Floppyshop 2/Floppyshop - 2.zip/Floppyshop - 2.iso/diskmags/0022-3.564/dmg-0133/484.txt

Text File | 1997-04-16 | 28KB | 685 lines

Info-Atari16 Digest         Sun, 15 Sep 91       Volume 91 : Issue 484

Today's Topics:
                            AT-ONCE 386sx
                             ATARI 520ST
                         C compiler for sale
                          gcc and gxx (gnu)
                                Gplot
                  mono monitor scrolling (ICD bug?)
                           Strange problem
                     Super Charger 286? (3 msgs)
                         WAACE '91 AtariFest

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----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 15 Sep 91 02:07:36 GMT
From:
 noao!ncar!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-
 state.edu!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!cleveland.Freenet.Edu![e-mail] (Len
 Stys)
Subject: AT-ONCE 386sx
To: [e-mail]

In a previous article, [e-mail] (Carsten Setje-Eilers)
 says:

>[e-mail] (Len Stys) writes:
>
>
>>In a previous article, [e-mail] (Carsten Setje-Eilers)
 says:
>>>The only disadvantage is,that you have to scroll the screen up and down
>>>via HELP and UNDO-key. The speed of redrawing the screen is ok,I think.
>>>
>>>
>>>But the big question is,if you need such a system,if you have a Atari St...
>
>>What do you mean you have to scroll the screen up and down?
>
>>For what?
>
>VGA-mono is 640 * 480. The Mega STe offers 640 * 400.
>So there's a difference of 80 lines. You can scroll the screen up and down
>these 80 lines,if you press the HELP- or UNDO -key.
>You can't see the whole VGA-screen on the SM124 ....
>
>Carsten
>


I don't know about anyone else... but it seems to me that Atari better
start working on another graphics resolution... and I'm not talking for the
mucho expensive TT/030 either.

I wonder what it would take to bring back the STs popularity in the UK
and other parts of Europe as it once was four years ago?

Incredible graphics?
Several sound channels?
Built-in gaming hardware?
Multi-media built in (sorta like Quick-Time for the Mac)?
Mediocre multi-tasking like on the Amiga?
IBM compatibility?
Easier expandability to keep up with newer computers?
Perhaps a new NAME?

I know what Atari needs in the U.S....  FIRST - new management.
                                        SECOND - newer computers.
                                        THIRD - fantastic marketing.

Len
>

--


------------------------------

Date: 14 Sep 91 19:42:48 GMT
From:
 noao!ncar!asuvax!cs.utexas.edu!qt.cs.utexas.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!van-b
 c!jonh![e-mail] (John Henders)
Subject: ATARI 520ST
To: [e-mail]

In <[e-mail]>, Alex Valdez writes:
>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
 writes:

>>
>> What exactly is IDRIS, surely it isnt a *real* unix for the ST?
>>
>No, it isn't - in the sense that AT&T did not produce it. It's a
>Unix-like OS from *Whitesmiths* (not Whitesides).

        Did Idris actually make it to the market? I remember reading about
it years ago, then complete silence. Is it available? How Much?

--
          John Henders                      [e-mail]
          Vancouver,B.C                     or ubc.cs!van-bc!jonh!jhenders

------------------------------

Date: 15 Sep 91 00:53:13 GMT
From: noao!asuvax!cs.utexas.edu!milano!cactus.org![e-mail] (Richard
 Covert)
Subject: C compiler for sale
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
>
>       FOR SALE:
>       LASER-C                 $125.00
>       C development system
>       y Megamax Inc.
>
>       Micro-C shell           $ 15.00
>       by Beckmyer Development Tools
>Bruce Wright


Good luck with that C compiler. If I remember it is NOT ANSI compatible
and it hasn't been updated in years.

And with the state of the ST amrket don't look for it to be updated.

A better choice would be to get the GNU C,C++ compilers. they are
ANSI compatible and are still supported (by that Wizard Jwahar Bammi! :-) ).

I just sold off my Mark Williams C compiler becuase it wasn't ANSI
compatible and because Mark Williams Corporation has stopped
future development of any or all ST products.

Another C compiler is the Lattice C Ver 5, which I use. it has
a great AES/VDI library. But it has its own problems. it doesn't
have a Source code debugger, nor a MAKE program.

oh well, I'm looking for a UNIX machine myself!!


--
Richard E. Covert                 [e-mail]
CACTUS                  ..!cs.utexas.edu!cactus.org!covert

------------------------------

Date: 15 Sep 91 00:12:33 GMT
From:
 noao!ncar!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!usc!news.bbn.com!apple!netcomsv![e-mail]
 (Roy Bixler)
Subject: gcc and gxx (gnu)
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Arshad
 Mahmood) writes:
>
>I would like to run gcc & g++ on my atari ST Mega4. I only have a single
>double sided floppy but there is 4M of memory, part of which I can use as
>ram disk. My questions are :
>
>       1) Is this configuration adequate for gcc and g++ ?
>          (I know I should have a harddisk but I cant afford it at the moment)

It may be adequate for gcc, but probably not for g++.  I think g++
takes a minimum of 2 Meg. of memory, so at least it would be a tight
fit in which you couldn't compile any 'serious' programs.  The 4 Meg.
would be enough to run both comfortably if you had them on a hard
drive.

>
>       2) Which files beside tos/gcc/bin/gccbin00.zoo I need for gcc
>          from terminator ?
>               ( libraries/includes/docs etc ).

You will also need the library from tos/lib/bin and the includes from
tos/include/bin.

>
>       3) Is gcc better than Sozobon C ?
>               ( ANSI C ).

gcc is ANSI C and Sozobon is not, so gcc is 'better' if that's what
you mean by better.  I think the optimization is better in gcc as
well, but on the down side, gcc takes up more memory (see above!).

>
>       4) Is g++ a preprocessor or a compiler ?

It's a full-blown compiler which uses a lot of code from gcc.  I think
starting with version 2.xx, gcc and g++ will be integrated into one
compiler.

>
>       5) If I get gxxbin.zoo,gxxlib.zoo & gxxinc.zoo, Will I still
>          need gccbin etc? Are there any docs for g++?

Yes.  No documentation that I know of, execpt that g++ tries to be
faithful to the standard C++ from AT&T.



--
Roy Bixler
[e-mail] -or- (UUCP) uunet!netcom.com!rcb

------------------------------

Date: 15 Sep 91 01:15:37 GMT
From:
 noao!asuvax!cs.utexas.edu!usc!news.claremont.edu!jarthur.claremont.edu!dcrevier
 @arizona.edu (Dan Crevier)
Subject: Gplot
To: [e-mail]

At the beginning of the summer I attempted to send a program called gplot to
atari.archive.umich.edu, but the file got messed up somewhere, and I was
gone all summer, but I have sent a new copy of the program to
atari.archive.umich.edu, and I think it should work alright now.  Below is
the message I originally posted about the program.

I have sent a scientific graphing program to atari.archive in the
file GPLOT.ARC.  It is something that my father and I worked on for
the last couple of years.  I am a student at Harvey Mudd College, and
have used it for many labs and homework assignments.  My father is
a physicist and has used it for many reports and briefings.  We were
planning to try to sell it commercially, but have decided to release
it as shareware instead since we haven't had any luck finding someone
to sell it, and it isn't completely bug free.  It is very good for
scientific graphing.  It will graph sets of x-y data, functions, and
differential equations.  It has a powerful spreadsheet type editor
for entering and manipulating data.  It uses GDOS, so the graphs are
printed at very high resolution to the printer and look very good.
It will work on both color and monochrome monitors.  I know that it
works with 1040's and Mega's, but it may not work with a TT or a
moniterm monitor.  Also, I think it needs 1 meg (someone please post
once they have tested it).  The included documentation is not as
thourough as I would like it to be, but it talks about all of the
features of the program.  It has no information about setting up
GDOS.  We are asking for a $15 shareware fee.  Please distribute
this program as much as possible, and send any comments to:

[e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: 14 Sep 91 17:53:08 GMT
From:
 europa.asd.contel.com!darwin.sura.net!gatech!mailer.cc.fsu.edu!upsilon!boyd@uun
 et.uu.net (Mickey Boyd)
Subject: mono monitor scrolling (ICD bug?)
To: [e-mail]

[e-mail] (GARY PEASE) writes:

> I recently purchased a 50 meg hardrive and a monochrome monitor for my 1040
> st.  The st was bought around 1987 and is the original machine, no TOS
> updates, memory upgrade etc.  It has alway worked fine with my color
> monitor.  Now that I've got the hard drive and the mono I have the
> following problem. Whenever I copy file from A to the hard drive the
> monitor freaks out and just scrolls and has snow.  If I reboot the system
> the problem goes away. Also I ran another program and the desktop came back
> shifted and part it was backwards?( It hard to explain what it looked like)
>  The guy I bought it from suggested that maybe I need a TOS update? Can
> anyone help me. How can I troubleshoot the problem?
> Thanks
> Gary

If you have an ICD controller in your hard disk, I have a great idea as to
what the problem is.  ICD recently went to a newer snazzier DMA cable (hooks
the hard disk to the computer) that says ICD on it.  Unfortunetely it also
has this problem on SOME ST's (not all).  You should be able to tell if you
have an ICD from the boot info that scrolls by at bootup.  To fix it, you
merely need to call ICD.  They will send you a new cable for free.


--
    ---------------------------------+-------------------------------------
             Mickey R. Boyd          |  "Kirk to Enterprise.  All clear
          FSU Computer Science       |      down here.  Beam down
        Technical Support Group      |      yeoman Rand and a six-pack . ."
       email:  [e-mail]    |
    ---------------------------------+-------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: 14 Sep 91 21:26:56 GMT
From:
 europa.asd.contel.com!darwin.sura.net!gatech!mailer.cc.fsu.edu!upsilon.cs.fsu.e
 du![e-mail] (Mickey Boyd)
Subject: Strange problem
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Marshall
 Lake) writes:
>
>I have a problem in a program that's just about to drive me crazy.  I
>have been trying to find the cause for quite some time now to no
>avail.
>
>I don't want to get into the effect because I don't think that will
>help.  What I would like to solicit is anyone's idea on why a program
>would run differently from a floppy based system than it would from a
>hard drive based system.  I am at my wit's end and am willing to listen
>to anything anyone has to say.
>
>Thanks.
>
>--
>Marshall Lake
>[e-mail]
>...!uunet!media!ka3ovk!irscscm!mlake

Well, for some time hard disks on ST's were very rare.  The ST system was
basically floppy based for several years.  This resulted in a lot of software
which has "a:\...." in it (ie hardcoded to work only from the floppys).  Other
factors which might affect this are copy protection (physical copy protection
can only be done on floppies, and are thus restricted to them) and also
"demoes" which are crippled to only run from the floppy (to encourage users
to purchase the uncrippled version).  Most commercial games will not work on
a hard disk.  This is because 99% of ST game purchasers do not have a hard
disk, and game programmers know this (and it is easier to say a: than to
look up the current logical drive from the os).  As a final note, some
programs have config files which are initially set for a floppy based system
(again because that is most of them), but can be changed for a hard disk
based system.  I seem to remember that Personal Pascal was like that; You had
to go in an edit a text file before it was able to find anything.

I have dealt with this problem many many times (since purchasing my hard disk).
Please feel free to email some details, perhaps I have encountered this
particular program.


--
    ---------------------------------+-------------------------------------
             Mickey R. Boyd          |  "Kirk to Enterprise.  All clear
          FSU Computer Science       |      down here.  Beam down
        Technical Support Group      |      yeoman Rand and a six-pack . ."
       email:  [e-mail]    |
    ---------------------------------+-------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: 14 Sep 91 23:27:48 GMT
From:
 noao!ncar!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!qt.cs.utexas.edu!zaphod.mps.
 ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!doug.cae.wisc.edu![e-mail]
 (Gregory Carter)
Subject: Super Charger 286?
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
>You using your Daddy's account again Kevie..?  Grow up a little
>and realize that cutsie personal attacks don't get you much
>respect...
>
>>You keep making claims about how an XT would be
>>more compatible.  Who cares if it's more compatible if the things
>>you want to run work on SuperCharger?
>
>Until the day you download an application you want to run, and
>it won't run on an "emulator"...
>
>Obviously QEMM386 won't run on an 8088 XT...it's *designed* for
>a '386, just as a TT program won't run on an ST..
>
>The point is, why spend an almost equivalent amount of money on
>an "emulator" that might run *some* of the applications you want,
>when the "real thing" costs about the same...?
>
>Why limit yourself to the restrictive features of the "emulator"
>when you can easily add VGA graphics, High Density disk drives,
>and all the peripheral devices that just plug into the XT buss
>in a "true" XT...?
>
>An upgrade from an XT to an AT involves swapping out the
>motherboard for a cost of about $79...  how much would it cost
>to upgrade a SuperCharger to an AT...?
>
>The ONLY reasonable argument I've heard for using an emulator on
>an ST is not having the physical space for two different complete
>computer systems.  Cost and capability are NOT good arguments for
>going with an emulator...
>
>BobR


You haven't quite covered everything Bob.  I assume your making all
these criticisms about any emulator, emulators in general.

What you say about cost saving just isn't true with a Spectre GCR.

You get much better performance than an Classic System, lots more memory,
in my case twice the speed, I own a MEGA STE. Far lower price too.

I also think that given the type of systems we are comparing, Apple system
software vs. Atari crud called TOS, the benefits go way beyond savings
on the dollar.

I don't even think I have to go into detail here, anybody with any common
sense at all, or is on a budget, knows what I am talking about.

--Greg

------------------------------

Date: 15 Sep 91 04:37:04 GMT
From:
 noao!ncar!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.ed
 u![e-mail] (Robert J Anisko)
Subject: Super Charger 286?
To: [e-mail]

  You mention only "lack of physical space" as a good reason for getting
an emulator.  For me it's basically a luxury - everything I really
need in a computer I find on my ST, and my IBM emulator is merely
for the luxury to run some IBM stuff if I want (and most of the
important utilities/applications such as Word Perfect, Windows,
DBASE, etc should work -- and that's all I really worry about).
When I finally get a high-paying job I will probably get a
pure 286LAPTOP (VGA of course), but for now why would I need it?

                                        Robert Anisko
                                        [e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: 15 Sep 91 05:19:47 GMT
From:
 noao!ncar!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia
 .edu!bronze!silver![e-mail] (Kevin Clendenien)
Subject: Super Charger 286?
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
>You using your Daddy's account again Kevie..?  Grow up a little
>and realize that cutsie personal attacks don't get you much
>respect...
>
..
>Obviously QEMM386 won't run on an 8088 XT...it's *designed* for
>a '386, just as a TT program won't run on an ST..
>
>The point is, why spend an almost equivalent amount of money on
>an "emulator" that might run *some* of the applications you want,
>when the "real thing" costs about the same...?
>
>Why limit yourself to the restrictive features of the "emulator"
>when you can easily add VGA graphics, High Density disk drives,
>and all the peripheral devices that just plug into the XT buss
>in a "true" XT...?
>
>An upgrade from an XT to an AT involves swapping out the
>motherboard for a cost of about $79...  how much would it cost
>to upgrade a SuperCharger to an AT...?
>
>The ONLY reasonable argument I've heard for using an emulator on
>an ST is not having the physical space for two different complete
>computer systems.  Cost and capability are NOT good arguments for
>going with an emulator...
>
>BobR

No, Bobie, I'm not using my daddy's account.  My father has been
dead for 18 years.  Before you put your other foot in your mouth,
I'm not using my mother's account either.  She's been dead for
15 years.

You, like Chrisie, have not been understanding what you've been
reading.  You do read, don't you?  Once again, I'll try to
simplify things for you.  If someone has a couple of thousand
dollars wrapped up in Atari hardware and software, and they want
to run some IBM software, it's going to be much less expensive
for them if they simply buy and IBM emulator.  If they buy an
IBM compatible, then they have to buy all of the goodies to go
with it including software.  Go to college Bobie.  Take some
economics courses.  One day you too will be able to understand
simple economics.

If I have misunderstood your poorly stated arguements, and what
you have really been meaning to say was that if you want to
run mainly IBM software, then you should buy an IBM or compatible,
then I couldn't agree with you more.  However, if you are
perfectly happy with your Atari, and you want to run some IBM
software, then an IBM emulator can be the most cost effective
way to go.
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
[e-mail]                          Kevin Clendenien
BLAST BBS - [phone]                                BLAST member
               "I want someone like you, only nicer."

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 15 Sep 91 08:05 EDT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: WAACE '91 AtariFest
To: [e-mail]


                      WAACE '91 Update - 14 September 1991

    Even as the masses assemble in sunny southern California, the
 WAACE team keeps plugging away on WAACE '91.  The attached list
 of vendors have committed to being at the show:

   Codehead Software               Phil Comeau Software
   Current Notes, Inc.             D. A. Brumleve
   Debonair Software               eSTeem Inc.
   FAST Technology                 Gadgets By Small
   Gribnif Software                ICD
   ISD Marketing, Inc.             JMG Software Intl Inc
   Joppa Computer Products         L & Y Electronics
   MacDonald Associates            Megatype Software
   Michtron, Inc.                  Micro Creations
   Musicode Software               RIO Computers
   Step Ahead Software, Inc.       Toad Computers
   Unicorn Publications            WizWorks!
   WuzTECH/OMNIMON Peripherals     Zubair Interfaces, Inc.


     This list includes the cream of the crop in Atari developers.
 There are plenty of innovative hardware and software products for
 everyone to behold (and take home with them).
     The Sheraton Reston Hotel reports a steady stream of people
 registering. It looks like we are going to have a grand party.
     Vendors will be receiving their final show data in a week or 10
 days.
     Information on the banquet will be posted shortly, so keep your
 eyes on this space for more news.

                        What Makes a show happen

     In a couple of recent phone conversations people have started off by
asking: "is the WAACE show really going to take place?".  I am afraid that
these people do not understand what makes a show tick.

     The first crucial item is solid vendor support, particularly in the form
of exciting products.  Anyone who reads my previous post has to be aware that
WAACE '91 has that kind of support.

     The second thing is the attitude of people towards the event itself.
WAACE is more than justr an opportunity to buy Atari goods at a cheap price.
It is a gathering point for people.  We take care to offer interesting
entertainment and forums for relaxation during those hours when the show floor
is silent.  I think it is fair to say that we have established a tone that
many people enjoy.

     The third item is continuity.  We have a nucleus of workers who have
experienced the little thrills that the Atari world can toss up to distract
people.  We have been through it before and we know that none of thse little
items will bring the world to an end.  In fact I suspect that it would take
some event like the prelude to the second coming to cancel the show this fall.

     In short, tell everyone you know that WAACE '91 IS GOING TO HAPPEN.  We
already have enough people coming to make a wonderful party.  I am looking
forward to seeing all of you there.

                            WAACE '91 Banquet

    To those who have been asking for particulars on the WAACE
  banquet here's the scoop:

                               Menu:

     Pork Loin Vindaloo         or            Chicken Italia

   (Marinated Loin of Pork           (Baked with oregano and basil,
  with a Spicy and aromatic      finished with a slice of prosciutto
       Vindaloo Sauce)             and a combination of three fine
                                            Italian cheeses)

     Accompanied by fruit cup, garden salad with choice of two dressings,
green beans, rice, rolls and butter, beverage, and peach Melba.

     A cash bar will be available during the dinner.

     Hotel banquet fare always elicits a few disparaging remarks. These were
surprisingly few in number following last year's dinner, so that the Sheraton
Reston appears to do better than most in this regard.

    Tickets are priced at $25 apiece.  Send a self-addressed stamped envelope
to:

    WAACE Banquet
    c/o Tom Stoddard
    1039 S. Ironwood Rd
    Sterling, VA, 22170.

    While some tickets may be available at the show, it is best to reserve
ahead to be sure of a seat.

    The evening's festivities will get underway with a poolside cocktail hour
(cash bar) at 7 pm.  The banquet will take place at 8 pm.

    Current Notes magazine will once again surprise everyone with its choice
for "Author of the Year". Bill Moes, Dave Small, Andzej Wrotniak, and the
Junkyard Pussycat are the past winners of this award.

    Nathan Potechin of ISD marketing, one of the true statesmen in the Atari
developer community, will be our featured speaker.  He will recount his
experiences in the quest to bring outstanding applications onto the desktops
of Atari users.

    Be sure to look for the post-banquet celebration.

 ------------
                          For Immediate Release
                           WAACE AtariFest '91

Short Form:

        The Washington Area Atari Computer Enthusiasts will sponsor WAACE
AtariFest 1991 on October 12 and 13 1991.  The show will held  at the
Sheraton Reston Hotel in Reston, VA.  Show hours will be from 10 am to 5
pm on both days.  The show will feature shopping bargains,
demonstrations, tutorials, seminars, anmd social events.  This event
will be the premier East Coast event for people who are interested in
software and hardware for Atari computers.

___________________________ Cut here _____________________________

Long Form:

        The Washington Area Atari Computer Enthusiasts will sponsor WAACE
AtariFest 1991 on October 12 and 13 1991.  This event will be the premier
East Coast event for people who are interested in software and hardware
for Atari computers.  The show will again be staged at the Sheraton
Reston Hotel in Reston, VA.  Show hours will be from 10 am to 5 pm on
both days.  In addition to the shopping bargains available from over
thirty vendors there will be a full round of demonstrations, tutorials,
and seminars.  A banquet on Saturday evening will feature a special
speaker on Atari matters and Current Notes Magazine's "Author of the
Year" award.  Special mixers will cap off the evening's festivities.
Approximately 2000 visitors from all over the USA, Canada, and other
foreign countries attended the 1990 edition of the show.

        The Sheraton Reston Hotel is a spacious, attractive facility located
in a parklike setting near Washington, DC. The hotel is offering a
special room rate of $59 per night plus tax to Fest goers.   This hotel
room rate includes passes to the show for room occupants.  Call
703-620-9000 for reservations.  Be sure to mention AtariFest '91.  The
number of rooms available at the special rate is limited, so make your
reservations early.

     The price that WAACE will have to pay for the exhibit space is
directly tied to the number of hotel rooms that are rented out.   If you
have any expectation at all of attending the event we would like you to
reserve a room for Friday and Saturday nights.

        The WAACE show has established itself as the premier Atari event for
East Coast Atari fans.  ST Informer magazine, in its November 1991 issue,
awarded the WAACE team its highest marks for their conduct of the 1990
show.  WAACE attempts to provide a complete Atari experience for
everyone.

For additional Information please contact either of the following:

General Chairman                      Vendor Coordinator
Charles S. Smeton                     John D. Barnes
P.O. Box 0122                         7710 Chatham Rd
Columbia, MD 21045-0122               Chevy Chase, MD 20815
GEMail: C.S.SMETON                    GEMail: J.D.Barnes
CIS: 73047,2565                       DELPHI: JDBARNES
FNET: Charles Smeton, Node 500        Internet: [e-mail]

Revision Date: 7 June 1991

------------------------------

End of Info-Atari16 Digest
******************************