ST Report: 8-Jan-93 #902
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 01/10/93-05:05:15 PM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 8-Jan-93 #902
Date: Sun Jan 10 17:05:15 1993
*---== STReport International Online Magazine ==---*
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"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
from
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January 08, 1993 No.9.02
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> 01/08/93 STR 902 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!"
""""""""""""""""
- The Editor's Desk - CPU Report - PORTFOLIO NEWS
- CBM Lowers Prices! - NEW SYQUEST!! - LAYOFFS @ PRODIGY
- WD SHIPS CAVIAR HDs - SPAR NEWS! - SPA GETS RESULTS!
- PEOPLE ARE TALKING - TERADESK NEWS! - STR Confidential
-* FALCON030 FCC CLASS B APPROVED! *-
-* ATARI & CES '93 *-
-* ITS JANUARY '93 -> FALCON030 - WHERE? *-
==========================================================================
STReport International Online Magazine
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WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (January 08)
NEW IN ATARI VENDORS FORUM (GO ATARIVEN)!
CODEHEAD provides a new patch to upgrade Warp 9 to version 3.74, the
latest free update for Warp 9 with Extend-O-Save, the first modular
screensaver for Atari computers. This archive contains everything you
need to update from v3.73 to v3.74. (Previous updates are available in
this same library for earlier versions.) See the file W9374U.LZH in
Library 16, CodeHead Tech.
GRAPHIC FILES...
A number of new graphic images are available for download from the Atari
Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS). Check out the following files:
(Filename)(Lib)(Description)
ALIEN1.LZH 9 CEL animation from Ralph Bakshi's "Wizards"
BBOOP.LZH 9 Betty Boop digitized sequence (from P.D. footage)
BIRD.LZH 9 Gangly bird hops along swaying its neck (3D)
CAN.LZH 9 A license plate is peeled from a cola can.
CLOWN.LZH 9 Rotating 3D clowns head
DOMINO.LZH 9 rendered dominos knocking each other down.
GLOBE.LZH 9 rendered animation of the world spinning
MARVIN.LZH 9 Marvin the Martian (w/o ACME disintegrator)
PTERO.LZH 10 Flying 3D pterodactyl (good example of 3D cartoon
ROBOTR.LZH 10 Transforming semi gets out of a traffic jam.
PLAY ASTEROIDS BY MODEM!
Download file RAYOID.LZH from LIBRARY 2 of the Atari Arts Forum (GO
ATARIARTS) for a three-in-one package of games. Includes a game similar
to Asteroids with great sounds (DMA sound supported). Action and
strategy. Documentation in English and French.
UPDATE TO VENDOR.DAT
Download file VENDOR.DAT from LIBRARY 6 of the Atari Productivity Forum
(GO ATARIPRO). This file contains an update to the Atari Vendors
database. Includes names, addresses, phone numbers, product info, and CIS
UserIDs for developers and vendors of Atari products. Please see
VENDOR.ARC in the same library for the viewer PRG/ACC and documentation.
NATIONAL ATARI BBS LISTING
Download file ACBBS.TXT from LIBRARY 2 of the Atari Productivity Forum (GO
ATARIPRO) for Atari Classics magazine's Atari 8-bit/ST National BBS
listing.
PRINT PORTFOLIO TEXT SIDEWAYS...
Download file PDSW.ZIP from LIBRARY 3 of the Atari Portfolio Forum (GO
APORTFOLIO) for a great little Public Domain Dos utility will print text
sideways from your Portfolio. Small - about 1k in size and great for
spreadsheets!
OR PRINT IN TWO COLUMNS...
Download file 2COL.ZIP from LIBRARY 5 of the Atari Portfolio Forum (GO
APORTFOLIO) for a DOS application program (which works on the Portfolio)
that will format and print documents in two columns.
THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM ON COMPUSERVE
HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AN
OFFICIAL SUPPORT SITE BY ATARI CORPORATION
"GO APORTFOLIO TO ACCESS THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM"
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> From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""
Little Christmas was this past week, a nice, quiet holiday. I must
however, point out that the Christmas sales season reports are now out and
the computer sales records have _all_ been broken. Computers of all
sizes and shapes were sold in fantastic numbers this Christmas. In fact,
this holiday season's sales show computers to be the # ONE sales and gift
item above all else. Would'a been nice... <sigh>
After much consternation and knashing of teeth.. :-) the FCC finally
found the Class B Certification Records that were being sought. Elsewhere
in this issue is an account of that magnanimous event.
Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine
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STReport's Staff DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU!
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Publisher - Editor
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Ralph F. Mariano
PC DIVISION AMIGA DIVISION MAC DIVISION
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Roger D. Stevens Charles Hill R. ALBRITTON
STReport Staff Editors:
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Dana P. Jacobson Michael Arthur John Deegan
Lucien Oppler Brad Martin Judith Hamner
John Szczepanik Dan Stidham Joseph Mirando
Steve Spivey Doyle C. Helms
Lloyd E. Pulley Editor Emeritus
Contributing Correspondents:
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Michael Lee Richard Covert Scott Birch
Brian Converse Oliver Steinmeier Tim Holt
Andrew Learner Norman Boucher Harry Steele
Ben Hamilton Neil Bradley Eric Jerue
Ron Deal Robert Dean Ed Westhusing
James Nolan Vernon W. Smith Bruno Puglia
Clemens Chin
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Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
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STR'S "BELIEVE IT? OR.. WHAT?"
<>###############################<>
"There is no comparison! The Atari Falcon
is far superior to the PC platform."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"My new office, which has a better view than my old one, is so far
quite satisfactory. And Richard Miller is in my old office. The
Forbes article was a mish-mash and misconstrued article full of half
truths. We are anxiously awaiting the release of the Atari Falcon to
bring us back to the forefront. The article has given us some laughs,
but otherwise has not affected us."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"As I said before, all marketing announcements will be made at
Duesseldorf. I will not comment on future models of the Falcon.
WE ARE TALKING TODAY ABOUT A MACHINE.....
WHICH WILL BE SHIPPING NEXT WEEK."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"I've just returned from Asia, where I saw the first Atari Falcon
production coming off the lines. Let's hope this new offering will
make it in North America. I know that the specs are great."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"We have not yet even given the machine to the FCC. And we are only
applying for Class B approval. According to our "experts", it should
pass Class B."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"...... We are not working for Wall Street but to
make money for our shareholders and only think long term."
Sam Tramiel, 11/92
psssst.
FYI.... The Shareholder's equity is fine.... NOT!
The Stock is hovering around $1.12
CHRISTMAS '92 has COME and GONE...
FALCONS ....anyone?
By the Way.... Does the Falcon work well
with any of the SLM Laser Printers??
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> CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
=================
Computer Products Update - CPU Report
------------------------ ----------
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Issue #01
By: John Deegan
IBM STILL THE LEADER IN WORLD PC MARKET - Like an aging champion, IBM
took punch after punch from the younger challengers, reeled a few times
and threatened to fall, but still had enough stamina left to hang on for
the win at the bell. While IBM's PC earnings dropped 18.7% in 1992, it
still managed to hold onto the industry leader championship belt with
12.4% of the PC market ($5.8 billion in sales). Apple Computer had to
settle for runner-up, again, with 11.9% of the market ($5.5 billion).
Dataquest ranked the five top PC companies as -
(1) IBM - 12.4% ($5.8 billion),
(2) Apple Computer - 11.9% ($5.5 billion),
(3) Compaq - 6.6% ($3.1 billion),
(4) NEC - 5.1% ($2.4 billion),
(5) Dell - 3.5% ($1.6 billion).
All others - 60.5% ($28.5 billion). Dell jumped from the 11th posi-
tion in 1991 to 5th in 1992.
INTEL JUMPS INTO 1ST PLACE, NOW WORLD'S TOP CHIP PRODUCER - For the
first time since 1984, a non-Japanese firm is again the world's top
semiconductor producer. Intel Corp. sped past Japan's NEC and Toshiba
to take over 1st place with 7.7% ($5.06 billion) of the market in 1992.
This amounted to a 26% gain in revenues over 1991.
Much of the increase is based on the increased demand for Intel's
386SL and 486 products which has allowed Intel to double its market
share in the last five years.
Motorola Inc. also had impressive numbers with a 7.1% ($4.64 billion)
market share and increase of 22% in sales and retained its number four
ranking.
WESTERN DIGITAL SHIPS NEW CAVIAR DRIVES - Western Digital Corp. began
shipping its two new 1-inch high 3.5-inch Caviar hard drives this week.
The Caviar AC1170 has a formatted capacity of 170.6 meg and the Caviar
AC2250 256 megs. Single unit OEM pricing for the AC1170 is $325 and for
the AC2250 is $395.
WD says the units are the industry's first single-platter 170MD drive
and the dual-platter Caviar AC2250, at 256MB, "is the highest capacity
disk drive in its class."
AMIGA 4000 AND 1200 PRICES CUT - Commodore has lowered the price of
the Amiga 4000 to $2,693, which is a $1,500 reduction in its suggested
retail price. At the same time they cut $600 from the Amiga 1200's
price, making its suggested retail price $599.
The A4000 comes standard with a 120MB hard drive, 6MB of RAM, a dual
speed high-density floppy drive and CrossDOS. Also included is ASDG Art
Department Professional and Electronics Arts DeluxePaint IV
SYQUEST RESPONDS TO CUSTOMERS - Syquest has introduced the SQ5110C
removable hard drive mechanism. The new drive mechanism can read and
write on both the 44 meg and 88 meg removable cartridges. According to
Syquest, this resulted from of the number one concern raised by its
customers.
While the new mechanism won't be formally introduced until the Mac-
World show in San Francisco, Syquest expects that most of its OEMs will
be able to begin shipping drives with the new mechanisms within a few
days.
U.S. LEAD IN TELECOMMUNICATION MARKET IS SLIPPING - A new study from
the University of Southern California for Telecommunications Management
and covering 24 nations shows that the U.S.'s lead in the telecommunica-
tions industry is evaporating.
The study reports finding the U.S. lagging in a number of key techno-
logies compared with other nations, such as converting analog networks
to more efficient digital networks, investment and the amounts of time
that equipment is used.
PRODIGY IN UPHEAVAL - According to the Wall Street Journal, Prodigy
Services Co., the operator of the Prodigy online service, may cut 1,100
jobs. Several senior-level execs have already left Prodigy, including
senior vice president Henry Heilbrunn. Prodigy confirms the report, but
refuses to make any further comments until the changes are finished and
employees are notified.
Prodigy is a joint venture of IBM and Sears, Roebuck and Co. Both are
troubled by current financial problems thus making it difficult for eit-
her company to put more money into Prodigy. However, spokesmen for both
companies told the Journal they are committed to Prodigy and don't ex-
pect any change in their roles in the joint venture.
SPA HAS A RECORD CATCH IN 1992 - The Software Publishers Association
(SPA) announced this week that 1992 was its most active year to date.
The SPA took action against 747 organizations. This included 218 audits
and lawsuits (resulting in the payment of $3.9 million in fines and
penalties) and 529 cease and desist letters. Of the audits and lawsuits
filed, 95% were corporate cases, while the remaining 5% of defendants
comprised BBSes, training facilities, and schools.
__________________________________________________________________
> ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
=====================
On CompuServe
-------------
compiled by Joe Mirando
Well friends and neighbors, here we are again. Another week has come
and gone, more questions asked and answered, problems solved, and lots of
things explained. It constantly amazes me that the good sysops of
Compuserve, along with knowledgeable people like Albert Dayes and Dazzz
Smith can constantly pull 'rabbits' out of their 'hats', but I'm glad that
they do. I was talking to an ST user last week and he asked "Who is this
Albert Dayes guy, and how does he know all this stuff"? I had no answer
for him other than to say that people like that are what I call 'Knowledge
Philanthropists'. We should all be glad that they are willing to give
away so much of their wealth of knowledge. Now... All I need to do is
find someone that is that free with dollars!
From The Atari Productivity Forum
=================================
As a continuation of a message from last week, in which Sysop Bob Retelle
mentioned that the media had a circus with last year's Michelangelo
virus, Bob Ledbetter posts:
"It shows to go ya just how much "power" we have let the media
acquire. True, to a lot of people, 'puter viruses are a big deal, but
in the grand scheme of things, they are rather minuscule. However,
when it comes to AIDS, abortion, presidential elections, the economy,
things that really effect all of us, the media has a heyday. They
don't care about who gets AIDS, has an abortion, or how bad the
economy is. The only things they care about are 1) their ego, and 2)
their pocket books. And they will go to ANY lengths, including but
not limited to, distortion, disinformation, and/or misinformation, to
boost/protect those interests. The American Public needs to wake up
and smell the coffee if they think that what they see on the XXX
Evening News is ACTUALLY what happened, or is happening, at that
particular minute, or throughout the day."
James Port asks Sysop Bob Retelle:
"Have any telecom viruses been discovered on Atari computers yet? The
only ones I'm aware of all require a floppy as the medium of
transmittal. Is this still the case?"
Bob replies:
"There have been reports of "link viruses" that attach themselves to
individual programs (and thus *could* be transmitted by modem), but so
far they've only been reported in Europe. There are virus checkers
for them (I have one in my AUTO folder, just in case), but I don't
know of ANYONE who's encountered anything like that so far."
Well, at least these beasties haven't crossed the Atlantic yet. Hmmm...
maybe viruses (or should that be viri) can't swim!
James, now interested in protection (this must be the age of safe
computing), asks Bob about it:
"Thanks for the info Bob. Those link viruses you are talking about
are new to me. I imagine I'll need a special kind of virus detector
for them. Are there any in the library here?"
Bob, being the hard working, industrious, safety-conscious individual that
he is, quickly posts:
"I think I uploaded the TSR virus checker I use to the libraries..
It's called "Protect6", and it's from Germany (of course).
It's saved me from accidentally re-infecting disks several times
already, although they were all floppy disk boot sector viruses.
I'll try to remember to check and see if I actually did upload it, and
if not, send it up tonight."
James asks:
"Protect6? Do you have a filename? I've been using VKiller 3.11,
guess I'll add Protect6 to the arsenal. Thanks."
Most of us have heard of graphics cards. They are the add-ons that
let us use monitors other than the Atari name brand (usually with greatly
expanded color capabilities). Along these same lines, Mark Woods asks:
"I just purchased a VGA/SVGA monitor for use with my Dell computer and
am wondering if it is possible to drive it from my Atari 1040ST. It
would be great if I could since it would alleviate crowded space
conditions on my desk. Does anybody know if this is even possible? If
so, what type of connector do I need? Will the visual clarity be
similar to what I was seeing with my SC1224 or will it worsen?"
Jim Ness fields this one:
"If your monitor has a good scan range, it will be able to work with
ST mono. But ST color is far enough away from the VGA horizontal scan
speed, that it won't work. You would need a special cable. The most
recent Atari mono monitors were actually VGA mono monitors, with the
special cable provided. It was a one-time purchase, and Atari has
sold out of them."
Do you remember way back when Atari began shipping the SLM804 Laser
printer? To keep the price as low as possible Atari decided that the
Laser printer would have no memory of its own, but would use the
computer's memory to 'draw' the printout instead. This, of course, meant
that you had to have a computer with at least 2 megabytes of memory.
Well, I guess that every silver lining has a cloud. It is interesting
though, that other companies are just now beginning to take on this
philosophy. Richard Paddock posts:
"Thought you folks might get a kick out of this:
I found an ad in PC/Computing for LaserMaster WinPrint products. The
interesting sentence is "Our direct Windows driver uses GDI commands
to rasterize the page in the computer before sending it to the printer
via our high-speed video cable." Sound like a concept Atarians would
recognize? Maybe there's life in the old SLM series yet."
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine tells Richard:
"A friend of mine has a LaserMaster and it uses the high-speed video
cable. It is very useful when printing a large volume of PostSCript
files. I'm quite sure his doesn't use the GDI commands too much. I
think the WinPrint products are enhancements to existing printers like
the HP4. Several printers use the memory in the computer idea like
the SLM such as NeXT and a few others which I can't remember off the
top of my head."
From The Atari ST Arts Forum
============================
Ron Luks, Head Sysop in these here parts, posts:
"If you have an IBM-PC (or clone) with a 486 chip, you might find this
Lynx demo program interesting. It is available in Lib 17 of the Atari
Portfolio Forum (G APORTFOLIO) *not* this forum:
[75300,2775] Lib:17 *New Upload (23:53:43 EST)*
LYNX.ZIP/Bin Bytes: 553440, Count: 0, 01-Jan-93
Title : LYNX.ZIP
Keywords: ATARI LYNX DEMO SOUND
A user demo for the Atari Lynx. If you ever wanted one of the best
handheld color games around now is your chance is buy one for a real
good price. This demo requires a 486SX with a sound card in order to
view the graphics and sound in sync."
Jim Ness tells Ron:
"It IS a pretty neat demo.
But, Windows made me change a buffer size that I did not even know
existed (I had to add a statement to the SYSTEM.INI file) to play the
demo. Also, thank heaven for STalker and resumable B+ file xfers.
My original download, with QuickCIS and ymodem-g, aborted after 422k.
I was able to call back with STalker and resume from that point..."
Ah ha! Resuming downloads, two different telecommunications programs? I
think Ron sums it up best when he replies:
"You were able to abort the download with QuickCIS and re-start it
under STalker? Coooooooool !"
Jim Ness adds:
"The amusing part happened during the resumed download. When STalker
saw that the filename already existed, it told CIS that it had 420k of
the file. Under that circumstance, both ends do a CRC check on 420k,
to confirm that the first portion had no errors.
While that happened, STalker showed the packet count absolutely
flying, and was showing 10,100 cps. Wouldn't THAT be a nice download
rate, if it were real?
By the way, in the race to see which end completed its CRC check
fastest, STalker won. When STalker finished, there was about a 10
second pause, waiting for CIS to catch up."
Hmmm.. let's see; if a 220 cps is an average transfer rate for 2400 baud,
then 10,100 cps would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 110,000 baud
(Nice neighborhood, huh?).
Okay, on to other things! Hard drives. Wouldn't it be nice if you could
swap hard drives as easily as you can swap floppy disks? Sure it would.
Removable hard drives are here, now. The only question is where to get
them and which size to get (SyQuest cartridges are currently available in
44 meg and 88 meg sizes). Bruce Lane asks:
"I'm getting ready to buy one of the syquest removable harddrive
systems (44) and I'm looking for an inexpensive but reliable source.
I need to be able to use it with Spectre GCR as well as SuperCharger.
I would consider a used one if anyone has one to sell. Any help would
be appreciated."
Again, Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine jumps in to offer
information:
"If you want to build one yourself the mech's are around $325 in
computer shopper magazine. I would assume you could get a good deal
for a complete unit too which includes case, power supply, drive and
ICD host adapter.
You can download the file vendor.dat which is an ascii file which
gives a list of some Atari dealers in addition to developers."
From The Atari Vendors Forum
============================
From our "oops, I didn't realize that" department, comes this little goody
from Matt Seitz:
"I just installed a CD-ROM drive using ICD's LINK. When I open the
NEODESK disk icon I assigned to the CD-ROM drive it gives me a "TOS
data may be damaged, make sure you have a disk in the drive and have
no loose connections (Error #1)" message. When I click "OK", NEODESK
properly opens a window and displays the directory of my CD-ROM. Any
suggestions on how I can eliminate this error message?"
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine (boy, am I glad I set up that
'Albert' macro) asks Matt:
"What happens if you access the CD-ROM from the desktop rather than
from within neodesk? Does the error still occur?"
Matt Answers:
"Nope, no error from the Atari Desktop.
I'm using the Link with a Toshiba CD-ROM drive. In it's default mode,
the Toshiba CD-ROM drives can't read CD-ROM XA discs. However, by
sending the proper Mode Select command to the drive, it can read both
Mode 1 CD-ROM and Mode 2 Form 1 CD-ROM XA discs. Does anyone know of
software that's available for sending this Mode Select command to the
Toshiba via the Link? Is there programmer's documentation available
for the Link so that I could try writing such a utility myself?"
Oscar Steele of Purple Mountain Computing asks Matt:
"What's the Toshiba Drive model?"
To which Matt replies:
"Toshiba 3201B"
As bells start to blink and lights start to ring, Albert asks:
"What type of CD-ROM/XA discs are you trying to read? Photo CD
discs?"
Matt says:
"For the moment, yes. I'll be bringing some non-PhotoCD CD-ROM XA
discs home from work this week."
Albert asks:
"Does your Toshiba 3201B support it? I thought it was just he 3301
series that did? What are on your CD-ROM/XA discs that are you are
going to use .. something with interleaved audio."
Matt tells Albert:
"Yep, you're right. After doing some testing at work and reviewing
the Toshiba specs, it appears that only the 3301 supports the XA
compatibility modes. It should still be possible to write an XA driver
for the 3201, but the driver would have to do alot of the work that
the 3301 firmware does for you. Well hopefully I'll be able to get a
3301 mechanism soon."
One of the saddest parts of the declining Atari market is the fact that so
many good developers have so much trouble staying IN the market. Beth
Jane Freeman asks:
"I heard a rumor that Double Click Software went under. Is that
true?"
Keith Joines tells Beth:
"Unfortunately what you have heard is true. Double Click is no more."
Beth expresses what anyone who has used a DoubleClick program must feel:
"Sniff, sniff, boo hoo! They were a very good company with some very
nice shareware. They ran the business very well, too. Well, I
suppose the economy had something to do with it."
The economy? Heck, with the way things are in the Atari world right now,
the economy is a very minor part of the situation (in my opinion)
jm
From The Atari Portfolio Forum
==============================
Michael Graetz tells us:
"I have had a port for some time and mostly use it for phone nos.,
calendar some spreadsheet and simple notes. Now I got a memory
expander and want to use a dos word processor of mine that works well
on the port, but... Is it possible so that the cursor (or its
extension)can be visible when blocking parts of the text? I.E. when I
want to block some of the text to delete it, copy or move it, on my pc
the area turns white and the letters under it turn dark, when normally
the background is dark and the letters white. On the Port there is no
change!!! I have tried changing the background light and letters dark
through my wp's setup, but still it all looks the same on the port. Is
there any way or a utility on the forum to help me with that. This may
be a stupid question but I appreciate your help. The forum is great,
and your listing new files and favorite files etc. is terrific."
Brian Johnson tells Michael:
"Unfortunately, the port does not support reverse video or
underlining. (The exception is some programs that can put the port
into graphics mode, then "draw" the characters. I know that PBASIC
has this capability, but I'm not sure if anyone else has done it
yet.)"
Rob Parker tells Don Thomas:
"I have had Hyperlist for some time, but have never used it because of
the space it would take on my 128 K memory card. Yesterday, I figured
out that I could just run HL off its own card, leave it running in
memory, and use the 128 k card as before. Having autoexec.bat and
update on the HL card was a nice touch.
But today, suddenly and inexplicably, my Hyperlist card has died:
files such as KEYS are either unreadable or contain garbage. Running
HL.EXE locks up both the port and my desktop system. I have wasted
about a day learning HL and reorganizing files, and am feeling *very*
frustrated.
Is there any way I can exchange a dead HL card for a new one?"
Then Rob adds:
"Literally minutes later, the HL card is working again. I'm very
relieved, but also wondering why this happened. Any ideas?"
Don Thomas, Atari's Director of Marketing Services and general Portfolio
Guru tells Rob:
"Hyperlist can not die since it is on a ROM Card. It is more likely
that your computer needs a cold boot before running Hyperlist again.
For what it's worth, if you run Hyperlist off the card, the card has
to stay in the machine. RUN files run in place on the card so that it
leaves most of your RAM alone. You can save files to the C: drive,
then copy them to the A: drive when done."
Sysop, speed programmer, and all around good guy BJ Gleason tells Rob:
"Possibly dirty contacts, a fleck of dust, a hair... those can
prevent proper contact on the cards."
Brian Johnson asks:
"Does anybody have the names and/or addresses of companies that make
or distribute Portfolio memory cards larger than 128K?"
Dave Stewart tells Brian:
"My company, Re:Port, expects to have 524K FlashRAM cards available in
a month or so (as soon as the manufacturer has some ready!). If you'd
like to get on the mailing list for notification, leave me email with
your mailing address."
In a conversation about accessories for our favorite palmtop computer, Don
Thomas says:
"The newest case (for the Portfolio) from Atari is $49.95 and is
"zippered" shut. It has a retractable handle for travel, plenty of
memory card slots, and is long enough to carry a peripheral as well as
the Portfolio. The Portfolio can be used right in the case without
completely removing it. It is black leather.
Either case is available from Atari plus $5 S&H to any U.S.
destination in U.S. funds. I believe Dave Stewart carries both too
within his publication of RE:Port."
Egon Rinderer posts:
"I wanted to know if Atari or a 3rd party has a complete catalog of
port accessories. I was curious about what new software, memory
upgrades, and hardware expansions were available. Any help is very
much appreciated."
Sysop Ron Luks tells Egon:
"Atari Corp has a booklet of port accessories and software called the
A.P.B. Drop a message to Don Thomas 75300,1267 and he can mail you a
copy."
Well folks, its getting late. C'mon back next time and kick off your
shoes, lean back, relax, and listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
***********************************************************************
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
=================
STReport International Online Magazine is available every week in the
ST Advantage on DELPHI. STReport readers are invited to join DELPHI and
become a part of the friendly community of Atari enthusiasts there.
SIGNING UP WITH DELPHI
======================
Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access
DELPHI services via a local phone call
JOIN -- DELPHI
--------------
Via modem, dial up DELPHI at 1-800-695-4002
then...
When connected, press RETURN once or twice
and...
At Password: type STREPORT and press RETURN.
DELPHI's Basic Plan offers access for only $6.00 per hour, for any
baud rate. The $5.95 monthly fee includes your first hour online.
For more information, call: DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005
DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge, MA.
Try DELPHI for $1 an hour!
For a limited time, you can become a trial member of DELPHI, and
receive 5 hours of evening and weekend access during this month for only
$5. If you're not satisfied, simply cancel your account before the end of
the calendar month with no further obligation. If you keep your account
active, you will automatically be enrolled in DELPHI's 10/4 Basic Plan,
where you can use up to 4 weekend and evening hours a month for a minimum
$10 monthly charge, with additional hours available at $3.96. But hurry,
this special trial offer will expire soon! To take advantage of this
limited offer, use your modem to dial 1-800-365-4636. Press <RET> once
or twice. When you get the Password: prompt, type IP26 and press <RET>
again. Then, just answer the questions and within a day or two, you'll
officially be a member of DELPHI!
TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (12/30/92)
PHOTOCHROME 3.0
STR901.LZH
AEO_SE2.LZH
MADONNA IN PHOTOCHROME
PREMIUM MAH JONGG
ZNET9301.LZH
ICD HOST ADAPTOR SOFTWARE
NASTASSIA KINSKI
NASTASSIA KINSKI IN PCS
All of the above files can be found in the RECENT ARRIVALS database for at
least one week after the posting of this list. Please Note that in the
case of online magazines, only the most current issue in the database at
the time of this compilation is considered for the Top 10 list. Also, for
all files, a submission is eligible for the Top 10 list for only four
weeks after its original uploading.
DELPHI- It's getting better all the time!
***********************************************************************
> Custom Mouse STR InfoFile IBM Bus Mouse to ST.....
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
OK here are the pinouts for an IBM bus mouse (miniature circular
connector) and where they should go to on an Atari 9 pin D connector.
IBM ATARI
pin goes to pin
1 +5v 7
2 xA 1
3 xB 2
4 yA 3
5 yB 4
6 SW1 6
7 SW2 -
8 SW3 9
9 GND 8
It's quite simple really. I built a little adaptor that allows me to plug
any bus mouse into the Amiga or the Atari, the Amiga version has a couple
of wires switched from the Atari diagram above.
I typed this from memory so the xa/xb and ya/yb might be reversed, I
can't be sure off the top of my head. You'll know cause mouse movement
will be reversed (looks like the ghost virus got your computer).
A little disclaimer, this has worked fine for me on 5 mice and I'm sure it
will for you, but be careful and don't attempt it unless you have a
modicum of experience dealing with electrical/electronic stuff. I won't be
held responsible for any damage resulting.
Someone may want to capture this and upload it somewhere appropriate so
it's available for a long time (eternity?)
Tony
Moving Pixels
***********************************************************************
:HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
_________________________________
Set your communications software to Half Duplex (or Local Echo)
Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
Wait for the U#= prompt.
Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.
GEnie costs only $4.95 a month for unlimited evening and
weekend access to more than 100 services including
electronic mail, online encyclopedia, shopping, news,
entertainment, single-player games, and bulletin boards
on leisure and professional subjects. With many other
services, including the biggest collection of files to
download and the best online games, for only $6 per
hour.
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! Any time during your first month
of membership if you are not completely satisfied, just
ask for your $4.95 back.
GEnie Announcements (FREE)
1. Don't Forget to Mail Your GEnie Voyager Coupons...............
2. Dec. '92 GEnie Billing Complete - To review your bill, type:..*BILL
3. Last week to register your opinion in industry-wide survey....*SURVEY
4. Sears Spring/Summer "Big Book" Catalog $5 at..................SEARS
5. Stellar Combat and Conquest for FREE this weekend in..........EMPEROR
6. COURSES in English, Math, Science and more. REGISTER in.......CALC
7. Inside Windows NT -- Special Conference.......................WINDOWS
8. Cold, Wet, Snowy - Need some SUN...Special RTCs all month in..FLORIDA
9. JUST UPDATED: Hottest & Latest Computer Books at..............PCBOOKS
10. The Rematch of the (14th) Century. A new game begins..........HYW
11. PC TECHNIQUES magazine listings now available.................BORLAND
12. Nominate NOW for the very first Lamp movie awards over at.....SHOWBIZ
13. Get help for PC Aladdin in Real-Time in.....................PCALADDIN
14. Find Out Which Home Office Products Were Tops in 1992.........HOSB
15. Win a $100 Gift Certificate this month in.....................TRIVIA
Welcome ****** ******** ** ** **
To the ** ** ** ** **
GEnie ****** ** ST ** ** **
ATARI ** ** Roundtable ** ** **
****** ** ** ** **
*** ** ***
The Official Online Resource of Atari Corporation *** ** ***
Darlah's Holiday Treat of the Month [page 475;9] is PHNXDEMO.LZH from
LEXICOR2. This is the DEMO version of the Phoenix object render program
from Lexicor Software. The LZH file also includes SPC & GIF sample files.
This is a "must have" program for all ATARI computers. Phoenix supports
different light sources, 3 different cameras, texture and image mapping:
SPC, GIF & TGA are supported. This program renders FAST!
The Atari ST RoundTable proudly presents The Independent Association of
Atari Developers (IAAD) RTC, Wednesday, January 13, 10pm EST. The IAAD
Board and many of its members will be on hand to share their experiences
in the marketplace. Find out about the trials, tribulations, and joys of
developing for your favorite computer! Ask about current and future
products! Meet the folks who bring your computer to life with software
and hardware enhancements! Attending for the IAAD:
Dorothy Brumleve of D.A. Brumleve, President of the IAAD, Nathan Potechin
of DMC Publishing, Chet Walters, WizWorks!, Jim Allen of FAST Technology,
Nevin Shalit of Step Ahead Software Inc., Doug Wheeler of ICD Inc., John
Eidsvoog of CodeHead Technologies, Chris Roberts of Dragonware, John
Trautschold of Missionware, David Fletcher of Ditek, Craig Harvey of
Clear Thinking, Bob Luneski of Oregon Research Associates, John Cole and
Lee Seiler of Lexicor, David Beckemeyer of Beckemeyer Development Tools,
Mark O'Bryan of Paradigm Software Products, John 'Hutch' Hutchinson of
Fair Dinkum Technologies, Greg Kopchak of It's All Relative and more...
New Files in Your Library
No. File Name Address Description
----- ------------ ----------- -------------------------------------
27239 RSCARDS.TOS JWEAVERJR front end for RSCARDS (v4.1)
27234 FALC_TOP.LZH D.A.BRUMLEVE Screen shots of Falcon Desktop
27233 LAPEXPO.TXT MORTIMER FREE tickets for LAP&PALMTOP Expos
27231 ST-ZIP21.LZH R.SHEPPARD5 Atari's ST ZIP 2 less Bugs..
27230 SACEXPO.LZH M.WARNER8 SAC Expo Ad in Pagestream format
27229 NEW_DEAL.TXT PMC.INC PMC Beats all other Floptical prices
27227 SLID_DEM.LZH DRAGONWARE Put Scroll bars in your HSB2 RSC's
27226 OBSETFIX.LZH F.PAWLOWSKI Fix for OBSET.PRG of OutBurST!
27224 PAGE41.LZH SGUBER Pages from Math Tex by Example
27223 PAGE21.LZH SGUBER Pages from Math Tex by Example
27222 PAGE16.LZH SGUBER Pages from Math Tex by Example
27221 TERA125.TXT GRMEYER TeraDesk v1.25 Press Release
27217 SPAR4.LZH D.HALL23 The Electronic Book For Calamus SL!
27216 HOURGLAS.ARC D.GORDON2 Fill interior of graphic w/text (SL)
27215 PRINTSPC.ARC R.THIEMAN This a SPECTRUM Printer Driver for t
Darlah's Treat of the Month [Page 475;9] - PHNXDEMO.LZH
Other NEW FILES available in the Atari RT Libraries are Sound Files
(library 11), Digitized Sounds (library 17), Graphic pictures (library 5),
Atari Archives (library 13), and Sale/Wanted Files (library 26).
Sale/Wanted items are also available in the Bulletin Board Category 27.
Regular Open Conference every Wednesday night, 10PM EDT, 7PM PDT
DTP conference every Monday at 10PM eastern in room 3.
GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission
***********************************************************************
> FALCON FCC "B" OK! STR FOCUS! THE FALCON FCC CLASS B OK
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
THE FALCON030 IS FCC CLASS B CERTIFIED
======================================
by R.F. Mariano
Amidst a flurry of "oh yes it is and oh no it ain't" statements, the
question NO LONGER remains, whether or not the Falcon030 is actually Class
B certified by the FCC. But when. Actually a great deal of effort went
into the process of verifying whether or not the Falcon030 is FCC
Certified Class B. After the reports the machines on display at Comdex
this past fall had "disclaimer" stickers underneath them as we were
patently told the machines were or would, in fact, be FCC Certified for
class B use, the old, "Atari & the FCC thing began to re-appear on the
horizon. As reported in a recent Z*NET Comdex report, we present this
factiod as a beginning point. After all, when we were told the Falcons
would pass without a "hitch." Who was going to doubt the words of those
from Atari who took the time and effort to report these things to us
during the now famous, online conferences which took place on every major
service.
AS SEEN UNDER THE MACHINES THAT WERE ON DISPLAY AT COMDEXFALL'92
"..... the FCC were fended off by big stickers under each Falcon:
FOR DISPLAY PURPOSES ONLY--AWAITING FCC APPROVAL."
Well... Far be it for STReport or its staff to doubt the word of
Atari about there being an ID number assigned to the Atari Falcon030. In
fact, we do believe a number has been assigned to the Falcon. The problem
is the number is not available as public information yet. This does not
necessarily mean the application for Class B approval has not been made.
Quite the contrary, it provides further confirmation the application has
indeed been made.
In giving Atari the benefit of doubt, it must pointed out STReport
was, trying to find some common ground in these matters. In all fairness,
this could possibly have meant it was not entered into the Commission's
records system as of yet. This is an honest evaluation as they are,
truly, still trying to catch up on the backlog generated from operating on
a skeleton crew for approximately the last three weeks due to year end
holiday vacations. But.... As of this very moment, the call just came in
at 3:15pm EST referencing the Falcon030. THE FALCON030 IS CERTIFIED CLASS
B AND THE ACTUAL NUMBER IS EBAF030FT. Its entered as a TV Interface RF
Device and can be coupled with most anything. The FALCON030 was
_originally Class B approved on NOVEMBER 05, 1992 but because of an FCC
requirement that a Ferrite Bead monitor cable be included with each unit
sold, the entry's confusion arose. After an appeal was made of the
ferrite bead cable decision, a re-examination was decided upon and as a
result, the NEW CLASS B CERTIFICATION for the Falcon030 was issued TODAY,
JANUARY 08, 1993 without the ferrite bead cable being required.
The really good news is.. Once the FCC grants a product certification
for Class B in the USA, as part of the new agreements between Canada, the
US and Mexico, the same FCC certification is acceptable in all three
countries. This means if its good enough for the FCC in USA, its good for
both Canada and Mexico. The USA's FCC guidelines for Class B
certification are, by far, the most stringent.
As far as STReport is concerned, Atari's claim to have met the
criteria to pass the Class B certification and of having an ID number for
the Falcon030 is now proven quite accurate and true. We can only hope the
arrival of the new Falcon030 will occur (with the right stickers in place)
without further delay. After all, its in all our best interests.
To further assure the reader we executed a secondary call to the
records BBS. Please notice we find the number as a valid number in IDing
the Grantee Name and address. But that the actual entry is still late in
getting into the FCC's Database.
ATZ
OK
ATDT1-301-725-1072
RINGING
CONNECT 1200/NONE
Hit Carriage Return:
1/8/93 15:18 You have 6 minutes
Welcome to the FCC Public Access Link
"P A L"
1 - Access Equipment Authorization Database
2 - Definitions - Terms/Codes used in Application Records
3 - Applying for an Equipment Authorization (1/92)
4 - Other Commission Activities and Procedures (8/92)
5 - Laboratory Operational Information
6 - Public Notices (8/92)
7 - Bulletins / Measurement Procedures (5/92)
8 - Rulemakings (8/92)
9 - Help
a - Information Hotline (7/92)
b - ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ADVANCED TELEVISION SERVICE
c - Processing Speed of Service (12/92)
d - Test Sites on File per Sec 2.948 (1/93)
0 - Exit PAL
Enter your selection: 1
Equipment Authorization Database
Form 731: Until Form 731 is revised the March 1988 and July 1989
editions may continue to be used. The OMB expiration dates
shown on the forms do not affect public use. Availability of the
revised Form 731 will be announced here and by public notice.
est: 7/92
1 - Equipment Authorization Application Status
2 - Applicant/grantee Names and Addresses by Code
0 - Exit this Menu
Enter your selection: 1
Welcome to the P A L Application Status System
This program provides Equipment Authorization Application Status and
Technical Information. Help in using this program is provided in the
HELP selection of the PAL main menu. You will also find data field
definitions, status definitions and note code definitions. Please
note that this database does NOT include registration equipment (Part 68).
Inquiries concerning Part 68b registration should be directed to (202)
634-1833.
The Commission issues grants to applicants identified on Form 731. These
parties may or may not be the manufacturer. No other information
concerning manufacturers is available.
Have a Nice Day
Database Last Updated: Fri Jan 8 03:07:39 EST 1993
Enter FCCID (Hit Return to end): ebaf030ft
The application filed under FCCID EBAF030FT could not be located.
1. The application requested may be less than two weeks old and
NOT yet entered in our computer records.
2. The FCCID may have been entered incorrectly. Be particularly
cautious of O's and zero's in the product ID (last 14 characters
of the FCCID).
Enter FCCID (Hit Return to end): EBAF030FT
The application filed under FCCID EBAF030FT could not be located.
1. The application requested may be less than two weeks old and
NOT yet entered in our computer records.
2. The FCCID may have been entered incorrectly. Be particularly
cautious of O's and zero's in the product ID (last 14 characters
of the FCCID).
Enter FCCID (Hit Return to end): EBAFO3OFT
The application filed under FCCID EBAFO3OFT could not be located.
1. The application requested may be less than two weeks old and
NOT yet entered in our computer records.
2. The FCCID may have been entered incorrectly. Be particularly
cautious of O's and zero's in the product ID (last 14 characters
of the FCCID).
Equipment Authorization Database
Form 731: Until Form 731 is revised the March 1988 and July 1989
editions may continue to be used. The OMB expiration dates
shown on the forms do not affect public use. Availability of the
revised Form 731 will be announced here and by public notice.
est: 7/92
1 - Equipment Authorization Application Status
2 - Applicant/grantee Names and Addresses by Code
0 - Exit this Menu
Enter your selection: 2
Enter Grantee Code (CR to end): EBAF030FT
Warning: More than 3 characters were entered.
EBA Atari Microsystems Corporation
4115 Keller Springs Road, Suite 200
Dallas, TX
75244 USA
Enter Grantee Code (CR to end):
Equipment Authorization Database
Form 731: Until Form 731 is revised the March 1988 and July 1989
editions may continue to be used. The OMB expiration dates
shown on the forms do not affect public use. Availability of the
revised Form 731 will be announced here and by public notice.
est: 7/92
1 - Equipment Authorization Application Status
2 - Applicant/grantee Names and Addresses by Code
0 - Exit this Menu
\\\\**////
CONGRATULATIONS ATARI.... WELL DONE!
Ralph F. Mariano
_____________________________________________________________
> SAVE THE LYNX! STR FOCUS! Give the Jaguar time to get here!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
OPERATION: A.C.T. NOW
---------------------
Atari Community Together Now
<<< TOYS'R'US AND THE ATARI LYNX LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN! >>>
The Atari Lynx is probably the best portable video game system on
the market. The system has fantastic graphics, fantastic sound, and
fantastic comlynxing capabilities. The Lynx also has some very good games
available for it due to programmers that worked hard to make the Lynx more
than just another video game system.
The Lynx also has its problems. In November, 1991 at Chicago,
Atari's National Sales Director for the Lynx said, "There is no
distribution problem with the Lynx. Everyone wants the Lynx!" He
continued to say how K-Mart called him and how they wanted to carry the
Lynx, but Atari did not produce enough that year.
The big question: What happened?
If you are like most other Lynx owners, you have noticed that there
is indeed a distribution problem. The following is the Lynx dealership
situation in my area:
Kay-Bee Toy Stores...................No Lynx or game cards.
Children's Place (Child World).......No Lynx or game cards.
Sears................................No Lynx or game cards.
Best.................................No Lynx or game cards.
Hills................................No Lynx or game cards.
K-Mart...............................No Lynx or game cards.
Walmart..............................No Lynx or game cards.
Kiddie City..........................Two Lynx systems per store,
Four game cards.
WaldenSoftware.......................Two Lynx systems per store,
Six game cards.
Software Etc.........................Four Lynx systems per store,
Eight game cards.
Electronic Boutique..................Four Lynx systems per store,
Twelve game cards.
Video Game Exchange..................Four Lynx systems per store,
Twenty game cards.
The number of game cards was determined by how many games were
visible at the time I visited the store. The number of systems was
determined by how many the store usually carries in stock on the average.
I would also like to comment that the Lynx games found at Kiddie
City were buried beneath hundreds of Nintendo and Sega cartridges. The
Lynx games found in WaldenSoftware were hidden behind the counter where
they could not be seen. The Lynx games found at Software Etc. were
towards the front of the store but hidden behind a shelf. When I first
went to Software Etc. for Lynx games, I looked for them for 10 minutes
before I had to ask a salesperson to show me where they were. The Lynx
games at Electronic Boutique were at the back of the store next to
TurboGraphix games.
The only retailer that seemed to have a large selection of Lynx
games was Toys'R'Us. Recently, this has all changed. There have been an
increasing number of reports all over computer networks and bulletin board
systems about how Toys'R'Us is dropping the Lynx. People are reporting
that Toys'R'Us does not have the Lynx in stock nor half of the games.
Toys'R'Us is supposedly marking the price down on Lynx games to "clear
house" of Atari.
What does Atari's management think? The 1-800 number created to
order the Lynx for the Holiday Season seems to say it all. And the losing
of Atari's largest distributor (if this is true) reflects some problems
that Atari needs correcting.
Here are a few of the several messages being posted on major
computer networks:
Article #660 (660 is last):
From: an913@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Tom P. Jarvela)
Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.spec.video
Subject: My Adventure At Toys R Us
Date: Wed Dec 30 16:39:55 1992
I decided to do a little shopping today and ran into Toys R Us to see if
they got anything in stock. Well, they didn't, but there are some other
things that happened.
As I made my way to the video game section I took a glance at the LYNX
system in the display case. There were no available cards to take to buy
the thing and the game running was Ms. Pac Man. The brightness was turned
down so low it couldn't hardly be seen. The game display itself isn't
anything that would sell a system anyway. It's a plain black screen with
Ms. Pac Man on it and there apparently was no demo for it.
Anyway, I go over to where the games are waaaaaay in the back by the SNES
stuff. I didn't see any new games or restocked old games for that matter.
I was quite frustrated because I wanted to buy Checkered Flag or another
game for $19 (they price on the sign). They were sold out except for the
floor models. Normally I don't like floor models, but I decided that the
instruction would be in good shape, the card itself would hardly be used,
probably just a few hours running in the display case, so I bought
Checkered Flag and California Games. They also had Awesome Golf and LYNX
Casino for $19 (floor models). So I take the floor sample cards up, pay
for them, go to the booth, and this kid comes over to wait on me. I
stared him down and tossed him my receipt. He went to get the games. When
he came back I we had a conversation that went something like this:
Me: "You know, you really should give more support for the LYNX. You know,
get some newer games in and restock the old ones that have sold out. And
do something about that display, it makes the LYNX look bad. It's a
helluva machine and you're lack of support is a disgrace."
Droid: "I know, I like the LYNX. Nice machine. Nice. It's really nice,
good graphics, yeah... BUT... we're dropping it."
Me: "You're dropping it? What kind of idiotic move is that? There's quite
a nice sized user base in this area. It's a fairly popular machine."
Droid: "Yeah, well, uh, I don't know much about it, we're just going to
get rid of it."
Just like that. No real excuse given as to why they are dropping it.
It's obviously selling. I had to restrain myself from swearing because of
the presence of some little kids nearby. I think I'll be taking my
business elsewhere from now on... for good.
Greg
--
Article #1448 (1499 is last):
Newsgroups: alt.games.lynx
From: areid@mary.fordham.edu (Darin Reid)
Subject: Lynx - bad sign!
Date: Sun Dec 27 13:04:00 1992
I just got the Sunday edition of the New York (City) Daily News...
in it there is a sale paper for Toys "R" Us, it has a huge section for
game systems and their games, and guess what..., the Lynx is nowhere
to be found!
They advertise: Super Nintendo, Gameboy, Game Gear, Nintendo, Genesis,
TurboExpress, and Turbografx-16, all of the Game Genies and hand held
games from Tiger. NO LYNX... I bought a system that has no
following!!!
I should have gotten a Game Gear! Sorry Robert but I've lost faith in
Atari's ability to market and support their product. I can't even
find games for it; Not in T"R"U, The Wiz, Kiddie City, Electronic
Boutique (mail order catalog dropped the Lynx too!), Kaybee can a Lynx
game be found. The machine isn't even mentioned. When the TG-16 is
displayed more prominently than the Lynx quittin' time has come...
Just my view o' things...
- Darin
________________________________________________________________________
Areid@Mary.Fordham.Edu || Dreid@Nyx.Cs.Du.Edu ||
reid@dsm.fordham.edu
------------------------------------------------------------------------
itnet:areid@fordmulc
-------------------------------
Article #1450 (1499 is last):
Newsgroups: alt.games.lynx
From: positron@engin.umich.edu (Jonathan Scott Haas)
Subject: Re: Lynx - bad sign!
Date: Sun Dec 27 16:13:07 1992
In article <27DEC199214041812@mary.fordham.edu> areid@mary.fordham.edu
(Darin Reid) writes:
-
- ["the Lynx is dying!"]
-
I agree, which is why I think I'm going to sell mine. I was
in TRU yesterday, and was startled to see the Lynx gone from
its display case. They still had some games, but not many.
It seems likely that they're just going to sell off their
inventory, then drop support.
--
__/\__ Jonathan S. Haas | Jake liked his women the way he liked
\ / University of Michigan | his kiwi fruit: sweet yet tart, firm-
/_ _\ positron@engin.umich.edu | fleshed yet yielding to the touch, and
\/ | covered with short brown fuzzy hair.
-------------------------------
This news should make every Lynx owner concerned.
I called Toys'R'Us and I was informed that if customers of
Toys'R'Us has any problems regarding the Lynx, we should write:
Mr. Michael Goldstein, Vice Chairman of Toys'R'Us. He is also the
Chief Financial Officer.
The woman I spoke to on the phone said that he has the power
to bring back the Lynx if it was dropped. She continued to say that if
the customers of Toys'R'Us are unhappy, the only way that they will
know about it is if you let Toys'R'Us know.
I say, let them know.
If you are disappointed by the recent rumors of Toys'R'Us
dropping the Lynx, please write Mr. Goldstein a letter at the
following address:
Mr. Michael Goldstein, Vice Chairman
Toys'R'Us
461 From Road
Paramus, NJ 07652
If you are disappointed by the distribution of Lynx systems
and Lynx game cards by Atari, please write Mr. Sam Tramiel a letter
at the following address:
Mr. Sam Tramiel, President
Atari Corporation
1196 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
There is no doubt that writing your OWN letters to these people
will help MORE than just sending in form letters. These company
officials will be more convinced that you are serious about this matter
if you take the time to write your own letter. If you do not know
exactly what to say, read the form letters to get some ideas.
Also, remember to be nice!
If you absolutely do not have enough time to write your own
letters, you are welcome to choose the following form letters that can
best express your feelings.
The most important thing you can do besides writing is to spread
the news about this letter writing campaign. Toys'R'Us will NOT consider
bringing back the Lynx unless they receive THOUSANDS of letters.
This means that you and every Lynx owner that you know will need to
write a letter. There is no other way.
The same thing goes for Atari. Sam Tramiel will not attempt
to get Toys'R'Us as a Lynx dealer again unless you make him aware that
he needs to do it.
Thank you for caring about the Lynx!
Sincerely,
Len Stys (aa399@cleveland.freenet.edu)
SAM TRAMIEL, ATARI FORM LETTERS
-------------------------------
(date)
(your address)
Mr. Sam Tramiel, President
Atari Corporation
1196 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Dear Mr. Tramiel,
I am writing you this letter to inform you that
the Toys'R'Us retail stores in my area have a very small
supply of Lynx systems and Lynx game cards. This
concerns me because Toys'R'Us is one of the few retailers
remaining that I can purchase Lynx game cards at.
I have also written Toys'R'Us about this problem
with hope that you will both find a way to increase the
supply of Lynx systems and Lynx game cards at Toys'R'Us.
The Lynx is too good of a product for its success to be
limited by lack of distribution.
Thank you for caring enough about your customers
to correct this problem.
Sincerely,
(your signature)
(your name)
\\\\////
(date)
(your address)
Mr. Sam Tramiel, President
Atari Corporation
1196 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Dear Mr. Tramiel,
I am writing you this letter to inform you of
the lack of Lynx dealers in my area. I have a very
hard time obtaining game cards because retailers either
do not carry them or only keep a small supply in stock.
I also do not care to use Atari's 1-800 number to
order game cards for a system that I should be able to
purchase at any toy store.
I have recently noticed that the Toys'R'Us stores
in my area have reduced the amount of Lynx systems and
game cards that they carry. I would appreciate it if
your company would contact Toys'R'Us and make
arrangements for the store to carry more of Atari's
products instead of less. I have also contacted
Toys'R'Us to inform them of the demand for the Lynx and
Lynx game cards.
I would like to let you know that the Lynx is a
very good video game system because of the quality games
available for it. Please make sure that only quality
games are released for the Lynx in the future.
Thank you for caring enough to read my letter and
for correcting the problems I mentioned.
Sincerely,
(your signature)
(your name)
\\\\////
(date)
(your address)
Mr. Sam Tramiel, President
Atari Corporation
1196 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Dear Mr. Tramiel,
There seems to be a distribution problem with one
the best video game systems on the market--the Lynx.
The Lynx is an incredible product that cannot be
purchased because very few retailers are carrying it!
I am having a difficult time finding retailers to
purchase Lynx games at. I also do not care to order
games through a 1-800 number when I should be able to
buy them at toy stores.
I have noticed that Toys'R'Us seems to be carrying
less and less of the Lynx and game cards each time
I visit. I have written Toys'R'Us about the demand for
Atari's products with hope that you will both work to
increase Toys'R'Us' supplies.
The main reason the Lynx is the best portable video
game system is because of the quality games available
for it. Atari must only release high quality games for
the Lynx or it will become just another video game
system. Please keep track of the companies that make the
best Lynx games and have them make more.
I would also appreciate it if your company
increases the number of third-party companies that make
games for the Lynx. This will allow games to be produced
for the Lynx that are in demand, but your company is
unable to produce.
Thank you for caring enough to read my letter
and for considering what I have written.
Sincerely,
(your signature)
(your name)
\\\\////
(date)
(your address)
Mr. Sam Tramiel, President
Atari Corporation
1196 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Dear Mr. Tramiel,
I have heard rumors that Toys'R'Us is dropping the
Lynx! Is this true? Toys'R'Us is one of the few toy
stores left that support the Lynx.
I was shocked that Atari let their largest distributor
slip away, but I have written a letter to Toys'R'Us urging
them to continue carrying the Lynx. I also urge you to
contact Toys'R'Us and arrange for them to continue carrying
the Lynx.
I am confident that any problems between Atari and
Toys'R'Us can be resolved.
Thank you,
(your signature)
(your name)
\\\\////
MICHAEL GOLDSTEIN, TOYS'R'US FORM LETTERS
-----------------------------------------
(date)
(your address)
Mr. Michael Goldstein, Vice Chairman
Toys'R'Us
461 From Road
Paramus, NJ 07652
Dear Mr. Goldstein,
I have been recommending the Atari Lynx to all of
my friends. I tell them to buy it at Toys'R'Us but
the stores in my area do not have any and your sales
people do not expect any new shipments! There are also
very few Lynx game titles in stock. Why doesn't the
largest toy store in the world carry a healthy supply
of a quality product such as the Atari Lynx?
The Atari Lynx is the best portable video game
system on the market. In the past, I have purchased my
Lynx games from Toys'R'Us. I am concerned that I will
not be able to buy them from Toys'R'Us in the future.
I hope you understand that Toys'R'Us will be losing
sales by not carrying the Lynx. My friends and I will not
stop buying Lynx games because Toys'R'Us does not carry
them, we will only go to another store that does.
Sincerely,
(your signature)
(your name)
\\\\////
(date)
(your address)
Mr. Michael Goldstein, Vice Chairman
Toys'R'Us
461 From Road
Paramus, NJ 07652
Dear Mr. Goldstein,
I purchased my Atari Lynx from Toys'R'Us with the
belief that your company would be there when I wanted
to buy games for it. I have visited Toys'R'Us in my area
and I am told that the Lynx is being dropped!
When I purchased my Lynx from Toys'R'Us, the
salesperson told me that I was making the right decision
by purchasing it from Toys'R'Us. There are other
stores that I could have purchased it from that are
continuing to support the Lynx strongly.
I would like very much to continue buying my Lynx
video games from Toys'R'Us. Please continue supporting
the Atari Lynx by increasing, not decreasing, the amount
of stock that Toys'R'Us stores carry.
Thank you for taking the time to care about your
customers.
Sincerely,
(your signature)
(your name)
\\\\////
(date)
(your address)
Mr. Michael Goldstein, Vice Chairman
Toys'R'Us
461 From Road
Paramus, NJ 07652
Dear Mr. Goldstein,
I have heard rumors that Toys'R'Us is dropping the
Lynx! Is this true? Toys'R'Us has carried Atari
products since the store first started! This is very
disappointing news.
The Atari Lynx is not only a very good product, but
it is also manufactured by the only American video game
company!
I urge you to contact Atari and resolve your
problems with them. The Atari Lynx is just too good of
a product for Toys'R'Us not to carry.
Thank you for caring about your customers.
Sincerely,
(your signature)
(your name)
\\\\////
THANK YOU FOR WRITING!
This is what makes the Atari Community so great!
______________________________________
> NVN WANTS YOU! STR InfoFile Another Network Supports Atari!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
National Videotext Network (NVN) has recently added an Atari ST Forum
to it's growing lists of available services. The Atari ST Forum is ready
and waiting for you!
The future of NVN will be one which continues to remain sensitive and
responsive to market needs. Additional services and advances in electronic
information will continue to be added, to provide unique and interesting
services on an on-going basis.
NVN service offerings can be broken into three categories: Basic,
Premium, and Premium Plus.
Basic Services
--------------
Most of the Basic services are available 24 hours a day with no
connect time charges beyond the basic membership fee. However, a select
group have functions for which transaction fees are charged. Basic
services are accessible through a flat rate charge of $5.95 per month.
Premium Services
----------------
For Premium services, Members pay connect charges for the amount of
time spent in a particular service. Premium services are accessible Monday
through Friday for a connect time charge of $9.00/hour from 8 am to 6 pm,
and $6.00/hour from 6 pm to 8 am; and on Saturday and Sunday for a connect
time charge of $6.00 all day (6 pm Friday til 8 am Monday), central time
zone. 9600 Baud access is available at no additional cost! Think of the
advantages of downloading at 9600 baud for 9.00 hr Prime Time or 6.00 hr
non-prime time!
Premium Plus Services
---------------------
Premium Plus services are subject to the same type of connect time
charge as Premium services. However, a surcharge is also added to the
connect time for these services.
You can join NVN one of two ways. By voice phone 1-800-336-9096
(Client Services) or via modem phone 1-800-336-9092. You will be issued
an Account # (usually within 24 hours) National Videotex Network and the
Atari ST Forum will be waiting for you.
_____________________________________________________________
> STraight FAX NEWS STR InfoFile STraight FAX updates & NEWS
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
ctsy GEnie ST RT
----------------
Happy New Year! to everyone who has supported the STraight FAX! in 1992.
By now, I hope that everyone is aware of the change in marketing of
the STraight FAX!. As of December 16, 1992, the STraight FAX! is being
marketed under by NewSTar Technology Management, which is owned by the
developer of the STraight FAX!, Charles Smeton.
I would like to thank all the STraight FAX! users for their patience
during this transition. It is very important to us that our users feel
that they are being provided the best support possible. To this extent,
since NewSTar Technology Management's primary business is hardware and
software engineering, we are happy to announce that we have reached an
agreement with Dave Troy of Toad Computers located in Severna Park,
Maryland to provide telephone technical support, production support and
marketing support for the STraight FAX!
The STraight FAX! will continue to be marketed under the NewSTar
Technology Management company name and on-line technical support will
continue to be provided on GEnie, Compuserve and the FNET by NewSTar
Technology Management.
TOAD Computers will provide telephone technical support during their
normal business hours and may be reached as follows:
570F Governor Ritchie Hwy. Severna Park, Maryland 21146
Technical Support:
(410) 544-6943
FAX:(410) 544-1329
GEnie: TOAD-SERV.
We kindly ask that STraight FAX! users DO NOT call Toad Computer's 800
line requesting technical support.
As all Toad Computer's personnel may not be completely up to speed in
providing technical support to registered STraight FAX! users, any
questions that can not be answered directly by the support personnel will
be forwarded to NewSTar Technology Management in order to provide accurate
answers as fast as possible. Again, We thank you for your patience
during this transition.
NewSTar Technology Management may be reached as follows:
P.O. Box 122 Columbia, Maryland 21045-0122
GEnie:
------
C.S.SMETON, product support is available in the ST Roundtable in
Category 4, Topic 24.
Compuserve:
-----------
73047,2565, product support questions may be posted in the Atari
Developer's Forum (GO ATARIDEV) Telecommunications message area.
FNET:
----
Charles Smeton, FNET Node 500 (Battlezone). We also monitor the Atari
Explorer On-line and STReport Message Areas as well as the other major
Atari ST related message areas available on the FNET.
Note to dealers:
----------------
The STraight FAX! will still be available in the US from
Pacific Software Supply and in the United Kingdom from HCS Computer
Peripheral Supplies.
****
NewSTar Technology Management is happy to announce that we have been
accepted into membership of the Independent Association of Atari
Developers (IAAD). We wish to thank IAAD President, D. A. Brumleve and
the IAAD Board of Directors for accepting our application request.
****
NewSTar Technology Management recently received a stack of FAXes and
letters from STraight FAX! users that were sent to the previous marketing
company that were never answered. We apologize for the delay in
processing these FAXes and letters that we only recently have been made
aware of. All of these FAXes and letters are being answered at this time.
NewSTar Technology Management
There was a request made for information about support for 300 x 300
DPI FAX resolutions available from vendors such as Hewlett Packard. Since
STraight FAX! users on GEnie may also be interested in higher resolution
FAX capabilities, the response to this question is repeated below:
The CCITT Group 3 FAX protocol does officially support a 300 x 300 DPI
FAX Resolution at this time. There are currently two resolutions that all
Group 3 FAX Machines/FAX Modems must support: Normal Resolution at 203 x
98 DPI and Fine Resolution at 203 x 196 DPI. Some vendor's FAX Machines
support a resolution called Super Fine Resolution at 203 x 392 DPI,
however the method used to support this resolution is not an officially
supported capability. As such two different vendor's FAX machines that
are advertised as supporting a Super Fine Resolution may not be able to
communicate at this resolution. It is possible that what different
vendors call Super Fine Resolution may not even be the same resolution.
The EIA/TIA committee that decides FAX standards has submitted for
approval enhanced resolutions as part of the "1992 Group 3 features" of
300 x 300 DPI and 400 x 400 DPI. Currently these enhanced resolutions are
not supported by any standard FAX modems such as Class 1 or Class 2 FAX
Modems. The TR-29.2 EIA/TIA committee that decides computer (DTE) to FAX
Modem (DCE) protocols will most likely add these enhancements in 1993.
Since large companies sit on these committees, they can design and
release products based on what they know will most likely be an adopted
standard. This may be the reason that Hewlett Packard has a 300 x 300 DPI
resolution. On the other hand while the HP Laser Printer integrated into
HP's FAX Machine may be a 300 x 300 DPI device, HP may be just scaling a
Normal or Fine Resolution FAX bit-map image that is received to that of
the Laser Printer.
When a FAX is received via a FAX Modem, the FAX software does
basically the same thing when it attempts to print it to a printer (i.e.
scale it to the resolution of the printer).
When a sending FAX machine calls a receiving FAX machine, the sender
and receiver exchange handshaking messages that describe the capabilities
that each support.
If the receiver is capable of a 300 x 300 DPI resolution, but the
sender is a standard FAX Machine and is not capable of 300 x 300 DPI, the
transfer will take place at the resolution that the sender selects.
If the sender is capable of a 300 x 300 DPI resolution, but the
receiver is a standard FAX Machine and is not capable of 300 x 300 DPI,
and the sender is set to the 300 x 300 DPI resolution, the sender must
adjust downward to the next best resolution, which is Fine Resolution.
Since the standard Class 1 or Class 2 FAX Modems support only Normal
and Fine Resolution, none of the Class 1 or Class 2 FAX Software (that I
am aware of for the PC, Mac or STraight FAX! that we have developed for
the Atari ST/TT/ Falcon030) support any enhanced resolutions.
Once the TR-29.2 committee decides on a way to support enhanced
resolutions, it is possible that FAX Modem firmware could be update to
support these resolutions. Software support should soon follow.
There is one other problem with supporting enhanced resolutions via a
FAX Modem. All FAX Software that I have seen performs the conversion of
graphics, text, etc. to the user specified FAX resolution before dialing
the remote FAX. Since all Group 3 FAX Machines/FAX Modems must support
Normal and Fine Resolution, there will never be a problem when the FAX
machines exchange capabilities at the start of the call. The FAX Software
must do the conversion prior to making the call as this is a CPU intensive
process that can not be done on the fly.
A FAX Machine normally scans the page at the user specified FAX
resolution on the fly after the connection has been established, converts
the scanned data to the FAX format and sends it to the receiver. As such
a FAX machine can switch down to a commonly supported resolution if
necessary.
A FAX Software package would need to convert each page to both the
enhanced resolution and Fine Resolution and save these to disk before
dialing. The FAX software can then choose which set of files to send,
based on the capabilities of the receiver. This would increase the
conversion time and disk space requirements by a factor of 3.
The TR-29.2 is also looking into future DTE to DCE FAX communication
standards, where the FAX Modem has memory and a high speed CPU. These FAX
Modems will have the capability of doing a Text to FAX or Graphics to FAX
conversion on the fly, just as a FAX Machine does. These features are
being evaluated for Class 3 and Class 4 FAX Modems, however with the
current technology price/performance ratio this would be very expensive at
this time.
The FAX world is changing rapidly at this time. New FAX Standards are
in the process of being approved, including Group 3-64 and Group 4.
Besides Class 3 and Class 4, there will be other DTE to DCE protocols
available such as Class 1A, 2.0 and 2.1. Since the FAX Modem vendors sit
on these committees, products may appear before the standards are
official. This is what happened with Class 2 FAX Modems and is why the
official Class 2 will be called Class 2.0 to distinguish it from the
current "unofficial" Class 2 FAX Modems.
****
NewSTar Technology Management is constantly enhancing the STraight
FAX! in order to keep up with the latest capabilities available in the FAX
and FAX Modem world. An example of this is the support in the upcoming
Version 1.07 of the STraight FAX! for the Silent Answer and Caller ID
capabilities available in the Supra V.32/V.32bis FAX Modems (as firmware
upgrades from Supra).
Silent Answer allows sharing of a single phone line between a FAX
Modem and a Voice Phone/Answering Machine. Early press releases from
Supra Corp. were not clear on the exact features that Silent Answer
provides. As it turns out the Silent Answer capability does not provide
100% of the functionality of an external FAX Line Manager device, which
can automatically answer an incoming call and determine if a FAX or Voice
call is in progress and switch between a Voice Phone/Answering Machine or
a FAX Machine/FAX Modem.
Silent Answer is available in the Supra V.32 and V.32bis FAX Modems
that have firmware ROM revisions V1.200-H and V1.200-J. The only
difference between the H and J revisions is that the J revision contains
the support for the Caller ID capability and costs extra from Supra.
The ROM revision can be verified from a terminal program by sending
either of the following commands:
ATI3 (carriage return)
or
AT+FREV? (carriage return)
In the STraight FAX! Version 1.07, Silent Answer will operate as
follows:
Under Receive Preferences:
Set Answer After to 9 rings
Set Silent Answer to Enabled
Set Auto Receive to either Always Enabled or Selectively Enabled.
If Auto Receive is set to Selectively Enabled, then specify the time
interval when to answer the call.
The FAX Modem may be connected anywhere in the phone line. However do
not connect an Answering Machine or the Voice Phone handset that you
normally pick up to answer the phone to the connector labeled "PHONE" on
back of the FAX Modem. The Supra FAX Modem will disconnect any phone
device connected to this connector when the FAX Modem is on-line. A Phone
Line Splitter and extra phone cables may be needed to connect the phone,
answering machine and FAX Modem properly.
When the phone rings, pick up the phone and listen for the caller to
respond. If the call is a Voice call, you can answer the call you normal
would.
The FAX Modem will send a RING result code to the computer for each
ring that was detected prior to the phone line being picked up.
When the line has been picked up, the FAX Modem will be able to
determine if the call is a FAX call (by sensing the CNG tone) or a Voice
call (by the lack of the CNG tone).
The CNG Tone is the periodic tone that FAX Machines send when
establishing a connection with a remote FAX. See the Note below for older
FAX Machines that do not send the CNG tone.
You then will also be able to tell if the call is a FAX or Voice call
by listening for the CNG tone.
If the call is a Voice call, the FAX Modem will not issue any more
RING result codes to the computer. Since the STraight FAX! has been set
answer after 9 RING result codes have been received, it will timeout 20
seconds after the last RING result code was received and reset the FAX
modem back to the receive mode. The FAX Receive Log will indicate that
the call timed out.
Since the call is a Voice call, you can proceed as normal in answering
the call.
If the call is a FAX call, the FAX Modem will sense the CNG tone and
issue very quickly up to 9 RING result codes to the computer. This will
trigger the STraight FAX! into sending a command to the FAX Modem to
answer the call and begin the FAX receive.
When you hear that the FAX Modem has picked up the line, you may hang
up the phone and verify that the FAX receive is in progress on the
computer.
What if you are not home at the time of the call, no one will be
around for the phone line to be picked up, so:
The FAX Modem will continue to send RING result codes to the computer
as long as the sender does not hang up on the call.
If the caller hangs up before 9 rings, the STraight FAX! will timeout
20 seconds after the last ring and then reset the FAX Modem back to the
receive mode. The FAX Receive Log will indicate that the call timed out.
If the caller allows the phone to ring 9 times, then when 9 RING
result codes have been detected, the STraight FAX! will send the command
to the FAX Modem to answer the call. The FAX Modem will determine if the
call is a FAX or Voice call by sensing the CNG tone.
If the call is a FAX call, the STraight FAX! will attempt to receive
the FAX.
If is a Voice call the caller will hear the FAX tone and know to hang
up. The STraight FAX! will detect that the call is not a FAX call, hang
up the phone and reset the FAX Modem. The FAX Receive Log will indicate
that the call timed out.
Automatic Unattended Operation of Silent Answer
Using an Answering Machine it is possible for automatic unattended
operation of the Silent Answer capability.
Make sure that the Answering Machine is not connected to the "PHONE"
connector on the back of the FAX Modem.
The Answering Machine should be set to answer after 2 to 4 calls as
normal. The Answering Machine acts just as normal person and will answer
the call. This allows the FAX Modem to determine the if the call is a FAX
or Voice call.
Most newer model Answering Machines will automatically stop the
greeting message and hang up if another phone somewhere on the same phone
circuit is picked up. When the FAX Modem detects an incoming FAX call by
sensing the CNG tones, it will quickly issue up to 9 RING result codes to
the computer. The STraight FAX! will then send the command to the FAX
Modem to also answer the call. When this happens, the Answering Machine
will hangup and allow the FAX Modem to take over and receive the FAX.
If the FAX Modem does not detect a FAX call, it will not send any more
RING result codes to the computer and the STraight FAX! will timeout and
reset the FAX Modem to receive mode. The Answering Machine will answer
the call as it would normally do.
If the Answering Machine does not have the ability to disconnect when
another phone on the same phone circuit is picked up, there is a device
available from Radio Shack for $7.95 that can be used to disconnect the
Answering Machine when another phone device picks up (see the note below).
Note: If you do not have an Answering Machine and you intend to receive
FAXes while you are away, we recommend disabling the Silent Answer mode.
The STraight FAX! will answer the call after the specified number of rings
and determine if a FAX or Voice call is in progress and respond
appropriately.
The important thing to understand about Silent Answer is that it will
not operate unless the phone line is picked up in some manner. The CNG
tone can not be detected until the phone line is picked up.
Since Voice callers and FAX callers will allow different numbers of
rings to occur before determining that no one is home to answer the call
or that the FAX Machine is off-line, you will need to adjust the number of
rings to wait to answer the phone somewhere between 5 to 9 rings. Make
sure that the number of rings is greater than the Answering Machine's or
else the FAX Modem will always pick up the line before the Answering
Machine.
If an external Caller ID unit is also in use, make sure that the
Answering Machine is set to a minimum of 2 rings, or else the Caller ID
information which is sent between the first and second ring will not be
detectable.
Note: Some older FAX Machines (i.e. units that require manually dialing
from a handset) do not send the CNG tone. Silent Answer currently will
not operate with these types of FAX Machines. Supra Corp. is aware of
this limitation and may provide a fix for this in future firmware. Some
Answering Machines will not shut off when another phone on the same phone
circuit is picked up. Radio Shack sells a device for $7.95 called the
Voice/Data Guard Teleprotector (Catalog NUmber 43-107). This device will
cut off an Answering Machine when the Supra FAX Modem is instructed to
answer the call.
Caller ID allows reception of the Date, Time and Phone Number of the
calling party. Caller ID is available in selected areas in the US and
Canada, normally as an optional service from the local phone company. At
this time most areas with Caller ID can only send the caller's phone
number from a call that originates in the local calling area. Calls from
outside the local calling area will be indicated with an Out of Area
message. In some areas where Caller ID is available, local laws allow the
caller to block the Caller ID information from being sent to the called
party either on a per call basis or permanent basis. Calls received from
a calling party that blocks the Caller ID information will be indicated
with a Private Number message. Note: in some areas with Caller ID,
telephone subscribers can instruct the local telephone company to block
any telephone calls that originate from a calling party that blocks the
Caller ID information. The calling party will receive a message from the
local telephone company that the number being called is unavailable and
the called party's phone will not ring. This service option may be
available to all subscribers whether they subscribe to Caller ID or not.
We have recently learned that in some provinces of Canada, Bell Canada
sends the Caller ID information in a different format than the standard
method used in the US and other parts of Canada. In these areas of
Canada, the Caller ID information is still available, but will not include
the area code of the calling party. NewSTar Technology Management plans
to support both Caller ID formats that are used. It is possible that
Supra Corporation may change the firmware in future versions of their
V.32/V.32bis FAX Modems so that the difference in formats is transparent
to the Caller ID software on the host computer.
Version 1.07 of the STraight FAX! will display the Caller ID
information in the Receive FAX Status and will use the Caller ID
information to identify the FAX Call in the Receive FAX Log if the calling
FAX does not send its Local FAX Identification String. NewSTar Technology
Management is also developing a stand alone Caller ID utility, which will
be available in the first quarter of '93.
As part of the "1992 Group 3 features" added to the FAX communication
protocols FAX devices will be able to support features such as enhanced
resolutions, error correction and binary file transfer. While the "1992
Group 3 Features" have not "officially" been approved and published by the
EIA/TIA, many vendors will likely introduce products that support these
capabilities in the near future.
The original Group 3 FAX specifications were approved in 1981. In
1990, the FAX specification was enhanced to include V.17 support for 12000
and 14400 baud modulation rates.
In the FAX Modem world, there are currently two standards for
communication between a FAX Modem (DCE) and a Computer (DTE) via an RS-232
interface:
Class 1 - Which was approved by the EIA/TIA in August of 1990.
Class 2 - Which is based on the initial TIA/EIA TR-29.2 committee as
Special Project 2388. This version of the Class 2 standard
was not approved. Several revisions were made to this
standard before it was approved in 1992. Since many vendors
have products based on the unofficial Class 2 proposal, the
approved version will be known as Class 2.0. It is expected
that vendors may be providing firmware upgrades for Class 2.0
or new products in mid 1993. Supra has indicated to us that
they will support Class 2.0, if Rockwell International (who
manufacturers the chip sets and firmware in the Supra FAX
Modems) supports it. Upgrades to Class 2.0 should be
available as firmware upgrades to the FAX Modems, however
some Class 2.0 capabilities may not be available on current
FAX Modems due to hardware limitations.
The difference between Class 1 and Class 2/2.0, for lack of a better
analogy is like the difference between a car with a manual transmission
and a car with an automatic transmission. In both cases the car has a
steering wheel and accelerator and break pedals. A manual transmission
also has a clutch and the gear shifter which must be periodically utilized
by the driver, whereas an automatic transmission has an automatic shift,
which is utilized in frequently (i.e. starting, parking, reversing
direction). In both cases, from the outside, the car appears to function
in the same manner, however the driver needs to have additional training
to operate a manual transmission.
A FAX Modem operating in Class 1 or Class 2 mode, appears to operate
in the same manner from the point of view of the operator of the FAX
software. In addition, the remote FAX machine is unaware that the FAX
device that it is connected with is a Class 1 or Class 2 FAX Modem or a
FAX Machine. Internally, the FAX Communication software operates
differently between Class 1 and Class 2. In a Class 2 FAX Modem, the
internal micro-controller CPU controls the low level Group 3 FAX protocol
communication. The firmware in the Class 2 FAX Modem automatically
performs the handshaking between the FAX devices. Under Class 2, the FAX
Modem sends response messages to the DTE FAX Software to let it know when
to start sending the data for each FAX page. Internally, the Class 2
firmware filters the data to present it to the remote FAX in the exact
format that it expects. In Class 1, the DTE FAX Software is responsible
for all of these functions. This places a greater demand on the timing
and CPU overhead that the DTE FAX Software requires. In a multi-tasking
environment, such as Atari's Multi-TOS, UNIX or Microsoft Windows, the CPU
speed can be a critical factor for proper Class 1 operation.
Since the Class 2 protocol used by vendors such as Rockwell, Sierra
and Exar was never officially approved, there are variations in each
vendor's implementation. In addition, not all Class 2 FAX Modems
implement all the capabilities that are defined in the original Class 2
proposal, such as FAX Polling, Binary File Transfer, Error Correction
Mode, etc. Under Class 1, all of these features can be made available,
provided that the DTE FAX Software supports them (and that FAX Modem's
Class 1 firmware does not contain errors that would prevent them from
working properly).
Supra Corp. indicated that the version "H" and "J" firmware ROMS
updates would support Binary File Transfer and Error Correction Mode. As
it turns out, this is partially true. Since the Supra firmware supports
both Class 1 and Class 2 modes of operation, the newer firmware can
support these features under Class 1 operation, but not under Class 2
operation at this time. Currently the only FAX software that supports
these features is a Macintosh program.
Supra's "H" and "J" firmware also support Silent Answer and Adaptive
Answer. Silent Answer allows FAX/Voice sharing of a single line, while
Adaptive Answer allows Data/FAX sharing of a single line. These modes of
operation are mutually exclusive and can not be accessed at the same time
under the current firmware implementation. Adaptive Answer is a
capability defined in Class 1 and Class 2. Silent Answer is a Supra
unique capability that is not currently addressed in the Class 1 or Class
2 specifications.
The STraight FAX! will support Silent Answer in version 1.07.
Adaptive Answer is not supported at this time. Since Adaptive Answer
requires communication between a FAX Program and a BBS/Terminal Program
with a mini-BBS mode, support of this mode will require cooperation
between FAX, BBS and Terminal Software vendors.
NewSTar Technology Management has been in contact with Supra Corp.
discussing some of the compatibility problems that exist between Supra FAX
Modems and the STraight FAX! We apologize for the delay in answering
questions about compatibility issues as it has taken longer than expected
to get in touch with the proper Supra engineers due to fact that Supra has
been under-staffed during the holidays.
Below is a list of the current compatibility problems. Some of these
problems may exist with other vendor's FAX Modems that use Rockwell
chipsets and firmware.
1. Problems with Touch Tone Dialing. The FAX Modem will sometimes dial
one digit and pause before resuming dialing or sometime switch into
Pulse Dialing mode. The problem can be solved for the time being by
placing a "T" as the first character of the Dialing Prefix (under
Dialing Preferences). It appears that the FAX Modem incorrectly
switches into what is called Adaptive Dialing mode (not to be confused
with Adaptive Answer mode). Adaptive Dialing is for use in some area
that do not support Touch Tone dialing. Where this occurs, the Modem
will switch to Pulse Dialing if the dial tone does not cease within 3
seconds after the first digit was dialed using Touch Tone dialing.
2. Problems with using the V.32/V.32bis FAX Modems in FAX Mode after they
have been used in Data Mode (i.e. with a Terminal Program or as a
BBS). After a data connection terminates, a problem in the firmware
causes several hundred characters of data that were sent by the modem
to the computer while in data mode, to also be sent when the Class 2
FAX command AT+FLID? is issued. This FAX command is used by the
STraight FAX! to read back the previous Local FAX ID string that may
still be programmed into the FAX Modem. The only solution at this
time is to power the FAX Modem off and back on again, before
attempting to use the STraight FAX! This problem seems to happen only
in the MNP data modem modes, but it may also occur under other data
modes. The STraight FAX! will be unable to initialize the FAX Modem
to send or receive after the data connection. Some users have
reported this problem, which appeared on the surface to be a problem
with the terminal program. Supra will be investigating this problem
with Rockwell.
3. There are problems with the Supra V.32/V.32bis FAX Modems connecting
with some FAX Machines or FAX Modems. Supra has indicated that the
newer firmware corrected problems connecting with some FAX Machines,
however the problems still exist in the latest firmware in connecting
with some FAX Modems. Ironically the Supra FAX Modem Plus does not
experience these problems. We specifically have noticed problems that
the Supra V.32/V.32bis FAX Modems have had connecting with some Zoom
(also Rockwell based) FAX Modems and Best Data Products (Sierra based)
FAX Modems. The problems appear to be the result of slight timing
differences between the FAX Modems Class 2 implementations. There is
no solution at this time that we can implement as far as Class 2 is
concerned. Our solution is to provide the option to use Class 1,
which will place the burden of the responsibility in the DTE FAX
Software (i.e STraight FAX!). This will give users the option of
using Class 1, for the case where Class 2 can not connect properly.
Note: The Supra V.32/V.32bis to Zoom FX9624 FAX Modem problem only
occurs when the Supra is the sender and the Zoom is the
receiver, in the reverse direction the modems connect properly.
In response to direct user's questions:
To PMC:
The Zoom SendFAX Modem that you have uses a non-standard command set
different from Class 1 and Class 2, which was developed by Sierra and
called the SendFAX command set. I suspect that the problems that you are
having are similar to the timing problems described above for Class 2.
Since the SendFAX modem firmware also implements the low level Group 3 FAX
protocol, there is little that we can do unless the firmware is upgraded.
In the rapidly changing FAX market, the SendFAX Modems are considered only
technology by today's standards and I would doubt that Sierra will be
upgrading the firmware.
Since the STraight FAX! supports the SendFAX and Class 2 command sets
at this time and we are developing support for Class 1 at this time, you
might want to look into the possibility of upgrading to a new FAX Modem if
you make frequent calls overseas. Once Class 1 support is available, you
might consider a Zoom AFX External Class 1 FAX Modem, which is available
for as little as $79.99.
To RRWELDIN:
Class 1 support will be in addition to Class 2 support and will
require a FAX Modem that supports Class 1, such as the FAX Modems
available from Hayes, U. S. Robotics, Zoom or the Supra FAX Modems (which
support both Class 1 and 2).
To VANDENHEUVEL:
At this time the STraight FAX! will not operate with the Hayes FAX
Modems which are Class 1 only. Once our Class 1 support is available, I
expect that the Hayes FAX Modems will operate with the STraight FAX!.
Several Users have asked about the advantages of Font GDOS over other
versions of GDOS:
Font GDOS was released this in the spring of 1992 by Atari. While it
does not support scalable fonts like FSM GDOS and now Speedo GDOS, it does
support all the other features of the scalable GDOS versions.
Atari's distribution of Font GDOS is different than with the original
GDOS. First, it is available on-line here on GEnie and is available from
developers under license agreement from Atari. The version that NewSTar
Technology Management has available includes the Swiss and Dutch bit map
fonts in various point sizes for various types of printers. Other than
that it is basically the same as the version on-line here on GEnie. We
also include a printed instruction manual.
Font GDOS includes 3 utilities available as CPX modules and Desk
Accessories. One of these CPX/ACC's is intended for FSM GDOS, but it does
allow setting of one feature of Font GDOS, i.e. the bit mapped cache
size. Another CPX/ACC will automatically create the ASSIGN.SYS file.
While the third CPX/ACC allows configuration of the new printer drivers
that are FSM/Font GDOS compatible.
Font GDOS includes several printer drivers for 9pin, 24 pin, HP Laser
Jet, HP Desk Jet, Atari SLM Laser Printer, etc. Previously these drivers
were only available at an extra cost from third party developers or with
packages such as Timeworks DTP. Font GDOS also includes a new driver
called MEMORY.SYS, the STraight FAX! uses this driver to render GEM
Metafiles (and to scale Image Files pasted from the Clipboard in version
1.07).
Font GDOS also allows the user to change the ASSIGN.SYS file at any
time from within any application to change the printer setup. Some
applications, such as Timeworks DTP will not recognize the change until
they are exited and run again. Most GDOS applications allow changing the
printer driver assigned to device 21 at any time, this would allow
switching from a real printer driver to the STraight FAX! FSM GDOS driver
in order to print to disk FAX files in an application such as WordFlair
II.
Font GDOS does not have the slow down effect of the original GDOS and
it also supports drawing of Bezier Curves in GEM Metafiles and the VDI.
Finally, the bit mapped font cache allows Font GDOS to only load fonts
from the disk when needed, reducing the memory required for an application
to print. The bit mapped font cache only needs to be as large as the
largest bit mapped font file in the ASSIGN.SYS file. Under the original
GDOS and Codehead's G+Plus, all fonts are loaded at one time. If
insufficient memory is available to fit all fonts, then some fonts will
not be loaded and will not print. Under Font GDOS (and FSM GDOS or Speedo
GDOS) when a font is needed, it is loaded into the cache, replacing other
fonts in the cache only as necessary.
To All STraight FAX! users:
We would like to remind all STraight FAX! users that if they have not
already been in contact with NewSTar Technology Management, that we ask
them to send us EMail or Postal Mail with their name, address, date of
purchase, place of purchase and 10 digit registration number. Since the
change of marketing of the STraight FAX!, we do not have all users in our
database.
If a user has never sent in their registration card or has recently
purchased the STraight FAX!, we ask that the registration card be filled
out and sent to our address listed above. Without a valid registration
card on file, the telephone technical support personnel will not be able
to provide any technical support.
We are interested in feedback from STraight FAX! users and potential
STraight FAX! users about features that they would like to see supported
in future versions of the STraight FAX! Any users that would like to make
suggestions are encouraged to do so in this public topic.
Some areas that are being investigated are:
1. Support for word processing files such as 1ST Word, 1st Word Plus,
Word Writer ST and WordPerfect. This would allow direct conversion of
these files in the STraight FAX! preserving text effects such as Bold,
Italic, Underline, Centering, Indenting, etc.
2. Multi-tasking support -- This is planned using Atari's Multi-TOS and
is also being investigated using View Touch's Power DOS.
3. Voice Mail support -- using capabilities that Supra is planning to
support. This would be a new product, that would allow FAX On Demand.
4. FAX Forwarding -- i.e. configure the STraight FAX! to forward all
received FAXes to another FAX number during a specified time interval
during the day.
5. Auto FAX Retrieval from a FAX Mailbox -- Many users do not want to
leave a FAX Modem/Computer on to receive FAXes. AT&T and many of the
Bell companies have FAX Mailbox services that allow will receive FAXes
and store them for later retrieval by a user. Auto FAX Retrieval
would allow calling the access number for the FAX Mailbox service
(using the FAX Modem), entering the proper access code and destination
FAX Number (using Touch Tones) and then configuring the FAX Modem to
wait for the FAX Mailbox Service to call back and send all FAXes that
were received in the FAX Mailbox.
5. Distinctive Ring Detection support -- some FAX Modem vendors are
planning to support Distinctive Ring Detection in the FAX Modem.
6. Junk FAX Rejection -- Many users are constantly receiving unsolicited
Junk FAXes. Junk FAX Rejection would allow creation of a list of FAX
ID Strings and/or Phone Numbers (requires Caller ID) that if detected
will during an incoming FAX Call, will be disconnected.
7. Secure FAX -- The ability to encrypt a FAX for security purposes.
Secure FAX capabilities are being added to the FAX standards at this
time.
8. FAX Software support of Adaptive Answer to allow FAX/BBS operation on
the same phone line.
9. Blind Dialing -- In some areas where no dial tone is present on the
phone line, Blind Dialing is required for FAX Modem operations.
10. Class 2.0 FAX Modem support - when Class 2.0 products are available
on the market.
11. Additional Printer Driver support -- Compo's That's Write 2 and
Atari's Speedo GDOS drivers are currently under development.
12. Optical Character Recognition software interface -- This would allow
an interface to an OCR program that can turn received FAX documents
into Text Files. The OCR Program must be provided by a third party
vendor.
13. Support for additional Full Page Scanners -- such as SCSI interfaced
scanners or the new Migraph PS-400 Scanning Wand.
14. Binary File Transfer, Error Correction Mode and FAX Polling.
15. Support for advanced TOS 4.00/Multi-TOS user interface features such
as Hierarchical Menus and Drag and Drop.
NewSTar Technology Management
_____________________________________________________________________
> SPAR SYSTEMS STR InfoFile Online electronic books save time.
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
PageAssistant 2.0 for PageStream 2.2
CalAssistant SL for Calamus SL 8/92 (NEW!)
CalAssistant for Calamus 1.09N
from;
SPAR SYSTEMS
Brooklyn, NY
"One of the most satisfactory way to learn computer programs is
to learn and practice on your computer."
Welcome to Spar Systems' Electronic Books! Our online electronic books
provide timesaving information, tips, hints, tricks and tutorials for
PAGESTREAM, CALAMUS SL and CALAMUS by giving simple to understand
procedures and step-by-step examples within a GEM window interface shell.
We tell you the things you need to know so you can spend more time being
creative and less time finding out how to use a particular function or
icon. The text summaries get to the point.
!!! NEW !!!
********************************
* C A L A S S I S T A N T S L *
********************************
CALASSISTANT SL is our latest online electronic book for the
newly released CALAMUS SL. It supports version 8/92 and up, only. Some
of the procedures given may not work with older versions of
Calamus SL.
* CalAssistant SL in an accessory program that runs together
with the Calamus SL software, providing online help for all icons
and menu functions.
* Fully supports the GEM interface. The online window can be
resized, moved and expanded back to its original size. Icons are
placed on the left hand side of the window and are used to access
the main functions like the popup menus, printer configuration, clear
screen, etc. The popup menus work similar to the GEM menus. This
means, the menu item will auto-highlight when the mouse pointer is
passed over. The GEM window has a menu bar inside it that supports
pull down menus.
* Supports a point and select online index, with speedy go to
buttons.
* Topics related to the index item selected will show up as
linked files. These files are then moved into a special menu
automatically and are accessible using the links icon. For example,
if you select 'Hyphenation' from the index listing, the following
files will be linked: Set Hyphenation Rules and Hyphenate Text.
* The 'Special' menu has tips, examples and tutorials such as:
dynamic linking, reverse text, style sheets, mouse pointers, screen
DPI, converting Calamus 1.09N double pages and much more.
* Hot keys are supported for each program icon.
* The interface is resolution independent -- supporting the
following Atari graphic modes: TT 640x480, ST 640x400, TT 640x480,
TT 1280x960, Moniterm bigscreen and third party video cards --
8, 16 and 24-bit colors.
* Some of the topics covered in the 52 page illustrated manual
are, clipboard modes and elements, picking up module type
information, copy text block or ruler into clipboard, cut or copy
text block to frame, correcting single to double master page,
adjusting ruler margins and indents, widow and orphan, screen
frequencies, smoother raster at 300-dpi, PKS write hot keys,
initial caps, style sheets and macros, creating master page,
inserting pages and copying layout, recalculating page numbers,
auto leading and fixed leading, point or percentage value, merge
and block, automatic attribute pickup, hyphenation, creating US
postal bar codes and much more.
* Easy installation.
* Includes a double sided diskette.
* Requires only 145K of memory and the Calamus SL software.
* Includes complete page referencing to the Calamus SL
manual.
* Text, icons and pictures are used to illustrate, explain
and give tips on all icons and menu functions.
* Includes over five printer drivers for use with the print
command. Send the online text summary to the printer for hardcopy
reference.
* The ELECTRONIC BOOK with lots of powerful tips and tricks
at your fingertips!
* Supports the MultiDesk accessory.
-------------------
!!! New Version !!!
************************************
* P A G E A S S I S T A N T 2 . 0 *
************************************
PAGEASSISTANT 2.0 supports the newly added features to
PageStream 2.2.
* PageAssistant in an accessory program that runs together
with the PageStream 2.2 software, providing online help for each
command.
* Fully supports the GEM interface. The online window can be
resized, moved and expanded back to its original size. Icons are
placed on the left hand side of the window and are used to access
the main functions like the popup menus, printer configuration,
clear screen, etc. The popup menus work similar to the GEM menus.
This means, the menu item will auto-highlight when the mouse pointer
is passed over. The GEM window has a menu bar inside it that
supports pull down menus.
* Supports a point and select online index, with speedy go to
buttons.
* Topics related to the index item selected will show up as
linked files. These files are then moved into a special menu
automatically and are accessible using the links icon. For example,
if you select 'Hyphenation' from the index listing, the following
files will be linked: Set Hyphenation Rules, Batch Hyphenate and
Manual Hyphenate.
* The 'Special' menu has tips, examples and tutorials such as:
layout tips, PostScript printing, fonts, dialog box interaction,
automatic attribute pickup, tips and tricks volume 1, creating US
postal bar codes and much more.
* Hot keys are supported for each icon.
* Create beautiful BANNERS with PageStream!
* The interface is resolution independent -- supporting the
following Atari graphic modes: TT 640x480, ST 640x400, TT 640x480,
TT 1280x960, Moniterm bigscreen and third party video cards --
8, 16 and 24-bit colors.
* Some of the topics covered in the 52 page illustrated manual
are, color separation, scaling text object, applying tags,
anchoring text around graphic, CMYK printouts, registrations and
crop marks, macros, textual and graphic effects using macros,
rotating object, shifting baseline, before and after paragraph
spacing, temporary alignment guides, initial caps, flowing text
around irregular graphic, resize proportionally, master pages,
resizing bitmap graphics, halftones, screen angle and frequency,
H&J, tiling and much more.
* Easy installation.
* Includes a double sided diskette.
* Requires only 145K of memory and the PageStream 2.2 software.
* Includes complete page referencing to the PageStream
manual.
* Text, icons and pictures are used to illustrate, explain
and give tips on all icons and menu functions.
* Includes over five printer drivers for use with the print
command. Send online text summary to printer for hardcopy
reference.
* The ELECTRONIC BOOK with lots of powerful tips and tricks
at your fingertips!
* Supports the MultiDesk accessory.
------------------------
!!! New Version 1.80 !!!
***************************
* C A L A S S I A T A N T *
***************************
* CalAssistant in an accessory program that runs together
with the Calamus software, providing online help for all icons
and menu functions. The program has been updated to support
Calamus v1.09N and the interface and help files have been rewritten,
as well as the manual -- now 40 pages. The new package includes the
following:
* Supports printing. You can now send text summary to the
connected printer.
* The help text and images are now displayed within a movable
GEM window, giving you immediate access to CalAssistant when
needed.
* A few of the topics discussed in the rewritten 40 page
illustrated manual are: Calamus Frame Types, Calamus Frame
Modes, Clipboards, Working With Text, Text Macros, Master
Pages, Layout Tips, Special Design Effects, Layout Tutorial,
etc.
* The manual includes an extensive index.
* The popup menus and program interface have been redesigned.
* Two display text size to choose from.
* Supports TT 640x480, TT 1280x960, ST 640x400 and Moniterm.
* Installs as a desk accessory or program.
* The help text and image files are indexed into two separate
data files.
* Supports the MultiDesk accessory.
* And much, much more!
-------------------------
CalAssistant SL starts shipping the second week in January 1993.
-------------------------
ORDER FORM
Check Description Price
-----------------------------------------------------------------
| | PageAssistant 2.0 for PageStream 2.2 | $49.95 |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
| | CalAssistant SL for Calamus SL 8/92 | $49.95 |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
| | CalAssistant for Calamus 1.09N | $34.95 |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
@ For Upgrades Only!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
| | PageAssistant 2.0 | $10.00 |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
| | CalAssistant | $ 7.50 |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total:
Name:____________________________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________________________
City:_________________________State:__________Zip:_______________
@ Rev Up from any version of PageAssistant to PageAssistant 2.0
for PageStream 2.2.
Rev Up from any version of Calassistant to CalAssistant for
Calamus 1.09N. All minor updates are $5.00.
If you have mailed in your registration card, just send us the cost
above, because we have you inside our database. All Rev Ups include
manual and diskette. Canadian customers, no personal checks --
Canadian postal money order only. Overseas customers, bank draft only.
The shipping cost is $3.00 (USA) and $5.00 (Overseas)
Mail payment to:
Spar Systems
381 Autumn Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11208
Ring: 718-235-3169
All our products are available at your local Atari dealer.
Thank you all.
All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders.
_______________________________________________________________
> US Robotics Offer STR InfoFile U.S. ROBOTICS SYSOP PRICING
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
U.S. ROBOTICS SYSOP PRICING
PRODUCT PRICE
COURIER HST (U.S. AND CANADA) $ 349
COURIER V.32bis (U.S. AND CANADA) $ 349
COURIER HST DUAL STANDARD (U.S. AND CANADA) $ 449
INTERNATIONAL HST* $ 339
INTERNATIONAL V.32bis* $ 339
INTERNATIONAL COURIER HST DUAL STANDARD* $ 439
DOMESTIC POWER SUPPLY (INT'L USERS)* $ 10
INTERNATIONAL POWER SUPPLY (INT'L USERS)* $ 50
*International version and a separate power supply must be ordered if the
modem is used outside the U.S. or Canada. International power supply is
220 volts; Domestic power supply is 110 volts. At least one (1) power
supply must be ordered with each international modem.
For detailed information and technical specifications on the above
products, call the U.S. Robotics Technical Support Department at (800)
982-5151 in the U.S. or (800) 553-3560 in Canada. From outside the U.S.
or Canada, call (708) 982-5151.
U.S. ROBOTICS SYSOP SUPPORT PROGRAM
General:
This section describes the rules of the U.S. Robotics SYSOP Program.
U.S. Robotics reserves the right to modify or change these rules at any
time.
Scope:
The U.S. Robotics SYSOP Program permits QUALIFIED SYSOPs to purchase
current U.S. Robotics modem products at a reduced price. The purpose of
this program is to continue the close relationship established many years
ago. Participants should recognize that our ability to continue the
program is dependent upon the strong position U.S. Robotics enjoys in the
reseller channel with the distributors and dealers, VARs, etc. that
continue to buy and resell our products to home and business users around
the world. It is our intent to maintain the integrity of our channel
relationships by closely scrutinizing each SYSOP sale to ensure that we
only sell modems to qualified SYSOPs.
Qualifications:
1. The SYSOP states that he/she is NOT in the business of reselling
computer products and/or related peripherals, including modems.
Qualified resellers may take advantage of other programs offered by
U.S. Robotics by calling (800) 342-5877 and asking for the dealer
sales representative for your area.
2. The SYSOP has been operating the bulletin board system for at least
six (6) months.
3. The SYSOP understands that the number of modems that may be obtained
under this program is limited to the number of working, VERIFIABLE
data lines. Data lines MUST be dedicated for modem use only and MUST
be available 24 hours a day for modem access. Modems purchased under
this program MUST be used on one of the stated lines.
4. The SYSOP agrees to post an appropriate logon notice, visible to users
of the bulletin board, which states that said bulletin board uses and
supports U.S. Robotics brand modems.
5. The SYSOP agrees that he/she intends to operate the bulletin board,
for which these modems are purchased, for at least six (6) months post
purchase. The U.S. Robotics logon must remain in effect for six (6)
months to allow verification that the bulletin board is in place and
that the U.S. Robotics promotional message is being displayed.
6. The SYSOP agrees that, in order to avoid conflict with the U.S.
Robotics reseller channel, modems purchased under this program cannot
be re-sold without the expressed written consent of U.S. Robotics.
Violation of this policy will result in the SYSOP's being ineligible
for future participation in the U.S. Robotics SYSOP program. In
addition, any warranties on modems re-sold without U.S. Robotics
authorization will be null and void.
7. The SYSOP understands that verification of an order will take from
four (4) to eight (8) weeks depending on the number of orders being
processed by the SYSOP Support Department, difficulty in verifying
your bulletin board and the availability of the particular modem
ordered. U.S. Robotics will ship modem(s) to QUALIFIED SYSOPs as soon
as possible after, typically two (2) to five (5) weeks after
verification:
A. The SYSOP completes the order form and questionnaire found on the
US Robotics BBS. These must be filled-out online as no mail-in
orders will be accepted.
PREPAID ORDERS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED
UNTIL
PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY U.S. ROBOTICS.
After placing an order on the board, a SYSOP wishing to prepay his/her
order should send a money order or cashier's check to:
U.S. Robotics SYSOP Support Program
8100 McCormick Blvd.
Skokie, IL 60076
It is imperative that the SYSOP name, voice phone number and BBS phone
number be indicated for identification purposes. A personal or company
check is acceptable, but shipping will be delayed ten (10) working days to
ensure that the check clears our bank. NO CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS WILL BE
DEPOSITED BY U.S. ROBOTICS UNTIL THE SYSOP's BBS HAS BEEN VERIFIED.
B. The SYSOP understands that once an order is placed, it cannot be
changed. If you are uncertain as to the modem you want to
purchase, you may consult the Information & Text Files file area
of this bulletin board for product information. Or, you may call
the U.S. Robotics Technical Support Department at (800) 982-5151
in the U.S. or (800) 553-3560 in Canada. Outside the U.S and
Canada, call (708) 982-5151.
C. Your board will be verified by a U.S. Robotics Co-SYSOP. We MUST
be able to connect with your bulletin board to verify board
status. In the event that we are uncertain of your board status,
you will be notified either by the Co-SYSOP via your board or by
mail. We will advise you as best we can as to what you need to
provide in order to have your board verified (appropriate logon,
copy of phone bill, software registration, etc). In no case will
we verify a board until we are certain that it meets the
requirements of the program.
D. U.S. Robotics will not accept phone-in orders.
E. U. S. Robotics reserves the right to modify, change or cancel
this program at any time.
F. If you have any questions regarding this program, please call
(800) 342-5877 for clarification. In Canada, call (800)
553-3560. Outside the U.S. and Canada, call (708) 982-5001.
ADDENDUM
We realize that all Bulletin Boards are not the same and we are not
always able to ascertain their validity during our normal verification
process. In order not to exclude those Bulletin Boards from our program,
we may request additional information such as copies of telephone bills,
proof of software purchase and/or registration and network and association
membership.
U.S. Robotics is determined to provide a SYSOP Program which is fair
and equitable to everyone. Any requests made of SYSOPs in order to verify
Bulletin Boards are made in order to ensure that the program serves the
entire SYSOP community and protect the USR distribution channel
as well.
We will make every effort to process each and every order in a
professional and courteous manner. Please help us to provide the type of
service you want and deserve by filling-out the order form as completely
and accurately as possible and responding to our requests for additional
information in a prompt manner.
THANK YOU
____________________________________________________
> TERADESK NEWS STR InfoFile TERADESK UPDATES & NEWS
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Teradesk V1.25
==============
Press Release
Hello all Teradesk users,
I understand that my "Teradesk" program has "gone down" very well on
GEnie / CIS etc - here are a few details of the next version to be
released (V1.25 Due in Jan 1992).Thankyou for using my program , and it
would be very nice to receive further Shareware donations for my hard work
- Thankyou...
A few notes on future changes
The following suggested features will be implemented in future
versions:
- A possibility to change the menu shortcuts
- Deleting selected files by pressing the delete key
Several other suggestions have already been implemented in the newest
version (1.25), which will be released in January.
These new features are:
- the color palette can be saved before a program is started
- the desktop background can be changed
- the font and the fontsize of the windows can be changed
- if the rubberbox, which is used to select multiple items,
is moved outside the selected window, the contents of the
window will be scrolled automatically.
Other suggestions were:
- A viewer for images. I will probably build in a simple one,
which only supports monochrome images and images with the same
number of colors as the current resolution.
- A possibilty to change the resolution from within the desktop.
It will take some time before these features will be implemented, it will
at least take two or three versions, before they are implemented.
The following features are also going to be implemented:
- Dialog boxes in windows
- A search file and grep function
Some of these features are quite complex, so it might take some time
before a version with these features are released. I would like to thank
all users for making these suggestions. If you have more suggestions,
please send them to me.
In the United Kingdom new versions can be downloaded from:
System ST
tel. +44 (0)533 413443 (10.00PM TO 07.00AM GMT ONLY)
FidoNet 2:255/320
NeST 90:102/131
The file is called TERADESK.LZH. This BBS is also support BBS for the Tera
Desktop. If you have any suggestions for improvement or if you want to
report bugs, you can leave these there.
In the Netherlands new versions can be downloaded from:
Moir Brandts Honk BBS
tel. 070-3461215
Or I can be contacted Via the following persons , who will kindly pass any
mail onto me.
Compuserve: 100010,2106 (Stuart Coates)
GEnie : GRMEYER
DELPHI : GRMEYER
or Myself... by "Snail Mail"
Wout Klaren
Zwolsekanaal 18
7681 ED Vroomshoop
The Netherlands
___________________________________________________________________
> STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips"
"""""""""""""""""""""
- Las Vegas, NV CES IS TOPHEAVY WITH COMPUTERS!
-------------
In a preliminary report, our roving reporter has filed these few
tidbits with STReport relative to the CES show. Computers, Computers,
Computers everywhere. That's the key expression as the theme this year is
Multi-Media from soup to nuts. In attendance from the computing community
is IBM, AST, Toshiba, APPLE, Commodore Amiga, Hewlett Packard and Packard
Bell among others. Commodore has a rather respectably large multi-media
display centered around their top of the line Amiga offerings. The booth
was constantly mobbed as were all the multi-media displays. Kodak has a
huge set up of its new Photo CD ROM and also has approx. 15 different
brands of computer set up in its display depicting its cross-platform
compatibility. No need to mention the fantastic set-up the game machine
manufacturers had for all to be amazed by. Obvious by their total absence
was Atari... <sigh> more next week..... (rumor has it Atari had _one_
person there hawking carts in a hotel room).
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> A "Quotable Quote" "... A SIGN OF THE TIMES...."
"""""""""""""""""
"THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE WHEN BOTH SIDES ARE FORCED TO LISTEN..."
..... Churchill
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> ABCO SPECIALS! STR InfoFile * 1993 Prices! MORE Products! *
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ------------------------------------
** EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY! **
NOTICE: ABCO will BEAT OR MATCH * ANY *
Advertised or Invoiced price * WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD!
ABCO COMPUTER CONSULTANTS
=========================
P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672
Est. 1985
_________________________________________
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EDT
BBS: 904-786-4176 12-24-96 HST
FAX: 904-783-3319 12 PM - 6 AM EDT
_________________________________________
HARD DISK SYSTEMS & DESIGNS TO FIT EVERY BUDGET
_________________________________________
All systems are complete and ready to use, included at NO EXTRA COST
are clock/calendar and cooling blower(s).
*-ALL ABCO HARD DISK SYSTEMS ARE FULLY EXPANDABLE-*
(you are NOT limited to two drives)
- Available for all Platforms -
-* ICD LINK & ADSCSI PLUS HOST ADAPTERS USED EXCLUSIVELY *-
WE PAY SHIPPING & INSURANCE!!! >UPS!<
(Prepaid Orders - Cont. USA)
*_*_*_*
*** NEW!!! ULTRA MODERN "SUPER STYLE" ABCOFILE CASE ***
DELUXE 2 bay Cabinet W/65w Auto PS & Blower $119.00
<<<Coming Soon! ABCO Mini-Tower>>>
Case & ICD LINK or ADSCSI PLUS Host [Hard Disk Ready] $259.95
-STAND ALONE PRODUCTS-
Model Description Autopark Price
==================================================
SGN4951 51Mb Y CALL!
SQN1096 85mb Y CALL!
SQN2055 130mb Y CALL!
SQN1296 213mb Y CALL!
SQN4055 340mb Y CALL!
==================================================
Standard "Shoebox Cabinet style is also available
Call for pricing applicable to IBM - MAC - AMIGA
IDE - SCSI - ESDI
MODERN TOWER CABINETS AVAILABLE Call for Info!
PLEASE NOTE: The above is partial listing only!
Many other configurations available.
20mb - 3.5gb
NOTICE - NOTICE - NOTICE - NOTICE
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
SPECIAL PURCHASE! * 83mb - 1345mb * Hard Disk Mechanisms
Call for SUPER PRICING!! Limited Time Only!!
IDEAL FOR USE IN: IBM - MAC - AMIGA!
FULLY ASSEMBLED SCSI DRIVES w/o ICD LINK Available
ADD $35.00 for 4 BAY SUPER CABINET w/250+w PS
EXOTIC TOWER CABINETS AVAILABLE Call for Info!
PLEASE NOTE: The above is partial listing only!
FAST TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATOR UPGRADES AVAILABLE & INSTALLED
*****
>> ABCO proudly offers: ATARI PRODUCTS <<
MAC PRODUCTS - AMIGA PRODUCTS - PC PRODUCTS
Call for ABCO's * HIGHLY COMPETITIVE PRICING! *
ABCO COMPUTER SYSTEMS * STILL THE BEST VALUE!
*****
If you don't see what you want listed here, call us.
Odds are, we either have it or, can get it for you!
* GUARANTEED * AT THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICE! *
"WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL"
****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******
* SYQUEST 44MB (#555) >> ABCOFILE "44" & "88" *
* REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES *
--->> LIMITED TIME SPECIAL! NOW ONLY 44MB $ CALL! <<---
SCSI port READY 88MB $ CALL!
with
ICD Link add 80.00
COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED AND READY TO RUN!
ONE Cart Included!
44mb CARTS: $ 69.50
88mb CARTS: $ 109.50
44mb MECH ONLY: $ 319.95
88mb MECH ONLY: $ 419.95
****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******
* TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT *
SPECIALLY PRICED ** $ CALL! **
Includes: * TWO * cartridges!
* SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS *
- Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives -
** 50mb SQG51S $ CALL! 105mb SQG105S $ CALL! **
Or, YOUR choice of Hard Disk Mechanism!
LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS
CUSTOM CONFIGURATIONS AVAILABLE
Listed above are a sampling of the systems available.
Prices also reflect various cabinet/power supply configurations
(over sixty configurations are available, flexibility is unlimited)
* IBM/MSDOS - AMIGA - ATARI - APPLE/MACINTOSH *
ALL UNITS COMPATIBLE WITH --> SUPERCHARGER - AT/PC SPEED - GCR
LARGER units are available - (Custom Configurations)
*** --> COMPLETE IBM CLONE SYSTEMS AVAILABLE! <-- ***
CUSTOM BUILT TO YOUR SPECS!
CALL FOR PRICING & AVAILABILITY
386/486 25 MHZ - 33Mhz - 50Mhz - 66Mhz
From $839.95
*>> NO REPACKS OR REFURBS USED! <<*
Atari SLM 804, SLM 804PCV Laser Toner Kits
Memorex 2108, 5287
Oasys Laserpro 5287, 5308, Express 830, Express Series II
Silver Express, Gold Express
** $41.95 shipping Included **
Atari SLM 605 Laser Toner Kits
AT&T 593, CAF Laser, DSI Laser, DTP Systems, Epson EPL-6000
Facit P6060, Fontx Syslaser, Harris3M 2006, M-Tally MT905
Microtek Turbo PS, OAS Laserpro Executive, Packard Bell 9500
TEC LB 1305, Toshiba PageLaser 6
** $41.95 shipping included **
(TWO Toner Carts Incl.)
Panasonic Laser Toner Kits
Panasonic KX -P 400 series, Panafax UF-750 Facsimile
** $41.95 shipping included **
-- ALL TONER KITS * IN STOCK * --
* Toner Starter Kits-$62.95 *
* Replacement (804) Drums-$187.95 *
ABCO is PROUD to announce the acquisition of
the exclusive U.S.A. distribution rights for
** Bitblit Software's ///Turbo Board BBS. **
This fine Atari ST BBS system software and
user support is available through ABCO to all
Turbo customers in the USA. Call for current
pricing.
ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED
Now Available
BUSINESSES, - LEASE TO OWN WITH AT&T -
-* 12 month FULL Guarantee *-
(A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE)
WE PAY SHIPPING & INSURANCE! >UPS!<
(Prepaid Orders - Cont. USA)
QUANTITY & USERGROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
_________________________________________
DEALERS and DISTRIBUTORS WANTED!
please, call for details
COD, Personal and Company Checks accepted.
ORDER YOUR NEW UNIT TODAY!
CALL: 1-904-783-3319
Customer Orders & Service
9am - 8pm EDT
TUES thru SAT
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport International Online Magazine
-* [S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport *-
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STR Online! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" January 08, 1993
Since 1987 copyright (c) 1987-92 All Rights Reserved No.9.02
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
the editors/staff of STReport International Online Magazine. Permission
to reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Reprints
must, without exception, include the name of the publication, date, issue
number and the author's name . STReport and/or portions therein may not
be edited in any way without prior written permission. STReport, at the
time of publication, is believed reasonably accurate. STReport, its staff
and contributors are not and cannot be held responsible for the use or
misuse of information contained herein or the results obtained therefrom.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
-----------------------------------------
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