AtariUser28-Aug87.pdf

A Database Publication

Vol. 3 No. 4

August 1987

THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS

••, •

Renumber your

c Programs

Explore those hidden disc sectors

Play Mission X and save humanity

7 •

„.,PLITERHOLISE , W, , , p s., :-:

ATTENTION ALL 1050

DISK DRIVE OWNERS!!

. ,

, , „, ..: .. ..... .• , •,.: ....

Announcing the all new ULTIMATE drive enhancement

This Drive enhancement consists of a plug-in PCB,

which can easily by ﬁtted with our simple to follow

Instructions.

The 105018 PLATE Disk Drive enhancement offers

many features never before available in one

UNIT:

Desktop Management System

• For the Atari 1300X1.1130XE Computers

One of the most powerful features of the ATARI ST arid

COMMODORE AMIGA is the 'DESKTOP', this system allows the user

to have a range of utilities in memory while running commercial

software, when you access the desktop system the commercial

software will be temporarily frozen. The Controller Card is an internal

hardware modiﬁcation that when installed into your Atari

800X1.1130XE will give you the most advanced Desktop Management

System available today ....

• improved Drive speeds - up to 'TWICE normal

loading speeds (Depending on disk format

used).

• Reduction of Drive WEAR and TEAR: now whole

tracks can be stored In the internal 1 ok RAM.

• The IS PLATE can READ/WRITE a whole track In

the time it takes a standard 1050 drtve to

READ/WPITE a single sector (up to FIVE times

standard speed).

• Supports double. Dual and Single Densities.

• Sector SKEW is now no longer required to

obtain Hi-speed as with US Doublers.

• Other Special features are: Slow down. Fast

write. Fast read, Drive write lock, Skew on/off, Fast

formatting.

• Fast write with verify. This system is faster than

other systems which write without verify,

• A double sided operating system disk is

supplied which offers the following:

IS Doubler, US Doubler. Standard 1050 and

Archiver emulation.

Track Tracer, Diagnostic tester, 48k and 128k

Disk Backup utilities.

• The PLATE can be made invisible to software

detection by either Slow down or 1050 emulation.

• Supplied with detailed information regarding

software drive control to allow you to access the

full potential of the PLATE.

• Will run all available disk operating systems

(Dos) Including: Spartados. Happy warp speed

Dos, and other HIGH speed systems.

• With this system, up to sixteen drives can be

connected and used.

• A comprehensive 30 page bound manual is

supplied. This Includes ﬁ ting instructions.

• All registered owners will be supplied with any

software updates etc for the price of Disk and

return postage.

DESKTOP MASTER DISK

Snapshot Printer Dumpers with the SHO

Printout screens from commercial game title pages to graphic

application packages, Will handle any graphics mode including mixed

graphics modes. Full A4 size printouts, built-in shade selector.

Included is our unique SHCI system which is an ultra high deﬁnition bit

image printout comparable to a photocopy (for Epson and compatible

printers.)

Superdump II Memory Dumper

The perfect utility for software development, rust dump the contents

of memory where the error occurs then examine and rectify. Can also

be used to upgrade your cassette software to disk or make disk to disk

backups.

The OS, Boot Menu

A Desktop resident muhiboot menu, by simply pressing the HELP

KEY you exit the main program to the menu.

Disk I/O Analyser

A unique and very powerful disk debugging tool which prints out all

the relevant information concerning the interaction between the disk

drive and computer as the disk software is loading or reading/writing

data.

The Control Panel

This utility will allow you to alter a wide range of system parameters

such as: Auto scroll, VO noise, inverse ﬂash, key dick, fast

cursor/keyboard debounce rate, primary system colours, the system

baud rate and the system character set (14 alternative character sets

to choose from).

400/800 Operating System Saver

This facility will allow too to save the U.S. from the 400/800 Atari

Computers to create true emulators or upgrade customised roms such

as OMNIMON to disk to run on the 800XL/130XE computers via the

Desktop.

Additional Desktop Library Disks

Library Disk In — 1029 Snapshot Printer Dumpers

Similar to the SHO Snapshot printer dumpers but not dedicated for

the 1029 printer.

Library Disk a2 — SHO Professional Print Package

Combines the SHO Graphics converters and Text enhancers

together on one menu disk. The Graphics converter will give your

desktop publishing packages i.e. TYPESETTER (Xlent software) a

printout that matches a photocopy using Epson 8 pin dot matrix or

compatible printers with reverse line feed. In fact the only competition

we have is a Lazer printer III

Library Disk 13 — The Superdump III Toolkit

The ultimate backup system for standard and U.S. Doubler drives,

This disk is crammed so full of unique features it would take up the

whole of this ad space to describe them ... Please ring for more info.

Also supplied with

GREMLIN GRABBER II

The comprehensive hi-speed back-up utility disc,

complete with manual

(Existing owners please contact manufacturers for

update)

This complete package

NOW ONLY

£89.95

inc. Post/Packing and twelve months guarantee

(A SAVING OF £24.95 ON PREVIOUS

ADVERTISED PRICE)

MAIL ORDER PRICE UST (add 10% for export orders)

CONTROLLER CARD WITH DESKTOP MASTER DISK FOR THE ATARI 900XL. E89.95

CONTROLLER CARD virrH DESKTOP MASTER DISK FOR THE ATARI I 30/CE £79.95

OPTIONAL SWITCH PACK E 9 S 5

LIBRARY DISK ﬂ El ag6 LIBRA RN' DISK IR E16.96 LIBRARY DISK r3 C24.95

FOR FREE INSTALLATION PLEASE ADD C.5.50;

FOR RETURN P&P+ INS.

For more information please ring 01-731 1276 weekdays between 1 Oarnriorn

Please make cheques/postal orders payable to:-

Computerhouse

14 Romity Court, Landridga Road, Fulham,

London SW6 41L

53 Rugby Road, We Worthing,

Sussex BN11 5NB

Tel: (0903) 40509 (24hrs)

(0903) 503711 (Bulletin Board 300/300 24hrs)

Contents

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Mama Ileast

translate le

the Atoll?

News

All the latest from the ever-changing world of 8 bit Atari.

Living Daylights 8

An in-depth review of Domark's latest release.

Protection 1 1

How to keep the pirates off your tapes and discs.

Re-Number 1 3

A useful utility to reorganise your Basic programs.

Mail Merge

Get more from Mini Ofﬁce II by using this useful feature.

Reviews 1 7

Our evaluation team takes a look at the latest software.

Five Liners

More of the prize-winning mini programs sent in by our readers.

Vol, 3 No. 4 August 1987

Managing Editor:

Derek Meakin

Features Editor:

Peter Davidson

Production Editor:

Peter Glover

Art Editor:

Heather Sheldrick

Reviews Editor:

Christopher Payne

News Editor:

Mike Cowley

Technical Editor:

Andre Willey

Advertisement Manager:

Tony Nowell

Advertising Sales:

John Snowden

Nora Lawton

Special Effects

Amaze your friends with Part 2 of our series.

I/O Channels

Part7 of our guide to the Atari's input/output facilities.

Rouloc

More help and hints from our expert adventurer.

Map

A guide to the Worm of Paradise by Rainbird.

Game of the Month

Play Mission X: Save the human race from destruction.

061-456 8383

061-456 8500

061-480 0171

72:MAG001

265871 MONREF G

Quoting Ref. 72:MA0001

Prestel Mailbox. 614568383

Editorial:

Administration:

Advertising •

Subscriptions:

Telec om Gold:

Telex

Computing in Action

Keep tabs on petrol consumption with this useful program.

Gadgets

Published by:

Databas e Publications Ltd,

Europa House, 68 Chester Road,

Haz el Grove, Stockport SK7 5NY.

FAB —

C1 Subscription rates for

12 1SSUes, post free:

t 1? — UK

f 18 -- Europe

£30 — Overseas

ISSN 0266-545X

"Atari User" welcomes program listings

and articles for publication. Material should

be typed or computer-printed, and pref-

erably double-spaced. Program listings

should be accommpanied by cassette tape

or disc. Please enclose stamped, self-

addressed envelope, otherwise the return

of material cannot be guaranteed. Contrib-

utions accepted for publication by Database

Publications Ltd will be on an all-rights

basis.

material may be reproduced in whole or in

part without writen permission. While every

care is taken, the publishers cannot be held

legally responsible for any errors in articles,

lis tings , or advertisements.

"Atari User" is an independent publication

and Atari Corp (UK) Ltd are not responsible

for any of the articles they contain or for any

of the opinions expressed.

News trade distribution: Europress Sales

and Distribution Limited, Unit 1, Burgess

Road, lvyhouse Lane. Hastings, East Sussex

IN35 4NR. Tel: 0424 430422.

Software for last month's voice box to make your Atari speak

Palette 4 3

Another collection of colourful masterpieces from our mailbag

Psychedelic Journey

33,573 Ja n u a ry-Ju n e , 1 9 8 6

A colourful light show simulation on your Atari.

Disc Editor 4 7

Take a look at the sectors on your disc with this superb utility.

,Hints and Tips 4 8

Get more enjoyment out of games with help from readers.

A Breed Apart 5 1

A detailed study of a fast growing breed — the Homoatariuser.

Software Solutions 5 3

Our resident expert solves your programming problems.

Mailbag 5 5

The chance to get your news, views, moans and name in print.

August 7987 Atari User 3

Mn Ofﬁce II

and business

programs in just

ONE package — at

a price that simply

can't be matched!

powerful home

ELEC

COOL

OTOE R

FULL COS T5

to poriltiOn text.

the n U

sem limmi mei nem

DATABASE

Build up a versatile card index,

use the ﬂexible print-out

routine, do powerful multi-ﬁeld

sorting, perform all arithmetic

functions, link with the word

processor — and more!

WORD PROCESSOR

Compose a letter, set the print-

out options using embedded

commands or menus, use the

mail merge facility to produce

personalised circulars — and more!

ORDER FORM

Please send me Mini Ofﬁce II for the

Atari 4001800/XL/XE (48k required),

on 51/4" disc for E19.95

SPREADSHEET

Prepare budgets or tables, total

columns or rows with ease,

copy formulae absolutely or

relatively, use a wide selection

of mathematical and scientiﬁc

functions, recalculate

automatically — and more!

I enclose cheque made payable to

Database Software, or debit my

Access/Visa card:

COMMS MODULE

Using a modem you can access

services such as MicroLink and

order a wide range of goods

from ﬂowers to software, send

electronic mail, telex and tele-

messages in a ﬂash — and more!

11111 OMEN

Exp. date

Signed

Name

Address

LABEL PRINTER

Design the layout of a label with

the easy-to-use editor, select

label size and sheet format,

read in database ﬁles, print out

in any quantity — and more!

GRAPHICS

Enter data directly or load data

from the spreadsheet, produce

pie charts, display bar charts

side by side or stacked, overlay

line graphs — and more!

ORDER HOTLINE:

TEL: 061-480 0171

SENO TO: Database Sortuare.

Europa House. US Chester Road,

Hazel Crowe, Stockport SK7 SNY.

1=1

DATABASE SOFTWARE

Europa House, 68 Chester Road,

Haz el Grove, Stockport SK7 5NY

News

More titles

for VCS

Atari drive in big

GAMES for the new Atari VCS

2600 console are reported to

be in plentiful supply

according Atari's Spokesman

Peter Walker.

More than 25 titles are cur-

rently being supported by the

company, but the games base

is much larger than that.

Crystal Castles, Solaris,

Star Gate and Midnight Magic

are just some of the new

releases that are available

with a retail price of 0.95.

However, cartridges that

ﬁtted the old VCS games con-

sole are also compatible with

the new machine,

60 new games for the XE65

have also been released, with

prices ranging from £4.99 to

E9.99

High Street stores

NEGOTIATIONS are under

way with a number of

major High Street stores

to secure distribution con-

tracts for Atari computers

and games consoles in

time for the Christmas

market

So far there has been a

cautious response from

some retailers, but Dixons

and Currys have con-

ﬁrmed that they will be

ﬁrm commitment to Atari

as it is currently evalu-

ating the machines to see

where they would ﬁt in to

their overall sales policy.

A computer magazine

report that Atari had done

a deal to dump a large

quantity of machines with

Divans and Currys has

been ofﬁcially denied by

Atari spokesman Peter

Walker.

stocking the VCS 2600

games console as well as

the 65XE.

Atari UK sales and mar-

keting manager Paul

Welch said: "We are also

talking to Woolworths,

but they are waiting to see

our XE machine before

deciding just what to

take".

The other High Street

giant, Boots, has made no

Serious

suite

hits the

charts

again

YOU can't keep a good pro-

gram down... which is why the

serious software suite which

sells as fast as games keeps

popping up in the charts.

Mini Ofﬁce II, the six pro-

grams in one package from

Database Software for Atari 8

bit machines, is making a big

impression in the Atari Top 20

compiled by Gallup.

It is currently at number

eight — the only serious

product to get within a mile of

the best-selling software

charts.

This is after coming back in

at number 17 the previous

week after brieﬂy slipping out

of the Atari Top 20.

Launched at the Atari User

Show in London in April, the

E19.95 disc — with its word

processor, spreadsheet, data-

base, graphics, comms and

label printing modules — was

an instant hit.

Since then it has frequently

outsold some of the leading

Atari entertainment software

to earn a Top 20 place.

Piracy cuts the price of

games in Spain

ATARI games players in

Spain would seem to be

getting a better deal than

their English counterparts.

Along with cut price holi-

days and cheap drinks, soft-

ware for the Atari has now

joined the list of bargains to

be had by British tourists.

Games that would normally

sell for around E9 here can be

bought quite legally for a little

over ﬁ t in Spain.

Audiogenic, US Gold,

Imagine, and Alligata soft-

ware are just some of the top

brand names that can be

bought at the budget prices.

According to a spokesman

for one leading software

house the reason for the dis-

crepancy lies in the fact that

piracy in Spain is rife.

"If the Spanish can rip off a

game then they will_ The only

way we could combat the

pirate tapes was by reducing

the price to a point where it

was not economic for illegal

copies to be made", he said.

Erbe, the Spanish company

which produces games for

many British software houses

under licence, pointed out

the situation and suggested

that a price cut was the only

way to boost sales.

The policy has obviously

worked. Many of the British

software houses have

reported Spanish proﬁ ts up

by as much as 300 per cent.

Daryll Still of Audiogenic

said: "Our games have sold

well in Spain for years, the

only trouble is that they have

been illegal copies.

"The only way that we

could make our presence felt

was by reducing our prices.

"And it's not just Spain_ We

are having an even worse

time in Italy. Our games have

been selling well there for a

long time, but not one of

them is a legal copy".

August 7987 Atari User 5

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