========================================================================= SYNDICATE ZMAGAZINE ISSUE #134 DECEMBER 4, 1988 ========================================================================= Copyright (C) Syndicate Publishing Company, 1988 Post Office Box 74 Middlesex, NJ 08846-0074 Publisher/Editor: Ron Kovacs CompuServe: 71777,2140 GEnie: ZMAG Delphi: RONKOVACS Source: BDG793 -Final Regular Edition of 1988- ************************************************************************* CONTENTS (*) Editors Desk.........................Ron Kovacs (*) February Antic Highlights.................Antic (*) Atari Comdex Report Part 3.........Darlah Pine (*) Dataque Update..........................Dataque (*) ZMagazine Reader Survey..............Ron Kovacs (*) ZNet Newswire--(ST-Update)..................... (*) ST Transformer Update.............Darek Mihocka ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conveyance accorded by PayBax BBS (302) 731-5558 All Bauds _________________________________________________________________________ Editors Desk by Ron Kovacs This is the final regular edition of 1988. In the following weeks we will present a Review of 1988. Be sure to read the next issue of ZMagazine. This week the ZMag Survey appears. This will also be released as a seperate file. Please print it out and send it back with your input. I will publish the results in a January release of ZMag. I have been receiving letters asking about subscribing to ZMag. Most have been from BBS operators. Here is the official recommendations: 1) ZMagazine may be made available to your users without cost. 2) ZMagazine may appear in your download section or as a readable online feature. 3) All BBS systems carrying ZMagazine are suggested to notify ZMAG and register as an official carrier. You will receive a BBS number and be added to the ZMag BBS List. 4) All ZMag issues are to be left intact and NOT editted without permission. 5) ZMagazine must be available to all users without a fee. Happy Holidays! _______________________________________________________________________ Contents February '89 Antic Magazine Just what you've all been waiting for -- this issue's theme is POWER PROGRAMMING. No, we're not talking supercomputers, we're talking about pushing your 8-bit to its limits. On top of that, this is an ALL 8-BIT ISSUE. No ST reviews or new products, just unadulterated 8-bit info and programs. No longer will you be needlessly tantalized by those ST games you can't get for your computer! We've got a good line-up of 8-bit programs this month: EQUIVALENCE, by new author Doug White, shows how to speed up your BASIC programs. The article includes some detailed info on floating point variables, variable tables, and ways to make those little numbers jump through hoops. Some interesting demos prove it works! HARD-WIRED RAY TRACING, by Michael Bjorkman, is an 8-bit ray tracing program. You've seen Xanth Park's -Shiny Bubbles- on the ST, with its floating, mirrored spheres? This does the same thing (well, almost) on your 8-bit. You generate a single sphere in a strange landscape derived from your own MicroIllustrator screens. Generate enough screens, changing the sphere's size and location, and you have the potential for a great page-flipping animation. ERROR TRAPPING IN ATARI BASIC is by Heidi Brumbaugh, START Programs Editor. That's right, you remember -- Heidi started out as a lowly clerk here at Antic. She showed definite talents at Atari programming, and look where it got her. She's now the harried disk editor over at START, and it serves her right. Anyway, Heidi wrote up a useful article on error trapping for Antic. Not only does it show you how to avoid errors by trapping them, it also gives tips on using those errors to make your program work better and more efficiently. This is definitely a useful subject for all those beginning programmers out there. Matthew Ratcliff reviews the STAR NX-1000 RAINBOW printer in this issue, and he's pretty excited about this machine. It may well be the world's first affordable COLOR dot-matrix printer, and not only that, it turns out some pretty decent graphics. Matt's been inundating our offices with sample printouts, and we're pretty impressed, too. In our EDUCATION department this month we've got SPELLING FLASHCARDS, a type-in program by Andy Barton. It's a friendly quiz that lets you make up your own list of spelling words. The program flashes each word on the screen, and then you get to try to spell it. Great for dyslexics! The GAME OF THE MONTH is ROULETTE, ATARI STYLE by Michael Pemberton. Yet another 8-bit type-in. You won't lose your shirt to the 8-bit croupier, but you will get to know the different kinds of bets. If you've wanted to test that winning system of yours in a safe environment, this is the game for you! This issue's DISK BONUS is MANDALA MOVIES by Mike McFarlane. Want a colorful display for a computer fair or shop? This 8-bit kaleidoscope construction set lets you make bright, exciting kaleidoscope patterns that will run endlessly on your monitor. Easy to learn and operate! Just a few keystrokes and a nudge of the joystick set your patterns running. Now, not everyone will want to kill hours of time trying to create the most beautiful patterns possible, but personlly, I think it's the niftiest program on the disk. So, it's particularly unfortunate that we've lost touch with the author. When last heard from, Mike McFarlane lived in Springfield, Oregon. If anyone knows where we can find him, please let us know! DEMON RACER by Jon Peterson is an ACTION! type-in game. It's an auto race against time on a devilish course, as a desperate commuter detours to the Twilight Zone. Our Feature Application this month is REAL-WORLD INTERFACE by John Little. Mr. Little was a man with a big problem -- he needed a way to keep his greenhouse cool when the power went out. (If you've ever been to Austin, Texas in the summer, you'll understand how serious a problem he had!) With some hardware modifications and a special valve, he set his 8- bit up to run a sprinkler system for his orchids. Get all the details in this month's issue of Antic! Wrapping up the issue, we have the usual New Products section, Tech Tips, and the I/O Board. In addition to the Star Rainbow review, 8-BIT PRODUCT REVIEWS scheduled for this issue cover Celebrity Cookbook, and Cheat! ______________________________________________________________________ Atari Comdex Report Part 3 Copyright 1988 Darlah J. Pine. All rights reserved. Comdex Overview: A Wealth of Items to Report On By Darlah J. Pine and Sandy Wilson (Ed. This is Part 3 of 3. Continued from Issues #132,133) GEnie was promoting its product with a full staff including Neil Harris. QMI was showing ST Professional. It was noted that it will be more active online now that the mad rush has partially passed. Coming real soon from QMI is Disk Librarian. This product allows you to keep track of your software and data files with an easy-to-use Gem program. Disk Librarian allows you to sort, search and add comments to your database of files. The number of entries is limited only by the memory in your computer. Lets hope we see this sooner than real soon now. Intersect was showing Masterlink. Masterlink contains all the features of Interlink plus multiple buffers with buffer reformat, tabs, word wrap and search/replace. It has an advanced script language, which helps you to develop your own scripts. You will be able to execute your scripts in the background. A built-in answer mode gives you complete remote control. Masterlink will be available in the first quarter of 1989 with an upgrade policy available for registered users of Interlink. Suggested retail prices is $59.95. This looks like one we want to see as soon as it ships. Nite Lite Systems was demonstrating its the Lantech RS232 local area network. With this system you can control up to seven nodes, which can be computers, printers, terminals or modems. The Lantech Lan requires one meg of internal RAM to run. Suggested retail price is $799. Atari continues to do well in the music world. Hybrid Arts, Dr. T and Midisoft were there showing their current product lines, and Sonus was showing the new version of its scoring and sequencing package, Superscore 1.3. They have added a number of extra editing features as well as now allowing music to be entered using the mouse. Passport Designs was demoing Master Tracks Jr and Master Tracks Pro. These programs retail for $129.95 and $349.95 respectively. The major difference between the two versions is the addition of a graphic step editor, which greatly enhances editing capabilities. The latest version of Master Tracks Pro (version 2.5) should be available in about a week. SMPTE capabilities will be available with version 3.0, but no release date for that version was mentioned. Legend Software Systems from Canada was showing its sequencing program, The Final Cut. This program is very user friendly. It utilizes animated tape reels and standard tape-recorder-type controls to facilitate easy input from the synthesizer. It also has a good variety of editing tools for everything from manipulating any section of your song to MIDI event editing and special effects. The Final Cut lists at $89.95 and is currently available at Federated stores. DLR (Digital Laboratory Research) was showing AMADEUS ST. This is a computer-assisted music learning program that is currently available in France. The program is designed for all skill levels, from beginner to professional, and includes instruction in music reading, theory and harmony. Also included are a couple of games, and the ability to score practice sessions to determine progress. It's current price is $245. ICD was showing its Fast Tape Backup. Need we say we all need this?? Fast Tape Backup allows you to recover individual files on restore under TOS or MS-DOS partitions. Will the Spectre/Magic Sac users be left out?? An Image backup mode is also supported on these partitions. Along with another 50 meg hard drive, this too will be on our wish list. Astra was showing its full line of products with its new cases. Astra has one of the best hard drives on the market along with ICD. Upgrade Editions had its product, Twist. Twist allows you to load several applications in the ST memory (up to 14 on the Mega 4) and use them without ever having to reload or save files. Twist is sold in the U.K. by HiSoft. With MichTron picking up their HiSoft's basic, maybe this will be available through MichTron as well. ViewTouch was showing its touch-screen computer system, known mostly for its restaurant POS computer system. One can order food and drinks by touching the screen without having to wait for a waiter or waitress. Technology comes to restaurants. Lets see how far this concept spreads. Visi-Comp Systems was one of the first professional vertical market applications for the ST. It is a complete professional optometric office management system. IBP was one of our favorite stops in the Gold Room. This company from Hannover has great possibilities. It was showing the 190ST. The 190ST allows you to design a system for different industrial applications, such as a concrete-mixing plant, but different ideas come to our mind, like a more portable computer?? The central unit of the system is equipped with a CPU MC68000 and can be optionally extended by a mathematic co-processor and by the blitter. All sockets are existing. With up to 2 Mbyte of RAM and modular add-ons, the system is set up for quite a few ideas that one may have. We were told that all you need to do is let the people at IBP know what you need your system to do, and they can do it. The graphic resolution of the monitor shown was 640x400 in high res with color being 320x200 in low res and medium being 640x200. We were told that the high picture repetition frequency, noninterlaced with 71 Hz in the monochrome mode, results in a absolutely flicker-free picture. The system is equipped with interfaces all accessible on the front panel, including a centronics printer connection, buffered DMA interface with a transmission rate of 10MBit a second, keyboard with V24 levels and ST records, midi-in/midi- out/midi-thru with 126k baud option and a RS232 interface. This system is Atari ST hardware and software compatible. On the business end, Logical Design Works was showing LDW Power, its spreadsheet for the Atari ST. Precision Software was showing Superbase 3.0, which is a major upgrade to Superbase professional. Among its new features, this version comes with telecommunications capabilities, more powerful forms editor and a cross- file file validation and lockup. The telecommunications area supports Xmodem, Xmodem CRC and WXYmodem. Suggested retail price is $349.95. These folks had a strong interest in getting online with GEnie. Maybe we will see them soon. Regent Software was showing its latest version of Regent Base II as well as a keyboard stiffening springs kit for the 1040 and 520ST to allow you to have a stiffer keyboard. It was noted that this may increase typing speed. They were also showing SQL Database Add-On, their program that brings SQL database capabilities to GFA BASIC. There were three word processors being shown. Neocept was there with its latest upgrade for WordUp and TurboJet, which is a GDOS driver for the HP DeskJet. WordPerfect was showing the current version of its word processor. There is also a new word processor from Blue Chip due out in January. It has graphic capabilities and supports GDOS output. Suggested retail price is about $100. Nice and Software presented a cash-register inventory-control program for the ST called Cricit. It not only has complete cash-register functions but allows you to do everything from daily/period/yearly reporting to customized receipts, coupons, inventory and reporting. It seems to be quite user friendly. There are so many features, we just do not have room to mention them all. Datafree Industries was presenting an inexpensive order entry/inventory and receivables program. These two programs are quite sufficient for the small-business owner. Suggested retail price for each is $79.95 Turning Point Software was showing Fast Forward Video Systems, which is a networking video-store management system. It has all the features necessary to run a video store. As you can see, there was definitely a tremendous number of items being displayed at the show. We are sure we may have missed some, but with a lack of sleep and many hours compiling this article in alternating shifts, you must forgive us. Was Comdex worth it?? The answer is a definite YES. Watch for more detailed reports on specific items in the GEnie bulletin board as well as future articles in ST Profile. ________________________________________________________________________ DataQue Update From: DataQue Software Post Office Box 134 Ontario, Ohio This File will serve as an application and information source for those people who are concidering purchasing a beta test unit of the Turbo-816 and Turbo-OS Set. Anyone who would like to be on the beta-test team, and receives a beta unit must fill out this form and mail it to DataQue Software at the above address. Orders will be accepted by either COD, Personal Check or Cashier's check. Since there are a limited number of beta units available, all orders will be held until I have all the units through the primary testing, and ready to ship. At that time if orders exceed the number of available units, We will sort orders by the information provided on the form. What you will get in the beta test package is: 1) a Turbo-816-XB adapeter board. This is for the XL/XE units only. 2) A 6- CPU extension cable. 3) A preliminary Turbo-Install manual. 4) A preliminary Turbo-User Guide. 5) A suggested testing procedure format Guide. 6) A Turbo-OS Version 0.1 PROM. The main purpose for theout-of-house beta testing is the wide range of hardware, and software which would be prohibitive, and in many cases impossible for DataQue Software to purchase. There are several guidelines that have to be agreed to before A beta unit can be released, and these are also listed in the application form. It is expected that the beta test units will be through burn-in sometime in the first or second week of December. There are several options and questions on the form that must be filled in to qualify, so please be specific, and provide all requested information. When completed, please return to: DataQue Software Dept. T816-Beta Office Box 134 Ontario, H 44862 Application for Inclusion in Beat Testing of the Turbo-816 From: ___________________________________________________ Age: _________ Address: _______________________________________________________________ City: __________________________________ State: ______ Zip __________ Check or Fill-in as Apropriate: Computers Own: __400 __800 __1200XL __600XL __800XL __65XE __130XE __XEG Disk Drives: __810 __1050 __551 __Doubler __Happy __Duplicator _________ Interfaces: __850 __830 __1030 __P:R: __MIO ____________________________ Other Peripherals: _____________________________________________________ Special Software of Intrest: ___________________________________________ Languages Used: __BAS __C __Forth __Pascal __ASM __MAC/65 __Action _____ Electronic Experience: _________________________________________________ Telecom Services Used: __GEnie __Delphi __Compuserve __M-800 ___________ If a beta unit is not available: ___Backorder ___Cancel (Return Check) Payed By: ____COD ____Money Order ____Cashiers Check ____Personal Check Turbo-816x-Beta kit cost is: $69.95 including normal postage (see below) A future upgrade from a beta unit to a production will be offered to any tester who would like one. The cost will be kept to a minimum. List any particular reasons you feel you would be an exceptional beta tester for the turbo-816x Agreement: To receive a Turbo-816x Beta Kit you must fill out this form and sign it. All infomation must be provided. Please read this document fully before signing it. I __________________________________________________(signed) on _________ ________________________________________(date) realize the unit I am requesting to beta test may have some flaws and defects in hardware and software for which I am donating my time and effort to locate and log. I will communicate only to DataQue Software, via GEnie, or the Master-800 BBS those defects or non-compatibilies which I discover. I agree not to publish, or release propriatary information to anyone other than DataQue Software. For my efforts I will receive a substantial discount on the kit as listed. This amount includes shipping within the US via parcel post, but does not include extra fees such as COD or special handling. I may demonstrate the unit at local user group meetings with the understanding that it is made known to all in attendance the unit is a pre-release version of the Turbo-816, and that any possible defects logged will be investigated and hopefully corrected. I also understand that I am not to dis-assemble or reverse engineer any of DataQue Software products under any circumstance, unless specifically given written permission from DataQue Software. The minimal format that I will use to communicate the problems I encounter will be the following: Computer Serial Number:________________________________ Computer Model Number:_________________________________ Installed Upgrades:____________________________________ Turbo-816 Serial Number:_______________________________ Program Name:__________________________________________ Version of program:____________________________________ Manufacturer:__________________________________________ Phone # of Manufacturer if Available: (111) 222-3333 My Name:_______________________________________________ User ID if GEnie/Delphi/CIS:___________________________ Date Problem Logged:___________________________________ Description of Problem:________________________________ Possible Causes:_______________________________________ Possible Corrections:__________________________________ An alternative to uploading this info to one of the services or Master-800 @ (419) 529-5197 300/1200 Bps is to mail it, although usually not practical due to the time-lag involved. Please be specific in your descriptions. _________________________________________________________________________ (cut here) SYNDICATE ZMAGAZINE READER SURVEY Please respond to the following questions. Later in 1989 we will publish all the responses we receive. Your input is important! A copy of the results will be sent to Atari, so your comments will be read. 1). Sex: ____ 2). How many people in household? ____ 3). What is your age? ____ 4). What City/State do you live in? __________________ 5). Are you employed? ___Yes ___No 6). Are you the principal wage earner? ___Yes ___No ______________ Section 2 1). Type of computer you presently use most at home:________________ 1a). Type of computer used at work:__________________________________ 2). Number of computers you presently own: _________________________ 3). Which computer did you purchase first?:__________________________ 3a). Which computer do you presently use most:________________________ 4). Please list the peripherals you presently own: Include everything 4a). Please list all input devices. 5). How many modems have you owned: (Please list) ____________________________________________________________ 6). How many printers have you owned: (Please list) ____________________________________________________________ 7). How many monitors have you owned: (Please list) ____________________________________________________________ 8). Have you ever purchased a 2600 game system? Y:____ N:____ 9). Have you ever purchased a 5200 game system? Y:____ N:____ 10). Have you ever purchased any other Atari Game System? Y:____ N:____ 11). Have you ever purchased any other game system? Y:____ N:_____ ____________________________________________________________ 12). How many game system cartridges do you own:______ 13). How many cartridges for the 800/XL/XE computer do you own: ______ Please list the titles your presently own, and circle your favorite __________ Section 3 1). How long have you been an 8 bit user? ___________________________ 2). How long have you been a 16 bit user? ___________________________ 3). If you are presently an 8 bit owner, Do you plan to purchase an ST or other 16 bit computer? Please explain below. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 4). If you are presently an 8 bit owner as well as a 16 bit owner, do you still use your 8 bit computer? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 5). For ST owners: If you owned an Atari 8 bit computer before your present computer and you are not using it anymore, Please explain what you did with your 8 bit. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 6). For ST owners: How do you presently feel about the 8 bit Atari? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 7). For 8 Bit owners: How do you feel about the ST computer? _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 9). Do you feel Atari Corp has provided you the proper support? 10). Do you feel it is Atari's responsibility to support the 8 or 16 bit computer regardless of it's future plans? 11). If Atari were to drop your system and not support it any longer, would you sell it? 12). What do you think we as users can do to convince the developers to support our computer system. Be it 8 bit or 16 bit. __________ Section 4 Please answer the following questions if you are BBS SysOp. 1) Type of computer:_________________________________________________ 2) BBS Name:____________________ Number:_______________ Hours:_______ 3) Highest Baud Rate:_______ Max calls per day:____ 4) BBS Software used:__________________________________ 5) Years of Operation:______ 5a) Are you the principal SysOp? ______ 6) Number of SIGS or Message Bases:_____ 7) System size in MEGS:_____ 8) ZMagazine offered to users: Y:_____ N:_____ 9) Average Calls per/day: _____ 10) Networked Messages? Y:____ N:____ 11) Public Domain software offered: Y:_____ N:_____ 13) No software offered: Y:_____ N:_____ 14) User Group support BBS? Y:_____ N:_____ (If yes, Please list group):______________________________________ 15) Validation required: Y:_____ N:_____ 16) Fee required for access: Y:_____ N:_____ Amount:_______ 17) X-rated material allowed: Y:_____ N:_____ 18) Buisness support BBS? Y:_____ N:_____ (If yes, Please list):____________________________________________ 19) File transfer protocols offered: (Circle all that apply) a: Ymodem b: Xmodem c: Cmodem d: Fmodem e: Zmodem f: Xmodem 1K g: CIS Quick B h: ascii i: Ymodem Batch j: all k: none l: Other:___________________ 20) Offer other online publications: Y:_____ N:_____ (If yes, Please list):________________________________________ 21) Registered ZMag BBS System: Y:_____ N:_____ Reg. Number:__________ 23) Other notes on your system: __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________ Section 5 1) What is your present opinion of Atari Corporation. (Please write your comments in the space provided) 2) Should Atari Corporation dispose of the entire 8 bit line and pursue the ST and new products line? (Please comment below) 3) If you could speak to the President of the Atari Corporation, What would you tell him? __________ (User Group Section) If you are a member of a User Group, either fill out this section or pass on to your User Group secretary. 1) Name of User Group:_______________________________________________ 2) Number of members:______ Years in service:______ 3) Registered Atari User Group? Y:_____ N:_____ 4) Newsletter provided? Y:_____ N:_____ 4a) Name of Newsletter:__________________________ 4b) Circulation:__________ Price per issue: $__________ 4c) Newsletter exchange offered: Y:_____ N:_____ 5) Seperate 8/16 Bit meetings? Y:_____ N:_____ 6) Only provide 8 bit meetings? Y:_____ N:_____ 7) Only provide 16 bit meetings Y:_____ N:_____ 8) Average Users at each meeting:_______________ 9) Please select: a: Weekly meetings b: Bi-weekly meetings c: Monthly meetings d: Bi-monthly meetings 10) Sellers market provided at each meeting? Y:_____ N:_____ 11) Please fill out following for registration as an official Zmag/ST- Report User Group. User Group Name:______________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________________ City:______________________ State:________________ Zip:_______________ President:_____________________ Vice-President:_______________________ Secretary:_____________________ Treasurer:____________________________ Meeting Date/Place:___________________________________________________ Contact (Name/Number):________________________________________________ Newsletter Editor:____________________________________________________ 12) Comments: __________ (Magazines and Publishing) 1) Please check the computer related hard copy magazines you regularly read and circle your favorite: a: Analog Magazine b: Antic Magazine c: Compute Magazine d: Atari Explorer e: Computer Shopper f: ST-World h: ST-Xpress i: Byte Magazine j: ST-Log k: STart Magazine l: Home/Office Computing m: ST Informer n: Online Today o: Current Notes p: Michigan Atari Magazine q: MacWorld r: PC World s: A+ t: Amiga World u: Personal Computing v: Computer Living w: Compute Gazette x: Current Notes y: Rainbow z: OTHER:_____________________ 1: Infoworld 2) Please check the Online Magazine you read regularly, and circle your favorite: a: Zmagazine b: ST-Report c: AMy Report d: Tele-Talk e: Amigazine f: BBSTN g: Antic Online h: Other:__________________ 3) Please select the topics you prefer coverage on in online magazines: a: Telecom b: Games c: Reviews d: News e: Editorials f: Press releases g: Tutorials h: Hardware Modifications i: Reader Feedback j: Calendar of Events k: Conference Transcripts l: Online Services Coverage m: BBS News and Reviews n: Educational information o: Feature Stories p: Rumors q: Other:______________________________ 4) Topics you prefer NOT to read in ZMagazine. 5) Please select service or BBS you read or download Zmagazine from. a: CompuServe b: GEnie c: Delphi e: Launch Pad BBS f: Bounty Atari g: Stairway To Heaven h: The Source i: F-Net j: Shadow Haven k: UseNet l: CHAOS m: Other:________________________________ 6) How long have you been reading ZMagazine? _____________________ 7) How long have you been reading ST-Report? _____________________ 8) Please rate the performance of ZMagazine on a scale of 1 - 10 on the following topics. a: News Coverage _____ b: Software Reviews ______ c: Editorial Content _____ d: Special Features ______ e: Appearance _____ f: Length _____ g: Other:____________________________ ______ 9) Please rate your satisfaction of ST-Report on the same scale and features below. a: _____ b: _____ c: _____ d: _____ e:_____ f:_____ g: ________________________________ ______ 10) Please list any further comments below. __________ Section 8 1) Please list your 5 favorite 8 bit software: 2) Please list your 5 favorite 16 bit software: 3) Please check the programming software you use and circle the one you use most: a: Atari 8 bit Basic b: Atari ST Basic c: Basic XL d: Basic XE e: GFA Basic f: GW Basic g: Action h: C i: Pascal j: Machine language k: ST Logo l: 8 Bit Logo m: 8 Bit Pilot n: Other:__________________________ o: M65 4) Please circle the drawing program you use and circle the one you use most: a: Koala/Touch Tablet b: Rambrant c: Degas Elite d: Cyber Paint e: Spectrum f: Computer-Eyes g: Print Shop h: Micro Illustrator i: NEOchrome j: Doodle k: Other:____________________________________________ 5) List your favorite Word Processing software:______________________ 6) List your favorite Music software:________________________________ 7) List your favorite Applications software:_________________________ 8) List your favorite Atari related book:____________________________ 9) List your favorite Atari programmer:______________________________ 10) List your favorite Atari vendor:__________________________________ 11) List your favorite Online Service:________________________________ 12) List your favorite Online Service SysOp:__________________________ 13) List your favorite BBS SysOp:_____________________________________ 14) List your favorite Atari columnist:_______________________________ 15) List your favorite Atari 8 Bit DOS:_______________________________ If there are any other comments you wish to add, please do so. After you have completed this survey, please email to any of the addresses listed above or print this survey out and mail to the following address: Syndicate 1988 Atari Survey Post Office Box 74 Middlesex, New Jersey 08846 Please respond before 12/31/88. Results will be listed in a January 1989 issue of ZMagazine. If you are interested in receiving a voice polling, Please leave your number in Email. Thank you for participating in this survey. All responses will be kept confidential, only the cumlative results will be published. Please pass the survey around so that we may get as much response as possible. _______________________________________________________________________ ZNET Newswire (ST-Update) >From Tue Nov 29 10:59:16 EST 1988 From: avy@yugas.UUCP (Avy MOISE) >Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st Subject: Re: LAN CARDS? We just received the first 8 prototype boards of our TAXI controller board. TAXI stands for The Atari eXtended Interface. The TAXI board will plug into the Mega's expansion slot, or be driven through the Atari ACSI interface. Some of the features are: 1 Full Ethernet interface (thin is builtin, thick requires a transceiver box) 1 Full (true) SCSI interface independent of the Atari ACSI interface. 8 Full duplex serial lines (RS232-C compatible) 2 Centronics/parallel printer interface 1 MC68000 processor (when used as standalone configuration). 128K dual ported DRAM + 64/128K EPROM This board can be incrementally configured as an Ethernet controller, 2-8 channels serial cross point switch; with or without parallel or SCSI interface. If you have any further questions you may contact FutureDOS R&D or Tyler Ivanco 1207-120 Torresdale Avenue, ISTS (Institute for Space and North York, Ontario, Terrestrial Science) Canada, M2R 3N7 York University, Tel: (416)736-0321 North York, Ontario, (ask for Avy) Canada, M3J 1P3 Tel: (416)736-2100 ext 7765 uucp: avy@yunexus!stpl tyler@yunexus!stpl bitnet: FS300013@YUSOL FS300022@YUSOL ST Products Offered =================== ATARI ST CABLES CBL-PWR Replacement AC power cord for ST $8.00 CBL-CMP Monitor cable for composite monitor/VCR. 520ST ONLY! $15.00 CBL-MIDI Pair of heavy 10' coiled MIDI cables. $20.00 CBL-ADRV 6' cable for external drive. Replaces Atari 4' cable. $20.00 CBL-HDRV Cable for use with Atari's hard drive. $25.00 CBL-IBDR Cable connects ST to 40 or 80 track 5 1/4- drive. $25.00 CBL-35DR Cable connects ST to industry standard 3.5- drive. $27.00 ATARI ST PLUGS PLG-MON Plug mates with ST monitor jack. $4.00 PLG-MIDI Plug mates with ST MIDI ports. $3.00 PLG-DRV Plug mates with ST external drive jack. $6.00 USA add $2 to your order total for shipping. All others add $3. Southern Security 14007 Longvue Dr. Baker, LA 70714 NOTE: The CBL-35DR should work with any industry standard IBM 3.5- drive (360K or 720K) that has a 34 pin double header connector. The CBL-IBDR connects to standard 5 1/4- drives (360K 40trk or 720K 80trk) with a 34 contact edge connector. Getting a 5 1/4- drive to work properly with an ST may require finding and cutting out the pull up resistor in the drive (see Antic Nov 85). The default seekrate on the ST is 3ms and many 5 1/4- drives require a 6ms seekrate, so you may need a program such as SIXMS.PRG found in the ST SIG on GEnie or Compuserve. You may also want FORMAT40.TOS if using a 40 track 5 1/4- drive. On either size drive you will need a proper power supply and also may have to set the drive select switch. Putting your own drive together can save you MONEY, but make sure you know what you are doing, or have someone help you who does. Help your fellow Atarian's and me by uploading this file to your local BBS. New Operating System ==================== MINIX is a new operating system that is system call compatible with V7 UNIX. Unlike real UNIX, it is available with all the source code, both the kernel and all the utilities. The purpose of this message is to announce its availability on the 68000 CPU, specifically the Atari-ST. However, since it should not be too hard to port it to other 68000-based computers (e.g., Amiga, Macintosh), this message is being crossposted to a number of newsgroups. This will be the only announcement outside comp.os.minix. When MINIX is run on the Atari ST (or MegaST) it replaces the native operating system (TOS) and turns the computer into a normal UNIX machine. MINIX has been running on the IBM PC, XT, AT, and many clones, including 386s for almost two years. The IBM version is in widespread use all over the world. The original (IBM) version was written by Andrew S. Tanenbaum. The Atari port was done by Johan Stevenson and Jost Muller. MINIX does not contain even a single line of AT&T code. Thus both the operating system and the utilities are all brand new code. MINIX FEATURES: - System call compatible with V7 UNIX (except for a few very minor calls) - Kernighan and Ritchie compatible C compiler is included - Shell that is functionally identical to the Bourne shell is included - Full multiprogramming (fork+exec; background jobs in shell: cc file.c & ) - Full screen editor inspired by emacs (modeless, autoinsert, etc.) included - Ability to read and write TOS disks - Over 90 popular utilities provided (cat, grep, ls, make, mount, sort, etc.) - Over 100 library procedures provided (atoi, fork, malloc, stdio, etc.) - Works with floppy-only systems or with hard disk systems - Full operating system source code (in C) is included - Source code for all the utilities (except C compiler) is included The Atari disks come with a little booklet telling how to boot the system and how it differs from MINIX-PC (IBM version). Effectively it is a diff listing between MINIX-ST and MINIX-PC. It makes no attempt to repeat the 500 or so pages on MINIX from the book or manual. AVAILABILITY MINIX is something of an intermediate form between AT&T UNIX and GNU. Unlike GNU, MINIX is not public domain. It is copyrighted by Prentice-Hall and is being sold by them. The price for the Atari disks in the U.S. is $80 + shipping (somewhat higher abroad) and includes all the source code. On the other hand, unlike AT&T UNIX, the source code is readily available, and may be copied for bona fide educational and research use. For example, a professor teaching a course on operating systems could legally buy the disks and then make copies for all his students. A very limited amount of private copying (say, no more than 3 copies per original) for personal friends is ok. If this gets out of hand, and Prentice-Hall decides that not enough have been sold, they will just drop the Atari and have future versions be for the IBM only. It is the intention that future versions be compatible with POSIX. In the U.S. you can order the software and books from most bookstores or directly from Prentice-Hall in NJ. The ISBN number for the Atari software is 0-13-584392-8. Prentice-Hall's phone number is (201) 767-5937. PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT ==================== TWEETY BOARD from Practical Solutions, Inc. Stereo sound for the Atari ST is here! Tweety Board provides true stereo output that will blow you away! Now you can play all your favorite games and hear a whole new sound dimension with true-to-life effects. Music programs sparkle with a vividness never before realized. The ST computers already have three channels of sound supported in their hardware. Atari combined the three together, resulting in one monophonic channel, to make it compatible with the monitor's sound. That's fine for monitors but hardly impressive when listened to with a stereo system. Tweety Board solves the problem with it's small circuit board specially designed to access those hidden channels. It works in parallel with the ST's existing sound circuitry making it completely compatible with all ST software. You can also program your own effects or music! The sound from your monitor remains untouched and still functions in it's normal use. Simply plug Tweety Board inside your machine and the three independent RCA jacks are ready to hook up to your three amplified speakers. An adapter cable is provided for hookup to a standard two-channel sound system. No matter which way you connect it, you've never heard such vibrant 3-D or crystal clear stereo sound from your ST. No buzz or noise and an easy, solderless installation - what more could you ask for? Tweety Board will be available in the 1st week of December with a retail price of only $59.95. For further information contact: Mark Sloatman Practical Solutions 1930 E. Grant Rd. Tucson, AZ 85719 Phone: (602) 884-9612 CompuServe PPN: 76004,2000 Genie address: PRACTICALS _______________________________________________________________________ Transformer Update ST Xformer BBS Support and Update Info for the Atari XL/XE emulator ------------------------------------------------------------------- by Darek Mihocka 11/15/88 For the last 4 months, ST Xformer II (versions 2.0 thru 2.3) has been available for download on Compuserve, Delphi, and Genie. This has proved to be an effective distribution method, allowing me to put up new versions once a month, and also provide online support to Xformer users. This online support benefits the users, and has also benefited me, allowing me to hear of bugs and suggestions. I compared my latest development version of Xformer 2.4 to the version 2.1 which is up on the online services, and can see quite an improvement in compatibility. Several major titles, including some popular video games, which do not run under 2.1 do run under 2.4, and I still plan to spend about a month on 2.4 before releasing it. As nice as this may seem, this online support costs me and you money. My monthly bill for Compuserve, Genie, and Delphi is about $250, which is barely offset by the registration fees of those users who have been honest enough to send in the $20. And from the user's point of view, paying $10/ hour or more to use these services becomes prohibitive if you try to download every Xformer update and the megabytes of 8-bit software that I have uploaded for use with Xformer, not to mention the many more megabytes of 8-bit software regularly available. Although Genie is cheap at $5/hr, I have to call it long distance and only get 1200 baud access, and although Compuserve and Delphi have local numbers, their 2400 baud file transfer speed is much slower. Since September I have been planning to set up Xformer BBSs, which would provide a cheaper method of support, both for me and the users. After getting nothing but bombs from STadel 3 BBS software, and after not getting some badly needed phone support from QMI for the BBS I half finished in ST Talk Pro, I started looking around for existing BBSs which could give me space for Xformer support. I have several BBSs ready to provide the support, but for now, I'm only going to give out one number, and see how things go. The L.U.ST BBS in London, Ontario is a 300/1200/2400 baud 24 hour BBS which is giving me 20 meg of space for Xformer files. I already have over 30 meg of p/d 8-bit software, so there will be no lack of Xformer-ready .SD and .DD files. It is in the heart of southern Ontario, so it is a cheap long-distance call from anywhere in the Great Lakes states, like Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York State. At 2400 baud, an ARCed .SD file only takes about 5 minutes to download, which is quicker and cheaper than calling Genie at 1200 baud. By the way, L.U.ST (London Users of STs) produces of one the highest quality newsletters around. If you belong to a user group, consider exchanging newsletters with L.U.ST. This BBS will start the Xformer support this weekend (Nov. 19). Since it is in my area, I will call frequently to provide support. Registered users of Xformer will also have access to other downloads, such as Xformer 2.4 and later, version 2.5 (the 130XE emulator). Xformer 2.4 will _NOT_ be uploaded to the pay services but will be available to new registered users and as a free update to current registered users. Of course I am not dropping support of the pay services, just limiting it slightly. If you do subscribe to Compuserve, all the latest available Xformer related files can be found in the ST XFORMER download library in the Atari ST Productivity SIG. To enter it, type -GO ATARIPRO-. If you subscribe to Genie, type -M 476- to enter the Atari ST download section, select category 14 (Product Support) and do a file list back until about July. Look for files uploaded by me (DAREKM). On Delphi, enter the ST Log databases, and scan through the Recent Arrivals section for the latest files, and the other sections for older files. Type -SEA XFORMER- to do the search. I did at first provide support on BIX, but stopped after I calculated my billing rate to be about $30 or $40/hr. If you are a registered user who has contributed $20 or more in shareware fees, you can get the latest Xformer files from me by either calling the L.U.ST BBS or simply mailing in your Xformer disk and I will mail it back to you with the new files. The current latest files are: ST Xformer version 2.21 and 2.31, FXP 1.1, QTU 1.1, and there is a new boot disk effective Nov. 6th. Version 2.21 should only be used for the Apple and C64 emulation, since version 2.31 has some nice improvements: - smaller size, uses less memory - faster text and graphics scrolling - marginal overall speed increase (trust me, you won't notice it) - support for 1200XL function keys and the Help key - faster 800XL ROM/RAM swapping - elimination of virtual joysticks 3 and 4 to match XL/XE design - now runs the G.O.E. demo and some more versions of SpartaDOS - more accurate serial port emulation (requires the disk drive cable) which allows you to connect any self-powered 8-bit peripheral, e.g. the 850 interface and the various Atari printers and plotters. ST Xformer source code is available on the pay services and on the BBS, and is described fully in the latest ST LOG #26. It is helpful to check ST LOG #17 and #18 as well, since they contain my first docs of the original Xformer 1.1 source code. L.U.ST BBS - (519)-432-5144 300/1200/2400 baud 24hrs. U.S. BBSs coming soon. Compuserve - ST XFORMER library in ATARIPRO I am 73657,2714 Delphi - ST databases in the ST Log SIG I am DAREKM Genie - ST download library 14 I am DAREKM Xformer support (voice): (519)-747-0386, 24hrs, me or a machine. I now have a permanent answering machine set up, so if anyone has any questions or things they'd like to talk about, give me a call, and if I'm not home, leave a message and I'll most like phone you back within a day. Leave your name, area code and phone number, city or time zone, and a convenient time when you can be reached. If you have questions, leave them on the tape too so that I can answer them when I phone you back. The number is listed above, and I can usually be reached in the late afternoon (eastern time), or around midnight. I will _NOT_ answer questions regarding pirated software or release dates of Xformer 2.4, 2.5, or 3.0. Announcements will be made on the support BBSs and online services when they are available. I trust that if you are using -cracked- files of disks and cartridges that you do own the originals. If you have an 8-bit disk drive and are using it with Xformer, there is no need to crack most software. The serial cable to connect the 8-bit drive to the ST is available from me for $23 US. Hope to see everyone calling the BBS this weekend. Leave a message to the sysop and let him know you are an Xformer user. If you don't yet have the Xformer files, you will be able to download them, but not all the files that the registered users have access to. When you register you will receive the printed manual and latest software on an 800K disk. Add $2 if you'd rather have 2 400K disks, i.e. you only have a single sided disk drive. Having at least a megabyte of memory is almost a must. The 8-bit disk drive cable is only available to people who register. Xformer is quickly reaching the level of Atari XL/XE support that emulators like the Magic Sac and PC Ditto provide of their respective machines, but like those other emulators, it has taken a lot of time and effort. Since this program is shareware, my income from it relies solely on the shareware registrations of users. At $20, it's cheap, and you will get the free updates and support through 1988 and 1989. Some time in 1989 I expect the program to be at an advanced enough stage to not require any more updates. But don't wait until then to enjoy it! - Darek Mihocka Box 2624, Station B Kitchener, Ontario N2H 6N2 CANADA ========================================================================= PayBax BBS, Wilmington, DE. 302-731-5558 All Bauds, All Hours ========================================================================= Syndicate ZMagazine Issue #134 December 4, 1988 (c)SPC, Syndicate Publishing Company, Ron Kovacs, 1988 =========================================================================