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David will be talking tonight about the GOE system, Y}a new ST-Like desktop for the Atari 8-bits. This is a FORMAL conference. That means that to ask a question, you MUZ}ST raise your hand by typing /RAI. First off, I'd like for David to make a few opening comments about TCS and GO[}E. Go ahead, David! <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. Basically, TCS has been in business since 1984 and has written\} several BBS systems. GOE is one of our current products, a 64k bank select operating environment that gives you an]} ST-like interface. (gh) <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Sounds interesting, David! I really liked the demo. If anyon^}e has a question, please type /RAI to ask it! <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Thanks. A patch to the demo will be up for DOS _} II users later tonight. <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Ah! Bob Puff has a question Hi Dave! Here's my Q... E`}xactly how is your 64K cart bank selected? Using the $d5xx page? and are there any potential conflicts with other ha}ardware devices using this page? Oss carts? etc... ga <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. The 64k cartridge is the same basic cartb} used in ICD's SpartaDOS X. It uses the cartridge control block ($D5xx) to switch banks. Upon release, there wilc}l be no problems with the OSS or ICD carts. However, carts like the Proburner and Microsota's RAM-CART will not word}k. ga ok well if you are using the same addresses as sdx, won't that mess it up? <[David] D.SULLe}IVAN4> No. I am using a cart made by ICD, although both carts use the same control area in memory, there are enough diffef}rences that each knows what the other is doing and they work great together. Just as BASICxe works with SPX, GOE g}works with the OSS and ICD carts. ga Hmm Ok I see... so it goes ok with OSS carts though, right? <[Dh}avid] D.SULLIVA4> Yes. ok thanks! ga <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> OK! Thanks, Bob! Next is E.R.Presley.... i} <[DR. WHO] E.PRESLEY1> THANKS... Are there any possible conflicts that can occur with GOE and disk programs (ie overwrj}iting GOE) in memory. ga <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> GOE turns itself OFF while loading programs that require 48k, GOE rek}mains transparent to all existing software. ga <[DR. WHO] E.PRESLEY1> what about software that uses memory under os l} and extended memory? will it protect itself somewhere? ga <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> GOE does NOT use extended memory (um}nder the OS) and, also, you tell GOE if and when it is to use the extra memory in the xe machines. ie banks 1...4 n}or above. ga <[DR. WHO] E.PRESLEY1> thanks Dave...ga <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Next is M.SAVAGE HI DAVo}E. HOW does goe compare to the GEOS program for the commodores? ga <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. Comparing to GEOSp} is not likely to be suitable. GEOS does not maintain more than one window or provide a clean and clear waq}y to program it. GOE is much faster (2 to 3 fold) and is completely programmable. Down to the icons being used on thr}e Desktop. ga what do you see as being the most applicable way to use goe? <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> GOs}E, as a Desktop, can be used in many way...with the addition of other GOE applications, GOE becomes a powerful tool in t} using your 8bit from day to day. On the programming end, GOE can be used to make your programming an easier u} job and provide flashes graphics in an interactive environment. ga sounds good! thanks for the answerv}s. ga <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> OK, thanks so far. Just a reminder, type /RAI to ask a question. Next is G.R.DIAZ....w} Well I would like to thank Dave for such a fine demo firstly. I don't know if its appropriatex} or not but I purchased the "other" OS just recently and found your DEMO to be of a higher caliber. Anyway... One quy}estion I have is with respect to the demo applications on the disk... will they be on the the cart? <[David] D.SULLz}IVAN4> OK. Thanks for the compliments! The CART contains the main desktop (goDesk) and the main OS. Including s{}everal fonts, icons and three accessories. The Control Panel, Calculator and a Note-Pad. Other features of the c|}art are a memory manager and disk manager. These control the GOE application's use of memory and the disk. Th}}e goPaint and goWrite applications are disk based as is the Icon Editor and Font Editor. ga ok that sou~}nds good, I'll ask other questions later. Thanks. ga <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Next is Jack Dewell from Atari Corp.... } Thanks! Hi, Dave! I certainly agree with GRDiaz about the relative merits of the other. Got a relea}se date on the cart? <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. The release dates are not 100% firm. I am in the final stages } of testing with the cart and ironing out those final few (shall we say) undocumented features. I expect that the} carts will be around in about two to two and a half weeks. ga ok! Are you going to ship a cart to Jo}hn Skruch so that *I* can test it (drool slaver), and how far along are those applications? I know...pati}ence patience. ga <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> The carts to ICD (a rom actually), Atari Corp and several magazines are abou}t 10 days off. (Yes, John will get one) ok! thanks! next! <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Thanks, Jack! Next }is D.MELICHAR Are you currently in negotiations with Atari concerning packaging the GOE with the Ata}ri computers in the future. ga. <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. First, a missed ? from Jack. The first application } is about two weeks off (goPaint). Now. As for talking with Atari, Corp. I have had several conversations, at this} point the main objective is to get the cart complete and out. I can say that exec. from Atari has seen and is }interested in the progress and future of GOE. You on GEnie will be the first to know if anything more arises. ga } Thank you. Be back later with a question from Mike B. ga <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Thanks! Next up is Wayne.}.... <[WAYNE] W.ALBUS> I AM INTERESTED IN KNOWING HOW THE PROPOSED 80 COL. TERMINAL PROGRAM WILL WORK. <[Davi}d] D.SULLIVAN4> The 80 column goTerm terminal program will allow users with monochrome monitors or composite color moni}tors to access a full 64 or 80 columns. XEP80 owners will also be supported in goTerm. BASICALLY, other than the X}EP80, GOE uses a software 4 point character set to allow 80 columns. ga <[WAYNE] W.ALBUS> OK DAVID THANKS GA. }<[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> OK! Now, Mark has a question..... <[Mark] M.GAMBER1> Thanks. Great demo Dave. Now, when prog}ramming within the environment will there be a set-up similar to Atari's OS in that you set parameters and JSR C}IOV, or is it something different, such as the (arrgh) C-64 Kernel? Ga. <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. On the machine (}GOE's) level the programming is through a vector (aka Kernal) that then processes the command. From Mac65, Macro's a}re used to allow easy access to the commands from Atari BASIC, a simple use call is used. In most cases you set the x} and y coords. or appropriate parameters and then call GOE. To get technical, a simple call to plot a dot may look} like LDA #_PLOTDOT, JMP 0, .BYTE X,Y or from Mac65 a macro is used (ie PLOTDOT X,Y). ga <[Mark] M.GAMBER1> Ok, gr}eat. Also, what kind of screen set-up do you use? Such as a Gr.8 screen or something else. ga <[David] D.SULLIVAN4>} Ok the screen layouts are 320x200, 320x192 (graphics 8) and the wide mode 480x200 and 480x192. The default screen} is 320x200. ga <[Mark] M.GAMBER1> Ok, thanks. Looking forward to it! I'm done. Next! <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> } Thanks! Next....Bob Puff has another question..... Hi again.. Ok please excuse my ignorance i}n this question.. I've been switching between two systems, and haven't caught everything.. What is the b}asic purpose of GOE? is it a mouse interface for a DOS menu? to load files? ga <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> GOE, on the d}esktop level is a 'mouse interface for a DOS menu' that allows you to manipulate files. But, even further, }GOE allows alternate GOE applications to also take control over the mouse environment and provide windows icons, drop} down menus, pop up menus, dialog boxes and other various 'st-like' features to the Atari 8bit. Plus, GOE handle}s a character set (font) generator that allows up to 32 point fonts (or down to 4 point) for viewing and using in do}cuments or pictures. ga I guess I see.. Ok. Another question... What utilities will be on the ca}rt? Will the cart be like another "drive" as in SDX, or how will programs load? <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> The cart} contains several programs and accessories in it, like SPX, but it is not on the CIO level so to use those uti}lities, you must be in the GOE environment. Programs that use GOE, ie. goPaint, are able to access all of the features} of the cart. ga So what programs do you have NOW, and projected programs that make use of this?} <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Right now. The cart contains the desktop, three accessories. On disk, we have an Icon Edi}tor, Font Editor, Arc Shell :-) and various demo's for the environment. The next two applications are goPaint (a co}mplete paint program) that resembles Atari's NEOchrome in style and allows importing of DEGAS, NEOchrome and MacPaint pic}s. as well as C64 pictures. The word processor goWrite is a full features word processor with multiple fonts }and font sizes (and editability) that can even handle Clip art from the paint program. ie text wrap around it. } Those two (goPaint and goWrite) are currently being worked on. goPaint is to beta test stage and goWrite is a little} ways off. The future plans are goTerm, a terminal. goBase, a DataBase and the most important goPublish, a compl}ete(!) desktop publishing system that has the capabilities that others should have. (we have tested the idea and it }looks very good). GA Did I hear ARC?! hehe it works nicely, huh? I'm surprised arc outputs to the r}edefined E:... Any glitches? ga (sounds good for all the rest) <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> The ArcShell is currently fo}r ICD's SPX ARC and captures the E: info to a file, ie. redirection then put's it into a window. I am currently} experimenting with you 'SuperArc' now. Looks like a little bit of work. GA ok well I am now using ICPT}L of iocb #0 to send output... It works just as well, but showed up a bug in spartados. ok thanks for the answers... }ga <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Thanks, Bob! Next is G.R.Diaz with another question.... THANKS MAR}TY! Whoo, this is looking really good! I had a few more questions and I will just list them all now... 1. The $50} deal, I saw this after I download the demo, did you get my message? 2. Will goWrite support the XEP80? 3. }I noticed the mouse cursor movement "dragged" a little bit. Will that be improved in the cart? 4. Will SpartaDOS} be supported through the windowing? 5. lastly, will CLIs be available? ga <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. The $50 dea}l...the $50 special introductory offer is still on for GEnie members and user groups. Contact us via EMAIL or ph}one if you are unsure about this. 'SOME PEOPLE' have asked when, if, why, how, etc. ...on to #2... goWrite supports th}e XEP80 in edit and preview modes WHEN using the XEP80, the multiple fonts and font sizes and styles are disabled} or very limited we are still working on that at this point. The XEP80 can not do too much more than basic 80 col}umn text output. #3: The mouse speed dragging. This is a problem that is partially because of speed, GOE manipu}lates the mouse in pixels, not as a player (to avoid the possible hiding behind playfield 0). The flickering} has been improved and the speed bumped up so that there is very very little dragging. ie, when you move an Icon, yo}u still get a little bit. GOE uses a POKEY interrupt and from the control panel that can be retimed to speed up or }slow down the mouse. ? #4, SpartaDOS through a window (is really like #5) is something that we are working on as} a CLI-type accessory. It creates a lot of problems with SpartaDOS X. But good ol' SpartaDOS II and Atari DOS's } should be able to do this. The answer is YES, we are currently working on that. When complete it will be PD. ga } Ok, that sounds REALLY good.. <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Next is Mark again.... <[Mark] M.GAMBER1> Thanks } Marty... Dave, how many is "Some people"? Has there been a lot of interest generated? Offhand, that is... ga <[Da}vid] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. Basically, I have had 'ok' response so far, as expected before a product is released. With two }competing products (ie the 'other') on the market I don't know what the total/overall response is going to be. } To date we have taken several advance orders (approx 2/3 of the initial order of carts) and currently have a mailing } list of 672 (oops, 673, got a call tonight) people who are interested and would like a flyer. As for interest from} other developers. The response is basically as usual, a wait and see attitude. GA <[Mark] M.GAMBER1> Ok. Well, I} think you can expect my check! Also, on a relative basis, how easy is it to program within the environment? As in, } would it be easier to make your own handlers and just use GOE as a FMS? GA <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Very easy! Th}e GOE cart comes with a hobbyist guide to programming and the source to the three Desk Accessories to get people }started. GOE is easier to program than CIO (which is easy) if that gives you an example. GA <[Mark] M.GAMBER1> Ok,} finally, (really) You mentioned $50. Now, if I'm to send you a check, EXACTLY, with shipping and handling do I send and} where do I send it and who do I make it out to? GA <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. To GEnie users, as the DEMO says,} the $50 discount is good to the next 20. Lets make that 30...(why not),... wish prepay, the cart total is $53} ($3 shipping) and a check would be made out to: Total Control Systems. The address is 4156 Tolowa St. San Dieg}o, CA. 92117 .... try reading cat 5, top 24 if you get the chance or loose the address. It is also in the DEMO. o}r leave EMAIL to D.SULLIVAN4. GA <[Mark] M.GAMBER1> Ok, just making sure. Thanks much, Dave. I'm so besid}e myself, there's 3 of me here! Thanks again! <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> OK! Next, D.MELICHAR is up again..... David, the WICO trak ball is not supported very well in the demo, will support be there in the cart. 1st release o}r will you be releasing an update later in the year? ga <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. Basically the cart currently supp}orts the ST mouse Atari Joystick, Keyboard and Koala Pad (paddles) BUT, to make it 'more' compatible I added a 're}verse' field option to the X & Y along with swap X & Y. This allows the SuperRAT (Zobian), Atari Touch Pad, and o}thers to work. As for the Wico, I am trying to find one locally. If it does not make it into the CART, a driver will be }on GEnie as soon as it is complete. I have also recently been testing the Lightgun (ie. Light Pen). GA Did you get my package today? I will send you my WICO trakball tomorrow and then you will have one to use.} You mentioned that MacPaint and others would be supported in GOpaint, will you have support for viewing/editing G}IF/RLE pics? ga <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Yes (on the package, thanks. I also got the same from a local store. Sti}ll thanks). On the Wico, if you send it, it will be return within a week or two. On goPaint, I do not currently }have the specs on GIF & RLE formats. However, I will investigate that as time permits and at least provide a con}version utility in GOE format. GA Ok thanks David. As a side note RLE pics are used on "the othe}r service" and are viewed on some BBS's with Vidtex mode from Tscope etc. thanks again. Be talking to you! ga } <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok Thanks. GA <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> OK.....Moving right along..... Gary is up next.... <[Gar}y] G.E.M.> David, back to GoWrite and the XEP80 for a minute...(BTW the WICO trackball emulates a joystick,} it is not a true trackball)... Will GoWrite support the XEP's ability to work with lines of more than 80 ch}aracters? ie. work in 132 column, scrolling the screen as necessary? GA. <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Yes. goWrite suppo}rts that mode even without the XEP80 (a slider box on the bottom of the window) with the XEP80, slight changes will } be made to take better advantages of the XEP80. I am still working out the design layout. The current alpha-vers}ion does support up to 256 columns by 25 rows in XEP80, and normal (Antic) modes. GA (thanks on the Wico) } <[Gary] G.E.M.> Ok, thanks. (no problem) ;) GA. <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Thanks, Gary! Next is Mat*Rat.... } Hi dave ... finally made it ... class was no fun! ... onward ... Like a true politician - this is a 3 part questio}n .... 1) Is there room enough (in your opinion) in the Atari market for two graphics operating systems?} ..... 2) Do you welcome a HEAD TO HEAD comparison review? (The 'other' has indicated this would be ok.) ..... 3) W}hen do you expect the final to ship? GA <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. As for room for two? Well, at this point the } 8 bit users are going to have to make a choice. Regardless of the choice, TCS will be supporting GOE as long as the}re are significant sales and users to support. I do welcome a HEAD-To-HEAD article and prefer one. In that w}ay both the 'other' (hi Alan) and myself will know what to work for if either of us wanted to 'COMPLETE' with the } other. At this point, both of us are calling our products winners...and I am sure that the 8 bit commu}nity enjoys the support that they are finally getting. In the next few months the choice will be made...I call i}t 'WAR' ...TCS will always be on the quality end. Quality goes in before product comes out. As for the expected shippin}g date (you missed it earlier), I will be shipping to some *SPECIAL* people in the next 10 days. The officia}l shipping date (end of Oct. was missed) is expected to be middle of November. ie 14-20 days... also, if I ma}y comment: It looks like the 8 bit users will have a choice between the 'other' system and GOE, GOE on cart now a}nd the other "SOON"...so, for... a while at least the 8 bit will be supported by two fine programmers and companies.} GA (thanks for joining) Glad to be here. I'm sure all 8bit Die hards appreciate all the support and}, for lack of anything else to say, "May the best man win!" Thanks. GA <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Thanks Mat! Next up }is John Nagy of Zmag.... <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> (Best program...both of us are great guys) <[JOHN NAGY] ZMAG> Thanks}.. A couple Q and an assurance that there will be a head to head article as soon as there are finished products. So... } when is "finished"? I see that your demo mentions that you will have a LATER UPDATE and so that what we get shortly w}ill still be incomplete? Hard to judge when we cant tell what it is going to to when done. A couple quick obser}vations of the demo: be sure to kill that ATTRACT MODE! and the mouse goes to sleep when disk is accessed. VE}RY annoying. GA <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. When in "FINISHED"? That means what the question says "WHEN". } But, on the expected side, as I stated, 14-20 days. (BTW Your one of the *SPECIAL* people). On the update just means } that after the initial GOE cart is released and the users (those important people) give feedback...an immedi }ate update will respond to those comments and DEMANDS. Also, on the attract mode, it is gone. The "SLEEP" when }disk IO is on is due to the nature of the 8 bit...I I am working on a possible solution with other various types of m }ouse control. Currently, GOE uses a POKEY interrupt but is written to allow alternate handlers to take over. Tim }e will tell on that one. Also, please remember the GOE DEMO is JUST a demo. Thanks for the comment. GA <[JOH }N NAGY] ZMAG> I note that the icon for the mouse on the competitor product DOES work and changes to a DISK ICON (mini) } while doing disk access... that's all for now. Glad to hear we will be your beta testers. ga <[David] D }.SULLIVAN4> (ok. GOE changes to a bee...while doing IO) <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Thanks, John! Next up is D.MELICHAR again }.... ok thanks. one comment, as for a head to head comparison I think that we already have had } one, the competition's released product, and your DEMO which does more, faster, and better, not to mention les }s expensive. Question, well there be any support for the second button on the ST and other mice? ga <[David] D. }SULLIVAN4> Yes. I am working on inclusion in the docs of a mod. to the ST mouse to allow support. The right button wil }l then act as a return key or programmable key. Also, on the head-to-head. Users have a choice they can compare } the DISK version of the 'other' that they paid $30 for against the GOE cart when received. Or they can wait f }or the 'other' to release a cart version. At any rate, GOE will allow external additions if the need arises. GA You did say that there will be support for the CX85 numeric keypad correct? <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> }(ZMAG, my 128k version of the 'other' does not do that). Even when used with the mouse or joystick ga } <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Yes the CX85 does work properly with GOE. You must plug it into the opposite port th }at you are using for the mouse/joystick. GA Last question and good night... On the "old" 800 the }re were 4 joystick ports... how about a joystick/trakball/mouse and cx85 at one time! WOW! ga <[Davi }d] D.SULLIVAN4> The control panel allows you to configure the ports to what you wish. You may install the joyst }ick, mouse (and CX85) at the same time. The CART's built in routine will automatically adjust to what is being }used and ignore inactive ports. GA (night night) bye thanks again ga <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Thanks }! Next up is Mark with another question.... <[Mark] M.GAMBER1> Thanx. Sorry Dave, a coupe more... (Gun to my } head)...what price are we talking to the "Non-GEnie" folks? GA <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> OK. Well, if your local user gro }ups has received information contact them. The user groups also have a discount. Retail is $79.95. Call }or leave EMAIL for exact details. (Did you fire?) GA <[Mark] M.GAMBER1> No, no one shot me yet. There's not much o }f a group here ask Mat, or MACE or... Also, is TCS ready for a war with the other OS? Can it handle one and } win? I think the GOE demo is better than the 'other' from Mat's descrip, but others might think otherwise since th }ey WERE out first. GA <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Well. Try PACS (in PA) user group. Also, as for a WAR? TCS will provi }de the best quality product that is possible. We are ready to add, correct, change or expand to meet the needs of the } Atari community. As for out first. As some may know, problems with what is now a marketing agency cause a !}bout a 3 month delay in our product. Sorry. Things happen. TCS will ship a quality product out the door. If "} others have done that or can do that then they also deserve the 8 bit users respect. GA <[Mark] M.GAMBER1> Goo #}d. Finally, it rears it's ugly head, have there been safeguards taken against piracy? I'd hate to see a product like $} this end up like that and I've seen so-called "unpiritable" software (i.e. ACTION) done. Any comment? GA <[Da %}vid] D.SULLIVAN4> Well. Nothing is 'unpiritable' ... Action may be duplicated through hardware. GOE (as well as SPX and &} other bank select carts) will be extremely hard to pirate (dump to disk)... I hope (?) that the Atari 8 bit us '}ers have learned a lesson on that issue. But seeing recently release software on local BBS's proves me wrong. Yes, (} I have taken the time to help insure that GOE is not pirated...BUT goWrite and goPaint will be left up to you, the )}guilty users :-). GA <[Mark] M.GAMBER1> Ok. I really hate to see good software end up like that and while I *}too think most have learned, there are always those few... Anyway, enough, thanks Dave, I'm done "fer shure" GA <[R +}T*SysOp] MARTY.A> Thanks! Next is J.STEPHENS5..... how will geo work with 256k machines (800xl)? ga ,} <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> GEO? You mean GOE... Ok. GOE allows you to configure the amount of memory that you wish i -}t to see. You may also tell it what to do with the memory. Example, use bank 1 as a RAM cache when copying and f .}or faster operating, or use banks 1..4 for data in the goWrite or goPaint etc. GOE allows you to tell it what to do wit /}h the memory. This allows 48k compatibility. GA yethanks do you know of users groups near IOWA to ge 0}t goe ga <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> (Hmm...IOWA, I'll research that...) Currently, I know of no group in IOWA. 1}You may contact us via phone for help on that. GA icd r-time 8 clock a problem? ga <[David] D. 2}SULLIVAN4> No. GOE allows complete access to the Rtime8 cart with or without the use of SpartaDOS. A built 3}in handler automatically check for the Rtime8 and reads the clock on all updates of time/date info. GA <[RT*S 4}ysOp] MARTY.A> We'll have to be moving on....Next up is Mat*Rat again.... 1) Comment: I think a HEAD T 5}O HEAD review should be done on EQUAL grounds .... GOE cartridge versus 'other' cartridge. Cart against disk is unf 6}air, BIASED! .... 2) Are there any potential bank switch RAM conflicts with SDX and GOE ? .... 3) Where do I put m 7}y monitor when I have Mac/65 pluged into GOE pluged into SDX pluged into Rtime-8 plugged into my 800XL ???!!!!!!!!! 8} GA <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. On the RAM...No. Unless you goof. As with all programs, OS's, etc. You must 9} be aware of what you tell the system to do. If you tell SpartaDOS X to use BANK1 as a cache (CACHE.SYS) and then GO :}E and tell GOE to use it...then a conflict arises, and WHO KNOWS what the result would be. As for the Monitor...I mo ;}ved mine to the side to allow me to plug in my Rtime8, SPX, GOE and Mac65. GA Ok, lots of things are g <}etting power from the computer now ... XM301 draws power from computer .... P:R: Connection or Printer connection =} draws power (ignore SIO connector problem) and you STACK 4 cartridges in the computer. The power supply for >}the XL/XE computers is NOT an infinite power source (consider 512K or more of bank switched RAM too) are we going to sta ?}rt blowing up 8bit power supplies one of these days??? ga <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Well...that's a good one. GOE @}(and SDX, etc, etc) carts use a TTL level circuit to control who is being used. I do not expect a problem with thi A}s as I have more equp. hooked up now than anyone will most likely use. I'll ask that wonderful company (ICD) abo B}ut the current draw. I will inquire as to this... (grin) GA <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Well, we need to move on! Next up is C} Jack Dewell again from Atari.... Thanks! One comment and two questions... comment: the user-s D}pecified RAM allocation sounds similar to SDX (grin) GOOD! Way to go! question 1: does GOE run on an 800? ga <[Dav E}id] D.SULLIVAN4> Yes. GOE runs on ALL 48k and above machines (even a 1400xl! grin). GA great! what i F}s the "GEnie" price for GOE? ga <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> The GEnie price deal to the first 20 (now 30) orders is G} $50. Other GEnie users should call for addition info. Be quick. Leave email as to the status (countdown). GA < H}MR.GOODPROBE> rats! (sorry, Mat!) tight budget this month! oh, well...I surrender the floor! <[RT*SysOp] MAR I}TY.A> Thanks Jack! Back again is Dr. Who.... <[DR. WHO] E.PRESLEY1> thanks marty... two question and I'll shut up... J} One-=> how much support will be given to us programmer. Will we be able to write our own goe programs... two-=> K}are there any plans on a 40,64,80 col. Goe Terminal prog. (GA) <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. Yes. You will receive L}support as much as possible. In addition to free source on how goe is programmed all questions about the produ M}ct may be answered here on GEnie or via mail. As for goTerm, yes 40, 64 & 80. GA <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> OK...Having to N} cut this a bit short here.... Next up is Gary..... <[Gary] G.E.M.> Ok, Quick comment on the power supply problem. O} I run a 130 (576K), PR: conn, SDX, RTIME8 et al. I have blown my supply 5 times in the last 60 days. (Actua P}lly the design is crummy) The last time it happened I went to a 5 Amp p/s and have had no more problems. So upg Q}raded machines may have problems... XE Power supplies have trouble meeting their maximum ratings. End of comment. R} GA. <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Thanks, Gary! Next is Mat again..... Thanks ... Older XL machines had a PS r S}ating of 1.0 AMPS at 5 Volts. Newer XL and all XE have a 1.5AMP rating. Just FYI XL's with the old PS will li T}kely burn up (mine did ages ago). Question ... Do you expect that Atari MAY endorse one of the graphics OS as the U} "official" graphical OS for the 8bit which might possibly bring on line a lot of outside developers as GEOS has do V}ne for the Commodores? GA (Atari, are you listening?) <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> In my opinion it would be a smart move W}for Atari to do so. Atari, though, has to make a careful choice as to which product and company can best suppo X}rt it's users and get along with the Atari "style" of things. (grin). I, of course, would like to see this...a Y}nd would like it to be GOE time will tell. It's an interesting possibility. GA <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Thanks, Mat! Z}Next up is RHELZ.... COUPLE OF QUESTIONS... 1) CAN YOU REALLY DO ANYTHING IN 48K? AND 2) HOW FAST OR [} RAGGED IS THE WINDOW MOVEMENT? IS IT NICE AND SMOOTH? GA <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. In 48k, GOE (the Desktop) w \}ork just as they do in 64k or 128k, etc. The system is designed to take advantage of the extra memory at your ]} command 48k systems use the disk more than not. The main drawback is that in 48k, goPaint and goWrite use the d ^}isk more that I would like. Very usable, but disk active. 2) The window movement? When you move a window the sy _}stem uses a ghost box which moves extremely fast. After selection of the new window spot. The system closes the w `}indow you move, opens it back up in the new spot and issues a redraw to the necessary window managers. The process a} takes longer if you have 16 windows than four, but overall it is a speedy process. Compares to GEM on the ST, G b}OE wins. GA (grin) <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> OK, well, Due to the time that this has run, I'm ending the formal RTC n c}ow and will open up the room after a few closing words from David.... <[David] D.SULLIVAN4> Ok. First, I would lik d}e to thank all of you for joining the RTC tonight. It has been an experience. I hope you enjoy GOE! Please fee e}l free to send email to D.SULLIVAN4 or to use the message area assigned to GOE (CAT 5, TOP 24). I would also like f} to thank ALL current developers of 8 bit software, and all of you supportive users that have put your pre g}cious dollars up in advance to support the GOE product. Thanks all, and have a good night. Total Control System q}\B%DOS SYSB*)DUP SYSBSGOE TXTBsREADME TXTs. GA Everyone. Thanks Marty. <[RT*SysOp] MARTY.A> Thanks, David! And Thanks to all the RT Members that stoppe r}d in! RTC Transcript EndsAcknowledge-To: Scott Parish bers that stoppei This is the discussion that tookplace on GENIE when GOE was firstannounced. Parish bers that stoppe Q