ST REPORT WEEKLY ONLINE MAGAZINE Monday, JUNE 20, 1988 Vol I No. 40 =========== APEInc., P.O. BOX 74, Middlesex, N.J. 08846-0074 PUBLISHER MANAGING EDITOR Ron Kovacs R.F.Mariano ======================================================= ST REPORT EDITOR: Thomas Rex Reade Headquarters Bulletin Boards ST Report North ST Report Central ST Report South 201-968-8148 216-784-0574 904-786-4176 ------------------------------------ CONTENTS ======== * From the Editor....................* Wholly Macro..a review.......... * GEnie MAGIC SAC CONFERENCE.........* ARC Ver.5.21 NOTES/COMMENTS..... * ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL.............* Atari SUICIDE?.................. * C Programming Language.............* Getting Started with MAGIC SAC.. ========================================================================= Serving you on: Comp-u-serve - Delphi - GEnie ========================================================================= FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! ------------------- This Father's Day has been one to remember for me! My family presented me with a sparkling new Mega4 ST ...I am still in seventh heaven. Atari has certainly outdone themselves this time. The Mega4 surpasses any expectations I had about the machine and certainly does not exhibit any of the early quirks we have all heard about (some I wrote about). The Blitter chip WAS in the machine and it's operation is exquisitely impeccable in my opinion. Sure, I have found a few OLD programs that misbehave, I blame the programmer there for using memory addresses they were TOLD NOT to use in their developer's kits. The keyboard is superior to any keyboard Atari has issued yet except, perhaps, the keyboard in the original 800. I can only marvel at the wisdom of keeping such a fine design so secret here in the USA. The ENTIRE computing community needs to know about the MEGA ST line. To say it again, where does one find a single computer that will run IBM software (PC - DITTO) and MacIntosh software ( MAGIC SAC ) in addition to it's own very large and continually growing selection of fine software in the entertainment, application and particularly in the Desktop Publishing area. Desktop Publishing with the MEGA4 ST is, without a doubt, the smoothest and sweetest exhibition of computer power and ease to be seen yet. The Blitter Chip makes it so fast compared to the 1040ST I was accustomed to using. Between the MEGA4 and Timeworks Desktop Publisher, as the saying goes, "YOU AIN'T SEEN NUTHIN' YET"! After seeing the umpteenth showing of Computer Chronicles on PBS, I wonder when THAT show and or it's SPONSORS will holler for a little fair play and start to show the awesome power of say, TOM HUDSON'S CAD 3D SERIES-CYBER GOODIES and have the ST Computer there for more than 10 minutes and NOT demonstrate a game! I am really getting tired of all the Apple hype being pushed out by that show. Those folks need to be made aware of the power of the ST. Actually, if all the ST owners would write just one letter to the PBS station they watch Chronicles on and asked that the letter be forwarded to the show's producers it may bring about a very positive response. (Unless Apple has an interest in the show) Atari will be, in my opinion, be around for quite some time and will eventually realize that the US market is where it's true bread and butter is.....or, have most of us missed the strategy of crafty J.T.???? Look at things this way for moment..... A spear head marketing strategy to wrap up the European market thus, virtually guaranteeing a sufficient flow of new software for the ST. After all, didn't Atari and it's users have to put up with and withstand the domestic software scene that developers and programmers created in the 8 bit US market, (remember the broad accusation and reckless abandonments made?), thereby forcing Atari to go the cartridge route with the 8 bit machine and revitalize a marketplace? The BIG picture looks quite interesting from this reporter's viewpoint. Atari has in place a decent source flow of software and can now approach the US market with a vengeance. It has already started with ATARI'S CHALLENGE directed at the desktop publishing marketplace...the least expensive and the most powerful...has truly come to pass. Now, Let's tell the entire country about the ST. T."REX" READE ------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE JUDGES LIST =============== Service Name ------- ------------ CIS Ron Luks CIS Dan Rhea CIS Mike Schoenbach Delphi Clayton Walnum Delphi Charles Bachand Delphi Maurice Molineux GEnie Darlah Hudson GEnie Fred Beckman GEnie Sandy Wilson -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ST-Report Official Contest Rules ================================ No purchase necessary. Deadline for consideration in this contest is midnight August 31, 1988. Winners will be announced in ST-Report on September 12, 1988. We guarantee to award all prizes. The prize list will be announced during the contest. All readers are eligible to enter except employees of APEInc. Publishing, CompuServe, GEnie, Delphi and their immediate families. This contest void where prohibited or restricted by law. We are not responsible for lost, mis-marked, or delayed art/work. All submissions must be drawn with any Atari ST drawing program. All submissions must be drawn by the original artist. Copyrighted art work will not be accepted. All submissions become the property of APEInc. All submissions must be uploaded to specified BBS systems by the deadline date. All systems have time and date stamping capability. Any entry dated after 8/31/88 will be void from the contest. Art Work Requirements --------------------- All art work considered for this contest must be drawn with any Atari ST drawing program. Any person submitting art work must leave an address, telephone number, and drawing program used. Artwork must contain the following: ST-REPORT The winning entry will be used at a later date for a newsletter or magazine cover. Where to Send ------------- All art work may be uploaded to the following systems. Syndicate BBS (201) 968-8148 Bounty ST BBS (904) 786-4176 Entries by mail are also permitted. Be sure to use a 3.5 floppy S/S! You may send to: ST-Report Logo Contest Post Office Box 74 Middlesex, New Jersey 08846-0074 (Please include your name, address and telephone number) Updates ------- This contest will update uploading areas every two weeks. Contest rules will not be changed, but judges may be added during the run of the contest. Current judge listing will be published next week. This contest commences May 2, 1988 and will end Midnight August 31, 1988. If you have any questions, Please leave email on the services at the following addresses: CompuServe: 71777,2140 GEnie : ST-REPORT : R.KOVACS DELPHI : RONKOVACS The Source: BDG793 Rules and Regulations: 1). Use any full color program written exclusively for the ST to draw your own personal design of an ST-Report logo. 2). Art work ported over from any other computer is void. 3). No X-rated art work will be accepted. 4). Winners will be announced by mail, email, phone call or equivalent on or before September 12, 1988. 5). Judges decisions are final. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ WHOLLY MACRO! ============= By: Ron Robinson Computers can be very powerful tools for helping you get a job accomplished. They are also very stupid and can be more than a little frustrating to use. Exact spelling and punctuation is often required to tell a computer what to do, or very repetitive keystrokes are required to get a job done. Programmers often setup programs using combinations of keys for activating functions that make no sense to you. Luckily, there are programs, known as keyboard macro programs, that help save you work, and allow you to customize the software used on your computer. Wholly Macro!, by Sedroc Software, is a desk accessory keyboard macro program for the Atari ST. It allows you to reduce most combinations of key presses to a single key or combination of keys pressed at once. For example, in this review, every time I press: [ALT] [LEFT SHIFT] [W] a Wholly Macro! appears on the screen of my word processor with bold text attributes. This may not seem like much at first glance, but it replaces 18 keystrokes with one, and is spelled correctly (or at least the same) each time. Wholly Macro! includes a setup program that allows you to configure the program the way you want. From within this program, you can select; the key sequence (hotkey) that turns Wholly Macro! on and off, the amount of memory Wholly Macro! reserves for macros, a default folder to place your macro files and the resource file (very handy for hard drive users), and if Wholly Macro! is active after the computer is started. Once setup, Wholly Macro! is loaded as an accessory when you turn on your computer. A small bar appears in the upper left corner of the screen when the program is active. Pressing the hotkey combination selected in the setup program enables/disables the program, and makes the bar turn on and off. You can access Wholly Macro!'s editing features from any GEM application by selecting the accessory. A dialog box will appear with a macro edit box on the left side of the screen and a function selection box on the right side. Editing a macro may be a confusing at first. There is some duplication of functions between the edit window and the function selector box. After a few minutes of experimentation, things become very logical and easy to use. From within the accessory you can: select a macro to edit, create a new macro, delete a macro, save a set of macros, load a set of macros, and obtain information about program status. A capture mode allows you to type from within your application and automatically add the keystrokes to a macro. The status indicator rapidly blinks while in capture mode. You can create macros than can use other macros. Looping macros allow you to further automate you ST to perform repetive functions automatically. Macros can be identified with any one of over 1200 keystroke combinations. These combinations can consist of any combination of the [Left Shift] [Right Shift] [Alternate] and [Control] keys pressed before any other key. You can also use the function keys and the numeric keypad keys are considered different from the numeric keys on the main keyboard. Key combinations reserved by the system, such as [Alt] [Help] (screen dump), will not work. It is also a good idea to avoid key combinations used by other programs, especially [Alt] [Key] combinations. Wholly Macro! can tell the difference between the right and left shift keys. I usually include one of the shift keys in the macros I create to avoid conflicts with other programs. Wholly Macro! is a very professional well thought out utility for your ST. It is a powerful tool for making your computer easier to use. The beta copy upon which this review is based, works fine with well behaved GEM applications but may have problems with programs that do not use GEM such as WordPerfect. Wholly Macro! can make life easier when using: Telecommunication programs, wordprocessors, databases, CADD programs, text editors, desktop publishing, or any other application that requires repetitive sequences of keystrokes. A demo version of Wholly Macro! is available on GEnie for those who would like to try before they buy. Distributed by Sedroc Software 3815 Greengrass St. Louis, Missouri 63033 ($39.95 + $2.00 S&H) ************************************************************************ :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT: --------------------------------- To sign up for GEnie service: Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369. Upon connection, type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt. Type XJM11877,GEnie and hit RETURN. The system will prompt you for your information. ************************************************************************ GENIE CONFERENCE ON MAGIC SAC ============================= with DAVID SMALL 05/16/88 ATTENDEES: ---------- [Doug] D.N.WHEELER [ST REPORT] REX.READE [Dave] D.MEILE1 [Henry] HTCOLONNA DARLAH K.BARRY2 M.MARKOWITZ DAVESMALL [Ken] SYNERGIST JOHN-CARTER S.SANTAANA1 [Fred] FB T.FAUST [Magic Mark] STACE J.MANCINI N JOELSIR SANDY.W [BRYAN @ CRU] BDHALL J.ANHALT1 [Harry] H.CALLESIS D.SAMAHA [Rich & Angie] R.LAWRENCE4 [Tom] T.MILLER7 JOE.WATERS F.NAGLE C.DAVIS D.ZIZZA RPATT-CORNER S.LOWE N.DAVID JEFFWILLIAMS [L. Ron] MJANSEN DR.TOM PBANK J.KINGSMORE1 [Holly] HS P.VERMEULEN D.FAIRWEATH1 DERRICK G.MOSHER T.MCCARLEY V.BUI A.LABROSSE D.A.BRUMLEVE I want to welcome Dave Small to the St Rt to discuss the *possible* 6.0 version of the Magic Software and a *possible* 128K Rom version of the Magic Sac Cartridge. After an opening statement from Dave Small, we will need all of you that are interested in asking questions, to please use the /rai command. You will be taken in order recieved. Dave: Hi; since leaving Data Pacific in March there's been all sorts of rumours floating around about Magic Sac, dP, etc. I thought I'd be here tonight to answer questions and such. Also, I need to announce Magic Sac 6.0, and talk about whether or not to do a 128K Magic Sac (still to be decided). Over to you, Darlah .. Rex <[ST REPORT] REX.READE> Dave how do you feel about the Discovery cart and the release statements made comparing the dp cart and it. Darlah -- should I give quick summary of D. Cart for those who haven't heard of it? Yes, Please do! It's a cartridge put out by Happy Computing to enable you to bit-copy nearly anything. It also "features' the ability to read Mac disks and transfer them to Magic format, although I've not heard of anyone seeing it actually work. It can't work as the Translator does (online with the Magic Sac), but it might help get data from a Mac disk to a Magic Disk. Apparently Happy Computing put out a flyer putting down the Translator in favor of their cart. Also, Happy is adding ROM slots to the Discovery Cart to enable you to plug in 64K Roms, and thus use a cracked version of Magic Sac. How do I feel? Well, Happy shipped ver. 7 of the 8-bit copy board, what, 1-2 years late; they promised the D. cart back in January, and started taking money in November. I still haven't heard of any being shipped. They will have a heck of a job decoding Mac format; I'm not sure they're not trying to raise money now to build a run of boards for first customers, etc. <[ST REPORT] REX.READE> they insinuated that the user must still use your software, do you agree with this? Our software absolutely will not work with the D. Cart unless it's been cracked. (Legacy of the Best Electronics cart -- run it with our software, it reformats your disk).But, there are many "crack" programs around these days. So, my basic attitude is, right now, they'd better deliver on 6 mos. worth of promises; they were a year late last time they promised something. Anyone else remember Happy Rev 7?) <[ST REPORT] REX.READE> Oh Boy! That throws the whole matter in a different light! thanks, Dave. <[Leader]> DARLAH> Henry: <[Henry] HTCOLONNA> Hi - I was disappointed to hear about the technical problems with Amiga Magic Sac. When the 1 meg chip ram comes out... supposedly by the end of the year, will it be attempted again? (I remember happy rev 7, grin) Yes; it's on hold until the 1 meg chips are widely available. Right now, it only emulates a 256K Mac (just like a 512K ST does). <[Leader] DARLAH> Frank: Is the ability to handle the "NEW" Hypercard. Whether it can handle all of the new 128 or not is not the main issue. Comments? New Hypercard as in 1.03 ? (the most recent patched one). Essentially any version that works 8-) My only concern with Hypercard is that it requires 1 meg of memory. Magic Sac presently takes up about 192 of system RAM to run; that drops a 1040 to 832K of user memory. Might not be enough. But I'd patch it to run Hypercard -- hypercard is a primary reason to do 128's. Me, I've a 4-meg ST; I want to turn MultiFinder and Hypercard loose on it, and hook it to the LaserWriter I got (today). All those require 128's. Thanks Dave, Darlah, I'm through <[Leader] DARLAH> Rich and Angie: <[Rich & Angie] R.LAWRENCE4> Thanks Darlah. Dave, stop turning us blue with your equip..... Anyway, I have some technical questions about the possible sound support in version 6.0. How well do you think this will work? i'v done some mac programming myself, and I've found that MOST software violates legal OS calls (even compilers like Lightspeed)to get it's sound. Do you think Sac will handle it, at speed? That's difficult to say. I haven't got it working yet, so I hate to promise anything. Yet, in the spirit of sticking my foot in my mouth, here goes ...1) video RAM and sound RAM collide -- that's why little boxes appear onscreen on some programs. So I'm going to move video RAM a little bit. 2) Mac sound is basically an 8-bit digitized sound being replayed each scan line. I believe I can simulate this with ST-replay'ish code, using an interrupt timer.But, it may cut into the processor some; I just don't know yet.One partial solution would be to hard code 'MacBeep' into the program, if I can't get regular sound working. However, Mark insists on full sound for a favorite program of his. <[Leader]DARLAH> T.FAUST: Dave, I vote for the 128k Sac I will stand behind you in any endeavor ga Just for curiousity -- why do you want the 128? What would you use it for? (thank you!) <[Leader] DARLAH> T.Faust?? I I want I want to Yea, sorry but this is my first conf. I want the 128K for Hypercard. Also, Multifinder would be great ga I agree -- both are very useful. <[Leader] DARLAH> Mark: <[Magic Mark] STACE> OK..thanks! Dave, I believe Happy's newletter mentioned the fact that..the D. Cart *will* work with your software as shipped...they say they have tested it...but can't say that it will...always work. They have a clock in it that is exactly like the Sac clock. Comments??? That's interesting. Ver 5.9 looks for either the clock or a hardware patch .. oho! So they borrowed, err, our clock design. Gee, when we borrowed it, we at least paid for the design..(if anyone remembers the Logikhron clock card we licensed the design from the makers.. <[Magic Mark] STACE> Dave...they specifically say that to use the Sac software...you MUST order the D.Cart with the "Clock Option" hehehehee Welp, you get what you pay for. I know it took us 6 months to get the kinks out of the Translator. I also know a lot about the D. Cart that they're not making public. They are going to have the exact same troubles with ring and kickback we had with the Translator. Hope they enjoy the returns. <[Magic Mark] STACE> My other question was regarding sound... that has been....answered! !Please get that sucker runnin'!! On the other hand -- only 8-bit Atari companies left, it seems, are ones that do copy programs (and it's big on the ST market). Makes you wonder. <[Leader] DARLAH> Mike: Will a 128k Sac make the curser keys operative? I am debating another product -- an ultra copier hardware product, retail for about $50, that would back up anything. Currently discussing it with potential manufacturers. I'd do it just to hack off Happy. Cursor keys will come up with 128K roms with no problems.ga Thanks . <[Leader] DARLAH> Robert: Thanks Some questions on the 128K ROMS... 1. How comfortable are you with the availability of the ROMS should you do the hack? 2. The 64K version went through quite a improvement stage to reach current stability. Do you think 128 version would suffer a similar curve, or begin near as sta (I mean, if Happy's going to borrow my hardware and ideas, I might as well undercut them by 1/3 and do a better job. My, they'd be happy. I could call it the 'Hoyful Copuier'.) Whups... Go for it! I'll resort to english... On he 128's ... 1. There seems to be plenty of 128K Roms available .. how, I don't know, but they're being advertised. 2. Agreed -- I had lots to learn about bugs in Mac software. I'm sure there would be bugs .. there always are .. but not of the same sort as on the 64's. I've learned my lessons about zerostore, etc. so it'd probably be more fine tuning than preventing crashes. (Sorry I interrupted you). 1. No, just confusion. Please continue... My guess would be the 128's are from board swaps of Mac computers, used equipment, etc . OKOK ... you mentioned laser, etc. Are you doing SCSI or serial? Serial .. to a PostScript laser printer. I know a way to do Atari's printer, but it would take some pretty hefty work. Chips'n all? Thank you. rpc: chips'n'all? I don't understand.. BTW, Deskjet gives you laser quality now with available drivers. Serial to a postscript Laser implies serial chip access on mac, yes? oh, I see.. Welp, I'm cheating on it; not actually doing serial chip through Mac OS, but through mine. But it works, so who cares .. ? (Typical hacker attitude). What works, works. Thanks Alladin seems to have serial hip conquered; I'm tempted to tear into their cartridge and figger out how. Bet they're patching the programs. <[Leader] DARLAH> Ken: <[Ken] SYNERGIST> Thanx...Two bits: 1) aside from the obvious differences in ROM decoding and hardware, what kind of software headaches do you expect from a 128k version? It's mostly a matter of adapting the present 64K version to the 128 addresses. The 128's are the 64's with a bunch of new stuff that used to be on disk put into ROM, and a few loops unrolled in Quickdraw ..nothing special. Oh, and the SCSI driver, but I can't use that anyway. So, it'll be the usual 3" high disassembly to work from... probably take 1-3 months to get it working. <[Ken] SYNERGIST> 2) It seems that disk copying seems to come up when you're around.... I'd love to see that kind of disk copier (believe it or not) it would effectively kill off harmful bizarre disk-based copy protect schemes. Well, in 1982, I ran a company called LE Systems that made an 8-bit disk drive and copier. We found a way to do copies of (anything) real fast -- I recall we could produce 7 copies of a disk, across 7 drives, in 17 sec. All I want to do is apply the LE Systems technology, which is proven, to the ST. Synapse, Broderbund, Origin Systems copied their disks using my copier, so it's pretty well proven stuff. It'd tickle me to death to undercut Happy and do a better job, if they're putting ROM slots and clock design on their cart. Now, if I could only zap Best Electronics..excuse me. Cough. <[Leader] DARLAH> Bryan and Cru: <[BRYAN @ CRU] BDHALL> Dave, It sure would be great if the 128K Roms and the 6.0 software could support the new page display ISD is marketting! Someday, I want to bring the local Apple dealer in for a show! Let me see... hypercard and Multifinder on a full page display... WOW. ga That must be the color display I saw at Comdex .. it really was neat. If they'll tell me how to handle their hardware, I can do it; the Mac OS is very flexible. Bear in mind, though, I'm doing 6.0 for a flat fee, and I can't exactly patch the software "free will" anymore; it's dP's product. The 128 version, however, would be entirely mine; dP's agreed to bow out of that one. <[BRYAN @ CRU] BDHALL> Great. So I could do it there, certainly. (checked out 'Stepping out' yet? Software version of big screen. <[Leader] DARLAH> Jeff: Thank you. Dave, will you summarize the improvements you see in 6.0 over 5.9x?(BTW..I always enjoy your Current Notes columns). Appreciate it ..Primary purpose of 6.0 is to make me some money..whups, let me start over. 6.0 is a speed up version of 5.9, primarily. Hard disk speeds up about 2-8X, depending on operation. Floppy is sped up about 2-10X on writes, which are especially slow. Sound and stuff like that are "extras"; I'm taking suggestions now for fixes to put it. But the primary idea is to turbo the system's disk access. Just tested a disk copy with 6.0; it went from 48 sec to 8 sec. Nice, eh? Great. Thanks. I'm going to *try* for sound but don't know yet, and other fixes if I can figger out how to do them. Dan wrote a great deal of that code, and he's up at AT&T nowadays. <[Leader] DARLAH> Joe: Thanks Let's get back to 128K cart. As I see it, the 64K cart is a dead end with all the newstuff..coming out that wants 128K roms. Apple wants people to buy 128 computers, of course, or get upgrades. So the new MacPaint etc. all require 128's. I agree, the market for 64K's is closing slowly. I have to wonder how much is legit need for 128's, and how much is marketing ... why would macpaint need 128's?, for, instance. However, I think the 128 is an important step in Magic Sac. What would happen, if it happens, is dP will sell 64K carts and Translators, and I'd handle the 128's. I would expect that 6.0 is the last 64K update, although, "never say never". I'm cheap, honest. Well, okay, cheap. -- *grin*. I talked to friend today who called the place that advertised in computer shopper and they said that they have a couple hundred 128K roms and are getting 'more every day Gee, I'd hate for them to be stuck with an inventory. <[Leader] DARLAH> Dr.Tom: the translator ad from dp promised 128 and 256k rom support in software...but now you are talking about having to buy 128k roms. we bought the product... Dr. Tom, I took a line hit there on first line, but go ahead anyway .. based on the fact that it would be and now find out that Aldus freehand and pagemaker 3.0 won't run. <[Magic Mark] STACE> Excuse please... go ahead Mark <[Magic Mark] STACE> Dr.Tom...I don't remember any promise from dP that we would have 128K ROM support in software???? When did you see this??? I was sent a flyer from dp last fall with that line in a section... about the 64k vs 128k vs 256k rom issue Hmmmmm. Welp, let me give it a try. 64K roms = original Mac. <[Magic Mark] STACE> Ok..sorry... 128K Roms = Mac Plus. 256K Roms = Mac II, essentially. Forget about the 256k's; there's no way we can emulate a 68020 and such. (Hence, I don't think we ever promised 256's at dP). Perhaps the 128 thing related to double sided disk drives and HFS; there was something about "providing support for 128 functionality in software". This caused a lot of confusion; what we were trying to do was talk about HD-20 (and HFS support0 in non technical terms. I see... I left dP in March, along with Dan and Barb (3/5 of company), and don't know about anything since then. If I do the 128's, it'll be without dP. Lots of people on Usent were confused about that line as well. how much for the 128k roms? The prices I've been told of range around $100. It would also require a new cartridge; the ROMS won't work in the old cart. See, in the old cart, of the 128K you can *have* in a cart, 64K went to the ROM chips, and 64K went to the clock circuit. Don't know if I can do a 128K version with a clock without fancy bankswitch stuff. Anyhow, so it won't simply be a matter of swapping chips; I wish it could be. projected price of 128k sac? I haven't even decided to *do* it yet .. *grin* .. I don't know I just got okay from dP not to hassle me about it legally last Saturday (3 days ago) we ended up with an SE to run Aldus Freehand and Pagemaker 3.0 anyway... My wife, the traitor! In your application, perhaps that's best; you probably need the direct hookup to the LaserWriter and such. Ok, thanks for a great product anyway. We are using the Mac to get 2450 dot per inch linotronic output and it is beautiful. Whewl; that would be beautiful. I did version 6.0 in exchange for a LaserWriter (truth!) .. it's worth it. Needed one anyway; I imagine my editors are sick of MX-80 typed manuscripts. (Right, Joe? *grin*) <[Leader] Darlah> Dave: Thanks ... Dave-- I wanted to find out what the real "scoop" on you leaving dP is (rumor isn't my favorite way of getting information), and to encourage you to work on the 128K thing ... hope working with the kids is ok too. hehehe.. the kids part is easy .. (ho-ho) Okay, well, this may be a little long. True Confessions. It's a little like a divorce story. Everyone has a different perception of what went on. But..Last December, we shipped the Translator. There were 5 people at dP -- me and Dan (programming staff), Barb (shipping), Susan (xlator repair), and Joel (boss). It was a real burnout situation; lots of 2-3AM nights. Comes March, and Barb had had enough of the stress; she left. Dan got a job offer from AT&T for a high salary. Dan has -no- college degree, and it is extremely unusual for AT&T to make such an offer to someone with no degree. (They are going to put him through college, I understand). I advised him to go .. offers like that happen once in a lifetime. As for me, I wasn't at all happy with the way things were going at dP, and yet I wanted to remain friends with Joel, we go way back, to high school; he was the best man at my wedding. I theoretically owned half of dP (it wasn't reality, as it turned out); so,I went in to Joel, gave him the whole company, and left back in March sometime. It sure beats trying to split the company in two and all the bad feelings that come from that. I retained ownership of Magic Sac, dP retained license to sell 64K ROM version. I planned to do Amiga version, but tech details stopped me. I can, however, do the 128K version. dP did some controversial stuff, and I wasn't in the decision making loop anymore; one example that comes to mind is that all Translators sent to Canada had no disk software included -- you had to send in a warranty card to get the disk. I strongly opposed that, got a promise it wouldn't happen, and it did. So, after some things like that, it was time to go. But like I say, ask dP, you'll get a different side to the story, I'm sure.. like any sort of divorce. It's 3 years of my life; it's hard to see perspective. (dP told everyone I was "on vacation" until about end April, fearing lost sales.. Genie was only place truth was being told, and they were mighty upset over the Genie RT.) So that's the quick summary.. Anyone still awake? *grin* Thanks Dave. I'm glad to get the more-or-less straight story on it.By the way -- DO keep writing articles and stuff! . you're welcome .. for awhile, dP almost dropped Magic Sac, but they've decided to keep it to pay present staff until they find a new project to do, then it's over. (The various flip-flops on this were documented over in the dP RT, causing mass confusion..) <[Leader] DARLAH> Rich & Angie: <[Rich & Angie] R.LAWRENCE4> Thanks. Dave, regarding 6.0 ..a couple of pointswill we have to reformat No. <[Rich & Angie] R.LAWRENCE4> 2) is it possible that this would cause problems for the D cart people ? (Look, George, a 1-word sentence from Dave "pay by the word" Small!")2. I'll sure try. Excuse me, did I say that? <[Rich & Angie] R.LAWRENCE4> also, I understand that the Atari cart port only has pathways for <[Rich & Angie] R.LAWRENCE4> 128K roms .. so, are we gonna loose the clock ? That's a toughie .. Theoretically I need all 128K just to access the ROMs, which leaves no room for the clock. I could add logic to bankswitch and keep it, but believe me, the clock is a pain to buy parts for, etc. Think it's necessary? What's your opinion? <[Rich & Angie] R.LAWRENCE4> Not vital. Most mac applications.... could care less what time it is. It *is* nice to have though. Not worth delaying release for? one last thing.... Yep, it uses whatever time the ST thinks it is.. <[Rich & Angie] R.LAWRENCE4> About the 6.0 release...how soon, and how much? I'm doing 6.0 for dP in exchange for equipment; they will set price and availability. It will probably go into Beta test (the usual crew of masochists) this week. But, adding things to it could take longer. dP says July-ish. <[Rich & Angie] R.LAWRENCE4> Good luck with everything, and whatever it is you end up working on .... I'll buy it! . Thank you .. (By the way, only reason I'm considering doing the 128's is the support here on Genie .. didn't know there was such demand for them.) <[Leader] DARLAH> go ahead P.COFFEY: Would it be possible towould it be possible to get a program like the script manager to run in a way similar to hd20? I don't know what the script manager is, alas.. (sorry about that) About HD-20 .. the 128's have support for HFS built in, no more of this HD-20 pre-boot nonsense. Script manager allows you to change fonts on the pull down menus It ought to work, then, provided they followed the rules; with the Mac II, people are getting afraid to break the rules. Heck, MacWrite 4.5, Excel 1.03, and Word 3.0 didn't work on the Mac II ! Does that answer your question? and other system things... i'm not sure about exactly what it does. I have some programs that need to replace the standard character set with Japanese. I understand it uses the 128 roms. Oh, I see.. well, I can't guarentee it in advance, but it's pretty likely. Fair enough .. so the answer is, "probably". [Leader] Dot: I have two questions. First, am I correct in assuming that you'll design the 128K version to use the translator? (Job 8) Yes. Also, we've talked about a program I am just dying to use...It requires 128k roms, and runs on a 2-meg Mac or Mac II. I'm worried about all this talk about memory. Welp, you'll probably need a Mega-2 if it requires 2 meg .. I have a Mega 4 and I want to use your proposed emulator for that programm... Other than that, I think there will be enough 'slop' to make it work okay. Thanks. I sure do want it to work. Should work okay. <[Leader] DARLAH> Harry: <[Harry] H.CALLESIS> Thanks. A couple of things, Dave. First, could you elaborate ...On your Desk Jet comment a while back? ( I just got one) ...Then, assuming you do the 128, what's the likely upgrade path ...for 64 owners? ( there's more but later ). <[Magic Mark] STACE> Excuse....please. Am I still here? Nope. The Big Earthquake has struck, Mark .. you're in heaven now. Mark B. can elaborate on the deskjet.. <[Magic Mark] STACE> Thanks Dave...The DeskJet printer uses basically the same command language as a LaserJet Plus. There is already a LaserJet Plus driver available for the Mac called JetStart. (same company as Epstart). The JetStart Driver works perfectly with the Magic Sac and the DeskJet Printer.... I'm pretty sure Epstart will remain compatible with the 128's .. <[Magic Mark] STACE> Not PostScript quality but MUCH MUCH better than Dot Matrix!! Very nice output indeed! (Mark is buying a Deskjet). <-- Editorial comment. <[Magic Mark] STACE> My DeskJet will be here on Tuesday! Thanks. <[Harry] H.CALLESIS> Thanks. I'll talk to them soon about the driver. How about the ..upgrade question? Oh, the software to work the Deskjet will work on the 128 or the 64K rom versions; you shouldn't need to upgrade at all. <[Harry] H.CALLESIS> If I want to go from 64 to 128, what's it likely to involve? New circuit board to go inside your Magic Sac case (from me); 128K ROMS (from whereever); new disk of software (from me). That'd be about it .. I don't think I can trade in the 64K boards; I'm not sure you're allowed to take tradeins and re-sell them. Remember, I'm not at dP anymore .. so, I don't think so. dP has license to sell the 64K version, not me .. alas .. <[Harry] H.CALLESIS> Next, could the 128 clock problem be solved by a pass-through ...for existing clock cartridges ( DeskCart, Etc )? Nope; there would be addressing conflicts. 128K roms will eat up ALL the cart memory space. <[Harry] H.CALLESIS> Oh, well. Finally, could you elaborate on the types of Mac->Sac.. I don't know if the clock is worth keeping for the price and hassle it'll be; there's only myself and my wife in on this project (plus three little, errrrrrrrr, helpers). <[Harry] H.CALLESIS> OK, I'm asking about the transfers by DisCart. Well, I have yet to see the DCart work, so I don't know. It won't work online, like the Translator will, which makes it marginally useful at best. It takes 100K and 1.5 sec to read in ONE track and heaven knows how much more to decode it to real characters. Like I say, it took me 6 months to get the Translator to do it .. I don't know if Happy is just advertising and will ship "a later upgrade", but I do know it's darned hard to read Mac format and decode it. It isn't just bytes on the desk -- there's a complex encode/decode algorithm involved. So, I just don't know. <[Harry] H.CALLESIS> I was curious. I use the Sac, but not enough to warrant a whole..'nother drive on my desk. OK, I'm done. Your best bet for the Mac OS on any hardware is a hard disk anyhow . [Leader] Doug: <[Doug] D.N.WHEELER> First a question, then a comment: Do you have any plans for a faster Translator (DMA, etc.)? (or just send data over disk lines instead of MIDI)? Doug > The Translator is dP's product; I've discussed adding a SCSI port to it for much faster speed, but they're not interested. I could do it, certainly, .. probably contract it to Supra or somesuch. But you have to understand, dP is Joel's company ; he wants to get into IBM's and local area networks, not Atari's. So I don't think the Translator will be upgraded. As for disk lines, that's a valid idea. Hmmmm. <[Doug] D.N.WHEELER> Also, would it be possible to actually use the 68000 in the ST to do the data conversion instead of the external "Z-80"? Have to think on that for awhile. Hard to know if I could generate data that fast. Well, the reason the Z80 is out there is that data comes in off the drive at one byte every 32 microseconds; something has to give it undivided attention. No way to do it on the ST except through cartridge port, which was already used.. *grin*. So we went with MIDI as a low cost alternative. The Translator *already* costs over $100 to build, in parts and stuff .. the CPU is $14, I believe .. and at a $279 retail, that is one lousy hardware product from a sales point of view. <[Doug] D.N.WHEELER> OK, tnx. As for my comment/suggestion, the Navarone clock cart.*should* work OK, as it steals the entire address space, and after setting the time, becomes invisible. (also has pass-through connector) True .. or the Microtime clock-in-the-chip thing that plugs under the ROMs. The thing is, I'm going to have to spend a lot of time on software, and as little as possible on the hardware, to get this done, since it's a low manpower effort. (people power). however, the original Magic Sac took from Nov. 1985 to Feb. 1986 to bring up, and I was flying blind back then. So that's only 3 months.. I could see this one flying much faster. If I have to design a "clever' cart, it'll take longer; if I can buy one at, let's say, Best Electronics (that was sarcasm), the project will be much easier. [Leader] Rex: <[ST REPORT] REX.READE> 1st, I am glad you are still behind the MAGIC SAC and second, I am sure 90% of the folks who are owners of the 64k version will most certainly become owners of the 128k version.....you have my order right now! thank you .. I won't hope for 90%, because the 64K cart is pretty darned functional for most purposes, but even a quarter would be fine..Also, the European market has been completely ignored (another dP fiasco), I could give it a shot. Does anyone know if the Aladin people ever did the 128's? <[ST REPORT] REX.READE> knowing the folks in this area that use the cart you will have a much higher response than that....about Europe I have heard that a group in UK is trying to come out with one... They keep trying, Apple keeps suing.. <[ST REPORT] REX.READE> I dont know how far they have progressed but I can keep you posted.... I'd appreciate that .. I never will be able to sell the ROMs, I would guess..there's legal issues involved I sure don't want to tangle with. Apple is also in a suing mood, as they've proven, with the Microsoft thing,and certainly the Magic Sac, err, approaches their look and feel. It had better. So, it'll be like the present Magic Sac -- acquire your own. (I wish there was another way, but there isn't. I ran into a pirate version of Magic Sac the other day that put the ROMs on disk, and claimed the cartridge wasn't necessary at all, just a marketing plot to make money .. alas, they hadn't talked with Apple's legal eagles as much as dP did.. After dP, I had thought of doing a PC product called HyperWeb (and probably still will), but the interest in the 128K product here has really forced me to rethink that. <[Leader] DARLAH> M.MARKOWITZ: I use my Sac quite a bit and definitly would purchase a 128k version. Keep up the great work! Thanks! . Thank you .. <[Leader] DARLAH> D.ZIZZA: Okay, Thanks, Darlah. Dave: A couple of questions. Define a "crack" program. It's a program that reads in a Magic Sac disk then peels the protection out of the code, which checks for the ROMS and clock on the cartridge -- thus, the program can be run without a cartridge. It usually puts the Apple ROMs on disk. Get caught with one, you're in big trouble . Copyright Enforcement by Apple is Fierce! Yow! There was a story in Infoworld of a Cincinnati BBS shut down by Apple when caught with a copy of the ROMs online; Apple has a private investigator that does nothing but hunt BBS's all day .. same guy that Atari had back in '82 or so. Anyway, the operator is in big trouble.. massive lawsuit. Magnum would NEVER do such a thing... We finally found the clot who's been cracking my stuff ("Dr. Typo" and 'Captain Wizard"), and I'm trying to think of what to do to him .. probably an ad in Soldier of Fortune. (just kidding <-- legal disclaimer) <[Leader] DARLAH> Apostle: <[Apostle] APOSTLE> Ok, I suppose I may be way outa line, seeing as how the most Magic Sac I've seen was a 20 second demo, But is it at all possible to center the screen? Most Mac programs allow you to; a few old ones (MacPaint) don't. It's a holdover of bad programming practice; the screen tends to left-center. <[Apostle] APOSTLE> ok, And this is off the subject, but someone asked once, if using a ATR8000, could you access the buffer in a printer and use it for a Ramdisk? Someone told me to ask you. Yes, but it wouldn't be worthwhile. (Not fast enough to be a real Ramdisk -- a RAMBO XL is a better idea). <[Apostle] APOSTLE> I see. So then the screen can't be centered? I just don't like the "Welcome to MAC off to one side, though it's no really big deal. Oh, that.. it could be centered.. I believe that was done by Aladin's cartridge. It's just no big deal -- the software after that point auto-centers (desktop, etc). <[Apostle] APOSTLE> I see. The guy must not *sigh* I'm done... <[Leader] DARLAH> D.ZIZZA: Hello, again, Dave. I just wanted to add a quick comment here. I am a professional graphic designer who uses a Mac II at work, at I have the Sac on my Atari at home... And if I could run those big PostScript programs like Xpress and Illustrator, I would (and I'm sure many other professionals would) buy it up in a second. There is a serious need for a low cost alternative to the Mac that can run Mac programs. Fair enough .. although I imagine graphic designers are in a minority of my potential users .. still, it's a valid point. Xpress is good stuff, as is Freehand / Illustrator. HyperCard and MultiFinder are nice, but there are better data management programs that already work on the Sac and MultiFinder is nice, but doesn't work with all programs. True, but it will become The standard as Apple forces people to use it, something like the 128 ROMS. Thanks for your comments, though. <[Leader] DARLAH> Ken: <[Ken] SYNERGIST> Tanx...Dave, you've mumbled a few times about HyperWeb, and I've probably asked you about it before, but perhaps you could expound a bit on it? Is it just a glimmer in your demented hacker mind, or...? Well, errrr, I'm not sure how much to say .. might want to sell it to Atari some day (grin) .. however, it's basically meant to create a new niche for PC's in the way that SideKick did. Probably best if I shut up about it, though, for once .. *heh* <[Ken] SYNERGIST> Fair 'nuff. And luck... Well, it's definitely needed by the market in about a year's time; I sure want to do it. <[Leader] DARLAH> A.SCHWARZ1: Thanks and good evening, all. I have a few cents to drop...Dave, forget the clock. I quit using it after the first week and rely on the clock in the Mega... keeps better time and I didn't have to maintain the software ga hehehehe .. don't apologize to me for dP..*grin* It'll depend on how much time I have. Thankee. I ordered my 128K ROMS from a local Apple dealer today and was quoted a price of $45! I believe the ROMS will become as plentiful in time as the 64K ROMS are today sioncence migration to 264K ROMS is inevitable. By the way, I don't think Mac motherboards easily accept 256K ROMS.. not sure, but the pinouts aren't correct. 64->128, yes, but not 128-> 256. Not yet. Sorry I am not familiar with the protocol, this is my first time in real-time. Yes, thatwhat the lady said. Guess time will tell, thanks thank you.. Re the HP Deskjatet, Sofstyle told me the product to get is called Printworks for the Mac, Laser version. Sells for about $125. This is true; there's also a product called the Grappler. Mark Booth knows about them.. *grin* (Job 14)<[Magic Mark] STACE> Thanks.. Poor old Denver is getting a thunderstorm & tornados, and I'm getting a lot of line hits. <[Magic Mark] STACE> RE: Printworks...This is NOT the recommended package for DeskJet (for Sac use)..you need either JETSTART (older product) or MACENHANCER...both of these products are also from SoftStyle... Printworks doesn't work with the Magic Sac...OK...now for my comment and question. First of all, I would like to mention for the benefit of the NON-Sac owners in the CO (and reading this later) that even if the Magic Sac never improved beyond the point that it is at now it is WELL worth the $$$!!! It is one of the greatest "hacks" of all time and my hat is off to Dave Small! Great job son! Dave, A question....Any idea how many Magic Sacs have been sold at this point?? (or can you say?) Can't say .. comes under info that I learned while at dP.. Definitely more than five. <[Leader] DARLAH> tee hee <[Magic Mark] STACE> snicker! Well...other than that.. Well, at least I'm honest.. <[Magic Mark] STACE> I would like to remind everyone that there *is* a support area for the Magic Sac here on GEnie!! The Data Pacific roundtable is at page 445! Thanks much for the CO tonight Darlah <[Magic Mark] STACE> and Dave. Enjoyed it much! Thank you both.....next John: <[John] TOWNS> OK. thanks. Hi John! <[John] TOWNS> Dave, just wanted to say hi to you and the family and wish you the best of luck on all of your projects... Thanks ... <[John] TOWNS> as well as ask you the question, I want to know... Where is my Ammo! (Job 5)<[Leader] DARLAH> REX: <[ST REPORT] REX.READE> It sure will be nice not to have that @#%* 1mb partition on my hard disk any longer.....thanks a bunch for your continued support and good luck! Thanks Rex; hang in there.. <[Leader] DARLAH> BRYAN: <[BRYAN @ CRU] BDHALL> So, are we going to call it the Dave Small Inc. Roundtable? ;-(#) Naw, I'm only here once a week... Darlah does this daily! BTW, many thanks to Darlah for hosting this (running late) conference! <[Leader] DARLAH> Thank you Dave for making this conference so informative and enjoyable. I truly appreciate the time and effort. Thank you....truly!! I really mean it.....such a long co :-) You bet .. appreciate the chance to blab at so many captive souls.. *grin* <{Leader] DARLAH> Thank you folks for being patient, Opening it up for gab <[Leader] DARLAH> Room is now in the talk mode. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARC version 5.21 ================ by Charles F. Johnson To everyone who has downloaded ARC521... Why would You want a new version of ARC? Because it: a) created and/or extracted files faster. b) was more efficient Well, ARC521 fails on both these counts...it seems to be _no_ faster than the original ARC, and it almost always results in LARGER archives, not smaller -- even with the new 'squashing' compression method enabled. ARC creates a lot of temporary 'work' files when adding files to an archive. The original ARC.TTP was smart about where it put the temporary files....it put them in the same directory as the archive. The new ARC521 always puts temporary files in the directory it ran from....which can result in LOTS of unnecessary disk access, especially if your archive is on a ramdisk but you run ARC from a floppy. Charles F. Johnson EDITOR NOTE: Charles F. Johnson has the * NEW ARCSHELL VERSION 1.95 * available on the 3 major online services. This version is totally compatible with ARC ver. 5.21. Being the very capable programmer that he is, Mr. CFJ has done it again! Another fine program for the ST..Which, by the way, greatly enhances the user's flexibility in using ARC...... ------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHANGES IN VERSION 5.21 ======================= The following changes have been made in ARC version 5.21, but have not yet been included in the manual: When adding files to an archive, ARC now shows the stowage facter achieved on each file. A bug was found that would keep an archive entry from being encrypted if it was stored without compression. This has now been fixed. If changes are made to a corrupted archive, the corrupted entries are discarded. This makes it possible to lose data accidentally. ARC will now only make changes to a corrupted archive if the W (suppress Warnings) option has been given. The N (suppress Notes) option now suppresses the "Creating archive" note when a new archive is being created. The N (suppress Notes) option formerly did nothing useful when used with the L (List files) command. It now causes a terse listing of filenames only, suitable for use with pipes and redirection. The list of filenames given to ARC may now include indirect references. If a filename begins with an "at sign" ("@"), it is taken to be the name of a file which contains a list of file names. The list of file names may include further indirection. If no extension is given, ".CMD" is assumed. For example, the command: arc a waste junk.txt @trash would cause ARC to add JUNK.TXT plus all files listed in the file TRASH.CMD to an archive named WASTE.ARC. If no file is specified, then the list is read from standard input. For example, the command: arc ln waste | arc a trash @ would cause ARC to add files to TRASH.ARC based on the names of the files stored in WASTE.ARC. It is probably a good idea to give the O (Overwrite) option if you are extracting files this way. ARC also performs Huffman Squeezing on data. The Huffman Squeeze algorithm was removed from MSDOS ARC after version 5.12. It turns out to be more efficient than Lempel-Ziv style compression when compressing graphic images. Squeeze analysis is always done now, and the best of packing, squeezing, or crunching is used. Compresses and extracts Squashed files. "Squashing" was created by Phil Katz in his PKxxx series of ARC utility programs for MSDOS. Dan Lanciani wrote the original modifications to ARC's Crunch code to handle Squashing. I've made minor changes since then, mostly to reduce the amount of memory required. The "q" option flag must be specified to Squash files. The Squashing algorithm will be used instead of the usual Crunch algorithm, and will be compared against packing and squeezing, as before. System specific notes: On MTS, an additional option flag, "i" for "image mode," was used. ARC assumes files are text, by default, and will translate MTS files from EBCDIC to ASCII before storing in an archive, and translates from ASCII to EBCDIC upon extraction. Specifying the "i" flag will inhibit this translation. This would most commonly be used when shipping binary images such as TeX DVI files, other .ARC files stored within an archive, etc... The "r" (run) command is omitted. It just doesn't seem very useful. Also, ARC cannot restore MTS files with their original time stamps. (Maybe in a future release...) On Unix(tm) systems, the "i" flag is also present. Unix ARC also assumes a text file, by default, but here the only translation involved is in end-of-line processing. When storing files, ARC will change "\n" to "\r\n", and does the opposite when extracting files. Carriage returns in any other location are preserved when extracting. Again, specifying the "i" option inhibits this translation. On the Atari ST, the "h" (for "hold screen") option is present, which simply delays exiting the program. This is typically used when executing ARC from the desktop, to allow reading all of ARC's output before the screen is cleared and the desktop is redrawn. The program will prompt and wait for a keypress before exiting. Note that since there are no "options" for the MARC program, the "hold screen" option is always active for MARC. On both Unix and Atari systems, ARC & MARC will search for an environment variable named "ARCTEMP" or "TMPDIR." If present, any temporary files will be created in the specified directory. This is probably insignificant for Unix users, but can be handy on the Atari, in combination with a RAMdisk. Highly recommended for floppy users. (Unfortunately, you can only take advantage of this when running some form of command shell that allows setting environment variables. Thus, you won't see any speed gains when running from the desktop.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL ====================== Two BROOKLYN BOYS MAKE GOOD! Augie Ligouri and Mel Stevens welcome added responsibilities....ATARI promotes from within..this is a convincing affirmative sign that Atari is very sincere about growth and sales in the US. These gentlemen are now both Vice Presidents in their respective areas of expertise. We might add, they are more than capable to deal with anything that comes their way. We extend Best Wishes to both. Atari settles it's D-RAM suit...Rumor has it, the settlement was MORE than advantageous to Atari, We may see the so-called shortage (1040) dissipate quite rapidly. Seems there are three SOFTWARE RENTAL STORES that have been properly served "solicitations" to discuss the legality of their services in front of an arbitrator....... To Clarify a Question....Atari has, in the past, stated through it's Service Department that they could NOT guarantee you would receive the SAME version of machine you sent in under the exchange program. Unless, of course, they have CHANGED their position on this matter since our last article. Having been involved in the business world for almost 35 years, I still find it difficult to accept that the warehouse was fully shutdown simply for an inventory. I would believe though, this was also needed to make sure the warehouse was reorganized and made more efficient by Mr. Ligouri. Hopefully, this helps the confused......... Could Atari be looking for a massive warehouse in Texas or, is this the beginning of the search for a first class US production facility? We will let you know as we find more info on this good news....word has it, Now that the DRAM situation for Atari has eased, things have perked up quite a bit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Atari Suicide ============= by Gregg B. Anderson I've been an Atari fan and supporter for a number of years now and have, for the most part, understood their reasons for doing what they did. Until now. It seems that Atari is deterimined to destroy its existing dealer network and insure that no one will ever attempt to startup a new Atari dealership. They are now, according to my nameless sources, embarking on a campaign that will require ANY new dealer to purchase over $10,000 worth of material to even qualify for an order, install full time (24 hour round- the-clock) service people, sell nothing but Atari items, sell Megas ONLY with laser printers (or at least buy them that way), and more.... In short, Their new guidelines are harder than anything even Apple uses, and is sure to destroy ANY chance of an Atari shop surviving or opening in anything less than an area the size of New York or LA..... A friend of mine was going to open an Atari dealership here in Rapid City (we just lost the last one and the local music shop selling STs may not keep the line when it hears of some of the new requirements) but had to drop the plan when he last spoke to Atari when they explained the new guidelines/requirements on him. I hope I'm wrong, in fact I pray I'm wrong...... but I doubt it........ Atari lives and dies by it's dealerships, and while the big ones in the big cities may be flashy it's the mom & pop shops here in the boonies that keep them in sales... And it's these shops that Atari seems determined to destroy. Add their "destroy all mail orders" decision and I see disaster in the offing. I fully understand keeping the Mega/Laser/ABAQ/EST/TT out of mailorder, but NOT the 520/1040/drives/ printers/ect....... pulling them from mailorder is not only stabbing in the back the outfits that kept Atari going over the thin years it's also telling the rural XE/ST buyer to "get lost" because he or she doesn't live within a few hundred miles of a dealer with the thousands of dollars Atari demands to represent them....... Sorry to be so long winded, but I like my Atari and hate to see it destroyed by marketing plans that promise only ruin and destruction. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "C" Programming Language ======================== by T."Rex" Reade Article II C is a general purpose programming language. It has been closely associated with the UNIX system where it was developed, since both the system and most of the programs that are run on it are written in C. The language, however, is not tied to any one operating system or machine; and although it has been called a "system programming language" because it is useful for writing compilers and operating systems, it has been used equally well to write major programs in many different domains. Many of the important ideas of C stem from the language BCPL, developed by Martin Richards. The influence of BCPL on C proceeded indirectly through the language B, which was written by Ken Thompson in 1970 for the first UNIX system on the DECEMBER PDP-7. BCPL and B are "type less" languages. By contrast, C provides a variety of data types. The fundamental typos are characters, integers and floating point numbers of several sizes. In addition, there is a hierarchy of derived data types created with pointers, arrays, structures and unions. Expressions are formed from operators and operands. Any expression, including an assignment or a function call, can be a statement. Pointers provide for machine - independent address arithmetic. C provides the fundamental control - flow constructions required for well structured programs, statement grouping, decision making (if-else), selecting one of a set of possible causes (switch), looping with the termination test at the top (while-for), or at the bottom (do) and early loop exit (break). Functions may return values of basic types, structures, unions or pointers. Any function may be called recursively. Local variables are typically "automatic" or created new with each invocation. Function definitions may not be nested but variables may be declared in a block structured fashion. The functions of a C program may exist in separate source files that are compiled separately. Variables may be internal to a function, external but known only within a single source file or visible to the entire program. Although C matches the capabilities of many computers, it is independent of any particular machine architecture. With a little care, it is easy to write portable programs, ie., programs that can be run without change on a variety of hardware. The standard makes portability issues explicit and prescribes a set of constants that characterize the machine on which the program is run. 'Til next time.........Rex ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Getting Started With Magic Sac ============================== by Chuck Trier What exactly is Magic Sac? Magic Sac is a cartridge containing two Apple Mac chips that plugs into the ST cartridge port. It can be left there permanently and will not interfere with the operation of the ST in any way. ST software can be run or Mac software can be run after the 1Magic program is run. It's really like having two computers in one, an ST and a Mac. How long has Magic Sac been on the market? MAGIC SAC has been on the market two years. Data Pacific is one of the most responsive companies around for ST users. Write or call them for a complete brochure on their products. I've heard that the Apple chips do not come with the Magic Sac, where do you get them? While it is true that the two Mac Rom chips do not come with the Magic Sac, they can be obtained through companies that advertise in the Computer Shopper magazine. They take about five minutes to install (just try not to bend the pins). If you are a little squeamish regarding things electronic, ask a friend or Computer store person to help. OK, so I buy the cartridge and have the chips put in, what else do I have to do to run Macintosh programs? Just as there is preparation in running ST programs, there is preparation in running Mac programs. Disks need to be formatted for Mac programs using MacFormat.prg or DCFormat.prg. Mac programs need to be put on those Magic-formatted disks, and then the programs can be used. Why can't I just go out and buy the Mac programs at my local Apple dealer and run them with the cartridge? To stay low-cost, use the Magic Sac cartridge and magic formatted disks. To run Mac disks directly, the Translator One device is required (also from Data Pacific). The ST disk drive is plugged into Translator One and it enables the ST to read and write exact Mac disks. Like the cartridge, it does not interfere with the ST in any way (unless the Midi port is needed - Translator One has a cable that uses this). ST programs can be run and when a Mac disk is needed, the Translator One is ready to go to work. If I decide to use just the cartridge, how do I get Mac programs? One method is to use a cable between the Mac and the ST. Another method is to download Mac programs from bulletin boards with a modem. ST users familiar with Flash, 220-ST, Interlink, or Uniterm programs can use them to download Mac programs to their ST-formatted disks. How do I get the Mac programs from the ST disks to the Magic disks? After a Mac program is down loaded, install a Ram-disk in memory with designation drive D and put the Mac program in it. There is a an ingenious little program called TV310.prg (or Trnsv29a.prg) by Doug Wheeler that will transfer programs from an ST-formatted disk to a Magic Sac formatted disk. Run this program next. Under the drive menu, select drive D for the ST. Under the file menu, select ST>Magic Sac. Insert the magic-formatted disk and transfer the Mac program. A little practice with this program and you will be quite pleased with the results. I'm sorry, but all of this is starting to sound a little complicated. One way to keep the ST side of things simple is to put on your boot disk (the one you use when you turn on the ST): 1) Ram disk program 2) Modem communications program 3) MacFormat.prg or DCFormatter: this will format either ST or Magic disks 4) 1Magic.prg and Driver.prg: these are the programs that come with the cartridge to turn the ST into a Mac. This way you have one disk with everything that is needed to format disks, download programs, transfer programs between ST and Magic disks and run either ST or start running Mac software. Ok. I get the idea that certain programs should be on the ST disk, what has to be on the Magic disk? After the 1Magic program is run, it asks for the Magic disk to get the Mac-mode going. In order to do this, we need the recommended System 3.2 and Finder 4.1 on that disk. Part of the Mac system is in the 2 chips in the cartridge, but the rest is in these two programs. System contains the fonts and desk accessories and Finder keeps track of what appears on the desktop. Other programs should be on that Magic disk, but let's first start with these two programs. What should I see after I put in this magic disk? You should get a Happy Mac Icon. After a short time a message saying, "Welcome to Macintosh," will appear. Then the Menu bar at the top of the screen with the Apple logo, File, Edit, View, and Special in the top menu bar. You should also get a disk icon in the top right of your screen. The top right disk icon represents where the current system and finder files are that are currently being used. (As an aside, if you want to use a system-finder combo on another disk or in Ram-disk, just open the disk and hold down the control and alternate keys while you double-click on that finder.) If none of the above happens, reseat the cartridge and try again. The desktop reminds me of the ST. Is it really that easy? That is what is useful in running Mac software, there are a lot of similarities. A couple of details are new and should be noted, however. First, is that all disks should be named. To name a disk, just click on the bar under the icon and type in a new name and hit Return. Secondly, get in the habit of hitting Control e before you eject a disk. You will see a flashing "A" at the top of the screen and that means that it is safe to eject that disk. It is a nuisance once a person is used to the ST way of ejecting disks at any time, but hitting, "Control E" before ejecting a disk in the Mac-mode won't take long to learn. It is very important since information is updated to the disk at that time! Thirdly, once the pull-down menu is used, the item is highlighted and selected when you let go of the mouse button! One final note in this regard. In the Mac, many options are not made available, unless they are highlighted. If you find that a program (an "application" in Mac language) won't work or parts of it don't seem to work, try highlighting the application or feature and see if that doesn't make other options available. This is kind of fun! Noticing when I go to download Mac files (programs), a lot of them have .sit or .pit endings. What do I do about that? Just like .arc in the ST and MS-Dos world, the Mac also has file compression programs. What is recommended is a program called Stuffit 1.40. This is also available as a desk accessory. It will unstuff and also unpit those compressed files. It is handy to have on the first magic disk. How about Ram-disks for the "Mac?" There is a very good one called Ram-Plus 2.0. Double-click on its icon to install it. When you see the bottom size bar, click on this to shift the size of the ram-disk up or down. It will then finish installing the ram-disk and save this as the size that is wanted for the next time the Ram-disk is installed. It will also load into ram-disk any programs that are in the same folder as Ram-Plus. Excellent feature! Many programs for the Mac also offer the feature of selecting the drive (A, B, Ram-drive, etc.) to get a file for use with an application. With so many desk accessories and fonts available, how do you move them into and out of the system file and other programs such as MacWrite or Ready, Set, Go? This brings us to the final file which really is a should-be on the first magic disk and that is Font D/A mover. This very nice application moves fonts and desk accessories in and out of system and other applications in a swift and efficient manner. Anything else? I'm ready to go exploring! One thing that might throw you is moving things into and out of folders on the "Mac." In the ST, the same program can exist inside and outside of a folder. On the Mac using its usual filing system (MFS) and not the newer version (HFS - which is more like the ST-GEM method), the folders are an illusion. Once a file is moved, or copied, it is moved! Using Mac programs on the ST with Magic Sac opens up a new dimension for us St users. There's really a lot to explore! - = * = - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ST-REPORT Issue #40 June 20, 1988 (c)'88 APEInc. All Rights Reserved. Reprint permission granted except where noted in the article. Any reprint must include ST-Report and the author in the credits. Views Presented here are not necessarily those of ST-Report or of the Staff. -------------------------------------------------------------------------