From: ersys!mforget@agchem.redwater.iol.ca (Michel Forget)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st,comp.sys.atari.st.tech
Subject: Re: Making the screen one line shorter (at the bottom) -- How?
Date: 14 Apr 92 20:54:18 GMT
Organization: Edmonton Remote Systems, Edmonton, AB, Canada

ZX0013@DMSWWU1A.BITNET (Bjarne Pohlers) writes:

> In article <09BViB1w164w@ersys.edmonton.ab.ca>, mforget@ersys.edmonton.ab.ca
> (Michel Forget) says:
> >No, a window is not the way to go for me.  The mailer and newsgroup
> >machine was not working regularly, so I think I missed a lot of this
> >thread.  I did find out one way to shorten the screen.  Subtract 1 from
> >the value contained at $2AB2 and you have a shorter screen.  Add 1 when
> >you want to update the status bar.  It was as simple as that.  At least
> >for monochrome.
> Who guarantees that this will work with alternative screen-drivers, with
> other resolutions than the standart (e.g. autoswitch-overscan, new graphic-
> cards, etc....)? Will it run under MGR or with MW? On a TT? Is $2AB2
> a documented system-variable? Your program will only run on some special
> machines with a special TOS. Don't do that!!!!!!!
> >  l have to try it with color as well, since I am not
> >sure if the address applies to all ST machines.
> Please try also on all graphic-cards, on all STs on a TT, the new falcon, und
> all TOS-versions, under MiNT, MTOS and please test also all screen accelerato
> ...:-(

Uh-huh.  Actually, the address I mentioned was only one way of shortening 
the screen, and that way only applies to my own system as far as I know.  
The documented way (suggested by someone who didn't know I knew nothing 
about assembly) is:

dc.w $a000
-42(a0).w

Apparently this is how you check the line-a table to see how high the 
screen is.

Does anyone know how this could be accomplished through Peeks and Pokes?  
I am using Personal Pascal, which has no "asm" call in it so that is 
pretty much what I am limited to.  I also have Tackle Box ST, if that 
helps at all.

From what I have learned from the NET, line-a works but is not gauranteed 
to work on future computers.  I agree with almost everyone that 
shortening the screen is not a nice thing to do to future users of Atari 
computers, but that is the best way to get the effect I want.  I could 
use a window (as was suggested) but that is SLOW.  Programs like Stalker 
3.x that do use Windows look great, but they can't keep up with my 2400 
baud (Supra 2400 Plus, actually) modem.  I hate waiting for the text to 
catch up with the modem.  Anyway, based on the comments about shortening 
the screen made by people on the net, here is what I will be doing:

1.  The status bar is optional.  If you have a system that can use it, 
great.  If not, just turn it off.  For those who don't use it, a keypress 
will be enabled that brings up a status report.

Not sure why I numbered that...:)  It seemed right at the time.
Now that news is flowing again, perhaps I'll be able to see the responses 
people make.  I missed most of the thread while things were going crazy.

Thanks for any help.  It is appreciated.

<<  ------------------------------------------  >>
<<        mforget@ersys.edmonton.ab.ca          >>
<<     ersys!mforget@nro.cs.athabascau.ca       >>
<<               Michel Forget                  >>
<<  "This offer is valid on absolutely ANY day  >>
<<           of the year, except...."           >>
<<  ------------------------------------------  >>