ST Report: 31-Dec-93 #1001
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 01/02/94-08:03:16 PM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 31-Dec-93 #1001
Date: Sun Jan 2 20:03:16 1994
SILICON TIMES REPORT
====================
INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
=============================
from
STR Electronic Publishing Inc.
December 31, 1993 No. 1001
======================================================================
Silicon Times Report
International Online Magazine
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> 12/31/93 STR 1001 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!"
"""""""""""""""""
- CPU INDUSTRY REPORT - Jaguar Updates - Doom Hot Stuff!
- PC Write 4.15 - Captalist Pigs - Mac's Xtal Ball
- People are Talking - Delphi Sysops (a) - Takin' a look
- MyClock - Mountain View - The Old Fishin' Hole
-* HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR FRIENDS & READERS!! *-
-* PLEASE - STAY SAFE! *-
-* DON'T DRINK & DRIVE! *-
======================================================================
STReport International Online Magazine
The Original * Independent * Online Magazine
-* FEATURING WEEKLY *-
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Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information
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> From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""
This is it! The last day of the year.... New Year's Eve... I could
go into a long drawn out "year in review" but... I won't I get far too
wordy. I will however direct you to be sure and read this issue
thoroughly as it has a great deal of information on many topics.
On another front. The Jaguar, Atari's new entry into the game
machine marketplace, for which they were the trailblazers years ago,
might be in for some rough seas. It seems our super snoop has discovered
there is this "movement" at Atari where the whigs are "pushing to have
the development for the Jaguar aimed to be done almost exclusively on a
Falcon, Atari's slow selling computer offering. According to our snoop,
the word is to downplay the potential of development on a PC and other
computer in favor of doing so on a Falcon. Could this move have been
influenced by the fact there are approximately one thousand of the Falcon
machines in Atari's warehouse? He added. In this reporter's opinion,
Atari, in wanting the Jaguar to be THE most successful of game machines
yet should strive to have impressive software developed on anything as
long as it complies with the specifications for the Jaguar! Why narrow
the window of development to a crack when it has the potential to be as
big as the imagination can take it? On the surface this appears to be
another of the "ever so famous" Sunnyvale blunders in the making. All
that can be said is we hope not. Hoping not for the sake of all the new
owners of Jaguars and the future of Atari in the game machine world.
After all, by all stretches of the imagination the Jaguar is their big
hope and what appears to be their last chance. What ever happened to big
order of TT030 machines destined for Jag devs? What became of all the
thunderous boasts in NYC about how the goods for the JAG could be
developed on most any platform? The smoke, once again seems to be
clearing.
Please dear friends this is the holiday season and we do understand
how its so very easy to enjoy a "toddy for the body" with each other.
But if you do intend to do so, don't drive that car! Most states now
have the minimum blood alcohol level set to .08. That amounts to roughly
one can of beer! Don't drink and drive!
Happy New Year to one and All!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport's Staff DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU!
""""""""""""""""
Publisher -Editor
""""""""""""""""""
Ralph F. Mariano
Lloyd E. Pulley, Editor, Current Affairs
Section Editors
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PC SECTION AMIGA SECTION MAC SECTION ATARI SECTION
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Jeff Coe
Contributing Correspondents:
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> CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
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IBM/POWER-PC/PC SECTION (I)
===========================
> PC WRITE 4.15 STR InfoFile
""""""""""""""""""""""""""
**** PC-Write Lives! ****
==========================
Starlite Software Corp. has announced that is has acquired
exclusive publishing rights to the popular word processor PC-Write from
developer Bob Wallace. PC-Write continues to be developed by Starlite
Software and with the assistance of Bob Wallace, the original PC-Write
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PC-Write version 4.15 is now available. It includes all the features
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Graphics Support - PIX, PCX, TIF, & CGM graphic formats are supported.
Graphics Manipulation - Rotate, Stretch, Scale, adjust contrast and add
borders! Text can flow around graphics. Drawing- Lines, Rectangles,
Dots or Circle both filled and hollow. Windows Support Copy, Cut & Paste
from Windows in any amount! Pif and icon files are included.
Envelope Printing-Print envelopes quick with an optional return address.
Customizable status line- Select and arrange items such as a keyboard,
date and time, font, file name, column in inches, etc.
Plus great features like PostScript and LaserJet support, columns, built
in thesaurus and spell checker, longer index entries, and much more!
PC-Write 4.15 has a registration price of $69. with one year technical
support or $49. with thirty day getting started assistance. Both include
a complete reference guide, getting started booklet, and your choice of
diskettes in 3.5 5.25, please specify.
Update your current version to the new PC-Write 4.15 with a year of
technical support. If you are registered user of the following:
Version 3.0 or older $ 40. + S&H
Version 4.0 $ 30. + S&H
Version 4.1 $ 20. S&H Included Manuals not Included.
Competitive Upgrade! Send your copyright page from any word processors
manual and receive PC-Write 4.15 Complete with one year technical
support for $ 50. + S&H
Font Selector $ 24. + $ 5. S&H
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International Spell checkers UK English, French, Spanish or German
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We are looking forward to hearing from all you loyal PC-Write users. We
welcome your comments, suggestions and ideas! Help us make PC-Write the
best user supported program anywhere! Offer Expires 3/31/94!
______________________________________________________________
> GUNS & CIVIL RIGHTS STR Spotlight
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
ABOUT GUN CONTROL & THE GRADUAL EROSION OF YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS
"Place a high tax on guns and ammunition! When professionals, fully
trained and in the line of duty, cannot be sure of holding their own
against criminals with guns, what chance do civilians have?"
..a concerned citizen
While the posture and stance of control through "taxation until it hurts"
premise is appreciated, as a freedom loving American, I must disagree.
One basic fact must be brought forward at this time.. this country was
founded as a direct result of a tax rebellion for the very same reasons.
Evidently, there's a 'hidden wish' to begin another. Also, in quoting
from the above remark ...one must reply, "Take the only substantive
"chance" civilians will have against criminals, STREET or GOVERNMENT,
away and they'll HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE AT ALL! Isn't this fact
obvious in the least or, is it obscured by a misguided "pie in the sky"
Utopian vision of Happy Happy, Joy Joy?
History has proven many times over how regulation is grossly misapplied
to suit the needs of the governing few. The aristocracy of Europe was
against the printing press because it gave the masses a method of
spreading information rapidly and induced the reading skills upon the
peasants. The Big Whigs were against an "informed populace". One might
suppose the government was feeling "threatened". The fine and very
peaceful country of Switzerland is a prime example of guns for peace and
serenity. Every household is REQUIRED to have at least one gun.
THE "BLEEDING HEARTS and FEAR MONGERS" have long touted the removal of
guns from the possession of the "law-abiding, little guy".... they've
also tried to blame TV and TV video games for the perceived ruthlessness
of today's youth. The "Self-Proclaimed Elected Professionals" in
Congress negligently burn up thousands of your tax dollars per hour
playing head games trying to show the American Public they're "doing
their job" by holding absurd hearings about whether or not TV video games
are too violent and therefore, should be "regulated". These politicans
NEED to be REGULATED!
A far better suggestion; They should look at the manner in which the US
Government has managed to do everything in its power to destroy the basic
building block of society... THE AMERICAN FAMILY! The "professional
politicians" in government appear to have very machiavellian programs in
play. It appears these programs are designed to; "Weaken the American
Family, promote continued poverty, encourage further dependency on
welfare programs and finally to institute stronger inroads (Courts and
HRS) into the rearing and teaching of all children exactly the way the
government sees fit. (Eliminating Family Influence) In decades to come,
such practices will make it very easy for any total control government to
completely manipulate the entire population from the womb to the tomb.
Take a good look, a real good look. The government has, for all intents
and purposes, driven the housewife and mother out into the general
workforce. Propaganda has called such "urgings" equality. When in fact,
its a matter of economic survival. The kids, unfortunately, are left to
deal with growing up much to themselves. This is happening now! This is
one of the real causes of the social problems we are experiencing today.
We, as an educated responsible electorate, must send a very loud and
clear message to these "representatives of the people" that we are sick
and tired of their arrogant lack of representing us and they must either
change or get voted OUT.
The "wonderful and benevolent" government brazenly turns a permissive
head when it comes to the majority of everyday workplace jobs being
labeled "part-time" by greedy employers to thwart the laws on the books
from more sensible times overseen by responsible government. When at one
proud time, medical benefits, overtime and job security were prime
factors in the American work place. Today, its a matter of "build the
tax base" ...get them all working... even if its only for minimum wage
and part time. By the time the "thieves" in Congress and the Senate are
weeded out and the "injustices" being perpetrated against the Bill of
Rights and middle America are exposed and corrected, two generations of
Americans will have been exploited to the max and the family, as we once
knew it, as far as a solid building block of society and a firm teaching
foundation of true morals and common decency will be nothing more than a
fond memory. Moms, Apple Pie etc.. (The Norman Rockwell view) are mere
memories today. In fact, many politicos scoff at and make jokes of the
Rockwell perception.
Still, there are those who insist upon allowing themselves to be focused
on the "so-called" evil of guns by the crafty politicians who really
don't want your attention focused upon the very real underlying problems
of today. Namely; The poor government, crooked politicians and bad cops.
It is still an irrefutable fact that an inanimate object cannot possibly
be evil. Only the implementation of such objects can be. Thus, the
implementor only can be evil. Take a look at the REAL causes of
lawlessness in this country today. The young folks of today are growing
up watching the "priests, politicians, police and just about every other
segment of the 'respected leadership' being exposed for the moral
cripples and criminals they are. Why? That is the real question.
Because they too, at this time, are a product of the very same thing
they are accused of. Government must be cleaned up before the general
population can do so.
Government must set the example before social structure can be asked or
required to do the same. A young person living in a cold water flat when
its 10 degrees below outside while a local politico is blowing thousands
on "Fact finding" about video games or trying to garner support through
exercises in political chicanery with gun control lawmaking just doesn't
make it any more. That young person is going to get their "fair share"
one way or another. Take away the guns, institute curfews, do whatever..
they'll find another way to do what they feel is right for them. Much as
its happening now. The real fix is to re-teach government that the
family is the strongest factor in building a strong America with morals
and caring for each other.
Society is going through great upheavals of turmoil and has been for the
last two decades. As a direct result of the Warren Commission and its,
now obvious, whitewash of the Kennedy MURDER. (the most grievous of
hurts of that decade where it all began to crumble) The public's lack of
trust in government began failing in catastrophic proportions. Since
that tragic beginning, the true fundamental building blocks of a solid,
moral social structure has and is being methodically destroyed by poor
government, crooked politicians, poorly trained and totally inept law
enforcement and a decadent welfare system. The incidences of provable
brutality and opportunistic abuses of certain laws being made public has
increased dramatically in the last decade. This is due primarily to the
widespread use of video cameras by the general public. Isn't it
interesting how the "lawyers" for the various government agencies
involved have hammered away at the actual validity of the videotape's
contents? (Rodney King) They claim that what you see plainly on the
tapes in not necessarily what is happening. What will they say when the
public uses the same statements as a defense against government video
tapes. IE., (the truck driver beaten in the LA riots, videotaped traffic
stops etc., drug busts.??) Sadly enough, even with the visibility and
credibility of video tape, the "Davidian Massacre" still reeks of
governmental abuse of power, arrogance, corruption and ineptness.
In the past, the deniability factors of such abuses were quite high.
Now, fortunately with video taping, its just the opposite. Yet, there are
still those who fervently wish to "render harmless" the law-abiding
public by, incredibly, disarming them! Next, they'll probably propose a
"National Identity Card" accompanied by "instant data bank retrieval"
access offered through the "CARD". (How many remember the expression;
"Papers Please!")
Watch out fellow Americans! The basic Bill of Rights our Great Nation
was founded upon is being eroded left and right ....yet people seem to
refuse to do or say much about it. To bad they are in the "don't rock
the boat" syndrome. The GIs who fought in Asia and Europe to eliminate
"Group Punishment, Curfews, Social Controls, Government Children
Education Centers, Re-Education Policies etc.. did they waste their lives
and time? Better yet, they fought to eliminate oppressive governments
worldwide that had forgotten they were in place to represent the people
not resent them. Please take a good look at what's really happening to
our society today. Where is the family? Where are the morals? What is
the real causes of the daily tragedies we read about? Its not a gun or
alcohol or any other inanimate object. It the horrible manifestation of
the widespread frustration that middle and lower segments of our society
are suffering from. Mostly at the hands of a woefully inadequate,
corrupt and totally failing government. Yes, please take a good look.
Now, many local governments are "trying something new" CURFEWS!! Isn't
it amazing how they all thought of putting curfews to use at almost the
same time? From Coast to Coast? Sounds like BIG BROTHER! There is
absolutely NOTHING NEW about curfews. Its an old world practice that was
popularized in the 1930's by NAZI Germany and solely used for "general
population control." The "learned, seasoned professionals" (politicians
& Police) are trying, once again, to erode more of our civil rights under
the guise of "good for the majority". Sure, a curfew "works." But then,
so does the slaughter of an entire chicken farm to eliminate poultry
fever. The end has never justified the means and it never will. Curfews
are nothing more than a passive method of group punishment allegedly
aimed at curing perceived social ills. Once the CURFEW is in place, try
to get it lifted as quickly... think about this curfew business very
carefully. Once in place it can easily be expanded to "fit the needs of
any government", benificial or ruthless. Today's CURFEW is for teenagers
...tomorrow's CURFEW is destined for whom??
Editor's Note;
--------------
Your replies to this editorial are invited. Contrasting or
complimentary. I really wasn't going to get involved in this sort of
thing but when I heard the rhetorical heap our local politicians and
a GM of a local TV station tried to foist upon the "unsuspecting"
public, it was the proverbial last straw. Your opinions are welcome and
will be published.
_____________________________________________________
> DOOM HINTS & CHEATS STR FOCUS!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
DOOM Version 1.1 Cheat Keys
===========================
Here they are! The first "official" cheat keys confirmed by the id
Software guys. All you need to do is type the following cheats WHILE
you're in the game.
KEY SEQUENCE EFFECT
------------ ------
iddqd Toggles Degreelessness Mode. You are invulnerable.
idkfa Very Happy Ammo (Full Ammo + 200% armor)
idspispopd Toggles No Clipping mode. Allows walking through walls.
You can't pick up objects while clipping is on.
idbehold? Where ? = a All Map. Shows entire level map when you
press the Tab key; areas not yet visited shown in gray.
Duration: 1 Level.
? = s Strength becomes superhuman. Vision briefly
turns red. When you punch an opponent
(Weapon Selection 1) he/it SPLATTERS!
Duration: 1 Level.
? = i Invisible. Your form becomes indistinct and
enemy attack is inaccurate. Duration: 60
seconds.
? = l Light Amplifier. Even areas in total
darkness appear bright as day.
Duration: 120 seconds.
? = r Radiation Suit. You can wade through the
green toxic radioactive waste ponds without
harm.
Duration: 60 seconds.
? = v Invulnerable. Vision becomes gray scale.
Immune to all enemy attack. Duration: 30
seconds.
idclev?? Jump to episode/level specified by digits ??.
Episode = 1-3 (except in shareware version, where it is
always 1). Level = 1-9.
idmypos Displays your heading angle and x,y coordinates in hex
code.
idchoppers Displays "DOESN'T SUCK - GM". Replaces Weapon Selection 1
(fists) with the chain saw.
iddt Use in AutoMap. First use shows entire level map,
including areas you haven't visited. Second use adds
location of all objects on floor. Third use returns
AutoMap to normal.
File originally uploaded to CompuServe by Bruce Waldmer [76350,224] as
DOOMCHT.TXT in DOOMCK.ZIP on 17-Dec-93. Edited and expanded by Andrew
Poth [74640,1523] on 20-Dec-93.
DOOM CHEAT KEYS [12/18/93]
Copies of various messages posted on CIS regarding hidden cheat keys in
DOOM.
Thanks to those who discovered and/or posted the information! This
document compiled by The Maverick [70671,1524]. Please let me know of
any new developments....
The following information was initially posted by Thomas Christie
71777,204 (original message lost)
Make a file called D.BAT in you DOOM directory consisting of:
DOOM -DEVPARM -WART 1 %1 -SKILL %2
Then type D (map number) (skill level) to run DOOM on the selected map at
the selected skill level. For example, D 9 4 would start you on level 9
(the secret level) at skill level 4 (ultra-violence.)
#: 507235 S7/Action/Arcade Games
17-Dec-93 07:41:50
Sb: #Doom - debug keys?
Fm: John E Marquardt 73021,2437
To: Jake Pearson 70604,556
For DOOM, while you are playing type the following.
idkfa = full weapons and keys (No BFG 9000 or Plasma gun in the SW
version tho')
iddqd = god mode
idbehold and S,V,L,A, and some other to turn on the LI Goggles, etc.
Play with this one, it would look like idbeholdL and so on.
idclev followed by an episode number (defaults to 1 if you have the SW
version) and then a level number.
Hope that helps, and Happy Blasting!
I really do have more fun with the game without the debug keys, but they
are fun sometimes.
John Marquardt
#: 507778 S7/Action/Arcade Games
17-Dec-93 21:08:21
Sb: #507235-Doom - debug keys?
Fm: michael maceri 76270,3211
To: John E Marquardt 73021,2437
Also, "idspispopd", turns clipping on and off, allowing you to walk
through walls and amazingly jump to openings, because of the x,y
co-ordinate system used...
#: 506368 S7/Action/Arcade Games
16-Dec-93 07:13:42
Sb: #DOOM - UNDOCUMENTED
Fm: Joseph Patriarca 76424,614
To: ALL
While playing with DOOM I've discovered some undocumented Keys and
command Line parameters.
Keys: ,(comma) and . (Period) are strafe left and strafe right. Very
useful for avoiding the fire balls thrown by the imps and for running
along the walls looking for secret passages, use with shift to move
faster
In map mode the G key will turn on a grid.
Command Line Parameters (usage c:doom -devparm)
-DEVPARM turn developers mode on, this is the most usefull
command by far. When you use this parameter the F1 key will save the
current content of the screen as a PCX file. This is very handy when in
map mode. When you have explored a level you can go to map mode and press
the F1 key to save a copy of the map. You can then print it out and use
it to mark the secret doors and location of treasures. Hopefully some
person will then upload these maps.
-WART episode game This needs to be used with the DEVPARM
parameter and allows you to warp to any level of the game. The parameter
episode is the game number 1 for the shareware version and game is the
level 1 to 9 (1 to 8 are the normal levels and 9 is the secret level) .
Use with the -SKILL parameter to set the skill level.
USAGE DOOM -DEVPARM
-WART 1 9 -SKILL 1 to get to the secret level at the whimpy skill level.
Other parameters I have not as yet found a use for
-FILE -PLAYDEMO -TIMEDEMO -DEBUGFILE -RECORDFRINM -RECORD -NODRAW
-NOBLIT
HOPE THIS HELPS!
#: 506710 S7/Action/Arcade Games
16-Dec-93 15:09:21
Sb: #506368-#DOOM - UNDOCUMENTED
Fm: David Saraniero 71005,2557
To: Joseph Patriarca 76424,614 (X)
About the -devparm...
The -record and -recordfrom options are for 'recording' your movements.
-playdemo and -timedemo will play these back in demo format. Once in the
record mode, press Q to stop recording. -recordfrom will start recording
from a saved game. (I think I might have explained this better
before...) Hope that makes sense.
It seems the -noblit and -nodraw could be for timing purposes? I'm not
sure. The game runs and quits fine, it's just that there is nothing on
the screen! Then it gives time specs... I haven't figured those out yet
either...
-David
#: 507765 S7/Action/Arcade Games
17-Dec-93 21:01:03
Sb: #506710-DOOM - UNDOCUMENTED
Fm: Kris Pelley 72763,2357
To: David Saraniero 71005,2557
Blitting is fancy word for copying images into a video buffer or the
video display itself. Drawing (in this instance) probably means copy the
video buffer into actuall video memory (so that you can see).
These two are probably only for determining the speed of the game under
various conditions.
Kris
#: 507032 S7/Action/Arcade Games
16-Dec-93 21:01:31
Sb: #506890-#DOOM 1.1 Problems
Fm: Software Recording Corp. 76447,3264
To: Marc L. Allen 72347,3442 (X)
I don't know about your first 2 problems, but the directory C:\DOOMDATA
is hardcoded into DOOM. The only way to change it is to edit the binary
(that is, executable) file.
Steve Snyder
#: 508055 S7/Action/Arcade Games
18-Dec-93 08:22:13
Sb: #507993-Doom Patch
Fm: Software Recording Corp. 76447,3264
To: David Peel 71644,1251
No one claimed that the use of C:\DOOMDATA would be changed by the patch.
The patch is intended to fix several problems in the DOS extended that
DOOM uses and to correct an incompatibility with the original (v1.0)
Sound Blaster.
Steve Snyder
P.S. If the C:\DOOMDATA is really that intolerable, you can edit DOOM.EXE
to change the hardcoded path. There are 3 references to the ASCIIZ
string "c:\doomdata\xxxxxxxx.yyy", where xxxxxxxx.yyy is a file type
(savegam.dsg or default.cfg). It worked for me. With a binary editor,
search on the string "c:\doomdata".
#: 507599 S7/Action/Arcade Games
17-Dec-93 17:47:31
Sb: #506752-DOOM codes found...
Fm: Ron Eisner 74010,3011
To: Andre Perkowski 76330,3454 (X)
Andre,
> ... here are cheat codes for DOOM.
Thanks for posting them! Unfortunately they do not seem to work in
network games. Each code begins with "ID"; but "I" is also the key to
press to chat with the "indigo" player (black), so pressing "I<anything>"
sends everything after the "I" as your chat text to the indigo player.
If you find codes that work in network games, please post them!
Ron
#: 506886 S7/Action/Arcade Games
16-Dec-93 18:31:04
Sb: #DOOM maps revealed
Fm: Dave Timoney (Humongous) 72662,1360
To: All
Well, I don't think it's been mentioned here, but since someone already
mentioned the -devparm feature for the DOOM command line, I'd like to
add something. This information is courtesy of the Internet, where many
folks have spent a lot of effort to learn this information.
Among the many things you can do once you're in the game with the
-devparm enabled, go to the map screen (you _did_ read the instructions
and press F1, right?) and type 'iddt' (no quote) to reveal the entire
map for the level. While, at first, I thought this info would ruin the
game for those that can't resist walkthrus, hintfiles, and the like -
I've since come to realize that just knowing where a passage is doesn't
necessarily help you get there <g>
And, as mentioned, with the -devparm enabled, pressing F1 gives you a
screen dump, in PCX format. If you have a 'paint' program, you can
possibly print the maps out so you can make notes.
Dave
#: 507223 S7/Action/Arcade Games
17-Dec-93 07:01:31
Sb: #507127-DOOM maps revealed
Fm: Crusader [GAMPUB] 72662,1051
To: Dave Timoney (Humongous) 72662,1360 (X)
Not only does it provide the full map (and it stays active as you
move from level to level, so you don't need to type it again... but it
ALSO, when typed a second time will show ALL OBJECTS (I belive) on the
level, enemies, barrels, powerups, etc., etc... when typed a THIRD time
it will revert the map back to the state it would be in normally... and
you DO NOT need to start the game with -DEVPARM to get it to work... :)
Note that there ARE some areas that will be shown that you will
never be able to get to, but they don't count on your secret score (but
they are intresting to explore with 'no clipping ()' active, like the
monster holding room for the pentagram at the secret military base...
--Crusader--
That's all for now....
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
: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 Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
___ ___ _____ _______
/___| /___| /_____| /_______/ The Macintosh RoundTable
/____|/____| /__/|__| /__/ ________________________
/_____|_____|/__/_|__|/__/
/__/|____/|__|________|__/
/__/ |___/ |__|_/ |__|_/____ Managed by SyndiComm
/__/ |__/ |__|/ |__|______/
An Official Forum of the International Computer Users Group
*** STReport available in MAC RT ***
ASCII TEXT
for ALL GEnie users!
MAC/APPLE SECTION (II)
======================
Randy Noak, Editor
Mac Report
by Randy Noak
Where in the heck did the year go? The older I get, the faster those
days seem to fly by. This is the time of year when it is traditional to
look back and reflect on the year just past and to vow, this time for
sure, to keep all those new year resolutions. In computerdom though, the
past (and even the present) is obsolete. The Mac is about breaking with
traditions and the past, and so we will put 1993 behind us and look to
1994 and beyond.
In 1994, look for an expanded Mac Report. New staffers Steve Kiepe,
Guillaume Brasseur and John Donohue will join veteran Jeff Coe in
producing interesting and informative articles and reviews. In fact, look
for Guillaume's first review in this issue. I'll still be here to put it
all together along with press releases, news and commentary. We hope you
enjoy it. Now let's take a look into the Mac Report Crystal Ball.
Probably the biggest "future news", is the PowerPC. 1994 will bring
several new PowerPC models bringing us unprecedented speed and ease of
use. Rumor has it that the first PowerPC models, (code named PDM, Carl
Sagan and Cold Fusion) will run native PowerPC applications 3-4 times as
fast as a Quadra 700! For those that missed it, here's a "rumor" we
published a couple of weeks ago:
Mac Report PowerPC Sneak Peek!!
PDM
Code named PDM, the bottom of the line PowerPC Mac has a 60mhz PowerPC
601 chip. Priced at around $2000, it has 8 megs of RAM and a 160 meg (or
230) hard drive and comes in a Quadra 610 type box. A built-in CD-ROM is
an option.
Carl Sagan
Next in the line-up is the "Carl Sagan" (who thinks up these code
names?). With a 66mhz 601, a 230 or 500 meg hard drive, 8 megs of RAM
three NuBus slots and an optional CD-ROM drive in a Quadra 650 type
case. Price? Around $3000
Cold Fusion
Top o' the line "Cold Fusion" is based on an 80mhz 601. Priced at around
$4000, it comes in a Quadra 800 type box with 8-16 megs of RAM, a 230 or
500 meg hard drive, and a CD-ROM drive.
Pretty impressive, huh? Apple says that these machines will be
available in the first quarter of 1994, so we'll see if the "rumor" is
true. Take a minute, go back and look at those projected prices. Chances
are the slower, less capable Mac you're using now cost as much or more as
the new PowerPC Macs. Look for downward pressure on computer prices to
continue in 1994.
Sometimes the future arrives early, and CD-ROM is the futureand it's
here now. So far, we've only scratched the surface of CD-ROM technology.
PowerPC's will make faster access times and transfer rates necessary so
look for pressure on CD-ROM drive manufacturers to produce faster drives.
What about the Newton in 1994? Look for tablet sized Newtons.
Handwriting recognition will be improved and more useful programs will be
introduced. Be on the lookout for lower Newton pricing also.
1994 will see the major on-line services slugging it out in an
effort to lure subscribers. Look for GEnie to release their long-awaited
and long-promised Mac Front End. America On-Line will debut their 9600
baud access software. 9600 baud access will be at the same price as 2400
baud access providing an even greater value to it's subscribers, and
CompuServe will increase the number of it's 14,400 baud nodes. High-speed
modem prices will continue to plummet, making 2400 baud modems garage-
sale items. All-in-all, 1994 will be a very good year for the modem user.
The Mac Report Crystal Ball grows dim. Perhaps if the Publisher
crosses my palm with silver? No? Oh well, I tried. May 1994 bring all Mac
Report readers health, wealth, and happiness. From Jeff, Guillaume,
Steve, John and I, "Happy New Year!"
Here's Guillaume Brasseur's review of Capitalist Pig. This looks
like the kind of game I like. Strategy. Money, Power. Kinda makes me feel
warm all-over. <RBG>
**Capitalist Pig** A Mac Report Review
by Guillaume Brasseur
"Capitalist Pig" is a business simulation in which the player
decides what he wants to sell and at what price. The player is in
complete control of his company through his business, financial and
marketing plans that he customizes according to his plans for the future.
The player decides what he wants to produce, whom he wants to sell his
product to, the price of his product and all the other decisions that
help run his business. He is also free to hire and fire his managers,
his workers, his shippers and his sellers to keep the company profitable.
The object of the game is to lead your company to success while coping
with problems like embezzlement, fire, terrorism, scandal, strikes, tax
audits, public offerings and an office building that cannot grow
indefinitely for it is limited to fifteen floors. Four advisors help the
player to succeed along the game. The accountant monitors the company's
assets, the problems inside the company and the worker's productivity.
The economist evaluates the economic trends and makes suggestions
according to those. The lawyer monitors lawsuits and the public
relations agent monitors market share and value. Each advisor will
report on the condition of the player's business and tell him how to do
better by suggesting a different course of action. For example, if
interest rates are low your economist will suggest that it is a good time
to borrow money by increasing your credit line and if you are getting
sued by your consumers your lawyer will suggest that investing in
insurance is a good and profitable decision. Furthermore, a manager will
help the player decide when it is time to hire personnel by flashing
messages indicating which workers need help in their work. For example,
if your sellers cannot take all the orders a message will appear saying
so, indicating to you that it is time to hire more sellers.
In all, "Capitalist Pig" is a good game that makes for hours of fun.
Do not however expect to build a billion dollar corporation on the first
try for it is almost impossible. For those who master the game at the
easy level, new and more difficult challenges await them as they move on
to the medium and hard level settings in the setup window. The player
just has to experiment with different ideas to build his business to the
#1 position on the list. Even though this game does not have exciting
action it is very creative and a must for those who enjoy business and
those who are looking to go into it. "Capitalist Pig" by Pigworks is a
delightful game. I recommend it for people over 15 but the manual's
explanation of the principles of economics will enable even the younger
kids to play. It is licensed and distributed by Pluma Software and you
can find it in most computer stores. It has a retail price of around
forty dollars but on sale, the price comes down to around thirty dollars.
That's it for this week. Next week we'll be off of our Holiday
schedule and back to our regular Mac Report features. As always, please
feel free to send your comments or questions to me at:
America OnLine: STReportRN
Compuserve: 70323,1031
GEnie: R.NOAK
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
=================
STReport International Online Magazine is available every week for
your reading pleasure on DELPHI. STReport's readers are invited to join
DELPHI and become a part of a friendly community of enthusiastic computer
users 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!
DELPHI-It's getting better all the time!
**********************************************************************
ATARI/JAG SECTION (III)
=======================
Dana Jacobson, Editor
> From the Atari Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
by Dana P. Jacobson
Well, another year is about to end; I'm not sure if it's that's a
relief, or a regret. For one thing, it's been a stressful year for
many. The economy woes, natural disasters, and other distressful
events certainly took their toll. There have been some positive
things, however, as well. Peace, or the beginnings of it, in the
Middle East; and the end of apartheid in South Africa - to name a
couple.
On the Atari front, there have certainly been many ups and downs
throughout the year. Fortunately, depending on your point of view,
1993 ended on an up beat with the Jaguar successfully released in time
for Christmas. Still, things have not been overly positive. More and
more users have left the userbase for "greener" pastures. Atari
developers have a less positive outlook with the Falcon taking a back
seat to the Jaguar. The scarcity of new software was deafening this
past year, unless you were a MIDI and/or graphics enthusiast. Atari
insists that there will be better things coming out regarding the
Falcon and successors, but the "when" is what has most people
concerned. Will the Jaguar really reach its full potential and be an
overwhelming success for Atari in 1994? If they can keep up with the
demand, and maintain that demand, I see no reason why success can't be
theirs. Will Atari siphon off some of the Jaguar revenues to put into
the Falcon and _really_ do something positive with it similarly as they
have the Jaguar; or will they put it back into Jaguar development?
Common sense tells me to stick with the front-runner and funnel the
revenues back into the Jaguar. I hope that this scenario doesn't work
exactly that way. Atari computer owners have "patiently" waited out
the lean periods and really deserve to see Atari's potential come to
light and be recognized as one of the best computers available today.
Atari really needs to market the Falcon and next generation machines
fully; and let the company, developers, dealers, and users reap the
rewards for their diligence.
Current Notes and ST Informer are still with us for hard copy
magazines, thankfully. We lost Z*Net online magazine and there was a
resurgence of Atari Explorer Online. And, of course, STReport stemmed
the tide although it's made some adjustments over the past few months
to reflect the multi-platform needs of many Atari users.
Atari shows were still happening throughout the year, but
attendance was a far cry from past years. The degree of success for
these shows was certainly subjective, but overall the reports were
positive. The major disappointment for the '93 show year was the
absence of the WAACE show - a wonderful tradition that simply burned
out with no clear idea as to whether or not it will be rekindled.
Atari United!, the brainchild of Gordie Meyer and Pattie Abarbiero
from Delphi, was born. AU!, a mechanism to unite Atari users and
groups across the country, has grown somewhat but still essentially in
the infancy stage. Look for some good things to happen with AU! next
year, though.
STReport had its ups and downs as well in '93. There were a few
controversial issues covered throughout the year that STReport simply
refused to back away. Heated issues dealing with conflicts between
developers was the major controversy for the year, with lesser issues
popping up here and there. Relations were definitely strained during
these periods, and some are probably irreversibly severed. Yet,
STReport has endured along with most of its revelations throughout the
year. Support, while certainly tense at times, became stronger.
With the sharply reduced focus by Atari with its computer line,
STReport diversified in recent months. STReport's editor/publisher,
Ralph Mariano, took a less active role with the magazine and split the
magazine into three segments: Atari, PC, and Mac - each with its own
editors. While this diversity has had disheartening effects on many
Atari readers (myself included), it remains one of the most popular
downloads throughout the country, including the online services.
Venturing into the Mac and IBM SIGs on the onlines shows that other
platform users are also very interested in STReport, by a 2-3 times
margin as when we were Atari-specific. The future of an Atari-specific
STReport is truly dependent on what Atari does next year. Truthfully,
all of our futures is dependent on that potential upstart in Sunnyvale!
The Jaguar has been _the_ word in the gaming world these past few
months. Much has been said about it, especially once it got into the
hands of the users. 1994 seems headed for the "Year of the Jaguar."
Since this is New Year's Eve, I want to keep this editorial short.
I'm also fighting with a flu/cold bug which just doesn't seem to want
to go away!! Hopefully, by the time this gets sent out, I'll have
completed the promised initial segment of our online services and
support staff, starting with Delphi. If for some reason it doesn't
appear in this issue, I apologize. Although I rarely catch these bugs
(first in over 5 years!), when I do, it's usually the one that a dozen
different cold remedies can't beat!
Let me take this time to wish you all Happy New Year!! May the
new year bring you happiness, prosperity, and continued good health.
Until next time....
-Dana
Delphi' Atari Advantage
TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (12/29/93)
(1) DELUXE INVADERS (6) IDEALIST 3.4
(2) ATARI MAIL ORDER DEALERS (7) PLASMA MODULE FOR WARP 9
(3) WORLD CONQUEST V.0.7B (8) WARP9 CP UPDATE 1.51 --> 1.6
(4) STORM PATCH 1.01>1.02 (9) FD144.TXT
(5) HARDWARE REGISTERS (10) LHARC 2.32
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HONORARY TOP 10
The following on-line magazines are always top downloads, frequently
out-performing every other file in the databases.
ST REPORT (Current issue: STREPORT #9.52)
ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE (Current issue: AEO - VOLUME 2, ISSUE 22)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Look for the above files in the RECENT ARRIVALS database.
> The Ole Fishin' Hole STR Feature
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
The Old Fishin' Hole
====================
-A Guide to the Online PD/Shareware Waters.
by John R. Duckworth
Welcome once again to my little corner of STReport. Those of you
who download the magazine as soon as it is posted will probably read
this on New Year's Eve...not too long until the great ball drops in
Times Square to ring in the great new year of 1994, and to make a
final salute to the passing of 1993. I hope the past year has brought
great wisdom, happiness, and fulfillment...and that in 1994 you will
be blessed even more. In this week's column I will cover two utilities
that have recently made their way into the online waters. The first
utility is one that will help users keep track of Father Time as we head
into the new year. MyClock v.1.07 by Frank Schafer is yet another clock
accessory for all Atari TOS computers.
This clock may display time either in analog or digital form, and may
use GDOS (or SpeedoGDOS) to fancy up the display a bit. As in most
clock accessories, the date may be displayed...but MyClock is from
Germany so there is no support for the standard American format.
Different clock face formats may be selected as well as hand types to
allow a user to tailor the display to his/her personal tastes. A few
more designs might have been nice, since there are only 4 different
hand designs, and 5 different face selections. The clock may be sized
by the user, and all preferences may be saved to load automatically
the next time the clock is used. One useful characteristic is that the
clock will automatically pop up onto the desktop when loaded, so that it
need not be selected from the accessory menu like most other clocks. One
last, but potentially useful feature is it's alarm functions. A
.ALM file is loaded by the clock when run which is simply a text file
stating what time/day an alarm should go off. Since the manual is in
German, it may take a bit of trial and error before figuring out all
of the alarm settings, so experiment before you actually need to use
it. I seldom need an alarm while computing, so this clock offers no
real advantage over the superb talking clock included with the Falcon
(besides, I'm the kind of person that likes to be told what time it is
without looking), but if you need a dependable clock with preset
alarms be sure to snag MyClock v.1.07...it's a small file anyway!
The second utility is Mountain View v.1.5 by Anthony Wilson.
Mountain View is a text reader program who's main claim to fame is
the ability to convert First Word and TX2 files to plain ASCII. Since
I don't use First Word, and TX2 is almost dead, I have no need for
those specialized functions. Look no further if you need a program to
convert those specific file types. I viewed the program as a simple
text displayer. On that level Mountain View fell a bit short, in my
opinion. The first, and most annoying _feature_, is the fact that
Mountain View totally takes control of your systems set colors no
matter what the user has set from the desktop. This is probably to
make the row of buttons on the bottom of the screen (which select
functions such as load/print/quit) appear to be 3-D. That is fine and
dandy in medium resolution on an older ST, but what about TT and
Falcon users with 16/256 color desktop modes. For these users,
changing the colors used is inexcusable since 3-D buttons are now a
part of the operating system. But enough about the colors, perhaps
many of you don't mind the screen changing from a eye pleasing blue
to annoying pitch black. The program does what most other text viewers
do, find specific text in the document, print or save specific blocks
(although the demo version will not do either), and jump to the
beginning and end of the text. Mountain View will also display _ANY_
file in hex format which may be useful to some programmers. The best
feature of the program is it's ability to fine scroll text, which I
haven't seen since the days of my old Atari 800. If you need a text
viewer, I suggest Master Browse. If you need a text converter between
First Word/TX2 and ASCII then check out Mountain View, it's only $10
for the registered version with all features enabled.
Well, that's all the time I have for this week (buying new cars
can take an excruciating amount of time), Happy New Years to everyone!
As usual send comments, suggestions, or programs to review to:
JDUCKWORTH@delphi.com.
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Old Fishin Hole Tackle Box * |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| MyClock v.1.07 |
| Delphi: Atari Advantage - read MYCLOCK |
| Mountain View v.1.5 |
| Delphi: Atari Advantage - read MOUNTAIN VIEW |
| GEnie: Atari RT (#31045) |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
* The Tackle Box is meant to provide assistance in finding files
mentioned in the column. It should not be considered a COMPLETE
listing and is provided for convenience only. Delphi Atari Advantage
files should be found in the Recent Arrivals section of the database
until moved to their appropriate sections.
__________________________________________________
> ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
=====================
On CompuServe
-------------
compiled by Joe Mirando
73637,2262
Hidi ho friends and neighbors. Ahhh... my first column of the year.
There's something special about the first 'anything' of the year. It's
a time for hope, good will, and charity (I have _hope_ that Atari
computers will do better this year, I offer _good_will_ to all those
loyal Atari users out there, and I've decided to be _charitable_ to
those who don't use CompuServe. That's really what this column is all
about. If you use CompuServe, you've probably seen some of these posts.
If you don't use CompuServe, you should know about all the cool things
that get discussed every week here in the Atari Forums.
So let's get busy...
From the Atari Productivity Forum
=================================
Jay Craswell, a long-time Atari user and developer, posts:
"My goal of implimenting the one set of HP_PCL commands I need for a
project looks like it's done! Now I have to figure out how everyone
manages to do any useful work thru the serial ports of the iBM
machines. What a pile of junk! A friend tells me that he has actual
working code for the iBM serial ports. It goes something like this.
Send byte, Check to see if serial chip has lost its brains, If so
reprogram serial port and resend data. Is it just me or is this a
joke? Course the situation is made worse by the fact that the BIOS
comm routines which everyone stupidly try to use poll the data (crude)
and since it does not always work people like me waste time trying to
fix working code on the other end. Ugggh!! I HATE PCs!"
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine (a very knowledgeable guy
himself, asks Jay:
"Is it that bad? I never really worked with serial communications
much. I know there are several books on the subject. But most are in
C or C++. <grin>"
Jay tells Albert:
"According to a friend who writes PC code it is. I actualy did
not believe him but... I found a reference in some PC programming
books that said somthing to the effect. Comm does not work using
the Bios, It is still not fixed in Windows. Programers who wish
to access the serial port must buy third party products to do
communication correctly. I wonder what MSDOS 2.1 thru 6.2 were
for? What a joke..."
Our own dear, sweet, Editor-In-Chief, Ralph Mariano (really, he is...
check the Masthead!) tells Jay:
"That's odd.... I have FOUR serial ports on this machine and they all
work just fine at 57.6 kbaud with the 16550 uarts and FIFO buffers.
That's IN or OUT of Windows under DOS 6.2.."
Jay tells Ralph:
"You have Serial Extensions that work correctly. Thats not unusual.
The fact that you software even knows about 16550 uarts is proof that
your not using the underlying stuff that I stupidly assumed worked
correctly. It's one of those inside programer things. Everyone knows
not to use this! <grin> Except me."
Well, I guess that's enough DOS-bashing... for now (even though DOS does
deserve it).
Ray Foley asks:
"I would like to know if anyone else has a program writter that will
allow me to, via remote control, download all of my Atari ST files to
my MS-DOS PC. The reason I want to do this is because my PC has a
tape backup and I would like to backup all 80MEG of my Atari ST hard
drives without using disks or without having to hand transfer my files
one at a time using a standard terminal program."
Dazzz Smith (gee, there must have been a sale on "Z"s the day he was
born) tells Ray:
"If the tape backup has a SCSI interface you could piggyback it
onto the ST hard disk and back it up using Gemar (Unless there is
a newer PD alternative I havent heard about)."
Jon Sanford tells us:
"I came across a little (3 3/4 x 5 1/2 ") booklet (c) 1990 Interactive
Publishing Ltd. Europa House, Adling Park. Maccielesfield, Cheshire,
SK104np.
Free! Top 28 PD Programs Pocket Guide.
Here are the names of the programs: Geography Test, Jigsaw, Super
Breakout, Mr Dig, Extensor Ace Invaders, 1st word, ST Writer
Elite,Double Sentry, Easy Text, Zap Card, Sheet 2.0, Gemini, Uniterm,
Codehead Utilites, Double Click Utilities, Assem/Disassem, Sozobon C,
Ani ST, Neocrome, Aim, Img Converter, Picswitch, Masterpaint, Score
Perfect, Soundtracker, Make Music, Delux Piano,
There are many here that I have never seen. There are good PD Programs
I could add to the list. Do you know which of these programs are in the
CIS librarys ? Do you know that some of them aren't? Do you know that
some are not PD programs?
I have in mind a project to accumulate a list to answer " I just got a
AtariST. How do I get started? " Also IMHO the CIS librarys require
more expertise than I have ever bothered to accumulate to be shure what
you want is or isn't there.. Perhaps a section of the libraries " 50
top PD programs" & 50 top Shareware Programs".. Wha da ya tink?
No word from anyone else yet, but I think that anyone with the energy
and drive to compile such a list should be encouraged as much as
possible... GO FOR IT, JON!
Meanwhile, Mitch Brown asks for advice about downloading:
"I am having A LOT of trouble downloading from here. Which protocol
should I use? I am using Freeze Dried Terminal. It has Xmodem CRC,
Xmodem Checksum, and Xmodem 1k. It also included Zmodem (which this
system apparently can't use, and Ymodem. And then one called Fmodem."
Sysop Jeff Kovach tells Mitch:
"I also use Freeze Dried Terminal. I use Ymodem-G all the time with no
problems, and it's faster than Xmodem or Ymodem. The only problem is,
if there's an error during the transfer, it aborts. Regular Ymodem is
slower, but will retry on an error."
Steve Sathue asks:
"Can anyone assist me with the following? I have an (old) Atari 520 ST
with one floppy drive. I also have a lot of word processing documents
that have been created with ST Writer Elite (a freeware product circa
1987 vintage). Are there any utilities (freeware, shareware, retail)
that I can use in order to import these documents into a format which I
can load into WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS (on IBM hardware). If no products
will do completely what I want, are there any which would at least
translate the ST Writer documents into an ASCII format that I could
somehow transfer to PC disks."
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Online Magazine tells Steve:
"In the newest version of Stwriter 4.8 (which is the latest, and is in
the libraries) you can save the text as ascii. Then you can import it
into any word processor including WP 5.1."
John Damiano at Transierra adds:
"With the commercial version...Multiwriter...you could load and then
save in WP format. Its 4.1 format but Im pretty sure the newer
versions of WP will read that format. Its about 60 dollars I think for
Multiwriter. I use it all the time since its so fast and easy. Its
also nice to finally get Noonan some financial reward for all his work
over the years on the free versions."
Sysop Bob Retelle jumps into the conversation and tells Steve:
"It sounds like you're looking for a utility that runs on the IBM that
will translate old STWriter files.. is that what you need..?
Unfortunately I don't know of anything like that offhand... there may
be others here who are more familiar with wordprocessor formats for the
PC, who could suggest something that might convert the files.
As the other answers indicated, it would be easy to do with an ST, but
if you no longer have yours, that's probably not an option. If there's
anyone in your local area, or a local Atari Users' Group, they might be
able to convert the files to ASCII for you..."
Frank Hense tells Sysop Bob:
"I don't know whether the old utility-- Dcopy is available in the Forum
LIBS or not but it had a feature for stripping ST writer codes and If I
remember correctly worked quite well."
On the subject of turning all peripherals on along with the computer, as
opposed to turning the hard drive on then, after it "gets up to speed",
turning the computer on, Jeff at Intersect Software posts:
"I've had no problem with my ST, Mega ST or TT in turning them all on
at the same time via a power strip. I have modified my ST and Mega ST
to have a reset time delay of 15 seconds. The TT has that built in.
Sysop Dan Rhea tells Jeff:
"[That is] Slick, I should add that to my ST. It's all one powerbar at
the present. And the power-on sequence is such a bore (said with snooty
accent <grin>).
Did you mod the ST or are the mods in the power bar?"
Jeff tells Dan (and all of us):
"About 5 or 6 years ago I uploaded a text file on hardware mods to the
520 and 1040 ST, all versions. It's still there I think. Use
keywords: Hardware Reset."
I'm going to check with Jeff to see if I can use that file here in
STReport (perhaps in this column, perhaps as a stand-alone article)...
look for it in a few weeks.
Continuing a thread that began last week about what to do with
feline-based computer problems (cat hair in the keyboard, cat pawing at
mouse, cat pressing keys), Kris Gasteiger tells Lee Seiler of Lexicor
Software:
"CAT-A-BOBs? Shish! <GRIN> Excuse me, but these are my friends!
Actually, I've considered it, but the reality was a bit beyond me...
I realy should just close the door. Hmm, the dream machine needs to be
able to know when to close the door! These things ARE supposed to make
our lives easier, right?"
Lee tells Kris:
"Cat-Ka-bobs are self sustaining, get a litter, Kabob-the-trouble
maker...then wathch to see if any of the kits have the same
interest...those that do....it's Kitten Fritters and those that
don't....are friends for life!"
Kris continues the conversation:
"Hey, mine are spayed! the old one (Butterburr, 17+ years) came to me
as a kitten, the other (Waif), was already spayed when she adopted me.
Short of cloning, they are biological dead ends...
Kitty fritters, sounds like a madison avenue thing. I'd probably choke
on my first byte!
I think I just need to teach my computer to hiss meaner than the cats
do."
Lee gives Kris an option:
"I have an 18 or 20 year old black cat sitting here now demanding he be
fed......How do you know you haven't had Kitty fritters already?
You could try cloning them by placing both cats in a mechanical press
and applying lot's of pressure...perhaps their DNA will merge, forming
new Kitties?
If not it's instant Kitty burgers!"
Kris tells Lee:
"OOOH! Kitty Burgers! My lady threatens Kitty Pot Pie on occasion, I
wonder if there would be trouble at the king's table if such a thing
were set next to the four and twenty black bird pie?
I sometimes threaten to use one of those recipies from that new cook
book, "101 ways to Woc your Dog". I usually get poked for my efforts.
Honest though, we get along just fine!"
Lee takes the scientific/nutritional approach:
"Well Feline fritters and such are for the most part a wonderful way to
solve the pet explosion and the world dietary problem all in one.
Actually we here in the US eat a very restricted diet of "finished"
foods, the lack of genetic diversity may be a more serious health
problem than most suspect. That and the fact that our bodies were
designed (evolved) to digest "whole" foods, dirt , guts and all, and
mostly Bugs, very small animals and vegies with seasonal fruit.
That of course does not include us EggNog drinkers!
Give your Kitty a good Ol'e Holiday whack ! for me :-)"
Now before animal lovers (which includes myself, Kris, and Lee) get
up-in-arms about this conversation, let me just point out that the fact
that both Lee and Kris own cats, and have had them for many years, proves
that this conversation is just for fun with no serious intent whatsoever.
Meanwhile, Milton Horst asks for help in shopping for a computer system:
"I'm thinking of upgrading my system (520ST, Megafile 30, 4MB RAM,
TOS1.4) and am interested in a Falcon or a TT. Who has the best deals
on these in the U.S.?"
Brian Gockley of ST Informer tells Milton:
"As far as Falcons, the price seems to have stayed pretty solidly at
around 1200$ -1300$ (US). You will need to go to a local dealer, if you
have one, or contact Atari directly to arrange for purchase. Falcon is
sold only in protected territories, and they are very strict about
this."
Milton gives voice to the question that many are now asking:
"Really? What happened to 'Power without the price'? This may mean
that Falcons are cheaper in Europe than in the US. Quite a change from
the 'old days'. If I'm looking at a four-figure price tag, maybe I
should save up for a NeXT!"
From the Atari ST Arts Forum
============================
Clive Moore sends up an S.O.S.:
"Please can anyone help me. I am using an atari 520 with 1Meg ram. I
have downloaded a Gif from the space forum but can not show it. Which
program should I use. Picsw1 gives me a Tos error..."
Sysop Bob Retelle tells Clive:
"GEMVIEW which should be in our VIEWERS library here in ATARIARTS
should display the GIF file you've got... give it a try...
What TOS error did PICSW1 give you when you tried to use it..?"
Yat at Lexicor Software tells Clive (and Bob):
"GEM View will display it but will attempt to color dither it, Speed
oF Light on a 520 is much better as it to my knowledge will use the
Spectrum Cap. of your 520 ST, i.e. a Gif would be displayed as a Gif
with 256 colors, and you can scroll around your screen."
From the Atari Vendors Forum
============================
Rob Rasmussen asks:
"What is the best Atari system to have to view graphics? I use my ST
for a lot of things, but graphics is where it seems to fall short. I
like to manipulate images, scale parts of it bigger, add colors and
have it look great on the screen. My ST can't handle higher rez GIFs on
my 1224 monitor unless I convert them and scrunch them to fit. Then
they are tiny, and I want something better. I've heard the Mac is
capable of great results with high rez images, but also the TT and
Falcon can do a lot. I'm kind of in the fog about it, but I don't want
to have to solder a graphics board into my ST. I need a bigger monitor
definitely, but am in the market for a new system and was wondering
what you would recommend."
Brian Gockley at ST Informer tells Rob:
"The Falcon is a great picture viewer, though the Nova card will give
you more colors at a better resolution. Of course, the graphics cards
will only fit in a Mega or a TT, but they also have their own RAM. The
best powerhouse would be a TT with a graphics card; you get the speed
of the TT, plus the high rez of the card. Boris has this combo, and he
is quite familiar with the other platforms; maybe he will pipe up."
Boris Molodyi, being the helpful guy that he is, posts:
"OK, I will pipe up...
For picture viewing, I'd say that Falcon is fine enough. Of course,
24bit true color is nicer than 15/16 bits, but even 15bit is very nice
(especially, after ST's 16 colors max. B-)
For actually doing something with pictures, TT with a graphic card
would be better since it has more processing power. OTOH, as I recall,
German accelerator for the Falcon allows for VME cards (or was it a
separate product). Of course, it's unknown if it will be available
here...
Cards themselves... I would say that when compared with Windows
accelerated cards, Atari cards seem to be rather pricey. OTOH, if you
compare them with Mac cards, they are much more flexible and even
cheaper.
Depending on what you need more, higher resolutions or more colors,
you have to choose between different cards. For most of work, something
like Crazy Dots II (which has 1 meg of RAM) is quite enough, since you
can have resolutions up to 1664*1200 in up to 16 colors (that's virtual
resolution; physical should eb lower, unless you are willing to put up
with lower refresh rates). If you want to work with true color pictures
in large resolutions, you need a card with more RAM, like Sunrise card
(which also supports higher resolutions and refresh rates). It has 2
meg of RAM, so you can have much higher resolution while still in true
color mode.
Of course, one should note that true color modes are necessarily
slower than modes with lower number of bitplanes, so unless you do
color prepress or something like that and _need_ to see a true color
pictures all at once, a lower priced card should be just fine. OTOH,
Sunrise would be much more fun..."
Scott Vinnicombe asks:
"Could you recommend, for a freind of mine who wants to join
compuserve, a modem and software for his atari 1024."
Master Sysop Ron Luks tells Scott:
"I assume you mean an Atari 1040 ST or STe. If so, I would recommend
any IBM compatible external modem (Supra makes a very good, inexpensive
one) and the FLASH II software. There's a demo available in Lib 10 if
you want to download it for him."
Bill Turczynski asks the CodeHeads:
" How much to update Warp 9 v3.61 to the latest version? My master
disk in a large envelope, right? As I remember three $.29 stamps will
get it there, right?"
Charles F. Johnson, CodeHead extraordinaire, tells Bill:
"The price to upgrade to the latest version of Warp 9 is $25.00. We
recently made it easier to upgrade too; if you registered your copy of
Warp 9 with us (by mailing back the reg card), or if you originally
ordered directly from us, you can simply send us some Email with a
credit card #, and we'll update you without the need to send back your
disk."
From the Palmtop Forum
======================
Howard Miller asks a very good question:
"What exactly is a palmtop computer? Can such computers have a
standard QWERTY keyboard? The only one I've had any experience with
was from "MicroPalm," it's keyboard was not standard at all. The
smallest computer I'm aware of that can have a QWERTY keyboard are
notebook/sub-notebook computers. May a palmtop have a QWERTY layout
keyboard, too? What do palmtops cost if I want an under $1,000 model,
is it possible?"
Head Honcho Ron Luks tells Howard:
"A palmtop is under 2 lbs (some folks say under 1lb). Many have QWERTY
layout keyboards including the CASIO SRF10/20, the Sharp Wizard 8xxx
and 9xxx series, and the Psion Series 3 and 3a. All the above units
are priced under $1000. Significantly under $1000."
Sysop Judy Hamner adds:
"Most palmtops have a QWERTY keyboard. Prices can range from under $100
for simple electronic organizers to about $1000 or more for a DOS
compatible. If you post your needs (intended use, size, weight, screen,
keyboard, DOS compatibility or not, PC connections, etc.) you can get
some pointers for the best models for you."
Sysop Marty Mankins jumps into the conversation and tells Howard:
"A palmtop is....
A unit under 2 pounds, a QWERTY keyboard, and an LCD screen.
Those are the basics. The specifics that people now expect are...
PCMCIA or other card slot for expansions and s/w, serial port, long
battery life (more than 30 hours) and a way to have access with a
modem.
Price should be under $1000. Average price should be $450."
Howard's reply took me quite by surprise:
"I would be interested, as a deaf-blind man, in using my braille
display with a palmtop.
Such a palmtop needs a standard parallel port, and a serial port to
connect an external modem would be needed. Compaibility with MS-DOS is
REQUIRED, so I can run the TSR driver for my braille display, which is
a parallel port device. A Hard disk is needed as well as a 3.5 inch
floppy drive to install software. Windows is NOT wanted, neither are
pen-based or trackball palmtops: I do all my work from the normal DOS
command line.
And yes, a standard QWERTY keyboard is necessary. How do such
keyboards on a palmtop operate? Are they calculator-style or normal
keyboards?
So, if there's a palmtop to meet my needs, which ones would you
suggest and for what cost?"
Sysop Ron Luks tells Howard:
"The only palmtop I know of that comes close to your list of
requirements might be the HP100LX, and I'm not 100% sure it has all the
features you need. I'd suggest you visit the HPHANDHELDS Forum (GO
HPHAND) and ask Sysop Ted Dickens or his staff is the HP100LX will do
the trick."
From the Casio Z-7000/Tandy Z-PDA area (This is a competetitor of the
Apple Newton which sports Pen-entry/text recognition and many built-in
programs such as a dictionary/thesaurus, conversion tables, language
translator, and several games) Kerry Podolsky asks:
"Does anybody know what the update/upgrade capability of the Zoomers
are. I mean was Casio smart enough to know that there would probably
be BUGS in the ROMmed code (there is a memory leak when switching apps)
and did they design in Flash Roms instead of OTP Roms?
What happens when the next generation software capabilities come out,
can I just upload new code into my Z or do I have to try and find
someone to buy it so I can buy the latest and greatest? Anybody do a
study on Future Support of the device? I mean it's got a lot of bells
and whistles and people (me included) are going to writing apps for it.
But beyond being able to add a 20Mb PCMCIA card or EMBARC to the thing,
what about being able to upgrade to GEOS 3.0 (or whatever)?"
Nigel Ballard tells Kerry:
"Although it's technically possible for the Zoomer to receive an OS
patch that could be held in ROM or in a card in the PCMCIA slot.
However, there currently is no patch in existance, and I know of none
so far planned.
Also there is no planned ROM upgrade. Who knows what next year will
offer.
Sure, the OS has some niggles including a memory leak and a few
instances where the processor will lock. But currently these aren't
considered enough to warrant either a patch or a Mk2 ROM."
Bill Parker of CASIO Tech Support tells Kerry:
"Here is how we stand: of course CASIO planned for upgrades for the
Z-7000. The product is so new that there has of yet been no discussion
of the details. I do know that RAM patches are possible and that
hardware wise the ROM's are on a small plug in board that is easily
changed. Again, the details of what will happen when changes are
available have not been addressed but there are many possibilies.
There is no memory leak bug. There are state files created when
switching applications for remembering what you were doing and these
can easily be deleted when they accumulate just like we do on our hard
drive with Word .tmp files and such.
The Z-7000 is being supported by a group of great companies with a lot
of talented people. Whatever changes happen with Geos or Palm or Intuit
or Casio, I am sure those changes will be easily incorporated into the
existing Z's and future PDA's.
As soon as we are aware of any additions, bugs, drivers that are
available for the Z-7000 we will declare and reveal and upload all.
Stay tuned to this CASIO Tech Support Channel."
Wow, that's kind of cool! A question is asked and a direct answer is
given by someone who both knows what they are talking about and is
allowed to share the info! Boy, lots of companies could take a lesson
from that.
Dave Goodman posts his:
"Ten Reasons Santa Claus Likes the Zoomer
1) It's great for making a list and checking it twice.
2) The Zoomer's small size makes it easy to bring down the chimney
with him.
3) The batteries last so long he doesn't have to keep stealing them
from the other toys.
4) The flip cover keeps the elves from leaving those little footprints
all over the screen.
5) It really attracts the babes!
6) The games are great during those long flights, and he plays
Solitaire when Mrs. Claus finds out about #5.
7) The Zoomer doesn't start mis-recognizing words after letting the
elves write on it.
8) The Zoomers fit better in his sack than those big purple dinosaurs!
9) The consumer information helps him watch his diet (cookies: 50
calories, milk: 151 calories).
10) He really likes the name ZOOMER!"
Well folks, I'm going to end the column here and leave room for someone
else. Be sure to tune in again next week and be ready to take another
trip with me down that old electronic highway. All you need is a comfy
chair, your reading glasses, and this column. You can see the sights,
play all kinds of games with "licence plates", or just sit back and
listen to what they are saying when...
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
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STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> A "Quotable Quote" "Yes indeed... "Tis the time of year!"
"""""""""""""""""
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!"
Please; DON'T DRINK & DRIVE!!
B.A.C. is NOW .08 (Arrestable)
..DUI offenses COST!!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> DEALER CLASSIFIED LIST STR InfoFile * Dealer Listings *
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ---------------
ABCO COMPUTER INC.
==================
P.O. Box 6672
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Est. 1985
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HOLIDAY SEASON SPECIALS IN EFFECT!
----------------------------------
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200MB IDE hd - 2 SERIAL, 1 PARALLEL, 1 GAME PORTS
250W POWER SUPPLY TOWER SYSTEM
will meet or beat _any_ legit, advertised price
other high power packages available
or, design your own! Call for pricing!
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Call: 904-783-3319 Anytime, Voice Mail
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COMPUTER STUDIO
===============
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1-800-253-0201
Orders Only
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Information
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EAST HARTFORD COMPUTER
======================
202 Roberts St.
East Hartford CT. 06108
1-203-528-4448
FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER
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MEGABYTE COMPUTERS
==================
907 Mebourne
Hurst, TX 76053
1-817-589-2950
FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
SAN JOSE COMPUTER
=================
1278 Alma Court
San Jose, CA. 95112
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FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER
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CompuSeller West
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Ph. (708) 513-5220
FULL LINE COMPUTER DEALER
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STR Online! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" December 31, 1993
Since 1987 copyright (c) 1987-93 All Rights Reserved No.1001
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