SYNDICATE ZMAGAZINE Issue #145 February 21, 1989 Atari 8-Bit News and Reviews ==================================================================== Syndicate Publishing, PO Box 74, Middlesex, NJ 08846 (201) 968-8148 ==================================================================== Copyright 1989 SPC ==================================================================== CompuServe: 71777,2140 GEnie: ZMAGAZINE Source: BDG793 ========================================================================= This week: <*> EDITORS DESK.....................................Ron Kovacs Commentary and update <*> ANALOG COMPUTING EDITORIAL...................Clayton Walnum February Edition Reprint <*> Z*NET NEWSWIRE............................................. 8 Bit Developers Kit, Auto Show dates, IC Sale and more <*> KEYS TO YOUR ATARI.............................Mike Lechkun Reprint from MAGIC <*> SURVEY RESPONSE..................................Ron Kovacs Part 1 of a series from the ZMag Survey <*> ATARI SHOW................................................. ST World presents -World Of Atari- ########################### <*> EDITORS DESK ########################### by Ron Kovacs The first installment of the Survey results has been published within this issue. It is taking alot of time to get these facts printed, as sections are completed, we will print them here. Your comments about ZMAG and STZMAG are now being considered and implemented where applicable. You can leave comments direct to us on the services, local BBS system, or on our answering machine. The number is listed above. Z*NET is being sent to the debut groups and will appear in their respective March newsletters. The official press release will be released before Issue #146 of ZMagazine. ############################## <*> ANALOG Computing Editorial ############################## February 1989 by Clayton Walnum Reprinted by permission. It's now been over seven years since the first copy of ANALOG Computing hit the stands. Over that period of time, Atari has had its ups and downs, and through it all, ANALOG has been there to provide its readers with the information they needed to get the most from their computers. But after seven years of publishing, it gets very tough to come up with new topics for discussion. Even though the Atari 8-bit computers have had a couple of face-lifts over the years, they are still essentially the same machines they were when they were first released. There is simply nothing new that can be said about them. (We would be delighted if someone out there could send us an article to prove us wrong. That's a challenge!) It occurred to me that there are a great number of new ANALOG Computing readers--readers who are experiencing Atari computers for the first time. And these new readers have a need for much of the information we Atari veterans consider -old hat.- After all, it has been years since such topics as player/missile graphics, display lists, page flipping and modified character sets have been covered at a level that the novice programmer could understand. Should we, perhaps, cover these topics again? Write to us and let us know! I've always envisioned ANALOG's growth as a long line that projected from the past into the future. But with recent developments (or should I say _lack_ of developments) it appears to me that maybe ANALOG should start coming full circle, should start providing some of the information that new owners have missed. One thing that people are constantly asking for is reprints of the early Boot Camp columns. This assembly language tutorial started way back in Issue 13, and is without a doubt the finest series of tutorials of its type ever written. (I can say that without boasting because back then I was an ANALOG Computing reader just like you, not involved editorially at all. Boot Camp was one of ANALOG's features that I most looked forward to each month.) With this issue, Karl Wiegers, our current Boot Camp author, is retiring his position. And since most every assembly language topic has been covered anyway, we have to make a decision. Do we drop Boot Camp from our table of contents? Or do we try to replace it? My suggestion to the publisher was that we dig all the way back to Issue 13 and start reprinting the column. First of all, most of those early issues are out of print, so the initial Boot Camp columns are completely unavailable to our readers. Second, there is no one I know who can cover the topic better than Tom Hudson, so I don't see any point in having someone rewrite what has already been covered splendidly. The bottom line is that it's up to you, the readers. Drop us a line and let us know if you'd like to see the early Boot Camp articles reprinted. Drop us a line if you _don't_ want to see them reprinted. We'll tally the votes and come to a decision based on what you want. And speaking of making decisions, please take a look at the short survey we've included in this issue. We hope that most of you will take the time to check off your responses and mail it in. If ANALOG is to continue to grow, we have to know what you want. Responses to this editorial can be mailed to: ANALOG Computing P.O. Box 1412-M.O. Manchester, CT 06040-1413 Responses can also be sent through message section 13 of the Atari Vendors Forum (GO ATARIVEN) on CompuServe. Address messages to ANALOG Computing 76004,2010. ############################## <*> Z*NET NEWSWIRE (ZMAG EDT) ############################## 8-BIT DEVELOPERS KIT ==================== Ctsy GEnie Atari Roundtables Recently Atari asked the GEnie crew to post a message in the Bulletin Board area requesting input for what 8-bit developers would want in a Developer's Kit. MARTY.A has set-up a few areas in CAT 15 of the BB. Here is a list of the starting TOPics. TOPic 1 -- This message TOPic 2 -- Old messages, now closed TOPic 3 -- Specs needed TOPic 4 -- Software needed TOPic 5 -- Hardware needed TOPic 6 -- Other things needed TOPic 7 -- General comments to Atari Topic 1 has been closed. No replies allowed ************ Topic 2 Sat Feb 11, 1989 MARTY.A [RT*SysOp] (Forwarded) Sub: Professional and Semipro Programmers! If you are a professional, semiprofessional, shareware, or Public Domain programmer, READ THIS! Sig Hartmann wants to hear from you! 5 message(s) total. ------------ Category 15, Topic 2 Message 1 Sat Feb 11, 1989 MARTY.A [RT*SysOp] (Forwarded) At a recent meeting of the Sacramento ACCESS club, I asked Sig Hartmann of Atari Corp. about the lack of support that Atari provides to the -little- programmers of the Atari 8-bits. What I meant by this is the almost impossible to find tech info on the 8- bit hardware/firmware, and the lack of response by Atari to questions asked about many things relating to the 8-bits. Also brought up was the absence of an 8-bit -developer's kit- for 8-bit owners. Sig's response to this was VERY favorable! What he asked was that we try to get a concensus of just what we would need to do a better job of getting our programs written and out to the users. Sig then asked that when we get that together, that we send that to him and he will see what can be done about it. Now, I'm willing to take the initiative to gather, organize, and transmit the information to Sig, but *YOU* have to tell me what is needed. So, this is your chance, folks! If need be, I'll set up a special CATegory for the discussions. Let me know here if you think that is needed. Otherwise, let's see some ideas on just WHAT Atari Corp. could do to help you program. ...Marty... MINI AUTO SHOW MALL DATES ========================= (CONFIRMED DATES, ATARI ASSISTED) The following listing of dates pertain to Mitsubishi 'Eclipse' shows that will be shown at Malls around the country. There will be 150 in total. You might even be asking why this information is listed here? Well, Atari will be there too, in use will be an ST printing the specs on the car along with a few other functions. There is said to be a drawing for an Atari DTP Laser system at each show. Atari retailers are requested to contact Sig Hartmann if you are interested in assisting at any of the shows listed below. MARCH 3,4,5 ----------- New Rochelle Mall, New Rochelle New York Garden State Plaza, New Jersey South Shore Mall, Bayshore, New York Sunrise Mall, Corpus Christie, Texas Hamilton Mall, Chattanooga, Tennessee MARCH 10,11,12 -------------- Dover Mall, Dover, Delaware Red Bird Mall, Dallas, Texas March 31, APRIL 1,2 ------------------- North Glen Mall, Denver, Colorado APRIL 7,8,9 ----------- Bon Marche Mall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Town & Country Mall,Houston, Texas Viela Italia Mall, Denver, Colorado Mayfair Mall, San Leandro, California APRIL 14,15,16 -------------- Dutch Square Mall, Columbia, South Carolina Greenbrier Mall, Cheesapeake, Virginia APRIL 28,29,30 -------------- Golf Mill Shopping Center Niles, Illinois NOTE: Dealers interested in attending any of these shows are encouraged to call Sig Hartmann before March 6th at (408) 745-2000. IC SALE FOR CIS USERS ===================== * A CIS Exclusive! * We at I.C. are having a SALE, on the following popular ICD products, at SPECIAL CIS savings to you! Sale is in effect now, until March 31st, 1989. SPARTADOS X CARTRIDGE (SDX) The ULTIMATE Atari 8-bit DOS! Compatible with SDCS (see below), with many more features. Has the most-used utilities, built-in! Supports high/ warp speed with: U.S. Doubler, Happy, XF551, Indus GT, Duplicator, and Super Archiver drives! Also supports: Multilple ramdisks, Hard Drives, XEP-80 and MANY other hardware add-ons. Sale Price: $59.95 SPARTADOS CONSTRUCTION SET (SDCS) The most popular Atari 8-bit DOS! Note: Many of it's utilites are compatible with SDX, as well! Supports: Ramdisk, Hard Drives, Time/Date stamping, Sub-directories, and much, much more! Sale Price: $34.95 SPARTADOS TOOLKIT For use with both SDX and SDCS (see above). Includes many useful editing and programming utilties, like: DISKRX (A Powerful sector/disk editor), SORTDIR (for sorting directories), MIOCFG (to load/save MIO configuartions), and many more! Sale Price: $34.95 R-TIME 8 A real-time clock, in a plug-in cartridge! Keeps accurate time and date, for use with: SDX, SDCS (see above), and many other DOS's. Also works with: Atari BASIC, BASIC XL/XE, ACTION!, and MAC/65! Sale Price: $59.95 To order, send money order or check (allow time to clear). ALL payments must be in U.S. funds. Be sure to add the appropriate Ship/Hand charges: USA/APO/FPO - Add $3.50 for S&H. COD is also available for $3.00 extra (USA only) Canada/Mexico - Add $7.00 S&H. All other Countries - Add $10.00 S&H. Innovative Concepts (I.C.) 31172 Shawn Drive Warren, MI 48093 USA Phone: (313) 293-0730 CompuServe: 76004,1764 ############################## <*> KEYS TO YOUR ATARI ############################## by Mike Lechkun, MAGIC (MI) One of the least thought of -options- on your Atari computer is the keyboard. If you have the occasion to work with a PC/compatible, you're aware that the keyboard that comes with the machine isn't necessarily the one you're stuck with. In the IBM world you have your choice of 84 or 101 keys, depending on if you have PC-XT, PC-AT, or PS/2 (alphabet soup anyone?). Unfortunately, with the Atari, your options aren't very many. In fact, if you own an ST or MEGA, your options are one: the keyboard in the box. By the time you read this, there may be more, and if there is, we at ZMag would like to hear of it. My own opinions are that it is a reasonable keyboard. The tactile response (the long way of saying -feel-) in my opinion is OK- to-good. If I had to type for a living, I would not be happy with it. But for occasional banging, it's allright. With the 8-bit world, there is somewhat more of a choice. The hands-down loser in my book is the 130 XE. That's assuming we're talking real keyboards and not the flat panel of the old Atari 400. The 400 did have it's advantages: for a while, it was cheaper than the 800. It was also water-proof. That was it, until third party manufacturers came out with alternative keyboards. But the cost of these keyboards brought the price of the 400 up to the 800's level. Now, in 1989, they're a good deal IF you can find one for your 400. The best of the lot was the good ol' Atari 800. You could type to your hearts content. The response was great, and your fingers knew when they made a mistake--that is what I look for in a keyboard. The System Reset key was guarded against accidental pushing by two guide panels above and below the key. The only thing missing was the -help- key, which was thoughtfully added too late to be of any use. Had that key been on the 800, software manufacturers would have written their works accordingly. But to keep compatibility amongst (then) all Atari computers, it was rarely used. As a side note, I understand that Atari has -officially- dropped support for the 400 and 800 series--sad to see, in a nostalgic sense. The XL/XE series are, for the most part, the same machine and will last for many years. After the 400/800's reign, Warner-Atari introduced their Edsel, the 1200 XL. This keyboard wasn't as good as its parents, but still was good in its own right. More keys were added in the -function key- row: the aforementioned help key, as well as F1 through F4 (LED's L1 and L2 were also added, but more on those in another gripping expose). The -function key- row was also moved from the right hand side to the top, one row above the number keys. Again, a good idea, if not for the incompatible OS the machine had to endure. Back to the drawing board went Atari, and this time they got it right. The 600XL (16K memory) and 800 XL (64K memory, plus other differences) emerged with keyboards close (if not the same) as the 1200 XL. The -function key- row, however, was moved back to the right of the keyboard, and reduced in numbers to 5 (Sys Reset, Option, Select, Start, and Help). During this model run, there were a number of different suppliers that made keyboards. In the 800 XL I own, the keys seem to get -sticky- at times; fortunately, that is the BBS computer which I don't type much on--it is annoying, though. One of the major computer resellers advertises their stock of 800 XL's as containing keyboards that are -good, better and best-. Judge for yourself. Three 8-bit machines are now in current production: the (64K) 65 XE, the (128K) 130 XE, and the (64K) XE Game System. The keyboard on the XEGS is detachable from the main system. You can sit back in your easy chair and type away with the keyboard in your lap...until you have to use a function key. Except for the help key, the other 4 are on the main system box. But you can't miss 'em, as they are 1- round pastel colored mounds. Easy to hit, but easy to mistake for if all you're typing by is the light of the silvery moon and your TV monitor. Make sure that you know which one is the Reset key, and more importantly the on-off key (also a mound, but with a red LED so as not to be mistaken). As for the keyboards on the XE series: they are a -Nightmare on Borregas Avenue-. Their toy-like construction leaves a lot to be desired, and minimal wear can cause failure of certain keys. These are not keyboards you can -bang away- on. The response and feel stinks, and I'm frequently pressing two keys and adding extra characters when I know I've hit the key square on the head. What are the alternatives? As far as third party manufacturers go, there are none for the XL/XE/XEGS series. There are some interesting oddities out there. Predating the 400/800 computers, the venerable 2600 VCS once had plans for a keyboard add-on, and by more than one party. Atari's -My First Computer- (later reintroduced as -The Graduate-) option was canned when they realized that it could have cut in to computer sales. Spectravideo (anyone remember the -SX- standard?) and another company also had VCS add ons that never made it to market (by the way, if you've still have your VCS, and have seen the cartridge called -Basic Programming- avoid it like the plague!). The Atari 400 had two alternative keyboards, one that was hard wired in, and a mechanical one that had little hammers that pressed down through to the keys. At this point, ANYTHING was better. For both the 400/800, there was a keyboard/keypad setup marketed by RCE in Grants Pass, OR. The Commander 2400 allowed use of computer and auxilliary keyboards simultaneously, and appeared to be a quality product. Currently, the Atari issue CX-85 is still out there in numbers. This unit is a 16 key adding machine style keypad, and was to be a great aid to spreadsheet users and budget fixers. But the unit required the loading of a special handler program which conflicted in memory with just about every program written. Innovative Concepts, out of Warren, Mich., have reworked the unit creating a keypad that works with EVERY 8-bit Atari program. They have also re- added the function keys F1 through F4 (which were sort of like the human appendix--always there, but never accessed) as an option to their ICX-85. There you have it. When composing that term paper or programming the next great video game, keep in mind these alternatives. ############################## <*> SURVEY RESPONSE Part 1 ############################## Compiled by Ron Kovacs To date, I have received 300 responses to the survey printed in ZMAGAZINE and ST*ZMAGAZINE. The survey was also uploaded seperately to the services. The best possible way for us to report our findings is to list the original questions and supply you with a summary of the responses. Some of the questions asked for commentary, while many others were simple multiple choice. Questions that have been omitted will be published as soon as they have been compiled. Look for those in a few weeks. Please keep one point in mind while reviewing the responses, we released the survey and more of the choices selected are biased to our magazines. ST-REPORT was included in the first edition of the survey, since all of the responses were included, I have allowed those results to appear. THE SURVEY ========== 1). Sex: Male: 260 Female: 40 2). How many people in household? Average was 4-5 3). What is your age? Lowest age reported was 11 years old. Highest reported age as 69 years old. Most responses ranged between 28-37 years old. 4). What City/State do you live in? Surprisingly 60% of the responses came from the midwest, states like Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana. 10 responses came from overseas in areas like England, Germany, Italy, and Ireland. 5 responses were from South of the border, Panama, Mexico, and Costa Rica. 5). Are you employed? 98% responded they were employed and the prinicipal wage earner. ========== 1). Type of computer you presently use most at home Atari 800.............7 Atari XL/XE..........70 Atari 520/1040......102 Atari Mega...........21 1a). Type of computer used at work: Only 65 responses to this question. The responses ranged from an Altos system to the not surprising IBMPC or Tandy system. 2). Number of computers you presently own: Most responses stated they owned 2 or more computers. Some detailed them to all 8 bit systems, mixed with an ST or mixed with an IBM. Responses mixed with an IBM were almost 50%. 3). Which computer did you purchase first? The first computer purchased by 30% was the Atari 800. From another 30% is was the Atari 800XL. From 25% is was an IBM or Radio computer. From 15% is was an ST as the first computer. 3a). Which computer do you presently use most: More 8-bit owners answered this question then ST owners. 65% use the Atari 800XL or 130XE as the mostly used system, the rest use the ST. 3 responses said they used the IBM more then an Atari. 8). Have you ever purchased a 2600 game system? 60% of the responses DID purchase a system, the other 40% DID NOT. 9). Have you ever purchased a 5200 game system? 116 people responded to this question, 31 of them DID purchase it. 11). Have you ever purchased any other game system? Same as above, except the responses stated yes and listed Nintendo or Sega as an alternate system. 19 people listed Nintendo, 4 people listed Sega. 12). How many game system cartridges do you own: Of the 60% answering the 2600 question, these readers has 15 or more cartridges. A few listed 45 or more. 13). How many cartridges for the 800/XL/XE computer do you own: Everyone who owned an 8 bit answered this question. The smallest amount entered was 2 and largest was 11. ======= 1). How long have you been an 8 bit user? This question was answered in a number of ways. Some readers entered a specific tiem frame like (1978-1982). Other simply stated years. Most responses were 4 or more years, 20% were 8-bit owners for more than 7 years. 2). How long have you been a 16 bit user? Most responses were 2-3 years. Seems like a normal response, since the ST isn't as old as the 800. A few responses were 1-2 years. 3). If you are presently an 8 bit owner, Do you plan to purchase an ST or other 16 bit computer? Please explain below. This question was NOT answered by more then half of the 8 bit responses. Some stated they were interested, but felt the price wasn't worth starting over again. Others stated they were more then pleased with the preformance of the 8-bit and would NOT purchase an ST. 4). If you are presently an 8 bit owner as well as a 16 bit owner, do you still use your 8 bit computer? If the reader was an ST user and had the 8-bit, it was either being readied for sale, or sitting in a closet collecting dust. 98% of the ST people are NOT using the 8-bit any longer. 6). For ST owners: How do you presently feel about the 8 bit Atari? The response was typical across the board. -Great for it's time, no support any longer, sell it while you can, poorly marketed, now dead, has a future if Atari wakes up, it's last breath is close this year-, and - What is an 8-bit Atari?-. 7). For 8 Bit owners: How do you feel about the ST computer? Here the reponses were different. Very few typical responses. Some stated, -Wish I could justify purchasing it, very impressive, great for it's time, poor marketed, will have the same life span of the 8-bit if Atari doesn't wake up, waste of my money, and no support so no purchase from me. ST owners responded will similiar answers, many were positive however like, -Would like more slots for add-on boards, I want more support from third party developers, Want to upgrade to a Mega, it's fast, can't beleive I waited so long to buy it!- and -Being able to run MAC and IBM software is a great plus.- 9). Do you feel Atari Corp has provided you the proper support? Every answer was the same, -NO-. 12). What do you think we as users can do to convince the developers to support our computer system. Be it 8 bit or 16 bit. This question brought a number of responses, here are a few of them: * Stop pirating on BBS systems, report them! * We can't do anything * Why should we do it, Why not Atari? * Developers should get more involved in the User Groups and see what we have to say. * Developers should listen to the needs of the users and write software we want to see. * Give us something to support! * Show these people we aren't pirates! * ZMag should regularly survey about a specific product and report the findings to that developer! * Stop reporting everything as a crisis and show them we are in full support of the product ========= 1) What is your present opinion of Atari Corporation. (Please write your comments in the space provided) Responses were similiar and very direct. Of course, some people didn't want to answer this and the next few questions. Since the answers asked for commentary, we can reproduce the bottom line opinion which is: -A good company, but it needs better structure and a better advertising campaign. Keep your promises and don't report anything unless you intend to produce it.- Others stated, -Be on the services more and make us feel we purchased a computer that will be supported and improved.- (Magazines and Publishing) 1) Please check the computer related hard copy magazines you regularly read and circle your favorite: Responses depended on what type of owner replied. If there was no response, it was deleted from the list. MAGAZINE ST 8-BIT BOTH FAVORITE (EITHER) ================================================================== a: Analog Magazine 22 65 87 55 b: Antic Magazine 7 50 57 29 d: Atari Explorer 97 70 167 10 e: Computer Shopper 103 54 157 0 f: ST-World 50 0 50 17 h: ST-Xpress 12 2 14 5 i: Byte Magazine 30 9 39 0 j: ST-Log 123 24 147 90 k: STart Magazine 118 27 145 32 n: Online Today 60 13 73 0 o: Current Notes 88 75 163 34 2) Please check the Online Magazine you read regularly, and circle your favorite: a: Zmagazine 45 77 122 70 b: ST-Report 51 13 64 35 d: Tele-Talk 9 13 22 0 f: BBSTN 4 1 5 0 g: Antic Online 6 0 6 0 i: ST*Zmagazine 81 45 116 50 3) Please select the topics you prefer coverage on in online magazines: b: Games 22 12 34 c: Reviews 100 60 160 d: News 123 77 300 e: Editorials 46 10 56 f: Press releases 32 5 37 g: Tutorials 7 12 19 h: Hardware Modifications 44 62 106 i: Reader Feedback 99 66 165 j: Calendar of Events 14 26 40 k: Conference Transcripts 5 2 7 l: Online Services Coverage 18 8 26 m: BBS News and Reviews 23 33 56 o: Feature Stories 46 71 117 p: Rumors 114 69 183 5) Please select service or BBS you read or download Zmagazine from. a: CompuServe 56 28 84 b: GEnie 100 73 173 c: Delphi 2 1 3 g: Stairway To Heaven 4 3 7 l: CHAOS 4 13 17 6) How long have you been reading ZMagazine? a: 1 year 5 50 59 b: 2 years 43 3 46 c: 3 years + 54 24 78 8) Please rate the performance of ZMagazine on a scale of 1 - 10 on the 9) following topics. 10) ZMAGAZINE TOPIC RATING ================================ a: News Coverage 7 b: Software Reviews 5 c: Editorial Content 4 d: Special Features 7 e: Appearance 7 f: Length 8 ST-REPORT ================================ a: News Coverage 6 b: Software Reviews 3 c: Editorial Content 5 d: Special Features 6 e: Appearance 8 f: Length 8 ST*ZMAGAZINE ================================ a: News Coverage 6 b: Software Reviews 4 c: Editorial Content 2 d: Special Features 6 e: Appearance 8 f: Length 8 ========== 3) Please check the programming software you use and circle the one you use most: TOPIC ST 8-BIT FAVORITE ========================================================= a: Atari 8 bit Basic 2 3 0 b: Atari ST Basic 4 0 0 c: Basic XL 3 21 10 d: Basic XE 2 60 49 e: GFA Basic 100 7 103 f: GW Basic 2 0 0 g: Action 53 39 21 h: C 93 26 10 i: Pascal 12 6 1 j: Machine language 0 0 0 n: Other:M. Williams C 91 2 37 o: M65 5 43 31 4) Please circle the drawing program you use and circle the one you use most: a: Koala/Touch Tablet 2 4 0 b: Rambrant 0 13 3 c: Degas Elite 69 0 38 d: Cyber Paint 32 2 19 e: Spectrum 114 0 72 f: Computer-Eyes 91 56 12 g: Print Shop 0 63 23 h: Micro Illustrator 4 37 3 i: NEOchrome 6 0 0 This Survey will be continued.... ############################## <*> ATARI SHOW ############################## ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` ST WORLD MAGAZINE Presents............. W O R L D O F A T A R I A P R I L 2 2 - 2 3 , 1 9 8 9 D I S N E Y L A N D H O T E L A N A H E I M , C A L I F O R N I A -----> ATARI Game Machines <----- -----> ATARI 8-Bit Systems <----- -----> ST and MEGA Systems <----- ================================================= Seminars, Workshops, Thousands of SUPER sales.... ================================================= Airfare, car rentals and lodging discounts available to exhibitors and attenders. Discount tickets to Users' Groups. Call (503) 673-2259 for additional information. Also, ask about the WORLD OF ATARI in Detroit, MI (June 24 - 25). ......................................................................... Syndicate Zmagazine is Copyright 1989 by Syndicate Publishing Company Issue #145, Volume 4 Number 8, February 21, 1989 All Rights Reserved. .........................................................................