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Issue 19 £4.00 Winter 2004 8.00Euro

Real Photos... From Your We test the Canon A80 digital camera and i560 printer and find whether the Amiga can cut the mustard as a home photo lab!

Also in this issue Features OS 4 on Classic Amiga Reviews AmigaForever 6 ShowGirls USB Flash Drive Tutorials Envoy Audio Compression Programming in tag">C Contents News News Opus Guru ... Issue 19 Bytes... Over the years Amiga users announcement, Ken’s Icons have found an say they have entered into an EditorialWelcome to another packed Recently I was helping my copy of the 6 CD A new collection of icons has essential tool to help them agreement with a UK based issue of Total Amiga! Thanks to parents choose a new inkjet edition. You can read my opinion been released by Ken Lester manage their files and with specialist firm who have Winter 2004 several new contributors who printer to use with the their PC of the additional features it offers Algor Gets which uses the 256 colour version 5 it became even more begun work on porting the responded to our request for and we happened to pick the over the download edition in our format supported by News pervasive as a “Workbench program to AmigaOS 4 and articles we have more variety Canon i560. We set-up the review. Sam Byford has AmigaOS 4. The additional More Flash replacement”. GP Software, the implementing new features. Editorial ...... 2 than ever in this issue. printer and were very impressed contributed a review of colours allow these icons to E3B have released a new original developers, stopped News Items ...... 3 with its performance and print ShowGirls, a very promising Guru Meditation told Total Amiga look more smoothly shaded As well as making contributions, “Pro” version of their Algor updating the Amiga version quality on Windows. Only at that image viewer for MorphOS that that they are keeping a close eye without needing a . The several people suggested ideas Zorro II USB/Flash ROM some time ago in favour of the Features point did I think to see if an includes thumbnailing, icon on the classic Amiga and pack, called “Ken’s Icons”, for future articles. One of the card. The new version is Windows release, now at version Amiga driver was available and creation and image MorphOS software markets and includes drawer icons for all AmiWest Show Reports .....8 most popular requests was for equipped with an enlarged 8. It was announced some time rather to my surprise the i560 processing among its wide array if there is sufficient demand to the Workbench directories Mick’s Take of Woe ...... 10 interviews with people important Flash ROM offering 1Mb ago that the rights for the Amiga was listed as supported by the of features. justify the development effort and many common Kermit Woodall Interview 12 to the Amiga scene. So in this capacity, additional data can version had been sold to latest TurboPrint release, 7.60. they will consider a port. Guru applications too. The icons issue we have two interviews for Another reader suggestion was a be stored using the integrated Hyperion but we understand that Bill Panagouleas Interview Just how well does the printer Meditation hope to have more can also be used on earlier you to enjoy and we plan to for a tutorial on Commodore’s compression support. The agreement fell through. The ...... 14 work on the Amiga? Find out in details on the new features they AmigaOS versions if you run make an interview a regular Envoy Amiga file and printer purpose of the ROM is to prospects for a future Amiga Open ...... 16 our full review. plan in time for our issue. the PowerIcons patch. feature of the magazine from sharing package. This is allow software modules such version looked bleak. Their first release of Opus for OS AmigaOS 4 Update...... 18 now on. To accompany my audio especially useful now that many as the Poseidon USB stack Download the pack from: Because Opus 5’s Workbench 4 is expected in the new year. AmigaOS 4 on Classics .. 20 compression tutorial, Anthony Amigans have and AmigaOne or and OS3.9 modules http://www.os4depot.net On the AmigaOS 4 front, the first replacement mode is closely tied The full press release is Hoffman has submitted a in addition to their to be available directly at boot pre-release update is out now to the underlying operating available on: Reviews detailed review of the Philips classic Amiga. I’m pleased to up without requiring disk giving early bird AmigaOne system having the application EXP 431 a handy, pocket-sized say that Simon Archer has access or additional reboots. http://www.gurumeditation.se/ Canon A80 Digital Camera users a very usable OS while under development is particularly machine that can play your stepped into the breach and The Algor is also compatible press ...... 24 they wait for the final release. important as the existing version Amiga encoded (or any provided us with an excellent with AmigaOS 4 and allows Canon i560 Printer...... 26 We have details of the update, is unlikely to work if the OS has other for that matter) recorded article, you’ll be swapping files the new Kickstart modules further developments and a been updated. This is already Amiga Forever 6 CD ...... 28 onto 8cm CD-ROMs. Finally between your in no time! (kmods) to be located in round up of some of the OS 4 the case with AmigaOS 4, Opus Philips EXP431 ...... 30 Mick Sutton has reviewed his FlashROM for faster . applications in Also in the “Support” section is 5 does not currently work on the ShowGirls...... 31 EasyDisk USB flash drive which Of course the Algor Pro still development in our regular “OS my audio compression tutorial new OS and even if it did it is great for file sharing between features the excellent USB EasyDisk USB Flash Drive 4 Update” feature. which covers creating MP3s on would not support new features platforms. 1.1 controller with 3 ports ...... 34 your Amiga in various ways. We such as more colourful icons. On Most issues of Total Amiga seem driven by Chris Hodges’ In the fast moving world of round off with the fourth part of MorphOS DOpus does work, to end up having a theme, and Poseidon USB stack. consumer technology products DaveP’s fantastic C tutorial. with the exception of not Support this time we have several particular models like these tend For further details visit: displaying PNG icons, but the Audio Compression ...... 36 reviews of technology products So as you can see our call for to get replaced by enhanced http://www.e3b.de platform would still benefit from a Envoy ...... 43 that can be used with the Amiga. articles and suggestions was a versions very quickly. We will try proper port. success, but we need your help The AlgorPro is available C Tutorial Part 4...... 46 We start with my review of the to find out the Amiga to keep it up! Please get in touch from KDH Datentechnik at Most of the Total Amiga staff are Canon PowerShot A80 digital compatibility of the current if you would like to write E114.95 (about £80) and staunch DOpus 5.x users so we Next Issue ...... 50 camera; which has been widely versions when this issue hits the something for the magazine or should also be available from were ecstatic to learn that the Colour screenshots etc. .. 52 praised in digital photography doormats and will post details on have an idea for a future article! other dealers: world wide exclusive rights to magazines and on the web. I the “Current Issue” page of the http://www.kdhshop24.de Directory Opus Magellan for the cover the camera itself from my Total Amiga web site. Enjoy the mag, Amiga platform have been point of view as a very amateur Opus Magellan may be beginning to look a little long in the tooth but True to their word (as always), Robert Williams acquired by Guru Meditation, a photographer and the ways it Cloanto have supplied us with a [email protected] Swedish Amiga dealer. In their it still offers many features and options not yet found in Workbench. can be used with the Amiga. About Total Amiga It will Legalesebe a valuable addition to OS4. Total Amiga is published quarterly Contact Us Only Photogenics 5 by Paul Nolan Fonts The views expressed in this If you wish to contact a contributor by South Essex Amiga Link. Final Writer 5 by Softwood magazine are those of the author send your message to one of the If you have any queries, Made it Possible The body text of Total Amiga is Editor: Robert Williams 8.13 from artofcode of each piece, they do not addresses in this section. suggestions or want to contact us Total Amiga is designed and laid set in Triumvirate Normal as LLC ported to AmigaOS by necessarily reflect the views of Amiga is a registered trademark Design: Robert Williams for any reason please use one of out using: supplied with PageStream, the Whoosh777. the editor, other contributors or and the Amiga logo, the “Boing Contributors: Simon Archer the following: heading typeface is Forgotten Hardware: There are also some essential SEAL. Ball” device, AmigaDOS, Amiga Sam Byford EMail: [email protected] Futurist by Ray Larabie. Take a Home built PC utilities we couldn’t live without: Please Note: Total Amiga is Kickstart, Amiga Workbench, Darren Glenn look at Ray’s huge range of WWW: http://www.totalamiga.org/ AMD Athlon XP 2500+ Directory Opus 5, SGrab, MCP, produced by the editor and Autoconfig, Bridgeboard, and Anthony Hoffman fonts at Post: Total Amiga, gForce 2 MX400 Turbo Print 7, MakeCD. contributors in their spare time. Powered by Amiga are Magnus Johnson http://www.larabiefonts.com and 26 Wincoat Drive, 512Mb RAM, 40Gb HDD. While we always strive to produce trademarks of AMIGA Inc. Advertisers Warren Katchmar Our thanks to the creators of this his commercial foundry at BENFLEET, Essex, Software: the magazine on time and include AmigaKit.com...... 51 Bill Panagouleas and all the other great Amiga http://www.typodermic.com. “Amigan” is copyright by Bob SS7 5AH, UK. all the advertised contents this is David Pitcher Amithlon by Bernie Meyer et. al. software out there. Scharp and used with his AmigaWorld.net...... 42 not always possible due to other Paul Rezendes Telephone: +44 (0) 1268 569937 Amiga OS 3.9 by Amiga Total Amiga is entirely created permission. Audio Evolution...... 35 commitments. The price you pay Mick Sutton (19:00 - 22:00 UK time please) PageStream 4.1 by Softlogik using Amiga software, no other All other trademarks mentioned DiscreetFX ...... 13 ImageFX 4.5 by Nova Design for Total Amiga covers our costs Proofreading: Sam Byford platforms are used at any stage of are the property of their Perfect Paint 2.93 and nothing more, we don’t make Forematt...... 45 Mick Sutton the design or layout . respective owners. by Georges Halvadjian a profit from it. Stellar Dreams ...... 23 Sharon Sutton 2 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 3 News News Bytes... AmiStart 0.65 The Incredible Brewka has released • Now requires a Hi/True colour Snoopium version 0.65 of his start menu (16, 24 or 32bit) screen mode IOSpirit and utility, AmiStart. • You can now use different tint Ilkka Lehtoranta has released on MUI (MorphOS’s native While it has many functions, and label colours for each Snoopium, a new filesystem ) and other AmiStart’s key design goal layer/menu. monitoring program for MorphOS specific features. MorphOS. Snoopium is based and OS 4 Shrinking Amiga! seems to be to look good, and to • Corrected a bug affecting Following the SnoopDOS that end it supports bitmap MorphOS in the start-up code on the classic Amiga utility IOSpirit (the developers of licence, Snoopium is also free Prototype AmigaOne textures, transparency, • Able to show PNG icons SnoopDOS, which was applications such as fxPaint, software, the application and in the mini-ITX antialiased TrueType fonts (using through PowerIcons patch or released as open source VHIStudio and fxScan) have its can be form factor (170 by 170mm) the ttengine.) and several with proper added a useful new software by its original author have been displayed at various types of icon including PNG transparency. downloaded from: compatibility page to their Eddy Carol. Ilkka has got Amiga shows over the last year icons if the PowerIcons patch is • Better Scalos support for http://www.lehtoranta.net/ web site. The page lists the Eddy’s approval for his and now they have been installed. launching applications and snoopium/ compatibility of each of their development which adds a productionised. The official name opening drawers. products with various • Enhancements in the latest new GUI to the program based for these boards is the Micro • Gamma slider for TrueType AmigaOS versions as well as release include: AmigaOne, which is abbreviated fonts. add-on PPC cards, MorphOS as µA1. are producing • Added smoothing of rounded and the Draco (a 68K based two models, the µA1-C, edges for a nicer look Amiga compatible “commercial” version which has • Option to display screens on made by Macrosystem). The a separate CPU board and is the taskbar. table is based on testing available now via AmigaOne • Many other minor carried out both by IOSpirit dealers and the µA1-I (Industrial) improvements and bug fixes. themselves and compatibility which has a soldered on CPU reports from users. and more features. AmiStart is freeware and The four key products Many more features than the full supports AmigaOS 3.1 - 3.9 and mentioned above are all ATX size AmigaOne-XE have MorphOS, a card compatible with Amiga OS 4 been packed onto the µA1’s tiny A µA1-C Package complete with manual and OS 4 pre-release. running in 16bit or better is but run under the 68K board, making up for their limited • SVGA, S-Video and Composite devices. required. Compatibility with OS 4 emulation. IOSpirit state that on-board expansion options. video connections is not known at the time of OS 4 native ports are not Both models include: • PC104 expansion slot • 2 USB 1.1 connectors on the writing. Download the latest currently planned, however • ATA133 IDE using the Silicon • 1 SODIMM memory expansion back panel and two on headers version from: the applications already Image 680 Snoopium packages all the features of SnoopDOS into this slot (populated with 256Mb on • PS/2 mouse and keyboard, http://people.freenet.de/dariusb/ support the WarpUP. So all • Bootable Compact flash slot. µA1-C) serial, parallel and game ports attractive MUI GUI which fits in with the rest of MorphOS. three programs will be able to • Gigabit • 1 33MHz PCI slot (support for • Uboot 1.1.1, supported by use the PPC when the • 256Mb on board memory plus a third party riser with up to 3 and Amiga OS 4. planned WarpUP compatibility 1 SODIMM slot slots). In addition the µA1-C features: is integrated into OS 4. • Passively cooled, board Making Fantasy a Reality Bytes... • 40 and 44 way IDE headers • A1-XE type MegArray CPU mounted 800MHz PPC 750GX View the compatibility list at: • 6-channel (5.1) surround Some of you may remember a Flash slot view Marko’s original images, 3D connector The first batch of µA1-C boards http://amiga.iospirit.de/ sound (CMI8738) set of great 3D images of a • - 60W integrated PSU, fan less renders and animations of the Hollywood • CPU module with fan cooled has been shipped to their lucky compatibility/ • 7000 on-board future desktop Amiga computer • - External power adapter, 110 - work-in-progress model of the 800MHz PPC 750GX CPU owners and more are currently in graphics with 32Mb Video RAM rendered by Marko Hirv in about 240VAC new case and much more Update • VIA 686B ATA100 IDE production. Stellar Dreams, the 1998. The photos showed a information about the project on Airsoft Softwair have released controller (DMA issue affecting UK distributor for the AmigaOne sleek black computer similar to its website: Work is under way to build a 3D a minor update to Hollywood, XE boards resolved) can reserve one for you in the an A1200 but with more flowing http://realitydesign.asn.org.uk model of the case which can be their script-based multimedia • 10/100 Ethernet next batch. The board costs lines and a built-in CD-ROM. used for manufacturing. You can application. The new version controller £512, which includes a copy of Marko called his machine the 1.9.2 has numerous bug fixes The µA1-I has many more Amiga OS 4, initially the latest “Amiga Fantasy” features (listed below) built-in pre-release will be supplied and a few new features aimed at satisfying customers followed by the full version when Project Reality has been formed including: to bring that machine, in the who want to build it into industrial it is ready. For further • Updated GUI and settings classic desktop Amiga form applications such as kiosk information and to order on-line tool. factor used by the A500, A600 machines. To make room for visit the Stellar Dreams web site: • FULLSCREEN tooltype for and A1200, to market. The plan these features, the CPU module http://www.stellardreams.co.uk/ easily creating attractive full connector has been dropped in is to produce a case of the The µA1-I is not publicly screen presentations. favour of mounting the CPU recently µA1-C or µA1-I mini-ITX available at the time of writing. • One settings tool can now directly on the board. In an motherboards and will use other Photos of the board, which were be used to configure all the industrial setting this is an off-the-shelf components such shown at the BigBash 2 party, supported systems (OS3, advantage as it removes a as hard drives and optical drives. can be found at the following WarpUP and MorphOS). potential failure point (the A provisional specification has URL: MegArray connection) in a been drawn up as follows: http://lain.ziaspace.com/~ryu/a1 The update can only be situation subject to vibration or • - Integrated USB based Amiga applied to an existing 1.9 rough handling. Similarly the For more details on the board style keyboard installation and can be CPU is passively cooled and the and to make business enquiries • - PCI-Riser card, room for 1x downloaded from the system can be booted from a visit the Eyetech website: PCI card Hollywood page of the AirSoft Compact Flash , http://www.eyetech.co.uk • - Space for 1x EIDE HD and 1x website: removing the need for a fan and slimline slot-loading optical http://www.airsoftsoftwair.com A pre-production µA1-I. Notice the Compact Flash slot hard disk respectively, two more drive One of Marko Hirv’s original Amiga Fantasy images which failure prone mechanical (bottom left) and the soldered on CPU (middle right). • - Access to µA1-I Compact has inspired the Project Reality effort. 4 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 5 News News Bytes... Faster, Better, More! Native AWeb AWeb has become the first report few problems. Overall the Prolific Polish hardware (popularly known as the Power Block Addressing enabling it to Amiga web browser to offer a native version seems to be a GoldEd manufacturer Elbox have Flyer in the UK). work with drives of up to 2Tb (2 native version for AmigaOS 4. A promising start and shows how released a third revision of their terrabytes, 2048Gb) capacity. It Like its predecessors, the PPC native compile of version native applications make the FastATA 1200 enhanced IDE also offers improved FastATA 1200 III connects to the 3.5 has been released on the most of the AmigaOne’s controller for the performance and lower Updates A1200 via the Kickstart ROM Aweb open source project performance. processor load during transfers. sockets and the Gayle chip website. The new release also The Aweb team has also and can be fitted to a Visit the Elbox web site for more contains some minor bugfixes to reported that they have started & OS 4 standard desktop system details of the FastATA 1200 III the Javascript support. work on porting the KHTML Dietmar Eilert has been hard or in a tower. It offers two including listings of compatible We tried the new release on an engine to AmigaOS so it can be at work updating his powerful IDE channels that can accelerator cards. You can AmigaOne XE G4 800MHz and used in a future Aweb release. text editor suite, GoldEd operate at up to PIO purchase it directly from the were very impressed with the KHTML is the HTML rendering Studio AIX and its simplified (Polled IO) mode 5, which Elbox on-line shop for E84.95 speed. Complex pages with engine developed for the Linux (and more affordable) cousin, has a maximum transfer rate (about £60) plus postage: tables render very quickly and KDE Konquerer browser and is microGoldEd. Service pack of 16.6Mb per second. The http://elbox.com/products/ overall the speed is definitely also used by Apple in Safari. The 21 and later (23 is current at controller is supplied with Elbox’s fast_ata_1200. streets ahead of IBrowse running plan is to have two versions of the time of writing) have FastATA ‘99 software that Power Computing are Elbox’s under interpreted emulation. On Aweb, “Lite” that retains the removed some supports hard drives, ZIPs, UK distributor, but at the time of the other hand Aweb failed to existing HTML engine and is incompatibilities with LS120s and optical drives such of its modules have been added Go East! writing they do not list this new load some images in web pages suitable for slower Amiga AmigaOS 4 and Dietmar as CD and DVD writers. to the “Work Overview” section revision, this may well have (this seems to be a common systems and the full release, To celebrate the Amiga’s 20th supplies some specific AllegroCDFS, Elbox’s fast CD of the web site. changed by the time you read problem with recent releases of based on KHTML, which is likely anniversary in 2005, Mr. instructions to avoid and DVD filesystem is also this: the browser) and was rather to require more resources to run. To download the OS 4 release Hardware are installation problems if you included. http://www.powerc.com unstable. Some users have It currently seems that the port is and to find out more about the organising the first Amiga have an older CD. This new version of the FastATA Telephone: (01234) 851500 replicated the stability problems in the planning and research KHTML development visit: show on America’s East coast On MorphOS, support for the adds support for 48bit Logical we experienced while others stages but tasks to work on each http://aweb.sunsite.dk/ for many years. AmigaEast gcc 2.95.4-3 C compiler has 2005 will be held on May the been integrated and this is 28th and 29th at the Marriott accompanied by a MorphOS Courtyard hotel, LaGuardia, native syntax parser which Aggregation’s What you Need just across from LaGuardia should speed up rendering Join the Wireless World Airport in New York City. Soft3 Development have News can be retrieved directly Xnet-RSS requires AmigaOS 4 These days it is rare for a new long source code texts. announced a new RSS news from feeds in on-line mode and and will be freeware, for further Amiga retailer to enter the The latest Amiga hardware feed reader for Amiga OS 4, it is is also saved to disk so it can be details and more screenshots For most mGED and AIX market so we were happy to and software will be expected to be released into reviewed off-line. OpenURL is visit: owners, these updates are hear of AmigaKit.com, a new demonstrated at the show. private beta test by the time you used to enable in RSS new http://www.soft3dev.net/ free and can be downloaded company offering a range of Exhibitors and retailers read this and should be available articles to be displayed in any xnet-rss_e. from the GoldEd website after general and Amiga specific including major vendors and publicly by the end of the year. web browser. entering a valid serial number. products via their website. shareware developers will be in attendance on both days. Owners of CDs prior to So what is RSS? Products include accelerators, service pack 14 will need to memory, hard disks and cables. AmigaEast will also feature free seminars and product order a new CD (for a Really Simple Syndication is a One of Amigakit.com’s most demos from guest speakers handling charge) because the protocol originally designed to interesting products is an including industry veterans combined updates have enable web sites to share their 802.11b compatible wireless and experts in Amiga and become too large for on-line news headlines with other sites. The NETPCM010 wireless card is compatible with the A1200 distribution. PCMCIA network card for the AmigaDE. You may have seen it in action A1200 and A600. 802.11 is the and A600 and works with standard 802.11 wireless networks. http://projects.dietmar-» when one site has a “headlines standard used by most wireless Also available is a wired reviewed in this issue) costs Tickets for the show cost $20 eilert.de/ from” box which is updated networks and although faster PCMCIA network card for the £37.95 plus p&p. for one day or $25 for both independently of the rest of the “11g” hardware is now available A1200 and A600, this is supplied days. There will be a banquet page. As sites added RSS feeds, Take a look at the Amigakit.com it is backwards compatible with with the cnet. and on the Saturday night and Web ... utilities have been developed on advert on page 51 to get 10% off “11b” cards like this one. This the suite of software mentioned tickets for this are priced at other platforms that collect news selected products, exclusively for card is supplied with Neil above. Although the wireless $38 per head. For further from these feeds and display it in Total Amiga readers! For more Cafferkey’s freeware settings part of the EasyNet GUI details and to order tickets a desktop application. The information or to place an order, prism2.device driver, a CD of is obviously not needed with this on-line visit: utilities, often called news visit: networking software and card, you can still use it to http://www.mrhardware» aggregators, enable you to http://www.amigakit.com/ illustrated instructions to help control the wired connection and computers.com monitor many news sites without you get it working with the Miami easily make some basic settings surfing between multiple sites. www.amigahardware.com and Genesis TCP/IP stacks. such as your Amiga’s name and Along with each headline the Amigakit have written some IP address. This kit is £24.99 Just enough room this month to RSS feed also supplies a brief custom front-end software called plus p&p. mention this fantastic site which description of the article and a chronicles the many and varied EasyNet that enables you to link to the full text on the web control your connection from a Although mostly concentrating items of Amiga hardware from site, it is also possible to embed on hardware, Amigakit.com have complete machines through to comfortable GUI; it includes pictures and other information. recently been made an official a battery backed clock. Each features to configure the wireless distributor for Cloanto’s Amiga entry has plenty of info. and XNet-RSS is likely to be the first card and set-up encryption that Forever 6 package. many have high quality photos publicly available RSS reader for would otherwise require editing a The CD edition, complete with too. The “Big Book” is regularly the Amiga. The software text configuration file. The KX/Light CD boot facility and updated and essential to any features a Reaction GUI and wireless card kit costs £34.99 additional multimedia content (as Setting up your wireless card to access an WEP encrypted Amiga enthusiast! supports the RSS 2.0 standard. plus postage and packaging. network is easy thanks to Amigakit’s EasyNet interface. 6 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 7 Features Features Chiles was the place that we the card came together before a group walked up to Garry’s that we were with the CEO of chose. The conversation the start of the dinner. Garry had table. There was still some KMOS having dinner. I found bounced around as we ate, it left by now and it was questions being asked. At a that quite interesting, “if” plans settled for awhile on the announced what the plan was for break of questions, I said move on and KMOS is able to AmiWest Show Report upcoming of Garry Hare. the business card. Everyone something like, Garry, now that bring to pass their plans will we Then from within the group the could have a card, put their you will be hiring people for look back and say, I was there, I AmiWest 2004 was the show when KMOS met the Amiga community and Warren Katchmar was there... thought... let’s make up a names on the card and at dinner development, I would like to give sat there with Garry Hare, we business card, yes one saying hand the card to Garry. The you my card. There was a pause talked and laughed together? I needed. I was doing some final to be a more relaxed feeling with that we are now the new CEO of cards were handed out to all that as Garry looked at it. He looked do not know how this will unfold. ack in the early part of this touches for my Hollywood this show compared to the one in Amiga.inc. Ah, the plans that are wanted one. back at me like what? Argh, I For me, knowing what the show year, when I learnt that presentations. I had taken some 2000. made at a business lunch. We had pulled out my dinner ticket B The buffet banquet was well was, it was good to be there. there would be an AmiWest photos of my computer and I Last minute things were being returned to the show and got and gave that to him. Time to re- show, I made plans to attend and wanted them in my done, thanks to all those who May there be more shows and taken care of as we got ready to busy with the plan of making a group, I said oh, wrong card. I now the show has come and presentations. Okay, I needed to helped in making it happen. We better times ahead. I was not open the show on Saturday. business card for anyone who want to give you my business gone. I am glad that I experinced get them from my camera to my were getting closer to the time of able to attend the show on There was not a massive turn wanted one (except Garry of card. Then I handed him the the show, it was good to be with hard drive. Hmmm... I did not Garry’s speech and Sunday, so my report will end out for the show, but that was to course). The name was left correct card. Now, he looked at it other Amiga users. have USB on my Amiga One to announcements. Again I will not here. If you are interesting in be expected. As I thought about blank, so people could print in and then came the smile, as the connect my camera. I looked give the speech here. I will say knowing more please look on the Yes there was the news of Amiga the turn out, yes the number was their names. As I was doing the smile grew, more cards were around and saw that the that Garry presented himself , I am sure you will find a Inc. being acquired by KMOS not great, but the distance layout of the card, in walks Garry being handed to him from the MorphOS guys had their system well. There was a sense that site where you that your can and other news that one can travelled by those that where Hare. Hmmm, quick, flip group. I am glad to report that up and running. I walked over Video toaster and other Zorro yes, Garry is a businessman. read or listen to the show talks read from various places on the there was amazing! From screens. With the help of the Garry Hare does have a good and we chatted about their cards at Creative Computers. The Question and Answer period and interviews. Internet. So, I will not go into the Belgium, New York state, North lunch group, getting the original sense of humor. As I thought machines. I then asked if they was good. Garry did not seem to all the details of the news. Carolina, Washington state, Computer Connection was card and then the Boing picture, about the setting it struck me would download my pictures to a be in hurry. Then after the Q&A, Texas, and yes even some from showing the Toaster-Tower/Flyer. I arrived on the Friday in time for CD. They were more than willing California. I am sorry if I missed For whatever reason I did not the show and went to the Clarion to help. Great, I was then able to Paul Rezendes also went to any other places. spend a lot of time there but they hotel where I was greeted by include my pictures of my A1 into did have an impressive set up. the show with his Pegasos some members of SACC. I was my Hollywood presentations. Ben Hermans was walking Grasshopper LLC was being told that the hotel needed some BTW, Hollywood is a great around, so I took the time to represented by the SACC group II, and here’s his take... more time to get the show room program. If you need to do a introduce myself. You may guess AmiWest: Take 2 as Deron Kazmaier could not be The show was scheduled to start was for the rest of the evening. I and feel of using the real thing. ready. We did some prep work, presentation, then take a look at what the topic became? No, not at the show. It was hoped that ’ve been wanting to attend Saturday at 10 AM so I arrived in got to give some great one on We did our job well. such as unloading gear to the using Hollywood. By the time I OS 4, but being a lawyer and there may have been an OS 4 another Amiga related event Sacramento in the late afternoon ones with a few Amiga users that room next to the show room. had finished cleaning up my comparing the laws here to those I Day two of the show was much version of PageStream for the for several years but work has the Friday before the show. haven’t had the chance to see the same as the first. The Shortly after that we were presentations it was time to close in Belgium. show. From what I know (yes always come in the way of me Steve found me in the parking lot MorphOS in action. It gave me a vendors were showing off what allowed to begin the setup. the show room floor. take it for what is worth) Deron making it to one. This year I of the Clarion hotel and told me good feeling to see and hear the Those people that I saw seemed they had to offer and I didn’t get was hoping to have an A1 found I could go to Amiwest and we had a few hours to before good reactions and compliments During the setup time, I had a The day of the show was here. It to have an good time. They to walk the floor as much as I did machine to work on the port, but take a nice vacation at the same we could bring in the equipment they had for it. Many had no idea good time introducing myself to was a good feeling for me to be made their way around the show Saturday. I had to leave early to the machine did not show up in time. Shortly after the show was and set up. A few hours later we that it was as compatible and the others that were setting up at the show. The last AmiWest room floor checking out the make the long drive home and time for him to have the OS 4 announced I asked Bill Buck of were in the gallery room with Amiga like as it truly is. We were their gear. I met Richard show that I attended was in setups. There was a gathering wanted to make sure the version ready for the show, but Genesi if I could attend and boxes unpacked and cables all able to show off the new Drummond (Mr. Hardware / 2000. At that show was Amiga around Mr. Hardware. The news booth got lots of coverage and knowing Deron, I feel that we will demo the Pegasos II and the over. After a short time upcoming version of FroggerNG, UAE) and he told me that Russ Inc. If you have followed the that Sbase4Pro is being worked plenty of demos going. I did just see a port for OS 4 soon after latest available release of everything was up and running which is just fantastic. It has a Norrby was coming in later. I Amiga during the last five years on for a OS 4 port was really that, showed off a lot more of the Deron gets his machine. MorphOS (1.4.2), which he looking good as ever so we completely new GUI which can also met Bill Borsari (UGN) and or so, then you know that a lot great news. A OS 4 port would machines and even managed to gladly accepted. cleaned up and called it a night. be skinned. Also shown were the Jens Schoenfeld (Individual has happened since then. I be a big plus. There was also the As for me I was running my get a few users to the Pegasos Papyrus Office Beta, several Computers). From there I walked remember the last time that I prototype Catweasel MK4 card, it presentations and one of This being my first show since The first day of the show went site and get all the info on classic apps, some freeware around and met two guys setting was here and how it felt better looks great and offers a lot. The http://www.intuitionbase.com/. I Commodore went out of well. Sadly not many visitors placing an order for a system. ports and the hardware itself. up their MorphOS machine. We for me this time. I am not sure planned release date is for this did get a lot of nice comments business I was excited and had were present. This gave me a Packing up and looking back, I had a nice talk and I told them why? Maybe it is because I feel coming October. Next to Mr. about the presentation. I also ran no idea what to expect. I was chance to walk the floor, get At the end of the first day, even thanked everyone for having us. that I would like to see their that this is the part of the core Hardware there was the UGN another presentation, it was even more excited being an some pictures and look at the though attendance was much I would have thought a show like machine running when they were goup that is now left. In my way group with Bill “tekmage” Borsari. showing the apps that I had official part of the show with a Amiga One systems on display, lower then expected, we made a Amiwest would have had more done. I also met other members of thinking I do not feel that the Bill was a very busy person installed and running on my A1. booth and a fully working product all of which had the pre-release great first impression. Several visitors. It didn’t. With two brand from the SACC group. Amiga scene will become taking care of all the interviews. Ben walked by while my to show, my personal Pegasos II of OS4 installed. Amiga users were sold new hardware solutions worse? Okay, enough, I just want You can hear those interviews on presentation of my apps was G4 system. I started planning on the fact that MorphOS was a available at last we should start It seemed to me that most were With more people starting to to say that for me there seemed a couple of different web sites. I showing. He came up and and decided I needed some valid alternative to the Amiga seeing more users coming back. willing to give a hand wherever come in for the show I moved will not go into what was said started to ask me questions on help. Steve Hodges, also a experience and they could still I look forward to next year and back over to my booth where I during the interviews as you may what I had done. We had a nice fellow Pegasos II user, agreed to have that same long loved look hope I can attend again. listen to them for yourself. talk and during that talk, I give me a hand. His living in The other displays were from the remember him saying something Sacramento was a huge help. host of the show, SACC. There like, just think, this is as slow as He really got this together for us was a bit of a hardware and your machine will run, from now and took care of all the software for sale on their table. on it will only get faster. I was reservations. There was a display of two thinking to myself, bring it on! His point made me feel good. Here I Over the next couple of months Pegasos machines. MorphOS Steve and I made some contacts was looking really good, felt solid was running my apps and I was pretty happy that they were with various MorphOS and was quite responsive. developers and collected some Houston Amiga users group running. Remembering that this is “just” a pre-release. Yes, the fantastic software to show, were showing Amiga Forever 6, figured out how we would show it also felt good. Plus there were final version will be so much better... Wow! everything, and got to know each a couple more Amiga Ones with other through email and IRC Amiga OS 4 on them. So there Getting hungry, a group got conversations. Everything fell were several choices for users to together to find a place to eat. right into place. One of the A1s on display at the show, this one’s in a flash case. look at and try. Paul and Steve’s Pegasos machines ready to please the visitors. 8 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 9 Features Features Mick Sutton’s An Interview With... Kermit Woodallof Nova Design Magnus Johnson talks to the president of Nova Design Inc., the company responsible for ImageFX. of unsold inventory. We Fact File liquidated the remaining copies and sold the rights to our part of Name the collection to DiscreetFX Kermit Woodall Tale of Woe (www.discreetfx.com). happen. What in fact did little while back I came up happen was the hard drive The offending article, this is the Blue Orb Location Richmond, Virginia, USA Aladdin 4D has not sold at this Awith the idea of replacing spun up to speed, the new fan that prompted all the heart ache. time, however we have been the CPU fan on my AmigaOne CPU fan was running okay and end of the day I couldn’t On arrival at Sven’s we got on Company getting offers from three different (Eyetech fitted a TT “Crystal everything seemed fine. But as resurrect it, it was dead, an ex with the job of fitting the CPU Nova Design groups that are interested. No http://www.novadesign.com Orb”) with a better one. I had for Amiga OS4 booting up, CPU and no longer with us. module just as I did at Robert’s deal has been closed as yet. read somewhere that TT nothing. I was faced with a ( comes to mind.) house several weeks ago, What is the reason for this (ThermalTake) manufactured a black screen, no U-boot, taking extra care that I was For how long have you been course of action? Is it At this point in time the only fan similar in design called the nothing at all. At first I thought earthed down (wearing a developing for the Amiga something you found option was to get myself “Blue Orb”, which was to myself, must have forgotten conductive wrist band that was platform? necessary to remain solvent another CPU module and I supposed to both be quieter to switch the monitor on, but it connected to earth) in case of Nova Design, Inc. has been as a company, or are your knew they (G4’s) were in short and have better thermal was on. I quickly switched off any buildup of static that could around for a little over a decade! intentions to be able to focus supply, particularly in the UK performance. The reason for the AmigaOne and double- damage the CPU. We fitted it, We started as an Amiga more intently on the products ironically. I got in touch with this project was so that I could checked that everything was making sure it was seated in developer and still develop and you are holding on to? Sven Harvey of Stellar Dreams run the G4 processor at it’s plugged in, installed correctly the MegArray socket correctly, support our Amiga software (the official UK AmigaOne Naturally the primary intent is to rated 933 Mhz rather than an and not loose. Everything was and everything was firmly in today. raise money, however this will dealer) and asked if he could “underclocked” 800 Mhz as in it’s right place and I was place and correctly installed; allow us to focus on some source me one from Alan Originally all the founders of supplied from Eyetech. So starting to get a little time to power up the interesting new product (Eyetech). Now I know Sven, Nova Design, Inc. met at the logically thinking, best be on It’s alive!! Sven of Stellar Dreams tests Mick’s AmigaOne concerned, but just went AmigaOne again! After local Amiga Users Group. We developments. More on that, we and he is a great guy whom we the safe side and fit a better through double checking switching on the computer I first worked together on video cannot say at this time. after the new CPU module has been fitted. (SEAL and Total Amiga) have fan so I won’t have any issues everything was in place and saw the U-Boot on screen and titling software for a local with overheating. (This was not “Blue Orb”... Job done, as they about removing the then switched on the computer had the pleasure of meeting on With Alladin 4D currently up screamed “YES!!” This time the station then moved for grabs, what are your “overclocking” don’t forget, just say! What could go wrong? from the again. As with the last time, I several occasions at Amiga AmigaOne carried on booting onto the project that became selling points? While the running the CPU at its Just to be on the safe side I AmigaOne’s case, then very got nothing on the screen events, but I wasn’t one and did what it’s best at; ImageFX. suggested price might not be designed frequency.) I called my friend Robert (the carefully removing the CPU whatsoever... Oh dear! hundred percent sure he would loading Amiga OS4. At last I Within the Amiga community, on a par with the resources managed to track down one of one and very same guy who is module from the motherboard’s be able to get me one at short It was decided between Robert had my pride and joy back up ImageFX is most probably invested during its these little fans (in Canada) editor of Total Amiga) and megarray socket; so far so notice. He said to me he would and myself that I should try his and running. It didn’t even your best known product development, it is still a lot of and purchased it. About a arranged to go round to his good! I removed the fan from try his best to locate a G4 CPU module in my system and cross my mind that I had just today. What other items do money considering the current week later the fan turned up on place and fit it with his the CPU module; it was held in module and would get back to see if that worked okay. So parted with a substantial you have in your line-up? Amiga market. Is it reasonable my doorstep, and I decided to assistance, just in case place with plastic clips that me soon. I was rather pleased after a little while of fiddling amount of cash to get her for any potential buyer to fit it as soon as possible. something needed modifying or inserted into holes on the CPU that he was trying for me, as Our complete line-up is: expect to ever recoup that about doing all the things back... it just didn’t matter! whatever. module board. I then spread a he is the official UK AmigaOne ImageFX - special effects and investment? I thought to myself it should be small, thin layer of heatsink mentioned above again to fit dealer, and I thought he would So a word of warning. Be very really easy to remove the CPU On arrival at Rob’s house we his CPU module we started the image editing. The information and feature compound that was supplied have a better chance than careful if you are planning to Aladdin 4D - 3d modelling, module, remove the “Crystal set up a table to perform open- AmigaOne again and... it points of Aladdin 4D were well- with the fan onto the now laid most. About a week later Sven do something similar (suchg as rendering and animation. Orb” fan and replace it with the AmigaOne surgery and set worked just fine! We then fitted presented already, but the main bare CPU and lined up the fans called me on my mobile and replace the CPU fan) on your Millennium - Amiga Video my CPU module back in and it points would be that a potential holes with those on the CPU told me he had managed to AmigaOne, it should be a Toaster/Flyer upgrade / purchaser would get a VERY fast module board and inserted the was the same as before. So it prise a G4 module from Alan simple job, but things can go enhancement package. Warning! looked like my CPU had died photorealistic rendering system supplied clips to fix it firmly in but it wasn’t cheap. I didn’t wrong, even if you take care! ...and of course we have also with a highly portable source place. Now all I had to do was somewhere along the line and care that it wasn’t cheap; what If you own an AmigaOne, we advise you to take Mick’s I would like to take this released Cinematte on the Mac code base. Aladdin 4D’s particle insert the CPU module back to this day I don’t know what the hell, I would have my experience to heart if you are thinking of removing your CPU opportunity to thank Sven for and Windows for Photoshop as system is also second to none into the motherboard’s killed it. “What had I done to AmigaOne back and get my and is worth what we’re asking module for any reason. the support, selling me the well as for Newtek’s Aura MegArray socket, which I did deserve this?”, I thought to Amiga OS4 fix real soon. He all by itself. CPU module at “cost price” package. In the last few months we know of three cases in which a CPU very carefully, making sure it myself. I’m sure I took total also told me he would charge and the help he gave me Throughout your history as a module has been rendered inoperative by simple handling. In was seated properly. care, but these things always me at “cost” price, which was You have recently started (without charge don’t forget) to selling off some of your software company in the all cases the owner was an experienced computer user who happen (to me anyway,) and I really generous of the guy; After the CPU was back in get my system working again; assets, how are things Amiga market, ImageFX has was used to handling electronic devices and working inside was totally devastated. No what more could I ask for? I place, all that remained was to what a guy! In these days of progressing in this area? become a prominent title for their computer. AmigaOne and, more said to him rather than risk it assemble the motherboard seemingly greedy society it’s many past and current Amiga importantly, no AmigaOS 4. going missing in the post I Millennium was actually a It seems that the AmigaOne CPU module is more sensitive back into the case and connect nice to know that there are users. Who, in your opinion, is What the hell was I going to do would rather come up to him collection from various than most other computer cards. If you do need to handle your up all the cables into their some really good people out ImageFX aimed at? now? After listening to lots of (Birmingham) and collect the Toaster/Flyer developers. We module, make sure you take proper precautions including relevant positions. Time to there willing to make the effort We developed it from the start people on AmigaWorld with all thing. It was at this point he only created a part of the content wearing an earthed wrist strap at all times. switch my AmigaOne back on to help others. Could it happen with input from professionals in their advice on what to check suggested I bring my machine and then produced and sold the and watch in wonderment as anywhere else other than the overall collection. Our the television, video and film Please note that Total Amiga cannot be responsible for any and what might be wrong with and we fit the new CPU while Amiga OS4 boots up. Well, that Amiga community? agreements expired some time industry. The idea was to bring damage you cause while working on your computer. it (that’s what the Amiga at his place. is what was supposed to community is about,) at the ago and we were left with plenty the new digital tools to the Amiga 10 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 11 Features platform, making it possible for How much do you use all the Amiga-based FX houses ImageFX yourself these days? to do what the big studios did. Support The Dream Well, you would have never We also priced it low enough that classed us as big USERS of our everyone could get it and have software. We just developed it! I fun! still use it to jazz up videos of A Better Browser! What is ImageFX really for? mine and various graphics work I.e. what are its strengths, that I do... it still does so much what is it capable of doing? that nothing else does. for AmigaOS and Compatibles ImageFX is first, and foremost, a Is there anything you need to special effects package. do with your images where Everything else in it is in service you have to turn to other Visit: http://www.discreetfx.com/AmiZilla.html to that goal. In the early days image processing utilities, and for more details and to donate. EVERYONE used scripting to if so, what? create animations and effects. Photoshop. Yeah, I know it We evolved more interactive The goal of the AmiZilla effort is to raise such a huge sounds like heresy, but the controls over time and more amount of money to give away to the first service bureaus don’t know features to make it easier to use. /team that can port Mozilla to Amiga that Kermit at one of the many Amiga shows he attends. anything but CMYK and TIFF or Now ImageFX directly loads such and I had to learn Amiga will be falling over themselves to get animations and can create include versions for all How has the Amiga market Photoshop to do that in a way this application coded in record time! effects directly onto them. systems, or is this the changed for you if you you intend to follow for the compare the present with, say, they could handle. What made you decide to time being? ten to twelve years ago? I do like playing with Cool 3D on The sourcecode to Netscape Communicator was released in create an image editor in the Windows. Absolutely the coolest 1998 and we thought for sure that it would be ported to the first place? And how long did It really should be a goal of Aside from the cool work done 3D titling program ever. I also got Amiga super fast, the way Doom & Quake were. Well it is 2004 it take from the conception of AmigaOS 4 to support existing on MorphOS and AmigaOS 4 - it free from a friend so that made the idea until the first public standards like PowerUp and it’s, well – in a word, depressing. and still no Netscape/Mozilla on Amiga OS. So now we are it an even cooler toy. release was made available? WarpUp so existing software can Too little sales really remain in willing to put our money were our mouth is and are offering take better and full advantage of the market for software people. To conclude this interview, Actually we started making a $2000 to the lucky coder(s) that can send us even a beta of this the PPC hardware. Everyone seems to focus on the let’s cut straight to the million- scanning package! It was first browser for Amiga OS. You don’t have to port the e- package new PPC hardware and forget dollar question: Is there a called IMAGESCAN (not much What is the current status on or some of the other tools, just the browser portion of Mozilla. that without software it’s just so demo version available of originality in that name) then the prospect of obtaining a full many chips y’know? ImageFX? MIRAGE and finally IMAGEFX. manual for ImageFX? Also to increase the pot we have setup a special website & It’s been a long time and my Nope. But people can get PayPal account to receive donations. We have already placed our memory was never good with “What would you like to see in the bundled ‘lite’ versions for dates... I’ say, hmmm, about a MorphOS and AmigaOS 4 so 2000 US Dollars into this account and will keep a daily tally of any year or so? next update of IFX...? Realtime special that’s pretty much the same and all donations. This money will always be available to the first thing. person/team who gets it ported. You don’t have to donate to the What progress is being made, effects. Pre-scripted effects. More effects. or likely to be made within the Is ‘lite’ synonymous with cause but if you have a little money to spare and you want foreseeable future, on IFX? More! MORE!” crippled, or are you giving Netscape to finally be on Amiga OS please consider helping away full versions of older make this dream come true. No donation is too small, even $5 or We don’t talk about future I’ve got a copy here! Seriously, What is your main reason for releases? developments. we’ve been working, as time still sticking with the Amiga $10 is fine if that is all you can afford. Doners will be listed on permits and with the help of after all these years of It’s based on the last 3.x release this site via thier name or handle if they want to be listed. What would you like to see in several WONDERFUL ImageFX decline? Is it personal of ImageFX with non-MorphOS the next update of IFX, as well fans, on getting an electronic affection for the platform, or and non-AmigaOS 4 features as an ‘ImageFX 5,’ if time and Keep in mind programmers, this effort should work on at least (PDF maybe?) version. No ETA do you see a potential uprise eliminated simply because they resources weren’t an issue? Amiga OS 3.9, WinUAE, Amithlon, MorphOS, AROS, Amiga I’m afraid. in the market now that things wouldn’t be useful on those OS 4.0, etc. so everyone can benefit from the effort. We will The ability to load and save are moving forward again? platforms since the missing Have you decided yet if this help you beta test it of course. Please keep the dream alive. directly in all popular will be free for owners of the Personally I blame it on a mild features were Amiga hardware video/movie formats. Realtime current release and included concussion! specific. special effects. Pre-scripted with all future sales, or will it Is there anything you would At the time of writing (Novemver 2004) the current funds effects. More effects. More! As I mentioned before, and no be sold as a separate item? like to add, that might be of Available for first programmer/team to port even a beta MORE! blame intended, the market Nothing has even been seems to be focused on buying interest to the Amiga version (yes, a port would also qualify) to Will there be native versions discussed or decided there. hardware – not buying software. community? AmigaOS/MorphOS: made for OS4 and MorphOS or Support your software will you be focusing on the How many people are Do you still use Amigas companies! Especially Nova! So 68k version? currently working for Nova personally? Design? long and thanks for all the We’ve got a couple of tricked out $8820.20 The idea here has been to leave lutefisk! the menus/etc. on 68k and keep Three. At our peak we were only Amiga 3000s, I’ve got a Pegasos More information about Nova the PPC module system. It five people, so oddly enough it’s out on loan, but all of us really Design and their products can be She’s Green, Sexy, fully Standards Compliant! works pretty well. not a big change. use Amiga Forever! found at their website: and It’s my understanding that http://www.novadesign.com/ She is coming to an Amiga Compatible system soon! there are currently only This Ad was created 100% on Amiga computers using Pagestream 4.1 There is also an ImageFX PowerUP PPC modules mailing list available at: available, which run nicely on http://groups.yahoo.com/ AmiZilla Concept/Design Consultant: Bill Panagouleas MorphOS but cannot presently group/imagefx/ be run under OS4 on the AmigaOne. Will you extend AmiZilla Artist/Design: Eric Schwartz your approach towards PPC to Nova Design’s products. AmiZilla image is Copyrighted 2003 by Eric Schwartz and DiscreeFX and can’t be used without permission. 12 TOTAL AMIGA Features Features Graphics, not our Windows Do you think that if the development. The only reason “correct” decisions were made An Interview with... we develop for Windows is the during the Gateway period that Video Toaster moved to that the Amiga market would be when Amigas more vibrant now, or do you were no longer available new. think that the ever decreasing DiscreetFX is a Windows spiral was unavoidable? developer under protest. Long I was talking with Jim Collas term I feel Windows is old legacy about this just last week. I feel code with too many flaws, that the Amiga could have Fact File obsolete, outdated and dead. of DiscreetFX enjoyed great success if handled BillName Panagouleas You donated 2000 dollars to right under Gateway. Look at Bill Panagouleas Mick Sutton talks to the driving force behind DiscreetFX and AmiZilla. the AmiZilla booty to how successful Apple has been Location market in 1996/1997. Today I something the product never was encourage a port of Mozilla to integrating FreeBSD into Mac Chicago, Illinois USA have quite a few Amiga systems on other platforms. the Amiga. Why did you OS X and replacing the encompassing every Amiga choose to support this outdated/non multi-tasking and Company How did you come up with the developed with the exception of particular application, and old Mac OS 9. Jim Collas’ and DiscreetFX name “DiscreetFX”? the A3000T & A3000+. I have what do you hope to achieve? Ted Waites hands were tied http://www.discreetfx.com though based on what Jim told about 14 Amiga’s total but that If you look discreet up in the Mozilla is a vital project to get rid Visit the DiscreetFX website for more information on their products. me. They wanted the best for the Best Amiga moment number does change when I get dictionary you will find the of ’s control long term. That would depend on the it to scale up, for example if Amiga opportunity but it just did When I heard about the Video new ones or give systems to following definition; “Having or Mozilla is turning into a underlying codebase of AWeb someone can afford it and buys not happen because of some Toaster for the first time, then employees and or in contests. showing discernment or good application platform and and how successful they have Newtek’s VT[3] PCI Toaster card bad management that was hired when Video Toaster Flyer 4.1 For Christmas I am giving away judgment in conduct”. That is the developers are creating been at integrating the I would like it to be plugged into at Gateway. shipped. I got into the Amiga a Desktop system very foundation of my company applications that run within web browser. I have the AmigaOne or Pegasos II and for its video effects/editing with a Video Toaster 4000. when I started it in 1995, I Mozilla/FireFox. This is great for Assuming that AmigaOS4 is not looked at their code so don’t just work. If any programmers powers. The release of the studied the PC/Mac/SGI market end-users because today well received when it’s Tell us about the beginnings of know what their progress is. Any are interested in helping with this Video Toaster Flyer was the and was very discerning about everyone uses Windows, not released, do you think that DiscreetFX. activity in the Amiga web effort please contact me high point for me. 2nd would what applications I wanted to because they like it, but because developers for other platforms browser space is good activity, ([email protected]). I have be the release of the 060. In the Philippines I sold over 400 port to Amiga OS from that of the vast amount of software could be attracted to the Amiga/Amiga compatibles is still programmers already but we Also, when I saw UAE ’s and over 100 Amiga market. Some of the software for it. If in the future, most Amiga or at least allow their behind on browser applications. may need additional help. actually work and run fast for 2000’s. I demonstrated DigiView, that is available on programs are web based people applications to be ported? IBrowse 3.0 if it ships soon may the first time that shocked me! DigiPaint, Pagestream, Scala, Windows/Mac/SGI is very good will abandon Windows in droves What is the likelihood of a help change that. Yes this could happen, I feel the Eric Schwartz animations, Euro and would really help the Amiga. because everyone already digital video editing Worst Amiga moment best solution though is for Amiga Demos etc. These hardware and I wanted to create products that knows Windows is complete I know you have no direct application being released for When the German courts of Pyromania, ScaryFX and our programmers to approach software demos, games and the Amiga needed and that were garbage and full of security involvement, but what’s your Amiga OS4/MorphOS within made it illegal for the A4000T recent purchase of Millennium Windows/SGI/Mac developers applications helped me sell more not available. I worked hard with holes, viruses and spyware. view on the chances of the next year or so? to continue to be built in 1997. from Nova Design, that are about contract work to get Amiga’s so special thanks to Eric developers with important Microsoft’s attempts to patch this something like “Open Office” I would still love to know the available now. Yes, one year is about right. powerful applications ported to Schwartz, The Silents, Digital software tools that the Amiga Frankenstein’s monster after the being ported to the Amiga? whole story on that one! Based on what programmers tell Amiga & MorphOS rather then Illusions, Jasper Kyd (Hardwired lacked like Quicken, but How is business going in the fact, are having little effect on current climate? It is open-source so it can be me I am very positive this will the developers doing it How did you first hear of the Demo), , Newtek, Gateway’s mismanagement of making it safer for users. Scala & Deron Kazmaier the Amiga slowed my companies ported if some coders take the happen. I am upbeat about the themselves. This would also help Amiga? While sales have recently Windows is the weak link in the (Pagestream) and many others growth and scared away some of time and effort to do it. The fact climate for the Amiga and starving Amiga programmers for improved for the VT[3] (PCI software world, Mozilla replacing I read about the Amiga in RUN for their hard work. the developers I was in that Amiga now runs everywhere MorphOS for the future. OS 4.0 a change. Also, I hope that no Video Toaster on Windows) it would be a welcome change magazine before it even had a negotiation with. What caused (Amiga Forever) should help is already here, MorphOS is too! time is wasted on porting buzz- DiscreetFX started in 1995 when version of our products, I am still for the whole industry. Windows name. Also I bought Amiga this was Gateway’s constant matters because developers can I look forward to healthy word programs that are in fact I began to tutor clients on using disappointed with sales overall. is the ball and chain that is World #1 the day it hit the news change in direction. work on the code on their PC, competition making both garbage, like Adobe Premiere. Customers love products like holding back the industry and stands so I would have to say I the Amiga Video Toaster and Mac or Linux box. products better. Like the Spontaneous Combustion and making it a prisoner of the past. Do you have any ideas that have been an Amigan from the started to setup my own Video I worked very hard behind the Pagestream vs Professional FantasyFX so it is not a quality Its death would drive growth and Do you think the Amiga would would help ensure the survival beginning. I bought my Amiga Toaster system to develop DVE’s scenes to bring Quicken to the Page wars from old times. (Digital Video Effects). Amiga but Gateway’s lack of issue. The Windows market is an innovation in the IT industry. be better served with of the Amiga platform? 500 around 1987 when I could “original” Amiga software or Do you feel the two platforms Pyromania was a very popular moving the Amiga forward and over crowded mess with Now the booty is quite If you’re an Amiga user and love afford it, but before that I made do you think that porting can survive in the longer term package on the PC and Mac and the fact that it became illegal for everyone and his grandma considerable, is anyone the Amiga, go out and get the rounds to all the local Amiga popular existing applications or will one fall by the wayside I thought it would be nice to have Quikpak to keep manufacturing having video editing solutions. showing any interest in doing yourself an AmigaOne or dealers so I could see the 1000 (and games for that matter) is (like Gold Disk, publisher of an Amiga version so I negotiated Amiga 4000Ts made this effort First there’s the free Movie the groundwork? Pegasos II system. If current & the 2000. I also worked for the way forward? Professional Page)? with the developer to allow me to fail. This also scared away an Maker 2 from Microsoft (only if Amiga owners want the Amiga Commodore Philippines in 1991 Sure, Jeff Shepard and his team create an Amiga/Video Toaster SGI application developer that I your running Windows XP). On I think both are great solutions No I think the MorphOS vs market to grow and to get new selling and supporting the Amiga work night and day on the port, version. The PC/Mac version was working with to bring their top of that there are countless for the future. Amiga OS 4.0 is more like Fed-X powerful applications they 500 & 2000. NSPR has already been ported. was a 640x480 Image library. My product to the Amiga as an other sub-standard efforts like vs UPS. Both can survive and should support developers like What are your plans for future What Amigas have you owned, vision was to take the original ImageFX plug-in. No more Adobe Premiere. Cheap Do you think it will ever grow the Amiga market together. Nova Design, Grasshopper LLC commercial AmigaOS do you still use them today? 2000 x 2000 footage and turn it Amiga’s being available also unprofessional solutions like become a reality? Healthy competition is good for (PageStream), DiscreetFX, products? into full real-time dried up the sales of my DVE’s these hurt the overall market on the market and keeps everyone Hyperion, Amiga, Genesi, Started with A500, outgrew it I do, look at the fevered activity effects for the Video Toaster. I for the Video Toaster so I was a Windows and make more For the future I am working hard on their toes. I look forward to Cloanto, Elbox, Mr. Hardware, after I souped it up with a 50Mhz on the AmiZilla mailing list, they also wanted it to work on any contractor for SGI for a while expensive but higher quality with a few programmers to get supporting both of them. Efforts Chris Hodges, AmiZilla, and 68030, DCTV, Custom paint job are working hard to get it Amiga that supported IFF24, I until the Video Toaster [2] was solutions like the Video Toaster the interface and as much like AROS are also very anyone else I have missed. (before it was called moding), a completed. included a version in that format launched in 2002 on Windows. [3] from Newtek look overpriced. functionality as possible of the interesting. Even for customers few external 100MB SCSI hard Please support your favourite as well. If you compare the Do you think that a combined Amiga Video Toaster Flyer on a tight budget, that just want drives, lots of RAM etc. After that Could you tell us something Do sales of your products for magazines and websites like PC/Mac/Amiga version side by effort with the open source ported to Amiga OS 4.0 & to run old games or applications I got an A1200 and used that for about DiscreetFX`s current other platforms enable you to Total Amiga, amiga.org, side you will find the Amiga AWeb team (who are trying to MorphOS. I want the Amiga very fast on their PC (like several years until QuikPak gave product range for the Amiga? continue Amiga development? amigaworld.net, morphzone, me an 060 based A4000T, version is a higher resolution use the “Konqueror” engine) Video Toaster to be divorced ImageFX for example), they What enables DiscreetFX to Wrong Planet, ann.lu, etc. because of the large number of with more features and it is also The Amiga versions of our would give quicker results from its old hardware and work have Amiga Forever thanks to keep developing for the Amiga is systems I sold when that a DVE (Digital Video Effects) current product range are still in than trying to port both all in software and on modern the hard work of Toni Wilen, Thanks to Bill for taking the our contract work with Silicon machine was reintroduced to the library for the Video Toaster, development with the exception browsers to the Amiga? video capture cards. Also I want Cloanto and many others. time to answer our questions. 14 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 15 Features Features Download the Video Toaster application source code from http://www.openvideotoaster.org

or order it on CD, OpenThe World’s Video first Open-Source Toaster Video Editing System The Video Toaster is still one of the most influential, and coolest named, Amiga products, but is little known in the UK. Bill Panagouleas briefs us on its history and his efforts to resume development.

October 1990, Flashback and got very jealous. Many The Flyer was a fantastic take away Newtek’s market. products were announced and upgrade to the Video Toaster His solution? Release the Newtek shocks the world of promoted but the truth is that but the death of Commodore source code to the product for television production by there is a whole graveyard of made many customers talented Amiga coders to see releasing Video Toaster 1.0 for video effects cards from that question its value. Many of the and update. Open source the Amiga. The Video Toaster era on the Mac and PC that original buyers never got to software was starting to take evolved from a simple premise: tried to fight against the Amiga experience the Flyer and that off in the mainstream and provide all the tools necessary Video Toaster and died a is sad because it completes Netscape had just released the to create broadcast-quality horrible death. Video , the Video Toaster and makes it source to Netscape Navigator. I television in a single, Video Spigot, Video Blaster, a well rounded tapeless editing remember that article well accessible device. Not Etc. These other video system. Software upgrades since I wrote it, I was Amazing still have no idea what a interesting codebases on the surprisingly, the established solutions failed because they continued and the Video Computing’s last “Bandito” Switcher is or the workflow Amiga platform. did not offer all the power and Toaster got to version 4.3 in before they unfortunately benefit of Real-time Effects. broadcast video industry It is my hope that now that the feature-set of the Video Toaster 1997, but the death of ceased publication. Also I have seen nothing that is greeted the Video Toaster with code is available talented and were just me-too rush jobs. Commodore slowly hurt as easy to learn as the Video skepticism, at best. Despite Amiga programmers will make Most of them did not use the Newteks sales of the Video 2001: NewTek ships Video Toaster Flyer. You can learn to these marketing challenges, it work with the new PCI Video Amiga which was perfect for The video inputs and outputs on the backplane of a Toaster 4000 and the Flyer. To use most of it in about twenty the Video Toaster caught on Toaster 2, the next- Toaster (VT[3]). The VT[3] card video at the time, so that was compound the problem it minutes. Compare that to the with an enormous range of generation PCI card could be a extra device for a their fatal flaw. Video Toaster 4000. became illegal for QuikPak to frustration and long learning people who shared a desire to know the real figures for sure. NewTek introduced its next Video Toaster 4000 & Flyer “make TV”. It literally replaced TV Stations, Cable Networks tradition-breaking product, the manufacture the Video Toaster [2] includes all curves you have if you bought Customers just bought the inside of your Mediator PCI hundreds of thousands of and Amiga videographers Amiga Video Toaster Flyer, in around 1997, someone please the equipment needed to a DV Video Camera and want Video Toaster since it worked based Amiga 4000 or 4000T dollars worth of equipment for bought the Video Toaster in April 1994. The Flyer was explain that one to me!!! I’m create and distribute television to edit on Windows or Mac. and gave them a CG computer system running $5,000, and put sophisticated droves and many new configured as an add-on board sure Newtek loved the Amiga in a live, real-time environment (Character Generator) , Paint Feb 2004: Open Video Amiga OS 4.0 or maybe parts tools into the hands of companies were created, for the Video Toaster in an but it is quite understandable to that’s just fun to use. So many package, 3D animation of the code could even be used “average” people – from high anyone that could afford to buy Amiga computer. It provided save themselves they had to professional video tools are Toaster goes live program (Lightwave 3D), Real- on an AmigaOne with the PCI school students to professional a new car could be in the video quality nonlinear editing make Lightwave 3D and the integrated into this powerhouse time Effects, Genlocking, and This is why I started Toaster installed. event videographers. production business. Video capabilities, affordably. NewTek Video Toaster for other – and the industry was once Chroma Keying all in one Toaster software upgrades weathered the failing fortunes operating systems. They still fix again stunned by the price - openvideotoaster.org I don’t Why would anyone do this? system. For customers that did So began the paradigm shift continued every year and the of the Amiga computer and its Video Toaster cards and Flyer way under $5,000! All the want the Amiga Video Toaster The Amiga is the ultimate Hot not like the “A” word (Amiga) that launched an entire Toaster card itself received a manufacturer, Commodore cards to this day for that comes with Video Flyer to be forgotten, many still Rod of computers, users and Newtek rebranded industry and was first called slight upgrade in 1993 to take Business Machines, which though, they will even give you Toaster [2] requires Windows use it today for all of their developers have been turbo machines with the Video the “Desktop Video advantage of the new AGA went out of business. The Tech Support and help with 2000/XP though. This is a very editing needs. Even though I charging them for years so why Toaster logo and sold them Revolution”. The Video Toaster Amiga 4000 computer. company had chosen the DigiView; god bless them. nice solution for Widows users have the latest PC Video not? Last month’s launch of (They also did this with the received coverage in all major Amiga platform because, and I am shocked that more Toaster, VT[3], I still use and Open Video Toaster was a Amiga 4000). Many powerful 3rd party magazines including Popular 1994: Tapeless Editing added unlike any other personal have not bought it. Todays love my Amiga 4000T Video great success. Visitors to the Science, Rolling Stone and products came out for the Flyer Toaster Flyer system. Using site downloaded over 57 Things went very well for computer, the Amiga’s video video software landscape has Playboy. Im sure other to the Video Toaster like RenderFX and Audio Black the VT[3] and Flyer together Gigabytes of source code! Newtek and I have heard they display most closely matched changed dramatically, what software developers on completing it as a all in one Box from ProWave make for one super powerful When you consider that the sold around 100,000 Video that of a television. once was a niche market with and the PC noticed (Programmed by Bill Evans) the cost of ownership starting editing system. code to the Amiga Video Toaster cards, though I don’t Video Editing system and some very nice tools from at $5000, is now a more Tim Jenison was kind enough Toaster Flyer is only about Aussie (OzWare) that made mainstream market with to listen to the Amiga 30MB that is a lot of unique editing easier and faster for products available for $50 or community and allow Paul Lara downloads. As we suspected Flyer owners. even free (MS Movie Maker 2, to give the source-code out, there has been a very high free only if you own Windows developers Bill Evans and demand for this code ever 1998: Amazing Computing XP). The sad fact about this Aaron “Aarexx” Ruscetta did a since its release. Just like it Article comes out about new affordable reality is that nice job cleaning up the code took time for the Netscape releasing the Video Toaster features and power have been so it is ready for Amiga source-code to be updated; sacrificed in place of price. And programmer consumption. look how powerful and feature Flyer Source-Code customers do not know this, They used much of their own rich Mozilla is today! I have they think when they load their personal time to organize this high hopes for the Video The Bandito (Amazing free copy of Adobe Premiere gift to the community, so Toaster Flyer source-code, Computing’s rumor columnist) the horrible and unintuitive deserve a special thank you. may it continue to live on and writes an Article that says the interface is what video editing Everyone should also send on just as the Amiga OS has. Video Toaster Flyer software is is all about. Newtek a special thanks for Who knows what the future no longer being updated and allowing Amiga owners to might hold. other companies are trying to Mac OS X’s Final Cut Pro finally have one of the more Like much software of its time, the Video Toaster’s suite of applications used a custom interface. owners have it a little better but 16 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 17 Features Features intensive tasks such as loading devices connected to your Epistula has a smart MUI programs, listing e-mails, AmigaOne, this is useful for interface. To the left is the searching for files and loading checking that your devices are instant message window data into applications much running at their optimum and below is the list of faster. Currently UDMA support settings. IDETool can also be contacts. Amiga OS 4 Update is limited to hard disks but we used to change IDE settings on understand that ATAPI devices the fly, very handy for testing AmigaOne owners rejoice, such as CD and DVD drives will configuration changes before and Application Development Round-up also be supported. committing them to UBoot. the first pre-release update Houston, we have a problem... Fortunately for us, the IDE is out and better than ever! but fortunately the solution is a device drivers will usually Mick Sutton and Robert little easier and less life automatically determine the Williams sample its AmiDock’s CPU Clock docky at the right shows CPU usage during a file copy with the DMA IDE driver. threatening than Apollo 13! After correct settings if you leave the because it will take time for sequence using the supplied extensive testing a problem has variables unset and don’t use Graphics System been found with the AmigaOne’s IDETool. However these settings beta testers and pre-release goodness and look applications to be ported or script (s:usbresident-startup) users. For beta testers there are alternative native applications to Another vital part of the OS is USB input devices will be built-in IDE controller in DMA can be useful if you find the forward to some of the mode that is triggered by the use automatic configuration is not multiple updates, some times be written. The interpreted 68K the graphics system and this is available from startup and more than 10, to apply every native applications in emulator built into the kernel has now almost completely PPC because the script makes the of the built-in Ethernet adaptor. optimum for your drives. This means DMA can only be day, so you can see that a great been steadily improving in both native, this gives a great USB software resident they are deal of progress is being made. development. performance and compatibility even available in the early used safely if you don’t use the performance improvement over To see UDMA mode in For the last few months the OS MUI interface which already since we have been testing it. startup menu. Ethernet adaptor. For those who TIP: the 68K version included on the action, add Peter Gordon’s CPU has proven very stable and many looks pretty slick even at this t says something about the AmigaOne owners with pre- need to use Ethernet a driver original pre-release CD. The clock docky (available from beta testers and pre-release early stage of development and speed of OS 4’s current release update one will find that has been written for Silicon I graphics.library (excluding only a Serial and Parallel www.OS 4Depot.net, owners now use an AmigaOne is planned to be available for development (and Total Amiga’s the very latest beta release has a Image 680 based PCI UDMA few routines), Picasso96 and utility/docky/cclock_docky.) to with OS 4 as their primary 68K Amigas as well as OS 4. publishing schedule) that the first noticeable performance While serial and parallel ports 133 IDE cards. These cards are graphics card drivers (for Voodoo your AmiDock bar. Now copy computer. Even with this regular OS 4 pre-release had just improvement. We found that may seem old fashioned, many inexpensive (about 15UKP) and and Radeon) are now PPC some file from one hard disk use the GrimReaper is a rare Current Status become available when Total processor intensive applications people have dial-up can be used to boot the native. This makes everything partition to another using visitor. The final modules that Amiga issue 18 was published such as Photogenics and and printers that they would like AmigaOne and use IDE hard feel snappier and even speeds Workbench, you should notice seem to have been the most On his website Daniel reports and as we write this feature the ImageFX ran faster under the to use with their AmigaOne. Pre- drives at their full UDMA133 up aspects of emulated very little additional CPU usage. tricky to implement such as PPC that he has most of the basic first update to that release has latest release – we reckon about release update one contains a speed with minimal CPU usage. applications such as scrolling in Performing the same task in a graphics and JIT emulation are features in place and a working already been out for a few 060 speed. The FPU new parallel.device written for It is possible that a patch for the Final Writer and IBrowse. PIO mode will max out the CPU. now completed and entering MSN Messenger (Microsoft) weeks. The update improves the AmigaOne’s built-in parallel existing AmigaOne XE will be support has been improved beta test so it seems that the plug-in. The program currently almost every area of the OS, so port. This means printing now developed but we understand recently, meaning programs that final release may finally be within allows the user to login, view the in this article we have highlighted MUI works both with the standard that it will require a delicate rely on an FPU such as Cinema Internet and Networking sight! The best news is that, status of contacts, send and some of the key improvements. Workbench printer drivers and modification to the board so the 4D and Samplitude Opus now While the default GUI system is Enhancements to OS 4’s while OS 4 has always been an receive instant messages, and We hope this will help AmigaOne Turboprint. In TurboPrefs you SI680 card will be the easiest run (although we did notice some Reaction there are many Roadshow TCP/IP stack and to impressive achievement, it is add and remove contacts. HTML owners with the pre-release find need to choose to print to option for most users. The new rendering glitches in Cinema programs that use MUI. To the driver for the built-in Ethernet now looking like a useable OS is used for the message display new features they may have “Parallel” or to “Device” µA1-C and -I models do not 4D). Of the few applications that support these a PPC native controller have improved OS 4’s for general use too. which allows the incorporation of missed and keep everyone else “parallel.device” rather than suffer from this problem and have caused us problems most version of MUI (version 3.9) is performance while surfing the text formatting, colours and up to date. Later on in this article “Turbo-par” as the latter option DMA can be used safely with the have been resolved, this included in pre-release update Internet or a network. Using a smilies. For the initial release you’ll find updates on some of tries to access “classic” Amiga on-board IDE controller. OS 4 Native Applications includes Fiasco (a shareware one. Not only does this give both 512KB/s (kilobits per second) Daniel plans to add file transfer, the major applications that are in database), TVPaint, AmiDiction hardware. Also supplied in emulated and native MUI There are two ways to configure broadband connection we As OS 4 seems to be coming proxy support, sound events and development for OS 4. (utility to access an on-line update one is the a1serial.device programs a speed boost it also the “a1ide” and “si680ide” noticed transfer rates increase along nicely, we thought it would user configurable smilies. After dictionary) and AmigaWriter 2. At which, you’ve guessed it, is a has new features not found in drivers. The first option is to set from 52Kb/s ( per be interesting to have a look at the first release the next job will the time of writing the only serial driver for the AmigaOne’s Altivec the latest Amiga OS 3.x release the UBoot variables, this method second) to around 59Kb/s and some of the software that is in be work on a plug-in for the ICQ “classic” Amiga applications that built-in ports. a1serial.device can (version 3.8). The new features ensures that the settings are there is less delay before web development for the new OS: service which was supported by The PowerPC G4 processor has we have tested and have be used with Roadshow’s include more flexible program available as soon as OS 4 pages and e-mails start to older Amiga clients like STRICQ. an Altivec unit specifically problems with are DrawStudio 2 “Internet Connection” utility to and pop-up menus, begins to boot and can be download. Also command line designed to accelerate vector and AmiAtlas 6. connect to your Internet Service Epistula improvements to the preferences changed if you make a setting utilities are now included with Daniel has agreed to write a calculations often used in Provider (ISP). Multiple program which separates its built that stops OS 4 from booting. Roadshow including an FTP WWW: more detailed article about multimedia programs such as 3D Soon it will be time for the connections (to different ISPs or in options from custom class The “ide_conf” variable (replace client, ping and traceroute. www.the-snakepit.co.uk/epistula/ Epistula and its development for and video. Altivec support is now interpreted emulator to take a to the same ISP at different options and more configurable “ide” with “sil” in these variable License: To be decided the next issue of Total Amiga. included in the OS 4 kernel, but back seat as Petunia, the new rates) can be set-up using a bubble help. names to configure an SI680 Author: Daniel Allsopp like FPU support on the “classic” JIT emulator, steps on the handy “wizard” style utility which Audio based PCI card) allows you to Status: In development Amiga, programs have to be accelerator! JIT (Just In Time) walks you through the process. Audio Evolution4 configure which devices are Thanks to lots of hard work by coded to use it. Fortunately, with emulation caches frequently USB When a connection is defined WWW: connected to each IDE channel, Davey Wentzler (the author of Instant messaging is a relatively all the talented programmers used emulated instructions in you can edit it or use the “Open www.audio-evolution.com If you read our OS 4 the options are none, hard disk Audio Evolution, status update new Internet technology which working on OS 4, some memory so they can be reused Connection” utility to dial up. License: Commercial update articles you will know that or CD/DVD device. ide_xfer sets below) OS 4 now supports many has taken off in the last few applications and utilities giving much better performance. Author: Davy Wentzler OS 4 is the first version of Amiga the transfer mode (UDMA or more sound cards via its PPC years with services provided by supporting Altivec have already Petunia has now been integrated OS to include USB support as many of the major IT companies Availability: In development been released. These programs with the kernel so that 68K UDMA IDE Polled IO) and speed for each native AHI implementation. The standard. Now early-bird users IDE device. Another variable, new drivers include support for including Microsoft, AOL and include DvPlayer (an applications can seamlessly use (DMA) Audio Evolution 4 is an audio can try this out for themselves “ide_irq” controls the use of IRQs the C-Media 8738 sound chip Yahoo. With instant messaging a MPEG/DVD/VCD player) and the faster JIT emulation. At the support has been added to the hard disk recording system that because the USB system has for each device on the , if used in the new µA1-C and I user can see which of their AmiPDF (which is much faster time of writing Petunia has not driver for the AmigaOne’s built-in will allow you to use your Amiga been included in pre-release IRQs are used the CPU usage motherboards. friends is on-line and then than the version included in the been released into beta test so IDE controller. This means data as a multi-track audio recorder update one. In this update only during transfers is reduced for contact them via a live text pre-release). we can’t comment from can be read from, and written to, and mixer. It also features Human Interface Devices (HID) both PIO and UDMA modes. based chat session. Daniel experience on its performance, are supported, this includes a drive with much lower CPU Bug Fixes and Stability Allsopp is developing Epistula, arranging and editing of your however we are expecting a recorded tracks in a non-linear keyboards and mice. If you start usage and at higher data rates OS 4 is also supplied with a new an OS 4 native IM client which 68K Emulation huge increase over the As usual a huge amount of work and non-destructive way with the USB stack (the software that greatly improving disk program called IDETool. can support multiple instant For most users compatibility with interpreted emulator. has been going into making OS unlimited undo: you can cut, controls the USB hardware and performance. The lower CPU This can be used to display messaging protocols via a plug- 68K Amiga applications will be 4 even more stable and fixing copy, paste, move, split, trim and devices) in your startup- usage makes many disk information about the IDE in Interface. The program has a an important feature of OS 4 bugs and issues reported by crossfade regions in a multitrack 18 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 19 Features Features wave form display. The mixing one of his other projects, he can displayed full screen complete and Amiga OS 4 too. The latest OS 4 native ArtEffect 4.0 Current Status Current Status desk offers , panning, now start playback of AE4 with transition effects. version of PageStream is 5.0 being demonstrated at the mute, solo, 3 insert effects, a 4- remotely from another machine and this has been released on Essen OS 4 On Tour OS 4 native builds of YAM have An OS 4 native SimpleMail is band EQ, 4 auxiliary sends and on a LAN or WAN. This means Current Status Windows and Linux so far, event. The video is playing been available for some time, but currently available for OS 4 beta subgroup assignment per Dave can start AE4 on someone AmigaOS 68K and MacOS X back in the OS 4 native there is not yet an official testers but unfortunately not to channel. Most parameters can else’s computer in Australia and A beta version of PicShow for versions are also said to be MPEG, DVD and VCD release. If you want to try it out pre-release users. Unlike the be changed in real-time and also the other user can start it on AmigaOS 4 is available for imminent. Grasshopper LLC told viewer, DvPlayer. you will need to download the YAM compiles, the current automated, where the Dave’s. Although this example is download from Thomas’ website. Total Amiga that they are still latest nightly build from the web SimpleMail release for OS 4 automation events can be edited just for fun, it could have nice In our testing the program committed to the AmigaOS 4 site above. These builds are of does include some features that visually and recorded by and useful applications (for worked very well without any version and have completed the current development version are not yet in the public release. controlling the mixing desk by which security would of course crashes. Pictures load quickly some preliminary work. At the and show a warning message. These include the optional mouse or MIDI remote controller. have to be considered!). and the transition effects are time of our conversation they They can have bugs and ability, as found in many e- Audio Evolution 4 also has smooth even at high resolutions. were waiting to get hold of an problems so be careful and mailers on other platforms, to several synchronisation methods PicShow PicShow is an essential utility for AmigaOne so development could make sure you backup any preview a message in the main to synchronize start of playback any OS 4 user. start in earnest. Interestingly the messages you can’t afford to window without needing to open with MIDI or other programs WWW: company also told us that they loose before trying them. it. In our testing we found the running on the same or other http://home.t-online.de/ plan for the OS 4 version to have current release to be stable and computers. It comes with an home/thomas-rapp/ PageStream 5 an antialiased text display and to While the development versions to have excellent performance extensive manual in PDF format amiga/beta.html WWW: www.grasshopperllc.com sport a new Reaction based Partner, apparently work has have new features of course compared to the 68K version which also serves as on-line License: Freeware Developer: Grasshopper LLC GUI, taking advantage of new been progressing on an these will be available to 68K both under emulation and on help. Expected release date is Author: Thomas Rapp License: Commercial and enhanced OS features. AmigaOS 4 native version. An users too. The main change on classic hardware. December of this year. Availability: Public beta version Availability: In development early alpha version was OS 4 is a drastic improvement in available to all now Stop Press! demonstrated at the AmigaOS 4 would be interested in buying the speed, for example opening an RealSoft 4D and Current Status PageStream shouldn’t need on tour event Essen, Germany package for OS 4 at around the e-mail folder with thousands of PicShow is a powerful picture much of an introduction to Total Just as this article went to press which took place in May. This above price, why not let them messages now happens in the viewer which uses datatypes to Hyperion Games As far as progress is concerned, Amiga readers, as it is the Grasshopper have released demo was caught on video by know via their website? blink of an eye. This speed is a support a wide range of image WWW: Audio Evolution 4 has had a package we PageStream 5.0 test program for Marcus Neervoort of combination of PPC native code, formats. Images are displayed in www.hyperion-entertainment.biz feature freeze for over a year, use to create the magazine and OS 4 (and 68K Amiga). This www.amition.de, thanks to him native MUI and the fast new a borderless window on YAM Developer: Hyperion while DaveAE has been working we have reviewed new versions command line utility tests the for permission to use the grabs DMA IDE drivers. Workbench (or another public License: Commercial on other OS 4 audio related several times. Just in case you function of some of the core that accompany this article. WWW: www..ch screen) or on their own screen. Availability: In development projects such as the AHI port, don’t know then, PageStream is PageStream libraries on OS 4. Nightly Builds: Right clicking on the image We haven’t heard from Haage SimpleMail drivers and Mixer. He has also a professional DTP application While this is still far from a beta http://yam.light-speed.de/nightly/ Hyperion’s regular game displayed brings up a list of all and Partner what their plans are fixed some bugs in AE4 which and is probably one of the most version, let alone a full release, it License: Open source (GPL) WWW: releases were the mainstay of the images in the current for ArtEffect 4. As image were uncovered because OS 4 complex pieces of software ever does at least show that the OS 4 Availability: Nightly builds http://simplemail.sourceforge.netL the entertainment software directory allowing you to view manipulation is CPU intensive, it is more strict than OS 3. developed for the Amiga. I can’t version of PageStream is being available to all now License: Open Source scene for Phase 5’s PPC any one easily. A wide selection is important to have a native However, as the OS 4 update- even begin to summarise its worked on. application therefore ArtEffect Availability: Beta version accelerators and 3D graphics of options can be accessed Almost every Amiga user seems CD now contains a much faster features here, probably the best will be an important addition to available to OS 4 testers. cards on classic Amiga using the program menus or an to have used YAM for their e-mail PIO 4 driver for the built-in IDE way to describe it is that PageStream 5.0 and 5.0Pro OS 4’s native software armoury hardware. Their releases optional button bar (which can be at some point. Its combination of SimpleMail is the new kid on the controller, the SI680 UDMA PageStream can be used for (with additional features and when it is released. included Freespace, Quake II skinned). These include image features and free distribution -mail software block and driver and native graphics, AE4 anything from a one page poster plug-ins) for OS 4 can be pre- and Shogo. processing effects, rotate, flip, have proven irresistible over the is the only Amiga program to can now be released and used to a book with hundreds of pages ordered from the Grasshopper zoom and even cropping. If you years. YAM is now open source support HTML formatted e-mail as it’s meant to be. Dave is and from a black and white flyer LLC website. Papyrus Office X Current Status modify the image, it can then be and development has been internally. Another recently working on getting AE4 out to a full colour magazine. WWW: www.titan-computer.com/ saved as a JPEG or IFF file. continuing at a steady but not introduced feature that really We understand that Hyperion are within 1 or 2 months. The things ami/papyrus ArtEffect blazing pace. Of course the great sets it apart is its SPAM filter planning to release their existing left to complete are the on-line Current Status Publisher: Titan Computer WWW: www.haage-partner.com thing about open source which analyses the e-mails you titles in new OS 4 native help system, some A “Slideshow” icon is License: Commercial TIP: Publisher: Haage and Partner software is that it can be easily receive to isolate the genuine versions when the OS has been documentation updates and the included in the PicShow archive, In recent years PageStream has Availability: Dependant on License: Commercial ported to other platforms... messages from all the rubbish. released. A beta version of packaging. after installation copy this into been available on several demand Availability: In development for OS 4 has now been the drawer where you installed platforms: Amiga, Windows, Mac One interesting thing that (early alpha demonstrated). Papyrus Office is an office suite issued to beta testers so this is a PicShow. Then double click and Linux and Grasshopper has DaveAE has mentioned to us at for Windows, MacOS X, good sign that the required “Slideshow” and select some announced that this will be Another well known Amiga Total Amiga is that, as a result of expanded to include MorphOS and OS/2 which includes a word supporting software will be images, these are automatically application, ArtEffect is a processor, spreadsheet and available. Although nothing has powerful image processor with database. The word processor been decided yet it seems that an excellent and easy to use can load and save MS Word owners of the classic versions of layers system which seems documents and has powerful these titles will probably be “inspired” by Photoshop. Also features such as tables, charged for the OS 4 native included are a wide range of references and footnotes. The versions to cover the porting special effect filters, a flexible database and spreadsheet are costs. Some of you may “magic wand” masking system integrated with the word remember that Hyperion were and a brush manager that can processor to allow mail merge working on a port of SIN (a first create realistic natural media and analysis within tables person shooter) which proved to effects. ArtEffect 4 is the most respectively. Papyrus is currently be to intensive for the “classic” recent version which was being ported to MorphOS and PPC and 3D hardware. We released in 2000 and apart from 68K Amiga by Titan Computer, understand that this is near a 3rd party collection of Plug-ins the planned selling price is completion and is also slated for not much has been heard about 129Euro (about £90). release on OS 4. it since. Current Status Hyperion also announced a port Current Status of RealSoft 4D to OS 4, at the Titan have announced that they time of writing we have no Despite the reticence of further information on this project may consider an OS 4 version if SimpleMail 2.3 for OS 4 is faster and has new features ArtEffect’s publisher, Haage and but understand it is underway. Audio Evolution 4’s time line display. there is sufficient interest. If you like the message preview shown here. 20 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 21 Features Darren’s A1200 running OS 4 at the Big AmigaOS 4 Bash 2 party. Darren Glenn tries out the very latest version of AmigaOS running on his trusty A1200 with Blizzard PPC. version will come with a robust t’s been a long time coming install script just as you would Ibut finally OS4 has arrived expect from a professional (albeit in pre-release form). Not Classicoperating system. Once the OS only do we have a new OS but is installed on your hard drive we also have new hardware in all you need to do is set its the guise of the AmigaOne. But partition to be bootable and do those nice Hyperion guys a cold reset, then watch the haven’t forgotten about us wonder that is OS4 boot up! “classic” users who have Almost as soon as the boot invested in a PPC accelerator process starts the 68K CPU card and so OS4 is also 4-fold gets disabled and the whole change coming to the classic Amiga! increase in shebang runs from the PPC. In is the kernel frame rate The “classic” version of OS4 is a short period of time OS4 is and the contents of compared to when still in closed beta testing but is up and running on the classic. the Kickstart directory it’s running under the quite advanced and is running To begin with the OS is running as well as a few device interpretative emulation. on both the CyberStorm PPC in an AGA screenmode so it drivers. Pretty much everything Having said that, not all 68K A3/4000’s and Blizzard PPC looks a bit dated and is a little else is the same. This means applications feel slower than A1200’s. Being PPC native, bit sluggish. However it does “classic” users will get all the they do when running native on the OS needs more RAM than feel faster than OS3.9 on AGA, features you’ve read about in a 68K CPU. Tasks like IBrowse previous versions of AmigaOS it looks better and even screen the OS4 reviews and updates. feel quicker. This is mainly but it is still lean and efficient, dragging still works on AGA! I Every beta release that goes down to the native MUI, image as we have come to expect. It was quite pleased to see that out to the beta testers applies datatypes and graphics will boot from 3.0 ROM’s and OS4 still has access to the to “classics” as well as the next system. Loading of websites can handle Zorro cards, AGA chipset, this means a fair generation hardware. like amigaworld.net is quicker clockport adapters, PCMCIA amount of old software that In terms of performance OS4 and browsing has become an devices etc. through the needs AGA will still run, which does very well. I have a even more pleasurable existing 68K drivers. PCI is rather nice. Of course, most 166mhz 603e, or BlizzardPPC experience. The only time busboards also use their own users will immediately select a to the likes of you and me. I IBrowse slows down is when 68K software to work with graphics card screenmode also have a BVision graphics it’s having to work on heavy OS4. Eventually these which uses the PPC native card and 128Mb of fast ram. JavaScript, but I expect that to expansion systems will be Picasso 96 drivers included Everything else is pretty change once Petunia has been handled by OS4 native drivers. with OS4. standard. I still use Paula for integrated (or the PPC native This will mean that PCI cards When I say “classic” version audio, the internal IDE port for IBrowse 3.0 is released!). such as soundcards, IDE what I mean to say is just OS4. my hard drives etc. You can boards etc. will then work using Personally I think AmigaOS 4 You see, there is very little really see the speed increase the native drivers already is great. It feels exactly like the difference between the OS4 once you boot into OS4. The available on the AmigaOne. OS I know and love, that’s than runs on the “classic” and graphics system is PPC native, probably because it is the OS I Installing OS4 is as easy as OS4 than runs on the just like on the A1 so things know and love! To me it’s the can be and the final end user AmigaOne. The only real like opaque window re- natural progression to the OS sizing/moving are fairly I’ve been waiting years for. It is smooth. Loading of all now my primary OS, I only applications is faster because need to drop back into OS3.9 the filesystem is native and once a week or so when I need PPC native applications to use a 68K intensive themselves perform better. application like Wordworth. YAM even downloads my e- Hopefully soon, when Petunia mails faster now it’s running is integrated, I won’t need to native on the PPC. drop back at all. It’s so nice to As I write, Just In Time 68K breath a little more life back emulation hasn’t been into my classic Amiga which integrated into the OS so some has served me so well for so Just as you would expect, OS 4 pure 68K applications do feel a long, and now I’m looking running on the A1200 looks just the little slow, but are still usable. forward to a few more years same as on an AmigaOne. Once JIT is integrated things yet. But I still don’t think it’s will feel even better. With going to stop me from doing Petunia running (the JIT 68K my utmost to get my hands on emulator) voxeldemo shows a a new Amiga, an AmigaOne! 22 TOTAL AMIGA Reviews Reviews compensation and white recognises the number of balance. Then we have shutter The flip-out and twist photos, movies and sounds priority mode where you select LCD screen probably stored in the camera memory the shutter speed and the draws most people’s card and allows you to download camera works out the aperture, attention to the A80, all the files of each type aperture priority where you set but it also has a individually to the directory of the aperture and the camera wide range of your choice. These functions chooses a suitable shutter speed other features. performed flawlessly on the A80, Canon A80 and manual mode where you the documentation mentions a Thinking aboutPowerShot a new digital camera? Robert Williams has recently taken the plunge and shares his experiences. can set both the aperture and limit of 10Mb but this must be for shutter speed. There are two each file as I had no problems The Agony of Choice actually weighs 370 grams with shutter button which is custom modes which can be downloading more than 40Mb of igital cameras must be one batteries and memory card) surrounded by the zoom lever. used to recall settings you have photos (about 1Mb each) in one of the fastest moving areas Many cameras on the market which is partly due to the On the back is a 4 way D saved. Movie mode has its own experimentation session. PTPDigCam also has of the consumer technology had similar specifications so batteries which are in the hand directional pad, several buttons position on the mode dial, each I found that selecting the option to delete files on the market at the moment. In just a choosing which one to buy was grip. The overall impression is of and a switch to change between movie clip can be up to 5 program mode and camera and to set the camera’s few years consumer-priced tricky, in the end I settled on the a high quality item which belies capture (take pictures or video) minutes long and you can take increasing the ISO sensitivity time from the Amiga and vice models have gone from being Canon A80 which was the latest its position at the consumer end and review modes. At the bottom as many as there have space for greatly improved the situation at versa but these functions do not expensive toys to powerful and in the PowerShot range, all of of Canon’s range. of the body, behind rubber doors, on the memory card. The the cost of slightly more grainy currently work on the A80, so I useful tools. My first digital which had good reviews. are sockets for external power On the back of the A80 is the remaining 6 mode dial positions directional pad. The image zoom output. With this setting and the have to delete the images using camera, an Olympus C920Z (1.3 (the adaptor is an optional extra), are pre-sets for particular lets you get in really close and is the controls on the camera. mega , 3X optical zoom), LCD screen which can be used video output (for connection to a help of the focus assist lamp the Introduction situations, these include portrait, great for checking whether an A80’s performance in low light served me well for several years as a viewfinder and to review TV set or video) and a mini-USB If you have a card reader that landscape, night and sport. area of the image is in focus. conditions is streets ahead of the and was used to take many of The A80 is a four mega pixel photos. The LCD is mounted on socket for connection to a takes compact flash cards you Pressing the FUNC button in Olympus. Rather than trying to the photos seen in the pages of camera with a 3X optical zoom, it a flip and twist arm so it can be computer (more on that later). Whichever mode you are in the will be able to read the images review mode prompts you to describe the picture quality any Total Amiga. However, seeing features a fully automatic “point unfolded from the back of the On the right side is the memory camera displays a selection of from the A80’s memory cards. delete the current image. further I will upload some images the results some of my friends and shoot” mode along with a camera and then twisted to card compartment which takes a information around the edge of This option also enables you to Pressing MENU gives a range of taken with the A80 to the Total and colleagues achieved with wide range of manual options. various angles. This enables the single type I compact flash card. the LCD showing the current delete files from the card. screen to be clearly viewed when further options such as rotation, Amiga website so you can see their newer cameras I could see One of the features that makes The compartment is covered by status and modes. For example recording a voice memo, and holding the camera at waist the quality for yourself. The A80 is PictBridge an upgrade was on the cards. the A80 stand out from its a plastic door which makes up the mode dial position, the status showing all the images in a slide height, above your head or even compatible which means it can Areas that I particularly wanted competition is the fold-out LCD part of the hand grip, this is the of the flash and the estimated show. As I’ve mentioned, the from the front when taking timer print directly to a printer with a to see improved over the display that enables the camera only part of the camera that feels number of shots remaining on A80 can be connected to the Usage on the Amiga Olympus were focusing in low to be used from unusual angles or self portrait shots. Another less well built as the door is the memory card. The flash PictBridge port. When connected port of a TV or Like most recent digital cameras light conditions (the C920 often and makes self portraits easy. advantage is that the display can slightly flimsy when open. mode (auto, always on, always images can be selected and video so you can display your the A80’s only data connection is failed to get a focus lock) and My camera was supplied with a be twisted to face the back of the off) and focus mode (auto focus, configured for printing using the photos on the big screen too. a USB port. Some cameras are processing speed (reviewing 32Mb compact flash memory camera and then folded away to manual focus, ) can be camera’s display. Photo Options USB massstorage devices so captured images was very slow). card, wrist strap, Windows and protect it. As you twist the accessed by pressing up or they will work with Poseidon Mac software on CD, manuals display the image is Holding down the power button down on the directional pad Picture Quality automatically flipped so it retains (Chris Hodges’ USB stack used Conclusion and four alkaline AA batteries. on the top of the camera for respectively. Pressing the FUNC Taking photos outside in good the correct orientation. The by Highway, Subway, Algor and The A80 is a sturdy, well made The 32Mb memory card is about half a second turns it on button brings up a list of options lighting conditions I was very display has a 1.5 inch diagonal Spider USB cards as well as by camera that takes excellent adequate to get started with and and, if you are in capture mode, appropriate to the mode you are impressed with the A80’s output measurement which is the ArakAttack USB drivers and quality images. Despite its will hold about 40 images taken the lens extends smoothly. The in, shown over the live right from the start. The images somewhat smaller than some of MorphOS) without additional relatively low price it has a wide at the highest resolution and camera is ready to take a photo viewfinder. For example, in are very detailed with little the competition (and my old software, unfortunately the A80 range of manual features and a medium compression, you will within 2 seconds, quite program mode you can adjust evidence of grain or artifacts Olympus) but it is , bright uses the Picture Transfer flip-out screen which are .info however want to get some impressive and way quicker than the exposure compensation (-2 even on the medium and shows movement fluidly. The Protocol which is not directly normally only found on more Developer rechargeable batteries as my old camera! On the top of the to +2), white balance (5 types of compression setting. The 4 A80 also has an optical supported by Poseidon. expensive “prosumer” models. Canon alkaline cells run down very camera is the mode dial which lighting plus auto and manual), mega pixel resolution produces viewfinder for use in situations Fortunately Christophe Genre While the automatic mode takes www.canon.co.uk quickly. I purchased some has no less than 14 positions, ISO speed (50 to 400), effects images of up to 2272 by 1704 when the LCD cannot be seen comes to the rescue with excellent pictures outside I found 2000MAh NiMH rechargeable there is a fully automatic mode (vivid, neutral, low sharpening, , three lower resolutions clearly (such as bright sunlight) PTPDigCam, a freeware utility you really need to use some of batteries and a charger for about which handles everything for sepia, black and white), metering are available (1600x1200, Available From and to conserve power. for AmigaOS and MorphOS the options to get good pictures £15 and the battery life is you, programme (P) mode which (evaluative, centre weighted, 1024x768 and 640x480) which of Most electronics retailers. which interfaces with PTP digital in difficult lighting conditions. The excellent, with a freshly charged handles the exposure and spot) and the image resolution. course take up less space on the On the top of the camera are the cameras via Poseidon. To use camera works well on Amigas Price set I’ve never run out during a shutter speed for you but has There are also some additional memory card. For each power switch, mode dial, and PTPDigCam you connect the with Poseidon and MorphOS £200 approx. days shooting. more options including exposure options available by pressing the resolution there are three levels camera to a USB port and switch (which has Poseidon built in) menu button where you can set of JPEG compression (normal, it to review mode and then run thanks to PTPDigCam. If you Requirements your preferences. fine and superfine), the finer Body and Design the program. The A80 has not want a digital camera that offers USB Port modes use less compression, After you have taken some yet been tested as compatible so some options to be more Poseidon USB Stack Although the A80 is quite a lot have more detail and fewer photos or movies, review mode a warning appears but you can creative and learn about PTPDigCam (freeware from smaller than my older Olympus artifacts. In general, I found that allows you to view them and just accept it and the program photography I would highly , comm/misc) camera, it isn’t particularly tiny at the fine setting offered excellent delete any you don’t want to runs as normal. PTPDigCam recommend the A80. or about 10 centimetres wide, 7 quality and created significantly keep. You can view one image at Any USB stack with high and 4.5 thick. However, this smaller files than superfine. size means it is comfortable to a time or, by “zooming” out, view USBMassStorage support Pros hold with a shaped hand grip at nine thumbnails on each screen. Initially I was less impressed by and a card reader. + Range of manual the right hand side. The buttons Moving between full resolution the camera’s performance features. images takes about 1 second, Test System and controls are reasonably indoors and under poor lighting, + Output quality. again way quicker than my old Amithlon large and well spaced. The front in automatic mode it tended to + Sturdy build. Pretty camera (and with much higher AMD Athlon XP 2500+ and top of the body are metal select a very slow shutter speed while the back and the hand grip resolution to boot). Pressing the Cons 512Mb RAM which made the hand held shots are plastic, however the finish on zoom lever towards telephoto I took blurry as I couldn’t hold the - Auto. performance in AmigaOS 3.9 the plastic parts is so good it’s (zooming in) magnifies a portion camera still enough (the camera poor light. Poseidon 2.2 Good! hard to tell they’re not metal too. of the current image which can does show a shake warning at - Flimsy card door. ArakAttack 1.10 then be scrolled using the The camera has a weighty feel (it PTPDigCam enables images to be downloaded directly from the A80. slow shutter speeds). After some Results 24 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 25 Reviews Reviews Although it’s not a beautiful design, the Canon i560’s colours do match modern Step by Step computers and monitors. Notice the Borderless Printing PictBridge port on the front right. Turboprint 7.60 and Graphics to crop the image to Publisher can produce excellent approximately the right shape to borderless prints on the i560, fit the paper. After making an but how do you get a photo to adjustment you can drag a CanonMick Sutton and Robert Williams get to grips with this fill the page without distortion? corner of the image in the main window to check it fits. If it does Below: Four separate cartridges Step 1: Select “Project/Page not quite fit repeat the process, surprisingly capable inkjet printer from Canon. should reduce wastage and Size” and choose whatever note that you can leave the borderless paper size you plan running costs. “Select Section” window open. including 4” x 6” and 5” x 7” we couldn’t spot any dithering to print on using the cycle hink your printer is the best photo sizes. The printer is light even in areas predominantly gadget. For this example we are Tthing since sliced bread? So grey and charcoal coloured white such as cloudy skies. The choosing “4x6” Borderless”. did we, but the chances are if it’s which matches many moderni560 prints are truly borderless with over a year old the “state of the peripherals and feels sturdy. It no tabs to cut or tear off and you art” has moved on! With high measures approximately 41.5 cm can even print huge borderless quality digital cameras such as x 17 cm x 27.5 cm with paper A4 “enlargements”. This quality the Canon A80 (also reviewed in feeder and tray shut which is achievable printing from this issue) dropping in price, seems fairly large for an A4 Windows, Mac, your camera and Step 5: Once you have the many people have thousands of printer. Unlike some recent best of all your humble Amiga. image fitted as closely as you digital images that deserve high models the i560 has both parallel can (there’s no need to be too quality prints. Dedicated photo and USB ports so it’s ideal if you Canon haven’t compromised on Step 2: Load the picture you accurate), close the “Select printers have been available for are unfortunate enough not to the general printing performance, want to print using Section” window. Select some time now, but this Canon is have USB. text printing is very clear, vivid “Picture/Load”. “Position” from the “Picture” evidence that general purpose and extremely fast. Canon quote While we haven’t had the printer menu, in the window un-check printers can now produce 22 pages per minute in black and Compatible with long enough to work out exact Step 3: Click on the image and Turn on, plug in and “Ratio” and check “Full” for both excellent results. The i560 uses white, and while this is optimistic running costs, it does have move it into the top left hand Windows AND Mac... “Width” and “Height”. This will just three colour inks (cyan, it’s certainly the fastest inkjet individual ink cartridges for each corner of the page, drag out the print out! driver) but we were unable to cause your picture to magenta and yellow) and black. we’ve seen! Colour documents To use the i560 on the Amiga colour which should reduce bottom right hand corner of the detect any difference in the level completely fill the page. Another cool feature of this print speed is quoted at 15 ppm you’ll need Turboprint version wastage when only one colour image to fill the page as much of detail in prints from the The Canon i560 is a printer is the ability to print and a top quality 4” x 6” photo 7.60, which is available new or runs out. Canon cartridges cost as possible. different platforms. Canon Step 6: Choose “Project/Print” conventional looking inkjet directly from a PictBridge takes just under a minute to as an upgrade to earlier about £8 each but they don’t supplies Windows and Mac and then click the “Turboprefs” printer, with a top loading paper compatible digital camera. Many complete. Despite it’s impressive versions. It’s great to see that contain a chip so you could refill. users with utilities to clean and button. In Turboprefs select the feeder at the back and a fold- Turboprint supports almost all of Compatible replacement align heads, unfortunately these “Config” and choose the away output tray at the front. It “Using photo glossy paper this printer can the printers features, including cartridges are also available for functions are not available on matching borderless paper prints on paper sizes up to A4 borderless printing and a variety less than £2 each but beware 6x4 Photo the Amiga. You may want to do a “Format” (4x6” Borderless in produce a borderless print that... is of paper types. Borderless paper that they may not be an exact one-off alignment from a PC or this example), the print sizes can be selected both in colour match. The i560’s print indistinguishable from a lab produced Mac before transferring the “Density” and “Medium” (paper TurboPrefs and Graphics head is supplied with the printer printer to your Amiga. Readers type) you require. Click “Use”. Publisher, but for some reason (rather than being part of the photograph.” with a PC and/or Mac as well as the 5” x 7” size is missing. The cartridge) and Canon state that it recent cameras such as the speed the Canon i560 is without their Amiga will be interested to only other limitation we came should last for the lifetime of the

Canon A80 feature PictBridge doubt the quietest printer we know that the printer comes with Most digital camera images across compared to the official printer, but it is user replaceable support. To print directly, the have ever used, with a couple of a useful photo printing .info Canon drivers (for other should the need arise. Developer camera is connected to a second moderately noisy computers platforms) is that Turboprint lists application, Easy-PhotoPrint, USB port on the front of the running you can hardly hear it Canon the maximum resolution as 2400 which is surprisingly intuitive (for printer using the standard USB print! a Windows program). Windows Step 4: You will notice that the www.canon.co.uk dpi (compared to 4800 on canon Go on... Make My Day! cable supplied with the camera. users also get Easy-WebPrint image does not completely fill The Canon i560 is fast, quiet, When it’s connected the camera which makes Internet Explorer the pages because most digital Price cheap and produces fantastic enters a special mode where prints fit on the page... whoopee! cameras produce screen rather £90 print quality on all types of paper, photos can be selected and than photo shaped images. in fact it’s really hard to fault. For printed using the camera’s Crop the image using the Requirements Now was that 6 colours the Amiga user Turboprint’s display. The camera offers a “Select Section” option in the Turboprint 7.60 support is comprehensive and selection of paper sizes and “Picture” menu, drag the edges www.irseesoft.com or only 4? worked well on all the systems types, and various other printing we tried, including Amithlon and options. This feature makes One of the down sides of inkjet or OS4! The only negative point photo printing very easy and printing tends to be the running USB with a USB stack that we could think of was its quick even if you have a slower costs, a set of cartridges can Step 7: Now you’re ready to supporting the printer class. relatively large footprint! Amiga that struggles with multi- cost as much as the printer itself! print! Note that we have found megapixel images. that although we changed the Test System print density within “Turboprefs” Amithlon Pros + Excellent print this is not shown in the AmigaOS 3.9 If anyone can... Graphics Publisher “Print” Turboprint 7.60 quality. Okay, so what’s all the fuss window. In our experience the USB (Poseidon and + Fast and quiet. about? In a word it’s the print Top density used is that set in + Promises to be Arakattack). “Turboprefs”, the “Print” window quality. Using photo glossy paper economical. this printer can produce a selection is ignored! AmigaOne XE G4/800 borderless print that, to our eyes Cons AmigaOS 4 is indistinguishable from a lab - Relatively large foot Notch! Turboprint 7.60 produced photograph. Close up Version 7.60 offers support for most of the i560’s features print.

Built-in parallel port including borderless printing and specialist paper types. Results 26 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 27 Reviews Reviews Limitations Two stills from the Amiga different from other videos included on computers available at the time. the AF 6.0 CD. At this point the CD-Boot option Amiga Patent - Another multi- is looking fine and dandy, but Left: The original page TIFF containing a US unfortunately there are some Commodore patent for the Amiga computer significant limitations. The Amiga introductionitself, registered in 1988. This System and Work “partitions” presentation. has a lot of technical detail and Amiga Forever 6 that are available within the excellent hand drawn diagrams. emulation are read directly from Below: The Robert Williams was impressed by the download version of Cloanto’s well know package when he the CD, this makes accessing Deathbed Vigil, A1000 Case Photo - This PNG reviewed it in the last issue. What will he think of the extra goodies in the CD edition? them rather slow. More showing an AAAimage shows the signatures (and importantly they are read only so chipset prototypepaw print) moulded into the reboot the emulated Amiga there is nowhere to install any board. plastic cover of the . hen we reviewed Amiga (without rebooting the whole PC) new software, even temporarily. Forever 6.0 in issue 18 and to shut down the emulation. W If you want to install new Games we only had access to the When you shut down, the software another problem is that download version. Because it emulator closes, as does the the AF 6.0 CD cannot be ejected Five games are supplied on the seemed that many of the most Linux OS running in the while the emulation is running so Additional Content interesting new features were background. We could not find a CD as ADF files for use within CD you’ll need to have two optical After being rather disappointed the emulation and can be easily only included in the CD version way to exit to a Linux desktop or drives if you want to access a with the CD boot option, we were launched with a single click from we asked Cloanto if they would shell session. CD. send us a disc to review and very pleased to find the excellent the GUI. The games: Deluxe additional content included on they kindly agreed. If your PC is connected to the A possible work around for the Galaga, Hilt2, Mindwalker, Ports the CD. This consists of a Internet via an Ethernet lack of a writeable partition Interview - This is an of Call and Tower of Souls, are To briefly recap for anyone who number of movie files relating to connection (for example via an would be to install software to audio only interview with Jay that all freely distributable and can be hasn’t used Amiga Forever the Amiga’s history, some Ethernet router) and the network the RAM disk or possibly to is accompanied by his words in legally downloaded from sites before and doesn’t have issue nostalgic documents and a has an active DHCP server create a recoverable RAM disk scrolling text. The Interview like http://www.back2roots.org if 18, Amiga Forever 6.0 is a number of games pre-configured (often built into the router) then (RAD). However this is severely covers the beginnings of the you decide to go for the package supplying all you need and ready to play; all accessed the connection will be limited because the emulation is Amiga up to the Commodore buy download version of AF6 (or set to emulate an Amiga on a variety from the Amiga Forever GUI (if automatically configured and only configured with 2Mb of chip out and also Jay’s views on up your own emulator for that of other computers. Included are you’re using Windows). available for use within the RAM and 8Mb of fast RAM. This computers in general... matter). However the idea is to the Amiga emulators UAE and emulation. Because the TCP/IP interesting stuff. give users a feel for Amiga Fellow, supporting software, and The default AmigaOS configuration which is available both from the memory rapidly fills up even stack built into Linux is being when running a few of the Movies games and get them to most importantly the licensed The Deathbed Vigil - Dave Amiga Forever launcher utility and when booting from CD. used, you don’t need a stack programs supplied on the CD, so experiment with others. Various Amiga Kickstart ROMs and Haynie’s classic production with platform an installation utility and with a progress bar. Finally you running within the emulation, it things would be even worse if The following movies are legal download sites for Amiga AmigaOS you need to use the video taken during his last day at graphical front end to access the see the “Amiga” boot and the “just works”. A full copy of AWeb some were used for program included on the disc; each one is games are listed on a linked emulators legally without the the Commodore plant in West emulators and content is Workbench appears running at 3.4 APL is preinstalled allowing storage. Another limitation is that compressed in Windows Media page of Cloanto’s website. need to own a classic Amiga. Chester USA and reminiscences supplied. The package also 800x600 resolution in 256 you to access the Internet from the screen resolution cannot be format using the VC-1 codec. Amiga Forever is mostly aimed from the Deathbed Vigil party includes emulators for MacOS X, colours. On our 700MHz Athlon your virtual Amiga and we found changed from 800 by 600 pixels This means you will need at Windows users, on this held for ex-Commodore staff. Conclusion Linux and even AmigaOS (for test system the boot process it worked very well apart from although you can change the Window Media Player 9 or later This includes lots of information Like the download version, emulating an older Amiga on a took about 2 minutes. occasionally not loading some colour depth from 8 to 16bit. on either Windows or MacOS to newer one) which can use the images (which we have seen play them back. According to the about what led to Commodore’s Amiga Forever 6.0 CD is a very ROMs, OS and some of the The version of AmigaOS loaded happen in AWeb APL on “real” Cloanto state on their website Cloanto web site Turbo Media demise and the projects they slick package and everything supporting files but will have to is 3.1 with many of the modules Amigas too). that they plan to supply Player and Xine on Linux can were working on at the time. And worked well in our testing. We be set-up manually. from versions 3.5 and 3.9 instructions for installing the also handle these files but may of course it’s your chance to get found the CD-boot option rather although it is not a complete 3.9 The version of UAE used KX/Light environment onto a require some Microsoft DLLs. a look at the fabled AAA chipset. disappointing, as its only real system due to licensing issues. supports JIT (Just in Time hard disk and for reconfiguring it use seems to be to demonstrate CD Booting Many useful utilities and compilation) and felt very snappy (and presumably burning a new Launch of Amiga - This is a Files the Amiga OS it’s hard to see .info even on the 700MHz Athlon video of Commodore’s original For many people the most applications are pre-installed CD-ROM) which would get over how it could be put to productive Developer based PC we used for testing (a interesting feature of the Amiga including Personal Paint, the limitations we mention Amiga 1000 launch presentation; The files section includes a use unless you happen to need Cloanto very low spec compared even to Forever 6.0 release is the ability Directory Opus 5.5 (a specially above. At the time of writing we had never seen this before number of scans of interesting one of the preinstalled programs. www.amigaforever.com a cheap new machine). to boot a PC directly from the CD licensed edition, unfortunately (several months after Amiga and it is most impressive. It documents related to the Amiga: On the other hand the other CD without the need to have this is not the latest release that Forever 6.0 was released), these features a demo of many of the bonus content is excellent and Price Windows, or indeed any OS, supports glow icons) and Turbo instructions are not available so Amiga’s features and Andy Byte Amiga Preview - This 20 anyone interested in the Amiga’s £10 installed. To achieve this Cloanto Text. A number of essential This Review we have reviewed the CD as Warhol painting an image of page TIFF file contains a preview history will find the files and commodities are already running supplied. Debbie Harry. This is a reminder feature on the A1000 from Byte videos fascinating and hard or have installed the Linux version This review covers only the Requirements: from the WBStartup drawer how important the Amiga launch Magazine published before the impossible to get elsewhere. Our of UAE onto a modified version additional features included For full functionality: when you boot too, such as The CD boot option works well was to Commodore. The event machine hit the shops. The advice is to go for the CD of (a on the Amiga Forever 6.0 CD PC with Windows 98, Me, Cycle2Menu and PowerSnap. (although it could use more (which took place in 1985, article is fascinating and goes version if you enjoy a bit of designed to run from CD) which over the download edition. We 2000, XP or Server 2003. Cloanto call KX/Light. To boot memory) if you are happy to remember) looks on a par with into a lot of technical detail, nostalgia, otherwise stick with Along the bottom of the encourage you to read it in from the disc all you need to do stick with the included programs. Apple’s recent slick product emphasising what made the the download. Test Systems Workbench screen is a button conjunction with our AF 6.0 is set the PC to boot from CD in We had hoped that it would be announcements! PC with AMD Athlon bar this is provided using review in issue 18 which the BIOS (usually accessed by possible to temporarily install Pros 700MHz ToolManager because AmiDock covers the emulator software Jay Miner Speech - As most of pressing a key as the PC starts). software so, for example you + Excellent bonus is not included with Amiga and Amiga Explorer, the most you will know, Jay Miner was the nVidia gForce FX5200 Then insert the CD and restart, could take the AF6.0 CD to work, content. Forever. The bar provides important aspects of this chief designer of the Amiga’s 196Mb RAM after a few seconds the red install a useful Amiga application + Slick presentation. access to most of the product. Use this review to hardware and is often referred to “cracked earth” background from or two and use them, all without + Great documentation Pretty applications and utilities and also see if the CD bonus features as the “father” of our favourite PC with AMD Athlon XP the Amiga Forever CD appears making any changes to your has icons for performing are worth the additional cost machine. This is a video taken at and support. 2500+ on the screen and some text work PC. Hopefully Cloanto will common operations such as de- over the download release. a user group meeting in 1989 at Cons nVidia gForce MX400 output is shown as Linux boots. make the information available crunching LHA archives. At the The results at the end of the so we can create our own which Jay gave a speech - Limited CD-Boot 512Mb RAM After a few more moments, a review cover the CD edition covering his involvement with the Good! end of the bar is UAEControl, Windows 98SE grey boing ball screen is shown custom KX/Light CDs. configuration. this neat utility allows you to as a whole. Amiga’s development. Results 28 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 29 Reviews Reviews card/stick, you’re looking at Philips around $200! If you loose or damage a disc, no problem. Just write yourself Expanium MP3EXP431 Mini CD Player another. If you need a lot of music, just carry a few 8cm discs New Total Amiga reviewer, Anthony Hoffman, finds an ideal way to enjoy his MP3s on the move. in your pocket. They’re compact would be the same voltage rating The Expanium 431 looks much like enough to easily do so. Show o doubt we’ve all seen the as NZ ratings. I decided upon the any other personal CD player Sam Byford takes a look at a powerful image viewer that’s not just for the “ladies”! many different audio players model EXP431 as it was the The supplied rechargeable and N but is actually much smaller. built in battery charging also on the market nowadays. The newest model out, boasted a lot works very well. major problem which I at first shown above the files. Below the commonly available 12cm CD more features, was smaller, espite its name, ShowGirls attributed to ShowGirls but in files is an input-string box where players or “walkmans” are large lighter, and only £1 more Probably my least favourite item Dis not a specially made p0rn fact turns out was the fault of my you can manually type a and bulky. Cassette tapes are expensive than the two lower viewer, but is in fact a very good TIFF datatype.Girls I often use TIFFs location. You can also choose to would be the supplied old and inconvenient. models! (EXP401, EXP411) earphones. Maybe it’s just my image viewer that also has because they are lossless and display an information panel image processing capabilities so the quality stays high, and in which will give a variety of If you want something small, you I chose HiFiBitz as the supplier ears, but they simply don’t fit. akin to MiniShowPicture and order to view them I had installed helpful data depending on what need to use something like a as they had a detailed website, Not even slightly. You might try ShowPPC. Still in its early AkTIFF (from Aminet). Using this ShowGirls is doing at that Sony Mini Disc player, or one of and they were an audio shoving a refrigerator in your ear developmental stages ShowGirls datatype I discovered that moment. When you first enter a the many memory card/stick electronics specialist. None of and would have better results! really does promise to become a ShowGirls would get a massive directory it will tell you how many players. There are even some the UK suppliers were able to Fortunately you can use any brilliant addition to the MorphOS memory leak, and after loading a files it has loaded and how many with built in hard drives! A ship products overseas, so I had standard 3.5mm earphones with platform. Its author, Michal directory with three or four TIFFs there are in total to display. problem with most of these is this delivered to a friend in the the player or the remote control. ‘Kiero’ Wozniak, has informed When you select an image it will they use proprietary UK who forwarded it onto me. It me that he would love to port display its dimensions (in pixels communication protocols, took about 3 months to get “Despite its name, Similar Products... ShowGirls to OS4 if he can get only at the moment), file format, meaning you need a special delivered from HiFiBitz as this LCD Remote - It acts like an It’s functionally similar to the hold of a cross-compiler and an ShowGirls is not a and how long it took to load that piece of software (typically only model is fresh off the production Let’s Play extension cord for the conventional 12cm CD SDK. The current user version is image into the image viewer. A developed for Windows) to line at Philips. The HiFiBitz There are a number of features earphones, and has a number of “walkman”, though they’re nearly 0.6a but I am using an early specially made p0rn cache can be created with three upload music to these players. website ordering system was a you can use during playback: controls such as volume, double the size. It’s similar in version of 0.7 which will be sizes of compression which aids Until now there has been few bit funny to use, it wanted the viewer...” play/pause, stop, track up and size/weight to a Sony Mini Disc available shortly (maybe even by ShowGirls with loading the options to the average Amiga delivery address and the credit Albums - If you put MP3s in down, album up and down, player, but you don’t have the the time TAM hits your doormat) I would be left with just 5Mb of thumbnails (which are stored as user, until now... card holder’s address to be the different directories, they are playing mode (album, random, inconvenience of having to use so I shall write the review based memory, and only a reboot would ). This cache can be same. In my case this was not referred to as albums. For favourite, etc.). The display the proprietary Mini Disc. Also on version 0.7. get the other 200Mb back again. turned off, its location set and it possible. So at their Introduction example in a drawer called shows the album number and the music time from an 8cm MP3 Not nice. I next tried TiffDT, can be cleared with just one recommendation, I made an In order to run ShowGirls a few “Classical” you could put some current track playing time. CD is longer. Many of the which solved the memory leak button press. There are several Expanium international phone call and MUI libraries are required, all classical MP3s, and likewise you Personally I find the remote memory card/stick players on the problem but was incredibly slow models, this review is based only ordered over the phone, no easily available from Aminet: can have albums named “Rock”, slightly bulky and a bit fiddly to market are a lot smaller than the (one minute to load a 32Mb Tiff). Thumbnail view displays each on the higher tier 8cm model. problem there. MCC_LayGroup.lha; “70s”, “disco”, etc. You can then operate. The buttons get EXP431, but as mentioned, the Finally I settled on the WarpDT directory and file as an icon. play from the selected album, or BetterBalance.mcc; Directories are displayed as the I’d been in search of such of a On arrival I inspected what I got. accidentally pressed quite often. memory media is NOT cheap, TIFF by Oliver Roberts which randomly from any album on the BetterString.mcc and “default directory icon” but it device for a while, and There were 4 large instruction Fortunately it has a “hold” switch and some use proprietary works flawlessly and loads the entire disc. BetterString.mcp. If these are not would be nice if the actual icon discovered the Expanium manuals, with 4 different which disables the buttons. software to upload files to them same TIFF in just two seconds. installed then the browser was used, with the default for product range in late 2002. The languages in each. There was or require USB. With the The WarpDTs are shareware with Favourites - You can tag about The blank 21 minute 8cm discs section of ShowGirls will not those with none. Image files are New Zealand market for them the EXP431 itself, a set of EXP431, you simply use your a 30day trial and available from 2000 different tracks as are easily purchased from the display properly, although it shown as thumbnails and non- doesn’t appear to be very big, so earphones, a funky LCD remote choice of CD writer and CD www.warpdt.co.uk. “favourites” from within any likes of Dick Smith. They are a should still run. ShowGirls can image files can be shown or as far as I know, Philips are not control, a set of Ni-MH writing software. album. The EXP431 remembers little more expensive than their display any images for which you The Tooltype settings for hidden via an option in the currently selling them in NZ. A rechargeable batteries, a mains these track names, so you don’t more common 12cm cousins. have a datatype, and loading will ShowGirls currently stand at just preferences. You can use MUI to quick search on the web found a charger and a single blank CD. have to re-set them when you The Warehouse were selling the Conclusion be enhanced by the PPC native two options: Fullscreen, and change the background, text number of suppliers. I figured a The player was sized as change CDs. You can choose to extended format 34 minute 8cm versions that are now available Browse. Disable Fullscreen if font, “button” style (that each UK supplier would be best, as expected, about 100mm (4”) in I’d highly recommend the play only from your “favourite” discs at one stage. They don’t for MOS (and OS4 if ShowGirls you want ShowGirls to display in thumbnail and text is displayed the mains powered accessories diameter. Fits comfortably in the EXP431 to anyone looking for a tracks if desired. seem to have stocked them in a gets ported). Now for a Very a window on start-up and leave on) and the thumbnail height and palm of your hand. I compiled a discreet portable audio player while. On a 34 minute disc, you important warning – I ran into a Browse enabled to show the width can be independently list of MP3s and wrote them to Skip Protection - You can turn without the hassles and cost of can fit 34 minutes of CDDA browser by default. The same altered in the ShowGirls .info an 8cm disc. It’s worth noting this feature on which buffers the the proprietary “memory” (standard un-compressed) options can be used if you call preferences. This is a major plus that the player doesn’t audio data into memory before players. Even without using the Developer audio, or around 5 hours of ShowGirls from CLI/Shell. point for ShowGirls because it specifically recognise the Amiga playing it. This means if you inbuilt skip protection, it rarely Philips Consumer Audio MP3s, depending on the bit rate means you can fit many more ISO 9660 filing system, so if you knock the player (making it skip) skips, making it ideal for use www.audio.philips.com used. You get around 5.5 hours icons into the window without use this, the device will only see the music is not interrupted. The during physical activity/sports. Browser & Viewer of playing time if using the taking up too much room. The the first 30 characters of the slight disadvantage is playing Purchased From supplied rechargeable batteries, ShowGirls is split into two basic size of the thumbnail does not filename. This can be a problem time from battery is reduced. I HifiBitz - www.hifibitz.co.uk and 7 hours playing time if using .info parts - the file browser (which seem to impact on the speed because it needs to look at the leave the feature off, and after standard alkaline AAA batteries, Developer can be turned off) and the image with which ShowGirls loads a Price .MP3 suffix to recognise the file. some pretty rough handling, it of which it takes two. Michal “Kiero” Wozniak viewer. The browser is very directory. One nice touch is the £119 To get round it, MakeCD has STILL doesn’t skip! Result configurable, both in the way it “border” preferences option that recently introduced the option of License looks and how it handles. There allows you to change the space Requirements writing CDs in Joliet format, the Display - The LCD shows you Likes and Dislikes Freeware is a choice of two display modes: between the edge of a thumbnail CD Writer and software. same as used by Windows. the filename being played, or I particularly like the size, and of thumbnail (miniature versions of and the edge of the button each Using this, you can have optionally the artist name or song Pretty Requirements the file) or list. Both are set out course it’s ability to play MP3s thumbnail is shown in. This Test System filenames more than 30 title which are read from the MorphOS from a standard 8cm disc. The the same, with a “Volumes” option makes the display look a A4000T/060 characters which the player will MP3’s embedded ID tag. Also media is very cheap compared at the top, a “Parent” lot more professional and not so Yamaha 6416S CD writer recognise. The player is simple shown is a battery charge Download from to other memory players. In this Good! button below this, then either a squashed. Using MUI you can AmigaOS 3.9 to use. You insert the disc and indicator, album number, track www.binaryriot.com/kiero DOpus style lister or a set of MakeCD 3.2d number and playing time. case a 300Mb disc costs you or www.morphzone.org also change the space between just press play. about $2. For a 300Mb memory thumbnails with directories 30 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 31 Reviews Reviews each thumbnail’s button but it Flip/Rotate; Levels; Sharpen; to changing a files extension - if would be nice if this preference Smooth; HSV/RGB Balance; you are working on an IFF file could be altered from within Greyscale; Negative and several and go to save it as a JPEG then ShowGirls as well because more besides. ShowGirls automatically finding the correct option in MUI changes the extension from .iff can be a daunting project! Each process brings up its own to .jpg and brings up the files options window and the content current folder and name as the List view shows directories in of that is dependant on the save parameters. bold, with the files underneath process. The more processor and next to each item is its Size, intensive items (such as Median) Some of the features of Date and Type. List view uses have “Test”, “Execute” and ShowGirls have shortcut key- the NList MUI class and so each “Cancel” buttons so that you can presses, such as Amiga+[ or ] to column can be organised in Bilinear filtering (right half) improves quality at high magnifications. set the values and then hit the rotate an image, F to toggle ascending or descending order test button to see the result. The Fullscreen, Amiga+1 or 2 to double-click an image to load it I had to search on-line in order to (largest sized files first working quicker processes have a switch between List and into the viewer. find out what Bilinear Filtering down to the smallest file, for “Realtime” tick box allowing Thumbnail Browser views. was because changing that example). Secondary sorting can instant updates to the images, However most of the processes The browser and viewer are option at first did not seem to also be employed by holding although I found that on my G3 are only accessible via use of separated by a moveable vertical change anything with my down the SHIFT key when this was somewhat jerky and de- the mouse and a system menu. I bar, the position of which is pictures. Bilinear filtering selecting a column. The Type selecting realtime produced would like to see shortcuts for remembered by ShowGirls. So basically performs a similar column specifies exactly what a results almost as quickly as items such as Sharpen file is, be it JFIF; ILBM; PNG; when using it. incorporated into ShowGirls, and BINARY or ASCII etc. Non- “...for the ShowGirls really does rule...” - if I want to really give Michal image file can be shown or you can (for example) have the function to anti-aliasing on text - I found the Crop tool to be You can also set the default tool Features something to work on - the ability hidden here also. browser set to thumbnail view it smooths edges and colour implemented in a rather unusual with which to load an image to set the F-Keys to my own and showing four columns of transitions in an image. The but quite practical way. The Crop (Multiview, Mysticview etc). The One thing sorely missing from choice of process! In that way I ShowGirls currently does not but In both modes browsing can be medium sized icons, or eight reason I had not noticed any window has four main slider size of the thumbnail can be set ShowGirls is an Undo function. could set F1 to Sharpen; F2 to given time Michal hopes to performed by either the mouse columns of small icons (icon size controls in it: Left; Top; Width; (this is independent of the While any changes to a file are Crop; F3 to Brightness/Contrast incorporate many of the most or keyboard and context set in the ShowGirls preferences changes was because I was Height. The image in the main browsers thumbnail size) as can not actually written to disk until and so on. useful processes into the sensitive menus can be brought of course). using a large image zoomed out window will have had a whether the aspect ratio is kept you save, it would still be nice to program. I have already asked up with a right mouse click. and it was not until I zoomed in transparent red block laid over it and you can recourse into sub- be able to go back a step or two All in all, considering this is a for the Contrast/Gamma process ShowGirls is smart enough to The viewer displays one image on some detail that I noticed the and as you change these slider directories. All of that is pretty in any changes you made. very early version of the show a context menu based on at a time, which can be effect. Look at the screengrabs values so the block changes to to also perform Brightness straight forward and is program, I think Michal has done the folder/file the mouse is manipulated and altered via of the wolf’s eyes and notice that match. Distance is in pixels from changes. His list of “to-do”’s implementedShowGirls’ to differing main window degrees showing While the we Crop are function,on the subject the highlighted of a fabulous job, and it is has currently over, rather than the certain keypresses and menu the first image (without filtering) the edge of the image, but must be quite extensive by now! saving, the current version is already replaced ArtEffect for in Mysticviewarea and will ImageFX’s be cropped. Notice the thumbnail list on the right. last selected item. This is good items. If you right click over the clearly shows each and every unfortunately the width and FXAlbum but with ShowGirls it’s unusual in that it only has a quick and basic operations on because it means you can be image a small menu pops up pixel as a square block, but the height values do not get smaller JPEG Transformations got more features (you can’t “Save as...” option. This means my Pegasos system. When it certain you are changing the file with several options: Auto Image second image smooths as you move the bounding box change the thumbnail size in that if you do something quick comes to the more extensive you want, and not the last image Size / Shrink to fit display and everything out making it look away from the left or top of the A special menu has been added MysticView) and is quicker and and simple like rotate a file things that I have to do to my you worked on! The scroll-wheel Zoom to fit display; Zoom / Keep; much better when the image is image in order to compensate for purely for files saved in the easier to use than FXAlbum. 90degrees to make it the right images you can’t beat such on a mouse will scroll the Filtering / None or Bilinear; and viewed at normal size. Subtask the new smaller width/height of JPEG format. This menu is way up you still have to click programs as ArtEffect and browser up and down while the Subtask. If you tick “Shrink to fit will use a separate program the resulting picture. It would accessible either through the One very strong point with the three different buttons to save ImageFX, but for the basics “Home” and “End” keys on the display” then large images will be to display images in the also be nice if you could use the “Tools / JPEG / Transform...” Thumbnailer is the ability to wrap that file which is time-consuming. ShowGirls really does rule, and keyboard will jump to the top or zoomed out to fit the entire viewer which speeds that mouse to click and drag a system menu, a right mouse each thumbnail in a template A “Save” option which saves the future updates will make it leap bottom of the list. “Page Up” and picture into the viewer, and process up but also slows the bounding box directly onto the button click over a JPEG file in image. If you go to the download file over the original without an, ahead in what it can do. I would “Page Down” will move back or “Zoom to fit display” will enlarge browser down slightly. image. There is also a Tolerance the browser or via the Amiga+J section of Morphzone and “are you sure?” requester would like to see Genesi incorporate forward one item in the list, small images to fill the space. If slider and Calculate Dimensions keypress. It enables you to search for ShowGirls it will bring speed things up nicely. I have ShowGirls into MorphOS as its automatically displaying that file you use the +/- or scroll-wheel to Image Processing button that can be used to best- perform certain processes on up a link to an archive of 18 spoken to Michal and he’s standard image viewer or to at in the viewer. “Delete” will erase zoom in or out on an image and guess where to crop an image JPEGs without losing any images produced by Cecilia that promised that it will be in the least include his program in the an item (a verification window have “Zoom keep” ticked then Currently the list of processes that has a lot of “white-space” quality. JPEGs are normally a can be placed behind each public 0.7 release. SuperBundle. So while there are will appear first though) and every image you load will that can be performed on files is around the edges. Also on the lossy file format (meaning that image. For example, one of the plenty of things ShowGirls is yet either set of +/- will zoom the remember that zoom setting and somewhat limited but Michal has window is a “Preview” option each time you load or save the images is in the shape of a T- Currently ShowGirls is limited to to do I am still going to give it the picture loaded into the viewer. display accordingly. grand plans for the future of which brings up the image in the image it is uncompressed and Shirt so you would see each saving in JPEG and PNG highest mark possible because it Using the mouse you need to ShowGirls. He is currently crop window so you can see then re-compressed and loses image’s thumbnail displayed on formats only. The ability to save is a rose just coming into bloom. turning Altivec support on within exactly what the final image will some quality) so this is a very this. The templates are simple in IFF/ILBM and Tiff formats Roll on Summer. the program which will speed be like. I found this to be good feature of ShowGirls. The PNG files so you could easily would be nice and Michal has many of the processes up by annoying as you invariably have transformations at the moment create your own too. The icons said he will work on getting If you have a wish-list or have almost double. The current list to click and drag the image are only simple rotate and flip can be positioned both IFF/ILBM saving incorporated, found a bug then Michal can be includes such things as Resize; around to see all four edges. Far options but are likely to be horizontally and vertically within with other formats available at a found on IRC in #MorphOS on Crop; Contrast/Gamma; easier to just zoom the main extended in future versions. the template and when later date if possible. ShowGirls Arcnet under the guise of Kiero. viewer display. combined with the size is very intelligent when it comes Thumbnailer adjustments this means the ShowGirls is able to read and icons can fit within just about any Pros write Alpha channels and with For those of you that like to be template. One thing I would like + Fast. 0.7 will be able to import an able to go into a directory and to see with this is the ability to + Easy to use. Alpha channel from a different see what an image is without resize the template itself - as it + Great thumbnail source file for use with the having to load it up ShowGirls stands at the moment Cecilia Top creation. current image. comes with a rather nifty addition has provided many of hers in a called Thumbnailer. It allows the large and small version, but Cons There are many processes that thumbnails to be written into the being able to resize the template - Some basic options other programs such as .info of each image and would negate the need for this. missing. ImageFX; ArtEffect and Notch! therefore displaying a miniature - Only 2 save formats. SuperView perform which version of itself on your desktop. The thumbnailer includes the option to use a custom template in the background of each image. Results 32 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 33 Reviews Audio Evolution 4.0 Easy Disk “The native audio solution for AmigaOS4” 256Mb USB Flash Drive New features in 4.0: • Non-linear editing on the time line, Mick Sutton transfers data between his many including cut, copy, paste, move, split, trim and crossfade actions computers the “easy” way! • Unlimited undo all of them. causes problems. To solve the • Many grid options to align regions hen was the last time you Ironically it problem, click on the flash • Improved automation editing on time line used a floppy disk to was Windows drive’s icon, then choose W you to • Track height adjustment and higher transfer data? A long time ago I 98 that gave the “Rename” from the “Icons” quality waveform display bet! Despite the demise of the copy data only small hiccup as it menu. In the requester that floppy on many modern across to it, required the drivers to be opens, enter whatever name you • Metronome with freely adjustable time computers we still need an easy treating it just installed before it would work, fancy (we chose signature method of transferring files such like any other the other systems just took it in “USB_Storage”). Now that the • Control the mixer remotely with external as digital images, music and disk. Transferring their stride. When the “Easy device has a volume name it can MIDI hardware data is simple, fast and efficient. documents. With multi- Disk” was inserted into the be treated just like any hard • Native OS4 effect plug-ins with realtime megapixel cameras, higher machines USB port it auto drive partition and be selected parameter control and metering quality music and broadband In Use mounted and was ready for use, within the file requesters used to Internet connections these files and yes that does also mean load and save files from • Effect parameter automation are always increasing in size too! This particular little gem (called Amiga OS4! Yes you read right, applications and utilities. • ...and many more new features! There are many ways to transfer the “Easy Disk”) measures OS 4’s Sirion USB stack treats these files. It may be possible to 65mm x 20mm x 8mm, and is a this device just like any other Features e-mail them, but the other Dabs “value” range USB Flash massstorage aware USB stack. computer may not have Internet drive. It is available in a range On Amithlon with the ArakAttack During data transfer an LED on Looking for a way to use all the be fully automated. Together with access or it could be on a slow from 64Mb to 2Gb in size, it has USB 2.0 driver we achieved a the “Easy Disk” blinks to show power of your PPC processor all other mixing parameters, they dial-up connection. You could a removable cap that covers the write speed of 1.86Mb/s and an that the drive is busy being USB port end and a neck strap with OS4? Audio Evolution 4 can even be controlled remotely, burn the files onto a CD-R or impressive read speed of written to or read from. The gives you unsurpassed power for using more ergonomic MIDI CD-RW, but this takes time and, that fixes to it should you wish to 7.03Mb/s. On the AmigaOne with device, just like any other USB if you use CD-Rs, wastes a disc. carry it about on your neck (is the built in USB 1.1 a write device, is “hot pluggable”, home-studio recording and hardware. What is needed is a replacement that really a good idea?). It can speed of 607Kb/s and a read although of course not during the editing. The latest release be carried around in your pocket for the humble floppy... speed of 668Kb/s was recorded transfer of data! The “Easy Disk” focusses on time- saving non- So, if you are serious about with your loose change, it is so (we noted similar performance can be protected from This is where USB Flash Drives small and light. It is a USB 2.0 on other USB 1.1 systems). accidentally deleting files via a linear and non-destructive audio, please check out the come into their own! A flash (480 megabits per second) little switch on the side. Switch it editing,Evolution as 4seen on other Audio Evolution 4 demo from our drive is a little device containing device but can also work on USB to the “locked” position and you solid state flash memory (hence platforms. Besides editing, Audio website or from the OS4 CD! 1.1 no problem at all (just at OS4 Tip are unable to delete, rename, the name) that you just plug into slower transfer rates). We are We noted while using the drive over-write or write new files to offers a wide range of your USB port. The computer reviewing the 256Mb model on OS4 that although you could the device. realtime effects, including recognises the drive allowing which has a formatted capacity copy files to and from the device compression, noise gate, delays, of about 250Mb. Also on the it wasn’t possible to (for Summing Up reverb, chorus and 3-band EQ. Pricing: 149 Euro. drive is a 1Mb file that supports example) play a movie file the inbuilt encryption that is straight from it. The reason for This truly is a little gem of a Whether you put them as inserts Upgrade from AE3: 70 Euro. available to Windows users. this is that, although when device and I wonder how I got by on a channel or use them as inserted into your USB port an without it in the past. Already my We have copied, deleted and auxillaries, the effect parameters icon (ironically shaped like a seven year old daughter keeps Expected release date: renamed files on this device on floppy disk by default) for the trying to “borrow” it for use on are realtime adjustable and can December 2004 .info several machines: two PC’s, one drive appears on the Workbench the school computers for her Distributor running Windows98 and the screen, it doesn’t have a volume homework (didn’t have them in Dabs other XP, an Apple G5 iMac (Mac name shown below. Many my day), so maybe I should hide www.dabs.com OS 10.3), a PC running Amithlon programs, including the standard it around my neck after all! with the Poseidon USB stack ASL file requester, expect drives Price and the AmigaOne running to have a volume name so this Special offer ...... £16.99 Amiga OS4 and it worked fine on Visit: www.audio-evolution.com Usual price ...... £25.99 Result Requirements USB hardware Top USB stack supporting For more product information, please visit Distribution by: massstorage devices, e.g. www.audio-evolution.com or contact us at Computer City [email protected]. The Netherlands Poseidon or the OS4 stack Notch! Tel. +31 (0)10-4517722 when the MSD driver is [email protected] released. Notice theThe activity write protectLED is switchon the ontop the of theside device of the at drive. the loop end. 34 TOTAL AMIGA Support Support you can burn your compressed files this section we will cover how to extract extracted. Click "OK" to close the "select onto a CD-R or CD-RW and then play each track from an audio CD as a file. A a source track" window. Back in the them back in the device. Devices with CD can contain up to 800Mb of raw "Track Options" window select the this support include portable CD players audio data so you will need a fair location and the filename for the (see our review of one on page 28), amount of free hard drive space to extracted file using the "Image file" Audio DVD players, car hi-fis (particularly complete this tutorial. If you already gadget. Now click "OK" and your track useful in my opinion as it reduces disc have your sound files move on to the should be added to the list in the main Robert Williams explores the wonderful world of smaller sound files and explains how to encode MP3s. swapping while you drive) and home "Compress the Audio" section. window. If you have more tracks to players. AAC supports what is termed audible sound. This means that the stereo systems. These devices normally extract, add them in the same way. expect a standard ISO9660 CD that can If you have a CD file system which n recent years compressed audio files "digital rights management"TUTORIAL this is a sound produced by playing back the presents the tracks of an Audio CD as To extract a whole CD: From the main such as MP3s have become a part of security system which limits where a compressed file may not be exactly the be created on the Amiga with software I such as MakeCD. virtual files when you open the CD's "MakeCD" window, choose "Copy CD" many people's every day life. They purchased AAC file can be played back, same as the original file, these icon then you can use Workbench to from the "Tools" menu. In the "CD Copy" provide a convenient way of storing allowing music to be sold on-line. AAC differences are often called compression copy the audio tracks onto a hard disk window first select the directory where music and other audio data at is more efficient than MP3, achieving artefacts. In all formats, the level of Manual Process partition. Filesystems that work in this you want the raw audio files to be saved acceptable quality in a much smaller file better quality in the same file size. There compression is variable and this feature Creating a compressed file from an way include AsimCDFS, AllegroCDFS using the "Base dir" file gadget. Make size than raw 16bit data from an audio is also a lossless compression option can be used to offset quality against file and the filesystem included with sure "Temporary Images" is set to "Use CD. Even people who regularly listen to that keeps the full audio quality at the size. Usually the differences from the audio source is not a difficult process but it does have a number of steps. In AmigaOS 4. Fortunately for the rest of image file" and "Audio file format" is MP3 files may not be aware however expense of larger files. Because AAC is original are small and listening to the us there is another option... "AIFF" then click "Setup Project". how easy it is to encode your own files a proprietary commercial format, there is compressed file is quite acceptable. this tutorial I will start by explaining each from any audio data using your Amiga. no support for these files on the Amiga. step and how to achieve it with the most Because these compression formats common software. Then I will introduce MakeCD If you want MakeCD to remember WMA - As you may guess, Windows loose data they suffer from generational some utilities that can help speed up TIP: these settings for future sessions, Common Formats Media Audio is Microsoft's compressed loss, this means if you decode and then and automate the process. Even if you As I'm sure you'll know, MakeCD is a choose "Save current gadget state" from audio format and like AAC it also recompress an already compressed intend to use one of the utilities it is shareware CD writing application. One Many compressed audio formats (often the "Tools" menu before closing the "CD supports DRM so the files can be sold. audio file the resulting file will be of worth reading the rest of the tutorial as it of its features is to be able to read audio called codecs because they encode and Copy" window. decode the audio) have been As you would expect from a more lower quality than the original. For this introduces many of the concepts you will data from a CD in your CD-ROM and developed, but just a few have become recently developed format, it is more reason if you plan to edit an audio file, want to understand. save it as a data file on disk. The Whichever option you us, you should widely accepted. Here are four of the efficient than MP3 too. No doubt due to to ensure maximum quality, it is a good purpose of this feature is to allow you to now have a list of tracks to extract in the most common: the dominance of Windows, WMA has idea to work with it in an uncompressed Extract CD Audio copy music CDs and make compilations "Make CD" window's "Tracks" list. To proven popular amongst hardware format until the editing is complete. but the data files it saves can also be start the extraction click "Create image MP3 - MP3 stands for MPEG Layer III makers and is the best supported format You can make a compressed file from used for encoding. You'll be pleased to files", the data will be read from the CD and was developed to encode the audio after MP3. WMA is not well supported Playback any uncompressed audio file, it could be hear that the MakeCD authors allow you and saved to disk. When the process is accompanying compressed video by the on the Amiga but many non-DRM files a sound sample you have recorded to use this feature without paying to complete you should get the message Motion Picture Experts Group (hence can be player with Frogger. There are many ways to listen to yourself or a file you've downloaded but register the program (although, of "All track image files exist"; at this point the name). MP3 files contain just the compressed audio files and the list is most commonly I suspect, you will have course, we encourage you to register if you can quit MakeCD. audio data without the video portion. Advantages growing all the time, as they become a an audio CD that you want to convert. In you use the program regularly). Most MP3 files are compressed at 128 ubiquitous technology. On a computer Name the Files kilobits per second (KB/s), this means Compressed audio files have many you can use an audio application to play If you don't have MakeCD installed already download the archive from the that the compressed file is about one- advantages over raw audio data from a back compressed audio files. On the Unfortunately, MakeCD isn't able to find tenth the size of the raw CD audio. MP3 CD; the most obvious is that they are Amiga these include AmigaAmp, Downloads link in the “Downloads” boxout, decrunch it and install using the out the names of the CD tracks for you has been around for over ten years and smaller, taking up less disk space. SongPlayer and Amplifier all of which Here are the web sites where you included installation script. It is also a so your files will have fairly meaningless is the most widely supported Typically you can pack ten times as support the MP3 format. These utilities can download the programs good idea to apply the version 3.2d names unless you have entered the compressed audio format. The standard many compressed songs into the space allow you to create play lists of your mentioned in this tutorial. public beta 10 update. Now go to your them manually. While you still have the is open and this means that developers of one uncompressed song. This favourite files and have many other CD to hand, it is a good time to name have been able to produce MP3 smaller file size means you can much features too. MakeCD MakeCD directory and double click on http://makecd.core.de the MakeCD icon to load the program. the raw files after the tracks they playback and encoding software for more easily transport large numbers of contain. You can do this by hand but many platforms, including the Amiga. songs, if you listen to longer recordings Portable playback devices are now very Download “the MakeCD 3.2c archive” popular, broadly there are two types: and “archive of the tenth public beta If this is a fresh installation, you will there is another option, FreeDB. This While MP3's quality is acceptable to (such as recorded radio broadcasts) need to configure your CD-ROM as web site is a repository of CD track most people its compression is not as another advantage is that a recording those based on flash memory and those of 3.2d”. with a hard disk. The flash memory MakeCD's "Reading drive". To do this, information which can be accessed for efficient as some of the newer formats, can be in one file rather than multiple 74 LAME 3.96 (Amiga) players usually have a smaller capacity open the "Settings" window from the nothing. Go to http://www.freedb.org in this means you need a larger file for the minute CDs or 90 minute cassettes. As http://www.afterdawn.com/software/ but are also physically smaller (some as "Settings" menu and click the down your web browser and click the same quality or you get lower quality for Digital data, compressed files can be audio_software/audio_encoders/ small as a pack of chewing gum) and arrow next to the "Reading drive" box. In "Advanced" link under the "Search the the same file size. easily copied, backed up and lame_for_amiga.cfm the window that opens, select the device freedb database" box. Enter some exchanged without any loss of quality. entirely solid state so they are ideal for OGG - The developers of the Ogg use in active sports. The hard drive Further information and to which your CD-ROM is connected in information about your CD and search Vorbis format aimed to produce a A less obvious advantage is that all based players have much more storage documentation on LAME: the " Devices" list and then the for it, a list of possible discs will be compression system that was more compressed audio formats support the but are larger and the disk mechanism http://www.mp3dev.org/ drive itself in the "Units" list. Now click shown, hopefully yours is included. If it efficient than MP3 and was truly open, embedding of additional data about the is relatively delicate. Most players the down arrow next to "Driver" then is, click on the title's link for a page that AmTagEd unencumbered by any patents. Free file (often called meta data). For connect to the computer via USB and select the appropriate "CD" driver in the lists all the tracks on the disc. Now you Aminet, mus/misc/AmTagEd.lha software is available to create and example as well as the filename you are massstorage devices. This means list, "CD_ATAPI" is correct for most can copy the names to the in At the time of writing the main Aminet playback Ogg files on most platforms could record the artist, album and data they can be used on an Amiga with USB modern drives. Click "OK", then "Use" your browser and paste them into the site may be unavailable, but the format is not well supported on making music much easier to identify. and a massstorage driver. At the and "Save" to save the settings. file names. Not a perfect process but at http://de.aminet.net seems to be up the Amiga. There is a port of some moment this means Poseidon but least it saves some typing! and reliable. To extract one or a selection of command line tools that I will cover later Disadvantages massstorage support is also in beta test tracks: In the main "MakeCD" window, SecondSpin Compress the Audio in this tutorial and Ogg playback is for the AmigaOS 4 USB stack. When click "Add". In the "Track Options" To achieve a large reduction in file size, http://www.helsinki.fi/~lakahone/ supported by the MorphOS version of buying a player be careful to check if it window set the "Type" to "Track from the formats we've mentioned above use amiga/secondspin/ Now we have our files ready and named SongPlayer. There is very little uses a proprietary audio format or CD" and then click the down arrow. Click "lossy" compression. This means that Download both the “Install” and it's time to compress them. For this hardware available that is able to play requires the use of specific software to on the track you wish to extract in the the original sound file is processed to “Encoder” archives. we're going to use the Amiga port of the Ogg files. upload files as either will rule out its use list. If you wish you could modify the remove data that the codec considers on the Amiga. open source LAME MP3 encoder. TheMPEGEncGUI "Name" field to the name of CD track AAC - This is Apple's audio codec, redundant or unnecessary and various Despite its name (which rather http://www.onyxsoft.se/ you've selected, this will make it easier chiefly used by their iTunes software techniques are used to reduce the Many devices that play CDs now include confusingly stands for Lame Ain't an thempegencgui.html to recognise the file when it has been and popular iPod line of digital audio amount of data while not degrading the compressed audio support, this means MP3 Encoder) LAME is a generally 36 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 37 Support Support regarded as a good encoder with Right: When -b 64 -q 5 01_The_Robots.aiff» LAME will decide for you if Joint Stereo excellent compression quality and the encoding 01_The_Robots_low_q5. is appropriate based on the bitrate and TIP: When practising with the list Amiga port is regularly updated. You other encoding settings you choose. If command's lformat option, omit the using Variable Bitrate (-, -b and -V) can download the latest Amiga port of you wish to encode in normal stereo use redirection part of the command line variable bit When encoding, LAME offers another Lame 3.96 from the web site listed in the command line option “-m s”, or if you (">ram:encodemp3s" in our example) so rate, LAME option rather than a choosing fixed the “Downloads” boxout. want to force joint stereo then use “-m j”. you can check the output is what you displays a bitrate. Variable bitrate, as the name expect in the shell window. graph in the implies, changes the bitrate used during (-m) shell window TIP: This archive contains executables a song depending on the sound being If you have a mono recording (such as The "encodemp3s" file in ram: contains for 68K Amigas, if you have a PPC showing encoded. To take a simplistic example, a an old radio programme or record), or a list of shell commands, to execute it accelerator or are running on MorphOS what complex orchestral crescendo might want to minimise file size then you can just enter: proportion of need a higher rate than a near silent force LAME to make a mono MP3 file or OS 4 then you will want to use a execute ram:encodemp3s native version for your hardware, the track part of the same piece. You invoke VBR using the "-m m" option: it "LAME". For example if you have a For example, on a portable player that download locations for these are in the used which using the "-v" option, in VBR mode lame Lame now runs on each file in turn, 68040 use the following command: will be used in a noisy environment you lame –m m 01_The_Robots.aiff» "Native LAME" box out. bitrate. uses the "-b" option to specify the 01_The_Robots_mono.mp3 encoding all the files we extracted to might not care too much about quality rename» minimum bitrate to use. The LAME MP3s with our choice of options. Well but want to get the maximum number of Unpack the archive to the location Work:Utilities/Music/lame-3.96/» documentation suggests setting this done! You've now created some songs in its limited memory. On the Other options where you want it installed on your hard LAME.040 Work:Utilities/Music/» value to prevent any part of the song universally compatible MP3 files using disk, a directory called "lame-3.96" will lame-3.96/LAME other hand you might have your Amiga, being encoded at too low a bitrate, so a LAME has many other command line your Amiga. be created. I unpacked my archive to a with plenty of hard drive space, typical command line would be: options but the ones mentioned above directory called Work:Utilities/Music. connected to a high quality hi-fi where a Add ID3 tags Simple Encoding lame -b 112 -v 01_The_Robots.aiff» should be all you need in normal use. If Open a shell and enter: poor quality compressed file would you are interested in what else it can do 01_The_Robots_vbr.mp3 With the MP3 files created we can now Now let's use LAME at its most basic to really be noticed. The key factor in take a look at the HTML documentation add the additional meta data I lha x ram:lame-3.96.lha» convert one of our audio files into an compressed audio quality is the bit rate, You will notice that VBR encoding takes included in the archive. Work:Utilities/Music/ MP3. If you are happy to use the default that is the number of bits allowed to much longer than using a fixed bitrate. mentioned earlier. In the MP3 format settings the LAME command can be encode each second of audio. By LAME displays a graph in the shell Encoding Multiple Files each piece of this information is known Replace the first path with the location very simple. First change to the default LAME uses a bit rate of 128 window as it encodes showing what as an ID3 tag. This step is not essential of your extracted audio file. directory containing the audio files, I kilobits per second. The "-b" command portion of the file was encoded at each If you have extracted multiple tracks, but as many MP3 players are able to line option is used to control the bitrate; you will probably want your Amiga to display ID3 tags and they can be used As LAME is a command line program it saved mine in "Files:CDDA": bitrate. In our example most of the song the following options are available: 32, encode them all in one session while for functions such as grouping tracks by is convenient if we can refer to it by has been encoded at 160KB/s making cd Files:CDDA/ 40, 48, 56, 64, 80, 96, 112, 128, 160, you get on with something more album or artist it is usually worthwhile. name rather than typing a long path the file rather larger than before. 192, 224, 256 and 320. To create a interesting. While LAME does not itself each time we want to use it, to set this As LAME is a port of an open source Lame is able to set ID3 tags for the files lower quality version of our test file lets To reduce the average bitrate used support encoding multiple files we can enter the following in your shell: program, originally intended for it encodes but adding these tags to the like platforms, it is wise to allocate some try encoding at 64 KB/s by entering the when encoding using VBR you need to use the AmigaDOS list command to adjust the VBR quality setting (which command line is not particularly user path» additional stack, to do so enter: following command line: automate it as follows: friendly. Fortunately there are several Work:Utilities/Music/lame-3.96/ add again runs from 0 (best) to 9 (worst)) stack 100000 lame -b 64 01_The_Robots.aiff» using the "-V" parameter. As the default The LFORMAT option of the list nice GUI based utilities which can make 01_The_Robots_low.mp3 is 4, let's try making our file smaller by command can be used to format the editing tags much easier. However if you command's output. In this example we are encoding a whole CD it can be If you plan to use LAME often, Now take a look at the files sizes: setting the quality to 7, we'll also need to TIP: NOTE: If you find LAME locks up will use this option to create multiple useful to set the common tags such as you could add this command line to your during encoding or causes a , reduce our minimum bitrate by setting it user-startup script. list #?.mp3 to 64 otherwise LAME will have no LAME command lines (one for each the artist and name of the album for all check you have set your stack. If it still AIFF file in the directory) and save them the songs you are encoding. The ID3 The output is: "room to manoeuvre": In the LAME archive are executables for causes problems, try increasing the into a script file: tag setting options for the lame several different 68K CPUs. Choose the stack value. 01_The_Robots.mp3 5956335 lame -b 64 -v -V» 7 command are: one that matches your CPU and rename 01_The_Robots_low.mp3 2978112 01_The_Robots.aiff » list #?.aiff lformat "lame »-b 96 "--tt" title of song Now enter the following LAME %n %m.mp3" >ram:encodemp3s 01_The_Robots_vbr7.mp3 "--ta" artist command line, the only argument As you would expect, the low quality The text in quotes after the "lformat" "--tl" album needed is the name of the input file, version is about half the size of our first option specifies the format for each line "--ty" year Native LAME lame will create the MP3 file in the same effort. Now have a listen to each file in TIP: In addition to being slower, I have directory and append ".mp3" to the found that VBR encoded MP3 files tend that is output, "%n" is replaced by the Below: "--tc" comment turn; you should be able to hear a "--tn" track number Here are some links where you can name: to be less compatible with hardware full filename while "%m" is replaced by AmTagEd noticeable difference in quality. "--tg" genre (enter "lame --genre-list" download a native port of LAME for players than the same file encoded at a the filename without extension, allowing makes lame 01_The_Robots.aiff for a list of options). your hardware and operating system: You can also increase the bit rate to fixed bitrate. Before encoding a large us to replace it by ".mp3". The last part editing ID3 If you would prefer to specify the output improve quality, at the penalty of a number of files using VBR it is wise to of the line, beginning with the ">" tag So for my example Kraftwerk CD I might Amiga OS 4 filename simply add it to the end of the larger file, in the same way. A common test one on your player to ensure symbol, redirects the output of the informationamend my list command to read: I believe a port is available, but have command line as shown below: encoding bitrate for high quality MP3s is compatibility. command to a file in "ram:". quite not so far been able to locate a public 192KB/s. painless. source. If I find one I will post it on lame 01_The_Robots.aiff» Stereo or Joint Stereo the Total Amiga web site. 01_The_Robots.mp3 Quality (-q) Lame has two methods of encoding the As well as bit rate LAME also has two channels in a stereo audio file. In MorphOS As the file is encoded you will notice that another setting that affects the quality of standard (stereo) mode each channel is http://www.morphzone.org LAME displays some progress the sound you hear, this time the trade- encoded separately. The other option is Search for “lame” and then choose information in the shell window; you can off is with the time taken to encode each to process the sound into mid and side “LAME 3.96” in the results list to get check how much of the file has been file. This setting is controlled by the "-q" channels (which are L+R and L-R to the download page. encoded and how long there is to go. command line option and the range is When the shell prompt returns, try respectively) and then encode those. WarpUP from "0" (best quality) to "9" (the worst) Using this option, more bandwidth can listening to the MP3 file in your favourite with "3" being the default. The http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/ player to see if it worked! be allocated to the mid channel where amiga/ program's authors recommend never most of the sound data is usually Click on “lamewos-3.96-dmx.lha” in LAME Options exceeding "2" as quality levels "0" and located in recordings that don’t have too the list of archives to begin "1" are much slower without a much stereo separation. The mid and downloading. Bitrate (-b) noticeable improvement in quality. Have side option cannot be chosen manually One of the nice features of compressed a go at encoding a smaller file at quality but you can set LAME to encode in Joint PowerUP audio standards like MP3 is that you can 5 to see how much difference it makes Stereo (jstereo) mode. This will choose http://www.honeypot.net/audio tailor the files you encode for the (this example also shows you how to automatically between the two options Download LAMEbin.lzx. situation in which they will be played. combine options): as the song is being encoded. Normally 38 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 39 Support Support list #?.aiff lformat "lame »-b 96 once even if you insert the same CD during extraction) a progress bar for the Left: TMEG’s to encode one file then select it using --ta Kraftwerk --tl *"The Man » again. For the final question, select your current song is displayed in the middle list window the "Inputfile" gadget and the Machine*" --ty 1978 --tg » processor type for the "SID4AMIGA" of the window. allows you to destination and filename for the MP3 file electronic %n %m.mp3" » engine, unless you plan converting old encode in the "Outputfile" gadget, however in >ram:encodemp3s And that's all there is to it, a simple music files this will not several files our case we want to process multiple actually be used. program that does a great job! files. This is achieved by ticking the Apart from being rather long, this and watch "Use list" checkbox in the bottom left command line just adds the new the progress With SecondSpin installed, go to the hand corner of the window. In the "File options. You might wonder why the TheMPEGEncGUI of the whole program directory and load it up by list window" click the "Add" button and quotes around "The Man Machine" are batch. double clicking on the SecondSpin icon. SecondSpin offers a very simple choose the files you wish to encode in preceded by "*" symbols. This is so the If you have an audio CD in your drive interface that handles most of the work the file requester. quotes appear in the list output rather you should hear SecondSpin read it of encoding files automatically. However will respond in a day or two with a than being interpreted by the shell as and, if you're on-line, in a few seconds its encoding options are fairly minimal keyfile that removes the annoying surrounding separate strings. the track names will appear... and it requires a specially adapted requesters. When you receive your TIP: If the order of the files doesn’t impressive! Before we can begin encoder that is only available for 68K keyfile, decrunch it and move it to the match the tracks on the CD, use drag ID3 Tag Editors encoding a little additional set-up is and "Classic" Amiga PPC systems. If TheMPegEncGUI directory. and drop in the list to rearrange them. needed, so choose "Preferences editor" you want more control over your If you want to add individual ID3 tags to from the "Preferences" menu. You'll see encoding or want to use an OS4 native First we need to set up the program Now we want to get the track names Above: So that's it, we finally have a set of your encoded files or you have a that the installer has configured most of version of LAME (MorphOS should be based on our preferences, to do this and other data for these files, to do this SecondSpin encoded files, correctly named and with selection of previously encoded files the options in the “Preferences” window. able to run the PowerUP and WarpUP click the "Prefs" button in the main make sure the CD is still in your drive shown while their ID3 tags set, and along the way I then you really need a dedicated tag Set the "CD-DA extraction directory" to executables supplied with SecondSpin) window. In the "System" section set the and then choose "Obtain CDDB for a processing hope you've learnt something about editor. There are several programs on a drawer on a hard disk partition with then you might be interested in an "Path" field to the path and filename of CD" from the "ID3-tagging" menu. A all the trackscompressed audio files and how the Aminet which perform this task, the best plenty of free space. Second needs alternative. The encoding processes your LAME program file, in my case preview of the information downloaded process works. one I have tried is AmTagEd by Kimmo on a CD. enough room to save the largest raw using the rather inelegantly named that's "Work:Utilities/Music/lame- from the database is displayed so you Palosaari. Download the AmTagEd.lha track on any disc you process, for TheMPEGEncGUI is less slick than 3.96/LAME". At the bottom of the can check it is appropriate for the CD, if file from Aminet (see the Download Automation typical music albums 100Mb should be SecondSpin but it doesn't skimp on system section, set the "Device" and it is, click "Accept". You should notice boxout for details) then install it using options and it calls a standard LAME "Unit" to match the CD or DVD drive you that the "ID3 Tag" column is now You will no doubt be thinking that the enough. That's the configuration done the installer included in the archive, executable. want to use for reading CDs. Finally populated in the file list. To see what ID3 process detailed above is rather long so click "Save". notice that you will need to manually click "Save" and then "Close". tag has been assigned to a file double create a drawer for the program. winded, fortunately some talented Near the bottom in the main window is a Download the “TheMPegEncGUI.lha” click it to open the "ID3 Tag Editor" Amiga coders have realised this and gadget showing the path where the archive from Onyxsoft (see the Unfortunately TheMPEGEncGUI (TMEG window. You can also change any tag by Now run the AmTagEd program from its incorporated all these steps into fairly encoded files will be saved, use the file "Downloads" boxout) and decrunch it from now on) does not support editing it in this window. directory, and you should see it opens a simple utilities. To finish off this article, gadget to select a directory on one of into the location where you want it extracting audio directly from CDs so fairly attractive MUI interface (I think we I'll introduce two of these programs your partitions, this time you only need installed, a directory called you will need to use another application can forgive a '99 vintage program which have a rather different emphasis. room for the encoded files. If you wish to "TheMpegEncGUI" will be created. In such as MakeCD to perform this TIP: Notice that if you select another MagicWorkbench-style icons!). save this path for future sessions the directory you will find three program function. You'll also need to name your file in the list without closing the tag SecondSpin choose "Save preferences" from the icons, the full program offers support for files after the tracks on the CD as TMEG editor window it is updated to show the "Project" menu before continuing. If you many different audio encoders whereas bases its MP3 filenames on the raw details of the newly selected file. Use drag and drop to re-arrange TIP: SecondSpin is the most automated didn't have an audio CD in the drive, the "lite" version supports only LAME filenames. If you don't have your raw the toolbars in the AmTagEd window. If you do not have a CD or are unable to Audio compressor utility I have come now is a good time to insert one! Next and playback using the mpega audio files from earlier in the tutorial use FreeDB for some reason, you can across for the Amiga, once it is installed choose "Reset" from the "Project" menu command. The Lame version only offers then follow the "Extract CD Audio" To use the program, click and hold down also set the ID3 tags from scratch. To do and configured you can go from a CD to to read the CD data, get the track encoding with LAME. Since we're only section again to get some. your mouse button on the "Read files" this the best option is to select all the a set of MP3 files complete with ID3 information and automatically add a interested in encoding here we'll stick icon and then pick one of the options on files you wish to tag in the list either by tags in literally two clicks (and one of directory named after the album to the with "TheMPegEncGUI_Lame", so TMEG includes almost all the LAME the pop-up menu. If you want to edit the dragging of by holding down shift while those could easily be removed)! encoding path. double click on this version to start it. options in its GUI (that's why there are tags in individual files select "Files", for so many check boxes) which can be a you click on each file. Then choose the all the MP3 files in a directory choose When you first start the program you'll Download “secondspin_218.lha” and Above the path gadget are the various little intimidating at first. As before you G-Tag button, the tag editor window "Directory" or select “Recursive" to add see a registration window. Registration “SecondSpin_Encoder.lha” from the web encoding options, which are a small really only need to adjust those options opens and you can set any common all the files in a directory structure. The is free, all you need to do is send the site in the "Downloads" boxout and de- subset of LAME's features but include mentioned in the manual tutorial, leave tags, such as album name, artist and files are then listed in the main window, author an e-mail with your name and he crunch them into the same directory, if a all the common ones you'll want to use. the others at their defaults. If you wish date, then click "Set" to set them to all if you select a file its ID3 tags are shown warning appears choose to overwrite So set the bitrate, stereo type, encoding the files. Do not close the tag editor at to the left of the window with the any files. Open the SecondSpin quality and VBR mode as you prefer. this point. Now select each file in turn, filename below. If your files have no ID3 directory and run the installer program, Above this row you can choose the click the "I-Tag" button and then enter its tags but a filename describing the track questions during the installation perform operation you want SecondSpin to individual information such as song title. name and/or artist then click the "Make most of the set-up you need. perform (it can just extract the audio TAG from filename" button and When your list is complete, return to the from the CD, encode existing audio files AmTagEd will attempt to fill some of the During the installation, select the main window (you can close the list if and decode MP3s as well as encoding tags from the filename. In the opposite directory where you want the program to you wish) and select the destination for straight from the CD) and whether the situation where the file has tags but a be installed, it will then ask what CPU the encoded files in the "Outputfile" temporary audio data files should be poor filename, use "Make filename from you have so the correct encoder can be gadget. At this point you can make any deleted after use. TAG" to have the program construct a installed, the choices are various 68K changes to the encoding settings, notice new filename. Once you have finished processors or a classic PPC card using With that all set, now we need to tell the that they are listed across four tabs. editing a file, be sure to click the "Write either PowerUP or WarpUP. SecondSpin program which tracks to process. To do When you're ready click on the TAG" button or your edits will be lost. uses a modified version of the LAME so, click on each track you want to "Encode" button to start the process. If encoder so you can't substitute another encode and then click "Add" to mark it you have the list window open, you'll be version such as the OS4 native compile. with a ">", or click "All" to select all able to watch the progress of each file, If you prefer, set the "Write TAG TIP: Next up is to choose the device and unit tracks. Finally click "Start Process" to there is also an "Encoder Output" When Enter Is Pressed" option in of your CD-ROM and its type, as with begin encoding. window where you can see the familiar AmTagEd's preferences (Settings / MakeCD "Standard ATAPI/SCSI" is the output of the LAME encoder. Preferences menu item) so you just right choice for most modern drives. Set SecondSpin extracts a track and then Left: TMEG’s need to press return to save an edited the "CDID Library location" to a directory encodes it; this minimises the amount of And that’s audio compression in a rather main window tag. Without this set, it is easy to forget on your hard disk, SecondSpin will use temporary disk space required (unless large nutshell! I hope this tutorial has to save an edited tag when moving this to store CD track listings so it only you set "Don't delete temporary been useful, if you haveshowing any comments just between files. needs to download data from FreeDB samples"). During encoding (but not please contact me at theone usual page address. of the LAME encoder 40 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 options! 41 Support Support Sharing Files and Printers with

With the availability of the AmigaOneEnvoy and Pegasos systems many of us now have an additional 3.1 Amiga or compatible computer. Simon Archer checks out the ideal way to get them connected, courtesy of Commodore and Heinz Wrobel.

security features. Now give the Amiga ith the advent of more and more on which you’re performing the Whome users setting up local installation a name, this must be unique networks, file sharing is becoming an on your network so, for example, you important part of everyday life, and if could call one Amiga “A1200” and the you have more than one Amiga on your other “AmigaOne” or you could use network sharing information between something much more creative! them is essential. The next question is the type of network Some of you may remember Parnet and configuration, if you have some Amigas Pronet which did the rounds some years all connected to the same network then ago. This involved having a special you want to choose “Simple Network” parallel or a null- lead here. Please note you should still connecting the two machines which was choose “Simple” if your network is used to communicate over. This has connected to the Internet, so long as become a little antiquated nowadays you don’t want to share your Envoy with the advent of ethernet systems services over the Internet. Set your enabling internet sharing, and so Envoy Amiga’s network address to the last stepped into the ring as a way of sharing portion of its IP address, for example if files between Amigas over a TCP/IP your Amiga is 192.168.0.1 set this to installation CD, distributed by network. Although originally written by Envoy is “1”. We will amend this to the full IP Schatztruhe and the 3.1 update patch Commodore and last updated by Heinz configured address later. Wrobel back in 1998, we at Total Amiga from Aminet and used decided to see if it was still usable on (biz/patch/Envoy3_1Update.lha). through this If you’re lucky enough to be using one OS4 with the new eth3com.device, and of the Ethernet cards listed by the The CD comes with an installer to get suite of much to our surprise, it was. installer select it on the next installer Envoy installed onto your system in utilities. page, if not choose “Other Card”. If you double quick time, you will need to choose “Other” proceed past the Installation perform this installation on all the message about SANAII devices and Amigas you want to be able to share Envoy is a commercial product, so to select the driver for your network card files and printers. During installation you install it you’ll need the Envoy 3 from the list. On the AmigaOne the are asked a few questions so that much driver is “eth3com.device”, PCMCIA of Envoy’s configuration is completed network cards often use “cnet.device” before you start. Start the installation Where to Buy and Amithlon uses either and then choose the “Intermediate” “powerne2k.device” or Unfortunately the official Envoy 3 installation mode and “Install for Real”. which was published by Schatztruhe “amithlon1_net.device”. If you have AmiTCP, Genesis or the (http://www.schatztruhe.de) seems to Now we come to the important steps to older Inet225 TCP/IP stack installed, the have been discontinued and is no It’s importantmake Envoy work alongside your installer will now warn you that it will longer available on their website. We to getTCP/IP the stack. For “type number of IP change Envoy’s settings so it does not did some searching and found it networkpackets”, make sure the value is set to clash with the TCP/IP stack (as both use listed at the following Amiga retailers: configuration“2049”, if it is not, amend the value. On the same Ethernet hardware and drivers rightthe (as next page check “type number of Software Hut (USA) $69.95 to communicate). If you don’t get this shownARP packets” is “2055”. And that’s the http://www.softhut.com message don’t worry, we will change the below)configuration so done, the installer will now configuration manually when we get to Vesalia (Germany) E48.58 Envoycopy worksover Envoy’s files and offer to the right stage in the installer. http://www.vesalia.de/ alongsidereboot the Amiga. I would choose to You could also try online classifieds From the next option you can tell Envoy your TCP/IP and auctions sites such as: has been around for a while, I think stack. nowadays most people will want to http://www.amibench.org install to “Harddisk” rather than a http://www.ebay.com “Floppy”! Choose the location where you for a second hand copy. want the Envoy programs and documentation to be installed, a drawer Note: The above listing is based on will be created. On the next installer our research, please check page, enter a name for the “owner” who availability and price with supplier will be using this Amiga, this will be their before ordering. username if you decide to use Envoy’s TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 43 Support Support “Abort Install” at this stage as we still the “Filesystem Imports” program on simple! The last step is to open the you do not need to use the Envoy have the Envoy 3.1 patch to install. another Amiga and you should see all “Network Printing” program and set up “Network Printing” utility for redirection. the Amigas running Envoy on the the redirection you need in order to use However if you do want to print to a De-archive the “Envoy3_1Update.lha” network listed. Select the machine from the network printer. Normally all you will local printer you will need to change file you downloaded from Aminet and which you want to access files and enter need to do is make sure “Redirect your TurboPrint settings. run the installer for your language. the username and password when Printer Output” is checked and then click There are plenty of advanced options Proceed through the installation as you prompted. If you are not using security “Use”. within the Envoy system (particularly for did originally, but, when asked, choose then you can cancel this requester to printing and security), and most are to “Update” your current installation. proceed without security. You will then To print to a printer on a beyond the scope of this article. Suffice Continue with the rest of the process see all the shares on that machine Note: Exporting a printer is similar to remote Amiga, you need to have a to say it is all covered in the extensive and this time let the installer reboot your listed, and it is a simple case of printer driver for the printer you wish to documentation that can be found in the Amiga at the end. selecting one and clicking “Connect”. exporting a drive. use installed on the local Amiga (the Envoy directory. If you plan to use The “Temporary” gadget selects how Amigas to use it? No problem with one initiating the printing). The end Envoy regularly it is well worth reading. Setting Up long the connection will last. If you make Envoy! On the machine with the printer, result, the Import the it “Permanent”, then this share will be open the “Printer Exports” configuration If you use Turboprint, install it on the MicroA1’s Speedwise, Envoy is obviously not as With Envoy installed you will have to do drives you connected to as the machine boots so it program. In the list you will see the local machine as you normally would hard drive fast as a local disk would be, and if you some setup, but the processwant to is relatively in the list on the left of the window which is always available, “Temporary” stops different ways that your printer could be and configure a driver for the remote intend transferring large files around harmless and simple enough. There is a appears on access from was added during installation, by default when the machine is turned off or connected. Select the appropriate printer in “TurboPrefs”. Then, on the the over the network, you will notice how whole bunch of documentation on the rebooted. You can select multiple “Printer” tab, change the “Port” to long it takes. In general everyday use the remote it is called “iface0”. device (PAR:, the parallel port, would be Workbench CD which is installed into the Envoy by using the “Select Host...” gadget and “Device” and enter “envoyprint.device” for small files, the system is as good as Amiga. a common choice) in the list and check of all other directory, and this extensive system To edit the “iface0” interface click on it in connect to multiple machines at once. as the “Device” name. All printing should anything else you will find. It has an that the correct port driver is listed in the Amigas! covers every single inch of the program the list, the IP address needs to be set, “Device” gadget (this will need to be then be redirected to the network printer. easy to use interface, quick setup, and and its configuration. or at least checked, as this is the way If you configure TurboPrint in this way some good security features. There is If you choose not to use Envoy’s changed if you use a parallel port card machines are identified, so again each TIP: also an open services system which The first thing we need to do is to make security features you can set the or Amithlon for example). Untick IP address must be unique. Check the developers can use to add their own sure that the network hardware is “NOSECURITY” tooltype in the “Security” for now, unless you want to “IP address” shown for this interface custom services, so it could be working and the installation of Envoy “...Import” configuration programs to restrict the printer to only certain users, matches that set in your TCP/IP stack, if expanded. Couple this with being able has not caused any problems. If your avoid the unnecessary security prompt. and check the “Printer is Active” box. it does not change it. The last page, to make changes to the system and not network allows access to the Internet, Now save these settings and you are “Gateway Configuration”, can be left needing to reboot, this really is a worthy open up your web browser or an FTP ready to import the printer on the other blank. If you have changed any setting Sharing Printers machines. Open “Printer Imports”, package if you have multiple Amigas on program and try to connect to a site. In make sure you exit the program using select the printer from the list, check the Use the network printing utility when the same network. the web browser you could choose the “Save” button. So, you have a printer on one of the www.totalamiga.org, and the page machines and you want the other “Connect Mode” is “Default Printer you want to send printed output to should load. This verifies that the Output” and then click “Connect”, networking system is correct, and it Sharing Drives, another Amiga. should be tried on all other Amigas Jargon Buster which are to be Envoy equipped. Drawers and Files In a simple network of only two Amigas Network So now we know that the network all we can simply share everything without A way of connecting computers to works, let’s check Envoy itself. Open up worrying about security or defining users allow file and resource sharing the Envoy directory and then go into the and groups. In order to share files we Parnet, Sernet and Pronet “Configuration” drawer. Here is where have to set up some exports, and this is Rather slow file sharing systems that the different parts of the Envoy system done with the relevant program aptly involved a parallel or null-modem can be altered and set up to suit your named ‘FileSystem Exports’. There is cable connecting Amigas. particular application. Open the also the option to share a printer, but Top Amiga, PC, Dreamcast & Playstation Games at Fantastic Prices. “Network Configuration” program. It will more on that later. Parallel ask you for a password, and the default A computer port usually used for Retro Gaming is the latest craze sweeping the world at the What’s Included username and password is “Admin” and In the “FileSystem Exports” program you printers. moment and the trend suggests it will continue for many years “Admin” respctively. These are case can specify what volumes (drives) or We Ship to come. A unique opportunity to sell Amiga games and make with your Null-Modem sensitive, so type them exactly as individual drawers are going to be Internationally a profit without the hassle or expense of purchasing and A special serial cable to allow Retro-Dropshipping shown. The first page is the “Host shared with other Amigas on your keeping stock. computers to ‘talk’ to each other. Account? Configuration”, this is where the “Host network. Clicking on “Add” starts the Name” (the name of this computer) and selection. In the requester you can Ethernet Retro-Dropshipping.co.uk is the UK’s newest dropshopping • Access to approx 1200 “Owner” are specified. No two machines select a whole device or simply a A networking port fitted to most service around. We specialise in retro-games for Amiga, PC, quality titles on the network can have the same host directory to export, and it can be named modern computers. PSOne and other platforms... • Major Discounted Pricing name, so think about the symantics of Configure the whatever you feel is fitting by changing • Titles from just £1.00 TCP/IP the network a little and plan it out. the name in the gadget below the list on All our titles are genuine originals for each platform. All are • Easy online order system, exports on The system used to transfer Internet Clicking the “Option Page” cycle gadget the left. Untick the “Removable Medium” inspected before they leave our warehouse. We want satisfied through Paypal. the Amiga informartion. takes us to the “Device Configuration” whose drivescheckbox if you have selected a hard customers and so do you! We hold a HUGE range of new and • Links to Product Descriptions, Images & page. Here you should see an interface you wish to disk (you can easily share CD ROMs, eth3com.device used Amiga games, possibly the largest selection in the World! Data access. and then you would leave this ticked), The SANAII networking driver for the then click the “Option Page” gadget so AmigaOne’s built-in Ethernet By Joining Retro-Dropshipping.co.uk you will have access to • Pre-filled Turbo Lister that we are on the “Security” page. Here networking port. our unique range of classic games. You can shop/sell with the databases for ebay.co.uk you have the option to only let certain security of knowing that all of our products are fully • No Minimum order users see this export, but for the sake of SANAII guaranteed and are delivered with the promise of your Requirements simplicity just make sure the “Security” Standard Amiga Networking Customers Satisfaction. You have nothing to lose and a world • Low P&P charges, From gadget says “None”. Set up all the Architecture version 2, a standard, of opportunity to gain. You could even save money by only Just £1.50 per UK order exports you require, and do remember developed by Commodore for Amiga “selling” to yourself as a way of getting cheap games! • Members Area for to set the “Security” gadget, otherwise network hardware drivers. ordering and specials etc the share will not appear in the list of IP Address We have specialised in selling Amiga games since 1996. More • Unlimited customer available connections. A unique number that identifies a information available on our website: service and support http://www.retro-dropshipping.co.uk Now to get the shares you have set up computer or other device on the network. to be seen on the other machines. Open Retro-Dropshipping is copyright FORE-MATT Home Computing (http://www.forematt.co.uk) 44 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 45 Support Support Then we can call functions on that interface: .library/DateToStr The algorithm we want is to share a variable IDOS->FOpen(....); dos.library/Delay with the game state to be able to find out dos.library/DeleteFile what the delay between each tick should be Notice the difference in the call format? It then to send a signal to the game state task. Part 3 has the interface pointer before the function Then there is a general notice (optional) • Printf call and this differs from the classical method about the library. Loop until [n] is set to some special value • Structures of doing things. However AmigaOS4 also Delay for [n] seconds • Signals supports the classical format – all you need Immediately following that is documentation, Send our signal to the game state • Messaging to do when you compile using the classical in alphabetical order, of the function calls Find out [n] from our shared variable • part 1 format is to define the variable themselves. Each section has the following Learn Part 4 __USE_INLINE__ to 1. subsections: In Tetris as the levels increase the interval • Libraries between delays before the next block is gcc -o classicprogram classicprogram» NAME – the name of the function followed • OS 4 -D__USE_INLINE__=1 moved down decreases. So as the game by a short description of what it does. The Universal • Autodocs state level increases it should decrease the Like the classical version of libraries in order value [n]. • Tetris part 2 SYNOPSIS – a brief resumé of the to use them you still need to #include the arguments it accepts in ASM and C format. Part 5 definitions associated with them. Another To share information between the two tasks Language • Tetris part 5 we will declare a structure – GameContext convention is to include them like this: FUNCTION – detailed information about the • Sprites which we can expand as we determine more behaviour of the function. • Drawing images #include <[name of library]/» information needs to be shared. In the fourth part of our series, Dave Pitcher gets into the guts of [name of library].h> #include INPUTS – detailed information about the programming a simple game in C. struct GameStructure parameters. { C e.g. long secondstodelay; RESULT – detailed information about the }; elcome to part 4 of our C tutorial for #include return code. the Amiga. In this issue we will show There’s More... Examples #include W NOTES – any additional information about The signal we will use for a timer even is you the component programming required to You can find the code from this tutorial Some of the examples in this tutorial have How to support both versions? this release. signal 16, so define this too in game.h: continue with our Tetris game, how to code and additional information on the Issue 19 lines that are too long to fit in our on the new OS4 operating system and page of the Total Amiga website: columns. For those lines we use the In order to support both programming BUGS – information about known bugs. #define SIGNAL_TIMER 16 discuss a few of the fundamentals required following symbol: models you can take advantage of the http://www.totalamiga.org to give your programming that extra kick! __amigaos4__ preprocessor definition: SEE ALSO – related functions. To send signals we will need the task pointer » for the main game state so add that to the Most of the code in this part is in OS4 format #ifdef __amigaos4__ There are various auto-doc viewers on the structure. to get you familiar with it. It’s the future! to indicate that you should continue on Pre-OS 4 Library System IDOS->FOpen(..); internet. OS4DEPOT (www.os4depot.net) the same line in your editor. If the symbol #else In versions prior to OS4 libraries were has a few in Development / Utility. struct GameStructure is preceeded by a space, you must FOpen(..); { Developing on OS4 accessed by applications by that library include the space when typing the code. #endif Recommended is autodocviewer.lha. long secondstodelay; being opened by Exec on our behalf and this OS4 comes with an SDK that is ready to be struct Task * maingamestatetask; provides the application with a pointer to the The example source code is also On the OS4 SDK the autodocs can be found }; used out of the box with the GCC or VBCC Or you could choose to write applications in library base. Function calls themselves were available for download from the Total in SDK:Documentation/AutoDocs compilers. Refer to the OS4 documentation the classical way and use the called as offsets from that library base under Amiga website: for installation instructions. D__USE_INLINE__ preprocessor definition In order to be sent this structure when we the covers. http://www.totalamiga.org on AmigaOS4 and later. This does however A Simple Timer Task are ready for it we will need to create a have the disadvantage that additional struct Library * OpenLibrary(, ); and then access the interface. finish the game we have broken them down us. We will also need to add the Message Libraries are a collection of functions interfaces will not be available to you as an into sections. If you recall last tutorial they structure to the start of it so it can be used In order to ensure that the right library’s implemented in any given programming Calls are then made on the interface pointer application programmer so it is worth were: as an Exec message. language hiding behind an operating system interface was used the specific library base – why? Well you might open one library and assessing what you want to do, or port, as mechanism for finding those functions and type had to be declared: use several interfaces from it and the and when you start programming. • Timer struct GameStructure executing them. This mechanism is an { struct DOSBase» * operating system needs some means of In order to discuss this topic more and give • GameState struct Message exec_header; interface between the application dosbase=OpenLibrary(“dos.library”,40L);working out which interface you are using you a thorough grounding, the SDK comes • Display long secondstodelay; programmer and the library itself. These struct Task * maingamestatetask; when you make a call! with the OS4 Migration Guide in PDF format degrees of seperation mean that in theory The format is usually: • Input }; on the CDROM (OS4 comes with a native you can have an application written in one All libraries provide a specific structure which struct Base» * version of AmiPDF the PDF view program). Their relationship is shown in the language (say E) and a library written in [variable]=OpenLibrary(“.library”,); examining the XML file that comes with the game state program need to know the name application will still be able to use the code library – or you can hazard a guess. There is Autodocs of the message port used by timer define the stored in the library. So for you would do this: a naming convention which is AmigaOS programming information is found IFace. So in the case of name in “game.h”: struct IntuitionBase» * in two places, first in the ROM Kernal Components Exec (the kernel) is a library that is always DOS it would be: DOSIFace. intuitionbase=OpenLibrary» Reference Manual guide (which is pretty #define TIMER_PORT_NAME “game.timer” open – hence in our previous examples we(“intuition.library”,40L); have not needed to open any libraries. It is Each library provides at least one interface clear but not all that up to date) and in the comprehensive documentation in what’s Declare this structure in game.h and include important it is open because it is the library Then when you are finished with that library, called “main”. This is the one we want to Timer it at the top of our TimerTask. The AmigaOS that provides us with the facility to open close it like so: open, the following code opens version 50 of known as “autodocs” (as they are generated automatically). function for going to is called “Delay”, it other libraries, close them and run programs! DOS library or later and gets the interface. is in “dos.library”. So we need to #include Without this fundamental building block we CloseLibrary(intuitionbase); You can read the autodocs yourself using the DOS interface, open the dos.library and would be lost as programmers. struct Library * idoslibrary» = IExec->OpenLibrary(“dos.library”,50L); Multiview or a text editor or by even typing get the right interface. OS 4 Library System struct DOSIFace * IDOS = (struct Game State » More from the shell command line. The In this issues tutorial we will discuss the #include DOSIFace *) IExec->GetInterface format of the documentation is that each fundamentals of opening libraries, what is In versions including OS4 or later, libraries » #include used to define them and how it differs are opened in a different way, each library(idoslibrary, library has its seperate document seperated Input #include between OS 4 and pre-OS 4 Amiga can provide one or more interfaces (allowing “main”, into three divisions. The first division is #include you to provide a library that actually 1, #include operating system releases. The act of NULL); “Table of Contents” in alphabetical order with Display creating a library is a far larger subject than implements several different bits of Int main(int argc, char * argv[]) functionality) so in order to start calling the library name followed by the function the space in this article allows us. name, for example: 46 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 47 Support Support { BOOL quitplease=FALSE; (parameter name followed by value). What struct Library * doslib; while (!quitplease) each option does is define the various struct DOSIFace * IDOS; { » struct GameStructure * iContext; struct Screen * wbscreen;*IIntuition, aspects of the window and you can look up struct MsgPort struct Window * ourwindow; struct Window * displaywindow, these options in the system documentation. » long signals; struct GameStructure * structure) *inboundmsgport; { For now we will create a simple window: initscreen(IIntuition, /* Open dos.library v50 or later */ /* Use the display window, the struct TagItem windowoptions[]= » doslib=IExec->OpenLibrary » { » wbscreen, &ourwindow); {WALeft, 100}, intuition interface and the game » (“dos.library”,50L); /* Enter the event loop waiting for {WATop, 16}, structure» to redraw on screen the » IDOS = (struct DOSIFace *) IExec-> {WAWidth, 200}, » intuition signals and our special » window contents */ {WAHeight, 200}, GetInterface(doslib, signal */ } {WATitle, “My first window”}, “main”, {WACloseGadget, TRUE}, signals=IExec->Wait((1L << 1, »void cleanup(struct IntuitionIFACE {WADragBar, TRUE}, NULL); window->userport->mp_SigBit) | » {WAGIMMEZEROZERO,TRUE}, * IIntuition,} {WAIDCMP, IDCMP_CLOSEWINDOW | /* Create our message port, name it so (1L << GAME_DISPLAY_UPDATE)); if (signals & (1L << window- struct Screen * currentscreen, » » structvoid Windowredraw(struct * displaywindow) IntuitionIFACE it can be found then make it public */ >userport->mp_SigBit)) { » { IDCMP_REFRESHWINDOW}, inboundmsgport=IExec-> /* Handle the closure of the window in {TAGDONE,NULL}, » /* Intuition signal – handle it */ }; CreateMsgPort(); » inboundmsgport->mp_Node.ln_Name BOOL done=FALSE; a nice way */ » struct IntuiMessage * message;if (displaywindow) Tag lists always end with TAGDONE,NULL to =TIMER_PORT_NAME; ULONG class; IExec->AddPort(inboundmsgport); IIntuition- indicate the end of the list. while(message=(struct » /* Wait for our message on there */ >CloseWindow(displaywindow); WALeft – The offset from the left of the } IExec->WaitPort(inboundmsgport); » screen, in pixels, where the window should if (iContext=IExec->GetMsg(datalogin)) IntuiMessage*)IExec->GetMsg( be opened. { window->userport)) That is a rough framework for handling our { /* We got the message we can now enter » game. WATo p – The offset from the top of the our event loop */ /*process all incoming intuition screen, in pixels, the window should appear. This OS4 native AutoDoc viewer lets you view vital information on a function easily. Now in order to complete our game we need while (iContext->ticksstodelay > 0) » messages */ to implement initscreen() and redraw(). The WAWidth – The width of the window, in { task) we need to call a redraw of the display. IDOS->Delay(iContext- class=message->Class; former can be implemented without any work pixels. In that inner loop we need to redraw the IExec->ReplyMsg(message); on the gamestate task with a little bit more WAHeight – The height of the window, in screen each time. switch(class) playing with Intuition itself. The latter { pixels. » requires we take a look at our gamestate >tickstodelay); case IDCMP_CLOSEWINDOW: design (oops we don't have one yet) and WACloseGadget – Whether or not to Signal(iContext- So the logic is: » IExec->Signal(iContext- learn how to draw inside a window. provide a close gadget. >maingamestatetask,(1L<maingamestatetask, gamestate lets take a look at our task ahead. drag bar. 2. Wait for the game state to send its pointer. #include IExec->DropInterface(IDOS); (1L<CloseLibrary(doslib); 3. Set our task pointer in the game state so #include cleanup(IIntuition, WAIDCMP – IDCMP messages to listen for } other tasks can signal us. #include » window,iContext); 1. Be able to find the Workbench screen in (messages from Intuition). 4. Find the Workbench screen. int main(int argc, char * argv[]) order to be able to open a window. » quitplease=TRUE; WATitle – The title of the window as it 5. Create a window on it of the right size { 2. Define a window. So in order to tell the timer task to exit we >OpenLibrary(“intuition.library”,50L);struct Library * intuitionlib; case IDCMP_REFRESHWINDOW: appears. with a quit button. IIntuition = (struct IntuitionIFace 3. Open the window on the Workbench just need to set the tickstodelay to -1. struct IntuitionIFace» * IIntuition; redraw(iIntuition, 6. Wait for incoming signals that match*) the IExec->GetInterface(intuitionlib, struct GameStructure * iContext; » screen. WAGIMMEZEROZERO – Makes sure that mask of our update signal AND the “main”, struct MsgPort *inboundmsgport;window,icontext); 4. Draw something in it. the bitmap we can draw to does not corrupt break; Intuition intuition signals we care about. 1, /* Open intuition.library v50 or later */ 5. Close the window. the border. a. On signal update – call redraw() NULL); } The next module to bring together is code intuitionlib=IExec- } b. On signal update from intuition – call/* Create our message port, name it so } Opening and Closing the Window that opens a window on Workbench and redraw() » else Finding Workbench reads the game state, then projects it onto c. On signal quit from intuition – signalit the can be found then make it public */ redraw(iIntuition,window, Then to open the window: the window. We should set it up in much the Task one, finding Workbench. There is an gamestate task to exit then go to pointinboundmsgport=IExec->CreateMsgPort(); 7 » struct Window * mywindow=IIntuition-» same way that the timer task is handled. inboundmsgport- intution function for this called 7. Cleanup and exit icontext); >OpenWindowTagList(myscreen, » » } LockPubScreen() which allows us to get a In order to do this we need to follow the >mp_Node.ln_Name=DISPLAY_PORT_NAME; windowoptions); IExec->AddPort(inboundmsgport); IExec->FreeSignal pointer to the target screen: same process as for the timer task, of The first thing to do is update game.h with » Then when you are finished with the window: publishing a message port which we will get our changed structure and the new signal: /* Wait for our message on there */ (GAME_DISPLAY_UPDATE); struct Screen *workbenchscreen=» IIntuition->LockPubScreen(“Workbench”); our game state information in (and share our IExec->WaitPort(inboundmsgport); } IIntuition->CloseWindow(mywindow); task with the game state so it can send us struct GameStructure if (iContext=IExec->GetMsg(datalogin)) } { When we are done with it we should release { IExec->DropInterface(IIntuition); Drawing in the Window signals of when to update the display). struct Message exec_header; it with UnlockPubScreen(): long secondstodelay;/* The task that a program is running IExec->CloseLibrary(intuitionlib); } Then we need to find the screen struct Task * maingamestatetask; IIntuition->UnlockPubScreen(“Workbench”» Intuition provides a means by which to pointer, open a window on it and then handle struct Task * displaytask; » void initscreen(struct IntuitionIFACE,workbenchscreen); access the “raster port” of the window, the incoming signals from intuition (mouse }; in is always found by using FindTask » window structure has a member called RPort #define GAME_DISPLAY_UPDATE 17passing in NULL*/ » which can be used with drawing operations events for redraw, close etc) and from the #define GAME_QUIT 18 * IIntuition, Defining a Window game itself. #define DISPLAY_PORT_NAME “game.display”iContext->displaytask=IExec- struct Screen ** currentscreen directly. » Windows must be defined before they are >FindTask(NULL); struct Window ** displaywindow, Assuming you have an Image structure that On a quit signal (from intuition) we need to struct GameStructure * structure) open, definition provides information on /* Allocate our signals that we will you can use already this shows how you can signal the game state to exit then clean » { things like size, what gadgets to provide and So our code looks roughly like this, the main use DrawImage to write an Image to an ourselves up. listen to */ /* Find the Workbench screen, create a what events to listen for (like mouse clicks, differences between the game timer task and RPort: if (IExec->AllocSignal( keyboard events etc). On a redraw signal (from intuition) we need this are highlighted in bold: » » IIntuition->DrawImage(mywindow-» to call a redraw of the display. GAME_DISPLAY_UPDATE)==GAME_DISPLAY_UPDATE window on it with the right buttons and » Windows are defined using what are called>RPort,myimage,0,0); #include { the right size and return */ On a game update signal (from the game #include tag lists, these are an array of option pairs 48 TOTAL AMIGA Winter 2004 49 Support However the real power comes from However we have a problem. Intuition events graphics.library (which of course needs to be are going to be handled by the display DISCOUNT VOUCHER opened and used). This provides functions module including keys pressed when the AmigaKit.com 10% discount off the following products for drawing lines (Draw), ellipses, sprites, display modules window is active. Amiga hardware and components when you quote the code TAM001 with pixels, text and scrolling. When we come to {WATop, 16}, the Final Touches (either in next issue or in {WAWidth, 200}, When a keypress is generated in an active e-mail: [email protected] your order. Please visit our website at the downloadable source online) or if you are {WAHeight, 200}, window an Intuition message is sent with the {WATitle, “Tetris Window”}, Voice-mail: +44 (0) 870 199 9569 www.amigakit.com to place your order. feeling adventurous you can play yourself! “code” field filled in with the ASCII value of {WACloseGadget, TRUE}, E&OE. One voucher per person. Expires 01/01/05 {WADragBar, TRUE}, the key pressed. Fax: +44 (0) 870 706 4427 We can now put some code in here: {WAGIMMEZEROZERO,TRUE}, {WAIDCMP, IDCMP_CLOSEWINDOWYour | mission, before the next issue, is to void initscreen( struct IntuitionIFACE» IDCMP_REFRESHWINDOW | * IIntuition, produce a new task for the input module that IDCMP_VANILLAKEY }, struct Screen ** currentscreen accepts incoming messages from anywhere {TAGDONE,NULL} struct Window ** displaywindow, }; » with the key press on them. These Amiga Wireless Card struct GameStructure * structure>OpenWindowTagList(*currentscreen, ) messages are analysed for valid directional { *displaywindow=IIntuition- windowoptions); control and a message (or a signal) sent on netpcm010 /* Find the workbench screen, create a } to the game state task. } • 802.11b “Wi-Fi” compliant » window on it with the right buttons » This means of course that the input modules • A1200 / A600 Compatible and the right size and return */ message port needs to be activated and *currentscreen=IIntuition- Input Module waited for in the same way as the other • PCMCIA Card » modules already demonstrated. >LockPubScreen(“Workbench”); The final module we need to concern • Drivers on floppy disk If (*currentscreen!=NULL) ourselves with this issue is the input module. Good luck, and if you get stuck the complete { We are keeping the input handler seperate Tetris game in OS3 and OS4 format will be • AmigaKit Networking CD struct TagItem windowoptions[]= from the main game engine so we can available for download along with { • MiamiDX & Genesis Setup {WALeft, 100}, replace it with an AI module or remote supplementary information on game state networking support (for two player games design, sprites and drawing images. Guide later on). £39.99 +p&p Next Issue Back Issues Web Site Copies of recent issues of Total Amiga are The Total Amiga web site contains a whole Here’s a taster of what we’re planning for still available for the princely sum of £2.50 Amiga Network Card host of features and regularly updated the next issue of Total Amiga! each including UK postage. The issues Amiga Memory information about the magazine. Keep up available include: netpcm003 to date with our progress on the next • Amiga in business feature. issue. 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Below is the settings window (in a different MorphOS theme) showing the different thumbnail options.

OS 4 Classic Amiga OS 4 Updates

Proof, if it’s needed, that OS 4 does run on the A1200! This is Darren Glenn’s Blizzard PPC accelerated machine at the Big Bash2. Art Effect OS 4

The colourful interface of Audio Evolution 4 showing the time-line display, mixer and various effects. There’s an report on the development of Audio Evolution on our OS4 Update feature.

Left: Caught on video: an alpha version of ArtEffect for OS 4 at Essen. The video is playing back on OS 4 in dvPlayer. Video from www.amition.de. Above: Ken’s icons brighten up your Workbench (see News).