Floppyshop 2/Floppyshop - 2.zip/Floppyshop - 2.iso/diskmags/0022-3.564/dmg-0047/stzmag.045

Text File | 1997-04-16 | 54KB | 1,062 lines

         |            ST*ZMAGAZINE                      ISSUE #: 45
        |||           ---------------------------------------------
       |||||                         November 3, 1989
      |||||||         ---------------------------------------------
     |||||||||                      Editor: Ron Kovacs
    |||||||||||       ---------------------------------------------
   |||||||||||||      Volume 1                            Number 45
  |||         |||     ---------------------------------------------
 ||| ZMAGAZINE |||    COMPUSERVE: 71777,2140   GO ATARIARTS  LIB 15
  |||         |||     ---------------------------------------------
   |||||||||||||      GEnie: ZMAGAZINE  ST RT BB CAT 31, LIBRARY 25
    |||||||||||       ---------------------------------------------
     |||||||||            Copyright 1989, Rovac Industries, Inc.
      |||||||                      Post Office Box 59
       |||||                 Middlesex, New Jersey 08846-0059
        |||                          [phone]
         |            ---------------------------------------------

 Xx CONTENTS
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Issue #45

        <*> EDITORS DESK...............................Ron Kovacs
        <*> ZNet NEWSWIRE........................................
        <*> ZNet EUROPEAN NEWSWIRE...............................
        <*> SGS NETWORKING ON THE ST................Press Release
        <*> HiSoft C REVIEWED.......................D.A. Brumleve
        <*> PUBLIC DOMAIN SHELF "Final Edition".......Alice Amore
        <*> OPTICAL MOUSE FOR THE ST..................Rich Adkins
        <*> SHAREWARE CONTRIBUTIONS..............................
        <*> THE ARCHIVE BIT............................Ron Kovacs
        <*> THE REVOLUTION Part 3...................Donald Thomas
        <*> THE PD SURVEY..............................Mark Quinn




 Xx THE EDITORS DESK
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           by Ron Kovacs


 November 7th is Election Day, please exercise your rights and VOTE!

 As many of you know by now, Sig Hartmann has retired and did so on
 November 1st.  I want to personally wish Mr. Hartmann great success on
 future projects.



 Xx ZNET NEWSWIRE
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------



 ~ ATARI NEWS UPDATE

 * Atari returned to the Top 10 most active stocks this week after a
   short absence:  Atari Corp  284,000   9 1/2    up  3/4.
 * The LYNX, (Atari portable game machine) will appear in the Sear
   Christmas catalog and be available after November 15th.

 ~ ISD will be delaying release of version 1.1 of Calamus until mid-
   winter for more upgrades.

 ~ PAGESTREAM version 1.8 updates can be accessed through authorized
   dealers.  Bug fixes and a speed-up are the word with this version.

 ~ CMI seems to be going out of business.  Repeated phone calls go
   unanswered, and many people being owed funds.  More on this story as
   it develops.


 NEWSWIRE ROUND-UP
 =================

 ~ On November 2, 1989, Toshiba unveiled its notebook-sized personal
   computer.  The T1000SE, weighing 5.9 pounds, is Toshiba's smallest and
   lightest battery-operated portable.  The unit is scheduled to begin
   shipping in January and will carry a suggested list price of $1,699.

 ~ An Illinois consumer advocacy organization called (CUB) is in the
   midst of a legal battle over Illinois Bell Telephone's (IBT) plans to
   institute Local Measured Service (LMS) throughout Illinois.  LMS
   caused the bills of some modem users to jump as much as 200 percent
   when it was implemented outside of Chicago, where telephone
   subscribers pay a single monthly charge for local calls.  Under an LMS
   plan, even local calls are time-measured and charged as toll calls.
   Some computer users are concerned about LMS because of the experience
   of Chicago residents.  When the ICC approved the service for metro
   Chicago a few years ago, substantially higher monthly bills were the
   result for modem users.

 ~ Hayes announced its new V-series Ultra Smartmodem 9600 which will
   provides CCITT V.32 full duplex 9600 bps dial-up communications and
   CCITT V.42bis for data throughput to 38.4 Kbps.  The $1,119 modem, to
   be shipped next year, offers features such as error-control and data
   compression.

 ~ Texas Instruments has introduced three laptops, including a 12 MHz
   80C286-based, notebook-sized PC.  The PC, known as the TravelMate,
   measures 8.2 inches by 11.7 inches and weighs 6.7 pounds.  It features
   a 20MB hard disk drive, an enhanced super twist back lit LCD display,
   and 1MB of random access memory, expandable to 4MB.  Prices are $4,199
   for the Model 12, $4,999 for the Model 25, and $5,599 for the Model
   45.

 ~ InfoWorld is teaming up with Hyundai to produce a new series of two
   minute television segment called "InfoWorld PC Pointers."  The spots
   are to debut on ESPN this week.

 ZNET FEATURE STORY
 ==================
 Ctsy CompuServe

 The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote next week on a bill
 that would restrict software rentals.  David Carle, a spokesman for
 committee member Sen. Paul Simon (D-Ill.), said the Software Rental Bill
 (S-198) has already cleared its first hurdle by passing a vote by the
 committee's subcommittee on patents and copyrights.  If approved by the
 committee next week, the bill would move on to a vote by the full
 Senate.

 In addition to the Senate Judiciary bill, an identical bill is pending
 before the House Judiciary Committee.  According to Jane Saunders,
 general counsel for the Software Publishers Association, the bill will
 give software publishers "the right to restrict the rental or lending of
 their software for commercial purposes."  Saunders said computer
 software publishers currently do not have the legal right to prevent
 retailers from lending or renting original program disks they have
 legally purchased.  Instead, owners of software programs now are
 prohibited only from renting copies of a program.  She said current law
 also stipulates that only one copy can be made of each legally purchased
 program, and for backup purposes only.

 Saunders estimates about 50 commercial software lenders have opened
 across the country over the past three years, some of them operating
 through the mail.  She noted that all are "helping to facilitate
 software piracy," because their customers are "really paying a slight
 fee to borrow and copy" the programs.

 Groups and companies lobbying for the bill include the Software
 Publishers Association, ADAPSO, Microsoft, Lotus Development Corp.,
 Ashton-Tate, Autodesk, Aldus, and WordPerfect.




 Xx ZNET EUROPEAN NEWSWIRE
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------



 ~ Last month the 1989 Personal Computer Show took place in London
 England.  Here is a short review of the happenings:

 ATARI on hand showing the 68030 TT, STacy and 286PC.

 MIRRORSOFT was demonstrating Fleet Street Publisher 3.

 KODAK and ATARI showed off the Atari Transputer Workstation, (ATW).
 Kodak had the ATW connected to their new SV7400 still video player and
 a color output device.

 HISOFT showed off the STacy with the Spectre GCR from Gadgets By Small.
 Also on hand were other HISOFT products such as Devpac, HiSoft C, Forth,
 FTL Modula 2, HiSoft Basic, Craft2 and Knife ST.  HiSoft will be
 releasing new products in the future which are: ProFilght, the tornado
 simulator, and Lattice C version 5, a C compiler.

 SILICA SYSTEMS showed Robokit which allows you to manipulate Robots and
 control your own robot arm designs.  The product is plugged into the ST
 cartridge port, and provides 16 connections for for motors, sensors, and
 other various I/O applications.

 CP SOFTWARE demoed Chess Player 2150 and Bridge Player 2150.

 POWER COMPUTING was demonstrating the SUPER-A board for the ST.  This is
 a nearly completed internal hard disk, ROM board, and RAM upgrade board.
 The RAM upgrade can give you 3mb on the Mega 1 and up to 4mb on the Mega
 2.

 HYBRID ARTS was on hand showing seven new products.  "CHAOS", a new
 operating system, (Custom Hybrid Arts Operating System), replaces GEM
 and gives quicker multi-program environment.  GenEdit, a synthesizer/MIDI
 hardware editor.  Protozoa, an editor for the new EMU Proteus.  Edit
 Track and SMPTE which moves to version 2.  FM Melody Maker, a cartridge
 based sound expander.


 Xx SGS: NETWORKING ON THE ST
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Press Release

 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
 Don Ice/ Andrew Carlson
 Paradise Computer Systems
 3485 B Sacremento Street
 San Luis Obispo, California 93401
 (805) 44-7130
 BBS: [phone]

 LOW COST NETWORK NOW AVAILABLE FOR ATARI ST

 Paradise Computer Systems and SGS Software of San Luis Obispo,
 California,  have developed the first complete networking system for the
 Atari ST.  The product called SGSnet, allows from 2 to 32 ST's to share
 data stored on a hard disk drive connected to a file server.

 SGSnet uses the MIDI ports on each ST computer in the network, providing
 a data transfer rate of 31,000 baud.  The custom hardware used by the
 network allows continual operation even if a node is turned off or
 removed from the network.  Network watching can be monitored from either
 the file server or by watching the activity light on the connector box
 attached to each node.  Up to 500 feet of coax cabling may be used to
 connect the network.

 The SGSnet network operating system is GEM and TOS compatible.  The non-
 dedicated file server allows users to run other programs and access
 files for word processing or other tasks while handling network
 operation.  The speed of the file server is minimally affected by
 network activity.

 Other features of the network operating system include open file
 monitoring of up to 100 files by the server, various permission settings
 for all nodes, automatic re-login of nodes and automatic file locking.
 The system is fault tolerant, meaning that data is constantly checked
 for errors and corrected as it passes through the network.  SGSnet was
 designed to insure hard disk data integrity by refusing simultaneous
 write access to the same file.  Installation of software is made easy by
 an INSTALL program that does everything except put the working disks in
 the drive.  Hardware installation is as simple as plugging MIDI cables
 into each ST system.

 SGSnet can be easily used by any person or group with more than one
 Atari ST.  Schools, small businesses, Atari dealers, BBS SysOps, and
 user groups can benefit from this simple, inexpensive way to share data.
 Since the full computing power of each ST can be used independently,
 SGSnet provides access to the same programs and data files for a large
 number of users without slowing down the entire system.

 One of the best reasons to use SGSnet is its low cost.  The SGSnet
 Starter Kit, which contains the hardware and software necessary to
 network two ST's, has a retail price of $159.95.  Each SGSnet add-on kit
 allows the addition of one extra node for only $109.95.

 SGSnet is NOW available from Paradise Computer Systems, as well as from
 many dealers and distributors.  Ordering and dealership information can
 be obtained by contacting Paradise Computer Systems.



 Xx HiSoft C: A C Language Interpreter
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Reviewed by D.A. Brumleve



 MichTron
 576 South Telegraph
 Pontiac, MI  48053
 [phone]
 $99.95

 In college, while my husband-to-be pursued computer science and
 chemistry, I studied linguistics.  I can remember many a conversation
 about his various computer "languages".  I thought it was ridiculous to
 call a command system a "language".  Since learning to program, however,
 I have realized that BASIC, C, and others do qualify as languages in
 many ways.  The similarity is not limited to features such as vocabulary
 and syntax.  When I program in GFA Basic, I ask myself "How can I say
 that in GFA?"-- and the thought processes I experience are very much the
 same as if I were asking "How can I say that in German?"  Anyone who
 knows more than one language will agree that some thoughts can be
 conveyed better in one language than in another.  It is the same with
 computer languages, and even within dialects of the same language.  I
 have tried, therefore, to familiarize myself with several dialects of
 BASIC in order to use the most appropriate and efficient one for the
 purposes of a particular program.  I am also anxious to broaden my
 knowledge of other computer languages for the same reason.  The new GFA
 3.0 Compiler (and GFA is the BASIC I use most often) allows the use of C
 routines in the compiled program, so I have a very strong interest in
 learning to use C effectively.

 Unfortunately, the C programmer usually has to work "blind".  The code
 is typed into a text editor and saved to disk.  Then the programmer
 exits the editor program and loads the compiler.  Then there's linking..
 A BASIC programmer can use an "interpreter" to run and test the program
 while it is being written.  Only when all the bugs are worked out is the
 program compiled.  I'm accustomed to the interpreter environment, and
 I've balked at learning C without it.  But no more:

 The hassles of programming in C have been relieved with the release of
 the HiSoft C Interpreter.  This program, developed in France by
 Loriciels, lets you write, test, and edit C programs while using only
 the one application, just as you do in BASIC.  The package promotes the
 program primarily to new C users: "Learn to program in C the easy way...
 with the HiSoft C Interpreter."

 The two disks in the package contain the interpreter, libraries, and a
 multitude of sample programs for study.  The 329-page manual is wire-
 bound, allowing it to rest open on your desk while your hands are busy
 on the keyboard.  The first forty pages discuss the interpreter program
 itself.  Another forty pages provide a short tutorial introduction to C
 programming.  A second tutorial provides an introduction to programming
 in GEM.  Most of the rest of the book contains an alphabetical listing
 of the library functions with explanations and examples of their usage.
 Useful appendices and a strong index follow.  The style of the author is
 friendly and straightforward; as a linguist, I enjoyed very much a
 momentary digression in which he quoted a particularly funny line from
 the French version of the manual.

 The Interpreter will run from disk or from a hard drive.  The disks are
 not copy-protected.  The program will run in medium or high resolution.
 Since I do my programming largely in low resolution, I find the lack of
 support for low resolution to be a drawback, but, for instructional
 purposes in learning the language, two resolutions are sufficient.

 HiSoft C's library includes 460 ANSI, UNIX, GEM, C, and DOS standard
 functions.  There is also a special library of GEM-related functions to
 speed up the construction of menus, windows, and dialogs.  The program
 supports include files, and standard include files are available on the
 disks; users are warned not to use include files from a compiler package
 when running programs from HiSoft C.  In general, HiSoft's Interpreter
 is very close to the Kernigan and Ritchie standard.

 The editor offers a blank screen with a flashing cursor and a menu bar
 at the top.  Menu options can be chosen with the mouse--or a
 corresponding keyboard macro may be used.  These macros can be
 permanently modified by the user.  Additional macros are available to
 speed up various editing functions.  You may also provide up to ten
 macros yourself, so you can write a whole line of code with the press of
 a key.  It is possible to load eight program modules into the
 Interpreter at a time.  The editor has most of the functions you'd
 expect in a text editor or a word processor, such as finding and
 replacing a string of text and block manipulations of sections of text.
 It is, of course, possible to print the program listings in memory.  The
 program's defaults, such as the macros, the path for loading and saving
 programs, selection of word wrap, automatic indentation, automatic
 creation of backups, etc. can all be adjusted to suit the user; the set-
 up is then saved to disk, and the program will show the user's choices
 the next time it is loaded.

 The ability to use and alter a myriad of macros and to set defaults are
 not the only thoughtful features of the Interpreter to make writing C
 much easier.  The indentations typical of C code can be made
 automatically by the Interpreter.  You can set up the program so that,
 when you load HiSoft C, it will automatically load into memory the code
 you were working on the last time you used it--it will even place the
 cursor in the position it was in when you saved it!  If you wish, the
 Interpreter will create backup files when you save altered code under
 the same name as previously-saved code; the older code is renamed with
 the ".BAK" extension.  It is possible to define and run "projects",
 HiSoft C source code which calls executable binary code (compiled
 functions).  For help with debugging, HiSoft provides a Trace mode and
 pointer tests.

 The Interpreter offers help files, utilities, and accessories to make
 your programming more efficient as well.  You can copy, move, delete,
 and rename files or create a new folder without leaving the program.
 There is a built-in disk-formatter.  A calculator is on call to perform
 addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division in base 8, 10, and
 16.  A table of the ASCII code is available in a dialog box.  It would
 seem that C programmers ignore the decimal ASCII values; as a BASIC
 programmer, I found it odd (and annoying!) that only the hex values were
 provided.  Otherwise, this is a very handy and appropriate feature for
 an editor/interpreter, and I'd like to see it included with other
 language packages routinely.

 Can you really learn to program in C with a forty-page (or eighty,
 counting the introduction to GEM) tutorial?  Well, no, but you can
 certainly get started.  A BASIC programmer, especially one using a
 modern BASIC such as HiSoft, Omikron, or GFA, will find enough common
 ground to feel fairly comfortable with C from the first few lessons. The
 author does not expect the tutorial provided to be the sole source for
 someone learning C; an appendix cites several additional resources for
 learning more about C once the manual's tutorial has been completed.
 Even so, the tutorial is very strong in teaching the basic concepts
 necessary to C programming.  The little programs developed during the
 learning process result, for the most part, in text output on the
 screen.  I would have preferred more work with graphics, but the
 concepts presented carry over to virtually any programming purpose.  The
 program listings in the tutorial and the accompanying explanations are
 generally clear.  I did find a few mistakes in the type-in code;
 fortunately, by the time I got to the faulty listings, I knew enough C
 to debug them.  (Sometimes, tutorials provide intentional errors to
 force debugging by learners.  I don't believe that was the case here.)
 The interpreter itself is very easy to learn to use, as it has many
 features in common with GEM-based word processors and text editors, so
 learning to use the program does not distract you from learning to write
 in C.

 Your HiSoft C programs can be compiled with the use of a separate
 compiler.  HiSoft recommends Lattice C as "almost totally compatible",
 but several other compilers may be able to compile the code also.
 Because some C compilers offer extensions to the usual standards, they
 may not be completely compatible with code generated with HiSoft.  The
 author freely admits that interpreted C runs more slowly than compiled
 C; the program is not offered as a substitute for a C compiler.  No run-
 only version of the interpreter is provided, so programmers who want to
 share their products with people who do not own HiSoft C will need to
 compile them first.

 If you've been wanting to learn C, but haven't known where to begin,
 this is a great package for you.  I would expect that some experienced
 C programmers would also enjoy the interpretive environment especially
 when first setting up a program or ironing out the fine points toward
 the end, but a programmer who is already comfortable without an
 interpreter is likely to find HiSoft C superfluous.  If you want to use
 the HiSoft C Interpreter, but already own a C compiler, I'd suggest you
 check with MichTron concerning the compatibility of your compiler before
 you proceed.



 Xx PUBLIC DOMAIN SHELF **FINAL EDITION**
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          by Alice Amore

 [Editors Note:  This is the final installment of the Public Domain
 Shelf.  Next week Alice begins a NEW weekly focus.]


 ** ASSASSIN:  Fonts are a lot of fun to play with, and can turn an
 otherwise drab document into an eye-catching manuscript.  In order to
 take advantage of the wide variety of fonts available, you must do some
 of the "set-up work" yourself.  Part of this work involves composing an
 ASSIGN.SYS file.  ASSIGN.SYS contains information telling your program
 which fonts you'll be using, where they're located, and more.  Although
 the ASSIGN.SYS file can be created using any ASCII word processor, it's
 a dreary process and mistakes are easily made, and a different
 ASSIGN.SYS file is often necessary for each font-using program.
 ASSASSIN makes the task a breeze.  Using a simple work space, it prompts
 you to load the fonts you want to include, then saves the ASSIGN.SYS for
 you.  You can quickly whip up an ASSIGN.SYS file for every program
 requiring one.

 ASSASSIN is shareware from Michael F. Ellis.

 ** IMG_INDX:  This is a "companion program" to IMG CAT,  (The demo
 program for IMG CAT is called IMG_CATF and is well worth the download
 time.) although this program as a stand-alone is quite useful.  Where
 IMG CAT catalogs your .IMG files by printing an actual catalog using
 graphics, IMG_INDX produces an ASCII index of those same files.  Each
 individual file is listed along with its width and height (both in
 pixels and in actual size according to your resolution).  The header
 contains path information as well as the date, the page, the measuring
 system used, and how many images are being processed.  The program will
 find all .IMG files on your entire system, or look specifically at any
 drive you specify.  IMG_INDX handles scales for 9- or 24-pin printers in
 normal or draft mode, and laser printers in high res or draft mode.
 IMG_CAT is shareware from Chet Walters.  IMG_INDX is best when used with
 IMG_CAT.

 ** SDRIVER:  This is a "stay-resident" program which will allow you to
 hook up an Atari 8-bit drive to your ST system.  Access to the 8-bit
 drive will be just the same as with an ST drive, and all flavors of
 8-bit drives are permissible (810, 1050, Rana, whatever).  (Note that
 only single/sided drives are supported in this version.  Higher-capacity
 drives will be supported in future versions.) In addition to the drive,
 you will need a special cable.  You can use Darek Mihocka's "XformerII"
 cable, or you can register your program with the author and receive a
 suitable cable from him.  The cable connects the 8-bit drive to your
 printer port.  You can also daisy-chain additional drives.  SDRIVER can
 be copied to your AUTO folder if desired.  8-bit disks must be formatted
 using the special (included) program.  Once formatted, you can read,
 write, copy, delete, and the other usual STuff.  Remember that you can
 NOT read and write 8-bit files with this set-up, nor can you perform
 whole-disk copies.  But you can do as much file-massaging as you please.
 Be aware that the 8-bit drives are quite a lot slower than the ST
 drives.  SDRIVER is shareware from James C. McCormick.

 ** SHANGHAI:  This demo has been around for awhile, but was recently
 posted.  If you haven't seen SHANGHAI, this will show you what the fuss
 is (was) about.  SHANGHAI is based on the ancient Chinese game of mah-
 jongg and involves dominoes-like tiles which must be matched.  The game
 itself is highly addictive.  After trying this demo, you will know if
 you can resist.  (I couldn't.)  The demo includes only one "set" of
 tiles, but it will probably take you a few tries to win.  SHANGHAI is
 distributed by Activision.

 ** SNOWMAN:  Get yourself this file for Christmas and share it with
 family, friends, and everyone else in the world!  SNOWMAN is a
 delightful story told through superb animation and digitized sound.  The
 original is an award-winning short subject.  (Quite by accident, I saw a
 videotape of the original advertised on TV but I didn't write down the
 800 number.)  The SNOWMAN file was created in W. Germany (ST VISION
 International User Group) using ST REPLAY 4 and The Grabber.  The file
 is large, indeedy, but well worth downloading.  It will loop and play
 over and over again, so run it during your group meetings and in your
 stores during the holiday season.  The only negative comment I can make
 about this file is that there's no way to exit from it gracefully.  You
 must reboot.  SNOWMAN requires 1 meg of memory and runs in low
 resolution only.  If you must run it from a floppy, you'll need a double
 sided disk.

 ** SNAP_3_0:  This is a much-improved version of a much-needed utility.
 SNAP allows you to take "snapshots" of your screen whenever the need
 arises by hitting the ALT/HELP keys.  It's a TSR (terminate and stay
 resident) program which means it can be accessed whenever needed.  Once
 the screen has been "snapped", you will find it on your disk as a DEGAS
 picture file.  Or, if you'd prefer to send the file to your printer
 instead, you can.  SNAP is quite reliable, although it isn't guaranteed
 to work with everything.  It is small enough (less than 37K) to keep in
 memory whenever you possibly can.  SNAP_3_0 is shareware from Mark
 Overgaard.

 ** STWEL3_4:  Although ST Writer Elite has seen its last version, this
 is yet another version with a few nice fixes/enhancements.
  - The Search/Replace which precluded null replacement has been fixed.
  - Global Search and Replace is now roughly 60 times faster.
  - The free memory byte counter can now accommodate up to 95 megs to be
    compatible with the TT (which can handle more than 25  megs of RAM).
  - In non-GEM mode, in many instances, the Enter keys acts the same as
    the Return key.
  - The placement of the cursor with the mouse now updates the line/
    column numbers immediately.
  - An Info Status line has been added on the GEM menu screen.  It keeps
    track of the name and path of the current file.
  - When you over save a file which exists, you are warned about it, and
    the alert box tells you the name of the file you are attempting to
    overwrite.
  - If you have TOS 1.4 in ROM, file selector boxes now indicate their
    function.
  - All disk I/O has been updated and thoroughly debugged.
 ST WRITER ELITE was programmed by Bruce Noonan, M.D.

 ** TOUCHDWN.SEQ:  For all you football fans, get real slo-mo enjoyment
 with TOUCHDWN.SEQ.  Made with CyberPaint via capture with VIDI-ST, this
 shows a touchdown pass during a Rams v. Bills game.  Requires 1 meg of
 memory, color, and ANIMATE4.PRG to run.  Provided by ST*ZMagazine.

 The following three games are among the programs to be found in the
 current issue of ST-LOG.  Although the programs are available online,
 full documentation is included in ST-LOG, so please be fair to everyone
 and buy ST-LOG to get the most from these programs.

 ** CAPITAL:  CAPITAL ST is a board game for the business-minded.
              Programmer:  Bryan Schappel.
 ** UFOTO:    UFOTO puts you behind the camera as you try to take
    photographs of an elusive UFO.
              Programmer:  Albert Baggetta.
 ** SEASIDE:  A matching game for children of all ages.  This time we
    find ourselves at the seashore looking for sea creatures.  Another
    winner!   Programmer:  Frank M. Hundley.




 Xx OPTICAL MOUSE FOR THE ST
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   by Rick Adkins, AUGIE
 AUGIE -
 PC Widowmaker BBS 3/12/24/9600hst
 [phone], PCP Colton Exchange


 If you are like me, you've really not been impressed by the Atari ST
 mouse.  Why?  Atari's mouse uses the old style mechanical type mechanism
 that becomes dirty after only a few months of use.  Additionally, the
 left and right buttons do not function that well when it comes to
 clicking.

 But what can you do about this?  Well, you can do what I have done...
 replace it!  I ran across a 'techie' (from another Atari users group)
 who gave me a diagram which shows how to hook up a Xerox Optical mouse
 to an ST!  An optical mouse has no moving parts to wear out, and it is
 much smoother in it's operation.

 THE PROJECT

 1.  Purchase a Xerox mouse (part number 18K00200).  Note: The only
 problem you may run up against is locating this item!  I purchased a
 used Xerox 18K00200 mouse at a local computer swapmeet.  (If you are in
 the Southern California area checkout the General Dynamics computer swap
 meet held once a month in Fullerton.)

 2.  All you have to do is remove the Xerox connection and replace it
 with a FEMALE DB9 connector.  Just solder the Xerox colored wires to the
 NEW DB9 connector using the diagram below.  The Diagram is viewed from
 the backside of the NEW DB9 connector.

              Brown__
                     |
      Orange____     |     ___Red
 Yellow____     |    |    |     _____ NO Connection
           |    |    |    |    |
        ---------------------------
        \  o    o    o    o    o  /
         \    o    o    o    o   /   This is the back side
          \_____________________/    of the NEW DB9 connector
              |    |    |    |
 Blue_________|    |    |    |_______Black
       Grey________|    |_______Violet

 No connection to the GREEN wire of the XEROX mouse.

 This new optical mouse will now read any DOT pattern platen you can find
 and...  It works just fine on your Blue Denim LEVIS pants leg!



 Xx SHAREWARE CONTRIBUTIONS: Are They Adequate?
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------


 Contributions and donations are the foundation on which shareware
 software is built.  While many programmers might choose to release their
 programs as public domain or freeware, it is only fair that those who
 dedicate hundreds and hundreds of hours and literally thousands of
 dollars into equipment, software and expenses, receive some small return
 for their efforts.

 Many shareware programs actually approach and even surpass commercial
 software quality.  And while commercial programs typically ask for
 anywhere from $30 to $50 and more, most shareware authors ask for half
 those amounts and many times, much less.

 Programs like SHEET (the shareware spreadsheet from Chor-Lung Ming) or
 VAN TERM (a shareware telecommunications programs from William Van Nest)
 do everything their commercial counterparts accomplish at a fraction of
 the suggested price.  Shareware products like MANUAL MAKER (Craig
 Daymon's nifty little program which transforms ASCII files into
 attractive manual-type printouts) or ST XFORMER (Darek Mihocka's Atari
 8-bit emulator) have no commercial counterpart at all.

 One of shareware's strongest assets is the ability of ST enthusiasts
 everywhere to actually try a particular program before they decide to
 register as a user by forwarding a contribution to the programmer.
 Shareware programs are typically distributed by shareware authors by
 several means and end up being available to end users via on-line
 services, bulletin boards, user groups and public domain/shareware disk
 services.

 However, this try-before-you-buy method of distributing shareware is
 also actually the weak link in the chain.  It's simple for ST users (or
 any computer users for that matter) to obtain shareware software and
 just as simple for them to neglect, ignore and otherwise forget to
 forward contributions.

 In the seven months we've published the Shareware Connection, we've had
 far more negative comments from shareware authors regarding
 contributions than any other type of input.  We've had authors tell us
 they've received absolutely no funds for their efforts while noticing
 hundreds of downloads via on-line services.  Other have told us that
 while they are not totally dissatisfied with funds sent from registered
 users, these contributions are considerably less that what they desired
 or expected.

 Even after 7 short months of existence we feel we've established
 ourselves as a link between users and programmers.  Our existence has
 already caused at least 3 public domain/shareware authors to update and
 release new versions of their programs and at least one programmer to
 release software he hadn't even intended to release.  Now we want to
 help make the shareware market as strong as possible in the ST community
 and that means getting the public more informed about shareware and the
 importance of contributions.

 Our first step in actually helping this change take place is to gather
 more facts.  This is where our readers, users and programmers alike come
 into the picture.  We need your input.

 Programmers need to take the time to forward us information regarding
 their programs and their contributions to date.  We need information
 like how long your program (or programs) have been available, how many
 contributions or registered users you've attracted and why you think
 your methods of attracting contributions are either successful or not.

 We also need to hear from users of shareware software.  Why do you feel
 shareware authors receive less donations than they deserve and why you
 either do or do not forward funds.  At what point do you feel a program
 is worth a contribution?  After you use it once, twice, five times, ten
 times?  Do shareware authors ask fair amounts for their software?
 Should they request specific amounts or leave the contribution up to the
 individual and why?

 We need as much input as possible.  If you're a shareware author and
 feel you haven't received your fair share of registered users, don't
 pass up this chance to make that fact known.  We'll pass all comments
 along to our readers in a future issue.  If you'd like to make some
 statements but would rather remain nameless in our article, please state
 that and we'll withhold your name.  If this request is not made, we will
 use specific quotes whenever applicable.

 It should take us just a few weeks to compile this information, so you
 can expect our complete report sometime this fall.  In the meantime, get
 your friends and fellow programmers to forward their comments to us so
 we can get an accurate representation of the state of shareware
 contributions and support.



 Xx THE ARCHIVE BIT
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           by Ron Kovacs
                                             From the ZMagazine Archives


 1 YEAR AGO - NOVEMBER 1988
 ==========================

 Atari reported they will be giving credit for purchasing Atari
 cartridges, they are sold presently at a cost of $10 to $30 each.  Atari
 will give prizes and a two week vacation.  If this experiment works,
 they will continue this promotion as a way of luring more people to
 purchase Atari products.

 The first Atari Canadian Users Convention takes place in Toronto Canada.
 On display were all of Atari's products including the 260ST.  New
 products talked about included the 68030 chip-based ST scheduled for
 shipment in early 1989 with enhanced resolution, stereo chip, more
 colors and the NEW TOS.  Other products discussed included the lap top
 ST, an ST based game machine, and a new ST light light guns with games
 cable of utilizing it.  One of the games announced was "Crossbow".

 On November 17th, 1988 ZMagazine and ST-Report editors Ron Kovacs and
 Ralph Mariano spilt an organized publication because of controversy
 surrounding editor Mariano.  In January, STZMAG surfaced as a
 replacement to ST-Report Magazine.

 An Anti-Virus law was proposed by Michigan state lawmakers that would
 impose penalties against anyone convicted of creating or spreading
 computer viruses.  This proposal came to light based on the virus attack
 earlier this month on military and research computers linked by ARPANET
 and other computer networks.  Luckily, this virus did not cause any
 damage other than down time to all involved.

 Atari's Holiday Promotion was unveiled that offers free game cartridges
 to buyers of Atari video game systems and software.  The "Atari Holiday
 Bonus Software Program" lets consumers who purchase an Atari 2600 or
 7800 game system between November 21 and December 31 receive a bonus of
 two free game cartridges direct from Atari.  Through December 31, Atari
 offered a $50 consumer rebate on the purchase of the Atari XE.

 GFA Systemtechnik informed MichTron that they intended to begin
 marketing all their products, world wide, by themselves.  GFA was going
 to start a new company in the USA called GFA U.S.A.  Hearing this,
 HiSoft approached MichTron about publishing their products in the United
 States.

 Atari attends the 10th Comdex showing Ultrascript which was said to be
 ready in early 1989.  DTP processors on hand included PageStream,
 Publisher ST, DeskSet, and Calamus.  The PC4 and PC5 were on display
 with no word on US shipping dates.  At the same show Commodore announced
 the Amiga 2000HD.

 2 YEARS AGO - NOVEMBER 1987
 ===========================

 Atari showcases the ABAQ at Comdex.  The Abaq, based on a "transputer"
 chip, runs more than 10 times faster than a PC/AT technology and more
 than 5 times faster than the 68020 with math processor.  Atari unveiled
 its new CD player capable of reading CD-ROM disks and of playing musical
 CD disks.  The CD-ROM is supported by a Mega and ST-compatible DMA
 interface, and would retail in early 1988 for under $600.  Also at
 Comdex, the Mega's SLM804 Laser printer, Deskset, WordPerfect, and
 Microsoft Write.  Atari's IBM compatibles were shown, the PC2 (XT
 Compatible) and PC4 (AT Compatible), PC3 (VGA Graphics Operation), which
 join the PC1 already available at $799.  Sam Tramiel states "I can see
 Atari Mega computers with laser printers as desktop publishing stations
 exchanging data with a satellite group of PC1's as LAN stations.  An
 entire office environment can be created.  The PC, the Macintosh, and
 the Atari computers co-exist.  Each can do the things they do best."
 Atari announced "Moses PromiseLAN," a local area network that can
 connect up to 17 PCs using off-the-shelf telephone wire.  They will also
 be developing Moses PromiseLAN adaptors for its Mega and ST computers.
 Thus, the Mega and Atari laser printer will be able to share data with
 PCs and Apple Macintoshes.

 3 YEARS AGO - NOVEMBER 1986
 ===========================

 Commodore's bankers renew a credit line of 140 million to keep things
 rolling.  Earlier in the year they defaulted on loans while banks held
 off calling in the bucks.

 The Max Headroom Show gains popularity as Max appears in Conference on
 CompuServe.  Max Headroom was best known for his witty, off-the-wall
 comments made while interviewing rock groups and other pop artists.
 Newsweek dubbed Max the "the TV talk show host of 1986 -- no, make that
 the year 2000."

 The Software Publishers Association announced it was offering a $100
 reward to anyone turning in information about computer bulletin board
 systems that distribute copyrighted software.  As reported in Zmag, in
 order to collect the bounty, tipsters HAD TO provide the name, telephone
 number and log-on information of a pirate BBS, as well as the street
 address and name of the sysop, a disk containing copyrighted materials
 downloaded from it and a printout of other copyrighted material posted
 there.  $500.00 was paid out to date.

 Antic Online a CompuServe Forum was unable to reach a mutually
 acceptable contract with CompuServe, and found it necessary to
 discontinue ANTIC ONLINE.  They would later kiss and make up.

 Supra Corp notified owners of it's 30MB Hard Drives manufactured by NEC
 that the drives may develop encoding problems.  In a message sent to
 users of the Atari Developers Forum on CompuServe, Supra said that some
 disk drives manufactured between August 15 and October 15, 1986, have
 been known to fail after extended use.  Encoding problems can lead to
 scrambling of the disk directory and subsequent loss of data.  To
 determine if your Supra 30MB drive was manufactured during the suspected
 problem period, check the identification plate on the bottom of the
 drive.  The manufacturing date shown is in the format of MDDYY or
 MMDDYY.  Users who suspect a problem with their drive should contact:
 Supra Tech Support [phone].

 ZMagazine makes it's debut in Sweden on at least three BBS systems.
 Sorman Information eXchange, SIX. It runs on a Mac+, and carry general
 computer news and sections for Mac, Atari 8-bit, and Atari ST.  The
 number is [phone].

 Atari entertains the masses at the 1986 Comdex show with Publishing
 Partner from SoftLogik, and 8-bit products like the XEP80, SX212, and
 the long awaited BLiTTer chip promised for early 1987 for $120.  Sam
 Tramiel states "Atari is bringing its philosophy of "Power Without the
 Price" to the wider peripheral market."



 Xx THE REVOLUTION Part 3
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        by Donald Thomas
                                        Copyright 1989, Artison Software


 THE CALENDAR

 WEEK 1
 PRIOR TO AND INCLUDING January 6, 1990 "LET'S GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD!"

 Write a letter, once a week each to the following three individuals:

  SAM TRAMIEL, President        PRODUCER
  Atari Corporation             20/20, ABC TV
  1196 Borregas Ave             1330 Avenue Of The Americas
  Sunnyvale, CA 94086           New York, NY  10019

  The Editor's desk of your local newspaper.

  Tell Sam Tramiel that you have joined "The REVOLUTION" and are prepared
  to wage the war in favor of better consumer exposure of the Atari
  computer lines.  Ask for his recognition and support.  This will leave
  no doubt in Atari's mind that the campaign has substance and they
  better be building a few more computers next year for the U.S.

  Tell 20/20 and your local paper, in your own words, that you have
  joined "The REVOLUTION"; a consumer interest movement organized to
  build public awareness about the best available computer values.  Tell
  them the organization has chosen Atari as a well rounded computer which
  is easily adapted for education, business, music and leisure.  As an
  active member, tell them you request their coverage of the campaign.
  This activity will be a major step to alert the media that they need to
  be aware that something is going on.

 WEEK 2  January 7 through January 13, 1990
 NATIONAL ATARI PUBLICATION RECOGNITION WEEK

  During this week, choose one or more Atari orientated publications.
  There are many.  Artisan Software can provide you with addresses or
  phone numbers of your favorite publication if you wish.  When
  subscribing, include "My subscription is in the spirit of 'The
  REVOLUTION'!" on your order.

  Also during this week, choose a topic concerning "The REVOLUTION" and
  write a minimum of two paragraphs about your opinions of it.  Send it
  to the editor of your chosen publication.

 WEEK 3  January 14 through January 20, 1990
 NATIONAL RUBBER STAMP WEEK

  Rubber Stamp week?  Yep... that's what the man said!  Every office
  supply store offers them and they are not expensive.  Write:

                          Join The REVOLUTION...
                          Use an Atari Computer!

  on a piece of paper and take it to your office supply store or local
  printer.  In less than a week, you will have a powerful tool to stamp
  on every envelope you mail out and your message can reach dozens of
  people with each letter.  Mail sorters and carriers, the recipients and
  their families or co-workers will see the growing movement advertised
  on every envelope you mail.  You will need to get a stamp pad; please
  use red.  Go stamp happy and stamp everything you can.

  It may cost a little more for the convenience, but you may order this
  stamp from Artisan Software for $22.  California, add 6% sales tax.
  Send your order to: Artisan Software, P.O. Box 849, Manteca, CA  95336

 WEEK 4  January 21 through January 27, 1990
 NATIONAL SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT WEEK

  There are two things two do during this week.  First, review your
  library of computer software and see if there is any you own that you
  may have "inadvertently" received and did not pay for.  Choose a title
  you use from time to time, or admire because of its quality.  Send a
  check to the publisher, anonymously if need be, and thank them for
  their Atari software support.  Shareware qualifies.

  Secondly, find a non-Atari software publisher in magazines or by asking
  around.  Write a letter addressed to the President of that firm and ask
  them why they do not support the Atari computer and if they will please
  consider it.  Ask them for a reply.  Be polite.

 WEEK 5  January 28 through February 3, 1990
 NATIONAL "GO TO A BARR" WEEK

  Let's band together for a special episode of ROSEANNE...the most
  popular sitcom now being broadcast.

  In this episode, the family wins a home computer (an Atari) with a
  "REVOLUTION" strike force around every corner to help them set it up.

  Write to:
                   ROSEANNE BARR
                   c/o ABC TV
                   2040 Ave OF The Stars
                   Los Angeles, CA  90067

  Tell her your nifty plot idea (as stated above) and ask for a special
  episode to be produced.  Tell her every Atari fanatic in America will
  watch.  Who knows, if they do it, maybe we can get Atari Corp. to
  sponsor it.

 WEEK 6  February 4 through February 10, 1990
 NATIONAL GOODWILL WEEK

  In honor of Valentine's Day on February 14, call your local Hospital
  and ask for the name of a child who may benefit form a little
  recognition and attention.  Design a large outline of a heart on a
  paint program.  Print it out and write: "On behalf of 'The REVOLUTION";
  a national Atari computer user interest group, I wish for you a speedy
  recovery.  We admire your strength!" Sign and send it to the address
  the Hospital gives you.  You may make the "card" as fancy as you wish,
  but artistic skills are not required.

  Parents, have your children pass out Atari generated Valentine's to
  classmates.

 WEEK 7  February 11 through February 17, 1990
 NATIONAL PRESIDENT'S WEEK

  In honor of President's Day, let's wish Mr. George Bush a pleasant one.
  To insure the publicity value, send your wishes to have a
  "REVOLUTIONARY PRESIDENT'S DAY" to the President in care of:

                    CBS TV
                    51 West 52nd Street
                    New York, NY  10019

  Send a cover letter to the network asking them to wish the President
  well in our behalf over the air.  Mention our cause in your letter.

 WEEK 8  February 18 through February 24, 1990
 NATIONAL USER GROUP RECOGNITION WEEK

  If you do not belong to a user group, find one in your area and join.
  If you already belong, make it a project to ask a minimum of one friend
  to be your guest to the next meeting.  It's preferred that your invited
  friend does not own an Atari computer.  This will be an opportunity to
  share information on why they may wish to consider one.

  Call your local newspaper and ask for the local news desk.  Ask them to
  print announcements of meetings for your local group on a regular
  basis.

 To be continued...........



 Xx THE PD SURVEY
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           by Mark Quinn


     File name:  XENON_II.ARC
  Program name:  XENON 2:  MEGABLAST
  Program type:  Game demo
 Programmed by:  The Assembly Line (Designed by the Bitmap Brothers)

 Warn them all.  Warn the wives, girlfriends and mothers of ST joystick
 jockeys everywhere.  The Assembly Line has produced a button bouncing,
 blister buster (ahh--alliteration) of a game.  The last time I had as
 much fun playing a game was--err--when someone gave me a demo of
 "Nebulus" (or "Tower Toppler").  You can play level one of this
 'production', and it has so many nice touches it's hard to list them
 all, so I'll list the ones I noticed.

 Ok, it's time to put on your "it's an awfully silly scenario, but it's
 fun" cap.  You're flying vertically through space (which is hard to do)
 in a cavern straight out of "Fred Flintstone meets Flipper" in something
 that looks like an early cartoon/Air Force jet against stars and a
 background of Something Weird (Is it a tree?  Is it mass of bronzed
 frog eggs?  Is it a web?  Why, it's all three!) and some 'spurnatozoa'
 (that's my term, not the programmers') with weird looking glossy paint
 jobs--complete with racing stripes--arc down toward you.  You blast them
 back down to level 56 of hyper hades, collecting the shiny bubble thing
 that's left behind.

 Some of the nicer touches include a "Continue Game" option, the ability
 to leave the bottom of the screen, reverse thrusters, which can
 sometimes stop the vertical scrolling (another nice touch is that the
 screen 'bounces' when it's 'struggling against your thrusters') and get
 your ship out of trouble when it's stuck somewhere, a rocket launcher
 complete with its own engine that will reattach to a new ship after the
 last one has been destroyed, centipedes which segment when you shoot
 them in a different way than in the classic game, a bonus weapon that
 attaches itself to the rear of the ship and lobs photon torpedoes at any
 aft-stabbing enemies--you get the picture.  (At least you will if you've
 downloaded or intend to download this game demo.)

 (The following program runs in monochrome ONLY.)


     File name:  BOUBLE.ARC
  Program name:  Bouncing Bubbles
  Program type:  Game
 Programmed by:  Paul Bininda

 Yet another in the "shoot, shoot some more and duck" category.  The
 object in this Space Invaders derivative, at least for the first few
 levels (if you can make it to level forty you'll be the winner of...my
 undying admiration), is to keep these Super Balls (boubles) from
 crushing your ship.  Once your ship is crushed it just sort of sits
 there like a squashed mosquito (in full, glorious high res), giving you
 time to think of new ways to avoid looking like a dead bug.

 This is another pleasing example of German PD.  Wunderbar!


 File name:  MARSFACE.ARC

 "MARSFACE.ARC" contains GIF and Spectrum pictures of an "anomaly" on
 Mars.  A mesa in one of the images the Viking 1 probe transmitted in '76
 looked (after some image enhancement was done on the transmission)
 unsettlingly like a face.

 Here's an excerpt from one of the text files in the archive.

 "1976.  Viking-1, orbiting over the Cyndonia region of Mars, transmits
 frame 35A72 to JPL.  The first tiny, high-contrast print shows a mile-
 long face-like mesa.  Though Viking's mandate is to 'search for any
 evidence of life on Mars, now or in the past' the Face is dismissed
 without investigation as an 'oddity of light and shading' and filed
 away."

 The rest of the file goes into much, much more detail about the
 discovery of the Face and how the scientific community "stonewalled"
 efforts to delve deeper into the mystery.

 (I'd end this with a "modem face", but I don't think it's appropriate.
 Here's looking at you, kid.)


 =======================================================================
        ST*ZMAGAZINE          ISSUE #45          NOVEMBER 3, 1989
                Copyright (C)1989, Rovac Industries, Inc..
 =======================================================================