Atari Explorer Online: 22-Feb-94 #0303
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 02/24/94-04:22:41 PM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: Atari Explorer Online: 22-Feb-94 #0303
Date: Thu Feb 24 16:22:41 1994
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:: Volume 3 - Issue 3 ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE 22 February 1994 ::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:: ::
:: ATARI .............. News, reviews, & solutions ............ ATARI ::
:: EXPLORER ............ for the online Atari .......... EXPLORER ::
:: ONLINE ................. Community .............. ONLINE ::
:: ::
:: Published and Copyright = 1993-1994 by Subspace Publishers ::
:: """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ::
:: Publisher ........................... Michael Lindsay EXPLORER ::
:: Editor .................................. Travis Guy AEO.MAG ::
:: Assistant Editor GEnie................ Ron Robinson EXPLORER.1 ::
:: Assistant Editor CompuServe.......... Albert Dayes AEO.1 ::
:: Assistant Editor Delphi......... Andreas Barbiero AEO.2 ::
:: Assistant Editor Internet........ Timothy Wilson AEO.8 ::
:: Atari Asylum ................... Gregg Anderson AEO.7 ::
:: Unabashed Atariophile ..... Michael R. Burkley AEO.4 ::
:: Atari Artist ................... Peter Donoso EXPLORER.2 ::
:: ::
:: Contributor: ::
:: """""""""""" ::
:: Chris Latham ::
:: ::
:: Telecommunicated to you via: ::
:: """""""""""""""""""""""""""" ::
:: GEnie: AEO.MAG ::
:: CompuServe: 70007,3615 ::
:: Delphi: AEO_MAG ::
:: Fnet: AEO Conference, Node 319 ::
:: AtariNet: AEO Conference, Node 51:1/10 ::
:: Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com ::
:: ::
:: Internet subscription service: stzmagazine-request@virginia.edu ::
:: (Internet subscription requests ONLY!) ::
:: ::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Table of Contents
* From the Editors .................................. Old names, new games.
* Digital Briefs ......................... Computer and videogame industry
news from our man Albert.
* Jaguar Tackboard ...................... IAJD - Development list - Quotes.
* Raiden Reviewed ........................ Tim Wilson reviews "The perfect
arcade conversion" for the Jag.
* Andreas' Den .................... CyberCubed TTs - Brodie's on the loose.
* A Short History of UIS ............. How and why "The most indespensible
utility for the ST" was created.
* The Unabashed Atariophile .................... Space, the final frontier
for Atari ST/TT files.
* GEnie News ........................... New files & happenings on Atari's
Official Online Resource.
Developing News ...................... Sacramento Atari Expo Next Month
Heetseeker (Falcon<-->SLM) Update
Processor Direct Magazine
EI/O & QMI Graphic Tablet Drivers
Transcendence BBS Now Freeware
Connecticut AtariFest 94 In August
Marcel WP Available As Shareware
Mountain Software Product List
* Shutdown ............................ Around the world and up your block.
--==--==--==--==--
||| From the Editors ....... Atari Explorer Online: The Next Generation
||| Travis Guy
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.MAG Delphi: AEO_MAG Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Friday afternoon, I had an enjoyable conversation with Ron
Borta, one of the old guard of videogame programmers. Ron was behind
some of the best-known and most solid titles for the 2600 and 8-bit
computer systems (Gyruss, Gorf, Atari 400/800 Pac Man) through his
company (Roklan Software - one of Ataridom's "rocks") and others. It
is certainly great news to hear of Ron's return to Atari programming.
In our chat, I asked Ron what got him interested him in the Jaguar.
Ron replied:
"When I stopped doing videogames in 1983 it was because I was limited
by the available hardware. For the first time in a decade, I can say
the hardware goes beyond my ideas. I can start dreaming again. After
all, that's what videogames are about."
Ron holds the Jaguar hardware in high regard. He is really pumped up
about the performance he sees he can obtain, and while he declined to
say too much about what his current plans for Jag software are, he
talked of a new type of entertainment experience - something that
can't be done elsewhere. Something "spectacular." He used that word
an awful lot.
Go for it, Ron. We can't wait.
Debuting in this issue of AEO is Albert Dayes' "Digital Briefs" - a
quick look at high-tech industry related news. We hope to make this a
regular feature, and we depend on your feedback to tell us where to
take it.
Also present is Chris Latham's "Short History of UIS." Chris is the
man who brought replacement file selectors and solid networking
software to Atari computers, and in this article, he recounts his
first Atari programming challenge.
Atari has released almost a dozen picture files of Tempest 2000, the
very-soon-to-be-availble Jaguar game from Jeff Minter. (T2K's already
in production.) While the pictures have been around for over a week,
I decided to include -one- 256 color GIF screenshot in with AEO this
time - just in case you haven't had access to them. For more shots,
they're available on the major American online services, and from the
Internet Jaguar mailing list.
Spring is drawing near. The first stirrings are visible in Atari's
garden, and by the time summer arrives, the blooms will be there for
all to admire. (Watch out for a hot Winter '94.)
We'll see you again in March. By then, the first Jaguar third-party
hardware developer should have made an expansive announcement. When it
happens, it'll be covered in AEO.
--==--==--==--==--
||| Digital Briefs
||| By: Albert Dayes
/ | \ CIS: 70007,3615 GEnie: AEO.1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
//// Voice & Data Together - VoiceView, a new voice/data technology
========================== product has won several important
industry endorsements recently. VoiceView allows a caller to exchange
both normal voice communication and data during a single call.
Microsoft, Intel and Rockwell have endorsed the product, while AT&T is
working out a licensing agreement with Radius Communications.
//// Wire Tapping Clipped? - The US Government has put forward a
========================== proposal to make Clipper chips required in
all government telecommunications equipment. The Clipper chip would be
an industry standard encryption algorithm. What makes these chips unique
is that the government would have keys to allow wire tapping at any
time. Wire tapping would only be allowed under court order, according to
the proposal.
This plan has drawn fire from many industry, and civil rights groups.
The groups claim that the government can not be trusted to protect the
privacy rights of its citizens against itself. Another argument is that
it would hurt US exports since no other encryption technologies could be
exported.
//// Bad Checks - Bank of America has introduced a new system that can
=============== help in combatting fraudulent checks. The system,
called Online Positive Pay, will allow companies and banks to work
together to identify bad checks and take appropriate action. With
recovery of funds (from the billion dollar a year fraudulent check
problem) under 15 percent, this system should significantly reduce the
problem.
BankAmerica's Online Positive Pay generates "exception reports" for
corporate clients that identify potentially fraudulent items. Using this
service, clients can perform multiple functions during a single
interaction with BankAmerica, including reviewing check serial numbers
and dollar amounts, requesting a rush photocopy of a questionable check,
returning a check, and receiving immediate confirmation numbers for
checks returned to payers.
//// Bad Counting? - In a totally unrelated news item, tens of thousands
================== of Chemical Bank customers found that due to a
software error, all withdrawals and money transfers made from Chemical
Bank ATMs during a 12 hour period last Tuesday in New York state were
doubled. All errors were caught and customer accounts were quickly
corrected according to a company spokesman. Chemical Bank has offered to
cover all overdraft fees arising from the error.
//// World's Worst Pirates - The Business Software Alliance has named
========================== Korea, Japan and Brazil among a list of 30
countries with little protection for intellectual property, with
software being one of the main components.
In Japan, losses exceeded $800 million last year, the largest of any
country in the world. Another significant point is that Japan is
considering modifications to its copyright laws that would allow reverse
engineering. As currently proposed, software companies would be allowed
to resell modified programs. The modifications to be allowed would be
very small changes to the existing code, and could not be of the type
that would produce any significant enhancements to the software.
//// Digital Television News - Zenith Electronics Corp.'s vestigial
============================ sideband technology for high-definition
television has won the title for Digital HDTV (as the HDTV standard for
terrestrial broadcast and cable). Zenith will also be granted patents
for its work and will share royalties with other members of the HDTV
alliance. The members of the alliance include AT&T, General Instrument,
Thomson Consumer Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
Phillips Consumer Electronics and the David Sarnoff Research Center.
The alliance said the Zenith technology offered the best coverage area,
minimal interference with existing TV signals, and a robust digital
signal.
//// Media On Demand - Oracle Corp. introduced Oracle Media Net, an
==================== open, high-level protocol that hides the various
network mechanisms (such as phone lines, satellite broadcasts and cable
connections) that will be used to deliver interactive services to the
home. Oracle Media Net connects users requesting on-demand services
through TVs to the Oracle Media Server which delivers the requested
services.
The Oracle Media Server is a digital "multimedia library" that stores,
retrieves and manages all forms of information: video, audio, images,
text and tables. Also announced was Oracle Media Objects, an authoring
tool enabling the rapid creation of multimedia interactive services.
The newly formed Emerging Technologies Consulting Group provides systems
integration and consulting expertise to speed implementation of
interactive services.
Oracle is known for its database management software that includes SQL
and networking support on PCs, Unix Workstations and Mainframes.
//// In the Chips - Intel recently demonstrated their Pentium CPU
================= running at 150 MHz. Intel, a company that holds
nearly 75 percent of the microprocessor market, will be selling 100 MHz
versions this year. No other information on when the 150 MHz version
would be available.
AMD (Advanced Micro Devices, a maker of Intel compatible CPUs) announced
a new 50 MHz 486sx chip. This is one of several 486 compatible chips in
AMD's portfolio.
IBM (also a licensed maker of Intel CPUs) has shipped around 250,000
PowerPC chips. These chips range in speed from 50 MHz to 80 MHz and cost
less than Intel CPUs. Earlier this month, IBM gave up its right to make
clones of Intel's flagship Pentium CPU. In addition, IBM is working on
an 80x86 compatible chip that will work in conjunction with the PowerPC
series. It will allow for faster execution of 80x86 code compared to
software-only emulation, which is currently available.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Video Game Industry Bits
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
y Beginning March first, Singapore will require permits for all video
game products. Importers must state for the record that imported video
game products do not have excessive sex or violence.
y Sega said it expects slightly lower sales than previously estimated
for its fiscal year. Sega's currently anticipates reaching close to $3.7
billion dollars in worldwide sales of videogames and videogame systems,
down from a previous estimate of $4.59 billion. Estimates on net profit
dropped from $294 million to $212 million.
y Panasonic reduced the price of its REAL 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
from $699 to $499. The company claimed increased production was the
reason behind the price change.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Legal Decisions
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Unix Action - USL (Unix Systems Laboratories, a former part of
================ AT&T, now a subsidiary of Novell) has abandoned all
of its legal proceedings against Berkeley Software Design, Inc. (BSDI).
The claimed reason for USL's legal action was over the use of source
code which was alleged to be USL intellectual property.
BSDI sells BSD/386, which is a complete computing environment that
provides full networking support, including TCP/IP, OSI, SL/IP, and PPP,
and a full set of UNIX tools, including vi, emacs, yacc, awk, perl, and
others. It also contains a complete software development system,
including compilers for C, C++, profilers, source code debuggers, and
source code control systems.
//// Compressed Law - Stac officials said a verdict is expected soon in
=================== the case against Microsoft in which it claims in
part that Microsoft's Doublespace violates copyrights on compression
held by Stac. Closing arguments in the case were offered Friday,
February 11, and a verdict could be coming as early as next week.
//// Super Mario Legal World - Fairchild Semiconductor (a subsidiary of
============================ National Semiconductor) had a patent suit
against Nintendo dismissed. Fairchild's suit was over a 1978 patent that
covers locking a cartridge into a videogame console. An appeal is
expected.
In a separate case, Nintendo was ordered to pay $15 million dollars in a
decision handed down earlier this month concerning Galoob's Game Genie.
--==--==--==--==--
||| Jaguar Tackboard
||| Confirmed information about Atari's Jaguar
/ | \ Compiled from online and official sources
-----------------------------------------------------------------
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Independent Association of Jaguar Developers
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The IAJD (Independent Association of Jaguar Developers) has started
accepting members on GEnie. The IAJD is a private group where
confidential discussions can be freely held. (Category 64 of the ST
RoundTable is the IAJD meeting place.) Consequently, membership in the
IAJD is limited to Jaguar developers who are registered with Atari
Corp. To apply for membership, send EMail to ENTRY$ on GEnie (or
<entry$@genie.geis.com> if you're not on GEnie). Regular EMail
correspondence with the IAJD should be sent to IAJD$ (again, or
<iajd$@genie.geis.com> if you're not on GEnie).
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Developer / Game List 1.4
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Editor: The following developers and game titles have been
confirmed to the best of AEO's ability as of February 14, 1994. All
games are set to be completed by the end of 1994. The "S" flag
reflects any "e"rrors, "u"pdates, "n"ew games, or new "d"evelopers
since the last list. Titles in brackets (e.g., [Cybermorph]) have been
completed and are available in the US.
We've been asked about including dates. Ok. Dates for a few Atari
Corp. games have been included (thanks to Bob Brodie), but always
remember that they may change without any notice.
S Developer Titles under development Projected Date
" """"""""" """""""""""""""""""""""" """"""""""""""
21st Century Software - Pinball Fantasies
3D Games
Accolade - Al Michaels Announces Hardball
- Brett Hull Hockey
- Busby in Clawed Encounters
of the Furried Kind
- Charles Barkley Basketball
- Jack Nicholas Golf
Activision - Return to Zork CD-ROM
All Systems Go - Hosenose and Booger
- Jukebox
Anco Software Ltd. - Kick Off
- World Cup
u Argonaut Software - Creature Shock CD-ROM
(For Virgin)
Atari Corp. - Battlezone 2000
- [Crescent Galaxy]
u - Club Drive March
- MPEG 1 and 2 carts
u - Star Raiders 2000 June
u - Tiny Toons Adventures June
- VR Helmet
Atari Games Corp.
Attention to Detail - Battlemorph: Cybermorph 2
- Blue Lightning
- [Cybermorph]
(For Atari)
d Borta & Associates
Brainstorm - [x86 Jaguar Development System]
Beyond Games Inc. - Battlewheels
- Ultra Vortex
Dimension Technologies
DTMC
Eurosoft
Gremlin Graphics Ltd. - Zool 2
n - UNKNOWN TITLE (racing) - MORE?
u Hand Made Software - Kasumi Ninja June
(For Atari)
High Voltage Software
id Software - Doom: Evil Unleashed
Imagitec Design Inc. - [Evolution Dino-Dudes]
- [Raiden]
Interplay - BattleChess CD-ROM - MORE?
Krisalis Software Ltd. - Soccer Kid
u LlamaSoft - Tempest 2000 March
(For Atari)
Loricel S.A.
Maxis Software
Microids - Evidence
- Commando
Microprose - 3D Gunship 2000 - MORE SIMULATIONS
Midnite Software Inc. - Car Wars
- Dungeon Depths
Millenium Interactive Ltd.
Ocean Software Ltd.
Park Place Productions - UNKNOWN TITLE (American Football)
Phalanx - Phong 2000 (Space?)
u Rebellion Software Ltd. - Alien vs. Predator April
u - Checkered Flag II April
u - Legions of the Undead
(Current Working Title - was "Dungeon")
(For Atari)
Silmarils - Robinson's Requiem
Telegames - Brutal Sports Football
- Casino Royale
- European Soccer Challenge
- Ultimate Brain Games - MORE?
Tiertex Ltd.
Titus
Tradewest - Double Dragon 4 - MORE
Trimark Interactive
U.S. Gold Ltd. - Flashback
UBI Soft International - Jimmy Connors Pro Tennis - MORE
V-Real Productions - Arena Football
- Horrorscope
Virgin Interactive
Entertainment Ltd. - UNKNOWN ("Movie title")
Virtual Experience - Indiana Jags
- Zozziorx - MORE?
//// Asher Kaufman announces one of the newest Jaguar developers,
Borta & Associates:
y The best way to describe Ron Borta is that one of the video game
pioneers of the Atari 800, VCS, Colecovision and Intellivision is
returning to the videogame field after laying groundwork for
interactive TV for the last several years. The Jaguar is what is
bringing him back. Ron produced many of the most popular games and
educational cartridges and disks under both his own Roklan label
(Deluxe Invaders, Wizard of Wor, Gorf) as well as for Atari (PacMan
for the 800, Mickey in the Great Outdoors, etc.), Parker Bros.
(Frogger, Qbert, Popeye, etc.) and several others.
//// Atari President Sam Tramiel <75300.3443@compuserve.com> brings
news of Jaguar blockbusters.
y ...StarRaiders 2000 should be great and the designer of the game
is a great one, it's Rob Zydbel of War Birds fame (Lynx). He is
great and we feel that StarRaiders 2000 will sell a lot of Jaguars.
The AVP game is coming along and is due for final release very
soon, we'll keep everyone posted.
//// When asked the old "Is ________ going to buy Atari/buy the
Jaguar?" question recently, Bob Brodie <bob-brodie@genie.geis.com>
answers:
y Well it's this way. I know the T's pretty well. They aren't looking
to me like they want to sell. They look to me like they are looking
to slaughter the competition. At the very least, they are very
competitive people. Apparent gaffes in the past aside, they're
pretty sharp people, too. By that I mean that if Nintendo, Sega, or
anyone else with a saddlebag full of cash showed up and said they
wanted to buy the company and the price was right....they'd sell.
I also have an idea of how big a bag that might be. Tonya Harding
has a better chance of getting 10's from a skating judge from the
Kerrigan camp than the T's have of getting that. :) But who knows?
WHen you look at the history of the Tramiels purchase of Atari, who
would have believed that they could have purchased the company with
no up front cash???? But they did!!!
I've had personal discussions with Jack about the future of the
company. He's got ideas for things 2-3 years down the line. He's
not acting to me like someone that is looking to cash in his chips
and jump on the yacht.
Over in the stock holders topic, I suggest that some of them might
want to stroll down to the local library and check out the business
section of last Sunday's San Francisco Examiner. Nice article on
the company. And the Tramiels. Check it out.
y Don't have 3rd party info on hand, sorry. Tempest is due out late
this month, early next month (it's being built as we speak). Club
Drive is due out in March, Checkered Flag II and Alien vs. Predator
in April, Kasumi Ninja, Tiny Toons and Star Raiders 2000 are due in
June.
How about some cheats for NTSC versions of Dino-Dudes?:
y To have infinite time on an NTSC, or American Jaguar, enter the
password TIME STANDS. You will hear a thunderclap if the sound
effect volume is on. Use AC for all clear, to clear out the
password ROUND ONE which has appeared. Then enter the password
STILL FOREVER. You will hear a belch and a summoning sound. Until
the game is turned off, the timer will not count down.
...let's do the reincarnation cheat, too.
Again, on an NTSC Jaguar, if your Dudes fall, get burned, killed by
spears, or get eaten. (Dead by any means, basically) Enter the
password ONCE DEAD. You will hear a thunderclap if the sound effect
volume is on.
Use AC for all clear to clear out the password ROUND ONE which has
appeared. Then enter the password TWICE BORN. You will hear a belch
and the summoning sound. Until the game is turned off, your Dudes
will now re-incarnate.
y There are several ways to avoid getting killed by enemy tribesmen
who carry spears. While your Dude is climbing a ladder, he is
immune to thrown spears. Start a Dude climbing on a ladder and hold
down the A button. If your Dude is at almost the same height as an
enemy tribesman, the enemy will throw a spear and miss. On a flat
platform your Dude can walk straight toward an enemy tribesman. If
your Dude keeps walking toward the enemy tribesman as he throws a
spear, the spear will miss your Dude.
If you need to get past a dinosaur but do not have enough spears to
kill it, there are three ways to get past him. One way is to walk
to a ladder, climb part way up, let the dinosaur pass, climb down
the ladder, and the Dude is past the Dinosaur.
Another way is to let one Dino Dude get eaten, and a second Dude
can walk right past the Dinousaur while he is eating!
The third, more challenging way requires a spear. Watch a dinosaur
to see where he turns around. Get near where the dinosaur turns
around, but just out of his reach, and get set to vault towards the
dinosaur. When he gets close, start the power bar, and when he
turns around vault. Your Dude should then be standing next to the
dinosaur, and your Dude can walk next to the dinosaur without
injury.
A Dino Dude can use a wheel to fall any distance. While riding a
wheel, just fall a great distance and get off of the wheel when
your tribesman is close enough to the ground that if he falls from
that height, it won't kill him. Just make sure that there is ground
under the Dino Dude for him to fall on to.
//// Juli Wade <75300.1165@compuserve.com> at Atari, was asked
recently about a possible ending in Tempest 2000.
y Yes, Tempest 2000 does have an ending - actually, two endings. If
you get thru 99 levels, there's a whiz-bang ending that tells you
you're going to "Beastly Mode." There's also a whiz-bang ending for
when (IF!!!) you get through in Beastly Mode. However, if you do
_THAT_, you deserve to put the cartridge away in a safe place and
never touch it again. You will have accomplished a very, very
difficult thing....!!
y John Skruch has informed me that he was told yesterday that if,
indeed, there is a situation that calls for multiple overlays to be
included in any cartridge box, that they will be included. He was
under the impression that this idea had been "nixed" by
production/purchasing... but he was misinformed, and apologizes to
one and all for the ensuing "hub-bub".
Everyone happy now!
//// How's Kasumi Ninja coming along? Atari's Don Thomas <75300.1267>
tells us....
y ...I have seen the latest rev of Kasumi Ninja, so for those who
like tasteless (as in blood and lots of it), I'm afraid that line
of tastelessness may have been crossed. <g>
//// Ted Tahquechi <72662.1314@compuserve.com>, Atari's producer of
Lynx games had something to say about new Lynx titles.
y Some of the upcoming titles include: Fat Bobby. This has just been
released to Manuf. You should see it on the shelfs in about 2
months. Fat Bobby is a great game where you control James, a
guitar swingin', Rockin' madman trying to save his band mambers and
friends from the evil Fat Bobby. Watch for it!
Raiden: which you should also see soon is a translation of the
arcade game. It's a bit harder than the arcade version, but it's a
great shooter for the Lynx!
Super Asteroids/Missile Command: Two games for the price of one!
Both have been updated and are awesome! You can buy tons of special
weapons in Super Missile Command, and Asteroids has a bunch of
super power ups to help you survive through hundreds of insane
levels!
Watch for info on Full Court Press, Heavyweight Contender, Road
Riot 4WD, and Relief Pitcher!
y If everything works out ok, AVP will be released for the Lynx at
the same time it's released for the Jaguar.
y Eye of the Beholder is being made as I type this. It's the first
Lynx game with battery backup. I love to be able to play EOB while
on the plane, in the car etc. It's great!
//// It's been said that it took id Software four days to get DOOM
running on the Jaguar. Shawn Green of id has provided some detailed
updates in the past few weeks.
y The hard stuff is done. At this point we can run around in the DOOM
world, all of the monsters interact as they should, all platforms,
doors, switches perform as they should.
What is left are Jaguar specific items such as level optimization,
level reduction (the number of levels), sound and... save games.
y DOOM uses 16-bit color (64k colors).
Mainly what will be ported straight will be things such as basic
game play, story, weapons, etc..
The levels will also be a little different in some areas, but
basically the same as the current PC episodes.
y You will be able to use the com-link to connect two Jaguar consoles
together for multi play. DOOM will be two player.
y We have no plans [for] doing DOOM for 3DO.
//// Doug Engel <d.engel@genie.geis.com>, a staunch Jaguar supporter
-and- a Jaguar developer posted this anti-3DO takeoff from ST2:TWOK.
(Ok, it doesn't have anything to do with the Jaguar, but this comes
from one of my favorite scene in the movie!...)
y Kirk: Mr. Savvik, punch up the charts of 3DO's command console.
Savvik: 3DO's command?
Kirk: Hurry!
Spock: Her Graphics Engine Defect?
Kirk: It's a good start.
Khan: 45 Seconds!
Savvik: Chart's up, sir.
Khan: Admiral!
Kirk: We're finding it.
Khan: Time is a luxury you don't have, admiral.
Kirk: It's coming through now, Khan.
Spock: 3DO's Graphics Weakness is in the stretch algorithm.
Savvik: I don't understand.
Kirk: You must learn why things work on a game system....
Spock: ...each system has its own weaknesses and NDA to hide
them behind....
Kirk: ...to preven an enemy from doing what we are attempting. To
use our console to order 3DO to release information.
Khan: 15 seconds, admiral....
Kirk: Standby to receive our transmission.
Kirk: Mr. Sulu, lock phasers on target and await my command.
Sulu: Phasers Locked.
Khan: Time's up, admiral.
Kirk: Here it comes.... Now, Mr. Spock!
Wakim: Sir! Our PANTS are dropping!!!!!!!
Khan: Well raise them!
Wakim: I CAN'T!!!
Kirk: FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--==--==--==--==--
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--==--==--==--==--
||| Jaguar Game Review & Hints: Raiden
||| By: Tim Wilson
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.8 Internet: wilsont@rahul.net
------------------------------------------------------------------
Type: Arcade - Vertical Shooter
By: Imagitec & Atari
Comlynx: Nope.
Two player simultaneous with 2 controllers
An arcade classic makes its way to the Jaguar - Raiden is a faithful
conversion of the late 80's arcade game. The basic premise is a
standard one, Space Pirates have attacked Earth, and it's your job (an
maybe a friend's as well) to rid Earth of this menace. You do this by
piloting your fighters over the landscape, blasting everthing, moving
or not.
The view is from overhead, you may move your ship in 8 directions. The
screen will scroll left and right a bit as you approach the edge of
the screen, but you always scroll upward at a steady pace. The
landscapes are detailed, and look very much like the arcade version,
even down to the "wandering cow" in the middle of the herd on stage 1.
So, as far as I can tell, the graphics are identical to the arcade,
even the aspect ratio remains the same. To manage that, Imagitec put a
gold "dashboard" off to the right side of the screen, that contains
information such as score, lives remaining and credits left.
The music and sound effects are also a copy from the arcade, just
like I remember them, with no changes. It may be an exacting copy, but
the music isn't that great in the first place, at least to me. The
music changes when you fight the boss monsters that end each level, so
when the music starts to sound ominous, watch out for a spray of
bullets. Thankfully, by pressing PAUSE, you can press the various fire
buttons to control the volume levels for the music and sound effects.
There are various power-ups availible after destroying certain enemy
units. Blue powerup icons give you lasers, a high strength weapon
that fires directly forward. Red gives you multiple shots that spread
out. "M"s give you forward firing missiles, an "H" gives you homing
missiles, and a "B" gives you an extra nuclear bomb. Except for bombs,
the more of each kind of powerup you get, the stronger it becomes.
Lasers get thicker and do more damage, Scatter shots scatter in wider
spreads, with missiles, you can get up to six straight fire, and four
homing. Bombs you simply collect. The bombs can be used to wipe out
large amounts of enemies, along with their bullets, in a large area
around the explosion. The best power up to get is "P," it upgrades
your weapon and any missile types to the maximum! Enemies vary from
single-shot-trashes-it to two-bombs-barely -scratches-it. For the
absolute maximum firepower, get all lasers and 4 straight-fire
missiles.
Each level has a different tune, and a different landscape to fly
over. Pastures, beaches, forests, or towards the end, another planet
and pirate space stations. The standard pattern is: fight aircraft,
blast tanks, destroy hard-to-kill trigger happy enemy midway, more
tanks and aircraft, then kill the boss monster to advance to the next
stage. Certain stages have unique enemies. "Boat-tanks," massive
squadrons of jets, even asteroid fields.
The game is very fast paced, my friend and I played the game
together, and started with 8 credits. You could also start with one,
three, or five. Each credit gets you five ships, so we each had 40
ships to waste till we died. (plus any bonus ships) In about five
hours, we had enough skill to get to stage 8. Stage 8 is the hardest,
and is also the last. Afterwhich the game starts again, but the
enemies shoot faster and in different patterns.
Remember, this was with 40 ships EACH. I imagine if I pumped 8
quarters into a lot of games I could get as far. It was definately
challenging. Since there was no other way of making the game easier
or harder, I imagine Imagitec put this feature in. A full game, from
stage 1 to stage 8 takes 45 minutes to an hour. There is plenty of
blasting going on, and since it does take a very long time, its hard
to memorize (for me) every last bad guy.
Verdict: A very good game, as far as I'm concerned, a good port as
well. I enjoyed most of this game, except for the "boss" at the end
of each level. I really hate this concept, but other people dig it. A
die hard Raiden addict was annoyed that the port wasn't perfect. He
tells me the "firing logic is all wrong." I didn't notice.
Ratings: ***** Really cool, best 'o the best.
**** Neato
*** I raised an eyebrow
** Eh... er... uhm. <shrug>
* This sucks exhaust, nuke it.
_ I'd pay people to take it.
Sound: **** Lots of explosions, and blasting, great!
Music: *** The music has variety, but I've heard better.
Graphics: ***** Great scrolling, detail, and clarity.
Gameplay: **** Take out the end-of-level boss monsters and I'd buy it.
Controls: **** I wanted to be able to move the "bomb" button.
Overall: **** Decent game, classic shooter.
Reminder: "Overall" is not an average, but a completely separate
judgement.
//// Special Hint Section for Raiden:
y Resist the urge to hide in the corner of the screen, it rarely
works. Stay in the middle, so you have room to manuever.
y The laser is best on levels: 1, 5, 8.
y Use the scatter shot on : 2, 6, 7.
y Eh, just blast 'em: 3, 4
y Good combos are Laser/Homing and Scatter/Straight-fire. The missiles
make up for some of the disadvantages of the main weapon.
y If possible, move a baddie off the screen, shots won't come from
off-screen enemies. This works for well for certain Boss monsters too,
but it doesn't matter because the Boss monster will self-destruct if
you just survive long enough.
y Destroy the big green, wide winged craft BEFORE they reach the
bottom of the screen, if you don't, they come back from behind.
y Bombs can be used as shields, hide in the middle of the explosion
and fire out.
y As you get better, try to save bombs, bombs combined with medals
will give you the best bonus awards at the end of each level. More
points means those precious extra lives.
y When fighting the boss on level 6, meteors can come from BEHIND!
Make sure you are well away from the bottom of the screen.
y Don't drop bombs on the very last boss until all of his pieces are
connected.
y Bosses can be conquered by dismantling them. Such as the level 8
boss, shoot the armor before the main body. The wings on level 5, the
side towers on level 4, and the engines and cannons on level 3.
Good luck!
--==--==--==--==--
||| Andreas' Den
||| By: Andreas Barbiero
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.2 Delphi: ABARBIERO
----------------------------------------------------------------
So Now What?
Well, it's February, and where is the national rollout of the Jaguar?
Where are the Falcon030s? IS Atari gonna stick it out? Well, I might
be able to help here. I managed to get in to Atari Corp. down in
California, and saw some cool things. I will get to them, but let me
first indulge in something a bit personal here.
I have been in touch with the versatile Ralf Doewich at Cybercube
Research Ltd. and am in the process of negotiating some equipment from
them, especially the truly fantastic M16-1280 graphics card. This is a
professional card, and I am definitely an amateur when it comes to
artwork, but if the card is everything people have talked it up to
be, then this card could very well be a day-to-day applications
workhorse, as well as a dynamite add-on designed for the graphics
studio. As I knew, Cybercube does far more than graphics cards and
software, they have some interesting TT030 products coming along.
I made sure to ask about the status of the caTTamaran, and as Ralf
said,
"The CaTTamaran is a small (approx 1" x 2") module that will be
installed inside the TT. The installation is rather straight forward,
cut one trace, the rest is plug and play.
"You also get the CyReL Dashboard+ software accessory to control the
speedup function (which can be enabled/disabled at any time). The
CyReL Dashboard+ looks much like a dashboard in your car with
odometer, gas gauges etc. It also comes with the CyReL TalisRAM
FastRAM boards (also expected to be out around the same time).
"The first tests have shown that CPU performance goes up by 50%. In
addition, FPU performance goes up (~ +40%) and certain other
functions and accesses will be handled faster as well.
"Overall, if you take a standard TT with a 1.0 index, you can say
that the CaTTamaran will give you an sustained performance index of
1.3 with the maximum throughput at 1.6. There are certain programs and
functions that will benefit more, others less, depending on CPU usage,
FPU usage, types of tasks performed etc.
"Remember, the SRP is just US $99. You don't have to buy a new CPU,
or costly caches or expensive and ultra fast memory... you simply
retain what you have in your TT and by adding the CaTTamaran you get
more performance out of the existing system.
"I've been testing the CaTTamaran in my TT and I intend on keeping it
where it is right now!
Some more performance indicators:
SpeedoMeter Index:
Normal TT: 559% faster than a standard ST with TOS 1.4
TT + CaTTamaran: 724% faster than a standard ST with TOS 1.4
"How does it work? Well, that's a BIG secret. *grin* Seriously, you'll get
the world's fastest TTs running at 48 MHz instead of 32 MHz!
"Right now we are trying to make sure it will run with all the different
TT motherboards out there (we've already found 8 different versions)."
So hopefully, I or one of the other guys here at AEO will be able to
obtain one so we can review it and let you know how it stacks up while
running actual applications.
//// Back to Atari
So now onto the lead teaser. Every so often I get to go back to
Moffett Field (2 miles from Atari Corp.) for some aircrew simulator
time. This time my squadron spent an overnight session in California,
so I took the extra time I had and went over to see Bob Brodie. Things
have changed at Atari. The increasing activity that started with the
Falcon030 rollout, and continued with the Jaguar and Lynx revival is
resulting with new hirings and business. The expansion to the
10-market Jaguar advertising is close at hand.
Bob has benefited from the new hiring, which allows most of the added
workload that he has been handling to be shifted to new employees. He
informed me that he will be returning to the online gadfly role
everyone knew him for, keeping up with his EMail, and generally being
far more available to the public. This is good news for two reasons:
one, Atari will be better able to service customers and distribute
information; two, hiring is a positive signal in a business. You need
employees to make money, and hiring indicates an investment in the
future.
Bob also had some time to kill some rumors. The big one is that
Falcon030s are no longer being built. This is not true... there are a
lot more units without harddrives being distributed in order to make
them more attractive. 80Meg harddrives are nice, but to a power-user,
or musician it is barely large enough to only hold a few programs.
SCSI II harddrives are inexpensive now, and if you want a 2.5"
harddrive, they are available for little over the cost of the standard
3.5" SCSI versions. Any dealer should be able to now more fully
customize the Falcon030 to the specifications of the buyer without
fear of getting stuck with buying something not needed. I know what
it is like having a zillion 256K SIMMs, and I can imagine the problems
with getting stuck with a bunch of extra 80meg 2.5" drives when
everyone wants higher capacity drives.
Anyone who says there is not demand for Atari computers needs to talk
to Sheldon Winick of Computer STudio. He has been quietly (more or
less :-) awaiting the arrival of new TT030s, and from all accounts, he
cannot keep them in stock. Well, Sheldon got one of the first batches
of TT030s recently, and I hope that he can clear them out and get
more to replace them!
I should be getting some more software from STeve's Software soon and
I hope to have another review for you to read. I am STILL playing
Elite II, and the missions are getting better. Down around the LAVE
system there are some occasional passenger missions worth
10,000-12,000 credits! Exploring the frontier systems as well as the
disputed systems can really rack up the kills and help out getting
past that VERY DEADLY rating. Working for the government is a quick
way to get things interesting. I am at Sgt. Major rank now and am
being asked to do assassinations for the Federation!
The Jaguar is catching the eye of the public, but the computers are
still where Atari shines. With 68040 boards coming for the Falcon030,
the announcement of an '040 TT clone, the TT030 accelerator, and the
possibilities of the PowerPC chip, whether or not Atari produces a
new machine, these new hardware products and software like the new
Cubase Audio for the Falcon will continue to drive the TOS
marketplace. So, please do yourself a favor and register shareware,
buy some software, and make sure you read AEO!
--==--==--==--==--
||| A Short History of UIS
||| By: Chris Latham
/ | \ Send mail to: GEnie: AEO.MAG
----------------------------------------------------------------
This is a brief (I hope) history of the creation of UIS, possibly the
most misguided and convoluted piece of software ever written for any
computer.
It all started in the spring of '87, when, whilst playing with the
original Atari Resource Construction Set (RCS), it dawned on me that
the visible portion of the built-in item selector - that most useless
of GEM utilities - was nothing more than a resource itself! Now, this
is all very obvious to any longtime ST programmer, but to me, at that
time, it was a real revelation.
So there I was, thinking, "Well, if it's just a resource itself, maybe
I could intercept calls to it and replace it with my own resource, and
suitable driver code". So that's what I did. That is, I made a
resource, using RCS. But that's all it was. No driver code. No
anything. Just a dead resource.
I showed this to Mike Lindsay, who was the editor of our newfound
magazine, ST Informer, and he said, "That's just what this machine
needs, a replacement for that idiotic item selector that's built into
it." So we had the start of a product. Except that he and I saw it as
just an article for the magazine. You know, a "How to make your own
replacement Item Selector" type of article. Why, we thought we could
drag it out over six issues or so. We could provide complete source
code and the resource on our monthly Public Domain disk. When we
showed that to Rod MacDonald, who was in charge of marketing for the
company, he loved the idea... about the Item Selector, not about
giving it away (how right he was; UIS made a ton-o-dough in sales!)
His first action was to take a instant picture of the resource
(remember, no code was written yet) while it was displayed within RCS.
He than made an ad out of this photo, and set an initial price of
$14.99 (Mike and I argued for lower, Rod for higher; again, he was
right and the initial price should have been $19.95 or more).
The next thing we did was to name it. I jokingly said "Why don't we
call it 'Universal Item Selector,' since it works universally with any
program". Well, I thought that was a stupid name, and I only mentioned
it as a joke, but Rod jumped on it and the name stuck. Second, we
needed a software company to market it (we didn't want it mixed up
with ST Informer), and again I put my foot in my mouth and spouted off
the really ridiculous name "Application and Design Software." At the
time, we were all standing around making up stupid company names, but
Rod liked this particular stupid name, and all my arguments against it
he dismissed.
Well, in between working a job, and working on ST Informer, I managed
to get the driver code written for UIS version 1.0. Along the way,
Mike would use the product in development, and told me where it was
weak. For instance, when I originally did the scrolling in the
directory display, I simply redrew each directory line in the display,
instead of doing a bit-blit. Well, Mike would say, "It scrolls way too
slow, not nearly as fast as the original", and argue with me about it
'till I changed it to his liking. He was right, of course, about this
and many other functions; I would argue because I didn't want to learn
how to do blits, which are in fact quite easy.
Well, finally, I had a completed program, so we let other local ST
users test it out. One was Warren Tryk, a local graphics artist, who
asked that a method of changing a file's attributes be added. You know,
lock/unlock, show/hide, etc. Since I was out of button space (move,
copy, rename, and delete buttons took up all the space), I added a
simple checkmark next to the bottom scroll arrows which let you change
those attributes.
Anyway, I finally had it done. A curious thing though... while in
development, I had UIS set up as a program that was run from the
desktop only (no AUTO folder yet). I would assemble UIS, run it, spot
any bugs, fix 'em, assemble, run, fix, assemble, run, etc. The really
weird thing, I would end up with multiple UISs in my directory. I
might have three, four, five of 'em listed. It was strange, but the ST
was still new, I was still new to it, so I thought it was some really
weird bug with the OS (which it partly was). Also, I couldn't delete
these files, nor rename them. Only after I rebooted could I get rid of
them.
The last thing I did was to tie it into the AES vector... but that's a
can of worms that I won't go into. Suffice it to say that grabbing the
AES vector is a messy thing. For instructions on how to do it, read
the Programmer's Ten Commandments, compiled by the Codeheads. The
technique that was finally developed (after UIS version 1 shipped)
took a lot of effort and thinking by several different people in the
Atari community.
So, UIS finally shipped, and the complaints started to roll in. It
sorted big directories too slow, it conflicted with this, it did or
didn't do that.
First of all, several people ran into the same problem with UIS that I
had had. They would try to rename it or move it from their AUTO folder
and it wouldn't go. Some accused me of putting a curse, er, I mean
copy protection on UIS to keep people from removing it from their
system once it was installed (once you booted your machine, and UIS
ran from the AUTO folder, you couldn't rename it or delete it, so you
would have to boot without the AUTO folder, which you couldn't do back
then, and so the Catch 22 would go). Well, it turned out that the
problem was due to two bugs... neither of which were in UIS. The first
had to do with the assembler I was using at the time, AssemPro. It had
a switch that let you generate PC relative code instead of relocatable
code. PC relative code is generally faster and smaller, so I turned
the switch on for UIS.
Unfortunately, the code that AssemPro generated had an incorrectly
constructed relocation table (this table tells the OS how to relocate
PC absolute code so that it can run anywhere in the machine). Even
though the program was PC relative, and didn't need relocation
information, the OS still required at least a token table with a
single entry. AssemPro didn't provide this, so the OS freaked.
However, the OS also had a bug. Instead of rejecting the whole file as
unrunnable, the way it should have, it went ahead and ran the program.
However, it didn't close the file (UIS.PRG), and since you can't
rename or delete an open file... well, you get the picture. So, all
the time the machine was running, the UIS file was left open on your
system. I soon figured out what was happening, and got that fixed, by
turning off PC relative, and doing the hard stuff by hand.
The sorting problem was the next thing to go. This one was easy
though. Seems I used a bubble sort to sort the filenames before
display. Well, this worked Ok if you only had twenty or thirty files
in a directory, but some UIS users had hundreds in a single directory.
So I made a directory with 300 files in it... it took fifteen seconds
for UIS to sort this! OK, so I goofed, what else is new? So the sort
routine got replaced with a shell sort that takes only 1/10th second
for a full directory, and that fixed that.
That's about it for Version 1.0 of UIS. Travis Guy, Mike Lindsay and
Lloyd Pulley bugged me into adding lots of extras over the next few
years. (I never did add that stupid "Copy with Append" feature that
Travis wanted.) [I got over it - Travis] I improved the functionality
of the code many times, added Atari Cookie Jar support so other
programs could detect and hook in to UIS (none did, to my knowledge),
and added a calling routine for the DC Shower utility so Mike and
Travis could do stuff without having to leave PageStream, WordWriter
or their telecommunication program.
I suppose the highest praise I ever received for UIS came about in a
rather odd way. An anti-piracy group infiltrated an alleged pirate BBS
back in the late 80s. This group got a main directory listing of
hundreds of copyrighted files off of the BBS, and distributed this
list to developers to show us how bad the piracy problem was. (It was
pretty bad.) There, in the list, amidst the fancy games and
multi-megabyte applications with descriptions like, "DOWNLOAD THIS
NOW!" "A-m-a-z-i-n-g" "HoTt ShOoTeR!!" was, sure enough, UIS.
Its pirate file description read simply, "It's less than $20 - buy it."
--==--==--==--==--
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||| The Unabashed Atariophile
||| By: Michael R. Burkley
/ | \ Delphi: MRBURKLEY GEnie: AEO.4
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Time flies when you're having fun... and when you're super busy, too!
I've been having a lot of fun lately, and I've been super busy, so the
time has really flown for me! I'm helping to plan a Presbyterian Youth
conference open to people in the whole Northeastern US, participating
on several committees of our Presbytery (a group of 70+ Presbyterian
churches centered around Buffalo, NY), helping with a local fire
company installation dinner, being a Den leader in my son's Cub Scout
Pack (he just came in second place in the Pinewood Derby out of 57
entries! - the Proud Father boasts that he built the car all by
himself!), helping with the local Council of Churches, and (though
that's not all!) preparing in Lent, both personally and as a pastor.
Lent, in case you are unfamiliar with the term, is a time before
Easter (April 3rd this year), which many Christians use to especially
remind themselves that to follow Jesus is serious business indeed.
Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and
take up his cross daily and follow me." That keeps me busy! Finally, I
never give up the responsibilities of being the best husband and
father I can be. That's a task that seems to never end, and I for one
am glad of it!
With all of the above where do I find time to download files and write
descriptions? Well, I don't. Or rather, I have only found time to
download files, but not time to write (many) descriptions. I have
about 150 Megabytes of uncompressed files which I have downloaded but
not yet gotten around to describing (about 40 megs in just the last
three weeks! @#!). What that means is that I'm taking some time off.
For the next two weeks I'll try to keep downloading files (using
STalker and Paul Lefebvre's Oracle I can download while I'm asleep),
but I'm not going to even look at those files (well....) until I put a
serious dent in some of those backlogged files. So the next issue will
be full of descriptions of those older files. You'll just have to
download the current listings without me for a bit! I'm sure you'll
survive!
Let's get on with some descriptions!
First, I usually think to find Atari-related files in the Atari
sections of databases. I expect that you think the same. I recently
found out that I was wrong about that! I took a peek over to the GEnie
Space Round Table (GEnie SPACERT) and found, much to my surprise, that
it was full of Atari files. I downloaded them (again using Oracle I
was able to go to sleep while I was downloading, which was good as it
took Hours!). I also downloaded a pile of other files which looked
interesting. I'll share some of them with you, and the rest at some
other time (when I get them cataloged!). This time, since I didn't
find them in the Atari area, I'll give you the file number location on
GEnie. Of course, many of these files are available on Delphi (or
other non-commercial BBS's as well).
y 2NDSTAR is a program in which you specify the luminosity of two
stars, their relative size, and the angle of rotation in regard to the
viewer. It then sets the stars rotating about each other and graphs
the change in luminosity on a graph in the background while you see
the stars rotating in the foreground. It's fun to play around with!
Mono only. GEnie SPACERT 1365
y ALMANAC is an amazing program which will give you a PILE of
astronomical information based on your location on the globe. Using a
database of 156 city locations around the globe (or you can just enter
any latitude and longitude), this program will (when you supply the
date) calculate the numerical day of the year, the time zone, the
Latitude and Longitude of the city you have chosen (nice for those
other astronomical programs that require that information), the date
of Easter that year, the sunrise and set times, equinox and solstice
date and times, the distance of the Earth to the Sun (in A.U. and in
miles), the Declination and right ascension of the Sun and the Eg. of
time.
For the Moon it will list the Moonrise and set, the transit time, the
mean age, declination, distance (in miles), and the new moon date. It
will also calculate the Twilight Time (Civil, Nautical, and
Astronomical). It will even give you climatic data for the city you
picked (average high and low temps, and the average temp). Finally, it
will tell you the length of the day you chose. Wow! I did notice that
the program was accurate in its calculated date for Easter for all the
dates I checked except for 1993 and 1994. Weird. This is designed for
color systems, but will work on mono systems, too (the display is a
bit messed up on mono system - check out the F keys to see what they
do since you can't see the directions on the mono screen). ST/STE and
Geneva compatible (at least).
y ASTROLAB is Astrolabium v. 0.7 by Jrgen Rensen (dated May 1988).
This program will allow you to display up to 9000 stars (down to
magnitude 6.5) with either a sterographic or map projection, and
either in the form of a star atlas or a planetarium. You can get it to
display from any viewpoint (including the star view right under your
feet, supposing the Earth transparent!). It will also supply you with
names of stars, allow you to show constellation outlines, and animate
the star view over time, and much more! It will work on any ST/STE (at
least) and while it is a German language program, English docs are
included (which are very adequate). Mono only (though it works with
mono emulators, too). Geneva compatible. This is a very nice astronomy
program.
y CHART is an astronomy program which will tell you which page in the
popular Sky Atlas 2000.0 or Uranometria 2000.0 star atlases an object
will be shown. The program will ask for a specific set of celestial
coordinates, then tell you which page of each atlas to find the area
of the sky at that set of coordinates. Color or mono. ST/STE and Geneva
compatible (at least).
y CIRCLDIV is the Circle Dividing Program. Originally published in the
03/1988, Sky and Telescope Magazine, this program has now been
compiled in HiSoft Basic (.BAS code included). This program uses a
dot matrix printer (required) to print out a linear scale of any
desired length graduated and labeled in 360 increments representing
the degrees in a circle (even down to 10 arc minutes!). Color or Mono.
Docs included. ST/STE and Geneva compatible (at least). GEnie SPACERT
# 1329
y CONSTELL is version 2.0 of Sternbild, a German planetarium program
that works with both color and mono monitors (dated March 10, 1988).
View any of 88 different constellations from any viewpoint, over any
length of time (stars move, too, just slowly) and distance. This
program is very easy to use, and comes in both an English and a German
version (just choose which you want as the program boots up. Online
and offline docs. I really like this program. Pick your constellation
using the mouse, answer a few questions on how it is displayed, and
then view it! Differing magnitude stars appear with different
brightnesses. Click on a star and get its name and magnitude. DS drive
required. Well done. Recommended. ST/STe and Geneva compatible. GEnie
SPACERT # 1362
y CO_TRANS is a program that will translate Ecliptical Coordinates
into Geocentral equatorial, Horizontal into Topocentric equatorial,
and Geocentric to Topocentric equatorial (and all vice versa). Useful
for all of you astronomy buffs out there. Color or Mono. ST/STE and
Geneva compatible. Pascal Source code included. GEnie SPACERT # 1335.
y ERTHTWIN is a program originally created by Edward H. Carlson but
then modified for the ST by Robert Reeves. In part educational and in
part game this program has you zooming around the galaxy seeking a
planet to colonize. You pick out stars of any given mass and explore
them (actually, you pick a multiple of the solar mass and type it in -
that's your total travel experience!). The game will then show you the
relationship between the mass and the lifetime/luminosity of a star,
and the narrowness of the zone of habitability around a star, based on
its mass. You are presented with a solar system of planets with mass,
orbital period and distance, mean temperature, and more. Do you want
to colonize any of those planets? Probably not, at least I didn't find
any that seemed as nice as good ol' Earth! ST/STE and Geneva
compatible (at least). .BAS file included. Mono. GEnie SPACERT # 1375
y GNOMPLOT is Gnomplot v.4.2 by Dieter Heinlein (dated 1988). GNOMPLOT
was designed to calculate and to print out star charts using the
gnomonic projection. Such maps show a small region of the starry sky
(around the projection center) and make it possible to draw
trajectories of meteors as straight lines! You can easily set your
parameters, the star magnitudes displayed, and even display
constellations (just the stars, not the conventional outlines). It
will run on an ST/STE (at least) with 1 Meg of RAM. The author's docs
say mono only, but it works on my color monitor! To print out your
maps you need an Epson FX80 compatible printer (but you can save them
in Degas or Doodle format for later use, too). Geneva compatible.
GEnie SPACERT # 1325. Shareware.
y JUL_GMST is a program that will calculate any Julian date from a
given Gregorian date. It even takes into account if the date you are
giving is based on Gregory's revision of the calendar back in 1582. It
will also give the Greenwich mean sidereal time based on your local
time (but since the program doesn't ask _where_ you are I think it
assumes you are somewhere in Germany and bases its calculations on
that - the Pascal source code is in German on which I base my
assumption). Mono. ST/STE and Geneva compatible (at least). GEnie
SPACERT # 1338
y KALEN_21 is Kalenderdaten v.2.1 by Dietrich Zucht. This is a
fascinating program! It will allow you to easily find out a number of
interesting bits of calendar based information based upon your inputs.
It will tell you the weekday of any given date, the years in which a
given date falls on the same weekday, the date of Easter or many other
moveable feasts and holidays, the number of days between any two
dates, a new date based on a given date plus any number of days, the
Julian date from any given Gregorian date, and the Gregorian date from
any Julian date. One thing I especially liked about this program is
its detailed description of just what a Julian date is, and how it is
calculated. I kept on seeing Julian dates mentioned, but I didn't know
what they were. Now I do! Color or Mono. Docs included. ST/STE Geneva
Compatible. Postcardware. GEnie SPACERT # 1327
y MARSEPHE is a program entitled "The Physical Ephemeris of Mars"
modified for the ST by Robert Reeves. When you supply a date and time
this program will print to screen a listing of interesting data about
the planet Mars appropriate accurate for that date and time. It will
also present a line drawing of Mars comparing its observed size on
the said date with the size of Mars at the most favorable opposition.
ST/STE compatible (at least). Color only. Source code and online docs
included. GEnie SPACERT 1382
y MOON is a program designed to calculate the position of the Moon for
any given date. Unfortunately, this won't work on my STE. If you have
a TOS 1.0 machine and find this interesting, go to it! GEnie SPACERT
1336
y NIGHTSKY is an excellent color or mono program by H. Fruish which
will print to screen or printer (based on location and time data you
provide) nine separate categories of celestial objects located near
the local meridian. Location, relative magnitude, and brief
interesting material about the objects are included. The upload docs
say mono only, but it works fine on my color monitor. GEnie SPACERT
1366
y NORTHPOL is an animation (color or mono) of the circumpolar stars as
they rotate over the period of one night (actually since they go all
the way around I guess it's one 24 hour period - the view must be past
the arctic circle in winter!). GEnie SPACERT 1331
y PERGRCAL is a simple program that will generate and display (on
screen) a monthly calendar for any month and year you specify. Color
or mono. TOS 1.0-1.62 and Geneva compatible (at least).
y PFSSHOW is a slide show demo of a program which will allow the ST
(and probably at least the STE since it was uploaded late in 1990 to
receive WEFAX weather satellite photos. Use your ST, a radio dish or
antenna, the receiver, and the commercial software to display this
already processed and rebroadcasted satellite pictures. It contains 11
Degas pictures which both show some weather satellite pictures (very
nice!) and tells how to get the software. Color only. GEnie SPACERT
1341
y PRECESS is a program that is designed to calculate the precession of
astronomical coordinates (caused by the "wobble" in the Earth's spin)
from one timespan to another (you supply the range of dates). This
does not work on my STE (if you have a TOS 1.0 machine and want this
for one reason or another go to it!). GEnie SPACERT 1337
y SIDERIAL is a simple program which will convert your local time (you
provide the longitude) to Universal Time, Julian Date, Local apparent
Siderial time, and apparent Greenwich siderial time. Color or mono.
ST-STE and Geneva compatible. GEnie SPACERT 1363
y SKYDEMO is a .TNY picture animation that shows the movement of the
night sky over a six month period. Planets are marked, and you can see
them move back and forth across the sky map. This looks like a demo of
a program, but there aren't any docs or any indications of just what
that program might be! Color or mono. TOS 1.0--1.62 and Geneva
compatible (at least). GEnie SPACERT 1332
y SOLUNECL is a program that will easily and quickly calculate Solar
and Lunar eclipses from the year 1900-9999. You supply the year,
month, and day to start the predictions from, whether you wish to
display solar or lunar eclipses, and whether to calculate forward or
backward from the given date. The program will show the closest
eclipse from the given date, the percent totality of the eclipse, the
Universal Time beginning and ending of the eclipse, and a stack more
information about it as well. Interesting! You can continue to
calculate dates or begin all over again with a different start up
time. Color or mono. Docs within program. .BAS source code included.
TOS 1.0--1.62 and Geneva compatible (at least). GEnie SPACERT # 1348
y SOL_TOUR is a series of 38 .PC1 pictures (mostly) by Hooman Simyar
taking you on a tour of the solar system and beyond. The initial
screen says it is an 84 picture tour and it is obvious where some of
the pictures have been lost, but that doesn't significantly detract
from this excellent tour. The author has set this up so it might be
run as a slide show (viewer included). Each planet (except Earth) is
touched upon and some descriptive information is included. There are
some inaccuracies in the information provided (Io is not the only
"volcanically active planet" in the Solar System and the Asteroids are
not the remains of a planet smashed by Jupiter's gravity), but overall
it is very good. Color or mono (though you lose a lot in mono). I have
downloaded this file, except in a 54+ file version which includes
other pictures by the author, off of Delphi. GEnie SPACERT # 1353
Here are some non-Atari space related files which might interest you,
too.
y ADDRESS is a text file listing addresses of NASA and some foreign
space information centers. It also gives hints and timetables for
contacting NASA centers for summer employment opportunities. GEnie
SPACERT # 1457.
y ASTEROID is a well-written text file entitled, "The Asteroids" by
Carolyn Collins Petersen. It's a brief file (a little over 120 lines
of text), but it has a lot of information packed into it in a very
informative and interesting manner. If you ever wanted to read about
the asteroids, then this file is for you. I was disappointed when I
got to the end because I couldn't read anymore! GEnie SPACERT # 1441.
y AUGUSTIN is the Augustine Commission's report: "Advance Copy of the
Summary and Principal Recommendations of the Advisory Committee of the
Future of the U.S. Space Program" (dated Dec. 10, 1990). This 46K
ASCII text is very interesting to all who wish to see our space
program succeed. It is a realistic assessment of NASA's (and other
space agencies) success and failures and concludes with some
well-thought and practical recommendations for NASA support structures
and programs. Recommended. GEnie SPACERT # 1440.
y BL_HOLES is a text file that tells you about Black Holes in Space.
We all know that "there is much more to black holes than meets the
eye" as the author says, but this text does much to fill in some of
those knowledge gaps, in a non-technical and interesting way. Gravity,
Relativity, The Speed of Light, the beginning and end of the Universe
are all topics which are touched on in this essay. GEnie SPACERT
#1442.
y CLUSTERS is a short text file describing Galactic and Globular
clusters (with a mention of Clusters of Galaxies as well). It
describes various well known galactic clusters (Pleiades and Hyades
are familiar examples) and tells some about their movements, origins,
and ages. Interesting reading. GEnie SPACERT # 1443.
y COMPUTER is a text file containing an overview of the Space
Shuttle's computer/data processing system. The system is OLD, but it
gets the job done! Application details, allocation of computer
resources during missions, programming details, and more are all
included. GEnie SPACERT # 1460.
y CRAF is a text file describing CRAF - the Comet Rendezvous/Asteroid
Flyby presently being planned by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and
NASA (launch date Aug. 1995). This program is designing a Mariner Mark
II spacecraft to encounter an asteroid (Asteroid 449 Hamburga which is
of a carbonaceous type and is about 88 kilometers [55 miles] in
diameter), and then to rendezvous with a comet (named Kopff after
August Adalbert Kopff, who discovered it on Aug. 22, 1906) and fly
alongside it for nearly three years. Interesting details of the
mission and cometary theory are included. GEnie SPACERT # 1461
y FAQ1993E is an Internet FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about the
July 1994 impact of Comet 1993a (Shoemaker Levy 9) with Jupiter. That
impact is going to be something! According to this FAQ using easily
available equipment you will likely be able to see the increased light
from the impact reflected off some of the moons (the impact will be on
the far side of Jupiter). GEnie SPACERT # 3892
y GALILEO is The Galileo Project Report. Galileo is a planetary
exploration mission that is designed to provide the first direct
sampling of the atmosphere of Jupiter and the first extended
observations of the planet, its Galilean satellites and intense
magnetospheric environment. This document, prepared sometime before
the launching of Galileo (which occurred in Oct. 1989), details the
goals of the mission and some of the present understanding of the
Jupiter system. GEnie SPACERT # 1462
y GRAVASST is a text file that tells some of the ins and outs of the
fastest way yet available to get around the Solar System. It's not by
rockets, or by solar sails (though those - at least the first - are
very useful!). Nope, it's by the "slingshot effect" of gravity assist,
or perhaps more clearly stated, using a planet's or moon's
gravitational field to propel a spacecraft in another direction and
with a greater velocity. This files tells you how the Mariner,
Pioneer, and Voyager spacecraft all used this technique to get from
here to there faster and more efficiently. GEnie SPACERT # 1463
y PLNTSTAT is a text file telling some "Planetary Statistics" for the
Solar planets. Distance from the sun, rotation period, inclination of
axis and orbit, orbital eccentricity, diameter, atmosphere, moons, and
ring systems are all included. GEnie SPACERT # 1448
y SOVMRSEX is a text file by Robert Reeves about the Soviet Mars
Exploration effort. This review is in two parts the first being the
history of their Mars efforts prior to the 1989 failed Mars/Phobos
probe and the second being an examination of that latest Soviet Mars
effort. An interesting and sympathetic text. GEnie SPACERT # 1404
y SPINWHEL is the Spinning Ring Question by J.E.D. Cline (dated
Nov.25, 1990. This text file presents what seems to be a potential
space transportation device (of the something for nothing variety).
Using a moving mass at above orbital speed the author proposes (well,
not really) that you could get an engine that would lift something to
space. Take this as an interesting puzzle to see if you can find the
hidden assumptions that invalidate this concept. They're there, I
assure you! GEnie SPACERT # 1391
y Are you interested in Amateur astronomy news, humor, and hints? The
Astronomy Network News is for you. The first issue of ANN is from
October, 1991, and the most recent issue on GEnie is Sept/Oct, 1993
(GEnie SPACERT 3557). You'll have to find the other 11 of these issues
yourself (search for CLUBS and NEWSLETTERS as keywords), and I think
you will be glad you did. I've certainly enjoyed reading through them!
y BATCREEK is a large ASCII text file containing a very interesting
discussion on Usenet of the Bat Creek Stone (from Aug.-Sept. 1993).
What is the Bat Creek Stone? It is an apparently paleo-Hebrew
inscription found by a Smithsonian excavator in an undisturbed burial
mound in eastern Tennessee in 1889. How did a paleo (early)-Hebrew
inscription end up on a stone there? Is it genuine or a fraud? Pro and
con views by experts and novices alike. I remember reading an article
in Biblical Archeology Review (BAR) which told about this find. This
expands on it. A GIF picture of the Stone is included. GEnie SPACERT #
3520.
y BIO-INFO is the Bio-Info Theory FAQ from Usenet (dated July 7,
1993). It is the discussions of the Biological Information Theory and
Chowder Society, a group of scientists interested in the biological
applications of information theory, biochemical molecular machines,
computer methods for recognition of molecular structure and function,
database organization for biomolecular information, nanotechnology,
and much more (and they used to meet over a bowl of chowder!). This
file doesn't contain much of their discussions, but it contains a
large bibliography and some ground rules for their discussions (food
fights are discouraged during at-face meetings). This sounds like an
interesting group! GEnie SPACERT # 3277
y MARNEWS4 is the March 19-25, 1988 NASA Newsline. This is not a large
text file and contains some dated material, but overall it's quite
interesting. There's too much to include here, but since it's a
relatively small download check it out! GEnie SPACERT 411
The following are some space related GIF picture files which I have
found on the GEnie Atari Round Table (and elsewhere).
y DEADSEA is a GIF of a fragment of the Genesis Apocryphon, one of the
Dead Sea Scrolls. One part of the picture shows the fragment as viewed
under visible light. Two other views show the fragment as seen under
differing frequencies of infrared light (the view with this is MUCH
better). The note attached to this download says "Here is a shot from
the repaired Hubble Space Telescope of the Dead Sea." Trust my
description! There is an attached description (dated Nov. 20, 1993) at
the end of the GIF which may be read using any text editor.
Interesting!
y HUBBLE01 is a GIF file of one of the astronauts doing repair work on
the Hubble Space Telescope. That telescope is HUGE compared to the
astronaut standing on the robot arm. Very clear, with the Earth in the
background. It was on this mission that the corrective optics were
installed (a job _well_ done!).
y SFPC-01 is a GIF image comparing the Hubble Space Telescope's image
of the core of the galaxy M100 both before and after the installation
of the new corrective optics. The images, both "untouched" show the
astounding improvements gained through the new optics. The old is
blurry and dull, while the new is sharp and clear. This GIF has a
descriptive text file attached to the end of it which may be read by
any text editor.
y WFPC-02 is a GIF (release date Jan. 13, 1994) which shows another
image of the spiral galaxy M100 as viewed through the Hubble Space
Telescope. One image shows a large section of that galaxy which
reveals individual stars and filamentary dust lanes in the outer arms,
and another is a detailed view of a small section of the complex core
of the galaxy, which is the site of vigorous star formation.
y WFPC-03 is a GIF picture of M100 (released Jan. 13, 1993) showing
images from a ground based telescope (the Hale 200 inch), an
uncorrected Hubble image, a computer corrected image from the original
Hubble, and an image from the now corrected Hubble Space Telescope.
Wow, what a difference! The old Hubble, even non-computer enhanced was
better than the best telescopes on the ground, and the corrected
Hubble is FAR better than before. This GIF contains a text file
appended to its end which may be read by any text editor.
y WFPC-04 is a beautiful GIF picture (released Jan. 13, 1994) taken by
the repaired Hubble Space Telescope of a star-forming region in the 30
Doradus nebula, surrounding the dense star cluster R136. The image
shows a portion of a giant cloud of gas and dust in 30 Doradus, which
is located in a small neighboring galaxy called the Large Magellanic
Cloud about 160,000 light-years away from Earth. An smaller picture
shows a blowup of the star cluster, called R136. Even at the distance
from Earth, WFPC-II's resolution allows objects as small as 25
light-days across to be distinguished from their surroundings,
revealing the effect of the hot stars on the surrounding gas in
unprecedented detail. (For comparison, our solar system is about half
a light-day across, while the distance to the nearest star beyond the
sun is 4.3 light-years.) This GIF picture contains a text description
appended to the end of the file. This may be read using any text
editor.
y WFPC-06 is an utterly astounding and beautiful GIF picture taken by
the repaired Hubble Space Telescope (released Jan. 13, 1994). This
"almost true-color" image shows material surrounding the star Eta
Carinae. One of the best-studied objects in the sky, Eta Carinae has a
mass about 150 times that of our sun and is about 4 million times
brighter than the sun. Eta Carinae is highly unstable and prone to
violent outbursts; the last of these occurred in 1841, when despite
its distance (more than 10,000 light-years away) Eta Carinae briefly
became the second brightest star in the sky. Since then the star has
grown more than 600 times fainter in visible light, so that today it
is only barely visible to the naked eye. This picture shows the
explosion. You can see the glowing gas, the rolling dust clouds, the
light glowing from within. It's beautiful! I'd love to have a photo of
it! This GIF has a text file embedded at its end. You may view it
using any text editor.
Now on to some more "standard" fare!
y AUDICALC is the AudioCalc? v.2.5 demo from Hinton Instruments of
England (dated Oct. 1993).. This GEM based "Professional Audio
Calculator" for the ST--Falcon computer (ST mono or higher res color
compatible). AudioCalc is a PRG/ACC which has been developed to
provide the most useful day to day utilities commonly required in an
audio engineering environment. AudioCalc is intended to be used in
conjunction with a sequencer, audio editing or multi-media
application. It presents a small on-screen movable dialog box which
opens up and allows you to select the five main functions of the
program. The full version will allow you to calculate delay times
based on tempo, disk requirements for digital audio, pitch change from
from tape speed variation, analog level variations, and even the time
taken for sound to travel allowing for room temperature (only the last
two are enabled in this demo and it will only run as a program. Docs
and ordering info included.
y BIG_TIME is Mr. Smart's Big Time demo (dated 1993). By P.Smart, this
program (in the registered version) contains 25 separate modules that
cover topics of interest for "just reading" kids and up. The demo has
five working modules (analog time, grid location, word identification,
Shape ID, and two European Geography modules - countries and
capitals). I thought this was an excellent program. The only info
about getting the full game is in the form of a telephone number to
call. Color only. STOS. STE compatible (at least).
y BLACKHOL is Black Hole by David Snow (dated Jan 14, 1993). This is a
game that will provide you with hours of Arcade for your Atari
Falcon030. This Falcon only game requires a VGA monitor and an
ST-compatible joystick (not enhanced). A hard disk is recommended (I'd
say - this is a huge file!) and something better than your Falcon's
speaker. This game takes advantage of the Falcon's graphics and sound
capabilities. It runs in 256-color 640 x 480 mode and features over on
meg of high-quality music and sound effects samples. The object of
this game is to find the two coins hidden on each level. Travel across
the screen and pick up objects which will increase your score and
available time. Eight levels and docs are included. The original
version would only run on TOS 4.04+ machines, but a fix was uploaded
(BLAKHOL1) which will replace the program file and allow the program
to run on all TOS 4.00+ machines.
y BLUDGEON is Bludgeon v.1.1p. This is a D&D graphics adventure by
Seaton Shareware Co-op (dated Aug. 1993). This demo version allows you
to play the one complete adventure included in the archive (rescue the
princess and save the kingdom). Mouse controlled. Requires at least
one meg of RAM. I could run it fine from my hard drive (STE TOS 1.62),
but I didn't find a way to quit other than re-booting. Color only.
Docs included. TOS 1.0--1.62 compatible (at least).
y BT_312A is Binkleyterm v3.12a now supported by Otto Braendli (dated
Jan. 15, 1994). BinkleyTerm is "A Freely Available FidoNet Compatible
Electronic Mail Interface and Dumb Terminal Package" that has been
freely supported by a multitude of programmers around the world. This
advanced state-of-the-art telecommunications tool. It is primarily
designed for the semi- automated sending and receiving of electronic
mail and files within AtariNet and other FidoNet-compatible electronic
mail networks. When used as a dumb terminal, BinkleyTerm offers a rich
selection of file transfer protocols for exchanging files with a host
system (all the ones you are familiar with!). The program also offers
keyboard macros, optional VT-100 emulation, echoing of the on-line
session to a flat text file or printer, optimized Z-mode file
transfers, support for baud rates of 300 to 38,400, integrated FAX
support for Zyxel modems, RSVE support, optimized RS232 routines, and
more. Color or mono. ST--Falcon compatible. Docs included. This
archive also includes HSMODA02, a high speed modem port fix by Harun
Scheutzow.
y SEMPER by Jan Kriesten is another NetWork Mailer available for the
Atari called Semper. It has a pile of features and is easy to use.
Some of them are:
1. Semper is a GEM Program & will run in a Multitasking environment.
2. ST/STE/Mega/MegaSTE/Falcon/TT Compatible (Requires 1 meg RAM or more)
3. Utilizes mouse for point and click operation (Hot Keys also available)
4. Easy to Configure & set-up basic operation.
5. Supports baud rates above 19,200 (ST/STE require HardWare modification)
6. Supports Multiple domains.
7. EMSI negotiation is very quick which results in reduced on-line time.
8. Supports alternate program for receiving Faxes (i.e., BT-FAX)
9. Supports HYDRA Bi-directional transfer protocol.
Semper is Shareware: you can still try out the program first, the only
thing is when the program is first run it will bring up a dialog box
asking you to register, plus HYDRA and FAX Support will not be
operational.
y CALTIM31 is Bob's Calltime by Bob Areddy (dated Jan. 15, 1994). This
program will call the Naval Observatory in Washington D.C. to get the
correct time (you need to supply the modem and phone line!) and then
set your ST's clock to that time. They have a computer set up just
spitting out the time in military format and the date in Julian
format. The Abacus AssemPro source (.S) is included. Also included is
the Observatory's phone #. Finally, myeck waters has included a file
(with the author's permission) that modifies the program so that it
doesn't require a keypress to continue on after the program gets the
time information.
y DECIMAL is a simple AtariWorks .STW file (by Michael Mastaler?)
which will show allow you to convert the 40.65 hours (or whatever
decimal equivalent) you worked as shown on your pay slip (that's
really 40 hours, 39 minutes). If you don't have AW you can still use
this file (but get AtariWorks anyway!). Just load it into any text
reader and just read the table yourself!
y DJ_WWRTR is the WordWriter ST printer driver (.CFG) for use with HP
DeskJet printers. This is a needed program for all DeskJet/WordWriter
owners. I tried and tried to write a printer driver for WW when I had
my DeskJet. It worked, sort of, but kept on printing weird characters
at the end. I gave up and bought an Epson emulator cart. If I had this
file I wouldn't have had to have done that! Everything you indicate in
WW will print out fine using this driver (except "light" sets the
DeskJet to draft mode). DeskJet "Classic" owners need a font cartridge
to do italics. Docs included.
y EPSJET is a software Epson MX-80 emulator for the HP DeskJet! By
David L. Bailey (dated 1989), this GEM of a program is a must-have for
all DeskJet owners. Not all Epson features are implemented, and
graphics output will be no better in resolution than it would be on an
Epson MX-80. Programs using GDOS output and the FX80.SYS driver should
work with EpsJet to print MX-80-resolution graphics. Text output
programs that request the MX-80 to underscore, print compressed or
expanded characters, print italics, bold, subscripts or superscripts,
should work with EpsJet. Certain other MX-80 functions (for example,
tab settings) are not supported. The author lists all sorts of ways
this program doesn't _exactly_ emulate the MX-80, but what it does
sounds good enough for me! I am not sure if it works with anything but
the DeskJet "Classic" (given the date only that version of the DeskJet
was available then), but it certainly is worth the try!
y ELITE2DM is a view-only demo of Frontier - Elite II, the
more-than-a- sequel to the first 3D polygon space simulation. Set in
the year 3200, Frontier allows you to explore the galaxy (all 100
billion stars, if you wish!) and become rich (or dead, but that's
another matter!). Uploaded by STeve of STeve's Software, this demo
shows an awesome introductory sequence of battling space ships,
planetary bases, and more. It's a nice animation all by itself!
Frontier will run on any ST--Falcon. Another file, FRONTIER, is the
same file as this (minus the info from STeve's Software), just under a
different name. Color only.
y ESSCPD46 is ESS-Code v.4.6, the UUE/UUDecoding utility by Michel
Forget of Electric Storm Software (the programmer of MasterBrowse, an
excellent desktop text SHOW replacement and general file viewer - see
below). This file (dated Oct. 18, 1993) will allow you to quickly
(very) and easily (it uses GEM with keyboard shortcuts to everything
and more) convert binary files to ASCII text files (UUEncoding) or
return ASCII text files to their original binary state (UUDecoding).
This will allow you to both send and receive binary files (non-text
files) using the Internet. Compatible with TOS 1.0 through MultiTOS
(Geneva, too), with online help, and much more. Color or mono.
Freeware. Recommended if you need to use a program like this. (Editor
- Used and recommended by AEO.)
y FALGMS02 is a list of 379 games and how to run them successfully on
the Falcon 030. Compiled by Heiko Hartmann and dated Feb. 4, 1994. If
you have a game which doesn't run on your Falcon then this file is for
you. Detailed instructions are given which will allow you to run many
otherwise unmanageable games.
y FONTTYPE by Michael Mastaler is an AtariWorks document (.STW) that
will allow you to easily see what different fonts will look like in
your documents. With a few mouse clicks you can change the included
listing of characters all into another font. This is an excellent tool
for printing out a listing of your fonts for future reference.
y FULL_RES is the Full Working Resolution program v.1.01 by JACCARD
Emmanuel (dated Oct. 1, 1993). This Falcon030 only program will allow
you to expand the display when using a TV or RGB monitor with your
Falcon (not yet working with a VGA or Super VGA monitor). It will give
you 256 lines if you select 200 lines, or 512 lines instead of 400. To
increase compatibility with ST programs it will automatically give you
the normally expected line values when an ST resolution is being used.
MultiTOS compatible.
y GEMINI is a HUGE ASCII file listing most of the contents of the
Gemini CD ROM by Walnut Creek through "It's All Relative" Software.
The Gemini CD contains a large selection of public domain, shareware,
and commercial demos of Atari ST applications (I'd say 600 meg of
programs and data files would qualify as a "large selection")
electronic magazines, and many other files that will be of interest to
the general Atari public. When you buy this CD you also get DMJ
Software's EXCELLENT desktop SHOW replacement/text, picture/animation
display program. The file uncompresses to 1.7 meg of data, so you need
a hard drive to uncompress this. I had some problems with viewing this
large file, but finally I thought of using my View II instead of a
program and it worked fine!
y JAG_DEMO by PB Productions is an excellent demo showing both the
capabilities of the Falcon and the Jaguar. It consists of some very
nice music (though a bit repetitive after awhile), a slide show of a
large number of screenshots from several Jaguar games in true-color
mode, realtime true-color fading between pictures (the first time for
the Falcon!), and some more excellent screen effects. I saw this on
the Falcon and was amazed with the screenshots (all of which I had
seen before using my STE). They were stunning. Even better is that the
Jaguar display is even better than the Falcon's! If you have a Falcon
and are interested in the Jaguar, get this!
y MARCEL22 is the Marcel Word Processor v.2.2.1 (dated Feb. 1994).
This GEM based wordprocessor is now fully working shareware. This
program is chock-full of features. You can import text from all sorts
of programs, from ASCII, 1st Word/WordWriter, WordPerfect v.4.1, and
Rich Text Format (and export in ASCII, RTF, and 1st Word), you can
select and see various type styles (italic, bold, etc.) right on
screen, mark blocks, scroll through text (very fast!), auto-reformat
your texts, easily select pre-installed page designs (like letter,
legal, business, term paper, etc.), insert date and time into your
texts and much more. Spell checking (with a 45,000 word dictionary
included), printing (in a wide variety of printers including the Atari
Laser and PostScript), and literally 100's of other features. This
looks like an excellent program with a very nice "feel." Tutorial
included. Color or mono. Not limited in any way from the registered
version (you get the manual and free support on registering (only
$10!). Any ST--Falcon (MultiTOS). Check this one out!
y MB35_BIN is MasterBrowse v.3.5 by Michel Forget (dated Jan 30,
1994). This is an EXCELLENT text file viewer for any ST-Falcon.
Completely replacing the desktop's SHOW routine, MasterBrowse will
allow you to load multiple files into itself (restricted only by
available memory), search, mark blocks of text, cut and past, take
advantage of the Atari Clipboard, print out your selected text(s) in a
multiplicity of ways, and piles more features (in part the docs are so
extensive simply because there are so many features! If you want a
text file viewer to do something, this probably already has that
feature!). It even allows you to keep your files in compressed format
and will automatically uncompress them when you want to view them
(talk about saving space!). You must supply the archive utilities. It
is Fast, and can take advantage of GDOS/SpeedoGDOS, the features of
MultiTOS, MultiGEM, Mag!X, and Geneva, as well as the alternative
desktops such as NeoDesk, TeraDesk, and Gemini. Keyboard or mouse
controlled. Recommended. Shareware. Color or mono.
y PLAY_FLI is Play FLI v.1.2 by Frdric Aloe (dated Sept. 22, 1993).
This simple yet fast .TTP program will allow those of you with a
Falcon or TT to play fullscreen FLI animations at 320*200 pixels in
256 colors. The uploader says that it works with Corel Draw FLI's, but
I'm not sure if that excludes FLI animations created with other
programs. Not compatible with Screenblaster. Postcardware.
y PSTCARD by K. Olson is two Atari Works .STW files that allow you to
print the front and back of a set of three postcards on a paper of
your choice. Handy for reminder cards, postcard advertisements, etc..
This file is set up for a BJ200 printer, but you can really use it for
anything. I didn't have the font used and the font I used wasn't
exactly the same which messed up the spacing. That could be adjusted
though. Docs for use included.
y ZNET9401 is the return of Z*NET (dated Feb. 12, 1994). Now in a
"Newswire" format, Ron Kovacs has returned to bring us excellent news
reporting of the Atari World. This issue features lots of interesting
editorial, news and reviews (plus the first part of a multi-part
review of Atari in 1993).
Finally, you know how much I like "Uncle Carl" Hafner's software.
Recently his whole collection of software was uploaded to Delphi (it
will end up on Genie and possibly TOAD Hall soon - I'm working on
it!). Here it is for you to see.
The files below are the complete collection of games from "Uncle
Carl" Hafner. Uncle Carl's software has always struck me as well
written and innovative. His games are all enjoyable and sometimes
very frustrating (see the Naarjek series below!). I recommend them
all to you.
y CPYCAT15 is CopyCats v.1.05 by Uncle Carl (dated: 12/31/1993).
CopyCats is a "Simon" type game in which you are challenged to mimic a
computer generated sequence of selected boxes. Difficulty levels and
presentation speeds are ALL user definable, making it absolutely
IMPOSSIBLE to lose all the time! CopyCats also supports the UncleMouse
.CURsor file format. ST/STe/TT compatible in ALL resolutions.
FREEWARE.
y FRIX10 is Flipping Bricks v.1.0 by Uncle Carl (dated: December 16,
1993). In this game you are presented with a panel containing 9
bricks, each containing either a bell or a checkmark. The object of
the game is to get the bell in the center brick and checkmarks in the
remaining bricks. Sound simple? Wait until you try flipping a brick!
(HINT: You can't flip just one ;-). This game runs as either a program
OR as a desk accessory. ST/STe/TT compatible in ALL resolutions.
FREEWARE.
y GRAMPA1B (dated: 11/25/93) is Adventure 1, "A Journey In The Past"
in the Grampa Howard Mysteries by Uncle Carl. You are transported 100
years back in time in an effort to help Grampa Howard find and defeat
Dr. Malvert. All is not as it seems, however, due in part to the time
displacement drag coefficient (of all things). Therefore, what seems
to be obvious may not be that way at all! This text adventure makes
you work! ST/STe medium resolution (color) ONLY. SHAREWARE.
y NAARJEK is Naarjek Data Systems by Uncle Carl (dated: March 14,
1990). Can you "hack" your way through Naarjek's Security System and
gain access to some of the programs hidden in there? The only way you
can find out is by trying! Don't worry, there are LOTS of clues and
"backdoors" (hidden) all over the place ;-). Lots of frustrating fun!
ST/STe COLOR only!
y NAARJEK2 is Naarjek II by Uncle Carl (dated: February 15, 1991).
Naarjek II is harder than version 1! Naarjek has learned its lesson.
It's become more aggressive and is once again laying down the
gauntlet. Can you "hack" your way through Naarjeks Security System?
If you get stuck there's always NARJHELP, a "help" program for all of
you frustrated Naarjek II players. ST/STe COLOR or MONO.
y NAARJEK3 is Naarjek III release 2 from Naarjek Data Systems by Uncle
Carl (dated: April 6,1993). Naarjek is a renegade piece of programming
which one day became self aware! In an act of self preservation, it
rerouted access paths to the main Naarjek memory core and, basically,
rewrote the software so that it now controls ALL access to its data
core. While Naarjek is benign, the staff at Naarjek Data Systems feels
that access to the system MUST be guaranteed! You've been called in to
"crack" Naarjek. How? That's for you to find out! This version has
some more built-in helps included in case you really get lost!
ST/STe/TT compatible. DONATIONWARE.
y NAARJEK4 is Naarjek IV.II by Uncle Carl (dated: 11/29/1993). It
seems some happy camper inadvertently informed Naarjek of the
interlink sequencer modifications (OH NO!!!) allowing Naarjek to
expand by leaps and bounds! Naarjek now creates individual security
locks for each and every level (meaning NO 2 locks work the same!). In
addition to changing the access codes every time you log on, Naarjek
now rewrites EVERY security lock every time it is accessed. You've got
your work cut out for you now! ST/STe/TT compatible. DONATIONWARE.
y NARJHELP is the Naarjek II help program (dated: June 16,1991). If
you like Naarjek II but you just can't seem to figure it all out (or
if you hate it because it's so frustrating!) then this program is for
you. It gives you lots of hints and helps and a program for you to
practice on.
y SLIDER1A is The Sliding Puzzle v.1.0a by Uncle Carl (dated:
12/24/1993). This game, like its hand-held counterpart, challenges you
to arrange 15 boxes in a specific order by moving the boxes around one
at a time. While the first two rows are relatively easy, the third
(and especially the fourth) rows really tend to tax your skills! A
scoring buffer helps you keep track of how many moves it took you to
complete the puzzle (giving you the incentive to try it one-more-time
:-). Slider runs as either a program or accessory and is ST/STe /TT
compatible in ALL resolutions. FREEWARE.
Here are some GFA programming helps:
y GFAHELP1 is GFA Help files release #1 by Uncle Carl (dated: July
13,1992). These GFA .LST files are intended mostly for the novice
programmer. They have been tested using GFA 3.07 and 3.5E on a 1040ST
w/TOS 1.2 and on an STe w/TOS 1.06. These routines as they are DO WORK
under these conditions. They are:
SORT_1.LST --> A "Sort By Criteria" example.
SORT_2.LST --> A "Shell Sort" and "Quick Sort" example.
UNCLERAM.LST --> The Source Code for UncleRam, the DA which returns the
amount of free RAM in your computer.
CURSOR.LST --> Lets you create and move a cursor about the screen.
PALETTE.LST --> Save and Restore desktop colors from your program.
BASEPAGE.LST --> Reads a directory and determines which files are folders
and which are not.
MKSTATE.LST --> Detect and display CONTROL,ALTERNATE & SHIFT key values,
mouse position and button status.
ALERT.LST --> Create 5 line alerts, W-I-D-E button boxes and a few
other alert tricks.
ERROR.LST --> How to avert most of YOUR program crashes.
ERROR_2.LST --> How to call up any error you like.
y GFAHELP2 (dated: April 21,1993) is the second in Uncle Carl's series
of GFA help files. This file covers the management of Menus, Radio
Buttons, Touchexit, Exit, Selectable and Default objects and Editable
Text Fields. A sample program is included in .GFA and .LST formats as
well as the programs .RSC, .DFN and .LST files. Recommended for
novices.
Here are some sound related files he wrote:
y MNOTE108 is MIDINOTE v.1.08 by Uncle Carl (dated: 12/14/1993).
MIDInote displays incoming MIDI notes, pressure, program change, pitch
bend, channel and sustain. This can be useful for determining MIDI
values from within programs which do not display this information
until you've already recorded something. It works as either a program
OR accessory, in ALL resolutions and can be repositioned anywhere on
the screen so that it does NOT interfere with information you may need
as a referent. ST/STe/TT compatible. SHAREWARE.
y STROBE14 is MIDI Strobe Version 1.4 by Uncle Carl (dated: March
18,1991). What the program does is to interpret a note on/off command
as an instruction to generate a random color. Therefore, the faster
you play, the faster the program changes the screens colors. It will
run on a color or mono ST/STe (but the color changes DO get boring
with a mono monitor :-). It requires that a MIDI keyboard be connected
to your ST/STe in order to run. FREEWARE.
The below descriptions detail the complete collection of "Uncle Carl"
Hafner's Utilities (trying to find a category under which they all
would fit!). I recommend these programs to you as well written and
useful. I have used many often and use some every day.
y ALBION17 is ALBION (pronounced: ALBEEON) v.1.07 by Uncle Carl
(dated: Aug. 21,1993). Albion is a program/accessory that is designed
to give you that little bit of extra control which is lacking from the
GEM desktops "Show Info" option. In addition to the standard "show
info" options, Albion adds the ability to set a files "fastbit" (used
for fastloading files on machines with TOS 1.4 or newer), to "thrash"
a file (zero out its contents BEFORE deleting, great for protecting
sensitive files) and to change a disks "volume label" at ANY time (and
NOT just when formatting a disk! ). Albion also allows access to 256
"extended" filename characters AND allows you to create, delete and
rename folders! ST/STe/TT compatible in ALL resolutions. FREEWARE.
y BELEF203 is BELEF (pronounced: BELLEFF) v.2.03 by Uncle Carl (dated:
Jan. 31, 1994), the Universal Compression Utility Shell. Besides its
ability to perform the functions of a standard archive "shell", this
program will also allow you to convert any of your archive files from
ANY one format to another,easily and safely! Other programs are
sometimes "version dependent" in that they only work with the
compression utility version that the author was using when they wrote
their program. Belef is designed in a way which will allow it to work
with compression programs past, present and future! Now if you have a
zillion .ARC format files and want to save space you can just convert
them over to .LZH format with minimal effort. Belef EVEN allows you to
identify the compressed files format (ex: -lh0-,-lh1-,-lh5- ) before
acting upon it! This is especially handy since not all LZH utilities
work with all of the different types of LZH files. Belef also supports
the UncleMouse CURsor file format! You must supply the various
compression utilities. ST/STe/TT compatible in ALL resolutions. DEMO
(you cannot save the programs configuration file).
y BEST_OF (dated: April 21,1993) is a "best of" compilation by Uncle
Carl of NeoDesk ST/STe L/M/H resolution desktop pictures, icons and
fonts. It includes the most popular files from the collections
CARLNEO(2-4) and NEOMOEBA. Also included is a short text file
containing some NeoDesk tips and tricks not mentioned in the NeoDesk
documentation. All pictures are in DEGAS .PI? format. FREEWARE.
y CFSEL103 is CarlFsel v.1.03 by Uncle Carl (dated: 9/26/93), a small
PRG/ACC which allows access to the GEM fileselector (or any
replacement selector) whenever you like. When the panel appears you
have the choice of selecting an ACTIVE drive, from A-P, selecting a
search "mask", such as .ACC or .PRG, and then opening the fileselector
to that drive and mask. This can be useful if you are running a
program and wish to check a drive for a file without having to quit to
the desktop. If you have an older version of TOS this program saves
you the trouble of editing the path specification line in order to
change masks. Up to 16 user definable masks and 10 preset paths are
available on screen and all 16 "masks" and "paths" can be saved right
into the program! Also included within this archive is a smaller
version of the program which simply calls the fileselector from the
GEM menu. CarlFsel also supports the UncleMouse CURsor file format!
ST/STe/TT compatible in ALL resolutions. FREEWARE.
y CLOCK_08 is Clock 8 v.08 by Uncle Carl (dated: August 14, 1993).
This is an accessory clock, for those of you who like lots of
accessories. When you select it from the menu, it will prompt you for
the time (a.m./p.m.) and date. You may also use it to determine on
what day of the week, a date between 1900 & 1999 occurred. This
version also supports the UncleMouse CURsor file format. ST/STe/TT
compatible in ALL resolutions. FREEWARE.
y COLORTXT is ColorText by Uncle Carl (dated: 12/13/91). What this
file does is to allow you to change the font color of screen print
commands from the GEM desktop. That's it. It will only work if you run
it from the GEM desktop and then, after double-clicking on a TEXT
filename, select SHOW. It is mostly useful as a tutorial for GFA
beginners. ST/STe Color or Mono. FREEWARE.
y DISABLER is Disabler v.1.0 by Uncle Carl (dated: September 23,
1993). Disabler is a small program which allows you to disable ANY
file for ANY reason! This is done by allowing the file to be renamed
as something other than what the calling application expects. For
example, it may be kept in your hard disk AUTO folder (and invoked
through a "hot-key") in the event a bad AUTO program or ACCESSORY is
preventing you from reaching the desktop! Special "wildcard masks" may
also be used for renaming entire directories in one quick sweep (i.e.,
automatically disable all AUTO programs and/or all ACCessories).
ST/STe/TT compatible in ALL resolutions. SHAREWARE.
y FBITS101 is FastBits v.1.01 by Uncle Carl (dated: August 27,1993), a
program you will find very useful if you have TOS 1.4+ and would like
your programs to load FAST (and who wouldn't?). This program achieves
its end by turning a files "Fastbit" on, or off if you so choose. This
archive now includes the GFA Basic .LST file (demonstrating how to set
a "fastbit"). ST/STe/TT compatible in ALL resolutions. CHARITYWARE.
y FCOPY101 is FileCopy v.1.01 by Uncle Carl (dated: April 17, 1993), a
software librarians file copying utility. FileCopy works by allowing
you to catalog locations of files and to have that (those) files
copied to a destination (i.e., a floppy) by merely specifying a files
name. Now when you enter a name, such as NeoRam, FileCopy
automatically accesses the appropriate partition and copies the
necessary files (and folders) for you! Don't spend inordinate amounts
of time wading through directories just to fill an order...try
FileCopy! FileCopy also supports the UncleMouse CURsor file format.
ST/STe/TT compatible in medium and high resolutions. SHAREWARE.
y FRTUN230 by Uncle Carl is an ASCII text file intended to be used
with CodeHead's Warp 9 (v.3.70 or newer) screen saver module,
FORTUNE.EXT. It contains 230 fortunes, observations and quotations.
(dated: 4/21/1993). FREEWARE.
y FSTOP101 is Uncle Carl's Famous F-Stop Utilities v.1.01 (dated:
8/27/93). This is a program which allows you to view any DEGAS format
(PI?) picture OR take a "snapshot" of your current desktop/program and
save it as a DEGAS picture file. Since the snapshot utility runs as an
ACCessory, you MUST have access to the GEM "Desk" menu in order to use
it. Color or Mono. ST/STe compatible. FREEWARE.
y GLABEL17 is The Generic Labeler v.1.7 by Uncle Carl (dated: April
13,1993). GenLabel allows you to print out labels for just about
anything! A panel which contains 14 lines of 50 spaces each allows you
to type as much or as little text as you wish and then send it to a
printer. Version 1.7 adds the ability to save any text to a GFA .LST
file, with the text being converted into CHR$ This can be useful if
you wish to hide text within your compiled program from sector
editors. GenLabel also supports the UncleMouse .CURsor file format.
ST/STe/TT compatible. FREEWARE.
y HSEEK27C is HeidiSeek v.2.07c by Uncle Carl (dated: 01/08/1994), the
file finding and maintenance utility. HeidiSeek (which runs as a .PRG
or .ACC) allows you to search individual or consecutive drives for ANY
file which might match YOUR search string (wildcards FULLY supported).
Once found you may either "unhide" any "hidden" files, delete the file
(great for deleting scads of .BAK files), resume or abort the search!
A special "File Maintenance" screen performs the standard GEM "Show
Info" options as well as adding the ability to set a files "fastbit",
TT PRG and RAM flags, MultiTOS Private, Global, Read Only and Super
flags, hide files, create or delete volume labels, thrash (zero and
delete) files, store files in the retrievable trashcan, copy or move
files of ANY size, create/delete/rename folders, plus MANY
enhancements to existing features! User preferences, templates and
files you wish protected from accidental modification can all be saved
to special configuration files! It's >>>FAST and EASY to use!
HeidiSeek also supports the UncleMouse .CURsor file format. ST/STe/TT
compatible. DEMO (save configuration disabled).
y KAL101 is Kalender v.1.01 by Blintzer Butane III. This is really by
a friend of Uncle Carl, but he likes it, so I've included it here.
This program/ accessory (just rename it) presents you with a calendar
which can be scrolled forwards and backwards in 1 year, 10 year or 100
year increments. Curious as to the day of the week on which you were
born, or the day on which your next birthday will fall? Then Kalender
can help you out! It also includes options for setting your computer's
clock and for keeping handy notes. The program is in German but the
docs are in English. ST/STe/TT compatible in ALL resolutions.
y KILLIT11 is KILL IT! v.1.01 by Uncle Carl (dated: 3/16/93). This
program is for all of you who use a boot-up program which copies files
you need at boot-up to the directory where they belong. Unfortunately,
those same programs (with the exception of Ocultar) generally don't
DELETE those same files when they are no longer needed. KILL IT! does
that for you (and in the process reduces the clutter on your disk
drive)! ST/STe/TT compatible. FREEWARE.
y MOONTRK2 is MoonTrek Release 2 by Uncle Carl. This file includes
desktop pictures in DEGAS & TNY format for use with either NeoDesk or
Warp 9. The pictures (which come with their own templates so that you
may create your OWN custom pics) include standard "icon placement
grids" for both the GEM desktop and NeoDesk as well as "filled in"
pictures of the USS Enterprise circling some distant moon. Also
included are 16 Warp 9 .QSF (fill pattern) files, a NeoDesk icon
(.NIC) file and a small accessory which helps fill in the holes which
some accessories "punch" in the screen. (dated: 8/6/1993). FREEWARE.
y NEOMOEBA is the NEOMOEBA ARCHIVE by Uncle Carl. This is a file of 6
DEGAS format pics (ST - L/M/H res) for use with NeoDesk. Three are
complete with icon place holders, user definable calendar and
notepads. The other 3 pictures are of Fractal Space Amoebas!
FREEWARE.
y NEWTRSH2 by Uncle Carl (dated: 6/3/1992) is a text file on how to
rename the GEM trashcan as anything you like as well as covering many
other aspects of the DESKTOP.INF file. For instance, you can make any
of your desktop icons look like any other or make any .PRG file run
under any other extension (i.e., .RUN). This is an interesting read for
doing things that you usually don't think about. FREEWARE
y NEORAM1B is NeoRam v.1.0b by Uncle Carl (dated: 12/31/1993). NeoRam
is a small program which you will find very useful if you use NeoDesk
and an AUTO folder RAM disk. Usually, when you turn off your computer,
everything on your RAM disk is erased (since it only existed in RAM),
including your NeoDesk volume label. For this reason many people may
not even bother creating a NeoDesk volume label ON the RAM disk. Well
now you can! NeoRam works by allowing you to create a NeoDesk volume
label and to save that label right into NEORAM.PRG. The next time you
boot up, NeoRam creates your NeoDesk volume label FOR you (before you
even reach the NeoDesktop)! Many other user configurable options and
features! ST/STe/TT compatible. SHAREWARE.
y OCULT31B is Ocultar v.3.01b by Uncle Carl (dated: January 08, 1994).
This AUTO folder program will protect your hard disk from unauthorized
access through the use of a User Defined Password. No one is getting
into your computer if they don't have the password! It allows up to 10
users with their own passwords, Degas or NeoChrome pictures to be
displayed at bootup (several included), up to 30 different setup
configurations of DESKTOP/NEWDESK.INF files, AUTO programs and desk
ACCESSORIES to copy, activate or deactivate at bootup (this is worth
getting the program for all by itself!), up to 8 "extra" files per
setup (240 total) to copy at bootup, plus more! It even includes a
special .ACC that prevents any attempts to bypass your hard disk
driver with a floppy! It also supports the UncleMouse .CURsor file
format (use any mouse shape you wish) and KILLIT.DAT files (delete
un-needed files at bootup). I liked this so much I registered!
ST/STe/TT compatible. SHAREWARE.
y PFILE11D is ProFile! v.1.01d by Uncle Carl (dated: December
19,1993), the Floppy & Hard Disk Librarian. ProFile! allows you to
scan ALL directories and to save that information to any of 3 possible
file formats! ALL files are saved in ASCII format allowing you to view
your library files from most ANYWHERE (i.e., the desktop or a text
editor). ProFile! even allows you to search ANY of your library files
for either specific types or duplicate copies of files! ProFile! also
includes an extensive text editor, a multitasking floppy disk
formatter, 2 floppy labelers, user defined mice, configurable printer
fonts, library file conversions and MUCH more! ST/STe/TT compatible.
DEMO (some save and convert disabled). I liked this so much I
registered!
y PLOCK106 is ProLock! v.1.06 by Uncle Carl (dated: 12/17/1993). This
PRG/ACC allows you to lock access to your computer by entering a USER
DEFINED password. This is especially handy if you have to step away
from your system for a minute and don't want anyone to interfere with
what you're doing. You can even hide the screen from view during the
lockout or configure ProLock! to intercept the boot process with YOUR
password! ProLock! also supports the UncleMouse .CURsor file format.
ST/STe/TT compatible. DEMO.
y SHOWST20 is ShowStuff v.2.0 by Uncle Carl (dated: January 23, 1994).
ShowStuff is an enhancement of GEM's SHOW | PRINT | CANCEL alert which
appears when you double-click or "open" a file from the GEM desktop.
ShowStuff allows you to view any text in a scrollable GEM window,
abort printing at any time, view DEGAS, NEOCHROME or SPECTRUM pictures
right from the GEM desktop and load new desktop setups easily and
quickly! ST/STe compatible. SHAREWARE.
y UALERT11 is UncleAlert v.1.01 by Uncle Carl (dated: 12/30/1993).
This PRG/ACC allows you to quickly & easily design GEM alert boxes.
All of the alert box options are available including any of the 4
icons, 5 lines of text, 1,2 or 3 button boxes or 1 BIG BUTTON with up
to 30 characters! You can even view the final alert before deciding
whether or not to keep it! The source code for the alert box can then
be saved to a GFA .LST format file. This .LST file can then be easily
merged into any GFA source code! This is a great time saver for
programmers in GFA and a nice novelty for those who wish to learn more
about the way GEM works. UncAlert also supports the UncleMouse CURsor
file format. ST/STe/TT compatible. FREEWARE.
y UMAUS205 is UncleMouse v.2.05 by Uncle Carl (dated: 12/12/93).
UncleMouse allows ANYONE to create their OWN custom mouse cursors and
to employ the new CURsor within ANY program which supports the .CURsor
file format! UncleMouse ALSO allows you to create sprites which are
just as easily loadable into games supporting the UncleMouse sprite
CURsor format! UncleMouse can also create the source code necessary to
allow GFA programmers to merge the cursor or sprite right into their
OWN program! Best of all, you don't NEED to be a programmer to use
UncleMouse. Your imagination is the limit! Over 60 custom cursors and
sample code included! ST/STe/TT compatible. SHAREWARE.
y UNCLRAM3 is UNCLERAM III by Uncle Carl (dated: April 21, 1993). This
PRG/ACC will tell you the amount of the LARGEST block of free RAM in
your computer as well as the TOS date and version of your operating
system. You also have the OPTION of either a WARM or COLD rebooting of
your system! This version includes the source code in .LST format.
ST/STe/TT compatible. FREEWARE.
y VERTISET is The Vertical Screen Frequency Setter v.1.0 by Uncle Carl
(dated: 01/22/94). Have you ever received a European program which
tends to "flicker" because it was written for a 50 hertz machine?
VertiSet works by allowing you to first select a screen frequency (50
or 60 Hz.) and a program to run BEFORE making any changes. When you
select RUN, VertiSet sets your machine to the selected frequency and
then runs the selected program. When the program ends, VertiSet resets
the screen to your predetermined frequency. ST/STe/TT compatible in
COLOR resolutions. FREEWARE.
y VOLUME11 is The Floppy & Hard Disk Volume Labeler v.1.01 by Uncle
Carl (dated: 8/27/93). Normally you can only give a volume label to a
disk when you format it. Suppose you fill a disk with documents only
to find out that when you formatted the disk you gave it the name
"GAMES". No problem! Just use VOLUME to change it to whatever you
like! ST/STe/TT compatible. FREEWARE.
It's time to fire up the ol' modem and send this off. Take care
everyone, and don't get so busy you can't take time to invest yourself
in another person's life.
Michael
All of these files can be found on one or more of the following
on-line services: GEnie (M.BURKLEY1), Delphi (MRBURKLEY), The CodeHead
BBS (213-461-2095), and at Toad Hall, now the official BBS of the
Boston Computer Society (617-567-8642) (Michael R. Burkley). Drop me a
line!
Michael lives in Niagara Falls, NY. He is a former Polyurethane
Research Chemist and is presently the pastor of the Niagara
Presbyterian Church.
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||| Atari ST RT News
||| By: John G. Hartman
/ | \ GEnie: J.G.H.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Atari RT Weekly News 2.3
= FROM THE BANNER =
Win Prizes - Convert your Almost OnLine buddies to GEnie. For a
limited time GEnie is running the "GEnie Buddy Bonus Program"
where you and your "buddy" can earn online time - plus there are
prizes! Be sure you review the complete rules and instructions
by typing BUDDY or M1111.
The Independent Association of Jaguar Developers (IAJD) has been formed
as a support group to promote game development, to develop standards,
and as a general information sharing network for registered Jaguar
developers. The IAJD is located on GEnie in Cat 64 of the Atari ST
Roundtable (m475;1). Registered developers can apply for IAJD membership
by sending GEnie EMAIL to ENTRY$.
= ATARI RT LIBRARY =
= RTC TRANSCRIPTS =
------------------------------------------------------
31915 PRGRTC06.ARC X MIKE-ALLEN 940211 16256 34 13
Desc: Programming RTC 3Feb94
31865 BRODIE18.ARC X ST.LOU 940205 17152 593 13
Desc: TT's, Falcons, Jaguars and more...
31796 CD_ROM.ARC X ST.LOU 940129 12928 298 13
Desc: Latest Developments for Atari CD ROM
31725 PRGRTC05.ARC X MIKE-ALLEN 940123 7936 38 13
Desc: Programming RTC transcript 20Jan94
31570 BRODIE17.ARC X ST.LOU 940109 16512 574 13
Desc: Jaguar Wins CES Awards!
31565 PRGRTC04.ARC X MIKE-ALLEN 940108 10496 56 13
Desc: Programming RTC 6Jan94
------------------------------------------------------
= LAST WEEK'S PRESS RELEASES =
------------------------------------------------------
31919 CROMA_24.TXT X V.VALENTI 940211 9472 77 14
Desc: Found more info on CromaStudio 24
31906 SONIC32.TXT X A.YU 940210 1280 115 14
Desc: Sonic 32 installation ...Falcon030
31891 MARCEL.TXT X MARCEL.CA 940208 3200 198 14
Desc: Marcel WP new version press release
31886 94PRICES.TXT X A.WATSON6 940207 2688 179 14
Desc: New Mountain Software Prices!
31879 EDOS_V11.TXT X R.BURROWS1 940206 2048 170 14
Desc: Press release for ExtenDOS v1.1
31878 EDOSPERF.TXT X R.BURROWS1 940206 2560 116 14
Desc: ExtenDOS: performance measurements
31861 GLMPR348.LZH X R.FAULKNER4 940204 49792 90 14
Desc: GEnieLamp Press Release #3.48
31859 NEWDRVRS.ASC X M.SLAGELL 940204 1664 31 14
Desc: hope for QMI & EI/O tablet owners
31858 PDIRECT4.ASC X P-DIRECT 940204 1920 130 14
Desc: Info for Dealers, UserGroups, more
31852 CN.ZIP X P.LEFEBVRE 940203 4608 139 14
Desc: Current Notes Information
31820 LPSAMP.TXT X J.P.C. 940131 4096 63 14
Desc: ASCII file describing LABEL PLATES
------------------------------------------------------
= LAST WEEK'S DEMO RELEASES =
------------------------------------------------------
31928 FRONTIER.LZH X E.BAIZ 940212 73344 39 10
Desc: A very nice demo to Elite II...
31742 HAYAIDEM.LZH X AEO.5 940125 24576 23 10
Desc: Demo of HD backup program.
------------------------------------------------------
= LAST TWO WEEK'S TOP 10 DOWNLOADED PROGRAMS/FILES =
------------------------------------------------------
31787 SHOCKER2.ZIP X D.DREIBELBIS 940129 480384 190 8
Desc: great mono shareware game
31892 MARCEL22.LZH X MARCEL.CA 940208 277760 164 6
Desc: Marcel Word Proc. v2.2--shareware
31782 GBNCH330.ZIP X GRMEYER 940129 97024 146 2
Desc: GEMBench v3.30 benchmark program
31784 PROFILE.LZH X GRMEYER 940129 77952 131 2
Desc: Profile - System Information Display
31864 TWINDOWS.ZIP X G.FUHRMAN 940205 9600 126 16
Desc: another Throne clone for Warp 9 EOS
31828 JAG-RGB.TXT X W.FAANES 940201 1280 113 27
Desc: RGB pinouts for the Atari Jaguar.
31840 FALCONSX.ZIP X STEVE-J 940202 15744 101 2
Desc: Falcon Hardware Setup .ACC - v0.9
31829 CLOCK.ZIP X R.STILESSTIL 940201 24704 100 5
Desc: Display A analog clock on your ST/TT
31811 EDPAT303.LZH X C.HARVEY 940130 47872 98 2
Desc: Patch EdHak up to 3.03 from 3.0n
31856 MOVIE100.ZIP X STEVE-J 940204 334720 97 2
Desc: FLI/FLC Player .ACC from Brainstorm
------------------------------------------------------
= INTERNET ARCHIVES - Library 48 =
------------------------------------------------------
31950 INET92.ARC X DARLAH 940215 32384 12 48
Desc: Internet Archive Feb 15, 1994
31943 INET91.ARC X DARLAH 940214 67072 14 48
Desc: Internet Feb, 14, 1994
31874 INET90.ARC X DARLAH 940206 50048 38 48
Desc: February 6, 1994 Internet
31808 INET89.ARC X DARLAH 940130 53248 32 48
Desc: Internet January 30, 1994
------------------------------------------------------
--==--==--==--==--
||| Developing news!
||| Items of interest from TOS platform developers and supporters
/ | \ -------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// SAC Expo '94 March 12-13, 1994
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
/===================== ANNOUNCING ========================\
| |
| SACRAMENTO ATARI COMPUTER EXPOSITION '94 |
| Presented by STAR User Group |
| <Sacramento's Total Atari Resource> |
| |
| March 12 - 13, 1994 |
| 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Saturday) |
| 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Sunday) |
| |
| at the Towe Ford Museum |
| 2200 Front Street - Sacramento CA 95818 |
| (One mile south of Old Sacramento) |
| |
| Admission: $5/day (includes museum admission) |
| Children under 12 free |
| |
>---------------------------------------------------------<
| |
| * * * * * * PLANNED EXHIBITORS * * * * * * |
| |
| A & D Software |
| Barefoot Software |
| Branch Always Software |
| BRE Software |
| Codehead Technologies |
| Compo Software |
| Gribnif Software |
| JV Enterprises |
| Oregon Research Associates |
| ST Informer Magazine |
| STeve's Software |
| STAR User Group (SAC Expo sponsors) |
| |
| Plus several Northern California Atari User Groups: |
| DACE - Diablo Atari Computer Enthusiasts |
| NC ACE - Northern California Atari Computer Enthusiasts |
| RACE - Redding Atari Computer Enthusiasts |
| SLCC - San Leandro Computer Club |
| YAC - Yolo Atari Club |
| |
| * DOOR PRIZES! * FALCON RAFFLE! * SEMINARS * |
| * DEMONSTRATIONS * MUSIC/MIDI * |
| * DESKTOP PUBLISHING * GRAPHICS * BARGAINS * |
| * EMULATORS * SOFTWARE * HARDWARE * |
| * GAMES ARENA * |
| |
| For more information about SAC Expo '94, contact: |
| STAR User Group |
| P.O. Box 214892 |
| Sacramento, CA 95821-0892 |
| |
\=========================================================/
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Heatseeker Update
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Produkt's name: Heatseeker.
--------------------------------
Current Version: 1.01.
Specification: Interface between Falcon030 and SLM 804 or SLM 605.
Supplier: R.O.M., Berlin
Raschdorffstrasse 99
13409 Berlin
Germany
Phone: +49 / 30 492 41 27
FAX: +49 / 30 491 93 67
If you're calling the phone lines, please think
about time differences. Berlin's in the Central
European Time Zone (CET), which is Greenwich Mean
Time plus one hour.
FAX lines are open 24 hrs. a day.
Includes: -"Heatseeker" interface-hardware.
-GDOS-driver-software.
-DIABLO printer-emulation.
-Drivers for 1st Word Plus and similars.
-Drivers for That's Write, Composcript etc.
-Installation-, setup- and testsoftware.
-FontGDOS or SpeedoGDOS (Speedo causes extra
costs) including raster, or (in the
Speedo-package) vectorfonts, the usual
device-drivers (such as MEMORY.SYS, META.SYS),
installation-accessories and CPXes.
-Special configuration CPX for the Diablo emulator.
-Documentation.
Price: 199.-- DM (currently ca. 110 Dollars).
Optional: -SpeedoGDOS 4.2 package.
-Calamus / Calamus SL driver
Features:
The hardware was designed to be very error-tolerant. The problems you
might have had using the old "SLMC" controller when switching off the
laser with the computer turned on or booting with an offline laser do
not longer exist. You can now turn the laser on and off whenever you
want. The hardware is very small and handy and does not consume as
much space as the SLMC-controller. Its current size is 50mm*77mm*13mm.
The Heatseeker is easily installed and can as well be easily removed
with a single grip.
The software provides a maximum of compatibility, since it is licensed
original-Atari-software that was modified to control the
Heatseeker-hardware. This allows to run even those programs that are
relatively close to the hardware.
Programs printing plain ASCII-text work as well as those printing
bitmap-rasters through the functions provided by the Diablo-emulator.
Even Gnu-Ghostscript, Gnu's postscript emulator, runs without any
problems.
The memory consumption is very low (at about 100 k). Compatibility to
GDOS-applications such as Xact, Prolist or such is provided through a
GDOS-driver that can handle scalable SpeedoGDOS-vectorfonts as well as
graphics.
The package includes special drivers for some programs, such as That's
Write or Composcript. We're now able to ship special drivers, too.
Easy-to-use CPXes allow fast configuration of your system.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Processor Direct Wants Dealers
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Two Worlds Publishing is happy to announce that the first issue of
Processor Direct Magazine is fast approaching, and we are now looking
for dealers interested in selling the magazine in their stores. If you
are a dealer interested in carrying Processor Direct, please contact
us via any of our addresses and request our Dealer Order Form, which
contains the rates and our special offer. The form will be mailed to
you ASAP.
User Groups:
Our "User Group Discount Rate" offer is wrapping up, and will end on
February 20, 1994. Applications mailed after the deadline will not be
accepted! These incredible discounts on subscriptions will not last
much longer, so take advantage of them quickly. Please contact us and
request our "User Group Discount Rate Application" if your user group
is interested.
More:
The first issue is expected to be mailed to dealers and subscribers in
the month of February (1994). All of our subscribers were mailed a
notice regarding this on January 18, 1994. If you have subscribed and
did not get one, or have moved since sending in your subscription,
please contact us so we can update our records and make sure you get
the first issue as quickly as possible.
Subscriptions to Processor Direct are still $25.00 ($32.00 in Canada)
for 12 issues, and are payable by check or money order made out to Two
Worlds Publishing, paid in US funds drawn from a bank in United States
or Canada. Individual issues can be purchased directly from TWP for
$3.50 ($4.00 Canada) each, paid in the same manner as subscriptions.
Two Worlds Publishing, Inc.
3837 Northdale Blvd. #225
Tampa, FL 33624
GEnie : P-DIRECT
Internet: p-direct@genie.geis.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Graphic Tablet Drivers
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
If you purchased a graphics tablet from EI/O or QMI some time ago, and
found it no longer worked when you upgraded your computer, you can get
it on its feet again with properly written driver software. I supply
two versions, one for the QMI (Mitsubishi) tablet and another for the
EI/O (Summagraphics) tablet.
Both avoid the programming mistakes present in the driver that was
supplied with your tablet; they are guaranteed to work on your Atari
system regardless of its TOS version, processor speed, and graphics
capabilities. Price including shipping is $30.00 for either driver.
Inquiries (GEnie): M.SLAGELL
(internet): m.slagell@genie.geis.com
Orders to: Mark Slagell
300 Stonebridge Rd.
Birmingham AL 35210
Please, personal checks or money orders only; sorry, no credit cards
or GEnie Gifts of Time are accepted.
Note that the above address is different than in a previous
announcement. The old "SilkWare" address is in Wisconsin is no longer
valid, and the post office has stopped forwarding mail from there. I
only recently realized that the posted press release was out of date,
and now wonder how much correspondence I have missed. If you have
tried to send anything to me in Wisconsin and had it returned to you,
please accept my apologies and try again using the address above. My
family has bought a house here and intend to live in it for quite a
long time.
And yes, I used to charge a nickel less for these drivers, but
eventually got tired of sounding like a Ronco ad. <grin>
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Transcendence Goes Freeware
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
I have decided to release Transcendence BBS Version 2 as Freeware.
There are quite a few reasons as to why I made this decision.
1) My job.
2) The amount of my free time that is being taken up in porting the
BBS to a new language.
3) The amount of work I am putting into overhauling the BBS and so
on.
I will no longer be adding new features to version 2 but, will be
taking suggestions for version 3. Bug fixes will still occur if it is
something major. I will still be giving support to the current owners
with answers to questions, helping out with problems, etc. on my BBS
and on GEnie in the BBS RT. Once version 3 is released, version 2 will
no longer be supported.
A KEYCODE.DAT file will no longer be required in order to have the
FULL working version.
Due to version 2 becoming Freeware and the amount of changes that will
take place in version 3, there will be no manual released for version
2.
All currently regestered owners of version 2 will be able to upgrade
to version 3 for a small fee. The upgrade fee and release date for
version 3 has not been decided at this moment.
If you have purchased the BBS since Jan. 1, 1994 and you would like to
have your money back, then please send email to Sysop on my BBS. My
BBS number is located on the WaitCall screen.
Transcendence may be distributed FREELY. A small fee for materials
(shareware/PD disk) may be charged.
The new version may be downloaded from my BBS after 11:00pm on Feb.
20, 1994. This version will have the code removed that checks for the
KEYCODE.DAT file. A new version will be uploaded to GEnie in the BBS
RT Libraries soon.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Connecticut AtariFest '94 August 27-28, 1994
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
**********************************************************************
** O U R F O U R T H A N N I V E R S A R Y ! S H O W ! ! ! **
** /-----------\/------------/ **BOSTON** **
** / * * / **
** / / **
** ,/ CT ATARIFEST '94 / **
** ,/ ________________________/ **
** **NY** /__,/ **
** **
** CONNECTICUT ATARIFEST '94 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday 8/27/94 **
** August 27-28, 1994 at the 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday 8/28/94 **
** Windsor Court Hotel, **
** Windsor Locks, CT Sponsored by **
** (Hartford area). ACT Atari Group **
** (WMAUG,DBUG,AOGUGH,CCCC & STAR) **
**********************************************************************
THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE FASTEST GROWING ATARI SHOW...
Atari Software & Hardware! Free Parking! Low Room Rates!
STs, TTO30s, FALCONs, JAGUARs!
ACT Atari Group is running another _MAJOR_ Northeast computer event.
Last year's successful move to the Windsor Court Hotel means only one
thing: ENCORE! CT Fest '94 is just as convenient to reach as ever -
only two hours from Boston or New York. The hotel has excellent room
rates, free and plentiful parking, easy access from Interstates 91,
95, 90, 84, 80 and is located just 1 mile from Bradley International
Airport (free shuttle service for hotel guests). Join us for an
informal, low cost dinner Saturday night, and mix with old friends.
What about the Jaguar? Come on out and get (64)BIT! We'll have the
largest Jaguar competition in New Egland, with the latest games and
gear. With all the excitement generated by this hot new machine,
you owe it to yourself to get the personal skinny.
We expect an even greater number of vendors this year, surpassing
the excellent turnout of the past shows. CAF '93 vendors included:
* A&D Software * Gribnif Software
* ABC Solutions * Kurlan Music
* BaggettaWare Software * Lexicor Software
* Barefoot Software * Marcel Software
* Best Electronics * MegaType Software
* Clear Thinking * Oregon Research Associates
* Codehead Technologies * Soft-Logik Publishing
* CompuServe Information Services * Software Spectrum
* Computer Zone * Straight Edge Software
* Derric Electronics * Thin Air Labs
* East Hartford Computer Repair * Toad Computer
* Evangelo's Software * Wizztronics
* GEnie
In addition to our commercial supporters, many user groups came from
hundreds of miles away to be with us for CAF '93. Those in attendance
included The Boston Computer Society, Western Massachusetts Atari
User Group, Atari ST and Mega Users of Montreal, South Shore Atari
Group [Mass], Atari User Group of Greater Hartford, Scranton Area
Atari User Group (PA) and Long Island Atari User Group (DBUG-Danbury
and FACE- Fairfield [both CT] were represented in the ACT Atari
booth). Most user groups offered numerous demonstrations, public
domain disks and great clip art collections, with most of the groups
offering "recycled" hardware and software items.
We'll have our Lynx Competition, with multiple Comlynxed competitions
underway at all times, the Portfolio Corner, staffed with industry
experts, an endless stream of door prizes and seminars in abundance
(in the past we've had everyone's favorite Atari Corp. personality -
Director of Comuunications Bob Brodie, John Eidsvoog of Codehead, Jeff
Naideau from Barefoot, Dave Troy of Toad Computers, Joe Mirando & Dana
Jacobsen from ST Report and many others). Stay tuned for this year's
list of speakers.
All in all, we hope to have the best Northeast show yet, and we look
forward to your participation. Make your plans now for the most
exciting Atari Weekend this summer!
CONNECTICUT ATARIFEST '94 TRAVEL TIPS
BY CAR: Traveling Interstate 91 Northbound, take Exit 41, a right off
the exit ramp and another right at the next stop sign. You can see the
hotel from there. Southbound, take Exit 41 and bear right; the hotel
is straight ahead. Call the CT Tourism Division at (800) CT-BOUND.
BY AIR: Many airlines serve Bradley International Airport. Call your
travel agent for a list. Many area lodgings offer a courtesy van from
the airport; make arrangements by using one of the phones in the
baggage claim area.
BY RAIL: Rail passengers can reach Windsor Locks aboard several
trains that run daily between Washington, D.C., Boston, and
several points between the two. For information about fares, schedules,
restrictions and connecting trains, contact Amtrak by phoning (800)
USA-RAIL.
WHERE TO STAY: The Windsor Court will be offering special rates for
CAF '94 attendees, call them at 203-623-9811 (Fax 9808). There are
many other hotels in the area: Bradley International Motor Inn,
Budgetel Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, Days Inn - Tobacco Valley,
Fairfield Inn, Harley Hotel, Holiday Inn - Windsor Locks, Homewood
Suites, Journey's End - Springfield (Mass.), Ramada - East Windsor,
Sheraton - Hartford (Downtown), Sheraton Tara - Springfield and
Simsbury Inn.
WHAT TO DO:
For further information, call Angela or Brian Gockley at
203-332-1721. E-mail can be directed to 75300,2514 on CIS.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Marcel WP Now Shareware
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Marcel Software is pleased to announce the release of its latest word
processor - Version 2.2. Marcel WP is now SHAREWARE! This means you
can make free copies of it for yourself and your friends and, if you
use Marcel regularly, you pay only a $10 user registration fee. The
fee also gets you a free manual. (And you get a free bonus gift
poster, while supplies last.)
Look for Marcel v2.2 on GEnie sometime during the week of February 7.
(Also during February, v2.2 will be uploaded to Compuserve and
Lancaster-HENSA on Internet.) The release is the full version of
Marcel v2.2.
Marcel v2.2 is packed with new features like paragraph sorting and
line centering, PostScript output, revamped print options, improved
text insertion, to name but a few. Marcel has always had a reputation
for being easy to learn and use. Now it's even easier. And it even has
a built-in screen saver!
Marcel v2.2 requires 512KB RAM (1MB recommended), 1 720KB diskette
drive, and medium resolution screen or better. It is
MultiTOS-compatible and uses RTF format for file exchange with
AtariWorks, MS-Word, etc.
Click on the READ.ME file for more information. A file called SAMPLE
is supplied--you can it load into Marcel and try out the many
features.printing and print preview.
The new version employs the same easy-to-use word processing engine as
the earlier version, but many improvements have been added: revamped
print control for easier selection of page layouts, simpler paragraph
indenting, paragraph sorting, keyboard commands for saving and
printing, line centering, easier text-to-function-key assignment,
multi-user switching, revamped help screens, and ready-made templates
for personal and business use, to name a few.
Marcel Word Processor made its debut early in 1993. It is a GEM-based,
user-friendly, low-fee sharware program for anyone who likes to write.
Marcel has loads of features, like auto-reformatting, instant-access
writer's note pad (saved with file, but not printed or exported), easy
accented-letter entry, easy keyboard selection of clauses, sentences,
and paragraphs, word erase, and hundreds of other features, many not
found in other word processors.
Marcel can export in the following formats: RTF, 1st-Word, and 7- and
8-bit ASCII. With RTF, files can be exchanged with numerous programs
in the Macintosh and DOS worlds, and with such programs as
Calligrapher and the new AtariWorks from Atari Corp. 1st-Word format
may be used with programs like Pagestream. Marcel can read RTF,
1st-Word, WordWriter, ST-Writer, WordPerfect 4.1, and several other
file formats.
In addition to the new PostScript support, Marcel WP can print to
Epson and compatibles, Atari Laser, HP DeskJet and LaserJet. Users can
create their own printer drivers by editing a simple file.
Marcel runs on the full range of Atari 680x0 machines, from 520ST all
the way up to the Falcon. It is MultiTOS-compatible.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Mountain Software
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
With the Atari market continuing to decline, we felt it important to
reintroduce our product line to all Atari users.
To add extra incentive to this introduction, we have lowered the
retail price on several of our products, and now provide free shipping
on all direct orders. (Residents of Washington state please add 7.6%
sales tax!)
For more information, or to place an order write to:
Mountain Software
6911 NE Livingston Road
Camas, Washington 98607
United States
or GEnie E-mail to: A.WATSON6
(Make check or money order payable to: Mountain Software)
We would like to thank our valued customers who purchased a Mountain
Software product in 1993. We look forward to serving you in 1994!
MOUNTAIN SOFTWARE PRODUCT LISTING
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMERCIAL/SHAREWARE OLD PRICE NEW PRICE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Easy Base - General purpose database $ 20.00 $ 10.00
Easy Go - Easy to use program launcher $ 18.95 $ 15.00
Mountain QWK - Offline QWK mail reader $ 44.95 $ 30.00
Movies At Night - Warp 9 Extendosave module $ 10.00 $ 10.00
Mountain View - Text Viewer $ 10.00 $ 10.00
Learn My Numbers - Preschool Educational Game $ 10.00 $ 10.00
The Recipe Box - Recipe database $ 54.95 $ 35.00
Tuzzle - Sliding tile puzzle game $ 10.00 $ 10.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREEWARE (Free for the download, or available with any purchase)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
DMA Sound - Digitized Sound Sample player for the STE
Manualizer - Prints text files in manual form on HPII compatible
printers
Mountain Time - Lets user set system time and date
Run Low - Run most Low resolution programs from medium resolution
S-10 Converter - Converts Sound samples from the Roland S-10 to the
Atari ST
Sharpcon - Configuration accessory for the Sharp JX-9500 laser
printers
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demo versions of all Mountain Software products are available on
GEnie and many other BBS's.
--==--==--==--==--
|||
||| Shutdown ............................ Power off, EXIT, BYE, Logoff
/ | \ ------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm pleased to be able to offer the many readers of AEO who can only
access us via the Internet a chance to obtain AEO through a
subscription service. If you have an Internet connection, drop Greg
Lindahl a request at <stzmagazine-request@virginia.edu>.
We welcome feedback from all of our readers; feedback both positive
and negative. Whatever you think of our efforts, we sincerely would
like to know. Our EMail addresses are sprinkled throughout each
issue - with the new Internet gateway into GEnie, you can reach us
through the Internet also. Append "@genie.geis.com" to any of our
GEnie addresses.
Until the next issue of AEO, I remain,
Your Editor
Travis Guy
Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com
--==--==--==--==--
(This issue printed on recycled photons)
--==--==--==--==--
DNFTEC
--==--==--==--==--
#1
Wide_left > 2*(Wide_right)
--==--==--==--==--
Atari Explorer Online Magazine is a bi-weekly publication covering the
entire Atari community. Reprint permission is granted, unless
otherwise noted at the beginning of the article, to registered Atari
user groups and not for profit publications under the following terms
only: articles must remain unedited and include the issue number and
author at the top of each article reprinted. Other reprints granted
upon approval of request. Send requests to <aeo.mag@genie.geis.com>.
Opinions presented herein are those of the individual authors and do
not necessarily reflect those of the staff, or of the publishers. All
material herein is believed accurate at the time of publishing.
--==--==--==--==--
Atari, ST, Mega ST, STE, Mega STE, TT030, Atari Falcon030, TOS,
MultiTOS, NewDesk, BLiTTER, Atari Lynx, ComLynx, Atari Jaguar, Atari
Portfolio, and the Atari Fuji Symbol are all trademarks or registered
trademarks of Atari Corporation. All other trademarks and identifying
marks mentioned in this issue belong to their respective owners.
--==--==--==--==--
Atari Explorer Online Magazine
"Your Source for Atari News"
Copyright = 1993-1994, Subspace Publishers
* * *
* * *
* * *
* * *
* * *
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: A E O :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:: Volume 3 - Issue 3 ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE 22 February 1994 ::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-----------------------------------------
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