¢INTRODUCTION¢Futura Issue 11 - Jan/Feb 1994¢¢ Welcome fellow Futurians to another new issue of Futura! On this disk you will find a huge text section covering many aspects of Atari 8-bit computing... Futura Feedback returns with answers to your questions. The Atari 8-Bit Bookshelf begins a comprehensive list of books. Swift Spreadsheet and The Brundles are tested to the full in Software Scene. Hardware Warehouse attempts to answer a very tricky question. Add to this 8-Bit Trivia, Hints & Cheats, 8-Bit News, etc. and you will find over 700 sectors of text!¢¢NOTE: Many of the text files are on Side B of this disk. Just load ViewDocs from Side A, flip the disk and read or print as normal.¢¢ There are three large programs on the disk this time. Here are the details:¢¢Side A (BOOT WITH BASIC)¢¢DISKUTIL¢¢ This is a superb program by Futurian Les Wagar from Canada. (Thanks for allowing me to publish it in Futura Les!)¢¢ DiskUtil is a disk utility package with many powerful features. An excellent DiskUtil Tutorial by Les Wagar himself is included on Side B (DISKUTL1 and DISKUTL2). A few of the references to sector numbers are valid only for Les's "Disk Utilities" disk (NOSAUG PD disk U34) but you should get the general idea. Les has produced a very good tutorial.¢¢ I'm sure you will find DiskUtil to be a very useful addition to your software collection. If you are interested in other programs by Les Wagar, check out NOSAUG PD disk U34 (Disk Utilities by Les Wagar) which contains another seventeen powerful utilities with docs.¢¢ Great work Les! Keep 'em coming!¢¢NOTE: Before using DiskUtil I STRONGLY suggest that you make a back-up copy of your Futura disk and use this back-up for experimenting with the many powerful options of the program! Alternatively, transfer DISKUTIL.BAS to another disk with DOS Option O.¢¢ If you want to create an autoboot version of DiskUtil, follow these steps:¢¢1. Format a disk and write DOS files to it.¢2. Copy DISKUTIL.BAS to the disk.¢3. Use an ARS Maker to produce an AUTORUN.SYS file (see NOSAUG PD disk U22).¢¢¢THE SIMPSONS SLIDESHOW¢¢ All fans of the popular cartoon series (or indeed anyone who likes computer art) will enjoy this slideshow containing picture files produced on AtariArtist and BBK Artist by local NOSAUG member Ray Brown.¢¢ The file SIMPSONS.OBJ is a machine language picture file viewer which will load and show all .PIC files on a disk. To create your own slideshow just rename the viewer (SIMPSONS.OBJ) to any name you want, place your .PIC files on the same disk side and run the viewer from a menu or DOS. The .PIC files will be shown one by one. Why not send in a slideshow for inclusion in a future issue?¢¢¢Side B (BOOT WITHOUT BASIC)¢¢SISYPHOS (Demo Version)¢¢ This is a demo of an excellent puzzle game called Sisyphos. It features some very good graphics and sound! The object is to push all of the boulders into the holes. Be warned - it is not as easy as it sounds! Use a joystick to guide the little man around the maze. Great fun!¢¢¢ Well, that's it for another packed issue. Many thanks to all who have written to me over the past few weeks - I have enjoyed reading your letters!¢¢ Thanks to Alan Hitchen, Kevin Cooke, Daniel Baverstock, Eddie Cousins, Crispian Cousins, Les Wagar, Colin Doyle, Daniel Carrodano, O.J. Fernandes, M. Tomlin and everyone else who took the time to send in articles and programs for Futura! Please keep 'em coming! There is lots in store for future issues.¢¢ Greetinx to all Futurians! Many thanks for your continued support.¢¢Coming soon to Futura:¢¢- Futura InfoFile 1994;¢- Atari 8-Bit Booklist Part 2;¢- DTP Atari8;¢- VCS Futura (how to fry a VCS!);¢- Slammin' (the SMP column!);¢- Atari 8-Bit Memories;¢- If Only I Could (get the most from your XL/XE);¢- Classic Classics (reviews of truly classic software titles);¢- The Turbo BASIC Flyer continues;¢- Hardware Warehouse: an easy-to-fit, D.I.Y. write protect switch kit for your 1050 drive!);¢- PLUS a wide selection of quality software from the public domain and Futurians (including ESP on your Atari 8-bit and a VERY funny animated cartoon which you just have to see!);¢¢PLUS lots, lots more! See-ya there!¢¢¢Keeping the Atari 8-bit flag flying high as a kite!¢¢Stuart J. Murray, 21/2/94.¢
