ST Report: 29-Mar-91 #713
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aj434@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 04/13/91-06:33:11 PM Z
From: aj434@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 29-Mar-91 #713
Date: Sat Apr 13 18:33:11 1991
Also thanks to: Todd C. Miller.
*---== ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
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March 29, 1991 No.7.13
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> 03/29/91: STReport? #7.13 The Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine!
-------------------------
- The Editor's Desk - CPU REPORT - MAC REPORT
- Virus Study - BIG IBM Layoff - MAC Dealers HOT!
- MORE CeBIT NEWS - RADIUS & MAC - Tandon - Appletalk
- WP & Portfolio! - PORTFOLIO NEWS - STR Confidential
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> The Editor's Podium?
Spring is in the air, and the expectations of new is everywhere.
Folks wait all over the country for the arrivals of various new Atari
products. Users throughout the USA anxiously await the new wonders to be.
All that can be said at this time is the wait will be well worth the
effort. How about that front end for the CDROM?
Happy Holidays to one and all!
Ralph........
TODAY'S NEWS ..TODAY!
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> 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 Robert Allbritton John Szczepanik
Contributing Correspondants:
----------------------------
Michael Lee Richard Covert Roger Stevens
Brian Converse Oliver Steinmeier Ed Krimen
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WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (March 29)
GOLDEN OLDIE FOR ATARI ST
DOTS AND DASHES - This classy connect-the-dots strategy game runs in both
color and monochrome. Match wits with the computer or up to three humans.
Play on one computer or compete by way of modem and a phone hookup. Start
with dots only or with some dashes in place. To introduce an element of
luck, make beginning dashes invisible. Fun for all ages and IQs. Built--
in, printable instructions. Available in LIBRARY 2 of the Atari Arts
Forum (GO ATARIARTS) as DOTDAS.PRG.
PROGRAM OF THE WEEK FROM DOUBLECLICK
DCJCHR.ARC - available in LIBRARY 13 of the Atari Vendors Forum (GO
ATARIVEN). DC J-CHAR will simulate typing a character when you push the
joystick in one of the directions and press the trigger. Great for repet-
itive prompts (like BBSes) or scrolling.
LASERJET FONT DOWNLOADER
HPDNLO.ARC, available in LIBRARY 1 of the Atari Productivity Forum (GO
ATARIPRO) - Enables HP soft fonts to be downloaded from an ST to a Laser
Jet; fonts can be Permenant, Secondary, Primary or Temporary. Will work
as either a .PRG or an .ACC by renaming.
AMP JUKEBOX FOR ATARI 8-BIT
AMP Jukebox, by Steven Lashower, will automatically play all files on disk
with .AMP extenders, one after another. Press [START] during play to skip
to next song. Press [OPTION] during play to change disk or drive. For
use of CompuServe Atari 8-bit Forum members only. Download AMPJKE.ARC
from LIBRARY 1 of the Atari 8-Bit Forum (GO ATARI8).
NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE
***********************************************************************
> CPU REPORT?
==========
Issue #104
----------
by Michael Arthur
CPU INSIGHTS?
============
COMPUTER VIRUSES: ARTICLES, TYPES, AND CURES
---------------------------------------------
One topic in the microcomputer industry that is always coming under
much attention is the subject of computer viruses. Much has been said
about them, as every computer-related magazine or column from Infoworld to
Time Magazine has discussed them at some length. But in the attempt to
educate the computing world about their dangers, much of the current
published information has been repetitive, doling out basic facts about
computer viruses without either going much into how they work, or giving
more than "common sense" information on how to prevent them from infiltra-
ting your computer system. This, in turn, has caused computer users who
should have a healthy concern about viruses to become paranoid about their
systems being infected with one, becoming overly suspicious of any and all
sources of computer data, including BBS's and Online Services (which would
normally screen for viruses anyway in order to prevent any of their users
from "catching" one), and eventually thinking that every program bug or
fault in TOS (such as the 40 folder bug) was indisputable evidence of a
virus infection. In order to fully understand viruses, though, as well as
to see how informative the current articles about them really are, let us
go through a general outline of a typical essay about computer viruses.
Generally, many articles first start with a preface, in which they
bring up some evidence that computer viruses are dangerous, in order to
get the reader's interest. After this, they attempt to describe what a
computer virus actually is, and how it operates, usually in this manner:
A computer virus is a program that enters your computer by stealth
(that is, without your knowledge), is self-replicating, so as to spread
itself throughout a system's disks, and, once a triggering condition has
been met, causes some damage to a component of your system or its opera-
tion. Usually, this damage is to a floppy or hard drive, but it can also
be something like crashing your system, manipulating a weak aspect of the
operating system so as to trigger a bug (like causing the 40 Folder Bug,
or fragmenting system memory so the OS eventually runs out of usable
memory), or stealing CPU time away from other tasks....
There are two categories of these programs: Worms, and Viruses. The
main difference between Worms and Viruses is that a virus NEEDS to use
another program to both enter a system and replicate itself, while a worm
is a self-contained program, and does not necessarily depend on attaching
itself to another program for its operations. Even though it is not a
completely accurate description, worms are generally classified as com-
puter viruses. There are currently three main types of microcomputer
viruses:
Boot Block Viruses
------------------
The boot sector of a disk is a section reserved for any program or
instruction to run when the system is first booted up. Since ANY code can
go in the boot block, most viruses are designed to replicate themselves so
as to occupy this sector. This has MANY advantages, among them being that
since it is the first program to run on a system, a virus is able to
monitor EVERY operating system command, and (if it involves accessing a
disk drive or a LAN/mainframe networking link) replicate itself onto
another boot sector through that device, as well as checking to see if the
triggering condition that would put it into operation has been met. Not
surprisingly, since the virus has to STRICTLY adhere to a system's progra-
mming guidelines in order to pull this off, they are generally compatible
with most systems running that operating system. But since they are in a
localized region of a disk, anti-viral utilities can EASILY detect and
remove boot block viruses by simply clearing the boot sector of ANY code.
And as only disk-based operating systems or self-booting games NEED to put
any code into a disk's boot sector, this procedure is almost always safe.-
...
Shell Viruses
-------------
A shell virus is actually a worm that attaches itself to the begin-
ning of a program so as to ensure that when that particular program is
run, the virus is executed before the program. Well written viruses of
this type do not usually damage the program itself, but use it to hide the
virus's existence to the user. This type of virus, though not easy to
detect, CAN be removed rather easily.
However, some types of shell viruses actually DO modify the program,
by first analyzing its instruction code to find a code segment that would
be suitable to make the program load the virus. Then it modifies that
particular code segment, inserting a subroutine call to transfer program
execution to the virus. In this case, while the virus is difficult to
write properly so as to give it compatibility with most to all programs,
it is VERY difficult to remove....
Hidden Worms
------------
Barring any of these eventualities, a worm (after entering the
system through other means) could just simply not rely on using the boot
sector or another program, but act as a self-contained program that is
hidden from the user's sight. Worms usually have well-hidden or encrypted
file names, as anything else would be spotted by a directory reading. On
the Atari ST, worms usually this by being an "AUTO-folder" program with a
hidden file name, so they are automatically loaded into the system to act
in a manner not unlike that of a boot virus. On the Amiga or IBM
machines, such a program hides in either the CLI's Startup Sequence, or
DOS's COMMAND.COM file. On the Macintosh, such a virus would be an INIT
file (the Mac's equivalent of an AUTO program). Once found, these viruses
can often be removed by deleting them like any other file....
While not actually being classified as a virus, but serving the same
purpose, Trojan Horse programs were perhaps the precursors to computer
virus programs. Disguised as a normal PD Utility, desk accessory,or game,
a Trojan Horse program functions just like any other piece of software
UNTIL the triggering condition is met (such as 75 percent of a system's
hard disk being filled). Once that condition is met, then the program
causes some serious damage (such as reformatting the hard disk). In one
case, a Disk Cataloger program (which was actually a Trojan Horse) would
give prompts for you to let it "catalog" all of your disks. While the user
thought his/her disk library was being organized, the Disk Cataloger was
trashing the FAT tables of each disk. Once it was finished, the user's
disk library was more organized than he/she expected....However, Trojan
Horse programs are now not that widespread, as more stringent security
measures (and the fact that once the word gets out about a Trojan Horse
program, not many people will use it) have made it less efficient and
effective than today's computer viruses.
After giving a description of viruses, practically all of the essays
on computer viruses give tips on how to prevent users' systems from being
infected. Here is a list of some topics:
Checking PD Software Sources
----------------------------
Even though the very safest way of not contracting a computer virus
is to buy ONLY commercial packages, the very existence of Online Services,
ARC.TTP, and Megaroids (as well as your reading CPU Report now) is proof
that this is often not possible or preferable. Therefore, the main objec-
tive is to minimize the chances of infection.
Actually, Online Services such as CompuServe or GEnie would be the
best alternative in this area, mainly for two reasons: Online Services
have extensive facilities/methods for ensuring that PD files online are
virus free, and of course, more Public Domain files are available for the
downloading. However, the MOST important reason that Online Services are
uncommonly safe from viruses is that, simply enough, the people who write
computer viruses are conscious of the Online Services' security, and are
less psychologically inclined to make a (futile) attempt to spread viruses
through there than on a Bulletin Board Station....
However, even though BBS's are more vulnerable to virus-infected
programs than Online Services, one can still take preventive measures. The
most sensible method is to ONLY download software from BBS's that check
all uploaded files for validation. A good indication of such a responsible
BBS is if you find that the BBS's Sysop checks the BBS's hard disk(s) for
viruses whenever he/she backs the BBS up. Also, if you buy a software
package "second hand", or use another person's disks on your system, be a
little bit more careful....
Performing Generational Software Backups
----------------------------------------
Even though most users ALWAYS backup their commercial software, and
backup their hard disks at regular intervals, it is important to remember
that viruses (and Murphy's Law) have long incubation periods. Even though
that hard disk may have been backed up a week ago, the computer system
may have been infected by a virus (or shown signs of hard disk troubles) a
couple of days before that. Therefore, one may need to retrieve backup
copies done weeks before the incident occured in order to obtain a "safe"
file. But one problem is that most users, instead of periodically buying
new media for backing up their software, usually just reformat and reuse
their old backup disks. In order to solve this dilemma, it is recommended
that in addition to any normal software backup procedures,one occasionally
make a SECOND backup of all system software, storing the extra backup in a
safe place instead of reusing it the next time a hard disk backup needs to
be done. Even though it may cost more to buy extra disks for backup
purposes, the economic strain will be negligible to any occuring if both
your regular disks AND your backups are messed up....
Even even though this may not help in preventing virus attacks, it
can also be of use in other areas. If your system's hard drive ever
becomes damaged and needs repairing, then you will be out of commission
for as long as the dealer takes to repair that hard drive. And backups
made by some hard disk backup software cannot be restored without use of
the same hard disk. Since most hard disk users keep ALL of their software
on their hard disk, such a "doomsday scenario" ISN'T that impossible. To
prevent such tragedies from occuring, it is recommended that ALL computer
users keep a few "doomsday disks", with any programs necessary for you to
use your system effectively (word processors, flight simulators, etc.)
kept on those floppy disks. For hard disk users, operating a system with
floppy disks may be a hardship or a bother (especially having to use
emergency floppies), but not being able to use your computer while your
hard disk is in the shop MAY be a worse hardship....
Protection on the Home Front
----------------------------
Even though ALL of these precautions, chances are that your system
still stands a good chance of being infected by a virus. In order to make
SURE that none of your disks has a virus, one, logically enough, needs an
anti-viral utility. The Computer Virus Industry Association, an
organization devoted to the study of viruses, has developed a three-level
classification system for these programs:
- Class 1 programs monitor the system to prevent illegal disk access
(presumably caused by a virus), and to detect viruses before they can
infect software.
- Class 2 programs analyze disks to detect software that has already been
infected by a virus, and .
- Class 3 programs both detect software viruses, and repair infected
disks while erasing the virus.
There are many suitable anti-viral utilities out for the IBM and
Macintosh, and VirusX (a Class 3 public domain utility), is currently
among the best viral defenses in the Amiga market. In the Atari ST arena,
VKILLER (written by George Woodside) and Bootsector Technician (or Shotz,
written by Magnum Software) are two of the best Public Domain anti-viral
utilities. Virus Killer, by the CRL Group, is the most powerful and
complete anti-viral utility currently available for the Atari ST. While
it is a commercial program, it covers several areas (such as protection
against hard disk viruses) that the latter Public domain programs do not.
Also, it would be a good idea to keep all of your newly downloaded
Public Domain files on a separately designated disk, so you could both
test out all of your PD files to make sure they are bug-free, and so you
could lessen the risk of a computer virus by using an anti-viral utility
to run a daily check on that disk to make sure none of the files on it are
virus infested.
With the advent of viruses and Trojan Horse programs, computer users
of all types need to know as much as possible about not only their dan-
gers, but their internal operation, so as to take preventive measures
against the infection of their computer systems. One aspect about viruses
that is the most perplexing is the type of person that would knowingly
develop programs intended to cause havoc on any and all computers. In
companies, the most likely person would be a disgruntled employee. But in
many other situations viruses are created by a misguided/malicious person
who has a grudge towards another person or group. In other instances, an
ordinary programmer has designed a worm/virus to test his/her prowess at
code writing. Of course, there are MANY other better ways to test one's
skills as a programmer....
But while viruses ARE a potentially dangerous threat, the best
advice in protecting against one is to maintain a rational standpoint,
analyzing all suspicious occurrences calmly and logically, and not be-
coming overly frightened or paranoid of catching one. Given that the
chances of actually catching a virus are not overly large, and that cer-
tain viruses may have been written to act as terrorist devices, inducing
fear and suspicion among computer owners, taking reasonable preventive
measures as well as eliminating ALL other possibilities before suspecting
a viral infection would be the sensible thing to do.
> CPU STATUS REPORT? LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
=================
Issue #14
Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
- Sunnyvale, California ATARI SALES DROP 11% IN 4TH QUARTER
---------------------
Atari's sales for the 4th quarter ending December 31, 1990 were down 11%
compared to the like quarter a year ago. Sales for the 12 months ending
1990 were down 3%. Net income for 1990 was $14.9 million versus $4
million for 1989.
Like many other computer companies who's sales were also down for the
same period, Atari blames the Persian Gulf war for the decline in sales.
But Atari President Sam Tramiel is looking on the bright side, "Although
sales in the fourth quarter were understandably disappointing, the
company continues to strengthen its balance sheet. The Atari STE and
TT030 computer line, based on Motorola's 68000 and 68030 micro-
processors, continues to be a cornerstone of our business."
- Washington, D.C. CENSUS SAYS COMPUTER USE UP
----------------
According to a survey just released by the US Commerce Department, 15%
percent of US households now own computers, compared to only 8% in 1984.
Price reductions and availability of more uses for the machines are
attributed to the increase.
The survey shows that nearly 50% of those aged three to 17 used a com-
puter at home or in school compared to 30% in 1984. 28% of those 19 and
up are using a computer at home, work or school, up from 18% in 1984.
37% of the 115 million employed adults say they use a computer at work,
compared to 25% five years ago. One highlight of the survey shows that
more women, 43%, than men, 32%, use computers in the workplace.
- Armonk, New York IBM CUTS WORKFORCE BY 14,000
----------------
After recently startling the financial community with its announcment of
lower than expected earnings, this week IBM announced it will reduce its
worldwide workforce by 14,000 people or about 4% this year. The move is
expected to save about $200 million this year, $600 million next year,
and $800 million the year after.
- Santa Clara, California INTEL SETTLES SUIT WITH AMD
-----------------------
After U.S. District Court Judge William A. Ingram ruled that Intel does
not have a trademark on the 386 combination, Intel Corp. settled out of
court with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) over the use of "386" name on
chips. The two firms also settled AMD's countersuit alleging misappro-
priation of trade secrets, and which named Intel General Counsel F.
Thomas Dunlap. Other, unrelated lawsuits, are still pending between the
two firms.
- Sunnyvale, California NEW 386 CHIP 21% FASTER THAN INTELS
---------------------
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has released the AMD386DX-40, a pin-for-pin
plug-in replacement chip that is 21% faster than Intel's 33mhz 80386 32-
bit chip. The 40hmz AMD386 has been shipping for several weeks and al-
ready some of the smaller customers with "shorter design cycles", i.e.,
Northgate, Bell Computer, Orchid Technology and Cybertek, have started
using the product.
There are actually two versions of the AMD386 chip. The AMD386DX-40 and
the AM386DXL-40 which is a lower powered version. According to AMD, the
AMD386DXL-40 offers a static design that "dramatically reduces power
consumption and extends battery life in portable PC systems."
After defeating an attempt by Intel Corporation to stop its release (see
INTEL SETTLES SUIT WITH AMD), AMD hopes the chip will break Intel's 3-
year monopoly of the market.
- San Jose, California ALL DIGITAL ANSWERING MACHINE CHIPSET
--------------------
The DSP Group Inc., has announced the D6005, a new member of its D6000
family of chip sets for all-digital telephone answering devices (TAD).
The D6005 eliminates the need for audio tape by storing phone messages
on solid-state memory. This eliminates all moving parts, increases the
reliability and ease of use of the TAD.
In addition, the D6005 performs all of the functions for featurephones
and cordless phones, permitting designers of telephone equipment to
develop a range of products, from a stand-alone TAD to a complete phone
center combining TAD, featurephone and cordless telephone.
- San Jose, California TAPE RECORDER ON A CHIP
--------------------
Information Storage Devices (ISD) is producing a silicon chip that
enables the storage of up to 20 seconds of linear signals (voice, music
and sensor inputs), with system-level features that make the chip a true
analog storage subsystem. According to ISD, the chip plus a microphone,
speaker, and battery performs all the functions of a tape recorder
without a tape cassette or electromechanical mechanism. Audio input is
processed by and stored in the chip and sent directly to the speaker.
Storage integrity exceeds 10 years without power with the playback
quality exceeding telephone-grade audio.
- Washington, D.C. APPLE DISPLEASES DEALERS
----------------
Apple has upset many of its dealers by running advertisements in The
Wall Street Journal, Fortune, and The New York Times that carried the
following tag line in small print: "Prices shown are suggested retail.
But who pays retail anymore?"
According to the March 18th Computer Reseller News, some resellers, who
are used to seeing firm prices from Apple, were shocked to learn that
Apple's advertisements for their new printers carried the strong
implication that dealers would immediately discount the printers despite
reports that the low-priced StyleWriter and Personal LaserWriter LS are
in very short supply - Apple itself admitted that demand for the
StyleWriter far outstripped supply and that the product would be on
allocation for 4-6 months.
- Washington, D.C. MAC VS. MS-DOS SOFTWARE SALES
----------------
According to data recently released by the SPA concerning software sales
for the calendar year of 1990, MS-DOS education and game software are
both growing more rapidly than Macintosh software aimed at the same
market. Also, while the non-Macintosh and MS-DOS systems experienced a
1000% increase in spreadsheet sales, Macintosh experienced a 13% sales
drop. Integrated software dropped 4% for MS-DOS systems, 23.4% for
"other" systems (mostly Unix) and a 1% increase for the Macintosh. Both
language and utility tools sales for the Macintosh dropped 16%, but
increased 31.5% for MS-DOS systems.
Desktop Publishing (DTP) software showed a 36.5% gain for the year, with
graphics and DTP software sales for MS-DOS systems totaling $141 million
for the 4th quarter to $68.8 million for the Macintosh for the year.
DTP/graphics software sales for the Macintosh are the largest category
of software sold for the Macintosh, with graphics programs making up the
vast majority of those sales. But overall, the dollar value of DTP soft-
ware, minus graphics programs, is almost the smallest applications soft-
ware category tracked by the SPA, with only education software sales
being lower.
- Lake Success, New York CANON PRODUCES STILL DIGITAL VIDEO
---------------------- CAMERA FOR THE MAC
Canon U.S.A. is bundling its electronic Xap Shot Still Video Camera with
a ComputerEyes video digitizer and software manufactured by Digital
Vision. The package will allow users to input, adjust and store color
and black-and-white video images directly on a computer.
Versions of the kit are available for color and black-and-white PCs and
Macintoshes, and for the Apple IIGS, with prices ranging between $899
and $1,099.
- Atlanta, Georgia IBM FINALLY RELEASES NEW LAPTOP
----------------
IBM has finally released its new laptop, the PS/2 L40SX, in the United
States. The 7.7 pound box, will retail for $5,995. The 20mhz, 80386sx
system comes stock with a VGA screen, an external 101 key keyboard, a
mouse, which doubles as a track ball, a 60-meg hard drive, 2-meg of main
memory, an add-in slot, a cigarette lighter adaptor, a quick charge
adapter and a leather slip case.
The PS/2 L40SX a 'dashboard' above the keyboard which detects when the
power is running down or when it's too hot or humid for the machine to
operate, in which case it turns itself off. The battery can be removed
without losing data, and a 'resume' mode brings the user back to where
they were in the work in under 30 seconds. Battery life is rated at
about 3 hours.
- Rochester, New York KODAK MAKES COLORSQUEEZE P/D
-------------------
Eastman Kodak claims that its commercial product Colorsqueeze software
can compress high-quality color TIFF and PICT images stored in Macintosh
format by as much as 93 percent. To make it feasible for computer users
to download Colorsqueezed compressed files from bulletin board systems
or to purchase compressed files on disk, Kodak released its Color-
squeeze decompression tools to public domain so it can be freely copied
and distributed for non-commercial purposes. The decompression utility
has been uploaded to America On-Line, Applelink, CompuServe and
PressLink, as well as the GEnie online network.
- Indianapolis, Indiana VIDEOVGA FINALLY SHIPPING
---------------------
Almost eight months after its initial announcement, Truevision has
started shipping its VideoVGA, a VGA to NTSC professional grade video
card for PC-compatible computers. The card, an important device for
those who wish to edit and produce high quality television images on a
standard PC, provides simultaneous output of a standard non-interlaced
VGA monitor signal and the television videotape compatible NTSC (North
American Television Standards Committee) video standard used in the
U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Two versions will be available, a $1,000 512K memory card and a $1,200
version which comes with 1MB of onboard memory.
> CEBIT STATUS REPORT? CLOSING NEWS FROM CEBIT IN HANNOVER
===================
Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
- Private investment needed in Germany of the 90s
This was the first Cebit fair to be held in the newly-united Germany and
people are finding out that there are as many technical problems as sol-
utions in re-unification. Experts say it will take some time before the
level of voice and data exchange achieves Western standards because of
an out-dated and inadequate infrastructure in Germany's new federal
states. This applies to telephone and mobile phone services as well as
to satellite links and EDP (electronic data processing) communications.
This poses a considerable obstacle to telecommunications investors.
Jurgen W. Mollemann, German minister for economic affairs, said "Some 55
billion DM have been allocated to this task between now and 1997. There
is a huge demand for products and services in the information technology
sector in the five new federal states. In addition to the measures
introduced by the federal Post Office's Telekom company, opportunities
for private investment will also be considerably extended. Private
companies will be licensed to establish and operate mobile commun-
ications and satellite radio networks,"
- Ashton-Tate Intros Applause II Version 1.4
Ashton-Tate Corp. will be shipping the latest version of its Applause II
presentation graphics program this month. The program combines charting,
drawing and electronic slide show features and is designed to appeal to
business professionals who need to turn spreadsheet data into a black
and white chart and print it on a laser printer; executives who need
high-quality color slides, overheads or electronic slide shows for pre-
sentations; and graphic artists who need to create professional-quality
color graphics for marketing collateral and presentations. The new
version will have a 80,000-word spell checker, as well as local area net
work support and support for additional output devices.
- Award Software Unveils New BIOS Chipsets
Award Software, who's BIOS and system software products have been an
alternative to the market-leading Phoenix BIOS for desktop PCs, has
joined in the PC laptop and notebook battleground with its new 'modular'
BIOS which can be used with the new Intel 386SL processors for por-
tables.
The new BIOS features a new power management system - PowerMAX - which
claims to minimize power consumption and maximize laptop battery life
without sacrificing compatibility. Up to six peripheral devices can be
individually controlled in addition to global power management fun-
ctions. It also has ability to customize power management parameters
through MODBIN; support of system management interrupt; minimization of
power consumption when applications are idle by controlling the
processor clock and a suspend and resume feature which allows users to
return to an application instantly without booting the system.
- Goldstar Unveils New PCs
Goldstar, a Korean computer monolith, launched its first 80486-based
tower system. The GS-425 tower uses a 25 MHz 80486 processor, comes with
2MB of memory and includes 6 EISA-compatible expansion slots and two A-
bus slots.
GoldStar also introduced a 386SX-based laptop machine which offers a 40
MB hard disk, a modest 16 MHz processor speed, VGA LCD display and at a
weight of 5.9 kilograms.
- New Version Of Battery Watch Debuts
Travelling Software, one of the pioneers in developing applications spe-
cifically for laptops, has upgraded its popular Battery Watch utility.
Battery Watch Pro, which accurately assess just how much battery life is
left on your laptop, now includes direct support for 24 new laptop
models, provides context-sensitive help, offers a 'tune-up' feature to
show the history of battery performance in your machine and has a
generic install option for new or obscure systems.
-Epson Launches Three New Products
Epson unveiled three new state-of-the-art PC and printer products at
Cebit.
The first of these was a tower style EISA-based PC which uses either a
25 MHz or 33 MHz 80386 or 80486 microprocessor. Aimed at the PC server
market, this is Epson's first EISA system and is an attempt to move its
PC offerings upmarket. The basic machines comes with 4MB of RAM,
includes either a 100 or 200MB IDE hard disk and offers seven full-
length EISA expansion slots. In addition, there's room inside for RAM
expansion to a full 64MB, a 128K RAM cache (64K is included in the basic
system) and up to six half-height storage devices.
Next was the introduction of the NB3, a new 80386SX-based notebook sys-
tem. It offers not only a 20mhz 80386SX processor, a weight of less than
six pounds, 5MB of RAM and a removable hard disk system. The removable
hard disk packs 2.5-inch units which come in 20, 40 or 60mb sizes and
are supplemented by a 3.5-inch 1.44MB non-removable floppy disk drive.
Also, it will plug into an optional base station unit that offers
another 120MB of storage and space for two full-length AT-style
expansion cards.
Last was the European launch of its EPL-7500, its first fully PostScript
compatible printer. The Epson EPL-7500 claims to offer better PostScript
compatibility than most of its competitors as well as superior speed --
the latter achieved through the use of a RISC processor, rather than
then more conventional 68000-series microprocessors used in most
company's PostScript offerings.
***********************************************************************
: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!! <-
***********************************************************************
> Soft-Logik Online STR Feature? Conf. - SoftLogik Publishing Corporation
=============================
ONLINE CONFERENCE WITH DERON KAZMAIER
=====================================
ctsy GEnie Information Services
The following is a transcript of the Real Time Conference with Deron
Kazmaier, president of SoftLogik Publishing Corporation. The conference
topic was PageStream for the Atari ST and Commodore Amiga, and it was held
on Tuesday, March 26th, 1991. This transcript has been edited only for
spelling and clarity.
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Hello everyone. The room is now listen only. Please bear with me for a
second while I unlock Deron and Fred...
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Welcome to the second formal conference with SoftLogik President Deron
Kazmaier. Before we start, you should know how to raise your hand. If you
have a question, please type /RAI and I will see that you have a question.
You can do that any time, like now. OK, we will begin with Deron. Deron,
do you have any opening statement or should we just start with questions?
<DERON. K>
I would like to tell everyone what is new here at SL. Bear with me as I
type it in :-) On the Amiga, at the AmiExpo NY we showed Art Expression
(an object oriented drawing program) & BME (a simple bitmap editor) &
PageLiner (a simple text editor) & HotLinks (a program that runs in the
background and allows live editing of your pictures and text) That is a
REAL brief outline of the Amiga. On the ST, we will be showing at CEPS
pagestream v2. 1but you get to hear about it first here (official announ-
cement then) CEPS if the week of April 8th. I may get into other things,
but that is a good roundup of what's new. ga
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
OK, thanks. Our first questioner is job 6... Go ahead...
<[Jon] JONPETERSOHN>
Hi Deron. . thanks for being here with us. I'd like to know if you can
give us a release date for the ST version of PageStream, and any details
on the upgrades...
<DERON. K>
No! (alright maybe something :-) I don't suppose you would settle for RSN?
<[Jon] JONPETERSOHN>
RSN?
<DERON. K>
The upgrade will be $75 for registered owners of PageStream 1. 8(or ear-
lier) RSN mean real soon now. Never mind. Anyway, we expect the upgrade
notice to go out in about 2-3 weeks. we just got round one proofing out of
the way. (thanks to Mike Loader and Brad Kazmaier) and as most of the Beta
Testers can attest to, things have gone real smooth. They went from 0 to
mostly done in a few weeks. I can say for sure when it will be out, but
I'm confident that(make that can't!) but the manual should be the holdup,
not the program. BTW the new manual will actually be two manuals, one
spiral bound, the other saddle stitched. Two color, and well written
(again thanks to MikeL) ga
<[Jon] JONPETERSOHN>
Thanks for the info, I'll let someone else go now. . THANKS!
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Thanks, Jon. Now it is the Martin team:
<[John & ] D. D. MARTIN>
Thanks for the conference, Nevin. . good to see you, Deron. I'd like to
know if PgS 2 is going to support MAC postscript graphics on screen displ-
ay? Also. . other features we may look forward to? ga
<DERON. K>
Gee, the list of features is LONG. But Mac postscript graphics on screen
is a no go. The only postscript on-screen will be IBM EPS with TIFF heade-
rs. As far as import modules, we will be adding with v2, TIFF, MacPaint,
GIF, ProDraw & DR2D (object oriented Amiga drawing formats) IBM EPS, and
also a IMG print to disk driver (mostly for faxes) OK? GA
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Anything else, John and DD?
<[John & ] D. D. MARTIN>
Seems odd that you would opt for IBM EPS when most of ST users are using
GCR to produce MAC EPS... ? ? Any reason for not oops. . yea... but why
IBM?
<DERON. K>
Anyway, the reason is that Mac headers use PICT, which can be anything
that the mac can output, and then some (something like a GEM metafile) We
have been working on just grabbing the PICT bitmaps, but it probably won't
be done by then. Anyway, most MAC drawing programs can save the IBM header
(including FreeHand) ga
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
OK, next up is Steve Markow...
<[steve] S. MARKOW>
Deron, can we place our orders now, to be first in line Also, looking
ahead, is there anything in the works for the next upgrade? (talk about
jumping the gun!) . . ga
<DERON. K>
Well, yes we started taking orders about two weeks ago informally. We hope
to be able to ship them all out about the same day. So don't fret. But I
can tell you that when the notice goes in the mail the phone will be busy
a lot. As far as the next version, I can't really say. But there is al-
ready an upgrade in the works for HotLinks support on the Amiga, and may
work its way over to the ST. We are doing other things on the ST as well.
Sorry I can't say more than that about x. x (3. 0? ) ga
<[steve] S. MARKOW>
So can I call in the morning with my Credit card #... ga
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Ok, thanks Steve.
<M. REARDON1>
Can you tell us about fonts? Will we be able to use the fonts we now have?
?
Ga
<DERON. K>
You bet. Not only that, the outlines will display on screen for point
sizes above about 26pts, but bitmaps will print to dot matrix for very
small sizes, plus you can use Adobe Type 1 outlines, Adobe Bitmaps, AFM's,
and CompuGraphic Intelifonts. And you can have them matching up with each
other. GA
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Anything else?
<M. REARDON1>
thanks... ga
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Thanks. OK, next up is Ringo from California.
<R. MONFORT1>
My question is about Linotronic output are the are the drivers update and
how will the new font works and the old ones.
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Deron, his question is are there new drivers for Lino printers and how
will the new fonts work?
<DERON. K>
OK, there is a significant new driver for postscript. In fact there is
only one driver now. The old Postscript/Lino/ColorPS driver have been
merged into one driver. It supports EPS much better (fixing things like
clipping and work better with illegal EPS files) and as far as the fonts
and PostScript goes,old . DMF;s are downloaded automatically, and Adobe
Type1's as well. There is no support for printing Compugraphic to PostSCr-
ipt, but you can have both an Adobe type1 and CG font, one for Dot Matrix
and on Screen, the other for downloading to PS. Answered? GA
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Ringo, do you have another question?
<[Sysop#2] FRED. M>
Also, you no longer will need the . PS and . PSF font files!
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
OK, I guess that's it from Ringo. Next up is Kibo... .
<DERON. K>
Unless you want built in fonts. Then you need PS still.
<[Kibo] JPARRY>
An arcane font question... what "hinting" will 2. 1 support for NON-PostS-
cript printers?
<DERON. K>
Good question actually. We support very little of the PostScript hinting
to non-postscript devices, but CG fonts are fully hinted. Our fonts have
not changed, and I would rather improve PostSCript hinting support than
work on that. GA
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Anything else, Kibo?
<[Kibo] JPARRY>
Ga... I'm done
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Thanks. Deron, I have a question here. Can you rank the quality of the
Compugraphic hinted fonts as compared to the regular fonts we are used to,
and UltraScript fonts? Will we still need UScript if we're not printing an
EPS file? ga
<DERON. K>
Well, CG Compugraphic fonts are as good or better than PostScript. It
doesn't use regularizing like PS does. The output for CG fonts will be at
least as good as US, but you still won't get EPS files printing without
US. GA
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Thanks. LOTS less printing to disk. Next up is #9. Go ahead...
<[Ron] R. HARISCH1>
Any plans to support the new 24 bit color boards available for the Amiga
(like the ColorBurst board) ?
<DERON. K>
Well, we've been on MAST's a** for the last few months trying to get specs
on their board. The big thing is that they are not supported by the Amiga
OS, and you have to play tricks to make it work, but we are looking into
it (and others) just we don't know how much work lies ahead of us. Easy
Fred!HAM-E is even more
work, and I would rather spend the effort on true 24-bit boards. ga
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Anything else #9?
<[Ron] R. HARISCH1>
Is Sl still planning to release the Image Club collection of fonts?
<DERON. K>
You bet, we've finally finished the technical aspects, but we are still
working on the manual. We are trying to compile a list of programs that
use type1's and how to make it work with them. GA
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Thanks, Ron. Next up from Virginia is Mr. Montgomery: Go ahead.
<C. MONTGOMERY>
5 quickies...
1) can we use GEM pics from touchup ???
2) can you mix types of fonts in a doc???
3) mix fonts in a folder?
4) what is a "built in font"?
5) what is a hinted font??? thanks ga
<DERON. K>
ok, nice list.
1) don't know what you mean! TouchUp can save in IFF, IMG,TIFF, and we can
load those all. GEM is a object format that would be meaningless in tou-
chup.
2) Yes! You can even have a normal DMF, and bold PostScript,and an italic
Compugraphic. All in the same word if you wanted :-)
3) Yes, you can mix them to your hearts content in the folders. I actually
keep the fonts all over. back to #1The "dinky" file you refer to is worth-
less. GEM Metafile has the ability to "
<C. MONTGOMERY>
When you save a scan it gives you a large IMG and a SMALL GEM file. Why
not keep the dinky one? include The dinky file is a GEM Metafile that
includes an outside IMG file. In other words, its a place holder for
programs that can ONLY import GEM Metafiles. Trust me, just delete them.
(if you're using just PageStream :-) no, where were we, #4:
<C. MONTGOMERY>
built in font & hinted font?
<DERON. K>
A "built in" font I was referring to is those fonts that reside inside the
PostScript printer in the ROMS, or PostScript Printers attached Hard
Drive. The Font Disk A uses those fonts.
<DERON. K>
5. Hinted fonts are fonts that have commands built into them that explain
how to print the characters better at small point sizes so that the width
of the stems and other parts are better. In all, it improves the quality
of the individual characters. OK? GA
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Thanks for those questions. Next up, on the rebound, are the Martins
again:
<[John & ] D. D. MARTIN>
couple short questions... . any improvement in TABS... Leaders... and
Right/Left Justify when on the same line? (like menu pricing or catalog
price lists) ga
<DERON. K>
Well, in short, no. However, not much longer (it's #1 on the list) ga
<[John & ] D. D. MARTIN>
okay... Pantone color support? also... update to Font Editor? ga
<DERON. K>
You can now enter in colors via a full CMYK box. and if you import an EPS
file that includes custom colors, it will add those to your color palette.
So, if you own Adobe Illustrator, you can import their file call Pantone.
EPS and get all the Pantone colors, or for $60 you can buy the Pantone
Process color selector and enter them yourself as you need them. However,
we find that the best thing. I know what you want, we do it all the
time!Anyway, you can right now just create some color and mark it as a
mechanical, and name it Pantone 405 or whatever. When you print it will
separate that out and you can just give it to the printer, and he will go
from there. If you want color proofs, you can give it the CMYK colors as
defined in the Process Guide. Understand? GA
<[John & ] D. D. MARTIN>
CMY is of no use to me... I need Pantone spot colors for screen printing
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Thanks, DD. Next up is Walt. Deron, they also asked about Font Editor
update ga
<DERON. K>
Sorry! Well, Mike is busy on the C version of it, and it will have some
enhancements in it. Something your looking for? He's always interested in
feedback. ga
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Apparently there is a very good PGS compatible font editor out of England
which Jay Pierstorff used to make his great Icecube font. Deron, have you
heard of this editor?
<DERON. K>
No, but then again, most people think they have to reverse engineer our
font format to get to it :-) ga
[Editor's Note:
The name of the great PageStream font editor is Font Designer Plus!
Computer Safari has this item in stock.]
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
OK, next up is Walt. Go ahead, Walt.
<[walt] W. WEBER>
Does the $75 upgrade fee have anything extra needed (like print drivers or
ex/im modules) ? ... ga...
<DERON. K>
Well, for $75 dollars, you get the full disk set,two new manuals, as I
mentioned before, and a quick-reference card. GA
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Anything else, Walt?
<[walt] W. WEBER>
THANKS for getting the ST version out; can we fax orders tomorrow? ?
<DERON. K>
sure, 314-894-3280, or call 800-829-8608
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Thanks walt, is that it?
<[walt] W. WEBER>
yep - thanks!!
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
OK, next up is Nathan Potechin of ISD! Just kidding... Next up is Ringo...
.
Go ahead, Ringo.
<R. MONFORT1>
I only wanted to know how fast is the printout and the screen draw for the
new PageStream. I hope the new TT030 is faster. Thank You.
<DERON. K>
Well, it's hard for me to say. I now use a TT, and its plenty fast for me
:-) We can try and do some timing comparisons between 1. 8 and 2. 1 Some-
things like typing and zooming in will work much faster. Some things are
slower. ga
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Thanks, Ringo. Next up is our friend Bob Brodie, from Atari Corp. Go
ahead, Bob.
<BOB-BRODIE>
Hi Deron, first I'd like to congratulate you on PageStream. It's always
been my first choice as a DTP program for as long as I have been doing DTP
work. And the new version sounds really amazing from all that I have heard
about it. One of the things that we at Atari are really excited about is
our new scalable font technology- FSM GDOS. Is there any chance. . that a
future update to Page Stream might use FSM? GA
<DERON. K>
Well, will future updates of GDOS include things like multipart polygons,
definable screening, etc? Well, we hope that FSM will take off, and we can
always write a print driver that handles it. But to be honest, GDOS has
always been a problem with users in the way of installation, etc, and with
Imagen, oops, QMS the way they are, perhaps you will ad PostScript type 1
support? ... I know, you have nothing to do with this Bob! The short
answer is maybe! ga
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Anything else, Bob?
<[Sysop#2] FRED. M>
What will be the minimum memory requirements for the ST with the new PgS
v2.1 ?
<DERON. K>
1 meg of RAM, but tight if you get crazy (same as always... ) GA
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
OK, thanks Bob. next up is Ron again. Go ahead, Ron.
<[Ron] R. HARISCH1>
How is SL's structured drawing program for the Amiga Comparable in feat-
ures to ProDraw (i. e. autotracing bitmaps wrapping text to curves, etc)?
<DERON. K>
Yes, and then some. Things like ease of use, DR2D support, Importing of
Adobe Illustrator files as objects, ability to place objects along a path
transform, text along a path, text inside a shape, rotation about a defin-
able points, etc. GA
<[Ron] R. HARISCH1>
What types of fonts can be used with the drawing program? ga
<DERON. K>
Adobe Type 1's. That's basically were we see the best future. GA
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
thanks. Deron, any chance of this coming to the ST? I am drooling... ga
<DERON. K>
well, we have the option, but it honestly depends on how PageStream is
received
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
OK, thanks. Next up is J.VOGH...Go ahead.
<DERON. K>
disconnected. [Chatter while waiting for Deron to re-connect... ]
<DERON. K>
Sorry about that, Genie bumped me.
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
OK we'll continue...
<DERON. K>
About ST version of Art Expression we will see about that. Depends on PgS
2.1. We do plan on fully promoting PageStream, and give it a good chance.
we are also working on some AppleTalk networking stuff and I think that
shows we are committed to pushing the Atari ST. Besides, what the people
at Atari have been doing, with the new machines, FSM, color boards from
others, etc, and the positive work being done by Bill, Bob, and others I
think will pay off in the end. If they can only keep a President longer
than a few weeks. ga
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
BTW, folks, Art Expression is the name of the amazing drawing program for
the Amiga that was shown at the New York show last week.
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
OK, next up is number 16. Go ahead.
<J. VOGH>
Ok Does 2,1 or support object connection to text? Or will a future version
support this. Also , has the spelling checker been improved? ga.
<DERON. K>
No, if you mean graphics tagged to follow a point in the text. It's still
slow if that's what you mean. GA
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Anything else?
<J. VOGH>
Heres another vote for ST Art Expression. That's all.
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
OK, next up is #6.
<[Jon] JONPETERSOHN>
Hello again. Are screen redraws on 2. 1 faster than 1. 8? What about a
driver for HP DeskJet printers? Can I visit you next time in St louis? ga
<DERON. K>
I think I answered that one about as well as I can. What was that last
one? ga
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Driver for HP Deskjet.
<DERON. K>
Yes, there is a driver for the Deskjet. No problem, things like typing are
faster in 2. 1, and if you are zoomed in things are much faster, but as
far as full page, it depends on the fonts and memory. We don't normally
except visitors. We are not really geared for that. Sorry. Catch me and
others at a show! GA
<[Jon] JONPETERSOHN>
thanks! later!
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Folks, any other questions? Otherwise we'll wrap it up. OK, Montgomery...
oops, Pattie is first. Go ahead, Pattie.
<[Pattie] UNICORNPUB>
Deron, I have two questions... . 1st) Will the colors we put into the
color palette CMYK be actually visible on the screen... I mean a closer
representation than 4 colors in medium rez. ga
<DERON. K>
Well, I'm not sure what resolution/# colors you are talking about. It
doesn't dither on screen, but it does automatically pick the best on
screen color. But the only good way to do color work is with at least 16
colors, or better yet 256 colors. (or 24bit!!!) ga
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Anything else, Pattie?
<C. MONTGOMERY>
as we have spent a lot of time adding to the dictionary will we be able to
transfer it ? and
<[Pattie] UNICORNPUB>
Will PS support the Printware 720IQ printer?
<C. MONTGOMERY>
will the create page speed up on a mega 4 ? ?
<DERON. K>
Pattie first,
<C. MONTGOMERY>
of course
<[Pattie] UNICORNPUB>
That's a 1200 DPI plain paper typsetter. ga
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
The other question, from Montgomery, was can you use your existing PGS
dictionary and is printing to an SLM faster with 2. 1. ga
<DERON. K> is the Printware postscript? I believe it is, and yes we do.
The dictionary has not changed format, so yes, and printing to the SLM
will be direct (no more diablo!) and will be faster for most things.
Clear as mud, but the best I can do until we do times! ga
<[Jon] JONPETERSOHN>
Just wanted you to know that the newsletter I do for the local Elementary
School on my ST with PageStream, was shown at the state convention as an
example of the RIGHT way to do a newsletter... Thanks for the great pro-
duct SAL and Atari! That's SL and Atari!
<DERON. K>
That was an easy question :-) Thanks for the compliment.
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Starting next Tuesday, there will be a conference every week beginning at
9:45. These will be free-for all's. In April, we will have "Theme Month".
Next Tuesday, the 2nd, will be a free form followup to this formal con-
ference, where you can ask the sysops any questions you forgot to ask
Deron. On the 9th the theme will be Linotronic printing, so if you have
questions on this topic, drop by. On the 16th we will talk about color
desktop publishing, from the HP DeskJet to color seps at 3000 dots per
inch. Finally, on the 23rd we will have a conference on making money in
DTP. That's it. All times are 9:45pm eastern time. Deron, do you have any
final comments? ga
<DERON. K>
Well, nothing more than I hope we answered most everyone's questions, and
those that we didn't, please ask them later! Also, I hope to be getting on
line for the conferences more often, as well as try and get some of the
others around here responsible for the new products on the Amiga and ST on
line for some as well. Thanks everyone! ga
<[Sysop] NEVIN-S>
Ok, thanks very much for coming here tonight Deron. We will now go into
frenzy mode.
[Editor's Note:
The retail price will of PageStream 2. 1/ST will be $299.95.
Upgrades will be $75.00.]
______________________________________________________________
> The Flip Side STR Feature? "....a different viewpoint"
=========================
A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT
==================================
by Michael Lee
----------------
About DeskTop Publishing for the ST, from Bill Rayl (AIM) on Genie...
In my opinion, currently there are really only two choices for
professional DTP on the ST -- Calamus and PageStream. Both are
excellent programs, and choosing the one that's best for you is going
to be partly a matter of personal preferences. I'm not going to
discuss favoring one package over the other because of user inter-
face, except to say that I personally like 'em both. Calamus had a
bigger "learning curve." PageStream lacks some of Calamus' typo-
graphic controls, like the ability to set grayscale and offset of
shadows on text/objects.
Here are some other, more practical, reasons why you might want to
choose one package over the other:
If, like most "normal" people, you plan to output most/all your DTP
masterpieces to a laser printer (other than Postscript), DeskJet, or
24-pin/9- pin printer, Calamus is going to be hard to beat. If output
quality is a big concern, Calamus beats the pants off PageStream. On
a page-by-page comparison, Calamus font and graphics output on a
standard LaserJet II or DeskJet is *noticeably* sharper than Page-
Stream. And, in general, Calamus outputs a page noticeably faster
than PageStream, as well.
If, on the other hand, you plan to output to a Postscript laser or
photoprocessor, PageStream is currently a better choice. By using
PageStream, you can take advantage of *any* service bureau's ser-
vices. With Calamus, your options are seriously limited when it comes
to 1200+ dpi output.
If you plan to do color DTP - especially four-color (process)
separations - PageStream is currently the only choice, and it does it
very well. In this respect, PageStream outshines DTP packages on the
Mac.
In a nutshell, if you're outputting to anything but a Postscript
device, Calamus output is faster and more professional looking. In
fact, Calamus output on an HP LaserJet II is *as good* as Postscript
laser output from PageStream. If you want/need to output to the local
service bureau's phototypesetter or to do full color DTP with separ-
ations, you're going to need the Postscript capabilities of Page-
Stream.
------------------
Question from Pedro Aguilera on CIS...
Does anyone know what are the differences between European and
American ST's? I've heard that some programs, especially games, don't
run correctly on the wrong version...what are differences? Only in
TOS? In the case, can the problem be solved by changing TOS chips?
Answer from Bob Retelle (Sysop) on CIS...
...there are several areas where STs made for other countries may
differ...the TOS ROMs contain different information depending on the
country...the keyboards and character sets may be different depending
on the language used locally...the voltage that the power supply uses
...the display screen frequency (you may notice that some European
games tend to flicker badly, or may make the monitor roll. They are
written for a different frequency..)
You might be able to use a voltage converter for the power supply...
replacing the TOS ROMs might work (although the keyboard markings
would still be wrong, of course). You might be able to adjust the
monitor to work with the 50hz display (the frequency difference is
caused by the difference in line voltages. In Europe, their "mains"
run at 50Hz, so their monitors sync at that frequency. The result is
that some software may not sync correctly at 60 Hz...that's vertical
sync, not horizontal which isn't the same.)
That's all theoretical though, as I don't know of anyone who's
actually tried it...
----------------
Question from Mike Squire to Gadgets by Small on Genie...
...If I elected to purchase one of your SST boards, what additional
modifications would I need to make to my MegaST2 in order to have the
board operate properly...I am under the impression...that I would
need to increase my system's memory from 2 Megs to 4 Megs in order to
use the SST.
Answer from George Richardson (Merlin Group) on Genie...
...the SST board doesn't *require* 4 megs of ST memory. It'll run
with just 512k. However, the additional memory on the SST cannot be
used for all ST programs (all programs written for the TT's Fastram
should work though). Screen memory must be in ST ram, all disk tran-
sfers are to ST ram, all Blitter accesses are in ST ram.
If you're at all familiar with the Amiga, you could think of the ST
memory as being like Amiga chip ram, and SST Fastram as being like
Amiga Fastram...think of it this way. Since screen memory must be in
ST ram - to do really fast page flipping animation as many images as
possible must be put in ST ram (Amiga chip ram) - for this reason
Commodore expanded the original chip ram area of the Amiga. Now with
the SST, you can have 4 meg of "chip ram", and up to 8meg of 32 bit
memory that is used exclusively for the 68030.
The bottom line is, you can expand your ST memory if you think you
may need more "chip ram" but if you haven't expanded it before now,
you probably don't need to. The SST doesn't need it.
----------------
From Capt. John J. Amsler on CIS...
The Mitsubishi Diamond Scan multisynch monitor works GREAT in
monochrome mode, but absolutely terribly in either low or medium
resolution. I thought I was getting a good piece of equipment, but
events proved otherwise.
----------------
Question from Harry Wootan on Genie...
I'd like to get a copy of the latest complete set of utilities AND
the documentation. How much do I send in to get the latest utilities?
Answer from Tom (ICD) on Genie...
$15 gets US residents the latest manual AND diskette.
----------------
From A.BITTON1 on Genie...
Horror Zombies From The Crypt by Millenium (designed by Astral).
Another one of them sideview scrolling platform games. This one has
zombies, Frankenstein's monsters, and other nasties.
The best horror game I've ever played is Night Hunter by UBI Soft...
available through Electronic Arts. It's a sideview flick-scrolling
game. You ARE the vampire! You can turn into a bat or a werewolf. You
must retrieve a scroll, a bottle, a crucifix, and 5 keys. Then, you
just find the blue door to exit the level. You can grab assorted
humans to replenish your strength gauge (blood). This sequence is
quite funny. You grab 'em by the neck, you bite 'em and you drink
their blood, to the tune of nifty digitzed sound effects (Chomp!
Slurp-slurp!).
The enemy artificial intelligence is above-average. The archers can
walk backwards and aim their arrows in 5 directions. Some of the
enemies on the later levels have everything from mirrors, holy water,
and wooden stakes!! As time goes by, the moon makes it way across the
sky, and when it reaches the right side of the sky, you must find the
crypt to sleep through the day.
That annoying extra border around the ST's screen is used to show
what time of night it is: it starts out very dark blue and lightens
gradually. Very handy. The sound is GREAT!!! It's all digitized and
the samples only use one voice at a time. It can play three samples
simultaneously! The sound consists of howl hoots, bat squeaks, and
assorted night critters stuff. As day approaches, birds begin
singing. All the enemies have sounds too: the twang of an archer
firing an arrow, the thud of an axe hitting you, everything has its
own sound! When you walk through the forest or the graveyard, you're
treated to a solid background of chirring crickets (I think), and all
the other sounds are still active. Definitely the MOST atmospheric
soundtrack of ANY game!!!
It's a hard game though. But you can save 10 positions on disk 2!
2 disks, single-sided. This is a newer version. The old version has
you retrieving 5 keys and 3 scrolls (numbered 1 through 3). Don't get
that one! It won't let you save your game!
----------------
From Joshua Mendolusky on CIS...
The Reflex Graphic Card from Titan Designs Ltd., currently only
available in England, will shortly be distributed by JOACQUIM Soft-
ware and Peripherals in the US. This graphic card is designed for use
with monochrome monitors, allowing 1280x800 resolution on a standard
SM124. The current version is only available for MEGA ST, but 520/
1040 support is only weeks away. Other features:
* 9-pin and 13-pin ports for use with standard 15 inch "Page
screen" and 21 inch CAD monitors
* 1280x800 pixels on an SM124
* 800x1280 resolution on a "Page screen", A3 monitor
* over 2000x1500 resolution on a 21' CAD monitor
* software included has a number of support features
* compatible with a number of monochrome programs such as
Calamus, Timeworks, etc.
Price is tentative, but for the moment I expect it should run between
$350.00 and $400.00 (depending on the rate of exchange.
----------------
From Nathan (ISD) on Genie...
I spoke to Germany and NO, they haven't released Calamus SL in
Germany yet. (BIG SIGH)
----------------
Until next week.....
____________________________________________________________
> MAC REPORT?
==========
Issue #004
----------
by Robert Allbritton
*** RADIUS ROCKETS MAC INTO '040
On Monday, March 25, Radius Inc introduced the Radius Rocket: the
first NuBus based accelerator for the Macintosh. The Rocket sports a 25Mhz
68040, but it has been designed with a 33Mhz version of the '040 in mind
and will require no modifications once the 33Mhz version is released by
Motorola.
The Rocket is a standard NuBus peripheral card and will work on
any Macintosh II. It has its own SIMM slots and can accommodate up to 128
megabytes of memory that is 120 nanosecond or faster. Parity SIMMS may
also be used. Another feature of the Rocket is its incorporation of the
Radius QuickColor graphics engine for general display acceleration and the
Radius QuickCAD display list accelerator.
The Rocket is significant in the way that it is the first acceler-
ator for the Mac that does not replace the original processor. Because
the Rocket is a complete "computer on a card" in its own right, the proce-
ssor and memory inside the Macintosh are used as an input/output processor
and sound manager while the Rocket concentrates on main program execution.
This combination gives throughput of up to three times the speed of the
top of the line Macintosh IIfx.
*** TANDEM SPEAKS APPLETALK
In June of 1990, Apple made the proliferation of the AppleTalk
network protocol one of its long term goals. Another step along that road
was made this week when Tandem Computers announced that they had licensed
the AppleTalk protocol and would be using it Tandem's new DAL servers.
Other companies that have licensed the protocol as a part of the program
include Novell, Go Corp., AT&T, Digital, and Farallon.
Mac Review?
THE GHOST OF PORTABLES PAST AND FUTURE HAUNT APPLE
==================================================
A year and a half ago, Apple introduced the Macintosh portable for
$7,000. They expected to ship over 120,000 units in the first year of
production alone, yet they failed to sell even 80,000. It was the first
flop from Apple computer since the Apple III. At a recent press conferen-
ce, Apple chairman John Sculley, who oversaw much of the portable's devel-
opment, admitted publicly that the machine had been a failure.
Why? How could a machine that had a virtual monopoly on the por-
table Mac market fail? Simple: Apple did not do its research very well. At
a time in which notebook computers were gaining in popularity, Apple chose
to build a 16 pound monster that measured 15 x 15 x 4 inches and could not
be used in any but the best of lighting conditions. The Mac Portable was
an oxymoronic design. The electrical engineers were told to make a machine
that would last up to 10 hours on batteries, and could display rapid
moving graphics - all other criteria could be sacrificed. What they produ-
ced was a machine that had the ability to run on batteries for a long
time, but was too heavy and bulk for anyone to want to take it away from
desk, much less a wall socket.
The other problem was the price: at $7,000 for a hard drive equi-
pped portable, it was just way out of line with DOS based competitors. A
MacUser review at the time joked that because of its weight and size "the
Portable will be tricky to use on an airliner tray table unless you're in
first class, and considering the price of the Portable, that's where it's
most likely to be seen anyway."
Over time, the price question was solved as Apple took on its new
low price, high volume policy. Current Portable retail prices are hovering
at the $3,000 mark. The question of using the Portable in marginal ligh-
ting situations was also taken care of as back lighting was added to its
active matrix screen, but all of this is not intended to save the Por-
table, just extend its life.
John Sculley has admitted that "we missed the boat with the Por-
table, but we are not going to miss the notebook market." He further vowed
that Apple will produce a notebook computer by year end. The big question
is what will it be? Well as usual, your MacReporter has the inside scoop
on what's up in Cupertino.
Much like Scrooge trying to rid himself of Moorley's ghost Apple
will try again to do good on its promise of a better portable. Apple has
planned not one new portable, but a whole line of portables with two
different introduction dates.
The top of the line Mac Notebook will have a 16 Mhz 68030 proces-
sor (but no math co-processor,) an active matrix, backlit, black and white
LCD screen, keyboard, track ball, 1.44 Floppy drive, 2 Megs of RAM and a
40 Megabyte hard drive for $4,800. It will weight under 7 pounds and will
measure 9.5 x 11 x 2 inches (or just one inch wider than a normal piece of
paper.) It will have battery power for up to 3 hours and options will
include RAM expansion cards and an internal 2400 Baud modem. A second
model will be identical to the top of the line, but it will have a 16Mhz
68020 and a supertwist LCD display that will have a slower screen refresh
time (the Stacy uses a supertwist screen.) It will also have a lower price
tag at under $4,000. Both the '030 and '020 notebooks are set for an
October 15 debut.
With a little luck, and Japan willing, the new star of the Mac
line will be available by Christmas. Sony will be manufacturing the smal-
lest and lightest of the new Mac portables. At only 5.5 pounds and 8.5 x
11 x 1.75 inches, this new notebook looks to be among the best that Japan
has to offer in MS-DOS compatibles. It will use a 16Mhz 68000 (same as in
the current Mac Portable) and have keyboard, track ball, and a backlit
supertwist LCD as standard. Also included are 2 Megs of RAM and a new 40
Megabyte 2.5 Inch Conner Kato hard drive. Retail price should be only
$2,500. If Apple and Sony can deliver, it could be more popular than the
Classic.
It is interesting to note that the Stacy shares very similar
specifications to the current Macintosh Portable (Yes, the Stacy can run
on batteries - internal packs are made by MultiByte of Sterling, Virginia)
and the new Sony / Apple portable matches descriptions of the new notebook
ST that Atari has shown at recent trade shows. Atari: call Dave Small NOW
get into a marketing agreement - get that puppy to market this summer! You
can do it if you want to - look how quickly the original ST was designed
and built, call Dad if you need instructions.
In the next few weeks we will have reviews of A/UX - Apple's
version of UNIX and legal Macintosh clones - how close are they?
__________________________________________________________________
> STR Portfolio News & Information? Keeping up to date...
================================
THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM
=========================
On CompuServe
by Walter Daniel 75066,164
Beta testing for the PowerBASIC: Portfolio compiler has been com-
pleted. PowerBASIC should be available soon.
The effort to produce a version of WordPerfect for the Portfolio is
back on track. If it makes it to market, the product will be a version of
LetterPerfect or WordPerfect Executive. If you would like WordPerfect on
the Portfolio, write, call, or email WP Corp. so they will know of your
interest.
Here is the address to send request letters for WP/Port:
Brent Garlick
Third Party Marketing
WordPerfect Corporation
1555 N. Technology Way
Orem, UT 84057
or, they can call (801)225-5000 to log a request. A letter to Brent (or I
should say MANY letters to Brent) would be more effective.
DIP, the British designer of the Portfolio, has been experimenting
with adding memory and other features to the machine. What do you think
the next Portfolio should have? More memory? A larger screen? Send your
comments to John Drinkwater, Support Manager for DIP, at 75300,242 so they
will know what we consumers want.
John Feagans' software that enables a Portfolio to use a Tandy Por-
table Disk Drive 2 (PDD2) is now available. The PDD2 (catalog number
26-3814) normally retails for $219.95, but is sometimes on sale at Radio
Shack. Used ones can also be found in the Model 100 Forum (GO M100SIG).
You need a Portfolio serial interface and a DB25 female-to-DB9 female
cable (Radio Shack catalog number 26-3803) for the PDD2. The software
itself comes on PC disk ($40) or a 64k card ($70). For more information,
contact John at 75300,703. I'll pass along more information in the fut-
ure.
One user reported that he was able to run Infocom's Hitchhiker's Guide
to the Galaxy text adventure on his Portfolio. The HHGTTG disk came with
a program to set the screen size. After he set the screen size to 40x8,
he copied the COM and game data files to a 128k RAM card (it does fit) and
ran the program without any problems. Another user reported that Infoc-
om's Deadline also works on the Portfolio. Yet another user suggested
trying the various DOS text adventure creation games on the Portfolio. If
you know of any such games that run on the Portfolio, please let me know
so that we can take advantage of them.
It is possible to transfer files between a Portfolio and an Atari ST
using the parallel interface if you have the right software. STFOLI.LZH
(program) and STFOLI.ASC (text file) were uploaded this week for just such
purposes. While it does requires a special cable, you do have the con-
venience of parallel port transfers.
Whenever you boot a Portfolio, the keyclick sound is turned on. If
you don't like the keyclick, download NOCLIC.COM from library 1. By
calling this program from your AUTOEXEC.BAT file, you can automatically
turn off the keyclick when you boot.
___________________________________________________________
> DOUBLE CLICK STR InfoFile? DC SHOWER!!!!
=========================
================
NOW! NOW! NOW!
================
Available now!
If you loved DC SHOWIT, you'll love DC SHOWER!
(pronounced: Dee Cee Sho Ir)
This is SHOW magic! SHOW 'NUF!
DC Shower replaces the GEM desktop SHOW FILE function with up to seven DC
Shower modules that let you view text files, binary files, 17 different
picture formats, and (even extract) ARC, LZH, ZIP and ZOO archives.
Use the DC Pick desk accessory to view files in any GEM program.
Or, use DC Shower directly from UIS 3.3 (simply drag a file to the <P>
button in UIS 3.3 and click on SHOW).
Or, you can install DC Shower as the ALTERNATIVE SHOW in NeoDesk 3.0 for
even more power!
Fully compatible with all ST, STe and TT computers. 100% assembly!
Check out what the April 1991 ST Informer says about DC Shower!
They love it!
Only $29.95! Ask your dealer for a copy!
++++++++++++
SPECIAL DEAL
++++++++++++
Get DC Shower for 1/3 off the retail price!
As a special bargain, you can have DC Shower for only $19.95 (US)!
Simply send us a disk with a copy of DC Showit v1.0 or v1.1 and $19.95!
(DC Showit is available online on GEnie, CompuServe, the DCS BBS, and
many, many other BBS throughout the world - in case you are interested.)
(add $3(US) or $5(foreign) shipping/handling, TX residents add 8.25% tax)
This offer ends June 1, 1991.
Mail, COD, VISA and MC orders welcome.
You can reach us almost everywhere!
=======
By Mail
=======
Double Click Software
PO BOX 741206
Houston, TX 77274
========
By Phone
========
Double Click Software : (713)977-6520
======
Online
======
GEnie : DOUBLE-CLICK (CATegory 30)
CompuServe : 75300,577 (GO ATARIVend, area 13)
Usenet : uace0@menudo.uh.edu
DC BBS : (713)944-0108
_____________________________________________________
> CONDEMNED? STR Spotlight? "We've been somewhat premature!"
========================
ALL THINGS MUST BE CONSIDERED!
==============================
by R. F. Mariano
Recently, a situation has developed that deserves our sincere and
unbiased attention. The reason this matter deserves the attention of the
users is because it depicts a very typical problem in our small, but
highly communicative computing community. It appears that a young man,
Anthony Hall age 27, a new and upcoming developer, decided to announce an
exciting new desktop accessory. Below, we present for all to see the
exact announcement of this new program.
============== CalAssistant ==============
THE ONLINE HELP ACCESSORY
FOR CALAMUS DTP SOFTWARE
o Help is just a mouse click away!
o The first online help companion for Calamus DTP software. CalAssis-
tant is an accessory program that runs on top of Calamus.
o Using efficient code management and overlay swapping, memory re-
quirement is kept at 90K maximum.
o This program uses text, icons and pictures to illustrate, explain
and give tips for commands and functions step by step. Since the
Calamus interface is very icon oriented, the "Help Messages" func-
tion under the "Extras" menu is used to navigate the user online.
o Complete page referencing to the Calamus manual is included.
o CalAssistant user interface is taken from the tear off menu design
used on the Amiga, TT and MAC computers.
o CalAssistant can be called from the accessory menu at any time while
using Calamus, but we recommend 2 megs of RAM to do this.
o A hard drive is needed in order for the software to function at full
speed; otherwise, it is not required.
o The software supports monochrome mode only.
o CalAssistant is to Calamus, as MicroSoft Word 5.0 online help scr-
eens are to MS Word 5.0, but ours is better, much like HyperText in
concept.
o Oh, you also get a beautiful printed manual created entirely with
Calamus.
The package will be shipped with CalAssistant online help accessory,
in addition to tutorial CDK files, utilities and fonts. CalAssistant
is now available at a suggested retail price of $34.95.
Mail Check or Money Order Only To:
Contact:
Spar Systems
381 Autumn Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11208
(718) 235-3169
As a result of this announcement, both STReport and Z*Net were men-
tioned in a "less than positive" manner.
"Now I could stop here but I have another comment about this entire
issue in that thanks to ST Report and Z-NET, the entire communications
network is aware of this product to some extent and who do you think
will be asked about whether it is a good product or not?"
excerpt from message 112, Cat 16, topic 2
posted on 03/25/91 @ 17:03 EST by ISD [Nathan]
"Sounds like the guys at Z-Net and ST-Report may have jumped the gun a
little in publicising a product that may very well be of a question-
able nature."
excerpt from message 127, Cat 16, topic 2
posted on 03/26/91 @ 07:47 EST by S.WINICK
STReport & Z*Net are, indirectly, being urged to gain some type of
approval from some "higher authority" or in fact, are actually being
encouraged to allow some ridiculous type of censorship of their publicati-
ons. This, I assure you, simply will not ever happen.
Knowing Nathan of ISD as I do, I am certain this is not what he in-
tended or even remotely alluded to. I do feel however, that the entire
situation was in its extreme premature stages and the questions of
validity and/or legality should've never been brought up or made public
until such time as all the facts were known and verified.
To further shed light on this matter, STReport contacted Mr. Hall and
asked about obtaining the program and docs, he in turn consented to sen-
ding STReport a copy of the program for review. STReport is sending a
copy of the program and our findings to Z*Net for further evaluation and
opinion. At the same time, STR inquired about the serial number of the
version of Calamus that was being used by himself and his assistant in
facilitating the interface of CalAssistant and of course, Calamus. The
number he gave is: 300524. Presumably, the outcome will be another fine
software offering for the ST community to enjoy. And as an added benefit,
a greater number of Calamus programs will be sold as a result of this
helper program.
Now to the real "meat" of the subject. Far too long we have stood
idlely by while observing obvious "overreactions" to different happenings
and comments made in passing on the electronic services and in the ST
community in general. To condemn Hall's program to obscurity or Hall
himself is an outrage. When this occurs, every precept of the Constitu-
tion of this country is cast aside. Anthony Hall should not and must not
be accused, tried, convicted and punished of anything without irrefutable
proof of wrong doing. Although all the "accusations were implied, they
were still accusations that were unproven and actually only assumptions at
best. Yet, we find there are now those who are ever so quick to jump up
to "condemn and punish."
Nathan:
"Well...... from what you said about Spar Systems, it's not likely
that their software will be gracing the shelves at Computer STudio
anytime soon alongside Calamus, Outline Art, Font Editor, etc.! Of
course, there's always the remote possibility that this guy just
didn't bother to send in his registration card and is paranoid by
nature. But that doesn't sound like the kind of developer whose
software I would want to purchase either. And I definitely couldn't
recommend such a product to my customers under these circumstances."
excerpt from message 127, Cat 16, topic 2
posted on 03/26/91 @ 07:47 EST by S.WINICK
Mr. Winick has stated his impressions and it seems like denying access
to the program for his customers and thus is punishing both Anthony Hall
and his (Winick's) clientele is the order of the day. Certainly, this is
not the right thing to do. The bottom line is simple, if the program
meets the necessary criteria, then the decision should be up to the users
regarding its acceptance in the ST community. Never, ever should a retail
outlet practice selective marketing unless, of course, the product is a
poor seller.
_________________________________________________________
> WINDSOR! STR ShowNews? "A really BIG Show!"
=====================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Windsor/Detroit International AtariFest Planned for May 4-5, 1991
Ann Arbor, MI/Windsor, Ontario, Canada -- The Windsor Atari Users Group
of Windsor, Ontario, Canada and the Washtenaw Atari Users Group of Ann
Arbor, MI are hosting the Windsor/Detroit International AtariFest on May
4-5, 1991 at the St. Clair College of Arts and Technology in Windsor. With
support from both Atari US and Atari Canada, the show promises to be a
"must attend" event for Atarians everywhere.
St. Clair College is conveniently located in Windsor, only minutes from
the Ambassador Bridge and Windsor International Airport. Hotel accomo-
dations, car rentals and a number of restaurants are also near the col-
lege. Regularly scheduled flights are available from Toronto to Windsor,
and charter flights are available from Detroit Metro Airport.
Exhibitors already committed to exhibit at the show include:
Atari US Atari Canada Branch Always
Canoe Computer Channel One Computer Clear Thinking
C-HQ Systems CodeHead Software Consortium Group
DA Brumleve DataQue Software Double Click Software
Fast Technology Goldleaf Publishing Gribnif Software
ICD Inc. Innovative Concepts ISD Marketing
Joppa Computer MegaType Micro Creations
Musicode Software M-S Designs Nice & Software
PDC Distributors Phil Comeau Software ReadySoft
Soft-Logik Publishing Talon Technology Taylor Ridge Books
Unicorn Publications What's This? Wiz Works
Many other developers, including Gadgets by Small, Toad Computer, Index
Legalis and RIO/Datel (marketers of Lexicor's CAD/Graphics software) have
indicated interest in exhibiting at the show.
Show times are 10-6 on Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday. Tickets are only $4
Canadian per day at the door, and children under 12 will be admitted free
of charge when accompanied by an adult. Door prize drawings and seminars
will be held throughout both days. Grand prize for the drawings is a
complete Atari 1040STe system with color monitor donated by Atari Canada.
Advance tickets can be purchased for $3 Canadian ($2.75 US) by sending
check or money order to Windsor/Detroit International AtariFest, 3487
Braeburn Circle, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.
For attendees flying in for the show, Northwest Airlines is offering 40%
off round trip coach airfares and 5% savings on other applicable round
trip fares. Canadian attendees can save from 25 to 40% on coach fares.
Call 1-800-328-1111 for reservations. The "profile number" for the dis-
count airfares is 03257. Northwest Airlines is the official airline of the
Windsor/Detroit International AtariFest.
Special show discounts on car and truck rentals is available from Budget
Rental, the official car rental company for the show. Low convention rates
are available on everything from Ford Escorts to Lincoln Town Cars. To
make your reservation, call 1-800-333-8840, identify yourself as an atten-
dee of the show and give them the "rate code" of CNVNR1.
As an added bonus, there will be a large, FREE, flower and garden show on
Sunday at St. Clair College, so bring your spouse. She'll keep busy at
the flower/garden show while you browse through the computer show!
And while you're at it, bring your non-Atarian friends...we'll being
showing off the great IBM and Macintosh emulation capabilities of the ST
both days of the show!
For more information on the show, contact Craig Harvey, President of WAUG
- Ann Arbor at (313) 994-5619 or Brian Cassidy, President of WAUG - Win-
dsor at (519) 966-0305. Developers interested in obtaining booth space at
the show should contact Pattie Rayl at (313) 973-8825 ASAP.
___________________________________________________
> FORMDOIT! STR FOCUS? "...program replaces parts of the GEM"
===================
FORMDOIT! (VERSION 1.2)
=======================
by Dan Wilga
Copyright 1991, Gribnif Software. All Rights Reserved.
This program may be distributed without charge, provided that this text
file is present and that it and the program files are unmodified.
Overview
--------
The FormDoIt! program replaces the parts of the GEM environment that
handles the standard dialog and alert boxes that appear in most Atari
programs. Enhancements that FormDoIt! offers include:
o Keyboard Equivalents for dialog and alert box buttons.
o [Undo] key to exit dialog and alert boxes.
o Enhanced editable text fields.
o Ability to insert extended characters into editable text fields.
o Editable alert box icons.
o Control over the default exit button in alerts and dialogs.
Included Files
--------------
This archive should include the following files:
1. FORMDOIT.PRG - The FormDoIt! utility.
2. FORMDOIT.TXT - The file you are reading now.
3. ENGLISH .UND - Sample English [Undo] keywords.
4. GERMAN .UND - Sample German [Undo] keywords.
5. DEFAULT .BL3 - FormDoIt! default alert box icons.
6. BORING .BL3 - Original system alert box icons.
7. INVERSE .BL3 - Inverse version of original system alert box
icons.
Installation
------------
Place the FORMDOIT.PRG in your system's AUTO folder. Optionally, you
can also install it by running it from the desktop of your choice.
Enhancements
------------
Default Button
--------------
Normally, if you press the [Return] key while in a dialog or alert
box, the "default" exit button is selected. This button can usually
be identified by its extra thick border.
With FormDoIt! you can change which of the exit buttons is considered
the default by holding down the [Alternate] key and pressing the [Tab]
key. When you do this, you should see the thick border move from one
exit button to the next.
This change is not permanent, many programs will automatically return
the default button back once you exit that dialog or alert box.
Exit Button
-----------
When using FormDoIt!, if you press the [Undo] key, the first button
found that contains the word "Cancel", "Quit", "Exit", "Abort", or
"No" will be selected.
Since all buttons in a dialog and alert box are in an internal order,
it will choose the button that makes the first match (even if there is
more than one button with a string that matches).
You can change the strings used by FormDoIt! for this feature by
creating a file called FORMDOIT.UND. If FormDoIt! finds this file
when it first runs (in the same directory it was run from), the file
contents are used instead of the previous mentioned strings. The file
is a simple text file with each button string on a line by itself.
There should be no empty lines in the file, and the carriage return
should immediately follow the last letter of each line. The included
GERMAN.UND file can be renamed to FORMDOIT.UND if you happen to use
German programs. If you wish to create your own custom FORMDOIT.UND
file, you can use the ENGLISH.UND as a guide.
Buttons
-------
FormDoIt! provides keyboard equivalents for all the other buttons in a
dialog or alert box. FormDoIt! scans all the buttons in the dialog
box and assigns each one a unique keyboard equivalent. When the
dialog box appears, it will look slightly different because there will
be short lines underneath characters in most of the buttons. If you
hold down the [Alternate] key and press the character that is under-
lined, that button will be selected. Up to 20 buttons in a dialog can
have [Alternate] key assignments.
The method for choosing which letter to assign to a specific button is
rather simple. FormDoIt! scans all the buttons in order and looks for
the first unique character (that has not been used before) in that
button. Once it finds it, it assigns it that key and underlines the
letter. If a button has no unique characters (because they all were
already used in the dialog box) then it will not receive a keyboard
equivalent. The scanning is done following the internal order of all
the dialog box buttons.
If you don't like the "underline" keyboard equivalents, you can turn
this feature off. This is done by holding down both [Shift] keys and
pressing the [Backspace] key. You will hear a short sound effect
indicating your selection. Pressing these keys again will turn the
"underline" keyboard equivalents back on.
See the "Configuration Options" section for more information on how to
more permanently turn this feature on or off.
Some dialog boxes will look odd if these underscores are not undrawn
before control returns to the program that called FormDoIt. If this is
a concern, you can permanently configure FormDoIt to always undraw the
underscores. See the "Configuration Options" section.
Alert Boxes
-----------
With FormDoIt! you can define what the standard alert box icons (stop
sign, question mark, and exclamation mark) look like. Once you use
FormDoIt! you will see that it changes these (I got bored of the same
old ones).
If FormDoIt! finds a file called FORMDOIT.BL3 at bootup, the icons
contained in that file are used in place of the default ones inside of
FormDoIt!. Included with this program are three files:
BORING .BL3 - These are the old standard GEM alert box icons.
DEFAULT.BL3 - These are the defaults FormDoIt! normally uses.
INVERSE.BL3 - These are an inverse version of DEFAULT.BL3.
The .BL3 files are in Degas Elite block format. They can be edited
and re-saved using Degas Elite. If you edit them, you must be very
careful to make sure that the new file you save is a block that is
exactly 32x96. The "Snap" feature in Degas is helpful for this pur-
pose.
Editable Text Fields
--------------------
An editable text field is a string within a dialog box that has a
vertical line cursor so that you can modify it with the keyboard.
FormDoIt! emulates the normal GEM dialog text field functions:
o The [Tab] and down-arrow keys move to the next editable field.
o The up-arrow key moves to the previous editable field.
o The left and right-arrow keys move the cursor within a field.
o The [Esc] key clears an editable field.
o The [Backspace] and [Delete] keys delete characters before and
after the cursor.
o The mouse can be used to select an editable field.
It also adds a number of extensions:
o [Tab] and down-arrow will move the cursor to the first editable
field in a dialog box if it is already at the last one.
o Up-arrow will also wrap, from the first field to the last.
o [Shift] left-arrow will move the cursor to the leftmost character,
and [Shift] right-arrow will move all the way to the right.
o If there is no default button in a dialog box, the [Return] key
will advance the cursor to the next editable field.
o The mouse will position the cursor to the character closest to
where the mouse button was pressed, not just to the end of the
line.
It also lets you enter extended (non-keyboard) characters (note that
not every character is valid for all text fields and may be ignored):
1. Press the [Insert] key. This opens a box that contains the
entire character set. Click with the mouse on the character to
use. You can click anywhere outside the box or press a key to
remove the box if you decide not to use it.
2. If you know the ASCII value of a particular character, you can
hold down the [Alternate] key and type it, in decimal, using the
keypad. A character is generated as soon as the [Alternate] key
is released or three digits have been pressed. For example, to
enter an "A" (ASCII 65), you would do the following:
Hold down the [Alternate] key
Press 6 on the keypad
Press 5 on the keypad
Release the [Alternate] key
It also evades a system bug:
o If you have TOS 1.0, you may have run into the "underscore bug".
Typing an underscore ("_") character with certain types of edit-
able fields would cause GEM to crash.
FormDoIt! prevents this crash from happening. If you type an
underscore by accident, FormDoIt! will ignore it.
Configuration Options
---------------------
To temporarily disable FormDoIt!, hold down both [Shift] keys while
pressing the [Delete] key. A sound effect will indicate your selec-
tion. FormDoIt! will become disabled until you re-activate it or
reboot. To turn FormDoIt! back on, press the same keys again.
To temporarily disable the "underline" keyboard equivalents, hold down
both [Shift] keys while pressing the [Backspace] key. A sound effect
will indicate your selection. To turn the "underline" keyboard
equivalents back on, press the same keys again.
A more permanent way of setting these options is to run FORMDOIT.PRG
from the desktop. When it is loaded this way, you will see an option
labeled "Configure". Using this button you can set the two options
described above, and one additional option, called "Undraw Underscore-
s". If this option is "On", then FormDoIt will always undraw any
underscores it puts in buttons before returning control to the prog-
ram. Some dialogs look better with this option on, but some dialogs
will be a bit slower. If you start seeing lots of underscores appea-
ring in one button of a dialog, you may want to try turing this option
on.
The "Save" button will save your selection inside the FORMDOIT.PRG. The
"Set" option will set the options without saving them. Changes do not
take effect until you exit the configuration dialog box.
If you have already run FORMDOIT.PRG once (say, for instance, in your
AUTO folder), then the options will be saved to that copy. Otherwise,
they will be saved within the copy you are currently running.
Compatibility
-------------
While every effort has been made to assure that this program works with
other programs, there are a few things worth mentioning:
o Some programs use their own dialog and alert box manager and therefore
will not benefit from FormDoIt!. Examples of this are Tempus II,
K-Resource, WordPerfect, and SuperBase.
o Some programs only use their own dialog and alert box manager part of
the time, and therefore still benefit from FormDoIt! within some of
their dialog boxes. The best example of this is GEnie's Aladdin.
o Universal Item Selector's (UIS III) own keyboard equivalents prevent
the [Undo] feature in FormDoIt! from working.
o FormDoIt! has stricter error checking for alert boxes than GEM has.
Consequently, you may find one or two programs which use more than 30
characters per line in the alert text or more than 10 characters in a
button. For these, FormDoIt! will chop off the remainder (unlike GEM,
which can produce some very odd looking alerts!).
Programmer Notes
----------------
You can disable FormDoIt! so that it will not process some dialog boxes
that a program uses. This, however, is something that should be set up
by the author of the program, as this entails modifying data in the
resource file for a program.
In the OBJECT structure, the element ob_type is a word, however only the
lower 8 bits are looked at by GEM. For this reason, one can use the
upper eight bits as one sees fit. If the root object of a tree contains
the constant 113 ($71) in the upper nybble of the ob_type word, then the
regular GEM form_do() will be used. Alternately, any objects within a
tree whose ob_type field contains this value will not have an "under
line" keyboard equivalent assigned to them.
Version Changes
---------------
1.2: Works with keyboard equivalents in CodeKeys and MaxiFile.
Works with right mouse button presses in MaxiFile.
Does not need to be disabled to record a CodeKeys macro.
Removed the UIS hack; should work with all versions of UIS, even
II.
Undo strings work with buttons that have leading or trailing
spaces.
Added Undraw Underscores option.
1.1a: Fixed a very rare bug that could cause certain alerts not to be
processed.
Control key handling has been changed so that, among other things,
Control-M, Control-I, and Control-Return produce extended
characters as they should.
Response time for TOUCHEXIT objects has been improved. This is
expecially noticeable for things like scroll bars in UIS.
Objects that are SELECTED and EXIT but not SELECTABLE are handled
correctly.
1.1: The "No" string was added to the [Undo] key.
Shift-shift-backspace to disable underlines.
Running it a second time in the AUTO folder has no effect.
The configuration can be changed and saved.
Opening a folder for the first time in UIS 3.0 should work.
Added the ob_type flags for disabling.
Added Alternate-Tab for swithching default button.
Saved some code by always running in supervisor mode.
Sped up mose clicking for objects that are not TOUCHEXIT.
Can be compressed using DC Squish.
1.0b: Objects that are SELECTABLE but not EXIT are handled correctly.
Objects that are SELECTABLE and TOUCHEXIT are handled correctly.
Will not crash programs that make AES calls in supervisor
mode (like HotWire)
As many brackets in an alert string as possible are ignored.
1.0a: Fixed a bug that could cause GDOS detection code to crash.
About "Colaware":
----------------
You've heard of public domain, you've heard of shareware. This program,
however, is Colaware: if you like it, you are encouraged (though not
necessarily required) to send copious quantities of highly caffeinated
beverages (Coke, Pepsi, Jolt, etc.) to the address below (via U.S. Mail,
please; UPS won't deliver to a P.O. Box) so that I can continue to
create more products like this one. Coupons are accepted.
Gribnif Software
P.O. Box 350
Hadley, MA 01035
Internet: Dan.Wilga@saturn.ucc.umass.edu
GEnie: GRIBNIF
If you like this program, you might want to take a look at some of our
commercial products:
NeoDesk 3 - The Ultimate Desktop
================================
NeoDesk 3 is the most powerful, complete, and easy to use graphical
desktop available for the Atari ST/TT. Not only does it make your
computer easier to use but it adds a very complete series of new
features and enhancements. These include improved file operations,
custom icons, icon editor, desktop icons, desktop notes, independent
custom windows, macros, keyboard equivalents, and much much more!!
The package a 150 page manual. A free demo version is available from
GEnie or your local BBS.
NeoDesk CLI
===========
The NeoDesk CLI is a complete add-on command line interpreter for the
NeoDesk 3 desktop replacement package. It runs out of its own GEM
window and includes a very complete batch programming language. This
allows for such things as the creation of powerful batch files which
let you automate your computer. The NeoDesk CLI uses both MS-DOS and
UNIX style commands to simplify its use. The package includes a 70
page manual. A free demo version is also available.
You can order these products by calling our toll free order line (USA,
Canada, Hawaii, PR, and Alaska only): (800) 284-4742 (orders only!)
You can also order by sending us the correct amount from the chart below
to: Gribnif Software, P.O. Box 350, Hadley, MA 01035:
NeoDesk 3........................................$69.95 ___________
NeoDesk CLI......................................$29.95 ___________
Shipping (USA: $2.00 / Canada: $3.00 / Foreign: $5.00) ___________
If you have any questions or comments, call us at (413) 584-7887.
You can also fax us at (413) 584-2565.
__________________________________________________________
Gribnif Software Press Release -- March, 1991
Gribnif Software announces FormDoIt,
a "must have" utility for the Atari ST/TT.
Gribnif Software has released to the Atari community the new and
exciting "FormDoIt" utility. This utility, when placed in the AUTO
folder will change the way all standard dialog and alert boxes work on
the system. Changes caused by FormDoIt include:
o Keyboard Equivalents: Optionally, FormDoIt will underline the first
unique character in every button. By holding down the [Alternate]
key while selecting the underlined character, the user can select
that button directly from the keyboard. This is somewhat similar
to how Windows 3.0 works.
o UNDO Key Support: Selecting the [Undo] key when inside a dialog box
or alert box, will automatically select any button containing one
of the following strings: "Cancel", "Abort", "Quit", "No", or
"Exit". These strings are editable for foreign language software
or other custom uses.
o Enhanced Editable Text Fields: Clicking on an editable text field
containing text will place the cursor on the exact character
selected (without FormDoIt the cursor always goes to the end of the
text in the text field). If there are no default buttons in the
dialog box, pressing [Return] will advance the cursor to the next
editable text field. Using the up arrow or down arrow to move the
cursor from field to field will move the cursor from the last text
field to the first text field, and vice versa.
o Extended Character Support: Extended (non-keyboard) characters can
be inserted into a dialog's editable text fields by entering the
specific ASCII value for that character or by selecting the
character from a special character display that appears at the
press of a button.
o Editable Alert Box Icons: The default alert box icons (stop sign,
exclamation mark, and question mark) can be edited and replaced.
Included with FormDoIt are some examples of this.
o Default Button Control: A simple key equivalent allows the user to
control which exit button in a dialog or alert box is the default
exit button (the one that is selected when you press [Return]).
This is very useful for those users who do not use the above
mentioned "underline" keyboard equivalents.
o Programmer Control: Included with FormDoIt are some simple instruc-
tions on how a programmer can optimize his dialog boxes to make
maximum use of FormDoIt and have it skip over unwanted buttons.
FormDoIt can also be configured to a user's individual taste. One may
enable or disable the "underline" keyboard equivalents or have FormDoIt
remain active or dormant. These settings can also be changed "on the
fly" by means of simple keyboard combinations.
FormDoIt has been tested with hundreds of programs and found to be
compatible with just about all of them. While some programs use their
own custom dialog/alert boxes and are therefore unaffected by FormDoIt,
most benefit from its enhancements. Examples of programs that greatly
benefit from its use are:
Calamus, 1st Word, 1st Word Plus, WordFlair, Aladdin, NeoDesk, Word
Writer, Data Manager, LDW Power, and many many more!
FormDoIt is almost unique in another manner. You cannot buy it, lease
it, rent it, or pawn it. It is not for sale. Instead it has been
released under the new and untried "Colaware" system. If you like the
utility and find it useful, we ask that you send us some cola such as
Coca-Cola or Pepsi (that's fuel for us software developers). Coupons
are accepted.
This new and strange method of distribution was decided upon since we
decided that FormDoIt was just too good to keep to ourselves and as many
people as possible should have easy access to it.
For those of you who are not familiar with Gribnif Software, we are a
small American software development company. Our main package is the
NeoDesk 3 desktop replacement for the Atari ST/TT. If you haven't tried
it, we strongly recommend that you try the freeware demo that is
available on bulletin board services. The NeoDesk 3 package is the
result of over 3 years of development, and to be blunt...nothing comes
close. If you REALLY like FormDoIt, you could always show your
appreciation by buying a copy of NeoDesk 3!
For those users who do not have access to online services or cannot
find FormDoIt anywhere, it is available on our "Gribnif Utilities Disk
2.0" which sells for $10 (U.S.). This disk is only available directly
from us and includes several other utilities we've written (including
MemFile 3.0 and a couple new utilities for use with NeoDesk 3). If you
wish to order the utility disk, send us $10 + $2 (for shipping &
handling) to the address below. That's a total of $12 U.S. Foreign
payments must be made in terms of a U.S. bank check or U.S. funds money
order.
For further information, you can reach us at:
Gribnif Software, P.O. Box 350, Hadley, MA 01035
Tel: (413) 584-7887, Fax: (413) 584-2565
_______________________________________________________________
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> A "Quotable Quote"?
=================
"Some people are BAD ACTORS....
others are just BAD!"
....Fearless Fosdick
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport International Online Magazine?
Available through more than 10,000 Private BBS systems WorldWide!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport? "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" March 29, 1991
16/32bit Magazine copyright = 1987-91 No.7.13
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
the editors, staff, STReport? CPU/MAC/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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