From: tazzzzz@quip.eecs.umich.edu (Kevin Dangoor)
Subject: Lynx FAQ
Organization: University of Michigan EECS Dept., Ann Arbor
Date: Sun, 3 Jan 1993 19:10:47 GMT

Since Rob Jung couldn't post it here himself (because his site called
a.g.l a bogus group), I figured I'd do it...


From: rjung@aludra.usc.edu (Robert A. Jung)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: Atari Lynx Frequently-Asked Questions file
Date: 3 Jan 1993 10:43:23 -0800
Organization: Southern California Lynx Enthusiasts
NNTP-Posting-Host: aludra.usc.edu

Another new year, another updated rendition of the Lynx FAQ. Read and enjoy.

(Note: This article is NOT cross-posted to alt.games.lynx because my site has
suddenly declared it a bogus newsgroup. Until someone sends out a "create
newsgroup" message over here, I'm stuck. C'est la vie)


 |||
 |||  ATARI Lynx "Frequently Asked Questions" File!  Updated: 1/2/93
/ | \

        Created by Darius Vaskelis, who saw the need and filled it.
        Maintained by Robert Jung (rjung@usc.edu)

==============================================================================

This file is not maintained by, overseen by, endorsed, or otherwise associated
with Atari Corp. or any of its subsidiaries. It's just a collection of
questions and answers, with a few news tidbits thrown in.

This file is posted on a monthly basis, usually around the first of the month.
It is maintained by Robert Jung at rjung@usc.edu on USENET. Send corrections,
news, updates, comments, questions, or other stuff to that address. All mail
is welcome!

Updates since the last publically posted FAQ on rec.games.video have a
vertical bar in the first column.

==============================================================================

Q. What is the Atari Lynx?

A. The world's first hand-held color video game system. Sold by Atari, the
   Lynx offers true multi-player competition, built-in 3D and distortion
   graphic effects, reversible controls, and fast arcade action for under
   $100.

==============================================================================

Q. What's the relationship between the Atari Lynx and Epyx?

A. The Lynx was originally conceived by Epyx in 1987. It was called the
   "Handy" at that time.  Two creators of the system, Dave Needle and R.J.
   Mical, were also members of the Amiga design team. Atari bought the rights,
   and the rest is history. Epyx is still required by its contract with Atari
   to provide technical support, which it still does.

==============================================================================

Q. Are Lynx game cards encoded with any encryption scheme?

A. Yes and no. Most of the game card is not encrypted, just a few hundred
   bytes. The game-card verification system was introduced to enforce game
   quality, which Epyx perceived as a major threat after looking at what
   happened to the Atari 2600 (VCS) towards the end. Epyx still performs the
   encryption of the game cards, using a proprietary encoding system. Epyx
   makes no judgement on what is encoded, but does everything Atari requests.

==============================================================================

Q. What are the differences between the original Lynx ("Lynx Classic") and the
   new Lynx ("Lynx II")?

A. The new Lynx is a bit smaller and lighter than the original Lynx. It has a
   slightly longer battery life, and can also just turn the screen off during
   a game pause to save batteries.  (The original Lynx had a five minute
   auto-power shut-off that would have prevented this from being useful. It is
   gone in the new Lynx). A power LED has been added (which also blinks when
   battery power is low), and cartridges are easier to insert.

   The only differences in a technical sense is that the new Lynx has a more
   efficient internal design, and the headphone jack supports stereo sound.
   The speaker in new Lynx is also not as loud as the original Lynx, although
   it's more than adequate for all but the noisiest situations.

   Also, the new Lynx can experience what is called "blinking pixel syndrome".
   With certain game cards, one pixel on the screen (usually stationary)
   cycles through all the colors very quickly. It does not affect game play,
   and isn't always noticed unless it's looked for. It seems to be fixed in
   later Lynxes, making it even less of a factor.

   The power consumption in the new Lynx is only slightly less than in the
   original Lynx, and is not enough to account for an extra hour of play time.
   The extra hour is claimed by assuming that the user will turn off the
   backlight for some of the running time, which could be counted as dead
   time, not game time.

==============================================================================

Q. What are the specifications of the Lynx?

A. Physical dimensions:

       Size: 9.25" x 4.25" x 2" (10.75" x 4.25" x 1.5" for original Lynx)
     Screen: 3.5" diagonal (3.25" x 1.88" approx.)
    Speaker: 2" diameter

    Buttons: Two sets of fire buttons (A and B)
             Two option buttons (OPTION 1 and OPTION 2)
             Pause button
             (OPTION 1 + Pause = Restarts the game
              OPTION 2 + Pause = Flips the screen, which allows the Lynx
              controls to be reversed)
             Power on light (Not on original Lynx; indicates unit is on)
             Power on button
             Power off button
             Backlight button (Not on original Lynx; turns off the screen,
               but does not turn off the game. This saves electricity use
               when a game is paused)
     Joypad: Eight directional
   Controls: Volume
             Brightness
      Ports: Headphones (mini-DIN 3.5mm stereo, mono on original Lynx)
             ComLynx (multi-player)
             Power (9V DC, 1 A)
             Game card slot
             Battery holder (six AA)

  For the technically minded, the Lynx has two basic chips that form a
  cooperative set of co-processing subsystems that maximize the Lynx's
  performance by sharing the work of executing a game program.  These
  chips are called Mikey and Suzy.

  Mikey (16-bit custom CMOS chip running at 16MHz)
  - MOS 65C02 processor running at up to 4MHz (~3.6MHz average)
      8-bit CPU, 16-bit address space
  - Sound engine
       4 channel sound
       8-bit DAC for each channel
       (4 channels x 8-bits/channel = 32 bits commonly quoted)
       Range of 100Hz to well above the range of human hearing
       Stereo with panning (mono for original Lynx)
  - Video DMA driver for LCD display
  - System timers
  - Interrupt controller
  - UART (for ComLynx)
  - 512 bytes of bootstrap and game-card loading ROM

  Suzy (16-bit custom CMOS chip running at 16MHz)
  - Blitter (bit-map block transfer) unit
  - Graphics engine
      Hardware drawing support
      Unlimited number of high-speed sprites with collision detection
      Hardware high-speed sprite scaling, distortion, and tilting effects
      Hardware decoding of compressed sprite data
      Hardware clipping and multi-directional scrolling
      Variable frame rate (up to 75 frames/second)
      4096 color (12-bit) palette
      16 simultaneous colors (4 bits) from palette at one time
      160 x 102 "triad" standard resolution (16,320 addressable pixels)
      (A triad is three LCD elements: red, green, and blue)
      Capability of 480 x 102 artificially high resolution
  - Math co-processor
      Hardware 16-bit multiply and divide (32-bit answer)
      Parallel processing of single multiply or divide instruction

   The Lynx contains 64K (half a megabit) of 120ns DRAM.  Game-cards
   currently hold 128K (1 megabit) or 256K (2 megabits) of ROM, but there
   seems to be a capability of up to 2M (16 megabits) on one game-card.

   With alkaline batteries, the reasonable average battery life is 5 hours.
   (4 hours with the original Lynx)  The Lynx can run off rechargeable
   Ni-Cad batteries, but average battery life drops drastically to 1.5 hours
   per recharge (1 hour for the original Lynx). Your mileage may vary.

==============================================================================

Q. Why does the Lynx use a 6502 and not a 68000?

A. From R.J. Mical, one of the Lynx's creators:

   "Some people believe it's less of a processor than the 68000, for example.
   That series of chip was used in the Amiga, but it wouldn't make our machine
   do things any better. In fact, it would only make the unit larger and more
   expensive. It's also harder to write 68000 code, so we definitely made the
   right decision.

|  From Stephen Landrum, an author of portions of the Lynx operating system
|  and of several Lynx games:

   "The real answer for the choice for the 6502 vs. 68000 was price.
   Secondary considerations (that did not really enter into the decision
   making process): 68000 code is very fat compared to 6502 code. An
   application that takes 1K of 6502 code averages 2.5 to 3K of 68000 code.
   The 6502 is very bus-efficient, the 68000 has lots of dead time on the bus.
   As for it being harder to write 68000 code, that is probably not true, and
   in any case was not part of the reason the decision was made."

==============================================================================

Q. Is the Lynx an 8-bit or 16-bit system?

A. If 16-bit refers to the main CPU, (such as the Sega Genesis/MegaDrive) then
   the Lynx is an 8-bit system. If 16-bit refers to the graphics engine, (such
   as the NEC TurboGraphix-16/PC-Engine) then the Lynx is a 16-bit system.

==============================================================================
 
Q. What can I use to carry my Lynx game cards?
 
A. A cheap and easy solution is the plastic cases used to hold trading cards.
   They're transparent, sturdy, and lock shut when closed. Most hobby and
   comic book stores will sell them; a large case costs $0.50 to $1.00, and
   can hold up to 14 Lynx cards.
 
   Another solution are Lynx card wallets. Sold by Realm, a wallet costs
   $5.95, holds up to 18 cards, padded for protection, and folds flat. Write
   to Joey Sherman at Realm, 10504 Easum Rd., Louisville KY 40299. On GEnie,
   send e-mail to REALM.
 
==============================================================================

Q. What other accessories exist for the Lynx?

A. The following products are known to be available:
   * ComLynx cable. Connects multiple Lynxes together for multiplayer games.
   * AC adaptor. Powers the Lynx from any AC wall socket.
   * Cigarette lighter adaptor. Powers the Lynx from any automobile cigarette
       lighter. Will support one or two Lynxes simultaneously.
   * Atari Lynx Sun Shield. Folds down to protect the Lynx screen, and pops
       open to shade the Lynx screen from sunlight for outdoor play. (NOTE:
       There are two models; you need the one appropriate for your Lynx)
   * D-cell battery pack. Holds six D-cell batteries, and can be attached
       with a belt clip. Alkaline batteries provides power for up to 20 hours
       of playing.
   * Atari Lynx carrying pouch. Holds a Lynx, several game cards, and a
       ComLynx cable. Attaches with a wrist strap/belt loop.
   * Atari Lynx Kit Case. Holds a Lynx, up to 24 game cards, and assorted
       accessories. Padded interior with Velcro dividers, can be customized.
       Carried with a handle or a shoulder strap.

==============================================================================

Q. What do I get when I buy a Lynx?

A. The Lynx is available in two packages:

   The Lynx "Deluxe Package" costs $129.95. It includes the Lynx unit, a copy
   of the CALIFORNIA GAMES game card, a carrying case, a ComLynx cable, and
   six AA Alkaline batteries.

   The Lynx "Base Package" costs $89.95. It comes with only the Lynx, and
   includes no accessories.

==============================================================================

Q. Is there a TV tuner option for the Lynx?

A. No. Atari's official position is that market research shows that a TV
   tuner, while a neat idea, would not be bought by most players. The
   unofficial word from Stephen Landrum is that the Lynx screen display is not
   capable of handling a broadcast television picture.

==============================================================================

Q. Do all players "Lynxed"-up via ComLynx need a copy of the game being
   played?

A. Yes.  All players need a copy of the game card.

==============================================================================

Q. What's the ComLynx port like?

A. There is limit of 18 players via ComLynx. In practice it may be possible to
   connect more units together, but to operate within specifications, the
   drivers in the Lynx cannot drive over more than 17 units with pull-ups on
   the serial ports.

   ComLynx runs from 300.5 to 62.5K baud. It works on a "listen and send"
   structure. Data transmission between Lynxes is done in the background,
   freeing up the CPU to run the game instead of communicating.  It's called
   "RedEye" in-house at Atari, named after an early idea of having Lynxes
   communicate with infra-red transmissions.

   It uses a three-wire cable (+5V/Ground/Data) and allows for bi-directional
   serial communications. The system frames messages in terms of 11-bit words,
   each consisting of a start bit, eight data bits, a parity bit, and a stop
   bit. The ComLynx port is used solely for communications; it can't be used
   to control other aspects of the Lynx, though in theory it can be used to
   send signals to external devices.

==============================================================================

Q. Sometimes a multiplayer ComLynx game will freeze up. Why?

A. A ComLynxed game will freeze if communication between the Lynxes is
   interrupted. If communications can be restored, the game will continue.
   The most common cause of this problem is a fray in one of the ComLynx
   cables, or a loose seating in one of the ComLynx jacks. Communication is
   broken, and the game "freezes". Jiggling the cable or reseating the jacks
   may fix the solution temporarily, but the best cure is a new cable.

==============================================================================

Q. What are all of the current Lynx games available in the United States?

A. Current Lynx Games List (The notation "(x)" means to refer to footnote
   number x):

   Title              Stereo?  Players  Description
   -----------------  -------  -------  -----------------------------------
   A.P.B.               no        1     Patrol the city and look for felons
   Awesome Golf         no       1-4    Go for par on three 18-hole courses
   Baseball Heroes      no       1-2    The all-American sport for one or two
   Basketbrawl          no       1-2    Shoot hoops and slash opponents
   Batman Returns       no        1     The Dark Knight Returns again
   Block Out            no        1     Three-dimensional Tetris
   Blue Lightning       no        1     High-speed jet combat
   Bill & Ted's         no       1-2    A non-heinous adventure through time
     Excellent Adventure
   California Games     no       1-4(1) Harmless fun in the sun and sand
   Checkered Flag       yes      1-6    High-performance Indy auto racing
   Chip's Challenge     no        1     144 block-pushing puzzles
   Crystal Mines II     no        1     180 dirt-digging mining puzzles
|  Dirty Larry:         yes       1     Blow away the punks and scum
|    Renegade Cop
|  Dracula the Undead   no        1     Escape from the Count's castle
   Electrocop           no        1     3-D rescue adventure
   Fidelity Ultimate    no       1-2(2) Kings, queens, and pawns on the go
     Chess Challenge
   Gates of Zendocon    no        1     Side scrolling space shooter
   Gauntlet: The        no       1-4    Fight through dungeons for a gem
     Third Encounter
   Hard Drivin'         no        1     Stunt and speed driving simulator
   Hockey               no       1-2    Hot action on the cold ice
   Hydra                no        1     Pilot a flying boat over the seas
   Ishido: The Way of   no       1-n(4) Place colored tiles in matching sets
     the Stones
|  Joust                no       1-2    Air warfare on the back of an ostrich
   Klax                 yes       1     Catch and position color tiles
   Kung Food            no        1     Bouts and routs in the refrigerator
   Lynx Casino          no       1-2    Try to beat the odds the safe way
   Ms. Pac-Man          no        1     Run the mazes and eat the dots
   NFL Football         no       1-2    Pigskin action with real teams
   Ninja Gaiden         no        1     Martial arts in the big city
   Pac-Land             no       1-2(2) Run and jump through Pac-Land
   Paperboy             no        1     Deliver newspapers to keep your job
   Pinball Jam          no        2     Two real-life pinballs on one card
   Qix                  no       1-2(2) Draw lines and trap the helix
   Rampage              no       1-4    Ravage cities as a giant monster
   Rampart              no       1-2    Build a castle and defend it
   Road Blasters        yes       1     Auto racing with guns and rockets
   Robo-Squash          yes(3)   1-2    3D racquetball
   Robotron:2084        yes       1     Save the humans from robots
   Rygar                no        1     Run and battle beasts of the land
   Scrapyard Dog        no        1     Run and jump to rescue your pet
   Shadow of the Beast  no        1     Explore and fight the Beast Lord
   Shanghai             no       1-2    Remove all of the tiles
   Steel Talons         no        1     Helicopter combat flight simulator
   S.T.U.N. Runner      no        1     3-D tunnel warfare at 700mph
   Super Skweek         no       1-2    Paint tiles to save the day
   Switchblade II       no        1     Slash through Havok's forces of evil
   Todd's Adventures    no       1-8    Explore slimy caves for treasure
     in Slime World
   Toki                 no        1     A spitting monkey saves the day?
   Tournament           no       1-4    Futuristic robot football
     Cyberball 2072
   Turbo Sub            no       1-2(4) 3-D shooter in the sea and air
   Viking Child         no        1     Jump and fight to save your family
   Warbirds             no       1-4    WWI biplane flight/combat simulator
   World Class Soccer   no       1-2    Soccer with 100 international teams
   Xenophobe            yes      1-4    Destroy aliens in the space stations
   Xybots               no       1-2    Destroy robots in a 3-D maze
   Zarlor Mercenary     no       1-4    Shoot enemies for big bucks

Footnotes:
   (1) Manual says 1-2 players, 1-4 is possible
   (2) Multiple players on one Lynx, alternating turns.
   (3) Stereo sound does not match game action.
   (4) Players can compare scores, but not interact directly

==============================================================================

Q. What are some of the upcoming Lynx games?

A. Upcoming Lynx Games List:

   Note: This list is hardly definitive. It's based on many sources, and in
         some cases, it just might be dead wrong. Games also often change from
         pre-release to production.

   Title              Players  Description
   -----------------  -------  ------------------------------------------
   Aliens v. Predator    1?    Two mean monsters, head-to-head!
   Battlezone 2000      1-2    Update of the classic tank battle
   Blood & Guts Hockey  1-2    Hockey with the violence knob turned up
   Cabal                1-2    Shoot for your country and your freedom
   Cards                 1?    Cribbage, Gin, and Solitaire
   Daemonsgate I         1?    Fantasy role-playing
   Defender/Stargate/    1?    The arcade classics from Williams
      Defender II
   Dinolympics           1     Use your brain and lead your cave clan
   Double Dragon        1-2    Street fighting game
   Eye of the Beholder   1     First-person dungeon-exploring adventure
   European Tournament  1-2?   Realistic soccer action through Europe
     Soccer
   Full Court Press     1-2    Fast action basketball
      Basketball
   Gordo 106             ?     ???
   The Guardians:
      Storms Over Doria 1-4    Large scale role playing-type game
   Heavyweight          1-2    First-person boxing action
      Contender
   Jimmy Connors Bad    1-2    Hit a ball over a net, while Connors comments
      Boy Tennis
   Krazy Ace Minature   1-4    Putt for par against zany obstacles. Comes
      Golf                        with course construction kit
   Lemmings             1-2    Save the green haired dudes
   Malibu Beach         1-2    Ball-bouncing fun on the beach
      Volleyball
   Ninja Gaiden III:    1-2?   Sequel to the martial arts game
      Ancient Ship of Doom        (port from the Nintendo)
   Ninja Nerd            1     Time-travelling, nerds, and ninjas
   Operation Desert      1     The UN vs. Saddam!
      Storm
   Outpost Mars          ?     ???
   Pit Fighter          1-2    Fight in the underworld arenas
   Power Force           ?     ???
   R.C. Destruction     1-4    Radio-controlled car-blasting
      Derby
   Rabbit Quest          ?     ???
   Relief Pitcher       1-2    Realistic baseball action from the arcade
   Rai-Den              1-2    You vs. the aliens in a scrolling shooter
   Road Riot 4WD        1-2    Off-roading mania with a stun gun!
   Rolling Thunder       1     One agent against the evil empire
   720 degrees           1     Skateboarding for fame and profit
   Spacewar             1-2?   Warfare in the final frontier
   Spot: The Video Game  ?     7Up's mascot goes on an adventure
   Starship              ?     ???
   Strider II            1     Run, jump, swordfight the techo-enemies
   Super Asteroids &     1?    Two updated classics on one game-card
      Missile Command
   Super Off-Road       1-4    Off-road racing on the Lynx
   Ultra Star Raiders    1?    Enhanced version of the computer classic
   Vindicators          1-2    Use your tank to destroy space stations

==============================================================================

Q. My Lynx screen is badly scratched! How can I fix it, what can I do?

A. Get some "plastic scratch remover" or "plexiglass scratch remover". You can
   find it in hardware stores, or look in your Yellow Pages under "Plastics."

==============================================================================
 
Q. Agh! My Lynx is broken! How can I fix it?
 
A. For $50, plus $5 shipping and handling, and your old/broken Lynx, Atari
   will repair it or replace it with a new Lynx II unit.
     
   Send your Lynx to:  Lynx repair service
                       Atari Computer Corporation
                       390 Caribbean Drive
                       Sunnyvale, CA  94088
 
==============================================================================

Q. Where can I get a review and/or comments about <insert game name here>?

A. Robert Jung has written detailed reviews for every Lynx game ever released.
   They are available on-line at the Cleveland Free-net's Lynx Support Section
   (see below). If you cannot reach the Free-net, you can contact Robert at
   rjung@usc.edu on USENET.

==============================================================================
|
Q. Where can I find secrets, tips, and hints for <insert game name here>?
|
A. Kevin Dangoor maintains a comprehensive list of Lynx cheats, secrets, and
|  tricks. He will accept new tricks and tips, and the file is periodically
|  posted to rec.games.video. Contact Kevin at tazzzzz@eecs.umich.edu on the
|  Internet.
|
==============================================================================
 
Q. How can I reach Atari Corp.?
 
A. Customer Service:         (408) 745-2000
   Mailing Address:          Atari Corp.
                             1196 Borregas Avenue
                             Sunnyvale, CA  94089-1302
 
   The Lynx hot-line in Chicago ((708) CRY-LYNX, a.k.a. (708) 279-5969),
   appears to have been disconnected. This is probably due to Atari moving
   their offices from Chicago to Sunnyvale. No new number is known at this
   time.
 
==============================================================================

Q. What are other sources for Lynx information?

A. Publications:

   - A.P.E. Newsletter               Dedicated Lynx newsletter ("A.P.E."
     2104 N. Kostner                 stands for "Atari Portable
     Chicago, IL 60639               Entertainment").  Write to Clinton
     GEnie: C.SMITH89                Smith.  Published five times per
                                     year, cost is $6.00/year.

   - Atari Explorer                  Atari's official magazine.  Lynx
     P.O. Box 6488                   information is periodic, but often
     Duluth, MN 55806                early and biased.

   - AtariUser                       Atari-oriented magazine.  Lynx news
     249 N. Brand Boulevard,         and reviews on a regular basis.
     Suite 332                       Subscription is $15 a year (12 issues),
     Glendale, CA 91203              free at newsstands.

   - Die Hard Game Fan               General video-gaming magazine with some
     18612 Ventura Blvd.             Lynx coverage.
     Tarzana, CA 91356

   - Electronic Gaming Monthly       General video-gaming magazine with
     1920 Highland Avenue            some Lynx coverage.  Will often get
     Suite 222                       screen shots and reports of new
     Lombard, IL 60148               games before other publications.

   - Gamemaster                      Dedicated specifically to the Lynx,
     Gamemaster Computer             including reviews, tips, and buy/
          Publications Ltd.          sell/trade activity.  10 issues/year
     P.O. Box 2224                   for $10, free sample issue available
     Arvada, CO 80001-2224           on request.  (303) 423-6805

   - Gamepro                         General video-gaming magazine with
     P.O. Box 3329                   some Lynx coverage.
     Redwood City, CA 94064

   - On Target                       Dedicated specifically to the Lynx,
     18C Boyle Avenue                including reviews, tips, and buy/
     Cumberland, RI  02864-2306      sell/trade activity.  Bi-monthly,
                                     $4/year, checks to "Matthew
                                     Szewczyk", (401) 658-3917 and talk
                                     to Matt.

   - Portable Atari Gaming System    PAGS is a quarterly newsletter with
     P.O. Box 37692                  reviews, editorials, news & info,
     Raleigh, NC 27627-7692          and gaming tips.  One year costs
     GEnie: E.SCHOFIELD              $12.00.

   - Video Games & Computer          General video-gaming and computer-
     Entertainment                   gaming magazine.  Lynx news often in
     9171 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 300  news articles and in the dedicated
     Beverly Hills, CA 90210         portable-gaming column.

   Usenet newsgroup:

   - rec.games.video       often contains Lynx reviews and discussions
   - alt.games.lynx        Lynx-related discussions, often crossposted to
                             rec.games.video

   Internet FTP sites:

   - atari.archive.umich.edu or terminator.cc.umich.edu (141.211.164.8):

       /pub/atari/portadd  has back-issues of Portable Addiction, a
                           newsletter about the Atari Lynx, Sega Game
                           Gear, and Atari Portfolio.  Subscribe by
                           sending a note to tjerk@nikhef.nl.

       /pub/atari/misc     contains lynx.txt.Z, a compressed file with
                           some GEnie roundtable discussions on the Lynx.

   Internet TELNET site:

   - Cleveland Free-net AtariSIG

       freenet-in-a.cwru.edu or cwns16.ins.cwru.edu (129.22.8.82)
       freenet-in-b.cwru.edu or cwns9.ins.cwru.edu (129.22.8.75)
       freenet-in-c.cwru.edu or cwns10.ins.cwru.edu (129.22.8.76)

       You can log on as a visitor to explore the system. At the opening menu
       ("Please enter 1 or 2:"), enter "2" to log in as a visitor. At the next
       menu, enter "2" again to explore the system. You will then read an
       opening disclaimer and a login bulletin, then be sent to the main
       Freenet menu. Once inside, type "go lynx". Follow the menus to read
       Lynx-related discussions and reviews.

   BBS:

   - Star-Linx BBS

       (602) 464-4817, 300/1200/2400 bps

       It's located in Mesa, Arizona (USA) and has a Lynx Club. Be sure to
       have your California Games game-card handy when you call to gain higher
       access.

   - Video Game Information Service.

       (201) 509-7324, 300/1200/2400/9600/14400 bps. Multiple lines
 
       Located in West Orange, New Jersy (USA). The BBS is completely
       dedicated to video gaming, and maintains files of cheats and reviews
       for all game systems. Carries video-game-related conferences from
       other computer networks, including Fidonet, Worldnet, and Globalnet.

   Online service:

   - GEnie Atari ST Roundtable BBS, Category 36

   - CompuServe, Lynx Data Library and Message Group, in the ATARI8 forum.
     Reviews, discussions, tips, and a monthly contest.
     (Type "GO ATARI8", and join the forum)

   International clubs:

    - Germany:     Internationaler Lynx Club
                   Hans-Jorg Sebastian
                   Siegfriedstr. 3
                   3684 Schmitten 3
                   Germany

    - Netherlands: International Lynx Club
                   Leon Stolk
                   Vanenburg 2
                   7339 DN Ugchelen
                   The Netherlands

    - Austria:     Internationaler Lynx Club
                   Christian Lenikus
                   Obertraun 27
                   4831 Obertraun
                   Austria

    - Switzerland: Swiss-Lynx-Info-Club
                   Eugene Rodel
                   Sangeliweg 45
                   4900 Langenthal
                   Switzerland

==============================================================================
 
Q. How do I disassemble my Lynx II (assuming I want to)?
 
A. The original Lynxes were easy to take apart, for whatever reason you
   needed. The new Lynx IIs are more puzzling, but not impossible. The
   following set of (edited) instructions are provided by Ken Small
   (kens@umich.edu):

   "It's not hard, but there are a lot of fragile pieces and the electronics
   are sensitive to all the things that electronics are usually sensitive to,
   like static. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

   "First, remove the rubber pads from the bottom of the Lynx. They're glued
   on, but they peel off pretty easily. Beneath them are screw holes -- remove
   them. Note that it's *very* easy to tell if your lynx has been opened,
   since you leave holes in the glue stuff. Take off the back of the case.

   "Remove the screw located inside the battery area. Be careful when
   replacing this; it can strip easily. Mine is stripped, but the rest of the
   case holds the battery bay in place. Remove the battery bay piece.

   "You will see a circuit board with a couple of wires and circuit ribbons
   attached to it. Carefully unplug all of these. The ribbon in particular
   seems flimsy. Do not puncture or otherwise damage it. Remove the circuit
   board.
 
   "Beneath the circuit board is an assembly screwed to the inside of the
   case, which contains the screen, button contacts and buttons. A warning
   when unscrewing this-- the are LOTS of small pieces in here, and they're
   particular about how they go back in. In particular, be careful about the
   A/B buttons, which are slightly different sizes, and the rubber mat around
   the LCD screen, which has nothing to hold it in place.
 
   "The last thing is the joypad contact itself. This is a small rubber mat
   held in place by a snap-on piece of plastic. You can carefully remove the
   plastic to get under the apron, where the contacts can be cleaned. Clean
   in-between the contacts, being careful not to abrase the contacts
   themselves. They look like half-circles with a small (half-millimeter or
   less) space between. Grunge between them can register an intermittent false
   contact, which looks to the player like the joypad is being quickly,
   repeatedly pressed in one direction."
 
==============================================================================

Q. What's the Lynx developer's kit like?

A. Hardware:
   - Commodore Amiga computer: 3M RAM and hard disk.
   - "Howard" board: A parallel-interface module that has the electronics
     of the Lynx, also with debugging tools.  A large PC board inside of
     a metal case with power supply, and connections on the back for
     cable to connect to the Amiga, and to the "Howdy" unit.
   - "Howdy" unit: A small PC board in a plastic case with buttons and a
     Lynx display, and a cable that connects to the "Howard" board.

   Software:
   - Handy-Bug: A powerful symbolic debugger, also contains a disassembler.
   - Handicraft: Graphics translator that takes IFF files and turns them
     into coded Lynx sprite definitions.
   - HSFX: Sound editor
   - Macro libraries
   - Example programs
   - Notebook of system documentation ("about 3 1/2 inches thick... we've
     stopped counting pages") plus updates

   A full Lynx Developer's Kit currently costs around $5,000.

==============================================================================

                                                --R.J.
                                                B-)

//////////////////////////////////////|\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
   Send whatevers to rjung@usc.edu    |      If it has pixels, I'm for it.
--------------------------------------+------------------------------Lynx up!
"You weren't chosen because you are the best pilot in the Air Force. You were
    chosen because you are the class clown and frankly, you're expendable."


-- 
Kevin (Tazzzzz) Dangoor          \ 
University of Michigan           / Let me know when two finally equals three. 
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA         \ BTW, FWIW GUIs are better than CLIs, IMHO.
internet: tazzzzz@eecs.umich.edu /