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Amy Today
A text-file magazine for all Amiga lovers
Volume #7, Issue #3, January 30th, 1989
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Editor : John Rydell
Writers: John Palmer and John Shortle
Address all correspondence to: "Amy Today"
C/O John Rydell
GEnie address: J.Rydell1 640 Willowglen Rd.
(#54790) Santa Barbara, CA
93105
Plink address: J*Rydell
GEnie discussion in category #2, topic #29
Plink discussion in AmigaZone Section #2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Contents:
1. A Message From the Editor John Rydell
2. Distributing "Amy Today" John Rydell
3. Amiga Happenings John Rydell
4. Amazing Animations John Rydell
5. The Amiga Script Language John Palmer
6. The Lurking Horror Review John Shortle
7. Amy Gurus John Rydell
8. Fred Fish Disk Swap John Rydell
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A Message From The Editor:
Welcome to issue 7-3 of Amy Today. Advertisers are starting to
take a good look at advertising in Amy Today. The rates are
fairly cheap, and for now, the money is being used to cover the
expenses of the magazine. It would be VERY helpful if, when
ordering from any advertiser who appears in the magazine, you
would mention that you saw their ad in Amy Today. It lets them
know that people are actually reading the magazine.
This issue includes a new column by myself about Animations, an
article on the script language by John Palmer, and another great
review of an Infocom game by John Shortle. (Three JOHNs)
John Shortle has been a great contributor to Amy Today since the
beginning and I must thank him for his help, assistance, and
articles!
Enjoy the issue, (this one's got an index)
John Rydell
(Editor)
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Distributing "Amy Today":
Amy Today is file-based magazine which has been copyrighted by
John Rydell. I am allowing everyone to freely distribute it as
long as they give credit to Amy Today for anything taken from the
magazine. I also request that the magazine, itself, remains "AS
IS" when being distributed. Please do not modify it in any way
if you are going to distribute it.
About Distributing: Please upload Amy Today EVERYWHERE! This
magazine simply will not flourish if it is not uploaded whenever
possible. Every issue is kept near 15,000 bytes ARCed so that
upload/download time should never be a problem. So, please, if
you have the chance spread the magazine around the country! Give
a copy to your friend! Keep Amy Today alive and going strong!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Amiga Happenings:
(John Rydell)
Lattice-
A new manual has been released by Lattice for their C++ package.
This additional manual describes more than 300 Lattice C
functions that are also available to C++. Lattice VP Robert
Hansen said, "The C++ program has not changed. Lattice C++
translates C++ source into C programs which are then compiled by
the Lattice C Compiler. All the C library functions were always
included. The C Compiler knew about the functions. Now we are
making sure that the users do too." The manual describes all of
the new commands and shows how to use the normal C functions
inside a C++ program. The suggested price of the entire package
remains at $500. "Registered users of Lattice C++ will receive a
copy of the new Lattice C Library manual at no charge."
Lattice, Inc.
2500 South Highland Avenue
Lombard, IL 60148
Phone (312)916-1600
Fred Fish-
As of January 1, 1989, Fred Fish has changed his address. He can
now be located at:
1835 E. Belmont Drive
Tempe, Arizona
85284
Indexes-
Sick of reading through every magazine you own trying to locate a
particular article? Selectronics Inc has the solution. They
have produced an index called MAGDEX which is an index of nine
Amiga magazines with over 3500 entries. Each entry includes
Title, Author, Keyword, and Source. Entries can be searched and
sorted. They have also produced PUBDEX which is an index of over
3200 PD programs. This also includes all of the Fish disks up to
disk number 172. These indexes cost $10 each plus $1 each
postage and handling. Orders can be sent to:
SELECTRONICS Inc.
5147 South 37th Street.
Lincoln, NE 68516
B.A.D.-
There is a fairly new product on the market named B.A.D. This
program supposedly increases loading times. According to some of
Amy Today's sources, there is a catch to this. The program is
EXTREMELY successful at speeding up directory and icon loading
times yet it does not actually speed up the time required to load
a specific program into memory. Some users have commented on how
quiet it makes their diskdrive run. This might be a serious
advantage to some users with heavy knocking.
CityDesk2.0-
The manual for version 2.0 of City Desk is being printed. The
program should be ready very soon.
Commodore-
According to the financial notes section of the January 16-20
edition of Twice Magazine, "Commodore has been hit by the IRS for
$74.1 million in back taxes for overseas earnings in 1981-3. The
computer maker says it will challenge the claim and notes that
its tax credits more than cover the claim." I assume that this
should not be worried about much because, for one thing, this
happened a long time ago. Also, as the quotation says, Commodore
has plenty of tax credits to cover a problem like this.
Developer Conference-
Here is a rundown of some new news from Commodore's Developer
Conference in Frankfurt. Some of the information has previously
been published in Amy Today, yet there are some new facts.
-Professional Video Adapter PVA 2350. This is a card for the
2000B Video Slot with an integrated Genlock combined with a
framegrabber. This card can use a resolution of 1024 by 512.
-A2024 HiresMon. The monitor allows four grey levels to be shown
on a screen with a resolution of 1008 by 1024.
-WorkBench1.4. Here are some interesting facts about 1.4:
--FFS in kickstart for floppies.
--WorkBench will remain on disk.
--Custom pulldown menus will be available.
--Hot keys.
--Access option to all files.
Wild Wares-
This Amiga software distributer (look for an ad in this issue)
has changed its name to Electronic Ecstasy and is selling VCRs,
Compact Disks and other electronic equipment along with their
computer soft/hardware.
Amiga Happenings is a column dedicated to giving you information
on what is happening in the Amiga community. Some of the
information could possibly be wrong due to the fact that I am
trying to get early information. I do not in any way guarantee
that the information will be accurate although I will try my
hardest to protect the innocent.
>>If you have some new information you would like to share please
submit it to Amy Today.
################################################################
Electronic Ecstasy (Formerly Wild Wares) Hard/Software Specials!
----------------------------------------------------------------
Supra 2400 Baud Modem $ 136.00 Dragon's Lair (6 Disks!) $ 39.97
U.S. Robotics 2400 $ 179.00 Sword of Sudan $ 32.97
Uni-Drive (w/disable) $ 159.00 Movie Setter $ 59.97
Twin-Drive(w/disables)$ 259.00 Raw Copy (New Copier) $ 39.97
X-Specs 3d Glasses $ 92.47 Pro-Sound Designer $ 99.97
Impact SCSI/RAM 0k-2mb$ 299.00 Digi-View Gold $136.97
Phoenix H.Card Adaptor$ 149.00 GFA Basic $ 62.39
2-Slot Expan. Chassis $ 159.00 Cygnus Ed Professional $ 59.97
Magni Genlock w/cntrl $1599.00 Hi-Soft Development Pkg $ 62.39
----------------------------------------------------------------
We also sell CD Players, VCR's, Cellular Phones, and more! For
information call (805)682-8330. Orders Only (no questions on
this line) call 800-777-9453. Prices and availability subject
to change without notice!!
################################################################
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Amazing Animations:
(John Rydell)
This is a start of a new column which I will be writing every
couple of issues. Its purpose is to provide information about
animations which I have come across lately. If you have an
animation which you feel is exceptional and should be reviewed in
Amy Today please send it to me. In return, I'll send you a disk
from the Amy Today collection.
In this installment, I will begin by reviewing the five
animations which I have most enjoyed.
"DOC":
This is an animation which absolutely overwhelms me! The
fantastic music combined with a great background screen with
moving spheres provides one of the most entertaining and awesome
Amiga displays you will find anywhere. The author of this
animation is not known although I have to assume that whomever
wrote it has some liking for the letters, "D-O-C."
This is the animation I usually pull out when I want to impress
people. Neither the graphics nor the music is digitized, yet
they sound VERY impressive. I wish I knew the author, so I could
commend him for his efforts.
Check this animation out if you haven't already done so.
My only regret is that there is no way to recover your system
after running this animation. (Rebooting is no fun, but it is
worth rebooting to see this animation.)
"RGB":
This is a very famous animation by Joel Hagen. I believe it was
the winner of the 1987 Badge Killer Demo Contest. This animation
is run by the "projector" program of "The Director." "RGB" is a
humorous look at the effects of computer-screen gamma rays which,
according to this animation, can cause brain damage.
The animation contains some digitized pictures which are used in
effective ways. There is no sound, but this is another very
impressive animation.
Great job, Joel!
"ALIEN":
This is an animation which looks like it was created outside of
the United States. This is evident because the words which are
displayed on the screen happen to be cut-off because of US screen
sizes.
Never-the-less, the animation is quite amusing. It begins by
"playing" with your computer. (I don't want to give it away.)
But don't fear, this is normal. Then you are presented with a
very familiar screen and you think to yourself, "Drat. The
download didn't work!" But as you reach to reset your computer,
"Alien" comes to life.
The music and the way this animation is presented, makes it a
favorite of mine. It does not have the best graphics, but its
originality and music make up for this.
"RASTER":
This is another European animation from its looks. "Raster"
doesn't do a lot of special things. Rather, it is an attempt to
play with the Amiga's colors and raster to their fullest extent.
The graphics are AMAZING! There are times during the animation,
which is accompanied by a nice musical score, when there are up
to four sets of colors cycling horizontally in vertical rows.
If you ever want to get a bunch of colors cycling on the screen
at one time, contact the authors of this!
I'm sure you'll enjoy the display!
By the way, the author's name is "Raider75". Hmmm.
"HELLDEMO":
This animation is pretty much a standard demonstration of the
Amiga's abilities yet it has some FANTASTIC features which makes
one of my favorite. The animation features a creature (from
Hell?) standing above some water. Music plays as a message
cycles across the top of the screen.
The feature which is striking about this animation is that a
reflection of the monster is shown in the water. This reflection
ripples like the water. WOW! The monster is distorted in very
realistic ways.
Another thing I like to play with on this animation is a textfile
which is included along with the animation. Using a text-editor,
a user can go into the file and change the message that is
scrolled on top of the animation. Not really useful, but your
friends will sure be surprised!
That's it for this installment of "Amazing Animations". There
are many other animations which I have greatly enjoyed. I hope
to review them in future installments. Also, I will try to
include Plink/GEnie file #'s for the animations available online.
Until then, enjoy the amiga's animation capabilities, and don't
be afraid to send your latest findings to Amy Today!
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The Amiga Script Language:
(John Palmer)
The script command language on the Amiga is under-appreciated,
compared to that of other machines (how many proud owners say "It
comes with TWO languages - BASIC and executable scripts!").
Amiga users typically use scripts only when they have to; by
comparison UNIX (a trademark of AT&T) users respect their 'Shell
programs' as of equal value to a well-crafted C or assembly
language program.
Reasons for under-use of script programs include the need to
specify "EXECUTE" for a script program, and the need to invoke an
editor to make a new script program. AmigaDOS scripts have also
lacked the abilities to branch or "SKIP" backwards and to have
user interaction. The 1.3 upgrade adds the latter two abilities
with the commands ASK and SKIP label BACK. The upgrade also adds
the 's' protection bit so scripts will run without using the
command EXECUTE.
Borrowed from a book on UNIX is a five-line script program that
allows you to make simple scripts conveniently; this will serve
both as a useful tool and a brief introduction to the use of
scripts on the Amiga. I'll list and discuss sections of it,
showing how this one evolved, and list it in full at the end.
Keep in mind that you can (and should) extend or modify this for
your own needs.
Humble beginnings:
"MakeScript" began as five simple lines:
.key filename
echo "End console input with ctrl-\ ."
copy * to <filename>
;change above line to 'type to <filename>' for ARP use!
protect <filename> +s
Line one tells the program to look for one argument or parameter
which will be called "filename" within the script (and surrounded
by "<>" when referred to). Line two reminds you how to complete
entering your new script file (I always forget, and have to look
it up!). Line three copies anything entered at the current
window to the file specified (note that the asterisk is used by
ARP as its wildcard, so replace 'copy * to <filename>' with 'type
to <filename>' if you have ARP installed). After you've finished
by typing the "control-backslash", line five makes this script
directly executable.
Maybe this is too simple. What if you accidentally specify an
existing filename? Shouldn't you protect yourself against
replacing some essential command with a new script file? Sure.
So, the program grows:
After the ".key filename" insert the following:
if exists <filename>
echo "File exists"
quit 10
endif
Straightforward enough: a conditional statement. If the file
already exists, remind you of this, and "quit" with a condition
code of 10 (to indicate a fairly serious problem to you or to
another script calling this one). You can delete that file if
you really want to replace it, or use another filename.
How about making the new script execute from WorkBench by using
IconX? If you prepare by copying a working IconX icon to your s:
directory as "makescript.icon" (so you remember what it is!) you
could add this to the end of MakeScript:
copy s:makescript.icon to <filename>.info
;copies icon to execute script from WB using IconX
In addition to command-line arguments, AmigaDOS scripts have
access to environment variables, IF-THEN-ELSE constructs, user
interaction, branching, pipes and no doubt a few more features I
haven't encountered yet. For more elaborate use of the script
language, see John Faichney's article "Examples of shell
programming" in Transactor for the Amiga, Volume 1, Issue 4.
The full listing of MakeScript below is followed by an enhanced
version using the ASK command.
Makescript:
***************************************************************
.key filename
. Makescript
if exists <filename>
echo "File exists"
quit 10
endif
echo "End console input with ctrl-\ ."
copy * to <filename>
;change above line to 'type to <filename>' for ARP use !
protect <filename> +s
copy s:makescript.icon to <filename>.info
;copies icon to execute script from WB using IconX
***************************************************************
An enhanced MakeScript:
***************************************************************
.key filename
. MakeScript2
if exists <filename>
ask "File exists. Replace it? (Y or N, RETURN=N)"
; get response from keyboard, Y=WARN=5, N=0
if WARN
;response was Yes, replace file
; resume execution after ENDIF
ELSE
;response was No (or RETURN)
; We could omit this ELSE section and fall through to the
; ENDIF, but
;I wanted the example!
echo "Try another name"
QUIT 5
;quit with error code, since script not written
ENDIF
ENDIF
echo "End console input with ctrl-\ ."
copy * to <filename>
;change above line to 'type to <filename>' for ARP use !
protect <filename> +s
copy s:makescript.icon to <filename>.info
;copies icon to execute script from WB using IconX
;everything ok
QUIT 0
***************************************************************
<Editor's note: This script has been included in the original
archive so that it does not need to be re-entered.>
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The Lurking Horror:
(John Shortle)
I recently completed Infocom's "The Lurking Horror," so I thought
I might pass on some of my thoughts to you. "The Lurking Horror"
is like any other Infocom text adventure game - it's got a solid
text parser and all that, it's laced with humor, and it comes
with the little gadgets in the package. If you have never played
an Infocom game before, you may want to read some of my other
reviews of Infocom products in Amy Today issues 1-3 and 2-1.
What makes this game different from the rest of Infocom's
adventures? For one thing, there are digitized sound effects
scattered throughout the adventure. For example, when you open a
hatch, the game plays a short digitized sound of a squeaky hatch
being pried open. Some sounds play continuously. For example,
when you are in a tunnel filled with rats, the game cycles
through a short, squeaking, chattering sound. Fortunately, you
can toggle the sound off when you become annoyed. These sounds
are an Amiga specific implementation of the game. As far as I
know, no Infocom text games for any other computer do this. "The
Lurking Horror" is also the only AMIGA text Infocom game with
sound effects. Infocom's new graphics adventures may do
something like this, but I don't know. The sound effects are
good if you've never heard digitized sounds before, but nothing
spectacular. Some are quite amusing, and overall, they add a new
depth of entertainment to the game.
"The Lurking Horror" is Infocom's first horror adventure game.
The plot of the game is somewhat non-existent, however. You are
a student at G.U.E Tech. Apparently, your goal for the game is
to complete a paper by the next morning (another all-nighter).
You log into the school computer and start to edit your paper,
but unusual text begins to fill the screen. Soon, the computer
screen has you in a trance and you awake to find yourself holding
an unusual stone. As wander around the school, you begin to
notice many more unusual things - a suicide note, a zombie
janitor, and a live human hand. After puzzling your way through
many more unusual creatures/persons/circumstances, you find only
one monster in the way of your perfect one hundred points. The
ending is somewhat anticlimactic (despite a very amusing final
sentence). You look back, and what have you done? Nothing
really. You've killed a bunch of monsters, but so what? You
haven't saved the school from destruction or anything like that
(although you did save the school computer system earlier in the
game). You haven't even finished your paper.
Oh well, you did solve some pretty good puzzles. On an Infocom
scale (high standard here), I give "The Lurking Horror" a puzzle
rating of pretty good.
Overall, "The Lurking Horror" is a good game. It's not as good
as some of Infocom's best, but it's pretty close. With the
addition of digitized sound effects, it's a must for any Infocom
fan.
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Fred Fish Disk Swap:
(John Rydell)
Well, the picture trade is finally starting to slow down so I've
decided to offer a new trade. I would like to try to collect
every Fred Fish disk so that I may, at a later date, offer these
disks to Amy Today readers for a VERY low fee. (Maybe $2.00 a
disk to barely cover the disk and the postage.)
I have put together two new "Digitized Disks". One is packed
with my newest black and white digitized pictures and the other
is packed with some great digitized music.
What I would like would be to have interested traders send in
Fred Fish disks. If you would like to trade for another Fred
Fish disk(s), you can let me know which #'s you would like. I
have no way of knowing if I can get you this number, but I will
try. OR, you can request one of my new digitized disks. Also,
if you want any of the old picture trade disks, just let me know.
One more note, please send a SASE or at least the postage so that
I don't lose too much money.
Thanx, and let the trading begin!
Amy Today Fred Fish Trade
C/O John Rydell
640 Willowglen Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Bulk trading welcome!
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Amy Gurus:
I recently made a blunder which I would like to bring to
everyone's attention to show what can get through proof-reading.
After deleting the column on "In The Future" I forgot to delete
it from the Index. (John Shortle pointed this out.)
I have also been referring to my discussion on Plink as Plink
discussion #2. Harv Laser pointed out to me that I should have
been writing AmigaZone Section #2. Obviously there are more than
a couple different discussions on Plink.
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"Amy Today" is copyright 1988/89 by John Rydell. Portions of
the magazine may be reprinted but the content of this magazine
may NOT be changed without the expressed consent of John Rydell.
Yet everyone is encouraged to distribute it AS IS. Please give
credit to "Amy Today" as well as to the individual author when
reprinting material. "Amy Today" as well as any of its authors
are not responsible for any damages that occur because of errors
or omissions. Articles reprinted from other newsletters, as
noted, are not property of Amy Today but are under the control of
their original authors.
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