812 lines
36 KiB
Plaintext
812 lines
36 KiB
Plaintext
|
|
|
|
==(((((((((( == Z*MAG/A\ZINE ATARI ONLINE MAGAZINE
|
|
=========(( === March 9, 1991
|
|
=======(( ===== Issue #191
|
|
=====(( ======= ----------------------------------
|
|
==(((((((((( == Copyright (c)1991, Rovac Ind Inc..
|
|
|
|
Publisher/Editor : Ron Kovacs
|
|
Assistant Editor : Stan Lowell
|
|
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
CompuServe: 71777,2140 GEnie: Z-NET
|
|
Z*NET BBS: (908) 968-8148 BLANK PAGE BBS: (908) 805-3967
|
|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
EDITORS DESK
|
|
============
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
Also, lets not forget Z*MAGAZINE. The online publication that started
|
|
it all. Back in May 1986, regular weekly editions, released locally as
|
|
NEW JERSEY ZMAG started and ran weekly until the end of 1989. In late
|
|
1990, we re-started the publication and release on a monthly basis to
|
|
die-hard 8-Bit Atarians. There are 190 editions of ZMagazine available
|
|
in BBS archives and by request.
|
|
|
|
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...
|
|
|
|
|
|
RUMBLES - RAMBLES - RUMORS
|
|
==========================
|
|
by Stan Lowell, Assistant Editor
|
|
|
|
A note about the Oasis BBS in the FoReM-XEP network listings. Len
|
|
Spencer has re-located to Orlando, FL. and his new number will be listed
|
|
in our next edition.
|
|
|
|
Good news for Express! Professional SysOps! A soon to be released
|
|
version will join FoReM-XE Professional in having Y-Modem Batch Upload
|
|
capability. More on this later in the New Stuff Coming category!
|
|
|
|
More Dealers
|
|
------------
|
|
The -New- Atari Explorer magazine is out. In the letters section there
|
|
is a list of places to get Educational software. If you don't have it
|
|
yet, look for it at your local dealer, newstand, or bookstore!
|
|
|
|
More dealers who carry Atari 8-bit software:
|
|
|
|
Msg# : 2422 - Msgs 8-Bit
|
|
To : ALL
|
|
From : LARRY CHARPIAT
|
|
C-net: The Oasis BBS - Kissimmee, FL.
|
|
Subj : 8-Bit PD & Shareware
|
|
|
|
Nearly 500 disks of Atari 8-bit Public Domain and Shareware and all the
|
|
latest disk from Europe. Every program tested and Guaranteed to run.
|
|
|
|
Send for Catalog and FREE DISK coupon offers.
|
|
|
|
Bellcom
|
|
P.O. Box 1043-E
|
|
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9J7A5
|
|
|
|
Msg# : 2430 - Msgs 8-Bit - Net
|
|
Sent : 01/05/91 at 7:14 PM
|
|
To : LARRY CHARPIAT
|
|
From : ARIEL
|
|
C-net: Gateway-St. Louis, Mo.
|
|
Subj : 8-Bit PD & Shareware
|
|
|
|
We have ordered PD disks from Bellcom in the past and it is (in my
|
|
opinion) one of the best there is. The catalog is very well organized
|
|
and the guy that runs it seems to be very nice. I had a problem a few
|
|
years back with one of the disks I had ordered and not only did he
|
|
replace it (promptly) but sent another disk to make up for any
|
|
inconvenience. Bellcom gets an A+ from me.
|
|
|
|
Msg# : 2484 - Msgs 8-Bit - Net
|
|
Sent : 01/11/91 at 6:45 PM
|
|
To : ARIEL
|
|
From : RAY WILMOTT
|
|
Subj : 8-Bit PD & Shareware
|
|
|
|
BellCom
|
|
|
|
Ditto...it's one of the best. Good service and a large selection of
|
|
quality programs.
|
|
|
|
Msg# : 2514 - Msgs 8-Bit - Net
|
|
Sent : 01/13/91 at 8:02 AM
|
|
To : RAY WILMOTT
|
|
From : Tim Naber
|
|
C-net: Road to Damascus-Sacramento,CA
|
|
|
|
Subj : 8-Bit PD & Shareware
|
|
|
|
C&T Computer Active has a wide variety of PD & Shareware programs also.
|
|
What you don't see at Bellcom I'm sure C&T has it.
|
|
|
|
C&T Computer Active
|
|
P.O. Box 893
|
|
Clinton, OK 73601
|
|
|
|
I have purchased some News Room Clipart, nine disks of Sparta specific
|
|
utilities and a couple of good games like Dandy Dungeon, which is the
|
|
equvalent of Gauntlet. You can play four players if you are playing on
|
|
an 800.
|
|
|
|
Shareware News
|
|
--------------
|
|
|
|
Msg# : 2507 - Msgs 8-Bit - Net
|
|
Sent : 01/12/91 at 1:16 AM
|
|
To : JENNINGS FORD
|
|
From : Kyle Dain
|
|
C-net: Final Frontier-Philadelphia PA
|
|
Subj : Printer
|
|
|
|
Have you heard of the new PICPRINT software for the XL's that will load
|
|
ANY of the standard Atari graphic formats, and print them in Color! on
|
|
your NX-1000r? Many Many Many features! All for the incredibily low
|
|
price of $15.00 +$2.50 ship & hand.
|
|
|
|
FULL MONEYBACK GUARANTEE IF NOT SATISFIED!
|
|
|
|
If you're interested, write to
|
|
|
|
S.A.G.E.
|
|
P.O. Box 10562
|
|
Erie, PA 16514
|
|
Attn: 8-Bit Librarian
|
|
|
|
**********************************
|
|
I wrote PicPrint, and I'm the Librarian both. So if you'd like more
|
|
info, write SAGE or leave me msg. here. (You can leave a message on any
|
|
FoReM-XEP BBS that carries the 8-bit Networked msg. base - Stan)
|
|
***********************************
|
|
|
|
Rumor Mill
|
|
----------
|
|
Two rumors that I have seen around:
|
|
|
|
Rumor #1 - Atari will be coming out with a new line of 8-bits. (This
|
|
one first Cropped up on my Networked Message base, and things got a
|
|
little out of hand! It started looking like a convention of Wouldn't it
|
|
be Nice If...-)
|
|
|
|
Rumor #2 - Atari has sold the rights to the 8-bits!
|
|
|
|
These seemed a *little* contradictory. Having been an Atarian for a
|
|
while, it did seem 'possible' that one of these could be viable! <Grin>
|
|
|
|
Well, its not April 1st yet. These were checked into, and...
|
|
|
|
>>>neither one has *ANY* substance to it!<<<
|
|
|
|
Atari 8-bit Inter-BBS Networking?
|
|
---------------------------------
|
|
More than one person is rumored to be 'looking into the feasibility of
|
|
the various 8-bit BBS programs networking with each other, and possibly
|
|
even Forem-ST boards.
|
|
|
|
The 8-bit programs of which I am aware of that are now 'capable' of
|
|
networking are: FoReM-XEP, Express! Pro, Oasis, and Puff II BBS. There
|
|
may be more, but I don't know about them - yet! Of these, only FoReM-
|
|
XEP and Express! Pro can -thread- their networked message bases.
|
|
|
|
Some of the problems which need to be overcome are: different methods
|
|
and protocols used, different maximum message sizes, different
|
|
procedures used for Networking, and the different formats of the packets.
|
|
|
|
I will try to find out more information about this and pass it on in a
|
|
future article.
|
|
|
|
New Stuff Coming?
|
|
-----------------
|
|
Black Box owners might have an alternative to the R-Time 8 cartridge.
|
|
Nothing -firm- on this yet, but the concept has been investigated, and
|
|
is being pursued. Hopefully, it will come to fruitation. At this point
|
|
it will only be for BB owners though.
|
|
|
|
A New Version of Express! Professional will be released shortly! It
|
|
will be the second 8-bit BBS program to offer Y-Modem Batch upload, and
|
|
the First to offer Sealink Batch, L-Modem Batch in addition to Y-Modem
|
|
Batch! Bob Klass has F-Modem 'waiting in the wings' to sweeten the pot!
|
|
|
|
A New Multi-Pro! version is presently being Beta tested on three systems
|
|
and is working. This version will be capable of running up to 8 Atari
|
|
8-bit system off of one hard disk! It takes advantage of Bob Puff's Mux
|
|
for the 8-bit systems. As of this writing, I don't have a release date
|
|
for this baby, but it should be a hit for those Systems who suffer the
|
|
-Busy BBS Blues!- <Grin>
|
|
|
|
Well, until next time! If you would like to submit a review, article,
|
|
or a rebuttal(ANYTHING is welcomed!), feel free to upload to myself or
|
|
Z-NET Online BBS. I can be reached on my BBS (908-805-3967), GEnie
|
|
(S.LOWELL), and on Z*Net Online BBS (908-968-8148).
|
|
|
|
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL USERS GROUP!
|
|
SUPPORT ShareWare Authors and others who write for the Atari 8-bit!
|
|
Support THOSE who support YOU!
|
|
|
|
|
|
8-BIT MODIFICATION
|
|
==================
|
|
by Dan Knauf
|
|
|
|
INSTALLING A DRIVE SELECT AND A RESET SWITCH IN YOUR 1050 DISK DRIVE
|
|
|
|
(This article originally appeared in the Puget Sound Atari News
|
|
magazine, the newsletter of the Seattle Puget Sound Atari Computer
|
|
Enthusiasts.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
When people see my 1050 disk drives for the first time they seem to
|
|
respond to all the levers, buttons, and lights with something akin to
|
|
awe. (Is that another way of saying 'confusion' maybe?) I have never
|
|
figured out whether this is because they are impressed with what they
|
|
are looking at or because they just don't understand why someone would
|
|
put all that stuff on his disk drive. Maybe I'm the first really lazy
|
|
person they have ever met. Naw... I think they're impressed with the
|
|
high technology.
|
|
|
|
All of my 1050's have one or two drive select switches and a RESET
|
|
button on the front. The one 1050 I own that isn't a Happy drive has a
|
|
write protect switch and accompanying LED on the front. Two of my Happy
|
|
1050's have Happy Controller boards which add two more switches and an
|
|
LED. There is nothing complicated about any of these switches - except,
|
|
maybe, for the ones on the Happy controller board.
|
|
|
|
In case anyone is interested, the RESET button RESETs the 555 timer
|
|
which causes the drive to RESET. While the RESET button would probably
|
|
be usless on a stock 1050, it is handy for Happy and US doubler drives
|
|
since both upgrades occasionally forget that they are upgrades.
|
|
Especially when used with SpartaDOS since Sparta kicks them into slow
|
|
speed sometimes when it encounters a disk error.
|
|
|
|
Here's how I install my drive select and RESET switches.
|
|
|
|
Parts: 1 - SPDT center off toggle switch.
|
|
1 - normally open pushbutton switch.
|
|
some wire and some solder.
|
|
|
|
Figure 1 is a view of the back left corner of the 1050 motherboard.
|
|
This view assumes that the board is upside down and the front of the
|
|
board is facing you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
--------------|SIO plug|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 2 3 <-- Drive select
|
|
| o o w switch pads.
|
|
| (Switch wires
|
|
| o w w will go where
|
|
| 4 5 6 the w's are.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Figure 1
|
|
Bottom of 1050 motherboard
|
|
|
|
To install the switch, open up the drive by removing the six phillips
|
|
screws from the bottom of the drive. Remove the top cover then the
|
|
front plate. Next remove the screws that hold the motherboard to the
|
|
bottom of the plastic drive housing and lift up the motherboard while
|
|
carefully bending out the two plastic ears that hold the sides of the
|
|
board down in the front.
|
|
|
|
Now the important part. You must decide where you want to mount the
|
|
drive select switch. I settled on a spot about two inches to the right
|
|
of the power LED next to the on/off switch. Once you have decided where
|
|
you want to mount the switch check carefully to be certain that
|
|
everything will fit ok when you go to put the drive back together.
|
|
Myself, I have never put a switch in the wrong place. Well, maybe just
|
|
once. (Ok, ok! I never said I was honest!)
|
|
|
|
Go ahead and mount the switch then run a wire from the center pin of the
|
|
toggle switch to pin 5 of the drive select switch as depicted in figure 1.
|
|
|
|
Run a wire from one of the end poles of the toggle switch to pin 3 of
|
|
the drive select switch.
|
|
|
|
Run a wire from the other end pin of the toggle switch to pin 6 of the
|
|
drive select switch.
|
|
|
|
Now when the toggle switch is in the center position, the drive is set
|
|
to drive 1. In one of the other positions it is drive 2 and the last
|
|
switch position sets the drive to D4:.
|
|
|
|
If you want to be able to make the drive D3: from the front, you can
|
|
install a SPST switch and run a wire from the two end poles of the SPDT
|
|
switch you just installed to the two poles of the SPST switch. Turning
|
|
the SPST switch on and setting the original toggle switch to either D2:
|
|
or D4: will make the drive respond as D3:.
|
|
|
|
Now for the reset button. Here is the layout of the 555 timer chip looking
|
|
at the bottom of the motherboard with the front of the drive facing you.
|
|
|
|
1 2 3 4
|
|
o w o o
|
|
|
|
w o o o
|
|
8 7 6 5
|
|
|
|
Figure 2
|
|
|
|
Decide where you want to mount the pushbutton switch then drill a hole
|
|
and mount the turkey. Next, run a wire from pin 2 of the 555 timer chip
|
|
(see figure 2) to one pole of the pushbutton switch. Run a wire from
|
|
pin 8 of the 555 timer to the other pole of the switch. You're done!
|
|
|
|
Now hurriedly, re-assemble the drive so you can test out the new bells
|
|
and buttons!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
=======================================================================
|
|
Z*MAGAZINE Atari 8-Bit Online Magazine is a bi-weekly magazine covering
|
|
the Atari and related computer community. Material contained in this
|
|
edition may be reprinted without permission, except where otherwise
|
|
noted, unedited, with the issue number, name and author included at
|
|
the top of each reprinted article. Commentary and opinions presented
|
|
are those of the individual author and does not necessarily reflect
|
|
the opinions of Z*MAGAZINE or the staff. Z*Magazine Atari 8-Bit Online
|
|
Magazine, Z*Net Atari Online Magazine, Z*Net are copyright (c)1991 by
|
|
Rovac Industries Inc, a registered corporation. Post Office Box 59,
|
|
Middlesex, New Jersey 08846. (908) 968-2024. Z*Net Online BBS 24
|
|
Hours, 1200/2400 Baud, (908) 968-8148. We can be reached on CompuServe
|
|
at 71777,2140 and on GEnie at Z-NET. FOREM FNET NODE - 593
|
|
=======================================================================
|
|
Z*Magazine Atari 8-Bit Online Magazine
|
|
Copyright (c)1991, Rovac Industries, Inc..
|
|
=======================================================================
|