"Devoted Exclusively To The Atari Computer User"
V»I=»»ONTHE XL
By Nallace Duvall
Nhat could be better than an Atari 800 i^ith 48
K? How 'bout an Atari 800XL with 64K, 15
graphics modest monitor portf serial expansion
portf international character set» special
HELP key, soft toLch keyboard,built in basic*
half the size and haf the price? Sound to good
to be true? Your right* It's not quite half the
size* Jump backi 800 'cuz little brother is
X-L-enti
Atari, those wizards of silicon valley,
(nevermind wall street) have done it again*
The new ATARI 800XL computer gets an A-f in
my book* Only Atari could take a good thing,
make it better and sell it for less* (who needs
profits anyway?)
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty* Just
what is it that makes an Atari 800XL so much
better than my old Atari 800? Read on!
The 800XL comes with 64K installed*
(thrills right?) 64K doesn't do us basic
programmers much good, there is still only
37K available, but it's nice to know it's there*
Machine language programmers will be pleased*
The new keyboard has a marvelous touch*
It feels almost like a (gulp!) Commodore, only
nicer* Better yet, that stupid clicking noise
can be turned off with a simple POKE
command*(POKE 731,255) Another POKE
command (POKE 756,204) accesses the
international character set* This will help you
to type letters in German, Swahili, or some
other rediculous language* Another wonderful
addition to the 800XL keyboard is the famous
HELP key* This little button will lecture on
drug abuse, balance your checkbook, and even
fix a flat tireid wish!) Atari loves to brag
about it, but it's just another console button*
Now instead of 4, we have 5 console buttons*
POKE 732,17 = HELP key pressed
POKE 732,81 = shift/HELP
POKE 732,145« €trl/HELP
I am not an expert on graphics, but as near
as I can figure they added graphics 1243»i4
and 15* The new graphics modes are just old
graphics imdes that have been beefed up* One
has more rows, one has more columns, one has
more polors, etc*** More variety is always an
improvement* Just thinks a $1500 Apple only
has 2 graphics modes!
A monitor lack was added for those of us
who have one and a serial expansion port was
also added for future expansion from Atari*
Rumor had it that this will drive a printer -
sorry* The new 800XL has only 2 joystick
ports, but I have trouble working 4 joysticks
at once anyw#yi 2 is plenty*
800XL computers have built in basic which
eliminates the need to buy the cartridge* (save
$45*00) Basic can be bypassed by pressing the
OPTION key during boot up* Another built in
goodie is the 3 self help tests which replace
that useless memo pad mode* These tests will
test memory (RAM & ROM), keyboard, and
sound registers* They can be quite handy if
problems arise* Hint*** the owners manual
doesn't state this, but the computer must be
booted without basic (see above) in order to
test all 64K RAM* Some other built in
do-dads are fine scrolling, key repeat speed,
console speaker eliminated and rechanneled
through monitor or tv speaker, and a few more
less important features*
Now the all important question, "Will it
run all Atari compatable software?". The
answer is NO* There are some third party
programs that will not run on the new XL
computers* Wait! Wait! It's not as bad as it
sounds* In fact, I have found very little that
will not run properly on my 800XL* I believe
Atari says 90% of the available software will
work just fine* (anything made by Atari will
run) There is help just around the corner at
your local coirputer store or direct from Atari*
Ta-Da TRANSLATOR to the rescue (oooooh!)*
Yes, the Translator, available on disk and
cassette will enable your super duper XL
computer to run virtually all Atari compatable
software* The cost? Less than >10«00*
I've made a few jokes (at least I tried), but
I am really impressed with the performance of
the 800XL. And I can turn off that !(?%!# key
dick! If you're thinking of purchasing a new
XL computer or you already own one and you
have any questions, feel free to call me» Im
on the back cxmitr of the MACE Journal and I'll
be glad to help if I can* Thumbs up. Atari!
PRESIDENTIAL RAMBLINGS
by Mike Lechkun
"Welcome to Sam's Software. What is it I can
help you with today," the polite young
salesperson inquired*
"I'm looking for a good word processing
program to use with my Atari and ♦ ♦
"Well let me show you our great games
selection* I just got a new one called Sonic
Shootemupt and over here is one called * # #"
Pushed aside again* Has something like this
ever happened to you? You know* The minute
the word ATARI is spoken, the mind goes
immediately to "the pame machine" label* To a
degree, that is somewhat allowable* There
are truly some great games for the ATARI,
and it is a great graphics machine* But owning
an ATARI like I do, you know the full
capabilities of this machine* So how do we
400/800/XL owners get around the stigma of
"the games machine"?
In a recent ANTIC magazine editorial, James
Capparell, editor in cheif, proposed the title
of our machine as the " Atari PC "* The letters
P-C have come to be known for computers and
not toys (PC in fact stands for Personal
Computer)* And why shouldn't we refer to our
machines as PC's? While not as complex, and
loaded with whistles & bells like an I* B*
You-know-what, the ATARI PC will do most
anything the current field of home computers
will do* And, by Antic's count, with over a
million Atari PC owners out there, shouldn't
we "start recognizing our machine for what it
is, the very best personal computer you can
get for less than * 1,000"?
That ends one tirade, so on to another! By
the time you read this, we are now well under
way trying to get more TARICON '84 support*
You all were very helpful in your calls to the
manufacturers 800 numbers published in a
recent MACE JOURNAL* We hope to get more
numbers published for you to do the same in
either this JOURNAL, or a future issue* If
phone calling isn't your thing (or even if it is),
volunteer to serve during the convention* You
wont regret it!
Next tirade: catch my editorial later in this
JOURNAL on the sad state of affairs at
HI-RES magazine* Let me know how you think
of it, by letters to the MACE JOURNAL
editor or on MACE MAIN BBS (I'm always on
it!)*
Finally, Happy Birthday MACE* As we enter
our 5th year, it's easy to look back on where
we've been* Just look at the many user
groups springing up nationaly and
internationaly* They are now where we once
were* They also look to MACE as well as
many of pur sister groups as goals they may
someday attain* Being looked up to is a honor ,
and being a progressive, dynamic group is a
goal we should strive for* Not only because of
those looking up to us» but for x)ur own sakes*
If we are not serving your interests in th«
way you think we should, by all means let us
knowt Our officers are happy to recieve your
input, so don't be shy* Let 'em know, good or
bad* Let's make our next four years as
successful as our first four!
See you next month at the swap meet! Be sure
to bring all your goodies to sell* Keep in mind
that all software should be on original media
and be accompanied by original documentation*
We've done our best to live down a reputation
that a lot of computer user's groups have
earned* a pirating group* And we intend to
keep it that wav ! Good luck in your sales!
COMIIMO
ATTRACTIONS
June lltrh*
Here's the tentative schedule of topics for the
June meeting* Please note that this meeting
is on the 2nd* MONDAY OF THE MONTH
- Business meeting
- TARICON '84 info
- Misc* software demos
- Break
- M*A*C*E* SWAP NITE!
Tom Sturza
Program Coordinator
I=hrintrer- Dr-iver- -For- 1:He
C^Itroh jRr-o wiri-ter" «Lncl
IStEC: S023
By John Navas III
GETTING STARTED}
AKPRO is an assembler program which
produces a binary object file» Once it is
assembled^ it can be renamed using DOS to
AUTORUNtSYS on disk<s) used to boot
AtariHriter* It can also be combined with
AWDISK (elsewhere in this issue) Then just
choose the Atari 825 ("2" on the AtariWriter
printer selection menu) to get the proper
codes for the Prowriter, including underlining,
elongated (double width) characters*
subscripts* superscripts* half-line spacing*
and proportional font* even with both margins
justified and two-column printing! The only
things that may require some adjustment are
your margin settings*
The assembler source code can be modified and
assembled with the Atari Assembler Editor
Cartridge* If you have a different assembler*
you may have to convert the source
statements before you can use it*
THEORY OF OPERATION:
AWPRO installs itself as if it were a standard
printer handler* "upstream" of whatever
printer handler is actually driving the printer*
It is self-relocating* so it places itself at
MEMLO and resets MEMliO to the first
available location above itself, as per
standard Atari conventions* This should make
it compatible with most DOS programs while
leaving AtariWriter as much memory as
possible for your file* Note that it does NOT
trap the DOSINI vector* so it will be removed
if SYSTEM RESET is pressed*
AWPRO monitors characters being sent from
AtariWriter to the printer (incoming
characters)* Normally these incoming
characters are simply sent along to the the
real "downstream" printer handler (outgoing
characters)* However* if the incoming
characters are a control sequence for the
Atari 825 printer (note the test in
AWPRO*SRC lines 241-243)* the equivalent
control characters for the Prowriter are
substituted as outgoing characters*
FUNCTION ATARI 825 PROWRITER
St,srt, Uri der] iric?
SI
ESC
X
pop
w W
Y
T
Start Elongeted
ESC
SO
SO
Stop EloriQated
ESC
S I
SI
Proportional
ESC
DCl
ESC
P
10 c^p * i *
ESC
DCS
ESC
N
16/17 c ♦ p ♦ i ♦
ESC
DC^
ESC
E
Incr Dot Space
ESC
1~6
ESC
1-6
<Biriary/ASCIl3K5K)
1/2 line reverse
ESC
RS
ESC
C
< Incr ©Mental Printing)
ESC r - Reverse Line Feeding
LF - Line Feed
EiSC f - Forward Line Feeding
ESC 3 - Logic Seek Printing
1/2 Fwd Feed ESC FS ESC C
( IncreMental Pr in ting)
LF - Line Feed
ESC 3 - Logic Seek Printing
# Since I prefer 12 c.pA* to 16/17 c*pau I
used the 12 c*pa* Prowriter control code "ESC
This means you will have to play around
with your margin settings to get proper
formatting at 12 c*pA, (If you prefer 17 c*pa»
to 12 c»p«i«» use PROBJ [available in XA51 to
zap location $3819 from *C5 to *D1» For those
modifying AWPRO,SRC, the 16/17 c.pA,
Prowriter code "ESC Q" can be substituted by
changing line 204%)
For the Atari 825, "1-6" is a BINARY
number giving the number of "dot spaces" to
move the printhead in proportional font mode}
for the Prowriter, the corresponding "1-6" is
an ASCII number# (Dot spacing is used to
justify both margins* Even though the
Prowriter has different proportional character
widths than the Atari 825, the results come
out almost perfect, although you will need to
adjust the margins to accomodate the
differences*)
In addition, a setup sequence is performed
during OPEN (note the test for the Atari 825
in AWPRO*SRC lines 229-231) and a restore
sequence is performed during CLOSE (note
lines 337-339)}
4
open:
FUNCTION PROWRITER CODE
Reset Left Margin
Clesr Print Buffer
Clear VFU5K
Logic Seek Printing
Bi-directional
12 Lines Per Inch3«)ic
Forward Feed
ASCII Char* Set
0 0 0
2
close:
FUNCTION
10 c«p ♦ i
Stop Underline
Stop Elongated
Stop Boldface
Clear Print Buffer
Clear VFU)k
6 Lines Per Inch
ESC L
CAN
GS RS
ESC 3
ESC <
ESC T
ESC f
ESC ♦
PROWRITEf? COOe
ESC N
ESC Y
SI
ESC "
CAN
GS RS
ESC A
)K Vertical Forws control Unit*
:ic)K 1/2 line spacing
MODIFICATIONS}
The following steps should get you started on
modifying AWPRO.SRC for use with printers
other than the Prowriterl
!♦ If you want to convert codes from an Atari
printer other than the Atari 825» change lines
230, 242 and 338 to reflect your choice from
the AtariWriter printer selection menu* Note
that you must use the BINARY NUMBER of
your choice, NOT the ASCII character!
2f AHPRO expects most incoming printer
control codes to be ESC followed by a single
character (see exceptions below)* AWPRO is
set up so that the incoming chararacter
following the ESC can be looked up in a
conversion table* The first ESC sequence
entry in the table follows the label CVES (line
200)} CVEN (line 211) marks the end of the
table*
3* Each entry in the table consists of the
incoming character to be looked up (such as
lines 203 and 205) followed by one or more
outgoing Pro writer control characters, WHICH
APPEAR IN REVERSE ORDER (i*e*, the FIRST
character will be sent LAST)* The last
outgoing character in the entry (actually the
first to be sent) has bit 7 "on" (e*g*, note the
"<4-128" in line 204)* AHPRO usually sends an
initial ESC before it sends the first outgoing
character from the table entry (see exception
below)» so the last Prowriter character in the
table entry (the one with the "+128*% the first
to be sent) MUST be a valid ESC sequence
character*
4* The Atari 825 codes for start and stop
underlining (SI and SO) are not ESC sequence
codes* Hence^ there is special logic for these
OMles at lines 255-258 and 277-278i and an
initial special section the conversion table
starting with label CVTB (line 195) and ending
with label CVES (line 200)*
5* The Prowriter codes for start and stop
elongated (double width) printing are not ESC
sequences^ in fact» they are the same as ttie
Atari 825 codes WITHOUT the ESC! Hence,
this conversion is not performed through the
table but simply with special logic at lines
282-285*
6* Incremental "dot space" commands for the
Atari 825 and the Prowriter are quite similar!
the 825 uses ESC followed by a binary number
and the Prowriter uses ESC followed by an
ASCII number* The logic at lines 300-303
makes this conversion*
7* Since the Prowriter is set up during OPEN
initialization for 1/2-Une feeding (12 lines
per inch)» each incoming EOL must be
converted into TWO outgoing CR characters
(note line 266)*
8* "ESC LP" identifies a control line for the
Atari 825 which must be deleted for the
Prowriter* Note the tests at lines 280-281 and
262-264, and the logic in lines 268-275*
9* The OPEN initialization sequence at label
OSTR (lines 212-214) and the CLOSE restore
sequence at label BUTT (lines 215-216) are in
conversion table format, EXCEPT that there is
NO INCOMING LOOKUP CHARACTER in the
entry*
10* The relocating loader uses a table of
address pointers (lines 453-455) to relocate
addresses in AHPRO* If addresses which need
relocation are added to or deleted from
AWPRO, this table must be adjusted
accordingly* The table entry points to the
FIRST byte of the ADDRESS to be relocated
(in 6502 low-high format)*
0101 .TITLE "ATARIWRITER DRIVER FOR
PROWRITER"
0102 .PAGE "EQUATES"
0103 .TAB 12,16,20
0104 ;AWPR0 1.3 (C)1984 JOHN NAVAS II
0105 J
0106 {AUTORUN.SYS FILE WHICH CONVERTS
ATARI 825 CODES TO
0107 ;C.ITOH 851 OA PROWRITER / NEC 8023
CODES.
0108 ;
0109 ICBALZ = $24
0110 ICBAHZ = $25
0111 ;
01 12 ;ascii char codes:
0113ht = 9 jhorz tab
0114 lf = 10 {line feed
01 15 CR s 13 {CARRIAGE RTRN
0116 50= 14
0117 SI =15
0118 DCl = 17
0119 DC2 = 18
0120 DC3 = 19
0121 DC4 = 20
0122 CAN = 24
0123 ESC s 27 {ESCAPE
0124 FS = 28
0125 GS = 29
0126 RS s 30
0127 DEL = 127 {DEL/RUB
0128 J
0129 {ATASCII CHAR CODES:
0130 CRSUP » 28 {CRSR UP
0131 CRSDN = 29 JCRSR DOWN
0132 CRSLF = 30 {CRSR LEFT
0133 CRSRT s 31 {CRSR RIGHT
0134 CLRSCN = 125 {CLEAR SCREEN
0135 BACKS = 124 {BACK SPACE
0136 TAB s 127 {TAB
0137 EOL = 155 {END OF LINE
0138 DELINE » 156 g^LETE UNE
0139 BUZZER « 253 {BUZZER
0140 {
0141 RUNAD s «2E0 {RUN VECTOR
0142 INITAD » ♦2E2 {INIT VECTOR
0143 MEMLO = $2E7 {start of user memory
0144 {
0145 HATABS » «31A {DEVICE TABLE
0146 MAXDEV = 33 {MAXIMUM DEVICES
0147 {
0148 ICCOM » «342 {lOCB COMMAND
0149 OPEN = 3 {OPEN
0150 GETREC - 5 {GET RECORD
0151 OETCHR » 7 {GET CHAR(S)
0152 PUTREC = 9 {PUT RECORD
0153 PUTCHR » *B {PUT CHAR(S)
0154 CLOSE = *C {CLOSE
0155 STATIS = *D {STATUS
0156 SPECIL = «E {SPECIAL
0157 ICSTA = *343 {STATUS
0158 SUCCES = 1 {SUCCESSFUL STATUS
0159 BRKABT = «80 {BREAK KEY ABORT
0160 TIMOUT = *8A {TIMEOUT STATUS
0161 DERROR = $90 {ERROR STATUS
0162 FNCNOT = $92 {FUNC NOT IMP
0163 APPEND = *1 {WRITE APPEND
0164 DIRECT = *2 {DIRECTORY
0165 OPNIN = *4 {INPUT
0166 OPNOT = *8 {OUTPUT
0167 OPNINO = OPNIN+OPNOT
{INPUT&OUTPUT
0168 MXDMOD = $10 {MIXED MODE
0169 INSCLR = $20 {OPEN W/O CLEAR
0170 {
0171 *=*3800
0172 {
0173 .PAGE "PROWRITER DMVER"
0174 YEAS = #
0175 {O.S. PRINTER TABLE
0176 OTAB *- *+2 {OPEN
0177 #= #+2 {CLOSE
0178 *= *+2 {READ
0179 *=*+2 {WRITE
0180 {(STATUS/SPECIAL/INITIALIZE NOT
NEEDED)
0181 rSBT m #-l-OTAB
0182 {NEW PRINT HANDLER TABLE:
0183 HTAB .WORD OPAN-1 {OPEN
0184 RCOl ■ #-2
0185 .WORD CLOS-1 {CLOSE
0186 RC02 = #-2
0187 .WORD 0 {READ
0188 .WORD WRIT-1 {WRITE
0ia^RC03«»-2
0190 {(STATUS/SPECIAL/INITIALIZE NOT
NEEDED)
0191 {
0192 {DATA area:
0193 ESCF .BYTE 0 {BIT7=1 HAD ESCAPE
0194 PUNY .BYTE 0 {BIT7=1 SUPPRESS LINE r
0195 CVTB = * {CONVERSION TABLE
0196 .BYTE SI
0197 .BYTE 'X+128 {UNDLN
0198 .BYTE SO
0199 .BYTE 'Y+128 {NO UNDLN
0200 CVES = # {ESC TABLE ENTRY
0201 .BYTEDC3
0202 .BYTE 'N+128 {10 CPI
0203 .BYTEDC4
0204 .BYTE 'E+128 {12 CPI (16 STD)
0205 .BYTE DCl
0206 ♦BYTE 'P+128 }PS
0207 .BYTE RS/]»ESC»'f,ESC,LF,'r,ESC
0208 .BYTE 'C+128 Jl/2 REV
0209 .BYTE FS,'3,ESC,LF
0210 .BYTE 't+128 11/2 FWD
0211 CVEN = » }END OF TABLE
0212 OSTR .BYTE '$,ESC,'f,ESC,"21T",ESC
0213 .BYTE '<,ESC,'],ESC,RS,GS,CAN
0214 .BYTE "000",'L+128 IPRINTER SETUP
0215 BUTT .BYT
'A,ESC,RS»GS,CAN/%ESC,SI,'Y,ESC
0216 .BYTE 'N+128 {PRINTER RESET
0217 }
0218 tOPEHi
0219 OPAN LDY #0
0220 JSR GOOS }O.S. OPEN
0221 RC04 » »-2
0222 LDX ESCF {RESTORE X
0223 RC05 = *-2
0224 TYA {CONDCODE
0225 BPL 0PA2 {O.K.
0226 OPAl TYA JCOND CODE
0227 RTS {ERROR RETURN
0228 {
0229 OPA2 LDA *6D0 {PRINTER
0230 CMP #2 {PROWRITER?
0231 BNE OPAl {NO
0232 LDY #OSTR-l-CVTB {INIT
0233 BNE PINS {PRINTER
0234 {
0235 {WRITE A BYTE:
0236 WRIT TAY {SAVE CHAR
0237 LDA #$80 {SET END
0238 PHA
0239 TYA {RESTORE CHAR
0240 {
0241 LDY $6D0 {PRINTER
0242 CPY #2 {PROWRITER?
0243 BNE BUSY {NO, OUTPUT
0244 {
0245 BIT ESCF {PRIOR ESC?
0246 RC06 = *-2
0247 BMI TSFB {YES
0248 CMP #ESC {THIS ESC?
0249 BNE NESC {NO
0250 PLA {CLEAR STACK
0251 STA ESCF {SET FLAG
0252 RC07 = *-2
0253 BNE STAT {EXIT
0254 {
0255 NESC CMP #SI {SI?
0256 BEQ CHKN {YES
0257 CMP#SO{SO?
0258 BEQ CHKN {YES
0259 {
0260 CMP#EOL{EOL?
0261 BNE BUSY {NO
0262 BIT FUNY {BYPASS UNE?
0263 RC08 = #-2
0264 BMIFUNL{YES
0265 U}A*CR
0266 PHA {CR/CR
0267 BNE BUSY
0268 FUNL LDA *CAN
0269 STA FUNY {RESET FLAG
E 0270 RC09 = *-2
0271 BNE BUSY {ERASE LINE
0272 SPUN PLA {PULL END
0273 STA FUNY {SET FLAG
0274 RCIO = *-2
0275 BHESTAT
0276 {
0277 CHKN LDY #0 {SI/SO TABLE INDEX
0278 BEO SLOP {GO SEARCH
0279 {
0280 TSFB CMP #LF
0281 BEQ SPUN {SUPPRESS UNE
0282 CMP #SI {ESC-SI?
0283 BEQ BUSY {STRIP ESC
0284 CMP #SO {ESC-SO?
0285 BEQ BUSY {STRIP ESC
0286 {
0287 LDY #CVES-CVTB {NORMAL TABLE
0288 SLOP CMP CVTB,Y {IN TABLE?
0289 RCU = *-2
0290 BEQPSTK{YES
0291 PHA {SAVE CHAR
0292 ZIPS INY {GO TO NEXT
0293 LDA CVTB-1,Y {END OF ENTRY
0294 RC12 = *-2
0295 BPLaPS{NO
0296 PLA {GET CHAR
0297 CPY #CVEN-CVTB {END?
0298 BNE SLOP {NO
0299 {
0300 CMP #7 {DOT SPACE?
0301 BCS FPSC {NO
0302 ORA *'0 {MAKE INTO ASCII
0303 BNE FPSC {GO SAVE AND ESC
0304 {
0305 PINT LDY tBUTT-l-CVTB {RESET
0306 PINS LDA #$80 {END-OF-STACK
0307 PHA
0308 PSTK LDA CVTB+1,Y {GET CONV
0309 RC13 = #-2
0310 BMI FNSH {END» FINISH
0311 PHA {PUT ON STACK
0312 INY {GO TO NEXT
0313 BNE PSTK {GO GET NEXT
0314 FNSH AND *«7F {CLEAR FLAG
0315 FPSC PHA {SAVE ON STACK
0316 LDA #ESC {SET ESC
0317 J
0318 BUSY LDY #6
0319 JSR GOOS }0,S. WRITE
0320 RC14 = »-2
0321 LDX ESCF {RESTORE lOCB
0322 RC15 = #-2
0323 TYA JCONDCODE
0324 BMI FLSH {ERROR
0325 J
0326 PLA JNEXTCHAR
0327 BPLBUSYJNO
0328 t
0329 STAT LDY #SUCCES ;SUCCESSFUL OP
0330 RTS {RETURN
0331 {
0332 FLSH PLA {GET NEXT CHAR
0333 BPL FLSH {NOT DONE
0334 RTS {ERROR RETURN
0335 {
0336 {CLOSE:
0337 CLOS LDA $6D0 {PRINTER
0338 CMP #2 {PROWRITER?
0339 BNE CLSX {NO
0340 JSR PINT {RESET PRINTER
0341 RC20 = »-2
0342 CLSX LDY *2
0343 {
0344 {LINK TO O.S.
0345 GOOS STX ESCF {SAVE lOCB/NO ESC
0346 RC16 = »-2
0347 TAX {SAVE CHAR
0348 LDA OTAB+l,Y {VECTOR
0349 RC17 = *-2
0350 PHA
0351 LDAOTAB»Y
0352 RC18 = »-2
0353 PHA
0354 TXA {RESTORE CHAR
0355 LDX ESCF {RESTORE X
0356 RC19 = *-2
0357 LDY #FNCNOT {SETUP Y
0358 RTS {JMP VECTOR
0359 ;
0360 FNMV = #-YBAS {MOVE LIMIT
0361 FINL a * {NEW MEMLO
0362 .PAGE "RELOCATING LOADER"
0363 LOAD LDX *2
0364 LDY#0
0365 SEC
0366 PPLP LDA MEMLO,Y {COMPUTE OFFSET
0367 SBCRCBS,Y
0368 STARCBS,Y
0369 INY
0370 DEX
0371 BNE PPLP
0372 {
0373 LDX #RCLN {RELOC TABLE
0374 {
0375 PPLT LDA RCBS,X {NEXT RELOC
0376 STAICBALZ
0377 LDARCBS+1,X
0378 STAICBAHZ
0379 TXA
0380 PHA {SAVEX
0381 {
0382 LDX #2
0383 LDY *0
0384 CLC
0385 PPLQ LDA (ICBALZ),Y
0386 ADCRCBSfY
0387 8TA (ICBALZ),Y
0388 INY
0389 DEX
0390 BNE PPLQ
0391 {
0392 PLA
0393 TAX {RESTORE X
0394 DEX {NEXT RELOC
0395 DEX
0396 BNE PPLT {YES
0397 {
0398 LDY *MAXDEV {LAST DEVICE
0399 LDA
0400 SCAN CMP HATABS,Y {PRINTER?
0401 B£QCHGT{YES
0402 DEY {NEXT ENTRY
0403 DEY
0404 DEY
0405 BPL SCAN {CONT IF NOT LAST
0406 {
0407 CHGT LDA HATABS-<-l,Y {0.S*
0408 STA ICBALZ {ROM VECTOR
0409 LDA HATABS+2,Y
0410 STAICBAHZ
0411 {
0412 LDA RCHT {NEW VECTOR
0413 STA HATABS+l^Y
0414 LDARCHT-M
0415 STA HATABS+2,Y '
0416 {
0417 LDY #YSET {SETUP TABLES
0418 MOVT LDA (ICBALZ), Y
0419 STAOTAB,Y
0420 DEY
0421 BPL MOVT
0422 {
0423 CLC {NEW MEMLO
0424 LDA MEMLO
0425 STAICBALZ
0426 ADC #FINL-YBAS&«FF
0427 STA MEMLO
0428 LDAMEMLO-i-1
8
0429 STAICBAHZ
0430 ADC *FINL-YBAS/256
0431 STAMEMLO+1
0432 }
0433 LDX *FMMV/256 IPAGES
0434 LDY #0
0435 PKPK LDA YBAS,T JMOVE MODULE
0436 STAaCBALZ)»Y
0437 txa jlastpage?
0438 beqpkpl;yes
0439 INY
0440 BNE PKPK {NOT END-PAGE
0441 INC PKPK+2 JNEXT PAGE
0442 ZNCICBAHZ
0443 DEX {PAGE COUNT
0444 BNE PKPK {NOT LAST
0445 DEY
0446 PKPL INY
0447 CPY #FNMV&$FF {DONE?
0448 BNE PKPK {NO
0449 {
0450 RTS
0451 {
0452 RCBS .WORD TBAS
0453 .WORD
RC01,RC024%C03»RC044iC05,RC06»RC07,RC08
0454 .W ORD
RC09,RC 1 0»RC 11 ,RC 1 2,RC 1 3»RC 1 4>RC 1 5,RC 1 6
0455 .WORD RCI7,RC18,RC19,RC20,RCHT
0456 RCLN = #-2-RCBS
0457 RCHT .WORD HTAB
0458 {
0459 *= INITAD {INIT VECTOR
0460 .WORD LOAD {FOR DOS LOAD
0461 {
Due to scrhedtiling conflicts with the City of
Southfield* the meeting date for JUNE has
been rescheduled t The following is a list of
meeting dates for the remainder of 1984*
** June 1 1 MONDAY
July 17
August 21
September 18
October 16
November 20
December 18
TARICON '84 - August 25 & 26
Please mark your calendars so you'll be sure
not to miss meeting nightt
IT'S COMIlStG!
WHEN? Monday, June 11, 1984
During the 2nd* half of the M*A«C*E* meeting
(Approx* start time* 8«45 P#M#)
where: Southfield Civic Center Pavillion
Here's how it will work!
« Tables will be set up around the room
for display of your sale items*
* Bring your hardware and software,
with documentation (originals only,
no "pirate" copies)
* Tag each item with your name, address,
telephone number and the price you wish
to sell the item for*
* Make your own deals*
* Only members can sell items, anyone may
purchase items*
* Swap will last one hour*
* Please, No M*A*C*E* software*
M*A*C*£* is allowing this Swap Nite to take
place during the 2nd* half of our June meeting*
M*A*C*E* is NOT responsible for, nor are we
providing a guarantee for any of the
merchandise that is sold* IndividiJal M*A*C*E*
members are totally responsible for the
condition of the merchandise they wish to sell
or trade*
Please sign up for table space early* Either
leave your name in the M*A*C*E* Suggestion
Box or write to Tom Sturza, M*A*C#E* Program
Coordinator* Be sure to indicate that you
would like ''table space" for the Swap Nite*
(AN A*M*I*S* SYSOP'S VIEW)
By Ron Blessing
I recently read an article, in COMPUTER
SHOPPER, where the author stated that there
was a direct correlation between "the price of
a telecommunication system and the quality of
the user*" He all know that an lUdt |«st is not
administered with the purchase of a modem,
you especially know this if your a syspp* Also,
if you are a frequent caller of boardmt ymu will
notice quite a few of them are going to a
password system due to problems with users*
I hope the password is not a sign of things to
come*
There are always going to be "TWITS", as
they have been aptly called^ among us but in
our attempts to deal with them lets not forget
about the people new to telecommunications*
The Atari Message and Information System
bulletin boards are among the most user
friendly boards availablei and people still have
trouble using them* Can you imagine what it is
like for a new user to log on to a CPM system
and be presented with "A >"? "What do I do
next"?
Don't get me wrong, I would love to have a
CPM system but remember your first call to a
bulletin board? We ATARI iis«rs have even
more of a disadvantage because, unless you
have used OSA-<-# we haven't had any exposure
to a CPM like operating system*
By now a lot of you are probably
saying,"Mo5t CPM systems have help files on
line to to tell you exactly what to do"* This is
true but even at 300 baud these files flash by
fast enough to be more confusing at times
than helpful and, if you capture them, a lot of
them are so cryptic it is hard to understand
what is being said*
So while we are rating the quality of users
and adding our account numbers, passwords,
etc* lets not forget about the people just
starting out and accidently lock them out*
Any comments on this article can be left att
"Hart City" BBS
219-262-3980
24 HPS
PASSWORDS NOT REQUIRED
lO
To
OFF LIST
WE
IT
%
OFF UST
25% Off Ust On
ALL Atari Software in Stock.
Cash, Check or Credit Cards Accepted.
OR
' 30% Off List On
most Atari Software not in Stock.
Special Orders not subject to cancellation.
Payment in full at time of order. Cash or Check only.
2448 4 W. Ten Mile Rd., V2 Block West of Telegraph, Southfield. MI 48034, (313) 358-5820
Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed., Fri., 10-6; Thurs., 10-9, Sat., 10-5
TYFeO and FOKIEY
the spirographic program* I like it also and I
am looking for other similar programs to use
with Pokey Player*
By J ohn W» Lusth
Imagine a person with very little knowledge of
reading^ writing^ or playing music who
discovers Pokey Player* I was such a person
and Pokey Player opened up a new and exciting
world to enjoy*
I read about Pokey Player and obtained the
three back issues of SOFTSIDE and began to
play simple tunes with my computer*
I live 400 miles from Detroit but fortunately I
was visiting relatives in Detroit when Harry
Bratt and Craig Chamberlain held their Pokey
Player Seminar in the fall of '83* I attended
this seminar^ met Craig and Harry^ and
obtained an updated Pdkey Player II disk*
Now my education in music really began*
Knowing nothing or very little about music I
kept bugging my wife or friends about what
did this or that little mark mean when it was
next to or over some note* Eventually I
received answers like I don't know or I ignore
those when I play the piano* I was not
satisfied with these answers*
Then in a bookstore I ran across LEARN TO
READ MUSIC by Howard Shanet published by
Simon and Schuster* This $5*95 book explained
many things that I knew nothing about such as
how to write tremolos» trills> miniature
grace-notes tied to regular notest staccato
notes with dots or wedges over them^ etc*
Now I could have Pokey Player play the Anvil
Chorus, Saber Dance and similar tunes* I
recommend this book to anyone who is as
lacking in musical knowledge as I am*
I have always been facinated by ATARI
SPIROGRAPH by Tom Giese in the M*A*C«E*
November 1981 issue* I thought this program
would be enhanced by the addition of Pokey
Player II* I changed the line numbers and
added it to Pokey Player (see end of article)*
I have a minor bug in the program* If the
music portion is ahead of the graphics the
first note will sound continously until the
graphics start* From that point on the
program runs well* Young children are
delighted with the combination of music and
I am grateful to Harry Bratt and Craig
Chamberlain for providing the means for me
without musi€:al talent or ability to listen to
complex works by master composers whenever
I so desire* It is amazing to enjoy tunes of my
own choosing that are played with the correct
timing and rhythm which would be impossible
for me to do without their great program*
I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newly
revised Pokey Player disk with its latest
documentation and machine language compiler*
I am now trying to learn the nuances of melody
and harmony* The deeper I delve into this
world of music the more I realize how much
more there is to learn and enjoy* Not bad for
a tyro in music*
HAIR GALLERY BEAUTY SALON
15607 W. 9 MUe Road. Southfieid. Michigan 48075 .
(313) 559-2840
"FREE" NAIL POLISH WITH $15 PURCHASE
"FREE" COSMETIC BAG WITH *20 PURCHASE
' "FREE" EDUCATIONAL SKIN CARE
' DEMONSTRATION WITH ANY PURCHASE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MACE!
12
By Tom Giese
38 Ml»PEEK(54286)mQsPEEK(53774)
QC=PEEK(54272){POKE 54286,0
{POKE 53774,0JPOKE 54272,0
39 DIM S<360),C<360)
40 FOR X=0 TO 90
41 READ AJB=A»0.095JC=A»0,105
42 S<X)=B:S(180-X)=B:S(180+Xi=-B
JS(360-X)=-B
43 C(270+X)=CJC(90+X)=-C{C(90-X)=C
{C(270-X)=-C{NEXT X
44 GRAPHICS 8+16
45 X=PEEK(560)+256#PEEK(561)
46 FOR Y=X TO X+200
47 IF PEEK(Y)=79 THEN POKE T,78
48 IF PEEK(Y)=15 THEN POKE Y,14
49 NEXT Y
50 X=160:Y=96
51 POKE 54272,QCJPOKE 53774,NQ:P0KE 54286,MI
52 COLOR 125JPLOT 1,1
53 COLOR 1:C=INT(16*RND(1»JSETCOLORO,C,4,:SETCOLOR 1,C,6JSETC0L0R 2,0,8
54 A=100*RND(1):B=100»RND(1)
55 PLOT X,Y{FOR C=l TO 200
56 N=N+A:IF N>360 THEN N=N-360
57 M=M+BJIF M>360 THEN M=M-360
58 O«S(N)*0.01
59 X=C(M)#O+160
60 Y=S(M)*0+96
65 DRAWTO X,Y{IF PEEK(1536) AND (PEEK(53279)=7) THEN NEXT C
70 IF PEEK(1536) THEN GOTO 52
500 DATA 0,17,34,52,69,87,104,121,139,156
510 DATA 1 73,1 90,207,224,241 ,258,275,292,309,325
520 DATA 342,358,374,390,406,422,438,453,469,484
530 DATA 499,515,529,544,559,573,587,601,615,629
540 DATA 642,656,669,681,694,707,719,731,743,754
550 DATA 766,777,788,798,809,819,829,838,848,857
560 DATA 866,874,882,091,898,906,913,920,927,933
570 DATA 939,945,951 ,956,961 ,965,970,974,978,981
580 DATA 984,987,990,992,994,996,997,998,999,999,1000
Subnutted by
John K, Lusth
310 West Truman
Newberry, MI 49868
13
make subsequent processing easier*
To Oisk.!
By J ohn Navas II
AWDISK creates an AUTORUN»SYS file which
will allow you to redirect AtariWriter
formatted output from your printer to a disk
file*
Version 1*2 gives a series of short rings of
the console bell on a write error* Formerly
there was no indication of a disk write error
(like disk full!)* If this happens^ try another
disk!
Version 1*2 is also self-relocating* The loader
boots to t3800 and relocates AKDISK to
MEMLO, resetting MEMLO to the next
available RAM location (as per standard Atari
conventions)*
AHDISK is a CREATOR file* When you have it
stored on disk* boot up DOS with your BASIC
cartridge* Type NEW, then LOAD "D:AWDISJK;"*
Put the formatted disk you want the output on
in drive #lf^hen type RUN* An AUTORUN*SYS
file will be CREated on this disk* Make sure
that you have also written DOS onto this same
disk* Then boot AtariWriter with this disk in
drive #1* That's all there is to it!
I recommend that you try this on a new disk so
that you don't wipe anything out if something
goes wrong* Once you're sure that everything
is working OK» you can delete AWDISK (since
the AUTORUN*SYS file can be duplicated from
one disk to another)*
To cause AtariWriter formatted output to be
redirected to a disk file, hold down either the
SELECT or OPTION button while you press "P"
on the main menu for printing* If you see the
printer selection menu (it happens only the
first time you print in an AtariWriter
session), you must ALSO hold down the
SELECT or OPTION button while pressing
RETURN after typing the number of your
choice* (If neither button is pressed, printing
will go to the printer in the normal way*)
If SELECT is pressed, printer control codes
will be REMOVED from the output* This can
If OPTION is pressed, the printer control
codes will be included in the disk file* This
file will be an exact "spool" file# exact
AtariWriter print formatting will be
reproduced if the disk file is printed (such as
by copying it to "PJ" with DOS)t
The disk file will always be sent to drive #1*
If you gave AtariWriter a file name (with Load
or Save), that same file name will be used by
AWDISK with an "*AW" file name extender* If
AtariWriter does not have a file name, then
AWDISK will place the output under the
default name "SPOOL*AW"* Be careful if the
file name is the same as a file currently on
disk (you can check this with the Index
option); if it is, the old file will be erased
without warning!
hints:
To format text for uploading to CompuServe, I
specify the Atari 822 (dumb) printer and press
SELECT* If you set the page size to 1 line
(CTRL-Y 2) and top and bottom margins
(CTRL-T and CTRL-B) to zero (0), generation
of blank lines Qike at the end of the page) will
be suppressed*
Thanks to the help of Frank Naglet AWDISK
WILL work with printer drivers for non-Atari
printers (at least it works with the Prowriter
driver)* If you want to use such a printer
driver with AWDISK, try Appending the driver
to the AWDISK AUTORUN*SYS file (not the
other way around) with the Copy /Append
option*
AWDISK also works well with some other
programs, including most BASIC programs*
This can be handy to redirect print output to a
disk, perhaps for subsequent printing or
telecommunication* Remember that SELECT or
OPTION must be held down while the print file
is OPENed* (Once the file is open, the button
can be released*) Unfortunately, LPRINT
statements OPEN and CLOSE the printer on
EVERY statement, so each LPRINT will wipe
out the file from the last! (In fact, AWDISK
will only work with programs that open the
printer ONCE* So don't use LPRINT; use OPEN
-PJ-, and PRINT, or PUT to that file
number*)
14
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^00 3
AHDISK Program Listing
610 DI.A»(100),HLD$(54),PT*(51);RES.
620 FJ=1T054{REA.X{HLD*(I)=CHR*(X)JN.I
625 F J=1T051 {REA.X}PT*(I)=CHR*{X){N.I
630 GR,0:POK.7 1 0,0:POK.709,1 4:L.640,650
635 GOS.750
650 «This line will be replaced by the proper
OPEN command
655 POK.82,0JPOK.83,39{?:?"Record5 left to
write? "}JPOK.755,0
660 t.90o:rea,a*:t.40ooo:?cd;" "J
?chr*(28);chr*(127)}chr*(127);chr$
(127)}:CD=CD-1
670 Y=USR(ADR(HLD$))
680 N=INT((LEN(A$)+0,5)/2)
690 X»USR(AOR(PT$),ADR(A«)»N)
700 G.660
750 ADDR=ADR(A$):HI=INT(ADDR/256)}
LOADDR-<HI*256)
760 HLD$(7)=CHR*(LO)JHLD$(25)=CHR$(LO):
HLD$(41)=CHR$(L0)
770 HLO$(8)»CHR«(HI):HLD«(26)sCHR«<HI)
JHLDt(42)=CHR$(HI)
780 ADDR=ADR(HLD*)+52JHI=INT(AX3DR/256)J
LOsADDR-<HI*256)
790 HLD*(21 )=CHR*(LO)JHLD$(38)=CHR*(LO)
800HLD*(22)=CHR$(HI)JHLD*(39)=CHR»(HI)
810 RET.
900 CL,#lJ?{?"Done."J?5?{?;?
909 P0K.755,2:END
910D.i04,162,0>160»0»189,2>l,201,64»
48»3
920 D.24405,9,10,10,10,10,141,4»3
»232»189
930 D»2,l ,20 1 ,64,48,3,24, 1 05,9,4 1 , 1 5,24
940 D. 1 09,4,3, 1 53,2, 1 ,200,1 92,50,208, 1
,96
950 D.232,184,80,209,0,0
960 D. 1 04, 1 04, 1 33,207, 1 04, 1 33,206, 1 04,
104,133,204,169,0,133,205,162,16,169
,11,157,66,3,169,0,157
970 D.72,3, 1 57,73,3, 1 64,205, 1 77,206,32
,86,228,132,195,164,96,230,205,165
,205,197,204,208,223,96
600 mAWDISK allows redirection of
601 ««AtariNriter formatted output
602 ..from your printer to a disk
603 ofile, V 1«2 signals you if
604 Mthere are any disk errors,
605
606 »
607 „
608 „
609 »
640 ..AWDISK <C)1984 JOHN NAVAS II
644 M
1010D.FFFF183813392638E738913892389138
91 38000000 A00CA9088D 1 FDOAD 1 FD04 A
4 A6A6A49C08D2438F0488A48A000B9 1 906C9
1020 D. 30900CC95BB008991639C8C00890ED9
8D00BB90939991639C8C00590F5A200BD0E39
991639E8C8E00490F468AAA001E8B912
1030 D. 399924009D4403CA8810F3E8A00098
1869068D253820EF38AE26389860AC2538C0
0C^1A2C243830152C26383006C91BD0<»
1040 D. A0808C2638A00160C92090F920EF389
8 1 02448 A90348 AO 1 0 A27F8E 1 FD08E0AD4C A 1 0
F78810F2A514690FC514D0FC68A8889e
1050 D. D0E168A8AE2638BD420385229860A
C2538888888888E2638852 1 B90 1 3848B9003
848A421A90185219D410398A0926053504F
1060 D. 4F4C2E41579B14391439F839443AA2
02A00038B9E702F9BD3999BD39C8CAD0F3A2
38BDBD398524BDBE3985258A48A202A000
1070 D. 18B12479BD399124C8CAD0F568
A AC AC ADODE A2 1 7 A950209739ADF73999 1 B
03ADF83999 1 C03 A944209739 1 8 ADE702
85246922
1080 D. 8DE702ADE802852569018DE802A201A
000B9003891248AF00CC8D0F5EE7F39E625
C AD0ED88C8C0 1 6D0E760A02 1 D91 A03F005
1090 D. 88888810F69848B91B038524B91C03
8525A00BB1249O0038CA8810F768A860003
8 1 838 1 A38 1 E3838384C3857385A38643867
1100 D. 38753889388C388F3894389B38A0
38AB38B538DF38E938F038F538F9381 2391
C3820382238F7391838E202E3021639E002E1
IllOD. 02BC39
650 0.*1,8,0,"D1:AUTORUN.SYS''
651 CD=11
1^
r
PLATO'S CORNER
First, I should explain that disk drive
problems kept me from writing an article for
last month's issue* It seems my trusty Atari
1050 drive came up with an incurable disease
that even three trips to the service shop
couldn't correct* All is now well anil we are
back at the keyboard typing out this month's
Plato's Cmmsr*
One of the most fascinating aspects of the
cofiYiuter is it's ability to create a simulation
of real life situations* These simulations may
range from flight simulators to adventure
games* Just the idea of being able to escape
from this world and enter another fabricated
to one's particular fantasy conjures up
infinite possibilitiest
The computer seems to be ideally suited for
creating such simulations* Up until now many
of the simulations created have been to a
certain degree limited in their scope* What we
really needed was one of today's programming
master to come up with a scenario of epic
proportions that would captivated the
imagination of aU*
Well the master is Atari's Chris Crawford and
the scenario is Camelot in the age of Arthur*
Carefully blend the perfect proportions of
economics^ politics, strategy, wits and
intuition aMi you have the makings of what
may be the most engrossing simulation ever
written for an eight-bit micro*
I have to state right from the beginning that
this program is a masterpiece! Anyone who
yearns to escape to the world of Camelot and
test his wits with tfmse of the other kings of
England, to ride forth from his castle in
shining armor to do battle in the name of
chivalry and to ### if possibly he has the
makings of a monarch need only try
EXCALIBUR*
But first I must warn you, once you enter this
world you may find leaving it more difficult
than you ever imagined* This is not a simple
game with a fixed set of rules, Crawford and
his friimds have attempted to incorporate
artificial intelligence routines into the
program that will make you believe that this
is actually the real tiling* You actually are
Arthur sitting in your throne room listening to
reports of the activities of the other kings*
Consylt with the witard Merlin # make
decisions on the economics , taxes and
building of armies for the defense of your
land, determine which of your knights you
should trust with power, which you should
banish^ which king you should give tribute tOf
which you should attack*
To help you better understand the rich and
complex world of Arthur a complete novel was
written for Excalibur and included with the
documentation* If you expect to survive in the
world created by Excalibur I suggest you read
the novel (only 63 pages) at least once* What
is so fascinating about this program is that
you make decisions based on judgement not on
a fixed set of rules* Just learning the
different personalities and tactics of all the
different kings will keep you busy for many an
hour, not to mention many trips for you
(Arthur) to the hereafter*
Don't expect to play out this scenario in a
matter of a few minutes or in most cases a
few hours* Excalibur may run for many hours
and the sequence is always different* Games
may be save at almost any time (except during
battles) so that you may return at a latter
date to pick up the saga where you left off*
Sometimes it's good save your game as you
progress so if you are suddenly attacked and
defeated your previous feats of chivalry will
not be lost*
This game is so addicting that may even want
to start an Excalibur special interest group to
share your experiences*
What are the educational values of such a
program? Well, let's think about that for a
second* The world that Chris Crawford creates
isn't all that different from the real world*
Every day we are asked to make decisions on
economics, politics, diplomacy, search for
loyal friends, and strive for that particular
goal* To test yourself and sharpen your wits
against the forgiving computer could prove to
be a valuable exercise* I won't try to list all
the justifications for playing Excalibur» let's
just say that most will find the Experience
unique and incredibly engrossingt
Excalibur is available through the Atari
FVogram Exchange and requires a disk drive*
See you next months as always thank you for
your calls and letters*
PLATO
552 PINEHURST
ROCHESTER, MI«
48063
(313) 375-9275
The Unofficial
I HATE COMPUTERS
Book
By Rich Tennant & John Barry
Reviewed by Nancy Lechkun
Has the army drafted your long-deceased
uncle for the third time this year? Does the
phone company insist you owe them for 23
calls to KuajLA humfmr last month? Are you a
lonely computer widow? Hellf my husband is
president of MACE* You can see why I liked
this book* I'm so sick of computers!
This book contains 76 pages of amusing
illustrations by Mr* Tennant of tattered
terminals^ mauled mainframes^ chopped chips»
and pulverized peripherals* The subject
seems to resemble an earlier bestseller » "100
Things to do with a Dead Cat*" You'll see our
favorites elsewhere in this issue of the
JOURNAL*
The book is published by Hayden Book
Company and lists for $4*95* And believe me^
it's worth every cent! "Ko self-respecting
computer hater should be without it!"
Pronrriter Ctw) owners ~ treat yourself to
Copyright (C) Mike YocuN, 1984
The new hardware/software coMbination f<ir your Atari CtM) and
Rroi*r it ertt*i> that lets you :
1. Convert and download any Atari CtM} conpatible character set to the
Prowr i ter ct»3 .
2. Use the downloaded character set .jii^t#i any word processor,
spreadsheet, database, prograMMing language or virtually any software
that uses the Prowr iter ct») , at f ui i ci2e c.p.s.) speed!
3. Use the included Graf duwp software to print a Graphics 3 or 7.5 Ci5
on KLs) screen in any of three sizes, in as little as thirty seconds!
4. Expand the buffer on your Prowr i ter CtMl .
Requires 48K Atari CtM) with BASIC, disk drive and Prowr i ter CtM3 .
CPlus $2.08 Shipping and handling for wail orderJ
For More inforwation, call or write -
Mike Yocun
3118 N. Prospect
Peoria, XL 61603
Atari IS 3 tradenark of Atari, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA. Prowiter is a tradeiiark 9f C. Itoh and C©., Ltd., myo, Japan and
Leading Edge Products, Inc., Canton, Itt.
By BfJ* Franczyk
About six months agoi I was involved in a
conversation with a gentleman that I truly
respect in the medical profession* The topic
of conversation was personal computers and
he told me of the great deal he had gotten on
his* The salesman was good^ the price was
right and he was deliuhted* At that time he
had not had it long enough to know all about it
but it was obvious he was thrilled to own it*
Being the proud owner of an 800 and a member
in M*A*C*E* silently X had hoped he had not
made a mistake and that he would be as
excited about this deal later on«
Well time passed and we spoke again* Anxious
to hear of his progress I asked him about his
computer* The enthusiasm had left and *
frustration had set in* He was obviously lost
in the jungle of computing and felt very alone*
I explained everyone experiences that rotten
feeling and suggested he join a user group*
This is when reality hit me* He told me that
his nearest u»«r group was in Flint* This
Doctor lives in Grosse Pointe* While I felt
extremely sorry for him^ my thoughts turned
to M«A*C«E*
I had always liked M*A*C*E* but my feelings
quickly turned to love* I started to think
where would I be without this club and I knew
in an instant that M*A*C*E* must be preserved
at all costs* I now can see the wisdom of the
gentlemen who pioneered this organization,* I
greatly respect the old timers who are still
here making sure that M.A*C*E* continues to
grow and live in the right spirit} I am
impressed with all of the volunteers and the
contributions which make this club
exceptional? and I will always be greatful that
M*A*C*E* was around when I was a Rookie*
Everyone knows that M*A*C*E* stands for
Michigan Atari Computer Enthusiasts* But did
you know this club is the largest and best
user group in the world? Did you know that
we have members in foreign countries making
M*A*C*E* "International"? Did ymi know that
we have sister user groups throughout the
nation with whom we exchange information and
they help to form our network of strength?
Did you know that we have the largest Disk
Library in the world? And aren't you proud to
be a member?
So Happy Birthday M*A*C*E*!!!! May you
continue to grow and prosper in the spirit of
love and joy throughout the world* May you be
supported iij yaw efforts to educate and
continue to lead your faithful members on the
path of intelligent computing* May you
always help to eliminate, jtiie frustrations of
learning* And may you be around to celebrate
many maq^ more Happy Birthdays!!!
FOR sale: 850 interface, 830 modem,
Telelink-I $230 Package Call 313-778-7832
FOR sale: Atari 2600 VCS with over 30 GOOD
cartridges, all controllers included* *275 or
make your best deal* Call 644-2985
TEC-COM 350 BAUD ACCOUSTIC MODEM!
Brand new with Atari cable* $75*00 Call
Marshall at (313)649-0800
HEARD JUST OFF THE STREET*o
By A* Foster Winens
Yes, folks, the Warner Communications rumor
mill is running rampant again! It seems their
Atari division is about to lay full claim to the
home computer market* How, might you say?
By the introduction of the Atari 1450XLD
computer* While being viewed in various
prototype models, the version to be released
sometime this year will feature everything the
home computer enthusiast could need* Built in
voice synthesis is included, using the newest
Votrax chip* A built-in 300 baud modem will
be included, as well* Plus it can be upgraded
to 1200 baud* A T3RXJE double
density-double sided disk drive will be
provided, with option for adding another in the
unit as well* Many other goodies will also be
unveiled at the upcoming CES convention to be
held the first week of June* Be sure to watch
this column for further details!
Aren't you glad this isn't the April fools
edition? Remember, you heard this JUST OFF
THE STREET * * *
A MACE Editorial
by Moe Demming
Got our March copies of HI-RES magazine a
couple of weeks ago* And upon viewing the
covert my heart almost stopped # A gulp was
forming in my throat* Was it the picture of
the absolutely gorgeous brunette* delicately
caressing ajoystick while she almost fit into
her bathing suitf that caused heart
palpitations? While I must confess that did
arouse my delight (my wife says the guy
sitting with her ain't all that badf either)*
What caused me pain was the four little words
at the bottom of the cover page*
Next Issue* Commodore, Too!
I have three little words to answer that!
WHAT A SELLOUT !
Now I'm in for it* I know I'll here it from all
of our Commodore friends* But before I lose
you all* let me defend myself* Issue #1 of
HI-RES started out as an Atari VCS and
Computer magazine* Owning both systems* I
foLffid it refreshing that someone dealt with
the VCS in an intellegent manner* not
treating it in a childish way* Issue #2 arrived
with more computer less VCS* The computer
articles were interesting* and provided
another published viewpoint about Atari to
add to the list of Antici Analog* Creative
Computing* Compute! etc* etc*
Issue *3 arrives with nary a VCS article* But
lots of build up to their new (and uninvited)
guest* Issue #5 will carry Atari & Commodore
side by side* Issue #6 should see the gradual
phase out of Atari* followed by the
introduction of the PC (senior and junior)*
Issue #25 will see the gathering of all major
computers at that time being produced* In a
magazine that boasts about 75 pages* that will
leave about one page for every computer*
What's the point of this (semi-) tirade? Well*
I suppose that if it had started out an all
Commodore magazine* added ATARI* and I had
a Vic* I'd feel the same way now* If you've
devoted yourself to a single computer liner
why dilute your talents? Simple* The front
office says "SELL MORE MAGS! MAKE MORE
$MONEY*!" To hell with all the computer
owners out there! Who cares if they READ the
magazine* just as long as they BUY it*
While it is true that "both manufacturers
continue to prodiKre computer systems that
merit the finest coverage and support*" if
the impact of the Commodore line truely could
not be ignored (which it can't) as publisher
Anthony J* Nicholson states in issue #3's
editorial page* then why not start out a new
publication? I'm sure it would be welcomed in
the Commodore community* which seems to be
starved for a good voice at this time*
Compute! found a way oyt by expanding into a
separate magazine and not diluting its pages*
Maybe if HI-RE8 sells a million copies of
their next issue* they'd consider the same*
Looks like* "sorry* Atari" all over again*
If you own an ATARI or a Commodore product,
then write Mr Nicholson and his staff and let
them know you'd like to see individual
versions of HI-RES* rather than combined
issues* Separate is better! Their address is*
HI-RES Magazine
933 Lee Road
Suite 325
Orlando* FL 32810
or call them at (305) 629-4567
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COMPUTER SOFTWARE
★ ★ 574-1888 * *
GRAND r
OPENING ^
Up To Blank
— *1350
pad^geof 10
OFF
Software
while supplies last
Atari
Commodore
Apple
expires 6 30/84
Open Sundays
28679 Ryan Rd.
(justs of 12 Mile)
Wmn, Ml 48093
No sales to dealers
20
1 800 538 8543
Got a problem and need some help? Are you
unsure about that new Sinclair emulator
program you just wrote and have a
programming question? Do you have a
question about an ATARI product or service?
Vtellf as that now-famous local TV car
huckster saySf "just pick up the phone and call
the magic number***"
The above number is the ATARI HELP LINE *
It is a toll free number from anywhere in ttm
USA (except California — they have their own
number)* It is the first such service offered by
ANY home computer firm* Keep in mind that
the number is in California^ and to call later in
the day* They Ye even available when you get
home from work! Because this is the only
number nationwide* it's going to be busy a lot*
But keep trying — you will get thru eventually*
In calling the number it took me four tries to
get through* On the fourth try* I was greeted
by an operator named Linda* She was very
polite* and answered all my questions to my
satisfaction* Khere there was a question she
wasn't sure of the answer* she took the time
to check and make jiure the information was
' OPT recTf '
Hhen asked about the HELP service* she
stated that the HELP line was really an
"anything you ever wanted to know about
Atari" line* The most unusual call ever
received? "It was from an engineer who
couldn't get his VCS to power up* We tried
everything I could think of* and he kept
insisting that he was an intellegent person
and knew what he was doing* Finally*" she
said* "I asked him if the outlet he used had a
switch in-line* Things were quiet at the other
end of the line* and then he came back and
apologised profusely*"
I
SOFTWARE TRENDS
230 MAIN
P.O. BOX 249
CLAWSON, Ml 48017
(313) 288-3280
V. ^ . X„
iiiiitifiit&iii'iiiia
two blocks south of 14 Mile Rd»
hours: MON-WEDfSAT 10-6
hourst THUR J^RI 10-9
hours: SUNDAY 1-5
mm
20% off ELECTRONIC ARTS software
BMC Color Plus l^onitor
BMC - BX 80 Dot Matrix Printer
Atari ^ Printer Interface $92.65
additional 5% off with your MACE card
SOFTWARE TRENDS: Keeping pace witti your business, personal,
educational and recreational software needs
21
ZEMITH ZVM— 122
AMBER MONITOR
A Review by J oe Prahler
A couple of months ago# I became rather tired
of typing large articles for my wife using
Atariwriter and a RCA 19 inch color TV with
poor convergence* (convergence is a term that
describes how well the three>red» green»and
blue color electron beams come together in
your TV to make white*) Letters in the corners
have either red or blue fringes around them#
making it difficult and hard to see if that was
a zero or an 0# or a one or a L*
I came across an ad for the newly moved
Heathkit 5tore# listing an Amber monitor^ by
Zenith* This is a 12 inch amber monitor that
you can attach to the five pin DIN plug on the
side of the Atari 800*
The monitor weighs about 10 pounds or so*
There are controls on the front panel* under a
little doort for contrast* black
level(brightness)f vertical size» vertical hold
and horizontal hold* The back has a 40/80
column switch and a vernier width control*
Power is a push on-off switch on the front
panelt along with a little red light to tell you
it's on# in case the brightness is turned down
or your computer is off*
I had previously made up a cable» using a 6
foot patch cord that I cut in half and a five pin
Din plug that I purchased at Radio Shack*
Results were amazing (compared to the old
RCA)* I can now type a lot longer* without as
much eye strain and I now make fewer
mistakes*
As far as performance goes* the linearity is
very good* I suspect the yoke deflection
magnets that control the centering could use a
little touching up* as the picture is not
exactly centered when the 80/40 column switch
is thrown to the 80 column position* I also
noticed that the width control on the back
panel does not seem to have much effect in the
40 column position* It does work well in the 80
column position} you can even leave the switch
in 80 column mode and expmmi the width to fill
the screen with 40 column input from an Atari
800*
I am very well pleased with this purchase and
highly recommend this unit* The only problem
it leaves me with is no sound* but that's
easily taken care of* as I have both the Zenith
and RCA hooked up and can use either or both*
just by turning on power switches*
IT'S COMINO!
THE FIRST
M*A*C*E*
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE
SWAP NITE
when: Monday* June 11* 1984* during the
second half of our June M*A«C»E* meeting
(Approximate starting time* 8*45.P*M*)
WHERE! Southfield Civic Center Pavillion
Here's hom it will work*
* Tables will be set up around the room
for display of your sale items*
* Bring your hardware and software*
with documentation (originals only*
absolutely no "pirate" or "archival"
copies)
* Tag each item with your name* address*
telephone number and the price you wish
to sell the item for*
* Make your own deals*
* Only merrdiers can sell itemst myatm may
purchase items*
-s- Swap will last one hour*
* Please# no MACE softwaret
M*A*C*E* is allowing this Swap Nite to take
place during the second half of our meeting*
M*A*C*£* is NOT responsible for* nor are we
providing a guarantee for any of the
merchandise that is sold* Let the buyer
beware! Individual M*A*C»E* members are
totally responsible for the condition of the
merchandise they wish to sell or trade*
Please sign up for table space early! Either
leave your name in the M*A*C*E* Suggestion
Box or write to Tom Sturia* M*A*C*E* Program
Coordinator* Be sure to indicate that you
would like "table space" for the Swap Nite*
22
JyL* A. C» E»
lyflCHIQAlSt ATAFtI CQlXEFTJTER EIMTHXJSI ASTS
BULLETIN BOARDS? MAIN 978-1^^/WEST 582-0657
MACE/TARICON HOTLINEJ INFO (voice) 978-2458
PRESIDENT
Michael Lechkun
32229 Ruehle
Warren, MI 48093
978-2458(CompuServe:70655,645)
VICE-PRESIDENT
Wallace Duvall
15579 Chestnut
Roseville, Mi> 48066
772-1982
TREASURER
Ken Kirkman
14125 Riverside Dr.
Livonia, Mi. 48154
525-0516
CORRESTONDING SECRETARY
Jane Simon
2345 Pinecrest
Femrfatle, Mi. 48220
399-1694 (CompuServe: 74065,1545)
RECORDING SECRETARY
Barbara J. Franayk
Brighton* Michigan 48116
231-2531
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Thomas Sturza
18684 FHjrlingbrook
Livonia, Mi. 48152
477-2345
DISK LIBRARIAN
Chet Gonterman
35088 Savannah Lane
Farmington Hills, Mi. 48018
553-7443
CASSETTE LIBRARIAN
James Phillips
40008 Cambridge, Bldg 23-Apt 103
Canton Township, Mi. 48187
981-1523
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN
Paul Wheeler
14842 Fielding
Detroit, Mi. 48223
538-3649
M.A.C.E. JOURNAL EDITOR
Marshall S. Dubin
3237 Doral Drive
Rochester, Michigan 48063
(313) 375-9047
JMEXT MEETIMGJ <S/11X34? TtaO F^M
Southfield Paviilion~Ten & A Half Mile Road and Evergreen
I.A.C.E.
P.O Box 2785
Southfield, Ml 48037
$20.00* FOR A ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP
(*Payable to M.A.C.E.)
.A.C.E, Membership Application
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Street
City_
Phone
State
Zip Code
Company (if applicable)
System Description
Suggestions
Disk/Tape
I can help with . . .
( )New ( ) Renewal
If a Renewal :
MACE #
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OPEN MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 10-9, SATURDAY 10-6
RITE WAY STORE NO. 4
CASH REGISTERS 'COMPUTERS [ "
THOUSANDS OF SOFTWARE
PROGRAMS IN STOCK*
(313) 751-2454
• 8262 12 MILE RD.
WARREN, MI. 48093
(313) 562-3178
i 22027 MICHIGAN AVE.
DEARBORN, MI. 48124
(313) 559-2980
» 19783 12 MILE RD.
SOUTHFIELD, MI. 48076
(313) 483-5410
1514 WASHTENAW
YPSILANTI, MI. 48197
SAVE BIG
ON ALL
SOFTWARE & HARDWARE
MONITORS
DISK DRIVES
PRINTERS
SOFTWARE
MODEMS
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MICHIGAN ATARI COMPUTER ENTHUSIASTS
PaOa BOX 2785
sbuTHFIELD, MICHIGAN 48037
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3 01/85 ^
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