Welcome to comp.sys.atari.st!
Steven D Ourada
Welcome to comp.sys.atari.st! Please read this FAQ before posting a question
to comp.sys.atari.st, since a lot of common questions are answered here.
Thanks to David Paschall-Zimbel (dav...@simvax.labmed.umn.edu) for
compiling most of this FAQ.
Entries are dated by the last change. ??.??.?? means they were last changed
before the dates were added.
The following is an index of the questions answered in this part of the FAQ.
For easy access to a particular question, search for the tag surrounded by
colons (i. e. :GNU:). Questions marked with '*' are new or changed.
WEL Welcome to comp.sys.atari.st
EMILY Hints from Emily Postnews
BOOKS What books are available for the Atari ST?
DEV How do I become a developer for the Atari ST?
ERR What does TOS ERROR nn mean?
FREE What is Free-Net and how can I get access?
MAGS What magazines are available for the Atari ST?
TIPS TIPS AND HINTS from other users
ZNET Where can I get copies of ZNET?
EXPLOR Where can I get copies of Atari Explorer Online?
PD Where can I get Public Domain/Shareware software?
MAIL E-Mail file servers
FTP Anonymous FTP servers
COMP Atari-related companies
IAAD Independent Atari Developers
CREDIT Who has contributed to the FAQ?
:WEL: ??.??.??
Welcome to comp.sys.atari.st
============================
This newsgroup is devoted to discussion about 16 and 32 bit Atari micros. At
present that includes the Atari 520ST, 1040ST, Mega ST, STe, STacy, Mega STe,
and the Atari TT. There are also emulators for the Apple Macintosh and IBM
PC/XT/AT available.
Most of the people who read this newsgroup are technically oriented.
The newsgroup serves as a resource for Atari users ... feel free to
contribute to the discussions.
Associated newsgroups include:
comp.binaries.atari.st ! uuencoded binary programs
comp.sys.atari.st.tech ! technical programming/hardware topics
comp.sources.atari.st ! uuencoded/shar sources
:EMILY: ??.??.??
Hints from Emily Postnews
=========================
(Thanks to John Henders (jhen...@jonh.wimsey.bc.ca) for this bit of
_humor_.)
Emily Postnews Visits comp.sys.atari.st
( Due to popular demand, (well at least one persone asked anyways),
Emily has taken time out of her busy schedule to answer a few commonly
asked questions specific to c.s.a.st. )
Dear Emily.
Some Amiga user is raving on c.s.a.st about how wonderful
his computer is, and how awful mine is. What should I do?
signed My Computer is NOT a Toy.
Dear My Computer, etc,etc.
Many people's egos are so tied to their possessions, they
have to affirm their existance by raving about the superiority
of their machine to anyone who will listen. You should immediately
flame these people into cinders, using every rumour or misconception
you've ever heard about their brand of computer, as this will cause
lots of posts, and develop into a massive flame war, which is one
of the main reasons most people read c.s.a.st. If this didn't happen
every six months, everybody would unsubscibe to this newsgroups from
boredom.
Or, you could put comp.sys.amiga.advocacy in the Followup to:
line, and any article replying to yours would go to the newsgroup
designed for this discussion.
Or, if your newsreader supports it, you could build a KILL FILE,
which eliminates any post that has the word Amiga in it.
Kill files can be created in rn and trn by hitting the 'K' key.
This will make a kill file based on the article you were reading
at the time. Then control K will put that file in the editor for you
to play with. You use the same regexp commands here that are in rn.
For example. /[Ff]oo/h:j would search all headers of unread articles
for both Foo and foo, and junk them. Check the docs for your newsreader
for further details.
Dear Emily.
I like flame wars, and want to start one of my own, so my name
will be as famous as Richard Covert's.
Signed, Too much Time on My Hands.
Dear Too much time.
Sorry it took so long to reply, but Richard's in my kill file
and someone had to forward your post to me, or I'd never have seen it.
Flame wars are fun. They're the main reason people creted Usenet,
and should be encouraged at every opertunity.
Some of the most common tricks for starting flame wars are as
follows.
1: Post a note in another newsgroup telling all the users there that
they own a piece of junk, and if they had a half a brain, they'd have the
same computer you do, as it's obviously the best.
2: Toss a bit of slander against another computer in a totally
unrelated post. This guarantees a follow up, even if your original
post wasn't of any interest.
3: Create a signature file that has a put down of another computer
in it. This will get flame wars going in threads that have completely
unrelated Subject: lines, thus slipping through all but he most exacting
kill files.
I hope you find these tips handy in creating your next flame war.
And just remember, your computer MUST be the best, after all, it's yours.
:BOOKS: ??.??.??
What books are available for the Atari ST?
==========================================
The (Almost) Complete Guide to Atari Reference Books
Atari Coropration
1196 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Atari TOS Developer's Kit
Atari has now make the developer's documentation public. See DEV above
for more information.
Atari UK Software Support
Atari
Atari House
Railway Terrace
Slough, BERKS
United Kingdom
SL2 5BZ
Tel 0753 53344
"A few people have asked for more info on the release by Atari UK of
the programming docs. They have been released as 5 books."
Programming Guides GEMDOS/BIOS & general programming. 238 pages. #29.99.
(# = the British pound). Still Another Line A Doc (SALAD), Intelligent
keyboard protocol, chkdsk3 docs, midi assoc address sheet.
Programming Guides New machines. 184 pages. #29.99.
Rainbow TOS release notes, STE developers addendum, STE TOS release
notes, TT030 TOS release notes, TT030 hardware ref manual, VMS expansion
for TT & MegaSTe. Includes 2 disks of utilities, examples, xcontrol &
docs.
Programming Guides - GEM VDI
Programming Guides - GEM AES - combined books. 514 pages. #49.99
All the above together #99.99
Hardware and Chip Specs. 228 pages. #29.99
Engineering hardware spec, ACSI, MC6850, 68901, ay3-8910, wd1770, blitter
Monitor & cartridge port. Also schematics.
[Info from a posting by Iain Laskey dated 30 Nov 1991]
Compute! Publications,Inc.
PO Box 5406,Greensboro NC
27403(919-275-9809)
Computes Technical Refence Guide Volume One. VDI
Sheldon Leeman
ISBN 0-87455-093-9
Computes Technical Refence Guide Volume Two. AES
Sheldon Leeman
ISBN 0-87455-114-5
Computes Technical Refence Guide Volume Three. TOS
Sheldon Leeman
ISBN 0-87455-149-8
Learning C. Programming Graphics on the Amiga and Atari ST.
Marc B. Sugiyama and Christopher D. Metcalf
ISBN 0-87455-064-5
Compute's ST Applications Guide. Programming in C
Simon Feild,Kathleen Mandis and Dave Myers
ISBN 0-87455-078-5
Scott,Foresman and Company.
Professional Publishing Group
1900 East Lake Avenue,Glenville IL
600025
Learning C on the Atari ST
Joseph Boyle Wikert
ISBN 0-673-18738-1
Sybex Inc.
2344 Sixth St.
Berkely,CA
94710
Programmers Guide To GEM
Phillip Balma and William Fitler
ISBN 0-553-34397-1
Taylor Ridge Books
PO Box 48
Manchester, Connecticut (no zip listed) usa
(203)643-9673
C-manship Complete, $19.95
Calyton Walnum
No ISBN
"a decent book on programming your st gem/aes/vdi plus other stuff that is
based on the 31 articles that Clayton Walnum wrote for Analog. It was written
on a mega 4 with Calamus."
Addison-Wesley Pub.
68000 Assembly Language
Donal Kantz & James Stanley
ISBN 0-201-11659-6
"An interesting book on 68000 for the Atari (and amiga too, but both in
the abstract)"
Assembly Language Programming
Robert Arp
Disk archives, not published in paper at this time.
"It is an excellent guide to assembly languuage programming. It is very
large and takes quite a while to make a hard copy if you desire to do so.
The file names are arp68k-book.tar (the text) and arp68k-pix.Z.tar
(.img files to go along with the text)."
****************************************************************
*
* THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT
*
Abacus Software,Inc.
5370 52nd Street,S.E.
Grand Rapids,MI
49508
Atari ST Internals
K Gerits,L. Englisch and R. Bruckmann
ISBN 0-916439-46-1
Atari ST GEM Programmers Reference
Norbert Szczepanowski and Bernt Gunther
ISBN 0-916439-52-6
Atari ST 3d Graphics Programming
Uwe Braun
ISBN 0-916439-69-0
Atari ST Disk Drives Inside and Out
Uwe Brawn,Stephan Dittrich and Axel Schramm
ISBN 0-916439-84
Atari ST Machine Language
B.Grohmann,P.eidler and H.Slibar
ISBN 0-916439-48-8
Atari ST Introduction to MIDI Programming
Len Dorfman and Dennis Young
ISBN 0-916439-77-1
Bantam Books,Inc.
666 5th Avenue
New York,New York
10103
Atari ST Application Programming
Lawrence J. Pollack and Eric J.T.Weber
ISBN 0-553-34397-1
****************************************************************
*
* This List can be freely distributed and added to
* All I ask is that people identify the added information as
* their own
* John Henders
* Vancouver,BC
* On Usenet uunet!ubc-cs!van-bc!jhenders
* On ForumST John henders@448
* On GEnie c/o D.LEMAY2
*
* C-Manship & 68000 Assembley Language suggested by Joe Gaudreau [DPZ]
* Robert Arp's Assembley Language book suggested by David P. Forrai [DPZ]
:DEV: ??.??.??
How do I become a developer for the Atari ST?
=============================================
Contact Gail Bacani, Atari Rep Person, (408)745-2022
[UNITED STATES ONLY. IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, CONTACT
YOUR COUNTRY'S ATARI HEADQUARTERS FOR MORE INFORMATION.]
Gail can explain the program to you, and send an information packet if you
desire.
Atari has gone to a 2-tier developer membership. The 'higher quality'
developer support goes to commercial developers, and costs $250. The
'no-hand-holding, no announcement of company future products, no access
to discounted hardware' goes to noncommercial developers, at an initial cost
of $125, plus $50 renewal fee each year.
Both tiers receive the ST/TT Developer Kit and all developers have to fill
in an application form and a non-disclosure agreement. Contact Gail for
more information.
Atari is now selling the developer's kit (or parts of it) seperately. No
project-in-development or non-disclosure agreement is necessary.
:ERR: ??.??.??
What does TOS ERROR nn mean?
What do the bombs on my screen mean?
====================================
The information below was written, in part, by Darryl May, and posted on
GEnie in January (of ????) by John Townsend. The original also appeared in
the June 1988 issue of _Current Notes_ (122 N. Johnson Rd., Sterling, VA
22170). It has since found its way to me, and is being posted to
comp.sys.atari.st as a service to readers.
Alan Pratt wrote to tell me that the basic information may be correct, but
that it cannot be dubbed "official" unless it originates, on paper, from
Atari. This makes sense, as electronic communications are easily
modified, even accidentally.
Roland Waldi provided information regarding the difference between TOS and
GEM return codes which appears to be correct. The tables have been modified
to reflect his information.
The following is an unofficial list of the errors that can appear
while you are operating your ST computer.
Error description return code alert box #
======================================================
OK (no error)....................0
Fundamental error...............-1
Drive not ready.................-2
Unknown command.................-3
CRC error.......................-4
Bad request.....................-5
Seek error......................-6
Unknown media...................-7
Sector not found................-8
No paper........................-9
Write fault....................-10
Read fault.....................-11
General error..................-12
Write protect..................-13
Media change...................-14
Unknown device.................-15
Bad sectors on format..........-16
Insert other disk..............-17
Invalid function number........-32............1
File not found.................-33............2
Path not found.................-34............3
No handles left................-35............4
Access denied..................-36............5
Invalid handle.................-37............6
Insufficient memory............-39............8
Invalid memory block address...-40............9
Invalid drive specified........-46...........15
No more files..................-49...........18
Range error....................-64...........33
Internal error.................-65...........34
Invalid program load format....-66...........35
The last code is the infamous "TOS error 35"!
Also, some unofficial information via Alan Pratt:
Notably, you should add -48: ENSAME (not the same drive, occurs when
you call Frename and the two names you give aren't on the same drive),
and -67: EGSBF: you can't use Mshrink to GROW a block of memory.
Those bombs that appear on your screen are error messages from
the 68000 micro-processor.
Number
Description of bombs
===========================================
Reset: Initial PC2...............1
Bus Error........................2
Address Error....................3
Illegal Instruction..............4
Zero Divide......................5
CHK Instruction..................6
TRAPV Instruction................7
Privilege Violation..............8
Trace............................9
Line 1010 Emulator..............10
Line 1111 Emulator..............11
[unassigned, reserved]..........12
[unassigned, reserved]..........13
Format Error....................14
Uninitialized Interrupt Vector..15
[unassigned, reserved].......16-23
Spurious Interrupt..............24
Level 1 Interrupt Autovector....25
Level 2 Interrupt Autovector....26
Level 3 Interrupt Autovector....27
Level 4 Interrupt Autovector....28
Level 5 Interrupt Autovector....29
Level 6 Interrupt Autovector....30
Level 7 Interrupt Autovector....31
Trap Instruction Vectors.....32-47
[unassigned, reserved].......48-63
User Interrupt Vectors......64-255
:FREE: ??.??.??
What is Free-Net and how can I get access?
==========================================
A "Remodeled" Atari S.I.G. Opens
By now many of you have heard of the Cleveland Freenet, or more
specifically the Atari S.I.G. on the Cleveland Freenet. For those who
haven't, the Cleveland Freenet is an experimental computer system providing
free public community telecomputing. Basically, it's a lot like a public
library of the future. Many of these systems are popping up all over the
country. Don't be surprised if one pops up in your neighborhood in the
future.
Recently the Atari SIG has undergone a significant face-lift. All
the regular areas are intact including its news sections, user group
newsletter, online magazine sections, general as well as specific
computer discussion boards (8 bit, 16/32 bit, Lynx, Portfolio), and our
weekly Sunday night multi-chat conference.
The conference starts at 8pm EST sharp and is on channel
"+Ataricon". What the staff at the Atari SIG has added, has given the
Atari SIG the potential to cover all grounds of Atari and its related
products.
The most noticeable addition to the Atari SIG is the Programming
and Development Forum. This forum is intended to be used by developers,
professional programmers, and Atari hackers (the old definition of
"hacker") as a means to share ideas, help each other out, and find out
the latest technical information on Atari's products. This board is ran
by newly acquired SIG Operator, Peter Haller, a professional programmer
who is running developer sections on hardware and software development,
programming, MIDI applications development, Graphics Design,
plus many other sections that can definitely become a programmer and
developer's dream come true!
Last, but definitely not least, the Atari SIG has a restructured
Product Info and Support Board and a new Special Applications Board.
The Support Board includes a vast library of support lists. These lists
range anywhere from phone numbers of Atari dealers and producers, to
software reviews for 8 bit, 16/32 bit, Lynx, and Portfolio software.
To sum it all up this area covers what's out there, who makes it, and how
to get it for all Atari products. The Special Applications Board is
just starting out. Currently there is an area for users of MIDI on the
ST. MIDI users are encouraged to use this as a means to discuss MIDI
related topics. This section is expected to expand in the future.
Accessing the Atari SIG has never been easier. One can access it
via Internet by telenet'ing to 129.22.8.75 or "Freenet-in-b.cwru.edu"
or by calling (216) 368-3888 300/1200/2400 bps. Once on the system,
a user can apply for an account application and logon as a visitor.
Once here, simply type "Go Atari" to get to the Atari SIG. A visitor
can go anywhere on the Freenet and can read anything. They can't
post messages until they get their permanent accounts, however.
For additional information on obtaining access to Freenet write to
myself via the e-mail addresses above or by writing the SIG at its US
mail address:
The Atari SIG
P.O. Box 21815
Cleveland, OH 44121 USA
Lastly, a freenet application is available in the mail by writing a
request to the above address if you rather not download it from Freenet.
The Atari SIG is ready to serve the thousands of Atarians throughout
the world. We look forward to seeing you all real soon! Remember the
staff of the Atari SIG are volunteering their time for no pay and the
Cleveland Freenet, as well as the Atari S.I.G., is a non-profit organization
existing for the free exchange of information.
--
Mark Leair
Atari SIG Public Relations
Internet e-mail: aa...@Cleveland.Freenet.edu
CIS e-mail : internet>aa...@Cleveland.Freenet.edu
:MAGS: ??.??.??
What magazines are available for the Atari ST?
==============================================
If you've got updates, mini-reviews,
or more information on other magazines, please send them to me via e-mail.
As always, WRITE to a company before sending them money for a subscription.
US mags:
AtariUser, published by Quill Publishing Company
---------
Cover Price: US $1.00 Canada $1.45 UK 1.50 (AtariUser is available for free
[$6.00/50 magazine shipping charge] from participating computer dealers,
bookstores & user groups!)
Subcription Rate: $21.30 US Bulkrate, $41.30 US First Class.
Address: AtariUser, 113 W. College Street, Covina, CA 91723 USA
Current Notes, published by Current Notes Inc.
-------------
Cover Price: US $3.95
Subscription Rate: $27.00/year (Atari clubs registered with Current Notes may
subscribe at $23.00/year) US, $35.00/year (Canadian club members at $31/year)
Canadian, Foreign rate $44/year.
Address: Current Notes Inc., 122 N. Johnson Rd., Sterling, VA 22170 USA
Atari Interface:
---------------
Write for a free sample copy of the Atari Interface magazine
(Unicorn Publications, 3487 Braeburn Circle, Ann Arbor, MI 48108)
AIM is soon to be available in Canada, Europe and Mexico, and should be in
all local WaldenSoftware stores and many bookstores. If your "local"
Atari dealer doesn't have it, he should be able to get it for you...
UK Mags:
(Thanks to Sam Marshall <sa...@castle.edinburgh.ac.uk> and Kevin Busby
<kev...@syma.sussex.ac.uk> for some of the info here.)
ST Applications:
---------------
formerly the ST Club Newsletter, this is now the only
non-games mag in the UK (although see ST World below). Approx. 4,500
copies per issue sold. News, reviews, interviews, tech tips, general
forum, programmers' forum, PD catalogue. DTP'd on an ST. Retains a
'user-driven' feel. Recommended. The associated ST Club runs a PD
distribution service and distributes a couple of commercial programs too
(Fontkit Plus, UIS III, Molgraph, CRL Virus Killer, etc.).
Subscription costs: UK - 15 pounds; Europe - 18 pounds (Air Mail);
worldwide - 28 pounds (Air Mail)
Address: ST Club, 2 Broadway, Nottingham, NG7 1PS, UK.
ST World:
--------
formerly the leading UK non-games mag. Became a quarterly
'buyer's guide' in Autumn 90. Now, allegedly, about to be revived as a
monthly (under the stewardship of Jean Gollner, mother of ex-editor
Hugh) in the wake of Atari UK's new push into the 'serious' market.
ST Format:
---------
all-purpose 150-page monthly, mainly aimed at young people.
Lively, but of uneven quality. Big leisure section, but other areas
covered too. Includes cover disk - mix of games demos and (usually out
of date) PD utilities. Probably the biggest-selling UK ST mag. Has had
several public rows with Atari UK.
Future Publishing, Somerton, Somerset, TA11 6TB Tel. 0458 74011
Fax 0458 74378
Atari ST User:
-------------
like ST Format. Generally (amongst online users) thought
to be not quite as good.
ST Action:
---------
games, games and more games. And games.
Atari ST Review:
---------------
Lots of info, more mature editorial style than Format, but not so
polished. 2 cover disks per issue.
Subscriptions: PO Box 500, Leicester, LE99 0AA. Tel: 0858 410510.
There are also, I think, some MIDI mags with strong ST content. I don't
have their names.
German Mags:
Atari PD Journal:
----------------
Reviewed in the May '91 issue of Current Notes [from which I'm cribbing this
information, DP-Z]. Hardware and Software reviews, some commercial software
reviewed. Typical issue runs around 90 pages. Special "Katalog" section.
Subscription: DM 70 (normal mail), DM 100 (air mail). Prices may be for
domestic distribution -- write first!
Address: Heim Verlag, PD Abonnement, Heidleberger Landstrasse 194, 6100
Darmstadt 13 GERMANY
ST-Magazin (formerly 68000er):
-----------------------------
(monthly) Typical issue: around 150 pages. Includes DTP-magazine CICERO.
Subscription: DM 77 (domestic distribution); foreign - write for information
Address: ST-Magazin, Bretonischer Ring 13, 8011 Grasbrunn, West Germany,
Phone: ++49 89 456 160
ST Computer:
-----------
11 issues/year, typical around 180 pages
Subscription: DM 80 (domestic), DM 100 (normal mail), DM 130 (air mail)
Address: Heim Verlag, Heidelberger Landstr. 194, D-6100 Darmstadt 13 GERMANY
French Mags:
------------
ST Magazine
-----------
Monthly in French. Oriented towards developers, professional users. Comes
with a disk each month.
ST Magazine - 10, rue Hegesippe Moreau - 75018 Paris - France
(French Teletel users: 3615 Teletel access, code STMAG)
STart Micro
-----------
Monthly, includes a cover disk. 11 issues per year. 64 + 16 (separated) pages.
Price: FF38 per issue, subscription: FF360. Subjects: Desktop publishing,
graphics, initiations to C and GFA Basic, survey of outcoming software, music,
folders. Minitel access: 3615 code ATARI. Address: FC Press, 57 rue Danton,
92300 Levallois-Perret, France.
Dutch Mags
----------
ST, published by Stichting ST , postbus 11129 2301 EC Leiden the Netherlands
---
cover price: fl 6,95
Independent magazine by and for atari ST users.
covers all different topics from applications to games and hardware.
60 pages.
6 times a year. One year subscription fl 35,-
black and white pages.
START, published by Divo , M. Gijzenburg 14, 2907 HG Capelle a/d IJssel
------
cover price: fl 7,50 (may be more now)
All round magazine, floppy-service available for published programs.
68 pages. 2 color print
6 publications a year. One year subscription fl 39,95
including floppydisk fl 119,95
Atacom, by Atari Club Groningen.
-------
Never seen this one. I suppose you have to be a member of the club or so.
price is fl 4,95.
Adress of the club: Atari Club Groningen, Postbus 9164
9703 LD Groningen, the Netherlands.
Atari Nieuws, by Atari ST computer club Nederland
-------------
News paper sized publication. Lots of colour on newspaper pages. Not too many
pages though.
price is fl 3,95 (cheap cheap)
monthly publication.
adress: ACN, Postbus 5011, 2000 CA Haarlem, the Netherlands.
GFA-info, by GFA gg (usergroup)
---------
Publication of the GFA-basic usergroup. This group has a lot of mainly
educational software available.
price is fl 5,00
adress: GFA gg, Frankrijklaan 14, 2034 BA Haarlem, the Netherlands
ST News, by Stichting Computers Eindhoven
--------
This is an electronic magazine. It has been around for about 6 years now
and is completely in English!!! The first issues were in Wordplus format
back in 1986 but from the 6th issue on it included a readerprogram
both for color and monochrome. Even with music.
price is fl 10,00
adress: S.C.E., Kornoeljelaan 22, 5552 RC Valkenswaard
:TIPS: ??.??.??
TIPS AND HINTS from other users
===============================
Any 'multisync' monitor which handles 70 video fields a second can be used
with the ST; the custom cable involves no tricks, or commercial ones are
available. The original NEC multisync does NOT handle 70 fields a sec.
More than 3 bombs often means more than 1 error, so interpretations are
tricky.
An ST-formatted disk which is not readable by a PC can be made readable by
putting the 3 bytes EB 34 90 (those were 3 bytes of hex) at the beginning
of the boot sector (sector 1 of track 0, I believe). This can be done with
either an ST or PC absolute sector editor. The Desktop of TOS 1.4 and
higher does this automatically.
Some (older) PC-3.5"-drives cannot deal with the short track-header produced
by ST formatters. On those drives, ST-formatted disks are not readable,
independent of their boot sector contents. The other way, however, does
always work: format on the PC.
When using disks formatted on a PC in an ST, make sure to insert and access
a disk with a different serial number in between disk changes.
For those with the 'inaccessible' mouse and joystick ports, a joystick
extender cable will make life easier. The Y-cable joystick extenders make
it extremely easy to keep mouse and joystick connected to port 0, and a
joystick extender cable in port 1 makes for easy hookup after you've moved
the machine.
BARREL is a program which can redirect printer-data to a file. It comes in
handy when your printer is unavailable, and the program does not already
have an option to 'print-to-a-file'. (It is available on the atari.archive
server.)
DBLEFEAT is a program which can redirect disk access from, say, drive A to
drive B. Handy when a program 'hard-codes' the data drive, and you
wish to use your hard drive instead. (It is available on the atari.archive
server.)
On the Desktop of TOS 1.4 or higher, holding the right mouse button allows
you to manipulate files in other windows. This is useful for a number
of reasons. An example is this: say D:\BLAH.ARC is a file you would
like to extract to D:\, but ARC.TTP is on C:\. Top D:\'s window, then
hold the right button while double-clicking ARC.TTP in an inactive window.
(I've been told this will work on 1.2, and possibly other TOSi.)
:ZNET: ??.??.??
Where can I get copies of ZNET?
===============================
ZNET is now Atari Explorer Online. Please see EXPLOR for more info.
:EXPLOR: ??.??.??
Where can I get copies of Atari Explorer Online?
================================================
Atari Explorer Online magazine is available on CompuServe and GEnie. You can
also get copies mailed to you by sending an e-mail message to
indicating you wish to subscribe.
They won't get to you on Friday (which is when they're posted), but Greg
Lindahl provides an excellent service to the networking community by sending
these out.
Atari Explorer Online and some information from the Current Notes user
magazine are also available from the atari.archive server under
/atari/magazines.
:PD: ??.??.??
Where can I get Public Domain/Shareware software?
==========================================================
There are FTP sources and a comp.sources.atari.st/comp.binaries.atari.st
mail server. You can also try the commercial on-line services such as
GEnie, CompuServe, Delphi and Bix.
Using FTP, most files should be retrieved in BINARY format (at least those
ending with the suffix of .ARC, .LZH, .ZOO, .PRG, .TTP, .TOS)
Mail servers encode files. You will need a program called 'uudecode' in
order to change files ending with the suffix .UUE (or .UAB, .UAC, etc.)
into their original form.
:MAIL: ??.??.??
E-Mail file servers
archive...@spud.hyperion.com:
---------------------------------
Spud holds all of the comp.sources.atari.st / comp.binaries.atari.st
postings. If you aren't reading these two newsgroups, you should consider
doing so. You may obtain uuencoded files as e-mail. You can obtain a
help file by mailing a message to archive...@spud.hyperion.com, with
the main body of the message being the word 'help'.
at...@atari.archive.umich.edu:
-----------------------------
The atari.archive server is mentioned many times in this article. It contains
a multitude of Atari ST PD and shareware programs. If you don't have access
via FTP you can obtain many of the files via e-mail. You should first obtain a
help file by mailing a message to at...@atari.archive.umich.edu, with the main
body of the message being the word 'help.'. If you are from a uucp site,
please enclose this statement also 'path host1!host2!....', where
host1!host2!... is your path. Please read the help file completely before you
ask questions, and then send any you may have to j...@atari.archive.umich.edu.
Any questions about the archive or specific files go to
wei...@atari.archive.umich.edu (or wei...@terminator.rs.itd.umich.edu,
jeff....@um.cc.umich.edu, wei...@zircon.labmed.umn.edu, or
wei...@umnstat.stat.umn.edu :-)
archive...@micros.hensa.uk.ac:
---------------------------------
This is a UK public domain archive, available to sites within the UK via
via JANET.
info-...@Germany.EU.net:
---------------------------
This is a german public domain archive. This only has comp.binaries.atari.st
and comp.sources.atari.st.
archive...@Germany.EU.net:
------------------------------
Same place as above, but this one carries other software than just
comp.binaries.atari.st and comp.sources.atari.st.
mail-...@cs.ruu.nl (or uunet!mcsun!hp4nl!ruuinf!mail-server):
---------------------------------------------------------------
send the following message
begin
path jo...@highbrow.edu (PLEASE SUBSTITUTE *YOUR* ADDRESS)
send ATARI-ST/index
end
NOTE: *** PLEASE USE VALID INTERNET ADDRESSES IF POSSIBLE. DO NOT USE
ADDRESSES WITH ! and @ MIXED !!!! BITNETTERS USE US...@HOST.BITNET ***
The path command can be deleted if we receive a valid from address in your
message. If this is the first time you use our mail server, we suggest you
first issue the request:
send HELP
LIST...@UOGUELPH.BITNET:
------------------------
Mail messages with the contents HELP will bring you some usage information
and GET PROG-A16 FILELIST will provide you with a list of files. Subscriptions
to INFO-A16 are also available on this server. INFO-A16 is a digest of
messages from comp.sys.atari.st.
:FTP: ??.??.??
Anonymous FTP servers
Note: The generally accepted practice for FTP use is as follows:
1. Limit access times to non-working hours. This is usually 6-8 pm
to 8-9 am LOCAL time. LOCAL time means local to the computer
you are accessing! For example, 4 P.M. in Minneapolis, Minnesota
is 10 P.M. in England, and 10 A.M. in Germany is 4 A.M. in New
York.
2. Once you connect, issue the following commands at your FTP
prompt:
user anonymous
<YOUR e-mail address should be entered at the Password: prompt)
ls
cd <to the appropriate directory>
3. Limit downloads, especially across the ocean. Remember, there are
other people who are using the same lines as you.
Atari FTP sites (the list is -not- exhaustive)
----------------------------------------------
atari.archive.umich.edu [141.211.164.8]
uk.ac.lancs.pdsoft (available to UK users via JANET)
Note: Access is a bit different for this archive site, use the following:
user pdsoft
pdsoft (at the Password prompt)
ftp.Germany.EU.net [192.76.144.75]
ftp.cs.ruu.nl [131.211.80.17]
:COMP: ??.??.??
Atari-related companies
=======================
This is a (still under construction) list of companies and addresses that
might be of use to Atari ST users. Please send me addresses for the blank ones
on this list. See also IAAD, it lists many more companies that are not on
this list.
BMS
E.A. Brown
3404 Pawnee Drive
Alexandria
Minnesota 56308
Info: 612-762-8847
Orders: 800-322-4405
Product: Software and Hardware distributor
GengTec
JRI
Marvin AG
Matrix Datensystem
Supra
7101 Supra Drive
Tangent, Oregon 97389
(503) 967-9075
TKR GmbH & Co. KG
Stadtparkweg 2
W-2300 Kiel 1
Tel. +49-431-3378881
Fax. +49-431-35984
Wittich Computer
:IAAD: ??.??.??
Independent Atari Developers
============================
(Thanks to Ed Krimen (ekr...@wet.com) for sending this along)
(And to Joachim Vance (jva...@einstein.oac.uci.edu) for reformatting)
The Independent Association of Atari Developers
Member Directory
Compiled 6/7/92
Please note: Most IAAD members support users through the bulletin
board areas on GEnie. References in this file to "Cat" or "Top"
refer to the ST RT bulletin board area; other RTs are designated
by name. We welcome your comments and inquiries!
James C Allen Todd Bane
FAST TECHNOLOGY Soft-Aware Unlimited
P.O. Box 578 334B North Euclid Avenue
Andover, MA 01810 Upland, CA 91786
508 475 3810 (fax) 714 985 2348 (fax)
508 475 3810 714 982 8409
GEnie: J.ALLEN27 GEnie: R.SKRALY
Cat4 Top11 Cat6 Top4
Steve Barker David Beckemeyer
Flying Pigs Software Beckemeyer Development Tools
P.O. Box 688 P.O. Box 21575
St. George, UT 84771 Oakland, CA 94620
801 628 5764 (fax) 510 530 0451 (fax)
801 628 5713 510 530 9637
GEnie: STEVE-B GEnie: D.BECKEMEYER
BBS: 801 628 5773 Intrnt: da...@bdt.CO
Cat2 Top34
Robert M Birmingham Dorothy A Brumleve
13630 SW 101 Lane D.A. Brumleve
Miami, FL 33186-2814 P.O. Box 4195
305 385 1942 Urbana, IL 61801-8820
GEnie: R.BIRMINGHA4 217 337 1937
CIS: 73637,1120 GEnie: D.A.BRUMLEVE
Cat25 Delphi: DABRUMLEVE
CIS: 71451,1141
Cat29 Top6
Gilbert Callaghan Phil Comeau
Double Click Software Phil Comeau Software
P.O. Box 741206 43 Rueter Street
Houston, TX 77274-1206 Nepean, Ontario Canada K2J 3Z9
713 977 6520 (fax jack) 613 596 4081 (fax P.C. Soft)
713 977 6520 613 825 6721
GEnie: DOUBLE-CLICK GEnie: P.COMEAU1
CIS: 75300,577 Cat13 Tops7,20
BBS: 713 944 0108
Cat30
Jay Craswell Craig W Daymon
Dover Research Corp. ICD Inc.
321 W. 4th Street 1220 Rock Street
Jordan, MN 55352 Rockford, IL 61101
612 492 3913 815 968 6888 (fax)
GEnie: J.CRASWELL 815 968 2228
CIS: 73016,27 GEnie: C.DAYMON
ICD RT
John Eidsvoog Lauren Flanagan-Sellers
CodeHead Technologies Goldleaf Publishing Inc.
P.O. Box 74090 700 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 199
Los Angeles, CA 90004 Larkspur, CA 94939
213 386 5789 (fax) 415 257 3515
213 386 5735 GEnie: WORDFLAIR
GEnie: J.EIDSVOOG1 Cat35
Cat32
Rick Flashman David Fletcher
Gribnif Software Ditek International
P.O. Box 350 2800 John Street, Unit 15
Hadley, MA 01035 Markham, Ontario Canada L3R 0E2
413 584 2565 (fax) 416 479 1882 (fax)
413 584 7887 416 479 1990
GEnie: R.FLASHMAN GEnie: DITEK
Cat17 Cat6 Top9 / Cat7 Top7
George Geczy Keith Gerdes
JMG Software International, Inc. Double Click Software
892 Upper James Street P.O. Box 741206
Hamilton, Ontario Canada L9C 3A5 Houston, TX 77274-1206
416 575 0283 (fax) 713 977 6520 (fax jack)
416 575 3201 713 977 6520
GEnie: JMGSOFT GEnie: DOUBLE-CLICK
BBS: 416 389 9064 CIS: 75300,577
Cat6 Top32 BBS: 713 944 0108
Cat30
Tyson T Gill Tom Harker
GT Software ICD, Inc.
12114 Kirton Avenue 1220 Rock Street
Cleveland, OH 44135-3612 Rockford, IL 61101
216 252 4272 815 968 6888 (fax)
GEnie: T.GILL7 815 968 2228
CIS: 73467,777 GEnie: ICDINC
Cat17 ICD RT
Doug Harrison Craig Harvey
1018 Quail Creek #303 Clear Thinking
Shreveport, LA 71105 P.O. Box 715
318 869 1292 Ann Arbor, MI 48105
GEnie: D.S.HARRISON 313 971 8671
Cat2 Top15 GEnie: C.HARVEY
BBS: 313 971 6035
Cat2 Top40
John 'Hutch' Hutchinson Hagop Janoyan
Fair Dinkum Technologies PDC, Inc.
P.O. Box 2 515 Wing Street
Los Alamos, NM 87544 Glendale, CA 91205
505 662 7236 206 348 4276 (fax)
GEnie: FAIR-DINKUM 818 242 5692 or 206 745 5980
Cat29 Top4 GEnie: H.JANOYAN3 or PDC.SW
Cat13 Tops12,21,22 / Cat10 Top11 /
others
Charles F Johnson Todd Johnson
CodeHead Technologies Cherry Fonts
P.O. Box 74090 Unit #4, 2250 Tyner Street
Los Angeles, CA 90004 Port Coquitlam, B.C. Canada V3C 2Z1
213 386 5789 (fax) 213 386 5735 (CodeHead)
213 386 5735 GEnie: CHERRY.FONTS
GEnie: C.F.JOHNSON Cat32 Top27
Delphi: CFJ
CIS: 76004,2232
Cat32
Deron Kazmaier Gene Kane
Soft-Logik Publishing Xerox Corp
P.O. Box 290070 101 Continental Blvd. M/S ESC1-945
St. Louis, MO 63129 El Segundo, CA 90245
314 894 8608 310 333 2707
GEnie: DERON.K GEnie: GENEXRX
SOFTLOGIC RT CIS: 70475,440
Alex Kiernan Hans-Peter Labude
HiSoft Managing Director
The Old School, Greenfield ICD Europe GmbH
Bedford, England MK45 5DE Postfach 13 17 Am Goldberg 9
+44 525 713716 (fax) 6056 Heusenstamm Germany
+44 525 718181 +49 6104 67581 (fax)
GEnie: HISOFT +49 6104 6403
Cat3 Top11,14,15 / Cat2 Top30 GEnie: ICD.GMBH
ICD RT
Paul W Lee Dave Link
Double Click Software HiSoft
P.O. Box 741206 The Old School, Greenfield
Houston, TX 77274-1206 Bedford, England MK45 5DE
713 977 6520 (fax jack) +44 525 713716 (fax)
713 977 6520 +44 525 718181
GEnie: DOUBLE-CLICK GEnie: HISOFT
CIS: 75300,577 Cat3 Top11,14,15 / Cat2 Top30
BBS: 713 944 0108
Cat30
Bob Luneski Henry Murphy
Oregon Research Associates MS Design
16200 S.W. Pacific Hwy. Suite 162 611 West Illinois Street
Tigard, OR 97224 Urbana, IL 61801
503 638 6182 (fax) 217 351 6412 (fax)
503 620 4919 217 384 8469
GEnie: B.LUNESKI1 GEnie: H.MURPHY
Cat2 Top42 Cat5 Top2
Tom Nielsen Dave Nutkins
eSTeem, inc. HiSoft
72 Shades Crest Road The Old School, Greenfield
Hoover, AL 35226-1014 Bedford, England MK45 5DE
205 942 8390 (fax) +44 525 713716 (fax)
Answ. Serv.: 205 941 4910 +44 525 718181
GEnie: ESTEEM GEnie: HISOFT
Cat29 Top7 Cat3 Top11,14,15 / Cat2 Top30
W. David 'Dr. Bob' Parks William Penner
WizWorks! Medical Designs Software
P.O. Box 45 3235 Wright Avenue
Girard, OH 44420 Bremerton, WA 98310
216 539 5623 206 373 4840
GEnie: W.PARKS3 GEnie: BPENNER
Cat7 Top5 BBS: 206 479 2157
Jay Pierstorff Nathan Potechin
Safari Fonts ISD Marketing, Inc.
606 W. Cross Street 2800 John Street, Unit 15
Woodland, CA 95695 Markham, Ontario Canada L3R 0E2
916 666 1813 (fax) 416 479 1882 (fax)
916 666 1813 416 479 1880
GEnie: J.PIERSTORFF GEnie: ISD
CIS: 76004,2246
Delphi: ISDMARKETING
Cat16
Roger Richards George Richardson
Synergy Resources Merlin Group, Inc.
754 N. Bolten Avenue 96 Hoyt Street
Indianapolis, IN 46219 Kearny, NJ 07032-3311
317 231 4158 (fax) 201 998 0932 (fax)
317 356 6946 201 998 4441
GEnie: R.RICHARDS2 GEnie: G.RICHARDSO1
Cat2 Top19
A Ridley Chris Roberts
Canoe Computer Services DragonWare Software Inc.
GEnie: A.RIDLEY1 P.O. Box 1719
Havre, MT 59501-1719
406 265 9609
GEnie: DRAGONWARE
Cat13 Top4
Eric Rosenquist Scott Sanders
Strata Software Software Development Systems
94 Rowe Drive 996 Redondo Avenue, #404
Kanata, Ontario Canada K2L 3Y9 Long Beach, CA 90804
613 591 1922 (fax) 310 987 2205 (fax)
613 591 1922 310 595 9799
GEnie: E.ROSENQUIST Orders: 800 237 4SDS
CIS: 72711,2503 GEnie: S.SANDERS2
BIX: e rosenquist CIS: 71760,2140
Cat17 Cat2 Top39
Lee Seiler Nevin Shalit
Lexicor Step Ahead Software, Inc.
415 453 0271 496-A Hudson Street, Suite F39
GEnie: L.SEILER New York City, NY 10014
Cat25 212 627 5830
GEnie: NEVIN-S
Cat6 Top23
David M Small Carl Stanford
Gadgets by Small, Inc. MS Design
40 West Littleton Blvd., #210-211 611 West Illinois Street
Littleton, CO 80120 Urbana, IL 61801
303 791 0253 (fax) 217 351 6412 (fax)
303 791 6098 217 384 8469
GEnie: DAVESMALL GEnie: C.STANFORD
GADGETS RT Cat5 Top2
John Stanley Chuck Steinman
DynaSoft Systems DataQue Products
4157 Lyndale Avenue South P.O. Box 134
Minneapolis, MN 55409 Ontario, OH 44862
612 825 4215 419 529 5197 (fax)
GEnie: JLS 419 529 9797
Internet: j...@dynasoft.mn.org GEnie: DATAQUE.1
CIS: 71777,3223
Delphi: DATAQUE
Darren Stevens Craig S Thom
Mind over MIDI Productions ICD, Inc.
PO Box 56522 1220 Rock Street
Lougheed Mall Postal Outlet Rockford, IL 61101
Burnaby, B.C. Canada V3J 7W2 815 968 6888 (fax)
604 420 6266 (fax) 815 968 2228
604 444 4424 GEnie: CRAIG.S.THOM
GEnie: MINDOVERMIDI ICD RT
Cat 10 Top 15
David Thompson John Trautschold
JMG Software International, Inc. Missionware Software
892 Upper James Street 354 N. Winston Drive
Hamilton, Ontario Canada L9C 3A5 Palatine, IL 60067-4132
416 575 0283 (fax) 708 359 9565
416 575 3201 GEnie: J.TRAUTSCHOL
GEnie: D.THOMPSON66 BIX: jtrautschold
BBS: 416 389 9064 CIS: 73250,572
Cat6 Top32 Cat8 Top2
Melinda Turcsanyi Ralph Turner
MUSICODE Software Index Legalis Publishing Company
5575 Baltimore Drive, Suite 105-127 P.O. Box 1822-3
La Mesa, CA 91942 Fairfield, IA 52556
619 469 7194 515 472 2293
GEnie: M.TURCSANYI GEnie: R.TURNER10
Michael B Vederman Clayton Walnum
Double Click Software Taylor Ridge Books
P.O. Box 741206 P.O. Box 78
Houston, TX 77274-1206 Manchester, CT 06040
713 977 6520 (fax) 203 643 9673
713 977 6520 GEnie: C.WALNUM1
GEnie: DOUBLE-CLICK Delphi: ANALOG4
CIS: 75300,577
BBS: 713 944 0108
Cat30
Chet Walters Norm Weinress
WizWorks! Weinress Consulting
P.O. Box 45 3236 Velma Drive
Girard, OH 44420 Los Angeles CA 90068
216 539 5623 213 876 7704
GEnie: C.WALTERS1 GEnie: N.WEINRESS
Cat7 Top13 Cat4 Top12
Doug Wheeler Steve Whitney
ICD, Inc. 655 South Fair Oaks Avenue, I-103
1220 Rock Street Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Rockford, IL 61101 815 968 6888
815 968 6888 (fax) GEnie: S.WHITNEY
815 968 2228 Cat13 Top14
GEnie: DOUG.W
ICD RT
Dan Wilga Paul Wu
Gribnif Software Omnimon Peripherals, Inc.
P.O. Box 350 One Technology Drive, Bldg 1E, Suite 301
Hadley, MA 01035 Irvine, CA 92718
413 584 2565 (fax) 714 753 9255 (fax)
413 584 7887 714 753 9253
GEnie: GRIBNIF GEnie: WUZTEK.OPI
Cat17 Delphi: OPI
Cat4 Tops12,17,31,32
:CREDIT: ??.??.??
Who has contributed to the FAQ?
===============================
If you've contributed to this FAQ but aren't mentioned here, tell me!
David Paschall-Zimbel (dav...@simvax.labmed.umn.edu) compiled the bulk
of the FAQ.
Steven Ourada (sou...@iastate.edu) is the current maintainer.
Juxtaposer (baf...@aludra.usc.edu)
Eugen Bauknecht (eu...@hpbbi4.bbn.hp.com)
Ate Brink (a...@cs.ruu.nl)
Kevin Busby (kev...@syma.sussex.ac.uk)
Michael Clark (cla...@prism.CS.ORST.EDU)
Jean-Etienne Doucet <dou...@laas.laas.fr>
Ben Gilbert
Edgar Greuter (ed...@pingu.saar.de)
John Henders (jhen...@jonh.wimsey.bc.ca)
Chris Herborth (cher...@semprini.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca)
Graham Higgins
John Hutchinson (hu...@bellman.lanl.gov)
Stephen Jacobs (s...@chinet.chi.il.us)
Michal Jaegermann (NTOM...@vm.ucs.ualberta.ca)
Eric S Johansson (e...@harvee.billerica.ma.us)
Ed Krimen (ekr...@wet.com)
Mark Lavi (mar...@pub2.bu.edu)
Mark Leair (aa...@Cleveland.Freenet.edu)
John Langner
J.J. Lehett (JJL...@psuvm.psu.edu)
Jari Lehto
Sam Marshall (sa...@aisb.edinburgh.ac.uk)
Darryl May
Erlend Nagel <wmt...@urc.tue.nl>
Frederic Mora (mo...@geocub.greco-prog.fr)
Thomas Omerzu (ome...@quando.quantum.de)
Piet van Oostrum (pi...@cs.ruu.nl)
Alan Pratt
James Reno (James_Ren...@xerox.com)
Eric Smith (eric....@uwo.ca)
Andy Tanenbaum (a...@cs.vu.nl)
Shoou-yu Tang (syt...@lamar.colostate.edu)
Oddvar Tveito FTO (Oddvar...@nta.no)
Wayne (?) (tr...@ihlpb.att.com)
John Townsend
Joachim Vance (jva...@einstein.oac.uci.edu)
Roland Waldi
=====================================================================
Hope you liked the comp.sys.atari.st FAQ. If you have comments,
suggestions, more material, etc., mail me at sou...@iastate.edu
Thanks to David Paschall-Zimbel (dav...@simvax.labmed.umn.edu) for
compiling most of this FAQ.
Later,
Steven Ourada
--
-------
Steven Ourada -- sou...@iastate.edu
Steven D Ourada
Welcome to comp.sys.atari.st! Please read this FAQ before posting a question
to comp.sys.atari.st, since a lot of common questions are answered here.
Thanks to David Paschall-Zimbel (dav...@simvax.labmed.umn.edu) for
compiling most of this FAQ.
Entries are dated by the last change. ??.??.?? means they were last changed
before the dates were added.
The following is an index of the questions answered in this part of the FAQ.
For easy access to a particular question, search for the tag surrounded by
colons (i. e. :GNU:). Questions marked with '*' are new or changed.
WEL Welcome to comp.sys.atari.st
*ARCS How do I deal with Archived files (.ZOO, .ARC, .LZH)?
MSA Some info on Magic Shadow Archiver
CLI What Command Line Interpreters are available?
ERR What does TOS ERROR nn mean?
GDOS What is GDOS, and where can I get it?
*GNU What GNU software is available for the ST?
HAM Where can I find Ham Radio software for the ST?
LANG Public Domain/Shareware languages...
MINIX Is MINIX available on the Atari ST?
MINT What is MiNT?
XWIN Is there a version of XWindows for the ST?
DEMOS Why won't demo x run on my machine?
PAINT What is the format for [x] paint program data?
PD Where can I get Public Domain/Shareware software?
MAIL E-Mail file servers
FTP Anonymous FTP servers
TEX Is TeX/LaTeX available on the Atari ST?
:WEL: ??.??.??
Welcome to comp.sys.atari.st
============================
This newsgroup is devoted to discussion about 16 and 32 bit Atari micros. At
present that includes the Atari 520ST, 1040ST, Mega ST, STe, STacy, Mega STe,
and the Atari TT. There are also emulators for the Apple Macintosh and IBM
PC/XT/AT available.
Most of the people who read this newsgroup are technically oriented.
The newsgroup serves as a resource for Atari users ... feel free to
contribute to the discussions.
Associated newsgroups include:
comp.binaries.atari.st ! uuencoded binary programs
comp.sys.atari.st.tech ! technical programming/hardware topics
comp.sources.atari.st ! uuencoded/shar sources
:ARCS: 93.01.30
How do I deal with Archived files (.ZOO, .ARC, .LZH)?
=====================================================
Files ending with suffixes .ZOO, .ARC, .ZIP and .LZH are archive files. They
are binary files which may contain one or more other files in a compressed
format. Archive files usually take up less disk space, and for this reason have
become quite popular for transferring large files via modem.
In order to extract the files from an archive file, one must use an archive
program. Here are the correspondences:
ZIP Use UNZIP.TTP or STZIP.PRG
ARC Use ARC.TTP
LZH Use LHARC.TTP
ZOO Use ZOO.TTP
A few hints for first-time users:
* Most archivers will give a short summary of commands if invoked with no
arguments.
* If in doubt, to extract a file, copy the archiver to the directory that the
file is in, and run the archiver with the arguments 'x [filename]'.
* If you have TOS 1.4 or higher, and/or a CLI, you can avoid copying the
archiver by just changing the current directory to where the file is. See
TIPS for a tip on how to do this from the desktop on TOS 1.4 or higher.
* Read the documentation for the archivers you use, they will almost certainly
answer all your questions. Documentation is usually included in both the
source and binary distributions (such as zoo21bin.zoo).
ARCHIVERS
These programs are all available via FTP from the atari.archive server, in the
/atari/archivers directory. Recommended files are:
arc602.ttp - version 6.02 of ARC, includes features to archive
subdirectories and also include comments with files.
arc602.arc - contains documentation. UnArc using arc602.ttp.
arc521e.arc - older version of ARC. Used mostly by those who want
speed, better compression, and don't care about
archiving subdirectories. UnArc using arc602.ttp.
lharc.ttp - version 2.0 of LHARC.
lzh201i.lzh - Thomas Questors lzh utility. German documentation.
UnArc using lharc.ttp
stzip21.lzh - STZip, with GUI interface
unzip41.lzh - Old version of unzip
zoo21.ttp - version 2.1 of ZOO
zoo21bin.zoo - ZOO archive includes documentation. UnArc using
zoo21.ttp.
:MSA: ??.??.??
Some info on Magic Shadow Archiver
==================================
(This was provided by Chris Herborth)
MSA Archives
The Magic Shadow Archiver (MSA) is a disk archiving program that allows
an entire disk to be compressed into one file for transmission. The
Magic Shadow Archiver (in shadow.[arc?|lzh?|zoo?] on
atari.archive.umich.edu in ~/Archivers) creates .MSA files, which are
often compressed using a normal archiver, such as zoo or lharc.
Magic Shadow is notoriously bad when used on a 1/2 meg ST and only one
floppy drive. Its disk access and memory use are very badly thought
out, and could result in over 160 disk swaps when unpacking an 80 track,
double-sided disk.
Due to the fact that it was the _only_ disk image archiver around for
quite a long time, Magic Shadow is the de-facto standard for creating
disk images of computer demos and other pieces of software that cannot
be easily compressed as files.
Because MSA files are disk images, they can only be used to recreate a
floppy disk. There is (currently, see below) no way to extract the
files from an MSA archive without writing it to a floppy disk.
Magic Shadow works perfectly with any legal TOS floppy format, even high
density disks found in modified STs and most MegaSTes and TTs.
Chris Herborth (herb...@pinot.waterloo.ncr.com at work,
cher...@semprini.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca at home,
C.HERBORTH on GEnie) is writing a much more efficient MSA extractor,
called UnMSA. UnMSA will minimize the number of disk swaps, and speed
decompression considerably.
Daryl Richards (no email address, yet) is working on an MSA-Mounter,
which will allow someone to unpack an MSA archive to RAM or a file on
a hard disk. This uncompressed disk image will then be added to the
system as a logical drive (much the same way a RAMdisk adds a drive to
the system). MountImage on the Mac is an example of the way MSA-Mounter
will eventually work (MountImage is so good, you can install new
versions of the Mac OS using floppy disk images stored on your hard
drive).
:CLI: ??.??.??
What Command Line Interpreters are available?
=============================================
There are a large number of Command Line Interpreters for the Atari ST.
Some of the more popular ones include:
gulam the 'classic' cli, somewhat UNIX in flavor
BASH GNU Bourne Again Shell
ksh Korn Shell - available under MINT
gemini MUPFEL is the shell used by the gemini environment
master MS-DOS/Unix mixture, shareware.
okami a German shell with many useful utilities built in
pcommand an MS-DOS-like shell
csh C-shell, standard on Unix
tcsh Enchanced C-shell - available under MiNT
Check atari.archive under /atari/cli or /atari/mint, or check one of the
other FTP sites for files.
:GDOS: ??.??.??
What is GDOS, and where can I get it?
=====================================
GDOS stands for Graphic Device Output System (at least that's what my copy of
STart, volume 1 number 1 said...)
There is a newer version, called FSMGDOS, which should be available
commercially from Atari. It is currently included with WordFlair II. FSMGDOS
uses scaleable fonts - you do not need to create a font file for every point
size. Current word is that the street price for FSMGDOS will be about $50.
The Lucida font family comes with FSMGDOS, and the output is very nice, even on
a 9-pin Epson printer. There are desk accessories which allow you to
manipulate available fonts, and also CPX programs for the newer Atari Control
Panel. For those who only have limited memory, a newer version of GDOS is also
included with the distribution. For those with investments in older bit-mapped
GDOS fonts, they may be used with the new version of GDOS or used as bit-mapped
(ie. non-scaleable) fonts within FSMGDOS.
You can get a copy of "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About GDOS (and
more)" by Douglas N. Wheeler from the atari.archive server. The file is
/atari/programming/gdos.arc.
There is a German version of GDOS available from the atari.archive server.
The file is /atari/utilities/amcgdos.arc.
Currently, there are no truly public domain sources for the GDOS system files
or font files (at least those supplied by Atari). You can get these files
with many commercial programs, such as Degas Elite, WordFlair, etc. You might
also want to check your local user group to see if they received a copy of the
WordFlair demo program (also available on GEnie). The demo program appears to
have the GDOS system and font files.
:GNU: 93.01.30
What GNU software is available for the ST?
==========================================
The Free Software Foundation C compiler, commonly known as GNU C (or gcc) is
avaiable for the Atari ST. The minimal memory required to do any useful
(i.e. beyond 'hello world') programming is 2 megabytes. A 4 megabyte system
is recommended.
There is an extensive archive of the latest GNU C programs via anonymous FTP
on atari.archive. GNU C is also available at most European FTP sites. The
latest version of GCC available for the ST is 2.3.2, this version includes
built-in support for C++.
Note that most GNU documentation comes in TeXinfo format. Documentation in
this format can be fed into TeX for printing. It can also be processed by
Emacs' texinfo to make an info file, which can be viewed on-screen with
Emacs' info mode. These two functions can also be performed by the
standalone programs 'texinfo' and 'info' (on atari.archive as /atari/tex/
tnxf241b.zoo).
The following can be found in the /atari/gnustuff/tos directory of
atari.archive: (Note: all of these have Unixmode and MiNT support)
BASH Bourne-again shell
BISON Yet another YACC (Yet Another Compiler Compiler)
COMPRESS Compatible with Unix compress
DIFF Compares files; PATCH does the inverse
EMACS Extreme editor :-)
Fileutils Unix file utilities
FLEX Lexical analyzer, like Unix lex
GAWK AWK report generation language
GCC 2.1 C, C++ compiler
GDB GNU debugger, with source level C support
Ghostscript Postscript clone
GROFF Text formatting system
GREP Regular expression search, like Unix grep
MAKE Like Unix make
MAKEINFO Stand-alone system to process .info files
PATCH Changes files from diffs; DIFF does the inverse
PROF Profiles executable code
RCS Revision Control System
SED Stream editor
Smalltalk Smalltalk; object oriented language
TAR Tape archiver like Unix tar
:HAM: ??.??.??
Where can I find Ham Radio software for the ST?
===============================================
Plenty of Ham Radio software is available for the Atari ST:
Morse code
Radio Teletype (RTTY)
Packet Radio (W0RLI BBS and K9AQ TCP/IP)
Satellite Tracking
WEFAX
Color Slow Scan TV (SSTV)
etc.
For more information contact the Atari Microcomputer Network:
Newsletter Editor - Gil Frederick, VE4AG
130 Maureen Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3K 1M2 Canada
or
Program Librarian - John Adams, KC5FW
17106 Happy Hollow
San Antonio, TX 78232
U.S.A.
or
Tune into the weekly net Sundays 16:00 UTC on 14.325 MHz.
73,
John Langner, WB2OSZ
:LANG: ??.??.??
Public Domain/Shareware languages...
====================================
There are a large number of programming languages available for use with the
Atari ST. Programmers seem to flock to the Atari ST, and if you know of a
language, you can probably find it, or an equivalent, for the ST.
68000 assembler/disassembler
abc
APL
AWK
BASIC
C
C++
cross assemblers (z80, 6502, 68xx,8031/80xx)
Elan
FORTRAN
FORTH
FP
Hope
ICON
LISP
Little Smalltalk
Modula2
OPS5
perl
PROLOG
SCHEME
SIOD
Smalltalk
XLisp
XProlog
XScheme
Check the atari.archive server under /atari/languages. Most other archive
sites will have a language directory which you can also check.
:MINIX: ??.??.??
Is MINIX available on the Atari ST?
===================================
MINIX is a UNIX-like operating system for the IBM PC, XT, AT, 386,
and PS/2, as well as the Apple Macintosh, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, and
later in 1991, Sun SPARC. It is available with all the source code for
the entire operating system, the libraries, and nearly 200 UNIX-like
utilities.
Demonstration disks for the IBM PC line and Atari ST are available for free
via anonymous FTP for people on the Internet. A Macintosh version will be
online soon. (If you can't wait, see below.)
To get a free demo disk and the manual, use ftp to connect to
ftp.cs.vu.nl (192.31.231.42) and look in pub/minix/demo. The READ_ME
file describes the contents of the directory and how to use it. Be sure to
fetch and read this first. It contains important information.
If you don't have FTP access, you can buy the demo disk package from Prentice-
Hall for $10 by calling (201) 767-5969 or FAX (201) 767-5625. Please DON'T
ask me to send it by email. I have quite enough work already thank you.
The ordering numbers for Prentice-Hall are:
- MINIX 1.5 IBM demo disk (0-13-582768-x) (in stock now)
- MINIX 1.5 Atari demo disk (0-13-582792-2) (in stock now)
- MINIX 1.5 Macintosh demo disk (0-13-582784-1) (in stock now)
Please note that although the demo disks are available for free on line,
MINIX itself is copyrighted software and is not available on line. The
demo disks are also copyrighted, but permission is hereby granted to
upload and use them for evaluation purposes. The READ_ME file tells how
MINIX can be ordered.
AS A COURTESY TO US, PLEASE DO NOT FTP DURING BUSINESS HOURS (EUROPEAN
TIME). PLEASE FTP AFTER 11 A.M. EASTERN STANDARD TIME.
If you want to follow the MINIX discussion, read the comp.os.minix
newsgroup, which is quite active and has almost 50,000 subscribers.
Have fun!
Andy Tanenbaum (a...@cs.vu.nl)
:MINT: ??.??.??
What is MiNT?
=============
MiNT is a free multitasking operating system extension for TOS. It is somewhat
like BSD Unix from the programmer's perspective. MiNT can run up to 1 GEM
program along with a lot of character-based programs simultaneously. MGR
and MW2 can both put multiple terminal windows on screen, and bgacc can
put a number of terminal windows on a GEM screen. MiNT and lots of stuff to go
with it can be found at atari.archive.umich.edu:/atari/mint.
TOSWIN is the new replacement for bgacc: it provides lots of nice features like
variable fonts, menus, selectable window gadgets, etc. GEMTERM is a similar
package (it's not part of the standard MiNT distribution) modelled after TOSWIN
and XTerm.
A somewhat interesting note: MiNT is now the kernel of Atari's multitasking
OS, MultiTOS. Originially MiNT stood for 'MiNT is Not TOS', but it's now
'MiNT is Now TOS'. :-)
:XWIN: ??.??.??
Is there a version of XWindows for the ST?
==========================================
Currently, there is no XWindows port for the ST. It is quite unlikely that
there will be one, although you are free to port it if you like :-). There
does exist a port for the TT (and presumably Falcon) as part of Atari's Unix
distribution.
:DEMOS: ??.??.??
Why won't demo x run on my machine?
===================================
90% of the time, if a demo does not run on your American ST, you probably
need to be in 50Hz mode to use it. Get a program like 50hzboot.prg from
atari.archive to allow this.
:PAINT: ??.??.??
What is the format for [x] paint program data?
==============================================
There is a periodic posting of ST Picture Formats, edited by David Baggett.
The file is on the atari.archive server under /atari/graphics/picfmts.doc.
archive...@spud.hyperion.com:
---------------------------------
at...@atari.archive.umich.edu:
-----------------------------
archive...@micros.hensa.uk.ac:
---------------------------------
info-...@Germany.EU.net:
---------------------------
archive...@Germany.EU.net:
------------------------------
LIST...@UOGUELPH.BITNET:
------------------------
atari.archive.umich.edu [141.211.164.8]
ftp.Germany.EU.net [192.76.144.75]
ftp.cs.ruu.nl [131.211.80.17]
:TEX: ??.??.??
Is TeX/LaTeX available on the Atari ST?
=======================================
The TeX/LaTeX typesetting programs are available on the Atari ST. Check the
atari.archive server under /atari/tex. Fonts and device drivers
(including one for the Epson 9-pin printers) are available on the
atari.archive server.
The latest version of TeX (3.14) has recently been made available on the
atari.archive server. The files are in a subdirectory of their own.
Graham Higgins recently wrote a message in comp.sys.atari.st indicating the
minimum files needed to get a working TeX/LaTeX system up and running on the
Atari ST. He said:
You'll need, at minimum:
The binaries for LaTeX/TeX :StTeXBin
The style files :StTeXSty
The font macros :StTeXTfm
If you want to screen-preview, you'll need screen font files (showdvi)
If you want to print locally, you'll need printer font files (dvifont)
Allow 5Mb.
For a step-by-step article on setting up Tex and LaTeX, send an e-mail request
to dav...@simvax.labmed.umn.edu. Be sure to mention 'tex.setup'.
There is also a complete, ready-to-install distribution called CS-TeX. The
latest version, 4.0, is available at atari.archive: /atari/tex/cs-tex-4.0.
This consists of 8 disks full of TeX stuff, plus an installation program
that takes care of the details for you.
Steven D Ourada
Welcome to comp.sys.atari.st! Please read this FAQ before posting a question
to comp.sys.atari.st, since a lot of common questions are answered here.
Thanks to David Paschall-Zimbel (dav...@simvax.labmed.umn.edu) for
compiling most of this FAQ.
Entries are dated by the last change. ??.??.?? means they were last changed
before the dates were added.
The following is an index of the questions answered in this part of the FAQ.
For easy access to a particular question, search for the tag surrounded by
colons (i. e. :GNU:). Questions marked with '*' are new or changed.
WEL Welcome to comp.sys.atari.st
*MODELS All the models in the ST line
*FALCON What are the specs on the Falcon?
ACCEL Hardware Accelerators
DRIVES What should I know about hard drives and the ST?
FLOPPY Can I use 1.44 meg floppy disks?
GRAPHIC How can I enjoy enhanced graphics on my ST?
JOY What joysticks work best with the Atari ST?
MODEM What modems work with the Atari ST?
MONITOR What should I know about monitors and the ST?
PCEM How can I turn my Atari ST into a PC emulator?
SPECTRE How can I turn my Atari ST into a Macintosh emulator?
UPGRADE Can/should I upgrade my ST?
:WEL: ??.??.??
Welcome to comp.sys.atari.st
============================
This newsgroup is devoted to discussion about 16 and 32 bit Atari micros. At
present that includes the Atari 520ST, 1040ST, Mega ST, STe, STacy, Mega STe,
and the Atari TT. There are also emulators for the Apple Macintosh and IBM
PC/XT/AT available.
Most of the people who read this newsgroup are technically oriented.
The newsgroup serves as a resource for Atari users ... feel free to
contribute to the discussions.
Associated newsgroups include:
comp.binaries.atari.st ! uuencoded binary programs
comp.sys.atari.st.tech ! technical programming/hardware topics
comp.sources.atari.st ! uuencoded/shar sources
:MODELS: 93.01.30
All the models in the ST line
=============================
This is a pretty complete list of all the ST/TT models and their main
features. If you have any additions/correction, of course, send them to
me.
Feature key:
CPU's:
8 8 MHz 68000
16 16 MHz 68000
16/3 16 MHz 68030
32/3 32 MHz 68030
RAM:
/1 128kB
/5 512kB
1 1MB
2 2MB
4 4MB
S SIMM slots for expansion
Built-in:
F Floppy
M TV modulator
Extra:
AV 8 bit digital stereo audio, 4096 colors, hardware scrolling,
analog joystick ports
MB MegaBus processor-direct bus slots
6U 6U VME bus slots, second serial port
FC Motorola 56000 DSP, 16 bit stereo audio, much enhanced video
TOS:
Highest built-in TOS
Models:
Name CPU RAM TOS B.I. Extra Comment
----------------------------------------------------------------
130 ST 8 /1 1.0 M Never marketed
260 ST 8 /5 1.0 M
520 ST 8 /5 1.0 M
520 ST+ 8 1 1.0 M
520 STm 8 /5 1.2 M
520 STfm 8 /5 1.2 FM
1040 ST 8 1 1.0 FM
1040 STf 8 1 1.2 F
1040 STm 8 1 1.2 M
1040 STfm 8 1 1.2 FM
Mega 1 8 1 1.2 F MB
Mega 2 8 2 1.2 F MB
Mega 4 8 4 1.2 F MB
STacy 8 1 ??? F Laptop
STBook 8 1 ??? F Notebook
520 STe 8 .5S 1.62 FM AV
1024 STe 8 1S 1.62 FM AV
Mega STe 16 1S 2.06 F AV,MB,6U
TT 16/030 Just for developers
TT 32/030 S 3.06 F AV,MB,6U Various mem/HD configs
Falcon 16/030 S 4.?? F AV,FC Many enhancements!
:FALCON: ??.??.??
What are the specs on the Falcon?
=================================
Here's some stuff I culled from the (reposted) Delphi conference with Sam
Tramiel.
--- Start Quoted material ---
Here's the specs on the Atari Falcon 030:
CPU: Motorola 68030 running at 16 Mhz
32-bit Bus
Optional 68881 or 68882 FPU
RAM: 1,4, or 14 megs
Standard Atari Cartridge Port
Motorola 56001 DSP chip
Expansion Bus:
Internal direct processor slot for 386SX PC emulation, or other
coprocessor
Graphics:
Super VGA graphics: 640x480 with 256 colors
True color 16 bit mode allowing a display of up to 65,536 colors
Accepts external video sync signal to allow high quality genlocking
Overlay mode for easy video titling and special effects
Overscan on TV's and ST Color monitors
262,144 possible colors
hardware-assisted horizontal fine scrolling
BLiTTER graphics co-processor
Sound features:
Eight 16 bit audio DMA record and playback channels
Stereo 16 bit digital DMA input
Stereo 16 bit DMA audio output
SDMA sound/DMA Coprocessor
Standard Ports
SCSI II port with DMA
High speed LocalTalk compatible LAN
Connector for analog RGB color (ST or VGA) or composite video
RS232C serial port
Bidirectional parallel port
MIDI IN/MIDI OUT
Stereo microphone input, miniature stereo plug
Stereo audio out, miniature stereo plug
Two joystick connectors
Two enhanced digital/analog controller/light pen connectors
Data Storage
1.44 Mbyte floppy disk drive
Optional internal IDE Hard Disk
System software
Pre-emptive Multitasking with adaptive prioritzation (MultiTOS)
Inter process communication
NewDesk desktop and eXtensible control panel
Multiple window user interface; number of windows limited
only by memory or software in use.
--- End Quoted Material ---
:ACCEL: ??.??.??
Hardware Accelerators
=====================
(Thanks to Shoou-yu Tang syt...@lamar.colostate.edu for this info.)
68000 based: ICD adspeed ST/STe
Fast Tech Turbo T-16 (16MHz)
T-20 (20MHz)
T-25 (25MHz)
68030 based: Gadget by Small SST (16MHz to 40MHz user changeable, 8 SIMM slot
68882 FPU socket, 1 expansion slot, TOS 2.0x).
Fast Tech : Tiny Turbo
Full size version
:DRIVES: ??.??.??
What should I know about hard drives and the ST?
(Thanks to Shoou-yu Tang syt...@lamar.colostate.edu for this info.)
To get a hard drive for ST, STe, Mega, Mega STe or TT(using DMA port):
1. Host adapter (convert the ST's DMA to SCSI standard):
ICD, Supra, BMS are the three major manufature. ICD has very good
software updating support and updates very often.
2. SCSI hard drive or MFM/RLL drive with SCSI adapter:
i). SCSI drive:
Like Quantum Pro80LPS, Seagate ST-xxxN series, they have a 50 pins IDC
connector, and usually say SCSI hard drive or Mac drive. (Any Mac except
Mac128, Mac512, FatMac has SCSI built in, so a drive that works with Mac
usually has SCSI interface).
No other adapter needed, just connect to the host adapter in 1.
ii). MFM/RLL drive:
These types of drive is older and used in older IBM machines. To use
them you need an adapter to convert them to SCSI. Adaptec 4000/4000A
is for MFM, 4070 for RLL drive, Emulex and OMTI also has similar cards
availible. Adaptec has stopped production for quite sometime so look for
these in used/liquidation place. (usually goes $40 to $75 each).
Connect the drive to the adapter (said Adaptec 4000) then connect the
adapter to the host adapter. (said ICD). It looks like following:
-------------- ----------- ------------ ----------
| MFM drive |------->|ACB 4000 |------>| ICD |------>| ST DMA |
-------------- ----------- ------------ ----------
3. Case, power supply and cabels for the drive system:
Unless you have Mega, Mega STe, TT and the drive is 3.5" so you will put
the drive internally, you will need a case with power supply to house the
adapter and hard drive. IBM case is very easy to get and has a lot of space
for expansion.
For older drive you need about 40 watts each drive, for newer 3.5" drive
they use about 20 watts or less, Quantum LPS drive use about 10 watts each,
make sure your power supply has more than the drives need. Again if you
use IBM case, the 150 watts power supply for that type case can drive at
least 3 drives without problwm.
Cables: DMA cable usually comes with the host adapter.
power cable from power supply to drive usually comes with power sup
SCSI cable from host adapter to SCSI drive or adapter(for MFM/RLL),
it's 50pins IDC female connector on each end with 50 conductors
cable. Should be availible at place you get the drive.
For MFM/RLL drive you will need the usual MFM/RLL drive cable:
( a 34 conductors cable and a 20pins connector, again should be
available at the place you get the drive).
Now, connect them all together. Before power up, check the connection again.
And check the jumper setting on the drive (consult the drive's manual). If you
are using more than one drive with the system, make sure only the last drive
has the terminator (either a DIP or a signle inline package of resistor, which
usually is socketed and close to the SCSI connector on the drive circle board.
Remove the terminator from other drives. [only the last drive should have the
terminator]
Software usually comes with the host adapter, or you can FTP atari's AHDX5
from ftp sites.
:FLOPPY: ??.??.??
Can I use 1.44 meg floppy disks?
1.4 megabyte floppy drives will soon be available from Atari for MegaSTe
and TT machines. If you own an older Atari ST, there is a company which offers
a $199 kit (including floppy) to install and use the drive. (I will supply
the name next month, sorry...)
Note that Tos versions prior to 2.05 will not format a 1.4 meg floppy from the
desktop.
:GRAPHIC: ??.??.??
How can I enjoy enhanced graphics on my ST?
For stock STs, JRI makes a chip which allows a 4096 color palette.
There is also a public domain enhancement that allows 32768 colors on
older STs. This can be found as 32kcolor.lzh on some archives.
There are a number of graphics boards on the market. Here is a first pass
at listing some of them. The information is based on postings by Ben Gilbert
and Jari Lehto.
C32 board by Matrix Datensystem (Germany)
* 800x608, 256 colors
* all ST/TT models
* 256k, 512k and 1meg versions
C75Z board by Matrix Datensystem (Germany)
* 1024x768, 256 colors
* Mega ST or STe, TT VME Buss
(Matrix GmbH has over 15, maybe over 20 with all versions, different
graphics boards available, from hobbyist to professional, from CAD
to GenLock and digitizing.)
ISAC board by Dover Research Company (U.S.)
* 1024x768, 16 colors from palette of 4096
* makes hi-res look like ST low res, just with a huge window
* Mega ST buss
* Dover Research Co. (612) 492-3913
The Imagine by Wittich Computer GmbH (Germany)
* 1024x768, 256 colors
* Mega ST only
(Versions available for all ST/TT models. Several possible resolutions.
Reasonable price, but slow and not very compatible..)
Crazy Dots by TKR (Germany)
* 1024x768, 256 colors
* Mega ST only
(1280x800, 256 colors out of 16.7 million color palette. 1664x1200 for
both 16 color and monochrome. True color option available. Mega ST,
Mega STe and TT.)
reSOLUTION SuperVGA by GengTec (Germany)
* 8 resolutions, 320x200 through 1600x1200
* 16 colors without driver, 256 out of 256,000 with driver
* 1 mb RAM
* uses a standard VGA monitor
* Mega ST or regular ST
* available in U.S. from Rio Datel, 1-800-782-9110, (702) 454-700
(1024x768 is the highest resolution with 256 colors. Driver is called
Multicolor VGA option. Compatible with NVDI and Blitter. Multisync
monitor recommended.)
AlberTT
* like ISAC card, but specific for TT VME buss
MegaScreen
* 832x624 monochrome
* connects to MegaBus
* works with Spectre
Reflex
*1024x1024 with SM124 monitor
*2048x2048 possible with expansion
*usable with most big-screen displays
ODIN by Marvin AG (Switzerland)
* external expansion
* gives TT-resolutions to a regular ST
Cyrel
* RISC-based card
* extremely costly
Here's a few more cards, available from OverScan GbR, Saentisstrasse 166,
1000 Berlin 48, West Germany, ++49 30 721 94 66, ++49 30 721 56 92 (FAX),
++49 30 727 05 6 (Mailbox, language: German)
Autoswitch OverScan for the ST (NO STE compatibility) is DM 129.--, you
don't have to buy a new monitor. The maximum resolution on a SM 124
is variable, but in most cases at about 732*480.
AutoSwitch OverScan TT is a VME board. It's about 249.-- DM, you also can use
your old monitor, but it only works in the TTs five color modes
(3 ST-compatible modes, 2 TT-modes). Resolutions are variable, ask
OverScan about the values for your monitor.
Falcon ScreenBlaster blows up your Falcons resolution to a maximum of nearly
900*600 on SVGA-monitors. It'll be shipping as soon as Falcon030s
become available, and the pricing will be near 150.-- DM.
Graphics cards for which information is sought:
OmniChrome board by Omnimon Peripherals
JRI GenLock
Atari/Lexicor 24 bit color card
Jari Lehto proposed the following recommendations:
Low budget SVGA - reSOLUTION
Professional high-end use Cyrel (or is it Cyrix?)
Hobby or semi-pro DTP Reflex
Hobby DTP MegaScreen
To obtain TT resolution ODIN
:JOY: ??.??.??
What joysticks work best with the Atari ST?
The Atari ST works with joysticks with a 'standard' D-Socket. IBM-style
joysticks, Apple joysticks, and Nintendo joysticks will -not- work.
Some recommended joysticks:
Konix Navigator - "best .. if you want to use it for any length of
time"
Gravis - "responsive ... great for games like MidiMaze"
WICO - "strong reed switches, hard plastic and metal components"
Atari - "FAR more controllable and responsive than other, more durable
units"
:MODEM: ??.??.??
What modems work with the Atari ST?
Any external modem should work fine with the Atari ST-series of computers.
You will need to purchase or build an RS-232 cable. Be sure the cable is
capable of establishing DTR with your modem, as many telecommunications
packages check the status of the DTR line. (Ask your local hardware guru if
you don't know what DTR is...)
The ST can connect to modems at up to 19,200 baud. Practically, you will
purchase either a 2400-baud or 9600-baud modem. The cost of 2400-baud modems
has dropped so much in the past few years that you should not even consider
a slower modem. Believe me, modem speeds under 2400-baud are going to seem
SLOOOOOOOW to you!
You will probably need a serial port patch program to use high speed modems
on your ST; most versions of TOS have a bug in CTS/RTS handling.
:MONITOR: ??.??.??
What should I know about monitors and the ST?
The monitor is your connection to the ST. Without a monitor, you're typing
blind. (Unless, of course, you have an RF modulator on your ST and attach it
to your TV set. This is discouraged, as the bandwidth and resolution are
pretty terrible for anything other than arcade games.)
There are three monitor choices for those of us owning Atari ST/STe equipment:
1. Monochrome monitors - these include the venerable SM124, one of the
sharpest monochrome monitors on the market. Street price is about $150,
used monitors should run around $80-90. You can also purchase a 19"
monochrome monitor. This gives you a 'big screen' to play around in, and
is best for work with DTP and CAD systems. The price is a bit high at
$1500+, and you'll need a plug-in board, which is generally set up for
the Mega ST machine.
2. Color monitors - including the SC1224 in all of its incarnations (JVC and
Goldstar being the primary vendors). The newer monitor, the SC1435, has
a 14" screen and stereo sound.
3. Multisync monitors - these monitors provide monochrome and color access
in one monitor. The street price is around $450, about $100 more than
a standard Atari color monitor. You need to reset your computer to change
resolutions. In many cases, a nice little switch box is provided (or you
can build one) which does this for you. Examples of multisync monitors
include the OMNIMON RAINBOW MONITOR.
There are any number of monitor choices for those owning Atari TT equipment,
although they all boil down to 'multisync VGA'. There 14" color VGA monitor
from Atari is quite nice, as is the 19" monochrome monitor. Any standard 14"
multisync VGA monitor will do as well. Forget moving your SM124 or SC1224
monitor to your new system, the cabling and electronics is just not going to
work.
:PCEM: ??.??.??
How can I turn my Atari ST into a PC emulator?
==============================================
(Thanks to Shoou-yu Tang syt...@lamar.colostate.edu for this info.)
Supercharger is the only external PC emulator with 8MHz V30 and 1MB RAM in a
nice lunch box. It connects to ST's DMA port and defaults as device 3. It's
powered by external power supply. Has 8087 socket and one expansion slot.
The 1MB RAM can be used as RAM drive by ST when the IBM side not used.
:SPECTRE: ??.??.??
How can I turn my Atari ST into a Macintosh emulator?
=====================================================
(Thanks to Wayne (tr...@ihlpb.att.com) for this info.)
Product: Spectre GCR from Gadgets by Small, Inc
40 W. Littleton Blvd
#210-211
Littleton, CO 80120
Retail: $299.95
Description:
The Spectre GCR is a combination of software and hardware that allows
the Atari Mega/ST/STe/TT line of computers to emulate an Apple MacIntosh
Plus(tm) Computer. The emulation is so good that most Apple software
runs out of the package using your Atari Disk drives to read in the
Mac software. It does all of this while running 20% faster than the
program would on a MacIntosh Plus and provides you a 30% larger screen
area.
The Spectre GCR is a combination of software (written by Gadgets by Small,
Inc), a cartridge (also from Gadgets), and a pair of 128K Apple ROMs (from
either a MAC 512kE(tm) or Mac Plus - part numbers 342-0341 and 342-0342
which you purchase separately from an Apple source.) The Apple ROMs can
currently be purchased for around $150. MacIntosh documentation and
software, including the operating system (referred to as System/Finder),
are also required to round out the package.
The Spectre software is currently at release Version 3.0. Gadgets supplies
fairly frequent updates to allow you to keep up with the Apple OS releases.
The Version 3.0 update retails for $20. Version 3.0 supports 15 of the
128K OS releases up to, but not yet including System 7 releases.
Spectre software supports Mac formatted disks (including formatting your
own) with your Atari drives, Mac sound, large screen displays (1280x960)
Mac harddisks via SCSI through a Megatalk board (retail $299.95 from Gadgets)
or through an ACSI-SCSI host adapter (my Syquest works beautifully- and
the excessive use of disk accesses in Mac software will have you wanting
a hard drive). Spectre 3.0 also supports DOS Mounter and Apple File
Exchange if you are needing MS-DOS data disks for Mac work. Language
configuration support, keyboard support, A4 paper size support for
Lasers have also been added to 3.0.
Running Spectre:
The feeling you will get when you see your Atari transformed into a
MacIntosh with a decent screen is indescribable. The extra flexibility
that you get will also make you feel more confident in the greatness of
your Atari. You will also get to see some of the frustrations with one
of the other sides of the fence - frustrations like excessive disk access,
remembering not to remove/change a disk unless the OS tells you to, etc.
Speaking of changing disks, there are major differences in the operating
philosophies of an ST and of a MacIntosh. You really must read the
documentation that comes with the Spectre GCR (and I for one found that
a real delight. Dave and Sandy have a very different approach to software
documentation that makes it enjoyable reading.) You should also read the
Mac Operating System docs. One other reference you may need if you are
going to do much with Mac software is one of the reference manuals
referred to as the MacIntosh Bible.
If you ask an Apple dealer if a particular piece of software runs on
a GCR, don't figure you will get a straight answer. They won't know.
The current compatibility list from Gadgets lists about 450 programs
and their release numbers that have been tried and found to work with
Spectre GCR. In general, if a piece of software won't work with the GCR,
it is probably becuase of copy protection. Most serious Mac software is
not copy protected.
One last note - earlier versions of the emulator exist that were not capable
of reading Mac disks directly. It's a capability you will want.
(Thanks to Shoou-yu Tang (syt...@lamar.colostate.edu) for this info.)
Spectre GCR is the best availible, you need to obtain a set of 128KB ROM from
Apple (they are used in Mac 512KE and Mac Plus, noted that Mac512 use older 64
KB ROM which is not good) to fully utilize the device. Also it's recommanded
to use it with MONO monitor and at least 2MB RAM. The Spectre software takes
about 300 some KB of memory, so on a 1040 there is not very much left for Mac,
especially after the Mac system is loaded. 4MB memory and MONO is best.
It can read/write Mac disk direct using ST's drive (double side drive, as most
Mac drive is double side). With DOS mounter or software like that you can read
/write ST, IBM disk from the Mac desktop as well (don't try to run the ST, IBM
binary. It's only for file transfer). Or you can use Apple File Exchange to
read/write ST, IBM disk.
Syatem 6.0.5 runs fine, system 6.0.6, 6.0.7 runs also. But system 7 will not
run with it.
:UPGRADE: ??.??.??
Can/should I upgrade my ST?
The answer depends on the type of ST you currently have, and what you want to
do in the future. Be aware that there are a large number of modifications one
can perform on the venerable 1040ST, and that newer machines are coming down in
cost so much that to obtain a certain feature it may be cheaper to purchase
new than to upgrade.
1. Memory - most ST machines may be upgraded to 4 megabytes. The newer STe
machines use either SIP or SIMM
2. TOS - for those still running TOS 1.0, now is the time to consider an
upgrade. TOS 1.4 has been around for at least 2 years now, and is -much-
faster (and safer) for those using hard drives. TOS 2.06 is available
as a hardware upgrade to ST and MegaST machines for about $150 from CodeHead