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INFO-ATARI16 Digest         Sat, 28 Apr 90       Volume 90 : Issue  489
 
Today's Topics:
                            Application(s)
              Disassembling TOS and documentation issues
            Freedom of Information  &  Unrelated Question
              problems with a program called Fantasia...
                     Spectre GCR and Sound Leech
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Date: 28 Apr 90 20:21:04 GMT
From: cs.dal.ca!silvert@uunet.uu.net  (Bill Silvert)
Subject: Application(s)
Message-ID: <1990Apr28.202104.26161@cs.dal.ca>
 
In article <1990Apr27.205437.21807@agate.berkeley.edu>
 ericco@stew.ssl.berkeley.edu () writes:
>I've HEARD (here) that the ST is capable of running
>business applications.  If so, is there software available to do the
>following:
>
>       o  Form entry.  Typical in database applications.  Allows a
>       novice user to enter/edit a record in the database using a
>       full screen format.
 
Try dBMAN, which offers the same features as dBASE and then some.
 
>       o  Computation.  Each entry in the database requires some
>       computations.  The computations are simple, but require
>       sqrt(), tan(), pow() type functions.
 
dBMAN doesn't have these, but VIP and undoubtedly other ST spreadsheets do.
 
>       o  Form letter.  Using entries in the database, generate a form
>       letter.  This letter will contain numeric values based on the
>       entries in the database.  The ideal software will allow graphics
>       to be inserted in the form letter.
 
I think you can do with with WordPerfect, except for the graphics.
There are plenty of other word processors though.
 
You may have to use dBMAN for data entry and reporting, then import the
stuff into a spreadsheet for further analysis before exporting to a word
processor.  I don't know of any really powerful integrated packages for
the ST.  Howevr, the total cost is probably less than that of a single
PC or Mac program.
 
>I don't think that there is the slightest chance in the world that
>such a piece of software exists.  I would be pleased if I could find a
>group of programs that handle this functionality.  I don't think that
>this is an unreasonable business aplication.  If the ST and Atari are
>serious about business users I think that this type of system should
>be relevently simple to buy and install.
 
Why are you such a skeptic?  The stuff I describe above has been around
for years.  I have no idea what new stuff there might be.
 
--
William Silvert, Habitat Ecology Division, Bedford Inst. of Oceanography
P. O. Box 1006, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, CANADA B2Y 4A2.  Tel. (902)426-1577
UUCP=..!?uunet|watmath?!dalcs!biomel!bill
BITNET=bill%biomel%dalcs@dalac  InterNet=bill%biomel@cs.dal.ca
 
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Date: 28 Apr 90 19:38:24 GMT
From: netcom!dsmythe@apple.com  (Dave Smythe)
Subject: Disassembling TOS and documentation issues
Message-ID: <11389@netcom.UUCP>
 
In article <2179@atari.UUCP> apratt@atari.UUCP (Allan Pratt) writes:
>I see what you want: an intermediate
>step, at a lower cost, which would give you some technical information
>about the machine.  In return for the lower cost you would give up the
>support we offer (which is to say, the right to ask people like me hard
>questions). [...]  documentation without support, at a lower cost.
Exactly.  This is what I got from the old Atari -- _De Re Atari_ (even if
it showed up as 10 articles in BYTE before I got it), the HW Tech ref, the
OS Tech ref, and the source to the whole *ing OS.  That is what I expect
from the new Atari.  I only trust what compiles anyway... (or assembles)
 
>Personally, I think that is dangerous, because it gives people
>"a little knowledge, and a little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
>You end up with people who ONLY know technical things, and the result
>is programs which are impolite to the system and make upgrades and
>compatibility the nightmare it is.
That is one of the most patronizing things I've ever heard.  Make the OS
upgrades and let the fast-and-loose folks live with their results, but
please don't bother saving me from myself.
 
The 800 was fun because you could see how it worked and admire how it
was designed.  What do you have to hide?  1/2 :-)
 
D
 
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Date: 28 Apr 90 19:48:41 GMT
From: tank!msuinfo!news@handies.ucar.edu  (David Schultz)
Subject: Freedom of Information  &  Unrelated Question
Message-ID: <1990Apr28.194841.2736@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu>
 
1.)  I keep hearing about aesfast.a and vdifast.a as GEM libraries.  How
can I get them.  Are they PD?  (Is there a new version of Sozo C on
terminator?  I have 1.1x [or some such])
 
2.)  About techie info for Atari...   Believe it or not, one of the things
I liked most about buying an Atari was not having to deal with all
the piracy I met with in the IBM realm.  (strange, huh?)  Availability
of information is what makes programs affordable (I have an entire library
based on PD software and TWO shareware programs (which I'm still looking at).
 
The ST is one hell of a machine.  So, give us the know-how and I'm sure us
users can crank out some serious sh*t.
 
(I don't flame anyone, so DON'T flame me...)
 
#define         DISCLAIMER      "It is NOT my fault...!"
_____________________________________________________________________________
David W. Schultz        |                               |   |\_  _/|
312 N. Case Hall        | schultzd@cpsin.cps.msu.edu    |   |  \/  |
Michigan State Univ.    | schultzd@frith.egr.msu.edu    |  -|-    -|-
E. Lansing, MI  48825   | Last Chance: 517 355-7033     | |___   | __
--------------------------------------------------------|   | |  | | |
                                                        |  -|-    -|-
 
--
 
#define         DISCLAIMER      "It is NOT my fault...!"
_____________________________________________________________________________
David W. Schultz        |                               |   |\_  _/|
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 28 Apr 90 19:34:59 GMT
From: unccvax!cs01bd@mcnc.org  (brian daniels)
Subject: problems with a program called Fantasia...
Message-ID: <1989@unccvax.UUCP>
 
I just got a program from tolsun.oulu.fi called Fantasia that
is supposed to produce a lightshow on your screen.  The docs looked
good, but it crashes when I try to run it.  (gives title screen, tries to
read disk, prints error in module bload/save).  Anyone have (or know where to
get a working copy?
Thanks in advance,
Brian Daniels
(cs01bd@unccvax)
 
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Date: 28 APR 90 14:37:29 CST
From: Z4648252 <Z4648252%SFAUSTIN.BITNET@ricevm1.rice.edu>
Subject: Spectre GCR and Sound Leech
Message-ID: <900428.14372862.045676@SFA.CP6>
 
    Several mail messages have arrived here asking how to pull a SND
out of an application.
    What started this is off is when I mentioned that STers who have
Spectre GCR might be delighted at the Grouch trashcan.  When you empty
trash, Oscar the Grouch appears, waves and on a real Mac sings, "I love
it because it's trash...".  On the Spectre, a lock up occurs because
Oscar the Grouch can't find the hardware chips that the Mac has since we
are on an ST.
    The solution was to use ResEdit resource editor and remove the SND
files.  Oscar the Grouch now waves merrily on the Spectre GCR.
    With the new version of SoundMaster, the Spectre GCRer can have Grouch
sing, giggle, or grown.  Ok... that sets the stage and lays the foundation
for what come up next:  SoundLeech.
    SoundLeech allows the user to pull a SND resource out of a file.  There
is a limitation, though.  The file has to be an application, stack, or
anything that is NOT a CDEV or INIT.
    What the STer has to do is to convert a copy of the CDEV or INIT into
an application.  Run SoundLeech, and the sound is pulled out and converted
into a SoundMaster type sound (.sound)..
    To convert the CDEV or INIT into an application, one cannot merely
change the name as can be done on the "ST side".  The file actually has
to have an attribute changed.  SIMPLE.
    Two programs allow this to be done easily:  DiskTop and ResEdit.  Open
either program.  Via their file selector boxes, click on the file that
needs to be changed.  In our case, we want to change GROUCH init into a
program that appears as an application.  Using the FILE INFORMATION
option, this can be done.
    Two file attributes will be seen through this option, TYPE and CREATOR.
Change TYPE attributes to "APPL".  Do this either to a copy or at least
remember, that after the sounds have been converted to restore the TYPE's
original attribute.
    Now that Grouch *looks* like an application, SoundLeech will see it
and will automatically pull the sound files out.  A menu selector box will
first appear asking what kind of sound resource that will be worked with.
Just press the RETURN key.  The sounds will be 'leeched' out and can be
used with SoundMaster.
    Incidentally, STers, these sounds can be used on the ST side also.
No conversion required after leeching.  Any SoundMaster file can be used
on the ST.
    Summary:
 
1) Convert non-application file to application.
    a. Change TYPE attribute to APPL via DiskTop's or ResEdit's "GET FILE INFO"
       command.
2) Run SoundLeech.  Use the defaults by pressing the RETURN key.
3) The non-application file may need the SND resource to be cut out via
    ResEdit.  Grouch certainly does since the ST doesn't have Mac sound chips.
 
    I hope that this helps and hope that I haven't muddied things up.
 
Larry Rymal:  |East Texas Atari 68NNNers| <Z4648252@SFAUSTIN.BITNET>
 
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End of INFO-ATARI16 Digest V90 Issue #489
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