=========================================================================
 
INFO-ATARI16 Digest         Sun, 14 Jan 90       Volume 90 : Issue   42
 
Today's Topics:
                    Atari Lynx deserves to do well
                             dissassembly
               formatting with 10 sectors under tos 1.4
                    Loneliness in the Atari World?
                        PC Emulators (2 msgs)
                  Planning a TIFF and GIF converter
              poolfix, tos bugs and the 40 folder limit
                          Problem with 520ST
                          Spectre GCR Review
                      STart programs are not PD
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Date: 14 Jan 90 15:03:11 GMT
From:
 cs.utexas.edu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!utgpu!watserv1!mgardi@tut.cis.ohio-state.
 edu  (Mutual Life)
Subject: Atari Lynx deserves to do well
Message-ID: <604@watserv1.waterloo.edu>
 
I just picked up a Lynx from Buffalo -- just walked into a computer
store and bought one -- they had four in stock.
 
It would have been better if Atari had been able to get wide distribution
set up before Christmas (I'm sure no one would agree more than Atari)
but I don't think it will hurt the Lynx in the long run.
 
There is NO comparison between the Gameboy and the Lynx.  The Gameboy
is a great extension of the single-game handhelds that have been
around for quite awhile -- The lynx is a full video game system that
can be judged face-to-face with any of the full blown systems.  The
graphics and sound are some of the best I have ever seen.
 
Whether or not the Lynx DOES well, it certainly DESERVES to do well.
The Lynx is an extremely nice product, and atari has a responsibility
both to it and to us to do as much as it can to establish it as THE
premier handheld game system.
 
This is not to put the Gameboy down -- at $90 U.S. it is also a very
good buy and I enjoy both Super MarioLand and Castlevania a lot --
but let's face it, it is not even in the same class as the Lynx.
 
There is talk of a portable sega-genesis on the drawing board, and
I'm sure others will follow -- but for now Atari has the field to
itself.  I hope that it makes the most of it.
 
David Rowley
mgardi@watserv1.waterloo.edu
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sun, 14 Jan 90 14:26 EST
From: Arion <V067MAJP@ubvmsc.cc.buffalo.edu>
Subject: dissassembly
 
(This has to do with the thread about about documented source for TOS etc.
where Allan Pratt makes an argument involving developers taking advantage of
"features" (my word, definitely not his). Sorry for not quoting)
 
What I don't understand is why don't the excellent development team at Atari
just go ahead and make the changes and break all the programs that don't follow
the rules. I'm not a developer, but I doubt that there was any documentation
that said 2 successive mallocs would yield neighboring blocks. (same for other
examples)
 
It seems to me (IMHO) that if developers keep taking advantage of
"side-effects" and Atari tries it's best to keep programs from breaking,
eventually, you won't be able to revise TOS at all.
 
I mean, if a program breaks because a programmer takes advantage of an
undocumented or illegal "feature" which isn't there at the next os revision,
isn't that the programmer's fault?
 
Also, about working around bugs in TOS, there is a legal way of checking TOS
version, right? So, can't you write your program so it uses a "workaround" for
TOS 1.0 but does things the right way for TOS 1.4 (sort of like how Ian
Lepore's GEMFAST bindings simulates the TOS 1.4 file_selector if your TOS is
<1.4) or whatever the case may be?
 
(I think they're right. Maybe Atarians ARE militant :-) )
 
                                                John
                                   v067majp@ubvmsc.cc.buffalo.edu
 
 
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 14 Jan 90 17:36:14 GMT
From: jpusa1!scott@gargoyle.uchicago.edu  (Scott Van Court)
Subject: formatting with 10 sectors under tos 1.4
Message-ID: <1218@jpusa1.UUCP>
 
--
I have Neodesk and use the 10 sector format all of the time.  I also have
TOS 1.4.  I would think you might have some other problems
 
scott
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 14 Jan 90 16:02:25 GMT
From: jpusa1!scott@gargoyle.uchicago.edu  (Scott Van Court)
Subject: Loneliness in the Atari World?
Message-ID: <1216@jpusa1.UUCP>
 
--Well Atari miht know what Commadore found out.  The siz able ad blitz over
 theholidays cost them alot and was a flop.  I'm not sure the answer is just
large ads.  If it is it would take a long time and alot of money to be
 effective.
Scott
 
scott
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 14 Jan 90 17:30:19 GMT
From: jpusa1!scott@gargoyle.uchicago.edu  (Scott Van Court)
Subject: PC Emulators
Message-ID: <1217@jpusa1.UUCP>
 
Has anyone heard what is going on with the PC Ditto II?
I'm sure there must be someone that has heard something.  I can't beleive
I've waited this long.
--
scott
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 14 Jan 90 20:37:59 GMT
From:
 cs.utexas.edu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!utgpu!watserv1!econadm5@tut.cis.ohio-stat
 e.edu  (BENTLEY BH - ECONOMICS)
Subject: PC Emulators
Message-ID: <607@watserv1.waterloo.edu>
 
In article <1217@jpusa1.UUCP> scott@jpusa1.chi.il.us (Scott Van Court) writes:
>
>Has anyone heard what is going on with the PC Ditto II?
>I'm sure there must be someone that has heard something.  I can't beleive
>I've waited this long.
 
 I have heard someone a Toronto dealer went down to Florida to check
 out the PC-Ditto II. It does exist its been worked on. From what the
 dealer said he litterly demanded to see one working. He saw a protype
 with all the fancy features and more. So if you need more Info the MTST
 Usergroup gave info that the store owner at CompuWorld??? was the one
 that saw it. Phone CompuWorld and ask him in Toronto. Let me know
 
 Dave Tomesch " This is from the grapevine check it out to be sure"
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 14 Jan 90 18:06:41 GMT
From: rochester!rit!ultb!drp9500@pt.cs.cmu.edu  (D.R. Paradis)
Subject: Planning a TIFF and GIF converter
Message-ID: <1916@ultb.isc.rit.edu>
 
A BIG improvement over Picswitch would be the option to SAVE out in
other formats besides DEGAS and Neochrome.....I know that Tinystuff 4.0
saves out in Mac, IFF, PC Paintbrush....
 
Also, throw in converters for EVERY format you can find!!
 
                        Bob
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 14 Jan 90 19:24:04 GMT
From:
 cs.utexas.edu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!mcgill-vision!quiche!c
 alvin!depeche@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu  (Sam Alan EZUST)
Subject: poolfix, tos bugs and the 40 folder limit
Message-ID: <1964@calvin.cs.mcgill.ca>
 
All these TOS bugs are really confusing me... Could someone please
clarify. Here are my questions.
 
1] With respect to TOS 1.4, what IS the 40 folder limit?
2] If I have more than 40 folders per subdirectory, does it crash?
3] If I have more than 40 folders per PARTITION, does it crash?
4] Does the original FOLDERXX.PRG still work for 1.4, or do I need
  a newer version?
 
5] This is to apratt of Atari
   I already have TOS14fix.prg in my autofolder. Now I am supposed to
put POOLFIX into it too? Why not incorporate both into ONE file so
we don't end up getting 18 stupid patch programs cluttering up our
AUTO folders?
 
--
S. Alan Ezust                                   depeche@calvin.cs.mcgill.ca
McGill University School of Computer Science -  Montreal, Quebec, Canada
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 14 Jan 90 18:54:26 GMT
From:
 cs.utexas.edu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!utgpu!watserv1!econadm5@tut.cis.ohio-stat
 e.edu  (BENTLEY BH - ECONOMICS)
Subject: Problem with 520ST
Message-ID: <606@watserv1.waterloo.edu>
 
In article <90012.125357MXB126@PSUVM.BITNET> MXB126@PSUVM.BITNET (Michael S
 Barthelemy) writes:
>I'm buying a 520ST only there is one problem, when the power is turned on the
>power indicator flicks on and then goes out.  I was wondering if anyone has
>ever seen this problem before.  The problem has been limited down to the
>computer itself the power supply, monitor, and disk drives are fine.  Also when
>it flicks on the drive light and the monitor also flick for a fraction of a
>second.
 I already wrote a small message on this type of power supply problem. Its
 simply a cold solder joint or your capacitor at c11,10,c13 is leaky not working
 correctly. I suggest you get someone to look at the power supply for any cold
 solder joints. The capacitor at c13 can be replaced cheaply on the 520st and
 1040 st models.
 
 I run a 24hr BBS and havnt had any problems with my tos 1.4 as others are
 complaining about i noticed the 400 file limit per partition, but if you
 put 400+ files in a folder on a partition it seems limitless so far. I
 think its more constructive to look at the good points of Tos 1.4 and
 not dwell on the really quirky exceptions everyone is finding because
 they run this or that accessory. We will here endless errors from users
 who dont realize that accessories screw up program operations..and then
 the user blames it on Tos 1.4???? This is simple note to other atari users.
 I run 250megs on all partitions 24hrs have millions of accessories and Pd,
 shareware and original files!, and I love Tos 1.4. Thanks Atari for the
 good work. I realize some errors crop up but lets not forget the good fixes.
 I love the speed for hard drive IO, the folder name changes, window display
 speed. If anyone has reason to complain its because 250 Megs is completely
 filled.
 
 Dave Tomesch , Super BBS, 250megs (519) 749-0757
 "Never say Never"
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 13 Jan 90 15:38:24 GMT
From: mcsun!unido!fbihh!swimmer@uunet.uu.net  (Morton Swimmer)
Subject: Spectre GCR Review
Message-ID: <340@fbihh.UUCP>
 
Did you try to run an Atari Laser printer on the Spectre GCR, by
any chance?
 
Cheers, Morton
 
------------------------------
 
Date: 14 Jan 90 15:52:20 GMT
From: rochester!rit!ritcv!ajy2208@rutgers.edu
Subject: STart programs are not PD
Message-ID: <1529@cs.rit.edu>
 
In article <1990Jan13.213343.11731@cs.dal.ca> bill@biomel.UUCP writes:
>In article <9001122241.AA24736@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> EDGINGTC@Wabash.BITNET
 writes:
>>I have that program from Start Magazine & if enough interest is
>>here, I will post to binaries.
>
>Material published in STart is not PD.  If you want it, buy STart -- it
>is a real bargain.  Reposting to UseNet groups is not legit.
 
This is NOT always the case.  Often software is published in STart
that is public domain or Shareware.  STart always states if a program
falls into one of those categories.  Aegis Animator does.
 
>
>If you give away stuff that is as cheap as this, the only stuff we'll be
>able to get for the ST will be pretty damned expensive!
>
 
Cheap??  Have you ever looked at the European ST magazines?  They are
far superior to STart, and a LOT cheaper.  I paid $8 for ST Format,
WITH disk and found it much more interesting and useful than the
$15 I paid for the Feb. issue of STart..  In fact, at one store I
visited in Cleveland, the owner was selling so many European magazines
over American mags that he stopped carrying all but Current Notes
(which is also good, IMHO).
 
Heck, for the price of two STarts w/disk, I could go out and BUY a
real program, not a collection of programs of which 1 might be useful
occassionally..
 
>Bill Silvert, Habitat Ecology Division.
 
_____________________________________________________________________________
 Albert Yarusso, Rochester     ajy2208@ritvax.bitnet,ajy2208@ultb.isc.rit.edu
 Institute of Tech. _________________________________________________________
 Computer Science  /___   /    ?rutgers, ames?!rochester!ritcv!ajy2208
______________________/  /     ajy2208@ritcv.cs.rit.edu     GEnie:  A.Yarusso
 
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End of INFO-ATARI16 Digest V90 Issue #42
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