Atari User (UK) Issue 42

6\

The making of a legend

ta Blatta,

LC-10 colour printer

ggyy iMffl^^^^ USER i^S^^S^^

Mit^iUmoftpopulM"

Theie two exciting compilationi bring
together some of the very bext liitlngi
from the pages of Atari User.
Whether you like games or prefer
more serious pursuits there's
something here for you ~ anif you can
also learn a great deal from examining
and modifying the Basic linings.

»»«™~" - ™ oeacJl """""oW at- 0W«

O"* '"!!I T^n^ WQ tne i."" ^e buiy'°3'""

" r,n«Oan«I'"?"

ONLY

.95
each

. or Just £1.95 each when you take out a
•w subscription to Atari User - or If you
new your existing subscription.

SPECIAL BONUS

n of the Be:

games vol l.

Ten of the

voili. Ten of the Beit

utilities for only £7.9

- iind save

^'

TO ORDER PLEASE USE THE FORM ON PAGE 47

Andrea Fawkss

lAJCl '

Contents | —

Games reviews

Software solutions

Competition

Here's your chance to win yourself a si
£500 worth of portable radios and joys

arter Gold and The Extirpate

1

-side software releases.

w to structure programs.

Mi

itsonalised league tables
eiAi trilogy of games.

vcs

Under the mic

Mailbag

^^m ^'

major list!

gs in this issue are

^•^^^^^ nr

ompanrec

by checksums to

^^^^^m h.

e typing mistakes.

full detail

of how they work,

Ihe artici

on page 36 of the

Vl983iss

e of Atari User.

M9

Never has the 8 bit Atari
been treated with such respect.
Thanks to Zeppelin's unrivalled
Atari experience, 8 bit owners every-
where can now rub their hands with
glee at the prospect of playing the
game that's got the games software
world jumping with delight.
DRACONUS Is the ultimate
Atari 8 bit experience
putting Atari software
and the 8 bit computers
up where they
tielong -right at
the very top.

New US products
are on their way

High scores
the aim

-f!

RS-232 -

ANDRE WILLEY explores the
mysteries behind computer talk

MOST people are familiar mitli the

downloading a bulletin board file via a

manv will even know that the tirst is a

parallel system of transferring Infor-

If you are using a parallel Interface,

mation wliile the latter uses a serial

such as our eight-lane motorway,

system. But what is the difference

there is no problem - all you need to

between the two types of interface -

do Is send each row of eight cars

down the road after Ihe previous one

Well, whichever one is in use at the

has left. When they reach the other

time, the aim is very simple - to trans-

end each row, or byte, of eight cars

will still be driving side-by-side, and

point A to point B as quickly and

efficienlly as possible. In computer

The problem occurs when using a

terms, each individual character to be

serial Interface - such as our RS-23J

sent is called a byte, and it is stored

internally as a pattern of eight swit-

ches known as bits.

Some of these bits will be switched

by another and another after that, then

on and others will be off, and to trans-

there is no simple way of telling where

fer any information between a com-

one block of eight finishes and the

puter and devices such as printers or

ne>(t begins.

This dilemma is prevented by send-

connecting cable. To do this, each bit

lorry, before each group of eight cars.

is converted into a short pulse of elec-

tricity - normally five volts for a 1 bit

end of the road they will still be in the

and zero volts for a bit.

same pattern: One lorry, eight cars.

one lorry, eight cars, one lorry, eight

single bil-pulse of data within a byte is

cars and so on. In computer terms.

represented as a car travelling along a

these lorries are called start bits

would ideally like to send our eight

To make our example completely

it would seem highly logical to build

true to the digital world of computers

we will need to make one other alter-

car could have a clear lane of its own,

ation. Since a computer can only deal

Thus each car could drive alongside -

with bits of data which are either on or

or parallel to - the other seven vehic-

les making up a full byte, and the jour-

voltage -we should really think of our

ney would be a fast and smooth one.

the same length as a car, rather than

two different types of car.

might expect lo find ourselves driving
along ordinary main roads with just

BH!WBffrH!B^^^

In the parallel motorway example, a

case our eight cars must follow each

byte such as 10000001 would have a

other nose-to-tail the whole way, and

car in the outer lane, empty spaces in

the journey would lake considerably

the middle six lanes, and another car

longer.

This example shows how a single

on the road, including those in the row

behind, travel at the same speed they

you prefer - is passed between two

should arnvein the same oattern.

In order to tell the computer at what

complicated by the fact that you rarely

speed the information is being sent.

want to transfer a single byte on its

an extra signal line known as a strobe

own. More often a stream of bytes will

Is used to provide extra synchtonis-

be sent - such as printing out a full

ation pulses. This can be thought of as

_^aturej| —

a serial in 8 bits

gets around anothsi possible prot
- Hial of how to detBCI zero If

cars and spaces instead ot just c;

row containing ONLY spaces for

send a message by

of c,

■ Qnlv, s

informatior. What hapi

1 ther

along <

The speed of the

ona full bvlB of data - tlius
I data transfer rate of about 3Q
lecond at 300 baud.

IE receiving end may
.andledatBasqulcl<lv

>e able tc

shaking.

As you will
by now, para

9

IT

9'

T I

I T

III

Pin No.

Function

Strobe (Sync)

Data bit 1

Data bit 2

Data bit 3

6

Data bit 5

a

Data bit 7

9

Data bit B

16

Ground

Fault

\liitiiiiiiiiiiii:j

Pin No.

Function

2

Data Out

3

Data In

Request to Send

5

Clear to Send

Data Set Ready

Ground

S

Carrier Detect

Data Terminal Ready

v:::::::::::::;l

\..\

........-/

\" ^ '

— Feature

M From Page 7

puter to pause for relatively long

T'lT^'XTlTZSTS

green for ihe co

Most of these handshaking lines

this does is let the computer know

anylhitigalall.Thi
information lo a p
turned on, for exan

refer to the Data Terminal and (he

and in our case Ihe Data Terminal

Until this happens there is no point in

RS-232 is a far m

will note thai tfiere

would be the Alari micro itself and the

the computer even getting ready to

Data Set would be the modem - or

send information. Carrier Delect is

BBBm to be aimos

as many connec-

indeed any other RS-232 bevica we

often used by Bulletin Board software

•l^slem, which b

rely defeats the

might have connected.

to tell the host computer when a call

object of a singie

iane higtiway for

computer data. In

fact the only iwo

In fact, the full RS-232 standard lists

way communicalia
Data Out. These

entiai tor full two
n are Data in and
liow data to flow

To run through the handshatdng pins
then, the Data Terminal Ready is swi-

some 20 signal lines, but moel are so
obscure thai they are almost never
used. In fact, most modems will quite

along a single line

n eitiier direction -

tched on by the computer to tell the

happily operale with just the Data In

rather like a norma

fiighway in which

oppositB sides of

petmanenlly-on signal connected to

their DTR line.

modems will check lo see if this signal

Ail of'the otbB

lines operate as

is set before allowing themselves to

handsliaking aids,

ke multiple sets of

answer an incoming call. Data Sel

traffic lights. Tiiey

re very rarely con-

Ready is just the opposite to DTR - il is

• Next time I'll explain hon the Atari

a signal set by the modem to say Ihat

RS-232 imerfacB system worts, and

how vou can write programs to con-

e current status of

The Request To Send signal Is very

trol your aSO Interface or P:R:Con-

her intermediate

similar to the DTR, except that it not

only says that the computer is ready to

Once you know how lo do that you

send data bul actively requests the

can connect hundreds of different

a over telephone

will often be using

sion. Clear to Send is the modem's

ranging from simple plotters to

uery slow baud ra

reply to this request, and gives the

more advanced external sensing

1200/75-whic:tim

V require Ihe com-

computer the green light to send its

equipment.

AS THE LEAVES DROP... SO DO OUR PRICES!!!

CENTEC DISK SUPPLIES

UNIT 3, THE METRO CENTRE, BRIDGE ROAD, ORPINGTON, KENT BR5 2BE
TEL: (0689)35353 (S Lines) (24 Hours) Fax 0689 77737

Ra

mpage

as bear very
Neil Fawcett

Pli

°T/^.

' SBSBBBHsSi '

Universal removal man

rolled scrolls from left to righi. By
bv enemy pods and craft, splitting the screen into four
After negotiating one iBvei parts and moving them at
yoiirv^ay different speeds the pro-
proceed to the next sector. game a feeling of depth,
ding is easy Remove The design of your ship
sExtirpator, ^ ',,■;"; :,':!,'' f„"/,™[:; °'^Z enemTcraft'-oneofVi
■ninded me of a flying

ou liave to hoid the Start

1 founi

the graphics quite

nd Option keys while swit-

presents

(e and the sound

iing on. Then press Return

her good. The title

You control your ship

piace an

really got my foot

creen

Sound 6

ning.

PlBraUIUy 6

ggeaasB*

Keep on firing

Product: Mati
Price: £1.39 (
Supplier: A

s BIstta

YOU are th

pilot of the

rying to sav
rom destruc

ion by deadiv

nvading it,
Vqu load

he game by

Option on n

iivet modeis -

5^<*5^1**^$

Fi^agL^^ajFxa^, ^

to pause all action. Pressing
it again will continue piey-

luiie good. My only
nt is that ttie anemy

|(M AaVuf rhivalry when

WIN

this solid silver
Grail, worth £3,000.
in the exciting Quest
for the Holy Grail
competition. Full
details in every box.

Level Q

'mH^T^-

— '^

•

—£\.h}S'

•

''Zd™mpal,'hh.'"^

•

i:iE.95

■ "pMnimPlu^a

•

£1H.g5

, :...,\r.['C.

■Apple i:

•

•

"^•^^ -

Pfeas

i-Bdrfm

'~JZ'acasse,l'-

1 N M

1 1 1 1 1

Ib la Mandarin Soflwsra
mv Access/Visa number

M

lUZl

^^

P™1.-^^u

Adllnalon Paii, AdliHH

^ScriesJ —

The American
experience

NEIL FAWCETT takes another

look at the products available

for American 8 bit users

nt to concentrate on the diHi-

lies you can face when trying to

get good quellty games for your Atari

aiely the software market in the UK
been undergoing what can only
described as 3 shortage of well
tlen prbgrams. Only a few loyal

I the shape of a

number of ST gi

is to once again flood the i
superbly written gamee -

again fully supportii
hardware. One in pa
pacliaging a 65XE w

K of Johnny McGibbils, super
d ace helicopter pilot, Your mis-

ik VOL have been giyen control
Giimo DHX-1 attack chopper -

During the game several aircraft
enter your air space. You must ass
whether they are friend or foe and t
the necessary action - blast Ihem i
little bits or let them go.

Once you land you have to pe
trate the base - posing as a gui
Once you have taken photographs of
secret documents, gassed guards .

have been released by US Gold in the
UK. So what happened to the Atari
version written by Mindscape? Does

and the addri
Dept.AT, Biawr

you can't get a
of new players.

is 010412361 5291
PO BoK 111327,
PA 1S23S.

are also other discs of female players.

Priced at S14 - or around £9 - you

can get it from the same people who

— Series

iilydiscs-andagraphicf
'II need a Centronics
, the Alari. The only orinte
Atari XMM301.

hroughoul Ihe program, com-
ids are selected by using either iha

This superb product is a must for all
serious users of the 8 bit Atari, You
can gel Newsroom from Springboard
Software Inc., 7808 Creeliridge Circls,
Minneapoiis, MN 55A35, Or phone
0101 612 944 3912 for further infor-

machines which wi
interface to make t
-an 850 Interface I
tor from ICD will d

TofiniEhoffthis month below are 32
suppiiet which you can't gel over hers

on Ihe two discs you gel SD graphics
and seven fonts ranging from old Eng-

from a range of 20 different borders.

Priced at S14.95 - around ElO - this

package is fine value. Write to Hi-Tech

• M

re good

esnex

m

ontb.

,„»

will

Z°K

rbeslt

getju

lice

forth

UK

Knight

Lot

s of Conquest

Printpowe

Ma,

Order Monsters

Mj

c Construction Kit

Top Gunn

Sup

Bop & Wr

5 Sev

n Cities of Gold

chdown Football

Universe

ssmaster 2000

□ Vegas

me St Print Kit

Slicky Be;

Ern

e's Magic Shapes

Sticky Be:

Age

Big

Birds Special

Sticky Bei

Oppositei

ncial Cookbook

□el

Sticky Bea

Shapes

MILES BETTER SOFTWARE

I experience i
tingling excitement when you play
STEPHEN WILLIAMSON'S fun game

i-£!""":~

uMKi-.^'ir^m

7a9,9i!Poi;E 7iB,i!

1SB:G0SUB 18en:60SU

m mi 623,1

m ni=mni<\7n:m=iui\

m POKE 1536,1

78 m HMN LOOP

m lfPfl=1i46:^P1 = T

l7;«P2=1!4a:SPtE[l=1

i>'14h;:p()i;e 7Bi,([0L

E-DL'i1,4i:PDI!E IIL-iZ,1?S:P[

i 78B,6B:PD<E 7a9,lZ:P0l(E 71

/^

jnr

m

Link youi' Atari to the outside world witli...

miaoLiDK

When you join MicroLink you've got
the world of communications at
your fingertips - 24 hours a day.
You'll have immediate access to
ALL the facilities offered by
Telecom Gold ... and a great deal
more besides.

OMaln facts'

lied

, andlullv

■ r 100,000 maior c

into Ihe EEC compLIer in

D

1^

All you need - apart from your Atari
- is a modem, which plugs into your
telephone wall socket, plus suitable

We have provided two possible
options on the left.

Whichever equipment you use,
you will be able to call MicroLink,
open your mailbox, save to disc any
messages wailing for you, and dis-
connect in as little as two minutes.

= .^^^ More than

can connect to
\i the MicroLink
^ computer at
^ local call

utility I —

Crush,
crumble
and print

Create your own superb
labels with GRANVILLE
DANBY's useful routine

This label printing program dlHei- , ^

from most because it ailovus graphics bytes of

to be mixed with text. The resulting two bits

size Dt the label is 7 by 4 cm, to fr" -■-=--
comlQrtably an a floppv disc or it

The labels must be designed using
graphics packBgesucii as Graphics Ai

Only one ci
register 2, cai

Tlie progra

In Graphics mode 7 there

@^

01

i.0

1.x

:gurs 1 M l^e poss.tl^ ™;T,(,™,ram of,™ Ms

-> l*|o|*.|o|«li|STSl-...

le bylB Option 3
here's bytes preceding

— utility

pns!

m

fff

s^

li m

;i

jiB a«i (VI

;tB M(( 1«)

?SB 110 IV)

Sfl°!s

j;

?i9 TIF lU)

"a \a u\

m pvMii

m EIV (H)

129 m

■III

sail HOT (91

3(B S*S (61

358 S!9 IE)

5(B ip; [*)

IM

m lu IK)

"FANTASTIC OFFER*'

Only lo ATARI USER readers!
100 5.25" DS'DD 48/96TP1 DISKS WITH
|FREE!!! 100 CAP. LOCKING DISK BOX and c
lollowing dusl covers: 130XE, BOCXL or 1C

ONLY £29.99 ! ! !

COMPUTER ACCESSOHIES

ATARI 8 BIT DISK PUBLIC DOMAIN SOFTWARE -

TOP SELLERS ■ ALL".50 ^^^,,^ «„,.,„,„,„,„

LSNOTCHESS;

THE 1050 SUPER AHCHIVEB - THE BEST BACK UP^lf^LI" fj^ ™! *I*^..
fflE CONTBOLIER CAHD PJ.B. U XL i

iliif wOb nORDPFlOCESaQB Out IS a

I PUBLIC PQMAIH HOW *VAI1.*BLE0NT

'E BUG OR WRITE FOB OETAIlF]

npuler tape decks

£4.50 I

520 STFM £359.95

WITH IMTEGRALl MEG. DRIVE

INC MCOSE BASIC DISK. MANUALB AND THEfOLLOWINQ SOFTWARE
FREE JOYSTICK AND 20 CAP DISK BOXl

iUXIMOOR OROVE, CHRISTCHUBCH, WISBECH CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Progrommingl-

-BD-technical queries, ranging
n screen output redirection to disc
age problems. Let's start off with
Iter from Mr A.H, King from Rye in
East Sussex, who writes:
r On a recent trip lo the USA I
• spotted a bargain I thought too
jood to miss - an 800XL. XF551 disc
irive and XMM302 modem - sll for
he equivalent of n04. I didn't want
he modem, so the store kindly
swapped it for a Fiight Simuiatar ii
cartridge. Because of the difference in
TV systems. I also bought a shop-

My problem now
Our family already ha
1050 drive systems w

V £40.

Your programming problems
solved bv ANDRE WILLEY

uoltage and freguency and the
■al America usss a differeni tele-
system called NTSC -- which is

buy separate UK 240y transformers
from Atari UK, or order them through
your locai dealer, jr the uniikeiy euenl
that your probiem lies with the mains
supply itself

This would allow you to plug the
American product - with the ejicep-
lion of the monitor - directly into a
normal UK mains socket.

Other than that, the drive should
work flne with a British BOOXL. I con-
in case they had come across any dlffl-

gram using the TandScommar
the resident debugger. Since
c/i information is supplied for et

if this is not directly possible, a

vould suffice. Do you hane any ideas

f/hich might help? ft

» Thanks for your latter and I'm glad
o say there are in fact two fairly

he Assembler/Editor - or indeed

^^^^^F^~

■e PRINT P: from the main

y confusBdl J

specify. After en(
^ffecenr/i- / have started learning level, justlype CAR ani

Ibis

BSQ2 assembly language pro-
amming on my BOOXL with the old activated.
ari Assembler/Editor Cartridge. Aiternatiueiy you can diu<

When using the assembler, and computer's outpul to Ihe pri
ving already created and assembled
Drogram, there is a useful facility to Turn to f

Programfning]^

oneyt as one file.

To accomplish this, first enter the

debug mode by typing BUG, then look

into the OS at iocation SEd30 by typing

D E430. The last two hsx numbars on

i line miii probably be CA and FE for

BOOXL, but modified operating sys-

Tia might alter this.

I » Uii <mmHt, I

s tvrong WBy'y

IB BiM mm

iia S^i-w

*'m^

15B PBlKi Ai:

m EMI

71 mn lBl,1lH,lil4,1T8,3;,6i,!28,
13;, ;l!, 168,11, '32, !13,'6
lee LET tll»N=l: LET slIf=!iS

A slightly simpler question from Mr J.
Doherty from London who asks:
/' / have 3 103XE with s 1050 disc
• drive and have written a lenglhy
word processor program after
teactiing myself Atari Basic.

The object of my program is W run 3
club newsletter, prepared using my
word processor - in 40 columns - and
to save screens as pages of text on
disc. These would then be mailed to
members for re-loading and perusal. It

IS one file on a disc. How
s that with PRINT ^hAS y
save about a quarter of a .

me uc 1 eomn«

get all 960 bytes of data from the

current string is complete. Unfor-
unalely this buffer area is located at
E580 and is only 12S bytes lorig. In

USB the LOCATE command for each of
the iO by Zd character positions. Each
character can then be placed into the

128 bytes into page 6 - up to S67F -

string and finally PRINTed to disc. I've

i^l^hntniipasProoram III ''

supported by Bas

This will allowy
of data from a

IB DIN AlIMB)

it 6IUPH1(S h PBINT -m

.■».,

im FOR (=» to !3

m m t--» Ta i;

HB «iii,ii=:H(i(DnEi

15B LEI l=lt1
148 NEXT t

IBB POKE il,i: m Lfll
198 6B*PHItS B; P(1N1 *l

COMPUTER-WIZE

YOUR LOCAL SUPPLIER FOR ALL MACHINES
N/^»tHa« AATARI

ATARI 520 STFM SUPER PACK

£349.00

Including VAT and next day courier delivery assured.
ConlainE512KCompulerwilh 1 Mb built-in Disk Drive,
Mouse, Joysiick, Business Organizer (inc Spreadsheei,
Word Processor & Dalabase), Manual and E400 v^orth of
free software (21 Game titles)

All our Alarl Computers are titled with a

Cumana 1Mb 3.5" Disk Drives from £129.95

Atari 12" Higli Res Mono Monitor

with ST £129,95

or on its own £134,95

Philips 8833 14" Colour Monitor E269.95

Amstrad OMP 400 Printer £359.95

Amstrad LQ3500 Printer £359.95

Anything not listed above - Please ring for a quote

STOP PDESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS

Special Offer on all Games software

Please Ring for details

Software Orders taken for games not yet released. Payment not required until games in stock.
1st Class postage and packing is free wittiin the U.K.

^ NEXT DAY COURIER SERVICE ON ALL STOCK ITEMS

COMPUTER-WIZE, [ATU10), No 10 WISEMAN GROVE, NEW OSCOH, SUHON COLDFIELD.

021-377 6698 .,H

1-^^ I I i=aje add 50p handling to all onJers under £5.

iTiaOlMt Cheques/PO's payable to: SUNARO SOFTWARE (AU}

[ Ti^HMmij J Girobank Transcash lo account: 664 6638

All together, now

LEN GOLDING continues his Basic

series by showing you how to
structure your programs correctly

th we bring togethi

Lcu H^es learned so fi

complete Basic game. Tr

Programming|—

to erase, means Ihal Ihe main loop occupies ing al line 190, This produces a short

■ This roLtme draws Ihe target at a jusi five lines, from BO to 120. If bleep and erases the current target bv

randomly determined position, and anything goes wrong now, we can plotting the original background

calculates a random value for COUNT, easily isolate the faulty section of character over it. Then it prints a new

,..u.„uj.. : — ....,,___.. .„ ,. of subroutine:

much ei

The(

on screen. Everything has to principle. Decision points are i
uanl to dodge the missile while actions appe:

in. We'll

— Programming!-

'Tn

kaep I

hings tidy we

ve usBd

\es as flags. ThesB cairy

i pan of

3MFLAG

:he gun's

it's in flight.

!d Ihe

□p of screen

the target

Th

tisg c

broutir

n be read, or
he entire prog

altered, at

each

v"m1s3

EMFLAG mo

d GFLAG

1 temporBrilywhenl

e gun has

!onth we'll look at Boolean

ilile expressions can replace
es of complex IF.. .THEN

l\l\

TIRSEI SHOOTINS Smt
(l)JHIil USER

mml

TBlGiei^l'TllEN 1i»:lii1 Klit fo

nl

■ES=!:Hirs=B:SP0S=1B:REII Vari

m m
m sou

D B,iB,1B,B:SEI< Start >lif Ihor

hHiii MMm m-.uK (rj«

M 6UN;PL0T BPOS,H;IIEII Crj,

sun argtt b

■,:;!;:;:; ::::;;r"-'

it CDSUS ne-.m Prim initia !L0
tl GOSUB JHHEH Pr,-nl taraet SI i

m-.tU Re-position largtl «hf" '

es 1B):«E«
;!8 LOC

::.:;:;■!!■;;;::!: r;^A?

sue JiB'BEIl (iin novfienl

3(8 tOU

T^INT(R»«BltSBl>!l;l!tB C.Lcil

OSOB 151;RE»I E«i» .issilt no

iii m

1 «;«£" End the short bl

12(

OSUB m-.m 6un'! lisiil! 1.0
F L1*ES» THEN GOTO B8;liEI1 N

lil BET
.t c ?7B SEN

I«1B):REB Read joystirk

111

EH END IHE 6*IIE;

osmoM 1,5:1 »i:-UH mr

rum to Page 2B >

'Am

CHRISTMAS

k Visil the Alari G,

Workshop and d

makes a bestseller.
* Try all ttie latest chart
' !S before you buy.
*■ Choose

hundreds of bargain otfeis.

— Programming ||-

■* From Page i1

m IF S=1! iHEN 6070 i3B:«EH tp.i.

«fl'!K»=B-SK*6=

!JES'«ri!i!"

6ia tNa=T6a;C0
m HITS-HITS*

;si;;;i i!;'i!

;:;•

3eii 6i'i=sPos+i(!=7) m Maum)

imposition
3iB COL

(<S i6B COLOn GNIIiPL
W« EIIFU6-8:SIIF

H'i-.m t.nce

flish

:::'3s£:

ZZZZ

1 fligh

in spo

iJB HEI

3(B EMU

378 EKl

388 101

"emhH

l.»l IF

41B LOi
(2B [F

A,

330rmsMmRoad
^ .»_»A.,.- Preflon, Laws.
SiADBROKE Tel: (OTTZ) 21474 H IIk)

COMPUTING '°™i "3^^ <= """'

r f«T* T( o * 4 I Bul/BoBTd Z7236 Spm to gam

A

ATARI

10 £5.99 KHBOX £6.99

100 £49.99 lOCH-BOX £59.99

These ve lop quality producli;, not cheap seiainds. All

daks come with an luiconditional lifctii

■ LlimWWUrM

Computers £3.99 Star LCIO £225

Moniloni £4.99 SHu LCIO Col £275

Disk Drives £2.99 Citia™ LPIO £199

Printere £7.99 NEC 2200 £429

Please state foe which Epson LQSOO £429

model you require ■ dust Star LCIO/24 £429

caya Epson LQSOO £570

ISolmpIdLfll" ^ f^^ ^"VrT
XF55i Drive „^„ pldc .rth «bl«. ETC.
XC12R«x«l.- £32 mlcrf«» arc sep«te.

5S!

■.i.l.liHIL»lllJiUlll,Utigiyilil!l[ltMini

r+oU

Suitable for 130 XE and 800 XL th
provides Ibc usiT with a machine code m
Operating system with on screen BO column mode and
exkling Operating System. The Monitor includes
staodatd scaich functions and direcl dtsli >ci:esG.
£79.99

■■.iLui!ii!!<aw,nimuiiiJi«-'.iaa'j.iii«ynni

Just £10 anniul membership eotitles you to
GUARANTEE OP 15% ott MRRP. We wLU also keep
you up to dale on new software rcleasts and any
special offers, up to 30% in the future.
Phone for applkuition form or write to above address.

I. All pricoi include VAT.
We stock a wide langc al dedicated books
magazines.

TO ORDER Simply send, or phone your order, statiog
Full Name. Address. Visa or Access Nos, Chcqi
Money Older. Make Payable to Ladbroke Computing
IntematiDuaL Send SAE fot Catalogue.

With the Olympics upon us we havs got together with Powerplay to offei you the
opportunity to win a share of £300 worth of the very best in portable sports
listening. You can follow your favourite sport and competitors
e.PLUS
o the thrill of playing any game
with one uf 15 Cruiser joysticks.
There's well over £G00
worth of prizes

.^\

«

QUESTIONS

1. Mark Spitz was famo^js for his gold medals in wh
a, DEcathlon b. Swimming c. Fencing

2. Sieve Cram has run all over The wodd, bul which

3. Wolverhamplor b. Sunderland c. Mancli

3. The Modern Olvmoic Games charges venue each
where was its odgln?

a. Greece b. France c. China

4. The film Chariots of Fire concentrated on Ihe even
which Games?

3.1928 h. 1932 c. 1324

ch sport?

rme, but
sof

^^

-^^

ENTRY FORM

,

.

ostco
dlini

end your completed farm to:
on Park, Adlington, Macclesfiald SKIO 4NP.

w

The making

of a legend

Draconus

released by Cognilo.

Linked wit

h the budget company Zep-

pelin - remember Zyhex and Speed

Ace? -it is

tor money

was formed soon after Zep-

pelin Gam

success of

Is B bit titles. Massive sales

and a nun

ber one spot in the Gallup

Chan - bv

both games - for a number

of weeks.

still show that there is a

et for Atari games.

Zeppeli

produced the Commodore

64 version

of Draconus and it received

a magaz

ne's Silver Medal award.

the Atari V

as capable of equal ling the

quality of

the 64 version - and hope-

fullvilsfi

ancial success.

So a s"

ler company Cognito was

d 22 year old programmer

Ian Copla

d began writing Draconus,

Ha saw I

grammin

1 have ever written, and 1

feel it is tf

^ Based

n^ Newcastle-upon-Tyne -

million miles away from

Zeppelin

1 found Ian putting the fin-

ishing lou

ches to the game.

He has

over the years, written a

number of games for several software

houses, Tlie number one best seller

Gun Law for Mastertronic was his first

closely f

budget pack.

Next Ci

me a joint effort with his

sister Ma

ureen. The excellent shoot-

'em-up T

ansmutsr, released by Code

€

e bought an 800XL,

bought the Mac 65 which is still in use

Brian Jobling - Zepplin's software
director and author of ZybsK and
Speed Ace

ig of Drai

few prograi

NEIL FAWCETT takes a look at
a new game and a new software
house supporting the 8 bit Atari

^oturej —

10 slart working for Cogniic
to work for Zeppelin on woi

1 if hi

could. The rest Is history".

Sfiortiv after this Ian began warliing
for the nHwIy-formed companv. and

-: ^-'—

/ of tl

the full".
What of tl

v<ng

' Draconus from
a trilogy of

The artifacts ar

itself,
leDeF

itaff, dragon's eye and

Morph helix. Flasks of flame fluid

I energy cryBtals can also be found

■ '^e caves. When you drinli the

of a flask it will allow you to

good blasts of fire. When

crystals ere ingested they will

your energy rating

nd happy tin
You contr
haracters, D

ayed. On

yhyd
mejo

oing this

«hich share
elween the I

he sam

a Morph
stick you

body. When

Slab and pul

plays

hem

jor role

fighting force

every

thing needed

) destroy the ty

1 mustTravB°s''e'

the labyrinth th
re countless ali

at you

1 to meet you -

1 you. They inci

de giant rats, b

bonce blobs.

The last are b
which hang fro

alls of
Tl cell-

When they hit

the floo^r they"

ounce

around In mi.

more problem

everything is 1

kill you. Sev(

al key artifact

been scatterec

around the catacombs

ollect them to

tend a

a

mini
FFICE

ff

M'O^

Six modules in one

powerful package

...at a price that

can't be matched!

■ ■ ■■■ -«" ■

Mini Office 11 is tiie liiglily-acclainied. a waid- winning
suite of intBgraled programs which will lurn your
computer into a versatile business machine.

Look at some of the tasks you can perfcirm with the
six separate modules:

• Compose a letter with the WORD PROCESSOR. Set
the printout options Using embedded commands or
menus and use the mail merge facility to produce
personalised circulars.

• Build a versatile card index with the DATABASE.
Use tha flexible prinloul routine, do powerful multi-
field sorting, perform all arithmetic functions and
link with the word processor.

• Design the layout uf a label with the easy-to-use
LABEL PRINTER, Select label size and sheet format,
read in database files and print out in any quantity.

• Prepare budgets and tables with the SPREADSHEET
module. Total columns and rows with ease, copy
formulae absolutely or relatively, and recalculate

• With the GRAPHICS module you can produce pie
charts, overlay line graphs and display bar charts
side by side or stacked. Enter data directly or load
data from the spreadsheet,

9 Using a modem with the COMMS module you can
access services such as MicrnLink and order a wide
range of goods from flowers to software, and send
instant electronic mail. Fax, telex and telemessaj^es.

"Tremendous vi

rt of miraculous at thfi [

mpelitors iiang their hi

II of the Year twD ■

\I\h\SE FTWVRE

utility i —

Create your own fixture tables with
MALCOLM DOMONE's neat program

2 View league tables
3VIewfiirtures
4 Search fixtures

M ijgnl^^wPjli ^ [Mm^mJJ^Sg

1®

fabulous
programs
from your
favourite

Atari 8 bitmagaanel^

Due to the tremendous success of the last Ten of the
Best compilation we have compiled a new disc full of
the most exciting games that have appeared in
Atari User over recent issues.
There are stunning shoot-
'em-ups, challenging
simulations and thought
provahing strategy

Ten of the

Best Gaines |

Volume II

I «io-.ai slMmg o,„ck ™te '='" °' '"= •""-

Reversi - Can you beat the comouter in thit^

UgW 0,^,M,r - The first ever listing to, nZ
XE games System, Blast the coioyrodsouae!
;ifeSil;e ctocK using the light ^° '

"t'oV^SSi^'* '?"' ""^'Sronna e<„l^
I at on vehicle through increasingly difficult

I Saces"""*""'* '"""^ enld'ange™

IS arcade actio

Breahin- Fast and furic

you hunt the oceans for enemy subm artn..

I JS^i!^""' - ''" '»" ^™« the world?
™ al^h, '""' ""•' Hi-tech bouncing buggy
you are the last hope against the evil dinia ,n,f

fa's? ^STn ^'T^- ^''"' '■'"' »«"'=«» in o;;;

o'y?:°bagtd°a7/ """ "" "■"' '■^«''
»as - Saloon gambling in the Wild West as

TO ORDER PLEASE USE THE FORM ON PAGE 47

utility i -

-nessage may occur if it isn't. If yoj
ion'i have a printer follow the instmc-
:ions in ths modifications panel. Most

tlie disc fof It, II a

awards a different numl
need lo replace the 3 at
lines 2400 and 2410 wi

zris

ra

™

™

m

™

J

^^

T,Z'£

79;b jot 1G)

il tpi

ID M

1!BB DIN IB)

43B !!E

1218 HSt (H)

1SBB 91[ (7)

!ii8 CPU (»)

MB m

i;;b mi in)

1B1B KNJ m

!398 Jt.Il (S)

!978 ;C9 (?)

si

IBSB H9( m

3(88 2NI (J)

!9!8 J«B (0)

m» pti (K)

!(ie m (E)

!99B EBP (3)

iBBB 6EB H)

m ut

118 m

:?)

m ns

m uu

i;8e IDS (Li

718 21J

(Jl

129B m (H)

1888 IPS (E)

Is)

72B NS7

(L)

liBB (irs (K)

1898 YP< (»1

!(78 8«1 IS)

)B58 ?'.P (1)

7JB ;hi>

:a)

U?fl ELJ (£1

1988 YBC (T)
19lfl NL9 (D)

!(a8 !NIi (A)

3B48 SHt (1)

!(98 «7 (B)

3B78 HIU (1)

!5B8 tir (0

3)18 4UE (4)

1SB oys

iB9« WD IKl

191 N3J

m BTB

117B m 19)

?1B »iH

798 in

(i)

IJBB 9N)! ID

im sHi;

m (vo

(t)

11911 89! IP)

T97B "!j :n)

!ia T?E

HB) DFa 19)

19BB m 14)

2S6B JJC «)

514B BUS ID)

m 4EI

i9ja LP7 11)

257B NSJ 19)

515B L71 in)

im m It)

;i£a (EG IF)

514B U9t li)

2ie Eii

Ie)

3178 HE lO

i7e RtU

Siafl 87) INl

JBB ME

;9B HUE

178 SDH

use JUL c)

lEB m

:2i

1*7B PtS (6)

2B5B CJt (P)

m im

H!B Ml (f)

!B48 in (U)

!4(8 m li)

in <IS9

m HF7

un m W

!B78 SJJ (J)

!4!8 9tU m

3!38 DNN (L)

?aafl m id

!i6B 5S1I IG)

3!(8 7»J W

9iB HHU

nn !8T (6)

3!!8 DHB (H)

J5B 7C«

3268 MI (4)

Sin BLD

3288 (la iS)

i7B GDI

948 JSJ

ISSB rU9 IP)

978 95T

ma m m

21(8 m (4)

!7i8 m (K)

9i8 UVU

IS)

1578 5*« (J)

2158 mp (!)

!738 GIFI (S)

i31B 3?G 17)

fl6B GiS (i)

!74D HIP ir)

3i!B PBil IB)

1888 a!l

(D)

!7iB EU 1!)

333BI)3G 13)

4iB S6L

219B MP (I)

iHB DEI 13)

ne P6(

i!e «»v

(66 pen

i8^B m

liiB P9S (1)

185B PUB

14*8 SIC (H)

;?!B Ell 19)

18iB m

1458 9SC (!)

Z!3B 3FH IS)

!8ia W6 IF)

3598 1DH IH)

1B7B jsa

1i6B TSH (L)

!!SB !VB (HI

!828 K1V 14)

5(BB 9U1I l«)

!!SB (1)9 (N)

!B38 3K7 IE)

)i1B HDJ IB)

\m lu \f)

!a(8 F9L U)

iQ» m («)

SiB 4tG

11BB fSS

!21B 5eJ (5)

!!48 t7« (!)

SiB BNE

i(B HR

ii;b m

iit (li

1138 9illl

17?B 1E6 «)

!Si

11(8 0(11

(s:

17JB Jit IB)

JilB SHP 15)

11SB m

17iB5Ct W
17iB E77 (K)

!i!B S60 H)

298B !U (S)

5Sfl ;«7

(S)

171

25!a RUP IN)

291B !EI 1!)

utility I —

utility

^P„„p.„,5 Jl" If lE«(Til>H mil ' '-djimim -M.HISIf

!9I9 IF F5f=l HUD IF=0 TrtEK F051I1OII ! Jilt fOP M^lElllTlHl TP IS:TS(K.II1='' ■■ Il!« ' "fltnt ■': !0 = PI.(S1 !t051J
.H;' 'VflXTUOti FOR "JlliS:" HOT FOUlin Htm ■ < I«!?L(t|-0

29(0 REM >»> PPIHIED III<^<;iE >M TIIDl^C"^ ' i:Ba:He(GI=d

H78 IF PBIOt^t IHEH PBII)G.-|PRi5:'«!l, Hit OPE" M!,B,»,'t irEHMUht ,0«r' 3J*t ' " " 1051 "; 14=11L Itl itOSU

H88 If ff»T(IC=l IKE. Ptrm;=a:PBS5="|Jl Il?9 FOB C=l to HI IJ70"'" FDR "i i«lNFIG> ^ t05U
a-.:t010 .MO JUS H = I«SitMS-H,S.|5l B 38.:»F(S).11

J«0* ei05E BI:Mn 'S!.a:-> -STOBIE POE 3!B« M"T ( B 3a*:Hll[CI=ll

IBl* ? "tlllES ESIltUE mnE "illUPUT n; J2Z» OPEd BI,B,B,"t;FIMtUREi,tiLr:dLOi B M»:iHltl=a

1B28 ' :' :■> "EllTER IIBBBFR OF lEOBS "! E Bl !10« ' " ■■ URM" "i :0=«H61 : tOSU

IIIIPUT Hr ill* OPEII Ml,8,»,"S:rOBHIilY.nor'lCI05 B )»6:»Diai=ll

I«50 PI.<£1;B:>IUK)=B:HCfG)=B:HltC)=0:H IIS* HEM <»■ EBIEB TEtH DSIl •■> III* 7 " " FOS "; Td^llFK) : tOSII
mr(61=0!lia(tJ-11PTWH:0 itHPUT tS:IF TS<)"V" THEB IBlt »!• 7 " " 0«ril5l ": ; 4=0(1161 :[05U

Mta FOB t = l ro HT E! UB HB:BI5(6)rl
me ' 1' ■'EBFES lltn "ItlPRKI ■• JUB ' !' J"SB BEm (

■■■• • :• ■™— ■• ■■■■' ■■•»■" ■"• '"• "■«■■" ■•" "- —

GET AHEAD OF THE REST WITH PULS//|R^,

FIG FORTH DISK
El 4,95 Inc. Postage
FIG FORTH + MOUSE

E35 Inc. Postage
See review on page 40

pulsAr

NEW ON THE MARKET

MOUSE
HANDLER

ST MOUSE with no fiardware
modifications for use on any 8 bit

ST MOUSE +

HANDLER DEMO PROGRAMME

E24.95 Inc. Postage

See review on page 41

Sena S.AE. lot full

4 Church Hill Road
East Bamet
Herts EN4 8TB

OUR LATEST RELEASE

PROCOPY

If you are tired of wailing for

your games to load

PROCOPY IS THE ANSWER!

Procopy will copy tape/disk/

ROMS and save ttiem to disk

for SUPERFAST LOADING,

REQUIRE XL/XE

ORDER PROCOPY NOW!

PROCOPY (disk)
£14.95 Inc. Postage

TEL:
01-441 0799

Adventuring^ —

There's light for the

Knight, but a grave

problem follows

Adventuring |-

HINTS AND TIPS

WEAB cloak,
flagpole, gel i
Green Knight'
gel washing line from oak ee f.
■B from gibbet, gel everylh

on tho n hedge
and climb over. Cut Rap:

b down ge
je Te I

Magical moments

/landarln Software, Euro,

Ice and Stone Agss, oi
mes of Romans and Vik
lediBval and Tudor oeri

exponents in the fantasy field. Level 9,
This trilogv is ana of the first releases
by a new company. Mandarin Sofl-
wa re, which has judged wisely in picli-

hLngry gameslers will be well plea

Time, Red Moon and The Price
Magik and although none of the th
is new, thev are some of the best t
produced by Level 9. All have b

Lords of Time involves you i

are so enjoyably chall<
Red Moon revolv

:ing Ihe way (note haw

a specific good value for

The Price □( Magik is a direct sequel
10 Red Moon. The plot centres on your
endeavours to defeat Mvlgar, once a

advenlure features an even stronger

Presentation.,..

r

^WM iHi Classifieds

Has upgrading your computer giv«n
you hardware you no longer need? Or
have changing interests left you with
unwanted software? Then THIS Is
the place to advertise your surplus
items. Atari £/5er readers are always
on the lookout for a bargain and this
is the first place they look I

, .«.„,.?"""" •"••'1 ».io,:'c;7,.'" '"•

"*= GUARANTEE „ """'"»■■" o,

v.rlabte ,ss„. Of ^„y'i',°OP.ar in ,„, |

e 1 Maa ST/M/FM upgrade,
will fit €75. Tel: 04495
272358 Mark,

e 10S0 d/drive, unused,
boxed with boolo and DOS
3 IWili add DOS 2.51 £100 or
best offer. Tel: 0476 62B07.

0253 5Z43G.

• BOOXL, 1050, ■

gamee, american mags £75
or something interesting,
ThI; 0900 327087 evenings.

several issues of Atari User,
£300 o.n.o. Tei: 0246 357B6
ask for Paui.

games. Unwanted gifi
new £75 Tei: Nonham
0604 781784.

I 800XL, 1050 disc drive
iOlO tape decit, exeiienl
condition, plus over £430 ol

Jisc case, manuals and
jooks £350 O.N.O Tei: 0384

Fill in '
now for
the next
issue i

tr

1 — ^^^

1

■^ ■

nr^

■ t^^ ^ ■

u

ii

IL

ID«— ....

II

ZJ:-...,^

II

HI » ...... .„

II

11

HI,,™.,,,

II

II

m..™....

l"2".i".'.sS"„'.r.™

Nama.

^'"-•™

_^'™£Si~i

Europa

™.^„_p

».„.„.

ven

if you

don't

EARLIER tl

benchmark

came oirt on top, but comini

but what language gave it

ange of micros and languages. The Archin
IB ST. No re
at speed. Fast Basic, Modula-Z ot

brth,

hink

fall

lovely
speed

e of these. A public domain language called Rg-Eorth took the h<

" 'le pleased to know this fast and versatile language is
._!.. ,. __. I. '-' I to match the speed of the

COLIN BLACKBURN
takes a look at a
recently expanded
version of Forth,
formerly available
only as a public
domain program

density. This is t
myself included

I initially thought
quirk of the

^cvicw| —

R are redefined by the editot; in prac- programming practice is followed. dropped from ths disc to make space

which use them difficult. The editor assemblers for time critical defin- The screens containing these words

:an be altered to get round this, and at itions. Fig-Fortli has the necessary are scattered over the entire disc, and

adding a few extra commands. Bui the code should be entered. A small them all clumped at Ihe lower screen

Pulsar should have provided a more chapter in the manual would be very numbers, allowing the rest of the disc

comprehensive editor in the first welcome since the tentbooks on to be used more easily by the pro-

place. standard Forth are not usually grammet.

The screens 1 have mentioned are machine specific. Finally, the disc has some of the

made up of 16 lines of 64 characters L.,^,rf=. .- . ...„ i

Mouse or mice?

into Forth-79. This is not complete and

The most inlerasling extension lo

omils the word J, but again, words

ths care of ttie language is the

inclusion of a mouse handler wtiich

have got lo grips with the language.

characters, but this means that half

can read r/ie second joystick port

when an ST mouse Is plugged into

^Q^^^H^^^^^^H

the disc space is wasted. Pulsar

There are some restrictions on lis

should have considered breaking with
he Forth 1 k tradition and had screens

use. Since it utilisss the Pokey chip,
sound channel cannot be Used If

So is Pulsar's Fig-Fonh worth buying?

of 16 lines by 32 charactars to save
problems later.

the mouse is enabled. Also the
right mouse button is not read.

As a language Forth is certainly

IJlm^Wff^^^^^^^^^^^^B

A simple sketch program is
Included on the disc and is a useful

elite nsibility make it an excellent lan-
guage for many applications. How-

illustration of ham to use the
mouse. Unfortunately the dacu-

ever, there are other versions avail-
able for the a-bit machines. The public

The Forth system itself seems to be a

domain Fig-Forth's may not have

complete Fig-Forth implementation

a little sparse, and If you aren't

with the necessary Atari-specific
words added. Graphics, sound com-

familiar mth Forth you will have
problems.

and useful - and not so useful - exten-

mands and disc I/O are all supported.

1 found the mouse handler an

but annoyingly there are no words for

interesting feature but C24.95

sending any output to a printer. The

seems a lot to pay for it. However, if

appropriate words could be added by
anyone with some knowledge of

you buy Forth and Ihe handler for
£35 the package seems to give

including two advanced editors and a

OCB commands, which are covered

CZO, cosmgaroun

There are a few minor bugs in the

If the documentation was dearer
for a novice and showed in clearer
detail how to use the mouse from

Pulsar's Fig-Forth falls somewhere
However, a later revision with a more

anguage. Occasionally the system
seized up when 1 deliberately tried lo

within your own Basic programs, it
would be a superb buy. As it is, 1

seasoned programmer.

advanced editor, printer handler and
availability of a single density disc ver-
sion would offer excellent value for

: N The colon begins all word
definitions, N is its name-

1 The number one is put on
the top of the stack.

- an editor, iwo disc copiers, the

ProduQt: Fig-Forth disc

SCR This variable holds the cur-

sketch routines and additional words

supporting player-missile graphics

Supplier: Pulsar Soflwsre, 4 Church Hill

and some programming tools. They

Ho3d. East Bernel. Hens EN4 BTB.

E;j<ecu[ing a variaOJe puts

are of varying use, but can easily be

ni: 01-44! 0793 |

stack rather than the value
of SCR,

+ 1 Adds 1 on to the address.

For example: SCR=SCR-H

L Lists the screen whose value

is in SCR and is a word

defined in the editor,
; The semicolon ands the

I( 7 y

'—=. =;^ 1 1

definition.

/ . ^^^^^ ^^^^;;:^

'igure 1: Enampls word used in Fig-Farth

ake the top number off an empty

t'a^ ' "

lack. Whan the slack is empty an

rror should result if allBmpls are

/Ili77 / y \

loesn't always happen with Fig-Forth.

1 iW-U ^^

^Iso, screens with blank firsl lines

// ^ ~ZaZ^ -^^^^

on't always compile. Both bugs

Ul lU ^—'•—^ ^KK

hould prssant no problems if good

The VCS System

This month NEIL FAWCETT casts a
critical eye over several game cartridges

vcs^

VCS2S00

Useful
child's play

fs Controller

rs Cantroller £9.35 Itnilh a I
Man^rar Munch cartridge)

W COORK

keypad dasigned to bs plugged inti

cartridges have been released iq worl
in conjunction with It and Bach con
tains a colourful overlay card whic*
fits neatlv on the controller.

the I

gforc

I complete them.
Iiild Is the Cookie
;s for a
party for the Cookie Monster. Unfoi

The graphics are very good and th
Controller and game together coul
be an Invaluable aid In educatin
childreti.

Smurfing
can be fun

THE treacherous Gargamel
captured the young Smurfette ;
keeping her prisoner on a shell
above his laboratory floor. To
his castle laboratory Smurf mui
and jump through fields,

:. After 1

ids ai

lar Smutf must take his pi

addictive quality. Pretty gi
iound effects make this a

imm

""'WTO,,

Tonight's
the night

Head's chest who gasps for ah, then
retaliates with a skirt-cracliing Ificli.

"Mad Dog growls and grabbing
from behind drags Siin Head across
the ring whipping him around in an
airoiane spin. Letting go he tlys into

clothesline... "
That is a scene-setter for a super

choice of four wrestlers to fight with
Mad Dog, Skin Head, Mr, Mean an
8ig Chief. All are merciless and give

)f joystici

Each fighter has a specific strength,
displayed at the lop of the screen in

trength while depleting

It's a little tricky to get used to the

enjoyable. Not one for the yoiinger
children, but great fun if you are into

Dont miss this great offer!

For a limited period we have reduced
the price of one of the most popular
offers we have ever run. Now, with a
saving of £3, the Atari User Toolkit
represents incredible value and is an
offer you should not miss!

With the Atari User Toolkit;
programming becomes so much
easier - adding ten new commands to
Atari Basic and dramatically
improving your performance. As an
extra bonus, Toolkit gives you
meaningful error messages, instead of
cryptic numbers.

Toolkit automatically boots from
cassette or disc and makes use of
normally unused memory. It consists
of stunning utilities — specially
commissioned by Atari User -
complete vi'ith comprehensive
instructions, telling you how to get
the most from each utility.

Special saving!

Taw JiW £2.95
DisciMS- £4.95

TO ORDER PLEASE USE THE FORM ON PAGE 47

SAVE UP
TO £25!

...when you subscribe to
ATARI USER s-""='!=''"™'°'

EXECUCARD

This ultra-slim, solar powered credit card
sized Atari ExecuCard is a five-function
calculator with an eight-character display
showing a comma after every three digits.
And it comes with a smart protective wallet.

FIREBIRD Silver Collection

Five of the best games
Firebird Silver range:

* Thrust
A Ninja Master
•k Space Shuttle
A Micro Rhythm
■ft War Hawk

Each game normally costs
£1.99 but you can have all
five for 99p when you take
out a subscription!

TO ORDER PLEASE USE THE FORM ON PAGE 47

PERFECT COMPANIONS FOR YOUR ATARI

^ jr PERFECT C(

perfec! cordrtii
Disc Box - Thi

/itti ttiBEB top quality
Mon and feature tlieJfar/UserlogD. £3.95

Ive rods hold ynur issues in place and keep the

£4.95

£4.95

.|.HAa.|llit.-*J.|.>A'<llJIJIjy!UJ.I:IJ,l:IJI.m»

Annual subscription

99p_:

Back Issues

£Z.OO£iirope A Eire

Ten of the Best ,„^„3„^,

Jinxter

a CD
" CD

« [ZD

ORDER FORM

Atari ExecuCard i»>»wiuu

B

Atari User Toolkit («„,,, a.

H

Firebird Silver Collection ^

Disc storage box (-

Dust cover i,^ai«^

B

Atari User binder r«-i»»

□

"•■ 1 1 U 1 1 IJ Mill 1

II ^-.= II ■„--^;a.. ir-S'sr-

0™.fc^i«««,.^™™,««««(™„c-ri™i„

i^^ - 1_*J

_~

9 J

ARE YOU MISSING OUT?

The U.K. Atari Computer Owners Club
P.O. Box 3, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 SLR

GREMLIN GRABBER ///

IQ_&LL_105Q_Qa(MERS
WHEN YOU PURCHASE THE

1050 I.S. PLATE.

THE I IL nUATE ORIVe ENHANC EMENT
[D- Plug in, easy to fit PCB with full ifistiuctions.
ID- Will run Happy ,US doubl9r,Archiver, Laser and

Watp drive software.
c? Will mn all available disk operating systems.
[t> ///-JflfiSP reading & writing gives an increase

in speed by a factor ol SlXt
o- Built in diagnostic tester, sector copier and

special back-up menu.
ID- Full 16K of RAM on the PLATE.
[r>' Comes with FREE Gremlin Grabber III the

most comprehensive ///-SlflfiGP backup utility

disk on the maritet. complete with manual.
NOW E20 OFF at £69.95 inc. VAT and EEC. postage.

Only

•CHIPS'

DATA DIRECT LTD.

S3 RUGBY ROAD.

WORTHING.

WEST SUSSEX.

BNM 5NB.

TBI.: (0403) 700804

PRESENTS

1. PAINTBOARD

2. NETWORK & KING'S PERIL

AMETHVST SOTTWAflE
D«pl. AU, 3 Oban Avsnua, Da LB Pole Avenui
Hull, North Humbaiilda HU3 GS

STACK

COMPUTER
PRODUCTS

CENTRONICS PRINTER INTERFACE
400, 800, XL, XE lAny s en Atari)

TYPE 7Z000
ANY CENTRONICS PBINTEH
NO SOFTWARE NEEDED
ALL CABLES SUPPLIED
EASY TO USE - JUST PLUG IN AND GO
TRANSPARENT 8 CONVERSION FEATURES INCLUDED
YEARS WARHANTV

Game I—

lii's:; ;;;!., ,,,...., .,„

innu 8,65,65, 99,!), Sl,iS,!a,za,8,!

6'8^»^M a,(5,ii9,?8,?a,B,!B,;

7BB Jat« B;a;B.B,e,B,i(,i27,9i,a,;a,?B
fljifi;;!.,

hi'uU'ili,

',',i'kX.

?(a BIN BLinai
758 «=i;b

778 CHB»iE=;ii'lJl

7Sa RESrOfE il»:FOR l.=l TO i4:«E»l 1

79a tlLJa,LI=:HM(ll:NE»T L

Saa »=USIi«llH«LII,l\J:PDKE 7S6,«

a'^ii'S'S'SiSiT''"-"

■,B,ii,H,S4,;B,;B,8,B,!B
,a,e,8,3(,31,5l,;B,B,S,!B,

naa POKE ii;7B,a

ma i';'(iiiT(Hp/8i-4).;

Iljfl F=Ft1

UiB FOS I=;( 10 1 STEP -1

»5a coLiifi ii'pLoi >,i-?:PLm >,i-i

KiB [DLOP 4;;PLat «,1:PICU «,I-1

K7( tOSUfl li8B:!f FL«6=1 THEN SOSUB J

1188 SOUND B,i2!-U,l-4

1199 NEir 1

1iBB COLOR 6;:PL0T »,1:PL0T 1,1

lUa in* B,6,;,1,B,D,],6,!, 3,4,6,3,3,

i3<B (*r« 4,s,ia,ia,i,3,B,i?,a,!,a,B,»

|=j*jj;j",M,H,H,B,B, 15,-8,1, ;,1B,1

156B DiT* fl,s,;8,;fl,i,6,2i,;!,a,4,z(,!

157a ku 1i!,11!,nj,7?,B,1!!,e,8,B,8

!3;^:;^;,'^E^;Jf;^?■'''■'''^'"■'

'B THEN GOSUe

BtPOKE 53!78,B;R£rHIIN
53)=i AND PEEK («P)1 -lis
e 'HEN SOSUB 146B:P0KE 53 J7a,B: RETURI/
ISBB IF PEf<(S3!54>=l IND PEEK(»p;)f1i
a THEN OOSUB 17eB:P0KE 53!7S,«:«I

14ZB POKE B1RIIB,B:F0R J=a ID H;l
,.,P™..,:»... .,»-..„,„

16(B POKE 532(8, B:FL(E-1

aSfl un 17fl,17B,17B,17B,17B,17B,17B,1

9flB POKE CHB*SE*(!8<8)+I,0;NEI1T I

929 °f';V';'''?'*''*»''S'*'''!

93B POKE :HS»!Ei(?9'8)t:,D:);En I

958 FSri-e1§'7-jE«'D''"'"''"'

968 POKE twB»SE.i3B.8)H,li:NE«T I

97B 117* 6B,52,iB,38,52,28,6B,S2

E I6BB+N,A:NEn N
GRAPHICS 19:PDKE

E 87,3
FOB N=B 70 288:PI

K N=fl TO 63 STEP t

FOR 1=71 70 y2:fOR «=<1 70 <J
PLOI I>6,7;GOSUfl l!B9:G0SyB 131
NE<T «!NEXr Y
IIIB IF N=« 7HEN PLOT 2;,«;G0SUB 1i

iGosui me-.pm 25,!:gdsiib me-.m

U9a:PlOT 24,6:G0SUB i;!B
113B IF N'ti THEN GOSUB 138a

Tnf

T^

!B [p; (5

11B »T (»;

888 L6( (U)

(2B 1*2 19)

(38 m (XI

((8 KUR (F)

'ill j;j JJJ

87B UKU (S)

51B DNt (i)

989 7«V tJ)

S?B D3B <5)

538 TUS (21

5(8 NVB (1)

148 S!6 (L)

559 UP (9)

17B SNl IV)

5SB m (7)

9!B £01 (A)

ilB IBP (I)

628 1176 (I)

638 NUi (T)

278 FHB (J)

1B7B 3B6 (CI
IBBB tH (0)

iBB S7S (E)

7BB HIR IK)

18)8 4fK (N)

719 E9J (6)

728 9ai (B)

34fl DCU (6)

73a ii7( HI)

ma J6F m

iaa JBF- 1!)

3!8 U<5 («)

788 I1F7 (H)

1178 NOS (F)

f^

s

m

122B EN! IV.

1438 NtS

16(B 7JF

165B DB*

1298 IHK iv;

1668 IRS

1739 9>1

1748 7S(

1758 SUN

139B 73K 11)

1748 VKK

KIB 757 (4)

213B aos (N)

ia;fl m

1859 SJE

isia sNN

2Z8B VKL U)

1858 FJ1S

1848 N40

1988 HSl

DIB CBE

i)

;;)8 pi« (ji

— Game

4 from Page 49

lii JB3 149 15B 133 JB* 17* 17? 137 1

16(9 PO

£ eim,i:m j=ii to i

7Bi)+1:!011l.ll »,5a-J,1(

w"

9,1i7,?ii,1?,t,32,17J,1i7,173,1B,l

mi un 2Bi,i54,7B8,a,i69.a,iu,ia,4

,37, 5,131,173, 11,1, !B1,lil,?Ba,B, 16!

1B7B 0*1* a,U1, 11,4,3!, 14,131,175,1!,

t71B PO

7B()t1:SDlI«B B,5H-J,14
E HP;,B:BEIU1tN

l,H5,EBi,?32,?aB,;3a,U7,137,173,H7,
157,!B1

HBB un 17,!B8,!39,(6,B,296,8.i,?4,I

45,19,194,174,6, !3a,l,4,23S,B,4

ml "i

URN

191B (*1» 73S,7,4,?(,145,19,1B4,176,4,

me c:

» 1B<,149,7,1SB,19S,16

,1i4,i2

,),4,173,7,6,3?,;*7,137, 1(1,7,6

193B DAI* 175,6.6,53, ;*7, 137, Hl,a,4,1

,1,189,

19(B nn !BB,2BS,3,169,1!),96,;B1,«,

791,!, 169,46,96, 169,B,14!,B,157,B,U8
19SB Ml* 73J,7B1,!5B,94,169,9,14!,B,1

1969 D.I. 9 1!B !3! ast !5B 94

49,J37,

3S,lB,6,?3a,B,6,17S,B,

,!B1

1979 REH .LLBIRIS HIT

im u

1 6.2flB,i,lM,B,l(1,B,

,173,5,

1988 POSITION 16, !3:! .4;-D0NllS! ! ;
199B SCDHE'SCOfEiaEVEKIBBl-IBlOOSUB

aisfl

79BB N1-14:ll!=39:G0iUB 59B;F^!1
291B fOS 1=9 TO 3E STEP I

]fl u

iB^e M

*(,173,(,6.?ei.l,?B6,

6,i69.a

!!9B G

TO !!1B

BALLBLAZER

DISK £5.95

CROSSFIRE

ROM £3.95
TAPE £2.95

CONVERSATIONAL
FRENCH

(5 CASSETTES)

£4.95

ALL PRICES INCLUDE VAT 8. P&P

Transdisk IV

Now Only £19.95!

Also available:-

The Freezer!

DigiComm

170 Biadwell Common BoulBvsrd, Mlltor Keynes, ^^

BuCksMK13BBG.Tch(09OB)663708 J|gJ ^^

AAailbagl-

HOW MANY REVIEWS

ARE SUFFICIENT? iBBBMlsS.

Thank you again for the new
.r= ,>.™„„=.-„ „„>t „ ^ , , section and keep up the

is iinerviBws vjiw pro- everv month we would look good work. - Les Manck,
inimp^^ Yn„ m„^i „^f 11 them all. Teeswi He. Cleveland,

<ivoWed with the soft-

eluded a

''hil£: Saga of that
liitrihLm Dodgy Dos

THERE is somelllini
boggling about th
running saga of If
Atari Dos-XE. revie

New section
approved

s. Considering tl

'n glad to see tasks. °"'>' f^^ture Dos 2.5

THANK y

'tnparsd to Dos-XE,
ability to access laOk of
data, how long will it be
before a Dos 2.6 appears to
replace Dos-XE' - P. C.
Feash, Woking ham, Berks.
• Tlie appearance of a Dos

2.6 would be welcomed by
most owners of theXF-551

BIGGEST IN THE WORLD?

disc drive. Dos-XE isn't the
friendliest Dos, whereas 2.5

1 SEE from several leiiers

puters have still sold

wondering if you can help

However^ aHht revitw

Now why is this? Could it

me with a little bet 1 have

stated, you could always

User thai Alan UK is plan-

use SpanaDos vuith the

ning to support the 8 bit

After looking through all

computer properly. 1 feel

made they are? All 1 know is

the Atari specific puhli-

best of both worlds. High

that Atari has left it a little

that Atari has never lifted a

late to help the lifespan of

finger to support the 8 bit in

conclusion that you are the

user-friendlineas - what

the XUXE micros.

the UK.

biggest 8 bit Atari magazine

more could vou ask for?

It is and always will be the

So. here we are in the late

in the world, f^y friend says

1930s and all of a sudden

sold in the UK. This may
well be a bold statement.

Atari is saying what a great
little computer it Is, let's

aren't you? - Klmberlev
Jenkins, Sutton Coldlield,

Commander

look at the last 10 years to

boot error

if this new advertising

Since the first day the old

campaign of Atari's does

have a lol to say didn'l vou.

too computer appeared in

inject new life and

65XE computer and tape

the High Street stores it has

popularity into the 3 bit 1 for

biggest 8 bit specific maga-

.deck since Christmas of last

never had any advertising

year and 1 have been very

behind it

really know, But aPier look-

pleased with its per-

Atari has never advertised

old 800 for nine years now

ing at the other UK and

formance. 1 have just bought

the 8 bit micro in any trade

and 1 plan to own it for

American magazines for the

a new game from Star

magazines or on TV or even

another nine.

Atari micros we do appear

in Atari User. Yet the com-

To finish off with 1 was

(0 be the biggest.

Turn lo Page S2*.

— AAoilbog

Manager
modified

€lt

luch. My pmb-
'Sriy every rime
ne oflhem I gel

the heads of vou' tape t

for game stoiags and

woise Ihev get wher
comes lo loading.

Cause for
complaint

THERE'S 3 term ovar here in
from Engi^nd myself, I have

ager program is structured,
and because of this I have
sent in some modificaliona
to tite original program-
Modifications to take into

in SI

I STEP I

iS;:i!

™.n.,,

>.,„.,3.-

(23 l^

6311 BO

OS SB: ft

N Hi

-1 TO Wl

SC(Bli

En(R>=«

lO.XD.I.-

T'

C(B<(».,,

l>3)..m-

in ii

^W--nm

IIEH)='

i«5 mum *,iii;r:

OOSE

S!3 Fdll llf=li to 19!

POSIU

DE:BD=1:REII ;B SP»C

38-NEX

7!5 ir 1<=39 THEN n
-1:Sr-ST.2ll;S0T0 m

SSI

■\m GosuB i;5e:Posi

™

12SB tOSUB 78; IF HE

(Et=l!l OR KE1=7a
IB THEN :HMKE'(=B9)-

1); SOTO liia

KEr^ij

"■.K» DE;IIEI1IRN

GH. De Graeve, Overiise
Belgium.

• Thanks for the help. If

Wi^er

if it is planning to

my more games for

„,.. i? -Kevin Cartlidge,

mfi spot ^""''^ """

Zeppelin hits

Budget-priced games are
on-exislenl so tiianli good-
ess ttie XE Games System
ame out- Before tliat li^e

s having ihs same prob-

Aiati User there ivas a ware developmenl at Zep-

superb arlicie about Zap- psiin and author of the two

pelin games. After reading it games you mantionBd -and

/ prpmptiy went out and passed on your kind """

bough! them - Zybex and ments.

games I have ever seen on ■ many new games as

the Atari 8 bit, and I would sible for the 8 bit Atar

like to take this opportunity neirt relsass, due any

great programs. see the article on Page 28 of

G(

•«V-«r^

THIS lAST TITLE '

MONTH MOUTH |So«w.„ H....I COMIKENTS

1

A

GREAT AMERICAN ROAD RACE

Firebird

2:*™;;c;S::5=:=;sx

1.99

2

•

GAUNTLET

KiKX

Now fe-relsasefl al a budget prica, i[ Is well wortli
The monev. A classic with a Deeper Durgeons lape

2.99

3

A

AIR WOLF

Encore

wilh a mission flying a helicopter.

1.99

4

A

ZYBEX
Zeppelir,

budget price. Good graphics

2.99

5

A

SPEED ACE

ZepBalin-s first release for the Atari. Good use of

2.99

6

V

DAYLIGHT ROBBERY
Atiantis

bkidget-pricBd romp on the wrong side of the lew!

1.99

7

V

GRAND PRIX SIMULATOR
Code Masters

its field This can be played again and again.

1,99

8

LEAGUE CHALLENGE

Altantis

As the football season gets into full swing vao can
tahe the rols of ths manager of a series of teams.

1,99

9

SHOOT 'EM UP

famed for Chuckle Egg. Well worth it (or'asimBie
blest 'em.

2.99

10

BUBBLE TROUBLE

Players

Based in the kitchen sink, this drama has you
avoiding the drain while colleeling a dubious
bounty of goods.

1.99

11

PUTFORM PERFECTION

us Gold

9,95

12

QUARTET GOLD

Fed Rat

3.99

13

SKY SKIPPER

Parker

An Amaricar game making its debut over here,

4.95

14

ATARI SAFARI

lliusions

Vel another budget title, but like most for the Atari

1,99

15

A

MAHA BLATTA

Rrebird

Re-relBBSBd by Firebird you can read our reviewers
opinion ofthis ore In.lWs issue of flisrit/se/-.

1.99

16

V

LEAPSTER
AlternativB

Great if you enjoy Jumping o^er cars and lorries

1.99

17

•

TRANSMUTER

Code Masters

Scrolling shool-'em-up which Is one o( iha very
rare games wriuan by a girl, Maureen Copeland.

1,99

18

•

TALLADEGA
Top Ten

bunch - budget quality with a price to match.

1.99

19

•

MONKEY MAGIC

=ssr=::.s:'--ss

1.99

20

•

DIG DUG

Atari

Originallv ar arcade block baster, baa bear avail- J<) AH
abl.a„™.e™.,.,„.o™,..„ 12.99

DISCOUNT COMPUTING
- BUSINESS OR LEISURE

Fast Mail Order Service on:
Games, Software, Hardware and Utiiities

SPECIAL MONTHLY OFFERS!

Amstrad, Apple, Alari, BBC, Commodore, Electron,
IBM, Spectrum

Engineering and Software Projects and Design Ltd

16 Orchard Close, SoulhwicK, WesL Sussex BN4 4NJ
Telephone: 0273 591026 (24 hours)

Super Yahtsee fQ^O

The dice game of

CHANCE, SKILL, STRATEGY & LOGIC

Every game jnique. Player versus comnuter or up w lour

The one you'll keep going Back lo

£4.99 inc postage, please slate Cassette or Disk

Cheques, Postal Orders payable to: D. P. Smyth

36 Toftland, Orton Malborne, Peterborough, Cambs,

FEZ OPE

ADVERTISERS'
INDEX

Amethyst Software ^8

B. Bytes Computer Stores 5d

Centec Disk Supplies 8

Chips -18

ComputerWise 21

Database Exhibitions 25

Database Software 30

Digicomm 50

D,P. Smyth 54

E+SP+DLtd 54

Edward, Simmons & Partners 54

Ladbroke Computers 26

Mandarin Software 56

Meedmore Distribution 48

Microiinlf ^^

Miles Better Software 11

Monitor Magazine 18

Pulsar Software 36

Pyramid 50

Silica Shop 55

Softscan 54

Stortsoft 18

Sunaro Software 21

Zepplin Games 4

Atari Home Computer
Video Game Systems

including:
Atari 2600 video game systems, Atari XE video
game systems, Atari 2600 game cartridges, Atari XE
game cassettes, Joysticks, Leads, Power Supply Units,
packaging etc.

FOR SALE BY TENDER
IN LOTS

ON VIEW: Wednesday 5th October 1988 between

10 am and 4.30 pm
AT: Falcon Products, Cranbourne House.

Cranbourne Road, Potters Bar, Herts.

For Further Particularsand Form of Tenderi

EDWAIIDSYMMOIK

Tel: 01-8348454 TBle< 8954343

mwL'

m

..™,«i.'!KMi«.b™i^«™ [■■■-■■■^ ■ ^iis

*«rt);L.XED»c

i^"-i %r

im^raM.nii :;^-c%-^»«- W

™- ...„„c„ 1

mw'impucEsri

FREE STARTEf} KIT - Only From Silica
DEDICATED SERVICING - Only From Silica

PRICE MATCH

SO_MUCIH^FqRSOJLITTLE!

j^Tj?aL?a?ja.'ii2!f^'Sy|lSSjlli

ATARI -HMOST-F - NEW PRICE'

MEGA STB NOW IN STOCK

ATARI

ST

oi-gB0 4a3«l

01-029 1X34«it39Hl

I PLUSE SEMD ME FREE LITEMTURE ON THE tTJIRI ST |

-^-'

:m

The trilogy

Interactive fiction

*""" Level g

I i >l „ i* I Wi'in ^ liill ' ijIIiiLLLl

M'^Ml^RM

£14.95 £19.95