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1988-04-09
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***************************************************************************
* FEEDBACK FROM MEGADISC USERS *
* *
* If you've got some comments or tips to tell other users, send them *
* in on disk, and mention whatever Public Domain disk you'd like to get *
* back by return of post. Any file from a Word Processor or Text Editor *
* is fine, or even Notepad. *
* *
***************************************************************************
A LETTER FROM THE CREATOR OF PRINTEXT
Dear Tim,
Enclosed is a disk with the latest versions of Printext and ShortCut.
The documentation for the programs is on the disk, too. Just place the
disk in df0: at the Workbench prompt and it will boot up.
Thanks for your donation! You are among the few who have sent a donation
and I really appreciate it. I guess it's been a long time since you have
sent your letter. It made a long trip all the way to my current address
in Israel! (I'm now a first year computer-science student at Tel-Aviv
University.) I was glad to read that my programs made it all the way to
Australia!!
I was glad to receive the copy of Megadisc. Before booting it up, I was
sure it would be just like JumpDisk (Basic based and generally VERY SLOW!)
but it was not... the Workbench environment is used the way it should be.
The fact that all the articles and programs are but a mouse click away
already makes Megadisc better than JumpDisk. My only suggestion is that
more 'C' based programs be included on the disk (Utilities of the sort
one finds on Amicus and Fish Disks).
I would love to have any of my shareware programs included on your
Megadisc. Please let me know if you feel that the updates on the enclosed
disk are suitable for publication.
Thanks again for your donation and for the copy of Amiga Megadisc (keep
up the good work!!!).
Opher D. Kahane
30 Gilboa Street
Alfe Menashe 44851
Israel.
ED: Thanks, Opher, for the words and particularly for the PRINTEXT and
SHORTCUT which our Oz users will greatly appreciate. (And a gentle
reminder to users - why not help make the concept of SHAREWARE work by
sending Opher and people who place these great programs in the public
domain a few bucks, such as $10. You'll give Australia a good name and
they'll keep writing good software for us to use!)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ABOUT UPDATING SCRIBBLE!, THE WORD PROCESSOR & A COUPLE OF HINTS
For all of those of you that use Scribble! as their word processing
system first the good news - there is an update available. The bad news
is that at the moment it is not available in Australia.
I recently wrote to the company that puts out Scribble!:- Micro-Systems
Software. They have advised me that version 2.10 is available. I checked
my copy and found that it was version 2.01, so they have certainly had
many upgrades.
I recently phoned the company and can obtain the upgrade direct from
them. They advised that you had to send US$3.95, your master disk, and
the number of your registration card that was in the box when you bought
your copy of Scribble!. I would suggest that you check with the company
how much money should be sent as I was under the impression that the
US$3.95 was for people in the USA. You can phone them on (305) 790-0770
or write to them at:
MICRO-SYSTEMS SOFTWARE, INC.
12798 WEST FOREST HILL BLVD.,
SUITE 202
WEST PALM BEACH,
FLORIDA 33414
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Be advised that they may take a long time to answer a letter. I wrote to
them in November and received my reply in March 1988. I suggest a phone
call, keep it quick, it won't cost you much, and you obtain an immediate
answer to your query.
The latest update includes the use of SETMAP command for international
keymaps and incorporates a new archive requester that features directory
listings which can be double clicked to change directories. I find this
a very important additional feature because some of my data disks have
up to 20 directories on them and I cannot always remember the exact way
I have written a directory name. Currently if I cannot source it I have
to go into CLI and type to screen the directory listing of that
particular disk to find the answer. All of which is a real hassle. I for
one will be sending off for the upgrade.
On a different matter but related to Scribble! it may interest you to
know that you can edit the temporary dictionary. Perhaps you have
clicked on `learn' for a word only to find that it is incorrectly spelt.
Don't panic, you can edit userdict (this is the file name where words
are stored before they are added to the permanent dictionary) by using
the Project Archive General menu. Call up the file and you will see on
the screen all the words you have stored there. Edit the word you want
as per normal editing methods.
A Scribble! user
ED:
Thanks for the tips - this gentleman has told me that he'll be doing a
review of EXCELLENCE! by the same software company for Megadisc7, and
from the blurbs, the program looks like the ultimate Amiga-style Word
Processor.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Megadisc,
Here is a contribution that I thought would interest some
people. It is to do with KickStart modification and is very easy .
There are several other programs required to do this on the disk ,
I was impressed with the bootblock on MD5 . What did you use to create
it ? Well the article is going to be something that everyone will want
to do because it brings the drive up to nearly hard disk speed . I can
also help anyone wanting to have the machine have a file system other
than df0: . For payment should this article be accepted , please send
me the theme disk "BAD", the "Amigan PD#12", Graphics Demos #1, PD
Word Processor and the PD Utilities disk .
Soon I will have an explanation on how to patch the KickStart disk
to allow you to set the preferences you wish as default . I
will probably have it for the next MegaDisc . Also on this disk is a font
replacer and a replacement Topaz 80 font called "Aztek" . As well on this
disk is a program called "DC-Power". It creates a dynamic window into RAM:
and can be run in the background by holding down the right mouse button
and , still at the same time pressing the left button . It is called back
by doing the same thing . The left button while you are in the program ,
magnifies the screen . Sorry about not having an ".info" file for it
but the version I got did not have an icon . By the way , if you want to
kill the virus in memory , try the method as described on MD5 , that is
hold down the Left Mouse Button and if the screen goes green , the virus
is in memory . Reboot and hold down the Left Mouse button and Ctrl-A-A ,
and this will kill it . Another thing that I have put on this disk is a
special System-Configuration file (this is what the Preferences tool
sets) which opens a screen 704 columns wide and 276 rows high . The colors
that I have chosen have little or no flicker in interlaced mode .
Can anyone help me ? I was examining the KickStart 1.1 disk the other day
and changed the bootblock to DOS instead of KICK and discovered that the disk
has several useable programs and a complete Command directory . In this
directory is a program call "SetPrefs" . This is an early version of the
preferences program which does not allow you to edit the pointer , but does
have one thing that the new ones don't . When setting the baud rate , after
192000 , the baud rate goes to MIDI . I don't have a MIDI interface and don't
know if this works or not . Also, it doesn't have the message "Caryn and =rj=
Love 4 ever" when you click on the four mouse buttons on the two pictures of
the mouse in sequence four times each then change printer and click all the
way down and then up again . Well I found a directory called WB and it has
.info files and a driver program for some special programs that are known as
".iprogs" . The problem is that I cannot examine , run , or alter these in
any way .
Please help me !!!!
Andrew "AdKix" Draper
ED: Your disk much appreciated, Andrew, along with its rather interesting
programs and articles. Unfortunately, for your Kickstart hack, there just
isn't enough room on this issue for the other programs it needs to be
achieved. I've put your "system-configuration" file on, however, and I'm
using it myself to get a bit more out of the screen. Anyone who wants to
use it should do the following:
Copy your Workbench disk and call it WORKBENCH if it isn't already
Boot up with the copy (just to simplify things)
Put Megadisc6 in your external drive if you have one
Open a CLI and enter:
> copy megadisc6:system-configAD to Workbench:devs/system-configuration
And now reboot with the Workbench disk and you should get more onscreen.
The flash screen that you got on MD5 if you booted it up was done
courtesy of a program called "BOOTBOY III" which is one of the hacker
disks floating around. Check the one in this issue.
Anyone who'd like to do the modification described by Andrew can contact
him at (07) 2036131. And help him out with the Kickstart 1.1 problem.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Megadisc,
Thank you for your great magazine. I'm sure that if you continue
to output the same quality, MEGADISC will go a long way. Now to
answer the questions on the subscription form:
What topics would you like covered in future issues?
Creating a custom workbench, i.e. trimming off things that most people
wouldn't use, and including various utilities that could improve
productivity, possibly including an example startup-sequence and some
background processes such as POPCLI and MCLK.
Some Ad.s for the cheapest software going around. There was recently a
50%++ off sale at United Computers in Clarence St., Sydney and I missed it.
Perhaps you could steer readers towards the best places for price and
service.
Any other comments?
Please include MORE public domain programs on your regular issues - your
readers will love you for it! A shell here, a comms program there, provided
with good documentation, would be a real bonus for them. Your big advantage
over other computer magazines is that your readers don't have to type in
the supplied programs - use it.
Don't leave readers in the dark when advertising products. I've read so
much in Megadisc about NORM JACKSON'S x-1000 Expansion system + SCSI +
clock, but I still don't know who he is, where he is, or even a rough
price of the equipment. If it's not too much trouble, could you please
send some info on this.
Your Megadisc indexes (in the SUBS & EXTRAS) drawer seem to be getting
smaller. Please don't let this continue! Remembering which issue that
certain something was on, can be a real problem, but having a handy
detailed (and printed) index simplifies things greatly.
Does your MYCLI theme disk contain CONMAN and DISKMAN? If not, would it
be too much trouble to put them on, as I have ordered MYCLI and the other
two seem to be on similar lines. Thanks.
Once again, congratulations on your magazine, it has my whole-hearted
approval. I've included my subscription for six issues, and I won't
hesitate to do the same six issues hence if you maintain the current
standard.
DARREN WRAY.
ED: Lots of good suggestions, Darren. About creating a Custom Workbench,
definitely on the next issue - any volunteers? Quick and dirty: you can
do without Demos, Utilities, Expansion drawers; and using a directory
utility such as Diskman or DUIII, knock out all Keymaps, all
printer drivers except yours, and all system fonts. Also the
Narrator.device and Say command (unless you really want voice), and
even Preferences once you've got it set up as you want it.
As for more programs, yes! as in this issue - check out the programs
drawer (and send in suggestions for the most useful ones to include).
Info about Norm Jackson's devices - his address is 111 Palmer St,
Woolloomoolloo, Sydney; his X-1000 512K ram expansion/SCSI interface
lists at $990, 20 meg hard disk at $1290 (but we might prevail on him
to reduce that for Megadisc users - just enquire at Megadisc).
Point taken about the indexes - I'm having the same problem myself
trying to locate things.
Your suggestion re the MYCLI disk will be implemented - but you might
also be interested in the DISKUTES theme, which has lots of goodies too
along those lines.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
One or two queries - I noticed in the Subs & Extras/Subscribing drawer
that the Amicus disks go up to 26. The Catalogue only lists up to 22;
also that there are Amigan PD from 4 TO 14 not listed at all. An oops!
perhaps? Or you are so busy putting together more Megadisc's you have
not had the time to remedy the situation yet. Query two - If, in future
updates of the Megadisc Catalogue, would it be possible to send the
original outdated Catalogue with a stamped self-addressed envelope
enclosed to have it updated? Small cost? No cost? $5.50? I would be
interested to find out.
More power to Megadisc!
Yours sincerely: B. MARCHANT.
ED: Yes, kind of an oops; also yes, busy with Megadiscs; and yes again,
anyone with an outdated Catalogue send it in with SASE and you'll get
the updated version by return of post. No cost to purchasers of MD. And
there are a lot of new disks to be had (look in the MD_INFO drawer for
a listing of all the new ones).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear MD ed.,
I have decided to renew my subscription to Megadisc. This is probably no
big deal for you but my recreational spending is severely limited and I
have to weigh what I get against what I pay. Whilst I agree that "one
man's meat is another man's poison", I have not been too happy about the
lack of actual programs and far too many reviews in your last two editions.
Particularly, in the provision of programs, your opposition has been far
more value for money. However, I don't much like playing games and as I
can't afford both editions, your free disks weighed heavily in your
favour.
Yours sincerely,
WILLIAM M.KING
ED: It is a big deal, Bill and though different people like different
mixes, you're right in saying that programs have been a bit thin on the
last 2 MDs, a situation that has been corrected on this disk, I hope.
This is one reason to sift through the MD Catalogue, however - you can
select those programs that you're interested in; there is quite a
demand for hard info in the way of articles and reviews, and of course
it also depends on who sends what in.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Megadisc ed.,
Thank you for sending Megadiscs no. 4 & 5 so promptly. They are up to
your usual high standard.
I have one small problem. I cannot load two pictures on Megadisc 5,
the tiger and hi-eyes. I have returned the disc to you and would like
a replacement please.
I also have an update on the Southern Amiga Users Group. This group is
now operating as a special interest group of the Australian Amiga Users
Association and now meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm.
The meetings are held at:
Connells Point Public School Hall
Riverview Road
Connells Point
The phone numbers and contacts remain unchanged. Keep up the good work!
Yours faithfully,
PETER EXTON
ED: You got it Peter, and thanks for the User Group update - anyone else
with such info, please send it in. And as for dud disks - there are
always a few in a large quantity, so if you ever get one, just send it
back in and it'll be replaced instantly, pronto, now.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Sir, 6
I would like to know if there are any demos around for the Amiga
like the ones the hackers are doing over in England for the Commodore
64. Some of these demos are on the C-64 disk magazine and they are
quite amazing even for the C-64, they come from Compunet. It would be
very nice to include demos like this on the Amiga Megadisc. It would
also be nice to put together a compilation of the latest Compunet demos
for the Amiga.
Yours faithfully,
STEVEN CROCKETT
ED: Steven, check out the Megadisc Catalogue which has all the public
domain stuff I can get my hands on, including the latest demos. But if
anyone gets any that should be included in the library, please call or
send it in, and I'll send back any PD disk of your choice. The library
now stands at about 230 disks! and it's growing fast. Also most welcome
are any disks that anyone puts together, of whatever kind.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Megadisc ed,
Megadisc 5 was the first time I had bought your disk. I have only owned
my Amiga 500 for 1 month and have never used a computer before. I can
see from Megadisc 5 that I am going to learn a lot about getting the
most out of my Amiga.
This brings me to my first point, I am interested in the CONSULTATION
AND TRAINING you mention on Disc5. Being a novice I need help from
the very bottom of the scale. What I would like to see is someone put
together a training course on Video tape, you could have different tapes
on many subjects. Why I say this is because it doesn't matter how much
you read, you cannot beat face to face training, someone actually
showing you what to do. I am a Shiftworker and I find it very, very
hard to do a face to face course as my working times vary greatly and
would make it impossible to attend a weekly course - there must be a lot
of other people like me.
You are to be highly commended on your stance on commercial advertising
on Megadisc, but I can see a market on your disk for the private market.
There must be a lot of people out there who are updating their equipment
and wish to sell their second-hand equipment, also there are a lot of
people out there who are looking to but a printer etc., but can't make
the budget stretch to be able to buy one, but could possibly scrape
together enough to buy a second-hand one from someone updating. For a
fee you could have a FOR SALE and a WANTED page for the private market
only.
L. CARLOW
P.S. MEGADISC 5 being my first one I have bought, I would like to
say one word WOW!
ED: I'm sure there is a good market for the training videos you mention,
and I hope someone takes up the suggestion (too busy here!). The For
Sale/Wanted is a good idea, except that MD appears every 2 months (or
so), and news might be stale by the time it gets to interested parties.
But people do ask me such things, and I could certainly keep a list of
things here if anyone wants to send in the info. I'd also suggest use
of Bulletin Board Systems if you have a modem: they usually have an Ads
section for private users.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Ed.,
Here is a few more pictures that I have drawn, and a couple
icons, I would have done more icons except I was busy drawing the
pictures, and NO ideas would come into my head for a design for an icon.
So I think I only did 4 or so....."SLACK, AY?!!!!".... Once again I have
done a few HAM pictures. But most of them are in normal 32 colour mode..
The picture of MAX HEADROOM that I drew was one of the hardest I have
had to do, so, you'd better give it a good mention!!!!!(haha).... As
far as I can remember, I get 5 public domain disks, (not sure) if it
is There will be a list of 5 PD disks that I would like...
On this disk there is also some reviews on some games etc... I am not the
best writer, but you might be interested in them!!!
Better go now,
Be ready for the next batch after this (ha!)
Justin Trevena
__
\ /OO /
\/\/ /______
ED: Thanks for your second disk of fine art, Justin - see M-M-Max in the
ArtGallery this issue. Likewise your reviews, and I think your writing
is fine!
What about an amazing Title icon for Megadisc 7?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Megadisc,
I promised that I would send you some Fractal mountain
pics, and I have. You will find them (in CLI mode) in a directory called
Fractal (oddly enough). There is only one snag, they are in ILBM format
which means that you have to load them into Deluxe Paint or such like to
work with them. The Fractal mountains were generated using the Basic
Programme "Fractal Mountains for Amiga" by Mathew Timmerman, in the
August '87 edition of Compute! I have included the prog for your perusal,
but you should consult the author about copyright. (The first time you run
the prog, try entering values of 1.5 for variation and 107 for randomise
seed.)
A few things then in closing.
Firstly, thanks for a great magazine (and so easy to use too).
Secondly, I got Fish disc #47 mainly for the communications prog.
but also for the juggler animation. But no matter what I try, I can't get
it to work (yes I followed the instructions). Ah well! I guess I'll just
have to get the more recent version on fish #97 (please find cheque
enclosed).
Thirdly, I am sending back my copy of your catalog for it's long
overdue update.
And last, but by no means least, when you called last, you said
that you had a good P.D. wordprocessor for me. So you'll find the 6.50
enclosed for that as well.
David Sloan
ED: Thanks for the mountainous fractals, David - but I couldn't get them
to show! on anything! What about another version? And have you tried
the "Mandelbrot Set Explorer" (in the Catalogue)?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Sir,
After buying several of your wonderful and informative MegaDisc disks, I
have summoned up the courage to send in some work of my own and of some
friends. I have devised this disk into 4 main areas, Music (some music
from Deluxe Music by a friend of ours.),Pictures (some pictures drawn on
Digi-Paint by my own hand.),Programs (various AmigaBASIC programs done
by my brother and I as well as a friend.) and Articles (Hints on Faery
Tale and an article on the hated virus.)
I would also like to thankyou on a job well done in producing your
mag-on-a-disk "MegaDisc". Your "magazine" has to be one of the best and
most informative ,as well as fun,Amiga magazines to buy. I consider it
better than the American counterpart "Jumpdisk".
Yours sincerly,
Carl Osterly.
ED: Thanks for the disk, Carl, lots of time and talent went into it,
obviously. I've pulled the Faery Tale hints into this letter, and the
virus article is more or less dealt with in the VACCINE2.0 program.
---------------------
Faery Tale Fast Docs.
By C.Osterly.
Magic.
---------------------
Gold Rings = Stop time.
Glass Vials = Restorative elixir.
Jade Skull = Instant death to all enemies.
Bird Totem = Gives you a top view of your immeadiate area.(Handy if you
are lost.)
Blue Stones = Allows travel across the land via stone circles.
Green Jewels = Enable you to see in the dark.
Crystal Orb = Shows hidden things that the character can't see.
---------------------
Keys.
--------------------
White = For old castles and manors.
Grey = Rooms in the City Of Marhiem and the Watch Tower.
Red = For secret entrances.
Gold = For the maze in Hemsath's Tomb and the inner chambers of the King
Marhiem's palace.
Blue = For the Sorceresses Keep on the Isle Of Sorcery.
Green = For entering normal buildings.
---------------------
Weapons.
--------------------
Dirk = Useless ! Get another weapon as soon as possible.
Mace = Useful for killing Raiths. Better than a dirk !
Sword = The best of the lot ! (Even better with high bravery !)
Magic Wand = Very powerful and flashy. Only useful for long distances.
Bow = Useless,no good. Get a sword, mace or wand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ END OF MD6LETTERS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~