^ I ^enthusiasts
Mtelli
Wellington Atari Cor
ICUSLETTER NO. 12: NC
Dear He«ibers>
HereMith your Noveaber newstetteri probably the last o
held at the TAB buildins on Laabton Quay at 7.38 p.m. on 7
on DISK SYSTEM. Ai I our experts on disk systens Mi II ansM
how they do it> what they don’t dOi traps to avoid, etc. e
experts it they lapse into Jarson. this Forua should be ot
At this weetins. we shall also have Club Tape 9 aval
Mill be a C30: sowe of the prosraitMes on this tape are '
Urath" (a stratesy sane). ''Laddernaze" (a 3-D aaze sane
Instructions for these sames are included in this newsiett
the Decewber weetins.
VO tkiji ism
liBiiiuytOn
COMBINED MICRO CLUBS MtEIING
7.30 PM. TIIURSOAV. 8 OECEMaLR 1083
2N0 FLOOR, WESTBROOK HOUSE, 131 WILLIS STREET
AU ca«p.t« club .„e„u.cxc. ic.cnua
-
7.JO st.tt
“•00 Kuirnot. Speaker, M. N«U Scett
“•<5 Light toirakhwiitk.
wiil, b. bnccurtgbd to bt u.c c f u
. “...ctet, .ill bo ..tAbitchod -tth.:::.!'!:: r-
by ...y ««b,r of th, ptt..thood .hkll b. coo.idot.d
gtounda for •»oom«unic«tioii.
Tb.r. wiii b. A door ch.rg. o, ,i .^.r hAAd, » for fA„,iifA..
for furthar iiiformAtlon coiitAoti
«.7U„gto„ Micro Club, hruca wiiiu
at*l-tib2 H
BiU Vdrkiii d44-ius wik
?W5-0Md il
BliC • •
Allton gfoiBttuaon 2a6-o«y wrk
u
Atdri
Bes Huwti 72d-tjba Wik
7Jt»-Vit U
On the evenins followins the Atari weetins (ie.8
orsanizins a set-tosether for all owner/users of wicro/personal cowputers. The weetins will be at {^tbrooke
House (2nd floor) in Upper Willis Street, besinnins at 7.38 P.W.. A minor cover charse will be levied, but the
company of fellow computer freaks, coupled with some displays of other (inferior) computers Plus tea and
bikkies. will be awpie compensation. Ue hope that member’s suouses will trust them sufficiently to let them
out two nishts in succession.!
Other points of interest:
One of our out-of-town wembers. M.E.Bath of 9 Leatham Avenue. New Plymouth, has been sufficiently wise as
to trade up from a IBk 480 to a 48k 888. renderins the 3 month old 400 redundant. Its for sale, complete with
two Joysticks Plus reference manuals, for $550.
On Tape 8. there is a prosrawwe called "Spell ins Bee". This could be improved if a facility to save the
list of words used were added. Some members with youns children (e.9.your secretary) are particularly
interested in this. Would any member be will ins to do the necessary prosrawmins Please let we know?.
Computer Cawps for children are beins orsanized for the Christmas holidays. Members wishins to pursue
this matter further should set in touch with "Computers for People". PO Box 3225 or Phone 847B28. Wellinston
COMSEC, of PO Box 38. Waihi Beach South, have written to say that they sell “computers and peripherals at
18% off (or wore). Members wishins to start off "on the cheap" may be interested in contact!ns them.
We saw. in a recent Auckland Herald, that the Atari 6M is beins retailed (up there in the provinces) for
$758.
Des Howe
(Secretary)
/
A TAR
^ I ^COMPUTER
^ I ^enthusiasts
V ELLINGTON
Wellington Atari Computer Enthusiasts
hEMSLETTER NO. 12: NOVEMBER 1983
Dear Henbersi
HereMith your Noveiiber neNsleUer> probably the last of the club's first year. Our NEXT MEETING will be
held at the TAB buildins on Laabton Quay at 7.3B p.m. on 7 Deceaber. At this aeetine we Plan to hold a FORUM
on DISK SYSTEI^. Al I our experts on disk systeas wi II ansaer your questions on ahat disk systeas do> tdty and
hoN they do it. what they don’t doi traps to avoidi etci etc. Chaired by Keith Hobden> who will restrain our
experts if they lapse into Jarson. this Forui should be of sreat value to our aeabers.
At this aeetinsi we shall also have Club Tape 9 available for aeabers. Beins the Christaas Tapei this
Will be a C30! soae of the prosraaaes on this tape are "FliP-it" (otherwise known as "Othello“)i 'Stones of
Urath" (a stratesy saae)i "Ladderaaze” (a 3-D aaze 9aae)> and 'Roundup* (a Western Style Arcade Gaae).
Instructions for these saaes are included in this newsletter. Both Tape 8 and Tape 9 will be deaonstrated at
the Deceaber aeetins.
On the evenins foilowins the Atari aeetins (ieiS Dec)i the HeiIinston Micro-coaputins Society is
orsanizins a set-tosether for all owner/users of aicro/perswiai coaputers. The aeetins will be at Westbrooke
House (2nd floor) in Upper Willis Streeti besinnins at 7.M p.a.. A ainor cover charse will be levied, but the
coapany of fellow cowputer freaks, coupled with soae displays of other (inferior) coaputers Plus tea and
bikkies. will be aapie coapensation. He hone that aeaber’s spouses will trust thea sufficiently to let thea
out two nishts in succession.!
Other points of interest:
One of our out-of-town aeabers. M.E.Bath of 9 Leathaa Avenue. New Plyaouth. has been sufficiently wise as
to trade up froa a 16k 400 to a 48k 800. renderins the 3 i»nth old 400 redundant. Its for sale. coaPiete with
two Joysticks Plus reference aanuals. for $550.
On Tape 8. there is a prosraaae called 'Spell ins Bee'. This could be iaproved if a facility to save the
list of words used were added. Soae aeabers with youns children (e.s.your secretary) are particularly
interested in this. Would any aeaber be will ins to do the necessary prosraaains Please let ae know?.
Coaputer Caaps for children are beins orsanized for the Christmas holidays. Members wishins to pursue
this matter further should set in touch with "Coaputers for People'. PO Box 3225 or Phone 8476ffi. Heliinston
COMSEC, of PO Box 30. Waihi Beach South, have written to say that they sell “computers and peripherals at
m off (or more). Members wishins to start off 'on the cheap' may be interested in contactins thea.
We saw. in a recent Auckland Herald, that the Atari 600 is beins retailed (up there in the provinces) for
$750.
Des Rowe
(Secretary)
***** BOLT-ON GOODIES FOR TIE flTRRI 4N *****
TtK> MeetiMS *90 I brought my ATARI 4N alone to denonstrate its full stroke keyboard. Des has asked Me
(several tiMes) to write an article -for the Newsletter to describe it and the other bolt-on goodies I have
recently acquired. I have now run out of eucuses so here soess-
My ATARI 480 now consists of!
S4k Mosaic RAM.
InhoMe B Key 400 (keyboard).
PercoM AT-88-S1 Disk Drive.
Bruce Goldstone> a fellow Atarian. recently went to the States and did ail the research otd buying.
The 64K RAH cost $US 157.57 froM Computer Out let. air Mail postage i5.M and NZ custOMS $48.17. FittiM
it took 1 1/2 to 2 hours - no solderiM and very clear instructions and it is guaranteed for 4 years.
The keyboard cost $US 53.20. airmail $9.80 and customs $25.90. It replaces the existing Membrane
keyboard and again was very easy to fit (1 hour). Sorry but I have mislaid the address of the shop where it
was bought. It is very easy to use once you have sot used to the slightly different positions of the ESC.
CTRL. DELETE, and CAPS/LOMR keys (type in two programs from COMPUTE and you will he OK).
The Disk Drive cost $US 424.94. airmail postage $B2.15 and customs $142.23. I also had to buy a
transformer and Plug for $37.00 froM Uisewan Electrical in Vivian Street. The drive was bought from HU
COMPUTERS. REDm BEACH (^LIFORNIA. HaviM used the OS/iH release 2 DOS and ATARI DOS release 2 I prefer the
OS/A. but it is probably a Matter of Personal choice - both load CHICKEN in seconds!
Remewber that all the above US prices include local sales tax. If ordered direct from N.Z. they would be
tax free, but you way be charged 2-Zi extra for use of plastic cards (AIEX. Mastercard. Visa. Diners, etc. are
usually accepted) and don't forget the cost of the phone cal I. Also with the way that prices for computer gear
(and the N.Z. $) are dropping, these prices are only a rough guide.
P.S. If anyone is going to Singapore I can recommend:
Cost Plus
SCOTTS
No S Scotts Road (opposite the Holiday Inn).
They stock a good range of computers and bits and Pieces and they offer you your money back if you can
get the goods cheaper in Singapore.
David Pick
WELLINGTON RTRRI COMPUTER ENTHUSIRSTC,. NEW ZERLRND.
PUBLIC SOFTWARE LIBRRR'iL
UTI”UTILITY.
DEM-BEMONSTFlTIOH.
GOOD.
?^:-POOR.
UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED ALL 16K MAX
EDU-EDUCRTIONRL..
GRM--GRME.
RATING^”
RDV-RDVENTURE.
I :T
:;lub trfe»
tt-good.
BUG-NEED SOME WORK!
TITLE
TYPE
SOURCE
RATING
TITLE
TYPE
SOURCE
RATING
C'ISC MO
- 1
CHICKEN
GAME
ANTIC
GOLDMINER
GAME
SOFTS IDE
J.- -J.'
•+• .7 •
NUMBER BATTLE
GAME
SOFTSIDE
t.% .
BREAKOUT BAS IC
GAME
LAI
4 ,
SHOOTING STAR
GAME
COMPUTE
t .
SPLICER LAUNCH
GAME
MICRO
•J.*
A- •
TIMETRAIL
GAME
ACE
Y .
ATTACK
GAME
COMPUTE
44 .
STARER3E 13
GAME
SOFTSIDE
LUNARLANDER
GAME
SOFTSIDE
4 .
iSLOSEOUT SALE
GAME
COMPUTE
■4::+: .
MARTIAN EXP,
GAME
CSV.GAME
44 .
SOLITAIRE
GAME
SOFTSIDE
*4: 4 :.
OISC MO
- S
ALIEN INVADERS
GAME
MACE
4:
OIL MINER
GAME
MACE
•X* J.'
•f- t n
WORD SCRAMBLE
GAME
SOFTSIDE
: 4 ; .
SURERFONT
UTI
COMPUTE
:4:4'4,
WORD-SEARCH
EDU
COMPUTE
4:4' .
CONCENTRATION
EDU
COMPUTE
4:4 .
MOUSE CHICAGO
ADV.
SOFTSIDE
4:4: .
SABOTAGE
GAME
SOFTSIDE
4 .
O ISO MO
- 3
MASTERGOLF
GAME
4: .
MAZESEARCH
GAME
COMPUTE
4 .
BLOCKADE
GAME
COMPUTE
4:4:4: .
BOING
GAME
CSV.GAME
44 .
STRRTOELAST
GAME
44 .
SUPERCHASE
GAME
COMPUTE
4:4 .
PIZZAHOTEL
ADV.
SOFTSIDE
44 .
ENGINEER
GAME
CSV.GAME
44 .
DOUBLE CANNON
GAME
'4* «
DRAWING BASIC
'T' '7 *?
LAI
-t- N
CAVE
GAME
COMPUTE
4 .
LASER BARRAGE
GAME
COMPUTE
44 .
SKI
GAME
COMPUTE
44 .
CISC MO
m
JUGGLER
GAME
4 .
DUEL
GAME
4 .
PMHELP
UTI
ACE
44 .
STELLAR DEF.
GAME
ANTIC
4
TUNDERBIRD
GAME
COMPUTE
44 .
WILDSTRAW.
GAME
CSV . GAME
44 .
SUBHUNT
GAME
C&.V.GBME
SLOW
AIRLOCK
GAME
CSV.GAME
SLOW
DR.WHO
ADV.
CS^V. GAME
44 .
OISC MO
_ 5
COPYCAT
EDU
444.
POKER
GAME
CSV.GAME
4'4 .
PUCKMAN
GAME
CSV.GAME
% .
IMHOTEP
EDU
CSV,GAME
44 .
CASINO ROYALE
GAME
CSV.GAME
44 .
HAUNTED
GAME
CSV.GAME
BUG i
URANIUM
GAME
CSV.GAME
BUG!
ORCHARD
GAME
CSV.GAME
E
COLOR 3D
DEM
LOGAN
4: .
TAG-2 PLAYER
GAME
COMPUTE
HORSERACE
GAME
COMPUTE
4:4 .
OISC MO
- e—
roe: oisc
FROG
GAME
ACE
4^ ■
BATS
GAME
ACE
4 .
BANKSHOT
GAME
ACE
44 .
DOGGIES
GAME
ACE
44 .
SLOT MACHINE
GAME
ACE
44 .
R0B0T-24K RAM
GAME
ACE
44 .
BLACKJACK
GAME
ACE
4:4 .
O I ©C MO . 7 -
MERRYCHRISTMRS
BALLOONS
TIGER
CASTLE HEX
JTERMODEM
LUNAR
MUNCHERS
ROMRNCLOCK
GAME
GAME
GAME
MODEM
GAME
GAME
DEM
ROE OIS
GREETING CARD
ACE tt
ACE
ACE
ACE ???
ACE **
ACE
ACE *
GOBBLER
GRUBS
EGGS
TINYTEXT
GALLERY
PLUSfi^ZERO
TRUCK
GAME
GAME
GAME
LIT I
ACE
ACE
ACE
ACE
■.n .
ttt.
game ACE t .
game how to PLAY??
WELLINGTON ATARI raiPUTER ENTHUSIASTIS, NEW ZEALAND.
PUBLIC SOFTWARE LIBRARY (cont.).
ISC M O- S
:;b GFir'iF£
^ISTERMRZE GRME
;eg!jesser edu
lESS RHIMRL EDU
iSIC SCRLE EDU
:TRH 32K GAME
' ISC MO- S
10KEY 24K GAME
TRRI BURSTER GAME
IFEHSE GRME
•ISC MO - 10
[GIDRAFT DRRW
=ITERFRLL DEMO
[DDEN riflZE GAME
ITTER S.: NO. EDU
JMPIHG JACK GAME
•^THFUH EDU
• ISC MO- 1 1
:;rerm demon game
IGITIZER UTI
JSIC KEYBOARD UTI
ISION EXC UTI
ISC SPEEDTEST UTI
>ISC MO- IS
^lONTIER
='RCEMINES
_IPIT
INANCE
EXT READING
>ISC MO
COMPUTE
COMPUTE
COMPUTE
COMPUTE
COMPUTE
SOFTSIDE
Y .
Y .
«
m
SOFTSIC
SOFTS I [:
SOFTSIC
>E YY
>E YY
:;-E YY
MICRO
BYTES
COMPUTE
COMPUTE
COMPUTE
COMPUTE
SOFTSIDE
COMPUTE
COMPUTE
'7' ■“* '7' '7'
COMPUTE
YYY.
YY .
YY .
Y .
Y .
Y Y •
Y:Y .
Y .
YY .
Y
YY .
CATACOMB PHA.
RDV,
SOFTSIDE YY .
SAFRYLRND
EDU
??? YY .
SOLAR SYSTEM
DEMO
FELIXUFRIEMD.
MINOR &: MOJOR
MUSIC
COMPUTE Y .
LEYTE 32K
GAME
SOFTSIDE YY .
SPACE RESCUE
GAM!;.:.
SOFTSIDE YY .
POKER SQ.24K
GAME
SOFTSIDE YY ,
GAMBLER 24K
GAME
SOFTSIDEFYY .
STRATEGY STRII^
'E BUG
FLIT IT
GAME
SOFTSIDE YY .
BULL & COWS--
-HOW TO
USE IT ?
OLD MACDONALD
EDU
ACE YYY.
ONE ON ONE
GAME
COMPUTE YY
DEFLECTOR
GAME
COMPUTE Y .
BLOK
GAME
FELIXS.;FRIEND.
CHUTES
GAME
COMPUTE Y .
VIDEO Se COL
LIT I
CCMPUTF Y:Y „
CASS TO DISK
UTI
COMPUTE Y .
SOF^XS I OE—MOX XESXEO VEX
DEM
SOFTSIDE Y
Y .
HOME BUDGET
UTI SOFTSIDE
GAME
SOFTSIDE
«
WIZARD'S SWORD
GAME SOFTSIDE
GAME
SOFTSIDE
m
BAUDOT PRINTER
UTI ?????
UTI
SOFTSIDE
a
MICROTEXT
UTI SOFTSIDE
UTI
- 1 3-
SOFTSIDE
-SOF^XS I OE
—NOX XE
3XEO VEX-
DKEY NOTICE
UTI
SOFTSIDE
POKEY PLAYER
UTI
SOFTSIDE
□KEY COMPILER
UTI
SOFTSIDE
POKEY EDITOR
UTI
SOFTSIDE
OKEY PLRYER2
UTI
SOFTSIDE
PERSONAL FINAN
UTI
SOFTSIDE
LIKER
DEMO
SOFTSIDE
SPIRAL GRAPHS
DEMO
SOFTSIDE
LAYERS
SOFTSIDE
PLAYERS
SOFTSIDE
RR RACE
GAME
SOFTSIDE
> I SC
MO
- 1-4
—SOEXSIOE
—MOX XE
3XEO
VEX -
RRPPED-3
PART
GAME
SOFTSIDE
DATABASE SORT
UTI
SOFTSIDE
OODLE
DEMO
SOFTSIDE
GRS DISPLAY
DEMO
SOFTSIDE
Rll DISPLAY
DEMO
SOFTSIDE
ABOUT TIME 40K
????
SOFTSIDE
INIGOLF
GAME
SOFTSIDE
POKER SQUARE
GAME
SOFTSIDE
> I SC
MO
- IS
—SOEXSIOE
— MOX XESXEC*
VEX -
MOKEY
GAME
SOFTSIDE
VOLCANO
RDV
SOFTSIDE
TIR DISP
LAY
DEMO
SOFTSIDE
ATLANTIS 401<
*7' '7' ‘7* 'T'
SOFTSIDE
OTRL 14e PROGRAMS IN THE LIBRARY
WELLINGTON RTRRI COMPUTER ENTHUSIRSTC.. NEW ZERLRND
PUBLIC SOFTWRRE 0
CLUB XRBE MO-
1. RENUMBERING PROGRRM, .
3. RAM MEMORY TEST,
CLUB XRRB MO¬
RTAR I LISTER.
DOGGIES.
GRAPH PROGRRM.
SOLITfilRE.
MRRTIRN EXPLORER.
SLOT MRCHINES.
CLUB XFIRE MO-
SHOOT.
EGGS.
TINY TEXT.
GOBBLERS.
CLUB XFIRE MO-
CflSTLE HEX.
LUNAR LANDER.
GRAPHIS DISPLAY DEMO.
CLUB XRRE MO-
CRSS. BACK UP MAKER
COPY-CAT.
DIGIT DRAFT.
CLUB XRRE MO-
DEFENCE.
FLAG.
CLUB xrbe: MO-
SCRERMING DEMON.
ROAD BLOCK.
ANTIC 4S.5 DEMO.
CLUB XRRE MO¬
GUL MINER.
SPELLING BEE.
CLUB XRBE MO-
iN CLUB TAPES.
1
2. JOYSTICK DIAGNOSTIC.
4. DAIRY FARMING.
iS=.
PLAYER MISSILE HELPER,
HIDDEN MAZE.
SMASH-OUT.
E.T.<GTIR DEMO>
BANKSHOT.
3
TIME TRIAL.
POKER.
CHICKEN.
HOME INVENTORY.
MASTER CATALOGUE.
SAFRYLAND.
HAVYWRLL BANGER.
TOUCH TYPING TRAINER.
GUESS THE ANIMAL.
ROSE PLOTS
NUMBER PUZZLE.
B
WORD SEARCH.
COLOR RAINBOW,
^-SREC I RL
fcHRISXMRS
l^-VRLUE !
WAGE BOOK LIBRARY
We now have a book library, l^hen we started out it was
possible for individual members to buy all the books that were out
on the Atari - there simply weren't very many of them. But now,
as you saw in the October newsletter, they're pouring off the
presses. We've bought a few and kindly been donated one. We hope
to build up the library by both means. At present we have some
books for lending and one for reference.
This is how the system will work. David Burns has agreed to
be our librarian - thank you^ David - and to each meeting he will
bring all the books available for lending. Members will be able to
inspect them during the meeting and at the end of it to borrow them
for a month. They must be returned to the next meeting and^if the
member is going to be absent from it, he should make his best effort
to get it back to David so that others can see and use it. The
reference books I will bring to each meeting. But they will not
be lent out. Accordingly members who need information from them
can phone me during the month and get what's available in them.
We'll keep you informed as we get more books but meanwhile what we're
starting with is as follows:
A. Reference
Stanton, J et al.
The Book of Atari Software 1983
B. General
Bloom, Michael
Understanding Atari Graphics
Conlan J et al.
Atari Pilot for Beginners
North, Alan
31 New Atari Computer Programs for Home, School, Office
101 Atari Computer Programming Tips and Tricks
Roberts, Sam
Games for the Atari
ir
Mike Munro
***** CLUB TAPE NINE—INSTRUCTIONS *****
"FLIP-IT" (SOFTSIDE)
FLIP-IT is a computerized board samei in dhich you and the computer Mtch wits tryins to outflank and
capture one another’s pieces on an eisht-by-eisht board. The same besins with a square arransewent of four
Chips in the centre of the board, two per Player. You can choose your colour and who will besin first. When it
is your turn, your Object is to pick an unoccupied square such that Putt ins one of your chi ps there wi 11
outflank one or wore of the computer’s chi ps. This aeans that the computer’s chi ps would be sandwiched in
between one of your existins chins and the new one you’re Play ins. in a straisht line.
When you do this, all the computer’s Pieces which you have outflanked will became yours. This can happen
in more than one direction, so that in any siven turn you misht capture Pieces horizontally, vertically, and
diasonal ly.
Use the joystick to move the cursor horizontally, vertically, or diasonally from its current location and
press the button to enter the move.
Durins your turn, you may ask the computer to recommend yor best move by pressins ’B’. If you see no move
that you can make, you must press ’N’ sthe computer will check to see if you are correct and. if so. it wi ll
continue with its Play. (Note, before you Press 'B" or "N*. move the cursor to an already occupied square.)
You will soon find that winnins a same involves more than just caPturins as many Pieces as you can on any
siven turn. More iwortant to the eventual results will be the Position of your chips on the board. CaPturins
edse. and especially corner squares. Pays off in the end. After all. thats the way the computer Plays it!
“STONES OF WRATH' (CtVG SEP)
This same is for two Players, each represent ins a Wizard. They besin in a forest at the top of the
screen, and must pass throush the forest, penetrate the three enchanted walls and capture either of the
Stmes. which are behind the final wall.
Each same turn is made up of two Phases: a spell cast ins Phase and a movement Phase. A Wizard will cast
spells to penetrate the walls, and to defend himself from the spells cast by his opponent or the
Towers.Cast ins a spell requires enersy- the enersy remainins to a Wizard is shown at the bottom of the screen
next to a Picture of him. one red. one blue. To assist the Wizards in selectins a spell, the six avaiittle
spelIs are shown across the bottom of the screen followed by the amount of enersy required to cast them.
In Phase two. the Wizards move.In turn, each Player will press a cursor arrow key. but without usins the
control key. to indicate the directitm he wishes to move. A Wizard will move one Place in the direction
chosOT. provided the way is clear (or if there is a Stwies symbol on the screen).
By pressins ’X’ a Wizard is siven SB extra enersy points, which is taken from his reserve (shown next to
his enersy).Should a Wizard’s reserves run out he dies,It is important to keep a hish reserves fisure in the
early stases. for at the end of each turn, the Wizards receive extra enersy Points equal to IBK of their
reserves.
When 'Cast your Spell" is displayed the Wizard whose face is lit presses a key between 1 and 6. This
indicates which spell is beins cast. Then key in a srid reference to show the tarset point of the spell. Thus,
keyins S4.16 means cast a Vortex at point 4.IE: keyins 112.9 casts a Demon at Point 12.9. Grid references are
siven across then down.
Note!
If a Wizard is within two Places of a Demon when it reaches its tarset. he is attacked by it. A Demon
will destroy any eiementals in its Path.It is removed from the screen at its tarset. If two Demons collide
then they destroy each other.(3B)
When a Swarm reaches its tarset. it spreads into all empty adjacent Places, and remains on the screen. If
a Wizard is in this zone, he is attacked. A Swarm itestroys any Demons in its path, or that subsequently try to
pass throush it. (IS)
A Shield destroys Fireballs, and spreads into a protective cup shape on reachins its tarset.It remains
on screen. It is also the only spell that has any effect on a Drason will be destroyed or Pick a new tarset
The Vortex is the only spell to affect a wall. Three hits in the same Place are needed to form a breach.
It destroy any Shields that it touches. The Vortex is removed at its tarset. or if it hits a wall or another
Vortex(2B)
The Eie»iental is useful to hinder your opponentt as it renains on screen at its tarset. and destroys any
Vortices that collide «ith it.(li)
The Drason destroys all spells except the Elenental. Also, when it reaches its tarsett there is a chance
that it will Merely pick a new tarseti and wake its way to that one. fl Drason can rewain on screen a ions tiwe
in this way.(SB)
fl Fireball is the only snell to destroy trees thereby ciearins a Path for a Mizard. fl Fireball also
destroys any Swarws. flt its tarset it expands like a Sware affectins anythins adjacent (20).
Spells are noved in the foliowins sequence: Spells cast by the Towers) Snells cast by the Wizard in
Power; Snells cast by the other Wizard, fl Wizard can have up to six spells aaive at the sawe tine. Finally,
note that the Towers are unaffected by any sneils. and that their snells pass over the walls freely. The
nuwber in brackets is the nuwber in brackets is the nuwber of reserve points a Wizard loses if attacked.
•LflDDER maze-
ladder MAZE’S instructions are in the Ausust Cownuter and Video Gawes.Otherwise, try the next
newsletter. (My f inner is tired!).
-ROUNDUP-
This was typed by the relief tewpl Don’t let three (3) cows set past you. You can only rope the Black
Steers. Different colour cows sive different points. For full dewo be at next weetinsl!
***** BOOKS *****
I shall continue to brins books to the UflCE weetinss. and if I can’t be there wyself I'll ask soweone to
look after thew for we. Please Phone we a week ahead if Possible, if you particularly w«)t a special book. My
hone nuwber is Uellinston 72S-8E6.
Titles available at present are:
-IieiDE ATARI BASIC- $21.7E
-ATARI PILOT FOR BEGIWERS- 125.12
•ATARI ASSEMBLER- *21.76
-ATARI QAHES AND RECREATIONS- *25.12
•ATARI PILOT ACTIVITIES AND OAKS* *25.12
•T* TURTLE’S SOURCEBOOK (LOGO)- *37.80
Keith reveiwed 'SPACE KNIGHTS' at the Novewber Club Meetins. If you have a disk drive and at least 24k
it’s worth bavins: a fairly sood space fiction story and at least 6 Quite sood sawes — three wore if you
also have paddle controls. Club price should be about *42.00.
The foliowins books are projected Publications, sowe of which should arrive soon. I have ordered sowe as
RESTQN publications all seew to be sood value:
■ATARI GAMES AND PUZZLES'
■ATARI PLAYER MISSILE GRAPHICS'
•ATARI BEGIUCRS’ GUIDE"
■RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES FOR TT€ ATARI*
Another new title for 1984 frow a different publisher. SAMS, is 'ATARI BASIC TUTORIAL* by Robert A. Peck.
Whitehall Books tell we that SAMS ’really take a cowputer to Pieces’ before they start to write for it. so
this too should be worth lookins at.
Jenny Chisholw.
stereo Cassette Interface
Essence Peripheral Systems. Model 600 for $50.00.
Here is a new product for all cassette users. This interface allows
you to use your stereo cassette deck to load and save your programs.
The stero cassette deck gives you clearer, sharper and better all
around copies of your programs.
This IF comes complefe & ready to use except lor a set of patch
cords which can be bought at Radio Shack. EPS even gives you the RS
part no.
Instructions are quite clear and once you hook up the patch cord to
the interface, the cassette deck and then to the computer you are
ready to go. The interface has only one switch to use. One position is
CLOAD, the other CSAVE. The only thing left to do now is to load one
of your programs in with the deck and turn everything on as you nor¬
mally might, except the interface is in the CLOAO mode or load a
blank tape and use the CSAVE mode.
One of the things I found annoying was that my cassette deck was
with the Hi-Fi equipment In another part of the house. And to bring in a
portable deck to use lust means more equipment around the com¬
puter. For those of you who have Hi-Fi or cassette decks close by, this I
Interface makes or plays cassettes better than the 410 Program I
Recorder does. It is a good Investment for those who use a lot of
cassettes and want to make sure they have the best possible recor¬
ding or playing of their programs.
The ACE librarians will use this interlace to make cassettes for the
ACE
NIBBLING BYTES
by Kirt E. StockweM
An old Arab curse goes like this: "May you live in interesting times."
Apparently they preferred not having to keep up on current events.
Since we DO live in interesting limes, we might as well make the best
of them.
You are probably aware this has been an extremely interesting year.
ATARI has announced a new line of computers. ATARI has made many
personnel changes, and ATARI stock has done interesting things. The
industry as a whole is buzzing with activity, not the least of which is
the effort to develop a computer better than the one the competition is
going to release soon. The micro computer makers are all trying to
beat the pants off of each other. Business computer makers are at
each others’ throats as usual. The entire nation of JAPAN has
challenged the US to a race to see who can develop the next genera¬
tion of SUPER-COMPUTER.
You can read about all of this in any weekly magazine, but have you
thought about how it will affect you? Consider some of the following
items:
32 bit mainframe computers on a single chip are already available
from 3 different manufacturers. This may change by publication time.
The 64K memory chip is now affordable. The next step is the 128K
chip, expected within 2 years.
Disk drive prices are falling, while densities and storage capacities
are growing. 10MEQ and 20MEG drives will be reaching the point OI
common affordability within 2 years.
With every passing year the newly available software becomes more
powerful and easy to use, as well as less costly.
The question I hear most these days is: "Should I buy an 800 or wait
for the NEW machines?" I must admit the new machines are pretty.
But the 800 is a proven product of high quality. My tendency is to ad¬
vise NOT WAITING for any new equipment. Once a person makes the
decision to buy a computer, the computer should be bought. Waiting
for the perfect computer will only result in frustration and wasted
time. Vl/ithin the computer industry, NEW usually means BUGGY.
I don’t mean to imply ATARI will release inferior products, but this is
a reflection of an industry reality. The 1200XL also slicks in the back of
my mind. Overall, I feel ATARI has spent the past year LEARNING,
sometimes painfully, the realities of the computer market. I expect
they will emerge from their problems as a leaner, cleaner, more
methodical corporation.
Any of you who may be trying to decide what to buy will be well ad¬
vised to buy an 800 NOW. Every day you waste puts you and your fami¬
ly that much farther behind. Future equipment, both from ATARI and
from the various mainframe companies, promises to be quite advanc-
What you have now, or buy in the near future, will not be particular-
y Important. What will be important is whether or not you understand
the equipment and the market.
2
Wac£ Smuimr
News and Reviews
by Mike Dunn, Co-Editor
Atari computers are being sold now lor amazing low prices. I’ve
heard of $180 for an 800 with BASIC and 48K. and a 1200 for $219.
Speaking of the ill-fated 1200XL Atari has made available for 1200
owners who are having trouble running third party software a pre-boot
disk turning the 1200 OS to a 800 OS. Contact customer service for
details.
Have you read the Oct issue of Consumer Reports’’ They have been
doing a several part article on computers and peripherals the first last
month was not particularly favorable to AUri. This month, they have
upgraded the Atari considerably because of AlariWriler. which they
consider one of the best and easiest to use wordprocessors available
- they even rate it in the league of WordStar, and other big league
programs. They think AtariWriter is worth buying an Atari lor alonsK^
APX now has the AtariWriter printer drivers available lor only $j«^nd
they are much better than I expected them to be. New printers are add¬
ed all the time; they now include the Epson MX80. FX8 RX80
GeminilO, IDS480, MX100, NEC8032a and the C. Itoh Prowriter. Eacti
driver allows the use of all the special features of the printer: they even
allow right justification of proportional print. None of the other word-
processors for the Atari have this option; and until they do, it does
make the AtariWriter a best buy If this is important to you. Since these
files are automatically booted in, it also makes this wordprocessor the
easiest to use for the printers noted above.
The most impressive new program I’ve seen in the entertainment
area ever is the fantasic new program by Chris Jochumson and Doug
Carlston of Broderbund called The Arcade Machine. (17 Paul Drive.
San Rafeal, CA 94903. $60. Although it arrived too late lor a full review
— see next issue — this incrediable new "language" allows you to
make arcade quality games of your own design with great ease, tt in¬
cludes 4 made games on files as examples; the manual tells you how
to modify them. You can easily create shapes, backgrounds and title
pag^, then make the shapes move in any path you wish. You can add
all kinds of "canned" sound effects as well as make your own, in¬
cluding music. You can make up to 5 levels lor each game, have
various options,etc. The games that are included are simillar to com¬
mercial quality games. You can easily lest and change them to your
hearts content; then, when all is ready, automatically create a “boot
disk" and send them to your friends (or ACE!) to amaze your friends. It
Is very easy to create a game like, say, "Joust". If you create
something you really like and think is great, you can send it to Broder¬
bund and win prizes or even a contract as a game creator. If you like
Pintiall Constniction Set by Electronic Arts, you’ll go wild over this
one! A "must buy" for Arcader’s— please send the ones you really
like to ACE, and we can trade them around!! More next month on this
one.
Last month I mentioned a book by Jim Carr which indexes ACE, as
well as A.N,A.L.D.G., ANTIC, Creative Computing and Compute!, and
available from Valley Soft, 2660 SW DeArmond, Corvallis, OR 97333 lor
$6.1 forgot to give the name: it is the Soft Finder 1.1, and I find I use it
all the time — well worth getting.
LOGO is out but not available easily — Atari is test marketing it on
the East Coast only; so if you have one, consider yourself fortunate in¬
deed. I have never even seen it except fora 5 minute demo, and have
had it ordered for quite a while. Good Luck.
TARICON ’83. the first all Atari Computer Convention, will be held at
the Southfield Civic Center Pavillion, Southfield, Michigan, from Oct
21-23. Sponsored by Michigan ACE. There will be over 50 exhibit
booths, seminars and workshops featuring famous software authors,
game tournaments, etc. Write TariCon '83 Info, MACE Box 2765
Southfield, Ml 48037 lor details.
We’ll appreciate receiving articles from those of you going to this
exciting confererence!!
The ATH 8000 company, SWP, has finally released the final version
of MYDOS which allows use of double-sided drives, as well as the use
of the Atari RS-232 port. I have not received it yet, but it is ready. $30
from SWP or your local dealer. There is also a new upgrade EPROM
(3.2) to allow this DOS to work.
Last month, I mentioned my Austin Franklin 80 Col Board (Austin
Franklin Assoc., 43 Grove St., Ayer, MA 01432). After talking to Mr.
Franklin, I found out the problem was my 32K memory board. Since I
had one of the first 32K boards made, it used too much power, and
made the image unstable. He is going to send me his 48K board to
Show me the difference. I have not received it yet, but will report on it
when I do.
The cover cartoon is by a new member who is stationed somewhere
In the tropics, A. Grimm Richardson. Mr. Richardson is a prolific writer
for various publications, but, unfortunately all the ones he has written
for have gone out of business. His cartoon is somewhat obscure, but
very funny when you figure it out. The optional caption is “And where
do you think computer hardware and software gets them?"
Remember, the artist is from the tropics, where they really grow well.
2 -
Ultn Diuuamblar
Adventure International, Box 3435, Longwood, FL 32750, $50
Written by Ralph Jones, this new disassembler is one ot a series 01
utilities, including Oiskey, caiied the Ultra series by Al. If the future
one are as good. Atari owners can rejoice.
Dlsassembiers ali translate machine language (binary ioad) fiies in¬
to assembly language so you can see "List" the program. The Ultra¬
disassembler adds some amazing features. First, it allows you to take
the assembly language listing and put it into the assembler of your
choice for modification and reassemblirtg it to machine code.
Although specifically designed to use the Atari MacroAssembler,
there is a utility program ailowing you to use almost any of the other
available assemblers. The assembly language listing produced is for¬
mated in pseudo^xxfe with standard Atari system labeis. As an exam¬
ple, the memory location $02E5 is called MEMTOP by Atari, since it is
the memory location of the Atari operating system which gives the
location of the top of memory of the sytem. When a program is
disasembled, instead of listing something like STA $02E5, which is
difficult to understand. It will say STA MEMTOP. This allows for much
easier understanding of the listing. A great tool for learning machine
language by example.
ACTION!
O.S.S., 10379 Landsdale AVE., Cuperino, CA 95014, $99 ROM
From the originators of Atari BASIC, as well as many other lanuages
for the Atari; BASIC A-t-, C, MAC-65, etc., comes a new, original
lartguage available only for the Atari. ACTION! is In the new Precision
Software Tools series which are on the OSS “SuperCartridge", allow¬
ing 24K on one ROM by bankswitching. This cartridge includes the
language ACTION!, a Text Editor, a Compiler, monitor and a library of
useful procedures all on one cartridge! Switching back and forth is in-
stantaneos.
The language is a extremiy high speed, high level, structured
lahguage combining the best features of C, Pascal, Ada and BASIC. It
runs 100 to 200 times faster than BASIC. Although it Is compilied, the
compiler Is built In and does not have to be loaded in.
You begin programing by using the powerful editor. This built-in
screen editor uses the horizontal and vertical scrolling window techni¬
que allowing a line to be 120 charactors wide or more — I recommend
you set the line width to the width of your printer. The editor has many
features of a good text editor, such as Search and Replace, ability to
move text blocks, 2 windows, various types of deletions, restoring
deletions if you change your mind, scrolling up and down, etc. The AC¬
TION! language does not require line numbers,
ACTION! Is a structured language similiar to C. It is actually easy to
program In — the manual Includes a section on translating BASIC to
ACTION!, and it was very easy to translate some of the programs writ¬
ten in C In Byte. The cartridge includes many procedures in its library
to simplify programming. The language Includes many bit manipula¬
tion operators. You begin programming by naming the procedure, then
declaring data types and variables. Structured statements include
IF...WHILE...UNTIL, as well as ELSE and ELSEIF. These conditional
statements end with FI. DO...UNTIL.OD are used for loops. Available
also are attended data types such as pointers, arrays and powerful
record manipulation comrrtands, rather than Just simple string
manipulatiora.
After the program Is written, you go to the monitor and start to com¬
pile it If you made an error, the program stops, and you go back to the
editor; your cursor Is on the error. Unlike most compiled languages,
the editor and compiler are instantly available on the cartridge, so you
do not have to re-load everything again. When it is compiled, you run
the program, or. If testing, just a particular procedure in the program.
Since it is a compiled language, everything Is very fast
The language is very easy to program with, probably easier than
BASIC for a beginner. The manual, however, makes it very difficult tor
a beginner to leara There are too few examples, and several of them
have typographical errors that are frustrating for a beginner. There Is
no Index, and the organization makes it difficult to follow the ex¬
amples. Anyone used to structured programming should find it easy to
learn, and because of the built in compilier/editor ROM, should find it
a pleasure corhpared to Pascal and C.
Compiled programs need ACTION! to run — there does not appear
to be a run-time utility. O.S.S. will be releasing a disk of ACTION! pro¬
grams which should go a long way toward helping us learn. This could
be a very popular language, especially if is made available for use with
other micro-computers. If any of you develop some programs,
especially comparing BASIC with ACTION!, please send them in and
we can start a regular column.
— M. Dunn
BUMPAS
REVIEWS
This month I have five games, all of which I rate a 10.
Excalibur, $29.95 from APX, is the latest and greatest creation from
the mind of Chris Crawford. You are Arthur with the quest to become
King of England forever. But first, the other 15 kings must pledge feal¬
ty to you. One or two of them might even rise to compete with you dur¬
ing the game for the control of all England. You must use your
prestige, the Knights of the Round table and your army of men at arms,
and Merlin to complete the quest.
The game includes three modules: A beautiful map of all England
which scrolls across more than a dozen screens: Camelot castle with
five separate rooms full of objects to manipulate; and the field of bat¬
tle where the knights and men at arms appear in battle array.
Each king has his own castle, and Arthur can only enter the castle
of a vassal. But with Merlin's help, he can “see" into the castle of any
king to watch how the computer manipulates treasury, taxes and ar¬
my. Arthur keeps a strategic map in his Throne Room which highlights
each kingdom in a distinct color indicating a vassal, neutral, tributary
or hostile king.
This is a real-time strategic game. Weeks pass without regard to
how fast or slow you do your moves. An "Intermission" is available in
case you are called away from the game briefly. One game in progress
may be saved on a disk. I'm interested in exchanging information on
the experiences you will have in this game. I've already united England
under Arthur once, but I'm sure I did not do it the most efficient way.
I've never seen a strategic game I enjoy more than this one.
Dark Crystal is a graphics adventure game on 3 disks from Sierra
OnLlne for $60. I'm not a real fan of adventure games, but you don't
have to be one to enjoy this game. Fans of the movie will enjoy how
closely this game parallels the movie. This game makes you the
character Jen in the movie. As the last surviving Gelfling, your quest is
to find and repair the broken shards of the Crystal. All the baddies
from the film are here to stop you.
Operation Whirlwind from Broderbund for $39.95, puts you in com¬
mand of a German mechanized battalion with the task of driving 15 km
through Russian lines to take and hold a town. The map scrolls across
nearly 10 screens of finely detailed terrain. Enemy units are hidden un¬
til they move or fire. There is some real-time action during the combat
phase. The longer you take to complete your combat, the longer you
are bombarded by Russian artillery. You must also be concerned with
the range and effect of your weapons against the various targets. A
game in progress can be saved at the end of any tura Player perfor¬
mance is evaluated by headquarters and reported each turn.
POOYAN, $29.95 from Oatasoft is a joystick game for small children
which will give the rest of us a challenge, too. The name means
"piglet" in Japanese. This may mean the game is an import of a
popular Japanese arcade game.
The player is a mother pig protecting her piglets from wolves. She
has arrows and raw meat to keep the wolves away. The wolves must
descend a canyon wall holding onto balloons to get at the piglets. As
they descend, they throw acorns at the pig, trying to knock her out of
her basket hanging from the opposite canyon wall. Two piglets with a
pulley mechanism attached haul the basket up and down.
Once a wave of wolves passes and one has pig lives remaining, the
scene shifts to the wolves' lair. Here the wolves try to ascend to the
clifftop. Seven wolves at the top will be able to push a stone over the
edge and knock the pig out of her basket.
If she survives this scene, a bonus scene allows her to gain points
by throwing raw meat to the wolves without risking being knocked out
of her basket. A second bonus scene is mentioned in the documenta¬
tion where points are gained by shooting strawberries. I guess you
need more ^ill than I have to get to that page.
COMBAT LEADER for $39.95 from Strategic Simulations, Inc. is a
Joystick game simulating small-unit tactics. The player may command
an individual tank, scout vehicle or personnel carrier. Or one may com¬
mand a whole squad, platoon, or even an entire company. Enemy units
and any units not commanded by the player will be commanded by the
Atari.
The map scrolls vertically across more than six screens, covering a
40x77 grid. The terrain shows woods, hills with topographical lines,
rocky areas and depressions (these look like shell-holes to me). The
map is predominantly green or olive-drab depending upon the
scenario.
The little tanks show turning turrets; the carriers look like boxes; the
Infantry are only little "-i-”s. Shooters show little muzzle flashes of
red; targets blow up in a bigger red fireball, leaving wrecks which look
like ants or beetles. Each weapon produces its distinctive sound.
Engine noises accompany movement.
Dozens of “canned" scenarios are available on the disk by combin¬
ing various mixtures of terrain, weapons systems, and missions. Or
one may design custom scenarios to one's own specifications by
responding to a couple of dozen prompts setting the various terrain
densities, unit sizes, weapons characteristics, pace of the game and a
random number from 1 to 8 which alternates the positioning of the
various terrain features.
A chart of dozens of tanks, scout vehicles and carriers is provided
so one may create scenarios using historical vehicles with
characteristics which conform to game parameters. It's been a long
time since I've enjoyed playing a wargarne more than this one.
—Jim Bumpas
F or the past nine years, we’ve all witnessed how
computers have changed our daily lives. But
one thing will never change: Whenever a new
computer language is intn^uced, its advocates
will ^gin challenging the other languages. In¬
evitably, battle lines are drawn and a furor erupts.
The current furor has to do with the differences between
Logo and BASIC. Logo advocates extol its sophisticated
learning philosophy, contrasting Lf)go’s educational appli¬
cations to BASIC’S pedestrian applications. BASIC’s
champions, on the other hand, point to BASIC’s
tradition"—its vast collection of software and universal
appeal, not to mention its ability to efficiently program a
cornpletc microcomputer system of printers, disk drives,
and other peripherals.
When microcomputers were first introduced to the
n A ci% people had few languages from which to choose.
BASIC was the predominant language available because it
was so easily adaptable to small computers. Choosing a
language wasn t an issue. But now we are faced with having I
to make decisions which are often based
on very little understanding or experi*
ence. Novice owners of home computer
systemSi individuals and educators
alike, are likely to have questions such
as: Which programming language is
best? Which language can do the most?
Do I need more than one language?
Which language is the easiest to learn ?
Which is the easiest to use?
In the case of Logo and BASIC, there
are no simple answers to these ques¬
tions. Each programming language was
designed to nil particular, and often dif¬
ferent, needs.
For most home computer applic
tions, many different program- '
languages can be used to accomplish i ;
same goal. However, different languages
can make it easier or harder to accom-
pish some goals depending on the task
at hand. The task environment —what
you want to do with your computer—is
therefore an important consideration
when choosing a language. Some of the
most common and interesting tasks yo.-
can perform on the Atari Computer
include:
• ^''^phic Designs—creating color
drawings and desigiu on the com¬
puter screen or for color plotting and
printing.
• Animation—moving shapes, figures
or objects on the computer screen.
• Music—using computer-generated
sounds to create melodies or sound
effects.
• Data Processing—the manipulation,
storage and retrieval of information
to and ftom the computer and its
peripherals.
The Task Environment
Graphics
O NE OF THE MORE endearing features
of Logo is its “Turtle Graphics."
Logo’s structure evolved from LISP,
a powerful list processing language used
by computer scientists and researchers in
the field of Artificial Intelligence. When
^go was first designed by Seymour
Papert there were no graphics. The first
experiments with children involved pro¬
cessing lists of words. Although Papert’s
initial experiments were successful, he
felt that younger children would find pro^
gramming easier to comprehend if they
co^ actually see their program at work.
L ® “turtle" was originally a mechanical
robot with a plastic domed top; its appear¬
ance resembled a turtle, hence its Logo
namesake. TTie turtle has since evolved
into four computerized turtle-shaped cur¬
sors residing in Atari Logo. To program
the turtles, you simply tell them where
to go..
This graphics system is known as rela¬
tive geometry, or “turtle geometry." The
*• atari CONNECTION
Logo
analog of giving directions helps illus¬
trate this concept. If a stranger were to
ask you how to get to a certain gas station
in your town, you could give him direc-
(1) You could
tell him the gas station is on the comer of
^ n L*’ Main St.; or (2) you could
tell him to go down three blocks, then
Wm left onto Elm St. until he reaches
3rd St; turn left onto 3rd St. and drive
three blocks until he arrives at the comer
of 3rd and Main.
The Mcond example is an illustration
of relative geometry. The first example
illustratesCartesion Coordinates. In Logo,
you have access to both types of graphics
systems; thus, in a sense, the programmer
is placed on the screen along with the
turtles.
basic graphics system uses Car¬
tesian Coordinates to set up a “pixel grid"
of X and Y coordinates that plot each
graphic point.
Although its graphics are not nearly as
wphisticated as Logo’s “Turtle Graph¬
ics, BASIC offers a broad range of
graphics capabilities that include mul-
**P‘® colors and a diverse selection of
resolutions. With ATARI
BASIC’ you can access all 20 Graphics
Modes of the Atari Computer (26 with
the new Atari XL Home Computer se-
rie^. Logo’s Turtle has only three
Graphics Mode 0 and 7 (full-sceen)
and Graphics Mode 7 (split-screen).
Animation
One of the features that sets the Atari
Computers apart from other home com-
putera is their built-in player/missile
SJ^pbics anitndtion system. This feature
allows programmers to move shapes
quickly and smoothly across the screen.
Although player/missile graphics are not
hilly supported in ATARI BASIC, you
can use simple machine languag >b-
routines to access this animation sy.....m.
The experienced ATARI BASIC
programmer can create entertaining
arcade-style game animation using
player/missile graphics and character set
animation.
In Logo, the turtles are players. You
can redefine the four turtle “players" on
the screen with four different shapes and
colors. You can move these shapes
smoothly—even rapidly change them for
animation. Logo is the only Atari lan¬
guage that directly accesses player/missile
graphics.
In addition to moving the Logo turtles
around, we can tell a turtle to start
moving in a direction at a certain speed
and it will keep moving until it’s told to
stop. This becomes a very useful and
powerful programming feature when
combined with the use of “WHEN
demons."
Using the WHEN demon feature al¬
lows us to have the program execute spe¬
cial instructions WHEN the turtle hits
something. An easy way to picture this is
to imagine the WHEN command calling
on a WHEN demon, who watches for a
condition to be met and then performs
the operation. Once the WHEN demon
hM its instructions, the program can
relax and continue without worrying,
confident that someone’s “on the job"
watching for collisions or conditions to
ari^. In BASIC, the program has to ^
either continually on guard or must
periodically check for collisions.
Music
Logo has two distinct tones that can
be simultaneously turned on, with con¬
trol over their frequency, volume and
duration. With Logo, you can create
simple melodies and game sound effects.
BASIC offers four distinct tones, with
control over their frequency, volume,
and even a distortion factor for creating
sound effects. The skillful programmer
can create four-part harmonies, from
those used in barbershop quartets to New
Wave rock, not to mention the complete
complement of standard arcade game
sound effects.
Data Processing
In most computer languages, data is
represented by single numbers, or string
arrays of characters. In Logo, however,
we have numbers, words arid lists. A word
consists of characters, while a list is a
group of numbers, words, or lists
separated by spaces.
Usually, we think of text as groups of
words, sentences and paragraphs. Logo
mimics our concept of “text" which
makes the handling of words very simple
and natural. On the other hand, if we
want to break a word down to its individ¬
ual characters, we can treat a word much
like a list.
Lists are also useful for “normal” appli¬
cations. Obviously, a mailing list would
be pretty simple, but what about a word
processor that “reads” entire words in¬
stead of individual characters? Anything
that can be handled using strings and ar¬
rays can be handled using a list processing
routine. “Thought processing” designed
for human interaction is much more
efficient in Logo than in a language using
data arranged in strings.
On the other hand, BASIC is well
suited for programming an entire com¬
puter system to process data—retrieving
the data from a disk drive, updating it,
printing it, and putting it back on disk¬
ette. Atari Logo would also be a great
language for true data processing applica¬
tions because of its list processing capa¬
bilities, but you can’t easily get the data
to and from the storage and printing
devices. When Atari Logo was designed,
I/O (Input/Output) simply wasn’t part of
its repertoire, because of the excessive
amount of memory required for system
programming.
The Programming
Environment
Another consideration when choosing
a language is what we’ll call the program¬
ming environment. Different languages of¬
ten require a different user approach,
even when the task is the same. Most
programming languages are constructed
in a way that makes them very difficult to
use if you try to program in a style or
approach that conflicts with the way the
language is designed. However, you can if
you understand what a language is good
at doing and capitalize on its strengths.
The following are examples of program¬
ming environments:
• Interactive—allowing the user to
sit down at a terminal, “talk to the
computer," and receive immediate
responses.
• Modular—each task can be written
expressing as an individual piece of a
program that can later be used as a
building block in larger programs.
• Extensible—creating new program¬
ming commands that become part of
the langauge and, in effect, make the
language grow.
• Recursive—allowing people to define
a task or concept in terms of itself.
Logo Programming
Logo was conceived and designed as a
computer langauge that could help
children learn how to structure their
thinking and discover new thought pro¬
cesses. A child learning to program in
Logo also becomes familiar with basic
problem solving techniques as well. Asa
result, Logo’s strongest point is its leam-
BASIC
ing structure.
The research and development work in
Artificial Intelligence, from which LISP
grew, has revealed how some of our
human thought processes and “belief sys¬
tems” are structured. Logo has inherited
this tradition and structure, and
therefore, more closely approximates the
structure of our natural human thinking.
This capability makes Logo a truly ex¬
tensible language, which means it can
“learn” new commands in ways that are
similar to how people learn. In most Ian-,
guages we have a fixed set of commands.
In Logo we start with a fixed set of com¬
mands (called primitives) but we can
write our own commands as well. This
feature creates a rich environment for
exploring how people think and solve
problems. Logo programmers will also
find the language to be extremely inter¬
active, allowing ideas to be created and
immediately tested and c'nanged if so
desired. Each task can be solved indepen¬
dently and later incorporated into a
larger program. This is a result of the
modular structure of the language.
One of Logo’s most powerful features is
its recursive problem-solving capability.
Recursion provides you with a program¬
ming tool that not only helps you solve
problems in a program, but teaches you a
sophisticated problem-solving technique
you can use in your daily life. Although
recursion is a simple technique once
learned, it’s a difficult concept to grasp
and requires learning a new way of
thinking.
Recursion encourages you to look for a
simple solution to a complex problem. To
apply recursive problem-solving, you first
see if you can break a complex problem
down to a simpler version of itself. You
then look for a solution to this simple
problem. Once you’ve discovered a solu¬
tion, you use it to solve the more com¬
plex problem. This may all seem
“simple,” but you’ll find this a difficult
technique to apply in practice. Still,
Logo’s recursion feature can be used to
write programs that solve problems cre¬
ated by a larger program. The applica¬
tions possibilities are indeed very
powerful.
BASIC Programming
BASIC is not extensible, modular, or
recursive. Its strength lies in its use as an
all-purpose tool that is especially tailored
to solve simple or complex computa¬
tional problems.
Unfortunately, programs written in
BASIC are not easy to modify. The inter¬
active nature of BASIC does allow a
programmer to test pieces of a program,
but this facility is not extremely useful
because of the lack of structure built into
the language.
Many experienced BASIC program¬
mers will argue that this structure (called
“structured programming”) is possible in
BASIC. This is true, but it takes a great
deal of self-discipline to write structured
code in BASIC, while in Logo you
structure your program naturally along
the lines of your own thinking. Thus,
Logo teaches good programming habits
and, therefore, some say, good thinking
habits.
We would like to warn the reader at
this point to be careful when comparing
these languages by their commands
alone. It is true that there are some literal
translations of Logo and BASIC com¬
mands. But, for the most part it’s a
frustrating approach, because the
structures of both languages are so differ¬
ent. You’re faced with a similar problem
when comparing different human
languages—especially in the case of lan¬
guages from Western and Eastern
cultures. Certain social habits and cus¬
toms that are peculiar to each culture
simply cannot be translated literally.
The User Environment
Finally, before choosing a computer
language, it is important to consider your
purpose in using the computer—the
environment in which you will be
working. Following are several distinct
User Environments:
• Computer Literacy—the user wishes
to learn how to use computers.
• Problem Solving—the user who is de¬
veloping logical skills and creative
thinking.
• Computer Science—the user who
wants to learn about the design of
computers and programming
languages.
• Computer Enthusiast—the person
who loves to “compute” and who
learns everything he or she can about
(continued on page 72)
■ FALL 1983 »
Logo vs. BASIC
(contirtued frum page 29)
the powers of the machine.
Logo
Logo is ideal for the no\ icc computer
user who just wants to get his or her feet
wet—it’s an excellent intnxluction to
the world of computers and program¬
ming. Logo was especially constructured
to help individuals develop their
problem-solving skill.s and to encourage
logical thinking. It is ideal in this envi-
ronment, even for advanced
programmers.
Logo also provides a very getod envi¬
ronment for studying various concepts in
the domain of computer science, but
these concepts (Artihcial Intelligence,
data structures, list priKessing) are all
quite complex and not foi the beginner.
The Logo language was designed so a
programmer w ould not have to encounter
the internal architecture or operating sys¬
tem of the computet. With Logo, people
can be creative without iia\ ing to worry
about technical details, but Logo does
share BASIC’s capability to store and
retrieve data directly from the computer’s
memory (RAM). In BASIC, the com¬
mands are PEEK and POKE; in Logo you -
use .EXAMINE and DEPOSIT. Also, j
both have the abiliry to call upon a ma- [
chine language routine In Logo this com- 1
Warner Denies
Plans to Get Out
Of Computers
By l.iaura I auulro
S^riat to The AiUn Wall stmt Joureil -
NEW YORK - Warner Communications
Inc. has strongly denied reports that it is
considering leaving the home computer busi¬
ness as a result of heavy losses at its Atari
Inc. unit
Although'Warner declined comment In
the past about its plans. Steven J. Ross,
Warner’s chairman and chief executive, re¬
sponded to growing speculation about Atari’s
future in the computer business. “We are
unequivocally not getting out of the computer
business," Mr. Ross said.
Vulnerability to Takeover ‘
Warner's troubles have led to all manner
of speculation about the company, including
its vulnerability to a hostile takeover. Com¬
petitors and some Wall Street analysts have
also speculated that Atari will soon decide to
withdraw from bie fiercely-competitive
home computer market, shifting its focus to
supplying computer and game software.
"Atari has been the high-priced product
with no market share,"- said David
Londoner, an analyst -at Wertheim 6 Co. “If
Ibey get out of the manufacture of computers
and into pure software," the company stands
a good chance at siicc«m. he added.
M ATARlCTiNNtCTIOS
mand is a simple CALL; in BASIC, the
USR command.
The machine language features of both
these languages are indispensable for pro¬
grams that need fast processing speeds
and need to “talk" directly to the com¬
puter’s hardware. But with Logo’s limited
“access commands" you really can’t
“tinker" with yiiur computer. In this
regard. Logo is probably not the kind of
language that would satisfy the computer
enthusiast.
BASIC
BASIC is a good language to start
with when first using computers, but
many people develop poor habits when
BASIC is their fir.st programming lan¬
guage. As programming languages go,
BASIC doesn’t encourage systematic ap¬
proaches to problem solving.
As far as learning about computers,
BASIC provides an adequate environ¬
ment for developing an understanding of
computer sciece, but cannot be recom¬
manded as a language that can teach
human interaction with computers—one
of the more challenging and sophisti¬
cated aspects of computer science.
But, for the computer enthusiasts
— you hacker types ready to jump in and
get your hands dirty — BASIC provides a
plethora of programming features that al¬
low easy access to the internal operating
system of computers. In this respect,
BASIC is clearly the choice for this type
of user environment.
Which Language is Best?
You could say BASIC is best |f you
want to write programs for simple data¬
base managers, arcade-style computer
games and system utilities—it’s a true
worUunse language, in other words.
Then again, you could say Logo is best
if you simply wish to learn a language to
know more about computers or if you
want to teach your child about com¬
puters. Logo is also the perfect language
for writing short, easy-to-program learn¬
ing games that are fun to play, because of
the turtle graphics and list processing ca¬
pabilities. After you start learning Logo
you will find that it is an excellent lan¬
guage for challenging your mind. It is like
a very complex and exciting video game
that never ends—and doesn’t use up your
quarters.
In answer to the question Which lan¬
guage is best?, you should ask yourself,
“What do 1 want to do with my com¬
puter?” The chances are you’ll answer
“Logo and BASIC ..."
by Dave Mencoru and Ted Richards, with
portions excerpted from Language Com¬
parisons by Dr. Wayne Harvey of Atari
Special Projects.
Last Friday. Warner reported a third-
quarter loss of (122.3 million, in constrast
with a profit in last year’s quarter of $78.6
million, or (1.21 per share. Sales plummeted
, to (768:8 million from (1.06 billion in last
: year’s third quarter. That brought Atari’s
total losses for the first nine months to $424.6
I million, compared with a profit of $224.8
million, or $3.46 a share, last year. Nine
month sales fell to (2.37 billion from (2.93
' billion.
Warner has been unable to offset the
losses at its Atari video game and computer
unit with profits, from other businesses; a
32% increase in combined operating income
from its movie, consumer products and rec¬
ords businesses "did not overcome the sub-
stontial operating loss at Atari." Mr. Ross,
said.
Operating Loss
Atari had a third quarter operating loss of
I 880.2 million on sales that plummeted to
887.7 million from S28.8 million. Atari’s
nine month loss amounted to $536.3 million on
revenues that fell to $753.6 million from 8.41
billion.
Geoffrey Holmes, a Warner vice presi¬
dent, noted that the company will have four
new computer models on retailers’ shelves
this Christmas. "We’re just starting to get
into our selling season for Christmas,", he
said. And although he acknowledged that the
expected introduction of the "Peanut" from
international business machines "will take
its share of the market," he pointed out that
other competitors are dropping oiit. For
example. Texas Instruments Inc. announced
last week that it wouldn’t introduce a new
home computer. Mattel Electronics Inc. is
expected to exit the home computer market
and Colecb Industries Inc. has been ex¬
periencing delays with its new Adam
computer.
PILOT
TAKES OFF IN
PENNSYLVANIA
SCHOOL
Along with readin’, writin’,
and ’rithmetic, students at
Yeadon, Pennsylvania’s
Evans Computer Magnet
School, are getting a strong
dose of computer learning by
way of Atari PILOT.
Now in its second year, the
computer program at the
Philadelphia-area elementary
school offers classes in com¬
puter literacy and applica¬
tions in a special “computer
center." All 4(X) students and
15 teachers at the school par¬
ticipate in the program.
The school chose Atari
PILOT because it allows stu¬
dents to manipulate the com-
computer talk
Mrs CUsholm has now set
up her own company to '
market computers with
speciil!y''prepered teaching \
ai<)s for primary classroom 1
use, J^rpp^tely named I
diassropmiCcnnputers. f
^Five*^ families, including |
Mrs Chisholm’s, got together ^
about 18 montte ago and |
looked .into ,what was
available in computers for
younger children. They
found that Basic, the ^
language i|ked with most
home computers, was not
particularly useful fw work
with ahil^en.
Further research turned
up two“-simple cmnputer
langua^,'^l*not and Logo,
whl£K 'incorporate graphics
in the early stages.
The'tomputer bii^age is
the system which is us^ to
“taUc to">itr programme a
coihputer.
Turtle talk
These systems are based '
- oh thb idtt tiiat there is a
I turtle inside the computer—
instructi<»s typed into the
computer monitor tell the
turtle what to do.
For. examine a child may
tel the turtle to draw 20 units
m Qie screen. The turtie will
take 20 steps and draw a line
asitgdes.^.
In ‘thischildren learn '
bow to use a computer,
which in turn opens up a vast
.aumber of possibilities, The
kirtle can ^aw all kinds of
mings given the right in¬
structions.
Mrs Chisholm sajn one of
die best things about using
computers with children is 1
di&axea of success it gives to
those who. may havd dif¬
ficulties in other areas. They
..can. make mistakes .j-r it
doesn’t hurt the computm*
..and th«i woilc out host to
^correct them. V
> “QiQdrai get trem«id^
^ satisfaction from getting die
computer to do somethii^;.
, sorkinf it out, getting it
/right. It can imprqve &ir
.ySelf image a lii”,Mrs
Chisholm Said. ^
- Computers can hdp siip-
iriement other classroom ac-'
thdfies, and can sup^ement:
^ teacher quite effectively, j
to stay I
tinother reasm for bring-
computers into schools
«he says is that nearly
wery^ is going to find
kind of ccHDuier or
'terminal in their \mqiiace.
, A lot of pe^ie aret<itTified
across teachers who are too I
scared to put a hand on the
computer. That’s another i
reason for familiarising
children with computers —
to reduce Qie mystique and
help themT realise that com¬
puters are just a verv
sophisticated tool.
Mrs Chishdm is working
on a series of activity cards
for use in the classroom. Her
company offers a computer
for aound $900 and the school
would have to obtain its own
TV set and tape recorder.
She offers demonstrations
and activity cards along with
the computer.
One example of an activity
card is one Mrs Chisholm
based on a picture book. The I
computer is programmed to
ask “What goes iqi?’’ If the |
child types in a ccnrect ^
answo- such as'a rocket, a
rocket will shoot across the
screen and tiie chQd will
know he or she has answered
correctly. If the answer is
wrong no picture will ap- |
Withlhisku^ofo^fsea |
oWld learns how to use the
r«eomputar, read the instiw-
^tion and whethar his or her
^spellu^ is correct of *io*-
Logical
Oiildren also get an in-
bb^tion to orderly, lo0cal
thinking Mrs Chisholm said.
She and the other four
families who formed a com¬
puter group each bought an
Atari computer, which is no
bigger than a ' typewriter,
wlidcb they ctnild connect to
a television set. They cost
around $1700 each, then,
thou^ now they are much
cheaper.
Hie group meets regularly
in each others’ homes m at
tile local school to learn
about computers.
Mrs Chisholm displayed
her activity cards at the re¬
cent “Learning in the Com¬
puter Age Exhibitiim’’ at the
Michael Fowler centre and
she is circularising primary
schools at present, offering
demonstrations of com¬
puters, her teaching aids and
the possibilities offered by
computers in the laimary
school classroom.
Atari computers are
, cheaper than some others
1 she said, but bemuse the
Atari firm also market video
games a lot of people think
they doh’t make “rw’’.cpm-
(Hitm: l^iey do.
Mrs Chisholm t«»ches
senior EngMi, part-time at
I Wellington High school,
'where emnpotmr studies is
part of the curriculum <rf-
fered to all pupils.
puters, “not the other way
around,” explains principal
Thomas G. Kerr. “We also
needed a program that would
tie in closely with our other
instructional areas.”
The Evans School staff
went one step further. They
redesigned the Atari PILOT
student manual to fit teachers
specific lesson plans. “This
became our curriculum guide
for all the teachers, from first
through sixth grades,” says
Kerr.
Students were introduced
to the computers as “another
curriculum area,” explains
Kerr. “This way they knew it
would be hard work, not just
fiin and games.”
“What’s exciting is that
every student and teacher is
involved in this program.
Every teacher has had to
learn Atari PILOT. At first
they were frightened, but af¬
ter a year behind them,
they’re looking forward to
working with the computers
again.”
The Evans Computer Mag¬
net School welcomes inquiries
from other elementary schools.
For more inforrruxtion, contact
Dr. Thomas G. Kerr, The
Evans Computer Magnet
School, Church Lane and Baily
Road, Yeadon, Pennsylvania
19050.
Wafpiaa iMwiire^ miSkw Xealfy-
t X,1llsll<Mnat tbe <*r;Mirnin<r In tKaWnmnntnr nv-hlMNAn
PILOT ELLSWORTH
learning with logo or picking pilot
(A Comparison of the PILOT and LOGO Languages)
Parents, educators, and beginning programmers who own ATARI
computers now find themselved faced with the dilemma of choosing
the language which will best meet their needs. While both PILOT and
LOGO are considered introductory languages, each has some very uni¬
que characteristics which should be taken into consideration when an
"either or" choice must be made.
Perhaps, the first difference noticed between LOGO and PILOT after
booting is the difference in editing procedure. Editing in both
languages In the Edit Mode is very easy. PILOT, being like BASIC, ac¬
cesses the Editor through the LIST command and allows lull cursor
control. It has the added advantage over BASIC of having an AUTO
numbering and RENumbering function in the Editor.
The Editor is called in LOGO by the command, EDIT “name of" pro¬
cedure. There is a full range of edit commands in LOGO, but no ability
to edit in the immediate mode as procedures are being developed. We
find this inability causes a considerably greater amount of typing and
frustration to a beginning programmer, and the first plus for PILOT.
Structurally LOGO, which is a subset of USP, is like PASCAL;
PILOT is like BASIC. Both languages encourage structured programm-
ming, although PILOT is not as tightly sturctured as most languages
and allows beginners more freedom. PILOT requires line numbers,
LOGO does not. PILOT uses modules around which programs are
builL while LOGO requires them. Like PASCAL or FORTH, LOGO is
completely modular, and fully expandable. In LOGO a defined pro¬
cedure is treated like a built in command. This ability becomes an im¬
portant plus tor LOGO in more compiicated or creative programming.
Each of the languages has structural abilities the other lacks. PILOT
has the MATCH command which easily allows the creation of interac¬
tive instructional programs or games with a mimimum amount of pro¬
gramming or effort. LOGO has the ability to handle LISTS which
allows one to write programs dealing with symbolic manipulation, or
complex data structures without having to encode them in
nwthematical terms or strings. LOGO also has the ability to use recur¬
sion, which is the ability to define a problem in terms of itself.
This concept, which can be quite confusing, may be explained in
mathematical terms as being similar to the factorial of a number, X be¬
ing equal to X (X-t) factorial. For me, a nonmathematical person, it is
easier to think of recursion as being like a pudding cake. Both the
cake and the pudding use themselves and parts of the other in the in-
complete state to come out with the finished product. This ability of
LOGO makes possible very sophisticated programming. In my opi¬
nion, understanding recursion will help one to learn more of the com¬
plicated coiicepts in computer sciences as well as the nature of
linguistics and thought processes In general.
Screen output Is superior in PILOT. The screen is automatically
cleared when a program is run. Text is broken only at the end of a
word, making It easily read and the product neat In appearance. PILOT
also has three text modes: Gr.O, and overstaid text modes 1 & 2; LOGO
has only Gr. 0.
Sound In both languages Is good. PILOT is slightly Inferior since It
allows four voices and control of duration, while LOGO allows two
voices with control of both volume and duration.
Both languages allow practically unlimited lengths for variable
names. Neither requires dimensioning. Both tanuages allow global
variables (constant during a program). Only LOGO allws local
variables which are used in a procedure then discarded. This permits
their later rouse with different meaning in the same program. PILOT
uses numerical and string variables similar fo BASIC, and has a max¬
imum of 26 numerical variables per program. LOGO considers all
variables as "ol^ects”, numerical variables being viewed as words
made up of digits. LOGO has the ability to manipulate variables In
LISTS and to use them in recursion which PILOT does not, while
PILOT has the ability to combine text literals with variables without
designation as text literals making it easier for a beginner to write pro¬
grams with screen or printer output.
PILOT is much easier to debug than LOGO because It contains a
TRACE command which allows the programmer to view the lines be¬
ing used as the program progresses. This command is extremely
umIuI. In my opinion it does not slow execution speed enough for
beginners, but when the listing is interspersed with PA: commands to
make the program run slowly, it becomes indispensable to beginners.
PILOT also supports Remark statements, which LOGO does noL
allowing explanations to be added for beginrrers or children.
Both languages support Turtle Graphics. LOGO has superior Turtle
Graphics since up to lour turtles can be visible if desired. LOGO also
has a collision register, speed control, and either full or split screen
graphics display. PILOT has an invisible turtle, and only split screen
display but it does have a fill command which greatly enhances
graphic's displays. The PILOT Turtle Is very much faster than the
LOGO Turtlefs).
tA-a 13
The accompanying chart gives a thumbnail sketch of the major dif¬
ferences and abilities of LOGO and PILOT. In my opinion, PILOT is the
language best suited to parents, educators, and those interested in
programming who do not have the time or inclination to become deep¬
ly involved with programming languages and skills. It allows easy
adaptation of text materials into electronic media, and programming
using matching. Most instructive materials used by parents and
educators, and simple game type programming written by children will
fall into one of those two categories.
The question which I am inevitably asked next is: Why LOGO.
LOGO is a more sophisticated language which has the ability not only
of manipulating more complicated data, but in my opinion, has the
ability to develop in children a more creative approach to problem solv¬
ing and a more structured, scientific if you will, way of thinking. The
ability to manipulate LISTS makes linguistic-type prj^raming available
as well as the beginnings of programs that "learn."
There are numerous concepts of mathematics and physics which
can be taught painlessly through the use of LOGO Turtle graphics
because of the Inclusion of speed control and recursion. In shorL I
believe the LOGO type languages are the languages of the future.
They may not be of necessary or even of interest to everyone.
Unlike PILOT, LOGO will take some time to learn, and I recommend
persons interested to take a class of some kirx) in LOGO. For those
who cannot, the following are recommended: LOGO by Harold
Ableson (the blue book): THE TURTLE'S SOURCE BOOK by Beaden,
Martin, and Muller; and TURTLE NEWS and LOGO NEWSLETTER
published by the Young Peoples’ LOGO Association, Inc., P.O. Box
855067, Richardson, Texas 75065.
The two short modules which follow are purely for demonstration of
the difference in the coding of simple graphics procedures. The
modules do not include printed prompts, although they require value
input lor the three variables used. To use the POLYSPll LOGO pro-
cedure, one must type POLYSPll followed by 3 values. To use the
PILOT module, one must type U:*SQUIRL then type each value follow¬
ed by return when the graphics screen appears.
Next month I will continue my regular PILOT articles, including the
program translated into LOGO with notes on the necess^ changes.
Later I will be preparing and explaining programming which uses the
unique abilities of LOGO, as well as continuing to share some of the
things we are doing with PILOT in our home.
LOGO - PILOT COMPARISON CHART
LOGO
PILOT
EDITOR
X
X
Full cursor
X
Renum and Auto
NA
X
Immediate mode
X
SCREEN OUTPUT
Auto Clear
X
Does not break words
X
Multiple text modes
X
SOUND
Voices
2
4
Duration control
X
X
Volume control
X
VARIABLES
Local variables
X
Global variables
X
X
No dimensioning
X
X
Unlimited name length
X
X
Maximum If variables
X
Mix with text literals
X
Data Types
Numeric
NA
X
Strings
NA
X
Words
X
NA
Lists
X
NA
DEBUGGING
Trace command
X
Remark statements
X
STRUCTURE
Line numbers
X
Modular
X
Not completely
Encourage structure Best
Good
Recursion
X
List processing
X
"Matching"functlon
X
Data manipulating
X
None
Random Access
None
TURTLE GRAPHICS
Visible Turtle
X
Multiple Turtles
X
Speed Control
X
Collision register
X
Fast execution
X
Fill command
X
Full screen graphics
X
Split screen graph.
X
X
A Conversation With Sara Kiesier
Communicating by Computer:
The Good News, the Bad News
Sara Kiesier is a professor of social science and social
psychology and a member of the Robotics Institute faculty
at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh. She and
her colleagues conduct research on the social aspects of
computers and the impact of new technology on organizations.
W W ft C H K. t£FFLES-USN«IMt
"Altering the way people relate to each other”
Computers could markedly change human behavior
by altering the way people relate to each other.
On a telephone, you hear the other person’s tone of
voice. Face to foce, you see a person’s smile or you see
who takes the head seat at a meeting, and that provides
a cue to status.
But there is no such feedback in computer ex¬
changes. When people use a computer to send elec-,
tronic mail, they do not see the other person, and so
they lack nonverbal cues.
Moreover, there are no social norms built up around
electronic mail the way there are when you meet
someone in person or talk to someone on ^e phone
and say, “Hello, this is John Smith.” Consequently,
computer exchanges are less predictable.
What this means is that people are likely to be less
inhibited when communicating by computer. A psychi¬
atrist in Wisconsin has found that people will say more
to a computer in a diagnostic interview than to a physi¬
cian. It seems that they reveal more about themselves
as fewer cues inhibit self-disclosure.
In addition—and we have evidence of this—^people
exchanging electronic messages are less likely to hold
back strong feelings. They’re more 4kely to swear and
insult others and to communicate in an abrupt manner.
**A me-and-my-machine feeling”
People involved ,in computing tend to get totally
absorbed—sort of a me-and-my-machine feeling.
Studies show that when people are absorbed in . a
task, they are less self-aware. Hiis could mean that
workahoUcs—and I’m just speculating—^will get worse
as a result of using computers because they forget that
they ought to stop. And people who are depressed,
who are too self-aware, could become less depressed.
Thus, computers might make a useful tool in therapy.
I also think that shy people will benefit from using
computers. The machines could help them communi¬
cate without embarrassment because no one would be
looking at them. Their self-consciousness would be
reduced.
Computer communication could even promote de¬
velopment of deeper relationships. People might meet
someone on the computer and then get together face
to face. In this way, computers could stimulate human
contact instead of reducing it, os some people fear.
The “democratizing effect” of anonymity
Computer communication has a democratizing ef¬
fect. If you have a face-to-face meeting of people, one
person is likely to talk 30 to 40 percent of the time,
another 20 percent, and the others are minor talkers.
On a computer, we find that participation evens out
and people talk about the same amount because they
are less conscious of status and are protected by a
feeling of anonymity. .
Does this mean people will communicate more with
superiors and superiors more with people to whom
they don’t usually talk?
liiat kind of shift could change communication pat¬
terns not just in small groups but in big organizations.
It might lead to more face-to-face meetings because
people wiQ raise issues they would not have raised
otherwise. There may be more confrontation, and that
can be good.
In corporations that have electronic mail, there are
already phenomena called “distribution-list inflation”
and “copying up.” It’s very easy to communicate with
many people on the computer.
Put this together with the absence of inhibitions,
and you’re likely to find that people communicating
with their immediate superiors may also want to send
copies to others, to whom they would not ordinarily
send messages.
Growino
> between haves and have-nots”
I believe that exposure of children to computing will
tend to help all youngsters. But I worry that disadvan¬
taged children have less access to computers than
well-to-do children. So while all children will be in¬
creasing in competence, the gap between the haves
and have-nots will grow. ;
The gap may be particularly important for women.
Right now, computing seems to be a boys’ sport. Ar¬
cades tend to be male domains. 'The gam^ appeal to
boys because they involve aggression or sports that
boys tend to play more than girls. Even in schools and
computer camps, behavior is generally male oriented.
There’s more swearing and more aggression. The boys
oome to act and the girls to watch.
I’m afraid that if girls are not encouraged to use
computers, there will be a larger and larger difference
between men’s and women’s computer skills. This
could mean that some of the gains made by women in
the professions and in science in recent years might
be reversed.
That doesn't have to happen. I’m convinced that the
difference in the behavior of boys and girls when it
comes to computing is largely a cultural and social
phenomenon that can be changed by developing edu¬
cational software that attracts both sexes.
Copyright © 19B3, U.S.News & World Report, Inc.
ATARI 410 RROCRAM RECOROCR
DtGITAL PLAYBACK CIRCUIT
SCHEPIATK OIAGRAPI
I
M WKIIfeM, >100
.1 Inc.
.65 Borregas Ave.
lunnyvala, CalH. 94086
IvaUabla for: Atari 600, Atari 1200XL
:artridge).
yalom Roquiromonta: 16K RAM, Atari
Bssatte recorder or disk drive. Atari 850
rioter interlace module ($220).
hia very nice program In a cartridge la a
elcome replacement for what waa a medi-
cre disk-based program (Atari Word Pro-
essor). It can be used with documents
lored on tape. (You can use disks for stor-
ge, too, but the cost of a disk drive
ouldn't be justified uniess you pian to
ore and frequently re-use many docu-
lents.) A spiral-bound Instruction manual
sntains an easy-to-follow tutorial and a
eH-wrltten reference sectiofL A refererwe
ird is also supplied.
Writing. The menu-driven program Is
isy to pick up and use. It makes Intelligent
le of the Atari 800’a good keyboard. (Al-
lough the program also runs on the Atari
OQ, that model's membrane keyboard and
nited RAM make it unlit lor word-process-
g.) Most commands take two keystrokes,
few operations are prompted. Column ;
Id line raimbers are shown on the screen.
Editing. The program provides full cursor i
>ntrol and scrollir:g, full Insert and delete >
nctlons, and the desired block com-
ends. You can delete by letter, by line, or
am the cursor to the end of the document,
le program will recall the most recent
iletion, and will search and delete as well
I search and replace.
H a document grows too long for the Atari
OO’a 48K memory (about 18 double-
weed pages), you can turn the document
to separate files and chain them together
r uninterrupted printing.
Screen tonnatting. The TV-screen dis-
ay is limited to only 36 characters per line.
It the letters, upper and lower case, are
Bll formed. The program lets you “pre-
iw” on the screen what the printed ver-
an will look Hke In the fornrwt you've Set:
Ml scroll back and forth and up and down
see a complete printed "page," so you
in make changes If the format doesn't
ipear to your liking.
Rrint fernwHing. Atari Wrttar has all the
isired print-formatting functions, and then
me. Many character enhaiKements are
wilable. Including compressed, ax- t
iiKled, and proportional spacing. r
This program offers more than Color
T/ps/f and eon* Straat Writer, and Is more
nvenlent to use than Talawritar 64. It
ds greatly to the potential utility of the
'art BOO and to its attractiveness as a
taming'' computer.
Cii4 im.
•BAWTOSig
SCHEMATIC
See^eXfOAD ERRORS by Steven Matein, pgl5
New Sdertm IS September 1983
Computer boom bails out tape industry
r lE PRICE of programs for home
computers is falling because firms
equipi^ to transfer inusic to cassette tapes
are using the same high-speed process for
data tapes. The work has helped the
companies to survive a seasonal dip in
music sales.
One of the companies is Ablex, which
has a tape-duplicating factory in Telford.
The firm, once owned by the Decca record
company but now under Racal’s wing,
made as many computer programs as
music tapts this summer.
Paradoxically, the chaotic state of the
home computer business helps duplicators.
Because most programs work on only one
type of computer, everything has to be
separately mastered, duplicated and
packed. But the process is cheap because
the bleeps that carry the program on a
computer cassette are of audio frequency,
and can be copied as if they were music.
T^e firms make musicassettes by trans¬
ferring the original music on to a 2S-mm
tape, which is spliced into a closed loop.
This is run round and round very quickly
past a playback head. At the same time, a
bank of slave recording machines, loaded
with large open reels of cassette tape, run at
the same high speed and record the signal
finm the loop. The equipment is exactly the
same for computer tapes, except that they
must be recorded in mono and on high-
quality tape.
The large reels of cassette tape, each bear¬
ing the same computer program as many as
300 times over, are thw cut up into ^ort
lengths, and loaded into standvd cassette
cases.
Cassette makers normally duplicate
computer programs at the same speed as hi
fi music tapes, 32 times normal speed. But
Ablex has found that Sinclair’s Spectrum
home computer has such a wide tolerance
that it is possible to duplicate tapes for it at
an even higher speed. Master tapes for
Spectrum proems run at 64 times foe
normal recording speed.
But foe tape makers still face one prob¬
lem with duplicating computer programs -
testing foe product. To test a music tape
you just listen to it. But foe only way to
check a program is to run it forou^ a
computer. To load every pre^ram before it
goes bn sale would send the price zooming
up-so Ablex tests only the first and last
program on each bulk reel of tape. If both
work properly, there is a good chance that
foe hundreds of programs in between are
also up to scratch._ □
co^vtxw*’
w
, D. W H io w Ntw i w m
An Alan customer Can the video-game maker come back—or is the end near?
Door
F or nearly a year it has seemed as if
someone let Pac>Man loose on Warner
Communications. Plagued by a glut of vid¬
eo games and a vicious price war in home
computers, the company has racked up
hundreds of millions of dollars in losses at
its Atari suteidiary—and laid ofr4,CXX) em¬
ployees in Silicon Valley in order to transfer ■
operations to Asia. Last week it became
clear Warner was still being eaten alive. In
an unexpected move, the company said it
was laying off nearly a third of Ae staff
at its Manhattan corporate headquarters.
Then it reported a sta^ering $122 millinn
loss for the third quarter—bringing its
losses so far in 1983 to $425 million. ‘This
hM been a year in which [Warner] has faced
difficult problems,” said chairman Steven
Ross, “and its results are a significant
disappointment.”
The news underscored the contin uing
shakeout in the home-computer and video-
game markets. The turmoil has resulted in
huge losses for firms like Atari, Mattel and
Texas Instruments; only a day before War¬
ner’s announcement, it was reported that TI
would postpone plans to intr^uce its 99/8
home computer, the second TI computer to
be called off this year.
But few companies have been hit as hard
as Warner. A year ago the company serious¬
ly overestimated video-game demand while
underestimating the competition—and
Christmastime sales plummeted. Warner
mbsequently fired chairman Raymond
Kas^—^who was later accused of insider
trading in the company’s stock—and
brought in former Philip Morris marketing
man James J. Morgan in his place. When
Warner reported a loss of $283 million for
the second quarter of 1983, the company
announced it had written down unsold in¬
ventories of video games and said the worst
was behind it. But within the past several
^®eks three top-ranking Atari executives
have unexpectedly resigned and analysts
now wonder whether the company might be
about to scale back its computer and video-
game business—Or fold it up completely.
Warner officials have denied that any
such moves are in store. But Atari may be
running out of time: nearly 40 percent of
annual video-game and home-computer
sales are racked up during the Christmas
season; although an upswing in video-game
s^es had been predicted, dismal orders for
video-game players and cartridges suggest a
virtual replay of last year’s debacle. “The
ranch is bet on the fourth quarter,” says
Barbara Dalton Russell, an analyst at
Pn^ential-Bache Securities. What’s more,
while Atari is currently shipping two new
computer mt^els, the 600 and the 800, ana¬
lyst John Reidy of Drexel Burnham Lam-
bm says the company hasn’t m«H<» up its
mind whether to intr^uce two adH irinnnl
models this year as well. The risks are con-
sidmble. The new products—a combi¬
nation computer and telephorie dubbed
AtariTel that could be used to run home
appliances, and a new personal computer
that may be compatible with IBM’s Person¬
al Computer—are promising. But the latter
also faces stiff competition by
IBM’s upcoming PC Jr., Cole- Ross: A bat
co’s soon-to-be-shipped Adam
and by price-cutting by Com¬
modore and other competitors.
Given the depths of the
problem at Atari, cutting
back at corporate headquar¬
ters may have been one of the
oidy alternatives—^in fact, it
might ^ve been a necessity.
As chairman, Ross had insti¬
tuted a decentralized manage¬
ment structure that kept his
New York staff quite lean—
WORLD BUSINESS
and ^owed division managers great lee¬
way in running their own operations. But
things started to change as money rolled in
with Atari’s rapid success. Division man¬
agers still ran their businesses, but all of a
sudden, corporate headquarters grew. A
research-and-development staff sprang up
in New York, and jobs that were once done
by a single individual were token over by a
1^ dozen prople, usually at higher sala¬
ries. “It was like building redunctoncy into
the product,” said one Warner executive.
“Corporate was always intended to be
lean, but we’d gotten away from that con¬
cept as things became fat and happy.” In¬
deed, New York’s six-man R&D depart¬
ment—one of the more visible extrav¬
agances—was among the first to go in last
week’s round of layoffs.
The risks of bloating its corporate staff
would have been easier to swaltow if other
Wmer divisions weren’t also facing rough
going. Although two new Warner movies,
“Never Say Never Again” and “The Right
Stuff,” are expected to bring in big dollars at
the box office, “Superman III” and ‘Twi¬
light Zone” received disappointing recep¬
tions when they were released last summer.
And at least one hoped-for big Christmu
movie, “Greystoke,” has already had its
release date pushed back. Meanwhile,
Warner-Amex Cable, the company’s joint
venture with American Express, is still los¬
ing money despite efforts by Warner-Amex
chairman Drew Lewis to eliminate jobs and
cut costs. In the first half of 1983 alone the
venture lost about $40 million. The com¬
pany’s three record labels—Warner, Elek-
tra/Asylum and Atlantic—aren’t perform¬
ing u well as expected. Although the
division is ^efiting from the industry’s
raurgence, it hasn’t been placing as many
hits on Billboard’s Top 10 as it once did.
‘Bite the Bullet’: While last week’s layoffs
will save the company only an estimated
$10 million or so over the next year,
analysts applauded them as a step in
the right direction. Warner has fre¬
quently been criticized for lax controls;
one analyst at a major brokerage firm
calk the company “inept and misman¬
aged.” .^d Ross agreed last week that
“streamlining” was needed and vowed the
company would now be able to hold its own
in what he pledged would be a
Ross: A bad year “new, more competitive envi-
2£SSI221 roMcnt.” But “even if Atari is
going to come back, it’s not
going to come back overnight,”
saj^ Lee Isgur, an analyst with
Paine Webber. “They had to
bite the bullet and say, ‘There
may not be a Christmas this
year’.” With the cuts behind it,
Warner is clearly hoping Santo
will show up all the same.
SUSAN DENTZER with PETER
McALEVEY in Los Angeles and
CX)NNIE LESLIE in New York
NEWSWEEK/OCTOBER 24. 1983
. I Home-Computer Users Left in Lurch
Company’s Pu^u^eans EvaOual Dearth of Software, Service, Peripherab
By Andrew Pollaclr^* ******* “■ <*“« to »«« LOGO, a program- TI entered the market in 191
* Will Stick iinth Kitt/*/\mnani*c men __i.. • .
v»* T.— ***** **'8 convatu**. *««*
■ u wintenutional Business Machines
YORK —The losing b«- Coip. and Apple Computer Inc.
e of Texas Instruments Inc. m the Analysts say the pullout leaves
ome<oiimuler market has t^en a niarket even more wide open
Evere toll on the company’s ri- - fo^ j, mjecied to jo.
ances, its repuUtion and itt on- troduce iu PC Jr. home computer
loyees.Y« more t^ one nulhOT Tuesday. The machine. wWi a
lie will suffer as well: the tmrting price of about $800, •«
thapeopi
wnen a Texas InstiumenU 99-
A home computers.
They are likely to find it much
lore difficult to get their machines
paired and to find new programs
id peripheral equipment, such as
ita-storage devices and printers,
heir situation, aiulysts My, will
e somewhat eltin to, but periiaps
lore severe than, that oi people
ho own eight-tra^ Upe players.
“It’s a r^ letdown to have al-
lost 2 million users left without a
luntry,” said Roger Harrison, vice
resident of a group of Texas In-
Tuments home computer users in
mthern New Josey. “All of a sud-
en, we’re aliens.” His estimate of
le number of users is higher than
uny others.
Texas Instruments announced
ite Friday that, because of oon-
nuing heavy losi^ it wu cearing
)emanufactureahdsaleofthe99-
A But it said it would continue to
dvertiae the computer, and slash
s price to dear inventory.
Texas Instruments was not die
nt and is not likdy to be the last
oeq^y to get out of the hi^y
olatile small-computer business.
Osborne Cooqiuter Corp., whidi
uule somewhat more expoirive
lachines than Texas Instruments,
edared bankruptcy last monti^
<any other smaikr oonqumies are
xpected to fall by the wayside and
ven tome larger companies may
ull out of the butmest, aduch u
lagoed by severe price cutting and
imdly changing tedmology.
Buying a home or office oomput-
. aW.... _•_S_1_«_•_
eiqpected to bring some stability to
the market Apple is expected to
counter by droroing the price of iu
^mle II mto tne same range.
Texas Instruments, Commodore
InternatitHul Ltd. and the Atari
unit of Warner Communications
have been battling at the low end of
the market with crmiputers sdling
for $200 or lest. TI and Atari have
been plagued by heavy losses.
Cmnmodore, the victor for now,
also seems to be hurting, with prod¬
uct reliability problems and prod¬
uct shortages. The PC Jr. and Cole-
co’s new Adam are expected to
move the market toward mote ex¬
pensive, more powerful machikies.
' For Tl oistomers, the future is
not dear. The company has said
little a^t the matter. Future
Computing Inc., a market-research
conmany, estinutes that 1 million
to 1J millkm 99-4A computers
have been add, malcing the ma¬
chine the most i^dy owned home
computer after the Commodore
VIC-20, and slightly ahead of tk
Amle II lirw.
TI did My it would continue to
provide service for the computer. It
IS not clear for how long, but it
should be for at least a year, «ince
the compuy is selling its comput¬
ers now with a one-year warranty.
It is likdy that it will be more
and more difficult to get new soft-
wm or peripherals. How seriousW
this will affect oonsumen depeniu
on how they use the madiine.
Particularly hurt could be the
many elementary schools t^t
ming language particularly suitable
for child^
A qwkesman for TI said the
conqiany would continue to supply
some software. But it seems dear
that, while existing software might
be sold, new software such as video
games and educational programs
will not be made available unless a
software conqiany wants to under¬
take Uieir production and market¬
ing on its own.
Some observers think software
companies will find the task attrac¬
tive. “You can’t ignore a million
and a half people,” said Charies W.
LaFara, a large mail-order distrib¬
utor of the 99^A and rdated prod-
uds. “With that lar^ an installed
base, it’s not just going to die out
overnight”
But sc^tware company offidals
said they had no intention of con¬
tinuing to provide new software for
the machine.
“We won’t be supporting them,
simply because retaOen don’t stock
serftware for hardware they don’t
carry." said Doudas Carlston,
president of Broderbund Software.
The problem is exaceii»ted
Tew Instruments* long-standing
policy of marketing virtually all
thm with oc^yri^t infringement
smts. But software company offi¬
cials My such pennisskm will come
too late.
Indeed, Texas Instruments has
made a series of miMteps, and there
m few tears beiu shixl in the
industry now that 11 is leaving the
home computer business.
_ 1979
software for its computer, so there
sre few companies in the business
ol supplying software for the 99-
4A. It is considered likely
^t Texas Instruments will allow
independent software companies
to make and market software for
the 99-4A without threatening
with a machine selling for more
than $1,100. It was a failure. Only
late last year, when price wars and
leu expensive parts brought the
price down to $200, did sales start
to soar. TI was an eager participant
in the price ware, believing that a
low price gained market sl^ and
that the hi^er volume that resulted
yielded a profit.
But the company started losmg
money because Commodore Int»-
national, its chief rival, could con¬
tinue to produce its VIC-20 at the
same low price for a profit
When the big loss was an-
- nounced last quarter, Texas Instru¬
ments said it would stay in the
business. William J. Turner, the
head of consumer operations, re¬
signed in July and was replac^ in
late August by Peter A Field, a
general manager of Procter ft
Gamble’s coffee division. Thecmn-
p^y alro cut the price of expan¬
sion devices for the computer, and
sales of those grew rapi^y;
But the efforts did not work. On
Sept 20, Mark Shepherd Jr., chair-
■usn of Texas Instruments,
ag^ that the company would re¬
main in the home cmiqHiter buri-
ness, but added that “succeu is by
no means certain.”
r u thus becoming risky for ooo-' bought TI conmuten and will now
juners. AnalysU mv the result of find it difficult to obtain more of
lie TI puUout and the Osbone themMthciriieedsgiow.Tlieooiii-
ankruptcy u that cemsumers will puten were pqjiular for sdmd use
ither put off buying con^mters because they were the first ma-
V.S. Retailers Face]
Computer Shortage
“‘ By G. Christian W1
» triil >iTteAslaa Will Itrest Jamal ' •
NBW YORK —. Unles computo’ maken
piill off productini miracles wnlliy of Santa
Claus, most U.S. Ktallm say they bee a
shortage of home honvuters for the big
GhrlstmassdUngsMson.-
Oongnters priced bdow 1600 sold brt last
Christinas afiCT the mgjor mambetums
cut prices b mid-lML But sales slowed
considerably b niid-1983 as consumers db-
covered that the. most popular brands
couldn’t do much.unless expenbve extra*
equ4»nent aras bought Some ctmiputer mak¬
ers bus ended up wib br too many ma¬
chines and had \oues of hundreds of miuimif
ofdollars.
Commo d ore btmatton&l Ltd. won sbhe
consumers back bb summer wib a more
powerful but still low-priced machine, be
Commodore M. But it has sold so fast bat it
probably will be gone from retailna* shelves
by the ad of November, a qiokaman pre-
Companies that were supposed b b-
traduce new and more ndvanred onm-
puten - Texas Instrumab Inc., Colea
Industries Inc., Warner Ounmunications
lnc.’s Atari unit and International Busben
Machines Oorp. - haven’t done so. Now,
most retailers da't expect to reoive many
(d the new m od d s eva if manubebrers
begbproductionlmmedbtely.
“irs an btoesting ir^,’’ says nil
Meserve, an dectronics-indintry strategist
for Arbur D. littte ft Co. “The glut has|
turnedbto dw opposite of a giut’’
Refers’Strategy
The remit: Christmas home-computa
sales, which account for 40% to S0% of the
year's total, won’t be as robust as expected,
and most of the majm* mamibcturers will
lose'inofib and a cha^ to get ahead of bdr
com^tors. That may eva drive some out
of be business, retailers and marketing con-;
sultanbbdieve. !
> \ ' Atari’s Position ]
. Atari abo b likdy to miss out bb Christ-
' mas, weakobg lb conpetitive positla. Re-
tailos si^ bey have bea told by be compa¬
ny that a total of 100,000 to 120,000 of
Atari's new 600XL and 800XL conputera willj
; be available bb Christmas.
^ < "That’s not enough to suniort sales at
. eva be major retailers,” says Samud
Crowley, gen^ manager of be Videoland
store diab b Dallas and HousUrn. “I fed
strongly that unless Atari shows a strong
maikebig thrust fw Christmas, it wa’t be
here after January." .
Atari, wUch reputed a sno miUla opa-
1 ating loss for be second quarter, woolto't
iConunent
f ' Some retaders are now stocking more
^ Texas Instrumab home cunputers to take
' the {dace of Odeco and Atari. “TI will bene¬
fit from tbe.dwitage of product,” says
Broadway’s Mr. Kapicka, Idio b orderly
more 99/4As. “It has a good software fine
ja growing entnusiasm tor (^mpntfr tecnnology and increasingly sopnisticated sottware,
Michael Dixon, Education Correspondent, highlights some diften-forgotten factors in the
human decision-making process. . pf ,.3,
' !»
* >
Technology has its limitations
/
lOi
•li¬
st
lit
rHE INSTANT the radarriinked computer decided that
he unidentified aircraft were on an attacking course,
he system prepared to launch Armageddon. Through
he control-room displays it swiftly supplied the com-
nander of the-U.S. Navy task unit with the best tactics
or interception, back-up deployments and so on.
“I’ll never forget how he reacted,” says Dr Donald
Jroadbent of Oxford University’s Department of Experi-
nental Psycholo^.
“After glancing at the displays, he calmly flicked
lown the switches that cancelled them. Then he said in a
outhern drawl; ‘Ah gue-ss we’ll just let this situation
levelop itself a while.' “
The result of that decisiot\
urina an exercise with- com-
uter aids for military common-
ers was a bOoSt to the Navy
aptain’s reputation. For the
pproach of the enemy aircraft
imed out to be'a feint The
cal attack came later in
nother form and from an en-
rely different direction'.
But when the Captain was
sked why and how he had
ecided to ignore the compu-
ir system’s warning, he was
impletely vmable to explain,
e had made was proved to be
le right judgment without any
lea clear enough to be ex-
ressed in words of either what
iformation or what mental pro-
isses he had been using to
lake it
In doing so he exemplified a
ictor which Dr Broadbent
nong other psychologists, feels
being forgotten by computer
cperts and lay people alike
nid the growing enthusiasm
Mut advances in information-
rocessing technology.
Not everyone would go as far
I the zealots who predict that
tmputers will one day "keep
i as pets.” But there seems
‘ be a widespread assumption
lat the development of micro-
ectronics, software and allied
chnologies will ensure that
formation-processing systems
the hands of a few highly
tellectual people increasingly
ke over the world’s decLsion-
aking from the less academic-
ly able majority.
Much is expected,..for in-
ance, of so-called er^ert sys-
nu which it is assumed will
ovide an instantly accessible
id constantly updated compen-
um of the best human expert I
le in the field concerned. -1
But if a computer system is
stand in for human experts
Oiat way, Dr Broadbent says,
must first be told unam-
guously, and in deUil, pre-
»«ly what . the expertise
insists of — and how can that
! done if fn most practicai
slds (ts distinct from purely
tellectual pursuits, such as
>rmal logic and . pure
athematics) the human
wrti are not able to
rolstn hnw fhev rnalr* their
Abilities
Besides military commanders,
the Oxford University psycho-
lo^st has lately been studying
managerial abilities. He has
tested the performance of about
200 people in. managing
extremely complex systems,
such as a computerised model
of a national economy.
The results show that the
ability to manage effectively
has no connection with the
person’s ability to answer qu^-
tions, either before or after¬
wards, on how the managing
ought to be, or was in fact,
done. Such correlation as there
is between the two is negative,
implying that the better
explainers tend to be the worse
practitioners—^but . it is not
statistically significant.
This finding has so far been
received in stunned silence by
an academic profession which
has hitherto largely taken it as
self-evident that in an increas¬
ingly complex and computer¬
ised world, management can be
safely entrusted only to people
of high intellectual ability as
measured by their ability to
answer questions in words and
figures.
. But however much It con¬
flicts' with the conventional
wisdom about education. Dr
Broadbeint’s evidence merely
supports something demon¬
strate by the philosopher Kant,
200 years ago.'He showed that
the intellectual procedures
developed by scholarly educa¬
tion, such as -logic, amount
only to rules for thinking in
a self-consistent way.
Yet the ability to apply those
rules wisely—as, for instance,
in deciding which bits of the
available information are rele¬
vant to a real-life problem and
in which way—depends on a
different mental faculty.
Kant called that faculty
“judgment ... the want of
which no scholastic discipline
can compensate." The only way
to develop judgment, he added,
was by practical exercise.
Moreover, good judgment
looks likely to become more and
more imnortant than the dif¬
ferent mental skills promoted
by academic education as infor¬
mation-processing technology
advances.
For one thing, computers by
their nature are better than
people at InteHectual pro¬
cedures of the kind measured
by IQ tests. But for another,
while they will make available
increasing amounts of informa¬
tion, they can never be made
capable of necessarily distin¬
guishing between the true and
the false, let alone of de^r
mining which of the true bits
should be applied in what w^ys
in tackling real-life problemsrfio
as to provide wise solutions.ru
There is consequently a clqgr
need for the education syst^
to stop concentratii^ alnigst
exclusively on intellectual ski^,
and to equip itself with ^
practical forms of education
required to develop judgmegyL
Education
ev:
Fortunately, the present UK
Government has made a fijist
move in the right direction iby
funding experimental technigtl
and other practical conrses for
schoolchildren aged 14 and
upwards. But the mo\:g dons
not hold out much hope for tte
early establishment of a gengs^
ally available alternative educa¬
tional route by which children
can develop their judgment
through the medium of succes¬
sively harder practical exgcr
cises. ■ uo
The total funds being mafia
available for such experimenfai
courses represents less thamdl
per cent of the £14bn spsnt
overwhelmingly on convention*!
academic activities and Six
Keith Joseph, the Educatioa
Secretary, sees no way'.of in¬
creasing the proportion to l^
invested in innovatory proji^s.
So, while any move in ttw
right direction is bette.r thim
none at all. the GoVemmeuhs
present effort to equip futi^
citizens with better ^ judgcipiit
would seem to be a classic ciKh;
of too Utile, too late. i',7'
■' ' . i>
CALLING EDUCATORS!
The Atari Teachers ’
Network
Now, elementary school
teachers and administrators
who use Atari Computers can
exchange ideas, experiences,
and software through the
Atari Teachers’ Network.
The newly formed organi¬
zation publishes a quarterly
newsletter which reports on
educational programming ac¬
tivities with Atari PILOT
and Atari Logo, computer
happenings in the classroom,
questions and answers about
classroom use of computers,
and more.
Highlights of a recent issue
include a look at voice syn¬
thesizers for the Atari Home
Q)mputer, and a discussion
of ways to ensure that all stu¬
dents get equal computer
time.
The Network's co-founders
are Nancy Austin Shuller, a
computer specialist at the
Day School in New York
City, and Curtis Springstead,
an educational computer
consultant.
“1 work two days a week in
a computer lab with elemen¬
tary school children," says
Nancy. “I’m also working on
my dissertation for a diK-
torate in Mathematics
Education.”
Curtis is the local Atari
PILOT “Expert” for his Users’
Group, and is teaching busi¬
ness programming languages
at a community college while
he pursues his MA in Educa¬
tion with a specialization in
computers. “1 enjoy teaching
as much as doing program¬
ming and system design
work,” he says.
Network membership
(newsletter included) is only
$4.00 annually.
For more in/ormation utite
to:
Atari Teachers’ Network
P.O. Box 1176
Orange. NJ 07051
— Dorothy Heller I
