ST Report: 11-May-90 #419
From: Phillip M. Chow (aa400@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 06/10/90-09:38:21 PM Z
From: aa400@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Phillip M. Chow)
Subject: ST Report: 11-May-90 #419
Date: Sun Jun 10 21:38:21 1990
*---== CPU NEWSWIRE ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
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May 11, 1990 No.4.19
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> 05/11/90: CPU Newswire? #419 The Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine!
----------------------------
- The Editor's Podium - CPU REPORT - CPU STATUS REPORT
- EARNINGS DOWN 50%!! - PITTSBURGH!! - CPU ONLINE
- MVG ARRIVES! - WAZZUP?? - CPU CONFIDENTIAL
---===*** PRICE CUTS FOR MEGA 2/4! ***===---
---===** NEC ATTEMPTING TO BUY ATARI? **===---
--==** ATARI FOUNDER, N. BUSHNELL AT COMMODORE! **==--
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> The Editor's Podium?
Heaven knows I am not at a loss for words but here I am trying to say
what needs to be said and really, someone else has said it all by their
actions... 1st Quarter Earnings down by 50%, even with the Lynx and
Portfolio going for them. Oh well, now is the time to roll up the sleeves
and get busy, so here goes another issue of STReport. We are about to
enter the summer months and still we wait for the STe. Ah... why squawk,
if they ever get it out to the stores it's be a collectable doggone
antique!
Whoa Bunky! You loosing faith in Atari? As I turned around I saw in
the distance an image of a dear friend of mine who had introduced me to
Atari by helping me buy my first machine, the "800". That vision brought
me back to my senses and suddenly, I no longer was feeling sorry for
myself. Instead, I say if Atari doesn't get with the program by the end
of June, the "Revolution" is going to look like a kindergarten birthday
party. That's right "D" Day is going to be 07/01/90, that is, if the
promised hardware is not in circulation. I promised myself this little
luxury, "Hey Ninja! You still think you'll see the TT in June???"
We must keep on keeping on if this thing of ours is to survive, we
have the greatest little machine that'll do just about anything we wish it
to do and the company, well.... they're ready now to be trained by the
userbase so let's get busy folks...
Ralph......
**********************************************************************
:HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
_________________________________
To sign up for GEnie service: Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
Wait for the U#= prompt.
Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.
**** SIGN UP FEE WAIVED ****
The system will now prompt you for your information.
THE GENIE ATARI ST ROUNDTABLE - AN OVERVIEW
___________________________________________
The Roundtable is an area of GEnie specifically set aside for owners and
users of Atari ST computers, although all are welcome to participate.
There are three main sections to the Roundtable: the Bulletin Board, the
Software Library and the Real Time Conference area.
The Bulletin Board contains messages from Roundtable members on a variety
of Topics, organized under several Categories. These messages are all
Open and available for all to read (GEnie Mail should be used for private
messages).
If you have a question, comment, hot rumor or an answer to someone else's
question, the Bulletin Board is the place to share it.
The Software Library is where we keep the Public Domain software files
that are available to all Roundtable members. You can 'download' any of
these files to your own computer system by using a Terminal Program which
uses the 'XMODEM' file-transfer method. You can also share your favorite
Public Domain programs and files with other Roundtable members by
'uploading' them to the Software Library. Uploading on GEnie is FREE, so
you are encouraged to participate and help your Roundtable grow.
The Real Time Conference is an area where two or more Roundtable members
may get together and 'talk' in 'real-time'. You can participate in
organized conferences with special guests, drop in on our weekly Open
COnference, or simply join in on an impromptu chat session. Unlike
posting messages or Mail for other members to read at some later time,
everyone in the Conference area can see what you type immediately, and can
respond to you right away, in an 'electronic conversation'.
**********************************************************************
> CPU REPORT?
==========
Issue # 66
by Michael Arthur
Remember When....
In March 1987, Lotus Corp. announced Modern Jazz, a new version of
the "underpowered" Lotus Jazz integrated software package for the Mac
(which was a sluggish seller because of its minimal capabilities), in an
effort to establish a foothold in the Macintosh market?
And how Modern Jazz soon became vaporware, which was first held up
in beta-testing for an entire year,and then was delayed for several months
for bug fixes and a redesign, until Lotus finally decided to scrap the
entire project, which had taken up several man-years of R&D effort?
CPU Systems Roundup? XXVII
==========================
FlickerFixers, Enhanced Chip Sets, and Amiga 3000 Follies
---------------------------------------------------------
The Amiga 3000's Enhanced Chip Set, while providing enhanced
graphics, also comes with the Amber Display Enhancer. This chip has come
to be known as the "FlickerFixer Chip" in the Amiga community, as it
provides many of the capabilities now found in Microway's Flickerfixer
board for the Amiga 2000. MicroWay recently compiled this text file which
provides much information about the Amiga 3000's version of the Amiga's
Enhanced Chip Set, and the capabilities of the FlickerFixer:
------------------------------
Here is a file of answers to commonly asked questions about
MicroWay's FlickerFixer, model AGA-2000. Another file of technical
information relating to the flickerFixer is available. It can be found on
many information services and BBS's as FFINFO.ARC or FFINFO.LZH.
For additional information, the Technical Support staff at MicroWay can be
reached at 1-508-746-7341.
MicroWay's mail address is: P.O. Box 79
Kingston, MA 02364.
MicroWay maintains a vendor support conference on Bix. I can be reached
at the following E-Mail addresses:
Bix: pselverstone Peoplelink: pselverst
CIS: 72527,2652 GEnie: pselverstone
Peter Selverstone
-----------------------------
May 2, 1990
FlickerFixer Questions/Answers, and the Amiga ECS
-------------------------------------------------
Why should I install a flickerFixer in my Amiga 2000?
The flickerFixer will give you nearly the same display capabilities
as the new Amiga 3000. It's been doing that for over two years.
It is the only compatible way to significantly enhance the display
of the Amiga 2000.
What is 2.0?
Version 2.0 (it used to be called 1.4) of the Amiga operating
system is great! It can take full advantage of the overscan
display of the flickerFixer. FlickerFixer is compatible with 2.0
which is scheduled to be available for the A2000 in September
1990.
What is the Enhanced Chip Set?
(It is) Also called: The ECS
Non-interlace chips
New chips
New Agnus and new Denise
Super Agnus and Super Denise
The ECS is Commodore's upgrade to the Agnus and Denise chips
of the A500 and the A2000. The new Agnus chip is available
now and the new Denise is expected to be available when 2.0
is released. As of May 1990, the Amiga 2000 was being shipped
with the new Agnus but NOT the new Denise.
flickerFixer IS compatible with the ECS.
If I install the ECS, will flickerFixer stop working?
No. It may be necessary to readjust the phasing when an old Agnus
is exchanged for a new one, but the flickerFixer will work fine.
See the manual for instructions on phasing adjustment and call
MicroWay tech support at (508) 746-7341 if you need any help.
flickerFixer will continue to operate exactly as before after
the new chips are installed.
What about the "new graphics modes"? Isn't flickerFixer obsolete?
Not at all. When 2.0 and the new Denise are released, there
will be two new modes. These are "superhires" and "productivity"
mode. All the existing modes will be just as they are now.
"Productivity" mode is a non-interlace 640 x 400 mode that,
like the flickerFixer, requires a high scan rate monitor.
It doesn't flicker, but it is limited to 4 colors from
a palette of 64. Moreover, bandwidth limitations will cause
significant chip memory interference when the mode is used
with 4 colors. The slowdown will be similar to what is currently
experienced in 16 color hi-res modes. To obtain performance
equivalent to the current 4 color workbench, "Productivity"
mode must be limited to 2 colors.
Since flickerFixer has no color limitations and does not slow
down the computer, "productivity" mode is NOT a replacement for
flickerFixer and flickerFixer owners would generally not have
a use for it.
"Superhires" is a 1280 x 200 (non-interlace) or 1280 x 400
(interlace) mode that does not require a high scan rate monitor.
It is also limited to 4 colors out of 64 and has the same
performance problems as "productivity" mode when used with 4
colors. This mode will not display properly through the
flickerFixer, it may appear to work, but actually only every
other pixel is visible. This behavior is EXACTLY the same as
the Display Enhancer in the Amiga 3000.
If I plan on taking advantage of all of the new display modes
will I have to give up my flickerFixer?
No. You NEVER lose any capabilities when you install a flickerFixer
in the Amiga 2000. It has a separate output connector and does not
modify the signals on the standard Amiga 23 pin RGB connector.
How can I use the new display modes if I have a flickerFixer?
Just connect your monitor to the Amiga 23 pin RGB output.
If desired, a standard 9-pin switchbox can be set up to switch
a multiscan monitor between the flickerFixer and the Amiga
output connectors. Check with your dealer (or Redmond Cable).
What about the 640 x 800 "Interlaced Productivity" mode?
This is just the interlaced version of the 4 color productivity
mode. It requires a high scan rate monitor and it will flicker
on that monitor. There is no way to cure this with standard
31.5 KHz monitors. Set up a switchbox if you want to use this
mode.
What about the new 1280 x 800 mode?
It doesn't exist. Someone must have gotten confused.
What about the new 1008 x 800 mode?
This resolution isn't actually related to the ECS, but to the
A2024 and Moniterm monitors. These are special scan converting
monochrome monitors which are capable of 4 level grey scale.
Since the Moniterm monitor uses a video slot card, it cannot be
used with the flickerFixer. The A2024 monitor (also called the
Hedley monitor) connects to the 23 pin RGB connector, so it will
be possible to use it on a 2000 with a flickerFixer installed.
Do I need a flickerFixer for an A3000?
No. The Video Display Enhancer that Commodore built in to the
A3000 is very similar to the flickerFixer and performs the same
functions.
What does the Genlock Compatibility option do?
The function of the Genlock Compatibility option is to allow the
flickerFixer display to be used simultaneously with an external
genlock. While there is no problem using a genlock on a 2000 with
a flicker fixer installed in the video slot, the monitor attached
to the flicker fixer cannot be used at the same time as the
genlock unless the compatibility option is installed.
I use a VGA card with the Bridgeboard. Can I use the
same monitor on it and the flickerFixer?
Yes. With the right cables and switchbox this works fine. Your
dealer or Redmond cable should be able to help get the bits and
pieces.
-----------------------------
CPU MacNews?
===========
Lawsuit over WordStar for the Mac now settled
---------------------------------------------
WordStar International has announced that it has settled the series
of lawsuits between it and Challenger Software Corp., the developer of
what was to have been a version of WordStar for the Macintosh. Challenger
Corp. and WordStar Inc. signed an agreement in November 1987 which sold a
Mac word processor that it had developed to WordStar Inc. In March 1989
WordStar sued Challenger, claiming that they had breached the agreement by
not producing the application in a timely manner. Challenger reacted by
filing a cross-complaint suit against WordStar, alleging breach of
contract as well.
Under the terms of the settlement, WordStar and Challenger have
agreed to drop both lawsuits in their entirety, and to transfer ownership
of the program to Challenger, so it can find a third-party company which
will purchase, sell, and market the product. In return, WordStar Inc.
will get a share (up to $1.3 million dollars) of the product's sales
revenue, after Challenger has been paid $500,000 for completing the
application's development. If Challenger finds a buyer for the program
before April 30, 1991, then WordStar will accept $350,000 as full payment,
in lieu of the share in the application's sales revenues. Curiously,
WordStar had invested $1.1 million dollars on the product before the
lawsuit began....
Apple Plans Russian-Language Version of Macintosh
-------------------------------------------------
Apple Computer has announced that it is porting Version 6.0 of the
Macintosh System Software to the Russian Language, and is working with
Soviet programmers on "localizing" its other software for the Russian
marketplace. No legal distributors of Apple computers currently exist in
the U.S.S.R, and illegal resellers are charging up to 1 1/2 times the list
price for European Macintoshes. Apple is now engaging in efforts to
establish a legitimate computer distribution network in the U.S.S.R, and
also intends to sell Macs to the Soviet Government. While the first
Russian Macintoshes will be Mac Pluses and SEs, Apple hopes that trade
restrictions will be lifted so it can sell its high-end Mac II line in the
future....
But ponder, if you will, these questions:
1) Is "multimedia" a new technology in the computer industry?
2) Several industry consulting firms have found that for US Computer
Companies, international sales of computer products were greater than
American sales. What, if anything, does this finding show about
Atari's actions in supporting the European ST Market, even at the
expense of the US market?
> CPU STATUS REPORT? >>> LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS <<<
=================
- San Jose, CA MORRIS SENTENCED TO 3 YEARS PROBATION FOR INTERNET WORM
------------
Robert Tappan Morris, recently convicted of creating a "worm" (or
self-replicating program) which bogged down over 7,000 Unix-based systems
accessing the Internet network in November 1988, has been sentenced to
three years probation, 240 hours of community service, and a $10,000.00
fine.
Morris was the first person to be convicted under the Computer Fraud
and Abuse Act, which (among other things) makes it a felony to access
private systems (such as Government computers) without authorization. But
interestingly, while many called for Morris to serve time in prison for
his action, the Judge who rendered the verdict said that,"The total dollar
loss (caused by the worm) overstates the seriousness of the offense." This
opinion seems to be based on the fact that the worm did not intentionally
cause any damage, but simply gobbled up CPU time because of its
accidentally rapid rate of replication....
Morris, a 1988 Harvard graduate, is presently suspended from Cornell
University (where he is a graduate student) until September 1990, and is
working as a programmer for Harvard University....
- West Chester, PA ATARI FOUNDER, NOLAN BUSHNELL NOW AT COMMODORE
----------------
Commodore Ltd. has announced that Nolan Bushnell, who founded Atari
in the 1970s, will be General Manager of its new Consumer Interactive
Products Division. In this role, Bushnell will be helping to develop
"Interactive Multimedia products" for the Amiga, and has recently helped
in the design of a "multimedia product" (rumored to be AmigaVision-based)
at the upcoming CES Show. He is considered a full-time Commodore employee,
though he will still be working for several computer companies which he
helped found. Interestingly, some of Bushnell's companies currently
produce "multimedia" products....
- Redwood City, CA NEXT INC. ANNOUNCES 68040-BASED SYSTEM
----------------
NeXT Inc. has recently introduced a new version of the NeXT Computer
which uses a 25 MHZ 68040 chip (capable of speeds approaching 3.5 MFLOPS
and 20 MIPS) to achieve performance levels several times faster than its
current 68030-based systems. NeXT plans to start shipping it in the
Fourth Quarter of 1990, and current NeXT Owners will also be able to
obtain a system motherboard upgrade. Upgrade Cost: $1500.00. One
significant thing about its introduction date is that NeXT was one of the
first companies to start development on a 68040-based product....
Informix has also announced that it has ported Wingz 1.1, its
powerful 3-D graphical spreadsheet for the Mac, to both the NeXT Computer
System, and the Open Look Unix GUI. Also, the William Morris Agency has
announced that it will be purchasing over 250 NeXT Computers by 1991, for
use in a new computer-based Communication and Information network which
will be the first of its kind in the entertainment industry. William
Morris has already bought over $800,000 dollars worth of NeXT Computers in
the course of implementing this LAN Network....
- Armonk, NY IBM WINS PERSONAL COMPUTER CONTRACT WORTH $400 MILLION
----------
IBM Corp. recently signed a $400 million dollar contract to provide
over 55,000 IBM PS/2 systems to Amadeus, over a 3 year period. Amadeus,
which controls over 60 percent of Europe's automated travel agencies, is a
consortium founded by several European Airlines (including Air France and
Lufthansa), and has ties with several international hotel companies. It
is currently Europe's largest electronic travel marketing firm.
To be installed in over 20 Amadeus Travel Bureaus worldwide, IBM's
PS/2s will be used to establish several computer services (including a
large Wide Area Network) for Amadeus and its partners. This is one of the
largest volume purchasing contracts that IBM has ever handled, and is
considered to be one of the largest volume purchase of microcomputers in
the history of the computer industry. Also, this contract is being
handled by IBM's West German Division....
- Phoenix, AR SECRET SERVICE BUSTS, SEIZES VAST COMPUTER CRIME NETWORK
-----------
Federal and Arizona officials have announced that the United States
Secret Service has engaged in an 18-month nationwide investigation of
computer "crackers" (or malicious hackers), involving alleged credit card
fraud and crimes now illegal under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. This
has resulted in over 21 indictments for offenses from improper entry of
computer systems owned by hospitals and Credit Bureaus, to credit card
fraud and theft of telephone dialing codes for "phreaking". Many of the
people indicted are alleged to have exchanged this information via a large
Bulletin Board System in Phoenix....
The US Justice Department chose to announce this recently, as a
"public awareness service" to alert people to the computer crackers'
activities. It seems that this investigation was triggered by an incident
18 months ago where some people tried to illegally access a medical
database at the Barrow Neurological Institute, which is commonly consulted
during operations....
Over 150 Secret Service agents executed 28 Federal Search Warrants
in 13 cities, including:
- Chicago, IL - Detroit, MI - Richmond, VA - San Diego, CA
- New York, NY - Miami, FL - Tucson, AR - Plano, TX
- Pittsburgh, PA - Phoenix, AR - Saginaw, MI - Newark, NJ
- Cincinnati, OH
Over 42 computer systems, thousands of floppy disks, and several
BBSs were confiscated as a result, pending their examination for evidence
of any criminal wrongdoing. Meaning that software piracy will soon be
added to the list of alleged crimes. To give a greater idea of the scale
of this investigation, it should be pointed out that MANY corporations
provided a great amount of assistance, including several major credit
card companies, and Telecommunications companies like AT&T and MCI.
Additionally, is was reported that phone companies may have lost over
fifty million dollars due to the elicit practices of the phreakers.
_________________________________________________________
> WAZZUP? CPU/STR FOCUS? WHAT THE HECK? Is really going on????
=====================
A DEVELOPER'S LAMENT
====================
by R. F. Mariano
While there is no disagreement from STReport that Software theft must
be either brought to a halt (fat chance) or at least minimized, the
premise of group accusation and punishment for Pittsburgh is equally as
repulsive. We, all of us, must review the entire situation and approach
the real underlying cause of the loss of developers, dealers and users in
the atari arena.
As much as it hurts to say this, if one were to draw a pie graph
depicting the quantitive levels of responsibility for the OBVIOUS RAPID
DECLINE of the Atari ST arena, there will be only one very large slice to
the pie and a number of sliver slices left. ATARI CORP. actually has
done next to nothing in the USA for the better part of two years. Users,
developers, manufacturers and publishers have all begged and pleaded for
advertising, marketing and support. What they have received is rhetoric
and nonsense answers like "we are advertising, look in..." We realize
that an ad here and an ad there is advertising but certainly all will
agree to the simple premise that ..."If Atari were doing the right thing
and ADVERTISING they would never have to call our attention to where the
ads were. The entire country would be very well aware of Atari. Thus,
there would be no need of Atari's tour guide to an occasional hard to find
or unknown spotty ad spree. Atari's leadership had better realize the
that "The Day of the Carrot" is long gone. Darn near every user out there
is now "from Missouri". All in unison say "SHOW US"!
As an example of the obvious contempt Atari's leadership holds for this
nation's users.... we present an editorial from last year... please see
if you notice any similarities with this year...
The Editor's Podium From STReport # 90; June 02, 1989
Ah yes, the sweetest time of the year, the "June Brides", summer
vacation from school, the deserved vacation from work, the well
planned trip and last but certainly not least, all the wonderful
things from Atari are to begin arriving at the many new dealers they
have energetically added since the first of the year. Can you
imagine the great new goodies we will be seeing available on the
dealer's shelves as PROMISED BY SAM TRAMIEL DURING HIS MOST RECENT
ONLINE CONFERENCE?
Online, we saw where a number of individuals were asking about the
status of TOS 1.4, actually, the reason for the userbase asking so
many questions is because of the OBVIOUS DELAYS surrounding TOS 1.4.
As most will agree, it has been rather trying on the patience of the
entire userbase. As a result, one of Atari's reps became somewhat
emotional and began mentioning 'lawsuits'. MERCY, AT A TIME WHEN
ATARI IS BUSY TRYING TO ENHANCE IT'S IMAGE AND POSITION IN THE US
MARKET YOU CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER WHATEVER BECAME OF THE OLD ADAGE OF
"DISCRETION BEING THE BETTER PART OF VALOR".
Recently, we have received some mail asking why we are so "UP" on
Atari, the answer is quite simple. There is NO room to say a word
until the self imposed (by Atari) release dates (June-July-August)
have arrived and either we see all the promised hardware and software
or, we find we have been had one more time. We still feel confident
that Atari is back, doing well and will follow the delivery schedule
as faithfully as possible.
Will somebody please pass the tray of CROW? I am not hungry, but.. I
deserve my fair share for being so darn optimistic and believing that
Atari would do the right thing. Here we are, a year later STACY - NO CDROM
NO MEGAFILE 44 AND NOW, LITTLE OR NO DEALERS LEFT!
They haven't changed their tune one little bit from a year ago! Atari
and its leaders are still rife with insipid, useless little excuses for
all their "justifiable delays" and broken promises. When in heaven's name
is it gonna end??? Better yet, when the heck are they gonna straighten up
and fly rerbase is rapidly depleting and the developers are migrating to other
computer platforms. At this rate, Atari is trying hard to become the
"ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW" of the computer world.
More and more it becomes easy to see why even the mention of the word
software theft sends tempers spiraling sky high, when we see the
developers leaving this platform or having to do without the nicer things
in life while the company they are trying so darn hard to support is busy
handing down pablum coated excuses etc..
There is no justification for outright software theft. However, one
must realize that the installed userbase for the ST is SHRINKING. Look
through the classifieds both off and online. Plenty of STs for sale
there, much more than seen in previous months. Why? People are loosing
faith in Atari's future. They certainly don't trust Atari's "words" any
longer.
When one takes these points into consideration, it becomes very easy
to see why even the slightest amount of software theft can do serious
damage. The worst part is, as I write this, it becomes painfully apparent
that I too was guilty of thinking an entire city of STers were all
punishable for the dumb actions of a few jerks at the PACE Atarifest. I
was wrong. Those I am upset with are the arrogant animals who attempted
to scam the developers at this show, like the FOOL who bought Canvas and
then returned later requesting a refund while bragging triumphantly about
how he could get it elsewhere "cheaper". It was only sold at the WOA, it
was NOT in distribution... This dope blew the whistle on himself!
_______________________________________________________
> PITTSBURGH REPLIES! CPU/STR PROBE? Pittsburgh Calling!!
=================================
Dear Mr. Brodie (Atari User Group Coordinator),
by Mark Spires
I am from Pittsburgh, PA and I own a business that has supported Atari
since 1984. In 1982, I received my official Atari service training from
Atari Dallas when Atari had three Regional service centers and gave
diplomas. That was quite a long time ago. Since 1984, I have serviced
Atari computers in the Pittsburgh Area. I also have been a member of
PACE since 1984 and a member of the Atari Elite Organization since 1986.
I am telling you that you know very little about the Atari dealers, the
Atari User Groups, or the Atari people in the Pittsburgh, PA area. For
the record, I believe that you have publicly reacted and spoke
detrimentally about this area, and caused irreparable damage (of which
you could care less about). All this was done prematurely, before you
really could know the facts about everything. What you have verbalized
to many has been oblique, biased, and without neutrality.
The main reason why PACE's Atarifest show did not do well is because
there were only two Pittsburgh area dealers at the show (one music dealer
and one 8-Bit dealer). There has always been a lack of supporting
dealers in the Pittsburgh area. This has been because Atari can not HOLD
any dealers in this area. This problem has existed even years BEFORE any
"software library" existed. The lack of dealers is NOT piracy related!
I personally have known ALL the dealers that have come and gone. MOST of
the dealers have had disagreements with Atari and MOST of them have
discontinued their dealerships with Atari bec facts that only I could know, because Atari has gone
through several corporate and personnel changes through the years.
Since 1985, I have had the ONLY listing for the Atari name in the
Pittsburgh Yellow pages (I have copies of all the ads). That means that
since 1985, NO dealer has even considered advertising for Atari - a real
shame! Why? Because Atari can not ou expect any software
sales? There are NO software houses in Pittsburgh that sell Atari
software (such as B. Dalton's, Software City, or Electronics Boutique).
What is unreal, is the fact that most of the Atari computers in
Pittsburgh just simply change hands because people can not find software
or anything for their machines. I know that this is true because I
continually get calls from many people that own Atari computers, who ask
me these type of questions: "Where can I get rid of my Atari computer"?
"Will you buy my Atari"? or "Can you sell my Atari computer for me"? NO
dealers means NO new machines or dealer support. NO new machines or
dealer support means a DECREASE in the user base. And a significant
DECREASE in the user base in our area has meant a major DECREASE in the
PACE Atarifest show attendance and performance. The logic is simple and
undeniable.
So who is to blame for this?!
Certainly not PACE, and I feel that you, who represent Atari to the
User Groups across the USA, have done an injustice to a good
organization by denying them of their PROMISED door prizes for their
show. How dare you punish a good User Group because you felt that the
door prize would go to a pirate! By now, I wonder how many of your
previous door prizes have been plundered by pirates in other areas of the
USA. I hope that this does not send the wrong message to all the other
User Groups in the USA. Your job at Atari is to SUPPORT the User Groups!
I think that Atari needs a more knowledgeable and educated user group
representative.
Certainly not the Atari Elite Organization either. I have sold much
more software to members of the Atari Elite Organization than to PACE.
They are more aware of software availability due to their review library
and to the European magazines that I sell (I have the receipts to prove
this). I have been to most of PACE's and Atari Elite's meetings and I
have heard the presidents of both user groups condemn piracy (especially
the president of the Atari Elite, who in just about every other meeting
"preaches" against piracy). I personally know at least 90% the members
of both user groups and they are people of good integrity. Both groups
are Non-Profit and provide many good services to their users. The
software review library is a service that fills a software VOID in the
Pittsburgh area. The Atari Elite organization has done much to support
the very few local dealers in the Pittsburgh area and continually sends
them customers. Both Atari Elite and PACE do not practice piracy at any
of their meetings or condone it outside of their meetings.
I attended the PACE show both days and I personally knew just about
every one that attended the show. Every Atari Elite and PACE member that
I had talked to at the show had purchased software - because I took the
time to ask many of them individually.
So who is to blame for this?
If you want to blame people, then blame the pirates outside the user
groups that want to flaunt their piracy in front of the vendors. What
pirate that would have the gall to flaunt their bounty, would really NEED
a user group or vendor anyway (except for bragging purposes and checking
out the new stuff)? Pirates are everywhere, in and out of every user
group, in the Pittsburgh area as well as for its inconsistent dealer
policies and lack of product for the US market.
If you want to blame one person, blame yourself for not supporting the
Pittsburgh area - by punishing PACE or blaming the Atari Elite.
I believe that you have made a serious mistake by blaming two of the
Atari User Groups that down through the years have supported the Atari
line of computers when others have not.
This message is my only message concerning this, and it will be left by
whoever will post it. Any person who posts this message is not
responsible for these views in any way. This message is free for
distribution anywhere and is not to be modified in any way.
Mark Spires,
At Your Service
Pittsburgh, PA.
Category 11, Topic 11
Message 95 Mon Apr 30, 1990
BOB-BRODIE [Atari Corp.] at 19:21 EDT
Jeff,
The group in question did not have a booth. They did have members present
at the show, I am told. What was incredible was the blatant way they
discussed their practices *RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DEVELOPERS*!!!!! They
had an obvious affect on the sales of software at this show. GRIBNIF sold
about 1/10th of what they usually do. An example: someone bought a new
paint program at the show from one of the software companies. About 45
minutes after making the purchase, he brought it back, requesting his
money back. The vendor was surprised, as he gave an excellent price on the
product, and it was still shrink wrapped. The explanation was that he
wanted to return it because "his friend knew where he could get one for
free."
As far a future show for that area, good luck. I can't go to Atari and
recommend that we go back to that area. Word reached me before I got to
the show about what was going on, and I was angry when I got there. Angry
because this developers are my personal friends, angry because there are
complaints about Atari not having a dealer (and now we know why!), and
angry that the people at the show would be so cavalier in their attitude
toward the developers.
We all have to fight this type of activity any way we can.
Here's what I did:
I had gotten approved a very nice selection of door prizes for this show,
a MegaFile 60, six sets of TOS 1.4, Gauntlet for the Lynx, Airball for the
eight bit, AtariWriter 80 and an XEP-80. Quite similar to what I did for
the MidWest Swapfest, except it was a 60 Meg HD instead of a 44 Meg
removable. When I heard what was going on in that show, I decided to
return all of the prizes to Sunnyvale. It is a shame, as perhaps some
legitimate user might have won a nice door prize. But from what I saw, we
just would have helped the wrong people out. So, all of the product came
home with me, over $1000 worth of doorprizes. I'm not going to go to Atari
and ask them to support a group/show that doesn't support the developers
and dealers that show up to support them. It just isn't right.
BTW, I was in Rochester the day before, and I did give away everything to
them that I planned to. They got the same prizes that I had planned to
give at the PACE Show.
AND THE OUTRAGE CONTINUES
=========================
AutoBoss\Atari Elite Bulletin Board Electronic Mail System
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Read mail [F]rom you [T]o you [B]oth: t
Electronic Mail
Sent : May 8, 1990 at 8:00 PM
To : JOHN KARLOVICH
From : LARRY HACKETT MAGE
Subj : Pittsburgh Show
I'm a little more than discouraged about the reviews i've been reading
about the recent Pittsburgh show. As a representative of the Atari Elite,
would you care to make a comment on the allegations that the Atari Elite
ET. Please respond at
your earliest convenience to LARRY HACKETT (not Larry Hackett Mage , as I
erroneously logged in as...) Please note that NO response would be taken
as a "no contest" to the allegations.
Thank You.
Larry Hackett
This message was sent to John Karlovich, President of the Atari Elite.
We have reprinted it here for all to see the sad state of affair On behalf of all of us in the press
corps. we apologize for the actions of this "overzealous" individual.
______________________________________________________
> IS IT LEGAL? CPU/STR Spotlight? ANOTHER LOOK AT THE (C) LAW...
==============================
Dear Readers, This is here to refresh some memories and provide a
basis in fact for all those care to use it as a reference.
Copyright Law
=============
Jordan J. Breslow
1225 Alpine Road, Suite 200
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
+1 415 932 4828
I am an attorney practicing copyright law and computer law.
I read a series of queries in net.legal about copyright law and
was dismayed to find that people who had no idea what they were
talking about were spreading misinformation over the network.
Considering that the penalties for copyright infringement can in-
clude $50,000.00 damages per infringed work, attorneys fees,
court costs, criminal fines and imprisonment, and considering
that ignorance is no excuse and innocent intent is not even a
recognized defense, I cringe to see the network used as a soapbox
for the ill-informed. For that reason, this article will discuss
copyright law and license law as they pertain to computer
software.
My goal is to enable readers to determine when they should
be concerned about infringing and when they can relax about it.
I also want to let programmers know how to obtain copyright for
their work. I'll explain the purpose of software licenses, and
discuss the effect that the license has on copyright. For those
of you who are programmers, I'll help you decide whether you own
the programs you write on the job or your boss owns them. I will
also mention trademark law and patent law briefly, in order to
clarify some confusion about which is which. Incidentally, if
you read this entire essay, you will be able to determine whether
or not the essay is copyrighted and whether or not you can make a
printout of it.
This is a long article, and you may not want to read all of
it. Here is an outline to help you decide what to read and what
to ignore:
1. The Meaning of Copyright from the Viewpoint of the Software User
1.1 A bit of history
1.2 The meaning of copyright
1.3 The meaning of public domain
1.4 A hypothetical software purchase
1.5 Can you use copyrighted software?
1.6 Can you make a backup copy?
1.7 Licenses may change the rules
(C) Copyright 1986 Breslow, Redistributed by permission
Copyright Law 1
Copyright Law 2
2. Copyright Sounds Neat -- How Do I Get One? Or, How Do I Know
If this Program is Copyrighted?
2.1 How do you get a copyright?
2.2 How do you lose a copyright?
2.3 How do you waste a stamp?
2.4 Do you have to register?
2.5 How copyright comes into existence
2.6 The copyright notice
2.7 Advantages of registration
2.8 A test to see if you understand this article
3. Who Owns The Program You Wrote?
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Programs written as an employee
3.3 Programs written as a contractor
4. A Brief Word about Licenses
4.1 Why a license?
4.2 Is it valid?
5. Trademarks and Patents
5.1 Trademark law explained
5.2 Patent law
6. Conclusion
1. The Meaning of Copyright from the Viewpoint of the Software
User
1.1. A bit of history
If you're not interested in history, you can skip this para-
and pictures in mind. Parliament, lacking the foresight to
predict the success of the Intel and IBM corporations, failed to
consider the issue of copyrighting computer programs.
At first, courts questioned whether programs could be copy-
righted at all. The problem was that judges couldn't read the
programs and they figured the Copyright Law was only could read
without the aid of a machine. I saw some mythical discussion
about that in some of the net.legal drivel. Let's lay that to
rest: programs are copyrightable as long as there is even a
minimal amount of creativity. The issue was laid to rest with
the Software Act of 1980. That Act modified the Copyright Act
(which is a Federal law bys stored in ROM
rather than on paper. The decision in the Apple v. Franklin
case laid that to rest: it is.
1.2. The meaning of copyright
Now, what is copyright? As it is commonly understood, it is
the right to make copies of something -- or to put it the other
way around, it is the right to prohibit other people from making
copies. This is known as an exclusive right -- the exclusive
right to reproduce, in the biological language of the Copyright
Act -- and what most people don't know is that copyright involves
not one, not two, but five exclusive rights. These are (1) the
exclusive right to make copies, (2) the exclusive right to dis-
tribute copies to the public, (3) the exclusive right to prepare
derivative works (I'll explain, just keep reading), (4) the ex-
clusive right to perform the work in public (this mainly applies
to plays, dances and the like, but it could apply to software),
and (5) the exclusive right to display the work in public (such
as showing a film).
1.3. The meaning of public domain
Before we go any further, what is public domain? I saw some
discussion on the net about public domain software being copy-
righted. Nonsense. The phrase public domain, when used correct-
ly, means the absence of copyright protection. It means you can
copy public domain software to your heart's content. It means
that the author has none of the exclusive rights listed above.
If someone uses the phrase public domain to refer to freeware
(software which is copyrighted but is distributed without advance
payment but with a request for a donation), he or she is using
the term incorrectly. Public domain means no copyright -- no ex-
clusive rights.
1.4. A hypothetical software purchase
Let's look at those exclusive rights from the viewpoint of
someone who has legitimately purchased a single copy of a copy-
righted computer program. For the moment, we'll have to ignore
the fact that the program is supposedly licensed, because the
license changes things. I'll explain that later. For now, as-
sume you went to Fred's Diner and Software Mart and bought a
dozen eggs, cat food and a word processing program. And for now,
assume the program is copyrighted.
1.5. Can you use copyrighted software?
What can you do with this copyrighted software? Let's start
with the obvious: can you use it on your powerful Timex PC? Is
this a joke? No. Prior to 1980, my answer might have been No,
you can't use it!
People actually pay meprogram into RAM. What have you just done?
You've made a copy in RAM -- in legalese, you've reproduced the
work, in violation of the copyright owner's exclusive right to
reproduce. (I better clarify something here: the copyright own-
er is the person or company whose name appears in the copyright
notice on the box, or the disk or the first screen or wherever. of the program, you do not become the copyright owner. You just
own one copy.)
Anyway, loading the program into RAM means making a copy.
The Software Act of 1980 addressed this absurdity by allowing you
to make a copy if the copy "is created as an essential step in
the utilization of the computer program in conjunction with a
machine and ... is used in no other manner ...." By the way,
somebody tell me what a machine means. If you connect 5 PC's on
a network is that a machine or several machines? A related ques-
tion is whether or not running software on a network constitutes
a performance. The copyright owner has the exclusive right to do
that, remember?
1.6. Can you make a backup copy?
OK, so you bought this copyrighted program and you loaded it
into RAM or onto a hard disk without the FBI knocking on your
door. Now can you make a backup copy? YES. The Software Act
also provided that you can make a backup copy, provided that it
"is for archival purposes only ...." What you cannot do, howev-
er, is give the archive copy to your friend so that you and your
pal both got the program for the price of one. That violates the
copyright owner's exclusive right to distribute copies to the
public. Get it? You can, on the other hand, give both your ori-
ginal and backup to your friend -- or sell it to him, or lend it
to him, as long as you don't retain a copy of the program you are
selling. Although the copyright owner has the exclusive right to
distribute (sell) copies of the program, that right only applies
to the first sale of any particular copy. By analogy, if you buy
a copyrighted book, you are free to sell your book to a friend.
The copyright owner does not have the right to control resales.
1.7. Licenses may change the rules
At this point, let me remind you that we have assumed that
the program you got at the store was sold to you, not licensed to
you. Licenses may change the rules.
1.8. Can you modify the program?
Now, you're a clever programmer, and you know the program
could run faster with some modifications. You could also add
graphics and an interactive mode and lots of otlaw say about your plans? Well ... several dif-
ferent things, actually. First, recall that the copyright owner
has the exclusive right to make derivative works. A derivative
work is a work based on one or more preexisting works. It's easy
to recognize derivative works when you think about music or
books. If a book is copyrighted, derivative works could incerivative works of songs might be new arrangements
(like the jazz version of Love Potion Number 9), a movie
soundtrack, or a written transcription, or a long version, (such
as the fifteen minute version of "Wipe Out" with an extended drum
solo for dance parties). In my opinion, you are making a deriva-
tive work when you take the store-bought word processor e true if you
translated a COBOL program into BASIC. Those are copyright in-
fringements -- you've horned in on the copyright owner's ex-
clusive right to make derivative works. There is, however, some
breathing room. The Software Act generously allows you to adapt
the code if the adaptation "is created as an essential step in
the utilization of the computer program in conjunction with a
machine ...." For example, you might have to modify the code to
make it compatible with your machine.
1.9. Can you break the copy protection scheme?
Moving right along, let's assume your store bought program
is copy protected, and you'd really like to make a backup copy.
You know this nine-year-old whiz who can crack any copy-
protection scheme faster than you can rearrange a Rubix cube. Is
there a copyright violation if he succeeds? There's room to ar-
gue here. When you try to figure out if something is an infringe-
ment, ask yourself, what exclusive right am I violating? In this
case, not the right to make copies, and not the right to distri-
bute copies. Public performance and display have no relevance.
So the key question is whether you are making a derivative work.
My answer to that question is, "I doubt it." On the other hand,
I also doubt that breaking the protection scheme was "an essen-
tial step" in using the program in conjunction with a machine.
It might be a "fair use," but that will have to wait for another
article. Anyone interested in stretching the limits of the "fair
use" defense should read the Sony Betamax case.
1.10. Summary
Let me summarize. Copyright means the copyright owner has
the exclusive right to do certain things. Copyright infringement
means you did one of those exclusive things (unless you did it
within the limits of the Software Act, i.e., as an essential step
....).
2. Copyright Sounds Neat -- How Do I Get One? Or, How Do I Know
if this Program is Copyrighted?
2.1. How do you get a copyright?
If you've written an original program, what do you have to
do to get a copyright? Nothing. You already have one.
2.2. How do you lose a copyright?
If you've written an original program, what do you have to
do to lose your copyright protection? Give copies away without
the copyright notice.
2.3. How do you waste a stamp?
If you mail the program to yourself in a sealed envelope,
what have you accomplished? You've wasted a stamp and an envelope
and burdened the postal system unnecessarily.
2.4. Do ter?
Do you have to register your program with the U.S. Copyright
Office? No, but it's a damn good idea.
2.5. How copyright comes into existence
Copyright protection (meaning the five exclusive rights)
comes into existence the moment you fix your program in a tangi-
ble medium. That means write it down, or store it on a floppy
disk, orlend out, etc. If you don't, someone who hap-
pens across your program with no notice on it can safely assume
that it is in the public domain (unless he actually knows that it
is not).
2.6. The copyright notice
The copyright notice has three parts. The first can be ei-
ther a c with a circle around it ((C)), or the word Copyright or
the abbreviation Copr. The c with a circle around it is prefer-
able, because it is recognized around the world; the others are
not. That's incredibly important. Countries around the world
have agreed to recognize and uphold each others' copyrights, but
this world-wide protection requires the use of the c in a circle.
On disk labels and program packaging, use the encircled c. Un-
fortunately, computers don't draw small circles well, so program-
mers have resorted to a c in parentheses: (c). Too bad. That
has no legal meaning. When you put your notice in the code and
on the screen, use Copyright or Copr. if you can't make a cir-
cle.
The second part of the notice is the "year of first publica-
tion of the work." Publication doesn't mean distribution by Os-
borne Publishing Co. It means distribution of copies of the pro-
gram to the public "by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by
rental, lease, or lending." So when you start handing out or
selling copies of your precious code, you are publishing. Publi-
cation also takes place when you merely OFFER to distribute
copies to a group for further distribution. Your notice must in-
clude the year that you first did so.
The third part of the notice is the name of the owner of the
copyright. Hopefully, that's you, in which case your last name
will do. If your company owns the program -- a legal issue which
I will address later in this article -- the company name is ap-
propriate.
Where do you put the notice? The general idea is to put it
where people are likely to see it. Specifically, if you're dis-
tributing a human-readable code listing, put it on the first page
in the first few lines of code, and hard code it so that it ap-
pears on the title screen, or at sign-off, or continuously. If
you're distribuhe notice on the
gummed disk label or in some other fashion permanently attached
to the storage medium.
2.7. Advantages of registration
Now, why register the program? If no one ever rips off your
program, you won't care much about registration. If someone does
rip it off, you'll kick yourself for not having registered it.
The reason is that pay your attorneys fees. Registration only costs
$10.00, and it's easy to do yourself. The only potential disad-
vantage is the requirement that you deposit the first and last 25
pages of your source code, which can be inspected (but not
copied) by members of the public.
2.8. A test to see if you understand this article
Now, someone tell me this: is this article copyrighted?
Can you print it?
3. Who Owns The Program You Wrote?
3.1. Introduction
The starting point of this analysis is that if you wrote the
program, you are the author, and copyright belongs to the author.
HOWEVER, that can change instantly. There are two common ways for
your ownership to shift to someone else: first, your program
might be a "work for hire." Second, you might sell or assign
your rights in the program, which for our purposes means the
copyright.
3.2. Programs written as an employee
Most of the programs which you write at work, if not all of
them, belong to your employer. That's because a program prepared
by an employee within the scope of his or her employment is a
"work for hire," and the employer is considered the author. This
is more or less automatic if you are an employee -- no written
agreement is necessary to make your employer the copyright owner.
By contrast, if you can convince your employer to let you be the
copyright owner, you must have that agreement in writing.
By the way, before you give up hope of owning the copyright
to the program you wrote at work, figure out if you are really an
employee. That is actually a complex legal question, but I can
tell you now that just because your boss says you are an employee
doesn't mean that it's so. And remember that if you created the
program outside the scope of your job, the program is not a "work
for hire." Finally, in California and probably elsewhere, the
state labor law provides that employees own products they create
on their own time, using their own tools and materials. Employ-
ment contracts which attempt to make the employer the owner of
those off-the-job inventions are void, at least in sunny Califor-
nia.
3.3. Programs written as a contractor
Wait a minute: I'm an independent contractor to Company X,
not an employee. I come and go as I please, get paid by the hour
with no tax withheld, and was retained to complete a specific
project. I frequently work at home with my own equipment. Is
the program I'm writing a "work for hire," owned by the Company?
Maybe, maybrogram is not a "work for hire," and is not
owned by the company, unless (1) there is a written agreement
between the company and the contractor which says that it is, and
(2) the work is a commissioned work. A commissioned work is one
of the following: (a) a contribution to a collective work, (b)
an audiovisual work (like a movie, and maybe like a video game), of. An example of a collective work is a book of poetry,
with poems contributed by various authors. A piece of code which
is incorporated into a large program isn't a contribution to a
collective work, but a stand-alone program which is packaged and
sold with other stand-alone programs could be.
So where are we? If you are a contract programmer, not an
employee, and your program is a commissioned work, and you have a
written agreement that says that the program is a "work for hire"
owned by the greedy company, who owns the program? That's right,
the company. But guess what? In California and elsewhere the
company just became your employer! This means that the company
must now provide worker's compensation benefits for you AND UNEM-
PLOYMENT INSURANCE.
4. A Brief Word About Licenses.
4.1. Why a license?
When you get software at the local five and dime, the
manufacturer claims that you have a license to use that copy of
the program. The reason for this is that the manufacturer wants
to place more restrictions on your use of the program than copy-
right law places. For example, licenses typically say you can
only use the program on a single designated CPU. Nothing in the
copyright law says that. Some licenses say you cannot make an
archive copy. The copyright law says you can, remember? But if
the license is a valid license, now you can't. You can sell or
give away your copy of a program if you purchased it, right?
That's permitted by copyright law, but the license may prohibit
it. The more restrictive terms of the license will apply instead
of the more liberal copyright rules.
4.2. Is it valid?
Is the license valid? This is hotly debated among lawyers.
(What isn't? We'll argue about the time of day.) A few states
have passed or will soon pass laws declaring that they are valid.
A few will go the other way. Federal legislation is unlikely.
My argument is that at the consumer level, the license is not
binding because there is no true negotiation (unless a state law
says it is binding), but hey that's just an argument and I'm not
saying that that's the law. In any case, I think businesses
which buy software will be treated differently in court than con-
sumers. Businesses should read those licenses and negotiate with
the manufacturer if the terms are unacceptable.
5. I Have A Neat Idea. Can I Trademark It? What About patent?
5.1. Trademark law explained
Sorry, no luck. Trademark law protects names: names of
prarked name, all that means is that you
can't sell your own similar program under the same name. It has
nothing to do with copying the program.
5.2. Patent Law
Patent law can apply to computer programs, but it seldom
does. The main reasons it seldom applies are practical: the
patent process is too slow and too expensive to do much good in
the software world. There are also considerable legal hurdles to
overcome in order to obtain a patent. If, by chance, a program
is patented, the patent owner has the exclusive right to make,
use or sell it for 17 years.
6. CONCLUSION
I know this is a long article, but believe it or not I just
scratched the surface. Hopefully, you'll find this information
useful, and you'll stop passing along myths about copyright law.
If anyone needs more information, I can be reached at the address
on the first page. Sorry, but I do not usually have access to
the network, so you can't reach me there.
Thank you. JORDAN J. BRESLOW
_________________________________________________________
> Stock Market ~ CPU NewsWire? Watchin' the Sheckles CROAK!
===========================
THE TICKERTAPE
==============
by Michael Arthur
Concept by Glenn Gorman
The price of Atari Stock stayed the same on Monday and Tuesday. On
Wednesday, Atari Stock went down 1/4 of a point, and stayed the same price
on Thursday. On Friday, the price of Atari Stock went down 1/8 of a
point. Finishing up the week at 5 5/8 points, Atari Stock went down 3/8
of a point since the last report.
Apple Stock was up 7/8 points from Friday, April 27, 1990.
Commodore Stock was down 1/4 of a point from 4/27/90.
IBM Stock was up 3 1/8 points from 4/27/90.
Stock Report for Week of 4/30/90 to 5/04/90
_________________________________________________________________________
STock| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
Reprt|Last Chg.|Last Chg.|Last Chg.|Last Chg.| Last Chg.|
-----|------------|------------|-------------|-----------|--------- | | | 84,600 Sls |
-----|------------+------------+-------------+-----------+---------------|
CBM | 7 ---- |6 3/4 + 1/4|6 1/2 - 1/4|6 5/8 +1/8| 6 3/4 + 1/8|
| | | | | 18,300 Sls |
-----|------------+------------+-------------+-----------+---------------|
Apple|39 3/8 +1/4|39 5/8 +1/4|39 3/M |109 +1 5/8| 108 - 1 |109 1/8 |109 1/4 |110 1/2 +1 1/4|
| | | +1 1/8| +1/8| 1,512,300 Sls |
-----'-------------------------------------------------------------------'
'Sls' refers to the # of stock shares that were traded that day.
'CBM' refers to Commodore Corporation.
'----' means that the stock's price did not change for the day.
>>>> ATARI 1ST QUARTER EARNINGS DOWN 50% FROM LAST YEAR! <<<<<
_____________________________________________________________________
> GEnie Atari RT CPU/STR InfoFile? Summer "Fun Things" planned!
================================
SUMMER SPLASH CONTESTS
======================
The GEnie ST Roundtable will be having some exciting things happen over
the upcoming summer months. Starting the week of May 14th, we will be
adding a trivia quiz to our menu on page 475. Why not stop by and test
your knowledge about GEnie and Atari tidbits. We will be handing out free
connect time to the top eleven winners. If you fail to get your best
score, try it again. The winning spots will go to the FIRST top eleven
perfect or near perfect scorers. Your score will be registered each time
you take the quiz. Come onboard and join the fun. New trivia tests will
appear each month with new prizes.
Summer months also bring back our Summer Splash contests. Before they
begin, we are having a survey to let us know just how to gear this series
of contests. We need your input. Within the survey (on page 475) will be
questions to help GEnie and the ST developers find out what you want and
need. We ask that you take a few moments of your time to answer these
questions as complete and honest as you can. The results from this survey
will help us to help you.
I am looking forward to seeing you online. If you need anything, use the
"Feedback to Sysop" option on page 475 or type N DARLAH with a message
attached and I will certainly take the time willingly to help out or just
chat, if I can. See you online............
>>Darlah J Pine
GEnie address = DARLAH
______________________________________________________
> ONLINE TODAY CPU/STR OnLine? The wires are hummin'!
============================
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
=================
by Oscar Steele
I'm sorry I missed you the pass two weeks. First, the PACE show was
on and Ralph had a tight deadliou know how
it goes. Anyway. As I promised before, I'm covering the downloads,
conferences and message sections of GEnie. Let's start with the
downloads.
There are a few other sources of coverage of the software downloads
available on GEnie. However, I think what is most crucial to users
at first, is to discuss LARGE programs. At 5 to 10 bucks a pop, it
becomes discouragins about programs.
File # File Name File Size
-------------------------------------
12457 GRAN_VOX.ARC 354,060 bytes
Worth the download? No
Requirements: Color monitor and money to burn!
This is a simple demo of STOS and Maestro. You push a button, and the
computer plays a digitized sound that advertises a BBS. And wait, there's
more (not much); there's also a circling sprite! If there was source code
included, then it might be worthwhile for programmers. Otherwise, save
your money for something worthwhile.
-----------
10851 GRANSHOT.ARC 293,580 bytes
Worth the download? Depends
Requirements: Color monitor
It depends on if you're just looking for some erotic entertainment or
a decent game. As a game, it has the IQ of a rock (and a stupid one
at that). It's like a job application that reads no skill required.
It's... catch my drift? There are over 550 downloaders that have put
in their yes vote for the nude pictures. If that's what you're after,
then yes it's worth the download.
It displays about a half dozen nudes as background pictures while a small
man icon runs across the screen. The goal is to shoot him and watch
his brains splatter to the ground. Pure 100% entertainment! Just like
a Lethal Weapon movie.
-----------
13964 ORBIT.LZH 61,740
11084 ORBIT.ARC 88,200
Worth the download? Yes
Requirements: Color Monitor
Although these are not HUGE files, there are two of them and they have
the same name. This is cause for confusion. They're both the same
program. But, they have a number of different screens.
The game is a Breakout clone, programmed fairly well in STOS. For the
time and money involved, it's well worth the download. However, if you're
not desperate for another 10 or so screens, just download the smaller one.
-----------
13361 GRANPRX2.LZH 105,840
Worth the download? Yes
Requirements: Color Monitor, Double Sided Disk Drive, Joystick
Grand Prix's a racing game in the Rally X vein. It is a bit rough, but
considering there's not a glut of car racing games, it's worth the time.
The concept is fairly simple, move the joystick to control the car, try
not to crash, etc.
-----------
If you're interested in purchasing Calamus or Pagestream, then definitely
download the demoou're looking for.
-----------
Conferences:
If you've never attended a conference, you're missing out in a big
way. There are two types: formal and informal. We just had a formal
conference with Darek Mihocka (hi Darek) of Branch Always Software,
creators the Quick Utilities and Quick ST II. I had the luck of being
disconnected in the middle of the conference due to a bae guest questions.
The users are put in line by using the /RAI (raise your hand command).
Both types are fun, but you can expect to get more questions answered
on a specific topic (usually centering around the guest) in a formal
conference. The informal ones are a bit more wild and crazy - for those
who like to live on the edge. <Grin>
Message bases:
One company that has been impressing me lately is Double Click.
But lately it's become overwhelming. Mike, if you read this, Double
Click is quickly joining the ST Hall of Fame, up there with the Codeheads,
Gribnif and Gadgets by Small. DC Squish is a popular program and there
have been a slew of me of messages about it in the past few weeks. Here's
a few of the features Mike Vederman II has mentioned (for more info check
Cat. 2, Topic 23):
1) The next release will have a default config.
2) It will also convert old squish (even v. 1.0) to new squish.
3) Being worked on, semi-done is squishing text files and resources.
4) Wildcard will "hunt and squish" everything in a directory.
5) Half done is running Squish as a DA (which seems to be the way DC
will be implementing the text file squishing).
DC Squishing text and resource files takes the cake! A lot of people
are waiting for the update to DC Squish. In other DC related matters,
the DC Desktop topic (Category 2, Topic 18) has had recent activity;
a new manual is being worked on. And as a sidenote, it's unfortunate
that Antic Publishing is not open to updating Shadow. I'm sure there are
wonderful things that Double Click could do with it.
GFA BASIC NEWS
According to J.SMITH, the latest version of the GFA BASIC interpreter in
England is 3.03. It apparently corrects many bugs that were in v. 3.01.
Version 3.5 is available in Germany and 3.51 is expected soon. GFA is
also planning on releasing a PC version this summer.
STOS INFO
Dorothy Brumleve mentioned an STOS support club in Canada. Their
address
is: STOS Canada Club, PO Box 2083 Station B, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada,
N2H 6K8. Membership dues are $25 a year in US funds (for more info check
Cat. 3, Topic 9). There's also an upgrade kit for STOS, check the same
topic.
DaVINCI
DaVinci is scheduled to be released by Electronic Arts around June.
It supports the STe and uses the 4,096 color palette. Check Cat. 14,
Topic 40 (specifics in Message 141 from John Kolak).
ATARI EXPLORER
Is it coming back? Check Cat. 14, Topic 30. John Jainschigg, one of
the people involved with the old Explorer, is answering questions.
USA TT? MAY B!
The TT in the middle of certification at the FCC? Nah. According
to Bob Brodie at Atari Corp. it's true. Check Cat. 14, Topic 35 for the
scoop.
That wraps it up! Expect a lot of new surprises in the upcoming weeks...
____________________________________________________________
> AUA NEWSBRIEFS CPU/STR FOCUS? ATARI USERS ASSOCIATION NEWS
============================
======================================================
The Official Charter of the Atari User's Association
Amended 05/07/90
======================================================
PURPOSE
=-----------=
The Atari User's Association, or AUA, is an organization formed
to unite the Atari ST community under one common name thus
giving the Atari community collective bargaining power and a
central source of information and support. It is my belief
that the Atari Community is in need of a central organization
and that an organization of this type will help to better
promote the Atari line of computers.
GOALS
comprising individual users, user groups, and user group
members. In no way shall the AUA attempt to take over any
said group but shall only help to strengthen user group
participation by encouraging Atari Users to join local user
organizations. Each individual Atari user will be granted
membership in the AUA provided he/she fills out the AUnge of address at the user's earliest
convenience. Each user group that wishes to be recognized
by the AUA must file a completed membership application with
the AUA initially and once per year. In addition, as a user
group, we ask that you provide a complete membership list to
us once per year including mailing addresses so n the community as possible. This
information will also allow the AUA to better provide the user
base with statistical information and will allow open
communication between members of the AUA and affiliated user
groups.
3) To encourage software and hardware development for the Atari
ST by supporting developeery receptive population of potential
customers in the ST community who are very eager for new
and innovative products. The AUA will, from time to time, offer
developers advertising space in the AUA publications at little
or no cost. The AUA goal is to provide up to date information
to the Atari user base as it becomes available.
4) To support and promote shareware software development and to
encourage independent software developers to continue in their
efforts. The AUA will encourage all of it's members and the
entire ST community to register the shareware that they use and
to help support the shareware authors.
5) To combat software piracy. In no way shall the AUA tolerate the
practice of software theft, or piracy. Software piracy hurts
you, me, and the life of the Atari ST. Software piracy destroys
the software industry. Without the software industry, the Atari
ST will die. Period. If any member of the AUA or any affiliated
user group is found to be practicing piracy, the AUA has the right
to terminate their membership or affiliation immediately.
6) To become a vast source of information for the Atari ST community
including user group listings, BBS listings, shareware library
listings, and product listings. The AUA will also conduct
software demo distributions for a fee which covers the cost of
the disk and postage. This practice will allow the user to
confidently purchase more software and thus spur more software
development for the Atari ST. User group listings will provide
an ST user with information of user groups in his/her area and
will encourage users to join these support groups. BBS listings
will also help the user to locate other sources of information
for his/her computer. A shareware library will be started so
that authors may deposit their shareware in the library for
others to use. Shareware will also be registered and a complete
list of all titles in the library will be provided to the ST
users. The AUA will thus help promote the use of shareware and
will hopefully encourage users to send in their registration
fees.
7) To become a leader in the Atari ST community by encouraging its
members and other users to support all of the items listed above
as an individual ST user, an individual as a member of a user
organization, a user organization, ave everyone
participate in the AUA no matter what type of Atari enthusiast
you are. What ever walk of life you fall into, the AUA will
provide something for you.
The information in this charter is amended almost every day.
Something new develops and I add it here. This is due in part to
all of the positive feedbackt!!
=====================================
ATARI USER'S ASSOCIATION === MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES
========================================================
PACKAGE ONE: ACTIVE AUA MEMBERSHIP W/DISK -- $15.00
========================================================
Includes one year membership to the Atari times a year. Contains the newest in PD
software, reviews, columns, advertising, etc... Compared to
other disk based subscriptions, this is a STeal! What better way
to get latest shareware releases and help support software
development AND get the latest news and information in and around
the Atari world?
o Subscription to the AUA NewsBriefs, newsletter published 4 times a
year. This printed newsletter will contain up to date information
on the happenings in the AUA and the Atari community.
o Support and information of the AUA will be available to you on
GEnie as well as several BBS's around the country. You will be
kept up to date on where you can find the latest news concerning
the AUA that you can reach by dialing your modem.
o Special purchase prices available from the backing of participating,
Atari ST user groups. Numbers have Power! Pick up some good deals!
When buying anything in bulk, you can expect to find reduced prices.
While no one likes to spend more than they need for something,
this program will allow you to save a few pennys here and there.
o Special group discounts at MICROTYME and other selected dealers.
While Microtyme is at this time unable to offer individual discounts
to AUA members, we have negotiated with Microtyme and they have
vowed to help support the AUA by offering discounted prices on
mass purchases by the AUA. This means, if we purchase 50 or more
pieces of software, Microtyme will extend a gracious discount to the
AUA. We are also negotiating with other vendors and are confident
other specials like this will be heading our way!
o Special mailings from both the AUA and any other usergroups who
wish to participate. If you have elected to have your name placed
on the AUA public mailing directory, you ve mailings from other clubs and organizations. What better
way to keep informed on what is happening in the community!
o ANY AND ALL BENEFITS of being a member of the LARGEST Atari User
base in the world! We anticipate that by the end of 1991, the AUA
membership will exceed 5000. What this means to you is one huge
voice representing YOU in the Atari coms one year membership to the Atari Users Association and a
subscription to the AUA NewsBriefs newsletter published 4 times a year.
Your benefits will include all of the above items listed in Package
One except the disk subscription to the AUA NewsBytes Magazine.
========================================================
PACKAGE THREE: NON-ACTIVE AUA MEMBERSHIP -- $$ FREE $$
========================================================
Includes one year membership to the Atari Users
Association. This membership does not entitle you to the AUA
NewsBriefs or the AUA NewsBytes Magazine but makes you eligible
for any benefits listed in Package One above. The only requirements for
free AUA membership are that you must fill out the AUA application once
to join and once a year to keep your information current. This
is by far the most popular package! But you can show your support
for the Atari Community and take advantage of the other
two membership packages!
--------------------------- Clip Here ---------------------------
////////// // // ////////// ** ** **
// // // // // // ** ** **
// // // // // // ** ** **
////////// // // ////////// ** ** **
// // // // // // *** ** ***
// // ////////// // // *** ** ***
THE ATARI USER'S ASSOCIATION SUPPORTING THE REVOLUTION
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Thank you for your interest in the Atari User's Association.
Please take the time to complete this application and mail it
to the address below.
========================================================================
First Name:_____________________ LastName:______________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________
City:________________________________ ST:____ Zipcode:__________________
Country:_____________________________ Age:(optional)____________________
Telephone: __________________________ Work: ____________________________
[ ] Check here to place name in the AUA Public Membership Directory
(This will allow you to be placed on national mailing lists for Atari
ST products and information)
=========================================================================
HARDWARE: [ ]520ST [ ]1040ST [ ]MEGA 2 [ ]MEGA 4 [ ]STacy [ ]Other
[ ]Spectre GCR [ ]PC DITTO [ ]PC Speed
MONITOR : [ ]COLOR [ ]MONO [ ]OTHER:____________________________________
DRIVES : [ ]Internal [ ]External [ ]HARD DRIVE Size of Hard drive:____
PRINTER : [ ]9 Pin Dot Matrix [ ]24 Pin Dot Matrix [ ]Laser [ ]DeskJet
[ ]Daisywheel [ ]Other
Printer Model:_______________________________________________________
MODEM : Max Speed [ ]300 [ ]1200 [ ]2400 [ ]4800 [ ]9600 [ ]14,400
Modem Model:_________________________________________________________
OTHER PERIPHERALS________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
EMULATORS IN USE:________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
=========================================================================
Primary Use of your Atari Computer: (check all that apply)
[ ]Home Finance [ ]BBS [ ]CAD [ ]Business [ ]DTP [ ]Games/rec
[ ]Graphics [ ]Programming [ ]SpreadSheets [ ]WordProcessing
[ ]Music [ ]Communications [ ]Other:____________________________________
=========================================================================
If you are a member of a User Group, Please fill in:
UG Name: ________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________
City _________________________________State _____ ZIP ________Country____
BBS # ______________________________________No. of Members_______________
President's Name:________________________________Phone:__________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Comments:________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
========================================================================
EMAIL ADRESSES: (please include fnet / fido Handles)
FNET Node:________________________ FIDO Node:__________________________
USENET:_________________________________________________________________
GENIE:_____________________________ COMPUSERVE:_________________________
DELPHI:________________________ OTHER:__________________________________
Please list any ideas you have about what the AUA can do for you as an
end user:_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________Use reverse if necessary!!!!!!
Please list your favorite software titles: _____________________________
________________________________________________________________________
If you have a friend who may be interested in the AUA, please list his
name and address here so that we can contact him/her about the AUA:
________________________________________________________________________
__ get this application:_____________________________________
=========================================================================
MEMBERSHIP FEES: [ ] Non-Active AUA Membership -- $ FREE $
[ ] Active AUA w/NewsLetter -- $ 5.00/year
Please Select ONE [ ] Active AUA W/Newsletter & Disk -- $ 15.00/year
=======================================================================
MicroTyme Computers is an official supplier of the AUA at: 1-800-255-5835
=========================================================================
------------------------ Clip Here ---------------------------
________________________________________________________________
> CPU NEWSWIRE CONFIDENTIAL? S bugs in 3.01. According to the head of Atari Uk it f fixes many
bugs. Version 3.5 while out in Germany is not being used in England
because 3.51 will follow very shortly. 3.51 has lots of new commands but
all of them are about matrices. It is also STE compatible. (I'm not sure
what that covers.) GFA is very aware of the US situation and I was
promised over and over that a change is coming soon which will include
3.51 availability. And the biggest news, actually, GFA will be releasing
GFA Basic for the PC in late summer. (Atari UK are responsible for
setting up Antic with Gfa Basic after the Michtron fiasco. I am
personally convinced that GFA regrets that mess up and actually the guy
responsible at GFA (the pres.) was fired 3 days later. If they are going
to release a PC version they are going to need serious people in the US..
- Sunnyvale, CA. *** PRICE CHANGES REFLECT SOFT MARKET ***
-------------
According to Brad Martin, 05/07/90, Atari Corp. announces price
reductions on two most popular computers. An Atari spokesperson today
announced that Atari is lowering the retail price of their two most
popular models of their ST computer line, the 1040ST and Mega 4 computers.
The 1040ST was lowered to a suggested retail of $699, while the Mega 4 has
a new retail price of $1795.95. The spokesperson stated that Atari has no
plans to lower the current prices of the 520ST and the Mega 2.
Atari hopes that the price reductions will boost sagging sales of the
ST computer line, but experts point more towards Atari lack of ability
to deliver new product then high prices as the reason for the sales slide.
The Atari spokesperson did state that the new 1040STe, which will arrive
in the United States within the next two months will have the same
suggested retail as the current 1040ST.
EDITOR NOTE:
After making a few calls to dealers we found that there have been
substantial price reductions announced, ie; dealer cost on Mega 2/4
computers have been reduced substantially. Perhaps this year is not going
to be a replay of last year with the month to month dance.
- New York City, NY *** N.E.C. EYEING ATARI COMPUTER? ***
-----------------
Hmmm, some say it is just a silly rumor, other say its a distinct
possibility, with "certain new modules" being in production and talk of
the NEC monitors being bundled with the Atari computer line. It could
even be that the TT and NEC will be married. One thing is for sure, at
the rate things are going, any new blood will have a positive effect on
the entire Atari Computer scene.
- Pal Alto, CA. **** NEW LASER IN THE OFFING? ****
------------
As an aside, there has been some talk of Atari releasing a new Laser
printer, well the "smart money" sez, there is, at this time, a number of
machines under consideration but a definitive choice has not yet been
made. The rumor persists that Atari plans to make sure the unit chosen
will be usable on other computer platforms.
_________________________________________________________
> MVG IS HERE! CPU/STR InfoFile? MultiViewer Graphica
=============================
MULTIVIEWER GRAPHICA
====================
Ctsy GEnie
by C.WALTERS
MVG - Officially released on April 28th, 1990, MVG is b.
Featuring one of the rare editors which performs work on images larger
than screen size, MVG will not bog you down with abysmal slowness (there's
no speedometer necessary to show you how far into the task at hand MVG has
progressed, the task is done!) Capable of loading IMG (up to 32767 x
32767), PI#, PC#, TN#, NEO, MAC, WAC, PCX, and SuperPaint files, MVG can
edit these imasuch as a fast rotate and flip of image or
clip, shrink/enlarge, masked clips and a fat-bit editor that must be seen
to be appreciated, you'll create clip art that never looked better.
MVG applies a fully adjustable Floyd-Stienberg dithering algorithm to
color pics for some very striking half-tones. You can save in IMG, MAC
(true compatible MACs for you Spectre owners and MacUsign affords an easy and
inexpensive upgrade path and it comes with detailed documentation which
allows those so inclined to write their own modules to expand MVG to
whatever limits the universe or human creativity might impose. MVG
presently runs in monochrome only but work is underway for compatibility
with big screens (and the future release of the Atari TT). Planned
upgrade modules will include scanner capability, text and fonts,
intricate resizing, additional file handling, and more at very reasonable
upgrade prices (even some freebies to be uploaded here so the good Dr.
states). Written by Mr. W. D. Parks and priced at only $49.95, this one
is moving fast too. Requires one meg of memory.
______Chet :-{)
EDITOR NOTE:
After having used this program MVG, I can honestly agree with Chet
that it is quite powerful and satisfies my needs to the "T".
MVG $49.95 may be ordered through:
W. David Parks
180 N. Hazeltine Avenue
Campbell, OH. 44405-1024
And of course, don't forget IMAGE CAT! $24.95
WIZ WORKS!
P.O. Box 45
Girard, OH. 44420
___________________________________________________________
> Hard Disks CPU/STR InfoFile Affordable Mass Storage....
===========================
NEW PRICES! & MORE MODELS!!
============================
ABCO COMPUTER ELECTRONICS INC.
P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672
Est. 1985
_________________________________________
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EDT
BBS: 904-786-4176 12-24-96 HST
FAX: 904-783-3319 12 PM - 6 AM EDT
_________________________________________
HARD DISK SYSTEMS TO FIT EVERY BUDGET
_____________________________________
All systems are complete and ready to use, included at NO EXTRA COST
are clock/calendar and cooling blower(s).
-ALL ABCO HARD DISK SYSTEMS ARE FULLY EXPANDABLE-
(you are NOT limited to two drives ONLY!)
(all cables and connectors installed)
* ICD HOST ADAPTERS USED EXCLUSIVELY * OMTI HIGH SPEED CONTROLLERS *
* ICD ADVANTAGE HOST ADAPTERS *5mb #SG60101 619.95
80mb #SGN296 709.95 100mb #SG84011D 839.95
170mb #SGN2962 1369.95 260mb #SG60102 1849.95
>>ALL ABCO DRIVES ARE HIGH SPEED UNITS<<
Ask about our "TAX REFUND SPECIALS"
CALL FOR SUPER SAVINGS ON ALL OUR OTHER CUSTOM UNITS
FROM 30mb
ABLE MEDIA DRIVE *
- SYQUEST 44 MB removable media drive - ICD ST Host Adapter
- ICD Mass Storage Utility Software - 3' DMA Cable
- Fan & Clock - Multi-Unit Power Supply
(1) 44 MB Syquest Cart.
COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED AND READY TO RUN!
>> SPECIAL NOW ONLY __$865.00__ <<
*** SPECIAL SYQUEST OFFER!! ***
ORDER YOUR SYQUEST UNIT NOW AND GET A SECOND COMPLETE UNIT!
****** for $100.00 LESS! ******
-> DO IT YOURSELF BARE SYQUEST UNITS $625.00ea 2 for $1150.00
* cartridge included *
Syquest Mechanism - 2 year warranty
* TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT *
SPECIALLY PRICED $1539.00
* SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS *
- Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives -
50mb SQG51 $1279.00 30mb SQG38 $1199.00
65mb SQG09 $1339.00 85mb SQG96 $1399.00
LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS
***** COMING SOON! INSITE FLOPTICAL DRIVE *****
August-September, 1990
20 MB 3.5 FLOPPY DISK MASS STORAGE OPTICAL DRIVE!
uses standard 3.5" floppy disks and Floptical disks
Will access and read your present library of floppys
$789.95 approx.
CUSTOM CONFIGURATIONS AVAILABLE
Listed above are a sampling of the systems available.
Prices also reflect various cabinet/power supply configurations
(over sixty configurations are available, flexibility is unlimited)
*** ALL Units: Average Access Time: 24ms - 34ms ***
ALL UNITS COMPATIBLE WITH --> SUPERCHARGER - PC-DITTO/II - SPECTRE/GCR
LARGER units are available - (special order only)
NO REPACKS OR REFURBS USED!
- Custom Walnut WOODEN Cabinets - TOWER - AT - XT Cabinets -
Keyboard Custom Cables Call for Info
ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED
-* 12 month FULL Guarantee *-
(A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE)
QUANTITY & USERGROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
_________________________________________
DEALERS and DISTRIBUTORS WANTED!
please, call for details
Personal and Company Checks are accepted.
ORDER YOUR NEW UNIT TODAY!
CALL: 1-800-562-4037 -=**=- CALL: 1-904-783-3319
Customer Orders ONLY Customer Service
9am - 8pm EDT
Tues thru Sat
***********************************************************************
NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE to the Readers of;
CPU NEWSWIRE ONLINE MAGAZINE
featuring
STReport Online Magazine
""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY!
Call any of the St Report Official BBS numbers
(Listed Above)
or
Leave E-mail to St.Report - R.Mariano
Be sure to include your full mailing address so your
Compuserve kit can be immediately mailed to you!
ATARI ST ARTS FORUM
An overview
The Atari ST Arts Forum is comprised of f the
world) who share your interest in the exchange of information and programs
relating to Atari ST graphics and entertainment (games).
The Atari ST Arts Forum, like all CompuServe Forums, is comprised of
the following major areas:
MESSAGES
The Message Board of this Forum is where you will find many people
corresponding with each other on a 24 hour basis. Being that message
correspondence does not require you to be online at the same time as the
person you are exchanging messages with, you can log-on at any convenient
time to read your waiting messages and reply to them in order to keep a
conversation on-going. This is one of the best methods for meeting new
people from all different types of backgrounds and who are located in
different parts of the world
Enter "MES" at any Forum "!" command prompt or select the appropriate
menu choice to access the Message Center.
LIBRARIES
The Libraries section of the Forum is a resource area containing
thousands of programs, text files, picture files, help files, and text
files such as past transcripts from online national conferences,
professional reports, news, and reviews. Most text material can be read
online or downloaded to your computer system for lasting reference. Our
Libraries are also filled with a wide assortment of Public Domain and
Shareware entertainment and graphics-related programs which will make your
ST do some unbelievable things!
Enter "LIB" at any Forum "!" command prompt or select the appropriate
menu choice to access the Forum's Libraries.
CONFERENCING
Electronic Conference Rooms are areas where members gather for "live"
conversation. You may find several members engaged in a regularly
scheduled meeting or participating in a special conference hosted by a
guest speaker. Impromptu Conferences among Forum members are always
welcome! In addition, watch the News Flash and Conference Announcements
for information on any scheduled Conferences.
Enter "CON" at any Forum "!" command prompt or select the appropriate
menu choice to access the Forum's Conference Center.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announcements are written by the Forum Sysops and are designed to keep
you apprised of any scheduled events, hot topics, new uploads, and other
useful information pertaining to the Atari Community in general or the
Forum.
There are two announcements that are automatically displayed if you
haven't read the latest update. The News Flash Announcement is dispt enter the Conferencing area. There are other
announcements that are available for reading from the ANNOUNCEMENTS menu.
These announcements include: The General Announcement, Message
Announcement, Library Announcement, Membership Announcement, Sysop Roster
Announcement, and New Member Announcement.
Enter "ANN" at any Forum "!" prompt or select the appropriate m members who share your interests. If
you are in menu mode, you will be greeted with the Member Directory menu,
which lists several choices for using the Member Directory. If you are in
"Command Mode" (non-menu mode), you will be greeted with the "Member
Directory !" prompt.
Enter "MEM" at the main Forum menu/command prompt or select the
appropriate menu choice to access the Member Directory.
USER OPTIONS AREA
The User Options area is where you can custom-tailor Forum and
Messages Options to your preference. After making changes in the options
area, you will be given the chance to make the changes permanent or
temporary for session only. Any change made to the NAME, SECTIONS, or
HIGH msg read options are considered permanent changes automatically by
the Forum Software. Of course, you can always make changes to these
options again if you change your mind.
Enter "OPT" at any Forum "!" command prompt or select the appropriate
menu choice to access the User Options area.
Forum Manager/SYSOP and contract holder for all of the Atari Forums on
CompuServe, including the Atari ST Arts and Entertainment Forum, is:
Ron Luks [76703,254]
Assisting Ron in the maintenance of the Atari Forums are:
Mike Schoenbach [76703,4363]** Dave Groves [76703,4223]**
Charles McGuinness [76701,11]** David Ramsden [76703,4224]**
Dan Rhea [76703,4364]** Bill Aycock [76703,4061]**
Dick Brudzynski [76703,2011] Don LeBow [76704,41]
Keith Joins [76702,375]
All the assistant Sysops marked with an "**" in the above list are
responsible for overseeing all the areas of the Atari ST Arts and
Entertainment Forum, including the message board, the libraries, the
announcements, and the conference area.
NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE
***********************************************************************
> A "Quotable Quote"?
=================
"CARLSBAD CAVERNS ECHO POWER RIVALED!!"
ATARI WAREHOUSE COMPETES IN ECHO POWER DUEL!
BOTH SEEK FIRST PLACE IN RECORD BOOK"!!
...Marvin Trotenberry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU/STR? "Your Independent News Source" May 11, 1990
16/32bit Magazine copyright = 1990 No.4.19
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