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| (((((((( | Z*Net International Atari Online Magazine | (( | ----------------------------------------- | (( | January 24, 1992 Issue #92-04 | (( | ----------------------------------------- | (((((((( | Copyright (c)1992, Rovac Industries, Inc. | | Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, NJ 08846 | (( | | (((((( | CONTENTS | (( | | | * The Editors Desk............................Ron Kovacs | ((( (( | * Z*Net Newswire........................................ | (((( (( | * NAMM Show Report.............................John Nagy | (( (( (( | * NAMM Press Release Reprints.................Ron Kovacs | (( (((( | * Live NAMM Conference Transcript From GEnie............ | (( ((( | * Atari Advantage Magazine Announced.......Press Release | | * Supra Fax Modems And Update...............News Release | ((((((( | * Perusing GEnie...............................Ed Krimen | (( | * ISD Marketing Update on Calamus....................... | ((((( | * The Software Shelf......................Ron Berinstein | (( | | ((((((( | ~ Publisher/Editor............................Ron Kovacs | | ~ Editor.......................................John Nagy | (((((((( | ~ Z*Net Newswire Ltd..........................Jon Clarke | (( | ~ Contributing Editor.....................Bruce Hansford | (( | ~ PD Software Reviews.....................Ron Berinstein | (( | ~ Reporter....................................Mike Brown | (( | ~ Assistant News Editor.......................Mike Davis | | ~ Z*Net Canadian Correspondent...........Terry Schreiber | | |----------| $ GEnie Address....................................Z-NET | ONLINE | $ CompuServe Address..........................75300,1642 | AREAS | $ Delphi Address....................................ZNET | | $ Internet/Usenet Address..................status.gen.nz |----------| $ America Online Address........................ZNET1991 | | | Z*NET | * Z*Net:USA New Jersey...(FNET 593).......(908) 968-8148 | SUPPORT | * Z*Net:Golden Gate......(FNET 706).......(510) 373-6792 | SYSTEMS | * Z*Net:South Pacific....(FNET 693).NZ....(644) 4762-852 | | * Z*Net:Pacific .(INTERNET/@status.gen.nz)(649) 3585-543 | | * Z*Net:South Jersey.....(FNET 168).CCBBS.(609) 451-7475 | | * Z*Net:Illinois (Garage)(FNET 621).......(618) 344-8466 | | * Z*Net:Colorado (Mile High)(FNET 5)......(303) 431-1404 | | * Z*Net:Wyoming (Stormbringer)(FNET 635)..(307) 638-7036 | | * Z*Net:Florida (Twilight Zone)(FNET 304).(407) 831-1613 | | Fido Address 1:363/112 ======================================================================= * THE EDITORS DESK by Ron Kovacs ======================================================================= FNET UPDATE The Z*Net Conference is going to be included on AtariBase which debuts March 1, 1992 in FNET. Beta-Test and hardware set-up is taking place right now and all users and user groups are enouraged to sign-up for the Z*Net Online Fnet Conference. Bob Brodie will be participating via AtariBase, to be called officially, Atari Corporation Online, in the Z*Net Conference, the Lynx Conference, Star Trek Conference, FoReM SysOp's Conference and others to be named later. An additional note, User Groups are encouraged to hook-up to FNET via FoReM BBS software where Atari will call into your node direct so that all registered Atari User Groups can participate in the Atari User Group Conference. This conference, set-up exclusively for Atari User Groups will provide a communication link to Atari and Bob Brodie from all over the country. If your interested in more information on the Z*Net Atari Online Conference or the Atari User Group Conference, send email today to Node 593 in FNET. Stay tuned for further details as they become available. Since there is a month before the official debut, some of these comments may change. You can also contact Node 593 directly at 908-968-8148. 520STFM UPGRADE UPDATE Last week re ran an article detailing a way to upgrade a 520STFM to 1 meg. There were some errors noticed in the article and the following message has been captured from the Z*Net Conference on GEnie. The response following was captured from Delphi. Category 31, Topic 2 Message 41 Sun Jan 19, 1992 R.MATISKA at 05:30 EST I thought I recognized Stephen Brown's upgrade article in ZNet 9203, and sure enough, I found it in ST Report #19, dated January 27, 1988. I tried to upgrade my 520STFM in accordance with the article about 2 years ago, and it didn't work. There are 8 resistors (67 ohm, 1/8 watt) between the MMU chip and the second (non-existant) ram bank in my machine and since only 5 were necessary to drive the 512K the machine had, the other 3 were left out. It was only after I added the missing resistors that the upgrade worked. Others who try this upgrade must make sure they have all 8 resistors; apparently Steve's machine did, but not all 520's do. John Kessler's 2-part upgrade in the May and June issues of ST Informer, 1990, explain the upgrade in much better detail. (My machine now has the Z-Ram 4-meg upgrade....I wasn't satisfied with 1 Meg for long!) (Editor Note: ST-Report Issue #19 was one of many original issues done by our staff, before the present publisher took over.) 35024 21-JAN 22:00 General Information Ram Upgrade Issue #9203 From: GEORGECYR To: ZNET Dear Z*Net, Re: 520STFM Ram Upgrade to 1 meg I performed this very operation (that appeared in the BAACE newsletter) to my 520STFM and It got TRASHED!!! Please warn your readers to avoid DRILLING out the solder pods. Instead Desolder using the Radio Shack type desoldering Iron , or Braid. When I drilled (using the specified "wire" drill Bit, It actually removed traces running through the holes from one side of the motherboard to the other. The board is a very sophisticated Layered Board, and has circuits running from both sides! My mother board had to be replaced! Est. $199.00 for a new one! Thank you, George Cyr ======================================================================= * Z*NET NEWSWIRE ======================================================================= PAGESTREAM OFFER - UPDATE A few months ago, Z*Net published a Soft-Logik User Group offer for a free copy of PageStream to Registered Atari User Groups. Soft-Logik has asked the User Groups that responded to the offer for their registered Atari User Group number, which is non-existent. Atari's Director of Communications, Bob Brodie does NOT assign any numbers to the groups. Soft-Logik has been made aware of this and there is no longer a need to call Atari Corp directly for this number. ATARI ADS APPEAR IN DISCOVER Discover Magazine, recently purchased by Disney will include a center- fold advertisement from Atari for the Portfolio and the new Atari Music Division. This ad will appear in the February 15th issue. This "World of Science" subcriber base exceeds 1.2 million readers. PORTFOLIO SELLS OUT On December 2, 1991, the Atari Portfolio was unleashed into 20 CompUSA stores. Last week in Tampa Florida, Atari made arrangements for a talking Robot powered by a Portfolio for the opening of the store there. The store sold out several hundred Portfolio's on the opening day. Next week there are similar openings scheduled in the Philadelphia and Chicago areas. Atari is also said to be assisting in radio and print advertising for these stores and events. INTEL TO INTRODUCE 30 VARIATIONS Intel will introduce over 30 variations of its Intel486 and Intel386 SL microprocessors in 1992. These processors will be in addition to the introduction of a new generation of Intel's X86 microprocessor line, code-named the P5. It will contain 3 million transistors and will offer performance in the 100 MIPS range. Intel will also offer a variety of new microprocessors for the portable computing market, for example, Intel will offer 3.3 volt 386 SL, 3.3 volt 486 SX, and 3.3 volt 486- class version of the SL microprocessors in 1992. MITSUBISHI INTRODUCES COLOR PRINTER Mitsubishi Electonics has introduced a high-resolution desktop color printer for under $15,000 that produces letter-size photographic-quality output at 100 seconds per page -- more than twice as fast as any other dye-sublimation printer on the market. The DiamondColor Print 300 uses a dye-sublimation process, which provides true continuous-tone color. Mitsubishi 714-220-2500 MICROSOFT TELEVISION ADS Microsoft announced that its first-ever television advertising campaign will begin in March. The ads are designed to build on the success of the Microsoft Windows operating system and Windows-based software applications, demonstrating the benefits of Windows-based computing to a new audience. In addition to championing the Windows operating system, the initial Microsoft commercials will promote two of the general business software applications -- Microsoft Word for Windows, and Microsoft Excel for Windows. The ads are scheduled to run on both network and cable programs. ======================================================================= * NAMM - A First Person View by John Nagy ======================================================================= Atari Corp was virtually the only computer being seriously shown at the National Association of Music Merchants show last week. Sounds simple enough, just another trade show, right? Well, yes and no. NAMM is held twice a year in fashion similar to that of COMDEX (computer trade) and CES (consumer electronics products). Its a conclave of everything from sellers of guitar picks to makers of turn-key recording studios for the stars. It's a trade show in the same sense and scale as the others, but the emphasis on the musical arts makes it a very different affair... in the people it brings out. The Winter NAMM is traditionally held in the Anaheim Convention Center, just down the street from the original Disneyland in metropolitan Los Angeles, California. This year, it was Friday through Sunday, January 10-12. Spanning three huge interconnected convention halls, this NAMM offered more, louder, and more varied music products this year than in the past. Last year's Winter event was quite subdued, occurring just after the start of the Gulf War. The Summer event (in Chicago) was still smaller and lackluster. Recession or no, this NAMM made up for lost time. But the mix of PEOPLE was different, too. Far less green hair and see- through leotards. About the same amount of leather. Far more suits and ties (Brooks Brothers with Dreadlocks was an "in" look). And more serious business attitudes all around. In the middle of this musical phantasmagoria was Atari Corp's booth. I won't repeat the details of the new Atari Music Division or the FOSTEX announcements, as they were given in depth last week in Z*Net. But the "feel" of the show is news in itself. The Atari area was the largest yet at any NAMM, apropos of Atari's new commitment to its official new Music Division headed up by James Grunke. An open area accommodated as many as 25 work stations manned in COMDEX fashion with a host of third party developers. They included music specialty developers Hybrid Arts, Thinkware, Roland, Steinberg-Jones, Dr.T's, C-LAB, Fostex, JLCooper, Interval, Pixel, Korg, Hotz, and many more, each showing off their latest products for the Atari platform. For a change, non-musical software was also being shown. Codehead products, Tracker-ST, Calamus, PageStream, DiamondBack, and many other productivity titles were shown to musicians who had, in many cases, not considered using their MIDI computer for anything else. About a third of the Atari booth was a glass sound studio in which musicians were able to witness real-time use of Atari computers and software in a live and recording studio atmosphere. Here is where fairly continuous demos and press conferences were offered, educating an eager public to the virtues of Atari. And eager they were. Where prior NAMM showings brought respectful attention to Atari, this one brought a searing spotlight. It may be that only now are musicians realizing their need for computerized help, and Atari was the ONLY computer company with a satisfying booth. Or it may be that Atari is increasingly understood as the overall winner in price, performance, and accuracy when it comes to MIDI applications. I expect it is both. No APPLE/MAC at this show. No AMIGA. A trifling IBM booth showing... windows? Atari alone had the music technology specialty offerings for the entire conflagration of Music Merchants to view. And they did more than view. They Bought. They Bought BIG. In the first half day of the three day show, Atari had already penned more deals at higher bucks than at the entire show last year. And the sales pace kept up throughout the show. A major piano and organ chain opened its first purchase of Atari hardware with a six-figure order. To start. The crowds never let up inside the Atari booth, even when the isles and surrounding booths were on the wane. That was unlike any trade show Atari performance I have ever witnessed. It was EXCITING. It got more exciting when COMPUTER CHRONICLES, the National PBS computer series, arrived to interview, tape, and profile lots of people in the Atari booth. While their special show on MIDI/MUSIC that will air the week of February 25 will feature all platforms, expect a MAJOR portion of it to be about the Atari. They were visibly impressed, and filmed for hours. It stayed more exciting as countless face-recognition entertainment personalities sauntered through the booth, picking out what they planned to get next -- for their Atari. The usuals, including the towering Mick Fleetwood, of course. Plus everything from jazz to classical to acid to punk to funk. I recognized many of them by face (thanks to MTV), but their names aren't part of my repertoire. They signed a big autograph board, but I couldn't read most of them. Sorry. The hottest news of the show was the new alliance of FOSTEX and Atari, with C-Lab, Dr. T's, and Steinberg working together to create the first automated/computerized control studio. Fostex has integrated MIDI control of multiple track tape systems. Now, from the Atari console, full control of any and all tape functions can be executed or assigned to infinite combinations of controlled MIDI events. The motto is "Thread it and forget it." The Atari makes it possible, for the first time. The impact of this was NOT lost on the endless legion of professional recording engineers that stood, mouths open and drooling, over the equipment. Nor did they miss the impact of the remarkable Hybrid Arts Digital Master direct-to-disk recording and editing system. Featuring an Atari ST as the head end, this unit RETAILS for under $5,000, complete, and can record with CD digital perfection, up to 12 minutes of fully editable stereo sound. The EX version, to be ready for sale shortly, will feature 16 tracks and 4 output tracks, for true full recording studio power in an noise-free ALL ELECTRONIC media. Cheaply. And the STBook wasn't missed either. As a replacement for the STacy, the STBook was a hit as the ONLY "notebook" computer anywhere with built-in MIDI. Atari promised shipping in quantity for March '92. The line has formed already. Innovative incentives made potential dealers into signed dealers. A promotion called "Do the Loop" invited dealers to visit each and every station in the Atari area, qualifying them for a drawing for a TT030 system. By the time they were qualified, they were typically convinced to be dealers, too. The TT gathered support as a new top professional option for MIDI work. All of Dr. T's products work on at TT, CUBASE has been upgraded for the TT, and C-Lab has committed to upgrade ALL of their products for use on the TT030 by year's end. A music developer conference, numerous press conferences, and a party in James Grunke's suite on Saturday night firmed up more contacts and contracts than Atari ever imagined or hoped. NAMM '92 was an unqualified smash sucess for Atari, establishing it as, if not the ONLY serious music computer manufacturer, at least the ONLY one who cared enough to come to the musicians with the tools they need, want, and can afford. If this is "Atari '92," we are in for a GREAT year. ======================================================================= * NAMM PRESS RELEASE REPRINTS ======================================================================= ATARI COMPUTERS: FIRST WITH FOSTEX CONTROLS From adding onboard MIDI ports in 1985 to offering computer control of three Fostex multitrack recorders in 1992, Atari Computer continues a tradition of leadership in bringing computer control to more and more MIDI devices. Available in 8,16, and 24 track configurations, these Fostex reel-to- reel analog multitracks allow users of Atari sequencing programs such as Dr. T's Omega, Steinberg/Jones' Cubase, and C-LAB's Creator and Notator, to operate all the machines' controls from WITHIN the MIDI sequencing environment. The key point behind this development was to allow musicians to control the recording process entirely from one interface, thereby minimizing technical effort and enhancing creativity. With the exception of threading tape at the beginning of a session, Fostex/Atari system users are freed from direct handling of the tape deck for the remainder of the session. Enthusiasts refer to this aspect of the system's ease-of-use as "thread-it-and-forget-it." Lockup to tape is achieved by the sequencing software's SMPTE "instructions" being read by the Fostex recorders' onboard SMPTE interface. By combining locking capability with full transport, record, and playback controls, the musician or recording engineer can automate punch-ins and punch-outs using note values, measures, SMPTE frames, or other timing cues resident in the sequencing software. A related bonus of the Fostex/Atari marriage is the ability to automatically "preroll" before punch-ins. Through a common feature of most MIDI sequencing programs, sophisticated automated "preroll" and other "autolocate" functions have heretofore been unavailable on affordable multitrack decks. For example, a system consisting of an Atari 1040ST, Fostex R8 8-Track, MIDI/SMPTE converter, and sequencing software, starts at $4500. With one tape trak reserved for SMPTE striping, such a system delivers 7 tracks of analog (with Dolby C noise reduction), plus 16 virtual tracks (the minimum virtual tracks of any of the above-mentioned software), yielding a 23-track automated recording system, (without bouncing) at less than $195 per track.** ** Note: The above cost breakdown is ultra-conservative. Most MIDI sequencing packages offer significantly more than 16 tracks, so cost- per-track in most cases will be much less than $195. STEINBERG INTEGRATES SOFTWARE CONTROL OVER FOSTEX MACHINES In an innovative move that will change the way people make music with computers and tape machines, Steinberg in cooperation with Fostex, have upgraded their already world famous CUBASE sequencing software with remote control capabilities of Fostex'x G16 and G24 multitrack tape machines. Studio control is available from an Atari ST computer running CUBASE software (Atari ST version also supports Fostex R8). CUBASE, already accepted as probably the most complete music software program with its ability to control virtually any MIDI component from its MIDI Mixer, now can control not only the basic G16/G24 tape functions like play, start, record, fast-forward, and rewind, but you can also auto- locate to any position, program punch-in and punch-out markers, stripe SMPTE to tape, and put tracks in and out of record. Sequencer users have long been aware of the ability to synchronize their MIDI tracks along with the audio tracks of a tape machine. Up until now, however, the tape machine was always the master transport control; the only way to play back the MIDI tracks while syneed to tape was to put the tape machine into play. Now, thanks to the cooperative efforts of Fostex and Steinberg, you can control playback and transport functions from either CUBASE or the G16/G24 tape machines. These new capabilities mean you have to walk over to the tape machine again, once the tape has been loaded all functions are available from with CUBASE. CUBASE offers this level of control by way of two seperate M*ROS (MIDI Realtime Operating System) software drivers, each designed specifically for the G16 and G24, respectfully. People using these Fostex machines can activate the appropriate driver. Then, a single button on the computer screen (appropriately labeled SYNC) is how the link between the computer and tape machine is made. These capabilities represent a milestone in computer controlled studios, and marks the beginning of a persperous relationship between these two companies, which engineers and composers around the world will enjoy as well. C-LAB SOFTWARE UNITES NOTATOR/CREATOR 3.1 WITH FOSTEX MIDI CONTROLLED TAPE MACHINES C-LAB Software announces a powerful integration between their internationally respected MIDI sequencing and notation software, NOTATOR /CREATOR 3.1, and the industry standard Fostex series of MIDI controlled tape machines. In magazines worldwide NOTATOR/CREATOR 3.1 has been praised as the most powerful, intuitive MIDI software on any computer, and has over 60,000 users worldwide. NOTATOR/CREATOR is available exclusively for the Atari series of coputers, and provides integrated realtime sequencing and notation capabilities. With version 3.1 the analog recording of vocals, guitars, bass and more become controllable via the digital world of realtime MIDI sequencing. Once connected the user need never touch the Fostex machine again, except to change a reel of tape - it's that easy. Complete control of the Foxtex R8, G16 and G24 MIDI controlled multitrack tape recorders is seamlessly integrated into version 3.1 of NOTATOR/CREATOR, with all commonly used functions supported. Play, record, rewind, fast-forward as well as track enabling for recording are all possible from with the C-LAB programs. Advanced programmable functions like Auto-Punch IN/OUT, Cycle/Loop Record and a unique "Scrub Chase" feature can be used in the new Graphic Arrange mode, all under realtime SMPTE control. The uniting of NOTATOR/CREATOR 3.1 and Fostex series of recorders provides musicians with the most powerful production package available for MIDI and tape-based music. C-LAB Software is distributed in the United States by Ensoniq Corp, for more information contact them at 155 Great Valley Parkway, Malvern, PA 19355 (215) 647-3930. ======================================================================= * LIVE CONFERENCE FROM NAMM (C) 1992 by Atari Corporation, GEnie ======================================================================= On January 18, 1992, an online conference from the Atari Booth at the current NAMM Show (National Association of Music Merchants) was scheduled. As can often be expected, problems arose with getting a clean line out of the booth that Atari could use to participate in the conference. As a result, Bob Brodie, Atari's Director of Communications, called in by voice on a phone off the NAMM Show floor. His comments and answers to questions were relayed first by Nathan Potechin (ISD) and later by Sandy Wilson (SANDY.W). This was in informal conference so it lacked the normal structure of one of our formal conferences. As a result, the exchanges between those present in the RTC and Bob are a bit chaotic to read because things jump around quite a bit. But the read is worth the effort! <smile> Comments made in the RTC that were not relevant to Atari at NAMM have been edited out of this transcript. January 18, 1992 <DARLAH> Bob is on the phone, having problems getting online. <[Baaad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> Anybody know the booth phone number at NAMM? <[Dan @ Atari] D.MCNAMEE> Hmmm. Line noise? <[BOB on Phone] ISD> Hi ALL. Its Nathan with Bob on my phone. He couldn't get a clean line out of his hotel. Hi Everyone! Bob says hi to all too. <[Baaad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> So, what's happening at this whacky NAMM thing? <[BOB on Phone] ISD> Signing up NEW Dealers. Including LARGE Piano and Organ chain in California <[Baaad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> That oughtta please Lloyd. <[BOB on Phone] ISD> They held a Developer Conference today for all the Music Devs which went extraordnarily well. <[Baaad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> Which companies were represented there, Bob, at the Dev Con? <[BOB on Phone] ISD> Last developer conference that I (BOB) attended was a few years back. This one went much much smoother, probably because we fed ISD> them :-) One of the more exciting developments is that we have Computer Chronicles filming the Atari music booth and interviewing us about our place in the market. <[Baaad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> All right! When will it air!? <[BOB on Phone] ISD> Airing Nationally the week of February 25, 1992. I recall that I (Nathan) along with a few others appeared on Computer Chronicles once upon a time. It was scary. I'd never done TV. :-) <[Baaad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> Hey, this is great! Our group has that one videotaped. You were really cute on camera, Nathan. <SANDY.W> I think I still have a tape of that, Nathan <evil grin> <[BOB on Phone] ISD> This particular show will come MIDI Music including coverage of the entire NAMM show, coverage of those other platforms too so it will not be exclusively Atari but we should do real well by them. <[Baaad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> Are the other platforms present in equivalent force. <[BOB on Phone] ISD> Two Press Conferences have been held so far, both of which have been standing room only events. (wild applause from Nathan) One of the things that has caused the greatest stir here is the alliance between Fostex, Atari. Dr. T's, Steinberg and C-Lab to bring state of he art midi control to multiple track tape systems. Any questions please? <[Ted] J.PATTERSON3> In general, how has the response been to Atari, as opposed to other systems? <[Baaad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> Which devs came to the dev conference? Did devs who normally write for other platforms come? <[BOB on Phone] ISD> Ted, the only other system exhibiting at the show is IBM. Neither Apple nor Amiga deigned to participate. The Developers that attended the conference were most everyone in the music midi field as they are all long-time Atari supporters regardless. Hybrid Arts, Amadeus, Codehead, C-Lab, Steinberg Dr.T's, etc.. <[Ted] J.PATTERSON3> Is Atari making any new converts? <[BOB on Phone] ISD> Ted, ABSOLUTELY, reflected and proven by the fact of NEW DEALER SIGNUPS at the show WITH opening order in hand!!!!!!! We will be making the IAAD aware of the identity of the new Dealers so that we can broaden their horizons. :-) As Nevin, the IAAD President is in attendance, he's right on top of things. For those that have just joined in, I have BOB with me on the phone as his telephone line acted up on him. <[Ted] J.PATTERSON3> Outstanding! Will they primarily be MIDI/music stores, or computer dealers? <[BOB on Phone] ISD> This is the NAMM show. The primary thrust is certainly midi. Make that Midi. :-) <[Ted] J.PATTERSON3> What is the response like to the notebook? <[BOB on Phone] ISD> I've lost Bob (sigh) He's been having really bad trouble with his line but he's about to call Sandy's. :-) ** <[Nathan] ISD> was <[BOB on Phone] ISD>. <SANDY.W> I've got Bob now. ** <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> was <SANDY.W>. <A.DIPIETRO> What will Computer Chronicles cover? Also, any print coverage? <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> The ST Book will ship in quantity in March. <[Baaad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> The CC thing will cover the whole NAMM show, not just us. <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> The commitment is for a 4 meg machine only. Figure price is to be in the area of $2300. <A.DIPIETRO> So we'll see as much as ABC Business World! Great! <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> Machines of 1 meg configuration will be made available to developers sometime next month. <A.DIPIETRO> is the 1.44 drive in yet? and why not! :) <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> A promotion for new dealers at the show only is called "Do the Loop". <[Baaad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> What loop? Must be one of those MIDI-ese things. <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> When they place an order at the show, they then visit each station at the Atari booth, carrying a card that we provide them listing the stations. Once they complete the stations, they are eligable for a drawing for a TT system. <A.DIPIETRO> How are MIDI users responding? Any pick-up in Atari sales /outlook? <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> New dealers are signing up including one of the largest piano/organ dealers in California <A.DIPIETRO> What about New York City? Have they heard of the East Coast out west? You remember us???? Without us the WEST would be owned by somebody else! :-) <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> There are already too very large music dealers in NY. Sam Ash and Manny's. Along with another "little" outfit called J & R Music World. <[Baaad Dot] D.A.BRUMLEVE> Are they in attendance? <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> They are in attendance. <A.DIPIETRO> Seriously, though, any idea on Atari's direction (MIDI or otherwise) for Europe when they go as one? Hey J&R doesn't have Amiga in this catalog but they still have atari and now Apple...yuck! <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> There are some European developers in attendance, there will be an equivalent show in Europe later this year. <[Ted] J.PATTERSON3> Has most of the interest been for ST's, ST book, TT, or software? <A.DIPIETRO> Will Atari be able to supply these dealers? Are they sure? And will this effect other dealers? <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> Ted - It has been a combination of both. Atari has an excellent name in the music market place. There is substantial interest in the hardware. <A.DIPIETRO> What's the name? Tell us!! Tell us! <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> There seems to be particular interest in Mega STe's. We are excited that Hybrid Arts has returned to the market with such zeel, under new leadership. Cubase has been upgraded to work on a TT. All of Dr. T's products work on a TT. C Lab has comitted to upgrade their products to work on the TT by the end of the year. (Upgrades! Upgrades! Upgrades! <grin>) <[John Cole] J.COLE18> Is that new Mono monitor there? <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> John - Yes it is, and it is being very well received by the dealers. <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> If there are no further questions, thanks to everyone for coming. There will be copies of all the NAMM press release in this week's Z*Net. <[John Cole] J.COLE18> Is Atari going to make a deal with a speaker CO. to provide a coupon or something so Atari people can get a decent (how about BOSE) speakers system for our computers? (This is a hint BTW) Seems like NAMM should be a good place to set that deal up! <[Bob on phone] SANDY.W> We have a working relationship with Fostex. They make high quality multiple track tape recorders. I like your idea and will look into it. ======================================================================= * ATARI ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE Press Release ======================================================================= SPECIAL OFFER Introducing... Atari Advantage Magazine! The authoritative magazine for ST/STE/TT computer systems. From the creators of ST Informer Magazine comes the most comprehensive, information packed Atari specific magazine ever. Atari Advantage will continue ST Informer's style of hard-hitting in-depth product reviews, informative articles, wide spread show coverage, and most importantly.. It will be just as fast! We are also going to include more up to the minute new product announcements and upgrade information, a much expanded business department, more industry news, constant coverage of personalities in the Atari community, educational reviews, and a renewed committment to the use of MIDI and the Atari. We at Atari Advantage have wanted to create a publication to satisfy the needs of the new breed of Atari user. Now that we have the chance, look out! When you see our first issue you'll see what we mean. Atari Advantage will offer something for everyone. Want to experience the Atari Advantage? Just print this simple form, fill it out (yes, even the signature...), and send it in. What you'll get in return is a free sample issue sent right to your home, with no obligation to buy. That's right! You can still get something for nothing! (Well, o.k. it will cost you some paper and a stamp, but heck that's almost nothing... right?) Already know you want to get the Advantage every month? A one year charter subscription is only $11.00 (cheap!) That's half the regular subscription price of $22.00! Of course there is a catch, we have to receive your subscription and payment before March 15th in order to qualify. Atari Advantage Magazine PO Box 803 Merlin, OR 97532 (503) 476-3578 ( ) YES! I want to take advantage of your special offer. Send me the next 12 issues (1 year) of Atari Advantage for the charter subscription price of $11. I understand that my order must be received before March 15, 1992 for this special offer. ( ) BILL ME. ( ) Payment enclosed. ( ) YES! Please send me the charter issue of Atari Advantage. I will look it over and then decide whether to subscribe later at the full price of $22. The charter issue is mine to keep. * In Canada and Mexico add $6 for postage; outside the U.S., Canada and Mexico add $10 for postage. Subscriptions payable in US funds. Name ____________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________________ State, Zip ______________________________________________________ Phone _____________________________ Signature _______________________________________________________ (Signature required for processing) ======================================================================= * NEW SUPRA FAXMODEMS & SYSOP DEAL News Release ======================================================================= Supra will be releasing 2 new 9600 modems - the 9600 Supra FaxModem v.32 and the 14400 Supra FaxModem v.32bis at a retail price of $299.95 and $399.95 respectively. The v.32bis will be available in late January 1992 and the v.32 will be available in February 1992. Supra will offer these two modems at a special price for Sysops. Both modems support 300-2400bps (Bell 103/212A, V.21/22A&B/22bis/23), v.32 (9600bps), MNP 2-5/10, V42bis, 9600 send/receive fax (v.27ter/29), class 1/2 (fax software-fax modem communication standard), caller ID and voice. (Voice and caller ID can be enabled through low-cost, user- installable firmware upgrades available mid-1992.) The v.32bis model adds v.32bis (14400bps) and v.17 (14400 fax). This is all packaged in Supra's famous small case (1" high x 4.5" wide x 6.5" long). The modems will have 4 lights (RD/SD/OH/TR) and a LED display. The display will show the connection rate, compression protocol, error correction protocol, etc. in a rotating fashion. HOW CAN SUPRA SELL A 9600 MODEM FOR 1/2-1/3 THE PRICE OF CURRENT MODEMS? This year the price of v.32/v.32bis technology will tumble to new lows. Supra is continuing its proud tradition of being a leader in using new chipsets to lead the modem industry to a new price point. IF SUPRA IS USING A NEW CHIPSET, HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT THE NEW MODEMS WILL NOT HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WHEN THEY ARE RELEASED? Supra is using a new Rockwell chipset which condenses several of their older chips into 1 chip. Rockwell is the leader in building modem chipsets. A majority of current 9600 modems are based upon the older Rockwell v.32 technology. We do not foresee any problems, but if a problem does occur, Supra is committed to solving it as quickly as possible. Supra also offers a 30 day Money Back Guarantee for products that are purchased directly from Supra. MY LOCAL USERS USE USR HST MODEMS. WILL I BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE AT 9600 BAUD WITH THEM? The maximum baud rate you will connect at with a HST modem is 2400. Depending on the age of the HST modem, you may also get a v42bis data compression connection. If the user uses the USR Dual Standard modem, and it is setup correctly, you will connect at a baud rate of 9600 (or 14400 if using v.32bis). We expect that most owners of the HST modems will be upgrading to v.32 modems. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUPRA. HOW RELIABLE ARE THEIR MODEMS? Supra Corporation has been providing personal computer users with high- quality, low-cost peripherals since 1985. In addition to manufacturing a very successful line of modems, Supra makes a variety of peripherals for Mac, IBM, and Amiga computers. Supra has excelled because of its unique combination of quality products, competitive prices, and excellent customer support. Supra has a complete line of modems from a standard 2400 modem to a 2400 v.42bis, a 2400 FaxModem, a 9600 FaxModem and a 14400 FaxModem. We have internal versions of most of these modems for the IBM and Amiga. As with most of our products, every modem that we manufacture is tested and burned in on our test machines. To obtain one of the new modems under this Sysop offer, please complete the following information and send it to: Supra Corporation 7101 SW Supra Dr. Albany, OR 97321 ATTN: Sysop Order or FAX the information to 503-967-2401. If you have any questions, please contact either Supra's Sales Department or the Technical Support Department at: 503-967-2400 (main 8-5pst) 503-967-2401 (Fax) 503-967-2410 (Sales 7-5pst) 800-727-8772 (Sales 7-5pst) 503-967-2440 (Tech Support 9-4pst) 503-967-2444 (BBS, 2 line v32bis) CompuServe 76004,565 GEnie SupraTech Bix SupraCorp American Online SupraCorp2 SYSOP INFORMATION BBS Name:________________________ BBS Software:________________ BBS Phone:_______________________ Type of System:______________ No. of Phone Lines:______________ Type of Modem used:__________ No. Calls per Month:_____________ No. of Modems:_______________ How long in operation:___________ ORDER INFORMATION Date______________ BILL TO:_________________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________ City______________ State_____ Zip________ Phone____________ Contact Name:____________________________________________________ Circle one of the following: VISA MASTERCARD COD Card Numbers__________________________ Expiration Date_________ SHIP TO:_________________________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________________ City______________ State_____ Zip________ Phone____________ Referred by:_____________________________________________________ PRODUCT Model: Price: Quantity: SupraFAXModem V.32 $199.95 (modem only) _____ SupraFAXModem V.32bis $249.95 (modem only) _____ SHIPPING Route: Price: Quantity: ___ Ground $ 5.00/pc _____ ___ Blue Label $ 8.00/pc _____ ___ Express $12.00/pc _____ COMMENTS:_______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ======================================================================= * PERUSING GENIE Compiled by Ed Krimen ======================================================================= In the "ISD Product Support" category (16) from the "Calamus" topic (2) Message 316 Sun Jan 19, 1992 L.ROCHA1 [Lou Rocha] at 14:25 EST Wayne, it sounds like you DON'T have a speedboard. Therefore, let me tell you a little about my experience with Fast Technology's T-25. When I ask Calamus to print a 1.09 N document, it processes the page and sends the print command in 3 to 10 seconds, depending on how much graphics are on that page. The SLM804 kicks out the first page in 15 seconds, with 4 more copies in less than a minute! Using the Calamus SL demo, the T-25 processes and prints first copies in less than 45 seconds on average. With the re-optimized version of SL that will be released, I would expect SL documents to print just as fast as those created in 1.09N. In addition to printing speed, the T-25 is a lightning bolt at redrawing pages with or without graphics. A truly marvellous enhancement for the ST computer. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In the "Software Library and Other Utilities" category (2) from the "Diamond Back -- HD Backup utility" topic (42) Message 71 Mon Jan 20, 1992 M.LIGAS [Mark] at 00:12 EST Hey, can I get some info on Diamondback? 1) Does it work with the PowerDrive (1.44M Disks?) 2) Does it support backing up to=> Syquest Drives? 3) Does it do compression? 4) How much $ Thanks Potential customer. Mark... ---------- Message 72 Mon Jan 20, 1992 J.MEEHAN3 [>> Joe M << ] at 07:13 EST Mark, 1) Yes, PowerDrive 1.44 suported 2) Yes, Syquest support, I think (I don't have one) [;-( 3) Yes, Compression, quite nicely 4) My copy was $44.95 list price >> Joe Meehan << """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14) from the "Atari's new TOS 2.06" topic (8) Message 156 Thu Jan 16, 1992 TOWNS [John@Atari] at 04:01 EST Steve, Jim, et al: I am far from the head of TOS Development. Leonard Tramiel is my boss and he is the person that could qualify for the title of "Head of TOS Development." And just so you are aware, there are about 6-7 people working on TOS directly and about 10-15 more working on various other things relating to TOS. For example, 3-4 people (mostly three) worked directly on FSMGDOS for quite some time. 4 people (myself included) worked on the Extensible Control Panel, etc. The number of people doing software has increased over the years. We rarely have people leave from this department of the company and we work on LOTS of stuff relating to maintaining/improving TOS. BTW.. In case you were wondering, Leonard's offical title is Vice President of Software. His counterpart is Richard Miller who is Vice President of Hardware (I think his title is something like that) and both report directly to Sam Tramiel, CEO and President of Atari Corp. If you have any other questions, please ask away. Just wanted to clear up the misconception about our software development here at Atari. There are actually quite a few people in the department (We are a good sized department, nothing close to what you would find at IBM or Apple, but not 2-3 people either ;-) and from what I hear, we could be expanding in the future (LOTS and LOTS of stuff to do !!) """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In the "Goldleaf" category (35) from the "Lattice C" topic (7) Message 27 Tue Jan 21, 1992 HISOFT at 13:48 EST Lattice C/TT exists as a beta. Much (most ?) of the functionality will appear in the next release. I hope this is less than 4 weeks away. Regarding FPU support, all library options *will* be supplied. On your other two Q's: Yes a 68881 is identical to a 68882 in user mode, but *not* in supervisor mode. Fortunately Motorola make detection of important parameters easy so that even in supervisor mode code should be upwardly compatible (as far as I'm aware our code will cope on a 68881, 68882 and 68040 (assuming your 68040 as an FPU support library)). The extra -f option you want is -fa, and its already there (its the flavour DynaCADD uses for its ST version), although the performance is about 1/10th of what is possible on a TT using -f8. Alex Kiernan, HiSoft. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In the "Programmers and Programming Software Discussions" category (3) from the "Ask _ANY_ Programming Question" topic (31) [This message thread started with the question from one individual who wanted to know if his nephew should use another computer other than an ST to learn programming.] Message 197 Thu Jan 16, 1992 D.A.BRUMLEVE [kidprgs] at 22:28 EST My son, age 13, has marketable skills in this area and he did it all with an ST. He started with GFA Basic at 8 and picked up C through programming classes here online last year. He expanded that knowledge with Clay Walnum's book. My son uses Lattice C on an upgraded 520. Last summer, he took another programming class at the high school; he knew more than the teacher. Now he is programming an international online MUD (a type of role-playing game) using both C and UNIX. The transition to UNIX has been trivial; he uses the UNIX by accessing a mainframe from his 520. He's been paid for programming at the local University (of Illinois). There's no need for your nephew to switch platforms in order to gain these skills. I highly recommend the MUD route once he has something to bring to it; the MUDs are accessed through the internet. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14) from the "Font Scaling Module -- The New GDOS" topic (18) Message 28 Fri Jan 17, 1992 SFRT-ASST [Kene @ SFRT] at 23:29 EST What's the latest on the release date of FSMGDOS? ---------- Message 29 Sat Jan 18, 1992 TOWNS [John@Atari] at 16:54 EST Since Bill Rehbock is currently out of town.. I will attempt to answer for him. The latest information that I have is that we are still working on packaging. We had some foul-ups with the company we were working with and that has pushed us back on a release date. We are still working on it and hope to have the packages available soon. Trust me, we want to sell this thing to you as much as you want to buy it! -- John ---------- Message 35 Mon Jan 20, 1992 SFRT-ASST [Kene @ SFRT] at 19:09 EST Will future machines come with it? Is there about to be a "standard" Atari setup with TOS 2.06 and FSMGDOS? Be still my heart. ---------- Message 36 Tue Jan 21, 1992 TOWNS [John@Atari] at 02:02 EST I know that we are planning to put it on all of your systems with Hard Disks. In fact, I believe that FSMGDOS will be pre-installed, setup, and ready to run your favorite GDOS applications! <grin> As for when, I not really sure. I hope soon. Sooner the better! -- John Townsend, Atari Corp. PS. If I hear any news on this subject, I will be sure to let everyone know right here in this topic. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14) from the "Notebook and Pad?" topic (7) Message 27 Wed Jan 22, 1992 B.REHBOCK [Bill@Atari] at 03:08 EST We are going to produce approximately 700-1000 1 meg ST Books (most are already spoken for). After that, production will be moved to the 4 meg version. Gregg, I don't have any pics to scan for you (yet). Send e-mail to MIKE-FULTON, he may have a couple he can scan for you. Nathan, send me a check, we're taking developer orders! :-) """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14) from the "Mega STE" topic (14) Message 213 Sun Jan 19, 1992 JEFF.W [ST Sysop] at 16:57 EST MIDIMIKE - >Can I run a hirez to a TV on the RF output? No. Even if you could, you wouldn't be able to read it or you'd go blind trying. Your SC1224 has a much superior display. Use it in medium resolution until your mono monitor is fixed/replaced. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In the "Flaming - Debating - Discussions - Rumors" category (18) from the "Antic Publishing's Demise" topic (11) Message 108 Thu Jan 16, 1992 D.BECKEMEYER [David @ BDT] at 03:49 EST Here is the name of the Law Office that has contacted me representing Antic. They must have some relationship with them if they are trying to collect on old bills (long since paid BTW). One would think that they have a contact at Antic. Frank Reiche Law Offices of Forest D. Hill (213) 397-3212 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In the "Lynx - The Game Machine" category (36) from the "Games - What is out there??" topic (2) Message 163 Mon Jan 20, 1992 J.KOVACH at 03:18 EST According to the information I gathered at Winter CES, NFL Football is scheduled for April release, along with a number of other sports games: Baseball Heroes Basketbrawl NFL Hockey World Class Soccer Of all the sports games I had the opportunity to test out, NFL Hockey was my favorite. Great gameplay and several screens of stats. Don't count any of the other games out tho, they all looked good, and 5 min isn't time enough to get an accurate opinion of a product. One thing I am confused on is the number of players each of the sports games will have. I have contradictory information in my notes vs. what has appeared in some magazines. I will be contacting Atari this week to get this straightened out. Here are some other notes on CES: January: SuperSkweek-Cute game with really sharp graphics. 200+ levels, this game is situated on a grid, and you must walk on every 'tile' to change it's color. February: Toki-Great conversion of the arcade game, with terrific sound. I had to ask if there were more than 16 colors on-screen! Surprisingly enough, there weren't. This game appeared complete at CES. I loved it. Crystal Mines II: The long awaited release from Color Dreams. Wish I knew why it took so long!! 200+ levels, similar to the computer classic Boulderdash, but with many more game elements. March: Hyperdrome-Similar in appearance to the computer classic Ball Blazer by Lucasfilm games, but with some additional twists. Lynx Casino-The version I saw at CES was incomplete, but the final will feature craps, poker, blackjack, slots, and roulette. The box art features a black Atari limo, but the one I rode in was WHITE. And had the Lynx logo on it... April: Dirty Larry, Pit Fighter, Baseball Heroes, Basketbrawl, NFL Football, Hockey, and World Class Soccer are all scheduled for this month. But I feel you may see these releases begin in late March and continue thru May. And Pit Fighter might be out late. But those are just my gut feelings... Also got some sneak peaks at a few other titles under development: The Guardians: Storm Over Doria--This was an older EPROM of the game, and they are now a lot further along, but what I saw looked great, especially the map which scrolls several screens in every direction. Daemonsgate I: Looks to be a great RPG. Viewed from overhead, and you can zoom out a number of times, until you are finally looking at the entire game map. 24 ingredients to combine to make potions, and quantities matter!! Kung Food: Fight food in your refrigerator and freezer. Sounds ridiculous, but the graphics were awesome! Dino Quest: This looks like a must-have game. You control cave dudes (one at a time), and each level is a quest to obtain something at the end of the level. Your guys are scattered throughout the level, and you must position them in different ways so that at least one of them can make it to the end... Similar to Lemmings, but you control one guy at a time, and they are large and detailed on your screen. With Option 2, you can switch to a mode where you are viewing the entire level, and your men are about 3 pixels high... Also shown were Battlezone 2000, Hydra, and Steel Talons. I invite Todd Ellering to share his comments on those games, and to add his comments about the others too. You listening Todd? """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" In the "Lynx - The Game Machine" category (36) from the "Lynx accessories" topic (18) Message 161 Mon Jan 20, 1992 J.KOVACH at 03:32 EST Two new Lynx accessories were announced and privately shown at Winter CES. First of all, an update to an existing Lynx accessory, the sunscreen. Shown was a new model for the new Lynx. It snaps on, gripping the ridges on the top and bottom sides of the Lynx. It doesn't matter whether you put it on for left or right handed play, as there is a hole for the power light on either side. Also, the lid had the Atari logo on it, instead of the smooth surfaced lid of the sunscreen for the original Lynx. The sunscreen itself retains it's pop-up tent design. Secondly, a battery pack is coming!!! No, it does not cost $40+ like some battery packs for some other system. No, it cannot be recharged while the batteries are in it. And no, it does not give you an additional 6-10 hours playing time. What it does do is give you 25-30 hours of playing time, using D batteries. Of course, you can always use rechargeables in it, and you can't beat the price--around $15. Has a belt clip and a shoulder strap. Also can serve as a weapon if you are getting mugged :). Both of these accessories should be hitting the stores any time!! They are sure to sell out quick, like the original sunscreens and Lynx cases did. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ======================================================================= * ISD MARKETING UPDATE ======================================================================= ISD Marketing, Inc. Toronto Canada January 17, 1992 Over the course of the past few months I have been observing one new release or upgrade after another, in the field of desktop publishing on the Atari platform. I was well aware of the fact that Atari-based desktop publishing was coming of age with some notable releases, definitely comparable to the best available on any other computer platform. The old axiom "last but not least" almost applies in this case because Calamus SL is certainly not "least" in comparison to any other desktop publishing software and I suspect it won't be the last either. :-) I've followed the marketing hype surrounding new product and have made a point of staying mostly quiet, knowing that my time was fast approaching. I have not pre-sold nor pre-advertised. What I have done is insure that Calamus SL would be released in North America, Australia and New Zealand exactly at the correct time. And that time is now! It brings me great pleasure to announce the release of Calamus SL. For those of you that have waited patiently for so long, please accept my sincere thank you. Calamus SL Transforms Calamus ISD is proud to present Calamus SL. Consider this a new entry into the field of desktop publishing. SL marks the transformation of Calamus from an excellent desktop publishing program to an expansive DTP environment. With its new modular design, Calamus has become the center of a powerful and ever-expanding universe of DTP tools. As a Calamus owner, you will be able to purchase modules to suit your specific needs. Development continues on many additional modules. WYNIWYG "What You Need Is What You Get" ISD brings "WYNIWYG" to desktop publishing. The modular concept means that you purchase exactly what you need today, with the knowledge that additional modules are available when you require them. Your choice is now easier and more economical since you will be purchasing specialized modules rather than entire packages. We believe that you will enjoy working with Calamus SL, not only because of its new power, but because of its similarity to Calamus 1.09N. The skills you have already developed will still be applicable in SL and your productivity will increase. The basic Calamus SL package contains the following: * A new 600 page manual. * Three program disks and eight standard modules: * Clipboard Module * Page Module * Frame Module * Text Module * Text Style Module * Line Module * Raster Area Module * Document Converter We have also decided to bundle two additional modules (for a limited time only) with your Calamus SL package. * PKS Write * Raster Generator Further, we will also bundle two AGFA Compugraphic font families with Calamus SL; specifically CG Times and CG Triumvirate. (Note: For those that already own these fonts, we will provide you with equivalent value fonts instead.) While the interface and command structure are essentially unchanged from earlier versions, the standard elements have been greatly expanded. Calamus SL contains dozens of new features and powerful enhancements: * Above all else, The ability to accept modules, internal or 3rd party; * The ability to process and pre-process large passages of text with speed and precision. * Extended raster control with freely definable raster angles and widths. Intensity and contrast can now be corrected, while an integral histogram allows you to optimise an image for your output device. * The PKS-Write Text Editor provides standard wordprocessing functions plus the ability to edit layout information. * The addition of Cache and Virtual Memory speeds up and extends memory- dependent functions. * Create hundreds of macros, each assigned to a definable key binding which can be saved and automatically installed in each work session. * Open up to seven documents at one time allowing cut & paste to your new scrolling clipboard. * Create and assign master pages (style sheets). * Create and save text style lists. * Create registration and crop marks for overlay and finishing work. * Expand, compress and skew text. * Rotate and mirror frames. * Control frame placement and size to 7 decimal places. * Print parts of pages (tiling). * Define more than 16 million colors and save in color lists. * Set units of measurement for pages, fonts and lines. * Choose from three frame display modes; Transparent, Opaque and Inverted. * Align frames to other frames. * Define vertical alignment settings. Upgrades Currently, more than a dozen modules and scores of drivers are available for use with Calamus SL. We will publicize the availability of new modules, drivers and upgrades through our normal Customer Support channels, as well as through periodic mailings to our registered users. Calamus SL has a suggested retail price of US $795.00. We do take into consideration your previous purchase. Calamus 1.09N retails for US $299.95, a difference of approximately US $500.00. Our upgrade charge to our REGISTERED 1.09N customers is US $200.00 which includes the new manual and program as well as the AGFA Compugraphic fonts and modules as indicated on the preceding page. Our personal commitment for 1992 as a company, is to offer unprecedented VALUE and SUPPORT to our customers. Modules We currently have three modules available for separate purchase, as part of our decision to offer you "WYNIWYG"; Speed Line (auto-tracer) Module, Color Separation Module and Vector Graphic Editor Module. Speed Line Auto-Tracer Speed Line brings Monochrome Auto-tracing to Calamus converting illustrations into vector graphics. It automatically creates vectors utilizing (Bezier) curves, lines and areas. The simplified user interface offers several optimizing functions to enable you to define line, angle and pixel correction together with conversion options for Bezier curves and line art. The Speed Line Auto-tracer converts a raster graphic to a vector graphic within seconds, which can then be modified by any of the existing Calamus drawings tools, particularly those contained in the Vector Graphic module or Outline Art. Your cost US $49.95. Color Separation Our color separation module allows you to define separation filters, including the definition of undercolor removal and adornment (spot color). This module allows the use of CYMK, CMY and IHS models, as well as the capability to support new models such as Pantone, HKS and Truematch, once they become available. Your cost for this module is US $49.95. Vector Graphic Editor Our Vector Editor allows the creation and editing of monochrome or color vector graphics, editing of polylines for irregular text flow and much much more. I have enclosed a few snap shots of the many features. This is the perfect internal tool for editing of auto-traced graphics. You can join sub-paths, distort and freely rotate all elements or even apply different colors to every vector graphic part. Your cost for this module is US $99.95. Please, place your order for Calamus SL NOW as well as ordering any of the three additional modules you may require. Orders can be sent in Email to ISD along with your Visa or Mastercard number, by telephone at (416) 479-1880 or by mailing in your money order to: ISD Marketing, Inc., 2800 John Street, Unit # 15 Markham, Ontario Canada L3R 0E2 Expect 3 new modules to become available within the next 60 days including Dataformer, (both raster and vector), Mount & Print and Job List. TURBO 030 from Fast Technology I am pleased to announce the release of the new TURBO030 board designed and built by Jim Allen of Fast Technology. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Jim over these past months, testing the TURBO030 board with Calamus, Calamus SL, DynaCADD, Cranach Studio and more. The result is truly amazing. In fact, I am taking this one step further and have formed an association with Mr. Allen in order to offer this product directly to my own customers. TURBO030 performs as if specifically designed for Mega ST DynaCADD/ Calamus owners... and it was. For those of you using our products professionally, it becomes very easy to justify the cost of the TURBO030 board based on the obvious and immediate increase in productivity. I have been examining this issue from all sides, based upon my own knowledge of the market. Taking into consideration the investment you have already made in your system i.e., Mega ST4, SM124, Moniterm or ISAC board and associated monitors, an investment none of us have any wish to forfeit, the TURBO030, in my opinion, is a natural upgrade path. The TURBO030 offers a substantial increase in speed=productivity, while preserving your previous investment. Using the TURBO030, screen redraws in Calamus are instant. The Printer.CDK, for example, heads for the SLM605 in about 5 seconds while DynaCADD can repaint the T20 Tigershark in about 3 seconds flat instead of 72 seconds. If time is money to you, this board is a MUST!! The TURBO030 is a complete MegaST system enhancement. Using a 68030 processor running at 40 Mhz, and an optional (US $299.95) 68882 FPU math coprocessor running at 50 or 60Mhz, the TURBO030 provides state-of-the- art processing speed. Backing up the 68030 is 4 Megabytes of 32 bit burst mode ram which REPLACES your MegaST4's 16 bit ram. Accompanying the 68030 is a standard 68000 chip to ensure complete software compatibility with older software utilities. The TURBO030 design is totally ST compatible, so it runs Calamus, Calamus SL, and DynaCADD without difficulty. The speed increase, compared to other upgrade options, either from Atari or other third party developers, is truly impressive. The suggested retail price of the TURBO030, fully loaded as described above, is US $1,995.00. For a limited time only, the cost to registered customers of ISD is US $1,495.00, a savings of $500.00. For those who are more budget conscious, we have also arranged a saving on Jim's second board configuration, specifically, the 40 Mhz TURBO030, equipped with a Static Ram Cache which will bring your system up to TT speed. The suggested retail price of this board is US $1,195.00. To all our registered customers, this board is only US $995.00, a savings of $200.00. Note: It is not recommended that you install this board yourself. Either make arrangements to have this done by your local Atari Dealer or we can have it done here, for Canadian customers, or at Fast Technology for US customers, for a flat fee of $100.00. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. However, if you currently own a T16, you can simply remove the T16 and insert the TURBO030 into the socket. * ORDER FORM * CALAMUS SERIAL NUMBER________________________ NAME __________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS _______________________________________________________________ CITY ___________________________PROVINCE / STATE ______________________ COUNTRY _________________________POSTAL CODE / ZIP CODE _______________ TEL. # WORK ____________________________HOME __________________________ VISA <> M/C <> # ____________________________________EXP. DATE__/__/__ SIGNATURE _____________________________________________________________ US $ CDN $ Upgrade to Calamus SL $200.00 $229.00 Vector Line Art Editor Module $99.95 $115.00 Speed Line Autoⁿtrace Module $49.95 $55.00 Color Separation Module $49.95 $55.00 The Guide to Calamus Desktop Publishing $29.95 $34.95 Outline Art SPECIAL PROMOTION (ends Feb. 28/92) $149.95 $169.95 Vector Clip Art Library (all 3 sets) $99.95 $119.95 The Calamus Font Editor PROMOTION $49.95 $59.95 Fast Technology's 40 mhz TURBO 030 $1495.00 $1695.00 Fully loaded Fast Technology 40 mhz TURBO 030 $995.00 $1155.00 Static Ram Cache 68030 AGFA Compugraphic Fonts. SPECIAL (ends Feb. 28/92) BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE Ontario residents, please add 8% Sales tax. Canadian customers please include 7% GST ======================================================================= * THE SOFTWARE SHELF by Ron Berinstein ======================================================================= "Well think of it this way," I said to my wife, when asked about all that time I spend in front of my computer. "Think of all the money I'd have to spend at the commercial software houses in order to get satisfying programming. This allows me to pay the lower cost of shareware software, and give you the difference." Immediately, she brought me a pillow for my chair. A lot of entries in this week's software sweepstakes! I can remember when ST Writer received it's "last" update. So much for folks who say "never." ST Writer Elite is now at version 4.5! Foreign language versions have been released as well. This week everyone has been talking about, "Superboot Sunday parties" Version 7.2 has been released! Hmm, I wonder why the NFL calls their port of this standard ST program, "Superbowl?" And talking about backing up files always brings to mind Turtle, and guess what just crawled in the door. That's right, the all new version! Add to these a Clean Up Demo, and the new ICD host adaptor support programs, and you have a mighty good opprtunity to enjoy yourself this weekend. So, ladies and gentlemen, these and more are all posted for your pleasure. Step right up and for the price of one thin cable, a modem, and a little more, we'll put you in a seat with a pillow! So, let's ZIP right along! STZIP11.ZIP STZIP Version 1.1 incorporates a GEM interface! It also is fully compatible with PKZIP from the IBM community. That means you should be able to extract any file compressed with PK and PK should be able to extract any file you compress w/ STZIP. In this file, you will find a program file (Gem), and a TTP file. Both of these files run perfectly after having been compacted. (PFX etc..) All docs are included and are in English as are the programs. Use any ST unzipper to open this archive. UNZIPSRC.ZIP has C source code for UNZIP version 4.1 (1991) the ZIP portion was uploaded in ZIP_CSRC.ZIP. Part of the portable zip series that is on usenet (the unix network). ZIP_CSRC.ZIP ZIP and UNZIP C source code ... part of the portable ZIP project that has been floating around the UNIX usenet networks. Mentioned recently in the Jan 1992 issue of the C Users Journal. And while on the subject of archivers... UNARJST.LZH This file decompresses *.ARJ files which are found in many IBM BBS's. Tested on a TT030. ◆ And for moving things right along... SPBT72.LZH (also SUPRBT72.LZH) Super Boot V7.2 -- Lets you select which desk accessories, auto programs, and DESKTOP.INF file to use. Set the date, time, write verify, and more. Lets you select GEM programs to autoboot. Use function keys to select commonly used sets of files. Password protection of your hard drive. Graphic Welcome Screen & digitized sound. NEW: Now works on all ST & STE models & all TOS versions, new sequential picture/sound mode, new status screen, bug fixes, more.... Look for version 8.0 soon as well. RUFTRN.LZH This file contains the translated doc files for RUFUS, the telecomunications program. Also, a "patch" program that will translate your copy of RUFUS.PRG and RUFUS.RSC into English is in this archive. You need to have RUFUS version 1.02 to use the patches. The patch WILL NOT work on any other version, sorry. If you have RUFUS v1.02 in German, you need this file! Also includes a CISLOG file to get you onto CIS and a RUFUS.RUF file. QPXTERM.ARC QPX is a system that allows viewing of pictures over the modem. In this system a 160 x 100 pixel picture can be received and displayed at 2400 baud in less than 10 seconds. Pictures contain up to 8 grey levels. color req'd. TT Compatible. HSFIX.LZH HSFIX.LZH is a High Speed Fix for those who use TOS 1.4 or higher AND a 16Mhz or higher upgrade. Stops Character loss and speeds up the oerall performance. With the MSTE use this and Serial Patch 2 to correct problems with the serial port's behavior. SET MEGASTE CPU SPEED contains two small utilities for changing the MegaSTE speed betwixt 8 and 16 Mhz. RAPSHEET 1.4 (also RAPSHT.ARC) Rapsheet time logging program. Allows you to keep track of how much time is spent on various tasks (on your computer or elsewhere). Breaks down tasks by type (work, play, etc.). Great for keeping records of how much of your computer is for work and how much for play (for tax reasons). Also great for recording time spent on various tasks at work for billing. New features in version 1.4 are sorting of tasks, longer task names, use as ACC or PRG (ACC only works for registered users). CLDEMO.ARC This is a demo of Cleanup ST, ICD's hard disk diagnostic and repair program. The demo does everything the real version does except write its changes. Confused FATs, disheveled directories, and corrupt clusters are no match for this program. Both the demo and the real program require an ICD host adapter. So, what's the good word? STWEL4.ARC (also STWEL45.ARC) V 4.5 of ST WRITER ELITE word processor. Formats 1.44 Meg floppys on ST's and TT's with 1.44 Meg drives. Configurable formatting options. Plus, it now works with DC Desktop. STW4GS.ARC German and Spanish versions of ST WRITER ELITE V.4.5 word processor. It has the misspellings corrected. Fully configurable formatting settings, tabs, background color, default file specifier. Works in all resolutions on all ST's and TT's. And for DC Desktop users, this version will make you happy. ACAPTU.LZH You've just read your E-mail but forgotten to open your buffer so you have to re-read. Auto-Capture solves this problem by saving all incoming text to a disk file. Full documentation included. Game players alert... WIZZ35.LZH (/\)izzard's BBS online game. Version 3.5! This is the long awaited ARENA version. It is fully enabled and has been throughly beta tested. Some think it is real good! TADS VERSION 1.2 This is version 1.2 of the Text Adventure Development System (TADS). TADS is actually an Object Oriented Language compiler, especially designed to create text adventures. It is also platform independent, so if you write a game on your ST, it can be compiled and played on the PC and Mac as well. The shareware fee is only $25, and you get a well-written 144 page manual, an equally well-written 32 page v1.2 Update Notes and some extra programs to make your own programs more polished. It is well worth the shareware fee if you have an interest in developing a text adventure or two. REVENGE OF THE MUTANT CAMELS-LH5 Revenge isn't quite as flat-out manic as Llamatron. You may or may not be relieved to hear that. Revenge has the same gameplay modes as Llamatron: Solo, Droid (called CPU ASSIST in Revenge) and Two-Player. SOLDIER SCENARIO CREATOR This is the Scenario Builder for Barry Kolbe's popular shareware game SOLDIERS. This is the fully functioning version of the program. It allows you to create new levels and troop layouts for SOLDIERS. RAILROAD TYCOON 4MEG FIX FROM UK is from MicroProse UK's Peter Moreland to help your Railroad Tycoon 4 Meg Blues. YATZE.ARC This is just a normal yahtzee game. It runs in low resolution. Written in GFA Basic. For one player, two players, or you against the computer. Bug fixed from first upload. Programmer's corner: MAKEME.LZH Make menu, is a little program that allows you to create dropdowm menus for use within GFA BASIC programs. GNU C COMPILER (VERSION 1.40) This is the GNU C compiler (version 1.40) for the Atari ST/TT family of computers. It is a ANSI C compiler from the Free Software Foundation, Inc. To use this, it would be best to have at least 2 megs and a hard drive. GDB14_15.LZH (LH5) Another major revision of the ST port of GDB the Free Software Foundation's source-level debugger. The README file advises that "TOS 1.4 or better is required unless you recompile ... ", and "Please get rid of gdb Patchlevel 14 or older" . :') Sources and diffs are available via anon. ftp at atari.archive.umich.edu. MREF.LZH This file is a simple C (and C++) cross-referencer that shows variable names and the lines that they appear on in a report format. Written in 100% assembly language using DevPac 2. BINKLEYTERM ST SOURCE CODE is the C Source code for BinkleyTerm-ST version 3.01. BinkleyTerm-ST 3.00 is (C) Copyright 1990,1991 Steven W Green. SZADB2IS.ZOO is SZADB 2.1, the Sozobon C symbolic (machine code) debugger, extensively revised and updated by Michal Jaegermann and Anthony Howe. It currently works with Alcyon, Sozobon, GCC with the GST extension, Mark Williams, and SozobonX (extended) symbol tables. This archive contains the C source code to SZADB. SOZOFIX.LZH Sozobon 1.33i had a slight bug in the minstart.o code. This archive contains a replacement (fixed) minstart.o and a description of the problem thanks to one of the Internet folks! How does this sound to you? CDPLAYER.LZH NT/ST .MOD player for STE's. This emulates a CD player stacked on top of an amplifier. It has most of the basic controls you'd expect on a CD player and amplifier, and features horizontal light meters for left and right channels, as well as four vertical light meters that emulate a graphics equalizer. Plays up to 32 .MODs consecutively! This is a good for any STE owner with a COLOR MONITOR. (Mono NOT supported!) Will not work on a TT. DANCER.LZH Color Dancer is a MIDI driven slide/light show. Loading a group of DEGAS low rez pictures and connecting a MIDI device into the MIDI Input port, the colors of the image will be controlled by the dynamics, rythym, tempo, chords and notes of the MIDI music. The result is a slide show to the rythym of your music. Low Res. Updates: MTCON2.LZH Bi-directional METRIC/US Converter - again! This version runs in TOS 1.04 or higher Medium and Hi-Rez... Has full original GUI.. UPGRADE TO STALKER 3.01 Upgrade patch to STalker 3.00. You need your original STalker 3.00 disk. This is of NO USE TO YOU if you don't have STalker 3.00. This will upgrade you to 3.01. RESMOD12.ARC are the most recent versions of M2Converter and CConverter included. .TTP and wildcards are now supported. FONES12.LZH version 1.2 is now released containing interface improvements. TX2CNVT1.LZH This is the first released update to the TX2 Converter in quite a while. It will convert Z*Net, STReport, and GEnie Lamp PR to the TX2 format, with plenty of special effects and an index! It can also convert between ST Writer and TX2 files, so you can create and edit your own TX2 files. This new version creates Level 4 files only. FUJIMAUS.LZH Latest (bug free) enhancements to FujiDesk. A mouse pointer that looks where it's going and falls to dreamland after a period of inactivity! A ticking watch replaces the busy bee! It would be even nicer though if the watch actually was an indicator of progress. A spinning or rainbow Fuji adorns your menu bar. PLUS! At LAST! A "fix" for nasty alerts that have NO MOUSE POINTER! JETLOPE2.LZH JETLOPE ver 1.1 is a update to the previous file uploaded. It was converted over from the IBM side to the ST. It will display your address info as it will look when printed. TURTLE.ARC Hard disk back up program, version 3.20. Requires 1M or more of memory, any resolution display. ICDHOST.ARC This file contains the latest versions of all ICD host adapter support programs. Check the file VERSIONS.TXT for specific version numbers (included in this archive and separately). The above files were compiled by Ron Berinstein co-sysop CodeHead Quarters BBS (213) 461-2095 from files that were either directly uploaded to CodeHead Quarters BBS, or downloaded from GEnie, Compuserve, and Delphi online services. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To sign up for DELPHI service, call (with modem) (800) 695-4002. Upon connection, hit <return> once or twice. At Password: type ZNET and hit <return>. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To sign up for GEnie service call (with modem) (800) 638-8369. 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) (800) 848-8199. Ask for operator #198. You will be promptly sent a $15.00 free membership kit. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Z*Net International Atari Online Magazine is a weekly publication covering the Atari and related computer community. Material published in this edition may be reprinted under the following terms only. All articles must remain unedited and include the issue number and author at the top of each article reprinted. Reprint permission granted, unless otherwise noted, to registered Atari user groups and not for profit publications. Opinions present herein are those of the individual authors and does not necessarily reflect those of the staff. This publication is not affiliated with the Atari Corporation. Z*Net, Z*Net News Service, Z*Net International, Rovac, Z*Net Atari Online and Z*Net Publishing are copyright (c)1985-1992, Syndicate Publishing, Rovac Industries Incorporated, Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, New Jersey, 08846-0059, Voice: (908) 968-2024, BBS: (908) 968-8148, (510) 373-6792. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Z*NET: Atari ST Online Magazine Copyright (c)1992, Rovac Industries, Inc... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~