 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
 ::  Volume 3, Issue 14     ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE       18 December 1994 ::
 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::  ATARI .............. News, reviews, & solutions ............ ATARI  ::
 ::    EXPLORER ............ for the online Atari .......... EXPLORER    ::
 ::       ONLINE ................. Community .............. ONLINE       ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::    Published and Copyright (c) 1993-1994 by Subspace Publishers      ::
 ::                         All Rights Reserved                          ::
 ::    """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""      ::
 ::   Publisher .................................... Michael Lindsay     ::
 ::    Editor ........................................... Travis Guy     ::
 ::     Assistant Editor GEnie......................... Ron Robinson     ::
 ::      Assistant Editor CompuServe................... Albert Dayes     ::
 ::       Assistant Editor Delphi.................. Andreas Barbiero     ::
 ::        Assistant Editor Internet................. Timothy Wilson     ::
 ::         Atari Asylum ... [Closed] ............... Gregg Anderson     ::
 ::          Unabashed Atariophile .............. Michael R. Burkley     ::
 ::           Atari Artist ............................ Peter Donoso     ::
 ::            User Group Coordinator .................. Ron Whittam     ::
 ::             Jaguar Editor ................... Dimitri M. LaBarge     ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::                              Contributors:                           ::
 ::                              """""""""""""                           ::
 ::           Mark Santora, Christian Svensson, David A. Wright          ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::                      Telecommunicated to you via:                    ::
 ::                      """"""""""""""""""""""""""""                    ::
 ::                     GEnie: ST/JAGUAR RT Library 38                   ::
 ::                   CompuServe: ATARIGAMING Library 10                 ::
 ::        Delphi: ATARI ADVANTAGE & WORLD OF VIDEO GAMES Libraries      ::
 ::                     Fnet: AEO Conference, Node 319                   ::
 ::                 AtariNet: AEO Conference, Node 51:1/10               ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::            Internet mailing address: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com          ::
 ::          FTP recent AEO issues from: rahul.net:pub/wilsont/AEO       ::
 ::             Search gopherspace under "aeo" for back issues           ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::        World Wide Web:  http://www.dl.ac.uk/MISC/ATARI/atari.html    ::
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 ::   Internet subscription service: stzmagazine-request@virginia.edu    ::
 ::                 (Internet subscription requests ONLY!)               ::
 ::                                                                      ::
 ::        AEO is also in file format on the Jaguar Mailing List         ::
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 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


                              Table of Contents


* From the Editors ......................................... Atari Forever!

* Atari Artist ................................... OS Dominance, who wins?
                                                         Video/Audio/MIDI/
                                                             Hardware news.

* Rare Gems ......................................... Quotes worth quoting.

* "Atari Holiday" RTC ................. Tom Gillen and Dan McNamee guested
                                           at a recent GEnie RTC. Join the
                                                       fun, and read along.

* Ron Borta, Back into the Future ........... An interview with one of the
                                                pioneers of silicon gaming.

* Jaguar Tackboard ................ AEO Development List - Press Releases -
                                    Jag Developers Wanted - CatBox manual -
                                        AEO's Top Games - Atari Demo Tape &
                                             T2K Soundtrack CD Order Info -
                                                  AvP "Cheat On" Explained.

* Doom ............................. The latest computer classic now rules
                                           console video gaming on the Jag!

* Val D'Isere Skiing and Snowboarding ........... Swish and shred your way
                                                        through the powder.

* Checkered Flag ......................... "Gentlemen, start your engines!"

* The Unabashed Atariophile ................... PD and Shareware files for
                                                     _your_ Atari computer.

* Developing News ...................... SARA CD-ROM Search Software
                                         Homa Systems Thermal Wax Printing
                                         STeno 2.1 Patch Available
                                         STalker 3.03 Patch Too
                                         Apex Media For Falcon 030

* Shutdown ............................ Around the world and up your block.


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||  From the Editors ....... Atari Explorer Online: The Next Generation
 |||  Travis Guy
/ | \ GEnie: AEO.MAG   Delphi: AEO_MAG   Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com
      -------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey, whaddya know? AEO made it out on time for once!

Hello there good readers, and welcome to the final issue of AEO for
1994. Your window on events in the World Atari would like to wish each
and every one of you a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, a Nice Day
to Have and just Good Gaming and Atari Computering in general!

Inside, there's lots of Atari news; another GEnie RTC, three new
Jaguar game reviews, an interview with a silicon pioneer ("Dad" is
taking an interest in the industry again), and Michael Burkley's
listing of the latest (and best) PD & Shareware titles for our
computers - all led off by another stellar Atari Artist! (Dimitri's
computer suffered a last minute problem, keeping him from
contributing his column.)

What you won't find as usual, is the Annual Readers' Poll. I've
decided to postpone that, so you have one less thing to do during the
holidays. It'll be in our next issue.

If you've a Jaggie on your Christmas list, drop by the Jaguar
Tackboard and check out the Atari Dealer Demo Tape and Tempest 2000
CD Soundtrack offers from Atari. I have copies of both (I'm listening
to the Tempest Red Level music on my CD right now), and they'll make
"Excellent" stocking stuffers.

The Winter Consumer Electronics Show will take place in Las Vegas
from January 6 - January 9. Look for more exciting Jaguar news to be
formally announced there, like the availability of the Jaguar CD-ROM
for $149, and some new Jaguar games to be shown.

That news, combined with several original titles like the Highlander
series, BattleSphere, and Defender 2000 ("Now with Q-Sound!(tm)") due
out in 1995, and several new retailers, like Sam's Club, Venture and
Toys R Us moving the Jag into mass distribution, it's obvious that
Jaguar is set to pounce.

We'll see you again around then! Take extra care during the long
Holiday season, wish Peace and Love to those of Goodwill, and have a
wonderful time.


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Atari Artist
 |||   By: Peter Donoso & Fadi Hayek
/ | \  GEnie: EXPLORER.2
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

    ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ]=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-[   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [  ATARI ARTIST  ] -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
    ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ]=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-[   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~


Cross-Platform Connectivity. What exactly does this refer to? For
those of you out there who prefer their explanations in scientific
terms, I've consulted with a leading astro-physicist whose love of
lecturing is quite legendary. His explanation:

"A growing number of computer users are finding the movement of this
novel concept has journyed quite a distance since its first
conception from within the participle-clustered theories of science
fiction's great literary minds. Recent developments have successfully
broken the divisional isolation of each system platform from the
influnece of a singularity-based gravitational well. Now, this has
been primarily accomplished through the application of a brilliantly
reformulated computational set of new marketing opportunity
vectors.The resulting vastly-increased sales trajectories have, in
turn, yielded the required momentum to "slingshot", as it were, these
emerging unified forces past the dwarfed utterings of a few
fervently-spoken platitudes, and out into the temporal matrix of a
very near future time. And so, we believe they are presently
maintaining a steadily-accelerating heading towards a sector of the
computer galaxy which some theorists suspect may hold the greatest
potential for the future of all sentient computerists - the Crossware
Netbula!"

For those of you who like their explanations in English:

Simply put, there is one hell of a fierce battle raging out there in
the silicon valleys and corporate canyons of computer technology
right now, even as we speak - one which will ultimately determine
which team makes it to the final championship, while the future fate
of the common man hangs in the balance! Although some people may feel
that using military, athletic and political terms really has little
relevance to the very issues which the computer world is currently
thrashing out, it's an increasingly thin line that divides
microprocessors from the metaphors of those other universal arenas of
decidely human behavior.

When heard within this larger contex, words like "conflict",
"platform", "group", "system", "media", "program", "data" and "drive"
all start to take on dual, triple and quadruple shadings of
significance. Politics, sports and armed conflicts seem to be such
interchangeable bytes on news segments these days, that pouring this
gumbo into the speculative cauldron of future computer development
seems quite logical to me. In the course of trying to establish some
common points of reference, these seem to work as well as anything
else out there. So let's take a closer look at each direction in our
current crossroad, and what consequences committing to any one
direction might have down the road for the average user - which is to
say, you and I.

In simplifying the alternatives, the decision seems to boil down to
taking one of two directions in our proverbial information crossroads.
Here's what I feel are the primary choices:


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// On One Hand....
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

One road leads to a mutually-vested confederation of operating systems
(OS), drawn together from most of the original independents (Macintosh
under System 7, Atari under TOS w/GEM support, Commodore's AmigaDOS/
Workbench, UNIX/X-Windows, possible NEXT, and Microsoft's DOS/Windows
3.1). Developers and users alike of these individual platforms would
be looking down the road to a time where any one of these platforms
would be able to freely exchange and access ANY and ALL data,
regardless of origin, as well as be able to run ANY program,
irrespective of which OS it was originally written to work with!

As a final component of this ideal future unified OS shell, users
would access their information and applications from within a common
plug-and-play interface. This league of potentially "United
wait-States" would most likely come together under a declaration of
guiding principles:

 [] Independent development under the aegis of "cross-platform
    connectivity" will foster a creative and inventive environment
    for the continued pursuit of better, more intuitive ways and
    methods for manipulating and working with digitally computerized
    data.

 [] The best of all worlds can best be experienced through a unified
    interconnected work arena.

 [] Diversity is a highly-valuable resource of continued computer
    development.

 [] OS diversity means a flourishing economy driven by the very
    engines which are already in place.

 [] More people who want a computer will be able to afford one, and
    communicate with a wider cross-section of the world.

 [] The technological advances incorporated in one OS will be
    available to all users to further advancing universal
    user-ability.

 [] "Viva la OS difference!" - Pierre Francois de la Ours. (One only
    need allude to the notion of something "revolutionary" - and the
    French are there!)


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Then There's....
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Another road beckons to a driven idealist, who dreams of attaining
distinction as the architect of THE "universal OS." This man's fervent
hope is that his Windows '95 will ultimately be THE interface which
offers all the necessary requiremenets for practically any computer
application, thereby proving to be all things to all users.

Bewitched devotees of this, the single most popular and widely-
installed OS in the computer world today, are enthralled with the
promise of a new and improved edition of their favorite graphic
interface - one which will finally address the shortcomings of the
current version. Having brought the first sembelance of
standardization to a world still wrought with a myriad of
often-conflicting methods for interfacing with the main CPU, Windows
has rallied its converts beneath the banner of hope for pre-emptive
multi-tasking, ease-of-use and the final establishment of a true
plug-'n-play homeland.

The articles of Microsft's guiding principles would appear to be:

 [] Corporate development by one company under the aegis of "single-
    platform conformity" will foster a more stable and universal
    environment in which all computerized data will be uniformly
    accessible.

 [] The best of all worlds can best be served through a unified inter-
    connected work arena.

 [] Conformity is a highly-valuable resource of future computer
    development.

 [] OS conformity means a flourishing economy, driven by the ever-
    increasing replacement of various out-dated engines for one which
    speaks the same language everywhere.

 [] More people who are afraid of computers will be able operate one,
    given they only have one system to learn. Having one world-wide
    platform is the ideal way to get everyone - business and personal
    users - to effectively communicate with each other and exchange
    information. With a wider cross-section of the world. No one will
    have to worry about whether their file can be used by someone
    else's PC or not.

 [] The technological advances which emerge from the now substantial
    group of new and converted developers will stand to benefit all
    users.

 [] "Windows is the OS of the common man!" - William Gates


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Perils of Proclaimed Blessings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Human beings seem to have a innate conflict raging within them which
no sooner casts them towards the comfortable safety of the heard as
turns them standing defiantly alone and into the wind. It won't be the
end of the world if Bill Gates succeeds in making Windows the OS of
the masses, but don't think for a moment that he'll be content to stay
within the realm of PCs.

Every form and method of transmitting information, from cable/
interactive TV to sattelite data networks, is presently under
development for tying into and in some way being a part of the grander
Microsoft OS. The world is on the verge of another great change as a
direct result of new technology. Just think of what the invention of
the telegraph and telephone has brought about. It would seem obvious
that Microsoft would really love to be the molecular building block
from which all things information-related are driven. But does this
not qualify them as the AT&T of computer OS/communications technology?
And it's not as if there were once a half-dozen different types of
phones, all of which employed a different system for transferring
electical signals across different types of wires.

I personally enjoy using a number of Microsoft's products, and have a
great deal of respect for their many accomplishments, just as I do
for all of the other previously-mentioned operating systems. I have
used and like them all. Each has its strengths in a variety of
particular applications.

Ironically, consider that the pride taken in practicing a "My OS is
the obviously superior one!" attitude - which is saying, in effect,
that all other OS platforms are beneath any worthy consideration - has
in fact greatly contributed to the strength of Microsoft's appeal in
the first place. When everyone starts to think and act this way, the
group with the largest number of one-OS effists wins, hands down!

The future will undoubtedly belong to those who are able to control
information. True power will lie in the hands of those who have the
needed information. But this mission Microsoft seems to be on - to
free humankind from the final vestiges of isolated darkness and
supposedly lead us towards the beginnings of the Next Generation -
what price will we be asked to pay for this great blessing?

Tools - the ability to conceive, design and fashion them - are one of
the significant accomplishments that brought us out of our caves and
the ignorance of our fears. But might we not yet again run the risk,
as we have done on more than a few occasions, of falling in love with
a tool to such an extent that we would come to hold it in higher
esteem than the people for whom it was designed to serve, or higher
than the tasks to which we would seek comprehensive and effective
solutions for?

If you believe, as many do, that we've been invited as honored guests
for a day at the races, gaily milling around the track as we daydream
about our winnings and all the wonderful things we'll be able to do
with them.... Well, somehow the choice of where I go to graze and the
call of the wind, even with all of its unpredictablity and
uncertainty, still seems more appealing to me than to be safely
grazing amidst the uniform feeding grounds of the purchased heard. Is
that being a reactionary? If that means retaining the right to be an
individual who still has a number of choices available to them... then
I guess so.

And now, the news....

Although the Atari world seems to be poised somewhat in mid-stride,
scanning its surroundings for indications of where to pick up the
trail of development, there's still a lot of interesting developments
which continue to surface while the preliminary preperation for moving
forward gathers momentum. And away we go....


         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
        =                                                           =
       - -            -=-=-=-  [  OS NEWS  ]  -=-=-=-              - -
        =                                                           =
         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// MagiC Announces Cross-Platform Devlopment
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

As an appropriate lead-in in from our little diatribe, MagiC,
developers of an excellent alternate multi-tasking operating system
compatible with the complete line of Atari computers, was recently at
a very popular annual Macintosh show in Frankfurt, Germany,
demonstrating MagiC World Pro for the Mac. A pre-emptive multi-tasking
operating system especially designed to run on the Mac, which will
allow any properly-written GEM application to run on the Mac desktop
WITHOUT any additional Nu-Bus card or hardware add-on!

Compatibility with all Macintosh 020 and upwards models, a special
PowerMac version is scheduled for release the second half of '95.
Although the multi-tasking and VDI aspects of the program were
fully-operational and running, the AES is still under the final stages
of development. As an additional piece of interesting news, MagiC is
also talking about offering a developmental tool which will
automatically convert GEM source code for easiily porting GEM programs
over to the Mac.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Mac Emulation On The Atari
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

MagiC also has announced they are developing software which will allow
Mac software to run on an Atari WITHOUT any additional hardware ROMS
or add-ons. Although information on how they propose to pull this off
is sketchy at press-time it's supposed that this development is as a
direct result of their research on their alternate Atari-emulation
software for the MAC. More news as son as it becomes available.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Janus Card Offers Atari On Your PC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Offering an alternative to the GEMulator, Janus is a plug-in card for
PCs which boasts a 16MHz 6800 Motorola processor and Tos 2.06 ROMs,
with space to plug in either 2 megs or 8 megs of on-board RAM memory.

Emulation can be launched from either the DOS prompt or from Windows,
either as a full-screen DOS session runningfrom within Windows or
from the Windows' desktop in its own window. The card diverts most
non-Atari system calls to the main CPU processor, allowing for
extremely fast desktop performance in accessing folders and opening
and closing GEM windows.

Running at roughly the equivelent of a Mega STe, presently supported
resolutions include ST high and six "dual mode" 16-color modes, up to
800 x 600 pixels. Some graphics functions exceed TT benchmarks, but
compatibility with all ST programs is not across-the-board. Properly-
written GEM applications, with the exception of most games and music
programs, are compatible. Reading and writing to floppy disks is quite
reliable and there is hard drive support for partitions larger than 32
megs. Mouse action is smooth, printing is available via the parallel
port, modem access through the serial port, and access to a CD-ROM
drive, if installed, is also fairly trouble-free.

Future development includes MIDI and cartridge port support, as well
as Ethernet network access. Priced at around $599, including TOS chips
(but still requiring separate memory SIMMS), for further information,
contact:

CGS ComputerBild
+44 81-679-7307

U.S. distribution as yet to be determined.


         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
        =                                                           =
       - -          -=-=-=-  [  MUSIC NEWS  ]  -=-=-=-             - -
        =                                                           =
         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Steinberg Releases Cubase Audio 2.02
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The latest version of Steinberg's Cubase Audio Falcon (CAF) - the only
digital audio recorder/MIDI sequencer offering 16 audio tracks on a
computer, right out of the box - has been formerly announced for
release. Outstanding new features include:

 [] Improved loop timing in syncing up audio.

 [] A new version of MROS - 3.43.

    * A special note for those upgrading to this version of MROS: You
      need to make an adjustemnt to all your mixer maps in order for
      them to work properly with this new version.

      Start by opening the Objects Editor. Hold down the ALT key and
      click on the box labeled "Ouput", located at the lower left hand
      side. Click on the word "Sampler" and a pop-up list will appear.
      Select "DSP" and, while STILL holding down the ALT key, exit the
      editor by clicking on OK. A dialog prompt will ask you if you
      want to change all the objects. Say "Yes" and you'll have
      correctly changed all the DSP routings.

 [] Mixer Map module has been changed to fix timing problems. A "Split
    Sync" feature has also been added to let you source a new clock
    through the FDI while still being able to record audio through the
    analog input. This feature forces MIDI to run at the same clock
    speed as an external audio timing signal routed through the FDI,
    such as from a DAT player or external SMPTE time clock generator.

 [] Background redraws are also much improved for real-time updating
    of all open windows

 [] CAF is now fully compatible with NVDI 3.0 and Warp 9 v3.81.

The goal of being able to run in color still remains an elusive one.
The display is somewhat jerky, and still causes continued DSP errrors.
This, however, is really more a limitation of the 680x0 processor than
anything else. The remarkable amount of information and capabilties of
Cubase Audio Falcon is in itself, quite an accomplishment.
Additionally, Steinberg has written Cubase to be processor-
independent, so as to be compatible with any 16-bit Atari machine.
All of that remarkable power and sophistication, however, does have
its price. The only real solution is an 040 (or greater) accelerator.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Zero-X Is Here!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Those of you out there who have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of
Avalon 2.0, with its custom contoured array of sample editing
features especially designed to take advantage of the Falcon will have
to wait a while longer. Although development has resumed after a short
hiatus, it's still in the early stages of development.

For those of you who just can't wait any longer as well as for those
musicians who long for some sample editing power but are using an
ST/STe/TT - good news! Zero-X, the digital-based sound processing
software for editing digital audio from any MIDI or SCSI source, is
here! Swedish developer Kopson Data (see Wizztronics section below for
U.S. purchasing) has come up with a great new program which offers
musicians and recording studios a powerful set of tools for editing
and manipulating samples. Some of the features include:

 [] Seamless looping of sounds, edited samples or beat loops.

 [] Conversion of audio files between formats. Freely convert between
    CubaseAudio's AIF, Avalon's .SD, PC\Windows' .WAV,  Win Rec's
    .DVSM, DAME's(?) .TKE, Atari's AVR or RAW formats in 8/16bit,
    stereo or mono, signed or unsigned.

 [] Auto-looping features which provide users with the fastest and
    most powerful, true auto-loop capability of any program.

 [] Powerful auto-searching feature which scans a sample and
    automatically locates the most optimal loop points in a sample.

 [] Loop Prepare supports gaiting for adjusting the faded-in or
    faded-out portion of a sample, as well as the ability to apply an
    auto-ramp algorithim to eliminate those resulting annoying
    "vibrato" effects that occur when trying to establish a clean
    sounding loop.

 [] Assignable cross-fading. Users of a Falcon with 14 megs will find
    they have an awesome amount of time to play with!

 [] Powerful sample wave editing features include: Cut, Copy, Paste,
    Fade-In/Out, Volume Optimization, and Silencing.

 [] Smart Cut (one of the most intriguing features offered by Zero-X)
    actually scans for transient volumes and divides the sample into
    separate parts. One very pratical application of this would be for
    splicing a drum sample, for example, into seperate instrument
    components. The transient volumes would range from the subtlty of
    a high-hat to the thundering presence of a bass drum.

    Theoretically, you could import these seperate samples into Cubase
    Audio Falcon and use the Cue Point feature to apply a DNA groove
    to the beat - very cool! (Recycle, currently available from
    Steinberg for the Mac, provides a similar feature, but is somewhat
    more direct in its application.)

 [] Falcon-specific features: Direct 16bit monitoring of a sample,
    anywhere 8 to 49 KHz; Fast DSP calculations using the Falcon's DSP
    chip; SCSI dump of sample for fast downloading and uploading for
    external sampling units which contain a SCSI port.

 [] On a TT it will support 8-bit monitoring of sample, as well as
    direct SCSI dump.

 [] On an ST/STe it will support MIDI dump and 8 bit sample
    monitoring.

 [] Cross-the-board support for batch dump/receieve and standard MIDI
    and SMDI dump on all Atari models.

Planned or anticipated additional features for the next revision
include:

    Time Compression/Expansion; Time Pitch-shifting; Support for
    greater MIDI and SCSI standards; The creation of a MIDI File from
    an audio beat loop.

European users can contact Kopson Data in Sweden directly (Voice -
+46-13-164104; Fax - +46-31-812139; Internet - peter@vinga.trillium.se)
Interested U.S. users, see the Wizztronics section later on in this
isue.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Direct Sound Files From Any Audio CD
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Anodyne's Roger Burrows, creator of ExtenDOS, which allows smooth,
trouble-free access of CD-ROM drives for the playing of any standard
Phillips Red Book CD format on your Atari computer, has also released
ExtenDOS Pro. Bundled with the program is a remote control panel
accessory for playing standard audio CDs as well.

Looking into the next revision, Roger is investigating the feasibility
of writing a program which will allow any audio CD track to be scanned
and written to your hard drive as it's being played. The track would
be automatically converted into a standard .WAV format - sort of a
direct SCSI dump with built-in translation conversion. Wow! Look ma,
no DAT! Of course, being that reusable recordable CD units have yet to
be perfected, it's a one way street... but still, the prospect is
pretty exciting. For more information, contact:

Anodyne Software
6 Cobbler Court
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada  K1V 0B8
(613) 523-7498


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Falcon TDSM General MIDI Module
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Consider the extent of the true potential of the Falcon - it just
keeps growing and growing.... Now Martin Griffiths, developer of
ProTracker Replay as well as a Falcon-converted version, is nearing
completion of a program which would allow Falcon owners to take 16-bit
samples stored on their hard drives and use them to play any General
MIDI sequence. The program, tentatively called The Digital Sound
Module, or TDSM, would include a built-in sequence player, and with
16-bit quality smples you'll have your musician friends looking around
to see where you're hiding your MIDI keyboard. They may think you're
playing a sample file directly - until you take the MIDI sequence off
the disk they brought over and let them listen to it being played with
professional sounding samples!

The concept of General MIDI, for those of you who may not quite
understand the term, means storing a specific patch number for each
track, along with the actual MIDI notes information, on a sequence.
Any external MIDI keyboard or sound module which supports the 128
General MIDI sound standard would have the appropriate type of sound -
a piano, bass, horn, etc. - set to that patch number. This system
avoids the hassle of having to set each patch as well as a specific
MIDI channel. It's kind of like plug-'n-play sequence playing!

There are 128 mono multi-sampled sounds which are planned to accompany
the program, including an impressive grand piano. G-MIDI specs support
the chosen route of splitting 24 possible voices into a set of
dedicated eight drum/percussion voices, which are cleverly off-loaded
to the Falcon's DMA chip, while the remaining 16 to be dynamicaly
allocated. This scheme frees the main processor for handling program
functions and running the sequencer while giving the other 16 voices
over to the DSP chip. All voices will have configurable ADSR (attack,
decay, sustain, release) enevelopes, there'll even be a built-in trim
feature for click-free note release and an algorithim for assigning
voice priority in the event the file exceeds the 16 voice limit.

The program is being written with a 3-D GEM interface and will accept
input from either an external MIDI keyboard or external sequencer
playing a MIDI 0 or 1 file format. Each MIDI channel is being given an
input filter set, toggling such features as controller info or
aftertouch, as well as the capability to re-map sounds to different
program change numbers for use with non-General MIDI files. On Falcons
with 14 megs of memory it might even be quite possible to load up your
favorite sequencer and employ TSDM as your very own on-board sound
module!

Those interested in keeping abreast of its release can contact:
Systems Solution in England at +44-181-693-3355.

U.S. distribution at this time is still to be determined, but the
price is rumoured to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $125.


         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
        =                                                           =
       - -         -=-=-=-  [  HARDWARE NEWS  ]  -=-=-=-           - -
        =                                                           =
         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Wizztronics Gets A HotFoot
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Wizztonics announces HotFoot, an electronic MIDI musician's tool for
the entire line of Atari 16 bit computers, is a hardware add-on which
offers users remote hands-free control of their computer keyboard. The
HotFoot comes in three different models: a metal-housed floor mounted
foot pedal with an array of either 5 or 10 switches ($109/10-switch)
and a hard plastic-housed table top model with 10 switches. Each unit
comes with a 10-foot cable which hooks up to the joy stick port of
your Atari. Accompnaying software enables you to asssign a macro which
can contain a sequence of up to 30 seperate commands, to any of the
available switches. The software runs as either a program or a desk
accessory. For more information, contact:

Wizztronics
P.O. Box 122
Port Jeferson, NY  11776
Voice/Fax - (516) 473-2507


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Wizztronics Reveals Zero-X
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Zero-X, a digital-based sound processing software for editing digital
audio from any MIDI or SCSI source, is here! Wizztronics has picked up
U.S. distribution rights for this exciting new sample editing program
from Swedish developer Kopson Data. This is a great new program which
offers musicians and recording studios a powerful set of tools for editing
and manipulating samples. Priced to go at only $175. For more information,
contact:

Wizztronics
P.O. Box 122
Port Jeferson, NY  11776
Voice/Fax - (516) 473-2507


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// More Wizztronics Updates
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

 [] Rack cases are now in shipping from stock and are available. With
    over 300 already sold, this quality-made product is proving to be
    one of Wizztronics' most popular items.

 [] Due to the decrease in SIMM prices, a fully-stocked Falcon Memory
    Upgrade board is now only $519! That's a susbstantial drop from
    the original cost of $ 719 for a full 14 megs of RAM on
    Wizztronics' quality manufactured memory upgrade board. If you're
    one of those who's been waiting for SIMM prices to come down, your
    moment has come.

 [] The frustrating delay in production of the Barracuda 040
    accelerator is nearing an end. The daunting number of obstacles
    has been narrowed down, and test boards are now being wired up for
    trouble-shooting and beta testing. After so many dissappointing
    setbacks on this project, Wizztronics' Steve Cohen is holding off
    on venturing to name a target release date, but hopefully working
    models will be out in time for the January 1995 NAMM show in
    Anaheim, CA.

    In tandem with continued development, Wizztronics has confirmed
    that the 128 Meg memory expnasion card will be available as a
    separate item. Also confirmed for release is a separate PC
    emulator card containing a 486 DX processor running at 33MHz.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// PLI Announces 15x CD-ROM
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

PLI, a leader in hard drive and storage devises for the Atari
computer, has announced the upcoming release of their new QuickCD 15x
CD-ROM unit. Compatible with any computer which has a standard SCSI
port, including ICD's The Link, the unit runs 15 times faster than a
single-speed drive. With a transfer rate of 2.5 megs per second and a
blistering 10 milisecond access time, this mother-of-all-CD-ROMs
screams!

According to PLI's claims, any standard CD-ROM will work without any
modifications, and the unit is compatible with all CD-ROM disk
standards:  High Sierra, ISSO 9660, XA, multi-session Photo-CD, and
CDI, as well as both video and audio CD formats. Priced at just under
$1,000, one has to wonder what happenned to the development of 5x
through 14x speed drives? The secret?...

Well, the unit is actually a standard Toshiba 2x CD-ROM drive with one
hell of an on-board hardware cache! Although the company was reluctant
to revealing an exact figure, 32 Mb was thrown out as the ball-park
for the amount of on-board RAM on their proprietary caching
controller. This controller is transparent, and fools the computer
into thinking it's hooked up to a regular 2X speed CD-ROM. No
additional caching software is required.

For more information, contact: PLI, (800) 288-8754


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// IBM Demonstrates New CD Disc Technology
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

IBM is near completion of its new process for recording data onto
standard CD-ROMS. As demonstarted last spring, the process will allow
for 10 layers of data to be imprinted on a single disk, yielding
between 6 and 7 gigs of data storage capacity (standard CD-ROMs can
now store up to around 660 megs of data per disk). This means an
awesome amount - between 3 and 4 thousand books or the complete 14
episodes of I, Claudius - will be able to be squeezed onto one CD.

The combined development of larger storage capacities with faster
CD-ROM readers will mean the realization of high-definition,
Laser-disk quality video, along with CD-quality sound - without
compromising compression schemes or loss of picture quality - all on a
single 5" CD!

         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
        =                                                           =
       - -           -=-=-=-  [  VIDEO NEWS  ]  -=-=-=-            - -
        =                                                           =
         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Metamorphasis 24
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Offering both powerful single frame and animation morphing (with
control over determining the composed number of frames),
Metamorphasis 24 is a 2-D morphing program which uses control points
to limit and define the areas which are to be affected by the morph
process. As in most morphing, it is recommended that the beginning and
final graphics or photos are share similar general size, subject and
point-of-view. This is to say that a if one graphic is rendered in
profile and the other is full-face portrait, you should not expect as
effective a morph as if both images were full face.

Each frame in the morph is storedas a separarte TIFF file, either with
or without compression, and a supplied player is included to preview
the animation. Although zooming is not curently supported, you can
change the colors of the morphing control points and lines, so as to
make them more visible against a variety of color images. The
processing power required to perform a morph is best-suited for the TT
or Falcon. Patience is also very much a required ingredient to get the
kind of results you would imagine is possible, and the program will
benefit greatly from the future release of an accelerator card. For
more information, contact:

Lexicor Software
58 Redwood Road
Fairfax, CA  94930
(415) 453-0271


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Video Supreme Titling Software
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Version 2.0 of Video Supreme, the video titler software, is now
available. As a major update, this new version adds several new
modules, as well as a number of additional features. Support for
syncing sampled sounds to graphic sequences, with up to 19 different
sound file formats recognized and supported.

Overscan mode is supported on both the ST and STe, and a frame-
converter module alllows for translation of a standard 32,000 byte
screen into an overscanned one. Full-screen animation effects are also
supported, and a number of new effects for displaying screens have
also been added. For more information, contact:

Goodman International
+44 17-623-5650.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
/// APEX Reaches For The Zenith
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Once upon a time Black Scorpion software had created a flurry of
anticiaption with the announcement of its forthcoming ChromaStudio 24.
Previews gave an exciting view into the program's promise for
delivering some impressive effects, and promised to be the Atari
platform's first true multi-media graphics, animation and image
processing program suite. Unfortunately, the program met an untimely
premature death. The great news, however, is that its worthy successor
is on the way!

APEX is based largely on a number of ChromaStudio 24's most attractive
and impressive features while offering a number of additional
sophisticated features and capabilities. Redesigned from the ground
up, APEX promises to surpass ChromaStudio 24 by a considerable
distance. Having abandoned the somewhat cumbersome routines imposed by
GEM, APEX uses faster code which occuppies far less memory, making it
feasible for working with a mere 4 megs of memory. The interface is
icon-based and modular in its approach, much like Calamus SL.

Taking advantage of the Falcon's DSP chip for affecting a large number
of special effects such as animation filtering, anti-aliasing,
smoothing, noise removal, motion blur filters for animations and block
distortion operations in near-real time. Direct support for a number
of video digitzing cards, including Matrix SvreenEye and Expose, a
full range of drawing and paint tools, and a supersampling feature
which allows images to be re-scaled to be compatible with APEX's
canvas size, without losing detail or color depth.

Graphic file formats include Targa, Gif, MTV Raytrace, JPEg, Spectrum
512, IFF and Photochrome, as well as such animation formats as AM,
FLI and SEQ. Generating its own video modes, they include 320x200,
320x400, 640x 200 and 640x400 in 256 color, 16-bit or psuedo 24-bit
palettes.

Full overlaying and integration of animations and graphic images is
possible, both front and back, and RGB, CMYK or HSB palette changes
can also be widely effected. Tools include the expected range
comparable to standard drawing programs, along with a powerful
assortment of block manipulation and color palette manipulation.
Non-linear tools include a very realistic airbrush, masking, film and
image filters, distortion, morphing and outline text effects. Font
support includes the option of using any Calalmus-compatible font, as
well as Sigmund formats.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// RIP Has Arisen
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Touted as a powerful but easy-to-use 3-D modeling, graphic and
animation software suite, the current working title is RIP (Render In
Perfection), though this most likely will change. Previews incidate
that animations have been created with the quality of Lawn Mower Man,
yet the main emphasis throughout its many powerful features is being
placed on ease-of-use. Support for multi-computer processing to affect
quicker renderings is also supported. The program is also available on
other platforms, such as Silicon Graphics Workstations and OS/2.

Being that this program originates in Germany, there are limited
details available. More information as it becomes available...

Well, that's it for this edition. Next issue we'll have more of the
latest in all your favorite subjects.

Until next time, this is Pete Donoso & Fadi Hayek reminding you
that....

    -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
   =                                                                 =
  - -   [ "Today is the Tomorrow you dreamed about Yesterday." ]    - -
   =                                                                 =
    -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

=-=-=-=-=-=-=
////  CREDITS
=-=-=-=-=-=-=

ATARI ARTIST endeavors to bring you the latest news on what's
happening in areas that involve the ARTS. Music & MIDI, video, and a
host of graphic categories covering drawing, painting, animation,
graphics, raytracing & texture mapping as well as related
graphic-editing & rendering programs, all of which are either new
arrivals or soon to be released both here and in Europe.

We keep a somewhat loose publishing schedule, which roughly translates
to around once a month. ATARI ARTIST's staff consists of myself, Peter
Donoso, and my partner, Fadi Hayek. We both live and work in New York
city.

//// Peter Donoso

An Atari owner since 1985, I've written numerous software reviews for
a number of publications, including ST Log, ST Informer, and Atari
Explorer magazine, the latter of which I also had the pleasure of
serving as Managing Editor under the stewardship of Editor/Publisher
John Jainschigg. Apart from writing, I also freelance as a DTP layout
and graphic artist, and find my Atari computers an absolutely
essential tool in my passionate pursuits of both musical performance
and composition.

I use a number of both acoustic and MIDI-related instruments,
including keyboards, guitar, flute, sax, percussion, vibes, as well as
MIDI guitar, wind-controller, MIDI vibes and percussion controllers.
I've been a New York city resident for more than thirty five years.

My setup includes:

[]   An original 1040ST, used mostly for playing games.

[]   A Mega ST / 8 megs RAM / Digidesign DSP-driven Sound Tools card,
     TOS 2.06 / TALON Omniswitch for Princeton Ultra 16 multisync
     monitor / Cartmaster multi-cartridge port expander / Spectre GCR
     Mac emulator / ICD Link.

[]   A Falcon 030 / 14 megs RAM / 65 meg internal hard drive/
     Barracuda 1 Gigabyte external hard drive / 88 meg Syquest
     removable cart drive / NEC 4FG 15" multi-sync monitor / Cubas
     Audio Falcon.

////  Fadi Hayek

An equally long-time Atari owner, Fadi Hayek is a MIDI/computer
specialist for the SAM ASHE chain of music stores in the northeast
United States. He is their resident Atari expert, and helps run the NY
chapter of Club Cubase,

Fadi does a good deal of MIDI consultant work, and handles such
prestigious clients as Manahttan Center Studio, a thriving multi-media
business which boasts one of the largest orchestral studio for film
scoring on the entire east coast.

Founder and, along with myself, co-owner of Amethyst Studios, a modest
recording/post-production studio in Brooklyn, Fadi's years of music
and computer training have served him as an excellent foundation for
his many talents. A graduate of the Audio Engineering school, he's
worked in a number of well-known east coast studios. Engineer, artist
and video enthusiast, he is also an accomplished composer and drummer,
guitarist, bassist and percussionist.

 Fadi's setup includes:

[]  A Falcon 030 / 14 megs RAM / 65 meg internal hard drive /
    Barracuda 1 Gigabyte external hard drive / NEC 4FG 15" multi-sync
    monitor / Blow-up Hardware Video Enhancer / Cubase Audio Falcon.


If you have any questions or sugestions concerning anything related to
the contents or subjects mentioned here in ATARI ARTIST, you can leave
E-Mail for either Fadi or myself on GEnie at EXPLORER.2 (Internet
address: explorer.2@genie.geis.com), and we'll get back to you just as
soon as we can.


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Rare Gems
 |||   Compiled by: David A. Wright
/ | \  Internet: centaur@hartford.com
       ----------------------------------------------------------------

The following are the "Rare Gems (sm)" selections for November 27 to
December 3, 1994. "Rare Gems" is a service mark (sm) of Rare Breed
Noninc. and David Alan Wright. (Internet: CENTAUR@HARTFORD.COM)
Compilation copyright 1994 by same. All Wright's rights reserved.
Each weekly collection may be distributed freely as long as this
notice is retained. No other format may be distributed without further
authorization. All quotes covered by "fair use" of copyright law. A
great gift for the holidays. --:Dave


There isn't much justice in the world. Perhaps that's why it's so
satisfying to occasionally make some.
   --Martian Manhunter, "The Tyranny Gun!" (Justice League Task Force
     #1) by David Michelinie

I'm blind in one eye, but that's okay, because my other eye has double
vision.  --Sean Keane

One drink is just right; two is too many; three are too few.
--Spanish saying

Nature is trying very hard to make us succeed, but nature does not
depend on us. We are not the only experiment.  --R. Buckminster Fuller

I'm partially deaf... I can't hear my wife.  --Sean Keane

Drive 55! It saves gas and annoys impatient people.  --Unknown

If the American dream is for Americans only, it will remain our dream
and never be our destiny.  --Rene de Visme Williamson

===

The following are the "Rare Gems (sm)" selections for December 4 to
10, 1994. "Rare Gems" is a service mark (sm) of Rare Breed Noninc. and
David Alan Wright. (Internet: CENTAUR@HARTFORD.COM) Compilation
copyright 1994 by same.  All Wright's rights reserved. Each weekly
collection may be distributed freely as long as this notice is
retained. No other format may be distributed without further
authorization. All quotes covered by "fair use" of copyright law. No
user serviceable parts inside. --:Dave

The metaphor is perhaps one of man's most fruitful potentialities.
Its efficacy verges on magic, and it seems a tool for creation which
God forgot inside one of His creatures when He made him.
  --Jose Ortega y Gasset

Noble and common blood is of the same color.  --German proverb

Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is.  --Unknown

All men are born equal. The tough job is to outgrow it.  --Unknown

Birth is nothing without virtue, and we have no claim to share in the
glory of our ancestors unless we strive to resemble them.  --Moliere

A man that does not know how to be angry does not know how to be good.
  --Henry Ward Beecher

We have enslaved the rest of the animal creation, and have treated our
distant cousins in fur and feathers so badly that beyond doubt, if
they were able to formulate a religion, they would depict the Devil in
human form.  --William Ralph Inge


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Atari Holiday RTC
 |||   File Courtesy: GEnie Atari Rountables
/ | \  GEnie: JAGUAR$, ST$
       ------------------------------------------------------------------

=========================================================================
(C) 1994 by Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the Atari Roundtables. May
be reprinted only with this notice intact.  The Atari Roundtables on
GEnie are *official* information services of Atari Corporation. To sign
up for GEnie service, call (with modem) 800-638-8369.  Upon connection
type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt.Type XTX99437,GENIE
and press [RETURN]. The system will prompt you for your information.
==========================================================================


                   Wednesday Night Real Time Conference

                            December 14, 1994

                            Host - Mike Allen

                      Guest Speakers - Dan McNamee
                                       Tom Gillen


<Host Mike> On behalf of the Atari ST Roundtable, I welcome all of you to
this Atari Holiday Round Table Conference. Tonight I would like to
welcome Dan McNamee and Tom Gillen of Atari.

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

Before getting started, some businlness about how an RTC works.  While
the RTC room is in Listen-Only mode, you can only address our guest
when I let you talk.

To get my attention, just /RAIse your hand. Just enter this from your
keyboard:    /rai

I'll acknowledge your raised hand as soon as I can, but please be
patient. I -WILL- let you know when your turn is coming up.

To save time you could write your message in advance and upload a
SAVED (ASCII) response using your favourite/favorite terminal program
or Aladdin. To upload a text file using Aladdin go under the TERMINAL
menu and hit "Send Text File", then select your previously saved
question.

When you are finished with your question PLEASE use GA.  This does not
mean you are gagging, rather:

          GA ===>  Go Ahead  It tells the guest that you are finished.

Some other RTC commands are:

    ?     -  Lists all RTC commands.
    /sta  -  Status (list) of everyone in
             the RTC room.
    /exi  -  Exit the RTC, but you remain
             logged onto GEnie.
    /bye -   Log off of GEnie directly from
             the RTC.
    /rai  -  Raise your hand.  Lets me know
             you wish to address our guest.

With that out of the way, let us proceed.


Welcome Dan and Tom, do you have a few words to begin this evening RTC?
GA

          <You folks can start /RAIsing your hands now.>

<Tom @ Atari> Dan, should I go first?

<Dan @ Atari> yep

<Tom @ Atari> Hi there!   My name is Tom Gillen, and the last time I
was part of an RTC, I was the Manager of the test department.   Well
time has moved on, and so have I, into a Sports Producer position for
the Jaguar.  I am very excited about the opportunity to help mold a
variety of different sports titles into what I like, and with the help
and input of others, hopefully into titles that they too will enjoy
again and again.  I feel that too many of the sports titles currently
out for other systems lack longevity, most importantly in the "fun
factor and addictability" area.  My goal is to overcome that hurdle,
and insure that any game that I produce turns out the best it possibly
can, utilizing the awesome power afforded by the Jaguar.

I am relatively new to the position, and am currently working on
Hardball III and a Motocross style game titled Supercross 3D.  There
are other Sports titles currently in development, but until I get my
Producer feet all wet, they will be handled by their original
producers, and I might co-produce several of them.   I am anxious to
know about what sorts of things you like and dislike about other
Sports titles, and intend to open up some additional message areas in
the Jaguar Roundtable for that very reason.     By the way, I really
appreciate all of the responses that I received in the "Football likes
and dislikes" topic in the Jaguar category (CAT 26, TOP 45); they were
VERY helpful, and I will update you on the subject when I am able to,
I promise!!

Having been out of the test department for a little while now, I am
going to leave most of the non-sports related questions to Dan, though
I will be happy to help out if I can! GA

<Host Mike> Thanks Tom.  Your turn Dan.  <g> GA

<Dan @ Atari> Hi I'm Dan McNamee.  You all should know me by now. ;-)
I work in the test department, and I was lead tester on both AvP and
Club Drive.  Beyond that, I have done at least a little testing on
every game from Tempest 2000 on.  GA

<Host Mike> Thanks guys.  I want to note that new RTC software is
bneing used.

<Dan @ Atari> And it looks really cool!

<Host Mike> One thing to notice is that when you do a /rai it will
tell you where you are in the queue.  repeated /raises will not add
you again until you have had your turn, but it will tell you where you
are in the queue.  This is kind of handy if you are getting impatient.
<g>

<Host Mike> First in the Queue is MikeL.  ga

<MikeL> Hi Dan & Mike!  When can I get my hands on Iron Soldier, KN
and the Ski/snowboard game, and WHEN will there be any RPGs for the
Jag?

<Dan @ Atari> IS should be out any time now I don't have any dates
handy.  Kasumi should be very soon as well Probably a couple more
weeks for Kasumi

<Tom @ Atari> As should Val D... I forgot how to type it, SKI should
be too.

<Host Mike> Hey - good news.  Any more Mike?

<Dan @ Atari> Val d'Isere, Tom. ;-) RPGs - I certainly hope some will
be comming soon.  I LOVE them!

<MikeL> Yeah... When will the stock go above 4.5?

<Tom @ Atari> I would love to tell you, but that is not my area in
which to speak.

<Dan @ Atari> Ask your local psychic? <G>

< Tom @ Atari> GA

<MikeL> Sorry, I use prunes and bran instead

<Host Mike> Hehe well, Next in the queue is KODGER.  GA

<Dan @ Atari> GA

<KODOGR> What do I do if I want to submit a game idea to atari? I'm
really glad atari is  listening to the people in this forum. Thatll
make a big difference, I'm sure.

<Dan @ Atari> Tom?

<Tom @ Atari> You can submit as detailed a game spec as possible to
either Dan or myself and we can make sure that it is seen by the
appropriate people.

<KODOGR> groovy

<Tom @ Atari> Please do send them in!! Thanks!  GA

<KODOGR> and next up is...

<Host Mike> Thanks.  Next is Sven, the latest addition to the AEO
staff.  GA

<Sven!!!> my question involves the My question involves the Sega
deal...  Why hasn't Atari announced them yet? ga

<Tom @ Atari> What do you mean "announced them"?

<Dan @ Atari> I assume you are asking about the 5 titles?

<Sven!!!> exactly

<Dan @ Atari> Those are still being decided upon.  It's kind of an
involved process.

<Tom @ Atari> As far as I know, they are not definate yet.  There are
some good possibilities in the current list, though.  In fact, along
the lines of game ideas, if any of you know of Sega titles that you
think should be done...   let us know! GA

<Sven!!!> Is Daytona being considered GA

<Tom @ Atari> Daytona is QUITE cool!

<Sven!!!> Thanks! GA

<Host Mike> Next up is Eric.  GA

<Eric> dan - any other secret areas in club drive?

<Dan @ Atari> Yep, there is a whole hidden world.

<Eric> and what's the resolution & frame rate?

<Dan @ Atari> Dedicated Hitchhikers will be able to find it. ;-)

  [Ed: Dan was referring to "Planet Todd", named for Todd Powers no
   doubt - reached by pressing and holding "4" at the World select
   screen, and then pressing "2".]

<Host Mike> Hitchhikers across the Galaxy?

<Dan @ Atari> I'm not sure what the resolution is.  I'd guess 320x200,
and the framerate

<Eric> how bout a hint? we've found the dino, castle & hQ... ga

<Dan @ Atari> varies depending on the number of objcets onscreen,
nuimber of players, etc.

<Dan @ Atari> Mike> ;-) Eric> I DID give a hint. ;-)

<Eric> yea.. thanks...:-)

<Dan @ Atari> GA

<Tom @ Atari> Dan, is that something that he might find on the hint
line?

<Dan @ Atari> Tom> I'll have to check on that.

<Host Mike> OK - thanks.  Next is Brian Harvey who REALLY should be
hosting this RTC.  <grin> ga, Brian

<Brian> First, I wish to thank Mike for hosting this RTC. and I really
appreciate it. OK, next year seems to be the year, according to the
media, for the 64 bits SEGAS and Nitendos. I am sure this must make
ATARI concerned. Can you give us any hints of what ATARI has planned
to compete with them. That is, why should I buy an ATARI JAGUAR???

<Dan @ Atari> Lots of games available.

<Host Mike> lots of GOOD games!

<Dan @ Atari> Sega will have to deal with not having a lot of titles
just like Atari did.

<Tom @ Atari> From what we have seen so far, we are certainly able to
compete with, and likelydo better things with the Jaguar than on those
systems.

<Dan @ Atari> As for Nintendo, I've heard the U64 is delayed yet
again, but even if it is not, they will have a title availability
problem as well.  GA

<Brian> Thanks Dan and Tom for making it here. I am all done! GA.

<Tom @ Atari> yes, there are MANY titles in development currently.

<Dan @ Atari> Thanks for showing up Brian.

<Tom @ Atari> Thanks Brian, hope all is well!

<Host Mike> Thanks.  ST.Lou is next.  ga Lou.

<ST.LOU> Dan and Tom, thanks for being here.  It is always great to
have Atari reps in the house. :-)

<Dan @ Atari> No problem, Lou We enjoy being here when we have the
time.

<ST.LOU> I picked up a gaming magazine today and read about the year's
best and worst Unfortunately, it listed the Jaguar launch as the
year's worst because of the scarcity of titles.  On the other hand it
raved about the 64 bit engine and the look of the games that have
already made it out.  The review picked the Jaguar as the game console
to watch in the new year!

<Dan @ Atari> Hmmm, I would have said 32X personally.  At least we
had a title at launch. ;-)

<ST.LOU> I am space invaders junkie so I would like to know what
game(s) are coming that are like Xenon Megablaster!? GA

<Tom @ Atari> I do not blame people for wanting a glut of titles right
off the bat, but that does take time, especially with a newer system,
and then there are plenty.  GA

<Dan @ Atari> Hmmm, I can't think of any off hand.

<Tom @ Atari> Realize that there are many 3rd party titles being
worked on that we don;t even hear much, if anything about!

<ST.LOU> OK, what space-type shootemups are there, besides Trevor
McFur.

<Dan @ Atari> There is a 3rd party game being worked on called
something like zzyyoorrxx but we haven't seen it internally yet.  GA

<ST.LOU> All right... let's try door number two...  how about RACING
car games!? GA

<Tom @ Atari> There is a 3rd party title called F1 Racer that looks
nice, and supports multi-player.

<Dan @ Atari> Checkered Flag. ;-)

<Tom @ Atari> I would like to Produce a really cool racing game
myself, with network capabilities!

<ST.LOU> I would buy such a game.   Saves wear and tear on my _real_
cars :-)

<Host Mike> something with the SCCA tracks like Limerock and
Riverside.

<Tom @ Atari> The addiction of competing against my buds is the best!

<Tom @ Atari> Tracks duly noted, thank you.

<ST.LOU> Haha... when do you guys do any work? :-) Before I leave ...

<Dan @ Atari> We never stop! <G>

<Tom @ Atari> If we don't "work", you dont play!

<ST.LOU> I would like to publically thank Don Thomas for his
tremendous assistance in resolving the prizes missing from some of the
Dateline Conferences with Bob Brodie.  Don has delivered... in spades!
I love that kind of professionalism. Tell Sam to give him a raise, eh?
GA

<Tom @ Atari> Don is a good man, and I will pass that along to him.

<Dan @ Atari> Good!  I'm glad he was able to get that cleared up.

<Host Mike> Amen!

<ST.LOU> Thanks. Thanks, Mike.

<Host Mike> Ok - next up is Carlos.  GA Carlos.

<Carlos> Hi, Do you know how Bill Rehbock(sp?, sorry) trip to Japan
went..?? Or is he still there..?? GA

<Dan @ Atari> I don't know if he is back yet.  I haven't seen him at
least.

<Tom @ Atari> He is coming back tomorrow, and I therefor I dont know.

<Carlos> Thanks... GA

<Host Mike> Thanks, Carlos.  Next to the Mike is Pat. ga pat.

<Pat> Could you discribe any of the CD games that we will see in the
near future?  When will the CDROM drive be out??? GA.

<Dan @ Atari> I think the CD is still on target for January as Bill
announced.

<Tom @ Atari> Battlemorph should be along soon, though I do not have a
specific date.

<Host Mike> <The queue is getting short.  /rai if you have a
question!>

<Dan @ Atari> Battlemoprh looks AWSOME!

<Dan @ Atari> The FMV intro is GORGEOUS.  Better than any FMV I have
seen on any of the other systems.

<Pat> Will there be a good supply of CD games coming out in '95?

<Dan @ Atari> The game itself also looks great.  I also got a look at
a VERY preliminary Highlander game, and it looks real good too.  The
graphics blow away the cartoon it is based on. ;-)

<Tom @ Atari> You should begin to see many CD games in the coming
year, as I know there is a push to do more of them.

<Dan @ Atari> GA

<Pat> Thanks I look foward to a great gamming on the Jag! ga

<Host Mike> Next  up is Travis from AEO!  ga Trav

<AEO-Travis> Hi Atari-dudes, we're really glad to have you here with
us for the evening! Tom, as far as Sega titles, I'm partial to World
Series Baseball. Would you say that Hardball III on the Jag will give
WSB a run for the money in terms of realism/action? GA

<Dan @ Atari> Hey Travis

<Host Mike> Trav - how about a FSU vs. Florida game?

<Tom @ Atari> I agree with you about WSB, and yes, if you already like
Hardball, it should give it a run for the money.  We are
incorporating as many enhancements as we can into the game

<AEO-Travis> Mike, only if VisorBoy throws and stomps on his hat! ;)

<Tom @ Atari> and keeping in step with the new stadiums/divisions,
etc.  It is looking very good, and I am confident that it will do
well.  GA

<AEO-Travis> Tom, what about having a Hardball season interrupted by a
player's strike? Ha ha ha. Please ignore that. ;) Seriously, oOne more
question for Tom right now. Can you give out -any- information on
Supercross 3D? Is it slated for CD or cart? Will it have "network
capabilities?" GA and Thanks!

<Dan @ Atari> They just said on the news that the 95 season is
already in jepordy.

<Host Mike> Best thing that ever happened to Major League Baseball,
IMHO.

<Dan @ Atari> I agree

<AEO-Travis> Hey Dan and Mike, some of us like pastorial pastimes. ;)

<Dan @ Atari> <G>

<Tom @ Atari> Already happened, oh wait that was real life, or was it
a game, I cant tell the difference anymore! Yes,....  no
seriously........  [Supercross 3D] is to be a cart game, with the
possibility of 2nd and 3rd generation versions done on CD, and yes it
should be network-able.

<AEO-Travis> Tom, will it be "photoreaslistic" like games on "other
systems"? GA

<Dan @ Atari> Personally I think the strikes are all a conspiracy by
the game industry to up the sales of sports related games. <G>

<Tom @ Atari> It is going to look very cool, from what I have seen so
far, with much texture mapping, and digitizing possible.

<Host Mike> Ok - next up is our very own Charlie.  GA Charlie

<Charlie> Hi Dan & Tom! Nice to have you here. I know this may be
outside your knowledge, but I want to ask if you know the number of
Jag's shipped to Japan for Christmas? A big deal was recently made of
Japanise sales in, I think, a NY Time article. I'm curious what
penitration of the market you're looking for. It's the one place where
you will be going up against the Playstation and Sega machines early?

<Tom @ Atari> I do not know that type of info, sorry.

<Dan @ Atari> Me either.  Sorry.

<Charlie> ugh. and here I thought that was a good question. :-)

<Tom @ Atari> It is a good question,

<Dan @ Atari> I think we should do well over there, though because of
2 games, AvP and IS.

** <Tom @ Atari> disconnected.

<Dan @ Atari> DOH!

<Charlie> hehe. lost Tom

<Host Mike> Oh oh, we lost Tom.  You're it Dan!

<Dan @ Atari> Arrgh! ;-)

<Charlie> well, lets try another question then. About Joysticks or
paddles ....  Know of any? :-)

<Dan @ Atari> I've seen posts about a 3rd party stick being available,
but I haven't seen one around the office.  Also, Alan (COCO - SYSOP)
has been asking some "marketing type" questions about how many people
would buy a $25 paddle controller.  So we'll see.

<Charlie> ok, thanks Dan. GA Mike

<Host Mike> Let's try a limit our questions to one apiece.  You can
always /rai again after you finish the first question.  I'd like to
get through the queue a little more quickly.

<Dan @ Atari> Hey!  Lance is here!

<Host Mike> Tom is Back! next up is Harj.  GA Harj.

<Harj> Battlemorph & Blue Lightning:  Do the distant objects like
mountains, buildings, etc just pop up suddenly like Cybermorph or is
there a smoother transition like Iron Soldier?  And do you think the
Jag is even capable of doing a Daytona? GA

<Tom @ Atari> I is back too! Hey Lance!

<Dan @ Atari> Battlemorph is about the same.  Maybe a little more
distance on the horizon.

<Tom @ Atari> I don't realistically expect the Jaguar to do Daytona as
you see it in the arcades, but it could come fairly close.

<Dan @ Atari> I haven't seen much of Blue Lightening yet to say for
sure.  GA

<Tom @ Atari> The Daytona arcade machine is one big block of Silicon.

<Dan @ Atari> Tom> Lance says Hail to the Chief!

<Host Mike> Ok - next up is Brian again.  GA Brian.

<Brian> Hi my name is Brian and I own a SEGA GENESIS. (Pause while
everone say hi Brian). I want a JAGUAR but I am waiting for a few more
games to be released and in particular games that would appeal to my
six and eight year olds. . I am wondering if the JAGAUR will have any
games for this age group. Well, specifically, those 13 and under.  GA

<Dan @ Atari> A lot of younger kids do like Crescent Galaxy.  Club
Drive is also well liked, and I think everyone will flip for Rayman.

<Tom @ Atari> Yes, I mean games like Dino Dudes and Raiden are fairly
in line with that age group.  And there are more in terms of variety
to come.

<Dan @ Atari> Lance says Bubsy!

<Tom @ Atari> Bubsy, ZOOL II, SKI, etc.  GA

<Brian> Thanks guys. BTW,a JAG ony comes with one controller right?
Will there me many two player games coming out next year?

<Dan @ Atari> Yes, it comes with one controller.

<Tom @ Atari> Many two player games, and my focus is going to be to
make every multi-player game support the Voice-Modem where possible!

<Dan @ Atari> There should be quite a few 2 player games comming too.
ga

<Host Mike> ok - Next is Sven.  GA Sven.

<Brian> Thanks again. GA

<Tom @ Atari> To me, two or more player is where it is at.

<Sven!!!> My question is simple (I think)

<Tom @ Atari> GA

<Sven!!!> Why have no screen shots of Battlemorph been released? It
wasn't even on the promo video? ga

<Tom @ Atari> The producer would have to answer that, I really do not
know. Dan?

<Dan @ Atari> I think the ATD guys are being shy. <G>

<Sven!!!> ok fair enough... thanks! ga

<Host Mike> Next is our own, inimitable Thunderbird!  Ga, Doug.

<T-Bird@4Play> With the release of JagDoom and 32Xdoom (lower case
denotes inferiority), is id still hyped up on doing Jaguar Games? I'd
like to see a Doom2 (shouldn't take long with the engine done) and a
CD version with lots of .WAD files! GA.

<Tom @ Atari> ID is far more hyped on the Jaguar than the 32X, from
what I hear.

<Dan @ Atari> Last I heard, iD is still hyped on the Jaguar.

<Tom @ Atari> We are still working with ID.

<Dan @ Atari> We should see a lot more from them for the Jag.

<T-Bird@4Play> Cool.... BTW on another topic... who's idea was "Club
Drive"?

<Dan @ Atari> Todd Powers I think.

<Tom @ Atari> The programmer's idea.

<T-Bird@4Play> And just what good are snub fighters going to be
against THAT? ;-)

<Dan @ Atari> ;-)

<Tom @ Atari> HA!

<T-Bird@4Play> (Star Wars is on USA now with JagDoom ads galore) in
case anyone wants to tune in.

<Tom @ Atari> That is what I like to hear!

<Host Mike> T-Bird - quit watching TV and program!!

<T-Bird@4Play> I'm can do both! oops I just can't spell.

<Host Mike> Ok, next up is MikeL  GA Mike.

<MikeL> Thanks!  Who at ATari is responsible for choosing the music
to go with the games?  I compose music as a hobby and have some stuff
that's appropriate for games.  Just curious...

<Host Mike> < /raises are gratefully accepted. >

<Tom @ Atari> The producer has a big say in that, but for general
composing queries, contact James Grunke, director of music.  If you
had some music that you thought might be appropriate for a specific
game, you could send it to me.   I am a musician, and would love to
hear (critique) it! GA

<MikeL> Thanks Tom ga

<Host Mike> Ok thanks.  Next is Pat.  ga pat.

<Pat> Whats up with Tiny Toons?  Will that ever make it out or will it
suffer the same fate as Eye of the Beholder on the Lynx and never come
out? GA.

<Tom @ Atari> Tiny Toons is still in development, and getting close to
the test dept, I bet.

<Dan @ Atari> Tiny Toons is comming along froim what I hear.  It
hasn't hit test yet, but it should soon.  ga

<Tom @ Atari> GA

<Pat> ga

<Tom @ Atari> GA, GA

<Host Mike> Thanks - next is travis again.

<AEO-Travis> This is for Dan and Tom (and Lance, if he's around). What
game out of the next batch of Jag games would you buy if you could
only buy one? GA

<Tom @ Atari> Hardball III of course!

<Dan @ Atari> Lance says he would buy Iron Soldier.  Hmmm, tough.

<AEO-Travis> Tom, out of the Xmas batch. ;)

<Dan @ Atari> I think I would buy IS also.

<Host Mike> Family Feud?

<Tom @ Atari> I love IS, probably IS.  Though if you love Sonic type
games, ZOOL II and BUBSY are very good.

<AEO-Travis> Okay one more and I'll shut up. (Ha!) Will either of you
be at WCES next month? How much better do you feel Atari's showing
will be compared to last summers? GA

<Dan @ Atari> I HOPE I will get to go to WCES.

<Tom @ Atari> I will be there, and I was not at the last one, so I
cant really compare, but..

<Dan @ Atari> I've always wanted to go to one.

<AEO-Travis> Me too. :/

<Tom @ Atari> I have seen a large, impressive list of games to be
shown, so I will hope for the best.

<Host Mike> Ok, last before we go informal is John B.  GA John.

<John B.>  Recently on line, there have been posts describing a Lynx
promotion advertized by a chain store. The special was a Lynx game
machine with 4 bundled games for the price of 69.95 Seemed like a
great Christmas present so I contacted to Atari Dealers to see if I
could buy the unit. They both told me Atari had not made the deal
available to it's computer dealers.

1. Why does Atari persist in alianating it's few existing dealers.
2. Who could we petition for Atari to open some sort of on line store
   so we could buy directly here on GEnie.

<Tom @ Atari> Petition Don Thomas, he could do something in that area.

<John B.> Don Thomas, ok

<Tom @ Atari> I do not make those decisions, and therefor, I do not
alienate, nor condone alienating our dealers.

<Host Mike> John - Don's GEnie EMail name is ATARI.

<John B.> Tom, note I never you said you did, I said "Atari" :-) Could
I ask one more?

<Host Mike> sure

<Tom @ Atari> I know, I just feel your frustration, and wish I could
do more!

<John B.>  A little while ago there was a post by Bill Rehbok stating
that Medusa systems had received the terms for licensing  TOS from
Atari but had not signed and returned the contract.   Also Wizztronics
which was to release a Falcon accelerator  was also sent a licensing
agreement which they stated they  would not sign.   No one mentions
which TOS versions are being discussed.

Which versions of TOS are available for licensing?

  a. TOS 2.06
  b. TOS 3.06
  c. TOS 4.xx

<Dan @ Atari> C As far as I know.

<Host Mike> all of the above?

<Tom @ Atari> me too.

<John B.> Ah..thanks. So TOS 3.06 is still for no one to have?

<Tom @ Atari> Though, to get the best answer, call Atari directly, and
ask Don Thomas, he should be able to find out for sure.

<John B.> Thanks.

<Host Mike> I wish to thank you, Dan and Tom, for making it here
tonight.  I also wish to thank all the attendees for their questions
and patience. In frenzy mode   ...now!




[Ed: Some post-formal comments....]

<Clint Smith APE> Dan, Club Drive originally had a menu option for
analog control. Any chance that it's still in there?
<Dan @ Atari> Clint> Yep!
<Clint Smith APE> Cool. What about Checkered Flag?
<Dan @ Atari> Clint> Nope, not in CF.

<Host Mike> Dan - any good RPGs in the works?  AmberMoon, Ishar types?
<Dan @ Atari> Mike> Legions of the Undead is the only one I know of
for sure.  I'm lead testing that one too. ;-)
<Sven!!!> Legions of the Undead?  Is that anywhere near test?
<Dan @ Atari> Sven> Not yet, unfortunately.

<T-Bird@4Play> Scott says that the new GPU RISC routines are really
_fast_, and simulated analog control now works!
<T-Bird@4Play> Question time: Who likes and who doesn't like
"computer voices" in their Space Battle Games?
<AEO-Travis> Skylar is sexy, but dumb.
<darrell> I like
<Sven!!!> I think I could use a good computer voice in my games here
and there
<Allen@Sub-Etha> Computer Voices:  Go for it, though let 'em be
selectable.
<Charlie> if the voice is majel barret, sure, go for it
<Harj> I like space voices.
<Allen@Sub-Etha> "Avoid the ground" and other comments make all I
show the game to laugh.
<KODOGR> Sexy Womans Voice
<Harj> Hmm..I mean computer voices.
<Clint Smith APE> Only ultra-sexy voices(who doesn't enjoy that "YES"
from T2000)
<KODOGR> Sexy Robot Womans Voice
<Sven!!!> I guess everyone agrees it should be a woman's voice...
<AEO-Travis> Sexy BritFem voices!
<T-Bird@4Play> We will see how RAM and ROM space go. maybe the
computer can say " ooh baby" when you shoot the "Finch".
<Charlie> yes, Sven, I'd think so. and the accent should be exotic.
Autrailian or British
<Harj> How about indian? If you want to be different.
<T-Bird@4Play> We were thinking of hiring the guy that does "Beavis"
for the voice...
<Allen@Sub-Etha> "I am thinking zat you jest hit de ground.  Care for a
slurppee?"
<KODOGR> Is it permissable to represent Hindu Deites in videogames?
<Clint Smith APE> Heh, heh, your warp is like enabled...huh, huh
<Sven!!!> Hey, They'll be NO think here here thank you very much ;)

<Lance @ Atari> I saw the Playstation today. Looks nice.
<AEO-Travis> Lance, what did you play/see on it?
<Lance @ Atari> Ridge Racer.
<AEO-Travis> Lance, was it really close to "1:1"?
<Lance @ Atari> It's a good conversiion, but not exact.
<AEO-Travis> Lance, for the $64 question, could Jag & Jag CD do Ridge
Racer =as=well= as Playstation?
<Lance @ Atari> Jag Ridge Racre, I think so.  But the Jag CD is worth
the price of admission for the VLM alone.
<AEO-Travis> Lance. Thanks for the observation!
<Lance @ Atari> Travis> Anytime, fellow oxygen breather!@+*%

<AEO-Travis> Lance, I'm really curious. Just WHOM did you strike to
get sent to the brig? :)
<Sven!!!> Bill?
<Host Mike> Nah, Jack.
<Sven!!!> Maybe Sam?
<Lance @ Atari> Travis> I struck Lt. Cmndr Cappa for getting in my
face, and his last dieing wish was that he could praise me for having
guts.
<AEO-Travis> Lance> What penalty would one get for slapping Tal
around? :)
<Host Mike> Travis - a pay raise?
<Lance @ Atari> Travis> you would be hailed by all in Test as God!


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Ron Borta - Back into the Future
 |||   By: Christian Svensson
/ | \  GEnie: EXPLORER.5   Internet: svensson@bucknell.edu
       ------------------------------------------------------------------

=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Past
=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I've recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ron Borta from Borta
and Associates, who has had his career deeply rooted in the gaming
industry since the industry's inception. Considered by some to be the
father of the "arcade port", Ron has been involved with nearly every
console and computer ever released and has contributed such well known
home arcade conversion titles as: Wizard of Wor (which was the first
16K cart on the 800), Gorf, Donkey Kong, Frogger, Q-bert, The Empire
Strikes Back, Zaxxon, Robotron 2049 (which was the first 16K cart on
the TI99), Mousetrap, Carnival, Crazy Climber and most notably Pacman
for the Atari 800 which was the first "successful" port of an arcade
game to a home system.

Another notable star on Ron's profile is the fact that he became the
first person to patent software. (In this case, a program generator.)
He was part of a number of companies that were seeking the ability to
patent "technological breakthroughs." Through six years of hard work
and court cases, the United States Supreme Court finally sided with
Ron and the other technological companies thereby allowing them to
patent such items as bio-engineered organisms, certain chemical
processes, and software. Yet even today, many people are unaware that
software can be patented.

After many years in the game development industry, Ron left Chicago
and moved to Washington DC in order to branch out into a related
area, interactive television. For seven years, Ron worked in DC,
helping develop the concept of interactive television - or as he said,
"making TV more fun." Unfortunately, the general public was not ready
to embrace this concept quite yet, but Ron did learn many useful
things during this experience. Much of what he learned dealt with the
use of video and presentation, what frame rates are necessary to
immerse the user into the game, and different modes of rendering.

When programming Crazy Climber for the Atari VCS, Ron used a
technique that had never been used before (or very much since for that
matter). Each frame had separate parts of the game rendered such that
a given frame wasn't "stand alone." If one were to pause the game, it
would look as if the entire screen wasn't rendered. The result of this
technique was a far more visually appealing image. His experience in
interactive television, taught him why this was so, and more
importantly, how he could utilize this technique in later projects.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Present
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ron's next big venture was to create his own multimedia development
company, Borta & Associates. This company does multimedia work both
independently and as a sub-contractor for other larger companies. One
of the many fields they are leading the industry in is data
compression. B&A have developed not only specific compression schemes
for specific applications, but have specific manners of employing them
under different conditions. All of these schemes are written in
assembly language in an effort to minimize decompression times.

Borta & Associates currently develops for PCs, Macs, Sega (all
platforms), Nintendo, 3D0 and Atari. The majority of their present
work is in the PC market. Ron told me that they have products in
development now that will allow for "fully interactive games." Another
benefit B&A have over other competing companies is that their
libraries for Mac and PC are identical. This allows B&A to port to the
Mac far more easily (and quickly) than anyone else in the market.
They are currently working on a PC/Mac game with PF Magic.

As for Jaguar development, they are licensed developers and have a
system, but haven't started any independent development yet. They are
currently working on a Jaguar project with a LARGE developer. (Ron's
words were, "as big as they get.") He couldn't disclose who it was, or
what they were working on, but he said it was VERY impressive. "Just
wait" he said, "you'll see."

There are some things in the industry presently, that Ron is
concerned about. Given the fact that most developers are 2 to 4
person teams/companies and that the most original gaming concepts are
coming from these smaller companies, the costs of developing on the
next generation consoles are really a big obstacle. Ron said to start
up as an Atari developer, the cost isn't that bad ($15,000), but 3D0
was $35,000 (with a CD-ROM writer), and to jump into Sega Saturn
development costs almost $100,000. This could really discourage a good
gaming concept on another machine. He reminisced of the times when all
you needed to develop on the VCS or Atari 800 was a computer for a
couple hundred dollars or so. Another thing Ron would like to see
Atari do, is to exploit more of its older licenses as updated Jaguar
titles.

Ron's current favorite video game is Crash and Burn on the 3DO, "It's
got a couple of flaws in it, but it draws you into the game. It
reminds me of the first time I played Star Raiders on the Atari 800.
Though the graphics aren't realistic as they could be, the motion
draws you in there. I know the Jag can do it and I want to see games
like that on the Jag." As for Jaguar games, "I have all of the carts.
I like Alien vs. Predator, but it's a Doomish game, and I tend to shy
away from the violent games."

Another recent development at Borta & Associates is the addition of
Nolan Bushnell as COB. Nolan and Ron have been friends since the 2600
days, but had since gone their separate directions. It is ironic that
after going in such different directions, they independently arrived
at the same conclusion of what they should be doing. Nolan happened to
come across a piece of Borta literature while researching the market,
where he then gave Ron a call. After discussing the issues for a
period of time, Nolan then purchased, "an undisclosed percentage of
Borta & Associates for an undisclosed amount of money." Ron described
their business relationship as Nolan as the idea man, and he as the
person that makes these ideas a reality. Now they are basically
partners.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Future
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The future for Borta and Associates looks bright. Ron has several
ideas he would like to try on the Jaguar, but has been a little
reluctant to begin them immediately. Ron is looking at the sales this
Christmas in order to decide when they will start actively developing.
If it sells as well as he think it is going to, he said that
independent development could start as early as February.

In closing, Ron stated, "I own stock in Atari. I believe in Atari in
every way, shape and form and I believe that the Jaguar is the most
viable platform on the market."

I'd say that bodes rather well from a man with Ron's history and who
develops for all the major platforms.


                            --==--==--==--==--


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                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Jaguar Tackboard
 |||   Confirmed information about Atari's Jaguar
/ | \  Compiled from online and official sources
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Independent Association of Jaguar Developers
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The IAJD (Independent Association of Jaguar Developers) has started
accepting members on GEnie. The IAJD is a private group where
confidential discussions can be freely held. (Category 64 of the ST
RoundTable is the IAJD meeting place.) Consequently, membership in the
IAJD is limited to Jaguar developers who are registered with Atari
Corp. To apply for membership, send EMail to ENTRY$ on GEnie (or
<entry$@genie.geis.com> if you're not on GEnie). Regular EMail
correspondence with the IAJD should be sent to IAJD$ (again, or
<iajd$@genie.geis.com> if you're not on GEnie).


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Internet Jaguar Mailing List
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Anyone with Internet EMail access can join the discussions on the
Jaguar mailing list. To "subscribe" to the list, send an EMail to
the following address: <listserv@ctrc.fs.saci.org>

Leave the subject line blank. In the body of the EMail, include this
line:

             subscribe jaguar-l FirstName LastName

(Where "FirstName" is your first name and "LastName" is your last
name.)

To send mail to be read on the Jaguar list, address your letter to:
<jaguar-l@ctrc.fs.saci.org>. It will go to the list server and be
sent to the over 250 readers of the list.

IMPORTANT: If your mail server charges you by the character or by the
letter, please be aware that the Jaguar list can generate dozens, and
up to a hundred EMails in a day.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Jaguar FAQ
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Robert Jung <rjung@netcom.com> maintains the Jaguar FAQ (Frequently
Asked Questions) file, an updated list of Jaguar specs and facts.  The
Jaguar FAQ is posted to rec.games.video.atari on Usenet around the
first of every month, and can also be found via FTP, address:
ftp.netcom.com, in Andy Eddy's /pub/vidgames/faqs directory.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Developer / Game List 1.18
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

//// Editor: The following developers, licensees and game titles have
been confirmed to the best of AEO's ability as of December 16, 1994.
Entries in the "S"tatus column reflects any "e"rrors, "u"pdates, "n"ew
titles, new "d"evelopers, or "?"uestionable listings since the last
AEO list. Titles in brackets (e.g. [Cybermorph]) have been completed
and are available in the US.

Expected dates are dates that have been provided by the developer.

                        Expected Date
                             or         Titles
S Developer/Licensee       Rating  under development
" """"""""""""""""""       """"""  """""""""""""""""
  20th Centrury Fox
            Interactive
u 21st Century Software      2/95  Pinball Fantasies (Pub. C-West)
  3D Games                    -    Rainbow Warrior
                              -    MORE
  4Play                     Q2/95  BattleSphere
  Accent Media Productions    -    Varuna's Forces CD-ROM
  Accolade                    -    Brett Hull Hockey
                              -    Charles Barkley's Shut Up and Jam
  Acid Software
? Activision                  -    Return to Zork CD-ROM
  Alfaro Corporation
               Limited
  All Systems Go              -    BIOS Fear CD-ROM
                            Q1/95  Hosenose and Booger CD-ROM
                            Q1/95  Video Jukebox (cart multiplexer)
                              -    (IR controller station)
  American Laser Games        -    Mad Dog McCree
  Anco Software Ltd.          -    Kick Off 3 (for Imagineer)
                              -    World Cup
  Anthill Industries
  Argonaut Software           -    Creature Shock CD-ROM (For Virgin)
  Atari Corp.                 -    Chaos Agenda CD-ROM
                             *7*   [Club Drive]
u                            *3*   [Crescent Galaxy]
                            Q2/95  Fight For Life
                              -    (Football)
                              -    Hardball 3
u                           Q1/95  Highlander CD-ROM
n                             -    Highlander II CD-ROM
n                             -    Highlander III CD-ROM
                            Q1/95  Hover Strike (was Battlezone 2000)
                              -    MPEG
u                           Q2/95  Redemption (was Dreadnought)
                              -    Space War
n                             -    Supercross 3D
                            Q2/95  Tiny Toons Adventures
                                   MORE
  Attention to Detail       Q1/95  Battlemorph: Cybermorph 2 CD-ROM
                            Q1/95  Blue Lightning CD-ROM
                             *7*   [Cybermorph]
                                   (For Atari)
  Audio-Visual Magic
  B.S.A.
  Bando Svenska AB
  Beris
  Bethesda Softworks
  Beyond Games Inc.          1995  Battlewheels
                             1/95  Ultra Vortex
  BitMotion Software
  Bizzare Computing
u Black Cat Design          PRODU  Cat Box (AV & comm expansion box)
         (was ICD)
  Black Scorpion Software
  Borta & Associates
  Brainstorm                  -    [x86 Jaguar Development System]
  Brandlewood Computers
                     Ltd.
u Bullfrog Productions Ltd. Q1/95  Syndicate (For Ocean)
u                           Q1/95  Theme Park (For Ocean)
  Cannonball Software
  Celebrity Systems Inc.
  Clearwater Software
  Computer Music Consulting
  Condor Software
  Cybervision
  CyberWare
  DAP
  Data Design
  Delta Music Systems Inc.    -    Droppings
                              -    Nanoterror
  Denton Designs Ltd.
  Dimension Technologies
  Diskimage
  Domark Group Ltd.           -    F1 Racer
  DTMC                        -    Lester the Unlikely
                              -    Mountain Sports
                              -    (Miniature Golf)
  Eclipse                   PRODU  Iron Soldier (For Atari)
                              -    MORE
  Electro Brain Corp.
  Electrom
  Elite
  E-On
  Eurosoft
  Extreme
  EZ Score Software Inc.
  Factor 5
  Flair Software Ltd.
  Frankenstein Software
  Funcom Productions a/s
  GameTek Inc.
  Genus Microprogramming
                      Inc.
u Gremlin Graphics Ltd.     PRODU  Zool 2 (Pub. Atari)
                              -    UNKNOWN TITLE (racing) - MORE?
  H2O Design Corp.
  Hand Made Software        Q2/95  Jack Nicholas Cyber Golf CD-ROM
                                   (For Atari through Accolade)
                            PRODU  Kasumi Ninja (For Atari)
u High Voltage Software     Q1/95  'Dactyl Joust
u                           Q2/95  Ruiner
n                           Q3/95  (fighter) CD-ROM
                            Q1/95  White Men Can't Jump (for Trimark)
  Hisoft
  Human Soft Ltd.
  Hyper Image Productions     -    Hover Hunter
  id Software                *9*   [Doom]
                             *8*   [Wolfenstein 3D]
                              -    MORE
  i-Space
  iThink                      -    (3D simulation)
  Imagineer Company Ltd.
  Imagitec Design Inc.      PRODU  Bubsy
                             *6*   [Evolution Dino-Dudes]
                              -    Freelancer 2120 CD-ROM
                             *6*   [Raiden]
                              ?    Dino Dudes 2
? Interplay                   -    BattleChess CD-ROM - MORE?
  Jaleco                      -    Bases Loaded
                              -    Cisco Heat
                              -    MORE CD-ROM
  JVC Musical Industries      -    Valus Force
  Krisalis Software Ltd.      -    Soccer Kid
  Kungariket Multimedia
  Level 7 Software            -    (RPG)
                              -    (Shooter)
  Limelight Media Inc.
u LlamaSoft                 H2/95  Defender 2000  (For Atari)
                            *10*   [Tempest 2000] (For Atari)
                              -    MORE MINTER!
  Loricel S.A.
  Lost in Time Software
  Malibu Interactive
  Manley & Associates Inc.
  Maxis Software
  Media Technology Scandinavia
  Merit Industries Inc.
  Michton Inc.
  Microids                    -    Commando
                              -    Evidence
? Microprose                  -    Gunship 2000
u MidNite Entertainment     Q1/95  AirCars
u                             ?    Assualt
u                             ?    Dungeon Depths
  Millenium/Teque            *7*   [Brutal Sports Football] (For Telegames)
  Miracle Designs
  Nebulous Games
  Neon-Buttner
  Network 23 Software
  NMS Software Ltd.
  Ocean Software Ltd.         ?    Apeshi- (working title)
                             1995  Lobo CD-ROM
                              -    Waterworld
  Odyssey Software Inc.
  -unnamed-                   -    -unnamed-
  Photosurrealism             -    Galactic Gladiators
  Phobyx
  Pixel Satori
  PIXIS Interactive           -    Neurodancer CD-ROM
  Rage Software Ltd.          -    Rally
  Rainmaker Software Inc.     -    Nerves of Steel
                              -    Virtual Warriors
  ReadySoft Incorporated    Q1/95  Dragon's Lair CD-ROM
                              -    Dragon's Lair II CD-ROM
                              -    Space Ace CD-ROM
  Rebellion Software Ltd.    *9*   [Alien vs. Predator] (For Atari)
                             *5*   [Checkered Flag] (For Atari)
                              -    Hammerhead
                              -    Legions of the Undead
  Rest Energy
  Riedel Software Prod.
  Scangames Interactive
  Sculptured Software Inc.
  Selgus Limited
  Shadowsoft Inc.
  Sigma Designs             Q1/95  "Jaguar on a PC" PC card
  Silmarils                   ?    Robinson's Requiem CD-ROM
  Sinister Developments
  Soft Enterprises
  Softgold Gmbh
  Software 2000
  Software Creations
  Software Development Systems
  Spaceball Technologies Inc.
  Steinberg Soft-und-
                 Hardware Gmbh
  Tantalus Entertainment
  Tantalus Incorporated
  Team Infinity
  Team 17 Software Ltd.
  Tecnation Digital World
  Techtonics
  Telegames                   -    Casino Royale
                              -    European Soccer Challenge
                              -    Super Off-Road
u                            1/95  Ultimate Brain Games
                              -    World Class Cricket
  Teque London Ltd.
  Thrustmaster
u Tiertex Ltd.               1/95  Flashback (for U.S. Gold)
  Time-Warner Interactive     -    Primal Rage
                              -    Rise of the Robots
                              -    Arcade Games Using Jaguar
  Titus
  Trimark Interactive
  Twlight
  U.S. Gold Ltd.
  UBI Soft International     2/95  RayMan
                              -    (Soccer)
  V-Reel Productions        Q1/95  Arena Football League
                            Q1/95  Horrorscope
  Virgin Interactive
u      Entertainment Ltd.   PRODU  Cannon Fodder (Pub. C-West)
                             ...   [Dragon] (Pub. Atari)
u                           Q1/95  Demolition Man CD-ROM
  Virtual Artistry, Inc.
u Virtual Studio             *5*   Val D'Isere Skiing and Snowboarding
                                   (For Atari)
  Virtual Xperience         Q1/95  Burn Out (Pub. Atari)
                              -    Indiana Jags
                              -    Zzyorxx II
  Visual Concepts
  Visual Impact               -    Hyper Force
  Wave Quest Inc.
u Williams Brothers          1/95  Sensible Soccer
  Williams Entertainment    Q1/95  Double Dragon 5: The Shadow Falls
                             1/95  Troy Aikman NFL Football
  WMS Industries
  Zeppelin Games              -    Center Court Tennis


Pts Stars  AEO Ratings
""" """""  """""""""""
 10 *****  GAMING NIRVANA!!! - You have left reality behind... for good.
  9 ****+  Unbelieveable GAME!! - Your family notices you're often absent.
  8 ****   Fantastic Game!! - You can't get enough playtime in on this.
  7 ***+   Great Game! - Something to show off to friends or 3DOers.
  6 ***    Good game - You find yourself playing this from time to time.
  5 **+    Ho-hum - If there's nothing else to do, you play this.
  4 **     Waste of time - Better to play this than play in traffic.
  3 *+     Sucks - Playing in traffic sounds like more fun.
  2 *      Sucks Badly - You'd rather face an IRS audit than play this.
  1 +      Forget it - ... but you can't; it's so badly done, it haunts you.
  0 -      Burn it - Disallow programmer from ever writing games again.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Press Releases
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

//// Jaguar On-line in Florida!

 Contact:  Ron Beltramo    Tammy Lindsay     David Harrah
           Atari           Time Warner       Edelman P.R.
           408/745-8852    407/667-2034      415/968-4033
 
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
 ATARI JAGUAR ON THE LOOSE IN 
 TIME WARNER CABLE'S FULL SERVICE NETWORK
 
Orlando, FL . . . December 14, 1994 . . . Atari Corporation's Jaguar
64-bit interactive video game system went on-line today with the
initiation of Time Warner Cable's Full Service Network (FSN) in
Orlando, Florida.  Atari Corporation's CEO Sam Tramiel joined Time
Warner Chairman Gerald Levin at today's inauguration event in Orlando.
Jaguar, the world's first and only 64-bit interactive game system
features high-speed animation, textured three-dimensional color images
and graphics, and CD-quality sound.

Consumers will access the Atari games on the Full Service Network
using the 64-bit Jaguar game system device, which processes more than
100 times as much data at one time than 16-bit games, and twice as
much as 32-bit game systems. This significantly increases speed and
lets the game player experience superior graphic performance and
animation action. Through the Full Service Network, the Atari games
are digitally compressed and stored on magnetic hard drives, and
downloaded to the game device at the consumers' request.

"Time Warner Cable's Full Service Network is the most advanced
interactive network ever built, and it gives subscribers the most
advanced interactive gaming system available -- the 64-bit Atari
Jaguar," said Atari President and CEO Sam Tramiel. "Atari's Jaguar
system brings the most sophisticated hardware and games to the
network."

Atari Jaguar Interactive Multimedia Systems are also in use at the
"Home of the 21st Century, " a model home equipped with Full Service
Network capabilities, and other state-of-the-art home services located
in the Sweetwater, Wekiva, Lake Brantley and Springdale community near
Orlando. Five 64-bit Atari Jaguar Interactive Multimedia systems are
in use in the home, which is sponsored by Time Warner Cable's Full
Service Network and Southern Living Magazine.

"We're proud to offer consumers the Atari Jaguar system because it's
the most advanced and powerful system available today," said Full
Service Network President Tom Feige. "When we compared the graphics
and capabilities of the game systems on the market, Atari Jaguar was
the clear choice for us."

Since its release in November 1993, Atari's Jaguar system has been
named the industry's "Best New Game System" by Video Games Magazine,
"Best New Hardware System" by Game Informer, and "1993 Technical
Achievement of the Year" by DieHard GameFan.
 
Time Warner Cable is the nation's second largest cable television
operator with 7.3 million customers in 34 states, and serves more than
500,000 customers in its Florida division. Time Warner Cable's Full
Service Network is a digital, interactive television network which
merges cable, computer and telephone  technologies to provide
customers greater choice, control and convenience in accessing
information and services.

Atari Corporation markets interactive multimedia entertainment
systems, including Jaguar, the world's only 64-bit game system, and
the only video game system manufactured in the United States.


//// Don Thomas Announces AvP RTC Trivia Contest Winners

I am pleased to announce the winners of the Alien Vs. Predator (AvP)
trivia contest. The contest was announced and the questions released
by Atari's own Ron Beltramo at CompuServe's AvP conference on November
29 and on GEnie's AvP conference on November 30.

The contest was open to all onliners who attended the conferences
and/or obtained a transcript of either/both conference from the Atari
Jaguar forum libraries.

Here are the answers to those mind boggling questions ...

1) Alien Vs. Predator by Atari for the 64-bit Jaguar interactive
   multimedia system features the ability for the player to become any
   one of three characters. What are those characters?

Answer: B. An Alien, a Predator and a Marine

2) Which film studios produced the Alien and Predator films?

Answer: C. Twentieth Century Fox and Twentieth Century Fox

3) Alien Vs. Predator is a virtual world challenge which is described
   in the manual to be:

Answer: A. a tactical simulator depicting the events following the
           fall of Camp Golgotha Colonial Marine Training Base.

4) An effective tool to be used while playing Alien Vs.  Predator is
   the H.U.D. which offers status displays.  What does H.U.D. stand
   for?

Answer: A. Heads-Up Display

5. One of the many obstacles to avoid is referred to as a Facehugger.
   A Facehugger is which of the following?

Answer: A. A creature that attaches itself to the face of its host.

METHOD OF RANDOM DRAWING....

All names were alphabetized and duplicates were removed so all entries
had an equal opportunity to win. A computer program written by Mr.
Michael Fulton picked three random numbers which were used to count
through the huge stack of entries ...

AND THE WINNERS ARE ...

PRIZE          WINNER          ONLINE ADDRESS
------------------------------------------------------------
Jaguar 64-bit  Ewen Wheeler    howard_saunders@  
game system                           porthole.entnet.nf.ca

Autographed
AvP Cartridge  Pete Ahles      ahles@gate.net

Jaguar         Clay Halliwell  ehalliwe@emh.kunsan.af.mil
T-Shirt 

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone for entering.
The prizes have been shipped and are on their way.

Don't forget.... Tempest 2000 Soundtracks (on compact disc) are
available as well as Jaguar software preview tapes and Alien Vs.
Predator Posters! Contact your SysOp for more information or contact
Don Thomas at:

  JAGUAR$@genie.geis.com
  or
  75300.1267@compuserve.com


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Developers Wanted For Jaguar Publisher
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

C-West is a new California publishing house established solely to
support the explosive growth in the Jaguar gaming user base.
Currently, C-West has two games, Virgin's Cannon Fodder and 21th
Century Software's Pinball Fantasies in production, and they are
looking for new titles to handle.

If you are a Jaguar developer without a publisher, give Peter Curry
at C-West a call to discuss terms. Peter can be reached at:
+1 (805) 546-9036 during normal Pacific business hours.

Cannon Fodder is due in late January for $59.99 retail.
Pinball Fantasies is due late February/early March for $49.99 retail.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// CatBox Manual
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

[Ed: The following is copyright 1994, Black Cat Designs.)

CatBox Preliminary Manual  - December 13, 1994

CatBox is a low cost, high value peripheral designed to plug into the
Jaguar AV/DSP connectors on the rear of the console and provide
standard ports for connectability.

CatBox consists of two printed circuit boards (PCBs) mounted inside a
stylish case.  The larger lower main board is called the I/O PCB.  The
upper board is called the AVC PCB and holds the logic, amplifier,
signal conditioning, and patchwork in order to make everything work.
The AVC PCB also has space for future expansion and custom designs.
CatBox power is provided by the Jaguar game console.  There are two
LEDs on CatBox which illuminate to show power and flicker to show
communications activity.

//// Cleaning the CatBox

If you need help with this, call a cat lover.  We like dogs.

//// Opening the CatBox

There may be a need to see what is really inside the CatBox.  Most
developer types wouldn't have read this far so this is really intended
for the novice and it will not void your warranty.

Remove the volume knob by gently prying it off with a screwdriver or
knob extractor.

There are two screws that hold the CatBox metal case together and two
more that hold the circuit boards in place.  Remove the two philips
screws on the case bottom and slide off the top.  Remove the two inner
screws that hold the boards in place.

Lift the board assembly out of the case bottom and pull the two
boards apart with your fingers.

The top AVC board which looks like it is mounted upside down has all
the electronics on it that make CatBox work.  The bottom I/O board has
most of the connectors on it and the LEDs.  The user moveable jumper
plugs are all on the AVC board.

Wow!

Besides looking extremely cool, CatBox provides three main functions
for Jaguar owners.  These are Audio, Video, and Communications (AVC).
Each has three sections for a total of nine features!

AUDIO SECTION

Audio signals are distributed on CatBox in three different places.
These are the RCA type line level audio output jacks for left, right,
or mono output, the mono line level RGB monitor output, and the
amplified stereo headphone jacks.

//// Line level audio.

The I/O PCB has two RCA phono jacks that pass high quality line level
audio signals (600 ohm) from the Jaguar to other audio devices such
as audio pre-amplifiers.  The red colored jack passes right audio
while the white colored jack passes either left or mono audio.  The
left/mono switching logic works in the following manner.  When an RCA
cable is plugged into the right audio jack, the white jack passes the
left audio signal.  When there is no plug inserted into the right
audio jack, the white jack passes the sum of left and right audio
which is called mono.  Use standard RCA stereo audio cables.

//// RGB monitor audio.

Pin 9 of the Analog RGB connector also carries the mono audio signal.
 
This signal is used for Atari SC1224 or SC1435 monitors or any other
monitor that has an audio amplifier and passes mono audio through its
monitor signal cable.  Since most users will prefer to use stereo
audio, this mono signal is automatically disconnected when an RCA
cable is plugged into the right/mono (red) audio jack or when
headphones are installed.  This function can also be disabled by
removing jumper J1 (RGB Audio).  For more information, see Analog RGB
in the Video Section.

//// Headphones.

CatBox includes dual stereo headphone jacks on the AVC PCB.  These
support the common 3.5mm (1/8 inch) size headphones as used with most
portable stereo equipment.  Low noise amplification is provided to
match the 32 or 16 ohm loads common with headphones.  We have found
that headphones with a sensitivity rating of about 100 dB SPL/1mW work
very well with the CatBox.  Headphones with lower sensitivity numbers
usually have lower quality sound and lower volume.

The headphone jacks take top audio priority and will disconnect all
other audio output signals when a 3.5mm plug is inserted.  There is a
volume control knob on the rear of the CatBox.  Take care when
adjusting this level as higher volume levels for extended periods of
time may cause permanent hearing damage.  Optional headphone extension
cables are also available for your convenience.


VIDEO SECTION

The three video outputs from CatBox are Composite Video, S-Video, and
Analog RGB.  These three and the Jaguar RF output may all be used at
the same time or in any combination to connect multiple displays.
Analog RGB has the best quality display while Jaguar RF has the lowest
quality.  Composite is much better than RF and S-Video is better than
Composite.  The output you will use depends on the capabilities of
your television or monitor.

//// Composite Video

The yellow RCA jack provides composite video out.  This signal is
commonly available on VCRs and may be used for recording purposes.
Since composite video has no provisions for audio, be sure to use one
of the CatBox audio sources as well.

//// S-Video

S-Video used to be called S-VHS but was often confused with the
totally different S-VHS high definition video tape standard.  S-Video
has also been called Composite Chroma and Composite Luminance and was
used in the early 1980s on the Atari 800 XL and the C-64 computers.
Today the standard S-Video connector is the 4 pin round mini DIN as
found on many high end VCRs, TVs, video cameras, and CatBox.  S-Video
cables are commonly available at Audio/Video stores.  S-Video provides
an extremely sharp picture that is surpassed only by a good analog RGB
monitor.

//// Analog RGB

This connector is a female (holes instead of pins) DB9 located
between the composite video and S-Video connectors.  Don't confuse
this with the other DB9 on the CatBox I/O PCB which is male (pins) and
provides RS232.  The Jaguar supports Analog RGB monitors with a
Horizontal Sync rate of 15.75 KHz.  These monitors were very popular
around 1985 but are not all that common anymore since VGA which has an
H-Sync of 31.5 KHz became the new standard.  Look in the older used
market for some great bargains.  An H-Sync rate of 15.75 KHz was found
more commonly on monitors made between 1984 and 1990.  The Atari ST
color monitors and the Amiga color monitors both required this slower
H-Sync rate.

Since there is no one standard for RGB connections, custom RGB cable
adapters are available to adapt most monitor cables.  These include
Atari SCxxxx, Amiga, DB9, and DB15.  If you would like to make your
own cable adapter, the pin connections follow.

DB9S    

1  Red
2  Green
3  Blue
4  Horizontal Sync
5  Vertical Sync/Composite Sync
6  Ground
7  Ground
8  Ground
9  Mono Audio/NC
 
Note that jumper J7 (VS CS) on the AVC PCB allows you to select
Vertical Sync (VS) or Composite Sync (CS) which is a combined sync
signal not to be confused with Composite Video.  The CatBox default
is set for VS.  If the vertical screen keeps rolling after adjusting
vertical hold, try moving this jumper to the CS position.

The mono audio signal which feeds to the Analog RGB connector may also
be disabled by removing the audio jumper J1 on the AVC PCB.  Although
there is built in protection so that leaving this jumper enabled will
not cause any problems, it is a good idea to disconnect J1 if you do
not plan to use the Atari13 monitor adapter.

The following is a list of compatible Analog RGB monitors that have
been tested and the adapter requirements.

15.75KHz Horizontal Sync monitors that have been tested and their
general requirements.

Monitor/Model               Adapter     J7 Position     J1 Position

Atari SC1224  JVC           Atari13     VS or CS        ON
Atari SC1224  Goldstar      Atari13     VS Only         ON
Atari SC1224  Samsung       Atari13     VS or CS        ON
Atari SC1435  Magnavox      Atari13     VS or CS        ON
Commodore 1084D  Magnavox   Amiga23     CS Only         OFF
Commodore 1084S  Magnavox   Amiga23     CS Only         OFF
Commodore 1950              Amiga23                     OFF
Magnavox Professional RGB 80                            OFF
NEC Multisync Color Monitor None        VS Only         OFF
NEC 3D                      HD15S       VS Only         OFF
Sony 1302                                               OFF
Princeton Graphics Ultra 14 None        VS Only         OFF


Please write or send a fax if you have any questions about other
monitors or would like a custom adapter made.  Please also send us
your positive experiences with other RGB monitors that we have not
listed so we can let others know.  Please do not ask us to support VGA
and SVGA monitors that can't sync down to 15.75KHz.  The required scan
doubling adapter would cost more than the Jaguar even if manufactured
in high volumes.

There are exceptions to the above rules.  For example if an Atari ST
monitor cable for a Commodore 1084 monitor then naturally you should
use the Atari13 adapter instead of the Amiga23.

//// Atari SC1224 & SC1435 History

The following information is an attempt to clear up the confusion in
identifying the three different SC1224 monitors made for the Atari
ST.  These are all 12 inch color monitors and were later replaced by
the SC1435 14 inch color stereo monitor which was made by
Philips/Magnavox.

The oldest was made by JVC and is identified by the 'Made in Japan'
label on the back.  These were mostly made in 1985.  The FCC ID
number is EBA90YSC1224.  The signal cable and power cables both unplug
from the rear of the monitor.  The case top has ventilation slots.
The JVC has a two-tone color scheme with a dark gray bezel (around the
tube face) and a light gray casing.  The push On/Off power switch is
on the front bottom next to volume and contrast knobs.  The JVC
monitor is the best of the SC1224s.

Next came the Goldstar monitor which was 'Made in Korea'in 1986.  The
FCC ID is EBA9QKSC1224.  The signal cable does not unplug from the
rear.  The case top is solid and the entire case is light gray in
color.  There are three knobs all on the right side of the case.
These are On/Off/Volume, contrast, and brightness.

The last SC1224 was also 'Made in Korea' in 1987 by Samsung.  The FCC
ID is A3L9QNSC1225.  Perhaps they had intended to call this the SC1225
when it was registered.  Both the signal and the power cables are
fixed in the case and cannot be unplugged.  Like the JVC monitor, the
Samsung is back to the two-tone color scheme with a dark gray bezel
and light gray casing.  The push On/Off power switch is on the front
bottom next to volume, brightness, and contrast knobs.  This is the
least desirable and ugliest of the SC1224 monitors but it does work.

In 1990 the SC1435 was Made in Taiwan for Atari by Philips/Magnavox.
This is a 14 inch stereo monitor.  Both cables unplug in the rear.
The color is all light gray and a nice swivel stand is available.  The
push On/Off switch is on the rear.  This is the best color monitor
made by Atari for the ST  and also works quite well with the CatBox.


COMMUNICATIONS SECTION

Two new communications methods are available on CatBox along with a
DSP pass through.  These are called CatNet and RS232.  Communications
allow you to connect two or more Jaguars together for multi-player
games either directly or with modems.  Each method is exclusive
depending on the toggle switch position on the rear.  The three
position communications toggle switch next to the RJ11 jacks,  points
to the port which is enabled.

    UP = CatNet.  Center = DSP Pass though.  Down = RS232. 

The dual purpose power LEDs (lights) also show communications
activity.  The left LED blinks off when the Jaguar transmits data.
The right LED blinks off when the Jaguar receives data.  The activity
should be visible to the human eye up to about 57.6K baud.  You will
need bionic eyes to see the activity on higher baud rates.

Naturally since the Jaguar is a cartridge based system and not user
programmable, drivers, baud rates and protocols are set by game
developers.  Check your game manual for more information on
communications support.

//// RS232

Simple RS232 is provided on CatBox through a male DB9 on the I/O 
PCB.  This is connected as in the IBM AT standard as follows.

//// DB9P   

1  NC
2  RXD (receive data)
3  TXD (transmit data)
4  NC/DTR
5  Ground
6  NC (DSR)
7  NC (RTS)
8  NC
9  NC

Note that there is no hardware handshaking.  DTR is fixed on.  An IBM 
AT type null modem cable may be used to connect two Jaguars together 
by their RS232 ports.  An IBM AT type modem cable may be used to 
connect CatBox to a modem.  

//// CatNet

The communications toggle switch should be up for CatNet support
CatNet is a new dual-differential type of communications which is
based on RS485.  CatNet connects Jaguars together with standard 4 or 6
wire telephone cabling and RJ11 plugs.  Although common telephone
extension cables may be used, two conductor cables are not supported.
 
Because of the wiring scheme used, plug polarity is not important.
Cable runs of 1000 feet have been successfully tested but it is more
practical to keep cable runs under 100 feet between Jaguars.
Terminators should be left in the unused CatNet ports (ends) when
running a network.  Low cost 25 foot cables and replacement
terminators are available from Black Cat Design.

CatNet is a half duplex network which requires arbitration.  CatNet
uses 6P4C RJ11 phone type connectors and cabling and is reliable up to
120K baud per second with very long cable lengths.  Up to 32 devices
will work under CatNet although we expect to see it used more commonly
in small local networks with a maximum of 4 or 8 players.

//// DSP pass through port

A DSP pass through port has been provided for compatibility with
future devices that may require it.  A prototype of Atari's Jaguar
Voice Modem has been successfully tested while plugged into the DSP
port.  The communications switch should be in the center neutral
position when using devices plugged into the DSP port.


//// Options and miscellany.

The following parts and accessories are available from Black Cat
Design and better dealers:

CatBox                      $69.95
Atari13 adapter             $14.95
Amiga23 adapter             $14.95
HD15S adapter               $9.95
Custom adapter              $19.95  (please supply pinouts)
Headphone extension cable   $9.95
Null modem cable            $9.95
CatNet cable 25ft.          $4.95
CatNet terminator           $4.95   (standard equipment)


Every effort has been made to make this a cost effective, innovative,
indispensable peripheral for your Jaguar system.  We would like to
hear your comments and suggestions.  Please write.

CatBox is a product and trademark of Black Cat Design, Inc.
Copyright 1994 All rights reserved.

For more information contact Tom Harker at:

ICD, Inc.
1220 Rock Street
Rockford, IL  61101

815-968-2228 ext. 222
fax 968-6888

GEnie  ICDINC
CompuServe 76004,1600


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// AEO's Top Games
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I recently asked the editors and writers to submit a list of their
"Top 5" Jaguar games. While not all of the AEO staff has a Jaguar, and
not all of the Jaguar owners have five games, here's the lists of what
we like:

//// Albert Dayes

1. Tempest 2000 - Jeff Minter has revitalized Dave Theurer's 1981
   classic to make it a must have game. Maybe someday Jeff will have
   the time to code Missile Command 2000 (the 1980 classic also by
   Dave Theurer). It is a Jaguar game that will always be one of the
   very best.
2. AvP - No other game generates the true environment where your own
   scream is louder than the Aliens. <g> "HIGH STRESS Environment" is
   what my some of my co-workers call this game. Maybe there will be
   a multi-player version someday.
3. Cybermorph - Regardless what anyone says this game will always be
   an enjoyable game. It may not be a spectator's game like AvP or
   Tempest 2000 but always one of the best places to fly.

4. Doom - Where "fire blowers" (IMPS) and "chewers" (PINK DEMONS) are
   your friends, and cooporation usually means a rocket in your back
   from your partner. Deathmatch should be great once the CATBOX is
   available late this year.

//// Tim Wilson

1. Tempest 2000 - Lots of fast paced action & cool music. Great
   update to a great game.
2. Iron Soldier - (I've played it!) Very smooth and chock full of
   weapons.
3. Doom - It's Doom.
4. Alien Vs. Predator - Using the Cloaking device & cocooning Marines
   were both cool.
5. Kasumi Ninja - (I've played it!) ...the Scottish fireball.

//// Ron Robinson

I'm not a gamer - probably related to my eye hand coordination being
only slightly better than the average turtle on a cold Fall day. The
two Jag games I like enough to go back to after having my son show me
the final scene are:

1. Tempest is not only a game, but a work of art in both sight and
   sound.  Probably one of the more beautiful games ever developed
   IMHO. It also has some nostalogic value for me.

2. AVP because it can still make me jump 8 weeks after first playing
   the blasted thing. I also enjoy the virtual world where you can set
   your own goals and still enjoy the game with the only limitation
   being your imagination. (e.g. try to clear out level 1 with only
   the shot gun... or pretend the Aliens are really French businessmen
   :')

Just think what the second and third generation games will do to us.

//// Dimitri LaBarge

1. Alien vs. Predator. Spooky. Eerie. Amazing. Gorgeous. Add in Barney
   the Marine, too. Gaming heaven! (Now start on that sequel!)

2. Tempest 2000. I still haven't finished this wonder, but there's
   nothing about it that isn't strictly dazzling. For me though, the
   defining moment was the astonishing first warp, which looks as if
   it was dredged up straight from the end sequences of 2001. The next
   generation of gaming? After scientifically analyzing it, I have to
   say: yup!

3. Checkered Flag. Who needs Virtua? Rebellion threw in everything but
   the kitchen sink (well, maybe not a steering wheel, but why
   nitpick?), and it made for a wonderfully thumb-numbing racing
   experience, especially in the grueling tournament mode. Other
   racing games will surpass it, but as one of the first sports games
   for the Jag, it's a good 'un.

4. Dooooooom! (TM--Ask for it by name.)  I haven't had as much of a
   chance to play this beaut as I'd have liked, but a little while in
   Nightmare mode will convert the masses in no time. The crisp sound
   effects and vibrant colors put the Sega version's (allegedly)
   competing version to shame, and with a terrific frame rate as well.
   But maybe the most important thing is it cements the Jag as *the*
   premier FP perspective game machine out there...

5. Wolfenstein 3-D. Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the best, and
   this gut-churning throwback reinforced that. With its ultra-flat
   stylized Nazi goons and blazing graphics, it stands for me as one
   of the first true milestones on the Jag. Goofy slap-it-in-on-a-
   rainy-day fun!

The list in my stocking next year: look for Ultra Vortex, 'Dactyl Joust,
Rayman...  Stick around to find out!

//// Christian Svensson

1. AvP - one word: GodIt'sGotAtmosphere!
2. Doom - The speed is simply incredible, control is PERFECT!
3. Tempest 2000 - The techno is awesome (esp. from a subwoofer and
   five speaker surround), the speed and the number of enemies are
   simply incredible.
4. Cybermorph - The first game is definately one of the best. Great
   depth of play, many many worlds to explore and conquer. Puzzle
   solving in a shoot em' up is rarely seen.
5. Raiden - I'm just partial to shooters (esp. in 2 player mode).

//// Mark Santora

1. Alien vs. Predator - You are in the ultimate immersive simulation.
   While the graphics engine isn't Doom quality, it has a better
   gameplay value.
2. Tempest 2000 - The ultimate adrenaline rush. It doesn't get much
   better for this type of game.
3. Doom - Great graphics and locals. Best version available.
4. Cybermorph - 1st Person Defender! Lots of fun, and a great pack in.
5. Raiden - I love a good shoot'em up.

//// Eric Michard

1. DOOM - The fastest version I've played yet, with more colors,
   smarter AI.
2. AvP - Spent a lot of time immersed in this game. I love the
   adrenaline rush when you get startled by a stealthy Alien or
   Predator.
3. Tempest 2000 - forget the 3 other versions on the cart - Tempest
   2000 is the only game to play.
4. Club Drive - I love this game for every reason stated in my review,
   plus now there's been a whole new world found. (Planet Todd.) 2
   player Tag is the best 2 player racing game on any system.
5. Cybermorph - still one of my favorites. I love exploring 3D polygon
   worlds. Heck, I haven't been able to beat it yet.

//// Travis Guy

1. Alien Vs. Predator - Simply incredible immersive gameplay! I still
   swerve & duck when a previously unseen Alien jumps into view,
   screeching its attack cry.
2. Tempest 2000 - A game that I can play for hours, once I get into
   "the groove". Nintendo's entire "Play it LOUD" campaign pales next
   to this one game. I keep telling myself, "It's Jeff's -first-
   Jaguar game. What's Depender 2000 going to sound like wailing on
   Q-Sound???" Get the soundtrack CD.
3. Raiden - A great way to blow off steam for a few minutes. I love
   tearing through enemies with the maxxed-out laser.
4. Cybermorph - Fly THIS, babe.
5. Dino-Dudes - Yes, Travis likes nice and simple puzzle games too.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Offers from Atari Customer Service
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

//// New Dealer Demo Video

Atari has a brand new VHS preview tape and it's better than ever! Over
30 Jaguar titles have been captured on video tape and just in time for
the Holidays. This tape has been meticulously produced under the
direction of Mr. Greg LaBrec using state-of-the-art direct-to-tape
equipment and techniques. The action sequences selected were provided
by the game producers or the guidance of the third party developers.
Okay, okay... forget the hype... it's a darn cool tape and it has a
cool plastic box and label too.

This new edition updates the previously released software preview
videos with exciting captures to show off last minute changes to games
that are now in production. There are incredible sequences featuring
action games such as Iron Soldier and high-resolution fantasy games
such as Rayman by ubi Soft.

Although this tape has been developed primarily for the use of Jaguar
retailers, I have twisted marketings arm and they (actually he) has
finally allowed me to sell copies to our faithful online Jaguar fans.
I told him how everyone wants to see what has been taking so long. I
mentioned that gamers want a good preview of things they are being
asked to spend $50 to $70 on. I assured him people want an update of
what has been going on in the past few months since CES. Now he's
convinced and I have to sell more than three tapes fast or he'll never
believe me again. <g>

Want more info? Here's the video menu...

  Approx.
   Tape
   Pos.  SEGMENT                            AVAIL. IN STORES
 ===========================================================
    :20  TEACHER SPOT
    :49  Doom                                 EARLY DECEMBER
   2:34  Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story           LATE NOVEMBER
   4:00  Checkered Flag                       EARLY DECEMBER
   5:45  Iron Soldier                           MID DECEMBER
   7:42  Zool 2                                LATE DECEMBER
   8:57  Kasumi Ninja                          LATE DECEMBER
  10:25  Club Drive                            LATE NOVEMBER
  11:56  ALIEN VS. PREDATOR SPOT
  12:27  Alien Vs. Predator                    AVAILABLE NOW
  15:34  Ultra Vortex (Beyond Games)                DECEMBER
  17:06  Val D'Isere Skiing and Snowboarding  EARLY DECEMBER
  18:49  Bubsy                                 LATE DECEMBER
  20:05  Double Dragon V (Williams)                 DECEMBER
  21:30  Flashback (US Gold)                        DECEMBER
  22:49  Brutal Sports Football (Telegames)         DECEMBER
  23:50  Sensible Soccer (Telegames)
  25:03  TEMPEST 2000 SPOT
  25:34  Tempest 2000                          AVAILABLE NOW
  26:58  Wolfenstein 3d                        AVAILABLE NOW
  28:06  Cybermorph                            AVAILABLE NOW
  29:20  Raiden                                AVAILABLE NOW
  30:32  Evolution: Dino Dudes                 AVAILABLE NOW
  31:35  Trevor McFur in the Crescent Galaxy   AVAILABLE NOW
  32:50  Syndicate (Ocean)                          DECEMBER
  33:47  Theme Park (Ocean)                         DECEMBER
  34:35  Air Cars (Midnight)                        DECEMBER
  35:39  Troy Aikman NFL Football (Williams)        DECEMBER
  36:34  Cannon Fodder (Virgin)                     DECEMBER
  37:43  Dragon's Lair (Readysoft)
  38:31  Hover Strike
  39:20  Fight For Life
  40:00  Burn Out
  40:43  Rayman (ubi Soft)                          DECEMBER
  41:52  VLM (Virtual Light Machine)                DECEMBER

Okay, okay... here's the deal. The cost is $8.95 plus $4.95 shipping
and handling. That's a total of $13.90 ($14.64 in California) ($15.90
in Canada). Mastercard, Visa and money orders accepted (Checks and
money orders should be made payable to Atari Corporation. NOT IN MY
NAME! <g>. I can ship to any location in North America including U.S.
and Canada. To order, send your order to:

Atari Corporation
P.O. Box 61657
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1657

OR contact me via Internet or on GEnie:

                 jaguar$@genie.geis.com

OR contact me via Internet or on Compuserve:

                 75300.1267@compuserve.com

OR send me private E-Mail (to the SysOp) on:

                 CATscan BBS ........ 209-239-1552

or fax your request to:

                 Atari Customer Service Fax ..... 408-745-2088

Because Atari has a committment to fulfill dealer orders first, please
allow up to 14 business days after your order is received before we
ship. Shipping will be via UPS Ground to all North American addresses.

Personally, I'm going to have my tape signed by Greg LaBrec. If you
want him to sign your copy, let me know and I'll see if I can catch
him in a good mood for you! <g>

I also have Alien Vs. Predator posters remaining. There is one for
each shipping and handling fee of $4.95 ($6.95 in Canada). These are
cinema-size posters and I've already heard back from gamers who have
had theirs laminated, mounted and framed.

By the way, you can help a LOT even if you don't want to order the
tape or request a poster by passing this offer electronically to
another Forum, Roundtable or BBS or make a hard copy and give to
friends. Thanks!

 --Don Thomas
   Atari Corporation


//// Tempest 2000 Audio CD

The Tempest 2000 Audio CD is due in at Atari Corp. very soon! Sixty
minutes of pulse-pounding techno-rave music, this marks Atari's first
ever video game soundtrack. To help get everyone in the holiday mood,
Don Thomas at Atari Customer Service has another special online offer.
Send in your pre-order now, and Don will guarantee you'll get your
copy out of the first run. What the heck, you'll even save on
shipping.

[] Song List

           1.  Thermal Resolution       3:59
           2.  Mind's Eye               4:52
           3.  T2K                      5:23
           4.  Ease Yourself            7:52
           5.  Tracking Depth           5:04
           6.  Constructive Demolition  4:05
           7.  Future Tense             5:54
           8.  Digital Terror           5:07
           9.  Hyper Prism              4:26
          10.  Glide Control            5:12
          11.  Ultra Yak                4:00
          12.  2000 Dub                 7:31

[] How Much?

The Tempest 2000 Audio CD is priced at $12.99, and if you order now,
$3.50 for shipping and handling. (California residents, add the 8.25%
state sales tax.) That comes to a total of $16.49. ($17.56 in CA.)
Mastercard, Visa and money orders accepted. (Checks and money orders
should be made payable to Atari Corporation)

Note: This is a special pre-order! The CDs are not in, but are
      expected to arrive within two weeks. Please allow 14 days from
      the receipt of your order before shipping.

Note #2: If you don't mind waiting an extra day or so for your CD to
         go out the door, ask Don really nicely if he can get John
         Skrutch and/or James Grunke to personally autograph your CD.

[] Where To?

To order, US Mail your order to:

Thomas' Terrific Tempest Tunes Deal
Atari Corporation
P.O. Box 61657
Sunnyvale, CA 94089-1657

OR contact Don via the Internet on GEnie at:

           jaguar$@genie.geis.com

OR via the Internet on Compuserve at:

           75300.1267@compuserve.com

OR via private E-Mail (to the SysOp) on:

           CATscan BBS ........ 209-239-1552

OR fax your request to:

           Atari Customer Service Fax ..... 408-745-2088

The CD is produced by AtariMusic; a division of Atari Corporation. The
executive producer is Mr. John Skruch. The director of audio is Mr.
James Grunke.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// AvP "Cheat On" Elaboration
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

There's been a few posts recently wondering just -what- the OPTION + 5
Cheat in the Alien Vs. Predator "Banana" cheat mode does do, besides
toggling between "Cheat On" and "Cheat Off" on screen.

[] Do the "Banana" cheat. (Details in AEO_0313.)

[] Press OPTION and "5" together. ("Cheat On" will appear.)

   - When you take a hit, your energy bar will shrink, and it -will-
     eventually disappear =but=you=won't=die=! (Unless you press
     OPTION and "5" again without an energy bar present.)
   - When your energy is depleted, any hit you suffer will not flash
     the screen. (You can walk around quite freely while wearing a
     facehugger, but you can't operate anything or fire a weapon.)
   - (For Marine players) If you have -any- ammo, for -any- weapon,
     it will be replenished when you run out. (Press OPTION, "1",
     "2", "3" and "4" all together for full ammo on all weapons.)


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   DOOM
 |||   Review by: Mark "Stingray" Santora
/ | \  GEnie: AEO.4   Delphi: SANTORA
       ------------------------------------------------------------------

For those one or two people out there who don't know the plot of Doom
- Interdimensional Space Travel is the wave of the future. The test
site jumpgate near Mars, between the two moons of Phobos and Deimos,
has been becoming more and more unstable, until recently when anyone
entering the jumpgate, or surrounding area, has never been heard from
again.

Enter you and your team of intergalactic bad-asses. Your team is
ordered to the base on Phobos to secure it. While you secure the
perimeter, the rest of your squad heads into the base and are quickly
ripped apart and turned into mindless zombies to battle the last
intergalactic bad-ass - you.

Now you are on your way in the ultimate first person shootemup,
battling old friends and taking no prisoners. Along the way you are
going to meet some new "friends." But let's not get ahead of
ourselves....


=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Game
=-=-=-=-=-=-=

After the title screen you are introduced to the main screen. There
are three items to decide upon before your journey into hell. First is
the Game Mode. There are three options: Single, Co-Op, and Deathmatch.

In a single game, you're alone battling the heavies. In a Co-Op you
link 2 Jaguars together with a null modem cable (via the Catbox) and
both of you go after the baddies. In Deathmatch it is you against a
friend, no holds barred using the same set up as the Co-Op. There's no
baddies present, just two good friends enjoying an afternoon of
kicking the living daylights out of each other. Without a Catbox, this
review is unfortunately solely based on the Single mode.

Next you can choose which level to start at. The way this works (as
opposed to other home versions) is that you can start at any level you
have made it to. So, if you were playing yesterday and stopped on
level 12, when you come back to it today, you can start anywhere you
want, up to and including level 12. Unfortunately you start with the
basic handgun and fist again and all the baddies are back. But,
usually there is more than one advanced guns lying around in your
immediate vicinity when you start a level.

Finally there is the Skill Level. There are five levels of severity to
choose from here. They are: I'm a Wimp, Not too Rough, Hurt me Plenty,
Ultra-Violence, and Nightmare. The game suggests Hurt me Plenty to
start, as do I. Obviously, the guys at ID Software are trying to
intimidate you, and they should. This game isn't exactly easy.

Control is handled by full use of the control pad. Up walks you
forward, while pushing down backs you up. Left and right turn you
respectively in those directions. To "Slide" to the left or right, you
have to press the "C" button and press left or right on the control
pad. "C" is also used to open doors and use the elevators. Using the
"A" button while moving your character effectively conveys the sense
of "running." Trust me when I say you will use this option far more
than you think. "B" is your gun weapon. Of course, all these are
customizeable so, to each their own with the set up.

The Keypad overlay details which button to press of a specific weapon.
Buttons 1-7 follow this while button 8 and 0 are not used. Button 9 is
used to bring up the map.

The Map falls into what is known as "automapping." You will only see
on the map areas you have walked through. If you were to look across a
lake of acid and see a platform, portions of that will show up on the
map, but not all of it. Done against a black backdrop, the map is a
basic representation of the level. Yellow lines are for the walls
while brown indicates a door, and lifts can be found by a purple line
on the map. While looking at the map you can zoom in and out of it to
get a better indication of the area you are in by pressing "B" and up
on the joypad. Conversely, if you want to zoom out press "B" and down.
You can also scroll it sideways by simply pressing left or right on
the pad. By pressing "C" and moving the joypad your character will
move. He is represented on the map by the cutest little green arrow.

One thing to note however is that the game does not stop while you are
playing it. If you are getting hit by a zombieman and want to look at
the map, he will continue to attack you while you stop to ask for
directions. Find a safe place to stop and look at your map. There are
23 levels in Doom, and 1 "secret" level. Each level is massive and
takes quite some time to complete. They are not as large as the levels
in Alien vs. Predator, but there are 24 total here. I think it's more
than a fair trade off.

Throughout the levels there are doors, elevators, hidden doors, and
levers. Some doors require the correct color matching key (red,
yellow, or blue). You will have to find these keys. Hidden doors are
in the walls and there is a lot of trial and error to find them.
Although the map will sometimes give you a good idea of where to try
and look.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Basics
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

To battle in the world of Doom, at first you are armed with your fists
and a pistol. As you progress throughout the game you will find a
Shotgun, Chainsaw, Rocket Launcher, Plasma Rifle, and the BFG 9000
(Big YouKnowWhating Gun). Each of these weapons are unique as they
each have a pay-off. There isn't any way to completely point out how
much fun it is to take the chainsaw to a bunch of imps. But beware of
using the Rocket Launcher on enemies that are too close to you as you
will end up hurting yourself as well.

When the game starts you are presented with a full screen image of the
3D world you are battling in. Across the bottom of the screen is your
information bar. Listed in the bar, from left to right, are:

1. Your ammo count for the weapon you are currently using.
2. Your health (normally maxxes out at 100 but can be increased with
   soul spheres up to 200).
3. The key you have, or don't have. There are generally 3 keys per
   level.
4. A picture of you (kinda ugly,too!)
5. Your armor rating. Like the health, it normally maxxes out at 100
   but can be raised to 200 with special armour.
6. The weapon indictors, which tell you which weapons you have.
7. The Level Indicator.

Whichever weapon you are holding is displayed on the environment
screen. The better to blast you with....


=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Bad Guys
=-=-=-=-=-=-=

[] Former Humans (Zombiemen): these are your old friends, they're not
   anymore.
[] Former Human Sergeants (Zombies with shotguns): Big guys with Bad
   Attitudes.
[] Imps: Tough, brown monsters who spit out fireballs.
[] Demons: Pink, but not nice.  Will open wide and swallow you whole.
[] Lost Souls: Flying around fireheads, but not the brightest enemy.
[] Cacodemons: Huge floating heads that spit out lightning.
[] Barons of Hell: Huge monster that make you wish for a T-Rex.

One of the nice things to note is that each weapon acts differently
with each bad guy. And on top of that, the power of the weapon seems
to decrease with added distance between you and your intended dead
meat.

Also make note that these demons are full 3-D creatures, they turn.
You can see their sides and backs. They just don't slide left and
right as they do in inferior versions of Doom.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// More Basics
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Scattered throughout the levels are various items to pick up. To grab
them all you have to do is walk over them.

//// Healing

1. Stimpacks help you out by raising your health a bit.
2. Medkits are much better at healing you and are a step above
   Stimpacks.
3. Berserk Packs take you to 100% health and turn your fists into
   something that imps and the like should avoid. This power up will
   generally allow you to take out baddies with one or two punches.
   It lasts the rest of the level.
4. Health potions are in little blue bottles and raise your health by
   2%.
5. Soul Spheres take you to 200% health. They are rare.
6. Invulnerability Artifacts make you invulnerable for a brief time.


//// Things to Wear

1. Security armour (green) will bring your health up to 100%.
2. Combat armour (blue) will bring you up to 200%.
3. Spiritual armour will slightly raise your armour level.

Radiation Suits help you as you trot your way through the green ooze
that flows like rivers throughout the complex. Be sure to check these
river or canals out for extra stuff.

Backpacks allow you to carry extra ammo. They also have additional
ammo in them when you find them.

Computer Maps update your automap so you have a better idea where you
are going.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Graphics
=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The textures used throughout the game are nothing short of awe
inspiring. Sometimes beautiful and sometimes so discrete that you
don't notice, those are the ones that are the most impressive. These
textures are a combination of ones found in Doom and Doom ][ as stated
by the programmers at ID Software.

The levels are claustrophobic and hauntingly real. They look as if
someone took a castle off the shores off the highlands of Scotland and
moved it to Phobos. Excellent.

The Characters are a well defined and move convincingly. They do get
pixelated when you get really close to them, as do some of the walls,
but it is not bad. In this game if you are close enough to a baddie to
examine the pixilation, you're in a lot of trouble....


=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Sound
=-=-=-=-=-=

Ok, I have a minor gripe here. After playing Alien vs Predator (and
finishing all three scenarios, thank you), I was a little disappointed
with Doom's sound. In AvP there is always a little background hum
going on, something to give a little ambiance. I like ambiance. But in
Doom the effects, while well placed. are a little scarce. It is
important to note however, that there is music between the levels
which is quite good. But lack of music during the actual gameplay did
not deter from the overall experience. Though I feel that music during
the gameplay would have distracted me from the game, I think there
should have been at least a little ambient noise to keep the gamer
going. Aside from that, great sound.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// vs. Doom PC
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I had never played Doom on the PC but I had seen it. So, after getting
Doom I made it a point to go over to a friend's and play it on his
486DX/33. I brought my Jag and A/V cable and we went over it, bit by
bit...

Speed is roughly equivalent to the 486. (Don't forget that the Jag is
doing it in 16 bit color.) My friend was very impressed with the
shading of the hallways. The Jaguar shines here as the lighting
effects are far superior to the PC version. There was some slowdown on
the Jag with a lot of enemies on the screen, but it doesn't detract
too much from the game. My friend was actually so impressed, he plans
to pick a Jag up after Xmas when he gets his bonus.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// vs. doom 32x [Ed: lower case used to denote inferiority]
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

There isn't really much to compare. The 32x version has forward facing
bad guys, a smaller screen window to play the game through (so the
game will run faster), maybe 256 colors, no level save feature (start
anywhere), only 15 levels (2 secret if you play from the beginning),
and is slower than the Jag version.

Oh, please let me invest $100 in a Genesis, $160 in a 32x adapter, and
another $70 to get a pseudo-Doom. Not.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Conclusion
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Jag Doom is as close to perfect as it is going to get. Even John
Carmack considers it to be the best version of Doom that ID has ever
done. One thing to note is that the Doom engine was not fully
optimized for the Jaguar; if it had been, it could be running faster
than we could play it at! I assume that when Quake is released for the
Jag, it will be fully optimized so we can see a major speed increase.

This is the type of game you are not going to finish in one sitting,
or two, or three. You are going to play this for a long time. Then,
when you get higher up in the levels, you will wonder where all these
guys are coming from. You will wish you were playing an earlier level
only because it is easier.

It is very difficult to find everything scattered throughout the
levels. Secret rooms, objects that are placed at the exact point that
if you don't walk over into a corner, you would never notice that
something in the shadows; these are what will keep you coming back to
Doom. Not to mention that this is the best way to take out aggressions
on a video game since Tempest 2000!

So go out, grab Doom, and go kick some interstellar butt!


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Final Ratings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

         Title: Doom                 JagNet: No
        Design: Id Software         Players: One or Two (via null
  Published by: Atari Corp.                              modem cable)
         Price: $69.95(US)        Available: Now (US, UK)

    Here's the summary ratings:
                 "*" is a whole
                  "+" is a half
                5 stars maximum

 Graphics - ****+    The graphics are top notch. If they had been at a
                     little higher resolution they have been better.
    Audio - ***      Nice sound f/x but a little more was needed to
                     totally immerse the gamer.
  Control - ****     Smooth and easy to pick up. Surprisingly good
                     with the joypad.
 Gameplay - *****    Highly addictive. Don't forget to put the
                     controller down and eat on occasion.
  Overall - ****+    Worth every penny.

Mark's Keys to Ratings
       (sort of a state of mind)

***** - "There can only be one." Highlander.
 **** - "Excellent!" Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
  *** - "That was just called Pillow Talk, Baby." Army of Darkness.
   ** - "I've got a very bad feeling about this." Star Wars.
    * - "Not if you tied my tongue to the tailpipe of your car and
         dragged me naked through a field of glass!" The Hard Way.

About your reviewer:

Mark "Stingray" Santora has always been known as the "technical" one
in his family. He is the most computer literate of his two other
brothers and his parents still have trouble with the VCR. He is 23,
and a May 94 graduate from the University of Miami with a dual major
in Film Production and English Creative Writing.

Mark has been using Atari products as far back as he can remember.
The original style 2600 followed in 1980 by the big one - an Atari 800
with a whopping 48K. He moved on to a Mega ST2 (now a 4) in 1987 and
it has been his proud computer since. Over the years he owned a 7800,
which is still in his basement, one of the first Lynx game machines as
well as one of the first Jaguars. (Serial number K13B002383 for those
involved in the GEnie discussion.)

The "Stingray" comes from two different backgrounds: 1. the very cool
fish he's swam next to while diving, and 2. the extremely cool car.
When he's not writing reviews, playing video games, or diving, he
writes screenplays (two with the WGA so far) and works on film sets as
well as rock concerts. Mark tries to stay diversified.


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Val D'Isere Skiing and Snowboarding
 |||   Review By: Timothy Wilson
/ | \  GEnie: AEO.8   Internet: wilsont@rahul.net
       ------------------------------------------------------------------

You've seen 'em on the slopes and in the Olympics, those amazing
skiers that can weave between those flags or jump amazing distances
and land perfectly, In VSS you get your chance to step into the ski
boots of one of these super shredders.

When starting the game, you can choose to play one of three modes:
Free-Ride, Training or Competition. In Free-Ride, you must beat times
and ski through checkpoints, sometimes making decisions on which trail
to take. In training or competion, you can also choose from Slalom or
Downhill. Both require you to ski between flags, but the flags in
slalom are closer together (less space to ski through) and are always
set on the opposite side of the trail from the last. Downhill flags
are spaced far apart left-right, and set up so radical moves aren't
required to reach the next set.

Of course, you can choose either skis or snow board, and pressing
Option lets you configure buttons and joypad controls (yea!).

Tim: Gee, maybe I should explain it a bit more huh?
Reader: Yes, that would be nice, Tim. What does it look like?

Ok, Your view is from behind and slightly above your skier, the camera
pretty much retains its position from behind, so if a big hill comes
up, you sometimes can't see what's on top. The course also wanders
from side to side, and there are usually trees, rocks, poles, or signs
framing the trail. The main trail has a "used" look to it with criss
cross patterns of previous skiers. A nice touch is that your character
also leaves a mark in the snow. Your character can jump, turn, or
"power turn" at will. Although when jumping you cannot move left or
right (nothing touches the ground of course!), and power turns tend to
slow you down drasticly. If the charater happens to slam headlong into
a tree, rock or snowplow, you'll be treated to a nice show of the
skier bite the white, tumbling forward for a good 50-100 feet.

I think the skier is really a Toon though, as he never gets hurt, only
loses time in these collisions. So, no worrying about fatigue or life
bars. Strangely, hitting other skiers only slows the player down a
little bit. I was hoping for a tangled mass to slide down the hill and
prehaps a reprimand by Val D'Isere Personel, but I didn't even get a
"oof!" or "Ouch!".

Everything in the game is a beautifuly scaled colorful sprite. No big
chunky pixels as sprites get closer. The backdrops for the game and
menus are nicely done, some look digitized, and some look drawn (but
drawn very well). Val D'Isere logos, Atari Fujis, and Virtual Studio
banners are all over, along with a dash of popular ski-sub-culture
icons and motifs.

The sound and music were pretty good. Title music, option screen
music, and I think there was a few skiiing tunes as well, so there was
always music playing, it didn't really grate on my nerves or anything,
but eventually it would get old. The sound FX were adequate, with a
good sampling of swoosh, hiss, and swish noises, and a few other
sounds like bodies tumbling and slalom flags being hit, and the
victory yell (YEEAH!) as you jump off a big hill.

Control was fine, there were plenty of configurations to choose from,
many of the controls can float between the buttons and the d-pad. A
realistic setting is #9, you always accelerate, and you can only steer
on the d-pad. I prefered having "up" being speed, down brake, while
the buttons did jump and power turn. I got "Jaguar thumb" after a
while, since a lot of jockeying is needed, and in that setting I
needed lots of diagnals. If playing two player, you must hand
controller 1 back and forth, which was slightly annoying.

As for game play, hmmm, well, pretty much run-of-the-mill racer.
There wasn't any difference between the skis or the board, only a
change of graphics. The terrain in the game is what you could predict:
Some places have ice, so you can go fast, but it's hard to steer, or
sometimes it's a creek bed or bare dirt which -really- slows you down.
My friend and I had the most fun in Free-ride, since we didn't have to
beat other times, just make it through the checkpoint, and we could
pick different routes. In competition, you have to get a better time
than the person above you on the competition ladder. If you don't make
it, you lose one of your chances, of which you only have three.
Personally, I had played it out in a night, I had fun, but not enough.

Admittedly, I only got to level 2 in the Free-ride, but it got
exponentially harder from level 1, and you have no choice but to
complete the current run, which you have to keep playing over and over
until you basically memorize the tough parts. It does have a slightly
addictive quality to it, in that I wanted to see the new scenery or
just get the next checkpoint in sight.

In the end, I have to give this a "try before you buy" stamp.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Final Ratings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

        Title: Val D'Isere Skiing       Price: $59.95(US) 
               and Snowboarding        JagNet: No
       Design: Virtual Studio         Players: 1 or 2 (one controller)
 Published by: Atari Corp.          Available: Late December

 Here's the summary ratings:
             "*" is a whole
              "+" is a half
            5 stars maximum

 Gameplay - **    Drop in cars and you'd have a so-so race game.
 Graphics - **+   Excellent use of colors and very fast.
    Sound - ***   Music is just under T2K's. FX are sparse.
  Control - ***   Lots of configurable buttons.
  Overall - **+   I'd rent it once, and then buy a lift ticket.
(Overall is not an average!)

My standard five star rating scores:

*****  Whoa! this is some major powder!
****   I can't wait to shred!
***    These lines are kinda long, but at least it's a good run.
**     Hey! Quit scratching my skis, dude!
*      MY LEG!!! OW! MY LEG!


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Checkered Flag
 |||   By: Mark "Stingray" Santora
/ | \  GEnie: AEO.4  Delphi: SANTORA
       -------------------------------------------------------------------

It begins with a sound. The purr comes to life and surrounds you,
echoing through your head. It is almost deafening. Your heart starts
to pound harder. It gets louder, almost blocking out the revving
engine noise. Then it happens, in a flash of light the green comes;
and the race begins.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Overview
=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Taking a break from blasting imps, aliens, and predators, you strap
yourself into the first full fledged racing game for the Jaguar,
Checkered Flag.

In this tribute to Virtua Racing you control your racer as you speed
around 10 different tracks with 6 different views, in four different
weather conditions, with up to 5 drones that compete with you for the
title. As you can see, there are quite a number of different options
in this game.

A quick note: This review is based on having played Checkered Flag for
over a week. So, none of those, "he only played it for five minutes
comments," please.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// The Game
=-=-=-=-=-=-=

After the title screen comes the set up screen. Here is where the best
part of Checkered Flag lies. You can control just about everything in
the game. First you start with your car. What Color, sir? Choose
between 6 color combinations. Next, what's it like outside? The
weather is either Sun, Rain, Fog, or Dark (available with joypad code
8,4,7,3 when "weather" is highlighted). Next your airfoil, sir, would
you like that high or low? Tires, dry or wet? Now, would you like to
control the 6 speed transmission yourself or would you prefer the 5
speed automatic? And how many of the 5 drones would you care to race
against? Fine. thank you. Is this a tournament, single race, or free
practice? Good. How many laps would you like to go sir? Up to 99, we
do have to sleep, you know. Splendid. And finally, which of our 10
tracks would you like to drive? If there were any more questions I
would be certain a butler was hovering about. After selecting from
your plethora of options, hit A, B, or C and let's go!

You are on the starting line with the Announcer, very crisply saying,
"Gentlemen, start your engines!" You drop your car into gear and your
engine screams into action, redlining. When the starting light turns
green, you speed off into the horizon. As previously stated, Checkered
Flag is a tribute to Virtua Racing. Your car, the opponents, and the
landscape are all comprise of polygons. The only bitmaps are the
excellent skies that are the horizon.

There are six different views in the game for you to choose from.
View one is in the car looking out from the drivers position. View two
has you just outside the car just above your airfoil. View three
places you about 5 feet above and behind your airfoil. View four is
like a helicopter chase view of the race. View five is a little lower
than the helicopter chase, but much closer to the car. View six best
represents another helicopter chase, but from quite a bit higher up.
The exterior views smoothly flow from one to the other. They are
changed by pressing buttons one through six on your numeric pad. I
find that views three and four are the best for the game.

Your joypad controls the movement of the car, left turns you left and
right turns you right. When using a manual transmission, pressing up
shifts you into the next higher gear. Pressing down, shifts you into a
lower gear. There are six gears in the manual transmission.

Control is one of the main factors that seems to have everyone
talking. Of course, I picked up Checkered Flag on the day of release
and my initial comments were not very good. The control is
exceptionally touchy. The manual refers to steering as, "While holding
the joypad down, the car will turn a small amount at first, then will
turn more sharply before lessening again." What does this mean? It
means that you can not hold the pad down while you turn. If you do,
you will end up turning ninety degrees and crash into whatever polygon
is there. Trust me, you do a lot of crashing in this game.

Thank god your car is invulnerable. It does not get damaged, it does
not blow up. It either stops completely, slows down, or flips - a lot.
And it always ends up on its wheels. (I think they are taking this
cat/jaguar thing a little far.)

Another thing to note about the flipping is that while you are
flipping you still have control of your car! If you keep your
accelerator depressed, you will keep moving once you land. You can
also steer your car somewhat, while you are flipping to help you
correct your course once you land. The problem with the steering in
this game is what will keep it from becoming a full blown hit like
AvP.

On the other hand, and if I didn't mention this there would be plenty
of angry CF players out there, you can turn around. In other words,
this game is not on rails. You can drive anywhere on the track you
want. Sure, you can't drive over the water, but who can? So in essence
you get 20 tracks, 10 in one direction and 10 in the other.

There is also a pit right next to the starting line. You can pull in,
and pull out. As far as I can tell there is no practical purpose for
the pit. I wish there had been. Perhaps if you damaged you car, or in
long races if your tires wore down. Maybe someone in your pit crew
telling you how many laps you've done.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Graphics
=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The graphics are quite colorful. Your car is sharply animated and the
horizon smoothly comes into view from the lower camera angles. As you
move up, though, the horizon jumps into the frame much like
Cybermorph.  However, the distances to the horizon are accurately
portrayed here by the use of color. The colors are faded and less
vibrant in the distance than they are in the immediate vicinity of
your car.

Speaking of distance, there are several things that can hinder your
driving ability (besides the control). There is Fog, which is very
nicely implemented. In fact, you must specifically change your tires
for it. The distance is covered in a wet looking blanket, and so is
the road. Without the Wet tires, you're all over the place more than
usual. The Rain isn't that impressive an effect. The rain is flat and
boring looking and appears to be placed on as a sort of transparency
behind your car. Ok, imagine the HUD on AvP. That's where the rain is.
It isn't half a mile down the road. And the road doesn't "look" wet.
You know little puddles and such. The best of the weather conditions
is night. The darkness is great and I find it to be the most
impressive of all the backgrounds and driving simulations. It kinda
reminds me of the classic, Night Driver.

On the screen you have the race course in front of you laid out and
your speed indicator, gear, position, lap time and best lap time,
tachometer, and your track map. All of these remain on screen
throughout your race. You can, by pressing the option button on the
set up screen, turn off the tachometer, and stop the race map from
spinning - or turn it off as well. From the option screen you can also
customize the controls of your pad. Default settings are "A" for
accelerate, "B" for brake, and "C" for cruise. From within the game
the Option Button gives you access to the sound f/x and music volume,
which you can alter. These alterations, along with the pad controls
and the screen display will be saved to the cartridge's flash memory.
Like all the other Jaguar cartridges to date, up to 100,000 changes
can be made before the memory is no longer usable.

The five drones (maximum) that you race against are just as well drawn
as you. Unfortunately, they are difficult to see at times until you
are almost on top of them. All of the sudden you seem to be on top of
them, and then you are, literally. You crash and go flipping through
the air, and then you're on the road again. The sound of the other
cars are not very well used, as it is difficult to tell sometimes if
they have passed you because you can't hear them!


=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Sound
=-=-=-=-=-=

The music in the game is one of the best parts. For each of the ten
tracks there is a specific tune. There is also a specific tune for the
opening screen and option screen as well as the "Race Winner" screen.
The music is top class, different than Tempest 2000, but then that
type of music wouldn't work here. The sound effects are limited to
that between your car engine and the other cars whizzing past you.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// vs. Lynx
=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I know, I know, it isn't really fair to compare a 64 bit console to a
8/16-bit handheld. But I felt that this review would be strangely
incomplete without it. Some say that the handling is identical between
the two versions of the game, so I dusted off my Lynx case, dropped in
my Checkered Flag card and played again. Like the Jag version, your
car is invulnerable. It will come to a complete stop or spin 360
degrees before allowing you to take control of it. But unlike the Lynx
version, the Jaguar version has multiple views. As for the control,
the Lynx version handles much better. It handles exactly how you think
it would handle for a video game. It doesn't overturn you for holding
the pad.

Also where the Lynx version shines over its younger brother is in the
Lynxability of it. This is my biggest gripe with the Jaguar version,
a one player game. If a split screen wasn't possible (I don't see why
not) than you should at least be able to link the systems together
like Doom. This would severely helped the gameplay of the Jaguar
version. We all know there is nothing more fun than beating your
friend at a video game. Don't believe me? How many times do you see
people lining up to play Mortal Kombat 2 against a friend. It's one
thing to beat up a computer, but beating your friend is another story.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Conclusion
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

I was disappointed in the end product of Checkered Flag for the Jaguar.
I was expecting more, at least a two player option. I could at least
forgive the harshness of the controls but without it, is just becomes
a VR knock-off that can be fun, but requires patience to learn to
drive. And then after a while, you end up wondering what else is there
to do in the game besides drive in circles. We can only hope the
Checkered Flag 2 will be what we hoped Checkered Flag would be.

If you are in desperate need for a driving game, I'm not telling you
to buy it, but you could do worse. With some other racing games in the
pipeline, perhaps you should save your money and pick up other stuff
until then.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Final Ratings
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

       Title: Checkered Flag             JagNet: No
      Design: Rebellion                 Players: One
Published by: Atari Corp.             Available: Now (US, UK)
       Price: $59.95

Here's the Summary ratings:
    "*" is a whole
     "+" is a half
   5 stars maximum

Graphics - **+   They are good, but not great.  After 6 months delay,
                 you wonder if this was the best they could do.
Audio    - ***   Sound f/x are only adequate, but the music helps out.
Control  - *+    It just doesn't work all that well.
Gameplay - **    Just below average. If it was average, you could
                 control it better.
Overall  - **+   There are other racers in the pipeline. Wait for them
                 unless you need to buy it.

Mark's Keys to Ratings
    (Sort of a State of Mind)

***** - "Oh, you want some of this, too?" - Aliens.
 **** - "Yippie Ki Yea!" - Die Hard.
  *** - "Full Impulse Power, Mr. Scott." - Any Star Trek Film.
   ** - "Bogus!" - Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
    * - "There anything else that'll keep it from falling?"
          "Yeah, the basement." - Speed.


                            --==--==--==--==--


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                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   The Unabashed Atariophile
 |||   By: Michael R. Burkley
/ | \  Delphi: MRBURKLEY  GEnie: M.BURKLEY1
       -----------------------------------------------------------------

The year is coming to an end... so soon! But at least it ends with
Christmas, which is always a wonderful beginning for me. Christmas has
many important meanings for a wide variety of people. For some, while
it's a relic of a religious past, today it's just a community
celebration: a time of good cheer and perhaps a bit more tolerance and
acceptance than normal. For others it is a very lonely time because of
changing family circumstances, relationships lost, or for many other
reasons. For others it is a religious celebration, but one which goes
on outside of their own community and doesn't touch the core of their
celebrations. Finally (though not fully) some see it as a birthday
party through which God extends an invitation to new life to the
entire world.

I think it's exciting to be a part of a celebration that touches so
many lives, at least in some way or another. I suspect that you know
on where my focus of Christmas falls. Birthday parties are a time of
giving gifts, and like Tolkien's Hobbits who gave the best gifts on
their own birthdays, I believe that Jesus gave the world the best gift
when he gave himself to us, beginning at his birth.

Now you and I can't match that kind of gift, but we can learn from it
and give in turn. The Atari community, and I think it is a community,
has always been long on giving. I have seen a phenomenal amount of
support online and through user groups to users both old and new (and
a _bit_ of trashing here and there <sigh>). PD/Shareware software
keeps on being produced at a rate which causes me to fall ever further
behind in my reviews. Jesus said, "To whom much has been given much
shall be required."  We've all been given a lot. The question is,
"what are we going to do, now?"

I'd like to just say a thank you to those authors who have developed
and distributed some of my favorite software. I'll do that by listing
some of their programs (though I don't use many of them...I don't have
TIME!). But first I want to thank all of the commercial developers
whose products I use... Gribnif, CodeHead, DMC, A & D, ICD, MyGraph,
NewSTar, WinterTree, Oregon Research, Anodyne, Fast Tech, and more.
Where would I and my STE be without you people? Thanks!

Here are some files I have recently downloaded. Your gifts to us.
Thanks! Following them are some of my favorite files. Some of them
(the shareware programs which I haven't registered) I've just
described not had much of a chance to use. I don't have the time! But
if you like them and find the time to use them, register them! Give a
shareware programmer a nice Christmas present this year! Enjoy... and
Merry Christmas. Remember whose Birthday Christmas is!

[] BACKWD28 is Backward II v.2.80, "the" ST emulator for FALCON O3O by
Cyrille Dupuydauby (dated Nov. 1, 1994). This version is a major
upgrade over the previous version I've seen (v.2.52). While the Falcon
TOS is compatible enough with older versions of TOS so that about 90%
of GEM programs will run fine, the game compatibility is something
else.  About 75% of games won't work because of Hardware changes in
the Falcon.  Here's where Backward can come to your rescue! It is
designed to handle those hardware differences so that instead of 75%
of games not running you will find that about 70% (or more!) of your
games DO run. Now that's an improvement! It makes many more ST/STE
programs compatible with the Falcon, brings some bug fixes online, and
provides you with a library of configurations for many popular games.
He even includes a new patch program to permanently patch your
programs to make Backward II unnecessary! Requires a Falcon with at
least 4 Meg of RAM and any video mode (set up requires a non-40 column
mode). Shareware (limited in only allowing twenty configurations saved
while the registered version allows 2,000!). As the older versions
(v.1.44 and below) of Backward are freeware the author says that if
you don't want to register please use one of them and not this
upgraded version (support shareware authors!). This shareware author
keeps on supporting his product that's for sure! Support him in turn!!
Backward III is coming! Toad Hall BBS.

[] BAT17 is an Arcade style bombing game. Your object is to bomb
selected targets while avoiding the anti-aircraft file and enemy
fighter planes. Online instructions. ST--TT compatible (at least). ST
Low res only. Toad Hall.

[] BMAPFIX2 is BMAPFIX v.2.0 by Don Maple. This is a fix for a bug in
the Falcon TOS serial port routines. Without this sometimes you will
not be able to access your serial port on your Falcon. Now
automatically redirects calls to Bconmap 6 to Bconmap 7 for even
greater compatibility. Just run this from the desktop or from the AUTO
folder and your problem will be solved. Docs on the program and
explaining the problem are included. Delphi.

[] C64 is a Commodore 64 emulator v.3.0 by Uwe Seimet (dated 1987). I
can get this up and running on my Color TOS 1.62 STE, but since I
don't know how to run a C-64, and a screen saying Commodore Basic
appears (from which you can type different commands), but I can't
really tell you much more than that. There is an online help menu in
English (but nothing more than several lines telling of key
equivalents) and some docs, but they are in German and seem to be more
talking about the theory behind the emulator rather than how to run
it. Some sample programs and source code included. Register with the
author for the newest version. Requires at least one meg of RAM.
Delphi.

[] CARRELEC is a PageStream (v.2.1 or 2.2, and now since we've found
out that Soft Logik has made the marketing decision to abandon the
Atari market I guess we won't see any higher versions <sigh>) Type 1
font file of a group of dingbat fonts that  Alan Carr converted from
TrueType for use with PageStream. ASCII characters 33-126 contain
different electronic schematic symbols. Freeware. A PageStream .DOC
file is included for you to use in viewing these symbols. Toad Hall.

[] DM2WORKS by Randy Hoekstra (the author of Grocery Lister and File
Cat) is a simple utility to help convert Datamanger files to the new
Atari Works database program (dated Sept, 1993). Detailed docs on how
to do this are included. You do not need AtariWorks to use this
program (but why bother otherwise!). Delphi.

[] DOLLYDGR is a Copyist DTP (a music scoring program by Doctor T's)
arrangement by Binney Stone of three horns and a rhythm section for
the Jimi Hendrix song, "Dolly Dagger." The three horns are tenor,
trumpet and trombone, and this arrangement was done for a female. Toad
Hall.

[] DR_NECRO is Dr. Necro, C v. 0.40 by Ken Schafer of NecroWare
Development (dated Nov. 11, 1994). Dr. Necro is an Atari ST game,
similiar to Dr.  Mario(tm) on the Nintendo(tm) game system. The
concept is simple,  The main screen has a 'bottle' containing some
viruses. Your job is to kill off all the viruses, using colored
'pills' that appear at the top of the bottle. A virus is destroyed
when a line of 4 or more 'pill-parts' of the same color as the virus
is made. When all of the viruses are killed, you move onto a new, more
difficult level. Keyboard controlled.  Docs included. Low res. color
only. Ken says that this isn't a finished game (though much improved
over previous versions), but it's pretty good! I know that it's the
kind that ends up making my eyes water and my attention to be tuned
out of everything else going on around me. It's definitely an "I can
do better next time, so I'll try it again" type game. Shareware, and
if you register you get $5 in coupons towards software from Suzy B's
Software (I liked it that much!). There's also a nice surprise in this
archive, especially for you 8-bit familiar types! Delphi.

[] FILMTERM is a utility which will let you identify the film setting
used for your Kodak Photo CD scans, the scanner version used, and the
organization that made the PCD file on your CD. Find out who really
made the Photo CD for you! Docs and Kodak Photo CD bulletins included.
From the "It's All Relative and Photo Show Pro people. STE--Falcon (at
least). Delphi.

[] FPATCH2 is an official patch from Atari that fixes two problems in
the Falcon BIOS (TOS 4.00-4.04). The first is the problem that causes
the Sound to not initialize properly and the second is the fix for the
Bconmap() which doesn't work. Run this from your AUTO folder. If you
have FPATCH1 use this instead. It fixes the problems much more
usefully (see the docs). One (possible) bug in this has been told me
by a friend who owns a Falcon and a FAX modem. When used, this patch
prevents the FAX modem from being recognized by the Falcon when using
STRaight FAX. Delphi.

[] FTP_SITE is an ASCII file by Hallvard Tangeres and Mark Smith
(dated Nov. 20, 1994) which lists world-wide FTP sites (six sites in
the United States and Canada, 23 in Germany, 3 in the United Kingdom,
and 9 from other countries). Using this information and your internet
connection you can gather files from around the world quickly and
easily. At the end of this list is a set of directions for downloading
files from any listed site. I really have to get on the ball and learn
my way around the InterNet. There is so much material available!
Delphi.

[] HD_PATCH is a patch program originating from Wilfred Kilwinger, the
Support Manager at Atari Benelux (in the Netherlands) which allows you
to easily configure the patchable functions in the Atari AHDI hard
drive software v.3.00 and above. This software will only allow you to
change the things you are supposed to change (nice!). Some of the
things you will be able to do (based on your system) is to configure
your buffers, SCSI ID #'s to skip at boot, the internal HD spindown
timer in your STacy or ST Book computers (I'd like an ST Book!), the
ability to set aside a fixed number of drive letters for removable
drive cartridges, and more. With this patch program AHDI users can get
many of the functions of ICDBOOT. Docs included. Delphi.

[] HOLD_ON is a three horn arrangement/transcription of Sam & Dave's
"Hold On I'm Comin'". This file contains all parts (transposed and
edited) and score for use with Copyist DTP (a music scoring program by
Doctor T's). Arranged by Binney Stone and used in his band,
"*batteries not included." Toad Hall.

[] MDRUMS is the Midi Master Drummer v.2.1 demo by David Snow (dated
1992).  This program is a MIDI drum editor for the ST-Falcon. Master
Drummer 2.1 lets you create tracks for MIDI drum machines, samplers,
and synthesizers using a versatile and intuitive graphic interface.
Drum patterns can be edited as they play, and you can even generate
drum tracks automatically. Patterns can be chained into phrases, and
phrases linked into songs. You can save patterns, phrases, and songs
as Standard MIDI Files and export them to your favorite MIDI
sequencer.  The docs say that it runs under TOS 1.0-2.06, but the
uploader says it is Falcon compatible (and I know it runs under
Geneva). Color or mono, and at least one meg of RAM recommended. This
demo is fully functional except for file saving and loading, and its
MIDI clock sync option has also been disabled. Docs included. Toad
Hall.

[] MPEGDSP is the Falcon full motion color MPEG-1 animation player by
Guido Vollbeding (dated Oct. 14, 1994. This player uses the Falcon's
DSP chip to play and MPEG-1 video stream, but P and B frames, if any,
are skipped ("pling"). A full version of this program is available
until the end of 1994 for only 50DM, according to the author (why
limited to that time frame he doesn't say). Falcon only (though the
information above appears when I try to run the program on my STE. The
screen says, "no DSP available" and exits cleanly with a keypress. No
docs. Delphi.

[] 2JETS is a color MPEG animation for use with the MPEGDSP Falcon
only MPEG player. I assume it has two jets in it, but I don't know
since I can't play it on my STE! Delphi.

[] ALIEN is a color MPEG animation entitled Alien Landscape. You can
play this using the MPEGDSP Falcon only MPEG player. Delphi.

[] MJ is a color MPEG animation entitled "Dancin' Man." You can play
this using the MPEGDSP Falcon only MPEG player. Delphi.

[] OUTSIDE3 is the Outside v.3.3 Demo distributed by Lexicor Software
(uploaded Nov. 20, 1994). This is a virtual memory manager which, in
this demo, will add an extra two Megabytes of "RAM" for your TT,
Falcon, and PAK/3 equipped STs (the PAK/3 is a 68030 board, so perhaps
this will work with other 68030 boards as well). It will add two
megabytes of virtual memory to those machines (the full program can
add 512 megabytes!). Previous versions were MultiTOS and Mag!X
compatible and so I assume this version is as well. This program will
help the TT (and Falcon) to be more compatible with some programs that
presently crash on them, will speed up your TT's ROM access by 30% (by
copying it into RAM, but only a 7% speedup on the Falcon), and much
more. The full version will allow you to add up to 512 meg of Virtual
RAM (and many utilities). Docs included. Delphi.

[] PHOTO_CD is Color Disk PCD v.0.99D by Michael Bernards (dated Feb.
5, 1993). This is a MiNT v.0.96 or above (MultiTOS) based Photo-CD
driver which will allow you to access, display, manipulate (color,
tone, and more), and save pictures off of a Kodak Photo-CD disk.
Perhaps it will work with ExtenDOS as well, but I don't have any Photo
CD disks to try out! You use your mouse or function keys to select a
variety of options. It will work with any SCSI CD-ROM drive interfaced
to your ST-Falcon computer. Color or mono. Docs included. Delphi.

[] PONG2K_3 is an update of the working demo of PONG 2000, a Holland
Game Design for the Falcon030. Written by the same people who brought
you UFO_WAR, this game will run on any Atari Falcon030 with 4MB or
more Ram with RGB monitors, TV or VGA (multi-sync) monitors. This
update fixes a problem with some VGA monitors. Pong 2000 should now
work on all VGA monitors with a less than 71 Hz scan rate (there are
no other changes). This one or two player vastly improved PONG clone
(improved in both graphics and sound) is controlled with joysticks or
Atari joypads.

The game runs either at 50 or 60 frames per second.  PONG 2000 will
take you on a journey through time and show you Pong has been a basic
element of existence from the distant past to the far future! There is
even a "Classic" pong game included (but that's disabled in this
demo). The docs and descriptions of this game sound so good it makes
me wish I had a Falcon (but then again, almost anything I read or see
about the Falcon makes me want to get one!).  Ordering information
included. The demo can run off of a Floppy drive, but the full version
requires a Hard drive. Delphi.

[] SOMA by Mark J Gallagher is a simulation of the ancient soma cube
puzzle. The cube is split into 7 solid shapes, and the aim of the
puzzle is to reconstruct the cube from these shapes. You use the arrow
keys (or mouse) to manipulate/rotate these smaller solids in order to
build the cube. Soma is a tremendously frustrating game to me. It
requires a developed and developing ability to hold shapes in your
mind and to see how they might fit together into larger shapes. But
while frustrating, it also a challenge to play. If you enjoy mind
stretching puzzles I recommend Soma to you. Color only. Docs included.
Shareware. Toad Hall.

[] STLGTBLS is a Copyist DTP (a music scoring program by Doctor T's)
arrangement by Binney Stone of three horns and a rhythm section for
Gary Noore's "Still Got the Blues."  All instrumentals and score parts
are transposed and edited. The three horns are tenor, trumpet and
trombone, and this arrangement was done for a female. Toad Hall.

[] SYSXPRES is SysXpress v.1.05 (dated May, 1990). This .Acc will
enable you to send almost any MIDI file to any MIDI instrument.
Although designed for use with Hybrid Arts software, it will support
MidiEx format and many others. It supports GenEdit, GenPatch and
MidiEx (and other non-Hybrid Arts file formats). Detailed docs
included. Uploaded by Binney Stone and he says in his file description
<midi files> "...I have uploaded for the Korg for GenEdit may now be
accessed by anyone who has an Atari ST and a Korg M1! Just be sure to
save what is already in your synth FIRST!!" I hope this description
helps you! Toad Hall.

[] VDQUIK is VD-Quick v.0.95 by Volker Shnitz (dated July 17, 1993).
This is a German Shareware virus killing program. Command line based,
and with German docs, this might take some getting used to for some of
us, but since viruses are so nasty, it just might be worth it! You
will find this especially useful is you use the German shareware
archiver shell, "2 in 1" which has built in support for it. German
docs. Toad Hall.

  Oops! Here is another whole pile of files I just found in folder!
  They all may be found on Delphi. Sorry they're not in order, but if
  you'll read my favorites below, they aren't either!

[] BREAKOUT by Thomas Haines is a Falcon only breakout clone from
Great Britain. It requires 4 meg of RAM, and a TV, RGB or VGA monitor.
Good 256 color graphics and a sound (using the DSP MOD player by
BITmASERT of BSW) that makes you want to hook up some speakers and
crank up the volume. The game uses a pretty smooth user interface, but
there's only one level at the moment. The good news is that there is a
level editor in the package. The author says that this game is not
nearly finished, but it seems like he's done a pretty good job! Docs
included.

[] CALENDAR is a 1995 calendar for Calamus SL by "Shuswap Freelancer."
The nice thing about this is that the calendar most major holidays,
lunar positions, and the preceeding and following months (this is a
very nice feature). The calendar is set up on a 8.5 by 11" page for
each month.  Calamus SL required. Uncompresses to 334K!

[] CDFAQ03 is the Atari CD-ROM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet
(dated Oct 1, 1994). This file is full of information about current
drivers for CD players on the Atari (there are a lot more than I was
aware of, though the one I use, ExtenDOS, seems to be the most
inexpensive and featured). Information about CD's, players, and more.
I hope more and more people get CD players because that will mean more
and more Atari usable CD's will be showing up! The only problem with
this is that apparently someone has edited out all references to the
author and the address where future FAQs may be found. Oh well!

[] CK5A189B is the port of C-Kermit 5A revision 189 to the ST by Bruce
Moore, et. al. (dated June 30, 1993). Atari ST C-Kermit can be invoked
directly from the desktop or from within a character-mode shell. This
program can act as a server, but it does not implement the MAIL and
REMOTE PRINT commands. Docs included. ST/STE compatible (at least).

[] CONCERTO is the (saved disabled) demo version of the Microdeal
Concerto MIDI sequencer by John Gymer. Concerto allows you to compose
music and store it in the computer or on disk. I really like this
program's interface (though you can't access .ACC's while using it).
It's clean, easy to use, and carries a striking appearance. There are
numerous methods of entering music and editing it, for instance there
is a Score Editor, Drum Machine, Grid Editor, Step-Time Editor, Event
Editor and you can also record in real-time as you play the notes on
your MIDI keyboard. Concerto provides a whole host of options which
make handling the song easier. There are many editing options such as
Transpose, Search/ Replace, ReMap, Block Operations, Fill, Force and
many more.  This demo only works in color (the full version works in
mono, too).  Limited docs. ST-TT and Geneva compatible (at least).

[] DB314PAT is a patch for Oregon Research's Diamond Back 3.0x or
3.1x.  It will upgrade those versions to v.3.14. You will need to
enter your serial number and the requested word from the manual to use
this patch.  If you have Diamond Back 3 get this patch.  You won't be
sorry! Docs included.

[] DESKCLOC is DeskClock v.1.0 by Yanick Dufresne. This archive
contains an .ACC clock which will display the time in the menu bar. It
works as a .PRG with Geneva (using its tear off menus) or MultiTOS.
Pure C source included.

[] F2C is program and library sources (dated December 30, 1991) which
will convert your Fortran 77 source code and libraries into C source
code (specifically GNU-C 1.40, and probably later releases, also). Why
would you want to do this? Some would want to do this because they
hate Fortran <g>, others would want to work with C because some things
are easier to do in C than in Fortran but would like to take advantage
of the wide range of Fortran programming libraries. This archive
contains the Atari ST/TT implementation of a Fortran-to-C compiler
developed by AT&T Bell Laboratories and Bellcore and transfered to the
ST-TT (with separate versions for the FPU equipped TT and non-FPU
ST-TT machines) by Konrad Hinsen of the Institute for Theoretical
Physics in Aachen, Germany. Using this combination you can have, in
effect, a Fortran compiler which is very fast and has better
diagnostic output than any ST Fortran compiler K.H. knows). Docs and C
source included.

[] FLOATING is a 256 color .TIF picture of an ad for Floating Fish
Studios.  Use GEMView (or any other .RIF viewer) to view.

[] FORMSCGA by Yanick Dufresne is a set of three Calamus SL forms for
business use (dated July 4, 1994). The first (CLIENT) is a form to
record all relevant info about a particular client. PROJECT is for
keeping trace of jobs while in production and after. It's designed so
you can place it upright in a hanging file and the header info will
still be visible which is nice for filing purposes. QUOTE is a
quotation form. They use the standard Triumvirate and CG Times fonts.

[] FRANTRK2 is the second (in a series> of music/sound disks for use
with David Munsie's Frantick. This file is for STe-Falcon computers
with at least two meg of free RAM. The samples are taken from "Anthrax
- Bring the Noise!"  Requires Frantick, that excellent shoot-em-down
arcade shareware game by Dave Munsie. Just pop this file in your
Frantick folder and you're off! Docs included.

[] FULCRUM is a set of two 300 dpi grayscale .IMG pictures of MiG-29
Fulcrum jet fighters.

[] HAZEL_4 is "H.A.Z.E.L.:  Soaring with Eagles" subtitled "(Who
Hazel is, what she does, and how to employ her)" by Henry K van Eyken,
the author of the Fleabyte set of calculation utilities (and more such
as his "Atari in the STicks" column in Current Notes.). Hazel-4 is an
improved version of the long-ago H.A.Z.E.L boot up program. You can
have a variety of "set-ups" with this program and select from between
them with a keypress. The docs detail how you can use this program to
configure your boot-up, desk accessories, alternate desktops, Geneva
configurations, and just about anything to do with your ST--TT start.
Lots of suggestions included. And as an added benefit, and a very good
reason for downloading this file, the author has written a review of
GDOS and GDOS replacements (such as GPlus+, SpeedoGDOS, and NVDI) for
the Atari.  It's excellent and I highly recommend it to you. It's
interesting and CLEARLY WRITTEN!

[] IMHOV106 is Ian's Memory Hungry OLR or IMHO v.1.06 (dated 1993).
This is a QWK compatible Off Line Reader (the OLR part) which is very
popular in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Detailed
docs, though they do assume that you know something about BBSing
already. To use this you will need your modem and telephone <grin> and
the archivers (ZIP, LZH, ARC, etc) to compress and uncompress your
messages. Color or mono.

[] JETLPE21 is JET-LOPE 2, the Envelope Printer v.2.1 by Barney Poston
(dated Oct. 19, 1994). This is a program designed to address/print
envelopes (either #10, "legal" or the 110mm x 220mm, European DL)
using the Hewlett Packard DeskJet 510 and 520 printers. It allows
access, from the keyboard, to the internal typefaces of the printer.
You can select fonts independently for the return address and
recipient address and store your most used addresses (up to 999 per
database!) for future use. You may print one envelope at a time
inputing addresses as you go, use recipient addresses loaded from a
database or use an address loaded from the Atari Clipboard. ST--Falcon
compatible in ST color or mono (mono is better).

[] JOY_GDOS is "More Joy of GDOS" v.2.2 by Gerd Castan (dated Oct. 2,
1994). This is a fascinating look at GDOS in all of its varieties
(though the author doesn't know anything about G+Plus except its
name...interesting). It is a very good mix of professional and non-
professional information about GDOS. It also details FontGDOS,
FMSGDOS, and the newest SpeedoGDOS from Atari and Compo. I really
recommend this file to you all, especially if you have, or are
thinking about getting, SpeedoGDOS. Well translated from the German by
Stefan Damerau. 82K of ASCII text.

[] LACAMP is a Midi Piano performance of La Campanella by Franz
Liszt. It is an Etude taken from a theme by the violinist, Paganini.
Doc included.

[] MCR-NEO4  is a series of NeoDesk 4 icons collected and modified by
Matt Rivman. Most of the icons have been given a 3D look and some are
"animated." They have been designed for use with ST High res, through
they will probably look OK in higher res, too.

[] MICKICON is a set of NeoDesk 4 icons by M. Poche. Most of these are
two and four color icons (though some are 16 color ones). Many of them
are animated. I recognize a lot of them from DC Desktop .ICE files.
These are nicely done and would be a boon to NeoDesk 4 users.

[] MOD_PRNT is MOD Print v.1.0.0 by Dan Panke (dated Sept. 15, 1994).
Did you ever wish to print or display a complete MOD file? If your
answer was yes, then MOD Print is for you. Simple run "MOD_PRNT.PRG"
and select a MOD file for operation. An Alert Box will appear and ask
you whether you want to SAVE the MOD display to a file, send the
display to your PRINTER, or show the MOD on screen. Make your
selection and away you go! This program is especially useful if you
want to port a MOD file to another format (ex. MID format).

[] MUNGER01 is FileMunger 2.0 by Walter S. Wilson (dated Oct. 7,
1994). FileMunger will append any text file, to any other text file.
It makes use of the file selector, and will also allow you to include
a date/time stamp at the top of each appended section to your main
file. This is a great utility to have when you collect little
"snippets" of text files here and there. FileMunger allows you to put
them all together, quickly and easily, and with the date option, it
allows you to keep everything organized as well! Docs included. TOS
1.0--1.62 and Geneva compatible (at least).

[] NOTEPAD is Notepad v.1.3 by Michael Zuhl (dated Sept 16, 1992). It
comes in both an English and German version, though the docs are only
in German. It will allow you to load, save, and print (to printer or
to modem) about forty lines of text in mono and about 20 in color. I'm
not wildly excited about this as you can only view the above number of
text lines and no more, no matter how large a file you load (perhaps
there is a way around this, but I haven't found it. ST--STE and Geneva
compatible (at least).

[] PAGETOOL is a file containing two TIFF pictures (.TIF) showing
screenshots of the Pagetool Module for Calamus SL (dated Sept 1994).
PageTool is a great new module for displaying and manipulating pages
while in thumbnail display mode. You get to determine the number of
pixels, both horizontal and vertical, for each thumbnail page
displayed. As well, you can move, delete or insert pages while in this
mode. Look for a file in the library that shows a screenshot or two of
PageTool in use. Ordering information included. Uncompresses to 1.58
MEG!

[] TODAY201 is TODAYS v.2.01 by Chuck Grimsby (dated Oct. 29, 1994).
TODAYS is a program to display events and occurances on a date in
history when someone calls your BBS. It also tells you what's coming
up (nope, it doesn't foretell the future!), or let you know the number
of days, weeks, months, or years since any date in history. Designed
for BBS's it will also work "stand-alone."  Check out TODAYDAT for an
already setup list of events, or you can create your own using any
ASCII editor. This version includes more options, a command structure
allows you to set things up the way you want (rather than the way the
programmer thinks things should be). Docs included. This new version
fixes some bugs in previous versions plus adds a lot new features.
Color or mono. ST-TT and Geneva compatible (at least).

[] TOUCH is the demo of the InTouch v.0.90 database by Lorne White.
This is a very powerful and flexible .PRG/.ACC database system for
organizing and managing all your personal information such as names,
addresses, phone numbers (and with a modem dialing them for you, too!)
and calender events. With a touch of the keyboard and mouse you can
easily find and select records, or search for text and dates, get date
reminders, categorize records, and print a wide variety of envelope,
labels, address, and date books. You can import and export all the
data into and from other programs, making it useful as your "master"
database of personal information. It presents you with a 45 name index
page for easily viewing, selecting, and manipulating records, allows
you to Mark, Unmark, Delete, Replicate, Copy, and Paste records, also
allowing you to display those records as you wish. It does a lot more,
too! Detailed docs included. He calls this a beta release because it
has not been tested with all available systems and printers (then
doesn't that make -every- program a beta release!). It works for sure
on the ST/STE--TT and Geneva, with the Atari Laser, the HP 500
DeskJet, and with the Sharp Laser. This demo is limited to saving 10
records per file and printing 10 records per selected group.
Uncompresses to 228K.

  Now here are some of my favorite files (in no particular order other
  than the first few favorites). A number of them you've heard me tell
  about before, but here they are again!

[] SILKMOUS is SilkMouse v.3.2 by Mark Slagell (dated September 22,
1993). YOU CAN QUIT READING THIS DESCRIPTION AND JUST GET THIS
FILE!!...Now on with the description! It is another upgrade to a
uniquely smooth, fast, well-behaved mouse accelerator that also
incorporates a great two-stage screen saver. Run from the desktop or
the AUTO folder, SilkMouse is the most usable, most highly
configurable mouse accelerator available. Have you ever found that
when using a mouse accelerator that you can no longer use the
Alt-arrow key combination to move your mouse pointer about? SilkMouse
doesn't interfere with that at all. The two-stage screen saver is one
that darkens the screen after a set period of time (fully
configurable), but which allows whatever is on the screen to still
remain visible (he has now updated this to allow the two stage saver
with the mono screen as well).

After a longer period of time the screen completely darkens. I like
that feature. The accelerator may be configured through a CPX module
or an .ACC (both supplied). One (of many) feature is that you can make
any program hold its final screen before exiting. This is very handy
for those programs which flash a screenful of text before you in
one-tenth of a second and expect you to read it! This program used to
be Shareware (I registered, and don't regret it!), but Mark is now
giving it away (I still recommend that you send him some money as an
encouragement). Color or mono. ST--Falcon/ MultiTOS compatible. I
HIGHLY recommend this program. I think that if you try this for an
hour you will never want to use any other mouse accelerator!

[] MDISK694u is M-Disk v.6.94. JUST GET THIS FILE! This is an
excellent .ACC reset proof (or not - you choose) RAM disk. I use this
program every day. It does A LOT! M-Disk provides you with:

  - a sizable removable multi-function ramdisk
  - a floppy disk copy program (with virus detection logic which
      prevents viruses being transferred!)
  - It will format _and_ copy a RAM disk to floppy in 120 seconds -
      which is as fast as most format options, and yet retains all
      verify features (THIS is Wonderful! - the previous program we
      used took 180+ seconds!).
  - a fast disk "wipe" option
  - a fast ramdisk load/save program
  - a harddisk backup/restore program
  - a PS/2 compatible floppy disk formatting program; and
  - a boot sector virus destruction program
  - a "reverse" formatter, starting at a high track # going down to 1
      (this can save some of your data if you mistakenly start a
      format)

MiNT and MultiTOS (KAOS, too) compatible. ST--Falcon compatible.
Extensive docs that do a very good job of explaining even the little
details of the program are included. I have now moved this file into
the "boot up with" category. Excellent! 

[] ARCSHL31 is ARC Shell v.3.1 by Charles F. Johnson and Little Green
Footballs Software (dated December 12, 1991). The interface has been
revised, the shell can automatically set ALL of those little bits to
allow LHARC to do its thing even more efficiently. It makes use of a
special pipeline with MaxiFile III (now that's one wonderful program!)
to make your archiving even easier. If you use this, send in your
shareware registration!. Docs included. Overall this is a major
upgrade to a necessary utility. THANKS to CFJ! A "must have." (I've
registered).

[] DCSEA22B is the long-awaited SHAREWARE release of DC SEA v.2.2b
(dated May 12, 1993). DC SEA make "Self-Extracting Archives of your
ARC, LZH, ZIP, and ZOO compressed files (and restore said files to
their original archive). When you need to give a compressed file to a
friend, just run it through this program and your friend won't need
any compression utilities to uncompress it! All he or she will need to
do is to double-click on the file (the program gives it an .APP
extender, but you can rename it to TOS, TTP, or PRG with no ill
effects), select the destination directory using the item selector,
and click on OK. The file will be uncompressed just like that!

The files also have a verbose listing option so you can see the file
names within the archive without uncompressing it. I HIGHLY recommend
this file! Now for the problems with it: The ARC routines work without
flaw. The LZH routines work fine for the older lh-1 and the newer more
efficient lh-5, -except- for errors with some files. The problem is
with very large LZH files. They return a "CRC Error" message when
uncompressed. This also happens with very small files that are not
compressed, just stored "as is." The large files are corrupted, but
the smaller ones are not (they are just reported as being so). The
newest .ZIP format is now supported, but only the older .ZOO file
format is presently supported. Nevertheless, I still highly recommend
this SHAREWARE program. Docs included.

[] DCX220C is the newest version of DC Xtract v.2.20c by Paul W. Lee
(dated July 23, 1993, but just uploaded Sept. 1994). This formerly
commercial ("bought through a store") program is now commercial
SHAREWARE ("paid for because you are honest"). DC Xtract is a
Wonderful archiving utility. I thought it was great when I bought it
as a part of DC Utilities, and I can see it's even better now. Now
this handles all of the newest ARC, LZH, ZIP, and ZOO formats. I
recommend this program to you! It's great! One feature I like is that
the program will automatically choose the correct compression/
de-compression routine based on the name of the file you are
manipulating. Another is the graphical progress report you get as you
compress/uncompress your files (it makes everything seem to go
faster). Mouse and/or keyboard controlled. Docs included. This program
is now TOS 1.0 compatible.

[] DMBANNER by Dwight Morgan of M S I of Wilmington, is the best
banner program I have ever seen. This is a must have!! The output is
great.  You can even print messages inside the letters of your banner.
Docs included. Color or mono. SHAREWARE. Unfortunately, he has moved
and no mail is forwarded. I'd love to register this, so if you know
the guy let me know!

[] DOUBLER2 is STE Scan Doubler v.2.01. It is a double height screen
emulator for the STE, MEGA STE and possibly the TT. Put this in your
auto folder and you can have a mono screen that seems to be 640 x 800
or a color screen of 640 x 400. It allows you to scroll up and down
the screen without screen redraws. Even more it has an interlaced mode
that actually allows you to have that resolution without scrolling.
This is wonderful! Great for DTP programs that take so long to redraw
the screen.  Color or mono. Docs included. Sorry, no TOS 1.0--1.4!
SHAREWARE by Lars-Erik Osterud. If you have the first version of this
program get this one! It takes up only 1/2 the memory.

[] GBNCH340 is GEM Bench v.3.40 by Ofir Gal (dated January 14, 1994).
This program was designed to provide you with a reality-based
benchmarking tool. Using a simple, GEM based interface this utility
tests the speed (and much more) of features you usually use and so
gives you a realistic view of your TOS 1.0--Falcon computer. It will
test the graphic screen drawing speed, the CPU speed (math and memory
access tests), and more.  You can also use this program to tell you
your computer type, TOS version, MultiTOS (MiNT) version, Blitter
status, AES and GEMDOS versions, NVDI (a screen accelerator like Warp
9), FPU and other information about the system. You can even force the
system (if you have a TT!) to run in ST RAM or Fast RAM. It will also
let you compare your system against other STock Atari machines. Now
even GEMulator aware and still fully MultiTOS (and Geneva) compatible.
Color or mono.  Docs included. This version has some improvements to
make it an even more accurate reflection of your computer's status.
SHAREWARE and recommended.

[] HZ_50_60 is a simple program by Lee Offenberger of Cool Wave
Software that will switch your color system from whatever Hz you are
in to the other. You can put it in your AUTO folder and it will switch
your machine to 50Hz at boot-up so you can use those programs (games)
that require this setting. No docs.

[] MSA_2_32 is the Magic Shadow Archiver II, version 2.3+. Fully
GEM-based and works with MultiTOS. MSA_2_32.PRG can be renamed
MSA_2_32.ACC and run as an accessory. New in this version:  A filename
can be passed by command line to MSA-II. This file becomes the default
.MSA file. Used by certain shells when dragging a file on MSA-II.
Magic Shadow Archiver reads in an entire floppy disk and compresses it
into a single file with an .MSA extension. It also reads .MSA files
and creates a full disk.

[] NBM12 is NBM - The Ness Benchmark v.1.2 by J. Ness. NBM is a
program which runs on any Atari ST/STe/TT computer, in any resolution.
NBM runs five tests (Math, Memory, Dialog Box, Other Drive, and
Graphics) timing their duration, for use in comparing the speed of the
machine with other Atari computers. NBM includes a Compare function,
which contains a database of previously tested Atari computers of
various configurations. This allows the user to compare results with
other people's machines. Also included is a Print function, allowing
the user to print the results of each test. One interesting part of
this program is that it shows you how much all your auto folder and
.ACC's slow down your system. This is an interesting program that
allows you to see how great your ST is really performing! Color or
mono. Docs included.

[] NDP_11u is New DePak v.1.1 (formerly Mega Depack) by Mike Watson
(dated Oct. 3, 1993). Now running in a GEM window, this .PRG/.ACC
(just rename it) is fully Multi-TOS/MiNT compatible. It is designed to
uncompress/ unpack just about any file packed with any of a zillion
different packers (actually 69 packers supported with 126 different
file formats, including DC Squish, Pack Ice, Pompey Packer, PFX and
MANY more). Mouse or command line controlled. Batch processing
available. Why would you need to unpack a program? If you have a hard
drive space might not be as critical and an unpacked file will often
load faster. Another reason is that when you update a STOS program for
a new TOS version (such as STOSFX30 allows you to do), you need to
work with an uncompressed program. This is a very "intelligent" and
versatile program which I highly recommend. Color or mono. TOS
1.0--Falcon compatible (a specific TT/Falcon version is included).
SHAREWARE (I've registered). Docs included.

[] SCROLFIX is SCROLFIX, an .ACC by Ian Lepore (dated March, 1992).
Starting with TOS 1.04 (aka 1.4), a system bug causes some windowed
programs to scroll twice when you click once on a window scroller.
Charles Johnson soon released a fix for the problem called BUTTNFIX,
and it worked quite well on most systems. But some folks still have
the problem (especially TT owners). SCROLFIX cures that problem. So,
if you still have problems with this bug you might want to get this
file. It even uses a couple hundred bytes less memory than BUTTNFIX
(get a memory upgrade!). Docs included. Source code included, as well
as some hints for programmers on how to avoid this problem right from
the start.

[] SEBRA133 is "The High-Res Monochrome Monitor Emulator" by Patrik
Persson of Sweden v.1.33 (dated 1993). I thought the previous version
was the best monochrome emulator I had seen, and now this version is
even better! It will work on any ST/STe/Mega with a color monitor or
TV set!  It is fast, with lots of options to customize the speed,
screen display, and more to your satisfaction. The mouse moves
SMOOTHLY about the screen. With a few simple keystrokes you can set
this program up to run just as you wish. I recommend this highly. It
works most productivity software and many (but not all) games, too!
The docs docs give an interesting look into how this emulator works. I
use it with my T-25 accelerator board from Fast Technologies
(Wonderful board!) and it is amazing how fast and well it works! It's
slower with only an 8 MHz ST/E, but still very useful. TOS 1.0--2.06
compatible. Not TT or 68030 board compatible. Freeware.

[] STARSTRK is Star-Struck - a new screen saver by Tony Sanson.
Star-Struck is a screen saver with a difference. Instead of just
blanking your screen after 3 minutes, it smoothly fades it to black,
and then fills it with a repeating burst of stars exploding from a
central point. Not only that, but the stars are in color too (assuming
you have a color monitor). Color or mono. An .ACC that you can call
from the desk accessory window.  This is a beautiful and fascinating
screen saver (though I use Extend-O-Save modules through Warp 9).

[] STOSFX30 is STOS FIXER v.3.0 by Robert Quezada (dated May 10,
1994). This program will take your STOS programs, Run-time or
compiled, and allow you to update them for any TOS release
(almost--see below).  It's a very handy thing to have when you have a
nice STOS program that won't run on your TOS! In order to update
programs to run on TOS's higher than 1.62 the original program must be
at least compatible with TOS 1.62 (this is due to other, unfixable,
problems with the pre-STE compatible STOS program). Once you update a
program for your TOS it will no longer work for lower TOS versions
(you can fix any program again for other TOS versions by running STOS
Fix again). Color or mono.  The program must not be compressed for
this to work (so get the New De-pack v1.1 - NDP11 (in the UTILITYS
category) by Mike Watson to uncompress any packed programs).
ST--Falcon MultiTOS and Geneva compatible. Docs included.

[] XCONTROL is Atari's Extensible Control Panel (sometimes known as
XControl) v.1.31. It is designed to take advantage of features only
available in the latest  (TOS 2.05 and up) versions of TOS, but you
can still use it if you have an earlier TOS. This newest version of
XControl has several bug fixes and enhancements over previous
versions. It now contains 13 new .CPX modules which have been updated
to use the new 3D object types available with the Falcon030, MultiTOS,
and Geneva.

[] VKILL384 is version 3.84 of George Woodside's VKILLER Virus
detection program. New features include the ability to "test kill" a
boot sector to check whether the disk will still work after being
"disinfected." It will remove viruses from floppy disks after it finds
them, and can help guard against reinfection. Also adds detection of
new viruses.  Color or mono. Docs included. This is a MUST MUST HAVE!!

[] UVK_6_0D is a working demo of the Ultimate Virus Killer v6.0GB by
Richard Karsmakers and Douglas Communications (dated Feb. 8, 1994).
This demo comes from Europe, but the program is now being distributed
in North America by Oregon Research Associates (the people who saved
my bacon by fixing my trashed SyQuest disk--the one that had seven
weeks of downloads that I hadn't backed up!--by using their Diamond
Edge software). The limit in the demo is that while you can detect
viruses, you cannot kill them, and that while you can immunize your
disks against further virus infection, you can only do so to one disk
each time you start the program, you can look but not repair
commercial bootsectors, and it advertises itself, and some other minor
limitations. This program will allow you to check for link viruses
(the kind that modify your programs), identify/ restore commercial
boot sectors (they appear as viruses on most virus programs), and will
alert you to odd vectors in your ST's operating system. A list of
features is included, but no docs (but none are really needed). I
recommend this program! Unfortunately it is necessary. Color or mono.
ST--Falcon compatible.

[] PROTECT6 is a small but powerful program that is resident in RAM
looking for bootsector and link-viruses (uck-o!). It's easy to install
(just put it in the AUTO-folder on your boot disk) and easy to use.
Color or mono. Docs included. It's too bad we need programs like this!
SHAREWARE by Lars-Erik 0sterud.

[] ENGLISH is "English as it is Abroad" taken from an Air France
bulletin, dated December 1, 1989. This is a series of notices taken
from around the world. For example, a sign in a Paris hotel elevator:
Please leave your values at the front desk. Loads more and lots of
fun!

[] HISTORY is an astounding collection of essays that Richard Lederer
of St. Paul's School has gathered from teachers of English and History
throughout the United States. These student bloopers were made by
students from eight grade through college level. For example, did you
know that the inhabitants of ancient Egypt were called mummies? They
lived in the Sarah Dessert and traveled by Camelot! That's just the
start of these bloopers!

[] HUMORTXT is a large collection (it says "1001") of "one-liners"
from the Computer Science Club at Stephen F. Austin University that
will sometimes make you chuckle, and sometimes make you roll in the
aisles! Here are two samples: "Santa's elves are just a bunch of
subordinate Clauses," and "Wernher von Braun settled for a V-2 when he
coulda had a V-8."

[] NEG_FBAK is "Negative Feedback," a SF Short Story that Charles
Bachand wrote in 1991 for a UFO Newsletter. It concerns two people, a
psychologist and patient, who communicate only by modem. About 2000
words. Well done! This is on the Delphi Sci-Fi area.

[] PCHROME4 is "Atari ST/E PhotoChrome" v.4.00 by Douglas Little
(dated Dec. 20, 1993). PhotoChrome is an amazing "must have" program
(with a number of associated utilties and a slideshow) that emulates a
high capability graphics card for your ST/STe. It's basic
specification is the ability to load most IFF formats, 24-Bit True
colour screens (16 million colours), GIF files and VidiChrome
digitized 'RGB' colour separations (4096 colours) before converting to
one of six powerful screen modes (Standard Spectrum 512, Spectrum
4096, and four other specialized and more capable display modes one
having the ability to display 19200 colors out of a 32768 on an STe.

This program will load .RAW (Both DKB-RAW and standard QRT format),
GIF, (and now) any true TARGA file (Y-inverted, or compressed and even
larger than 320*200 Targa files - now you can really view those
excellent .TGA files of Jaguar games!), including 16/24/32-bit,
Spectrum, IFF, and VidiChrome RGB pictures. The GIF, and .RAW files
this displays are unequaled.  Normally this program won't display on
machines running at higher speeds than 8 MHz, but now the author has
included a feature which allows MegaSTE owners to run at their 16MHz
speed for image processing and then automatically switches to 8 MHz
mode for the display (now I wish he could do that for my T-25)! Wow!
This program even works on a TT or Falcon (though you can only use it
to convert one format (say PhotoChrome to GIF for example) though you
won't be able to view the pictures with those machines. I am amazed
and recommend this highly. Docs and updated slide show (PCSVIEW2)
included. SHAREWARE. Support Shareware authors! At least one Meg of
RAM and a color monitor.

[] PFILE11E is ProFile! v.1.01e by Uncle Carl (dated June 11, 1994).
ProFile! is an excellent floppy and hard disk librarian. ProFile!
allows you to scan ALL directories & save that information to any of 3
possible formats. All files are saved as ASCII text, allowing you to
view your library files from most ANYWHERE! You can even search your
library files for either specific  OR  duplicate copies of files!!
ProFile! includes an extensive text editor, a multitasking floppy disk
formatter, 2 floppy labelers, configurable printer fonts, plus SO MUCH
more! ST/STe/TT compatible in medium/high resolutions. -DEMO- (some
save disabled). I liked it so much I registered!

[] OCULT32B is Ocultar v.3.02b by Carl J. Hafner (Dated June 10,
1994).  Ocultar can best be described as an all in one bootup utility!
It not only allows you to restrict access to your system through the
use of passwords ( with up to 10 separate users!), it also allows you
to choose from up to 40 different bootup configurations! Simply press
a key and Ocultar will activate and/or deactivate any auto programs
and accessories, copy any DESKTOP/NEWDESK.INF files, delete any
unneeded files, copy up to 8 extra files per setup  (320 total), plus
more !!!  You can even configure Ocultar to display either a DEGAS or
NEOCHROME picture at bootup. A special accessory is also included in
the event someone tries to bypass Ocultar Security itself!!!
ST/STe/TT compatible in ALL resolutions! I liked this program so much
I registered it, and use it everytime I boot up. Shareware. Docs
included.

[] PMJ_ENG2 is Premium Mah Jongg II (the English version) by Jens
Schulz & Thomas Grube (dated Oct. 10, 1993). Mah Jongg is an old
chinese board game in which you seek to remove pairs of tiles from a
set of 144 tiles stacked in a five level pyramid. The game itself
might be old, but Premium Mah Jongg II is anything but old. It is full
of features, has excellent game play and graphics, and is
unfortunately quite addictive!  It will run in all ST and TT res, and
up to 256 colors on Falcons and graphic cards. I can't begin to list
all the features (but I'll try anyway):  First of all, there are
excellent English Docs which explain all the rules of Mah Jongg II and
all the features of the game. Next, the program will tell you all the
free tiles available if you wish (only in the solitaire,
non-tournament mode). It will even check, in real-time if you have
reached a dead end in your play (if it doesn't tell you you're
finished then there is a matching tile SOMEWHERE!). It will repeat
your game for you and allow you to replay your game from any point. If
you don't like the color of the tiles or background you can change
them!

This game has a solitaire practice mode, a tournament mode, and a
"happening" mode. The happening mode is where the game produces
multiple copies of the exact same set of games for as many players as
desired. These players then each play the games and the times are
compared. The fastest player wins (and as a prize gets taken out to
dinner by the other players!). This game is shareware, but you only
need to pay if you get so good that you can beat the highest tourney
level (or participate in a "happening"). Recommended. Floppy or hard
drive installable. On a personal note I was surprised to see my name
listed in the docs! Joseph M. Turner (ATARIPOWER7 on Delphi) and I
were thanked for the help we've give Jens (Joseph has done much more
than me!). Also mentioned was the fact that Mah Jongg II cannot be
distributed by any Commercial PD company except Suzy B's Software.

[] NEWSPED2 is NewSpeed II (dated Sept. 25, 1994) by Bruce Noonan, the
author of ST Writer, the freeware Word Processor and its commercial
successor, MultiWriter (and numerous other programs as well). NewSpeed
II is a Terminate-Stay Resident (TSR) program which can be either run
from an AUTO folder or from the desktop. It will allow you to slow
down your computer's speed so that you can run your games at a pace
comfortable for you. This is especially good for those games that run
too fast on an accelerated machine. ST--Falcon compatible (but not
MultiTOS compatible). Assembly source code included. Assembled with
Mad Mac. Docs included.

[] ROBOTZ is a fast-paced game that places you on the deep space
exploration vessel Darwin 8. Your ship has been invaded by hostile
alien robots. You are the last surviving crew member and you must deal
with his disaster! The game view is from above. Move about the rooms
in the ship destroying your foes. It's not just "blast away" though.
This game requires thought to win. I like it! Joystick controlled.
Color only. Docs included.

[] ROBOTFIX is RobotFix by Tom Nolan (v.1.00 dated July 29, 1992). It
is a program that will allow you to play the excellent PD game ROBOTZ
under newer versions of TOS. Just run it from the same directory as
ROBOTZ and you're off! Details as to why this happens and what the fix
is (as well as some handy cheats for ROBOTZ) are included in the doc
file.

[] TOWERS14 is Towers v.1.4, a 3D one or two player Dungeon Game from
JV Enterprises. To use this excellent game you will need to order
TOWERS_2 as well. If you liked Dungeon Master you'll like Towers.
Choose from one of four characters and then travel through the
Tower/Dungeon gathering up the supplies you find on the way, battling
enemies who seek you out, and trying to find your way to the end - and
to survival. The graphics are nice, the controls (mouse and/or
keyboard) are easily used and controlled), and the sounds are
excellent (who is that tapping on that door?). Towers will only run on
a completely bare one meg system. Towers will run from a hard drive or
floppy (Double-Sided only). It allows you to save and load games, too.
Connect with another Atari computer using a null-modem or MIDI cable
for dual player action (on TOS 1.04 and above you need more than one
meg of RAM for dual player modes). People have asked, and JV
Enterprises has listened... and worked!

You wanted to play Towers over the modem, and now you can! If you have
a Hayes AT command compatible, 14.4k Error Correction modem or better.
Get ready to play Towers (ver.1.4) over the phone. This feature does
require a 2 meg machine (actually 1.1meg) to play either the
null-modem, MIDI, or modem games. Towers 1.4 even includes a simple
text routine so you can communicate with your partner without two
lines!! It also improves the game saving by allowing you to use
numbers in game descriptions. ST-Falcon compatible. Detailed docs.
Color only. Like OXYD (another excellent game!), you can play several
levels of Towers for free, but after that to progress in the Tower you
need to buy the manual for $15. Seems to be a pretty good deal! You
can register Towers through JV Enterprises or through Suzy B's
Software, STeve's Software, and B&C Computers. In the UK you can
register it through Goodman International.

[] OZONE by Nick Harper is an excellent game in which you play this
cute little guy with big sneakers. Guide your alter-ego throughout the
stone mansion, gathering all the objects you find (well, you don't
gather the monsters - you avoid them) and advance through the various
levels. Sometimes you need to turn a switch at the start of a level to
effect something you need at the end of the level to exit. It's back
to the beginning if you forget! Despite what the online description
says, the game does have sound (read the docs). Colorful, and easily
controlled via joystick. Play from within a folder named OZONE in the
root directory of Drive A. TOS 1.0--1.62 compatible (at least). I like
this game, and so do my kids. Shareware. I suspect that this will work
with 1/2 meg of RAM, but I haven't checked it out.

[] STELLO11 is Stello v.1.10 by Claus J. Pedersen. This Othello clone
is more than that. GEM based, ST-=Falcon and MultiTOS/Geneva
compatible, this program has the potential to beat you every time (and
with a nice interface, too!). You can play against the computer, have
the computer play against itself, or play against another human (you
can also watch two other people play!). You can configure the computer
to play with time and computational depth limits you impose (a good
idea to do if you want to win!), or just let it play until it sees the
best move. Stello will play in English, German and Danish (docs are in
English). It also allows you to place background pictures on screen
(several included). You can ask it to suggest moves, print out a
listing of the game, move back and forth through the game moves,
switch sides, and much more. One very nice thing about this program is
its documentation. The author tells how he came to write the program,
and how writing the program expanded his understanding and
appreciation of the game. I recommend this file. Shareware. Color or
mono (higher Falcon and video card res.  supported, too). 645K
uncompressed. Delphi.

[] MOONLORD is Moonlord ST by Clayton Walnum (the author of C-Manship
Complete and numerous other books for the ST). This is one excellent
game that is tough to beat (I haven't succeeded yet!). Travel about
the galaxy, destroying the enemy fleets as you find them. This is not
an arcade action game, rather its appeal is in the strategy needed to
win.  Find the 25 alien fleets hidden in the 144 galactic sectors,
husband your energy levels and equipment, and make needed trips to the
two friendly starbases (you have to find them first!). Excellent
graphics (by Maurice Molyneaux) and mouse controlled. I like this one.
The SHAREWARE payment is going out! Color only. St/STe/and I'd expect
everything else compatible. Over 190K uncompressed. Docs and an
interesting story line included.

[] UK_MATCH is Match Maker by Dave Cobbledick (dated October, 1992).
This color game is an excellent adaptation of Concentration. This
program not only provides you with excellent graphics and digitized
sounds, it gives you a challenge as well! You are given the task of
finding the matching pairs of symbols that lie hidden behind a grid of
squares.  Finish one level and you are advanced to the next level
(with lots more squares to keep track of). Mouse controlled. Very well
done. I recommend it to you. Written in STOS, and compatible with TOS
1.0--1.62. I recommend STOSFX30 by Robert Quezada for all of you with
higher TOS versions which will easily adapt this program (and all
other STOS programs) to your version of TOS. SHAREWARE.

[] 3_YAHOO is Triple Yahoo v.1.0 by Stuart Denman (dated March 20,
1994). Triple Yahoo is an excellent game! The docs say it is "a highly
addictive multi-player GEM Triple Yahtzee game for Atari ST/STE/TT and
Falcon Computers."  I would tend to agree! It supports digitized DMA
Sound (over 130K of sound files included), 3D buttons, SPEEDO/GDOS
fonts, and colored icons if available. Works in ALL resolutions and
all color modes including graphics cards. It also runs under MultiTOS
and Geneva. There are a -multitude- of features available in this
game. The documentation is superb (I wish more authors would do even
half as well). Recommended! Shareware.

[] CUDLEE is Cud Lee's Quest v.1.0 by Robert Dytmire (dated Feb.,
1993). This game is basically a platform game aimed at the younger
generation. Use the joystick to move our hero, Mr. Cudd Lee, through
four different worlds (of 25 screens each). You move, jump, fight, and
explore your worlds, trying to reach the exit and move on. By
completing the game you save the poor lit'l elves (they need your
help!). But wait! This game is more than sheer entertainment. It has
an educational portion as well. The game can be configured to ask you
questions each time you open a door or move from one world to another.
It keeps track of your answers, too, and will return again and again
to those questions with which you have difficulty. You can use the
simple addition/subtraction questions that are included or create your
own questions on any topic you wish (R.D. uses it to keep up to speed
on his Calculus!). The game also has an Adult Mode, which increases
the difficulty significantly. Color only. Docs included. SHAREWARE
(and one which is going to cost me some money <sigh>). ST--STE
Compatible (at least). 512K RAM or more.

[] EMBOMBED by Nick Concannon (dated 1991) is a very interesting
maze/dungeon type game (some places might have this listed as
EMTOMBED, since that's what is happening, but the above name is how I
found it, somewhere!). It begins by presenting you with a choice,
"Select the Tomb you Want to Die In." "Some choice," you say. Me too!
Despite that I have really enjoyed playing this game. It's one of
those "I'll try it just one more time" games that I like. You, as an
small Egyptian looking man walk through the tomb of your choice
picking up various objects that will slow your demise. I don't know if
you can ever get out once you begin (I haven't gotten that far -
yet!), but I suspect that you can, even though the beginning monologue
doesn't seem to indicate that! Low rez color only. TOS 1.0(512K)--TT.

[] HURRY_V1 is Hurry! v.1.0 by J. Peach (dated Aug. 8, 1991). This is
an excellent, easily playable game (though -very- hard to win!). The
object is to place 36 shapes into their slots within a certain amount
of time (three levels of difficulty allowed). If you don't get it done
in time, "BOOM!" ST/STe compatible (with STOSFX30 for STE, and
higher?). Color only. Docs included. This is another of those games
about which you say, "I'll try it one more time!" SHAREWARE.

[] ISOLA3 is ISOLA v.3.32, an excellent strategy game by Thierry
Grellier. I like this game. You are presented with a 6x8 grid on
which you and your opponent (either the computer or another human).
The goal of the game is to place blocks in your opponent's path so
that he or she cannot move (to isolate them). Of course, they're doing
the same thing to you! I found the computer quite smart in this game
(with four levels of game play), giving me a "run for my money" (in
other words I lost sometimes!). One funny thing is that when you win
the computer says you're a lucky stiff (or words to that effect) and
that it just let you win to be nice, but when it wins it says "Honor
to the winner. Shame to the loser." Geesh! Sour grapes in a game! You
can even save and load your games from disk (to replay them to find
out how you could have done better). Mouse and keyboard controlled.
This file now includes 1st Guide, an .ACC hypertext help system (and
more) by Guido Vollbeding for you to use with the English and French
documentation (with IMG files detailing program features, too). I've
heard about 1st Guide, but never have seen it before now.
Unfortunately, even though the author of Isola mentions the docs for
1st Guide as being included, someone has removed them from this
archive. I'll have to keep hunting for it. In any case, this file is
worth getting both for the game and for the 1st Guide .ACC! Online
help (with suggested moves if you ask for them). ST--Falcon and Geneva
compatible. Color or mono. Uncompresses to 347K.

[] GRAV2 is GRAV 2, an Excellent game by Martin Brownlow (dated July
27, 1992. Joystick or keyboard controlled. Grav is a 'rotate and
thrust' game, similar in concept to  Thrust and Oids. Choose between
four different worlds to "save" with multiple levels within each
world.  Allocate your resources among various weapon systems. Color
only.  Excellent graphics and sound. Joystick and keyboard
controlled. I really like this one. Docs (along with a "mission
briefing" online).  SHAREWARE.

[] CLEMORTE is a small program which will allow you to place accent
marks over the letter you wish. The title of the program comes from
typewriters. Clemorte is a key that allows you to type something but
which does not move the typing head or the carriage (the key is
"dead," hence the "morte" from the Latin word for dead). The result is
that an accent is typed, and the letter to be accentuated is typed on
top. i.e. ^a would give you a circonflex a (). CLEMORTE.PRG does the
same thing. When you type one of the accents on your keyboard, it
waits for the next typed character and accentuates it if possible. If
is not possible, it types both characters side to side. No docs (you
just read them) and the program is not TT compatible.

[] ACCENT by Ken Badertscher is a program that adds a little spice to
your text files. Accent takes a text file and regurgitates it to
appear as if it were being read with whatever accents are specified.
It will run from the desktop or from a shell. From the desktop you are
presented with a dialog with icons representing the various options,
and have your choice of writing to the screen, to a disk file or to
your printer. The accent options are: -J(apanese) -C(hinese) -G(erman)
-I(talian) -P(ig Latin) -K(cocKney) -S(tutter) -L(isp) -D(nerD)
-O(bscene/censored) -R(andom) and -N(pass Nroff commands).

Here's an example (from Pig Latin): Accentway akestay away exttay
ilefay andway egurgitatesray itway otay appearway asway ifway itway
ereway eingbay eadray ithway ateverwhay accentsway areway ecifiedspay.
Itway illway unray omfray ethay esktopday orway omfray away ellshay.
Omfray ethay esktopday youway areway esentedpray ithway away ialogday
ithway iconsway epresentingray ethay ariousvay optionsway, andway
avehay yourway oicechay ofway itingwray otay ethay eenscray, otay away
iskday ilefay orway otay yourway interpray. Jefferson Modula 2 source
code included. This program is a riot! Color or mono. Docs included.

[] SPRTED13 is SpiritEd v.1.3. This is a GEM-based text editor that
operates as a desk accessory. It is now compatible with all
resolutions and any TOS version (MultiTOS compatible as well). It is
written to provide an ability to take notes and prepare lessons from
within SpiritWare's Bible concordance program (a demo of which is
available both on Delphi and GEnie), but since it is a general-purpose
text editor, it can be used to edit text from within any application,
including the GEM desktop. Spirit Ed uses a MAC-like pull down menu
system (like STalker and STeno). It provides basic editing
capabilities including cutting, copying, pasting, searching, and
replacing. It also has an undo function that allows you to cancel the
last operation that was performed. Several new and useful features
have been added to this well-supported .ACC. Mouse and/or keyboard
controlled. Saves are allowed. SpiritWare products are produced by
servants of the Lord Jesus Christ at Fifteenth Avenue Bible Church in
Seattle, Washington for the edification of His body. Color or mono.
Docs included.

[] CONCRD22 is the SpiritWare Concordance Program v.2.2 (dated March 7,
1992). The SpiritWare concordance program is a Bible-study tool that
makes maximum use of mouse, window, and menu capabilities of the GEM
desktop system to provide the user with a fast, easy and powerful way to
access words and phrases that occur in Scripture. It is designed to be
used on STs that have at least one megabyte of memory. This file
contains the concordance program, the King James Version of the Pauline
epistles from the Bible, the SpiritEd GEM-based .ACC text editor, and
documentation for all of the above. This is one excellent package. I
have both the KJV and the New International Version (both available from
SpiritWare). It's fast, with excellent ability to access the complete
text surrounding the word for which you searched, and very easy to use.
You can search for individual words, parts of words, multiple words at
one time, or any combination of the above. I recommend it highly. These
are fully functioning programs. In order to get the complete text of the
KJB or the NIV and printed docs for these programs contact SpiritWare.
Color or mono. 

[] BKTRK404 is Backtrack v.4.04 by Karl Anders ygard, the author of
ProTracker ST (see PT_20S in the Suzy B's MOD category). BackTrack is
an program that will play any standard >Soundtracker 2.2 or Pro/
Noisetracker module in the background (multitasking under Geneva or
MultiTOS). The program may also be run as an accessory which makes it
"multitasking" all the time! The  playback frequency can be controlled
by clicking the '6.259  kHz', '12.517  kHz', '25.036  kHz' or '50.072
kHz' buttons. When clicked, playback will be immediately set to the
corresponding frequency. Higher frequency gives better sound, but
requires more processor time (you had better have an accelerated STe
if you choose the 50.072kHz mode - or a TT). There are LOTS of other
features in this excellent program. Docs included. I recommend it to
you!

[] CDPLAYER is an amazing NoiseTracker/SoundTracker .MOD player for
STE's. This emulates a CD player stacked on top of an amplifier. It
has most of the basic controls you'd expect on a CD player: horizontal
light meters for left and right channels as well as four vertical
light meters that emulate a graphics equalizer. The graphics this
program produces are awesome. The entire layout is extremely well
done, and the lights are VERY realistic. Plays up to 32 .MODs
consecutively! This is a must-have for any STE owner with a COLOR
MONITOR. (Mono NOT supported!) Tested on a STE. Will not work on a TT.
Must run from a floppy.

[] DTMT101 is the DeskTracker MultiTask .ACC/.PRG v.1.01 by David
Oakley (dated April 22, 1993). This .ACC for the STe/TT will allow you
to play NoiseTracker modules in the background with an animated
graphic display of the tune. It operates like a CD player allowing you
to load, play, reset your tunes, set up a playlist, and more using the
3-D buttons or keyboard controls.. You can play at 6, 12, 25, or 50
KHz (50 KHz is only available on accelerated machines). This did a
good job of playing in the background. While it slowed up my 8 MHz
system (it speeds up quite a bit with my T-25 accelerator board
running), it was still possible to do other work. Docs included.
SHAREWARE.

[] JUKEBX14md is JukeBox v.1.4 by Klaus Pedersen. Jukebox is an
.ACC/.PRG to play Noisetracker modules (MOD's) and SEGM files in the
background.  It is fully compatible with NoiseTracker v.2.0 files from
the Amiga.  SEGM files were first used in the PD program NT_COMP.
NT_COMP can be used to convert .MOD files into SEGM format. SEGM files
don't use the processor (much) when playing, that can NOT be said
about a .MOD player. This program will ALWAYS play the .MOD at the
correct speed, and will allow you to play a stereo sound in mono (for
better quality) if you wish. The sound quality is excellent, the
included utilities that allow you to poke around inside your .MOD
files and edit them are very useful, and the program is easy to use.
This version has all reported bugs fixed and is full of useful
features. Also, it's FREE! Any STe/TT/ Falcon (but a friend who has a
Falcon says it won't work on his Falcon). Color or mono. Docs
included. Recommended.

[] PAULA22A is Paula v.2.2a (dated Feb. 20, 1992) by Pascal Fellerich
(one of the authors of TURBOASS, a fast Assembler). This .ACC is an
Amiga-MOD-file-player for the Atari TT & STE. Paula doesn't claim to
be the only or the fastest MOD player available for the Atari, but it
certainly is one of the best. It has an excellent GEM interface along
with a Large number of features. Updated to make the program even more
Falcon compatible. This file also includes a utility that allows you
to "fix" some damaged .MOD files. Normally Paula is only usable on STe
or TT machines, but this archive includes PETRA by Christian Limpach.
Petra v.1.0 (dated Aug. 20, 1992) is a software sound driver which
allows all ST's (the program docs say ALL ST's while the uploader said
TOS 1.4 and above) which don't have DMA sound to still run Paula. Just
trust me on this one. If you want to listen to .MOD files just get
this program. Color or mono. Docs included. SHAREWARE. Falcon
compatible. If you know where I can find Paula v.2.2B please let me
know.

[] DC_RT_DC is DC Right DC, another program of the week from Double
Click Software. With DC Right DC installed, a Quick right click on the
mouse will emulate a left double click. Color or mono.

[] MB48_BIN is MasterBrowse v.4.8 by Michel Forget of Electric Storm
Software (dated Oct 6, 1994). The author has fixed the program so it
works with the Falcon in any res. and changed the menu system to make
it much smaller. Master Browse is an EXCELLENT program which
completely replaces the desktop's SHOW routine for any ST--Falcon. It
will allow you to search, mark blocks of text (a new easier way to do
this in v.4.5), cut and paste using the Atari Clipboard, print out
your selected text(s) in a multiplicity of ways, and piles more
features (in part the docs are so extensive simply because there are
so many features! If you want a text file viewer to do something, this
probably already has that feature!).

MasterBrowse can be configured to call an alternate viewer for special
types of files, such as pictures or sound files. It is _Fast_ and
smooth, and can take full advantage of GDOS/SpeedoGDOS, the features
of MultiTOS, MultiGEM, Mag!X, and Geneva, as well as the alternative
desktops such as NeoDesk, TeraDesk, and Gemini. Another nice feature
is that MB supports Peter Seitz' View Protocol, which allows other
programs to instruct MB to display a file instead of using their own
default viewers. A REALLY nice feature new in this version is that MB
will emulate the TOS 1.4 Item Selector for all of you TOS 1.0 and 1.2
users out there. Keyboard (he deleted the user configurable feature in
this version, but it will be coming back in the future) or mouse
controlled. Online help (using the ST-Guide .ACC). It has an easy-to-
use installation program. Shareware ($15). SUPPORT SHAREWARE AUTHORS!
(If you register this program  you get a $5 credit from Suzy B's
Software). Color or mono. This will work on floppy or hard drive
systems.

[] LABP_USA is Laborant Professional 1.02 (USA) by Jens Schulz.
Laborant Professional is one of the most powerful universal chemistry
programs in the PD/shareware market on any computer system. Laborant
Professional provides you with a tool for daily laboratory work and
education. Compatible with any ST--Falcon computer, color or mono, in
ST med. or higher. Geneva, MultiTOS, MultiGEM, and MagiC all work just
fine. If you are working as a chemist, or studying to do so (or did do
that but now are working at another job... say as a pastor!) then
Laborant Professional is for you! Here are some of the things this
program can do for you!
   - Stoichiometry with powerful formula-/equation analysis
   - Data processing (Error determination, interpolation, approximation)
   - Statistical tests
   - Linear equation systems and matrix operations
   - Thermochemistry (incl. databases)
   - Reaction kinetics
   - Chemical solutions and conversions
   - Chemical calculation methods in a wide range
   - Tables and exercising programs
   - Import/export of measuring datas
   - Integration of external programs
   - TeX support
This version has detailed English docs. Freeware!

[] SALVAGE is a simple to use program that is designed to assist in
salvaging floppy disk files that were produced by a text editor or a
word processor when the FAT tables or Directory on the disk have been
trashed. Color or mono. Docs included. By Merlin L. Hanson.

[] SIREN3 is Siren -- It's the Cops! by John Eidsvoog (it's gotta be
good if one of the CodeHead's made it!). SIREN3 is an accessory which
periodically sends a little police car driving across the bottom of
your screen, complete with siren and engine sounds. Who wrote it first
is not knows, by JE has rewritten it with a vengeance. It now works in
both color and mono, registers like a normal accessory, and is user
configurable as to the time in which it appears. This is a fun .ACC,
especially when you sneak it on to a friends boot disk!

[] THINNER2 is a program by Larry McConnell is a program that pull
your "FAT" out of the fire. How does it work? The information on a
floppy disk is kept track of by means of the "directories" which store
info about the files, and the "File Allocation Table" (the FAT), which
tells what blocks each file uses on the disk. On nearly all disks
(except for some ramdisks), there is a second copy of the FAT, which
is located immediately after the first one. The operating system and
most programs only read from the first one, but write changes to the
first and the second one. The idea is that if something bad happens to
the first one, a recovery program may be able to use the second one.
This program will allow you to switch from the first FAT to the second
one, possibly enabling you to copy files from the damaged disk onto a
good one. Works with Floppy, Hard and some RAM disks. Color or mono.
Docs included (you just read them).

[] UNDELETE is for all of you who have ever accidentally erased a
file (on your floppy disk). If you haven't saved any other information
on that disk the file is still there, only hidden. UNDELETE will find
it for you and allow you for save it back in a format your ST will
recognize again! HURRAH for that!! UNDELETE works only in medium
resolution. I use Diamond Edge, which does the same thing... and a lot
more!

[] THEACC12 is an amazing desk accessory that is a utility which will
allow you to rename files, create folders, move files and folders
wherever you wish, format and copy disks, and more. It comes in both
an mono and color version. I don't know why this hasn't seen more
exposure. It is great! No documentation.

[] ASCII2WWW is the ASCII to Word Writer Conversion Kit by John M.
Sieben (dated 1992). The purpose of this utility is to take an ASCII
text file and convert it to something Word Writer ST can format. This
utility's output file should also work in First Word (Plus). You
probably have already seen formatting problems with importing an ASCII
files into Word Writer ST. This is due to Word Writer ST interpreting
each line as a separate paragraph. This utility attempts to determine
where paragraphs should be for Word Writer ST and writes an output
file accordingly.  Mouse controlled. Docs included. Color or mono.

[] TYPTUTOR is "The Typing Tutor" v.2.1 by Bob Areddy (dated 1990).
This program is aimed at testing your typing speed and giving practice
to improve your typing skills. It will present you with a choice of
text files to practice your typing skills. After you have typed the
assigned file you speed and accuracy are presented (the program beeps
when you make a typing error and won't progress until you type it
write!). You can create your own typing tests with ease. This is a
well done program. Source code included. SHAREWARE.

[] EAR2 is v.2 of Ear Trainer by E. Hundley. This is a program to
help young (and older) music students gain the ability to easily
recognize and name the musical tones they hear in scales and music.
This program can help you a lot in your music appreciation, composing
and improvisation. While EAR2 is more of a drill (with a "Mr. T"
look-a-like that "encourages" you to learn the Major, Minor,
Petatonic, and Chromatic scales), it plays like the game "Simon." It's
FUN. Version 2 is now more tolerant of mistakes in the higher levels,
allows you to review your errors at the end of your session and more.
It's well worth the upgrade if you have v.1 (and if you don't have v.1
it's still worth getting!) Color only. Docs included.

[] W_QUEST4 is the complete and updated version (as of Nov. 1993) of
Word Quest 2 v.4.00 by Donald A. Thomas, Jr. of Artisan Software (the
Atari JOIN THE REVOLUTION folks). This program is an EXCELLENT
WordSearch Puzzle program that allows you to create complex puzzles
with a minimum of effort. I bought it when it cost $24.95 and was
quite pleased with it (I use it a lot at church). Puzzles and answers
may be printed out from the program to a laser printer or dot matrix
printer (via a screendump) or to a Neochrome or Degas picture file.
Five puzzles included. Mouse or keyboard controlled.

You can use this program for so many different purposes: education,
advertisement, as an "ice-breaker," and... just for fun! This program
seems the same as the commercial version, but it's not... it's BETTER!
Various bug fixes, incompatibility problems, speed increases, and more
have all been implemented. It even improves over the original
shareware release of Sept., 1993). This new version adds the ability
to enter international characters for broader appeal, a selection of
sort formulas and almost every interactive module now offers a
comprehensive GEM-based dialog box for accelerated productivity. Color
or mono (in ST rez.). TOS 1.0--Falcon compatible. Online help and docs
included.

    David Becker has written MANY excellent monochrome programs and
    games. Here are only a few...

[] ANCIENT is the The Ancient Art of ASCII v.1.0 by David Becker
(dated July 24, 1992). This program will allow you to take any mono
DEGAS picture and convert it into another picture created solely by
placing small and large alphabet characters on the screen (or on
paper). This is ASCII art, which is a "picture translated into text".
By placing small and large characters of the alphabet in spots
corresponding to a pictures light and dark areas, you can trick the
eye into still perceiving the original image, now converted entirely
to text! Toss the Polaroid camera, you can send printed ASCII pictures
of the kids to Grandma! You can also load a custom text file of your
choosing to use (this doesn't work as well for faces, but works fine
for geometric shapes. Docs included. Mono only. This works well!
Sample pictures included.

[] CONECT12 is Connections v. 1.2 by David Becker. Linking text,
graphics, animation and sound within interactive multimedia
presentations is not a new idea. Hypercard on the Macintosh has been
doing it for years. Many commercial programs exist for the PC as well.
It's been around in some form or another for the ST for quite some
time as well. TCOS by Matthew P. Aubury and HyperScreen by R.J.
Pearson both allow text and graphics to be combined in a linked
environment. HyperLink by JMG Software is a much more intensive and
capable commercial database that allows you to mix text, graphics,
animations, and data all in one seamless database. Now David has
created his own interactive multi-media presentation software that
allows you to easily create your own "families" of information that
link graphics, text files, sounds, and animation. He has designed it
so you can pass on your information in an interactive, informative,
educational, entertaining, and fun way. He provides you with all the
tools you need to create your own multimedia masterpiece.  I really
like this program, and recommend it to you highly. Detailed docs and
walk-through tutorial included. It requires at least one Meg of RAM, a
monochrome monitor (or a color monitor with a mono emulator - see
SEBRA133), and a hard drive. I recommend this. It's excellent!

[] TREK_FAM is another Connection's "Family" by David Becker. This one
presents a detailed view of the Star Trek Universe, talking both about
the Original Generation series and the Next Generation TV show. Lots
of digitized sounds, pictures, and text (timelines, review of shows,
etc.  all make this a "must have" file for Trek fans. You must have a
mono monitor and David Becker's Connections multi-media program (now
at version 1.2) to use this file (though you could view the pictures,
listen to the sounds, and read the text files using the appropriate
utilities - it's just nowhere near as much fun!). This file
uncompresses to 760K so you need an extended format disk or a hard
drive to uncompress these files.

[] SPACSHUT by David Becker is another multimedia "Connections Family"
this time detailing the American Space Shuttle program (with glimpses
into the "Soviet" program as well. Digitized sound and animation and
graphics all come together in this interactive learning tool. Hard
drive and mono monitor required. You also need David's "Connections"
program.

[] JUMBLE is ABC Jumble by David Becker. This is an educational
program for young children in the 3-7 age group. This simple program
lets kids sort the letters of the alphabet after the computer jumbles
them up. Its GEM interface and point and click environment make it
simple even for the littlest user. Helps on line, encouragements when
you complete your unjumbling, and more. Mono only (thanks David for
producing so many mono programs, especially this one for kids!) Docs
included.

[] SNDSRCH is Sound Search by David Becker (dated 1993). This mono
only SHAREWARE game is just like Concentration except it uses sounds
instead of pictures. The game presents you with twenty buttons bearing
ten matching sounds. When you choose two buttons that sound the same
the buttons disappear and you get another chance to choose. There are
over 60 different sampled sounds! Each time the program is run, it's a
different game! This memorization game is fun for kids and adults
alike. The author has included a utility that allows parents to choose
sounds, turning some on and some off as they wish. Requires at least
one meg of RAM. The registered version doesn't include any
advertisements and has complete docs (which aren't needed, but
register anyway, OK? I have. Who else produces such excellent mono
software in such amounts? Thanks David!).

[] SRCHFIND is Search and Find by David Becker. This mono-only
learning game is for the littlest Atari kids. Your computer mixes up
15 different pictures on the screen and then asks your child, in a
real human voice, to find one of the pictures. If the child points to
the correct picture, the human voice congratulates the child and then
moves on to a different picture jumble. If the child chooses wrong,
he/she is told in a soothing human voice, "No ... that's the apple [or
whatever], find the strawberry"  Animals, household items, boats,
planes, ships, food, all sorts of pictures are available. Each time
the program is run it's a different game. There are more than 40
assorted pictures! The child wins the game after choosing 14 different
pictures correctly (there are no penalties for wrong answers).
SHAREWARE (It's worth it, and I've registered). It's fun! At least one
meg of RAM required.

[] TYPEWRIT by F.P. Nagle of Rubicon Software is a simple typewriter
accessory for the ST. Pull down this accessory and you will see a
screen with two line on it, one in the upper left corner and the other
in the approx. middle. These are there for your help in addressing
envelopes. Type a line, press return and it is printed out on your
printer. With TYPEWRIT you may also turn on and off your printers
special features (bold, italics, etc.) to customize your new
"typewriter."  Source is available for $15.

[] MBOOK30 is Make*A*Book V3.00 (The FRED version) by Jonathan
Carroll and dedicated to Naomi Akazawa. Make*A*Book will combine your
UltraScript PostScript emulator with an ASCII file and allow you to
print your text file into book form by printing sideways on a sheet of
paper and printing two pages on each side. It will properly sort the
ASCII file and place it in the right order so that once printed, you
simply fold the sheets in half and presto, you've got a book. These
are a lot easier to store a keep track of than having reams of single
sheets of paper. Color or mono. Docs included. It's Jon's free gift to
the Atari community, so enjoy!

[] MNMKR225 by Craig W. Daymon is Manual Maker ver. 2.25. The main
purpose of this program is to make manual size print-outs from ASCII
files using GDOS (or G+PLUS), GDOS fonts and printer drivers. This
program does just about everything! It features: Justified or
Unjustified print-outs; designated number to start page-numbering
with; separate Left and Right page headers; up to 1000 (manual) page
document capacity; prints to both sides of paper; tabs STOPs every 4
to 20 spaces, as indicated; and with printer paper alignment test. You
have imbedded commands for:  Center text; BOLD text; Underlined text;
Skewed text; for a forced Page-Break and a set indentation value. Even
more features than we have room for here (for example choice of 6
border patterns). A $15 donation is requested for use of the program.
Get this!! $5 from ever $15 or more donation will be sent to the
American Diabetes Assoc.. How's that! Color or mono. Docs included.

[] PPRESS3 is The Printing Press v.3.03 by Bernhard Artz (dated Jan.
28, 1990). This is an excellent get-this-program mono-only program
that will allow you to print out Letterhead, Envelopes (with both
address and return address, and a graphic!), two types of disk labels,
banners, and cards. You can use a variety of fonts with your creations
(ten included), and import Degas, Doodle, or the programs own .CPG
picture files for your graphics (numbers included). You can cut the
pictures so as to include just the portion you want to include. This
archive also includes a full fledged art program to create your own
artwork! An .ACC is also included which will allow you to change the
system font as well (four fonts included). Support for Epson 9 and 24
pin printers and the NEC P 5,6 and 7 printers are included. SHAREWARE.
Laser printer support is in the works. Register! Also included is the
Irrata BBS Anti Virus Checker, Assasins, v.1.5, dated 1993. This
program checks the boot sector of your disks and gives you the option
of zeroing any boot sector containing data. This works on my STE just
fine, but I can't run it from my hard drive (I can run it from my
floppy while the Hard drive is up and running though!). Geneva
compatible.

[] EVER_E33 is Everest v.3.3E, a "simple and genial" GEM ASCII Text
Editor by Oliver Schmidt (dated April 30, 1994). The author keeps on
updating this already excellent program! This version includes several
new features and enhancements over previous versions. Everest is
compatible with all ST-Falcon computers and most if not all graphic
cards and resolutions (except ST low). I found this program very easy
to use and very fast as well. Using a standard GEM interface, this
editor will allow you to edit large files (>300K) blazingly fast with
no problems, uses either the mouse or keyboard shortcuts for every
function, and even uses mono spaced GDOS fonts if available! Text
scrolling is smooth and easy on the eyes with no "jumps". There are
several other nice features as well:  Everest employs dynamic memory
allocation to leave the maximum possible memory for other applications
(great for MultiTOS or Geneva!); it takes advantage of the GEM
Clipboard (a feature I use all the time in STeno!), uses GDOS if
available, has the ability to create and use an extensive abbreviation
dictionary (wonderful), and allows for up to ten files to be loaded at
one time (even more wonderful!). Keyboard and/or mouse controlled
(even the dialog boxes can be accessed from the keyboard!). Everest
can also accept a command line so you can call it from a shell if you
wish. Shareware. Check this one out!

[] ALICE by Ralf Kaufmann is ALICE Another Little C Editor v.1.42
(dated August 1992). This is a great GEM oriented editor for
ASCII-files. It is a:
 - GEM-based text editor 
 - simultaneous editing of several texts in GEM windows, 10 
   additional texts may be held in cut/paste buffers
 - full mouse support 
 - all menus are selectable by the keyboard
 - simple printing facilities 
 - block operations (cut/paste) with up to 10 buffers
 - search and replace 
 - runs on any ATARI ST/STE/TT
 - program versions exist in english, german and french
 - prints with any Epson compatible printer

I really like this program, especially the ability to work with several
texts at once (up to six at once) and to cut/paste with the 10 buffers.
Color or mono. Docs included. Highly recommended.

[] BLOCKADE is one of my favorite games. The object is to completely
uncover a background picture within a stated time limit. Not hard,
right? Wrong. Unfortunately for you there is this little nasty thing
(LNT) bouncing around the screen. You leave a line as you cross the
picture. If you get to the other side before the LNT touches you or
your line, you are OK. BUT, if it touches you before you reach your
destination, you're sunk. You get three chances. Every time you cut
off a section of the screen more of the picture appears, and you start
again. I really like this one. The pictures are low rez Degas pics, so
you can change them to anything you wish. Color only. Three levels.
STe compatible.

[] DMLTN_2 is Demolition Man v.2.0 by Clayton Walnum. He's done it
again.  This man is a bad as Charles Johnson (of CodeHead fame). He
keeps on improving an excellent game!. In this color or mono game you
play a bomb demolition expert who tries to discover where all the
bombs are hidden without exploding any of them unintentionally
(especially when the are under you!). There are EASY, HARD, and AGONY
levels! Mouse controlled.  You have to use your brain to win this
game.  The only trouble is is that you want to keep playing. You just
know you'll do better the next time!  Docs included. SHAREWARE. C.W.
is the author of _C-MANSHIP COMPLETE_, the only programming manual for
the Atari ST that teaches both basic C programming and GEM
applications programming.  Are you a POPULOUS fan?  He has also
written _Master Populous. Finally (for now) he has written _The ST
Assembly Language Workshop, Vol. 1_. This guy knows his stuff!

[] DALEKS is a superb, excellent, wonderful program by Brian McClendon
of Bloom County Software. Based on the TV program, "Dr. Who" you fight
for your life avoiding the attacking Daleks, armed with your trusty
Sonic Screwdriver. Color or mono. GET THIS ONE! SHAREWARE.

[] AKS by A.K.Schiebereien and S.B.Werninger is a mono only puzzle
program that will provide you with hours of challenging puzzles (I
have this from the English docs by D.A. Brumleve, the noted ST
programmer!). You must shove barrels around a warehouse and place them
in the proper locations. It is much like Chip's Challenge.

[] STARBATL is the first game on the ST that I played. It's a fast
paced, keyboard or joystick controlled "shoot-'em-up" game. Different
screens of dastardly aliens drop bombs on you while you shoot at them.
You try to avoid their bombs, and they dash around the screen avoiding
your shots (but they move in predictable ways!). Color.

[] REFLEX is a program that tests your reflexes (at least your mouse
clicking ones). You are given five tests and your reflex time is
determined by their average (My best was .215 seconds). The only
problem with this program is that you keep trying to better your last
score! Color only.  Docs within program.

[] HOTWHEEL is Hot Wheels by John Gymer of Kingfisher Software (dated
June 1991). Hot Wheels is a fast action car racing game in which you
take the wheel of a spanking new Ferrari 348. One player can practice
a track on their own or race against two computer-controlled drones.
Alternatively, two players can compete at the same time using a
split-screen display (a la Super Cars 2). In two player mode one drone
can be added to the race.  This game is joystick controlled, with lots
of options that make it easier or harder, as you wish. Even at it's
hardest (practically zero traction, no brakes, super fast
acceleration) you can still manage if you possess superhuman reflexes.
Otherwise, I would recommend you make things a little easier on
yourself! This is a fun game! 15 tracks to race on, with an editor
included to make more of your own! Recommended.  Color only. Docs
included.

[] MIDIMAZ2 is Midi Maze II by D-Soft of Germany. It is a marvelous
game for up to 16 players who connect their computers with one another
through the MIDI port. More than one computer is definitely necessary
to take advantage of all the features of the program (though there is
a one-player practice mode - see the docs)! Each player directs a
spherical Smiley through a maze; whoever sees a friend, helps him and
if he sees an enemy, he shoots him down (or the other way around).
Midi_Maze II is all that the former commercial game was and more.
Digitized sound. Color or mono. Joystick or mouse controlled. Requires
a MIDI cable for multi- player option (only a couple of dollars).
ST/STe/TT compatible. There are English docs available (see MDMZ2DOC).
SHAREWARE.

[] OTRPLACE is OTHER PLACE v.1.2 by Jonathan Corey using GFA BASIC
v3.5E (dated April 20, 1992). Fly your spaceship through a maze of
caverns, seeking the jewels from the central cavern. Avoid the
Guardians, walls, and the growing "Central Objects."  Keyboard and
mouse controlled. This is another good game. It combines both thought
and quickness in order to achieve your goal. Color or mono. Docs
included. This just fixes one bug from v.1.1.

[] KLATRIX is a Columns type clone create by Mats Hogberg of Sweden
using STOS. In this game groups of three colored tiles fall from the
top of the screen. By pressing the fire button on your joystick you
rotate the tiles so that you end up with the color order you wish, top
to bottom (you hope).  By aligning three of the same color, in any
direction, you cause them to vanish (which is the goal!)  This is well
done. Color only. SHAREWARE.  Docs in Swedish (but they aren't
necessary). I like this game a lot.  (use STOSFX30 if you have an STE
or higher).

 Yikes, I've run out of time. I have to get this in to Travis or he
 will shoot me! [Ed: What??? So I'm the Grouch? <g>] Take care, and
 again, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Michael

All of these files can be found on one or more of the following
on-line services:  Delphi (MRBURKLEY),  GEnie (M.BURKLEY1) The
CodeHead BBS (818) 980-6763), Toad Computers BBS (410-544-6999), and
at Toad Hall, now the official BBS of the Boston Computer Society
(617-567-8642) (as Michael R. Burkley).

Michael lives in Niagara Falls, NY. He is a former Polyurethane
Research Chemist and is presently the pastor of the Niagara
Presbyterian Church.


                            --==--==--==--==--


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--       --==--==--       GEnie Sign-Up Information      --==--==--      --
--                                                                       --
--   1. Set your communications software for half duplex (local echo)    --
--   at 300, 1200, or 2400 baud.                                         --
--                                                                       --
--   2.  Dial toll free: 1-800-638-8369 (or in Canada, 1-800-387-8330).  -- 
--   Upon connection, enter HHH.                                         --
--                                                                       --
--   3.  At the U# prompt, enter XTX99436,GENIE then press <Return>.     --
--                                                                       --
--   4.  Have a major credit card ready.  In the U.S., you may also use  --
--   your checking account number.                                       --
--                                                                       --
--   For more information in the United States or Canada, call 1-800-    --
--   638-9636 or write: GEnie, c/o GE Information Services, P.O. Box     --
--   6403, Rockville, MD 20850-1785.                                     --
--                                                                       --
--       --==--==--  Atari's Official Online Resource!  --==--==--       --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            --==--==--==--==--


 |||   Developing news!
 |||   Items of interest from TOS platform developers and supporters
/ | \  -------------------------------------------------------------------
       -------------------------------------------------------------------

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Have SARA Do Your Searching
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

                    SARA Search and Retrieval Software
                           For the Atari Computer

SARA Search and Retrieval Software will allow you to search and view
the information on many CD's currently available on other platforms.

SARA has support for the following CD's

   The Family Doctor - DOS Version
   Sherlock Holmes on DIsc
   Multimedia Audubon Animals
   Wayzata World Fact Book
   Time Man of the Year
   The Art History Encyclopedia
   Software Toolworks Reference Library

Text can be accessed with any Atari computer from the ST to the Falcon
and TT using either a monochrome or color monitor in 80 column mode.

Graphics can be viewed on any Atari with 16 colors available in 80
column mode (TT and Falcon).

You will find having the Software Toolworks Reference Library at your
fingertips very handy.

SARA requires a CD rom driver. We suggest ExtenDOS Pro by Anodyne Software
for best use.

SARA is available for $59.99, postpaid, from:

It's All Relative Software,
2233 Keeven Lane
Florissant MO 63031
USA

Or ask for it by name at your favorite Atari dealer.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Homa Systems House Intros
//// Wax Thermal Printers For ST
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

FARGO PRIMERA PRINTER DRIVERS FOR CALAMUS SL.
PIXART 2.2, The Ultimate Painting package for all ATARI systems.

Introduction

"Homa Systems House" is pleased to announce its joining to the ATARI
computers market, as a SOFTWARE & HARDWARE company. Our goal is to
bring you the finest Hardware and Software which would show once again
the superiority of the ATARI line of computers. By being both a
hardware and software company, we are able to offer HW and SW
solutions to your needs. At this time, we are excited to announce the
following products:

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

   FARGO PRIMERA PRINTER DRIVERS FOR CALAMUS SL.

There are two sets of printer drivers available for the Primera
printer, one for WAX THERMAL printing and one for Dye-sublimation.

i)   Wax thermal set includes the following printer drivers:
      - driver for 3 color printing (C, Y, M)
      - driver for 4 color printing (C, Y, M, K)
      - driver for monochrome printing

ii)   Dye sublimation set includes the above plus a specific printer
driver for the Dye-sublimation ribbon, for photo realistic (amazing)
output.

Fargo Primera is a photo realistic color printer that is actually
affordable. Primera utilizes the printing technologies most preferred
by professional graphics artists, WAX THERMAL TRANSFER and
DYE-SUBLIMATION, as alternatives to the ink jet technology. With
Primera, you are thus able to obtain the brightest, sharpest and most
vibrant color output available on the desktop today. Primera is the
perfect color printer for producing all of your comps, proofs, photos,
mock-ups, illustrations, 3D rendering, video captures, presentation
materials, electronic images and much much more. What makes Primera
stick out is its price. For thousands of dollars less than other
dye-sublimation and thermal wax printers, you can now print stunning
color graphics and text on plain laser paper, overhead transparency
film - even heat transfer for T-shirts, coffee mugs and caps.

Specifications:

Resolution:
203  DPI printing

Print Speed
WAX color: 25 MPP
WAX Monochrome: 1 PPM
Dye-sublimation color: 10-12 MPP
Dye-sublimation mono: 5 MPP

Print size:
A               8.5 x 11 inches
A-long          8.5 x 13 inches
A4              210 x 297   mm
A4-long         210 x 330   mm


For more info please contact HOMA Systems House.

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

PIXART 2.2

Pixart is the ultimate painting package  for everyone. With its easy
and friendly user interface and powerful painting tools, it makes it
the ideal program for painters, desktop publishers, children, or just
an occasional computer hobbyist. What makes Pixart even more
attractive is its affordable price. It works on any ATARI computer
with at least 1meg of memory (TOS 1.0 - MTOS, MAGIC, Geneva, Falcon030
, TT030, ....), in monochrome and 2,4, 16, 24 bit color (2, 4, 16,
256, 32K, true color, 16.8 Million colors). It is also compatible with
all the graphics cards in the market (NOVA, CYREL SUNRISE, MATRIX,
CRAZY DOTS, ...).

Pixart is full of features and here are some:

- picture size of 32000 x 32000 pixels, in definable resolution (DPI)

- it has over 17 drawing tools (lines, rays, rectangle, air brush, ....)

- very powerful and extensive user definable block editing and
  manipulation tools:
      - normal and lasso cut
      - stretch, zoom, rotate, horizontal tilt, vertical tilt, angular
        distortion, invert, projection of the block onto 16 predefined
        3D shapes, user definable (any size) grids and projection onto
        the grids with loading  and saving option for the custom
        grids.

- built in text editor, with the option of loading text from disk,
  color, text attributes (bold, italic, outline, ...)

- supports speedogdos 5 (bitstream, true type, type 1),
  speedogdos 4, NVDI 3 (bitstream, true type), signum fonts,
  bitmap fonts.

- loads GIF, TIF, IFF, IMG, XIMG, TARGA, PI? (1,2,3,5,6,7),
  PC(1,2,3), NEO, PCX, PAC, PIC (STAD), ESM (TMS enhanced
  Simplex format), BIG (draw BIG), PIX (Pixart's own format)

- saves as IMG, TIF, IFF, BMP, ESM, PCX, PI?, PC?, PIX.

- powerful printing features:
      - has built in printer drivers for 9pin, 24 pin, HP Laser Jet,
        HP Deskjet 500C, HP Deskjet 550C, and is also capable of
        printing to any GDOS driver.
      - 18 different dittering patterns for best output (color or
        monochrome) - print preview
      - allows you to zoom in on your screen to print any area of your
        picture with user definable resolution.
      - variable printing direction - and more!

- Clipboard

- Multiple picture windows

- on screen help

- zoom (+,-)

- Completely GEM oriented and fully customizable:
      - menu driven, user customizable popup menus, user customizable
        menu short cuts (keyboard),  3D look, user definable dialog
        boxes (normal or in a window for fully multitasking)

- Scanner support with GDPS drivers (supported by HOMA Systems House)

- Graphics tablet support (drivers and hardware available from Homa
  Systems House)

- and many, many, many more features.

This package is full of features. A must have for everyone. For more
info on this wonderful package, please contact HOMA Systems House.

Please contact Homa Systems House for more information. We are so
excited about this, and hopefully you will be too. Please send your
comments to:

HOMA SYSTEMS HOUSE

Mailing:
P.O. BOX 52127
OTTAWA, ONT. K1N 5S0
CANADA

email:  aa414@freenet.carleton.ca
genie:  S.FARSHIDGH

Homa Systems House
tel: (613) 722-0901
fax: (613) 722-9061


#####   PRICE INFO   #####

##### Check out the Christmas Special at the end #####

**Introductory prices

PRODUCT
                                                Suggested
                                              Retail (US$) ##

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fargo Primera Printer driver for
     Calamus SL, Wax Thermal     ................. 69.00
Fargo Primera Printer drivers for
     Calamus SL, Dye sublimation & Wax thermal... 169.00
Fargo Primera Printer, Thermal Wax,
     No ATARI Drivers            ................ 795.00
Photo realistic upgrade (dye sublimation),
     No ATARI Drivers            ................ 225.00


Package deal,  CHRISMAS SPECIAL, LIMITED TIME

Fargo Primera printer, thermal wax
                   with Calamus SL Drivers        850.00
Fargo Primera Printer, TW & Dye Sublimation with
                   Calamus SL Drivers            1150.00

Pixart 2.2                                        119.00


Availability

   Fargo Printer drivers............ available now
   Fargo Printers ...................... available now
   Pixart 2.2 ............................... Jan 9 /1995  (Estm)


As a Christmas special, you can preorder Pixart for only $ 89.00 US.
That is a saving of $30.00. Shipping and handling is extra on all
orders. We ship UPS, Fedex, 1st class mail.

Terms and payments.

We accept certified check or money order at this time only. Canadian
residents can pay C.O.D.  7% GST applies to Canadian customers. 8% PST
applies to Ontario residents.  Please call Homa Systems House for more
details for ordering.

HOMA SYSTEMS HOUSE

Mailing:
P.O. BOX 52127
OTTAWA, ONT. K1N 5S0
CANADA

email:  aa414@freenet.carleton.ca
genie:  S.FARSHIDGH


Homa Systems House
tel: (613) 722-0901
fax: (613) 722-9061


# Calamus SL is a registered trademark of DMC publishing. ATARI is a
registered trademark of ATARI Corp.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// STeno 2.1 Patch Available
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


What is needed to upgrade
=========================

1.  An un-modified STeno 2 Master Disk, version 2.00.

2.  A hard disk or a blank formatted floppy disk (to place the
    STENO210.PRG and STENO210.DAT on).


How to upgrade your STeno version 2.00 to version 2.10
======================================================

1.  Make sure you have made a backup copy of the STeno 2 Master Disk.

2.  Place the STENO210.PRG and STENO210.DAT on your hard disk or on
    the blank floppy disk (it may need the extra disk space to write
    some temporary files, depending on free memory.)

3.  Run the STENO210.PRG and follow the on-screen prompts.

4.  Once you have finished upgrading your master disk to version 2.10,
    make a backup copy of this newer version.

** VERY IMPORTANT STEP, READ CAREFULLY **

5.  To install the newer version on your system, you MUST replace the
    following STeno 2.00 files in your system with the 2.10 version
    files from the newly upgraded disk:

    \STENO.ACC
    \STENO.PRG
    \STENO.RSC

    The following files are also included in the archive, for use by
    programmers. They are not essential for normal operation:

    \PROGRAM\HYPRDEFS.H
    \PROGRAM\STENOMSG.H


If you get an error message
===========================

If your STeno 2 Master Disk has been modified in any way (including
moving files around), the patch program will not be able to perform
the upgrade.  You will get an error message indicating that this has
happened.  In this case, you should mail us the disk so that we can
upgrade it.

To have your disk upgraded by us, you need to:

1.  Send in your original, registered, STeno 2.00 Master Disk.
2.  Enclose a U.S. check for $5 + $2 shipping & handling ($7 total).
3.  Enclose a note with your name, address, and daytime phone number.

In return you will receive the upgraded 2.10 Master Disk. If you have
already purchased this patch disk from us for $5, please just include
your original disk and $2.


Changes for STeno 2.10
======================

General Operation:

 If STeno is run as a desk accessory after NeoDesk 4 is already
   running, you can now drag icons to a STeno icon on the desktop.

 STeno now indicates Line, Column, and whether the current file has
   been modified, by way of the window's name bar. Only file
   modification is indicated in the desk accessory title (or program
   title under Geneva/MultiTOS), by way of a delta (triangle)
   character.

 [Control][Tab] will invoke the BackTalk compiler, if it is already in
   memory.

 STeno will use Geneva's menu-in-a-window feature. This means that you
   can use tear-away menus and [Alt][Space] to traverse the menu if
   you have Geneva.

 STeno now handles the AP_TERM message, so that it can be terminated
   from Geneva or MultiTOS.

 It is now possible to close the STeno's window without quiting STeno
   when run as an application. Pressing [Shift][Esc] will close the
   window, pressing this combination again will re-open it.

 Under AES 3.40 or newer, all buttons are now 3D. Under Geneva, its
   radio buttons are used, also.

 STeno's Programmer Interface is now active. It is now possible for
   external programs to use STeno as an editor. Check out HYPRDEFS.H
   and STENOMSG.H for details.

Preferences Dialog:

 STeno now supports the new Atari Clipboard standard. To enable this
   feature, select the "Use Atari Clipboard" option.

 STeno now stores the font size and window size/position independently
   for ST Medium/Low versus other resolutions. This way you will not
   end up with a font that is the wrong size when changing between
   resolutions.

 Added a configuration option to allow scrolling by line, instead of
   the default jump scrolling.

 The cursor blink can be turned on or off.

 When saving a file, STeno will first save the file to $$STENO$.$$$.
   If that is successful, STeno will then delete the original file and
   rename $$STENO$.$$$ to the original file.  If the disk fills up
   while saving to $$STENO$.$$$, $$STENO$.$$$ will be deleted and the
   original file will be intact.

   This can be toggled on/off. If you prefer to have faster Saves,
   then turn the option off.

 The menu can now be toggled between being in a window or not, by way
   of an option. Note that when STeno is used as a desk accessory, its
   menu is always in the window, regardless of how this option is set.

 Under AES 4.0 or newer, or Geneva, if you have multiple STenos
  running, pressing [Alternate][#] will bring a STeno to the
  foreground (i.e.:  [Alternate][1] will top the first STeno,
  [Alternate][2] will top the second STeno).  This will work with up
  to 10 STenos running (the 10th STeno is [Alternate][0]).  The number
  to press is between the [] in the window title.  When quitting a
  STeno, the previous numbered STeno will be topped (i.e.: quitting
  STeno #8 will top STeno #7.  If #7 is not running then #6, #5...).

   The behavior of this is configurable.  There are new options in the
   Preferences dialog:

   o Autotop on Exit         When quitting the current STeno, make
                               the next one come into focus.
   o Accessories             If Autotop on Exit is on, this will tell
                               STeno to top DA's or not.
   o Numbers in DESK Menu    Tells STeno to number the STeno's under
                               the DESK Menu (ie: 1STeno:, 2STeno:,
                               3STeno:, etc.).

Main Window:

 It is now possible to resize the window when the Sizer is not
  displayed by holding down the both the left and right mouse button
  and clicking the lower right corner as if the Sizer were there.

 On startup, STeno will always open its window to the size that was
   saved.

 STeno correctly redraws its window if it is not the topmost window,
   and one of the scroll bars is used in Geneva or MultiTOS.

 The mouse is turned back on before another window becomes topped.

 Line scrolling is substantially faster than previous versions.

Editing Commands:

 [Insert] will toggle between insert mode and overwrite mode for new
   text that is entered.

 Pressing [Shift][Delete] will copy the text into the UNDO buffer.
   Previously, this would just delete it.

 The sequence [Control][Insert] will copy a block into the UNDO buffer.

 [Shift][Insert] will paste the internal buffer (like [Undo]).

 [Alternate][B] will start a block. [Alternate][E] will end the block,
   showing the selected area. The block acts the same as a block
   marked with the mouse.

 If you hold down the [Control] key when marking a block, it will be a
   column block (i.e.: [Control][Shift][Alternate][B]). This cannot be
   done with the mouse, it can only be done with the keyboard.

   If you hold down the [Control] key when pasting a block, it will be
   inserted as a column (i.e.: [Control][Alternate][V]).

 [Control][Up] and [Control][Down] will scroll the screen in the
   corresponding direction without moving the cursor's line or column
   position.

 [Control][Shift][Up] and [Control][Shift][Down] will move the cursor
   to the top or bottom of the window, without scrolling.

 [Alternate][C] and [Alternate][V] will no longer clear the clipboard
   if there is no block selected.

 When deleting a line, the entire screen is no longer redrawn.

Menus:

 When saving a file, if it already exists, you will be prompted to
   Replace/Append/Cancel. To avoid this prompt and always Replace the
   existing file, use [Control][Alternate][S].

 [Alternate][|] will toggle the Vertical Slider on/off.
   [Alternate][-] will toggle the Horizontal Slider on/off.

 [Control][Alternate][Q] will save (replace) a modified file and then
   quit STeno without prompting.

 [Shift][Tab] will invoke STalker, in addition to [Alternate][Tab].
   This was added because [Alternate][Tab] is used by Geneva.

 The Word Wrap dialog has a new toggle. This toggle is used to turn
   on/off indenting while typing in word wrap mode. If it is selected,
   the text will indent to the previous line's indentation.  When this
   option is off, no indentation will occur.

Type-Ahead Mode:

 You can no longer [Backspace] over the character that represents the
   start of a Type-Ahead line.  You can however, [Delete] the
   character.

 When you send the type-ahead buffer, STeno will send up to the next
   marker, or to the end of the buffer, instead of stopping at the
   cursor. For example, if you had the lines:

    =The quick brown fox#jumped in a puddle.
    =Fubar.

  with the cursor at the #, then pressing Return will send everything
  from the preceding = up to, but not including, the next =.

  It used to be that it would only send "The quick brown fox", which
  meant that if you realized you had a typo at the beginning of the
  line, you had to move the cursor all the way to the end before
  pressing Return.

This program will upgrade STeno version 2.00 to version 2.10. It will
ONLY upgrade version 2.00.

Any questions or comments, please contact us at:

    Gribnif Software, P.O. Box 779, Northampton, MA 01061, USA
    Tel: (413) 247-5620, Fax: (413) 247-5622
    GEnie:    GRIBNIF
    Internet: gribnif@genie.geis.com



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// STalker 3.03 Patch Available
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


What is needed to upgrade
=========================

 1.  An un-modified, registered, STalker 3 Master Disk, version 3.02.

 2.  A hard disk or a blank formatted floppy disk (to place the
     STALK303.PRG and STALK303.DAT on).


How to upgrade your STalker version 3.02 to version 3.03
========================================================

 1.  Make sure you have made a backup copy of the STalker 3 Master Disk.

 2.  Place the STALK303.PRG and STALK303.DAT on your hard disk or on
     the blank floppy disk (it may need the extra disk space to write
     some temporary files, depending on free memory.)

 3.  Run the STALK303.PRG and follow the on-screen prompts.

 4.  Once you have finished upgrading your master disk to version
     3.03, make a backup copy of this newer version.

 ** VERY IMPORTANT STEP, READ CAREFULLY **

 5.  To install the newer version on your system, you MUST replace the
     following STalker 3.02 files in your system with the 3.03 version
     files from the newly upgraded disk. You can either do this from
     the desktop, or by using the INSTALL.PRG on the STalker disk:

      \STALKER.ACC
      \STALKER.PRG    (copied from STALKER.PRG on the master disk)
      \STALKER.RSC


If you get an error message
===========================

 If your STalker 3 Master Disk has been modified in any way (including
 moving files around), the patch program will not be able to perform
 the upgrade. You will get an error message indicating that this has
 happened. In this case, you should mail us the disk so that we can
 upgrade it.

 To have your disk upgraded by us, you need to:

 1.  Send in your original, registered, STalker 3.02 Master Disk.
 2.  Enclose a U.S. check for $5 + $2 shipping & handling ($7 total).
 3.  Enclose a note with your name, address, and daytime phone number.

 In return you will receive the upgraded 3.03 Master Disk. If you have
 already purchased this patch disk from us for $5, please just include
 your original disk and $2.


Helpful Hints
=============

 o If you are having trouble with lost characters, the very first
   thing to do is try running AUXINIT.PRG. If using rates > 19200, you
   may also find it helpful to increase the size of the buffer to the
   maximum, 31K.

 o When using high speed modems (9600 baud or greater) you will have
   to use hardware (RTS/CTS) flow control, rather than XON/XOFF flow
   control.  Several pointers:

   o Make sure STalker has been configured for RTS/CTS in the Port
     Settings dialog for each service you plan to connect to at high
     speed.
   o Make sure your modem is configured for RTS/CTS. This varies from
     modem to modem; some use an AT command, others a DIP switch.
     Consult your modem's manual for more information.
   o Run the appropriate combination of patch programs. These can be
     found in the EXTRAS folder of your STalker disk:

      TOS version        Port                Program(s)
       1.0-1.6x      ST-compatible      SERIALFX
       2.00-2.05     ST-compatible      SERIALFX and SERIALFX
                     other              SERPTCH
       2.06          ST-compatible      SERIALFX
                     other              none needed
       3.00-3.05     ST-compatible      SERIALFX and SERIALFX
                     other              SERPTCH
       3.06          ST-compatible      SERIALFX
                     other              none needed
       4.0x          Falcon             none needed

   Because STalker reconfigures the Falcon serial port and the
   "non-standard" ports on the Mega STe and TT by writing directly to
   the hardware registers for those devices, other serial patch
   programs may not work properly with these ports when STalker is
   running.

 o If, after dialing a service, you notice that you cannot access any
   of STalker's functions and the "Dial" menu title is still selected,
   then this most likely means that there is a problem with your
   autologin sequence for that service. Press Undo to cancel the
   autologin and then check the appropriate entry in the Autodialer
   Directory.

 o If you use the GDOS replacement NVDI, you may notice that
   accessing the "STalker preferences" dialog will sometimes cause the
   terminal font to revert to the system font. Selecting the
   preferences dialog a second time will restore the setting and allow
   you to reset the font in the Terminal dialog. This seems to be due
   to a bug in NVDI.


Changes for STalker 3.03
========================

 The Preferences dialog has several new items:
  
   o The first is an option to toggle the menu in a window feature.

   o The second is to toggle to usage of the new Atari Clipboard.
     Drive Z is now a valid drive letter, so to use the Atari
     Clipboard standard it is necessary to select this option in the
     dialog.

   o Next is an option to turn off the Blitter chip, if present, when
     STalker first runs and then turn it back on when STalker quits.
     At high speed on some machines, the Blitter causes problems with
     serial communications.

   o "Alert before clearing buffer" will display an alert before
     allowing the keyboard sequence [Control][Clr] to clear the
     buffer.

 After marking a block, the pop-up menu will disable the Print option
   if STalker doesn't detect a printer online and ready. Similarly,
   the menu item "Send text to printer" is disabled if the printer is
   not ready.

 It is now possible to turn off Remote Mode by selecting the menu item
   Remote Mode. The menu item now acts like a toggle. Furthermore, it
   is no longer possible to Save Configuration with Remote Mode
   enabled.

 [Shift][Tab] will invoke STeno.  This was added because
   [Alternate][Tab] is used by Geneva.

 Added the keyboard equivalent [Shift][Alternate][Esc] to reset the
   serial port. This was added because Geneva uses [Alternate][Esc] to
   close the window.

 [Control][Tab] will invoke the BackTalk compiler if it is running.

 If you have Geneva, you can tear-away STalker's menus or use them
   from the keyboard with [Alternate][Space].

 In previous versions, STalker would close a file being downloaded and
   reopen it repeatedly. In the new version, STalker leaves the file
   open at all times and only reopens it if it gets closed
   unexpectedly (like when you are using STalker as a desk accessory
   and then quit an application.)

   This means that downloading is a bit faster, especially for large
   files. It also means that you should avoid anything that will
   force a media change on the drive a file is being downloaded to,
   like swapping disks or the "Force Update" option in NeoDesk.

 [Shift][Esc] will open/close the main STalker window without
   quitting.  Also, when STalker is run in a multitasking environment
   it is now possible to close the main window and the file transfer
   window while a file is being uploaded or downloaded.  [Shift][Esc]
   will close the main window and the file transfer window.
   [Control][Shift][Esc] will close the window without quitting also,
   but during file transfers the file transfer window will remain
   open.

 Added support for NeoDesk 4's NEO_ACC_ASK.  This allows STalker and
   NeoDesk to communicate as a NeoDesk Desk Accessory if STalker was
   installed after NeoDesk is already running.

 Passing -m as the first parameter on the command line when STalker is
   run will force STalker to toggle menus in the window. This option
   will be saved if you Save Settings.

STalker will print correctly under all revisions of TOS.

On a Falcon, the Serial port is now the only port available, and
 faster baud rates are possible.

STalker will now report a disk full error, if there is one, when
 saving an .INF file.

 STalker should correctly close files in scripts now.  It should no
   longer be necessary to call file_close() twice.

 Zmodem Resumes on Delphi now work.

 Double-clicking on a Dial? entry will not remove the dialog until the
   mouse is released. The event is also disposed of.

 Reworked "Use GDOS monospaced fonts" so that booting without GDOS
   will not permanently affect this setting.

 The File menu has been changed slightly to hopefully avoid a problem
   with STalker and TOS 1.00.

 DCD is off by default when no .INF file is found.

This program will upgrade STalker version 3.02 to version 3.03. It
will ONLY upgrade version 3.02.

Any questions or comments, please contact us at:

    Gribnif Software, P.O. Box 779, Northampton, MA 01061, USA
    Tel: (413) 247-5620, Fax: (413) 247-5622
    GEnie:    GRIBNIF
    Internet: gribnif@genie.geis.com


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
//// Apex Media via Lexicor
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

APEX MEDIA for the Falcon030 with DSP 56001 support
by Black Scorpion Software now available through Lexicor Software
Corporation in North America (dealer inquiries encouraged).

Animation and Morphing
o Smooth image transforms
o Powerful block functions
o Block rotation to any angle, proportional re-scale
   stretch, skew and mirror
o File import of animations from disk to paste above 
   below existing pictures at any point in the target animation

Digitising
o Multiplie, real-time frame capture
   to 512x320 in 16-bit color
o Rostrum Camer work to 24-bit

Post-Processing
o Two levels of Noise reduction, Dejagging
   and motion blur
o Advanced Delta Compression to reduce memory/disk overheads

Drawing Tools
o Pen, Line, Curve, Polygon, Circle, Box
o Stipple Airbrush
o Redefinable grid

Special features include
o Redefinable Graduated Circles,
   Lines, Boxes
o Interpolative Lines and Boxes
o Definable Fill using Block or Gradient

NON-Linear Drawing
o Realistic Airbrush for producing soft graduated spray effect
o Transform of definable areas controlling hue, saturation, brightness
   using paint or fill.
o Transform and Masking with an extensive range of brushes

Screen Modes
o Real-teim zoom available at all times, even during animations
o Every single tool fully usable under zoom conditions
o Smooth scrolling uner zoom or virtual canvas operation with any tool

File Support
o PC1, IFF, SPU, PCS, TGA, MTV, JPG, GIF, FLC, SEQ, ANM, APX
o CFN font support, saving of palette, Field Warp lines and set-up
  configuration
o Import of images or animations with color reduction, pasting over
   or under existing images

Video Support
o VGA, RGB monitors and TV's
o Selectable resolutions: 320x200, 320x400, 640x200, 640x400
o Virtual Canvas up to 2048 x 1024
o Supersampling of true colors images for 256 video modes.
o Enhancement of existing 256 color images with dithering and/or
  supersampling
o Import of large images into smaller canvas sizes with fine scaling.
o Grey-scale conversions

Lexicor Software Corporation
36 Queensberry Street, Suite 6
Boston, MA 02215
U.S.A.
Internet        : service@lexicor.com
Genie           : GRAPHICS RT or LEXICOR
CIS             : 75300,763
DEPLHI          : LEXICORWORLD

Recommended Retail Price is 199 U$D


                             --==--==--==--==--


 |||
 |||  Shutdown ............................ Power off, EXIT, BYE, Logoff
/ | \ ------------------------------------------------------------------

We welcome feedback from all of our readers; feedback both positive
and negative. Whatever you think of our efforts, we sincerely would
like to know. Our EMail addresses are sprinkled throughout each
issue - with the new Internet gateway into GEnie, you can reach us
through the Internet also. Append "@genie.geis.com" to any of our
GEnie addresses.


Until the next issue of AEO, I remain,
Your Editor
Travis Guy
Internet: aeo.mag@genie.geis.com


                            --==--==--==--==--

                (This issue printed on recycled photons)

                            --==--==--==--==--

                                  DNFTEC

                            --==--==--==--==--

                                    #1
                        Wide_left > 2*(Wide_right)

                            --==--==--==--==--

                          No Inflation Necessary

                            --==--==--==--==--


Atari Explorer Online Magazine is a bi-weekly publication covering the
entire Atari community. Reprint permission is granted, unless
otherwise noted at the beginning of the article, to registered Atari
user groups and not for profit publications under the following terms
only: articles must remain unedited and include the issue number and
author at the top of each article reprinted. Other reprints granted
upon approval of request. Send requests to <aeo.mag@genie.geis.com>.
Opinions presented herein are those of the individual authors and do
not necessarily reflect those of the staff, or of the publishers. All
material herein is believed accurate at the time of publishing.


                            --==--==--==--==--


Atari, ST, Mega ST, STE, Mega STE, TT030, Atari Falcon030, TOS,
MultiTOS, NewDesk, BLiTTER, Atari Lynx, ComLynx, Atari Jaguar, Atari
Portfolio, and the Atari Fuji Symbol are all trademarks or registered
trademarks of Atari Corporation. All other trademarks and identifying
marks mentioned in this issue belong to their respective owners.


                            --==--==--==--==--


                      Atari Explorer Online Magazine
                       "Your Source for Atari News"
               Copyright (c) 1993-1994, Subspace Publishers

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 :: Volume 3 - Issue 14    ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE        18 December 1994 ::
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