706 lines
32 KiB
Plaintext
706 lines
32 KiB
Plaintext
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=======================================================================
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ZMAG/A\ZINE - THE ORIGINAL ATARI ONLINE MAGAZINE - SEPTEMBER 4, 1990
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=======================================================================
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-Your Weekly Atari and 8-Bit News Source- Issue #184
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=======================================================================
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Published by Rovac Editor - Ron Kovacs Asst Editor - John Nagy
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=======================================================================
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CONTENTS
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EDITORS DESK ......Ron Kovacs
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Z*NET NEWSWIRE...............
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GLENDALE ATARI SHOW INFO.....
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DAISY DOT III LABELS.........
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8-BIT PD UPDATE..............
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XF551 HARDWARE MODIFICATION..
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|*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*|
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|*| THE EDITORS DESK |*|
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|*| by Ron Kovacs |*|
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|*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*|
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Well, here we go again. It has been nine months since we released an
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issue of ZMAG. There has been numerous requests for 8-bit coverage in
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Z*Net Online, but the focus there is ST, TT, and STacy, to name a few.
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The coverage for 8-bitters is fading fast and during this year you have
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seen the departure of your favorite magazines. The hard copy coverage
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may be gone but we are here and look forward to providing you the best
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possible support.
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This publication will start where we left off in December 1989 with
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issue #184. We will start with a bi-weekly format until November and
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attempt a weekly release soon after. Weekly release will be determined
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by the articles we receive from the readers and other sources. Already
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being selected as a source for material is the Puget Sound Atari News
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and the JACG newsletter. Since our sister hard copy publication is
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currently distributed in some twenty newsletters, I am sure we will be
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able to collect more articles in the months ahead.
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Each issue will contain the latest Z*Net Newswire especially edited for
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8-bit owners. Of course there will be other news appearing from time to
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time that we hope you will find interesting. In a survey to be released
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shortly, we will poll you for coverage requests. This will help us
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focus attention on issues and news that interestes you.
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There are a few people already volunteering efforts, and I look forward
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to pooling the information and presenting here. If you want to donate
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articles, please leave email on the services and the BBS. Regular
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columns will be assigned in the next few weeks and a special area each
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week for previously released tips and information will appear.
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BBS systems carrying the publication are encouraged to leave a message
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with their number. The old Z*Magazine list has been deleted along with
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the system numbers previously assigned. The revised 1990 edition of the
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official ZMAG BBS list will be released as soon as we can get some
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numbers on it.
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Stay tuned to this page in the weeks ahead on plans and feedback on
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suggestions. This new attempot will be a bit more personalized and
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contain the latest Atari happenings.
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Thanks go to everyone posting the positive messages. Best of luck to
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us on this return and hopes for a long life online!
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|*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*|
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|*| Z*NET NEWSWIRE |*|
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|*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*|
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GLENDALE SHOW SETS UP SURPRISES
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September 15 & 16 will bring the largest collection of Atari exhibitors
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ever to Glendale, California. The vendor list is firming up, and next
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week in Z*Net Online, we will have a new all-confirmed compilation of
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those who are coming. The Southern California Atari Computer Faire,
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Version 4.0b, is being managed by John King Tarpinian, who can be
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reached for last minute bookings or other information at (818) 246-7286.
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Atari has let it be known that they have some very special things
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planned for this show, and even Elie Kenan, new General Manager at
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Atari, has taken part in coordinating the advertising for the show in
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major papers and on radio. Bob Brodie and many other Atari employees
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will be attending.
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A first for any show will be a LYNX-LINK PLAYOFF, similar in concept to
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the Midi-Maze competitions that have been popular at many events.
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Prizes for those competing in the continuous multi-player LYNX games
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will include, of course, Lynx game units and lots of game carts.
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Late word says that Portfolio developer Xetoerix will display a
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remarkable 20 meg hard drive for the palm size Portfolio computer.
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New seminars being planned include a hands-on HOTZ MIDI TRANSLATOR
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session and a pair of PORTFOLIO -classes-.
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FREE TICKETS TO GLENDALE SHOW
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John King Tarpinian is offering FREE tickets to the Glendale Atari Show.
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Regular admission will be $5.00 each day and only $3.00 for any Atari
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user group members with membership identification. In the interests of
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helping to support a wide mix and representation of Atari users from
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other states, John will also send up to 10 pairs of FREE tickets ($60.00
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worth), to any requesting user group based outside of the Southern
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California area. Requests should come from a club officer and tickets
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are not for resale except to members for the benefit of the club
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treasury. Act soon to allow mailing time.
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Remember, the show is this September 15 and 16. Call John at (818)
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246-7286 at reasonable times. (Pacific Time)
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ATARI STE FIXED
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Sources close to Atari have let it be known that the hard drive
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operation problem in the Atari STe computers has been eradicated
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completely in the new production machines now leaving Sunnyvale.
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Since no official statement has as yet been made by Atari regarding the
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resolution of the nastyu DMA problem, Z*NET has asked Bob Brodie to
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investigate and make an official response to our inquiry about it. We
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hope to have the last word on this and on the handling of exisiting
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machines very soon.
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ST-WORLD SENT THE FRAUDULENT FAX
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A joint statement is expected shortly from Atari Corp and former
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ST-World Magazine owner Richard Tsukiji, explaining that investigation
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of the -Bob Brodie FAX- incident has determined that the fax was in fact
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sent from the ST-World offices, but from persons unknown. The FAX in
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question falsely purported to be from Atari Manager of User Group
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Services, Bob Brodie, and urged a boycott of World of Atari shows.
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ST-World Magazine offices were closed and Tsukiji was allegedly out
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of the state on July 2, 1990, when the FAX was sent.
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Tsukiji is said to suspect that disgruntled former ST-World employees
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sent the damaging FAX. Tsukiji transferred ownership of the magazine
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to several employees for the sum of $1.00, bypassing other employees and
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editors who had expected to take over the ST publication.
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LYNX OWNERS UPDATE
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Are you tired of scanning through page after page of Nintendo stuff in
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video game magazines just so you can find a little Lynx news? Don't you
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wish there was... oh, I don't know..a newsletter that was devoted solely
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to Lynx news and game tips. Well now there is.
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APE (Atari Portable Entertainment) is a quarterly newsletter that covers
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the Lynx exclusively. The June Premiere issue features Summer Consumer
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Electronics Show news, Lynx Game Secrets, tips and hints for California
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Games, Blue Lightning, Chip's Challenge, Electrocop, Gates of Zendocon,
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and Gauntlet 3.
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The editor of APE is Clinton Smith. Smith is an avid Atari game player
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and has written several reviews for Atari Explorer and has some coming
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up in STart. If you're interested in subscribing now, (you'll receive
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the free Premiere issue automatically) send your Check or money order
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payable to Clinton Smith for $6.00 to:
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APE SUBSCRIPTION
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2104 NORTH KOSTNER
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CHICAGO,IL 60639
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INK CARTRIDGE REBATE
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The Haystack Company we will be offering $7.00 for your dispensed Desk
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Jet Ink Cartridges. Just send them the empty cartridge, being very
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careful not to damage it, and they'll send you a check for $7.00
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immediately.
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The units are needed for testing. This is a limited time offer since
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they are only looking for a fixed amount. Depending on the response,
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the offer could expire at any time. However, they will guarentee the
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offer until September 23, 1990. Send to:
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The Haystack Co.
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215 West 88th St.
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Room 8G
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New York, N.Y. 10024
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HP TOLL-FREE HOTLINE
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Hewlett-Packard now has a US only toll free telephone number (1-800-233-
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5153) that customers can call to determine if their HP LaserJet IIP
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printer is one of approx 70,000 manufactured during the early months of
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the printer's release that have faulty power supplies. HP will replace
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the power supply of affected HP LaserJet IIP printers at no charge.
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Customers in Canada should contact their local HP-authorized dealer or
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HP customer-service center. The failures do not represent a safety
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hazard but will result in a front control panel message -50 NEEDS
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SERVICE- that halts operation of the printer.
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Owners of this printer purchased before March 1990 are encouraged to
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call the toll-free number. Customers who have printers with faulty
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power supplies will be given the option to:
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- contact their local HP authorized dealer or HP customer-service center
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to have the power supply replaced free of charge
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- return the printer to HP and receive a remanufactured printer with a
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full one-year warranty in exchange
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GENIE OFFERS FLAT MONTHLY RATE
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The GEnie online service announced last week the introduction of a flat
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subscription rate of just $4.95 (US) per month including unlimited, non-
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prime time access to more than 100 products and services.
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The rate for US access to those GEnie service products/services not
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covered under the flat monthly rate has been set at just $6 per hour
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during non-prime time for all three access speeds of (300, 1200 and
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2400 baud).
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The prime time rate will remain at $18 per hour for all three access
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speeds. In Canada, the monthly subscription rate is $5.95 (Canadian),
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with a non-prime time rate of $8 (Canadian) per hour for all three
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access speeds.
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The $29.95 sign up fee for the GEnie service also has been eliminated
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for all new subscribers effective immediately. If a subscriber does
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not like the new service, they can cancel their membership and the GEnie
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service will refund the $4.95 subscription fee to them.
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NINTENDO UPDATE
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Nintendo has launched 3 television commercials which showcase Nintendo's
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creative philosophy: having fun through game play transcends all ages.
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Incorporating real-life scenarios in all 3 commercials, Nintendo
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demonstrates how its Game Boy portable video game system can play a role
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in the lifestyles of two disparate age groups: kids and teens, ages
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6-17; and adult males, ages 18-49.
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|*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*|
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|*| GLENDALE ATARIFEST |*|
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|*| Press Release |*|
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|*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*|
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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* THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ATARI COMPUTER FAIRE version 4.0b *
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* ...also known as -THE GLENDALE SHOW- *
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* *
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* September 15 and 16, 1990, at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, *
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* 1401 Verdugo Road, Glendale, California. Hours are 10 AM - *
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* 6 PM Saturday, and 10 AM - 5 PM Sunday. Admission is $5.00, *
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* or only $3.00 with any Atari User Group membership I.D. *
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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The Glendale Atari Faire is a User Group sponsored tradition in Southern
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California, the West Coast's Premier Atari event since 1986. This will
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be the fourth show in five years at the same large auditorium in
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Glendale, California, just a few minutes from Burbank Airport and
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convenient to all of the metropolitan Los Angeles area. An attendance
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of over 4,000 is realistically anticipated, considering previous year's
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performances. Last year's Glendale show was cancelled due to
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conflicting dates with another show, which was then itself cancelled.
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With one month left before the show, organizer John King Tarpinian says
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that he is nearly sold out of the original floor space planned for use
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in the Glendale Civic Auditorium. He adds that if demand keeps up,
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convenient, quality additional space can be arranged. John says that
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the developers that appeared at the recent San Jose World of Atari show
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are booked for Glendale, plus lots more. Publicity for the Glendale
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show, including the vendor list, has been low key until now to avoid
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drawing attention away from that San Jose show.
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Here is the Glendale Show List of vendors, both of confirmed and
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unconfirmed -but likely- to attend. There are 45 of them so far, plus
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at least five user groups, making Glendale perhaps the biggest US Atari
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show of all time!
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ATARI Corporation American Music
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Best Electronics Bill Skurski Enterprises
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Branch Always Software BRE
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Beckmeyer Carter Graphics
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CodeHead SoftWare Computer Network
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C.O.P. D.A. Brumleve
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Datel Double Click
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FAST Technology Gadgets by Small
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Gold Leaf Gribnif
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Groves School of Music ICD
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ISD King's Domain
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Lexicor MegaMax
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Michtron MicroCreations
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Mid-Cities Migraph
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Neocept Practical Solutions
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Safari Fonts S.D.S.
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Sierra Seymour-Radix
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SliccWare STart
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ST Informer ST Journal
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Sprokits Supra Corp.
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Talon WuzTek
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XETOERIX Zubair Interfaces
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Z*Net News Service ... and more to come!
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Atari Corporation has promised major support including a very large
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display of the entire Atari Computer line of products. You can expect
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to see LOTS of the ST, STE, MEGA, STACY, PORTFOLIO, LYNX, and even the
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TT030 computers. Many of Atari's employees will be on hand to show and
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discuss the machines. Advertising and promotion of this user-group show
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is being provided through the generousity of Atari.
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User Groups will include HACKS, ACES, ACAOC, NOCCC, SBACE, BACE, and
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more. Volunteers from the groups will be providing the support for the
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entire show, including setup, loading and unloading, security, and
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staffing. They will also be available for short periods to assist
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vendors in their booths. All volunteers will be given a custom Canvas
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Tote Bag and Sun Visor (this is California!) with the Atari emblem on
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each. These are limited production and will be for volunteers only, NOT
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for sale! There will also be three $100 drawings, one each day of the
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effort, for volunteers only.
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Many seminars are already booked, including several with ATARI's BOB
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BRODIE, other officials, and technical support people. Other seminars
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that are planned at this time:
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* Desktop Publishing with CALAMUS - Nathan Potechin of ISD
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* Software Speeding up the ST/TT - Darek Mihocka of BRA-SOFT
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* Int. Assoc. of Atari Developers - Nathan Potechin, Chairperson
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* INTRODUCING NEODESK 3 - Rick Flashman of Gribnif
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* DAVE SMALL TALKS/MAC EMULATION - Dave Small of Gadgets by Small
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* NEW FROM CODEHEAD - Charles F. Johnson of CodeHead Software
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* Kids and Atari Computers -
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* PC Emulation -
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* ST Magazines and Online Newsletters -
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...with more to be added and announced at the show.
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Door prizes, including a wide variety of software, accessories, and
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computer paraphanalia, will be awarded every hour, with some extra
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special drawings as well.
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Lodging information: The Burbank Hilton weekend rate is $59 per day.
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This hotel is adjacent to the Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena Airport, and
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will be where the Atari Corporation employees will be staying. Contact
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the Burbank Hilton at 818-843-6000. The Glendale Holiday Inn is the
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closest hotel to the show itself, and the weekend rate is $89 per day.
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Contact the Holiday Inn at 818-965-0202. These rates and hotels are
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neither endorsed or guaranteed by the organizers. Neither hotel is
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within walking distance to the Auditorium. This is Los Angeles, folks..
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expect to use CARS. Don't worry about traffic jams in this area,
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however.
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Directions to the show (once you have found Glendale, which is a
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Northern central suburb of Los Angeles): Take the Mountain exit of the
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-2- freeway and go West (down the hill) one block. Or, from the -134-
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freeway, take the Glendale Avenue exit, and go North one mile (Glendale
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Ave will become Verdugo Road). The Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401
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Verdugo Road, is on the NORTH side of Verdugo. Large parking lots are
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on the WEST side of the building, with metered parking for TEN CENTS AN
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HOUR.
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The final booth sales, seminar schedule, and advertising space in the
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program are being arranged now. More information is available from the
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show organizer, John King Tarpinian, 818-246-7286, or by mail at 246
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North Brand #321, Glendale, California, 91203.
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|*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*|
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|*| PRINTNIG 3 1/2- X 15/16- |*|
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|*| LABELS WITH DAISY-DOT III |*|
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|*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*|
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by Roy Goldman
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(This document assumes familiarity with the Daisy-Dot III near letter
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quality printing system. For information about DD3 send a SASE to Roy
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Goldman, 2440 S Jasmine, Denver, CO 80222)
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COPY THIS FILE TO YOUR PRINTER (P:)
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INTRODUCTION
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------------
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One of the new features of Daisy-Dot III is variable page length
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support, which allows the program to keep track of pages regardless of
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page size, font or line spacing combination used.
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The DD3 Print Processor Customizer restricts the minimum page length to
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288/72- (4-) to avoid possible problems caused by top/bottom margin
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overlap and printing of large fonts with large line spacing.
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Unfortunately, this restriction makes it difficult to effectively print
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popular continuous form 3 1/2- X 15/16- labels (with 1/16- between
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labels).
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The following suggested modifications set the page length to 1- for
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proper control of these labels. But as a price for this flexibility,
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the user must become responsible for setting both the top and bottom
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margins to zero and making sure that font and line spacing sizes aren't
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too large when creating the labels. I recommend that you apply these
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modifications to a copy of DD3PP to be used ONLY for labels and that you
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continue to use a copy of DD3PP configured by the unmodified customizer
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for every other printing application.
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MODIFICATIONS
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-------------
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Enter BASIC in your system, and type:
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LOAD -Dn:PPCUSTOM.BAS-
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where n is the drive containing an unmodified copy of the Print
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Processor Customizer.
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You need modify only two lines, 6010 and 6020, so type:
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LIST 6010,6020
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Change the 288 in line 6010 to 72 and press [RETURN].
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Change the 287 in line 6020 to 71, change the 98 in line 6020 to 70, and
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press [RETURN].
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To double check the changes, type:
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LIST 6010,6020
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again. They should look like this:
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6010 POSITION 2,17:? -Page Length (72-1008/72-;CHR$(34);-):-;:INPUT TEMP
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6020 IF TEMP>71 AND TEMP<1009 AND TOP+BOT+70<TEMP AND TEMP=INT(TEMP)THEN
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LENGTH=TEMP
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Next, save the file under a different name. Try:
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SAVE -Dn:PPCLABEL.BAS-
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where n is the destination drive.
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Next, run the customizer by typing:
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RUN [RETURN]
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Make sure you change the following settings on the customizer menu, in
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the order listed:
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Enter T, 0, and [RETURN].
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Enter B, 0, and [RETURN].
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Enter N, 72, and [RETURN].
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Enter W, 120, and [RETURN].
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You might as well also change the left and right margins; I suggest
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setting both to zero (a zero setting will still provide the -built-in-
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1/4- inch margins):
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Enter E, 0, and [RETURN].
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Enter R, 0, and [RETURN].
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Next, press [L] and specify the location of the DD3PP file to be
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modified.
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(Any other settings not specified above may be changed as desired.)
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Finally, press [SPACE] to customize the program.
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MAKING A LABEL
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--------------
|
|
Here's a sample session for creating and printing several copies of an
|
|
address label.
|
|
|
|
Run your word processor and type:
|
|
|
|
\cRoy Goldman [RETURN]
|
|
2440 South Jasmine [RETURN]
|
|
Denver, CO 80222 [RETURN]
|
|
|
|
Save the file as LABEL. Use this basic technique for every label--
|
|
experiment to see how many lines of your favorite font will fit on a
|
|
label. Almost every DD3 feature can be used within a label.
|
|
|
|
WARNING: Never modify the top or bottom margins.
|
|
WARNING: Make sure that the combined height of a font and the line
|
|
spacing is always less than an inch (i.e. avoid quadruple height fonts
|
|
and avoid large line spacing values).
|
|
|
|
Run the copy of DD3PP modified earlier. Specify MADRID as the font
|
|
(after inserting the appropriate disk) and LABEL as the text file.
|
|
|
|
Insert the label form into your printer and press [START] to print.
|
|
If the address isn't vertically aligned correctly within the label,
|
|
change the alignment manually and try again. Continue this process
|
|
until it is vertically centered within the label. Once the first one is
|
|
okay, press C, 5, [RETURN], and [START] to print five more copies.
|
|
|
|
CONCLUSION
|
|
----------
|
|
By following the suggestions in this document, DD3 can be used to easily
|
|
print labels.
|
|
|
|
In most cases, the page control feature is very accurate. However, with
|
|
some fonts, there may be very small alignment discrepancies between
|
|
labels that could become apparent if too many labels are printed at one
|
|
time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*|
|
|
|*| 8-BIT PUBLIC DOMAIN UPDATE |*|
|
|
|*| by Ron Kovacs |*|
|
|
|*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* GEM.ARC - Printer utility to setup your printer from DOS. Uses
|
|
Sparta command line with parameter passing or a menu with less capable
|
|
DOS's. Written in ACTION! with source for easy reconfiguring with
|
|
other printers.
|
|
|
|
* APACSHW2.OBJ - Latest version of APACSHOW, the slide show program.
|
|
This version works correctly with DOS 2.0/2.5, displays in an
|
|
interlaced mode, (gets rid of those annoying black lines in APAC),
|
|
and fixes a few other bugs.
|
|
|
|
* APACVW20.ARC - Latest version of APACVIEW decodes and displays GIF
|
|
images in APAC (256 color) mode. It also allows you to create color-
|
|
separations (.R, .G, .B) for viewing with COLRVIEW in 80 x 192
|
|
resolution with 4096 colors. This version also has some additional
|
|
fixes noted in the doc file.
|
|
|
|
* SPLIB12.ARC - Sparta Library 1.2. Disk cataloger program. Runs under
|
|
SpartaDOS only. Reads SpartaDOS, DOS 2.x, maybe MYDOS, disks.
|
|
Features automatic subdirectory reads, describes and sorts by volume
|
|
name, subdirectory name, file name and file description. Fixes bugs
|
|
in version 1.1 and contains support files.
|
|
|
|
* VT52100.DCM - This file is an update to an early version vt52/vt100
|
|
terminal emulator. A bug in the old version that affected the
|
|
backspace (and a few other keys) in half duplex mode only. This
|
|
program is 100% machine language, offers a very complete emulation of
|
|
a VT100 as well as VT52 terminal, and has xmodem and ascii file
|
|
transfer capabilities.
|
|
|
|
* MFD35.DCM - This file must be expanded using Diskcomm 3.2 or higher
|
|
to create the MFD 3.5 disk. Atari DOS 3 and XL/XE machine required.
|
|
This is the newest version of the Master File Directory also known as
|
|
the File Organizer. It includes all features of older version plus
|
|
more, like the ability to delete unwanted records and new ways to
|
|
search records. If you use any one of the older versions (1.5 or 2.0)
|
|
you need, along with this file, the upgrade kit. New users only need
|
|
this one. You MUST read the docs before using the program because it
|
|
can't be used as it comes from the archive. Some setup is needed
|
|
before using the program for the first time. Due to a minor quirk
|
|
related to screen handling (which DOES NOT affect program operation)
|
|
you should hold OPTION during boot-up even though the docs tell you
|
|
this isn't necessary. Not doing this may produce annoying garbage in
|
|
the screen when you search records. This can also be fixed by re-
|
|
starting the program by pressing RESET once it has booted.
|
|
Documentation is NOT included in this archive.
|
|
|
|
* MFD35DOC.ARC - This file contains the docs for the new Master File
|
|
Directory 3.5. If you use any of the older versions be sure to get
|
|
the upgrade kit.
|
|
|
|
* UPGRADEKIT.ARC - This is intended only for users of the older versions
|
|
of the Master File Directory also known as the File Organizer. This
|
|
archive contains a program that will convert the data files you use
|
|
with your older version to the format used in the new 3.5 version.
|
|
Included are the docs to this program. You need to have Atari DOS 3
|
|
and XL/XE machine with at least 64K.
|
|
|
|
* PSDEMO.ARC - ARC file with PS icon fonts and a text file demonstrates
|
|
how to incorporate Print Shop icons (converted with PSTODD3B) into
|
|
documents to be printed with Daisy-Dot III. Included are 4 Icon fonts
|
|
and a total of over 50 fonts (fancy alphabet, Atari icons, horoscope
|
|
and Bart Simpson). The demo itself doesn't require PSTODD3B but does
|
|
require the registered version of DD3. You will need PSTODD3 to make
|
|
your own icon fonts. From DD3, choose ROMAN2 as the initial font and
|
|
TEST.TXT as the text file. Make sure all other font files in ARC file
|
|
(*.NL?) are on the default drive. Demo prepared by John McGowan from
|
|
Columbia, MO.
|
|
|
|
* SLOGRO.ARC - A model of diffusion limited aggregation: a particle is
|
|
released from the edge of a circle and wanders on a random walk until
|
|
it hits a central dot and becomes -stuck- in place. This continues
|
|
with additional particles until a -dust-ball- of accumualted dots
|
|
fills the screen. This program is released by the author to
|
|
demonstrate one of the educational disks available from Bresnik
|
|
Software.
|
|
|
|
* BASICMOD.COM - Change BASIC rev. B to C; quiet the noise during disk
|
|
access; speed key repeat; increase screen contrast; autoload a program
|
|
in BASIC that is named -HELLO- [no extension]. This program loads
|
|
into memory on page 6 and is protected against -RESET-.
|
|
|
|
* THEPLAYR.ARC - The Music Player plays AMS I or AMS II tunes. If you
|
|
have a 2nd pokey installed it will play in 16-bit stereo, 8-bit
|
|
stereo, or 8-bit mono. Up to 69 files can be seen on the screen.
|
|
Autoplay, Tag, Untag, and Play Tagged are some of the options. You
|
|
can switch modes (16-bit S, 8-bit S, or 8-bit M) while a tune is
|
|
playing. The name of the song being played is displayed on the piano
|
|
screen. This is a GOOD AMS player. If you haven't done Chuck's Gumby
|
|
upgrade yet, this should give you a reason to.
|
|
|
|
These files are available on the services and locals BBS systems.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*|
|
|
|*| XF551 8-BIT HARDWARE MOD |*|
|
|
|*| A Project by Mike Stevens |*|
|
|
|*||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||*|
|
|
(Reprinted from the Puget Sound Atari News, April 1990)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, I think I've found the ultimate disk drive for the 8-bit computer.
|
|
I'm the AUGIE 8-bit Librarian and that means I handle a lot of disks
|
|
which takes a lot of time and disk space. Since time is money, as the
|
|
saying goes, I am always on the look out for anything that will save me
|
|
some of either. Well, when I heard about the XF35 kit from Innovative
|
|
Concepts, I was a little skeptical. But I thought, -If it works, boy,
|
|
oh boy, will I have it made!-
|
|
|
|
The IC ad said, -Now XF551 owners can convert their drive to the newer
|
|
3.5- format and have a massive 720K of storage! Works with MYDOS,
|
|
SpartaDOS, and the SpartaDOS X cartridge. Excellent for BBS use, hard
|
|
drive backup, or use as a mini-hard drive!- The kit includes an upgrade
|
|
ROM chip, adapting cables and complete instructions. The 3.5- drive was
|
|
not part of the kit nor did I need it to be. Here in Southern
|
|
California we have a lot of electronic swap meets and the one I went to
|
|
for my 3.5 drive is the -General Dynamics HAM Radio swap meet-. At this
|
|
swap meet you can find almost anything in the area of electronics,
|
|
computers and accessories. I found a seller who had three Cannon 3.5-
|
|
DD-DS disk drives that he was willing to just about give away. So I
|
|
gave him $10.00 for all three. One worked perfectly, another one
|
|
wouldn't format every time but otherwise worked fine, the last one will
|
|
be good for parts.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, after a phone call to IC, and a week's wait, I had my kit and
|
|
all the rest of the parts I needed to install the new 3.5- drive in my
|
|
XF551. Everything went in just like it was supposed to. I'm sure glad
|
|
that IBM parts are all pretty much standardized. One change I would
|
|
recommend, however, is not desoldering the cable connector from the
|
|
printed circuit board. You're just asking for problems if you aren't
|
|
really good at that sort of thing. Instead, just pry the top clip off
|
|
of the connector and firmly press the new cable (the one in the kit)
|
|
into place. Then put the clip back on the connector. It is really that
|
|
simple.
|
|
|
|
The kit instructions gives you the option of either leaving your 5.25-
|
|
drive mechanism in the case and installing the 3.5- drive externally, or
|
|
replacing the 5.25- drive mechanism with the 3.5- drive by use of an
|
|
adapter. I chose the internal option because I already own an AMDEC
|
|
with four IBM type 5.25- DD-DS disk drives attached to it. In fact the
|
|
XF551's drive mechanism is now number one on the AMDEC.
|
|
|
|
The instructions were clear and easy to follow. I really appreciate
|
|
someone who takes the time to write good directions, since it makes all
|
|
the difference in the world between a project like this being a pleasure
|
|
or a nightmare. In this case I'll brag about these instructions and say
|
|
that they make this Mod 'a piece of cake'.
|
|
|
|
Now to the good stuff: Using the modified XF551 or XF35 as it's called.
|
|
I can't say enough about the practical aspects of this drive setup.
|
|
After some experimentation I decided to use SpartaDOS and DiskCom
|
|
together for my software. What I wanted to do was have the club's
|
|
library available anytime without having to carry three or four hundred
|
|
disks around with me all the time. As it worked out I've been able to
|
|
put four to five double-sided 5.25- disks on each 3.5- disk. The
|
|
combination of SpartaDOS and Disk Com means that I can read and
|
|
duplicate in virtually any density or DOS situation I come across. I
|
|
love it! I now only need to keep sixty or so 3.5- disks handy and they
|
|
are little disks at that. I ask you, can it get any better? It's
|
|
easier than carrying around a hard drive. Let's see .... 737K times 60
|
|
plus disks, ummm, well I'm sure it's more than 30 megs.
|
|
|
|
Another really great application for the XF35 is in telecommunications.
|
|
SpartaDOS plus the Express 212 program handles the XF35 drive like a
|
|
dream. I can up- or down-load huge files (compressed ARCed or text)
|
|
with the greatest of ease. By the way, Text Pro 3.2r also loves the
|
|
XF35. I haven't begun to scratch the surface of the potential
|
|
applications for this wondrous modification. -XF35- where have you been
|
|
all my 8-bit life? I just love it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
=======================================================================
|
|
Z*MAGAZINE Atari 8-Bit Online Magazine is a bi-weekly magazine covering
|
|
the Atari and related computer community. Material contained in this
|
|
edition may be reprinted without permission, except where otherwise
|
|
noted, unedited, with the issue number, name and author included at
|
|
the top of each reprinted article. Commentary and opinions presented
|
|
are those of the individual author and does not necessarily reflect
|
|
the opinions of Z*MAGAZINE or the staff. Z*Magazine Atari 8-Bit Online
|
|
Magazine, Z*Net Atari Online Magazine, Z*Net are copyright (c)1990 by
|
|
Rovac Industries Inc, a registered corporation. Post Office Box 59,
|
|
Middlesex, New Jersey 08846. (908) 968-2024. Z*Net Online BBS 24
|
|
Hours, 1200/2400 Baud, (908) 968-8148. We can be reached on CompuServe
|
|
at 71777,2140 and on GEnie at Z-NET.
|
|
=======================================================================
|
|
Z*Magazine Atari 8-Bit Online Magazine
|
|
Copyright (c)1990, Rovac Industries, Inc..
|
|
=======================================================================
|