HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: eker@loria.fr (Steven Eker)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Blitter - what does it do besides bitcopy?
Date: 24 Dec 92 11:39:53 GMT
Organization: CRIN (CNRS) Nancy - INRIA Lorraine

In article <1hbbfbINNqvm@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>, aa399@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Len Stys) writes:
|> 
|> In a previous article, hyc@hanauma.jpl.nasa.gov (Howard Chu) says:
|> >The blitter does fine for sprite manipulation. I think it also serves for
|> >scaling (but not certain there). Scrolling is already handled by the video
|> >chip.
|> 
|> I realize that scrolling is, but how can we find out if scaling, rotation,
|> and other things have been added to the video chip?

The STe blitter could do bitmap scaling (using halftone RAM with the smudge
bit set) so if the Falcon blitter is upwards compatible it should have this.
I don't know of any commercial programs that used it on the STe though...
Anyway sprites can be scaled very efficiently with just the 68k. Rotation
is a bummer though; you really want enough RAM so that you can store
pre-rotated (and antialiased for non 90deg rotations!) sprites.

I can't see any point in having scaling/rotation hardware in the video shifter
unless you want whole screen video effects.

BTW What I'd really like to know about the Falcon is how the various buses/DMA
devices work - this will probably be the limiting factor on state of the art
games/graphics; eg

Is the sound/DSP DMA done using hblank video cycles (ala STe/Amiga) to avoid
bus contention?

Does the 16bit<->32bit link combine consecutive 16bit accesses into single 32bit
accesses to reduce cpu/video bus contention?

Where does the blitter take its bus cycles from?

Are 68030<->main memory transfers done using synchronous or asynchronous
bus mode?

What does the sound/DSP DMA look like from the DSP side? polled? can 56k
fast (2 cycle) interupts be used?

Since several c.s.a.st readers claim to have Falcons & official docs someone
most know... or is this stuff still TopSecret?

Steven
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st,comp.sys.mac,comp.sys.mac.apps,comp.sys.mac.misc
From: mike@rice.edu (Michael L. Quillin)
Subject: Re: Spectre GCR (Mac+ emulator) vs. Mac MS-Word 5.1???
Organization: Rice University
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 00:11:15 GMT

plucky@ais.org (Chris Adamson) writes:

>	Well, I just tried to install my academically-priced Word 5.1
>and the Installer tells me I don't meet the requirements for
>installing Word 5.1.  Neither "Easy Install" nor "Customize" is
>available.  What really ticks me off is that I installed and
>then deleted an original 5.0 from the Mac Lab I work in at Michigan
>State just to be sure it would work, and the 5.0 installation went
>just fine!

You could always install onto your work computer, then copy the 
newly installed files to your Atari using floppies (God forbid!)
or Appletalk.  You will be in violation of your license for a
little while, but I don't think Microsoft wil prosecute you for it.

Hope this helps,
Mike


--
...............................................................................
:	Michael L. Quillin		:	Dept. of Biochemistry	       :
:	mike@rice.edu			:	Rice University		       :
:	(713) 527-8101 ext. 3346	:	P.O. Box 1892		       :
:	(713) 527-8750 ext. 3346	:	Houston, TX  77251	       :
:.......................................:......................................:
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
From: "calvin bruner" <calvin.bruner@canrem.com>
Subject: clear as a bell ... but
Reply-To: "calvin bruner" <calvin.bruner@canrem.com>
Organization: Canada Remote Systems
Distribution: comp
Date: 26 Dec 92 11:40:34 EST

Dave, given Atari's proposed bundling of Conceirge/Sutra, is there any
chance that Atari could be approached to bundle GW?

Yeah, I know I'm probably dreaming, but hard feelings aside, it could be
profitable and would ensure that the platform had lots of games
development (I'm saying this without having seen GW of course).

If GW could be (or is) modularized a base module could be distributed by
Atari at their cost, allowing you to sell add on modules.

ATari cold also pay a royalty based on machine sales (.50 per machine
alone should add up to $150,000 per year, based on the intent to sell
300,000 falcons per year).

Ohh, and just to add a little more credence to your argument about Atari
and bundling of software  -  I recall receiving ST Basic, Logo and
Asteroids with my original ST.
--
Canada Remote Systems  - Toronto, Ontario
World's Largest PCBOARD System - 416-629-7000/629-7044
From: klassa@aurs01.UUCP (John M. Klassa)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Lynx games
Date: 23 Dec 92 17:27:46 GMT
Reply-To: klassa%aurfs1.aur.alcatel.com@rockdal.aud.alcatel.com (John Klassa)
Followup-To: poster
Organization: Alcatel Network Systems, Raleigh NC

Hi All-

Sorry for the non-ST post, but this was the only place I could think of
to put this message.  I suspect that I might be getting a Lynx for
Christmas (although it could be a Nintendo Gameboy, too...  Hmmmmm), and
am interested in opinions on which games are "must-gets", which suck,
where to get good prices on 'em, and so on.  Please reply via email,
since this doesn't really belong here anyway.

Thanks -- and Merry Christmas, everybody!

John

 o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o  Happy Holidays!  o-o-o
 o                               John M. Klassa                              o
 o      Alcatel Network Systems, Inc. --- Raleigh, NC --- (919) 850-1246     o
 o        Email: klassa%aurfs1.aur.alcatel.com@rockdal.aud.alcatel.com       o
 o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
From: dmb@case.ai.mit.edu (David Baggett)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Falcon030, resolutions, TRUE color, and DSP
Date: 29 Dec 1992 07:52:59 GMT
Organization: MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
Distribution: na
NNTP-Posting-Host: case.ai.mit.edu

In article <4913@wet.UUCP> ekrimen@wet.UUCP (Ed Krimen) writes:
>Happiness is BobR in a kill file.

It sure works great for beasts of bruden.  (Blinders, I mean.)
It keeps them from getting spooked.

>At least I don't have to read his whining any more.  

Instead you have to read meta-whining about his whining!

>And people wonder why Atari doesn't read/respond to the net.

For the same reason they don't do everything else that might
put them in touch with their user base -- they don't give
a damn about the people who own their computers.

Dave Baggett
--
dmb@ai.mit.edu           MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory                  
ADVENTIONS: interactive fiction (text adventures) for the 90's!
dmb@ai.mit.edu *** Compu$erve: 76440,2671 *** GEnie: ADVENTIONS
From: aa399@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Len Stys)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Falcon030 -- Truth not Fiction
Date: 26 Dec 1992 19:56:58 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: aa399@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Len Stys)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc5.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, kosmatoo@JSP.UMontreal.CA (Kosmatos Odisseas) says:

>In article <1h6kq4INNsuc@life.ai.mit.edu> (David Baggett) writes:
>>In article <1h5ppkINNp78@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>  (Len Stys) writes:
>>
>>>What is your greatest disappointment with the Falcon030?
>>
>
>>>What do you think is the greatest advantage that the Falcon030
>>>has?
>>
>>A collection of rabid fans who will buy whatever comes out of Atari,
>>regardless of its quality.
>
>You must be one frustrated man to say that. If that were true, why did most
>people ignore the TT? I'm sure that if the next computer Atari makes is not
>pretty good, people wouldn't buy it either. Although I think the Falcon is
>fine, and the 'rabid fans' will make it do some pretty neat things.

I was kind of disappointed by that statement as well.

Was it rabies that caused you to right Game Workbench for the Atari platform
in the first place Dave?

Really, Atari has ONE very GOOD advantage over other personal computer
companies such as Apple.  This is customer loyalty.  And unfortunately,
the company doesn't appreciate this advantage.

If Apple treated their users, developers, dealers, and publications
poorly, they would say "Goodbye", but for some strange reason, the Atari
Community doesn't work this way.

And if I were a part of Atari's management, I would exploit this advantage.

>
>>>Are you going to buy a Falcon030?
>>>
>>>If not, WHY?
>>
>>"Yesterday's hardware at today's prices."
>
>Yes, there have been computers as powerful as the Falcon with all the features
>it has, for years now, at sub $1000 prices. NOT!
>
>>>Do you have a Falcon030 computer already?
>>
>>No, but I pretend to use one on TV.  :)
>
>I thought you were given a Falcon by Atari when you went on your visit there...
>Just kiding.


No, really, at the end of Dave's article, he wrote that Bill Rehbock
gave him a Falcon030 because he felt sorry for them.

I'm wondering what happened to this Falcon?  Someone else told me that
Dave didn't get it because it was only Rev.2 or something like that and
he was suppose to get a Rev.3 machine.

>
>>
>>Dave Baggett
>>--
>

--
From: Bob_BobR_Retelle@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: So what does this mean to us ?
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 92 00:10:53 PST
Organization: The Portal System (TM)

Mark Hughes writes some stuff:

>I discovered that replacing my ST with another decent system, 
>without taking any sacrifices (pathetic sound and OS on the PCs, weird OS 
>and incompatibility on the Mac (not to mention their expense), etc.), I 
>had to go up to a NeXT.

Wow.. now THERE's an open mind for you..  too bad you didn't
actually take a good look at what else is available in the world.

In addition to the terrific sound and operating systems on PCs,
and the smooth operating system on Macs, you also get the
advantages of support from the company that made your computer,
AND the not inconsequential benefit of wonderful software support
from developers who are *happy* to be in the market.
 
>So it's not like there's much of a choice.  If you personally don't like
>the ST, go play with others a while
 
I see.. you're "stuck" with Atari, so you're going to badmouth
anything else there might be.. 
 
By the way, you must be new here..  go back and actually READ
the things I've posted.  Find where I said I don't like my ST..
please...

>In the meantime, don't bullshit at newbies...
 
I might suggest you do the same.. don't lie to them.. 
don't tell them everything is rosy in the world of Atariland..
don't tell them that people like David Baggett will always be
around, no matter what abuse Atari Corp may dish out to them.

If David decided to bulk-erase his masters of the Game Workbench
and say "screw Atari", I wouldn't be surprised.
 
You may consider the truth to be "garbage", but then again,
you're stuck with Atari, come hell or high water, and you have
to reconcile yourself to that.  If the truth hurts, then maybe
something's wrong with your slavish devotion to the company..?
Ever give that any thought..?

>No programmer willingly tosses out work just because of a stupid corp...

Don't bet your life on that... you get spit on enough, and you'll
finally say "enough".

BobR
From: wells_s@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz (steve wells)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: weird!
Date: 27 Dec 92 19:22:44 GMT
Reply-To: wells_s@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz
Organization: Wellington City Council (Public Access), Wgtn, Nz
NNTP-Posting-Host: kosmos.wcc.govt.nz

Some MS-DOS versions of LHarc generate slightly odd LZH files, but just
putting the -k or /k switch in usually seems to over-ride any problems
I've ever had with the thing!

(My command line usually consists of)

/mh a:\dl\[filename.lzh] D:\[newdirectory to create]\

Oops, add a k after the /mh!

This works for 99.9% of LZH archives I've come across! (I've not had
any major problems that a bit of alteration hasn't cured)

 =============================================================================
 | O O    If I told you how much I needed this,            |       |||       |
 |  o     I wouldn't have time to eat it.    Zaphod B.     |       ||| TARI  |
 | \_/    Steve Wells - Wellington, New Zealand.           |      / | \      |
 =========================WELLS_S@KOSMOS.WCC.GOVT.NZ==========================
From: alien@clinet.fi (Risto Juvonen)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Apology: True Colour *IS* great for games.
Date: 24 Dec 92 10:55:19 GMT
Organization: Clinet, Espoo, Finland.
NNTP-Posting-Host: clinet.fi

wmtwen@rw8.urc.tue.nl (Erlend Nagel) writes:
: Ha, but it is too soon now to make assumptions about this, as all
: falcons sold up to now have had 65 Meg HD and 4 Meg internal memory,
: Sounds like plenty for games.
: 
 I just hope that there would be something else than games too. Well,
it's fun to have some games to play with, but they really aren't any
usefull for serious computing. More software to image editing (quess
you can't do any real-time-image-editing on falcon?) and for
modelling. Falcon could be really nice machine for animations, eh?


: Erlend.

       _/_/_/_/    _/        _/   _/_/_/_/     _/      _/
      _/    _/    _/        _/   _/           _/_/    _/
     _/_/_/_/    _/        _/   _/_/_/       _/  _/  _/
    _/    _/    _/        _/   _/           _/    _/_/
   _/    _/    _/_/_/_/  _/   _/_/_/_/     _/      _/
                               VISUAL ART PRODUCTION

Risto Juvonen               Internet: alien@clinet.fi
Merisotilaantori 3 c 26     Fidonet:  @SMACK! (2:220/110.0)
00160 Helsinki, Finland     tel.358-(9)0-654804
------------------- Generation X --------------------------
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
From: FIEL000 <FIEL@UNB.CA>
Subject: PD or Shareware source for driving simulator
Organization: The University of New Brunswick
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 22:17:10 GMT

I am trying to setup a research project for a student interested in
driver/operator drowziness or fatique.  We would like to use a real-
time activity such as driving, radar scope monitoring or some such to
make the task credible to subjects over a period of several hours.  I
have done some programming on 8bit Ataris and have GFA Basic 3.0 but do
not have time to build a programme from scratch. However the project
require us to be able to insert various "events" into the process for us
to detect the subjects vigilance.  Thus, I am asking for help in finding
appropriate source code that I can have permission to alter for this
experiment.

I tried ftping trucker from a.a but can't unlzh it.  Any ideas or
suggestions will be gratefully received.  Thanks in advance

Don Fields,  UNB Sleep Lab
Psychology Department
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton  NB  Canada  E3B 6E4
From: knarf@nasim.sta.sub.org (Frank Bartels)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: HP DeskJet 500C Color Printer compatability
Date: 23 Dec 92 14:27:48 GMT
Organization: Knarf's UUCP-Center, Munich, West-Germany
X-News: HERMES MMAIL 1.04 Rev. Sep  5 1992

rchan@terapin.com (Ronald Chan) writes:

>However, some computers like mine like the DeskJet to be on BEFORE you boot the
>computer.  If I don't do that, then the Atari (Mega ST) won't even know it's
>there.  If you don't have a DJ driver, you can usually get away with an HP II
>[...]

If you use the spooler called CALCLOCK.ACC (comes with the editor 7up)
the problem will be solved!

>|| Ronald Chan [rchan@terapin.com]
>|| A Pocket Knight  *-{-----------

Knarf
-- 
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Frank Bartels - knarf@nasim.sta.sub.org - Munich - West-Germany |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
From: healy@nosc.mil (Mike Healy)
Subject: Re: A letter to Dave Baggett
Organization: Naval Ocean Systems Center, San Diego
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 19:15:13 GMT


While still an ST supporter (I'd like to get a '40 Falcon if the beast ever is released),
I have noticed a lot of people have disappeared from this group over the past few years.

Mike Healy

healy@nosc.mil
From: mhughes@comtch.spk.wa.us (Mark Hughes)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: The Path of True Enlightenment (was Re: Piracy of software)
Date: 21 Dec 92 11:43:28 GMT
Organization: Waffle BBS at CompuTech Spokane, Washington

warwick@cs.uq.oz.au (Warwick Allison) writes:
> >If MicroSquish released
> >all their software as crippleware, would you still not bash them at
> >every opportunity?
> 
> Yes, I would still not bash them at every opportunity.

  What, you mean MS doesn't release all their stuff as Crippleware right 
now?  DOS and Windows are surely not full working releases...  <confused>

 - Mark Hughes (Caves of Steel 509-624-1821)  mhughes@comtch.spk.wa.us
"I'm so good at feigning idiocy that some people are starting to believe 
it..."
From: craig@yonder.equinox.gen.nz (Craig Shore)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Organization: Equinox Networks (Public access), Node: Yonder
Subject: Re: Portfolio Software
	<eRF5VB3w165w@dogbox.acme.gen.nz>
Reply-To: shore_c@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz
X-Software: HERMES GUS 1.04 Rev. Sep  5 1992
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 02:19:32 +1200

In <eRF5VB3w165w@dogbox.acme.gen.nz>, Kennelmeister writes:

>Fine - Except for one thing - We're paying over 100% more than our
>friends in the USA for the same hardware......and software is STILL
>virtually unobtainable through most of the country for those without
>Usenet access.

Yeah, hardware wise I would just ring up a company in the states, quote
 my Visa number, and have it in anything from 5-12 days.
That's not too long to wait in your lifetime is it????
 (oh yeah, get them to write "warentee replacement" or "gift" on it for you,
 it avoids paying duty, but I never told you that trick ok!! :-) )

>As a comparison, PCclone hardware is at most 10% more expensive, and Joe
>average user can get software at any local shop.
>
>Is it any wonder people don't buy atari in NZ?

Sure isn't. The people that own atari's are on the lower end of
 the income bracket. The atari has an advantage that software is generally
 small, and will run on the bottom of the range machine, single 2 sided
 drive & 512K of ram using a TV.  With a PC you need a lot more than
 that for the basic machine.
This is now changing though, especially with the falcon.

For about US$1000 I could get myself a 386dx 40mhz, 80meg HD, 1.44 floppy,
 SVGA card & monitor, mouse, case, 200W power supply, and I could
 walk into _any_ computer shop for servicing, parts, or software.

The falcon has got sweet fa chance over here.... unfortunatly.

BTW: I'm not a supporter of any computer system over another, I remain
 completly nutral, none of this message is intended as a flame, just the 
 facts. I don't think the new amiga's will have a lot of luck here either. 

 Craig.


-- 
* Craig Shore.  Phone +64 3 3852501                    * 
*  Email: from in NZ - craig@yonder.equinox.gen.nz     *
*  from rest of world - shore_c@kosmos.wcc.govt.nz     *
* PLEASE DON'T mail to yonder from outside NZ. Thanks! *
From: ken@isgtec.com (Ken Newman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: News about C-LAB and EMAGIC
Date: 21 Dec 92 03:27:44 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: ISG Technologies Inc., Mississauga Ontario




The following is a press release from a Canadian distributor about
the fate of C-LAB and about the new Notator Logic. I have no connection
whatsoever with this company.

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

From Musicware News Nov. 92:

"Exciting news is on the lips of Midi users around the world. A
dynamic new 'spin-off' company has been formed by the key developers
and marketing team of C-LAB Software. EMAGIC is dedicated to the design,
production and marketing of professional music software and hardware
products.

EMAGIC is out to set new standards in the world of sequencing and
notation. You probably have already heard of Notator Logic - EMAGIC's
new flagship product. It created a stir months before it was even ready
to ship. Fourth generation in concept and performance, Logic promises
to give all users a new reason to enjoy making music. In the words of
Gerhard Lengeling "the Ferrari of MIDI-Realtime-WYSIWYG Score Editors
is about to be born". Logic will be released for the Macintosh next
month, on the Atari (with TT and Falcon support) during the first quarter
of next year and on the IBM PC by mid '93.

Does the change in the distribution of Notator SL mean that product 
support has been abandoned? Absolutely not! Both Gerhard Lengeling and
Chris Adam (the software engineers who created Notator) hold key positions
at EMAGIC, along with several other talented developers. You can dismiss
any rumours that Notator will not continue to be supported (especially
those perpetrated by Steinberg!) as inaccurate heresay. In fact a 3.16
update to Notator will be shipped in November. In addition, registered
users of Notator will be offered a soon-to-be-determined upgrade path
to Notator Logic.

The EMAGIC development team is also working hard to produce unique
software for beginners, along with various hardware and peripherals that
will integrate sound editing and system management. Sounds exciting?
We think so!

Musicware is proud to be the exclusive distributor of EMAGIC products
in Canada. If you wish to receive additional information about Notator
Logic and other EMAGIC products, ... <contact us> ..."


Musicware Distributors Inc.
641 Caledonia Rd.
Toronto, Ont.
Canada
M6E 4V8
(416)785-3311
--

ken@isgtec.com   [ ...!uunet.ca!isgtec!ken ]  Ken Newman
From: Peter_Missel@k.maus.de (Peter Missel)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Second floppy on Falcon
Date: 25 Dec 92 20:01:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: K.A48844
Organization: MausNet (Mitglied im IN e.V.)
X-Gateway: MausGate/News 1.14D/hb

r>While I don't have a schematic for the Falcon, I assume it still uses a
r>Floppy
r>Controller Chip and still has the Yamaha chip. If this is the case, is there

It has an AJAX type floppy controller and the Yamaha chip. BUT the Yamaha I/O
pin usage has changed from ST/TT to Falcon030, so perhaps the former "Drive B
select" output has been reused for a different purpose.

- Peter -
From: aa399@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Len Stys)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: A letter to Dave Baggett
Date: 29 Dec 1992 17:49:16 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: aa399@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Len Stys)
NNTP-Posting-Host: thor.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, dmb@case.ai.mit.edu (David Baggett) says:

>In article <1992Dec28.194241.1001@news2.cis.umn.edu> davidli@simvax.labmed.umn.edu writes:
>>Hi Dave.  You are, of course, right.  Atari stinks.  Those people who have
>>purchased an ST and who have hopes about the Falcon are lunatics.  There
>>will never be a release of Game Workbench for the Atari computer.  The
>>Intel-clone market is the only sane market for a programmer.
>
>Well at least you're beginning to sound reasonable.


Dave, why don't you just leave it alone?

About 80% of the people here realize the problems with Atari, etc.

I don't own my Atari because of the Tramiels.  I don't own it because
of Atari's management.

I really own it because of people within the Atari Community.
They just can't be beat.

I have a lot of good friends that own Atari computers and I find them
to be very spirited and enthusiastic.  I can't say the same for
those that seem to think completely with logic saying, 

"If Atari's management is getting themselves together, sell your
computer and go with the flow--IBM compatibles."

I also tend to like Atari developers.  They too seem to be very
special people.

I also own my Atari because the machine isn't really a bad machine.

If Atari had very GOOD management with a poor Atari Community, I'd sell,
of course it would be nice for both...

>
>>One of the converted.
>
>Now that wasn't so bad, was it?

I still think that clones are pretty damn boring.
Len

>
>Dave Baggett
>--
>dmb@ai.mit.edu           MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory                  
>ADVENTIONS: interactive fiction (text adventures) for the 90's!
>dmb@ai.mit.edu *** Compu$erve: 76440,2671 *** GEnie: ADVENTIONS
>

--