From: carter@cae.wisc.edu (Carter Gregory)
Subject: Re: Galaxy CAD freeware for Atari ST
Organization: College of Engineering, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison
Date: 10 Apr 92 08:23:08 CDT

In article <1992Apr10.045546.25242@oz.plymouth.edu> oddjob@oz.plymouth.edu (Andrew C. Stoffel) writes:
>In article <1992Apr8.203839.18540@news.Hawaii.Edu> jww@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Jack W. Wine) writes:
>>Anyone tried this digital CAD program for the ST? 
>>
>>>    To obtain Galaxy CAD, connect to "eceserv0.ece.wisc.edu" (128.104.38.25)
>>>using FTP.  Log in as "anonymous" with password "guest".  Galaxy is
>>>in directory "pub/galaxy".  The file "README" in that directory
>>>gives further instructions.  Please register as a user by sending
>>>e-mail to "beetem@engr.wisc.edu".
>
>Well..... I TRIED to get it...... I got all the parts & d/l'ed most of
>them.
>[For the entire package for the ST you'd have to get:
>
>	AtariST.tar.Z
>	CADtwo.tar.Z
>	Fonts.tar
>	Mac.tar.Z
> 	CADtools.tar.Z
>	Docs.tar.Z
>	GMDS.path
>	Print.tar
>	CodeOnly.tar.Z
>	CAD.tar.Z
>	Wafer.tar.Z
>	ProgEnv.tar.Z
>
>Get the README, it explains what all of these are. You'll need 1.5 MB
>for the compressed tar files. So far I've used up 3.5MB of disk space
>for the setup not counting the contents of CADtools.tar.Z. You'll need
>a 16bit uncompress and a tar program (gnutar worked fine for me). You
>are SUPPOSED to need the Mac version because teh ST version is built
>on top of that.
>]
>
>The program that handles the GEM stuff for Galaxy CAD is horrible
>{meaning -BUGGY} on my 1040STf w/2.5mb ram. half the time the mouse
>disappears so I haven't been able to try anything out. Seems to
>work... I think. Hard to tell......
>
>If anybody can get it running, I'd like to know how.... (curiosity
>really, I don't know if I'll EVER have a use for it....)
>
>-Andy-
>
>-- 
>|"The Snark WAS a Boojum, you see!"   |                                |
>|"Reality !?! Isn't that something    |     andys@psc.plymouth.edu     |
>|    you sprinkle on ice ??"          |     oddjob@oz.plymouth.edu     |

I just am finishing up Digital Design 352 this semester, and I have to
say the ST version of Galaxy CAD sucks big time.

However, the MAC version is quite acceptable and is very very stable.

It has also been updated much more frequently than the ST version.

The package is quite impressive.  Although someone should show these
guys how to design software with basic Apple GUI guidelines.

Galaxy CAD is NOT easy to use.

But it does get the job done.   It does something screwy with teh keyboard
mapping so I had to go through and find alternate key presses for the
things basic functions.

But if you want to do small to medium scale circuit design this is
an OK package to use.

The UNIX version is a tribute to just HOW BAD UNIX software can be if it
is written incorrectly under X-Windows.  Made my hair standup on end...
(A pretty good feat because I use gel on my hair :) ).

So I used the Mac version all this semester.  If some one would like to
get the copy, I would recommend getting it off the ftp server.

The Mac version requires 1500K in Finder mode, 2000K in Mac MultiFInder
mode...which it runs pretty well too.

Running Galaxy CAD at 8Mhz is OK under Finder, really OK at 16Mhz under
Finder....Not so great under MultiFinder though at 8MHz..so so at 16MHz.

It also makes a KA BOOM on your Hard drive so make sure you have
enough room for about 4 Megs and 500+ files.

--Greggy Poo