ST Report: 15-Feb-91 #707
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aj434@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 02/19/91-10:54:55 PM Z
From: aj434@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 15-Feb-91 #707
Date: Tue Feb 19 22:54:55 1991
*---== ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
from
STR Publishing Inc.
""""""""""""""""""
February 15, 1991 No.7.07
==========================================================================
STReport International Online Magazine?
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32205 ~ 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
-----------------------------------------
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EST
BBS: 904-786-4176 USR/HST DUAL STANDARD
FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EST
-----------------------------------------
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privately owned & operated STReport support BBS
ALL issues of STReport International Online Magazine
are available along with
A worldwide list of private bbs systems carrying STReport
__________________________________________________________________
> 02/15/91: STReport? #7.07 The Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine!
-------------------------
- The Editor's Desk - CD WORMS - CPU MacNews
- 512K SRAM - CBM loses Suit - MEGAPAINT II
- HACKER BUSTED! - ALADDIN CONTEST! - SSI ALIVE & WELL!
- DOUBLE CLICK! - PORTFOLIO NEWS - STR Confidential
* SAM TRAMIEL TO FACE NATION! *
* CIS CONNECT FEES WAIVED -> TRAMIEL CONF.! *
* OFFICIAL PORTFOLIO FORUM ANNOUNCED! *
==========================================================================
ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE?
The _Number One_ Online Magazine
-* FEATURING *-
"UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
Current Events, Original Articles, Hot Tips, and Information
Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
==========================================================================
STReport's support BBS, NODE # 350 invites systems using Forem ST and
Turbo Board BBS to participate in the Fido/F-Net Mail Network. Or, call
Node 350 direct at 904-786-4176, and enjoy the excitement of exchanging
information relative to the Atari ST computer arena through an excellent
International ST Mail Network. All registered F-NET - Crossnet SysOps are
welcome to join the STReport Crossnet Conference. The Crossnet Conference
Code is #34813, and the "Lead Node" is # 350. All systems are most
welcome to actively participate. Support Atari Computers; Join Today!
==========================================================================
AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON: GENIE ~ CIS ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ FIDO ~ F-NET
==========================================================================
> The Editor's Podium?
Here we go again!! Only this time, its in the CIS Convention Center.
Sam Tramiel will be in an online Conference with Atari users nationwide.
Compuserve has announced that they're holding the event in their Electr-
onic Convention Center. According to CIS documentation, its capable of
holding well over 600 users at one time. That's why they were able to
WAIVE CIS CONNECT FEES & CHARGES for the Online Session with Atari's CEO
Sam Tramiel. Don't miss this one, its a freebie!.
On another note, we have an excellent, in-depth view of the Mega STe
and will be involved fully in ongoing presentations of overviews and
evaluations of a wide variety of Atari and third party hardware and softw-
are. This is the catalytic year for Atari, you heard me right.. this is
the year it all begins to come together and then in 1992, watch Atari's
smoke in the computer marketplace in the USA. Fall Comdex is one show
that is a "must see" this year. In fact, its sure to take precedence over
many subordinate special interest shows this year. The Comdex dates have
been changed also. This fall's show will be a true "window into the
future".
Every once in while, its nice to say.. "thank you." So there you have
it. Thank you, each one of you, ever so much for your strong and faithful
support. In return, myself and STReport's staff pledge to make sure the
issue is there every week, on time, without fail. This year marks the
beginning of many new directions being taken at Atari and ... For the
record STReport fully supports the folks at Atari and adds that they are
doing a fine job.
Congratulations are certainly in order for Pratt, Brodie and Rehbock,
(What a team!), for having made it abundantly clear that Atari will not
settle at being second best in any way. A special thank you goes to Sam
for having the faith in these folks and allowing them to "do their thing".
Ralph.......
GOD BLESS OUR FOLKS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> STReport's Staff The regulars and this week's contributors!
================
Publisher - Editor
------------------
Ralph F. Mariano
Staff Editors:
--------------
Michael Arthur Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr. Dana P. Jacobson
Lucien Oppler Brad Martin Walter Daniel
Oscar Steele
Contributing Correspondants:
----------------------------
Michael Lee Richard Covert Roger Stevens
Brian Converse Oliver Steinmeier Mike Vederman
Ed Krimen John Clover
IMPORTANT NOTICE
================
Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
via E-Mail to:
Compuserve.................... 70007,4454
GEnie......................... ST.REPORT
Delphi........................ RMARIANO
BIX........................... RMARIANO
NEST.......................... 90:19/350.0
FIDONET....................... 112/35
FNET.......................... NODE 350
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> A "Quotable Quote"?
=================
"Human Beings are creatures of habit..."
"Break the habit and you'll lose the creature!"
....Alfred J. Krebbs
***********************************************************************
NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE
COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME
to the Readers of;
ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE?
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY!
CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198
You will receive your complimentary time
and
be online in no time at all!
WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (Feb. 15)
SAM TRAMIEL TO BE IN CIS ONLINE CONFERENCE!
Sam Tramiel will be joining CompuServe Atari Forum members for a special
online conference on Thursday, February 21st, in the CompuServe Electronic
Convention Center (GO ECC). Watch the News Flash announcement in the
Atari Forums for more details.
**** COMPUSERVE CONNECT CHARGES WAIVED!! ****
**** FOR THE SAM TRAMIEL ONLINE CONFERENCE!! ****
Ron Luks announced that, "in celebration of the Portfolio Support Forum
designation and the unfortunate 'late announcement' of the Sam Tramiel
Online Conference it was decided to waive all CIS connect charges for the
conference.
=====================
CONFERENCE WITH ATARI'S BILL REHBOCK
The transcript of last nights Conference with Bill Rehbock, director of
technical services at ATARI Corp, is now available in LIBRARY 1 of the
Atari ST Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS) as BILLCO.ARC.
NEW FROM DOUBLE CLICK SOFTWARE
DCFKEY.ARC - DC Function Keys (F-KEYS) is a great FREEWARE program by
Double Click Software. DC F-KEYS allows you to assign up to 49 text
macros to function keys. So, now you can press <F10> and have it print
your name. Even more! Has a user definable on/off toggle key. Uses a
text file for configuration. Very easy! 100% assembly. ST, STe and TT
compatible. Available in LIBRARY 13 of the Atari Vendors Forum (GO
ATARIVEN).
ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM
The Atari Portfolio Forum has been named Atari's official online area
for Portfolio support.
The PowerBASIC and Hyperlist beta tests continue. Thanks to the
efforts of Atari Portfolio Forum members, these fine products should be
ready for the public in the very near future.
Be sure to check out all the great new Portfolio files available in
LIBRARY 1.
NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE
***********************************************************************
> CPU REPORT?
==========
Issue # 99
----------
by Michael Arthur
CPU INSIGHTS?
============
CD-ROMS, WORM DRIVES, FLOPTICAL DISKS
and
THE FUTURE OF STORAGE
================
In the short lifespan of the computer industry, advances in chip
technology, graphics, and RAM/ROMs have occurred at an incredible rate.
While these areas are very important, one field which (although it is
just as vital to computers) has not achieved the level of recognition as
areas such as microprocessors is the matter of storing all the information
that computers handle.
As computers became more powerful, operating systems gained in
capabilities, and applications had more features, the need for ways to
store the data generated by all these computers grew exponentially. While
Five Megabyte hard disks were reserved for power users as late as 1985,
now 20-40 Meg hard drives are the norm, with 150-300 Meg Hard drives being
the Power User's dream. But as computers improve even more, it is a
certainty that even MORE storage will be needed. In the past few years,
four new technologies have emerged to fill the present and future need for
information storage: CD-ROMs, WORMs, Bernoulli Drives, and most recently,
Magneto-Optical disks.
CD-ROM's (or Compact Disk - Read Only Memory) read data from Compact
Disks through a pretty interesting process. First, a laser emits a beam
of light which is reflected by a mirror into an objective lens, which
focuses it onto the optical disk. Embedded into the disk are tiny pits
(or dots), and when the disk is rotated under the lens, the raised pits
reflect a greater intensity of light back to the lens than the rest of the
disk. This increase in intensity is then detected by the read head, to
denote the digital data stored on the disk. Laser technology is used to
pack an enormous number of "dots" onto the disk, resulting in that vast
amounts of data are densely compressed in Compact Disks. CD-ROMs are made
in an unconventional manner, with disks being formed by stamping them, or
cutting them out of a smooth sheet of plastic film. This, by the way, is
exactly how phonograph records are made in the music industry....
CD-ROMs are perfect for storing large databases of general info that
don't require revision often (such as encyclopedias, digitized sounds, and
dictionaries). However, there is often a need to store huge amounts of
one's OWN data (such as a series of AutoCad 3-D files with full
schematics of the space shuttle, or a complete catalog of ALL the source
code produced by a programming team from the program's inception) for
archiving or personal reference. In this case, WORM (or Write Once, Read
Many) drives may be the only option.
WORM drives read data in a fashion similar to CD-ROM drives, but they
can also write data to disk (though this writing is permanent; hence the
term, "Write Once Read Many"). This is done by using a laser to burn
holes directly onto the surface of the disk. Since these holes reflect
much less light than intact disk areas, the decrease in beam intensity
which is caused is used to denote the data stored on the disk. As with
CD-ROMs, the lasers are used to mark a great number of tiny holes in the
relatively small area of the disk, causing great information density, and
greater data storage capabilities (most WORM drives can store 800 Megs of
data per cartridge, while CD-ROM drives have 640 Megs of storage space).
Most of us identify Bernoulli drives with the 20 Megabyte Removable
Cartridges made by Iomega Corporation. This technology, though, is based
on a principle of physics that is used everyday. Bernoulli's Principle
states that an increase in the flow of a fluid on one side of a surface
produces less pressure on the other side, and that a decrease in fluid
flow on one side results in an increase in pressure on the other side.
For example, a plane's wings are made so the speed of the airflow below
the wing is greater than the speed above it, resulting that the pressure
below the wing is greater than the pressure above it, producing a lift
that helps the plane take off.
Iomega used this principle in the Bernoulli Box by having a flexible
magnetic disk rotate very closely to a circular plate which contains the
magnetic read/write heads. When the disk is spinning, the circular plate
draws in and manipulates air flow, lifting the disk up towards the plate
close enough that the head to disk spacing is VERY small (50 microns for
the Bernoulli Box). Since the magnetic head does not actually touch the
disk (doing so would create pressure that would push the disk away from
it, and nullify the Bernoulli effect), head crashes are practically
impossible. Also, since the disk is closely (but safely) aligned with the
magnetic head, more data can be stored and accessed, since the head can
accurately read/write from more tracks than otherwise possible. Also,
given the general basis of this method, Bernoulli technology can be used
with other storage methods, in order to achieve even more reliable ways of
storing far more data than before....
Magneto-Optical Drives:
-----------------------
THE NEXT GENERATION, AND A NEW ORDER
Although these three technologies will be important, most of them deal
with archival storage, or storing massive amounts of data for later
retrieval. Recently introduced, however, magneto-optical drives seem
certain to revolutionize the area of floppy disk storage. Most computer
users know of this technology because of NeXT Inc.'s pioneering efforts in
using magneto-optical drives in its high-end computers.
The disks for the NeXT drive use the same material as CD-ROM disks,
with a reflective "mirror" layer on top of a plastic film. NeXT disks use
a single laser to both read and write data.
To write data to the disk, first the drive applies a magnetic field to
the disk. This field is oriented to write the binary digit 0 on the disk.
Then, a laser is used to heat a sector on the mirror layer to its Curie
point, or the temperature at which the crystals in the mirror layer
change their polarity to match that of the magnetic field. This makes
all binary data in the sector consist of 0s. The drive then orients the
magnetic field to write the binary digit 1 on the drive. The laser then
heats all the sector's areas where a bit must be set to a 1, to the mirror
layer's Curie point.
To read data onto the disk, the drive first removes the magnetic
field. When it uses the laser to aim a beam of light at the mirror layer,
a phenomenon known as the Kerr effect causes the crystal alignment to
alter the polarization of the reflected beam. The amount of beam polariz-
ation determines its intensity, and a polarizing filter in the read head
then determines whether a 0 or a 1 was read on the disk by the level of
beam intensity. As in CD-ROMs, lasers enable a large amount of data to be
written in a very small space. Several Magneto-Optical disk drives have
been introduced, most providing 512 - 640 Megabytes of Storage per
Cartridge. However, Maxtor has introduced a $6000 drive capable of
storing more than 870 Megs of data on a cartridge, with the potential to
store 1 Gigabyte (or 1024 Megs) of data per cartridge.
While magneto-optical drives hold great potential, several factors
have contributed to their relative obscurity in the computer industry. For
example, while the NeXT Computer shows many of the potential uses for
Magneto-Optical technology, the price of such technology ($3000 per disk
drive, and at least $150 for one cartridge) forced NeXT to abandon their
use in their low-end NeXTstation computers. Also, the slow access rate of
magneto-optical disk drives (60 milliseconds, as compared to the < 20 ms
speeds found in conventional hard drives) have caused potential users to
use WORM drives (or very big hard drives) instead. Currently, price,
performance issues make magneto-optical drives too expensive for conven-
tional microcomputer use. However, as this technology is further develop-
ed, it has the potential to seize many of the markets now dominated by
WORM drives and large hard drives.
A note worthy effort to "commercialize" magneto-optical technology has
appeared from Insite Peripherals. Founded by Jim Shugart, one of the en-
gineers behind the original 5 1/4 inch floppy disk drive, Insite Peripher-
als has developed the Insite I235VM Drive, which provides an innovative
new twist on magneto-optical technology. Unlike CD-ROMs, WORMs,or
"NeXT-type" drives, the I235 uses removable 3 1/2 Inch disks called "Flop-
ticals". Capable of storing up to 25 Mb of data, floptical disks are very
similar to high-density floppy disks in design. The I235 can read/write
to both types of floppy disks, and can be used by any computer with an
SCSI interface.
One serious problem with current floppy disks is that they tend to
wobble, making it difficult for the magnetic read/write heads to scan the
data on the disk accurately. To make it easier for the drive's magnetic
heads, floppy disks have always had a very limited amount of tracks (or
grooves) per inch. While this solution improves reliability, it reduces
drastically the amount of data that can be stored on floppy disks. Insite
Peripherals solved this problem by embedding an optical servo track (using
lasers to precisely etch the track markers) onto the surface of
conventional high-density disks. An infrared LED is used to follow the
tracks, so magnetic heads can be aligned to be more precise. Since the
read/write heads are made more accurate, lasers can etch tracks on the
disk more densely, and the LED can easily follow the tracks. This allows
MANY more tracks (15,000 per inch, as compared the 135 tracks per inch
found on regular 3 1/2 Inch disks) to be used on Floptical Disks. Roughly
translated, this means that much more data can be quickly stored and
accessed from disk. However, the slow seek time of Insite's drive (65 ms)
and its relatively high cost (around $350.00 for OEM/VARs and computer
manufacturers) has prevented it from going head to head with current hard
disks now on the market.
Most of us take disk storage technology for granted. While the newest
Graphical User Interface, powerhouse microchip, or the latest and
greatest in Multimedia technology all inspire a sense of wonder, we seldom
take more than a passing interest in the storage devices used to handle
the most important aspect of any computer: Data. Whether it be the
Church Newsletter or Spectre GCR, it seems that computer users take their
trusty hard drives for granted. Except of course, when the trusty hard
drives run out of space or when the ancient technology used in their
trusty hard drives fail, causing an interesting phenomenon known as a
hard disk crash. Many new mass storage technologies have the capability
to provide more storage space while protecting our systems from the flaws
of current hard disk drives. While hard drives are currently useful,
alternative methods of data storage will become a vital part of the
computer industry's future. A future in which hard drives are obsolete.
_______________________________________________________
> CPU STATUS REPORT? LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
=================
Issue #8
Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
- Cupertion, California CHANGES IN MAC PORTABLE
---------------------
Apple Computer Inc. announced that it was lowering the price of its
Apple Macintosh Portable Computer by more than $1,000. Also announced
was a backlit screen and greater memory capacity than the current model.
The backlighting that was added to the portable's active matrix liquid
crystal display will allow the make the screen easier to read in a
greater range of lighting conditions. Battery life, however, has been
cut from a claimed maximum of 10 hours to a claimed maximum of 6 hours.
The new model of the Portable will be available with either two or four
megabytes of memory and a 40-megabyte hard disk (previously, the
Portable could only be purchased with one or two megabytes of memory).
The extra RAM was added to allow it to run System Software 7.0 when it
becomes available.
Existing Portables can be upgraded to add backlighting. However, memory
expansion chips that worked with the old model will not work with the
new one, Apple said, and Apple will not offer any memory expansion for
the new computer.
- San Francisco, California IBM ANNOUNCES WORLDS FASTEST SRAM
-------------------------
IBM announced that its scientists have constructed the worlds fastest
high-capacity memory chip. The 512k chip (code-named "lightening") is
the fastest SRAM (static random access memory) ever created and is
capable of sending or receiving data at the rate of eight billion bits
of information per second. It can "read" individual bits of information
in 4 billionths of a second and can "read and write" successive bits of
information, cycle time, in just 2 billionths of a second.
- New York, New York COMMODORE LOSES LAWSUIT
------------------
Commodore International has lost a lawsuit brought against it by Thomas
J. Rattigan, a former president and chief executive of the company.
Rattigan brought suit because of his April, 1987 dismissal and sought
damages of about $9 million. The jury award has yet to be determined.
- Tokyo, Japan 1 AND 4 MEG DRAM PRICES DROPPING
------------
Dealer prices on 4 megabit DRAM chips have dropped by 22% since last
fall, to $27 per chip. The same 4 meg DRAM chip was $115 each when it
was introduced two years ago. One meg DRAMs have dropped to $6 each.
- San Francisco, California 100 MIPS RISC PROCESSOR BREAKTHRU
--------------------------
National Semiconductor has announced that it has created a 100 million
instructions per second (MIPS) 64-bit superscalar microprocessor
architecture with digital signal processing (DSP) capability. This RISC
(reduced instruction set computer) architecture will provide higher
performance than any embedded processor available today and includes
digital signal processing capability faster than or equal to current
stand-alone DSP devices.
- Oyster Bay, New York ACCLAIM TO MAKE NINTENDO CARTS
--------------------
Acclaim Entertainment has announced that it is one of four firms that
has been authorized by Nintendo of America Inc to manufacture it's own
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) compatible cartridges. Prior to
this, all NES licensed software was manufactured by Nintendo Company
LTD. in Japan.
- Cupertino, California FOUR NEW TOOLS FOR SYSTEM 7.0
---------------------
Even though the Macintosh System 7.0 operating system hasn't been
released yet, Apple Computers has announced four development tools for
it, MacApp 3.0, ToolServer, SourceBug and BalloonWriter.
MacApp 3.0 provides developers the objects such as scroll bars, multiple
windows, printing, cut and paste, undo and menus needed to program
standard elements of Macintosh applications..
ToolServer is a stand-alone, tool-execution environment for Macintosh
Programmer Workshop (MPW) tools.
SourceBug is a direct-manipulation, source level debugger that runs on
System Software 6.x, 7.0 and A/UX, Apple's version of the industry-
standard AT&T UNIX operating system.
BalloonWriter is a tool for creating Balloon Help for application
programs. Balloon Help is a feature built into System 7.0 intended to
allow programmers to provide an intuitive on-line help system
applications menus, windows and dialog boxes.
- New York, New York MAN RIPS ALLNET FOR $72,000
------------------
Albert Kong, 23, of New York City, has been arrested by the New York
State Police for allegedly using his personal computer to "hack" out
personal identification numbers (PINs) on Allnet and giving himself
uncharged access to the system.
The investigation carried out by the New York State Police in conjunc-
tion with the United States Secret Service, using monitoring devices
attached to Kong's telephones from October, 1988 through December, 1989,
indicate that Kong used approximately 1,779 hours of unauthorized
access. Based on a billing rate of $10.00 per 1/4 hour for unauthorized
access, it was determined that Kong stole services from Allnet worth
approximately $72,000.
Kong is charged with computer trespass and second degree grand larceny,
both felonies, and theft of services, a misdemeanor and faces a maximum
penalty of up to seven years.
Even though the search warrant under which Kong's equipment was seized
was executed on the same day as "Phiber Optics", Mark Abene, equipment
was seized, there seems to bee no apparent connection between the cases.
***********************************************************************
: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.
-> NOW! GENIE STAR SERVICE IS IN EFFECT!! <-
***********************************************************************
> The Flip Side STR Feature? "......exciting things for the ST owners"
=========================
A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT
==================================
by Michael Lee
With the recent on-line conferences by Atari personel, it looks as if
exciting things are in store for the ST owners in the near future.
Lowered pricing, two-level distribution and availability of product
means there will be more ST's sold in the next year. More ST's sold
means a larger customer base for our ST developers. A larger customer
base means more good hardware and software for all of us. A "win-win"
situation.
----------------
A compilation of posts from GERECHT and Mike Angier on the Softlogic
Roundtable on Genie...
...I just got an interesting book you should look at (two actually).
#1 is "PRINT THAT WORKS" by Elizabeth W. Adler. Subtitled, "The first
step-by-Step Guide that Integrates Writing, Design, and Marketing" Bull
Publishing $23.95 (US), $32.95(Cdn)
#2 is Modern Encyclopedia of Typefaces 1960-1990 by Lawrence W. Wallis
Published by Van Nostrand Reinhold at about the same price.
This has 345 "typeface families" - all designed from 1960-90 and is a
real treasure trove of fonts. It has the designer and the company(s)
designed for. It even has thumbnail sketches of each designer. At
$24.95 it may not be for everybody, but I could give a such a list of
fonts I'd like to see available!!!!
...the font encyclopedia by L.W. Wallis is apparently too new to be
located on anything but electronic services, so here is the information
that I was able to get on it:
U.K. Edition : Modern Encyclopedia of typefaces 1960-1990 Edited by
Lawrence W. Wallis Published by: Lund Humphries ISBN: 0853315671
U.S. Edition : Same as above except...Published by: Van Nostrand
Reinhold ISBN: 0442308094
----------------
Looking for 128k Mac roms? Here's some places to look.....from the
Gadgets Roundtable on Genie....
Computer Emporium - 800 526-5548
1st Stop - 800 252-2787
Joppa - 800 876-6040
TOAD Computers - 800 448-TOAD
E. Arthur Brown - 800 322-4405
From Dave Small....Shreve has them at the moment, at a fairly high
price. They think more will be coming in from time to time. Otherwise,
its "when you can", especially now that there are all these computers &
boards using 128K ROMs....Pre-Owned is out of the ROM business, I
gather. I talked to some people there a couple days ago.
From Jeff.G...L & Y Electronics had some at $200 a pop. Pretty soon the
ROMs will be worth more than a used Plus.
From S.J. Yonamine....I bought my ROMs from a place called MicroMat.
They sell OEM Apple parts....Their number is (415) 898-6227 and their
address is 7075 Redwood Blvd Bay #4, Novato, CA 94947....I don't know if
they're still around, but it's worth a shot.
From Doug Wheeler....I got my ROMs from an Apple dealer at a swap meet
(before Spectre or AMAX were available). I have no idea if they have
any left, but they had a soda case full when I got mine. The place is:
PR. ALLEN & CO.
10191 Vista Dr.
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 996-7140
----------------
Looking for TOS 1.4 chips? Here's a post from Wayne D. from Genie
I bought my TOS 1.4 chips from
BEST Electronics
2021 The Alameda, Suite 290
San Jose Ca, 95126
Phone 408-243-6950
They were about $95 bucks when I bought them (about 9 months ago?). I'm
sure others can come up with places with better prices in the $75-$90
range.
----------------
Question from C.KLIMUSHYN on Genie...
Is anyone out there using Supercharger or PC/AT Speed with SSI's Pool of
Radiance series? How bad are the CGA graphics....I can't find CGA
monitors (at least without searching) to compare. Since most of SSI's
Pool of Radiance series only supports graphics up to EGA, I wondered if
I'd be missing much.
Answer from C.Borges on Genie...
Yes, I have been using Pool of Radiance with the Supercharger. The
Graphics are ok, about the same as playing it on a Commodore 64. It does
play a bit slow (mainly in the keyboard response when you try to move
around the game).
Comment from Rick Gridley on Genie...
The problem is that a lot of the newer action games, Wing Commander and
Secret Weapons need speeds of 25mhz or better to play at full potential.
A 25mhz 386 is the ultimate answer for advance gaming.
----------------
From Mike Loader (Radical Type) on Genie...
Radical Type has grown too fast for one person to continue writing all
the articles...Radical Type is looking for authors to write articles of
interest to our peers in the DTP community. If you are not interested in
writing an article, but have a great hint or tip for a DTP or graphics
program, send it to Radical Type. If it's published in Radical Type you
will receive $20.
If you are interested in writing for Radical Type, drop a line
requesting author guidelines. The guidelines let you know exactly what
Radical Type is looking for, and how it should be submitted. Radical
Type pays for all articles published.
For new subscribers, Radical Type started in April 1990 as a PageStream
newsletter. The April/May, June/July and August/September issues
concentrated mainly on PageStream. The November/December issue has
complete coverage of Professional Draw and started covering Professional
Page. If you want to order back issues, copies of the August/September
issue are still available at $4.95 US each. ($5.60 Cnd billed to Visa.
Canada: $5.65 includes GST. Intl: $6.80 US). The first two issues are
now sold out.
Subscriptions started in the next two weeks will be started with the
Nov/Dec issue, the current issue, unless requested otherwise. The next
issue will be February/March which will be out shortly. Production has
been delayed due to growth pains and other committments. It's been quite
a change from a 16 page photocopied newsletter to a 32 page magazine
with a splash of color.
Radical Type is available only by subscription in North America. It is
also available by subscription and at computer dealers in Australia, and
by subscription in the United Kingdom. Australian subscribers should
contact Braden Ray Software at 08-390-3018. US and Canadian dealers
wishing to sell Radical Type should contact Radical Type at P.O. Box
107, Lazo, BC, V0R 2K0, Canada for upcoming dealer rates. Firms wishing
to advertise in Radical Type should request the advertiser rate sheet.
Individuals trying to sell personal hardware or software can place a
short text ad in Radical Type at no charge.
Thanks for all the support you have given Radical Type in the last year.
----------------
From R. Moore on Genie...
I sell the Okidata 400 Laser printer and have used it frequently. A
beautiful machine that does a fine job emulating the Hewlett-Packard
Laserjet II. The printer has 19 built-in fonts, 512K buffer memory
expandable to 2 megs, it has a low-cost replacement toner cartridge
(around $40) instead of $75 for HPLJII...The MSR (Manufacturer's
Suggested Retail) price is $1499.95. Our store sells this incredible
printer for $799.95...I own an Atari ST and use PageStream. The HP
emulation is great. Even though the Okidata 400 laser is NOT a post-
script printer, it will bit-map the image on the paper so that you'd
swear you were using postscript!
----------------
From STACE on Genie...
OK folks...if you would like to GREATLY extend the battery life of your
PS Cordless Mouse. (Disclaimer: If you don't know which end of a
soldering iron to hold or if you think a Phillips screwdriver is a new
brand of alcoholic beverage, then DON'T attempt to make this
modification. Instead, refer same to a qualified electronic tech.)
The idea is simple. If you can cause your Cordless Mouse to "go to
sleep" sooner than the 10 minute default time then you will save on
batteries. Sure...a mouse that sleeps more quickly will require YOU to
push its wake-up (power on) button more frequently but that's the price
you pay.
I found that about 99% of the time that I left my mouse alone for more
than about 2 minutes, I usually left it alone for at least 10 minutes.
In that circumstance, I would be pressing the power-on button anyway so
why not save some battery life in the process? I quickly became
accustomed to hitting the power-on button EVERY time I start to use the
mouse.
The modification is simple. The part number (inside the Cordless
Mouse...NOT inside the receiver) is capacitor C3. It is a 100uf
electrolytic. All you have to do is change this capacitor to the below
values to achieve the approx. "go to sleep" time shown:
1 Capacitor Go to sleep time
--------- ----------------
100uf (default) ~ 10 minutes
47uf ~ 6 minutes
33uf ~ 4 minutes
22uf ~ 2 minutes
(Remember...these are ELECTROLYTIC capacitors so note the polarity when
installing the new one. Use one rated for at least 10volts.)
I installed a 22uf 50v radial electrolytic that I easily found at Radio
Shack. My mouse shuts off in just over 2 minutes.
I made this modification on Feb 5, 1990 (and put in a new set of
batteries at that time) and have only replaced the batteries TWICE since
then! That's three sets of batteries in over a year! I use Flash and
GEnie a lot so my mouse doesn't get used as much as someone that does
DTP all day long. Your mileage will vary.
Until next week....
_______________________________________________________
> 68000 Story STR Feature? The History of the 68000 chip
=======================
THE LIFE & TIMES OF THE 68000 CPU
=================================
Part II
by Brian Converse
(The 68000 architecture has 16 'data' registers and 15 'address'
registers; yes the 'visionary architecture' has grown, and the 68040
has quite a few more internal registers for sundry purposes...still,
the core architecture remains the same).
In reality, the 80386 to date is primarily installed in PC clones and
these clones primarily run software designed for the 8086. So, the 386 is
primarily used as a 'fast' 8086, as is the limited population of 486 based
microcomputers. The 68030 and 68040, however, tend to be used very ef-
ficiently to run software that was designed for them. There are certain
aspects of the software, such as memory management or floating point
control, that must be redone, but these things are most often found in
operating system code, not user programs. The 32 bit aspect of the 68000
has been there since the first chips appeared in the early 1980s, so no
recoding or redesign need be done for this (to be honest, there WERE
aspects of the early 68000 chips that one could exploit and write 'hacked'
code that would run faster...but later, these aspects vanished as the
chips became more powerful).
The 68000 also has a stylistic and pleasant design compared to the
8086. One term bandied about frequently was that the 68000 was more 'or-
thogonal' than the 8086. This referred to the fact that just about any
68000 instruction could use just about any register or addressing mode,
whereas the 8086 was limited to the use of particular registers in par-
ticular ways with particular instructions. The way the 8086 worked just
seemed to be extremely baroque. It makes life extremely difficult for the
assembly language programmer. The 68000, in contrast, is strikingly sym-
metric to the assembly language coder, almost to the point of beauty. Not
that the 68000 architecture does not have warts, a fact that competitor
National Semiconductor attacked with its "more orthogonal than thou" 32000
series of chips. These were too late to the market to succeed, despite
any actual or perceived advantage.
The ugly, nasty fact of microcomputers and computers is that they are
all driven by technology. Today, that technology is the silicon chip, for
the most part. To be specific, it is the process used ('CMOS', 'BiCMOS',
'ECL', etc.) and the feature size. These are both controlled by basic and
applied research into structures and materials that is pretty much open as
well as manufacturing technique that is pretty much top secret and propri-
etary. Unfortunately, everyone uses the same TOOLS to make things. IBM
may scoop the world with an "8 inch" wafer processing system, but the
wafer processing equipment manufacturers in the US and Japan will likely
catch up within 6 months.
Few engineers are brave enough to design in a chip made by only one
vendor AND for just a short time AND with brand new experimental equi-
pment. Thus, at any time, all the latest microcomputers you can buy use
pretty much the same silicon processing equipment, the same silicon proce-
ss, and probably run within 15% of the same clock rate. No matter how
beautiful the design is or how 'visionary' an architecture is used, dedic-
ated work with a competing microprocessor will come pretty close in per-
formance. The manufacturers will try very hard to convince you otherwise,
but it just isn't so. The programmers involved may go insane or need to
be paid a premium, but there simply is no way to get a 2 to 1 or even 1.5
to 1 advantage unless one of the players folds or stays still.
That said, there remains the question, why is the 80x86 architecture
doing so well? It's easy to blame the proliferation of the PC, but that
is not the whole story. The 8086 was an extension of the 8080 to 16 bits,
and was not done with much thought to easing the coding of Pascal or C or
even BASIC. It was still an assembly language/small program/fast, tight
code microcomputer.
The 68000, however, was a completely new design. Some familiar as-
pects of the of the 8 bit 6800 remained, but only enough to make a 6800
programmer slightly less uneasy. Motorola marketed the 68000 as a "minico-
mputer on a chip", and actively avoided 'toy' computers and 'minor' mar-
kets like embedded control that had worked so well for the 6800. The main
Intel 8 bit micro, the 8085, had failed miserably against the innovative
Z80 and the primitive but fast and cheap 6502. Motorola had done little
better in the home computer wars with the 6800, but the chip HAD done well
in embedded control for industry.
The 68000 was to be promoted for high value machines. Many of the
initial 68000 computers were, in fact, inexpensive minicomputers. They
contained large numbers of additional chips, ran UNIX and cost tens of
thousands of dollars. In no time, Motorola controlled most of the microc-
omputer UNIX market. Unfortunately, this amounted to only hundreds of
chips per month at best. While Motorola was wooing UNIX box makers, a few
hardy souls persisted in trying to use the 68000 to make small, cheap
computers. The 68000's "asynchronous" memory interface; in fact, its
entire I/O architecture, is a superb design.
While not baroque in the same sense as the 8086 instructions, connec-
ting ANYTHING to a 68000 is not simple. Then again, connecting anything
to the 68000 is equally hard as connecting anything else; once you've done
it, there is little new to learn. In any event, the 68000 quickly develo-
ped a reputation for being a hardware Gordian knot. All of this probably
had great bearing on the decision of IBM to use the 8088 in the original
PC. There were many other factors. The 8088 could use cheap 8 bit wide
memory and cost less than the 68000. The 8088 could run 8080 code, and
there was LOTs of 8080/8085/Z80 compatible software available already.
Very few 68000 programs. In retrospect, the PC could have been 'won' by
the 68000. To 'win', though, you had to know in advance how important it
would be. Nobody did, especially Intel.
.....continued in next week's issue
__________________________________________________________
> CIS PORTFOLIO SITE! STR InfoFile? CIS NOW OFFICIAL PORTFOLIO SITE
================================
CIS NOW OFFICIAL PORTFOLIO SITE
===============================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (The OFFICIAL Release)
SUNNYVALE, CA. (February 15, 1991) -- In recognition of the wide-range
support provided for the Portfolio palmtop personal computer by the
CompuServe Information Service, Atari has designated CompuServe's
Portfolio Forum as an official support site for Portfolio users.
The Forum Staff,managed by head SysOp, Ron Luks, provides online
support via an interactive message board and conferencing facility.
Topics that are covered in the Portfolio Forum include communications,
data base applications, text processing, entertainment and programming.
Greg Pratt, Atari general manager, commented that last year's software
contest generated a lot of interest among Portfolio users who like to
develop their own software. "Through the Forum, Portfolio users now have
access to libraries of more than 300 Public Domain and Shareware programs
and files ," he said. The Forum libraries include a number of DOS and
MacIntosh support programs, as well as updates to the ROM-based operating
system, system utilities, programming examples, tutorials and a variety
of games.
Pratt added that Atari technical support representatives and
representatives from most of the Portfolio software developer
organizations can now be contacted online through the Forum facilities and
CompuServe's electronic mail network. A special area has also been set up
on the CompuServe Portfolio Forum for new announcements on hardware and
software.
Luks, who has been an active Portfolio User since it was introduced in
late 1989, said that because the one-pound Portfolio easily fits into a
sport coat pocket or purse, it has gained a strong following from
CompuServe members who use it as an extension of their desktop systems.
"The Portfolio already has a built-in text editor, address book,
calculator, and a Lotus 1-2-3 compatible spreadsheet," Luks explained.
"But as people experiment and work with the system, they often develop
special applications and game software that they're willing to share with
other CompuServe members. Informally, we've had a very active Portfolio
program for over a year. Now that we have Atari's support, we can provide
Portfolio users with an "Official Forum."
The Portfolio Forum will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
at regular CompuServe connect time charges. There will be no surcharge
for downloading files or daytime access. Connect time charges for 2400
baud will be the same as 1200 baud. Luks noted that with the proper
optional interface, Portfolio users can get online with their compact
palmtop PC. He added that many of the public domain and shareware prog-
rams can be downloaded directly from CompuServe to the Portfolio's 128k
internal RAM. If users want to add these programs to their library of
Portfolio software, they can be stored on 32k, 64k or 128k RAM Cards.
To help familiarize present and potential Portfolio users with the
services provided by the Forum, Compuserve is offering a COMPLIMENTARY
introductory membership booklet to the CompuServe Information Service.
The booklet containing a user ID #, password and initial $15.00 usage
credit, is available by calling (800) 848-8199 and asking for represen-
tative 198.
Priced at only $299.95, the MS-DOS compatible Portfolio operates on
the "AA" batteries or an optional AC adapter.
For more information on the Portfolio, its accessories or its growing
library of third-party and public domain software, call or write:
Portfolio Department
Atari Computer
1196 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA. 94088
(408) 745-2000 - (408) 745-2088 fax
_________________________________________________________
> STR Portfolio News & Information? Keeping up to date...
================================
THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM
=========================
On CompuServe
by Walter Daniel 75066,164
There were some items of new product news in various messages this
week. Rumors continue to fly about a 286-based Portfolio that Atari will
introduce next month in Europe. We'll have to wait and see. Atari is
considering using the industry standard RAM cards that are different from
the current Portfolio design. If they do change the card format, they
might look at developing an adapter so that current Portfolio cards can be
read as well. Another product in the wings is a Tesco International
barcode wand that connects to a Portfolio through the serial interface.
Hyperlist and PowerBASIC testing continues with information flowing
through the private areas in the forum. One message alluded to the fact
that Hyperlist for the Portfolio should run on a PC. Lots of folks volun-
teered to be Hyperlist beta testers, far more than Atari needed. C'est la
vie. PowerBASIC testing is proceeding at a furious pace.
Which of the built-in programs do you use on your Portfolio? Sysop
Ron Luks started a thread saying that he thinks that a database is more
useful than a spreadsheet, but lots of people replied otherwise. I hope
that Atari does include a true database (and a serial communications
program) in the ROMs of the next Portfolio model, but please don't cut the
spreadsheet! Some spreadsheet applications mentioned in the thread:
keeping students' grades, estimating amount of building supplies, tracking
travel expenses, calculating loan payments, and many others.
I received an Internet message from Scott Wood about the Atari archive
he is managing. All you developers who have access to Internet should
send your programs to Scott at swood@terminator.cc.umich.edu for further
dissemination.
The most fun upload this week has got to be DESKTO.PGC. This PGC
graphics file, created with Do n Messerli's Macintosh program PGC Grabber,
is screen dump of the "desktop" of a Macintosh--the menu bar, a hard disk
icon, the trash can icon, and the desktop area. Display this file with
PGSHOW and confuse your friends and coworkers by telling them that your
Portfolio works just like a Mac!
Speaking of PGSHOW, Don uploaded a new version of the program this
week (PGSHO2.ZIP). Version 2.0 is much faster since it writes directly to
the LCD controller. In fact, decent-quality animation is possible with
PGSHOW (about 8.5 frames per second). The ZIP file includes a BAT file to
animate the dominoes in the ADEMO file that was uploaded a couple of weeks
ago. Try the animation--you'll be amazed. Don mentioned that, with his
new displaying technique, some interesting things might be possible (ga-
mes, anyone?).....
New programming and utility files were uploaded this week.
BJ Gleason posted his Turbo Pascal 6 version of The Portfolio Unit
(PFTPU6.ZIP). This unit lets Turbo Pascal programmers use Portfolio
functions and features in their programs.
David Stewart uploaded a new version of his 80COLS text file display
utility (80COLS.ZIP) that I mentioned last week. The program now has
scrollback, text search, and cursor key commands.
The eight help file contest entries are in library 17.
ASCII1.ADR is an Address Book document that lists the entire ASCII charac-
ter set, shows how to insert special non-keyboard characters, and gives
the control key codes.
ASCII2.ADR is a smaller file that lists the ASCII characters 128-255.
FAKEDB.TXT is a 5 page document that shows how to use the built-in Address
Book and Worksheet applications to create databases that can be transfe-
rred to and from desktop computers.
HOMEWK.TXT demonstrates how to use the scientific functions of the built
in spreadsheet to generate homework and test problems for math and
science classes.
LISTS.TXT is a text file with instructions on how to use the spreadsheet
and editor to make editing of multiple-column lists and tables easier.
Have you ever wanted to start one of the built-in applications with an
empty file instead of the last one on which you worked?
MTFILE.TXT should read for instructions on how to alter your setup.
PORT is a text file in which one author details his method of using his
Portfolio to write and his desktop computer for file transfer and collec-
tion.
BJ Gleason's PBAS30.ADR is now superseded by the equivalent file in
the PBASIC 4.0 package, but the idea is the same; use the Address Book to
display help for each PBASIC statement and command.
That's it for another week. If you have Portfolio news or views,
please send me a message in the forum. I especially want to know if
anyone gets the "Portfolio works just like a Mac" trick to work!
_____________________________________________________
> DOUBLE CLICK STR InfoFile? THE PROGRAM OF THE WEEK
=========================
THE PROGRAM OF THE WEEK
=======================
from; Mike Vederman
Hello one and all!
We here at Double Click Software have been attempting to serve the Atari
ST community lately by remembering our roots. When we say 'roots' we mean
where we started off in the ST software business: SHAREWARE and PD.
We feel it is very important for us to demonstrate that the people who
helped us escalate our business from PD to commercial should not be for-
gotten. Our contributors are _very_ special to us, through their help we
were able to save contributions and start our business.
To that end, we have undergone a _massive_ 'grass roots' campaign at
Double Click Software. It began last October, and will hopefully continue
until this October. It is our special rememberance of where we came from
and who helped us out.
We call it: THE PROGRAM OF THE WEEK
We hope everyone has enjoyed using the programs we have been uploading
every week for the past 4 months. We have plans to continue uploading
programs every week.
Please use this topic to comment on the programs we upload, suggest new
programs, or give us ideas for improvements on the ones out there.
You *can* help us!
This is our goal: Upload one program a week for one year!
So far, we've been doing it for about 4 months. We have ideas for more to
come, but we want to know what you want!
Here is the basis for deciding if you have a PROGRAM OF THE WEEK idea:
1) The program (where possible) should have ONE feature. It should be
designed (conceived) to perform only one task. Most of our programs
we have been uploading are of this nature. Still, we won't reject
any idea we receive (we keep them all for future use).
2) The program should be able to be written in less than one day. We
prefer to spend about 2-4 hours on each program. As you can see, we
don't like to spend a whole bunch of time writing the program. But
that doesn't mean the software can't be of the highest quality or take
longer. It just means we like to save some time for other things! :-)
3) The program should really be usable by more than just yourself. Our
weekly programs have been of a very wide variety, but we like to think
that everyone could use them at one time or another.
4) You should let us know of your idea. If you don't tell us, we can't
write the program! That simple. Speak up, no idea is too small!
Thus far, here are the programs we have uploaded:
17517 DCDMASP2.ARC Desc: Plays digitized sound
17142 DCDSKINF.ARC Desc: Quick extensive disk info
17584 DCFLIGHT.ARC Desc: DC FLIGHT/DC Floppy Light
17243 DCLEFTY.ARC Desc: DC LEFTY Swaps mouse butns
18132 DCLICKME.ARC Desc: Double Click ME! - A Game
17999 DCMAXTRK.ARC Desc: Floppy disk maximum tracks
17864 DCMSHIFT.ARC Desc: DC Mouse Button Shiftery!
17435 DCMSTICK.ARC Desc: DC Mouse Stick is for you!
17055 DCSHOHEX.ARC Desc: Awesome File viewer
17436 DCSLICK2.ARC Desc: DC SLICK SHIFT is neato!
18062 DC_CRC.ARC Desc: DC CRC computes/stores CRC
18197 DC_FKEYS.ARC Desc: DC Function Keys save time
Please comment on these programs here.
Thank you for your very helpful support!
Mike, Keith, Paul and Gilbert
Double Click Software
Let me add that some of the programs you see uploaded have had a great
deal more time than 2-4 hours spent writing them. A great deal more time.
If the idea is a good one, we don't care how long it takes, but understand
we want YOU to have a new (or improved) program every week.
__________________________________________________________
> MEGA STe [1] STR Spotlight? ".....an awesome machine."
==========================
LOOKING OVER THE MEGA STE!
==========================
Essay 1
by Ed Krimen
For those of you who are curious about the new and rather hard to find
Mega STe in the US, here are some performance figures:
Tos 1.0 Tos 1.4 Tos 1.6
Cpu Memory 165% ---- -----
Reg 205% ---- -----
Divide 204% ---- -----
Shifts 208% 207% -----
Dma 64K Read 5680% ----- -----
Gemdos Files 1583% 1607% -----
Disk RPM 2408 ----- -----
TOS text 121%/ 536%(Turbo) 386%(Turbo) 342%(Turbo)
string 118%/1911%(Turbo) 1288%(Turbo) 1181%(Turbo)
scroll 181%/ 195%(Turbo) 140%(Turbo) 110%(Turbo)
GEM Dialog 209%/ 460%(Turbo) 437%(Turbo) 276%(Turbo)
The MEGA STe is really an awesome machine. Its very fast, Atari has
mightily improved the hard disk controller, I get three times the thruput
than on my old SH204, and the drive itself that came with it is a 157N, a
very nice 50 megabyte hard drive.
Through the VME slot on the back, I popped out the card, and looked
inside to see SIMM's, a nice 90 watt power supply, and a vacant 68881
socket. I noticed too, though I cannot confirm, but the floppy drive looks
like a 1.44 megabyte drive, Sony mechanism. The floppy drive controller
chip is socketed too. Therefore, even though its a WD 1772, it may be
easily removed in the future for a better floppy controller.
I am a US developer and got mine under the wire, one left. In fact,
at the time of this writing, there were approx. 10 machines shipped to
developers in the US. The rest went to the European and Canadian com-
munities.
The Spectre GCR works very nice with this machine. You get hard disk
performance of something between a IIfx and IIsi. 600-700 kiloBYTES per
second. 33ms access time.
I am very pleased with the Mega STe. The retail value of the machine
is $1979.99. TOS 2.05's desktop is really nice and its even useful. It
packs hot keys, item grouping which is maclike along with command key
equivalents. I think its much better than NeoDesk. The copy operations
are efficient and very quick. You can select your own icons for different
things on the desktop. You can color them and your windows individually.
Now the desktop looks pretty and is functional.
The Machine has 8Mhz/16Mhz/16Mhz with cache options. You should see
how snappy this machine is with TurboST installed at 16Mhz cache on. The
keyboard feel is very MAClike. The key tops are smaller so you can type
faster and quicker. They are no longer mushy. The keyboard is very
nicely laid out as far as physical form and user comfort is concerned. It
can mold itself to the front of the cpu housing, for a perfect fit or can
simply be placed in any position you desired.
I of course can't test this as I only have the SM124 to work on. I am
very satisfied with the layout of the machine, the reset key is in an
easily accessible location, along with the keyboard port, which makes
positioning the keyboard much more intelligent than on the MEGA ST
machines.
Port listings from the DOCS:
Processor: 16Mhz 68000
Math CoProcessor 68881/2(Optional)
Memory 2 or 4 Depending on Model
Graphics 320x200x16
640x200x4
640x400x2
Color 4096 Colors
Interfaces Midi IN/OUT
VME-compatible Eurocard
Monitor port (RGB)
Television port
Parallel port
1 Serial Port
2 Modem(RS232C)
Floppy disk port
LAN Interface
ACSI DMA port
(10 Megabits per second)
ROM Cartridge port
(128K)
Mouse/Joystick port
Stereo RCA ports
Sound Generator Pulse Coded Modulated
sound (8bit DA Converter)
3 voices from 30Hz to
above audible range
Keyboard 95-key intelligent
keyboard using its own
microprocessor.
Power Consumption 95 WATTS MAX.
_______________________________________________
> MEGA STe [2] STR Spotlight? "....a switchable 16 MHz computer."
==========================
A QUICK VIEW OF THE MEGA STE
============================
Essay 2
by John Clover
A few weeks ago I was asked by C-LAB's North American consultant,
Mikail Graham, to help demonstrate C-LAB's Notator 3.0 for the Winter NAMM
show in Anaheim, California, from January 11th through the 14th. Original-
ly there were supposed to be three areas for C-LAB at the show: the main
booth at the Marriott Hotel manned by Mikail and the C-LAB reps, a booth
in the main Atari area, and then a third booth shared by C-LAB and another
company. Later the company which was to share a booth with C-LAB cancel-
led, so there were only two booths. Phil Shackleton, who wrote the text
book on Notator, was showing the Education package at the main booth while
I showed Notator in the Atari area.
For those unfamiliar with Midi or C-LAB's Notator, it is a fully
integrated sequencer/music notation program from Germany. It has a dongle
which goes into the cartridge port and runs at 8 MHz. Although I would
probably get arguments from other software companies, I believe it's the
premiere music notation program for the ST.
When I was asked to help at the show I was told I would be using a
Stacy2, however when I got to the Anaheim Convention Center for the set-up
I found out I would be using a Mega STe. At first I was disappointed
since I had been looking forward to finally getting my hands on a Stacy.
There is not a musician around who doesn't covet a Stacy, and I was really
looking forward to trying it out.
The Mega STe's were set up by Atari in face to face stations in their
area. The Mega is a switchable 16 MHz computer. It can run at 8 Mhz or
16 with or without a cache. Since Atari was not sure if all the various
programs to be demonstrated were compatible with the faster speed, they
had set up all the Megas to run at 8 MHz. Each of the computers was
configured with 4 Megs and had a 50 Meg Hard drive. Since I have a 4 Meg
520 at home I wasn't too sure about the Mega since it is encased in the
now familiar TT case, with Macaroni shaped function keys. The detachable
keyboard wasn't too thrilling to me either, since I like to know that my
CPU is close at hand.
When we were setting up Jimmy Hotz (who had his Midi Translator there)
informed us that Notator would run on the Mega at 16 MHz. This was a
total revelation, since the dongle is designed to work at 8, and it
wouldn't work until we figured out we had to disable one of the files for
the Control Panel. Once we did that Notator ran flawlessly. In fact I
can say it ran faster than usual. Although I didn't have any benchmark
programs to run it appeared that Notator was running at least 50% faster
than usual.
The Extended Control Panel is totally unlike the normal ST's control
panel. It has a configurable number of slots to put such things as Color
Setup, Sounds, Window colors, Modem and Printer Setups, Mouse
Accelerator, etc. It also shows the time and date. You can also shut it
down if you don't want it. It takes up about 128k of memory so you
better have a bunch to spare.
The Mouse accelerator is the Atari version 3.3 accelerator, which is
configurable for regular, fast and rocket speeds. It also has a built-in
screen saver. The sound module has balance (with a rotating head to show
the balance), treble and bass sliders. Even though I use the NeoControl
Panel with NeoDesk 3 I feel the new Extended Control Panel is a vast
improvement over the old one and Atari has shown us what they can really
do.
The feel of the keys is a lot better on the Mega STe than the old ST's
(I had to install Mega Springs in my 520 to alleviate the Repeated Keys
Syndrome) and are quite responsive. The function keys, although getting
some time to get used to, work quite well. They also can be configured to
run programs from the desktop. This was a little strange at first, but it
is a very nice feature.
The custom icon feature which is included is very nice to have, although I
still prefer NeoDesk's. Compared to the present desktop icons it is
vastly superior. Bob Brodie was very helpful in showing how this worked.
To quote Bob: "the Mega STe is a step down from the TT rather than a step
up from the ST."
My overall impression of the Mega STe is that when I can afford one,
its the computer I will invest in. It runs faster, smoother, and once you
get used to the case is slicker than the present model. My hope for the
New Year is that Greg Pratt will be allowed to do what he wants for Atari.
I want to thank Greg Pratt, Bob Brodie, Mike Groh, Jim Grunke and all the
rest of the Atari crew who were so helpful and made the experience as
enjoyable as it was. I also wish them the best of luck in making the best
computer even better. I also want the thank Mikail Graham for giving me
the opportunity to show off Notator 3.0 at the show.
_______________________________________________________
> STReport CONFIDENTIAL? "ATARI NEWS FIRST!"
=====================
- San Francisco, CA. SSI ALIVE & WELL!!!!
------------------
Someone told me they though that SSI went out of business. Not so. In
fact, Curse of the Zure Bonds, the sequel to Pool of Radiance has been
released. The game includes more than 24 high-level spells and characters
includint High Priests, Lords, Paladins, Wizards, and the like. It's an
officially sanctioned Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game that should make a
lot of D & D'ers happy.
CZB: $59.95
SSI
675 Almanor Ave. Suite 201
Sunnyvale, CA 94086-2901
(408) 737-6800 - voice
(408) 737-6814 - FAX
- San Diego, CA. MEGAPAINT II * STRONG!*
--------------
Tommy Software, (TOMMYSOFT) a big name in Europe, released several
modules for MegaPaint II. One of these modules allows the use of Mega-
Paint II for the TT. Essentially the trend, as seen in updates for Ultra-
Script and Timeworks Desktop Publisher for the TT, is for companies making
products compatible with the TT.
Tommy Software
Selchower Str. 32
D-1000 Berlin 44
- Rockville MD. SCRIPT CONTEST FOR ALADDIN!
-------------
We need some scripts.. The purpose is to compile a big library of scripts
that will enhance, improve and magnify the performance of ST Aladdin.
This Contest will run until March 15th 1991..
Rules are simple..
Scripts must be uploaded to the ST Aladdin RT before March 15, 1991
The Scripts may do anything, go anyplace on GEnie, do anything to/with
Aladdin.
First Prize ............ one 24 hour day (systemwide) on GEnie...
Second Prize............ one 12 hour period (systemwide) on GEnie
Third Prize............. one 8 hour period (systemwide) on GEnie
Fourth Prize............ one 6 hour period (systemwide) on GEnie
Further information can be had by reading Catagory 4 Topic 2 in the ST
Aladdin RT.
- San Francisco, CA. INFORMER II 2.03 DISKS SHIPPED!
------------------
This week all users of INFORMER II that recently received the Upgrade to
2.03 were sent New Program Disks. This disk is a Fix that corrects sev-
eral problems. Also included in the mailing is the missing Read Me detail-
ing all the new features and how to use them. If anyone who had received
2.03, has not gotten their new disk, Please contact Soft-Aware and you
will be sent the new disk.
Soft-Aware Unlimited
(714) 982-8409
Office Hours 8:30am to 5:00pm PST
Monday - Friday
_______________________________________________
> Hard Disks STR InfoFile? Affordable Mass Storage....
=======================
NEW LOW PRICES! & MORE MODELS!!
===============================
ALL SPECIALS
** EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY! **
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 ADSCSI+ HOST ADAPTERS * FULL SCSI COMMAND SET SUPPORTED *
* SCSI EMBEDDED CONTROLLER MECHANISMS *
Conventional Shoe Box
Model Description Autopark Price
==================================================
SGN3038 31Mb 28ms Y 419.00
SGN4951 51Mb 28ms Y 519.00
SGN6177 62Mb 24ms Y 579.00
SGN1096 85Mb 24ms Y 619.00
SGN6277 120Mb 24ms Y 849.00
SGN1296 168Mb 24ms Y 1069.00
SGN4077 230Mb 24ms Y 1669.00
==================================================
WE HAVE A COMPLETE LINE OF 3.5 LOW PROFILE HARD DRIVES
for
USE IN MEGA ST COMPUTERS AND RELATED CONFIGURATIONS.
20mb #AI020SC 379.95 30mb #AIO3OSC 419.95
50mb #AI050SC 449.95 65mb #AI065SC 499.95
85mb #AI085SC $559.95
MEGA ST Internal Hard Drives
CONNOR HIGH PERFORMANCE MECHANISMS
>>> ALL ABCO DRIVES ARE HIGH SPEED UNITS <<<
(500 - 600k per sec @ 16 - 33ms)
CALL FOR SUPER SAVINGS ON ALL OUR OTHER CUSTOM UNITS
FROM 30mb 28MS @ $419.00!
Ask about our "REBATE SPECIALS"
--==*==--
>*** SHIPPING AND INSURANCE INCLUDED IN COMPLETE UNIT PRICES! ***<
============================================
* SYQUEST 44MB (#555)>> ABCO "44" << REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE *
- SYQUEST 44 MB DRIVE - ICD ST ADVANTAGE PLUS H/A
- ICD Utility Software - 3' DMA Cable
- Fan & Clock - Multi-Unit Power Supply
(1) 44 MB Syquest Cart.
COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED AND READY TO RUN!
--->> SPECIAL NOW ONLY __$ 719.00__ <<---
EXTRA CARTS: $ 79.50
DRIVE MECH ONLY: $ 439.95
*** SPECIAL SYQUEST OFFER!! BUY WITH A FRIEND! ***
ORDER YOUR CUSTOM SYQUEST UNIT NOW AND GET A SECOND COMPLETE UNIT!
***** for $75.00 LESS! *****
* TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT *
SPECIALLY PRICED ** $1329.00 **
* SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS *
- Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives -
50mb SQG51 $ 939.00 30mb SQG38 $ 819.00
65mb SQG09 $ 969.00 85mb SQG96 $1059.00
LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS
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 - AT/PC SPEED - GCR
LARGER units are available - (special order only)
*>> NO REPACKS OR REFURBS USED! <<*
- Custom Walnut WOODEN Cabinets - TOWER - AT - XT Cabinets -
* SLM 804 Replacement Toner Cartridge Kits $42.95 *
Replacement Drums; CALL
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
____________________________________________________________
> STR "Sign of the Times"?
======================
"Please, pray for the safe return of all our Folks in Desert Storm!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport International Online Magazine?
Available through more than 10,000 Private BBS systems WorldWide!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport? "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" February 15, 1991
16/32bit Magazine copyright = 1987-91 No.7.07
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
the editors, staff, STReport? CPU/STR? or ST Report?. Permission to
reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Each reprint
must include the name of the publication, date, issue # and the author's
name. The entire publication and/or portions therein may not be edited in
any way without prior written permission. The contents, at the time of
publication, are believed to be reasonably accurate. The editors,
contributors and/or staff are not responsible for either the use/misuse
of information contained herein or the results obtained therefrom.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-----------------------------------------
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