Z*Magazine: 6-Jul-92 #209
From: Atari SIG (xx004@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 10/09/93-04:42:18 PM Z
From: xx004@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Atari SIG)
Subject: Z*Magazine: 6-Jul-92 #209
Date: Sat Oct 9 16:42:18 1993
| (((((((( | Z*Magazine International Atari 8-Bit Magazine
| (( | ---------------------------------------------
| (( | July 6, 1992 Issue #209
| (( | ---------------------------------------------
| (((((((( | Copyright (c)1992, Rovac Industries, Inc.
| | Post Office Box 59, Middlesex, NJ 08846
| (( |
| (((((( | CONTENTS
| (( |
| | * The Editors Desk..........................Ron Kovacs
| ((( ((( | * AtariUser 8-Bit Update................Chuck Steinman
| (((( (((( | * Telecommunications Update......................GEnie
| (( (( (( (( | * Star*Linx Review/Rating of Blockout.................
| (( (( (( | * Perusing The Internet................Michael Current
| (( (( | * Crystal Mines 2 Codes...............................
| | * Atari Classic Mail-In Campaign Update...............
| (( | * Bob Puff and Jeff Potter Conference Highlights......
| (( (( | * UNARC.COM Instructions..............................
| (((((((( |
| (( (( |
| (( (( | ~ Publisher/Editor..........................Ron Kovacs
| | ~ Contributing Editor........................John Nagy
| (((((((((( | ~ Contributing Editor......................Stan Lowell
| (( | ~ Contributing Editor........................Bob Smith
| (( ((((( | ~ Newswire Staff......................................
| (( (( | ~ Z*Net New Zealand.........................Jon Clarke
| (((((((((( | ~ Contributing Editor..................Michael Current
| |
|-------------| $ GEnie Address..................................Z-NET
| ONLINE | $ CompuServe Address........................75300,1642
| AREAS | $ Delphi Address..................................ZNET
| | $ Internet/Usenet Address................status.gen.nz
|-------------| $ America Online Address......................ZNET1991
| |
| Z*NET | * Z*Net:USA New Jersey...(FNET 593).....(908) 968-8148
| SUPPORT | * Z*Net:Golden Gate......(FNET 706).....(510) 373-6792
| SYSTEMS | * Blank Page.........(8-Bit FNET 9002)..(908) 805-3967
=======================================================================
* THE EDITORS DESK
by Ron Kovacs
Five weeks since the last edition of Z*Magazine, but the staff of all
the online magazines are returning from vacation and renewed support
and development behind the scenes will bring more issues.
Have a great summer and see you in just two weeks!!
=======================================================================
* ATARIUSER 8-BIT UPDATE
=======================================================================
The following article is reprinted in Atari Explorer Online by
permission of AtariUser magazine. It MAY NOT be further reprinted
without specific permission of AtariUser. AtariUser is a monthly Atari
magazine, available by subscription by calling (818) 332-0372.
8-BIT ALERT:
Europe continues to turn out new and more ambitious software for the
Atari 8-bit computers. In Germany, almost all 8-bit titles have all
English screen prompts, even though the documentation will typically be
in German. New software from Germany includes QUICK, a compiler
language similar to ACTION! and C that supports use of an ST mouse,
digitized sound, and more. Another product is S.A.M., Screen Aided
Management, similar to DIAMOND in that it provides an ST-like mouse
interface for the 8-bit. It features 80 column text handling, and has
its own spreadsheet and word processor. Look for more on S.A.M. and
other European products (and how to get them!) in the coming months here
in AtariUser.
THE 8-BIT STATE:
Where Survival is Our Only Way of Life...
If you're an active 8-bit Atari user, I am sure that there are programs
you feel you couldn't do without. A computer is such a versatile
appliance that every serious owner should have certain basic programs to
be able to take full advantage of their system.
This article will present what I feel is a well rounded 8-bit survival
kit.
As mentioned in my last ATARIUSER article, I feel that
telecommunications is very important. Because of the wealth of
information and files that are available through bulletin boards and pay
services, I can't imagine what it would be like without a modem on my
computer. As pointed out in that article, BOBTERM is one of the most
popular telecommunications programs for your Atari computer.
Because of the popularity of computer communications and the ever
increasing complexity of programs, a simple way to combine and compress
files had to be designed. The most popular way to do that on the Atari
8-bit systems is with the ARC utility. There are several
implementations, with SuperARC by Bob Puff being widely used. This
program not only will allow you to combine several files, but it will
also reduce the total size of the file by a significant amount. This
saves disk space and communications time, so you end up saving money.
Since ARChived programs are not usable in their compressed form, you
must use a program like SuperUnARC to return them to their original form
before use.
ARC utilities can't be used for every type of file. If you need to
transfer files which are stored in a non-DOS format, or boot-type disks,
then ARC won't work--it will only combine standard Atari DOS files. A
utility such as DISK COMMUNICATOR (DiskComm) will read and convert the
whole disk to a single file, complete with boot sector information.
Every track on a restored disk will be identical to the original. This
is handy for distributing versions of DOS, bootable games, and the data
disks of some applications with custom file formats. SuperARC,
SuperUnARC, and DiskComm were all written by Bob Puff and are shareware.
Of course just about anyone with a printer needs a word processor. Even
if you're a great typist, a word processor will be a significant
improvement over a typewriter. One of the favorite word processors for
the Atari is a program called TextPro by Ronnie Riche. This program has
all the normal features, plus support for powerful macros.
While you can print files with TextPro, you will be impressed with the
output from a program called Daisy-Dot III (DD3). This program will
take Atari text files and send them to your graphics compatible printer,
producing hardcopy near laser quality results. You can also select from
a wide variety of fonts (character types) and point sizes (letter size).
This program is shareware by Roy Goldman.
Another application program which cannot be overlooked is the
spreadsheet. One which was originally featured in one of the Compute!
magazine has been pretty popular on the services. Called SpeedCalc, it
supports the common math functions and it recalculates fairly quickly.
Of course, all work makes for a pretty boring day, so no survival kit
would be complete without a few games. There are so many different
games for the 8-bit, but I think a couple of the Tetris clones would be
fun. Another popular choice would be a popular Xevious clone.
I know, you are wondering... where do I get these files? Will I end up
spending hours of online time downloading them? How am I sure that I
have everything I will need? There's a simple answer to all of these
questions... the ATARIUSER 8-BIT ATARI SURVIVAL KIT! All of the
programs mentioned in this article (BobTerm is available separately,
since it was featured in a previous disk offer) are available in a
special disk offer. Here is what you get for a mere $9.95 (US) (Ohio
residents please add sales tax to your order):
TextPro 4.5 word processor (all three versions)
TextPro fontload utility (lets you load your own font into TextPro)
TextPro joystick cursor mover (move cursor using a joystick)
Daisy-Dot III (including several fonts and the font editor)
Printshop to Daisy-Dot III conversion utility
Daisy-Dot print preview utility
SuperARC, SuperUnARC, and DiskComm compaction utilities
The SpeedCalc Spreadsheet
DegasRead, APACView, and ColorView graphics utilities
Two Tetris clones and a Xevious type game
If you have not ordered the BobTerm disk from my last issue, you can
order it as part of this disk offer for an additional $1.00(US). I can
accept Money Orders, Cashier's Checks, or Personal Checks. In any case,
payment must be drawn on a US bank in US funds (please!!!). Send your
order to: Chuck Steinman Disk Offer AU8B02SK, Post Office Box 134,
Ontario, OH 44862 USA.
BIO: Besides writing for AtariUser, Chuck Steinman also helps out on
GEnie and runs his own hardware/software business called DataQue
Products. If you have any questions or suggestions, Chuck can be
contacted on GEnie at username DATAQUE.1, or by writing to the above
address.
| | | TELECOMMUNICATIONS UPDATE
| | | Special GEnie News!
| | | ----------------------------------------------------------------
Whether you're a serious business user seeking research tools and
software to help you do your job, or just one of those people who simply
can't get enough of a good thing, GEnie's "Hot Summer Days" sale is for
you!
From June 15 to September 7, GEnie's prime time hourly connect charge is
being reduced from $18.00 per hour to $12.50 per hour; in Canada the
reduction is from $25.00 to $16.00 per hour. That's savings of over
30%! And it makes GEnie Services rates most competitive with
CompuServe's -- 24 hours a day. (Note: GEnie*Basic pricing is NOT
applicable during prime time hours. Reduced prime time rates are in
effect in the United States and Canada only, and apply at speeds up to
2400 bps.)
If you're looking for software, GEnie has over 100,000 downloadable
files of shareware, freeware and demoware covering the spectrum from
business utilities and productivity tools, to graphics and fonts, and
education and games. Software is available for virtually all personal
computing platforms. GEnie also features online support from many
hardware and software vendors.
GE Mail is also included in the sale, with the same lower connect
charges in effect.
And when it comes to fun, don't forget GEnie's industry-leading
selection of Multi-player Games! The lower daytime rates mean more
competitive action in such hits as Kesmai's award-winning Air Warrior,
the all-new MultiPlayer Battletech, Dragon's Gate, Federation II and
Gemstone III.
For the business user, or serious researcher, GEnie's new gateway to
Advanced Research Technologies' ARTIST system provides an intelligent
interface to databases provided by Dialog Information Services, Inc.
The first three offerings are:
GEnie Reference Center (keyword REFCENTER), with reference information
on subjects such as business management and directories, industry news,
the environment, computers, engineering, the sciences and world events.
GEnie NewsStand (keyword NEWSSTAND), with access to more than 900 full-
text publications, including 12 major newspapers such as the Los Angeles
Times, Chicago Tribune and the Washington Post, plus hundreds of popular
magazines and industry newsletters from 1980 to the present.
GEnie BookShelf (keyword BOOKSHELF), which accesses the electronic
version of R.R. Bowker's "Books in Print" directory of more than
1,000,000 titles and more than 40,000 book reviews.
GEnie and ART will continue developing and providing new business-
related services. Watch for their introduction coming soon.
GEnie also offers access to:
Dow Jones News/Retrieval (R) (keyword DOWJONES), one of the world's most
comprehensive services for the investor and researcher, with more than
50 databases containing information from thousands of sources.
Investment ANALY$T (keyword ANALYST), providing vital stock market
information without requiring the use of specialized software. Three
essential services are available to investors: Current and Historical
Quotes, Stock Performance Analysis and Stock Screening & Selection.
Charles Schwab Brokerage Services (keyword SCHWAB), the leader in
cutting edge technology for fast securities trading at a discounted
price. GEnie users receive an extra 10% commission discount on every
online trade executed. You can trade in stocks, bonds options and
mutual funds, enter special trade conditions on your orders, receive
real-time quotes, check trade confirmations and review your detailed
account balance and position data.
Public Opinion Online (keyword POLL), a comprehensive collection of
public opinion surveys conducted in the United States. POLL covers the
spectrum of public interest: politics, government, public institutions,
international affairs, business, social issues and attitudes, and
consumer issues and preferences.
The Trade Names Database (keyword TRADENAMES) is a worldwide directory
listing more than 280,000 consumer brand names and their owners or
distributors. It is the electronic equivalent of the Gale Research Inc.
print publications "Brands and Their Companies" and "International
Brands and Their Companies."
The Business Resource Directory(TM) (keyword BRD), a searchable database
that functions like an electronic "Yellow Pages," an electronic
Personnel Service/Resume database, and an electronic reference library
-- all rolled into one. The BRD is a marketing tool for businesses and
for individuals looking for work, and a way for individuals or
businesses to locate services, supplies, associations, agencies,
wholesalers, distributors, software for business, and other business
resources.
The Official Airline Guides Electronic Edition (R) Travel Service
(keyword OAG) not only offers access to airline schedules, fares and
availability, but also arrival and departure information from selected
major airports, access to more than 42,000 first-class and deluxe
hotels, essential destination details like climate and visa
requirements, and over 90,000 listings of vacation adventures, tours and
cruises.
But all good things come to an end, and so will this sale. These rates
are in effect until September 7, 1992. Some services mentioned above
are subject to additional charges. Check the online rate pages for
additional details.
So enjoy a Summer of Savings on GEnie, the home of Hot Summer Nights III
and Hot Summer Days, too!
------------
Here are some questions about Hot Summer Days which may come up, along
with the appropriate answers.
1. Are GEnie*Basic Services included in the Hot Summer Days Sale?
No. This is a sale on GEnie's prime time hourly connect rate.
GEnie*Basic Services remain applicable only during non-prime time hours.
2. Is 9600 baud service included?
No. The sale is applicable on speeds up to and including 2400 baud.
3. Are remote access surcharges applicable?
Yes. The sale does not affect our cost for those lines, so the $2 per
hour charge will still apply.
4. Are all countries included?
No. This sale includes the U.S. and Canada only.
5. What are the rates?
The U.S. hourly rate will be $12.50 per our instead of the normal $18
per hour rate. The Canadian hourly rate will be $16.00 per hour instead
of the normal $25.00 per hour. These rates are in effect Monday through
Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time.
6. Are Chat Club rates in effect?
No. Chat Club rates are in effect only during non-prime time hours.
7. Are databases and services subject to surcharges?
Yes. The same surcharge rate structure which applies now will apply
during the sale. This sale is only on GEnie's connect charge.
8. Can I use my Gift of Time during the sale hours?
Of course! Gifts of Time apply to connect rates at any time of the day
or night.
9. How long will the sale last?
Hot Summer Days will be in effect from Monday, June 15 until Monday,
September 7.
10. Why is GEnie offering this promotion?
GEnie wants to make this summer an exciting time for its customers.
GEnie hopes to attract daytime usage currently spent on other services.
=======================================================================
* STAR*LINX BBS GAME RATING AND REVIEW OF BLOCKOUT
=======================================================================
----------------------------------------------
| | | | |G |C | | |L |P P| |
| | | | |A |O | | |O P|A R| |
| | |S |M |M |M | E | |N L|C E| O |
| | A |O |U |E |L | X | C |G A|K S| V |
| G | N |U |S |P |Y | C | H | Y|A E| E |
+------------------+ | R | I |N E|I |L |N F| I | A |T A|G N| R |
| 5: Outstanding | | A | M |D F|C |A D|X E| T | L |E B|I T| A |
| 4: Great | | P | A | F|A S|Y E| A| E | L |R I|N A| L S|
| 3: Good | | H | T | E|L C| S| T| M | E |M L|G T| L C|
| 2: Fair | | I | I | C| O|& I| U| E | N | I| I| O|
| 1: Poor | | C | O | T| R| G| R| N | G | T|& O| R|
+------------------+ | S | N | S| E| N| E| T | E | Y| N| E|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|----|
CLAY | 5 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 |N/A| 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |3.66|
JOHN THORNBURGH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |N/A| 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |3.55|
TREKKER | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |N/A| 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |2.22|
ARIC | 4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 4 |N/A| 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |4.22|
DECKARD | 5 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 5 |N/A| 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |4.00|
PAUL B. PRICHARD | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 |N/A| 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 |3.88|
MIKE MAST | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 |N/A| 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |3.77|
LASER EAGLE | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |N/A| 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |4.66|
IKE | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |N/A| 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 |2.88|
NORMAN BATES | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |N/A| 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 |4.33|
COMMANDER | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |N/A| 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |3.77|
----------------------------------------------
GROUP AVERAGE (11) |4.0|4.1|2.8|2.8|4.2|N/A|3.4|4.2|4.1|3.4|3.66|
----------------------------------------------
Clay (Clay Moore from Tempe, AZ)
09:31:12 am Aug. 1, 1991
If you like Tetris, you will like it, the 3-D effect is very well
implemented, I bet alot of computers could not do as well. There is
only music at the title screen, it should be during the game too, only 3
sounds, a click when the paddle moves a square, a whish when it drops,
and a clunk when it hits the bottom. Higher levels of 3D shapes are
VERY difficult.
Trekker (Al Horton from Lansing, MI)
09:35:08 am Aug. 3, 1991
I like Blockout on the ST, but the Lynx version left something to be
desired. The worst thing about the game is that its sometimes hard to
see what direction the block is actually facing as you rotate it. I
found Blockout to be perhaps the hardest game to see on the Lynx. As
for rating it, the only sound is the music at the title screen & the
Buzzzz when you clear a level of blocks. Graphicly, not much really but
sufficient. On a scale of 1 to 5, overall I'd give it a 2.5.
Deckard (Theo Diamantis from Kitchener, ON, Canada)
03:25:38 pm Aug. 13, 1991
A very solid adaptation. This is not an easy game.
Paul B. Prichard from Mesa, AZ
01:45:16 pm Aug. 25, 1991
As the package says: EASY TO PLAY, DIFFICULT TO MASTER, IMPOSSIBLE TO
QUIT! I found that this game is actually difficult to play especially
at the higher levels as the blocks travel faster than one can manuver
them. I feel as though the player should have better control over the
movements, other than this the game is great and like KLAX becomes
addictive after much intense game play. I do like the fact that the
player can tailor gameplay to his/her liking on the game setup menu.
Ike (Isaac Black from Colorado City, AZ)
11:26:04 pm Oct. 11, 1991
This game is fun if you like Tetris. I like a challenge and therefore
liked this game.
Norman Bates from Stockton, CA
01:14:02 am Oct. 22, 1991
I must admit I was quite skeptical when I heard of this game but my
Babbages discount card was full so decided to take a chance on it since
it was only $16 after the $15 discount. I must admit I am properly
amazed! Level 9 is suicide even at flat level. Again, I rated the
packaging as poor because of the damned poster (and it isn't even a
good-sized poster, at that!)
Atarian (Dan Ramos from Ludlow, MA)
11:16:16 pm Oct. 22, 1991
If you like Tetris... you HAVE to like Block Out... this one even rivals
the GENESIS version extremely well! It's exactly the kind of game that
causes people to stop sleeping and play more games, alright! It's
happened to me!
=======================================================================
* PERUSING THE INTERNET Compiled by Michael Current
=======================================================================
Date: 5 May 92 14:22:00 GMT
From: DKAUNI2.BITNET!UJ1G@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
Subject: MIO Cables
To: Info-Atari8@naucse.cse.nau.edu
Recently I talked to an "expert" on our university on the issue of MIO
cables. He owns an Amiga and he have had exactly the same problems with
signals breaking down while using long data/address/control cables. He
hadn't been able to use cords longer than some 25cm (10"). Now he is
able to transmit data over a distance of 2m (80"?, 3 ft + sth) He has
managed this by redesigning his flat ribbon cable. Between each two
data/control/address lines there _must_ be a line connected to ground
(0V). This measure prevents the signal from flashing over to adjacent
lines, which is especially true with long cables.
The MIO cables don't seem to have additional GND lines inbetween each
two signal lines. That way they aren't designed for long distance
connection.
I admit that it is hard to build a cable described above because as a
matter of fact you'll need at least some 20 additional lines just
connected to GND (monster cable if you are using a flat one).
I think it is at least an interesting idea worth considering. It works
great on an Amiga.
BTW: the guy I asked doesn't think the idea of adding buffers to lines
would help.
Marek Tomczyk
------------------------------
Date: 5 May 92 12:47:31 GMT
Subject: NTSC Atari in PAL-land: what problems will there be?
To: Info-Atari8@naucse.cse.nau.edu
I haven't read all the messages so far posted on this subject, but being
someone in PAL land with NTSC Atari 8-bits I may be able to help. Dean,
you have my telephone number so, if you wish, give me a call.
Some interesting points have already been raised. I read with interest
Dean's definition of a 65XE, as a cut down 130XE. This is true for the
UK models. My PAL 65XE has the same mother board as my 130XEs.
However, my NTSC 65XE has a completely different motherboard, without
the extra IC places for the extra bank of memory. In fact, this 65XE
looks more like my 800XLF (yes, you read that right - 800XLF is a
standard 800XL with a Freddie chip, and is the prototype for the 65XE.
A number of these beasts were released within the UK).
I solved the NTSC compatibility problem by buying a TV that support PAL
and NTSC (it also support SECAM - anyone got an 8-bit SECAM they want to
sell?). You can modify standard PAL TV/Monitors to accept NTSC by
adjusting cct timers, however, you will have no sound or colour. The
adjusment is very small, however some TV/Monitors just won't accept the
60Hz signal.
Colin Hunt Editor - 8:16
BTW: The subscription rate to 8:16 is now:
UK - 5.50 UK pounds
Europe - 9.60 UK pounds
Rest of World (sea) - 9.60 UK pounds (air) - 16.80 UK pounds
8:16 is released quarterly and the above rates are for 4 issues.
------------------------------
Date: 6 May 92 02:00:00 GMT
From: DKAUNI2.BITNET!UJ1G@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
Subject: S.A.M and MIO (was Re: Favorite 8-bit software)
To: Info-Atari8@naucse.cse.nau.edu
> Marek,
> Thanx for the info on S.A.M.
> I have two more questions. Is there an english-language version of S.A.M.?
> Is there an english-language version of "AtariMagazin"?
> I hear that there is a lot of commercial software development going
> on in Europe, especially Germany, for the Atari 8-bits, and I would
You are lucky, at least on the S.A.M. issue. Like many other German
commercial and non commercial software S.A.M. is entirely in English.
Actually there isn't even a German version available. English has a
great impact on German software production. In Germany you find more
programs that are in English than in German (we are talking about
programs written by German authors!). Many people here in Germany don't
like this, they want to have more German speaking programs but there is
no way of getting English out of German programs :-).
Anyways, the docs for S.A.M. are in German. :-( You are out of luck
according to english-language versions of "AtariMagazin" they are only
in German (still published after a break!).
Yes, there is some commercial software here in Germany produced by
dedicated users and small companies. Take "Quick" for example which is
a commercial compiler language a little bit like "C" and "Action!" and
like "Assembler". It is very fast. You can even write procedures for
the VBI. This language supports a ST-mouse, digitized sound, P/M
graphics and lots more.
I hope this gave you a vague idea about the situation in Germany.
Marek Tomczyk
------------------------------
Date: 7 May 92 01:13:00 GMT
From: DKAUNI2.BITNET!UJ1G@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
Subject: S.A.M. (was Favorite 8-bit software)
To: Info-Atari8@naucse.cse.nau.edu
I've seen this other SAM on a C=64 too, but it's a different S.A.M. I'm
gonna explain to Bill and all other interested people.
S.A.M. stands for Screen Aided Menagement. It is a piece of commercial
software produced by a small German software house. It is a user
interface with integrated applications. It uses an 80 column screen on
a standard TV set. It looks a little bit like GEM on the Atari-ST. You
have pull down menus on the top of the screen where you can select items
with your mouse or joystick. There are standard items like "directory,
lock file, format disk, read sector, duplicate disk, etc.". Then you
have some special applications you can pick up. They will be loaded
from the S.A.M. disk. One of them is a spreadsheet program. Another is
a program called "Memobox". It is a small database with the possibility
of creating your own data cards.
Also included are two character editors. One for standard B/W
characters and the other one for GRAPHICS 12 color character sets. Next
application is a painting program which uses 128 colors but only 4 on a
single line (standard DLI). It has many usefull functions like fill and
unfill!, draw lines, draw circles, mirror etc.
Another part of S.A.M. is a word processor. It has all the functions I
need like text formatting, cut, paste, block text, preview function (you
see the whole layout of the page), support for Atari printers and Epson
printers.
Next item you can open is a monitor program to browse the memory. It
has some kinds of display functions like showing screen code or ATASCII
code or showing bytes in their binary appearence (eg. $A800: 01011100 )
so you can easily scan for character sets.
I think I have described all the implemented applications. All of them
have full 80 column and mouse support. But there is more. S.A.M. is a
kind of extention of the operating system. There are documented
interfaces for routines of S.A.M. so you can write your own software.
For example you can use the "open window" routine just by putting the
coordinates in a special location and calling the apropriate S.A.M.
subroutine. Then just give your application a special filename
extension and place it on the S.A.M. disk. Next time you use S.A.M.
your application will be awailable in the pull down window.
Due to this flexibility there are some new programs for S.A.M.
available. To name one: a 'Breakout' game.
Ok, I think that's all I remember about S.A.M. I hope this gives you a
vague idea about it.
Marek Tomczyk
------------------------------
Date: 8 May 92 23:24:40 GMT
From: (Michael L Begley)
Subject: hand-print recognition...
To: Info-Atari8@naucse.cse.nau.edu
In article <1LZFkB9w164w@cyberden.uucp> moon!cyberden!phbill@well.sf.
ca.us writes:
>Going on about recognition of hand writing. Well, 1) does the Koala
I don't recall what the resolution of the koala pad is, but it's plenty
large for my purposes. If I can scratch an inch-high "A" on the pad and
have the computer identify it, then I'll be happy. This isn't going to
be very useful in the real-world because of the hardware involved (IMHO
any useful hand-printing-based system must be completely portable). I'm
more interested in the neatness of the project.
The algorithm I'm planning to use is based on one described in the April
issue of Dr. Dobbes Journal. It's far easier to do than I'd ever
thought; I don't see any trouble in using the Atari for this project.
Not much number crunching is involved, and I wouldn't even call it
artificial intelligence. However, for at least the initial
implementation I plan to use a unix system to do the analysis so the
software will be more portable. The Atari will be little more than a
digitizing pad. Later, I may start to move some or all of the analysis
services over to the Atari.
> I could understand the simplicity of a handwriting "translator" or
> whatever you'd like to call it. Oh well, enuf useless babble.
Well, I wouldn't call it simplicity...but I might call it "simpler than
I thought". Actually this is one of those examples where the difficulty
lies more in having a correct "vision" of the solution than in the
actual implementation. I suggest that anyone interested in this sort of
project get the april issue of Dr. Dobbs journal...
Michael Begley
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 09 May 92 12:17:36 EST
From: Jeff McWilliams <JJMCWILL@MTUS5.cts.mtu.edu>
Subject: What is a PBI?
To: Into-Atari8 Digest <Info-Atari8@naucse.cse.nau.edu>,
Bill Kendrick wanted to know the differences between some of the 65xx
processors. Here's my best....
The 6502 is pretty much what you expect it to be, and is the cpu in the
800 and 400 computers. The 65C02 actually are two different CPU's. One
is the R65C02 made by Rockwell, the other is the 65C02 by Western Design
Center. Both are low power, CMOS versions of the 6502 with some extra
instructions added, but the R65C02 had more instructions added to it
than the 65C02 did. The 65C02 is in the Apple //c.
I believe MAC/65 supports the 65C02 extra instructions. It could be
plugged into an Atari 800 or 400.
The 6502C is an Atari custom version of the 6502 from what I gather.
They added some extra buffers or something to chip. I also wonder if
they corrected a bug in the 6502 as it was documented in my "Programming
the 65816" Book.
Because of the differences between the 6502 and Atari's 6502C, you can't
plug in a 65C02 or even the Pin compatible 65802 and expect it to work
properly.
What is a 65802? It's another processor From Western Design Center that
has all the extra opcodes of the 65C02 plus extras, like move memory
commands, stack relative addressing, and the ability to set the
Accumulator and/or the X and Y registers to 16 bits. The nice thing
about the 65802 is that it is "Plug compatible" with the 6502 and 65C02,
meaning you can pull out a 65C02 from an existing system, and plug in
the 65802 and it will work. The 65802 has two modes, emulation and
native mode. In emulation mode, the processor acts just likea 65C02
with all the extra opcodes. In Native mode, the registers can be
changed to 16 bits. There are some other more technical differences,
but probably not worth mentioning them here.
Next comes the 65816. Another Microprocessor, only this one has a 24
bit addressing bus in addition to all the goodies of the 65802. This
means it can easily address 16 megabytes of RAM.
What more could you want? Well, WDC is working on the 65832, which
according to the pre-release specs I have, will just have the ability to
have 32 bit registers. In the 65816 documentation, WDC said the 65832
would have built-in floating point OPCODES, but apparantly that idea has
been dumped (sigh).
So in a nutshell, that is basically the differences between the various
processors. I hope I've helped more than I've confused.
Jeff McWilliams
------------------------------
Date: 13 May 92 20:12:47 GMT
From: SMITHKLINE.COM!poehland%phvax.dnet@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
Subject: MIO Cables
To: Info-Atari8@naucse.cse.nau.edu
Marek Tomczyk's comments on ribbon cables w/the Amiga were interesting
(IA8 V92#106), since I did spend a little of my vacatiuon time last week
taking another look at the problem.
I'm generally skeptical of the validity of making comparisons to a
similar problem on another machine w/out knowing what frequencies/
waveforms are involved. I'm also skeptical of signal crosstalk being a
significant contributor to the problem. I did a little checking on
ribbon cable specs. Crosstalk for a 3m (10-ft) cable was spec'ed at
1.5% for the near end to 2.6% for the far end. I have trouble believing
2% crosstalk will totally scramble a digital signal. Alternating
sig-gnd-sig sounds like a step in the right direction, it would reduce
crosstalk & improve RFI resistance somewhat. But for long cables you
would need to do more than just isolate the signals.
Crosstalk is a function of capacitive reactance. The reason cross talk
is isn't a major factor is because- somewhat to my surprise- specific
capacitance of 28AWG ribbon is actually rather low: about 12 pF/ft which
is as good as the best lo-cap shielded cables. I don't see capacitance
as the problem.
What about DC resistance? Specific resistance of 28AWG ribbon is given
as 0.08 ohms/ft. Ten feet of this cable will impose less than 1 ohm of
resistance to any AC or Dc signal. That"s not even enough to cause a
measurable voltage drop in most systems, forget about DC resistance as
the cause.
Of course, the total impedance of the cable is the vector sum of the
reactances plus the Dc resistance. Having disposed of capacitive
reactance & DC resistance as proximate causes of the signal degradation,
that leaves one major quantity not yet considered: inductive reactance.
It is my personal opinion that in fact inductive reactance is the real
culprit here, all the other factors are minor contributors. Specific
inductance for standard 28AWG ribbon is given as 80uH/ft. Eegads!! In
other words, it's an RF *filter*! A 5-foot cable will impose a 0.4mH
inductance upon the signal. People, that much inductance will attenuate
*audio* frequencies; an RF signal will just plain be squashed. In other
words, you can't do it, period.
So, how do you get round the problem? Certainly not with ribbon cable!
The only way to reduce inductive reactance is to increase the
conductivity of the medium. There are 3 ways:
1.) Lower the temperature (liquid helium is nice);
2.) Use the most efficient room-temperature conductor (100% pure silver
comes to mind);
3.) Use heavier gauge copper wire. Obviuosly the last alternative is
the only practical solution.
Combined with Marek's idea of isolating the signals w/grounds, it should
work. So, what gauge cable should you use? I'm not sure, I didn't
study up on the properties of other gauges, especially their specific
inductance.
There is some good news. Lo-cap shielded cable is readily available. I
think the wire in these is typically #22AWG. Assuming inductance is a
linear function of wire thickness, & if my memory is correct in
recalling wires double in thickness every 3 standard values, then lo-cap
cable w/22AWG conductors should attenuate only half as much as the same
length of ribbon cable. This might be enough margin to allow lengths of
2-5 feet (I'm guessing). Each signal should be paired with its own
local gnd return (twisted pairs) to provide a lo-impedance ground, with
an overall braid grounded at one end to prevent the thing from radiating
/attracting RFI. Since the MIO & BB do not actually use every finger
connector on the PBI (I think there are only about a dozen signals), you
should be able to get by with lo-cap shileded cable bearing 25 #22AWG
conductors (12 twisted pairs + shield drain) terminated w/shielded DB-25
hoods.
Of course, some weirdo adapter will be needed to go from 50-pin edgecard
to DBN-25, then another adapter at the MIO/BB end.
FOOEY!!!
I'm right now in process of getting my BB online, & converting from
edgecard to shielded round cables is a royal pain in the butt.
For myself, I solved the PBI cable problem by buying a whole new desk!
I needed more space anyway, to add 1.4M floppies & hard drives.
"Swiss Army Desk", made by O'Sullivan, very nice, I got it at an office
supply place. One of those things you have to assemble yourself, after
you have recovered from the hernia you got dragging the heavy cartons
from the car to the living room.
- BEN POEHLAND The Alchemist
=======================================================================
* DIGI-STUDIO INFORMATION
=======================================================================
Digi-Studio is a new piece of software for the Atari XL/XE series.
It allows you to play music using real sounds which have been digitized.
Digi-Studio comes with a keyboard player and tune player. The keyboard
player lets you use your computer keyboard like a piano keyboard to play
tunes, but using real sounds, rather than computer-generated noises as
is usually the case with this type of program. You can have 3 sounds in
memory and can quickly change between them while playing tunes. The
keyboard player has responsive keys so that the sound will only play for
as long as you hold the key down. Just like a synthesizer!!
The Digi-Studio disk contains many sounds for use with the keyboard
player, ranging from church bells, to pig grunts, to a baby crying, to
screams, and lots of synthesizer sounds. In fact around 25 sounds in
all. Why buy a synthesizer when your Atari can do the same?!
The tune player allows you to play pre-programmed tunes using any of the
available sounds on the disk. Five tunes have been included on the disk
for you to play.
Digi-Studio comes on a DS/SD disk, and includes a printed manual. It is
aimed at everyone, whether musically inclined or not! You may just want
to use it for fun, or compose a tune with it! The comprehensive user
manual makes it a joy to use!
Digi-Studio will only work on XL/XE computers with 64K RAM. No extra
hardware is required. The sound samples just play through your TV
speaker!
The full Digi-Studio package costs just 5pounds in the UK, and 7pounds
for foreign orders, including printed manual, and shipping. All
payments must be made in UK funds (pounds sterling) and paid by money
order in sterling if you are ordering from a foreign country. Order
your copy today!
Package 1.5 for Digi-Studio is now also available offering more features
for Digi-Studio and loads more samples and tunes. This extra pack is
available with package 1 only. Check the next section for details of
this new package.
Digi-Studio Package 1.5
Digi-Studio Package 1.5 is a new set of programs which form part of the
Digi-Studio suite of programs and utilities. It is NOT an upgrade to
package 1. It is intended to be used in conjunction with package 1.
Package 1.5 contains two new programs for Digi-Studio: The Sample Editor
and the Tune Compiler. Also included are 26 new samples and 18 new
tunes for use with Digi-Studio.
The Sample Editor allows you to edit existing Digi-Studio samples, and
also allows you to create your own by using a joystick. The Sample
Editor has facilities for reversing samples (playing them backwards),
copying pages of sample to other pages of sample, and also contains
facilities to edit samples very accurately using a joystick. This edit
facility also allows you to create your own samples. By using all the
supplied facilities, you can create some very weird sounds! You can
then save your samples to disk and use them in the Keyboard and Tune
Players in package 1.
The Tune Compiler creates stand-alone Basic program modules for
including Digi-Studio tunes in your own Basic programs. The resulting
modules are output in LIST format for merging into your own Atari Basic
or Turbo-Basic programs. The modules are self-contained and do not
require any Digi-Studio program to play. Just imagine your game starting
with a chorus of God Save the Queen in pig grunts, church bells,
electric guitar, ..., or your own sounds created using the Sample
Editor!
Also included on the disk are 26 new samples, including pan pipes,
various guitars, dog woof, organs, synth sounds, and lots of effects!
Also, 18 new tunes are supplied for playing with the Tune Player, or for
compiling using the Tune Compiler. These include: Yesterday, Hey Jude,
View to a Kill, God Save the Queen, Happy Birthday, This Old Man, and
many classics.
The manual is in A5 booklet format, and has been typeset using LaTeX,
and printed using an Agfa Laser printer. The clear instructions make
the software a joy to use!
Package 1.5 is not much use on its own, so will be sold along with
package 1. The two packages together will cost 8pounds (UK) including
P&P.
Copies to other countries will cost 10pounds (UK sterling paid with
IMO). Just fill in the order form below and send it with a cheque/PO/
IMO payable to DEAN GARRAGHTY.
Package 1 on its own is 5pounds UK, and 7pounds other countries. See
the first section of this posting for full details of package 1.
Please send me (tick relevant box):
Package 1&1.5[ ] Package 1 only[ ]
I enclose a cheque/PO/IMO for ______pounds
NAME:______________________________
ADDRESS:________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
P.CODE/ZIP CODE:______________
Dean Garraghty, 62 Thomson Ave, Balby, Doncaster, DN4 0NU, ENGLAND.
=======================================================================
* CRYSTAL MINES 2 CODES
=======================================================================
Compiled by: Greg Littlefield and John Hardie
Updated by Charlie Craft 5/11/92
Text file by: John Hardie 4/10/92
1 - TSLA Down In The Dirt 2 - UEPT Logan's Run
3 - MTFQ Blocks And Bombs 4 - IRTR Wren's Nest
5 - ZCXP Out With A Bang 6 - DPRX Tanya's Tangram
7 - OIGT Monster Go Boom 8 - YHYR Dan's Deadly Maze
9 - VYHK Rocky Horror 10 - ITCU It Grows On You
11 - QCFK Easy Trap Of Doom 12 - BXNG Rock And Roll
13 - MOXA Bombs A' Plenty 14 - IDWJ Catacombs
15 - RFVC Red Herring 16 - GHSI Behind The Lines
17 - SKHU Impervections 18 - TRFN Blasting Zone
19 - LQRE A Wrinkle In Time 20 - AURV Bolder Dash
21 - TYGU Mud Wrestling 22 - FUIX Buried Alive
23 - QFXV Crystal "Mines" 24 - XVXU Can't Touch This
25 - KYPO Felony Arson 26 - HBTR Sandbox Bullies
27 - SFEB Stake Your Claim 28 - HXRE Dry Vein
29 - TRVJ Quiver 30 - FQCS Boulder Mania
31 - ZOIH Pipe Hype 32 - LHJV Stuck In The Mud
33 - GVYU Rat Race 34 - EMTV Split Infinity
35 - OHXY Switch Swatch 36 - GSTB Minefield
37 - UXRC Chimney Sweep 38 - PWYH What A Blast!
39 - XQCE Hardrock Headache 40 - PNGU Nuke Zone
41 - DZDI Down Is Up 42 - PIPH Lucky Number
43 - PKAV Of Gravity... 44 - TBUM Shape Up
45 - CXRI Gravity Wise 46 - QIPZ Slime Pit
47 - HBJP Candlestick 48 - NXKU Bouncing Boulders
49 - IGPY Cloudbuster 50 - INUK Whirlwind
51 - LPHD Block Mania 52 - NEBX I Get Around
53 - JVNL Hot Pursuit 54 - CAQS Runny Stocking
55 - KEHL Cakewalk 56 - EMSE The Sewers
57 - ZLAE Crystal Factory 58 - MSXV Drop A Rock
59 - JXTD Magic Mirror 60 - SOVS Cache
61 - GHGV Rock Concert 62 - QVOZ Crystal Tomb
63 - ZCEL Make My Maze 64 - COYH Pardon Me
65 - HJHT Take Control 66 - DONQ Castle Mania
67 - VBHF Rad Drops 68 - JSMJ Crystal Cannon
69 - HTRA Tick Tock 70 - WBHD Crossroads
71 - MVJX Rain Dance 72 - ANZI Jungle Gem
73 - EDLA Zero Gravity 74 - PCMN Boulder Exchange
75 - YJKJ Monster Mania 76 - RAIQ Which Way?
77 - ZRWH Mud Boggin' 78 - ECMO Safe Cracker
79 - AOTP The Howling 80 - SVWK Trial -N- Error
81 - VRBO Squeeze Play 82 - SVYA Jailhouse Rock
83 - KRFH Dodge Ball 84 - CNQR Sidewinder
85 - YNXR Ghost Of A Chance 86 - CWQU Plumber's Helper
87 - YXFJ Change Machine 88 - SRDW Triple Threat
89 - PDSQ Out Of Order 90 - QKOA Robo Rooter
91 - CKLQ Riddle Me This 92 - KHBA Cheque It Out
93 - MZKM Joel's Conniption 94 - DYDO Saturn V
95 - IDIC To Boldly Go 96 - WVOM Who Knows?
97 - NJCU Pipe Dream 98 - WUQR Volcano Vacation
99 - BSZB Pipeline Puzzle 100 - RERF Asylum
101 - WNON Slime Jar 102 - IVLC Around The World
103 - PJOL Crystal Trap 104 - RGEI Central Square
105 - WCEF Down The Drain 106 - DSGY Creature Comforts
107 - PHUF Swamp Things 108 - NCDS Gravity Ball
109 - KOMZ Herringbone 110 - LFXQ Water Closet
111 - WAET Xenophobe Zoo 112 - YJNV Conveyor Belt
113 - TAUJ Mutation 114 - IMOZ Towering Inferno
115 - NBFD Take Your Pick 116 - ZAPR Shopping Spree
117 - BXFT Elevator Muzak 118 - GEFA Kaleidoscope
119 - QIKD Gemnastics 120 - GMWJ Death Zone
121 - MKIH Don't Be Greedy 122 - ULEL Multi-abuser
123 - KBDW Bombs Away 124 - QEFP Sound And Fury
125 - SFJX Make 'Em Yourself 126 - LQXW The Four Seasons
127 - INMQ Lobotomy 128 - NMAD Hell And Back
129 - RHEM Pipe Organ 130 - YHVR Newton's Nightmare
131 - FSHF Jail Break 132 - EIKJ Quantum Quarry
133 - CQCR Running On MT 134 - AIYA Haunted House
135 - SXOE Arrow Phlegm 136 - EKDR Bohemian Rhapsody
137 - DRVY Lift Lackeys 138 - RGUM Spacin' Vaders
139 - FEDC Avalanche! 140 - PRKL Evil Twins
141 - ONKO Leftright 142 - QXPL Meltdown
143 - JRXP Girls Best Friend 144 - PADJ Phase Shift
145 - KGLI Spiral Of Doom 146 - FDXR Mouse Trap
147 - BLKS Zen 148 - TJGB Freeze Frame
149 - QKBT Check Mate 150 - AUEC Terminus
Bonus Levels
------------
0 - ???? Secret Vault From Level --
1 - KQVW Deja View From Level 9
2 - QATR No Time To Think From Level 18
3 - DBFQ Bonanza! From Level 27
4 - LEJM Nimbus From Level 34
5 - ODJY Monty Haul From Level 39
6 - BVOS Pinball Wiz From Level 43
7 - SKLR Ping Pong From Level 48
8 - JPGR Twist And Shout From Level 52
9 - BIOH Time's Up From Level 55
10 - BNRY Time Bomb From Level 59
11 - UJIL Time To Spare From Level 61
12 - NMXS Lava Slide From Level 66
13 - LKBI Slam City From Level 70
14 - RNSK No Way Jose' From Level 73
15 - STRA Hide-N-Seek From Level 78
16 - YTST Snake's Belly From Level 84
17 - HBJO Flood Gate From Level 89
18 - CHRN Killing Time From Level 96
19 - WIFC Way Out From Level 100
20 - ESBD Hermit Crab From Level 106
21 - TMCB Menagerie From Level 111
22 - GCSQ Yuchsville From Level 114
23 - PNZS Mine Shaft From Level 119
24 - KDVI Surrounded From Level 125
25 - DHZY Pool Queue From Level 130
26 - IVRQ Pit Of Lost Souls From Level 134
27 - OSNY Shoot The Moon From Level 138
28 - LOTL Tarmaze From Level 143
29 - MWOH Safety Dance From Level 146
30 - JCXZ Downtime From Level 149
*NOTE* Upon completing level 28, you are awarded a 1 million point
super bonus.
=======================================================================
* ATARI CLASSICS MAIL-IN CAMPAIGN: FINAL REPORT
=======================================================================
A mail-in campaign to poll support for an independent Atari 8-bit
magazine, to be called ATARI CLASSICS, was conducted during the 3-month
period of January 15-April 15, 1992. The goal of the Campaign was to
collect 500 hard commitments from individuals willing to spend $25
annually for a subscription to such a publication.
The Campaign was conducted by a Campaign Committee consisting finally of
six people, two in the U.S. and the other four in various countries
around the world. The Campaign was managed and largely financed from
the U.S.
The Campaign Committee is pleased to announce that the mail-in campaign
WAS A COMPLETE SUCCESS!!!
As of this date a total of 556 written commitments have been secured,
and late returns are still wandering in.
Some statistics: 1512 campaign information packets were mailed (1100 in
the U.S., 412 internationally) to individuals and usergroups. This
involved a total of about 12,000 individual xerox copies, 2000
envelopes, 4000 printed labels, and an estimated total expenditure of
US$1650 by the Committee. The entire effort was financed out of the
pockets of individual members of the Committee, all of whom are
dedicated 8-bitters. Internationally, returns were received from the
following countries: Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany,
Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Norway, The Netherlands, New Zealand,
Romania, and Sweden.
The overall rate of returns was 37%; the return rate in the U.S. was
36%, and 37% for international respondents. All the information
collected from the postcard returns has been compiled in a database in
TurboFile format on an XL computer.
Not every 8-bit enthusiast was reached by the Campaign effort. Only
about half the usergroups we had originally intended to send mailings to
were actually contacted, and a number of individual requests for
information packets were received after the official close of the
Campaign and were turned away. The Committee regrets any disappointment
caused by these unintended omissions and begs your understanding of the
often chaotic conditions and limited resources available for the pursuit
of this effort.
The Committee acknowledges with deep appreciation the following 8-bit
vendors who supported our effort by running ads, forwarding lists of
names, and distributing Campaign literature: BaPAUG Publishing, B&C
ComputerVisions, Best Electronics, Computer Software Services, Current
Notes Inc., Gralin International, K.O. Distributors, and Unicorn
Publications.
The Campaign Committe consisted of the following people:
Jeff McWilliams (USA), Campaign Manager
Ben Poehland (USA), Logistical Support
Mike Jewison (Canada), Distribution
Colin Hunt (England), Distribution U.K. and Europe
Dawn Scotting (New Zealand), Distribution
Dave Blears (Australia), Distribution
Its work now completed, the Committee is now disbanded. The comraderie
shared between the various Committee members will remain a fond memory,
and it is hoped the accomplishments of the Campaign Committee will stand
as an example of what the 8-bit community can achieve when its members
exercise initiative and pull together toward a common goal.
What's next? Jeff McWilliams and Ben Poehland are presently engaged in
forging the sinews of what will- we hope- become ATARI CLASSICS. The
intention is to take advantage of all the best features of other well-
regarded periodicals (ANTIC, ANALOG, AIM, Current Notes, PSAN, etc.)
while hopefully avoiding their mistakes. The subject content of the
magazine will be taken from comments on the return cards and from
discussions in public forums on the various telecommunications networks.
All interested 8-bitters are encouraged to offer their opinions/
suggestions, whether they participated in the Campaign or not. At this
stage of things Jeff and Ben want to see as much diversity of opinion as
the 8-bit community cares to offer. Communicate your ideas/suggestions
to the Info-Atari8 newsgroup on INTERNET or the 8-bit Forum on
Compuserve. You may also submit your ideas directly to: Jeff
McWilliams, 2001G Woodmar Drive, Houghton MI 49931-1017 (INTERNET:
jjmcwill@mtus5.mtu.edu) or to : Ben Poehland, 179 Sproul Rd./Rt. 352,
Frazer PA 19355-1958 (GEnie: B.POEHLAND, INTERNET: poehland%phvax.dnet@
smithkline.com). We shall not acknowledge individual communications,
but be assured your ideas will be considered. We anticipate this phase
should take about 4-6 weeks. Stay tuned for further announcements as we
progress.
The number of returns recorded in this report will be taken as the
official tally of Campaign returns. However, returns received after the
release of this report will be accepted by Jeff McWilliams and duly
logged into the Atari Classics Campaign database. So, if you are still
in possession of an information kit and have not returned your card
because you thought it was too late, please send it in! You will still
be counted when we present our results to Unicorn Publications.
The Committee urges all interested parties to freely download/re-post/
re-print/mail unaltered electronic or hardcopies of this Report.
Permission is also hereby granted to publish this Report in unaltered
form in any newsletter, magazine, or other print media. Tell your
friends!
Finally, the Committee wishes to thank everyone who participated in the
Campaign and returned their card. By so doing, you have cast your vote
in favor of LIFE for your computer! LONG LIVE THE 8-BIT!!
(Signed), The Committee:
Jeff, Ben, Mike, Colin, Dawn, and Dave
=======================================================================
* BOB PUFF AND JEFF POTTER IN CONFERENCE
=======================================================================
Pattie) Tonight we have as guest speakers Jeff Potter, author of
APACVIEW and other fine shareware programs for the 8bit, and Bob Puff,
owner of Computer Software Services, a hardware and software company
dealing only with Classic Atari's. Tonight Bob and Jeff are here to
share with us how they keep finding new stuff for a machine that's
approaching its teens!
Bob Puff) I am honored to be asked here tonight. The 8-bit community
seems to have dwindled considerably since the mid 80s, but I am very
encouraged to see a recent resurgence of interest and activity within
the past year. I am amazed every day at the number of new people that
call CSS and request information. We 8-bitters haven't let our machines
die yet!
JDPotter) Thanks, Bob, Pattie. I too am honored to be invited here
tonight. The 8-bit public is still alive in little pockets of users
around the country, who still believe the old machine provides the level
of performance they need for home use. It has given me great pleasure
to develop my little graphics programs, and to hear from users all over
the country (and the world), who enjoy them. We'll keep programming as
long as YOU are out there!
Pattie) Before we get to other's questions, can you tell us how long
you've been working with Ataris?
JDPotter) I have my original invoice right here...I've owned my 800 for
10 years and 1 month! Been programming...oh...most of that time.
Bob Puff) I've had my 8-bit since 1981, and have been programming in
machine language since 1983.
Bob Woolley) Bob Puff - I have also seen many, many messages asking
about CSS on local BBSes. Why is it so difficult to get the word out?
Bob Puff) I'm not sure of all the reasons. CSS has been in business for
10 years, and has advertised in the national Atari magazines since its
start. We are using a different advertising strategy, so hopefully this
will yield increased awareness.
Pattie) Jeff, do you have trouble getting word out about your programs
too?
JDPotter) Well, possibly so...as you know I don't advertise (yet), so
word only gets out from the pay services and BBSes that carry my
shareware programs.
Todd Ornett) Jeff, what is your favorite language?
JDPotter) Assembler of course. I have developed all my graphics
programs on the Atari Macro Assembler (AMAC). My current project ("The
Maze of Agdagon" game) is also being done in assembler, using C.
Marslett's A65. I've of course used Atari BASIC (only for small stuff)
and some of the C compilers (really not too bad), but that's about it.
Being a hardware designer by trade, I tend to want to toggle the bits
manually.
Bob Puff) I've done work in Basic and Machine language, and pretty much
everything I do is in ML. There is nothing like getting the most out of
the machine, and ML is the way I do it.
Bill Zaiser) Bob P.: Is there any possibility that you will take on any
former ICD & OSS products?
Bob Puff) Bill: I have had interest in doing such, and have spoken with
ICD briefly concerning such, but I don't have the capital to invest in
what they are looking for (at least at that time). Some of the products
are in competition to what I produce, some are not. Unless
circumstances change, ICD will probably be holding on to their products.
I do wish to see the OSS carts available, regardless if I end up getting
them or not.
Pattie) Jeff, I understand you've been getting ahold of code for
sending and receiving faxes...can you explain what you have in mind and/
or under development?
JDPotter) I figured this question would come up... Well, it's really in
the "market research" phase. BTW, leave some feedback everybody). It
seems, at least according to Supra, that connecting a fax/modem to an
8-bit is indeed feasible. You would, of course, have to actually buy
one of the things and have a P:R:Connection (or maybe 850) to talk to
it. A controller program (hey, maybe BobFax?) could receive faxes into
a file where an off-line program could view these or print them out (on
your dot-matrix printer, maybe?).
To send your own fax, you would have to create *something*, maybe a
Daisy-Dot 3 file, that the fax program would interpret, and convert to
CCITT class 3 or 4 bytes. (maybe later we can ask for creative
suggestions) (or am I all wet?)
Bob Woolley) Between the two of you, do you think a scanner would be in
the works?
JDPotter) I thought I heard of "Easy Scan," which appeared to be based
on the old Antic article...where you mounted a phototransistor on your
printer (without its printhead) and scanned a page underneath it.
Pattie) BobW, what kind of scanner do you mean?
Bob Woolley) I was thinking more of an SCSI flatbed unit. Like an HP.
JDPotter) BobW> Aren't those expensive, though?
Bob Woolley) JD> Not on the used market...
Bob Puff) Jeff is the graphics man...I can provide the interface for it,
if Jeff can interpret the data. <g>
Pattie) Jeff, scans from flatbed scanners can be big! Several megs of
data. Would the 8-bit be able to handle it?
JDPotter) Hmmm...if BobP can provide the SCSI port...I'd have to read
the specs on the flatbed scanner. I did write a program that could
interpret TIFF files, as create by IBM programs from a hand scanner.
Files could get a little large. Yeah, BobW, if you can get ahold of
specs, send me some e-mail!
Pattie) Perhaps you two can share your thoughts on how to keep the 8-bit
alive? Vendors have said in the past that if Classic owners wish to
have new products, they need to support the Classic vendors who are out
there now. Is this true even more as Classic vendors become the
exception, rather than the rule?
Bob Puff) This is true. Without a demand, manufacturers are not going
to provide product. I think part of the problem that exists is there is
no excellent software to handle the needs of the majority of people,
hence they go up to a different platform. This is something both Jeff
and I are trying to address. CSS has irons in the fire for more
products, and we will continue to support the 8-bit community as long as
possible. There still is plenty of productivity that can be
accomplished with the 8-bits (not to mention the games!). The goal is
to impart that idea to the thousands of 8-bitters with their computers
in the closet.
JDPotter) I agree with Bob. I'm sure neither he or I have anywhere near
the resources of the IBM, Nintendo, etc. software and hardware
developers. I, being a shareware developer, have practically no
overhead, but still must try to work on things that at least a sizable
percentage of the 8-bit public would like to own. So I'm always open
for suggestions (hoping you realize my leaning towards the graphics
side). But, I refuse to be caught up in the negative feelings that
likely accompany the "orphan" computer owner...hey, if we like and use
the ol' 8-bit, why trade up? I use tremendously more powerful computers
at work, but the 8-bit still retains its appeal to me. And so I hope
that's still true for the couple hundred (thousands?) of 8-bit user for
years to come.
Bill Zaiser) Suggestion: One thing many of us CAN do is to reach out for
new members in our individual user groups. I am helping to rebuild an
8-bit group here in Jacksonville, FL.
JDPotter) Good to hear, Bill. Give me a call if you'd like a visit
sometime!
JDPotter) Hmmm...like I said, if there *are* users out there interested
in a fax for the 8-bit machine, drop me a line. I'll be releasing V2.4
of APACVIEW shortly; I'll continue work on the Agdagon game (details
forthcoming). And I'll be following the story on the Atari Classics
magazine, if it becomes a reality. Hope we can continue meeting like
this (at least the Sun. night regular co.) for years to come! Thanks!
Bob Puff) There are many more new things to be done with the 8-bits yet.
As much time as I have, I try my best. But we need others like Jeff who
are able to produce good programs. I was speaking with Alfred (author
of AlfCrunch), and he is considering a hard-disk/upgraded memory version
of Synfile. But stuff like this comes about only when we hear from the
users. It really makes things worth-while when you know more than 12
people are using your programs. Pass the word along to user groups,
etc., that there STILL are people writing and developing NEW items for
the 8-bits, and we'll hopefully be doing it in the years to come!
=======================================================================
* UNARC.COM INSTRUCTIONS
=======================================================================
This file is a short introduction to using UNARC.COM, the UnArc utility
for Atari Classics, a Shareware program from Bob Puff. The current
version is 2.4.
It is recommended that you download SUPERA.ARC in this lib which has
detailed documentation, along with the ARC utility that will enable you
to compress files yourself (wonderful for backups!) We've made
UNARC.COM available for those who don't have an UnArc utility to start
with. (NOTE: earlier versions of an unarc utility were available under
the general name ARCX ... we advise you use this one instead.)
ARC is a common form of "file compression" which takes one or more files
and "compresses" them into one easy to access file. Before using an ARC
file, it's necessary to "extract" the individual file(s), which is where
UNARC comes in.
UNARC is a binary file. Load it from DOS (see your DOS manual) as
appropriate. It is advised you do this with BASIC disabled, so you have
more elbow room.
You'll see the Main Menu, most of which is pretty self-explanatory.
You'll probably have an ARC file you've downloaded (preferably on
another disk) ready to extract, so let's give it a shot.
If you're using a single drive system, especially in Single Density, you
might want to check and see how big the extracted files will be.
The [V]iew file choice in the Main Menu will allow you to see just how
much room the extracted files will take up once uncompressed. Put the
disk containing your ARC file in D1:, press V, then answer the query
with the full filespec: eg. D1:SUPERA.ARC
By using the directory function in the Main Menu (pressing a number from
1 to 9 will show you the directory of a disk in the specified drive),
you'll be able to calculate whether the extracted files will fit
(remember, these numbers are approximate.)
If they don't, there are a couple of workarounds in the "options box"
above the Main Menu that you'll find useful. You can access the options
by pressing P in the Main Menu. Note the prompts.
"Extract with Query" means that you'll be asked whether you want to
extract each file in the ARC as it comes up. This is handy to "split"
an UnArc over 2 disks (you might want to copy the Big Arc file to 2
separate disks, extracting a set of files on each one.)
"Disk Swaps" will allow you to process an ARC file on one disk, writing
the extracted files to another disk, using the same disk drive. This is
somewhat slow, but it does work.
Experiment! (always remembering to BACKUP FIRST in case something goes
wrong), and the process will get clearer.
Ready to go? Put the disk containing your ARC file in D1: and choose
[A] to UnArc the file. First question is which file to UnArc, which you
should answer with the FULL filespec (eg: D1:SUPERA.ARC)
Next question is where you want the extracted files to go. You can just
type in a drive number (eg. 1), and if it's the same drive that has the
ARC, files will be extracted to the same disk (thus the options above.)
If you have 2 drives, or a RamDisk, you might want to enter 2 or 8, etc.
Optionally, if you're using SpartaDOS or MyDOS, you can specify a full
filepath, instead. (eg: D2:>BASIC>)
After that, the magic happens. You'll see a note on the screen as each
part of the ARC is extracted and written. If there's an error, you'll
get a beep, and a notice of what happened.
When you're done, press H from the Main Menu, and you'll be returned to
DOS (if appropriate for what you're running, make sure you have a disk
with DUP.SYS in D1: first.)
That's really all there is to it. It can be a little confusing at
first, but with a little practice, you'll see how it works. And it *is*
great. Remember, this is shareware, so if you like and use the program,
consider a contribution to the author:
Bob Puff
2117 Buffalo Road
Suite 222
Rochester, NY 14624
Sparta Bonus: Super UnArc (and SuperArc) support command line options,
bypassing the menu. Details can be found in SUPERA.ARC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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hit <return>.
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for operator #198. You will be promptly sent a $15.00 free membership
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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