__________________^^^______________ Zmagazine HOT Atari News September 27, 1986 Publisher/Editor-Ron Kovacs ___________________________________ Xx Contents <*> Editor's Column <*> Online News <*> Express 850 Version 3 <*> New Software from OSS <*> ST Programming <*> Zmag Chicago ___________________________________ Xx Editor Column Next week Zmag New Jersey takes on a new format. Each issue will be part of the monthly edition. Each week we will discuss and inlcude regular columns along with special weekly features. Next week I will list October's schedule and give everyone some idea of what will be seen in the future issues. We are taking this course of action because of the massive amount of information being received each week. Many readers only want to read the Online News Column, while others dont want it weekly. I would like to cater the magazine to everyone. Since we can get 4 regular issues per month and a fifth every so often, We will break different columns into weekly columns. The columns which will stay weekly will be Editors Column, Online News, Zmag Systems, and Zmag Messages. Once a month we will have the following: ST Section 8 Bit Update User Group News Reader Column (Bi-Weekly) Zmag Systems Update will be updated at the end of each month. Currently on the drawing board is a Zmag menu program for BBS systems. I hope to break issues into files so BBS system SysOps can put each column into a file and a reader can select which article they would like to read. The problems I have been getting have been that a reader may not be interested in all the news and want to read only parts. I want to let all know that we are considering all requests. We will be making each weekly issue a bit shorter in length to accomodate smaller BBS systems which need space. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and assistance. Next week our new look and format! Happy Fall!! ___________________________________ Xx Online News By:Charles Bowen INFO THEFT NETS MAN FIVE YEARS In Mountain Home, Ark., a former police dispatcher has been sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison and fined $15,000 after his conviction this week of charges he swapped info from a police computer for a bag of marijuana. According to The Associated Press, the conviction of 42-year-old John L. Jones is the first under a state law making it illegal to give information to unauthorized people. During the trial, Jones's attorney contended the man had authorization to run the computer checks on Dale Rial, one of two men who stole $4,000 intended for a marijuana purchase three years ago. Jones denied he gave the information to John Crews, an admitted drug dealer who testified against him. MASSIVE COMPUTER BREAK-IN As many as 60 computer systems on Stanford University's campus may have been compromised by electronic trespassers. A user of Stanford's network reported that a number of computers in the San Francisco area may also have been broken into. An informed source at Stanford said that one of the university's computers, used primarily as a mail gateway between Unix and IBM computers on campus, had a guest account with user ID "guest" and password "guest." Somehow the intruder gained access to the system and then apparently guessed the password. The guest account may have been left as a trap door by a systems programmer to ensure access in the event of a system failure. Gaining access to system files, the intruder cracked his way into the rest of the systems by accessing the logon identities and passwords of valid users. The primary activity of the cracker seems to have been to set up valid accounts that could be accessed at a later time. The sad part of the story is that Stanford officials could not convince law authorities to trace the incoming calls. COMMODORE DISCOUNTS AMIGA Commodore International Ltd. has announced another discount program for the Amiga. The Wall Street Journal reports that beginning Oct. 1, Commodore will cut the Amiga's price $500 to $1,490. Included for that price will be the Amiga system unit, a color monitor and a memory expansion card. In addition, payments on credit card purchases won't be due until next February. Commodore offered a similar price discount last Spring on a slightly different system. ___________________________________ Xx Express Version 3 EXPCON.XMO 27-Sep-86 10095(4320) Keywords: EXPRESS PHONE LIST This short file will convert the phone list from 850 Express 1.1 to the new Express 3.0 format. 71777,3140 Joseph Lesko [76703,4061] EXP850.XMO 26-Sep-86 81985(35008) Keywords: 850 EXPRESS 3.0 MODEM TERMINAL COMMUNICATIONS This is version 3.00 of the terminal program 850 Express!. It has many new features including: Edit window, word wrap, ability to download .BIN files, Vidtex mode, and much more! Download EXPRS3.DOC for documentation. Keith [76703,4061] EXPRS3.DOC 26-Sep-86 48480(20704) Keywords: 850 EXPRESS 3.0 DOCUMENTATION MODEM This is the documentation file for 850 Express! version 3.0. Since this file is page-formatted and ready to be Copied to a printer, it was uploaded with XMODEM protocol. Keith ___________________________________ Xx New Software Optimized Systems Software, Inc. is pleased to announce a new line of software developed for Atari 8 and 16 bit computers. This new line of software, called BareWare, will be inexpensive ($25 and under), and many programs will include source code. Because of its price, BareWare will only be supported by mail and all documentation will be included on the disk. In addition, BareWare will not be sold through our normal distribution channels, but will instead be marketed directly to end users through OSS. As always, BareWare products will not be copy-protected. OSS's first two products will be QuikStart and ShortCut, both for the Atari 520ST and 1040ST. QuikStart is a batch processor and ram disk combination. QuikStart's repertoire includes the ability to display prompts, create folders, copy, print, and delete files, set time and date, and run programs, to name just a few. When used with the accompanying ram disk OverDrive, QuikStart really shines, allowing you to load the ram disk and its contents without ever touching the keyboard or mouse. All of this at a cost of only $20.00. OSS's other entry on the BareWare label is ShortCut. This desk accessory will allow you to print, copy, and delete files and more without ever leaving your GEM application. This program was actually developed internally at OSS to help us in the development of Personal Pascal. To top it off, full source code (in Personal Pascal) for ShortCut is included on each and every ShortCut disk allowing you to modify and enhance this program at your convenience. At a price of only $20.00 how could anyone go wrong? OSS will constantly be updating the BareWare product line, adding new products that will solve a problem or make life easier. A catalog of BareWare products will be available shortly, both in print and on most networks. With the addition of the BareWare label, OSS will be opening the doors to all software authors who have written programs that fit the BareWare concept. OSS is actively seeking software for the Atari 8 bit and 16 bit computer line. Interested authors should send a SASE for our submissions kit. Optimized Systems Software, Inc. 1221 B Kentwood Avenue San Jose, Ca. 95129 (408) 446-3099 ___________________________________ Xx ST Programming Creating Desk Accessories in Personal Pascal Versions 1.11 and Higher In Personal Pascal versions 1.11 and higher there is a new compiler directive: {$A+}. Using this directive tells the compiler to generate a desk accessory rather than a stand-alone application. You need to specify the stack size, and turn debug off in order to successfully use this directive. We recommend a stack size of 10K for most accessories. The most common usage is: {$A+,D-,S10} this will tell the compiler to generate a desk accessory, turn debug mode off, and set the stack size to 10K. With these directives available you no longer need to run the program "PASACC" to generate desk accessories. You need only compile for GEM, then rename the resulting .PRG program to .ACC. If you do not have version 1.11 or later, and would like to upgrade to the latest version in order to make use of desk accessories, send your MASTER copy of Personal Pascal and a check for $10.00 to OSS. Be sure to include your registration number and full address. We will be revising Personal Pascal in the near future so if you do not need the features described above, hold on to your $10 'till then. NOTICE: Price for upgrades subject to change without notice! -- OSS Customer Support ___________________________________ PERFORMING MODULAR COMPILATION WITH PERSONAL PASCAL ----------------------------------- One of the failings of standard Pascal is its lack of the ability to break a large program into smaller units which can be compiled separately. Personal Pascal solves this deficiency by providing a rudimentary, yet powerful method of performing "modular compilation." In this file, we will provide a simple example of using modules, as well as some guidelines and hints. First, the example: Consider the following simple program: 1 PROGRAM simple; 2 VAR i: integer; 3 BEGIN 4 FOR i := 1 TO 10 DO writeln( i ); 5 END. Just for the purposes of this example, lets say we want to call a routine "print_message" instead of "writeln" in line 4. We also want to put that routine into a different file so we can compile them separately. We need to create two files, one of which will be our "module." First, here is the "main file", which we will assume is called EXAMPLE.PAS: PROGRAM main_file; VAR i: integer; { The next declaration tells the Pascal compiler that the "print_message" routine will be inserted at link time. That is, the EXTERNAL declaration just tells Pascal what the routine looks like, but does not produce any code just yet. } PROCEDURE print_message (n:integer ); EXTERNAL; { Then the main routine is just like before: BEGIN FOR i := 1 TO 10 DO print_message( i ); { But we call print_message instead of writeln END. Before we go on to the module, lets look at a few things. 1. The modular compilation flag (M+) didn't appear anywhere in this file! Why? You use the M+ flag in each "module" file EXCEPT the one holding your main routine. Otherwise, you'll get link errors. 2. We declared print_message just as we would have if we were going to code it in this file, but instead of the body of the procedure, we just have the directive EXTERNAL. Now we want to compile this main file to produce a file EXAMPLE.O, the "object" file. But first, we must turn OFF the "Chain to linker" flag in the compiler options dialog box. Also set the compiler to compile for TOS, since we're just using "writeln" to print to the screen. Assuming that EXAMPLE compiled successfully, lets move on to the "module" file, which we'll call MODULE.PAS: {$M+,E+} { This is a module, and we want its procedures to be visible PROGRAM module; PROCEDURE print_message( n: integer ); BEGIN writeln( 'In the module with parameter ', n ); END; BEGIN END. { This main routine MUST be empty! If you type this in and compile it (again with "Chain to linker" OFF!), you will get a file MODULE.O. Now we want to link both EXAMPLE.O and MODULE.O together with the Pascal libraries to produce a final program file. Put the name "module.o" in the "Additional link files" fields of the linker options dialog box. Then choose "Link file..." from the File menu, and select the file EXAMPLE.O. The linker will first go to "example.o", then "module.o", then the libraries, in order to produce a final object file EXAMPLE.TOS, which you can run to see the results of our simple example. A NOTE ON GLOBAL VARIABLES -------------------------- In our sample module, we did not declare any global variables. If we wanted to access the global variables that were declared in the main program (just the integer i, in this case), we would have had to declare ALL the global variables THE SAME WAY AND IN THE SAME ORDER AS THE MAIN PROGRAM. In order to make this simpler, put all your global declarations into a file, then use the include directive to insert these into all your files (the main routine, too). COMMENTARY ---------- As you can tell, our example did not demonstrate any advantage of using modular compilation. In fact, we went to more work that we would have by having just one source file! In general, if your program if fairly small, you will not benefit from breaking your program up. On the other hand, if your program is quite large, you can save a lot of compile time by splitting it up into several parts. If possible, you should form the modules so that routines with similar functions are in the same module. The Personal Pascal compiler was generated in this way. It is formed of six modules, which together total to over 130K of program. When you use modular compilation, keep the following points in mind: -- be sure to turn OFF "Chain to linker" -- Use the M+,E+ directives ONLY in modules, NOT in your main program -- The main program segment in a module MUST be emtpy: BEGIN END. -- If you want to access any global variables from modules, all global VAR declarations must also be in the module. We suggest putting your global CONST, TYPE, and VAR declarations into a separate files, and just include it in all modules AND in your main program. Next we will continue...... ___________________________________ Xx Zmag Chicago Excerpts from Zmag Chicago Sept 16th Edition In the ongoing struggle for low-end supremacy,both Apple and Commodore have come up with ways to stretch the IIes and the 64s to their limits. On September 15th,Apple Computers unveiled the latest in their line of Apple 2s. This latest Apple contains a new 16-bit Operating system (yes,the fabled 16-bit version of the Apple 2 is now a reality). The new Apple can access up to 4 megabytes of memory and is considerably faster than the 8-bit Apple 2. The system is also capable of Hi-Res color graphics which should influence software producers to update their games and other graphic oriented programs for use with this upgraded system. The 16-bit OS will also be made available as an upgrade for present Apple 2 owners. The cost for the system is $1800 dollars. While Apple is going the hardware route, Commodore has went with the cheaper, software upgrade method. After realizing the popularity of the graphic enviroment (popularized by the Macintosh and the Atari ST) Commodore knew that the program GEOS, Graphic Enviroment Operating System from Berkeley Softworks was just what the Commodore 64 needed to increase it's market life. GEOS includes desktop software, desk accessories,and 2 major applications programs. Also included is integrated disk speed-up software which improves the 1571's performance 5 to 7 times. The applications programs, Geowrite and Geopaint, are very similar to the famous MacWrite and MacPaint. Desk Accessories like a calculator will be very familair to a person who has used a Mac or an ST. All this makes an Atari 8-bit owner wonder "how is Atari going to compete!" Most likely the 16-bit hardware Apple method is out due to the ST. While the price difference between an Apple 2 and a Mac is quite large, the ST and the Xe aren't that far apart and a 16-bit upgrade would most likely make the XE cost the same as an the ST. The Geos method would probably be the approach taken by Atari. When,you ask? I would think that after the long awaited 80 column adapter, 3 1/2 drive, and memory expansions appear a desktop and mouse wouldn't be far behind. 16-bit games for a Quarter No,some mail order place isn't running some terrific St sale. I'm talking about Atari Coin Ops. If you haven't been in an arcade for a while, you'll be suprised. The graphics of the new coin-ops make a game like Zaxxon look like a cave painting. The secret! Atari's new coin ops use the same 16-bit chip that the ST, Mac, and Amiga use. Two games that use this chip to great success are Gauntlet and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Gauntlet is interesting because of it's ability to allow up to 4 players to explore it's dungeons at the same time. It's very reminiscent of the Atari 800's four player gaming abilty. This isn't too suprising since this game is a graphically souped up version of an Atari 8-bit game. Gauntlet is based on the Dandy Dungeon program by John Palevich, which was sold through APX(Atari program exchange) and later through the Antic Catalog. This dungeon exploring game let's you take the guise of a Wizard, barbarian, valkyrie, or elf who fights the denizens of evil, while picking up treasure to increase your score. This game is much more enjoyable with 3 or 4 players because of the huge number of adversaries you must face. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is based on the hit film of the same name. In it you take control of who else, Indiana Jones, as he tries to regain the Sankara stones from the evil Thugee high priest, Mola Ram. In the first screen you must explore a mine searching for the cages of captive children. The mine is a High resolution multiscrolling joy. After finding a cage, you must free the child by whipping open the cage (via your bull whip which is activated with your action button). After freeing a number of children you must get to the top of the mine and enter a mine car. Annoying you during this are the thuggee guards who are trying to stop you. You can knock them out temporarily with your bullwhip but they get up after a few seconds. After entering the mine car you must race down the mine shaft fighting guards who are riding in their own mine cars. After reaching the end of the mine you must take the Sankara stone that is sitting on the alter in the next screen. Be careful, the floor before the alter opens and closes periodically to reveal a pit of burning lava. After escaping from this screen you start back over in the mine. If you are good enough you will reach a bridge scene that is similar to the one in the movie. ___________________________________ Xx Zmag Systems Updated Zmag Systems List will appear next week. Larry's Corner, and other info will also be included. ___________________________________ Zmagazine September 27, 1986 Ron Kovacs-Editor Please contribute!! ___________________________________