Atari Explorer Online: 6-Jun-94 #0309
From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 06/15/94-11:14:47 AM Z
From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: Atari Explorer Online: 6-Jun-94 #0309
Date: Wed Jun 15 11:14:47 1994
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:: Volume 3 - Issue 9 ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE 6 June 1994 ::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:: ::
:: ATARI .............. News, reviews, & solutions ............ ATARI ::
:: EXPLORER ............ for the online Atari .......... EXPLORER ::
:: ONLINE ................. Community .............. ONLINE ::
:: ::
:: Published and Copyright (c) 1993-1994 by Subspace Publishers ::
:: All Rights Reserved ::
:: """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ::
:: Publisher ........................... Michael Lindsay EXPLORER ::
:: Editor .................................. Travis Guy AEO.MAG ::
:: Assistant Editor GEnie................ Ron Robinson EXPLORER.1 ::
:: Assistant Editor CompuServe.......... Albert Dayes AEO.1 ::
:: Assistant Editor Delphi......... Andreas Barbiero AEO.2 ::
:: Assistant Editor Internet........ Timothy Wilson AEO.8 ::
:: Atari Asylum ... [Closed] ...... Gregg Anderson AEO.7 ::
:: Unabashed Atariophile ..... Michael R. Burkley AEO.4 ::
:: Atari Artist ................... Peter Donoso EXPLORER.2 ::
:: Jaguar Junkie ............... Tal Funke-Bilu EXPLORER.5 ::
:: User Group Coordinator ........ Ron Whittam EXPLORER.4 ::
:: ::
:: Contributor ::
:: """"""""""" ::
:: David A. Wright ::
:: ::
:: Telecommunicated to you via: ::
:: """""""""""""""""""""""""""" ::
:: GEnie: AEO.MAG ::
:: CompuServe: 70007,3615 ::
:: Delphi: AEO_MAG ::
:: Fnet: AEO Conference, Node 319 ::
:: AtariNet: AEO Conference, Node 51:1/10 ::
:: ::
:: Internet mailing address: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com ::
:: FTP recent AEO issues from: rahul.net:pub/wilsont/AEO ::
:: Search gopherspace under "aeo" for back issues ::
:: ::
:: Internet subscription service: stzmagazine-request@virginia.edu ::
:: (Internet subscription requests ONLY!) ::
:: ::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Table of Contents
* From the Editors ........................ From One Generation to Another.
* Rare Gems ......................................... Quotes Worth Quoting.
* The Final Dateline: Atari! ................. Bob says "Goodbye" to Atari
faithful on GEnie.
* Jaguar Tackboard ..................... Development list - T-Bird's Quote.
* 64 Bits ................ "AEO at SCES 94" video order form - All Systems
Go's Jaguar hard & software - Rumorville.
* Andreas' Den ..................... Andreas drops by Atari and looks into
the future of Atari computing.
* Atari Artist ................... Pete and Fadi sing a LOGICAL song, look
into the latest from Wizztronics,
and go European on us.
* "From a Saved Backup" ..................... Networking, to increase your
group's connections.
* The Unabashed Atariophile ................... PD and Shareware files for
_your_ Atari computer.
* Developing News .............................. MIST AtariFest VI
CAIN Atari Fun Fest 94
Musicom 2 Announced
Photo Show Pro CLUT
Atari Compendium Revision
Studio Convert From COMPO
* Shutdown ............................ Around the world and up your block.
--==--==--==--==--
||| From the Editors ....... Atari Explorer Online: The Next Generation
||| Travis Guy
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.MAG Delphi: AEO_MAG Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The talking heads on televison today are correct; we owe our world
today to those men of yesterday. To those men, fifty years ago today,
who parachuted out of planes, who flew the planes, who sailed the
English Channel, who scaled the cliffs, who stormed the beaches, who
died, who lived - all to liberate a fallen Europe - we owe a debt to
maintain all they gave us.
Many of us are a generation removed from those men, and some of us are
removed two. For some who did not live through the Second World War
(the Russian's Great Patriotic War), the events shown on our
televisions over the past few days may seem trite, old and foreign.
Boring.
But they're not. They are the rememberances of what we were. The
echos of what we are. Take a few moments to reflect on what was, and
what might have been... if fifty years ago today those young men who
dropped out of airplanes into the French night, those men who saw the
dawn of a Normandy beach, those men who all offered their lives for
their world and for ours, had failed.
We'll see you back here in two weeks.
--==--==--==--==--
||| Rare Gems
||| Compiled by: David A. Wright
/ | \ Internet: dave.wright@magic.org
----------------------------------------------------------------
The following are the "Rare Gems (sm)" selections for May 8 to 14,
1994. "Rare Gems" is a service mark (sm) of Rare Breed Noninc. and
David Alan Wright. (Internet: DAVE.WRIGHT@MAGIC.ORG) Compilation
copyright 1994 by same. All Wright's rights reserved. Each weekly or
monthly collection may be distributed freely as long as this notice is
retained. Multiple collections, such as CD-ROM, print, electronic, and
other publications, may not be distributed without further
authorization. All quotes covered by "fair use" of copyright law.
Some assembly required. --:Dave
===
Truth never tranquilizes. The defining property of truth is its
ability to disturb. --Solomon Short
God gave us memories that we might have roses in December.
--James M. Barrie
Better over the hill than under it. --Unknown
Cream rises to the top. But then, so does scum. --Unknown
I live in a world of my own, but you're welcome to visit.
--Unknown
An unemployed court jester is nobody's fool. --Unknown
If you're big enough to push people around, are you big enough not
to? --Fox Kids public service spot
The following are the "Rare Gems (sm)" selections for May 15 to 21,
1994. "Rare Gems" is a service mark (sm) of Rare Breed Noninc. and
David Alan Wright. (Internet: DAVE.WRIGHT@MAGIC.ORG) Compilation
copyright 1994 by same. All Wright's rights reserved. Each weekly or
monthly collection may be distributed freely as long as this notice is
retained. Multiple collections, such as CD-ROM, print, electronic, and
other publications, may not be distributed without further
authorization. All quotes covered by "fair use" of copyright law. Do
not write below this line. --:Dave
===
I wanted a perfect ending... Now I've learned, the hard way, that
some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear
beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to
change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without
knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.
--Gilda Radner
Take it easy, but take it. --Studs Terkel
Nothing is better than music... It has done more for us than we
have the right to hope for. --Nadia Boulanger
An antique is something that's been useless so long, it's still in
pretty good condition. --Franklin P. Jones
The place of the father in the modern suburban family is a very
small one, particularly if he plays golf. --Bertrand Russell
A great many open minds should be closed for repairs.
--Toledo Blade
Never compose anything unless the not composing of it becomes a
positive nuisance to you. --Gustav Holst
The following are the "Rare Gems (sm)" selections for May 22 to 28,
1994. "Rare Gems" is a service mark (sm) of Rare Breed Noninc. and
David Alan Wright. (Internet: DAVE.WRIGHT@MAGIC.ORG) Compilation
copyright 1994 by same. All Wright's rights reserved. Each weekly or
monthly collection may be distributed freely as long as this notice is
retained. Multiple collections, such as CD-ROM, print, electronic, and
other publications, may not be distributed without further
authorization. All quotes covered by "fair use" of copyright law. We
are not responsible for stolen items. --:Dave
===
Thieves respect property. They merely wish the property to become
their property that they may more perfectly respect it.
--G. K. Chesterton
When I look into a girl's eyes, I can tell just what she thinks of
me. It's pretty depressing. --Bob Hope
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and
another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another
star in glory. --I Corinthians 15:41
We cannot command Nature except by obeying her. --Francis Bacon
My evening visitors, if they cannot see the clock, should find the
time in my face. --Ralph Waldo Emerson
The eyes believe themselves; the ears believe other people.
--German proverb
The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.
--Robertson Davies
--==--==--==--==--
||| The Final Dateline: Atari!
||| With Bob Brodie
/ | \ File Courtesy of GEnie
------------------------------------------------------------------
=========================================================================
(C) 1994 by Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the Atari Roundtables. May
be reprinted only with this notice intact. The Atari Roundtables on
GEnie are *official* information services of Atari Corporation. To sign
up for GEnie service, call (with modem) 800-638-8369. Upon connection
type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt.Type XTX99437,GENIE
and press [RETURN]. The system will prompt you for your information.
==========================================================================
Dateline: Atari! with Bob Brodie
Friday, June 3, 1994
Host - Lou Rocha
"... all good things must come to an end..."
<[HoST] ST.LOU> This evening we gather for the final installment of
Dateline: Atari with Bob Brodie, Director of Communications for Atari
Corp. On this occasion we acknowledge Bob's service to all Atari
computer users and wish him the best in his new endeavors.
Bob Brodie was a prominent member of the H.A.C.K.S. (Hooked on Atari
Computer Knowledge Enthusiasts) user group in the southern California
area during the mid-1980's. That group included other prominent
Atarians such as RT Sysop Darlah J. Potechin and Glendale organizer
John King Tarpinian.
From such humble beginnings Bob assisted in many local events,
including the Glendale shows. Bob was a mainstay at COMDEX and many
Atari festivals during the heyday of the late 1980's and early
1990's. User Groups across the land had the opportunity to welcome
Bob to their monthly meetings. He was initially hired by Atari Corp.
as the User Group Coordinator, eventually assuming greater
responsibilities and the role of Director of Communications in which
he has spent the last few years coordinating information among Atari,
the press, the dealers and the userbase.
These past two years Bob took the challenge of meeting the userbase
on GEnie each month. Given Atari's track record and history, this has
not been an enviable task. Nevertheless Bob courageously forged on and
refused to miss a session despite personal illness or lack of rest.
On several occasions Bob logged on from his hotel room after a full
day on the floor of a trade show or hoofing the beat to retailers.
Bob has been tremendously faithful to the users here on GEnie and has
done everything in his power to support the Atari community. He has
been prominent on local and international BBS networks. In addition
to being very knowledgable about Atari computers, Bob has rarely
declined an invitation to support users to the best of his ability,
freely giving of his time on and off the job.
Dateline: Atari was conceived during one of Bob's regular visits to
the STRT Monday Night DTP Conference. The excitement generated by
those conferences will be very hard to replace. In addition to the
timely information that Bob provided about Atari's plans, he gave the
users the opportunity to express their views. These encounters were
always handled in a courteous and professional manner for which he
deserves our appreciation and admiration.
On a personal level, I have enjoyed working with Bob at these monthly
meetings and will miss his camaraderie. I sincerely offer my best
wishes to Bob and his family on this occasion. Thanks for all the
great times. Over to you, Bob....
<BOB-BRODIE> Thank you for joining me once again, for the final time
at Dateline: Atari. For five years now, it has been my privilege to
serve Atari Corporation, and Atari owners as an employee of Atari
Corporation. With the conclusion of business today, that time came to
a close.
For me, this is a very bittersweet time. I have accepted an exciting
position as Director of Technical Support with GS Corp, a developer
of NeXT Step applications. This new position will allow me to spend
much more time with family, as well as provide me with a larger
salary. On the other hand, it is the conclusion of a job that in many
ways was a dream come true for me. I had the great pleasure of turning
my hobby into my vocation, something few people are ever permitted to
do!!
As an Atarian, I am honored that I have been permitted inside the
company. I have tried always to bring an end users perspective to the
company, and make sure that we always remembered that in our plans.
During the course of being here, I have made friends with people from
all around the globe!! And of course, within Atari I have a group of
people that have labored with me side by side on our products.
I am grateful for the people that have made my time as wonderful as
it has been at Atari. There are too many to mention in detail here
tonight, so I apologize if I have overlooked anyone. But I would be
remiss if I failed to acknowledge Darlah Potechin, head sysop of the
Atari RTs on GEnie, Dorothy Brumleve, President of the IAAD, Travis
Guy of Atari Explorer Online Magazine, Nathan Potechin of DMC
Publishing, the entire staff of the ST Roundtables on GEnie both past
and present, Lou Rocha, the best conference moderator on the
planet!!!, Rick Flashman and Dan Wilga of Gribnif Software, The
CodeHeads, Ron Kovacs of Z*Net, John Nagy of AtariUser, John King
Tarpinian of the Southern California Atari Faire, Bill Scull and Terry
May of AtariNet, Neil Harris (formerly of GEnie), Augie Ligouri of
Atari Corporation (the man who hired me at Atari!!), Sam Tramiel,
Leonard Tramiel, Greg Pratt (formerly of Atari), James Grunke, Don
Thomas, and many, many other people. Thank you all for making my time
here at Atari such a memorable one!!
During my tenure at Atari, things have changed dramatically in the
world around us. When I arrived here, Video Games for the home were
almost an after thought. We were hard at work on the STE computers,
and working on the Atari Lynx, the worlds first portable color gaming
system. Now, almost five years later, we're emphasizing the Jaguar,
the first 64 bit home game machine, and our computer systems are
taking a back seat to that business.
During my time here, we have witnessed the rise and fall of many
companies in the computer business. Indeed, one of the original
designers of the ST, Shiraz Shevji, went out and started up a pen
based computer company. The company was successful in the media, but
within six months of being featured on the cover on BYTE Magazine, the
doors were closed, and the company was out of business. We've seen
many PC companies come and go, some have fallen and managed to rise
again. Once worthy competitors like Commodore have closed their doors,
falling prey to the ever increasing competition in the PC hardware
market. In order to survive, Atari has focused their efforts on the
Jaguar home system. And that strategy has been effective for Atari.
The Jaguar has been well received by the media, and consumer
acceptance has been wonderful.
But, this is enough of talk about myself and my time here at Atari. I
could go on, and on, and on about my time here. There are wonderful
memories, fun stories, and a few tears that have been shed over the
last five years. Thank you for sharing those times with me.
With that, I'm sure that some of you might be interested in Atari
related things other than me leaving, so let's open up the floor to
our guests tonight, Lou. One last time, let's talk Atari!
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Thanks, Bob. Our first /raise comes from Nathan
Potechin.
<[Nathan @ DMC] POTECHIN> Between Lou and Bob's posts, I hope you all
read fast! ;-) Thanks Lou. Knowing Bob as I do, I cannot help but
visualize a large, ferocious, Grizzly type creature, hulking
possesively over a cracked and tattered, bruised and battered Atari
ST. Picture Bob roaring into the wind, defying the assembled masses,
paw swiping, hair a flying. I've had the pleasure of listening to Bob
speak at shows across North America. I've even spent some time with
him at a show in Germany. When I say that Bob has been a credit to the
worldwide Atari community, it is no less than the simple truth. He has
been a positive force in the Atari community for all the years that
I've known him and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank him for
being himself. Thank you, Bob.
Sincerely
Nathan Potechin - DMC Publishing
<BOB-BRODIE> Nathan, thank you. Among the most wonderful things that
have happened to me in my tenure here has been making wonderful
friends. I have enjoyed our relationship, and frankly...I'm not ready
for it to end!!! I fully expect to go through about a two to three
month time frame of getting settled in the new job... and then be
back on here as "one of the guys".
Thanks for all of the time that you have spent with me, both in
person, and on the phone. You're a true professional, and a credit to
our industry.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Bob, our next speaker is fellow RTC Sysop, Brian
Harvey....
<[NSACUG PREZ] BRIAN.H> Thanks Lou! First I would like to say I am
deeply sorry to see you leaving ATARI Corp. Second, THREE users in my
club have already commented that this is the last nail in Atari's
coffin since you are leaving and no one, I repeat no one, is taking
your job. Can you give us some reassurance that they will hire
someone new?
<BOB-BRODIE> Brian, at this point no plans have been made to hire a
replacement for me. I have offered my suggestions about who
internally could do the things that I do. I have hope that most of
those suggestions will be followed. That would mean that my
responsiblities would be split up among several other people. However,
during a gathering last night, one of our staff members did indicate
some interest in taking over EVERYTHING... and he would be really good
at it. So I'm hopeful that will work out. But we'll have to wait and
see. I have no control over this one.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Thanks, Brian. On to Dark Chyld.
<[DarkChyld] R.HALL49> Tos 5.0?
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Bob, can you answer this question? :-)
<BOB-BRODIE> Regarding TOS 5.0, that would be the next upgrade to
TOS, however it has never existed.
<[Zombie] R.ANISKO> Just wanted to say "Good Luck!" Bob on your
future endeavors, have fun and enjoy them... And to keep the Atari
questions rolling, 2 quick questions: 1. Do you have any information
on whether AES 4.1 (which is rumored to solve the "sluggishness" of
MultiTOS) will be released any time soon? 2. Do have you had any
exposure to the "MiNT-Net" project that is going on in the land of
internet?
<BOB-BRODIE> AES 4.1 is in MultiTOS beta version 1.08, which has been
shipped to developers. At this point, I don't have a release date for
that product. And no...I haven't even heard of MiNT-Net... wish you
would have asked that while Eric was here saying goodbye! :)
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Bob, your old buddy, John King Tarpinian would like
the microphone....
<[ByeByeBob] JOHN.KING.T> T H A N K Y O U for E V E R Y T H I N G ! ! !
! ! (That pretty much says it for me.)
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Not going to let Bob have a breather, eh? :-)
<BOB-BRODIE> John, thank you! The Glendale Shows have been a
wonderful memory and I have appreciated your friendship both online,
and in person. I know that we will continue to be friends for the rest
of our lives.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> We have Dark Chyld again.
<[DarkChyld] R.HALL49> I'm confused...How can there be AES 4.1 and NO
new upgrade for TOS? Please explain to a humble Falcon owner if I
should consign my machine to the deep, dark, tunnel of total
abandonment? Also thought that the Sigma-Jaguar partnership is a
"PowerMOVE!..Now how about Jaguar-Falcon???
<BOB-BRODIE> The AES 4.1 that currently exists is in a BETA version
of TOS. That's how all software is implemented initally. As to whether
you should consign the machine... well that depends more on you than
anything that I can tell you. My new system at my job is a powerhouse
66Mhz 486-DX2 with 32 megs of RAM, and a 525 Meg HD running Next
Step. My TT030 blows the doors off of it. I personally have NO
intention of abandonning my Atari gear. Calamus SL is, in my opinion,
better than Quark or Pagemaker. I do a lot of letter writing, and
Atari Works is great for that, and Speedo output is gorgeous. And for
telecommunications, well... I like Stalker. So I have no plans to
abandon my Atari gear. And I will be writing an article for AtariUser
Magazine entitled "Why You Should Use an Atari Computer".
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Sam Rapp is our next guest, Bob
<[:-(] SAM-RAPP> Well, Bob, I guess you realize that you are going to
be missed as GEnie's Atari mouthpiece. I can't imagine that anyone
could take your place, or that anyone else could stand up to so much
pressure. (Especially me bugging you about Jag T-Shirts!) Since this
will be my last chance I thought I would go for broke.....
You think you could smuggle an ABAQ or Jag Development system out of
there tonight? I'll email you my mailing address! ;-)
<BOB-BRODIE> Sam, I haven't ever seen an ABAQ to the best of my
knowlege. That product was done at Atari UK... might be one here.
I'll ask. :0 No chance for the Jaguar Dev system...they'd notice that.
But I do have a special piece of Atari history that I rescued from a
junk pile at the old warehouse.... an Atari 1450XLD. And it's mine. :)
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Bob, our favorite RT Sysop would like to add her
comments....
<DARLAH> Bob, what can I say... I will miss you but you have no
excuse not to check in. I know you types that work at home. You have
tons of time. Your kids will think you don't have a real job and even
the pjs can stay on. What a life....<wink>
<[HoST] ST.LOU> I am envious.......
<BOB-BRODIE> Darlah, I've been walking around the building telling
everyone that just because I'm leaving Atari, they haven't seen the
last of me yet. :) I'm looking forward to working at home. Maybe I'll
get a special pair of work PJs. :) :)
<[HoST] ST.LOU> OK.... let's move on to Charles Smeton of NewSTar
Technology, home of STraight FAX.
<C.S.SMETON> Bob, congrats on the new job. Can you tell us a bit
about GS Corp, its products, what exactly Next Step is, what machine
it runs on etc.?
<BOB-BRODIE> Sure Charles. GS is presently selling technical
illustration and graphic arts products into corporate marketplaces.
As well as other related products, like scanner drivers and printer
drivers. NeXT Step is an object oriented operating system that
originated on NeXT Computers. NeXT Step has been ported by NeXT to
various other platforms, and NeXT has discontinued their hardware.
Currently, NeXT Step runs on a 486, and they are working on a port to
Sun, HP Workstations, RISC machines, and others.
<C.S.SMETON> Thanks Bob, is GS Corp related in any way to Goldleaf
S/W?
<BOB-BRODIE> The principal owners are the same, but Goldleaf
Publishing Corporation sold all of the rights to their Atari products.
GS Corp doesn't own any Atari products. All of their products are NeXT
Step. In fact, I'm not even sure that Goldleaf Publishing is still in
business. It might have folded.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Thanks, Charles. Next is Sir Fransis....
<[Sir Fransis] K.DRAKE> Bob, there's a lot of wierd and wonderful
rumors spinning through the nets to the effect that Atari's got some
kind of big surprise in store for CES. Since this is your last chance
to drop some juicy tidbits, (be as vague as you like) I was wondering
if you could tantalize us! May your sails ever be filled.... Sir
Fransis
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Do I sense a tidbit coming up? :-)
<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Kenneth.... well I'm really not at liberty to say too
much about CES. I can tell you that we have about 35 stations planned
for the show, and each one will have a different title on display.
We're also creating some dazzling CD ROM demos. I can also tell you
that there are about 10 titles that are pretty close (30-60 days) to
being ready. As in, they are on EPROMS for preview to mags now.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Ken Helms is next, Bob
<[Ken] K.HELMS> Bob, I just wanted to echo "Good Luck and Best
Wishes" from all of us in the MidWest. We appreciate the trips you've
made to Chicago, Detroit, and Indy (and even Gurnee). Just curious as
to what you will be doing for GS (job title?)?
<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Ken... hey I've LOVED my trips to the midwest. Great
people, wonderful times. I'll miss the MIST gang!! I will be Director
of Technical Support for GS Corp.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Now we have the OTHER John K!
<[JOHN] J.KANTARJIAN> Sorry to see you go :( and I hate to ask but
when will the next game for the Jaguar be ready?
<BOB-BRODIE> The next title for the Jaguar will probably be
Wolfenstein 3D, and Brutal Sports Football is close behind it.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Thanks. Tony Wetmore is next.
<[Tony] WETMORE> Hiya again, Bob. First off, congrats etc. on the new
job. Hopefully it won't require you to pack up and move the family or
anything. Next, do you have any feel for how far off Checkered Flag
is these days? [:-)
<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Tony...nope. It's just on the other side of the
Golden Gate Bridge so we won't have to move. I'm sure that we'll be
showing Checkered Flag at CES. The last time I saw it, it was much
further along. I would expect to see it in the early fall.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Now we have the BirdDog!
<[BirdDog] C.BOURGOIN1> Are the Jaguars in Toys R Us Yet? If not,
when can we expect to see them in Toys R Us?
<BOB-BRODIE> They are in Toys R Us, but not nationally. I don't have
a date as to when that will happen.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Texas Time.... here's Pat Forister!
<[Pat] P.FORISTER> Bob, good luck in your new job. Can you tell us
anything about new software titles for the Jag? Will there be a Jag
Mortal Combat??? Any other news you care to share on the Jag? Will
Atari continue these RTCs?
<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Pat...thanks for your warm wishes. I truly appreciate
them. There are an amazing number of new titles in development for
the Jaguar. Atari has over 160 licensees and subcontractors at this
point in time. Everyone asks about Mortal Kombat until they see Kasumi
Ninja. I think that will be a game that will make everyone forget
about MK. But, to be more factual, Williams license with Akklaim runs
thru the end of this year. So unless Akklaim wants to do MK on the
Jag, it won't happen until '95. Re the RTCs... not at this point in
time.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Richard Brown is our next guest, Bob.
<R.BROWN30> I wish you good fortune. How are the new Jag games
coming, should we start to see a steady flow of games starting this
summer? What besides AvP will be system selling games? What's your
favorite Jag game in development?
<BOB-BRODIE> As I just indicated to Pat, there is a terrific number
of games in the works. I'm very excited by them. Kasumi Ninja could be
a system seller, or Wolfenstein. My favorite game in development?
Hmmmmmm.... Club Drive. It's a really unique title.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> I would love to see Club Drive myself. Next we have
STEVE-J.
<[EeEckyThump!] STEVE-J> No punches this time, I promise! <grin> What
is your opinion/impression of Atari's (i.e. the Tramiels') dedication
to computers? Obviously, Atari doesn't have the resources now to
pursue the computer side of things, but do you see the Tramiels
jumping back into computers as soon as the opportunity presents
itself?
<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Steve. I don't see the Tramiels "jumping back into
computers" until the profitablity returns to computer hardware, or we
have a unique machine that everyone must have. I spoke with Jack
about this very subject back in January, before CES. He envisions
doing a Jag based computer at some point down the line, but as always
(and like all businesses), it must have profit potential. Look at all
of the computer companies that have fallen on hard times!
Unless a company can be profitable, they will die. Apple recently
shipped more computers in a quarter than they ever have in their
history but the profits didn't match the shipments. My personal
belief is that ALL hardware companies are in for a rough time. The
competition is cut throat.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Our next stop is the home of AtariUSER magazine and
publisher John Nagy....
<[John Nagy] ATARIUSER> The Z_Net/AtariUser/Bob Brodie connection
goes back more than six years, before Bob even imagined being the new
Sig Hartmann. He's been much more than a co-worker and colleague, he's
been a friend. We weathered many a storm together, survived STR-WARS,
and made the world a little safer for Atari owners.
I'm pleased to have had Bob offer to do a series of articles for
future AtariUser issues (!), which will trickle out in the coming
months if all goes better than it has in the last months. (We had
another 3.5 quake just 48 hours ago.) Thanks for everything, Bob, and
we all love ya. As has been said, your moving on marks the end of an
era for us all.
<BOB-BRODIE> Awwwwww, geez John.
<BOB-BRODIE> We have been through an awful lot together. I will never
forget the first time you and Ron called me about writing for you.
The first of many conference calls. It's been a wonderful time...
<[HoST] ST.LOU> On to Chris Krowchuk....
<[Chris @ Comp] C.KROWCHUK1> Gee Bob, I am sure that if you wanted to
work at home 2 or 3 days a week all you had to do was give us all
your home phone number, we would have called you at home on Sat. Sun.
and Holidays. Seriously tho', Best of Luck. GS is lucky to have
someone as committed as you. I left mail for you in regards to our
earlier conversations and I have one question tonite. Who is going to
replace you?
<BOB-BRODIE> Chris, I can hear the complaints from you guys if my
daughter answered the phone! :) Which of course assumes that you
would get through the phone line with three teenagers in the house!
And there have been times that I thought I should have been committed.
:)
So far, a specific replacement has not been named. They're parcelling
out various parts of my duties to a number of people. There is a
possiblity that someone will take over the whole thing, but it's not
certain.
<[Chris @ Comp] C.KROWCHUK1> Will Atari be showing computers at CES?
<BOB-BRODIE> No, we will be showing entertainment products at CES, no
computers.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> On to James Vogh.
<[James] J.VOGH> Bob, best of luck in the new job. Can you describe
Star Raiders 2000? (this question seems terribly familiar for some
reason :-) If you can't answer that, can you describe the current
status of AvP?
<BOB-BRODIE> Hi James. I haven't seen Star Raiders yet. It's still in
the "code" part of the project. I would expect something along the
lines of what we did with Tempest 2000...take a very popular game,
and update it to reflect the capabilities of the Jaguar. Re AvP, we've
flown in two programmers from Rebellion to help finish it off here in
Sunnyvale, and have also pulled some of our other staff off other
projects to assist in finalizing AvP. It should be done by the end of
the month.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Our next guest is Dorothy Brumleve, President of the
Independent Association of Atari Developers. Madame President.......
<[Baaad Dot!] DABRUMLEVE> Bob, I want to thank you for the
friendship, assistance and support which has made business a pleasure!
Best of luck in your new endeavor! Are you taking that much-needed
vacation or jumping right in?
<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Dorothy, I took that much needed three week vacation
already. That's why I missed the last Dateline. Whatta guy...take
three weeks of vacation, comes back to work and quits!!! I'm going to
the new job right away. We have two trade shows to do in the next
three weeks. They will all be in San Francisco though, so I can stay
home! Thank you for your friendship, your wisdom, and your guidance
over the years. I will never forget you showing that very special
button at WAACE.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> OK, next we have Pat Hulse, without a button :-)
<[pat] P.HULSE2> VERY sorry to see you go Bob! The boys in Portland
wish you well! What will become of 319? Many of us depend on it for
direct connects to the FNET. ...and good luck!
<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Pat. Well that's kinda up in the air. I'm typing on
node 319 at the moment. I have asked Atari to run the BBS for 90 days
to see how it goes. I have a very capable remote sysop in Bill Scull
who keeps it running in top notch shape. If they decide to take the
BBS down, then I will put it up. But my pockets are not as deep as
Atari's. :-( So that might be a problem for the FNET. I already left a
message in the sysops conference warning them of that.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Ken Helms has another question, Bob...
<[Ken] K.HELMS> (Pat asked my question so ...) How about the CD ROM
drive for the Jag? I love using one with my MSTe. And pricing? If 3DO
drops further, will the Jag come down?
<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Ken... the CD ROM development systems are now
shipping, and we will be showing it at CES. The price is approx $199.
I don't think you will see the 3D0 drop any lower. They have many
custom chips on board, and it's simply a more expensive machine to
make.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Matthew J joins us next.
<[Matthew J] M.SZEWCZYK1> Bob, any idea what will be packed with the
CD, when Kasumi Ninja ships and when can we look for the next Jag
cart on the shelves?
<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Matthew. We're building in to the Jag CD a cool light
show product that works with regular audio CDs, and we're talking
about including a CD of Tempest music with it. But that's not firmed
up. Kasumi is still in development and we all know that software
development is a less than exact science when it comes to timing. The
next Jag cart will probably be Wolfenstein 3D.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> On to Hassen then Davey
<[Hassen] H.HAMMOUD> Hi Bob. Kick some butt in your new job! Now that
Atari has over 160 licensees and subcontractors, will Atari try to
persuade them into making games and programs for the Lynx and Falcon?
Best wishes and good luck. BTW, how about sending a Lynx and Falcon
developer's kit to registered Jag developers. It couldn't hurt. :)
<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Hassen. Some of the titles are under discussion for
the Lynx to be sure. Re the Falcon, I don't think so. Although I did
hear that Atari UK has lined up some European distribution for a
couple of new Falcon games... Dino Dudes, Steel Talons, and... darn. I
forget what the third one is. Sorry.
<[Davey] D.HAUPERT> Hi Bob! Sorry to see ya go. Anyway, while we
still have ya, a lot of people have been wondering what the deal was
with the AvP intro screen. It looked great from the DHGF pics but is
it an animation, stills, does it have voices, music, etc.??? Also,
when should it be done with testing?
<BOB-BRODIE> It's a still, Davey. The sound stuff is still being
finalized. And it's not in testing yet. Atari has flown two of
Rebellion's programmers here to Sunnyvale to get the project done so
it can go to test... and we're pulling staff of other projects to help
them. We hope that get's it done.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Sir Fransis returns...
<BOB-BRODIE> And why do I keep saying we? I quit!! :)
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Is it midnight Bob?
<BOB-BRODIE> Somewhere, Lou. Somewhere!
<[Sir Fransis] K.DRAKE> Has anyone there jumped on the idea of
getting the IAJD to put out demos on CD's on, say, a quarterly basis?
Kinda like an extended support thing! :)
<BOB-BRODIE> Sounds like a neat idea, but one for the IAJD to take up
with Bill Rehbock at Atari. Maybe THEY will do it. :)
<[EeEckyThump!] STEVE-J> Can you mention any notable (i.e.
recognizable) Jaguar developers that have just signed on (and haven't
been announced yet)? By the way, my Falcon030 IS an entertaining
product! <grin> Also, to follow-up my earlier question, is Atari
computer development COMPLETELY dead, or just scaled down to the
occasional TOS/MultiTOS 'update'?
<BOB-BRODIE> Re the developers, no. Sorry. I agree that the Falcon is
an entertaining product...very cool indeed!!! Re the computer stuff,
it's not completely dead, but it's certainly not the priority it once
was. For instance, the whole reason that topic on Works bugs got
started was because Leonard Tramiel wants to fix the problems. He
promised me that if we (meaning me, you, and the rest of the ST RT
members) help find the bug, he'll see it gets fixed.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Pat Forister is back......
<[Pat] P.FORISTER> Pacific Software is saying that the CD ROM Drive
will not be out until December. Any truth in that? What is the E.T.A.
of the CD Drive - how about VR Helmet? Thanks Bob...
<BOB-BRODIE> I don't know why Pacific is saying that... I was told
the end of summer. Re the VR helmet, no eta.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Now Rene House from CA
<R.HOUSE4> Thanks Bob for all the great memories. There's a rumor on
the BB's that Atari has either already or is willing to license
Falcon technology for further development. What do you know?
<BOB-BRODIE> The Falcon is not licensed to anyone. It is an Atari
product, and we are the sole producers of it. I am not aware of any
other license arrangements at this time, but Atari is looking into
the possiblity of developing a music workstation.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Thanks, Bob. Remember Steve Elek? He's back!
<BOB-BRODIE> How could I forget Steve? He can't have my 1450XLD!
<[Steve@IMAGE] S.ELEK> Hi, Bob! 1. What's AW version up to! 2. Will
you be in South Bend for the opening of the national football hall of
fame next year?
<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Steve, the current version of Atari Works that is
shipping is 1.207 Re coming to South Bend...Hey, I'd love to be
there. But with this new position, I'll have to see what their
schedule is.
<[Steve@IMAGE] S.ELEK> Bob, what is the future of Atari Users Groups
support by Atari Co.?
<BOB-BRODIE> Steve, at this point the user group program has been
shelved. There really isn't much activity by the groups at all. I
can't remember the last time a group called and asked for a visit.
<R.BROWN30> Has Atari considered using Jag tec to make a non-linear
video editing system like Avid or EMC?
<BOB-BRODIE> I don't believe so. Atari usually looks for their
products to appeal to mass markets.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Well Bob.... here's the last one.. Travis Guy of
Atari Explorer Online magazine.
<[*] Travis [*] AEO.MAG> Bob, there's a lot of people out there that
are going to miss your presence. Over the years, you have come to
symbolize Atari... to humanize Atari... for the average user. I know
that I will miss having you to pick on. All those phone calls to you
- "C'mon, Bob. What's really going on?"... but even more than that,
I'll miss these monthly get togethers that we all share here on GEnie.
All Good Things must come to an end, and tonight ends a Really Good
Thing.
I hope I speak for everyone in wishing you and your family peace,
prosperity and happiness. We'll miss you; don't be a stranger.
Now onto the business at hand; I am honored to be the one to pose the
- final- Dateline: Atari question.... Bob, you've been there for some
five years now. So before you walk out that door and turn the lights
off one last time, could you share with everyone some of the
highlights... and lowlights of what you've seen, and maybe even pass
on a regret or two?
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Nicely done.
<BOB-BRODIE> Hi Travis... wow, that's a doozie! We could be typin' a
long time on that one. The highlights include the user group shows...
Glendale would be the most consistently good show, I thought that ACE
92 in Toronto was one of the best shows that I've ever done. Of
course, I wish that our computer products had enjoyed more success.
It's been a real education to be here during the birth of products
like the Portfolio, the Lynx, the Falcon....
<BOB-BRODIE> On regrets... we in the Atari Community seem to have a
bit of a propensity to attract users that enjoy to <ahem> debate. Or
is flame a better term? :) I wish that the online wars hadn't been so
nasty as they were. Probably my biggest disappointment was seeing a
promising publication turn into a gossip rag. And then the same gossip
rag turn into a hate rag. And the hate rag turn into a front for mail
order advertising and the mail order advertising turn into, what is in
my opinion, mail fraud. And all of that cost me what I thought was a
friend. The Atari Community had a resource turn on it, take it, use
it, and then abandon it after it was stopped... (he) should be ashamed
of himself.
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Bob, this has been a most enjoyable experience for me
to act as your host. Your timely visits were always an exciting part
of the monthly routine here in the ST RT and you know that these
transcripts were distributed to more than 10,000 BBS's around the
world :-)
You have enjoyed the respect of your peers which is all that a person
can desire in their lifetime. I congratulate you and envy you. Visit
us when you are set up. I know you will remember us all as your
friends. Keep in touch.
<BOB-BRODIE> Lou, thank you for all of your support and help on each
of these Dateline: Atari sessions. I know that it has been very late
each time that you have hosted these... and I appreciate the
sacrifices that you have made to ensure that they have been
successful. These past two weeks have gone by far too quickly to suit
me.
<BOB-BRODIE> I have so many friends that I wish I would have had the
time to call and chat with personally about my departure. And the
email that has come in to me from all over the globe has been
wonderful. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for
taking the time to send along their good wishes. I will still be
online here on GEnie, courtesy of Darlah Potechin. My email address
will remain the same. And although I will no longer be in the employ
of Atari Corp, I welcome the opportunity wherever possible to continue
to serve Atarians.
This brings to a close a wonderful chapter of my life. In a few
mintues, I'll walk out the door of Atari, and start a new one. Thank
you, one and all, for all the times that we've shared together. The
next job is going to be exciting, but I don't see how it can match
this. So for the last time, good night, from Sunnyvale! Thanks for
everything. And I'll be seeing you online here on GEnie! Goodnight!
<[HoST] ST.LOU> Take care, Bob. Goodnight.
/|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\ /|\
Real Time Conferences in the Atari ST RoundTable are held every Monday
(Desktop Publishing and Graphics) and Wednesday (Open House) night at
10:00 p.m. and a HelpDesk is available every Sunday at 9:00 p.m. On the
first and third Thursday there is a Programmer's RTC at 9:00 p.m.
If you miss a conference, transcripts are made for all formal RTC's
(where there is a special guest) and the programming RTC. You will find
these transcripts in Library 13 - Atari Archives.
Please send your questions, suggestions and comments to RTC$ via
GEmail. Thank you.
--==--==--==--==--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- --==--==-- Delphi Sign-Up Information --==--==-- --
-- --
-- To enroll as a Delphi subscriber, modem call 1-800-365-4636. Press --
-- [Return] until you see "Password:", then type IP26 [Return] --
-- --
-- Answer all of the questions, and you'll be cleared for Delphi --
-- access in a few days. If you have questions about Delphi services, --
-- give a voice call to Delphi Member Services at 1-800-544-4005. --
-- --
-- --==--==-- Delphi Sign-Up Information --==--==-- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--==--==--==--==--
||| Jaguar Tackboard
||| Confirmed information about Atari's Jaguar
/ | \ Compiled from online and official sources
-----------------------------------------------------------------
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Independent Association of Jaguar Developers
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The IAJD (Independent Association of Jaguar Developers) has started
accepting members on GEnie. The IAJD is a private group where
confidential discussions can be freely held. (Category 64 of the ST
RoundTable is the IAJD meeting place.) Consequently, membership in the
IAJD is limited to Jaguar developers who are registered with Atari
Corp. To apply for membership, send EMail to ENTRY$ on GEnie (or
<entry$@genie.geis.com> if you're not on GEnie). Regular EMail
correspondence with the IAJD should be sent to IAJD$ (again, or
<iajd$@genie.geis.com> if you're not on GEnie).
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Internet Jaguar Mailing List
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Anyone with Internet EMail access can join the discussions on the
Jaguar mailing list. To "subscribe" to the list, send an EMail to the
following address: <listserv@ctrc.fs.saci.org>
Leave the subject line blank. In the body of the EMail, include this
line:
subscribe jaguar-l FirstName LastName
(Where "FirstName" is your first name and "LastName" is your last
name.)
To send mail to be read on the Jaguar list, address your letter to:
<jaguar-l@ctrc.fs.saci.org>. It will go to the list server and be sent
to the over 200 readers of the list.
IMPORTANT: If your mail server charges you by the character or by the
letter, please be aware that the Jaguar list can generate dozens, and
up to a hundred EMails in a day.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Developer / Game List 1.12
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Editor: The following developers, licensees and game titles have
been confirmed to the best of AEO's ability as of June 3, 1994. Entries
in the "S"tatus column reflects any "e"rrors, "u"pdates, "n"ew titles,
new "d"evelopers, "?"uestionable listings, or titles that are in
"P"roduction since the last AEO list. Titles in brackets (e.g.
[Cybermorph]) have been completed and are available in the US.
Expected dates are dates that have been provided by the developer.
Expected Date
or Titles
S Developer/Licensee Rating under development
" """""""""""""""""" """""" """""""""""""""""
21st Century Software 9/94 Pinball Dreams
3D Games - Rainbow Warrior
- MORE
Accent Media Productions - Varuna's Forces CD-ROM
Accolade - Al Michaels Announces Hardball
- Brett Hull Hockey
e - Charles Barkley's Shut Up and Jam
e - Jack Nicholas Power Challenge Golf
Activision - Return to Zork CD-ROM
All Systems Go Q1/95 Hosenose and Booger CD-ROM
e Q1/95 Video Jukebox (cart multiplexer)
- BIOS Fear CD-ROM
- (IR controller station)
American Laser Games - Mad Dog McCree
Anco Software Ltd. - Kick Off 3 (for Imagineer)
- World Cup
Anthill Industries
Argonaut Software - Creature Shock CD-ROM (For Virgin)
Atari Corp. - Battlezone 2000
- Chaos Agenda CD-ROM
- Club Drive
*5* [Crescent Galaxy]
- MPEG 1 and 2 carts
- Star Raiders 2000
- Tiny Toons Adventures
- VR Helmet
MORE
Atari Games Corp. - Arcade Games Using Jaguar
Attention to Detail - Battlemorph: Cybermorph 2 CD-ROM
- Blue Lightning CD-ROM
*7* [Cybermorph]
(For Atari)
Audio-Visual Magic
Bethesda Softworks
Beyond Games Inc. 12/94 Battlewheels
Q3/94 Ultra Vortex
Black Scorpion Software
Bjorn Joos/Kris Van Lier
Borta & Associates
Brainstorm - [x86 Jaguar Development System]
Bullfrog Productions Ltd. Q3/94 Syndicate (For Ocean)
Q3/94 Theme Park (For Ocean)
Clearwater Software
Computer Music Consulting
Cybervision
CyberWare
Delta Music Systems Inc.
Dimension Technologies
Domark Group Ltd. - F1 Racer
DTMC - Lester the Unlikely
- Mountain Sports
- (Miniature Golf)
Eclipse - Iron Soldier (helicopters)
Elite
E-On
Eurosoft
EZ Score Software Inc.
GameTek Inc.
Genus Microprogramming Inc.
Gremlin Graphics Ltd. 10/94 Zool 2
- UNKNOWN TITLE (racing) - MORE?
H2O Design Corp.
Hand Made Software - Kasumi Ninja (For Atari)
High Voltage Software 10/94 White Men Can't Jump (for Trimark)
Hisoft
ICD Inc. - Cat Box (AV & comm expansion box)
id Software - Doom: Evil Unleashed
- Wolfenstein 3D
d iThink - (3D simulation)
Imagineer Company Ltd.
Imagitec Design Inc. *6* [Evolution Dino-Dudes]
*6* [Raiden]
- Freelancer 2120 CD-ROM
e - Bubsy in Clawed Encounters
of the Furried Kind (For Accolade)
- Dino Dudes 2
Interplay - BattleChess CD-ROM - MORE?
Jaleco - Cisco Heat
- Bases Loaded
- MORE CD-ROM
Krisalis Software Ltd. 6/94 Soccer Kid
Limelight Media Inc.
LlamaSoft *10* [Tempest 2000] (For Atari)
- MORE MINTER!
Loricel S.A.
Manley & Associates Inc.
Maxis Software
Microids 1995 Evidence
12/94 Commando
Microprose - Gunship 2000
- MORE SIMULATIONS
MidNite Entertainment 10/94 Air Cars
10/94 Dungeon Depths
Q1/95 Assault
P Millenium/Teque 7/94 Brutal Sports Football (For Telegames)
NMS Software Ltd.
Ocean Software Ltd. 12/94 Apeshi- (working title)
1995 Lobo CD-ROM
-unnamed- - -unnamed-
Phalanx - (Title not available)
Photosurrealism - Galactic Gladiators
Pixel Satori
PIXIS Interactive - Neurodancer CD-ROM
Rage Software UK
ReadySoft Incorporated - Dragon's Lair CD-ROM
- Dragon's Lair II CD-ROM
- Space Ace CD-ROM
Rebellion Software Ltd. Su/94 Alien vs. Predator (For Atari)
Su/94 Checkered Flag II (For Atari)
- Legions of the Undead (For Atari)
- Hammerhead
Rest Energy
Sculptured Software Inc.
Sigma Designs Q4/94 "Jaguar on a PC" PC card
Silmarils 9/94 Robinson's Requiem CD-ROM
Sinister Developments
Software Creations
Team Infinity
Team 17 Software Ltd.
Tecnation Digital World
Techtonics
Telegames - Casino Royale
- European Soccer Challenge
9/94 Ultimate Brain Games
- Super Off-Road
Teque London Ltd.
Thrustmaster
Tiertex Ltd. - Flashback (for U.S. Gold)
Titus
Tradewest 10/94 Troy Aikman NFL Football
Q4/94 Double Dragon 5: The Shadow Falls
Trimark Interactive
U.S. Gold Ltd.
UBI Soft International - RayMan
- MORE (American Football)
V-Reel Productions - Arena Football
- Horrorscope
Virgin Interactive
Entertainment Ltd. - Dragon
- Demolition Man
Virtual Xperience - Indiana Jags (platform)
- Zzyorxx II (vertical shooter)
- Burn Out (m/c racing)
Visual Concepts
Williams Brothers
WMS Industries
Zeppelin Games - Center Court Tennis
Pts Stars AEO Ratings
""" """"" """""""""""
10 ***** GAMING NIRVANA!!! - You have left reality behind... for good.
9 ****+ Unbelieveable GAME!! - Your family notices you're often absent.
8 **** Fantastic Game!! - You can't get enough playtime in on this.
7 ***+ Great Game! - Something to show off to friends or 3DOers.
6 *** Good game - You find yourself playing this from time to time.
5 **+ Ho-hum - If there's nothing else to do, you play this.
4 ** Waste of time - Better to play this than play in traffic.
3 *+ Sucks - Playing in traffic sounds like more fun.
2 * Sucks Badly - You'd rather face an IRS audit than play this.
1 + Forget it - ... but you can't; it's so badly done, it haunts you.
0 - Burn it - Disallow programmer from ever writing games again.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Developer's Quote
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This issue's quote comes from Doug Engel <d.engel@genie.geis.com>,
GEnie's lovable Thunderbird. Doug shares his views on the 3DO vs.
Jaguar Holy Polygon Wars:
[] I haven't run any benchmarks one our latest polygon engine, but it
should end up taking about 30-35% more time (assuming the same
lighting model is used to shade the textures, and depth queue
them).
Not that I'd prefer a 100% texture mapped CyberMorph... after some
of the stuff I've seen recently, it's painfully obvious that
Cybermorph suffers from extremely poor use of the Gouraud shading
abilities of the Jaguar. Cybermorph also suffers from very bad
color choices as well. I'd really like to see a Cybermorph which
tastefully combines Gouraud, Textures, and Flat shading where
appropriate. Gouraud done right is gorgeous! Look at what it does
for the T2K playfields! Combine gouraud with textured stuff, and
you'll get killer effects.
An interesting side note... Jez San recently spewed out some facts
about how hard it is to translate points in 3D and that the 3D math
was the limiting factor in the speed of his polygon engines,
therefore "Pixels-Per-Second" didn't matter much. I have heard from
several 3DO developers statements to the effect that the 3DO's cel
engines spend most of their time idle, waiting for the ARM60 to
pass them some translated points to render (this is further
exacerbated by the fact that the ARM60 is stopped in it's tracks
when a cel engine is working on a polygon). So, from a 3DO
programming point of view, Jez is 100% correct.
From a Jaguar programming point of view, Jez is wayyyyyy wrong.
The Jaguar's math capabilities kick @$$ !!! Our 3D engine can
stream off translated points faster than any Intel based PC clone
currently out. Even with the Jaguar's 64- Bit blitter working it's
butt off, (in 64-bit mode, running in parallel on the system bus,
at full speed) we had to put in code to prevent it from getting
backed up with polygon data from the GPU! The reason for this huge
advantage is that the Jaguar's parallel architecture allows the GPU
to be "doing the math" while the Blitter is rendering polys. Even
if the PC had a Jag blitter, it wouldn't be as fast, 'cause the
Jags math is indeed faster. The PC is further slowed by the fact
that it has to move the pixels with the CPU, just as the 3DO's
ARM-60 is 'offline' during a polygon render.
Cybermorph was written using a very early polygon engine, which (I
estimate) is about 1/3 the speed of the latest stuff (which can be
improved upon if you're going to make it less 'generic').
Battlemorph should rock!
--==--==--==--==--
||| 64 Bits - Jaguar News
||| By: Tal Funke-Bilu
/ | \ GEnie: EXPLORER.5
----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, I'm back from a damn good Nightmare Doom session, and one long
day of BBQing Daemon Heads (read "ribs and chicken") to talk about
that sexy beast of a machine, the Jaguar.
Talk about exotic apparel! Atari has one heck of a deal going on right
now. You can own your very own genuine Jaguar Tee or Jaguar Cap for
only $13.95. I just received mine in the mail, and I must say Atari
did an EXCELLENT (please say in cool T2K voice) job. You've got the
Jaguar logo on the front, with a set of eyes and a large Jaguar logo
on the back. Way cool, especially for a night on the town. The hat is
also very nice. Apart from displaying the Jaguar logo (and Atari+Fuji)
prominently across the front of the hat, it also keeps your head warm
and your hair out of your eyes! A great bargain for slick black cotton
canvas headgear. If you are interested in either, just send $13.95 +
$4.95 shipping and handling (check, money order, Visa, or Mastercard)
to:
Atari Corporation
P.O. Box 61657
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1657
(They also have Jaguar polo shirts for $19.95, if you're Yuppy
enough.)
Be sure and tell them what you want and where to send it. CA residents
please add 8.25% sales tax. Prices are good (in U.S. currency) for
North American destinations only. If you live outside of North
America, and want one of the above, please EMail me at
<explorer.5@genie.geis.com> and we'll see if we can work something
out.
But don't go out and spend all your money yet! Why? Let me allow
Travis to butt in here:
<<< AEO Summer CES 1994 Videotape Offer! >>>
In two weeks, Tal Funke-Bilu will be travelling to Chicago to
experience the excitement of the 1994 Summer Consumer Electronics
Show. That's right, AEO's resident Jaguar Junkie will be in Chicago to
report to all AEO readers the happenings of the biggest electronics
show of the summer!
Here's Tal back, to fill you in:
Thanks Travis, for such a warm and spontanious introduction.
What does my getting to go to Summer CES 1994 mean to you? Well I
wish it meant that you could all come with me to play Kasumi Ninja,
AvP, DOOM, etc., but it just can't be done. I feel kind of guilty
having all that fun by myself (even Travis, our esteemed editor, will
have to sit at home and wait), so I'm going to have to give you the
next best thing.
First off, I will be responsible for uploading to Travis the AEO SCES
1994 SPECIAL EDITION. That's right, an entire issue of AEO dedicated
to the SCES. This issue will include everything I can find, not just
Atari news. You'll get reports from behind enemy lines, including
everything that 3DO, Nintendo, Sony, etc. are up to, for better or
worse.
But what else? I figured that you, the loyal Atari community, would
want more than just a special SCES issue... so, I'm going to bring
along a camcorder, a ton of battery packs, and I'm going to bring
along a ton of tapes. The final product? A NTSC-standard VHS
videotape (We'll be using the highest quality VHS tapes we can find)
containing approximately 2 hours of Jag-packed excitement. We're
calling it the "AEO at SCES 94" video.
I'm talking long (direct video, where possible!) clips of the latest
Jag games (over 20 titles are predicted to be there), interviews with
developers and Atari employees, cameos by industry giants, and MUCH
MUCH MORE. If he feels up to it, Jeff Minter might even make a guest
appearance from Sunnyvale, or quite possibly, from the sunny shores
of Cambria, CA. Not only that, but I've just gotten word that the
first 100 AEO videotape orders will receive a free Jaguar Bumper
Sticker! And, even later word tells me that by special arrangement
with Atari Corp., we should be able to include Atari Jaguar
commercials! (Why am I excited that we'll have commercials? Only
because many of you haven't seen them yet, and they're cool.)
AEO is flexible! Feel free to EMail me as to what you would prefer to
see covered outside of the Atari news (i.e. would you prefer to see
more 3DO coverage as opposed to Sony PSX info or vice versa, etc...)
and I will be sure and incorporate your suggestions into the final
video. On GEnie, EMail me at EXPLORER.5. For Internet users, I can be
reached at <EXPLORER.5@GENIE.GEIS.COM>.
Order Now! Get the lowest rates! You'll see Atari in Chicago.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The "AEO At SCES 94" Nitty Gritty
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Amount
So here's the scoop. The cost of the video will be $12.50 if you
order before the SCES begins on June 23, and $17.50 if you order
afterwards. Shipping and handling will be $2.90 (Priority Mail) if
you live in the U.S.; $4.00 for Canadian and Mexican orders; $7.00
for European orders; and $9.00 for orders to Australia.
California residents will need to add 7.25% sales tax.
All prices quoted are in U.S. dollars. We cannot be responsible for
lost or misdirected mail. The first 100 videotape orders received
will get a free Jaguar bumper sticker in addition to the tape.
This offer expires July 31, 1994. After that date, orders for the
"AEO at SCES 94" videotape will be filled at a higher rate.
//// Payment Methods & Where to Order
Only personal checks drawn on U.S. banks in U.S. currency; cashiers
checks drawn from U.S. or large international banks in U.S. currency;
or money orders payable in U.S. currency (Preferred!), will be
accepted. Make all instruments of payment payable to Tal Funke-Bilu,
and send them to:
AEO SCES Video Offer
c/o Tal Funke-Bilu
597 Huntington
Cambria, CA 93428
//// Turnaround and Shipment
We anticipate as quick a turnaround time in producing and mailing the
videotapes as possible. Orders paid via personal checks will incur a
slight delay as the check must clear your bank first. If you provide
a valid Internet mailable address, we will be able to confirm receipt
of your order, and shipment of your tape.
The postal authorities promise prompt delivery (U.S. orders will be
sent via Priority Mail), but all we can guarantee is that the tapes
will be put in the mail promptly. All foreign orders must go through
Customs.
Here is an un-snazzy order form to help you on your way:
----------------------------- > clip > ----------------------------
Name: ________________________ Phone:___________________
Mailing ________________________ Internet
address address: ________________________
________________________ (For Confirmation)
#9# # # # # # # # # # # # #
City:_________________ #
# Mail this order form to:
State/Province:_________________ # AEO SCES Video Offer
# c/o Tal Funke-Bilu
Postal Code:_________________ # 597 Huntington
# Cambria, CA 93428
Country:_________________ #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Please send me ____ copy(es) of the AEO SCES 94 video
at $12.50 each if postmarked before June 23, and
$17.50 each if postmarked on or after June 23.... $ ___.__
US Shipping & Handling: $2.90 per video
Canadian & Mexican Shipping & Handling: $4.00 per video
European Shipping & Handling: $7.00 per video
Australian Shipping & Handling: $9.00 per video.... $ __.__
California residents add 7.25% sales tax.... $ __.__
Total.... $ ___.__
Make all instruments
payable to: Tal Funke-Bilu
Important Notice: AEO wants to provide our loyal readers with the
best possible coverage of Atari Jaguar events at
Summer CES 1994. Every effort will be made to
attend, record and distribute the video as offered.
However, you should know that no instrument of
payment you send will be deposited or cashed before
the production begins. In case of accident,
illness, or an Act of God or of Fate, all orders
will be returned.
----------------------------- > clip > ----------------------------
OK, enough advertisements... let's get to some real news. I've been
itching to sit down at my keyboard and type in all of the Very Good
Things I have dug up over the past week since the release of the AEO
Jaguar Special Edition #2.
[] Let's start off with some news I'm sure every Jaguar owner will be
sure to enjoy. It looks like the 6th Jaguar game to hit the shelves
will be brought to you from the kind folks at Telegames. That's right,
Brutal Sports Football has entered production. Get ready to use
weapons, hurdle fire balls, and do just about anything to get by your
opponent and score. Production usually takes anywhere from 4-8 weeks
depending on the methods used, so it is safe to expect this title
anytime in July.
[] I had the opportunity to talk with some VERY nice people at ASG
(All Systems Go) last week, and am sure you will enjoy the results.
Many of you have seen their adds for their VJ (Video Jukebox) in
various mags and have been quick to point out that they mention the
Jaguar as one of the versions being made. This was quickly confirmed,
but with a slight hitch. It seems they expect the Jaguar VJ to be
completed by Christmas. That is fine, although they plan on
distributing it to distributors only, most likely for use in
Jag-kiosks for store displays. What about the end user? ASG mentioned
that when the time comes, the die-hard end user could most likely
order their own personal VJ from ASG directly. The MSRP will most
likely be $49.95.
[] ASG's hardware doesn't stop there. Following the VJ, ASG plans to
release the Jaguar control station. ASG described this working wonder
as "The couch potato's dream." A small infared receiver will attatch
to your Jaguar's joypad ports allowing remote communication with the
"station" itself, situated a certain distance away (most likely 15' to
20', but don't quote me on that <g>). If you haven't already figured
it out, your JagJoypads will plug into the station allowing an
extended playing range, but the fun doesn't stop there. The station
will enable you to activate various game playing features such as
rapid fire, slo-mo, etc., without having to buy another special
joypad!
Sound too good to be true? There's more...the station will come with
a universal remote control that will support the VJ, control station,
and a wide range of TVs and VCRs! Look for this in early '95.
[] Moving on to software, ASG keyed AEO in on their upcoming Jag game,
Hosenose and Booger. Keep in mind that ASG is primarily interested in
doing polygonally rendered games in real time. When asked why they
chose to do Hosenose and Booger in the first place, they said "It was
too funny to pass up." They described it as an action platform
adventure. You will do battle with all sorts of human fluids,
substances, products, viruses, etc, all inside Hosenose's infested
body. While it may sound rather humorous, H&B is being taken very
seriously by ASG. H&B was in design for over a year before any code
was even written. They are committed to making H&G the Jaguar's Sonic
or Mario. They emphasised superb gameplay and unreal comical graphics
as two key features in H&B not to mention the downright gross
creatures you come across throughout the game. H&B is definately
planned to be out before Christmas, in fact, ASG reported that they
were hoping for a late fall release. I can't wait!
[] Just when I thought it was safe to say goodbye, they bombarded
with me with more information, this time regarding BiosFear. Here is
where their polygonal rendering comes into play. ASG developed their
own polygonal rendering software on the PC and are currently porting
it to the Jaguar. This custom software helps the user create virtual
polygon worlds. When asked about the terms used, ASG used a simple
comparison to explain the complexity of BiosFear. To sum it up,
Cybermorph, StarFox, Virtua Racing, Virtua Fighter... all crap
compared to BiosFear. They kept pretty quiet about the main details of
the game, but made sure that they would keep AEO updated as time
progressed.
I won't let ASG hog my entire section, so let's move on....
//// Rumourville
Interesting Rumour--Sega has yet to ship out 32X development systems.
Good Thing--No new reports of AvP delays.
Not So Good Thing--AvP hasn't made it to production, though.
Good Thing--Clear Club Drive screenshots in the latest Die Hard
GameFan.
Good Possibility--Imagineer reported that Kick Off 3 shouldn't be
expected until Christmas. After talking with them, I
got the impression that they wanted the Jag version
to take advantage of the system's capabilities,
rather than just being a clone of the other
versions.
Good Thing--Checkered Flag II (The name "Redline Racing" has been red-
penned) has hills and banked turns.
Good Rumour Gone Bad--It's been said that Time-Warner Interactive
(Tengen) may be signed on and working on STUN
Runner and Steel Talons. A phone call to
California shot that down.
Good Rumours Under Wraps--A multi-multi-platform beat'em up will rise
its head on Jaguar though. Another Jaguar
developer has picked up the gauntlet of
challenge. More cryptocity in the next AEO.
Good Thing--My new Tempest 2000 high score is 3,796,325 - reaching
level 72 in Beastly Mode from level 1.
Great Thing--The Knicks are in the NBA finals.
Funny Thing--Jaguar game boxes are the same size as the original 2600
game boxes.
I know I promised you an interview with Juli Wade, but after she had
answered all of our questions, she quit her job at Atari, making the
interview "cold". I can assure you, though, that you will have one
with an Atari employee next issue....
And with that note I leave you with these final words sent in by alert
reader Lewis Johnson from the Nov. '92 EGM:
"...Yours truly has finally zeroed in on the developer of
the super secret Atari Jaguar project! As the Q-Mann pegged
previously, the system is being designed in Europe by a
company contracted by the Tramiel Trio. The 64-Bit (Yeah,
right) miracle machine supposedly uses RISC-based technology
to produce shaded polygon images like those found in
Virtural Racing (deja vu)! The hardware house responsible
for Atari's last gasp is called Flare. Look for a debut
around the Summer '93 CES where Atari hopes to have 20
titles ready to go! 20 Games with no development staff? No
way Hans, no way..."
--==--==--==--==--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- --==--==-- GEnie Sign-Up Information --==--==-- --
-- --
-- 1. Set your communications software for half duplex (local echo) --
-- at 300, 1200, or 2400 baud. --
-- --
-- 2. Dial toll free: 1-800-638-8369 (or in Canada, 1-800-387-8330). --
-- Upon connection, enter HHH. --
-- --
-- 3. At the U# prompt, enter XTX99436,GENIE then press <Return>. --
-- --
-- 4. Have a major credit card ready. In the U.S., you may also use --
-- your checking account number. --
-- --
-- For more information in the United States or Canada, call 1-800- --
-- 638-9636 or write: GEnie, c/o GE Information Services, P.O. Box --
-- 6403, Rockville, MD 20850-1785. --
-- --
-- --==--==-- Atari's Official Online Resource! --==--==-- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--==--==--==--==--
||| Andreas' Den
||| By: Andreas Barbiero
/ | \ Delphi: ABARBIERO GEnie: AEO.2
----------------------------------------------------------------
//// Views and news from the heart of Atari.
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Atari in Sunnyvale and
instead of the chance to get a sneak preview of all things Atari, I
was confronted with the bad news that Bob Brodie has resigned.
Looking back on it, I saw that it is bad news more for us than for
Bob. During my face to face time with Bob I realized that he has gone
through a great deal of soul searching to reach this decision, and
being a father myself, I realize that the ability to spend time with
my family is more important than just about anything else. Bob's
decision to go was not driven by any impending doom at Atari, but from
what is best for his family. I can respect that. For everything you
have done, thank you Mr. Brodie.
Another thing that I wanted to see for myself was the climate at Atari
for the production of computers. Many people laugh at the concept of
Atari making it big in computers again, but then do they really need
to? If they can keep the users happy with new technology (or at least
Atari technology), who cares? A million or so new units sold worldwide
can keep the new software coming and generate sufficient revenue. Does
Atari realize this? I think they do. Can they offer the jaded computer
community anything? Yes, they still have a few cards to play that
could give greater value to an Atari built system than the
mass-produced clone machines. Not only does Atari have the Jaguar
chipset to use, but there is rumor of an enhanced chipset that runs
about 2X the speed of the current, while still maintaining
compatability.
A small two piece case with this type of hardware could entice even
the hardest heart back to Atari. A real 32bit bus, 40MHz '030, PCI
card slot, and 4 MB of RAM would be really nice. Heck, with a 55 MIPS
or better graphics system, who needs a 100MHz PPC601? Well, maybe
someone does, and with the killer PPC604 chip arriving soon prices of
the 601 series are due to drop. Waiting to make a powerhouse computer
may not be a bad idea; having a few JagCD games, a cheaper PowerPC
chip, and a solvent Atari may make the difference between victory and
defeat. Microsoft is releasing its OS in multifarious forms, further
confusing the marketplace, there are TWO Pentiums, three PowerPC chips
and at least 3 new Pentium clones on the way.
In a world of CD-ROM sized operating systems and 30 megabyte word
processors, the simplicity of TOS 5 will be all the more welcome.
Right now the major emphasis for Atari is getting the Jaguar CD-ROM
system out the door. Products on time and on the money is what is
important to maintain the impetus for the Jaguar, and all hands are
standing to on this project. I am confident that work on TOS 5,
SpeedoGDOS as well as AtariWorks will be continued as soon as time and
business sense allows.
Before we start screaming for a more powerful computer, (YES! They
would love to make your dream Atari come through!) there are other
things to consider. Think about the possibilites of IBM making a
PowerPC chip with an 80X86 core to remove any software emulator
bottleneck and the porting of a TOS-compatable OS to the PowerPC
allowing TOS programs to run natively. Drooling, aren't you? Rumor has
it that an established Atari developer is doing just this. Still, for
the meantime we have inexpensive ways to get a 48MHz TT030 and a 32MHz
Falcon030.
The CaTTamaran from Cybercube is shipping. This tiny add-on is plug
and playable for TT030 motherboards with a revision "G" or later, and
only requires about two soldering connections on older boards. The
increase in clock speeds from 32MHz to 48MHz will provide a 150% to
200% increase in application speeds for only about $99. Take a look at
the cost of Intel OverDrive chips and you will see what a bargain this
is. I have been promised a review unit from Cybercube, and as soon as
I get it, some serious testing will occur.
There has been a confusing number of Falcon030 add-on boards promising
everthing from 32MHz clock speeds to 68040 chips. The simplest, and
cheapest one so far is from System Solutions in the UK. Called the
Power Up 2, this tiny module relies on the fact that most 16MHz '030
chips can be driven to 32MHz without a problem. Installation is not
for the technically dis-inclined, but is not difficult if you have the
basic skills. There are eight wires to solder to various points on the
motherboard and one resistor to remove. Without adding RAM to the
system separate from video contention (video will demand RAM clock
cycles from the CPU when they are needed, slowing down the computer's
ability to access RAM and consequently run programs), or adding cache
RAM, there is no real way to speed up the Falcon beyond what the
standard RAM will allow. Compared to any other Falcon accelerator,
this is the best for the money.
For the ST owners out there, the first accelerators were the
accelerators that ran the 68000 at 16MHz. This wasn't enough for some
people, so then came 20MHz, and 25MHz versions. Not to be outdone by
the likes of Jim Allen, System Solutions in the UK are marketing 28MHz
and ultimately a 36MHz 68000 with 64K of external cache. These are not
readily available in the USA, but may be available from some dealers.
Ultimately I would like to see the PAK/3 boards make it to the USA.
These German cards are quite cheap and allow for inexpensive 68020 and
'030 chips to be run at high speeds. Rumor has it that there will be a
Fast-RAM version as well as one which will allow MegaBUS video cards
to be added to any ST/STe. I have heard of people who run 64MHz '030s
in a otherwise stock STfm!
There are other ways to speed up your computer, and as informationg
comes in, I will be sure to pass it on to you! Next month I will
discuss a few more ways to speed up your Atari computer with a full
article on as many as I can learn about.
Looking back on the past, I see a glimpse of the future. Commodore
spent big bucks a few years ago advertising on TV, and everyone said
that Atari should have done the same. Well, unfortunately Commodore is
no more; but Atari is still here. Jaguar commercials are on cable TV,
and an extensive print campaign has the market targeted perfectly.
Glance through any videogame magazine and there is an amazing Atari
presence with a great deal of cover-time for the Jaguar and the Lynx.
3DO is also spending money on ads - big money. I doubt that their
return on the ad dollar is as good as Atari's, and after reading about
financial dealings with 3DO, for a while there, I would have ventured
to say their fate may be right behind Commodore. There are a bunch of
new games in progress for the Jaguar, and these are real games, not
video demos with a bit of gameplay to fill up the empty spots.
Atari Explorer has made headway with getting review ROMs, even working
our way into getting EEPROMs that are not 100% complete. This will
allow us to give an advanced look at new games and give you an idea of
what is to come. The software doldrums should be over this month and
the Summer CES should premier at least twenty new games for the
Jaguar, and that will definitely spur sales.
--==--==--==--==--
||| Atari Artist
||| By: Peter Donoso & Fadi Hayek
/ | \ GEnie: EXPLORER.2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ]=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-[ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [ ATARI ARTIST ] -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ]=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-[ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Well, so far this first half of '94 has turned out to be a seismic
movement of events! First, the demise of Commodore Electronics Ltd.
and Commodore's U.S. operation, followed by Commodore International
having also gone to voluntary liquidation. Though talk is rampant
concerning their divestiture of Commodore's still valuable and
feasibly marketable computer line to a third party so as to reduce
their outstanding debt, apparently Commodore Business Machines
Ltd.(UK) (a separate entity?) is purporting to "continue trade as
usual."
Most recently, having been faced with family concerns that required
that all-too elusive commodity of the corporate world - the luxury of
one's own time - long-time Atari associate and Director of
Communications Bob Brodie made a tough decision and came to the
reluctant conclusion that he had to leave Atari so as to be able to
spend more time with his family.
As far as concerns Commodore, though neither of us personally own
Amigas, both Fadi and I nevertheless have watched with admiration,
respect and even the occasional expression of awe as we've seen some
really amazing things done with Commodore's "videoputer." No one can
argue that the impact of such third party applications as the Video
Toaster made video production an affordable and viable offering for
small independent producers everywhere. Certainly, the entire west
coast/LA community would have sunk into the ocean long ago without
their Amigas.
Amiga owners have had the good fortune of two Mac emulator products to
choose from, both of which run System 7 in full color. On the Amiga
4000, they're both able to maintain a pretty impressive rate of
processing speed in comparison to their real-life counterparts. The
graphics used in the original Babylon 5 two-hour premier episode were
largely Amiga-generated, and Nutek just recently decided to go ahead
and release their Video Toaster Flyer product, which now offers a
non-linear editing environment on an Amiga 4000 for seamless video
mixing and editing.
Ironically it was Jack Tramiel, CEO of Atari Corp. who co-founded
Commodore and put them on the map with the PET, Vic-20, and the
legendary Commodore 64. Atari's restructuring and radical down-sizing,
though certainly a shock to the Atari community at the time, has in
the long-run been certain to have saved them from falling to a similar
fate.
Though some Atari users called them "arch-enemy", especially in
Europe, the truth is that the demise of any major platform affects all
computer users everywhere. Both Fadi and I personally work each and
every day with what we consider to be the three major personal
computer platforms out there: Atari, Mac and Windows/DOS. We find each
has their strengths, though we obviously both have a special place in
our hearts for Ataris and all the things that they can do... and do
incredibly well!
We both have had numerous run-ins with those who view their chosen
platform, be it any and every which one out there, akin to a having
been swept up in a somewhat religious fervor. Viewed in this context,
the "my computer rules and yours sucks!" vernacular seems perfectly
understandable. But we like to think of computer users in a much
larger and integrated sense as a world community; certainly the
opening of the Internet to the greater number of regional networks and
bulletin boards has shown that any user with a CPU capable of
generating ASCII text can communicate without regard to processor,
speed, programming language or interface.
Indeed, the time is soon approaching when users will be able to
successfully run multiple platforms using a single CPU, thereby
inviting outsiders to join any number of "digital congregations"
without fear of either crash or binary reprisal..As for now, we're all
viewing our world from a common monitor.
On the departure of Bob Brodie, we are sad to see him go and wish him
all the best at his new position, where he'll be doing what he always
has gotten a thrill out of: working with computers and being online.
Unfortunately as of now we understand that Atari has no plans to bring
someone aboard to try and fill Bob's shoes... a decision we hope they
will reconsider.
As Atari's representative both on-line and off, Bob provided Atari
Corp. with a link to the greater Atari community, one which proved to
be of value to all concerned.
--==--
And now, the news....
This issue, we've got the latest news on E-Magic's LOGIC & LOGIC AUDIO
FALCON, an update on Wizztronic's products due for a July official
release, as well as some new and exciting products from third-party
European developers. And away we go....
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
= =
- - -=-=-=- [ MUSIC NEWS ] -=-=-=- - -
= =
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// E-Magic To Release LOGIC AUDIO FALCON
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Having successfully evolved the popular Notator/Creator MIDI sequencer
and sequencer/scoring packages (formerly developed by C-Lab) into the
totally revamped and much improved Notator Logic (often referred to
simply as LOGIC), on both the Atari and Mac platforms, E-Magic
proceeded to develop a digital audio version for the Mac. Those
long-time Atari Notator users have been frothing at the keys for
E-Magic to port their successful digital audio version of LOGIC over
to the Falcon.
Now, at long last... the wait is over! LOGIC AUDIO FALCON has indeed
arrived, and boasts an impressive list of features which take full
advantage of the Falcon030's DSP capabilities.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Makin' Tracks
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
With a full-blown 14MB of RAM aboard the Falcon030 and an external
hard drive with a minimum of 8 millisecond access time, LOGIC AUDIO
FALCON can handle up to 8 tracks of digital audio. Using the Falcon's
internal 80 meg hard drive (alternate internal drives up to a half gig
are also available from third parties) with the same 14MB of RAM will
yield 2 to 6 tracks, depending on the size and number of audio
regions.
The number of possible audio tracks can vary because short audio
regions are cached in RAM, bypassing the need for any SCSI DMA direct
access to a hard drive. With the standard Falcon 4MB of RAM, LOGIC
AUDIO FALCON is capable of yielding up to two tracks when using the
Falcon's internal hard drive - while the number of tracks increases to
between 2 and 6 tracks of digital audio when using an external
fast-access hard drive, again depending on the number of audio
regions.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Main Features
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
[] You can play back 6 tracks and then mix down to 2 tracks along
with MIDI in real time, as you listen. The program offers an
"ultra-fast Mix-Down mode" to allow merging of more than 8 virtual
audio tracks into one stereo or mono file for unlimited digital
bouncing of multiple audio tracks.
[] DSP support includes Panning and Volume, as well as Time
Compression and Expansion, and Pitch Shifting, all of which can be
applied to an audio track in one pass.
[] On-board DAT backup is included for any DAT player utilizing a
AES/EBU or SP-DIF interface.
[] Support for TOS hard drive partitions, allowing access to any hard
disk, including the Falcon030's internal hard disk. Digital audio
files are written in a contiguous format to assure error-free
reliability.
[] Large monitor support, including the use of virtual screens as
applied by the "Screen Blaster" and "BlowUp" video enhancement
hardware.
[] Support for using Steinberg's Soundpool digital I/O interface,
which will enable the use of any standard DAT or Apogee converters
to obtain optimal quality sound.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Still To Be Implemented
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Unfortunately, as of this current debut version, LOGIC AUDIO FALCON
does not offer a host of the Mac version's more amazing digital audio
tricks of digital legerdemain. Some of LOGIC AUDIO MAC's most unique
and intriguing features - capabilities not found on ANY other digital
audio platform that I know of - include:
[] AUDIO TO SCORE STREAMER - Accurately transcribes velocity, note
duration and pitch from a monophonic digital audio file into a
MIDI sequence in realtime. Sequence can be printed out as an
actual score.
[] AUDIO TO MIDI GROOVE TEMPLATE - Quantize a digital audio file
using a MIDI quantize template.
[] GROOVE MACHINE - Digitally "re-groove" an audio file. You can,
for example, convert your favorite Barry Manilow soundtrack into
a slammin' House version! (Is this a wise thing to do??? Who's to
say? That's just the LOGIC of it all.)
Back when Digidesign developed Sound Tools for both Atari and Mac,
users would look to the latest version of one release to see what
would eventually be incorporated into their platform's next update.
For quite a while the Atari version had a number of features that the
Mac version kept on promising to implement.
Could this be a return to those days of bated anticipation and
rivalry? It will remain to be seen. E-Magic has no set plans to
implement these features in the next update, but that could very well
change as their popularity grows on the Atari platform.
Just as an aside, sadly (and I might add rather foolishly, in my
opinion), Digidesign decided to stop developing their product for the
Atari platform; a great loss, considering how really smoothly it runs
on my Atari Mega ST. I know. I've made my money back, and then some,
using Digidesign's Atari Soundtools. Hopefully the large previously-
established Atari Notator user base will warrant continued support by
E-Magic for the Atari platform.
Cost of the upgrade for registered owners of NOTATOR LOGIC to LOGIC
AUDIO FALCON is only $149.00. The complete program retails for
$549.00.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Notator Logic - Version 2.0
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
E-Magic also announced a new version of NOTATOR LOGIC on both Atari
and Mac platforms. LOGIC 2.0 will be shipping around the 3rd week of
June; they're just waiting for manuals to arrive from the printer.
New features have been added to a number of areas of the program:
SCORE SECTION
[] Freely-definable and transposable guitar tabulature - also
handles 5-string bass.
[] Transposable chords and symbols
[] Multiple Bar Rests allows you to print only what you need from
any section.
[] Local formatting of sections, with a compliment of new tools to
facilitate easy layouts.
[] Grace and independent graphic notes.
SEQUENCER SECTION
[] A brand new look with full color support and sizable menus.
[] A group of new environment objects to add: fader variation
knobs, switches and vector-based objects.
[] MIDI Remote Control for key command functions via MIDI
definitions.
[] DNA Grooves Q-Strength,Velocity and Length, and unlimited number
of grooves.
[] Freely-definable Sys-Ex faders & knobs.
[] Enhanced MMC (MIDI Machine Control) support, including Alesis'
BRC.
Version 2.0 is available FREE to all registered users. For further
information, contact E-Magic at (916) 477-1052 voice - 738-1668 fax.
--==--
Steinberg's next update of CUBASE AUDIO FALCON is said to be in its
final stages of beta-testing. Reports are that it is now rock-solid,
recording up to 16 tracks of digital audio. Release is scheduled
between the end of July and the middle of August.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
= =
- - -=-=-=- [ HARDWARE NEWS ] -=-=-=- - -
= =
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Wizztronics Announces Deka2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Wizztronics has bought all rights to the original Deka PC keyboard
interface, which allows the use of a PC keyboard with your Atari.
They've completely redesigned the inner workings of the unit, and
fixed the previous bugs - the major one being a tendency for the
keyboard to intermittently spit out erroneous characters.
Deka2 (Detachable Extended Keyboard Adaptor) will still be housed in
the same 3"x 4" by 1" high unit, with a standard PC keyboard 5-pin DIN
input alongside a standard Atari RJ-45 keyboard interface plug, both
located on the same end. On the other end are two standard 9-pin
joystick ports for your mouse and joystick. The unit is totally
plug-n-play, and will allow any and all Atari ST/TT/Falcon models to
use a PC XT/AT keyboard. The Deka2 is proudly made in the USA. List
price will be $99. Orders are being taken now.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
//// Falcon Cases Finally Ready
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Orders are now also being accepted for the July release of
Wizztronics' Falcon Rack Case. Specifications have remained the same,
with the exception of possibly adding a stereo 1/4" input jack on the
front panel for plugging in a guitar or keyboard or CD player. A PC
board assembly containing the Deka 2 will be onboard as standard in
the Falcon Rack Case.
Prices have been somewhat simplified. The Falcon Rack Case, which
includes a 200 watt internal replacement power supply & the Deka2
keyboard interface will sell for $395.
Additional Options:
Internal hard drive mounting kit $ 20
SCSI cable kit with IDC 50 and dual Centronics connectors $ 35
Input/Output patch cable kit for converting stereo
mini-plug from original Falcon housing to Falcon Case $ 20
Those users who want stripped-down alternate configurations without
power supply and keyboard interface will still be able to opt for
them, and should call Wizztronics for details. 1040 and MegaST users
may have to wait a little while longer, as the additional cost in
adapting these models to a rack case housing will have to be assessed.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Barracuda 040 Waiting For Atari Corp.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
After successfully troubleshooting some annoying and often frustrating
technical obstacles the Barracuda 040 accelerator is nearing
completion to be ready for production. At present the only remaining
obstacle concerns working out some last minute details with Atari Corp.
in regards to licensing TOS. According to Atari Corp., their legal
department should have the necessary paperwork done by June 10th.
It's been a long, hard road, and Atari users have been more wound up
than a four year old on Christmas Eve in expressing their "can't wait,
can't wait, just can't wait" excitement, with more calls coming in to
the Wizztronics' office from all over Europe every day. Perchance the
recent major Atari shows held in Birmingham, Manchester and Norfolk,
England and in Glasgow, Scotland may have something to do with the
sudden surge in interest.
Brad Koda from Best Electronics was there touring the show with his
assortment of parts, peripherals and everything Atari. Steve Cohen
gave Brad an actual finished board to display at the shows, and got a
lot of eager responses.
If Atari keeps to their estimated timetable, Wizztronics will finally
be ready to roll for as soon as a possible end of July release, and
will begin to take actual deposits for orders by the end of June.
Let's keep our fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly on
Atari's end.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Medusa 040 64MHz
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A recent peek into the Medusa TT 040 (running at a blistering 64MHz
clock speed) has revealed an architecture which touts both a number of
smartly-designed improvements over the original TT alongside some very
interesting hardware options.
Capable of running at up to 15 times the speed of the original TT, the
Medusa's 68040 board is snugly nestled beneath some rather formidable
looking heatsink fins. 4 special EPROMs contain the somewhat modified
licensed version of the TOS 3.06 operating system. (Editor: At this
time, AEO is not aware of final Atari Corp. approval of this license.)
The rear of the housing will accommodate 72-pin SIMMs for an optional
total of 128 megs of additional RAM.
Taking a cue from the PC and Mac world, the major new innovation is
the addition and implementation of a number of both 16 and 32bit
slots. These forward additions afford this "Super TT" the ability to
take a very open, modular approach to hardware add-ons. Possibilities
include multiple VME as well as other standard busses, such as the
industry standard PCI format, for incorporating video, graphic and DSP
cards for digital audio.
Rumor also has it that the existence of numerous, older MegaST
bus-specific cards still in circulation are being considered as
warranting the additional ability to incorporate these cards into the
Medusa as well. This would mean that older hardware, such as
Digidesign's Atari Sound Tools card, as well as a number of Mega
ST specific graphics and video cards could be successfully installed
in the Medusa to take advantage of greater processor speeds. No firm
word on this yet.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// ICD Releases The Link 2
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
ICD has announced an update of their popular external DMA-to-SCSI host
adaptor. The Link 2 features the addition of an LED indicator to
signal the user as to whether the connected SCSI device offers enough
power to disable its parity - a handy addition which can save a user
the hassle of trying to figure out whether they're needlessly
disabling the parity option.
Additional and updated drivers are also included, although owners of
the original Link can download these off of the ICD BBS or obtain them
directly from ICD. There is no offer for upgrading from The Link to
the newer version.
--==--
In addition, ICD has also released an update, Version 6.51, to their
Pro Utilities. New features include the ability to load Auto programs
and desk accessories from any boot partition. Enhanced CD-ROM support
is facilitated by a new MINT driver.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// European/German Hardware
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Atari's popularity and strength is clearly evidenced by the numerous
new and updated products soon to be available on both the German and
European markets. While Atari users back here in the US would often
greet these announcements in the past with a mixture of envy and, "So
what, I can't buy it here anyway!" response, European developers are
starting to eye the entire North American market with increasing
interest.
Popular European/German companies such as Steinberg (Cubase) DMC
(Calamus SL, DynaCADD) and Digital Arts (DAs Vector Pro, DAs Picture)
have made modest inroads into both US and Canadian Atari markets. It
would seem that these companies are starting to view North America
more and more as a promising foreign market, offering additional
revenues at a minimum of expenditure.
Though a number of problems inherent in overseas distribution pricing
have yet to be resolved to the satisfaction of North American
distributors, this has not seemed to dissuade dealers from
distributing European products. Companies like Russ Jones Marketing,
Pacific Software Supply, Gribnif, Compo Software Corp., Oregon
Research and Cybercube, to name a few, have entered into cooperative
distribution arrangements that acknowledge a foreign distributor's
need to operate on a economically feasible profit margin while saving
the developer the expense of opening their own North American
division.
Few distributors rely solely on European products as a major source of
their income. For some companies, imports serve to augment primary
income generated from in-house products. Others wisely obtain
distribution rights to products produced by domestic software or
hardware companies. Such diversity hopefully helps to offset import
duties, fees and the fluctuating value of the dollar against changing
foreign currency markets.
The bottom line is that the declining Atari US developer base is
creating a gap in the market which seems to be looking more
attractive to European developers. Fortunately, North American Atari
users stand to benefit, with continued product for both their new and
existing Atari machines.
We'll briefly mention some new products which could very well end up
in the roster of some American distributors' product line. New
software will be mentioned in their respective categories. And now, on
with our Euro bulletins....
[] A multi-function hard drive controller for all STs, TOPLINK
features a SCSI controller which supports CD-ROM drives a well as
most SCSI drives. Support is also included for removable media
drives such as Syquest and a number of Optical-magneto drives.
[] ComText announced their Atari to Novell network cards and adapters
for hooking up your MegaST/STe or TT. Also shown were their SKUNK
030 accelerators for the Falcon. They'll be offering either a
32MHz or a 36 MHz version with a socket for a math co-processor.
Prices and availability to be announced at a later date.
[] Tower kits for converting practically any Atari into a unified
case are becoming more wide-spread, with prices varying according
to quality and options. Prices range from around $300 US for
either a Mega ST/STe, TT or Falcon version to around $335 for a
ST/STe case, all complete with keyboard converter kits. General
SCSI kits run an additional $200. No definite US distributors yet,
but kits could easily be adapted to accommodate US power
requirements.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
= =
- - -=-=-=- [ VIDEO NEWS ] -=-=-=- - -
= =
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Chroma Studio 24
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
In its final stages of beta-testing, the Black Scorpion Software
developer group is poised to release Chroma Studio 24, their powerful
image editing and manipulation program. Capable of importing and
saving to all the major picture and animation formats, the program
features some very fast routines for virtual redraws, and also
supports a virtual screen for working on larger-than screen-size
files. Screen Blaster and BlowUp will also be supported.
All ST/TT/Falcon resolutions are supported. One of the really wild
features is the ability to switch between resolutions without exiting
the program, though you are required to first save the work-in-
progress.
ChromaStudio 24 takes full advantage of the Falcon's versatile DSP
graphic features, offering an amazing variety of tools and effects for
both drawing and animation, including 3-dimensional texture mapping,
morphing and distorting. All tools and functions are available,
regardless of the level of magnification. Clever routines allow for
amazingly fast rendering and super-efficient memory management.
Scheduled for an early fall release, look for it here in the States,
along with such hardware-compatible add-ons as Titan Designs' Graffiti
Genlock and Expose digitizer, in the final quarter of '94.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// DAs Movie
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Digital Arts will soon be releasing their latest visual software
package, appropriately entitled DAs Movie for the Falcon 030. With the
ability to mix, blend and merge both live and still video images, with
titling and hundreds of "Video Toaster"-like effects, DAs Movie looks
like the first in a wave of sophisticated video editing packages for
the Atari platform.
Although quite capable of performing some impressive feats on its own,
working in seamless conjunction with DAs Vector Pro's professional
vector-based paint and animation program and DAs Picture's impressive
digital photo processing and manipulation program - both of which have
just recently been released - DAs Movie will be able to offer the
combined power of a total image processing and complete video
production studio at an affordable price.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Matrix Screen EyeRendering
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Team Company recently announced their Matrix Screen EyeRendering video
software suite for the Falcon. This program boasts a complete set of
painting, morphing and texture tools for creating full-fledged video
animations and artwork video overlays. Hardware add-ons will
integrate with the software's built in interfaces to provide full
PAL/NTSC and SMPTE support, along with genlocking. The program's
modular approach will facilitate the release of additional software
modules in the future to add even more features and capabilities, as
well as importing and exporting from a number of animation and video
formats.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
= =
- - -=-=-=- [ GRAPHICS NEWS ] -=-=-=- - -
= =
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Arabesque 2 Nears Release
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The original developer of Arabesque is in the final stages of
completing their follow-up to one of the most impressive mono paint
packages ever available for the ST. Distributed here in the US by
Gribnif Software, the original Arabesque Professional combines the
ease of use with an impressive array of tools and effects in both
bit-mapped and vector modes.
Arabesque 2 promises to take that same approach to a full-color
version with a totally redesigned and much improved (if that's
possible) interface that will produce the kind of results comparable
to anything produced by such competing products as Corel Draw for the
PC or Aldus Freehand and Adobe Illustrator for both the Mac and PC
platforms. This will include complex color gradations, sophisticated
bezier curve manipulation, texture mapping and distortions, as well as
a host of mind-blowing effects. Most features will be available on all
STs, though a number of more processor-driven capabilities will only
be possible on the Falcon. Look for a future update right here....
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// EZ-Art Professional
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Specifically oriented towards ST/STe and TT models, EZ-Art Professional
is an easy to use paint program which will deliver sophisticated
results without having to fork over your entire wallet. The program is
the result of over three years of analysis of the best features from
all the ST and Amiga paint packages.
The program offers a host of tools, over 20 different block effects -
such as shatter, skew and soften - and comes with its own supply of
fills and fonts. 16-color fills are possible, and the STe's full color
palette is supported. You can even edit an STe-palette picture on an
ST/STfm.
Pseudo raytracing effects for creating different light sources and
three dimensional extrusions can also be applied to objects created
with the program's 21 different supplied shape. 18 drawing tools and
modes give unprecedented control over your picture, and the list of
supported import picture formats include Spectrum 512, Tiny,
NeoChrome, Degas, IMG and Crack Art, as well as Amiga's IFF and a
number of other popular cross-platform formats.
The interface features a graphic icon tool palette, somewhat similar
to CrackArt, and there's also a convenient built-in on-line help
feature, which can be accessed for any tool or icon selected.
Well, that's it for this edition. Next issue we'll have more of the
latest in all your favorite subjects.
Until next time, this is Pete Donoso & Fadi Hayek reminding you
that...
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
= =
- - [ "Today is the Tomorrow you dreamed about Yesterday." ] - -
= =
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
--==--
--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--
== ==
-- C R E D I T S --
== ==
--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--
ATARI ARTIST endeavors to bring you the latest news on what's
happening in areas that involve the ARTS. Music & MIDI, video, and a
host of graphic categories covering drawing, painting, animation,
graphics, raytracing & texture mapping as well as related
graphic-editing & rendering programs, all of which are either new
arrivals or soon to be released both here and in Europe.
We keep a somewhat loose publishing schedule, which roughly translates
to around once a month. ATARI ARTIST's staff consists of myself, Peter
Donoso, and my partner, Fadi Hayek. We both live and work in New York
City.
//// Peter Donoso
An Atari owner since 1985, I've written numerous software reviews for
a number of publications, including ST Log, ST Informer, and Atari
Explorer magazine, the latter of which I also had the pleasure of
serving as Managing Editor under the stewardship of Editor/Publisher
John Jainschigg. Apart from writing, I also freelance as a DTP layout
and graphic artist, and find my Atari computers an absolutely
essential tool in my passionate pursuits of both musical performance
and composition.
I use a number of both acoustic and MIDI-related instruments, including
keyboards, guitar, flute, sax, percussion, vibes, as well as MIDI
guitar, wind-controller, MIDI vibes and percussion controllers. I've
been a New York city resident for more than thirty five years.
My setup includes:
[] An original 1040ST, used mostly for playing games.
[] A Mega ST / 8 megs RAM / Digidesign DSP-driven Sound Tools card,
TOS 2.06 / TALON Omni-switch for Princeton Ultra 16 multi-sync
monitor / Cartmaster multi-cartridge port expander / Spectre GCR
Mac emulator / ICD Link.
[] A Falcon 030 / 14 megs RAM / 65 meg internal hard drive/
Barracuda 1 Gigabyte external hard drive / 88 meg Syquest
removable cart drive / NEC 4FG 15" multi-sync monitor / Cubase
Audio Falcon.
//// Fadi Hayek
An equally long-time Atari owner, Fadi Hayek is a MIDI/computer
specialist for the SAM ASHE chain of music stores in the northeast
United States. He is their resident Atari expert, and helps run the NY
chapter of Club Cubase.
Fadi does a good deal of MIDI consultant work, and handles such
prestigious clients as Manhattan Center Studio, a thriving multi-media
business which boasts one of the largest orchestral studio for film
scoring on the entire east coast.
Founder and, along with myself, co-owner of Amethyst Studios, a modest
recording/post-production studio in Brooklyn, Fadi's years of music
and computer training have served him as an excellent foundation for
his many talents. A graduate of the Audio Engineering school, he's
worked in a number of well-known east coast studios. Engineer, artist
and video enthusiast, he is also an accomplished composer and drummer,
guitarist, bassist and percussionist.
Fadi's setup includes:
[] A Falcon 030 / 14 megs RAM / 65 meg internal hard drive/
Barracuda 1 Gigabyte external hard drive / NEC 4FG 15" multi-sync
monitor/ Blow-up Hardware Video Enhancer / Cubase Audio Falcon.
--==--
If you have any questions or suggestions concerning anything related
to the contents or subjects mentioned here in ATARI ARTIST, you can
leave E-Mail for either Fadi or myself on GEnie at EXPLORER.2, and
we'll get back to you just as soon as we can.
--==--==--==--==--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- --==--==-- Delphi Sign-Up Information --==--==-- --
-- --
-- To enroll as a Delphi subscriber, modem call 1-800-365-4636. Press --
-- [Return] until you see "Password:", then type IP26 [Return] --
-- --
-- Answer all of the questions, and you'll be cleared for Delphi --
-- access in a few days. If you have questions about Delphi services, --
-- give a voice call to Delphi Member Services at 1-800-544-4005. --
-- --
-- --==--==-- Delphi Sign-Up Information --==--==-- --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
--==--==--==--==--
||| "From a saved backup...."
||| By: Ron Whittam
/ | \ GEnie: EXPLORER.4
-----------------------------------------------------------------
//// Get it together
In this column I hope to foster communication and support for 8-bit
and ST computer owners... presenting a positive and directive
approach. This will help to strengthen the users group base and
encourage the executive element.
A year ago, I accessed the online service of GEnie for the first time.
I had spent many years of using the Atari computer without any concept
that support and help was just a phone call away. In the last year I
have often wondered how I made it as an Atari computer owner with out
contact beyond my local area. Online services, like GEnie, can bring
Atari computer owners into contact with others. I was truly amazed at
the huge amount of Atari computer owners that used the computer like I
did. I was awestruck at the number of people who used it as their
primary business computer. But more importantly, I was gratified for
the support and assistance I received and passed on the the members of
my local users group: Announcements of new products, upgrades, fixes,
and work-a-rounds. People helping people use the one computer they all
enjoyed.
In professional circles there is a concept called networking. This
networking has nothing to do with computers, cables, Ethernet, token
ring, hardware ports, peer to peer, or client/server. This networking
has to do with making and maintaining contacts with people who are in
your occupational sphere. While you may not directly benefit from such
a contact, they might know someone, who might know someone, who can
put you in contact with someone, who will help you. These networked
contacts do favors for each other hoping to someday call in the favor
to get a particular resource (normally not available without "inside"
contacts).
In the occupational circle of computer technicians and hobbyists, this
has a different name (with different motives). This concept would more
correctly referred to as "community" when applied to this realm. The
motive is not profit; but rather support, cooperation, and assistance.
This community shares freely what it has to benefit others (novice and
experienced alike). This is also true of the Atari community.
//// "The Atari Community"
This is a phrase I have encountered recently. Some have objected to
the term. They seem to think it implies something less then
professional. To me it is something more. Both the words "community"
and "communicate" come from the same root. Its a social word of unity.
Without communication there would be no community, and this is
particularly true of the computer world.
Although you may own an Atari computer you may not be part of the
Atari community. Being part of this community requires communication...
interaction. While Atari owners have no dealer or retail outlet in
many cities to congregate at, the Atari community exists nonetheless.
The Atari community exists here in three locations. The first and most
visible location is the local users group meeting place. Once a month
Atari computer owners (8-Bit, ST, TT, Falcon, and GEMulator) meet for
interaction, sharing tidbits of information, getting help, watching
demonstrations of new products, and the social experience of being
with friends who share a common interest.
The other two locations reside in "cyberspace" on the electrons of
telephone circuitry and distant computer systems. Many users groups
have a Bulletin Board System (BBS) program running on a computer for
the support of the Atari community. Features include technically
advanced EMail systems, message areas, database areas, and real-time
conference areas that provide an environment for the growth of the
Atari community on a local level and the Atari community world-wide.
Local Atari owners can communicate information and files (often free
of charge). Atari owners can download the Atari Explorer Online
magazines, and its companion AEO Programmer's Journal (as well as
other online periodicals. This active communication will provide a
sense of community.
The last location in "cyberspace" is the paid information services and
the INTERNET. GEnie, General Electric's Information Service Network,
probably hosts one of the largest of the Atari communities. [Note:
The author is a subscriber to GEnie and has no experience on the other
quality services like CompuServe, Delphi, or American On-Line]. A
large group of Atari Computer owners have chosen GEnie as their
information resource. Programmers, writers, mathematicians, computer
hobbyists, and others gather here to share helpful information on DTP,
utilities, and writing; or to just "talk." The INTERNET is an emerging
media. It is touted by the press and government alike. Some systems
are becoming overburdened with the multitude of users jumping on the
band wagon to see what the INTERNET is all about. The INTERNET is a
great media to contact others with similar interest and to get the
latest news and reviews on your favorite topics. For the Atari there
are Usenet newsgroups:
comp.binaries.atari.st - Atari ST "binary only" postings
comp.sys.atari.8bit - Atari 8-bit computer information
comp.sys.atari.advocacy - Atari computers debate and discussions
comp.sys.atari.st - Atari ST computer information
comp.sys.atari.st.tech - Atari ST computer technical discussions
The INTERNET also has file archives for the Atari ST using the
INTERNET "Anonymous FTP". The Anonymous FTP allows you to log in to
another system on the INTERNET and copy files to your local system.
The atari archives contain files for all Atari computers including the
8-bit, ST, TT, Falcon, Lynx, and Jaguar. These files contain programs,
source code, sound bites, pictures, documentation, and magazines:
ADDRESS: wuarchive.wustl.edu PATH: /systems/atari/*
ADDRESS: atari.archive.umich.edu PATH: /atari/*
Joining the Atari community, whether on the local level or on a world-
wide scale, is worthwhile. Whether you use the computer for games or a
full scale business, the sense of community is redeeming. Take the time
to make contact with other Atari computer owners. You will learn that
the Atari community is a very active group.
In the future we will cover Membership (methods of increasing it),
Networking with other users groups, etc.; and I will share from my own
exploits as a users group president; the frustration and the elation.
Stay tuned.
------------
Ron Whittam is a Customer Support Specialist for a small software firm
in Boise, Idaho; and the President of the Atari Boise Users Group. He
can be contacted on GEnie (EXPLORER.4), on the Internet at
<r.whittam@genie.geis.com>, or on ROVER BBS (208-362-2243).
--==--==--==--==--
||| The Unabashed Atariophile
||| By: Michael R. Burkley
/ | \ Delphi: MRBURKLEY GEnie: AEO.4
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I've been BUSY this week, 17+ megabytes of compressed files totally
148 files busy. I'm trying to catch up with all the files I've
downloaded, but I've only been partially successful. I'll have another
big pile of file descriptions for next issue, too. Well, since I'm
late in getting this to Travis, and since it will already be a huge
article, I