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>>>ASGARD NEWS ON-LINE UPDATE
No. 2
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>>>INTRODUCTION
Welcome to this issue of the "Asgard News On-Line Update". This, hopefully,
regular feature contains a synopsis of Asgard Software/ Peripherals and
Publications new releases and news for on-line publication. If you have any
comments or questions please send electronic mail to:
     On CIS - 72561,3241
     On GEnie - C.BOBBITT
     On Delphi - C_BOBBITT
     On B.B.B.B. - User #95
Written letters should be sent to:
     Asgard News/Reflections
     P.O. Box 10697
     Rockville, MD 20849
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>>>NEW PRODUCT RELEASES
WATERWORKS
A 99 screen arcade game from David Bishop, Waterworks combines fast
action with amazing digitized sounds to create a veritable feast for the
arcade game fanatic. YouUve just been given the job of putting in the
plumbing in the new 99 story building in your city. What an honor! However,
 you have a bit of a problem. Someone turned on the water on the top floor
and you have to install the pipe rapidly in order to drain it out without
damaging the building. Worse yet, you have to do it under a tight budget.
Dozens of small nuances make this a game that will be played over and
over.
Requires a TI-99/4A with joystick, 32K, disk and Extended BASIC or
Editor/Assembler, or a Myarc Geneve 9640. Suggested retail $12.95.
>WHILE ANNOUNCED EARLIER, THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOW
BEING SHIPPED
PAGE PRO TEMPLATES #10-12
Page Pro 99 has inspired many people to explore the graphics
capabilities of the TI-99/4A - but perhaps none more so then Virginia
Davis, the author of these three new volumes in the Page Pro Templates
series.
Volume #10 consists of a fourth collection of Assorted Cards. A sort of
"catch all" name - this package contains everything from an
Announcements to "Cheer Up" and even a recipe greeting card. A three
disk collection, this volume contains 24 pictures that can be re-used
in your own works.
Volume #11 Is the second in a series of Invitation greeting cards. This
three-disk volume contains invitations to parties, business functions
and even wedding invitations! Some of these qualify as Virginia's best
work to date. 24 new pictures are also provided for use elsewhere.
Volume #12, out in time for Christmas, is appropriately the first
volume of Christmas Cards made available. This three-disk package
contains 8 secular and religious Christmas cards, as well as 25 new
pictures that can be utilized in your own works.
Each volume in the Page Pro Templates series is available for $6.95.
Any three volumes can be purchased for $17.95 - an exceptional value
considering the amount of material provided in each volume.
PAGE PRO POSTER MAKER
With Poster Maker you can turn any Page Pro 99 picture into a full-size
posters or sign quickly and easily.
This simple to use utility by Ed Johnson will blow up your page two
times, four times and even eight times to create 17"x22" signs, 34"x44"
posters and 68"x88" behemoths. Perfect for the student, teacher,
business, or organization! Easy to use, simply create your poster or
sign as you would normally compose any page with Page Pro 99, utilizing
any fonts and pictures desired, save it as a picture and then load it
into this utility. Select the size poster that you want and stand back.
Poster Maker prints out your poster/sign in strips which you simply tape
together. All the printer options of Page Pro 99 are available.
Poster Maker is compatible with the Asgard Mouse, or it can be used with
keys. A thorough manual is included.
Requires a disk system, 32K, Extended BASIC or Editor/Assembler and
an Epson or compatible printer. Asgard Mouse optional.
Suggested retail $12.95.
PAGE PRO PICS #12-15
Asgard Software has extended our series of Pictures for Page Pro 99
with four new volumes.
Volume #12, Americana
This 4-disk volume consists of 1440 sectors of Page Pro pics - 66
new pictures in all. In this collection you'll find pictures of
eagles, items from American culture (duck decoy, horseshoe, etc.)
pictures of famous people from Presidents to Hendrix, sports logos,
even cartoon characters.
Volume #13, Education
This 6 disk collection (2160 sectors) contains 25 huge pictures (up
to full page size) borders and other artwork appropriate for
educational use. This collection is great for any teacher, student or
organization.
Volume #14, Nautical
This collection contains almost 10 disks worth of some of the most
elegant Page Pro picture ever! 4000 sectors of artwork! Many of the
38 pictures in this collection are full-page in size. Highly detailed
borders, boats, seashells and sea-life abound in this compendium.
Volume #15, Publishing Tools 3
This 9 disk collection of artwork contains over 60 pictures designed
to enhance or draw attention to your pages. Within this package you'll
find a variety of printers ornaments, starbursts, pencils, clocks,
animals and other pictures that will lend professionalism and variety
to your newsletter, ad or flyer.
Each volume in the Page Pro Pics series is available for $6.95.
Any three volumes can be purchased for $17.95 - an exceptional value
considering the amount of material provided in each volume.
>>>ORDERING INFORMATION
To order send a check or money order plus $2.50/order S&H to:
     Asgard Software
     P.O. Box 10306
     Rockville, MD 20849
     [phone]
     (credit cards please add 7%)
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>>>MIDI UPDATE
Despite predictions to the contrary, the MIDI Master MIDI interface
was not quite ready for distribution at the Chicago TI Faire on
November 3rd, 1990. However, the extra delay promises to bring
significant new features to the package beyond what was promised
in the original specifications.
In the last 3 weeks since the TI Faire the "compiler" part of the
MIDI Master software, that utility which converts a music file into
MIDI data, has been made 100% compatible with the Cakewalk file
format popular on PC MIDI systems. This in effect means you can take
a PC MIDI file in this format and compile it and play it on your
99/4A.
To support this change the basic MIDI support software has been
expanded to handle up to 24 tracks and 16 channels - where tracks
can be designated as either monophonic or polyphonic (meaning having
one note of a particular instrument or many). Each track can be
designated a different instrument, and the instrument designations
can be changed "on the fly" during a song.
The MIDI software has also been expanded to support multiple MIDI
devices, including sound digitizers.
The "Sequencer", which is the portion of the program which allows you
to capture music played on a keyboard and play it back, is currently
in the process of being completely re-written to provide support for
the many new features mentioned above. Since it is a major departure
from the previous version, the package is not expected to be
completed until the middle or end of December.
Asgard Peripherals is still taking orders for the MIDI package. Any
checks sent will be held until the product is shipped. If you
have any questions contact Asgard Peripherals, [phone], or write:
     P.O. Box 10697, Rockville, MD 20849
The MIDI Master package, which includes the software, the interface
and extensive documentation carries a suggested retail price of
$44.95. Orders may be sent to the same address.
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>>>80 COLUMN COLUMN
There has been a lot of discussion lately in the TI community about
expanding systems to 80-columns, and what enhanced graphics devices
can do for you.
In contrast to three years ago, when 80-column devices were first
introduced to 99/4A users, there is now a wide selection of software
that can take advantage of the display capabilities offered by such
systems. Now an enhanced display system offers real advantages for the
average user over the standard 40-column TI display. Consequently, many
users who wouldn't have considered the expense of such a system in the
late 80's are now looking at an 80-column card as a real way to extend
the usefulness of the 99/4A well into the 90's.
Once software authors begin really exploring the advantages offered by
the increased memory, speed and display capability of an 80-column card,
the capabilities of 99/4A software will correspondingly be improved.
Even now, however, a growing library of fairware and commercial
software exists that can take advantage of such a device, including
several word processors, a spreadsheet, telecommunications packages,
a drawing package and several graphics utilities, and much more.
As the manufacturer of an 80-column card for the TI-99/4A (The Asgard
Extended Graphics Interface) we would like to explain what we feel are
very important reasons for considering purchasing our device over the
alternatives available.
>EASY INSTALLATION
The Asgard Extended Graphics Interface (or EGI as it will be referred to
hereafter), is the simplest to install of all 80-column cards for the
TI-99/4A. It requires NO soldering, NO permanent modifications to the
console, and can be EASILY installed and removed from the console with
only a screwdriver.
By point of comparison, the Dijit 80-column card (which is no longer
available), required bending pins on the 9900 processor, and physically
cutting a "trace" on the motherboard, as well as a solder installation
of the interface itself.
The TI Image Maker from OPA, the only other 80-column device under
development, requires that two wires be soldered to the 9900, and
that either the metal shielding around the area where the device is to
be installed be cut, or the shield itself entirely removed. The metal
shielding is known as RFI shielding, and was put around the 99/4A
for it to meet FCC requirements. This shielding prevents Radio
Frequency Interference with other electrical devices such as cordless
phones.
The Asgard EGI only requires that the 9918a video processor installed
in a 99/4A be removed (which it can be done with a flat-edged
screwdriver since it is socketed and designed for removal), and that
the cable provided with the EGI be plugged into its place. The RFI
shielding requires no modification or removal.
>COMPATIBILITY
The Asgard EGI is based on the design of the first 80-column card
introduced - the Mechatronics 80-column card. This device set the
standard for 80-column display on the 99/4A, and is 100% compatible
with all 80-column applications for the 4A.
Other 80-column devices offer varying levels of compatibility. The
Asgard EGI will function with all software designed to utilize the
80-column card.
>RELIABILITY
Over 1000 Mechatronics 80-column cards are in use around the world.
Since the Asgard EGI is essentially only an upgraded version of this
device, the EGI can claim to have undergone literally hundreds of
thousands of hours of testing, and is representative of the quality of
German engineering.
The Asgard EGI has its own UL approved power supply which is isolated
from the 99/4A power supply. Hence, any console failure (for any reason)
up to perhaps a lightning strike will not result in any damage to the EGI.
The EGI itself does not draw on any current produced by the 99/4A power
supply, and hence will not interfere with any other in-console
enhancements, or a 99/4A console with a modified power supply.
>PROGRAMMABILITY
The Asgard EGI, because of its design, adds a number of powerful
programming commands for Extended BASIC programmers available
directly on power-up. This is a capability not offered on other 80-column
devices - which must be programmed in Assembly or another compiled
language which supports the 80-column card.
Therefore, an owner of the EGI proficient in Extended BASIC can easily
upgrade favorite programs to take advantage of the graphics and text
display capabilities offered - even programs with extensive embedded
assembly support.
A large collection of Extended BASIC programs designed to take advantage
of the EGI is included with the device when purchased from Asgard
Peripherals.
Finally, the EGI can be programmed today in Assembly, c99, Forth
or Fortran 99. Extensive programmers information is included with the
EGI for programmers of those languages, and the official 9938
programmers reference produced by the makers of the video chip the EGI
uses is also available at cost.
>LOW COST
The Asgard EGI is the only 80-column card device available today that
will work out of the box with BOTH a standard composite monitor (such
as the ones produced by TI), as well as a more expensive Analog RGB
monitor.
Analog RGB monitors typically start at around $300, and you can almost
literally spend as much money as you would like to spend on one. This
is a tremendous amount of money to spend on top of the amount that
an 80-column card will cost.
The Asgard EGI will function with inexpensive composite monitors as
well - including 80-column composite monitors produced for the Apple
II and Commodore 128 computers and typically costing less then $75.
With the Asgard EGI, after purchasing it you simply plug in your TI
monitor cable and you can begin using it right away. Later, if you
decide you need an 80-column display you can purchase either a less
expensive composite 80-column display, or a more expensive Analog RGB
display, depending on your tastes and your wallet. The Asgard EGI
does not impose an upgrade path on you.
In conclusion, the total real cost to upgrade to an 80-column display
with the Asgard EGI is lower then any other 80-column upgrade option
available for the 99/4A. The Asgard EGI is the most cost-effective
80-column upgrade for 99/4A owners on a budget.
>AVAILABILITY
The Asgard EGI is being produced in the United States with American
made components. It is being currently in the process of being
manufactured, and we expect that it will become initially available in
February or March of 1991. Financing for this project has long been
obtained, and quantities should be available for immediate delivery
when it is available.
Asgard Peripherals, the manufacturer and distributor, is a
subsidiary of Asgard Software, one of the largest software manufacturers
for the 99/4A. Asgard Peripherals also offers a mouse system, and
is currently finishing up a MIDI interface for the 99/4A.
Currently Asgard is accepting credit card and post-dated check orders
for the Asgard EGI for a March delivery date. The price is $249.95
plus $10 S&H. Orders received prior to Dec. 31 will include a free copy
of the Y.A.P.P. 80-column paint program and the PrEditor 80-column
text editor - a $50 value. All orders will be shipped with an extensive
manual and a large selection of 80-column software.
Send orders to: Asgard Peripherals
                P.O. Box 10697
                Rockville, MD 20849
                [phone]
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ASGARD NEWS ON-LINE UPDATE IS COPYRIGHT 1990 - ASGARD PUBLISHING
ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED
May be reproduced and placed on any medium provided that this notice
remain intact and as-is and this document is not changed in any manner.

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