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[HEA]
_____________________ ___ _
|___ ______________| | | | |
| | _ | | | |
| || | | | | |
| || | | | | |
| || | | | ____ _ _ _ _ ______ | |
| || | | | / __ \ | | / \_/ \ | ___ \ | |
| || |__ ____ | | / / \ | | /\ /\ \ | | \ \ | |
| || _ \ | _ \ | | \ \__/ | | | |_|| | | |__/ / | |
| || | | || |_|| | | \___/|_| |_| |_| | ____/ |_|
| || | | || |__ | |____________________ | | _
|__||_| |_|\____/ |________________________| | | |_|
| |
Lighting Your Apple II Path | |
|_|
-----------------------------------
>>> WELCOME TO THE LAMP! <<<
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE BEST OF THE A2 BULLETIN BOARD ON Syndicomm Online
"Teaching the Apple II user how to fish since 1998"
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Lamp! An Onipa'a Software Production Vol. 8, No. 11
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Publisher................................Ryan M. Suenaga, M.S.W., L.S.W.
Editor.....................................................Lyle Syverson
Internet Email, Publisher.........................thelamp@sheppyware.net
Internet Email, Editor................................lyle@FoxValley.net
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
TABLE OF CONTENTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
November 15, 2005
HIGH ABOVE THE ROCK RIVER---------------------------------------------[OPN]
Edwards Apple Orchard
The Apple II Computers
A2 FORUM AT Syndicomm Online (A2Central.com) DISTILLATIONS------------[DAS]
Mike Harvey in Syndicomm Chat------------------------------------[MHC]
Mike Harvey Chat Transcript in A2 Library------------------------[HCL]
History of Storytelling in Video Games---------------------------[SVG]
Alt, Option, or Closed Apple?------------------------------------[AOC]
Apple Discontinues Successful Products---------------------------[ADS]
Andy Molloy At Vintage Computer Festival-------------------------[VCF]
Spam Assassin 3.1.0----------------------------------------------[SAN]
Music Video "Hey Hey 16K"----------------------------------------[HHK]
Bug Found in Silvern Castle--------------------------------------[BSC]
Adding Pictures of Monsters in Silvern Castle--------------------[APM]
Understanding Computer Storage-----------------------------------[UCS]
Which Version of The Lamp do You Read?---------------------------[VTL]
Juiced.GS Volume 10, Issue 3 Mailed------------------------------[JGM]
Juiced.GS Volume 10, Issue 4 to Ship by the End of Year----------[JTF]
Problem - Bernie II the Rescue Under Mac Classic-----------------[PMC]
Same Problem Using KEGS?-----------------------------------------[PUK]
Various Keystrokes Using KEGS------------------------------------[VKK]
Compiling KEGS---------------------------------------------------[CKG]
Sun Microsystems Offering $5000 for Top Developer in Contest-----[SMC]
SPECIAL From the MacRT Bulletin Board on Syndicomm--------------------[MBB]
Sheppy Presents Reflexive Entertainment--------------------------[SRE]
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM SYNDICOMM------------------------------------------[ANS]
To Sign up for Syndicomm Online----------------------------------[TSU]
New Virus Scanning Software Installed----------------------------[NVS]
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR-------------------------------------------------[LTE]
Reads HyperCard GS Version of The Lamp
An Invitation
KFEST 2006------------------------------------------------------------[KF6]
KansasFest 2006--------------------------------------------------[KFS]
EXTRA INNINGS
About The Lamp! ------------------------------------------------ [INN]
[*] [*] [*]
READING THE LAMP! The index system used by The Lamp! is designed to make
""""""""""""""""" your reading easier. To use this system, load this
issue into any word processor or text editor. In the index you will find
something like:
EXTRA INNINGS
About The Lamp! ------------------------------------------------ [INN]
To read this article, simply use your search or find command to locate
[INN]. There is a similar tag at the end of each article: [EOA].
[OPN]-------------------------------
HIGH ABOVE THE ROCK RIVER |
------------------------------------
From The Editor
"""""""""""""""
by Lyle Syverson <lyle@FoxValley.net>
Edwards Apple Orchard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For many people an annual visit to Edwards Apple Orchard has become a
tradition. Edwards started out as another U-pick apple orchard. Over the
years features have been added to be appealing to the whole family...
making it a destination for a day trip.
You can still pick your own apples. You can also pick your own
pumpkins.
The barn has become a store. Here you can select from a half dozen
varieties of apples. Items for sale include apple cider, apple cider
donuts, apple butter, jams, jellies, honey, baking mixes, soup mixes,
candles, and candy. (The Cashew Crunch is so delicious that you might eat
all of it before you get back home).
The store includes a lunch area... pulled pork bar-b-q sandwiches, hot
dogs, apple cider donuts, hot cider, cold cider, milk and coffee. The
tables are old wire reels, the stools are old milk cans.
Then there are the features designed to appeal to the children. Walk
up to the yellow line near the farmhouse and visit with Rusty, the Golden
Retriever. Feed the goats. (A quarter will get you a handful of goat feed
from the vending machines). Visit with Hiss and Miss, a pair of outspoken
geese.
Go for a ride in a horse drawn wagon. In addition to the usual swings
and slides the playground includes several old tractors... climb up on the
seat and pretend to drive.
When you get home... enjoy your Apples.
The Apple II Computers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At home and away... enjoy your Apples.
[EOA]
ASCII ART BEGINS
_________ _ _ _
|__ __| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | |___ ____ | | _____ __ ___ _ _ _____ | |
| | | ___ \ / __ \ | | /____ \ | v v | | v ___ \ | |
| | | | | | | /__\ \ | | ____| | | /\ /\ | | / \ \ | |
| | | | | | | _____| | | / ___ | | || || | | | | | |_|
| | | | | | | |_____ | |____ | |__| | | || || | | \___/ / _
|_| |_| |_| \______| |______| \____^_| |_||_||_| | |\____/ |_|
| |
| |
|_|
ASCII ART ENDS
[EOA]
[DAS]----------------------------------------------
DISTILLATIONS FROM The A2 FORUM at Syndicomm.com |
(A2Central.com) |
---------------------------------------------------
by Lyle Syverson <lyle@foxvalley.net>
[MHC]
Mike Harvey in Syndicomm Chat
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
The Apple II forum on Syndicomm Online will be hosting Mike Harvey, the
founder and editor of Nibble magazine, in its chat room on Monday, October
24, at 6:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time.
Please don't forget the news that Mike's just completed the scanning of the
-entire- Nibble library of Apple II magazines and books either; check
today's lead story at http://www.a2central.com/ for more!
Ryan
Chief Sysop and Head Geek
(A2.RYAN, Cat 2, Top 1, Msg 22)
>>>>>
"""""
And as a reminder to our regulars, 6:00 pm PDT is an hour earlier than our
regularly scheduled mayhem... Don't let old habits cause you to miss this!
Of course, I'll be in Parent/Teacher conferences until 9:00 pm EDT, but
plan to be there anyway from my school workstation. I hope those parents
don't get miffed if I turn away to comment. B-{)
Kirk, A2 RTC Mangler and Janitor
(A2.KIRK, Cat 2, Top 1, Msg 23)
>>>>>
"""""
We had a great chat with Mike Harvey of Nibble last week Monday. I'm sure
Kirk is working on more guests and a transcript has been uploaded to the
library, pending release.
Ryan
Chief Sysop and Head Geek
(A2.RYAN, Cat 2, Top 8, Msg 584)
[EOA]
[HCL]
Mike Harvey Chat Transcript in A2 Library
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
There is a new upload in the a2central.com_archives/Chat_Transcripts
directory:
File: MikeHarveyRTC.txt
Size: 27455
Date: Oct 31
Transcript of the RTC with Mike Harvey, Founder of Nibble Magazine, that we
enjoyed Oct. 24th, 2005. If you missed us, now's your chance to relive the
evening!
Tony Ward, A2 Librarian
(A2.TONY, Cat 2, Top 37, Msg 60)
[EOA]
[SVG]
History of Storytelling in Video Games
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Currently on display at the library of my college alma mater/employer is
"Save the Princess -- The History of Storytelling in Video Games". The
exhibit includes many classic pieces of software and hardware, including a
working NES, that exhibits the evolution of narrative in electronic
entertainment and the technology that supported these developments. The
displayed software encompasses a variety of Apple II programs, such as
Zork, Wizardry, Castle Wolfenstein, Ballblazer, Mind Mirror, and
Adventureland.
The web site for this exhibit is
http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/About/calendar.html#28896
(KGAGNE, Cat 2, Top 6, Msg 136)
[EOA]
[AOC]
Alt, Option, or Closed Apple?
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Alt, option, or closed Apple?
Ryan
Chief Sysop and Head Geek
(A2.RYAN, Cat 2, Top 8, Msg 586)
>>>>>
"""""
Option.
I still use "Open Apple" (or "OA") to refer to the Command key on a Mac,
though. This has led to some people thinking I meant Option-Alt.
-Ken
(KGAGNE, Cat 2, Top 8, Msg 587)
>>>>>
"""""
I called them "Open Apple" and "Closed Apple" on the IIe and IIc, then
"Open Apple" and "Option" on the IIgs, which is still what I call them.
I have finally started calling "Open Apple" "Command" on the Mac. Took a
number of years. :)
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd sheppy@syndicomm.com
Owner, Syndicomm http://www.syndicomm.com
Building communities, bit by bit.
(SYNDICOMM, Cat 2, Top 8, Msg 588)
>>>>>
"""""
Okay, on the other modifier...
Apple, open-apple, command, or propellerthingie? :)
Ryan
Chief Sysop and Head Geek
(A2.RYAN, Cat 2, Top 8, Msg 589)
>>>>>
"""""
It's "open-apple" on an Apple and "apple" on a Mac. Do Macs even have an
"apple" key any more?
If KEGS can steal the keypresses away from the desktop environment, I'd
like to see both alt keys mapped to OA and the "Flying Windows" keys mapped
to option. Then the "other Windows" key can be mapped to the non-existent
keypad = key.
Geoff
(GEOFF, Cat 2, Top 8, Msg 590)
>>>>>
"""""
>> Do Macs even have an "apple" key any more? <<
There is indeed still an open Apple logo still on the Command keys on
current Mac keyboards.
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd sheppy@syndicomm.com
Owner, Syndicomm http://www.syndicomm.com
Building communities, bit by bit.
(SYNDICOMM, Cat 2, Top 8, Msg 592)
I wish KEGS would allow optional remapping of many keys. OA-TAB or opt-TAB
can't be used in ORCA/M because it's a "special" KEGS keypress.
And why does OA-any key make a sound when pressed in KEGS?
btw, as you can see I prefer open-apple and option since I only use IIgs
A2's now adays.
-Jeff
(FINKSTERJ, Cat 2, Top 8, Msg 591)
[EOA]
[ADS]
Apple Discontinues Successful Products...
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
From
<http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/ptech/11/07/refurbished.ipods.reut/index.html
>
"Apple discontinues successful products that people feel some sort of
connection to. They're the retro-cool thing."
Granted, they're talking about iPods - but we Apple II users already knew
that about Apple. :)
-Ken
(KGAGNE, Cat 4, Top 6, Msg 11)
[EOA]
[VCF]
Andy Molloy At Vintage Computer Festival
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
The following are excerpts from emails I've received from Apple II user and
KFest veteran Andy Molloy:
-----
Hiya Ken, greetings from Mountain View and the Vintage Computer Festival!
This show is a blast, can't believe all the pioneers and others who are
here just hanging out and sharing the history and passion. The first day of
the show just ended and everyone treked out to a local restaurant--must
have been 50 of us. Hans and Jeri are here, which is cool to see them.
Among those I sat across the dinner table were Jason Scott, the director of
BBS: The Documentary (www.bbsdocumentary.com) and this guy who was a big
player in the ascii art scene. It was fascinating listening to them. The
sessions so far have been a treat. One was a preview of a new documentary
called "The Future of Pinball" which had some superb visuals and a
compelling story about the fall of pinball giant Williams. The other was
the 30th anniversary reunion of the Homebrew Computer Club, which was where
many of the early computer companies grew out of (including Apple). Woz was
there along with another early Apple employee Alan Baum. Everyone told
great stories and the place was standing room only. Even had a big birthday
cake. Oh yeah, how could I forget, I got to play the original SpaceWar on a
PDP-1, doesn't get much better than this :) All this fun and there is still
another full day.
-----
The second day was just as good, with the highlight being an evening trek
deep into the Santa Cruz hills to visit Bruce Damar's Digibarn, which is
literally a computer museum inside a barn, complete with two large pigs! He
gave about 10 of us (including John Draper aka Captain Crunch of blue box
and Easy Writer fame--an early Apple II word processor) a tour. Lots of
unique Mac and Apple II items including a Lisa and Apple IIc prototype.
I forgot to mention but on Saturday Bruce presented Woz with what I think
was the original Wonderbook, which was a bunch of the original notes and
docs on the Apple II (pre-Redbook). Woz said he had been wondering for 30
years where it went
(http://www.digibarn.com/collections/books/woz-wonderbook/index.html).
On the Homebrew Computer Club panel from Saturday, Lee Felsenstein said
that Woz was probably the greatest hacker to have come out of Homebrew. I
consider that high praise, because Lee chaired the Homebrew meetings,
helped start the Community Memory project and was involved with designing
several computers such as the Osborne I and Sol.
Today is Monday and I am off to visit Apple's HQ, the Weird Stuff Warehouse
and then off to Boulder Creek and Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
(KGAGNE, Cat 5, Top 15, Msg 9)
[EOA]
[SAN]
Spam Assassin 3.1.0
"""""""""""""""""""
Spam Assassin 3.1.0 was released a month ago and I set it up on a few of my
mail systems. My users are reporting a very high success rate of it
identifying spam emails. I have folks now who want to be one of my users
just to get the better spam identification. This spam assassin thing just
might be worth checking out.
Geoff
(GEOFF, Cat 11, Top 26, Msg 154)
[EOA]
[HHK]
Music Video "Hey Hey 16K"
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
If anyone is unfamiliar with the music video "Hey Hey 16K", it's a
rollicking tribute to the early personal computers (specifically the
Commodore, I think), the games we played on it, and the people it inspired.
The Flash video, MP3 soundtrack, and other associated goodies are available
at this URL:
http://www.aas.mcmail.com/aas024/index.htm
More by this British author at his web site: http://www.mjhibbett.com/
-Ken
(KGAGNE, Cat 12, Top 10, Msg 5)
[EOA]
[BSC]
Bug Found in Silvern Castle
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
There's a(nother) bug in Silvern Castle. Setting off a maze teleporter
causes the internal maze X,Y coordinates to get set wrong. Normally this
doesn't cause a problem except when X is zero or negative which causes the
automap to crash with error #53-5495. Depending on your location, it may
cause subsequent automap crashes-but once you return to the market
everything gets reset correctly (until you set off another maze
teleporter).
Thanks to Bruce Baker for stumbling upon this.
(FINKSTERJ, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 179)
[EOA]
[APM]
Adding Pictures of Monsters in Silvern Castle
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
I want to add little pictures of the monsters during combat like Wizardry.
I already wrote the routines, but just one problem: I need artwork.
Anyone willing to create some standard hires artwork? The pics should fit
100x60 or so (105 pixels wide by 63 lines max) on a black background.
I can grab the pic from anywhere on the screen, and shrink, or expand the
image as needed if you already have some existing artwork-I just can't
draw.
Any takers?
(FINKSTERJ, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 180)
>>>>>
"""""
Jeff,
Do you want color or black and white? (or versions in both?)
Can you give us a list of monsters that you would like - in priority order?
_________
| homas
(TCOMPTER, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 181)
>>>>>
"""""
Color preferred.
Well there's over 250 monsters so that would be too ambitious. I was
thinking just one of each type:
Plant
Vermin
Rodent
Beetle
Snake
Spider
Crud
Worm
Humanoid
Fiend
Undead
Reptile
Giant
Spirit
Dragon
Fish
Dinosaur
Beast
(FINKSTERJ, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 182)
>>>>>
"""""
Also one of each NPC class:
Fighter
Thief
Cleric
Mage
Druid
Ranger
Monk
Assassin
Wizard
(FINKSTERJ, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 183)
>>>>>
"""""
I liked the Dark Designs (GS) monster/character pictures, which couldn't
have been more than 16 x 16 pixels. (ok, i just checked, they are 16 x 16.
Is it normal that I remember which issues they were released on? :)
They had 2 pictures for each monster/character, and did a slight animation
when attacking.
Kelvin.
(KWS, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 184)
>>>>>
"""""
Actually coding the routines to display a graphic block was fairly easy,
although I did get some of the code ideas from Softdisk's QuickShapes
program.
Using the QuickShapes program I can grab any size graphic block from a
standard A2 hires image. To draw the shape is easy too, just load the file
to a buffer than copy each line to the hires screen-you can't just bload it
to the screen due to the memory originization of the hires screen.
I had about 245 bytes free for ML code, and it took most of that code for
the draw routine, although more than half of it is Y-table lookup tables.
The hard part was locating the buffer, since most of the graphics blocks
are about 700-1250 bytes long, and I only have less than 3000 of free
memory-I can't reserve a fixed buffer since the free space is all located
in the variable space, not to mention I need headroom to avoid too many
garbage collection slowdowns (even though I'm using a fast garbage
collector).
So I came up with a dynamic buffer using an array. I have routines already
in place to delete arrays, so I simply dimension an integer array of the
right size, then bload the graphic into that memory space, then using ML
use that as the buffer to copy to the hires screen, and at the end delete
the array. I use this technique already to load the maze maps.
Since creating say an array that's 1250 bytes long with only 3000 free
bytes takes AppleSoft a noticeable delay, and because most shapes are much
smaller than this, I also came up with a way to only dimension the array to
the size needed by changing the auxtype of each file when it's originally
saved to the length of the file, and with MicroDot it's easy to load a
file's auxtype, so I can dimension the array to the exact size needed.
I also grabbed all the graphics I need-they all came from a GIF file I
found that contained images of all the Wizardry images, plus some other
sources.
Converting GIFs to standard A2 hires images was easy too with IIGIF by
Jason Harper, a P8 program which was much faster & easier to use than the
GS program SuperConvert.
(FINKSTERJ, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 185)
>>>>>
"""""
Hi, Jeff --
I dropped you an email on the subject of pixel art. I'm mentioning it here
because my email domain includes the word "game", which triggers some spam
filters.
-Ken
(KGAGNE, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 186)
>>>>>
"""""
Got it. But I'm finding most GIF images don't transfer too well into
standard Apple II hires images; ironically the ones that seem to convert
best are already GIF images of hires images.
(FINKSTERJ, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 187)
>>>>>
"""""
I put 2 sample GIF screenshots of Silvern Castle showing what combat now
looks like with the monster graphics added at:
http://www.syndicomm.com/~finksterj/
(FINKSTERJ, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 188)
>>>>>
"""""
Neat, Jeff :)
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd sheppy@syndicomm.com
Owner, Syndicomm http://www.syndicomm.com
Building communities, bit by bit.
(SYNDICOMM, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 189)
>>>>>
"""""
Those look very nice.
Kelvin.
(KWS, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 190)
>>>>>
"""""
I like them, too! Who's the responsible party?
Maybe the monster names should be changed to "Groovin' Skeleton" and
"Stinky Slime" :)
(KGAGNE, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 191)
>>>>>
"""""
I just realized all these graphics & the rest of Silvern Castle will not
fit on an 800K 3.5" disk anymore. Even v1.0 could fit on two sides of a
5.25" disk. I guess I've added one too many features.
The current version of Silvern Castle with PRODOS, SC.SYSTEM, and the
complete Silvern Castle folder package + your saved game leaves only about
65K of disk space.
But if you add up the space needed to save a complete copy of each level's
automap to speed up the display, that takes an additional 60K per scenario.
Already you can only have 1 scenario's worth of automaps; i.e. to play the
other scenarios you have to delete the previous scenario automaps. Well,
the automaps saves two files, one is a small file that keeps track were you
have been in all 3 scenarios. The other files are packed hires images of
each scenario's levels for fast viewing. You can turn off saving the hires
images.
But the 34 new monster graphics each take 1K-2K of disk space, or 52K
total.
Unless you have a hard drive, I think people with only 3.5" drive will have
to delete the automap saved hires images and turn-off the preference that
saves these images OR turn-off the preference to display the new graphic
shapes and delete the graphics.
Who would have thought an AppleSoft game would exceed 800K?
(FINKSTERJ. Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 192)
>>>>>
"""""
Isn't there a way you could load the graphics from a separate disk? Either
pre-load them during the game's boot time, or have them on a separate disk
in a daisy-chained drive. (I have no inkling of what would be involved in
that -- I'm just throwing out ideas. :)
_________
| homas
(TCOMPTER, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 193)
>>>>>
"""""
Surely you don't remember this is an AppleSoft game for a 64K Apple II? :)
Subtract ProDOS, MircoDot, hires screen space, ML code, variable space, and
program space there's no room for 23K of graphic shapes in memory (but
takes 39K of disk space).
But memory space is not an issue as I overlay everything as needed anyway
to fit. It's disk space that's the problem.
I already packed the images as much as I could-down from 52K of disk space
originally.
But I already have a solution. The auto-save automap images preference
must be disabled for those playing on 3.5" disks.
(FINKSTERJ, Cat 14, Top 7, Msg 194)
[EOA]
[UCS]
Understanding Computer Storage
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
I was speaking with one of my students the other day, comparing USB and
FireWire hard drives. I asked him if they still make SCSI; he had no idea
what I was talking about. A similar blank look was earned by me asking
about IDE.
Sigh. Where is our history going?
-Ken
(KGAGNE, Cat 19, Top 11, Msg 41)
>>>>>
"""""
SCSI hard drives are still made, although they are more specialized today
than they were in the past (for instance, finding an in production 2.5 inch
SCSI drive is an impossible task).
IDE, which is "pretty much" the same thing as ATAxyz, is still the
prevalent hard drive interface, although SATA is looking pretty darned
decent as well :)
Ryan
Chief Sysop and Head Geek
(A2.RYAN, Cat 19, Top 11, Msg 42)
>>>>>
"""""
As a passenger of a jet plane, do we need to know about the work of the
Orville brothers?
To learn how to drive a car, is there a need to point out that the engine
needs cranking first?
Carl can point out some of the great phone switch technologies that was
used 30-40 years ago that have since been replaced with something more
modern--but yet doesn't affect the way we need to make a telephone call.
There comes to a point of where we have seen technology evolve (that may
have affected some of us greatly), but will be nothing but a footnote in
history.
Disk related technologies that I think my staff should know should include
iSCSI and Fiber Channel. This is what needs to be taught in school.
Geoff
(GEOFF, Cat 19, Top 11, Msg 43)
>>>>>
"""""
I agree to some extent with that; there's so much new stuff people have to
know in order to get by in the modern world that eventually you come to a
point where old information needs to be phased out of schools' curricula.
Even if that information is still true, you get to a point where you need
to prioritize.
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd sheppy@syndicomm.com
Owner, Syndicomm http://www.syndicomm.com
Building communities, bit by bit.
(SYNDICOMM, Cat 19, Top 11, Msg 44)
>>>>>
"""""
Geoff,
Though it's neither a priority nor useful for me to know, for example, that
programs used to be entered using punch cards and programmers would have to
wait hours for the program's results to be handed back to them, it's still
something I'm aware of, and it makes me appreciate where we are now all the
more.
Maybe a similar appreciation can't be earned by knowing about SCSI and IDE
compared with USB and FireWire, but it can't hurt.
-Ken
(KGAGNE, Cat 19, Top 11, Msg 45)
>>>>>
"""""
Firewire and USB drives use IDE drives, but use an I/O protocol (to the
host system) that is very similar to SCSI. Neither has anything to do with
the speed of connections that one gets with firewire offers over USB.
You can't describe oranges if you want to refer to apples.
Geoff
(GEOFF, Cat 19, Top 11, Msg 46)
[EOA]
[VTL]
Which Version of The Lamp do You Read?
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
In answer to the recent question about the Lamp version read: I choose the
Text without linefeeds, since I want to read it on various platforms (Palm,
Mac).
As for the web site: NICE JOB in remodeling it. That green paint was
peeling from the walls...
Steven Weyhrich <IX0YE>--<
Apple II History
http://apple2history.org
(A2HISTORY, Cat 20, Top 20, Msg 148)
[EOA]
[JGM]
Juiced.GS Volume 10, Issue 3 Mailed
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Every issue, save those of brand-new subscribers within the last couple of
weeks, has gone out.
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd sheppy@syndicomm.com
Owner, Syndicomm http://www.syndicomm.com
Building communities, bit by bit.
(SYNDICOMM, Cat 23, Top 2, Msg 692)
[EOA]
[JTF]
Juiced.GS Volume 10, Issue 4 to Ship by the End of Year
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Volume 10, Issue 4, the final issue of Juiced.GS under my editorship, is
scheduled to ship before the end of the year.
How much before the end of the year I don't know yet.
Ryan
Chief Sysop and Head Geek
(A2.RYAN, Cat 23, Top 2. Msg 694)
[EOA]
[PMC]
Problem - Bernie II the Rescue Under Mac Classic
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
I just upgraded from Panther to Tiger, and I have a serious problem:
running AppleWorks Classic 5.1 under Bernie, I can no longer open the
TimeOut menu. Command-Escape produces no effect.
The Command key works in other combinations, and the Escape key works by
itself as well.
Any idea what broke, and how to fix it?
-Ken
(KGAGNE, Cat 29, Top 21, Msg 147)
>>>>>
"""""
Is this a totally new install, or an install over Panther? I'm wondering
if the Bernie keyboard enabler was in your Panther install and hasn't made
it over to your Tiger install. I also am not sure how to install that in
an all OS X boot system.
Ryan
Chief Sysop and Head Geek
(A2.RYAN, Cat 29, Top 21, Msg 148)
>>>>>
"""""
Ryan,
Your diagnosis seems accurate. Under my OS 9 Keyboard control panel, I do
not see Bernie listed. I still have the keyboard layout file, installation
of which is accomplished by dragging onto the System suitcase, but
attempting to do so in Tiger indicates that "This file is used by OS X". I
tried copying from my backups the System file I was using under Panther up
until I updated it to Tiger, but that didn't provide the Bernie keyboard
option, either.
Hmm.
-Ken
(KGAGNE, Cat 29, Top 21, Msg 149)
>>>>>
"""""
KEGS allows F3 to be used as an alternative to Escape, allowing me access
to TimeOut again (which is good, because Command-Escape doesn't work).
But I inadvertently discovered that both KEGS and Bernie will access
TimeOut using a Command-Shift-Escape combo keypress. Not sure why, when it
wasn't necessary under Panther... but, whatever works.
-Ken
(KGAGNE, Cat 29, Top 21, Msg 158)
>>>>>
"""""
EDITOR'S NOTE: This discussion switches to KEGS and is continued in the
next article.
[EOA]
[PUK]
Same Problem Using KEGS?
""""""""""""""""""""""""
If you use KEGS, do you have the same problem?
Geoff
(GEOFF, Cat 29, Top 21, Msg 150)
>>>>>
"""""
I've never tried KEGS... Maybe I should.
(KGAGNE, Cat 29, Top 21, Msg 151)
>>>>>
"""""
I certainly endorse KEGS. I have been using it heavily for the last few
months without any problems.
A lot of people claim KEGS is hard to use, which I don't understand. Sure
it doesn't have pretty icon pictures for the config menu, but it's
AppleWorks like config menu certainly shouldn't be hard for an Apple II
user.
If you use KEGS I recommend also getting CiderPress to easily create new
hard drive images, and to transfer files to those images.
(FINKSTERJ, Cat 29, Top 21, Msg 152)
>>>>>
"""""
Jeff,
CiderPress is a Windows utility, no? That's not an option in this OS X
household...
The latest version of KEGS for OS X listed on VersionTracker is a year old,
but I'll try downloading and installing that. I hope it works with my
existing Bernie images.
-Ken
(KGAGNE, Cat 29, Top 21, Msg 153)
>>>>>
"""""
There are two OS X versions of KEGS. One is by Kent Dickey himself, runs
under Carbon, and has to be started from the shell; the other is a more
finished looking version that I don't really like for some reason I can't
recall.
Ryan
Chief Sysop and Head Geek
(A2.RYAN, Cat 29, Top 21, Msg 154)
>>>>>
"""""
The two Mac versions of KEGS --
The Dickey version is based on the current KEGS code, but is really ugly
and unfriendly on the Mac.
The other version is much nicer looking on the Mac, but is based on a very
old version of the KEGS code.
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd sheppy@syndicomm.com
Owner, Syndicomm http://www.syndicomm.com
Building communities, bit by bit.
(SYNDICOMM, Cat 29, Topi 21, Msg 155)
>>>>>
"""""
>> CiderPress is a Windows utility, no? That's not an option in this OS X
household... <<
Just wait until the Mactels are released and run WINE. I have successfully
used Fishwings on non-Windows operating systems. Considering the most
recent rumor is that x86 Macs may be announced in January :)
I haven't looked at CiderPress since everything I need to do with disk
images can be done with to_pro (comes with KEGS) or Fishwings.
Geoff
(GEOFF, Cat 29, Top 21, Msg 156)
>>>>>
"""""
The current Macintel version of WINE is dreadfully useless. Doesn't run,
etc. They claim it works, but they'd have to prove it to me. :)
I would love to write a Mac program that does all the stuff CiderPress
does... but I simply don't have the time.
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd sheppy@syndicomm.com
Owner, Syndicomm http://www.syndicomm.com
Building communities, bit by bit.
(SYNDICOMM, Cat 29, Top 21, Msg 157)
>>>>>
"""""
Based on what I have seen of Darwine (an obvious first step for a more
native WINE for Mac OS X), it looks good enough to run FishWings. I have
no way to prove this claim.
Geoff
(GEOFF, Cat 29, Top 21, Msg 159)
[EOA]
[VKK]
Various Keystrokes Using KEGS
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
OA-tab and option-tab work perfectly fine in KEGS--I just tried it out.
You may find the Windows desktop steals alt-tab (both left-alt and
right-alt) before giving the application a chance to use it. There is a
reason why Kent also mapped OA and option to a function key (well, the
Solaris port used the Windows keys for years before the function keys
equivalent were added--I take responsibility for that implementation).
The better solution is to modify the host OS desktop environment so KEGS
steals all the keypresses (or follow Bernie's example and allow users to
enable/disable that capability). Custom code would be needed for every
supported desktop environment. I believe a Windows solution is documented
well and can be easily found with Google. I really need to sit down one
day and figure out how to do it under GNOME. IMO, the keyboard under KEGS
should look like an extended keyboard, not a native IIgs keyboard. Maybe
I've been spoiled having an extended keyboard on my IIgs for 13 years. I
like having both the apple and option keys on both sides of the keyboard.
Geoff
(GEOFF, Cat 2, Top 8, Msg 593)
>>>>>
"""""
>> OA-tab and option-tab work perfectly fine in KEGS--I just tried it out.
You may find the Windows desktop steals alt-tab <<
You're right.
>> There is a reason why Kent also mapped OA and option to a function key
<<
Although F1 works as an OA sub, F2 does not work for me as a sub for
option; wish it did as the standard left/right ALT keys for the OA/option
keys make a beep when pressed with another key which is very annoying.
>> The better solution is to modify the host OS desktop environment so KEGS
steals all the keypresses ... I believe a Windows solution is documented
well and can be easily found with Google <<
Yeah, I found a program called KeyTweak that will remap individual keys to
another. Now my Windows keyboard has the CTRL/CAPS keys switched and the
OA/option keys setup like my original Apple IIgs keyboard.
-Jeff
(FINKSTERJ, Cat 2, Top 8, Msg 594)
[EOA]
[CKG]
Compiling KEGS
""""""""""""""
Compiling KEGS seems like a new hot topic so I thought I'll share a few
tips when I was limited to maintain a Windows port.
I had to install MSYS, Mingw, and Cugwin. MSYS and Mingw go pretty much
hand-in-hand. MSYS is a minimal UNIX-like shell and Mingw is a special
version of the gcc compiler which has the headers and libraries to compile
Windows API software.
Part of the make process for KEGS is processing some files with PERL. I
also wanted more UNIX compatible utilities to perform every day tasks, such
as the use of a decent pager called more. This is where Cygwin came in.
The user's PATH environment variable within MSYS had to include the
directory where Cygwin stored its files.
By using this bastardized setup, KEGS' Windows vars file had to be
customized--it'll be obvious based on the error that shows up if you don't
make any changes.
If there is an attempt to compile in the KEGS' ethernet emulation which I
wrote, you will also need Microsoft's C compiler to compile the necessary
libraries. Make sure you copy the libraries and header files to a location
which Mingw is looking for them. I have left this step to the Apple II
user community to work out since I have no interest of a Windows port of
KEGS at this time. I will appreciate any feedback of any problems with the
KEGS code to ensure the greatest cross-platform compatibility.
Geoff
(GEOFF, Cat 29, Top 41, Msg 41)
>>>>>
"""""
I should add that it looks like mingw may now be included with cygwin so
the MSYS and separate mingw may no longer be necessary. I'll let that bit
of detail be cleared up by those who want to pursue down that avenue.
Geoff
(GEOFF, Cat 29, Top 41, Msg 42)
>>>>>
"""""
Geoff,
Wow.
That's a lot of work to compile a program. :-)
Ryan
Chief Sysop and Head Geek
(A2.RYAN, Cat 29, Top 41, Msg 43)
>>>>>
"""""
It is much easier if you use a modern UNIX since the necessary development
software is provided for you.
But if you go through all the steps to get MSYS, Mingw, and Cygwin working,
you have an incredibly powerful development platform. It makes Windows
programming really convenient. You just follow the same steps that you
would to program in UNIX and it just works. There is no steep learning
curve and it is nice to see something (especially on Windows) that "just
works".
Geoff
(GEOFF, Cat 29, Top 41, Msg 44)
[EOA]
[SMC]
Sun Microsystems Offering $5000 for Top Developer in Contest
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
How does $5000 for an Apple II related project sound? Sun Microsystems is
offering a prize consisting of $5000 and an Opteron computer for the top
developer in a new contest. Details can be found at
http://www.sun.com/software/solaris/contest/univ_challenge.jsp .
Students, faculty, and IT staff at a university or college are all
eligible.
Not sure what can be done? Here are a few ideas:
* Add a ProDOS file system to Solaris.
* Support RamFAST hard disk partitions from Solaris.
* Write a GUI utility to manage ProDOS disk images.
* Add a GNOME interface to KEGS to manage configuration options. Provide
an install script to automatically add KEGS to the JDS menu.
* Integrate GNOME cut/paste with GS/OS applications running in KEGS.
* Support audio input with KEGS (so GS/OS applications can record sound)
--add a KEGS option to use sound-in, microphone, or CD-in.
* Add Appleworks GS import/export to Star Office and Open Office.
* Add IIgs graphic files support to Star Office and Open Office.
* Play IIgs sound files using standard Solaris tools.
Good luck to all who enter this competition.
Geoff
(GEOFF, Cat 59, Top 6, Msg 1)
[EOA]
[MBB]--------------------------------------
SPECIAL From the MacRT FORUM at Syndicomm |
-------------------------------------------
by Lyle Syverson <lyle@foxvalley.net>
[SRE]
Sheppy Presents Reflexive Entertainment
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Reflexive Entertainment Presents the Most Addictive Casual Games for the
Mac!
November 9, 2004 -- Reflexive introduces Ricochet Lost Worlds and Big
Kahuna Reef for the Macintosh. Reflexive's CEO, Lars Brubaker said, "We
are pleased to bring our two most successful titles to the Mac world. We
believe that Ricochet Lost Worlds and Big Kahuna Reef will bring a whole
new level of casual game play to the Mac audience. Over 10 million people
have already downloaded and enjoyed these two games, and we are excited to
offer these highly addictive games to Mac users."
Ricochet Lost Worlds has stunning visuals and sound effects, a gripping
soundtrack, and compelling level design. It could quite possibly be the
most addictive game ever made. This remarkable breakout action game will
entertain your whole family for hours on end! Throw into the mix a slew of
innovative power-ups, a new "Ring Game," and a level editor where you can
make your own levels, and you have an unbeatable combination. Ricochet
Lost Worlds for the Mac can be found at
http://www.RicochetLostWorlds.com/Mac
Big Kahuna Reef is a gorgeous underwater adventure! Discover Sea Turtles
and other aquatic life as you break open boxes in this classic style
matching game, questing for the Mask of the Tiki. Using the revolutionary
Mouse Party, you can play with multiple players on the same computer
through an almost infinite number of levels, thanks to the included level
editor. As you play, you will uncover greater challenges including the
Skeleton Fish of Kamehameha. Lead on, Kahuna... your quest awaits! Big
Kahuna Reef for the Mac can be found at
http://www.BigKahunaReef.com/Mac
Reflexive Entertainment, Inc. is an innovative, award winning, Developer
with its key game portal at www.Reflexive.com. Reflexive develops,
publishes and distributes over 350 games via the Internet that appeal to
the "casual gamer". The casual gamer is the fastest growing segment for
downloadable games with demographics targeting women over the age of 35.
Reflexive debuts four (4) of its own internal titles per year and launches
up to five (5) new casual games a week created by developers from around
the world.
(SYNDICOMM, Mac Forum, Cat 17, Top 18, Msg 1)
>>>>>
"""""
Reflexive is the company I work for now; these are the first two Mac games
I was responsible for releasing in my new job. Please give 'em a try and
let me know what you think (and feel free to post nice things about them in
reviews on VersionTracker and MacUpdate)... :)
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd sheppy@syndicomm.com
Owner, Syndicomm http://www.syndicomm.com
Building communities, bit by bit.
(SYNDICOMM, Mac Forum, Cat 17, Top 18, Msg 2)
[EOA]
[ANS]-------------------------------
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM SYNDICOMM |
------------------------------------
by Lyle Syverson <lyle@foxvalley.net>
[TSU]
TO SIGN UP FOR SYNDICOMM ONLINE
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Please visit our web site at http://www.syndicomm.com for information or to
sign up!
(Logon message)
[EOA]
[NVS]
New Virus Scanning Software Installed
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
We've installed new virus scanning software that will no longer block Zip
archives in emails; instead, the contents of the Zip files are now scanned
for viruses for you, and if there aren't any, they get forwarded along to
you as usual.
Eric "Sheppy" Shepherd sheppy@syndicomm.com
Owner, Syndicomm http://www.syndicomm.com
Building communities, bit by bit.
(SYNDICOMM, HelpDesk, Cat 5, Top 5, Msg 45)
[EOA]
[LTE]-------------------------------
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR |
------------------------------------
[HCV]
Reads HyperCard GS Version of The Lamp
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Hey Lyle,
In regards to your question in the most recent _The Lamp!_ issue, I read
the HyperCard GS version. I think this version is a great idea and I have
been saving them on my *real* GS in this format since you began releasing
them as such.
-Nat
(Nat Hall, Email, 16 Oct 2005)
[EOA]
AN INVITATION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Express your opinions about the comings and goings in the world of the
Apple II computers.
Send your comments to Lyle Syverson, Editor <lyle@FoxValley.net>
The Editor reserves the right to edit any material submitted.
The Editor reserves the right to reject any material he considers
unsuitable for publication in _The Lamp!_.
[EOA]
[KF6]------------------------------
KFest 2006 |
-----------------------------------
[KFS]
KansasFest 2006
"""""""""""""""
is scheduled for July 18th-23rd, 2006
Mark your calendar... start saving some money. :)
[EOA]
[INN]------------------------------
EXTRA INNINGS |
-----------------------------------
About The Lamp! The Lamp! is published on the fifteenth of every month on
""""""""""""""" the WEB at: http://lamp.a2central.com/
This publication produced entirely with real or emulated Apple II computers
using Appleworks 5.1 and Hermes. Apple II Forever!
* The Lamp! is (c) copyright 2005 by Ryan M. Suenaga, M.S.W. All
rights reserved.
* To reach The Lamp! on Internet email send mail to
thelamp@sheppyware.net
* All issues of The Lamp! are available at The Lamp! Home Page,
http://lamp.a2central.com/
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors, and do not
necessarily represent the opinions of A2Central.com, Delphi Online
Services, Syndicomm, Ryan M. Suenaga, or Lyle Syverson. Forum messages are
reprinted verbatim and are included in this publication with permission
from the individual authors. A2Central.com, Delphi Online Services,
Syndicomm, Ryan M. Suenaga, and Lyle Syverson do not guarantee the accuracy
or suitability of any information included herein. We reserve the right to
edit all letters and copy.
Material published in this edition may not be reprinted without the
expressed written consent of the publisher. Registered computer user
groups, not for profit publications , and other interested parties may
write the publisher to apply for permission to reprint any or all material.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
[EOF]
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