The fractal images on Antics cover and inside this issue's ST
Resource were created with our own 3-D Fractals program, then
altered with DEGAS software. The 32K of pure screen information was then
transferred to an IBM PC capable of converting it to magnetic tape, which
was then processed by a Scitex Response 350 system, resulting in four-color
separated film, The Scitex system is a sophisticated combination of computer
and laser in which the actual film dots are placed by computer-controlled
laser.
APPOINTMENT CALENDAR PRINTOUTS
Several Antic readers have sent in modifications for Appointment
Calendar (Antic, January 1986), to make it work with additional
printers. Two of these modifications are printed below However, please
note that if Antic does not have these printers in-house we are
unable to test the modifications.
James K. Briant of Tuxedo, NY modified the program for
his Panasonic KX-P1091 printer. The lines listed below are modified
from the original listing. The printer must be operated in the Std.Pgm.
mode when printing the calendar. If you want faster printouts, then replace
"n" in lines 900 and 1050 with "P" for draft quality print. CHR$(27);"n";
could also be added to line 790 for a Date printout in near letter quality
print.
Larry Kubo of Santa Rosa, CA sent the following modification
that will enable Appointment Calendar to print out on a Hewlett
Packard ThinkJet printer. It produces three pitches: expanded, normal
and compressed.
NO WRITER'S CRAMP
I have always wanted to send a message to the editors of Antic
but couldn't find the energy to write. Imagine my amazement to find online
feedback. This is great!
Ken Cheek
Fort Lauderdale, FL
PPN 72337,375
For those of you who think mailboxes and paper and pens are implements
from the dark ages, we have an I/O Board on CompuServe's ANTIC ONLINE.
Some of those questions are answered here in the print version of Antic,
accompanied by the writer's CompuServe electronic mail "address" (PPN)
number-ANTIC ED
MORE FONTS, PLEASE
I was interested in your article ST Font Loader but failed to
see its practical use. I am searching for a word processor which would
permit use of various character sets, so I could do word processing in
French and Greek, for example. I'm sure many Atarians in North America
and elsewhere have a need for such a word processor. Is such a product
in the making?
Elias Leousis
Kirkland, Quebec
Canada
Font Loader was designed as a tutorial program to demonstrate ST
font structure. It will load ST fonts to the screen in any software that
maintains the GEM desktop menu. A truly practical font program, such as
the one you described, would require a printout of the redefined fonts
and a graphics-capable printer We do not know of any software developer
undertaking such a project at this time. -ANTIC ED
BIG LETTERS
This program helps you make letters two times the normal size by modifying
the Atari special characters set. The [CONTROL] characters form the top
portion of the larger letters, and the lowercase letter character set becomes
the bottom portion of each letter.
Dorian Garson
East Brunswick, NJ
ON WRONG TRAK?
A few weeks ago, a not-so-brilliant friend of mine jammed two diskettes
into my once-great, Trak AT-D2 disk drive. Obviously, the drive no longer
works. It acts as though there is no disk in the drive, except for when
it reads the first sector after about five minutes. None of the local shops
know how to fix it and American TV says it can't be done. I would really
appreciate any help to trak (ha ha) down someone who can fix it. I don't
want to throw away a $400 drive.
Jason Knapp
Fresno, CA
PPN 74746,1331
According to Computer Support, our Northern California Atari Service
Center; even before Trak went out of business over one year ago the company
did not furnish necessary schematics and parts to independent repair outlets.
If your drive requires a proprietary part, such as a chip, no repair shop
will be able to fix it. You may be in luck, however Computer Support says
It sounds as if you simply have an alignment problem. If you send the drive
to them at 52S. Linden Ave. #1, South San Francisco, CA 94080-via UPS with
your day and evening telephone numbers-they'll take a look at it for free.
And If It can't be serviced, they will send the drive back to you.
-ANTIC ED
POLAND TEACHER
I am 27, a teacher of English at the University of Krakow and I have
my own Atari 800XL which I have tried to use for the purpose mainly of
teaching vocabulary. I have also used some adventure games which is interesting
for how it makes students involved in the plot. When this happens, they
forget their native tongue and start speaking English all of a sudden.
I would gladly subscribe to your magazine and pay a subscription
fee. But what can I do in a country in which currency cannot be exchanged
for any other Western one? Maybe some Antic readers could provide
me with some spare back copies of the magazine, which would be doubly used
by my students and myself.
Tadeuszn Menert
ul.Rozyckiego 5/7
31-324 Krakow
Poland
DOS 3 IMPERFECT
I am having trouble making a backup copy of Data Perfect by UK Enterprises.
The program is not protected and the manual states that a back-up copy
can be made. When I use the duplicate function of DOS 3 with my Atari 800XL
computer and 1050 disk drive, I get Error Message 176. I called UK and
they said it should work-but it doesn't!
Steven Chandler
Nanuet, NY
Antic has consistently recommended that readers should not
use DOS 3.0. It's incompatible with virtually everything. Trade in yourDOS3.
0 for 2.5 by contacting Atari Corp. Customer Service at 1196 Borregas Ave.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086, or obtain a public domain version of compatible DOS
2.0 from a users group or any Antic monthly disk. See the April
and July 1985 issues of Antic for more information. -ANTIC ED
STAY WITH ATARI!
I had been looking at both the Amiga and the ST for the past few months,
trying to decide which to buy in replacement for my Atari 800. Last weekend
I saw an ad for the ST and decided to give it another look. The computer
store owner was very enthusiastic and gave me an extensive demonstration
of the ST's features. But after a while, I noticed something strange- everything
else in the store was Commodore!
It turns out that although the store specialized in Commodore
hardware and software, their initial enthusiasm for the Amiga quickly waned
when the first two demo machines kept crashing and had to be returned.
They claim the Amiga has some extensive bugs in the operating system and
that promises for Amiga software went unfullfilled. Disillusioned by Commodore,
they decided to try out an Atari 520ST Now they claim it can do virtually
everything the Amiga can do at half the price, right down to the bouncing
ball demo.
I had basically decided on the ST before I visited them
(Atari loyalty plus a tight wallet). But after leaving, I was positive
I had made the right choice. So to all of you Atari hackers who are still
on the fence I say-stay with Atari!
Steve Marshall
Las Vegas, NV
WELCOME BACK, ELECTRONIC ARTS!
The response of your readers to Antic editorials is growing. We have
received quite a few letters, and because of the interest shown by Atari
users, we are planning the following hit products for the Atari 800 in
1986:
Adventure Construction Set
Heart of Africa
Mail Order Monsters
Marble Madness
Racing Destruction Set
Skyfox
Software Golden Oldies (Software Country)
Ultima IV (Origin Systems)
We hope to see at retail the kind of response we have seen
in our mailbox!
ANTIC VOL. 4, NO. 12 / APRIL 1986 / PAGE 6
