An article from Brian Walker on JUST how easy it is to write for the News-Disk!¢-----------------------------------¢Are Atari users apathetic?¢¢Many times I've read comments from editors of Atari based magazines complaining about the lack of response they get to requests for support and input.¢¢I was guilty myself of ignoring such requests. I suppose that it was partly due to laziness but also to a feeling of - 'but what can I do?'¢¢Although I have owned an Atari 8-bit for a long time I am a complete beginner at programming, having mainly used it for playing games. It's a bit intimidating to read an article on the latest application of vertical blank interrupts and then to think that you can contribute anything of any consequence.¢¢However, after exhortations from Dean in the News-Disk I decided to take the plunge.¢¢But what COULD I write about? Well I could only write about personal experiences. I had replied to two adverts in New Atari User magazine from foreign software suppliers, I was wondering about the future of home computing and I was stuck on a couple of RPGs, so I decided to write about those subjects.¢¢Dean prefers contributions to be on disk in AtariWriter format. I have the AtariWriter cartridge although I have never really used it before. The manual looked daunting with all the different combinations of keyboard commands. No need to learn them!¢¢Dean doesn't require the text to be formatted in any way. If you are a complete beginner like me all you need to do is insert the cartridge (or disk), switch on the computer, press 'C' to create file and start typing. If you come to the end of a paragraph just press return and then keep on typing. If you make a mistake use the cursor and delete keys and retype. No need to learn about global replace or duplicate block if you don't want to.¢¢When you've finished, save to disk and despatch to Dean. That's all there is to it. If I can do it ANYONE can.¢¢I suppose that if you have the odd question or comment there is no need to send it on disk. (I hope that I'm not being too presumptious here Dean. I wouldn't want to land you with a lot of typing). ** I don't mind the odd page! Ed.¢¢You still might think that you have nothing of interest to say. Why not let the readers be the judge of that? I know that I bought my current printer, a Citizen 120D+, on the strength of an article in an earlier edition of the News-Disk. I contacted the author and he kindly sent me a few sample printouts and a recommendation.¢¢There are always secondhand Atari systems for sale by some sadly misguided people. Presumably somebody buys them, probably without any previous knowledge or experience of Ataris. Why not contribute to the News-Disk and share your experience?¢¢** Any word processor which outputs text in straight ATASCII will do for typing in articles. I will do the editing (well, that's my job really!) if it needs any. This article from Brian didn't look like it does now when it arrived, it was re-edited and formatted. I'll do this for you if you to save you time if you like. Ed. **¢
