*---== STReport International Online Magazine ==---* """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine" from STR Publishing """""""""""""" February 05, 1993 No.9.06 ========================================================================== STReport International Online Magazine Post Office Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32205 ~ 6672 R.F. Mariano Publisher - Editor ----------------------------------------- Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EST Support BBS Network System * THE BOUNTY BBS * * TURBO BOARD BBS SYSTEM * FNET 350 ~ Fido 112:35 ~ Nest 90:21/350.0 904-786-4176 USR/HST 24hrs - 7 days 1200 - 19.2bps V.32 - 42 bis 16.8 Dual Standard FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EST ----------------------------------------- FNET.. 18 : ///Turbo Board BBS Support...1-416-274-1225 FNET.. 75 : Bloom County BBS.............1-415-965-9347 FNET. 350 : The Bounty **...1-904-786-4176 FNET. 489 : Steal Your Face BBS..........1-908-920-7981 _____________________________________________________________________ > 02/05/93 STR 906 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!" """""""""""""""" - The Editor's Desk - CPU Report - PORTFOLIO NEWS - PENTIUM FOR MARCH! - BIG BBS BUSTED! - NEW CIS FORMAT - FAMILY ACCOUNTANT - INTERNET & DELPHI - 1.44MB UPGRADE - PEOPLE TALKING! - MULTIWRITER!! - STR Confidential -* OF FALCONS - SLM LASERS - HEAT *- -* CT SWAP FEST TODAY! *- -* ITS FEBRUARY - FALCONS RSN! *- ========================================================================== STReport International Online Magazine The Original * Independent * Online Magazine -* FEATURING WEEKLY *- "Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information" Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports ========================================================================== STReport's BBS, The Bounty, invites BBS systems, worldwide, to participate in the Fido/NEST/Atari F-Net Mail Network. You may also call our BBS direct at 904-786-4176, and enjoy the excitement of exchanging information relative to all computers, worldwide, through the use of excellent International Networking Systems. SysOps, worldwide, are quite welcome to join the STReport International Conferences. The Crossnet Code is #34813, and the "Lead Node" is # 350. All BBS systems are welcome and invited to actively participate. Support your favorite computers; Join Today! ========================================================================== CIS ~ GENIE ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ FIDO ~ FNET ~ NEST EURONET ~ CIX ~ CLEVELAND FREE-NET ~ INTERNET ========================================================================== ============= * ATARI EDITION * ============= COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME to the Readers of; ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine" NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY! CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198 You will receive your complimentary time and be online in no time at all! WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (February 5) NEW FORUM SOFTWARE The long awaited new Forum Software has been installed in all of the Atari Forums! Among other things, this allows longer messages and improvements in sending CompuServe Mail from within the forum. Some old commands have been dropped, and a couple of commands work slightly differently than they used to. Please see the file MSGFEA.DOC in LIB 1 of the Atari Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS) for details on the changes. Don't hesitate to leave a note to SYSOP if you have any questions. FAMILY ACCOUNTANT Download file ACCTS1.ARC from LIBRARY 5 of the Atari Productivity Forum (GO ATARIPRO) for the Family Accountant: an easy-to-use but effective program for maintaining home finance records and establishing a budget. It requires no formal knowledge of accounting (the author has none either). It will handle up to 11 money accounts and 14 budget categories. Requires monochrome high resolution monitor and 1M of RAM. For documentation download actdoc.arc also. Also download ACTDOC.ARC from LIBRARY 5 of ATARIPRO for the program's documentation. HARD DISK CACHE AND FAT SPEEDUP... Download file FATCAC.LZH from LIBRARY 4 of the Atari Productivity Forum (GO ATARIPRO) for a hard disk cache and FAT speed-up for TOS 1.0 and 1.2. Faster, more compatible, more memory efficient than FATSPEED. Gives up to 1000% speed increase when copying files between partitions. Includes GEM installation program and no technical knowledge require (please read the docs though). K&R COMPLETE "C" COMPILER/DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM Download file HSC140.LZH from LIBRARY 3 of the Atari Productivity Forum (GO ATARIPRO) for a complete C compiler system for the Atari ST. Includes GemFast v1.8 GEM programming library. The compiler is based on the Sozobon compiler, but contains many modifications, bugfixes, and extensions. The compiler features an automatic installation process. Just unpack the archive and run INSTALL.PRG to install and configure the compiler. CODEHEAD ANNOUNCED RELEASE OF CALLIGRAPHER 3... Download file C3NEWS.TXT from LIBRARY 16 of the Atari Vendors Forum (GO ATARIVEN) for the official announcement of the release of Calligrapher 3 -- the next generation of the Ultimate Writing Machine. Read this text file for details about the new version of this powerful word processor. Information on upgrading from earlier versions is included. THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM ON COMPUSERVE HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AN OFFICIAL SUPPORT SITE BY ATARI CORPORATION "GO APORTFOLIO TO ACCESS THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM" """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!" """""""""""""""""""""" My, my its now February... the clock is running March is right around the corner. Is it to be the "IDES of MARCH" or, the wonders of it all? We can only hope Atari can deliver on its promise to deliver the Falcon030 by March '93. The Falcon is indeed the salvation of Atari, if this machine does not make it big... nothing will help. Absolutely nothing. If every member of the existing userbase worldwide bought a Falcon it would only prolong the agony. Atari must penetrate existing markets and actually create an entire new market for the Falcon030. It is quite possible to do so. That's one of the reason's most of us still hold onto a glimmer of hope. The only downside is the ongoing games being playing in the background, sooner or later Atari and its designates will realize the userbase is a great deal sharper and "tuned-in". When they realize this I am confident the games will cease and they'll devote the lion's share of their energies to the business of making the Falcon a true success. Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport's Staff DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU! """""""""""""""" Publisher - Editor """""""""""""""""" Ralph F. Mariano PC DIVISION AMIGA DIVISION MAC DIVISION ----------- -------------- ------------ Roger D. Stevens Charles Hill R. ALBRITTON STReport Staff Editors: """"""""""""""""""""""" Dana P. Jacobson Michael Arthur John Deegan Lucien Oppler Brad Martin Judith Hamner John Szczepanik Dan Stidham Joseph Mirando Steve Spivey Doyle C. Helms Lloyd E. Pulley, Editor Emeritus Contributing Correspondents: """""""""""""""""""""""""""" Michael Lee Richard Covert Scott Birch Brian Converse Oliver Steinmeier Tim Holt Andrew Learner Norman Boucher Harry Steele Clemens Chin Neil Bradley Eric Jerue Ron Deal Robert Dean Ed Westhusing James Nolan Vernon W. Smith Bruno Puglia IMPORTANT NOTICE """""""""""""""" Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc... via E-Mail to: Compuserve.................... 70007,4454 Delphi........................ RMARIANO BIX........................... RMARIANO FIDONET....................... 112/35 FNET.......................... NODE 350 NEST.......................... 90:21/350.0 GEnie......................... ST-REPORT """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STR'S "BELIEVE IT? OR.. WHAT?" <>###############################<> "There is no comparison! The Atari Falcon is far superior to the PC platform." Sam Tramiel, 08/92 "My new office, which has a better view than my old one, is so far quite satisfactory. And Richard Miller is in my old office. The Forbes article was a mish-mash and misconstrued article full of half truths. We are anxiously awaiting the release of the Atari Falcon to bring us back to the forefront. The article has given us some laughs, but otherwise has not affected us." Sam Tramiel, 08/92 "As I said before, all marketing announcements will be made at Duesseldorf. I will not comment on future models of the Falcon. WE ARE TALKING TODAY ABOUT A MACHINE..... WHICH WILL BE SHIPPING NEXT WEEK." Sam Tramiel, 08/92 "I've just returned from Asia, where I saw the first Atari Falcon production coming off the lines. Let's hope this new offering will make it in North America. I know that the specs are great." Sam Tramiel, 08/92 "We have not yet even given the machine to the FCC. And we are only applying for Class B approval. According to our "experts", it should pass Class B." Sam Tramiel, 08/92 "...... We are not working for Wall Street but to make money for our shareholders and only think long term." Sam Tramiel, 11/92 psssst. FYI.... The Shareholder's equity is fine.... NOT! The Stock is hovering around $1.12 CHRISTMAS '92 has COME and GONE... FALCONS ....anyone? By the Way.... Does the Falcon work well with any... of the SLM Laser Printers?? NOPE! NOT YET! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS ================= Computer Products Update - CPU Report ------------------------ ---------- Weekly Happenings in the Computer World Issue #06 By: John Deegan PENTIUM CHIP TO REINFORCE INTEL'S HOLD? - The Pentium chip, the suc- cessor to the '486, is expected to be released in late March. Analysts feel that it will take a year before the Pentium reaches mass popular- ity but when it does, it will reinforce the firm's already dominant hold on the microprocessor industry. Intel refuses to reveal much information about the Pentium but sources say that it will contain some three million transistors, or more than twice the 1.2 million transistors on the 486 chip. The Pentium will not only allow programs to run faster, but will also greatly improve a computer's graphics and sound. "Full motion video and multimedia for computers is going to require more power, something in the order of Pentium power," said Dataqest ana- lyst Ken Lowe. NEW LCD PROCESS IN THE WORKS - Scientists in Tokyo say they have developed a liquid crystal that may make it easier to manufacture flat screens that use less electric power. A report in Nature magazine says the new liquid crystal changes its optical properties when it is hit by a laser beam. "New light-sensitive displays could be a radical improvement on conventional LCDs, as they would not require individual transistors for each pixel". COMPUTERIST TO STAND TRIAL FOR TAMPERING WITH EX-WIFE'S FILES - A Californian has been ordered to stand trial on a felony tampering charge after admitting he sabotaged his ex-wife's computer files. The charge carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison. James Welsh told authorities he sent a disk with a "kamikaze program" to his ex-wife to get back at her for what he considered the nastiness of their 1991 divorce. Welsh's former wife, Kathleen Shelton, testified all her files were erased when she used the disk. All that was left was a taunting limer- ick. Shelton said Welsh set up the system for her and she had continued to rely on his expertise. And here's a twist, "Welsh said the disk erased a program that he had pirated. Because it was illegally created, he said, it was not protected under the state's anti-hacking law." FBI RAIDS OHIO BBS - According to the Software Publishers Association (SPA), the FBI has raided a Boardman, Ohio, computer BBS called "Rusty & Edie's", accusing the operators of illegally distributing copyrighted software. The SPA said the agent seized computers, hard disk drives and telecommunications equipment, as well as financial and subscriber re- cords during the raid last Saturday. The SPA says the investigation started several months ago, "following the receipt of complaints from a number of SPA members that their soft- ware was being illegally distributed on the Rusty & Edie's BBS." The system, established in 1987, was described one of the largest private BBSes in the country, with 124 nodes available to callers and more than 14,000 subscribers. "To date, the board has logged in excess of 3.4 million phone calls, with new calls coming in at the rate of over 4,000 per day," the SPA stated added. It included "over 19 gigabytes of storage housing over 100,000 files available to subscribers for downloading." The SPA said the BBS had subscribers in the United States and several foreign countries, including Canada, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. For a fee of $89 a year, "subscribers ... were given access to the board's contents, including many popular copyrighted business and entertainment packages," the SPA statement says. _________________________________________________________ > CompuServe's NEW Message Format & Commands! STR InfoFile """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Message Features Software Documentation New Features / Version Notes o The size of a message has been expanded to 10,000 characters. NOTE: With the initial release of Message Features users of DOS CIM, MAC CIM and NAVIGATOR will not be able to post a 10000 character message. Current development of HMI will allow for this in the very near future. There is no limitation on the size of messages that can be read. o READ THREAD command now displays messages in chronological order and also in section order. i.e., all new messages in thread order from section 1, then all new messages from section 2 and so forth. This feature provides users with the context of messages. Given below is a hypothetical display in the current Production software, and new order of display with Message Features: Hypothetical Production Display Message Features Display Sec # Msg & Replies Sec # Msg & Replies S4 Message # 11 R R R R S2 Message # 2 R R R S2 Message # 2 R R R S4 Message # 11 R R R R S13 Message # 21 R R R R R R S6 Message # 9 R S6 Message # 9 R S8 Message # 5 R R R S8 Message # 5 R R R S13 Message # 21 R R R R The complete command syntax for the READ THREAD is given below for reference. The new display order applies to the READ THREAD command and all its switches. The complete command syntax for the READ THREAD is given below for reference. READ THREAD [NEW] [ALL] [NUM #] [START: ##] [SECTIONS:] No modifications have been made to REAd FORward or REAd REVerse commands. o When a READ nnnn command is issued (without any other switches), where nnn is a message number, it defaults to READ THREAD nnnn as it does in current production software. Therefore the new display order applies to this command as well. o Another change is to the snapshot "high message number" -- the highest message on the board at the time a snapshot is taken. The user will not be able to view any message above this "high number" until a new snapshot is built. This change was done in an effort to ensure that users would not miss any messages on the board. The impact of this change is that an ASCII user will no longer be able to read a reply they posted immediately; this is already true in the HMI (CIM) interface. If the user wants to read the reply, he will need to issue a new REAd or SELect command so another snapshot will be built to include their reply. In HMI, they will need to "Freshen Messages" under CIM 2.x for this change to take effect. o When the user issues a PARent, ROOt, or REAd replies command while reading a particular message, when they return to the message the command was issued from, the header of the message will be displayed along with the message "** Enter RER to reread, REP to reply, or to continue". Current production software displays the entire message again. o Since a message can now be 10000 characters in length and a message that long would scroll off a member's screen quickly, we have introduced "paged message display". After 24 lines of a message have displayed, members will see a "Press CR for more:" prompt if they have paged message display enabled. At that prompt the user can enter return to continue reading the message, M to return to the Read Action prompt (thereby not reading the rest of the message), or S to scroll rest of the message without pausing. To enable "paged message display", a member can enter SET PAGED YES at any forum prompt. This will turn on paged message displaying for this and any forum the member enters during the current session. To make the change permanent, the member needs to GO DEFAULT, choose option 2 (Change permanent settings), choose option 3 (Display options), and then change option 1 (PAGED display) to NO. Entering a SCROLL command at the Read Action prompt will scroll the messages no matter what option the member has selected. o There is no longer a limit on the number of lines a forum message can have. o A new command has been added to the Editor - /MAIL. If the user wants to mail a message, he no longer needs to exit the editor and then specify MAIL. Now he can specify /MAIL from within the editor. All the parameters required for the MAIL command are the same as the /POST command parameters. o If the user wants to mail a message from within a forum, they are limited to 50,000 characters - not 10,000 characters per message for forum messages. Production software limited the user to the size of a forum message but the Message Features software has removed that limit. NOTE: A fix will be implemented in a future version of HMI that will allow HMI users to mail a message containing 50,000 characters. o Other important commands to remember: REA NUM;NNNN - This command allows users to read an individual message number. (RI is still supported.) REA THR NUM: - Allows you to read only the thread you are requesting. (RT nnn ONLY is still supported.) Removal of "Old" Forum Commands: To reduce maintenance and gain resources, we have removed support for the following "old forum" commands from the forum software. A. Two character commands: BR - Browse (Correct command is BRO) FM - Forward Mail (Correct command is FMA or FMB) RM - Read Marked (Correct command is REA WAI or RW) RO - Read Old SD - Scan Delete SE - Send (Correct command is SEN) TO - Touch US - User Status (Correct command is USE or USERS) WH - Who (Correct command is WHO) GU - Guide (use HELP) SB - Section Names (use NAMe) CB - Conference (use CO) CS - Change Section (use CHA) B. One character commands: C - Continue E - Exit (use EX or EXI) L - Leave message (use COMpose) V - View Interests (Use MEMber) ______________________________________________________________ > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" PEOPLE... ARE TALKING ===================== On CompuServe ------------- compiled by Joe Mirando 73637,2262 As I sit here waiting for some magical force to begin this column (It is true that the hardest part of writing is staring at that blank page, or monitor in this case) there is a re-run of Star Trek: The Next Generation on TV in the background. The episode features a young alien child broadcasting an ancient question into the depths of space. "Is there anyone out there"? It is a question asked by many on many different occasions. I ask it now because I have heard very little from readers about this column. The few comments I have received have been positive, but I can't help feeling that there are ways to make the column even better. If there is something you don't like about "PEOPLE ARE TALKING", something you DO like about it, something you'd like to see in the future, or even if you just want to say "Hey Joe", drop me a line at the account number listed above. Well, that's enough of that. There's a lot of "stuff" this week, so let's see what little goodies we can find. From The Atari Productivity Forum ================================= If you have been following the emergence of the new "floptical" drives, then you know that they can format a specially treated high density 3.5 inch disk to 21 megabytes of storage space. Let's see what other people can tell us about them. Juergen Beurskens asks: "Is it also possible to connect a floptical drive to the floppy port when there is no HD-extension ?" Tim Rule tells Juergen: "No. Flopticals are SCSI devices and must be connected to the hard drive (DMA - ACSI) port by using a SCSI host adaptor. I think ICD "The Link" will do it, or a hard disk host adaptor which also supports them (Data-Pulse range of hard disks)." Scott Thumann joins in and ,after being told about what installing Atari's High Density Disk upgrade requires, says: "Oh well. I guess that I'm stuck with it (the original 720k floppy). I don't trust myself to lobotomize my ST by messing w/chips, and the flopticals don't really lend themselves to swapping between PC's & Atari's. I just have to remember to put files from work on a DD disk. Thanks for all the help Bob & Brian. You saved me a lot of grief. But you made a lot of DD disks in this house very happy that they still have a happy home. They thank you as well." Brian Gockley of ST Informer jumps on in and tells Scott: "Not that I want you to spend your money, but what do you mean: Flopticals don't really lend themselves to swapping between PCs and ST? The Floptical will read those super funky optical 21 meg disks, but they are really a super value *BECAUSE* they will *ALSO* read the old 720K and 1.44 meg regular old plain, magnetic, floppy disk, that are so common on this planet now and that you would need to transfer your files! Now I want one! If you get one, you're problems will be solved, your ulcer will clear up, your ex girlfriend will call you up and your old car will start getting 40 mpg. Really! :)" Everything now falls into place for Scott and he tells Brian: "I'm sorry, I was not thinking straight. Correction: I was thinking too straight, and too rigidly. Here I was, looking for a formatted disk to take out of the PC's Hdensity drive (with a file on it) and pop it right into my STe's drive, and happily load it. When I read your previous msg, I realized what you had to spell out for me: whether it's an ST disk (DD) or a PC disk (HD or DD), the floptical will read it. Sometimes I can be dense (no pun intended). They go for approx $300 eh? Any info in the LIBs re vendors, what's needed to connect up (I have an ICD 105meg Hard drive), pros/cons, how big this thing is, you know....stuff I need to know. This is a stab in the dark but maybe there's a vendor here in Jersey...NOT (probably). Thanks for waking me up." Brian, being the helpful guy that he is, tells Scott: "I would check your magazine of choice for advertisers, If you have an ICD drive, then you should be able to plug right in! I know that PLI and Purple Mountain Computers both carry them." Scott takes the advice to heart and tells Brian: "Thanks! I'll track down some recent mags & investigate further. don't be surprised if I have more questions for ya down the road! (Ignorance is NOT bliss, especially when it concerns computers.) All the help is appreciated..." Brian says what a lot of us are saying: "No problem, Everything I know I learned from reading Albert's posts! :)" Hearing his name mentioned, Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine pops in and retorts: "And I everything I know is from reading everyone's posts in this forum!!" Remember how nice and easy it was when there was just one type of archive program? All you had to tell someone who wanted to use an archived program was that it was "ARCed". That person could then use just about any version of ARC and would be able to de-compress it. As is usually the case when dealing with computers, progress has reared it's ugly head and given us a slew of archive programs that are not compatible with one another. Now we have ARC, LHARC, LZH(LH5), ZIP, and ZOO. And I'm sure there will be others soon. All the choices, as well as what is/isn't compatible with what, make for a good amount of confusion to those unfamiliar with them. Dr. Gerry Leavens utters the words that every new computer user has spoken: "I need some help. At one time I was able to use ARC for virtually all programs on this board. Then something called .lzh came into the picture. I have downloaded an .lzh program and then discovered that there is more than one version of this as well. Talk about making a computer annoying and no fun to use. What is going on out there? All I need is some simple directions on which program will "decode" all of the present .lzh stuff, and how to go about doing it. Do some of these downloads extract automatically? When I have downloaded an .lzh program and tried to extract it using the .lzh file that I got off CIS, I consistently get a message that there is an error of some kind and that the extraction cannot be done. In simple language that even a dumb dentist can understand, is there anyone out there that can tell me what to download and how to use it. Many, many thanks in advance." Boris Molodyi, an old hand at this kind of thing, tells the good doctor: "There is a new version of Lharc archiver, 2.01 and some letters (like m or l, I don't recall). Files compressed using this version can not be extracted with older versions (like UNLZH), they give "Bad CRC" error. You might want to download file "ARCLZH" (I don't remember the filename extension) from this forum. It's self-extracting, and it has latest versions of ARC, LZH and Charles F. Johnson's Arcshell, graphical front-end which make archiving and de-archiving much easier." If computer users can figure out how to use all of these archive programs, why can't those who design the software for these machines keep numbers straight? Tim Rule asks: "Do you generally find TOS 1.2 referred to as 1.02 and 1.4 referred to as 1.04. They should really be 1.2 and 1.4, the reason a lot of people put the 0 in is that programmers (lazy ones) often read the TOS version number wrong. Thus many programs forget to reverse the last two digits of the version number. Because of the way the number is stored it does not cause problems with all version numbers, just 1.4 and 1.2." Greg Wageman tells Tim: "I'm not so sure that's true. I think that Atari officially now includes that zero, so that TOS "1.4" is officially TOS 1.04, etc." Dom Alvear jumps in and tells Tim: "I beg to differ with you. I have a document written by John Townsend of Atari that refers to Mega TOS as 1.02 and Rainbow TOS as 1.04. He also calls STe TOS 1.06/1.062, Mega STe TOS 2.05, and TT TOS 3.01/3.05. I could upload it here if it's not already in the file section." Well, this is all very interesting, but the reason that Atari suddenly began referring to TOS 1.2 as 1.02 and TOS 1.4 as 1.04 is that version numbers with two digits after the decimal had not been a consideration at the time the "version format" had been created. Everything went along fine until STe TOS, known as 1.6 was found to have a few bugs. The new version of STe TOS was to be 1.62, but to give it this designation, they had to change the way that a program looks for the version number. This is when they decided to change all of the numbers to X.XX instead of X.X. As proof of this, I offer an addendum that came with my second 1040 ST. It read as follows: ================================================================= IMPORTANT --------- This Atari ST computer is fitted with the Atari Operating System ROM version 1.09. This is the latest version of the operating system and has been introduced to facilitate your ability to upgrade to future products such as the Atari Blitier (Yes folks, that's the way they spelled it.) Please ensure that you purchase software compatible with this operating system version. Your Atari dealer has been advised of the few titles that are incompatible with this version. The authors of incompatible software products have been informed and will be releasing compatible versions. ================================================================== Now this in and of itself is nothing special. What makes it interesting is that at the bottom of the addendum is a date. The date is listed as 1989. That's right folks, 1989. TOS 1.06 is the version that shipped with the first 1040 STe's, correct? 1.06 already contained blitter support, as well as other enhancements to take advantage of the new STe. So now comes the question: Why would a TOS version that pre-dates the STe version be a later version number? I'll leave it to people who have more time on their hands than I do. Okay, one more from the productivity forum, then we move on. Jim Dunne asks about swapping parts between platforms: "Can any hardware be exchanged between Amiga and ST, for example, monitor or d disk drive?" Hal Dougherty tells Jim: "The only hardware that can be exchanged without more trouble than it's worth between Atari ST and Amiga computers is the monitor. Redmond Cable makes cables for both systems to exchange monitors. SCSI hard drive mechanisms can also be switched between computers." Jim explains why he asked: "Thanks much for the info. That's what I thought. A friend of mine bought a 3.5 disk drive for his ST from an Atari store, and when he opened the drive, there was an Amiga label on the mechanism. I told him I didn't think an Amiga drive would work on an ST, but I would check." Hal Dougherty provides Jim with the axiom that computer technicians have always used: "Try it and see, it should work. The Mac is the only system to use a 'strange' drive. Make sure pin 1 on the cable goes to pin 1 on the drive. I've seen two ST's with the connector made upside down. Also make sure the drive setting dip switches are set for drive 1." From The Atari ST Arts Forum ============================ First off, Sysop Ron Luks has some news for us: "I had not planned to publicly comment on this but due to the large number of EMAIL questions I've received in the past few hours, I think I have to make a statement. For those of you who have seen the name of SAM TRAMIEL in the user log, I will confirm that this is not a fictitious entry. It is either Sam or his immediate family (wife, kids, pets, etc.). Sam has decided to expand his horizons and visit the online services personally (as well as with members of his family) and I am requesting that our membership just carry on "business as usual" and not 'pounce' on Sam immediately upon seeing him online. He will surely have to go thru the same learning curve we all did before feeling comfortable with the online software and I think he deserves the same consideration as any of our new members. I'm extremely proud of our staff and membership here and especially the service we all provide to fellow Atari owners and given the chance, I'm confident that Sam and his family will enjoy the benefits of our online community. I applaud this decision by the CEO and welcome him to the ranks of other CEO's from major corporations who use and enjoy the CompuServe network." Ain't that something, boys and girls? The Chief Executive Officer of Atari chose CompuServe for his kids. Now THAT'S news! A few weeks ago I mentioned that those of us who are comfortable with computers and the terminology that goes with them tend to take things for granted. One of those things is the meaning of certain extensions for files. Phil Banks posts: "I have downloaded several graphics files from the Atari St Arts forum. I have an IBM PC compatible computer and would like to know how I can look at graphics files with the extensions of 'ARC', 'SPC', and 'LZH'" Sysop Bob Retelle tells Phil: "Phil, the ARC and LZH files have to be uncompressed before you can use them. The ARC files can be uncompressed with the PKARC utilities on the PC, and the LZH files can be processes with the LHA series of utilities. Also as Ron mentioned, the SPC files are Atari specific.. they CAN be converted (on an Atari) into GIF format to be viewed on a PC, but I don't know of any PC utilities to do that directly. If you find any Atari files with the .PI1 , .PI2 or .PI3 extension, those are files from an Atari drawing program called DEGAS. There is a PC utility to display those on an IBM, and you can use a screen snapshot program to save them in a PC format if you'd like. I don't remember then name of the DEGAS viewer program, but I know you can find it in the IBM File Finder here on CompuServe. If you have any problems with anything you've downloaded here, let us know and we'll try to figure out something to help..!" Hmmm... remember a few paragraphs ago when I was rambling on about TOS versions? Well, it seems that there is yet more confusion. "No. 19" from Spectrum HoloByte posts about a mistake regarding TOS versions on the packaging for their popular game, Flight of the Intruder: "Oops, that was a mistake on the Flight of the Intruder package. It should have read "TOS 2.02" but the utility we were using misrepresented the TOS version. Btw, some FOTI players have been able to run FOTI on a TT, but I haven't heard of any success on a Mega STe unfortunately." Sysop Ron Luks tells No. 19.: "I've NEVER heard of a version of TOS numbered 2.02 or 2.2 or anything close to that." On another subject, Phil Venron tells us: "I have been considering buying one of the Citizen GSX printers with the color option but have limited knowledge about their use with ST computers I want to be able to print color DEGAS type pictures. If anyone knows if proper print drivers are available for this I would appreciate your help." Tony Barker from Moving Pixels tells Phil: "I wrote an ALT-HELP replacement that would produce a color dump an the GSX printers, it was configurable for 9 or 24 pin, size, brightness etc. it should be in the libs here as........I can't remember, just search with a key word of color or print. I also wrote a little program to display and print Spectrum pics to the GSX (well any epson compat really). It's called specprint (don't know what the 6 character name is, a search as above will turn it up). Finally I wrote a program that allows you to change all the settings of the GSX 140 including macros, color, font, etc. using menus on the ST. Thats not available I don't think I ever uploaded it. Of course they are Epson compatible, so any good color epson driver should work." From The Atari Vendors Forum ============================ Sysop Bill Aycock posts: "These great new Extend-O-Save modules are available in LIB 16: [76004,2232] Lib:16 STACYB.LZH/Bin Bytes: 768, Count: 0, 31-Jan-93 Title : Warp 9 EOS module for Stacy computers Keywords: CODEHEAD WARP 9 EXTEND-O-SAVE SCREENSAVER MODULE STACY This Extend-O-Save module will turn off a Stacy's monitor display in hardware, saving both your battery and wear-and-tear on your display. The Stacy Screen Blanker requires Warp 9 3.70 or later. If you don't have a Stacy, you don't need this module. By John Eidsvoog. [76004,2232] Lib:16 ROLLEM.LZH/Bin Bytes: 1664, Count: 0, 31-Jan-93 Title : Warp 9 Extend-O-Save module Keywords: CODEHEAD WARP 9 EXTEND-O-SAVE SCREENSAVER MODULE SCROLL EOS This Extend-O-Save screensaver module has a smooth display that scrolls in two directions at once, bouncing back and forth. Roll'Em requires Warp 9 3.70 or later. By John Eidsvoog" Jody Golick asks the CodeHeads: "I am planning to order the Calligrapher upgrade but I am waiting for the new font charts to be posted so I can choose one. How soon will the font charts be available?" Charles F. Johnson, that CodeHead extrordinare, tells Jody: "We'll have the font charts up here in the next day or two." Denis Postle tells Mark at Gadgets by Small: "When I recently tried to install ATM (v 2.0.3) it crashed right away with a system error id 12. I'm using system 6.0.5 and a 2 meg TT. The bit maps are installed OK. Can Spectre handle ATM? the problem seems to be with the 68020/030 driver, is there an alternative? or a fix? Any suggestions?" Mark has one possibility right off the bat. He asks Denis: "By any chance are you using the PYRO screen saver? PYRO caused me to crash on my SST with ATM and the 68020/68030 extension. It worked fine on a regular ST with the 68000 extension. If so, try deleting PYRO and see if your problems go away. Also, it might be one or another INIT/CDEV that is causing a conflict. Try moving ALL of them out of your System folder (temporarily) and just booting with ATM installed. If that works, slowly add the INITS back into the System folder one at a time until the crash pops up again." From the Atari Portfolio Forum ============================== Chip Shabazian tells us: "I am looking to upgrade my portfolio's memory, but haven't seen any "recent" messages of anyone trying. the memory thread in the library is 2 years old!!! I am looking for a supplier for the 128 x 8 CMOS SRAM, but read that you also need to change a jumper. Does anyone know which jumper this is, and if that is in fact the only change you must make? Any help would be much appreciated. P.S. I will upload my results for the entire process once I am done so someone else interested in upgrading will not have the same problems." Although I haven't had a chance to post it yet, my best recommendation for upgrading a Portfolio is to send it to Megabyte Computers of North Texas. I don't have the price handy at the moment, but they do a very professional job of upgrading a Portfolio up to 512k. They also sell new Portfolios upgraded to 512k. Their address is: Megabyte Computers of North Texas 907 Melbourne Hurst, Texas 76053 (817) 589-2950 If you call for information, ask for Robert and tell him that Joe from STReport sent you. The song says "When you wish upon a star..." let's see if the star will smile upon Howard Blumenthal as he makes his wish: "I'm back on the Portfolio Forum, and hoping to see a wish fulfilled. This one is probably pretty simple. I want a stopwatch that fills the screen with nice big numbers. Time should be displayed as HOURS:MINUTES:SECONDS:TENTHS. Control should be start, stop, reset. To get a bit fancier, display the previous timing in the lower left corner, for reference. It would be great if this could be a part of a larger clock program-- an attachment to the big clock, for example, so all I need to do is move from the Big Clock to the Stop Watch with the press of a single button. Not essential, but would be nice. Anyone want to take a shot at this? It might be fun if this was expandable, modular so that we could eventually add a world clock or a pulse measurement or something else that might eventually cause this to become "Super Clock." For now, though, I'd be thrilled to have my stopwatch." Now I ask you: Where else can you just jump into a forum and say "y'know, I'd really like to have a program that will....", or "I wish that this program would...", and actually have people consider writing the program for you? (Boy, I wish I'd known about this when I was in college! ;^) Well, that's it for this week folks. C'mon back next time (same time, same station) and listen to what they are saying when... PEOPLE ARE TALKING _________________________________________________________________ > BAGGETTA DEALS STR InfoFile COME TO THE SWAP FESTEROO! """"""""""""""""""""""""""" BAGGETTA_WARE OFFERS DEALS AT CONNECTICUT SHOW STAMFORD, Conn. -- If you're hunting for great deals on educational and graphics software for the Atari computer, as well as home applications and other programs, The Great Connecticut Trading Fair, is the place to be. The 'swap meet' this Saturday (Feb. 6) will also feature developers of Atari software, among them Albert Baggetta, creator of Baggetta_Ware. The show at St. Benedict's Church Social Center, 32 Sound View Avenue, Stamford, will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children under 12. Baggetta_Ware and Eliemouse will provide lots of bargains, among them,the Eliemouse Complimentary Coloring Book (Version 6), bundled with 104 picture files, manual and disk (souvenir pencil, too, while they last). All for $25 ($45 value if purchased separately). Baggetta will be selling additional pictures files at $5.00 per disk. Other featured items include: The Eliemouse Electronic Storybook, Shakespeare: The Sonnets, The Comic Book Collector (with free collector card enclosed), Smorgasboard Disks (25 assorted original programs), Artworks I and II (collection of Degas and Spectrum artwork). New for the artist in the family is a collection of 82 pieces of ELIEMOUSE CLIP ART for use with ST or PC in .IMG or .PCX format ready for using in all kinds of DTP. Great assortment for only $10. Bring the kids and let them try The Eliemouse Complimentary Coloring Book which will be running all day at our table. Lots of fun for children. Eight-bitters haven't been forgotten! If you're into radio-controlled racing, Baggetta_Ware has a program for the Atari 8-bit that will monitor your races, keep track of laps, time the event and print results. Check this program out. Other scheduled exhibitors include Gribnif, Dr. T's, Danbury Electronic Music, Derric Electronics, Computers Etc., Central Connecticut Computer Club, Atari User Group of Greater Hartford, Fairfield Atari Computer Enthusiasts and WACO (Western Pennsylvania). The Great Connecticut Trading Fair is being staged by ACT Atari Group, a network of seven non-profit user groups (computer clubs) based throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. It is a swap meet aimed at computer owners who want to upgrade their systems or sell or trade their old gear. Any individual may bring computer equipment to sell, regardless of the brand or model, for an exhibitor's fee of $10. Commercial vendors will be assessed higher fees. For more information contact: Brian Gockley 18 Elmwood Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06605 [Phone (203) 332-1721]; or Doug Finch 46 Park Avenue Old Greenwich, CT 06870 [Phone (203) 637-1034]. *********************************************************************** IMPORTANT NOTICE! ================= STReport International Online Magazine is available every week in the ST Advantage on DELPHI. STReport readers are invited to join DELPHI and become a part of the friendly community of Atari enthusiasts there. SIGNING UP WITH DELPHI ====================== Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access DELPHI services via a local phone call JOIN -- DELPHI -------------- Via modem, dial up DELPHI at 1-800-695-4002 then... When connected, press RETURN once or twice and... At Password: type STREPORT and press RETURN. DELPHI's Basic Plan offers access for only $6.00 per hour, for any baud rate. The $5.95 monthly fee includes your first hour online. For more information, call: DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005 DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge, MA. Try DELPHI for $1 an hour! For a limited time, you can become a trial member of DELPHI, and receive 5 hours of evening and weekend access during this month for only $5. If you're not satisfied, simply cancel your account before the end of the calendar month with no further obligation. If you keep your account active, you will automatically be enrolled in DELPHI's 10/4 Basic Plan, where you can use up to 4 weekend and evening hours a month for a minimum $10 monthly charge, with additional hours available at $3.96. But hurry, this special trial offer will expire soon! To take advantage of this limited offer, use your modem to dial 1-800-365-4636. Press once or twice. When you get the Password: prompt, type IP26 and press again. Then, just answer the questions and within a day or two, you'll officially be a member of DELPHI! TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (2/3/93) (1) STZIP 2.1 (2) STREPORT 9.05 01/29/93 (3) ZMODEMFX.LZH (4) VIEW132D (5) TOS 2.06 W/O A TEC BOARD (6) AEO_0203.LZH (7) GEM-VIEW 2.13 (8) SUPER PCS PICS (9) PAULA21B.LZH (10) FALC_TOP.LZH All of the above files can be found in the RECENT ARRIVALS database for at least one week after the posting of this list. Please Note that in the case of online magazines, only the most current issue in the database at the time of this compilation is considered for the Top 10 list. Also, for all files, a submission is eligible for the Top 10 list for only four weeks after its original uploading. THE _ _/ / | / __ __/ ___/ __ \ | / ___/ __ __/ / / | / / / / | / | / / / / / | / / __/ __ _/ / | / __/ / / / / / / / | / / / / ____/ __/ __/ __/ ______/ __/ __/ __/ __/ ______/ __/ SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP Helping you connect to everywhere! Walt Howe, INTERNET SIG Manager Jim Monty, Assistant Manager MS DOS USERS: Peter Scott's new HYTELNET 6.4 is in the Tools & Utilities Database-- a comprehensive Internet resource guide you can summon with a keypress. RECOMMENDED!! Internet SIG Menu: About the Internet Using Internet Services Announcements Who's Here Conference Workspace Databases (Files) Help Entry Log Exit Forum (Messages) Guides (Books) FTP Mail Telnet Member Directory Other Utilities Register/Cancel Internet SIG>Enter your selection: about Contents -------- 1 BACKGROUND ABOUT THE INTERNET 2 NEARNET ACCEPTABLE USE GUIDELINES ABOUT>(Enter Number, Scan, "?" or Exit): 1 1 BACKGROUND ABOUT THE INTERNET The Internet is a nationwide computer network established, or perhaps a better term is "cultivated," by the National Science Foundation (NSF). It is actually a collection of many regional networks all interconnected using a common communication protocol called the Internet Protocol or "IP." The original intent was to enhance research and education projects through open communication and exchange of data. Development of the telecommunications backbone was subsidized by the government. Up until very recently use of the Internet has been restricted to people or organizations involved in research and education. The guidelines governing acceptable use have recently been relaxed to allow commercial companies and online services like DELPHI to use Internet mail for many purposes. Compuserve, America Online, AppleLink, AT&T mail, MCI Mail, and now DELPHI all have connections to the Internet. Access to the Internet on DELPHI is provided through a connection to the New England Academic and Research Network (NEARnet). This is the regional authorized representative of Internet services. There are literally thousands of services available through the Internet. Most features of the Internet are now generally available to DELPHI users. A feature called "FTP" allows users to transfer files from other hosts on the internet, and a feature called "Telnet" allows users to connect from one host to the other. Members on other hosts can connect to DELPHI using Telnet, and DELPHI members can connect to other hosts. ABOUT>(Enter Number, Scan, "?" or Exit): 2 2 NEARNET ACCEPTABLE USE GUIDELINES Access to Internet mail on DELPHI is provided through a connection to the New England Academic and Research Network (NEARnet). Use of Internet mail is subject to NEARnet's acceptable use policy. NEARnet - ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY This statement represents a guide to the acceptable use of NEARnet for data communications. It is only intended to address the issue of NEARnet use. In those cases where data communications are carried across other regional networks or the Internet, NEARnet users are advised that acceptable use policies of those other networks apply and may limit use. NEARnet member organizations are expected to inform their users of both the NEARnet and the NSFNET acceptable use policies. 1. NEARnet Primary Goals 1.1 NEARnet, the New England Academic and Research Network, has been established to enhance educational and research activities in New England, and to promote regional and national innovation and competitiveness. NEARnet provides access to regional and national resources to its members, and access to regional resources from organizations throughout the United States and the world. 2. NEARnet Acceptable Use Policy 2.1 All use of NEARnet must be consistent with NEARnet's primary goals. 2.2 It is not acceptable to use NEARnet for illegal purposes. 2.3 It is not acceptable to use NEARnet to transmit threatening, obscene, or harassing materials. 2.4 It is not acceptable to use NEARnet so as to interfere with or disrupt network users, services or equipment. Disruptions include, but are not limited to, distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer worms and viruses, and using the network to make unauthorized entry to any other machine accessible via the network. 2.5 It is assumed that information and resources accessible via NEARnet are private to the individuals and organizations which own or hold rights to those resources and information unless specifically stated otherwise by the owners or holders of rights. It is therefore not acceptable for an individual to use NEARnet to access information or resources unless permission to do so has been granted by the owners or holders of rights to those resources or information. 3. Violation of Policy 3.1 NEARnet will review alleged violations of Acceptable Use Policy on a case-by-case basis. Clear violations of policy which are not promptly remedied by member organization may result in termination of NEARnet membership and network services to member. DELPHI- It's getting better all the time! *********************************************************************** > 1.44mb FLOPPY FOR YOUR ST STR FOCUS! LET'S DOITTOIT """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" HIGH DENSITY DRIVES ON THE ST ============================= This document outlines the steps necessary to connect a PC High Density drive to the ST. It will allow somebody with a basic understanding and experience of electronics and the ST to go ahead and do the mods but it is not a step by step set of instructions. The upgrade is not difficult but you will need some knowledge of electronics and the inside of your ST. Think about it carefully because you're on your own if it goes wrong. CONNECTING THE DRIVE -------------------- Connecting a standard 1.44 MB drive to your ST is not a problem. You will simply need to buy an HD drive and put it in the place of your internal drive. The problem? Well it will only be able to read/write 720K disks. MODIFYING YOUR ST ----------------- The floppy disk drive controller chip for the ST is the WD1772 chip. This chip has a clock input on pin-8 of 8 MHz to provide the correct stepping pulse for DD floppies. This will also work with DD floppies in HD drives. However, high density disks require double the stepping pulse and therefore the clock input needs to be changed to 16 MHz in order to read and write them. When an HD drive is using a DD disk though, it still needs 8 MHz clock for the controller chip. What needs to be done it to provide a means of detecting whether the disk HD. If it is then the standard clock input must be doubled to 16 MHz. High density drives detect whether the disk is HD by looking for the extra hole. If the disk is high density then the HD detect line connected to the drive is set low (high for DD). This HD detect line is pin-2 on the 34 way drive connector cable. This means that if we have a 16 MHz clock generator we can use the HD detect line to select either our new 16 MHz clock and apply it to pin-8 of the floppy disk controller or use the existing 8 MHz clock. To do this we need a couple of CMOS (must be CMOS to operate at 16MHz) logic chips and a multivibrator. Pin 8 of the disk controller must be carefully de-soldered and lifted off the track. A jump wire is then attached to the track to get our 8 MHz input. The lifted pin should then be hooked up to the output of our circuit. A suggested logic schematic is represented below. 16 MHz -----|--------| | NAND |-----------------| HD detect -----|--------| | | |---|-------| |---|--------| | XOR |--- Pin 8 | | NAND |--| |---|-------| (WD1172) |---|--------| |--|--------| | | NAND |--| 8 MHz ----------------------|--------| NOTES AND WARNINGS ------------------ The WD1172 chip is only designed for 8 MHz operation and so, inevitably, some will fail at 16 MHz. There is no way of telling if yours will work beforehand. If the chip does fail you will have to order an STE Ajax chip from Atari (tel. 0753 533344). This new chip does work at 16 MHz and will replace your old failed chip. If you have two floppy drives then, unless you make other alterations, they must both be HD as DD disks will not work reliably with 16 MHz clock. Lifting the pin on the disk controller chip is a delicate job and there is a high risk of damage to the pin, chip or track. You should definitely use a heat sink clipped onto the pin to prevent heat damage to the chip. Perhaps it would be easier to de-solder the whole chip and insert a doctored socket to plug it back into. *********************************************************************** :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT: _________________________________ Set your communications software to Half Duplex (or Local Echo) Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369. Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt. Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN. GEnie costs only $4.95 a month for unlimited evening and weekend access to more than 100 services including electronic mail, online encyclopedia, shopping, news, entertainment, single-player games, and bulletin boards on leisure and professional subjects. With many other services, including the biggest collection of files to download and the best online games, for only $6 per hour. MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! Any time during your first month of membership if you are not completely satisfied, just ask for your $4.95 back. GEnie Announcements (FREE) 1. Jan. '93 GEnie Billing Complete - to review your bill, type:..*BILL 2. New Game, Free Weekend, New Features in.......................HYW 3. An automated Macintosh graphic interface for GEnie is in......MACPRO 4. It's back - Invest to Win Portfolio Contest...................*INVEST 5. RTC 2/7: How EMPLOYEE MANUALS Reduce Risk of Lawsuits.........HOSB 6. TeleCon, A Comics Convention Online...........................COMICS 7. AMA President Ed Youngblood Talks About Riding Issues.........MOTO 8. FREE GLOSSBRENNER'S GUIDE w/$40 order. At BRAND NEW...........MHBOOKS 9. CRAZY SALE PRICES on Video Laser Discs ONLY at.............LASERCRAZE 10. II Legit II Quit - 20,000 files can't be wrong................A2 11. NEW: Locate INTERNATIONAL TRADE Administration Offices......DIRECTORY 12. It's HOT, it's Out, it's _FREE_ and it's in..................GENIELAMP 13. Stocks Soar To Records Highs...Get The Latest Picks...........SOS 14. New instrument information now turning up in . . . . . .......MUSIC 15. Win FREE SOFTWARE in..........................................*FOOD Welcome to... |"""| |"""| |"""""""""""""""""""""""| | | | ||"""""| | Your | | T ||"""""|| L || R | | Computing RT | | H || || A || O | | Resource! | | E || G || M || U | | ~ | | || E || P || N | | GEnieLamp Magazine | | || n || || D | | Electronic Publishing | | || i || || T | | Ed_NET | | || e || || A | | Bookettes! | | || || || B | | Online Magazines | | || || || L | | ~ | | || || || E | | Home Of The | | || || || | | Disktop Publishing | | || || || | | Association! | |"""||"""""||"""||"""""| |"""""""""""""""""""""""| |B33||B34.4||B35|| B64 | | C65.4132 | |===||=====||===||=====| |=======================| Your RT Hosts: John Peters [GENIELAMP] Jim Flanagan [JFLANAGAN] & Mike White [M.WHITE25] THE FEBRUARY ISSUES OF GEnieLamp ARE NOW ONLINE! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" <<<>>> NEW ONLINE MAGAZINE RELEASED: Pacific Edge Magazine! <<<>>> ~ For IBM/compatibles - File # 1062 EDGE0193.ZIP ~ """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ~ Online Magazines & Newsletters Now In the GEnieLamp RoundTable ~ """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" o The Teleputing Hotline o MACK The Mouse Tele-Comics o STANZA: Poetry o News From The Disktop o The Bell Bus. Report o The Pacific Edge o NOTALUG Newsletter o SEQUEL - Database News o Astrology RT News o Bull Pen - Baseball o Online Video Review o ComputerTalk o Poetry In Motion o TeleTalk Online o Ruby's Pearls o The Cosmopolitan News o Birmingham Telecom News o A-CHAT o Electronic Publishers Forum o Telepublishing o Reggie The Rattler o and of course, GEnieLamp! ~ Disktop Publishing Reader & Authoring Support ~ """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" o HyperCard Waldo o HyperReader o Black Magic - DOS hypertext o ORPHEUS: Hypertext o DART: Hypertext Authoring Tool o THEDRAW Graphic Creator/Editor o HYPLUS Hypertext Authoring System o Microview Windows Viewer o ArtShow for Windows o BF BIG Viewer/Reader o MORE! GEnie GENIELAMP Page 515 Computing on GEnie Newsletter 1. GEnieLamp Bulletin Board 2. GEnieLamp Software Libraries 3. About the RoundTable 4. RoundTable News (930119) 5.[*]FEEDBACK to GEnieLamp 6.[*]GEnieLamp IBM (930201) 7.[*]GEnieLamp Atari (930201) 8.[*]GEnieLamp Mac (930201) 9.[*]GEnieLamp MacPRO (930202) 10.[*]GEnieLamp Apple II (930201) 11. Newsbytes News Network 12. Computer & Electronics NewsCenter GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission *********************************************************************** > All 'Round GEnie STR Feature Takin' a look at GEnie! """""""""""""""""""""""""""" ALL AROUND GENIE ================ Compiled by John Deegan ARE YOU ADDICTED TO YOUR MODEM? From the Jerry Pournelle RT on Genie, from Jim Wells. 1. Do you own a modem? (If the answer is NO, STOP! read no further. Anyone who would use a borrowed modem to access a BBS may one day be a BBS addict, but is not one at this time.) 2. Is your modem 2400 baud or higher? (c'mon now, another obvious question but one that has to be asked...we have to weed out the fakes here.) 3. No matter what baud modem you own, (even a v.32bis) do you wish you had one that was faster? 4. Have you used your modem in the past week? 5. In the past 24 hours? 6. In the past 3 minutes? 7. Do you regularly call more than 5 BBS'S? 8. More than 10? 9. Have you filled up your entire dialing directory and call them ALL? 10. Are your phone bills regularly over $100 a month? 11. Over $300? 12. Over $500? 13. Is your phone bill higher than your mortgage? 14. Is your phone bill so large it gets delivered by UPS? 15. Do you tell yourself after receiving a phone bill that you will cut back on your long distance BBSing, and end up subscribing to Dial-a-Visit instead? 16. Do you leave long tearful announcements on LD BBS'S telling everyone that you will no longer be calling because you cannot afford to, and then check back every 3 or 4 days anyway, "just to see if anyone left me any mail?" 17. Does your phone company send you hand written thank-you notes? 18. When you return from vacation, do you get a call from your phone company asking if everything is all right? 19. Do you find yourself taking naps so that you can be awake and refreshed for a late-night BBS session? 20. Have you ever canceled a date cause he/she wants a late night dinner when the phone rates are lowest? 21. Do you call during the morning hours, knowing the rates are the highest with the excuse that "at least I will be able to get on?" or "since volume is lower there won't be as much l|i{ne noi{se." 22. Is your spouse ready to oil the keyboard to get rid of that annnoying late night "clackety-clack"? 23. Do you ever sleep for more than 2 hours at a stretch? 24. Have you suddenly discovered that you can touch-type from all those BBS sessions done in the dark? 25. What else can you do in the dark? 26. Do you cringe when you see lightning coming your way and rush to unplug your modem from the wall? 27. Do you continue your BBS session anyway because you are in the middle of a 1200 block download at 1200 baud... and you are willing to take your chances. 28. Do you own a backup generator so you can run your computer even when the power company can't? 29. Do you have a complicated set of air motion devices hanging all around your computer and modem, because you never turn them off? 30. Have you ever logged on to a BBS, and then realized that you have no idea what city, state, or country it is in? 31. Can you log onto a BBS, browse, download and log off without ever having to turn the monitor on? 32. Can your spouse spot you in a crowd from the back of your head? 33. Is there a worn spot in the rug in front of the computer? 34. Are the words ON LINE burned into the screen? 35. Do you know your modem initialization string by heart? 36. Do you consider yourself a militant non-techie, yet you still know enough to be able to change the string to make the computer run silently? 37. Do you know more about what is going on in the lives of the people in in the BBS community that you do about the people you live with? 38. Do you order disks in lots of 100 or more? If your answered yes to more than 14 of these questions, then there is no doubt. More than 7? Yup. Sorry. If you read this all the way to the end, well... you too are addicted. _____________________________________________________________ > MULTIWRITER STR InfoFile A WYSIWYG WP THATS COMPATIBLE WITH ST WRITER """""""""""""""""""""""" MULTIWRITER =========== PRESS RELEASE ============= Medical Designs Software announces the release of MultiWriter for the Atari ST/MegaSTE/TT/Falcon series of computers. MultiWriter is a new, non-WYSWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get), word processor developed to be fully compatible with ST Writer Elite. MultiWriter is fully compatible with all versions of TOS and MultiTOS , the new multi-tasking operating system from Atari Corp. MultiWriter was developed because it was clear that ST Writer was not compatible with the new operating systems. MultiWriter works with existing ST Writer/ST Writer Elite files. The program displays and operation resemble ST Writer Elite, so if you are experienced with ST Writer Elite, you will be up and running quickly. MultiWriter has been tested and works with Gemulator from Branch Always Software. MultiWriter also as been tested with and works well with Spelling Sentry, a spell checking program from Wintertree Software Inc. MultiWriter is much more than an ST Writer Elite look-a-like. It supports multiple font sizes, multi-colored menu items, loading and saving in multiple file formats, use of the Atari Clipboard, is configurable in three languages, works in all ST/TT/Falcon resolutions, and is fully compatible with TOS and MultiTOS. The program supports importing and exporting text in five formats; ASCII, ST Writer Elite, WordPerfect , 1st Word , and Word Writer formats. MultiWriter supports three languages, English, German, and Spanish. When the program is configured, one of the three languages can be selected and the settings saved. From then on, all program menus will appear in the selected language. The multiple font size support includes support for a larger-than-normal fonts for easier use by some people with visual impairment. Printer support is user configurable and printer configuration files are provided for Epson compatiable and HP Laserjet compatible printers. If you use ST Writer Elite and will be upgrading to the new MultiTOS or Falcon computers, MultiWriter is for you. A demo version of MultiWriter is available on GEnie and CompuServe. Check it out! MultiWriter is available from: Medical Designs Software 21701 76th Avenue West Suite 206 Edmonds, WA 98026 USA Phone: (206) 742-2032 Price: $69.95 US ($84 CAN) and $3 Shipping and Handling. Dealer Inquiries Welcome MultiWriter is a trademark of Medical Designs Software. Atari, TOS, MultiTOS, ST Writer, ST, STe, TT, Falcon, and STacy are trademarks of Atari Corporation. GEM is a trademark of Digital Research Inc. Word Writer is a trademark of Timeworks, Inc. 1st Word is a trademark of GST Holdings Ltd. WordPerfect is a registered tradmark of WordPerfect Corporation. GEnie is a registered trademark of General Electric Corporation. CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe Incorporated. ____________________________________________________________________ > NVN WANTS YOU! STR InfoFile Another Network Supports Atari! """"""""""""""""""""""""""" National Videotext Network (NVN) has recently added an Atari ST Forum to it's growing lists of available services. The Atari ST Forum is ready and waiting for you! The future of NVN will be one which continues to remain sensitive and responsive to market needs. Additional services and advances in electronic information will continue to be added, to provide unique and interesting services on an on-going basis. NVN service offerings can be broken into three categories: Basic, Premium, and Premium Plus. Basic Services -------------- Most of the Basic services are available 24 hours a day with no connect time charges beyond the basic membership fee. However, a select group have functions for which transaction fees are charged. Basic services are accessible through a flat rate charge of $5.95 per month. Premium Services ---------------- For Premium services, Members pay connect charges for the amount of time spent in a particular service. Premium services are accessible Monday through Friday for a connect time charge of $9.00/hour from 8 am to 6 pm, and $6.00/hour from 6 pm to 8 am; and on Saturday and Sunday for a connect time charge of $6.00 all day (6 pm Friday til 8 am Monday), central time zone. 9600 Baud access is available at no additional cost! Think of the advantages of downloading at 9600 baud for 9.00 hr Prime Time or 6.00 hr non-prime time! Premium Plus Services --------------------- Premium Plus services are subject to the same type of connect time charge as Premium services. However, a surcharge is also added to the connect time for these services. You can join NVN one of two ways. By voice phone 1-800-336-9096 (Client Services) or via modem phone 1-800-336-9092. You will be issued an Account # (usually within 24 hours) National Videotex Network and the Atari ST Forum will be waiting for you. _____________________________________________________________ > FAMILY ACCOUNTANT INTRO'ED STR InfoFile DON'T MISS THIS ONE! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY ACCOUNTANT ================================= Welcome to FAMILY ACCOUNTANT version 2.5. This program has been developed over the past two and a half years. My wife and I have used it extensively to handle our finances. It is a simple, no-frills program that will keep track of family finances automatically, with a minimum of effort required on the part of the user. It is not designed for businesses, but is specially tailored for home use. No formal knowledge of accounting is required. The program features a specially designed budgeting capacity, so that you can design and maintain your own budget simply and efficiently. We are offering this program as shareware. Please try it, and if you find that you can use it please... please! ... do your part by sending me $25. 15 Pounds will be gladly accepted from users in the U.K. Future improvements are contingent on financial justice. (If you decide it is fair to use it without paying for it, let me know, and I will see if I can also get you a free copy of Plato's REPUBLIC.) We cannot offer any warranty ("express or implied", as the merchants say); but to registered users I will be happy to offer updated programs at a very nominal price if time allows developing them. I will also welcome comments... and I hope that there aren't many bugs left! (If you find one, let me know and I will try find time to correct it.) Send correspondence to: Dr. S. Collins 22 Abanico Rd. Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.A. 87505 I can also be reached on Compuserve at 71062,3255. An online tutorial is not currently available, but a summary is contained on the disk. The summary and a little practice should be enough to help you quickly master FAMILY ACCOUNTANT. Happy accounting! FAMILY ACCOUNTANT 1. Hardware The program runs on the Atari ST, and requires a monochrome monitor (sorry, color lovers!) in high resolution mode. 512K of RAM may be adequate, but 1 Meg. is advisable. 2. Disks In normal day to day use, this program performs disk operations automatically; there is no need, for example, to do a "save" after recording purchases, since the computer will do it automatically when it is needed or when your session is ended. When you boot the program for the first time, the computer will ask you if you want to create folders for storing data; click on "OK". The computer will then create a folder called "ACCOUNTS" and another within this folder called "BANKSTAT". All of your accounting data will be stored within the "ACCOUNTS" folder. The computer will also create a file called "current.cat". N.B.: NEVER DELETE EITHER OF THESE FOLDERS, OR THE FILE ENTITLED "CURRENT.CAT". DOING SO MAY CAUSE THE PROGRAM TO CRASH AND RESULT IN DATA LOSS. You can also keep the program itself on the data disk; we recommend that you do this, and that you use one disk for each year of finance records. (And, of course, be sure to make backups from time to time.) 3. The Main Menu When you boot the program, it will begin by asking you for the date. After you press return, the main menu will be displayed. This menu summarizes all the operations that the program offers you. The operations can be selected either by using the function keys (F1, etc.) or by moving the arrow up and down using the arrow keys and pressing RETURN. In some cases you can move between functions directly by using the function keys, but if you are recording a purchase or a bank transaction you must first press ESC. The main menu also displays the month. You can go to a different month by pressing F7. (When you enter the month, only three letters are necessary.) 4. Setup You can specially tailor the program for your own needs with the SETUP function (Shift F10). The procedureis straightforward.You can have up to eleven money accounts, anduptofourteen purchase categories. The purchase categories need not be the same for every month, but (N.B.!) when you use the TOTALS function, the computer will only include those months that have the same purchase categories as the month you are currently in. The money accounts can be renamed at any time; the computer simply handlesthem according to their serial order, and will use whatever names you specify for them. It will only display as many accounts as you specify in RENAME ACCOUNTS. To set up your monthly budget, use Shift F6, and then use the arrow keys to select a budget category. After completing the budget, use RETURN to exit. This program has a special "Float" feature in the budget. Sometimes it is helpful to include a category in the budget even though it doesn't make sense to try to budget for that particular category; you might, for instance, want to have a "Medical" category included in your total budget even though medical expenses themselves are not really budgetable. In that case you can "float" the medical budget by simply pressing F (or f). The computer will then include your ACTUAL medical expenses as a part of your overall budget. 5. Data Entry And Display (F1 - F6) Family accountant is designed to record your financial records in exactly the same way that you usually think about them and deal with them. The programhastwobroad classifications, "purchases" and "bank transactions". Hence the two principal data entry modes are "Record Purchase" (F3) and "Record Bank Transaction" (F5). For the purposes of this program, "bank" refers to any money account, whether it be a bank, personal cash, credit cards or other. The procedures are straightforward. Click on "OK" to complete a record entry. The program is also designed detect errors or missing data in entries; if you try, for instance, to record a purchase without entering a dollaramount,thecomputerwill obstinately refuse to accept it. 5.1 Bank Transactions (F5 and F2) For bank transactions, use F5 andclickonthe appropriate buttons to indicate accounts and transactions. Transactions will be recorded by the computer in the order in which they are entered, and will be given the current date. The computer will not allow you to do transactions that make no sense, such as a transfer from an account into itself. Once you have entered bank transactions, they can be reviewed or deleted under "Bank Records" (F2). The first option under "Transactions" in the F5 screen is "Revision". Use this option when setting up the program to set your balances to the correct amount. This function is also useful if you have a mutual fund account or something similar that fluctuates in value from month to month. If you revise the total value of the account monthly, the computer will automatically calculate the gain or loss for you. When reviewing bank records with F2, you can scroll up and down with the arrow keys. The Up and down arrow keys preceded by the key will scroll a page at a time, and preceded by - they will move you to the very beginning or end of the records. Bank record categories can be reselected by hitting ; the functionisexited entirely by pressing . 5.2 Purchase Transactions (F3 and F1) Purchase records are entered with F3 in a similar manner. You can select a purchase category by clicking on "<" or ">". Records will automatically be placed in order according to date by the program. They will be displayed on the screen under the Record Purchase window (F1). (Press ESC to view them after recording a purchase.) To move around in the F1 screen, use the arrow keys. F9 (Search Mode) may be toggled on or off while the purchase records are displayed; use Search Mode when searching through the purchase categories for a particular purchase record, and Normal Mode when you wish to move more quickly from one category to another. Purchase records can also be deleted with the DELETE key. Purchase records also show up as debits on the Bank Records screen. [Two helpful hints: a refund can be entered as a negative debit. You can also enter a debitthroughtheBank Transactions menu, which will then show up ONLY as a bank transactionandnotinthe monthly purchase totals. Occasionaly this is useful if you make a special purchase that you do not want to have included as part of your monthly budget -- if for instance you decide to buy a Jaguar, knowing full well that there is no way to reconcile such a purchase with the budget your wife ...or husband... has designed.] 5.3 Purchase Totals (F6) By pressing F6, you can view the totals of all of your purchase records, and view them against your monthly budget. Another special feature of this program is the "Prorate" column in the F6 screen. This column calculates the ratio of your total ANNUAL purchases in each category to your MONTHLY budget. The number thus calculated shows what portion of your annual budget you have spent so far IN TERMS OF MONTHS. 5.4 Account Balances and Balance Verification (F4 and F2) The computer will automatically update your bank accounts when you enter a bank transaction or a purchase record. F4 will display all of your bank balances and totals in the first column of the screen. You can also check your account transactions against your monthly bank and credit card statements. First press F4 to display your account balances. The second column will display the balance of transactions that have already cleared. This should be the same as the "Opening Balance" or "Previous Balance" on your bank statement. (If it is not the same because you are just setting up the program, click on the button at the bottom of the screen and revise the cleared balance.) Next press F2 to review the transactions in the accountyouareverifying. When the transactions are displayed, you can click between the parentheses on each transaction, and the computer will display a check mark and add this transaction to the total cleared balance that appeared in the second column of the F4 screen. After you click off all of the transactions that appear on your bank or credit card statement, your cleared balance should be the same as the "Closing Balance" or "New Balance" on the bank statement. (Occasionally while following this procedure you may have to use F7 to enter a previous month. When doing this don't worry about disk file operations; the computer will, as usual, take care of them for you.) 5.5 Cash Flow (F8) By pressing Shift F10 you can display the cash flow into and out of each account for the month you are currently in, or the cash flow for the entire year. A menu will be displayed in which the options are fairly self-explanatory. (Note: The graph only graphs the Annual Cash Flow by Month Option; other options are by table display.) To return to the menu, use . 6. Summary You now have the essentials needed to use FAMILY ACCOUNTANT. The remaining functions on the main menu are fairly self-explanatory. We hope that you will find this program both helpful and pleasant to use. ___________________________________________________ > STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips" """"""""""""""""""""" - Wilmington, DE REPORTS OF OVERHEATING & PS CHANGE HAUNT FALCON -------------- STR's super snoop has had an opportunity to dig into the reports of overheating and of a power supply change for the Falcon030 in the single cabinet configuration. While most in the industry are remaining tight lipped for many reasons called fear... Our snoop was able to find three different sources of information. All had Falcons in their possession and all agreed the heat was a problem the speculation was that when the machine was at full memory and used for very long periods of time or in the BBS environment, serious problems could possibly result. They all suggested that added forced air cooling would be a very good idea. Also, they confirmed the power supply to be in the Class B Falcons would not be the same supply shipped in units shown in Boston, WAACE etc.. None would confirm or deny the possibility of a case design change or the plans to surprise the Atari community with a two piece unit within ninety days. Meanwhile, there's STILL NO compatibility between the new Atari Falcon and its own SLM series of Laser Printers. Reports insist that Atari will be on time in its promise to deliver the Falcon030 with its software bundles complete with all documentation and Multi-Tos by March 01, 1993 in appreciable quantity. Time will tell. - Sunnyvale, CA JAGUAR TO DEBUT THIS COMING SPRING? ------------- According to a number of 'rumor' sources the Atari Jaguar, long awaited super game machine, is planned to make its debut in mid spring of this year. They also reported that since Leonard had taken the reigns, the development of the Jaguar has been efficiently accellerated. - San Francisco, CA ATARIUSER ANNOUNCES DELAYS ----------------- AtariUser has been bitten by the same bug as most other mags... Delays, late pays, and low advertising have now caused a short lapse in the production of AtariUser. Full details are in the new Z*NET, but breifly, we are doing a MARCH issue now, for release about Feb 10, that will take over after the December 1992 issue, mailed in late December. Subscriptions and distribution will pick up where it left off. Things have been NASTY... I broke my foot, couldn't finish my moving or unpack my computers and AU essentials for most of January. Yikes. Things will be better very, very soon, assuming our invoices are paid by our clients in a more timely fashion. We have enough ads... just not enough of them pay. And, to be fair, we have not been billing in an orderly way since the re-org, when Quill dropped out of AU. The records we inherited were little better than random data. Bear with us, we are coming back. John Nagy, Publisher & Editor AtariUser Magazine _________________________________________________________________ > STR Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard" """"""""""""" STReport's MailBag """""""""""""""""" Messages * NOT EDITED * for content ----------------------------------- From Internet About STReport and the Politics in the ST RT on GEnie ----------------------------------------------------- Date: 02-Feb-93 12:15 EST From: 02-Feb-1993 1209 >INTERNET:rost@tecrus.enet.dec.com Subj: Sorry To Hear It Sender: rost@tecrus.enet.dec.com Received: from crl.dec.com by ihc.compuserve.com (5.65/5.930129sam) id AA11290; Tue, 2 Feb 93 12:14:02 -0500 Received: by crl.dec.com; id AA28356; Tue, 2 Feb 93 12:13:35 -0500 Received: by easynet.crl.dec.com; id AA20887; Tue, 2 Feb 93 12:13:31 -0500 Message-Id: <9302021713.AA20887@easynet.crl.dec.com> Received: from tecrus.enet; by crl.enet; Tue, 2 Feb 93 12:13:32 EST Date: Tue, 2 Feb 93 12:13:32 EST From: 02-Feb-1993 1209 To: 70007.4454@compuserve.com Apparently-To: 70007.4454@compuserve.com Subject: Sorry To Hear It Ralph, I just read about the GEnie incident in Z*NET and was quite surprised and a bit upset. I'm not a GEnie user, I got my fixes of STreport from a user group member who downloaded the issues regularly. The thing that saddens me more than anything is how the actions of Atari itself frustrating its customers has the whole user community at each other's throats! The whole thing is so far out of hand now, it's ridiculous. I want you to know that I respected your editorial direction, I like to hear *all* the news, not just the good news! Thanks for all the back issues! Brian Rost rost@tecrus.enet.dec.com 508-568-6115 DEC, Hudson, MA "Have you noticed how the hole in the ozone layer has grown progressively larger since rap got popular?" -Anonymous ----> Brian, The decisions made by the contract holder of the ST RT on GEnie are the responsibility of that person and that person alone. While there may be some agreement for it by others its predominately determined by the "reasons" presented by the contract holder. Its quite well known the level of co-operation and respect between this contract holder and STReport has been somewhat "strained" if not downrightly outrageous. It is indeed sad as we all know Atari needs all the support it can garner. It certainly does not need the userbase polarized by the actions of a few. Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine From GEnie's ST RT Category 18, Topic 26 Message 15 Fri Feb 05, 1993 D.D.MARTIN [Swampy] at 20:38 EST LEE -- Regarding Ralph/STReport >I think he has an obligation to let us know his position on his >leaving Genie. Ralph/STReport was effectivly kicked outta here by the contract holder of this RT. Ralph _owes_ you (or me) nothing. Ask Darlah for explanations since it was her decision not Ralph's. If you _want_ to read STReport then download it from CIS, Delphi, NVN or the BOUNTY. Obviously Darlah felt so strongly about this subject that she is willing to give that portion of her income ($) the hundreds of downloads and message traffic that Ralph/STReport generated for her (and GEnie). >I was surprised to see STReport gon [sic] when I got back on line. You were? Lee, you've been following the STR topics (and participating in them) long enough to know the constant differences between Ralph and Darlah. You were around here last summer when we went through the "gonna pull the STR flags" debates. You have seen the unending flow of messages from Darlah, Nathan, Lou et al since last summer. Issue after issue of STR would hit the library and within _hours_ the same were posting messages in the STR Catagory pointing out the latest STR "sin of the week". They didn't like the editorial, they didn't like the number of bytes given to GEnie's promotional ad, they didn't like anyone questioning the Falcon's FCC approval date, they didn't like someone pointing out a discrepency in something Atari said they were going to do and the fact that it wasn't done, they didn't like the ABCO ad, they didn't like the ABCO with PC ad. Week after week after week after week.... ad naseum. I seldom, if ever, saw a common down to earth, everyday Atari user and GEnie customer post a complaint about what they read. It was always the RT sysops, contract holder, and what used to be called the Atari "clique" (with free flags) until we were _told_ "there is no clique". So why are you surprised, Lee? The powers that be around here wanted Ralph/STReport gone. He's gone. It's gone. A real diservice to the Atari/GEnie users, if you ask me. I think your surprise isn't that he/it are gone, but that it happend so fast and you were not here to watch (gloat) over it, Lee. The final straw seemed to be Ralph's refusal to drop the peecee ad in the ABCO ad on Darlah's request. I think it was a zenophobic request on Darlah's part, but that's my own personal opinion. There are a number of store front Atari dealers that sell clones in order to exist and support the Atari products and service and to pay the bills. ABCO is probably no different. But STReport is a product that caters to Atari users, it's just a shame that you can't get it in the GEnie Atari RT. Official home of Atari Corp. Off my soap box. Swampy ------------ Category 18, Topic 26 Message 20 Sat Feb 06, 1993 LEXICOR2 [Ringo] at 01:32 EST Lets see first Swampy now Dana asking about Lees "results of _your_ complaints with ABCO?"! Swampy is Ralph keeping you posteded as to what he ships or what should be said in this topics? What is Ralph shipping or doing that he is keeping secret? Maybe CIS is a good home for STReport. After all most of the messages posted in the ATARI area in CIS favor the negatives that STReport projects. Carry out by the same team that is now crying here. Also maybe somethings are more valuable than the $$ hundreds of downloads that STreports generates for Genie. Check out the top 100 downloads for last year and you will see that another online magazine had more downloads over STReport. If STReport carries lots of negatives about ATARI and the communtiny and also carries ads for PCs and ABCO, why? Ringo ------------ ---> Mr. Ringo.... You are quite astute in asking whether I keep D.D. posted as to the shipments of goods to our customers. The answer is yes when it comes to splashing those who seem to delight in the spreading of false or misleading information. And speaking of funny games, UPS Inc. is very interested in the fact that Lexicor is not acknowledging the receipt of its goods that were delivered on January 8th 1993. According to the report submitted to ABCO by UPS, in report number 003195, Lexicor received awaited product at 10:30am, via tracking number: 13850590049, via pickup record number: 644704156. You can be sure that D.D. Martin and any other sincerely interested parties would be kept informed of the TRUTH if for no other reason than to put down the libelous and actionable statements being uttered by the lessor informed and those inclined to self-entertain for whatever devious reason. Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine Posted by Don Harris.... Category 18, Topic 13 Message 200 Fri Feb 05, 1993 D.HARRIS8 at 05:37 EST FOR THE RECORD: By the grace of an independent Atari dealer who prefers to remain anonymous, I am now the owner of a brand new, fresh-out-of-the-box, sitting right here on my desk looking at me TT030. This dealer heard about my dilemma and decided to send the TT to ABCO to give to me. No, it's not the exact configuration I ordered, but I figured a TT in the hand (is that allowed?) is better than $3800 in the bush. It has 4 meg of ST ram, no TT ram, a CTX SVGA monitor and a 50 meg HD (that I'm supposed to be able to swap for a 105 when it comes in [next week]). Ralph @ ABCO still has to work out a payment plan for the remainder of the monies owed, but he has assured me several times that he fully intends to refund it. We could use more ATARI dealers like this one. Come to think of it, we could use more ATARI dealers period. Don Still Smiling Harris dated 05 FEB 93 --------------- From Delphi's Atari Area 47843 2-FEB 05:52 News & Reviews Bob Brodie said this in AEO Online... From: ATARIPOWER7 To: ALL Here's a post in the Atari Explorer Online area in the net: Conf : AEO Online Msg# : 76 Lines: Extended Read: 3 Sent : Jan 30, 1993 at 12:38 PM To : All From : Bob Brodie at Z*Net Golden Gate - California (Node #706) Subj : Conference Rules Greetings, For some time now, I've been participating, and enjoying the FNET. However, there are also considerable demands on my time and presence on other networks, both commercial and free networks. I'm very interested in getting as much information out to as many people as possible, in the quickest amount of time. After getting proficent (well as least _somewhat_!) in the FNET, I've begun participating in AtariNet, which was founded by Bill Scull over at Fnet node #304. This is a FidoNet compatible network, which has already established ties overseas that we had not been able to establish with the FNET. Like Germany, Denmark, the UK, Australia for example. There has been some limited gating of messages from the FNET into AtariNet in this conference, and vice versa. Most of this has been done on a manual basis by Ron Kovacs...and at considerable effort I might add! Thanks for your efforts, Ron. At this time there has been a request from a German network called Mausnet to participate in this conference, via AtariNet. That would mean a full on gateway between the three networks, using Atari Explorer Online as the single resource for us all to communicate to each other. What does this mean for you, our users in the FNET? Well, for one thing, the world can arrive at your doorstep...literally. Germany has long been a terrific source of information about products for Atari computers. Some of the stuff has trickled over from Germany, having the conference carried on a wider basis offers the potential for a better flow of the shareware/PD programs from Europe to make it here. Another consideration is the fact that most of the FidoNet compatible networks have RULES that are followed by all of the nodes in the conference. Most of these will have to do with things that are relatively simple, and I would hope, painless. Things like using your real name in the conference rather than a handle. No personal attacks or flamming. No "my computer is better than your computer" fights. At this point in time, I'm not enforcing any of these things very closely here. That will change. Nor am I posting any new rules at this point either. The point of this message is to inform you that they are in development, and will be coming within a month. I will be happy to consider any input that you might want to offer for things you would like to see established in these rules. Sysops of nodes in the FNET should plan on expanding this message base. I expect that with the gating happening automatically there will be a dramatic increase in the message traffic, especially when Mausnet comes in. Those German guys like to talk :) I will continue to be supportive of the FNET, and look forward to the addition of AtariNet and Mausnet here in the conference. As I get samples of proposed rules, I will post those here in the conference. As always, I'm grateful for the assistance and support of the sysops in the FNET that have made my involvement with the network so much easier for me...Ron Kovacs of Node #593, STeve Rider of Node #204, Bill Scull of Node #304, Bill Turner of Node #185, David Chiquelin of Node #3, and Dick Pederson of Node #224. Thanks, guys! Director of Communications Atari Corporation .......................................................... Neat, aint it.... AP7 Editor Note: So much for the contract with the ST RT on GEnie... 47855 2-FEB 11:32 News & Reviews RE: Bob Brodie said this in AEO Online.. (Re: Msg 47843) From: OCS To: ATARIPOWER7 > Sysops of nodes in the FNET should plan on expanding this message > base. I expect that with the gating happening automatically there > will be a dramatic increase in the message traffic, especially when > Mausnet comes in. Those German guys like to talk :) They sure do (I have never talked on MausNet)... there are so many new messages each night that I don't have the time to read everything (unless I'd leave Delphi, and that I certainly do not want). By the way, the MausNet Atari discussions are in German! :) Oliver 47931 4-FEB 22:12 General Information ST REPORT & DARLAH GEnie ST sysop From: MICKEYANGELL To: ALL I see that DARLAH sysop of GEnie ST area has dropped or should I say BANNED ST Report. I will continue to get my issues from DELPHI at a much lower cost I might add. I might not agree with everything in ST Report but then I do not agree with everything in my local paper or on TV. Maybe GEnie will have ST Report "burnings" to try to suppress all thoughts about ST Report. 47947 5-FEB 07:59 General Information RE: ST REPORT & DARLAH GEnie ST sysop (Re: Msg 47931) From: OCS To: MICKEYANGELL (NR) - I see that DARLAH sysop of GEnie ST area has dropped or should I say - BANNED ST Report. I will continue to get my issues from DELPHI at a - much lower cost I might add. I never got my issues from the "genius" service (GEnie = genius in GErman). It's way to expensive. - I might not agree with everything in ST Report but then I do not agree - with everything in my local paper or on TV. I try to read all three online mags, and I have problems with all three. But the variety of opinions sure helps to get a better picture of what is going on. While I understand that GEnie as a private business has the right to ban whatever they want I don't think it is a smart move. It's like the democratic news stand owner who bans all republican newspapers from his store (or vice versa)... it might be legal, but it's dumb. - Maybe GEnie will have ST Report "burnings" to try to suppress all - thoughts about ST Report. Hahaha, yeah, probably they are going to hack into the other online services and delete the files there :) Oliver47952 5-FEB 09:45 General Information RE: ST REPORT & DARLAH GEnie ST sysop (Re: Msg 47931) From: RMARIANO To: MICKEYANGELL (NR) Thanks Mickey, I think Darlah allowed her emotion to overrule her good judgement. STReport has _no problems_ with GEnie itself, just the ST RT contract holder. This matter has been a long time in coming to a head. Thank you and all our other readers for the strong support, Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine 47965 5-FEB 23:15 General Information RE: ST REPORT & DARLAH GEnie ST sysop (Re: Msg 47952) From: ATARIPOWER7 To: RMARIANO (NR) Whaddya expect, Ralph?? Ya can only expect second rate decisions from second rate online services. I like Delphi, and the ST area, especially. For good reason, first rate product and service, low price. That beats second rate product and service for premium price any day of the week. And, I said what I just said and I meant it, why? OK: I get 9600 baud here that works great, very reliable, via either Tymnet or Sprintnet. All this with a connection that I understand from many sources is superior in performance to the "other" two services... MUCH le$$!! Customer service here, and Sig management here are second to none. NO, I have never used the other services. Why try to find something better than the best you could hope for in the first place? I'd rather not waste my time, HERE is where it's at. :):):) And, think of it, very slowly and carefully, and you will understand WHY Alladinis nothing more than a way to suck more $6 an hour online time outa folks... We all here on Delphi, not only here in the ST area, but the entire online service here, should recognize the fine deal we got. So far as I'm concerned, if developers and computer companies provide "Official Support" it's most likely because of kickbacks. I'll be blunt here, for a company or software house or for that matter anyone decide to provide "Customer Service/Product Support" and use profit motive as basis for choosing an online provider, that's the height of idiocity... not to mention conflict of interest being probable. Using "Online Support" as a front for more profiteering is not, IMHO, good business. Things like Customer Service, Politics, Profit making, and other business matters sometimes seem to get unnecessarily mucked up together. If it aint a good deal for ALL concerned parties, it's a rotten deal, period. I've used the word Ethics before, and here it is again.... Having said enough, I'll shut my trap now. <<< IMNSHO MODE OFF >>> AP7 ---> AP7, I firmly believe GEnie itself has been misinformed relative to advertising and whose responsiblity is whose. But that's soon to be resolved. You see, there are precedents set we may draw upon for wisdom in this matter. Unfortunately, politics has been allowed to cloud the issues. The services are nothing more than a vehicle delivering the various electronic magazines to readers, much like the function of a newsstand. However there are those who have seized upon the moment to try and use an obscure decision, SOF, as an example. How very opportunistic of them. ED. From the FNET: Reserve YOUR Falcon030 NOW! Conf : For Sale Msg# : 19169/19190 Lines: 3 Read: 2 Sent : Feb 01, 1993 at 2:32 AM To : JAMES MCDERMOTT From : Blaser at Fnet Node 326, ///Intentional Intellects Subj : Re: <19153> 520 STfm for sale Falcon inquiries -=> ATARI CORP. 408 745 2098 Call and reserve it now! They are seriously gathering a list! 6 months to a year! The TRUE EXPLANATION OF SCSI & SCSI2 Conf : Atari 16/32 Bit Msg# : 2267/2298 Lines: Extended Read: 1 Sent : Jan 29, 1993 at 7:08 PM To : Marc Rhodes From : Ed Krimen at Fnet Node 761, OMICRON-San Franciso BBS Subj : Re: <2259> SCSI I & II > Excuse my ignorance, but could someone tell me the difference > between SCSI I and SCSI II? Thanks... I knew I kept the following message for a reason. :^) Article 29096 (3 more) in comp.sys.atari.st: From: baffoni@aludra.usc.edu (Juxtaposer) Subject: Re: Difference between SCSI and SCSI 2? Message-ID: Date: 28 Jul 92 19:58:49 GMT References: <1992Jul27.122717.20063@crc.ac.uk> Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Lines: 40 NNTP-Posting-Host: aludra.usc.edu In article <1992Jul27.122717.20063@crc.ac.uk> naffara@crc.ac.uk (Dr. N.A. A) writes: Can anyone tell me what the difference between SCSI (1) and SCSI 2 is? Or for that matter the difference between SCSI and for example IDE? (apart from the fact that they use different connectors) SCSI-1: First SCSI standard - specified an 8-bit bus that has a throughput of 4MB/s, with a maximum of 8 SCSI devices possible (though one designated controller with the other 7 slave devices). It uses a 50-pin ricable or a 50-pin Centronics style cable, or Apple uses a 25 pin cable. SCSI-2: Next major release of the SCSI standard. Specifies 16-bit (but can handle 8-bit devices for backward compatibility) and, between two fully SCSI-2 compliant devices, can reach peak transfer rates of 16MB/s, with sustained transfer rate of up to 10MB/s. SCSI-2 provides for multiple accessing of devices on the SCSI bus - data can be written from one device to up 7 other devices (SCSI-2 maintains the 8 device limit) simultaneously, but all get the same info. I believe (not sure about this one) that each SCSI-device can become bus master, so DMA between SCSI-2 devices is possible. SCSI-2 uses the same cabling as SCSI-1. IDE: This is the successor to the MFM/RLL drives. It can pretend be any MFM/RLL device of the same (or lesser) size, and will automatically translate the heads/sec.per track/cylinders to the correct values of the me transparently to the computer. It is an 8-bit bus, with maximum 4MB/s (I think, but never saw it of course) with a maximum of 2 devices that can be connected to the same controller. Their primary advantage is the cheap cost of manufacture (and the subsequent cheap resale price). IDE uses a 40pin ribbon connector (I have yet to see an external IDE drive, so that may be the only valid type of cable). >(E-mail naffara@uk.ac.crc) No prob. End of article 29096 (of 29099)--what next? [npq] From CIS some idle banter about the course of current events.. #: 80347 S17/Community Square 03-Feb-93 02:05:54 Sb: #80320-just looking Fm: SYSOP*Bob Retelle 76702,1466 To: John J. Amsler 70275,676 John... I've often thought that if there was to be an "Atari Anthem", it should be Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust"... Every time I read about another dealer going out of business, or another magazine ceasing publication, or another third party producer leaving the market... "Dum.. dum... dum... And another one bites the dust... And another one's gone, and another one's gone... and another one bites the dust..." BobR #: 80348 S1/Forum Business 03-Feb-93 02:13:48 Sb: #80151-Is Atari an Orphan?? Fm: Greg Wageman 74016,352 To: Lee C. Zion 76646,2443 Oh, serious bummer! Well, thanks for the information. Another Atari software source goes south. -Greg Read action ! #: 80319 S1/Forum Business 02-Feb-93 14:43:30 Sb: #80188-#Is Atari an Orphan?? Fm: John J. Amsler 70275,676 To: DR. GERRY LEAVENS 70247,3207 Dr. Leavens: > "... THIS VERY STRANGE COMPANY ..." "Strange" is not even the half of it! > "RELYING ON BROKEN PROMISES ... IS AN ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE CONCEPT ..." I could offer a different adjective in lieu of "unbelievable," but I won't for the sake of not getting kicked off CompuServe. Just as Atari was the well-publicized object of study by the Harvard Business School for its phenomenal success in 1981-1982, I suppose that it will also be the object of study--although of a different focus--for its nose-dive into oblivion during 1985-1991. Sigh. - John (sitting at his MegaSTe, running TOS 2.06 and Warp 9, trying to hold back the tears) About the advertising angles being thrown about... #: 36908 S14/ST REPORT 04-Feb-93 12:55:22 Sb: #36875-Inaccurate Reporting Fm: SYSOP*Ron Luks 76703,254 To: Jim Ness 75300,3155 (X) I don't know what the Supreme court would say, but previous lower court rulings have held that an online service (specifically CompuServe) was more closely compared to a news stand than the publisher of a magazine. When the Soldier of fortune magazine lawsuit resulted in SOF being held liable for its ads, the courts did not rule that the news stands that sold SOF were equally liable. My interpretation of this is that while STReport is liable for the ads it runs, neither GEnie nor CIS would be held liable. Of course, thats only my interpretation. ---> How clear it all is when politics are not allowed to cloud the issues. Ed. From Genie's ST RT Category 14, Topic 41 Message 62 Wed Feb 03, 1993 B.REHBOCK [BILL@ATARI] at 11:00 EST SpeedoGDOS and Atari Works are getting manufactured as stand-alone products. The SpeedoGDOS add-on should be _around_ $60.00, and Atari Works will be _around_ $120.00 or so and it will include SpeedoGDOS. These prices are of course, are subject to change :-) -Bill ------------ Category 14, Topic 41 Message 65 Wed Feb 03, 1993 ROB-G [Rob] at 20:39 EST Hey Lou: Even though I may have left for what I feel to be a superior machine (at least for the time being), I still like the Atari, even though I still feel Atari has earned the title, "Worst Managed Company in the History of the World" hands down. I, like many, still agree that Atari has shot themselves in the foot with an automatic rifle on several key points of the Falcon -- entry level machine or not. I have a good friend in Florida that is still holding his breath for a Falcon. He has cash in hand, waiting anxiously. He says if he doesn't have one in early March, as Atari has promised THIS TIME, he's bailing too. Probably to an A1200 like I did. Even if the machine does come out, Atari still has to MARKET the machine. If they do it, and it sells well, I'll be back. I'd like nothing better than to see them finally stick it to Commodore and good. But I know it'll never happen. Atari doesn't have the intelligence to do it right. To all: Re: hard drives. DC Drives is advertising a 128 meg 2.5" IDE for $379. Not bad. I paid $199 for the Maxtor 80 megger in my A1200. The price on the 128 megger (Maxtor 25128A) just came down. Almost wish I could get it instead! Tom: It doesn't matter if it was used or not. It was still under warranty, and nobody would work on it even if the original owner sent it in. NOBODY WOULD. Not under warranty. I called the guy about it. He called around, and nobody would do it. I even heard the conversations via three-way calling. They all said, "Atari isn't reimbursing us for repairs, so we don't do warranty work." Now, the guy that IS doing it is having problems, because Atari's service center documentation on the MSTE is crappy at best. It refers to the modem ports as 10-pin ports, and has all sorts of screwed up stuff on them. Rob ------------ """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON" """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > A "Quotable Quote" "... The Fat Lady's NEW Jingle! ...." """"""""""""""""" "THOSE WHO DANCE ON DESKTOPS MAY AMUSE... ....AND WHILE THEY MAY BE LEDGENDS IN THEIR OWN MINDS... ....THEY TOO MUST PAY THE PIPER!" ... Willie Fingerfast, Flutist """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > DEALER CLASSIFIED LIST STR InfoFile * Dealer Listings * """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" --------------- ABCO COMPUTER CONSULTANTS ========================= P.O. 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