Z*Net: 09-Mar-91 #9109

From: Ed Krimen (al661@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 03/28/91-11:35:29 AM Z


From: al661@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Ed Krimen)
Subject: Z*Net: 09-Mar-91 #9109
Date: Thu Mar 28 11:35:29 1991

                             EDITORIAL STAFF
          Ron Kovacs...........................Publisher/Editor
          John Nagy...............................Senior Editor
          Terry Schreiber......................Assistant Editor
          Jon Clarke........................Contributing Editor
          Ron Berinstein....................Contributing Editor
          Mike Schuetz......................Contributing Editor
          Dr. Paul Keith..............Special Assignment Editor
          Keith Macnutt...............................Columnist
          Mike Mezaros......................Contributing Editor


                                 CONTENTS
 
    EDITORS DESK.............................Ron Kovacs and John Nagy
    Z*NET NEWSWIRE...................................................
    NEW FREE ATARI MAGAZINE ANNOUNCED...................Press Release
    THE GLENDALE ATARI SHOW.............................Press Release
    FAXNET.................................................Jon Clarke
    COMPUSERVE INFORMATION SERVICE.......................Scott Lapham
    CALAMUS TUTORIAL - PART IV..........................Geoff LaCasse
    THE SOFTWARE SHELF.................................Ron Berinstein
    MIST PLANS ATARIFEST................................Press Release
    LEXICOR UPDATE..........................................Z*NET BBS
    PUBLIC DOMAIN UPDATE................................Keith Macnutt
 
 
 EDITORS DESK
 ============                         Special Commentary and Update
 
 Z*NET; WHERE ARE WE, WHERE ARE WE GOING?
 by Ron Kovacs and John Nagy
 
 Anniversaries... they make us think about the past and the Future.
 
 Ron Kovacs is about to begin his SEVENTH YEAR of weekly online
 publishing for Atari users.  March marks the beginning of our third year
 of Z*NET MONTHLY, our hard-copy newsletter supplement that has served
 over 50 user groups world-wide.
 
 ROVAC INDUSTRIES, Inc. was legally incorporated in 1989 in the State of
 New Jersey by Ron Kovacs for the purpose of furthering what had, until
 then, been a solo, totally volunteer effort to bring Atari users the
 best information available.  John Nagy became a regular contributor,
 editor of the monthly newsletter, and staff manager for the growing
 number of "Z*projects".  The online magazine remains to this day to be
 100% volunteer supported, non-commercial and non-profit.
 
 In 1990, "Z*NET International Atari Online Magazine" became the single
 name for what had been ZMAGAZINE and ST*ZMAGAZINE.  Distribution of the
 weekly electronic magazine under Ron's editorship was on CompuServe,
 GEnie, Delphi, USENET, and over 600 registered carrying private
 bulletin board systems.  Later in 1990, Z*NET entered the FNET system
 and has primary distribution to 50 FNET BBS systems... and ultimately to
 perhaps thousands more independent BBS systems around the world.  Z*Net
 maintains staff writers in the USA, Canada, England, Germany, New
 Zealand, and Japan, with correspondents in many other countries.

 On GEnie alone, JUST the 1990 Z*NET issues have been downloaded 30,000
 times (thirty THOUSAND!), with another 8 THOUSAND downloads of related
 files, pictures, Z*BREAK news bulletins, etc.  This made Z*NET the
 NUMBER ONE ONLINE MAGAZINE and the most prolific of ALL GEnie
 contributors in 1990!  We are convinced that part of what makes us
 respected and popular is Z*NET's continued resolve not to preach, push,
 pirate, or pander.

 During 1990, Z*NET continued to evolve.  First, the Z*NET NEWS SERVICE
 was featured as a regular contributor to the German magazine PD JOURNAL.
 Later, Z*NET NEWS SERVICE was recognized by several British Atari
 magazines, and was also quoted as an original source in reports
 appearing in non-computer-specific national news services.  Reprints or
 quotes of Z*NET articles appear regularly in almost every user-group
 newsletter and have also appeared in many commercial publications
 including COMPUTER SHOPPER, ST INFORMER, ST WORLD, CURRENT NOTES, AIM,
 PSAN NEWS, and while in publication, ANALOG, ST-LOG, and ANTIC.  In
 1990, Z*NET became a continuing column in ST JOURNAL magazine, then
 moved to become the exclusive news agency for START, the largest US
 Atari magazine.

 Z*NET was first with major Atari stories.  The 32mHz TT, Elie Kenan
 resigning, layoffs, the MEGA STE introduction, and more stories were
 broken by Z*NET special reports.  Even though many of those stories were
 denied vigorously by Atari officials and decried by other publications,
 each of them came to be shown as true, accurate, fair, and FIRST.  By
 Z*NET's writers doing on-site reporting at major Atari events, including
 live mini-conferences and pictures of the shows, often while they were
 still in progress, Z*NET's credibility had crystallized; it had become
 widely accepted that, if it was reported by Z*NET, you could depend on it.

 That's not to say that we were always right... occasionally we reported
 what was in fact true at the time of the report, only to have situations
 change.  And of course, we occasionally really blow it, and make a plain
 error in interpretation or timing.  We also have inadvertently angered
 the occasional developer, dealer, user group, or Atari official with our
 reporting of things that might not always put them in the best light.
 But we haven't been shy about owning up to errors in reporting as soon
 as they were detected, nor about offering reply space for any irritated
 reader.  And yes, we've been threatened with lawsuits on several occasions.  
 None, it turns out, have actually been filed, despite continued harassment.

 Also in 1990 and since, Ron Kovacs began several Atari and non-Atari
 projects under the Z*NET auspices:

 *  Z*NET MECHANICS ONLINE NEWSLETTER was the first, offering the proven
    format of the online publication to automobile mechanics, both
    professional and amateur.  Gatewat Associates, a development company
    formed by Bruce Kennedy, the original Z*Magazine editor and founder,
    has been the co-publisher/editor of the publication since the start.
    The MECHANICS ONLINE may be continuing or may change format and
    distribution in support of a commercial sales effort of completely
    databased auto service bulletins.
 
 *  Z*NET MACINTOSH ONLINE MAGAZINE had a trial run and is being
    considered for continued status.

 *  Z*NET PC ONLINE MAGAZINE has just been test released, and is enjoying
    remarkable startup success and favorable commentary, despite some
    very vociferous complaints from Atari users who believe that it shows
    Z*NET is abandoning Atari.

 *  Z*NET ATARI CD-ROM DISK was planned and prepared, but is currently on
    hold due to the unavailability of Atari CD-ROM players.  If that
    situation reverses, the Z*NET disk will offer a terrific collection
    of many hundred megs of Atari software, pictures, animations, sounds,
    and information.

 ... and there is more that we just aren't ready to discuss!

 Keep in mind that the ROVAC/Z*NET effort is entirely a "hobby" on many
 levels... each of us involved have a "real" full time job, and do
 Z*stuff on our own tabs on our own time.  Only a few of our enterprises
 actually pay for themselves.  Some regular readers seem to forget that
 and are less than charitable when Z*NET is not available for them quite
 "on time", or when the Z*NET BBS is down for a while due to waiting
 hardware repairs or PHONE BILLS to be paid!

 What will the future bring for Z*NET?  No, we are NOT abandoning Atari
 despite new activity in other areas.  Z*NET International Atari Online
 Magazine will continue to be published as long as there is Atari news
 that deserves impartial telling.  It may be that the staff will change
 somewhat, but Ron Kovacs will remain the publisher and will retain final
 editorial supervision.  Z*NET MONTHLY will continue under the editorship
 of John Nagy, supplementing user group newsletters until or unless it
 becomes unnecessary or impractical.  And our other projects will
 continue to expand... to take up every spare minute of time available!

 But Z*NET Atari Online remains as our center, our touchstone and
 template for all our other projects.  In some ways, the weekly magazine
 is the engine that keeps all of our other projects in motion.  We WON'T
 be dropping it in the foreseeable future.

 We DO need to solicit for more input, more contributors, and even more
 "permanent" staff members.  So, readers, consider yourselves solicited.
 You can reach us to volunteer your talents (and heck, we wouldn't turn
 down offers of hardware or cash, either!) via EMAIL, US mail, or phone.
 The relevant numbers are at the top and bottom of every issue of Z*NET.
 
 And Thanks for Reading!  Your appreciation is our greatest reward.

 Now let's begin our seventh year together...
 
 
 Z*NET NEWSWIRE
 ==============
 
 NEW 1040STE PRICING AT NEW LOW
 Atari Canada annouced new retail pricing at $499.00 cdn.  Murray Brown,
 West Coast Sales Manager for Atari stated that Atari is taking a get
 tough approach.  With the new pricing in hand you can now purchase a
 1040STE, colour monitor and 30 meg hard drive for the same price as a
 Mac Classic, which comes without a hard drive, midi ports, stereo sound,
 built in operating system etc...  This will also make PC buyers sit up
 and take notice.  Atari is alive and wants their fair share of the
 market.  National advertising begins next week in an all out effort to
 make the public awareness and show that  Atari doesn't take prisoners!
 Atari is once again "Power without the price."

 ATARI NEW ZEALAND
 Atari New Zealand have released a new newsletter aimed at all the
 education facilities in New Zealand offering special "education" pricing
 on most of its product range.
 
 MNP VRS PEP
 Like the old Beta verses VHS video wars of the 80's the MNP and PEP
 modem compression wars have come to an end with the MNP standard
 becoming the modem standard in New Zealand for BBS's.  (sig: much to my
 horror I have a PEP)
 
 NEW CD_ROM
 Rumours abound about a new Atari compact disk player for the ST/STE/TT
 range of computers due for release in May or June of this year.  It appears 
 the old Chinnon engine is to be replaced with a more up-to-date version.
 
 CD_ROM DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES
 A US based company with ties in New Zealand and Malaysia continues to
 amaze the computing world with their innovations in the CD_ROM world.
 Whitestar Mageware of Sante February NEW MEXICO have successfully
 completed their port from the Atari ST to the MAC and IBM platforms of
 the game " Golden Immortal".
 
 X32 FULLY IMPLEMENTED
 Telecom International and Networks have completed their upgrades of the
 X32 network in New Zealand and now offer full world wide X32 dial out.
 Users in New Zealand may access X32 on the following phone number 1750.
 
 DUALFMT.PRG TIME BOMB?
 Users of a public domain floppy disk formatter for the ST may be heading
 for data disaster, according to Steve Decker, who contacted Z*NET
 yesterday.  Steve claims that DUALFORMAT, a program by Alan Lindsey that
 will format two disks in two drives at once, will cease to create unique
 serial numbered disks after a number of uses.  This creates disks that
 your ST can't tell apart.  Swap disks with the same serial number, and
 the computer will not know to start fresh, and will write parts of the
 old disk directory into the new one... trashing the file structure
 beyond repair.  Symptoms of this problem have reportedly come to the
 attention of GRIBNIF SOFTWARE as well, when callers were worried that a
 bug in their NEODESK might be to blame.  Those cases were reportedly
 also traced to DUALFORMAT users.  Until/unless we find out more from the
 author (who does not list a telecom address), we can only recommend that
 all users and BBS SYSOPS remove DUALFMT.ARC from their file library for
 their own safety.

 FOUR MORE NEW ST GAMES FROM OCEAN/EA
 Late February press releases from Ocean Software through Electronic Arts
 Distribution announced four more new game releases for the Atari ST
 computers:
 * F-29 RETALIATOR (ST and AMIGA, Ocean Software, $49.95):  A futuristic
   flight simulation with four battle scenarios and 100 missions to fly.
   Real-time cockpit, internal and external viewpoints and fast, detailed
   graphics.
 * NIGHTBREED (ST, PC, and AMIGA, $39.95):  Based on the Clive Barker
   horror film, you are Aaron Boone, fighting both to save the race of
   the supernatural "Breed" from both the police and a villain called
   "The Mask".  An interactive adventure.
 * THE UNTOUCHABLES (ST, AMIGA, and C64, $39.95):  Another movie action/
   adventure conversion.  Control Eliot Ness's squad in "spectacular
   busts, raids, shoot-outs and duels" in Mafia-infested 1920's Chicago."
 * LOST PATROL (ST, AMIGA, PC, $49.95):  It's 1966, and you and six other
   soldiers are crashed in central Vietnam.  Will you survive the 57 mile
   trek through enemy forces with little food and less ammunition?  This
   strategy adventure allows you to deploy your troops as you see fit...
   and one of your guys just might be a psycho!
 
 TI INTRODUCES MICROCHIPS
 Texas Instruments introduced a family of customizable microchips this
 week that enable electronics manufacturers to design smaller and more
 powerful high performance computer systems, central office telephone
 equipment, computer workstations and other advanced electronics
 equipment.  The new TGB1000 family is the first customer-configurable
 solution available that offers up to 150,000 gates operating at speeds
 that can keep pace with today's most advanced electronic systems. 

 HP 17 PPM LASERJET PRINTER
 Hewlett-Packard announced on March 4, 1991, its fastest, most advanced
 300 dpi desktop printer, the HP LaserJet IIISi printer.  The 17 pages-
 per-minute laser printer uses Resolution Enhancement technology and HP's
 PCL 5 printer language and has a U.S.list price of $5,495.  The new
 printer is designed to produce up to 50,000 pages per month.
 
 SEAGATE EXPANDS
 Seagate announced March 5, 1991 new 3.5, 5.25 and 8-inch drives.  The
 new line-up includes several products that set new standards for their
 form factors.  The Elite 2 IPI and Elite 2 SCSI, respectively, provide
 the fastest data transfer rate and highest formatted storage capacity
 in the 5.25-inch market.  The Sabre 6, meanwhile, offers the fastest
 data access time in an 8-inch drive.  The new products will publicly
 debut at Hanover Messe CeBit '91 in Hanover, Germany, March 13-20.
 Demonstrations will take place during the show at booth number D24-E23,
 Hall 8, Nesssegelande Hanover.  The newest product offerings include: 
 ST3144 - This 3.5-inch disc drive, available with both AT and SCSI-2
 interfaces, is geared towards the low-profile desktop, laptop and the
 emerging entry-level workstation markets.

 EPSON TO UNVEIL FULL NEW PRODUCT LINE
 Epson products will be shown in Booth 1240 at FOSE '91.  Two new
 products are being featured, the Equity 386SX/20 PLUS desktop computer
 and the LQ-200 dot-matrix printer.  Both of these products set new price
 /performance standards in their respective categories.  Other products
 in the Epson line-up include the Equity 386SX PLUS and Equity 386/25
 PLUS computers.  Along with computers, Epson will demonstrate its new
 EPL series of laser printers.
 
 COURT FINDS IN APPLE'S FAVOR
 Apple announced this week that Judge Vaughn Walker of the U.S. District
 Court in San Francisco has strengthened Apple's case by clearing the way
 for a trial in Apple's copyright infringement suit against Microsoft and
 Hewlett-Packard. The judge denied motions from Microsoft and HP and
 upheld Apple's claim that the Macintosh computer audio-visual displays
 are original to Apple.  The judge also held that the major portions of
 Macintosh audio-visual displays -- overlapping windows and icons -- are
 not licensed to Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard.  Apple filed suit against
 Microsoft and HP in March 1988, to protect its copyrighted Macintosh
 audio-visual displays against copyright infringement by two products:
 Microsoft's Windows 2.03 and Hewlett-Packard's New Wave.  Apple's audio
 -visual displays make the Macintosh personal computer unique and
 distinctive, and in computer parlance, extremely "user friendly."


 FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE ANNOUNCED
 ===============================                        Press Release
 For Immediate Release.....
 
 FREE MONTHLY ATARI MAGAZINE ANNOUNCED, AVAILABLE IN MAY
 
 COVINA, CA -- Quill Publishing, publishers of ST JOURNAL MAGAZINE, have
 replaced the Journal with ATARIUSER, the first and only FREE ATARI
 SPECIFIC MAGAZINE.  ATARIUSER will be distributed free internationally
 through computer stores, Atari dealers, developers, distributors, and
 registered Atari user groups.  Select book and retail stores and
 businesses will offer it for free or $1.00 per issue, at their option.
 Preferred delivery subscriptions to ATARIUSER are available, direct
 mailed for only $12 a year.  All outstanding subscribers to ST Journal
 will be individually contacted regarding upgrading to extended ATARIUSER
 subscriptions.
 
 AtariUser will cover the ENTIRE Atari computer product lineup, including
 the TT, STe, ST, MEGA, MEGA/STe, Portfolio, Lynx, and even the out-of-
 production Atari 8-bit series of computers.  It will also grow as the
 Atari product mix grows in the coming years.  ATARIUSER's editor-in-
 chief is well-known industry journalist JOHN NAGY.  Says Nagy, "We'll
 focus on the facts that will make it easier to be an ATARI USER.  Every
 month we will try to cut to the meat of what is happening, what is
 available, what it can do for you, and how to get it.  And we'll do it
 FAST, with less than two weeks between final edits and distribution.
 Our concept and goal is to be your standard monthly reference for all
 Atari interests... at a price Atari Users can truly say is POWER WITHOUT
 THE PRICE... FREE!"
 
 ATARIUSER will begin with the May 1991 issue, expected to be available
 starting April 15.  Distribution will be at a minimum of 30,000 per
 month.  P. Kevin Horn, Quill's Marketing Director, said "ATARIUSER is
 the most inexpensive Atari national publication to advertise in.  We
 have broad distribution and the lowest cost per thousand.  No one can
 beat us!"  Dealers and user groups interested in providing ATARIUSER
 monthly, free, to their customers and users should contact Quill
 Publishing directly, and quickly, if they wish to receive sufficient
 quantities of the May '91 issue.  Groups are also solicited to suggest
 and perhaps cooperate in placement of ATARIUSER distribution points in
 their areas as part of their own membership outreach.  Simply call our
 offices and let us know how many issues your group can realistically place.
 
 Single sample issues will be available by mail after April 20 - send
 $1.00 to Quill Publishing.  Potential advertisers should contact P.
 Kevin Horn.  Aspiring writers should contact Editor John Nagy or
 Assistant Editor John King Tarpinian at the Quill offices below.
 
 ATARIUSER magazine from Quill Publishing Co.
 113 W. College St.
 Covina, CA 91723
 818-332-0372 - Editorial and business.
 818-332-2869 - Fax.
 818-332-5473 - Direct advertising line.
 

 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ATARI COMPUTER FAIRE - VERSION 5.0
 ======================================================    Press Release
 
 The Southern California ATARI Computer Faire, Version 5.0, also known as
 THE GLENDALE SHOW has been confirmed for September 14 and 15, 1991.  We
 are proud to announce that, as with all of our prior Faires, ATARI has
 offered both its attendance in force and its complete support.
 
 This is the Premiere West Coast Faire.  The Glendale Show was the first
 joint ATARI-User Group sponsored show in the nation, and last September
 featured the largest array of Atari vendors ever formed at a domestic
 consumer show.  You can expect this year's show to again be the largest
 exhibition of Developers, Dealers and Retailers under one roof.  You'll
 be able to meet the people behind the software, talk to the Atari
 officials you normally just read about, and see and buy the widest
 variety of Atari goods ever assembled in the USA.
 
 We also will offer more of our popular seminars, which last year
 featured standing-room-only talks by Leonard Tramiel, Bob Brodie, Dave
 Small, and many other Atari personalities.  Make your vacation and 
 travel plans now to come to the Los Angeles area this September, and be
 here for the GLENDALE SHOW, September 14 and 15, 1991.
 
 Please address EXHIBITOR questions to:
  H.A.C.K.S.
  249 N. Brand Bl. #321
  Glendale, CA 91203
 or call:
  John King Tarpinian
  Faire Chairperson
  818-246-7286


 FAXNET: THE END TO FAXCARDS AND HOME TO FIRST PUBLIC EDI SYSTEM
 ===============================================================
 by Jon Clarke
 
 How many times have you popped over to friends and thought, "Ahh if only
 I brought that disk with me" or "why did I not bring that disk on site
 with me?"  Well help is here for all New Zealand users.
 
 A service called Paxus Faxnet allows you to do full file/email/document
 and fax exchange with only the aid of a modem.  Several of the Atari BBS
 operators down here have been using Paxus to node their BBS's to all the
 major cities in the country and allow users to call world wide via the
 Public Data Network and connect as though they made a local call.

 This portion of the "Faxnet" service is the most popular with the
 private users here in New Zealand.  It works like 'Internet' or the
 'GEnie' and 'Compuserve' PAD services.  Make a local call and you pop
 out on a BBS in a distant city all for a nominal fee.  Now I have been 
 a user of this service and it has reduced my toll bill by 90 odd
 percent.  I am also lucky enough to have my BBS as a dial out option on
 here as well and enjoy callers from all over the country.  It makes our
 BBS become a local BBS even though we are over 800 plus odd miles from
 some of the users.

 So using it as a private user I thought this was all that "Faxnet" had
 to offer bar a few services for IBM and as I use  an Atari ST user at
 home I could not see any use for the service.  Now how many times have
 you based your opions on a limited exposure to an item, service or what
 ever?  Well I was totally WRONG!  My old ST now has full fax facilities
 with out the need for expensive add on faxcards or faxmodems.  That is
 right this old bucket of bolts (you have to see it to believe it) can
 now send and receive faxes as though it was a regular fax machine at a
 cheaper cost than a regular fax for that matter (40 NZ cents per fax).

 I can send documents I have prepared in Tempus (like this one) to
 "Faxnet" and they appear as a fax a few minutes later on some ones fax
 machine.  For that matter I can send a file or what ever via their
 document/file exchange service.  Imagine this, here I am 200 miles away
 from work or home and I forgot to take a disk or program with me.  I
 call my office and ask them to pop it into my mailbox so I can get it
 (like you do on a BBS but with compression and document conversion).  So
 they hop on to my PC at work or my ST at home and tell the Faxnet Smart
 Terminal(TM) to connect send file xyz.prg to me and it does the logon,
 upload and even confirms that it worked 100%.  So I get my file and we
 all live happily ever after.  For more details on Paxus Faxnet users
 world wide ZNet International readers can call this service via the
 Public Data Networks at this Network User Address +53019500001313.
 There is a Guest user i/d set up for use.  You will see it on connection
 via the PDN node.  Enter it in and follow your nose.
 
 
 THE COMPUSERVE INFORMATION SERVICE
 ==================================           Z*Net Special Report
 by Scott Lapham
 
 If you are reading this, you probably have a computer.  If you have a
 modem with your computer, you've probably heard of CompuServe
 Information Service (CIS).  If you don't have a modem, or haven't heard
 of CIS, then read on.  You may decide to get a modem just to be able to
 gain access to this wealth of information, services and products.  And
 it's not expensive, either.  Only $6.00 an hour connect charge for up to
 300BPS, $12.50 an hour for 1200 or 2400BPS.  9600BPS service is being
 expanded this year.
 
 CIS certainly is a diversified service.  The first menu you see when you
 log on gives you a good idea of what's available.  It currently looks
 something like this:
 
 1.  Member Assistance (FREE)
 2.  Find a Topic (FREE)
 3.  Communications/Bulletin Boards
 4.  News/Weather/Sports
 5.  Travel
 6.  The Electronic MALL/Shopping
 7.  Money Matters/Markets
 8.  Entertainment/Games
 9.  Hobbies/Lifestyles/Education
 10. Reference
 11. Computers/Technology
 12. Business/Other Interests

 Choosing any of the above categories brings you to sub-menus that break
 down the generic choices into specific choices.  For instance, if you
 chose "1" (Member Assistance) from the main menu, you would be given the
 following choices in the sub-menu:

 1.  Tour/Find a Topic
 2.  Command Summary/How to Use
 3.  Ask Customer Service
 4.  Membership Changes
 5.  What's New
 6.  Practice Forum
 7.  Billing Information
 8.  Telephone Access Numbers
 9.  Order from CIS
 10. Rules of Operation/Copyright
 11. Membership Directory
 12. Specials/Contests

 You then make a choice from the sub-menu and you either get the
 information you were looking for or another sub-menu to give you more
 choices.  How could it be any easier?

 Not only is CIS a great place to get information, it's a great place to
 go shopping!  The Electronic Mall on CIS lets you shop to your hearts
 content without ever leaving your home.  And we're not talking about a
 few stores.  There are almost 100 merchants that sell items in
 departments such as: apparel/accessories, arts/music/video, auto, books/
 periodicals, business/finance, clubs/memberships, computing, gifts/
 flowers/gourmet foods, health/beauty, hobbies/toys/pets, information/
 services, merchandise/electronics, office supplies, sports/leisure and
 travel/vacations.  And you'll find many very familiar stores like Sears
 and JCPenney.  All it takes is a quick "GO SEARS" or "GO JCP" command at
 any prompt on CIS and you're off and shopping.  Beginning this spring,
 the ELECTRONIC MALL will be free of connect charges.
 
 Hobbyists will find CIS very useful too.  Some of the hobbies supported
 in the forums include aquaria/fish, astronomy, food/wine, ham radio,
 model aviation, photography, and science fiction, just to name a few.
 More on how forums work later.

 Need to fly somewhere?  Log on to EAASY SABRE and make your own flight
 arrangements.  Even write your own ticket and have it sent to your home!
 There is a small monthly charge to use this service, but if you fly
 often, it could be worth it.

 CIS doesn't forget about your children's education either.  The Groliers
 Academic American Encyclopedia is available online to help with the
 toughest homework assignments.  And it's updated far more often than a
 normal encyclopedia, too.

 Or if you need to send someone a quick letter, CIS' electronic mail
 service is also a snap to use.  You can compose your letter online or
 compose it offline on your computer and upload it.  And your recipient
 doesn't have to be a CIS subscriber.  You can also exchange messages
 with any TELEX or TWX machine, or a subscriber of the MCI Mail electronic 
 mail service.  You may also send electronic messages to FAX machines.

 CIS and ATARI

 Now let's look at CIS from an ATARI point of view.  And there is plenty
 to look at, too.  Whether you have and 8-bit, ST, game machine or
 portable DOS machine, it's covered on CIS.  All you have to do, once
 you're logged onto CIS, is type "GO ATARI".  In a few seconds you're
 taken to ATARINET (Atari Users Network).  Once there, it's just a matter
 of choosing the right forum.  Your choices are:

 1. What's New in the Atari Forums
 2. Atari File Finder
 3. Atari 8-Bit Forum
 4. Atari ST Productivity Forum
 5. Atari ST Arts Forum
 6. Atari Vendors Forum
 7. Atari Portfolio Forum

 Each of the Atari hardware and software forums can be reached without
 going to this menu if you want to save a little time.  Type "GO ATARI8"
 (Atari 8-Bit Forum), "GO ATARIPRO" (Atari ST Productivity Forum), "GO
 ATARIARTS" (Atari ST Arts Forum), "GO ATARIVEN" (Atari Vendors Forum) or
 "GO APORTFOLIO" (Atari Portfolio Forum).

 The overall Forum Manager/SYSOP and contract holder for all Atari Forums
 on CIS is Ron Luks.  He can be contacted via electronic mail (userid
 76703,254) or on any of the forum message boards if you have any
 questions about ATARINET.

 All the forums have message boards.  They are used to discuss any and
 all subjects pertaining to the particular forum.  The boards can be very
 handy, whether you are an old pro or a new Atari user.  You can post a
 question there you may have about your hardware or software and will
 most likely get an answer from someone in just a day or so.  There are a
 lot of very knowledgeable people logging onto these boards that would
 love to help you out if they can.  Or you can just read the messages
 there to keep abreast of what's going on in the Atari world.

 All of the forums have libraries.  The libraries contain thousands of
 files that you can download; games, utilities, applications, demo's of
 commercial software or just informational text files.  Or if you have a
 program or file you'd like to share with other Atari users, you can
 upload it to the library.  Not a bad place to try to sell your old Atari
 400 when you decide you want to upgrade to a TT!  All of the files
 uploaded to the libraries are previewed by a SYSOP to make sure they
 work as described.

 With all those hundreds (or even thousands) of files contained in the
 Atari libraries, how could you possibly find a particular file you may
 want?  No problem.  The Atari File Finder to the rescue.  The File
 Finder is an online comprehensive keyboard searchable database of file
 descriptions from Atari related Forums.  It was designed to provide
 quick and easy reference to some of the best programs and files
 available in the Atari ST Productivity, Atari ST Arts and Atari Vendors
 forums.  It provides you with seven common search criteria for quickly
 finding the location of a wanted file or files.  You can search by
 topic, file submission date, forum name, file type, file extension, file
 name or submitter's user identification number.  File description, forum
 and library location are displayed for the matched files giving instant
 information on where to find a most wanted file.  You can access the
 File Finder by selecting option 2 on the main ATARINET menu or type "GO
 ATARIFF" at any CIS prompt.  Once at the File Finder main menu, you get
 the choices:

 1. About File Finder
 2. Instructions For Searching
 3. How To Locate Keywords
 4. Access File Finder
 5. Your Comments About File Finder

 Take your pick and off you go!  It's very user-friendly.

 ATART8 (Atari 8-Bit Forum)

 The Atari 8-Bit Forum supports the Atari 8-bit line of personal
 computers and Atari video game machines, including the portable Lynx.
 They have a real-time conference every Sunday night at 9:00 PM EST in
 Conference Room 4.  These conferences give you the opportunity to talk
 to and ask questions of a variety of people related to the Atari 8-Bit
 Forum.  It could be anyone from an Atari Corporation executive to the
 author of your favorite piece of software.  Try one some night.  I think
 you'd enjoy it.  The library in this forum includes files in the
 following categories (my comments, in brackets, do not appear on the
 actual menu):

 1.  New Uploads (all new uploads, regardless of category)
 2.  Telecommunications (helps get the most of online time)
 3.  System Utilities (various utilities)
 4.  Graphics/RLE/PIC's (mostly clip-art)
 5.  Productivity Software (be productive)
 6.  Sound & Music (pretty self explanatory)
 7.  News & Reviews (see above)
 9.  BBS Programs/Information (in case you run a Bulletin Board)
 10. Games/Entertainment (self explanatory)
 11. ZNET Online (Atari specific online magazine)
 14. Programming Aids (in case you are a programmer)
 15. Innovative Concepts (to support their software)
 17. Misc./HELP (just as it says)

 ATARIARTS (Atari ST Arts Forum)

 The Atari ST Arts Forum supports various art forms for the Atari ST line
 of personal computers.  They have a Community Gab Conference every
 Thursday at 10:00 PM EST.  The exact conference room will be available
 when you log-on to join this conference.  Again, you could get to chat
 with anyone related to Atari or Atari products in this conference.  The
 library in this forum includes files in the following categories (my
 comments, in brackets, do not appear on the actual menu):

 1.  New Uploads (same as ATARI8)
 2.  Games (games)
 3.  Game Data Files (self explanatory)
 4.  GIF/RLE/FCP Pics (clip art in GIF, RLE and FCP format)
 5.  Music/MIDI (for music lovers/composers)
 6.  DEGAS/NEO/TINY Pics (more art, different formats)
 7.  SPECTRUM Pics (more art)
 8.  CAD3D/Animations (computer aided design stuff)
 9.  CYBER files A-M (software support)
 10. CYBER files N-Z (more of above)
 11. LEXICOR Software (supporting their software)
 12. Demo programs (gives you chance to look before buying)
 13. R-rated pics (mostly nude/semi-nude clip-art)
 14. Viewers/Utilities (for viewing art in various formats)
 15. News & Reviews (self explanatory)
 17. Misc. Files (self explanatory)

 ATARIPRO (Atari ST Productivity Forum)

 The Atari ST Productivity Forum supports, naturally, productivity
 related subjects.  They have a Programmers/Technical Conference every
 Friday night at 10:00 PM EST.  You'll have to log on to find out which
 conference room they are in.  And like the other forums, you could meet
 just about anyone.  The library includes files in the following
 categories (my comments, in brackets, do not appear on the actual menu):

 1.  New Uploads (guess!)
 2.  Telecommunications (we've seen this one before)
 3.  Programming Tools (for all you programmers)
 4.  Utility Programs (we all need these useful little devils)
 5.  Applications (to be productive)
 6.  ACC's & Setups (accessory-type programs)
 7.  *ATARI Registered developers (Restricted)
 8.  News & Reviews (self explanatory)
 9.  Printer/Fonts/Icons (mostly self explanatory)
 10. Program Demo's (look before you buy)
 11. Tutorials (to help with those tough programs)
 14. GNC Compiler Files (you'll know if you need these)
 15. TeX/LaTeX (ditto on these)
 16. Xformer II (run 8-bit stuff on the 16-bit machines)
 17. Misc. Files (self explanatory)

 To gain access to the restricted developers section, drop a message to
 ATARI DEVELOPER SUPPORT 70007,1072 and they will request that the sysops
 activate your user ID for this section.

 ATARIVEN (Atari Vendors Forum)

 The Atari Vendors Forum supports numerous third-party vendors that offer
 Atari-related products.  I don't have any information that suggests they
 have conferences here, but they do have a bulletin board and a library.
 The library includes files in the following categories (my comments, in
 brackets, do not appear on the actual menu):

 1.  Forum Business (self explanatory)
 2.  Intersect Software (supporting their software)
 3.  Michtron (product support)
 4.  Precision Software (supporting their software)
 5.  QMI (product support)
 6.  Maxwell CPU (product support)
 7.  ICD, Inc. (product support)
 8.  GRIBNIF Software
 9.  LEXICOR Software
 11. PageStream/Publishing Partner (product support)
 12. Practical Solutions (product support)
 13. Double Click (supporting their software)
 14. Gadgets by Small (product support)
 15. Supra Corporation (product support)
 16. CodeHead Software (supporting their software)
 17. ISD Marketing (product support)

 APORTFOLIO (Atari Portfolio Forum)

 The Atari Portfolio Forum supports the Atari portable DOS computer.
 This forum has been named by ATARI as an OFFICIAL online area for
 Portfolio support.  They have a conference every Thursday night at 9:00
 PM EST.  Log on to see in which conference room it is taking place.
 There is also a private message section and library for registered Atari
 Portfolio developers.  To apply for access, send CIS Mail to "Atari
 Developer Support", userid 70007,1072.  The library includes files in
 the following categories (my comments, in brackets, do not appear on the
 actual menu):

 1.  New Uploads (guess again)
 2.  Communications (kinda like telecommunications)
 3.  Utilities (of the DOS variety)
 4.  Entertainment (have fun)
 5.  Editors/Word Processors (self explanatory)
 6.  Database Functions (to keep track of things)
 7.  Applications (get productive again)
 8.  Programming (for programmers (really?))
 9.  *Registered Developers (must be registered to enter)
 11. GRAPHICS (art)
 14. *HyperList Testing (must be registered to enter)
 15. *PowerBASIC Testing (must be registered to enter)
 16. New Products (self explanatory)
 17. Misc. Files (self explanatory)

 That's about it.  I could go on for pages on how I specifically use CIS,
 but Ron Luks told me to keep it short (how am I doin', Ron?).  There are
 even programs that will help you navigate around CIS faster and easier
 but I'll save that for another time.  The bottom line is that CIS has a
 lot to offer an Atari computer user.  And since you are probably an
 Atari user yourself, why not give it a try.

 
 CALAMUS TUTORIAL - PART IV
 ==========================          Working With Multi-Column Documents
 Copyright by Geoff LaCasse
 GXR Systems, Vancouver, B.C.
 
 A number of individuals have expressed concern that this tutorial could
 be perverted by those with pirated copies of Calamus.  That was never
 the intent.  Piracy is hateful because it devalues the developer's and
 retailer's efforts, and ultimately the general user base suffers.  For
 those with illegal copies, if these sessions convince you Calamus is
 worth having, buy a copy, its not expensive.  In the interim, use the
 demo program ISD has put up on the BBSs.  But don't pirate software.

 In our last session, we looked at a number of ways to modify the form
 and style of the text.  Calamus's philosophy is simple.  All aspects of
 design and creation lies in the hands of the user.  Any new point sizes,
 justification, tabs, style, etc. (among others) become default values
 until changed or the computer is turned off.  A troublesome concept for
 beginners (or those from other dtp platforms), the end result is
 complete control over the medium you are working in.

 This session, we begin a new document with a more practical application.
 Create a NEW DOCUMENT.  Make sure its PAGE LAYOUT (see previous
 sessions) is Letter, Portrait. Click on HELP LINES.  Click RULER ON,
 SNAP TO HORIZONTAL/VERTICAL LINES, HELP LINES VISIBLE, and finally,
 AUXILIARY LINES FOR COLUMNS.  Enter 1 rows, 3 columns in the dialogue
 box, 2.00 (inches) for top margins, 1.25 for bottom, 0.25 between
 columns, and 1.00 for left/right.

 Select TEXT, and TEXT RULER.  Check that the latter's icon pad defaults
 are Left Justification, Line Spacing 2.0 (points), and Paragraph Spacing
 6.0 (points).  Select FONT MENU, and click on Swiss 50 (if it isn't
 already highlighted), then FONT SIZE and 12 (point), Normal (style).
 New text frames will use these values until we repeat the selection process.

 Select FRAMES, then FRAME GENERAL FUNCTIONS. Move the cursor onto the
 document and click the right mouse button to change the hand cursor to
 pointer.  Create your 3 frames.  Click the right mouse button to re-
 select the hand shape, then select the left frame.  Select FRAME SPECIAL
 FUNCTIONS from the second icon pad (second from left).  Ignore the 3
 icons at the top.  The 12 icons below control text flow (called Piping
 in Calamus) from frame to frame and text flow around other frames.

 Highlight DISPLAY PIPING CHAINS (right side, second from bottom).  With
 your left frame still selected, click on PIPING FROM FRAME TO FRAME.
 Move the cursor to your first frame (notice special piping cursor
 shape), and click left mouse button.  Repeat for the next (centre)
 frame, and again on your third.  Save the result.

 Piping controls the flow of text when typing in or importing a text
 file.  Frame selection order determines frame text fill order; frame
 selection need not be consecutive.  Flow between frames is shown by the
 Piping Chains (see DISPLAY above).  Frames which are part of the Piping
 chain have an arrow at the top left and bottom right ( --> ), except
 that the first and last in the chain show an arrow in the bottom right
 and top left, respectively.

 The next step is to import a text file (4-6K).  Select the left frame.
 If you try to select the frame without de-highlighting PIPING FROM FRAME
 TO FRAME, a dialogue box with the message 'You cannot pipe text in a
 circle' will appear.  Click the right mouse button or PIPING FROM FRAME
 TO FRAME icon, then the frame.  Select IMPORT from FILE menu.  Because
 we are importing to a text frame, Calamus will bring up a list of text
 file filters.  Each filter translates the word processor's styles
 (centre, tabs, bold, etc.) into something Calamus will recognize.
 Experiment with your word processor for best results.  Word Perfect, for
 example, works well with Calamus.

 Click on your word processor filter to bring up Calamus's file selector
 at the drive and folder as set out in Calamus.set (see session 1).  If
 necessary, reset the path for the documents folder in the Calamus.set to
 correspond to your document folder in your favourite word processor
 (default is Calamus's Text folder).  This will simplify Import.  Floppy
 drive users should copy files to their Calamus TEXT folder before
 beginning the session.  (If you haven't, save the document, exit
 Calamus, copy the file, and re-load the program and document.)

 Select the file to import.  When importing a word processor (not ASCII)
 file, Calamus will bring up a second dialogue box asking if you wish to
 replace specific text styles (bold, italic, underline, etc.) with a
 different font.  Click on a style at top left, then select font from the
 table below.  If you have no changes, or no additional fonts, select OK.

 The imported file will flow from the first (selected) frame to the
 second and third.  If there is more text than the frames can hold, a +
 sign will be visible at the bottom of the third frame.  Notice that the
 first frame remains selected, text is Left Justified, 12 point (check
 with Text Editor), Swiss 50.

 Text can also be hyphenated as it is imported, if your system has more
 than 1 Megabyte of memory.  Hyphenation is useful for narrow columns
 because it tightens up letter and word spacing (discussed in a later
 session).  Select TEXT, then DICTIONARY (second icon pad, third from
 left).  Click on LOAD DICTIONARY (1040s will not have the memory),
 highlight HYPHENATION AFTER IMPORT ON/OFF, then import the file.  A
 dialogue box will inform you 'hyphenating file' as Import begins.  Each
 word will have hyphenation points (shown as -) which can be seen in the
 Text Editor.

 Frames can be deleted and added to a Piping chain.  Deleting empties a
 frame and moves text to next frame in the Piping chain.  For example,
 select the middle frame, click on FRAME, and FRAME SPECIAL FUNCTIONS.
 Click on DELETE FRAME OUT OF PIPING CHAIN (bottom row, middle icon).
 Text flow, as seen by the piping chains and flow arrows, will route from
 first frame to third, although the middle frame will still exist.  To
 re-insert the frame into the chain, select empty frame, click on INSERT
 FRAME INTO PIPING CHAIN, and click on the frame which will follow in the
 piping chain.  Text will reappear in the middle frame, restored text
 flow confirmed by the Piping chains.

 You can also cut a piping chain.  This is useful when breaking a long
 text file into chapters or sections which need not be directly linked.
 Select the middle frame.  From within FRAME SPECIAL FUNCTIONS, select
 CUT PIPING CHAIN (bottom, right).  Text in the first two frames is now
 separate from that in the third.  A selected frame ends a chain, except
 when last in the chain to start with.  Selecting the last frame begins
 a new chain.  In our 3 column example, the middle or right frames have
 the same effect.  To rejoin involves a little more work.  Select TEXT,
 TEXT CLIPBOARD (far right of second icon pad), and highlight one of
 empty boxes (any of five).  Place text cursor anywhere in third frame,
 go to EXTRAS menu, and click SELECT ALL.  Text will highlight.  Select
 CUT (scissors shape) from icon pad, and text (to end of file) will be
 moved from the frame into the Clipboard.  The first few characters will
 be visible.  Place text cursor at end of text in the middle frame, and
 select COPY TEXT TO FRAME.  A (+) sign will appear at the bottom of this
 frame.  Select FRAMES, FRAME SPECIAL FUNCTIONS, then PIPING FROM FRAME
 TO FRAME, and click on the now empty third frame.  Text will reflow into
 it.  Click off PIPING FROM FRAME TO FRAME.  Save the file.

 Next session we will look at Printing our document, and some of the
 options.  The session after, we will work with graphics.
 
 
 THE SOFTWARE SHELF
 ==================
 by Ron Berinstein
                                                    CodeHead Quarters BBS
                                                         1610 Vine Street
                                                      Hollywood, CA 90028
 
 Wow, it seemed like we would not only need a crane, but also a carpenter
 so that the second story floor would be reinforced before we finally got
 the heavy box of disks up the stairs, and, into the computer room.  Even
 the tape holding the box together was a sight!  Luckily I have some real
 sharp knives in the restaurant kitchen below.  Herb Chong was the man
 responsible.  Rather than upload them, he sent about 10 Megs of really
 interesting source files, most ported from the PC & Unix world to us at
 CodeHead Quarters BBS.  Over a hundred files!
 
 A programmer's delight.  A to Z.  They start with ATC.LZH Air Traffic
 Controller from 4.3 BSD Unix games library, APML.LZH Arbitrary Precision
 Math Library, ASSEM.LZH Generic assembler, AVL.LZH An AVL-tree function
 library, amongst other 'A's!  One that Herb uses often: CTAGS.LZH.  Same
 builds a cross reference file of C, Fortran, Pascal, and Lisp program
 functions and type definitions from multiple files.  Meant to be used
 with the vi text editor: vi -t func will edit the file containing the
 function named 'func' and place you at the head of the function.  Ok,
 for the rest of the story you'll just have to look at the other ninety
 plus files yourself! <big smile>
 
 By the way, most will need some work, with few exceptions only C source
 and documentation is provided.  Most were ported using Mark Williams C
 3.0.6 and Herb suggests that they should be compiled into TOS or TTP
 files in all but a few cases.
 
 * ALERT:  It happened again.. another disk with data trashed!
 
 The user reported using Cheetah v.3.  Some of the filenames did have a
 "_" in them, which seems to have been a problem before.  A strict word
 of caution is thus repeated.  When flying you either get speed, or, you
 get comfort, usually not both.  When copying disks, either you get speed
 without a lot of safety checks, or, you get a dependable copy with
 safety checks, usually not both speed and safety.  Cheetah IS very fast,
 but, it is without a lot of safety checks.       

 A Suggestion: FCOPY35 from Germany is real reliable.  It also has virus
 checking and a fast format feature.  For people who own ICD Tape Backup
 units, you can copy data REAL FAST with it's software.  MAXIFILE too,
 will provide good fast file copying.

 Under the heading: "Sure, We'll Give You the Boot!"  

 ICD released it's new complete (351K) Host Adaptor Disk that contains
 v.5 booter for TT compatibility and some new utilities.  STHOST_E.ARC is
 available on GEnie, NOT on local boards.
 
 SPBT70.ARC (shareware $15) Superboot v.7 is out!  It now includes
 Digitalized Sounds, and, STARTGEM can now be changed.. Plus, bugs fixed
 include one that allows the program to properly recognize certain folder
 extensions, and Degas Compressed now works too.  For convenience
 STARTGEM (PD) is also included in the file.

 Also available, SBSOUNDS.ARC a file that has digitalized sounds and
 welcome screens drawn in.TNY format for Superboot, and SB_OTHER.ARC, a
 file containing ACC.PRG (lets one load an accessory from the root
 directory), DIGIEDIT.PRG (Digitalized sound file player/editor), and
 PICSW7.PRG (a picture viewer/format converter).       

 WARNING: ACC.PRG may well still have a problem.. it replaces the trap 1
 vector and can unhook other resident programs.

 Under the heading: "Are You Really Game For This?"
 
 MORIADIS.ARC was uploaded this week containing UMORIA 5.2.2 - a single
 player dungeon simulation text game that unlike some other text games
 displays a picturesque map of events.  This is a game for someone who is
 nothing less than a game expert!  The text file describing the game's
 rules, 100K!  And you have to read another file for installation
 instructions!  This is a game player's game.  Color/Mono

 STTETRIS.LZH (copyright 1989) made an appearance this week.  Based on
 Sun Tetris by Rick Iwamoto.  So, what game did every kid who came over
 for the party here a little while ago want to play?  You guessed it!
 Color/Low Res.

 CRISSLE.LZH is an arcade type game with several levels.  One important
 feature is that it also contains a screen editor with password
 protection.  Color/Low Res.

 RATEHD.ARC version 2.0 has been released.  This Hard drive performance
 test is designed to test fairly the speed of different drives.  It does
 not address the handler's speed so that as close as possible each drive
 can be compared on an equal basis.

 RSC2CODE.ARC (shareware $5) will read RSC and convert it into GFA 3.xx
 source code.

 Under the heading: "My Mother-in-Law Will Do the Same Thing!" 

 TYPTUTOR.ARC will tell you word for word about your errors!  It will
 measure your typing speed, and allow you to make your own tests as well.
 A quick and easy, to the point, type of program.   (puns not intended!)
 <sure>
 
 Under the heading: "Talk About Quick and Easy"   

 PET_GIRL.ARC gets this month's "Exploitation Award."  The beautiful
 miniature .NEO nude is pictured in the palm of a man's hand.  (Right, a
 real likely story, huh?)

 SOUNDTKR.LZH  a player program requiring an STE, or  TT, makes great use
 of the digital sound chip.  Files are reported to sound,
 "Grrrreeeaaatttt!"

 SHREDRPL.LZH  (Shareware $5) v.2.1 of the file deletion utility that
 really makes sure what you had on your drive isn't there anymore.  This
 new version now accepts a command line from Hotwire or other shell, and
 conforms to an even stricter security policy.

 STEXT13.LZH  v.1.3 of the text file reader.  Doesn't appear to refresh
 your original screen colors.  This is always a real problem for me.
 Also, doesn't appear to have a way to accommodate half height fonts.

 And talking about fonts... 

 CALAMUS wins this week with the most uploaded ones for you to choose
 from.  MEDICI.ARC, ZALESCAP.ARC, and LEECAPS, and the nice Art Nouveau
 font HORSTCAP.ARC are up and available for downloading.  Unlike the
 others though, HORSTCAP.ARC only features the letters, no numbers,
 commas, etc.

 For those that spend a lot of time online refer to the following three
 files:
 
 SBUFFERS.LZH  will increase your computer's serial port buffers to 4K!
 What does that mean?  Well that means that you might not loose the text
 that otherwise might overflow into your term program's screen, because
 while the incoming text was arriving you were possibly in the capture
 buffer of your program.  However, doesn't really work with FLASH though,
 as Flash automatically sets 2K buffers.  It will help with STALKER/STENO
 which currently only has a program to increase the serial buffers to 1K.
 
 MCGBROWS.LZH A must for several GEnie ALADDIN fans, this file will
 convert Aladdin's .DAT files to ASCII format.. It is possible though
 that your screen will not refresh it's colors. :(
 
 And Now, for My Favorite of the Week, the one MUST HAVE download!
 
                            *Drum Roll Please*

 BUSYBUD.ARC  Same will allow you to be online, go to the bathroom, have
 a personal family conference, get another drink from the bar or,
 whatever, and, never, ever, be "timed out!"  It is a little .ACC that
 can be turned on and off easily and will always keep you online.
 Particularly helpful for those who spend a lot of time in their text
 editor/capture buffer as well.. (or, their bathroom!)

 EDITORS NOTE:  PUBLIC DOMAIN ALERT
 
 A Z*Net reader notified us this week about a program called DUALFRMT.ARC
 which is available on some local BBS's and the pay services.  What this
 utility is designed to do is format two disks (A) (B), at the same time.
 The problem which happened this week was disasterous for Steve Decker 
 and something others may have expirenced also.  While formatting the two
 disks, the serial numbers the formatter places on this disk are 
 duplicate and concurrent on the 70 plus disks formatted causing problems
 since the GEM window was not updated in memory.  I might have a detail
 or two misplaced, but the point here is to notify everyone of the
 potential problems that could happen to you.  Steve was very annoyed at
 his losing valuable data and back-ups, and found later that the large
 amount of disk formatting turned out to be a great waste of time, and
 concern.  We will keep you updated on further developments.
 
 Software Shelf is compiled by Ron Berinstein co-sysop CodeHead Quarters
 BBS, (213) 461-2095, from files submitted to CodeHead Quarters BBS, and
 those downloaded from GEnie and Delphi online services.  CompuServe
 coverage begins shortly.
 
 
 MIST PLANS ATARIFEST III
 ========================                              Press Release
 Indianapolis, IN  July 27,1991
 
 For a third year, an AtariFest is planned at Indianapolis, Indiana on
 Saturday, July 27th, sponsored jointly by the user groups at
 Indianapolis and Bloomington known as MIST (Mid-Indiana ST).  The show
 was formerly titled the MIST SwapFest, and took place in Nashville,
 Indiana.  While Nashville is a lovely and scenic place, we thought if
 our show was to live up to it's true potential, we would have to
 relocate to Indianapolis, where we could find a larger venue.
 
 For swap, for sale or just for display... whether it's 8-bit or ST...
 even game machines... all are invited to bring software, hardware,
 gadgets, accessories, books, magazines, etc.  Commercial sales and
 displays also are invited.  Past shows have seen folks like D.A.
 Brumleve, SKWare One, AIM, MS Designs, Computer Works, Cal Com, One
 Stop, T&H, and others.  Last year's show was quite successful, and this
 year looks like it'll be even better!  We have tentatively lined up ISD,
 who will be demoing DynaCadd and Calamus.  There are others in the
 works, so stay tuned!

 MIST AtariFest III will be held at CADRE, Inc. on the north side of
 Indianapolis.  The address is: 6385 Castleplace Drive, Indianapolis, In.
 46250-1902.  There will be specific directions in a later posting.
 Admission to the 'Fest will be $3.00, and will include a raffle ticket.
 We will be raffling hardware from Atari Corp, and software from
 attending vendors and developers.  Additional raffle tickets will be
 available for purchase.
 
 Anyone interested in attending or reserving vendor/developer tables
 should contact me by one of the below methods:

 For more information, leave mail on GEnie to W.LORING1, or:  Call the
 BL.A.ST BBS at 812-332-0573  2400bps, 24 hours.  Write us at BL.A.ST,
 PO Box 1111, Bloomington, IN. 47402.  Call me by voice at 812-336-8103.
 
 Vendor packets are in the works, and should be ready to send shortly.
 More details will be available at that time.

 Brought to you by MIST (Mid-Indiana ST), the merging of the ASCII (Atari St 
 Computers In Indianapolis) and BL.A.ST (BLoomington Atari ST) user groups.

 Thanks for your interest, and we'll see you at the 'Fest!!

 Sincerely,
 William Loring, President of BL.A.ST
 
 
 LEXICOR UPDATE
 ==============
 Reprinted from the Z*Net Online BBS
 
 Conf : Z*Net Online Conference
 Msg# : 2140  Lines: Extended  Read: 10
 Sent : Mar 6, 1991  at 7:11 PM
 To   : ALL
 From : SHERVIN SHAHREBANI at LEFTOVER HIPPIES  1:250:744
 Subj : Lexicor Corp. and TT
 
 Replies: 2141 2160 2163 Date: 01 Mar 91 16:15:00
 From: Enartloc Nhoj of 1:250/98
 To:   All
 Subj: LEXICOR 24-bit color package (info)

 From: ramsiri@blake.u.washington.edu (Enartloc Nhoj)
 Date: 23 Feb 91 23:53:02 GMT
 Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
 Message-ID: <17043@milton.u.washington.edu>
 Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st,comp.graphics.visualization

 * More info on LEXICOR 24-bit color graphics package *

 (STart did an article on this.. though I haven't seen it.. so there is
 likely to be a lot more info in the mag.)
 
 Talked with Lee Seiler at LEXICOR (415) 453-0271.  He said I could
 repeat anything from our conversation this morning.  While I admit to
 not having a complete understanding of everything he said, I will give
 you the best of my memory of the conversation.  Hopefully, others will
 call him and correct any mistakes I may make here on.
 
 LEXICOR is offering a photorealistic 24-bit color package that will run
 on anything from the 520ST to the soon to be seen TT... device and
 resolution independent.  The package is a combination of software, which
 can be purchased and run on an ST as is, and the hardware color
 processor, which will come in various configurations: a cartridge for
 the 520ST..and perhaps an internal board for the 1040's..  a card for
 the Mega's and TT's.  The initial software release will be two of four
 modules: PRISM PAINT- a drawing program; and CHRONOS- an animation
 program.  Prices he quoted me were something like $60-80 for PRISM and
 $199.00 for CHRONOS.  The remaining two pieces of software to complete
 the package include a Renderer and ROSETTA- a file translator which
 allows you to IMPORT/EXPORT AutoCAD DXF and DXB; CAD-3D; SCULPT 3-D for
 MAC and AMIGA; SWIVEL 3-D for MAC ; and output for PIXAR's RENDERMAN RIB
 files (a la LUCAS FILM).  The total software package RIO will be selling
 for around $370.00.  The 24-bit color processor will list for around
 $600 or so... and is "..very fast.. and designed for animation with NTCS
 out.  Fastest thing you have ever seen! " due in June or July.
 
 LEXICOR will be supporting two other graphics boards out of Germany:
 MATRIX board (don't know if this is the name?) .. for Mega and TT..
 which supports resolutions of 2024 x 1240?  down to 640 x 480.  There
 was also mention of some SUPER HIGH res monitor which this board will
 drive with 4090x4000 pixels.  He mentinoed "RETOUCH" .. a german DTP
 that compares with CALAMUS ..to be sold by RIO.. I think he said this
 package would allow for 4 color separation for "magazine" quality
 photorealism DTP...etc.  Then there was a third board mentioned for the
 Megas..  1224x768 palette of 4096 with 16 on the screen.  He said,
 however, that with the first board mentioned above and the software, we
 could get 24 bit photorealism on our standard ATARI RGB's.. I honestly
 don't know how all this works.. would be nice if someone could explain this...

 The ** TT ** vs  Amiga 3000 :
 
 Lee has an A3000 sitting there on his desk next to a TT.  I was asking
 him about the differences in performance.  Basically he said, and I don't 
 want to start wars: "The amiga has a rotten operating system and a bad 
 image - interlace flicker- which you don't get on the ATARI at high RES's."  

 Performance:  To explain why he says the TT blows the A3000 away in
 terms of speed, he described to me a test he ran.  Took the same SCULPT
 3-D image in full color with I don't recall how many faces or vertices..
 and rotated the images starting at the same time on each machine side by side.

 ATARI TT:  1 hour and 20 minutes
 AMIGA 3000: all night and till 11:30 am the next day.
 
 Again.. this is not meant to start wars.. merely to show that the TT and
 LEXICOR should be one hell of a bargain.
 
 LEXICOR is also providing a PRISM drawing TABLET 1200 dpi that RIO says
 they will sell for about $229.00.

 I just received video tapes of DIGITAL ARTS and AUTODESK 3-D animation
 packages.  Digital Arts complete package SANS hardware is $10,000.
 Autodesk's 3-D sans hardware is $3,500.  LEXICOR will run files from both of 
 these products.  Seems like a deal to good to be true... but it's for real!

 Hopefully someone will read this article and call Lee.. ask him
 questions and PLEASE correct me on anything i have misrepresented.

 ramsiri@blake.acs.washington.edu

 --- D'Bridge 1.30/001331
 * Origin: EGSGATE Fidonet<->Usenet Gateway (1:250/98)


 PUBLIC DOMAIN UPDATE
 ====================
 by Keith MacNutt
 
 SuperBoot V7.0
 Gordon W. Moore
 2300 Beech St.
 Ashland, KY 41102 USA
 
 At last the long awaited update to Superboot has arrived and can be
 found on most of the major BBS'S.  Suberboot V7.0 has all the features
 found on V6.0 and added some new ones that most will find useful and
 some that will add spice to using your computer.  To give you an Idea of
 what Superboot can do, here is a list of some of the things the a user
 will find:

  Choose accessories at boot time
  Choose AUTO programs
  Choose DESKTOP.INF files from a list of different configurations.
  Choose assign.sys files for GDOS
  Choose data files for up to 8 different programs
  Display a degas,neo or tny picture at bootup
  Play digitized sounds
  Set the time and date if you choose
  Choose if Superboot will run by a hot key on a warm or cold boot.
  Use a password to protect your system
  Set the seek rate of your floppy drives
  Set write verify on or off
  Select your most used file configurations by a simple key press
  Customize Superboot by using the construction set program
  Auto boot any gem program
  Set a default configuration if Superboot is bypassed

 The documentation states that Superboot works on all models of the ST,
 on any boot drive and on both color and mono monitors.  Up to 151 files
 can be controlled in any combination by using any one of the 30 function
 keys (the usual 10 and by using the alternate and control in conjunction
 with the Fkeys).
 
 With the Construction SET included with the program, you have complete
 control on how Superboot will act on your system, from configuring each
 of the 30 function keys with your favourite groups of programs to auto
 booting a gem file at boot time.  I think one of the best new features
 added to this version of Superboot is the ability to load degas, neo and
 tiny pictures along with a sound file at boot time.  You can have these
 chosen at random or pick one from a group just by re-configuring the
 program to load your choice.
 
 One of the problems facing anyone trying to do even a short review on a
 program like this is the volume of information you find in the
 accompanying document.  Superboot comes with almost 30 pages filled with
 all you need to know about the program and is written in a style that
 most people will find easy to follow.  For the new user Superboot can be
 setup in a simple configuration and as the user becomes more familiar
 with his or her system, Superboot will allow them to re-configure the
 boot process to be as simple or complex as they like.  Power users will
 also find features that make life easier, and push the limits of just
 what they can do on their system.

 I'm sorry that the description of this program is not longer, but to do
 justice to the program, this review would be almost as long as the
 documentation itself.  Anyone, and I mean Anyone that has a hard drive
 or even two floppy drives with at least 1 Meg of memory should be using
 this program. 

 This program is shareware and means that if you use it please send in
 your donation to the author.  The asking price is only $15 and is well
 worth the cost.

 If you have GENIE access there are two other associated files, one
 containing sounds and pictures and the other utilities to convert
 pictures and sound files for use with Superboot.     

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Z*NET  International  Atari  Online  Magazine is  a  weekly  publication
 covering the  Atari and related computer community.   Material contained
 in  this  edition may  be  reprinted  without  permission  except  where
 noted,  unedited  and  containing  the  issue  number,  name  and author
 included  at  the top of each  article  reprinted.   Opinions  presented
 are those  of  the  individual author  and  does not necessarily reflect
 the opinions of the  staff  of  Z*Net   Online.    This  publication  is
 not  affiliated with  Atari  Corporation.  Z*Net,  Z*Net  Atari  Online,
 Z*Net Newswire, and Z*Net  News  Service  are  copyright (c)1991,  Rovac
 Industries  Incorporated,  Post Office  Box  59,  Middlesex,  New Jersey
 08846-0059.  Voice (908) 968-2024,  BBS (908) 968-8148 at 1200/2400 Baud
 24 hours a day.   We can be reached on Compuserve  at PPN 71777,2140 and
 on GEnie at address: Z-Net.  FNET NODE 593
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                Z*Net International Atari Online Magazine
                Copyright (c)1991, Rovac Industries, Inc..
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-- 
         Ed Krimen  ...............................................
   |||   Video Production Major, California State University, Chico
   |||   INTERNET: ekrimen@ecst.csuchico.edu  FREENET: al661 
  / | \  SysOp, Fuji BBS: 916-894-1261        FIDONET: 1:119/4.0


-----------------------------------------
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