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The Atari Compendium
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The Atari Compendium (Toad Computers) (1994).iso
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rampls12.lzh
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WHATSNEW
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1990-06-06
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Ramplus and Deskfmt versions 1.2, 6-6-90
-- RAMPLUS 1.2 --
Changed configurations from using the Spacebar used to get lost after a
system reset. This has been fixed.
-- DESKFMT 1.2 --
Sorry, a last minute change in version 1.1 caused the 11 sector format to
not work at all. It works correctly here.
New additions to Ramplus and Deskfmt Versions 1.1, 4-23-90
First of all, thank you for all the compliments and suggestions I have
received for RAMPLUS and DESKFMT. I wish I had released them two years
ago when they were written. These versions have included most of the
suggestions I have received, so if I left anything out, or if you have
anything else to add, please let me know. Thanks again. - John Harris
-- RAMPLUS 1.1 --
A Screen Saver feature has been added, which alternates screen colors after
7 minutes of no keyboard or mouse activity.
RAMPLUS now requires a specific keypress to override the default
configuration, instead of just looking for any key. This defaults to the
Spacebar, but can be changed using the new PLUSMOD 1.1.
Changing the configuration at bootup used to be limited to entering a new
ramdisk size. Now, if you press the Spacebar during bootup, (or whatever
key is configured), you will also be able to set the Drive ID letter, and
turn the Spooler, Mouse Doubler, and Screen Saver functions on and off.
RAMPLUS should now work with Shadow, and other programs which install at
the top of memory. The AUTO folder should be set up to install RAMPLUS
before Shadow. If you are not using Shadow, RAMPLUS should be installed
Last in the AUTO folder to get the maximum ramdisk speed.
RAMPLUS should now work with PINHEAD.
The Cluster -2 fix no longer requires the Ramdisk to be active in order
for it to be used.
Some situations that could cause the Mouse Doubler to get deactivated have
been fixed.
-- PLUSMOD 1.1 --
PLUSMOD first checks the AUTO folder of the boot drive for the file
RAMPLUS.PRG. If it is found, it will be loaded directly without displaying
the GEM File Selector. Otherwise, you will need to give the location and
filename of RAMPLUS just as before.
After making all the selections and selecting the OK button, another message
will show up asking for the Key that will be used to change the RAMPLUS
configuration at boot time. Press the key you wish to use, and all the
settings will be saved to RAMPLUS.
-- DESKFMT 1.1 --
DESKFMT can now be run either as an accessory or a program by renaming the
file from DESKFMT.ACC to DESKFMT.PRG.
When the Format button is selected, an additional prompt comes up allowing
a Disk Label to be entered.
DESKFSEL has been replaced by DFMTMOD, which allows configuring the default
format parameters, as well as turning the file selector on and off
After a Copy or Test has been performed in the AUTO mode, the type of disk
will be indicated by the Tracks, Sides, and Sectors buttons. (Twisted or
Normal format type is not indicated.) The buttons do not indicate the disk
type until After the copy or test operation is finished. If you want a
quick identification of the disk type, you can select the Test option, and
then abort it with the Esc key after the 'Track - 00' message has come up.
This will update all the buttons.
The File Selector call now matches the path name of the current desktop
window, or currently active application.
The disk format used to be twisted 2 sectors between tracks, but only one
sector between the top and bottom of the disk. Combined with an extra ID
mark, this made the disks read a little faster than standard Twister. A
few versions ago, I had removed the extra ID's, which could have caused
reliability problems, but forgot to return to a 2 sector twist. This has
been fixed here. I also rearranged the sectors on track 0, so they are in
the order that GEMDOS uses them when loading and saving files. There are
no wasted FAT sectors as there are in most formats. This gives the disk
a few extra K for file storage, and also allows the FATs and directory to
be on the same track, for even faster GEMDOS access.
Simple version of the above paragraph: The disk formats have been redone,
and are now faster.
Note: The Quick Index program will return a misleading value for DMA read
speed. It reads continous sectors starting at track 0, but I have arranged
track 0 to be optimum for GEMDOS access which is not in sequential order.
GEMDOS does not do sequential reading until the second track, and at this
point, this format is identical in speed and layout to standard Twister.
In tests where I copied 50 or so files from a ramdisk to floppy, this
format is slightly faster than twister, and has a few extra K of storage.