INFO-ATARI16 Digest         Sun, 12 Nov 89       Volume 89 : Issue 638
 
Today's Topics:
            Blitz! Floppy Backup available (Advertisement)
                             desktop.inf
                       DSP, ATW graphics, TT/P
                              GEM OS/386
                             Languages!!!
                                Pascal
                               STE/4096
                    TOS 1.4 release notes arrived
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Date: 12 Nov 89 13:22:53 GMT
From: cadre.dsl.pitt.edu!pitt!cuphub!kar7481@pt.cs.cmu.edu  (Dan
 Karbowsky;AtariEliteOfPghPa bbs412-384-5609)
Subject: Blitz! Floppy Backup available (Advertisement)
 
==============================================================================
= Please mention my name (signature) when inquiring.............Thank You    =
==============================================================================
 
                        BLITZ - THE BACK UP SYSTEM
                        ==========================
 
        ******** YOU MUST HAVE 2 DRIVES TO USE THE BLITZ !! ********
 
BLITZ is a revolutionary new back-up system for the Atari ST computer.
BLITZ uses ONLY a special cable and software to back-up your software at
at a speed and power unheard of before.  There is NO internal wiring done
to the computer.  The BLITZ cable copies from Drive 1 out through the
Computer printer port to drive 2.  It reads Drive 1 and writes Drive 2 at
the same time.  The time it takes a normal copy program to read a disk,
the BLITZ reads and writes the disk in one pass.  The BLITZ backs-up
protected and non-protected disks in the same amount of time.
 
BLITZ - CONNECTIONS (Using BLITZ cable purchased from AT YOUR SERVICE)
======================================================================
 
BLITZ ONLY copies FROM Drive 1 (an internal drive or an external drive)
TO Drive 2 (an external drive).
 
1) If Drive 1 is external, connect the Computer to Drive 1 in the normal
   manner using your original ST drive cable.
 
2) The rectangular 25 pin DB connector connects to the Computer's printer
   out port.
 
3) If Drive 1 is internal, the circular 14 pin DIN connector with the
   thinner cable connects to Computer drive's out port.
 
   If Drive 1 is external, the circular 14 pin DIN connector with the
   thinner cable connects to Drive 1's out port.
 
4) The circular 14 pin DIN connector with the thicker cable connects
   to Drive 2's in port.
 
BLITZ - INSTRUCTIONS
====================
 
You will NOT be able to use your external drive in a normal way with
the BLITZ cable plugged in.
 
BLITZ comes as a program or a desk accessory.
 
 - To run it as a program, you will need "BLITZ.PRG" and "BLITZ.RSC" in
   your working folder.
 
 - To run it as an accessory, you will need "BLITZ.ACC" and "BLITZ.RSC"
   on the root directory of your boot-up disk.
 
If you are unsure as to whether a disk is single-sided or double-sided,
copy it double sided.  (Copying double-sided just takes longer).
 
BLITZ will quite happily appear to write to a write protected disk.
DON'T WORRY! - If a disk is write protected then there is NO WAY that
BLITZ can write to it - unless your disk drive is faulty!
 
BLITZ operates the disk drives at a very low level.  When backing up
disks it should go through an entire disk without a pause.  If it does
pause (for a second or more) then it has gone out of synchronization
and you MUST recopy the disk.  In this case, press ESCAPE to abort the
copy and restart it again.
 
 
BLITZ - CONSTRUCTION
====================
 
Before constructing the BLITZ cable, you should have some knowledge about
wiring and soldering, a good pencil-type soldering gun, and about $25.00
worth of parts.
 
If you do not want to attempt to assemble the cable, you can purchase a
built cable for $35.00 (which includes the built cable, software and
shipping) from:
 
                +--------------------------------------+
                |           AT YOUR SERVICE            |
                |         2856 Leechburg Road          |
                |        Lower Burrell, PA 15068       |
                |               U.S.A.                 |
                |           (412) 335-4477             |
                +--------------------------------------+
 
If you do want to assemble the cable, you can purchase the parts from the
above address for $25.00 (which includes the cable parts, software and
shipping).
 
PARTS NEEDED:
 
  1 - 6 Foot ST Drive Cable     - $20.00
  1 - DB 25 Pin Male Printer Plug - 1.50
  1 - DB 25 Printer Plug Hood     - 1.50
  1 - Disk (BLITZ Program)        - 2.00
                         Shipping - FREE (PREPAID ONLY)
                                --------
                           TOTAL  $25.00 (PREPAID ONLY)
 
To assemble the BLITZ cable, basically all you have to do is cut an
Atari disk drive cable and add a third plug that goes to your computer
printer port.  If you own an internal drive you should measure the
distance from your computer to your external drive and cut the cable
accordingly (Remembering that the total cable length is 6 feet and that
the rest of the cable goes from the computer's printer port to the
computer's disk drive port).  However, if you own two external disk
drives, cutting the cable in half is probably better, because both
drives should be of equal distance from the computer.
 
On the next page are all the connections necessary to build the cable.
However, the cable wire colors are ONLY from the cable supplied by
AT YOUR SERVICE.
 
 
COMPUTER (INTERNAL)                                 COMPUTER
OR DRIVE 1 (EXTERNAL)      DRIVE 2                  PRINTER
OUT PORT                   IN PORT                  OUT PORT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 PIN DIN PLUG (MALE)     14 PIN DIN PLUG (MALE)   25 PIN DB PLUG (MALE)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               2 --WHITE--------------- 2
    3 --VIOLET--------VIOLET-- 3
                               4 --BLACK--------------- 9
                               5 --BLUE---------------- 3
                               6 --PEACH/BLACK--------- 3
                               7 --GREEN-------------- 20
                               8 --BLUE/BLACK---------- 7
                               9 --YELLOW-------------- 6
                              10 --WHITE/BLACK--------- 5
    1 --GRAY----------PEACH-- 11
                              12 --BROWN--------------- 4
                              13 --ORANGE------------- 11
                              14 --RED----------------- 8
    SHIELD ---------------  SHIELD ----------------- SHIELD
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                   14 PIN MALE PLUG (ATARI DIN STYLE)
                              PIN LAYOUT
                    (VIEWING FRONT OF PLUG/PIN SIDE)
 
                                 GRY
                                  *
                     VIO * 3      1      2 * WHT
                  BLU * 5        RED        4 * BLK
                GRN * 7   ORG     *     BRN   6 * PEA/BLK
               YEL * 9     *      14     *     8 * BLU/BLK
              PEA * 11     13           12     10 * WHT/BLK
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       25 PIN MALE PLUG (DB STYLE)
                               PIN LAYOUT
                   (VIEWING REAR OF PLUG/SOLDER SIDE)
                                                             BLU
                                                              &
                                             BLU/    WHT/    PEA/
                             ORG     BLK RED BLK YEL BLK BRN BLK WHT
 18  17  16  15  14  13  12  11  10   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1
 
 36  35  34  33  32  31  30  29  28  27  26  25  24  23  22  21  20  19
                                                                 GRN
 
COURTESY OF:                AT YOUR SERVICE
                          2856 Leechburg Road
                        Lower Burrell, PA 15068
                            (412) 335-4477
 
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Inquiries may be sent to AT YOUR SERVICE or the below address via USENET.
 
                  ******  Orders only to AT YOUR SERVICE ******
                          ?????? ????
 +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Dan Karbowsky      kar7481@pitt!cuphub /   S U P P O R T  T H E  S T ! ! !  |
 | 102 Lee Drive      ___________________/Call the ATARI ELITE of PITTSBURGH'S |
 | Belle Vernon, PA  / BBS (Forem-ST,fnet node 19)  at (412) 384-5609 at 300   |
 | 15012   U.S.A.   / thru 19.2k baud 24 hrs./day 7-days/week   Mention this   |
 |                 / message at logon.                                         |
 +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 12 Nov 89 23:20:46 GMT
From: swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!usc!polyslo!sslee@ucsd.edu  (Steven Lee)
Subject: desktop.inf
 
The first line of a desktop.inf files contains information about the RS232
port.  Does anyone know how to set the full/half duplex status and the
strip bit ON/OFF status?  It doesn't seem to be part of the Rsconf() function.
Any info would be appreciated.
 
Steven Lee
sslee@polyslo.calpoly.edu
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 12 Nov 89 23:20:15 GMT
From: ogccse!blake!ramsiri@ucsd.edu  (Enartloc Nhoj)
Subject: DSP, ATW graphics, TT/P
 
One of my main uses for the TT/[Px] will be to use
the hoped-for 16-bit DSP package by Digidesign along with
the hi-res graphics a la ATW.  Since the TT/P has only one
slot.. i will either have to waitwaitwait for the TT/x or hope
that a backplane is available for adding more cards.
 
Unfortunately, the TT/P's 8-bit stereo sound capability is NOT
good enough for today's music and film standards.  For games, sure.  So
one will have to depend on third-party hardware/software developers.
This is perfectly acceptable.  Digidesign, a major developer in the
music industry, an industry that ATARI prides itself on, is
unaware of the TT or the ATW.  At least they had never heard of
either machine a couple of months ago.  Digidesign has had a 16 bit DSP
workstation for digital recording on the Mac II for a while now.
In several long chats with various workers at Digidesign, i tried
to impress upon them what great developments were taking place
at ATARI.  The last gentleman i spoke with said he would look into it
and find out about the TT and ATW.  Again, he had never heard of
either of these machines.  NOw there's not much more the consumer can do.
Buy products and tell people about them.  BUT ATARI HAS TO CONTACT
ALREADY PROVEN SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPERS and let them know what they're
going to deliver in the future....   I hope someone from atari
proves me wrong.  I'd like to know that a 16-bit DSP package is
in the making by a company that knows how to make one.
 
 
 
-kevin
ramsiri@blake.acs.washington.edu
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sun, 12 Nov 1989 14:28 EST
From: Greg Csullog <01659%AECLCR.BITNET@Forsythe.Stanford.EDU>
Subject: GEM OS/386
 
Apparently DRI is going to release a multitasking GEM for '386 machines.
Atari ported GEM for 8088s to the 68000, can it port GEM OS/386 to the
68030?
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 12 Nov 89 23:23:17 GMT
From:
 cs.utexas.edu!samsung!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!uflorida!beach.cis.ufl.edu!rs0@tu
t.cis.ohio-state.edu  (Bob Slaughter)
Subject: Languages!!!
 
In article <8911110458.AA06278@jupiter.nmt.edu> ehsnsr@JUPITER.NMT.EDU
 (Eric Hobbs) writes:
>Dearest Netters,
>
>     I am looking into trying to learn a new computer language,
>     You guys and gals are my last hope! Save me from expensive
>languages and ST BASIC!!!!!ARRRRGH!
>     By the way, if you have any suggestions, please tell me where
>I can get it (mail-order, ftp, e-mail, etc.). Thanks.
 
Try Forth.  Forth is a reverse-polish notation threaded interpreted/compiled
language.  It's most amazing power is that you can add new procedures to the
langauge that become part of the language (i.e.  Regular Forth doesn't have
a CASE-type structure, but you can add one in, using Forth itself.  Much
more powerful than just having dumb functions and procedures).  There is
an excellent PD version out there Somewhere (somebosy else come to this
person's aid on this please), which can be upgraded to full GEM/AES useage
with a nominal upgrade fee, which you only need to pay after you have seen
and tried out the freebie version.
 
Send mail for more details on Forth (I am not a Forth guru, just a happy user).
 
 
 
--
*     Bob Slaughter                           *  This space for rent       *
*     InterNet#1:  rs0@beach.cis.ufl.edu      *    Call 1-800-FOR-RENT     *
*     InterNet#2:  Haldane@Pine.Circa.Ufl.Edu *   Model Railroading        *
*     Bitnet:      Haldane@UFPine             *          is Fun!!          *
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 12 Nov 89 18:04:27 GMT
From: mg40+@andrew.cmu.edu  (Michael Jeffrey Garland)
Subject: Pascal
 
There is a program on the terminator archive called PASCALII.ARC.  My
question is, what compiler/linker does this shell belong to?  I'd like a
pascal system and if this is a PD version, I'm very interested in it.
Does anyone know about this?
 
 
        Thanks,
        Michael Garland
 
 
 
Internet:  mg40+@andrew.cmu.edu
BITnet:  mg40+@andrew.cmu.edu or mg40%andrew@CMCCVB
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sun, 12 Nov 89 19:45 EST
From: V053QHYX@ubvmsc.cc.buffalo.edu
Subject: STE/4096
 
I've got a question I feel Ken at Atari can answer..I remember a company
somewhere(I dont remember the name) released an inexpensive 4096 color board
for all ST's..if we installed this board,would we be compatable with the STE's
enhanced graphic modes?  Could some developer design an upgrade for stereo
 sound?  Or is atary using some proprietary sound chip???
enhanced graphic modes?  Could some developer design an upgrade for stereo
 sound?  Or is atary using some proprietary sound chip???
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Jeremy
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 12 Nov 89 07:06:10 GMT
From: att!chinet!saj@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU  (Stephen Jacobs)
Subject: TOS 1.4 release notes arrived
 
I'd like to thank Atari publicly for getting the Rainbow TOS release notes
to registered developers (or at least to this one).  Nice meaty stuff, with
a fair amount of example code.  Came with a 3-ring binder.  A much-appreciated
early Christmas present.
                                     Steve J.
 
------------------------------
 
End of INFO-ATARI16 Digest V89 Issue #638
*****************************************

