Floppyshop 2/Floppyshop - 2.zip/Floppyshop - 2.iso/diskmags/3565-4.665/dmg-4385/issue_10/1.pne

Text File | 1987-04-21 | 18KB | 370 lines

                               KEEFY'S BIT
                               ~~~~~~~~~~~

                                 9/01/94
                                 ~~~~~~~
Boo hoo!  cry and other expletives,  i'm a bit sad today because Newcastle
knocked Coventry out of the cup yesterday. I hope you're feeling happy  Mr
Andy Cato (Grr!).   I see Tony's beloved Preston got through.  Honestly, i
don't know why i bother, sometimes $"^%^**!£$!"£%....... Ahem... still, at
least i've got my usual free weekend to play on my beloved pooter eh.  How
does the song go?.....

Always  look on the bright side of life..de do de do de do  de  do.

Good idea i think, i'll get on with it shall i?.

Well it's a brand spanking new year and a brank spanding new issue of
(fanfare!)
                              STOSSER!!.
Double figures already eh?.   Blimey,  it dosen't seem like five days  ago
that i was writing the welcome article for issue 6.

Ahem!, anyway, erm first off, you very nearly didn't get to see this issue
of Stosser on time,  and all because of a major boo-boo on my  behalf.   I
was  just making a back-up of my files as i always do.   The back-up  went
fine.   So  i  decided to copy all the files to a disk to  send  to  Tony.
Click........whirr.

DATA ON THE DISK IN DRIVE A MAY BE DAMAGED    'CANCEL'  'RETRY'

"Okay"  i thought, "i've just made a back-up anyway so i'll be alright"

DATA ON THE DISK IN DRIVE A MAY BE DAMAGED    'CANCEL'  'RETRY'

Many worthless tries as swapping drives (ie.copying a to b,b to a,b to b)

Arrgh!.

So i had to write to Tony to get him to send me the last set of files
whilst  trying frantically to save a few files i hadn't sent him with  the
aid of Knife ST.  Thankfully, i think i managed to get them all back.  But
if  you have sent me an article recently and it still hasn't  appeared  in
the zine by issue 12.  Get in touch and i'll see what i can do.

Right,  enough of my problems.  I hope you all had a good christmas.  Mine
was nice and quiet really.   .New years Eve was much different though, as
is  traditional for me at that time of celebration,  i got completely  and
utterly plastered.  Needless to say, 1994 did not start particularly well,
when  i woke up in the morning with a thumping hangover.   Boy i was  glad
when it went.

Since  i  mentioned the packs of p.d.  i saw being sold in the  shops  for
about 4 quid,  quite a few of you have written in saying that you had seen
similar things being sold.  Nearly all of you mentioning a company called
Akore Shareware.   My view is simple,  DONT BUY THEM!,  if you want to get
P.D.  either swap it with your friends, or buy it from p.d. libraries with
real  enthusiasts who are doing it for fun and not  charging  extortionate
prices.  Companies like Akore are only in it for the money.

Also,  last month i mentioned that we wanted to hear from some females and
mentioned a couple of names.  What i neglected to mention was the names of
our P.D. library female friends.  So er...Sorry to Caroline of New Age,
Jen of Jewel and alison pope of Merlin.   We'd still like to hear from the
rest of you though.  There must be some of you out there?.

Last  issue  if i remember rightly,  we were asking for the  addresses  of
Atari ST user groups, well fret no more.  Tony managed to find the address
of the Association of Atari User Groups,  he wrote off to them and lo  and
behold  a list of local user groups came his way.   So many thanks to  Ken
Ward for that.   So here are those names and addresses for you to contact,
i don't know how many are still going, but this is the list as at SEPT 93.

First off, the Association of Atari User Groups (NORWICH USER GROUP)
           KEN WARD
           45 Coleburn Rd
           Lakenham
           Norwich   NR1 2NZ   [phone]

AVON:      BRISTOL ST USERS GROUP
           D.JACKSON
           4 Barbour Gardens
           Hartcliffe
           Bristol  BS13 OPN   [phone]

DEVON:     SOUTH WEST ST USER GROUP
           DAVID EVERY
           5 Turbill Gardens
           Chadlewood
           Plympton
           DEVON    PL7 3XF   [phone]

DORSET:    BORNEMOUTH AND POOLE ATARI USER GROUP
           IAN BROOKER
           163 Verity Crescent
           Canford Heath
           Poole
           DORSET   BH17 7TX  [phone]

ESSEX:     BRENTWOOD ATARI USER GROUP        COLCHESTER ATARI USER GROUP
           GAVIN DANDRIDGE                   MARTYN RAYNER
           Grindelwald                       61 Rayner Rd
           Crow Green Lane                   Colchester
           Pilgrims Hatch                    ESSEX
           Brentwood                         CO2 9AE
           ESSEX    CM15  9RH                [phone]

CAMBS:     HUNTINGDONSHIRE COMPUTER CLUB
           TONY CROFT
           7 St Martins Rd
           Catteris
           CAMBS        PE16 6JB

CORNWALL:  MID-CORNWALL CO-OP COMPUTER CLUB
           MIKE RICHARDS
           8 Victoria Rd
           Roche
           St Austell
           CORNWALL     PL26 8JF    [phone]

HERTS:     CHESHUNT COMPUTER CLUB       KENT:MAIDSTONE COMPUTER CLUB
           DERRYCK CROKER                    RAY STYLES
           196 Coates Way                    4 Brookmead Rd
           Garston                           Cliffewoods
           WATFORD     WD2  6PE              KENT ME3 8HP
           [phone]                      [phone]

LANCS:     WIGAN COMPUTER CLUB        LONDON:LONDON ATARI COMPUTER ENTH'
           ALAN OWEN                         GLENN READER
           1 Lidgate Close                   143 Richmond Rd
           Wigan                             Leytonstone
           LANCS   WN3 6HA                   LONDON E11 4BT
           [phone]                      081-960-1605

SUSSEX:    SEAFORD COMPUTER CLUB       WILTS:SWINDON ATARI USER GROUP
           CHARLES WARE                      MIKE BIRD
           23 Kedale Rd                      46 Eastcott Rd
           Seaford                           Swindon
           SUSSEX   BN25 2BX                 WILTS   SN1 3LR
                                             [phone]

SCOTLAND:  ATARI USER GROUP OF SCOTLAND      UDDINGSTON ATARI/AMIGA USERS
           FRASER BLACKLAWS                  WILLIAM BEATON
           9/3 North Hillshousefield         28 Croft Wynd
           EDINBURGH                         Uddingston
           EH6 4HU                           GLASGOW   G71 8BJ
           031-553-1288                      [phone]

IRELAND:   ATARI USER GROUP OF IRELAND
           MIKE CASEY
           3 ST Kevins Pk
           Kilmacud
           Co. Dublin

And last of all....

           ASSOCIATION OF ATARI USERS IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
           TERRY FREEDMAN
           16 Hall Rise
           Witham
           ESSEX
           CM8 1DH

Many of the above groups have regular meetings and newsletters and offer
P.D.  services.   Some of them also deal with other machines (though why i
don't know?).  If you want to know more about any of these groups write to
them with a stamped S.A.E.  asking for more details.   If there is a phone
number at the bottom of the address,  you'd be better advised to give them
a  ring  first to check they are still going so you're  not  wasting  your
stamps.   Mainly because the two midlands clubs on the list i rang are  no
longer in existance.   (One still exists,  but only for amiga and pc).  If
you  know  of  any user-groups which are definately  alive,  send  us  the
details for all STOSSERS to see.

Talking  of  things dead and undead,   we move  onto  STEN.   Dave  mooney
dropped  me a line recently,  and revealed to me that although he will  no
longer  be doing it he has given permission for a chappie called John  Ash
to have a go at it.  Allbeit with a slightly different name etc... You can
write to the new editor at

           JOHN ASH
           62 FLEET RD
           DARTFORD
           KENT

Please  don't forget,  that if you want to expect any sort of  reply,  you
should send a stamped, self addressed envelope.

Let's hope John, can continue where Dave left off.  Good luck mate!.

Word  has  also  reached  me of a  new  paper-based  magazine  which  will
hopefully be with us around the end of January time.  Called the
"ST  Handbook",  the magazine will be mainly  a p.d./shareware  orientated
magazine,  bi-monthly  to start with.   A5 format  with  reviews,  charts,
competitions and even it's own comic strip.  There'll also be a cover disk
containing p.d.  games and utlities.   At the time of writing (or typing),
the  magazine will carry a cover-price of £2 and will not be available  in
the shops.  For more information telephone Victor Wright on [phone]
during office hours.  With a bit of luck, we hope to get hold of a copy to
review, so then we'll be able to tell you all about it eh?.

Right then,  enough wibbling i hear you cry,  what have we got for you  in
this holiday theme issue.   Incidentally,  thanks must go to Auld  Bastid,
who did most (if not all!) of the graphics for this issue.   With a bit of
luck we'll be seeing a lot more from him in future issues.

Matthew Greens 3d tutorial arrives, along with a plea for help in creating
objects,  so if you're a STOS 3d fan,  then make sure you don't miss  that
one.     Deano's missing link tutorial continues this month, offering more
help to users of the best extension around.  (If you STILL haven't got it,
write  to me with a disk of p.d.  and a copy will wing it's way  to  you).
There's plenty more from Deano as well,  including "How to write  programs
in STOS",  and "Sprites Q's and A's",  for all those of you having trouble
with those flickery little beasties.   There's also his SAC Compy in which
you  can  win  loads  of nice little  goodies  for  your  beloved  pooter.
Incidentally, some of you out there may have noticed we made a slight boo-
boo on the closing date,  ie. we put it at 31st May 1993 or something like
that.   Hopefully,  none  of  you were daft enough to think  it  correct.
Anyway,  the closing date should have read 31st may 1994.  So you've still
got plenty of time to get those entries in haven't you!.

Our own Stosser compy also continues this month, once again we're offering
loads of goodies to the winner.   Including some games for the winner, ten
disks  of p.d for runner up and 5 disks full of STOS stuff for  the  third
name drawn out of the hat.   All you have to do is fill in the file on the
disk called FILL_ME.IN, simple really.   We've had a couple  already,  but
this  issue  centre-stage belongs to Chris Sharp of Supreme  Software  who
reveals  his inner-most thoughts to the STOS-loving world.   Thanks a  lot
for that Chris,  your names gone into the hat.   Incidentally, Chris has a
recently released a new licenseware game called "FREAKED OUT 2",  read the
adverts section for more details.   Don't forget,  you can advertise  your
own  programs in the adverts section,  just send it in to me at the  usual
address.
          The  telegraph  pole is looking a popular new addition  with  a
couple  of messages added already.   As before,  if you've just written  a
program you can advertise it in that section as long as its pd, shareware
or  licensware.   No  more than 4 lines,  without  swearing  or  bickering
though.  Sensible stuff as well please.

Auld  Bastid returns with the second part in his Customising Stos  series,
this  time he does something about the STOS fontset.   There's  also  some
graphical hints and tips from him regarding packing your Stos pictures and
converting between different resolutions.

More Stos problems are solved by Martin Cubitt, in his agony column, along
with  part  three of his How to write extensions  series.   This  time  he
explains the ins and outs of the installation program.   Also from  Martin
there's info on saving space in your programs and a mono monitor review.

For those of you stuck for ideas,  Tony Greenwood (the man himself) has  a
few that you may like to take on board.   There's also some info on  disk-
accessing which Tony sent me ages ago,  but i've only just found.  Some of
you could find that one a great help.

Scott King has some more goodies for us (seperated from his original  doc)
in the form of info on producing a commercial software package.   He  also
explains  some  of  the problems to be found when  using  the  STOS  fixer
program  to  improve  compatibility.   Marcus platt delves  into  the  Ste
extension for us,  and Les Greenhalgh is the new guy on the block with his
file  on  optimising.   My own beginners guide to computing  reaches  it's
conclusion (probably),  and once again there's a humourous break  supplied
by Colin of the Gosport Fun Factory.

Just  before  i go onto the usual thanks and all that,  i'd just  like  to
mention  that if you're planning on sending us an article,  to  ensure  it
reaches us in time for the next issue,  you'll need to get it to us by the
end of the previous month.   For example, if you were sending us something
for  issue  11 (release date 20th Feb),  then we'll need it by  31st  JAN.
This  is to allow us plenty of time to sort the article out,  then  decide
what to use and get them sent off to Tony so he can finalise the shell  in
time for release.

As per usual here's the addresses you'll need to write to,  and if  you're
expecting a reply don't forget the stamped SAE.  If you're sending a disk,
please, please, please fill them up.  Don't forget we're doing it for fun,
and it's not really fair if you send us a blank disk and expect us to send
you  the next issue of STOSSER is it?.   At least 70% or so full is a  lot
nicer  than a disk with nothing on.   It doesn't take long to drag over  a
few icons does it. Even if you think we've already got it.  Anything will
do,  and  it's better than nothing.   I for one will soon  be  rigourously
enforcing  this  little  rule  if  things  don't  change.    This  dosen't
nessecarily apply to those of you sending articles though.   Although we'd
like a little more than just one article on the disk.

Right, as promised here are those addresses:

All source code, accesories etc to:

           TONY GREENWOOD ( Shell Programmer )
           29 PAXTON ST
           ACCRINGTON
           LANCS
           BB5 1QQ

All problems, solutions etc to:

           MARTIN CUBITT ( Stos Doctor )
           14 DEEPDENE AVE
           RAYLEIGH
           ESSEX
           SS6 9LG

All articles, reviews and textual stuff to:

           KEEFY ( Editor )
           57 HEARSALL LANE
           EARLSDON
           COVENTRY
           CV5 6HF

Well,  i think thats about your lot really, i think that all there remains
to  say  is thanks to all the guys and gals who've helped STOSSER  get  to
double figures,  and here are those heroes.  If your name has somehow been
forgotten, then i apologise for that, maybe you should drop us a line with
an article or something to remind us that you exist?.

Here we go with the roll call........IN NO PARTICLUAR ORDER...

                 ARSHAD...........              ACCRINGTON
                 ANDY CATO ........             NEWCASTLE
                 A.C. PORRITT.......            HARTLEPOOL
                 BILLY ALLAN........            DUMBARTON
                 BEN RILEY.......               ACCRINGTON
                 COLIN PRATT.........           GOSPORT
                 LYNN PRATT.........            GOSPORT
                 COLIN McALLISTER.......        RENFREWSHIRE
                 DEAN SHARPLES.......           ROCHDALE
                 DION GUY...............        BISHOPS WALTHAM
                 FRED DARLINGTON......          PRESTON
                 IAN HOLDEN..........           BLACKBURN
                 JEAN-FRANCOIS BERJON..         FRANCE
                 JAMES HORNBY........           LONDON
                 JULIE WORDEN.........          ACCRINGTON
                 KEITH DUNN............         COVENTRY
                 MARTIN CUBITT......            RAYLEIGH
                 MATTHEW GREEN......            CRAWLEY DOWN
                 STEVEN GOODING.......          SOUTHSEA
                 TONY GREENWOOD.......          ACCRINGTON
                 TONY GOODING..........         HANTS
                 WILLIAM MORRISON......         DONCASTER
                 WILFRIED KICKSTEIN....         GERMANY
                 R. WHITE.........              N.IRELAND
                 BRIAN CROSSLAND........        CHESTERFEILD
                 ANDY MORGAN...........         NUNEATON
                 JAMES AUBREY.........          SUTTON
                 PIOTR J. TIMINSKI......        POLAND
                 JAMES AMES............         PRESTON
                 PHIL GRAINEER........          OKEHAMPTON
                 PAUL CHAPMAN........           HARTLEPOOL
                 RAPHAEL AST.......             GERMANY
                 ROBERT LANNIGAN.......         CARLUKE
                 JAMES L MATTHEWS..........     MAIDSTONE
                 NEVILLE WILSON......           BIRMINGHAM
                 MARCUS PLATT......             TAMWORTH
                 PAUL ARCHER........            WITHAM
                 CHRIS SHARP..........          DINAS POWYS
                 MARTIN ANDERSON......          LIVERPOOL
                 AULD BASTID............        DUNBAR
                 DEAN TACHBROOK.......          NORWICH
                 ELLIS WATSON.........          SWANSEA
                 CHRIS ???????....              DERBY
                 DAVID RAE............          NORTHAMPTON
                 SIMON FREEMAN...........       BIRMINGHAM
                 KEN WARD.......                NORWICH
                 LES GREEHALGH.......           ????????
                 DARREN TAPLIN....              BRENCHLEY

Cheers everyone......and enjoy the zine!.