@L}5 _$% l0$)$$Hȱ$ UhL" `e$$%`$%`  R@P!( L(1   Y I`  d  Ld M * @  $ % CC$$)%1 Udߥ$9%: !0 S$% DD˙`  }J)Lr d M * @  $ % CC$$)%1 Udߥ$9%: !0 S$%} DD˙`  }J)Lr J  ((  p L ()   J}L= ( L 0q A    IB JC;? D W } LL  ` W )LA!  ߰")-݆ p" } $G@LL 08`Q")<2Q0 -G$Ș݆ UL# ; p8(()(0ʥ)NQ` }$GȘ݆LU )L ݆ L GȘ ݆LL )W>Z   HH)H }p h  hyhy D L> L JJ    ! LA*` BF }7'8  M HN H` 8 Z  \LdJJ!"! GFE@F (!L }EE !E^ ^ E E7EȩEdE/EȩE  D } .L }  ;F d  ;?F7F? ( .   Z D LL d } . D  L    p  E` , d)  D L) 0BM݊L݉} ML  N݆ L NLML [ TEqEHȱEqEh 0Gȹ G} HLL GɛL  LFREE SECTORS G) *Gȩ GȽG GȌ*jj >G} C8jJ3j2CD( C202C ԠBX` N 1? l LlD:RAMDISK}.COMLu L1 L ;LHL  T`  `1  ɐ     `TU  } L ? .  t`GBJ ~DEHI B V0dV!}QDEHI VF9 ,0 ,0 s0hhL  L` H hDHEh"}DEL8HI4 0 HI,0 0  9 .G VLO#},0 L4*IJ`llD1:AUTORUN.SYSNEED MEM.SAV TO LOAD THIS FILE.D1:MEM.SAV J y08 B|DEHI$} V0 0`B;DEL`?<0LV`@ʆ v s? F0Ξ05: [ BDEHI%} VY8 B V  @  /DE `E:D1:DUP.SYSERROR-SAVING USER MEMORY ON DISKTYPE Y TO &}STILL RUN DOS B;DE J  (` 9 V⪍ ઍ  -'}LLu ÝDEHILV 9 .l 9 .l  `` s$B BH(}I|DE V BLV nB,DE JLV B V BLVDEIʩ BꭝLu  } 3E:}DISK OPERATING SYSTEM II VERSION COPYRIGHT 1984 ATARI CORP.A. DISK DIRECTORY I. FORMAT DISKB. RUN CARTRIDG*}E J. DUPLICATE DISKC. COPY FILE K. BINARY SAVED. DELETE FILE(S) L. BINARY LOADE. RENAME FILE M. RUN AT ADDRES+}SF. LOCK FILE N. CREATE MEM.SAVG. UNLOCK FILE O. DUPLICATE FILEH. WRITE DOS FILES P. FORMAT SINGLEL !N',}#"&))9(&*)/h)''-&؆莟R'S  vL/ˢ L }Insert DOS 2.0s, type Y Λx -}DEfHI 1莏#q! @ y0ɛ8A0,' ȅ 1 1ild! 1L!NO SUCH ITEMSELECT.} ITEM OR FOR MENU! 0 .z:*{}.|{ 1 0 0JB 18L%|DL/}%DIRECTORY--SEARCH SPEC,LIST FILE?[# 0 0 &|D3" 1L!NOT A DISK FILEN !B 1L!E# 1 !BD0}ED:}:1BJ|DE 1DEBHI 1 h0ߢ 0.1}  0?詛 1 y0YЛ 1 ;#L" ;#L! BL1TYPE "Y" TO DELETE...DELETE FILE SPEC2}COPY--FROM, TO?OPTION NOT ALLOWED736 FREE SECTORS COPYING---D1:DIRECK.COMl# 0|D .L/%#3}##JB|DE 1BHID#E 1#0: B 1L!#͑### B 1#c$0SY4}S1}:## # # .#Ƚ# # 𩛙## 1,#PD#ELJ- <.BJD#E 5}1 1HH 0hh|DL%1}:̳# L% #D#EL% 1 0 . .0O% 1L!WILD CARDS NOT A6}LLOWED IN DESTINATION 0 <.|K}N 2 FORMAT. t* 5) 1L!`) 0NΞ 0 L1) 1 L!BAD LOAD FILELOAD FROM WHAT FILE?) 0 ?}0#B 1L!WHAT FILE TO LOCK?) 0 0$B 1L!WHAT FILE TO UNLOCK?DUP DISK-SOURCE,DEST DRIVES?TYPE "Y" IF OK TO US@}E PROGRAM AREACAUTION: A "Y" INVALIDATES MEM.SAV.FE! +L1   `*  70 2 2A} 0.* 1 y0 0)INSERT BOTH DISKS, TYPE RETURN^, 1 y038逍 N, 1L! ,B}C, t*  Lx+, 0 ^, 1 y0 , ,0,0 ,L+ ,I0 ,Vǭ0C}Ξ, 0 }, 1 y0C,ШC, 0K'!" H H 'h h Lx+!EF 5L1L!D,I,HhD}` NOT ENOUGH ROOMINSERT SOURCE DISK,TYPE RETURNINSERT DESTINATION DISK,TYPE RETURNE}`  `8 rL1`-* 1P* 1 y0Y`hhL!NAME OF FILE TO MOVE?- 0 0|DL% <.F},^ 1 70 0 .@L# .BJ 1  DEHIB V L1 ,} 1 70,L.  G}JB|,#P#DE 1 HI BDEHHII 1 B 1 ,^ 1 70,0La- B V,#PH},^ 1 70 0L#L!-* 1P* 1 y0Yj383}mm ݭI}}`8}``|* ? ɛ,`|:-)| / 1L!`DESTINATION CANT BE DOJ}S.SYS0 0H{ 24Δ 28/L!/) 2 Π 2 0 ξK}hAΞB,0 J 1 BDEHI,HÝDE 1HIHIDELSAVE-GIVE L}FILE,START,END(,INIT,RUN)O S0 1`BDEPHI V` S0H 1 L!M}0 0 1L~0`PLEASE TYPE 1 LETTER,0`hhL! 70 1L0L<1 ,;ɛ7,"ɛ:ݦ1ݥN}A"D|ݤD|ȩ:|ȩ|ɛ,,(/+.ީ1 1,ɛ`轤{NAMEO} TOO LONG B VL!` L1I H1EΝDL1|mDiE` V0`8d/8 i:222 1 LP}!ERROR- 138ɛ+,' 20*.. өr2 1``2TOO MANY DIGITSINVALID HEXAQ}DECIMAL PARAMETER800 0 8 00`,0'D800 H,ɛh`2L1NEED D1 THRU D8uR} ECIMAL PARAMETER800 0 8 00`,0'D800 H,ɛh`2L1NEED D1 THRU D8u NOTICE: This article originally appeared in the December, 1989 issue of Atari Interface Magazine and may be freely distribT}uted or reprinted in non-profit User Group publications as long as the article's author and Atari Interface Magazine are crU}edited AND this notice is reprinted with the article. All other publications must obtain written permission from Unicorn PuV}blications, 3487 Braeburn Circle, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, Phone: (313) 973-8825 before using this article. AtariWriter+ forW} Those Who Don't Want to Read the Book -- Part V by Jimmy Boyce (CACE) Hi people! How's the old heater doing? Are we haviX}ng fun yet in this cold? You say, "Who cares, just tell me how to create my own personal dictionary?" My, my...aren't we edY}gy? Why a personal dictionary? Mainly because AW+'s dictionary is so small. Another reason is that you may have a speciaZ}lized vocabulary. An electronics technicion, dentist, inventor or teacher of a special subject will each have need for a p[}ersonal dictionary. If you have more than one specialized subject, you can make a dictionary for each subject. Creating \}a Personal Dictionary using Corrected Words There are two ways of going about this process. You can run a document throu]}gh the spell check and then go back to menu and select FILE PERSONAL DICTIONARY or you can just create a list of words and s^}ave them. So, lets see what is involved in saving words from a document that you have just checked for spelling . _} Keep in mind that as you are running a file through the Proofreader and you tell the computer to accept as correct a corre`}cted word, that word is maintained in memory. When you are returned to the menu, press the key that gives you the File Persa}onal Dictionary function in order to save this list of words (the list in memory). At this point the computer will promptb} you for a file name. I like PERDIC followed by a number, such as PERDIC1 or PERDIC2. This way, if you exceed the maximuc}m allowed words (256 words per personal dictionary file), you still have continuity with the dictionary. Now, insert a fd}ormatted disk (you know how to format a disk for AW+) into your drive and hit [RETURN]. If the file exists, you will be ase}ked if you wish to replace the old file, if not press [N] and start over with a new name for your file. Here is the niff}ty part of this whole rigamarole (that aught to mess up the Proofreader but good) -- you will be prompted with SELECT WHICH g}WORDS TO STORE? Y/N. If you select [Y], you can choose the words, letters, abbreviations and numbers that you wish to saveh}. Each time a word flashes on the screen you will be asked if you wish to save it. Just type a [Y] or [N] to save or disci}ard each word. Now that you are done with the list, you are asked to press [RETURN] TO CONTINUE. I assume you can followj} directions and you did indeed press [RETURN]. You will notice that your drive started running. Guess what? Your new perk}sonal dictionary is being saved. Please remember that if your list is OVER 256 words long ONLY the first 256 words will bl}e saved. If you have a list of over 256 words, save it as a regular AW+ file and split it up with the "saving a portion of m}a file" technique mentioned on . Then save it to your Dictionary disk (that will be discussed next). If you typen} an [N] when asked SELECT WHICH WORDS TO STORE? Y/N, the entire list is saved and that is the end of the procedure. Buildo}ing a Dictionary Manually Let's say that you already know that the technical terms you will be using are not in the AW+ p}dictionary, and you want to get a jump on things and create your own files without using the previous method. Here it is foq}lks: first create a file containing all the specialized words you use. Your options are to create a column with a [RETURNr}] after each word or just type them with a space between each word. Then, just save this like you would any file but put s}it on your dictionary file disk with an appropriate file name. Isn't that just precious! There are a few ground rules ant}d they are quite simple to deal with. Start each word with a letter. Do not use punctuation marks, parentheses, or numberu}s at the beginning of a word. Proofreader will accept ['] in a contraction such as "he'll" or "aren't." Do not enter contrv}actions that show possession such as "she's." Also, remember that your dictionary can contain up to 256 words (130XE ownerw}s -- your list can be up to 628 words). Using a Personal Dictionary Let's move on to proofreading with personal dictionx}ary files . Go to the main menu and gently depress the [V] key to verify the spelling of your document. Remember why}en it says to insert the program disk and press [RETURN], in reality it means leave the AW+ program disk in your drive becaz}use PROOFREADER is on that side of the disk. When the PROOFREADER menu appears on the screen, you must gently strike the {} [A] key to add your personal dictionary. Now that was not too bad was it? Oh, I almost forgot...you must type in the name |}of your dictionary file (I use PERDIC1) at the prompt at the bottom of your screen and hit [RETURN]. This gets your part }}of the dictionary into memory so you can use it. At this time, if you have another dictionary to load then do so, because ~}you should be back at the menu with a notice telling you how many words you loaded last time and asking you to make anothe}r selection from the menu. Just repeat the process and the next list of words is loaded. If you try to load more words }than there is alloted memory space for, you will be told that you goofed with a terse little message saying MEMORY FULL -- } INCOMPLETE LOAD. However, if you have been fortunate and all has gone well, ask the computer to correct your spelling by d}epressing the [C] key and inserting the AW+ dictionary disk in your drive (don't try to jam that disk in without removing }the other one first!). Updating A Personal Dictionary OK, you have corrected your sloppy spelling and keyboard work. N}ow let's update that dictionary disk. As a reminder , each time that you correct the spelling of a word that is not} on the regular dictionary disk, that word is saved in memory. These words can be added to your personal dictionary when }you have completed your spell-checking in the following way: when you have completed spell-checking and have been returned }to the Proofreader Menu, depress the [F] key for File Personal Dictionary and you will be asked for a filename. At this }point, let me tell you a little something I discovered about this process. For some reason if you save your dictionary file} with the same filename as before, you will have a double list of your words in that file. So, here is what I do to elimina}te the problem: Step 1 Save the file with another name (e.g., PERDIC2 assuming that your original file was called PERDIC}1. Step 2 Delete the original file (PERDIC1). Step 3 Reload PERDIC2. Step 4 Save PERDIC2 with the new name PERDIC}1. Step 5 Delete PERDIC2. This may sound like a bit much, but it will leave your disk uncluttered. Plus, it will make} it easier to load your personal dictionary next time, because you will not have to remember which file is which. The nex}t thing you will be asked is if you want to select the words you want to save. I always tell it [Y] just so I can eliminate} anything I do not wish to have on the disk. One final note: save the file while in the Proofreader program because some o}f the 130XE's do not respond when returning to AW+ and your corrected file is lost upon re-booting AW+. That's about the }sum and substance of checking out your spelling. Remember that your personal dictionary is limited to 256 words (130XE owne}rs the limit is 628 words). That's it for now. Next month, we start printing the corrected file that you have just saved.}  start printing the corrected file that you have just saved.@ Information on the BLACK BOX *NOW AVAILABLE* from Computer Software Services } There has been a great deal of interest since the announcement this spring concerning the Black Box, }so hopefully this file will answer the majority of questions. The Black Box is a add }-on board for the Atari 600XL (upgraded), 800XL, and 130XE 8-bit computers. It is a T-shaped board tha }t plugs into the PBI port of the XL computer, or the ECI and cartridge ports of the 130XE. Connectors f }or both types of computers are built-in to the Black Box, so no adaptor boards are necessary. A cartridge } port is available on the board itself for 130XE users, since the board plugs in where cartridges are normally } added. The board is 12 inches wide and 3 inches deep, sitting back 3 inches from your computer. It ha }s two switches, two push-buttons, and a set of dip switches on the top. T }he Black Box provides many unique and useful functions. The three primary functions are: RS-232 serial } modem port, Parallel printer port, and a SASI/SCSI hard disk port. A fourth floppy disk port for connection 3.5" } or 5.25" floppy drives will be available at a later date. The RS-232 port provides }the full RS232 specification signal levels for a modem, or other serial device. It emulates the Atari }850 interface very closely, but goes beyond by providing 19,200 baud capability. The R: driver is buil }t-in to the Black Box, so it does not use ANY user memory! The Parallel Printer port } interfaces to most all Centronics-type printers. You may assign the printer number and linefeed optio }ns from within the Black Box's configuration menu. The Black Box also provides you with a printer buff }er, if the board or your computer has extra memory. A printer buffer allows you to quickly dump your f }ile to be printed into the buffer memory, then go about your business as the Black Box sends the data to your } printer; a real time saver! The Black Box will use either its own RAM (if you order the 64K version), or t }he 130XE extended memory banks; its all controlled by the configuration menu. } The Hard Disk port is the real reason for the design of the Black Box. You may connect most any hard disk } controller that is SASI or SCSI compatible, or drives with embedded SCSI controllers. It is totally comp }atible with the current versions of MYDOS and SpartaDOS (which both have a limit of 16 megabytes per lo }gical drive), but a newer version of MYDOS is provided that is capable of 48 megs per drive. Combine t }hat with nine drives, and that's over 400 megs available at one time! The Black Box also } provides a conversion toggle for drives capable of 512 byte sectors only. Many of the embedded drives }have this limitation, and previously were unusable. The Black Box splits each 512 byte sector into two } 256 byte sectors, so your DOS will still only see what it requires. Another advantage is storage spac }e. Many drives/controllers will give you more storage when using 512 byte sectors, some as much as 15% } more! Currently, format software for the Black Box supports the following drives/controllers: Adaptec } 4000A and 4070, Xebec S1410, Western Digital 1002SHD, OMTI 352x controllers, and all Maxtor and Seagate embedded }SCSI drives. A partition is defined as a part of the hard disk which is s }een by the computer as a separate disk disk drive. Since many hard disks are very large, it is useful }to create several partitions of the drive, instead of one single drive, as your DOS sees it. The Black Box goes o }ne step further in not only letting you define the partition for each of your 9 available drives, but a }llows you to have a list of up to 96 partitions, with names! Since a partition can be very small, you }can make up several small partitions of 720 sectors (the same length as a standard floppy disk), and se }ctor-copy any of your non-protected programs to these partitions. Now you can swap that partition in a }s drive 1, and boot your program at hard disk speed! The configuration menu is the ' }heart' of the Black Box. You can enter the menu from anywhere you are by simply pressing one of the bu }ttons on the board. You may now edit the hard disk configuration, exchange drive numbers, enable/disab }le the modem and printer ports, or go into the 6502 monitor. After you are finished, pressing ESCAPE w }ill put you right back into the program you were using! No memory or screen display is destroyed by using } the menu! The 6502 monitor is very handy for machine language programmers. How }often have you wondered where your program was, or what caused an apparent 'lock-up'? Entering the moni }tor will show you all the processor registers, and display the disassembly of the instruction it was ab }out to execute when you entered pressed the button. Users of MAC/65's DDT will feel right at home with } the monitor's use. The Black Box has other 'goodies' in it. Any communication with } your floppy drive will be in high speed if you are using a XF-551, a modified 1050, or a happy 810. Th }is will work with just about ANY DOS or utility! A text or graphics printer dump of your curren }t screen may be done at any time by pressing one of the buttons on the Black Bo }x. (The graphics dump is only available for dot-matrix printers capable of graphics.) } You may write-protect ALL of your hard disks by flipping another switch on the board. This can be a real } life-saver when running a new piece of software. The Black Box provides disk I/O tones with separate pitche }s for disk reads and writes to your hard disk, so you can hear what's going on! This option may be dis }abled within the configuration menu. The Black Box also provides support for users w }ho have used a MIO previously to store data on a hard disk. The MIO actually stores data inverted; this } is fine as long as the MIO reads it, but when another host adaptor reads the same data, it will be mea }ningless. By setting a dip switch, a previous MIO user will now be able to access all the data on his }drive with the Black Box, with a small sacrifice of speed. If you have any more ques }tions, please feel free to call. User group and dealer discounts are available. The retail price of t }he Black Box with no buffer ram is $199.95, and with 64K, $249.95. Computer Sof }tware Services P.O. Box 17660 Rochester, NY 14617 (716) 586-5545 } Y 14617 (716) 586-5545 @ Drive Tests! (08/16/89) Done by: Mark D. Elliott Innovative Concepts (I.C.) Contrary to rumors I heard on} CompuServe, about the XF551 (and XF35 Kit), as being only half as fast as the Happy or Doubler equipped 1050, I decided to d}o a little bench testing myself, just to get an idea of just "how fast" these drives really are. Since I just "happened" to h}ave all the drives below, just laying around, here's what I found: Test#1 Test#2 Test#3 Disk D}rive (Read) (Write) (Format) ----------------- ------ ------- -------- Atari 1050 (SD) 88 100 } 35 Atari 1050 (ED) 84 95 36 Doubler 1050 (SD) } 50 64 22* Doubler 1050 (ED) 47 58 22* Doubler 1050 (DD) 37 44 22* } Happy 1050 (SD) 42(50) 83(63) 23(22*) Happy 1050 (ED) 39(47) 73(58) } 25(22*) Happy 1050 (DD) 35(36) 54(43) 25(22*) Atari XF551 (SD) } 70 75 26 Atari XF551 (ED) 80 85 26 Atari XF551 (DD) 45 50 50* Atar}i XF551 (DSDD) 45 50 50* XF35-XF551 (SD) 85 90 } 67 XF35-XF551 (ED) 80 85 52 XF35-XF551 (DD) 45 50 67* XF35-XF551 (DSDD) } 45 50 130* XF35-XF551 (DSQD) 45 50 130* * = High Speed Skew was available and used} for that set of tests. Density: SD = 90K, ED = 127K, DD = 180K, DSDD = 360K, and DSQD = 720K. Notes: All times above a}re given in seconds, and are accurate to within 1 second. All disks used were foramatted in the SpartaDOS mode. The Happy 105}0 cannot format disks in the U.S Sector Skew (Standard format time given). However, with the help of our Happy Doubler progra}m, the Happy 1050 can be be programmed to fully emulate the U.S. Doubler, including formatting in the U.S. Skew. The times fo}r the Happy Doubler programmed 1050, are shown in parenthesis. For the normal read/write tests on the Happy 1050, a disk form}atted under the Happy Doubler program was used. Skewing was used (where applicable), to show the fastest times, under these t}est conditions. Test Equipment Used: A 576K-130XE with SpartaDOS X (4.20), the Happy Doubler program, standard 1050, Dou}bler 1050, Happy 1050, XF551, and XF35-XF551 drives. Test # 1: Read a file that is 85,750 bytes, copied from the specifi}c drive to a SpartaDOS X RAMdisk. Test # 2: Write a file that is 85,750 bytes, copied from the SpartaDOS X RAMdisk to th}e specified drive. Test # 3: Format a disk, in the specified density. Obviously, the read and write times, for }the XF551 or XF35'ed drive is NOT half thes speed of the Happy or Doubler! In fact, they are pretty darn close! (Don't want t}o mention any names, (like Bob Puff, or Tim Patrick! - ). I would have tested the Super Archver as well this ti}me, but one was not handy at this time. However, tests I performed on it earlier this year, showed it being just a tad slower} than the U.S. Doubler. The only "slow" time I see, is when formatting the 3.5" XF35 drive. But, there is soooo much storage }there (720K), that you will hardly be formatting disks that often, to begin with! Even when backing up hard drives, the amoun}t of disks required would be a real time saver! And, those 3.5" disk are soooo neat! You Never have to worry about finding a }disk sleeve. So, what do all these tests mean? Obviously, this is by NO MEANS as complete as possible! Other factors, su}ch as; DOS used and the size of it'scopy buffer, sector copying, copying small files, and your other peripherals, will have a}n effect on the outcomes. However, these should at least give you an idea, of just how fast these drives are (especially when} compared to a standard 1050, or even an old 810 drive, which is so sloooooow!) Other things to consider - Up until this} year, the price of the 5.25" blank disks were much cheaper to buy than the newer 3.5" disks. Until this year, the 3.5" disks} cost about $1 each. Currently, you can usually find decent bulk 5.25" disks, for about 40 cents or less each. However, since} more and more IBMs nowadays, are sold with the 3.5" drives (in addition to the Atari ST, Amiga, and Macintosh), the price ha}s come down to reasonable levels. Careful shopping can get you the 3.5" disks, for as little as 70 cents (or less) each. As f}ar as using this guide to purchase a new drive or add-on for your system, these are my personal recommendations: 1) For }a casual user, a U.S. Doubler 1050 is fine. 2) For routine disk maintenance and sector copying, 2 - U.S. Doubler 1050s s}hould fill the bill. 3) For a person who wants to back-up thier commercial software, a Happy 1050 will work. Our Happy D}oubler is also highly recommended. 4) For a person that does alot of disk copies, a Happy 1050 (as D1:), and a U.S. Doub}ler 1050 will work great. 5) For someone that wants the ULTIMATE in disk copying, then 3 or 4 Happy 1050s cannot be beat}! 6) For someone that wants a low-cost add-on drive, that offers alot of storage, the XF551 is a great buy! 7) For so}meone that wants the ULTIMATE in storage capability per drive, or for backing up a hard drive, then a XF35-XF551 will do well}. 8) For someone that runs a BBS, a couple of XF35-XF551s should do just fine. 9) For a power-user that wants the m}ost storage and the fastest read/write times, then you should consider a hard drive, as well. Notes: The XF551 or XF35-X}F551 is not recommended to be used as D1: with commercial software, especially protected ones. (because they spin at 300 RPM }compared to 288 for most other drives, among other things) Costs per Drive --------------- Atari 1050 - $179.95 (h}ard to find these days!) U.S. Doubler 1050 - $39.95 + $179.95 for the 1050 = $219.90 Happy 1050 - $149.95 + $179.95 = $329.}90 (Happy board is no longer made!) Atari XF551 - $199.95 (great buy!) XF35-XF551 - $34.95 + $100 (3.5" w/cage) + $179.95 =} $334.90 Note: The above are the suggested retail prices. Carefull shopping can get you an even better deal! So, upon cl}oser look, the XF35-XF551 is not really as expensive (compared to the others), as one might think! And, it offers the MOST st }orage per dollar! Hmmmm, I started out just testing the speeds of the drives, and here I am, writing a review of them! I }t may seem I am a little biased towards our products, however, I am only human! Oh-well..... Features/Conclus }ions -------------------- Atari 1050 - Single or Enhanced Density. Maximum storage = 127K. Well-built and very dependable.  }Uses industry standard ICs on it's circuit board (except for ROM), meaning replacement parts are easy to find. However, the d }rive mechanism is NOT a typical IBM type part, and can only be found at Atari-type stores. The 1050 is getting harder and har}der to find these days! Atari 1050 w/U.S. Doubler - Single, Enhanced, or Double Density. Capable of formatting disks in }U.S. Sector Skew, for added speed. Maximum storage = 180K. Easy to install. Excellent capabilities, at a low price. Atar}i 1050 w/Happy - Single, Enhanced, or Double Density. Capable of backing up commercially protected disks. Maximum storage = 1}80K. Easy to install. Getting harder and harder to find! Happy Computers stopped making them awhile back, and the ones they d}o have, were raised in price, back to $149.95! Atari XF551 - Single, Enhanced, Double Density, or Double Sided Double De}nsity. Capable of formatting disks in a special skew (similar to the U.S. Doubler). Maximum storage = 360K. Very easy to serv}ice (if required), since it's circuit board is small an easy to follow. Uses industry standard ICs (except ROM). Also uses an} industry standard drive mechanism (finally!). Atari XF551 w/XF35 Kit - Single, Enhanced, Double, Double Sided Double De}nsity, or Double Sided Quad Density. Capable of formatting disks in the skew also. Maximum storage = 720K. Uses a industry st}andard 3.5" drive mechanism. Copyrights: Atari, 410, XM301, 130XE, 1050, and XF551 are trademarks of Atari Corp. ICD}, P:R Connection, U.S. Doubler, and the U.S. Sector Skew are trademarks of ICD Inc. Happy is a trademark of Happy Computers. }Super Archiver, and Bob Puff , are trademarks of Computer Software Services (C.S.S.). I.C., Happy Doubler, Immitator Co}ntroller, IC1050 Controller, SIO Port Box, SIO Switch Box, and XF35 Kit are trademarks of Innovative Concepts. While I g}ot your attention, I might as well plug some of products that are related to this article: XF35 Kit - Contains Upgrade R}OM and adapting cables, for converting the Atari XF551 to the newer 3.5" - 720K format. (3.5" drive and mounting cage optiona}l). Supports high speed skew, and works in 720K format with; MYDOS, SpartaDOS, and the SpartaDOS X cartridge. Also works with} all other DOSes in lesser formats. Some soldering and desoldering required. Sale Price (until 8/31/89): $29.95 (+ S&H). } Happy Doubler - Allows you to program your Happy 1050 drives to fully emulate ICD's U.S. Doubler, including formatting disks } in the U.S. sector skew (which is not normally possible!). Also allows you to re-program your drive numbers up to D8:, witho!}ut touching the switches in back! This way, up to 8 - Happy 1050s can be used at once! (4 - programmed as Doublers 5-8 and an"}other 4 - as normal). Completely software based, no installation required! Price: $19.95 (+ S&H). IC1050 Controller - Wr#}ite protect module for the Atari 1050 drive (inluding those equipped with the U.S. Doubler, Happy clone, or Super Archiver). $}No more notching disks! Has a 3 - position switch for write protect mode; 1) As normal, 2) Do not write, and 3) Will write to%} any disk. Also has a two color LED, for monitoring the write protect status. Easy to install, no soldering required. Price: &}$29.95 (+ S&H). Immitator Controller - For Genuine Happy 1050 drives; All the features of our IC1050 Controller, plus; A'}n extra 2 position switch, for fast/slow modes. Price: $39.95 (+ S&H). SIO Port Box - Solves the problem of "dead end" p(}eripherals, like the; 410 Recorder, XM301, and most printer interfaces. Also solves weak signal problems, by allowing you to )}distribute your system better. Easy to use, just plug-in! No power required. Price: $34.95 SIO Switch Box - Allows you t*}o switch between either; two computers and one peripheral set-up, OR one computer between two peripheral setups (example: two+} drives set to D1:). Also solves the problem of using two devices that draw thier power from the computer, like the; XM301, P,}:R Connection, and most printer interfaces. Easy to use, just plug-in! No power required. price: $49.95 (+ S&H). For mor-}e information on the XF35 Kit, please see the article by Matthew Ratcliff, in the September 1989 issue of Antic. Or, you can .}call or write (we have many other products): Innovative Concepts (I.C.) 31172 Shawn Drive Warren, MI 48093 USA Phone: (/}313) 293-0730 CompuServe: 76004,1764 Final Note: This article on drives first appeared in the 8-bit section of CompuServe0}. It may be freely distributed to BBS's or other informational services, as long as it remains intact and unchanged. 1}istributed to BBS's or other informational services, as long as it remains intact and unchanged.  NOTICE: This article originally appeared in the September, '88 issue of Michigan Atari Magazine and may be freely distri3}buted or reprinted in non-profit User Group publications as long as the article's author and Michigan Atari Magazine are cr4}edited AND this notice is reprinted with the article. All other publications must obtain written permission from Unicorn P5}ublications, 3487 Braeburn Circle, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, Phone: (313) 973-8825 before using this article. To obtain a copy o6}f the figures called for in this article, simply send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the above address. Easy H7}acking -- 1050 Drive Select Switch by Don Neff (MACE) Preface When I began writing this hardware hacker's column, I th8}ought it would be of interest to only the most experienced hackers. To my surprise, I find that there is a large number of9} beginners who are interested in hardware hacking but don't know how to start. Unfortunately, some of you started with my :}projects and found them to be too hard. Therefore, this month we'll address the needs of the beginning hackers. The follow;}ing project is an easy one which can't hurt your drive if you make a mistake installing it. The Project We'll be insta<}lling a switch on the front of your disk drive to allow you to assign it as Drive 1, 2 or 3. To change the drive number on =}a standard Atari 1050, you must turn the drive around backwards and move the two hidden slide switches with a pen or screwd>}river. Since I never seem to remember the proper positions of these switches, I had to spend a lot of time looking up the ?}information in one of my books first. This meant that I, like most of you, never changed my drive numbers once they were se@}t, and always booted off of the same drive. After a while that boot drive became noisey and finally wore out while my otheA}r drives received little use at all. The solution was to install an easily accessible switch on each drive and boot off of B}a different one each time I used the computer. The things You Need Everything you'll need is available from Radio ShacC}k. When I mention each item for the first time, I'll include the Radio Shack part number in parantheses after the name of D}the item. Radio Shack stores display their parts in numerical order so you can locate what you need by the part number insE}tead of the part name. Their sales people can help you locate anything you can't find by yourself but, they can't help you F}a bit with your electronic questions. (People who understand electronics don't have to work for Radio Shack wages.) FirG}st you'll need a low-power soldering pencil (64-2070), a stand (64-2078) to keep it off your work table, and some thin soldeH}r (64-005). Use stranded (not solid), soft copper wire (278-1307) of 22-24 gage for hookup wire (avoid any wire the phone I}company uses). Long-nose pliers (64-1843) and diagonal cutters (64-1841) are required for almost every project. If you finJ}d you can't strip wire with the diagonal cutters without amputating the end of the wire, you should also get an adjustable K}wire stripper (64-1952). The resistor color code is easy to remember if you know the story about Violet and the Bad Boys;L} however, this is a family magazine so I had better not tell you about it here. Instead, you can pick up a pocket guide (27M}1-1210) which tells you the value of a resistor when you dial in the colors. This project requires only one part -- a SinN}gle Pole Double Throw (SPDT), Center Off, Toggle Switch (275-325). You'll need one of these three position switches for eaO}ch of your drives. Getting started Clean off an area on your work bench or table to give a comfortable amount of room P}to work in. Wet the sponge in your soldering iron stand, set the soldering pencil in the wire coil and plug the power cord Q}in to warm it up. We'll disassemble the drive while the pencil warms up. Opening the Drive Disconnect all the cables fR}rom your drive and set it upside down on the work bench. Unscrew the six phillips head screws which hold the case together.S} You'll be able to remove only the two which hold the front panel in place, the other four sit in deep holes. Hold the casT}e together with both hands and turn the drive right side up again, allowing the four remaining screws to fall out. Set the U}drive on the bench and lift up the back of the top half of the case. The top half of the case will pivot at the front until V}the front panel snaps out. Set the top of the case and the front panel out of the way for now. The drive mechanism sits W}on four posts above the circuit board and is not fastened to anything. The wires connecting the mechanism to the circuit boX}ard are fragile and can not withstand any pulling so we will not attempt to remove them. The circuit board is held in placY}e by two plastic tabs, one on each side of the drive mechanism. Gently lift up on the front of the circuit board (not the Z}drive mechanism) as you hold each of the tabs back with a screw driver. Hold the circuit board and the drive mechanism toge[}ther and lift them out of the case, front first. Four plastic washers on the mounting post may loosen and fall out as you \}do this , but no harm will occur. Turn the board and drive mechanism up side down on the bench so you can work on the botto]}m of the board. Set the bottom of the case out of the way. Preparing the Soldering Pencil Touch a piece of solder to ^}the end of the soldering pencil to see if it's warm enough to use -- if the solder melts, it's ready. Wipe the tip of the p_}encil on the sponge to clean it off, and then coat the tip with solder. Wipe the extra solder off of the tip with the spon`}ge. Apply more solder to the tip and try to get a coat of solder all over the tip. Once again clean the extra solder off a}with the sponge. The tip should now have an even, shiny coat of molten solder on it. This is the way it should always lookb} when you are using it. If the tip gets dirty or the solder coating gets dull, you must clean the tip with the sponge agaic}n. Installing the Switch Figure 1 shows the area of the bottom of circuit board we will be working with. It is located}d at the rear of the board, in the corner with the black and white drive select switches. Cut three 15-inch lengths of wiree}, each a different color, and strip 3/8 of an inch of insulation from all the ends. Apply a little solder to the bare ends f}of the wires (this is called "tinning" the wire) by holding the tip of the soldering pencil, the end of a wire and the end g}of the solder together (you do have three hands, don't you?) until the wire is hot enough to melt the solder. Tinning is eaq}GB%DOS SYSB*)DUP SYSBASAW5 TXTBABLKBOX TXTB]DRIVE ASCBP2DRIVE TXTB NEWXE TXTBOASIS TXTB&CPORT85 TXTB iSAVATR TXTsier to do if you have a small vise (64-2094 or 64-2093) to hold the wire. Solder one end of each wire to a pin on the ner}w SPDT switch. Do not apply too much solder (if your solder joints are little round balls, you used too much). If a wire ms}oves before the solder cools, you must resolder that joint. Use the diagonal cutters to trim off the excess wire close to tt}he pins so there are no shorts between the pins. The free end of the wire which is soldered to the center pin of the SPDT u}switch must be soldered to the connection point labeled A in Figure 1. The other two wires may be soldered to the points lv}abeled B and C in Figure 1. It does not matter which of these two wires goes to either point as long as there is one wire ow}n each point. Only the wire from the center pin of the switch is critical, and must go only to point A. Check all your solx}der joints to make sure they are shiny and smooth. If any of them are dull or wrinkled, do them over. If any of your jointy}s are round balls, remove the excess solder with solder wick (64-2090) or a solder sucker (64-2086). Make sure there are nz}o solder bridges between any two solder joints (use a good light and a magnifier). Hold the circuit board and drive mecha{}nism together and insert them back into the lower half of the drive case. The new switch should be extending out the front|} and the drive mechanism must be resting on its four support posts again. Set the black and white drive select switches to t}}he position for drive 1 (both switches moved away from the cable connectors) and reconnect the drive to your computer. Tur~}n on the drive, set the new switch to its center position, insert a DOS disk and turn on the computer. The drive should boo}t as normal as drive #1. Now turn the new switch to one of its two side positions and call for a directory of drive #2 fro}m DOS. If the directory of the same drive comes up on your screen, the switch is installed properly. If DOS times out wit}hout giving you a directory, turn the switch to the other side position and call up the #2 directory again. If you do not g}et a directory of this drive either time you must recheck your wiring and solder joints again. When you are successful at }getting a directory of this drive as #2, leave the switch in that position and return the drive to your work bench. Loca}te a spot for the switch on the front panel and drill a 1/4 inch mounting hole for it. Insert the switch through the hole a}nd fasten it in place with the supplied nut and washers. The switch should still be in the same position it was when DOS r}ead the directory as #2 drive. Mark this position as #2, mark the opposite position as #3, and mark the center position as }#1 drive. Use a can of compressed air (64-2325) to blow the dust out of the drive mechanism and apply some oil (64-2301) to} the two metal rails which the head slides on. Snap the front panel and upper half of the case back into place and reinsta}ll the six screws on the bottom. Make this modification to all your drives and spread the work evenly between them from n}ow on. een them from nmS7/News & Reviews 28-Aug-89 18:11:13 Sb: #230114-"New" 130XE Fm: Mark Elliott [I.C.] 76004,1764 To: Michael T. Davis} 73667,541 Mike: Well the "NEW" batch of 130XEs, that were produced this year, (yes!) have the following changes made: } 1) RAMs used (4), are the 41464 (4464) types. (compared to 16 - 4164, on old) 2) The O.S. has minor changes like; A) T}he MEMORY TEST (from SELF TESTS) tests the extra 64K now! (in 4 squares) B) Also, the MEMORY TEST checks the first 48K ove}r TWICE as fast as before! C) The KEYBOARD TEST has the F1-F4 keys missing on top. (function keys), although the cod}e that interprets them is prob. there. (like XEGS) D) Also, it types out "COPYRIGHT 1985 ATARI" at the keyboard test, when} all tests are done. (compared to COPYRIGHT 1983 ATARI, before) E) And, the O.S. chip itself, is on a 27256 EPROM, b}ut only half of it is used! compared to the original, which was on a 16K x 8 ROM, 27128 comp. 3) Finally, the PIA is} a completely different chip! Being a 68B21. (compared to the 6520/6520A on all other Atari 8-bits.) 4) Last, but not }least, the Owner's Manual (Rev. D), is now paper-bound, compared to spiral-bound on the original. Hmmm, at least Atar}i went to the bother of updating the new machine. (prob. will save them money, being more reliable with less chips.) - Ma}rk - the new machine. (prob. will save them money, being more reliable with less chips.) - Ma! The OASIS Bulletin Board System is designed with the 's interests in mind. An online bulletin board is a place wher}e people meet and exchange information. The System Operator (SysOp) of the bulletin board wants his members, or users, to be} actively participating in the use of the functions and features that his board provides. The more his users actually use hi}s BBS, the better his BBS is. Oasis software is designed to supply these needs of both users and SysOps. Users meet }in the message base system, and they exchange information by reading and posting messages there, and by trading files in the }file transfer system. Oasis BBS looks at people want from a BBS, and they try to get what they want from the BBS. }Oasis BBS performs the most common BBS functions in ways that come natural to it's callers. Atari 8 bit computer own}ers have seen the support for their machine decline in recents years. Oasis BBS is designed to allow a small system owner, t}he to run a decent online bulletin board system. In keeping with Atari Corp.'s motto of, 'Power without the Price', Oa}sis BBS can be run effectively on as little storage as two single density diskettes. At the same time, Oasis BBS can grow as} your system grows and can run as many megabytes of storage as you can access with SpartaDos 3.2D or the SpartaDos X cartridg}e. Add a Hayes compatible modem and an R: handler, and a user can become an OASIS BBS SysOp. One more crucial requirement f}or running a SUCCESSFUL Oasis board, is a text editor and the desire to customize and 'create' his own bulletin board. Altho}ugh Oasis comes with a sample BBS setup that can go online, the board is best customized by each individual SysOp. Oas}is BBS software does it's part to support the Atari-8 bit community, by providing a powerful online system that many more Ata}ri owners can run. Oasis BBS works with the Atari 800XL, 600XL (64K), 65XE, 130XE, and the XE-Game System. Oasis BBS runs w}ith the Atari SX212, 1200 baud modem, directly connected with no interface required. Oasis BBS can run complete on one XF551} disk drive. When the software support for our Atari 8 bit machines started to decline, we saw some owners upgrade to }the Atari ST. We saw some of our 8-bit based bulletin boards go offline. Some of the other 8 bit BBS softwares require a la}rge ramdisk or a hard drive, and these requirements along with rising dram chip costs, and declining availablity of hard driv}e interfaces at good prices, together kept some would-be SysOps from being to run a BBS on our 8 bit machines. Oasis BB}S stands in the gap. Oasis can run complete without ramdisk or hard drive. We need to keep the numbers of Atari 8 bit board}s increasing in order to have places where we can meet and exchange information and keep our machines alive. Although Oa}sis BBS can run on small system storage, there is no compromise on the big system that Oasis provides. System Oper}ators not only want new members to call and join their boards, but they also want them to become regular callers. Because we} run our boards on the Atari 8 bit, we know that we are a minority among computer users. Oasis BBS meets the challenge of pr}omoting good callership, by offering COLOR and GRAPHICS to it's users. Oasis supplies 30 combinations of IBM-ANSI colors, se}veral Atari-ST colors, and several Commodore 64/128 colors. The colorized text prompts are seen throughout the use of the BB}S in all of over 200 internal board text prompts. The Oasis SysOp designs and customizes all of his board text prompts} with a simple text editor. The color codes that are sent to callers are all ԭ Oasis BBS. The SysOp does have }to handle any codes whatsoever. Oasis does the coloring for him automatically. All Oasis boards have this full color offeri}ng for all callers who select it. An added bonus, is the full support of Atascii graphics characters. Not limited to just i}nverse, Oasis provides all 255 ATARI characters to it's 8 bit callers. The Atari graphics on Oasis is a powerful consolation} to users who are in dire need of computer specific support for their machines. This visual feature of Oasis promotes }repeat calls from it's non-Atari users. Combined with the options of the Multiple Board Environment, color and graphics supp}ort make Oasis able to deliver a personal touch to different computer users. The heart of what a bulletin board is, i}s the message base system. The users of Oasis BBS have direct access to the the message system from the Main Menu. The user} is one keystroke away from reading and posting messages on Oasis. Oasis provides up to nine message bases, with one as a pr}ivate mail base, in each of up to four separate boards, called MBE's. MBE stands for Multiple Board Environment. Each messa}ge base can be set to hold between 20 and 250 messages. The SysOp configures the high message limit for each base individual}ly. The bases will self compact if needed after any logoff by a user. In special circumstances, the base will compact onlin}e to free up message posting space to a user who has posted an unusually high amount of messages in one base, during one call}. Oasis BBS looks at how users read messages and offers convenient options to get the job done. Message reading is cond}ucted conversation by conversation. This method is called CONVOS on OASIS. CONVOS is similiar to the thread commands found }on some other BBS software, but CONVOS are easier to use. Oasis CONVOS simply and automatically show the user an entire conv}ersation in the base, before moving onto the next conversation. Unlike reading messages sequentially, CONVOS allow users to }participate more fully in the message bases, by providing clear delivery of the discussions taking place. With CONVOS, an Oa}sis user can move forward and back within a discussion and be able to reply with a better understanding of the entire CONVers}atiOn. Oasis BBS knows that sometimes users want to skip through messages quickly, without displaying the entire message} text. The SCAN SUBJECTS TOGGLE on Oasis allows them to view only the message headers while searching for certain conversati}ons. In other circumstances, users like to capture all their new messages and read them offline at their leisure. For these} callers, Oasis has the CONTINUOUS SCROLL TOGGLE. The user sets himself at the first message and starts the scroll. The BBS} displays that message and the others in the direction of his choice. The BBS honors the XON/XOFF pause and resume control c}odes, making his capture a success. Other convenient options while reading messages include, POSTING a new message, repl}ying with a PRIVATE reply, and JUMPING to a certain message. Some options include running an online module, right fr}om the message. After a user is done with the module, he is returned to the same message. Oasis module can be run from }a message, including online games, databases, surveys, demos, and text files. This awesome option can be used by an Oasis sy}sop to promote system use and thereby better his BBS significantly. More powerful than leaving a message to users to try a c}ertain option on the BBS, is the ability to tell the user and he simply presses [*] to try the option right there at the mess}age. What a way to introduce new and old board features to users! A longstanding and popular option in Oasis message }bases is the power to download files right from messages. Users can send files to each other, sometimes called F-Mail, simpl}y by posting either public or private messages to a user with the filename in the SUBJECT line. Users can press [V] to VIEW }the contents of ARC files and then download the file, all in one easy and convenient step, and right from the message. When} a user uploads a file to Oasis BBS, his file description becomes a private message to SysOp. This message can be as large a}s 7680 bytes, as can all oasis messages. The message can have as many as 60 lines also. This upload description can then be} COPIED by the Oasis SysOp with his powerful message copy command to a public base, where all interested users can read the f}ile description and download the new upload right from the message. This option, again, promotes user activity on the Oasis }BBS. Users can reply to the descripton message and thereby give feedback to one another about the uploaded file. Truly, QUI}CK-Downloading, as it has come to be called, is a favorite feature on Oasis boards. For the SysOp, Oasis will allow him }to create his message base first, or just allow it to expand as it grows. On the hard drive, it is best to create a large bl}ank file first, to avoid fragmentation. On the other hand, for a smaller system, or for new SysOps who are unsure of message} base size, the option to allow the base to grow as it is used is better. Oasis provides both options, and also allows the s}ysop to the base's message limit to a higher or lower number, without re-creating the message base, and thereby losing} all the conversations contained therein. Individual message sizes can be of varying lengths and are determined by the actua}l postings. This powerful method of conducting the bases, allows for messages per base in system storage space. A}s an example, 8 public bases with 240 messages in each can be maintained within one MEG of system storage space. Such an arr}angement is ideal for eight FULL bases to be kept in a one MEG ICD MIO interface. The more messages allowed in each base, th}e more the users will enjoy the board, because their new messages may not scroll off and be compacted away. The Sysop of Oas}is is able to provide these full and active bases on less system storage space than with other methods of configuring message} bases. When it comes to the heart of your bulletin board, Oasis meets the challenge of meeting the real user needs in t}he message base system. Users get more messages and more out of the messages, in addition to playing online games, and downl}oading files. All this message base power is one keystroke away, because the message base system is internal in Oasis. } The other area of a BBS where users get information, is in the file transfer section. Oasis looks at what users want, and }delivers a straightforward method of obtaining files for all computer users. The heart of the Oasis downloading system is it}'s DLBASE module. This single module conducts the entire file searching, displaying, and delivery functions on Oasis BBS. T}he SysOp can have as many of these DLBASE modules online as he desires. This fact becomes important when combined with the M}BE's power of OASIS. Each MBE could have it's own DLBASE, or use only one DLBASE. The decision is made by the SysOp. T}he DLBASE module's job is to allow users to display and select the files available for download. This process begins by disp}laying a files menu that the sysop creates as a text menu. Categories of files determined by the sysop are offered to the us}er; such as games, utilities and uploads. In addition, the Sysop can determine letter options for a SEARCH ALL and a SEARCH }ALL NEW selection from this same menu. After the user selects a category or search all method, he is shown a small internal }DLBASE menu. This secondary menu provides several search options to the user. The power of DLBASE is in it's simpl}icity of use. To display the files, the user simply hits [RETURN]. Before doing so, the user may elect to narrow the search} by some of the search criteria offered on the DLBASE mini menu. He may enter part or all of the filename. DLBASE automatic}ally fills in the rest of the search name with the wildcard of ?. This option is very easy for all computer users to underst}and. Other narrowing search criteria include the LANGUAGE or TYPE of file. These two options are selected from a listing th}at the user can display. These selections of languages and types are created by the sysop himself. This powerful option all}ows Co-Sysops to maintain non-Atari files menus, by allowing them to create the TYPES and LANGUAGES specific to their compute}rs. Combined with the separte board power of MBE's, DLBASE really makes a non-Atarian feel at home on an Oasis BBS' file tra}nsfer section. The user may also want to search files by date. He may simply hit [N]EW for all the new files since his }last logon, or use the function to enter the date. DLBASE will show all files posted since the date he enters. The last sea}rch method is by user level. The user may want see only files posted for a certain user level. This option is useful for Sy}sOps that support user groups and post special files for their members at certain levels. All of the search methods can be } before the user begins the actual file search. This is AWESOME file searching power. The mini menu of DLBASE al}so provides an option to display a help file for the user to read about all the power of DLBASE at his disposal. Another opt}ion for 40 column users is to display 9 or 16 files per screen page. The DLBASE files listing display shows all of the follo}wing information about a single file:FILENAME, LANGUAGE, TYPE, DATE, SIZE in bytes, and LEVEL. Lastly, the DLBASE mini menu} has an option to select and deselect the categories of files to include in a search all or search all new. This powerful op}tion enables users to eliminate wasting time searching through areas that are of no interest to them. Once the user finds a }file of interest, he may VIEW the contents of an ARC file before downloading it, all in one easy step. After a download or A}RCVIEW, the user is returned to the next page of files listing. For the Oasis Sysop, DLBASE is a programmable module. } He programs it with a simple text editor. The sysop decides and creates the categories for his files, the subdirectories an}d their names, the LANGUAGE and TYPE descriptive words, the files per page default for the listing, the drives from which fil}es will be shown, the user level allowed to use the module, the place where a user is sent when he exits the module, and the  }text display of his DLBASE. DLBASE is all customizable by the Oasis Sysop. This fact is crucial for enabling different hard }ware configurations to offer downloads, and for specializing DLBASE modules for displaying non-Atari files on the MBE's.  } When it comes to downloading files, Oasis BBS makes searching for files easy for all computer users, and powerful for the s }ysop to configure the module to his system configuration. DLBASE even has two ways of displaying files; one for 80 column us }ers, and two ways for 40 column users. The DLBASE file display can be paused and resumed, making capturing an Oasis board's }files listing a snap. The OASIS BBS system is all written in machine language, making it a fast system. Among the funct}ions that are built into the BBS are the entire message base system, file displaying functions, and user utility functions. }The Oasis BBS was the first all machine language BBS for the Atari 8 bit, to introduce online modules. In May, 1987, Oasis w}as showing off two online games, and a survey module. Since that time, the number of online modules has grown. Oasis BBS ha}s 22 main menu options that can be used by the SysOp to send any online module. The Sysop decides how he will customize his }Oasis board, by using these optional and external modules. Oasis modules give programming power to sysops. The Sys}op does have to know how to program in any language, such as BASIC, C, ACTION!, or ASSEMBLY. All the Oasis sysop needs, }is a simple text editor and the desire to customize his own BBS. Oasis modules are designed with modifiable options. The sy}sop loads the module into the text editor's buffer, and actually the module to work certain ways. Among the options} that modules contain, are the ability to name module support filenames and post them on whatever drive and subdirectory the }sysop decides; the user levels which can access, or use an option, or see a display; where the user is sent after leaving the} module; values used by the module; text prompts within the module; whether to use clear screens, page breaks, wordwrap, disp}lay a prompt to hit any key after leaving the module; and other more specific options pertaining to the module itself. Oasis} modules are not to be used as is, but rather to be customized, and in effect, re-programmed by each sysop. For those sy}sops who do know ASSEMBLY language, Oasis offers powerful internal system equates. The most common Input/Output functions an}d file handling functions have internal routines for the programmer to jump through. The system equates in Oasis are so inte}nsive, that the modules written with them come out SMALL and powerful. This fact is important to small system owners. The m}odule window in Oasis supplies two execution addresses. In effect, Oasis has a double module window. The normal size limit  }of a module is 8,192 bytes (8K), but a special setup has been supplied that enables a single module to be as large as 12,288 !}bytes (12K). DLBASE, at 5,629 bytes, is the largest module in use on Oasis. The STORY BOARD module is second, at 3,177 byte"}s, and most others are either lesss than 1,000 bytes or around 2,200 bytes. These tiny modules are PACKED with powerful feat#}ures, yet they take little system storage space. The power of the Oasis system equates has yet to be tapped by programmers.$} For users, the Oasis modules supply them with HOTKEY menus and displays throughout the BBS. Screens can be paused and r%}esumed, making capturing an online session a breeze. Modules are designed to page break listings automatically, or to ask us&}ers for page breaks. Text offerings are automatically word-wrapped to the user's screen width. The sysop does have to e'}nter any codes into text files for page breaks. Modules are also designed to encourage user participation on the BBS. The S(}URVEY and TRIVIA modules, both use a simple text file, which can be created by any computer user. Members of Oasis BBS can d)}onate survey questions and trivia quizzes to the board and see the results of their efforts. Modules that list the board mem*}bers and the last callers, are designed to show important information about user status and activity, so that members can use+} them in their interaction on the board. For example, the caller log shows the last 96 callers, with the most recent caller ,}. Information included in the display shows the time spent online, logoff time, and upload, download and message activi-}ty. This information can be used by callers to see if other members may have posted replies to their messages, or downloaded.} new uploads, or received their private mail. Module design is based on HOW the user will use the function. For examp/}le, the ADD-A-BBS module, allows the user to set the date for his listing. Oasis knows that users might want to see the most0} recent BBS postings. This module also has an option to list the display with or without page breaks. Users need options li1}ke these to either write down entries or capture whole listings non-stop. As usual, PAUSE/RESUME/ABORT is supported by the m2}odule also. For the sysop, a module may have options for him to program, that allow him more control of his board activi3}ty. The REGULATOR module is one example. The REGULATOR can be programmed, (with a text editor), to keep a daily or long ter4}m list of users who access it. This module, after regulating the access, turns the user over to the actual feature that is r5}egulated. As an example, a sysop may have a database with online magazines, and he may be interested in who access it. The 6}REGULATOR creates a list for him. The REGULATOR has many more options within it to be programmed. This module can be used t7}o restrict access to one use per day. All options are programmed by the sysop. Oasis BBS delivers uncompromised t8}o all sysops, who can program the external modules without any programming experience. Oasis board mainten9}ance is hassle free. The sysop has two modules that give him direct access to all SPARTADOS internal commands. He can also :}run some external Spartados modules, like XINIT.COM and MDUMP.COM. Doing DOS functions on Oasis, is the same as doing them a;}nywhere. There are no complicated procedures or commands to memorize. Because the sysop creates his own file transfer setup<}, he is in full command of his entire system. An event scheduler is provided to run modules at set times. This module is us=}ed to backup password files and message bases. An online module editor is used for porgramming modules without taking down t>}he BBS. It can also be used for simple text editing. The message bases take care of themselves and need no maintenance. ?} Oasis BBS software is easy for both sysops and users to use. Most functions have a common sense approach as to their use, @}which gives the sysop and the user a feeling of confidence. Call an Oasis BBS support board and see how Oasis conducts a bulA}letin board system:508-580-8722508-559-6844B}etin board system:508-580-8722508-559-6844PORTFOLIO -> 8-BIT CONNECTION In order to connect your 8-bit to the new PORTFOLIO computer, you have to know three"D} things; 1. You have to have an RS232 interface connected to your 8-bit; the 850, P:R: CONNECTION, or MIO devices"E} all work well for the purpose. 2. You will need a null modem cable. This is a cable which connects two computers"F} without the need for modems (cutting out the middle man, so to speak). 3. You will need to make the null modem c"G}able (or have a friend do it if you subscribe to the ancient Code of the Programmer); "Hey, I don't do that, it's"H} a hardware problem!" ////////// PART ONE: THE PROBLEM The PORTFOLIO has file transfer capability... through the p"I}arallel interface. I don't know of any 8-bit aplication to redirect communication software into the parallel port, so ignor"J}e the File Transfer section in the SETUP application. The RS232 ports on 8-bit computer interfaces are not compatabl"K}e with "standard" RS232 DB-9 cables, (having been developed a few years before IBM stuck their foot in the PC door); pinout"L}s are as shown below. 8-bit STANDARD 1 DTR 1 CD 2 CD 2 RD "M} 3 TD 3 TD 4 RD 4 DTR 5 GND 5 GND 6 DSR "N} 6 DSR 7 RTS 7 RTS 8 CTS 8 CTS 9 (none) 9 RI Fortu"O}nately, PORTFOLIO's Serial Interface does conform to this standard, so that modems and IBM AT cables can be used with it. "P} One other problem; the diagrams in the Serial Interface manual are wired wrong. If you intend to make your own standar"Q}d cables, refer to this service for the file detailing proper connections. (NOTE: this file may be found in the ST sections"R} of this service; for CIS, GO ATARIPRO; for GEnie, type ST.) ////////// PART TWO: THE SOLUTION Well, Part One ou"S}ght to have scared the willies out of all but the most determined Solder-Jockies, so we can now proceed with our interface. "T} 1. Get two (2) DB-9 "D" style connectors; one Male, one Female. (NOTE: if you don't want to go through the hassles o"U}f soldering, pick up the Radio Shack crimp-style connectors [CAT #276-1427 & 276-1428, respectively]; with these connectors"V}, all you do is insert the wires and crimp the pins closed.) You will also need hoods for your connections; I used th"W}e metalized hoods [276-1513] for my cable, as they offer the shielding ability of metal with the light weight of plastic. "X} For the cable, I recommend [278-775] double-shielded cable, especially for the MIO user; the PBI bus is flat-out full"Y} of RFI, and the chance of data corruption from that monster makes the extra cost worthwile. Connections are as foll"Z}ows; 8-bit (MALE) PORTFOLIO (FEMALE) +--1 DTR 4 DTR--+ +--2 CD 6 DSR--+ +--6 DSR "[} 1 CD (N/C) 5 GND-------------5 GND 3 TD--------------2 RD 4 RD--------------3 TD +--7 RTS "\} 7 RTS--+ +--8 CTS 8 CTS--+ 9 (N/C) 9 RI (N/C) Cable shield attached to PF hoo"]}d ONLY. Double check your connections before connecting to either computer. To test your interface, connect t"^}he cables to their respective interfaces and fire up your favorite 8-bit term software (I've used 850 EXPRESS! and BOBTERM "_}with equal results), and set the terminal for 300 baud, half duplex, ATARI. The ATARI mode will be important once you start "`}binary file transfer. For PORTFOLIO, go to the RS232 option in the SETUP menu, and set 300 baud, no parity, 1 stop b"a}it, 8 data bits, and initialize. Force the TERM mode on your 8-bit. At the c> prompt, enter: COPY "b}CON AUX Type something in to your Portfolio, press ENTER: your message from PORTFOLIO should echo on your 8-bit moni"c}tor. If not, check the term program settings, connections, and cable pinouts. Congratulations! You now have a handhe"d}ld computer that "talks" with it's older brother. The advantages? You can use your full-screen 8-bit for communicati"e}ons and D/L to your palmtop. You can fill your Portfolio with programs without having to borrow somebody's IBM. And"f}, best of all, you can compute respectfully during the day, and _still_ blast the bloody bejeezus out of DEFENDER at night. "g} NEXT INSTALLMENT: DOWNLOADING TO THE PORTFOLIO. "h}  o Atari 8-bit Software Support Problem We, the Atari 8-bit owners, have a problem. The XL/XE/400/800 is not being suppor&j}ted by most major software manufactures. Most think Atarians pirate (steal) too much software, some think there is not a la&k}rge enough user base, others feel the 8-bit owners are moving to 16-bit machines. All are probably true to varying degrees&l}. The bottom line is that, for whatever reason, Atari 8-bit software is not selling. First off, simply because there ar&m}e 16-bit computers on the market that does not make Atari 8-bit computers automatically obsolete. The most inexpensive BBS&n} that can be put together can be done on an Atari 130XE. A high power system with hard drives, high baud rates,and networki&o}ng are also possible with an Atari and the right (and affordable) software. I do not know why anyone would use anything el&p}se. Secondly, the software pirates (thieves) of old have probably moved on to other computers and there are a whole new &q}generation of potential users thanks to the XE Game System. There is a market place to be mined. There are also a large l&r}oyal user base out there that would not give up their 8-bit for anything. Finally, Atari 8-bit software is not selling b&s}ecause there is virtually none being produced (with the exception of some games). Support is moving away from all the 8-&t}bit machines and Atari seems to be the first to go. I suspect Apple will be next and finally Commodore. Yet, there can st&u}ill be more live left in the Atari computers if users handle things right! Organization is the key. Through all the use&v}r networks (GEnie, CompuServe, magazines, etc.) decide on a single piece of software for all Atari 8-bit users to purchase.&w} A massive purchase of a single, quality piece of software will demonstrate to software companies that Atari is still a vi&x}able market and there is real money to be made. The selection of software very important. The software can not be from &y}Atari itself. Having Atari brag about the sales of a piece of software will not carry the same weight of a third party best&z} seller. A small company is not best choice either. A software big shot making big bucks off an 8-bit program will make b&{}igger and better waves in the programming community. The software must be of high quality. Atari owners would not want to&|} promote the creation of junk. Finally, the software should be reasonably new; something the pirates (thieves) have not sta&}}rted to spread around. The example of a perfect choice in software would be an Atari 8-bit version of Electronic Arts "&~}Bard's Tale." It is a program well received by other computer owner, it should be easy to port, and the company is large e&}nough to make an impression. The problem is that there is no XL/XE/GS version of Bard's Tale. Perhaps a letter writing cam&}paign could produce such a product but that is unlikely since Electronic Arts has not produced any Atari 8-bit software in &}a long time. We will have to either wait for a good program to come out or pick one now. I would recommend selecting on&}e now so that we do not waste any more time. Again, the problem of which piece of software to concentrate on still exists.&} That is where all Atarians come in. We must get a dialogue started in all the public forums and user groups so a progr&}am can be selected! Actually, this idea is very much a long shot if apathy in the Atari community has set in. We will b&}e at the mercy of the whims of the software companies and the amount of software will dwindle away to nothing while the Com&}modore 64 still goes strong. I would rather fight back with the best weapon we have...money! If only half the Atari owners&} participated in this project it would be a work easily. Let's get started and talk up the idea. Who knows. We may yet ou&}tlast the C64. Leslie T. Bartiromo 72347,776. dea. Who knows. We may yet ou$]