriously, don't think like an Atari owner in America. Think like you owned Atari and your main concern is to keep the company in business and profitable as well as keeping the majority of your customers happy. I think you would do exactly the same thing." This thread opened up an international discussion ranging from driving on the left or right side of the road, vodka, after shave, mushrooms, megaphones, communism, beer festivals, Aztec weight systems and the metric system. But nobody seemed to mind that the subject had been changed. Perhaps someone might make a killing publishing these stories? Or is that what we're doing? Those MIDI forum members were up to there usual "unusual" discussions. There are a few PD programs for Atari and *other* platforms used to create random "music" based on certain parameters. There are also mainframes dedicated to the same thing, and while the process is somewhat more complex and "programmable" in the bigger machines, the end result is frequently the same. Random noise (to the average listener)! I'll step out of my "reporter for ZNET" shoes long enough to tell you that in my "real" life, I am a full-time composer/musician, with a floor to ceiling MIDI rack, two 4 meg Ataris (an ST and a Stacy) and enough work in the way of commissions and productions to keep me busy for about the next three years. I am celebrating my 30th year as a musician and have numerous film, theatre and other productions to my credit. I will be Music Director for an NPR production in May and regularly accompany silent films using acoustic pianos as well as full- blown MIDI systems for realistic orchestrations. I am not asking you to accept what I have to say about music because of the above, but I am speaking from a somewhat knowledgeable position. Now back to the "new shoes." Even to the experienced musician, music created in this manner (also known as "algorithmic" composition or technique) can be very boring, but the process is quite fascinating. The "fractal music" thread in the MIDI forum was chocked full of tid bits like: "I haven't seen fractals but I got a demo of music played from the patterns of DNA molecule patterns. They could have used the phone book and gotten about as nice a pattern to play." and "How would we feel about a hypothetical program called "Fractal Speech" that simply mapped fractals into strings of phonemes from many different languages (e.g. American English, Hindu, Tagalog, French), with fractally generated stress patterns and pitch curves ? [ Well, *there*'s a project: I'm sure it'd sound hilarious... 8=] Great thread topic, btw;" Of course, there was some defense of the fractals idea. Larry Troxler offered these encouraging words: "I think that the use of computers to facilitate composition is still in a sort of research and development phase. The fact that the stuff that is being done now does not always work, does not imply that good music can never be made this way. I think that the use of algorithms like fractals in composition must be thought of as simply another tool to be applied where musically useful, and with the appropriate subtlety. Obviously an entire piece of music based on a simple fractal algorithm will probably not come across musically. Another thing to remember is that composers have always used algorithmic techniques. For example, a canon is an algorithmic technique. But this does not mean that any Joe Schmo can compose a musically viable canon." This thread went on to discuss some republican presidential candidates (in relation to the fractal speech item), and it was mentioned that a fractal speech program exists and even appears on a CD somewhere. Fascinating! While not exactly Atari specific, a MIDI member was successful in adding a 4 meg upgrade to his sampler for about $30! The upgrade usually goes for several hundred, but it's a very big risk to do it yourself. It would be the equivalent of an ST owner going to Radio Shack, picking up $30 worth of chips, etc., and bringing his ST up to 4 meg in a matter of hours! I always feel like I'm ending this column without telling you the "good" stuff. Like the thread in the MIDI forum this week under the subject: Whacking Gear to Fix it! Oh well, tempus fugit. Oscar Wilde's final words on his death bed were reported to have been: "This wallpaper is killing me, one of us has got to go!" And in the words of Groucho Marx: "Hello. I must be going!" See 'ya next week. ====================================================================== * RATSOFT ST ====================================================================== Specifications and Features of ~ RATSoft ST ~ January 27th, 1992 Revised March 6th, 1992 RATSoft ST was conceived, designed, and written by Rat Master. It is NOT a modified ANYTHING. RATSoft is the property of R0dent Labs, Inc. This text file may be freely passed around, in UNMODIFIED form! ~ RATSoft ST ~ and all R0dents Labs Products Support and Information BBS: The Rats Nest Bbs (714) 989-3381 US Robotics Dual Standard 730 Megabytes Online Located in Southern California Voice and East Coast support will be added at a later date --- NOTICE! --- This is by no means a complete list of the specifications and features of RATSoft ST, it is merely intended to give you an idea of what RATSoft can do, and requires in order to run. RATSoft ST and RATSoft PC are products of R0dent Labs, Inc., and are Copyright (c) 1991 - 1992 R0dent Labs, Inc. California. --------------- System Requirements: - Atari ST, Atari STE, or Atari TT030 with at least 1 megabyte of RAM. For 1 meg machines, unnecessary DA's need to be removed to free up as much memory as possible. - Hard Drive of at least 20 megs or greater. I have included no floppy support. - Hayes Compatible Modem Optional: - Printer for BBS logs, user log lists, file lists, etc. Features of RATSoft ST: - It's a snap to install and use! Click on "RATSOFT.PRG", the BBs takes care of the rest. It will create your necessary paths as it goes. No ".OPT" files to edit. - Speed - a big thing. It's extremely quick. EXTREMELY. - Unlimited translation support. All translation codes are SysOp- definable! RATSoft will mask out foreign translations on the SysOp's screen to avoid garbage, as well as filter color on monochrome systems. (And yes, you may add Instant Graphics without any trouble!) - Multiple welcome screens and optional separate text files for each translation. - Full color support in messages! 4 color VT52 with reverse and 16 color ANSI with reversed text. Any translations foreign to the computer or to the caller online will be masked to their respective outputs. - Modular capabilities. The size of the BBS is not limited to memory limitations, just how much free disk space you have! It will retain most environment information throughout all modules including user information, color codes, bbs pointers and data. - Full Screen chat for ANSI and VT52. In ANSI, it uses VT52 on the SysOp's side, and translates it into ANSI on the caller's side. Also incorporates a "normal" chat feature with word wrap. - Up to 10 conferences. Each conference has it's own set of message bases and file sections. - Ultra quick new message and new file scans. It takes less than one half of one second to determine how many new messages or files a caller has, no matter how many messages or files are on the board. - Up to 50 message bases and file sections on the board. - Message options: Two reply modes - normal reply, and "Reply with Include" (which will include the parent message), also an option to view the parent message and return without starting a complicated trace. A user may also send E-Mail to the sender of a message without exiting the bases and going to E-Mail. - SysOp-definable main menu commands, responses, and all commands may be bit-masked. Allows a SysOp to add functions and modules to RATSoft, along with creating their own command set. - A full scheduler which shell to programs or process batch files. There may be an unlimited amount of entries in this scheduler. This may be used for things such as automatically backing up your data files, running the mailer, online game maintenance programs. It's very flexible. - Supported Protocols: Zmodem, Ymodem-G, Ymodem Batch, Fmodem, 1k Xmodem, Xmodem CRC, and standard Xmodem. - You may add or delete any protocols. Just tell RATSoft the name of the protocol, the file to shell to, and the parameters, and it's off! - Will run doors made for FoReM ST and ///Turbo Board, including Space Empire Elite. - Files may be defined as being "free" or "offline" in the file areas. A maximum of 2,147,483,647 files per section. Yes, that's two billion. Each file may have it's own path, it is not mandatory to have, for example, all your Application programs in a folder named "APPLIC". - Advanced file options, including ARC Utilities, ZIP Comment support (it will add a BBS ad for your system to any ZIP file), view text from within archive, offline file list creator. - RATSoft supports LHARC, ARC, ZIP and ARJ archive formats. - Smart*Batch Uploading. If a user fails to enter descriptions, the BBS will immediately ask for them upon their next call. - A user does not receive any credit for their upload(s) until it has been reviewed by a SysOp. This does away with those that upload worthless material only to receive credits to download. - Universal batch marking. A user may mark files ANYWHERE in the BBS and download them all at once... this includes database files, files attached to messages, and file-mail. - More than one file may be attached to any message or F-Mail. - Conditions. One may add conditions to various sections of the BBS including the message bases and news files. These conditions set criteria which must be met in order for the user to have access to the information. Some of the conditions are the 3 levels, time limits, area code (if you wanted to post a news bulletin to locals, or post one to everyone except locals, for example). - User definable message macros. Macros may be chained with each other or with message functions. - Search options for files and messages, both of which are fast. It takes under a second to scan 250 messages. - "Canvas" E-Mail and F-Mail. Up to 15 people may be sent one message or F-mail at once. - Each message base and file section may have it's own Sponsor, that sponsor being able to preform limited SysOp functions in their appropriate areas. - Any text file the board reads may be turned into a database file, or Info-Form (Questionnaire) and attributes may be set for each file. (Such as no Control-C, mandatory page break, environment variables on/off, conditions, etc). - Variable commands that may be used ANYWHERE in the board. Over 125 of them! Variable commands may be used to insert information about the user in text files, etc. Similar to Express, only a lot more. - Upload to Download Ratio, Upload K to Download K ratio, Posts to Calls Ratio, and Database Upload K to Database Download K ratio. All ratios are treated as percentages rather than numbers. A "25" file K ratio would signify that a user must have uploaded "x" K equal to 25% of what he's downloaded. - Port Locking, for maximum throughput. - Low Speed lockout. A user below "xxxx" bps (SysOp definable) must enter the low speed password in order to access the system or file sections. - ( You were looking for this ) Crossnetting! It will interface with BinkleyTerm, but we recommend using the RATSoft specific mailer. It has not been finished at this writing, but it will be done soon. It will incorporate a new, more efficient method of crossnetting including true bi-directional crossnetting. In addition, much more may be passed through the net than just messages and E-Mail, such as data files for online games. When RATSoft PC is released sometime in late 1992, its mailer will be compatible with the ST mailer, opening up a world of choices for crossnetting your message bases. - I will release frequent updates at no charge. I will also promptly fix any bugs that should arise. - Most Importantly: I am willing to work with every SysOp to make RATSoft the best there is! Unlike some other ST BBS authors, I'm open to suggestions and comments. - An ADVANCED SCRIPT LANGUAGE! Includes decision making commands (IF/ ELSE IF/ELSE/ENDIF and REPEAT/UNTIL), supports array variables, and powerful input/output routines which allow you to create quality script programs for your users! Again, this is only an overview of a few of the options RATSoft~ST incorporates. It can be yours for only $50.00, too! To do any BBS program justice, you must see it in action! If you are at all interested in running a BBS program you can shame your PC friends with, check out RATSoft ST on the R0dent Labs Support Board at (714) 989-3381. Thank you! (o1/28/92) rev. o3/o6/92 ====================================================================== * PERUSING GENIE ====================================================================== Well, in case you missed the notice last week, Ed Krimen is on vacation for the next month or so and this column will not be appearing on a regular basis until his return. However, here is a QUICK capture of the GEnie welcome screen. ============================================================== LEONARD TRAMIEL REAL TIME CONFERENCE Atari's Vice President of Software, Special Guest Speaker Wednesday, March 25 @ 10:00pm EST ATARI CANADA REAL TIME CONFERENCE Featuring Geoffrey Earle, General Manager (Atari Canada) Wednesday, April 1 @ 10:00pm EST ============================================================== Welcome ****** ******** ** ** ** To the ** ** ** ** ** GEnie ****** ** ST ** ** ** ATARI ** ** Roundtable ** ** ** ****** ** ** ** ** *** ** *** The Official Online Resource of Atari Corporation *** ** *** *********************************************************************** Regular Open Conference every Wednesday night, 10PM EDT, 7PM PDT DTP conference every Monday at 10PM eastern in room 3. ====================================================================== * FOREM OWNERS UPDATE ====================================================================== 3/18/92 Full Moon: FoReM Support BBS Thanks to Bob Brodie at Atari Computers Ive had a chance to use one of the latest and greatest models of the Dual Standard on my BBS for a few days. This gave me a golden opportunity to document a set of recommended options for this modem when used with FoReM. When using a high speed modem both the modem and the BBS program should be set for fixed link operation. This requires that you run a patch program in your autofolder to fix CTS flow control. I have found the program TURBOCTS.PRG to work with any version of TOS. Some folks use a different CTS fix program with TOS 1.4. It is essential that you run *some* CTS fix program when using fixed link. Included also are a sample FOREM.OPT file. a sample of the top portion of my FNETLINK.DAT file and a sample MODEMDAT.TXT. NOTE: WARNING: CAUTION: DANGER: In the stored options in this modem I have auto answer turned off (S0=0). The idea is that if there is a power failure and my BBS does not reboot the modem will not answer incoming calls, possibly saving long distance callers some money that would be wasted. If you do this also you *MUST* have the following command in your MODEMDAT.TXT -------> S0=1 Otherwise your modem will never answer incoming calls. Note that I also put S0=1 in the node 0 area of my FNETLINK.DAT so the modem will answer incoming calls during the nightly mailer run. OK, here is a capture of the options I have settled on for this modem. ati4 USRobotics Courier 16800 HST Dual Standard Settings... B0 C1 E1 F1 M0 Q0 V1 X7 BAUD=19200 PARITY=N WORDLEN=8 DIAL=HUNT OFF HOOK TIMER &A1 &B1 &C1 &D2 &G0 &H1 &I0 &K3 &L0 &M4 &N0 &P0 &R2 &S1 &T5 &X0 &Y1 %R0 S00=000 S01=000 S02=043 S03=013 S04=010 S05=008 S06=002 S07=020 S08=002 S09=006 S10=007 S11=045 S12=050 S13=004 S14=001 S15=000 S16=000 S17=000 S18=000 S19=000 S20=000 S21=010 S22=017 S23=019 S24=150 S25=005 S26=001 S27=000 S28=008 S29=020 S30=000 S31=000 S32=001 S33=000 S34=000 S35=000 S36=000 S37=000 S38=000 LAST DIALED #: Here is my FOREM.OPT HST BAUD ON HARD_DISK OFF RESET_LOG OFF SET_TIME AT INITALIZATION (ST ONLY) CDKIJEFGH DRIVES G DRIVE TO PLACE DISK LOG ON REMOTE_SYSOP ACCESS OFF GRAPHICS 1 COM_PORT (IBM ONLY) OFF MT_CSH ON ADDRESS FILE ON CHAT 0600 CHAT ON TIME 2357 CHAT OFF TIME ON LOG_TO_DISK (NO PRINTER) OFF GUEST OFF ACCOUNTING OFF ACCOUNT_NUMBERS ON GET USER AGE OFF NEW_USER_SURVEY ON EMAIL_DELETE ON SYSOP_EMAIL OFF UPLOAD_SYSOP ON BULLETINS ON UPLOAD_NOCHARGE 1200 NO_300 ON USE_UL_DL_RATIO 12 UL_DL_RATIO 150 IDLE TIMEOUT 28 FMAIL_DELETE \FOREM\ MAIN_BBS_DIRECTORY MESAGE\ MESSAGE_SUBDIRECTORY (NOTE THE ABSENCE OF LEADING SURVEY\ SURVEY_SUBDIRECTORY TXT\ TEXT_AND_GRAPHICS_FILES SUBDIRECTORY ALTERNATE DIRECTORY FOR .DAT FILES ON TURN SCREEN OFF BETWEEN CALLERS ATDT RINGBACK DIALING CMD (LOCAL CALL) ATH0 RINGBACK DIALING CMD (LONG DISTANCE) 0100 CLEANUP TIME (Email cleanup and Run FMAINT.BAT) ON FNET ENABLED 0100 FNET START TIME 0210 FNET END TIME 204 FNET NODE NUMBER - MUST be assigned by Node 3 Full Moon: FoReM Support FNET 6 Message base for NON - FMAIL FNET transfers 11 Message base for temp storage of "VIA" messages \FOREM WARNING: DO NOT CHANGE THE ORDER OF THE ENTRIES IN THIS FILE! THEY ARE READ IN ORDER! Here is the node zero area of my FNETLINK.DAT Verbose disk log 0 Reset Summary log Sum log "I:\FOREM\FDBASE\DB008.001" Main log "I:\forem\fdbase\db008.002" Fast Hangup No beep request routes fixed link baud 19200 Maxtime 0300 Send "AT Z" Pause 3 seconds Send "AT X7 S7=55 S0=1" Here is my MODEMDAT.TXT +++ AT S7=15 E0 V1 S0=1 X1 H0 ATZ ATH1 I hope this information is helpful. STeve Rider Full Moon: FoReM Support BBS Sunnyvale CA (408) 736-0563 ====================================================================== * THE SOFTWARE SHELF by Ron Berinstein ====================================================================== CodeHead Quarters BBS 1610 Vine Street Hollywood, CA 90028 Good day to all... but is it? No doubt for some there is much to be happy about and for others, and maybe for all of us, there is much to fear. For example, the TV news anchor last night announced that every day 90,000 checks bounce! That's right, ninety thousand. And when I stop and think about it, I wonder why at first that sounded high. This week one of my companies issued a worker's compensation premium based on a rate of over $15.50 per hundred! Another paid for the required fire permit. It cost $255.00! The ABC license that the restaurant has costs over $650.00 per year, the police permit to have entertainment cost about that as well this year. Then there is the health license, employer taxes, and even a fee is due in order to permit the radio or tape cassettes to be played in the restaurant. I find it repulsive that insurance companies have to charge a rate that in part must be charged in order to support all of the false claims submitted. Certain radio stations advertise almost at every moment the desires of lawyers willing to sue employers on behalf of clients that indeed may be asking for damages because of stress on the job, injuries that happened mysteriously without being reported months if not years ago, that suddenly pop up after the employee has been fired, and other injuries that the supposedly happened. Of course I do not take issue with legitimate claims, but with regard to the many false ones, that we all tend to end up paying for in one way or another, I feel that we as individuals, and the insurance companies concerned should crack down and just plain say "NO MORE!" and mean it. It is this person's opinion that costs are just plain getting out of line. And after thinking about it, I have to conclude that 90,000 people not having enough money to cover obligations today is not surprising at all. As far as what happened today in history one might refer to TODAY196.LZH A bug in TODAYS v 1.95 causes it to think that the day of the week is one day later then what it really is. This fixes that. This is *NOT* a complete release of all the files you need to make TODAYS run, only the program. Download TODAYS195.LZH if you don't have the other files. PD, Shareware, and Freeware software authors are doing their part to help keep costs down. I believe others would do well to follow in these footsteps. And with regard to stress, STRESS, Freeware program, allows you to test your STress level and wellness. This a product from DragonWare Software Inc. Hopefully you will not blame any bad results on your employer though. For those who definitely need a loan to handle some of those costs for services that yield no direct immediate positive benefit you might consider referring to LOANSUM.LZH. LOANSUM is a unique loan calculator that displays both input & output in a SINGLE dialog box. Provides for quick results when you wish to "play" with the APR & the other variables. Computes the interest saved when extra payments are applied to the principal. An amortization table (which shows the balance & accumulated int.) is sent to a window, printer or disk file. For others, and particularly for those who just want to know what time it is... SDSZEIT.ARC This is a short 9k accessory which was written quickly, but the author feels that several may benefit from it. It keeps a constant clock display in the upper right corner of any GEM display. It allows you to toggle it on and off with a hot key as well as displaying the date by pressing right shift. It is FREEWARE from SDS. ZESTCLOK.LZH ZEST16 ZESTCL.LZH Here is a stand-alone version of the new ZeST digital clock included with the ZeST desktop which is also available in various databases. Monochrome freeware. HIT_TIME.PRG Turns your ST into an Expensive Clock, though it doesn't work with a TT. MONO/COLOR. Games that people play... <smile> STARNUKE.LZH has Starnukers, a two player, two computer starship combat simulator. Plays on two ST's linked via modem, or null modem. This is a complex game with many features. And, it has a single player practice mode. (Perfect for me..) Color monitor required. CROSSWORD allows you to create crossword puzzles that will amaze and annoy your friends! You control the size of the puzzle, the answers, the clues, and even the fonts. (Sounds like a game I could win... with enough practice!) <grin> BLOX 2.0 Aside from good ol' addictive game play, Blox features: stunning art-deco graphics, crisp, quick animation, vibrant digitized sound, sampled at *11 kHz* for better fidelity, crystal-clear sample playback on Hippo and ST Replay digitizers, and more. YAHTZEE is just a normal yahtzee game. It runs in low resolution. Written in GFA Basic. For one player, two players or you against the computer. Bug fixed from first upload. TRIPLES Triples is a game of matching three-of-a-kinds and solving Rebus type puzzles. From 1 to 3 players may play. LOW-REZ color only. 1 MEG needed. Written by the author of the public domain Jeopardy game. NETHACK V 3.0F NetHack version 3.0f PathLevel 3. In the genre of Moria, Omega, Rogue, and, er NetHack... This file un-lharcs to 878K. Floppy users beware! (P.S. This is serious STuff folks!) ARCADEM.ARC ARCADE MANIA Arcade Mania is a mono shoot-em-up game, yes, mono. Very challenging at 16 Mhz:). For ST High Res. For those home and office accountants out there who would like to know for sure how well they are or aren't... MEGACHEK.LZH A bug got into 1.21, and this version 1.22 fixes it. From previous versions, 1.22 offers several nice enhancements as well as MUCH IMPROVED compatibility with most desk accessories (including CodeHead Technologies Maxifile (tm)). This is a demo. HOMEACC2.LZH is Home Accounts 2 Demo, which won a Format Gold rating of 90% from ST Format magazine. It is an excellent, easy to use home accounting package. "HOMEACC2.TXT" needs to be read for a full description of the features. Color or mono, 1 Mb recommended. ST/STe/Mega/Mega STe/TT. TM_SHEET.LZH TIME SHEET is designed to quickly handle the daily point of sale transactions for a recording studio or other business that charges an hourly rate, time for a technician and vends a limited amount of items. TIME SHEET calculates transactions, keeps track of balances, prints receipts and custom forms and does a variety of reports. Here's a list of programs that have graphic descriptions, and are still legal to download! KTEXT170.LZH KT170.LZH K_TEXT file reader Version 1.7.0: Now displays pictures of any resolution, in any resolution. Also allows user to view pics in JAMPACK 4's LZH,LZW & ICE formats. Read text with ease and incorporate pictures, XBIOS 32 sound, and append other text files. Examples included. GOGODNCR.LZH Here is a desktop accessory that shows a Go-Go dancer dancing. TOS2_06M.LZH (LH5)LZH has several screen snapshots in high rez Degas format showing various menu items and features of Atari's NewDesk and TOS 2.06. These screens were snapped on a Mega 4 ST. FLENCH.LZH Load FLENCH in any resolution and you'll be able to load and shrink a Degas to any desired size (re-save as well). TEX (DVI) TO ASCII This is a utility that converts TeX (DVI) files to plain text (ASCII) files. DMJGIF3.LZH DMJ-GIF Version 3.0 -- Far superior to version 2.0. Much faster, more features, etc. By Damien M. Jones, founder of DMJ-Soft. G_MAP.ARC GMAP is a program that generates a graphical representation of the data contained on a hard disk or floppy disk. It shows how your data is arranged physically on the disk. It also tells you if your drive needs optimization (de-fragmentation). That is, it tells you whether you should consider buying Hard Drive Sentry, Beckmeyer's commercial optimizer. CEDIT3D2.LZH is 3D Object Colorizer V2.0. It is a utility to recolor individual faces of CAD-3D objects. Works in all resolutions. (Color recommended) TT Compatible in all resolutions. QSS_100.LZH has a GEM shell for Quick Ray Trace (QRT). Supports the following command line features: X rez, Y rez, aspect ratio, focal length, and adds output redirection. This allows the output file '.RAW' to be written to a different directory or drive than the input file '.QRT'. [v1.0] CV2IMG12.ARC Version 1.20 of Convert to IMG program. SHAREWARE. It converts almost every ST paint program format (written in '89) to an uncompressed IMG file loadable by any program that can use IMG files. It allows rotation of the images at 90, 180 and 270 degrees. Most formats can also be saved as DEGAS hi-res files. A 'Clipping' window is provided to select only a portion of a con'd image. Dealing with organization! KILL113.LZH is version 1.13 of Maxi*Kill, the program that allows you to easily kill those used up QWK/REP files from your favourite QMAIL reader as well as kill any other file that you care to define. The only real changes from v. 1.12 is a cleaner display and a more obvious prompt for killing a file. GERMAN TO ENGLISH TRANSLATOR 1.8 is version 1.8 of the German to English translator. New features include -Fixed scrolling - no need to use change.prg anymore - uses only one big external dictionary saving 200Kb of memory.. THRASHER.ARC This program completely "zeroes-out" a files contents before deleting from your directory. Great for protecting sensitive information! HD ACCESS PASSWORD PROTECTION Password Protection for Atari Hard Drives... This program will put a two stage password access program on your hard drive. Instructions are included... WHAT IS FILE TYPE VERSION 5.8 WHATIS.ARC WHATIS58.LZH the current "new version!" WHATIS 5.8 identifies over 100 file types - ARCs, LHarcs, PRGs, pics, ACCs, animations, etc... no more "what kind of file is this?" problems! Runs as a PRG or ACC or a TTP - like program on any ST/TT in any rez. UNCLRA.LZH UncleRam II is an "alert" PRG\DA which reports the largest block of Free RAM, your TOS version and date and gives you the _option_ of either a warm or cold reboot. TOOL19.LZH ST Tools version 1.9 now with FAT editing, touch and undelete files, old features such as file, sector and memory dumping/ editing/searching. Also two optimization options, no delete of null files and move directories to the front of the disk. DFIND2.LZH DIAMOND FIND Here is an update to Diamond Find that adds compatibility with all versions of TOS and machines. Flexible general purpose file finder that supports standard ST wild cards and well as full support for UNIX wild cards and regular expressions with output to screen or file. Auto detecting file that can be run as either a program or a desk accessory. HEIDSEE2.LZH HIDSK2.LZH HeidiSeek searches ALL directories of any drive from A-P for either regular or HIDDEN files, which match a USER DEFINED search string ! -WILD CARDS ARE SUPPORTED- will allow you to DELETE those cleverly hidden files! PRoGram or a DA and can be repositioned most anywhere on the screen. Use UNLZH16.PRG or XLHARC.TTP to extract. HEIDIFIX.LZH HIDFIX.LZH If you plan on using HeidiSeek as a resident DA or a GEM DA, then d\l this file. If you ONLY plan on using it as a Program or as a non-resident MDX DA, then you DO NOT need this file. FILE DOES NOT EXTRACT CORRECTLY WITH QUESTER'S LZH PROGRAM. Use latest version of UNLZH to extract (or XLHARC.TTP) DBIIDEMO.LZH DIAMOND BACK II DEMO This file contains a demo ver. of the hard disk backup & restore program Diamond Back II. Fast, flexible, and reliable. 4 years of development have yielded V2.42. With Diamond Super faST compression backups are even faster! Faster backups using 1/2 the disks.. V241_242.LZH This file will patch Diamond Back II V2.41 to V2.42 V241A242.LZH This file will patch Diamond Back II V2.41a to V2.42. The Sound of Music.. SOUNDLAB Soundlab, a neat new sound editor. It works much like the ST Replay editor, only far superior, and MUCH, MUCH faster. Lets you add effects, like echo and fade, etc. Shareware. MIDINOT2.LZH MIDINO.LZH MIDINOTE, which runs as a program OR a DA, displays incoming MIDI notes, channels, pressure, PRG change, pitch bend and sustain. It can also be repositioned anywhere on the screen so as not to conflict with data you may need as a referent. GREAT for determining MIDI data you'd normally have to record to find out. Use UNLZH16.PRG or XLHARC.TTP to ext. MIDIFIX.LZH MIDFIX.LZH If you plan on using MIDINOTE as a resident DA or a GEM DA, then d\l this file. If you ONLY plan on using it as a Program or a non-resident MDX DA, then you DO NOT need this. FILE DOES NOT EXTRACT CORRECTLY WITH QUESTER'S LZH PROGRAM! Use latest version of UNLZH or XLHARC.TTP to extract. Extractors.. the new and the old! LH201J.LZH LHA210J.LZH Latest "Questor" .LZH archiver. All docs are in German. This archiver uses the Lharc -lh5- method of compressing files. To date, no other Atari program is capable of decompressing this type of file though there are MS-DOS versions that will compress/ decompress these files. LZH201K.LZH LZH 2.01k (optimized version) - by Thomas Quester - The changes are minor bug-fixes, enhancements and of course, speed optimization. The file's description states that the normal 1.13 compression was almost 4 times faster than the original Atari version. The new LZH 2.01k is almost 30% faster than previous versions. LZH 2.01k is fully compatible with ARCSHELL by CFJ. UNSQEG.PRG An extractor program for files created with the SQUEEZE program from Quack Computers. Popular format before ARC and LZH became prevalent. Files which have been SQUEEZed have the middle character of the extension set to 'Q'. Efficiently.. and other worth wild subjects! BLITSIM.PRG This program simulates a blitter on a regular ST without one or a TT. Resolution independent, and should work on an SST but it isn't tested on same yet. STICKYMOUSE From Damien M. Jones, this TSR utility will allow physically challenged (handicapped) people to more easily use the mouse or a mouse stick. AUTOFAX.LZH has AUTOFAX which allows the reception of FAX signals as transmitted on the shortwave frequencies with your ST computer. A simple tone detector connects your short wave receiver to your ST's serial port. I've been unable to test this program. DFORMAT.LZH DIAMOND FORMAT This is an update to Diamond Format that adds full compatibility with all versions of TOS and machines. Diamond Super faST format is supported as well as high density disks and many other extras. Auto detecting to run as either a program or desk accessory. 32LPCM.CRI by making the filename CALAMUS.CRI and placing this in Calamus SL's MODULE folder you get a 32 lpcm 5x5 Raster Generator module setting that looks smooth printed at 300dpi. Can also be placed in the COLOR module without renaming, and be used as an alternate. 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. ====================================================================== * CLOSING COMMENTS by Ron Kovacs ====================================================================== This week's edition was compiled by Bill Whiteman, a co-worker at the "real job". There was a death in the family LATE this week and caused some havoc with my schedule. We are also very busy right now at the "job." Who said the economy isn't turning around! Some material planned for this week has been put on hold for the next edition. Thanks for reading! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 XTX99436,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)1985-1992, Syndicate Publishing, Rovac Industries Incorporated, Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, New Jersey, 08846-0059, Voice: (908) 968-2024, BBS: (908) 968-8148, (510) 373-6792. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Z*NET: Atari ST Online Magazine Copyright (c)1992, Rovac Industries, Inc... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~