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________________________________________ |//////////////////////////////////////| |//////////////////////////////////////| |//ST-REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ISSUE 23//| |//----------------------------------//| |//PUBLISHER/EDITOR|February 24, 1988//| |// RON KOVACS | //| |//////////////////////////////////////| |//ASSISTANT PUBLISHER:KEN KIRCHNER //| |//////////////////////////////////////| |//////////////////////////////////////| |______________________________________| |Syndicate Publications | |Post Office Box 74 | |Middlesex, New Jersey 08846-0074 | |______________________________________| |Syndicate BBS: (201) 968-8148 | |______________________________________| |///////////[-CONTENTS-]\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\| |______________________________________| |*|Editors Desk | |*|Midtown Television Report [News] | |*|SPCNews Desk [Atari Update] | |*|Product Announcement [Mouse Master] | |*|ST Project [NEC Monitor Hook-Up] | |*|Feature Article [Tax Time 1987] | |*|Software Review [GunShip] | |*|Dungeon Master Update | |*|Lock and Key For Your ST | |*|MAC Report | |*|GEnie Mail System Help File | |*|CrossRoads Online Service | |*|Future Editions | |_|____________________________________| |Editors Desk | |______________________________________| by Ron Kovacs Welcome to another edition of ST-Report. We have a few things to inform you about, so lets get right to it. I received E-Mail from a reader this week regarding a few issues (12-17), if you call that a few, that have been re-edited or shorter in length. I have asked our GEnie representative Ken Kirchner to download the issues uploaded by ST X-Press and when I have all the issues, I will be able to see exactly what has been removed. Ken will be re-uploading the unedited issues as soon as possible. I apologize for this error. I didnt know that the issues were in any other form. I will update you on this situation next week. The Syndicate BBS has returned and all issues of our publications will be available. Also, on the BBS, you will start seeing a listing of regional systems that carry ST-Report. XBN-ZMAG and the Syndicate are about the first places you will find us at the moment. There are many systems carrying us, and we will advertise that fact in the weeks ahead and on the BBS. The number is (201) 968-8148. The FoReM ST/PC Coupon is returning. If you missed it in past editions, look for it's return in two weeks! And finally, Wednesday publication will terminate with this edition. We will move to Monday publication starting 2-29-88. This midweek release date seems to be havoc with staff and publishing 2 newsletters each week keeps us busy 7 days a week. Sorry for any inconvience. ________________________________________ Midtown Televison Report ________________________________________ by Mr. Goodprobe I don't know about you, but I am constantly amazed at the consistent phenomenal improvements being made almost weekly in the electronic world. We are extremely fortunate to be living in these times of drastic computer improvement! Case in point, I have recently been caught up with a relatively new system called SCB. The stands for silicon circuit board. This is unlike most IC that have tens of thousands of active elements, here there are no active elements whatsoever, but rather 100,000 programmable interconnects. AS high as 36 ICs can fit on this circuit board, and the "antifuses" are opened by programmers at the plant. Once the SCB has been fully populated with chips, it is sealed in an IC package similar to current IC housings...amazing...simply amazing... Magic Sac users may be interested in the following item. A super fast DOS emulator for the MAC, called Soft PC, was demonstrated recently. It allowed PC functions without the addition of any external cards, the only real problem was the price though, announced at $695, and only Mega2 and 4 owners could benefit from this program, hopefully a cheaper version will arrive on the scene...PC Ditto is super, but would be great to have a backup! Whew! Telenet is in the process of testing 9,600 baud service in these (lucky) cities: Dallas Houston Los Angeles San Francisco Denver Minneapolis St. Louis Chicago Detroit Cleveland Philadelphia Great Neck,N.Y. Manhattan Washington Atlanta Seattle Phoenix Pittsburg Ft. Lauderdale Boston Charlotte,N.C. Cincinnati They will be using the US Robotics type modems which support MNP protocol, not the Hayes version which uses a totally different protocol which is not compatible to the USR 9,600 modem. Another surprise I just ran across is that a survey just revealed that in 1988 it is expected that this will be the first year sales of color monitors will exceed the sales of monochrome monitors. I guess being in the block of computerdom I am in, I assumed more color monitors were in use... Although extremely pricey (3,500) the LC302 is a credit card sized optical read/write device that should revolutionize that area of technology. Did you know Habba still exists? I see they are putting out a program called Front Page for the Mac, a 6 disk monstrosity. The price is 199.95 in case you are remotely interested. Interested in using Hypercard with your Magic Sac (if possible), then have I got a product for you... There is now a disk-based tutor to help you learn the ins and outs of this vital Macintosh utility. Hypereasy is produced by Personal Training Systems (408) 559-8635, and is a modular "private tutor" that allows the user to progress at their speed (or lack thereof). It uses practice disks, an audio cassette,and a complete manual. Very well worth the 39.95 the main module runs. There are a total of 4 modules, the additional ones costing 49.95 each. Now this interesting, seems its been reported that Jack Tramiel, head of you know who, has been keeping close tabs on what Apple has been doing of late, and has in the works a series of 68020 based Pc's that will not only run Macintosh software, but ST software as well. And who in the world helped him figure out the needed processing? Why Steve Jobs of course!?!?! (He's the founder of Next Inc.) (By the way he actually showed his creation to some buyers already). Anyhow, Steve gives Jack T. the Mac emulator, and Jack gives Steve the rights to use the AMY (ah ha! so there it is after all) sound chip, 8 voices and all, in his computers. So everyone is happy except Apple of course. And lastly comes this gem courtesy of Robert Cringely. "And thats not all that expired with the new year. TRS-DOS 6.02 goes to the system clock/ calendar upon power-up, looking for a time and date to stamp on files. But TRS-DOS 6.02, my sources claim, is not programmed to recognize years past 1987. No year, no boot. So the claim is that at midnight on New Year's eve, every Radio Shack model 4 computer in the United States-or at least the ones running TRS-DOS 6.02 -stopped running. If true, this is either the cleverest bit of marketing in microcomputer history or really a stupid mistake." They were, by the way, unavailable for comment. Till next time...Boot error boot error boot error Keep those Atari's hummin! Mr. Goodprobe (on lend from) Midtown TV 27 Midway Plaza Tallmadge, Ohio 44278 (216)633-0997 Atari8/16 Repair/Sales BBS (216)784-0574 300/1200 24 hours Midwest Zmag Headquarters Online program support for: Atari 8bit/ ST/Amiga Computers ________________________________________ SPCNews Desk ________________________________________ (Kyodo News Service)- February 17, 1988. Last week Atari aquired court injunctions against six companies for infringing it's copyrights and patents. In the court injunction, agents of Atari seizd over $64,000 worth of pirated goods. Kyodo, a Japanese News Service reported "The six companies were alleged to have brought in Taiwanese copies of the Atari 2600 video games and software game cartridges." Apple Computer took the same legal action earlier in conjunction with a new copyright law in Singapore. Kyodo is part of NewsNet which can be accessed through Compuserve and the IQuest area. IQuest reviewed in 1986 in ZMagazine. ________________________________________ Product Announcement ________________________________________ Mouse Master, from Practical Solutions Inc., is another innovative switchbox that allows you to instantly select either your mouse or joystick (or other controller) in port 0. A switch on top does the swapping for you! Additionally, port 1 is brought out to make all the ports easily accessible. Mouse Master requires no separate power supply and comes with a non- detachable double cable that plugs directly into both of your Atari's mouse/joystick ports. It's 26" length makes it comfortable to set-up and use whether you're right or left-handed! The stylish case (measuring approx. 4.25" x 2.5" x 1.5") is custom molded and color matched to the ST. All at an attractive price! Mouse Master is available now at a retail price of $39.95. For futher info contact: Practical Solutions, Inc. 1930 E. Grant Rd. Tucson, AZ 85719 Phone: (602) 884-9612 ________________________________________ ST Project ________________________________________ NEC MultiSync II to Atari ST The NEC MultiSync II is a great monitor to buy if you want a monitor that you can migrate to another system when the time comes that you need higher resolution color. It supports a maximum resolution of 800 horizontal lines and 560 vertical lines. One should theoretically be able to use it with the monochrome signal from the ST as well, I haven't tried that yet, and I suspect that that will take a little more doing as you would theoretically need to split the monochrome signal (pin 9) on the ST and send it to red/green/blue on the MultiSync II. The following pin assignments are what work when connecting an NEC MultiSync II to a Mega ST2: MultiSync II Mega ST (female DB-9) (male 13 pin DIN) pin 1 red pin 7 red pin 2 green pin 6 green pin 3 blue pin 10 blue pin 4 h/v sync or h sync pin 2 composite sync pin 5 mode control or v sync * not connected pin 6 red ground pin 13 ground pin 7 green ground pin 13 ground pin 8 blue ground pin 13 ground pin 9 ground pin 13 ground * Connect to pin 13 (ground) if you want to increase the vertical size on the screen. Not really needed as the front panel "v size" switch has enough control, and the image size is big enough with the "v size" switch in the dentented position. In addition, you will want to provide a separate RCA jack to provide an audio out connection: RCA jack Mega ST ========= ================== audio pin 1 audio out ground pin 13 ground All that was for a Mega ST, if you want to make it work with a 520/1040 you theoretically only need change the assignments of pins 5 & 6 on the MultiSync II (I haven't tried this connection): MultiSync II 520/1040 ST ========================== ======================= pin 5 h sync or h/v sync pin 9 horizontal sync pin 6 v sync or mode control pin 12 vertical sync When the cable is all built, use an ohm meter and make sure that you have no shorts. When you actually want to hook it up to test it, set the switches on the back of the MultiSync II to the following: Switch State ============= ===== manual switch on mode switch gray (shouldn't matter, digital only) color mode switch 64 (shouldn't matter, digital only) Set the switches on the front to the following: Switch State ====== ===== v posi adjust v size adjust h posi adjust h size on text off (shouldn't matter, digital only) text color white (shouldn't matter, digital only) Now turn on power and you are on your way. Note that for all of the cabling of video signals, I used shielded cables (highly recommended) and soldered all the shields to the ground pin (use a smaller braided cable to actually connect between the shields and ground, or you will have a real mess on your hands). ________________________________________ Feature Article--Taxes 1987 ________________________________________ by Steve Felder TAX NOTES1 - 01/15/88 Hi, I'm Steve Felder, a CPA, and the following information may be helpful in assisting you with the gathering and subsequent preparation of your 1987 tax return. Many of you who have prepared your own return in the past may find it much more difficult this year. Start early, as it is entirely possible that you will be unable to find a preparer if you later decide you need one. YOUR ACCOUNTANT =============== If you already have and use an accountant to prepare your tax return, try to understand that it is going to be a very busy year for him or her. By getting your information in early, complete, and in an organized form, you will speed up the process for all. Also, most accountants charge fees based on time. It is likely that your tax return will take longer to prepare this year then in the past and fees will be a good deal higher. If your preparer doesn't inform you specifically, and you don't ask, you could be in for an unexpected surprise. DEPENDENTS ========== Note that form 1040 asks for a social security number for any dependents claimed on your return over the age of five years. If your kids don't have an ss# yet, call or better yet visit the social security office for an application. Also, filing requirements for the children have been changed radically. Many more children are now required to file. In many cases the child's return will not be able to be completed without first doing the parents tax return, as the child's tax rate is determined based on the parents rate. This new feature has been dubbed "The Kiddie Tax." Don't delay, read the filing requirements in your tax booklet and find out all the stuff you may have to get together this year for your child's return as well as your own. MORTGAGE INTEREST ================= The new rules for reporting interest paid on home mortgages are going to affect a lot of people. I won't go into to any real detail here, but if you borrowed any money on your home, be it a new mortgage or old home equity loan, after 08/16/86, you may be required to file the new form 8598 "Home Mortgage Interest." A quick read of this new form will give all of you an idea of how complex tax simplification really is. This is one of the forms that will cause incresed fees as well as an abundance of new clients for the preparers, a double barrell hit that will inevitably mean more extensions then ever before. DIVORCED PEOPLE WITH DEPENDENTS =============================== The rules as to who gets to take the kids as exemptions are a bit confusing. You may be required to get your ex-spouse to sign form 8332, "Release of Claim to Exemption for Child of Divorced or Separated Parents." This can be a difficult, uncomfortable and downright depressing circumstance and should be taken care of long before April 15th. See the instructions, or talk to your preparer for the details on this one. ACTIVE VS. PASSIVE INCOME ========================= The scope of this area is far to detailed to get into right here, however, certain types of business, rental property, and a variety of activities, may be subject to the passive loss rules. The effect of these rules may result in the dissallowance of certain losses as deductions on your tax return. The determination as to whether a specific activity is an Active or Passive one, is crucial to determining which set of rules apply. If you are the least bit unsure in this particular area, be sure to seek professional guidance. NEWS FLASH ========== If, as a proprietor, you previously have paid your spouse and/or children, FICA exempt wages, be advised that certain tax benefits of doing this will no longer apply as of 01/01/88. On 12/22/87 House, Senate, and President passed the budget reconciliation bill, one of its features being the elimination of the FICA exemption for spouses and children 18 years of age or older. CONCLUSION ========== Good luck with the preparation of your 1987 tax return. Don't be afraid of an extension, as long as a good estimation of any tax due is made, and paid with that extension. In any event, START GETTING READY NOW. DON'T WAIT FOR ALL THE W-2'S AND 1099'S TO COME IN BECAUSE YOU MAY NEED MUCH MORE. _______________________________________ Software Review "GunShip" _______________________________________ Captured from CompuServe Atari16 #: 91164 S1/Entertainment 17-Feb-88 22:42:51 Sb: Gunship by MicroProse Fm: Henry T. Colonna 74726,3216 To: Simulation Addicts Well I've spent 2 days with this long awaited title from MicroProse. I'll give a short review in this message. Leave replies if you want more info. First of all the graphics are very good. They aren't as good as Flight Simulator in some cities - like New York or Washington, but they're better than Flight Simulator in open country with flat land. Overall I'd give the graphics a "very good" mark, especially considering the speed and smoothness, which are the best I've seen yet with this detail. The graphics make good use of color. But they really aren't quite state-of- the-art DungeonMaster graphics, and the pictures at the end could've been better too. I've seen better pictures up here. Now for the sound. I'm very unhappy with the ST's sound chip (pales next to the competition) but I must say GunShip uses it almost effectively as possible - without digitizing. The helicopter roter "chop" noise is very good, however, and the explosions are OK - good. That's the bad news! Oh except for 1 more thing - the ABORT MISSION keystroke doesn't ask if you are sure, it just aborts. And it's right next to the PAUSE key (pause is tab, abort is escape). A SERIOUS MINOR flaw in the user interface (an oxymoron I know!) but it exists...I often hit escape instead of tab accidently and then curse. OK That's all the bad news! OK - the good news. The game is incredibly exciting and addicting. The game play is simply great as you dodge different enemies with different weapons, and select which weapons to attack with. Plus you have to worry about helicopter control and weather variables. AND, you do know where some of the enemy exists but not all of them... Until you fly into that area. Very exciting. Fighting the enemy Russian Helicopters is really something to feel also (although graphically they are poorly rendered). The documentation ads to the excitement. It's clear, easy, will get even a buffoon like me up and flying quickly, yet provides very detailed information. The good thing about it is that the information is absorbed by the mind when you read it, and the things mentioned in the manual happen as you play the game in your mind!! The user interface is very good (except for the pause/abort thing) as you get a keyboard template with the game (it's fighting with my WordPerfect template). Overall, I think Gunship is an EXCELLENT gaming experience. The graphics and sound, while not as "excellent" as possible are fast smooth and good. The gameplay and docs are great. Buy it! Trust me! (grin). _______________________________________ Dungeon Master Update _______________________________________ Because of popular demand for MORE Dungeon Master, FTL games will release in early March a new Dungeon Master mini-adventure. This new mini- adventure works as an expansion disk to the Dungeon Master disk you already have. All current and future owners of Dungeon Master will be able to use this disk to continue the adventure. The expansion disk will be available to all registered owners direct from FTL (price to be announced.) If you haven't sent in your registration card yet, do it today! For more info contact: FTL Games 6160 Lusk Blvd. Suite C-206 San Diego, CA 92111 (619) 453-5711 Also available in March will be a comprehensive guide to Dungeon Master adventuring wr+itten by Tracy Hickman creator of the popular "Dragon Lance" series for TSR Inc. and of the "Dark Sword" series for Bantam Books. This booklet contains over 60 pages of DM hints about advanced play style, effective combat techniques, puzzle solving, mapping, magic, and more! Available soon from your local dealer. Suggested retail $12.95. The adventure continues with FTL! Dungeon Master Spell List Compiled By Michael Stetter ------------------------------------------------------ Note: The power symbols are required for all spells. Power effects the strength and duration of the spell. All potions require a empty flask. Power 1=LO, 2=UM, 3=ON, 4=EE, 5=PAL, 6=MON Elemental 1=YA, 2=VI, 3=OH, 4=FUL, 5=DES, 6=ZO Form 1=VEN, 2=EW, 3=KATH, 4=IR, 5=BRO, 6=GOR Class 1=KU, 2=ROS, 3=DAIN, 4=NETA, 5=RA, 6=SAR Power Elemental Form Class Caster Effect ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1-6 1 P MON Potion (Stamina) 1-6 2 P VI Potion (Healing) 1-6 4 W Light 1-6 6 W Open Button Doors 1-6 1 4 P Spell Shield 1-6 1 5 P YA Potion (Protection) 1-6 2 5 P BRO Potion (Cures Poison) 1-6 3 1 P Poison Cloud 1-6 4 4 W Fireball 1-6 5 1 W Poisonball 1-6 5 2 W Weaken Non-Material Beings 1-6 6 1 W Poison Potion 1-6 1 5 2 P Magic Footprints 1-6 1 5 3 P DANE Potion (Wisdom) 1-6 1 5 4 P NETA Potion (Vitality) 1-6 3 2 5 P Look Through Solid Objects 1-6 3 3 5 W Lightning Bolt 1-6 3 3 6 P Monster Confusion 1-6 3 4 5 W Light 1-6 3 5 2 P ROS Potion (Dexterity) 1-6 4 2 6 W ? 1-6 4 5 1 P KU Potion (Strength) 1-6 4 5 4 P Fire Shield 1-6 5 4 6 W Darkness 1-6 6 3 5 W ZOKATHRA Spell 1-6 6 5 5 P EE Potion (Mana) ________________________________________ Lock and Key for the ST ________________________________________ by R. Flashman [the Flash] Reprinted from Nybbles & Bytes, 9/87 I was walking by Radio Shack today, and in I went. Under the alarm section, I saw they sell a round key lock like the ones used on an IBM AT. Since it is for an alarm, it has the contact on one side, all read for an electrical wire. Hmmm, I thought. I am always getting annoyed by people who play with my ST at a show or meeting when I am busy doing something else... I bought it...And I found space right over my joystick ports (520) on top of the RF shielding, and now I have an AT style lock and key on my ST! Looks very good, was dead cheap, and in the off position, you cannot turn on the ST! Actually, so simple it is disgusting. (Lock cost $9.99) I haven't tried a 1040 yet, so not sure about location. I found two locations on the 520; on top of the unit, t othe back and left, directly above the cartridge port. Turn your 520 upside down and you will see how much space there is. I am hoping that the 1040 has the same space. The other, which is the one I used, is right above the second joystick port. (The one you DON'T plug the mouse into.) There is enought space, and it lies right above the RF shielding, it is also next to the power supply, so not much cable is needed. The switch has two connectors on its end. I connected two wires to it, and then opened up the RF shielding. You will notice that the power switch has three legs coming out of it. The one you want to get is the smallest one. (This is the one closest to the back of the ST.) I cut it right where it meets the main board. (Now that took guts!) Then I soldered one of my wires to it. I then connected the other wire to one of the wires that comes up from the board to that funny round magnet that is to the left of the power switch (and about an inch into the board). The wire that it gets wired to is the one closest to the mouse port. If you don't believe me, look under the board and you will see that originally that wire was connected to the leg that we just cut off the power switch. You NOW have a switch to the power switch. Turn the key off and the power switch becomes useless. This will void your warranty. But it works like a beauty. WE are now offering it as an option for our STs at the store! ________________________________________ MAC Report -=*Articles of Interest*=- _______________________________________ QuickDraw Help by Richard Katzman Here's a tip on how to come up with a desktop pattern that looks good in both color and black & white... that is, if you think that a solor color and a 50% gray look good. The key is to pick a color that is right near the 50% graytone level. I use a blue, but you can make this work with other solid colors near the same intensity. When you toggle to black & white mode, Quickdraw must make a decision on whether to show the color as black or white. While you are in color mode, Quickdraw is also making a decision on which color in the 8-bit, 256 entry color table comes closest to matching your actual 24-bit color selection which you have selected with the Picker. Therefore, using the Control Panel in System 4.2, which allows color FatBit editing of the background pattern, use any colors to set up a 50% pattern--that is, alternating pixels in a checkerboard pattern. The second step is to double-click on the first color, which brings up the Color Picker. Set the color to a shade that is just slightly darker than 50% intensity. Select the other color in your pattern and set that color to a shade that is just on the light side of the first color. If you pick 'em right, Color Quickdraw will use the same color in the Color Table to show both shades, thus giving you a solid background color. When you toggle to B & W, it will show one color as black and the other as white, giving you a 50% gray. The values that I use are: Color Picker Color 1 Color 2 --------- ------- ------- Hue 33016 30176 Saturation 27532 27072 Brightness 41687 39500 Red 24174 23183 Green 41289 39500 Blue 41687 35629 Hope some of you find this useful. _______________________________________ Apple Products Update by Tom Fernandez If you downloaded, but have't run (APPLE PRODUCTS), a Hypercard Stack, DON'T!!! When run, this stack will modify your System File by installing an INIT resource which, while not fatal, is neither ethically or morally proper. The INIT will display a message when you boot your Macintosh on/about March 2, 1988. The INIT will also transfer (migrate) to other System Files. After the message is displayed, the INIT then removes itself from your System File. If you have already run APPLE PRODUCTS, you can easily remove the INIT by using ResEdit OR you can simply install a new System File. INIT Removal using ResEdit """""""""""""""""""""""""" 1) Launch ResEdit 2) Scroll down until you see the System Folder in the window. 3) Select (highlight) the System Folder. 4) Select OPEN from the File Menu. The System Folder will open. 5) Scroll down until you see the System File in the window. 6) Select (highlight) the System File. 7) Select OPEN from the File Menu. The System File will open. 8) Scroll down until you see the INIT File in the window. 9) Select (highlight) the INIT File. 10)Select OPEN from the File Menu. The INIT File will open. 11)Select (highlight) the INIT named "INIT "DR" ID = 6". 12)Select CLEAR from the Edit Menu. This removes the INIT from the System File. 13)Select QUIT from the File Menu. We have received word that APPLE PRODUCTS was uploaded to several BBS's prior to our receiving the file. If you are a BBS caller, you might want to check if APPLE PRODUCTS is available for downloading, and if so, please notify the System Operator. Our sincere thanks to Glenn McPherson who first brought this situation to our attention and to Ray Sanders who took the time and effort to go into this stack and determine what was being done and how. If you have any questions about APPLE PRODUCTS, or removal of the INIT, send GEnie EMail to: TOMFERNANDEZ. Permission is granted to upload this file to Bulletin Board Systems or other commercial online services/networks. ============= Press Release ============= For immediate Release Contact: Bob LeVitus STAX, Inc.(512) 467 4550 MACazine announces STAX! A new electronic publishing division. William Hart, publisher of MACazine, the nation's largest independently owned Macintosh magazine, announced the formation of STAX!, Inc. today. "The new company is a logical extension of our core business bringing information to Macintosh users. HyperCard gives us a unique new way to publish. I'm very excited about it." Bob LeVitus, editor-in-chief of MACazine, and C.E.O. of STAX! says: "This is a wonderful opportunity for us. We have tremendous belief in HyperCard. It gives us the chance to publish information that helps Macintosh owners in a format that's totally Mac-like. And, with CD ROM just around the corner, I think we're just seeing the tip of the HyperCard iceberg now. Publishing information in the HyperCard format is going to be a huge industry. We intend to be a major player." STAX! first 3 products will be: The Macintosh Bible: HyperCard Edition The book The Macintosh Bible is widely regarded as the best and most informative book ever written about using a Macintosh. Peter Lewis, of the New York Times, says the book is "Like having a Macintosh expert at your side whenever you need one." The HyperCard Edition takes it one step further and puts that Macintosh expert right inside your Mac! The Macintosh Bible: HyperCard Edition is a three-disk set of the best hints, tips, shortcuts and Mac info the paper edition has to offer.. archived electronically for fast and easy access. In addition to answering a wide variety of Mac questions, the HyperCard Edition incorporates updates more efficiently than paper databases, allows you to create new records based on your own Mac know-how and even lets you expand upon its existing data. Innovative implementations of the HyperCard "find" command and multiple, cross-referenced indices work together to help you search effectively for information by title, subject, and/or class--then go to the item or series of items you seek at the click of your mouse. The uncluttered and friendly user interface keep all the complicated interrelationships of the data behind the scenes and make the HyperCard version of The Macintosh Bible one of the easiest- to-navigate stacks in the business. A copy of the 420 page book, and a 48 page illustrated reference manual are included with each three disk package. The suggested retail price of The Macintosh Bible: HyperCard Edition is $69.95. HyperCard Helper is a three disk set of hints, tips, buttons, scripts, and stacks that make using HyperCard more fun than ever...just as Hamburger Helper makes eating ground round a treat! There's no need to reinvent the wheel every time you build a stack. Just bring on HyperCard Helper where dozens of canned scripts are waiting to help you with sorting, finding, indexing, special effects, import/export tasks and animation routines to create screen motion and rhythm to name just a few choice functions available from our smorgasbord of generic scripts that are yours for the pasting. A 48 page illustrated reference manual is included with each three disk package. The suggested retail price of HyperCard Helper is $49.95. HyperCard Sound Effects Studio combines a SoundCap to SND converter, a pitch and speed modifier, a sound library and database, an automatic sound inserter (for putting sounds in stacks without ResEdit) and over 100 professionally recorded sound effects. The sound range from high tech mechanical (such as the sound of film advancing in a camera) to a wide variety of background music (both original and classical); from human and animal sounds (including crowds, monster, and traffic noises) to the sounds of nature (found in woods, seashore and sky). In addition, the Studio comes with a whole phantasmagoria of category defying tones, notes, twitters, peals, hums, squeaks, jangles, bellows, and booms that no self respecting sound effects engineer can live without. A 48 page illustrated reference manual is included with each three disk package. The suggested retail price of HyperCard Sound Effects Studio is $49.95. All STAX! products come with an unconditional 30 day money back guarantee. Each product has extensive on line help and most scripts are annotated to provide a better understanding of the techniques we used. STAX! products are not copy protected in any way. STAX! products will be available through retail software sales channels, mail order vendors, and direct from STAX!. The products will be released on April 1, 1988. If you'd like to participate in our b'eta testing program, please contact: Bob LeVitus (512) 467 4550 CompuServe: 73537,1217 GEnie: RLEVITUS AppleLink: X0381 ______________________________________ GEnie Mail System Help File ______________________________________ Here is a list of commands available in GE Mail at the command prompt. Following that, are the Sub-commands available at the ENTER command. 1. ACCEPT - Accepts input from local microcomputer. To send an XMODEM file, use 'Upload XMODEM file' item on page 200. 2. CANCEL nnn - Permits the sender to cancel a letter at any time. 3. DEFER - Marks the specified letter(s) as listed without actually having listed. 4. DELEGATE addr- Redirects letters from the current address to the specified address. 5. DISPLAY - Provides status of all letters that are current. 6. DISPLAY nn - Provides activity status of a specific letter. 7. ENTER - Used for preparing and/or sending letters. 8. EXIT/STOP - Returns user back to GEnie Menu System. 9. FORWARD nn - The letter is forwarded to designated address(es). 10. HELP - Lists the available GE Mail commands. 11. LIST I - Used to list respondent's current GE Mail letters. 12. LIST nnnnn - Lists out a specific letter. 13. RELEASE ALL- Purges all letters that have been listed by the user. 14. RELEASE nnn- Purges letter nnnnnnn provided that it has been listed. 15. REMIND nnnn- Places a REQUIRED ACTION tag on a letter. 16. REPLY nnnnn- Similar to ENTER, provides automatic addressing. 17. REQUE - Sets Queue status to be recognized with unlisted letters. 18. SCAN I - Same as LIST, except user will continue to be reminded about letters and will not be released as in LIST. 19. STATUS nnnn- The letter will continually be shown in LOGON display until all recipients have listed it. 20. TBATCH - Same as ACCEPT except first 3 lines are taken as To, cc, and SUB. 21. TELEX - Plus (+) = Asterisk (*). 22. USERS - Directory inquiry. 23. USERS addr - Determines if address exists or not. 24. USERS"name"- Searches directory for search string "name". 25. USE COMMUNITY- Display cross-community aliases. The following commands are available Within the GE Mail ENTER command. 1. *ACC,addr - Adds addresses to the CC list. 2. *ATO,addr - Adds addresses to the TO list. 3. *CC,addr - Changes the addresses in the CC list. 4. *CHAVC - Editing command to change text of the current letter. 5. *COPY,nnnn - Copies an existing letter into the current letter. 6. *DELETE,n - Deletes line n from the current letter. 7. *HELP - Prints commands available to the ENTER command. 8. *INSERT,n - Inserts subsequent line text after line. 9. *LIST - Lists the current entered letter. 10. *LNH - Lists the current letter without header information. 11. *LOCATE - Editing command to locate text in the current letter. 12. *M - Same as *CHAVC. 13. *NEXT - Permits the current letter to authorized users and returns user to the ENTER mode. 14. *n,text - Replaces line n in the current letter with text. 15. ^n - Back up n lines in the current letter. 16. *PASS - Provides extra security protection to the letter. 17. *RESEQUENCE- Resequences the line numbers in the current text. 18. *SEND - Permits the current letter to authorized users and returns user to the GE Mail command level. 19. *SUB,desc - Changes the letter subject. 20. *TAB,/ch/n - Establishes a TAB character and positions. 21. *TO,addr - Changes the addresses in the TO list. 22. *UPLOAD - Accepts input from Local disk file or tape. 23. *WIPE - Erases the text of the current letter and returns to ENTER level. 24. *X - Erases the text of current letter and returns to GE Mail command level. Following is a description of the *NEXT command which allows mass uploading of multiple letters (also see TBATCH). 1. The first 3 lines of each letter are taken as To, CC, and Sub. 2. A space must be used on the second line if there are no CC's. The format of multiple To's or CC's would be ADDR1,ADDR2,ADDR3 etc. 3. The last line of each message should have *NEXT (*N) as the only item. 4. Do NOT leave a spave between the *N and the first line of the next message. That line should be the addressee of the next letter followed by CC, Sub, etc. 5. At the end of the last message in the chain, use *S to return to the Command prompt. Do NOT use *N at the last message. The most popular GE Mail question we get in FEEDBACK, is how to re-read mail once it has been read. Mail that has been read is saved for 5 days. 1. If you know the item number of the letter, you can simply type "LIST item#" while at the Command prompt in GE Mail command mode. 2. If you have forgotten the number, use the DISPLAY command in one of the forms below to produce a display list. Then use LIST to list an item. 3. You will want to learn the GE Mail commands early on to take full advantage of the mail system. Following are a few examples of how you might use the DISPLAY command while in GE Mail Command Mode. 1. DISPLAY - gives a display of the headings of all unlisted mail. 2. DISPLAY I>870701 - displays all mail since 870701. 3. DISPLAY ALL - displays all mail in hold queue, listed or unlisted. Following are a few examples of how you might use the LIST command while in GE Mail Command Mode. 1. LIST I>870701 - lists all mail since 870101. 2. LIST 0366010 - lists item 0366010. 3. LIST ALL - lists all mail in hold queue, listed and unlisted. If you do a DISPLAY and have letters retrieved, you have created a display list. You can then list specific letters by referencing their sequence number in the list. 4. LIST 1 3 9 - lists 1st, 3rd, and 9th item in the current display 5. LIST 1-9 - lists items 1-9 in the current display list. The following is a list of the commands available within the GE Mail DIRECTORY command, used to maintain your personal address directory. 1. *ADD,name,address - adds the specified address under the specified name. Any valid address input may be stored in this way. 2. *CANCEL - purges your personal directory. 3. *CLEAN - erases contents of your directory without purging it. 4. *DELETE,name - deletes the specified entry from your directory. 5. *EDIT,name,address - replaces entry under specified name with new address entry. 6. *HELP - prints this description of available commands. 7. *LIST - list contents of your directory. *LIST,name- list only the name specified. *LIST,name-name- list all entries in specified range. 8. *SAVE - save all transactions from current session. 9. *WIPE - cancel all pending transactions - start session over again. 10.*XIT - end session - do not apply pending transactions. _______________________________________ CROSSROADS A New Era in Telecommunications ________________________________________ Crossroads of yesteryears: In history, general stores were often located at 'cross-roads' which in thinly populated areas became a meeting place for gossip. Within this homespun atmosphere, barrels in which crackers, or biscuits were kept, were often used as seats in the country stores by local folk who met there and exchanged views on topics of the day. CROSSROADS of today: Located in Phoenix, the capital city of Arizona, Crossroads premiered on November 21st; serving as a meeting place for the thinly populated but ever growing modem community. So, whether you are ...... * male or female * young or old * computer neophyte or tech wizard * realist or fantasist GATHER AT THE CROSSROADS of this century and enjoy the marvels of today's technology with telecomputing as Crossroads offers something of interest for everyone! ____________________________________________________________ | | | ONLINE 24 Hours per day - 7 days per week | | 300/1200 Baud | | 602-971-2240 | |__________________________________________________________| USENET Crossroads is an 'official' node of Usenet. This service provides literally thousands of messages, abstracts, news items and program sources every 2 weeks. Information is distributed and received from all over the world and is widely used by most universities, many government facilities and software and hardware companies. FIFTY MEGABYTES of information every two weeks from 290 categories! SOFTWARE & SHAREWARE Crossroads features one of the LARGEST selections of QUALITY public domain software and shareware download collections in the west. Programs available include: - Menu Utilities - Languages & Language Tutorials - Games - BBS Programs - Music - DBMS Software - Programming Aids - Graphics & Support Utilities - Communications - Word Processors - Spreadsheets & Templates - Printer Utilities PLUS over 700 Adventure Game solutions, maps and reviews and MORE!!! MULTI-USER CHAT SERVICE One of the most enjoyable advantages of a multiuser online service is the capability to chat (talk) to any other person who also happens to be on the system at the same time as you are online. This is a rather unique and entertaining way to meet people and make new friends from all over the country! COMPUTER SUPPORT Over 290 Megabytes of downloads and information, message exchanges, online magazines, computer news and computing and language tutorials available online for all microcomputers and languages! ONLINE GAMES Over 20 online games with MORE projected! Several will feature full screen movement utilizing all the best features of terminal emulation. Kingdom, during beta-test proved to be the most popular. It features a multi-level dungeon (of unknown depths) with full screen-oriented movement, potions, spells, shops, wands, spellbooks and of course, TONS of monsters. It is FILLED with PUZZLES where you learn how to defeat the monsters and gain experience by playing and learning the game. Over 50 COMMANDS! SURPRISE FEATURES Features abound in Crossroads and there is so much to view on the system that it is impossible to do everything, so it will be up to you to personalize your profile and select your favorite options. Many features either planned or currently being added are 'unique' from most online systems. Other features will include: Chris's House of Weirdness: (what you think you posted is not always what you get -- you'll have to try it out to see what I mean, but it was VERY popular during Beta-Test). Holiday Editions of Crossroads: Special sections with a 'holiday flavor' with stories, poems, recipes, ideas and lore to make all your holiday's special and memorable in the spirit of the season. Play Murder Party: On special featured nights, Crossroads will feature a 'real-time' MURDER PARY where participants will receive their character packets via mail and must play out their characters and give clue in real-time multi-chat. This should be lotsa fun and of course, a neat prize goes to the winner! Crossroads' Computer Mall: Our own online store where all members can really save $$$$ on factory closeouts and store liquidation items at REALLY SPECIAL prices! Crossroads is the LEAST EXPENSIVE system of this type in the country! Membership is only $30 per year and only 25 cents minimum charge per call and 25 cents for each additional hour (non-prime time). Prime time charges (between 6PM and midnight daily) are only slightly higher at 50 cents per call and 50 cents for each additional hour. I hope you enjoyed reading this preview of our new SUPER SYSTEM and if you have any questions, just let us know and we'll be glad to assist you. For those wishing to subscribe to Crossroads, please print out and fill in the following subscription form. Name: ________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________ City/State/Zip: ______________________________ Phone: (___)__________________________________ Age: _________________________________________ Computer: ____________________________________ Modem: _______________________________________ _____ Complete membership package $30.00 _____ Hours of additional time @ 25 cents per hour $_______ TOTAL AMOUNT _______ Pick One: ___ Please enroll me as a member to your system. I understand that once my hours of system time have been used up, I may purchase additional time using my Visa or Mastercard or by check or money order. Check or Money Order will net me 10% more system time. I also understand that this membership is good for 1 year from purchase date. Date: __________________________________________ Signature: _____________________________________ ___ Please enroll me as a member to your system. I hereby authorize Crossroads Communications to charge all costs that I incur as a subscriber to the Crossroads system directly to the below listed credit card account, until I otherwise notify Crossroads Communications in writing. I understand that my membership will remain active until 30 days following the receipt of a written cancellation notice sent by me to Crossroads Communications Systems. Date: ___________________________________________ Signature: ______________________________________ Card Number: ____________________________________ Expiration Date: ___________ Name on card (if different from above): _________________________________________________ Membership requests or additional information can be addressed to: Crossroads Communications P. O. Box 30656 Phoenix, Arizona 85046 ________________________________________ Future Editions ________________________________________ by Ron Kovacs We are in the middle of a few projects, articles and re-organization. We will be exploring new areas of interest in the months ahead and would greatly appreciate your input. Articles you read here are sent in by our staff who search all over the place for text. We then decide, edited and place the information here. If you see something of interest, or something you don't like, Please let us know!! I have received some very nice email messages commending our work, I appreciate the time in sending me your comments. If you have some time, write up a review of that shareware program you just got, or write up something about the BBS system you frequent. Capture messages that you feel will interest others. This newsletter is only as good as it's readers. If you like us, send us to your favorite BBS. We want to be the best online magazine around. We can do it with your help. If you are interested in doing some writing, give me a call on the Syndicate BBS, If I am around, I will be happy to chat and give you something to write about. We need people interested in communicating with others, be it here or on BBS Systems. Thank you all for supporting us and downloading these issues each week. The numbers are getting bigger and hopefully the quality is also getting better. Take care!! ________________________________________ ST-Report Issue #23 February 24, 1988 (c)1988 SPC/Ron Kovacs ________________________________________ llllllllllllllllllll