_____________________________________ ZMAGAZINE MAY HOT ATARI NEWS AND REVIEWS ISSUE 50 _____________________________________ May 4, 1987 _____________________________________ Zmag Staff: Publisher/Editor in Chief: Ron Kovacs Managing Editor: Alan Kloza Special Correspondent: Steve Godun Columnist: Eric Plent Publisher: Syndicate Services Asst Publisher: Ken Kirchner _____________________________________ This week in Zmagazine New Jersey <*> JACG--Jersey Atari Computer Group User Group of the Month <*> ST Newswire--"Poorman's 1040 ST" Appears in Canada <*> Modifying BBS Express-- Easier 850 Logons <*> What Sort of Man Reads PC Clone Magazine? <*> Big Shake-Ups at Commodore-- Rattigan Gets the Axe <*> Wanted: Editors and Writers For: Compute Magazine <*> Zmag Editorial-- "Where's the Beef?" ------------------------------------ Xx ZMAG USER GROUP OF THE MONTH ....Jersey Atari Computer Group..... ------------------------------------ The Jersey Atari Computer Group (JACG) was founded in 1981. The original meetings were informal one-on-one discussions and as interest grew, the discussions led to regularly scheduled meetings in one of the six member's homes. From those humble beginnings, JACG has evolved into one of the nation's premier Atari user groups with several hundred members and an award-winning Atari newsletter. As more and more people took an interest in the fledgling Atari user group, meetings moved from the homes to a Bell Labs conference room (since many of the original members were employees of Bell Labs). Through the efforts of this group, JACG was able to obtain the use of the Bell Lab's auditorium in April 1982, where meetings are still held today. The auditorium can easily seat 400 people, contains a projection TV and has a tremendous sound and lighting system. We could hardly ask for a better facility. The JACG newsletter was first published in December 1981 and through the hard work of it's editor (and 1st JACG Prez), Dick Kushner, it also took off. In the summer of 1982, Art Leyenberger took on the responsibility of newsletter editor. Art was able to expand and refine the newsletter into one of the best. Each issue was usually 24 to 32 pages long and had a press run of hundreds of copies per month (Art is currently an editor on the staff of Analog magazine). Membership really started to soar and by the summer of 1983, stood at about 300. In November of that year, Frank Pazel took over the task as newsletter editor. By then, it was running about 800 copies per month. The current membership is close to 500 with the newsletter running over 600 per month. Dick Kushner, one of the founding members, retired as president in November 1984 and Art Leyenberger took over the job. The current president is Tom Pazel. The current group of executive officers include Tom Shoosmith, the 16-bit Vice President and Doug Van Hook, 8-bit Vice President. These guys are responsible for putting together the monthly meetings. Tom also helps with the BBS (as a sysop) and Doug is involved in helping out with the disk library. The treasurer, Shree Vandenberg, handles the financial bookkeeping and Dave Noyes, the newsletter editor, manages to organize and put together a great newsletter every month. Bob Mulhearn is the secretary and membership chairman. Sam Cory, chief disk librarian, along with Dave Green, Doug Van Hook and Charlie Miller, perform the task of reviewing, organizing, documenting and distributing the bountiful disk library to the membership. Gary Gorski, Tom Shoosmith and Mark Knutsen oversee the smooth execution of the JACG BBS. Meetings are held on the second Saturday of each month in the Bell Labs auditorium in Murray Hill, NJ. A typical meeting consists of a flea market, where members can swap and sell hardware, software, books, magazines, etc.; a question and answer period, where members can get answers to the questions they have; several demonstrations of hardware/software products as well as the feature software of the month. The JACG is proud of what it has accomplished over the past 6 years and invites you to share the wealth and become a member. Dues are $25/year. If you're interested in joining JACG or receiving their newsletter contact: Jersey Atari Computer Group Thomas Pazel, Membership Chairman 70 Mitchell Rd. Hackettstown, NJ 07840 ------------------------------------- Xx ZMAG TECH TIPS ..Modifying BBS Express (850)........ ------------------------------------- From: The Ol' Hackers BBS (516)-884-4140 If you have an AVATEX 1200 or the AVATEX 1200hc this modification may help your log-ons. I made these mods because I didn't like the fact that the users had to hit Control-M or S to log-on the 850 version of BBS EXPRESS, so I modified a few bytes to allow the users to log-on by just hitting the Return. The mods are split-up into to Two Parts, Part(A) is for the non-HC version of the AVATEX, and Part(B) is the change for the AVATEX 1200HC. The two area's which you are going to change affect the baud step rates and the defaults of the the EXPRESS BBS program for your modem to pick the phone by starting the baud rate at 300 baud. When BBS EXPRESS 850 hangs up the modem, it initializes the modem to default configurations, and sets the port and modem back to 300 baud. We are going to modify part of the code in EXPRESS BBS. So don't use your original disk, and get your favorite disk sector scanner. I suggest that you use DISKWIZ II, if you have it. First format a disk in ATARI DOS 2.0 S/D and don't write any DOS files to the disk. Now copy BBS.COM to your formatted disk. ------------------ PART "A" AVATEX 1200 Non HC ------------------ Starting at sector 68; With byte $38 $00 $0A $0C-- change this to $0A $00 $0A. $00=300 Baud $0A=1200 Baud $0C=2400 Baud Since you have the AVATEX 1200, byte # $32 should be changed to $0A for 1200. Now write sector 68 back to the disk. Starting at sector 271 With byte $39 Your changing the text, which tells the printer log and the user at what Baud rate he or she logged on with. $33 $30 $30 $04 $31 $32 $30 $30 $04 $32 $34 $30 $30 $33 $30 $30=text 300 $31 $32 $30 $30=text 1200 $32 $34 $30 $30=text 2400 I made the following changes; $33 $30 $30 to $48 $2F $53=H/S for 1200 Baud. $31 $32 $30 $30 to $53 $6C $6F $77= Slow for 300 users.(hint to get them to change over to 1200. $32 $34 $30 $30 to $20 $48 $2F $53= Blank Space then H/S, 1200 again. Now write that sector back to your disk. That's it for the non-HC AVATEX 1200. ---------------------- PART "B" AVATEX 1200 HC Mods ---------------------- Use the changes in "Part A" with the following additional change. Starting at sector # 274 At byte $58 $A0 $00 $8C $7B $30 Change the $00 at byte $59 to $01 $00=300 Baud $01=1200 Baud $02=2400 Baud Now write this sector back to your disk and BOOT up. Things that will change with your log-ons. 1) Non HC AVATEX: after the first line of garbage the 1200 user only hits the Return key once and he gets the HIT RETURN prompt. No more hitting the Control-M or S keys or having the user log-on first in ASCII then changing over to ATASCII. 2) The AVATEX HC, will at the connect automatically prompt the 1200 users to HIT RETURN without any key strikes at all. Note: I'm sure that the "HC" changes will work with any modem that is a Hayes compat or the the real Hayes 1200. Also PARTS "A and B" will work with both versions of the AVATEX, however, the non HC version will show the user the ATA command then prompt them to HIT RETURN. Special thanks to Keith Ledbetter for writing the NEVER crashing BBS EXPRESS and to Chris King for the Hard Drive back-up program (HARDBACK). Both authors are with ORION Micro Systems. ------------------------------------- Xx ZMAG ST NEWSWIRE ....The Diskmate Grapevine........... ------------------------------------- Reprinted from: ST X-PRESS Diskmate News File Volume 1, Number 5 May 1987 Rumor has it that their is a special connector being made to allow the ST's to be hooked up to a multi-synch monitor. This means that we may soon have the capablility of running low, medium, and high res from ONE monitor. In Canada, Atari was showing 520 ST's with built in power cords and single sided disk drives (a poorman's 1040 ST). There were also 520's with a meg of ram; supposedly it is very hard to find a "regular" ST in Canada anymore; all of them are upgraded. Firebird has released their next game, GOLDEN PATH. It looks very promising with nice graphics, sound, and animation. The game itself offers a very unique playing aspect. Atari has set some new dates for their new hardware. The laser printers are supposedly being finished up and will be ready "by the end of May". The Mega ST's won't be available until the end of June. And the Atari PC's also won't be available until either June or July. For everybody who is looking for the blitter chip in the next few weeks, don't count on it. Atari will most likely not be releasing the blitter until after the Mega ST's are released. The Mega's will contain the blitters, maybe Atari is hoping that people will get fed up waiting for the blitter and breakdown and buy the Mega ST's instead. The NEWSROOM, from the publishers of PRINTMASTER and PRINTMASTER PLUS --Unison World, is expected to be released shortly. It is another desktop publishing system, from the various photos that we have seen it doesn't look bad. THE TRANSLATOR was a project that would allow users to run Atari 8 bit software. As you may have read in last months' Zmag, Atari has told the author not to distribute the program. His latest version looks very promising with graphics, sound, etc.. If you disagree with Atari Corp.'s position on the 8-bit emulator, write them a letter protesting their stand on it. Rich Decowski Editor--ST X-PRESS If you're interested in subscribing to ST X-PRESS, write or call: ST X-PRESS P.O. Box 2383 La Habra, CA 90632 (213) 691-8000 for more information -------------------------------------- Xx ZMAG COMPUTER NEWSWIRE ...News In Computing.................. -------------------------------------- Online Today PRODUCTION COMPANY DISPUTES ROLE IN PLAYBOY-PC CLONE MIXUP (April 23) The head of the Pewaukee, Wis., company that put together the new PC Clone magazine is angry over the computer publication's assertion that a foulup by his company was responsible for nude pictures ending up among the pages. As reported yesterday in Online Today (G OLT-835), PC Clone, published by Patch Communications of Titusville, Fla., announced that due apparently to a binder's error, an undetermined number of the more than 100,000 copies of the magazine's debut issue also included five pages showing Playboy magazine's Miss May. Now the binder, President Harry V. Quadracci of Quad-Graphics, has told United Press International, "We have yet to see one copy of the Patch publication which was circulated with pages allegedly switched. "If you were launching a periodical and wished to maximize newsstand distribution, what better promotion is there than to publicize that a centerfold was included in a computer magazine?" he commented to the wire service. Quadracci said his firm investigated the allegations and determined production of the magazine was correct, though he acknowledged that perhaps a dozen issues mistakenly inserted with Playboy material could have been mailed. "We are having difficulty pinpointing this because Patch Communications has refused all of our telephone calls," he said, adding his attorneys will demand a retraction from the Florida publisher. In a statement, Quad-Graphics said it "prints billions of pages in more than 80 million magazines each month (and) exercises the strongest possible controls to avoid any problem for its customers." Quadracci said he had no knowledge of the Patch Communication's comment until contacted by the news media yesterday. Meanwhile, Patch president Michael Billings told the wire service, "We're not blaming anybody but we're assuming, if anything, it was a screw-up in the bindering process." Billings also acknowledged he did not contact the printer or the binder when the problem was discovered. "We are pursuing the matter through an attorney, who has been in contact with them," Billings said. "It's too early for us to assess any damages, but there is some downside liability." --Charles Bowen ------------------------------------- COMMODORE CEO THOMAS A. RATTIGAN RESIGNS, SUES FOR CONTRACT BREACH (April 23) ------------------------------------- Thomas A. Rattigan has resigned as the chief executive officer of Commodore International Ltd. and has filed suit accusing the computer maker of breach of contract. As part of a management shakeup that may reach beyond Rattigan, Commodore's chairman and biggest shareholder, Irving Gould, has stepped in as chief executive officer. Filed in New York, the federal suit says the 49-year-old Rattigan was suspended last week, months after being given a five-year contract. Reportedly, Rattigan now seeks $9 million in damages. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports that when Rattigan went to the company's headquarters in West Chester, Pa., on Monday, he was escorted from his office by security personnel and was told to leave the grounds. Rattigan resigned yesterday in a move that he said was not voluntary. Attached to Rattigan's suit was a letter from Commodore secretary Joseph C. Benedetti that said Rattigan was suspended pending a board meeting to consider firing him "for cause." In addition, the legal action says that other senior Commodore executives also have been dismissed. Nigel Shepherd, the company's general manager for North America, told the Journal he had been fired along with the treasurer, controller and computer services director of Commodore's US sales company. Shepherd said personality conflicts were behind the firings. Commodore was not discussing the situation today, but Gould, who owns 19.5 percent of the company's common stock, said in a prepared statement, "I look forward to ensuring strong leadership at all significant levels of management, particularly to strengthen the sales function and establish expanded distribution in the US." Also today, The Associated Press reports Commodore announced the appointment of a new general manager of US operations and a new general sales manager for US operations, but made no mention of the firing of their predecessors. Rattigan came aboard at Commodore two years ago, was made president in November 1985 and chief executive officer last April. His contract with Commodore was to expire July 1, 1991. Notes AP, "Under Rattigan, Commodore snapped a streak of five quarters in the red in which the company's losses totaled $274 million. Commodore has since had three quarters of improving profits, earning $22 million in the quarter ended in December." At mid-day today Commodore's stock was down $1.50 a share to $10.37 1/2. It fell 50 cents a share yesterday. --Charles Bowen ------------------------------------- COMMODORE LAYS OFF 50 STAFFERS AS MANAGEMENT TURMOIL CONTINUES (April 25) ------------------------------------- The shakeup at Commodore International Ldt. continues as the new CEO, Irving Gould, has announced layoffs of some 50 administrative employees at the computer-maker's West Chester, Pa., headquarters in what's described as a cost-cutting move. Gould, the 67-year-old Canadian who earlier this week moved into the driver's seat after the allegedly forced resignation of CEO Thomas A. Rattigan, said the staff cuts were "consistent with our objectives of reducing administrative overhead and strengthening the sales and distribution functions." His statement added, "The administrative staff reductions were made to significantly improve operating efficiency in order to bring US performance in line with our well-managed and highly profitable European operations." The announcement comes at the end of a week of turmoil at the company that saw dismissals of six top executives, including Rattigan and North American general manager Nigel Shepherd. United Press International said that Rattigan reportedly attended a special board meeting April 15 to object to the reduction of his duties, but the board took no action. "Two days later," the wire service says, "the board suspended Rattigan pending a meeting to consider firing him for cause, according to papers filed in federal court" in New York. Gould, who holds 19.5 percent of Commodore's stock, recruited Rattigan two years ago from PepsiCo Inc. The new management then led the company to break a streak of five losing quarters amounting to some $274 million. The company since has had three quarters of improving profits, earning $22 million in the final quarter of 1986, its biggest profit in two years. --Charles Bowen -------------------------------------- COMMODORE REPORTS SLIM PROFITS (April 29) -------------------------------------- Commodore International today announced a slim $1 million quarterly profit and completion of its arrangements for a new line of credit with its major lending banks. The announcements come a week after Thomas Rattigan, president, credited by some analysts with bringing the West Chester, Pa., computer maker back into the black, resigned and filed a $9 million breach-of-contract suit against Commodore, saying he was forced out. According to The Associated Press today, Commodore's profit in the third quarter ending March 31 was $1 million, or 3 cents a share, compared with a loss of $36.7 million last year. During the same period, revenue fell 7 percent to $169.5 million from $182.3 million. The wire service adds, "For the nine-month period, Commodore's profit totaled $26.5 million, or 83 cents a share, compared with a loss of $129.1 million a year earlier. Revenue slipped 9.5 percent to $616.3 million from $680.7 million." Without mentioning last week's management shakeup, Irving Gould, Commodore's chairman, who took over as chief executive with Rattigan's departure, said in a statement that the company has taken actions to bring its US performance in line with its overseas results. Gould also said the third quarter's results reflect a slowdown from a strong December quarter, when profit totaled $21.8 million. Seventy percent of the company's revenue came from overseas sales, Gould said. -------------------------------------- Xx ZMAG WANT ADS ....Help Wanted!...................... -------------------------------------- COMPUTE! Publications, Inc., a leading publisher of magazines and books on personal computing, is seeking applicants for several full-time positions. We have openings for a Features Editor, Assistant Book Editor, Assistant Editor/Magazines, Assistant Technical Editor, Editorial Programmer, Copy Editor, and others. Salaries commensurate with experience. Send resume in complete confidence to: Kathleen Martinek, Managing Editor COMPUTE! Publications, Inc. P.O. Box 5406 Greensboro, NC 27403 ------------------------------------- Xx ZMAG EDITOR NOTES ....Where's The Beef?!!!........... ------------------------------------- At the end of every issue of Zmag, we end the publication with the 2-word request: "Please Contribute!" Let me take this opportunity to explain what we mean by contributions. A contribution to us is a well-written story concerning a topic of interest to the Atari computer community that we can publish in a future issue of our magazine. That simple! If you have a review, a news item, or even an attributal rumor, why not upload it and we'll pass it along via the nationwide Zmag network. Since Zmag is written, edited and published by a staff that works for no monetary reward, we cannot compensate the authors who submit articles for Zmag publication. Likewise, we do not have the time nor resources to assign stories or send writers to Consumer Electronic's Shows or Atari press conferences. Instead, we depend on the dedicated Atarian to supply us with the information you read here every week. Lately, it seems, the contributions have gone from a trickle to a drip. In this week's edition, for example, there is nary a mention of the Atari 8-bit or an 8-bit product review. We're not intentionally bypassing the 8-bit material--it's just that nothing was submitted. Given the fact that most Zmag readers are Atari 8-bit users and that support for the system is still there (both by Atari and third party developers), we wonder where all the 8-bit news and reviews are. So if you have something you'd like to share with the Atari community at-large, and you have a flair for writing, put your thoughts to "paper" and pass the article along to us via the Syndicate Zmag BBS (201-968-8148). Chances are that you'll see your name in print on these pages as will thousands of other Zmag readers throughout the nationwide network. So come on now. Please contribute!!! -------------------------------------- Zmagazine #50 May 4, 1987 Please Contribute! --------------------------------------