|||||| |||||| || || |||||| |||||| || || ||| || || || || ||| |||| |||||| || |||| Your || || || || ||| || || |||||| |||||| || || |||||| |||||| GEnie ST || |||||| || || |||||| RoundTable || || || ||| ||| || || || |||||| |||||||| |||||| RESOURCE! || || || || || || || ||||| || || || || || ~ New Year's Reminiscing By Sheldon Winick ~ ~ GEnie Lamp Exclusive - New Freeware Word Processor:dbWRITER ~ ~ Suffering From Modem Madness? Get Help! ~ ~ LOADPACKERS: What Are They? ~ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////////////////////////// January 1, 1992 ~ A T/TalkNET OnLine Publication ~ Issue No.3.39 ////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Publisher/Editor ....................................... John Peters Co-Editor ........................................ Darlah Potechin Technical Editor ................................. Jeff Williams TX2 Editor ...................................... David Holmes [IDX] """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ~ WHAT'S HAPPENING ON GEnie? TAKE A LOOK! ~ """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" FROM MY DESKTOP ......... [FRM] DEALER VIEWPOINT ........ [DLR] Notes From The Editor. New Year's Reminiscing. HEY MISTER POSTMAN ...... [HEY] HUMOR ONLINE .............[HUM] Is That A Letter For Me? Modem Madness Rehab. Center. RANDOM ACCESS ........... [RND] THE ONLINE LIBRARY ...... [LIB] LoadPackers:What Are They? [*]Get It While It's HOT! MINI_BYTES .............. [MIN] MIDI AND YOU ............ [MID] [*]SNEAK PREVIEW:dbWRITER! All About MIDI. LOG OFF ................. [LOG] GEnie Lamp Information. ~ GEnie LAMP AND TX2: SEE THE DIFFERENCE! ~ [REA] """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" READING GEnie Lamp GEnie Lamp has incorporated a unique indexing """""""""""""""""" system to help make reading the magazine easier. To utilize this system, load GEnie Lamp into any ASCII word processor or text editor. In the index you will find the following example: HUMOR ONLINE ............ [HUM] [*]GEnie Fun & Games. To read this article, set your find or search command to [HUM]. If you want to scan all of the articles, search for [EOA]. [EOF] will take you to the last page, whereas [IDX] will bring you back to the index. TX2 FORMAT What are you missing when reading the ASCII version of """""""""" GEnie Lamp? EXCITEMENT! Whenever you see a [*] in the index or in the article header, that indicates that the article contains TX2 graphics and/or pictures. To see the graphics, you will need the following files: LMP_339.LZH GEnie Lamp in TX2 format. LMP339_C.LZH TX2 picture file for COLOR monitors. LMP339_M.LZH TX2 picture file for MONO monitors. MINI_TX2.LZH Mini-version of TX2 Viewer (File #20441). MESSAGE INFO To make it easy for you to respond to messages re-printed """""""""""" here in GEnie Lamp, you will find all the information you need immediately following the message. For example: (DARLAH, CAT6, TOP1, MSG:58/M475) _____________| _____|__ _|___ |____ |_____________ |Name of sender CATegory TOPic Msg.# Page number| In this example, to respond to Darlah's message, log on to page 475 enter the bulletin board and set CAT 6. Enter your REPly in TOPic 1. A message number that is surrounded by brackets indicates that this message is a "target" message and is referring to a "chain" of two or more messages that are following the same topic. For example: {58} """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ////////////////////////// GEnie_QWIK_QUOTE ///// / "We're cranking up the war machine again :-)" / /////// B.REHBOCK, CAT14, TOP3, MSG:176 /////// [EOA] [FRM]////////////////////////////// FROM MY DESKTOP / ///////////////////////////////// Notes From The Editor """"""""""""""""""""" By John Peters [GENIELAMP] o TOP OF THE PAGE: Random Ramblings. o THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW: RoundTable Happenings. o HOT SPOTS: Where The Action Is. o IT CAN'T WAIT: Hot Info! TOP OF THE PAGE One of the most difficult things for me to go through """"""""""""""" when I moved from my Atari 800XL into the ST world was to give up my favorite word processor, Textpro. While other people were happy with the convenience of Atariwriter or the glitz of PaperClip, it was the sheer basic raw power that attracted me to Textpro. In fact, after looking over what was available for the ST, I considered the thought of using the 8bit emulator to run Textpro on my new computer. It's not that the word processors for the ST were (are) all that bad, just that I _knew_ Textpro, inside and out. I could use it in my sleep. To make a long story short, I ended up with Word Writer ST - it's not a "do-everything" word processor, but it gets the job done and it does it without getting in my way. But, I still yearn for that power I had experienced "in the good old days." There is a new word processor to consider that is just about ready to hit the onlines called dbWRITER by David Becker. We have been fortunate to receive an advance copy of this exciting new program and it is the focus of our Mini_Bytes review in this issue. So, is it any good? Out Mini_Byte crew thinks so... this is the first program we've taken on that has scored above 90 by all three reviewers. I like it, and I think you will too. In many ways, it takes me back to my Textpro days. (It's hard to explain. It's a feeling, ya'know? :-). The first thing that struck me about dbWriter is the features that it offers. This thing is loaded. The second thing is the price. It's going to be released as Freeware. Yup, you heard right. Download the thing and use it to your hearts content. No guilt trips here. Watch for dbWRITER in the library soon. I don't think you will be disappointed. Also, while you are at it, check out some of these other programs that David has released: UTILITIES """"""""" SmartDate #14805 set your ST system date automatically Dingbat! #19936 use graphic characters to rename files Inksaver #20682 set your Deskjet to draft on bootup FastFix #20040 turn of key click and fix screen dumps Monitor Magic #19935 green/amber colour screen emulator (NICE!) System Sentry #16299 protect your ST and hard drive APPLICATIONS """""""""""" Fontswap #19932 Postscript typeface substitution for DTP OnSchedule #17756 Create schedules and print shifts 3 ways F11 #19933 Function key template designer Exchange Rate #19937 Create custom currency exchange rate charts Jiffydraw #19934 Quick and easy DEGAS mono paint program Portfolio Partner#12959 Portfolio/ST compatible address book cdBASE #8856 Simple and fun compact disk database AutoZeST #20967 Create ZeST interfaces automatically for GFA ENTERTAINMENT """"""""""""" PaiGow Poker #19929 Play against the ST or over the phone line Frustration! #19930 Two player word search game Desktop Repeat #20683 SIMON like desk accessory game CrissCross #20434 Go/Othello/Gomuku hybrid game ZeST Draw Poker #20039 High card, slot machine and draw poker Poker Squared #20432 Poker solitaire, very addictive Online Backgammon#20038 Play over the modem or against the computer Busy guy, to say the least. If you use any of David's freeware programs, (and I'd bet you have at least on your harddrive,) send David a note of thanks. We need programmers like David. Let him know that. His GEmail address is: [D.BECKER8] >>> THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""" The GEMULATOR, the ST emulator that will allow PC computers to run ST software is creating quite a stir... and it promises to be a hot spot here in the bulletin boards for the next several months. Is it software based? Does it use TOS roms? Both? Is it fast? Who will buy it and why would they want to? Is it legal? Will Atari sue? Should Atari license TOS to Darek? Lots of questions with a lot of speculation going on. Get in on the fun in CAT4, TOP30, MSG:{2}. Kyle Cordes, author of the popular utility, Abbreviator is taking notes for a future upgrade of his popular program. One possible upgrade is the ability to auto-load a different file for each application. If you have something to say, voice it in CAT2, TOP29. Some RT members have reported receiving a newsletter from Migraph. Migraph is introducing a new optical character recognition software that can be used with the Migraph and Golden Image hand scanners. Information, prices etc. can be found in CAT5, TOP10, MSG:{4} On any given day it's a pretty safe bet that you will find lots of message traffic in the CodeHead area and the last two weeks has been no exception. People are _really_ excited about the new TOS 2.06 Artifex board, and for good reason. Along with all the goodies reported on in the previous issue of GEnie Lamp, John Eidsvoog tells us that this TOS has hooks built in for multi-tasking! Also, Charles reports that the new TOS Extension Card has the ability (with modification) to give you the option of switch between two different versions of TOS. Neat! CAT 32, TOP30, MSG{12}. Atari Corp. wants developers to use the Control key for menu key equivalents. Apparently, there are more then a few developers who disagree. Many of them would rather see the Alternate key used instead. Check out the debate in CAT14, TOP4, MSG:{29}. The Portfolio RT is currently attracting some attention from people who don't even own a Portfolio. Why the interest? Some of the members there are kicking around the idea of using the Portfolio as a text reader for electronic publications - an American answer to Sony's new Dataman, if you will. This could turn into another real possibility for the Portfolio. CAT1, TOP21 {1}, M950. Big screen mono or teeny text, that is the question. If you are thinking of expanding the screen size of you your SM124 monochrome monitor, check out CAT4, TOP15, MSG:{23} first. Some people like the expanded size, others don't. After looking there, if you still want to do it, grab these files: 9487 MONOALIN.ARC X PHUNTINGTON 890207 21420 420 27 Desc: Mono monitor alignment patterns. 2116 MONOMOD.TXT X DARLAH 870215 12600 726 27 Desc: Adjust your Monochrome Monitor Bill Rehbock of Atari Corp. reports that all of the registered developers have received the pin-out for the expansion connector on the new ST BOOK. There are many potential possibilities for this connector being discussed like Networking, Color Video expansion, and data aquisition among others. CAT14, TOP7, MSG:{172}. Can you help a STer convince his Aunt that the Atari computer is the right computer for her? Get in on the fun in CAT14, TOP14, MSG:{76}. A new boot-up application called XBoot has been released by the Neodesk folks, Gribnif. Since we already have two excellent shareware offerings, SuperBoot and Desk Manager, people are wondering if it is worth changing over to and if so, why. It's not a Boot-War (yet) but the comments being generated are interesting. Check it out in CAT17, TOP11, MSG:{4}. FLASH II is _almost_ ready. Beta testers are working hard to iron out the last few wrinkles in the new telecommunications program. They are particularly interested in making sure the old Flash ".DO" files are completely compatible with the new version. If you have a complicated DO file, upload it to CAT8, TOP2 and they will test it out for you. >>> BULLETIN BOARD HOT SPOTS <<< """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" [*] CAT32, TOP30, MSG:{272}....CodeHead's new TOS Extension card. [*] CAT32, TOP31, MSG:{1}......CodeHead's take over Quick ST support. [*] CAT1, TOP5, MSG:{135}......Correct spelling - how important? [*] CAT4, TOP30, MSG:{22}......Darek's Gemulator. [*] CAT4. TOP15, MSG:{13}......Expanding the SM124 monitor. [*] CAT18, TOP3, MSG:{39}......Streport's Authorized dealer list. [*] CAT26, TOP2, MSG:{531}.....Joking online - not always funny. [*] CAT32, TOP22, MSG:{185}....Neodesk / Hotwire wars. [*] CAT8, TOP5, MSG:{138}......Flash II. >>> BULLETIN BOARD OFF_TOPIC <<< """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" [*] CAT18, TOP13, MSG:{1}......Elvis sightings (He's dead?) [*] CAT18, TOP14, MSG:{28}.....Smith/Kennedy trial. [*] CAT26, TOP2, MSG:{564}.....Religion and Politics. [*] CAT26, TOP2, MSG:{604}.....Sue-happy America? b. Lawyers - part of the problem? [*][*][*] IT CAN'T WAIT DEPARTMENT IMPORTANT NEWS about the TEC! A large number """""""""""""""""""""""" of people have asked us whether it's possible to use the TEC with _two_ sets of ROMs, and switch between them. Well...the answer is a big YES. All you need to do is get a switch and a little bit of wire (which we'll also supply for a nominal charge). It requires a little more soldering to install the TEC without removing your existing ROMs; the TEC manual will describe this in detail. So if you're worried about compatibility with your existing soft- ware, don't be .... with the TEC, you can have the best of both worlds. - Charles (C.F.JOHNSON, CAT32, TOP30, MSG:46/M475) WAY TO GO CODEHEADS! John Peters [GENIELAMP] [EOA] [DLR]////////////////////////////// DEALER VIEWPOINT / ///////////////////////////////// New Year's Reminiscing """""""""""""""""""""" By Sheldon Winick [S.WINICK] >>> ATARI THOUGHTS: PAST AND THE FUTURE <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" I was discussing the early days of Atari computing recently with a GEnie subscriber in E-mail. We talked about the excitement generated in those early days, when the computer revolution was still in its infancy ... the thrill of successfully typing in our first program, and the anticipation of waiting for the program to load from the cassette drive; or the agony of getting a glitch after several minutes of listening to those infernal beeps coming through the speaker. User group meetings were always exciting, as everyone was eager to show off their latest creation and share ideas. Most members were hackers of one sort or another, the majority content with merely being able to type in a program and have it actually do something -- anything! Most of us weren't looking to accomplish any great task or solve all our problems with software back in those early days of personal computing. We were content to relegate the equipment at the office to word processing or spreadsheet tasks, and our home systems to have fun with. The new technology was wonderful! Shopping for a computer back then was also an experience. There weren't the plethora of computer dealerships or systems back in those early days. I bought my first Atari 2600 game system at a department store, and my first Atari 800 at an office equipment store that specialized in typewriters and calculators. Specialized computer dealerships came later. Radio Shack was among the first to realize the potential of the new technology, as they devoted a portion of their stores and catalogs to feature their now infamous TRS-80 systems. Apple, Atari and Commodore also played major roles in bringing the new technology to the consumer. They brought forth systems that were affordable, easy to use, and offered color and sound, opening up all sorts of exciting possibilities. I remember the excitement of popping in one of Atari's "An Invitation to Programming" cassettes and hearing the human voice walk me through Atari Basic. The computer and cassette recorder were fully integrated with the sound track bringing me the educator's voice and the program track loading software and controlling the computer. The program would then automatically restart the cassette recorder at the appropriate time to either bring forth the instructor's voice or load the next section of program. What a wonderful way to learn at your own pace! The first semi-successful attempt to try to unify the marketplace and provide a uniform operating environment came from Digital Research when they introduced CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers). It was adopted by many of the early computer manufacturers but was generally still customized by many to prevent complete compatibility. The major big-name computer manufacturers were specializing in large mainframe systems and were late to get into the microcomputer revolution. Many viewed the new personal desktop computers as merely toys, not serious computing equipment. And without the software to go with them, most really were nothing more than mere hackers' playthings. Xerox was the first of the industrial giants to jump into the microcomputer revolution when it released the Xerox 820 in 1981. It was a CP/M system with dual 8" disk drives. It took advantage of the already existing base of CP/M software and quickly encouraged new packages to be developed as the industry began to realize the potential of this new market. Xerox also was responsible for many of the technological marvels we now take for granted; the ideas for many originated at Xerox's Palo Alto research and development center. The newfound acceptance of CP/M as "the" operating system must've went to Digital Research's head as they allowed negotiations with IBM to break down while IBM was also considering CP/M for their planned new line of personal computers. IBM wound up hiring a young kid named Bill Gates to write an operating system for them similar to CP/M. His newly created company became known as Microsoft, and the operating system became a Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS). I'm sure you already know the rest of that story. While Digital Research was readying its new CP/M-86 operating system, a true 16-bit system with true co-processing capabilities, IBM and Microsoft were taking control of the direction the majority of the marketplace would be heading. But thankfully, Digital Research did not roll over and die. Instead they came forth with GEM (Graphic Environment Manager), the basis upon which the user-friendly Atari and Macintosh lines are based. Most of the players in those early days are no longer with us. Some even offered the consumer some excellent equipment with fantastic potential. But that's the key word -- potential. Without proper marketing and software support of developers, those systems never offered the consumer anything BUT potential. In the meantime, the systems that were to eventually survive were offering the consumer real "solutions" to computing tasks. Today, the microcomputer marketplace has dwindled down to but a few unique systems. Of all the systems that have come and gone, the few remaining unique systems are still coming forth from some of those early players --- including Apple, Atari and Commodore. Despite the hard times and pitfalls along the way, they have somehow found the ability to remain survivors, while the bulk of the computer marketplace has become content to follow the MS-DOS bandwagon and build "clone" systems from stock, readily available components. And the sheer number of "clone" systems has encouraged a wealth of software and hardware development to support them. Many Atarians complain about the scarcity of quality Atari dealerships; many blame it on poor marketing and dealer support by Atari. The dealer situation is indeed a sad story, but one that can't be blamed entirely on Atari either. True, they are responsible for supporting and promoting their products and dealerships, but the consumer and market trends also have a great influence on the success or failure of individual dealerships. The consumer will eventually weed out the bad dealerships, but unfortunately, may also take down many good ones along the way. It is a fact that we are currently in a REAL recession in this country. Consumer spending is down. Add the reduced number of sales to the reduced prices, reduced profit margins and reduced profit per sale, and you will easily understand why so many businesses are in trouble. The consumer is looking for the best values available, and those are frequently found at dealerships going out of business or lowball mail- order merchandisers. Each sale made there is one that doesn't take place for a dealer who is still trying to survive -- making his survival even more difficult. It's unfortunately a vicious cycle in these trying times. For the few viable products left, there's always a lowballer who advertises the product at ridiculously low margins in the attempt to lure customers to his store. Frequently he doesn't even have the product available, but the result of such practices is to drive down the "street prices" of the equipment to a point where it no longer offers a legitimate dealership a realistic margin to work with. Without a potential for profit, there's no reason to carry the product any longer. What's the sense in a dealer investing thousands in high end products like the TT030 Graphics Workstation if they can make as much profit selling an inexpensive 1040 or PC-clone? What's the sense in investing large sums of money in inventory to stock STe or Mega STe's if you can make the same profit selling a couple pieces of inexpensive software or accessories? What's the sense in stocking a large selection of software if the consumer is only going to browse through your offerings, ask questions and look for recommendations and perhaps get a demo, only to find they then choose to purchase the product mail-order to save a few dollars -- or worse yet, try to get a demo to learn how to use some of the software a friend "gave" them a copy of? These are just some of the problems faced by computer dealerships in these trying times. If you were the dealer, what would you do? But as a consumer, here's what you can do. Support your quality dealerships -- if you don't have one locally, support those that support your interests by being available here on GEnie to answer questions and provide information and advice. There are several to choose from in various parts of this country and Canada who are very active here on GEnie. Their success can only help to encourage new dealerships come forth and also provide such quality service and support. If you have a local, or nearby dealer, support them with your purchases. Don't always expect them to be able to match the lowball advertised prices of low-budget mail-order operations. But you must realize that they will not survive without your support. The consumer is the ultimate judge in whether or not there will be any local, full- service Atari dealerships. Atari Corporation has their responsibilities in this effort, but the consumer has the final word. In return, you have every right to demand fair pricing, as well as quality service and selection. And you have every right to expect them to cater to your needs and desires. After all, it is you that are paying their salaries and putting food on their tables. And you have every right to make the same demands of Atari Corporation and the other hardware and software developers that you support. By selecting the Atari computer platform, you have chosen one of the most powerful, easy to use systems available anywhere. You have some of the most capable software and hardware developers working to support your needs and desires. And best of all, most of them are easily reached here on GEnie to offer you personalized service and support. But your decisions in how to take advantage of this potential will determine all their futures -- and your own ability to have your equipment actually reach its full potential to solve all your business and personal needs and desires. Think about the long term effects of anything you do. Think about the consequences of software piracy, the consequences of not supporting the excellent shareware authors who provide us with such a wealth of fantastic programs and utilities, the consequences of shopping a lowball mail-order discount house in order to save a mere couple of dollars over the price of a local dealer. The new year of 1992 is upon us. It's time to wipe the slate and set forth new goals and aspirations for all the excitement a new year has to offer. It's time to make those new year's resolutions and look forward to new dreams and aspirations. It's time to move forward together with a renewed spirit of cooperation toward a bright and exciting future. Together we CAN make 1992 the long awaited "Year of Atari." Best wishes to one and all for a healthy and happy New Year. Happy (Atari) Computing. Sheldon Winick (GEnie Address: S.WINICK) Computer STudio (Asheville, NC) [*][*][*] Sheldon owns and operates Computer STudio, a full-service Atari dealership in Asheville, North Carolina. In addition to (Atari) computing, other interests include motorcycling, skiing, camping and hiking. He is also Newsletter Editor for the Blue Ridge Atari Computer Enthusiasts (BRACE) and was past president of that user group. Sheldon is also a registered architect, and operated his own architectural office between 1971 and the time he turned his computer hobby into Computer STudio in 1988. He still does architectural work for select clients, and currently has work in progress in Florida, North Carolina and Colorado. His current architectural drawings are, of course, being prepared on his Atari based CADD system, using DynaCADD software. [EOA] [HEY]////////////////////////////// HEY MISTER POSTMAN / ///////////////////////////////// Is That A Letter For Me? """""""""""""""""""""""" o ATARI ODDS & ENDS o ATARIAN MINDS WANT TO KNOW o MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT >>> ATARI ODDS & ENDS <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""" ATARI MAKING A SPLASH Today I received the January '92 issue of """"""""""""""""""""" "Business Publishing" (formerly "Personal Publishing") magazine. And lo and behold, on the cover is the FUJI symbol! And there on page 15 is an article titled "Shopping For Something New...?" about the ATARI, Amiga, and Next lines of computers. The Atari section was written by Donavan Vicha and was nicely flattering of the Atari "Stealth Computer" products and users. The article discusses professional applications and includes thumbnails of some of the premier products available for DTP along with a screenshot of Neodesk 3 by Gribnif. Mentioned are Pagestream 2.1, Calamus 1.09N Nathan?), Didot and Retouche Professional, GCR, PC-Speed, the Supercharger, and Publish ST. The hardware prices as listed were, well... I have to get in on that $1200 STbook deal. Nice article for a magazine that has repeatedly ignored alternate platforms. Looks like Atari is moving up! Might help to check it out and write to the the editor, showing your support. :-) -Doug Walter - Interface Support Services. (D.WALTER7, CAT16, TOP14, MSG:137/M475) >>>>> Hats off to this one, folks! Atari really makes a heavy """"" appearance in the new January issue of Keyboard. Keyboard usually does this promotion every year to push subscriptions and give away some incredible system at the same time. Well, Atari stepped in big time - - a $30,000 promotional giveaway plugged on the upper-right hand side of the cover, the table of contents and a full-color two-page spread on pages 32 and 33! It's basically a straightforward drawing but there is one beautiful picture of four Atari winning packages that are just drool, drool! Along with a Mega 4 STE, a TT, and a 1040 STE, the giveaway package includes Tracker 3.0, Calamus, Wordflair II, Codehead's MIDI Spy, and C-Lab's Notator SL 3.1. Big time, guys, big time! That's a serious statement! But that ain't all.... On page 122, there is a 6 and a half page review of C-Lab's Notator 3.1 that's just incredible. Once Jim Aikin's review gets past his brief introduction to Atari's drop in the overall market, this line just about says it all: "This program isn't just the best Atari sequencer around. For ease of use and sheer number of features, it outstrips just about every other sequencer we know of." Later on he writes, "Working with 3.1 is simply an amazing experience. Virtually every curve we threw at it, it knocked clear to the bleachers." Ow! Now coupled with the giveaway and a beautiful full page Notator ad on page 34, maybe we can get some more musicians to this platform? -Drew Reid Kerr (D.KERR1, CAT14, TOP3, MSG:175/M475) WHAT'S AN ATARI COOKIE? Cookies are a tool used by programmers to find """"""""""""""""""""""" out what your system consists of and also as a tool to find out if their program is installed already. For example, when HotWire (from CodeHead Software :-) is executed, it will check for a "cookie" in memory to see if it is already installed. If it is, then the program will tell the user that HotWire is already in- stalled. If not, then the program will install itself and then install a cookie for itself. Atari has defined something called a Cookie Jar that is designed to be a standard way of dealing with Cookies and a place to put them. In the jar are cookies that are installed by TOS for programs to look at. They include CPU type, Sound Type, Video Type, etc. Programs can look at these cookies to find out what kind of system you have. As for your question about whether they are important to the user and/or programmer.. well, they are important to the programmer and if done properly, the user need not even know they exist. They are just another tool to help make the programmer's life easier. -John Townsend, Atari Corp. (TOWNS, CAT14, TOP14, MSG:108/M475) NEW HOT GAME! Here's my review of VROOM: Buy it. It's fantastic. No, """"""""""""" really..the best driving game on the ST bar none. Sound, graphics, control, sensation of racing...it's all there folks. Arcade mode, competition mode, modem link, mouse or joystick mode. Manual is typically European and sparse. But WHAT a game. Examples: realistic engine noises which aren't irritating; passing noises, both cars and objects along the side of the road when you pass a sign; zeppelin moves across the sky; Mt. Fuji backgrounds; you hit some- thing and a wheel flies off your car; sometimes you hit a roadside object and it throws you INTO THE AIR with a convincing engine revving sound as you lose the friction with the ground. A totally realistic feel to the whole game (didn't this guy do Stunt Driver?) THIS IS THE ONE YOU'VE been waiting for. Lankhor makes it and it runs on my Mega 4st with TOS 1.4. Digitized sounds, of course, no dinky plinks here. Got the picture here? ...it's a really good game and I've only just started playing it...about $40 at a dealer near you, hopefully. Also, on box "save option available for champion- ship races". Like the guy in the gameboy commercial says when he learns that he's missed his flight: "COOL!" and goes back to playing his game.. -Claude (C.GEEROMS, CAT9, TOP6, MSG:1/M475) NEW OCR FROM MIGRAPH I've had a few hours with Migraph OCR. It has a """""""""""""""""""" professional look and feel. Very nice interface works as advertised and is fast. Has a slight learning curve that's well worth the effort. If you've been waiting for OCR this is it. -Charlie @ Design for Print (C.MONTGOMERY, CAT5, TOP10, MSG:18/M475) >>> ATARIAN MINDS WANT TO KNOW! <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" (Facts, Fiction & Maybe) SIMEARTH ON THE WAY! According to the Maxis rep over in Scorpia, """""""""""""""""""" SimEarth for the ST is on its way. No release date set yet.-Dan (D.MCNAMEE, CAT9, TOP47, MSG:119/M475) BETTER OFF WAITING? I called GFA yesterday to update my 3.5 to 3.6. I """"""""""""""""""" was told that it would probably be best to wait for 3.7 due to bugs in 3.6. 3.7 is supposedly due by "late first quarter '92". -Jon (JWC-OEO, CAT22, TOP3, MSG:114/M475) NO ADAPTOR BOARD NEEDED As soon as TOS 2.06 is available, Fast """"""""""""""""""""""" Technology will be able to provide it as an extension of the T20/25. Current units will get roms and a retrofit kit..some soldering required, but not much...while future units will have the rom drive built right in. No adapter boards are needed when using the T20/25 and TOS 2.06!!! We'll have pricing as soon as Atari releases the roms to the world. (J.ALLEN27, CAT4, TOP11, MSG:51/M475) INTERSECT AROUND? Intersect IS still around, but they're focusing on """"""""""""""""" IBM compatibles right now. However, there is almost definitely a new version of Interlink ST in the works. After the failure of Masterlink ST, they were going to make a Super Interlink which was basically Masterlink minus the background task manager, then they scrapped that and said they would just make a Zmodem .TXF protocol for it and maybe a Ymodem-G one. Now they're back on a new and improved Interlink. Just have to wait and see now. (S.JOHNSON10, CAT14, TOP40, MSG:160/M475) PURE C There IS a Turbo C for the ST, but is currently only available """""" with German documentation. However, Borland sold their ST Turbo C to another company who will update/upgrade it and distribute it in the US with English docs. I think it's now called Pure C, but I don't know if it is or will be fully Turbo C compatible. The BEST C package to get would probably by Lattice C v5.0 from HiSoft/Goldleaf. I've heard NOTHING but raving reviews about how great it is. It's also, from what I've heard, the best ANSI-compatible C package. I'm looking into going the ANSI C way and the only other C package I know of that's ANSI-compatible is Prospero C. (S.JOHNSON, CAT3, TOP27, MSG:69/M475) MEGAPAINT/CALAMUS MODULE Hi folks! I just wanted to drop a quick note """""""""""""""""""""""" here to let you know that we've got a Calamus Vector Graphics import module for MegaPaint almost completed. Watch for it soon. (An EPS export module for MegaPaint _is_ also being planned, as a matter of fact. :) -Charles (C.F.JOHNSON, CAT32, TOP24, MSG:74/77/M475) >>> MESSAGE SPOTLIGHT <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""" Atari-ST RoundTable Category 18, Topic 10 Message 23 Thu Dec 26, 1991 WALLY at 14:50 EST Howdy! I've just been through an interesting two weeks... Two of my friends just bought some messdos machines. Both are 386DX's running at 40Mhz. Both have DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.0 and 4megs of nearly inaccessible RAM. Neither of these guys has been able to use their computer on _any_ given day without having to call me (many times a day) for help (and I always end up going over and showing them how). We usually start with closing Windows and a re-boot. Not a stable OS by any stretch of the imagination (Windows). Manuals - written in Latin. Computer flexibility - not. Software flexibility - NOT. User friendly - not. Software compatibility with windows - not. TSR's causing _MAJOR_ problems - yepper. FAT tables - these systems need some SlimFast (just about have to keep Norton Utilities running full time in another window to keep things straight). Not only is Windows 3.0 a super-kludge on a 386DX at 40Mhz, but it is NOT friendly, NOT easy to configure, NOT flexible, NOT an efficient GEM environment, NOT a viable alternative to an ST (or a Mac). Sure, the software base is immense compared to what we have, but just look at the prices you have to pay... The _money_ price, the _un-friendly_ computer price, the _un-friendly_ software price, the _kludgy_ OS price... I can go on and on. I am really fluent with DOS and B-TOS. I hate them both. DOS Shell? Hah! What a system! What a way to use a system! I thank God for my STe. -Wally [*][*][*] While on GEnie, do you spend most of your time downloading files? If so, you may be missing out some excellent information in the Bulletin Board area. The messages listed above only scratch the surface of what's available and waiting for you in the bulletin board area. If you are serious about your Atari, the GEnie Lamp staff strongly urge you to give the bulletin board area a try. There are literally thousands of messages posted from people like you from all over the world. [EOA] [HUM]////////////////////////////// HUMOR ONLINE / ///////////////////////////////// Modem Madness? Modem Rehab Center! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" >>> SYMPTOMS OF MODEM MADNESS <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ~ From Modem Madness Rehab Center ~ ~ St. Louis, MO ~ (314)343-9736 Are you a suffering from Modem Madness? A *few* questions will help you decide. If you answer *yes* to one or more of the following questions, then all indications are that you have Modem Madness and need to seek professional help. 1) Do you have computer style personalized license plates such as: CPU-HED? PLA- PHA ? PAG-ZRO ? MEG-4ME ? GIG-BYT ? 4160ST? BLITER ? I1T-RAM ? 2) Every time you pass a computer, typewriter, or anything with keys, do you get this irresistible urge to type something? 3) Is your profession non-clerical in nature, yet you can type 70 words per minute or more? 4) Have you ever woken up at 3AM face down on your computer's keyboard? 5) Do you take computer magazines to the toilet with you? 6) Do you leave your computer on when out of the house to save on boot time when you get back? 7) When lunch or break time rolls around, do you start trying to dial out on the company computer to a BBS? 8) Do you have a "computer ROOM" in your house? 9) Do you save Velveeta Cheese boxes to use as 3 1/2" disk tubs? 10) Do you ever take a VACATION DAY so you can spend 16 hours in front of your computer calling BBSs? 11) Do you constantly lose important phone numbers and info under piles of computer manuals and printer paper? 12) Do you have a neurotic fear of throwing away any box that once contained computer equipment, in case you might have to "send it back to the factory"? 13) Do you have piles and piles of such boxes, filling every closet and every inch of garage space in your living area? 14) Do you talk to the computer as if it could hear you? 15) Does it ever talk back? 16) When your girlfriend (wife, etc.) says "it's too hot, I think I'll slip into something more comfortable", do you run to turn up the air conditioner to protect your computer from overheating? 17) Do your family and friends write you letters instead of calling since they can never get through to you on the phone? 18) Are all the clocks in your house 24 hour format? 19) Have you worn the letters off your computer's keyboard? 20) Can you remember the phone numbers for all your favorite BBSs but not for friends & relatives? 21) Has your dog ever attacked, or raised its leg upon, your computer system out of jealousy? 22) Have burglars ever hit the entire neighborhood except your house, because you are always UP BBSing? 23) Is the biggest tragedy in your life a power outage? 24) Have you ever realized that you "forgot to go to bed" when the alarm goes off, while sitting in front of the keyboard? 25) Do your neighbors call the air force because of a strange glow emanating from one room in your house all night long? 26) Do strange noises, frequent orders for Chinese food and many packages from UPS (which you elatedly wait for) catch their attention? 27) Can you hot wire a phone into your direct connect modem from any motel or relatives house? 28) Do you travel with a computer? 29) Have you forgotten how to talk to other parents at the PTA meeting? 30) Do you burst out laughing when your spouse is talking and manages to make a completely hidden reference outside of the context of the subject which is hilarious when applied as a computer joke? 31) Does a newly discovered BBS become a highlight of your day? 32) Do you string your own telephone wires and electrical extensions? 33) Have you ever had to explain to the phone company why you *need* 4 phones? 34) Are you constantly trying to find a 'better disk editor' or a 'better input routine' or a 'better word processor' ??? 35) Have you noticed how old friends just cannot carry on interesting conversations any more?? [*][*][*] Our thanks to: <-=-=-=-:YLR.ROSE of:-=-=-=-> | | .____| '~=--._ \ * TEXAS!! \ __ ~ |/ \ .-=~ \_J who found this amusing test on a local BBS and to Terry Quinn who forwarded it to me via the Food and Wine RoundTable. [EOA] [RND]////////////////////////////// RANDOM ACCESS / ///////////////////////////////// LOADPACKERS: What Are They? """"""""""""""""""""""""""" By Terry Quinn [T.QUINN1] >>> LOADPACKERS <<< """"""""""""""""""" ~ What are they and how do they work? ~ Loadpackers are a specialized form of Archiving program which are intended to increase the amount of disk space you have available. They accomplish this by using an archiving technique to compress the program then attaching a very small very fast extraction program to the result. When you double-click on a "loadpacked" program, the extractor runs; extracts the full scale program then runs the full scale program from memory. Usually, this happens so fast that a "loadpacked" program will get up and running faster than an ordinary uncompressed program because it requires considerably less disk space and so takes enough less time to load off the disk and get up and running even if the extractor has to do its thing first. This is especially true if you have the fastload bit set on the "loadpacked" program (for TOS 1.4) or use Pinhead 1.8. Currently there are three easily obtainable "loadpackers" for programs available for the ST. Each of these has its own special advantages and drawbacks. There have been others in the past but for anyone wanting to conserve disk space, you will get your best results with the most current versions mentioned here. First, how much space can you save? Typically you will save between 30 and 50% of the space taken up by the executable portion of the program which you pack. You will save less if a program is densely coded assembly language and more if a program has a large embedded resource file. Using MAXIMISR.PRG for example: Original Program 68070 Bytes DCSquish (Double Click) 49062 Bytes --> 28% savings PFXPAK (Questor) 44696 Bytes --> 34% savings Jampacker (ICE Method) 41807 Bytes --> 39% savings Just observing the compression doesn't tell the whole story because not all programs will work when compressed. For instance, If you have a program which writes its own configuration data to itself, you will be asking for trouble if you use either PFXPAK or Jampacker. DCSquish on the other hand has an internal protocol to handle this situation but will not necessarily work of the programmer (of the application) ignores it. The DCSquish program itself can recognize whether or not an application will support the protocol so you are forewarned if there is a potential for trouble. DCSquish is also the only one of these programs which will work reliably with desk accessories. In fact, if you can have just one of these programs, DCSquish is recommended since it offers the greatest range of compatibility. DCSquish is a commercial program offered by Double Click Software and should be available from your most local dealer (if any) or by mail. Odds are you already have PFXPAK if you have downloaded LZH201I from the Library (on GEnie). This program is itself the smallest of the three under discussion here. Although the current version has a GEM interface (an improvement over the original TTP version), there isn't anything fancy about it. The dialog boxes are in English but the documentation is in German so the best way to learn about this one is to play with it. Jampacker deserves a special mention all by itself. This gem comes to the ST Roundtable library by way of Australia. Unlike any of these others, it offers you a choice of archiving protocols including LZH (the same one that Questor used), LZW, V2 (don't know much about this one either) and ICE. This allows you to choose the level of compression vs speed tradeoff which best suits you (ICE offers the greatest compression but is it ever slow!). Jampacker is also unique in that it will also pack an entire floppy disk into a file. There is also the question of data files - the creators of two of these programs (PFXPAK and DCSquish) have developed methods of handling data files as well as executable programs. Thomas Questor, the creator of LZH201I and PFXPAK, has written a small autofolder program (AFX.PRG) which will uncompress data files on the fly. Unfortunately, it only uncompresses so is limited to static data files (like RSC files) which are only read and not written to. Because of its simplicity (and German language documentation), discovering which files it is and is not compatible with will be largely a trial and error process. It is included with the LZH201I archive so you probably already have this one. DCData Diet from Double Click is currently the leader as far as safety goes. This is also a small autofolder program which has the advantage of being able to both compress and decompress data files on the fly. As a result, it can be effectively employed with almost all kinds of data including files which are read from and written to. Due to its design, it is almost completely invisible in operation unless you use an (external to TOS) file management program like Multifile. There have been a few compatibility problems reported but generally it works and works well and can give you a virtual capacity boost of about 30%. Should you use these programs? Well, the program packers are useful for both hard drive owners and floppy users alike; especially if you need to run humungous applications (like Aladdin) on a limited amount of disk space. The data file packers are limited to hard drives since a floppy drive cannot work fast enough to make this program useful. Still, if you are like most hard drive owners, you are probably running short on space and these programs can give you an inexpensive boost in effective capacity. [EOA] [LIB]////////////////////////////// THE ONLINE LIBRARY / ///////////////////////////////// [*]Get It While It's Hot! """"""""""""""""""""""""" by Mel Motogawa [M.MOTOGAWA] >>> P.S.'s <<< """""""""""""" Anyone who says there is a dearth of good freeware, shareware and commercial software hasn't been checking the download section of the Atari ST Roundtable's file library. A new crop of downloads always seems to sprout up every two weeks between Lamp issues. The following are some of the new uploads, incorporating the file description from the library. Any comments of my own are shown within double asterisks "**...**" after the file description, in the ascii GEnie Lamp version, and also in italics in the TX2 version. (If you haven't experienced reading the Lamp in TX2 format, why not download the TX2 file viewer (file #20441) by David Holmes? You may be surprised at the versatility and power of this program, above and beyond viewing TX2 Lamp issues.) Enjoy! [*][*][*] #22027 TLC_SHOW2.LZH 9344 This runs in color only and is a simple viewer for compressed or uncompressed Spectrum pictures. No fancy slide shows and not a lot of parameters to worry about. Just choose a picture then press a key. SHAREWARE ---------- Use UNLZH.PRG to extract. Not usable on the TT/030 (picture incompatibility) ** The first of 7 shareware programs covered in this listing, by Tom Hayslett. The modest shareware fee registers you for 8 programs. Check them out. ** #22025 TLC_NAMR2.LZH 15616 The File Namer allows you to use ANY of the STs extended character set in your filenames (i.e. the copyright symbol, etc.). It runs as an Accessory or Program in color or mono. SHAREWARE ---------- Use UNLZH.PRG to extract. TT Compatible in ST Resolutions #22024 TLC_FORM2.LZH 17536 The Formatter runs as an Accessory or Program in color or mono. It formats backwards, can be set to do 'hard verify' and formats using the dead sector scheme to make disks read and write faster than twister format. It will detect drive B: and allow auto formatting of 2 disks. SHAREWARE ---------- Use UNLZH.PRG to extract. TT Compatible in ST Resolutions #22023 TLC_BOOK2.LZH 55168 The TLC Address Book Version 2.01 has had custom GEM editing routines added, Hot keys in ALL the dialog boxes, variable page and label size, and various other added features. THIS IS A MUST-HAVE VERSION. Prints labels for addresses, occasions (Birthdays, Anniversaries, etc.) by month or year, address book pages, date book pages by month or year, etc. It even allows multiple printing of one address (Great for return address labels). Configurable for any printer. CHECK THIS ONE OUT! SHAREWARE ---------- Use UNLZH.PRG to extract. ** A screenshot is included in the mono and color TX2 issues. ** #22019 CWCIIDEM.ARC 83072 This ARC file includes a fully functional DEMO version of the New Crossword Creator II... the fastest, easiest-to-use, and most complete crossword puzzle program ever developed for Atari computers. This DEMO is identical to the full commercial release version except that the user is limited to a maximum of five words. Extensive on-line help in included. <<< This is a new version which corrects a couple of minor problems in the earlier version and adds a few new features too! >>> --- Will work on a TT in ST medium or high resolution. ---- Please use ARC602ST.ARC (file #13310) to extract. #22018 3_SHOOTS.ARC 143616 Low resolution required, any ST/STe. My friend Juergen Reichenwallner of Germany designed these three joystick-controlled games, and sent them to me just in time for me to share them with you and yours for Christmas! Games include a spaceship battle, a rescue mission with a military theme, and a Duck Hunt clone. My kids like 'em, yours will, too! These must be booted from a floppy in Drive A and require a special disk set-up (not too hard, so don't be scared off), so read the READ_ME and get it right the first time! Enjoy! TESTED ON ST W/TOS1.4 IN LOW RES Extract with a current ARC utility like ARC602ST.TTP (file #13310) #22014 SAT403.LZH (LH5)LZH 92672 Satellite Prediction program version 4.03 used for tracking satellites. Many options provided for visual tracking or amateur/weather satellite use. This version is a bug fix. The shadow routines in 4.02 were broken and are fixed in this version. A hold feature was added in the multi- satellite display and sunrise/sunset was fixed for high latitudes. Program will use Math Coprocessor, if available. ----- Extract with LZH utility that handles LH5, like LHARC201. #22013 FRZDTERM.LZH (LH5)LZH 274176 This is an interesting shareware terminal program called the Freeze Dried Terminal Program. It is quite powerful, and has a lot of interesting options especially for file transfers. The author requests a shareware fee of $25. File transfers supported include ZMODEM (via XYZ.TTP) Ymodem G, FMODEM, and the usual Xmodem parameters. The file has been LZHed with LHarc 2.01h ----- Extract with an LZH that handles LH5, like LHARC201. ** A screenshot is included in the mono and color TX2 issues. ** #22011 TLC_FXR2.LZH 19328 The File Fixer runs as as accessory or program in color and mono. It allows easy searching and replacing of ASCII text strings within programs. It will load and search up to 20 files to search/replace strings in. Great for shareware authors that personalize their programs. SHAREWARE --------- Use UNLZH.PRG to extract. TT Compatible in ST Medium/High resolutions. #22010 TLC_ATR2.LZH 27392 The Attributer runs as a program OR accessory in color or mono. It allows changing file's attributes (hidden, read-only, system, archive) as well as updating the date'time stamp and setting the fastload bit for TOS 1.4. It also allows deleting those pesky files that won't delete, changing filenames and disk volume labels. SHAREWARE ---------- Use UNLZH.PRG to extract. TT Compatible in ST Medium/High resolutions. #22008 TLC_RSRC.LZH 10752 This program runs in color or mono. It allows GFA programmers to take a resource file created with RCS2 and incorporate it in your GFA program file. It creates an ASCII (.LST) file to be merged with your program and prints the instructions for using the routine in the remark statements. VERY Fast and efficient. SHAREWARE -------- Use UNLZH.PRG to extract. TT Compatible in ST Medium/High resolutions. #22000 GEMVLP26.ARC 29056 GEMvelope is an easy envelope printer for the ST/TT. This is a fully functional demo with a couple of features removed. It can extract addresses from any word processing document and merge a series of addresses from a database file. Can print POSTNET bar codes to save you 2 cents/letter in the near future (according to the USPS). Ideal for laser printers, but also allows printing envelopes the long way on most dot matrix printers. Requires GDOS. FSM GDOS compatible. Upgrade information for previous owners included. This is version 2.6 of a mature 2 year old product. >>>> Use ARC602ST.TTP (#13310) to extract. >>>> TT Compatible in ST/TT resolutions. GDOS REQUIRED! FSM Compatible. ** If you want to create extra nice envelopes using GDOS or FSM GODS fonts, this is the program. A screenshot is included in the mono and color TX2 issues. ** #21999 STESOUND.LZH 6656 STe DMA Sound File Player v1.0! Excellent program for playing digitized stereo/mono sound files through the STe's DMA chip. Includes such options and controls as Play Once, Loop Play, Master Volume, Left/Right Volume, Bass, Treble and Mix Type. --- Supports all STe "SIGNED" sample rates: 6KHz, 12KHz, 25KHz and 50KHz. --- Use UNLZH.PRG to extract. Must have STe or TT to use. #21986 MINT092B.ZOO 207360 Mint is Not TOS v.92 (Dec '91) multitasking kernel by Eric Smith. Multitasking, job control, true pipes, ... . Binaries and some documentation. ------ Extract with ZOO21 (file# 20514). #21982 NOIDS100.ARC 81152 This is the latest (final?) version of NOIDS. This archive contains both NOIDS and MKNOIDS, the game creator. Works best in STLow, but the game will also run in TTMed. MKNOIDS works in STLow ONLY! Shareware -- see readme file for details. ---- Please use ARC602ST.ARC (file #13310) to extract. Tested on a TT. #21974 MKRSC11.ZOO 41600 Jim Charlton's MKRSC is a free resource editor -- a program for creating or modifying .RSC files. It also can write out C source code that lets you embed resources directly in your program. This is version 1.1, released November 1991. ------------ TT Compatible in all resolutions Use ZOO21.TTP to extract #21973 TAREXE2.ARC 23552 This is an update to the recently posted TAR program, originally written by Paul Moreau. The program can read and write Unix compatible TAR tapes using the Berkeley Micro tape sub-systems and the TPDVR tape drivers. This new version is as much as 100 times faster on reading TAR tapes than the previous version. ----- Use ARC602ST.TTP (#13310) or other current ARC utility to extract. TESTED->TOS 1.4 #21971 ASTROLAB.LZH (LH5)LZH 46720 This program, which I have never fully learned, shows in several different modes, the celestial sphere, with the stick-figures of the constellations projected on it. It rotates, and there can be different magnifications. What else, I do not know. Sternbild, Planetarium, and Gnomplot make a great set, along with Mondkart and the various planetary moon programs. This one might belong too, if you like stargazing more than amateur astronomy. --- Use an LH5 extractor like LHARC201I. TESTED->TOS 1.4 MONO ONLY INCLUDES MONO_EMU FOR COLOR. #21970 STERNBL2.LZH (LH5)LZH 18304 Part two of file 21970. Use an LH5 extractor like LHARC201I. TESTED->TOS 1.4 COLOR/MONO ** This goes along with file #21969. ** #21969 STERNBLD.LZH (LH5)LZH 148608 Fantastic planetarium program, unlike either Planetarium or Gnomplot or Astrolab. This program, which has English menus, (_if_ you type `e' at the start-up menu), shows you whichever constellation that you click on (be sure and print out the instructions from the start-up menu!) This program is NOT GEM. But it is incredible. You can look at any constellation at any period in time. You can animate and watch the stars drift across space, as the constellations change shape. You can rotate the constellations. Click on the stars for name, distance, _and distance from any other star in that constellation_ Also, in addition to the constellations, you can look at the star Use an LH5 extractor like LHARC201I. TESTED TOS 1.4 MONO/COLOR. #21968 BAKTRACK.LZH (LH5)LZH 10752 Here's a handy helper for Step Ahead's TRACKER users with hard drives. It's an automatic back up utility that is fast fast fast and easy to use. This will encourage frequent back ups of your important data files if you use TRACKER and use it on a hard drive. FreeWare distributed courtesy of Step Ahead and WizWorks. Written by Chet Walters. ----- REQUIRES TRACKER/ST FROM STEP AHEAD SOFTWARE!!! Use an LHARC utility the handles -lh5, like LHARC201I. #21965 XBOOT.LZH 9088 This is an archive containing a Degas high rez screen shot and a text file which describes XBoot, the boot-up manager. XBoot's easy to use GEM-like interface lets you turn AUTO folder and desk accessory programs on or off instantly. ----------- Use UNLZH.PRG to extract. #21953 68000GFA.LZH 9472 This little goodie translates machine code to GFA Basic commands. Nice learning tool. (Produces GFA 2.0 .BAS code.) Untested by sender! ---- Use latest version of UNLZH.PRG or other .LZH extractor. TESTED->TOS 1.4 COLOR ONLY! #21947 MEGAMODS.ARC 17024 Here's a package of external modules for MegaPaint Professional, the super-powerful next generation graphics tool from CodeHead Software. There are 5 modules in this archive: import modules for TNY and PC3 pictures, a module to get at your desk accessories, a module to call CodeHead's MaxiFile III, and a module to call Dr. Bobware's SCANLITE to allow scanning directly into MegaPaint with Migraph (and other) scanners. Also included: a program to change module parameters, and a READ_ME file explaining everything. Enjoy these extensions for MegaPaint, and remember: CodeHead means "support!" (Note: this is a re-upload, to fix a small bug in the TNY and PC3 import modules.) #21944 PRO_TRAK.LZH (LH5)LZH 792320 This is PROTRACKER, a very nice graphical sound player for the STE. This for the music writing ProTracker. The program is written by Karl Anders Oygard of Norway. The program tied for second place in the STE Demo Contest. As second place winner, Karl Anders Oygard won a Mega STE and a color monitor. The file has been LZHed using LZH 2.01i, and ArcShell. An STE is required to run this demo. -- Use the latest Questor LZH extractor. ** Awesome! Best through stereo speakers, but even impressive through the SC1224's speaker. The best looking/sounding STe sound player I've ever seen. Very professional. ** #21938 CLIPBORD.LZH 21760 Here is the new updated version of the Atari Clipboard Configuration CPX from Software Development Systems. This file will allow you to better manipulate files stored to the Atari Clipboard. Version 1.0 adds .IMG, .TXT, and .XIC viewing in addition to a few other new features. Freeware from SDS. Requires XCONTROL.ACC available here on GENIE. -- Please use the latest LZH extractor. #21935 WHATIS54.LZH 16896 Version 5.4 of What Is. This program works as a program or a ACC. It will identify over 100 types of files. Just the thing if you accidently put the wrong extention on a downloaded file or if you had a virus trash your disk and you are able to recover the files but not their names. At least you will be able to tell the difference between a PRG file and a PI3 file. --------- Use UNLZH.PRG to extract. TT/030 Compatible #21925 CTSPAWFX.LZH 4096 Here's the leftover mouse click "fix" for CatsPaw. It seems that when button fix accessory was active or the button fix button was toggled on in MultiDesk Deluxe, CatsPaw had problems running programs because there was a leftover mouse click that would select something from the main dialog of the program run. This, I guess you could say, is the button fix fix..... ;) The replaces v2.0a of CatsPaw for Image Cat version 2.0. If you still have the old version 1.0, you don't need this (but why haven't you upgraded?) -- Please use the latest LZH extractor. #21924 WSC_DEMO.ARC 69376 This ARC file includes a fully functional DEMO version of the New WORD SEARCH CREATOR from Fair Dinkum Technologies... the premier word search puzzle creator for all Atari ST/STE/TT computers. This demo is identical to the full commercial version but limits you to a maximum of 5 words. Create word search puzzles for educational use or just plain fun the fast and easy way with WORD SEARCH CREATOR. Extensive on-line help is included to get you up and running fast! Complete ordering information is included in this ARC file (it's only $19.95) or contact FAIR-DINKUM via email or stop by CATegory 29, TOPic 4, the Fair Dinkum Technologies product support area. This is the NEW release 1.01! #21922 FPU_TEST.ARC 22784 These utilities allow you to test if a MC68881 FPU (math coprocessor) is installed (e.g. on the ADSpeedST board or the Atari SFP004 Math Coprocessor board), recognized, and how well it's running (how fast it speeds things up). See the README!.TXT file for further details. #21918 GEMVIEW1.LZH 120832 An update to an already wonderful program. View GIF, SPC, SPU, NEO, PI?, PC?, IFF, GEM, and MORE with this jewel of a program. Allows you to save files in different formats (some restrictions...). Works well in all resolutions. Scale pictures, take some clips from others, read IBM-Windows 3.0 .BMP files, lots more. This is a MUST HAVE PROGRAM. --------- Use UNLZH.PRG to extract. TT Compatible in ALL resolutions. >>> Please Note: Some of the docs are in GERMAN ** If you've downloaded earlier versions, you'll notice that this one is a bigger upgrade. Many new features added. A screenshot is included in the mono and color TX2 issues. ** #21904 MX2NET20.LZH 34432 MIDI Networking program for ALL STs. Works w/ or w/o MX2. Transfer rate up to 3k per sec. ---- Please use the latest version of Quester LZH to extract SysOp note: SysOp was unable to verify the proper operation of this prg. #21893 ARCSHL31.ARC 59776 Yes! He's obviously crazy, folks -- it's another upgrade for ARC Shell! Version 3.1 adds the rest of the special Quester LHARC functions to the ARC Shell menu, and also has several other important enhancements and LOTS of bug fixes. Full documentation is included, with over 140 lines of new text for version 3.1. ARC Shell is Copyright 1991 Charles F. Johnson & Little Green Footballs Software. All Rights Reserved. Remember to support shareware authors! ----- Use ARC602ST.TTP (#13310) or other current ARC utility to extract. TESTED->TOS 1.0/1.4 MONO/COLOR ** Quester's LHarc program, currently Lzh201i, is pretty much king of the hill as far as ST archivers go. Its great LH5 compression, speed at Add/Extract operations and ability to create/extract the old LH1 lzh files makes it versatile. ArcShell 3.1 allows you full control over it with uncommon ease. Be sure to try Indirection and the multiple file selection features if you have Maxifile III resident as an accessory. Shareware at its best! A screenshot is included in the mono and color TX2 issues. ** #21891 OUTBURST.LZH (LH5)LZH 21760 This is a demo version of OutBurST! This program can reduce the time it takes Pagestream to output to fast HP LaserJet and Deskjet compatible printers. PRINTING PAGE time for a full page with an HP IIIP and ADSPEED is about 19 seconds! compared to 47 seconds with FPPRNT or 300 seconds with TOS 1.4. Please send me EMAIL with printer and system info for any improvements you may see. This program requires a fast printer! Demo version good for 3/4 of a page of output. Info for fully functional version included. ---- Use an LH5 extractor like LHARC201I. TESTED->TOS 1.4 ** Claims very impressive speedups. If you are using Pagestream and one of the above mentioned printers, you should check this out. ** #21889 MEGA_SLM.ARC 15104 This patch program changes CodeHead Software's MegaPaint Professional to use US page sizes (8.5 x 11) instead of European A4 and A5 sizes, when printing to an Atari laser printer. A short text file is included, explaining what the patch program changes and how to use it. Be sure to patch a *copy* of your MegaPaint program file. (Note: this patch only works with the English version 4.00 of MegaPaint Professional.) Remember, CodeHead means "support!" ----- Use ARC602ST.TTP (#13310) or other current ARC utility to extract. [*][*][*] Mel Motogawa has been hooked to his ST since 1986 and when not online, enjoys reading every ST mag he can lay his hands on. "After years of just reading messages and garnering infor- mation, I decided it was time to break out. Don't be a lurker forever, get the most out of the ST Roundtable. Ask questions online or answer the ones you can. Share the wealth!" [EOA] [MIN]////////////////////////////// MINI_BYTES / ///////////////////////////////// [*]SNEAK PREVIEW! dbWRITER """""""""""""""""""""""""" >>> GEnie LAMP SNEAK PREVIEW! <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ~ dbWRITER ~ BETA TEST VERSION NOTICE The following Mini_Byte Reviews are based on an advance """""" _BETA_ copy of a new _Freeware_ word processor, dbWRITER by David Becker. This program is due to be released in January, 1992. Watch for it in the ST Library. -ed.] [*][*][*] Program Name : dbWRITER Filename : N/A Library Area : N/A Program Number : N/A File Size : N/A Program Type : Word Processor w/Spell Checker (Mono) Author : David Becker Version Reviewed: BETA (Sneak Preview) File Type : Freeware! [*][*][*] FROM THE AUTHOR dbWriter was originally an experiment in alternative """"""""""""""" interfaces, long before my ZeST programs were developed. I wanted to create a custom GUI that would closely resemble GEM and be portable to the IBM platform as well. I had written a simple text editor in my FontSwap2 program and I wanted to expand it so this became the perfect vehicle in which to test my alternative interface ideas. dbWriter has been floating around in various forms for quite a few months. This first OFFICIAL BETA TEST RELEASE comes as a result of much prompting by other users. dbWriter has never seen any serious testing therefore I would appreciate your input when you are confronted with bugs. I hope to continue perfecting dbWriter in my spare time as well as adding many new and requested features. I will release dbWriter in two parts. The dictionary file probably won't be changed for some time so you will only have to download it once. The main program and support modules will be released anytime an update warrants it. dbWriter and all my past programs are freeware, you can copy them, sell them through the user group or upload them to local BBS systems. I expect a full FREEWARE release early in January 1992. dbWriter is configurable and will therefore run on all ST platforms. One megabyte is recommended though you can run without the dictionary on a 520ST. dbWriter really shines with more than one megabyte and I re- commend TurboST by Softrek to dramatically speed up text scrolling. You will need a monochrome monitor. [*][*][*] MINI_BYTE BY SHEPHARD [92] dbWRITER is a FreeWare monochrome only word """""""""""""""""""""""""" processor with a WYSWYG format and dictionary! It has most functions of the popular word processors and many not found in others. Its display line has a unique interface which I haven't seen before, with very pleasing graphics. 99% of the commands are available from the keyboard or mouse suiting both mouse and keyboard preferences. The help key provides a very interesting and graphically pleasing review of the program. There is no ASCII save directly, but a single key press will clear all special codes making ASCII saves a snap, just be sure you have saved a coded version first! The version reviewed was a beta release with many bugs yet to be fixed, however the power of the program was very evident. This is one to be on the lookout for. The Shephard's humble opinion. MINI_BYTE BY HERETIC [95] dbWRITER is perhaps the best low end word """"""""""""""""""""""""" processor ever to appear for the Atari ST. Not only does it compare favorably with Word Writer ST, Write On usual fancy text formatting features (including the ability to do columns). Even are somewhat irritating, they are not bugs but are design limitations clearly dbWriter deserves a grade of 95 (out of 100). A truly magnificent effort! MINI_BYTE BY MOGUL [92] This review comes to you courtesy of """"""""""""""""""""""" dbWRITER, the excellent soon-to-be expected freeware word processing package from David Becker. dbWRITER currently exists in beta version 1.8, but performs even now as a reasonably solid platform and should interest all those looking for a unique text editing solution in the monochrome environment. Differing from the common GEM interface, dbWRITER sports an alternative graphic interface that is intended to be portable among a variety of machines, including the Amiga and DOS worlds. For the GEM user, dbWRITER is immediately obvious to use but generally requires the use of keyboard equivalents for speed. Fortunately, the unique, highly descriptive drop down and pop up menus offer significant user friendliness. Once a user gains keyboard proficiency, the drop down menus and screen-bottom 'buttons' can be cleared from the screen, making dbWRITER into a lean, top-flight ASCII editor. dbWRITER offers an astounding array of features and should spark interest even amongst the more jaded text editor users. Highlights of the program's capabilities include columns support, page (up to 2 at a time!) preview, alphabetizing and sorting, two file editing, custom ruler line, dictionary with lookup and spell checking, macros, mail merge, pop up calendar, search and replace, block functions, right/ center/left justification; boldface, italics, and underline; file save with encryption, and typewriter mode. As the program gains in solidity (there are a few bugs in feature implementation and at present little beta tester feedback), dbWRITER should find a tremendous level of support. I definitely intend to use it, and will rank dbWRITER a strong 92 out of 100. dbWRITER may not be a Word Perfect, but for a FREEWARE item, it resides somewhere within the same ballpark. Hats off to David Becker for an most excellent job! Bravo! No. File Name Type Address YYMMDD Bytes Access Lib ----- ------------------------ - ------------ ------ ------- ------ --- ~ TO BE RELEASED SOON! ~ GEnie LAMP MINI_BYTE'S RATING """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" SHEPHARD ........................................... 92 HERETIC ............................................ 95 MOGUL .............................................. 92 """" AVERAGE SCORE ...................................... 93 MINI_BYTES RATING SYSTEM """""""""""""""""""""""" 0 / Not worth the download - pass on this one. 10/20 Bored? Looking for something to do? 30/40 Got money to burn? Go for it! A definite maybe. 50/60 You may like this one - unfortunately, I did not. 70/80 I like it! You will probably like it too. 90/100 What? You haven't downloaded this program YET? >>> REVIEWER PROFILES <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""" SHEPHARD...mostly uses information storage programs and utilities, crazy about time saving programs, spends lots of time online and only plays games very rarely. HERETIC....Uses mostly Wordwriter ST, Aladdin, and ST_Talk Professional. He writes a lot and is very hard to please. Loves sticking pins in sacred cows (both computer and political). He rarely has time for games (either the enjoyable kind or Bureaucrap!) MOGUL......uses the ST as a full-time professional platform, emphasizing word processing, spreadsheet, DTP, graphics applications, and a host of utilities/accessories for all exigencies. [EOA] [MID]////////////////////////////// MIDI AND YOU / ///////////////////////////////// All About MIDI """""""""""""" By Morris G. Miller 12Aug89-MGM #1a >>> MINI MIDI LESSONS <<< """"""""""""""""""""""""" INTRODUCTION Almost everyone has a natural curiosity about MIDI, """""""""""" whether or not there are serious intentions of using it. In this series of mini lessons on MIDI, I will attempt to answer some of the more common questions about it. We will discuss - o What is MIDI ? o What do I need for MIDI ? o Do I need to know music to use MIDI ? o What is a sequencer ? o What are the differences in keyboards ? o What does MIDI cost ? o Why should I do MIDI ? It is almost impossible to discuss music or MIDI without using some of the technical terms of the trade. In this series of studies we will try to say everything in such a way that anyone can understand it. A glossary will be presented to help with the words which may remain in doubt. Most of the lessons of this series will be presented on a single page. The first lesson, "What is MIDI ?", will finish this page and continue on the next. - Morris G. Miller WHAT IS MIDI? MIDI is an acronym for "Musical Instrument Digital """"""""""""" Interface". It is a defined means for interconnecting musical instruments and other related equipment for the reproduction of music. It now includes your computer and the programs for MIDI, key- boards, synthesizers and samplers, sequencers, recorders, editors, librarians, scorers, and a host of other equipment and functions. MIDI is the electrical and physical specifications for these in- terconnections. It forms the "standards". The MIDI standards define the hardware connections and wiring to connect and send signals between the instruments, such that one can control or inform the other of musical events. The send wire of one connects to the receive of the other, and visa-versa. Signals are sent in serial, much like the serial printer or modem connection on your computer; one wire to send, one wire to receive. On some computers the MIDI interface plugs into the serial modem port of the computer. On others the MIDI port is built in as a separate interface. The serial pulses sent between instruments are organized into 8- bit codes. The MIDI standard defines the meanings of these codes so that all instruments speak the same code language. Not all the instruments respond to all the codes defined, but those that respond to any one code all respond in the same manner. Electronically, MIDI also defines the current and voltage limits of the pulses and the bit rate for the pulses. In this there are now two standards, but any instrument designed for the faster standard, will respond properly to the original, slower, standard unless it specifically so states. Not to worry. For what you and I are doing, either of these are sufficient. The MIDI connections on your instruments are a 5-pin DIN. There are three kinds: MIDI IN - the instrument can receive MIDI code. MIDI OUT - the instrument can send MIDI code. MIDI THRU - the instrument can repeat to the next instrument what was received on MIDI IN. Not all instruments will have all three ports. This is a clue to how that instrument can fit into the MIDI hookup. The full definitions for midi codes are available from many sources and will not be repeated here. Codes are defined for turning each note on and off, the note attack (how hard the key is struck), touch pressure (how hard the key is held down), release (how quickly the key is released), patch changes (selecting the voice to play), pedal control (sustain, soft, etc.), glissando and portamento (glide between notes), modulation (vibrato or tremolo), and others. Codes are also defined for the individual manufacturers, called exclusive codes. This allows each manufacturer to have special codes for the control of functions on a keyboard that is different from all other keyboards. It is this "feature" that will prompt you to make some decisions about the type of keyboard to use and the programs to buy before sinking a lot of money into it. The two must work together. Note that MIDI does NOT SEND THE SOUND of the notes played. MIDI sends signals to indicate what the PERFORMER DID. MIDI sends codes to indicate which key(s) was pressed, when it was pressed, when it was released, which control was operated and how much it was operated. When played back from the computer the keys are pressed again exactly the same as before, and the same controls are operated again exactly the same way. Reminiscent of a player piano, no? Only it doesn't have to be a piano. It might be two horns and a banjo. That's neeeet! [EOA] [LOG]////////////////////////////// LOG OFF / ///////////////////////////////// GEnie Lamp Information """""""""""""""""""""" o COMMENTS: Contacting GEnie Lamp. o GENIE LAMP STAFF: Who Are We? o WITH A LITTLE HELP: GEnie Lamp Writers. o CONTRIBUTORS: This Issue. o WRITERS: Writing For GEnie Lamp. o HOT OFF THE PRESS: When And Where? COMMENTS? If you would like to ask a question, leave a comment or just """"""""" drop in and say hi, you can contact us in CAT 34 in the ST bulletin board area. If you prefer to remain private, send your GEnie Email to GENIELAMP$ on page 200, or leave a message to one or more of the following addresses: GEnie LAMP STAFF """""""""""""""" o John F. Peters [GENIELAMP] Publisher/Editor o Darlah Potechin [DARLAH] Co-Editor o Jeff Williams [JEFF.W] Technical Editor o David Holmes [D.HOLMES14] TX2 Editor - Fred Koch [F.KOCH] PD_Q/GEnie Lamp [PR] - Mel Motogawa [M.MOTOGAWA] Mel's Manor/PS's - Terry Quinn [T.QUINN1] ST Elsewhere/Softview - Sheldon Winick [S.WINICK] Dealer Viewpoint - Richard Brown [R.BROWN30] Atari And The Real World o Larry Duke [LARRY.D] GEnie Lamp Advisor o Sandy Wilson [SANDY.W] GEnie Lamp Advisor o Fred Beckman [FB] GEnie Lamp Advisor o John J. Kennedy [JJKENNEDY] GEnie Lamp Advisor o Vince Averello [VINCE.A] GEnie Lamp Advisor o Nathan Potechin [ISD] GEnie Lamp Advisor U.S. MAIL """"""""" John Peters 5102 Galley Rd. Lot #115/B Colorado Springs, CO 80915 ATTENTION WRITERS Have you ever thought about writing an article? """"""""""""""""" Well, here's your chance. WRITERS.ARC File #17920 located in the GEnie Lamp library, #35 is a short text file that will give you information on our polices, what we are looking for and how to go about writing and submitting your article for possible publication in an upcoming issue of GEnie Lamp. Whether you are interested in taking on one of the columns now found in GEnie Lamp, starting a new column, or just submitting a one time article, we want to hear from you. So, take a quick look, fire up the word processor and get busy on that article! HOT OFF THE PRESS GEnie Lamp is published on the 1st and the 15th of """"""""""""""""" every month for our Atari ST RoundTable members on page 475, option 5. If you prefer to download your issue of GEnie Lamp, you will find the current issue as well as all the back issues on page 476, in the GEnie Lamp library, #35. GEnie Lamp is also distributed on electronic bulletin boards worldwide. (If your favorite BBS doesn't have it, upload it!) DON'T FORGET! GEnie Lamp sisters issue, GEnie Lamp [PR] is released """"""""""""" every Friday night here in the ST Library, #35. In GEnie Lamp [PR] you will find all the latest press releases, announcements show information and want ads from the library and bulletin board compiled into one easy to download file. Contact Fred Koch [F.KOCH] for details. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////////////////////////// Material published in this edition may be reprinted under the following terms only. All articles must remain unedited and include the issue number and author at the top of each article reprinted. Reprint permission granted, unless otherwise noted, to registered Atari user groups and not for profit publications. Opinions present herein are those of the individual authors and does not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or staff of GEnie Lamp. We reserve the right to edit all letters and copy. Material published in this edition may be reprinted only with the following notice intact: \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////////////////////////// (c) Copyright 1991 T/TalkNET OnLine Publishing, Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the Atari RoundTables. The Atari RoundTables on GEnie are the *official* information services of the Atari Corporation. To sign up for GEnie service, call (with modem) 1-800-638-8369. Upon connection type HHH. Wait for the U#= prompt. Type: XJM11877,GENIE and hit RETURN. The system will then prompt you for your information. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////////////////////////// [EOF]