In an attempt to get in touch with the programmers of the best utilities on the Atari Falcon we contacted Michel Forget, the guy behind the great file reader - MASTER BROWSE - here is what he had to say to us ......... (FOG) Your full name please... (MVF) Michel V. Forget (FOG) Your address (MVF) Michel Forget, 12209 Dovercourt Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5L 4E1 (FOG) Your email address if you have one (MVF) ess@tibalt.supernet.ab.ca mforget@elfhaven.ersys.edmonton.ab.ca (FOG) Your age (MVF) 21 (FOG) A list of FALCON programs you have been responsible for and what part did you play in their creation? (MVF) MasterBrowse - Every version works with the Falcon, and MTOS. ESS-Code - This program has odd problems with the Falcon; it should work in higher resolution modes, but your experience may vary. (FOG) What development software do you use most? (ie DPaint, Devpac..) please state the merits of these packages and why you would recommend them to my readers. (MVF) I use the Sozobon 2.0 (extended) compiler, by Jerry G. Geiger. I use it because it is an excellent compiler, is absolutely free, and will run in low memory situations. It provides most of the features of an ANSI compiler, and has a good set of support utilities. The author is very accessible, so problems are fixed very quickly after being reported. The other tools that I use for development include RSC 2.9, ORCS, QED, ST-Guide, and ProCalc. I also use The Atari Compendium. Despite the errors in the text, it is an extremely valuable tool. (FOG) What computers do you own at present? (MVF) One! :) I have an Atari 520STfm (2 MEGS), and a thirty megabyte hard drive. Not the most impressive system, but I'm not exactly rich either... It does what I want it to, though, so I do not feel too bad about not having a Falcon. (FOG) With unlimited resources which computers would you like to own and why? (MVF) I would love to own a Falcon; it would be a giant leap forward into the future for me, since it would provide me with a faster computer capable of much more than my current system. The higher resolutions of the Falcon would be of little use to me, but the sound capabilities would be a dream come true. (FOG) Do you see your computing as just a hobby or something you wish to follow into the professional realms? (MVF) I will be attending the Northern Alberta Institute Of Technology in September of this year, studying Computer Systems Technology. When that course is complete, I will be looking for employment as a computer programmer writing business applications. (FOG) How would you rate Atari's support for the Falcon? (MVF) Badly, I'm afraid to say. I feel that they have concentrated too much on the Jaguar and left Falcon owners out in the cold. (FOG) How would you rate the software industries support for the Falcon? (MVF) I feel that the software industry has supported the Falcon very well. There are many tools available to take advantage of the power of the Falcon, in all aspects of computing. The software industry is doing what Atari should be doing. (FOG) Do you feel there is enough coverage given to the Falcon in the popular Atari press (ie ST Format, ST Magazin, Atari User...)? (MVF) Yes, I do think that they cover the Falcon quite well. They more or less have to, since their business rides on the fortunes of Atari, and Atari needs the Falcon to be a big machine to stay a force in the computer industry. (FOG) Which PD/Shareware programs would you recommend most of all? (name 3) (MVF) 1. CoNnect -- CoNnect is the best terminal program, for any platform. 2. SozobonX -- A great compiler, available at no cost. 3. ST-Guide -- A great HyperText system, supported by many applications. (FOG) Which PD/Shareware programs would you suggest avoiding at all costs? (MVF) None, really. Every program has a use for someone, somewhere. (FOG) Which commercial program would you suggest avoiding at all costs? (MVF) DC Data Diet; I bought it, I hate it, and (to rub the salt in my eye a little more) the disk went bad. (FOG) How long have you been in the Atari scene? (MVF) I was very young when I was given my Atari 130XE. I eventually worked my way up to an STfm (which has been upgraded extensively) and started programming about six years ago. About three years ago I became active on the Usenet/Internet, which really put me in touch with the Atari community. (FOG) Do you feel your prescence is important in the Atari scene? (MVF) I'm not sure. I know that the programs I write are popular, but I also know that if I had not written them someone else (eventually) would have. I try not to take myself too seriously, as many programmers get a bad reputation that way. (FOG) Please give a detailed history about yourself and your computing life including everything from Spectrum's to ST's. Concentrate mainly on things that have influenced you in a noticeble way. (MVF) As I said, I have only owned two computers. My 130XE, which got me interested in Atari, and my 520STfm, which got me interested in programming. There is really not much more to say about my computing history, other than that hardware has not really affected my evolution as a programmer. I am more strongly influenced by software. When I see something done in a unique way, I try to adopt the idea and improve upon it. This allows me to grow as a programmer, I think. (FOG) What kind of music do you enjoy? (MVF) I like the Beastie Boys, Ice-T, Bryan Adams, Technotronic, Mitsou, Maestro Fresh-Wes, Genesis, Prince, Boyz II Men, and En Vogue. I enjoy other types of music, too, but this is what I enjoy the most. (FOG) Name your favourite 3 films of all time please (MVF) 1. Bloodsport -- Violence is relaxing, what can I say? 2. The Crow -- Action is exciting... 3. The Shadow. -- I sense a trend coming on. (FOG) Who is/was your Atari idol? (ie AN Cool, Nic, Spaz, etc...) (MVF) Oddly enough, I do not really have one in particular. I've always looked up to the programmers in general, though, and wanted to be able to do what they do. (FOG) What do you look for in a demo that makes it really stand out? (MVF) I look for the music; the graphics are nice, but they do not evoke an emotional response the same way music does. (FOG) Do you attend Atari shows/conventions? (MVF) No; I do not think that there -are- any Atari conventions in Canada. (FOG) Which single program are you most happy with? (if you are a graphics artist then you can quote a picture, or if a musician a tune) (MVF) Of my own, I use ESS-Code the most. I use MasterBrowse when I need to read text files, but that is much less often than I need to UUEncode/ UUDecode an archive. With regard to programs not written by me, I especially like CoNnect. It is the best terminal program available, for any platform. CoNnect is very well supported, and works on the Falcon. (FOG) Which program are you ashamed of?! (MVF) DataLink. If you see it, burn it. Make it die, die, die, die... :) (FOG) How do you feel the Atari community is changing? (MVF) The Atari community, to me, is just now catching up to the rest of the computer world. Our applications are becomming more sophisticated, our utilities are on the cutting edge, and our computer systems are no longer outdated. New software, such as MultiTOS, is forcing the Atari into the future (and taking older systems along for the ride). On the down side, there are fewer and fewer registrations of Shareware programs. Perhaps the market is shrinking, as some suggest. No matter how you look at it, though, it is a disturbing trend. (FOG) Which is best- Atari/Amiga/PC? (MVF) Atari, of course! :) Commodore is out of business, and I do not like PC applications much. The Atari does what I want, and that is good enough for me. (FOG) Please tell us something about your home town where you live. (MVF) I live in Edmonton, Alberta. With nearly a half-million people, it is a large city by Canadian standards. The weather is usually bad, but seems like less and less a problem when you hear about people being shot dead on their doorsteps in the United States. I can live with the weather, I think. :) (FOG) Your all time favourite game? (arcade, console or computer) (MVF) Star Fox! I just love that game; I've had it for more than a year now, and I still play it. I also like Super Street Fighter II, and Doom. (FOG) Atari was recently quoted as saying they are putting 100% into the Jaguar and nothing into the Falcon. Do you see the Jaguar being Atari's saving grace? Or will it fail and Atari go under? (MVF) The Jaguar will save Atari, but at what cost? I have a feeling that computer development from Atari will not start again for several years, if ever. This does not impress me, but it is beyond my control so I try not to worry about it. If Atari continues to sell the Falcon, that should be enough to satisfy the existing market and bring it into the future. At least for a while, that is, until Atari resumes computer development. (FOG) Do you feel a Jaguar computer would be a good move? (MVF) Yes, certainly. To have that kind of processing power in a computer could only be a good thing. (FOG) What one thing would you most like to see on the Falcon? (MVF) The DSP-Modem. It sounds like a great tool, and I want one. I'll need the Falcon itself first, though. (FOG) Do you use MultiTOS at all, if not do you use a multi-tasking system at all? (ie Geneva, MagiC...) (MVF) I use MultiTOS, but I prefer Mag!X (MagiC). It is the only reasonable choice for 8MHZ machines. I only own the German version, but there is now an english version available. (FOG) What programs are you currently working on or have plans to start soon? (MVF) I am working on a modular replacement desktop; the main module only uses ~100K of memory, yet it provides features found only in the mega-desktops like Gemini II/NeoDesk. The main advantage of a modular desktop is that it allows you to have any number of desktop operations active, yet still use the desktop. (FOG) Time for a free plug, give some details about any shop/Pd library/BBS you feel deserves a mention because they don't get enough attention in the current Atari magazines. State what they can offer my readers! (MVF) Send me money so that I can one day afford a Falcon, please... :) Other than a general plea for the support of Shareware, such as MasterBrowse, I cannot say much. If I am supported, I will in turn support the Falcon community. Well many thanks to Michel for completeing our interview, if you feel you should be given a chance to be interviewed by us then send me an email message explaining why, or send me a letter.