Info-Atari16 Digest Mon, 1 Apr 91 Volume 91 : Issue 183 Today's Topics: Atari cpu evolution Can't connect a 1040st to a TV Set :-( Copying protected disks Couldn't Atari take over the education market? Help with atari.archive Jam Packer (latest version?!?) memory upgrade woes on a Mega 1 Mercury Authorship Multi-line bbs possible? NET Appreciation !! Notebook vs Laptop Problem using HP II P laserprinter with 1040 ST rant and rave SALE: NEC LC-890 LASER PRINTER! Sozobon C, Floating point ST Log Magazine Telecomm, for a clone. Video Titler program for the ST? Wanted Mac ROMs (128K) for GCR Welcome to the Info-Atari16 Digest. The configuration for the automatic cross-posting to/from Usenet is getting closer, but still getting thrashed out. Please send notifications about broken digests or bogus messages to Info-Atari16-Request@NAUCSE.CSE.NAU.EDU. Please send requests for un/subscription and other administrivia to Info-Atari16-Request, *NOT* Info-Atari16. Requests that go to the list instead of the moderators are likely to be lost or ignored. If you want to unsubscribe, and you're receiving the digest indirectly from someplace (usually a BITNET host) that redistributes it, please contact the redistributor, not us. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 1 Apr 91 07:31:56 GMT From: uhccux!uhunix1.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu!kiki@ames.arpa Subject: Atari cpu evolution To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu [someone speculates about evolution of Atari TT models with Motorola 68040 cpu] I guess it would be safe to assume that Atari is considering the '040 cpu for their next generation along the TT product line. But the microprocessor spec- trum has shifted from the dominance of the 80x86 and 68000 families from Intel and Motorola. One alternative is mentioned by the author of the following art- icle. And although he seems to disdain the specifications of the chip, I think it might be of significance and worthy of serious consideration. -------------------------[start of article]------------------------------------ >From: neideck@kaputt.enet.dec.com (Burkhard Neidecker-Lutz) Subject: PgC 7600 (was Re: Second-generation RISC) Organization: CEC Karlsruhe I'm typing what I've read in a local computer magazine here in Germany. The magazine isn't exactly known for overwhelming accuracy, so beware. Summary: I'm underwhelmed. Done by small British company called PgC, Ltd. (Yawn). Funded by Clive Sinclair (Oha !). RISC machine with a couple of onboard systems to make cheap machine implementation possible. The components: - Timer (connects to IFU) - Serial control unit (SCU) connects to IFU and external world - Instruction Fetch Unit (IFU) connects to ECU and external world - Execution Control Unit (ECU) connects to a ROM and QCache - CPU 6ns self clocking design coupled with 160 Byte of 3ns RAM - Memory Controller (MCU) connects to CPU, QCache and external world. The ROM can be used to store emulation code for CISC instructions ( I assume this is similar to what Clipper has). Price abotu 600 Deutsche Mark ( 400 $) External RAM interface: Separate Data and Address, 160 MByte/sec. bandwidth. Qcache is 32 instructions deep. Integrated support for dual-ported SRAMS in MCU, claim that this enables multiprocessor systems. At last a (buggy) table showing planned routes into the future: Name When Price Technology MIPS PgC7600 1/91 400 $ Bipolar 200 PgC7610 2/92 40 $ CMOS 80 PgC7620 1/93 100 $ Bipolar 250 PgC7700 2/93 400 $ CMOS 1000 PgC7710 4/93 200 $ Bipolar 2000 If you ask me: Too little, too late, no serious performance, no software. Forget it. Burkhard Neidecker-Lutz, CEC Karlsruhe ------------------------------[end of article]--------------------------------- If the PgC series has the capability of adaptable microcode and CISC emulation, then it would merit consideration by Atari as an alternative to the Motorola 68000 line. At the very least, it would offer Atari a little leverage against Motorola's monopoly of the '030 and '040 market. At best, Atari would have a computer that could run 80x86/68000/6502 etc. binary code, by loading the proper microcode. Although the German author perceives the PgC chips as unviable, there are other firms that are ready to market similar chips (NexGen, San Jose, CA) that have CISC emulation and multiprocessing capabilities. The pricing and performance seem to be exceptional to me and are some of the qualities associated with Clive Sinclair (and perhaps Atari), so that a Timex 200000K could soon be in our hands? The British press probably has reported on the PgC chips more extensively and I wonder if anyone there could make corrections, additions and their perspect- ive on the preceding information? Thanks, Jack ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 18:02:07 GMT From: noao!ncar!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.o hio-state.edu!ohstpy!miavx1!rlcollins@arizona.edu (Ryan 'Gozar' Collins) Subject: Can't connect a 1040st to a TV Set :-( To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu In article <40250015@hpindda.cup.hp.com>, goo@hpindda.cup.hp.com (Michael Goo) writes: >>in comp.sys.atari.st/rlcollins@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu (Ryan 'Gozar' Collins) >>writes: >>In article , dddean@bluemoon.uucp (David D. Dean) writes: >>> It turns out that they (The Atari Company) did not include an RF modulator >>> for their 1040st line. DARN!!! That really ticks! >> >>On a related note, is it possible to add a RF modulator to an older ST? >>I've noticed that there is space on the motherboard for it, but nothing is >>there. > The Atari monitor connector has a line for composite video. This is essentially > regular NTSC signal without being modulated to a TV frequency. You can buy or > build a cable that will go from the monitor port to a composite connector So if I splice into the composite line of the monitor, I should be able to get composite output? It sounds a little too easy. Why would anyone buy that Video Key thing then? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ryan 'Gozar' Collins Question for IBM Users: rlcollins@miavx1.BITNET |||| Power Without How DO you move/copy a rc1dsanu@miamiu.BITNET / || \ The Price!! Subdirectory? R.COLLINS1 on GEnie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 17:55:56 GMT From: noao!asuvax!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio- state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!n8emr!bluemoon!eudyeudy@arizona.edu (Scott Eudy) Subject: Copying protected disks To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu vsnyder@jato.jpl.nasa.gov (Van Snyder) writes: > I have some software from belly-up folks, on protected disks. I'd like to > make backups. I'm not trying to rip off somebody's copyright. > > Are there any programs that copy protected disks? > > Thanks in advance. > > -- > vsnyder@jato.Jpl.Nasa.Gov > ames!elroy!jato!vsnyder > vsnyder@jato.uucp Ther are several on the market that will copy disks..... 1)Pro Copy this is a standard copier that works pretty well 2)A Copy the best one I think it works well 3) Fast Copy anoter good one I've seen f copy public domain but A copy anb Pro Copy will run you about 10-25 bucks each Scott D. Eudy Chairman Explorer Officers Association Central Ohio Division Vice President Explorer Post 891 eudyeudy@bluemoon.uucp ========================================================================== | I own an Atari ST and you don't | Give me a million dollars | | | and I'll be rich | | "This space for rent" | Give me two million and I'll | | contact eudyeudy@bluemoon.uucp | retire form Big Bear! | ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 23:44:54 GMT From: noao!asuvax!ncar!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.m ps.ohio-state.edu!ohstpy!miavx1!rlcollins@arizona.edu (Ryan 'Gozar' Collins) Subject: Couldn't Atari take over the education market? To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu Since it seems that Apple is ready to drop the // line and push Mac onto the schools to replace them, I think now is the time for Atari to pounce on the education market. The only requirement would be to construct a Apple //e emulation cartridge, like Spectre, but put a 6502 on board and have the user purchase the Applesoft ROMS somewhere else. (I heard that they are going for $20 a set now!) Be able to read write 3.5 PRODOS disks, and have the ability to hook up a 5.25 Apple drive. I believe schools would eat this up! They would be able to buy 3 STEs for the price of one Mac LC. What are your thoughts? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ryan 'Gozar' Collins Question for IBM Users: rlcollins@miavx1.BITNET |||| Power Without How DO you move/copy a rc1dsanu@miamiu.BITNET / || \ The Price!! Subdirectory? R.COLLINS1 on GEnie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: 30 Mar 91 20:51:28 GMT From: stanford.edu!msi.umn.edu!cs.umn.edu!thelake!steve@uunet.uu.net (Steve Yelvington) Subject: Help with atari.archive To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu [In article <128@unix.UUCP>, paulm@unix.UUCP (Owner and User) writes ... ] > I here that BART is back on line but I have yet to get some response from > it. Could some one please post the UUCP address of atari.archive.umich.edu. > > I can get to uunet so an address relitive to that would be great. I have > sent 3 requests for help but have not even received any bounced mail. That > must mean that I'm getting somewhere but the requests are falling in the > 'bit bucket'. > Thanx in Advance, > Paul Moreau > ----- > UUCP: ..!ccicpg!unix!paulm > ~~~~ > BTW: my machine will soon have a real name not just unix. I haven't checked the maps, but I wouldn't be surprised to find that ``unix'' is registered *somewhere* ... I would advise that you not even try to send/ receive mail until you pick a permanent name. Assuming you don't have a smart mailer, you should be able to use the bang-path To: ccicpg!uunet!atari.archive.umich.edu!atari to reach BART. Start your message with the following line: path uunet.uu.net!ccicpg!!paulm and BART should be able to find you. If you have a smart mailer, just user atari@atari.archive.umich.edu BART doesn't send error messages, so you won't get any bounced mail unless an intermediate site can't find the Internet (which isn't likely if you have a path to UUNET). Good luck! ---- Steve Yelvington / P. O. Box 38 / Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047 USA INTERNET: steve@thelake.mn.org UUCP: plains!umn-cs!thelake!steve GEnie: S.YELVINGTO2 Delphi: YELVINGTON ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 21:09:01 GMT From: IFI.UIO.NO!larserio@ucbvax.berkeley.edu (LarsErikOsterud) Subject: Jam Packer (latest version?!?) To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu I have a much better packer - The Pompey Pirates packer... It packed a file from 200K to 24 K (takes 3 hours to pack, but only 1/2 sec to unpack and start :-) Should i post it to comp.binaries.... ? Lars-Erik / ABK-BBS +47 2132659 / ____ ______ ________________________ Osterud / larserio@ifi.uio.no / /___ / The norwegian ST __________/ ______________________/ ____/ / Klubben, user association ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 08:42:09 GMT From: ucdavis!csusac!csuchico.edu!ekrimen@ucbvax.berkeley.edu (Ed Krimen) Subject: memory upgrade woes on a Mega 1 To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu neil@cs.hw.ac.uk (Neil Forsyth) writes: - I also read here once of a unreleased product that somehow escaped - called a PS3000. I believe it was a SM124 like monitor with a built - in floppy drive. I guess, when combined with the old driveless 520ST, - it looked about as Mac like as an ST could get. It would look pretty - swell on top of a Mega now. The PS3000 was released. I've seen a couple of them. They're pretty neat. It's a color monitor (good JVC model) with a single-sided drive built-in on the lower right hand corner. - Not only that but the first STE that ST World (UK) reviewed was - badged as a 4160STE though I never saw that for sale. Nor a 2080STE - for that matter. I saw the 4160STE at San Jose WOA. As I understand it, Bob Brodie wanted it named that way so he could distinguish it from the other 1040STe's when he travelled. What's weird, if you look on the side of the boxes that Atari ships the STe's to their dealers, you will see that there's designations for 520STe, 1040STe, 2080STe, and 4160STe. -- Ed Krimen ............................................... ||| Video Production Major, California State University, Chico ||| INTERNET: ekrimen@ecst.csuchico.edu FREENET: al661 / | \ SysOp, Fuji BBS: 916-894-1261 FIDONET: 1:119/4.0 ------------------------------ Date: 31 Mar 91 00:10:28 GMT From: mcsun!unido!mcshh!janhh!jan@uunet.uu.net (Jan Willamowius) Subject: Mercury Authorship To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu From article <1991Mar29.192644.6885@lsuc.on.ca>, by jimomura@lsuc.on.ca (Jim Omura): > [...] Now, getting to the problem: I've just started to look at the > source code to the Mercury UUCP clone with the intention of porting > it to Sozobon C. A complete rewrite or porting *ix tools is a more promising approach in my view. Maybe you want to stay in contact with us German folks so we don't do things twice. We already have quite a few extensions/replacements. > [...] But as I look at this Mercury package, > something strange stands out. There are NO credits given to ANYBODY > else. The author claims FULL ORIGINALITY of his code. But when I > looked at a couple of the files, some of the code looked sort of > familiar. Gee. Didn't I see some of this before somewhere else? Well, the UUCICO is based on the Mailtruk by John Logajan and credit is given in the Source. For the rest of the C code take a closer look: the reversed parameters in standard things like eg. strcpy tell me that he can't have used more that a couple of lines from somebody else without getting in a real mess. (aeh, more than he already did) I'd be glad if he _had_ used some code written by somebody else. Sigh. - Jan -- Jan Willamowius, Nienredder 6, 2000 Hamburg 54, Germany E-Mail: jan@janhh.hanse.de ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 13:14:57 GMT From: noao!asuvax!cs.utexas.edu!usc!sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!munnari.oz.au!comp.vuw.ac .nz!am.dsir.govt.nz!marcamd!mercury!kcbbs!kc@arizona.edu (Jon Clarke) Subject: Multi-line bbs possible? To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu I run STaTus BBS here in Auckland, New Zealand which is a multi line multi user bbs. We run it under Michtron Version 3.0 Features include : Multi node with dc_port to 5 lines and 6 users Full script language Plus zillions of other nifty features. We currently run two cd_roms the Atari cdar504's, Usenet, Files (over 10500 files including cd_roms), Full IGS (a demo to be posted on GEnie soon) on-line magazines, clasified adds, and the list goes on and on. If you want a multi line multi user system I suggest you get MBBS version 3.0 (Michtron BBS) or a 386 and write an OS2 bbs. Jon_Clarke@kcbbs.gen.nz (I went to see the world but stumbled in Where is Runciman in OZ and was hit by a _drop bear_) ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 14:21:22 GMT From: europa.asd.contel.com!wlbr!lonex.radc.af.mil!longj@uunet.uu.net (Jeffrey K. Long) Subject: NET Appreciation !! To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu I have been a silent observer of the recent flame war which has degenerated to the point of name-calling (immature at best) and profanity (a nice word for the method of displaying one's inability to express themselves) directed against various members of the net. Would you allow me to post a few objective observations? (well here they go anyway ) 1) I understand that some users get their net feeds at their OWN EXPENSE! This means they, unlike the rest of us who read this drivel on our companies machines, actually have to pay to download repetitive articles from the waring parties. Many of these include vervatim quotes of the previous zillion posts on the same subject. Lesson: If you must flame, do it succinctly, including only those lines of the previous post which are directly applicable to your message! 2) Seldom do flame war combatants respond to other flames from other observers without simply expanding the arena of conflict (that is why it is called a flame war, just like a fire, it ignites those around it). I think a Personal Appeal, using E-Mail (and thus sparing those who pay to read), is more effective in communicating your point. 3) Lastly, this is a great newsgroup, much more active than almost any other Comp.Sys newsgroup you can find on the net. As an example, I logged on this morning (Monday) after having read all the newsgroups I usually look in on last Friday afternoon. In the intervening Holiday Weekend, I saw the following newsgroup status: comp.sys.atari.st 27 unread articles: comp.sys.amiga 6 unread articles: comp.sys.mac 2 unread articles: MY POINT IS: This is a great, active newsgroup! Let those who flame have their little battles, and E-Mail your appeals for calm to them personally! P.S. I am sorry for the length of this post (for those who pay to read) but I hope this will save unneccessary postings in the future. -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Capt Jeff Long Rome Air Development Center longj@lonex.radc.af.mil Network Design Laboratory jlong@cassiopeia.radc.af.mil (315)330-7751 or (DSN)587-7751 ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 07:32:25 GMT From: arizona.edu!cerritos.edu!nic.csu.net!usc!sdd.hp.com!news.cs.indiana.edu!nstn.ns .ca!watt.ccs.tuns.ca!macdonaldk@arizona.edu Subject: Notebook vs Laptop To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu I think Mr. Choy's concern about Atari's notebook is due to a confusion between what constitutes a notebook computer. From his remarks, it appears he wants the features of a laptop computer (e.g., Compaq or Toshiba) squeezed to "notebook" dimensions (NEC ultralight?) Considering the limitations inherent in running a computer on only a couple of watts, I think Atari did what was only possible. Kevin Macdonald Technical University of Nova Scotia Halifax, Nova Scotia ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 19:46:18 GMT From: noao!ncar!asuvax!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!hp- col!col!davea@arizona.edu (David E Allen) Subject: Problem using HP II P laserprinter with 1040 ST To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu logajan@ns.network.com (John Logajan) / 9:02 pm Mar 27, 1991 / > I have discovered that if the Atari ST parallel (printer) port > STROBE line (normally high) is pulled toward ground (low) by a > heavy load (such as a powered-off HP DeskJet Plus), the ST STROBE > line will thereafter stay low until the load is removed (by > powering up the DJ+) > 6.) Install a PNP transistor in the STROBE line. > -----> Ground > ! > / C > B !/ > from Atari STROBE >----! > !\ > \ E > ! > ----------> to Printer STROBE Would just a diode work - connected in the STROBE line with cathode towards the Atari? It would be simpler to wire in. It would prevent the printer from pulling the atari low on this line. It would require the Atari to sink more current in the low state (than the transistor), but not any more than with the direct connection. dave allen ------------------------------ Date: 31 Mar 91 18:58:40 GMT From: chinet!saj@gargoyle.uchicago.edu (Stephen Jacobs) Subject: rant and rave To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu In reference to the current building flamefest: Are people perhaps missing the presence of 'other computer' fanatics? Left to our own, we flame our own? If 2 people are snapping at each other in public, why don't we voice our support or hostility in private (that is, email)? Steve (Atari booster, soft voiced) ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 09:45:08 GMT From: noao!asuvax!ukma!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-sta te.edu!wuarchive!uwm.edu!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!karl@arizona.edu (J Karl Meinhardt) Subject: SALE: NEC LC-890 LASER PRINTER! To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu For SALE: The Ultimate Desktop Publishing Postscript Laser Printer! NEC LC-890 LASER PRINTER 8 Pages per minute Fixed head diode laser array 3 megabyte memory Postscript interpreter HP, Diablo 630 emulation PORTS Parallel serial RS-232, RS-422 AppleTalk Duel bin paper feeder 250 pagine life 2 extra PC Drums Price: $1500.00 or offer If interested, call Karl at (414) 372-8186 or email. ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 20:42:44 GMT From: noao!ncar!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!sarah!lea h.albany.edu!ad0834@arizona.edu (Andy Dickinson) Subject: Sozobon C, Floating point To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu Hello - Does anyone out there have any experience with the Sozobon C compiler? I'm trying to write a program which uses a good deal of floating point math to produce fractals and I just can't get it to work. The program seems to compile fine, but when I try to run it I keep getting a "Stack Overflow" error. I have ported the program to other systems (UNIX, MS-DOS) and it runs fine, but the atari just won't do it. Help! - Andy Dickinson -- Internet : ad0834@leah.albany.edu Bitnet : AD0834@ALBNYVMS.BITNET USMail : 161 Lark St., Albany NY 12210 - 1427 Ph : (518) 426 - 7907 * * * SUNY Albany Coalition to End the Gulf War : [ Info : (518) 426 - 7907 ] * * Capital Dist. Draft and Milatary Counselors : [ Info : (518) 434 - 4037 ] ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 18:42:36 GMT From: noao!ncar!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!news-server. csri.toronto.edu!utgpu!utzoo!lsuc!jimomura@arizona.edu (Jim Omura) Subject: ST Log Magazine To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu A while back someone posted a list of videogame magazines in one of the newsgroups (either 'rec.games.video' or this one -- I can't remember which). In it they mentioned "Video Games & Computer Entertainment" and "Computer Gaming World," and the message noted that one of these magazines was apparently published by the people who put out "ST Log." I was wondering if anybody knew which of the gaming magazines was the one that was put out by the "ST Log" publisher. Does anybody know for sure? -- Jim Omura, 2A King George's Drive, Toronto, (416) 652-3880 lsuc!jimomura Byte Information eXchange: jimomura ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 16:09:41 GMT From: noao!ncar!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rpi!uupsi!rod an.acs.syr.edu!mjducey@arizona.edu (Matthew J. Ducey) Subject: Telecomm, for a clone. To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu Hello. I'm looking for a comm package for the windows platform. I want it to be as good as flash is, if not better. Does anyone have any good ideas? Having the capture buffer a mouse click away, I think, is great. Matthew -- But I still like my ST... HP-48SX CIS 70521,373 SOCEUR (A) Bitnet mjducey@suvm "But Sgt. Airborne, look how high we are"! mjducey@rodan.acs.syr.edu ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 18:07:47 GMT From: noao!ncar!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio -state.edu!ohstpy!miavx1!rlcollins@arizona.edu (Ryan 'Gozar' Collins) Subject: Video Titler program for the ST? To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu Well, I'm in an educational media class right now at school, and I need to know if there is any sort of video title program for the ST out. Thanks..... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ryan 'Gozar' Collins Question for IBM Users: rlcollins@miavx1.BITNET |||| Power Without How DO you move/copy a rc1dsanu@miamiu.BITNET / || \ The Price!! Subdirectory? R.COLLINS1 on GEnie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 17:18:07 GMT From: noao!ncar!ncar.ucar.EDU!ftower@arizona.edu (Francis Tower) Subject: Wanted Mac ROMs (128K) for GCR To: Info-Atari16@naucse.cse.nau.edu I have a set I bought from the apple dealer 18 months ago. How does 80$ sound? Home 303-499-1709 work 303-497-1344 Francis G Tower Software QA NCAR/CGD/ICS << Middle-aged Mutant Ninja Modelers >> "Don't be misled by truth. Science is fact!" ------------------------------ End of Info-Atari16 Digest ******************************