1191 lines
33 KiB
Plaintext
1191 lines
33 KiB
Plaintext
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|//SYNDICATE ZMAGAZINE Issue #103//|
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|//================================//|
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|//EDITOR |April 25, 1988 //|
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|// Ron Kovacs|Vol 3, No. 4 //|
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|//================|===============//|
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|____________________________________|
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|Syndicate Zmagazine c/o SPC |
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|Post Office Box 74 |
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|Middlesex, New Jersey 08846-0074 |
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|____________________________________|
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|BBS #1: Syndicate (201) 968-8148 |
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|BBS #2: Stairway (216) 784-0574 |
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|____________________________________|
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|CONTENTS |
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|____________________________________|
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|*|Letter To The Editor |
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|*|Super Dos Press Release |
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|*|Video Title Shop Review |
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|*|Survey Results |
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|*|BBS Listing |
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|*|Zmag On GEnie |
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|*|Zmag On CompuServe |
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|*|Destroying The Hard Disk Myth |
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|_|__________________________________|
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______________________________________
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Letter To The Editor
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______________________________________
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The following letter received April 8,
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1988. Edited for clarity and grammer.
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Panama, Republic of Panama, March 31,
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1988
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Dear Mr. Kovacs,
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Greetings from Central America! I am
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an avid reader of ZMagazine, (when I
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can), who was also a CompuServe
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subscriber. Foreign rates went up and
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that has kept me from using the
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service. (I had to cancelled my
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subscription).
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ZMag is a great magazine. I would like
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to find a way to be able to read it.
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Perhaps a little background on Atari's
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here would help.
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The company that used to sell Atari
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equipment here decided to drop the
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line, leaving us out in the cold.
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Furthermore, computer dealers seeing
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this decided to drop all Atari related
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magazines.
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This happened over a year ago. Since
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then we have relied on the states to
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get equipment, software and other
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peripherals. A local Atari repairman
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still repairs Atari's equipment, so we
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can fix them easily. For most of us an
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8 bit is all the computing we'll ever
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need, and that holds true.
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I was thinking, we have a small user's
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group, the PCACUG, and we are at a
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loss for news or Atari related
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information. I'd like to propose to
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you to establish a contact by mail, so
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that I could receive Zmagazine by
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mail. I beleive rates for a disk to
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Panama are not too high. A friend sent
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me three Atari disks in a fairly sized
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envelope and it cost him $2.22. I am
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not sure whether you actually mail
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your Zmag's to BBS's or just upload
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them to CompuServe. In a few words, I
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would like to subscribe to ZMag, and
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be added to your BBS list carrying
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ZMagazine.
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I run the two Atari BBS's in the
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country. BUGBBS named after the BBCS
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bugs, updated to AMIS then to Express
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and maybe to Express Pro if it is ever
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released. It runs 24 hours at 3-12
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baud and the number is: 60-0530 I also
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run the club's BBS, which is called
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the PCACUG BBS which is the longest
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running BBS in the nation. (Nation
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here applies to our two million
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people).
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AS I said, we have a lack of
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information and there are no magazines
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locally. The clud is subscribed to
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Antic and Analog, but we only get one
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issue for our sixty members. Since
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each ZMag is weekly, it would cost too
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much (and too much effort) to send.
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Maybe if you cram 4 issues a month
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into an enhanced or double density
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disk we could get this off the ground.
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Your help would be invaluable. There
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are alot of hopeless Atarians down
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here.
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We have not seen the jump from 8 bit
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to 16 bit mainly because the cost for
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a 520ST is $1500.00 (no kidding) and
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that's a substantial chunk of money.
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Mostly, people jump from 8 bit to no
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bits at all. Beleive it or not, our
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national currency is the US Dollar,
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even though the US has frozen all
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panamanian accounts there, so there is
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a definate shortage of cash right now.
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I run an Oasis BBS. I have ofcourse
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trouble getting utilities for it.
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Could you tell me the whereabouts of
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it's original creators? I run the BBS
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with RamboXL, Spartados 3.2, RTIME8,
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US Doublers on one of the drives and
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hopeful for a 576K upgrade to me
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130XE.
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Once more, Thanks again for your
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invaluable help, please pardon my
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shaky english grammer, since we are a
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spanish speaking country and I am not
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using my word processor. I will
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somehow try to contact you on
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CompuServe via my friend. Thanks
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again!
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Bye from Panama:
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Carlos Hassan
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6-401 El Dorado
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Panama, Republic of Panama
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[Ed]
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We will be sending Carlos all of the
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issues we can in the next few weeks.
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How about some assistance from some
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United States User Groups? Send this
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group a copy of your newsletters, your
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disk of the month and whatever else
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you can! We cant allow Atari users to
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be un-informed on the latest and
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greatest happenings with the greatest
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micro around!
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Lets show Panama our support of Atari,
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(Seriously folks!!!)
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______________________________________
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Super Dos Press Release
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_____________________________________
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NEWS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Apr 22, 1988
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CONTACT:
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Charles Cherry
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Technical Support
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205 Peoria Street
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Daly City, CA 94014
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SUPERDOS, the most popular DOS in
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Australia, is finally available in the
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United States. It is an easy to use,
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powerful replacement for DOS 2.0 and
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2.5. Although SUPERDOS is more compact
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than the other DOSes and uses less
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disk space, it has several new
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commands, such as RESTORE DELETEd
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files and PATCH damaged ones.
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The convenient, high speed menu is
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available instantly with all
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computers, even 400s and 800s (no
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MEM.SAV, no lost data). It closely
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resembles DOS 2.5 in appearance, but
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is optimized for ease of use and
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speed.
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SUPERDOS supports Atari 1050 and 810
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drives as well as double density
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drives. Automatic density sensing
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configures SUPERDOS for each disk as
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it is used. Copying between densities
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is easy, even with only one drive.
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SUPERDOS also supports 130XE-
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compatible RAMdisks up to 320K bytes
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and Axlon-compatible RAMdisks up to
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288K bytes. SUPERDOS automatically
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sets up the largest RAMdisk possible
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and copies designated files into it.
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SUPERDOS is NOT a public domain
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program. It was written in Australia
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by Paul Nicholls who retains sole
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ownership of it. It is marketed in the
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United States by Technical Support. If
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you have not paid for the copy you are
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using, please send $20 (plus $1
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shipping) to:
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Technical Support
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205 Peoria Street
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Daly City, Calif 94014 USA
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(California residents add 6.5% sales
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tax.)
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SUPERDOS is warranted to perform
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satisfactorily. If you are not
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satisfied with SUPERDOS, your purchase
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price will be cheerfully refunded.
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SUPERDOS is fully compatible with DOS
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2.0 and 2.5. It even looks and feels
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like Atari DOS, there's nothing new to
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learn. However, it's much easier to
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use, and much more powerful. It
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supports most Atari configurations,
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including Single, Enhanced (Dual), and
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Double density disk drives, Axlon and
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XE RAMdisks, and most memory
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expansions. We are convinced that
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SUPERDOS is the most convenient Atari
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DOS ever created. If you use it for a
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week, you'll never want to return to
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another DOS.
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SUPERDOS features:
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==================
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1. SUPERDOS works with all Atari
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400/800/600XL/800XL/1200XL/65XE/
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130XE computers and the XE Game
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Machine.
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2. Supports Single, Enhanced (Dual),
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and Double density.
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3. Automatically configures to the
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density of the disk in the drive.
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4. Density of each drive is displayed
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at the top of the screen.
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5. Copy files between different
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density disks with only one drive.
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6. Automatically finds and sets up
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largest RAMdisk possible.
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7. Supports 130XE compatible 128K,
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256K, and 320K RAMdisks.
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8. Supports Axlon compatible 128K and
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256K RAMdisks.
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9. Automatically copies files with
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.RAM extender to RAMdisk.
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10.I/O defaults to RAMdisk if drive 1
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is not available.
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11.SDUP.SYS available instantly, no
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MEM.SAV (even on 800s).
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12.Short DOS.SYS and SDUP.SYS files
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leave maximum space for you.
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13.RESTORE files which have been
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DELETEd or left OPEN.
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14.Directory can display DELETEd and
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OPEN files.
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15.Automatically TRACE and PATCH to
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recover damaged files.
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16.Single keystroke menu (no Returns).
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17.Clear English prompts.
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18.Concise double column display lists
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40 files at once.
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19.Full screen scroll, won't wipe out
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filename you were about to use.
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20.Screen border color indicates type
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of operation.
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21.Use upper and lower case, inverse
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and numbers in filenames.
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22.Adjust the key delay and repeat
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rate for XL/XE (fast keyboard).
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23.Write with or without verify,
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toggle from menu.
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24.A Binary Save that even saves
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cartridges.
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25.Support for high speed transfer
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with SUPERMAX and US Doubler.
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26.Skewed sectors for even higher
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speed with SUPERMAX.
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27.Format disks in any density.
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28.Write DOS.SYS and SDUP.SYS or
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DOS.SYS only.
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29.Copy all .SYS files except DOS.SYS
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using wild cards.
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30.True sector copier copies boot
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disks, skips empty sectors.
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31.Option to format destination disk
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during disk copy.
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32.Copy sectors and display bad sector
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numbers.
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33.Copy to and from cassette (C:)
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using long or short IRG.
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34.Display the configuration block for
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non-Atari disk drives.
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35.Enter sector numbers and addresses
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in hexidecimal or decimal.
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36.Handle up to eight double density
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files open concurrently.
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37.Handle up to four double density
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drives plus a RAMdisk.
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38.Easy to change file buffers and
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drive buffers, no POKEs.
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39.Copy from DOS 3 files using one or
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two drives and wild cards.
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40.SUPERBIN - a compact boot program
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which displays menu of binary files
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and runs them.
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41.SUPERBAS - a compact AUTORUN.SYS
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program which displays menu of
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BASIC files and runs them.
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Note: SUPERMAX is an enhancement for
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the Atari 1050 disk drive. It provides
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true double density and SUPERSPEED
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data transfer. SUPERMAX is a product
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of SUPER Products, P.O. Box 507,
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Beenleigh, Queensland 4207, Australia
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Note 2: We have just discovered that
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the current version of SUPERDOS
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(V.4.4) only supports 128K of the
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Newell 256K memory upgrade.
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______________________________________
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Software Review ..VIDEO TITLE SHOP..
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______________________________________
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from DATASOFT by Bill Pike (PAC)
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review copy loaned by IB Computers
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Here's what we who own VCRs have been
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waiting for. Have you ever wished to
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be able to put professional titles on
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your tapes? Well here is the best way
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for you to do it. The Video Title
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Shop sells for $24.95 and is available
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at IB Computers. The program uses
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Micropainter format background screens
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ie:62 sector pictures. Did I tell you
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that the digitized pictures from
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Computer Eyes are 62 sector
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Micropainter type screens? What does
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this suggest to you?
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DataSoft has published a program
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called Video Title Shop. This program
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allows you to place titles at the
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beginning of your video tapes, over
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Micropainter type pictures or over
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colored backgrounds. You are able to
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wipe individual lines or over the
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entire title at one time. You can
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scroll text or graphics constructed
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from text characters across the
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screen. Pictures and text can be
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digitally dissolved (fizzed) between
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two pictures and/or text. If you have
|
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a computer with extended ram (ramdisk)
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you can load all the pictures, text,
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and command files onto the ramdisk and
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save your diskdrive.
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Video Title Shop has the newest
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version of Micropainter on the disk to
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construct backgrounds. Included is
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documentation for Micropainter and a
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Quick Reference card for both
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programs. You have two fonts on the
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disk, plain and fancy. There are two
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double sided disks of Micropainter
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screens provided for you or you can
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construct your own. The screen disks
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also have 5 different borders to chose
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from as well as many different
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screens.
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You have the option of either a RF
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connection from the computer to the
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VCR or monitor output (direct video).
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There is even a section on how to
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setup your VCR and what cables to use
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and how to use them. However the
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program doesn't support sound or
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music.
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There is a command line at the top of
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the screen, this means that the
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program isn't fully menu driven.
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However you are prompted for your
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selection and the commands are
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relatively easily remembered. Just
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about everything except text entry is
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by joystick control. You are able to
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place text around the screen and
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change fonts. The text and background
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can have the color and brightness
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changed independently during display
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for greater effect.
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As you can see there isn't much that
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you can't do with Video Title Shop.
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This is the first commercial program
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of its type available. There have
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been several public domain programs of
|
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this type around but they won't do
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one-tenth of what this program will
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do.
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I would rate Video Title Shop a
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excellent buy at $24.95. It is fairly
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easy to operate and the documentation
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won't snow you.
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______________________________________
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Survey Results
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______________________________________
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GEnie recently ran a survey for their
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Atari callers, and, after taking the
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survey, and reading some of the
|
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postings, I got the impression that
|
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certain people had the idea that the
|
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Atari Corp. 8-bit user relationship
|
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was doing -just fine.- One example-
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Atari released a 1200 baud modem!
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Isn't that just great!?
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Well, in response, I wrote my own
|
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survey, and a few of the area boards
|
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ran it. Here are the results and a
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condensed version of that survey.
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[1]
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There is/was an Atari 8-bit computer
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in my life. At present, I feel that
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the support Atari Corp. is giving to
|
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the 8-bit users is:
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< 4%> Satisfactory.
|
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<89%> Unsatisfactory.
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< 4%> Comparable/others
|
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< 3%> Undecided.
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[2]
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Before the advent of the ST line, I
|
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feel that the support given by Atari
|
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Corp. was:
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<48%> Satisfactory.
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<12%> Unsatisfactory.
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<30%> Comparable others
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<10%> Don't know.
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[3]
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At present, thinking about the
|
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relationship between Atari Corp. and
|
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the 8-bit user:
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<74%> Atari don't care about 8-bit
|
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users.
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<10%> Atari is doing fine for 8-bit
|
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users.
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< 6%> Atari supports 8-bits as their
|
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sales deserve.
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< 8%> Atari is trying to discourage
|
|
the 8-bit line.
|
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< 2%> Undecided
|
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[4]
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Third party software for Atari 8-bits
|
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has rapidily declined. I feel that it
|
|
is because:
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<45%> Atari forgot about the 8-bit, so
|
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others followed.
|
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< 2%> Decline? What decline?!?!
|
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<13%> Piracy.
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<36%> Software hard to find because of
|
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sales drop.
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< 4%> Undecided
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[5]
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I own a modem. It is:
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<34%> Atari 300 baud.
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< 8%> Non Atari 300 baud.
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< 8%> Atari 300/1200 plus.
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<50%> Non Atari 300/1200 plus.
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* Note: -plus- greater than.
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[6]
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Non-Atari modem users:
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<25%> I bought this because I got
|
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tired of waiting for Atari to
|
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release a 1200/2400 modem.
|
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< 4%> I will buy a 1200/2400 baud
|
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Atari modem and will wait.
|
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<31%> I own a 300 baud modem.
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<40%> Atari didn't offer a modem of my
|
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baud rate at purchase.
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[7]
|
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Atari Corp. recently released a new
|
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modem. However, it was up to the
|
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purchaser to find a Terminal program
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for it. I think this is:
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<20%> A sound business practice.
|
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<53%> The dumbest thing possible.
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<12%> Better to release the product
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when PD software is available.
|
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<15%> Undecided
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[8]
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I like my 8-bit. If I was transported
|
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back to the day I bought it, and
|
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remembered what Atari Corp. did since
|
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I bought it:
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<45%> I would buy an 8-bit Atari.
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<50%> Buy some other computer.
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|
<00%> Would not buy a computer
|
|
< 5%> Would buy a game machine
|
|
instead.
|
|
|
|
[9]
|
|
In summation, thinking about how Atari
|
|
Corp. has supported their 8-bit users,
|
|
I would say:
|
|
|
|
< 7%> average satisfied.
|
|
<43%> below average.
|
|
<49%> is non-existant!
|
|
< 1%> Undecided.
|
|
|
|
Total users participating:__> 186
|
|
|
|
This survey was run in the Allentown,
|
|
Bethlehem, Easton area of Pa.
|
|
|
|
Conclusions at a glance:
|
|
------------------------
|
|
Support given by Atari is now nearly
|
|
non-existant and completely
|
|
unsatisfactory; and this changed with
|
|
the advent of the ST line. The reason
|
|
for this decline is Atari's doing, and
|
|
is also affecting support that was
|
|
given by third-party software
|
|
companies.
|
|
|
|
Nearly half of the callers are
|
|
300 baud, and more than half are using
|
|
non-Atari 1200 baud or faster modems
|
|
because Atari did not supply one
|
|
better than 300 baud at the time of
|
|
purchase.
|
|
|
|
50% of the users in this area would
|
|
buy another computer because of the
|
|
lack of support Atari is showing
|
|
today.
|
|
|
|
Finally- 92% thats right 92% of the
|
|
users say Atari support for the 8 bit
|
|
people is either below average or
|
|
non-existant (49% nonexistant!)
|
|
|
|
This may be too little and too late,
|
|
but, there is always hope Atari will
|
|
wake up and get back on track.
|
|
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
BBS Listing
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
This is the pre-release of the
|
|
ZMag/ST-Report BBS list. This will be
|
|
updated weekly and published every few
|
|
months here.
|
|
|
|
You will notice a rather large gap in
|
|
the registration numbers. These
|
|
systems have not be validated, so will
|
|
not be added until that time. This
|
|
list is not complete.
|
|
|
|
These systems support our
|
|
publications. Please call and support
|
|
these systems. If you are not on any
|
|
of the pay services, call these boards
|
|
and pass the word.
|
|
|
|
We thank each and every BBS listed
|
|
here many thanks. Without your weekly
|
|
support we would not have made it this
|
|
far.
|
|
|
|
Reg No.Area Phone Number BBS Name
|
|
======================================
|
|
H001- 201 968-8148 Syndicate
|
|
H002- 216 784-0574 Stairway
|
|
H003- 312 690-3724 Lions Den
|
|
X004- 609 451-7475 C.C.B.B.S.
|
|
X005- 219 223-8107 Manitou
|
|
X006- 718 648-0947 Dateline
|
|
X007- 718 604-3323 New York City
|
|
X008- 301 437-9813 Ratcom
|
|
X009- 916 962-2566 Shadow Haven
|
|
X010- 918 835-5198 Tektron
|
|
X011- 201 Closed Timelink
|
|
X012- 201 298-0161 J.A.C.G.
|
|
X013- 216 545-4817 Pirate Busters
|
|
H014- 904 786-4176 Bounty Atari ST
|
|
Z015- 305 747-9196 Alternate
|
|
Z016- 813 821-3188 ST Petersburg
|
|
Z017- 505 897-4306 Asylum BBS
|
|
X018- 808 423-3140 Wonderful World
|
|
X019- 219 674-9288 M.O.U.S.E.
|
|
Z020- 404 945-6021 Buford Byte Size
|
|
X021- 813 726-3449 Harbor Lights
|
|
X022- 912 244-1726 Talisman
|
|
X023- 617 674-8361 Westport!
|
|
X024- 817 444-3023 Rivendale
|
|
X025- 415 825-2952 West Coast
|
|
X026- 315 638-8569 The D.E.N.
|
|
X027- 505 525-0388 Atari C.A.L.C.
|
|
Z028- 201 723-0824 Wild West BBS
|
|
X029- 216 758-0284 Command
|
|
Z030- 707 252-0631 Irata
|
|
Z031- 617 675-8503 S.W.A.T.
|
|
X032- 703 560-6318 The Ark
|
|
X033- 615 665-1217 Vanishing Point
|
|
X034- 301 967-2207 Orion
|
|
X035- 207 784-0631 M.A.C.H.
|
|
Z036- 516 698-7456 WQNR BBS
|
|
X037- 713 923-7392 W.A.S.T.E.
|
|
X038- 504 244-0768 Milliways
|
|
X039- 617 586-8840 Lost Byte
|
|
Z040- 303 796-0539 The Vault
|
|
Z041- 404 796-3805 Garden City
|
|
Z042- 609 939-6247 Satelite
|
|
Z043- 206 848-3371 The Reef
|
|
S044- 816 761-2190 Elysium
|
|
Z045- 315 454-9612 Atari Hotel
|
|
X046- 212 617-0153 The Bunker
|
|
X047- 201 247-8252 E.B.B.B.S
|
|
Z048- 402 466-5339 Griffon's Nest
|
|
X049- 011 494-12997 Kisa Monitron
|
|
X050- 011 0340-51117 First Star
|
|
Z051- 718 253-8602 Outsiders
|
|
Z052- 805 773-5907 Hot Rodders
|
|
X053- 203 776-9723 New Haven
|
|
X054- 502 964-2964 Bargain Basement
|
|
X055- 609 931-3014 Gateway
|
|
X056- 602 846-7357 Network 23
|
|
Z057- 313 547-0440 Cosmic Stompers
|
|
Z058- 804 379-4156 Midnight Express
|
|
X059- 314 647-3290 Gateway City
|
|
Z060- 312 457-2219 Bluemoon
|
|
X061- 617 625-5348 Mall Five
|
|
Z062- 312 430-4234 Runequest
|
|
X063- 205 772-8526 Bloom County
|
|
X064- 205 461-7893 H.A.U.G.
|
|
X065- 812 985-2083 West Terrace
|
|
Z066- 502 778-9846 WAEL
|
|
Z067- 502 964-2924 Atari Scene
|
|
Z068- 614 471-8559 ACEC BBS
|
|
X069- 614 471-9209 Pandora
|
|
Z070- 918 251-5450 Help BBS
|
|
Z071- 716 875-7376 Bates Motel
|
|
Z072- 516 884-4140 Ol' Hackers
|
|
Z073- 203 443-5200 Phantasmal
|
|
S074- 402 466-5339 S.T.U.N.N.
|
|
S075- 201 929-9351 CoaSTline
|
|
S076- 703 665-0087 Infonet
|
|
Z077- 201 388-1676 White House
|
|
X078- 616 245-8259 Exte
|
|
Z079- 404 968-4380 Dark Crypt
|
|
Z080- 601 388-3490 C.A.U.U.G.
|
|
Z081- 601 374-0709 Irata II
|
|
Z082- 612 522-2687 T.A.I.G.
|
|
X083- 219 336-3774 Pipeline
|
|
X084- 313 736-3920 Facts BBS
|
|
Z085- 808 261-2184 Muskrats Den
|
|
X086- 507 60-0530 BugBBS
|
|
X087- 219 875-8205 One Stone
|
|
Z088- 305 793-2975 Carina
|
|
Z089- 305 734-6026 Atari Computer
|
|
Z090- 216 441-3816 Mega Vision
|
|
X091- 419 289-8392 Balloon Works
|
|
X092- 517 371-1106 C.H.A.O.S.
|
|
X093- 011 470-22183 Sorman
|
|
Z094- 206 631-8056 Knotts Nook
|
|
Z095- 312 889-1240 C.L.A.U.G.
|
|
Z096- 915 757-0788 House of Chance
|
|
Z097- 714 653-0447 Thunderbeast
|
|
Z098- 203 445-4094 Spiders Web
|
|
Z099- 219 693-3485 Acorn BBS
|
|
Z100- 606 271-1466 Missing Link
|
|
Z101- 704 253-3614 Office
|
|
X128- 805 239-8710 The LookOut
|
|
Z129- 201 286-6189 AtlantiST
|
|
S130- 201 271-8765 Great Fire
|
|
X131- 918 622-1121 Future City
|
|
X132- 805 872-0377 Home Bace
|
|
Z133- 201 752-9466 Piscataway
|
|
Z134- 718 373-4669 Blue BBS
|
|
X135- 216 376-7618 Rubber City
|
|
X136- 317 243-2177 Dog House
|
|
X137- 907 338-5005 Public Domain
|
|
X138- 309 797-5926 Checkmate
|
|
Z139- 707 437-6366 Elsinore Brewery
|
|
S140- 602 435-9645 Think Tank
|
|
X141- 813 823-1471 MegaPlex
|
|
X142- 314 696-3506 AXE***BBS
|
|
X143- 201 343-1426 Launch Pad
|
|
Z144- 416 648-8359 19th Hole
|
|
Z146- 213 631-7328 L.B.C.S.
|
|
X147- 314 581-3801 Brickyard
|
|
X148- 215 289-5247 Star Fleet
|
|
X149- 201 938-6906 Starbase I
|
|
Z150- 805 929-1624 My House
|
|
Z151- ??? 855-1317 Atarian Domain
|
|
X152- 816 637-6163 Schwarzer Drache
|
|
Z153- 201 689-4550 Kilroy's Castle
|
|
Z154- 415 565-9742 Eagle BBS
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
ZMag Area on GEnie
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
Welcome to the Atari 8-Bit
|
|
** ** ** RoundTable!...Official
|
|
** ** ** Atari Online Support!!
|
|
** ** **
|
|
** ** ** SysOps:
|
|
** ** **
|
|
*** ** *** DARLAH Darlah Hudson
|
|
*** ** *** MARTY.A Marty Albert
|
|
& CRAIG.S.THOM
|
|
|
|
Weekly RTC is Atari Online:
|
|
Every Thursday
|
|
Evening - 10PM NHARRIS Neil Harris
|
|
(7PM Pacific) TOWNS John Townsend
|
|
DMAY Darryl May
|
|
DANSCOTT Dan Scott
|
|
|
|
GEnie Page 667
|
|
Set Atari Software Library
|
|
Library: ALL Libraries
|
|
|
|
1. Help Files
|
|
2. Programming/Disk Utilities
|
|
3. Educational Atari
|
|
4. Music/Graphics Utilities
|
|
5. Atari Tunes
|
|
6. Great Graphics
|
|
7. Textfile Graphics
|
|
8. Telecommunications
|
|
9. Information Processing
|
|
10. Atari Amusements
|
|
11. Everything Else
|
|
12. User Group Newsletters & Info
|
|
13. ZMAG <---------------------
|
|
14. ALL Libraries
|
|
|
|
Enter #, <P>revious, or <H>elp?
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
ZMAG Area Debuts on Compuserve
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
April 11 -- ZMAG comes to DL 11!
|
|
|
|
ATARI8 is pleased to announce ZMAG's
|
|
new home on CIS -- DL 11! The library
|
|
description tells it all...
|
|
|
|
This Data Library is devoted to
|
|
Zmagazine. You will find the weekly
|
|
issues of ZMAG as well as other
|
|
support files in this Data Library.
|
|
|
|
Articles written will be extracted and
|
|
made available for user group editors
|
|
to reprint in local newsletters.
|
|
|
|
You will find ALL issues of Zmag in
|
|
this area. Some issues have been
|
|
difficult to find, as they are found,
|
|
we will upload them.
|
|
|
|
If you have an article you would like
|
|
to have published in the magazine,
|
|
Please upload it here. Remember,
|
|
upload time is Free ALL day on CIS!
|
|
|
|
Publisher/Editor Ron Kovacs
|
|
Assistant Publisher Ken Kirchner
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
DESTROYING THE HARD DISK MYTH
|
|
______________________________________
|
|
by TOM -REX- READE
|
|
|
|
To begin, 99% of all hard disks made
|
|
conform to IBM standards. With this
|
|
thought in mind we shall proceed....
|
|
|
|
The most readily available and in my
|
|
opinion, the most reliable, hard disk
|
|
is from Seagate......next in line is
|
|
the Miniscribe. There are others, you
|
|
must make sure they conform to the IBM
|
|
standard.
|
|
|
|
IBM STANDARD: ST-506/ST-412
|
|
---------------------------
|
|
Most commonly found hard drives do not
|
|
have controllers built in. These are
|
|
the most reliable and economical
|
|
drives to use.
|
|
|
|
WHAT IS THE CONTROLLER???
|
|
=========================
|
|
This goodie is the custodian of your
|
|
hard disk! It directs all I/O
|
|
functions to the hard disk it also
|
|
points to and accesses each cylinder.
|
|
It -controls- everything.
|
|
|
|
FACTS FOR REFERENCE
|
|
-------------------
|
|
ST 412 DRIVES WITH MFM ENCODING
|
|
5.0 MEGABITS/SEC.
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
DATA ST125 ST138 ST225 ST251 ST251-1
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
SIZE f'm'd
|
|
21 32 21 42 42
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
# HEADS
|
|
4 6 4 6 6
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
CYL's
|
|
615 615 615 820 820
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
STEP RATE uS
|
|
3-200 3-200 5-200 3-200 3-200
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
AC'S TIME mSEC
|
|
28 28 65 40 28
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
WRITE PRE'C
|
|
N/A N/A 300/614 N/A N/A
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
POWER watts
|
|
10 10 14.8 11 12
|
|
======================================
|
|
ST4038 ST4051 ST4053 ST4096
|
|
======================================
|
|
SIZE f'm'd
|
|
31 42 44 80
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
# HEADS
|
|
5 5 5 9
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
CYL'S
|
|
733 977 1024 1024
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
STEP RATE uS
|
|
10-70 10-70 3-70 3-70
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
AC'S TIME mSEC
|
|
40 40 28 28
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
WRITE PRE'C
|
|
300-732 N/A N/A N/A
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
POWER watts
|
|
25.5 25.5 23 25.5
|
|
======================================
|
|
ST 412 INTERFACE DRIVES
|
|
WITH RLL ENCODING 7.5 MEGABITS/SEC
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
DATA
|
|
ST138R ST157R ST238R ST251R ST277R
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
SIZE f'm't
|
|
32 49 31 43 65
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
# HEADS
|
|
4 6 4 4 6
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
CYL'S
|
|
615 615 615 820 820
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
STEP RATE uS
|
|
3-200 3-200 5-200 3-200 3-200
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
AC'S TIME mSEC
|
|
28 28 65 40 40
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
WRITE PRE'C
|
|
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
POWER watts
|
|
10 10 14.8 11 11
|
|
======================================
|
|
SCSI INTERFACE (EMBEDDED) HARD DISKS
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
DATA
|
|
ST138N ST157N ST225N ST251N ST227N
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
SIZE f'm't
|
|
32 48 21 43 64
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
SECTORS
|
|
63,139 95,015 41,170 84,254 126,790
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
ACCESS TIME
|
|
28 28 65 40 40
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
POWER watts
|
|
12 12 16.8 13 13
|
|
--------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
Be Advised, as of 01/01/88, Seagate
|
|
began using the new I'ntl light code
|
|
the front light on the drive is GREEN
|
|
not RED only if it is made after Jan.
|
|
01 1988. I do not advise the use of
|
|
the -N- models as they are limited in
|
|
the flexibility of use by the embedded
|
|
controller and are more expensive.
|
|
Seagate may cost more, but they are
|
|
the workhorses of the industry. The
|
|
Seagate Hard Disk is extremely
|
|
RELIABLE. Seagate units above 40mb
|
|
have auto-park.
|
|
|
|
All of the above are:FCC,TUV/UL/CSA
|
|
[CERTIFIED]
|
|
|
|
The list of other types of drives is
|
|
large, some are, Disctron, Lapine,
|
|
Microscience, Micro-memories,
|
|
Miniscribe, Priam, Rodime, Shugart,
|
|
Tandon and Tulin. The formatted size
|
|
of these range anywhere from 5-87Mb.
|
|
|
|
I purposely avoided name Brand Names
|
|
of packaged drives because in most
|
|
cases they use Adaptek and seagate...I
|
|
have found that Atari and Supra have
|
|
gone to the small 3.5 hard disk. I
|
|
will cover those next. As far as
|
|
Atari is concerned, I wish they would
|
|
have save a fortune in R&D and went
|
|
with the standard assembly, as the
|
|
method they used is so typical of
|
|
Atari, -they walked all 'round the
|
|
barn to walk in the front door-, why
|
|
did they have to change the 'prom it
|
|
made the SH204 a problem maker, why
|
|
the dip switches?, do they really
|
|
think the Atari user cant handle
|
|
Terminal resistor packs and jumpers??? Bad Move....Some of the companies have
|
|
gone to Miniscribe, (the coffee
|
|
grinder) to cut production costs, they
|
|
will go back to SEAGATE as soon as
|
|
they realize the RMA volumn is eating
|
|
their lunch!
|
|
|
|
Remember that all these drives (except
|
|
for a few) come without a controller,
|
|
you really want it without a
|
|
controller ..it's less expensive and
|
|
works out much better for you in the
|
|
long run.....you will see!
|
|
|
|
The actual chain of connection for a
|
|
hard drive is:
|
|
|
|
1-hard disk
|
|
2-controller
|
|
3-interface..and the DMA port.
|
|
|
|
MFM- This is a format style most
|
|
commonly found in use although
|
|
recently, RLL has been becoming far
|
|
more popular as it is a condensed
|
|
compact format thus allowing more data
|
|
to be stored on an equivalent size
|
|
hard disk. The major difference is
|
|
the media itself in the hard disk is
|
|
PLATED to insure accuracy and
|
|
longevity. Think of it like plain
|
|
recording tape and CrO2 Chromium
|
|
Dioxide tape. The recording media in
|
|
the -R- drives is of a high quality
|
|
and plated.
|
|
|
|
In most cases, the Interface, ( Host
|
|
Adapter ) determines what type of
|
|
system the hard disk will comply with.
|
|
It also (usually) has a clock/calendar
|
|
built in.
|
|
|
|
In reality you can take a hard drive
|
|
system made for an 8bit XL/XE and
|
|
change the interface to one for an ST
|
|
and it will now work on the ST (after
|
|
a format).
|
|
|
|
The two most widely used controllers,
|
|
and I might add, ARE REALLY THE BEST,
|
|
are made by Adaptek they are designed
|
|
with the user in mind and provide for
|
|
expansion for the future.
|
|
|
|
ADAPTEK 4000 SERIES CONTROLLERS
|
|
-------------------------------
|
|
ACB-4000A ACB-4070
|
|
--------- --------
|
|
Interface SCSI dr type ST506/412
|
|
ST506/412 [RLL-Certified]
|
|
|
|
|
|
These hard disk systems are special in
|
|
one way, they have embedded
|
|
controllers.
|
|
|
|
IOMEGA
|
|
------
|
|
ALPHA 10H BETA XXX interface
|
|
SCSI dr type Cart 10mb Cart xxmb
|
|
|
|
RODIME
|
|
------
|
|
RO650 RO652 interface
|
|
SCSI dr type 10mb 20mb
|
|
|
|
SEAGATE
|
|
-------
|
|
ST225N interface SCSI dr type 20mb
|
|
|
|
*** NOTE Iomega, Rodime, and the 1
|
|
Seagate listed are the embedded
|
|
controller type. These are slowly
|
|
fading from popularity.
|
|
|
|
WESTERN DIGITAL
|
|
---------------
|
|
WD1002-SHD interface
|
|
SASI dr type ST506/412
|
|
|
|
XEBEC
|
|
-----
|
|
1410 1410A interface
|
|
SASI dr type ST506/412 ST506/412
|
|
|
|
* These devices are SASI also slowly
|
|
fading into the sunset......
|
|
|
|
ADAPTEK CONTROLLERS
|
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===================
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ACB4000A / ACB4070 are highly
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recomended and of excellent design.
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These controllers will handle most any
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application.
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HARD DISK INTERFACE
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===================
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There are three types available for
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the ST: ICD, Supra, and Berkley
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ICD
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---
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The -MIO-...Designed for use in the 8
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bit field comes in two configurations
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256k 1MB
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---- ---
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Both units handle all your needs as
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they include all the fuctions of the
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Atari 850 interface. PLUS a printer
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spooler and buffer.
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THE ICD ST HOST ADAPTER INTERFACE
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=================================
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The Host Adapter is designed for the
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16 bit ST hard drive system or for
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most anything you care to couple to
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it...ie, tape backup and hard disk and
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laser printer etc..
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The host adapter interface is also
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equipped with an outstanding clock
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made non-volatile thru the use of a
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lithium battery. Rated **** ICD has
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real winner here!
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SUPRA
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-----
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Both of supra's interfaces are quite
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good, not as flexible as ICD's but
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good.
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BE ADVISED! SUPRA IS SLOWLY DROPPING
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THE 8 BIT HARD DISK SYSTEMS.
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This is the end of the first
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installment to placed here for you,
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there will be more in the near future.
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The configuration for the hard disk
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systems are variable, for example, if
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you wished to use the stand alone
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system with a different computer you
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would be able to do so simply by
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changing the interface.
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Expandable means you can add another
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drive at a later date in the existing
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cabinet.
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NOTE: This article and the -Hard Disk
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Series- are for the readers of ST
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REPORT MAGAZINE and ZMAGAZINE and may
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not be duplicated in any form without
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the written permission of the
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publisher and author.
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______________________________________
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Syndicate ZMagazine Issue #103
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April 25, 1988 (c)1988 SPC/Ron Kovacs
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______________________________________
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