SPACE Newsletter

JANUARY Nibbles From the Pres. Well, I can.,t top the news of last month, but here.,s the latest The I.,ve heard (which isn.,t much). that says ANTIC of issue February compatible XL the new one of disk built-in a have will computers sounds monitor color drive and 1450XL. better than the defunct They also say the ATARI Learning '=>hone <i.e., PLATO) wi 11 be out '-'soon. Incidentally, my source of information seems to have dried up. Infoworld magazine hasn.,t arrived at my house in about 3 weeks (its a weekly - or is that weakly?). Does Maybe anyone Know what happened? another I.,ve lost out again on magaz_i ne. I wou 1d suggest to a 11 to computer a to never subscribe magazine for more than 1 year at a ti me. That isn.,t much news, but I should have more from the CES show. Notice that this month.,s column is "Nibbles". I.,11 have a newsletter addendum ready for the meeting with the 1 a test "Bytes" fresh from the CES show. So, be sure to be at the meeting to receive your copy. There will be no mailing of the addendum. I understand that we had our best month ever last meeting for month disk and cassette of the _.oa 1es. This is very he 1 pfu 1 to the club. We are arranging for trades with other clubs so that we can continue to get new public domain

1985

also I software for the club. understand that almost our entire paper & educational software 1 ibrary This is was borrowed last month. also very gratifying. Does anyone have a contribution to make to the software educ at i ona 1 or paper 1 ibrary? Or, how about a suggestion of a good book we might buy for the 1 i brary. Our group is now registered with ANALOG and ANTIC magazines. So, I.,m sure we will be getting a flurry of offers and 1 iterature in the near future. looking for For those still AtariWriter printer-drivers, here is the phone number of a mail order them: have to reputed place At-A-Glance (201)-267-0988 Will someone who owns the new OKidata color printer please write a This review for the newsletter. printer was discussed a 1 ittle at one of the meetings, but a review would be much nicer. Thank you. for Thank you Chris Kruger taking the TV for the club. We also appreciate the program donations to the club 1 ibrary. I hope you don.,t mind my calling you Chris Crawford I must have been very impressed with your programming. CONTINUED-->

I thinK we'll have a swap meet We will at the February meeting. somewhat up room the i·de try to div and demos swapping, te to accommoda below). (see group beginners SPACE our for LooK St. the of #505 in ent advertisem for Ads Want Press Pioneer Paul some attract to hope We January 6. from owners new Atari of the . Christmas item is about the The final month. We will this meeting agenda as much pretty run the meeting 5 a taKe 11 wi usual, except we would I demos. minute breaK before interested in demos to 1 iKe those not Those front. move to the the inter~sted should try to vacate be wi 11 We rear of the r·oom. in the setting up a second computer session. a beginner' s bacK for There may be a large number of to due month this beginners in this do We may Christmas . the on too, depending February, I would also success of this month. liKe to put together a li-=-t of to available people" "resource or handle questions at the meetings over the phone. For instance, I can handle the FORTH language, someone or handle printers, else might machine or BASIC, or modems, language, etc. Please sign up with the me as a resource person at meeting - you don't have to be a big a expert, just willing to give 1 i ttle time and advice. Also, I've started a new column Beginner' s cal led month this this write to I don't wish BASICS. to you I want column every month. can you thinK most of I help out. remember some of your early trials It should be easy and tr·ibulatio ns. for most of you to write a guest I have in a while. column once ideas. for this month and enough next, but I'm stumped after that. At the very least, hand me a note at suggestio n. with a the meeting ThanKs. See you at the meeting unless I lose my shirt at the show. The Pres.

December Meeting Minutes by Joanne Floyd The last SPACE meeting was held._..,. on Friday, December 14. Bob Floyd, club thanKed the the president , Atari ted demonstra who members har·dware and software and answered Museum questions at the Science efforts Their show. computer resulted in several new members for the Bob also brought up SPACE. the for support question of club New board. TAIG-SPACE bulletin hardware and software is needed for the bulletin board, and money is also needed for repairs for existing equipment and charges for the phone 1 ine. The TAIG officers suggested that SPACE and TAIG share expenses a on board bulletin the for TAIG (Since basis. proportion ate has many more members, it would pay a proportio nately higher share of The club voted to the expenses. ) the allocate SPACE money to support bulletin board. of announcem ents Several _I..,.,; made were interest to SPACE members for The Courage Center is looKing a organize help volunteer s to ed. computer club for the handicapp Computer· Line, the ca 11 - in computer show on the radio, has moved to I.AJWTC AM 1280 but is still broadcast ing at Bruce 9-10 on Sunday mornings. reminded , president Haug, the vice new members that old disK/cass ettes A of the month can be ordered. old these on programs the of 1 isting disks/cas settes can be examined at the meetings. 800XL owners may also 1 iKe to purchase a translator disK which can be used to run old Atari The 400-800 programs on the 800XL. Bruce from purchased be disKs can one ordered at DisKs for $4. next the at up picKed be can meeting meeting. Several new software programs BurKey Todd were demonstra ted. a DOS DOS, SPARTA the ted demonstra ant 1.5 single, read can system that can It disKs. density true double the on density double true handle 2.5 I/O can it plus only, 1050 drive times faster than standard Atari DOS

~

By t e s

Frorr, Pr-es

t h e

January 11, 1985 NEi--.1S FROM

THE CES SHOW

has reporter roving Your from intact, returned, with shirt the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. There is so much to report, the all of it good, that I;ve taken chicken's way out and made copies of the specification sheets on the new I've ATARI computers for everyone. CES also posted (at this meeting) news bulletins from Antic magazine downloaded from Compuser·ve. that I try to cover are I wiil So, what the things not covered by Antic or spec. sheets. a game "We are not Best Quote: We are a micr·ocompute r company. produce 1,vi 11 We company. and software productivity educational material." New Slogan: POWER WITHOUT THE PRICE. of ser· i es XE The XE Ser· i es: the with computers are compatible has ATARI computers. 800XL chip and consolidated PC boards "less a produce to functions computer. r·eliable" more expensive, This is good news to all of us who a 1 ready own ATARI,· s. The case of the XE machines looks very nice and sturdy. The 2 joystick ports are on the right side. The cartridge plugs The power the back. through in connections the of rest switch and Antic says that the back. are in been saved for has bus the parallel I,m not sure how the 130XE model. the this can be done ,..... ith all connections in back, so I'm a little skeptical. This also means a change be which may not the case in econi:irnically fe.a.sible. I saw 3 of the machines listed on the spec. sheets - 65XE, 65XEP and Pricing is supposedly $100, 130XE. respectively , $200, and $400 according to Antic. The 65 XEM was not ready' for the show. The XEM (M is reputed to have the for music) best sound chip of any personal

1 t shou 1 d be r·eady computer ever. ATARI talking to the In soon. out found I people milling around, XEP the that of the 4 XE machines, was the only one uncertain of being on depend it will produced interest from the mar·ket. 128K I saw a number of 130XE,s (the ATARI new a d ✓ demo version). They that integrated software package with capabilities used multitasking overlaying window extensive amazing very was capabilities . This release new A machine. for an 8-bit Atariwriter+ called of Atariwriter It wiii have 80 column is due soon. spelling built-in capability, , capabilities file larger checker, the that is news bad The etc. integrated software and Atariwriter+ the require the greater RAM of 130XE. This gives us current owners reason to upgrade - especially at the suggested price of $200. The XE machines are scheduled to go into production in March, so don ✓ t expect to see them on store shelves until at least June. 800XL: The 800XL wi11 gradually be phased out as the XE ✓ s are phased Since there is compatibility in. software the 2 machines, between availability won;t be a big concern. I saw this drive XF521 Disk Drive: i sn ,· t it at the show even though is It listed in the spec. sheets. 1050 the same size and shape as the is a drive, so I suspect that it 1050 in a new case to match the XE be wou l dn , t I However , 1i ne • surprised if it used the "doubler" storage 180K for and SpartaDOS capability. The rep ✓ s said that the yet been choice of DOS has not However, it will be called decided. ATR ✓ s handle and can DOS 2.5 3.5" the Sony-type (supposedly) , drives and the standard disks of any of the 3 densities.

be 1050 Drive: The 1050 drive will in favor of the XF521. phased out no since too, This is alright, compatibility is lost. 3.5" Mini Drive hear about this

For XE,s: I drive at the

didn ✓ t

show.

it According to the Antic article, with e is supposed to be compatibl all of the 8-bit machines using DOS This sounds good, but also 2.5 . If software bothers me a bit too. companies start putting out programs on this format, what about the rest At the suggested price of of us? ·$180, this may not be too bad. (color) Printers: I saw the XTC201 printers. only) and STM504 (black Both printers are direct-con nect and are available as color or black only. The third letter designate s color capability - C for color and M I for black. They were very small! simplicity the could hardly believe I also and smallness of the XTC201. think I saw the XMM801 printer. See nect. this is also direct-con spec. sheet for details. Monitors: The monitors were on-hand, but kept behind smoked glass so that numbers. I couldn ✓ t see the model The monitor with 80 column board but it was might have been there, I was while not demo ✓ d or discussed there. See spec. sheet and Antic article for more info. Modem: The XM301 modem was shown. It was very It was 300 baud only. type. di rec t-connec t and smal 1 modem baud There was no 300/1200 shown or 1 i sted in the brochures . ST Computers : The 130ST and 520ST They computers were both shown. They ! impressive were incredibly are 128K and 512K RAM, respectiv ely. Both That is the only differenc e. mouse windows, use GEM for icons, control, etc. The 130ST cannot be 2 There are upgraded to 512K. right the on ports ouse joystick/m side. They are configured to use as the standard joysticks as well other Every mice. ATARI new spec. (see connection le imagineab a including back, the in is sheet) The port. cartridge 128K ROM Both operating system ROM is 192K. machines are available with either but not BASIC or LOGO built in, disk or hard a to talk can It both. was demo The dr·ive. 3.5" Sony-type a like just looks It ! incredible memory Screen . MacIntosh color requires 32K RAM. An IBM-PC looks

to slow and cumbersom e compared In fact, they were these machines. if I wonder so impressive that home. at people need such a machine This may be one of the pi tfal 1 s. _,, is the available The other pitfall a know, all we As software. viable become not does computer large amount of various without a is ATARI . available software they hope I and well this addressing are successfu l. The suggested list prices of $400 and $600 should help into machines go Both lot. a in be should and March in production so. or June, around the stores Mouse: The ATARI mouse controlle rs have 2 buttons for more utility. SF324 ~ SF354 Drives: These drives were shown at the show. They looked List nice and seemed to work well. The the $180 area. price is in not hard disk drive was SH317 sh own • I t w i 1 1 1 i st for abou t $400. SDM124 ~ SDM804 Printers: Both of See these printers were present. spec. sheet for more info.

"""'

I saw Millipede , Games: At ATARI, Field, & Track Patrol, Moon Legacy and Final Skywriter <educ.) liked Moon Patrol I ( tactic a 1 ) . best. At Epyx, I saw Ballblaze r and Rescue liked Ballblaze r I On Fractalus . It is like Rugby between two best. the try to steal spaceship s. You ball and guide it into the goal. It requires 2 Graphics are 3D. The players to oppose each other. screen is split horizonta lly so each player gets their own view. Elsewhere , I saw Mr. Do ✓ s Castle, (a (great), Super Zaxxon Tapper (easy - OK for letdown), Froger II young kids). I also saw a very impressive new Nintendo. from machine game the latest-~ Software was good with arcade titles. The machine featured is a I think a ulight gun" which 8 or light" pen useable from about 6 game This is the best feet away. machine I ✓ ve ever seen.

DISK

OF

THE

MONTH

The disk/tape of the month contains The tapes programs from the club library. ran be purchased for $3 and the disks for 4. The group makes a small profit from toward go these which of -the sale supporting some of the things the group contains Each disk/tape usually does. Most of these eight tv twelve programs. programs are games with some utilities and demos mixed in. The programs are obtained from trading with other user groups and members. local from from submissions Members who submit a program will receive a disk or tape of the month free! What a deal! ! D.O.M. JAN 85 The disk and tape of the months are all set ready to go!! This is the brand new 1985 model. 1.0UTERSPA.CE space invaders type 2.FAWCETT you have to see it!! 3.SABOTAGE text adventure 4.WHEEL graphics demo 5.REBOUND joystick game 6.HEARTS color puzzle ?.PICTURE 1 incoln & mona 1 isa

S.P.A.C.E. Name __

8.CAVEKING arcade type game 9.SPACELAN.DER joystick mod by Bob Floyd Survey time again!! This time for D.O.M. and T.O.M., come to the meeting and fill out a survey, one per computer. Also sit down and write the names of the three programs which are your favorites from past D,O,M & T.O.M. and bring this 1 ist to me at the meeting, listing them #1, #2, and #3. BRUCE HAUG D.O.M.

TIPS ✓ N ✓ TRICKS

Put a POKE 202,1 in a BASIC program so that anyone who presses BREAK or erase the entire SYSTEM RESET will program in memory. Don't eat, drink, or smoke around your computer. It could damage the funtioning of the keyboard. Related to above. Don't take apart it your computer <esp. keyboard) if is working fine (don't fix something that's not broken>. Let us What tricks have you found? all know.

Member-sh

p

Appl

,______ Phone _____

cation

Date _____

Address _________ _________ _________ _____ City_________ ____ State ____ Zip ______ _ Equipment /System-U sed Area of interest

WANT

ADS

It is possible for members to place 'Want Ads' in this newsletter. The ads may used hardware, used selling be for software, tutoring services, or just about The anything that has to do with Atari. rates are as follows: $1.20 216 Letters 6 Lines .25 36 Letters 1 Line The following is a 1 ist of advertising rates for vendors or individual members. Full page $18.00 7-1/2" X 10" 10.00 3-5/8" X 10" Half page 10.00 7-1/2" X 5n Half page 5.50 3-5/8" X 5• 1/4 page

WANT

FOR SALE: ATARI 800 CCl'1PUTER WMSJ~ CART. ; ALL MANUALS; 48K AAl1; . . . 1000 DISK DRIVE; ATARI 410 CASSEii£ RECORDER; VARIOUS GAME CARTS. M95 770-1427 GENE EDDY le:111 DI-·· DESK I ML NEW/IN BOX. RANDC1'1 SEC11 ■■ ~-81S6

FOR SALE: ATARI DRIVE; CCl'1PUTER

•• .• .• ••

Jon Nelson. 487-2627 President Feuer. Max 774-6226 Vice-Pres tu.ug Bruce 774-6226 Lib. Disk Flcwd. Joanne 537-5442 Lib. Paper/Ed. SPACE/TAIG Bulletin Board • • •

St. Paul ATARI Computer Enthusiasts 2589 Fisk St. Roseville, tfl 55113

•

800XL;

FOR SALE: VISICALC ..... ta GIIP MONITOR MODEL JC1215 $2119. 11111&. • • YOSHI 379-1952

All advertiseme nts must be paid for when they are submitted. Deadline for ad the before two Mondays placement is more for ad or place To meeting. information , call the editor. Bob Floyd Bruce Haug Bruce Haug Jim Schulz

ADS