HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: leo@dcs.warwick.ac.uk (Leo Hendry)
Subject: Re: Assembler routine that generates random numbers?
Organization: Department of Computer Science, Warwick University, England
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 10:08:36 GMT

In article <C1EtLI.HDI@cck.coventry.ac.uk> csg022@cch.coventry.ac.uk (PROC) writes:
>In article <1993Jan20.203516.18565@prime.mdata.fi> paetau@mits.mdata.fi (Rasmus Paetau) writes:
>
>>Does anybody know how to generate random numbers on a computer? I know
>>of the GEMDOS/BIOS/XBIOS call that does that, but I wonder if it could
>>be done faster? I'm supposed to do a program that has to do with
>>probability and such things, and I'd like a fast and flexible random
>>routine in assembler.. so if anybody has ideas, they're welcome!
>
>Erm, read the value in the address that holds the screen raster line
>position? I don't know the exact address, but no doubt someone will.

I may be wrong, but I think there is a gap between finishing the last line and
starting the next refresh, in which case you would tend to get the same value
a lot of the time.  There is also a delay returning back to the left of the
screen after a line has been sent.  Good idea though, and still useful in some
circumstances even if I'm right.

- Leo
From: jpa@cs.bham.ac.uk (Jonathan P Alma)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Hunter - Is it any good?
Date: 26 Jan 93 10:14:37 GMT
Organization: School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham,UK.

Thanks for all the help and advice given on this subject - I'm off to 'invest' my
hard (un)earned cash in a copy.

Jonathan.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jonathan Alma					         J.P.Alma@cs.bham.ac.uk
School of Computer Science
University of Birmingham, UK, B15 2TT.

The opinions expressed are my own and not those of Birmingham University 
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
From: alrashi@ecf.toronto.edu (AL RASHID SHAHIR)
Subject: Re: ADVOCACY: Canadian support was: Re: RFD: What to do with
Organization: University of Toronto, Engineering Computing Facility
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 23:12:01 GMT

In article <727576933.AA01170@contrast.wlink.nl> qsi@contrast.wlink.nl (Peter Kocourek) writes:
>Al Rashid Shahir wrote in a message on 19 Jan 93 to All
>
> ARS> This is making me sick. You're not even here and yet you have 
> ARS> the cheek to assume that you know it all. In fact, you'll just 
> ARS> about use any old excuse to put down the Atari, won't you
>
>At least BobR isn't saying absurd things like
>
> ARS>  As for the speed of the Falcon, it all boils down to a few 
> ARS> facts: 1) a 68030-16 outperforms a 80386-33. Just back-read 
> ARS> some posts or even read Amiga newsgroups for a little while 
> ARS> and you'll find ample proof. In fact, even the 68000 can whip 
> ARS> a 386 in a lot of fields. The motorola is just a better chip
>
>That is what I call "any old excuse." Yes, Motorola chips are better than
>Intel ones, but not by that big a margin. Claiming that a 68000 can "whip"
>a 386 is pie in the sky. Talk about cheek to know it all.
>
>So much for excuses.
>
>
>YHS:QSI!
> 

Notice that I included "in a lot of fields". I have yet to see sprite 
manipulation as good as anything an ST or an Amiga can do on a 386, let 
alone a 486. No 386 sequencer (or 486) has been able to beat an ST one - The
card (on a compatible) is merely for the MIDI ports. These very well do 
qualify as fields where the 68000 beats a 386.

Not flaming but informing.

Via con Dios.
AcEzE.
-- 
***************** WHO AM I, YOU SAY? ****************** "If time is money, we
************ SHAHIR AL RASHID**aka**ACEZE *************  are all in debt!" (tm)
****** Alrashi@ecf.toronto.edu *** GO RIN NO SHO ****** ------------------------
** This message brought to you by the Bollocks Bros. ** no fate but what we make
From: wallmann@backus.pu.informatik.th-darmstadt.de (Natuerlich!)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Profibuch (was Julian Reschke involved...)
Date: 24 Jan 1993 17:16:53 GMT
Organization: MSD software vault #9 @THD
NNTP-Posting-Host: backus.pu.informatik.th-darmstadt.de

In article <jonal.122.727891145@dhhalden.no> jonal@dhhalden.no (JON ARVID LOVSTAD) writes:
>Sure, a German dictionary might do it for many of those out there. Still, 
>there is a motivation problem. A lot of people out there just don't want to 
>go and pick up a dictionary to read a book.
>
>What about if some of us who can I/O both German and English volunteered to 
>translate a chapter each...?? 
>
I am pretty sure the motivation for people to translate a chapter for people
who can't find the motivation to pick up a dictionary is even less.

Nat!

-- 
 -----   Email: wallmann@backus.pu.informatik.th-darmstadt.de  -----
               "Bang that bit that doesn't bang"   
Artist of the month:  STOPPOK            VfL Bochum:  "Unabsteigbar"
From: cherborth@semprini.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca (Chris Herborth)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Organization: InterZONE Design
Subject: Re: CANNON BJ-5
Reply-To: cherborth@semprini.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca
X-Software: HERMES GUS 1.04 Rev. Sep  5 1992
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 15:01:46 EST

In <C184vJ.J3p@nmrdc1.nmrdc.nnmc.navy.mil>, Jim Allor writes:
> I recently saw the Cannon bubble jet BJ-5 for $300.  I'd like to use
> it with Pagestream, mainly.  Does anyone have any experience with this
> combination.  What is the quality and cost of running a bubblejet.  Its
> says its 360DPI, but is the quality good.

From what I've seen of Cannon BJ printers, I'll stick with my "merely"
300dpi HP Deskjet 500.  It doesn't cost any extra for a sheet-feeder,
it'll hold 50 pages in the input and output trays, it's _really_ easy to
refill the ink cartridges (saving you anywhere up to $20 over the cost
of a new cartridge), and the output is barely distinguishable from most
300dpi laser printers.

From what I've heard on GEnie, the BJ is nicer for printing text, the DJ
for printing graphics...  Since most of my output comes from PageStream,
the DJ was a clear winner, IMHO.

You should be able to find a used DJ for $300 or $400; many users
upgraded to the colour deskjet (Deskjet 500C or the new Deskjet 550C).
-- 
-------------------========================================-------------------
Chris Herborth
cherborth@semprini.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
From: giggey@ecf.toronto.edu (GIGGEY Mike S)
Subject: RGB Pinstriping : Is there a cure?
Organization: University of Toronto, Engineering Computing Facility
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 07:25:41 GMT

B
B
Distribution: comp
Organization: University of Toronto, Engineering Computing Facility

I have noticed that my ST produces some sort of pinstriping effect vertically across the monitor. 

I have checked the monitor with another source, and so I believe it to be the RGB circuitry. 

Someone has suggested to me that it may be the manner in which the R, G, and B are output.     

Does anyone have any idea what causes this, and how to correct it? 

If you have an answer, it would save me a great ammount of time!


Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
From: ah334@yfn.ysu.edu (Sherry Mackiewicz)
Subject: GFA 3.5E
Reply-To: ah334@yfn.ysu.edu (Sherry Mackiewicz)
Organization: St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown, OH
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 20:50:32 GMT


 have a small puzzle...Using GFA 3.5E, I can get some things 
to compile (a couple small prgs, an acc, etc).  But most thngs 
*won't*,  rather they will, but all give an out of memory error.
since I'm using a 4 meg machine wih no background/auto prgs, this
hould be impossible...

-- 
Atari is a religion.
Welcome to the 90's.
Sherry ||| Mackiewicz
      / | \
From: healy@nosc.mil (Mike Healy)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Profibuch (was Julian Reschke involved...)
Date: 25 Jan 93 18:03:39 GMT
Organization: Naval Ocean Systems Center, San Diego

Actually, german is similar enough to english that you have a chance
of comprehending it with a dictionary (as opposed to something like
japanese or chinese).
From: wells_s@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz (Steve Wells)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Hunter - Is it any good?
Date: 25 Jan 93 20:52:56 GMT
Article-I.D.: golem.1k1jv8INNnb6
Reply-To: wells_s@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz
Organization: Wellington City Council (Public Access), Wgtn, Nz
NNTP-Posting-Host: kosmos.wcc.govt.nz

Hunter:

Hunter is optionally, either a Strategy, or an Action game.  It has
options to alter the size of the mission, to such a degreee that you
can only complete it using strategy.  (To some extent).

Basicaly, no matter what you do - you have to go around shooting people
and blowing up silo's etc.  

The graphics are quite acceptable for such a game, with plenty of shades
of green :)  Some of the graphics are a bit odd, in one case you have
to find a person, which I found quite difficult, because the guy I
was supposed to find, looked like a coat-rack in a house.  

It takes hours to finish it, but has a reasonable amount of variety to
keep you going for a while.  The 3D works reasonably well, apart from
the fact that as soon as you go behind something, you can't walk through
the back of it, which causes problems, as the objects turn invisible, 
making navigation awkward.  Getting into/out of vehicles is simple enough,
but occassionally you keep hopping back into them, when you are nowhere
there them, which is rather annoying!

Plenty of little extras, like sharks swimming around.  The enemy soldiers
swim out to greet you with a bullet through the head.  Little animals
wander around which you aren't supposed to kill, or you lose credit.

Assortet different weapons, ranging from a hand-pistol, to a rocker
launcher, and timed explosives.  
Bulls that charge at you (persistently).

Lots of different buildings etc.  Assorted enemy weaponry, dozens
of different vehicles to get into, ranging from a surf-board,
to an apache-like helicopter.  

If you like a bit of violence it's good.  For those who like high-speed
shoot 'em ups, it's probably not, as it can take quite a while before
anything can happen!  (Lots of travelling....)


ST-Format (and others) had a review of it, around a year ago, so you
may be able to trace down their review.  From memory, ST-Format gave
Hunter around 85% somewhere!


 =============================================================================
 | O O    Computers:  Not just machines, they're a way of  |       |||       |
 |  o     life.  Your computer *IS* your religion!         |       ||| TARI  |
 | \_/    Steve Wells - Wellington, New Zealand.           |      / | \      |
 =========================WELLS_S@KOSMOS.WCC.GOVT.NZ==========================
From: cherborth@semprini.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca (Chris Herborth)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Organization: InterZONE Design
Subject: Re: ADVOCACY: Re: Convince me to stick with Atari. Why Bo
	<C0z00F.9zs@ecf.toronto.edu>
	<H.ea.FhM69gtAqbk@semprini.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca>
	<C14K28.Cus@ecf.toronto.edu>
Reply-To: cherborth@semprini.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca
X-Software: HERMES GUS 1.04 Rev. Sep  5 1992
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1993 20:55:18 EST

In <C14K28.Cus@ecf.toronto.edu>, AL RASHID SHAHIR writes:
[icky sticky goo]
> I think the whole point of the original post was that IBM still had the built
> int 640K trap. Now that this problem has been improved, problems have been
> solved. BUT, this is still NOT the case with 286's!! Even using the OS/2
> flat memory model, the computer still has a memory trap! So it's always through
> a driver that you get to use the memory, which isn't true on the Atari.
> Even on the BASE 520ST, you get to use a large amount of memory with NO
> problem, while a 286 (or less) with a large amount of memory has very few
> applications which can actually use the memory (they also have the added
> indignaty of never being supported - not being the case in Atari where most
> programs are tailor made for all systems only limited in terms of how much 
> memory you have on.) THERE! (*whew*) B^D  <---- In a mellow mood today!

OS/2 2.0 does not run on obsolete computers (ie, '286).  The only memory
"trap" is that on an ISA machine, with a bus-mastering card (ex, good
SCSI controller), you're "limited" to 16M of RAM.  2M more than the
Falcon can take.

If you don't have a bus mastering card (most PC owners don't), you can
stick in as much RAM as you want.

OS/2 1.x limited you to 16M of RAM because it ran on the '286.  By
dropping '286 support (how many people have '286s?  How many of those
don't know they could buy a '386 motherboard for ~$150?), OS/2 2.x
limits the system to 512M.  That's right, 512M is the limit...
-- 
-------------------========================================-------------------
Chris Herborth
cherborth@semprini.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca
From: mapmh@sunlab1.bath.ac.uk (Mark Hagger)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: A1200 versus Falcon 030 once again (FAQ?)
Date: 26 Jan 93 13:47:09 GMT
Organization: School of Mathematics, University of Bath, UK

In the referenced article, s914534@minyos.xx.rmit.OZ.AU (UT) writes:
>jornmoe@fredrik.atari.no (Joern Moe) writes:
>
[deletions]
>
>Also the Falcon doesn't have the custom graphics chips that the 1200 has,
>so its going to be slower still. Remember the ST 68000 was faster than the
>the 68000 used in the Amiga - yet most Amiga games ran faster than their ST
>counterparts - because everything had to be done by the CPU in the ST.
>
Depends what you mean by most?  Granted anything that was sprite based
run a damn site faster on an Amiga, but anything that was processor
intensive like any 3d simulations or other such interesting games
(well, I'm slightly biased here as I'm not much of a fan of normal
shoot-em-ups) generally ran faster on an ST.

Horses for courses I guess.

Mark
From: marshall@cs.uq.oz.au (Marshall Harris (G.M.))
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Profibuch (was Julian Reschke involved...)
Date: 28 Jan 93 04:30:56 GMT
Reply-To: marshall@cs.uq.oz.au

I have learned a L-I-T-T-L-E bit of German, but looking up every few word in
a dictionary is VERY tedious, and after n hours one just gives up! Anyway,
you would need a damn good and expensive German-English dictionary! I find I
can cope for short docs, but a book??!!

--
  _-_|\        marshall@cs.uq.oz.au (Marshall Harris)|ph:+61 7 365 2908
 /     B <--+  Department of Computer Science        :fx:+61 7 365 1999
 \_.-._/    |  University of Queensland, St.Lucia
      v     +--Brisbane, Queensland, 4072 AUSTRALIA (The Sub-Tropics)
From: TOBIAS@cip.physik.uni-stuttgart.de ()
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Q: DAT Streamer for the ST (SCSI) ?
Date: 27 Jan 1993 10:17:50 GMT
Organization: CIP-Pool Physics Dept, University of Stuttgart, FRG
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: julia.physik.uni-stuttgart.de
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.24

The subject line says it all. 

Anything known  about DAT Streamers (price, speed, capacity) on 
the ST ?

Thanks in advance. Tobias.

Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
From: avgroeni@cs.ruu.nl (Annius Groenink)
Subject: Re: Question : ___ M-ROS ___
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 10:23:04 GMT
Organization: Utrecht University, Dept. of Computer Science
Keywords: M-ROS

In <1993Jan23.100821.24576@midway.uchicago.edu> coonstot@quads.uchicago.edu (charles orville onstott) writes:

>Switcher is primarily intended to be used with
>Steinburg-Jones software though it will work with others.
>(I have, for example, run Word Perfect simultaneously with
>my Cubase without any trouble.)


It is, however, a pain to use a program that sends MIDI strings in parallel
to Cubase.  I wrote an MT-32 patch editor that runs as an accessory.  Not
only does Cubase hide my windows without a clear reason, it also sends MIDI
bytes right through my Midiws calls.  I get all kinds of exclusive checksum
errors and buffer overflows on the 32.  As all sequencing software I know,
beneath the nice surface there is utter crap, in Cubase as well.

-- 
Annius V. Groenink           -- phone (private):      +31 5700 29396
Mathematics/Computer Science -- e-mail (university):  avgroeni@cs.ruu.nl
University of Utrecht        --
Netherland                   -- ZFC Computing, Deventer (same phone)
From: cherborth@semprini.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca (Chris Herborth)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Organization: InterZONE Design
Subject: Re: Why Atari can't succeed in the United States
	<C14LrI.HM3@ecf.toronto.edu> <73968@cup.portal.com>
	<1993Jan20.131458.7069@cs.ruu.nl>
Reply-To: cherborth@semprini.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca
X-Software: HERMES GUS 1.04 Rev. Sep  5 1992
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 13:19:00 EST

In <1993Jan20.131458.7069@cs.ruu.nl>, Annius Groenink writes:
> Nonsense.  Why didn't the Mac replace the IBM then?  I don't think you can
> say Apple 'blew it'.  Anyway, I don't believe any of the stories of 'Atari not
> being able to compete'.  Those stories have always been there.  There is no
> reason why Atari couldn't go on at the same profile: a small market and not
> very competitive prices, but the only machine below UNIX that you can call a
> decent choice for architecture and style, not money.

The Mac didn't take off for several reasons:

1) You were paying much more for less powerful hardware.
2) Mutant disk structure... only recently has DOS/whatever conversions
   become important and actually usable.
3) Apple was _very_ slow in getting hard drives working with Macs.  There
   were a few 3rd party products but they were _very_ slow (over the
   serial port!) and _very_ expensive.  By then, most PCs came with hard
   drives at apparently no extra cost to the consumer.

-- 
-------------------========================================-------------------
Chris Herborth
cherborth@semprini.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca
From: craig@yonder.equinox.gen.nz (Craig Shore)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Organization: Equinox Networks (Public access), Node: Yonder
Subject: Re: Cocktail recipe program for Atari ST?
Reply-To: craig@yonder.equinox.gen.nz
X-Software: HERMES GUS 1.04 Rev. Sep  5 1992
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 06:13:16 +1200

In <1993Jan26.022129.27218@netcom.com>, Scott Hanson writes:

>I have the above program and have corrupted one of the database files.
>I cannot find it at any ftp sites; does anyone know of a cocktail recipe
>program for the st?  I cannot remember the name, but chances are good it
>is the one I am using (or a decent substitute)  Many thanks, and
>regards.

I think i've got it here somewhere... wasn't it on a coverdisk sometime?

 Craig.

-- 
* Craig Shore.  Phone (Voice) +64 3 3852501  * 
*  Email:craig@yonder.equinox.gen.nz  or  shore_c@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz  *
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
From: BWWL@ibm.rz.tu-clausthal.de (Wolfgang Ley)
Subject: Re: STZIP.. is the latest version here yet?
Organization: Rechenzentrum der TU CLAUSTHAL
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 10:08:27 GMT

In article <H.ea._VfnxWGexbs@yonder.equinox.gen.nz>
craig@yonder.equinox.gen.nz (Craig Shore) writes:
 
>Well the subject says it all really!
>
>A new version of STZIP was released a few weeks ago now,
> has it made it's way to a.a or any other ftp site yet?
>
> Craig.
>
>--
>* Craig Shore.  Phone (Voice) +64 3 3852501  *
>*  Email:craig@yonder.equinox.gen.nz  or  shore_c@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz  *
 
Hi!
 
STZIP 2.1 is availbale via anonymous FTP from ftp.tu-clausthal.de
(139.174.2.10) or via mail to "mail-server@ftp.tu-clausthal.de".
get /pub/atari/archivers/zip/stzip21.lzh
 
Bye,
  Wolfgang.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Wolfgang Ley                               e-mail:
       Teichstrasse 9
W-3392 Clausthal-Zellerfeld                     BWWL@ibm.rz.tu-clausthal.de
       (Germany)                            or  BWWL@sun.rz.tu-clausthal.de
       Phone: +49 5323 82132 (voice)        or  Ley@rz.tu-clausthal.de
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
From: saj@chinet.chi.il.us (Stephen Jacobs)
Subject: Re: ISO, Atari Corporate History material
Organization: Chinet - Public Access UNIX
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 17:27:45 GMT
Summary: More to it

In article <1jo05pINNiok@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu> molin@ptb.cl.msu.edu (Michael Olin) writes:
>gmg@unify.com (Gary M. Gealy) writes:
>
>>  Can anyone out there point me in the right direction for some information on
>Atari corporate history?
>
>Bright in the mid 80s, went down the shitter after that...
>
>Thanks to the Tramiels.

There's a major piece missing here.  Consult a corporate history of Time/Warner.
Warner Brothers bought Atari from Nolan Bushnell.  Eventually they and their
successors ran it down to the point that it was a good business deal for them
to give it away to Jack Tramiel, who had recently been forced out of C=
(which he had founded and turned into a major force).  The story of how the
Amiga got away has been posted to this newsgroup by at least 2 of the people
directly involved.  The subsequent design of the ST and the history of TOS
have also been discussed (and can mostly be reconstructed by reading the
Atari mags of earlier days).  There were signs of trouble to come in the
Amiga fumble; disappointment over the handling of blitters and TOS 1.4  
pretty much set the tone for today; in an era of corporate crimes that will
ever be legendary, Atari got taken for more than the value of the company in
the Federated deal.  I've been told that some of this has made it into
business text books.
                                   Steve           saj@chinet.chi.il.us
From: hyc@hanauma.jpl.nasa.gov (Howard Chu)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Falcon, Falcon who has got a Falcon
Date: 28 Jan 1993 05:19:32 GMT
Organization: SAR Systems Development & Processing, JPL
NNTP-Posting-Host: hanauma.jpl.nasa.gov

In article <1js5r7INNevj@rs2.hrz.th-darmstadt.de> wallmann@backus.pu.informatik.th-darmstadt.de (Natuerlich!) writes:
>In article <1993Jan22.162113.13989@bsu-ucs> 01mbmccabe@leo.bsuvc.bsu.edu writes:
>>> You see, the CPU doesn't spend all it's time accessing memory.  Many
>>> instructions involve no memory access at all.  Others access memory,
>>> but also spend a lot of time processing the instruction.  And if an
>>> instruction or data is already in the on-chip cache, it will be just as
>>> fast regardless of the bus width.  
>What about if a DMA transfer is going on, is this done over the video 
>(32 bit part) ? 

Good question, dunno what a good test would be.
>
>>can someone make a list of typical sorts of programs that would be really
>>"memory-intensive" so as to really suffer from this 16-bit memory bus?
>>
>Anything that's video intensive f.e.

Note that in the monochrome video modes, the bustest program (posted here
last December?) shows no slowdown whatsoever for 16 bit accesses, and less
than .01% slowdown for 32 bit accesses. (I.e., the 68030 cache delivers
100% of the theoretical performance.) I posted my timing results to both
this group and comp.sys.amiga.advocacy; I am still waiting to see the
equivalent results for an A1200. If you need the source code again I will
send it to you; I rewrote it in MIT syntax (for GAS) and still have the
original Motorola syntax posting.
-- 
  -- Howard Chu @ Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA

There's a rough border between genius and insanity, but I'm a dual citizen.