

                   *---== ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
                          """""""""""""""""""""""""


                     "The Original Online ST Magazine"
                      ------------------------------- 

January 30, 1989                                         Volume III  No.72

==========================================================================


                         ST Report Online Magazine 
                       ------------------------------
                           Post Office Box   6672
                           Jacksonville,  Florida
                                32236 ~ 6672

                                R.F. Mariano
                             Publisher - Editor
                 _________________________________________

                   Voice: 904-783-3319  10 AM - 4 PM EST

                     BBS: 904-786-4176  ~ 12-24-96 HST
                 _________________________________________

                      **  F-NET/FIDOMAIL NODE 350  **
               Our support BBS carries ALL issues of STReport
                                   and
                An International list of private BBS systems
                carrying STReport for their users enjoyment

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

                                  Highlights
                                  ----------
        ~ From the Editor's Desk             ~ CPU Report
        ~ Stonehenge                         ~ FALCON F-16 Part III
        ~ Calamus                            ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL

        ****  MCI and LAW ENFORCEMENT CRACK DOWN ON PHREAKERS!  ****


 ========================================================================
 AVAILABLE ON:     COMP-U-SERVE  ~  DELPHI  ~  GENIE  ~  THE SOURCE
 ========================================================================


From the Editor's Desk:
-----------------------

      In the course of the past few weeks we have seen a few issues become
completely blown out of proportion because of the volatile nature of the
subject matter.  One area the readers haven't seen and probably never will
are the man hours of effort put in by the sysops of the various services,
(Darlah Pine, Ron Luks, Clay Walnum etc), in trying desperately to keep the
peace and guarantee the flow of accurate information to you, the
reader/users.  We must agree that all of us owe them a debt of gratitude
for the excellent job being done by them in keeping the information
as accurate and unbiased as humanly possible.

       We, at STReport, wish to to take a moment to say thank you to the 
folks who have expressed their appreciation of the "changes" to STReport. 
To these folks especially and to everyone;  may we assure you that we will
endeavor to continue along the lines we have embarked upon and that the
articles, reviews and essays will never be a mere "paragraph" and labeled
and article.  The entire thrust of the "new" STReport is "originality" and
we believe we have ourselves on the right track.  It is, in our opinion,
vital to the userbase to have the very latest news and information provided
to them in an unbiased and complete form but the reviews and essays must
take all sides of an issue into consideration, not just those of a favored
few.  With this in mind, we actively encourage your participation in the
message bases on the services concerning your impressions of the current
events or reviews,  Also, we welcome your comments in E-Mail and will, if
requested, publish contrasting or opposing views.





*************************************************************************



                         DELPHI INFORMATION SERVICES
                         ===========================

IMPORTANT NOTICE!
-----------------
As a reader of ST Report Magazine, you are entitled to take advantage of
a special DELPHI membership offer.  For only $29.95 ($20 off the standard
membership price!), you will receive a lifetime subscription to DELPHI, a
copy of the 500-page "DELPHI: The Official Guide," and a credit equal to
one free evening hour at standard connect rates.

Signing up with DELPHI
----------------------
Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access DELPHI
services via a local phone call.

Join--- DELPHI
--------------
1. Dial 617-576-0862 with any terminal or PC and modem (at 2400 bps, dial
   576-2981).

2. At the Username prompt, type JOINDELPHI.

3. At the Password prompt enter STREPORT.

For more information, call DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005, or
at 617-491-3393 from within Massachusetts or from outside the U.S.

DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge,
Massachusetts.


**************************************************************************





CPU REPORT 
============


Issue #6


By Michael Arthur


Remember When:

      In 1985, the best advice given to a a new ST User was to drop their
ST onto a desk from a height of two inches once in a while in order to
reseat the chips on the motherboard?


CPU INSIGHTS
=============
                    Second Verse....Same as the First?
                    ----------------------------------

      In Issue 5 of CPU Report I recall that I mentioned that since that
issue was about IBM's MicroChannel, that a discussion about MS-DOS and
OS/2 would have to wait until another day.  And since I discussed one of
IBM's replacements for their existing standards in previous issues, it is
only fitting that I discuss IBM's other emerging standard, OS/2, and an
alternative that might hinder its success....


      When Microsoft introduced MS-DOS in 1981, one of its greatest
virtues was its support for an incredible (at that time) 640K of memory,
which was more than enough for any reasonable task.  At that time, though,
Digital Research was offering M/PM, a multitasking version of C/PM, and
although it did not catch on, it caused many PC owners to desire that DOS
multitasked.  And while rumors of a multitasking DOS persisted (often when
IBM/Microsoft was about to announce a new version of MS-DOS), nothing
became of them.

      In 1984, these rumors surfaced yet again, when IBM was introducing
the IBM PC AT.  By this time, as DOS programs had gotten larger and more
powerful, 640K of RAM was no longer the large amount of memory it used to
be, and PC users began to want support for more memory.  This time, IBM
fueled the rumors by saying it was developing a new DOS that would fully
use the AT's abilities, foremost among which was the new 80286 chip.

     At that time, QuarterDeck had come out with a program switcher called
Desq, and Digital Research was making Concurrent DOS, a program that could
multitask DOS programs.  Although both programs used a windowing scheme,
as Concurrent DOS lacked essential features, and Desq didn't truly
multitask, they didn't become predominant.

     But as time passed on, the "multitasking DOS" rumors were not
forfilled.  Then, in 1986, Intel developed the 80386 chip, which featured
both an MMU chip and a virtual 8086 mode that allowed 8086 programs to
multitask.  Seeing that the hardware was in place, many began to demand
that IBM provide the software to allow PC's to multitask.


      Thus it was cause for celebration when IBM announced OS/2 along with
the PS/2 and MicroChannel in April 2, 1987.  Just as promised, it used the
80286 chip's capabilities, supported up to 16 Megabytes of RAM, and most
importantly, multitasked.  And although it didn't multitask DOS programs,
it did have a compatibility box to run them.  But after the fanfare, some
flaws about OS/2 began to emerge that spoiled the good news.


                       OS/2:  Trouble in Paradise


      Now I am not talking about bugs, or inadequate features.  I mean
mistakes made in the choice of its features themselves, more commonly
known as design flaws.  And although OS/2 is a very powerful operating
system, with a task-switching algorithm/priority scheme that is more
sophisticated than Unix's, a vast array of facilities for InterProcess
Communications (or IPC's, which allow tasks, or processes, to communicate
with each other), and is, like the MicroChannel, based on previous
minicomputer technology, the fatal reality may be that OS/2's foundation
itself is not as sound as its many capabilities.


      Foremost among these design flaws was the decision to support the
80286 chip, instead of the superior 80386 chip.  The most obvious reason
is that the Virtual 8086 mode would allow a 386-specific OS/2 to multitask
both OS/2 and DOS programs at the same time.  And as you may know, the
current situation (with the DOS Compatibility Box stopping all OS/2
programs while it runs only one DOS program at a time) has not been seen
as favorable.  One of the other reasons deals with programming for OS/2.

      The 80286 chip normally can only address 16-bit data segments that
are 64K in size.  This is often a hindrance to programmers, especially
when writing large applications.  In comparison, the 80386 chip supports
32-bit data segments that can be 4 Gigabytes in size.  Also, one of the
main allures of OS/2 was the potential to port minicomputer applications
over to it so they could be run with microcomputers, and those programs
definitely use data segments larger than 64K....


      Another problem with OS/2 is that it is far too large.  OS/2 with the
Presentation Manager requires 2.5 Megs of RAM just for itself, and since
OS/2 programs are likely to be larger and more powerful, an OS/2 system
would probably require around 7 Megs of RAM for optimal performance.  One
corollary to this problem is that as OS/2 itself is large, it is also very
slow.  Disk access is 50 percent slower in OS/2 than with DOS, and it is
apparent that an OS/2 version of a program will tend to be slower than a
DOS version of the same program.  It seems that either OS/2's algorithms
are not that optimized, or that OS/2 itself is simply so large that it
slows down the machine.  And given the fact that versions of Unix for the
80386 don't slow the CPU down as much as OS/2, maybe it's just that the
80286 isn't capable of providing efficient multitasking....


      Around the time that people were discovering the flaws in OS/2,
Microsoft Windows was introduced.  Immediately IBM Users began wondering
when OS/2 would employ Windows, and IBM promised that a windowing OS/2
(now known as the Presentation Manager) would be available soon.  But
while many IBM Users waited for the Presentation Manager, a few were
seeking other ways to obtain a windowing multitasking operating system
which would correct the handicaps found in OS/2.


                           OS/2 and DESQview


      While IBM/Microsoft were developing OS/2, and the IBM industry
waited for a multitasking system, a company called Quarterdeck Office
Systems continued to improve and modify Desq, their old program switcher,
to remedy its deficiencies.  When the 80386 chip was made, and IBM did not
modify OS/2 so it would support it (and as actual programming on OS/2 did
not start until Early 1985, while the 80386 was announced in Early 1986,
IBM could have done this), Quarterdeck began to dream of a new Desq, which
would not only multitask DOS programs but become almost an operating
system unto itself.  Ironically, this product became available just a few
months before IBM had started shipping OS/2 1.0.


      The product that emerged, renamed DESQview, was now capable of much
more than its predecessor.  Not only did it utilize the 80386's virtual
mode to support multitasking, but the wizards at Quarterdeck were even
able to get it to perform DOS multitasking with the 80286, 8086, and 8088
chips, something which was considered completely impossible.  And in
addition to this, DESQview only has about 1% of overhead, meaning that it
will run DOS programs about as fast as DOS itself, as well as being able
to multitask them.  Microsoft Windows, on the other hand, takes up over
10 percent overhead for its environment.

      DESQview also has support for the Lotus/Intel/Microsoft Expanded
Memory Specification, or LIM EMS 4.0, so that it can handle up to 32 Megs
of RAM.  And when used with a 80386, DESQview uses the 386's MMU (memory
management unit) to provide memory protection, so an "ill-behaved" program
doesn't crash or interfere with the system.


      And seeing that any operating environment, even a DOS multitasker,
needs to have third-party support, Quarterdeck designed the DESQview API
(Application Program Interface) Toolkit, which allows programmers to
directly use DESQview's multitasking capabilities, as well as other things
found in a true operating system.  The API lets applications use its IPC
facilities to exchange data between its own tasks and other DESQview-based
programs  Also, since DESQview is a text-based windowing system, the API
lets programmers access its menuing and windowing routines to design
Macintosh-like features into DESQview-specific programs.  Also, DESQview
supports PharLap's DOS Extender, which allows 386-specific DOS programs to
take full advantage of the 32-bit data segments of the 80386, be larger
than 640K, and multitask along with normal DOS programs.  OS/2, in
comparison, does not yet support the features of the 80386....


      But even though Desqview has so much going for it, there are a few
factors that give OS/2 a great advantage as an operating system in the
long run.  One is that even though DESQview multitasks current DOS
programs, has guidelines to help make future DOS programs more powerful,
and will quickly support new technologies, it is working within an aging
standard, while OS/2 gives a newer, more sophisticated standard that was
built from the ground up for technologies such as multitasking.

      A good example of this is OS/2's LAN Manager.  Because Local Area
Networks (or LANs) are becoming very popular, and OS/2 is a single-user
operating system, IBM and Microsoft designed a LAN Manager for OS/2 which
would handle every aspect of LAN Management, from the sharing of resources
and data, to ensuring the LAN's smooth operation.  Many LAN Makers are
producing handlers to let their networks be controlled by the LAN Manager,
and although DESQview will soon support some of the more popular LANs,
OS/2's LAN Manager provides the type of comprehensive organization of a
Network that only an operating system can perform.  Also, DESQview's API,
while allowing DOS programs to have some features of OS/2, cannot provide
the same type of functionality that OS/2 is capable of, simply because
OS/2 was designed from the beginning to support the sophisticated features
that future programs will need....

      Also, most major DOS companies are making OS/2 products NOW, meaning
that it will shortly have a vast software base.  In comparison, while
major software companies are considering using DESQview's API for their
products, DESQview-specific software probably won't be seen until after
OS/2 software is readily available.  Of course, since DESQview can already
multitask DOS software, this might not be that important.  But combine all
this with the fact that both IBM and Microsoft are putting their united
support behind it, and OS/2 has a good chance of being an emerging
standard.  But ONLY if one of its most grevious handicaps is corrected
immediately....


      Most of the potential of OS/2 as a replacement for DOS will go
unrealized if programmers cannot use new technologies with it, and if
users cannot use it with new systems.  IBM and Microsoft have announced
that they are finally developing a 386-specific version of OS/2 that will
take advantage of its capabilities.  These included 32-bit data segments,
being able to multitask both OS/2 and DOS programs, and using the 80386's
special features for faster, more secure multitasking.  However, this
version of OS/2, which should have been made in the first place, will not
be available until Late 1990.  And it is reported that Intel is preparing
to shortly announce the new 80486 chip, which will replace the 80386 as
the state of the art.  And assuming that IBM/Microsoft won't do an
80486-specific version of OS/2 until 1991, when Intel will probably be
announcing an 80586 chip, it is more than likely that OS/2 will never
truly be at the forefront of computer technology, as IBM tries to make it
catch up with the status quo of the high end of the market.  And as other
products (such as DESQview or Unix) will definitely take advantage of new
technologies at a quicker pace, OS/2 could be overtaken by a system like
Unix.  Unless, of course, Big Blue wishes otherwise....


      With OS/2, IBM presented the final segment of its plans for the
microcomputer of the Nineties.  The other two segments, the PS/2 and
MicroChannel, have also faced stern criticism and strong competition,
partly because of the industry's tendency to be cautious of new
technologies.  But there are other startling similarities between the
MicroChannel's situation and OS/2's. In both cases, IBM offered a powerful
new standard which was vastly different from anything in its field, which
garnered a great deal of controversy in the IBM world.  With the
MicroChannel, though, the criticisms were not centered on any inadequacies
or faults it had, but on whether the PC world can afford to completely
switch to a new standard.  OS/2, though, has several deficiencies that
hamper its usefulness.  And even though it is supposed to be the operating
system of the future, its inability to support state of the art products
such as the 80386 limits its being feasible in high-end systems, where it
would be most useful.


      Also, unlike the EISA bus, there isn't anything wrong with DESQview,
making it a powerful alternative to OS/2.  But even though DOS as an
operating system will be around for a very long time, the fact is that for
high-end users, DOS has already become obsolete.  So at least for the high
end of the market, a sophisticated operating system such as OS/2 will be
needed.  And even though Unix is a viable option, the dissention within
its own ranks could cause OS/2 to win by default.  So is the real issue
whether IBM missed the fundamentals with OS/2, forgetting the little
things that make a product popular in striving to make a more powerful
system, or how seriously did they misjudge the needs of average IBM Users?


But ponder, if you will, on these two questions:

1)  When referring to all types of computers (whether being micros, minis,
or workstations), is this mostly an IBM world that we live in?

2)  How DOES the Amiga's Operating system work, anyway?


                               ----======***======----



CPU REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
=======================


Mountain View, CA     Hunter Systems Inc. has introduced a new product for
-----------------     68020 Unix systems called XDOS.  This software is
                      able to convert the binary code of an MS-DOS program
                      into 68020 binary code that is runnable under the
                      Unix operating system.


Houston, TX           Motorola's new 68040 chip is almost ready.  Features
-----------           of the new chip include a built-in floating point
                      unit and 64-bit processing, and speeds of 40 MHZ and
                      above.


                      Motorola plans to begin giving samples of the chip
                      in the Second Quarter of 1989, and to start shipping
                      it in the Fourth Quarter.  Cost: $750 to $900 in
                      commercial lots. Ref: 1/16/89 Electronic Buyers News


Westlake Village, CA  YARC Systems is shipping McCray, a coprocessor card
--------------------  that allows the Mac II to run at over 50 MHZ.  Using
                      AMD's 29000 processor and 29027 floating point chip,
                      applications can run up to 10 times faster than a
                      normal Mac II.  Furthermore, if you installed more
                      than one of the $4295.00 boards in a Mac II, they
                      would work in parallel, further increasing speed.


Ontario, Canada       ISD Marketing is said to be preparing to ship both
---------------       the MS-DOS/GEM and Amiga versions of Calamus by the
                      Second Quarter of 1989.





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








          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

          STonehenge
          Atari ST Memory Expansion Alternative.


          Contact: Ron Schreiner  (312) 520-8003

          A solid state disk drive for the Atari ST is now available
          as a kit from RONSAT Technologies Inc.  The STonehenge
          kit, based on an "Application Specific Integrated Circuit"
          (ASIC), emulates a hard disk by interfacing the ST's DMA
          port with a block of DRAM.


          The STonehenge advantages over internal memory expansion
          include; ability to utilize lower cost 200 nano second
          DRAM parts; memory expansion in 256KB increments (8
          DRAMs/bank); does not depend on the ST's power supply;
          it's external, you don't take your ST apart; data is
          preserved even though a ST power cycle.


          When the kit is fully assembled it provides up to 2 meg of
          very fast external storage.  If you need more than 2 meg,
          the DMA pass thru feature can be utilized to daisy chain
          more kits or mechanical hard drives.

          Software developers will find that STonehenge's speed and
          after crash data integrity make it a very attractive place
          to keep their development tools.  Animators will enjoy
          STonehenge's ability to sequence image files at animation
          rates.

          The STonehenge kit priced at $169.95 includes;

            a.  STonehenge ASIC,
            b.  Double sided PCB,
            c.  20MHZ crystal,
            d.  DB-19 connector,
            e.  Documentation,
            f.  Software,
            g.  PGA socket for the ASIC.


          The Documentation and Software can be ordered separately
          for $10.00 (refundable with future purchase).

          The builder of the kit must provide the DRAMs, a 5V 2A
          power supply, and a few miscellaneous components that are
          readily available from electronic suppliers.

          Additional support kits that provide all the components
          are also available.


          For more information or to order contact Ron Shreiner
          at Technologies Inc.

               Voice: (312) 520-8003  Modem: (312) 520-7812 
               Orders placed by modem receive a 5% discount.
               Dial-in (312) 520-7812, hit carriage return 
               <return or enter> until "Login: " is the prompt
               then enter "info"<return>.   

                       VISA/MASTER card now accepted.






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





STR Features
------------



                                   FALCON F-16
                                   ===========

Part III

by William Y. Baugh

 Falcon is a fantastic new program from Spectrum Holobyte that
incorporates solid 3-D graphics and speed to make the ultimate in flight
simulators for the ST.

From the start, the game presents the feeling of being enrolled at Top
Gun.  You start by selecting an appropriate name for yourself in the Duty
Roster section, something a new hot-shot pilot would be proud of, then move
on to the rank and mission selection.  You have five rankings to choose
from, the reality level increasing as the ranks get higher.  The ranks are,
First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lt. Colonel and Colonel.  The First
Lieutenant ranking is the training level where you can learn and perform the
missions without worrying about running out of weapons or fuel and being
shot at or shot down.  As Captain, unlike First Lieutenant, you have to
worry about fuel and weapons, but the MIG's can only fire their guns, no
missiles and SAM's will launch but will not lock on to your plane.  As you
progress from Major to Lt. Colonel, more and more features are added until
the actual feel and problems of flying a F16 are culminated at Colonel
level.

The missions are well planned and thought out.  Difficulty increases as
you move down the listing and as your ranking gets higher.  The missions
range from bombing three buidings 3 miles from your base to taking on one,
two and even four MIG's!  There are twelve missions in all, each building
upon the experience gained from the previous mission.  Doing the missions in
order is recommended at the beginning to understand each specific weapon and
to familiarize yourself with the "lay of the land" as well as your
Governments fighter. Training is a must, because the Brass does not take
kindly to you  crashing one of their "borrowed" jets.  Also from this area
you may select how many MIG's will be on the screen at one time (from 0-3). 
This option is great for the novice, since it is bad enough having one MIG
on your six, let alone three.

From the mission selection area, you procede to the Armament section where
you get to meet the ever present, crusty crew chief, Sarge.  From Sarge you
procure the needed weapons for your mission.  Depending upon the ranking and
other factors, there may be very few or none of the weapons you desire.  The
F16 has, as all planes do, a weight limit.  This limit effects the selection
and amount of weapons you carry on a mission.  As stated before, First
Lieutenants need not worry about weaponry.  You start with an unlimited
supply of every weapon available to allow you to concentrate on the missions
and the plane with no extraneous concerns.  At the higher levels, the
distribution of weight becomes critical to the flying abilities of your
fighter, so listen to the remarks from Sarge...he's been around much longer
than you.

Weapons available to you are the M61-A1 Vulcan internal cannon thatis
initially armed with 5000 rounds and may be used in air-to-air battles or
air-to-ground strafing.  Two sidewinders are offered, the AIM 9J and 9L
series.  Both are heat-seeking missiles, the only difference between the two
is that the 9L series are more advanced with filters to screen out other
heat sources (such as flares) and need not be fired at the MIG's six. 
Another missile, the AGM-65B are optically guided missiles with TV cameras
in the nose of the missile to aid in locking onto a target.  These missiles
are used for air-to-ground strikes only.  The last two weapons are bombs,
the Mk 84 2000lb Drag Bomb and the Durandal Anti-Runway Bomb.  Following the
weapons are first an ALQ-131 ECM (Electronc Counter Measure) pod that allows
the pilot to try and jam the radar of incoming SAM missiles and second,
external fuel tanks for extra fuel if it is needed for a long mission.

Now for the fun part.  After clicking on takeoff from the Armament
section, you are presented with the view from the cockpit with the HUD
(Heads-up display) prominently displayed in the middle of the screen.  The
HUD is like another window inside of the cockpit window that aids the pilot
in tracking enemy planes, landing, etc.  The HUD is one of the most
important and functional features of the F16.  It displays almost all of the
needed information directly in front of the pilot.  There are eight
different HUD's, each for a specific weapon or the ILS for landing purposes.
 The primary discretes found in each of the eight HUD's are as follows;
airspeed indicator, altimeter, flight path ladder aiming reticle and the
heading scale.  These functions must be monitored at all times for
successfull flying.  Below the HUD are the actual gauges such as RPM,
attitude indicator and threat warning system.  In the center of the screen
is the COMED (Combined maps/electronics display).  This allows the pilot to
view either the radar screen or an overhead map of the entire mission area. 
Also when using the AGM-65 Mavericks, the optical targeting is shown through
the COMED screen.  Changing the view from left to right will display more
guages such as fuel and warning lights.

All of the commands are entered through the keyboard.  Actual flying can
be accomplished by mouse, joystick or the keyboard.  Most people seem to
prefer either joystick or keyboard.  The mouse is too cumbersome to actually
be useful, especially in a dogfight.  When the ESC key is pressed, a menu
bar appears.  From here, all options of the simulator may be chosen.  You
have the option to either have full landscape down to only having "dots" or
no features at all.  Sounds may be restricted to just weapon and engine
start-up to continuous engine to no sound.  Differing training maneuvers may
also be selected to get hands on experience or to practice if you are
rusty.

One of the nicest features of the program is the ability to choose how the
fighter is viewed.  You have the front, right, left and rear views from the
cockpit along with a view from the tower.  Also there is an "out of cockpit"
view that shows the F16 from the rear.  The view may be panned from right to
left and also zoomed.  The final view is from a satellite that is directly
above the plane.  This view may also be zoomed.  These differing views can
give you great detail of an ongoing battle, or just be enjoyed while flying
along.

Once airborne, the true realism and meticulous programming shines.  The
3-D scaling of the mountains, bridges, enemy planes and SAM sites is
amazing.    There is absolutley no jerking or large scale pixel movement;
only smooth and even scrolling.  The response of the fighter is smooth and
fast.  There is no lag time in responding to joystick or keyboard commands. 
This becomes very important during bombing runs where minute movements are
needed to line up properly on to dogfights where every second counts.  Every
option and control available to an actual pilot is at your disposal.  Most
of these are weapon oriented and aid greatly in the heat of a dogfight.  For
example, snapshoot (a line from the reticle that shows where your bullets
will hit if fired that instant, this changes with speed and degree of turn)
and LCOS (Lead Computing Optical Sight) are available when using the
M61-A1.

The only minor problem I have found is when using AGM-65 optical aiming
system, the computer seeems to have a problem locking on to the specific
target.  It seems to want to veer off to either side.  This causes problems
in that you must lock-on and clear the target multiple times while diving at
the target, most of the times with a MIG hot on your six.  Other than this,
the other weaponry is spectacular!  Watching an AIM 9L scream towards a MIG,
or watching from the rear view a Mk 84 punching craters in the cantilever
bridge is very impressive.  This is the first simulator I've ever seen that
not only does a decent explosion when a target is hit, it actually shows
craters in the ground if you missed, pieces of the bridge or building still
remaining if the hit was not solid and having MIG's flame all the way to the
ground rather than having them dissappear with the initial explosion.  These
features along with digitized voices for warnings, cautions (a little
odd...), pull-up warning and the tower crew add so much to the enjoyment of
the game.

Unlike Jet (From Sublogic), the only scoring given is on final completion
of your mission.  Whatever was listed in your mission briefing must have
been accomplished and to get the maximum points, you must land safely.  I
think landing is the most difficult aspect of the entire game.  I'll have
survived completion of the mission, shot down three MIG's to only end up
crashing on the runway or running off the end of it and be court-martialed. 
Landing with the ILS HUD helps, but on higher levels, you start on your
approach only to have a MIG appear on your six.  You can't ignore him, so
you must engage (if you have the fuel to do so).  Once on the ground,
selecting "End mission" from the menu will take you to a screen that
displays the number of merits and ribbons (if any) that were earned.  Also
along the bottom are the number of MIG's that you have shot down.

The only other problem I have run across is when using SH's code wheel. 
This is the protection scheme for the game.  You have a large stationary
wheel, with a smaller inner wheel that turns.  On the wheels are icons that
you must pair up to get the letter code from one of six boxes.  The problem
arises when trying to figure out which icon the program is asking for,
because the resolution is not the same on the color monitor as on the code
wheel.  If you choose wrong the first time, you get another chance with
another pair of icons.  If you inadvertantly choose wrong the program will
execute anyway.  This isn't apparent until you are flying and suddenly are
plastered by a mystery MIG that you can't see or shake.  The code wheel
isn't too difficult and after playing a few times, it becomes second
nature.

If you enjoy flight simulators, or haven't even tried one before, this
program is for you.  The documentation, programming and the shear enjoyment
of playing this simulation makes it a must for any ST owner.  Check it out,
I don't think you'll be dissappointed...and remember, watch your six.





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



STR Review
==========


                                      CALAMUS
                                      =======

A preliminary overview

by R.F. Mariano


      Through the course of the next three weeks we will present an ongoing
view of the fantastic features of this "very professional" program.

      Calamus uses the most advanced programming technology available
today.  The producers of Calamus have pledged to the userbase a system of
continual advancement of the software on almost a daily basis.  (Now that
is refreshing news!)  In fact, ISD has promised the finest kind of support
to it's registered users.  

      Until now, in order to produce truly professional looking documents,
proposals, handbooks, catalogs and most any type of presentable
documents ranging from one to hundreds of pages one was forced to use more
than program to accomplish similar results (if at all).  Calamus is the
answer to obtaining oustanding results without having to resort to using a
myriad of different graphics and text processing programs to achieve the
"professional" quality appearance all of us desire.

      Calamus is not copy protected, but each copy of Calamus has a unique
and indestructable serial number that is kept on file.  When you wish to
order additiional fonts for your copy of Calamus, they must be installed
against your serial number and that can only be done in house.  In contrast
to Calamus itself the fonts are protected.  They can only be used with the
program they were issued against.  A registered user may order any number
of new fonts from ISD as they become available.





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





ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
======================


> Richfield, MI          ***** PHREAKER - HACKER - PIRATE POPPED! *****
  -----------

      The now infamous Elwood who disrupted a CIS conference has suffered
the loss of ALL his computer equipment, records, disks and the BBS he ran
(The Crypt) is now defunct.  While serving the Search Warrant investigators
remarked "we are gonna need a truck"!  The Warrant alledges that he was 
monitored hacking out illegal L/D codes by Michigan Bell for MCI.  The 
seizure of the computer and all the related equipment and materials owned 
by Elwood is all that has occured, he has not been formally charged in any
wrong doing yet.  It appears the entire matter came about because of an 
anonymous tipster or so the Search Warrant declares.


> New York, NY                    **** ATARI STOCK MELLOWS ****
  ------------

      According to the most recent tables available, the rate for the Atari
Stock is at 5.25....in my humble opinion, this is the time to buy up a tidy
sum.  Rumor has it that Garry sold a bunch of his...


> Ontario, Canada             ***** ISD BROADENS IT'S OFFERING *****
  ---------------

      It looks like ISD Marketing of Ontario Canada, the people who 
market Calamus, are IMPORTING "Laser Brain" (the Epson FX-80 emulator
from Germany) in the next few weeks.  It's good to see a company willing 
to look ahead to the future and support the ST.


> Los Angeles, CA                ****  TOS 1.4 HAS THE HOOKS!  ****
  ---------------

      When your favorite programmer decides to write a handler to read
partitions larger than 16mb, TOS 1.4 (the release version) will be ready
for the job.  Indirectly, it has been made known that the hooks are in at
this time and all the rough edges are being smoothed.


> Sunnyvale, CA      *** ATARI SEZ: "NOTHING ON TRADE-IN DEALS ...YET" ***
  -------------

      A Rumor has been circulating that Atari is about to begin a trade in
program involving 8bit equipment, 800XL, 130XE etc...against the purchase
of ST computers.  At this point in time, Atari has NEITHER denied nor
verified the rumor...our opinion is it would be a terrific promotion and an
excellent way to kick off the "1989 - ATARI'S QUEST".  Not to mention all
the 8 bit gear that will be available for sale "behind the curtain" in
the eastern bloc nations.






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







                          BITS, BAUD RATE, AND BPS
                    Taking the "Mystery" Out of Modem Speeds


by Michael A. Banks


   (Copyright, 1988, Michael A. Banks.  All rights reserved.)

     Modem transmission speed is the source of a lot of  confusion, even
among informed computer and modem users.  The root of the problem
is the fact that the terms "baud"  and "bits per second" are used
interchangeably and indiscriminately.  I strongly suspect this is a result
of the  fact that it's easier to say "baud" than "bits per second," though
misinformation has a hand in it, too.

     If you've found yourself confused by the relationship of bits and
baud rate, or if you think that a modem's baud rate is the same as the 
number of bits or characters it transmits  per second, please read this
article carefully; I guarantee to  clear up the confusion and disabuse you
of any false concepts ...

                      Bits per second (bps)

     Bits per second is a measure of the number of data bits  (digital 0's
and 1's) transmitted each second in a communications  channel.  This is
sometimes referred to as "bit rate."

     Individual characters (letters, numbers, etc.), also  referred to as
bytes, are composed of several bits.

     While a modem's bit rate is tied to its baud rate, the two  are not
the same, as explained below.

                            Baud rate
     Baud rate is a measure of the number of times per second a  signal in
a communications channel varies, or makes a transition  between states
(states being frequencies, voltage levels, or  phase angles).  One baud is
one such change.  Thus, a 300-baud  modem's signal changes state 300 times
each second, while a 600- baud modem's signal changes state 600 times per
second.  This  does not necessarily mean that a 300-baud and a 600-baud
modem  transmit 300 and 600 bits per second, as you'll learn in a few 
lines.

                   Determining bits per second
     Depending on the modulation technique used, a modem can  transmit one
bit--or more or less than one bit--with each baud, or change in state. Or,
to put it another way, one change of  state can transmit one bit--or more 
or less than one bit.

     As I mentioned earlier, the number of bits a modem transmits  per
second is directly related to the number of bauds that occur  each second,
but the numbers are not necessarily the same.

     To illustrate this, first consider a modem with a baud rate  of 300,
using a transmission technique called FSK (Frequency  Shift Keying, in 
which four different frequencies are turned on  and off to represent 
digital 0 and 1 signals from both modems).   When FSK is used, each baud 
(which is, a gain, a change in state)  transmits one bit; only one change 
in state is required to send a  bit.  Thus, the modem's bps rate is also 
300: 

     300 bauds per second X 1 bit per baud  =  300 bps

     Similarly, if a modem operating at 1200 baud were to use one  change
in state to send each bit, that modem's bps rate would be  1200.  (There 
are no 1200 baud modems, by the way; remember that.   This is only a
demonstrative and hypothetical example.)

     Now, consider a hypothetical 300-baud modem using a  modulation
technique that requires two changes in state to send  one bit, which can
also be viewed as 1/2 bit per baud.  Such a  modem's bps rate would be 150
bps:

       300 bauds per second X 1/2 baud per bit  =  150 bps

     To look at it another way, bits per second can also be  obtained by
dividing the modem's baud rate by the number of changes in state, or
bauds, required to send one bit:

        300 baud
     ---------------  =  150 bps
     2 bauds per bit

     Now let's move away from the hypothetical and into reality,  as it
exists in the world of modulation.

     First, lest you be misled into thinking that "any 1200 baud  modem"
should be able to operate at 2400 bps with a two-bits-per- baud modulation
technique, remember that I said there are no 1200  baud modems.  Medium
and high-speed modems use baud rates that  are lower than their bps rates.
Along with this, however, they  use multiple-state modulation to send more
than one bit per baud.

     For example, 1200 bps modems that conform to the Bell 212A  standard
(which includes most 1200 bps modems used in the U.S.) operate at 300 baud
and use a modulation technique called phase modulation that transmits four
bits per baud. Such modems are capable of 1200 bps operation, but not 2400
bps because they are not 1200 baud modems; they use a baud rate of 300. 
So:

     300 baud X 4 bits per baud  =  1200 bps

                                or

          300 baud
     ------------------  =  1200 bps
      1/4 baud per bit

     Similarly, 2400 bps modems that conform to the CCITT V.22 
recommend (virtually all of them) actually use a baud rate of 600 when
they operate at 2400 bps.  However, they also use a  modulation technique
that transmits four bits per baud:

     600 baud X 4 bits per baud  =  2400 bps

                                or

          600 baud
     ------------------  = 2400 bps
      1/4 baud per bit

     Thus, a 1200-bps modem is not a 1200-baud modem, nor is a  2400-bps
modem a 2400-baud modem.
     Now let's take a look at 9600-bps modems.  Most of these operate at
2400 bps, but (again) use a modulation technique that yields four bits per
baud.  Thus:

     2400 baud X 4 bits per baud  =  9600 bps

                                or

          2400 baud
     ------------------  =  9600 bps
      1/4 baud per bit

                   Characters per second (cps)
     Characters per second is the number of characters (letters,  numbers,
spaces, and symbols) transmitted over a communications  channel in one
second.  Cps is often the bottom line in rating  data transmission speed,
and a more convenient way of thinking  about data transfer than baud- or
bit-rate.

     Determining the number of characters transmitted per second  is easy:
simply divide the bps rate by the number of bits per  character.  You must
of course take into account the fact that more than just the bits that
make up the binary digit  representing a character are transmitted when a
character is sent  from one system to another.  In fact, up to 10 bits may
be  transmitted for each character during ASCII transfer, whether 7  or 8
data bits are used.  This is because what are called start-  and stop-bits
are added to characters by a sending system to enable the receiving system
to determine which groups of bits  make up a character.  In addition, a
system usually adds a parity  bit during 7-bit ASCII transmission.  (The
computer's serial port  handles the addition of the extra bits, and all
extra bits are  stripped out at the receiving end.)

     So, in asynchronous data communication, the number of bits  per
character is usually 10 (either 7 data bits, plus a parity  bit, plus a
start bit and a stop bit, or 8 data bits plus a start  bit and a stop bit). 
Thus:

             300 bps
     -----------------------  =  30 characters per second
      10 bits per character

            1200 bps
     -----------------------  =  120 characters per second
      10 bits per character

            2400 bps
     -----------------------  =  240 characters per second
      10 bits per character

                          Common speeds

     The most commonly used communications rates for dial up systems
(BBSs and online services like CompuServe, DELPHI, and  GEnie) are 300,
1200, and 2400 bps.  A few older systems-- especially Telex systems 
communicate at 110 bps, but these are  gradually going the way of the 
dinosaur.  4800 and 9600 bps  modems are generally available, but few
online services or BBSs  accommodate them.  This will be changing in the
near future,  however, with the cost of high-speed modem technology
decreasing  as the demand for it increases.

     Modems with even higher bps rates are manufactured (19,200  and up)
but these are not used with dial-up systems; the upper  limit on
asynchronous data transmission via voice-grade telephone  lines appears to
be 9600 bps.  The use of higher transmission  rates requires special
dedicated lines that are "conditioned"  (i.e., shielded from outside
interference) as well as expensive  modulation and transmission equipment.
                                #
     If you found this article useful, you may want to pick up a  copy of
the book from which it was excerpted:

                       THE MODEM REFERENCE
                       by Michael A. Banks
            Published by Brady Books/Simon & Schuster
                 ISBN # 0-13-586646-4    $19.95

     In addition to explaining the technical aspects of modem  operation,
communications software, data links, and other  elements of computer
communications, the book provides detailed,  illustrated "tours" of major
online services such as UNISON, CompuServe, DELPHI, BIX, Dow Jones
News/Retrieval, MCI Mail, and others.  It also contains information on 
using packet switching networks and BBSs, as well as dial-up numbers for 
various networks and BBSs.

     You'll also find hands-on guides to buying, setting up, using, and
troubleshooting computer communications hardware and  software.  (And the
book "supports" all major microcomputer  brands.)


     For more information, contact:

                        Michael A. Banks
                          P.O. Box 312
                       Milford, OH  45150





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





                                                      Last update 10/30/88
                                                                  --------


                           OFFICIAL ST REPORT BBS LIST
                           ===========================


This is the OFFICIAL STReport BBS list. This will be updated constantly
and published quarterly.


Please call and support these systems.  If you are not on any of the pay 
services, call these boards and pass the word.


We appreciate each and every BBS listed here and express our sincere 
thanks for their ongoing support.


      Reg No.  Area   Phone Number      BBS Name             State
      """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
      ------------------------------------------------------------
      STR001 -   904   786-4176        The Bounty ST BBS     Florida
      STR002 -   216   784-0574        Stairway To Heaven    Ohio
      STR003 -   312   690-3724        Lions Den             Chicago
      STR004 -   609   451-7475        C.C.B.B.S.            New Jersey
      STR005 -   219   223-8107        Manitou BBS           Indiana
      STR006 -   718   648-0947        Dateline BBS          New York
      STR007 -   718   604-3323        New York City BBS     New York
      STR008 -   301   437-9813        Ratcom BBS            Maryland
      STR009 -   916   962-2566        Shadow Haven BBS      California
      STR010 -   918   835-5198        Tektron BBS           Oklahoma
      STR011 -   
      STR012 -   201   298-0161        J.A.C.G. BBS          New Jersey
      STR013 -   
      STR014 -   
      STR015 -   305   747-9196        Alternate Universe    Florida
      STR016 -   813   821-3188        ST Petersburg PO      Florida
      STR017 -   505   897-4306        Asylum BBS            New Mexico
      STR018 -   808   423-3140        Wonderful World of Oz Hawaii
      STR019 -   219   674-9288        M.O.U.S.E. BBS        Indiana
      STR020 -   404   945-6021        Buford Byte Size      Georgia
      STR021 -   813   726-3449        Harbor Lights BBS     Florida
      STR022 -   912   244-1726        Talisman BBS          Georgia
      STR023 -   617   674-8361        Westport! BBS         Mass.
      STR024 -   817   444-3023        Rivendale BBS         Texas
      STR025 -   
      STR026 -   315   638-8569        The D.E.N.            New York
      STR027 -   505   525-0388        Atari C.A.L.C.        New Mexico
      STR028 -   201   723-0824        Wild West BBS         New Jersey
      STR029 -   216   758-0284        Command Headquarters  Ohio
      STR030 -   707   252-0631        Irata                 California
      STR031 -   617   675-8503        S.W.A.T.              Mass.
      STR032 -   703   560-6318        The Ark               Virginia
      STR033 -   615   665-1217        Vanishing Point       Tennessee
      STR034 -   301   967-2207        Orion Connection      Maryland
      STR035 -   207   784-0631        M.A.C.H. BBS          Maine
      STR036 -   516   698-7456        WQNR BBS              New York
      STR037 -   713   923-7392        W.A.S.T.E. BBS        Texas
      STR038 -   504   244-0768        Milliways BBS         Louisiana
      STR039 -   617   586-8840        Lost Byte             Mass.
      STR040 -   303   796-0539        The Vault             Colorado
      STR041 -   404   796-3805        Garden City Oasis     Georgia
      STR042 -   609   939-6247        Satelite BBS          New Jersey
      STR043 -   206   848-3371        The Reef              Washington
      STR044 -   816   761-2190        Elysium BBS           Missouri
      STR045 -   315   454-9612        Atari Hotel           New York
      STR046 -   212   617-0153        The Bunker            New York
      STR047 -   201   247-8252        E.B.B.B.S.            New Jersey
      STR048 -   402   466-5339        Griffon's Nest        Nebraska
      STR049 -   011   494-12997       Kisa Monitron         Sweden (46)
      STR050 -   011   0340-51117      First Star            Sweden (46)
      STR051 -   718   253-8602        Outsiders             New York
      STR052 -   805   773-5907        Hot Rodders           California
      STR053 -   203   776-9723        New Haven BBS         Conneticut
      STR054 -   502   964-2964        Bargain Basement      Kentucky
      STR055 -   609   931-3014        Gateway               New Jersey
      STR056 -   602   846-7357        Network 23            Arizona
      STR057 -   313   547-0440        Cosmic Stompers       Michigan
      STR058 -   804   379-4156        Midnight Express      Virginia
      STR059 -   314   647-3290        Gateway City BBS      Missouri
      STR060 -   312   457-2219        Bluemoon BBS          Illinois
      STR061 -   617   625-5348        Mall Five Opus        Mass.
      STR062 -   312   430-4234        Runequest BBS         Illinois
      STR063 -   205   772-8526        Bloom County BBS      Alabama
      STR064 -   205   461-7893        H.A.U.G. BBS          Alabama
      STR065 -   812   985-2083        West Terrace BBS      Indiana
      STR066 -   502   778-9846        WAEL                  Kentucky
      STR067 -   502   964-2924        Atari Scene           Kentucky
      STR068 -   614   471-8559        ACEC BBS              Ohio
      STR069 -   614   471-9209        Pandora BBS           Ohio
      STR070 -   918   251-5450        Help BBS              Oklahoma
      STR071 -   716   875-7376        Bates Motel           New York
      STR072 -   516   884-4140        Ol' Hackers BBS       New York
      STR073 -   203   443-5200        Phantasmal Alchemy    Conneticut
      STR074 -   402   466-5339        S.T.U.N.N. BBS        Nebraska
      STR075 -   201   929-9351        CoaSTline BBS         New Jersey
      STR076 -   703   665-0087        Infonet BBS           Virginia
      STR077 -   201   388-1676        White House BBS       New Jersey
      STR078 -   616   245-8259        Exte                  Michigan
      STR079 -   404   968-4380        Dark Crypt            Georgia
      STR080 -   601   388-3490        C.A.U.U.G. BBS        Mississippi
      STR081 -   601   374-0709        Irata II              Mississippi
      STR082 -   612   522-2687        T.A.I.G. BBS          Minnesota
      STR083 -   219   336-3774        Pipeline BBS          Indiana
      STR084 -   
      STR085 -   808   261-2184        Muskrats Den          Hawaii
      STR086 -   507   60-0530         BugBBS                Panama
      STR087 -   219   875-8205        One Stone BBS         Indiana
      STR088 -   
      STR089 -   305   734-6026        Atari Computer Club   Florida
      STR090 -   216   441-3816        Mega Vision BBS       Ohio
      STR091 -   419   289-8392        Balloon Works Inc     Ohio
      STR092 -   
      STR093 -   011   470-22183       Sorman Information    Sweden (46)
      STR094 -   206   631-8056        Knotts Nook BBS       Washington
      STR095 -   312   889-1240        C.L.A.U.G. BBS        Illinois
      STR096 -   915   757-0788        House of Chance       Texas
      STR097 -   714   653-0447        Thunderbeast          California
      STR098 -   203   445-4094        Spiders Web BBS       Conneticut
      STR099 -   219   693-3485        Acorn BBS             Indiana
      STR100 -   606   271-1466        Missing Link BBS      South Dakota
      STR101 -   704   253-3614        Office BBS            No. Carolina
      STR128 -   805   239-8710        The LookOut BBS       California
      STR129 -   201   286-6189        AtlantiST             New Jersey
      STR130 -   201   271-8765        Great Fire Breather   New Jersey
      STR131 -   918   622-1121        Future City BBS       Oklahoma
      STR132 -   805   872-0377        Home Bace             California
      STR133 -   201   752-9466        Piscataway Express    New Jersey
      STR134 -   718   373-4669        Blue BBS              New York
      STR135 -   216   376-7618        Rubber City Atari     Ohio
      STR136 -   317   243-2177        Dog House BBS         Indiana
      STR137 -   907   338-5005        Public DOmain BBS     Alaska
      STR138 -   309   797-5926        Checkmate BBS         Illinois
      STR139 -   707   437-6366        Elsinore Brewery      California
      STR140 -   602   435-9645        Think Tank            Arizona
      STR141 -   813   823-1471        MegaPlex BBS          Florida
      STR142 -   314   696-3506        AHE***BBS             Missouri
      STR143 -   201   343-1426        Launch Pad BBS        New Jersey
      STR144 -   416   648-8359        19th Hole BBS         Ontario, Can.
      STR146 -   213   631-7328        L.B.C.S. BBS          California
      STR147 -   314   581-3801        Brickyard BBS         Missouri
      STR148 -   215   289-5247        Star Fleet Command    Pennsylvania
      STR149 -   201   938-6906        Starbase I            New Jersey
      STR150 -   805   929-1624        My House              California
      STR151 -   
      STR152 -   816   637-6163        Schwarzer Drache      Missouri
      STR153 -   201   689-4550        Kilroy's Castle       New Jersey
      STR154 -   415   565-9742        Eagle BBS             California

     """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
     """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Please help us keep this list up to date, it will be made available on a
regular basis for verification.  If you have any additions or deletions to
make, please let us know at the BOUNTY 904-786-4176 or, in E-Mail to ST
Report on any of the major services.

                                  Thank you for your continued support!

                                                 Ralph......





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



THIS WEEK'S 'QUOTABLE QUOTE'
============================

      

                Law of Satisfaction
                ===================

                   "WHAT GOES AROUND........COMES AROUND!!"





                           "1989 - ATARI'S QUEST"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ST-REPORTIssue #72   "Your Independent News Source"    January 30, 1989 
                   ALL RIGHTS RESERVED    copyright 1989
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Views, Opinions and Articles Presented  herein are not necessarily those 
 of ST Report or CPU Report.   Reprint permission granted, unless noted 
 otherwise.   All reprints must include  ST Report or CPU Report  and the 
 author's name.  All information presented herein is believed correct, ST 
 Report or  CPU Report, it's editors  and staff are  not  responsible for 
 any  use  or  misuse  of  information  contained  in  this  publication. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
