SPACE Newsletter

NEWSLETTER for Nov, 2007 President’s Corner

Treasurer's Report

by Michael Current November 2007

by Greg Leitner For October 2007

Another very important SPACE meeting is coming up! This month, it's the SPACE Annual Meeting. Every November, we hold elections to serve for one-year terms on the SPACE Executive Board for the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Please consider running for one of these positions. New blood is more than welcome! (I am willing to run as President again, even though I always think the club would be better off with a President who could make more meetings than I can.) Pretty much equally important, is to seek volunteers to commit for a year's service to SPACE for the positions of Membership Chairman, Newsletter Editor, DOM Librarian, BBS Operator, and Webmaster. Would you consider (another?) year's service to your Atari computer club? Thank you in advance! Last month's auction was a big success. This month we catch our breath, before holding another big auction (and holiday party!) next month. Don't miss it!! Last month I wrote about my new favored site for Atari computer news, www.ataritoday.com. Well, within days after I mentioned it, the site was closed down after 5 years of operation (by Matthew Bacon of the UK). That was a bummer, but the story doesn't end there! Within a couple weeks, the site was reborn, now operated by Andreas Bertelmann of Germany. The site now has a new address: http://www.ataritoday.net/ Thanks, keep using that Atari, and come to your SPACE Annual Meeting, Friday November 9, 2007.

We had a fantastic auction in October and the Club brought in $52.00 for its efforts. At night's end we had seven members bidding on items and everyone walked away with at least one thing. Sorry to hear about Glen's wife having been in the hospital a couple of times recently. That explains Glen's absence from the October meeting. We all hope for her speedy recovery. When I put together the items for the October auction I didn't realize the magnitude of the stuff we have accumulated in a very short period of time. I could have enough things left over for at least three more auctions and we will definitely have a special auction for our Xmas meeting in December. Tony and I spent a good hour pouring through the ST games and we figure there must be around 60 games in mint condition including box and instructions and another 15 or so game boxes without disks. Since I haven't gone through everything yet I could still find the games to go with the boxes. My basement is so filled with cartons of auction stuff it is a little difficult to get a handle on everything here, but I will try to find some time between now and the end of November to sort it all out and come up with a great choice of items for the December auction. Brian was the big winner in October landing the 2-meg St and the SC1224 color monitor. Now we have another potential bidder for all the ST software we will be auctioning off in December. Keep in mind that because of the volume of ST games it would be impossible to auction all of it off at one time. I will pick out some good titles for the ST and also I have some 8-bit stuff that didn't make it in the October auction. Actually I still have an 800XL and a boxed 800 computer for the December auction. The Antic and Analog mags did not go at the October auction so I will try again next time. It includes all Antic's from 1/5 to the end and all Analog's from issue 11 to the end. There is so much more I can't list it all here and I still have boxes to sort out so who knows what surprises are still to be found. Mark your date for December 14, 2007, the Xmas party and big SPACE auction. Now for the SPACE treasury for October 2007:

Beginning balance as of October 1, 2007: Receipts for the October meeting: Memberships Auction Sales Total receipts for October Expenses for October: Web-site for three months Ending balance for October 31, 2007:

810.51

BBS Corner By Nolan Friedland For November 2007

+15.00 +52.00 67.00

-30.00 834.51

We just keep looking better all the time, but I still need to contact the Community Center to get the rent up to date at least through June 2007. With a couple of memberships due very soon and the Xmas auction coming up we are in great shape to end this year. And don't forget that elections are next month and if all goes as per usual it will just be a formality to keep things as is for another year. We also need to plan our Xmas party so don't miss out on the November meeting. I will also bring a sampling of what to expect in the auction for December. So you don't want to miss the next two months. I hope to see everyone there. **********************************************

Secretary's Report By Steven Peck For October 2007

If anyone has any comments, suggestions, ideas, or submissions for the BBS Corner column or the SPACE BBS web site, you may email them to me, Nolan Friedland, at the address shown on the back of this newsletter under the "CLUB OFFICIALS" section.

******************************************** From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2007 8:51 AM Subject: Chatter and Teli go open source Chatter and Teli go open source :: Oct 26, 2007 - 04:14 PM :: lp :: Gerhard Stoll announced on usenet: Hello, I upload the source and program Chatter 1.11 (IRC-Client) and Teli 1.15 (Telnet-Client). The docu is only in german. Both program work only with Iconnect since V1.5 or Draconis since V1.6 and need: - NVDI since V3.0 - KEYTAB since Release 06

The auction was a rousing success. The coveted 1040ST that was offered at the auction had alone sold for $12.00, and the SC1224 color monitor for it for $5.00 more. There was no DOM as Glen did not make it to the meeting, which was unusual. Nolan surprised us by showing up at Friday's meeting. He was greeted with applause.

Chatter needs also: - MagiC (Atari, Mac, PC) since 5.2 Teli needs also: - MagiC (Atari, Mac, PC) since 4.5 This versions based on the source from Jürgen Koneczny.

Lance reported that the in the Atari world there is pretty much dead activity, with no new news coming out from that realm. He brought a Power Macintosh Yosemite G3 desktop that his son was selling. The computer comes without a monitor and was selling for $75.00 at the time.

This concludes the Secretary's Report. Thanks for reading.

Gerhard http://home.ewr-online.de/~gstoll/ ********************************************** From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2007 8:48 AM Subject: AtarICQ 0.171 Oct 06, 2007 - 09:59 PM :: GokMasE

******************************************** Following the 0.170 release in June earlier this year, there is now a new aICQ release ready for download. A good deal of small issues have been sorted out but there are a couple of additions made this time too. Compared to the previous official release: a.. A number of minor bugs sorted

b.. In some popup menus it was not possible to select an entry in case either contact list or msg window was also open. Fixed now. c.. Fetching of contacts from the server side list had accidently been disabled in 0.170. It works now, but this needs to be reimplemented in the future. d.. Found and fixed a small bug that would result in form_wbutton() not being used under MagiC for handling of mouse clicks in background. e.. AtarICQ now use AV_STARTPROG instead of VA_START when: a.. Asking AV-SERVER to launch the Colour Selector (In Prefs./Contact list) b.. Asking AV-SERVER to replay sound sample files c.. Asking AV-SERVER to display history file (CTRL+H) d.. Asking AV-SERVER to display the help file (HELP) (This should be good news to people who use other desktops than Thing) f.. A right click on an empty place in contact list will open up the popup menu with a listing of contacts, allowing you to "Create TAB for <nick>". (Also available through CTRL+T) </nick> g.. All popup menus that have window titles will now also have a CLOSER widget. Also, these popups can now also be moved like any other GEM window. h.. Using TAB or UP/DOWN-ARROW to jump to next text edit field in a dialog now works better under MagiC. SHIFT+TAB will now move focus backwards. Also, when we hit the last (or first, depending on TAB-direction) editable object of the dialog, focus will not wrap back to the first (or last) editable object. (This is in fact a workaround for MagiC's limited implementation of FORM_KEYBD) i.. Last AtarICQ release had a bug in the keyboard evaluation code that prevented user to type chars that required ALTcombinations. Should be OK now. j.. Adapted aICQ to some server changes on the ICQ-servers, making the logging in process a tad faster, and the updating of the contact list a lot smoother during it. AtarICQ website: http://www.ataricq.org ********************************************** From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2007 8:50 AM Subject: Litchi 1.1 (upgrade) Litchi 1.1 (upgrade) Oct 22, 2007 - 05:33 PM :: lp :: Pierre TON-THAT announced on usenet: Bonjour Sorry to repeat myself... download on my homepage or directly in the folder http://ptonthat.club.fr/files/ -> litchi11_uk.zip (100KB)

(careful: if DOS8.+3 name conversion, folders with similar name may be merged) + remote delete for folders contents + counting informations window when scanning remote files/folders to + download or delete (closing with window cancels the operation) + 'Abort' option (in the file already exist dialog box) save Console + contents in a text file clear Console contents Voilà ! Hoping to release it without bugs, I would like to code something else, or read a book... Regards. -- Pierre TON-THAT - Rajah Lone / Renaissance http://ptonthat.club.fr ********************************************** From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2007 8:44 AM Subject: Pooldisk Tree Posted on Wednesday, October 24 @ 21:03:07 MEST by admin ... from Ernest Schreurs People are asking us when the next generation of Pooldisks will be released. We are currently thinking of a DVD (or more than 1) version of the Pooldisk. Nowadays most Atarians have a pc, supporting DVD or an Atari 8-bit with DVD support, so it shouldn't be difficult to read such a disk. I will probably start this project starting in 2007. If you want to participate in this project, please do! You can send us a copy of your own Atari 8 bit software (only legal stuff please, i.e. Public Domain, Shareware or own product) to the email address mentioned on this web-site. Make sure to credit yourself in the source code if you do. Expect the release of this product at the end of 2007 or 2008… http://members.home.nl/stack/Atari/atari-pooldisk.html ********************************************** From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 9:22 PM Subject: Memo Pad - Release 5 --Date: Sat, 20 Oct 2007 22:03:19 -0700 Hello,

News: - replaced all $F by $F%, seems to react quicker (especially when sorting files), Merci à Lonny Pursell + download for folders contents

I want to let everyone know that Memo Pad Release 5 is ready for downloading. New in Release 5 is:

- Fixed a crash that sometimes occurred when scrolling or resizing the window after converting the end-of-line. - Added support for the Atari 8-Bit International and Arabic fonts and the Atari ST color (low/med res) and monochrome (high res) fonts. - Added support for reading tokenized Atari BASIC files. These files are parsed and converted to ATASCII text files. - Added "Open as" option to the Open file dialog. Files can be opened as Text, Binary, and Atari BASIC. The "Open as" choice is saved and used by the "Open Recent" menu item.

current directors of Atari. Such action will be implemented after Atari has delivered proper notice to all of its stockholders as required under U.S. securities laws. Immediately following this change, three directors, Evence Charles Coppee, JeanMichel Perbet and Thomas Schmider will remain on the board of Atari Inc. Additional directors will be nominated to serve on the Atari Board, including directors who will qualify as independent to comply with applicable regulatory requirements. Mission of the New Board of Atari Establish measures to Improve Atari Profitability

The new URL is http://joyfulcoder.com/memopad/ Thanks, Eric

In 2006-2007, based on US GAAP, Atari, Inc. had negative profit of US$70m and a negative operating cash flow of US$37m on revenue of US$122m, and therefore represented a significant drain on the Group’s profitability.

********************************************** From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 8:28 PM Subject: IESA press release Implementation of IESA Strategic Programme Advancing Changes in the Composition of the Board of Directors of Atari Inc, and Reinforced Focus on Atari Inc’s Turnaround

In order to stem this high level of losses, IESA expects the newly composed Board of Director of Atari, Inc. to focus on implementing necessary measures to restructure the company with a view toward stabilizing its operations and reducing losses to the benefit of all its shareholders. Appoint a Chief Restructuring Officer

Implementation of IESA Strategic Programme Infogrames Entertainment SA (IESA or the Group) is making progress in implementing the multi-stage strategic programme its management outlined following the announcement of its annual results and during its Annual General Meeting: 1) Relaunching the publishing initiatives of the Group to introduce new video games based its extensive portfolio of franchises, including Alone in the Dark, Dungeons & Dragons and Never Winter Nights 2) Optimizing the global distribution network with best-inclass sales channels in the major markets of the US, Europe and Asia 3) Leveraging the Atari brand name and IESA’s other key assets to pursue opportunities in online distribution, advertising and entertainment 4) Maintaining appropriate financial foundation for the Group As a result of implementing this strategic plan, the Group expects to re-emerge as one of the leading players in the video gaming industry with strong publishing and distribution capabilities worldwide. Changes in the Composition of the Board of Atari, Inc. Consistent with the strategic objectives set out above, the IESA Board of Directors decided, at its meeting of October 5, 2007, to exercise its rights, as the majority shareholder of Atari, Inc. and as per the Delaware Law, to change the composition of the Board of Directors of Atari, Inc. IESA has executed and delivered a written consent to remove five of the

In order to implement these measures, the Board will select and appoint a Chief Restructuring Officer who will take all necessary actions in order to assess and address immediate requirements of Atari, Inc. with the goal of repositioning the company as a reliable player in the US video games market. Reinforce Focus on Atari Inc’s Turnaround The change in the composition of the Board of Directors of Atari, Inc. will allow Atari Inc. to work more closely with third parties and also IESA in order to address its turnaround. Leverage the Atari Brand, in Coordination with the Group IESA continues to own the Atari brand name worldwide and the atari.com url. Atari, Inc. will retain a license to use the name for videogames in North America until 2013. In line with its key strategic objectives, IESA is investigating with Atari, Inc. how to better leverage the Atari brand name across a number of key global initiatives both in relation to packaged goods and online distribution and gaming. Looking to the Future IESA expects to make announcements in the near future with regard to its publishing line-up, new distribution alliances, brand management initiatives and online strategy. IESA's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Leleu, declared: "The appointment of a new Board for Atari is a keystone of the Strategic Programme to improve the Group’s operating and financial performance. This major step will allow the Group to get closer to achieving the key objectives

of this plan, which include: relaunching the publishing activities to leverage the Group's intellectual properties, taking the necessary actions to improve further our distribution, particularly in the United States, developing an online presence to take full advantage of this global entertainment medium, and more extensive use of the Atari name, one of the most recognized brands in the industry”. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Although IESA believes its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, these forwardlooking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. *** About Infogrames Entertainment and Atari : Infogrames Entertainment (IESA), the parent company of the Atari Group, is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (ISIN code: FR-0000052573) and has two principal subsidiaries: Atari Europe, a privately-held company, and Atari, Inc., a United States corporation listed on NASDAQ (ATAR).

Mac OS X since the desktop operating system debuted in 2001. One of the new features is "Boot Camp," which lets users install Microsoft Corp.'s Windows on Intel-based Macs, though both operating systems can't run at the same time. The feature, in a test version released last year, already has helped attract new customers to the Macintosh platform. Mac revenues have hit record highs for the past year, and Apple's share of the PC market has grown. Analysts expect Apple's strategy of introducing products that work with Microsoft's Windows software to further boost computer sales. Market researcher Gartner Inc. said Apple surpassed Gateway in the second quarter to become the third-largest computer vendor in the U.S. with a 6.4 percent slice of the market, up from 5 percent in the same year period a year ago. Apple senior vice president of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller said he expects existing Apple users will move quickly to adopt Leopard -- in contrast to Microsoft's experience with its latest operating system overhaul.

The Atari Group is a producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for all market segments and in all existing game formats (Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony) and on CD-ROM for PC. Its games are sold in more than 60 countries.

When Microsoft launched Vista, its first major upgrade to Windows in five years, in February, compatibility issues led some customers and computer makers to return to the older Windows XP. Industry analysts say Vista has not significantly fueled PC sales.

The Atari Group’s extensive catalogue of popular games is based on original franchises (Alone in the Dark, V-Rally, Test Drive, etc.) and international licenses (Dragon Ball Z, Dungeons & Dragons, etc.).

Gartner analyst Michael Silver views the new features on Leopard as "incremental improvements," but gives Apple credit for making the upgrade process easy and making the changes visible.

For more information: http://www.atari.com

"Time Machine," for instance, is an automated backup system in Leopard that enables users to flip through old versions of a file in a 3D layout similar to the "Cover Flow" interface on Apple's iTunes music software.

********************************************** From: Michael Current [michael@mcurrent.name] Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2007 8:22 PM Subject: Apple's Leopard system goes on sale The Associated Press October 16, 2007, 4:49PM ET Apple's Leopard system goes on sale By MAY WONG SAN JOSE, Calif. Apple Inc.'s next-generation operating system, Mac OS X "Leopard," will be available Oct. 26 for $129, and Apple's online store is taking pre-orders, the company said Tuesday.

"Vista has interesting backup features," Silver said. "But who knows about it? It's hidden. Apple is using this 3D interface to exploit it." Consumers and schools remain Apple's main market focus, but businesses aren't being ignored: a version of Leopard for servers will launch at the same time as the consumer version, Apple said. Apple shares rose $2.60, or 1.56 percent, to close at $169.58 Tuesday. **********************************************

Leopard was originally due in June, but Apple said in April that it needed to divert resources so it could launch the muchanticipated iPhone on time. Such product delays are rare for the Cupertino-based company. Leopard, which the company says will offer more than 300 new features, is the sixth major upgrade Apple has made to

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