Z*Net: 21-Feb-93 #9308

From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 02/24/93-12:13:31 PM Z


From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: Z*Net: 21-Feb-93 #9308
Date: Wed Feb 24 12:13:31 1993



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 Z*NET: ATARI ONLINE MAGAZINE  Copyright (c)1993, Syndicate Publishing
   Volume 8, Number 8    Issue #492    February 21, 1993    File:93-08
 
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  Publisher/Editor..........................................Ron Kovacs
  Writer............................................Michael R. Burkley
  GEnie Online Editor........................................Ed Krimen
  CompuServe Online Editor............................Michael Mortilla
  Contributing Writer.........................................Len Stys
  Contributing Writer........................................Bob Smith
  AtariNet Coordinator\Telecommunications...................Bill Scull
  Contributing Editor...................................Dr. Paul Keith
  Z*Net News International Gateway - New Zealand............Jon Clarke
  Z*Net News Service\AtariUser Magazine-Publisher\Editor.....John Nagy
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 GEnie..............Z-NET  CompuServe....75300,1642  Delphi.........ZNET
 Internet...status.gen.nz  America Online..ZNET1991  AtariNet..51:1/13.0
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 CONTENTS

           |#| The Editors Desk......................Ron Kovacs
           |#| Z*Net Newswire..................................
           |#| Singular Solutions To Ship.........Press Release
           |#| Gemulator Update...................Press Release
           |#| New Aquisition For Toad Computers..Press Release
           |#| Z*Net Calender........................Ron Kovacs
           |#| Perusing Delphi.......................Ron Kovacs
           |#| Perusing GEnie.........................Ed Krimen
           |#| Perusing CompuServe................Mike Mortilla
           |#| AtariUser Magazine Reviews......................
           |#| The Funny Farm.........................Bob Smith
           |#| Z*Net Support BBS Listing.......................
 
  
 ######  THE EDITORS DESK
 ######  By Ron Kovacs
 ######  ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 I want to welcome back another writer to the staff this week.  Bob
 Smith, (yes, his real name), is back from a long vacation.  Welcome
 Back Bob!
 
 
 
 ######  Z*NET NEWSWIRE
 ######  Atari News and Industry Update
 ######  ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 For the latest Industry News read Z*Net PC Online Magazine.  It is now
 released bi-weekly.
 
 
 
 COMPUSERVE LOWERS CONNECT CHARGES
 CompuServe has announced that it is reducing hourly connect-time charges
 for members who participate in its Standard Pricing Plan for the
 CompuServe Information Service.  Connect-time charges will drop as much
 as 37.5 pct for most CompuServe services, including its popular forums,
 beginning Feb 28.  Under the Standard Pricing Plan, members will now pay
 a monthly fee of $8.95 for unlimited connect-time use of 36 basic
 services, such as travel, shopping, investment and games.  When using
 CompuServe's other services, members will pay an hourly charge of $8.00
 for access at 1200 or 2400 baud and $16.00 for 9600 baud.  Previously,
 members paid a monthly fee of $7.95 and hourly charges of $12.80 and
 $22.80 for access at 1200/2400 and 9600 baud.
 
 
 

 ######  SINGULAR SOLUTIONS TO SHIP FALCON WORKSTATION
 ######  Press Release
 ######  ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 Contact : Steve Klein 818-792-9567
 
 Pasadena, CA - January 11, 1993 - Singular Solutions today announced
 that the first digital audio workstation built upon the Atari
 Corporation's latest computer, the Falcon 030(tm), is slated for
 shipment.  The combination of Singular Solutions A/D64x(tm) Audio
 Interface and D2D EDIT(tm) from D2D Systems of Cambridge, England
 represents the first professional quality audio production system to
 employ the extensive digital audio capabilities of the Atari Falcon030.
 
 The two companies will showcase the system at the National Association
 of Music Merchants (NAMM) Winter Show, to be held from January 15-18 at
 the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim,California.  The system is
 scheduled to start shipping shortly after the conclusion of the show,
 which over 35,000 members of the music industry are expected to attend.
 
 The Singular Solutions A/D64x provides two channels of "audiophile-
 quality" analog-to-digital conversion at multiple sampling rates, plus
 an integral phantom powered microphone preamp, absolute digital overload
 indicators, and digital audio input and output.
 
 D2D Systems' D2D EDIT is the first digital recording and editing package
 to utilize the digital audio features of the newest Atari computer.  A
 Falcon030 equipped with D2D EDIT provides users with a full-featured
 digital audio workstation capable of recording and editing CD-quality
 sound.  D2D EDIT provides direct to disk recording, non-destructive
 waveform editing, MIDI timecode drive cure sheet, punch-in recording,
 and on-the-fly marker creation.  The Singular Solutions A/D64x extends
 the Atari-D2D systems combo with digital audio input and output plus
 very high quality analog-to-digital conversion.
 
 "Our previous experience in hard disk recording has always required us
 to produce our own hardware," indicated Paul Wiffen, Director of
 Marketing for D2D Systems.  "With this cooperative effort, we are able
 to concentrate on what we do best, which is software, and let Atari and
 Singular Solutions concentrate on the hardware.  I believe that the
 results speak for themselves."
 
 The A/D64x features two channels of 16-bit delta-sigma (ultralinear)
 analog-to-digital conversion with 64 times oversampling and a three
 stage linear phase digital anti-alias filter.  It is equipped with
 balanced as well as unbalanced inputs and an integral low noise
 microphone preamp with 48 bolt phantom power.  The digital audio input
 and output support both AES/EBU and S/PDIF standards.  The A/D64x is
 constructed entirely of professional quality components.
 
 "The Atari Falcon030, in its basic configuration, is an incredible
 machine for digital audio work," said Steve Klein, President of Singular
 Solutions.  "The inclusion of the Motorola 56001 DSP definately puts
 Atari in a prime position to capture a major share of the rapidly
 expanding digital audio market.  The addition of our A/D64x and D2D EDIT
 results in a truly professional quality system at a price that just
 can't be beat."
 
 A Falcon030 system with A/D64x and D2D EDIT costs under $2900, an
 aggressive entry point for a digital audio workstation with the
 functionality of alternatives selling for many times the price.
 
 Singular Solutions is located in Pasadena, California and designs,
 manufactures, and markets digital audio products for the dicerning audio
 profession.
 
 D2D System is based in Cambridge, England and specializes in the
 development and marketing of mulimedi applications for desktop
 computers.
 
 Specifications of the A/D64x
 
 - Frequency Response (DC to 20 kHz) +0.00/-0.03 dB
 - Maximum input levels     Balanced        +16 dBm
                            Unbalanced      +13 dBm
                            Mic(Full Gain)  -43 dBm
                            Mic(min Gain)   -11 dBm
 - Input impedance          Balanced        10 kOhm
                            Unbalanced      20 kOhm
                            Microphone      8.81 kOhm
  - Minimum Seperation (left to right)@ 1kHz   100 dB
  - Maximum THD (DC to 20kHz, any level)       0.003%
  - Minimum signal to noise ration unweighted   92 dB
                                   A-Weighted   95 dB
  - Maximum Spurios Signals (noise floor)     -115 dB
  - Differential Nonlinearity                 0.2 LSB
  - Maximum phase error (at 20kHz)              7 deg
  - Minimum digital filter stopband rejection   86 dB
  - Supported digital audio data formats      AES/EBU
                                               S/PDIF
                                          EIAJ CP-340
                                              IEC-958
  - Size   Standard         15.0" W  1.88" H  7.5"  D
           Rack Mount       19.0" W  1.75" H  7.5"  D
  - Weight        Net 7.0 lbs       Shipping  9.5 lbs
  - Pricing $1295.  Rackmount option $80
  - Contact Singular Solutions 818-792-9567  Fax 818-792-0903
    Email info_ad64x@singular.com
 
 Falcon Based Products from D2D
 
 D2D-EDIT  Stereo Direct to Disk recording/editing software.
   16 bit, 50kHz sample quality Non-destructive cut, copy, paste
   MIDI Timecode driven cue sheet Markers on the fly        $299
 
 SPDIO     SPDIF format digital interface for D2D-Edit
   Allows Falcon to sample at 44.1 & 48kHz Ideal for DAT editing and CD
   compilation                                              $299
 
 4T/FX     Multi-track recording software 4 tracks to internal/external
   hard disk Realtime mixer/EQ to Falcon stero out* 2 simultaneous
   effects on Falcon DSP*                                   $599
   * - version 1.1 availible March 1
 
 4I/4O     Audio Hardware Expander  Allows Falcon to sample at 44.1 and
   48kHz  4 professional quality stereo analog inputs 4 professional
   quality stereo analog outputs SPDIF digital interface (also AES/EBU
   format)                                                   $599
 
 - Preliminary specifications.  D2D reserves the right to change without
   notice.
 
 - Distributed by Digital I/O      Tel/Fax (310) 398-3993
 

 

 ######  GEMULATOR VERSION 2.1
 ######  Press Release/Update
 ######  ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 Branch Always Software
 14150 N.E. 20th Street Suite 302
 Bellevue, WA 98007, U.S.A.
 
 - NEW FEATURES AND IMPROVEMENTS
   - SMALLER HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
   - INTERNATIONAL AVAILABILITY
   - SEE IT AT THE SAC SHOW
   - LOWER U.S. PRICES
 
 
 Branch Always Software has just released version 2.1 of the Gemulator,
 the Atari ST emulator for DOS and Windows compatible PCs.  Gemulator
 allows a 386 or 486 based PC to directly run most Atari ST software
 (except for games and music software) and supports all versions of TOS,
 four different screen resolutions, and can provide up to 8 megabytes of
 RAM to ST programs.
 
 Gemulator 2.1 is now available from computer dealers in Europe and North
 America.  In the U.S. and Canada, the list price is now only $229 U.S.
 which includes the Gemulator board, emulation software, and U.S. TOS
 2.06 ROMs.
 
 Gemulator 2.1 is now also available in the U.K., France, Holland, and
 Germany.  The versions sold in each of those countries contain TOS 2.06
 ROMs appropriate for each country, and all documentation and software
 has been fully translated.
 
 Gemulator 2.1 will be shown at the upcoming Sacramento Atari Expo on
 March 13th and 14th in Sacramento, California.  Come by the Branch
 Always Software booth and see Gemulator for yourself!
 
 Version 2.1 has the following new features and improvements:
 
 - the separate 386 and 486 versions of Gemulator have been combined into
   one single convenient version which is just as fast (or even slightly
   faster on some machines) than Gemulator 2.0.
 
 - the ability to create a virtual Atari hard disk partition on any size
   DOS partition means that you can now safely read and write Atari files
   anywhere on your PC's hard disk and even over the network, without
   having to reformat or repartition the hard disk as before.
 
 - a 4 megabyte PC can now emulate a full megabyte of ST RAM (up from
   512K before).  Gemulator can emulate up to 8 megabytes of ST RAM,
   double the 4 megabyte limit of the real Atari ST.
 
 - Pagestream and some other programs now print up to 10 times faster.
   The actual speedup will depend on the size and contents of the
   Pagestream document.  A full page 8.5" x 11" 300 dpi Pagestream
   document prints out in about 3 minutes on an HP LaserJet printer.
 
 - the real-time clock in the ST keyboard is now emulated.  This allows
   TOS 2.06 to boot up with the current DOS time and date.
 
 - the "missing keystrokes" bug from Gemulator 2.0 and other bugs are
   fixed.
 
 Gemulator already has several features not found in the real Atari ST,
 and in many ways it is much better than a real ST:
 
 - the ability to emulate up to 8 megabytes of ST RAM (described above)
   makes it ideal when using a lot of GDOS fonts, running the new
   MultiTOS, or editing very large Calamus and Pagestream documents.
 
 - the ability to emulate TT medium resolution (640x480 16 colors) allows
   most GEM based Atari ST programs to run with more colors and with
   better graphics than is possible on the real ST.
 
 - switching from color to monochrome (or vice versa) is as simple as
   pressing one key.  Forget having to use two monitors and swapping
   cables all the time!
 
 - each Gemulator board can hold up to 4 sets of TOS ROMs and you can
   easily switch from one version of TOS to another by just pressing a
   few keys.  This allows you to use the supplied TOS 2.06 with most of
   your ST software, but switch back to TOS 1.0 or TOS 1.4 for running
   earlier software not compatible with TOS 2.06.
 
 - due to the ever increasing speed of PCs and the availability of the
   486 DX2 clock doubler chip, you can easily upgrade your 33 Mhz 486 PC
   to a 66 Mhz PC and run Atari ST software up to 3 times faster than a
   real ST.  That's faster than a Mega STE, faster than a 20 Mhz
   accelerator, and in many cases, as fast as the Falcon.
 
 Gemulator now has smaller hardware requirements.  Your PC need only have
 the following:
 
 - a 386 or 486 CPU
 - 4 megabytes of RAM
 - a 720K 3.5" floppy disk drive
 - a VGA card and monitor
 - 1.7 megabytes of hard disk space
 - a mouse is optional but recommended
 
 Gemulator consists of a PC board which plugs into any 8-bit or 16-bit
 AT-style slot.  The board is used to install TOS ROMs which are needed
 to run Atari ST software on a PC.  The emulator itself is simply copied
 to the hard disk and run from the DOS prompt or a DOS window just like
 any other PC program.
 
 The speed of Gemulator's emulation is affected by the speed of your PC's
 processor, hard disk, video card, and other factors, but it is usually
 proportional to the speed of the processor (the 386 or 486 chip).  Below
 is a table of various processors and the APPROXIMATE speed of emulation
 compared to a standard ST (which of course has a relative speed of 1.0):
 
   386/16    - 0.3
   386/33    - 0.6
   386/40    - 0.8
   486/25    - 0.9
   486/33    - 1.2
   486/50    - 1.8
   486/66    - 2.4

 386 based computers running slower than 33 Mhz are not recommended for
 use with Gemulator due to the relatively slow speed of emulation.
 Gemulator emulates the 68000 chip entirely in software and so a fast 386
 is required.
 
 The Gemulator package comes with a set of TOS 2.06 ROMs, but if you wish
 to use your own ROMs, the board and emulator can now be purchased
 without any TOS ROMs for $179, a $50 savings.  You must of course supply
 your own TOS 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6 or 2.06 ROMs before being able to use
 Gemulator.
 
 In the U.S. and Canada, Gemulator is distributed by:
 
 PMC (Purple Mountain Computers)
 15600 N.E. 8th Street, Unit #A3-412
 Bellevue, WA  98008, U.S.A.
 
 For ordering information, call 1-206-399-8700.
 
 In Europe (including the U.K. and Germany), Gemulator is distributed by:
 
 ACN / Atari ST Nieuws
 Postbus 5011
 2000 CA Haarlem
 The Netherlands
 
 For ordering information, phone 011-31-23-351100, or fax
 011-31-23-351444.
 
 To upgrade from Gemulator 1.0 to Gemulator 2.1, send $49.95 is U.S.
 funds and your Gemulator registration card directly to us:
 
 Branch Always Software
 14150 N.E. 20th Street, Suite 302
 Bellevue, WA 98007, U.S.A.
 
 Users who last year upgraded to Gemulator 2.0 have already been sent a
 free Gemulator 2.1 upgrade disk.  If you upgraded to 2.0 but haven't
 received the 2.1 disk, please contact us and make sure that we have your
 latest mailing address in our records.
 


 
 ######  NEW AQUISITION FOR TOAD
 ######  Press Release
 ######  ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 Toad Computers, Inc.
 
 Toad Computers is proud to announce that it has acquired the exclusive
 worldwide distribution and marketing rights to Silhouette.  The newest
 version of Silhouette, version 1.5, supports color and adds many new
 features.  Version 1.5 also sports a new name: Silhouette Colortrace.
 
 Silhouette has always been an exciting vector and bitmap graphics
 package with many unique and advanced graphics tools.  Silhouette
 Colortrace adds color to the mix and allows you to create colorful
 vector and bitmap graphics from scratch.  Or you can edit existing color
 graphics!  Silhouette Colortrace outputs to standard black and white and
 color file formats like Illustrator EPS (for use with PageStream), GEM
 metafiles, and even Calamus CVG.
 
 For viewing color work on-screen, Silhouette Colortrace supports TT
 medium resolution (16 colors) and the Falcon 16 and 256 color modes.
 Color work may be done in other modes as well, including monochrome 640
 x 400 or 1280 x 960.
 
 Silhouette Colortrace includes a new and upgraded bitmap to vector
 conversion process that supports color and has reduced memory
 requirements.  The program also takes advantage of Speedo GDOS and its
 Bitstream fonts for inclusion of standard GDOS text.  Additionally,
 Speedo GDOS text may be converted into modifiable vector objects a great
 feature for creating custom logos and other text effects.
 
 Silhouette is developed by Maxwell CPU of Odenton, Maryland.  They will
 continue to add new and exciting features to the program.
 
 Toad Computers will provide technical support and upgrade assistance to
 Silhouette users, and will also be marketing the product aggressively in
 the United States, Canada, and Europe.
 
 Registered owners of version 1.25 or greater can upgrade to Silhouette
 Colortrace for only $15.00 (plus $3 shipping) until April 20, 1993.
 Thereafter, the upgrade cost will be $25.00 (plus $3 shipping).  To
 upgrade, please send your check along with your original disk to:
 
 Toad Computers
 Silhouette Upgrade
 570-F Ritchie Highway
 Severna Park, MD 21146
 
 The suggested retail price of Silhouette Colortrace is $119.95.  In
 comparison to similar programs on the Atari or any other platform,
 Silhouette Colortrace offers twice the features at half the price.
 Silhouette Colortrace will be available for a limited time from Toad
 Computers for $99.95 (includes shipping).  Silhouette Colortrace will
 begin shipping in the next four to five weeks.
 
 Technical Support / Upgrades
   (410) 544-6943 Voice
   (410) 544-1329 FAX
   (410) 544-6999 BBS
                         Orders ONLY  (800) 448-TOAD
 
 No technical support will be given on the 800 line.
 
 Silhouette Colortrace Features Include:
 
 Takes advantage of TT medium and Falcon 16 and 256 color graphics
   modes (even overscan)
 
 Outputs to color GEM metafiles, Calamus CVG, and Illustrator EPS
   formats (for use with PageStream)
 
 Color or monochrome bitmap to vector conversion with upgraded features
   and reduced memory requirements
 
 Import and Export Calamus vector CVG files
 
 Supports the Atari Clipboard for application sharing of IMG and GEM
   files
 
 Supports GEM 3 Bezier Metafiles
 
 Magnification of vector or bit images up to 16 times with grid and
   ruler systems
 
 Separate bit-image and vector windows with the ability to import bit-
   images into the vector window
 
 Allows warping of objects along a curve
 
 Advanced duplication methods allow control of object width, height,
   rotation, line width, gray scale, duplicate distribution.  Use
   separate sizing and rotation reference points.
 
 Supports printing through GDOS
 
 Supports Dr. Bob's ScanLite ($19.95) to allow direct scanning into the
   bit-image window
 
 Advanced drawing tools: lines, polylines, b-splines, beziers,
   polygons, stars, circles, ellipses, elliptical and circular arcs,
   spraycan, parabolas, round boxes (with adjustable rounded edges),
   rectangles, flood fill and more!
 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 The number of the Toad  Computers  Support  BBS  is (410) 544-6999. It
 operates from 300 to  14,400  baud,  eight  bits,  no parity, two stop
 bits, 24 hours per day.  Questions  regarding  the BBS can be directed
 via FAX to (410) 544-1329, or by voice to (410) 544-6943 (after 6 p.m.
 EST).  (C) 1993 Toad Computers
 ------------------------------------------------------------ 02/16/93
 
 

 
 ###### THE 1993 Z*NET COMPUTER CALENDAR 
 ###### Schedule of Shows, Events and Online Conferences
 ###### ----------------------------------------------------------------


 ###  February 21, 1993
 RTC in the GEnie HOSB (Home Office Small Business) Rountable.
 "Protecting your Business from Viruses".  Conference stsrts at 9:30 pm
 EST.  Type HOSB at any GEnie prompt to attend.
 
 
 ###  February 23, 1993
 RTC in the GEnie HOSB (Home Office Small Business) Rountable.
 "Shareware Authors Meeting".  Conference starts at 10:00 pm EST.  Type
 HOSB at any GEnie prompt to attend.
 
 
 ###  February 24, 1993
 RTC in the GEnie HOSB (Home Office Small Business) Rountable.  "Help
 Using CHIPSOFT And Tax Q & A".  Conference starts at 9:00 pm EST.  Type
 HOSB at any GEnie prompt to attend.
 
 
 ###  March 1993
 CeBIT, the world's largest computer show with 5,000 exhibitors in 20
 halls, is held annually in Hannover, Germany.  Atari traditionally
 struts its newest wares there, usually before it's seen in the USA or
 anywhere else.  In '93, the Atari 040 machines should be premiering, and
 this is the likely venue.  Third party developers also use this show to
 introduce new hardware and software, so expect a wave of news from CeBIT
 every year.  Atari Corp and the IAAD coordinate cross-oceanic contacts
 to promote worldwide marketing of Atari products, and this show is an
 annual touchstone of that effort.  Contact Bill Rehbock at Atari Corp
 for information at 408-745-2000.
 
 
 ###  March 5, 1993
 RTC in the GEnie ST Roundtable.  "Dateline Atari" with Bob Brodie.  This
 is a regular monthly conference held by Atari.  Discussions usually
 pertain to the latest Atari releases and updates.  Conference begins
 at 10pm EST.  Type M475;2 at any GEnie prompt to attend.
 
 
 ###  March 13-14, 1993
 The Sacramento Atari Computer Exposition is to be sponsored by the
 Sacramento Atari ST Users Group (SST) at the Towe Ford Museum in
 Sacramento, California.  A major two day effort, the SAC show is being
 held in the special events area of the Towe Ford Museum, home of the
 worlds most complete antique Ford automobile collection.  As an added
 bonus, admission to the museum is free when you attend the Expo.  The
 museum is located at the intersection of Interstates 5 and 80, just 15
 minutes from the Sacramento Metropolitan Airport.  Contact Nick Langdon
 (Vendor Coordinator) C/O SST, P.O. Box 214892, Sacramento, CA 95821-
 0892, phone 916-723-6425, GEnie: M.WARNER8, ST-Keep BBS (SST) 916-729-
 2968.
 
 
 ###  March 15-16, 1993
 Lap & Palmtop Mobile Computing Expo at the New York Hilton Hotel in New
 York City.  Exhibitors will show the latest in mobile computing,
 software, pen, peripherals and communications from the industry's
 leading manufacturers.  In conjunction with the exhibits is the Mobile
 Systems Solutions Conference series.  Featuring over 80 leading industry
 experts speakers, the conference provides vital information needed to
 build or improve your world of mobile computing.
 
 
 ###  March 16, 1993
 RTC in the GEnie HOSB (Home Office Small Business) Rountable.
 "Multilevel Marketing".  Conference starts at 10:00 pm EST.
 
 
 ###  March 16-19, 1993
 Image World - Washington DC at the Sheraton Washington.
 
 
 ###  March 20, 1993
 Philadelphia, PA area group PACS is holding their 16th annual Computer
 Festival from 9 AM til 4 PM.  It will be a multi-computer show with
 Atari showings by the PACS Atari SIG's, NEAT, CDACC, and JACS clubs.
 The Fest is to be at the Drexel University Main Building, 32nd and
 Chestnut Streets in Pennsylvania.  Contact for Atari display: Alice P.
 Christie, 207 Pontiac Street, Lester, PA 19029, 215-521-2569, or 215-
 951-1255 for general info.
 
 
 ###  March 21-24, 1993
 Interop Spring '93 in Washington DC.
 
 
 ###  March 30 - April 1, 1993
 Intermedia 93 at the San Jose Convention Center, San Jose CA.
 
 
 ###  May 3-5, 1993
 Digital Video New York/MultiMedia Exposition at the New York Sheraton 
 in New York City.
 
 
 ###  May 4-5, 1993
 The 3rd Annual Networks and Communications Show returns to the Hartford
 Civic Center.  Companies such as Intel, Microsoft, DEC, DCA, IBM, and
 MICOM will be exhibiting.  For more information, contact:  Marc Sherer
 at Daniels Productions, 203-561-3250; fax: 203-561-2473.
 
 
 ###  May 11-13, 1993
 SunWorld '93 exposition and conference, held in San Francisco at the
 Moscone Center.  The second annual event is the largest trade show in
 North America dedicated to the Sun, SPARC and Solaris industry.
 SunWorld '93 will feature a full day of in-depth tutorials, which are
 being developed in association with Sun Educational Services, to be 
 followed by three days of conference sessions and an exposition.  The
 three-day exposition will feature more than 175 leading vendors in the
 industry including Adobe Systems, AT&T, Computer Associates, Hewlett-
 Packard, Informix Software, Insoft, SAS Institute, Solbourne, SPARC
 International, Sun Microsystems, SunPro, SunSoft and WordPerfect.  For
 more information about attending SunWorld '93 call Lynn Fullerton at
 (800) 225-4698 or to receive information about exhibiting contact David
 Ferrante at (800) 545-EXPO.


 ###  May 22-23, 1993
 Pacific Northwest Atari show will be held in Vancouver Canada.  The
 Vantari User Group will be sending out developers kits in the very near
 future with more details and pricing.  The show will be held in the
 Metrotown Centre Mall, which is the 2nd largest in Canada with over 400
 stores.  The traffic in the mall is amazing!  In addition the Holiday
 Inn Hotel is attached to the mall as well so travel time is nil.  If you
 have any questions in the meantime leave email (G.Norton) on GEnie.
 
 
 ###  June 12-13, 1993 (NEW LISTING)
 CT Atarifest '93 at the Windsor Court Hotel in Windsor Connecticut.
 This year the Atarifest has relocated to a new hotel with excellent room
 rates ($35.00 per room), free and plentiful parking, easy access from
 Interstate 91, I-95, I-90, I-84, I-80, an in house Sports Bar, a bigger
 ballroom and is located just 1 mile from Bradley International Airport
 (free shuttle service for hotel guests).  Tentative commitments from A&D
 Software, Gribnif Software, Barefoot Software, Toad Computers, Computer
 Studio, Baggetaware, Derric Electronics, E.Hartford Computer Repair,
 MegaType Software, Wizztronics and GFA Software Technology.  For further
 information, call Brian Gockley at 203-332-1721 or Doug Finch at 203-637
 -1034.  E-mail can be directed to B.GOCKLEY or D.FINCH7 on GEnie or to
 75300,2514 or 76337,1067 on CIS.
 
 
 ###  June 22-23, 1993
 Lap & Palmtop Mobile Computing Expo at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim,
 California.  Exhibitors will show the latest in mobile computing,
 software, pen, peripherals and communications from the industry's
 leading manufacturers.  In conjunction with the exhibits is the Mobile
 Systems Solutions Conference series.  Featuring over 80 leading industry
 experts speakers, the conference provides vital information needed to
 build or improve your world of mobile computing.
 
 
 ### July 17-18, 1993
 The Kansas City AtariFest '93.  The location for the show is Stadium
 Inn, 7901 E 40 Hwy.  Ticket prices at the door will be 5.00 dollars each
 day.  Advance tickets will be 4.00 dollars each, for advance tickets,
 please send 4.00 dollars per ticket to: Kansas City AtariFest, P.O. Box
 1653, Lee Summit, MO 64063 or if you belong to a user group please mail
 a request for a user group information pack.  To make room reservations
 please call 1-800-325-7901, we are also working with a local travel
 agent to get special airfares for the show.  You may call 1-800-874-7691
 to take advantage of the special fares.  For more information please
 leave Email as follows; GEnie, B.welsch, J.krzysztow, for CompuServe,
 Leave for Jeff Krzysztow at 74027,707, or you can call (816)224-9021, or
 mail to the address listed above.
 
 
 ### August 3-6, 1993
 MacWorld Expo at the Boston World Trade Center, Bayside Exposition
 Center and sponsored by MacWorld Magazine.  This event is titled Boston
 '93.
 
 
 ### September 18-19, 1993
 The Glendale Show returns with the Southern California Atari Computer
 Faire, V.7.0, in suburban Los Angeles, California.  This has been the
 year's largest domestic Atari event, year after year.  Contact John King
 Tarpinian at the user group HACKS at 818-246-7286 for information.
 
 
 ### September 20-22, 1993
 The third MacWorld Expo, titled Canada '93 at the Metro Toronto
 Convention Centre, sponsored by MacWorld Magazine.
 
 
 ### September 21-23, 1993
 Unix Expo '93 in New York City, New York.
 
 
 ###  October 7-8, 1993
 Lap & Palmtop Mobile Computing Expo at the Chicago Mart/Expo Center in
 Chicago, Illinois.  Exhibitors will show the latest in mobile computing,
 software, pen, peripherals and communications from the industry's
 leading manufacturers.  In conjunction with the exhibits is the Mobile
 Systems Solutions Conference series.  Featuring over 80 leading industry
 experts speakers, the conference provides vital information needed to
 build or improve your world of mobile computing.
 
 
 ### October 27-29, 1993
 CDROM Exposition at the World Trade Center, Boston MA.
 
 
 ### October 27-29, 1993
 EDA&T Asia '93.  The Electronic Design and Test Conference Exhibition
 at the Taipei International Convention Center in Taiwan.  Exhibit space
 is still available.  For more information contact: Betsy Donahue,
 Chicago, fax: 708-475-2794.
 
 
 ###  November 7-10, 1993
 GeoCon/93, an international conference and showcase for software
 products developed outside the U.S. at the Royal Sonesta Hotel,
 Cambridge, Mass.  The conference program will include three days of
 workshops on topics of interest to overseas developers entering the
 U.S. market.  Workshop presenters will discuss such issues as how to
 negotiate distribution and licensing contracts, setting up a business in
 the U.S., manufacturing and fulfillment, technical support, packaging,
 research sources, and how to market through direct, retail, and catalog
 channels.  For additional information, contact Tom Stitt, associate
 publisher, Soft letter, 17 Main St., Watertown, Mass. 02272-9154;
 telephone 617-924-3944; fax 617-924-7288, or Colleen O'Shea, director,
 Soft letter Europe, 2 um Bierg, 7641 Chirstnach, Luxembourg, telephone
 35.2.87119; fax 35.2.87048.
 
 
 ### November 15-19, 1993
 COMDEX Fall '93. Las Vegas Nevada.
 
 
 If you have an event you would like to include on the Z*Net Calender,
 please send email via GEnie to Z-NET, CompuServe 75300,1642, or via
 FNET to node 593 or AtariNet node 51:1/13.0.  Show listings are also
 published in AtariUser Magazine.
 


 
 ######  PERUSING DELPHI
 ######  Compiled by Ron Kovacs
 ######  ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 49172 20-FEB 16:38 General Information
     RE: Printer Drivers (Re: Msg 48858)
     From: BOBBRO       To: ETAT
 
 I think part of the thing that we have to keep in mind is that the
 developers must be allowed the leeway to be creative.  While we would
 all really like to see a single standard put into place (like say,
 Speedo GDOS!), even Atari knows that the developers must keep trying to
 find a better way to do things.
 
 If everyone used GDOS, there would be plenty of printer drivers. :)  And
 there would be other problems instead.  Perfect, it isn't.  But it is
 getting better all the time.
 
 Most word processors seem to provide the essentials, Epson 9 pin, Epson
 24 pin, HP, and Atari laser printer.  Those printers probably represent
 most of the ones in use in this marketplace.
 
 regards,
 Bob Brodie

 49173 20-FEB 16:40 General Information
     RE: Printer Drivers (Re: Msg 48859)
     From: BOBBRO       To: ETAT
 
 SpeedoGDOS should work with MicroSoft Write, but will not work with ST
 Writer, Regent Word I or Regent Word II.
 
 All of those (with the exception of ST Writer) haven't been updated in
 at least three years or more.  It's time to upgrade.
 
 I've rarely used MicroSoft Write, gotta have a spell checker.

 regards,
 Bob Brodie
 
 49174 20-FEB 16:46 General Information
     RE: Lynx ad! (Re: Msg 48874)
     From: BOBBRO       To: BRYEDEWAARD
 
 Bry, I keep saying this, but people aren't paying enough attention.  The
 idea that MultiTOS will be uploaded is strictly a _proposal_, there is a
 big possibility that it will bot be uploaded, and you will have to order
 it from a dealer.
 
 My opinion is that if we uploaded it to GEnie for 30 days, and then let
 the rest of the world have it, we'd keep some of the bean counters at
 Atari happy.  I don't share your view that we'd be making it hard to get
 if we did that.  In fact, I think that by selling it, we'd be making it
 much harder to get.  But that may be exactly what happens.
 
 I've NEVER said that GEnie was Atari's only port to the world, Bry!  I'm
 proud to have my Delphi address on my business card.  I'm also proud of
 the TWO networked BBS's that I sysop.  If GEnie was the only thing that
 mattered to Atari then you and I wouldn't be having this discussion
 right now. :)
 
 Let's not worry about it until we make a decision about uploading it,
 ok?
 
 regards,
 Bob Brodie
 
 49176 20-FEB 16:56 General Information
     RE: Lynx ad! (Re: Msg 48929)
     From: BOBBRO       To: OCS
 
 Hi Oliver, Your assumptions aren't even close to correct. <grin>  The
 number of people on GEnie is many times the number that you have cited.
 
 And, you are also overlooking the beancounter mentality that sometimes
 is present when a new product comes out.  Lots of beancounters would
 love your idea of a decent manual and sell it for say, $75.  That's less
 than what Apple sells System 7 for, and less than the list price of DOS
 5 or Windows 3.
 
 If you upload it to everywhere, then you give it away, make ZERO dollars
 on it, and end up spending more still in product support.  With no
 income.
 
 On the other hand, placate the bean counters by making some bucks. Then
 makes the userbase happy by putting it up everywhere after a reasonable
 delay.
 
 Or we can just go ahead and sell it, and not have to put up with the
 guff from the online networks at all. <- Beancounter mentality
 
 I think my suggestion (key word SUGGESTION) is the best balance.  But
 hey... I've been wrong before.

 regards,
 Bob Brodie
 
 49179 20-FEB 17:08 General Information
     RE: Dateline: Atari (Re: Msg 48936)
     From: BOBBRO       To: OCS

 Your GM dealer needs to sell you on the advantages of his car, true.
 But on the other hand, if all you did was come into the dealership to
 discuss the many advantages of VW, then that would be another matter.
 
 Typically, that is where the problem comes in on the networks.  If
 someone starts an "I love CIS" or "I love GEnie" thread on one of those
 networks, stand back 'cause it's gonna get wild.
 
 regards,
 Bob Brodie

 49182 20-FEB 17:30 General Information
     RE: Lynx ad! (Re: Msg 48696)
     From: BOBBRO       To: BIBLINSKI

 Gordie, Isn't SUCKS a little bit harsh for the performance of MultiTOS,
 even on an 8Mhz machine?  I mean, yeah...Leonard says it sucks <grin>,
 but on an ST with an AdSpeed, T-16, T-15, Tiny Turbo, or even a Mega
 STE, it ain't so bad.
 
 Right?? <nudge, nudge>

 Thought so....

 Bob Brodie
 
 49192 20-FEB 18:37 General Information
     RE: Printer Drivers (Re: Msg 49172)
     From: ETAT         To: BOBBRO (NR)

 Bob, your approach is correct, but fairly tunnel visioned.  These folks
 want $150 bucks for a word processor, it should work on your printer.
 Maybe I am old fashioned buy it would seem that you could sell more of
 your high dollar software if you included Panasonic, Okidata, and other
 major printer peddlers.  Atari has always favored Epson, but most of the
 other printers have one Espon compatability or another.  But even
 beloved Epson has a ton of various models, and the new ones have a
 different printer language of their own.
 
 If the software people only want to cater to a limited amount of users,
 I suppose that is their affair.  Meanwhile, your Atari people are going
 to IBM compats because the provide software that is superior in many
 way.  I think their word processors will handle a larger variety of
 printers as a whole.  Panasonic seems to be crowding Epson out or giving
 them a major run for the money....  I only know one thing, if Atari
 wants my business...they gotta provide what I want.  Everywhere else the
 consumer has a say.
 
 49202 20-FEB 22:33 General Information
     Atari purchase...?
     From: SGIBBONS     To: ALL

 Hello all.  I have been using an IBM for quite some time.  One of my
 friends suggested that I purchase an ATATI ST.  I have owned an ATARI
 800xl a LONG time ago.  Are they similar?
 
 1). Where can I buy an ST at?
 2). How much would they cost? With dual disk drive and color monitor &
     modem?
 3). Do they still use 6502 assembly? If not, what kind do they use?
 4). When puchasing an ATARI ST, what recommendations can "you" make
     regarding books for learning ATARI Basic/assembly? Source?
 5). Is the ATARI ST a "current" computer (repair service avaliable?).
     Or has it followed the Commodore 64 or the Texas Instruments 99/4a?
 6). ATARI BBS'S AVALIABLE?

 Thanks. S.G.

 49232 21-FEB 09:52 General Information
     MultiTOS (Re: Msg 49169)
     From: LMCCLURE     To: BOBBRO (NR)

 You might want to try issuing a /BUSY command before starting your
 replies... I believe that restricts any communications until you do an
 /UNBUSY to mail (and it should not look like you are ignoring the
 person, either).
 
 As to MultiTOS, I just hope no one in the 'sell it, don't upload' camp
 uses the messages protesting *possible* short-term GEnie exclusivitity
 to swing things over their way.  I wonder if they people who are
 concerned about this realize that Atari does not *have* to provide
 MultiTOS for the price of a download at all, regardless of where?
 
 49270 21-FEB 12:50 General Information
     RE: Lynx ad! (Re: Msg 49218)
     From: DPJ          To: ABARBIERO (NR)
 
 Andreas,
 
 I appreciate your concern over having messages copied, reprinted, etc.,
 but apparently this type of disclaimer has little to no weight.  I had
 similar disclaimers on my messages, and a general one when STReport had
 its own category in GEnie's Atari RT.  Two weeks ago Z-Net reprinted one
 of my messages from the STReport area without getting my permission
 first.  I left a message to both Darlah and Ron Kovacs asking for a
 retraction and/or apology; and never even got a reply from either.
 
 BTW, it is my understanding that these disclaimers _are_ valid.  I have
 also seen messages from the GEnie area supporting this view.  Apparently
 however, it doesn't wash in reality or ignored by a certain few.  I wish
 you better luck than I had!

             Dana @ STReport International Online Magazine

 49271 21-FEB 12:54 General Information
     RE: Lynx ad! (Re: Msg 49226)
     From: DPJ          To: JGALLARDO (NR)
 
 Jose, You hit it on the head.  It's true that nothing with regard to
 releasing MTOS has been cast in stone yet.  But, with the various
 rumors/suggestions, it makes perfect sense for the userbase to make
 their opinions heard.  If Atari has an idea as to how _we_ feel, then
 perhaps it will help them make the appropriate decision.  It's called
 _feedback".
 
            Dana @ STReport International Online Magazine

 49285 21-FEB 17:00 General Information
     RE: Lynx ad! (Re: Msg 49169)
     From: WAYNEDUNHAM  To: BOBBRO (NR)

 >I've been working on the new dealer agreements, and dealer sign up
 >procedures.
 
 That's good news.  I wish You and Atari much success in smoothing over
 things with existing dealers, and signing up new ones.  I'd sure like to
 see a high quality dealer in the Hartford Ct area.  It would save me a
 long trip down to Fairfield for a mediocre dealer (Computers Etc.)
 
 In regards to the GEnie contract requirements.....  I do understand and
 agree with the need for an official support place such as GEnie.  I, nor
 most of the Atarians know the scope or limits of the agreement, but
 given the FSM release on GEnie only fiasco it appears much too
 constrictive to me personally.  As I've stated before, Atarians are far
 too fragmented and isolated due to lack of dealers, user groups, etc to
 ignore any avenue of getting news, software, etc out as quickly and
 efficiently as possible.
 
 Certainly GEnie gives the biggest return in that respect, but I would
 like to see things happen quicker on the other avenues such as Delphi,
 Fnet, and yes even CI$.
 
 With the expanded Delphi activity it would seem that news and such
 wouldn't be much of a problem, but getting software such as Xcontrol,
 Mtos, etc here as quickly as possible is a concern of mine.
 
 Wayne

 49290 21-FEB 17:19 General Information
     RE: Lynx ad! (Re: Msg 49270)
     From: ZNET         To: DPJ (NR)
 
 Dana...  I never received your message but it was brought to my
 attention earlier today.
 
 The message I reprinted DID NOT HAVE ANY statement about NOT reprinting
 it.
 
 If that was the case, you should have appended a statement to your
 message, you did not, and it was reprinted without your permission.  As
 for your request for an apology???  Why??  Did you type the message or
 not?  If you want to apologize for making the statement, send one along!
 
 Ron

 49291 21-FEB 17:25 General Information
     Message Reprints
     From: ZNET         To: DPJ (NR)

 Dana...  Just an additional note...  If you do not want to see a message
 reprinted, you could simply add...
 
 "This message may not be reprinted." or something along those lines.
 Any message that has or had a disclaimer on it, usually doesn't appear 
 in Z*Net or other online magazines.  However, in looking back at some of
 your messages, you do place a disclaimer and in others nothing....  So,
 You can't have it your way all the time if you are not clear in your
 posts.
 
 Ron


 
 ######  PERUSING GENIE
 ######  Compiled by Ed Krimen
 ######  ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 SPEEDO AND WORKS: READY TO ROLL
 -------------------------------
 -=> In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14)
 -=> from the "FALCON 030 - Help and Questions" topic (41)
 
 Message 62        Wed Feb 03, 1993
 B.REHBOCK [BILL@ATARI]       at 11:00 EST
 
 SpeedoGDOS and Atari Works are getting manufactured as stand-alone
 products.  The SpeedoGDOS add-on should be _around_ $60.00, and Atari
 Works will be _around_ $120.00 or so and it will include SpeedoGDOS.
 These prices are of course, are subject to change. :-)
 
 -Bill
 ====================================
 
 
 MAGAZINE MYSTERY
 ----------------
 -=> In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14)
 -=> from the "Atari Explorer" topic (30)
 
 Message 29        Tue Feb 16, 1993
 EXPLORER.1 [] Ron []         at 23:53 EST
 
 
 Detectives from Sunnyvale have solved the mystery of the lost 3rd class
 November/December issues of Atari Explorer.  The gory details have not
 yet been released but a reputable source states they will be outlined in
 the next edition AEO, if not sooner.
 
 I was told the issues are *now* in the *US* mail system and will be
 delivered as fast as 3rd Class US mail can get them out.  Sorry folks!
 
 Ron @ Atari Explorer Magazine
 ====================================
 
 
 DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION FOR FALCON
 ------------------------------------
 (MIDI/WorldMusic RT)
 -=> In the "MIDI Software and Hardware (Atari ST)" category (3)
 -=> from the "Falcon Digital Sampling" topic (23)
 
 Message 53        Sun Feb 07, 1993
 W.DEAN4 [D'noski]            at 11:44 EST
 
 I was reading thru the latest EQ Magazine and saw what was said to be
 the first Digital Audio Workstation for the Atari Falcon 030 ($1594),
 made by Singular Solutions of Pasadena, CA and D2D Systems of Cambridge,
 England.  
 
 The system specs are as follows: A/D64x that offers 2 channels of 16-
 bit, delta-sigma sampling at rate of 32, 44.1 and 48 kHz,A/D conversion
 with 64 times oversampling and a three-stage linear phase digital anti-
 aliasing filter.  It has both balanced and unbalanced inputs, AES/EBU
 and S?PDIF ins and outs, and an integrated low-noise microphone pre-amp
 with 48-volt phantom power.
 
 The D2D Editing System is the first digital studio editor to use the
 features of the Falcon 030: direct-to-disk recording, non-destructive
 editing, MIDI time code-driven, cues sheet, punch-in recording, and on
 the fly marker creation.
 
 see ya...D'noski
 ====================================
 
 
 C-R-R-R-AZY DOTS
 ----------------
 -=> In the "Atari TT" category (28)
 -=> from the "Monitors for the TT" topic (11)

 Message 74        Tue Feb 09, 1993
 D.WALTER7 [Doug Walter]      at 00:55 EST
 
 Ken, There is of course, a Crazy Dots category upwind of here a little
 bit.  You might want to contact Dan Wilga (GEmail: GRIBNIF) for
 brochures on the CD board.  Gribnif is the N.A. distributor for the
 board.  TKR manufactures them in Germany, but docs and screens are in
 English.
 
 A few of the more important features (from their newsletter):
 
 * 2 versions - 256 or 32,768 colors, both having 256 gray levels
 * Megabus and VME (TT/MSTe) versions.  Megabus has "pass-thru".
 * Drive any multisync up to 1664x1220 in mono,4, & 16 color modes; Up to
   1280x800 in 256 color mode; 1200x800 in TrueColor mode
 * Custom drivers included for most analog monitors, including SM124.
   Driver creation software included for other monitors.
 * Hardware "panning" of larger virtual screen
 * Tseng ET-4000 graphics chip set w/ video ram for fast redraws
 * DA included for custom color pallettes and color/grayscale switching
   on the fly.
 * Res switching at bootup in auto config program.  Remembers last picked
   rez for config panel bypass.
 * Standard High Density VGA output connector
 * Expansion connectors for future features. (24 bit color)
 * Easy install: no disassembly req. for the VME version.
 
 A few caveats comes to mind.  With CD, you will not see any of your
 normal boot sequence until the driver loads.  See fix below.  CodeHead's
 Warp9 doesn't work with CD in the color modes, although UISIII works in
 mono modes (I haven't tested Warp 9 myself).  Just about everything else
 I own will run except WordwriterST, Touch-up (everything works except
 "Lightning" mode) and most commercial games.
 
 I like mine - a lot.  I use it with an inexpensive VGA switchbox to
 choose between CD and "normal" TT output.  I keep it switched to "TT"
 during bootup, then switch to "CD" for running.  The switch, along with
 Gribnif's XBOOT3 to choose resolutions and configuration setups at
 bootup have spoiled me.  For example, I have several different rez
 "sets" that load in the appropriate NEWDESK.INF and Calamus SL .SET
 files automatically for each resolution/color mode.
 
 The boards are not inexpensive, but if you are going to do a lot of DTP,
 or color graphics work (Photo CD?) they may be worth considering.  SL is
 much easier to deal with at 800x600 or better, and Gemview does wonders
 for 256 color GIFs. :-)   Text scrolling is a little slower and "jumpy"
 in color at high rezs, but in mono modes it really flies.
 
 System: TT with 4/16 megs (GESoft), Quantum 105, NEC 4fg 15" multi.
 
 Doug7
 ====================================
 
 
 WHERE'S MY MEMORY?!
 -------------------
 -=> In the "Atari TT" category (28)
 -=> from the "Atari TT" topic (2)

 Message 101       Thu Feb 04, 1993
 J.RENNER1 [Jim]              at 01:06 EST
 
 I recently purchased a TT and had a question for the more technically
 minded/informed.  I boot a completely plain system, and discovered that
 there was about 350k missing from my system memory.  I am in TT med and
 realize that 150k is used for video, and that the system needs some
 other ram, but 200k.  Is that normal?  If so i would be interested to
 learn what exactly TOS (by the way i have 3.06) is using that memory
 for.
 
 Thanks,
 Jim.
 ----------
 Message 102       Thu Feb 04, 1993
 J.EIDSVOOG1 [CodeHead]       at 03:21 EST
 
 Jim Renner, An operating system cannot store its variables in ROM -- it
 needs RAM.  The low end of a 680x0 contains all of the exception
 vectors.  Then there is the OEM memory area.  Next is the area used by
 the BIOS and GEMDOS, then you've got some that's used by whatever hard
 disk driver you're using (this might be quite large if you've got a
 cache).  Then there's a large block that's used by GEM.  It needs space
 for storing application structures, desktop information structures,
 window structures, menubar structures, drop-down image blit areas, VDI
 workstations, etc, etc.
 
 This array of memory usage is not restricted to the TT.  All versions of
 TOS take a sizable area.  I just booted from a blank floppy disk under
 TOS 2.06 and with no hard drive software, the OS used 217K of RAM.  I
 remember test years ago determining that the most one could expect for
 free memory on a 1 meg machine was about 780K.  That's just the way it
 is.
 
 John
 ====================================
 
 
 RAYTRACING WITH THE FALCON
 --------------------------
 -=> In the "Graphics" category (7)
 -=> from the "Ray Tracing and Ray Traced Images" topic (22)
 
 Message 33        Mon Feb 15, 1993
 C.LATHAM2                    at 06:30 EST
 
 Well, I downloaded the POV source on 2-10-93, but couldn't find the
 binaries (I hadn't been following the massages, so I didn't know that
 they had been removed).  So I compiled my own version with Pure C.  Had
 to turn down the warning level though, as the compiler gave about a
 zillion warnings.  Thing worked ok though, except when it tried to
 allocate a buffer for GIF pictures, while trying to trace the FISH13
 sample file.  Seems the malloc call in the GIF.C file was passing an int
 instead of a long:
 
   if ((decoderline = (unsigned char *) malloc (2049)) == NULL) {
      fprintf (stderr, "Cannot allocate space for GIF decoder line\n");
      fclose (Bit_File);
      exit (1);
   }

 Fixed it by declaring the size as a long:
 
  if ((decoderline = (unsigned char *) malloc (2049L)) == NULL) {
      fprintf (stderr, "Cannot allocate space for GIF decoder line\n");
      fclose (Bit_File);
      exit (1);
   }

 I know about >< much C, so I just guessed at the possible problem and
 its solution, but this worked, so it must be right.  My question to
 anyone knowledgable in C is why the compiler would pass an int to a
 function that was prototyped as requiring a long.
 
 Anyway, after this POVRAY.TTP worked just fine, except for the
 statistics.  It said the image I had traced required 9 hours, 527
 minutes, 432,456.00 seconds.  So, just what time is it when your clock
 strikes thirteen?
 
 It was too bad that the clock didn't function correctly, as I wanted to
 see how the TT with its 33Mhz '030 and 16Mhz (I think) '882 compared
 with the time it took a 25Mhz 386 w/Cyrix FPU to render the same image
 (the docs said 60hrs for the 386; the image was PIECE3).  I know this
 may be comparing apples and oranges, as the docs didn't say what
 resolution was used when the 386 did the rendering.  I did mine at 640 x
 400.
 
 I had started out using QRT, but although the images were pretty good,
 I was a little disappointed that it didn't support anti-aliasing.
 Although aliased images are not of too much concern when viewing at 320
 x 200 using Spectrum, on my Falcon at 640 x 400 in true color mode, all
 of a sudden being able to anti-alias makes a big difference.  Anyway,
 PIECE3.POV turned out great.  I was really impressed with the smoothness
 of the image, after seeing the images that QRT made.  I had begun to
 wonder why no work seems to have been done on QRT since '88, but with
 POV around, why bother working on QRT.  The things the author (Steve
 Koren) wanted to add to QRT are already a part of POV, plus a lot more.
 
 By the way, not too long ago I would have believed that 16 bit color was
 all you really needed, that the human eye wouldn't be able to easily
 distinguish between any two adjacent colors; not when you had 65,536
 separate colors.  What a load of crock.  With Falcon true color, you get
 5 bits of red, 6 bits of green, and 5 bits of blue.  That's 32 levels of
 red and blue, 64 of green.  Sounds good.  Isn't good.  Well, ok, it's
 not bad, but at lower intensity levels, two adjacent levels of, say,
 blue can easily be distinguished.  This takes away slightly from the
 realism that the image might have had.  You really need 24 bit color on
 these ray traced images, since subtle shading seems to be a hallmark of
 ray-tracers.  Granted, the scanned photograph of a baby with teddybears
 looks pretty darn good in Falcon truecolor.  I suppose the next thing
 I'll need is some sort of dithering tool to mix the edges of these areas
 so that you don't see the different shades adjacent to each other.
 
 On another note.  Yes, multitasking.  It's a must.  I have 4 TTs and 1
 Falcon all networked together where I work.  Three of the TTs are
 running (24 hours a day) a touchscreen based Point of Sale program.  I
 recompiled the POS program so that instead of staying in a loop looking
 for a screen touch (which are readable from the serial port), it sleeps
 for 25 milliseconds between each touch lookup.  Thus is checks for
 touches 40 times per second, which gives you seemingly instantaneous
 response when you touch the screen.  I than ran QRT as a background task
 (I/O sent to /dev/null) with a lower priority than the POS program.
 Since POS is normally dormant, waiting for touches, QRT got all the CPU
 time it needed, probably 95% of all CPU time.  But when POS was used,
 the user couldn't tell the difference.
 
 Essentially, interactive programs MUST be given a higher priority, so
 the user will not perceive any degradation.  But, they must also free
 the CPU when there is nothing to do, which is 99% of the time while
 typing a letter, or mousing around in a spreadsheet or desktop
 publisher.  I hope that this will be automatically done when GEM
 applications make event_multi calls under Multi-TOS.  Currently, when a
 program makes an event call, the AES just sits in a loop, checking the
 keyboard and mouse over and over and over, etc.  It would be better to
 check them, and if there is nothing to do, then pause for 25 ms or so.
 Let's face it, the user will not be able to do too much in 1/40th of a
 second.  And having this done within the event calls means that - no-
 application will need to be recompiled with special MiNT calls.  At
 least, none that DO NOT use event_timer with a delay of 0.
 
 Here where I work we are using the PowerDOS kernal, as it is at the
 heart of the network that we are using.  Although we don't have the
 multi-windowing/multi-application interface of Multi-TOS, that is hardly
 necessary for a ray-tracer.  Showing the images to the screen in a
 window while tracing?  Given the length of time it takes to render an
 image, I'm not too thrilled with the idea.  I'd rather just let the
 image be built, then use a postprocessor to view it with.  Though I
 suppose having the ability and not using it would still be better than
 not having it at all.
 
 One thing I do like about POV over QRT (ok, one of many things), is that
 you can specify a start and end scan line to render from the command
 line.  Although you could do this with QRT, it had to be defined within
 the definition file, not on the command line (and besides, it didn't
 work).  The reason I like this is simple.  With 5 '030 machines online,
 all with FPUs installed, it seems the smart thing to do would be to have
 each of them work on 1/5th of the image, then combine the files.
 Actually, what I'm going to do is create a program that will run on each
 machine.  I will then have a file that will list a task to perform, and
 the parameters to pass to that task.  The aforementioned program on each
 machine on the network will read the next task to do, and do it. I would
 take an image to render, for instance, and break it into say, 10 scan
 line sections.  This is so we can compensate for busy or slow machines.
 One machine might be able to render 30 lines in the time it takes
 another to render 10.
 
 If the technique looks familiar, that's because it is.  I think it's
 called tuple processing, but I read about it so long ago (3-4 years)
 that I'm not sure of its name or many of the details of its
 implementation.  I'll just have to guess, unless someone can steer me
 toward some documentation.
 
 BTW, check out the POV rendered images printed in the Jan and Feb '93
 CompuServe magazine in the 'Graphic of the month' section.
 
 Chris @ ViewTouch, Inc.
 ====================================
 
 
 HOW MANY ATARI MACHINES CAN -YOU- NETWORK?
 ------------------------------------------
 -=> In the "Atari Corporation Online" category (14)
 -=> from the "FALCON 030 - Help and Questions" topic (41)
 
 Message 41        Tue Feb 02, 1993
 EXPLORER.1 [] Ron []         at 00:16 EST
 
 PowerDOS/PowerNET from PowerPoint Software works well on the Falcon030
 LocalTalk port.  On this end, there is a Falcon, TT, Mega STe and a
 classic 2.5 meg 520 ST connected and talking.  The 520 ST is connected
 via the MIDI ports, the other computers are on the LAN using standard
 LocalTalk connectors and phone wire.  It is a peer to peer network, any
 or all computers can be servers.  I hear the latest beta version is
 taking advantage of the DSP in the Falcon.
 
 Ron @ Atari Explorer Magazine
 ====================================
 
 


 ######  PERUSING COMPUSERVE
 ######  By Michael D. Mortilla
 ######  ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 "There was never in the world two opinions alike, anymore than two hairs
 or two grains.  Their most universal quality is diversity."
 
                                     Michel E. de Montaigne [1533-92]
 
 
 We all know that CompuServe is about as diverse as you can get.  And it
 can be generally be assumed that within a particular forum, the topics
 will stay reasonably within the scope of the common interest of the
 forum members.  But this week, and in recent weeks as well, the range of
 topics in both the Ataripro and Atariarts forums has been quite wide in
 scope, from paring down the military to speculation on why some
 government programs aimed at helping people are ineffective.
 
 So what?  You might ask.  What's the difference what is discussed in the
 forums?  Glad you asked <g>.  What seems to be happened more and more
 here is that the members of the Atari forums are working together as a
 true "users group" and not "just" a collection of computer users who
 happen to call CIS to get the latest Shareware, news on their favorite
 computer or find a bargain for their next piece of hardware or software.
 Oh, that happens too, to be sure!  And there may be no better place to
 get up to date information, professional help and access to a large
 library of information.  But what seems more important is that we
 Atarians here on CIS are getting to know one another quite well.
 
 It's not unusual for members to be referred to by their first names in a
 string which they are not active in at that time.  For example, if we're
 talking about QCIS (the program to automate your CIS time, and save big
 bucks) then someone might mention Jim in passing.  Most of us know who
 that is.  If we really liked a new Warp 9 screen saver, then we might
 mention how much Charles has done for the ST.  But again, you might ask
 "So what?"  What's you point?  Well, the point is that we are all
 sitting in out little rooms typing on some plastic keys in a process
 which was supposed to create more distance between humans.  But the fact
 is that we are coming closer as people and becoming friends (or in some
 cases, adversaries).  Our online communications are becoming
 impassioned, temperamental, defensive, supportive, derogatory,
 sarcastic, wry, dry and spry.
 
 In short, we are evolving into electro-organic beings!  We are able to
 use our microprocessors in conjunction with our intellect and motor
 skills, to communicate on an ongoing basis.  Akin to this skill was the
 development of language, which may have been responsible for our
 development from being simply furry creatures that walked a little funny
 to the most diverse and productive creatures on the planet (if not the
 universe).
 
 But this time we are developing and communicating on a much larger scale
 (nationally and internationally).  Again, we've been doing this for a
 long time too, via telephone, letter, and intercontinental visits.  But
 never with such frequency and fluency, and with so many people at once.
 It's a recipe for chaos, but it's happening in a highly organized
 fashion, and developing at a pace greater than anyone might have
 expected.
 
 Ironically, as with any form of competitive business, there is "patron"
 envy.  We are free to mention names here, but we all know who the major
 online services are.  While envy is not specifically mentioned in any of
 the recent messages, there seems to be a scent of it in the air.
 'They've got so and so as their "official" support center'; 'They've got
 so and so many more users"; 'They're online time is cheaper'; 'They're
 online time is more cost effective'; and so on.
 
 Competition is great, but a time may someday come when these differences
 may not exist anymore, and we'll all be able to access all the services,
 sort of in the same way that phone companies work.  If AT&T is my
 "carrier" I can call Ron, who might be on GTE and we can set up a
 conference call with Boris on Sprint and Brad on MCI.  We'll all pay our
 respective carriers for the services and time we use of theirs, but if I
 use some AT&T and some MCI, it's all on my bill from GTE (who runs my
 local area).  Truly a one world network of communication.
 
 In many futuristic views of life on our planet, there is the view that
 we will someday be one people, with one language and common goals for
 this race of homo-sapiens.  This is desirable, in my opinion, and a step
 in that direction may be the kind of intercontinental communications we
 are experiencing on CIS and elsewhere.
 
 The next step might well be interaction, in real time, between the
 online services.  We could access Genie from CompuServe, Delphi from
 PAN, and Prodigy from the MUSOBBS.  This may not be a very popular idea
 in the corporate offices of any of these services right now, but are
 there any subscribers to any of these online services who *wouldn't*
 want to be able to have that kind of access?  I think not.  And what
 would that do for online time?  It would skyrocket.  Right through the
 roof!  The result?  Cheaper communications on our computers and
 increased profits for all the services as well as an even wider network
 of communication, information and cooperation.  It almost sounds too
 good to be true.
 
 Yeah, yeah, I know, there are just too many details to work out, too
 many diverse sources of income and collection, and the whole competition
 thing is down the drain.  The services would actually have to start
 cooperating with each other!  The subscribers, on the other hand, would
 have no problem adjusting immediately.
 
 The stage for this kind of development is being set in a number of ways.
 Apple & IBM joining forces?  Atari with a machine that reads IBM
 programs?  A "Gemulator" that lets an IBM read Atari programs and a
 device that lets you read Mac programs on your Atari!  These things are
 real, or close to reality, and will serve to bridge the communication
 breakdown between platforms.
 
 The gap between people is somewhat wider and might take more than simple
 reprogramming and design modifications, but it can be done.  And once we
 are face to face (screen to screen?), up close and personal, we might
 discover that we're not all that different after all.  We can "get
 along," as Rodney King questioned during the LA riots last spring.  And
 we can cooperate in a meaningful, progressive way *IF* we are given the
 opportunity to do so and follow through with the effort on an individual
 basis.
 
 Thanks for letting me diverge form the "usual" reporting of activity in
 the Atari forums on CompuServe.  In a way, I really don't feel I have
 diverged, but just reported a different scope of activity (and dreamed a
 little).
 
 Until we meet again...

 

 
 ######  ATARIUSER MAGAZINE REVIEWS
 ######  Copyright (c)1993 AtariUser Magazine
 ######  ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 This column MAY NOT BE REPRINTED without the written permission of
 AtariUser Magazine.  For more information, see the AtariUser reprint
 specifications at the end of this Z*Net issue.
 
 
 GFA-BASIC Toolkit, Volume 1
 How-to, Hands-on
 Book; ST, STe, TT
 
 Designed for the beginning and intermediate GFA Basic Programmer, The
 GFA Basic Toolkit includes the manual and a diskette containing GFA
 Basic routines, functions and procedures that can be merged into GFA
 Basic programs in Version 2.0 or above.  It is not designed to be a
 tutorial, but rather to provide building blocks for your own programs.
 The routines are written by many contributing programmers and cover
 topics such as Graphics, Video Effects, Basic I/O, Sound and Music, and
 keyboard and mouse.  Each routine contains a routine number, a numerical
 designation of the routines compatibility with earlier versions of GFA
 Basic, a brief description of the routine, the filename under which the
 routine is stored on the accompanying Toolkit diskette, description of
 how the routine is called, the parameters, its use within the calling
 program and an example of the routine.  A listing of each routine is
 also provided at the end of the book.
 
 I found the routines to be very well written, and as a tutorial for
 learning by example, each routine introduces the beginning programmer to
 more sophisticated methods of programming and programming style.
 Particularly valuable utilities are included that will prevent
 programmers from having to reinvent the wheel in each of their own
 works.  Center_print displays a given text screen from the center of the
 video display outward.  It can be used with all three screen
 resolutions.  The mouse_up procedure holds the execution of a GFA Basic
 program until the mouse button is released.  By using this routine,
 especially in compiled programs after every mouse event will help
 eliminate the accidental selection of another button.  The most useful
 routines are those in the Input/Output Unit which determine the current
 directory path, format the floppy, set the write protect file or hidden
 file attribute and copy a disk file to another file name.  These
 utilities can be used in any GFA Basic programs that write to a
 configuration file.
 
 The toolkit is well worth its price and is an excellent addition to
 anyone's library of utilities.  GFA-BASIC Toolkit, Volume 1, by John
 Hutchinson (of Fair-Dinkum Software), $34.95 with disk from Taylor Ridge
 Books.  -- Kevin Festner
 
 
 ButtonzBASIC
 Push-button GFA Interface
 Utility; ST, STe, TT, Falcon
 
 ButtonzBASIC is an attractive, mouse driven shell utility combining all
 aspects of GFA BASIC programming into one integrated graphic operated
 environment, thus replacing the GFA MENU and MENUX utilities.  A GFA
 BASIC programmer can edit, create, compile, set compiler options, link
 with as many objects as desired, execute GFA BASIC Programs and even
 perform all file and disk operations without having to leave the
 environment.  ButtonzBASIC can be run on any size Atari ST/STe/TT
 machine, and supports all ST screen resolutions.
 
 To test the effectiveness of ButtonzBASIC, I developed, compiled,
 linked, and ran a test program without leaving the environment.  By
 pressing the Edit button from the ButtonzBASIC Main Screen, it was quick
 and easy to go between the Utility and the GFA BASIC Editor/Interpreter
 and back.  After development on the editor, I set the compile options
 and compiled the source code and then linked it to the objects that I
 added to the Object List from ButtonzBASIC's Setup Configuration
 Utility.  ButtonzBASIC allows the linked program to have a different
 name from the source code file and allows the source code to be compiled
 into a TTP, TOS, PRG or ACC.  Without leaving the interface, I then ran
 the compiled program from ButtonzBASIC by using the Test function,
 formatted a disk, created a folder, and copied the test program to that
 disk.  ButtonzBASIC didn't do anything that I couldn't do with GFA
 BASIC's included utilities or the desktop, but it did make everything
 easy to use and immediately at hand.
 
 The small manual accompanying ButtonzBASIC provides the barest of
 information on operation.  However, the tool is so easy to use that the
 meager size of the manual didn't bother me as much as some of the
 questionable attempts at humor in "cute" descriptions of obvious
 functions such as Quit.  The description accompanying, for example, the
 EXECUTE PROGRAM reads, "Well now, any idea what this button might do?
 Not to hard, is it!"  Only the drummer rim-shot is missing.
 
 ButtonzBASIC is well worth the $44.95 price for those who use GFA BASIC
 regularly.  But for occasional users, I think it might be a bit pricey
 for the convenience it offers.  From MagicSoft/Micro Computer Depot, 224
 O'Neil Court, Suite 14, Columbia, SC  29223, phone 803-788-5165.
 --  Kevin Festner
 
 
 World Class Soccer
 Second Class
 Game; Lynx
 
 Atari's latest addition to the sports library is World Class Soccer, a
 portable version of the worldwide sport for one or two players.  Basic
 soccer rules and penalties apply, including throw-ins, corner kicks, and
 fouls.  Game options allow setting the length of the game (from 10 to 90
 minutes), the field conditions, and the computer difficulty level.
 
 Ball control is effortless, with automatic dribbling and easy passing
 and kicking controls.  On defense, you can steal the ball by kicking or
 with a "tackle", and you have control of the goalie and all squad
 members.  The screen scrolls from side to side, and zooms in and out of
 the action as needed.
 
 Even with good game ideas, World Class Soccer is sandbagged with
 weaknesses that hurt the gameplay.  Control automatically goes to the
 man closest to the ball, which causes quick changes when it enters a
 crowd.  The screen often focuses too closely on the ball making long
 passes impossible to coordinate, as you may control a player or goalie
 who is off-screen.  Although teams from a hundred countries are
 available, the only difference is the flag shown.
 
 Graphic images and sprites are respectably drawn and animated, and look
 good regardless of their size.  On the down side, the scaling occurs too
 slowly to be effective, while the scrolling is too fast and jumpy.
 Sounds are uninspiring, composed mostly of a bouncing soccer ball mixed
 with periodic whistle blows and a crude crowd cheer.
 
 This game has the ingredients for a quality soccer game, but assembles
 them into a disappointing ensemble that could have been better.  While
 the hard-to-follow game action can be overcome, only devoted soccer fans
 will care to invest the time that World Class Soccer requires for
 mastery.  Atari Corp., for the Atari Lynx, $29.95.  --Robert Jung
 
 
 COPYIST DTP
 New Version Scores Hit
 MIDI; ST, STe, TT
 
 First off, Dr. T's Software is NOT gone from the Atari market, no matter
 how persistant the rumor.  They've recently updated the best selling
 Atari titles, and Copyist is one of those.
 
 My first chance to experiment with Dr.T's COPYIST came a few years ago,
 when the earliest version of the program was released.  I was fascinated
 with the idea of being able to turn musical ideas into a printed score
 without the laborious work of transcribing.  I was disappointed.  The
 Copyist used to be a painfully difficult program, unfriendly, buggy,
 copy-protected, and willfully ugly.
 
 Much of that has changed since the first release, and Copyist DTP has
 been reshaped by its programmers.  Copyist DTP is no longer copy-
 protected, and once the simple hard drive installation is completed, you
 have immediate access to all of the program functions.  Additionally, if
 you're working with Dr.T's MPE shell you can transfer from Copyist to
 OMEGA or X-OR inside that environment, giving you access to Dr.T's
 version of multitasking.  The downside of this is that the program
 blocks access to all desk accessories.
 
 The program itself is a lot more fun to work with now.  A full menu bar
 is now included, with key combinations available for most commands.
 Full mouse access helps, too, making it easier to get around inside the
 score that's being edited.  It's now possible to easily enter new
 sections into a score, using the mouse and computer keyboard, and score
 editing is no longer torturous for the user.  The remaining aggravation
 is that the screen is redrawn with every editing change.
 
 Copyist DTP is also flexible in both input and output.  You can enter a
 score from the computer keyboard, if so moved, complete with full
 ornaments.  The easiest way, of course, is to create a file using a
 sequencer, and import a Type 1 MIDI file (or a file from Dr.T's own
 sequencers, KCS and OMEGA.)
 
 Output can be generated for full scores or parts, in a variety of
 formats ranging from dot-matrix and laser printers to EPS and TIFF
 files.  The manual is easy to understand, detailed without needless
 complexity, and does a good job of guiding the reader through the
 program.
 
 Copyist DTP has grown into a full professional tool, one that requires
 work on the part of the user (most of which is related to the art of
 transcribing music, rather than the program) but provides a satisfying
 environment for the user, and a thoroughly satisfying end product.
 Copyist DTP V.1.7, $399, by Dr.T's Music Software, 100 Crescent Road,
 Ste.1B, Needham, MA 02194 -- Steve McDonald
 
 


 ######  THE FUNNY FARM
 ######  By Bob Smith
 ######  ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 It has been awhile since we visited the farm and I just thought a visit
 at this time of the year would warm your hearts, tickle your funny bone,
 provide you with some knee slapping and just get that old tummy into a
 side splitting guffaw.  Now that we have your complete exercise program
 set out, it is time to go to the farm....
 
 Every New Year we sit down with the children and try to decide if we
 should start a family.
 
 One of my New Year's resolutions is to take control of my life - and
 stop blaming the Hoover Administration.
 
 I'm still recovering from our New Year's celebration this year.
 Partying is such sweet sorrow.
 
 On New Year's Day the president of the company put up motivational signs
 all over the place that said, "Do It Now!"  There was one in front of
 everyone's desk.  In just the first week, he was amazed by the results.
 Three salesmen asked for a raise, the bookkeeper eloped with the
 accountant and the mail room boy headed west to become a movie producer.
 
 What's more difficult, being an air controller at O'Hare International
 Airport over the holidays -- or folding a king size contour sheet?
 
 I have a friend who keeps track of all the latest fads.  He tells me
 this year boomerangs are coming back.
 
 On the campaign trail, George Bush had visited an old folks home.  He
 spotted a man sitting alone and said, "Do you know who I am?"  "No, I'm
 sorry, I don't," the man answered, "but I think they might be able to
 tell you up at the front desk."
 
 As governor of California, Ronald Reagan was invited to speak in Mexico
 City.  He gave what he thought was a rousing speech, but received only
 polite applause when he was finished.  The speaker who followed spoke in
 Spanish, which Reagan didn't understand, and was vigorously applauded
 throughout the entire speech.  Trying to hide his embarrassment, Reagan
 began applauding sooner and longer that anyone else, until his
 ambassador leaned oure and whispered "I wouldn't do that if I were you.
 He's the translator for your speech."
 
 Ross Perot really didn't stand much chance of a chance in this year's
 presidential race.  It's really hard for a guy with $3 billion to go
 around saying something's wrong with the country.
 
 It's actually a good thing we aren't all millionaires.  If we were,
 who'd pay the taxes?
 
 We've added these recorded messages to our companies answering machine:
 "If you are calling to place an order, press 1."  "If you are calling to
 send a payment, press 2."  "If you are calling to complain, press
 3973251973230654095."
 
                           Quotes Of The Month 
                           ===================

 "People don't remember you for all the good things you do.  They
 remember the time you blew a giant bubble out of your nose."
  - Donna Barr

 "People will accept your idea much more readily if you tell them
 Benjamin Franklin said it."
  - David Comins
 
 "                    "
  - Marcel Marceau

 "You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will
 too late."
  - Ralph Waldo Emerson
 
 
 I often listen to the police band on my CB radio.  Once I dialed 911 and
 dedicated a crime to my girlfriend.
 
 My sister lives in a high-crime area, but she's trying to see the bright
 side of her situation.  For instance, the other day a burglar managed to
 force open one of the windows that had been stuck for years.
 
 A Texan was bragging about his property to his visiting brother-in-law
 from New York.  "I can get into my car, drive all day, and still be on
 my own land."  "Yeah," said the New Yorker, "I had a car like that once,
 too."
 
 A tourist in Las Vegas was approached by a stranger who asked, "Can you
 spare $25 bucks?  I have no place to sleep and I haven't eaten in two
 days."  "How do I know you're not going to just gamble it away?" "Oh,
 don't worry about that," replied the stranger.  "Gambling money I've
 got."
 
 A man was hired to paint a church, but he discovered he severly under-
 bid the job.  To make up for the loss, he figured he'd just add a little
 water to the paint.  When he finished the job, the church looked pretty
 good.  But after only a few days, the paint started peeling off in
 sheets.  It looked horrible.  "Oh no!" he cried in guilt and
 embarrassment.  "Now what am I going to do?"  A deep voice from above
 answered him: "Repaint and thin no more."
 
 I guess that's enough exercise for this month.  Just remember, laughter
 is the best medicine, then would someone please explain to me why I keep
 getting these large doctor's bills.  Until the next time, keep smiling.
 
 


 ######  Z*NET/AEO FNET SUPPORT BBS
 ######  Compiled by Ron Kovacs
 ######  ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 *SOME* systems have not been listed as they were NOT included in a 
 recent FNET information date file.
 
 The following systems are part of the AEO/Z*Net Online Conference in the 
 FNET.  These systems participate in the conference which receive the 
 latest editions of Atari Explorer Online Magazine and Z*Net Atari Online 
 magazine weekly.
 
 
   8  Jeff Bath               Universal ST          414-496-0724
  45  Mike Hawkins            The Prairie Chip ][   307-632-7958
  66  Don Liscombe            The Brewery           416-683-3089
  72  Russell Schwartz        STEP BBS              503-297-6542
  74  Lamarr Kelley           H.A.U.G. BBS          205-722-0900
  94  Jerry Cross             Facts Line 1          313-736-3920
 123  Rick Berry              EastSide BBS          618-254-6077
 133  Dean Lodzinski          Hologram Inc.         908-727-1914
 168  Bob Dolson              C.C.B.B.S.            609-451-7475
 181  Brett Hainley           NovelConcepts BBS     713-729-7555
 182  Gary Mcallister         Hillside              206-362-2317
 204  Steve Rider             The Closet Door       408-736-8069
 224  Dick Pederson           Flash BBS             314-275-2040
 287  Walter Hudson           Starlight BBS         215-879-8886
 304  Bill Scull              The Twilight Zone     407-831-1613
 307  Norstar                 PayBax BBS            302-836-4816
 319  J. Townsend             Atari Base            408-745-2196
 390  Joe Burke               Bear's Den            803-574-6738
 410  Smitty                  ACE Information       513-233-9500
 423  White Seeker            BILINE BBS            303-791-2592
 462  Brian Watters           Atari ST Connection   209-436-8156
 467  Robin                   Sherwood Forest       718-522-0768
 478  Dennis Mcguire          Spectrum Atari Group  814-833-4073
 504  Quartermaster           Media 2000            410-360-1356
 523  Lesley-dee Dylan        Leftover Hippies BBS  416-466-8931
 546  Mark Antolik            Bear Swamp BBS        513-644-0714
 576  The Scottsman           The Loch BBS          818-766-5277
 592  Drazil Reptillian       The O-Mayer V BBS     213-732-0229
 593  Ron Kovacs              Z*Net News Service    908-968-8148
 595  Barry Torrance          Temple of Doom        403-436-0328
 596  Jay L. Jones            Super 68              206-630-1261
 602  Bruce Faulkner          Cartoon Haven BBS     719-574-7406
 610  Frank Kish              The Songwriter's Den  908-859-5999
 619  Milt Boren              Tron 2 BBS            416-336-1236
 623  Shawn Zweers            Radio STation         416-934-6801
 632  Clueman                 London Smog BBS       714-546-2152
 633  Randy Rodrock           The Dark STar BBS     801-269-8780
 642  Wiz                     Hero's Haven          304-525-3339
 647  Tom Allard              E.H.C.R.              203-528-7693
 648  Waltzer                 The Mosh Bit          206-574-1531
 652  Mr. Pengo               PengoLand             818-708-8576
 655  Roger Allman            Wizzard's Castle      803-469-6988
 657  Scott Haynes            The Round Table BBS   513-528-5833
 658  Scott Haynes            Cin'Tari OnLine       513-528-7463
 669  Al Peterson             Dateline: Atari BBS   Brooklyn, NY
 670  Martin Crommie          Puddle City           503-289-9429
 675  Stan Sharp              Eleventh Hour BBS     706-796-3805
 678  Kim Stahn               A.C.O.R.N.            219-744-1396
 685  Gary Gorski             JACG BBS              201-690-5224
 689  David Barker            Speedy's Raceway      513-353-4098
 690  Kerry Bowman            Progressive Atari ST  503-686-3276
 693  Chris Thorpe            Z*Net South Pacific   644-4762-852
 701  John Curtis             Conqueror Connection  817-539-8228
 702  Long John Silver        Mother of All BBSs    416-332-5810
 706  Bob Brodie              Z*Net Golden Gate     510-373-6792
 729  Adrian Gruber           **StarBase1**         407-381-2610
 734  Max Denebian            Alternate Eternities  503-649-7915
 746  Bill Butler             WORLD SPACE           604-420-2647
 754  Dave Lloyd              Skyline BBS           303-457-0320
 755  Bob Smith               InnerCore             407-294-5183
 756  Joseph Wilson           Hidden STar Services  503-463-9022
 757  Tom Denison             CHAOS BBS             517-394-6852
 758  David Scarpa            W.M.A.U.G Junction    413-786-3870

 
 
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 ========================================================================
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 ===~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~==
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