Betazine: 01-Apr-90 #8
From: Atari SIG (xx004@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 04/11/94-12:17:52 PM Z
From: xx004@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Atari SIG)
Subject: Betazine: 01-Apr-90 #8
Date: Mon Apr 11 12:17:52 1994
Article 14 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.mags:
From: aj205@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Kevin Steele)
Subject: Betazine: 01-Apr-90 #8
Date: Sat, 7 Apr 90 01:37:57 GMT
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
BetaZine, Issue #8 Atari 8bit/Atari ST/Atari STe
Published by The PsychoTronic Authority
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
GEnie Address: M. MEZAROS
FoReM-Net Node 471: BETAZINE EDITOR
FidoNet Node 1:107/360: BETAZINE EDITOR
In a few seconds, you'll be reading...
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________ ____________________
BetaZine - The On-Line Magazine
________ ____________________
For Atari 8bit, ST, and STe Users
/////////BetaZine Issue #8
///////////April 1st, 1990
//////First Issue for 4/90
//////Editor: Mike Mezaros
BetaZine is published bi-weekly by The PsychoTronic Authority.
BETAZINE IS NOT AFFILIATED IN ANY WAY WITH ATARI CORP. ATARI IS A
REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ATARI CORP. ALL ATARI PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS
MAGAZINE ARE TRADEMARKED. ANY AND ALL TRADEMARKS USED ARE USED FOR
IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES ONLY.
"BetaZine," "BetaZine - The On-Line Magazine," "BetaZine Informer," and the
contents of this issue are (C)opyright 1990 by Mike Mezaros.
All rights reserved.
BetaZine may be distributed freely, as long as it is not altered or edited
in any way. BetaZine is offered FREE on an AS-IS basis: No fee may be
charged for access to BetaZine - excluding BBS membership fees, on-line
service access fees, user group fees, a minimal disk charge, or similar
transactions.
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- follow those instructions or contact BetaZine before -
- using that material. Our contributors retain certain -
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--------------\regarding certain uses of their work./--------------
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The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Editor or
The PsychoTronic Authority.
HOW TO OBTAIN BETAZINE
----------------------
BetaZine is available on the GEnie electronic information pay-service in the
Atari 8bit and ST file areas. To become a member of GEnie dial 1-800-638-9636
(voice) for complete details.
BetaZine may be File Requested (F'REQed) from FidoNet Node 1:107/323 or
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of issue. For example, this issue would be BZ8.ARC, last issue would be
BZ7.ARC, etc. Ask your local FidoNet or AlterNet SysOp for more details.
BetaZine is sent out over the FoReM-Net/CrossNet on the date of publication.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
-
Notes from the Scratch Pad
-
........................>Feature Articles<.........................
-
The Editor's Soapbox
-
Three Blind Mice for the ST
by Kurt Arnold
-
The Long, Hard Road to Emulation on the 68000
by Jerry Morton
-
........................>Dateline: ATARI!<.........................
-
Atari: No TT for America, Plans to Push Lynx
by Mike Mezaros
-
Atari Fires NJ Magazine Staff, Dust STarts to Settle at Explorer
by Tim Reed
-
Atari Advertises the STacey, Commodore Fights for MIDI Acceptance
by Jerry Morton
-
Fast Fax for MichTron
Press Release
-
Lynx Updates
by Mike Mezaros
-
Mini-VGA Board for SuperCharger: The Fine Print
by Dave Mothersbaugh
-
..................................................................
=====
NOTES FROM THE SCRATCH PAD
Last issue we were given and thus printed an INCORRECT number for the
HyperSpace I BBS, where beta-test versions of Space Empire Elite (an on-line
game) can be seen. The correct number is 1-803-576-6212.
=====
........................>Feature Articles<.........................
=====
THE EDITOR'S SOAPBOX
On 3/28 we released the first edition of BetaZine Informer. BetaZine
Informer editions will be released periodically to report important news
between releases of BetaZine issues... The F'REQ format is BZI1.ARC.
Now for something completely different...
I received this letter via FidoNet on March 24th. I decided to print it
-with permission- because it is related to a few things that have been going
on around here at BetaZine over the past two weeks...
....
Mike, I finally got BZ7 by FREQ thru James Young's 221B Baker St. BBS.
Thanks to both of you. I have a couple comments on the format, rather than the
content of BetaZine. I hope BZ7 is an exception rather than the rule as far as
size is concerned. Some of us Sysops do not use hard drives and the larger
size (45K+) of this issue concerns me. Not only does it take excessive disk
space, but people who read it on-line take excessive time while doing so. I
have it in 'read' format so both Atascii and Ascii callers can read it without
conversion. The previous issues have been closer to 30K in size and are much
more convenient.
I like the way you have sent it as unformatted text, without margins.
This makes it quite easy to use on any type of terminal, since most support
some type of word-wrap feature to allow you to read it regardless of screen
width. It also makes it easy to print from a word processor with any margin
setup you like. The ASCII c/r and l/f are easy to convert for 8-bit users. I
use TextPro to Global search/replace, but any conversion program could be
used.
Frank Walters
....
Thanks for your comments, Frank. I will address them in the order that
you did:
File size is a problem for anyone without a hard disk, and you are far
from being the only floppy-only user who has made these comments.
Unfortunately, this isn't something I can control. In order to fully report
the latest news and features, the size of each issue will fluctuate. But 45k
really isn't that large... Compare it to the other on-line magazines released
that week:
STReport/CPU Vol 4 #11 -95k
Z*Net On-Line Vol 5 #11 -54k
BetaZine Vol 1 #07 -45k
So you see, we were actually the smallest of the bunch! However, I must
apologize for any inconvenience that the larger file size has caused you. In
the future I will try to keep it around 30-35k, but I can't promise
anything... You will notice, however, that this issue is relatively short -
although I haven't actually checked the byte count yet. We have a number of
projects and articles in the works, but this issue sort of falls in between
them... Look for some interesting stuff next issue. <grin>
As for the marginless, unformatted text arrangement, I couldn't agree with
you more. But unfortunately, GEnie will not make unformatted text files
available for download because they cannot be viewed from the ST's desktop.
EVERY copy of this issue that is distributed WILL be formatted -- and to tell
you the truth, it looks rather nice on an 80 column system - everything is
nice, centered, and clean looking. However, I am currently looking at my
options, including making the unformatted issues available via F'REQ, or even
going back to separate ASCII and ATASCII issues. As you might notice, this
issue does not look as nice as usual for Atari 8-bit readers. That's one of
the reasons I am only distributing this issue in one format -- if there is a
demand to go back to the original format from a considerable number of users,
I will distribute two versions...
You mention using Textpro's global search and replace to convert the
issues to Atascii. If you are a SpartaDos user, I would recommend using SDV,
it is the fastest, most efficient, and the cleanest text file converter I have
seen on the Atari 8-bit. It can convert IBM, Amiga, Atari 8-bit, and
Commodore 8-bit text files back and forth between each format. Plus, it is
very simple to use since it is a command line oriented program. There is a
similar program for the ST, I believe it is called Dcopy.
Thanks again for your comments, Frank, and to everyone else who has
written in!
Until Next Time,
///Mike Mezaros
BetaZine Editor
=====
THREE BLIND MICE FOR THE ST
by Kurt Arnold
Hey. I never said I was a good headline writer.
Yes, the focus of this article is on mice for the ST. Despite what the
poorly written headline implies, I won't be reviewing three mice, only two.
But I will take a short look at the Practical Solutions cordless mouse. And
I'll do that right about NOW:
PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS
We've all heard about the Practical Solutions "tailless" mouse. Yeah,
that expensive little sucker without a cord. It's got a nice feel to it, it
fits in your palm very nicely, and is just plain fun to use.
To be fair, I've never used the Practical Solutions mouse for the ST. I
have used the Mobius cordless mouse for the Mac, which is the exact same
mouse. Upon doing a little research, I learned that this mouse is actually
built and was designed by BMC, a Hong Kong-based company.
The BMC mouse is currently being marketed by three companies, all of whom
slap their own name on it: Mirror Tech, Practical Solutions, and Mobius
Technologies. The BMC comes in four flavors: ST, Amiga, Mac, and PC. But
they are essentially the same unit. In fact, the Mobius for the Mac has two
buttons, like on the ST, even though the Mac only uses one.
Neat? Yeah. Practical? Probably not. Expensive? Usually. I've seen some
fairly decent discounts.
That's about all the "review" you're going to get out of me. Since I
haven't used Practical Solution's ST version, I really shouldn't go into too
much depth. Besides, by now you've probably seen a dozen reviews of it.
Cordless Mouse for the ST, list price $129.99
Practical Solutions
1135 N. Jones Blvd.
Tucson, Arizona 85716
(602) 322-6100
GENIUS
The Genius mouse for the ST is simply an adapted IBM-type Microsoft
compatible 2-button mouse. I have used Genius mice on the PC, and except for
the newest Dynamouse models, I don't really care for them.
On a computer like the PC, where at BEST, mouse use is still only
minimal, the Genius is usable. But connecting the Genius to your ST, a system
that relies heavily on the mouse, is ridiculous at best.
Why? Well, the cord is nice and long, that's not the problem. It glides
smoothly, so that's not the problem. The large buttons have a nice feel, so
that's not the problem. So what's the problem? It's a box!
This mouse is a BOX. Have you ever used an IBM PS/2 mouse? This isn't
that far way. It doesn't even make an ATTEMPT to feel comfortable in your
hand! It really gets annoying after a long day on the ST!
Why did Datel choose to adapt this particular Genius mouse for use with
the ST?? If they had used one of the newer Dynamouse models, they would have
created the best mouse for the ST yet!!
Datel, are you listening??
Adapted Genius Microsoft mouse for the ST, list price $44.95
Datel Computers
3430 E. Tropicana
Suite #67
Las Vegas, NV 89121
(800) 782-9110
Producers of the actual Genius mouse:
KYE International Corp.
12675 Colony Street
Chino, CA 91710
(714) 590-3940
BEST ELECTRONICS
The Best mouse is an unusual mouse! The first time you see one you will
say, "What a weird mouse you've got there, pal."
And it IS a weird mouse. It is flat on the bottom but on the top it is
like a bubble. It is very ROUNDED, almost TOO ROUNDED! Unlike the BMC mouse
or the Genius Dynamouse I mentioned earlier, it does not feel comfortable in
your hand. Best should look into making it a little less rounded and more
comfortable in your hand. But hey, atleast it isn't a box.
The other major problem with this mouse is the size of the buttons. They
take some getting used to. First of all, they are too small. Second of all,
they are oddly shaped.
I'm sorry, I just didn't like this mouse at all! I used it for three
full days, and while I DID get used to it, I never really LIKED it.
The Best Mouse, list price $49.95
Best Electronics
2021 The Alameda
Suite 290
San Jose, CA 94086
(408) 745-5759
MY OVERALL RECCOMENDATIONS
You're probably not going to believe this, but the best value for the
money in replacement mice doesn't come from Practical Solutions, Best, or
Genius. It comes from Atari.
Atari will replace your STM1 mouse for only $25.00 with exchange. Unless
you have the money to spare for a cordless mouse, this is the best value.
The Atari mouse is rather sturdy and fairly well make. The buttons are
large, the contour is rather comfy. Besides, its the mouse we are all used
to. So why mess with the rest? Of course, we all look for different things
from a mouse. One of my friends thinks that the Best mouse is the best mouse
ever created. So your best bet is to try out these mice for yourself! Good
luck.
Atari STM1 Mouse, list price $49.95
$25.00 with exchange of old mouse
Atari Corporation
1196 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 745-5759
=====
THE LONG, HARD ROAD TO EMULATION ON THE 68000
by Jerry Morton
The Mac was a relatively new computer. People were amazed by its high
resolution monochrome graphics, mouse, and easy to use operating system. IBM
had just released the AT. People were amazed by its "blazing" speed (6mhz).
Geneva had just released a new 64k CP/M based laptop. People were impressed
by its low pricetag -- only $1000. Atari Inc. was losing millions and the
Amiga Lorraine was being developed by Amiga, Inc. People were indifferent.
While all of this was going on, Micro Craft was busy working on the
Dimension 68000. People were EXCITED by their advertising: The Dimension
promised to emulate the three hottest computer standards of the day -- CP/M,
MS-DOS, and the Apple 2+/2e. As the name suggests, this computer was based on
the same 8Mhz 68000 now found in the ST.
The Dimension looked like a jazzed-up IBM PC. It had a similar
architecture, too, featuring six card slots. Here were the cards that were
developed: CP/M emulator, IBM emulator, $495, Apple emulator, $395, UNIX 3
emulator, price never released, and several RAM and video expansion boards.
The Dimension, fully "loaded," with 2 floppy drives, 512k, all the
emulation boards, and a 20 meg hard disk was set to cost a WHOPPING $8490! To
be fair, the 20 meg hard disk ALONE was a $2995 investment! Make that a 50
megger and were talking close to $4000...
But those prices weren't THAT unusual in those days. So why didn't the
Dimension 68000 take off? Well, it was never produced, simply because it
wouldn't work!!
For example, the IBM emulator did some strange things. The biggest
problem: The emulator couldn't keep up with your typing. Even if you were
only a modest typer, the emulator would be FAR behind you. Graphics updating,
strange enough, worked better than text updating. The page-up and page-down
keys when used in a word processor were a NIGHTMARE.
The Dimension simply refused to run most software. And the software that
it WOULD run, would often run badly! For instance, the plane in MicroSoft
Flight Simulator would fly BACKWARDS for no apparent reason!!
The Apple emulation was not much better. Almost every time you tried to
access a disk, Dimension would ask: "What disk?" Any program that utilized
Apple's 80 column mode would have terrible difficulties, too.
The CP/M emulation worked almost perfectly, however, and the Unix board
(containing an additional 68000 CPU) was never shown.
So why am I bringing this up? Because this was only 6 years ago. Look
how far we've come! The Dimension 68000 dream is still alive and well. The
Atari ST and Amiga systems come close to fufilling that dream. Imagine what
emulation will be able to do six years from NOW!
With either of these 68000 based systems, you can successfully emulate an
IBM, Macintosh, or CP/M based machine... Apple emulation would be easy, but
except for a few software based attempts, these emulators are not prominent in
todays "Dimension" computers. There simply is no demand. Unix system 5 will
run on an Amiga 2000 or on the new TT... C64 and Atari 8bit emulators are
available...
The ST and Amiga truly are computers for all software. Or MOST of it
anyway! Imagine that, huh?
So next time you're struggling with that PC-Ditto 2 board, trying
desparately to get it to fit into your case, sit back and think, "At least I
know it WILL work if I ever get installed properly with the right chips in
place." The IBM and Mac emulators on the ST work almost flawlessly!
Especially when compared to the Dimension! The Dimension never even had a
chance: The microprocessors used on the emulation cards were too expensive
back then to keep the costs down. Development was rushed... the designers of
this system were breaking totally new ground.
Less than a year after the Dimension was scrapped, but first ST's were
released. Then came Magic Sac, Spectre 128, and now Spectre GCR... Not to
mention PC-Ditto, PC-Ditto 2, PC-Speed, and the Supercharger...
The emulators available today truly are masterpeices of design. The idea
of having one system run software for another is an old one. But only now is
it finally becoming possible. Don't forget to appreciate these things! They
really are modern day computer miracles!!
=====
........................>Dateline: ATARI!<........................
=====
ATARI: NO TT FOR AMERICA, PLANS TO PUSH LYNX
by Mike Mezaros
According to a press release released by Atari Corporation late Sunday
night, Atari Corp. CEO and President Sam Tramiel announced that the TT series
of computers would never be released in the United States.
"Atari U.S. feels that the market in this country is presently so over-
saturated with IBM compatible computers that releasing too many more non-IBM
compatible computers here would put Atari U.S. into bankruptcy," Mr. Tramiel
told the press. "This is an unfortuate step, but we've examined this issue
from every angle, and there is simply no other way. We will continue to ship
1040ST and MegaST-4 computers until the STe is cleared, and at that time we
will release the STe to a select group of Atari dealers. Starting in May, we
will begin shipping our own desktop MS-DOS systems here in the states as well,
and our Portfolio SXM-1, a true AT class full-sized laptop, will be released
in April... We have no plans to discontinue support for the ST, Mega, or STe
lines. We're just reorganizing our presence in the marketplace."
"...We have been very happy with the success of the Lynx, our hand held
color video game system. We feel that the future of Atari U.S. lies in the
hands of the Lynx. We will continue our mass marketing campaign, expanding it
to the entire country. Every major department store in the country will soon
be stocking the Lynx... Our advertising firm has assured us that by the end of
April every American under the age of 18 with a television set will see the
Lynx spots at least three times a day. We at Atari U.S. now see the 1990's as
becoming the decade of the Lynx."
Reaction from the computer industry was mixed, from indifference to
shock. A spokesman for Commodore, Don Manstrino, told BetaZine, "Obviously,
the TT would not be able to compete with any Amiga, even the 1000. So Atari
seems to finally be facing facts. Releasing the TT in this country would be
instant death... We wish Atari the best of luck in the video game market.
However, they will have some competition in June, that's when we'll be
releasing our long awaited hand-held Amiga game system."
One more thing:
APRIL FOOL!
-----------
Got ya'! Or did I? Now, I wrote this article about a week and a half ago,
and thought it would be a fun little article. But I MUST admit, when I read
Z*Net 513 a few nights ago, I was TRULY had. Up until the part about the
Atari JT, Elliot John Coerper's article honestly had me going! Upon RE-
READING that article, I noticed many 'signs' that I should have picked up on,
but didn't. Hats off to Mr. Coerper for making the above April Fool joke look
pathetic in comparison to his. Be honest! How many of you Z*Net readers were
excited about the Atari TT Plus, if only for an instant??
=====
ATARI FIRES NJ MAGAZINE STAFF, DUST STARTS TO SETTLE AT EXPLORER
by Tim Reed
Callers to Atari Explorer's home office in Mendham, NJ were greeted
with the following answering machine message for several days: "We regret to
inform you that Atari Corporation has fired the entire staff of its magazine
publications division. There is an issue of Explorer, printed and bound, but
not distributed... Do not leave a message here, it is not being recorded, and
will simply go into a black hole. Thanks for calling!"
This message was replaced sometime on Thursday, March 29th. The new
message thanks subscribers for patience "during our move" to a new location in
Sunnyvale, promises a new issue of Explorer within the next few weeks, and
does not mention any firings whatsoever. This message can be heard by calling
the former home office of Atari Explorer at (201)-543-6007.
We tried repeatedly on the 28th to contact Mr. Tramiel, Mr. Fischer, and
Mr. Morrow. Mr. Morrow's phone line was not answered, Mr. Tramiel's was
consistently busy, and Mr. Fischer was not available for comment.
Later that same night (the 28th, before the original answering machine
message was replaced), Atari issued this press release concerning the matter.
Please keep in mind that the entire New Jersey staff of Atari Explorer HAS
been fired, and the "new" Explorer will be staffed by new employees. Atari is
calling this mass termination a positive step toward the expansion of the
magazine's coverage.
"PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATARI EXPLORER MAGAZINE TO EXPAND COVERAGE
SUNNYVALE, CA- Atari Corporation announced today plans to enhance the
ATARI EXPLORER magazine. This announcement is made formal following
necessary actions taken to relocate the operation closer to headquarters in
Sunnyvale, California.
"We want to make notable changes in the production of Atari Explorer
magazine to include expanded editorial coverage of additional products and
enhance the environment for potential advertisers", stated Mr. James
Fisher, V. P. Marketing and advertising. "The effort to present this news
effectively and more timely requires the magazine staff to have 'instant
access' to the technology and information available here."
Atari plans to complete the current issue which is still in the hands of the
printer and rush them to subscribers as soon as possible. At the time of
this release, no changes to publication frequencies and subscriber
fulfillment were considered and Mr. Fisher stated that subscribers
and advertisers will always be the biggest priority. If necessary,
extensions will be made to accomodate subscription commitments."
=====
ATARI ADVERTISES THE STACEY, COMMODORE FIGHTS FOR MIDI ACCEPTANCE
by Jerry Morton
In the April editions of several musician-oriented magazines, Atari Corp.
did something it rarely does: Advertised. Keyboard magazine, Musician
magazine, Electronic Musician magazine, and others all contain full page, full
color advertisements for the STacey portable.
The major portion of the advertisement is taken up by a STacey 4 running
Notator version 2.2, a music program. A portion of a device connected to the
MIDI port is also shown. The headline reads, "This computer was made for
music," in black letters. Below the STacey the ad reads, "...Introducing the
Atari Stacey Portable Computer." The name Atari and the Fuji logo are well in
evidence. The address and phone number of Atari's music division are given
for those wanting more information.
To those who have only seen the early plastic mock-ups of the STacey or
early prototype models (or pictures of either), the STacey pictured has some
minor differences in appearance. The trackball is now gray, matching the
case, rather than white, matching the keyboard. The design is more refined,
and the screen is slightly recessed. Between the volume and contrast
controls, a brightness control has been added. The STacey pictured looks
identical to the STacey's shown at COMDEX.
Commodore is also running advertisements in the April issues of music
magazines. Commodore's advertisements push the Amiga 2000HD and contain a
coupon good for a free copy of Dr. T's music software and a free MIDI
interface with any purchase of an Amiga 2000HD and Commodore 1084 color
monitor before the end of May.
Keyboard magazine's April issue also features a complete overview of the
Atari ST/Mega series, including a look at the SLM804, TOS, GEM desktop,
accelerator boards, and emulation systems. This article was written by
STart magazine's music editor Jim Pierson-Perry.
No STacey model has yet recieved FCC Class-B approval.
=====
FAST FAX FROM MICHTRON
Press Release
Fast FAX
"For the Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, and IBM PC's and compatibles.
There are many things to consider when purchasing a fax machine or a fax
modem. You can purchase a fax machine for $600 that will take one page of
paper at a time and send it to one location while you stand beside it and dial
the phone.
You can purchase a more expensive fax machine for around $1000 that can handle
more then one page and even send a fax after you have left for the day. (But
it will probably take you about 10 minutes to program it to send that fax).
You can buy a really nice fax machine for $2000 that will send more then one
fax. However these machines are even more difficult to program. Even worse,
if you get an error while sending the first fax in the series, that's all for
the night.
Fast FAX is more efficient at scheduling and transmitting fax's then any
self-contained fax machine at any price!
The software is exceptional!
With just a few clicks of the mouse you can send one fax to hundreds of
people!
With another click or two you can schedule transmissions to occur around the
globe during non-peak hours and enjoy reduced telephone rates. (Normally,
you'll be able to save about 50% on these calls.)
These features save you time and money. Fast FAX will actually pay for itself
in only a few short months.
Quality is another prime consideration when purchasing a Fax machine.
The normal process for sending a fax is to prepare your document, print it out
using your printer, then take it to a fax machine which scans the page and
sends it. The receiving machine then prints it out.
However, problems arise if the original document was not perfectly straight
when it was scanned.
The receiving machine is going to print it out just a tiny bit crooked. This
may not seem important, but the page is scanned in a series of dots. These
dots will not line up in a straight line and this will cause the letters
printed by the receiving fax to be jagged and hard to read.
Fast FAX simultaneously converts and transmits Graphics, Letterheads and
signatures along with text directly from your disk using its own 8 MHz 68000
microprocessor and 32K of built in memory giving you outstanding transmissions
every time!
Advantages in receiving with Fast FAX.
When Fast FAX receives a fax it is saved as a disk file. This file can be
displayed and read on your screen, or printed on most popular printers. You
can also save the fax in graphics format and load it into the more popular
graphics programs.
If someone faxes you a graphic you can save many steps and improve quality
greatly. A normal graphic is scanned in, printed at the receiving end,
scanned into the computer and by then needs extensive touchup.
Fast FAX lets you load the original scanned image directly into a graphics
program.
Fast FAX:
o Saves your money by scheduling non-peak hour transmissions.
o Saves more money by using ordinary paper.
o Saves your valuable time by sending multiple faxes to multiple locations.
o Has better quality than normal fax machines due to its onboard 68000
processor and built-in RAM and ROM.
o Has outstanding software making it easy to use.
o Communicates with G3 fax devices at 9600 baud.
o Provides document storage and forwarding capability.
o Allows automatic scheduling of operations.
o Automatically provides a transcript of each operation.
o Has User-definable fax headers.
o Works with most widely used dot matrix and laser printers.
o Permits you to view fax documents on your computers screen.
o Saves Graphic images as .IMG files on the Atari and IBM PC.
o Saves Amiga graphics as .IFF files.
For more information and to place your order, call MichTron at (313)
377-8898."
MichTron's Fast Fax carries a retail price of $699.95.
MichTron
576 S. Telegraph
Pontiac, MI 48053
=====
LYNX UPDATES
by Mike Mezaros
As we reported in BetaZine a number of issues back, Atari has redesigned
the Lynx hand-held color video game system. The new Lynx has a smaller screen
and is missing the "flip and play" option for left-handed players. It is
therefore cheaper to produce, and it is rumored that it will carry an MSRP $40
or more less than the original model.
Up until now, Atari did not confirm reports of the new Lynx, but
according to NewsBytes on GEnie and CIS, Atari announced the modified Lynx
last week at a press conference at the Hannover, West Germany CEBIT show.
Lynx commercials are still going strong in the New York/Metropolitan
area, although they have been slowing down during the past week. They are
still aired quite often on the independent and FOX stations, especially during
hours where the programming is oriented to pre-teens. Many stores in this
area are also well stocked with the product - including Electronics Boutique,
which at one time carried products for the ST. There have been no reports of
the Lynx TV spots being shown outside of this area as of yet.
In an odd role-reversal move, Atari premiered the Lynx here in the
states, and is only now shipping them overseas - The Lynx is now available at
retailers in almost every state in the U.S., and is available via mail order
throughout the U.S. from the Sears and BN Genius catalogs. Units are expected
to arrive in Europe and Australia within the next few weeks.
Atari has not released specific numbers concerning Lynx sales, but we do
know a few things: The first shipment prior to Christmas consisted of 70,000
units. Since then, the units have been restocked several times, and have
spread across the country. The "rumor mill" has thrown about the figure of
500,000 units sold. Atari expected to produce only 1,000,000 units in 1990,
but if 500,000 is an accurate figure, at least 2,000,000 will have to be
produced in order to properly stock the new markets outside of the U.S.
=====
MINI-VGA BOARD FOR SUPERCHARGER: THE FINE PRINT
by Dave Mothersbaugh
Talon Technology, makers of the SuperCharger external IBM PC/XT emulator
for the Atari ST, have promised a mini-VGA board for the unit for April
release.
Many have misinterpreted this to mean that with this board plugged into
your SuperCharger you will: 1) be able to view VGA graphics on your SC1224
monitor, or, 2) directly connect a VGA or multisync monitor to the card,
possibly ALSO for use with the ST.
Unfortunately, this is NOT the case.
According to Talon's most recent press release, the mini-VGA card must
be used in conjunction with another Talon product -- the Omniswitch. Among
other things, the Omniswitch allows connection of a multisync monitor to the
ST.
Talon hasn't released a price for the card, but it is expected to sell
for at least $150 dollars. The Omniswitch sells for approx. $90. Also, the
cheaper VGA type monitors cannot be used -- only Multisyncs.
SuperCharger PC/XT External Emulator MSRP $399.00
Omniswitch Multisync monitor adapter MSRP $89.95
Talon Technology, Inc.
243 N. Highway 101
Suite #11
Solana Beach, CA 92075
(619)-792-6511
=====
BETAZINE IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR CONTRIBUTIONS CONCERNING THE ATARI COMMUNITY.
SEE THE CONTACT INFORMATION AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS ISSUE!!
THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR YOU ATARI 8-BIT USERS... SEND THOSE REVIEWS
AND NEWS ARTICLES IN! WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE ENTIRE
ATARI COMMUNITY!!
------------------------------------------------------------
The opinions expressed by the authors appearing in this
publication are not necessarily those of BetaZine,
The PsychoTronic Authority, or the editor/copyright holder.
BetaZine - The On-Line Magazine is published bi-weekly
------------\ by The PsychoTronic Authority. /-------------
\------------------------------/
BETAZINE.
YOUR SOURCE FOR THE LATEST ATARI NEWS AND FEATURE ARTICLES.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
BetaZine, Issue #8 Atari 8bit/Atari ST/Atari STe
Published by The PsychoTronic Authority
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
(C)opyright 1990 by Mike Mezaros All Rights Reserved
THE END!
--
posted by:
aj205.cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Kevin Steele)
The Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG thanks Kevin Steele for his contribution!
--
-----------------------------------------
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