*---== ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---* """"""""""""""""""""""""" "The Original Online ST Magazine" ------------------------------- March 31, 1989 Volume III No.81 ========================================================================== ST Report Online Magazine ½ ------------------------------ Post Office Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32236 ~ 6672 R.F. Mariano Publisher - Editor _________________________________________ Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EST BBS: 904-786-4176 ~ 12-24-96 HST _________________________________________ ** F-NET/FIDOMAIL NODE 350 ** Our support BBS carries ALL issues of STReport¿ and An International list of private BBS systems carrying STReport¿ for their users enjoyment -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Issue: #81 STReport¿ ------------------- > An Exclusive, in depth, Interview by CPU Report of Atari's Top Brass. > The history of 'Superboot', an excellent system management program. > An in Depth review of Fleetstreet Publisher II by MichTron. > Preliminary Information on MichTron's BBS Ver. 3.0. > Double Click's Revolutionary Multi-Port Cartridge > Up-to-date late breaking news in STReport Confidential ========================================================================= AVAILABLE ON: COMP-U-SERVE ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ THE SOURCE ======================================================================== > The Podium¿ ---------- The FNET/FIDOMAIL system is doing quite a job, the quantity of feedback coming through this system is superb. Our heartfelt thanks are extended to all who maintain this system. It is through their efforts that all the fine BBS systems in this network manage to keep ahead of the volume of E-Mail and F-Mail flowing smoothly through it. Again, many thanks..... Since the hulabaloo about "saying it like it is" has calmed down, it becomes easier to say that TOS 1.4 is performing quite well. In fact, it is gratifying to see it handle 32mb partitions with no problems at all. It would appear that the squeaky wheel does get the oil. In fact, we have tested the "auto" function of TOS 1.4 also and it's a dynamite feature too, maybe, just maybe, we will see the end of the auto folder and it's "run it in the right order blues". Since we are using the ram version of TOS 1.4 we find there certain situations that will change for the better once we are using the chip set. While on the subject of the chip set, Atari is moving quickly now to provide the new TOS to the userbase in both configurations...the two chip set and the six chip set. This year is truly shaping up as Atari's in many ways, we have a magnanimous number of shows scheduled, COMDEX/Spring, Anaheim, and two shows in Michigan. Not surprisingly, ..I am becoming proud of owning an ATARI MEGA4 ST. Ralph....... "1989 - ATARI'S QUEST!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- :NOTICE: -------- Please be advised that, STReport, it's Principals, Contributing Editors and Supporters cannot and will not be held responsible for the practices or beliefs expressed on ANY support BBS that carries STReport and/or any other electronic magazines. Additionally, STReport is not part of, or allied with ANY other electronic magazine or newsletter. --------- ************************************************************************** NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME to the Readers ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE NEW USERS SIGN UP TODAY! Call the St Report Official BBS number (Listed at the top of ST REPORT) or Leave E-mail to St Report - R.Mariano Be sure to include your full mailing address so your Compuserve kit can be immediately mailed to you! NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE ************************************************************************** > CPU REPORT¿ ========== Issue # 15 by Michael Arthur Remember When.... In 1983, IBM introduced the PCjr, which was supposed to become a standard in the educational market, and cause IBM PC's to break into the home market, displacing the Apple II and C-64? > CPU INSIGHTS¿ ============ An Insider's Perspective on Atari's Quest ----------------------------------------- For the past three months, CPU Report has analyzed some of the most important topics in the computing world. The MicroChannel, X/GEM, OS/2, the Open Software Foundation, and most recently, 9600 baud modems, have been explored, to view both their capabilities and what effect they will have on the computer industry. Although many have applauded CPU Report, some folks have wished that it did focus on Atari more often. Since it can provide information on any aspect of the computer industry, this issue of CPU Report features an EXCLUSIVE interview with Sig Hartmann of Atari Corp. One of the more technical questions was answered by Roy Good of Atari Corp. Both the ST Report and CPU Report staffs are impressed by Atari's willingness to do this, and indeed, the fact that such an interview could take place is a strong indication of Atari's New Commitment towards the USA's ST Userbase.... ----------------------- INSIDE ATARI ------------ Sig Hartmann ------------ 20 Questions ------------------------------------------------------ "1989 - ATARI'S QUEST!" CPU Report: ---------- What real progress has Atari made in making 1989 the Year of the Atari ST? Sig Hartmann: ------------ Number One....Last year we were short (in supply) of ST's and Megas. Now, we do not have that problem. We are now getting additional dealers lined up, and we are starting to sell more of our ST's, of which we now have a more available supply. Now this year, which will be the year we revitalize the US marketplace, I think you will find there will be more advertising now....that our dealers in the future will receive more of our machines in the USA. CPU Report: ---------- With the 68030 TT, is Atari making the successor to the ST, or another type of computer altogether? Sig Hartmann: ------------ Well, the 68030 TT will be software compatible with the software that we have now, and the existing ST will also run the 68030 TOS. CPU Report: ---------- But, will the 68030 TT be the ST's successor? Sig Hartmann: ------------ No. We believe the TT is a 'Next Generation' machine. CPU Report: ---------- What is Atari's view of the market for the 68030 TT, seeing as the Atari Transputer Workstation (formerly known as the Abaq Transputer) provides similar features, and is much faster? Sig Hartmann: ------------ The ATW is largely for a niche type of marketplace. It is very expensive, at around 5000 dollars, but is specialized for graphics, etc. But it's not like a general use computer. CPU Report: ---------- Since it is true that the 68030 TT will support TOS as well as Unix, and given that the 68030 has a Memory Management Unit built in, will Atari enable TOS to use the 68030 to multitask? Sig Hartmann: ------------ Well, let me say this. Those are all the things that we are not thinking about right now, so I cannot say that we will absolutely do this, but it could be likely that we could do it for our next project. I really couldn't give you a definite answer.... CPU Report: ---------- Why did Atari choose the AGING [VME bus] for the 68030 TT instead of the [NuBus], which is used in the NeXT and Mac II computers, and is quickly becoming a standard? Roy Good: -------- That is a very biased question!! The [NuBus] is not well accepted, while the [VME Bus] is accepted worldwide. Literally thousands of boards are available with many types of EuroCard connectors for it. [VME] comes in 16, 24, and 32 bit configurations, and the [VME] is a very flexible bus. The [VME Bus] is very much alive, and is used by many companies worldwide. Note: ----- (I can't help but wonder why being cautious or wary about Atari's decision to go with the [VME Bus] ( widely in use since the late 70's ) instead of the recent [NuBus] would be considered being biased towards the NuBus. Mr. Good does, however, make some excellent points about needing solid compatibility in a computer, though, and I hope that many [VME] board makers will write software drivers and make other necessary adjustments so their [VME] Cards work properly with the Atari 68030 TT....) CPU Report: ---------- What is Atari doing to make an upgrade to the ST, which would both be a distinct improvement from the ST, having more expansion slots, better graphics, etc., and a clear and economical upgrade path for present ST owners? Sig Hartmann: ------------ We are always working on having more capabilities for all of our machines. We are planning to provide better graphics, and other things which will please our customers. We are always listening to what some of their desires are, and we try to implement them in what is coming out (from us). CPU Report: ---------- When the ATW comes out, how much software will be available for it? Sig Hartmann: ------------ The ATW, as I said, is not out yet, but some specialized software will be available for it to sell in its niche marketplace. CPU Report: ---------- Even though Atari has done some ST advertisements, they seem to be limited to areas where the ST was already selling well. What are Atari's plans for expanding the rate of ST Advertising so that it reaches the majority of the US population? Sig Hartmann: ----------- Well, we came out with a special ad that is now showing on TV. At the moment, stations in up to 40 or 50 different cities around the country are showing that. This (strategy) should help to reach the majority of the US. CPU Report: ---------- What areas of the computer industry, such as MIDI or Desktop Publishing, will Atari be targeting in future ST Advertisements? Sig Hartmann: ------------ Well number one, we will now be targeting the Desktop Publishing market, which we feel we are very strong in. For example, we now have UltraScript (a Postscript Clone for the SLM804 Laser Printer), and when we position our computer against the Macintosh in our advertisements, you will find out that the significant difference (between the ST and the Mac) is in price/performance, which is better in our products. We will also establish the ST in many other areas. And naturally, we will also show how the ST can be used in many other aspects of the computer industry, by showing some of the other ST software, and showing some of our other products. CPU Report: --------- For Atari's efforts in the US to work, it must have a strong base of loyal dealers. What is Atari doing to set up a large, strongly supported dealer network? Sig Hartmann: ------------ As I pointed out, we are now picking up some additional dealers at around this Quarter, but we really believe that we will have not only a significant amount of dealers for the ST, but that we will have the quality of dealers needed to properly support it. CPU Report: ---------- In what direction is Atari's support of it's Dealers going? Sig Hartmann: ------------ Well, support comes in a couple of ways. One way we will support our dealers is to make sure they have as great an amount of our products as necessary. Again, we definitely plan to do this, and I think in the past we did try to give good support, but I think we will be putting a lot more effort into it to make sure that the dealers feel that this has been accomplished. As you know, we have another ST Dealer's Conference coming up very shortly, after Spring Comdex, I think, and we will listen to our dealers to see where they think we need to do a better job, and to make sure that we are getting everything accomplished. CPU Report: ---------- What is Atari doing to manufacture more ST's, so as to properly meet the demand that an advertising campaign will bring? Sig Hartmann: ------------ Previously, if you remember, we had the DRAM shortage (which raised the prices of memory chips). This has now disappeared, and now we have ample capacity to manufacture more of our products. CPU Report: ---------- What is the status of the rumored Atari Factory? Sig Hartmann: ------------ Well, we are always looking for the right place to get that. Atari is still going to get that....We want to put it in the US. CPU Report: ---------- What is Atari doing to improve Developer Support in the areas of the quality of the Developer's Kit, giving direct technical help to Developers beyond that in the Kit, and providing as much support to ST Developers as possible? Sig Hartmann: ------------ We have a special staff set aside for that, there is a Tech Support line available to ST Developers, and we are trying to provide support by all other means possible. Also, we are continuing to improve the quality of our Documentation (on the ST's internals and TOS) this year, in a lot of different areas. CPU Report: ---------- Does Atari plan to reschedule the ST Developer's Conference that was cancelled in January? Sig Hartmann: ------------ That was not cancelled. It was postponed, mainly because we felt that in order to make a good Conference, that we wanted to have something of substance to talk about, and so we could demonstrate the 68030 machine. Since that isn't available yet, we have been waiting for the right time to be able to invite them to come here for a week. We feel that with Atari's backup, we can discuss what is available.... CPU Report: ---------- What is Atari doing to further enhance it's support of User Groups? Sig Hartmann: ------------ Well, as you know, I have been traveling around the country talking to the User Groups and helping them with stuff they do. I have gone to Sacramento, Los Angeles, Portland, etc. I just travel all over the place. Anyway, there is a general feeling that they are getting more support from Atari. CPU Report: ---------- What strategies does Atari have for making the Atari ST a standard in Schools and Universities, and do any of them involve giving Educational Discounts to entice those that are loyal to other computers? Sig Hartmann: ------------ Well, we are setting up an educational program. I can tell you that we realize that in that market the timing has to be right, so we can penetrate it. We are now planning to ensure that there is something to show the educators.... CPU Report: ---------- In making the Mega 1, does Atari intend to make the Mega ST the flagship of the ST line, and to slowly discontinue the 520 and 1040 ST? Sig Hartmann: ------------ We will continue to support every machine which is available. If what we make then gets down to nothing, then that's what we have to make. Of course, we haven't shown very much for those machines.... CPU Report: ---------- Does Atari plan to de-emphasize the home market as it strives to make the ST popular in the business market? Sig Hartmann: ------------ No. We will still have the business market, but it is only one area, as we are going for the home office market, the education market, the home market, we are aiming for all these markets. Like I said, we can sell it anywhere. We have a great computer, and we believe that people will use it in the basement, and they'll play it in Carnegie Hall. Our ST is just an instrument. All you have to do is choose the options, and anyone should be able to use it. We will continue to target all the markets, but naturally if we think we have tremendous capabilities to demonstrate with the products which we have, such as UltraScript, the Postscript Clone, (then) we will push that. CPU Report: ---------- What is the status of products that are already considered Atari vaporware, such as the Amy sound chip? Sig Hartmann: ------------ Let me say this. I think we have said for a long time that the Amy sound chip, some other company is developing it....I don't know why people are still talking about the Amy sound chip. We didn't mention it for many years. CPU Report: ---------- What is Atari doing to prevent future products, such as TOS 1.4 and the 68030 TT, from becoming vaporware? Sig Hartmann: ------------ Very simple. Vaporware is defined as when you announce something, and it either doesn't come on time, or isn't coming at all. We are spending a significant amount of money developing the 68030 machine, and all the other projects are being worked on very hard, and with Sam Tramiel at the helm, it will be available before the year is half over. CPU Report: ---------- What are Atari's plans for making a LAN Network for the ST available? Sig Hartmann: ------------ I just came back from Germany (for the Hannover Fair/CeBit Show), and there they have twin LAN Networks out now that run Ethernet, AppleTalk, Novell,etc. We have almost every machine that we've got around here operating on it currently. What we have to do is see what we can do to get them to the marketplace here in the USA. CPU Report: ---------- What is the status of the Federated Stores, and does Atari plan to sell this franchise. Sig Hartmann: ------------ Well, I think you must have read in the paper that we lost money on Federated, and we cannot just take off and say we are trying to sell Federated. CPU Report: ---------- How many ST's has Atari sold, both in the US and worldwide, and how many does it plan to sell this year? Sig Hartmann: ------------ I cannot tell you that. I just don't have the numbers right here. All I can tell you is that we have the potential capacity of making 60,000 ST's a month. -----=====***=====----- During the interview, Sig Hartmann also mentioned that in Germany, the Macintosh is virtually nonexistent, while the ST is 'THE' growing STANDARD.... But ponder, if you will, this question: 1) How much time does Atari have to make the ST a 'standard' in the USA before it becomes too late? ---------==========*****==========---------- CPU REPORT CONFIDENTIAL¿ ======================= Federal Way, WA Migraph is preparing to introduce the IBM version of --------------- it's GEM-based Easy Draw CADD (Computer Aided Design and Drafting) drawing program, at around the Fourth Quarter of 1989. This program will apparently be a new revision of Easy Draw, having capabilities aimed at the professional graphics/design end of the market, which will put it in the class of Adobe Illustrator or Aldus Freehand. It will also have a new name, which has not yet been determined. Skokie, IL US Robotics has recently introduced their Courier HST ---------- Dual Standard 9600 baud modem. The Dual Standard has full CCITT V.32 compatibility for full duplex operation at 9600 baud, and uses MNP Classes 1-5 for error protection and data compression. Cost: $1600.00.... Marina Del Rey, CA Centaur Software has introduced Forms in Flight II, a ------------------ new revision of a popular 3D graphics and animation program for the Amiga. It features Phong (smooth) shading, Texture Mapping, Extrusions along curved paths, and many other features often seen only in Graphics Workstations costing $50,000 and above.... It also supports overscan and PAL animations, and although similarly featured Amiga programs now cost up to $500.00, Forms in Flight II costs only $119.95. If you wish to contact Centaur Software about the availability of this product for other computers, they can be reached at 1-213-821-5995.... Tokyo, Japan Nintendo is preparing a BREAKTHRU to the forefront of ------------ the computer industry by introducing a new computer called the "NTW", for Nintendo Transputer Workstation. It will use a 33 MHZ Inmos T1600 RISC chip running at 50 MIPS, have 4 Megs of 32 Bit Static RAM, have a 1280*960 resolution with 16 million colors at the same time, and implement Display Postscript and GEM in the Helios Operating System, which will be put in ROM. It will also use VME Expansion Slots, of which there is exactly ONE (like the Mega ST, having 2-4 slots would boost the computer's cost up too much), and come with two joysticks and a port of an ST Basic-like language. Costing about 500,000 yen (or 4000 US Dollars), the NTW is rumored to begin shipping on April 1, 1989.* -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > SUPERBOOT STR FOCUS¿ =================== SUPERBOOT'S STORY ================= by G.W.Moore Super Boot began simply from necessity. I was using several different floppy disks, each with their own set of accessories and autoboot programs, not to mention all the various other desk accessories and auto programs I had which I didn't have room for on the disks. Since there is no point in reinventing the wheel, I searched the various information services and Bulletin Boards for a solution to my problem but the closest utility I could find was one which would let you pick from about 40 desk accessories with no other capabilities. So, Personal Pascal in hand, I whipped up Super Boot 1.0. The first version of Super Boot was capable of letting the user choose from up to 135 Desk Accessories, Auto Programs, and DESKTOP.INF files, and could also set Write Verify and the time and date. Version 2.0 added a welcome screen feature, and version 2.2 added password verification, special support for monochrome monitors, and warmboot detection (a time-saving feature which detects the difference between a warmboot and a coldboot). In Version 3.0 the file selection screen was redesigned to allow easier file selection, an option to set the seekrate for the floppy drives was added, and support for selecting ASSIGN.SYS files used by GDOS was added. This version also added function key support, allowing the user to select any combination of files with one function key. Version 4.0 greatly increased Super Boot's versatility by allowing selection of any data file used by any program. Following that Version 5.0 expanded support for the function keys to 30 keys based on the very favorable response from users. This version also added the ability to configure Super Boot to "time-out", so that after a specified number of seconds Super Boot would bypass itself. Other features added include a help screen, default configuration, a random picture loader, and support for Startgem which allows booting GEM programs. The most recent version which was completed several days ago (version 5.5) added support for hard drives which do not self-boot, fixed several bugs, and added warmboot detection for systems which couldn't previously do it. This version also solved a problem caused by some Auto Programs which force a reboot to install themselves and thus would cause Super Boot to run more than once. Super Boot, as it is now, is fairly unique when compared to other utilities because of its high level of flexibility. A separate program, The Super Boot Construction Set, allows the user to tailor Super Boot to fit the needs of their specific system. If you have a battery-powered clock/calendar, you can tell Super Boot not to ask for the date and time. If you don't need a password, you can tell Super Boot not to ask for it. If you would rather be able to bypass Super Boot by holding down a key instead of by a time limit, you can make it do that too. Super Boot can even be set up as a sort of menu system, where the user never really has to do anything but press a function key and have the ST do the rest of the work to execute their favorite program in a tailor-made environment. When I finished writing the first version of Super Boot, I decided to release it to the general public as Shareware for two reasons: (1) I'm a college student struggling to pay tuition and can really use the money and (2) To get feedback from users as far as bugs, likes & dislikes, and suggestions for improvement. Registration of users was very slow up until the release of version 4.0. It has since steadily increased and is doing fairly well now, although unfortunately there are still people out there who use Super Boot every day and don't give a second thought to registering. It is quite surprising how far around the world Super Boot (and the Atari ST for that matter) has reached. I currently have users registered from almost all of the 50 states, plus Canada, England, West Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, Saudi Arabi, Costa Rica, and even a tiny island along the equator called Ascension. More than half of the new features added to Super Boot since version 1.0 have come as a direct result of suggestions from registered users. Its virtually impossible for a single individual to dream up every possible system configuration and every possible use for a system, and the suggestions from people using hardware setups different from mine really helped. Of course not every suggestion can be incorporated into Super Boot. It can not be all things to all people, so one has to resist the temptation to add a ram disk and a print spooler and a printer driver and so on and so on. It's important to keep the size of the program reasonable to reduce the time required to load it in on each boot and also to reduce the complexity faced by a user of the program. Super Boot is a very good manager and can manage all of the excellent ram disks, spoolers, printer drivers, etc. which have already been written, so those features don't really need to be written into Super Boot itself. I currently have several projects in development concerning Super Boot. I'm working on the next update to Super Boot, Version 6.0. I'm in the process of translating Super Boot to French and will be distributing it in France soon. I'm also working on the "next generation" of Super Boot, a program called Ultra Boot which will work on systems using TOS 1.4. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > COMDEX/Spring '89 FOCUS¿ ======================= COMDEX/Spring '89 PREVIEW II ============================ MAIL ORDER TOPICS The taboo against mail order---long "distribution non-grata" at COMDEX will be broken when the session; 'MAIL ORDER PROFITS AND POLITICS: WHERE DO YOU FIT IN?' is held Tues. April 11. "The past year and a half has been a real boom for the mail order industry" notes chairperson Ronni Sonnenberg. She claims that thirty percent of all computer software and hardware was sold via mail order in 1988. Sonnenberg says the session will cover direct marketing which includes mail order but also other methods of direct selling, such as telemarketing. Disagreeing with Sonnenberg..even predicting an imminent decline for mail order..is JoeAnn Stahel, president of Storeboard, a market research firm tracking the computer retail industry. With warehouse style retail computer stores competing directly with mail order on price and offering the see and feel elements that mail order firms lack, mail order buyers are being enticed to buy retail. "Why would anyone buy mail order when they can go to a local outlet and purchase an item for the same price?" she asks. "Mail order distribution is fine for accessories and low cost software that requires minimal support". Stahel says. "There is also a need for mail order to geographical areas which are not in close proximity to any retail outlets. But, when local outlets offer competitive pricing and immediate service and support, the mail order influence drops considerably. However, Sonnenberg says the retail vs the mail order rivalry is largely unjustified; she believes the channels support each other. Small independent retailers rely on the large inventories of the mail order companies to purchase out of stock items quickly. Meanwhile, larger retail stores are starting their own mail order components. The above transcript is provided to give an idea of the seminars that will be running at COMDEX/Spring '89 coupled with the displays of new technology and and saleable products this show becomes "THE SHOW TO ATTEND". Not only will the attendee be able to see the advances in the areas most interesting to him but also the advancements in the computer industry in general. COMDEX EXHIBIT HOURS ==================== APRIL 10 ..........................10:30am - 5:00pm APRIL 11-12........................10:00am - 5:00pm APRIL 13 ..........................10:00am - 4:00pm To register for Comdex write to: Interface Group 300 First Avenue Needham, MA. 02194 1-617-449-6600 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > TWEETY BOARD Review¿ =================== The Tweety Board! ================= by Joseph V. Muha Hi folks, I am new at this national type of newsletter but, like you, I have owned an ST for quite some time. Well, unlike MOST of you, mine BURNT to a CRISP! It was horrid, the smell of molten plastic still brings a cringe to my flesh. Well, to cut to the chase, I had to order a NEW computer. Obviously, I stuck with the Atari line. Being that my local dealer has OuTrAgEoUs prices, I went the route of mail order for my MEGA 2. On the phone, the salesman asked me if I wanted the NEW "stereo board". After I asked him what that was, he told me that it was the "latest thing" for the STs. Needless to say, that was all that I needed to hear. Within a few days, it arrived, and a few moments later, I was proudly standing by my NEW Mega2! There it was, in a box the size of the monitor master box. This little baby was not big, but not to be fooled by the size. This little jewel is a beauty. The folks at Practical Solutions apparently DO care about us in the ST world. The instructions were broken up for 520, 1040 and MEGA users, since each machine will look a bit different on the inside. All that I needed was a few minutes, a screwdriver (phillips head), and a pair of pliers. The traditional "nerf bat" was not needed, this time, as I did not get frustrated. Installation was a breeze. Now, the moment of truth, how would it sound? That question was no sooner asked than answered. After hooking this device up to my "boom box" using the supplied "Y" connector, I put two voices on the right and the third on the left. I reached for Carrier Command (a favorite of mine, because I loved the digitized beginning). Soon it started playing and it sounded, to be quite honest, terrible. When the game itself went into play, the sounds were GREAT and really in STEREO! (I even used a pair of studio headphones, it added a new dimension to game play). What was the problem with the title music though? After checking a few more pieces of software, a pattern developed that you should know about, digitized sounds on the ST/MEGA cannot be split and retain their integrity. All sounds that are made within the computer will have this enhanced dimension thanks to the "tweety board" and really do sound crisper and come in stereo. This is great for some games. What you can do for digitized sounds is turn your stereo off and you can still use the monitor speaker, this will retain the integrity of the digitized sounds. "Tweety Board" is easy to install, and a very necessary attachment for every ST/MEGA in use. This device has fast become a favorite on my "must have" list. If you really want to have some fun, show this off to a Commodore Amiga user. They seem to feel that only their machines are capable of producing Stereo Sounds. I leave you with three comments: 1) It is a shame that the folks at Practical Solutions who designed the board in the USA and have their offices in the USA had to BUILD this in Taiwan. 2) More of us need to join in and write letters to the folks at Computer Chronicles and get them to start showing the ST/MEGA on their show. Here is the address, give it to your friends and have your user's groups write too. It IS important: Stewart Cheifet WITS TV 33 1982 Locust Lane Box 2954 Harrisburg, PA 17109 3) More and more of us need a NATIONAL voice. One is being set up for Atari ST/MEGA users at this time. You can be a member of your local group and STILL be a member of this National voice. This will help us to get MORE developers to support the ST/MEGA line (we are getting close to that 1,000,000 mark and a national voice is NEEDED). Here is their address, send them a letter stating you wish to join, they will take it from there. (also, please tell your friends about this too!) Atari User Association c/o SoftwareSpectrum 267 Main Street Matawan, NJ 07747 Use this convenient form: ------------------------ Atari User's Association Membership Application [Personal Information] __________________________________________________________________________ First Name:_____________ Last Name:_________________ Phone#:( ) Address:___________________ City/Town:_______________ State:___ Zip:______ __________________________________________________________________________ [] Put me on the membership directory (Directory lists all A.U.A. members) __________________________________________________________________________ |Areas Of Interest| [Hardware] [Software] [] Atari 8-bit [] Accounting/Home finance [] Atari 520 ST [] BBS Software [] Atari 1040 ST [] Cad/Cyber [] Atari Mega (2 or 4) ST [] Communications [] Databases [Drive(s)] [] Desktop Publishing [] Games/Entertainment [] SS/DD [] Graphic(s) [] DS/DD [] Languages/Programming [] Hard Drive(s) [] Spreadsheets [] Word Processing [Printer(s)] [] Other:_________________ _______________________ [] 9 Pin Dot Matrix _______________________ [] 24 Pin Dot Matrix [] Laser [] Other:___________________ [Monitor(s)] _________________________ _________________________ [] Color Monitor (SC1224) [] Monochrome (SM124) [Modem(s)] [] 19" Monochrome [] Other:_________________ [] 300 Baud _______________________ [] 1200 Baud _______________________ [] 2400 Baud [] 9600 Baud [] Other:___________________ Make/Model of Hard Drive ___________________________ ________________________ ___________________________ ________________________ Do you run a BBs? Name of your Disk Drive(s)? Yes [] No [] _________________________ Name of your printer: _________________________ ___________________________ _________________________ ___________________________ Name of your modem(s)? Favorite software titles? _________________________ ___________________________ _________________________ ___________________________ Name of user's group? User's group BBs name? _________________________ ___________________________ _________________________ ___________________________ _________________________ Favorite BBs name? ___________________________ STReport # 81 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mail to: AUA 267 Main St. Matawan, NJ 07747 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Fleetstreet STR Review¿ ====================== Fleet Street Publisher 2.0 ========================== by William Y. Baugh Fleet Street is another in the new line of DTP's from Michtron which runs independently of GDOS; so font sizes are far more flexible than normal GEM fonts. Fleet Street is not protected so copies may be made for back-ups or to run off the hard drive. I have been running Fleet Street from my hard drive with full array of accessories and have not had any trouble. Fleet Street may either be run on color or monochrome monitors. It is highly recommended that you run any DTP from monochrome, but if you can't and have to run from color, Michtron recommends that you boot up in low-res rather than medium. In low resolution you get a true, square pixel. In medium, on the other hand, the pixel is rectangular rather than square which causes fonts, but especially pictures, to look distorted. Once loaded, you are instructed to insert the time (for 520 and 1040 owners) or just click on o.k. (for Mega owners) to set the system clock. Menus line the top of the screen and six icons line the top-left side. These icons are as follows: Picture block, picture edit, box rule, text block, text edit and text overflow. Below these you have a clip icon, where blocks of text may be stored for later use, and a trash can for deleting blocks of text and graphics. Selecting the New Page command sets the ball rolling. Five different page sizes are available on this menu. These are A4 and A5 (metric), US litre (8.5" x 11"), A4 wide (double page spread) and Tabloid. If none of these default pages fit the bill, you may insert your own figures for height, width, margins, column width, etc. From this menu you may also set up the number of columns that will be displayed on the page. These are not text blocks, but are guides to help you draw the actual text blocks (you may not want the entire column for text). Once the page size is selected, you are ready to start Publishing. Creating text and graphics blocks works like most all of the DTP's. You select the appropriate icon and draw the wire frame box where you want the picture or text to reside. Then, when you are ready, you highlight the specific box you want to "merge" the text or graphics into and select the command. One major drawback to Fleet Street is that you are restricted to importing only ASCII text files and .IMG picture files into the program. This highly limits the flexibility of the program in that using just ASCII files for text, you loose all formatting from your file that would other wise be there if you were able to import from a word processor. This makes for very sloppy and, sometimes, very time consuming editing once the file has been imported. The same holds true for limiting the user to just .IMG files. Granted, you may download pictures from the services or use one of the many fine clip-art pictures that are included with the program, but unless you own Touch-Up or Easy Draw, your out of luck as far as creating your own picture files. Even though you are restricted to just .IMG files, there is nothing limiting to the options available for importing and manipulating the picture. Once the file is selected, a menu appears showing the actual dpi of the picture. This menu will appear only if the picture is not 72 dpi. If it isn't, there are a number of sizes to choose from or you may set your own size. I have found that setting 72 dpi produces the best looking image, but it is very dependent upon the original size of the picture. Once sized and on the screen, you may crop, re scale, re size and revolve the image to suit your needs. One other nice feature is that Fleet Street handles the screen drawing very quickly when a picture is on the desktop. Scrolling through the document is very fast; no slow-down is noticed. One thing to be wary of though, text will not run-around the blocked area, it will bleed right through the picture. The only way to avoid this problem is with careful planning of where text and pictures will meet. Text importation is just as painless as the graphics. You define the area and merge the text into it. Text overflow is handled by the sixth icon on the left. If the text overflows, you just click and hold on the icon until the mouse pointer turns into an ABC, then move it to the next block. Easy. What's not so painless is the screen handling of text. It takes a while for the text to actually "merge" onto the page; and if you have to scroll the page...suffice it to say that it is extremely slow. A helpful hint here is to import text only in full page size and choose the appropriate font and size BEFORE you import. This will save time and keep you from going stir crazy. Since the program does not run under GDOS, you may only use the fonts that come with the program. There are six fonts included with the package. These are: San Serif, Serif, Helga, Medieval, West End, and College. Each have the option of being either regular or bold. Sizes of the fonts range from 4 to 216 points in half-point increments. There are defined point sizes available, but you may enter your own values for the size as well as the width of the font. There are differing text effects, such as italics, outline, upside-down and mirror. You may also set the tone of the ink used to draw the fonts from white to black. Also available is a font customizer which allows you to select only the characters you want to use in each group of fonts. Included with the package are three foreign character sets. These are Spanish, French and German. They add special characters that are unique to their language (ex: the umlaut and esset in German). Michtron has produced a respectable piece of software. There are many "extras" included which make your DTP life more easy; for example, hard spaces so if you type in text, it doesn't reformat after every character, the ARCed clip-art and the excellent manual. Also the actual working environment of the program is very easy to use and is quickly learned. But overshadowing these features are the limitations imposed by the programmers on the user. So, if your interested in a low priced ($100), easy to use but limited in power DTP...then Fleet Street may be for you. For more information: CALL/WRITE: MichTron Inc. 576 S. Telegraph Pontiac MI. 48053 313-334-5700 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL¿ ====================== - Sunnyvale, CA. *** ATARI - "Tried the REST and went with the BEST!" *** ------------- This is the stuff true grit and competitive programming are all about! How many of you can remember how many different BBS programs Atari has had up and running? Many moons ago, Atari was using the early versions of the Michtron BBS they then went to a number of other systems trying to find the BBS best suited to their needs..WELL..they are now gearing up to run the all new, Multi-line MICHTRON BBS Ver.3.0 and the revolutionary Double Click Software's MULTI-PORT CARTRIDGE. - Houston, TX. **** DOUBLE CLICK MAKES MULTI-LINE BBS EASY! **** --------------- From all outward appearances the days when users may call a private BBS and enjoy the simultaneous on-line company of others is right around the corner. Double Click, the folks who have given undying support to the ST community with a host of excellent programs have out done themselves this time. Over the course of the next 3 weeks STReport will present an in-depth analysis of both the Multi-port Cart and the Michtron BBS 3.0 software. Knowing the high level of quality we have seen in the past from Michtron's Tim Purves' programming, we fully expect this version of the Michtron BBS to "create quite a stir". To see this fine system in operation yourself ..... CALL: THE HASTE BBS 1-713-973-6665 ------------- 1-713-973-6555 - Framingham, MA. ***** FOREM BBS TO SUPPORT DC MULTI-PORT CART! ***** -------------- Matt Singer, author of Forem Elite for the PC, has begun making the preparations to port Forem Elite to the ST and adapt the DC Multi-Port Cart to his BBS program. It is expected to be available by 06/89. - Sunnyvale, CA. ******** TOS 1.4 runs 32MB PARTITIONS! ******* ------------- At this very moment, we are editing this column inside a 32mb partition on a hard disk system ranging from drive C thru I; with the Ramdisk being DR: P. The new TOS handles the larger partitions very nicely and is surprisingly fast for having to handle partitions twice as large as it's predecessor. To the young men responsible for the successful work on TOS 1.4, ...many thanks for a job well done. - Sunnyvale, CA. **** ATARI HAS A LEAK??? **** ------------- In spite of extremely (alleged) tight security, two packages of code seem to have grown legs, or ..should I say wings? The intensity of the investigation reflects the seriousness involved. It seems only a certain 'few' were privy to the code packages, which should enable those folks handling this "plumbing" job to stop the leaks quickly. More on this as it unfolds. - Sunnyvale, CA. **** L. TRAMIEL SHARES NEW DIET! **** ------------- In a wonderful gesture of humanity, L. Tramiel decided to share his marvelous new diet with an Atari Fan. Although we are sworn to secrecy about the diet, we can tell you he assured us it is his "favorite" meal and makes it his business to enjoy this delight at least once a * DAY! * Congratulations to you Sir! ....Oh! yeah, hearty appetite!!!! - New York City, NY. **** 8 SLOT EXPANSION TO BE RELEASED **** ----------------- Megabyte Computers is reportedly ready to release their new 8 slot expansion system for the ST computer line. The board will also have a socket for the Blitter Chip. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A "QUOTABLE QUOTE"¿ ================== --==ZIG-ZAG ZONKS==-- "PETER PAN IS MY HERO!.......... .....WHAT'S A LOBOTOMY??" "1989 - ATARI'S QUEST" *NTW - just an 'old' April fool! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ST-REPORT¿Issue #81 "Your Independent News Source" March 31, 1989 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ½ copyright 1989 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of ST Report¿ or CPU Report¿. Reprint permission granted, unless noted otherwise. All reprints must include ST Report or CPU Report and the author's name. All information presented herein is believed correct, ST Report or CPU Report, it's editors and staff are not responsible for any use or misuse of information contained in this publication. --------------------------------------------------------------------------