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======================================================= ///// ////// ///// /// //// //// ////// // // // //// //// // // /// //// // // // ///////// ////// /// /// // // // // /// // // // /// // ///// // ///// // / // // // /////// ======================================================= Issue #51 December 15, 1989 © 1989 by Rovac Industries, Inc. Z*NET ONLINE MAGAZINE Issue #236 debuts January 5, 1990 The Z*Net BBS CompuServe:71777,2140 (201) 968-8148 GEnie: ZMAGAZINE Xx CONTENTS ----------------------------------------------------------------------- EDITORS UPDATE Commentary and magazine update from Ron Kovacs ZNET NEWSWIRE Atari New First! Atari employee resigns, Lynx wanted badly! SAMIZDAT BY ACTIVISION Activision bullies a magazine review. By Mathew MICHTRON GENIE RT CONTEST Michtron's RT announces upload contest. REVOLUTION UPDATE Donald Thomas joins Atari. SHAREWARE SURVEY Alice Amore and Mark Quinn's weekly update. 1989 IN REVIEW Part 2 of 4 on the year in review! Xx EDITORS UPDATE ----------------------------------------------------------------------- by Ron Kovacs Two more issues are scheduled before we change gears. On the 8-bit side of online publishing, ZMagazine's last issue we be released this weekend. We are ending our 8-bit offering at Issue #183. Charles Johnson left us a message this week about a two errors we made in last weeks issue. First, I referred to Charles' Arcshell as being a Codehead product. Codehead is Charles and John Eidsvoog's commercial software company, while Arcshell is actually a product of Little Green Football's Software, Charles' shareware company. Also, in the PD Pub column by Mark Quinn, referred to Maxifile as not being usable in low resolution. Charles reminds us that Maxifile can be used in low resolution although the asterisk key must be used to scroll the screen. Sorry and thanks Charles for bringing this to our attention. Darlah Pine, GEnie ST RT SysOp took exception to a story we ran last week in the 1989 in Review series. We have included some more information in this week's installment. In January, ZNet will debut in the land down under. The MACE, Melbourne Atari Computer Enthusiasts User Group. BBS SYSTEMS UPDATE MORE systems carrying ST*ZMagazine! Electronic Zone 412-349-3504 Four Aces 404-790-5593 Logical Choice Infinity 818-760-0943 Cookie Shoppe 508-226-8028 Robo World 603-431-7811 Starbase 904-432-6009 Let us know who you up/download STZ to and from! Call the ZNet BBS at (201) 968-8148! It has been brought to ur attention that the current decade will end at the end of 1990, not this year as we mentioned last week. Oh well. Xx ZNET NEWSWIRE ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Atari News First MIKE MORAND QUITS AS ATARI PRESIDENT: SUCCESSOR NAMED ALREADY In a move reported to us this week from several sources both in and outside of Atari, recently appointed President of Atari Computer Mike Morand has resigned. Reasons for his decision are not public at this time, but many observers noted that Mike has not participated in recent public events, a signal that all was not well. Mike was not visible at COMDEX, despite other Atari officials (from Jack Tramiel on down) being on hand. It has been suggested that promises of what it would mean to be President of the family-run Atari Corp may not have panned out as Morand expected. Mike's replacement is DAVID HARRIS, a former Atari VP who left two years ago to start his own calculator company. David arranged to license the ATARI name for his calculators, and his company was recently merged into Atari's consumer products division. David is a knowledgeable and personable businessman who knows what to expect from the Tramiels. We welcome him and hope that his return to Atari will bring success. NEW YORK DEALERS LOOKING FOR LYNX MACHINES New York retailers, who are trying to keep the new Atari Lynx portable color video game system on their shelves for holiday shoppers, have been asking Atari to ship reorders by air. Two New York City retailers stated that as soon as they receive a new Lynx shipment, they call customers that are on the waiting list. Any units that aren't spoken for are rushed to the shelves. Managers at both FAO Schwarz and Kiddie City said that Manhattan consumers are snatching up the system because it's the only portable unit available that features full-color graphics and four-channel sound. People from as far away as Los Angeles are phoning and asking to have the Lynx shipped to them. In 1990, Atari plans to produce more than one million Lynx game systems and additional game cartridges. In addition to California Games, which comes with the Lynx, other games, including Blue Lightning, Gates of Zendocon, Electrocop and Chip's Challenge will be arriving soon. BURGER KING GOES ONLINE Burger King restaurants will soon begin using an electronic ordering system and electronic mail as an ordering system to replace manual methods. Ordering supplies for it's restuarants will become more accurately and consistent. The e-mail system provides instant communication between restaurants through hand-held computers, PCs and point-of-sale work stations. In an unrelated story, McDonald's is opening the worlds largest fast food restaurant in Moscow. Over 25,000 applicants have applied for the only 700 available jobs. FONTVERTER (Press Release) FONTVERTER for the Atari ST line of computers began shipping on Monday, December 4, 1989. This program allows the conversion of outline fonts between PageStream and Calamus desktop publishing packages. Users will now be able to use the exact same font outline with both packages, enabling the user owning both programs to determine which program they want to use for a certain job based on the needed capabilities of the program, instead of trying to make do because the font required is only available for one of the package. Fontverter is a conversion program, NOT AN EDITOR. Due to the radical differences in the font handling in each program, to utilize FONTVERTER, a font editor will be required in the destination format. What that means is to convert a PageStream font to Calamus, you will need the Calamus font editor to add kerning tables, to change rotation direction of some of the paths to allow the font to fill properly, and to adjust the em square. When converting a Calamus font for use with PageStream, the outline is converted to the original Publishing Partner format, from there it is converted to PageStream, and to Postscript if needed, using FONTEDIT. PRG, which is distributed with PageStream and put up on all major BBS systems by SoftLogik. This is due to the absence of a full editor for PageStream. The user will require the use of Font Design Partner or the original Publishing Partner editor to create screen fonts, and set the font widths, along with proper adjustment of the em square. Automatic screen font generation can be achieved with Font Design Partner, so it is the recomended editor. FONTVERTER is available directly from MegaType software, or from your favorite dealer. To order direct, send $39.95 in US funds, including shipping. (Money Order will ship immediately, personal checks allow 2 weeks to clear). No COD orders. Indiana residents include 5% sales tax. ($41.95 total). Send orders to: MegaType, PO BOX 645, South Bend, IN 46624 Dealer and Distributor inquiries and welcome. Quantity discounts for users groups are also accepted. Address inquiries to the above address, on your letterhead, or leave E-Mail to DFTURNOCK on Genie. Dealers/ Distributors please include proof of dealership, and a dealer/ distributor price list will be sent or e-mailed to you ASAP. LEKO LEKO (Press Release) A Professional design tool for theatrical lighting designers from Water Fountain Software. LEKO LEKO was designed jointly by professional lighting designers and creative programmers. Using LEKO LEKO it takes 2 hours to design a show that used to take 10 hours. All lights and positions are positioned visually. That means place each light or electric or boom with the mouse. All positions and lights renumber automatically. LEKO LEKO is a light processor analogous to a word processor. - COPY, MOVE, EDIT, VIEW, DELETE, ADD ALL electrics, booms, and lights. - All positions renumber automatically. - Position lights on electrics, front of house, booms, ladders - Position electrics, booms, ladders, lights visually. - Load, save, list, print light plots and schedules. - Load and save whole shows - Record up to 10 follow spots - Edit lights in groups or alone - Define up to 20 light macros and save macros for each show. - List and print the following schedules: Position, dimmer, channel, circuit, type, watt, color focus, remarks, shop order. - Totally GEM based - Print screens in 1/8" scale to disk or to printer - LEKO LEKO runs in mono only. - This is a terrific application and will sell ST's all by itself because lighting designers can't get a program that will do all this on any other computer. - LEKO LEKO sells for $150.00 It is available from: Water Fountain Software, 13 E. 17 St., NY NY 10003, 212 929 6204 For information or to discuss the program with a lighting designer call Jeff Fontaine 212 736-7204 or write to him at 506 W 42 ST, Apt.6D, NY NY 10036 ELECTRONIC ARTS SHIPS VIRUS STAR COMMAND for the ATARI ST has a software virus present in the code. We have recalled this product ... Please contact ELECTRONIC ARTS at 1-800-448-8822 for assistance in returning this product for version 1.1. If you have any questions, please call Electronic Arts at the number above or SSI at 408-737-6800 and ask for Customer Support. GFA BASIC OWNERS UPDATE Get that upgrade fee and original disk into Antic to get your GFA Compiler and version 3.07 of GFA BASIC. The retail price is $139.95! Upgrade policy: from GFA BASIC 2..........$69.95 from GFA BASIC 3..........$29.95 Send check or money order along with disk and about $3 or $4 to cover shipping and handling. (From the ZNET BBS) SIERRA UPDATE (From the Ace's High BBS) If you havn't purchased a Sierra game in the last year, then you are missing out on one of the best features of the company. I am talking about the Sierra News Magazine. When you send in your warantee card you get a full years subscription to the News Magazine. Now for those of you that have not seen the magazine it is one of the best mags I have ever read. It is usually 60 to 70 pages large and very profesionally done. The magazine covers IBM, Mac, Amiga, Apple IIGS, Apple II, and the Atari ST. It is full of info on all the games and applications Sierra sells. I feel more companies should produce a magazine like this for their customers. If you would like to recieve a copy and have not yet purchased a Sierra product either call the Sierra BBS, or write to the company. Sierra BBS Sierra On-Line, Inc. 1-209-683-4463 P.O. Box 485 Coarsegold, CA 93614 STIK-GRIPPER (Press Release) Duggan DeZign Inc. proudly announces the release of a fantastic new product directed at anyone who plays games on any personal computer! It's called STIK-GRIPPER and it will give any game the true 'ARCADE FEEL'. STIK-GRIPPER is a SOLID STEEL Joystick clamp which is totally adjustable to fit a wide variety of Joysticks! It allows one-handed Joystick operation by clamping the joystick to the table top (protective pads and caps included!). This is a must for those games requiring both Keyboard and Joystick control (especially FLIGHT SIMULATORS) as you can now operate both at the same time! It also brings a whole new feel to any game as you no longer have to hold the Joystick just like in the Arcades! It's ALL STEEL construction makes STIK-GRIPPER tough enough to endure rugged play! STIK-GRIPPER has a list price of only $18.95. It is available thru your local dealer (ask for it!) or send a cashier's check or money order to: Duggan DeZign Inc., 16 Oak Ridge Dr., West Warwick, RI 02893. If you have any questions about this new product, leave E-MAIL on GEnie to K.DUGGAN. EUROPEAN NEWSWIRE UPDATE ------------------------ WORLDS FIRST LINOTRON BUREAU Signa Publishing has installed a Linotype service in Station Road. Any Calamus or Outline Art document can be sent on disk to Signa for Liontron output, with resolution of 1270 dpi or 2450 dpi on high quality paper or film. A modem service will be established in the near future. Signa an be reached at 0252-341600. FORDHAM SPONSORED BY ATARI Atari UK sponsored a 17 date UK tour of female vocalist Julia Fordham. Fordham appeared at the PC Show earlier at Atari's Music stand. Atari was present at each location showing off their business and entertainment hardware and software. RGB SPLIITER IMR has released an RGB distribution amplifier called Multidat-ST. This device is targeted at applications in public information systems, advertising systems, shopping centers and classroom teaching to name a few. The amplifier allows four RGB monitors to be driven by one ST over extended cables. Xx SAMIZDAT BY ACTIVISION (UK) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- by Mathew Activision, well-known publishers of ST software, have allegedly attempted to prevent the publication of an uncomplimentary review of their "Ghostbusters II" game in a UK magazine. The review was published in the January 1990 issue of "Advanced Computer Entertainment" or "ACE", printed by EMAP. Naturally for copyright reasons I cannot reproduce the review; I can, however, reproduce a few extracts for my own review purposes. ACE's review ends with: "...that's your lot. Even more astounding but true, these three scenes take up three Amiga disks (a staggering FOUR on the ST), and it's a case of musical disks until you turn off. Sadly, Ghostbusters II looks like being one of the biggest turkeys you are likely to see this Christmas. It fails to succeed both as a film conversion and as a game in its own right. Interestingly enough the film was originally going to be called The Last Of The Ghostbusters. After this, I hope it is." "Watch And Wipe software at its best. See the film instead - it's considerably cheaper and much more entertaining." In my opinion, the above is the most "objectionable" part of the review. The earlier sections are mainly concerned with describing the game in detail: "The reunited Ghostbusters find themselves doing battle with a river of slime (which grows in response to people's negative emotions) flowing under New York and threatening to engulf the city." "...A sampled remix of the original Ghostbusters theme and a neat introductory sequence create a film-like atmosphere before the game proper begins." "Nice graphics, detailed but not amazingly colourful. Sound is very impressive sampled stuff - the Ghostbusters theme." The numerical rating given is 251 out of 1000 - because of the terrible gameplay. The story of Activision's response to the review is told in a rival publication, "New Computer Express" - a weekly magazine covering general computing, printed by Future Publishing - in its December 9th issue. According to "Express", Activision learned of the content of the review, and quickly reacted by demanding that the offending item be withdrawn from publication. EMAP refused, and Activision consulted its lawyers about seeking an injunction to prevent the magazine from being distributed. The fact that I was able to find only one copy in the whole of Cambridge seems to indicate that they may have been partially successful. "Although none of the parties concerned has been prepared to make an official statement on the matter", reports "Express", "it is also known that both Activision and Columbia Pictures...are consulting further with their legal representatives." It seems that they are considering libel suits for defamatory remarks in the review. Quite who they believe is being libelled is open to question. Activision is reported to be considering suing for consequential loss of profit. The game's distributor, Centresoft, has allegedly attempted to return some of its stocks. In addition, Activision is (according to "Express") threatening to withdraw its advertising from EMAP's range of publication - reportedly a six-figure sum. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Disclaimers: The above information is gleaned from the two magazines mentioned. Opinions quoted concerning Activision software are not mine; I take no responsibility for the accuracy of the information, which has not been corroborated with EMAP, Future Publishing, or Activision. All text is quoted without permission, for the purposes of review. Text from "ACE" is the copyright of EMAP B&CP 1989; text from "New Computer Express" is the copyright of Future Publishing Ltd. "Ghostbusters" is a trademark of Columbia Pictures Industries Incorporated. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Now for the personal comment. [ Perhaps I should say that I have worked within the software industry; my programs have been sold commercially. I personally know several journalists for computer magazines and authors of magazine reviews. I also know numerous authors of games software. I also feel that I should emphasize that the following is PERSONAL opinion. ] For too long now, software producers have cynically exploited the market by producing mediocre (or worse) games with "big-name" tie-ins to successful movies, TV shows, or personalities. Hyped by double-page adverts, typically showing only stills from the film and the title in enormous letters, they ride into the top of the software charts. For a few weeks, they sell in great quantity; then they disappear once the word gets around as to what they are REALLY like. The magazines have fueled this situation; in their race to be first in with the latest software, they run speculative reviews or previews on the basis of a few screenshots (or in some cases, a few _sprites_. I kid you not - I've seen major UK ST magazines rave about a product which I KNOW doesn't even exist in beta-test stage). If you think I'm exaggerating, think back to "Star Trek". I'm not saying that the "Ghostbusters II" game is another terrible game, sold on the basis of the movie's success; I shall reserve judgement on it until I have seen it for myself. What I AM saying is that perhaps ACE's reviewer had, like me, become cynical and generally dismissive of big-name licenced games, and that this attitude found its way into his review. If this is indeed the case, the software houses only have themselves to blame. A second point which these events serve to highlight is the attitude which the (games) software houses have to magazine reviewers. Several UK magazines have set a very low standard in objectivity. One particular offender springs to mind, but naturally I don't dare name it. This particular magazine gives every big-name product a good review; I've not seen them criticise anything from any major software house. They HAVE viciously slated software from small companies. What always seemed to happen in the past is that the "big guys" sent in demo copies of their latest games to the glossy magazines, and there was an unspoken agreement that a reasonably complimentary review will appear. Suddenly in recent months, magazines have appeared in which the reviewers seem willing to say if a game stinks. Personally I think that this is great; there have always been outspoken reviewers writing for small publications, but now a couple of the glossy ST magazines have injected a little integrity. It appears that this development has not been popular with the manufacturers. Activision have apparently forgotten that magazines are under no obligation to say _anything_ complimentary about a product. If "Ghostbusters II" sucks, then I want the reviewer to tell me so. That's why I am careful about which magazines I read. I certainly see nothing in the ACE review to warrant legal action. I can only assume that when "Express" refers to libel action, it is in error - if this is not the case, then which individual is being libelled? With regard to the potential loss of trade, all I can do is observe that if the game is _really_ that good, Activision can go ahead and make more, and I'm sure the distributors will be pleading for more stocks within a week of its release. (Yeah, right.) Several more ugly issues raise their heads here. As I understand it from the report in "Express", Activision's response to receiving a bad review was to attempt to prevent the magazine from printing the review. There's only one word for that: censorship. When this fails, they apparently endeavour to force the publisher to comply with their wishes by threatening to withdraw their advertising; not just from the magazine whose editorial staff were responsible for okaying the item, but from ALL magazines printed by that publisher. If the story is true, then I would like to ask Activision whether it really thinks that it can get away with such bully-boy tactics. If it HAS been using bully-boy tactics on magazine publishers in an attempt to censor them, then I for one will not be buying any more Activision products. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Disclaimers: I do not work for EMAP, Future Publishing, or Activision. In fact, at the moment I don't work for anybody. Opinions expressed are those of the author, and most definitely not those of the organization which is kind enough to allow me access to electronic mail. I cannot post to the net, or reply to items. Neither can I engage in lengthy E-mail correspondence. In particular, you are requested NOT to send me mail between December 15th and January 20th, since I won't be here to answer it. Unless acknowledged otherwise, all text is the copyright of mathew. It may be reproduced in whole so long as it is not modified in any way, and in particular all disclaimers must be left intact. (I want to make very sure I don't get misquoted or quoted out of context.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - mathew. Undergraduate, Computer Laboratory, Cambridge University, UK. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Xx MICHTRON ANNOUNCES CONTEST ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Starting IMMEDIATELY, Michtron will be running a ClipArt contest. Taking advantage of this contest not only allows you to share but to win prizes. - Remember, all uploading to GEnie is FREE. To get to the Michtron library just type M491. - Rules are simple. No duplications, will be accepted. Original and scanned art work will be judged and prizes awarded seperately. See the list below to see the prize categories and a list of prizes. - When uploading, you must add the word CONTEST to the keywords. - The contest will end Jan 31st. Winners will be notified via GEnie mail within 2 weeks after the completion of the contest. - Questions can be asked in the MichTron RT Catagory 21 topic 3 Grand Prize Winner - Best Original Art First Place Prize - Fleet Street 3.0 (retail price $399), Hyperfont (retail price $49.95), and 1 Free day on GEnie... 24 hours Free. Second Place Prize 1 copy of Fleet Street 3.0 Third Place Prize 1 copy of Hyperfont * Winner of the Grand place prize will be for original art ONLY. Art must be in .IMG or GEM metafile format ONLY. Most Uploads ... GEM METAFILES First Place Prize - Fleet Street 3.0 (retail price $399), Hyperfont (retail price $49.95), and 1 Free day on GEnie... 24 hours Free. Second Place Prize 1 copy of Fleet Street 3.0 Third Place Prize 1 copy of Hyperfont Most Uploads ... IMG format First Place Prize - Fleet Street 3.0 (retail price $399), Hyperfont (retail price $49.95), and 1 Free day on GEnie... 24 hours Free. Second Place Prize 1 copy of Fleet Street 3.0 Third Place Prize 1 copy of Hyperfont Total of NINE winners. Most clip art and best clip art. Decisions are final and will be decided by the judges. Xx REVOLUTION UPDATE ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Effective November 13, 1989, Artisan Software President, Donald A. Thomas, Jr. was hired by the Atari Corporation to take charge of their Portfolio Phone Sales Department. Many of you probably know that Don held the position of Advertising Manager for the Federated Group and has been a long time Atari user for years before Atari acquired Federated. Don worked in the Sunnyvale offices for almost one year before Atari concluded that continuing operation of Federated would not be wise and they finally elected to completely dismiss all advertising functions. This news likely inspires a colorful array of questions: Q. WHAT RELATIONSHIP DOES THE REVOLUTION HAVE WITH DON OBTAINING THE NEW POSITION AT ATARI? A. As far as we know, none. Several persons at Atari suggested that Don may hold a future position at Atari. Since no positions were guaranteed, Don operated Artisan Software and initiated The REVOLUTION. Atari's offer enabled Don to reestablish a daytime occupation with a company which interested him most. Q. ATARI IS AWARE OF THE REVOLUTION, AREN'T THEY? A. Absolutely! Hardly a day goes by that someone there doesn't ask Don what the latest news is on it. They are keenly aware of Don's involvement with Artisan Software and The REVOLUTION. Q. THEN ATARI IS BACKING THE REVOLUTION, RIGHT? A. If you consider it backing that they feed Don's family and pay his mortgage by virtue of his salary and that this frees up Artisan Software profits to be applied to REVOLUTION activities, perhaps. Not one person at Atari has asked Don to make a change in the philosophies and direction of The REVOLUTION. In turn Don makes no effort to use his employment there as a tool to solicit support. It is believed that, if they continue to see the positive steps taken so far with The REVOLUTION continue, they will likely volunteer some level of support. The REVOLUTION retains its integrity as a consumer based movement. Quite frankly, there exists an understood and unspoken agreement between Don and Atari. As long as The REVOLUTION represents its' cause honestly and in the spirit of good business practices, they will not interfere. Q. IF THE REVOLUTION SUPPORTS TRADITIONAL ATARI PRODUCTS, HOW IS IT THAT DON CAN WORK AT ATARI SELLING PORTFOLIOS? A. As affirmed by this report, The REVOLUTION will continue to uphold traditional Atari goods exclusively. We have every reason to believe that this is understood fully by Atari. Atari believes that Don maintains skills in organization and dedication to customer support and they wanted a person who would apply those traits to the increasing consumer base of Portfolios. Don felt it made more sense to offer these skills in whatever area Atari needed them rather than work in an unrelated field or for a competitor to Atari. The REVOLUTION will always be solely dedicated to 8-bit and ST users. It will acknowledge the Portfolio as a another innovative product made by Atari, but the Portfolio will NOT be referenced other than the fact it exists within the context of The REVOLUTION. Q. HOW WILL DON'S EMPLOYMENT AT ATARI EFFECT DON'S INVOLVEMENT WITH THE REVOLUTION? A. None really. Except that he can not personally answer Artisan Software telephones during the day. Artisan Software was started with operations at night and now there has been a return to this schedule. The only other consequence is the longer time it will take to develop or market new Artisan Software titles since The REVOLUTION takes priority. Don will not censor any of The REVOLUTION's activities or statements except on two levels: 1) Artisan Software will not relate information which is obtained in Don's position at Atari which is confidential and/or simply not appropriate for him to make remarks. 2) Artisan Software will not conduct Artisan Software or REVOLUTION business on Atari time. These would apply to any job he might accept at any company and it is reasonable that Don should uphold these values in this case as well. Q. WILL WE SEE ANY BENEFIT FROM DON'S POSITION AT ATARI? A. Quite frankly, probably not as things stand right now unless you order a Portfolio directly from Atari. Don's sole responsibility at Atari is to optimize Atari's phone sales efforts for the Portfolio. If they assign his duties elsewhere at a later time, this answer may change. If you have other questions you would like answered, please feel free to contact Artisan Software at any time by calling (209) 239-1552. OTHER REVOLUTION HAPPENINGS WORTH NOTING: It appears that word about The REVOLUTION is spreading at a pace which will put us in great position by January 1, 1990. Users' Groups are writing daily to announce their support from across the country and single users are sending great ideas and concepts. One of the most impressive ideas comes from Boulder, Colorado. Bob Z. is planning to send "Join The REVOLUTION... use an Atari Computer!" rubber stamps to people as stocking stuffers for Christmas. The price of these rubber stamps through Artisan Software has been set at $22. Through Christmas, the price will be reduced to $10.50 each if a minimum of three are ordered. Orders must be prepaid and please allow 10 to 14 days for delivery. Artisan Software will pay shipping and handling. California residents must add 6.25% sales tax. MEGABYTE COMPUTERS in Hurst, Texas has tagged TV spots with The REVOLUTION. They have also employed many other unique ideas as well. Artisan Software has provided them with a Press Release free of charge announcing their activities. If you haven't heard, membership cards are being issued. If you haven't sent in your registration, do so and a membership card will be sent to you immediately. Xx SHAREWARE SURVEY """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" CARE enough to . . . Alice Amore's SHAREWARE S U P P O R T S H A R E W A R E SURVEY ____________________________________ Also see Mark Quinn's "PD PUB" below """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Filename: INTERVUE.ARC Program Name: INTERVUE Program Type: Application Version: 1.0 Programmer: Tyson Gill Registration Fee: $25.00 To my knowledge, INTERVUE, "The Question and Answer Program", is the only shareware program of its kind. First designed to support a psychological study, it designs and executes multiple-choice questionnaires. The bulk of INTERVUE consists of two programs: one "designs" the questionnaire by letting you attach up to five answers to each question. The second program is the actual "session" during which respondents key in their answers. The questionnaires were designed to put most "computerphobic" people at ease. Answering a question is as easy as hitting one of the first five function keys. If the respondent wants to add a little essay, a box is provided, and a couple of lines of text can be typed in. If a picture is wanted, any DEGAS .PI2 or .PI3 picture file (depending on resolution) can be attached to a questionnaire. The respondent clicks on the picture box to view it. The questions themselves can be linked (quite elaborately, I might add) in a tree structure which can branch out indefinitely. Data generated by the program can be saved in ASCII format, making it possible to import it into databases, word processors, and other programs. To make designing easier, macros can be stored, and disk cacheing is used. A message can be displayed at the start and end of the questionnaire, and numerical values can be placed on answers. Print-out of all data is supported, as is a time-out feature. Suggested uses for INTERVUE include telephone surveys, marketing studies, intelligence testing, expert systems applications, and pre- interview screening. Thanks to the tree structure, it is a natural for use in designing complex adventure games. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Filename: STMIRRO2.ARC Program Name: ST MIRROR II Program Type: Utility Version: 2.0 Programmer: Michael J. Mitchell Registration Fee: $6.00 MIRROR II, though not a virus protector per se, will help the user "reconstruct" the File Allocation Tables (FATs), boot sectors, and directory sectors in case of accidental (or deliberate, due to a virus) erasure. At the start, the program creates a data disk in either Drive A: or Drive B:. Among other things, this data disk will contain an ASCII listing of the root directory of each partition of your hard drive, plus a time stamp (very important!). Should you lose your directories, the "restore" option of MIRROR II will reconstruct them for you. Other options include verify on/off, format floppy disk (although this can be done automatically while creating data), system reboot, floppy listing, hard disk listing, partition information, set system time and date (an absolute must for those without a system clock), create directory, data file viewer, and extensive HELP listings. Viruses aside, it is often desirable to take a quick peek at your hard drive partitions. MIRROR II lets you do this. For each partition, you will get the following information: + Sector size in Bytes. + Cluster size in Sectors. + Cluster size in Bytes. + Number of Directory Sectors. + FAT size in Sectors. + Starting Sector of the second FAT. + First Data Sector. + Number of Data Cluster. + Total Sectors used for BOOT, FATs, and DIRECTORY + Total Bytes your MIRROR file will be for any Partition. + The currently active drives on your system. + How long MIRROR II has been running. + How long your computer has been turned on. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Filename: TWINPRNT.LZH Program Name: TWIN PRINT Program Type: Print Utility Version: 1.00 Programmer: Dan Panke Registration Fee: $10.00 TWIN PRINT, written in GFA BASIC 3.0, takes any ASCII text file, and prints it in double-column format. Selecting the right file is the clue to making TWIN PRINT work for you. Standard text, with regular paragraphs (and a minimum of headers, titles, and columns) is best. Before printing, you will be able to enter settings for your page length, top and bottom margins, column width, and gap between columns. After a file has been printed, you are given the option of reconfiguring your settings before printing another document. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" UPGRADES! UPGRADES! --------- --------- The following programs, reviewed in previous columns, have been updated by their respective authors. These programs are SHAREWARE! If you have been using these programs without registering them, now is the time to send in payment. CLASS 2.05 Filename: CLASS205.ARC By: Gary Wren - A combination database and spreadsheet for teachers. DIARY.ACC Filename: DIARY_16.ARC By: Craig Harvey - A simple ASCII text editor available in a desk accessory. RANDOM NO. ANAL. 3.07 Filename: RANDOMNO.LZH By: Michael Shallop - GFA BASIC Random Number Generator. Sophisticated number analysis. PERUSER 2 Filename: PERUSER2.LZH By: Dan Panke - Text file reader with printing, marking, finding, and pic viewing. SIO-DRIVER 2.0 Filename: SDRIVER2.ARC By: J. C. McCormick - Allows the use of an Atari 8-bit disk drive on the ST. TC COMPANION 2.01 Filename: TCCOMP30.LZH By: John Hickey - Automates many tasks on GEnie by creating special FLASH! DO files. PD PUB by Mark Quinn (The following program runs in monochrome ONLY.) File name: OPUSNR1.ARC Program name: Opus Number One Program type: Game Programmed by: Christian Bach If, as the name of this fine piece of German PD suggests, this is Herr Bach's first effort, he is not only to be commended, he is to be envied. This looks far too polished to be Bach's first chompings at the bit stream, however. In Opus Number One the player flies a powered, armed, vector graphic glider through a vector graphic labyrinth (the computer and joystick are real...or are they?) after a computer-controlled glider. A map shows your position within a certain radius in the maze. The good guy's glider has lasers and missiles at its disposal, and a 'radar' that looks more like a compass shows the enemy's position. Vertical bars show speed, shield, energy and temperature levels. This game is in German, but the accompanying text file explains things. I found it difficult to control the glider with the joystick while firing (attempting to fire) with the mouse buttons. After blasting the enemy with a full complement of weapons, including two missiles and enough laser fire to melt many a heart many times over, I can say that he is one tough cookie. Jim Henson had nothing to do with this guy. You can bet on the outcome of the battle. The odds are 1040 to 1 in favor of my ST. "Quinn's Quickies" ARC521C.ARC; ARCX521C.ARC An update of the monumentally popular ARC.TTP. 1.6 times faster than ARC 5.21B. You may select 13- to 16-bit compression. ARCX is a file extractor. Faster and more versatile than the original. BETADEMO.ARC Sample drawings from the BETA-CAD program of a robotic arm and other objects, with a "stop watch" which shows how long it takes to create CAD drawings. FONTVERT.LZH Converts Calamus and PageStream fonts from one format to the other. MACPAN1.ARC Don't panic, it's just another PAC MAN clone. This one runs in monochrome only and is from Germany. SFX_LZH.LZH; SFX_LZH.TXT More German software. Creates self-extracting LZH files, and adds around 3K to the file size. Simply double click to extract. The text tile is an English translation of the READ.ME file in the LZH archive. SNUFFER.LZH Disable your keyboard and mouse from prying or fumbling hands or paws. XYZ.ARC A TTP file transfer program. Many features added and bugs fixed. Xx 1989 IN REVIEW - PART 2 of 4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Compiled and edited by Ron Kovacs and John Nagy We have a bit of unfinished business from last week's installment of the Year in Review. Darlah Pine, System Operator of the Atari areas on GEnie, wishes to make it clear that neither she nor her actual staff had any part in the authoring or uploading of the April Fool Hoax file referred to in last week's ST*ZMAG. In our Year in Review, we repeated our earlier stories which attributed the hoax to GEnie. Darlah now states that the direct involvement of GEnie (bannering the item and opening new message topics to discuss the file) was done before she knew it to be a prank. She cites the significant calls and letters to Atari and GEnie that the hoax precipitated, and asks ST*ZMAG to help clarify the fact that Darlah nor GEnie started the matter, despite their apparent participation. She will not, however, reveal the true author's identity, other than to say that it was an individual NOT on her staff who nevertheless had sysop access at the time and apparently uploaded the file, validated it, and changed the name of the uploader record in order to conceal his identity from the general public. Atari officials have also since gone on record to state that ATARI had nothing to do whatsoever with the embarrassing and troublesome matter. Now, on to more of 1989... As last time, when an editorial comment is required, it will be in brackets. Otherwise, for better or worse, the news here is condensed from the original presentation. We pick things up in late April, 1989: ===================================== Disneyland is known world wide as a fantasy come to life. The WORLD OF ATARI show, held in the Disneyland Hotel (Anaheim California) on April 22 and 23 was just that to the nearly ten thousand attendees. On a sales floor of 14,000 square feet, 160 booths of developers and vendors moved $512,000.00 of Atari hardware and software to eager Atarians. Richard Tsukiji, ST WORLD magazine owner and organizer of the WORLD OF ATARI Shows says that Atari, vendors, and shoppers were ecstatic, and that the success of the tour of shows is now assured. Rich will go to the Detroit area next with a WORLD show June 24 and 25 that will actually be larger than the Disneyland show. From there, the WORLD TOUR will go to Seattle in August, San Jose in the fall, and perhaps back to Disneyland just before Christmas. New product showings and introductions were everywhere at the Disneyland show: Atari Corp showed their desktop publishing system, DESKSET II, although did not have a firm release date. Also showing was the remarkable hybrid word-processor/spreadsheet/database/publisher package "Wordflair", which will sell at $149 retail when released shortly. The booth also featured the STACY laptop ST for part of Sunday. ARTISTECH premiered DA VINCI, billed as the "ultimate graphic tool" for art, animation, and printing, $99.95, to be available July 31st, '89. AVANT-GARDE gave us the first look at their new PC DITTO II, a hardware addition to be installed INSIDE your ST or MEGA machine. For $299 you can have very complete IBM XT compatibility and triple the speed. No, you won't be using this on the Stacy - yet anyway. Registered owners of the software PC-DITTO can get $150 off. Release is still 6-8 weeks away. CODEHEAD, the folks who brought us the indispensable G+PLUS and MULTIDESK, introduced MIDIMAX, a professional real-time music performance aid. It can operate as a program or accessory, redirect any MIDI instructions, re-map and make macros, create modal harmonies from single keys, and lots more that I don't even begin to follow. You can for $49.95. HOTWIRE, a dramatic desktop alternative for speedy access to almost anything was also drawing a lot of attention, new at $39.95. COMPUTER GAMES PLUS has a national reputation as a great source for import games and software. Owner Art Turko wowed the show with his VIDEO IMAGE DIGITAL INTERFACE, VIDI-ST, imported on an exclusive marketing agreement from Scotland. This is BRAND NEW and HOT folks! It can sample video in REAL TIME, collecting up to 3 frames a second from any composite source. No need for freeze-frame and VCR's! A 1040 can store 25 frames from which to choose, while a MEGA 4 can go up to 124! You can select frames from a miniature picture display, cut and paste, animate, recolor, and lots more. You MUST get one! Retail is $199.95. FAST TECHNOLOGIES showed two models of a "TURBO 16" accelerator board for the ST. At $399 and $499, they allow 16mhz operation of the ST, double that of normal. They include a 32K RAM cache that allows use with slower RAM chips. The more more expensive unit will work on all machines including the STACY, and will work with PC-DITTO and SPECTRE. GADGETS BY SMALL had Dave and Sandy Small hopping to show the throngs of admirers their new GCR. This still developing device will replace the popular SPECTRE 128 MACINTOSH emulator for those who wish a "plug and play" MAC in their ST. The GCR does what the Spectre does, PLUS allows real time access to MAC disks with no translation needed. Dave expects a summer release date- with any luck at all. The FCC is type-approving it now, so GADGETS is using the interim to GAMMA-TEST and make whatever improvements their testers can come up with. It appears that adjustments will be on board that will allow users to "touch up" problem disk drives to be reliable under the demands of MAC emulation. It will be $299.95, with a healthy rebate for those who upgrade from Spectres. HAPPY COMPUTERS showed their DISCOVERY CARTRIDGE, a copy making and MAC translating device. Also, they announced the Q-VERTER, a more limited version of the same technology especially tailored for MAC disk conversion only ($179). The "last" of the 1050 8-bit HAPPY ENHANCEMENT boards were also for sale. IMAGEN introduced ULTRASCRIPT for DOT MATRIX owners at the World of Atari show. I was AMAZED at the quality. It requires at least 2 meg of RAM, however. Both 9 and 24 pin printers (Epson compatible) are supported. JRI, John Russel Innovations, introduced two new innovations at the WORLD DISNEYLAND show- the JATO accelerator board at the remarkable price of $99.95 and the ST4096C color enhancement system for $49.95. The JATO is a solder installation, as the CPU must be removed and a socket installed. The ST4096C installs much more readily and gives 64 colors at one time, and ups the palette of the ST from 512 to 4,096 colors. It requires a shifter chip from Atari. These are the folks that gave us GENLOCK, which was demonstrated both on the floor and at the MIDI presentation. It is everything a chroma-key system should be, plus allows interfacing with professional video gear. Pricey at $650, it installs only in the MEGA machines of discriminating video movers and shakers. MICHTRON/MICRODEAL had an outstanding display, and featured the first copies of ST TUNE-UP available anywhere. Delayed due to torturous testing, it is a top notch hard drive maintenance tool. TALESPIN was also at last available, a graphic adventure game creator. George Miller told me he had scored a major coup the day of the show- he had secured exclusive rights to IMAGEN's Ultrascript. No other DTP package but FLEET STREET will be able to be sold bundled with the remarkable Postscript emulator. FLEET STREET v 3 should also do the fancy things that seem to be selling the higher price DTP systems, and should be available this Fall. MIGRAPH, one of my favorite companies, products, and people, showed their soon to be released hand scanner and new TOUCH UP software. Touch UP is being revised into a simpler, cheaper package as well as a new more advanced system. The scanner will be available with TOUCH UP for $499. Migraph is offering an introductory price of $429 on the bundle through July 31. Registered Touch-Up owners can purchase the hand scanner direct from Migraph for only $299. REEVE SOFTWARE had his DIAMOND desktop system for the 8-bit Atari, plus his well known NEWS STATION and other software on display. DIAMOND WRITE is almost ready, and several applications should be coming soon for this very competent "GEM for the 8 Bit" cart. SEYMOR/RADIX was taking orders for their brand new DVT device, a cart which plugs into a VCR to make hard drive backups. It stores at the rate of a megabyte a minute and retails for $249.95. They were supposed to have them available for sale, but the story is that the airline lost them in transit! SIERRA ONLINE surprised us after not only pulling out of the Atari market, but responding in print to letters asking for support with comments to the effect that we should "Get a real machine". Here there were at the World of Atari showing a full line of new entertainment software. SpaceQuest 3 looks like must have graphic adventure. It opens with a two minute cartoon with wonderful stereo music. WUZTEK had their outstanding line of alternative monitors for the ST. Although priced to match their high performance, the all-resolution monitors in either color or monochrome represent a valuable technology. Color $699.95, mono $399.95. You'll only need one for everything. Billed as "BEYOND THE THRESHOLD, a musical tour of today's new technology, hosted by Mike Pender", a Saturday night event promised music from a variety of artists including Mic Fleetwood, Jake Flader of MAZE, Joseph Zawinul of WEATHER REPORT, and more. What the way-under capacity crowd in fact got was a pep talk from Sam Tramiel who showed the STACY, then a long winded series of demos and explanations of how and why musicians are excited about ATARI. A highlight of the Disneyland Hotel WORLD OF ATARI SHOW (April 22-23) was a seminar with Sig Hartmann, Atari Vice President, along with Mike Dendo, Vice President of Sales, and Joe Mendolia, Vice President of Marketing. Joe Mendolia, the new guy that came over from IMAGEN to handle Atari Marketing, will inherit User Group Support as part of his division. Joe will shortly pick the replacement for the recently departed Cindy Claveran. Mike Dendo is young and all business. As Vice President of Sales, it is his job to manage the distribution systems for Atari products. Sig recited the recent history of Atari, including the decision last year to sacrifice the U.S. market to hold on to the European leadership. He conceded that the US dealers, developers, and users suffered for this decision. The CD ROM device was asked about, and it was confirmed that it was held back for so long due to the commitment not to release it until it could be sold for $500. It is finally possible to place it at $599 retail, so the project is moving ahead. Scheduling of domestic releases was confirmed to be intended "from now on" to be AHEAD of overseas. "Europe can't even have the Stacy for display now". Sig projected that "60, 70 thousand units" of the Portfolio would be shipping each month by this fall. Federated status was questioned. Mike said that Atari was "basically looking at a June 30 drop-dead date" on Federated, meaning that they intend for it to be sold or "something" by then and no longer a concern of Atari. Sig said that it seemed like a good thing, but after trying it, Atari decided to go back to what it knew, being a technology leader and producing the best products at the best prices. In response to questions about new monitors, Sig repeated the company policy line: "We are working on three main things in our new machines. Better color, better resolution, and better sound." DOS XE is Here! The long awaited Dos XE for the XF551 drive is finally here. It allows 16 meg of memory, time/date stamping of files, a hierarchal type file structure, and allows the user to store 320K of data on each floppy. Disk I/O also has been increased to twice that of the normal rate. It is being shipped to user groups for free distribution free, but additional copies of the documentation must be purchased from Atari for $13.50, or the entire package can be bought at dealers or gotten with new XFF551 drives. We listed Auto Mall Show dates being held in by Mitsubishi and Atari. Recently we were told that Atari is not going to be attending these shows. It appears that contract disagreements have resulted in Mitsubishi's preventing Atari dealers or representatives (or user groups!) to cooperate in the displays. The tour is likely to continue along with the Atari equipment. Atari is assuming a hands off stance at this point. MAY, 1989: ========= HAPPY COMPUTERS has filed suit against GADGETS BY SMALL, claiming defamation and slander of Happy products and personnel. This is a fairly unusual case, as it depends on content of messages posted on national telecommunications systems. Claiming that the comments in question were fair and open discussion, David Small's attorneys state that the suit is without merit and countersuits are being considered. Incredibly, Happy's Richard Adams sideswipes Small's GCR product in the May issue of ST WORLD magazine. While admitting to not having seen the GCR, Adams proceeds to explain what is wrong with the design and why no one should want it anyway. Also in the MAC emulation news is C.E.K.A., or perhaps more correctly, WAS. This was a suddenly highly touted design that was to completely revolutionize MAC emulation on the ST... but the developer and his plan disappeared as quickly as they had come, leaving only speculation behind. Was CEKA a hoax, or an effort to undermine the MAC market of SMALL and HAPPY, or simply a grand idea that didn't pan out? We don't yet know. May 6 and 7, the Detroit user group MACE held the MICHIGAN ATARI COMPUTER EXPO. Most estimates put the Saturday gate near 1,000 and Sunday a slower 350 or so. The show floor was split into two rooms, with most of the action in the large hall (about 3,000 square feet), and several other booths in a small hall at the other end of the hotel, next to the seminar room. Unfortunately, this arrangement left many attendees unaware that they had missed part of the show after leaving the main hall. User groups were accommodated in a hallway outside and running away from the main entrance to the main show floor. Although the hall was poorly lit, most attendees visited the groups either on the way in or out of the show. One of the groups, CHAOS of Lansing, Michigan, drew large crowds demonstrating the VIDI-ST digitizer, and offered a $50 coupon for it. Atari did have two tables, contrary to public statements made by Sig Hartmann only weeks earlier at COMDEX. The booth featured a MEGA DTP system and a 1040 ST running the Planetarium and other titles. Vendors were universally happy with the sales made during the show, which was largely retailers. Attending were direct vendors were SECTOR ONE, INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS, RITE WAY, BASIC BITS 'N BITES, HURRICANE SYSTEMS, all local to the Detroit area. CAL COMM, JOPPA, ALPHA SYSTEMS, and MARS MERCHANDISING rounded out the general product dealers. Software at remarkable prices was a huge crowd pleaser, although several local retailers objected to being plunged into price wars with CAL COMM, visiting from Maryland with a vengence. Developers present at the MACE show included SOFTREK (Turbo ST), WORD PERFECT, GRIBNIF (NeoDesk), CODEHEAD (Multidesk, G+PLUS), ELECTRONICAL SOFTWARE (YEMACYB), DATAQUE (Turbo 816 for the 8-bit), ICD, NICE AND SOFTWARE, and MICHTRON. Other exhibitors included COMPUWORLD, SCORPION/ MICRODAFT, ACCUSTAR, DATAFREE, Index Legalis/ST INFORMER, and Unicorn Publications. Seminars included a popular one by Darek Mihocka who introduced his latest version of the ST XFORMER 8-bit emulator for the ST. Chuck Steinman of DATAQUE spoke about and showed the "Turbo 816" processor upgrade he offers for the 8-bit computers, ICD did a seminar on hard drives, Mike Groh did a talk on MIDI, and Bob Puff and Jeff Williams discussed the shareware market. PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS is making an offer to user groups that can't be beat! They will give every one of their products to any group that will review them in their newsletter! All that is needed is a $25 registration fee. PS makes the VideoKey, the Monitor Master, Mouse Master, Drive Master, Tweety Board, and more. The PORTFOLIO breast pocket computer that Atari announced at COMDEX will be delayed somewhat due to several case tooling changes. The front plate seemed too likely to become dislodged in rough handling and had to be redesigned. Also, the black plastic case proved to be problematic in test production, and it was decided to make them slate grey instead. At least one soon-to-be distributor for the Portfolio is urging Atari to consider offering it in a variety of case colors. The STACY laptop is also nearing production and should make shelves about the same time as the Portfolio. Rumors that the Stacy is being prepped for a Japanese version, complete with unique keyboard and operating system, have been denied by Atari officials, but the story persists. ANTIC Magazine announced that they are discontinuing the no-disk subscription for their 8-bit Atari publication. Subscribers can either have their existing months cut in half, or cancel. NEXT WEEK: PART 3 of ST*ZMAG's Year in Review picks up in June, including Summer CES, the Detroit World of Atari Show, and More... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ST*ZMAGAZINE WEEKLY ONLINE MAGAZINE (Z*NET ONLINE MAGAZINE) ----------------------------------- December 15, 1989 Volume 1, Number 51 Published by: Rovac Industries, Inc. Post Office Box 59 Middlesex, NJ 08846-0059 The ZNet BBS CompuServe:71777,2140 (201) 968-8148 GEnie: ZMAGAZINE Editors: Ron Kovacs/John Nagy © 1989 by Rovac Industries, Inc. -----------------------------------------------------------------------