Atari Explorer Online Newsletter Collection/aeo9205.txt

Text File | 1992-01-01 | 92KB | 1,929 lines

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                      ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE MAGAZINE

         June 29, 1992      Volume 1, Number 5      Issue #92-05

              Copyright (c)1992, Atari Computer Corporation

                      Published by Atari Corporation
                           Editor - Ron Kovacs
                     Contributing Editor - Ed Krimen


                     | | |  TABLE OF CONTENTS  | | |


    |||  The Publishers Workstation........................Bob Brodie
         Survey update and more.....

    |||  The Editors Desk..................................Ron Kovacs
         AEO Mailbag and new release schedule announced!

    |||  Z*Net User Group Newswire...................................
         Atarifest Update!

    |||  Straight Fax................................................
         Reprint from Atari Explorer Magazine - Review!

    |||  Perusing GEnie......................................Ed Krimen
         Hot Topics of discussion on GEnie!

    |||  Lynx Owners Update..............................Clinton Smith
         Latest Lynx News from AtariUser Magazine

    |||  AtariUser Magazine Reviews...................................
         Great mini-reviews of interest!

    |||  Computer Terms...............................................
         Terminology of frequent terms!

    |||  Zenobot's Game Cheats........................................
         April update!



 | | |  THE PUBLISHERS WORKSTATION
 | | |  By Bob Brodie
 | | |  ----------------------------------------------------------------


 WOW!!

 In my last column, I explained that my online time was starting to
 diminish.  In an attempt to ensure that I was reaching the greatest
 numbers of people, I asked for the online Atarians to tell me what
 networks they wanted me to support.  And tell me they have!

 Without a doubt, this has caused a little bit of controversy.  However,
 most of the activity has been absolutely wonderful!!  I have gotten mail
 from MANY people that I have never heard from before!  All of the
 "lurkers" are crawling out of the woodwork to let me know their opinion
 on this important issue.

 Some people seem to feel that I was attempting to sway people by telling
 them that I thought the results would be GEnie and the FNET.  Nothing
 could be further from the truth.  It was my hope that the other networks
 would respond by showing me the level of interest that each one of them
 has in having my presence online.  And to each and every one of you that
 has responded, my thanks!

 To each and every one of you that HAS NOT responded, in two weeks we'll
 be done with this fact finding exercise.  Please, if you haven't already
 contacted me, do so as soon as possible.  I'm really very open to
 suggestions.  If you think that I have only listed the networks that I'm
 willing to be on, you're wrong!  Let me know where YOU want me to be,
 and I'll give it careful consideration!!!  I've already heard from a
 number of people on the InterNet, and the FidoNet!!

 If you can't reach me online, feel free to write, call, or fax.  You can
 reach me as follows:

 Atari Corporation   Voice: 408-745-2052
 1196 Borregas Ave.    FAX: [phone]
 Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1302

 I have an answering machine on my system at work, and hey...feel free to
 test out those new fax modems by sending me your opinion!!

 A Word about CompuServe
 =======================

 Despite my request for input via E-mail, Ron Luks,  the Atari Forum
 administrator of CompuServe has started a limited poll for the members
 of the CIS Atari Forums.  This is not what I had hoped for.  The poll
 doesn't allow the same freedom that using e-mail does, and assumes
 certain responses are satisfactory to the respondent.  No provision for
 alternative commentary or choices is made.  Since Ron is determined to
 see his poll through, I'll take it under secondary advisement as a
 courtesy to our users on CIS.  However, I encourage every member of the
 CIS Atari Forums to please send me E-mail!!

 At this point, I'm sorry to report that the response on CompuServe has
 been pathetic...far and away the lowest number of respondents on any
 network.  You've got two more weeks to respond in e-mail, gang!  Let's
 see how many of the CIS World-Wide membership will respond...in e-mail!
 My CompuServe ID is 70007,3240.

 It's no surprise to me that some of the users of the networks use one
 network to send me e-mail, while they encourage me to appear on another
 one!!  Somehow, I doubt that this would happen in a public survey
 sponsored by a network.  Further, there might be specific comments about
 the particular network that people would be willing to share with me in
 the privacy of e-mail, that they would rather not say in public.
 Believe me, some of the commentary in the e-mail has been pretty
 pointed!!!!

 GEnie, on the other hand...
 ===========================

 GEnie has shown once again why they are one of the leading online
 networks for Atari owners everywhere.  The amount of mail that came in
 just last weekend alone was staggering!  My heartfelt thanks to each of
 you that responded as asked!!  I'm especially grateful for the
 cooperation of Head Sysop Darlah Potechin, who made certain that all of
 the Atarians online in the ST Roundtables knew that I wanted to hear
 from them.  Reading this mail was one of the most encouraging things
 that I have done in MONTHS!

 Next edition, I'll share some of the comments that I've gotten in this
 survey.  It's my hope that you will enjoy reading them as much as I
 have!!

 I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank the people from
 InterNet, FidoNet, and other networks that have contacted me to tell me
 how much they appreciate Atari Explorer Online!  I appreciate them
 helping to distribute Atari Explorer Online to the other networks that
 we don't directly log on to.  It's seems that there is a pretty
 impatient group out there, waiting to see the latest edition every two
 weeks!  Thanks for writing, it's just that kind of encouragement that
 helps encourage the staff to keep up the effort!

 New Editor Update
 =================

 An offer has been made to one of the candidates Atari is looking at to
 head up Atari Explorer Magazine, and assume the publisher duties of the
 online edition as well!  We're doing some additional negotiations at
 this time with the candidate.  Needless to say, I'm hoping for a quick
 conclusion to these negotiations...it's been a long time coming!  As
 soon as we have the name of the new editor, I promise that you'll know
 RIGHT AWAY!

 Coming soon to a city near you??
 =================================

 We're starting to move in to the show season.  Following in the
 footsteps of the hugely successful ACE '92 Show held in Toronto, Canada
 in early April.  I've also taken to the road again, and have been out
 and about visiting user groups.  A couple of weeks ago found me in
 Milwaukee for the MAST Show, as well as visiting with the Lake County
 ACE, and MilAtari members!  I've also been in northern California, to be
 with the Redding Atari Computer Enthusiasts, and the Sacramento ST Users
 Group.  Currently, I'm planning on attending the Mid Indiana ST
 Atarifest in Indianapolis in July, as well as the Connecticut Atarifest
 in August.

 Mike Groh, our national sales manager will be attending the Blue Ridge
 Atarifest in Asheville, North Carolina.  I encourage all of our
 southeastern Atarians to contact Sheldon Winick (S.WINICK on GEnie) at
 Computer STudio in Asheville for details on the show!  I've attended the
 Blue Ridge Atarifest for two years in a row, it's an experience not to
 be missed!!!

 There are also plans in the works for the Southern California Atari
 Faire, (The Glendale Show) Version 6.0 for the late Summer.  We'll
 update you on the fall/winter shows as they draw nearer.

 New Products from Atari?
 ========================

 Atari has made tentative plans for the North American debut of the
 Falcon 030 at the Boston Computer Society on September 23, 1992.  While
 we have not finalized these plans yet, I'm personally comfortable enough
 with them that I've got my airline tickets already!  This will be the
 first public showing of the Falcon 030 in North America.

 Part of the excitement of the Falcon 030 is MultiTOS, something that
 we've already shown to an anxious public at the extraordinary ACE '92
 Show in Toronto.  Since that showing, I've been assailed by hundreds of
 questions about how MultiTOS works, and looks.  While the product is
 still in development, and therefore subject to some changes, it's solid
 enough to show YOU how it looks!  So we've included some screen shots of
 MultiTOS with this issue to give you a glimpse of the future!  I hope
 you enjoy them!!




 | | |  THE EDITORS DESK
 | | |  By Ron Kovacs
 | | |  ----------------------------------------------------------------


 Before continuing here, let me first state that this issue required
 additional time to produce.  Please note that I am not at all pleased
 about releasing issues late, although the recent track record states
 differently.  There is some good news to report however, in just 4 DAYS
 Atari Explorer Online moves to a weekly release schedule.

 In the AEO Mailbag recently, we received a request or two for 8-bit
 support.  There are a number of things that require that to occur.
 First and foremost we need material.  Z*Magazine, another relative to
 AEO and the grandfather of Atari Online magazines still exists.  Z*Mag
 issues are released on a monthly basis with 100% 8-bit coverage.  The
 need for an additional 8-Bit Online Magazine doesn't seem necessary in
 my opinion.  The process to create Z*Mag on a monthly basis takes effort
 to produce because of the lack of information available.

 To date there are over 208 issues of Z*Magazine dating back to May 1986.
 There is plenty of information already available, however, there is a
 need for coverage and the amount to be allocated for AEO has yet to be
 determined.

 The other point noted was the release of AEO issues in a format
 compatible with the 8-bit machine.  We are currently discussing this
 situation and will have a response real soon now :-), or atleast by the
 next release of this magazine.  I am personally not to fond of resizing
 the issue to 40 columns or editing out material not applicable to the
 8-Bit.  Stay tuned for details.

 Another request received this week on GEnie was for Z*Net.  Z*Net Atari
 Online Magazine was merged with this publication.  Z*Net PC Online
 Magazine still flourishes and is currently away on summer vacation.
 AEO replaces Z*Net Atari and the Z*Net Newswire, already a part of
 user group newsletters and AtariUser Magazine continues in AEO.

 Please continue to forward your comments and suggestions!  Thanks for
 reading and remember, Friday's belong to Atari Explorer Online Magazine!




 | | |  Z*NET USER GROUP NEWSWIRE
 | | |  Latest Shows Update
 | | |  ----------------------------------------------------------------


 This column covers the Atari User Group Show schedule.  If you have an
 update to share, send all press release information to Z-NET on GEnie,
 75300,1642 on CompuServe and via FNET nodes 593, 319, 706.


 DISCOUNTS OFFERED ON ADMISSION TO HARTFORD ATARI SHOW
 Budget-conscious Atari users can take advantage of a registration offer
 that will save them money during their visit to Connecticut AtariFest'92
 (CAF '92) here on August 15 and 16.  Show organizers have invited on-
 line and bulletin board users to pre-register for the Northeast's only
 Atari show this summer and save up to $2 off the price of admission.
 For a limited time, would-be show attendees can download an Earlybird
 Registration Form, fill in the necessary data and get $1.50 discount off
 the price of a one-day ticket, $2 off the price of a two-day pass.
 Attendees registering at the show will pay $5 and $8 for one- and two-
 day passes, respectively.  Registrants must return the form with a check
 or money order by midnight July 9, 1992 to qualify for discounts.
 Organizers said the EarlyBird discounts will give showgoers a little
 more buying power with which to fill shopping bags with goodies at the
 show.  By pre-registering, attendees can breeze through the check-in
 desk on the days of the show and won't be left waiting in line while
 other visitors grab the best bargains.  CAF '92 Chairman Brian Gockley
 said EarlyBird registants will also receive a pre-show mailer containing
 news about specials that off-the-street visitors won't learn about until
 the doors of CAF '92 open.  Connecticut AtariFest '92 is rapidly shaping
 up as the must-go Atari event of this summer.  More than two dozen
 leading developers and Atari dealers plan to attend.  More than one
 dozen Atari user groups from around the Northeast will also participate.
 The show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday August 15 and Sunday
 August 16 at the Sheraton Hotel at Bradley International Airport in
 Windor Locks, 12 miles north of downtown Hartford.  Show activities will
 include presentation of the latest Atari products and services, seminars
 on desktop publishing and video production, instruction from developers,
 a hands-on Atari 'Petting Zoo' spotlighting unique user creations, MIDI
 demonstrations, Lynx (game system) competitions, Portfolio (palmtop)
 applications, 8-bit support and more.  Prospective showgoers who do not
 subscribe to a major on-line service or contact Atari bulletin board
 systems in the Northeast can still get a pre-show discount.  They should
 address a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Connecticut AtariFest '92,
 18 Elmwood Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605.  For more information about the
 show, contact Brian Gockley at the above address [Phone [phone];
 E-Mail GEnie = B.GOCKLEY], or Doug Finch, 46 Park Avenue, Old Greenwich,
 CT 06870 [Phone [phone]; EMail CIS = 76337,1067 or GEnie =
 D.FINCH7.


 GLENDALE ATARIFEST UPDATE
 Are you ready for the next Southern California Computer Faire?  Yes,
 Version 6.0 will soon be upon us.  We anticipate that this year's
 Glendale Show will be the largest ever.  We also expect that there might
 possibly be a new machine on display.  Hint.  Hint.  There will be over
 fifty developers, retailers, user groups and ATARI personnel on hand to
 make this event a must.  The show will be held Saturday and Sunday,
 September 12-13, 1992 at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1041 N. Verdugo
 Road, Glendale, CA.  Hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00
 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday.  General Admission is $6.00 per person with a
 two day pass costing only $10.00.  If you plan on attending and you live
 outside of Southern California you may get FREE admission by sending a
 self-address-stamped-#10 envelope to H.A.C.K.S., 249 N. Brand Bl. #321,
 Glendale, CA  91203 and get a one day pass for two.  For those of you
 who will be needing lodging we have made arrangements with the Burbank
 Hilton.  Regular rates are $119.00 per night but if you mention ATARI
 you will get a room for $65.00 per night, single or double occupancy.
 Executive suites are also available for a per night charge of $95.00.
 Reservations may be made by calling the Hilton at 800-643-7400 (in
 California), 800-468-3576 (inside the USA) or at 818-843-600 (outside
 the USA).  The guaranteed reservation cut-off date is August 20th.  If
 you are quoted another rate ask for Roy Butler, Sales Manger.  This year
 The Glendale Show will be holding Desk Top Publishing Classes.  This has
 been a very popular addition at other shows.  There will be a $25.00(US)
 fee for these hands-on classes.  ISD Marketing will be holding Beginners
 and Advanced classes for owners and prospective owners of Calamus SL.
 Classes will be held on Saturday and Sunday.  Classroom size is limited.
 Make your reservations by sending a check for $25.00(US) payable to
 H.A.C.S.K., 249 Brand Bl. #321, Glendale, CA  91203.  Be sure to state
 the preference of day and class level.  A confirmation will be sent,
 about two weeks prior to the show, by return mail stating which class
 you will be enrolled in.  Enrollment in the classroom will also entitle
 you to admission to the rest of the show for the day of your class.
 Look for our full-page advertisements in upcoming issues of AtariUser
 and Atari Explorer magazines.  If you have any questions send mail to
 H.A.C.K.S., 249 N. Brand Bl. #321, Glendale, CA 91203 or leave GEmail to
 John.King.T or call John King Tarpinian at 818-246-7276.


 WAACE ATARIFEST UPDATE
 The Washington Area Atari Computer Enthusiasts will sponsor W.A.A.C.E.
 AtariFest 1992 on October 10 and 11.  The show will again be staged at
 the Sheraton Reston Hotel in Reston, VA.  Show hours will be from 10 am
 to 6 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.
 The 1990 and 1991 editions of the show attracted approximately 2000
 visitors.  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
 attendees.  Call 1-800-392-ROOM or 703-620-9000 for reservations.  Be
 sure to mention W.A.A.C.E. AtariFest '92.  The number of rooms available
 at this special rate is limited, so make your reservations early.  The
 price that W.A.A.C.E. 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.  Immediately following the 1991
 show Charles F. Johnson of Codehead Technologies announced that
 W.A.A.C.E. '91 was the most profitable outing that they had ever had,
 anywhere.  For eight years W.A.A.C.E. has provided a complete Atari
 experience.  1992 promises to be in that same tradition.  For additional
 information please contact: Charles Hoffmann, 5908 Bayshire Road,
 Springfield, VA 22152-1146  [phone]  GEnie : S. Hoffmann
 CompuServe : 73740,1507  Delphi : CHUCKHOFFMAN




 | | |  STRAIGHT FAX
 | | |  Atari Explorer Review
 | | |  ----------------------------------------------------------------


 Requirements: Any ST, STe, or TT computer with 1 MB or more RAM.
 Class 2 Faxmodem (receive and transmit) or SendFAX modem (send only).

 Summary: Powerful and well-designed send/receive fax software package.

 Manufacturer: Joppa Software Development, P.O. Box 214, Dallastown, PA
 17313-0214 [phone]

 Price: $89.95

 Let me admit my bias: I think fax is pretty much an all-around stone
 drag.  Fax machines cost too much, waste paper, and produce substandard
 output that can't be read directly by machines.  Unfortunately, the
 Luddite majority has been led to believe that fax is a miracle of
 information science, and has embraced the standard with bleating,
 sheeplike enthusiasm.  The resulting trend leaves us technically-
 literate types with no choice but to conform -- admitting that the fax
 standard exists, and using it when there's no reasonable alternative.

 The real miracle of fax, of course, is that people will pay upwards of
 six bills for the equivalent of a cheap auto-dial telephone, a handful
 of stock chips, and a low-res thermal printer.  Luckily, however,
 there's now an alternative.  Just because we're forced to use fax from
 time to time doesn't mean we have to put up with its unwieldy,
 redundant, underpowered, and overpriced machinery.  Combined with one of
 the new high-speed faxmodems, Joppa's inexpensive STraight FAX software
 turns your Atari ST or TT into a versatile facsimile workstation, as
 powerful as the best stand-alone, plain-paper fax machines on the
 market.

 The Basics

 STraight FAX works by coordinating system resources -- faxmodem,
 printer, and hand scanner -- to substitute for the components of a fax
 machine.  But by dissociating these components, it achieves efficiencies
 a stand-alone fax can't match.  Unlike a regular fax, which accepts only
 physical documents, STraight FAX can take input in file form --
 transparently converting ASCII text (from word processors, spreadsheets,
 databases, etc.), .IMG, and Degas files to its own "fax" format, prior
 to transmission.  This approach saves time and paper, eliminates feed
 errors, and scotches any physical limitation on feed capacity.  Perhaps
 even more important, converted documents are free of the spurious data,
 shadowing, and other problems introduced when physical pages are scanned
 into a standard fax, making for far cleaner output at the destination.

 To broaden the range of applications that can provide input to STraight
 FAX, Joppa has created "printer drivers" for Calamus (1.9 and SL),
 PageStream (1.8 and 2.1), and GDOS that let these programs produce fax
 files directly.  Multiple-page transmissions can be assembled from up to
 33 files in any of the supported formats (ASCII, .IMG, Degas .PI3, and
 "fax" (.J01 to .J99 extenders)); and the file-conversion routines can be
 operated manually to convert files to fax format for later sending.
 This capability is leveraged by sophisticated features permitting
 deferred document transmission.

 Faxing hardcopy requires a hand-scanner (MiGraph, Golden Image, etc.),
 plus Dr. Bobware's ScanLite desk accessory.  With ScanLite present,
 STraight FAX controls your scanner directly, using ScanLite to combine
 the narrow "strips" produced by each pass into a single, seamless image.
 The image can then be reviewed, cropped, and massaged in one of STraight
 FAX's four "view windows," before saving as an .IMG file for
 transmission.

 While this is admittedly somewhat more laborious than simply feeding
 hardcopy to a fax machine, there are real advantages to this approach.
 Not least of these is the fact that scanned documents can be "touched
 up" (e.g., algorithmically smoothed, contrast-corrected, etc.) prior to
 transmission, making for clearer output at the destination end.

 As STraight FAX receives a document, it outputs a series of page-files
 in its own "fax" format -- optionally displaying these in a view window
 as pages are received.  Once transmission is complete, fax files may be
 printed (using GDOS), reviewed directly in a view window, or converted
 to .IMG format for various purposes, including import to graphics, DTP,
 or perhaps even OCR software.  (Now there's irony for you: use all this
 sophisticated tech to receive a fax, process it through MiGraph OCR, and
 end up with the same ASCII text file you could have downloaded directly
 if the ruminant at the other end of the line would learn how a modem
 works!  Is that high techno-camp, or what?)

 STraightforward!

 Though essentially a specialized telecommunications package, STraight
 FAX is much easier to operate than regular terminal software.  Once the
 program is properly configured, it hides the complex business of
 faxmodem management behind a simple user-interface that automates every
 aspect of fax communication, and provides clear records of faxes
 transmitted and received.

 Initial installation is easy -- an "install" program is supplied on the
 distribution disk, so all you have to do is point, click, fill in the
 blanks in the online registration form, then (as a famous scientist once
 said) "sit back und vatch der blinkenlights." STraight FAX can reside in
 any folder, and can address independent folders for outgoing and
 incoming material.

 Additional preparations are only slightly more complicated.  For
 printing, STraight FAX requires that GDOS (or G+Plus, or Font GDOS, or
 FSM/GDOS) be installed, though since the program does not require any
 special fonts for printing, an existing GDOS configuration should work
 fine.  Depending on what version of TOS you're running, it may also be
 necessary to install one of a variety of AUTO-folder "patches" to insure
 proper handling of the modem port.  The necessary patches are supplied
 with STraight FAX (Atari has released these to the public domain), and
 the manual contains a table correlating TOS versions, patches, and flow-
 control options.

 Finally, STraight FAX's unattended transmission and logging features
 require that system time be set correctly.  Because early-model STs lack
 battery-backed clocks, Joppa has thoughtfully included a time-setting
 utility with the package.  This utility can be run as a program or
 installed as a desk accessory.  Additionally, if STraight FAX determines
 that system time has not been set during the current work-session, it
 will auto-execute the time-setting program if the utility is stored in
 the same directory as the main application.

 Once the program is up and running, online configuration is simple and
 straightforward.  You will have to identify the type of faxmodem you are
 using (the program supports both Class 2 send/receive faxmodems up to
 14,400 baud, and Joppa's own SendFAX, send-only faxmodem), though most
 other low-level parameters (DTMF intertone delays, redial intervals,
 comma pause times, etc.) are preset to tolerable default values.
 Setting baud rate in the program is easy -- just set it to the highest
 rate your faxmodem will support, and the modem will handle such
 "stopping down" as may be needed to communicate with lower-speed
 equipment.  Additional configuration options may be set to control
 automatic cover-page and page-header generation and appearance,
 influence the formatting of .IMG and Degas files on conversion, and to
 master certain cosmetic aspects of program behavior (use of "grow" and
 "shrink" boxes, etc.).

 Features and Details

 Though menu-driven, all of STraight FAX's features may also be elicited
 by keypress.  Frequently-used features are coded to the main function
 keys and to a small button panel, embedded in the screen background.
 Faxes may thus be sent, received, and scheduled; phone lists may be
 updated and logs reviewed, all with "one-touch" ease.

 Four "send" buttons permit transmission of a single document in ASCII,
 .IMG, Degas, or FAX format. When one of these buttons is clicked, a file
 selector pops up -- its mask set to reveal only files of the selected
 type.  Once a source document is selected, conversion and transmission
 proceed immediately unless automatic cover-page generation is active.
 In this latter case, a default cover-page file is loaded and displayed
 for approval or modification.

 Cover pages contain standard fields for sender, recipient, and other
 information, and can incorporate a graphic saved as a fax-format file.
 Cover page parameters may be loaded and saved to disk, so several types
 of cover sheets can be maintained.  When a cover page is generated for
 transmission, variable fields such as date, time, and total number of
 pages are filled in, automatically.  Recipient name can also be filled
 in by the program, from information found in the telephone list.  This
 is particularly useful when sending the same document to multiple
 recipients.

 Selecting a destination fax number is the next step.  Just point and
 double-click, and your fax is on its way.  Call progress is monitored by
 a status dialog box, and automatic redial, re-sending of failed pages,
 and other "hands off" convenience features are supported.  Transmissions
 are automatically made at the highest speed sender and recipient can
 support, limited by current line conditions.  Successful completion is
 announced by an audio tone, and entries are automatically made in the
 transmission log, for later reference.

 Sending the same document to multiple recipients is just as easy: select
 multiple destination phone numbers from the phone list (up to 100
 numbers may be loaded at once, and phone lists can be saved and loaded
 from disk), and off you go.  STraight FAX automatically logs each
 requested transfer into the scheduler (using the current time), then
 calls each number and sends the document.  Recipient information,
 actual time of transmission, and date are automatically modified for
 each cover page.  Call history is saved in the transmission log file.

 Deferred transmission is also handled by the scheduler: just select a
 document, approve a cover page, designate one or several recipients,
 then input a time and date.  Entries to the scheduler can be edited or
 cancelled at any time prior to transmission.  STraight fax can only
 process scheduled transmissions when active, but otherwise unoccupied --
 it cannot inherently perform "background processing," nor "wake up" from
 dormancy to perform pending tasks.  For this reason, the program is
 designed to perform any pending transfers whenever it is executed.  A
 similar problemette occurs on fax receipt: which STraight FAX performs
 gracefully either in manual or automatic mode -- but only when up and
 running.

 Luckily, when Atari releases MultiTOS, later this year, both these
 quibbles will go away.  According to Joppa, STraight FAX is already
 fully compliant with the promised operating system upgrade.  As a
 MultiTOS background process, STraight FAX will be fully capable of
 unattended transmission and receipt.

 Final Notes

 STraight FAX's 80-page manual is complete, concise, well-organized, and
 well-written -- covering each aspect of the program in ample detail.
 The only problem with the manual is that several groups of pages appear
 more than once -- confusing until you figure things out and remove the
 extra sheets.  Purchase and registration also gives access to Joppa's
 technical support voice line and BBS, both of which are staffed by
 technically-expert personnel.

 The only reasonable objection to the program is its lack of background
 processing capability, and this problem will evaporate as soon as
 MultiTOS is released.  Beyond this, it's hard to think of any
 fundamental feature STraight FAX lacks, though it's possible to imagine
 the program being enhanced, over time, to give access to a wider variety
 of file-types for direct transmission.

 Overall, STraight FAX is a very good piece of software.  Anyone managing
 a sales force, keeping in touch with a broad client base, zapping press
 releases out to expectant media, or fielding any similarly advanced,
 professional fax application (oxymoronic as this may sound) would be
 well advised to purchase STraight FAX and an appropriate faxmodem,
 straightaway.  It's simply the cheapest, neatest, most efficient way to
 deal with the fax phenomenon.




 | | |  PERUSING GENIE
 | | |  By Ed Krimen
 | | |  ----------------------------------------------------------------


 Some messages may have been edited for clarity, correct spelling,
 punctuation, and grammar.


 40-FOLDER BUG REVISITED
 -----------------------

 -=> In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14)
 -=> from the "Atari's new TOS 2.06" topic (8)

 Message 201       Tue Jun 16, 1992
 MUSE [Tomas]                 at 03:07 EDT

 >   FOLDRxxx is only necessary if you plan to have over 40 folders
 >   OPEN at one time.

 Doug,

 Who plans?  I'm always trying to figure this out.  Would a backup
 session result in over 40 folders OPEN or just ACCESSED?

  ===Tomas=== (Who always listens when Doug talks.)
 ----------

 Message 204       Tue Jun 16, 1992
 J.WISNIEWSK2 [Jeff - ST'er]  at 05:44 EDT

 The 40 folder limit - you would have to have 40 or more windows open at
 the same time, and the limit is now more than 40 so you will never hit
 it, at least that is what I understand from some of the Codehead's
 comments.
 ----------

 Message 206       Tue Jun 16, 1992
 J.EIDSVOOG1 [CodeHead]       at 10:28 EDT

 It really isn't possible to reliably predict exactly when you will hit
 the "40-folder limit".  Although it does have to do with folders being
 open, there are other factors involved.

 GEMDOS has a "memory pool" that is used for (at least) two things --
 path structures and memory descriptors.  Ever since the "fix" of the
 40-folder limit was implemented in TOS 1.04, these two structures have
 shared the use of the memory pool.

 Each time a new path is accessed, a new structure is allocated from the
 pool.  If you do a media change on a drive, all of the path structures
 belonging to it will be returned to the pool.

 The pool is also used for memory descriptors.  When GEMDOS first
 initializes there are just two descriptors, one for the memory used by
 GEMDOS and one for the free memory available.  Every time a program
 allocates a block of memory, an extra descriptor is taken from the pool
 and assigned to that block of memory.  If that block is freed (_and_ it
 is contiguous with free block of memory), the memory will be combined
 into one descriptor and the other will be given back to the pool.

 With all of this action in and out of the pool, it is impossible to
 predict how much pool memory will be needed by any particular system.  I
 choose to add "200 folders" to my setup (through ICDBOOT.SYS) no matter
 what TOS version I run.  It only takes 13K for this piece of mind.

 Remember, this is not a bug fix...it's a system configuration.  I'm
 expanding my GEMDOS memory pool to fit my system.  On an MSDOS machine,
 this is handled by "FILES=xxx" and "BUFFERS=xxx".

 If you want to dive into a pool, just make sure there's enough water in
 it. <grin>

 John
 =======================================


 EPIC
 ----
 -=> In the "Games" category (9)
 -=> from the "Epic by Ocean" topic (40)

 Message 51        Sun Jun 21, 1992
 HAINES                       at 15:56 EDT

 To run Epic on a Mega STE at 16MHz boot normally to the desktop, set
 speed to 16MHZ with cache in the Control CPX, run DC Bootit and set to
 Low Res, 60Hz.  Will run visibly faster.  I have run Epic on a 1 meg
 1040St with Tos 1.2, Mega STE 4 at 8/16MHz, and a SST with a total of
 8meg ram.  It does detect that it is running on a 68030 cpu, and tells
 you that on one of the title screens.  Very smooth motion on higher
 speed machines, though the actual game speed does not change that much.

 The game is too easy though, I finished the last mission the first time
 through it.  Was kind of dissapointed it was over.  The storm mission
 depends on how much damage and how fast you were earlier.  You can have
 to 200 fighters coming in.  When you barely scrape through on the
 earlier levels, and get to this one, and start seeing multiple squadrons
 of fighters side by side coming in, it really envokes feelings of
 Battlestar Galatica and Star Wars.

 Oh, if you boot your Mega STE off the disk, it will be defaulted at
 8MHz, running before the hard drive spins up.  I have not noticed the 4
 meg problem that was around with F-29.  I wish there were real files you
 could see though, so you could move it to a hard drive.  The
 intermissions take time.
 =======================================

 GEMULATOR UPDATE
 ----------------
 -=> In the "Emulation for the ST" category (19)
 -=> from the "GEMULATOR (Atari ST emulator)" topic (15)

 Message 130       Mon Jun 22, 1992
 D.SMITHRN [Smitty]           at 01:06 EDT

 Darek.... When do think you will have Gemulator ready to go?  The reason
 I ask is I really have been burned before and you do ask for a hefty
 chunk of change for this.  I still have bad memories of the PC DITTO
 fiasco... (Yes It does linger...)  I have tried the IBM emulators... PC
 ditto, AtSpeed), But Now have a clone, so the Gemulator does look pretty
 good to me.... I am one of the project managers for the up coming San
 Diego Show... Interested in letting SDACE demo Gemulator?  Let me know..
 (That is If you are not selling them at Glendale)

 Pax Smitty
 ----------
 Message 131       Tue Jun 23, 1992
 BRASOFT [Darek]              at 00:09 EDT

 Pax, you probably haven't read my newsletter.  Gemulator I is being
 RELEASED at the Glendale show.  It's on schedule and I have 10 of the
 units already installed at Atari dealers and beta testers across the
 country.  Gemulator is not a "PC Ditto fiasco" since the product has
 already been demoed and is in the hands of magazine reviewers, and you
 may notice that I AM NOT ACCEPTING MONEY at this time, not until the
 product is ready to ship at Glendale.  So please, read press releases
 before you accuse me of scamming.

 - Darek
 =======================================


 DOVER DOOHICKEYS
 ----------------
 -=> In the "Hardware" category (4)
 -=> from the "Dover Research Corp. (AlberTT & ISAC)" topic (28)

 Message 146       Thu Jun 11, 1992
 J.CRASWELL                   at 22:28 EDT

 You will all be happy to know that Leonardo is going to be NTSC AND
 super VHS.  The two monitor scheme is the best we can do while we get a
 screen driver that's ready to rock.

 I'm getting very excited about the new things we are working on.
 Leonardo, the 5 1.4 Optical drive and also RSN the 3 1.5 optical.  This
 is really nice in that the price is low and it's much faster than the
 larger unit.

 MultiTOS/MiNT appears to be a fantastic step (in the OS) for our
 favorite machine.  I can't wait for the release version.

 Other companies are coming out with such great products.  Jim Allen's
 030 card turns your Mega into a monster speed computer (not to mention
 the 20Mhz 68K cards).  New software and nifty updates from the
 Codeheads/Gribbys/Clickers etc.

 It's so fun to be in on the ground floor with 24 bits.  The world is
 wide open for new applications.  Working with the Lexicor cats really a
 gas.  Such talent and a world thats new ALL THE TIME.

 I suspect these may well be the good old days <grin>  Everything IS
 possible and it's happening all around.  Anyhow, got to get back to the
 grind.  Stay tuned for more hot info.
 =======================================


 CODEHEAD'S CARTRIDGE RAM DISK
 -----------------------------
 -=> In the "CodeHead Software" category (32)
 -=> from the "Ask the CodeHeads" topic (11)

 Message 22        Tue Jun 23, 1992
 M.EASTER [Mike]              at 09:05 EDT

 Alpha Systems made a cartridge that could contain 4 megs of RAM (for use
 as disk RAM), keep them alive with a battery that charged itself from
 the cartridge port while the ST was turned on, and could contain a clock
 chip.  This thing came in various configurations and sizes of ram and
 was called MegaDisk or UltraDisk.  I've heard CodeHead reports of an
 interest in this device, and have also heard that Charles or John didn't
 like the provided Alpha software and did some kind of personal re-write
 to do something better.

 I don't think Alpha Systems is still in business.  I don't know where I
 would find an UltraDisk, or how well it would work if I did find one.
 What is the latest CodeHead interest in such a device, are any of the
 old Alphas still available, and what is wrong with the accompanying
 software if one should be found?

 Mike Easter
 ----------

 Message 23        Tue Jun 23, 1992
 J.EIDSVOOG1 [CodeHead]       at 20:44 EDT

 Mike,

 The cartridge RAM disk is definitely still on our list.  We currently
 have someone designing the hardware to our own specifications.  There's
 no definite release date however.

 As for the Alpha Systems software, the main problem which we fixed
 immediately was that if you have a full population of four megs, it
 could not be assigned to one drive letter without problems.  Other than
 that, it was clumsy, had a bad interface, and lacked extras (all things
 which we will not tolerate, if you know our software).  We've solved all
 of those problems.  One of the extras is the ability to run a program
 from the RAM disk _before_ the hard disk or floppy boot up!

 John
 =======================================


 ST BOOK MYSTERY
 ---------------

 -=> In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14)
 -=> from the "ST Book" topic (7)

 Message 187       Thu Jun 11, 1992
 ISD [Nathan]                 at 11:25 EDT

 I hate to say it, but I think I will regardless; I remember Tracy Hall
 showing me the ST Book over a year ago.  I remember 5 of them I believe,
 appeared at the Duesseldorf show LAST AUGUST!  With all due respect, and
 I certainly mean that literally, the ST BOOK should have been on the
 dealers shelves a long time ago.  It is not so obviously we are missing
 some relevant piece of information that would give us all a better
 understanding of the reason for this ridiculous delay. (sigh)

 Personally, I was thrilled with the ST BOOK and fully intended to
 replace my STacy 4 with it.  I'm getting kind of resigned to doing
 without it.  By the way, I use TOS software.  I want to use TOS
 software.  I couldn't care less about DOS or anything else in this
 regard.  My requirements are well met with the existing TOS software
 that I use and love.  All I wanted was a smaller, lighter more
 convenient piece of hardware to run the exact same software.  I had
 hopes that the ST BOOK would satisfy my on-the-road computing needs.

 I suppose that I am not alone in this. :-)  BUT, I'd wager that Atari
 needs far more of a potential market share to justify production on the
 ST BOOK and their current marketing and advertising efforts do not
 reflect any consideration to develop product awareness of Atari's
 computer division at all, at least not that I've seen in the USA.

 Nathan @ ISD
 ----------

 Message 192       Fri Jun 12, 1992
 TOWNS [John@Atari]           at 03:29 EDT

 The STBook is still in the works. We should have some to sell in the
 near future.

 I think the problem has been a number of production mess-ups.  I think
 these problems have been cleared up and we should be seeing the STBook
 in the very near future.

 -- John Townsend, Atari Corp.
 ----------

 Message 203       Sat Jun 13, 1992
 TOWNS [John@Atari]           at 13:58 EDT

 I think you people know me better than to attempt to pin me down to a
 specific date.  I don't believe in specific dates.  There are so many
 factors in producing a product that I am unaware of that I just don't
 want to give a date.  (The only exception.. They are done and are
 definitely going to be in the warehouse on X day of this month! ;-)

 As for FSMGDOS.. Packaging isn't the hold up.  The hold up has been
 legal problems.  We are attempting to get this straightened out as soon
 as we can.

 Believe it or not, we don't develop products and just sit on them to
 spite anyone.  We really want to sell the stuff.  Unfortunately,
 producing products is a a process that involves a LOT of people and
 steps.  If a delay is encountered in a step, it throws off the rest of
 the steps after that step.  Those are just the facts.

 -- John
 =======================================



 | | |  LYNX OWNERS COLUMN
 | | |  Reprint from AtariUser Magazine - By Clinton Smith
 | | |  ----------------------------------------------------------------


 The following article is reprinted in Atari Explorer Online by
 permission of AtariUser magazine.  It MAY NOT be further reprinted
 without specific permission of AtariUser.  AtariUser is a monthly Atari
 magazine, available by subscription by calling [phone].


 LYNX BRIEFS

 ~ Look for unexpected fun in the new Lynx game TOKI (reviewed last
 month in AtariUser).  On level 3, a bug in the program (rather than an
 intentional "Easter Egg" surprise) allows you to go through the ceiling
 and bypass part of the game.  It can make the game crash or distort the
 display if you do go exploring.  This might be fixed in a later
 production run, making this a limited-time passport to the unknown!

 ~ As summer approaches, video game companies start dropping their prices
 and the competition starts to heat up.  This year is no exception.
 Turbo Technologies started out by packing Bonk's Revenge with the
 Turbografx-16 and slashing the price of their CD-Rom peripheral to an
 amazing $150.  Sega made their move next by dropping the price of
 Genesis to $130, and were quick with a commercial that touted their
 price advantage over the $180 Super Nintendo system.  This would have
 been a real coup if Nintendo hadn't dropped their price to $150 at the
 same time.  Who's going to be the winner?  The game buying public.


 LYNX SURVIVAL - The Essentials

 What Lynx accessories and games are absolute necessities for Lynx
 fanatics?  AtariUser asked me to come up with some suggestions for you.

 Accessories

 The Lynx is a compact portable system, but if you plan to have your
 essentials with you, a carrying case is a must.  Atari's kit carrying
 case is readily available and does the job nicely.  However, if you can
 find someone who has one of the modular Realm cases, see if they'd be
 willing to part with it.  The costs for making the cases was too much
 for Realm to absorb and attempts to do a new case haven't panned out, so
 they're something of a collector's item.

 If you're planning on doing any outdoors Lynx play, you'll need a sun
 screen.  These handy items from Atari are very affordable (only $5) and
 are available in versions for the original Lynx and the new smaller Lynx
 (the original models are starting to get scarce so if you need one, be
 sure to pick one up).

 If you don't feel like buying tons of AA batteries to keep your Lynx
 running you have two excellent options.  If you're in range of a power
 outlet, the AC adaptor will provide you with continuous power and tons
 of playing time.  But you're probably saying, "Clint, the Lynx is
 supposed to be portable.  What if I want to play a long time while I'm
 on the move?"   No problem.  With the newly released Lynx battery pack
 and 6 D batteries, you can go portable for 30 straight hours and play to
 your heart's content.

 Games

 Best Puzzlers: If you want brain-twisting, you have 2 terrific choices.
 Chip's Challenge was one of the first Lynx games and is still regarded
 as one of the best (since its debut on the Lynx it's found its way onto
 most computer platforms and the NES).  Crystal Mines 2 is much newer but
 is just as addictive.  Fans of the classic Boulder Dash will be pleased.

 Best Shooters:  Want something less cerebral with more firepower?  Blue
 Lightning is a jet jockey's dream that makes excellent use of the Lynx's
 scaling abilities.  If you like the scrolling-power up-bosses type of
 games then Zarlor Mercenary delivers.  Expect to invest some time before
 you see the final boss.

 Best Run and Jump: This category has become a staple thanks to the Mario
 Brothers, and the Lynx has a real standout with Scrapyard Dog.  It has
 lots of gameplay and plenty of hidden stuff to keep you interested.

 Best Multi-player: Think you might run into some fellow Lynx
 enthusiasts?  The Lynx was built with multi-player fun in mind and it
 has 2 real standouts.  Slime World was the first game that really showed
 just how good multi-player action could be (up to 8 people can join in).
 Feel like a little dogfighting between friends?  Then you need Warbirds.
 Players take to the skies in World War 1 biplanes in a contest to see
 who's the real ace.

 Best Arcade games: Need some arcade action without the quarters?  Tackle
 the classic reflex tester Klax (regarded by many to be the best
 conversion available).  Martial arts more your speed?  Then take on
 Ninja Gaiden which is a tremendous mimic of the arcade game.  An arcade
 game that few thought could be done justice on any home system (let
 alone a portable system) was the popular Stun Runner.  Guess what?  The
 folks at Atari somehow pulled it off and it's very impressive.

 Best Sports games: As I write this, we're still waiting for the flood of
 new sports titles but there are now two goodies for sports fans.
 Checkered Flag brings you formula 1 racing action and lets 6 people
 compete against each other.  If you fancy a round of golf, Awesome Golf
 lives up to it's name.  It's easy to grasp and quite challenging.

 BIO: Clinton Smith lives for his Lynx.  His APE NEWSLETTER is published
 5 times a year now.  Contact Clint at APE, 2104 North Kostner, Chicago,
 IL 60639, or on GEnie at C.SMITH89.



 | | |  ATARIUSER MAGAZINE REVIEWS
 | | |  Reprint from the May 1992 Edition
 | | |  ----------------------------------------------------------------


 The following article is reprinted in Atari Explorer Online by
 permission of AtariUser magazine.  It MAY NOT be further reprinted
 without specific permission of AtariUser.  AtariUser is a monthly Atari
 magazine, available by subscription by calling [phone].


 Microprose Formula 1 Grand Prix (ST, STe)

 Formula 1 Grand Prix is simply the best car racing simulation available
 on any computer.  Graphics are simply spectacular, blowing away just
 about everything ever released for the ST, Amiga, and yes even MS/DOS
 machines.  You really feel like you are there!  All 16 racetracks (taken
 from the 1991 Formula 1 Season) have multi-colored buildings, bridges,
 trees, skidmarks and other little details.  The cars themselves are
 different colors and each has its own multi-colored helmet sticking out
 of the cockpit.  Race marshals appear throughout the racetrack to inform
 you of potentially dangerous situations by waving colored flags, just
 like in real racing.  Even the pits are fully detailed--you can see
 other cars pull in and out and their crews work on them.  The Formula 1
 Grand Prix also features external viewpoints, instant replay, and the
 ability to jump into any of the 25 cockpits.

 With all details turned on, the screen update speed is very good on a
 stock 8 mHz ST running TOS 1.0.  It's also compatible with STe's and
 Mega STe's, but I didn't notice any increase in speed.

 You can setup your car just the way you like it for each racetrack and
 save it to disk.  You can adjust front and rear wing angles, brake
 balance, tire type, and gear ratios.  Controlling the car couldn't be
 simpler, with either joystick or keyboard.  Six driving Aids are
 available, each with a status icon on the dashboard, to help you tame
 that speed demon.  The dashboard even shows the artificial intelligence
 setting of the other drivers.  While the sound is nothing special, it
 does the job well.

 Designer Geoff Crammond really did his homework and the manual is
 crammed with all sorts of information about the Formula 1 racing world:
 racetracks, teams, driving tips, technical data, etc...  His previous
 outstanding works include The Sentry and Stunt Car Racer.

 Grand Prix is a high-quality product and deserves to do well.  It comes
 on 4 copy-protected double-sided disks and can't be installed on a hard
 drive.  But disk 4 contains a program that lets you backup all the
 disks.  You never wait more than 4 or 5 seconds between menus, and if
 you have 2 double-sided drives, you won't have to do disk swapping.
 Formula 1 Grand Prix is available as an import from Microprose UK,
 $59.95.  --Alex Bitton


 XBOOT  (ST, STe, TT)

 Gribnif Software's latest import is a boot-up manager with a mouse
 interface.  XBOOT offers automatic or manual selection of your screen
 resolution, AUTO programs, desk accessories, and configuration files for
 GDOS or any application.  More impressive, it also can execute a series
 of batch commands as part of its preset activities: setting up RAMdisks;
 copying files; creating, renaming or moving folders or files; even
 checking to see if files already exist.  It does all this from your hard
 drive's AUTO folder in a GEM-like environment that looks and feels like
 Gribnif's NEODESK--familiar, friendly and well thought out.

 Although there are a number of shareware boot managers available, most
 do without mouse input or use a modified, sometimes odd mouse response
 due to GEM not being available until later in the startup sequence.
 XBOOT emulates the feel of a normal GEM operation, even with variable
 mouse speed!

 File housekeeping is available, including rename, delete, re-ordering
 the AUTO folder, checking and setting of fastload bits, etc.  The clock
 can be set, blitter and caches can be configured, and presets and
 passwords can be created at any boot.  By running XBOOT as a program
 anytime from the desktop, adjustments can be made anytime to any
 setting.  Multiple DESKTOP.INF or NEWDESK.INF files can be configured
 and selected and GEM programs can be set to auto-start as part of up to
 40 presets.

 I'll confess that I miss the random picture that some shareware boot
 managers offer while starting up.  And unlike a few shareware offerings
 that offer an auto-set for each screen resolution, XBOOT has a single
 "standard" setup.  Change monitors or resolution, and you must manually
 select an alternate preset or custom setup at boot time.  But the
 ability to tweak presets at any time without a config program makes it
 more likely that I actually keep my setup evolving.

 A good boot manager makes your computer easier and more fun to use every
 time you turn it on, and XBOOT offers the most useful features of any of
 them.  Considering the good boot managers available as public domain or
 shareware, some buyers may be put off by XBOOT's $39.95 SRP.
 Fortunately, Gribnif is still offering an introductory price of $29.95,
 and dealers may have itat some discounts as well.  Gribnif Software,
 P.O. Box 350, Hadley, MA 01035, 413-584-7887.  --John Nagy


 HOYLE OFFICIAL BOOK OF GAMES, Volumes 1 & 2  (ST, STe, TT)

 Card lovers, this is it.  The Hoyle Official Book of Games has come to
 the Atari.  In spades, shall we say?

 Volume 1 has seven different card games, Crazy Eights, Old Maid, Hearts,
 Gin Rummy, Cribbage and Klondike Solitaire.  You have nine colorful
 decks to select from, and your opponents range from novice to expert.
 You can choose who you want to play with individually (even a dog!), and
 can set table conversation on or off.

 Volume 2 has twenty-eight solitaire games, including Klondike, Canfield,
 Yukon and Pyramid.  Two entirely new, never before seen solitaire games
 by Warren Schwader are Slide and Bowling.  Each game has an easy or hard
 setting, plus complete game rules can be read on-screen.

 Both of these packages are first rate.  They are a throwback to the good
 ole' days of playing cards on a rainy day.  The opponents are
 challenging enough to keep your interest, and the individual games are
 excellent computerized versions of old favorites.  The only drawback is
 that the computer won't let you cheat.

 The Hoyle game sets require only 512K and a double-sided drive, and run
 on all machines, including the TT in ST modes, but not on the big TTM194
 monochrome monitor.  Volume 1 is $39.95, Volume 2 retails for $29.95.
 The Hoyle games are by Sierra On-Line, P.O. Box 485, Coarsegold, CA
 93614.  --John King Tarpinian


 CRYSTAL MINES II (LYNX)

 What do you get when you cross DIG DUG with CHIP'S CHALLENGE?  CRYSTAL
 MINES II, a puzzle game for the Lynx and a sequel to Color Dream's
 Nintendo title.  You control a mining robot who gathers gems from
 various caves, while facing falling rocks, monsters, radioactivity, and
 a time limit.  The robot has a laser and dynamite to fight creatures and
 make caverns.  Meet the gem quota, then find the exit to travel to
 another level.  More advanced challenges such as gravity switches and
 item-changing pipes are used to create 181 challenging stages.

 The best part of CRYSTAL MINES II is the diversity of game items, which
 interact in numerous ways.  Temporary robot enhancements are available,
 and other items help or hinder depending on how they're used.  A lot of
 time is spent learning how things interact, as the instruction booklet
 is intentionally vague.  You have an unlimited number of lives, each
 level has a four-letter password, and the game will let you skip a level
 if you take too many tries.

 Though this is a strategy title, it places a little more emphasis on
 reflexes than other puzzle games.  Aside from the first few introductory
 stages, the levels are usually challenging and not quickly solved.

 Sights and sound are functional, and no more.  Graphics are drawn with
 little or no animation.  Similarly, music and noises are very simple,
 with much of the sound coming from a background theme through the game.

 CRYSTAL MINES II borrows much from earlier puzzle games and produces a
 good challenge mentally and physically.  It won't win awards for special
 effects, but the demanding levels and wide range of game elements make
 this a respectable game.  Atari Corp., $34.95.  --Robert Jung


 TOKI (LYNX)

 Toki the cave man was spending time with his lady when the evil High
 Priest Vookimedlo kidnapped the girl and devolved Toki into a chimp.
 Now able to spit fireballs, Toki musters his primitive machismo and
 heads to the rescue.  That's TOKI for the Lynx, an adaptation of the
 hard-to-find arcade game.

 None of the gameplay has been altered on its way to the Lynx, but the
 original wasn't great to begin with.  This isn't to say that TOKI is a
 bad game, it just has little to distinguish it from the field.  You
 guide Toki through several scrolling stages of caverns, moats, and
 forests, battling Vookimedlo's flunkies with fireballs or by jumping on
 them.  But there's a lot of variety and an irreverent tone, including
 items like football helmets and anvil-loaded teeter-totters.  And the
 game is fairly hard; with four lives and two continues, a typical player
 will be pressed to get by stage 3.

 Graphics and sound capture the game's lighthearted attitude well.

 There is good use of color and a lot of detail, but several elements are
 very small.  Worse, some backgrounds are too cluttered, making it hard
 to see incoming objects.  An unobtrusive theme plays through each level,
 and individual sound effects are distinctive.  Digitized clips are also
 used throughout, such as Toki's death yelp and the cartoon-inspired
 "boing!" sounds.

 In the end, TOKI is a great adaptation of an average game.  If you don't
 like run-and-jump contests, this won't change your mind, but if you're
 looking for a new arcade-action game, TOKI is worth considering.  Atari
 Corp., $34.95.  --Robert Jung


 WARP 9 (ST, STe, TT)

 The successor to Quick ST (formerly from Branch Always Software), Warp 9
 is a program/system redesigned by Codehead Technologies that's intended
 primarily to speed up the screen performance on Atari computers.  On the
 way to that goal, a load of features have been added to it that each
 make life easier, more fun, or prettier.

 Most people who tried Turbo ST or Quick ST agreed that windows pop and
 fill faster, dialogs bang into place, text rolls by with a vengeance,
 and overall, the computer feels more enthusiastic about life.  The down
 side has been incompatibilities that have caused problems as niggling as
 leftover marks in some software and as large as total bombing in other
 software.  The new Warp 9 disposes of these problems in two ways.
 First, the known problems in Quick ST (over 36 of them) have been wiped
 up better than coffee in a paper towel commercial.  And IF you ever find
 a problem, an automatic disabling feature (via a .DAT file with the
 program name in it) can shut Warp 9 down during the problem application.

 Skipping the boring index numbers, most screen text and dialog functions
 are two to four times faster when Warp 9 is engaged.  Some (string
 printing) are ten or more times faster.  And Warp 9 is faster than its
 predecessor, Quick ST V.3.

 Installation is simple, despite the outstanding 50 page manual: just put
 it in the AUTO folder.  A desk accessory provides "knobs" for the
 extras, like alternate GEM fills, desktop picture, fonts (72 are
 provided!), and use of function keys 1-3 to run any dialogs you
 encounter.  The mouse handling is unique: choose wrap-around, wrap-over,
 jump to menu, or block from menu bar options, and even set up a custom
 acceleration curve of your choice!  The frills only work if the
 accessory is loaded -- I'd prefer it to work without losing a slot.  Of
 course, CodeHead also sells MultiDesk Deluxe, which eliminates the six-
 accessory limit anyway.  By the way, an upgrade program for MultiDesk
 owners is included with Warp 9, as you'll need version 3.4 to use it
 with Warp 9.

 Warp 9 is speed that anyone can feel, and anyone can afford at 44.95
 retail.  But if you upgrade from any Quick ST or Turbo ST version, it's
 a give-away at only $20 (send payment and original disk to CodeHead).
 CodeHead Technologies, P.O. Box 74090, Los Angeles, CA 90004, phone
 [phone].  --John Nagy


 SUPER SKWEEK (Lynx)

 It's a bird!  It's a plane!  It's--an orange furball?  No, it's SUPER
 SKWEEK, a Lynx adaptation of the French computer game.  You control
 Skweek in his mission to paint blue tiles, rescue hostages, and shoot
 the creatures on 250 levels.  Skweek can find or buy icons for other
 powers, play levels in a fixed or random order, and continue a game
 saved with a password.  ComLynxing two people together offers
 cooperative or competitive play.

 Though it sounds like a puzzle game, SUPER SKWEEK isn't; some of the
 levels require strategy, but most levels require arcade instincts.  This
 title's biggest asset is its wealth of features--dozens of enemies,
 enhancements, tiles and wall pieces.  Almost everything in the game is
 random, making pattern developing impossible.

 While the game idea is fine, the implementation is not, and there are
 problems in SUPER SKWEEK that may turn off some players.  Shooting
 monsters requires a direct hit, and near-misses prove deadly.  Movement
 is not confined to the "grid" of the tiles, meaning Skweek can straddle
 tiles and accidentally walk into a dangerous area.  There's also a bug
 if you die on a disappearing tile: if the tile is still missing when
 your next life reappears, you immediately die again.  The problems don't
 ruin the game, but do increase the frustration.

 Colors are spectacular, with bright pastels and lots of shades used to
 compliment the whimsy.  Game objects and text are small but easily
 identifiable.  Sound effects are nothing unusual, but the musical tunes
 are slightly above average.

 This is an unusual game that will not appeal to everyone.  Still, if
 you're willing to put forth a little patience, SUPER SKWEEK can return
 many hours of fun.  Atari Corp., $34.95.  --Robert Jung


 LOGOLIBRARY, QWIKFORMS (ST, STe, TT)

 How do 1,000 logos in IMG format fit on six disks?  Rather tightly.  The
 Sterling Connection offers their LogoLibrary for $39.95 and includes a
 convenient booklet that shows every image in the set.  Each 300 DPI
 image is a separate file, despite being an average of well under an inch
 square, making selection easier than some sets that require you to clip
 an image from a collection file.

 The LogoLibrary will be useful for some, but unless you're making
 traditional business cards or phone books, you may find the collection
 to be flat and unimaginative.  Scaling any of the pictures up to even 3"
 results in jagged edges.  The manual suggests converting the images to
 vectors if blow-ups are to be used, requiring one of the auto-trace line
 art packages.  But one look at the cover of LogoLibrary will let you
 know what to expect, and if you have a use for them, the collection is
 comprehensive at a fair price.

 Sterling's QWIKFORMS for PageStream is over 100 forms and layouts, ready
 for use as is or for modification for your own purposes.  Everything is
 here, from invoices to WHILE YOU WERE OUT pads, construction estimates,
 calendars, plus legal forms, even wills.  The 40 page book with
 Qwikforms illustrates every form in the set.  Two disks full of clip art
 and logos accompany the set to make it four disks for $39.95 retail.

 If you use PageStream, and if even one of these forms makes your life as
 a publish-for-profit operation a bit easier, it will pay for itself.  If
 you find two or more, you'll bless this set.  I just wish it was
 available in Calamus format, too.

 They also offer Lotus/LDW templates, PD disks, and more clip art sets.
 Ask for their product flyer.  The Sterling Connection, Box 4850,
 Berkeley, CA 94704, phone [phone].  --Dr. Paul Keith


 WP SWITCH (ST, STe, TT)

 This little utility has made my life easier, allowing conversion of Word
 Perfect files between versions 4 and 5, as well as other text
 conversions.  The current PC Word Perfect (5.1) will import Atari (4.1)
 files, but requires special export to make a file readable by 4.1.  Even
 then, expect an error message on loading on the Atari.  It's a hassle,
 and requires planning ahead to be sure files are saved in the right
 format.

 WP Switch is cheap (under $20) and simple.  Choose the type of input and
 output files, and give a name for the output.  File types supported for
 translation in any combination include WP5.1, WP4.x, 1st Word Plus,
 ASCII, and Calamus Text.  A few beeps later, your selected output type
 file is ready.  And the file types are right.  Naturally, any imbedded
 WP5.x graphics are lost in the translation, but the text is complete
 with all attributes, margins, headers, etc. that are supported by the
 Atari version.  The small manual details ways to optimize conversions
 for use in Calamus.  For me, it's what the doctor ordered.

 On the down side, translation is slow, and particularly when coming off
 a floppy disk.  I was able to improve a small (10K) document's
 translation time from almost a minute to under 15 seconds by first
 copying the file to a hard drive.  I also wish the program were
 available as a desk accessory, for use when I discover a problem file
 from within Word Perfect.

 I'd have rather saved my money for an upgrade for Word Perfect, but
 that's not happening.  I lived a normal life without WP Switch, but for
 the price, I'm glad to have it.  WP Switch, $19.95 by Rovell
 Enterprises, Ltd., 16814 114 Avenue, Edmonton, AB Canada T5M 3S2.
 --John Nagy


 ROTOR (ST, STe)

 Microdaft's release of ROTOR marks their first new title in four years,
 and is a better game than the very generic box might hint.

 Rotor is a strategy-oriented arcade game, where you are in command of a
 highly sophisticated Rotor craft, flying solo through enemy fortresses
 in an effort to destroy their primary defense systems.  There are a
 total of eighteen missions, with a password system to resume play on
 higher levels.  You can use a joystick or the keyboard to play, and the
 handing of your craft is smooth as silk.

 ROTOR is essentially a four-way smooth scrolling platform game with
 pleasant but not outstanding graphics.  A maneuvering simulator followed
 by a combat simulator gives you the practice you'll need for the
 missions that follow.

 ROTOR is tough to master, you must keep your cool and plan ahead.

 This is not a "kick in the door and blast anything that moves" arcade
 game.  Collecting pearls allow you to enhance the different features of
 your ship, add hull armor, upgrade engine, add storm bombs or power
 shield, even a duplicate ROTOR.  The enemy are all fixed based units
 with cannon or laser shots, plus generators which attract or repel
 nearby ships.

 I was frustrated with endless disaster in ROTOR until I finally reached
 for the box and read the instruction manual.  Now ROTOR is tough but
 very playable.  You must really earn your way to receiving the password
 for the next mission.  I know ROTOR will give me many months of fun.
 Copy protection prevents use on hard drive, program is on one disk.
 $39.95, Microdaft Software, 1012 S. Main Street, Taylor, PA 18517.
 --Daniel Hanners



 | | |  COMPUTER TERMS
 | | |  Atari Explorer Guide - Part 1
 | | |  ----------------------------------------------------------------


 ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange

 .ACC - Extender used to define that the program is a desk accessory.

 ACK - Acknowledge

 ANSI.SYS - An MS-DOS device driver that performs many of the functions
 of the BIOS.

 ANSI - American National Standards Institute

 .APP - Extender used to define that the program is executable.

 AUTOEXEC.BAT - An MS-DOS batch file that is automatically executed when
 DOS is executed.

 .BAT - Extender used to define the program is a batch file.

 BAUD - Used to define the number of seperate events that can be
 transmitted per second along a communications channel.

 BIOS - The Basic Input/Output System.  The BIOS controls the video
 display, disk drives, and keyboard in an MS-DOS based system.

 BLITTER CHIP - A co-processing chip in the MegaST.  When on, it
 improves the speed of text formatting and graphics operations.

 BOOT - Term to define the loading of the computer operating system.

 BPS - Bits per second.

 BYTE - Eight contigous bits forming a character.

 CACHE - A buffer between the CPU and main memory.

 CD - Carrier Detect for telecommunications and modems

 CLUSTER - A group of disk sectors that form the basic unit in which
 disk space is allocated.

 .COM - An MS-DOS program which has all memory addresses written into
 the file before it is loaded to run by the computer.

 CONFIG.SYS - A file that MS-DOS systems search for when booted.

 CONTROL PANEL - A desk accessory supplied on disk with your Atari
 computer which is used to ser up many of the systems features.

 CPU - Central Processing Unit.

 CRC - Cyclic Redundancy Check

 CR/LF - Carriage return/Line feed

 CRT - Cathose Ray Tube, your monitor

 CTS - Clear To Send.

 CYLINDER - The group of tracks at a given distance from the center of
 the disk mounted in a hard drive unit.

 CYCLIC REDUNDANCY CHECK (CRC) - An error checking technique where a
 mathmatically driven code follows the transmission of a block of date.
 Used in telecommunications/Modem programs.

 DESK ACCESSORY - Application that is loaded into memory from your BOOT
 disk.

 DESKTOP.INF - This is a data file that holds the information chosen and
 saved with the CONTROL PANEL.

 DEVICE DRIVER - A software routine that controls and monitors a device.

 DMA - Direct Memory Access.  Used to make rapid ata transfers between
 peripherals and memory.

 DOUBLE CLICK - Not only a software company, but a term used to
 determine the amount of clicks of a mouse.

 EBCDIC - Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code.

 EOF - End of File

 EOT - End of Transmission

 EPROM - Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory.  This chip can be
 erased if exposed to Ultraviolet light.

 .EXE - An extender used to define that the program requires relocation
 in memory after it has been loaded in an MS-DOS machine.

 EXTENDER - The three letters that follow the (.) after a filename.  See
 the listing for popular file extenders.

 FAT - File Allocation Table

 FCB - File Control Block

 FF - Form Feed

 FOLDER - A sub-directory to store files

 FORMAT - To prepare a floppy disk for information.

 GEM - Graphics Environment Manager

 I/O - Input/Output

 ITEM SELECTOR - A dialog box on the ST used to load or save files.

 KILOBYTE - 1,024 bytes of memory

 LF - Line Feed

 MIDI - Musical Instrument Digital Interface

 MODEM - A modulator/demodualtor, a device hooked between the phone line
 and your computer.

 MOUSE - A device used by the hand to move a pointer on the desktop.

 MSB - Most Significant Byte

 NAK - Negative Acknowledgement

 NUL - Abbreviation for Null

 PIXEL - A dot of video graphics

 .PRG - An extender the denotes the program is a GEM application.

 RAM - Random Access Memory

 RGB - Red, Green, Blue

 RTS - Request To Send

 RI - Ring Indicator

 ROM - Read Only Memory



 | | |  ZENOBOT'S GAME CHEATS COMPILATION (NEW ENTRIES)
 | | |  Updated 4-19-92
 | | |  ----------------------------------------------------------------


 (X) Another World (US Gold): here are all the access codes.

 EDJI (the beginning), HICI (inside the cage), FLLD (inside the vents),
 LIBC (the first weapon recharger), CCAL (leftmost edge of the caves),
 EDIL (rightmost edge of the caves, next to the second tank),
 GABK (on top of the anvil-shaped rock),
 KCIJ (columns room with friend crawling in conduit), these next codes
 are somewhat similar to each other, but they revolve around 4 different
 parameters: whether the grenade-throwing guard behind the 3 doors is
 alive or dead, the second guard is alive or dead, the chandelier intact
 or broken, or the power line in the cave is on or off:

 LDCI (alive, alive, intact, on),
 LAEA (alive, alive, intact, off),
 ICAH (alive, alive, broken, on),
 FIEI (alive, alive, broken, off),
 LDIJ (alive, dead, intact, on),
 GABK (alive, dead, intact, off),
 FLAK (alive, dead, broken, on),
 KCGB (alive, dead, broken, off),
 LALD (dead, dead, broken, off), and now back to the normal codes:

 KJIA (inside the battle tank),
 LFEK (about to crash in the harem).


 Armalyte (Hewson): pause the game and type DELTA 3 to turn off the
 sprite collision detection.

 Armour-Geddon (Psygnosis): start a game and go to the message screen.
 Hold down the left mouse button on top of "Day 1" to make a constant
 beeping sound.  Press Escape while doing that and you get a message
 saying "You wouldn't let it lie!".  You're now invincible and have an
 unlimited supply of whatever you load up with.  You can still crash or
 mess up your landings, but the enemy can't kill you.

 The Blues Brothers (Titus): type HOULQ on the character selection
 screen, then add 1 through 6 followed by the Spacebar to skip to that
 level.

 BSS Jane Seymour (Gremlin): level access codes: level 2 SLUMBER,
 3 INTEREST (or INTERST), 4 BULKHEAD, 5 SHOWROOM, 6 MUSHBASH, 7 HAMPERED,
 8 BLACKOUT, 9 WARRIOR, 10 VICTORTY, 11 TRAPPED, 12 FRENZY, 13 HANDYMAN,
 14 CROWDED, 15 RADIATE, 16 VOLTAGE, 17 GLOOM, 18 PRIMATE, 19 MADHOUSE,
 20 TRIUMPH.

 Captain Planet (Mindscape): this is a weird cheat.  You must own that
 cool Dungeon Master style game called Captive to access it.  Load
 Captain Planet as normal and when the level selection screen appears,
 remove the game disk and stick in Captive instead.  Press Fire and "Disk
 Error" should appear on the screen.  Pull out Captive and stick Captain
 Planet back in.  The game will load with the cheat mode active.

 Castle Master (Domark): start the game by holding Shift and L.  Press A
 at least 12 times or until you hear a thud.  You'll see this diagram in
 front of you:

                       4
                 1     2         3

 Throw rocks at the boxes for these effects:

 1 - increase rock travel,
 2 - increase strength,
 3 - get all keys,
 4 - see end game sequence.


 (X) Chip's Challenge (US Gold): press F once to flip the screen, then
 type SAGGITTAREANS MAKE BETTER LOVERS. to get infinite keys, water
 shield, and fire shield.  Or, type 09/12/57. for infinite time.  Or,
 type I THINK THEREFORE I AM.  so that no chips have to be collected.
 You must include all the spaces and periods!  And now, all 144 level
 access codes!!!

 Level 1 Lesson 1 BDHP                       2 Lesson 2 JXMJ
 3 Lesson 3 ECBQ                             4 Lesson 4 YMCJ
 5 Lesson 5 TQKB                             6 Lesson 6 WNLP
 7 Lesson 7 FXQO                             8 Lesson 8 NHAG
 9 Nuts And Bolts KCRE                      10 Brushfire VUWS
 11 Trinity CNPE                            12 Hunt WVHI
 13 Southpole OCKS                          14 Teleblock BDTY
 15 Elementary COZQ                         16 Cellblocked SKKK
 17 Nice Day AJMG                           18 Castle Moat HMJL
 19 Digger MRHR                             20 Tossed Salad KGFP
 21 Iceberg UGRW                            22 Forced Entry WZIN
 23 Blobnet HUVE                            24 Oorto Gelo UNIZ
 25 Blink PQGV                              26 Chchchips YUYJ
 27 Go With The Flow IGGZ                   28 Ping Pong UJDD
 29 Arctic Flow QGOL                        30 Mish Mesh BQZP
 31 Knot RYMS                               32 Scavenger Hunt PEFS
 33 On The Rocks BQSN                       34 Cypher NQFI
 35 Lemmings VDTM                           36 Ladder NXIS
 37 Seeing Stars VQNK                       38 Sampler BIFA
 39 Glut ICXY                               40 Floorgasborg YWFH
 41 I.C. You GKWD                           42 Beware Of Bug LMFU
 43 Lock Block UJDP                         44 Refraction TXHL
 45 Monsterlab OVPZ                         46 Three Doors HDQJ
 47 Pier Seven LXPP                         48 Mugger Square JYSF
 49 Problems PPXI                           50 Dig Dirt QBDH
 51 I Slide IGGJ                            52 The Last Laugh PPHT
 53 Traffic Cop CGNX                        54 Grail ZMGC
 55 Potpourri SJES                          56 Deep Freeze FCJE
 57 Strange Maze UBXU                       58 Loop Around YBLT
 59 Hidden Danger BLDM                      60 Scoundrel ZYV?
 61 Rink RMOW                               62 Slow Mo TIGW
 63 Block Factory GOHX                      64 Spooks IJPQ
 65 Amsterdam UPUN                          66 Victim ZIKZ
 67 Chip Mine GGJA                          68 Eeny Miny Moe RTDI
 69 Bounce City NLLY                        70 Night Mare GCCG
 71 Corridor LAJM                           72 Blind Alley
 73 Morton QCCR                             74 Playtime MKNH
 75 Steam MJDV                              76 Fourplex NMRH
 77 Invincible Champion FHIF                78 Force Square GRMO
 79 Drawn And Quartered JINU                80 Vanishing Act EVUG
 81 Writer's Block SCWF                     82 Socialist Action LLIO
 83 Up The Block OVPJ                       84 Wars UVEO
 85 Telenet LEBX                            86 Suicide FLHH
 87 Cityblock YJYS                          88 Spirals WZYV
 89 Blockbuster VCZO                        90 Playhouse OLLM
 91 Jumping Swarm JPQG                      92 Vortex DTMI
 93 Roadsign REKF                           94 Now You See It EWCS
 95 Four Square BIFQ                        96 Paranoia WVHY
 97 Metastable To Chaos                     98 Shrinking TKWD
 99 Catacombs XUVV                         100 Colony QJXR
 101 Apartment RPIR                        102 Icehouse VDDU
 103 Memory PTAC                           104 Jailer KWNL
 105 Short Circuit YNEG                    106 Kablam NXYB
 107 Balls O Fire ECRE                     108 Block Out LIOC
 109 Torture Chamber KZQR                  110 Chiller XBAO
 111 Time Lapse KRQJ                       112 Fortune Favours The Code NJLA
 113 Open Question PTAS                    114 Deception JWNL
 115 Oversea Delivery EGRW                 116 Blockbuster III HXMF
 117 The Marsh FPZT                        118 Miss Direction OSLW
 119 Slide Step PHTY                       120 Alphabet Soup FLXP
 121 Perfect Match BPYS                    122 Totally Fair SJUM
 123 The Prisoner YKZE                     124 Firetrap TASX
 125 Mixed Nuts MYRT                       126 Block'N'Roll QRLD
 127 Skelzie JMWZ                          128 All Full FTLA
 129 Lobster Trap HEAN                     130 Ice Cube XHIZ
 131 Totally Unfair FIRD                   132 Mix Up ZYFA
 133 Blobdance TIGG                        134 Pain XPPH
 135 Trust Me LYWO                         136 Double Maze LUZL
 137 Goldkey HPPX                          138 Partially Post LUJT
 139 Yorkhouse VLHH                        140 Ice Death SJUK
 141 Underground MCJE                      142 Pentagram UCRY
 143 Stripes? OKOR                         144 Fireflies GVXQ.


 Cisco Heat (Imageworks): pause the game and type TIME UP, then hit
 Return.  Infinite time is yours!

 Daylight Robbery (Electronic Zoo): level access codes:  Level 1 FIRST,
 2 DRILLS, 3 ZOOOOO, 4 BUSHES, 5 MAYHEM, 6 XAMPLE.

 Deuteros (Activision): press Caps Lock then press C twice.  Two numbers
 appear, and anything you design is available without actually building
 it!  And you get an infinite quantity of everything to boot!

 Dragon Breed (Activision): hold down the left mouse button and press
 HELP and UNDO while the end-of-level-boss is loading.  The screen should
 flash purple and you're invincible!  Also, while the next level is
 loading, hold down the left mouse button and press Delete and Help.
 When the screen flashes, you can skip levels by hitting one of the keys
 on the keyboard.

 Elf (Gremlin): type CHOROPOO during the game to get 99 pets.  Punch
 W to become the Werewolf, or H to get the shades.

 Escape From The Planet Of The Robot Monsters (Domark): hold down the
 fire button and push the joystick up.  It now takes 30 hits to kill you.

 F-19 Stealth Fighter (Microprose): hit Alternate-N to toggle between
 night and day.  Also, if you want to shake off any enemy aircrafts, land
 on an airfield, any airfield will do, and wait a few minutes.  The
 bogies will lose your radar trace and will fly away...

 Fantasy World Dizzy (Codemasters): enter IMMORTAL on the high score
 table, and you'll get infinite lives.

 Final Blow (Storm): when you start to fight with your opponent, pause
 the game.  Press F10 six times and unpause.  You have infinite energy.

 Final Fight (US Gold): pause the game and type SHERIFF FATMAN for
 infinite lives.

 Gods (Renegade): enter SORCERY as a password to get infinite lives.

 Heavy Metal Heroes (Players Gold): during the scroller, type THE OWLS
 ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM.

 Hudson Hawk (Ocean): while the title screen is visible, type
 SANITYCLAUSISCOMINGTOTOWN for infinite lives.  If that doesn't work, try
 typing SANITYCLAWSISCOMINGTOTOWN instead.

 James Pond 2: Codename Robocod (Millenium): press Control and the screen
 flashes.  Press Return and you'll have a shield, basically, infinite
 lives.

 Jimmy White's Whirlwind Snooker (Virgin): to see the computer perform a
 perfect 147 break (whatever that be), do the following: go to the
 trickshot menu, hit F7, then F4, then F1.  You should hear a double-
 click.  Now, go back to the main menu, and enter the demo mode, or play
 against Jimmy.  Now, seat back and enjoy...

 Leisure Suit Larry (any of them) (Sierra): select Load Game but use a
 game disk instead.  This lets you access specific parts of the game.

 Lotus Turbo Challenge 2 (Gremlin): level access codes: Level 2 (night)
 TWILIGHT, 3 (fog) PEA SOUP, 4 (snow) THE SKIDS, 5 (desert) PEACHES, 6
 (motorway) LIVERPOOL, 7 (swamp) BAGLEY, and 8 (storm!) E BOW.  Also,
 TURPENTINE for infinite time, DUX for secret game, and DEESIDE to
 continue to the next level even if time runs out.

 Midnight Resistance (Ocean): play the game and press F10 to pause it.
 Type OPEN THE DOOR HAL.  Unpause the game, and you now have infinite
 energy!  Or, pause the game, type SAMANTHA LYON, and you now have
 infinite everything!  You can also pick which weapon you have by
 pressing F1 for normal rifle, F2 for full auto, F3 3-way, F4 shotgun,
 F5 fire, F6 homing missiles, F7 shower, and F8 for nitro.  F9 and F10
 make you quit the game.

 Nightbreed (Ocean): type RISEN FROM THE DEAD at any point for good
 things to happen (Muahahahaha!!!).

 Pang (Ocean): on the map, type WHATANICECHEAT.  The screen should glow
 blue or purple. You can now go to any level.

 Panza Kick Boxing (Futura): on the menu screen, enter your name as
 PANZA.  This lets you change all the specs to 99%!

 Pipedream/Pipe Mania (Lucasfilm/Empire): assorted level access codes:
 BALL, BLOB, WILD, DOCK, GRIP, TICK, OOZE.

 Pitfighter (Domark): while playing, type LOBSTERS then press 1 through 0
 to go to any level you want.  Press C to go straight to the Championship
 Match and L to visit the elimination match.

 Prince Of Persia (Domark): press Shift-L to skip levels.

 Railroad Tycoon (Microprose): hold down Shift and hit 4.  A dollar sign
 pops up and you get 500,000 extra bucks!

 Revenge Of The Mutant Camels (Llamasoft/shareware): access codes:

 level 1 SIETCH TABR
 2 OLLANTAYAMBO
 3 RAVEADELICA
 4 NEWSCASTLE EMLYN
 5 DROMEDARIA ZOOPHILIA
 6 THIS IS BASINGSTOKE
 7 OCCAM II
 8 SMOKE ME A KIPPER
 9 RED-HOT ZONE: RASPBERRY INFUNDIBULUM
 10 WHITE-HOT ZONE: GOATS GOATS AND MORE GOATS.

 Rick Dangerous 2 (Microprose): type JE VEUX VIVRE in the high score
 table to get infinite lives.  That's French for "I want to live" by the
 way...

 Rodland (Storm): pause the game and hit Help five times.  You now have
 infinite lives.  Or, enter BIG BOSS on the high-score table.

 R*Type II (Activision): pause, press F1, then F2, then unpause.  You
 gots yourself infinite lives!

 Satan (Dinamic): hold down Alternate, 1, and D to get infinite lives
 during Part 1.  Hold down Alternate, 1, and M for infinite lives and
 credits during Part 2.

 Skweek (Loriciel): on the option screen, try pressing F2 while holding
 down the Spacebar.  This lets you move around the different levels.

 Space Ace 2: Borf's Revenge (Readysoft): type CADAVERRA & see what
 happens.

 Terminator 2 (Ocean): pause the game, press keys F1 through F10 one by
 one in order, press fire to unpause, then hit Escape to skip a level.

 Test Drive II (Accolade): type GASS at any time during play to go
 straight to the next gas station.  Type OUTRAN to outrun your opponents
 and the police cars.  Type AERF to double your acceleration.

 3D Pool (Mirror Image/Firebird): solutions to the 20 trick shots.
 Simply set the position of the table to these figures:

 1) 0768 024 63 10                         2) 1002 041 63 09
 3) 0032 100 63 00                         4) 0962 024 63 10
 5) 0512 024 63 10                         6) 0405 060 63 20
 7) 0018 061 63 20                         8) 0771 099 56 12
 9) 0932 024 63 11                         10) 0927 027 63 20
 11) 0751 100 16 20                        12) 0916 025 55 10
 13) 0004 054 58 20                        14) 0864 100 63 10
 15) 0084 076 12 00                        16) 0880 048 39 20
 17) 0372 100 63 10                        18) 0512 100 63 10
 19) 0601 024 63 20                        20) as you wish.


 Torvak The Warrior (Core): enter CHEAT and as many commas as you can fit
 in on the high-score table.  Now, hold down fire and press 1 through 5
 to select a level.

 Turrican (Innerprise/Rainbow Arts): get a high score and enter ANTIDOTE.
 This gives you infinite lives.  Or, enter BLUESMOBIL instead to get
 infinite everything!

 Turrican II (Rainbow Arts): when you get to the end of level 3 and
 confront the guardian, turn into a gyroscope and stay on the guardian's
 head.  Nothing will seem to happen, except that your life counter will
 start to increase but one unit at a time.  You can do this until you get
 99 lives!  Here's another one: from the title screen, press the spacebar
 to access the main menu.  Now, press 1, 4, 2, then Escape.  Start the
 game, and you'll have infinite lives and power lines!

 Xenon 2: Megablast (Imageworks): well, it's about time!!!  Pause the
 game, type RUSSIAN AIR, and unpause the game.  Pressing N will advance
 you by one level.

 This file is public domain, and is updated every 3 or 4 month.  If you
 know of any special access codes, secret passwords, or other hints that
 you didn't see listed here, tell me about them!  If you own some of the
 games I wasn't able to test, and the cheat codes work, I also want to
 know about it!!  I can be reached at the O'Mayer V BBS (213-732-0229),
 the Jungle BBS (213-254-9534), and on GEnie (A.BITTON1) in the Atari ST
 Roundtable, Category 9 (Games), Topic 22 (ST Gaming Digest).  Copyright
 1992 CyberSysTek



 | | |  NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT
 | | |  From the Z*Net Newswire
 | | |  ----------------------------------------------------------------


 INVISION ELITE ANNOUNCED
 INVISION Elite is a program which allows you to create sophisticated
 black and white raster images.  Stretch! Skew! Bend! Rotate! Thin!
 Thicken! Copy! Outline!  Anything you want!  If you can think of it,
 INVISION Elite can probably do it.  Using images that you create in the
 program, or ones from other sources, you can manipulate your graphics
 in a hands-on manner to achieve stunning visuals. INVISION Elite's
 easy-to-use processing features give you limitless possibilities.
 INVISION Elite is a fully GEM based program featuring a slick and
 surprisingly simple icon interface and supports up to seven images, each
 in their own window, with image size limited only by memory.  INVISION
 is full of powerful functions including: Gradient fill, Image Bending,
 Bezier Curves, Outlining, Smoothing, Rotation, Skewing, Mirroring, Atari
 Clipboard Support, Instant access panning, and much more.  This is a
 _very_ slick, powerful, and fun-to-use program.  It requires a
 monochrome monitor and is compatible with large screen monitors.  Try
 the demo version now, and release the creative genius within you!  It's
 available on GEnie as files #24641 and #24642.  The release date for
 INVISION Elite is August 1, 1992.  Suggested retail price is $174.95.
 Pre-release versions are available now at a special price of $149.95.
 This includes the full program, a quick-start manual, and the option to
 purchase the full manual after August 1, 1992.   Box #98, 275 King St.
 East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5A 1K2, Phone/FAX:[phone],
 GEnie: H.HUGH, CompuServe: 76266,1064.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 To  sign up for GEnie service call (with modem)  [phone].   Upon
 connection type HHH and hit <return>.  Wait for the U#= prompt and type
 XTX99436,GEnie and hit <return>.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 To sign up for CompuServe service call (with phone) [phone]. Ask
 for operator #198.  You will be promptly sent a $15.00 free  membership
 kit.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 A special limited time offer  is available for subscribers to AtariUser
 Magazine.  The regular $19.95 subscription price is now just $15.00 for
 a  full  year  or  $25.00  a  year  for  first class mailing.  For more
 information contact AtariUser at [phone]. Credit card or billing
 is available.  This offer available for new and renewal subscriptions.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Editorial material, including article submissions, press releases,  and
 products  for  evaluation,  should  be  sent  to the Z*Net News Service
 Post   Office   Box   59,   Middlesex,  New  Jersey,  08846.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 You can subscribe to the bi-monthly hard copy  Atari  Explorer Magazine
 for $14.95 for 6 issues, $39.95 for  18 issues.   Canadian  subscribers
 should add $5.00 per 6 issues,foreign subscribers should add $10.00 per
 6 issues.  Checks must be drawn in US funds on a US bank.  Send  orders
 to Atari Explorer, Post Office Box 6488, Duluth,  MN  55806.  VISA  and
 MasterCard orders, call [phone].
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Atari Explorer Online Magazine is  a weekly  publication  covering  the
 Atari computer  community.  Material published in  this edition may  be
 reprinted in non-commercial publications unless otherwise noted  at the
 top of  the  article.  Opinions  presented  herein  are  those  of  the
 individual authors and do not necessarily reflect those  of  the staff.
 Atari Explorer Online Magazine  is  Copyright (c)1992,  Atari  Computer
 Corporation.   Z*Net and the Z*Net Newswire are copyright(c)1992, Z*Net
 News Service/Ron Kovacs.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                      Atari Explorer Online Magazine
                   "The Official Atari Online Journal"
               Copyright (c)1992, Atari Computer Corporation
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