  
                  *---== ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
                         """""""""""""""""""""""""
                                       
                                       
                     "The Original Online ST Magazine"
                      _______________________________
  July 07, 1989                                             Vol III No.95
  =======================================================================
  
                         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 EDT
                     BBS:  904-786-4176   12-24-96 HST
                    FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EDT
                 _________________________________________
  
             **  F-NET NODE 350 ** FIDOMAIL NODE 1:363/37  **
              Our support BBS carries ALL issues of STReport
                                    and
               An International list of private BBS systems
               carrying STReport for their users  enjoyment

    __________________________________________________________________ 
    
 > Issue: #95 STReport        The Online Magazine of Choice! 
   ------------------- 
     - The Editors' Podium                     - CPU REPORT - RISC
     - Exploring PIC Conv. Utils               - OverScan, a CLOSE Look
     - TOS 1.4 "A Quantum Leap"                - Tech_Specialities AGAIN?
     - TURBO ST 1.60  "The Software BLitter"   - Patience is Golden!
     - Shareware on the table!                 - The Home Stretch!     

  =======================================================================
       AVAILABLE ON:      COMP-U-SERVE  ~  DELPHI  ~  GENIE  ~  BIX
  =======================================================================
    
 > The Editor's Podium

     The summer  is upon  us in all it's glory and it is difficult even for
 me to think computer when the weather is this beautiful.  The  bass almost
 jump in  the boat,  you can almost walk on water the kingfish and bluefish
 are so thick.  See what I mean?   I  managed to  drift off  right in front
 you.   Have you  ever tasted  a filet of kingfish done to a tee on an open
 fire?  Summertime is traditionally barbecue time, so try those delights on
 the barbecue.   Your  old friend  (the barbecue) will definitely introduce
 you to some new delights.

     Back to our favorite subject, Atari.  Many  people seem  to feel  as I
 do,  "Atari  is  developing  some  massive  plans for the US market and is
 underway at attempting a sincere and valid approach at being responsive to
 wants and  needs of  our marketplace.   The  next few months will tell the
 tale, until then, patience  is the  key....   Elsewhere, in  this issue an
 overview is  presented.   We would  enjoy seeing your input through reader
 comments, online or via the US Mail,on the topic covered.

                    Again, many thanks for your support!

                                          Ralph....



                             "ATARI IS BACK!"


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


                    :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
                     _________________________________

      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 XJM11877,GEnie and hit RETURN.
             The system will prompt you for your information.


                THE GENIE ATARI ST ROUNDTABLE - AN OVERVIEW
                ___________________________________________

 The Roundtable is an area of GEnie specifically  set aside  for owners and
 users of Atari ST computers, although all are welcome to participate.

 There are  three main  sections to the Roundtable: the Bulletin Board, the
 Software Library and the Real Time Conference area.

 The Bulletin Board contains messages from Roundtable members  on a variety
 of Topics,  organized under  several Categories.   These  messages are all
 Open and available for all to read (GEnie Mail should be used  for private
 messages).  

 If you  have a question, comment, hot rumor or an answer to someone else's
 question, the Bulletin Board is the place to share it.

 The Software Library is  where we  keep the  Public Domain  software files
 that are  available to  all Roundtable members.  You can 'download' any of
 these files to your own computer system by using a  Terminal Program which
 uses the  'XMODEM' file-transfer method.  You can also share your favorite
 Public Domain  programs  and  files  with  other  Roundtable    members by
 'uploading' them  to the  Software Library. Uploading on GEnie is FREE, so
 you are encouraged to participate and help your Roundtable grow.

 The Real Time Conference is an area where  two or  more Roundtable members
 may  get  together  and  'talk'  in  'real-time'.   You can participate in
 organized conferences with special guests,  drop  in  on  our  weekly Open
 COnference,  or  simply  join  in  on  an  impromptu chat session.  Unlike
 posting messages or Mail  for other  members to  read at  some later time,
 everyone in the Conference area can see what you type immediately, and can
 respond to you right away, in an 'electronic conversation'.



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



 > CPU REPORT
   ==========
   Issue # 28


 by Michael Arthur


 Remember When....

     In 1977, Steve Jobs and  Steve  Wozniak  started  up  a  small company
 called Apple,  after Steve  Jobs' parents  allowed them to build the first
 Apple II in their garage?


 CPU INSIGHTS 
 =============
                    RISC-y Business:  Does Less equal More?
                    ---------------------------------------


     RISC, or Reduced Instruction Set Chips, have been the subject  of much
 discussion recently  in the  computer world.  Their capabilities have been
 lauded, and their potential marveled at.    They  have  been  described as
 faster  processors,  and  they  seem  to  be a great part of the future of
 personal computing.    As  such,  it  is  essential  that  computer owners
 understand this new technology.

     Conventional microprocessors use a complex instruction set, which have
 most of the instructions which would be needed by programmers, and contain
 complex  instructions,  which  are  designed to accomplish operations with
 only  one  instruction  that   would  ordinarily   require  two   or  more
 instructions.   While this  does make  programming easier, executing these
 complex instructions tends  to  slow  down  the  processor,  and  often, a
 portion of  the instructions  in a  Complex Instruction Set Chip (or CISC)
 are often not used in programs.

     Reduced Instruction Set Chips (or  RISC  chips),  in  comparison, have
 instruction sets  containing a  small number of instructions, all of which
 are simple.  This  automatically results  in a  speed increase,  but since
 RISC chips  are also  designed to  perform all  of those instructions VERY
 quickly, the potential speed  gain  can  be  incredible.    But  there are
 drawbacks to this method....

                              The "Risk" in RISC
                              ------------------

     One drawback  to RISC  chips is  that, although it may run faster as a
 result  of  using  fewer   simple  instructions,   it  can   take  several
 instructions to  perform an  operation that, on a CISC chip, would require
 only one instruction.   Besides  the  inconvenience  to  programmers, this
 often results  in the speed advantage of a RISC chip being negated.  Also,
 since RISC  chips inherently  use only  the instructions  that are needed,
 programmers who  need more  exotic or complex instructions are usually out
 of luck.

     In order to solve this, many RISC chips use microcoding,  which lets a
 programmer design and code new instructions for the chip to use, so he/she
 can make complex instructions  if they  are needed,  instead of  having to
 rely on  the instructions that are built-into the chip.  Also, in order to
 enhance speed, many RISC chips use a large number (32-128) of programmable
 registers,  in  order  to  do  more calculations without having to use the
 system's main memory.  CISC chips, though, only need a  small number (4-8)
 of programmable registers, as their complex instructions mostly do the job
 that RISC chips need registers for,  and  the  gain  in  speed  from using
 registers in CISC chips is negligible.

     Microcoding holds  great possibilities for RISC chips.  Not only can a
 programmer use a RISC chip to do EXACTLY what he/she wants the  program to
 do, but  microcode could  be used  to simulate  another processor so as to
 emulate another computer, or it can be used directly in a chip, to enhance
 any aspect  of its  instruction set.   Microcoding also has promise in the
 area of embedded systems, or computers used in airplanes, cars,  and other
 areas not  normally associated with computing.  For example, an airplane's
 electronics system could be optimized by microcoding the RISC chip used in
 it to  specifically fit its operations, while a CISC chip would have to be
 totally redesigned so its  circuitry  performed  that  particular function
 more efficiently.

     Ironically, the speed that RISC chips are renowned for is the cause of
 a MAJOR difficulty when designing computer systems.  Even though the speed
 of  CISC  and  RISC  chips  has increased to tremendous levels, the access
 speeds of RAM chips has not grown so quickly.   Most DRAM  chips allow the
 CPU to  have access  to it  every 100  to 125  nanoseconds.   This is fast
 enough for 4 MHZ - 12 MHZ machines to let the CPU handle a continuous flow
 of CPU  instructions and data.  Some DRAM chips, with an access time of 80
 nanoseconds, allow a 16 MHZ system  to function  properly.   But now, with
 the advent  of 20-25  MHZ CISC  chips, and the inherently fast RISC chips,
 the CPU is forced to waste instruction cycles  waiting for  the system RAM
 to catch up to it.

     Each instruction cycle that the CPU has to wait, from the time that it
 completes an operation, to when it can send the results to system  RAM, is
 called  a  Wait  State.    Wait  states  can  decrease  system performance
 dramatically, forcing the system  to work  at 30-60  percent of  the CPU's
 peak speed.  This, obviously, is not very efficient or preferable....

     To solve this, many high-speed systems (including those using RISC and
 CISC chips faster than 20 MHZ) use  memory  caching  to  act  as  a buffer
 between the  CPU and  system RAM.  While CPU caches can use ordinary DRAMs
 for its work, normally the most  efficient (read:  faster) CPU  caches use
 Static RAM  (or SRAMs),  which have  an EXTREMELY low access time, and are
 VERY quick.  But even though SRAMs are much faster than DRAM's, the reason
 ALL computers  don't use  SRAMs (and  the reason  most CPU caches are only
 32-128K large) is simply because SRAMs  are EXTREMELY  expensive, and have
 four  times  the  chip  area  of  Dynamic RAMs (or DRAMs).  Therefore, the
 system must find ways  to make  optimal use  of the  Cache Memory  that is
 available on the system.  

     Although there  are many  ways of doing this, one method is the use of
 MMU's to handle  Caching.    Cache  Memory  Management  Units  (or CMMU's)
 contain a  small amount (16-32K) of SRAM's built-in, and since the caching
 functions are not only  being handled  in hardware,  but can  be used more
 efficiently with the other memory management functions of an ordinary MMU,
 system performance is greatly enhanced.   This method  though, while being
 very effective, is not only VERY expensive, but often, the amount of SRAMs
 in a CMMU is not great enough in some cases.  One way that  this is solved
 is to  use SRAM Cache memory as a buffer for a larger section of DRAM used
 for a CPU Cache.

     Another method  is  interleaving.    Interleaving  uses  two  banks of
 memory, one  handling odd addresses and the other handling even ones.  The
 two banks of memory are then  juggled in  a round-robin  fashion, so while
 one bank  of memory is being used by the CPU, the other bank is organizing
 its data so as to be prepared when the CPU uses it.   This  means that not
 only can  SRAMs be  used for  a cache, but since the access time for a RAM
 chip is effectively doubled, that fast DRAM's (having an access time of 80
 to 100  nanoseconds) can  also be used efficiently in a cache.  Since they
 ARE Memory Management Units, CMMU's can also use interleaving....
  
     RISC technology is a VERY powerful, efficient, and versatile computing
 tool that  is destined  to become  increasingly important  in the computer
 industry, with uses above and beyond . But, as in  all inn  ovations, RISC
 does  have    its  disadvantages,  which  can  limit  its usefulness.  But
 although it is in its infancy  now,  RISC  chips  will  quickly  become an
 integral part of the future of computers.
  
     But ponder, if you will, this question:

 1)   Will RISC  technology have less of an impact if CISC processors begin
 to use some of the features of RISC chips, and  if RISC  chips become more
 CISC-like by handling more instructions?




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


 Baltimore, MD      AT&T has announced that it will shortly introduce
 -------------      Release 2.0 of the C++ programming language, first
                    shipping for the Unix operating system.  Release 2.0
                    makes improvements to this object oriented programming
                    language, and C++ 2.0 should be available before Late
                    July....

 New York, NY       David and Gregory Chudnovsky, two Columbia University
 ------------       mathematicians who emigrated from the Soviet Union,
                    have calculated the mathematical constant PI to an
                    accuracy of 480 million places.  Using the Fortran
                    language with Cray-2 and IBM VF supercomputers, the
                    calculations were performed within a period of several
                    months, during time that wasn't being used by other
                    users.

                    The Japanese set the previous record, an accuracy of
                    201 million places, using a version of Fortran running
                    on a Japanese-built supercomputer.

 Cupertino, CA      Apple recently fired David Ramsey, who wrote MacPaint
 -------------      Release 2.0, for disclosing on Compuserve proprietary
                    information dealing with future software directions at
                    Apple, even though he didn't know it was secret.

                    Many protesting Mac owners see this as a sign of
                    paranoia by Apple, as it tries to keep products and
                    plans in development as secret as possible.  This also
                    follows Apple's investigations into the nuPrometheus
                    League, an unknown group of people who recently shipped
                    disks containing the assembly language source code for
                    Apple's Color QuickDraw and other aspects of the Mac
                    ROMs to MacWeek Magazine, and threaten to send out the
                    source code to AppleTalk 2.0, System 6.0.3, HFS, and 
                    Multifinder in the future....

 Tokyo, Japan       Toshiba, the world's largest manufacturer of 1 Meg DRAM
 ------------       chips, has said that it will sell its new 4 Megabyte
                    DRAM chips for a bargain-basement price of only $80.00
                    a piece.

                    Since 1 Meg DRAM chips currently cost around $30.00,
                    and other chip makers, now selling 4 Meg DRAM chips for
                    $210.00, look to charge $140.00 for the chips when
                    volume production starts up, Toshiba expects to become
                    the premier chip maker in the 4 Meg DRAM chip arena.
  
                    However, given that the cause of the LAST DRAM chip
                    "drought" was that the US passed trade barriers against
                    similar actions by Japanese companies, and that the
                    industry has just recovered from the US/Japan dispute's
                    devastating consequences, having only recently started
                    to buy 1 Meg DRAM chips in volume....




  _______________________________________________________________________




 > CONVERT PICS STReport InfoFile    Picture conversion utilities
   ==============================



                                         CONVERT - A - PICTURE


 by Ron Brunk


    In STReport  90 I reviewed picture display programs along with a matrix
 which listed all the formats that each will display.   This article covers
 picture  conversion  programs  along  with  a  similar  matrix showing the
 formats that  each program  reads/writes.   Between the  two matrices, you
 will be  able to  view and/or  use any  file that is in any of the formats
 listed at the top of each matrix.  The list of formats  across the  top of
 the conversion  matrix matches  exactly the  formats in the display matrix
 (except for the addition of the vidtex format which, fortunately,  fell at
 the end).   For this reason, some of the formats in the matrix do not have
 an entry in their column.  Those formats can be  converted, however, using
 the  appropriate  display  program  from the display matrix in conjunction
 with one of the screen capture programs.

     Picture conversion programs come  in three  basic flavors.   The first
 type allows  you to  capture all or part of the current screen display and
 save it or import it into another program.  A second type will display the
 picture and  then give  you the  option to save it in another format.  The
 third type converts the picture files themselves to another format without
 viewing required  at all.   This type can sometimes do bulk conversions of
 all of a filetype in a specified path.  

     Most of these programs are shareware  and have  often been  renamed at
 the whims  of the uploaders in the process of being distributed throughout
 the community.  For this  reason,  I  am  including  (if  I  have  it) the
 version, size,  and programmers  name for  comparison.  I've also included
 the  programmers  names  to  recognize  them  for  their  contributions in
 expanding  the  graphics  capabilities  of  the ST to the fullest, and for
 sharing the fruits of their labors with the rest of us.

 -----------------------------
 Clipboard           7754 bytes

     Enables you to clip/copy portion of the screen and paste  that portion
 (with  the  background  transparent  or  opaque)  to another screen inside
 another program.

 -----------------------------
 Conv2gif          13516 bytes

     Converts Degas to GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) with the option to
 interlace,  which  specifies  the  order  that  lines are stored, allowing
 someone downloading it to  abort in  the middle  of viewing  online if the
 picture is not turning out to be what they expected.

 -----------------------------
 Convert  v1.6      9020 bytes     Steve Grimm

     Converts Degas to Vidtex (.vtx)

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

 Degasave          33730 bytes     Jeff Seibert

     Alt-help saves  screen as  a Degas  picture to a file screen#.pi? (#=1
 for the first pic and increments as necessary, ?=1-3 as appropriate).

 -----------------------------
 Degcol            10624 bytes    

     Converts back and forth between Degas low rez (.PI1) and  objects used
 with the COLR object editor.  These COLR objects consist of two files, the
 COLR palette  file (.PAL)  and the  mural file  (.MUR).   Only the palette
 filetype is listed on the matrix for reference.

 -----------------------------
 Degtoneo  v1.0     1115 bytes     Robert Davis

     Converts low rez Degas to Neo.

 -----------------------------
 Ezgem             18949 bytes     Don Rice

     Modifies GEM  files created  by UniTerm into GEM files that EZDraw can
 read by fixing  the  heading,  replacing  points,  turning  polylines into
 objects,  and  collecting  connected  vectors into true polylines whenever
 possible.

 -----------------------------
 Grafcon v.032586  13163 bytes

     Interchanges  Dr.  Doodle,  Neo,  Degas,  and  Degas-elite  formats or
 converts any of them to RLE (Run Length Encoded) format. 

 -----------------------------
 Gifneo            19012 bytes     Tom Burke

     Converts Gif to Neo
  
 -----------------------------
 Gifspc            21962 bytes     Steve Belczyk

     Converts GIF  to spectrum.  Option to dither which, if the exact color
 is not in the range of spectrum, modifies every other pixel to  one of the
 two closest spectrum colors.

 -----------------------------
 Iffcnv v3.1       33850 bytes     Bruce Holloway

     A very  extensive conversion  program that rivals Picswch7 as the most
 comprehensive.  Options for some formats  includes: dither,  no dither, or
 diamond dither;  palette-all color,  shades of  grey, up  to 48 colors per
 line; conversion to any of the 3 resolutions; compression by  averaging or
 dropping pixels.

 -----------------------------
 Iffspc            14955 bytes     Steve Belczyk

     Converts Amiga  IFF pics  to spectrum.   Many amiga pics have mixed up
 extensions, so if one has the  extension HAM,  you must  change it  to IFF
 before this program will use it.

 -----------------------------
 Koadeg             7053 bytes     Analog computing

     Converts Koala to Degas.  An almost identical program is Koalacon.tos

 -----------------------------
 Macvert           11276 bytes     Richard Lawrence

     Strips the mac binary header from a mac GIF file.

 -----------------------------
 Mono2med           9984 bytes     David Mumper

     Converts degas  or neo mono (hirez) pics to medium rez.  Pictures must
 be in the same folder as the program.

 -----------------------------
 Neocon2            2304 bytes     Ken Settle

     Converts Degas low rez to Neo or directs file to printer.

 -----------------------------
 Picswch7         40638 bytes     John Brochu

     The most  comprehensive  display  and  conversion  program  out there.
 Options: to  print with default 9 pin print driver, or build your own with
 the extensive instructions included  in the  text file;  save in different
 resolutions;  play  with  and  modify  the  following  formats-  Macpaint,
 NVision, IFF, RLE, GR8, and GR9.

 -----------------------------
 Pi3_2mac           9600 bytes     Frank Stewart

     Converts hirez Degas to Macpaint.

 -----------------------------
 Pksconv           26630 bytes    

     Uses PKS interchange format.  Has nine options of different conversion
 paths between Neo, Degas (hi&low rez), pks, pix, and Mandelzoom.

 -----------------------------
 Rlesee  v.043486   6137 bytes

     Converts RLE to Neo, Degas, or Dr. Doodle.

 -----------------------------
 Snapshot            640 bytes     Tom Snipes

     Captures  screen  to  a  NEO  picture  file.  Used in conjunction with
 Snapsave.

 -----------------------------
 Specdeg             841 bytes    

     Converts Spectrum to Degas low rez (PI1).

 -----------------------------
 Specgif4           5375 bytes     Boris Tsikanovsky

     Converts Spectrum to GIF.  Options to dither and interlace.  

 -----------------------------
 Spx               10800 bytes    Darek Mihocka

     An impressive slideshow program  that shows  NEO, Degas,  and Spectrum
 pictures and saves any of them to Spectrum format.

 -----------------------------
 Tnystuf2          7072 bytes     David Mumper            

     Converts Neo, Degas, and Tiny formats back and forth.

 -----------------------------
 Tny_2deg          9641 bytes     Bill Foster

     Converts tiny pictures to the appropriate Degas format.

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

                   Picture conversion matrix
                                                                       
                                                                          
         |C|C|D|G|G|G|H|I|I|K|M|M|M|N|P|P|P|P|P|R|S|S|S|T|T|V|             
         |L|O|O|E|I|R|A|F|M|O|A|A|P|E|A|C|I|I|G|L|C|P|P|N|N|T|             
         |#|L|O|M|F|#|M|F|G|A|C|S|T|O|L|#|#|C|#|E|#|C|U|Y|#|X|             
 --------|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|--------
 clipbord| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |  | S       
 cnv2gif |  | |  | |W|  | |  | |  | |  | |R| |R|R| | | | | | | | | |       
 convert | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |R| | |  | |  | |  | |W|          
 --------|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|--------
 degasave| |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | | | |X|X| | | | | | | | | | S     
 degcol  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |X| |X| | |  | |  | |  | |  | 1       
 degtoneo| |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |X| |X|X| | | | | | | | | |       
 --------|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|--------
 ezgem   | | | |X| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |  |          
 grafcon | | |X|  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |X| |X|X| | |W| | | | | | |
 gifneo  | | | | |R| | | | | | | | |W| | | | | | | |  | |  | |  |          
 --------|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|--------
 gifspc  | |  | |  |R| |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |W| | | | |
 iffcnv  | | | | |X| | | | | | | | |X| | |X| |  | |  |R|R|R| |  |          
 iffspc  | |  | |  | |  | |R|  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |W| | | | |
 --------|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|--------
 koadeg  | | | | | | | | | |R| | | | | |W|W| | | |  | |  | |  | |          
 macvert | | |  | |  | |  | |  | |R|  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 mono2med| | | | | | | | | | | | | |X| |X|X| | | |  | |  | |  | |          
 --------|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|--------
 neocon2 | | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | | |W| | |R| | | | | | | | | | 1
 picswch7|R| |  | |R| |R| |R|R|R|R|X| |X|X| |X|R| |  | |  | |  |          
 pi3_2mac| |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |W| |  | | | |R| | | | | | | | | | 3     
 --------|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|--------
 pksconv | | | | | | | | | | | | | |X| | |X| |  | |  | |  | |  | |  1,3    
 rlesee  | |  |W| |  | |  | |  | |  | | | | | |W|W| |R| | | | | | |
 snapshot| | | | | | | | | | | | | |W| | |W| | |  | |  | |  | |  | S       
 --------|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|--------
 specdeg |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | | | | | |W| | | | | |R| | | | 1     
 specgif4| | | | |W| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  |R| |  | |  |          
 spxslide| |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | | |R| |R| | | | |X|R| | | |       
 --------|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|--------
 tnystuf2| | | | | | | | | | | | | |X| | |X|  | |  | |  | |X|  | |  1,2    
 tny2deg |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | | | | | |W| | | | | | |R| | |       
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------     
    R- Reads format
    W- Writes format
    X- Reads and writes
    S- Screen capture
    #- Uses only PI#

     I  hope  that  the  combination  of  these  two  matrices  are a handy
 reference to some of you.  Feel free to let me know if I've  missed a good
 one, or a new version of one that's listed.  If the situation warrants it,
 I'll compile an updated set of matrices at a later date.





  _______________________________________________________________________



 > OVERSCAN? STReport NewsPlus     An all new graphics mode with promise
   ============================

     Courtesy, CIS


                              Stefan Hartmann
                    Electronic Research and Development
                            Keplerstrasse 11 B
                              1000 Berlin 10
                               West-Germany
                      Tel: West-Germany/30 344 23 66,
                    email on Compuserve ID: 72017,3216


 Introduction of an "Xtended Graphics Mode" for the Atari ST Computers

 from:  
                  Stefan Hartmann (Hardware and article) 
                                   and 
                  Carsten Isakovic(Software:Overscan.PRG)


     If You are a graphics freak and an owner of  an Atari  ST computer You
 might have been looking with keen eyes into the direction of the Commodore
 Amiga Computer and have  been  thinking  about  selling  Your  32000 Bytes
 Screen Memory Machine and gonna buy the Interlace- HAM-Baby?

                   Stop! This article will tell You why!

     With a  simple switch (cost about a buck) and additionally only at the
 STM520:  2  Rectifier  diodes,  2  Resistances,  a  NPN  Transistor  and a
 capacitor, we  will show  You how  to get a visible 59640 Bytes big Screen
 Memory (in 50 Hertz Mode). (the  following description  will apply  for 50
 Hertz mode  , 60  Hertz Mode  and Monochrome-Overscan-Mode  has some other
 screen memory size)

                           What does this mean ?

     This means  in  Low  resolution  mode  there  are  now  420*284 Pixels
 available to  display, still  16 colors  per pixel.   In midres resolution
 there we have now the gorgeous resolution of 840*284 Pixel, still 4 colors
 per dot.  In monochrome mode we get now 688*480 pixel with a well adjusted
 SM124 monochrome monitor.

     In color mode there is no  more screen  window visible  but pixels all
 over the  screen, indeed  some pixels  You'll never see, because they hide
 behind the  left  and  right  monitor  tube  border  till  You  adapt Your
 horizontal screen width.

   The same thing is available on the Amiga. There they call this mode :

                                 OVERSCAN

     This overscan  mode is now with this article also possible for all the
 Atari ST computers, from the 512KB 260 machine to the Mega ST 4.

     That  means  the  Atari  ST  can  now  like  the  Amiga  be  used  for
 semi-professional Desktop-Video  applications for  example together with a
 genlock-interface to get a scrolled text message in the lower  border of a
 video movie.

             How was this little hardware modification found ?

     The story of the Overscan modification began, when about a month ago I
 obtained a demo disk of a superb  graphic  effort.    But  a  very strange
 addition  appeared.    In  the  lower  border  of the ST screen appeared a
 scrolling text message!  How was  this  possible?    Had  my  monitor lost
 calibration?  Of course not...

 I couldn't  believe my eyes!  This programmer, Alyssa (special nickname of
 this hacker-guy) had programmed a very fine flowing scrolling text message
 out of  pixel graphics at the bottom of the screen where normally only the
 color  palette  register  0  (that  means  the  static  border  color)  is
 available.

 Had this guy found an undocumented "poke" to switch off the lower border
 and display further pixel graphics, which Mr. Shiraz Shivji (the father
 of the ST) informed us of?  Not really...

 He had found the software-trick, that if the picture frequency is abruptly
 switched inside the 199th scan line from 50 to 60 Hertz the result is that
 the Glue  chip is  disturbed, so  that it  holds its Display-Enable-Signal
 longer at  High  (5  Volts)  -  Level  and  this  tells  the  MMU  and the
 Video-Shifter to  display Pixel-Graphics till the end of the screen.  (but
 still keeping a left and right border).

 To understand all this screen manipulation I will briefly explain  how the
 ST generates  its picture  in color  mode:  In 50 Hertz Mode the screen is
 build up of 313 scan lines which are  written 50  times per  second to the
 screen.  (In 60 Hertz mode there are 263 scan lines displayed)

 This means that the Atari doesn't work with Interlace, the so called "half
 frames" (semi frames) are placed precisely one upon another so there is no
 placement shifting like in TV-Systems (e.g. NTSC).

 Normally, in  50 Hertz  mode the first 39 scan lines are displayed without
 pixel graphics but with  background color  palette 0.   This  is the upper
 Border.   Then there  are 200 scan lines in which the normal Screen window
 is displayed but still with this left and right border, which is still
 generated from palette 0.

 The following 45 scan  lines display  the lower  border, still  palette 0.
                  (normally no pixel graphics available)
 The last  29 scan  lines of  the total  313 lines are not visible, because
 they are used for  vertical blanking.  This is  needed to  synchronize the
 picture frequency of a connected monitor.

 The Blanking  is done  by the  blank-signal that  is also generated by the
 Glue chip and this signal switches the RGB-D/A-Resistor-Converter  to Zero
 when the  vertical blank  period is  active. (In  60 Hertz Mode the normal
 mode is : upper border 14 scan lines, 200 display  lines, 24  lower border
 scan lines and 25 scan lines blanked).

 A few  months ago,  we received  2 new demo programs "Amiga-Demo" from the
 TEX-Programmers ( some special assembler graphics wizards ) and the LT.PRG
 (the death  of the  left border) of the TNT-Crew.  This 2 programs blew my
 mind  because  they  already  featured  pixel  graphics  inside  the right
 (Amiga-Demo) and  in either  border(left and  right, LT.PRG).  How this is
 possible,  I'm  not  sure  yet,  because   the  assembler   code  is  very
 sophisticated and encrypted thus, no chance for a tracking monitor program
  or disassembly.   But it's possible that they use a 50 Hertz to 71 Hertz,
 switching every scanline  synchronized  with  the  video  address counter.
 Must be  very tricky  code!   Seems they want this kept a secret!  (In the
 meantime February '89 the UNION-Demo  was  launched:    Level  16  has now
 implemented a  full software controlled Overscan screen with no borders at
 all!; unbelievable, but very  time  consuming  interrupt  programming; not
 much time left for animation.)

 I  thought,  what  if....If  these  guys  are  able to display some border
 graphics with some very tricky but time consuming code how about trying to
 convince the little Shifter to do this with a simple hardware modification
 and without any time consuming calculations?

                                No problem

 I fetched  my  scope,  booted  the  Amiga-Demo  and  switched  between the
 additional right  border pixel  display and  normal mode.   At this time I
 took a  closer look  with the  scope next  to the  Shifter area  of the ST
 board.    That's  it!    I  recognized  that  if I switched the modes, the
 Display-Enable-Signal changed its pulse-stop relationship.

 The Display Enable Signal determines if pixel graphics should be displayed
 by the Shifter or if the border should be displayed (palette register 0).
 Every time if this signal goes high, pixel graphics is displayed, if it is
 low, palette 0 is displayed.   The Display  Enable signal  is generated by
 the Glue,  like the  Blank-, HSync- and VSync-Signal which are all used to
 generate the picture.  The DE-Signal also goes to the MMU and  the Timer B
 Input  of  the  MFP  chip  (for  counting  the scan line through interrupt
 routines).

 The screen is build  up with  the following  sequence:   The vertical Sync
 signal which  is not  only going  to the  monitor connector buss but which
 comes from the Glue  and  is  also  controlling  the  MMU  is  telling the
 internal counter  of the  MMU to  take over  the address of the next "semi
 frame" from the video.bas address FF8201 and FF8203.   If  now the Display
 Enable signal  goes high  then the  DCYC (Display-Cycle-Clock) signal from
 the MMU is activated which is strobing the videodisplay information (pixel
 graphics) from the RAM in 16 bits words into the Shifter for displaying.

 That means  the DCYC signal clocks the Load Input of the Shifter.  At this
 moment the internal counter of the MMU is counting upwards.

 The actual address has  been  written  all  2  microseconds  to  the video
 address counter  in FF8205/07/09.   And  remains at this point holding the
 Display Enable Signal longer at high level, accordingly more memory RAM is
 addressed as  screen video  ram by  the MMU  and still  transferred to the
 Shifter during every scan line.

 So with the Pulse Stop relationship of the DE signal we can determine the
 size of the screen window.  At last we have the Blank signal which is also
 blanking the video signal from the RGB-Converter during horizontal flyback
 time and vertical synchronization time (as mentioned above).   To complete
 the description,  there is  still the CMPS Signal (Color Map Chip Select),
 which is generated by the MMU and which is only  changing for  telling the
 Shifter to  load a new color palette. (what will Spectrum 512 look like in
 Overscan mode: (stunning!)

 Conclusion:
     
 How do I find the right signal in exchange for the DE signal ?

 Looking around inside the ST I  found the  Composite Sync  Signal which is
 generated by an AND-Combining of the HSync and VSync Signals.  One can use
 the already installed Composite  Sync Signal  which feeds  the monitor bus
 connector.   Make sure  to use the Composite Sync Signal directly from the
 Emitter of the driver (buffer) transistor.  (Take  a look  at Your circuit
 diagram of  Your ST!)   At  the 520  STM (the  STs with RF-modulators) the
 internal Composite  Sync Signal  is missing.   You  have to  add the above
 mentioned circuit of 2 rectifiers, 2 resistors a transistor and a optional
 buffer capacitor( buffers the collector (5Volts) of the  transistor versus
 ground).

 This Composite Sync Signal is ideal for controlling the new Overscan mode.
 We have been trying other signals for example: only the  HSync, the VSync,
 the Blank  signal or  only permanent  5 Volts  but this  doesn't work with
 either 50 and 60 Hertz and GEM couldn't be installed.

 To find a better signal than the Composite Sync signal is not possible
 with such a simple modification.   The ST  has only  4 signals  which come
 from the  GLUE which  can possibly  be used  to create  a "  new " Display
 Enable signal, because all other signals vary.

 The only time invariant signals are :
      1. The old DE-Signal
      2. The HSync Signal
      3. The VSync Signal
      4. The BLANK Signal.

 And still hold the divided clock frequencies 2 MHz and 500 kHz.  To create
 a better  signal than the composite sync signal one would have to use some
 counters and dividers to build up a better "DE"-signal.  This would mean a
 great deal of additional hardware.

 GEM needs  a video scan line whose number has to be able to divide by 4 to
 install it. So the Composite Sync  Signal  was  the  simplest  solution to
 find.

                 Description of the Hardware Modification

 The Display  Enable Signal which is going to the Shifter Pin 37 and to the
 MMU Pin 52 has to be cut and instead of this the Composite Sync Signal has
 to be fed to these two Pins.

 This could  be done  by a  simple 3  Pin switch which switches between the
 original and the new Overscan Mode.  The switch could be installed  at the
 back of  the ST  for example.   It  is also  possible to  switch it during
 operation of the ST without hanging up.    If  You  switch  back  it might
 happen, that the color palettes having been cycled.

 This  is  due  to  percussion  during  switching  but  could be removed by
 switching 3 or 4  times again  till the  color palettes  are in  the right
 order again.  

 Hint: If  there will a shifted palette as the desktop appears, You have to
 switch again a few times the change-over switch so due  to percussion this
 shifted palettes  will disappear.   This  shifted palettes sometimes occur
 during bootup and only at bootup.

         How to connect and wire the Overscan-change-over-switch:

 Directly at the Emitter  of the  Composite Sync  signal driver Transistor,
 You pick  up the  buffered Composite  Sync Signal and feed it to the third
 pin of the switch.  The second pin of the switch (the  pin in  the middle)
 goes to the pin 37 of the Shifter and pin 52 of the MMU.  The first pin of
 the switch is connected to pin 39 of the Glue (Display Enable Signal)

 Reminder: the MFP 68901 pin 20 still gets the Display Enable Signal in
 both modes!!!  We have tried to use also the Composite Sync  for the Timer
 B-Input in  Overscan mode,  but then  the ST  doesn't boot  itself after a
 Reset.

                 Software Adaptation to the Overscan Mode

 If You switch directly from the normal desktop  after booting  without any
 accessories  or  programs  to  the  Overscan  mode, You will see some nice
 "pixel trash" in the upper half of the screen, going from the very left to
 the very right.  (without a border)

 But what  has happened  to the  lower half  screen?  There is some strange
 jumping and changing of colors in a strange pattern of 16 bits.

 What is  this, You  will ask?   This  is only  the display  of RAM databus
 signals!    This  happens  because  the normal Video screen display Ram is
 installed at the top of the available ST Memory.  If switched  to Overscan
 the  ST  needs  more  than  the  32kBytes  but there at the top is no more
 available, so behind the end of  the RAM  the ST  displays the undefinable
 Databus signals!   What  a funny picture! (I just wonder whether the first
 game will use this for displaying "screen communication  problems" like in
 the game: Carrier Command ?)

 So the answer to get a correct full screen Overscan picture is:
 Write a lower Address into the Screen Starting Address Pointer FF8201/03.
 But then there is still the Pixel-Trash, but now all over the screen.

 This is because the color bit planes have changed their place. This can be
 corrected by adapting the GEM.

 This was done by us by writing the Overscan.PRG which adapts the GEM.

 It runs with the Blitter-TOS and the new ROM-TOS 1.4 and the BETA-RAMTOS
 and the Developer-RAMTOS 1.4, but not with the old ROMTOS from 1985 !

 You start it out of the AUTO-folder of a disk or from  the harddisk  and a
 whole new OVERSCAN-world opens up.

 If You  push the  CONTROL button  during booting,  it will come up with an
 installation menu and You can change  the Overscan-resolution,  so it will
 fit  to   Your  monitor  screen  adjustment!    You  can  then  save  this
 Overscan-adjustment, so it will  boot itself  up with  the right  size the
 next  time  !(The  installation  menu  is only available from Overscan.PRG
 version 1.5 up)

 The GEM desktop with this resolution is wonderful.

 With this solution one  can use  already a  few programs,  which get their
 screen parameters  directly from GEM and don't write the graphics directly
 into the screen memory, for example  the DOODLE.PRG,  Wordplus, GEM Paint,
 Easydraw, Kuma  Graph and  Spreadsheet etc.   These programs and some more
 already work with Overscan in color and monochrome mode.

 Unfortunately, the best two graphics programs,  CAD3D from  TOM HUDSON and
 CYBERPAINT  from  JIM  KENT  don't  work  at  this moment with this higher
 resolution.

 TOM and JIM are YOU reading  to this?   Please,  try to  adapt Your superb
 programs...

 The Overscan.PRG  patches the  TOS with  the negative LINE A-Variables, so
 every application, for example CAD3D only would have  to fetch  the actual
 SCREEN SIZE with the command OPEN WORKSTATION (VDI).  This will also apply
 for the new 19" Matrix or Mat Screen Monitors that are used especially for
 DTP with Calamus and other applications.

 Wouldn't it be great to design Your objects on a big screen with CAD3D?

 Imagine, an OVERSCAN-Delta-Animation in color played back in realtime from
 a 800 MBYTE Hardisk, synchronized by  midi-clock with  a midi-sequencer (a
 second Atari ST for example ) which is controlling a complete orchestra of
 synthesizers.  What a realtime multi media show this would be.  This could
 also open  up a  whole new  world of  video music  production in the Music
 Industry.

 A few words about the screen-memory partitioning in OVERSCAN mode in
 50 Hertz image frequency:

 The visible screen memory is now  59640  Bytes  (if  Your  monitor  can be
 regulated to  this screen width and height).  But because of the Composite
 Sync Signal there are  also pixels  displayed during  the blanking  time (
 flybacktime) of  one scan  line.   This are  26 Bytes per scan line.  This
 adds up to 7384 Bytes more than the visible 59640  Bytes.   This means the
 actual size  of the  screen memory  has to be 67024 Bytes big. (calculated
 for 50 Hertz, in 60 Hertz some other size will fit)  This is about 7 kByte
 can be  used for  storing palette information or other stuff.  If it's due
 to memory wasting, the software could also store only the  59640 Bytes for
 one screen but then reloading will take a short moment longer, due to jump
 over the 26 unused Bytes in every video scan line.

 Because of the pulse stop  relation  time  of  the  Composite  Sync signal
 during vertical blanking time there are also some Pixels transferred which
 aren't visible but blanked.  That's why there has to be an offset starting
 address of  about 5 kBytes subtracted from the video.bas pointer registers
 FF8201/03.

 But this is already done with our Overscan.PRG.  If we would have tried to
 avoid these little two disadvantages we would have been forced to generate
 a very special NEW DISPLAY ENABLE Signal which  would have  been needed an
 enormous amount of counters and flip-flops.  So it's easier to live with a
 little more memory consumption  by using  the simple  to install Composite
 Sync signal.

     The difference between 50 and 60 Hertz color mode :

 In 50  Hz mode with using the Composite Sync signal You have 236 Bytes per
 scan line.  210  Bytes are  visible.   The other  20 Bytes  aren't visible
 because of  horizontal flyback  blanking (the  BLANK signal of the GLUE is
 doing his job during this time period).   Well,  236 Bytes  can be divided
 by 4,  this is  what GEM  needs.  So 50 Hertz GEM SHELL installation is no
 problem.

 At this moment, our Overscan.PRG (version 1.6) runs the GEM SHELL only in
 50 and 71 Hz.

 In 60 Hertz mode You have 234 Bytes per scan line.  This is only dividable
 by 2!  So it might be that we will get GEM only to work in Mid-Res-mode in
 60 Hz, but a specially written Cyberpaint could  also handle  60 Hertz, if
 the color palettes are adapted the right way for Lowres.  There would have
 to be 2 different versions of Cyberpaint like Spectrum 512,  because in 50
 Hz there  are 512 clock cycles and in 60 Hz there are 508 Clock cycles per
 scan line.  In 60 Hz there are also only 238 visible scan lines instead of
 284 of the 50 Hz mode.

 My proposal  is, first  to adapt  CAD3D to  50 Hz mode so that the created
 DELTA-files could then transferred  to  a  special  Cyberpaint  that might
 handle also  50 and  60 Hz mode.  This Overscan-Cyberpaint then could also
 convert the 284 scan  lines pictures  to the  visible 238  NTSC compatible
 scan lines pictures.

 So, is  it possible  you could design Your CAD3D animation with a 50 Hertz
 bigger screen and load it  with  Cyberpaint  into  a  60  Hertz compatible
 animation.

                       The monochrome Overscan-mode

 When we  developed the hardware Overscan mode for the first time in end of
 september 1988, we only adapted the color mode.   When we  switched to the
 monochrome mode,  there the  flyback beams of the monochrome monitor SM124
 were visible because in monochrome mode  the ST  sends NO  Blank-signal to
 the SM124 circuit.  Look at it now in monochrome Overscan-mode, before You
 boot the Overscan.PRG.  You still also see the flyback beams because there
 is no  flyback blanking due to this new pulse- stop- time- relationship of
 the composite sync signal.

 So the SM124 has to blank the  flyback  beams  itself.    With  the normal
 DE-signal controlling the picture size it's no problem.  But we did modify
 this  with  Overscan,  so  switched  to  the  Composite  Sync  signal  for
 controlling the  picture size,  we get now 800*500 pixels generated by the
 ST in monochrome mode. 
   
 This is to much for the  SM124:   It doesn't  fit onto  the screen  of the
 SM124.
   
 This means:  many pixels are displayed during flyback time of the electron
 beam and we get the unwanted visible flyback beams onto the screen.  So we
 thought, that the monochrome mode wouldn't be possible to install
 with the Composite Sync signal.

 But then in January 1989, I had the idea to fill all the new screen memory
 with $FF:   And  THAT'S IT  : the whole screen was BLACK!  No more flyback
 beams to see!  So  it  was  possible  to  suppress  the  flyback  beams by
 adjusting the  screen memory in this way, that in every visible monochrome
 Overscan- scanline the last  Bytes have  to be  set to  $FF !(so  they are
 blanked and no longer visible)  Well, this is the trick to install the GEM
 SHELL also in monochrome Overscan mode.

 With this software adjustment we get now at maximum 688*480  pixel without
 distortion on a, from the manufacturer well calibrated, SM124 monitor.
 The  resolution  is  again  adjustable  with  our Overscan.PRG through the
 installation menu.

 With a NEC Multisync monitor one gets 732 pixel in one scan  line, so it's
 now  possible  to  do  true  HERCULES graphics emulation, which needs only
 720*350 pixel.  With the NEC Multisync we have now 732*480 pixels.

 Maybe Avant Garde Software will fit their PC-Ditto to run this fully
 emulated Hercules graphics mode?

 There is the rumor that; Mr. Sack from West Germany, who has developed
 the first running  Hardware  MS-DOS  emulator  will  include  OVERSCAN for
 emulating the HERCULES graphics mode in the near future.

 I'm  working  now  to  modify  the  SM124 monitor with a little additional
 hardware, so it will also display at least the 720 pixels on one scan line
 for Hercules emulation.

 Maybe, I'll  get the  full 800*500  pixel display  to work on the modified
 SM124 soon?

 (Take a look at the OVERSCAN.DOC file for  a more  detailed explanation of
 the new screen memory partitioning in monochrome Overscan mode)

                               In Conclusion

 Overscan brings  a whole new world of applications to the ST especially in
 Desktop-Video and  new Big  screen-applications and  Hercules emulation in
 monochrome mode.   In  color mode there will be programs like on the Amiga
 in two versions, one PAL and one NTSC versions.

 There is still the hope that  HDTV  brings  us  a  new  world  standard in
 picture  frequency  and  picture  resolution,  so everybody could swap and
 exchange  videotape  cassettes  with  computer-graphics  or  movies  on it
 between Europe and America without needing to convert.

 I  still  hope,  that  Europe  will  change to 60 Hertz picture frequency,
 because if not, we will have to program our next generation of color
 computers, for  recording HDTV  graphics onto  tape, in  the flickering 50
 Hertz mode.  But only because a new standard for television surely remains
 at least for 20 years,  please  help  us  avoid  the  flickering  50 Hertz
 EUREKA-HDTV-Freaks-standard.

 It would  be no  problem to use a 60 Hertz picture frequency in Europe, as
 You can see it clearly, if  You connect  Your ST  to the SCART(RGB-Inputs)
 connector of  Your television  set and  then switch Your ST to 60 Hertz by
 software !(change Hz.PRG) No problem at all.


 Literature:
               1. Data Becker : ST-Intern
               2. Circuit diagram of the ST computers
               3. Markt and Technik Verlag, ST68000 magazine,issue May and
                  June 1989: "Ausser Rand und Band mit Hyperscreen";       
                  publishing of this article by the german
                  ST68000 magazine.


 West-Berlin, on the 2nd July 1989      Stefan Hartmann
 This article is copyright protected (c) 1989 and 1990

 P.S.: I  have drawn  some pictures with Degas monochrome of the new screen
 partitioning and we have made  some  digitized  photos,  also  PI3 format,
 which shows the board modifications and the switch wiring.





  _______________________________________________________________________



 > Atari Stock ~ STReport   The real "skinny" from the street of walls..
   ======================


                                                   THE TICKERTAPE
                                                   ==============


 by Glenn Gorman



    Atari Stock  went up  3/8 of  a point on Monday, down 3/8 on Wednesday,
 down 5/8 on Thursday and up 3/8 on Friday.  Finishing up the week at 8 3/8
 points.  Down a 1/4 of a point from last Friday.


                                                            Glenn Gorman

                          +---------------------+
                          |  ATARI STOCK WATCH  |
                          | Week 06-26 to 06-30 |
 +=======+==========+===========+=============+============+=============+
 |       |  Monday  |  Tuesday  |  Wednesday  |  Thursday  |  Friday     |
 +-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
 | Sales |    5341  |     1557  |       1042  |      3671  |    2513     |
 +-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
 | Last  |   9 ---  |    9 ---  |      8 5/8  |     8 ---  |   8 3/8     |
 +-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
 | Chg.  |    +3/8  |     ----  |       -3/8  |      -5/8  |    +3/8     |
 +=======+==========+===========+=============+============+=============+
 | From > THE CAVE ST BBS <> 609-882-9195 <> 300/14400 HST <> F-NET #351 |
 +=======================================================================+




  
  _______________________________________________________________________



  > TOS 1.4 STR FOCUS     Is this a Major Revision?  You be the judge!
    =================

   
                                          TOS 1.4  "THE QUANTUM LEAP"
                                          ===========================


  by Ralph F. Mariano


     Basic human  behavior is to resist change no matter how beneficial the
 changes may be....This is  sad but  true, it  occurs on  a daily  basis in
 every corner  of the  globe.  How many times have you heard the expression
 "It was good enough for my Father, It's good enough for me!"   

     TOS 1.4  has been  discussed quite a bit lately, and rightly so, after
 all it,  is the  "fanciest" and most functional TOS yet!  The goal of this
 article is not to take anybody to task for their position on  what TOS 1.4
 is or  is not...   We  wish present  to  you as  many  of the features and
 benefits of TOS 1.4 and wish that you be the judge. 

 Below, we present a chart illustrating some of  the features  and benefits
 of TOS 1.4

 bug/feature/problem/wish         status           Source
 ------------------------------ ---------- ----------------------------
 Flow control (RTS/CTS)         Almost     Works in some cases NOT FOREM ST
 Malloc Inconsistencies         OK         Confirmed - A. Pratt/Atari Corp.
 16 MEG HD partition Limit      Fixed      Confirmed - STReport
 A: motor on after HD boot      Fixed      Rumor - FNET ST users
 Slow desktop disk copy         Fixed      Confirmed - STReport
 "Twister" format from desktop  Fixed      Confirmed - STReport
 Preserve file date on copy     Fixed      Confirmed - STReport
 Extended command line          Unknown    Rumor - Usenet ST newsgroup
 Works with 68010/20            Unknown    Rumor - Usenet ST newsgroup
 Installed in new Mega STs      Unknown    Rumor - Crossnet ST group
 Available to 520/1040 owners   Not yet    Rumor - Crossnet ST group
 Available to Developers        Yes        Confirmed C. Roberts/Atari Corp.
 Shipping in DTP Systems        Yes        Confirmed C. Roberts/Atari Corp.
 Move/Copy Files Choice         Yes        Confirmed - STReport
 Support IBM Boot Sector        Yes        Confirmed - STReport
 New file Selector              Yes        Confirmed - STReport
 Faster Performance             Yes        Confirmed - STReport
 Auto-Boot a Hard Disk          Yes        Confirmed - STReport 


      Having heard  quite a  bit about Flow Control not working, we checked
 into this situation and found that TOS 1.4 has Flow Control operating on a
 limited basis and  that in most cases, the software must be made to comply
 with the  TOS.   Additionally, we  have it  on solid  information that two
 independant programmers have fixed the problems and are offering the 'fix'
 in a number of configurations.

     The chart will be updated as regularly as  we receive  new information
 pertaining to TOS 1.4.

     TOS 1.4  is, in  our humble  opinion, a quantum leap forward for Atari
 and it's TOS.  We enthusiastically recommend that  every ST  owner make it
 their  business  to  obtain  a  set  of these chips as soon as they become
 available.
  



   
   ________________________________________________________________________



 > Tech Specialities  STReport OnLine   The Beat goes On....
   ==================================


     CTSY CIS
     --------

 11957 S8/Hot Topics
 06-Jul-89  18:25:28
 Sb: tech-specialities Co.
 Fm: Domingo B. Alvear 74030,3254
 To: All

 July 6th, 1989


 Hello,

     My name is Domingo B. Alvear, and I am a student at  the Johns Hopkins
 University.   I own  an un-expanded 520ST that has a tech-specialities 1Mb
 to 4Mb RAM upgrade.  (You might ask, how can  his ST  be unexpanded  if it
 has a RAM upgrade?)

     Let  me  explain.    At  5:50pm  EST today, I called Kay R. Vaulmud of
 tech-specialities Co.,  in an  attempt to  obtain support  in installing a
 520A RAM  upgrade.   Last night,  I had installed the 256K RAM chips to go
 (finally) to  1Mb,  but  alas,  I  could  get  the  other  bank  of memory
 recognized.    Thinking,  I'll  call  tech-specialities  to  get  help  in
 installing the board.  Here is how the conversation went:

 KV:  "Hello, tech-specialties." 
 DA:  "Yes, I'd like information on installing  one of  your RAM upgrades?"
 KV:  "Do you have an order number?" 
 DA:  "No, I bought it from somebody else." 
 KV:  "Then how do we know that you have our product?" 
 DA:  "It's a tech-specialities 520-A Memory Upgr..." 
 KV:   "Sir, if you didn't buy it from us you should call your retailer.   
      It's a local call, and..." 
 DA:  "It's not a local call..." 
 KV:  "You should call them first..."  
 DA:  "But you have a technical support number..." 
 KV:  "That doesn't matter.   You didn't buy it directly from us.  You     
      can't just call the manufacturer and expect help.  That's why we give
      retail discounts..." 
 DA:  "I just need help..." 
 KV:  "It's late now.  I'm flying to Oklahoma, and you are wasting  my     
      time...<click>"

     Great conversation, huh?  Is this any way to run a business?  I didn't
 think anybody would agree.  What's  with this  guy anyway?   Does  he have
 something against customer support?

     If you  do anything  please read  this.   If you  have ANYTHING to add
 please do.  I feel like I'm dealing with somebody  who thinks  he is above
 everyone else.  HE'S NOT ABOVE WORD OF MOUTH!!!

     I guess you read my story?  Well, that's not even the beginning of it.
 If  you  remember,  he  stated  that  I  didn't   buy  it   directly  from
 tech-specialities.  That  doesn't  even  seem  to  matter.   Take this for
 example....

     On Dec 23, 1988, I order from tech-specialities Co. 2 CPU kits for the
 520ST and 1040ST.  These were advertised as being  case enclosures for the
 motherboards  of  the  respective  computers.   These wonderful cases have
 built in bays for three (3) 5.25" and three (3) 3.5" drives.  These can be
 HD's, Floppies,  Tape Drives,  or anything else you can fit in the spaces.
 There was included a 150 watt XT style power  supply with a  built in fan.

     Wonderful you might say.   That  sounds like  something I  might want.
 Well, guess  again.   Today is  July 6th,  1989.   I have YET to use these
 cases.   Sure, the drives were sent in February.  The  cases were  sent in
 March.   The hard  drive was  sent in April.  Well, I haven't received the
 host adapter, the cables to connect  the HD  or the  floppies.   I haven't
 received the  modified case  tops to  enclose the  keyboards in a separate
 housing.  (ala the Mega ST)  It's July, folks!  It's taken SIX  (6), count
 them 1.2.3.4.5.6!!!,  SIX months,  and I still haven't even used the cases
 once.

     That's still not the half of it.  I sent them a check (certified) when
 they sent  the drives COD.  Fine.  They said the rest of the kits would be
 out in a month.  A month passes buy.   (I called  a number  of times which
 came  out  of  MY  pocket!!!)    They  finally  send  me  the cases.  (I'm
 overjoyed, but upon opening the  boxes,  I  find  that  they  are useless.
 There are  NO keyboard  cases!!!)  So I call them.  There is some hold up.
 Fine.  I can still use my computer, right?  I call back.   I get  some run
 around.   "You'll should  get stuff  next week."  (Of course he forgets he
 said that  the week  before, and  the week  before, and  the...you get the
 picture...)   So, I'm  getting tired.   I  still call hoping for some good
 news.  You know what?  The man hangs up on me when I call.  He tells me he
 hasn't had lunch.  (Is that MY FAULT? He tells me that the Atari market is
 dead.  That all we want is the best products for the  lowest price.   (WHO
 DOESN'T!!!)   Well, I've  waited until  know.  I'm sick of it.  If I don't
 get my stuff, I guess I'll have to take him to court. 

     If anybody has a suggestion as to how I can get the stuff that  I PAID
 FOR!!!    PLEASE  tell me.   I'm  tired of  being kicked around.  It's NOT
 fair.  I  paid  for  it  in  advance,  I  should  be  given  some  sort of
 consideration. 

 Dom

 P.S.    Add  anything  you  can  to  help  me  or others who've dealt with
 tech-specialities (dumb spelling, eh?).  Also, if anyone can suggest a way
 to  help  me,  please  do.    Finally,  does  anyone know how to install a
 tech-specialities 520-A RAM upgrade?  I just bought one (not directly) and
 it doesn't  register the  new RAM.  The video is fine, but I can't get the
 new RAM... to be acknowledged.





  ________________________________________________________________________



 > Turbo ST 1.6 STR Feature  Turbo your ST with ease!
   ========================



                                        Turbo ST  Version 1.6  July 5, 1989
                                        ===================================


 by W. Buckholdt


     Thousands of hours have  been spent  developing, writing,  and testing
 it, so  that you can enjoy the full performance of your Atari ST.  We hope
 you like using it as much as our beta testers have.

     With this release, Turbo ST is now 100% compatible with  virtually all
 Atari ST software, including several programs that broke the rules.  Based
 on our own tests and those of our beta testers,  you should  experience no
 problems.   However, in the rare event that you do, please bring it to our
 attention, either by writing us at P.O. Box 5257, Winter Park, FL 32793 or
 by calling us at (407) 657-4611.  

     The only known limitations of Turbo ST are:
     -------------------------------------------
          1) It  will not  work on  large screen  Moniterm monitors or with
               programs  that  emulate  a   large   screen   monitor  (this
               capability will  be added  as soon as we are able to test it
               with actual hardware).  

          2) It is incompatible with the Stedi editor from Holland.  

          3) The typeahead buffer disappears with  the Mark  Williams Shell
               and a public domain mail utility.

     Also included  on the  disk are  a monochrome-only version of Turbo ST
 and a color-only version.   These  versions  are  available  primarily for
 Atari ST  owners who use only one type of monitor and want to save as much
 memory as possible. If you wish  to  use  the  monochrome-only  version of
 Turbo ST, just copy TRBOMONO.ACC from the MONO folder to any disk you boot
 your computer with.  Similarly, if you wish to use  the color-only version
 of Turbo  ST, just copy TRBOCOLR.ACC from the COLOR folder to any disk you
 boot your computer with.  We  recommend however,   that  you only  use one
 version of Turbo ST at any given time on your system.

     If  you  use  Easel  ST,  you  are  advised to use TRBOEASL.ACC.  This
 special version of Turbo ST is  very similar  to the  standard version and
 will generally run from 90% to 100% as fast.

     The manual we ship with the new 1.6 release of Turbo ST is for version
 1.4.  Everything is correct with three exceptions:
   
          1) All the listed benchmarks are now out of date,  as the version
               you have is even faster.
   
          2) The first paragraph on page 13 of the manual is now incorrect.
               You no longer need  to reinstall  Turbo ST  on a  Mega ST in
               order  to  use  Turbo  ST  with  the  blitter.   In fact the
               converse is true, if you want  to use  Turbo ST  without the
               blitter on  a Mega  ST, you  now need  to reinstall Turbo ST
               after turning off the blitter flag on the desktop.
   
          3) The revision history on page 18 of  the manual  is now  out of
               date.  See the UPDATE.DOC for enhancements that were made to
               the 1.6 release.

     A word about benchmarks.   If  you decide  to time  how fast  Turbo ST
 runs, we  suggest that  you do it with the actual programs you use.  Doing
 this  will  display  overall  performance  rather  than  peak  theoretical
 performance on  a particular  function with  limited applicability.  While
 Turbo ST is exceedingly fast  (clocking  up  to  14  times  faster  on one
 benchmark),  it  would  be  misleading  for us to suggest your application
 programs would speed up similarly.

     The following enhancements have  been made  to Turbo  ST, version 1.6,
 over and above those made in prior releases:

          1) More  programs than ever are now speeded up by the presence of
               Turbo ST.  Of particular note  are WordPerfect  and NeoDesk.
               Scrolling within WordPerfect documents on a 520/1040 ST with
               Turbo ST  is  much  faster,  actually  exceeding  that  of a
               blitter-equipped Mega ST in monochrome.

          2) Because vertical and horizontal line drawing and several other
               GEM functions are  now  included  in  Turbo  ST,  users will
               notice  enhanced  speed  with  many popular programs such as
               Word Writer ST, LDW Power,  and  Interlink.    Also  the GEM
               Desktop is now blazing fast. 

          3)  Mega  ST  owners  will  enjoy  even faster speed, as Turbo ST
               automatically takes full advantage of the blitter chip if it
               is present.

          4) To  enhance compatibility, Turbo ST now supports programs that
               change screen resolutions, do IO redirection,  or use custom
               TOS fonts  to emulate  another system  such as an IBM or DEC
               mainframe.  Also the  system control  sequences to  pause or
               abort a screen listing are now supported.

          5)  To  ensure  total  compatibility  with virtually all Atari ST
               software, hundreds  of hours  have been  spent tracking down
               bugs or  coming up with compatibility solutions for programs
               that broke the rules. Of particular note, bugs that affected
               Touch  Up  and  VSH  Manager  were  fixed, and compatibility
               problems  with  the  Diablo  SETUP630.ACC  and  the Assempro
               Debugger were resolved.

          6) In  addition, Turbo  ST is now totally compatible with Atari's
               GDOS, as well as  the  AMC  GDOS  from  Germany.    The last
               version of Turbo ST was only totally compatible with G+Plus,
               the GDOS replacement from CodeHead Software.

          7) Separate monochrome-only and  color-only versions  of Turbo ST
               are now  included for  those users  who use only one type of
               monitor and are short on available memory.




  ________________________________________________________________________



 > THE HOME STRETCH  STR Feature  June '89 has come and gone, and...
   =============================


                                                SO, WHAT'S SO NEW??
                                                ===================

 by Ralph F. Mariano

     Recently, we were advised that  some  remarks  were  passed  about the
 "press" always  being negative  about Atari and that we should try to show
 the positive side of  things.   This is  easily understood,  when one asks
 themselves, who  in their  right mind  wants to constantly read depressing
 info about Atari?  Especially when they have  a small  fortune tied  up in
 computer equipment.  

     In keeping  with the theme of thinking positive, we suggest that while
 we wait for the national advertising  campaign  to  begin,  the  stacey to
 arrive, the  Portfolio to  go on  sale and of course TOS 1.4  to make it's
 debut, we can, while the lovely summer months are here, lavishly enjoy the
 outdoors.   Buy a  boat.. maybe  even a  bass tracker or hike the streams,
 tickle the fancy of a few fine trout.

     Third party development and release of new and  sophisticated software
 and the  superb new  hardware innovations are the main instruments keeping
 the users interest levels  up.   Atari is  headed in  the right direction,
 (becoming a leader in the US Home Computer market),  we believe they fully
 comprehend the fact that the users are "eager" to purchase  new and better
 hardware and  software.   That remark,  by the way, was echoed by most all
 the vendors who were present at the last three Atari oriented shows.   WOA
 - Anaheim, MACE,  WOA -  Dearborn.   Atari, has  in doing these shows, has
 rekindled the interest in their  products.    The  results  are  more than
 apparent on behalf of the users.  

     The dealers  and the  potential dealers  have expressed that they left
 the shows "feeling good" about Atari again.  Many of  the delaers credited
 that to  the mini-seminars  being held  at these  shows which are directed
 mainly at the current and prospective new dealers.   It  would appear that
 Atari has  hit upon  a winning combination in backing and participating in
 these shows, they reach the users...AND the dealers!





  ________________________________________________________________________



 > STReport InfoFile  July Festivities!!  On GEnie!
   =================


                        Summer Splash July Contest


 The St Roundtable will be having  a  summer  splash  contest  to  kick the
 summer  off.    A  new  contest  EACH  month will be introduced with great
 prizes.  We hope this makes your summer on GEnie much more enjoyable.

     July brings us three  very different  contests. The  first will  be on
 Desktop  Publishing.    Send  us  a  text file on how to get your favorite
 desktop publishing  program up  and running.   Interesting  hints and tips
 within this  text file  will not  only help  other users  of your favorite
 program but will certainly  help your  placement in  the winning category.
 Please mark  ALL submissions  clearly as a contest entry.  Upload the text
 file to the Desktop Publishing library  in  the  ST  Roundtable  on GEnie.
 Uploading to GEnie is free during non-primetime.  Winners will be notified
 the 1st week of August.  There will be a  1st and  second place  winner in
 this category.

 The  second  contest  will  be  on  uploads  to  the library. As you know,
 uploading on GEnie is free but you can reap some extra benefits by sharing
 those quality  files. First  prize will  go to the person that uploads the
 most files in the categories below. There will be a second and third prize
 for this division.

 This is a list of the libraries that will be counted for this contest.

           Utilities
           Educational
           Business
           Telecomputing (Ads will not count)
           Sounds
           Music
           DeskTop Publishing  (Fonts Only - Working completed ones)
                                Upper and Lower Case combined Only


 Be aware  that only  PAYING accounts may enter this contest.  Duplications
 will NOT be counted. Files that  do  not  function  will  not  be counted.
 Demos will not be counted. The ST staff will judge this contest. Decisions
 are final.  The winners will be notified the 1st  week of  August.  Please
 upload your submissions to the ST libraries.  Please mark these files with
 the keyword CONTEST 

 Non-GEnie users can send their entries  to the  PO box  stated in  the 3rd
 contest description.  Please clearly  mark what  contest you are entering.
 Your submissions WILL be posted on GEnie. 

 For the 3rd contest, there will be three winners.   As the  second contest
 is, this  contest will  be on  uploads to  the same libraries mentioned in
 contest two.  The difference is this contest will be on original work.  It
 must be YOUR work. It must be CLEARLY marked in the description that it is
 your work. If  your  submission  is  in  music,  it  must  be  an original
 composition. This  contest is  open to non GEnie users as well.. We ask if
 you have someone else upload your work, that  you include  a read  me file
 stating your  name, address and telephone number where you can be reached.
 Entries will be accepted via US Mail if you do not have access to GEnie.

                       The address to send it to is:

                                Darlah Pine
                            GEnie ST Roundtable
                                PO Box 811
                           Brookfield, Ct 06804

 Submissions that are mailed will be posted on  GEnie. Your  name as author
 will be  stated clearly  in the  description. Winners will be notified the
 1st week of July. 

 Prizes will be selected by the winners from the prizes stated in this text
 file. First  place winners will choose their selections first in the order
 of the contests. Second  place winners  will choose  next and  third place
 winners  last.  Prizes  will  be  shipped  by the companies offering these
 prizes.

 Our deepest thanks go to  the  fine  companies  involved  for  making this
 contest a reality. 

 The prizes are for all three contests held in June:

        5 hours of GEnie Online connect time
        GFA 3.0             <---    From Antic
        Cyberpaint          <---    From Antic
        HotWire             <---    From CodeHead Software
        MultiDesk           <---    From CodeHead Software
        G-Plus              <---    From CodeHead Software
        FleetStreet         <---    From Michtron
        Hi Soft Basic Pro   <---    From Michtron
        Calamus Font Editor <---    From ISD Marketing
        Calamus             <---    From ISD Marketing
        Revolver            <---    From Intersect
        Interlink           <---    From Intersect
        Space Quest III     <---    From Sierra Online
        Mouse Master        <---    From Practical Solutions
        Tweety Board        <---    From Practical Solutions
        25 disks            <---    From MEI/Micro Center
        5 in one Surge
               protector    <---    From MEI/Micro Center

 Thank you  to all  the companies involved.  The support and information on
 all the products offered in the contests can be found right here on GEnie.
 They are  the people  that make this contest possible.  The St Staff wants
 to applaud these companies for the EXCELLENT online support they  offer to
 us all.  We are proud to have them online on GEnie.

 More  prizes  will  be  offered  by  our  developers for the summer splash
 contest on GEnie in the upcoming summer months. 





  _______________________________________________________________________



 > STReport InfoFile       So, you want a hard drive?
   =================



                        ABCO COMPUTER ELECTRONICS INC.
                                 P.O. Box 6672
                       Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672
                                  Est.  1985
                   _________________________________________

                     Voice: 904-783-3319  10 AM - 4 PM EDT
                       BBS: 904-786-4176   12-24-96 HST
                      FAX: 904-783-3319  12 PM - 6 AM EDT
                   _________________________________________
                                        
                     HARD DISK SYSTEMS TO FIT EVERY BUDGET
                     _____________________________________
                                        
     All systems are complete and ready to use, included at NO EXTRA COST
                   are clock/calendar and cooling blower(s).
                                        
                ALL ABCO HARD DISK SYSTEMS ARE FULLY EXPANDABLE
                   (you are NOT limited to two drives ONLY!)
                     (all cables and connectors installed)
                                        
                         SEAGATE HARD DISK MECHANISMS 

                            ICD HOST ADAPTERS USED
                                  EXCLUSIVELY

                        * OMTI HIGH SPEED CONTROLLERS *
                                        
    42mb #SG44710   569.00 - (1) mech    65mb #SG60101   729.00 - (1) mech
    85mb #SG840110  949.00 - (2) mech   132mb #SG3A1210 1149.00 - (2) mech

                 ***  264mb #SGT41776 1889.00 - (4) mech  ***
                                        
          NO Embedded controller ("N") drives used! - NO ROM HEADACHES

                  ALL Units: Average Access Time: 26ms - 30ms

      ALL UNITS COMPATIBLE WITH --> MAGIC SAC - PC-DITTO/II - SPECTRE/GCR
                                        
               LARGER units are available - (special order only)

                                        
                ***  Available for ST - Amiga - Mac - IBM   ***
                                        
                   LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS
                FAST Cabinets  - Custom Walnut WOODEN Cabinets
                                        
                            6 month FULL Guarantee
                                  followed by
                        6 month Parts & Labor Warranty
                           (A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE)

                     WE SHIP WITH * FEDERAL EXPRESS * ONLY
                     _____________________________________

                      Your Personal Check is OK with us!

                              ORDER YOURS TODAY!

                         904-783-3319    9am - 8pm EDT







  ______________________________________________________________________



 > A "Quotable Quote"
   =================



               "Tis True, the Pen is Mightier than the Sword...
               ...Ah but many a Poison Pen has slain it's Master.."





                             "ATARI IS BACK!"

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ST-REPORT Issue #95   "Your Independent News Source"       July 07, 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.
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

