News - Apr.94 - Jun.94
From: Atari SIG (xx004@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 04/20/96-06:39:10 PM Z
From: xx004@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Atari SIG)
Subject: News - Apr.94 - Jun.94
Date: Sat Apr 20 18:39:10 1996
Time Capsule - News - Apr.94 - Jun.94
-------------------------------------
News Subject Title Date Posted
------------------ -----------
February AC Delivery Delays Apr.10,1994
Processor Direct (new Atari magazine!) Apr.15,1994
Joystick Beta-test Program Apr.16,1994
PC Xformer Apr.26,1994
April AC Apr.26,1994
Rambit Printer Interface. Apr.26,1994
More Atari 8-bit Support. Apr.26,1994
Yorky upgrades in the U.S. Apr.26,1994
Yorky upgrades in the U.S. Apr.30,1994
Atari Classic Programmer's Club Apr.30,1994
Atari and Sigma Designs to deliver Jaguar PC Card
May.04,1994
Software special offers. (Richard Gore)May.06,1994
D.G.S Summer Specials! May.09,1994
Programmers Wanted .... May.22,1994
April AC: In The Mail! May.22,1994
Fine Tooned Engineering unveils MARS 8 Project
May.25,1994
AC Refunds Jun.02,1994
Atari 8-bit support. (Richard Gore) Jun.04,1994
CatScan BBS (for Lynx and Jaguar owners)
Jun.06,1994
DGS Offers Jun.17,1994
AC Refunds Going Out Jun.17,1994
Atari-Z-Modem 1.2 / Larry Black Jun.17,1994
SpartaDOS 3.2g Jun.17,1994
Atari 8-bit support. (Richard Gore) Jun.23,1994
PC Xformer 2.0 Released (Atari 8-bit emulator)
Jun.23,1994
What's new in SpartaDOS version 3.2g Jun.26,1994
Fine Tooned Engineering Jun.26,1994
--------------------------------------
Article 387 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: February AC Delivery Delays
Date: 10 Apr 1994 19:25:23 GMT
From: poehland%phvax.dnet@sb.com
Date: 9 Apr 1994 12:37:13 -0500
During the past week I've grown concerned about a rising tide of complaints
of non-delivery of the February issue of Atari Classics. All were from the
USA or Canada (overseas subscribers seem to have received theirs OK).
My understanding from Unicorn Publications is that the Feb. AC was mailed out
three weeks ago, on March 21. I received my own personal subscription copy on
April 5--- a tad slow but within the bounds of what I consider normal.
The volume of complaints is disrupting my work on the April issue, which is
doubly frustrating.
My advice to everyone who is still waiting for the February AC: please give it
till April 15 before you file a complaint. Delivery this time does seem to
be slower & more sporadic, I don't why. I've made an enquiry with our
publisher to ascertain if there was some problem with the mailing that we were
not informed of. I'll post new information if/when it becomes available.
In the meantime, please be patient & wait till April 15. After April 15 I'll
be glad to send out a replacement copy to anyone who hasn't received it by then.
- Ben Poehland
Circulatin Editor
Atari Classics Magazine
Article 388 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Processor Direct (new Atari magazine!)
Date: 15 Apr 1994 15:47:08 GMT
-BEGIN------------
PROCESSOR DIRECT IS HERE!
Public Announcement
on April 5, 1994
by Two Worlds Publishing
We're here! Two Worlds Publishing is proud to present to the Atari
community our first issue, containing articles by a variety of authors on
a wide array of topics from telecommunications to programming, and much
more.
__
/_/ Just what is Processor Direct?
`-`-------------------------------
Processor Direct is a magazine for nearly all Atari computer users,
containing information valuable to users of the original 520ST up to
users of the Falcon030. Processor Direct is also helpful to the new user
or even the seasoned expert -- odds are most everyone will find the
information they've been looking for.
We currently print in a large format (page size is 11.5 inches wide by
13.5 inches tall) with full color covers and black and white internal
pages. Each issue's cover is printed on 80 pound gloss paper, with the
internal pages on quality 80 pound matte paper.
__
/_/ What is in Processor Direct?
`-`-----------------------------
We offer a variety of columns on topics including Graphics, Music, and
Programming, along with reviews of hardware and software of both
commercial and shareware nature. We've also got the latest news items on
topics like new software and hardware in the Newswire and Recent
Developments sections.
In the first issue we also have a survey which asks a variety of
questions so we can get to know our readers better. The survey itself is
8.5x11 inches so it can be easily photocopied and mailed to us.
__
/_/ What won't I find in Processor Direct?
`-`---------------------------------------
You won't find long boring articles on topics that no one cares about,
and you also won't get page upon page of unbroken dull text on cheap
newsprint paper. You're going to be stuck with interesting articles
printed on quality paper...we're terribly sorry! <grin>
__
/_/ Why not just read messages on-line?
`-`------------------------------------
Reading messages from USENET newsgroups and from the national on-line
services is incredibly time consuming, often costly, and some times the
accuracy of the information in the form of news can be doubtful. These
networks are excellent to find the answers to your questions and to talk
to knowledgeable people, but if you've ever read any of the USENET
newsgroups, you know that contradictions and rumor run rampant. We obtain
our news directly from the source, with no one to interpret or twist it.
Not to mention, with each information packed issue (at only $3.50) you
get easy to understand information that would normally take hours to read
and compile from one day, forget a whole month.
__
/_/ When and where can I get my copy?
`-`----------------------------------
Processor Direct is available now for direct order for $3.50 ($4.00 in
Canada) each from TWP, and also through a variety of Atari dealers. You
can also subscribe to Processor Direct for just $25.00 (US$33 in Canada)
for 12 issues.
__
/_/ Dealers: Want to carry Processor Direct?
`-`-----------------------------------------
If you are a dealer and would like to obtain copies for newsstand sales,
just contact us and request information.
__
/_/ How can I advertise in Processor Direct?
`-`-----------------------------------------
We have advertising in a wide variety of sizes, with the option of
creating your own custom sizes. Effective for both shareware and
commercial developers (as well as dealers and many others) Processor
Direct may be one of the best ways to tell the community about your
product! For more information, contact us and request our Media Package,
which contains the guidelines as well as hints and tips on making your ad
look best.
__
/_/ Want to be published?
`-`----------------------
Are you an aspiring writer? Always wanted to be published? Here is your
chance! Whether you are a seasoned veteran writer with years of
experience or just enjoy it as a hobby, we're always looking for new
articles on fresh topics and interesting viewpoints. If you'd like to
know more, contact us and request our Submission Guidelines Booklet.
__
/_/ On-line and ready to serve you!
`-`--------------------------------
If you are a member of an on-line service we are incredibly easy to
contact. We have accounts on GEnie and Delphi, as well as two Internet
addresses. If you have a few questions, or just want to say hello, drop
us a message! Have a question about an article? We'll forward your mail
directly to the writer. Also "Letters to the Editor" can be mailed
electronically.
__
/_/ For more info:
`-`---------------
If you've got questions or want more information, just contact us via one
of the addresses below.
US Mail:
Two Worlds Publishing
3837 Northdale Blvd. #225
Tampa, FL 33624
E-Mail:
GEnie: P-DIRECT (P-DIRECT2 for article submissions)
Delphi: pdirect
Internet: p-direct@genie.geis.com
pdirect@delphi.com
The Media Package and Submissions Guidelines Booklet are provided free of
charge, and will be mailed when completed.
__
/_/ Copyrights
`-`-----------
Contents of this file are Copyright =1994 Two Worlds Publishing, Inc.
This release may be freely distributed.
-END--------------
Article 389 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Joystick Beta-test Program
Date: 16 Apr 1994 21:20:36 GMT
*******************************************
ATTENTION: ALL GAME PLAYERS AND PROGRAMMERS
*******************************************
For information on a Beta Test program and Software Developer's
Kit program for a new joystick, please send your email return
address to: sdk@c3i.com
Please indicate which program you want information on.
The joystick has the following features:
o For use on all the following computers and game systems:
(specific cable required)
- IBM PC and compatibles
- Super Nintendo/Super Famicom
- Sega Genesis/Megadrive
- Macintosh with Apple Desktop Bus
- Amiga
- CD32
- Nintendo Entertainment System 8-bit
- Sega Master System
- AppleIIGS
- Atari
- Commodore 64
o Eight-button mode available on all platforms.
o Standard arcade size buttons in a compact arcade style
case.
o High strength steel shaft, with interchangeable handles.
o LCD display for button feedback, game messages, and
programming.
o Five year warranty.
o High precision and sensitivity.
o Special sensor technologies; no contacts to wear out on
primary components.
o Fully programmable.
- Turbo, slow, and custom modes available.
- Adjustable deadzone for rock-steady precision centering.
- Hundreds of presets available for the most popular
games.
o Selectable analog, digital, and other modes.
o Retains settings in non-volatile memory; no batteries
required.
Thank you in advance.
Jeremy McDonald
VP of Product Development
C3I Precision Instruments
P.S.
Thank you to all who have already applied for the software developer's kit.
The software developer's kit offer remains the same, and due to exceptional
demand by game players to take part in a beta test program as well, we have
put together the beta test offer.
Article 390 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: PC Xformer
Date: 26 Apr 1994 01:38:37 GMT
PC XFORMER - The Atari 8-Bit Emulator For DOS Compatible PCs
============================================================
April 5, 1994.
For additional information contact:
Branch Always Software
14150 N.E. 20th Street
Suite 302
Bellevue, WA 98007
U.S.A
Phone: 206-369-5513
Fax: 206-885-5893
CIS: 73657,2714
GEnie: BRASOFT
Program by: Darek Mihocka.
Availability: June 20, 1994, from Atari 8-bit and PC dealers.
Retail price: $39.95 U.S. ($29.95 when ordered before June 30, 1994)
Branch Always Software announces the upcoming release of PC Xformer,
a DOS compatible version of the Xformer series of Atari 8-bit emulators.
With our 8 years of experience developing Atari 8-bit and Atari ST
emulators, this emulator is by far the fastest and most compatible
Atari 8-bit emulator available on any computer platform.
For the first time it is now possible to run Atari 8-bit software on
the same computers that you run DOS and Windows software on, as fast
or even faster than a real 8-bit computer. Imagine the ease of use and
simplicity of using Atari Basic on a PC or even on a small notebook
computer than you carry with you.
Hardware requirements are simple: a PC running MS-DOS (or a compatible
operating system), 640K of RAM, a VGA card, and a 286 compatible CPU.
This includes computers using the 386, 486, and Pentium chips, as well
as 286 emulators running on non-Intel based PCs. A CPU at least as fast
as a 33 Mhz 386 is recommended for full speed emulation.
Optional hardware not absolutely required (but recommended) includes:
a Sound Blaster compatible sound card, a game card with 2 joysticks,
and a hard disk. A SuperVGA card is not required to run PC Xformer.
PC Xformer is a brand new DOS version of ST Xformer, the popular
Atari 8-bit emulator for the Atari ST that first appeared in 1987 in
ST LOG magazine and most recently came bundled with the Gemulator
Atari ST Emulator for DOS.
Unlike ST Xformer, which was limited in speed and graphics capabilities
imposed by the Atari ST hardware, PC Xformer has no such limitations
when used on a fast enough PC. Player Missile Graphics are now fully
supported, as are all GTIA graphics modes and Display List interrupts.
Vertical Blank and Display List interrupts occur in real time allowing
for on-the-fly color changes (and other animation tricks that were not
previously supported in ST Xformer) allowing PC Xformer to run any
Atari 8-bit software that you transfer to your PC.
To allow the usable playing of games which use timing loops instead
of interrupts, an option in PC Xformer allows you to force it to
"slow down" to normal speed. Or let it rip at maximum speed to get the
most performance out of your Atari Basic programs.
As with ST Xformer, the bank switched memory of the XL/XE is emulated,
and Atari Basic can be toggled on and off.
All popular 8-bit DOSes are supported, including DOS 2.0, DOS 2.5, MyDOS,
and disk based versions of SpartaDOS.
Disk files are handled by using virtual disks, the same method used by
ST Xformer, Gemulator, and most other emulators. Up to 8 virtual disks
can be used at once, as drives D1: thru D8:.
Users of ST Xformer can directly use their existing virtual disk files
(.XFD, .XHD, .SD, or .DD files) with PC Xformer without modification.
Users of the SIO2PC cable can also directly use their "ramdisk" files
with PC Xformer without modification. Any size virtual disk is supported,
from the standard 90K single density disk to a 16 megabyte hard disk.
Two PC style joysticks are supported using the game i/o card found in most
PCs. Self-centering joysticks are recommended over standard analog joysticks.
Users wishing to receive more information about PC Xformer or to place
an advance order should contact Darek Mihocka at Branch Always Software
at the address or numbers listed above.
User group and dealer inquiries welcome.
Also available from Branch Always Software:
Gemulator 3.02 - The Atari ST Emulator For DOS Compatible PCs. Turns a
486 based PC into an Atari ST clone with up to 8 megabytes of RAM and
up to 800x600 color SuperVGA graphics. Compatible with most non-MIDI
Atari ST software and all version of ST TOS up to TOS 2.06.
Gemulator can be purchased from Toad, Rising Star, Purple Mountain, Paragon,
ST Club, Ordosoft, ACN, and other major Atari ST dealers. Write for more
information or contact your dealer.
Article 391 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: April AC
Date: 26 Apr 1994 01:39:04 GMT
From: poehland%phvax.dnet@sb.com
Date: 18 Apr 1994 16:54:17 -0500
The final (April '94) issue of AC went to press a week ago. Looks like
this last issue will run 36 pages (unless I'm badly off on my page
allocations). If all goes well I'm hopeful it will go out around the
end of April so won't be quite as late as the Feb. issue was.
Unlike AIM & other mags that died miserably, this final issue of AC has a
touch of flash & sparkle to it. Also perhaps the greatest diversity of
subject matter in articles I think I've seen (for all those who moaned
the Dec. issue was too hardware-focused).
Apparently many of the missing February AC's finally got delivered last week,
as the volume of complaints is way down. Dunno why it took so freakin' long
this time, & I'm sure there are still one or 2 copies still being delivered
via slow boat from China, courtesy of our dear friends, the Postal Gorillas.
The December special Video Issue is selling briskly, back issues are going out
the door every day, I'm down to maybe 25 copies left. Stocks of other back
issues are also declining. My advice: anybody who wants any AC back issues
better gettum now while I still have some available. The April issue will also
be in limited supply, I anticipate receiving only about 50 copies when it gets
released from the printer (12 of those are already spoken for).
The following Back Issue items are still available (as of this week):
mags: Dec'92, Apr'93, Jun'93, Aug'93, Oct'93, Dec'93, Feb'94, Apr'94
disks: Feb'93, Jun'93, Oct'93, Feb'94
All items $5 each, US funds only, cash or check to BEN POEHLAND, 179 Sproul
Road/Rt.352, Frazer PA 19355 USA.
The April issue contains a new subscription form, with the address of
Jim Hood of SLCC, who apparently will be AC's new Managing Editor. People
who get the April issue will get a chance to sample the flavor of the "new"
AC, including an editorial from Jim
Hood & an article by Mike Hohman of FTE. With the April issue, the concept of a
user-based magazine for the Classic-8 will be in essence subjected to a
referendum... I hope enough people will open their wallets to enable those
SLCC guys to carry on the tradition already established by AC. The
subscription price will remain the same, & apparently those fellows also
intend to produce a disk as well.
There are interesting times ahead for us, in the Chinese sense...
- Ben Poehland
Managing Editor
ATARI CLASSICS Magazine
Article 392 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Rambit Printer Interface.
Date: 26 Apr 1994 01:40:10 GMT
From: RG9@VAX.YORK.AC.UK
Date: 21 Apr 1994 07:59:29 -0500
This posting is being done as a service by Richard Gore on behalf of RAMBIT.
All replies should be sent to the address given at the end of the posting.
We are pleased to send you details of our PARALLEL PRINTER PORT for the Atari
XL/XE computers, connecting to the parallel bus interface (XL) or enhanced
cartridge port (XE). The P.P.P. is designed to enable you to connect EPSON
compatible printers such as Panasonic KX-P1081, OKI-82, MP-165 etc. and print
at their designed speeds, ie not slowed to serial speed.
The P.P.P consists of a compact unit which plugs directly into your computer
port and outputs through a standard female 36way centronics socket connected to
the printer using the lead supplied with the printer (possibly!).
The software necessary to drive the unit is best incorporated into your OS on
EPROM so accessed by normal legal IO calls. Your system is so adapted as to
allow use of your utilities (provided they only make stnadard use of the OS,
99% do) whether cartridge, disk or tape without any alteration of them.
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS.
Power for the unit can be taken from the printer on pin 18 of the connector,
or from the computer as desired. Should your printer be non-standard parallel,
quite possibly we can advise on tailoring to its specification!
Alteration of your cable, ir change of plug or reposition of individual wires,
willonly be necessary if it has no male 36way centronics plug on its computer
end and/or full 36 wires present.
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS.
PRINTER:- does it output +5volt on pin 18 to the cable? If not check pin 47 of
your XL pbi, wiring of this may be necessary.
:-printer signals as follows, SELECT and BUSY both active high,
ACKNOWLEDGE and STROBE active low; differences will require tailoring at
no extra cost!
CABLE:-fitted with male standard 36way parallel (centronics) plug at computer
end.
COMPUTER:- for supply of EPROM driver details of your existing OS will be
required and may involve fitting of a DIL socket to hold it. Kit also
lends itself to being fitted inside your computer or having printer lead
soldered too it.
Prices all inclusive, Overseas +10%. Sterling only, cheques or postal orders
made payable to Rambit.
KIT WITH EPROM for XL or XE ....#20
prices for ready assembled by negotiation.
We aim to satisfy and consequently will do our best to give technical support,
answer genuine queries and will be pleased to accept your comments. We will also
update/re-record on receipt of out original disk/tape with return postage.
Address: RAMBIT, 16 THE GREEN, THURLBY, BOURNE, LINCS., PE10 OHB, ENGLAND
telephone (in UK): 0778 424450
Additional comments by Richard GORE:
Dave Richardson the man behind Rambit is very technical and I'm sure he won't
mind me saying has difficulty in writing using non-technical jargon. The above
posting sounds pretty complex but what he is saying is he has available a
printer interface that plugs into a PBI on the XL or XE and can be tailored
for non-standard printers.
I also know he has experimented with using these kits to get two computers
interconnected and I think has created an RS 232 interface.
If you are at all interested in such projects I suggest you write to him at the
address given above to find out more.
Article 393 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: More Atari 8-bit Support.
Date: 26 Apr 1994 01:41:25 GMT
From: RG9@VAX.YORK.AC.UK
Date: 20 Apr 1994 07:42:56 -0500
SUPPORT FOR YOUR ATARI 8-BIT FROM RICHARD GORE.
----------------------------------------------
YORKY 256K Memory upgrade:
-------------------------
Yes, its still available but in dwindling quantities. The Yorky 256k
memory upgrade simply plugs into the PBI port of your 800XL or a 64k internally
upgraded 600XL and gives you 256k of XE type compatible bank switched memory.
You don't have to open your machine or do any soldering, its supplied ready
to be plugged in and used. An A4 manual and a double sided disk of support
software are included in the price.
Price: #50 plus #2 p&p (UK), #3.50 (EC), #5 (worldwide).
(also for US customers $90 fully inclusive).
Supplies are now very limited - soon this product will be gone forever.
SOFTWARE:
--------
JAWBREAKER - The classic Pac-man style game originally sold by Sierra-On-Line.
This version includes two mazes which were originally sold as
separate games as well as a new pause function and improved
joystick control.
MOUSEKATTACK - Another classic game from Sierra-On-Line. This game has you
trying to plumb the levels of Rat Alley. A very addictive game
featuring a one or two player (simultaneously on screen) mode,
new pause feature and improved joystick control.
Both games are available on disk, tape or Rambit Turbo tape (state which)
and are supplied with a printed manual.
Prices: #4.50 each or #6.95 for BOTH (UK p&p included)
(overseas please add #2 for airmail shipping)
(US dollar prices $10 each or $18 for both fully inclusive)
N E W S O F T W A R E! N E W S O F T W A R E!
In association with Visionaire software I am pleased to announce the
availability of two new games programmed in the UK......
ARENA: An original puzzle game where you must place pieces of a wall in
order to guide a 'power pod' too its destination. It sounds simple,
but it has good graphics and is very addictive. A demo version appeared
on issue 66 of Page 6's disk, but this version is the full game with
50 levels.
Price: #5 ($10) XL/XE, Disk only.
BUBBLE ZONE: Enter the Bubble Zone and meet the challenge! Guide your tank
and blast the ever increasing number of bubbles, collect the
power ups, watch out for the holes. How far can you go?
Frantic arcade action, with top notch graphics.
Price: #5 ($10) XL/XE, Disk only.
For further details or to order contact:
RICHARD GORE, 79 SPROTBROUGH ROAD, SPROTBROUGH, DONCASTER, DN5 8BW, ENGLAND
Telephone: (0302) 784642 weekends only please.
E-mail: RG9@UK.AC.YORK.TOWER or RG9@UK.AC.YORK.VAX
(Non-JANET users invert UK.AC.YORK.xxx to xxx.YORK.AC.UK)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SOFTWARE Authors, have you written any games or utilities for the Atari 8-bits,
new or old? If you have and you have the rights contact me now and we can
hopefully arrange to get them (re-)marketed!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Article 394 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Yorky upgrades in the U.S.
Date: 26 Apr 1994 01:42:08 GMT
From: RG9@VAX.YORK.AC.UK
Date: 21 Apr 1994 06:10:03 -0500
I am sorry to announce that I will no longer be able to mail the Yorky
upgrades to the US. I have recently had severe problems with losing a Yorky,
hopefully it will be found but I don't hold up much hope. Since I only have
a few left I can't afford to have them disappearing into a black hole.
My sales of software (Jawbreaker, Mousekattack, Arena & Bubble Zone) will not
be affected, so please feel free to order them (I need the support), but the
Yorkys are now only available within the UK, where at least I can get some
compensation should they go missing.
Once again I am sorry to have to do this, but with only five units left I
simply can't afford to have them go missing, since I then have to send a
replacement! Its a sorry situation when you can't trust mail to arrive in
this age of high technology!
Richard Gore
--
Michael Current, Cleveland Free-Net 8-bit Atari SIGOp / Iowa City, IA, USA
Internet: mcurrent@carleton.edu / Cleveland Free-Net: aa700
Article 395 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
Path: usenet.ins.cwru.edu!cleveland.Freenet.Edu!aa700
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Yorky upgrades in the U.S.
Date: 30 Apr 1994 06:43:03 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
Lines: 12
Approved: xx004
Message-ID: <2psuln$8ob@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>
Reply-To: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
NNTP-Posting-Host: thor.ins.cwru.edu
Posted-By: xx004 (aa700 - Michael Current)
From: RG9@VAX.YORK.AC.UK
Date: 27 Apr 1994 05:14:23 -0500
I am pleased to announce that I have solved the mailing problem with the
Yorky 256k memory upgrade and I can once again resume worldwide shipping.
Ifanybody is interested please mail me for more info.
Article 396 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Atari Classic Programmer's Club
Date: 30 Apr 1994 06:43:35 GMT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE ATARI CLASSIC PROGRAMMER'S CLUB PRESENTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS FOR YOUR ATARI CLASSIC
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------SWIFT SPREADSHEET------------------------------------
Got any financial problems? Not any more you haven't!
Swift Spreadsheet is probably the most powerful spreadsheet program to have
ever been released onto the Atari 8-bit. Originally released in 1986 by
Audiogenic Software Ltd, it set new standards in how a Spreadsheet program
should operate. Now, the Atari Classic Programmer's Club has gained the rights
to publish this impressive piece of software ... and at half the price of its
original release.
Check out these features:
1. Large spreadsheet size - A1 to BL254 cell matrix on a 130XE, A1 to Z254 on
an 800XL.
2. Adjustable column widths.
3. Uses drop down menus for ease of use.
4. Several different credit/debit notations such as debit brackets and cr/dr
notation.
5. Fully adjustable decimal precision.
6. Can be programmed by the use of MACROS.
And, as they say, much more ...
What does all this cost? Surprisingly little in fact ...
STANDARD SWIFT - This is the original version of Swift with the system disk,
Commodore 64 manual (there wasn't an Atari-specific manual), and an Atari
keyboard reference card.
NEW SWIFT - This contains the system disk and a new 40 page, A4, comb-bound,
Atari-specific manual.
There are currently two disk formats available ... standard Atari 5.25"
single density and a 720K 3.5" disk. Please specify which format you require
when ordering ... there is no price difference.
The cost of the two versions of Swift currently available are:
STANDARD SWIFT - #9.95 ($US16.95) to non-members, #7.95 ($US14.95) to members.
NEW SWIFT - #12.95 ($US21.95) to non-members, #10.95 ($US18.95) to members.
(Remember to state which disk format you require)
Calling Black Box owners!! Swift may be sector copied onto a hard disk for
even easier usage.
A cassette version will be available soon.
XL/XE ONLY.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MENU PRINT ELITE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disk cataloguing can be a chore at the best of times, especially if you're
using one of the PD cataloguing programs or a database to store details of
your disk collection. However, your days of toiling over your collection are
over. No longer will you have to load each disk in turn and jot down by hand
the contents onto paper, then load up the database/cataloguer and type the lot
out. Menu Print is fully automatic and contains all you need to catalogue
your disks in a single package.
Here are some of the things it has to offer:
1. Ability to read several of the most popular menu and DOS systems including
Rob C, Multiboot, K&D Menu, all Atari DOS systems, DOS XL, MyDOS, SpartaDOS
and more.
2. Allows you to create a library of boot disks. This gives Menu Print the
unique feature of being the ONLY disk cataloguer that we know of that will
recognise which boot disk has been inserted into the drive. Package comes
complete with a ready-made library disk containing details of over 500 boot
disks.
3. Allows you to create a Database far easier than with other programs due
to the fact that it can read so many menu and DOS systems, as well as its
ability to read BOOT disks ... just put a disk in the drive, press START
and if the disk is one it recognises it will automatically put its details
into the database. However, you have full control over the contents of the
database and may modify or delete the entries if you wish.
4. Allows you to print labels or lists onto Atari or Epson compatible
printers.
5. Also contains a utility disk that may be freely distributed. This disk
contains a database reader and a program that allows you to convert your
existing database files into MPE format.
Menu Print Elite will be available as either a three-disk set of 5.25" disks
or on a single 720K 3.5" disk.
RELEASE: SUMMER 1994
PRICE: #9.95 ($US16.95) to non-members, #7.95 ($US14.95) to members.
XL/XE ONLY.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER PRODUCTS UNDER PRODUCTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOOPZ
This is a conversion of an ST game. Loopz is a puzzle game as addictive as
Tetris but with an added element of strategy.
RELEASE: TBA
PRICE: Cassette version - #6.95 ($US12.95)
Disk version - #7.95 ($US14.95)
Members discounts will be available.
HELTER SKELTER
Another conversion of an ST game. In Helter Skelter you must control a very
bouncy ball around the screen, being careful to squash the monsters in the
correct order. Quite tough but very addictive. Highly rated in magazines
when it first came out.
RELEASE: TBA
PRICE: Cassette version - #6.95 ($US12.95)
Disk version - #7.95 ($US14.95)
Members discounts will be available.
BOMB BLASTER
Put simply, this is a version of the arcade game, Dynablasters.
RELEASE: Christmas 1994
PRICE: Cassette version - #6.95 ($US12.95)
Disk version - #7.95 ($US14.95)
Members discounts will be available.
PRO PAINT
The most advanced arts package ever devised for the Atari. Originally
designed for in-house use and owing much to the ST arts packages.
RELEASE: TBA
PRICE: #9.95 ($US16.95) Disk only.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All prices INCLUDE postage.
To obtain members discounts, you must first join ACPC. Please mail me for more
information on how to join the club.
Swift Spreadsheet, Loopz and Helter Skelter are copyright of Audiogenic
Software Ltd.
Menu Print Elite, Bomb Blaster and Pro Paint are copyright of The Atari
Classic Programmer's Club.
Please send orders to:
ACPC
Pen-Tyddyn
Capel Coch
LLangefni
Anglesey
Gwynedd LL77 7UR
WALES
If you have any queries, then mail me (David) on:
MBITDC9306@newi.ac.uk
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article 397 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: xx004@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Atari SIG)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Atari and Sigma Designs to deliver Jaguar PC Card
Date: 4 May 1994 05:51:46 GMT
For Immediate Release
Contact: Lynn Thompson, 408/764-0740
Karen Magill, 617/494-8202
Cunningham Communications, Inc.
Bill Rehbock, 408/745-2000
Atari Corporation
ATARI and SIGMA DESIGNS PARTNER to DELIVER
JAGUAR for the PC
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- May 3, 1994 -- Atari Corporation (AMEX: ATC)
today announced that it has exclusively licensed Jaguar technology
to Sigma Designs (NASDAQ:SIGM) to deliver PC cards incorporating
the award-winning Jaguar 64-bit technology with Sigma's
Reel-Magic(TM) full-motion video capabilities. This deal will
expand Jaguar's market reach by allowing more than 10 million users
to play Jaguar software titles on their IBM-compatible personal
computers by year's end.
"Atari will once again jump ahead of the market by bringing the
world's most advanced game technology to a new group of consumers
in record time," said Sam Tramiel, president of Atari. "Knowing
there would be great demand for Jaguar on personal computers
-- we designed the system to talk easily to the leading computer
architectures. This has allowed us to move quickly to partner with
Sigma Designs to make this happen before Christmas."
"We are pleased to join Atari in its mission to expand the industry
standards for video game play," said Julien Nguyen, vice president
of engineering and chief technical officer of Sigma Designs.
"Jaguar's 64-bit technology will be extremely attractive to the
MPC customer base of more than 10 million users. By combining
Sigma's Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) technology with Atari's
3D animation, we look forward to bringing the hottest video game
technology and software titles to the desktops of users worldwide."
Sigma Designs, headquartered in Fremont, Calif., is a leading
manufacturer of high-performance multimedia computer products and
document imaging display solutions. With the the release of its
ReelMagic MPEG controller in October 1993, Sigma Designs redefined
affordable video playback for the PC. ReelMagic allows users to
experience a new generation of realistic entertainment, education,
training, and business presentation software titles with full-screen,
full-motion video and CD-quality sound. All Sigma Designs products
are sold worldwide through a network of dealers, distributors and
system integrators.
Atari Jaguar is the world's first 64-bit interactive multimedia home
entertainment system and is the only video game system manufactured
in the United States. Jaguar, the most powerful multimedia system
available, was recently named the industry's "Best New Game System"
(Video Games Magazine), "Best New Hardware System" (Game Informer)
and "1993 Technical Achievement of the Year" (DieHard GameFan).
Jaguar also recently was given the European Computer Trade Show
Award for "Best Hardware of the Year."
Atari Corporation, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., manufactures and
markets 64- bit interactive multimedia entertainment systems, video
games and personal computers for the home, office and educational
marketplaces.
--30--
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
# # # END # # #
Article 398 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Software special offers. (Richard Gore)
Date: 6 May 1994 00:45:48 GMT
From: RG9@VAX.YORK.AC.UK
Date: 29 Apr 1994 08:10:36 -0500
SUPPORT FOR YOUR ATARI 8-BIT FROM RICHARD GORE.
----------------------------------------------
SOFTWARE:
--------
JAWBREAKER - The classic Pac-man style game originally sold by Sierra-On-Line.
This version includes two mazes which were originally sold as
separate games as well as a new pause function and improved
joystick control.
MOUSEKATTACK - Another classic game from Sierra-On-Line. This game has you
trying to plumb the levels of Rat Alley. A very addictive game
featuring a one or two player (simultaneously on screen) mode,
new pause feature and improved joystick control.
Both games are available on disk, tape or Rambit Turbo tape (state which)
and are supplied with a printed manual.
Prices: #4.50 each or #6.95 for BOTH (UK p&p included)
(overseas please add #2 for airmail shipping)
(US dollar prices $10 each or $18 for both fully inclusive)
N E W S O F T W A R E! N E W S O F T W A R E!
In association with Visionaire software I am pleased to announce the
availability of two new games programmed in the UK......
ARENA: An original puzzle game where you must place pieces of a wall in
order to guide a 'power pod' too its destination. It sounds simple,
but it has good graphics and is very addictive. A demo version appeared
on issue 66 of Page 6's disk, but this version is the full game with
50 levels.
Price: #5 ($10) XL/XE, Disk only.
BUBBLE ZONE: Enter the Bubble Zone and meet the challenge! Guide your tank
and blast the ever increasing number of bubbles, collect the
power ups, watch out for the holes. How far can you go?
Frantic arcade action, with top notch graphics.
Price: #5 ($10) XL/XE, Disk only.
* * * * * SUPER SPECIAL OFFER * * * * * SUPER SPECIAL OFFER * * * * *
Buy all four of the above games for only #15 ($30) inclusive of p&p
Hurray this limited offer is only available until 31st May 1994
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For further details or to order contact:
RICHARD GORE, 79 SPROTBROUGH ROAD, SPROTBROUGH, DONCASTER, DN5 8BW, ENGLAND
Telephone: (0302) 784642 weekends only please.
E-mail: RG9@UK.AC.YORK.TOWER or RG9@UK.AC.YORK.VAX
(Non-JANET users invert UK.AC.YORK.xxx to xxx.YORK.AC.UK)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SOFTWARE Authors, have you written any games or utilities for the Atari 8-bits,
new or old? If you have and you have the rights contact me now and we can
hopefully arrange to get them (re-)marketed!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Article 399 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: D.G.S Summer Specials!
Date: 9 May 1994 08:18:25 GMT
From: dx107@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Dean Garraghty)
Date: 7 May 1994 05:25:42 -0500
D.G.S SUMMER SPECIALS!
========================
Dear All Atari Classic Users,
It's time for some good offers again! First up is a special offer on our
own magazine, the Atari 8-bit News-Paper. We have now produced 3 issues of
this, with the fourth currently in production. We have about 45 sets of these
back issues left, which we would like to clear out of the way to make room
for stocks of later issues. Three issues would usually cost you about $15,
but you can get all 3 back issues now for just ** $8 ** the set! That price
INCLUDES Air Mail shipping from the U.K to the U.S.
Next offer. We have found 2 brand new copies of Atari Macro Assembler on
disk. These are brand new and still shrink wrapped. We need them out of the
way. They can be yours for just $10 each, which INCLUDES surface mail
shipping from the U.K to the U.S. Bargain! E-Mail us first to reserve one.
Next offer. We would like to promote some of our less popular (but
excellent of course!) software. Here's the offer: get Digi-Studio (our
digitized sounds and music system on 2 DS disks with a 44 page manual),
along with Print-Filer (a great utility for printer users which allows you
to capture text/graphics, etc. from your favourite packages and save them
to disk rather than print them, and then later mix them together to produce
a single file which will print independently of the original packages),
along with the last 3 issues of our magazine (as described above) for
the bargain price of just ** $25 ** INCLUDING Air Mail from the U.K to the
U.S. The previous separate selling price of these products was $38. That's
a saving of $13!
There should be a bargain here for everyone! Here's how to order:
Send CASH in US$ along with your order (don't forget your name and address!).
Also send your E-Mail address so that we can confirm your order arrived.
You must reserve a copy of Macro Assembler by E-Mail first and wait for us
to confirm it before you send your money. For the other products just send
your order. We have plenty in stock! It costs 50 cents to mail a letter from
the US to the UK. Other countries: Canada - The 3 back issues cost 5 UK
pounds, Macro Assembler is 7 UK pounds, the Digi-Studio/ Print-filer/
News-Paper offer is 15 UK pounds. Pay by Canadian Money Order drawn in UK
pounds (you can get these from your post office). Other countries: enquire
prices by E-Mail.
Our details:
D.G.S
62 THOMSON AVE
BALBY
DONCASTER
DN4 0NU
ENGLAND
E-Mail: dx107@cleveland.freenet.edu
Note: I can only read/send E-Mail at weekends. Don't worry if it takes
a few days for me to reply!
Phone: +44-302-855-026
Dean Garraghty.
1 May 1994.
--
Dean Garraghty Software (D.G.S.) - dx107@cleveland.freenet.edu
D.G.S., 62 Thomson Ave, Balby, Doncaster, DN4 0NU, ENGLAND.
Phone (in UK): (0302) 855026 / International: +44-302-855-026
D.G.S -- Supporting the Atari 8-bit!!
Article 400 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Programmers Wanted ....
Date: 22 May 1994 21:28:22 GMT
From: mbitdc9306@newi.ac.uk (David Davies)
Date: 12 May 1994 12:05:14 -0500
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOFTWARE, PROGRAMMERS AND IDEAS WANTED!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authors:
Have you written a program that you would like to sell commercially but don't
have the resources to do a decent job of it?
Have you written a program with the potential to be a commercial success but
don't know quite what to add to it?
Do you need to improve the graphics or music for a game in preperation for
commercial release?
Have you already had a program released commercially in the past and still
have the copyright (or bought it back from the original publisher)?
In short, do you want to make some extra money out of your hobby?
Then why not talk to us? The Atari Classic Programmer's Club was devised to
help programmers of all experience levels develop their skills and realise
their full potential. We offer good royalty rates and help with all parts
of programming a utility or game.
We are also short on advanced programmers to work on projects that are waiting
to be started. All services are available free to those who take on a project.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have any questions or have anything you think we might be interested in
then you can e-mail me at:
MBITDC9306@newi.ac.uk
or write to:
The Atari Classic Programmer's Club
Pen-Tyddyn
Capel Coch
LLangefni
Anglesey
Gwynedd LL77 7UR
WALES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article 401 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: April AC: In The Mail!
Date: 22 May 1994 21:29:33 GMT
From: poehland%phvax.dnet@sb.com
Date: 18 May 1994 16:40:33 -0500
Hello peoples. I just received word from our publisher that the April issue
of AC was mailed out yesterday. A little late, but it's on the way at last.
As usual, our European & Pacific readers with Airmail service will get their
issues first, probably the end of this week or beginning next.
The rest of us in the USA/Canada will have to wait till the post office has
fed & rested their tired old pack mules. I'm guessing it should begin to
appear in mailboxes around Memorial Day (provided the mules are in a good mood).
This final issue of AC will contain a new subscription form, so those who
wish to continue receiving the mag under our new management will be able to
re-up. You'll also find all the gory <boring> details on policies for
subscription refunds. Unlike some other mags which withered slowly &
then died miserably on the vine, this final issue of AC under the present
management will go out with a touch of flash & sparkle. For those of you
who felt the December issue focused too much on hardware, you'll find
the wide diversity of topics in the April AC a refreshing change of pace.
We are publishing 36 pages instead of the usual 32, & there's a special
4-page insert containing material submitted by the new management. So you'll
get a chance to sample the flavor of what those SLCC guys intend to print.
Back issues of AC mag & disk are still mostly available for those who
missed out, although one isue is sold out & some others are running low. The
good news is that our publisher is providing a few more back issue copies of
the April issue than I anticipated, so those are temprorily plentiful even
tho many have already been spoken for.
Back issues of mag & disk are $5 per item postpaid anywhere in the world.
The following stock is still available:
Mags: Dec'92, Apr'93, June'93, Aug'93, Oct'93, Dec'93, Feb'94, Apr'94
Disks: Feb'93, June'93, Oct'93, Feb'94.
Cash or check to: Ben Poehland
Managing Editor
Atari Classics Magazine
179 Sproul Road/Rt. 352
Frazer PA 19355
Be sure your check is made out to me & not to the magazine.
If the "new" AC achieves success it is possible the remaining stock of
back issues will be transferred to the new management at some unspecified future
time. For at least the next few months however, the back issue stock will
remain with me. I recommend interested parties should purchase back isues now
while they're still available, as our future is now in a very fluid state &
nobody can predict what the rest of this year holds for us.
Hmmm... it occurs to me this is the last time I'll be making an announcement
about an upcoming issue of the magazine. *sigh* Can't help feeling a little
somber, like something is passing out of my life or whatever. Oh well, there's
just no swimming against the tide......
- Ben Poehland
Once An Alchemist
Once a Magazine Editor....
Article 402 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Fine Tooned Engineering unveils MARS 8 Project
Date: 25 May 1994 16:31:38 GMT
4/28/94
PRESS RELEASE
Fine Tooned Engineering
unveils MARS 8 Project.
FTe will be introducing a "new"
product for the Atari 6502-based
800XL's that is simply "out of
this world". The MARS 8 has been
described as an all-in-one "wonder-
board", that has had well over two
years of R&D invested in it's making.
Once installed, you won't ever need
to peek "under the hood" of your
800XL again. This enhancement will
allow your Atari 8-Bit to have more
memory than a Mega4! The memory has
an option for battery backup and may
be used with 256K, 1MB, or 4MB SIMMS.
We even threw in SpartaDOS X, The
R-Time 8, MAC/65, Action!, Basic XL,
and Basic XE, just so you can show
your friends the "raw power" that
these machines are capable of!
The price structure and availability
is as follows.
The MARS 8 Project
(for 800XL's only)
Level Options Avail
"Galaxy The MARS8 board May 94
Plus" w/ SpartaDOS X
R-Time 8
$139.95 Basic XL w/TK&RT
& 256K (exp to 4mb)
"Cosmic MAC/65 w/TK Jun 94
OSS" Action! w/TK&RT
Basic XE
& Toon-a-Matic (c)
add $69.95 Option
"Stellar X-press! Jul 94
Sysop" D-Ram Battery Bkup
& Toon-a-Matic (c)
Option
add $79.95
"Twilight All of the above!
Zone" complete with Aug 94
easter eggs...
$249.95 (everything)
Order a "Galaxy Plus" before
5/31/94 & recieve a "Cosmic
OSS" upgrade voucher towards
the "Twilight Zone" model.
(which will be released 8/94)
The $139.95 for the Galaxy Plus
is an introductory offer. We
have "working" prototypes, and
these little beasties are "costly"
to manufacture. Due to the unique
nature of the MARS 8 Project we
have decided to release it early,
without any idea of how many of
them to produce. We are commited
to this price until 6/1/94. This
is a very "cool" product, and we
hope that the Atari Community feels
the same. We will offer a 30 day
money-back guarantee on this first
run of boards, knowing that once
you plug it in, you won't want to
take it back out! It would have
been nice to have this product
"reviewed" by a magazine such as
Current Notes, but we will be
shipping the first boards at the
end of May. (which means July issue)
All prices and features are subject
to change, as we have REALLY gone
out on a limb to let everyone know
what's happening...
As far as the SpartaDOS 3.2f
SHAREWARE is concerned, people have
been at two extremes. One side
which is complaining about "no code"
being modified and/or SpartaDOS
ownership conflicts. While the
other side has balanced out all
the "bad vibes" from the first group.
FTe is commited to doing everything
that we can to keep the end-user
as happy as possible. It should be
obvious that a tremendous amount of
energy has been placed with getting
the MARS 8 Project off the ground.
We are simply going to get this
Project finished and out-the-door
before any significant amount of
time will be spent on SpartaDOS 3.2f
Hopefully, it will do well enough
so that a few more people can be
put on staff, to get even more
"cool" products out so that we can
put a few more people...
(I think you get the idea!)<grin>
On that note, I hope everyone enjoys
this "no code modified except for
copyrights" SHAREWARE release of
DiskRX version 1.9
Mike
"Just your normal?
8-Bit kinda guy"
Fine Tooned Engineering
PO Box 66109
Scotts Valley, CA 95067
(408)Get-REAL
(438-7325)
or
(800)For-6502
(367-6502)
(orders only)
P.S. A few "personal" messages that
need to be included...
His "Electronic Highness" will have
the Express Pro! BBS set up by the
second week of May.
Greetings to ABBUC... (A PAL is on
the way)
Additional greetings to NWPAC & DACE.
All mail has been read, and yes, our
new brochure will be sent out REAL
soon...
Article 404 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: AC Refunds
Date: 2 Jun 1994 20:27:59 GMT
From: poehland%phvax.dnet@sb.com
Date: 27 May 1994 00:00:16 -0500
I thought folks might be interested to know I just completed calculating the
refunds for the first 100 AC subscribers who qualify under the policy announced
in the April AC & have mailed the first list to Unicorn Publications. They
will write the checks & send them back to me in bulk, & I will mail them out
to individual subscribers with a cover letter.
As usual in a situation where the business operations are split between 2
locations hundreds of miles apart, the logistics of this are awful. Mailing
delays between me & Unicorn alone are estimated to consume 8 weeks. The
processing of refunds will take all summer. I suggest no one hold their breath
waiting for their check!
With the final issue of AC now being delivered, the operation of AC under my
management is coming to a close. Jim Hood & people from SLCC have definitely
committed themselves to continuing the publication. Rumor has it they are
planning a July issue, but I haven't confirmed that. Whether they continue
to publish after that will probably depend on how much support they receive in
the form of subscriptions. The new subscription form was printed on the back
of the April issue of AC for those wishing to subscribe.
Interested parties may write to:
Jim Hood
Managing Editor
Atari Classics Magazine
5507 Langford Court
Concord CA 94521 USA
for further information on the "new" Atari classics. You can also try him
on GEnie: J.HOOD9 [Internet: j.hood9@genie.geis.com] but my experience has been
that he's not exactly a network denizen so probably a snailmail letter will
be more effective in reaching him.
I've been working behind the scenes for the past 4 months with Jim & with
Bob Woolley to make the management transition as smooth as possible & to
assist those fellows in the startup of their venture. These arrangements
are purely on a personal level & are not connected in any way with the actual
business operations of either the present AC or the "new" AC. The present
publication is definitely ceasing existence as a business entity, & the
effort by the people in California is an entirely new & independent operation.
This is confusing to many people. The easiest way to envision what's happening
is to look at it as if the present body of AC has died, but the spirit of it
is being preserved & transferred to another vessel (sounds like an episode from
Star Trek!) where hopefully it will live again.
Some portion of the present Staff may transfer over to the new management, &
I've offered my services to them as a Consultant. Bob Woolley, who was a
Reviewer on the Staff of the "old" AC, has taken an active role in the "new"
AC, tho in exactly what capacity remains to be seen. Both Jim & Bob have
expressed a strong desire to preserve as much continuity between the old
& new publications as possible, & I'm doing all I can at my end to assist
that effort.
I sincerely hope that all of you will subscribe to the new Atari Classics &
give Jim Hood as support as you can. You all know our market & our user
base have continued to decline. I honestly feel that if the California effort
fails, the last vestige of the Atari 8-bit community & market in the USA will
go down the drain. Really people, this is our last chance. Think about it.
- Ben Poehland
Managing Editor
ATARI CLASSICS Magazine
Article 405 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Atari 8-bit support. (Richard Gore)
Date: 4 Jun 1994 20:06:16 GMT
From: RG9@VAX.YORK.AC.UK
Date: 2 Jun 1994 12:02:40 -0500
SUPPORT FOR YOUR ATARI 8-BIT FROM RICHARD GORE.
----------------------------------------------
YORKY 256K Memory upgrade:
-------------------------
I only have five full kits of this rare upgrade left, priced at #50 ($90)
plus p&p (#2 UK, #3.50 EC, #5 rest of World) including manual and support disk.
Yorkys are supplied ready built, all you have to do is plug them into the PBI
port of your 800XL and hey presto you have a 256k machine.
Once these units have been sold no more will be produced - now could be your
last chance to obtain a Yorky! Watch out for the mention in the April AC!
SOFTWARE:
--------
JAWBREAKER - The classic Pac-man style game originally sold by Sierra-On-Line.
This version includes two mazes which were originally sold as
separate games as well as a new pause function and improved
joystick control. Two mazes on one disk at a bargain price!
MOUSEKATTACK - Another classic game from Sierra-On-Line. This game has you
trying to plumb the levels of Rat Alley. A very addictive game
featuring a one or two player (simultaneously on screen) mode,
new pause feature and improved joystick control.
Both games are available on disk, tape or Rambit Turbo tape (state which)
and are supplied with a printed manual.
Prices: #4.95 each or #6.95 for BOTH (UK p&p included)
(overseas please add #2 for airmail shipping)
(US dollar prices $10 each or $18 for both fully inclusive)
N E W S O F T W A R E! N E W S O F T W A R E!
In association with Visionaire software I am pleased to announce the
availability of two new games programmed in the UK......
ARENA: An original puzzle game where you must place pieces of a wall in
order to guide a 'power pod' too its destination. It sounds simple,
but it has good graphics and is very addictive. A demo version appeared
on issue 66 of Page 6's disk, but this version is the full game with
50 levels.
Price: #5 ($10) XL/XE, Disk only.
BUBBLE ZONE: Enter the Bubble Zone and meet the challenge! Guide your tank
and blast the ever increasing number of bubbles, collect the
power ups, watch out for the holes. How far can you go?
Frantic arcade action, with top notch graphics.
Price: #5 ($10) XL/XE, Disk only.
US customers can buy both Arena and Bubble Zone for $18 including p&p.
* * * * * * * * * SPECIAL OFFER * * * * * * * SPECIAL OFFER * * * * * * * * * *
Buy all four of the above games, Jawbreaker, Mousekattack, Bubble Zone and
Arena for only #15 ($30) including shipping.
** This offer has been extended to the 21st of June 1994 **
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
For further details or to order contact:
RICHARD GORE, 79 SPROTBROUGH ROAD, SPROTBROUGH, DONCASTER, DN5 8BW, ENGLAND
Telephone: (0302) 784642 weekends only please.
E-mail: RG9@UK.AC.YORK.TOWER or RG9@UK.AC.YORK.VAX
(Non-JANET users invert UK.AC.YORK.xxx to xxx.YORK.AC.UK)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SOFTWARE Authors, have you written any games or utilities for the Atari 8-bits,
new or old? If you have and you have the rights contact me now and we can
hopefully arrange to get them (re-)marketed!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
UK customers: Are you interested in buying the classic ICD/OSS products such
as SpartaDOS X, MAC 65, ACTION!, BASIC XE, BASIC XL, R-TIME8?
If you are contact me and I might be able to help!
I am now very near the end of my university course, which means that I will
soon be losing my Internet access, at least temporarily, possibly for good.
This will happen on the 21st June, so I can still answer any e-mail queries up
until that date.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has supported me
over the past few years, I've enjoyed it. I will still be supporting the Atari
8-bits so please keep in touch by mail, my address is given above and it is also
in the Vendors list. I have several new games in the pipeline and the
possibility of helping to distribute FTes products in the UK. So once again,
many thanks and heres to the future.......
Richard Gore
Article 406 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: xx004@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Atari SIG)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: CatScan BBS (for Lynx and Jaguar owners)
Date: 6 Jun 1994 16:01:22 GMT
FYI Everyone...
____ ____ ________
/ __ \ / \| | Atari Jaguar Infosystem
| | |__| __ |__ __|____ ____ ____ __ ___ TM
| | __| |__| | | | / ____|/ ____|/ __ \| |__ \
| |__| | __ | | ||____ | |___| |__| | / \ |
\ ____ /|__| |__| |__||_____/ \_____|\____|__|__| |__|
===========================================================
CATscan BBS Trademark 1994, Artisan Software
===========================================================
Thanks to the assistance Mr. Dana Jacobsen, CATscan has
just been upgraded with new software. I am in the process
of converting the files from the earlier version and I am
nearly finished. The dealer referal software has been
rewritten and I hope to have the product descriptions back
up as early as tonight (6/5/94). Additional features will
be included soon such as T-shirt lotteries and online
ordering at full retail prices direct through Atari.
(It is still better to buy through dealers!)
CATscan(tm) BBS has been established as a Jaguar and Lynx
clearinghouse of information. Callers are instantly
registered and there are NO fees to join. CATscan supports
over multiple Special Interest Groups and already has
dozens of active users in just the first couple of weeks
of operation.
GEnie, CIS, Delphi, Cleveland Freenet users are best
served on their services and, other than the message bases,
will NOT find information or files exclusive to CATscan.
In fact free ads (provided by Atari Explorer Online and the
Cleveland Freenet) for GEnie, CompuServe, Delphi and the
Cleveland Freenet have been integrated into the CATscan
online environment.
Here are the SIGs found on CATscan:
1 scratching post...welcome all 2 CATnips..tidbits of news/info
3 CATraps........PRs and awards 4 CATacombs...game tips/secrets
5 CATerwaul...online mags/zines 6 CATcalls.........game reviews
7 3rd party animals...licensees 8 CATscans......graphics & pics
9 CATalog...buy/sell/rent/trade 10 adoption agency..dealer lists
11 CAThouse...developer exchange 12 CAT's meow..........shareware
13 litterbox....order from Atari 14 CAT fights.......debate arena
15 top CATs 1......private arena 16 top CATs 2......private arena
(Note: SIGs are named for anticipated interest and may
not all be active at this time.)
To get a Jaguar dealer in any state, sign on to CATscan,
use the S command from the main menu to change SIGs,
type 10 for the "adoption agency" (see above), then
press I and follow the prompts.
Currrent copies of Atari Explorer Online and STReport
are provided as well as other appropriate downloads.
Messages are censored! This BBS is NOT endorsed by
Atari Corporation.
To check out CATscan for yourself, dial 209/239-1552 with
your computer modem.
Special thanks to Tal Funke-Bilu, Travis Guy,
Dana Jacobsen and Len Stys... all of whom have helped
supply CATscan with up-to-date tips and information.
--Don Thomas
Atari Corporation
Article 407 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: DGS Offers
Date: 17 Jun 1994 19:52:21 GMT
From: dx107@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Dean Garraghty)
Date: 11 Jun 1994 12:06:21 -0500
D.G.S SUMMER SPECIALS!
========================
Dear All Atari Classic Users,
It's time for some good offers again! First up is a special offer on our
own magazine, the Atari 8-bit News-Paper. We have now produced 4 issues of
this, with the 5th currently in production. We have about 45 sets of these
back issues left, which we would like to clear out of the way to make room
for stocks of later issues. Four issues would usually cost you about $20,
but you can get all 4 back issues now for just ** $11 ** the set! That price
INCLUDES Air Mail shipping from the U.K to the U.S.
Next offer. We have found 1 brand new copy of Atari Macro Assembler on
disk. This is brand new and still shrink wrapped. It can be yours for just
$10, which INCLUDES surface mail shipping from the U.K to the U.S. Bargain!
E-Mail us first to reserve it.
Next offer. We would like to promote some of our less popular (but
excellent of course!) software. Here's the offer: get Digi-Studio (our
digitized sounds and music system on 2 DS disks with a 44 page manual),
along with Print-Filer (a great utility for printer users which allows you
to capture text/graphics, etc. from your favourite packages and save them
to disk rather than print them, and then later mix them together to produce
a single file which will print independently of the original packages),
along with the last 3 issues of our magazine (as described above) for
the bargain price of just ** $25 ** INCLUDING Air Mail from the U.K to the
U.S. The previous separate selling price of these products was $38. That's
a saving of $13!
There should be a bargain here for everyone! Here's how to order:
Send CASH in US$ along with your order (don't forget your name and address!).
Also send your E-Mail address so that we can confirm your order arrived.
You must reserve a copy of Macro Assembler by E-Mail first and wait for us
to confirm it before you send your money. For the other products just send
your order. We have plenty in stock! It costs 50 cents to mail a letter from
the US to the UK. Other countries: Canada - The 4 back issues cost 8 UK
pounds, Macro Assembler is 7 UK pounds, the Digi-Studio/ Print-filer/
News-Paper offer is 15 UK pounds. Pay by Canadian Money Order drawn in UK
pounds (you can get these from your post office). Other countries: enquire
prices by E-Mail.
Our details:
D.G.S
62 THOMSON AVE
BALBY
DONCASTER
DN4 0NU
ENGLAND
E-Mail: dx107@cleveland.freenet.edu
Note: I can only read/send E-Mail at weekends. Don't worry if it takes
a few days for me to reply!
Phone: +44-302-855-026
Dean Garraghty.
10 June 1994.
--
Dean Garraghty Software (D.G.S.) - dx107@cleveland.freenet.edu
D.G.S., 62 Thomson Ave, Balby, Doncaster, DN4 0NU, ENGLAND.
Phone (in UK): (0302) 855026 / International: +44-302-855-026
D.G.S -- Supporting the Atari 8-bit!!
Article 408 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: AC Refunds Going Out
Date: 17 Jun 1994 19:53:14 GMT
From: poehland%phvax.dnet@sb.com
Date: 13 Jun 1994 10:24:46 -0500
I just wanted to let everyone know the first batch of AC subscription refund
checks went into the mail yesterday. These were all to people whose last name
starts with "A". (We still have a long way to go!)
This first initial run, things are going kinda slow as we work out the details
of actually doing. For the moment it looks like we'll be averaging about 30
checks per week, but I'm confident that rate will go up to around 50/week once
we go into high gear.
As usual with such things, the logistics of doing this are just hideous. I
live in dread fear of of getting the checks & preaddressed envelopes out of
order while I'm stuffing envelopes, which would cause dozens of checks to get
mailed to the wrong people (!). But so far the process is moving along about
as well as can be expected, & with vigilance hopefully we won't have any major
FUBARs.
It isn't often a magazine folds up & the subscriber gets a refund, accompanied
by a signed letter from the Managing Editor thanking the readers for their
support.
- Ben Poehland
Managing Editor
ATARI CLASSICS Magazine
Article 409 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Atari-Z-Modem 1.2 / Larry Black
Date: 17 Jun 1994 19:55:47 GMT
From: Dag.Hugdahl@flight.org (Dag Hugdahl)
Date: 13 Jun 94 20:45:00 -0500
Got this from the Fidonet 8-bit Newgroup. For those of you who are interested:
<< This message exported by .QWKsilver 0.2 beta (C) 1992 Ubiquitous Software >>
Export date: 06/08/94 at 19:47:11
System : FlightLine BBS
Message #2239 on Atari 8Bit
From -----> FRANK WALTERS
To -------> ALL
Date -----> 05-29-94
Subject --> Atar-Z-Modem 1.2
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Larry Black has just released version 1.2 of his Atar-Z-Modem, Zmodem receive
protocol for Atari 8bits. It fixed a few minor bugs in v.1.0 and added a couple
features that could be helpful. It is Shareware, so please support Larry in his
continuing effort to suport 8-bit Atari users. He can't say anything about this
as he is the echo moderator of this echo. I imagine he was very disappointed in
the total lack of response to his initial release of the first Zmodem receive
program for the Atari. Doesn't anybody send registrations for new Shareware
anymore? Or do authors have to offer "Crippleware" that require you to register
it to get it to fully function. I hate those programs and never register them.
Summary of changes in Atar-Z-Modem 1.2:
1. Fixes minor bug in Filename block CRC routine.
2. Fixes memory conflict between buffer and P:R: Connection ROM hander when
that handler was installed by v1.0. Did not affect P:R: disk file handlers or
850 interface.
3. Filename is verified for alpha/numeric characters only, as required by Atari
DOS 2.5. Lower case converted to upper case and illegal characters replaced
with "Z" character in receiver's "save" file.
4. RESUME function added. Allows user to resume downloading a partial file that
was previously aborted for any reason. Time limitation when resuming very long
files on very slow disk drives due to necessity to read and Open to append the
partial file before beginning data transfer.
ATZMOD12.ARC is around 20k and can be downloaded from my BBS, TACO Bell,
between 4pm-11pm Central time. Phone: 904-785-2333. New callers must use Atari
translation and have full privileges on first call. It can be File requested
(FREQ) from Larry's FidoNet system, The -< Bejue >- Bbs 904-769-9688
(1:3608/121). It will be made available on GEnie and Compuserve by the end of
this week.
* TEXTPRO 5.16 * Atar-Z-Modem 1.2 now includes "Resume" function.
-Dag- --> dag.hugdahl@flight.org
Fidonet: Dag Hugdahl 1:282/47
Internet: Dag.Hugdahl@flight.org
| Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly his own.
| From FlightLine BBS [MSP] (612)544-5118 Aviation & Sim Resource
Article 410 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: SpartaDOS 3.2g
Date: 17 Jun 1994 19:56:33 GMT
From: F Tooned <ftooned@delphi.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Jun 94 09:44:41 -0500
Hi all,
Just wanted to say that anybody who still hasn't recieved
3.2f will be recieving 3.2g. A few of you placed orders right before
3.2g was completed, but I just didn't have the heart to send out the
old version when 3.2g was so close to being finished.
As far as the 'File Exists' error when copying a file to
E: or S:, the temporary workaround is to copy the file from a
different drive. Such as,
D2:copy d1:readme.txt e: (notice that lowercase works!)
This is a pretty minor problem, and will be corrected on the
NEXT release. 3.2g should stir things up a bit, and there is no doubt
that some programs will not work on the new version. It will take some
time to find out what does or doesn't, but rest assured that your
feedback will be listened to.
Thanks to everyone for their support! It's been a really
busy few months, and I don't know if I will ever get caught up. <g>
We have added a 65816 processor to the MARS8 which is now working,
but there are a few problems with some PBI devices which still need
attention. On a brighter note, it works great with the MUX so I am
actually using it with a hard drive...
Mike
Article 411 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Atari 8-bit support. (Richard Gore)
Date: 23 Jun 1994 18:46:38 GMT
From: RG9@VAX.YORK.AC.UK
Date: 21 Jun 1994 05:40:52 -0500
SUPPORT FOR YOUR ATARI 8-BIT FROM RICHARD GORE.
----------------------------------------------
YORKY 256K Memory upgrade:
-------------------------
I only have five full kits of this rare upgrade left, priced at #50 ($90)
plus p&p (#2 UK, #3.50 EC, #5 rest of World) including manual and support disk.
Yorkys are supplied ready built, all you have to do is plug them into the PBI
port of your 800XL and hey presto you have a 256k machine.
Once these units have been sold no more will be produced - now could be your
last chance to obtain a Yorky! Watch out for the mention in the April AC!
SOFTWARE:
--------
JAWBREAKER - The classic Pac-man style game originally sold by Sierra-On-Line.
This version includes two mazes which were originally sold as
separate games as well as a new pause function and improved
joystick control. Two mazes on one disk at a bargain price!
MOUSEKATTACK - Another classic game from Sierra-On-Line. This game has you
trying to plumb the levels of Rat Alley. A very addictive game
featuring a one or two player (simultaneously on screen) mode,
new pause feature and improved joystick control.
Both games are available on disk, tape or Rambit Turbo tape (state which)
and are supplied with a printed manual.
Prices: #4.95 each or #6.95 for BOTH (UK p&p included)
(overseas please add #2 for airmail shipping)
(US dollar prices $10 each or $18 for both fully inclusive)
N E W S O F T W A R E! N E W S O F T W A R E!
In association with Visionaire software I am pleased to announce the
availability of two new games programmed in the UK......
ARENA: An original puzzle game where you must place pieces of a wall in
order to guide a 'power pod' too its destination. It sounds simple,
but it has good graphics and is very addictive. A demo version appeared
on issue 66 of Page 6's disk, but this version is the full game with
50 levels.
Price: #5 ($10) XL/XE, Disk only.
BUBBLE ZONE: Enter the Bubble Zone and meet the challenge! Guide your tank
and blast the ever increasing number of bubbles, collect the
power ups, watch out for the holes. How far can you go?
Frantic arcade action, with top notch graphics.
Price: #5 ($10) XL/XE, Disk only.
US customers can buy both Arena and Bubble Zone for $18 including p&p.
For further details or to order contact:
RICHARD GORE, 79 SPROTBROUGH ROAD, SPROTBROUGH, DONCASTER, DN5 8BW, ENGLAND
Telephone: (0302) 784642 weekends only please.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SOFTWARE Authors, have you written any games or utilities for the Atari 8-bits,
new or old? If you have and you have the rights contact me now and we can
hopefully arrange to get them (re-)marketed!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
UK customers: Are you interested in buying the classic ICD/OSS products such
as SpartaDOS X, MAC 65, ACTION!, BASIC XE, BASIC XL, R-TIME8?
If you are contact me and I might be able to help!
This will be the last time I post this list, as of today I will no longer have
e-mail access (at least not until I can get another account - which might not
be for a while) since my university course has ended. It is a sad day for me,
but hey I've got the rest of my life ahead of me. Anyway just because I no
longer have e-mail it doesn't mean to say I am no longer supporting the Atari
8-bit machines, far from it. The support WILL go on, I have several more
classic games in the pipeline including Silent service, Summer Games, Winter
Challenge, Gorf, Halley Patrol, Gato and Taxicab Hill (I've never heard of
that one myself!). Prices etc are TBA but if you're interested write to me at
the above address (and if you feel kind include an sae, IRC etc - if not don't
worry I think I can spring for a stamp) and I will send you more details.
Heres to the future and I look forward to mine and your continued support of
the best 8-bit computer ever made.....
Richard Gore
Article 413 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: xx004@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Atari SIG)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: PC Xformer 2.0 Released (Atari 8-bit emulator)
Date: 23 Jun 1994 19:23:40 GMT
From: darekm@microsoft.com (Darek Mihocka)
Date: Mon, 20 Jun 1994 21:24:37 GMT
PC Xformer 2.0 - The Atari 400/800 Emulator For MS-DOS Compatible PCs
=====================================================================
June 20, 1994.
For more information write to:
Darek Mihocka, c/o
Branch Always Software
14150 N.E. 20th Street
Suite 302
Bellevue, WA 98007
U.S.A.
PC Xformer 2.0 is a free emulator for MS-DOS users who wish to run their old
Atari 400/800 software. The file XF2.ZIP is today being released to the
online services Compuserve, Delphi, and GEnie, and will also be available
on other bulletin boards shortly.
The ZIP file contains the XF2 (PC Xformer 2.0) emulator, 10 pages of
documentation, and various sample 8-bit programs.
PC Xformer 2.0 is NOT shareware. You can freely use it, just as the original
ST Xformer program on which it is based on has been freely available for years.
Future upgrades of PC Xformer will be available for $29.95 for those people
who want the additional features, extra documentation, and product support.
Features
--------
Many of the limitations of the ST Xformer emulator are gone thanks to the much
faster processing power of the PC and its superior VGA graphics capablities.
If you previously used ST Xformer you'll find much faster emulation of Atari
8-bit programs with much greater compatibility.
PC Xformer 2.0 is the first and only Atari 8-bit emulator for either the ST or
PC that supports all these features:
- 48K RAM with built-in Atari 400/800 operating system and Atari BASIC
- displays all ANTIC text and graphics modes, including GTIA modes
- displays player missile graphics (no collision detection)
- handles display list interrupts, IRQ, and NMI interrupts
- reads and writes to ST Xformer and SIO2PC generated disk images
- reads MS-DOS files directly and automatically converts to disk image
- switches Atari BASIC on/off with one keystroke
- joystick emulation using the keyboard
- full speed emulation on a 386/33 or faster
- slow and fast modes of emulation for faster PCs
Features that will be found in future versions of PC Xformer are:
- 800XL/130XE memory bank switching
- player missile graphics collision detection
- sound card, joystick port, modem port, and printer port support
The speed of Atari 8-bit emulation is proportional to the speed of your PC,
with a 33 Mhz 386 approximately giving the normal speed of an Atari 800.
Below is a list of processors and the approximate speed of emulation relative
to an Atari 800:
- 286/16 - 0.3
- 386SX/20 - 0.5
- 386DX/33 - 1.0
- 486DX/33 - 2.0
- 486DX2/66 - 4.0
- Pentium - 7+
486 and Pentium users can use the slow/fast option to slow down the emulator
to normal speed.
Hardware requirements
---------------------
PC Xformer 2.0 is a 16-bit MS-DOS application. It is designed to run on most
PCs with minimum hardware requirements. It requires a 286 compatible CPU, so
it is compatible with all 286, 386, 486 and Pentium based PC, as well as any
PC that can emulate the 286.
PC Xformer 2.0 also requires a VGA compatible display, and about 200K of RAM.
For additional information see the documentation file that comes with XF2
or write to the address above.
- Darek
--
/--------------------------------------\
| Darek Mihocka. net: darekm@microsoft |
| Views expressed are always my own. |
\--------------------------------------/
Article 414 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: What's new in SpartaDOS version 3.2g
Date: 26 Jun 1994 18:25:51 GMT
What's new in SpartaDOS version 3.2g
************************************
Version 3.2f could only access drive
ID numbers from D1-D8. Now, you can
access drive D9.
************************************
A filespec that does not contain a
drive number, such as D:TEST, will
now default to your currently logged
drive on the command line.
For example, if you are logged to D4:
a filespec of D:TEST will be converted
to D4:TEST, instead of D1:TEST as it
used to be. This change can be very
useful when running programs from
different drive numbers, since you
can access files with D: and they
will automatically be taken from
whichever drive the program was
was started from.
You must now be careful however, to
always type D1: when you need to
access drive 1 specifically.
************************************
A file will no longer be destroyed
when copying it to itself. The DOS
checks for this condition, and will
report a 'File exists' error.
Commands such as:
D4:COPY D4:TEST
will no longer destroy the file TEST.
************************************
All command line input, including all
commands, files, and drive IDs, can
now be entered in either lower case or
upper case. Lower case was only
partially supported in version 3.2f.
************************************
Some commands have been changed, to
make them more compatible with the X
cartridge, as well as making them
easier to type. The following changes
have been made:
CWD has been changed to CD.
CREDIR is now MD (Make Directory).
DELDIR is now RD (Remove Directory).
Note that with the Remove Directory
function now called RD, the RD.COM
ramdisk handler needs to be renamed
to RM.COM in order for it to work.
(This will be the name of the MARS8
compatible driver to be released.)
************************************
There are many additional error
messages, so you should no longer see
error numbers on the command line.
************************************
A system lock-up bug has been fixed,
when the clock wraps from 12-31-1999
to the year 2000.
Also, the day of the week offset
has been corrected for years after
2000, in the new TDLINE program.
We are 5 1/2 years 'ahead of time'<g>
************************************
Program files containing a RUNAD, can
now be reentered with the RUN command
after returning to DOS. The normal
process of saving the starting address
for a .COM file into Sparta's internal
variables, was disrupted when the file
contained a RUNAD address. This has
now been fixed, so all program files
will behave the same way, whether or
not they include the RUNAD address.
************************************
Several changes have been made to the
keyboard buffering routines. When
holding a key down for auto-repeat,
the buffer will not fill up with
excess characters that the application
program hasn't used yet. There will
at most, be one additional character
in the buffer during a key repeat.
This means that when you release a
key, the repeat process stops right
away, whereas there could have been
many additional keycodes 'stacked up'
when using version 3.2f.
The key combination Shift-Control-Esc
can be used to clear all of the keys
currently stored in the buffer. This
gives you a way to cancel everything
in the buffer when a situation may
require you to abort.
************************************
The 1200XL key functions such as DMA
off, keyclick toggle, and keyboard
lock, now work properly.
************************************
The key buffer NOW DEFAULTS to OFF
due to incompatabilities with certain
programs. It can always be activated
as part of a STARTUP.BAT file using
'key on' (even in lower case), if you
would like this feature enabled.
************************************
The AINIT command was removed from the
command line. However, the XIO Atari
format function can still be used
within application programs.
************************************
Even with all these changes, the DOS
file size has been reduced by 260
bytes, and the lomem has been dropped
119 bytes. If you do not have a PBI
device, your lomem will be at $17A2.
Users with a PBI device will find
their lomem at $1BA2, since the buffer
space uses 1K at lomem, instead of the
$D800 PBI area.
************************************
FTe has decided to release a special
3.2 'gx' version that can bring
memlo back down to $17A2, by placing
the disk buffers under the OS at
$C400. This has an added benefit of
using a full 2K of buffer space,
instead of the 1K space allocated at
memlo, and will help the DOS run
faster.
However, SpartaDOS 3.2 'gx' is NOT
COMPATIBLE with BASIC XE, or any
other programs using the RAM under the
OS from $C400-$CBFF. It is provided
for those users who don't require this
compatibility, and who would like to
have the additional RAM available.
NOTE that if you ARE NOT using a PBI
device, (such as an MIO or Black Box)
you do not need the special 'gx'
version, and will already get the 2K
buffer space and $17A2 lomem with
using the STANDARD 3.2g version.
************************************
SpartaDOS 3.2g and 3.2gx are being
released as Shareware on an AS-IS
basis. If you do happen to discover
any incompatibilites, please don't
hesitate to let us know, so that we
might be able to fix the problem
in any future revisions.
This upgrade was made possible by
everyone out there who took the time
to register 3.2f Thank You!
************************************
If you like what you see, you may
register 3.2g by sending $19.95 to
Fine Tooned Engineering
PO Box 66109
Scotts Valley, CA
95067
This will get you all 3 manuals in
addition to the SpartaDOS Toolkit.
************************************
Article 415 of freenet.sci.comp.atari.news:
From: aa700@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Current)
>Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
Subject: Fine Tooned Engineering
Date: 26 Jun 1994 18:26:25 GMT
6/9/94
Well, it's summer already and Fine
Tooned Engineering is still alive
and kicking. The last 6 months has
been the most challenging that we've
ever experienced. The business has
had its problems though, and now is a
good time to address them.
The three biggest ones are...
A) It's difficult to reach somebody
on the phones.
B) It's taken longer than it should
to get some products shipped.
C) The Catalog still isn't ready.
These problems do exist, and it is
our first priority to get them fixed.
Starting June 15th, the phone will
be answered between 11am and 4pm PST.
We are switching over to UPS as
our primary carrier, and will be
scheduling pickups twice a week until
orders are sufficient enough to ship
daily. This will also be in effect
by 6/15.
FTe has aquired Newell Industries,
so our catalog has been expanded
considerably. We are really trying
to go "first class" with its prod-
uction, so please be patient as it
will be worth the wait!
(Hint: Pick up the June/July issue
of Current Notes)
Everybody makes mistakes, and FTe is
no exception to this rule. The time,
expenses, and resources needed in
manufacturing, shipping/handling, and
R&D has been much greater than
anticipated. So...
Starting July 1st, we will have to
start charging for shipping and
handling in addition to putting a
$50 minimum on Credit Card orders.
The 800 line is for COD or Credit
Card orders only, and will be
answered 24 hours a day by our
in-house voice mail system.
If you need technical information,
or simply just want to chat, please
call us at 408-438-7325 between 11am
and 4pm PST. If you get transferred
to the Voice-Mail System on this line
after the first ring during business
hours, please leave a voice # and your
call will be returned within 30 Min.
The Fine Tooned BBS is up and running
at 408-438-6775. It needs a lot of
work, and should have 9600 baud
support sometime in July. There just
isn't enough hours in a day to
properly maintain it right now, and
we expect that it will take until
the end of summer to get it up to
standards.
The MARS8 Project has been delayed a
few more weeks as we have decided to
add a 65816 processor! The additional
expense shouldn't cost more than $25,
and the reduced power consumption and
expanded instruction set will make it
invaluable for future enhancements.
Well, that about wraps it up. We
hope that you will continue to
support FTe through good times as
well as bad, so that the MARS8 and
other new products may continue to
be developed and supported.
Thanks,
Mike
-----------------------------------------
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