AMIGA Hard Disk Drives A Undwtm "AMIGA mazm Volume 4 Number 4 * COMPUTING"! US $3.95 Canada $4.95 Your Original AMIGA* Monthly Resource
Installing an AMIGA Hard Disk Drive
AMIGA HARD DISK DRIVES
Programming: MultiSORT Arguments in AmigaBASIC SharedHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM Libraries
Snapshot: (/!&&pame, rm 'eu) &o$mn) Virus SpaceCutter World Tour Golf
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07447074710904 AmiEXPO Art Contest Winners Reach for the best... one W 1' reach for The Works! Platinum Edition." Tbp value for your Amiga® and true integration from a company that prides itself on excellence! The Works! Platinum Edition —5 programs with a common interface, 1 box, 1 easy-to-use manual, and 3 non-copy protected disks. And it works on any Amiga com puter with at least 512K RAM. Within minutes you'll be able to write a letter, balance a checkbook, call a bulletin board system, create a mailing list, and print any spreadsheet sideways. You can't top that!
WORD PROCESSING MODULE Based on the most popular Amiga word processor available. It has a 104,000+ word spelling checker with scientific and technical supplements. A 470,000+ word thesaurus with definitions. Prints IFF graphics. Supports mail merge. Shows BOLD, Underline, and Italics. Clipboard compatible and MORE!
SPREADSHEET MODULE Created from the fastest Amiga spreadsheet. It contains 68881 math coprocessor support. Imports Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMand exports Lotusr“.WKS files. 8 graph types in 8 vibrant colors hot linked to spreadsheet. Complete macro language. Displays BOLD, Underline, and Italics. Clipboard compatible and MORE!
DATABASE MODULE A Flat File Manager containing exten sive mathematical functions. Supports up to 4.2 billion records and 128 fields. Compatible with dBase IIP" file structures. Clipboard compatible and MORE!
TELECOMMUNICATIONS MODULE Based on the most popular telecommunications program for the Amiga. It has X-, WX-, Y- and Z-modem, Kermit, Sadie (simultaneous file transfer and chat], and both CompuServe® B Protocols. VT-100, -102, -52 and Tektronics1* 4010 terminal emulations. 300-19200 baud operation. 20 user defined macro-keys per phone number. Complete auto and redial capabilities. Supports 8 colors |IBM/ANSI compatible) and MORE!
SIDEWAYS PRINT UTILITY The only Amiga program that rotates IFF graphics or ASCII files 90 degrees. Performs automatic cut and paste for unlimited columns and MORE! The Works! Platinum Edition is integration. . . Refined!
Committed to excellence since 1978 12798 Forest Hill Boulevard, Suite 202 West Palm Beach, Florida 33414 407-790-0770 FAX 407-790-1341 Dealers and Distributors Call 1-800-327-8724 See your local dealer for a demonstration.
We use KAO Disks.
The Works! Platinum Edition is a trademark of Micro-Systems Software, Inc. All brand and product names are trademarks of registered trademarks of theirrespective companies. Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM
TO ORDER - CALL OR WRITE TODAY! Distributor and Dealer enquiries welcomed. •/ /: Iti1 V- HEAD OFFICE: 45 Whitehorn Cres., North York, Ontario, Canada M2J 3B1 * (416) 497-0833 Ra*00^497-3O77 Product of Canada Copyright® 1988,89 Visionary Design Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. Design by Ulticon Productions In c..; Printed "AMIGA
You r Orig itial AMIGA Monthly Re sou rce
AMAZING FEATURES AMAZING PROGRAMMING
Hard Drives—an Introduction Sync Tips by Jon A. Boulle by Oran J. Sands A straightforward, “no-Boulle” comparison of Oran presents a clearer picture regarding video Hard Drives, and computer resolutions.
Adding a Hard Drive Passing Arguments to AmigaBASIC by John P. Twardy by Brian Zitpke Short on memory? Installing a Hard Drive was This AmigaBASIC subprogram explains never so easy—or so cheap. step-by-step how to pass data from the Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMCLI to AmigaBASIC. AmiEXPO NY ’89 by Steve Gillmor Creating a Shared Library The Amiga takes a bite out of the Big Apple. by John Baez Check out this program for increased Amiga AmiEXPO Art and productivity. Video Contest Winners by Steve Jacobs MultiSort Mouse and monitor replaced brush and canvas by Steve Fahviszewski in this first-ever AmiEXPO art event. Put your data in its place with this ultra organiz ing program.
Amazing Computing Special Report The results of the first Reader's Choice Awards Readers recognize their favorite hardware and software packages
Your Original AMIGA Monthly Resource •TABLE OF CONTENTS*
Volume 4., Number 4 April 1989
AMAZING REVIEWS AMAZING COLUMNS
The Max Hard Drive Kit 32 New Products and Other Neat Stuff 1 6 by Donald W. Morgan by Michael Creeden Another inexpensive Hard Drive installation Face-off with Gretzky, play Picasso with Basic project, this time using Palomax’s Max kit. Art Encoder, balance your Desktop Budget, plus more. Tax Break 41 by Kim Schaffer Bug Bytes 39 Ease the 1040 crazies with OXXTs new tax by John Steiner program. John takes on Soft-Logik’s PageStream, and Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMmore, Snapshot 70 by R. Brad Andrews Roomers 63 Four exciting Amiga games are reviewed in this by The Bandito new AC regular. Amiga developers go for the bucks, Commodore stock up, and Paint Wars to Menace 81 resume. by Jeffrey Scott Hall Join Captain Jeff as he blasts aliens in a quest to C Notes from the C Group 73 destroy the evil planet of Draconia. by Stephen Kemp Steve takes a more humorous look at the wacky world of programmers.
Cover Photos: AMAZING DEPARTMENTS “Screen ” by DeWayne Stauffer From the Managing Editor “Vanity” by Alan Hemy from Am i EXPO NY's Art and Video Amazing Mail Contest. Index of Advertisers/ Reader Service Card
Public Domain Software Catalog \ v . \ • <*» e . . .AO lWC de»te4
p t o 9 t a ADMINISTRATION Publisher: Joyce Hicks Assistant Publisher: Robert J. Hicks ^ eaua * * »40^' ' , Circulation Manager: Doris Gamble Asst. Circulation: Traci Desmarais ££ yjttf N \& Assl. Circulation: Donna Viveiros Corporate Trainer: Virginia Terry Hicks Traffic Manager: Robert Gamble International Coordinator: Marie A. Raym ond EZ-Backup Marketing Manager: Ernest P. Viveiros Sr. EDITORIAL
Managing Editor: Don Hicks Editor: Ernest P.Viveiros Jr. Hardware Editor: Ernest P. Viveiros Sr. Music & Sound Editor: Richard Rae Assistant Editor: Michael Creeden Copy Editor: Aimee Duarte Copy Editor: Elizabeth Fedorzyn Ui Copy Editor: Keith Fox Art Director: William Fries Photographer: Paul Michael e e 100% better than any other hard drive back-up program Illustrator: Brian Fox EZ-Backup is a genuine breakthrough Production Manager: D onna M. G arant 0 0 ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Manager: Alicia Tondreau EZ-Backup actually manages Marketing Assistant: Melissa J. Bernier the space on your backup disks- 1-508-678-4200 FAX 1-508-675-6002 Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMBefore EZ-Backup the only way to get rid of the piles of incremental back-up di*ks that littered your desk was to do another full back up. This method is inconvenient and requires a whole new set of unformatted floppy disks. SPECIAL THANKS TO: Buddy Terrell & Byrd Press With EZ Backup you use the same set of disks for every incremental back-up Only Bob a t Riverside Art, Ltd. one Ml back-up required-Ever! Space on the disks is managed by deleting obsolete Swansea One Hour Photo archive files and allowing you to save from 0-255 versions of each file Your files are saved-even if you have completely deleted them from the hard drive!
EZ-Backup conics with an optional warning screen-- Amazing Computing™ (ISSN 0886-9480) is published We all tend to put off doing backups. EZ-Backups warning screen reminds you. If you would rather not be reminded--you have the option ro shut the warning monthly by PiM Publications, Inc., Currant Road, P.O. Box screen off. 869, Fall River, MA 02722-0669.
EZ-Backup prevents you from damaging valuable data- Subscriptions in the U.S., 12 issues for S24.00; In Canada & By checking the volume label, EZ-Backup keeps you from writing over Mexico surface, $36.00; foreign surface tor $44.00. important files.
EZ-Backup uses Standard Amiga format- Second-Class Postage paid at Fall River. MA 02722 and Rles are archived in standard Amiga format and work with all standard utilities. additional marling olfices.
EZ-Backup provides easy recovery of individual files- POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PiM Publications A ample lo use mouse-oriented program allows you to recover individual files. inc., P.O. Box 069, Fall River, M A 02722-0859. Printed in the U.S.A, Copyright©Nov, 1988 by PiM Publications, Inc. All Works with all Amiga-DOS compatible hard drives, rights reserved. (Amiga-DOS version 1.2 or higher) First Class or Air Mail rates available upon request. PiM * Provides archive-bit utilities * No! copy protected Publications, Inc. maintains the right lo refuse any advertis * Multi-tasking * Complete manual with examples ing. * Upgrades provided tree for the first six monttis after program purchase I Pirn Publications Inc, is not obligated to return unsolicited * Free telephone support > materials. At! requested returns must be received with a Self Addressed Stamped Mailer. Not more expensive Just the best - $49.95 - from: EZ-SOFT or an Amiga Dealer near you. Send article submissions in both manuscript and diskformat 10668 Ellen Street to the Co-Editor, Requests for Author’s Guides should be El Monte, CA 91731 directed to the address listed above. (818) 448-0779 Dealer Inquires Welcome
AMIGA™ is a registered trademark ol Commodore-Amiga, Inc. A mazing Dealers
The following are Amazing Dealers, dedicated to supporting the Commodore-Amiga™. They carry Amazing Computing™, your resource for information on the Amiga™. If you are not an Amazing Dealer, but would like to become one, call PiM Publications, Inc.:
1- 508 - 678-4200 i J i i i S a tw f ctj Orirg* kti.Y_vrd MEPAuocuSn Aalona iMiiwet Boo* lnc Ceeaa That Com; j #* R n Anchorage S
Amazing Computing™ is also available in most B. Dalton Booksellers, B. Dalton Software Stores, Crown Books, Software Etc., selected WaldenBooks Stores, and Walden's Software Store locations. From The Managing Editor
A NEW LOGO! Well, Amazing Computing has changed 2 To put the amazement back into The obvious exception was its look, at least a little. Though the computing. When Commodore “AmigaWorld”, published by IDG alteration on our front cover may appear introduced the Amiga, it was the Communications. From conversations we slight, it nonetheless represents a first machine we had seen in a have had with both IDG and remarkable amount of discussion, long time that users could get Commodore executives, IDG was frustration, and disbelief. excited about in such dramatically granted the use of the trademarked name new directions. Not only could AMIGA under the condition that they Some of you must be wondering, "Why the Amiga do everything the other would provide a magazine in time for the change?”. Others might be wondering computers could, but it could do the Amiga’s debut. AmigaWorld's first why it took us so long to add “AMIGA” it faster, in color, and, via issue was on lime. Therefore, they to our title. There are, of course, those multitasking, it could do more earned the right to the title. who might just be asking, “Who cares?” than one thing at a time. We have taken a bit of teasing for using the IDG Communications took an incredible Changing or altering the title of a word “amazing” in our title. gamble in releasing a publication for a publication that is enjoyed and read by However, amazing remains the computer which was not even in full so many Amiga users is not an easy thing best adjective to describe the production. Yet, they were convinced of to do. We are continually concerned that Amiga, the Amiga's ability and iDG gained our readers may interpret any change as advanced placement in the market as an abandonment of our traditional goals. Our continued goal is to sole contender to a large group of This is hardly the case. While we will bring this amazement to each computer enthusiasts anxious to know continueHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM to grow, we will never change reader. We have accomplished more about this new computer from those things which have made Amazing this in part by allowing our Commodore. IDG stood alone for some Computing your favorite Amiga authors to select articles and time as the only third party supplier with magazine. reviews according to their anything to sell to the Amiga market. interests. Rarely does AC's AC was built upon two basic policies: editorial staff direct or assign AC published its first issue some six topics. We want our authors to be months later. Although AmigaWorld was 1. To provide Amiga users with a fully committed to the topic of certainly a very pretty publication, we tool with which to learn and do their choice and, in the process, did not believe it was catering to the more with their machines by pass their excitement on to the majority of Amiga users. AmigaWorld establishing an expanding reader. was not providing what these users reference to the Amiga and its needed or wanted—information. The capabilities. immediate acceptance of AC by the So why change? We want to be more Amiga community was proof that we No one can fault Amazing easily recognizable to the general public. were on the right track. Computing on these efforts. AC We want to reach more Amiga users. We has provided increasing amounts want the public to realize the full We would have included AMIGA in our of editorial content. Each issue of capabilities of this machine. title had we received an OK from AC is decidedly larger than any of Commodore. However, we were told our competitors'. Our articles So what is the problem'* Commodore. early on in our preparation that AMIGA continue to be full length. We was not to be licensed or franchised to always ask that our authors take any additional third parties. No one else as much time as they need to "tell AMIGA as seen by Commodore would ever be given the right to use their tale.” We never specify' Since the Amiga was launched AMIGA in their titles. constraining page limits, Commodore Business Machines has preferring instead that our authors maintained complete control of the Since then, we have seen software and include as much of their expertise “AMIGA” trademark. Any new hardware developers continually be as possible. developers who wished to use the word turned down by CBM in their requests "Amiga" in the title of their new product and, until now, we were quite content to were quickly instructed to find another continue our work under these title. constraints. However, things change. AMIGA 500 USERS!— NOW GET A2000 POWER!! THE WORLD'S FIRST AUTOBOOTING HARD DISK FOR THE AMIGA 500
IMPACT A500 - HD/RAM SUBSYSTEM A2000 offers everything any A500 owner has ever dreamed of - in one compact, easy-to- USERS! install, add-on subsystem; provides Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMthe same high performance as our top-of-the-line A2000 controller S t S IMPACT™ A500 - HD/20 A500-HD/30 THE MOST A500 - HD/40Q POWERFUL HARD DISK A500-HD/45 A500 - HD/80Q SOLUTION FOR YOUR A2000! Available with a built-in 20, 30, 40, 45 or 80 IMPACT™ A2000 - Hard Card 30 Mega Byte Hard Drive A2000 - Hard Card 45 and an optional i A2000 - Hard Card 40Q A2000 - Hard Card 80Q A2000 - Hard Card 100 expansion module. The GVPIMPACT-HC series of “Hard-Cards" for the Amiga 2000 matched with the 3.5" Quantum ProDrive hard diskdrives, provide turbo periormanceand unbeatable value at list prices as low as $18.00 per Mega Byte! The Quantum ProDrives pro vide average accesstimesas lowas 11ms with their built-in 64KB read-ahead cache and offer a MTBF of 50.000 hours which is almost twice the industry average. 5 ^ ^ AUTOBOOT EPROMS
GREAT VALLEY PRODUCTS INC. PLANK AVENUE, PAOLI, PA 19301 TEL (215) 889-9411 FAX (215) 889-9416 Newsletters and even small publications then asked how' the selection and So why have we joined these ranks? began appearing with AMIGA in their approval would be handled. I was In truth, we have not. The tide of our title, We watched, wondering when informed that special preferences would magazine remains Amazing Computing. Commodore would step in and safeguard be granted to those companies already We have always been "for the their right. Nothing happened. When I making use of the title. The speaker Commodore Amiga". We have read spoke with an editor front a small stressed that it was only fair that these through the specifications Commodore publication last year and asked him how individuals receive first rights due to their wishes all developers to follow, and have he had obtained the right to put AMIGA sizable investments. I w'as then told that followred them all to die best of our in his title, he chuckled and said he had only a few such agreements would be knowledge, except one: a personal agreement with one of the allowed. top executives at Commodore. “Use Commodore trademarks as a In short, those organizations which side brand name or a proper adjective In the past year, more software and stepped or completely ignored and not as a noun, verb, possessive, hardware developers have been turned Commodore Business Machines' rights to plural, or in a generic sense." down in their quest to use the word AMIGA would be the first groups "Amiga". Still, publications continue to sanctioned to use the term, Those groups Commodore wants us all to refer to the sprout and take the name. I decided to and companies who refrained from Amiga as “the Amiga computer", and not contact Commodore directly, requesting taking the "easy road" of product just “the Amiga.” Unfortunately for the right to do what everyone else was recognition may never have the right Commodore, this is not only impossible doing—place AMIGA in our title to make made available to them. to control, since virtually everyone refers us more recognizable to die general to the Amiga (see) in this way, but there public. We were told no one had Product Recognition is only one Amiga, therefore it is acquired the right to use the trademarked Please do not misunderstand our redundant to say “the Amiga computer." name. intentions. The best thing that could Amiga is the computer. Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMhappen to die Amiga is for a large group There must be some mistake. Sitting on of materials championing the Amiga Solutions? my desk were no less than four US name to make their wray into the public Is there a solution? I am afraid not. publications as well as a larger group of eye. It has been difficult for diis machine Commodore, blessed or otherwise, now-' foreign publications and newsletters with to grow' in the general public’s has a rather large string of products by AMIGA in their title. Meanwhile, I was awareness without openly recognizable third party developers who will continue informed that the executive in charge of support by third party developers on to use the AMIGA name. This gadiering trademarks at Commodore was unaware dealers’ shelves. crow'd should help sell Amigas to the of any such violations. general public as they become aware of The w'ord Macintosh has been registered the Amiga's (I did it again!) popularity. After several months of contacting and licensed by Apple Computer. Yet different executives at Commodore, I those developers who have neither the Commodore, lacking the foresight to was told that steps wrere being taken to time nor the resources to license correctly monitor the use of their make sure people used the name "Macintosh" have used the term "Mac". It computer’s name, may have seen these correcdy. When 1 pointed out that some is unfortunate die Amiga has not had a rights forfeited. Commodore has an of these publications were now in similar title to use. Oh yes, there have obligation to maintain their trademark production, and diat it may be too late to been some attempts by Amiga (have you ever seen those ads for stop the widespread general use of developers to use “Ami", but eidter Xerox® reminding you to refer to a AMIGA as an open term, I was assured through lack of marketing or lack of photostat as a photostat). If they do not that letters were in die mail and that a interest, the “Ami” title is little known administer this right fairly and licensing agreement plan was in the outside the already converted Amiga consistendv, they run the risk of losing works. community. their right.
Since a license to use AMIGA in our title Amiga is it. It appears diat Commodore's In some wrays, this could help the Amiga was all I wanted, I asked how could AC slow reaction in securing their rights in community. However, in other respects, apply. I was told I could write a letter to this matter could leave them it is a very unfortunate turn of events. Commodore’s legal department, unprotected. The consumer can lose too, requesting the license. They would as there is no control of the style, type, Sincerely, review the request and make a decision. or nature of those who may use the This seemed to be a suitable solution. I AMIGA name. Don Hicks Managing Editor, Amazing Computing No Other Word Processor For Amiga® Color Graphics. Stacks Up To ProWrite™ 2.0. Word is out. ProWrite 2.0 allows you to expand your Amiga word processing to new horizons. Use it to generate proposals with impressive bar charts. Create letters ;md reports with snappy graphics. Multiple Fonts. Generate television storyboards. Even dash out newsletters with spot illustrations. And of course, ProWrite 2.0 has all the other features you expect: a spelling Spelling Checker. checker with 95,000 word dictionary'. Mailmerge. And fast graphics printing. Best of ail, it works with our font packages. ProFonts I and II, Mailmerge. giving you a broad range of professional and decorative fonts. All this, plus ProWrite’s powerful editing capabilities Multiple Windows. and ease-of-use combine to make ProWrite the best word processor for the Amiga computer. Resizable Graphics. Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMProScript: Perfection In Print For The Amiga. ProScript is the new PostScript Fast Printing. utility from New Horizons Soft ware that gives you the profes sional look of typeset copy. ProScript reads ProWrite files and prints them on any PostScript equipped printer, giving you the same multiple font and picture capabilities you expect from ProWrite, but with die typeset quality of PostScript printing. ProWrite 2.0 and Pro- v" Script. A powerful new y flH w team that puts a new ; | world of word process ing and printing at your fingertips.
New Horizons
First in Personal Productivity and Creativity P.O. Box 43167/Austin, Texas 78745/(512) 328-6650
Pro VS'rite. ProFcxits and PraScnpt arc tradem arks o f N ew H orizons Software. Inc Amiga ts a rep'trrciJ trademark cf Qimmodorc-Amiga. Inc PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems. Inc Amazing Mail
Dear Amazing Computing: in their ads matched my needs fairly That's right, Deluxe Print EE does not well, and the price was reasonable support or work with any of the 1.3 We just received our spring Product (about $70). As I found out, die actual printer drivers which have been around Guide and what a fine job it is! It is software is VERY buggy. It is hard to for at least 4 months now. Since I have a obvious that a lot of thought went into work for even an hour widiout diis NEC-CP6 24-pin printer, I find die its organization (with the inclusion of die program displaying the almighty Gum program a bit useless. I do have an old public domain disks and die virus message. In addition, a number of other 1.2 driver for it, but it is extremely slow, protection), and the freely distributable aggravating bugs exist. For instance, if taking about 15 minutes to print one software Index is a great idea! you choose italics as a font style (using page. die keyboard shortcut) and start typing, I want also to resolve a price discrep the cursor will not move, but the text How a large company like Electronic Arts ancy. We sent a price and product list will scroll to die right, spelling your can put out a product that is outdated some time ago. The prices in the catalog words out backwards. It is also impos from day one is beyond me. I have are based on the original information. sible to get exclamation points in the called diem up and they say they are Since that time, we enlianced and Helvetica font even though they exist diinking about possibly doing a 1.3 upgraded several of our products (we're and can be seen if loaded into die version, but could give no assurances. always doing that) and adjusted die notepad. It appears to me that this Anodier problem that I found with this prices accordingly. We then shipped an product has never gone through any program (and also with Deluxe Paint) is updated catalog. So, the prices in the quality control process. I challenge you the limited set of fonts that can be Product Guide are the old ones, but no to locate a copy and examine it for a loaded in. If you add three more fonts problem. We are more than happy to while. I’m sure you will understand my and load them in, the program hangs honor the old prices and ship the concern. and cannot be killed. Programs like this enhanced versions for as long as people need to be more flexible with respect to request them! If they say they saw it in Above all of their other faults, I have call fonts. Amazing'sHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM Product Guide, they get the ed their technical support line 5 times, special price. It's the honorable tiling to only to get a recorded message. Each I have also found that under 1.3, my do and we just wanted to let you know time I have left a message widi my original of Ferrari Formula One no our policy on this one. phone number (and some increasingly longer works. I am not sure why, but for angry remarks), ail of which seems to now, it guru’s as soon as the actual Congratulations on an enormous job well have been done in vain. driving scenes appear. done! The other product that I would like to I would appreciate you contacting these Very' Sincerely, discuss is Deluxe Print II which was sent companies on my (and the .Amiga Julie Petersen, to me around December 1.1 had ordered computing communities) behalf. Graphic Services (and PAID) for this product back around February '88 when a flyer was sent Just so diis letter isn’t a total downer, encouraging me to upgrade my original. here’s a few tricks with 1.3. If you would The check was cashed at dial time even like to display your path in your prompt diough the product came 9 mondis later. string, but don't like the continually Dear AC, In November, I received a letter saying changing prompt size (or position) you diat my long-awaited program was soon can display your path on one line, and I would like to inform you of a few to ship, but was being delayed to allow your prompt on another. Just incorporate problems that I have found with some quality control to make sure tiiat die escape sequence “
(continued') UPGRADE YOUR AMIGA! The attractive design of the Phoenix Expansion Chassis compliments your Amiga, and makes upgrading affordable by permitting use of A-2000 cards on your A-500 or A-1000 Computer. •Runs all major A-2000 Expansion Cards, such as: •IBM 2088 Bridge Board •Hard Disk Controller Cards, such as Commodore 2090 and 2090A •Commodore 2052 and 2058 RAM Boards •Third Party SCSI Controllers •O ther A-2000 Specific Products •Two 100-Pin Expansion Slots With or Without Internal Power Supply •Room for Hard Card With Attached Drive •Complete Auto Configuration and Pass-Thru Capabilities •All-Metal Card Cages and Enclosure •One Year Limited Warranty on Parts and Libor S253.95 With Internal Power Supply / $179.95 Without Power Supply '■'We accept VISA and MasterCard'' Distributed in Canada by Datacorp Distribution (524) 620-6318
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P.O. Box 156, 314 Court St. PHOENIX Clay Center, KS 67432 ELECTRONICS, INC. (9131 632-2159 / FAX (913) 632-5382 Dear AC, Incidentally, we have published a number of “Compact Guides" to MIDI I enjoyed reading Phil Saunders’ “Con software for the Mac, the PC, the Atari Which verting Patch Librarian Files” article in ST, and die Commodore 64/128, and hard disks your December issue, and was gratified expect to be producing a book dedicated to see that he used my book, “The to MIDI software for die Amiga in 1989. for Complete DX7”, as a reference. Readers who are interested In learning more about our unique organization can AMIGA? The problem of converting patch files write us at: 432 Park Avenue South, New from one computer to another need not, York, NY 10016. however, be nearly as involved if you remember that MIDI itself is a standard, Sincerely, Curious? regardless of tire device from which Howard Massey MIDI data originates. Rather than New York, NT transferring patch data in a raw, binary format from computer to computer (in Any this particular case from a Mac to an (IBM compatible) Amiga) via a null modem cable, Phil may with our A.L.F.! have found his task to be much easier if (Amiga Loads Faster) tire data had been transferred over a Dear Amazing Computing, Saferwith CHECKDRIVE. standard MIDI cable from the Mac’s MIDI Faster with FASTFILE-SYSTEM. interface to his Amiga's MIDI interface. The following might be useful in your 50% more MB with RLL-CONTROLLER. To facilitate the transfer, there’s no need Amazing Mail or Bug Bytes columns: More economic - even detective hard disks can be used. to use any kind of communication program—simply use die patch librarians SA4D MAGIC NUMBERS! Formore information: themselves. Instruct die receiving Prespect Technics Inc. computer to receive a full bank of The new Sculpt Animate 4D has some RO. Box 670. Station Ft Montreal. Quebec H3G 2M6 patches and then tell die sending undocumented features which may help Fax: (514) 876-2869 computer to transmit a full bank. Neither you. As in Sculpt 3D, you enter the computer will have any idea that it is ‘Magic Number?' requester by clicking on “talking” to another computer as die DOWN window and pressing CTRL Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMopposed to the synth itself, since any D. The following is a list of ‘Magic handshaking drat is necessary (and Numbers’ and their associated requesters: Make sure that you substitute a real handshaking is not used by Yamaha escape character for the
(continued) HardFrame/2000 The Super-Speed, DMA, SCSI Hard Disk Interface for the Amiga 2000 •AutoBoots AmigaDOS 1.3 (Price Includes HardFrame Eprom!) • Directly Boots the New Fast-File System! (Doesn't Need Old FS!) • Auto-mounts All Hard Disk Partitions (no Mount List Required!) How fast is fast? HardFrame/2000 transfers data at Amiga bus speeds! It's actually faster • Designed-in,Ultra Strong, than the hard disk mechanism itself! And even Multitasking Performance more important in the Amiga's multitasking environment, HardFrame/ 2000 has extremely efficient DMA circuitry to get on and off the bus in • High Quality Metal Frame almost no time at all: 280ns to get on; 200ns to get off. And it's true, for Stable, On-Card, dedicated DMA, too! HardFrame/2000 autoboots and automounts di rectly into the AmigaDOS™ 1.3 Fast File System (old file system parti Hard Disk Mounting tions are not needed!). The core of any DMA SCSI interface is in its SCSI protocol chip and DMA chip. MicroBotics has chosen the new, • Power Cabling Directly highHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM performance Adaptec AIC-6250 SCSI chip, capable of up to 5 from Card to Disk megabytes per second raw transfer speed, and the Signetics 68430 DMA chip running at 12.5 megahertz. Then we added additional FIFO buffering and enabled 16-bit wide data transfers for maximum • 50-pin Cable Included throughput. The sophisticated design of HardFrame/2000 provides for automatic SCSI arbitration, selection and reselection. The hardware • Supports up to seven SCSI supports either synchronous or asynchronous data transfer. Hard hard disks of any size Frame/2000 can function as either the SCSI bus initiator or the target and can reside in a multiple master environment. Physically, Hard Frame/2000 is optimally flexible: the compact, half-size card comes at tached to a full length, plated aluminum frame. The frame has mount ing holes positioned to accept standard, 3.5" SCSI hard disk units such New! as those manufactured by MiniScribe, Seagate, Rodime, and others (hard disk mechanisms must he supplied by the user or his dealer as a 8-UP! (DIP) FastRAM separate purchase item). Alternatively, you can cable-connect to a SCSI Another great memory board from MicroBot drive mounted in your Amiga's disk bay or in an external chassis. As ics, 8-UP! (DIP) is the "brother" of the original 8-UP! many as seven hard disks may be connected to a single HardFrame/ (which uses SIMMs and PopSIMMs to fill its memo 2000. There is no size limit on each disk. HardFrame/2000 includes a ry space). 8-UP! (DIP) uses conventional 1 megabit 50-pin SCSI cable and header connectors for cither 50-pin or 25-pin RAM chips in standard sockets to provide your cable connection. Also included is a current tap to power frame- Amiga 2000 with 2, 4, 6, or 8 megabytes of autocon mounted drives directly from the slot itself. HardFrame/2000 comes figuring FastRAM! 8-UP! (DIP) is a super efficient complete with driver, installation, and diagnostic software. CMOS design for lowpower consumption and high Available NOW! Suggested list price, S329 (hard disk not included) reliability. Suggested list price, S199 (0k installed) Frameless version: S299.00. See your Amiga Dealer.
The HardFrame/2000 photo shows the product with a MiniScribe twenty megabyte hard disk installed. Hard disks are not included in the purchase price of HardFrame. Note that if placed in the first slot, Join MicroBotics HardFrame uses only one slot even with a disk attached. I ONLINE TECHNICAL SUPPORT I - CONFERENCE ON BIX - MicroBotics,Inc. (The Byte Information Exchange) * Great Products Since the Amiga Was Born! I -call 1-800-227-2983 | 811 Alpha Drive,Suite335, Richardson,Texas75081 (214)437-5330 ^ fo r BIX membership information! Tell your dealer he can quick-order from MicroBotics directly - no minimum quantity - show him this ad! "Amiga' is a registered trademark ol Commodore-Amiga. ■HardFrame/2000", ■8-UPr, "PopSimm". are trademarks ot MicroBotics, he. just a note to inform you of the existence of our users group, M.A.U.S. (Mile-High Users Society). Enclosed you will find our two latest newsletters. Our members live in the greater Denver metro area and meet at 7:00pm on the second Thursday of ever)7 month as described in die newsletters. After the scheduled meeting, many of us invariably continue shooting the breeze about our favorite machine for several hours at a nearby restaurant. In addition to die monthly meetings, IF YOU THOUGHT WE members get a discount at a local Amiga WERE HOT BEFORE, dealer. COME SEE US SIZZLE NOW! Yours sincerely, Willie Scbreurs. Amazing Computer Systems is hardware, accessories and MA.U.S., HOT. Our sizzling selection of books, All at RED HOT P. O. Box 3*106 Amiga products has become prices. So remember, Englewood, CO 80155-34 the talk of the town. We are When you’re hot, you're now in our new location with hot. And when you're not, o ver 1100 titles in stock & you're not shopping the hottest selection of Amazing Computer Systems, Dear AC:
Amazing Computer Systems, Inc. Please include the following in the your Village on I he Parkway £100 Beltlirw Rd Suite #896 Dallas, Tx 75240 list of Amiga support groups: (214) 336-8383 Mon-Sat 10am-Gpm Thurs 10am-8pm Laurel-Bowie User Group Laurel, Maryland Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMPresident: Rick Carrick Contact Person: Rose Ragan (301) 488- Geary Boulrice While CCCUG does not officially sponsor 8686 San Diego. CA a BBS, one member, Bert Sch- wartzwelder, does reserve a section on L-BUG is a Commodore computer user P.S. When I called SA4D Technical his BBS for CCCUG news: 1-301-586- group supporting die C64, C128, and Support they acknowledged these EBBS (1-201-586-3227) via modem. Amiga. We have an extensive public features and verified their operability and domain library for the use of our mem said currently they are for in-house use In addition, if you or any of your bers, a mondily newsletter, and several only and that they might be supported in advertisers would care to send me SIG’s. future upgrades. approximately 30 flyers/ads/brochures, 1 will mail them to our members along If you need more information, please with our monthly newsletter. contact Rose Ragan, 8808 Hawthorne Court, T2, Laurel, MD 20706, ph. (301) Thank you for your interest and assis 488-8686. Dear AC: tance.
Thank you for your assistance. As newsletter editor and contact person Sincerely, for the Calvert County Commodore User Vicki Harmon (for CCCUG) Sincerely, Group, I ask that our group be listed in 1866 Bay Street Rose Ragan your publication to better enable us to Huntington, Maryland 20639 L-BUG Public Relations reach/serve the needs of users of all (301) 535-3842 models of Commodore computers in our area.
Meetings are held on the 2nd Saturday of each month, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Meeting place is downstairs at the Calvert Library in Prince Frederick, Maryland. Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM
Don't limit your potential! Experience excellence!, a word Committed to excellence since 1978 processor designed for your Amiga, with 250 available fonts, a Spell-As-You-iype 90,000+ word Dictionary, 12798 Forest Hill Boulevard, Suite 202 Grammatical/Style Checker, Thesaurus, Index and Table of West Palm Beach, Florida 33414 Contents generator, Headers, Footers and Footnotes! Sail M icro-SystemsSottwore 407-790-0770 Fax 407-790-1341 through PostScript output, True WYSIWYG, automatic See your local dealer for an excellence! brochure. Hyphenation, Math, beautiful resizable Color Graphics, Dealers and Distributors Call 1-800-327-8724 flexible Mail Merge, Columns and an easy-to-use Macro- Language making complete actions a breeze! The fastest We use KAO Disks! word processor for your Amiga is the only one you'll ever Amiga is a registered trademark of Commodore Business Machines • PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc. ■ excellence! is a registered trademark of need! Truly a "Masterpiece" of excellence! Micro-Systems Software, Inc. New Products and Other Neat Stuff
by Mike Creeden
Face-Off team yourself, or let Number 99 take the The game is even endorsed by the Springtime is coming, sports fans, helm while you watch from die stands Great One himself. So celebrate the and that can only mean one thing. You and enjoy a hot dog. coming of spring fhe Canadian way. Play guessed it: the Stanley Cup playoffs. Realism abounds here. The ice, some hockey. Now you can warm up for the playoffs freshly zambonied at the game's start, with the only hockey game that bears the shows grooves of wear as the game Bethesda Soft works name of the Great One: Wayne Gretzky- progresses. And you'd better keep your 15235 Shady Grove Rd. Suite 100 Hoc key, from Bethesda Soft works. men aggressive, because fights are Rockville, MD 20850 To give Wayne Gretzky Hockey the bound to break out. When they do, Tel: (301) 926-8300 most realisitic feel possible, Bethesda digitized fight videos will give you a $49.95 called in Gretzky and a slew of other close-up view of the flailing punches hockey pros to work with die developers while you listen to insults being spewed producing the game. Their efforts through busted teeth. weren't wasted. Each player acts Those are real punches you'li be Desktop Budget independendy, and you never know hearing. The digitized sounds are taken Did you ever feel as if you were what might happen. right from real hockey games. Instant operating on a shoestring budget? Well, Multiple player skill ratings let you race replays let you relish that smoodi now you can mn that shoestring budget your players in 11 skill categories, breakaway—or that crushing right from your desktop, with Gold Disk's includingHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM skating ability, stamina, puck hook—one more time. Desktop Budget, from the Home Office control, and aggression. Options include And since no simulation would be series. Desktop Budget lets you run your dual game speed, multiple difficulty worth its salt without the zebras, home or office budget using your Amiga levels, practice time, adjustable period animated referees wrill keep an eye on and this icon-based personal finance length, and more. You can coach the the action. So keep it onsides—and system. Each element of your budget— watch that stick. from airline and auto expenses to stocks and savings— is represented by an icon. You can create your own icons using Figure One the DB-Editor (to give A screen from your debts that Wayne Gretzky personal touch). H o c k e y . The ice, once smooth as silk, (continued) begins to show the wear and tear from 10 hard- skating hockey pros. 9
AMIGA questions?
Where can you find; over 1700 AMIGA programs & descriptions by more than 400 AMIGA vendors?
Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMWhere can you find; over 1700 Freely Distributable Software Programs listed in detail?
Where can you find all this Amiga information in an easy to read format, by category, indexed and with complete descriptions?
In AC's Amazing Computing™ Product Guide
Available now at your local Amazing Dealer! (Left) Desktop Budget lets you run your home or office budget using your Amiga an d this icon-based personalfinance system.
(Right) FA-BASIC 3.0 offers BASIC programmers a structured, interactiveprogram ming environment full offeatures that let you tap into the full power of the Amiga.
You can record, retrieve, or edit Stuff-It! Special identifiers let you tel! Stuff- transactions, or program Desktop Budget If you're still feeling artistic after It! when you want to use special keys to make automatic transactions (so you customizing those Desktop Budget icons, sucii as the function, arrow, shift, don't even have to be there when you you can customize your own pull-down control, or alternate keys. Using the file go bankrupt). You can record, retrieve, menus with Stuff-It!, from Soft-Link, Inc. and edit payments, then print your Stuff-It! lets you create your own menus, specifier, you can have your Stuif-It payment list in a report. Indeed, you can which you then "stuff’ witii series of menus restore other Stuff-It! menus files. print just about any aspect of your your most commonly used keystrokes. Stuff-It! runs with Workbench or budget in a report. These reports can be The menu stores and plays back these CLI (version 1.2 or higher). It requires no in either text or graphic form, and they keystrokes when you request them. You special hardw?are, and it is not copy are saveable to disk. Finally, when you can use your Stuff-It! menu to interact protected. wantHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM to know your overall financial with other multitasking software that Save all those keystrokes. Just Stuff- picture, you can have your budget requires keyboard input. It! reported on a monthly or yearly basis. Stuff-It! works like a function key. The program features an icon Each Stuff-It! menu item has its own Soft-Link, Die, editor, a calculator, and a clipboard. The descriptive name, and you can stuff as P.O. B ox304 icon editor lets you create and edit 4 many keystrokes into it as you like Coventry, RI 02816 color icons for use on the Workbench (limited by memory, of course). When $39.95 screen, and 8 color icons for use on die you pull down a “stuffed” menu, die Desktop Budget screen. It also provides keystrokes you recorded will be sent to freehand, line, box, circle and area fill die program you’re wrorking with, just as M.A.S.T. drawing, and a window for making if you had typed them in from the Another mini peripheral has detailed drawings. keyboard. crawled out from under die the M.A.S.T. The calculator lets you make quick Stuff-It! comes with a few sample Memory: and Storage Technology: calculations on die Desktop Budget menus which can be used as is, or you (MA.S.T.) has recently introduced screen, dien paste die results of your can modify them to suit your needs. The MICROMEGS, an alternative to the calculations into your budget. These keystrokes in the Stuff-It! menus are Amiga 501 internal expansion RAM. calculations can dien be transferred to displayed in the program's window to let MICROMEGS features 1 megabit DRAM the clipboard, and then to any other you see just which keystrokes are being technology, which reduces the card size program that can read from the executed. by about one half, while also reducing clipboard. Stuff-It! menu items can perform the length of the onboard conductors to Desktop Budget. Going broke was keystroke actions of their own, or dley minimize transmission line effects, and to never so much fun. can have sets of subitems. Up to 31 offer greater noise protection. subitems can be attached to each menu The 1 megabit DRAM technology Gold Disk Software item. Keystrokes (Stuff-It! calls diem also means diat the card only requires 4 P.O. Box 789 actions) can be attached to both menu CMOS RAM chips, for significant savings Streetsville, Mississauga, items and subitems, although menu items in powder: MICROMEGS use 8mA in Ontario Canada L5M2C2 that have actions attached cannot also Tel: (416) 828-0913 have subitems. nvision a creative freedom you've only dreamed about. Imagine page flipping, color cycling, text generation, and ANIM animation, all combined at the same time on the screen. Now, from the simplest slideshow to the mostE sophisticated desktop video production, that dream comes true with The Director. The Director uses an easy, Basic-like vocabulary. It provides powerful image and memory management, blitter, text and effects control. Anything created with The Director can make use of its sound module, and can be fully interactive via mouse or keyboard. A freely distributable player program, the Projector, is also included.
• Uses any IFF images, any resolution, any number of colors • Fades, Dissolves, Blits, Wipes, Stencils • Page flip full or partial screens • Preload images, fonts and sounds up to your memory limit • Flexible script-based structure • Basic-like vocabulary; For/Next, Gosub/Return, If/Else/Endif "If an Oscar were to be presented for • Arithmetic expressions, random number generator, variables • Execute AmigaDOS commands from the script Technical Excellence in Amiga Graphics, • Text string and file input and output the winner would certainly be (the • Keyboard and mouse interaction • Digitized soundtrack module envelope, please) - The Director an • Supports HAM and overscan $6995 exciting, unique program.. .likely to • Supports IFF ANIM playback • Built in drawing commands DIRECTOR DEMO DISKS $10.00each become a classic.. • No copy protection PROBE (512 K) • And much more... RGB {1 MEG) Steve King, Commodore Magazine Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMApril 1988
"I must give The Director top marks for NEW! TOOLKIT for THE DIRECTOR The Director Toolkit is a disk packed with features and ease of use and capability. For the novice enhancements to expand the capability of The Director. There are or serious presentation creator, this new wipe routines, a palette selector, a pie chart generator and much more. The new and enhanced BLIT Utility has a powerful package is unequaled. It belongs on the interface to help create Wipe, Dissolve, and BLIT operations. It also shelf of anyone who considers himself an automates the process of moving an object over a background, generating a complete working script. Amiga graphics connoisseur." This disk is intended to be used with The Director software.
Oran J. Sands III, Info Magazine • New wipe routines June 1988 • Enhanced BLIT Utility including object movement over backgrounds • Standard file requester callable from Director scripts • Screen save from Director scripts • MIDI input module • Standard ANIM compressor • Pie chart generator $3995 • Sine and cosine functions Check or money order payable to; • Card game example R ig h t A n sw ers • Palette selector 00* 3699 • Text dlSplayer j y I Torrance. CA 90510 • And more! (213)325-1311 Please add $3 shipping and handling California residents add 6Vi% sales tax. standby mode, and 20 mA when the No excuses, Back It Up! GFA-BASIC 3-0 board is being accessed continually. Rare is the person who is doesn’t Antic Software’s GFA-BASIC 3-0 MicroMegs also includes a battery- know they should back up their files offers BASIC programmers a structured, backed real time clock. It is now often, Equally rare is the person who interactive programming environment full available through dealers. actually does it. Why? Well, backing up of features that let you tap into the full takes time. Backing up a drousand-line power of the Amiga. The package M.AS.T program, or a 50-page WP document, or includes over 300 new' commands, and 3881 Benatar Way a huge graphics image takes time, and speed comparable wridi C. Y'ou can Chico, CA lots of it. No one intends to let all that execute non-BASIC applications from 95928 time go by between saves. It just within the BASIC program, and even call happens. ExpressCopy, from Express- a routing written and compiled in C. Way Software, one of your biggest A new function, Hide, lets you A Call fo r Artists "didn’t wrant to waste tire time” excuses compress procedure screens to hide Artists everywhere, now hear this: is gone. procedures once you debug them. The This summer, Mojo Softwarewill ExpressCopy can perform hard disk Editor automatically indents commands assemble an Art Show on Disk of backups and copy files from hard disk l o w'ithin loops and conditions. Subroutines pictures created with the Mojo's Basic floppy disk at up to 1 MB per minute, or can be replaced by symbols, or collapsed Art Encoder and its freely distributable 600Kb per minute with verify of backup with a single keystroke, Additional little brother. MiniCoder. Anyone who disks. The backup disks have die same commands give the IF-ELSE-ENDIF submits a 320 x 200 slide show by the directory structure and file attributes of statements greater flexibility. Expanded July 1st deadline will have at least one of the original files, and can be used loop commands like DO UNTIL, DO those images included in the Art Show normally. You can -write Normal or Fast WHILE, LOOP WHILE, and LOOP UNTIL on Disk collection. (The images must be File System-compatible disks, and collect give you more flexible looping. freely distributable, and the disks will not files to be copied by DataStamp, The Interpreter uses true integer be returned). So, get those images in filename pattern matching, the archive arithmetic for fast calculation speed, and now, and have your work displayed in bit, or the source directory. There are floating decimal point arithmetic for extra an art show. options for setting die archive bit, accurate calculations, The package also Using the Basic Art Encoder for verifying the data written to the floppy, includes a run-time module, joystick those images shouldn’t prove difficult at and estimating the number of disks commands, bit manipulations. Boolean all. It's a simple paint program that required for the backup. operations, in-line C and Assembler operates like any other menu-driven Create up to 4 backups at a time, commands, a built-in text editor with graphicsHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM tool, with one exception. or preload disks in up to 4 drives. syntax checking, and easy access to all Instead of saving infonnation about ExpressCopy automatically formats and libraries. every- pixel in IFF format, the Basic An verifies new' disks. Also, if a bad disk is Antic Sop ware Encoder produces an AmigaBasic routine found during die verify, you can insert a 544 Second Street that will recreate your picture using different disk and start from the San Francisco, CA commands. This reduces the huge IFF beginning of that disk. There’s no need 94107-9989 file into a fairly small routine you can to restart the backup. $139.95 paste directly into your program. For effective multitasking, you can The Basic Art Encoder comes with change ExpressCopy’s priority while it's a freely distributable slide show program running. If creativity strikes in the middle which lets you put hundreds of images of a backup, halt the backup and use the onto a single disk. You can create a drives normally. Then restart later. Send your new products and program that displays one image every ExpressCopy backup restoration ■; announcements to: five seconds for twenty minutes— uses any file copy program, your favorite without ever reading off the disk. .'All the directory' utility, or ExpressCopy’s owm Michael Creeden routines are in memory' once you load Restore program. The program has no . c/oAmazing Computing the slide show. copy protection, and runs from P.O. Box 869 Save yourself time and frustration Workbench or CLf. It requires at least Fall River, MA 02722 by using the Basic Art Encoder to 512K RAM and Version 1.2 or higher of construct your graphics routines. And AmigaDOS,’ Mojo will display the results at the Art Avoid die (hard drive) crash. Take Show on Disk. the Express-Way. •AO
M ojo Softw are Express-Way Software, Inc. 2261 Market St. * 464 P.O. Box 10290 San Francisco, CA Columbia, MO 94114 65205-4005 Tel: (314) 474-2984 Basic Art Encoder $44.95 $24.00 Amazing Hard Drives DRIVES ,,m (nfaoda.ction
b y Jo n A. B o ulle
In the beginning there was...... The flood of hard drive controllers B” or on Amiga Doc BBS (312)351-8815- on die market now' has made it more If you own what can be considered an Techmar, MicroForge, and Byte by and more essential for a more compre “Exotic” setup, I particularly want to hear Byte. A 20 MB hard drive cost SI200. hensive file. I began to ask friends who about it. Just remember, I don't have all The Cadillac of the hard drives, the “Pal”, owned other hard drives and hard drive die answers but I have a lot of informa cost about S3200 without the hard drive! controllers to give me information on tion diat can help in a lot of instances. These drives are no longer available dieir experiences with their hardware. There are a few' hard drive except as used items. Instead, we have This file began to grow' and grow. Thus interfaces available in die PC market generic PC priced hardware. This tower diis series of articles began. place today. In order of transfer speed priced hardware is causing a lot of This series will provide basic, they are: SCSI (up to 700k/sec usually confusion among new and less experi generic information about hard drives. As 500k/sec), EDSI (300-400k/sec), and ST- enced users and potential buyers. A case the series continues, I hope to write an 506/412 - generic PC (approximately in point is what happened to me. article specifically for each hard drive/ 275k/sec), These speeds will vary so I was trying to sell a hard drive controller on the market. 1 have con don't be upset if you can get faster reads SCSI controller for the A1000 and I got a tacted or will contact every manufacturer and writes dian I have listed here. That's call from a prospective buyer. As we currendy selling an Amiga specific hard quite possible. In some cases, it will be talked about the controller, it became drive. The articles will contain the obvious to me that he had little or no information provided to me. I will then conceptHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM of what he was doing. I’m not include user information from the Amiga Basic, generic information being derogatory, it's just that he thought community. No sugar coating, no about hard drives. No sugar all he needed was a controller and a company drivel, “..just the facts ma'am, coating, no company drivel, hard drive to use it. I asked if he was nothing but the facts...". going to use an OMTI or an ADPETEC I also hope this wall help those “..just the facts m a’am, card. He didn’t know' he needed one. I w'ho are considering buying an older nothing but the facts... ”, asked if he had the cables necessary'. He piece of equipment that is no longer didn't know he needed those either. The being supported, a MicroForge or net result was that I didn’t sell the C-Ltd Techmar hard drive, for example. That faster since die hard drive’s access time controller. Not because he didn't want it, way you will have some source for will help determine diis transfer speed. but because the cost had just about information other than what the seller We will primarily discuss the SCSI doubled for him and he couldn’t afford told you. This information might be and the ST506/412 since these are the all the equipment needed. The idea he invaluable when you are attempting to hard drive interfaces we will most likely had was dial a controller cost a couple of set up your new hardware around 3 see and use. A definition is in order. SCSI hundred bucks, a hard drive about S350, a.m.—when none of your friends would means “Small Computer Systems so for $550 he wrould have a hard drive. especially enjoy a phone call. Interface”. Don’t be fooled by this name. This misconception is widely I’ll point out the pitfalls, the traps, This standard is only adhered to the spread, especially in the Amiga world. AS the possible errors in the documentation, point that all basic commands wrork co-SYSOP of one of the most popular the kind of dungs that drive you abso according to diis standard, not all SCSI Amiga specific BBS' in the country, I lutely nuts when the documentation hard drive manufacturers comply to all began to notice that more and more writer knows exacdy what he was talking SCSI commands. In fact most do not. A questions were being asked on the board about, but no one else does. case in point is that the SCSI bus is about hard drives, problems, costs, “how One of the keys to the success of supposed to be a 50 pin type connector. comes...", etc. The problem I was faced this series of articles is your help. Your Apple has changed diis. Their SCSI bus ■with is that old messages scroll off the questions will provide the backbone of connectors start out life as a 50 conduc message base as new messages are this series. As I answrer more questions, 1 tor cable, but then change to a 25 pin added and I wound up answering the will be able to compile them into a DB connector. same questions time after time. In rational series for everyone. Please feel frustration I began to write die answers free to contact me with your questions/ down and posting them as a text file. answers on PUNK (PeopleLINK) as “Jon variety because the Apple/Mac is the most widely installed computer that utilizes this physical format. For our purposes, don’t worry, the majority of UNFORMAT FORMAT AVG. DATA SCSI controllers for the Amiga also MANUFACTURER PART NUMBER CAP.CAP. ACCESS TRANS/SEC support this DB-25 connector. (m b) (m b) (ms) The important thing to be aware of ST506/412 (MFM) is that for one hard drive installations, this cable change will have no bearing. S ea ga te STI25-1 25.6 21.4 28 5.0 MBITS Especially if you are installing the hard kalok Octagon 20 25.6 21.4 40 5.0 MBITS drive in a 2000. It is only when you M inlscribe 8425F 25.6 21.4 40 5.0 MBITS attempt to add an additional drive that S ea ga te STI 25 25.6 21.4 40 5.0 MBITS this connector becomes important. K yocera KC20B 21.4 62 5.0 MBITS Recently, Seagate and Miniscribe K yocera KC20A 21.4 65 5.0 MBITS have begun to manufacture hard drives Miniscribe 8425 25.6 21,4 68 5.0 MBITS with built-in SCSI controllers. The one Fujitsu M2226D2 38.0 30.0 35 5.0 MBITS drawback is that the imbedded adapter S ea ga te STI 38-1 38.4 32.1 28 5,0 MBITS only controls one hard drive. The Per. Tech. PT338 38.4 32.1 35 5.0 MBITS Adaptec and the Omti can control two S ea ga te ST 138 38.4 32.1 40 5.0 MBITS hard drives (with the proper Tee Fujitsu M2227D2 51.0 40,0 35 5.0 MBITS adapters). For those of you who are NFC D3146H 51.2 40.3 35 5.0 MBITS fortunate enough to have more than one NEC D3142 53.4 42.0 28 5.0 MBITS hard drive this is important. For die rest Toshiba MK-134FA 53.4 25 5.0 MBITS of us, it really doesn't matter. A draw Per. Tech. PT351 51.2 42.8 35 5.0 MBITS back is that a hard drive configured this Microscience 4050 53.3 44.5 18 5.0 MBITS way is roughly $75-580 more expensive Rodlm e RO3055 54.5 45.5 28 5.0 MBITS than a ST-506/412 type drive. Imprimis 94355-55 55.0 46.0 16 5.0 MBITS Imprimis 94335-55 55.0 46.0 25 5.0 MBITS The following is a excerpt from Per, Tech. PT438 68.3 57.1 35 5.0 MBITS UseNet authored by Thad Floryan Rodime RO3065 63.6 63,6 28 5.0 MBITS concerning pin-outs and a brief discus ImprimisHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM94355-100 100.0 83.0 16 5.0 MBITS sion about SCSI interfaces. Thad's work Imprimis 94335-100 100,0 83.0 25 5.0 MBITS was reviewed and checked by John Lo- hmeyer, chainnan of the ANSI X3t9.2 ST-506/412 (RLL) SCSI committee, who commented favorably. Kyocera KC30B 32.7 62 7.5 MBITS Miniscribe 8438 38,4 32.7 68 7.5 MBITS The excerpt is as follows: S ea ga te ST138R-1 38.4 32.7 28 7.5 MBITS S ea ga te ST138R 38.4 32.7 40 7.5 MBITS M any systems supporting SCSI Kaiok Octagon 30 38.4 32.8 40 7.5 MBITS (Amiga, Mac etc.) use a DB25 at the host K yocera KC30A 32.8 65 7.5 MBITS to save real-estate: Tije SCSI devices Per. Tech. PT251R 51.2 43.7 35 7.5 MBITS themselves use the "correct ’ 50-pin Comport 2040 51.3 43.7 35 7.5 MBITS connectors (either Centronics 50-pin or S ea ga te ST157R-1 57.7 49.1 28 7.5 MBITS the dual 25-pin row kind). The so-called Per. Tech. PT357R 57.6 49.1 12 7.5 MBITS “Mac System Cable" has a DB-25 on one Seagate ST157R 57.7 49.1 40 7.5 MBITS end and a Centronics 50-pin on the Rodim e RO3075R 73.7 59.9 28 7.5 MBITS other. SCSI interconnects are 50 wire. Per. Tech. PT376R 76.9 65.5 35 7.5 MBITS Rodime RO3085R 66.0 69.9 28 7.5 MBITS At the end of this posting are the Per. Tech. PT4102R 102,5 87.4 35 7.5 MBITS pin-outs of the DB-25 and the 50 wire Imprimis 94355-150 150.0 128.0 16 7.5 MBITS (see table one—SCSI pin-outs.) One thing Imprimis 94335-150 150.0 128.0 25 7.5 MBITS I bate noticed (after adding over 1 GB HD and a Fujitsu WOMB tape drive to my Am iga’s SCSI bus) is that some device manufacturers take liberties with SCSI This was done to cut down on RF “pseudo-SCSI". Another part of this is wires 20, 22. 24, 28, 30, a n d 34. Some tie (radio frequency) interference in a home that usually only 25 conductors actually them to ground, some tie them to +5vdc environment, because a 25 conductor do anything. The other 25 are connected and some leave them (property) uncon cable is less likely to cause this interfer to ground. Most of the SCSI drives you nected. ence than a flat, 50 conductor cable. This will find available are the “pseudo-SCSI" SCSI bus connection is known as Another caveat with multiple devices on a given bus is to be SURE that only one is supplying +5vdc on SCSIpin 26for terminator power, Some manufac UNFORMAT FORMAT AVG. DATA turers provide jumpers to enable/disable, MANUFACTURER PART NUMBER CAP. CAP. ACCESS TRANS/SEC some feed thru a diode, some feed the (mb) (mb) (ms) power o u t"raw”, and some do nothing. With my system, I supplied terminator Rodim e R0652B 25.5 20.7 85 7.5 MBITS powerfrom the host adapter; and used an M iniscribe 8425S 25.5 21.3 68 5.0 MBITS external terminator at the end of the bus. S eagate ST125N-1 21.5 28 7.5 MBITS From my experience, I suggest that when S eagate ST125N 21.5 40 7.5 MBITS you’re making the cabling, pull pins 20, S eagate ST138N-1 32.2 28 7.5 MBITS 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 34 from the S eagate ST138N 32,2 40 7.5 MBITS connector that attaches to the embedded Kalok KL341 40.7 40 8.5 MBITS SCSI drive and/or I translator. Kalok Octagon 40 52.7 40.8 25 8.5 MBITS I've noticed that Apple’s SCSI Q uantum ProDrive 4GS 42.0 19 4.0 MBYTES interconnect cables do not pass pins 20, Miniscribe 805IS 51.3 42.0 28 8.0 MBITS 22, 24, 28,30 and 34 (for the reason I ’ve Per. Tech. PT251S 54.2 43.5 35 2,0 MBYTES noted above). Another observation I ’d like Rodime RO3057S 55.7 45.3 28 7.5 MBITS to make is that many o f the third party Toshiba MK-232FB 53.5 25 10.0 MBITS consumer-grade manufacturers o f SCSI S eagate ST157N-1 48.6 28 7.5 MBITS HDs wire their boxes incorrectly. SCSI S eagate ST157N 48.6 40 7.5 MBITS specs mandate no more than a IOcm Per. Tech. PT357S 57.6 48.9 35 5.0 MBYTES “stub ” o ff the bus, yet m any Mac-type Per. Tech. PT376S 76.9 65.3 35 5.0 MBYTES drives I ’ve opened up (Justgotta see Rodime RO3085S 86.0 69.9 28 7.5 MBITS what's in there!.-) have a 2"50-wire Q uantum ProDrive 80S 84.0 19 4.0 MBYTES connection joining the two Centronics Comport 2082 85.7 29 10 MBITS connectors continuing with a 15”stub to Kyocera KC8C 87.0 28 8.5 MBITS the 50-wire connector on either an Toshiba MK-233FB 89.2 25 10 MBITS embedded SCSI drive or an Adaptec Per. Tech. PT4102S 102.5 87.0 35 5.0 MBYTES 4000A or 4070 translator. This mis- Toshiba MK-234FB 125.0 25 10 MBITS wiringHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM would account for the problems Rodime RO3130S 129.8 105.0 22 1.25 MBYTES people have running a SCSI bus out to 20 M icroscience 6100 124.6 110.3 18 10 MBITS feet. (I have no problems since I wired my Imprimis 94351-172 200.0 172.0 16 10 MBITS system correctly, and the last device is 19' from the host adapter.) DOS PC you probably have seen this Table One SCSI Pinouts type of drive attached to a Western Digital hard drive controller. Don't SCSI DB-25 SCSI 50-pin Remember: SCSI wiring is supposed to be misunderstand me, this is an old daisy-chained. hardware interface but also a good one. PIN ! NAME PIN / NAME PIN / NAME
It has been around a while and third .REG 1 GRD 2 DBG party developers and OEM’s have had a 2 MSG 3 GRD 4 DB1 Final note: You ’11 save yourself a lot of chance to “de-bug” this interface, it is 3 I/O 5 GND 6 DB2 4 RSI 7 GND 8 DB3 now possible, with this older technology, time (andpossibly grief) by simply buying 5 ACK 9 GND 10 DB4 a so-called “Mac System Cable” (50-pin to increase the storage capacity on a 6 BSY 11 GND 12 DBS Centronics to 25-pin DB25; the brand I given drive via R1L encoding. 7 GND 13 GND 14 DB6 use is Data-Spec (just as good and much But all is not sunshine with this 6 DBQ 15 GND 16 DB7 9 GND 17 GND 18 DBP less expensive than the stuff from Apple data encoding method. It is possible to 10 DB3 19 GND 20 GND (*)' and other third party manufacturers). compact too much data on a surface 11 DB5 21 GND 22 GND O which results in the dreaded “Read/ 12 DB6 23 GND 24 GND O 13 DB7 25 N.C. 26 TER. POWER Thad Floryan [[email protected] Write” error message being sent. This is 14 GND 27 GND 28 GND O or.. .JsunlporiaV.cup.portal.comlthad self-defeating to say the least. It does no 15 C/D 29 GND 30 GND O good to compact it to the point where it 16 GND 31 GND 32 ATN is unreadable. Hard drive manufacturers 17 ATN 33 GND 34 GND O 18 GND 35 GND 36 BSY The ST-506/412 are well aware that their drives are being 19 SEL 37 GND 36 ACK The ST-506/412 interface is the one encoded this way so they are taking 20 DBP 39 GND 40 RST that most people are accustomed to steps to allow for this. They began 21 DB1 41 GND 42 MSG 22 DB2 43 GND 44 SEL seeing. Early in PC history, who would paying a lot more attention to the quality 23 DB4 45 GND 46 C /D have thought that more than two mass of die surfaces of the disk platters in 24 GND 47 GND 46 REQ storage devices would be needed! If you order to accommodate this RLL encoded 25 N.C 49 GND 50 I/O have ever poked around inside a MS- data, and most important, die error free (TER. POWER) HARD DRIVE SPECIFICATIONS diird device. This SCSI expandability comes at a price, but if you look to the 5.25 INCH HALF HEIGHT HARD DRIVES future it is obvious that the additional
UNFORMAT FORMAT AVG. DATA cost is minimal and worth the invest MANUFACTURER PART NUMBER CAP.CAP. ACCESS TRANS/SEC ment. (m b) (m b) (ms) Any ST-506/412 can be convened to SCSI using a SCSI adapter. There are ST-506/412 (MFM) several brands on the market today. The Adaptec and the Omti adapters seem to Microscience HH-825 25.5 21.3 65 5.0 MBITS be the converters of choice with most S e a g a te ST225 21.4 25.6 65 5.0 MBITS third part)' hard drive builders. C-Ltd C ore In t'n 'l AT32 31.9 21 5.0 MBITS previously used the Adaptec 4xxx series Imprimis 94205-51 51.5 40.0 28 5.0 MBITS NEC D5146H 51,2 40.3 40 5.0 MBITS but has recently changed to the Omti Minlscrlbe 3053 53.3 42.2 25 5.0 MBITS 3527 converter. According to Ed Lippert, MSniscrlbe 3650 50.5 42.2 61 5.0 MBITS the Omti is a much faster controller than Mitsubishi MR535 50.9 42.5 28 5.0 MBITS the Adaptec. The reason is that the OMTI S ea ga te ST251-1 51.2 42.8 28 5.0 MBITS controller allows an interleave of 1:1 S ea ga te ST251 51.2 42.8 40 5.0 MBITS while the Adaptec needs an interleave of Core Int'n'l AT43 42.9 26 5.0 mbits at least 3:1. Priam ID45H 44.3 28 5.0 MBITS Interleave is a handy way of Microscience HH-1050 53.3 44,6 28 5.0 MBITS making an older hard drive with slower Priam ID62 62.0 28 5.0 MBITS access time appear faster than it would Microscience HH-1075 74.7 62.4 28 5.0 MBiTS under normal conditions. It works in a Miniscribe 3085 85.3 71.3 22 5.0 MBITS Rodime R05090 89.2 74.6 28 5.0 MBITS relatively simple way. In a drive that has Microscience HH-1090 95.8 80.1 28 5.0 MBITS fast access times, it is possible to read data blocks sequentially, one right after ST-506/412 (RLL) another, With slower drive (access time) this cannot be done. The drive actually Microscience HH-830 38.3 31.3 65 7.5 MBITS has to make one more complete Seagate ST238R 38.4 32.7 65 7.5 MBITS revolution to read that next data block. C ore In t'n 'l AT32-RLL 48.7 21 7.5 MBITS This takes time. Interleave allows the Imprimis 94205-77 77.0 63.3 28 7.5 MBITS Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMdrive read head to skip blocks so it will Miniscribe 3675 75.8 63.3 61 7.5 MBiTS pick up tire next data block requested by Mitsubishi MR535-RLL 76.3 65.0 28 7.5 MBITS Micrascience HH-1060 80.0 65.5 28 7.5 MBITS die DOS. S e a ga te ST277R-1 76.9 65.6 28 7.5 MBITS If you don’t understand this Seagate ST277R 76.9 65.6 40 7.5 MBITS concept dien I’ll try to explain. Think of Core Int'n'l AT43-RLL 65,7 26 7.5 MBITS the track on die hard drive as a seg Micrascience HH-1095 112.0 95.4 28 7.5 MBITS mented caterpillar. With 1:1 interleave Rodim e RO5130R 133.0 114.0 28 7.5 MBITS the segments are in die order we would Micrascience HH-1120 143.7 122.4 28 7.5 MBITS expect. Data block one followed by data block two followed by data block three, retrieval of that data. You may have etc, etc. With an interleave of 2:1 it might noticed that Seagate has begun labeling hard drive is SCSI rather than ST-506/ look more like this: data block one, data some of their drives with an “R” suffix. 412? As a general rule, if die hard drive block tliree, data block two, data block This denotes RLL capability. This also requires a 50 pin connector, then it is four. In other words, the read head means the surfaces on the designated SCSI. If it uses two connectors, a 20 pin “skips’’ a block. This also is the same drive can have data compacted and give and a 34 pin, then it is usually a ST-506/ way interleave would work at 3:1 or 4:1 more storage space. How much RLi. it 412 type drive. An advantage to SCSI is except the data block arrangement can take is up to you and die RLL diat the SCSI host controller can handle would be different. Simply pul. Inter controller you might buy. For die Amiga up to seven devices daisy-chained leave skips that many data blocks before this is not important. I am not aware of together, while the ST-506/412 type host it reads the second data block. The drive any Amiga ST-506/412 hard drive controller can only handle two devices. spin speed hasn’t been increased in any controller that directly supports RLL. For For future expansion it is obvious that way, data blocks have been re-arranged those of you seeking this data compres SCSI has die advantage. If you decided so die drive can read them without sion, you have to go to SCSI, if you can to add a tape backup you could, with the having to wait for another revolution of be sadsfied with die standard 17 blocks proper software drivers, just plug it in the platter. per track that MFM provides, then ST- and run it. Then if you decided to add a Interleave is controlled by die 506/412 is for you. CD-ROM player after that, again, all you OMTI or ADAPTEC cards rather dian the would need to do is plug it in and use it. host controller or the Amiga. It is set up Is it SCSI o r is it...? Under the ST-506/412 format you would via die low level format you must do on How can you determine whether a need an additional controller just for the all drives BEFORE you do die high level Amiga DOS format. If you will notice, the mountlist in your devs: directory always has the interleave factor set to 0 because AmigaDOS doesn’t have anything to do UNFORMAT FORMAT AVG. DATA with the low level format of the drive. MANUFACTURER PART NUMBER CAP. CAP.ACCESSi TRANS/SEC What actually does RLL do? RLL (m b) (m b) (ms) compacts data on your hard drive by formatting more blocks per track than the normal MFM encoding. MFM encoding allows 17 blocks of data per S eagate ST225N 21.3 65 5.0 MBITS 7.5 MBITS track while RLL allows 26 blocks per S eagate ST251 N -l 43.1 28 S eagate ST251N 43.1 40 7.5 MBITS track. A 52% increase in blocks per track Mitsubishi MR535S 50,9 28 5.0 MBITS gives you a corresponding increase in Mitsubishi MR537S 76.3 28 7.5 MBITS data storage. S eagate ST277N-1 64.9 28 7.5 MBITS In the MS-DOS world, RLL encod S eagate ST277N 64.9 40 7.5 MBITS ing comes in three flavors, all allow data S eagate ST296N 85.0 28 10 MBITS compaction. The three can increase Hitachi DK522C-10 87.5 25 1.5 MBYTES storage by 50%, 90%, or 100%. We are M icropolis 1673-4 104.0 90.0 16 4.0 MBYTES concerned widi the basic 50% data Rodime R05125-1F2 126,9 102.9 18 1.25 MBYTES increase supported by the OMTI 3527 or Rodime R05125S 126.9 102.9 24 1.25 MBYTES Adaptec 4070 controller. Both diese Micropolis 1673-5 130.0 112.0 16 4,0 MBYTES Miniscribe 3130S 130.0 115.0 17 4.0 MBYTES manufacturers also support die standard Microscience HH-3120F 121.0 18 10 MBITS MFM encoding widi different model Microscience HH-312G 143.7 122.4 28 7.5 MBITS controllers. Micropolis 1674-6 156.0 135.0 16 4.0 MBYTES Rodime RO5180-1F2 177.8 144.2 18 1.25 MBYTES A note of caution is in order here. Rodime RO5180S 177.8 144.2 24 1.25 MBYTES Manufacturers are not ones to overlook a NEC D5855 179.8 153.5 18 1.25 MBYTES way to make more profits. When it M icropolis 1674-7 182,0 158.0 16 4.0 MBYTES became obvious diat dieir drives would Miniscribe 3180S 182.0 160.0 17 4.0 MBYTES support RLL encoding, Seagate and Microscience HH-3160F 170.0 18 10 MBITS Miniscribe jumped on the band wagon M icroscience HH-3160 191.0 170,0 28 10 MBITS 94221-190 209.0 190.0 18 4.0 MBYTES andHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM began marketing RLL specific drives. Imprimis And as far as can be determined, there is no physical difference. What they did was to disable die RLL abilities of their non-specific RLL drives by a PAL in the only difference in the drives is that one is ESDI Ha rd Drives drive controller board. about two years older than die other and ESDI (Extended Small Device What tipped me off was this: A the added PAL chip, Interface) is die third type of hard drive friend who runs a large BBS installed a Don’t diink you can RLL encode a you will see available from manufactur Seagate ST-296 on his system about two new non-RLL specific drive from Seagate ers. If you read the fine print that years ago. This drive was rated at 80 MB, or Miniscribe. You will probably run into accompanies the ads for these drives, but by using an Adaptec 4070 controller the same problems we did. Currendy, we you will notice the HUGE storage it was able to format the drive to 120 MB are attempting to get more information capacity you can get from one of them. with no problems. He wanted to expand on this. If it is simply an added PAL, it An example of diese capacities shows hLs board so he went with what lie knew should be easy to remove it and enable diat diey are, indeed, getting a lot out of by ordering another ST-296. He figured RLL encoding. However, it might be a a very small package. Consider this: a 3-5 he would then have an additional 120 bigger project than we think. Of course, inch half height ESDI drive with a MB drive for his BBS. this would void all warranties from the capacity of 110 MB, a 5.25 inch half He had problems. The drive manufacturer, but would be worth it. I’ll height drive widi a capacity of 383 MB, wouldn’t fonnat. He eventually called me let you know what we find. or a 5.25 inch full height hard drive widi since we run the same basic equipment With die new FastFileSystem a whopping 777 MB capacity. (C-Ltd controller to an Amiga) and introduced with WorkBench 1.3, you get How' is this done? These capacities drought I would be able to fonnat it an additional 5% increase in data storage. are available because ESDI will allow the correcdy. He came over and we spent This is due to the new way AmigaDOS hard drive to use up to 16 heads, which about 8 hours trying to solve this actually handles blocks of data along means 16 surfaces are available to die problem. Finally, we gave up. It just with faster data access. The FFS drive. SCSI and ST-506/412 are limited to wouldn’t accept RLL formatting. I dien (FastFileSystem) now reads and writes only eight heads or surfaces. This format called a friend, Nathan Barber, who is a 512 byte blocks rather dian die 488 bytes true hardware GURU. He then explained per block under the original AmigaDOS. that a PAL chip was apparently added, thus disabling the RLL capability. The
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Brand Technologies Kalok Corporation N ew bury D ata Inc, Siemens Information 9559 Irondaie Avenue. 1287 Anvilwood Rd. 3551 Voyager St Systems Chastworth, Ca. 91311 Sunnyvale, Ca. 94089 Suite 104 1077 Business Center Circle (818)407-4040 (408)747-1315 Torrance, Ca. 90503 Newbury Park, Ca. 91320 (213)370-0775 (800)537-3866 Coniport Kyocera Electronics, Inc. (805)375-2500 3096 Orchard Drive 1000 Randolph Rd. Peripheral Technology, Inc. San Jose, Ca. 95134 Somerset, N.J. 08875 685 East Cochran St. Storage Dimensions (408)432-0911 (201)5604)060 Simi Valley; Ca. 93065 (M axtor) (805)581-1000 2145 Hamilton Ave. Conner Peripherals, Inc. M icropolis San Jose, Ca. 95125 2221 Old Oakland Rd. 21211 Nordhoff Sl PrairieTek Corporation (408)879-0300 San Jose, Ca. 95131 Chatsworth, Ca. 91311 2120 Miller Drive (408)433-3340 (818)709-3300 Suite E Toshiba America, Inc. Longmont, Co. 80501 9740 Irvine Blvd. Core International Microscience Ihtemalional (800)825-2511 Irvine, Ca. 92715 171 N. Federal Highway 305 N. Mathilda Ave. (303)772-4011 (714)583-3000 Boca Raton, FI. 33487 Sunnyvale, Ca; 94086 (407)997-6055 (408)730-8989 Priam Corporation Western Digital 20 West Montague Expressway 2445 McCabe Way Fujitsi America, Inc. San Jose, Ca. 95134 Irvine, Ca. 92714 3055 Orchard Drive Mitsubishi Electronics (408)434-9300 (800)847-5181 San Jose, Ca. 95135 991 Knox St. (714)863-0102 (800)626-4686 Torrance, Ca. 90502 Quantum Corporation (408)432-1300 (213)515-3993 18 Pelham Road Salem. N.H. 03079 Hitachi America, Ltd. Mini Scribe Corporation ; (603)893-2672 950 Elm avenue 1861 Leftliand Circle San Bruno, Ca. 94066 Longmont. Co. 80501 Rodim e, Inc. (800)538-8175 (800)356-5333 901 NW Broken Sound Parkway (415)872-1902 (303)651-6000 Boca Raton.Fl. 33487 (305)994-6200 Imprimis Technology (CDC.J NEC Information Systems 12501 Whitewater Drive 1414 Massachusetts Ave, Seagate Technology Minnetonka, Mn. 55343 Boxborough, Ma. 01719 920 Disc Drive (612)936-6332 (800)343-4418 Scotts Valiev, Ca. 95066 (508)264-8000 (800)468-DISC Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM(408)438-6550
Hard Drive Service Companies
CNS, Inc. D istek KCS Computer Services, Inc. Restorr Magnetics 21 Pine St. 4545 S. Pinemont 7462 Talbert Ave. 1455 McCandless Dr. Rockaway. NJ. 07866 Houston, Tx, 77041 Huntington Beach, Ca. 92647 Milpitas. Ca. 95035 (210)625-4056 (713)460-9650 (800)833-5833 (408)946-9207 (714)848-7971 CSR DynSet'vice Network Sigma USA, Inc. 370 North St. 18 Kane Industry Drive Peripheral Computer Support 8717 Darby Ave. Teterboro, N.J. 09608 Hudson, Ma. 01749 1629 South Main St. Northridge, Ca. 91325 (201)288-6655 (508)568-1492 Milpitas, Ca. 95035 (818)703-7641 (408)263-4043 Daisy Disc Corporation FRS, Inc. TRW Computer Service 395 Bridge Rd. 1101 National Dr, Peripherals 15 Law Drive Salisbury, Ma. 01952 Sacramento, Ca. 95834 1363 Logan Ave. Fairfield, N.J. 07006 (800)537-DISK (916)928-1107 Costa Mesa, Ca. 92626 (800)922-0897 (508)462-3475 (800)468-6888 (201)575-7110 H eadm aster (714)540-4925 Data Exchange Corporation 5400 Scotts Valley Dr. Tektronix 708 Via Alonda # E Premier Computer Corporation P.O. Box 500 Camerillo, Ca. 93010 Scotts Valiev, Ca. 95066 8200 Normandale Blvd. Beaverton, Or. 97077 (805)388-1711 (408)438-0434 *424 (800)835-9433 Bloomington, Mn. 55437 (503)627-7111 Data Memory Corporation (8G0)432-DISK 6130 Variel Ave. (612)835-2586 Woodland Hills, Ca. 91367 (800)848-3282 (818)704-9500 Adding a by John P. Twardy
When I upgraded my C64 to an memory'. Now, I don’t think I’ll ever that you end up with in no way compro Amiga 500,1 thought the half megabyte need more than one 20 meg hard drive, mises your future expansion capabili of memory included would be sufficient or maybe two? I’d better plan now for ties—in some way's makes it too easy' to for a long time. I brought the optional die WORM drive! spend additional money. That’s one battery-backed clock with the additional Before we start construction, we reason 1 like diis project: You can save half megabyte of memory built in, mainly need to make one more choice: Do we up your weekly allowance and buy die for the battery-backed clock, not for want a system that uses the older style parts as they go on “specials”, or you or additional memory. However, in using MFM data formatting or the newer RLL y'our wife and friends can each buy a the A>00 to develop a new approach in formatting that increases the storage part for your birthday or Christmas. It investment software, I quickly found that density on your hard drive? If you’ve seems easier to part with the money' in the 1 megabyte of memory' was actually follow'ed me this far, you know I chose small amounts than in one big $800 plus taxed over the limit, and that the 8 full the RLL format. I figured by the time I sum. disks I needed to manage all of the files got this project off die ground and In addition to die items listed were getting very unruly. Disk swapping working, even die latest technology' above, you will need the following tools: was consuming a lot of time and effort. I might well be on the way out. screwdriver, soldering iron, solder, two decided I needed a second disk drive, feet of #18 wire, electrical tape, voltme similar to my old C64 setup. Armed with the following, we can ter, X-ACTO knife, hacksaw, hammer Being in the new age of comput now start the assembly: and wooden chisel. ers,Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM I figured I'd buy a hard disk for my The woodworking tools make computer. Having read many articles a. 1 Seagate ST238R 30 meg 5 1/4“ room for the Amiga and SCSI interface extolling the virtues of the hard drive, half height RLL hard drive w'hen attached together. If you look at and how one could never go back to the $229 LYCO Computers die Supra ads, y'ou will see diat the total ways of the floppy', my' interest was b. 1 Adaptec A4070 RLL controller, width of diis combination is such that piqued. Since the floppy drive and the $98 Computer Surplus Store when it is installed under a typical hard drive were about the same price, c. 1 Hard drive case and 60 watt monitor shelf, you cannot get a disk into around S200, (at least that's what it cost power supply die 3-5 drive. Thus, I cut a comer out of to add a 20 megabyte hard drive to our $79 Wetex Int. the middle support on my “computer office XT) I figured I would spring for d. 1 Supra SCSI Host adapter work station, ” leaving side access to the hard disk. S149 insert the disk. The hacksaw minimizes The basic hard drive for an IBM is e. 1 50 pin jumper cable the amount of dust blown around the the same drive for the Amiga. How $12.95 DIGIKEY room during cutting. The hammer and ever,—here it comes— you need a hard chisel make a clean cut in die particai drive case, power supply, interface card, The total comes to $568, $300 board when I went to remove the piece I controller card, and cables, cables, dollars less riian die store bought cut loose with die hacksaw'. .After we cables. They all add up to big bucks. variety.You could knock the price down protect the computer from the mess prior Trying to shortcut the packaged cost, I even further by going for a 10 or 20 meg to starting wmrk, and thoroughly clean looked into putting together a built up drive, a single hard drive case and power the area after making die notch, we are system of my own. supply, and possibly even a cheaper ready to assemble the drive. The first choice was whether or not SCSI host adapter, but look at die to put together a PC or SCSI system. I following built-in value. Assembling the Drive made the SCSI choice. I won’t go into all The hard drive case, power supply First, remove from the bottom of of my reasons, but the two most and controller can handle two hard die hard drive case the four screws that important ones were (a) the cost was drives. Thus, for die cost of anodier drive hold die casing in place. Partially slide comparable and (b) the SCSI choice (approximately $200) you can have a die casing off. Disconnect the keyed seemed to offer more expansion two hard drive system. Also, the Supra connector from the circuit board that is compatibility' with the future (ie. optical SCSI interface has room in its case for an connected to the "power on” light. Now' disk drives, etc.). A year ago I didn't additional 1 to 4 meg of RAM memory', remove the casing carefully. think I'd need more than 1 meg of and the unit passes the buss. The system Hard Drive
The SCSI interface connector board possibility' of it slipping down and connector board to the SCSI interface. requires a 5v power supply from the contacting the controller card compo Connect the power cord to the hard hard drive power supply. Using the nents. drive casing. voltmeter, verify the +5v and ground Install the hard drive by sliding it You are now ready to [rower up leads. Splice in the two conductor 24" into place and inserting die eight screws the system. The instructions state that in section of wire and tape your connection that came with the power unit. I should your power sequence, the hard drive with electrical tape. Solder the two wires mention that the 34 pin cable that comes should be turned on first and off last. to the plus and minus terminals on the widi the disk drive does not have the Also, allow die drive 15 to 30 seconds to connector board as indicated in the proper end connectors.The components come up to speed before trying to access instructions provided by Supra Corp. Use require diat the 34 conductor ribbon it. Turn on the power to all of your an olimrneter to insure that you do not cable have two edge card connectors. components and run the Supra Format have any solder bridges. The cable supplied has one edge card ting routine provided with the SCSI Connect the cables to the connec and one pin type connector attached. interface. They didn’t have a listing for tor board and controller card prior to The inexpensive solution is to cut off the the ST23S so I used die Miniscribe 8438 installing the card. This prevents the card pin connector and install a three dollar listing which set all of the parameters I bending that occurs if you try to attach Radio Shack edge card connector. needed automatically. The software the cables after the card is installed. Connect the two cables and power provided widi the SCSI interface is very Once the card is installed, it is only supply to die hard drive. Check the pin good, as is die documentation. Among supportedHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM by its sides, and pressure on numbers to make sure that all connec die utilities provided is Climate, which is the card could cause damage, especially tions are made to die proper terminals. very useful for installing software on the since some of the connectors are a very The power supply connector is keyed. hard drive. The Supra formatting tight fit. Inspect die installation carefully. Make software allows for five hard disk Connector pin numbers 25 and 26 sure all connectors are fully seated, partitions, bur CLImate can only handle on the fifty7 pin ribbon cable should not power supplies are connected properly, four. be connected, per the Supra instructions. and that no wires or cables are touching The unit formatted flawlessly. I used the X-ACTO knife to cut the two any of the power supply components, Actually die hard disk did have a bad wires in the ribbon cable, and taped the especially the heat producing ones (see section that the software formatted ends to prevent possible shorts. Fold the figure diree). around. It’s a good idea to check that the ribbon cable to turn the fifty' pin connec I taped the bottom side of die formatting picks up the same bad sectors tor over so it will match up with the connector board with electrical tape to diat are identified in die test data that proper pin configuration at the connector prevent It from shorting out on the comes with the drive. board and the SCSI controller. Make the casing assembly because the cable that I loaded my WordPerfect software folds flat to facilitate card installation. runs to the SCSI interface may jiggle and onto the hard disk and finished writing Remove two screws securing the side cause the connector board to move the article using it. The setup is one nice card support, install the card and reinstall inside die casing. Install the blank front piece of hardware. the side support by putting tire screws piece if you are only installing one hard One final dp: Put a piece of tape back in. drive at this time. Slide die casing over die unused host connector port on Install an RF shield between the partially on, connect the “power on” the back of the hard drive case. This controller card and the hard drive. I used indicating light cable, then slide it on the prevents the cooling air from “short two pieces of cardboard to sandwich rest of the way being careful not to circuiting”, or bypassing, die hard drive four layers of aluminum foil, taped on disturb the wires, cables and board. itself. tire edges. Make sure no metal is Install die four screws on die bottom of I would like to thank all of the exposed, and tape die shield to die sides the casing. people I talked with at Supra Corp., Lyco of the hard drive casing above the Remove the plastic cover from the Computers, and Sunnyvale Memories for controller card. It helps if the shield is a left side of the Amiga and slide the SCSI their help and information, litde wider tiian the drive casing—it interface connector onto the edge card in Good luck!! provides a snug fit and reduces the die Amiga. Connect the cable from the •AC* And the Winner is...
Amazing Computing announces the winners of the first AC Reader's Choice Awards
On March 4, 1989, Amazing Computing announced the winners of the AC Reader's Choice Awards in a speech at AmiEXPO in New York. The winners, selected by ballots completed by the readers of Amazing Computing, received a certificate in acknowledgement. Those winners who were not present will receive their certificates by mail.
The following is a list of the categories and favorite Amiga products as chosen by Amazing Computing readers.
Word Processor File Utility7 (2-way tie) Accelerator WordPerfect Disk Master Hurricane Accelerator Boards WordPerfect Corporation Progressive Peripherals and Software Ronin Research and Development
Database CLImate Digitizer Frame Grabber Microfiche Filer Plus Progressive Peripherals and Software Digi-View Software Visions, Inc. NewTek Animation/Video Software SpreadsheetHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMThe Director Printer MaxiPlan The Right Answers Group HP PaintJet OXXI, Inc. Hewlett-Packard Games Desktop Publishing Package Flight Simulator II Monitor Professional Page subLOGIC Corporation Commodore Monitor Gold Disk Commodore Business Machines Audio Music Software Graphics, Paint Package Sonix Input Device Deluxe Paint II Aegis Development, Inc. R & DL Graphics Tablets Electronic Arts R & DL Productions Educational Software CAD/Draw Package Galileo Modem Draw Plus Infinity Software Supra Modem 2400 Aegis Development, Inc. Supra Corporation Business Software Accounting Package BEST General Ledger Most Useful Amiga Product BEST General Ledger B.E.S.T.. Inc. WordPerfect B.E.S.T., Inc. WordPerfect Corporation Mass Storage Device (3-way tic) Telecommunications Software C Ltd. Hard Drives Online C Ltd. Micro-Systems Software Our sincerest congratulations to all the Great Valley Hard Drives winners. It is our belief that anyone Programming Language (2-way tie) Great Valley Products, Inc. providing products for the Amiga is Manx Aztec C special. It is a pleasure to be able to allow Manx Software Systems Supra Hard Drives some of the Amiga developers to receive Supra Corporation recognition from their customers. Source Level Debugger Manx Software Systems Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM
Get Amiga 2000 performance Now with all these without Amiga 2000 prices. models it's easy to link your A500 or A1000 to Now you can add Commodores' A2090 hard disk interface, the the wide variety of A2000 A2088 IBM BridgeCard*, Expansion Technologies FlashlCard HD cards available, but if you're interface, memory expansion, or any other A2000 specific cards having trouble choosing give us to your Amiga 500 or 1000. a call. We'll be happy to give you more information on the By providing two vertical 100 pin slots the Tool Box lets you use ToolBox or any one of the other great products that Expansion Amiga 2000 cards with your A500 or A1000 computer, it also Technologies offers for the Amiga family of computers. provides you with a power status indicator light, an all metal chassis, and a bus pass-thru so you w on't be chained down in the future. With it's flexible design you can choose a model with or without a power supply to match both your needs and your budget. What's more it has Expansion Technologies one year warranty on parts and labor. Models available: Model # Comp. Power Dimensions Power Options Price To o l EEC-2510 A500 1 a m p (<» +5V 4 7 , x 6 x 147, T h e Urlck* S 189.95 46127 Landing Pkwy. EEC-2520 A500 2 am p +12V
•Call for complete information (no chain mail please) Amiga S00. 1000, and 2000 arc trademarks of Commodore Business Machines Inc. Amazing Hard Drive Reviews TheM AX by Donald W. Morgan
To begin, let’s say your Amiga 1000 You will need: bars which provide the spacing and sports two 32 megabyte hard drives. The support of the covers. The OMTI 5527a drives have been in operation for 1. Max kit (purchased item) controller I used supports two drives, but approximately five months, and were 2. Hard drive controller (purchased the kit provides for two controllers so built using the Max kit from Palomax Inc. item) you can support four drives. For two of Hatboro, PA. 3. Host adapter (build-from-scratch controllers, you will need the thicker 2" The kit supplies no hardware, so item) case or box. you must purchase all the parts required 4. power supply (purchased item) If the Amiga bus were IBM- to build and install the drives. The 5. hard drive (purchased item) compatible, we could wire die 86-pin Palomax ad states you can build a 16 6. Case for interface (controller & host Amiga edge card connector directly to megabyte system for S400 using a rebuilt adapter) the 62-pin controller connector. The drive. 1 would say you can build a 32 7. Case for hard drive (see article) small host adapter board intercepts the megabyte system with a new drive for address lines and converts them before S525, or a 65 megabyte system for S660. The aluminum case holds the parts they go to the controller connector. To complete the Max kit you should be providing the interface between your Looking at Figure one for the able to solder or wire wrap, as well as Amiga and die hard drive(s). This model 1000 and Figure two for the have a little mechanical ability-. It's a includes the Amiga 86-pin expansion bus model 500, you can see that everything is start-from-scratch project, but not too connector, the host adapter board, the constructed on the cover of the box. difficult.Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM And you can buy the parts you IBM-type 62 connector the controller After assembly, screw the cover to the need in stages. plugs into and, of course, the controller box and plug die completed interface First, we'll look at die items you'll board. These parts can be assembled in a into the Amiga expansion port. Except need to attach a hard drive to your 7” x 9" x 2" aluminum box available at for placement of die host adapter board Amiga. In the case of the model 2000, a Radio Shack or other electronic supply and the Amiga S6-pin expansion case or power supply will not be stores. connector, the two models are the same, needed. Everything else is essentially the For my setup, I made a custom The Max kit provides all the same for all models. case with two 7" x 1" aluminum covers mechanical sketches and dimensions for and two 1" wide by 1/4" thick aluminum the diree models. 1 designed my host adapter a little differently, however. I feel my version is closer and more direct but, if you buy the kit, look at both and make up your own mind. I sent my sugges tions to Palomax for their evaluation. The model 2000 is built on a fiberglass board so it can be plugged into one of the expansion slots. The control ler and host adapter are both attached to this board. Dimensions and wiring are provided for both Zorro I and Zorro II boards. INSIDER
Getting to Work The mechanical ability I mentioned earlier will be needed to make a slot in the cover for the Amiga 86-pin edge card connector used for the 500 and 1000 models. First, scribe a center line using die dimension lor either the model 500 You can build a 32 megabyte system with a new drive for about or 1000 and scribe or mark the ends of S525, ora 65 megabyte system for about $660. Hard Drive Construction Kit
[lie slot. On the model 1000, lay out the cover, the other two will be placed on The power supply should have at connector slot so it won’t block the 2nd each side of the board. Turn the bottom least two amps per drive for die surge of joystick port. nut to get die top of the I.C.'s to just the starting current in the drive motors. Center punch about 3/8" apart touch the cover. Use the other as a jam Check die specs of die power supply to along the center line and drill out die nut to lock it into place. See Figure three. be sure it will stand up to die starting holes. A small round file will clean out The controller card has its own current. There are surplus IBM-type die metal overlap between holes and a mounting holes so I saw no reason to supplies available designed for just this flat file will smooth out the slot. It’s not provide mounung for the 62-pin connec purpose. as difficult as it sounds, since the tor, The controller card is also mounted The controller card has two secs of aluminum is so easy to file. Try fitting widi eidier standoffs, spacers, or screws 20 connector pins and one set of 34 pins. the connector as you go so the slot to the cover. For a one-drive system, you’ll need one doesn’t become oversized. Once the I wire wrapped to the Amiga 86- 20-pin and one 34-pin ribbon cable connector fits in the slot, mark the two pin connector and host adapter board, which connect the controller to the drive. mounting holes, drill them, then mount but soldered to die controller 62-pin I filed a small 1/ 16" step at the top, in the expansion connector. connector. Position die 62-pin controller line with the two sets of pins. This is connector about 1/2" up from the Amiga where die ribbon cables will exit die Building the Adaptor Board connector with die solder pins facing up. interface box, so I also put tape over the You are now ready to build the You can now wire all three together. step to prevent the ribbon cables from hostHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM adapter board, it’s made on a piece When wired, the controller connector getting cut. For two drives you need of perf board with .100" x .100" hole can be turned 90 degrees and pushed anodier 20-pin ribbon cable. The 34-pin spacing. These boards are low cost and onto die controller card. You can see cable is daisy-chained to both drives. readily available at Radio Shack or other that most of the time involved in These cables are usually supplied with electronic supply stores. constructing die Max project is for wiring the drives. Figure one gives die dimensions I these three parts. I purchased my drives from used for my host adapter board. The Computer Products Corp. They list a 32 Palomax version uses a larger perf board The Components megabyte RLL-type far $225 as an AT Kit. mounted behind die controller card. The I purchased my OMTI 5527 a RLL It's a model 8438 miniscribe 3-5 “ half host components are 3 I.C.’s, I.C. controller from L.S.I. marketing for $68. I height widi 65 msec, average access sockets, 1 transistor, 5 resistors, and two chose diis model after reading test results time. If you can afford a larger capacity diodes (four diodes if you are mounting published in a previous magazine article drive, look for die Seagate ST277R, two controllers). These parts should cost on Amiga hard drives. which is a 65 megabyte RLL drive with under 510. The power supply I bought was a 40 msec, average access time for $389. It Use sockets widi wire wrap pins TimeLine 188 Watt switching supply bodiers me to see ads in which a 30 meg for the I.C.’s. For the other components, which cost S25. It supplies 20 amps at +5 drive is almost 50 percent higher in price use push-in wire wrap posts. Radio volts, and 4 amps at +12 volts. I didn’t dian a 20 meg drive. Shack sells diese push-in posts (20 posts need anywhere near 20 amps for the 5 If you purchase an RLL-type for 79 cents ) as part number 276-1987. volts, but the price was right. The host controller, be sure your drive is RLL- Three posts are used for 3 for die +5, adapter uses about .02 amps at +5 volts. compatible. The Palomax documentation +12, and ground from the power supply. The controller uses 0.5 amps at +5 volts, lists a variety of drives and their compati I mounted the host adapter board and 0.1 amp at +12 volts. Most half bility. widi the components facing down height 3.5" drives use about 1 amp at +5 The documentation also shows a towards the cover, and filed the mount and 1 amp at +12 volts. My supply had way to pass the bus dirough if you need ing spacers so that when inserted, I.C.'s three 4-pin amp connectors. I mounted it. After wiring, die top and bottom rows just touch the metal cover. This prevents the supply on the backboard of my of pins of die Amiga connector are benr any I.C. from coming loose and keeps computer table, extending one connector closer together so a section of board with the pins facing you for easy access. You to the interface box and another to die fingers can be soldered to die individual can use a screw and diree nuts on each drives. pins of both rows. side. One nut will hold the screw to the
(continued) showing these tracks, The HDParams and moundist programs are in text widi sample parameters. Simply backspace Even Up The Score! and type in the correct figures for your drive specifications. Ask for the specifica tion sheet when you order your drive, I didn’t receive one and had to call Palamax for help. Technical help is available from Let your Amiga give you the Advantage Palamax from 6 to 9 pm (ES'lO five in making better investment decisions! evenings a week and most of Saturday. I got through on the first tiy. i was Color graphics of Individual Stocks and General Market stepped through each parameter as I Trends help you make more profit in this volatile market. wrote the figures next to the sample on High Low Close, Moving Averages, Centered Moving the documentation page. Averages, Volume, Relative Strength, Stochastics, Wilders The software is set up so when you RSI, Cycles, Trend lines and Momentum. Powerful re finish entering or changing die data, a ports such as the Relative Strength Report help you pick simple key stroke writes the data to the the best performers. Use the Market Barometers to help controller or appropriate directory. It you time your market entries. Update Stocks, Mutual seems to go very fast even diough I was Funds and Commodities manually or automatically. Easy a littie apprehensive widi so much to use communications included. money invested in something I never tried before. Except for not receiving the spec sheet with my drive, everything else Only $99,95 worked fine.
S e e your local Dealer or Call: Software Advantage Consulting Corporation Just in case Once your system recognizes die 37346 Charter Oaks Blvd hard drive and is formatted, you can Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 (313) 463-4995 think about putting it in a case. I made Amiga and the Investor's Advantage are tradem arks of their respective com panies. my case out of wood. Wood? Yes, Wood. Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMThe drive is completely encased in a metal housing so die only items that can The +5, +12, and ground leads tracks to any bad tracks on your drive. cause any interference are die PC board were soldered to three push-in pins It’s almost impossible to make a drive mounted directly under the drive and inserted into the host adapter board. holding 20 million or more bytes without your switching power supply if it’s not These wires were terminated with an any tiny imperfecdons, it’s like drop outs mounted in a metal enclosure. amp 4-pin connector to mate with one of on videotape. But, unlike videotape, During testing, I had die first drive the short cables on tire power supply. you don't want your important data on a sitting on top of the Amiga 1000 next to Another similar cable was run from the track with drop outs. the external floppy. My hi-fi receiver, second power supply cable to tire Your controller is fooled into two VCR’s, and TV are only two feet connector on the drives. I had to branch thinking there are two less cylinders than away. I found no signs of interference or out the end by the drives to feed power diere are. Tracks within die cylinders are disk-operating problems widi diem to both drives. With one drive, you won’t reserved as alternates and assigned to die running. If you don’t feel good about a have to do this. bad tracks. wooden case, you can line the inside of Palomax shows an optical isolated Palomax does a nice job of the case with foil or thin sheet metal. relay to supply power to the drives. I stepping you through the software By using wood, I could make die have a power control center my monitor needed to set up your driveCs). You start case fit the length from die external sits on. It has surge and spike suppres by making a duplicate Workbench disk floppy to die left edge of die Amiga. sion, so I didn't use die relay. It's just and deleting the utilities so there are Model 500 owners need not be con another item to purchase, mount, and about 100 blocks free. This freed space is cerned with this spacing. Model 2000 wire. After five months of fairly heavy where you copy die needed files from owners don’t need a case. use, my system works fine without it. die Palomax disk to die duplicate disk. The Tesdid2.0 program has a menu Porting your Prog ra ms Testing the Drives of 22 items for easy selection of the test One of die easiest ways to port Now' that the hardware and w'iring parameters. Most give an on-screen your commercial programs is to make a are complete, you can get on widr die indication of error status. The defaults duplicate of the Empty drawer. Expand software to set up your drive(s). The disk are selected with a press of the RETURN the WorkBench window, drag the supplied with your kit provides all the key. Menu item 14 assigns alternate duplicate Empty to die position you programs to test, configure, add drivers, tracks for any bad tracks on your disk. want, and double click on it to open an do die moundist and assign alternate Your drive will come widi a test tag 3*1 p i n S i d e V i e u j Figure One Dimensions usedfor 2 0 p i n host adapter board (model 1000)
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7 ' k 7 " m , 0 5 0 - Hoxt A dapter <.u»trmg side.* RI o iti. C o v e r < 3 3 / 4 m 1 3 / 0 2
Hn«.T R dapler 2 0 p i n i. w iring sidn *
HMIGR Ob pm J 4 p i n IRM (,? p,n MEMORY : Figure Two foryourA500: * r y ii i n H ! Sis® 1 Dimensions used for host adapter board 512k+Clock (model500) POPULATED: $ 199.95! Iol ^ * 17—1 UNPOPULATED: $69.95! u □ Now Available DIRECTLY il I 111- Jrom MicroBotics: the e as i_T.. M501 Memory Unit! '□ i Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM| D i • Exactly plug compati ble with the equivalent, standard Commodore T O P C O V E R memory+clock unit! f „ 1 l/B JIIL 1 • Available with or with ------H i ...... ^ 1 4 T ...... tn -U out RAM! (Install youx S ID E V IE U I L .ndO own chips and save!) Your Amiga®500 computer must have a standard memory and clock expansion ;o bring your system up to a full megabyte of internal memory and to provide the HOST ADAPTER BORRD battery backed real time clock. Now Com ponent side you can buy this standard expansion unit directly from MicroBotics; either complete with memory installed or + 5 * m in the cost effective, socketed unit, 0 o cpuA Figure Three ready to accept your own ram chips, 12o r,o HOW TO ORDER: Send ceniiied check or Spacers on host adapter money order in US funds lo MicroBotics, inc. S p a c e r board prevent I.C. ‘sfrom Allow up to 30 days tor shipping. SHIPPING and HANDLING CHARGES: No coming loose a nd keep charge for USA. Canada add $2 per board; the pins facing you for Overseas add $7 per board. Price reflects a a e a o B w ip easy access. discount for cash payment- add 5% of order to a a a a a r o e o □ □ c i c a c a a -t- □ aau tal for MasterCard/VISA orders. Please, no PO o p a □ □ a □ q g n d . o o Box addresses. Dealer Inquiries Welcome. njciB. 0 + - ! ? 0 1 II MicroBotics, Inc. W iring Side 811 Alpha Dr, Suite 335, Richardson TX 75081 o r d e r NOW i (214)437-5330 ^A tnga" is a registered irademaik of Commodore-Amiga ,, HIGHER PERFORMANCE...AND CHEAPER TO BOOT!
crtn-f-n in „ , Qd • Fully 1010 Compatible • Daisy Chainable I L J d ld “ I U SifiglG 3.5 Exlsrnsl DriVG...... I « w 3 , (j|[fg Compact ■ Extra Long Cable p n . r t r t < £ O Q Q QC ‘ Acoustically Quiet • High Performance 1“ U 3 lB ~ cU Dual 3.5' External Drive W/Power S u p p ly I p Z y y . y O ■ Amiga* Color coordinated • Super Low Price
POLICY; Shipping and handling extra. Personal and com pany checks require 3 weeks to clear. For (aster delivery, use your credit card or send cashier's check or bank noney order. Credit cards are not charged until we ship. All prices are U.S.A. prices and are subject to change, and all rtems are subject to availability. These prices reflect a 5% cash discount. For all credit card purchases tho'e will be an additonal 5% charge. Defective software will be replaced with the sam e item only. All sales are final and returned shipments are /fix,LEXIBLE.e DaATA subject to a restocking fee S y s t e m s , in c . ❖ 10503 FOREST LANE • SUITE 1 4 9 -DALLAS, TX 75243 214-669-3999 FAX; 214-669*0021 PPPi U j Amga* «s a registered trademark of Commodore-Amga, Inc.
Empty window'. With the program disk in modified or created since last backup, in a continuous string on the copy. Widi the floppy drive, open its window' and and continuous backup from last stop two hard drives and no floppies to drag the icons from the program disk point. shuffle around, it is easy to copy from window' to your Empty window'. When DHO: to Dhl: to reconstruct the files. If you finish copying all the files, select Two 32 nteg drives? you like die original on DHO:, you can Rename and change Duplicate of Empty This brings me to die point of why now use DiskCopy to put the restruc to DPaint or whatever disk you are trying I opted for two 32 megabyte drives. tured files back and still have a duplicate to port to the hard drive WorkBench. What could be easier for backup than backup on DH1:. Of course, you could CommercialHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM floppies have some files typing “Copy DHO: DH1: all", and no do the same with a 65 megabyte drive duplicated on each floppy that you need shuffling of floppies? I couldn't buy a partitioned as two equal drives. The Max only once on tire hard drive. tape backup system for anywhere near documentation show's samples for There are seven main files on die the added $225 for the second drive. partitioning your drives. Max disk. The Devs directory contains Another advantage of two drives is the HDParams, Moundist, and hd.device the regrouping of fragmented files. If you S p eed ! files.The HDParams is an ASCII file that just saved your programs without One of the first questions that holds the parameters for configuring the deleting or modifying diem, all your files comes up on any hard drive is speed. 1 hard disk(s) for the controller and would load fairly quickly. This doesn't am currently an unemployed electronic HDParams 1 for the optional second happen in die real life of any' drive. technician, so I have no other drives to controller. The Moundist is also an ASCII When y'ou delete a file and later save compare. 1 looked over a test ( published file for mounting the drives.Hd.device is anodier program, it won’t fit exactly into in AC V3.10), of five hard drive inter the driver code for the first controller, the space die deleted file occupied. If the faces for the Amiga 2000, using the new and hdl.device for the optional second new file is smaller, you will have some 1.3 version with the fast file system. controller. free blocks between files. If the newr file One test examined die time it took The “s” directory' has 1,2, and 4 is larger, it will occupy die just-freed to load a video page of 704 x 480 x l6 drive sample startup-sequence files space and it more. This space may be in colors in Deluxe Paint II. Most took which you can start witli or add accord another area many blocks or tracks away from 4.5 to 5.6 seconds, exception for ing to your own requirements. The “c" from the first part. die Amiga 2090a which took 53.66 directory contains the HDConflg, testhd, To load die new' saved file, the first seconds, (there were some problems and backup files. The HDConflg file uses part will be loaded in one block after with DPaint and the 2090a.) I clocked data from die HDParams file to configure another. The heads will have to move to loading a full page of 640 x 680 x 16 the hd.device driverts). The testhd file the other tracks to read in the rest of the colors at 5 seconds (my electronic timer contains all the programs for testing, file. This scattering worsens as more files is only in seconds), with the 2.0 version formatting, and assigning alternate tracks. are deleted or modified and the disk of the Max sofiware. I have die new' Max The backup file is just that, a becomes full. 3.0 driver software but am still waiting backup program for your hal'd drives. It DiskCopy will copy a clone of die for my order for the .Amiga VI. 3 En has options for listing files only during original (except for dare code), but Copy hancement disks w'ith the fast file system, backup or file size and space available will copy each file, one at a time. It will Palomax claims over a 3X increase in on the disk. There are other options for take time finding all the scattered blocks incremental backup with only files and tracks, but they will be reassembled GFA-BASIC for the Amiga
Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM Boldly goes where no BASIC has gone before.
• High-Speed Interpreter for easy program development Available NOW • Over 300 powerful commands from • FAST! - Execution times comparable to C • in-line C and Assembler Commands • Easy access to all Amiga libraries • Extensive Amiga commands with submenus and built-in file requester • Built-in Text Editor with syntax checking, AnticA Software procedure hiding and auto-indenting 544 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 • 400-page comprehensive manual Call today to order: • Includes Run-Time Interpreter 800 - 234-7001
GFA-BASIC 3.0 is a trademark of GFA Systemlochnik, Germany: Antic Software and Antic are or see your local Amiga dealer. trademarks of Antic Publishing, Inc.; Amiga is a registered trademark of Commodore-Amiga Inc, (GF9200) fliekerFixer eliminates your Amiga 2000's interlace flicker and visible scon lines. The result: superior quality color or monochrome graphics and text — far a full range of demanding applications, including CAD, desktop presentation, graphics, animation, and video. Reviews are impressive: Commodore Magazine 12/88: Best of 1988 Award. AMIGAWORLD 12/88: #1 Readers1 Choice Award. Amiga GURU 5/88: "The display is fantastic . . . It is the best display we have ever seen on any computer system. " ftickerFixer fits into the Amiga video slot, is fuily compatible with all user software, and does not modify the standard Amiga video signals. The board upgrades the Amiga 2000 with a flicker free 4096 color palette, has an overscan mode that features a screen size of 704 x 470 pixels and drives most of the popular PC Multiscan and VGA monitors, including the NEC Multisync and Zenith ZCM1490.
B M ^ f F i x e r
Advanced Graphics Adapter For The AMIGA ® 2 0 0 0
fliekerFixer is priced at $595. It is made in the USA fliekerFixer o n e M k ro w a y and is FCC Class B approved. For more information or are trodem crks of M icrowoy. ifK. to order, call M icro w ay Sales at (508) 746-7341 o r your A m i g a 15 a registered trodem ork of Commodore. Mullnync is a registered tradem ark of NEC Amiga Dealer.
P.O. Box 79 32 High St., 58 Atchison St., Kingston, Mass. 02364 USA Kingston-Upors-Thames, U.K., St. Leonards, NSW, Australia Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMMicroway (508)746-7341 01-541-5466 02-439-8400 reading speed, and a 5X increase on using the drives with any of my periph Besides its speed and capacity, I writes with the new driver and the erals. I did crash my first drive trying to find die biggest advantage of a hard Amiga fast file system. port some of my copy-protected software drive is having a full WorkBench screen Here is where my dual hard drives to the hard drive. Deluxe Paint was easy with all my programs and utilities just a will also be handy. You must reformat to transfer to tire hard drive, but Deluxe double dick away. It also eliminates the your hard disk to use the fast file system. Print crashed it. Deluxe Paint II should chore of preparing data disks and With a complete backup on one drive, 1 fix this. flipping through a stack of floppies to can format for the FFS, then copy my Another advantage to building the find that needed program. On the other fries over from the backup while 1 relax Max kit is the ability to upgrade w hen side of the coin, you must get organized and watch TV. For one drive, I recom ever you want. The controller will handle and set up your directories and subdirec mend setting it up as w o partitions, two drives, so you can start with one tories right from the beginning or you'll using one partition for backup until you drive and expand to two later on. Adding wind up with a large string of jumbled need the added space. a second controller will give you the programs. capability of four drives. (Imagine having When the Amiga was designed, Compatibility four 65 meg drives under the Amiga developers thought about tomorrow but As for compatibility , 1 can only hood.) Even if you purchase one drive, not the day after. The release of KickSrart vouch for the components I am using. set up the software for the second. This 1.3 will bring the possibility of auto My system has the Kicks tart Eliminator will make it easy to add another later on booting. Software houses are starting to from CMI and the Insider 1 meg memory if you change your mind. take hard drives into account in their expansion from Michigan Software. 1 use The Max kit does not auto- new programs. Things are looking up. I Addmem in my startup-sequence to configure, but it does have a fixed base feel tire minimum configuration for an reclaim the 256K in the protected write address of F7FFE0 which, according to .Amiga should be at least a 30 megabyte control store area for the KickSrart disk. Palomax, is Commodore’s production hard drive and 2 meg of RAM. with tire I have a four-way parallel switch test diagnostic area. Since this address is floppy used for porting newly acquired box for a Toshiba P321SL printer. Canon decoded for you, I don’t see any programs to tire hard drive and playing PJ1080a color ink jet printer, Perfect disadvantage to Max not being auto- games. Sound audio digitizer, and Digi-View configuring. Once you have a hard drive on video digitizer. After 5 months of your system you can shift out of low operation, I have found no problems gear and get into the fast lane. Bug Bytes The Bugs & Upgrades Column
by John Steiner
One of my greatest interests is attributed these difficulties to new user The supplemental dictionary has a desktop publishing, I have used the errors. I have obtained a copy of the problem with the Add Word function. Amiga as a desktop publishing tool since program and verified many of diese According to several users, if you try7 to its early days, and have used bodi IBM details for myself. In tile meantime, the add a word to the dictionary, you will compatibles and the Macintosh as well. workarounds Listed here will hopefully make an unscheduled trip to the Guru. Recently, I was appointed chair of tire save PageStream users many hours of The only workaround to this bug is not DEPOT (Desktop & Electronic Publishers lost work. to click on the Add gadget. I verified this Online Terminal), a desktop publisher's Several users have reported, and I bug myself. support group on Peopielink, verified, that rulers leave ghost "tic” When rotating or sizing an object, For years, I have kept watch on die marks on the X and Y axis as various make sure die object remains entirely on slow progress of the Amiga as a desktop- actions occur. This makes it confusing to die working page. Should you let objects publishing tool, so I was interested to determine where the cursor is. To work fall off the edge of the page, unusual find that PageStream, from Soft-Logik around this problem, go to die View tilings may occur. Publishing, has finally been released. 1 menu and choose the same function that If you interrupt the printer, you use the term finally because it has been was already checked. This causes the may be off to see the Guru. I would also over a year since I first saw advertising program to redraw die screen, which will recommend that you save your docu for die program. remove the invalid ruler marks. You can ment before doing any printing. In fact, Judging from information I have also remove these invalid marks by judging from comments by PageStream seenHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM regarding die program, and from clicking on the rulers themselves. users, save your document often just to my own limited experience, PageStream Several users reported problems be on the safe side. appears to have several major bugs. I with the variable zoom tool. If you click At Least one of die disk requesters have listed them here along with a few the zoom tool too quickly, you will be with a slider gadget would not let you workarounds, and some tilings to avoid, off to see the Guru. A couple of users slide it back to die top again once it had lest you enjoy frequent visits to the Guru. reported that if you press and hold die been slid all die way down to die Before getting down to the bug list, mouse button, then drag die mouse bottom. However, the up arrow works to which I find amazingly large for a slowly, the zoom works properly. bring the slider back up again. commercial release, I would like to Other users said even this didn’t Judging by the quandty and comment that, aldiough there may be a help, and trying to use die zoom tool severity of diese bugs, I am not im negative tone to this report, users who was never successful. In the short time I pressed with SoftLogic's quality control. have reported diese bugs are almost have played with the program, I couldn't Hopefully it will not be long before they universally tempering their negative get die zoom tool to crash. But I have a have a much smoother release ready to comments with glowing praise for the 3 MB computer , so it is possible die be put to productive use. If Professional power and desktop publishing features crash occurs when zoom calculations run Page hasn’t improved their dot-matrix of this program. a machine out of memory. output by that time, I will be changing But it appears the program might The program appears to grab at desktop publishing programs. Until dien, not have been ready to be delivered. least 10K of chip memory every time it is 1 plan to wait and see what happens. Commercial software should never run, which it does not release when the routinely gum die computer. And from program is finished. The only way to get die reports I have received, there are die 10K of RAM back is to reboot die Soft-Logik Publishing Corporation several things diat can bring on die computer. This is not a major problem if P. O. Box 290071 Gum. you reboot on floppy every time you run St. Louis, MO 63129 The following bugs have been a different application. reported by at least two different Users with hard disks, who expect individuals. There were many more bugs to go back and forth between applica reported but, as I was not able to verify tions, should keep PageStream running them before deadline, I gave the in the background and use multitasking program the benefit of the doubt and if they have enough memory.
(continued) I have been using Click DOS, a If all goes according to schedule, I received a letter from Custom shareware disk utility. After using it ex Professional Page by Gold Disk will have Services, makers of System Test Utility. tensively, I decided to send them my been upgraded to version 1.2 by the time STU is now in release version 4.0, and $15.00 shareware fee (which was you read this. Version 1.2 is designed to version 3.0 users can upgrade to the new certainly reasonable). Gary Yates, author import Professional Draw files. Profes version by sending their original disks. of the program, graciously shipped me sional Draw is a well-structured drawing There is no charge for the upgrade. the latest version, numbered 2,06., and program that has the finest dot-matrix Users of earlier versions must pay an also warned me of a bug in the previous output I have ever seen. We will have to upgrade fee of $5.00. Either upgrade has 2.04 version. It is a particularly nasty bug wait until version 2,0 of Professional a $3.00 shipping and handling charge. so, if you are using version 2.04, you Page to see the same kind of dot-matrix STU is a diagnostic utility which checks might want to get an upgrade. output as Professional Draw. Other for faults in floppy and hard disks and changes to Professional Page release memory in the Amiga. The program lists The Move command did not work version 1,2 include Color Postscript for $29.95. properly. It did not bother me too much output, a sorting file requester, and in that, after copying the files to the numerous bug fixes. Custom Services destination directory, it would not delete P. O. Box 254 them from the source directory. This did Gold Disk, Inc. Morrestown, NJ 08057 not seem to be a major problem to me P. O. Box 789 Attn: Diagnostics untill Mr. Yates reported that if the copy Streetsville Mississa uga ON failed for whatever reason, the source Canada L5M 2C2 files were deleted! Flow fortunate I was (800)387-8192 to have never had the copy fail. A new version of Nag is available. The program, written by R. L. Stockton, was originally shareware. Gramma Software has released an upgraded According to a newsletter pub commercial version to this top-notch lished by Oxxi, Inc., if you are a Charlie Heath of MicroSmiths, Inc. .Amiga Appointment Calendar software. Maxiplan version 1.8 or 1.9 user, and has a unique program dial allows TxEd Registered shareware users have received have problems with garbage on tire Plus owners to upgrade to BlitzDisk an inexpensive upgrade thanks to Mr. screen, see if you are using FastFonts, V2,0. The new version of BlitzDisk will Stockton. There are rewards to paying which automatically executes in most 1.3 allow you to use BlitzDisk with FFS hard shareware fees. startup-sequences.Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM According to the disks. It has several other new features notice, “It seems that starting somewhere including better statistics reporting, more in the various releases of MaxiPlan 1.8, it control over parameters for individual That's all for this month. If you ceased to get along well with FastFonts. drives being cached, and a HOLD have any workarounds or bugs to report, We are not sure why, except that it keyword which allows you to specify or if you know of any upgrades to contains some code which performs the tliat floppy disk buffers should be commercial software, you may notify me same functions." If FastFonts automati retained if the diskette is removed, then by writing to; cally executes in your startup-sequence, reinserted. you should remove it until a bug fix or patch to MaxiPlan is released. You can download the update John Steiner program from die .Amiga Zone on c/o Amazing Computing Oxxi, Inc. PeopleLink, or from other sendees. To P. O. Box 869 P. O. Box 90309 use die update program (BDFIXl.ARC), Fall River, MA 02722 Long Beach, CA 90809-0309 you will need your original registered (213)427-1227 TxEd Plus master diskette (V2.00 or V2.01). Mr. Heath deserve a tip of die ...or leave EMail to hat. This unique upgrade program provides an inexpensive way to provide Publisher on PeopleLink Registered users of Lattice version upgrades to the user, and save every 5.0, you will have already received body money in the process. If you have or version 5-02 by mail. The no-charge questions about either of these programs, upgrade is a minor bug fix. If you have contact; 73075,1735 on CompuServe not received your upgrade disks and are a registered user, contact Lattice directly. Microsmiths, Inc. P. 0. Box 561 Lattice Cambridge, MA 02148 2500 S. Highland Ave. (617)354-1224 •AC- Lombard, IL 60148 1-800-533-3577 Amazing Productivity Reviews
by Kim Schaffer
Waiting for die last minute to get your taxes done this year? If you're like me, you need something to make that , : r v . . . = «>• ::.i .-fvervr csrv;:« yearly duty a Little more bearable. So ' how about a program to make sure you ^ Q fl don’t transpose the numbers from your calculator to your Schedule A? Tax Break has a lot of checking and double £f Ycur !::• t checking built-in, so you can rest a little label easier widi the calculations, and concen fee US label £ : trate instead on getting all those deduc OtteNise L tions. gpse priint H : f Tax Break can definitely speed up o* type E " ;r ? v -' cince s*o*ei-dFC oo:; tax filing, especially if you get conned ■ r * into doing taxes for Aunt Lou, or Cousin e ; Betty Sue. It can also provide relief that spouse who fears adding all those big ; Presidential h you ( f | | Si to go. to this l § j ? numbers on that little scrap of paper, Election Ca*aip Soes your spouse vafit $1 there? then losing the sum before you get a chance to copy it down. If you have the memory (2MB), and die patience, Tax enter an x ii Yes • - Break can do up to eight Federal tax returns at the same time. That's way past Figure One because you can fill out the forms in any myHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM limit, but maybe it’s just enough for Although the screen comes up a little order you please, jumping around and the “power” tax preparer. slow, but sooner or later it’s there— on even overriding die links. Not quite as shiny as a Lamborgh your screen in living color: your Tax Break provides lots of help ini at showtime, this program still has a 1040 worksheet. Exciting! through a status line, the use of zeros, lot of polish. Although the screen comes and the old double clicking for those up a little slow, but sooner or later it's connections to odier worksheets. The there—on your screen in living color: I status line displays an asterisk whenever take you a while to pick up on unless your 1040 worksheet. (OK, so tax forms there are IRS tax preparation instrucdons you read the manual or, better yet, this may not be something you consider to available for that line. When you get to a article. be terribly exciting.) Tax time still makes line you don't understand, just push the the heart flutter, and it helps to have a Help key, and the instructions for that The Tax Break Program program that’s not just a backyard hack. line are displayed. When you have read The program consists of over The program starts up widi the enough, hit the “escape” key, and you're twenty-five schedules, forms, and input on the label area of the 1040. Here back in business. worksheets that are linked together so I thought they had things backwards. The status line also includes you never need to manually copy While it makes sense to start from the informadon such as where to look for anything from one line to another . The beginning, after reading die manual, one inputs and what worksheets, forms, or program is also organized so you can is inclined to do differently. Start off with schedules support that line. Any line that keep your eye on Uiat “bottom line": it the W-2 worksheet instead, as tire uses other lines will have a number in it, recalculates every time you go from one manual suggests. It’s laid out, just wailing even if it is just zero. You can also see form to another, to give you the present for you to use it. The keyboard shortcut the equation for those cells by using the tax situation, and how much it has to the W-2 worksheet is Amiga 1 (die F8 key. changed from last time. You can also shortcut to thel040 is Amiga 2). The last but perhaps most helpful force a recalculation at any time, to allow The worksheet even tells you what tip is that when you double click the for “what ifs". There’s even a summary box number of your W-2 to look to for cells which use another sheet, Tax Break worksheet to give you the major the input. Tax Break can also handle will load that sheet for you and show calculations. multiple W-2’s, up to four per person. you where it needs the information to fill After you become familiar with the So, aldiough I didn't particularly like the that line. How do you know if the cell program and are satisfied that it really order Tax Break started with, that didn't uses another sheet? Read the status line! does look good, but you want a little make me like the program any less These are all tricks that would probably extra speed, you can dump the glitz and (continued) fe in t fax fowis 1 FMWS to be printed Figure Two (left) Suaaiary ol Tax Return Slats I 8 1HI n l H 2441 S Hate Refund 8 2nd S£ m 2 1 g 1K I ps ! 8 Ecittd S£ 9 SS Benefits 9 Gen. Help Tax Break offers a for ] g Sehed * 8 SI ps 2 8 Healtli Ins 8 Stats summary worksheetso lO tii Ite-SSS 1 9 Scted 1 9 8616 9 Dependents 8 m i telp e IfitarEE! I-cwe you can keep your f g Scted C 8 4562 9 EIC Credit 9 2nd C p jl I'neene 1 B C ps 2 8 4562 K 2 8 Hiss, m 8 2nd C ps2 eye on that “bottom l e t : - : Ti.Ui fdjiiJM'iii S g Scted 1 8 21tt 8 2441 Hks 8 Fort 4KB line" A5I Adejsted Grcss Incsne I 8 1 PS 2 9 21U PS 2 8 lax Calc 8 2nd KM I i :: li:. : f 9 Seted E 8 Insuit 8 Expansions 8 Dot 1*48 1 Im fran '&» TaSUs :r 7a* Sates 1 8 1 M 2 8 IRA Hits 9 2nd H M l 8 Sot lM t 2 Figure Tijree (tight) C u r r e n t m 1 Hoi*- f ALL E Otter j Following IRSforms, Font 1 Font! J ShHts! Fowis i Fonts I ptintouts are quickly : H E O I S a i and easily produced. ■ ■ ■ ■
still keep a very powerful tool. The include one either, but I had to call up matrix seemed a litde smoodier, and it interface is everything you would expect my spreadsheet program in die back was my final choice for sending to the from an Amiga program: help menus to ground to document my numbers, and IRS. The rest of the printouts were in get you going, mnemonic short cuts once then copy die total back to Tax Break. Standard text format, following die IRS you get used to the program, and even a Also, while the calculator will insert die forms, and were quickly and easily few gadgets for some of the more useful actual total when you use the F4 key, it produced. functions right up front. In fact, by the will round off to die nearest dollar if you Once you've finished printing all end of the tax preparation, you will use the mouse. And loading a file, such your forms and have mailed in your '88 probably know die ins and outs of the as data for a spouse, always requires taxes to get that big, juicy refund check, commands so well, you will want to clearing all die memory. Still, die you're ready for the next step — attempt different approaches, do program hasn’t bombed out on me yet, estimating your 1989 taxes. Tax Break someone else’s taxes, or just forget taxes and there are not many programs I can does its best to help you here also. In completely until next year. say diat about. die first menu, sitting right above die Tax Break is well organized. Still, The program is a little hard on the “Quit”, is die “Open a 1989 Tax Planning you need to read the manual to find the memory, but there are a lot of different Return" option. This changes die methodHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM and the tricks that make it a tricks to allow you to do some multi program to allow for changes known for powerful tool. The manual is much tasking, even on 512K machines. The the 1989 return. It also includes an better reading than the 1040 instruction program can also use the Workbench “inflation factor", which can be useful if booklet, although it could be a little screen if you need to save memory. In you expect a “inflation” of income and better organized. The manual does not fact, the program seems to be able to expenditures. Note if only it would tell try to substitute itself for the tax instruc switch back and forth between screens me how to fill out a W-4, I'd be in tion booklet, concentrating instead on automatically, depending on the memory business! familiarizing the user with the program. situation. Also, as mentioned before, you Oxxi has included die tax preparation can choose not to load background Updates instructions, and the Price Waterhouse pictures, which die program doesn't Oh well, that brings me to the final Personal Tax Advisor paperback to help really need. topic I wanted to mention —the future of you get organized for the job. Tax Tax Break. I think this program is here to preparation is confusing, and I haven't P rin tin g stay, and evidently so does Oxxi. One of seen anyone make it more comprehen What about diose printouts? The the first questions I asked about the sible dian Tax Break. IRS requires a graphic type output for die program was, “Do 1 have to pay the full 1040 form and, again, Tax Break comes price every year?" If this was the case, I Loopholes through (although not quite unscathed). I didn’t diink it would be worth it. Did 1 find any shortcomings in this tried two different printers, a 24 pin However, the answer was a resounding program? What self-respecting reviewer Toshiba and an HP Laserjet. The manual “future versions will be considered wouldn't find some “bugs" or “features" and an addendum left little doubt what upgrades, and will be available to (depending on what side of the fence printer settings should be used to obtain registered owners for the usual update you are on) to report. Yes, 1 found a few, the best output. Even with the Work fee, presently $29.95 + $4 shipping." This but most were nitpicks. Overall, die bench 1.3 drivers, printing the final 1040 made it very attractive indeed. program seems to be a mature piece of worksheet was painfully slow, especially In addition, the manual states “1989 software. That makes sense, since die on die HP Laserjet. Tax Break will incorporate even more people at Oxxi told me Tax Break had I was also surprised that die dot forms, an even more user- friendly been on the market in Canada for a matrix printer output seemed faster, interface, and will integrate with tax couple of years now. cleaner, and produced a better looking returns for several of the highly popu The biggest shortcoming I found image. The Laserjet output was higher lated states." So, if you’ve been good, was the lack of a worksheet for personal resolution, but looked as diough it had you probably deserve a Tax Break. interest. To be fair, the IRS doesn’t been through a fax machine. The dot •AC- Corrections & Additions to Spring '89 Product Guide
Masterpiece Professional Font Programmers Guide To The Amiga Collection Written by Amiga’s manager of technical Amiga DOS Toolbox The largest collection of fonts and clip documentation. Covers a wide range of Package of powerful and easy to use art available for the Amiga today. 110 topics and complements the Amiga ROM software tools including screen grabber different fonts are included in this 20 Kernel Manuals. Written for the C deluxe, DeepCopy, data speedup utility, disk set. Also included are 141 hi-res language, but offers source/object disks and the AmigaDOS Quick Reference pages of border clip-art. 4 disks of for Lattice/Manx C and Modula-2. Book: Guide. $59.95 Abacus ColorFonts and 2 disks of Brushes round SYBEX (or DATAPATH); diskettes: out the set. A must for the video DATAPATH $24.95 DATAPATH More Tricks & Tips for the Amiga professional. $199-00 ARock Computer A follow-up book to the bestselling Software Source/Object Diskette for Program Tricks & Tips, this collection of timesav- ARock Computer Software mer’s Guide To The Amiga ing techniques will help you use Amiga 1306E Sunshine Source and object code from the DOS and WorkBench 1.3 efficiently, and Springfield, MO 65804 Programmer's Guide To The Amiga, improve your CLI and AmigaBASIC pro (417)887-7373 available in Lattice/Manx C, TDI Modula- gramming skills. 224 pages. 519-95 (800)288-2765 2, or Benchmark Modula-2. Specify Abacus format when ordering. Special pricing on book/diskette combinations. Write for AbacusHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMdetails. $15.00 DATAPATH 5370 52nd Street SE Cookbook Video Grand Rapids, MI 49508 An excellent basic video instruction Audiotools for the Amiga (616) 698-0330 course for the Sculpt-Animate series of Contains source and object in both C and FAX (616) 698-0325 programs. To fill in some of the KnowL- Modula-2 to simplify direct access to the edge gap, Byte by Byte has produced a audio device. No licence required for low cost, low hype, introductory use. $8.00 DATAPATH instruction course to the Sculpt-Animate series of products. Viewing this tape DATAPATH Crash Garrett prior to purchasing a 3D modeling P.O. Box 1828 In the late 1930’s, ace flyer Crash Garrett program answers most of the more Los Gatos, CA 95031 escorts you through the Hollywood difficult questions about 3D. Once you scene to rescue sultry gossip columnist have the modeler, the video is great Cynthia Sleeze from sinister Nazi hands on training. $24.95 Byte by Byte mastermind Baron von Engel Krul and Anti-Virus his cronies. $39.95 Antic Software Sculpt-Animate 4D Virus protection software features visual Upgrade from Sculpt-Animate 3D bootblock which displays the Anti-Virus Bobo includes object editor, raytracing and logo whenever the machine is started or Help Bobo stay ahead of his menial animation ability, grids, protractor, helix, warm booted. If a virus is present, the chores and plan his escape from scanline rendering, genlockable Tri-view logo won't appear. Also includes vCheck, InZeeslammer prison, $34.95 Antic editing, and 30 days free tech. $499.95 a utility to monitor virus transmission Software Byte by Byte paths, and vTrojan, the only "trojan horse" protection utility available. Ships Antic Software Byte by Byte with boot block cataloging program. 544 Second Street A rboretum Plazall $39 95 Dev Ware, Inc. San Francisco, CA 94107 9442 Capital of Texas Highway North (415)957-0886 Ste 150 DevWare, Inc. FAX (415) 882-9502 Austin, TX 78759 10474 Rancho Carmel Drive (512)343-4357 San Diego, CA 92128 (619) 673-0759
(continued) Professional Draw IMPACT A2000-HC/30 40MB Quantum Bundle Graphic arts tool with a variety of Amiga 2000 Hard-Card30. 30MB SCSI A2000-2/0 bundled with 3 1/2" SCSI powerful drawing tools including circles, Hard Drive mounted on SCSI Autoboot, ProDrive 40S, $1075-00: A2000-2/2 ellipses, rectangles, polygons, and bezier DMA Controller. $775-00 GVP bundled with 3 1/2" SCSI ProDrive 40S curves. Import existing IFF files or FLAM includes 2MB RAM, $1599.00. GVP images and transform them into fully IMPACT A2000-HC/40 editable structured drawings. Built-in Amiga 2000 Hard-Card40. 40MB SCSI 48MB Seagate Bundle color separator will prepare your color Hard Drive (28ms avg. access) mounted A2000-2/0 bundled with 3 1/2" SCSI graphics for mechanical or process color on SCSI Autoboot, DMA Controller. ST157N, $995.00; A2000-2/2 bundled offset printing. $199.95 Gold Disk $899.00 GVP with 3 1/2" SCSI ST157N includes 2MB RAM Installed, $1549.00 GVP Desktop Budget IMPACT A2000-HC/45 Icon-based personal finance management Amiga 2000 Hard-Card45. 45MB SCSI 65MB Seagate Bundle program. Sets up monthly payments, Hard Drive mounted on SCSI Autoboot, A2000-2/0 bundled with 5 1/4'” SCSI automatically performs month-end recon- DMA Controller. $950.00 GVP ST277N, $1075.00; A2000-2/2 bundled cilliations and year-end rollovers. Also with 5 1/4'" SCSI ST277N includes 2MB includes full-function calculator and IMPACT'A2000-HC/40Q RAM Installed, 51649.00 GVP personal icon editor. Easy to leam. Amiga 2000 Hard-Card40Q. 40MB $69.95 Gold Disk Quantum SCSI Hard Drive (19/1 lms Avg. 80MB Quantum Bundle Access) mounted on SCSI Autoboot, A2000-2/0 bundled with 3 1/2" SCSI Transcript DMA Controller. $999.00 GVP ProDrive 80S, $1499.00; A2000-2/2 Writing/editing tools consists of a concise bundled with 3 1/2" SCSI ProDrive SOS main program and a smaller version IMPACT A2000-HC/80Q includes 2MB RAM Installed, $2099-00 called TransSpell, a 90,000-word spelling Amiga 2000 Hard-Card80Q. 80MB GVP checker that can work alongside Quantum SCSI Hard Drive (19/llm s Avg. Transcript or stand alone.Automatically Access) mounted on SCSI Autoboot, IMPACT A500-HD/20M Subsystem generates indexes and mail merging. DMA Controller. $1450.00 GVP Amiga 500 20MB Hard Drive System $69.95 Gold Disk Includes: SCSI Cntri, Power Supply, Fan, IMPACT SQ44 RAM Expan. Slot & Chassis (Miniscribe Gold Disk Syquest 44MB Removeable Hard Drive HD; 60ms avg. Access). $769.00 GVP P.O. Box 789, Sireelsville (25ms) without Cartridge ’Includes GVP Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMMississauga, Ontario, Canada Advanced Autoboot EPROM Kit with IMPACT’ A500-HD/20 Subsystem L5M2C2 Removeable Media Support. $1299.00 Amiga 500 20MB Hard Drive System (416) 828-0913 GVP Includes: SCSI Cntrl, Power Supply, Fan, FAX (416) 828-7754 RAM Expan. Slot & Chassis (Miniscribe SQ400 Cartridge HD; 40ms avg. Access). $775.00 GW 44MB Syquest Disk Cartridge. $139.00 GVP IMPACT A500-HD/30 Subsystem IMPACT A2000-1/0 Amiga 500 30MB Hard Drive System Amiga 2000 Hard Disk SCSI/RAM DMA A2000-FD2010 Includes: SCSI Cntrl, Power Supply, Fan, Autobooting Controller with 1MB Max. Amiga 2000 3.5" Internal Floppy Disk RAM Expan. Slot & Chassis. $875.00 RAM Expansion; Zero RAM Installed. Drive with Commodore color bezel, GVP $350.00 GVP mounting hardware and dust door. $179.00 GVP IMPACT A500-HD/45 Subsystem IMPACT A2000-2/0 Amiga 500 45MB Hard Drive System Amiga 2000 Hard Disk SCSI/RAM DMA 30MB Seagate Bundle Includes: SCSI Cntrl, Power Supply, Fan, Autobooting Controller with 2MB Max. A2000-2/0 bundled with 3 1/2" SCSI RAM Expan, Slot & Chassis. $1095.00 RAM Expansion; Zero RAM Installed. ST138N, $850.00; A2000-2/2 bundled GVP $360.00 GVP with 3 1/2" SCSI ST138N includes 2MB RAM Installed, $1425. GVP IMPACT A500-HD/40Q Subsystem IMPACT A2000-2/2 Amiga 500 40MB Hard Drive System .Amiga 2000 Hard Disk SCSI/RAM DMA 40 MB Miniscribe Bundle Includes: SCSI Cntrl, Power Supply, Fan, Autobooting Controller with 2MB RAM A200Q-2/0 bundled with 3 1/2" SCSI RAM Expan. Slot & Chassis (Quantum Expansion Installed. $995.00 GVP 8051S (28ms avg. access), $949.00; HD 19/11 ms Avg. Access). $ 119 5.00 A2000-2/2 bundled with 3 1/2" SCSI GVP IMPACT A2000-HC/20 805IS includes 2MB RAM Installed, Amiga 2000 Hard-Card20. 20MB SCSI $1499.00. GVP IMPACT A500-HD/80Q Subsystem Hard Drive mounted on SCSI Autoboot, Amiga 500 80MB Hard Drive System DMA Controller. $675.00 G\P Includes: SCSI Cntrl, Power Supply, Fan, RAM Expan. Slot & Chassis (Quantum HD 19/llm s Avg, Access). $1650.00 GVP < W . 're SoftdisfcjPuBtisfing, Inc. — it We ’re off to seek a zoizard... a computer zvizard, that is...
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New York! The Big Apple! 1989! The Amiga opened on Broadway March 3 to 5 and, while reviews were mixed, the box office numbers could not be ignored. Over three days, more than 11,800 poured into the second AmiEXPO NY , filling the corridors of the Marriot Marquis in Times Square with a new breed of Amiga folk. Many of the attendees were certainly recognizable from previous shows. However, vendors did notice some significant changes in die at tendees. AmiEXPO officials had targeLted college campuses, as well as, the professional video commu nity, widi a substantial direct mail effort,Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM and the crowd reflected this. Professors and grad students stood elbow to elbow with directors, camera men, and more dian sixty members of keyboard shortcuts. die world press. Here’s what diev saw. The new version is NcwTek showed off Digi-Paint 3, a extremely fast. You can completely new version of the Amiga’s navigate between the first HAM paint program. Digi-Paint 3 various drawing modes includes full Amiga font support widi more easily than anti-aliasing of text, an extended set of before, load fonts from drawing tools with resizable built-in any disk without brushes, and user-controllable 3D texture assigns, and upgrade mapping. You can now control the from Digi-Paint 1 for amount of brush warping, die “warping $29.95, or from other point” of the brush, and die brush paint programs for transparency. $44.95. Digi-Paint 3’s interface has been completely redesigned by noted Amiga artist Jim Sachs, New display features Toast in the summer? (Top left) Attendees enjoy new public include autoscrolling bitmaps up to 1024 NewTek also demonstrated the latest dom ain Star Trek game. by 1000 pixels, user-definable overscan, version of die Toaster, now promised for and changing screen resolutions on-the- summer release. The Toaster will report (Top right) Spirit Technology showed edly carry a $1599 price tag. Allen Hastings fly. their expansion products for the Other program features include of Rush Hour fame showed a videotape of Amiga. new drawing modes, an improved work he’s been doing with his new “fast non-ray-tracing Tenderer with lots of ad magnify mode, a larger palette area, (Bottom)Micro Momentum vanced texture options and special effects.” unlimited brush resizing with anti displayed their prototype portable He would not commit to a release date on aliasing, brush rotation, and range Amiga. die new program. However, others said the painting. Written in 100% assembly code, Digi-Paint 3 has a complete set of (continued) program was at the same stage Videoscape was at when Alien turned it over to Aegis to finish off. Look for it from NewTek in the fall. Byte by Byte announced a stripped-down, non ray-tracing version of Sculpt 4D called Sculpt/Animate Jr. Priced around Si50 and geared to the A5Q0 market, the program will use and produce files compatible with its parent. The company also released a “3D Cookbook” videotape, a visual introduction and tutorial with ■‘powerful, time-saving recipes for creating complex objects and animations." Over at Impulse’s booth, Stan Kalisher demon strated Turbo Silver SV, a version of the ray-tracer that produces images viewable with 3D glasses (You can use either Haitex or Sega glasses plugged into a new Impulse-built interface box). Lnpulse’s VD-1 frame buffer/grabber was also on display. This device takes any signal from broadcast, camera, or VCR and instandy grabs the image in 24 bitpianes, then sends it to the Amiga to be turned into Ham, or 32 colors in full overscan and interlace if required. Units are shipping slowly at $1000.
Genlocks There were several genlocks at the show. Commu nication Specialties showed their Gen/One unit with S- VHS-compatible output signals and clean video pass- through. VidTech's Scanlock is the first to allow both input and output of S-VHS. Magni was represented at die Amicore booth, where the Canon still video system was incorporated into a full-fledged post-production video Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMenvironment. R & DL Productions announced the release of Lightbox, a new professional animation tool which allorvs you to animate cartoons with the control of a conventional light box and peg system plus the advan tages of a computer paint program. Lightbox displays drawings which appear before and after die drawing currendy being worked on. All in-betweens are hand-drawn for full control of expression of character and illusion of life. The drawings can be worked on at any time, and stepped-through frame by frame or viewed at true speed by pressing the “flip" key. Several products that allow7 diis technique have been announced, but Lightbox is here today, and works well with R & DL’s AProDraw Graphics Tablet. Maurice St. Sauveur was showing his SMPTE Exorciser Frame-by-Frame controller system at the Alchemedia booth. The SMPTE can perform continuous single-frame stores of up to 1000 pictures per edit list, and comes with a proprietary software-based time-code generator allowing you to use the Amiga for both audio and video striping. The wide-band, bi-directional hardware reader controller reads time code and inter faces the Amiga with VCR editing decks including the (Top) (Center) (Bottom) JVC 8000 series 3/4 inch, JVC 810 S-VHS, Panasonic A-Squared's Visionary! Design Over three days, 7500-A S-VHS, and all one-inch machines. The system Wendy Peterso n Technologies more than 11,800 will begin shipping in May and will cost significantly less demonstrates Live featured many hot poured into the than currently available alternatives. 2000. new ga mes. second A miEXI}0 Elan Design has a new presentation manager NY. program called The Performer, which puts the power to disks. Arock is repackaging its Masterpiece Fonts and Clip display graphics and animations of different formats Art sets into more manageable 3-disk packs, with six literally at your fingertips. You can load and view files volumes in all. from all major paint, 2D, and 3D packages, sequence for C Ltd, had their Jet Master font editor on display. Jet programmed playback, or access any imagery directly by Master will interchangeably load and/or save fonts in pressing its key. The program supports ANIM, RIFF, either Amiga screen format or HP LaserJet format. It can MAM, arid RGB formats, and is programmed in 100% do automatic global special effects, like drop shadow's. Jet assembly language to facilitate multi-tasking and mem- Master retails for $79.95. Also now' available from C Ltd. is ory-management. The output can be sent in real time to their PrintScript Postscript emulator for the Amiga, a full videotape, or you can separate and recombine anima Postscript interpreter that runs in memory, takes a Post tions into different orders, resolutions, and animation script file, and prints it on any printer Preferences sup formats. ports. At $89-95, PrintScript has LaserExpress virtual page Progressive Peripherals & Software showed support. FrameGrabber 256, a real-time, 8-bit video digitizer that Making its debut at last was Soft-Logik’s PageStream captures interlaced, 256-shade monochromic images in 1/ desktop publishing software, the self-proclaimed Pag- 30dt of a second. The product includes extensive acquisi eSetter killer and ProPage rival. The program fully tion/display software by Justin McCormick of PIXniate supports dot-matrix printers, rotates text and graphics in fame, and has a Delta mode for real-time image compari any direction in 1-degree increments, allows independent sons. PP&S also previewed the EXP-8000+ 8 megabyte x and y point sizes under mouse or ty'pe-in control, and internal expansion board for the A500, which also has the built-in ability' to work with 24-bit color pictures provides tire option of adding a 68010 processor and and color postscript directly. The current version does user-adjustable 12.5 or 24 MHz math coprocessor. The have some bugs, but Soft-Logik promises an update with Vault, an external hard drive for tire 500 and 1000, comes (continued) in configurations ranging from 20 to 120 megs, die 20 meg version with controller, software and cables retailing for $599.95. The long-awaited Baud Bandit terminal software is ready for May 1 release, it features extensive macro functions and ARexx support. Speaking of communications packages, Micro systems Software shipped The Works Platinum Edition Amiga starter kit with 5 integrated programs for telecom munications,Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM word processing, spreadsheet, database, and printing utilides. MSS will break out versions of Online Platinum and Scribble Platinum at $99.95 and 5149-95 respectively. The Works retails for $295. Not a bad deal, eh? Online now supports WX, X, Y, Zmodem, Kermit CompuServe B and SADIE (simultaneous file transfer/chat) protocols. All die programs are Clipboard- compatible. WordPerfect held classes in their Theatre, complete with cheering students and free M&Ms. They informally announced PianPerfect for the Amiga. PlanPerfect is based on the IBM version but it is now entering beta with a completely redone Amiga-tized interface, WordPerfect's next upgrade will be 6.0, not 5.0, and is promised to have an ARexx implementation. Brown / Wagh showed a near-final version of Pen Pal, a clever word processor designed especially for smaller projects in the expanding home-office environ ment. It can mix text and graphics, import, mailmerge, copy from a built-in database, spellcheck, analyze writing styles, sort by fields, and more. This puppy appears irresistible. It’s fast, sophisticated, and doesn't try to reach beyond its niche, which is basically anybody with $149-95 in April. New Horizons announced a pair of font pack ages—ProFonts 1 with 10 professional fonts for printing, and ProFonts 2 with over 40 decorative fonts for head WordPerfect held classes in their lines, packaging, covers, etc. Font packages were also Theatre, complete with cheering students available from Free Spirit's Media Line, which is andfreeM&Ms, expanding to include clip art and animation backgrouncl I more printer support and additional fonts showed the new line of Processor Professional from Cryogenic Software, to by the middle of April. In the interim, Accelerator + boards for all three Amigas. be marketed by Progressive Peripherals. users are advised to save often and call The 1000 version has a kickstart ROM Seen talking Arexx on the floor were the Soft-Logik BBS to download PD fonts socket and a real-time dock compatible Dan Browning of Precision (SuperBase available there. with the Commodore A501 dock. The Pro and SuperPlan) and Gary Samad of Syndesis announced two new A2000 version goes in the coprocessor Software Visions (Microfiche Filer modules for Interchange—Turbo Silver slot and has the capability to run RAM at Plus). Samad announced the imminent 3.0 and Professional Draw. Now all 10.5 or 14 megahertz. release of the first two Designer Data InterFont text and structured objects can Memory And Storage Technolo base disks, with Arexx-driven databases be used with ProDraw, and text can now gies (M.A.S..T.) continues to break the for Home and Business. Aid Emerald have up to 16 colors as opposed to size barrier with their line of hard drives Intelligence took time out from PDraw’s current 2. A 3D wireframe and memory boards. Their Tiny Tiger showing dieir (gasp) Mac version of viewing module is in development. drives are the only drives that will Magellan to promise dieir Revision 1.1 Syndesis will also release their TSSnet support all three Amiga models by giving with Aexx will be shipping soon. They DECnet networking software in the you a SCSI controller through the parallel were also hinting at a port of a program second quarter o f '89, letting Amigas port. You can also daisy chain off tills coming the other way around from the become Phase IV end nodes in a DECnet unit. M.A.S.T. also showed the prototype Macintosh environment. Wonder what network that can consist of over 64,000 for the first one-third height drive, “card" they have up their sleeve? different computers running a wide enabling the user to get three hard drives variety of operating systems. The release into a one-drive IBM-stvLe expansion Music, Music, Music will fully support and be bundled with box. .Another program originally on the Dale Luck's X-Window system. Great Valley Products had a huge Mac and now available on die Aniga is Gold Disk was not officially booth with new products to match. Their Intelligent Computer Music System's represented at AmiEXPO. However, they 68030 coprocessor accelerator board for M, the interactive composing and did maintain a suite at the Marriott to the A2000 was being shown in its 25MHz performing MIDI software. Dr. T’s brief the press and meet with beta-testers version. It has an asynchronous bus showed their Level II sequencer, which and various Amiga luminaries. We were design and, because of the use of special adds die Programmable Variations given a preview of several new products nibble-mode DRAM SIMMS, an effective Generator and the Master Editor to KCS in their Home Office Series, including zero wait-state. The board comes with VI.6A. New Wave Software released Design 3D, a fast modeling package with 32-bit RAM in 4 and SMB configurations. Dynamic Studio 3.0, with a redesigned a built-in font editor ($99-95); Transcript, GVP’s Syquest removable hard drive with WYSIWYG user interface, increased a fastHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM word processor compatible with its 44 megabyte cartridge automatically resolution, auto-quantizing, and the Professional Page ($69.95); and Advan recognizes disk changes with GVP's new ability to make eidier global or specific tage, a spreadsheet that apparently can EPROM auto-boot software kit. A changes with mouse control. Impulse handle unlimited rows and columns and demonstration of their Wangtek 150 meg will release a hardware/soltware package has elaborate charting graphics capability streaming tape backup system used a called Harmony which will allow you to and ARexx support. ($79-95 when port to the Amiga of the UNIX tar utility input vocals and humming or whisding released in early summer). Gold Disk is and standard 3M cartridges. and output MIDI events. also supporting their release of Profes Gramma Software, hot on the And last but not least, Mindware is sional Draw- with a package of Structured heels of their Nag Plus Schedule Assis readying an add-on to PageFlipper Plus Clip Art (S59.95) and ProPage with their tant, announced FreD, the speed-dialer called PageSync. It will let you synchro Template and Design Guide ($59-95). program, and NoMo, a hardware device nize MIDI events and sound effects in Gold Disk did take part in a press that goes between the audio output of real dme or under script control. conference held on the floor of the show die .-Amiga and your telephone. Used The story of .AmiEXPO NY '89 was by ASDG, where the two vendors together and/or with a modem, they let one of growth, consolidation, and announced support for 24-bit scanned you use your Amiga to deliver messages interconnectivity. As much went on in images in the forthcoming Professional to a phone list of people automatically, the hallways and suites of the Marriot Page 1.2 by using ASDG-RF.SEP. ASDG and they let you use the internal sound Marquis as did on the floor and in the was also bringing their Dual Serial Board chips to send audio over the phone. well-attended seminars and master to market at $299. The board occupies a With the hardware around $25 and FreD classes. Commodore was represented single expansion slot on the A2000 near S50 when released in June, the total unofficially by Gail Wellington, Lauren motherboard and does not prevent cost of this Arexx-driven system is less Brown, Carolyn Scheppner, Andy Finkel, function of the original built-in serial than almost any modem. Steve Beats, Dave Haynie, Dave Bere- port. Indeed the Arexx environment zowski, Bill Kocster, Bryce Nesbitt, and Creative Microsystems, Inc. also took great strides in die months since CBMers from Sweden, Spain. Switzer showed a multifunction board with one AmiEXPO LA, Programs shown at New land, and Germany. Seen here and there parallel port and two serial pons (one York with Arexx ports included Nag were Joltn Toebes at the Lattice booth, being a high-speed AppleTalk-compat Plus, FreD, ASDG’s CygnusEd Profes Jim Goodnow promising Manx 5.0 this ible port). The hardware comes bundled sional, and PageRender 3D, a new ray- summer, VirusX’s Steve Tibbett, with standard serial device drivers and tracing package from Mindware. Also PeopleLink’sJim Hill, author Rob Peck low-level networking software. CM1 also coming with Arexx in June is 3D at the CLI clinic, and Amiga artists Marvin Send us your best...
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There are no ideas too small or too large to be shared and you will never know how great it feels to share your ideas, until you have been published. Landis, Steve Segal, Jim Sachs, and Louis After a private preview of Gold Good question, Steve, and one that Markova, the latter showing some Disk’s parade of budget business will be answered more and more as the incredible 3D images at the H aitex software and a whirlwind Sculpt 4D-tour, Amiga gets serious. Meanwhile, like the booth. Young paused to catch his breath. “I saw song says, "It's up to you... Start spread There were some new faces, too. in the graphics area remarkable applica ing die news..." Teller of Penn and Teller visited the tions not equalled at anything like die NewTek booth, along with Dana Carvey, price point." He shook his head in 77?is stoty is based on the reporting o f Saturday Night Live cast member and bemused wonder: 'The cost of hardware larry While, Tina Chase, Steve Gillmor brother of NewTek engineer Brad and software is quantitatively less, yet and Don Hicks. Carvey. Teller, as usual, wasn’t talking, with such a small user base. I am but Steve Young, senior correspondent puzzled as to how the Amiga developers for CNN Business News, was. are able to produce at such a low price, •AC- or conversely how IBM and Apple are not."
AmiEXPO Exhibitor List
Alchemedia Communications Specialties, Inc. Incognito Software New W ave Softw-are 163 8th Ave, 2nd Floor 89A Cabot Court 34518 Warren, Suite 149 22615 Carolina New York. NY 10011 Hauppauge, NY 11788 Westland. Ml 48185 St. Clair Shores, Mi 4S080 (212) 727-9116 (516) 273-0404 (315) -162-2148 G13) 771-4465 A.M J.GA COMPUTE! Intelligent Music NewTek 100 Brown Ave 324 W. Wendover Ave, Suite 200 116 North Lake Ave. 115 W. Crane Street Johnston, RI 02919 Greensboro, NC 27408 Albany, NY 12206 Topeka. KS 66603 (403) 942-5310 (919) 275-9809 (518) 434-4110 (TO) 843-8934 Amazing Computing Connecting Point Interactive Video Systems Progressive Peripherals and P. O . Box 869 2565 Route 22 West 15201 Santa G ertrudes *Y102 Software Fall River, MA 02720 Union. Nj 07083 la Miranda. CA 90638 464 Kalamath Street (508) 678-4200 (201) 686-0040 (734)994-4443 Denver. CO 80204 (303) 825-4144 AmiCore International Creative Computers Intercare Development Systems 154 Grove Street 4453 Redondo Beach Boulevard 24 Bruce Drive Psygnosis, Ltd. Chicopee, MA 01020 Lawndale, CA 90260 South Sctauket, NY 11720 2l5o.Executive Drive (413) 792-9122 (800) 872-8882 (516) 981-5930 Addison, !L 60101 (312) 620-4444 . Am iga Creative Microsystems. Inc. lattice Inc. Mamie Road 10110 ,S. W. Nimbus, Suite B1 2500 s'. Highland Ave, Suite 300 II & DL Productions Springfieli Fa. : 19064 • Portland, OR 97223 Lombard ft. 60148 11-24 46th Avenue 2A: . (5 l 5)544- '394 (503) 69J-2552 (312) 916-I6OO Long Island City;:NY U lO i : (718) 392-4090 AmigaWorld Croftword Publishing, Inc, Leigh's Computers Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM80 him Street 85 West Wilmot Street, Unit 10 1475 3rd Ave Ron in Research and Peterborough, NH 03458 Richmond Mill, ON L4B 1K7 Canada New York, NY 10028 Development, Inc. (603) 924-9471 (416) 764-5274 (212)879-6257 P. O. Box 1093 Alameda, CA 94501 AmigoTimes Dr, T's Music Software, Inc. Long Island Commodore (415) 76^-9325 512-kSt. Laurent, Ste. 300 220 Boylston Street, *206 . Amigians Ville St. Catherine, QU J0L 1E0 Chestnut Hill, MA 02167 91-19 85 Avenue Soft-Logik Publishing Canada (617) 244-6954 W ood haven, NY 11421 Corpora lion (514) 6384)303 (718)849-8791 11131 F South Tow ne Square Elan Design, Inc. St. Louis. MO 63123 AMncws Corporation P. O. Box 31725 Memory and Storage (314) 894-8608 542 Hannover San Francisco, CA 94131 Technologies Livermore, CA 94550 (415) 621-8673 3S81 Beni tar Way, Suite E Software Excitement (435) 443-3956 Chico, CA 95928 8 North Fourth Street Emerald Intelligence (916) 342-6278 Central Point. OR 97502 AMuse. ;New York Amiga Users 3915-A1 Research Park Drive (503) 664-1364 151 1st Avenue, Suite 182 : Ann Arbor. MI 48108 Manx Software N ew York, NY 10003 (313) 663-8757 P. O. Box 55 Spirit Technology Corp. (212) 460-&067 Shrewsbury. NJ 07702 220 W. 2950 South Free Spirit Software, inc. (201) 542-2750 Salt Lake City. I T 84115 Antic Publishing, Inc. 58 Noole Street (801) 485-4233 544 Second Street Kutztowh, PA 19530 MCE Associates, Inc. San Francisco, CA 94107 (215) 683-5609 28-21 Astoria Blvd. Syndesis (415) 957-0S86 Astoria. NY 1U02-1933 20 West Street Fuller Computer Systems (718) 956-9000 Wilmington, MA 01887 AROCK Computer Software P. O. Box 9222 (508) 6?7-5585 1306 East Sunshine Mesa, AZ 85214 Micro Momentum Springfield, MO 65804 (602) 835-5018 100 Brown Ave Vidtccb international. Inc. (417) 887-3021 Johnston, RI 02919 2822 N. W. 79th Ave Gramma Software (401) 949-5310 Miami, FL 33122 ASDG Inc. 17730 15th Ave, N.E., Suite 223 (305) 477-2228 925 Stewart Street Seattle, WA 98155 Micio-Syslcms Software Madison. W1 53713 (206) 363-6417 12798 Forest Hill Blvd.. Suite 202 Visionary Design (608) 273-6585 W est .Palm Beach, FL 33414 Technologies, Inc. L w (407) 790-0770 45 Whitenom Crescent Brown-Wagh Publishing, Tnc. .225 Plank Road W illowdale, ON M2J 3B1 16975 Lark Avenue, Suite 210 Paoli, PA 19301 Microdeal/Michtron Canada Los Gatos, CA 95030 ; (215) 889-9411 576 S. Telegraph (41© 497-0933 (408) 395-3838 Pontiac. ML48053 Haitex Resources (313) 374-5700 WordPerfect Corporation Byte by Byte 208 Carrollton Park, Suite 1207 1555 North Technology Way 9442 Capitol of Texas Highway Carrollton, TX 75006 Mindwarc International Orem, UT 84057 Austin, TX 78759 (214) 241-8030 230 Bayvlew Drive. Suite 1 (801) 222-5877 (512) 343-4357 Barrie, ON L4N 4Y8 Canada Hillside Haid & Soft Com puterware (705) 737-5998 Yet Another Amiga Magazine C Ltd. RD 3. Box 3420a 3712 Fort Worth Ave 723 East Skin tier Fleetwood. PA 19522 Mission Graphics Support, Inc. Alexandria, VA Wichita, KS 67211 (215) 929-9695 433 E. 6th. Street (703) 536-5040 (316) 267-3807 New York. NY 10009 Impulse (212) 473-2443 Digital Depot 6870 Shingle Creek Parkway, Suite 112 1500 -SSLh Street Minneapolis, MN 55430 New Horizons Software. Inc. North Bergen, 07047 (612) 566-0221 P. O. Box 43167 (201) Austin. TX 78745 (512) 328-6650 AmiEXPO Art and Video Contest Winners
by Steve Jacobs
AmiEXPO has always had an Art I was pleased to find we received a “Overall, over two and Video Theatre where convention wide variety of material. (I was deeply hundred Amiga enthusi attendees could view slide shows and fearfui of die possibility of receiving 200 animations produced by fellow Amigans science fiction illustrations). We had asts entered the contest. across the country. After our third abstracts, commercial pieces, cartoons, Over 350 images were convention, we decided to establish an photo-realistic pieces, and pieces with a submitted in the art art contest in conjunction with the “water-color" feel to them. (The judges NewYork show this past month. The remarked tiiat several entries had an “oil- categories, and over 35 contest was announced in the fourth on-velvet" feel to diem as well. This was ivorks were entered in the quarter of 1988 and the rules and not a compliment.) Animation and guidelines were distributed at the Los Most Amiga animation contests Angeles AmiEXPO and at AmiFORUM. have been built around disk-based Mixed-Media categories, TheHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM Amiga press was kind enough to animations. I required all animation for a total of two hours carry our press releases, and hundreds of submissions be on videotape. There viewing time. ” requests for entry forms came into die were two reasons for this. First, disk- office. based animations are limited to a certain Frequendy, contests have catego size and length. Though new programs ries arranged around diemes or types of like MovieSetter and the soon to be art, for example, “Fine Art”, “Commercial released Blacklight are stretching these Art”, or “Cartoon”. However, i had no lengdis to minutes, the limits remain. The idea what range our entries would cover. second consideration was disk load time. Therefore, I arranged die categories in a In terms of judging, the more complex slightly different manner. animations take longer to load than play. The contest was organized over When you have a group of people five categories. The Art categories were watching monitor screens for hours on “2D’’ (for art created with the wide end, loading time becomes a big factor variety of Amiga “paint” programs), “3D’' in sustaining audience attention. (for art created using die wide variety of three-dimensional rendering and ray- Goals fo r the Contest tracing packages on the Amiga), and I had several different goals for the “Digitized” (for works using digitization contest. First, I saw the contest as a way as part or all of die creative process). of getting more publicity for die artists. I The “Video” categories were “Mixed required the artists give me the rights to Media” (for works combining computer distribute their work to the magazines. generated video with live or pre The artists retained their copyrights, recorded video), and “Animation” (for though. They were not asked to either purely computer-generated pieces). put dieir work in the public domain or surrender diem to AmiEXPO. I believe it’s important for people to retain the rights to tiieir own work.
(continued) I also tried to sign on judges from The Judging and the Judge Tips On Entering Next Year’s Contest! outside the Amiga community and/or The judging was held on February I’d like to take a moment to give judges well-known in their own right. I 19th at Mission Graphics Support, Inc. in you a few pieces of advise to help you in thought this would improve the chances Manhattan. We did attract some high submitting your artwork. These apply not of getting magazines outside the Amiga caliber judges. Our first judge, Diane only to die AmiEXPO Theatre and next community interested in covering die Kadah, is President of die New York year’s contest, but to other contests and Amiga. I was able to get several “heavy Chapter of the National Computer exhibitions as well. hitters” as judges. This was another Graphics Association. She is also a First and foremost, READ THE reason for refusing disk-based anima presentation graphics consultant. Our RULES!!! Most professional contests will tions. You cannot impress judges used to second judge, Issac Victor Kerlow, is simply refuse to even look at your work, high-end equipment widi thirty-second Director of die Computer Graphics Lab at let alone judge it, if you haven’t followed animation loops lhat take five minutes to Prau Institute in New York City. Fie is all contest rules EXACTLY. Several disks load. also an author of computer graphics texts and tapes we received could not be used and a well-known artist in computer because they did not meet the categories Entries and Systems graphics circles. Perry Hoberman, the as oudined in the rules. The winning The entries came from across die diird judge, is known for his stereoscopic animation entry was incorrectiy submit broad spectrum of the Amiga commu computer art and performance art. Acting ted as a mixed-media entry. If you're not nity. People of all ages from the conti as fourth judge, Vincent Billota is sure which category to submit your work nental U.S., Hawaii and Canada entered Director of Graphics and Animation for to, call die organizer and ask. DON'T die contest. A third of the contest entries Mission Graphics Support, Inc., a Lower send multiple disks of the same work to came from women. At a time when die East Side Amiga dealership specializing each category. New York Times is ninning articles about in high-end video workstations. Vincent Fill out the entry form completely. die lack of female involvement widi has been instrumental in developing the THINK about the questions and, if you're computers nationwide, this a very New York Amiga animation scene. I was not sure how to answer them, call die exciting bit of news. the fifth judge. organizer and ask. On the entry form for Our artists included both profes From 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., we die AmiEXPO contest, I asked entrants to sional artists and novices. Stand-out stared at monitors until our eyes were a describe “the hardware and software" entries included a series of pictures from bright pink. The still images filled almost used to make the piece. Twenty-five a Long Island high school Amiga art lab, 20 megabytes of the GVP Impact 500 entrants neglected to tell us which Amiga and a nun who runs an Amiga users used to display them. We alternated they used and simply listed their group in her Upper West Side church. video and still categories for a change of software. Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMOverall, over two hundred Amiga pace. The judges chose a 1st, 2nd and .Also, try to use standard formats enthusiasts entered the contest. Over 350 3rd place winner for each category, with and screen sizes for your work. Several images were submitted in die art several pieces being selected for people submitted pages larger than die categories, and over 35 works were “honorable mention”. With most of the screen or pieces made in beta tests of entered in the Animadon and MLxed- categories, the judges were able to come software not yet released. Due to time Media categories, for a total of two hours to a consensus without having to “grade" limitations, exceptions could not be viewing time. Winning entries, as well as, or number die entries. made to show to judges work that could a selection of odier submissions, were The winners were announced and not be displayed in a slide show shown in the AmiEXPO Theatre during shown after Gail Wellington's keynote program, If your work needs special die three days of die show. speech Friday afternoon. First prize attention in order to be displayed, (e.g., If our entrants qualify as a repre winners received computer hardware multiple monitors, scrolling around die sentative sample of Amiga owners, and software specific to the category. In screen, 3D glasses) call die contest there's still a large number of active addition, first, second and diird place organizer before submitting your work. 1000’s out diere (including die one sitting winners in each category were awarded If there are several different on my desk). Most entrants had some plaques honoring their achievements. categories of disk-based work, submit type of upgraded memory for their The winning entries stress the the pieces for each category (no matter systems. Over 90% drew dieir creations versatility of the Amiga. The winning 3D how many or few) on a separate disk. If with a mouse. entry required an Amiga 2000 widi tons your pieces are going to be loaded onto There are two items almost every of RAM and an accelerator. The winning a hard drive for exhibition, diis makes it Amigan owns. The first is Deluxe Paint 2D entry was produced on an Amiga 500 easier for the contest organizer to load n. The second is Digi-View. Almost as upgraded to one meg of RAM and DPaint die work into the individual directories. popular with our entrants were Photon n. Label the disk widi your name and Paint and Pixmate. In die 3D category, phone number, die names of the pictures Sculpt 3D and Animate 3D were used a on the disk, and the category you are little more often tiian Turbo Silver. In die submitting diem to. Animation Categories, there were no packages that stood out as most fre quently used. Several entrants actually wrote dieir own software as part of their entries. 2D Category
P rize: A ProDraiv Package from R & DL Produc tions
First Place (above left) th ir d Place (above right) '‘Burmese Penguin “Necropsy” Hunt" by Jim Scbanz by Dave Cockerill Amiga 500, 1 Megabyte Amiga 1000, 512KRAM, of RAM, Deluxe Paint II, Deluxe Paint I! Mouse Honorable Mention Second Place (right) (not shown)
" Screen” “Shadow Cat" by De Wayne Stauffer by Dirk Alan Jones Amiga 1000, 2 1/2 Megs Amiga 2000, 3 Megs RAM, GVP of RAM, Deluxe Paint II Hard Card 60meg HD, Deluxe Paint II, Sculpt3D, Deluxe PhotoLab Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM 3D Category
Prize: “Midget Racer” A cceleratorfro m CSA
F irst Place (right) Third Place (above right) “Woodland2" “Vanity" by Alan Henry by louis Markoya Amiga 1000, 2 1 /2 Megs RAM, Amiga 2000, 6 Megs of Turbo Silver RAM, Hurricane Card, Turbo Silver Honorable Mention (notshown) “Dunk" by Alan Henry Second Place (above left) Amiga 1000, 21/2 Megs RAM, “Drain” Turbo Silver by Stephen Menzies Amiga 2000, 3 Megs of Honorable Mention (not shown) RAM, Turbo Silver, “P ep p er R at” by Mary Beilis Diamond, Terrain Amiga 2000, Sculpt-Animate 4D, Generator Photon Paint Animation Category P rize: 50 Megabyte Hard Drive from Supra Corporation, Sculpt-Animate 4D Software from Byte by Byte
first Place (aboi'c left) “Before the Lair” by Datid Clemmons Amiga 1000; Digi-VietC; Digi- Third Place (above right) Paint; The Director: " Entropy ” by Robert King A 73 imatio n.Sla ndAeg is.-Images Amiga 500, Digi-View, Deluxe Paint II, Page-Flipper + FX, The Director Second Place (right) “Pa st th e D eadlin e" H onorable Mention ( not shown)
by Tim Finefrock & Mary Beilis “A Playful Interlude Part I " Amiga 2000 with a 6S020 card, by Carol Demiray Sculpt-Animate 4D, Transport Amiga 2000, PageReader 3D. Page Controller Flipper Plus FX, SbowAnim Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM
First Place (above right) "CIA" by Giorgio Gomelsky Amiga 1000, Amiga 2000, "Live", SuperGen, Invision, Deluxe Paint U, Page Flipper Pitts Effects, Digi- View, Digi-Paint, video switcher.
Second P lace (right) 'Trypticking" by Damon W. Smith Amiga 1000, Amiga Genlock, Digi- View, Deluxe Paint S, Page Flipper
Third P lace (above left) "Lake o f Dream s " Mixed Media Category by Gary Glassman Amiga 1000, "Live", Deluxe Paint II, Prize: “Live"from A-Squared, Inc., Super Gen, SupraDrive 20 Meg “Division ” and “Performer" software from Elan Design Digitized Category
P rize: “Perfect Vision" Digitizerfrom Sunrize
First Place (right) Third P lace (above left) "Self Portrait” “Chameleon " byKaiAm m en by J. Mark Greenelsh Amiga 2000, 1 Meg, Digi-View, Amiga 2000, Digi-View, Digi-Paint, Deluxe Deluxe Paint n, Pixmate. Paint II, Pixmate
Second Place (above right) Honorable Mention (not shown) “Untitled” “Madonna and Child in front of an arch by T. J. Shank which form s the perceptible but Invisible Amiga 1000, 1 Megabyte, Digi- Portrait of Rembrandt” View, Deluxe Paint U by Louis Markoya Amiga 2000, 3 Megs of RAM, Hurricane Card, Digi-View, Digi-Paint
Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM
Videotaped submissions should people will send a copy of the original. Interested artists should contact have a soundtrack!!! Even if it’s a fully That means the copy will then be copied Steve Jacobs at AmiEXPO for computer-generated visual, there should again into the loop. This means you've more information: be some kind of sound or music added already lost some picture quality. If you later on. It doesn't have to be created by are editing pieces together (1st copy), AmiEXPO the computer. Simply adding sound from then copying the edited version (2nd attn: Steve Jacobs records or tapes can greatly improve copy) to send to the contest (3rd copy), how your work is viewed by others. your piece may already be unviewable. If 211 E. 43rd Street., Suite 301 Animation is an audio-visual medium. you’ve been using cheap tape, you are New York, NY 10017 Submit your work on 3/4" tape if at definitely wasting your energy. all humanly possible. Yes, it’s expensive. The bottom line is, this is YOUR And yes, it may be hard to find (though work. If you want it seen in the best most major cities have artists access possible light, you should spend the centers for film and video, and most extra time and money and do it right. colleges have 3/4" equipment). The point There will be another AmiEXPO Art is VHS video is lousy video in Lerms of and Video Contest next year. As this its signal. Just because it looks OK at article is being written two days after home doesn’t mean all is right with the AmiEXPO New York closed, I cannot world. give you dates or categories at this time. The videotape you submit to a Look for them soon in another issue. contest will most likely be dubbed There will be another version of the (copied) into a loop of all the entries for AmiEXPO Theatre being shown at viewing purposes. VHS does not copy AmiEXPO Chicago, July 28-30th. If you’d well. If your video comes straight out of like your work to be considered for tire computer onto VHS, and you send exhibition, send me stills on disk and the original, tire signal will be OK. Most moving images on tape by July 1st.
•AC* Presents May 6th & 7th
THE AMIGA EVENT IN THE LONE STAR STATE! AmiEXPO, The Amiga Event, and AmigaWorld aic pleased to Over 40 companies arc expected to exhibit at AmiFORUM - announce AmiFORUM - Texas, an exhibition, conference and Texas. Our Master Class Series will give users a chance to meet meeting designed to fulfill the needs of the regional Amiga spe and learn from true professionals in the field. AmiFORUM will cific marketplace. AmiFORUM - Texas offers many of the same be a great place to see the latest Amiga products, get discounts elements as our national Amiga expo's, but at a reduced cost to from retailers, meet Amiga VIP’s and take a class with a Master. both attendees and exhibitors. AmiFORUM - Texas, May 6th - 7th, 1989
Amiga Graphics and Artist’s Techniques. Amiga Animation Renown Amiga Artist Jim Sachs (Defender of the Crown, Steve (Dance of the Stiunhlers) Segal, award winning Ports of Call) will teach beginners from 10:00 A.M.-1:00 Amiga animator and educator will teach two-dimensional P.M. on Saturday and advanced students from 2:00-5:00 techniques for beginner animators from 10:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. on Saturday and 10:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. and 2:00-5:00 P.M. and three-dimensional techniques for advanced ani P.M. Sunday. Mr. Sachs will hold a "critique" session after mators from 2:00-5:00 P.M. both Saturday and Sunday. hours both days for students of his classes. Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMAmiFORUM Master Classes The Amiga Education Amiga Video Programming the Amiga in "C" Cal Vombcrger, independent producer and This class in "C" programming on the Amiga art director, will teach an overview of video techniques and concentrating on using the Exec in Programming I (10:00 discuss broadcast video terminology for beginners from A.M. - 1:00 P.M.) and on Graphics programming for ad 10:00 A.M.-U00 P.M. and advanced video users from 2:00- vanced students in Programming II (2:00-5:00 P.M.) both 5:00 P.M. both Saturday and Sunday, Saturday and Sunday. Instructor to be announced.
THE EXHIBIT THE COST Over 40 Amiga developers will display the latest and most Admission to the Exhibition and the Exhibitor Demonstra advanced Amiga technology on the market today. Included tion area is as follows: will be software publishers, hardware manufactures, local One D ay -$10.00 Two Days - Si 5.00 area retailers, magazines and user groups. Saturday May 6 Sunday May 7 THE REGISTRATION 10:00 A.M. to'6:00 P.M. 12:00 Noon to 6:00 P.M. Master Class attendees may register in advance by calling AmiHeadquarters at 800-32-AMIGA. You must have a valid THE CLASSES MasterCard or Visa credit card to register on the phone. Master Classses are limited to 35 people per class. Admis Deadline for Master Class Pre-Registration Is May 3 , 1989. sion is S50 per person. Please call 800-32-AMIGA for Exhibit Only attendees may register at the door only. On class availability and to pre-register. site registration is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days. THE PLACE THE AIRLINE AmiFORUM-Texas is being held at DFW Hilton Executive Call American Airlines at 800-433-1790 with ID 83536 for a Conference Center, 1800 Highway 26E in Grapevine, Texas. special 5% discount on all flights to the Dalias-Fort Worth Call 817-481-8444 for Hotel reservations. Airport for AmiFORUM-Texas. SYNC TIPS Resolution, resolution, wherefore art. thou, my resolution?
by Oran], Sands, III
If there is one topic of video and NTSC video defines the picture the camera can see in one scan, we then computing that is continually misunder area vertically by the number of scan- have our measurement of resolution. stood, it’s resolution. For some reason, lines, and horizontally by the time it The video scanline sweeps from left to resolution seems to be a moving target. takes to scan from left to right across the right as it records or displays a picture. No sooner do you come to understand it, screen. Theoretically, these are the As it encounters light or dark subjects, it the rules seem to change. Well, this maximums our resolution specs can produces high voltage for the white areas month we're going to tackle the issue of attain. But actually, that’s not the case. and low voltage for the dark. The how to measure resolution, and why. So NTSC standards demand using several quicker the scanline encounters these sit back and fasten your seat belt. This scanlines for sync and other special light-dark alternations, the more difficult could be a bumpy ride. information, but not for video. Because it is for die electronics to produce die There seem to be a thousand of this, the number of vertical scanlines electrical waveform that becomes our different ways to measure resolution, and reduces to only 482 scanlines for video signal. We soon reach a point a hundred different units of measure. displaying video. The time allotted for a where die electronics can no longer Linepairs, lines, pixels, and bandwidth, horizontal scanline to cross the screen is accurately reproduce the level of detail are just a few of the more commonly 63 microseconds but, again, due to color we need. This, again, is our point of used units you’ll find when shopping or standards, the actual time available for maximum resolution. For each swing of comparing video and computer gear. displaying video is closer to 52 microsec voltage, from positive to negative, die Remember that all resolutions aren't onds (often rounded off to 50 for createdHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM equal. Just because two pieces of calculation purposes). This is the “active equipment have the same number listed video’’ time (see figure one). So you can Just because two pieces of under tire specification of ‘‘Resolution’’, see that, when measuring video resolu they don’t necessarily have the same tion, it’s necessary to know what you’re equipment have the same actual resolution. actually measuring. number listed under the When we say “resolution", we Now the actual measurement is fairly specification of mean picture sharpness: How “crisp" is simple. All video equipment (in the US, the picture? How much detail does it Canada, and Japan) uses the same “Resolution’1, they> don’t have? It is absolutely necessary to have number of scanlines, top-to-bottom, so necessarily have the same some way of comparing pictures and the this figure usually isn’t quoted. Horizon actual resolution. equipment that produces them. Since tal resolution is our important spec, so eveiyr type of equipment has its own let's talk about that first. All resolutions aren't method of measurement for resolution created equal specs, we’ll tackle each piece one by H orizontal Video Resolution one. We measure video horizontal resolution in lines. This measurement waveform completes one cycle. Video Measurement refers only to tire Luminance component The time it takes this cycle to occur can We’ll look at video resolutions first. of the video signal. If we aim a camera at be used to calculate die frequency The most common way to quote video a chart composed of evenly spaced black (number of cycles per second) of die resolution is to measure it vertically and and white lines stood on end, our video signal. If this is done for the horizontally. Although it is possible to horizontal scanline would cross these waveform at maximum resolution, we measure the resolution of both the lines as illustrated (see figure rwo). If we then have a frequency rating widi which luminance (brightness) and chrominance could slowly push these lines closer we can use to quote resolution. A components of the video signal, we most together, the camera would eventually shorthand mediod of calculating this is to often deal with those figures pertaining reach a point where it would no longer figure diere is 1MHz of bandwidth for to the luminance. These figures are be able to clearly distinguish between every 80 lines of resolution (per picture always the higher of the two, and more each black and white line. The result height, the standard measurement, accurately reflect the signal’s ability to would be a gray smear, This is our point remember?). This method results in a convey information. of maximum resolution. If we count all number in megahertz, and is known as the lines— both black and white—that die bandwidth. A VCR with 240 lines of
(continued) Table One dealing with only NTSC systems mediods. Fortunately for us, the Amiga since die number of scanlines is can address that border area, and we Luminance Resolution Chart always the same. Yet sometimes, should count it as our display area. Format/ Device Horiz. Rez Bandw idth you’ll see the vertical spec quoted Although we may program die Amiga to (lines/ picture ht.) (MHz) as a number from 480 to 525- This display a picture with a width of 768 VMS 240 3.0 is only because whoever did die pixels, closer examination finds diat Beta 240 3.0 counting didn’t know when to quit width violates some NTSC standards for 8mm 250 3.2 (or start). All these numbers horizontal line width. To keep our screen 3/4 250 3,2 represent the same resoludon, for width widiin standards, die maximum 3/4 SP 330 4.2 the most part. number is closer to 719 pixels. ] ' Type C 330 4.2 Sometimes, though, you'll see the Now -we have a measurement com 8mm Hiband 400 5.0 number quoted as 350 lines. This is parable to the video measurement of S-VHS 40) 5.0 because 480 scanlines can’t see 480 “lines per picture width”. Converting it to ED-Beta 500 6.2 a number measured in “lines per picture Amiga 540 7.0 lines unless diey happen to fall direcdy upon the scanlines. height", die standard measurement 35 nanosec. Realistically, they are just as likely would be done by multiplying it by 3/4. character gen, 1071 14.0 to fall between them. The engineers Or you could convert the video number have a way of determining what the to “lines per picture width” by multiply FCC Maximum 3304.2 average works out to. It's about 350 ing by 4/3. Just keep in mind that the Standard monitor 2403.0 Lines. So, if you see diat number, video resolution is always quoted in you’ll know where it came from “lines per picture height”, which is the and how it compares to the 480 smaller number of the two methods. resolution has a bandwidth of 3-0 MHz. figure you'll see more often. OK. let’s wrap it up again. Here is a It is often used in the broadcast industry Let’s review what w e’ve learned conversion formula to equate computer to describe various pieces of equipment. before moving on. and video resolutions.
NOTE: There are many incorrect 1. Video horizontal resolution is Lines p e r p ic tu re h e ig h t = assumptions about how to measure measured by counting the number of (.75) x Lines per picture width= video resolution. Supposedly, all we dearly reproduced lines (black and (.75) x Total number of pixels for a full screen (addressable or not). have to do is count how many lines are white) in the “acbve" video area of one viewable in one pass of the scanline to scanline. or getHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM our resolution spec. But do we count the number of white lines, the number of 2. This number of lines is known (4/3) x Lines (per picture height)= black lines, or both? For video measure as “lines per picture widdi”. Lines (per picture width)- ment, we count each white AND black Total number of pixels for a full line. In film, you count line pairs to 3. Video horizontal resolution is screen. measure resolution. This procedure has most commonly quoted in "lines per confused some. Each black and each picture" height, which is 75% of the Let’s run some numbers by just for white line counts for video. number of lines per picture width. fun. If the Amiga's maximum resolution is 719 pixels, dien multiplying that by .75 Caveat Emptor 4. The number of lines converts to will give us 539.25 lines (per picture Now that we know what to count, a frequency rating called the bandwidth. height), in video terms, that’s not a bad it seems simple to get our measurement resolution figure. Converting that to a spec. However, it’s not as simple as bandwidth figure gives us 6.7MHz. counting the number of lines resolvable C o m p u te rs within a horizontal scan. If die number We all think we know how to Adding resolutions of lines is 800, we could use that number measure computer resolution but, again, Now that we know how to as the resolution, measured in lines per we all get bitten by a few misconcep- compare them, let’s look at how the picture width. Unfortunately, this isn’t the dons. We measure horizontal resolution resolutions of various pieces of a video way video resolution is usually quoted. by die maximum number of pixels system will affect our picture. For the Since the aspect ratio of screen height to displayed on one horizontal line. So far, following examples, well assume the screen width is 3:4, the industry meas that sounds much like the way we start figures represent comparable resolutions. ures the number of lines counted in 3/4 measuring video. But diat number If you have a camera whose spec is 600 or 75% of the picture width. So our describes only die number of pixels lines and a VCR with a resolution of 240 number of 800 now becomes 600. When inside the Amiga's borders (or those on lines, and you put the two together to measuring resolution like this, die any other computer widi a bordered record a picture, what is die resolution of measurement is in lines per picture screen display). the final image? height. Although this may seem odd, Uiis The border itself is “active" video is the way it’s done. area. We need to count the pixels in this a. 600 lines Let’s look at the vertical video area also to come up with a number b. 240 lines resolution briefly. I alluded to vertical comparable to the video measurement c. fewer dian 200 measurements as unnecessary when If you answered b (as most do), (2.4MHz). So, if all things were ideal, needed to display it. This figure would you probably subscribe to the bucket we’d have a maximum viewable picture be very small, measured in theory of resolution addition. Stated with 200 lines of resolution on our TV. nanoseconds(ns). One nanosecond is simply, if you had 600 gallons of water Since tilings aren't ideal, we end up with one thousandth of a millionth of a and you poured the water into a 240 fewer. second. You often see this figure when gallon bucket, you’d get only 240 gallons It’s possible to get better resolution comparing resolutions of character left (and a mess on the floor). Unfortu from your TV if you use a more difficult generators or broadcast-quaiiLy computer nately, this isn’t how it works. Although (and more expensive) system for graphics systems. The most common it’s hard to find a real consensus among separating the color and brightness figure is 35 ns. Since 1428 pixels of 35 engineers on this subject, most do agree components. This is called “combing” as nanosecond w'iddi can be put on a 50 that resolutions add like electrical it uses a “comb” filter to keep the microsecond video scanline, that resistors in parallel. For you non components apart, but intact. Sets using resolution is about twice the Amiga’s (at engineer types, the following formula this process can show as much resolu over 700). So the Amiga’s resolution is sums it up. tion as they get. But remember, if it’s about 70 ns. (Just in case someone asks.) broadcast, then diat's still only 330 lines, 1/Total effective resolution as mandated by die FCC. Conclusions l/resl+ l/res2 +....+ 1/resN Let's wrap it all up. N OTE: The FCC limits the resolu Video resolution measures by lines To use our example we get: tion to keep the broadcasters’transmitted per picture height which is 3/4 of the signal from exceeding their allotted actual number of lines measured on a 1 /Total = 1 /600 + 1 /240= .001666+ channel space. Adjacent channels would horizontal scanline. ,004166=.0058326 intetfere with each other if the resolution For every 80 lines you measure, was greater. you get 1MHz of bandwidth. Juggling the equation gives us Computer resolution measures die Total = 1/.0058326 = 171.45 lines. You Nanosecond Measurement number of pixels on a scanline within can see that things get worse much One other method of measuring the borders of the display area. quicker than you’d expect. How can we resolution is to refer to die smallest piece The minimum time it takes to display a combat this problem? By making sure of picture your computer or character pixel is often measured in nanoseconds. our resolution is as high as possible for generator or paintbox can create, the I’ve included a chart of common every piece of equipment we buy. It's pixel, and then state the amount of time resolution measurements for your use. I this reason (among others) that broad casters pay astronomical prices for their (continued) equipment.Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM There's another reason also.
NTSC a n d th e FCC Figure One Broadcasters have to use the NTSC ■77777777-77777777777 Scanned area Active Video Area signal to get the TV picture to your NTSC standards demand using television, and several compromises are | J j several scanlines for sync and made on die way. The NTSC signal is - other special information, but capable of carrying high resolutions, Active video not for video. Because of this, over 1000 lines or more. Studio cameras area die number of vertical scanlines are easily available with resolutions I ' - 5 reduces to only 482 scanlines exceeding 800 lines. But due to FCC ZZZZ2ZZZ222Z2ZZZZ for displaying video. standards, you can’t broadcast a signal Tv Screen exceeding 330 lines (4.2 MHz). So the transmitter limits the resolution to 330 lines. With our formula for adding resolutions, we can see we need as much res as possible to assure our actual transmitted signal will approach the 330 lines we are allowed. After it receives die signal, another compromise is made within your television. Scanline The transmitted signal converts - > back to die original NTSC signal the broadcaster started with, minus some Figure Two resolution. Then the NTSC signal Horizontal Video Resolution decodes into its luminance and chromi If we count all the lines— nance components. Unfortunately, in 100 - both black and white—that order to easily (and cheaply) separate die camera can see in one diose components, the resolution is scan, we tiien have our again reduced, this time to 200 lines Camera Voltage measurement of resolution. > Loads DPAINT 2 in 1.4 seconds, identical speed as DMA to cache type controllers costing HUNDREDS MORE! * • ExclusiveIVS SX1ARTBOOT autoboots ALL drives (including Seagate) from cold start 1 Up to 7 SCSI drives can be daisy chained to one Trumpcard > Full support of Logical Units with Adaptec controllers • Supports all Quantum, Seagate and Miniscribe drives > User customizable driver supports virtually any SCSI hard disk drive. The list includes over 15 devices and is growing ■ Half length card takes only 1/2 slot > Optional brackets mount 3.5" drives to card ($24,95) ■ Exclusive IVS checklist configuration software makes hard drive setup a breeze ■ 2 ft. 50 pin SCSI cable included with every Trumpcard • Full 1 year warranty parts and labor
* Dpnint 2 [twill'd from (jitunlum Prod rive 4(1 uilh Ami^aDOS IJ FastFilcSystcm LIST PRICE: $199.95! A UTOBOOT ROM INCLUDED Why Spend More?? TRUMPCARD 15201 SANTA GERTRUDES AVE. STE. Y102 LA MIRADA, CA. 90638 PHONE: (714) 994-4443 Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM hope you’re not too baffled by all this. original 1084. The updated “1080” has coverage of a background picture. It's quite straightforward. Still, many been equipped widi stereo speakers. Registered users of PV+ should know computer and television engineers don't Also, the bright, sharp screen we used to they can upgrade to GOLD for only a even know how to relate one type of know is there. Congratulations Commo small charge (10 or 15 bux). resolution to another. I must admit to dore, for opting for quality! One last note: Many users have found discovering a few tilings myself while Congrats also to Shereff Systems for that the 2090A hard drive controller card researching this column. Just follow the offering a new character generator has a timing problem when working with conversions I have provided and you’ll program so soon on the heels of dieir overscan programs. Pro Video Gold has always be speaking the same language. last entry. Pro Video Gold replaces Pro taken steps to avoid the problem, and I'd like to thank Rick Seaman and Greg Video Pius (I can't wait for programs and now report diat a 100-page job save is Sorenson of Magni, Inc., Steve Brandt of hardware with a SUPER DELUXE tag on quicker dian ever. In fact, on an Amiga Tektronix, and Dave Duffield of Th their names). Pro Video Gold features all 2500, expect it to be as litde as 2 ompson Consumer Electronics (aka RCA) the incredible functions and abilities of seconds! for their patience and help in putting PV+, with and-aliasing and severe together this material (to say nothing of overscan operadon added. Anti-aliasing ‘Til next month! their amazement that anyone would means your fonts will look as if they attempt to put all this in one column). were drawn using more and smaller •AO pixels than are available. Smoodier Coming up soon: Interlace. Why curves and slanted lines drastically have it? improve the text on your screen. Aldiough Broadcast Tider is said to offer Send your video questions to: V id B its diis feature, it looks as if Shereff Systems If you haven't been to your dealer will get it to the market first. A complaint Oran J. Sands III lately, you probably haven’t seen die of PV+ users was that any IFF pics used c/o Amazing Computing new 1084S “D" monitor. Although the for backgrounds were limited in size to P.O. Box 869 designation is the same, the monitor 672 x 440 pixels. Now you can use the Fall River, MA 02722 isn’t. Oldtimers will recognize the old Deluxe Paint default for video page size, 1080 monitor, which in most users’ 704 x 480. This should help improve the opinions had higher resolution than the R o o m e r s by Tlje Bandito
[The statements and projections from selling versions of Nintendo games Crash. Funny thing, Nintendo’s sales for presented in “Roomers" are rumors to other video game companies. In last year were getting close to what in the purest sense. The bits o f effect, Nintendo is keeping a stable of Atari’s were at die peak of then' business. information are gathered by a third developers to itself. Remember what Santayana said about party source from whispers inside More to the point, Atari can’t history repeating. the industry. At press time, they publish 2600 or 5200 versions of the Seems like there's a new strategy7 in remain unconfirmed and are printed best-selling Nintendo games. So Atari is the computer business — if you can’t fo r entertainment value only. Accord- trying to get Nintendo to allow that beat ’em, sue 'em. Apple is trying that ingty, the staff and associates o f while, at die same time, Atari Games is tactic right now against Microsoft and Amazing Computing71,1 cannot be held trying to get the right to make Nintendo Hewlett-Packard. It’s happened (and is responsible fo r the reports made in cartridge clones. Nintendo called Atari's happening now) in the Amiga market, this column.] suit Tneridess and simply an attempt to too. The Bandito thinks companies who excuse Atari’s poor competitive perform believe lawsuits are the road to riches Amiga developers for sale? Wei!, ance in the marketplace." Ouch. Adding should spend their money on new they haven’t exactly broadcasted it, blit a insult to insult, Howard Lincoln, Nin product development, rather dian on couple of the larger software developers tendo's senior vice-president, said, lawyers. Give up the lawyer racket and who made their names in the .Amiga “Atari’s lawsuit is simply sour grapes by a get an honest job— like figuring out how market are entertaining offers. No names, company that has failed to capitalize on to get kids to part with three months of please — it’s a delicate situation. Kind of its past position as the market leader," lawn-mowing money for die latest shoot- like those anonymous personal ads you The days of whine and roses are over, it ’em-up game. see in newspapers: “Svelte, sensual seems. Color fax machines are on the Amiga software company with lively drawing boards now that the fax products seeks healthy, generous, big-time Ihe games that time forgot machine market is in high gear. What software firm with large distribution. Not to be outdone in the arma could better serve as the basis for a color MustHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM like graphics, computer music, ments battle, Nintendo has fired a long- fax setup dian an Amiga? Maybe some animation and undercapitalized range cruise lawsuit at Atari Games, bright engineer will make a faxmodem companies with cashflow pivblems. charging patent infringement. This, of card for the A2000, and support color. Object: matrimony. Send reply and photo course, refers to those cartridge clones With that and a digitizer, you’re all set. to Box A .” Some interest from the big that Atari Games is now manufacturing. The Bandito hopes that someone goes to software companies on the make, but no This whole affair reminds the Bandito of work on this right away7, so die Bandito firm offers yet. dinosaurs balding in the swamps, while can send color junkfax for Christmas. Why are these Amiga software fearful computer game software compa More software imports are coming developers for sale? The pat answer is nies play die role of the mammals from Germany and England. U.S. that sales are poor. But that's only a cowering in the mud waiting to go in companies are looking to Europe for surface explanation. Mismanagement is and gnaw at die bones of the defeated more Amiga products, since they cost closer to the mark, since most companies behemoths. less (for the most part). Expect to see are experiencing strong Amiga software Taking die analogy' a bit further, distribution deals inked soon between sales now. Their failure appears to be the diose old Atari cartridges, which became some of the small European companies result of overly aggressive spending on landfill in Arizona after the first Videog who have tried to market their stuff here marketing and new product develop ame Crash, turned into the metaphorical and established American companies like ment, combined with a failure to get the oil diat fueled die growth of die enter Electronic Arts and Cinemaware, among products out to help pay for it. A sure tainment software business. Nintendo is others. For the eager game consumer, warning sign of such problems: lots of fighting to keep from becoming the this means even more game software advertising (for many months) for gasoline of the next generation, and to dian before. Still no assurance of quality products that haven’t yet shipped, keep their machines out of the Cabbage though. It’s a veritable minefield out indicating that marketing is sadly out of Patch (that is from #1 toy one Cliristmas, diere on the retailers’ shelves, and sync with product development. to Chapter 11 die next). Of course, their packaging is no help. Some of the best Latest news in die video game executives will tell you at length how games hide in die most atrocious shootout: Atari Corporation (not Atari Nintendo isn't really a craze—it's wrappings, while many7 a lovely cover Games, but the makers of the ST — you different, and lasting: an enduring conceals Commodore 64 games clumsily remember the ST.) has filed an antitrust monument to man's creativity7, diat sort ported to AmigaBASlC. This is where it suit against Nintendo for a cool $250 of thing (well, maybe not in those really helps to have a local retailer w7bo million dollars. According to Atari's words). Seems to the Bandito those same is w'iliing to take a game out of tire statement, Nintendo prevents developers descriptions were being used in die early wrapper and show it off, so yrou can take ’80s in Atari’s heyday, right before the a look before you buy. (continued) COMPUTING" Expanding Reference Expanding reference is not just an empty promise. The pages of Amazing Computing™ are filled with articles on technical operations and procedures, basic use, and just-plain-fun. The growing library of Amazing Computing's Back Issues contains articles ranging from building your own IBM Disk controller, to setting up your own startup sequence. Amazing Computing17,1 has repeat edly been the first magazine to offer the Amiga users solid, in depth reviews and hands on articles for their machines.
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Limited Supply Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever, and the availability of some of our Back Issues is definitely limited. Complete your Amazing Computing™ library today, while these issues are still available, by completing die order form in the back of this issue. Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM Volume 1 Number 1 Premiere 1906 Volume 1 Number 71986 Volume 2 Number 2 1987 Volume 2 Number 5 1987 continued Super Spheres By Kelly Kauffman An ABaito Graphics prog, Aegis Draw: CAD comes to the Amiga by KeOy Adams The Modem by Josph L Rotoman efforts of a BBS Sysop Writing a SoundScape Module in C by T. Fay Programming with Dale Virus By J Foust A disease may attack your Amiga1 Tty 3D by Jm Meadows an introduction to 30 graphics MacroModem reviewed by Stephan R. Pierowicz MIDI, Amiga and SoundScape by SoundScape author. EZ-Temt by Kelly Kauffman An ABasic Terminal program Aegis Images'Animator: a rave# by Erv Bobo GEMlfll or I t lakes two to Tango" by Jm Meadows Programming in 68000 Assembly Language by C. Martin Miga Mania by P. Krvotowitz Programming fixes A mouse care Deluxe Video Construction Set reviewed by Joe Lcwery Gaming between machines C ainung wrih Counters & Addressing Modes. Inside CU by G. Musser a guded tosgftrta th e AmigaDos™ Window requesters in Amiga Basic by Stew Michel BBS-PC! reviewed by Stephen R Pietrowicz Using FutureSound with AmigaBASIC by J. Meadows CU Summary by G. Musser Jr. A is: of CU commands ROT by Cotn French a 3D graphics edtcr The Trouble with Xmodem by Joseph L Rothmar AmigaBASIC Programming utility with real, tfgtized STEREO AmlgaForum by B. Lubkin Visit CompuServe's Amiga SlG "1C What 1 Think" Ron Peterson witi a few C graphs prog s The ACO ProjecL...Graphic Teleconferencing on the Amiga AmigaNotes Rich Rae reviews SoundScape Sound Sampler. Commodore Amiga Development Program by D. Hicks Your Menu Sir! by B Cattey program Amiga Basic rnenues by S. R. Pietrowicz More AmigaNotes by R. Rae A furtoeriook at Perfect Sound. AmfgaProducts A istingol present and expected products IFF Brush to AmigaBasic 'BOB' Basic editor by M Swnger Right Simulator IL...A Cros Country Tutorial by John Rafferty Waveform Workshop In AmigaBASIC by J. Shields edit & save Unking C Programs with Assembler Routlnes...by Gerald Hui A Disk Librarian in AmigaBASIC by John Kennan waveform lor use in other AmigaBASIC programs. Creating and Using Amiga Workbench Icons by C. Hansel The Mimetics Pro MIDI Studio by Suiiivan. Jeffery Volume 1 Number 2 March 1986 Amigi DOS version U by afford Kent A review ol MimeKs' music editor/player. Electronic Aits Comes Through A rewew of software from EA Volume 1 Number 81986 The Amazing MID! Interface build your Own by Richard Rae Intuition Gadgets Part 11 by H. Maybecktclly Boolean gadgets Inside CU: part two G. fAiwer Investigates CU & ED The University Amiga By G.Gamble Amiga at Washington Stale AmigjDOS Operating System Calls and provide toe user with an orYofl user interface. A Summary of ED Commands UicroEd a look at a one man army for the Amiga Disk File Management byD. Haynie Live! by Rich Miner A review of the Beta version of Live! MtoroEd, The Lewis and Clark Expedition reviewed FrizeSe Working with the Workbench by Louis A, Mamakcs Prog in C Online and the CTS Fabite 2424 ADH Modem by J. Foust Scribble Version 10 a review Volume 2 Number 6 1987 Superterm V 1.0 By K. Kauffman A term. prog, in Amiga Base Computers in the Classroom by Robert Fnzeiie Forth! by J. Bryar Access resources in toe ROM Kama!. A Workbench "More* Program by RickWirch Two for Study by Frizelie Discovery & TheTalking Coloring Book Volume 2 Number 3 The Amazing Computing Hard Disk Review by J. Foust & S. Amiga BBS numbers True Basic reviewed by Brad Grier The Amiga 2000™ by J Foust Leemon In-depth locks al the C Ltd. Hard Drive, Microtomes' Using your printer with the Amiga A First look at the new, high end Amiga™ MAS-Drive 20, Byte by Byte's PAL Jr., Supra’s 4x4 Hard Dnve and Volume 1 Number 3 A pril 1986 Marble Madness reviewed by Stephen Pietrowicz The Amiga 500™ by John Foust Xebec's 9720H hard Drive. Also, a look at disk driver software Using Fonts from AmfgaBasic by Tim Jones A took at the new. low pncod Amiga Current! y mder devtopment. Analyze! a review by Ernest Vibrios Screen SaVer by P. Kwotowite A moncor protection prog, in C An Analysis of the New Amiga PCs by J Foust Modula-2 AmigaDOS™ Utilities by S. Faiwistewsk A Reviews of Racter, Barataccas and Mind shadow Lattice MAKE Utility rev*wed by Soon P. Evemoen Speculation on the New Amigas CaJs to AmigaDOS and the ROM kemal. Forth! The first of our on-going tutorial A Tale of Three EMACS by Steve Potrq Gemini Part II by Jim Meadows Amiga Expansion Peripheral by J. Foust Deluxe Draw!! by R. Wrob An Amiga Basic art program .brrap File Reader In Amiga Basic by T Jones The concluding artde on two-player games Explanation of Amiga expansion peripherals. Amiga Basic, A begnrers tutorial Subscripts and Superscripts in AmigaBASIC by fvan C. Smith Amiga Technical Sup port by J. Foust Inside CU: part 3 by George Musser George gives us PIPE Volume 1 Number 91986 The Winter Consumer Electronics Show by John roust How and where to get Amiga tech support. AmlgaTrfx by W. Bksck Amiga™ shortcuts Goodbye Los Gatos by J. Foust Closing Los Gatos. Volume 1 Number 4 May 1986 Instant Music Reviewed by Steve Pietrowicz Intuition Gadgets by Harriet Maybeck Tolly The Amicus Network by J. Foust West Coast Computer Faire. Mindwatker Reviewed by Richard Knepper A journey through gadget-land, u$=ng C Metacomco She! and Toolkit by J. Foust A review SkyFcx and Articfox Reviewed The Alegra Memory Board Reviewed by Rich Wrch Shanghai reviewed by Keith M. Conforti The Magic Sac by J. Foust Run Mac programs on your Amiga. Build your own 51/4 Drive Connector By Ernest Viveiros TxEd Reviewed by Jan and Cliff Kent Cries smas ter 2000 & Chessmate reviewedby Edwin V. Ape!, Jr. What You Should Know Before Choosing an Amiga 1000 Amiga Basic Tips byRichWreh Amazing Directory A guide to the scurces and resources 2ng! from Meridian Software reviewed by Ed Berooviz Expansion Device by S. Grant Scrim p* Part One byP.ftvotowte prog to port Amiga screen Amiga Developers A isting cl Suppliers and Developers Forth! by J tf Bryan Get stereo sound into your Forth programs. 7 Assemblers for the Amiga by G. Hufl Choose your assembler Microsoft CD ROM Conference by Jrn OXeane Public Domain Catalog A listing of Amicus and Fred Fish POS Assembly Language on the Amfga™ by Chris Martin Shakeup Replaces Top Management at Commodore by S. Hu1 Amiga B3S Numbers Dos 2 Dos ranew R. Knepper Transfer files from POMS-DQS Roomers by toeBandto Genlocks are f rally shipping, & MORE!!! Peter J. Baczor’by S. HuB Manager al C3M gores an inside look MaxiPfan review by Richard Knepper The Amiga Spreadsheet AmigaNotes by R. Rae Hum Busters... "No stereo? Y net?.. Logistix A review by Rcftard Knepper Volume 1 N um bers 1986 Gizmoz by reviewed by Peter Wayner Amiga extras! The AMICUS Network by J. Foust Organize! by A review Richard Knepper database, The Loan Information Program by Brian Catfey The HSl to RGB Conversion Tool CES, user group issues and Amiga Expo’ 58000 Assembly language Programming on the Amiga aasic prog, to lor your financial options by S. Pietrowicz Color maniputatbn in BASIC by Chris Martin Starting Yo'jr Own Amiga Related Business by W. Sxnpson AmigaNotes by RtckRae The Irst ol the Amiga mu$*c columns Superbase Personal Relational Database by Ray McCabe Keep Track of Your Business Usage lor Taxes by J. Kummer Volume 2 Number 4 1987 Sidecar A First Look by John Foust A first "under the hooc* AmigaNotes by Rae. R d w d A lock at FutireSound The Abscrit Amiga Fortran Compiler reviewed by R A. Reale Amazing Interviews Jim Sachs by S. Hull Amiga Artist John Foust Talks with R. J. Mlcal I t COMDEX** Commodore Shows the Amiga 2000 and 500 at toe Boston Using Fonts from Amiga Basic, Part Two by Tim Jones The Mouse That Got Restored by Jerry Hu! and Bob Rhode How does Sidecar attec t the Transformer Computer Society by H Maybeck Tcily 680G0 Macros on the Amiga by G. Huf Advance your abilty. Sluething Public Domain Disks with CU by John Foust an interview with Douglas Wyman d Simile TDI Modla-2 Amiga Compiler review by S Faiwisze Highlights: the San Francisco Commodore Show by S Hid The Commodore Layoffs by J. Foust A bek Commodore "cuts' Speaker Sessions: San Francisco Commodore Show H Toly Volume 2, Number 7 1987 Scrimper PartTwo by Perry Krvolowitz Household Inventory System In AmigaBASIC™ by B CaSey New Breed of Video Products by John Foust... Marauder reviewed by Rick Wirch Volume 2 Number 11987 Secrets of Screen Dumps by Naikun Okun Very Vivid! by Tm Grantham... BuildingTools by Daniel Kary Whal DigFVtew Is... Or, Whal Genlock Should Be! by J. Foust Using Function Keys with MicroEmacs by Greg Douglas Video and Your Amiga by Oran Sands ill AmigaBaslc Default Colors by Bryan Cattey Amigatrix D by Wamen Block More Amiga shortcuts Amigas 4 Weather Forecasting by Brenden Larson AmigaBaslc Titles by Bryan CaSey Volume 1 N um bers 1986 Basic Gadgets by Brian Catley Create gadget functions A-Squared and toe live ! Video Digitizer by John Foust. A Public Domain Modula-2 System revtewod by Warren Block Temple of Apshai Triotogy re^ewd by Stephen Pietrowicz Gridiron reviewed by K. Confers Real football lor toe Amiga One Drive Compile by Douglas Love! lattice C wito one drive Aegis Animator Scripts and Cel Animation by John Foust The Hailey Project: A Mission reviewed by S Pietrowicz Ster Fleet I Version 2.1 reviewed by J. Tracy Amigain Space A Megabyte Without Megabucks by Chris Irvng Quality Video trom a Quality Computer by Oran Sands ill Flow: revtewd by Enr Bobo The TIC reviewed by J. Foust Battery powered Clock Calendar An Internal Megabyte upgrade Is IFF Really a Standard? by John Foust- Textcraft Plus a First Look by Joe Lowery Metascope review by H. To3y An easy-to-use debugger Digi-View reviewed by Ed Jakober Amazing Stories and the Amiga™ by JohnFcust. How to start your own Amiga User Group by WiSiam Simpson Defender of the Crown reviewed by Keith Contort All about Printer Drivers by Richard Bieiak Amiga User Groups Leader Board reviewed by Chuck Raudonis Volume 2 Number 5 1987 Intuition Gadgets by Harriet Maybeck Tolley. Mailing Ust by Kelly Kauffman a basic ma? list program Roundhill Computer System's PANEL reviewed by Ra y Lance The Perfect Sound Digitizer review by R. Bade Pointer Image Editor by Stephen Pietrowicz Deluxe Video 12 by Bob B er Digl-Pakit— by New Tek previewed by John FouS The Future Sound Digitizer by W. Block Appted Vision's SD Scrimper: part three by Perry Krvotowtz Pro Video CG1 by Oran Sands 111. Deluxe Pilot 0 ..from Electronic Arts previewed by J. Foust Forth! by J. Bryancom paring Jforth amd M Jti-Forth. Fun With the Amiga Disk Controller by Them Storing Dig!-View Z0 Digitizer Software by Jennifer M. Janik Basic Input by B.Catiey AmigaBASIC input routine lor use in Prism HAM Editor from impulse by Jennifer M. Jank Optimize Your Amiga Basic Programs for Speed by Ptetowia a! your programs. A m a z i n g JL JL COMPUTING
•EXPANDING REFERENCE*
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»UH|>I I—. IV. 1 . ■Ainsniiiiniii VOLUME 3.4 VOLUME 3.5 VOLUME 3 6 VOLUME 3.7 VOLUME 3.8 VOLUMF 3 .9 Volume 2, Number 7 1987 m ™ * Volume 3 Number 1 1988ccra^«: Volume 3 Number 61988 Volume 3 Number 111968 Easyl drawing la Wet by John FousL 66000 ASjsembiy Langueagt Programming by Chns Marin Bear Time Reviewed by Steve Carter A1DX) battery-backad clock Desktop Publishing with Professional Page by Barney Schwartz CSA's T urbo- Amiga Tcwer by Affred Aburto •Create a muh-cater screen without using iroxfion routines'' Acquisition Reviewed by DJi. Biank a powerful reialonaldatabase. tutorial n document creation, pf js sore jazzy eanarcem.er.ts 66000 Assembly Language ty Chris Mann Modula-2 Programming by S. Fa.w,szewski A new modula-2* Butcher 2.0 Reviewed by G W dverse rnage processng utAties. Game Pizzazz by J. Hal gar.ng ri-rts. tips, righ-srore secrets. Amicus Network Special Repxt: Fail COMDEX ty J. Foust Reassigning Workbench Dtsks by John Kennar Structures in C by Pay Castcnguay C pro g ra m m n ar. rutsheL Volume 2, Number 8 1987 The uitimate Video Accessory: Part D by Larry White Endess is k swa^srg comes to a m erofj end On The Crafting of Programs by D. Hanfcrs sosed up your crops. Lite: Part II by Gerald Hut Tt*f AT.ga y.cer." Producl Guide: Software Tools Edition put your Amiga to wort. Desktop YhJm VI: Adding the Third Dimension oy Larry white This month Am ain; Corpu»ngr" focuses on enledaj.Trriert FormatMaster: Professional Disk Formatting Engine byC.Mam An IFF Reader in Multi-Forth by Warren Stock Urravecng the campknly o! 3D tor y a / video creators. packages fa the Am Amazing game ienews_S01. Eart Weaver Put B a ci language to work on die drudgery of dak to m a in g . Basic Directory Service Program by Bryan Caiiey A20O0 Hard Drive Round Up by Shetocn Leemcn Basebal, Portal, The Surgeon, LinSa Computer People. Sirtoad, BSpread by Bran Cattey U Matured AngaBASiC spreadsheet' A programming alternative to me GiTmeeZoroZoro windows Keycttok by Mike M Duppang a fypewnlercfick n your keyboard. StarGJdar, kOrsg's Quest I II and 111. Faery Tate Adventure. Ultima III, AmlgaFocum T ran script ed ty R
DPaint II Is a registered trademark of Electronic Arts* of their software if you ask the Bandito. Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMPlus you get to play great games. Apple IIGS sales are reportedly ahead in the marketplace. Think of how ers to put their games on a cartridge. slowing down in a big way, In fact, the the software would shine on a 68030 Commodore may have to do that to keep situation is getting serious for die whole platform! Maybe it will come down to a die C64 alive. Although it had a good Apple If line. Hardware and software price that the Bandito can afford. By the Cliristmas, observers are wondering if the sales have slowed to a crawl, and none way, it looks tike Commodore has a hit venerable 64 can make it through of die big software companies are with their new 68020 Amiga. The A2500 another year. developing any important new software is shipping as fast as they can build Finally filling the slot left by Tom for die IIGS platform. They’ve already diem. Give those customers a little Rattigan’s departure, there’s a new' reached the performance limits of the power, and they'll want even more. president at Commodore: Mehdi Ali, machine, and die software they have Think what a 68030 version would do. former managing director of Dillon, Read doesn't sell very well, so why bother? At the odier end of the hardware in NY. Odier past work experience The problems go even deeper. spectrum, Commodore is preparing for includes VP at GM and PepsiCo (take Pressure is building at Apple to bring out die impending arrival of Amigas in the diat, John Sculley). a $1000 retail price Mac Plus, and get rid mass market chains. Will there be a Commodore is getting more of the Apple II line for good. They may lower-cost A500 or the videogame aggressive about their PR efforts, which do it as early as January 1990. What does version that the Bandito heard about? is good news. Part of die reason you’ve this mean for the Amiga? Just diat one The jury's still out at Commodore, seldom seen articles about Commodore more competitor for the home market though efforts are continuing to reduce in the mass media in die past is they’ve bites the dust, leaving Amiga battling the manufacturing cost of die A500. been very tight about letdng sample against the Clone Armies. Some people inside Westchester Amigas go to members of the press. While die Clones have tremendous are now calling for turning the C64 into Now, Commodore is loosening up a bit, numbers, when you get down to price die dedicated game machine radier dian and more hardware is going to important performance, die Amiga 500 competes the A500. After all, it is better than a magazines (especially professional very well. Let’s say you can get an A500 Nintendo. There is already a big installed magazines). Now the magazines can widi 1 meg, two drives, and monitor for base of hardware and software, the review the Amiga and its software and $1200, while you can get a Clone widi a distribution is already in place, and the hardware add-ons and, as a conse 10 MHz 8088, 640K, a 360K drive and a profit margins are there. All that needs to quence, Commodore is getting more 720K 3.5" drive, and an EGA monitor and be done is some re-engineering of die press. We may yet see Commodore EGA card for about S1200. The Bandito C64 and getting die software manufactur accorded the same recognition Apple guarantees that the Amiga will rip ihe The Amiga Form Maker
Including all these features: — Use of all AmigaDOS fonts Design custom forms used in everyday —Bold, Italic, Underlined business situations, using any AmigaDOS — Import text from word processors font, varying line thickness and patterns, — Center or justify text along with rounded or squared corners. —Three line patterns —Four line thicknesses After the designing is done, fill the form in — Dual lines automatically on the computer screen! This —Round or square corners powerful business package with its many —Automatic form fill-in features will cut down on time and effort in the office or at home. P.O. Box 31323 Richmond, Va 23294 $ 6 9 . 9 5 (804) 273-0312 Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM
Clone apart on any performance test you million for tire year earlier, while income name; they’re afraid the buyers w7on’t care to name, not to mention the Amiga's is 56QOK versus S800K for the year take them seriously. You’d think obvious graphics, sound, and multi earlier. That’s not much of a profit Commodore would take a hint. tasking advantages. margin to write home about. But they’re The latest word from Epyx is their If Commodore can get the word trying to revamp their product lines, ancl top-secret project is definitely a videog out, why should anybody buy a Clone are promising some really good games ame. The bizarre twist in this is the for their home? Oh, wait, there is one for die end of the year. We’ll see. Bandito’s informant swears up and dowrn thing — data, compatibility7 with their MS- (in x and y, that is) that it’s a handheld DOS machine at work. Well, Central More from the Battlefield device. What's that? A controller, or the Point’s DOS-to-DOS can fix that. Better Paint Wars Batdefieid Update: It actual game unit? What kind of screen yet, maybe Commodore should buy the looks like April is show7 dme, wdien all does it have? Curiouser and curiouser, rights and make it official, or come out the major contenders will take die field says the Bandito. When the data get with their own version. Then the Amiga to battle for market share. In an interest weird, the weird get data. could really go for the throat of the ing new twist, it looks like DeluxePaint According to an internal memo. home market. III will actually get some advertising, Commodore has shipped the magic though it’s not nailed down yet. Until millionth Amiga (that's shipped, not HyperClone? dien, everybody’s paint program sales sold). Congratulations! That should make A HyperCard clone for the Amiga? have slowed down in anticipation of the more developers sit up and take notice. Several contenders are testing versions new versions. Once again, the consumer Just to put things in perspective, diere’s a right now. The Amiga makes a much will be the winner in the feature-packed little over 2 million Macs in the world, nicer platform, what with animation, battle for control of the graphics market. and about 18 million IBM clones. On the stereo sound, and color graphics Stay tuned to this Bat-channel for details. other hand, diere’s only 800,000 laser standard. Why should the Mac have all One developer is trying to get disc players. One million is a very the fun? aw7ay from the Amiga name in a profes respectable number of units, and In the realm of financial reports, sional market, and they rejected an offer hopefully Commodore can parlay that Mediagenic had a dismal holiday. They to show7 in Commodore's booth at an into more hardware and software reported net income fell in the Xmas upcoming trade show. They didn't w7ant support from outside developers, so the quarter, while sales rose. Sales for the to be associated with the Commodore Bandito has more neat toys to play widi. quarter were $19-2 million vs. $12.2 •AC* SNAPSHOT Hot Amiga Game reviews
by R.B. Andrews
This is the first in a new regular causing it to crash. It takes several hits to escape to the Whirligig, an intercon Feature in AC. Each month, I plan to destroy this menace. Luckily, only a few nected series of distinct areas called cover four recent game releases for the exist. Eigen spaces, Within this network of Amiga. I'll try to help you understand Fighting off the invasion would be over four billion spaces lie die five what the reviewed games are about, a totally lost cause except for die fact perfect solids. Capturing all five of these while also evaluating the pros and cons that a virus-free landscape is generated will completely free you from your of each one. Since no game I know of is for the fifth and tenth waves. But this enslavement and return you to Earth's either totally bad or completely flawless, benefit is balanced out by the increase in golden era, 1988. this coverage should help you decide if gravity in waves three, five and seven, Your ship is a highly maneuverable die game would be enjoyable for you to making control of the hoverplane even Meson class fighter. It is equipped with play. And now, on with the show. more difficult. missiles and chaff pod. However, its The game features smooth scrolling most important cargo is the fuel it Virus and solid three-dimensional graphics. carries. Fuel is used to change your First on the list this mondi is Virus, Several added touches, such as the flying momentum and the speed and direction by Rainbird Software. In Virus, you must fish occasionally seen jumping out of the of your ship. If your fuel supply runs pilot a hovership in its attempt to fight water as you fly by, spice up gameplay. out, you will find yourself drifting forever off wave after wave of different mutating The sound is complimentary and up to in the direction you were last heading. genes direatening die planet. No one Amiga standards. Fortunately, diere are fuel depots knowsHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM for sure where these mutants You can use either the keyboard or throughout the network, to allow for originated from, but you must fight widi die mouse to control the hoverplane refueling. Also, you begin each game all your skill to prevent them from during flight. However, the keyboard is with 12 hulls (lives), so you can switch infecting the entire world. As the virus is much easier to use. This brings up the control to a remaining hull if necessary. spread over the terrain, it mutates and main failure of the game. Learning how Intelligent Ships: The enemy is a becomes lost forever. to effectively control the hoverplane is a race of intelligent mechanical ships that The Enemy Fleet: Mutant ships nearly insurmountable task. The mouse have enslaved most of the human race. come in several varieties. Seeders simply moves the plane in unintuitive ways. And There are over 100 billion of them in the fly low and spray the virus, landing flying using die keyboard requires that Whirligig alone, and dieir sole mission is occasionally to cover an area more you access many keys—a task difficult to terminate you. Some are simple thoroughly. A Drone will shoot at botii for all but the most adept keyboard passive vehicles that fly along a fixed the hoverplane and the landscape, then jockeys. path, posing danger only in die case of attempt to mutate itself by absorbing a The game's graphics and sound are accidental collision. Others appear tame healthy tree. This mutated drone will almost impressive enough to make Virus at first, but will fire missiles if your ship then seek out and attempt to destroy the a top-notch game. But the difficulty of passes close enough. hoverplane in any way it can, the game’s controls limits Virus’ potential The most dangerous are the ships- A Bomber flies at high altitudes, audience. Those who can master the of-prey, which wait in fixed locations to dropping large quantities of the virus diat controls are in for a very enjoyable ambush your craft, relentlessly dogfight- can quickly mutate entire sections of the playing experience. Odiers, like myself— ing until one of you is destroyed. planet. A Pest’s only goal is to destroy and probably 90% of Amiga users—are Aldiough you can destroy most enemies you at all costs, which It can do very probably not so adept and should limit widi your missiles or chaff pods, some effectively. A fighter is your hoverplane’s, their enjoyment of the game to watching are indestructible. You can only escape alien counterpart. It will try* to out- the demo at die computer store, or them only by traveling dirough one of dogfight your ship so the overall watching a friend who can play it the many stargates connecting the sectors invasion can proceed. effectively. in the network. As might be expected, The last ship is die deadliest of all. the enemies are simple to defeat in the The Attractor has a built-in tractor beam SpaceCntter earlier levels. But the higher the sector ■which drains the hoverplane’s energy, In SpaceCutter, also by Rainbird, number, the more dangerous the you have managed to steal a powerful opponents, until they are nearly unbeat fighter ship from your captors and able at die highest levels. Nothing is left to chance in the crime rings get progressively harder (Left) SpaceCutter features sharp SpaceCutter. Numerical functions govern until you reach the final group, the th ree-di m ensionalgraphics everything from the network connecting arcadoine ring, which is nearly impos the Eigen spaces to die location of the sible to overcome. Some opponenrs are (Right) hi Virus, you must pilot a supply depots. armed with only their fists, while odiers hovership in its attempt to fight off SpaceCutter also features sharp wield clubs or whips. One even carries a wave after wave of different mutating three-dimensional graphics. However, samurai sword. Your only weapons are genes threatening the planet. travel is only in two dimensions. This the punches and kicks diat have made may seem limiting, but it works well in your name feared diroughout die ghetto. practice and is easy to grasp conceptu Thugs and Drugs: Thugs carry expect in games of diis type. You can ally. The sound is also similar to that in packages of drugs you can recover after play many famous courses, and the game Virus, quite adequate for tire task at you defeat them. You must dien burn even lets you construct new' courses. hand. Controlling your ship is much diese parcels to remove them from The playing screen features bodi a easier diough. After a brief pilot training circulation and give your character “birds-eye” view of the hole and a period,Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM most players will find themselves renewed strength. perspective Uiree-dimensional view from reaching the first perfect solid without You can use either a joystick or the your current ball location. The mouse too much trouble. But reaching die other keyboard to control the on-screen aims and performs the actual shot. The four solids will take some time. Only die character. Both mediods w'ork reasona aiming is a bit too course though. There most dedicated will capture all five and bly well. There is a problem with die is no wray to make slight adjustments complete the game. responsiveness of die controls at higher and, often, die default aimpoints are not The size of die view' screen can be levels, though. The opponents get so quite what is needed. It takes four clicks frustrating even diough it takes up die many opportunities to move that by the to carry out each swing, and clicks must whole monitor. If you fly at a reasonable dme you attack, the enemy has moved be performed with careful timing for an speed, enemies can seemingly “jump” out of range—after hitting you several optimal shot. onto the screen and kill you before you times. This makes play in the upper With practice, diis works well with even have time to react. levels wortliless, and the fifth ring longer shots. How'ever, chipping the bail Try this game before you buy it. If impossible to beat. short distances can be very difficult, it appeals to you, it can easily provide Unfortunately, the game’s fine since it is extremely hard to make all the many hours of enjoyment. graphics cannot rescue it from its limited necessary clicks at the right times dieme. While both the background without slicing the ball badly. Keyboard Operation Cleanstreets settings and the on-screen characters are controls are also available to perform Operation Cleanstreets puts you in rendered very effectively, the game can “perfect” swings of preset strengths. the role of “Cleanup Harry,'' a tough cop quickly become boring, with only nine The graphics themselves are widi a tough mission: Free the city from areas to clean out, and each level simply acceptable. They are crisp and clear but die stranglehold of five different criminal adding more people and hazards to each do not really stand out. The sound also rings which currently control till aspects of these nine areas. The game could be compliments the game, with enough of life. Facing one gang at a time, you enjoyable for the right person, but 1 noises included to add to die feel of must free each of nine distinct areas from would strongly encourage you to “try playing on a real course. At die end of gang control, and bum any contraband before you buy.” each hole, the crowd will cheer if you you recover. have done well, and sigh if you bogey Opposing your operation are the World Tour Golf (or worse). many diugs and hoodlems employed by World Tour Golf is Electronic Art’s World Tour Golf does a reasonable each ring. The first group, the caffeine first entry in this popular area. It has job of portraying the vagaries that face ring, are relative pushovers. However, many of the features we have come to even die most experienced golfer. No (continued) (Left) Iti Operation Cleanstreets, matter how good a swing, some shots very attractive overhead map. A wide you must free each of nine distinct just won’t go where you plan. Though range of pre-drawn trees, sandtraps, and areasfrom gang control, and bum frustrating, this is a sign of a good other objects allow even the most any contraband you recover. simulation and thus a desirable feature. unartistic to produce a nice-looking hole. Custom Courses: The course Unfortunately, when viewed in its (Right) World Tour Golf does a builder is probably the best part of the entirety, the game falls short of the reasonable Job o f portraying the game. The player begins by constructing standards set by other golf games. vagaries that face even the most the general layout of the hole. When the Although it is a fine game, it lacks that experienced golfer. player is finished, the computer smooths special feel necessary to make it truly out this blocky layout and produces a great and worth your hard-earned cash. Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM•AC-
The internal sound capabilities of the Amiga are better than that of any other personal computer. These capabilities mean nothing though, without quality digital sounds, which up till now have been scarce. Sound Oasis gives Amiga owners access to a large library of studio-tested digital samples, by using the Amiga’s built in disk drive to read disks made for the Mirage Digital Sampling Keyboard. Sounds can then be played from a MIDI keyboard, the computer keyboard, or
Saved as an IFF Standard file. Mirage is a tradem ark ol Ensoniq Inc.
Transform your Amiga into a professional-quality drum machine with this software package. Easier to use than hardware-based drum machines because everything is rums displayed graphically on screen. Enter drum patterns quickly and easily in real time with visual feedback and editing. Create realistic drum tracks with any of the 100 drum and percussion samples that are included or use your own unique IFF one- shot samples. Dynamic Drums also has full MIDI implementation and even becomes velocity sensitive when triggered from a MIDI keyboard.
AW DYNAMIC A powerful MIDI sequencer that takes full advantage of the Amiga's sound, graphics, and sophisticated user-interface. ;v)TUDIO Dynamic Studio is perfect for professional applications due to its sophisticated editing capabilities and SMPTE support. II is also ideal for home studios, because in addition to sequencing MIDI instruments, Dynamic Studio has a built-in drum machine, and the ability to playback instruments 199- translated with Sound Oasis.
I— — | SOFTWARE No Copy Protection P.O. Box 438 St. Clair Shores, Ml 48080 {313J 771-4465 Notes m o m
Programmer's Lingo!
by Stephen Kemp Computer programmers can be a humorous bunch—at support and, of course, management confrontations. This has least to other programmers. Other people (from other depart given rise to some new acronyms around our office that you ments) just barely think we're human, much less humorous. might want to add to your own personal dictionaiy. Programmers are referred to as wizards, techno-weenies, and YKWWBRN (YUK-WA-BURN) - If you are involved in caffeine junkies, but seldom as a fun bunch of interesting application programming, you have probably heard this first people. That's okay, though. Because when a bunch of pro item without even realizing it. Almost eveiy discussion about grammers get together, they can keep each oilier laughing for the project diat someone is working on begins witli the phrase, hours on end with a conversation that wouldn't mean a thing to “You Know What Would Be Really Nice?” .And is usually outsiders. (This would probably be true for a room full of followed with the most trivial of drivel you have ever heard. bankers, too, but I'm not talking about them.) SIWY (SEE-WEE) - Have you ever worked long and hard Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMon a project, only to see it explode in your face while doing a Foreign Languages demo for someone important — like your boss?! This is when Of course, a good deal of a programmer’s lingo involves you say, “S—C. It Worked Yesterday!" acronyms that have been derived from computer languages or WOKOMS (WO-KOMS) - This phrase occurs after you applications that programmers write. Now everybody encoun give someone a copy of your product. No sooner do you get ters acronyms in their daily lives. At home there's the TV, VCR, settled into your office chair before the intercom buzzes with, and CD player. Occasionally, we are invited to parties diat are “Hey, it doesn't work right!" This is when you reply, “Works OK RSVP or BYOB. College students worry about dieir GPAs. And On My System! You must be doing something wrong!" working folks can’t wait to say TGIF. But most likely, nobody INABIAF (I-NA-BEE-AF) - This one is a great avoidance encounters acronyms more often than computer programmers. technique. When you get tired of answering questions or A typical programmer deals each day with acronyms like making revisions to the same program, don't forget to say, “It’s PC, DOS, ROM, WORM, BBS, and others. These are fairly basic Not A Bug, It's A Feature!" Sometimes they will believe you. and universal acronyms, and almost anyone in the computer IKIWO (EK-EE-WU) - Have you ever bunted up that industry recognizes them. Some acronyms, however, mean more utility you wrote a year ago only to find it doesn’t work to certain programmers. A word like WYSIWYG (pronounced anymore? That’s when you say, “I Know It Worked Once." WIZ-E-WIG and stands for What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get) may NBNS (N-B-N-S) - This one actually originated from a not mean a lot to a programmer who specializes in accounting Gary' Larson comic (my favorite comic artist). It stands for “No software, but it can represent the ultimate goal for a program Brains, No Service!” We use it (only internally, of course) to mer specializing in word processing software. refer to those occasional customers whose bulbs don't reach Acronyms like these emerge because programmers tend to peak wattage. Someone usuaily perks up with, “Are they aware be cryptic (a side effect of programming). After hearing (or of our policy' of No Brains, No Service?" saying) a phrase several hundred (thousand) times, it just seems USE (USE) - A friend from Motorola brought tills little gem natural to shorten it down into an acronym. Each one is placed to my attention. Have you ever been running a program into the computer-lingo dictionary, and usually gets recalled at (perhaps one you wrote), and you see something out of the the most opportune of moments. comer of yrour eye that should not have happened? What was At my workplace, we hear phrases that lead to acronyms that? Did you see that? This sounds like a definite Unidentified all die time. Our work not only involves application program Software Event. I suppose that if you can get it to happen again, ming (we developed a 4th generation language and a series of it then becomes a RUSE—a Recurring Unidentified Software add-on utilities), it sometimes involves some tech support, BBS Event. Then diere’s the user who calls in widi an installation problem... “Yea, uh, I did what the screen said, but things stopped working.” “Okay, let’s backtrack," said the tech. “What happened after you put in disk 1 and pressed the start key?” “Well, it did some stuff and then it said to put disk 2 in Drive A." “Okay, did you do that?" inquired die support person. “Yea. but that's when it quits working. Should I have taken that other disk out first?”
This next event was the most recent that tickled our funny bone. “Hello, Tech Support? I wrote this program that generates a random number that I place into a customer record, and Section of a Section of a everything worked fine for a while, but now my random typical Amiga print print using FinePrint number isn't working anymore. Is it possible thaL my computer (shown actual size) (shown actual size) has run out of random numbers?” Unfortunately, they wouldn't let me call him back to offer him my $200 program that 1 just wrote to regenerate the random FinePrint brings out the detail numbers in his computer. Working in a Fish Bowl Although we programmers don’t seem to get a lot of respect (or credit) around die workplace, management just loves to show us off to every visitor. Does this Lour package sound D& sigrtlat) familiar? “This is where we keep the programmers. See! There's P.O. Box 419 Owego, NY 13827 one over diere! Now don’t put your hand in there, you don't know where they’ve been. And please don't feed them. We give Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMthem a special diet of caffeinated drinks and candy bars. They’re in peak condition. Why, diey can solve any problem put to SUFCOT (SUF-COT) - Sometimes it is hard to deal with a them. Some of them even know a few tricks. Watch this manager or salesperson who keeps wanting a product changed. Stephen, speak to the nice person..." They always say (with a smile on their face), "This wouldn't be Boy! Talk about your fish bowls. Sometimes it makes you too hard to do, would it?” This is when it is time to reply, “Sign want to lunge for their throats. And we would too. except the Up For Computer Time.” If it’s not too hard, then they should leash doesn’t reach the door from where it's attached to the be able to do it. Don't you think? desk. Does this happen to any of you? Kinda makes you want to pick you nose while they’re watching, doesn't it? Hold The Phone Well, so much for acronyms. They are an integral part of It's a Wonderful Life the lives and humor that programmers encounter. Still nothing 1 suppose it doesn’t really bother me what people diink of can beat a good anecdote. With everybody gathered around, programmers. 1 do it for the challenge. (I would do it for die programmers can swap stories faster than old ladies at the money, but there's more challenge than money.) We work in an picket fence. At a place where I once worked, they swore the environment that to most people seems magical, and I love it. following story was true. And nodiing gives me greater pleasure dian blurting out a few One day a tech support person received a call from an acronyms in mixed company, or relaying a humorous story that anxious user. While attempting to calm the customer down, others don't understand. Nothing, diat is, except writing a they determined that the user had just installed the product and program, Programming is my life. Programming has been very, had now reached an impasse. very good to me. “How does the screen look right now?”, asked the tech This has been a slight diversion from my usual topic of C person. programming. Next month, it is back to work as usual. The user responded, “It says, ‘Press Any Key To Con tinue'.” P.S, Contrary to popular rumors, I have never been “And”, asked die tech person, “what happens after that?” “convicted” of detonating a diermonuclear device of greater The exasperated reply from the customer was, “I can’t get than 10 megatons in, or around, a major metropolitan area with past this screen! I've looked all over this keyboard, and can't a population greater than 2 million persons. So stop repeating find die Any key!” die rumor.
•AC* AmigaBASIC Programming
Passing Arguments to AmigaBASIC Programs Pass data from CLI to the BASIC program using script files and a fvO'lTl th<3 C LI special AmigaBASIC subprogram.
by Brian Zapke
The following article is a step-by-step tutorial on how to including the program name. Therefore, the value of argc will invoke AmigaBASIC programs from the CLI and pass arguments always be at least 1. to them. The variable “argv1' is known as the argument vector. It In general, most computer programs perform two funda is an array of pointers, each pointing to an ASCII string of one mental functions. They take input data and they provide output of the arguments entered. The element argv[0] will always point data. For example, word processors take input from the to tire string containing tire program name. With these two keyboard and print out documents. Games read the joystick, arguments, the program can determine exactly what was typed mouse, and keyboard (input) and update the screen (output) in at the command line. based on the inputs and the state of the game. These programs take their input data during execution. Passing A rguments In the Amiga Disk Operating System (AmigaDOS) Arguments can be passed to AmigaBASIC programs using environment, most of the data the DOS programs input comes the following method. First, the arguments to be passed to tire from the CLI when the programs are executed. For example, the BASIC program are stored in a temporary disk file. Second, “type” command gets the name of tire file to print and where to AmigaBASIC is loaded along with the desired program, and that print it from the command itself. The command: program is executed. Finally, the program reads the temporary disk file and processes the arguments originally entered. How is >type readme to prt: tills accomplished? Well, let’s take it one step at a time. Before you start, prepare a work disk to use for the test causesHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM the file “readme” to be printed on the printer. There is script files and programs below. Make sure AmigaBASIC (on the no control information input to the “type" command while Workbench Extras Disk) is in your work directory or in one of executing. the directories specified by the PATH command. If you do not The ability to enter all tire necessary input at a program’s have a hard disk, I recommend you place AmigaBASIC in the startup time has advantages. You don't have to wait until the RAM: disk and add RAM: to PATH if it’s not already there. To program loads to enter the information. A program getting all its add RAM:, enter: data from the command line can be executed without further human intervention. Programs can be invoked from a script or >PATH RAM: add command file, like tire “startup-sequence” file in the “S” directory. If you do not have enough memory' (AmigaBASIC takes up AmigaBASIC programs can be loaded and mn automati about 103K), then AmigaBASIC will have to reside on a floppy. cally from the CLI by entering the program name after “Ami In this case, you will not realize the full benefit of running gaBASIC’’. However, there is no built-in way to pass data from BASIC programs using this method because of AmigaBASIC’s CLI to the BASIC program. AmigaBASIC programs must first be longer load time. In any case, make sure the work disk/ loaded and then request the necessary data. This obstacle can directory is tire current directory. be overcome using script files and a special AmigaBASIC First, we need to get the arguments into a temporary' disk subprogram. This method is patterned after the way arguments file. For now w e’ll create a text file using any text editor but, are passed to “C" programs. eventually, this action will be done more efficiently. Once you C uses a standard method to pass arguments to programs. are in your text editor, type the following text on the very first The model below shows a typical format of a C program. line:
/* Typical C Program Format */ bozo buttons for everyone main I int argc, char *argv(] ) t then save the file as "RAM:test”. This file now contains the (statements) ) arguments our BASIC program will use. Our first program will read the arguments from the temporary file and print them on The two arguments “argc" and “argv” in the above die screen, Using a text editor or (dare I say) the AmigaBASIC example contain all the arguments entered with the program editor, enter the following program and save it as “ReadArgs”. name on the command line. The variable “argc”, known as the Be sure to save it to disk and not to RAM:. Files stored in RAM: argument count, is equal to the number of arguments entered, will be erased when your Amiga crashes or is turned off. We
( continued) Arguments entered: bozo buttons for everyone OK The Disk M echanic Now, exit AmigaBASIC by entering: The Disk Mechanic is a corrprrhenstvc collection of utilities for Amiga DOS, Give your disks o lu n e -u p including TuneUp, DoublcBack, DukRepatr. and W orkshop. SYSTEM
TuneUp: Wish TuneUp w u can improve hard disk or floppy disk performance by up to 400f;r. Not a caching program. The next step is creating a script file to create die tempo TuneUp is a sophisticated disk optimizer rary disk file and load the AmigaBASIC program. Using die CLI that actually re-organizes the information on your disk to improve system effi “echo” command, we can send a line of text to a file by ciency TuneUp is fully compatible with Amiga DOS. redirecting the output. Using a text editor, create die following
DoubkBack: DoubleBack is a high file and save it as “Bozo”: speed archival hard disk back-up pro gram. DoubleBack supports multiple source and destination drives, file echo >RAM:test "bozos are not bozos without their bozo buttons" selection by name. d3tc. protection, directory, ar.d file note. Back up a fu ll AmigaBASIC ReadArgs Only $89.95 20 megabytes in under 40 minutes. Selectively copy files between hard disks and partitions. Protect your data! The “>RAM:test” redirects the output of the echo command (text Disk Repair. W ith DiskRepair it is possible to recover accidently contained in quotes) to die file “RAM;test”. Remember, by Simple TarKL’p benchmark ef \ortw standard 3.5" dokv deleted or discarded files, salvage files from damaged disks, and reconstruct a corrupted hard disk. DiskRepair works with redirecting the output like this, we will destroy file RAM:test if it Vslvint 'mac TvmLp BEFORE AFTER IMKROVVO hard and floppy disks, and is compatible with the Fast Filing HnrVrmitlJ 41! System. already exists. If you are using Workbench 1.3 (which you r»r*: !»! « tl m l.w*. MvrtfPirfttl ; 12. > W o rk s h o p : For the expert user, the disk W orkshop is a fu ll >:.« I* .*» I an'. should to take full advantage of this technique), make die file 4(1* 1:4) li M 2*5 N featured disk file and block editor. Examine and modify disk •ncm 11 u i» 4) files, search for viruses, and change menus o r requesters in “Bozo” an executable script file by entering: popular programs. “ Time* given are ir»e jvcrap of three run* .w j u jn L r d A2000internal tlupp* ilrire. The T uncL pnnw iv ihc time required to pnvevs the disk ( m m inutes in d wVOn*l*l, The The Disk Mechanic also includes a dozen smatl C L I based ^ p r o t e c t B o k o s a d d BEFORE and AFTER limes arc the rime ’in sctundsi utilities to make managing your disks easier. We are now requEfcd to get a director* of he dtv* The more use a disk shipping version 2.5 with full support for Amiga DOS 1.3 hia had. the better the impn»enKnt' and the Fast F iling System. The Disk M echanic is not copy protected. If you are using Workbench 1.2 (why are you?), forget diis step Demo disk Available; call for details. and use the CLI “execute" command whenever you want to execute a script file. g g g r i Now then, when you type: Lake Forest Logic Inc. 2S101 £ Bollard Rood leke Forest, II 60045 >3020 Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM<312)61rH>666 (under 1.2, enter “Execute Bozo”) put the argument list there since we really don’t care if we lose at the CLI, the text “bozos are not bozos without their bozo it. buttons” will be stored in the file “RAM:test". Following this, AmigaBASIC will be loaded along widi the program ReadArgs. The ReadArgs program will dien read the file “RAMrtest" and v Test program 1 to read arguments and print them out, V output: OPEN "RAM;test" FOR INPUT AS #1 LINE INPUT#!, ArgumentsS Arguments entered: CLOSE 1 bozos are not bozos without their bozo buttons PRINT "Arguments entered: " OK PRINT ArgumentsS END Now enter “SYSTEM” to exit AmigaBASIC.
The “OPEN” statement allows the program to read in the The next step is to add the ability to enter arguments with contents of the file “RAMitest”. The “AS #1” indicates we will die Bozo script command. The script file “.key” statement, reference this file as file number 1. The statement “LINE INPUT" placed at the beginning of die script file, allows diis. It specifies is used instead of “INPUT” to read the file in case die argument the type and number of arguments which can or will be list contains commas. If it did, then the “INPUT” statement entered. For example, the “.key” statement: would split up the line into different fields (the comma separat
ing them) and try to stuff them into different variables. Since .fcsy al,a2,a3,a4,a5,a6,a7,s8 only one variable is specified, only the text up to the first comma would be read in. specifies that up to eight optional arguments can be entered Once you’ve saved the program, enter the following line after the script name. When the script file is executed, Ainiga- from the CLI: DOS substitutes die arguments in die “.key" statement with the arguments (if any) in die command. This substitution is done on >AmigaBASIC ReadArgs a first come first serve basis. For example, if a script file containing the above “.key” statement was executed with tiiree This will load AmigaBASIC along with the program you’ve just arguments, those arguments would be substituted for the first created. Once the program has loaded, it will RUN automati diree keywords (al, a2, and a3) widi the arguments maintaining cally. You should see the following in the BASIC window: dieir original order. Change the script file “Bozo” to be: .key al,a2,a3,aA,a5,a6,a7,a8 echo >RAM:test "
When die script file executes, the arguments are inserted into tile “echo” statement of a temporary copy of the script file: A Beginner Can Immediately Use echo >RAM:"es“ "Bozos buy rubber baby buggy bumpers " F-BASIC ! the spaces after “bumpers" are die spaces between die a6, a7, An and a8 parameters. When the ReadArgs program is run in Expert Can AmigaBASIC, the lines: Never Outgrow
Arguments entered: F-BASIC™! Bozos buy rubber baby buggy bumpers OK will appear. Exit AmigaBASIC and reenter the script command The F-BASIC System several times using different arguments. Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMAs you can see, we can now pass any information to an Enhanced Compiled BASIC Language AmigaBASIC program from die CLI. All we need to do now is Compare These Features: Extensive Control Structures Recursive SUBROUTINES & have die AmigaBASIC program parse die input line into the LOCAL & GLOBAL FUNCTIONS individual arguments. I have written a general purpose subpro Variables 32. 16. and 8 Bit INTEGERS Ultra Fast Floating Point gram to do just that. The subprogram GetArgs.MSB (listing - 1) Powerful String Facilities RECORD Structures & Pointers Direct ROM Kerne Access reads a line from the specified file and separates the arguments INCLUDE & APPEND Separate Files Bitwise O perations using the space as a delimiter. The number of arguments found PATTERN Matching Support Access to 68000 Registers Easy high level acc e ss lo AMIGA Sam ple Program s Disk & is returned in the variable "argc", and the arguments themselves Screens. Windows. Menus, Sound. User's Manual are returned in the array argvSO. Speech, Graphics and Events To use the subprogram in your own programs, you need to DIMension the argvSO array to accommodate tile maximum possible arguments (detennined by the .key statement in the The F-BASIC11 System Also Has A Source Level Debugger • Debug F-Basic programs at the SOURCE level. script file) and specify the name of the temporary file containing • Fully windowed Intuition interface—windows for Source Code, 68000 the arguments. To see the program in action, first change the Registers. Memory Dumps, Program Variables, etc. “ReadArgs” program to be: • Set break points and single step trace • Display all variables, arrays, or RECORDS by name. • Full reverse-assembler included, DIM argvS(S) • A comprehensive User's Manual with full documentation of all SLDB CALL GetArgs.MS3( "RAM:test", argc, argvSO ) supported features and windows. IF argc ** 0 THEN PRINT "No arguments entered!" ELSE PRINT "Arguments entered:" FOR x = 1 TO argc The F-BASIC v Language System (1.0}—Only $79.95 PRINT x; argvS (xj NEXT x F-BASICrw System and Complete SLDB—Only $129.95
END IF SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO: END
Combine the GetArgs.MSB subprogram with it. If you have die DELPHI NOETIC SYSTEMS, INC. Post Office Box 7722 BASIC Linker program (published in AC V. 3.10), you can use it Rapid City. South Dakota 57709-7722 to link the files together. Once you've saved the program, enter Credit Card or C.O.D. Call (605} 348-0791______from the CLI : F-BASC AND FasCom are registered irademarFs ol DNS int AMIGA >s a regstered irademark d Commodore'AMlGA Inc (continued) transferred from die temporary file to the CLI window with a “type" command in die script file. If we changed our “Bozo” D - Five 19 Crosby Drive script and “ReadArgs” program to use the file for output, they Bedford, MA would look like diis: \ Associates 01730-0523 ] Script: (617) 275-8892 Tired of the high cost of computer repairs? • key al,a2,a3,a4,s5,a6,a7,a8 echo >RAM:test "
A lsa A uthorized 1764 to 512K: ’61s- PC-10 Com modore DIM argv$ t S) Service CALL GetArgs.MSB ( "RAM:test", argc, argvS O ] 128 64K vdc RAM: MO59 Center 0 OPEN "RAM:test" FOR OUTPUT AS #1 MEW; C=!902 conversion to RGB-I:i40^ IF argc = 0 THEN PRINTS!, "No arguments entered!" ELSE PRINTtrl, "Arguments entered:" F O R x = 1 TO argc >5ozo Bedtime for Bonzo was really about bozos PRINTfl, x; argvS(x) NEXT x END IF The results will be; CLOSE i SYSTEM Arguments entered: END L Bedtime 2 for Now when you enter the “Bozo” command, you will not 3 Bonzo 4 was see die results until A1TER the program has executed and 5 really AmigaBASIC has exited. 6 about 7 bozos OK To demonstrate the practical use of passing arguments from CLI and using the GetArgs.MSB subprogram, I have written ExitHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM AmigaBASIC and then enter: a simple utility Merge.MSB (listing two) which is similar in function to the AmigaDOS “join” command. The Merge.MSB program is invoked with die script file Merge (listing three). When bodi files have been saved to disk, remember to set die The results will be: script bit in the Merge file. To execute die Merge program, from die CU enter No arguments entered! “Merge” with the desired arguments. If you enter “Merge” by OK itself, you will get a standard format for the command. This is a Then exit AmigaBASIC. common practice for commands requiring arguments to execute properly. Also note that if the required "AS" argument is not We are almost through running AmigaBASIC programs entered, the program will complain about it. from the CLI. All we need to do is automatically return to the Being able to pass arguments to AmigaBASIC programs CLI (i.e., exit BASIC). Just add the statement "SYSTEM" to your from die CLI opens many doors. Convening C programs to program right before the "END” statement. This works fine and AmigaBASIC will be a little bit easier, and many existing dandy with one exception. All the text output of the program AmigaBASIC programs can be enhanced by adding this tech goes to die AmigaBASIC window'. When the “SYSTEM" state nique. A whole class of programs that would have been ment is executed, that window will be closed! With some impractical before can now be written in AmigaBASIC. programs you may not want to see any text output, so the screen closing once the program has completed will not be a (GetArgsMSB, Merge.MSB and the sample Merge script file are problem. available on AC Disk #2) But when you need to see the information, there are two ways of getting around this problem. The simplest way is to add Listing One an “INPUT" or "SLEEP” statement before the "SYSTEM" state GetArgs.MSB ment or after reporting an error requiring a keyboard or mouse click input before the window is closed. Anodier way is to use the same method that provided the GetArgs.M33 Copyright 1989 by Brian Zupke program with tine arguments from die CLI. Any information i which needs to remain after the program exits can be placed This subprogram gets the first line of the specified input file and separates the line into its seperate arguments. The nurier of into the temporary file using PRINT-’s (after the file has been arguments found is placed ir. "argc" and each argument is plated in the "OPEN,,ed for "OUTPUT"). The information could dien be "argv$" array in the order in which they are found. The first argument is placed in "argvSdl" and the last argument is placed in argvS(argc)", _£ the input line does not have any nonblar.k ! 1 characters, then "argc" is returned with a value of 0 and "argvS" is unchanged. This subprogram assumes the specified file exists and does no special error processing.
SUB GetArgs.MSB{ FiieN'ameS, argc, argv$(l) ) STATIC
Open the specified file (assume it exists} Get the first line (should be only line in file) And then close the file
OPEN FilefJameS FOR INPUT AS #255 LINE INPUT#255, ArgLineS CLOSE 255
1 Process argument line
Argc “ 0 Char = 1 ArgLen = LEN ( ArgLineS > WHILE Char <= ArgLen IF ( MIDS( ArgLineS, Char, 1 ) = * » ) THEN Char « Char + 1 Time saving utilities for EVERY ELSE argc *• argc + 1 Amiga owner! x = 0 WHILE ( Char+x ) <- ArgLen Atm HID$ I ArgLineS, Char+x, 1 ) <> Create m ultiple preference settings NonBlank = x +• 1 Quickly and easily restore them as needed. x - x + 1 WEND Edit, Sort, Delete and Undelete any of them argv$( argc ) ■ MIDS( ArgLineS, Char, Non31ank ) Fast, Fun and Easy to use, from W orkBench or CLI Char - Char + NonBlank Runs on ALL Amigas . . . 500, 1000 and 2000 END IF WEND (VI.2 required) END SUB M ulti-tasking. Not copy protected. Plus ... 3 other time saving utilities are included. Listing Two Available NOW!!! Merge. MSB BASIC M erge files utility Just send S29.95 plus $2.00 S&H to
SOFTLINKinc. P.O. B oa 304, Coventry, Rl 02816
BASIC Merge files utility Dealer inquiries invited Amiga is a registered trademark of Commodore-Amiga, Inc. Copyright 19B9 by Brian Zupke
Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMThis program will merge several ASCII files into one single file. It is similar in functicn to the AmigaDOS 'join' command, and also similar to the AmigaBASIC 'MERGE' command. It is primarily a demonstration of utilizing argument passing from CLI. This routine expects the file 'RAM:arg_temp' to exist. That file should be created by a script/command file. The script file should look something like this: 5 WF-IT/ .key al,a2,a3,a-5,a5,a6,., echo >RAM:arg_temp *
• Each menu is like having Ihousands of user DIM argvS(20) : Allow up to 20 arguments from CLI DIM SHARED NoError definable, descriptively labeled, function keys
Global constants • Quickly and easily create alt the menus you like • Modify any of your menus, as often as needed DIM SHARED TRUE TRUE = -1 DIM SHARED FALSE FALSE - 0 • Each menu can restore other Stuff-lt menus • Also included are a few menus we've created to 1 Trap I/O errors get you started (CLI-Menus, ED-Menus, etc.) ON ERROR GOTO ProcessError • Runs on ALL Amigas...From WorkBench or CLI NoError ° TRUE (V1.2 or higher required) PRINT ’’File Merge Utility" • No hardware requirements ■ NOT copy protected
' Get Argument L 1st Stuff-it is a MUST for ALL Amiga owners, '------+ beginner to expert! CALL GetArgs.MSB("RAM:arg_temp ", argc, argvSO Just send $39.95 plus $2.00 shipping & handling to: Open report file
inc. OPEN “RAM:arg_tenp" FOR OUTPUT AS #3 SOFTLINK P.O. Box 304 Coventry, Ri 02816 ' Check if no arguments were entered Amiga is a registered trademark of Commodore-Amiga. Inc. 1------+ PRINT*31 " specif! 3d as input file!" PRINT#3( " " Remember... ELSE Dedicated to the AMIGA Open output file
OPEN argvS(argc) FOR OUTPUT AS #1 IF I NOT NoError ) THEN N othing but the best! PRINT!3, "Can't open: argvS(argcj CLOSE 1 ELSE
Read each input file and write to output file
COMMODORE FOR NextArg - 1 TO argc-2 OPEN argvS ( NextArg ) EOF. INPUT AS 12 T h e ^ J V U G A ^ IF { NOT NoError ) THEN M e m o r y FRIN7#3j "Can't open file: argvS(NextArg);" 0 i l PRINT "Can't open file: ";argv$(NextArg) L o c a tio n NoError » TRUE CLOSE 2 ELSE PRINT "Adding: ";argv5( NextArg 396 Washington Street WHILE ( NoError AND ( NOT EOF (2) ) ) LINE INPUT#2, SoureeLineS Wellesley, MA 02181 PRINT!!, SourceLineS (617) 237 6846 WEND CLOSE 2 END IF NEXT NextArg Call the AMIGA Experts! ?RINT*3, "File ";argvSlarge) created." Authorized Amiga graphic design dealer. Our crew has over 30 years total combined Close output file experience with the Amiga! We ship UPS Mon. thru Fri. CLOSE 1 Store hours: 10-6 Mon.-Thr, End of open output file check 10-8 Fri. 9-5 Sat. Commodore authorized repair in store. END IF Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMLow flat rate plus parts. Warranty service. End of duplicate file check
IF ( argc “ 0 ) THEN End of format satisfied check
No arguments entered — print format and. read arguments
PRINT*3, * * PRINT#3, "FORMAT: MERGE file
Check if input format satisfied Close report file
IF ( arcc < 3 OR UCASES(argvS(argc-i)) <> "AS" 1 THEN CLOSE 3 PRINT#3, " " PRINT#3, "You must specify keyword 'AS' !" Return to CLI PR1NTI3, " * ?RINT*31 "FORMAT: MERGE file
' Process I/O errors only. Make sure output file is not listed as input file ProcessF.rror: IF (ERR - 53 OR ERR - 51 OR ERR - 64 OR ERR - 6E OR ERR - 70 ) THEN NoError ■ FALSE DuplicateFile * FALSE IF ( ERR - 70 J THEN FOR x = 1 TO argc-2 PRIN7#3, "Disk write-protected!" IF ( UCASES(argvS(x)) = UCASES (argvS(argc)) ) THEN ELSSIF ( ERR - 61 ) THEN DuplicateFile - TRUE PRINT*3, "Disk FULL!" END IF END IF NEXT x RESUME NEXT IF ( DuplicateFile ) THEN ELSE PRINT*3, " * ON ERROR GOTO 0 PRINT#3, "Output file? argvS(argc); END IF
Listing Three BASIC M erge script file
.key al,a2,a3 ,a4,a5 ,a6,a7,aB,a9,alQ,all,al2,al3,a!4,a!5,alo,aI7,alB,a!9,a20 echo >RAM:arg temp "
E N A C E by: Jeffery Scott Hall Menace, from Psygnosis Software, encounter over 60 different aliens, each Saying Goodbye to Draconia is being marketed and released under possessing powers deadly to your ship’s Game play will end when you Psygnosis’ new affiliated label, Psyclapse. defenses. In order to destroy the aliens, have either destroyed die entire planet of This new label represents high arcade your ship is provided with a lower Draconia, or you have used up all your quality games, made available at a lower power laser. Some aliens can be de ship's shield power. If you have been price. Menace is their first arcade “shoot stroyed with tire laser after several hits, killed, you will be given the option of 'em up"-style game, with many more to while others are impossible to destroy restarting tire game on the same level on follow in the footsteps of its release. widrout more firepow’er. which you were destroyed. However, After the game has loaded, a title If you choose, you can navigate when this happens you will loose all screen will be displayed while a stereo through some of the aliens. However, other increased firepower which you sound track plays in tire background. any contact made between the aliens and might have added to your ship, not to Before you begin tire game, you may your ship wall result in your shield power mention your score. Oh well, you can’t select one of two different skill levels: being reduced. Also, on tire more win them all! normal or expert. Once you have made advanced levels you will find that some your choice, game play will begin. aliens are equipped with heavy fire Summary power, which makes game play even Menace is perhaps one of tire best Your Orders: more difficult. So, in order to have a games ever released from Psygnosis Destry the Planet Draconia fighting chance, you will be rewarded for Software. The manual included with tire You have been recruited to pilot a destroying all aliens within a certain game explains all the bonus items and spaceship to the planet Draconia, and wave. their functions, along with other impor destroy anything threatening to stand in tant information about the game. During your way. The reason for this destruction Bonus Pow er game play you will use the following is that the aliens inhabiting this planet After all aliens have been de options: pause game play; toggle sound have destroyed billions to build one stroyed, a bonus icon will appear in the effects off/on; toggle music off/on; and tremendous, super planet that is capable posifion of the last alien, and it will abort game play, which takes you back of destroyingHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM the entire galaxy. The begin to approach your ship. You will be to the title screen. Menace combines aliens have given this planet the code rew-arded with whatever value this icon great sound effects, graphics, music, and name Draconia. If Draconia is not represents. You may shoot the icon five visual effects for w-hat is certain to be a destroyed, then trillions of life forms are times, wiiich will result in one of the hit with all the arcade addicts out there! doomed! following: 1000 bonus points, laser Once game play has begun, you cannons, long-range lasers, increase in Hints and Tips will find your ship’s status indicators your ship’s speed, outrider being W henever possible, try to shoot all located at the bottom of the screen. attached to your ship, force field, or the aliens in tire current wave for a Here, along with your score, will be the shield regeneration. Whenever you fly bonus icon. Once tire icon appears, start ship's shield, cannon, and laser indicators over one of these bonus items, it will shooting at it until you have managed to showing their current status. Your ship automatically be engaged, get either the cannons or lasers. You will will always be located on the left hand definitely need one of these weapons in side of the screen, as you pilot your way that's One Tough M other Alien.1 order to survive tire end of each level towards the right. Menace contains six complex with the mother alien. As your ship glides along, you will levels, each more difficult than tire last. If your shields are weak, you may notice the background scrolls horizon In order to advance to the next level, avoid some of the aliens by flying tally with perhaps the best visual effects you must first destroy the mother alien around them. To do this, simply select a I’ve seen on a “shoot 'em up"-type game. who waits for you at the end of each spot on the screen where the aliens are One reason for this effect is that the round. Each of the mother aliens you not concentrated (most likely towards entire game is displayed in overscan encounter will be much tougher than any the bottom), and fly right past them. mode. This eliminates any borders and alien you might have faced during that While this is not tire best way to score, provides the piayer with true arcade level of play. To destroy tire mother you will be able to progress further quality playing. alien, you will have to shoot it many through tire game. You will start out at Level One, as times. You will need extremely fast Be sure to avoid using the force the mother ship delivers you close to the reflexes to dodge the mother alien’s field w'hen you are between alien waves. planet Draconia. You will quickly notice devestating onslaught. This will give you more time for protec that action is very intense as wave after tion against tire aliens’ attack. alien-packed wave tries to keep you from completing your mission. As you •AC* progress through the game, you will ■ ,,tm: ,»:.*• t ; ,1 *, It’s landing iii Los Angeles. m m : ’ '■ "<&•.♦ . V . 5S#! ith amazing computers. Stunning software. m m m Powerful peripherals. u r n The World of Commodore is coming to capture your imagination. It's the computer show for beginners and hackers, professionals and students, gMtCd Snul:::: business people and home users. Commodore Business Machines and many other m m r n m exhibitors will display and sell the AMIGA, C-64, C-128, PC computers, a galaxy of softw are for Commodore & AMIGA computers and a glittering constellation of printers, disk drives and desktop HMT publishing equipment. 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Amazing Computing, what could be easier? Amiga System Programming
Creating Shared Libraries by John Baez
Why Shared Libraries? Whenever a program wishes to use one of the library’s One of the most powerful features of die Amiga's operat functions, it just gets that function's address from die library’s ing system is the ability to use general purpose functions stored address table and jumps to that address, All it must know is the in special programs called libraries. The advantage of diese table's location and which addresses in the table correspond to shared libraries, as diey are called, is that one copy serves as die desired function. many programs as necessary, and almost every programming language on the Amiga has some way of using them. If you look at the library structure in figure one, you’ll In a complex environment such as diat of die Amiga, notice diat the function addresses are located in reverse order libraries provide a means for accessing even the most complex above what is called the library base address. (The first function facilities in a straightforward manner. A clear example of die is closest to die library base.) The library base address is die power of libraries is demonstrated in the Amiga’s standard address table location, as well as the point where die library's libraries. These libraries make it possible to access all of die basic information starts. Therefore table entries are lower Amiga’s features without having to worry about the details of (negative) than the library' base address. Library information is die functions. (Imagine what a routine that moves a window higher (positive) titan the library base address. over the workbench screen without erasing any icons is like!) Each entry in die function address table has a lengdi of 6 Standard routines like IFF functions should be placed in bytes. Therefore, the first function of the library is located at libraries so any Amiga programmer can access them. Right? library' base -6, the second is at library base -12, etc. The (-6) is Right! So how come we hardly ever see general purpose called the library' offset. functionsHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM implemented as shared libraries? I found the answer to If we use our newly learned terminology we can say diat this question when I set out to create a library for my own use. in order for a program to access a library function, it must know Anyone who tries to create a shared library immediately die library base and the library' offset for the desired function. runs into two problems. The first problem is a lack of documen Each particular language lias its way of obtaining this in tation. Reading the RKM and studying its examples is like formation. The programmer doesn’t require the library' offsets in reading German and trying to interpret it as Spanish. The order to access library functions. second problem is that some knowledge of 68000 assembler is In AmigaBASIC, for example, the programmer only needs required. Most programmers end up taking die easy way out by to make sure that die ‘.bmap’ file(s) for die library(s) he is going creating a link library (for use with alink or blink) which can to use are in an accessible directory. The ’.bmap’ file, as we will only be accessed by a limited number of languages. see later, contains die library offset for each function of a I’d like to take some of the mystery out of creating shared particular library'. This is how BASIC knows where the library libraries in the hope that more programmers will create them. functions are. This is the best way to provide general usage functions across (continued) the broadest number of Amiga programming languages (and Amiga programmers). This applies to casual program mers as well as professional developers. Making powerful Base -N*6 Function address N facilities available to die Amiga community is a great way to enhance overall productivity. Shared libraries can go a Figure One long way in accomplishing this. Shared Library Base -12- Function address 2 Structure The Structure and use o f a Shared Base -6— Function address 1 Library An Amiga shared library' is a very' simple structure once loaded into RAM. It Library base address consists of some basic information such as how many tasks are currendy using it and a table of die addresses of the functions which make it up, as shown in figure one. When auto init is requested, Exec makes a call to MakeLi- braryO which allocates storage and creates our library base. In this case we would not be required to define and initialize our library,'' as we do in lines 49 to 83. MakeLibraryO would do this for us. We would have to supply a list of function addresses and an initialization block. We would not be required to call C o n v e r t IFF Bitmapped Pictures AddLibrary (as we do at initialization) . Tills is the way the RKM example illustrates. t o 2D an d 3D O b j e c t s ! ! ! There are two reasons why I don’t use auto init. Using auto init has execution overhead (nothing significant). It also uses more storage since it requires the definition of an init block Now You Can Make Use ol All Those and duplicates die function addresses. Neither of these issues DPaint and Digitized Pictures in are powerful enough to justify' not using auto init. but die small Your Favorite 3D or CAD Package savings in space justifies not using it for me. The next 2 bytes (lines 33, 34) represent the version (1) VIDEOSCAPE 30, AEGIS DRAW. INTROCAD, MCAD, and die type (iibrary=9) of romtag that we are (we could have PROFESSIONAL PAGE, POSTSCRIPT been a device!). DXF (AUTOCAD...) & More. The next byte (line 35) is the priority©) followed by a pointer to the library name and a pointer to the library id string. TO ORDER CALL Last Qine 38) is a pointer to the initialization routine which 1 000-628-2020 Ext 829 will be run when our library is first Loaded. If we had been auto init, then this location would have pointed to an initialization
We accept VISA. MASTER CARD and AMERICAN EXPRESS block instead. Our library is defined in lines 49 to 83. The first filing we Only $49.95 see is the function address table (jump vector) in lines 49-64. As mentioned earlier, each entry uses 6 bytes and the functions are Or Send Check or Money Order to: listed in reverse order. Note that die functions closest to the Rainbows Edge Productions library base (which is at line 69) are documented as system 4412 4th Avenue Suilo 2 Brooklyn, NY 11220 support functions. We’ll be looking at each of diese to see what they do, in a moment. The fifth entry from the base is our first All product names are Trademarks ol llioir respective companies function (library' offset=-30). Our sample library has only two Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMfunctions. The first two bytes of each entry represent a machine In order to get the library base address, AmigaBASIC language jump to a long address (The assembler I used makes use of the Amiga library function OpenLibraryO- This wouldn’t generate the right code for ‘jmp.l’ so I hard coded it in function returns the library' base. hex). The following 4 bytes contain the address of the machine language portion of our funcdon. Creating a Shared. Library Following die jump vector is die library structure. This Now that we understand the mechanics of shared libraries, consists of an Exec node structure followed by 20 bytes of let's see how we go about creating one. library info. Lines 70-73 initialize the node. A shared library looks like a regular program to Amiga Line 74 initializes the library' flags. Our initialization says DOS. It can be loaded and executed just like a program. And it that we require check sum checking and that we need the is created just like a program. (Well, almost.) What makes a check sum to be calculated. The best explanation of these flags library' distinct is that it must have a particular structure. This that I have seen is on page 152 of Sybex’s Amiga Programmer's structure (a pattern) is searched for by Exec when the library is handbook. loaded into memory widi an OpenLibraryO request. If it isn’t Line 76 indicates die size of our jump vector in bytes. We found Exec unloads the code and OpenLibraryO returns a zero. have 6 entries at 6 bytes each. The next word represents data If it is found then another series of events takes place based on size. This includes the library structure (34 bytes) plus any data information you supply as part of that structure. diat we define. In this case we are using one long word (4 If you look at listing 1 (the assembly listing) on lines 29 bytes). This totals 38 plus two bytes I added for psychological through 38, you’ll see the structure we’re talking about. The first security. 2 bytes are defined as $4AFC followed by the address of their That constitutes the data portion of our Library. We must locadon. This is called a romtag and is the identifier that Exec now define our library routines. In order to do this we must looks for when it loads the code as a library. keep in mind that Exec passes us information in registers. That The next long word (line 31) contains die address of the is why diese routines are in assembly. Once we place the end of this code segment. I'm not sure dris really matters as I've arguments on die stack (where C expects them), we can call the seen libraries where this points at different iocadons. C funcdon. That is basically all these routines do (the assembly The byte defined at line 32 tells Exec what kind of init we routines, diat is) and that is why creating a library requires some are. A value of zero (0) says we are not auto init. Before we go assembly language. any further let me explain the differences between auto init and us (self init?). The assembly routines are simple, straightforward and documented on the listing itself. You shouldn't have to change Ameristar Internet them for anything. Note diat in the call to the C functions, the function name is preceeded with an underscore. That is the way Package C generates the function name internally, so all assembly references to C functions (and names) should be preceeded by Connect the Commodore-Amiga an underscore. computer to TCP/IP based ethernet The important point in the assembly routines is the networks with Ameristars integrated placement of registers on die stack. This is done widi the hardware/software solution. ‘movem.r instruction you see prior to each 'jsr' to C. It is Package Includes: important to note diat die registers are loaded on the stack * Standard/thin ethernet interface starting from A7 to AO and D7 to DO. This means diat you must controller board. assign registers to your arguments in that same order. If your ■ Sun Microsystems compatible funcuon uses 4 arguments, for example, you could assign NFS (Network File System) c lie n t registers DO through D3 to arguments 1 to 4 respectively. You couldn’t, however, do it backwards or assign a random set of side implementation. registers such as DO, AO, D'l, Al. If you have doubts, you may ■ Internet file transfer program use die ‘moved ir,-(sp)’ instrucdon to place one register at a (FTP). time on die stack. ■ Telnet/rlogin remote terminal The C funcdons should look pretty familiar. You can applications. modify them as indicated in the source listing. You may open For more information contact odier libraries, call other functions and do anything you need. Be aware that you are coding functions which may be used simultaneously by various processes. Therefore, be careful not to code anything which will mess up by reentry. In particular be TECHNOLOGIES INC. careful about using static variables. 47 Whittier A v e n u e Medford, NY 11763 (516) 698-0834 Assembling, Compiling, and Linking NFS is a trademark ol Sun Microsystems. Amiga ts a Once you’ve created your library source, proceed as trademark of Commodore Business Machines, Etheiner is a trademark of Xerox Corp. and Unix is a trademark of follows: AT&T Bell Laboratories.
Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMa sm slibh.a -rmr -nl let -bO -cemsw slib ic2 -rO -v -sc=teat -sd=text slib blink slibh.o+slib.o to slib,library lib lib :lc .lib+ lib:amiga.lib SC SD ND
The assembler used is Wesley Howe’s asm68k which is in PD (I couldn't get the lattice assembler to work properly and their scarce documentation didn't help much so 1 dumped it). Once you’ve linked your library, you should copy it to your LIBS: directory before doing any tests.
Gaining Access to Your Library Once your library has been created, you’ll need to provide the means for external programs to access it. As we mentioned earlier, different languages have different ways of doing this. Instead of trying to access it from one or two places, we'll use the method provided by Commodore to provide the required a ® G3 ES ES W®UD § information to whoever needs it. Amazing Computing™ cannot determine the dependabil Commodore has provided a file format which describes ity of advertisers from their advertisements alone, We need shared libraries so that anyone interested could read the file and your feedback. If you have a problem with an advertiser in obtain the required library offsets. This format, commonly AC™, please send a complete description of the incident, in writing to: knowm as the ‘id ’ format, can usually be converted to the format required by different languages via conversion utilities. Ad Complaints PiM Publications, Inc. We’ll see a few examples of this later. Let us take a look into the fd file required to access our sample library. Amazing Computing Listing 3 shows what tire sample fd file looks like. The first P.O. Box 869 line identifies the name of die library base. In this case it is Fall River, MA 02722 named _Siib. The second line contains the starting offset of our Be sure to include any correspondence you have had with the advertiser, along with the names of the Individuals in volved. Your assistance is greatly appreciated, functions. Since our first function is the fifth one in the library's Thats it! The shared library mystery solved (I hope!). Once jump vector, we use a 30 (5 times 6 bytes per entry). you get the hang of it you’ll be moving all your general purpose As long as you use the library structure as we’ve defined routines into shared libraries. Don't forget, if you have anything it, the first three lines of your fd file will always be the same you think is w7orth sharing, share it! That’s why many people except for the name of the library' base. These are followed by call them shared libraries! the function definitions in their proper order. Each function definition has the function prototype in C Listing One format followed by the registers in which die arguments are passed between parenthesis. You may use registers D0-D7 and slibh.a A0-A3 to pass arguments in relative safety (this applies to Lattice C users only). Make sure your registers correspond widi those slibh.a - shared library assembly header placed on the stack on the call to C from assembly. Once you’ve created your fd file and saved it (usually as SECTION text ‘libname.fd’), you can then use your language’s conversion XDEF _LibraryName,_LibraryId,_SysBase utility to create whatever your language requires. In AmigaBA * library support iC functions accessed from assembly SIC, for example, you run die convertFD program and it will XREF _CInit create the required ’.bmap’ file. For Lattice C you run XREF _LibOpen FD2PRAGMA and it will create the appropriate -pragma header XREF _LibClose XREF _LibExpunge file. Listing 5 shows the -pragma statements generated for our XREF _LibReserved sample library. * user C functions access from assembly A note on ^pragma. The current implementation of libcall limits functions to 4 arguments (they don’t mention this in die XREF _FuncO XREF _Funcl manual). I don’t know why Lattice did this (it ruins an otherwise Start:clr.l d0 ; if we are executed as a great feature). Until the limitation is removed keep diis in mind program instead if you’re designing functions for use by Lattice C. rts ; of opened as a library we return 0
Some languages (Lattice & MANX C and Modula 2, for romtag structure - when loaded as a library Exec looks for this example) use stub libraries which they link to at mn time. The (identified by 54AFC followed by an address pointing to it) • somewhere at the beginning of our load point. stub functions are small assembly routines which have the * This tells exec how to get us going as a library. library offset hardcoded into them. They use it to perform a InitDesc: dc.w S4AFC ;romtag stuff jump to die appropriate location from the library base. An dc.l InitDesc dc.l EndCode ;??????? example of stub functions for our sample library' is included in dc.b 0 ;no auto init listingHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM 4. dc.b 1 ;version dc.b 9 ;N7_LIBRARY After you’ve done your fd conversion, dien you just dc.b 0 ;priority proceed as you do with any other library. Listings 5 and 6 dc.l _LibraryMame dc. 1 _LibraryId illustrate diis for AmigaBASIC and C using our sample library. dc.l Init ;routine to be executed for initializ; tion
Step by Step Review _LibraryName dc.b 'sample, library1', 0 Let us go over die complete process step by step. Once _LibraryIddc.b ‘sample library 1.0 (01 Sep 1988) M3 , 1 0 , 0 you've entered listings 1 and 2 and you’re ready to create your ds. w 0
owm library, proceed as follow^: * our function list (also known as the jump vector) * since we are not auto init this must be set up exactly as MakeLi- brary () 1. Modify the assembly program jump vector (lines 51- * would set it up. 54) to include your functions Funcs: 2. Adjust the jump vector size (line 77) accordingly * user functions go first dc .w 54EF9 ;long jump 3. Add the appropriate XREF(s) at Lines 18-19 dc. 1 AFuncl ;offset=36 (524) 4. Modify lines 40-41 with your library info dc .w 54EF9 5. Copy one of the routines in lines 159-169 and modify7 dc.l AFuncQ ;offset=30 (Sle) the movem.l instruction to include die appropriate * system funct ions go second (always in this order) dc.w 54EF9 registers. Do this for each function you’re adding to dc.l ALibReserved the library dc.w 54EF9 dc.l ALibExpunge 6. Add your C function to the C source dc. w S4EF9 7. If required modify7 the C source initialization, open, dc.l ALibClose dc .w 54EF9 close and expunge routines to accomodate any special dc .1 ALibOpen
needs your library7 may have (optional) * the library structure must immediately follow the function list 8. Assemble, compile and link your library * it must be initialized since we're not autc init.
9. Place your library in the LIBS: directory lib: dc.l ; l n _ S u c c ;node pointer 10. Create an ’.fd’ file for your library7 dc. 1 ; ln _ P re d dc.b ; i n _ ” ype ;node 11. Convert your ‘.fd’ file for the language you use type(NT_LIBRARY) 12. Test your library dc,b ; l n _ P r l .•priority dc. 1 _LibraryHame ; l n _ N a m e ;node name
dc.b ;LI3F CHANGED|LIBF SUMUSED dc.b dc.w 36 ;jump vector size dc.w 40 ;data size dc.w 1 ;version dc.w 0 ;revision dc.l _LibraryId; library id dc.l /check sum (provided by A P r o D r a w AddLibrary on Init) dc.w ;open count The Artist's Dream * user data can be placed here. * If your using C this isn't necessary so what I do is define Featuring high resolution * variables which I may need in ray assembly code. Summagrapnics tablets _seglist dc.l 0 with two button stylus * initialization routine. This routine is called when the library is * first loaded. Therefore it is executed only once. for the Amiga. " Exec gives you the load point of your program (the segment list) * in AO. 12 x 12 - $549 * Since we aren't auto init we must know were our library structure is * located. In this case it is located at lib (which we load into al) . 9 x 6 - - $449 * We then call our C initializer which does any initialization you Optional * for your particular library. The only requirement of the C routine as cursor - $50 * of now is that it perform the AddLibrary!) function.
Init: Dealer inquiries move,1 a6,_SysBase ;sysbase are invited. move.1 aO,_seglist /save segment list lea lib,al move.1 al,-lsp) R & DL Productions jsr _Clnit 11-24 46th Ave. addq.1 5 4, sp rts L.I.C. NY 11101 (718) 392-4090 Each time someone issues an OpenLibrary() to us this routine gets control. The only thing we do here is set up the stack for our C routine. Our C routine increments the open count and can perform anything else you may require for your particular library.
ALibOpen: move.1 dO,- (sp) /version move.1 a6, - (sp) /library base jsr _LibOpen addq.1 rts
* When someone issues a CloseLibrary0 to us this routine gets control. * Here (again) we just set up the stack and call our C routine. It * should take care of anything that must be done when a user task no longer * needsHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM to the library's functions. * Lattice C is fuzzy about not having its own startup code. ALibClose: * I found out how to calm it down a little by including all this move.l a6,-(sp) * special stuff. If you don't include this it'll crack up when jsr LibClose " you try linking your code. addq.l *4,sp rts * nasty comment: I like the way MANX handles this better. * If your using MANX you can get rid of all this stuff and define * when no one is using the library any longer (when all user tasks that _SysBase * issued OpenLibrary() have Issued a corresponding CloseLibrary()) this * in the user data area above. Actually I think MANX takes care if this * routine takes care of cleaning up and unloading the library. * type of request better than Lattice (give credit where credit is * Here (again) we just set up the stack and call our C routine. due !). * For Lattice, blink gives you a warning about this section. Just ignore ALibExpunge: it. move .1 a6, - (sp) jsr _LibExpunge SECTION MERGED addq.l 54, sp rts xdef _oserr, OSERR, FPERR, SIGFPE xdef “SIGINT, ONERR, ONEX IT, ONBREAK, ECS * At this moment this function does nothing 1 xdef _ProgramName
ALibReserved: SysBase dc.l 0 cir.l dO __oserr: rts __OSERR dc.l 0 __FPERR dc. 1 0 * all of our user functions require the following code to set up the __SIGFPE dc. 1 0 * stack for our c routines. When any of these routines are called the __SIGINT dc. 1 0 * arguments they pass are in registers (Amiga standard) . We must move __ONERR dc. 1 0 * then to the stack which is were C functions get their arguments from. __ONEXIT dc. 1 0 * Upon return we must adjust the stack by 4 for each argument. __ONBREAK dc.l 0 * Remember: arguments must be placed on the stack from right to left. ECS dc.l 0 * That is: FuncO(dO,dl)/ __PrograraName dc.l 0 * is passed as dl/d0,-(sp) (backwards)
AFuncO: movem.l di/dQ,-(sp) /pass parms jsr _FuncO addq.l fB,sp rts
movem.l dl/dO,-(sp) /pass parms jsr _Funcl addq.l 5S#sp
(continued) FuncO(a,b) Listing Two long a , b ; ( slib.c return(a*b) ; )
#include
if(lib->lib.lib_OpenCnt} PRINT "test completed." { -lib->lib.lib_OpenCnt; return(NULL); \ Listing Six if(lib->lib.lib_Flags i LIBF_DELEXP) return(LibExpunge(lib)}; slibtest.c return(NULL); ) /* the following Spragma statements are one of the great features LibExpunge (lib) of Lattice C. Here they are defined in the program as an example. struct ExtLibrary *lib; In real life libraries they should be placed in a separate ( long seg; header file. This method avoids your having to create a separate if (1ib->lib.1ib OpenCnt) stub library with base offsets andparameter info. { lib->lib.lib_Flags I= LIB?_DELEXP; return(NULL) ; The pragma statements can be created using the FD2PRAGMA program ) provided by Lattice. /* this is goodbye time! make sure you clean up after yourself before your library is terminated! do all that here before its too late. Lattice C V4 required. V (you MANX guys will have to create the stub routines. See example) segBlib->seglist; Remove(lib); ■/ return(seg) ; } fpragma libcail Slib FuncO le 1002 /* and now the good stuff! This is were you put all those neat functionb fpragma libcail Slib Fu n d 24 1002 which you've always wanted to use from any language. A few pointers: long Slib; /* this guy should always be global */ -be consistent in the way you pass arguments. Remember that each arg requires a register in the assembly counterpart. Hake sure main I) you save any registers other than AO|Al,DO,Dl that you may use. { int i; Never use A5 or A7, If you have global variables declared in your puts ("©penning.. ; C code you shouldn't use A4. Slib=OpenLibrary("sample.library",0); -be carefull about declaring static data inside your functions. printf("\nSlib=%x",Slib); As a library you may be used by various tasks simultaneously. if(ISlib) This may cause static values to get messed up. { printf("\ncouldn't open sample library!\n"); -library functions should do general purpose things. If it can't exit (0); be shared by other tasks its usually not worth placing in a } library, printf("\nfunc0=%d",FuncO(5,5)); /* multiply */ printf ("\nfuncl=%d\n'\Funcl (5, 5) ) ; /’ add */ */ CloseLibrary(Slib); •AC- If you've been around computers long enough, you have Data organization can be specified through die “Data” inevitably come across the concept of sorting. Sorting is the act menu item. The following choices are available: of organizing data in some determined order. This is usually done so the data can be accessed in a quick and efficient • Ascending manner. An example of sorted data is a phone book: the data The array will be presorted in ascending order. Each (names, addresses and phone numbers) is sorted in alphabetical element’s value will be the element's number. For ex order by last name. In computerese, we say the last name Is die ample, the third element will have die value of 3- The sort key. data will be displayed as a straight diagonal line from Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMThere are many methods of sorting data, some better than the upper left comer to die bottom right comer. odiers. A large part of computer science literature is dedicated to analyzing die various sorting algorithms. The trouble with this • Descending approach is, while the sort algorithm is described mathemati Similar to die ascending option, only die array will be cally and precisely, most people have difficulty visualizing, and sorted in reverse order. The displayed data will be a completely grasping, the sorting process itself. diagonal line from the bottom left comer to the upper 1 hereby present a program, called MultiSort, which right corner. graphically illustrates a few of the more popular sorting techniques. The program is educational in more ways dian one. • Random Aside from visualizing sorting, it also demonstrates the power The array will contain random data. More dian one and ease of using multi-tasking on die Amiga. element may have a specific value.
Using MultiSort • Unique Random MultiSort opens a hi-res interlace screen and four win The array will contain unique random data, as dows, one for each sort that will be used. Data is represented in mendoned above. each window as a pixel plotted for every element of an array of numbers. The pixel's x coordinate is the array' element number, • Customized while the y coordinate is die element’s value. For example, if You can enter die data manually. Choosing diis die second element in die array has die value of 21, then its opdon will open a data entry window. Simply click in corresponding pixel will be plotted at coordinates (2,21). The diat window and draw your data in. When done, origin (0,0) is at die upper left comer of each window. There click on the window’s close gadget and your custom fore, a sorted array widi no two elements having the same value ized data will be copied into all the windows. will be represented as a diagonal line drawn from the upper left corner to the bottom right comer. Sordng may be initiated through die “Start” menu item. Upon startup, the array to be sorted will contain random While sorting is under way, the menu will provide a “Stop” data, with no tw'o elements having the same value. I call diis opdon. Currendv, only the Bubble sort will require die stop uniquely random data to distinguish it from simple random data, request. I felt that since the other sorts were fast enough, it was in which two elements of the array may contain the same not necessary to slow them down by having diem check die value. When the unique random data is sorted, a straight menu requests. Since the Bubble sort is extremely slow', it w'as diagonal line will be displayed. the only one that merited die stop capability.
(continued) Once die sort is completed, each window's title wiil execute the same piece of code by different tasks, without display the corresponding sort’s piace on the finish line. Three adverse effects, is calied reentrancy, and it is an important asterisks mean that a stop was requested before that sort was concept in multitasking operating systems. done. In MultiSort, the only global variable diat may be changed MultiSort is most useful for comparing various sorts side by the sub-tasks is GlobalCount. Whenever a task is about to by side. However, you may at times want to use only one sort change GlobalCount, it issues a “Forbid" which disables on a larger array. This is provided dirough the Zoom menu. execution of all other tasks until a “Permit" is issued. This Through zooming you can observe one of the selected sorts on prevents any problem of concurrent access to GlobalCount. a larger array (and larger window). Signals fo r Intertask Communication Hoiu it Works The parent task sends instructions to the sort sub-tasks, When executed, die main process begins by setting up a and waits for a response from them. In a previous article, I few diings. such as opening an Intuition screen, and opening described intertask communication using messages and ports, windows - one per sort. The last part of setting up is the hut those are not employed in MultiSort; instead, only signals creation of sub-tasks, one for each sort. It then loops, waiting are used. The RKM defines a signal as an “event indicator”. This for menu selections. is the basic mechanism used for all intertask communication. The message system, in reality, uses signals to notify tasks of die Multiple Windows with One IDCMP Port arrival of new messages. Usually, when an Intuition window is opened, Intuition A task may define up to 32 different signals, 16 of which allocates for it a message port known as the IDCMP port, are reserved for system use (leaving 16 user signals). These through which it communicates various Intuition-related signals are represented as bits. They are independent of each messages. odier, and may be used concurrendy. A signal is relative to the Since all die windows should display die same menu, and task that defined it. Any task wishing to signal a target task must all are monitored by die same program, it is not necessary to let use a signal that was defined by the target task. Intuition create a separate IDCMP port for every window, The A signal is defined using the AilocSignal roudne, which program makes sure that only one port is created, by allocating returns the allocated signal bit number. A specific signal can be one itself and by forcing Intuition to NOT create an IDCMP allocated by passing its number to AilocSignal, or -1 can be message port. This is done by setting up die IDCMPFiags field passed, to let die system allocate die next available signal. to null. Once die window is opened, its UserPort pointer is Before diis signal can be used in any signal related routines, it pointed to the allocated port, and die proper IDCMPFiags are must be converted into a bit mask. In C, that would be done set via a call to ModifylDCMP. with the shift operator (« ), but in Modula-2 that is done by Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMClosing windows that share the same port requires the INCLuding it in a bitset, as follows (using Benchmark): reverse of the above procedure. First, all pending Intuition messages must be removed from die port (or else some adverse VAR SigBItNum : SignalRange; diings can happen). Then the window’s UserPort must be sent SigMask : SicnalSet; to NIL, as well as to the IDCMPFiags field. Only then can BEGIN SigBitNum := AilocSignal(AnySignal); CloseWindow be called. INCL(SigMask,CARDINAL(SigBitNura);
Signalling a task is done dirough a call to Signal, which Task Creation accepts to argument: a pointer to the target task, and a signal The parent task creates sub-tasks with a call to CreateTask. mask containing the signal bit that was previously allocated by The parameters to CreateTask are: new task’s name, the created the target task. task's priority, die address of die code die created task is to execute, and the size of the task’s stack. .Sorts The sub-task's local variables are allocated on its own I’ve included modules for die following sorts: Bubble, stack space, so make sure the stack is large enough to accom Quick, Shell, and Heap. These are probably the most widely modate all local variables, as well as anything diat may get known sorts. I've extracted the implementations from various pushed onto the stack during procedure calls (i.e. return sources, and modified them in only two ways. First, whenever addresses, and the called procedures’ local variables) or during an element of the array changes in value, a call is made to a context switch (when the system switches to anodier task it UpdateDisplay. Second, where some implementations assumed pushes all the CPU’s register on the stack). that arrays are 1 relative (i.e. the first element has an offset of 1), some additional (but trivial) changes were introduced to Reentrancy and Multitasking handle die fact diat Modula's open arrays are 0 relative. Naturally, die sub-tasks can freely modify their own local variables, but they can also access the program’s global vari Program Modules ables. Modifying global data is a tricky chore with multitasking. Aside from the four sort modules, the program consists of Therefore, it should eidier be eliminated or done in a restricted, die following modules: well understood manner. This is necessary because all die sub tasks execute the same code and, as such, should not change Termination any data that might accidentally affect each other. This ability to The code for this module appeared in a previous article. END InitRea;
PROCEDURE InicGcordEntry(VAR coords : ARRAY OF CoordinateType; offset. : CARDINAL; left, top : INTEGER); BEGIN WITH coords[offset] DO Left := left; Top top END; END InitCoordEntry;
PROCEDURE SetUpSlmpleBorder(VAR Coords: ARRAY OF CoordinateType; GadWidth, GadHeight : CARDINAL; VAR border ; Border; Left, Top : INTEGER; Front, Back, count : BYTE; Mode : DrawModeSet; NextBorder : BorderPtr); BEGIN InitCoordEntry(Coords,0,0,0); InitCoordEntry(Coords,1,GadWidth*1, 0); InitCoordEntry(Coords,2,GadWidth+1,GadHeight+1); InitCoordEntry(Coords,3,0,GadHeighc + 1); InitCoordEntry(Coords,4,0,0); initBorder (border, Left, Top, Front, Back., count, Mode, A DR(Coords),NIL); END SetUpSlmpleBorder;
PROCEDURE AIlccateStandardBorder(Width, Height : CARDINAL; Front, Back : BYTE; Mode : DrawModeSet): BorderPtr; VAR Border? : BorderPtr; CoordPtr; POINTER TO StandardCoordType; * Home Or Business Alarm * Graphic Control Famel BEGIN * Traffic Flow Monitoring * Menu And Mouse Driven CoordPtr ;= AllocRemember(RKey, TSIZE(StandardCoordType), MemReqSetU}; * Log And Time Stamp Events * Modem Alert Option Border? := AllocRemember(RKey, TSIZE(Border), MemReqSet()); * Attendance Counting * Digitized Alarm Effects SetUpSlmpleBorder(CoordPtr*, Width, Height, * External BSR/X-10 Control * Synthesized Computer Speech Border?*,-L,-1,Front,Back,BYTE(5).Mode,NIL); * Light Level Detection RETURN(BorderP); * Hot Key Recall Sequence END AllocareStandardBorder; PROCEDURE AllccateReqBorder(Width, Height : CARDINAL; Completely MULTI-TASKING uifth hooks to start Front, Back ; BYTE; Mode : DrawModeSet): BorderPtr; other computer programs when a BREACH is VAR defected. Uses of the Intruder Alert Monitor are BorderP : BorderPtr; CoordPtr: POINTER TO StandardCoordType; only limited by the ingenuity o f YOU, the user. BEGIN CoordPtr AllocRemember(RKey, TSIZE (StandardCoordType) , MemReqSet{ }); BorderP := AllocRemember(RKey, TSIZE(Border) , KeaReqSet{ )) ; SetUpSlmpleBorder(CoordPtr*,Width-2, Height-2, Border?*,0,0,Front,Back,BYTE(5),Mode,NIL); RETURN(3order?); 3014 Alta Mere Dr., Ft. Worth, TX 76116 Phone:817-244-41B0 END AllocateReqBorder; PROCEDUREHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM AddGadgetToList(VAR GadList : GadgetPtr; Left, Top ; INTEGER; width, height ; INTEGER; RETURN MyScreen flags : GadgetFlagsSet? END OpenSimpleScseen; Activate : GadgetActivationSet; Type : GadgetTypeSet; PROCEDURE Oper.SimpleWindow (width, height, left, top CARDINAL; Render : ADDRESS; title : ADDRESS; Select : ADDRESS; flags : WindowFlagsSet; Special: ADDRESS; idcnpflags : iDCMPFlagsSet; ID : CARDINAL; gadget : GadgetPtr; User : ADDRESS; screen : ScreenPtr) : WindowPtr; Text : IntuiTextPtr) : GadgetPtr; VAR VAR MyNewWindcw : NevWindow; Gad?, tmp i GadgetPtr; BEGIN BEGIN WITH MyNewWindow DO Gad? := AllocRemember(RKey, TSIZE(Gadget), MemReqSet(}) ; LeftEdge := left; trap := InitGadget(GadPA, Left, Top, width, height, flags, TopEdge := top; Activate, Type, Render, Select, Special, ID, Height := height; User, Text); Width width; GadP*.NextGadget GadList; DetailPen := BYTE (0); GadList := GadP; BlockPen := BYTE (1); RETURN(Gad?) ; Title :*» title; END AddGadgetToList; Flags :*> flags; IDCMPFlags :- Idcmpflags; PROCEDURE QpenSimpleScreen(width,height,depth : CARDINAL; CheckMark :- NIL; modeset ; ViewModesSet; FirstGadget := gadget; Title : ADDRESS) ; ScreenPtr; IF screen <> NIL THEN VAR Type CustomScreen; newScr : NewScreen; Screen := screen; MyScreen : ScreenPtr; ELSE BEGIN Type :■ WBenchScreen; WITH newScr DO END; LeftEdge := 0; BitMap NIL; TopEdge := 0; MinWidth := 0; MinHeight := 0; Width := width; MaxWidth := 0; MaxHeight := 0; Height := height; END; Depth := depth; (* Now open the window *) Detailren := BYTE(0); RETURN Openwindow(MyNewWindow); BlockPen : = BYTE(1); END OpenSimpleWindow; ViewMcdes :» modesec; IF width > 320 THEN PROCEDURE SetScreenColors(screen : ScreenPtr; INCL(ViewModes, Hires) data : ARRAY OF CHAR); END; VAR IF height > 200 THEN size, INCL(ViewModes, Lace) i,j ; CARDINAL; END; table : ARRAY[0..31] OF CARDINAL; Font := NIL; Str ; ARRAY[0..2) OF CHAR; DefaultTitle Title; succ : BOOLEAN; Gadgets := NIL; temo : LONGCARD; CustcnBitMap :- NIL; BEGIN Type ;= CustomScreen; i :a StringLength(data); END; size i DIV 4; MyScreen := (QpenScreen(newScr)); IF (i MOD 4) <> 0 THEN INC (size) END; IF Title = NIL THEN FOR i := 0 TO size - 1 DO ShowTitle(MyScreen*,FALSE); FOR j : 0 TO 2 DO END; str[j) := data((i*4)+jl; END; (continued) Sorter : TaskPtr; FinishPlace, Now For The Amiga! Color : CARDINAL; Kin : WindowPtr; Sort : SortProc; Name : WlndovTitleType; 3usy : BOOLEAN; Are you tired of fumbling under or behind END;
your computer to swap your mouse and joy ArrayType - ARRAY [0. .ArraySize-11 OF C7iRDINAL;
stick cables? Are your cable and computer SooraArrayType ■ ARRAYtQ..ZoomArraySize-l] OF CARDINAL;
connectors worn out from all the plugging and InstructionType - (CopvArray, SortArray, AbortSort, Quit);
unplugging? Then Mouse Master is a must instructionSet - SET OF InstructionType; for you! ParentTask : TaskPtr; TaskArray: ARRAY{0..MaxTasks - 1] OF TaskRec; GlobalCount : CARDINAL; GlobalInstruction : InstructionType; GlobaiArray ; ArrayType; ZoomGloba 1 Array : ZoomArrayType; Zooraedln : BOOLEAN; NumOfTasks : CARDINAL; MSScreen : ScreenPtr; MainPort : MsgPortPtr; MainSignalSet : SignalSet;
END MSGIobal. *39.95 3 plus shipping Listing Four & handling. DEFINITION MODULE MSMisc > DEFINITION MODULE MSMisc; (602) 322-6100 I/I MultiSort Miscellaneous Routines o (* Steve Faiwiszewski April 1989 (* H (•***-**......
FROM MSGIobal IMPORT InstructionType; FROM Intuition IMPOR’ WindowPtr; Practical FROM Rasters IMPORT RastPortPtr; FROM Tasks IMPORT SignalRange;
c Solution/® PROCEDURE ClcseWindowSafely(Win : WindowPtr); (* Close window but make sure that all messages *) Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM1135 N. Jones Blvd., Tucson. AZ 05716 (* have been processed first. *) PROCEDURE AllocateSignai(VAR SigBit : SignalRange); succ :» ConvStringToN umber (s'r, temp, FALSE, 16); PROCEDURE WaitForResponses; cable[i] :» ten?; END; PROCEDURE SicnalTasks(instruction : InstructionType); LoabRG34(screen*.Viewport,ADR(tabie),size); (* Send 'instruction' to all the sort tasks ") END SetScreenColors; PROCEDURE UpdateDisplay{rp : RastPortPtr; BEGIN VAR array : ARRAY OF CARDINAL; RKey := NIL; Addlerminator(ReleaseAllocations); size, element, color : CARDINAL); END IntuiCommon. Update the pixel position corresponding tc the given array element number. Entry: rp : RastPortPtr to the window to be updated Listing Three array : the array being sorted. It's passed so that the element's value can be accessed. DEFINITION MODULE MSGIobal It's passed by reference for efficiency, size : the array size. element : the element whose pixel must be rendered DEFINITION MODULE MSGIobal; color : rendering color
END MSMisc. MultiSort Global nodule Some declaration of record types and global variables Listing Five Steve Faiwiszewski April 1938 DEFINITION MODULE MSMenus
FROM Tasks IMPORT TaskPtr, SignalSet, SignalRange; DEFINITION MODULE MSMenus; FROM Intuition IMPORT WindowPtr, ScreenPtr; FROM Rasters IMPORT RastPortPtr; FROM Ports IMPORT MsgPortPtr; (" C MultiSort Menu Support Module CCNST C ScreenWidth = 640; (* Steve Faiwiszewski April 19SE ScreenHeight - 400; (" WindowWidth - 190; WindowHeight ■ WindowWidth + 10; ScreenMidPoint ■ ScreenHeight DIV 2; FROM Intuition IMPORT MenuPtr; ArraySize » WindowWidth - 3; ZoomArraySize » ScreenHeight - 13; CONST ABORTED - 0FFFFH; ItemData ■ 0; MaxTasks * 6; ItemStart = 1; ItemQuit - 2; SubAscending = 0; SortProc = PROCEDURE(RastPortPtr, VAR ARRAY OF CARDINAL, SubDescending * 1; CARDINAL, CARDINAL); SubRandom. = 2; SubUniqRandorr. - 3; WindOwTitleType - ARRAY[0..10] OF CHAR; SubCustomized B 4;
TaskRec *■ RECORD (* Task's context •) VAR PrivateSignal ; SignalSet; MenuStrip, SigBit : SignalRange; SecondKenuStrip : MenuPtr; PROCEDURE InltMenus() : Ker.uPtr; (* Set up primary menu •)
PROCEDURE InitSecondMenu() : MenuPtr; (" Set up secondary menu *)
PROCEDURE ConnectMenu(MenuStrip : MenuPtr); {' Connect given menu to all the windows •)
PROCEDURE DlsconnectMenu; (* Disconnect the menu from all the windows ") END MSMenus. E r i c h Stein & Associates , I n c ,
Listing Six DEFINITION MODULE MSSortTask Public Relations Consultants
DEFINITION MODULE MSSortTask;
MultiSort SorterTask module Each created task runs the SorterTask procedure. This Because the quality of your procedure handles communication with the parent task, as well as actually calling the sort procedure. reputation is just as important (* Steve Faiwiszewski April 1988 as the quality o f your product.
PROCEDURE SorterTask;
END MSSortTask.
Listing Seven DEFINITION MODULE MSZoom
DEFINITION MODULE MSZoom; PO Box GS5 r <* MultiSort Zoom Routines Denver. Colorado 80201 <* (* Steve Faiwiszewski April 1988 ") TEL (303) 733-3707 (" •) - - *) FROM Intuition IMPORT windowPtr; VARHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM ZoomWindow : WindowPtr;
PROCEDURE UnZoom; DEFINITION MODULE QuicfcEor!:; (* Close the Zoom window *} (■ Steve Faiwiszewski April 1988 *} PROCEDURE Zoom(n : CARDINAL); (* Open a Zoom window for the selected sort *) FROM Rasters IMPORT RastPortPtr;
PROCEDURE Sort ItZoomed; PROCEDURE Sort(Rport ; RastPortPtr; (* Sort in the Zoom window, using the larger Zoom a; ray *) VAR array : ARRAY OF CARDINAL; size, color : CARDINAL); END MSZoom. END Quicksort. Listing Eight
DEFINITION MODULE MSData DEFINITION MODULE KeapSort;
DEFINITION MODULE MSData; C Steve Faiwiszewski April 1988 *) (* * * ...... FROM Rasters IMPORT RastPortPtr; <" (• MultiSort Data Collection and Organization Routines PROCEDURE Sort (Rport : RastPortPtr; <* VAR array : ARRAY OF CARDINAL; (’ Steve Faiwiszewski April 1988 Size, color ; CARDINAL); END HeapSort.
PROCEDURE initializeData(order : CARDINAL); (* Set up the data in the array per user's request *) DEFINITION MODULE ShellSort; END MSData, (* Steve Faiwiszewski April 1986 p) Listings Nine—Twelve FROM Rasters IMPORT RastPortPtr; PROCEDURE Sort(Rport : RastPortPtr; “SORT” DEFINITION MODULES VAR array : ARRAY OF CARDINAL; size, color : CARDINAL); DEFINITION MODULE BubbleSort; END ShellSort. (• Steve Faiwiszewski April 1988 *)
FROM Rasters IMPORT RastPortPtr;
PROCEDURE Sort(Rport : RastPortPtr; VAR array : ARRAY OF CARDINAL; size, color : CARDINAL);
END BubbleSort.
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IMPLEMENTATION MODULE MSGlobal; We take a byte out of the price MultiSort Global module Not out of your pocket! This is where sorts are added to the program. To add a new sort, import the sort module, and add an corresponding statement to the initialization section, as shown below. The sort procedure itself must be compatible with the declaration of SortProc.
(• Steve Faiwiszewski April 1958
IMPORT BubbleSort; IMPORT Quicksort,- IMPORT ShellSort; IMPORT HeapSort;
PROM Tasks IMPORT NoSignals;
i : CARDINAL;
PROCEDURE AddAsort(name : WirdowTirleType; SortProc); (* Add a sort to the array of sort tasks ■ BEGIN WITH TaskArray[NumOfTasks] DO Name := name; Sort := sort; SigBit := NoSignals; Win NIL; Sorter := NIL END; INC(NumOfTasks) END AddAsort; 51 Norwich New London BEGIN NumOfTasks := 0; Turnpike Rte 32 AddAsort('Bubble BubbleSort.Sort); AddAsort('Quick Quicksort.Sort) ; Quaker Hill, CT 06375 AddAsort('Shell *,ShellSort.Sort); AddAsort('Heap HeapSort.Sort); END MSGlobal. (203) 443-4623
Listing Fourteen Amiga is a registered name of Commodore Amiga, Inc. IMPLEMENTATION MODULE MSMisc IMPLEMENTATIONHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM MODULE MSMisc; ) (* MultiSort Miscellaneous Routines *) PROCEDURE AllocateSignal(VAR SigBit : SignalRange); (* Steve Faiwiszewski ADril 1988 ') BEGIN <***•**•...... SigBit AllocSignal(AnySignal); IF Slg3it = NoSignals THEN ExitGracefully{9) END; FROM MSGlobal IMPORT InstructionType, Globallnstruction, END AllocateSignal; NumOfTasks, TaskArray, MainPort, MainSignalSet; “ROM Termination IMPORT ExitGracefully; PROCEDURE WaitForResponses; (* Wait till all tasks signal. •> FROM Intuition IMPORT windDwPtr, IntuiMessagePtr, MenuPick, VAR MenuNull, IDCMPFlagsSet, ModifylDCMP, i, CloseWindow, I7EMNUM, MENUNUM; TotalSignals CARDINAL; FROM Interrupt IMPORT Forbid, Permit; sig SignalSet; FROM Tasks IMPORT Signal, SignalSet, Wait; mp IntuiMessagePtr; FROM Ports IMPORT GetKsg, ReplyMsg, MsgPortPtr; class IDCMPFlagsSet; FROM Lists IMPORT Remove; code CARDINAL; FROM AmigaDOS IMPORT SigBreakCtrlC; BEGIN FROM Drawing IMPORT Move, Draw, SetAPen, WritePixel; TotalSignals 0; FROM Rasters IMPORT RastPortPtr; REPEAT FROM Tasks IMPORT SignalRange, AllocSignal, AnySignal, sig :** Wait(MainSignalSet)? NoSignals; IF SigBreakCtrlC IN sig THEN ExitGracefully(99) END; IF Ca r d i n a l (Main?ort".mpSigBit) IN sig THEN CONST mp := GetMsg(MainPort"); DrawOffset = 10; WHILE ap <> NIL DO class ; = mp".Class; PROCEDURE StripIntuiMessages Imp : MsgPortPtr; code := mp",Code; Win : KindowPtr); ReplyMsg(mp) ; (* Remove all messages from oort *) IF (MenuPick IN class) AND VAR (code <> MenuNull) THEN msg, (" we only have one menu option: abort *) succ : IntuiMessagePtr; IF (MENUNUM(code) * 0) AND BEGIN (ITEMNUM(COde) - 0) THEN msg ;= IntuiMessagePtr(mp"-mpMsgList.lhHead); Globallnstruction := AbortSort; WHILE msg".ExecKessage.mnNode.inSucc <> NIL DO END; succ := IntuiMessagePtr(msg".ExecMessage.mnNode.InSucc); END; IF msg".IDCMPWindow = win THEN mp := IntuiMessagePtr(GetMsg(MainPort*)); Remove (msg'". ExecMessage.mnNode) ; END; ReplyMsg(msg) END; END; FOR i :** 0 TO NumOfTasks - 1 DO msg : = succ; IF CARDINAL(TaskArray(1].SigBit) IN sig THEN END; INC(TotalSignals); END StripIntuiMessages; END; END; PROCEDURE CloseWindowSafely(Win : WindowPtr); UNTIL (TotalSignals = NumOfTasks); BEGIN END WaitForResponses; Forbid; (* make sure nobody gets a chance to send us *) (* new msgs *) StripIntuiMessages(Win*.UserPort,Win) ; PROCEDURE SignalTasks(instruction : InstructionType); (* make sure Intuition doesn't close the IDCMP port *) Win”1 .UserPort NIL; VAR i ; CARDINAL; ModifylDCMP(Win",IDCMPFlagsSet()); BEGIN Permit; Globallnstruction :=* instruction; CloseWindow(Win") ; (* make sure tasks only run after they all have been *) END CloseWindowSafely; (continued) signalled *) END; Forbid; TextPtr := AllocRemember(RKey, TSIZE(IntuiText), FOR i := 0 TO NumOfTasks - 1 DO MemReqSet(MemClear}); WITH TaskArray[i] DO IF TextPtr - NIL THEN Signal(Sorter*,PrivateSignai); WriteString( END; 'Could not allocate a IntuiText record!'); END; WriteLn; Permit; ExitGracefully(999) WaitForResponses END; D SignalTasks; Previous*.NextItem ;** ItemPtr; Previous := ItemPtr; WITH TaskArrayli-l) DO PROCEDURE UpdateDisplay(rp : RastPortPtr; j := 0; VAR array : ARRAY OF CARDINAL; WHILE (Name [ j] <> ' ’) AND size, element, color : CARDINAL); (j < TSIZE(WindowTitleType)) DO VAR INC(j) dummy : INTEGER; END; x : CARDINAL; NamePtr :■ AllocRemember(RKey, j, BEGIN MemReqSet(MemClear)); SetAPen (rp*, 0); FOR k := 0 TO j - 1 DO NamePtr* fk) := Nairn[k] END; x := element + 1; END; Move(rp*,x,DrawOffset); ItemPtr Draw(rp*,x,DravOffset+size); InitltemRec(ItemPtr*,0,i*10,MainMenuWidth,10,0C, SetAPen (rp*,color); InitTextRec(TextPtr*,18,1,BYTE(0),BYTE(1),Jam2, dummy := WritePixel(rp*,x,DrawOfiset + array[element 1); NamePtr)>; END UpdateDisplay; WITH ItemPtr* DO INCL(Flags,Checklt); END KSMiSC. MutualExclude := MenuItemMutualExcludeSet(QFFFFFFFFH); EXCL(MutualExclude, i) Listing Fifteen END; END; IMPLEMENTATION MODULE MSMenus END InitZoomMenu; IMPLEMENTATION MODULE MSMenus; PROCEDURE InitMenusO: MenuPtr; (* * * * ‘ VAR {* MultiSort Menu Support Module MenuStrip : MenuPtr; {* Steve Faiwiszewski April 1988 *) BEGIN * * ' MenuStrip := InitMenuRec(MyMenu,3,0,MainMenuWidth,10, ADR(1 Action')); FROM MSGlobal IMPORT FROM IntuiCommon IMPORT MyMenu.Firstltem := FROM Termination IMPORT AddTerminator, ExitGracefully; InitltemRec(MyMenultems[0),0,0, MainMenuWidth,10,CC, InitTextRec(MyMenuText10),0,1,BYTE(0),BYTE(1),Jam2, FROM TermlnOut IMPORT WriteString, WriteLn; ADR ( 'Data'))) ; FROM Intuition IMPORT Menu, MenuPtr, Menultem, MenuItemPtr, IntuiText, IntuiTextPtr, MyMenultems[0].Subitem := ClearMenuStrip, MenuItemFlags, InitltemRec(Dataltems[0],MainMenuWidth DIV 2,0, MenuItemFlagsSet, SetMenuStrip, SubKenuWidth,10,'A', MenultemMutuaiExciudeSet, InitTextRec(DataText(0),0,1,BYTE(0), BYTE(1),Jaa2, RememberPtr, AIIacRemenber, ADR(’Ascending' ))); FreeRemember; FROM Memory IMPORT MemReqSet, MemClear; Dataltems(01 .Nextltem f r o m Rasters IMPORT Jam2; InitltemRec(Dataltems(1],MainMenuWidth DIV 2,10, FROM SYSTEM IMPORT ADR, BYTE, TSIZE; SubMenuWidth,10,'D', InitTextRec(DataText[1),0,1,BYTE(0),BYTE(1),Jam2, Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMADR(’Descending')}); MainMenuWidth » 90; SubMenuWidth * 14 0; Dataltems[1].Nextltem :■ InitltemRec(Dataltems(2),MainMenuWidth DIV 2,20, SubMenuWidth, 10,' R', MyMenu, InitTextRec(DataText[2],0,1,3YTE(0),BYTE(1),Jam2, ZocmMenu, ADR(‘Random'))); MySecMenu : Menu; Zoomltem : Menultem; Dataltems[2].Nextltem ZoomText : IntuiText; InitltemRec(Dataltems[3),MainMenuWidth DIV 2,30, Dataltems ; ARRAY[0. . 4J OF Menultem; SubMenuWidth,10,'U', MyMenultems : ARRAY[0..2] OF Menultem; InitTextRec (DataText [3], 0, 1, BYTE (0), 3YTE (1) , Jair.2, MySecMenuIterns : ARRAY[0..0) OF Menultem; ADR('Unique Random'))}; DataText : ARRAY[0..A) OF IntuiText MyMenuText I ARRAY[0. . 2) OF IntuiText Dataltems[3].Nextltem :» MySecMenuText : ARRAY[0..0] OF IntuiText InitltemRec(Dataltems[4],MainMenuWidth DIV 2,40, RKey : RememberPtr; SubMenuWidth,10, 'C', InitTextRec(DataText[4], 0,1,BYTE(0),3Y7E(1),Jam2, ADR('Customized'))); PROCEDURE Cleanup,- BEGIN MyMenultems(0).Nextltem := FreeRemember(RKey,TRUE) InitltemRec(MyMenultems[1],0,10,MainMenuWidth,10,'S', END Cleanup; InitTextRec(MyMenuText[1],Q,1,BYTE(0),BYTE(1),Jam2, ADR(’Start')));
PROCEDURE InitZoomMenu(MenuStrip ; MenuPtr); MyMenultems[1].Nextltem (* Set up the Zoom menu *) InitltemRec(MyMenultems(2),0,20,MainMenuWidth,10,'Q', VAR InitTextRec(MyMenuText[2],0,1,BYTE(0),BYTE(1),Jam2, ItemPtr, ADR('Quit'))); Previous : MenuItemPtr; TextPtr : IntuiTextPtr; InitZoomMenu(MenuStrip); i,j,k : CARDINAL; NamePtr : POINTER TO WindowTitleType; RETURN MenuStrip BEGIN END InitMenus; MenuStrip*.NextMenu := InitMenuRec(ZcomMenu, MainMenuWidth+3,0, MainMenuWidth, 10, PROCEDURE InitSecondMenu() : MenuPtr; ADR(v Zoom'}); VAR ZoomMenu.Firstltem := MenuStrip ; MenuPtr; InitltemRec(Zoomltem,0,0,MainMenuWidth,10, 0C, BEGIN InitTextRec (ZoomText, 18, 1,BYTE (0) , BYTE (1) , Jair2, MenuStrip := InitMenuRec(MySecMenu,3,0, 78,10, ADR('All'))); ADR(' Action')); WITH Zoomltem DO Flags := Flags + MenuItemFlagsSet(CheckIt,Checked); MySecMenu.Firstitem MutualExclude := MenultemMutuaiExciudeSet (OrFFFFFFFH) ; InitltemRec(MySecMenuItems[ 0 ] , 0,0,MainMenuWidth,10,' S', EXCL(MutualExclude,0) InitTextRec(MySecMenuText[0],0,1,BYTE(0),BYTE(1),Jam2, END; ADR('Stop')) ); Previous ;= ZoomMenu.jrirstltem; RETURN MenuStrip FOR i := 1 TO NumOfTasks DO END InitSecondMenu; ItemPtr := AllocRemember(RKey, TSIZS(Menultem), MemReqSet(MemC1ea r)); IF ItemPtr = NIL THEN PROCEDURE DisconnectMenu; WriteString( VAR i : CARDINAL; 'Could not allocate a Menultem record!'); BEGIN WriteLn; ExitGracefully(999) FOR i 0 TO NumOfTasks - 1 DO ClearMenuStrip(TaskArray[i].Win") END; y < H ADVANCEDIX>V END DisconnectMenu; ( jf o M P UTER SHRVICE ? A PROCEDURE ConnectMenu(MenuStrip : MenuPtr); VAR i : CARDINAL; BEGIN •PRESENTS ” FOR i :» 0 TO NunOfTasks - 1 DO SetMenuStrip(TaskArray(i).Win",MenuStrip*) END; THE AMIGA SERVICE CLUB END ConnectMenu; GET YOUR NEXT AMIGA, BEGIN SOFTWARE,AND RKey :* NIL; AddTerminator(Cleanup) ACCESSORIES AT END MSMenus. THE BeSt PRICES Listing Sixteen OUR CLUB BBS IMPLEMENTATION MODULE MSSortTask GIVES YOU MORE... LIKE THE ENTIRE PUBLIC IMPLEMENTATION MODULE MSSortTask; DOMAIN LIBRARY (•***'***********...... ■»•****) (* MultiSort SorterTask module M ! NO ON-LINE CHARGES ! {* Steve Faiwiszewski April 1988 *) <* *...... GET ALL THIS AMD MORE FROM MSGlOfcal IMPORT ArraySize, instructionType, ABORTED, TaskArray, GlobalCcunt, GlobalArray, ■ ENROLL NOW!* Globallnstruction, ParentTask, ArrayType; ^ ★ A M ) SAVE $5 ★ FROM MSMisc IMPORT AllocateSignal, UpdateDisplay; FROM Interrupts IMPORT Forbid, Permit; GET *5 OFF YOL’R REGULAR YEARLY FROM Tasks IMPORT SignalRange, SlgnalSet, Signal, Wait, DUES OF {25 BY ENROLLING NOV! Freesignal; SEND 5 20 TO; ADVANCED c o m p u t e r servi ces ves t PO BOX 1599, LOMtTA, CA. 90717 PROCEDURE SorterTask; Amiga 1$ a trademark cf Commodcre-Amiaa VAR i, TaskNum t CARDINAL; Onlv Amiga Makes It Possible?' LocalArray : ArrayType; LocalSigBit : SignalRange; sig, ParentSignal; SignalSec; NeedToCopyArray ; BOOLEAN;
PROCEDURE CopyArraylfNeeaTo; VAR i : CARDINAL; T I l V BEGIN WITH TaskArray[TaskNum] DO IF (Globallnstruction = CopyArray) OR Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM(NeedToCopyArray AND (Globallnstruction <> Quit)) THEN LocalArray := GlobalArray; UNTIL GlofcalIn5Lri;ct.ion - Quiz; FOR i := 0 TO ArraySize-1 DO Sorter := NIL; UpdateDisplay(Win*.RPort,LocalArray, END; (* with *) ArraySize,i,Color) (* Tell parent we're quitting *) END; Signal (ParentTask*,ParentSignal); NeedToCopyArray : = FALSE; FreeSignal(LocalSig3it); END; {* if *) END SorterTask; END; (* with *) END CopyArraylfNeedTo; END MSSortTask.
PROCEDURE SortloealArray; 3EGIN Listing Seventeen WITH TaskArray[TaskNum] DO Busy :■ TRUE; IMPLEMENTATION MODULE MSZoom Sort(Win*.RPort,LocalArray,ArraySize, Color) ; Busy := FALSE; IMPLEMENTATION MODULE MSZoom; (* assure we'll be the only task that gets to modify *) £* GlobaiCount *) Forbid; (* MultiSort Zoom Routines IF Globallnstruction = AbortSort THEN (* Steve Faiwiszewski April 1SS8 *) FinishPlace ;= A30RTED ELSE INC(GlobaiCount); FROM MSGlobal Zoomedln, ZoomArraySize, ScreenHeight, FinishPlace := GlobaiCount; ScreenWidth, MSScreen, TaskArray, END; MainPort, Globallnstruction, Permit; InstructionType, ZoomGiobalArray; NeedToCopyArray := TRUE; FROM MSMisc IMPORT CloseWindowSafely, UpdateDisplay; END; (* with *) FROM MSMenus IMPORT MenuStrip, SecondNenuStrip, END SortLocalArray; SubUn iqRa ndom; FROM MSData IMPORT InitializeData; BEGIN {* SorterTask *} FROM IntuiCommon IMPORT OpenSimpleWindow; (* make sure no other task gets to run, since we'll be *) FROM Termination IMPORT EzitGracefully; (■ modifying global data. ") FROM Intuition IMPORT WindowPtr, windowFlagsSet, Forbid; SnartRefresn, IDCMPFlags, Window:lags, TaskNum := GlobaiCount; IDCMPFlagsSet, ModifylDCMP, INC(GlobaiCount); ClearMenuStrip, SetMenuStrip, Permit; (* Since we got our task number we can ”) SetWindowTitles; (* safely allow other tasks to run *) FROM SYSTEM ADR, ADDRESS; NeedToCopyArray ;= FALSE; WITH TaskArray[TaskNum] DO PrivateSignal := SlgnalSet{); ZoomSort CARDINAL; AiiocateSignal(LocalSigBit); INCL(PrivateSignal,CARDINAL(LocalSigBit)); PROCEDURE UnZoom; ParentSignal := SignalSet[}? BEGIN INCL(ParentSignal,CARDINAL(SigBit)); IF Zoomedln THEN REPEAT ClearMenuStrip(ZoomWindow*); (* Tell parent we're ready *) CloseWindowSafely(ZoomWindow); Signal(ParentTask*,ParentSignal) ; Zoomedln := FALSE (* wait for instructions *) END; sig:* Wait(PrivateSignal); END UnZoom; CopyArrayIfNeedTo; IF Globallnstruction * SortArray THEN SortlocalArray PROCEDURE 2oon(n CARDINAL) ; END; VAR (continued") j : CARDINAL; REPEAT BEGIN mo WaitPort(Win*,UserPort*) j UnZoom; LOOP IF n > 0 THEN mp := GetMsg(Win*.UserPort*}; ZoomWindow OpenSimpleWindow(ZoomArraySize 3, IF mp = NIL THEN EXIT END; ScreenHeight, WITH mp* DO (ScreenWidth - ZoomArraySize - 3) DIV 2, 0, NIL, code := Code; WindowFlagsSet(ActLvate,WindowDrag, NoCareRefresh} h class := Class; SmartRefresh, IDCMPFlagsSet{}, MSSereen); x MouseX; IF ZoomWindow - NIL THEN ExitGracefuily(99) END; y := MouseY; ZoomWindow*.UserPort :» MainPort; END; (* with *} ModifylDCMP (ZoomWindow*, IDCMPFlagsSet (MenuPick)) ; RepiyMsg(mp); SetMenuStrip{ZoomWindow*,MenuStrip*); If (class = IDCMPFlagsSet(MouseButtons)) AND ZoomSort := n-1; (x >= 0) AND (x < limit) AND (y >= 0) AND WITH TaskArray[ZoomSort] DO (y < limit) THEN FOR j :« 7 70 9 DO Name[jI ' END; IF code = IECodeLButton THEN SetWindowTitles(ZoomWindow*,ADR(Name),ADDRESS(-1)) ; (" button was pressed down *) END; Array[x) ;= y; Zoomedln := TRUE; UpdateDisolay(Win*.RPort,Array,limit,x, 2); InitializeData(SubUniqRandom); OldX ;= x; OldY := y; END; ReportMouse(Win*, TRUE) ; END Zoom; ELSE ReportMouse(Win*,FALSE); END; PROCEDURE SortltZoomed; SLSIF (class = IDCMPFlagsSet[MouseMove]) AND BEGIN (x < limit) AND (x 0) AND (y >= 0) AND Globallnstruction ;= SortArray; (y < limit) THEN ClearMenuStrip (ZoomWindow'1); IF x = OldX THEN SetMenuStrip(ZoomWindow*,SecondKenuStrip*); Array[x] := y; TaskArray[ZoomSort].Sort(ZoomWindow*.RPort, UpdateDisplay(Win*.RPort,Array,limit,x,2); ZoomGlobalArray,ZoomArraySize, 3); ELSE ClearMenuStrip(ZoomWindow*); m real(y - OldY) / real(x - OldX); SetMenuStrip(ZoomWindow*,MenuStrip*); b := real(OldY) - m * real(OldX); END SortltZoomed; IF X > OldX THEN Start := OldX; finish := x END MSZoom. ELSE start := x; finish := OldX END; FOR i := start TO finish DO Listing Eighteen temp ;*= TRUNC (m * real (i) + b) ; Array[i] := temp; IMPLEMENTATION MODULE MSData UpdateDisplay(Win*.RPort,Array, limit,i,2); IMPLEMENTATION MODULE MSData; END; END; OldX := x; OldY := y; FROM MSGlobal IMPORT Zoomedln, ZoomArraySize, SczeenHeight, ELSIF class = IDCMPFlagsSet(Closewindow) THEN ScreenWidth, WindowWidth, MSSereen, stop TRUE; WindowHeight, ArraySize, EXIT ZoomGlobalArray, GiobalArray, END; InstructionType; END; (* loop *) FROM MSMisC IMPORT UpdateDisplay, CloseKindowSafely, UNTIL stop; SignalTasks; CloseWindowSafely(Win) FROM MSMenus IMPORT SubCustonized, SubAscer.ding, END CollectData; SubDescending, SubUniqRandom, SubRandom; FROM MSZoom IMPORT ZoomWindow; PROCEDURE InitializeArray(order,limit : CARDINAL; FROM IntuiCommon IMPORT OpenSimpleWindow; VAR Array ; ARRAY OF CARDINAL); FROMHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMTermination IMPORT AddTerminator, ExitGracefuily; VAR i,j : CARDINAL; FROM TermlnOut IMPORT stop: BOOLEAN? FROM MathLibO IMPORT BEGIN FROM InitMathLibO (* first initialize array to 0 *) IMPORT FOR i := 0 TO limit - 1 DO FROM RandonNumbe rs Array 11] := 0; IMPORT END; FROM Ports IMPORT MsgPortPtr, GetMsg, RepiyMsg, IF order = SubCustomized THEN WaitPort; CollectData(limit,Array) FROM InputEvents ELSE IMPORT FOR i := 0 TO limit - 1 DO FROM intuition IMPORT CASE order OF IDCMPFlagsSet, windowFiags, SubAscending ; Array|ij i + 1 WindowFlagsSet, SmartRefresh, ReportMouse; SubDescending : Array[i] := limit - i FROM SYSTEM IMPORT I SubUniaRandom : REPEAT j PROCEDURE CollectData(limit : INTEGER; CARDINAL(Random(limit)); VAR Array : ARRAY OF CARDINAL); stop :» Array[j j = 0 VAR UNTIL stop; Win : WindowPtr; Array[j] :« i mp ; IntuiMessagePtr; class : IDCMPFlagsSet; SubRandom Array!i] width, height, CARDINAL(Random(limit)); left, top, ELSE temp, END; (* case *) code ; CARDINAL; END; (* for i ... * start, finish, END; <* if ... *> i i x , y , END InitializeArray; OldY, OldX ; INTEGER; n,b : REAL; PROCEDURE InitializeData(order : CARDINAL); stop : BOOLEAN; VAR BEGIN i : CARDINAL; IF Zoomedln THEN 3EGIN width ZoomArraySize + 3; IF Zoomedln THEN height ;= ScreenHeight; InitializeArray(order, ZoomArraySize, ZoomGlobalArray); left := (ScreenWidth - ZoomArraySize - 3) DIV 2; FOR : := 0 TO ZoomArraySize - 1 DO top 0; UpdateDisplay(ZoomWindow*.RPort,ZoomGlobalArray, ELSE ZoomArraySize, i,3}; width i- WindowWidth; END height ;= WindowHeight; ELSE left := (ScreenWidth - WindowWidth) DIV 2; InitializeArray(order,ArraySize,GiobalArray); top ;= (ScreenHeight - WindowHeight) DIV 2; SignalTasks(CopyArray) END; END Win := OpenSimpleWindow(width, height, left, top, END InitializeData; ADR('Data Entry Window'), WindowFlagsSet(Activate,WindowClose, PROCEDURE Cleanup; NoCareRefresh) + SmartRefresh, BEGIN IDCMPFlagsSet(Closewindow, MouseMove, CloseMathLibO; MouseButtons, MenuPick), END Cleanup; MSSereen); stop :- FALSE; BEGIN quick(j+1,ub) IF OpenMathLibO<) THEN END; Addlerminator(Cleanup); END quick; ELSE WriteStringt'Could not open Math lib!'); WriteLn; BEGIN ExitGracefully(99) quick(0,size-1) END; END Sort; END MSData, END Quicksort.
Listing Nineteen Listing Twenty-one IMPLEMENTATION MODULE BubbleSort IMPLEMENTATION MODULE HeapSort IMPLEMENTATION MODULE 3ubbleSorc; IMPLEMENTATION MODULE HeapSort;
FROM MSGIobal IMPORT Globallnstruction, InstructionTyce; FROM MSMisc IMPORT UpdateDisplay; FROM MSMisc IMPORT UpdateDisplay; FROM Rasters IMPORT RastPortPtr; FROM Rasters IMPORT RastPortPtr;
PROCEDURE Sort(Rport : RastPortPtr; PROCEDURE Sort(Rport : RastPortPtr; VAR array : ARRAY OF CARDINAL; VAR array : ARRAY OF CARDINAL; size, color ; CARDINAL); size, color : CARDINAL) ; VAR VAR ir j, i,j : INTEGER; pass, k, y : CARDINAL; high, 3EGIN temp : CARDINAL; FOR k :» 2 TO size DO Changed ; BOOLEAN; i :« k; BEGIN j := i DIV 2; Changed TRUE; y := array[k-1); pass := 0; WHILE (j > 0) AND [y > array[j-1)) DO high :*= size - 1? array[i-13 := array!j-1]; WHILE (pass < high) AND Changed DO UodateDisolay(Rport,array,size,i-1,color); Changed := FALSE; - ':= j; FOR j 0 TO high - pass -I DO j := i DIV 2; IF array[j] > array[j+l] THEN END; (* while *) Changed TRUE; array[i-1] := y; temp := array(j]j UpdateDisplay(Rport,array,size,i-1,color); array[j] := array[j+1]; END; UpdateDisplay(Rport,array,size,j,color); FOR k := size 70 2 BY -1 DO array[j+1) ;= temp; y array[k-l); UpdateDisplay(Rport,array,size,j+1,color); array[k-1] := array[0); END; UpdateDisplay(Rport,array,size,k-1,color); IF Globallnstruction = AbortSort THEN RETURN END i :» 1; END; j := 2; INC(pass) IF (array[2] > array[1]) AND (k-1 >- 1) THEN END; j 3 END Sort; END; WHILE (j <= INTEGER(k-1)) AND (arrayij-1] > y) DO END BubbleSort. array[i-l] :“ array[j-l]; UpdateDisplay(Rport,array,size,i-1,color); i := j; j := 2 * i; Listing Twenty IF (j+1 <= INTEGER(k-1)) AND Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM(array Ij} > array!j-1J) THEM IMPLEMENTATION MODULE Quicksort INC(j) END ; IMPLEMENTATION MODULE Quicksort; END; (■ while •) array[i-1] := y; FROM MSMisc IMPORT UpdateDisplay; UcdateDisclay(Rport,array,size,i-1,color); FROM Rasters IMPORT RastPortPtr; END; END Sort; PROCEDURE Sort(Rport : RastPortPtr; VAR array : ARRAY OF CARDINAL; END HeapSort. size, color : CARDINAL);
PROCEDURE Rearrange(lb,ub : INTEGER; VAR j : INTEGER); (* Variables are declared as INTEGER •) Listing Twenty-two (* since ub can go negative •) VAR IMPLEMENTATION MODULE ShellSort a i CARD I NAr.; up, down : INTEGER; IMPLEMENTATION MODULE She11Sort; BEGIN a array[lb); FROM MSMisc IMPORT UpdateDisplay; j lb; FROM Rosters IMPORT RastPortPtr; up ub; down :» lb; REPEAT PROCEDURE Sort(Rport ; RastPortPtr; WHILE [up > down) AND (array[up] >*» a) DO VAR array : ARRAY OF CARDINAL; (* move down the array *) size, color : CARDINAL); DEC(up) END; ( j : = up; VAR IF up <> down THEN t emp : CARDINAL; array[down} array[up 1; UpdateDisplay(Rport,array,size,down,color); k, j2, Incr : INTEGER; WHILE (down < up) AND (array[dcwn] <= a) DO BEGIN (* move up the array *) Incr := size DIV 2; INC(down) WHILE Ir.cr > 0 DO END; FOR i ;= Incr TO INTEGER(si2e-l) DO j down; j i - Incr; IF down <> up THEN WHILE j >= 0 CO array[upl :■» array(down); IF array[j) > array[Incr+j] THEN UpdateDisplay(Rport,array,si2e,up,color); temp !“ array[j); END; array(j) :» array[Incr*j]; END; array[Incr+j] ;= temp; UNTIL down = up; UpdateDisplay(Rport,array, size, j,color); array[j! := a; UpdateDisplay(Rport,array,size,Incr*j, UpdateDisplay(Rport,array,size, j, color) ; color); END Rearrange; DEC(j,Incr)
PROCEDURE quick(lb, ub : INTEGER); j -1 (* j is declared as INTEGER ’cause it can go negative *) END; VAR END; j : INTEGER; END; BEGIN Incr := Incr DIV 2; IF lb < ub THEN END; Rearrange(lb,ub,j); END Sort; quick (lb,j-1); end sheiisort. (continued) END; Listing Twenty-three END; (* with •) END; (• for *) (* Create tasks •) MODULE MultiSort FOR i 0 TO NumOfTasks-1 DO WITH TaskArrayfi] DO MODULE MultiSort; Sorter CreateTask(ADR(Name),0,ADR(SorterTask), 5000); MultiSort ") IF Sorter » NIL THEN ExitGracefully(99) END; (• Steve Faiwiszewski April 1988 ■) END; END; FROM MSGlobal IMPOR’ NumOfTasks, TaskArray, ParentTask, WaitForResponses InstructionType, GlobalCaunt, END Setup; Screenwidth, ScreenHeight, ABORTED, ScreenMidPoint, Windowwidth, WindawHeight, MSScreer., MainPort, MainSignalSet, ZoomedIn; PROCEDURE SortltAll; FROM MSMenus InitMenus, InitSecondMenu, CONST DisconnectMenu, ConnectMenu, ItemData, PlaceNamec - ‘Ist2nd3rd4th5th6th'; ItemStart, ItemQuit, SubUniqRandom, VAR MenuStrip,SecondMenuStrip? Places : ARRAY[0..17] OF CHAR; FROM MSMisc CloseWindowSafely, UpdatoDisplay, i,j : CARDINAL; AllocateSignal, SignalTasks, BEGIN WaitForResponses; Places :* PlaceNarr.es; FROM MSZOO® IMPORT UnZoom, Zoom, SortltZoomed; FOR i := 0 TO NumOfTasks - 1 DO FROM MSData IMPORT InitializeData; WITH TaskArrayti] DO FROM MSSortTask IMPORT Sorterlask; FOR j 7 TO 9 DO FROM Termination IMPORT AddTerminator, ExLtGracefully; Name(j] := ’ 1 ; FROM IntuiCommon IMPORT OpenSimpleScreen, OpenSimpleWindow, END? SetScreenColors; SetWindowTitles(Win",ADR(Name),ADDRESS(-1)); FROM TermlnOut IMPORT WriteString, KriteLn; END; {* with *) FROM Views IMPORT ViewModesSet; END; FROM Interrupts IMPORT Forbid, Permit; GlobalCount 0; FROM AmigaDOS IMPORT SigBreakCtrlC; ConnectMenu(SecondMenuStrip); FROM Tasks IMPORT CurrentTask, FindTask, Signal, Wait, SignalTasks(SortArray); SetSignal, SignalSet, AllocSignal, DisconnectMenu; FreeSignal, NoSignals; FOR i :» 0 TO NumOfTasks - 1 DO FROM TasksUtil IMPORT CreateTask, DeleteTask; WITH. TaskArray (i] DO FROM Ports IMPORT GetMsg, ReplyMsg; FOR j := 0 TO 2 DO FROM PortsUtil IMPORT CreatePort, DeletePort; IF FinishPlace «= ABORTED THEN FROM Intuition IMPORT SetWindowTitles, SetMenuScrip, Nametj+7) ’** ClearMenuStrip, ModifylDCMP, ELSE IntuiMessagePtr, CloseScreen, Name[j+7) ;= SmartRefresh, MENUNUM, ITEMNUM, Places((FinishPlace - 1) * 3 + j] SUBN'JM, MenuNull, WindowFlags, END WindawFlagsSet, IDCMPFlags, END; IDCMPFlagsSet; SetWindowTitles(Win",ADR(Name),ADDRESS(-1)); FROM SYSTEM ADR, ADDRESS; END; (* with *) END; END SortltAll; PROCEDURE Cleanup; VAR i : CARDINAL; PROCEDURE ProcessMenu(code : CARDINAL; VAR Quit : BOOLE; BEGIN BEGIN UnZoom; CASE MENUNUM(code) OF FOR i := 0 TO NumOfTasks-1 DO 0 : CASE ITEMNUM(code) OF WITH TaskArray[i] DO ItemData : InitializeData(SUBHUM(code)) IF Sorter <> NIL THEN DeleteTask(Sorter) END; ' Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMIF SigBit <> NoSignals THEN ItemStart: IF Zoomedln THEN FreeSignal(SigBit) Sort ItZoomed END; ELSE IF Win <> NIL THEN SortltAll ClearMenuStrip(Win"); END CloseWindowSafely(Win); END; ItemQuit : Quit := TRUE END? ELSE END; END 1 * case ■) IF HSScreen <> NIL THEN CloseScreen(MSScreen") END; I DeletePort(MainPort*); 1 ; Zoom(ITEMNUM(code)) END Cleanup; ELSE END; END ProcessMenu; PROCEDURE Setup; VAR PROCEDURE TheBigLoop; Cu rrentWindowTop, VAR CurrentwindowLeft : CARDINAL; Sig, BEGIN IntuiSic : SignalSet; ParentTask := FindTask(CurrentTask); mp : IntuiMessaqePtr; GlobalCount t* 0; class : IDCMPFlagsSet; MSScreen := NIL; code ; CARDINAL; MainPort ;= CreatePort (NIL,0); Stop : BOOLEAN; CurrentwindowLeft :■ 0; BEGIN CurrentWindowTcp := 0; IntuiSic := SignalSet U; MSScreen := OpenSimpleScreen(ScreenWidth,ScreenHeight,3, INCL(XntuiSig,CARDINAL(MainPort".mpSigBit)); ViewModesSet(), Stop :*■ FALSE; ADR('MultiSorts - by Steve Faiwiszewski')); REPEAT (* black, white, red, orange, limegreen, aqua, purple, tan *) Sig Wait(IntuiSig)? SetScreenColors(MSScreen, mp :■ GetMsg(MainPort*); '000 FFF E30 FB0 5D0 7DF F0F FEB'>; WHILE mp <> NIL DO MenuStrip :*» InitMenus (}; class :u mp".Class; SecondMenuStrip := InitSecondMenu(); code :« mp*.Code; MainSignalSet := SignalSet{); ReplyMsg(mp); INCL(MainSignalSet,CARDINAL(MainPort".mpSigBit)) ; IF (MenuPick IN class) AND (code <> MenuNull) THEN INCL(MainSignalSet,SigBreakCtrlC); DisconnectMenu; FOR i := 0 TO HumOfTasks-1 DO ProcessMenu(cede,Stop); WITH TaskArrayti] DO ConnectMenu(MenuStrip); AllocateSignal(SigBit); END; INCL(MainSignalSet,CARDINAL(SigBit)); mp :» IntuiMessagePtr(GetMsg(MainPort*)); Win OpenSimpleWindow (Wir.dowWidth, WindowHeight, END; CurrentwindowLeft, CurrentWindowTcp,NIL, UNTIL Stop; WindowFlagsSet(Activate,WindowDrag,WindowDepth, SignalTasks(Quit); NoCareRefresh) + SmartRefresh, END The3igLoop; IDCMPFlagsSet(), MSScreen); IF Win = NIL THEN ExitGracefully(99) END; Win".UserPort :** MainPort; BEGIN ModifylDCMP(Win",IDCMPFlagsSet(MenuPick)); AddTerminator(Cleanup); SetMenuStrip(Win", MenuStrip*); Setup; Color i + 3; InitializeData(SubUniqRandom); SetWindowTitles(Win*,ADR(Name),ADDRESS(-1)); TheBigLoop; INC(CurrentwindowLeft,Windowwidth); ExitGracefully(0); IF CurrentwindowLeft + Windowwidth > Screenwidth THEN END MultiSort. CurrentwindowLeft :» 0; CurrentWindowTop Screer.MidPoint; •AO P V S ew n clip itcf
Insight into the World of Freely Redistributable Software for the Amiga ™
by C.W. Flatte
Will it ever stop? I certainly hope not! GPrintV2.03 This time Fred Fish 179-188! Let's not Regexp A black & white graphics print utility for waste any time... A nearly-public-domain reimplementa Epson compatible printers. Command- tion of the V8 regexp(3) package. Gives line options allow several different print Fred Fish Disk 179 C programs the ability to use egrep-style qualities and densities. Includes a regular expressions, and does it in a couple of sample IFF files for printing. DietAid V3.1 much cleaner fashion than the analogous V2.03, binary only, shareware. By Peter (Update to FF36) routines in SysV. Includes source. By Chema Diet planning aid to allow the user to Henry Spencer compile lists of ingredients (recipes) and Jed VI. 0 automatically compute calorie totals, etc. TSnipV1.4a A nicely done, intuition-based editor that Binary' only, by Terry Gintz Very' nice “cut and paste" type utility' is quite user-friendly. Features word with lots of uses and functions. Features wrap, auto-indent, newcli, alt buffer, Dmake a pop-up intuition control panel, split-window, keyboard macro, help, Beta release of Matt's version of the multiple font and color recognition, printing, and more. V1.0, binary' only, UNIX make utility. Features multiple clipboard and pipe support and a couple shareware. By Dan Burris dependancies. wildcard support, and of utility' programs. Source for support more. Includes source. By Matt Dillion programs only. By John Russell NoVirus V1.56 Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMAnother Anti-Virus utility. This one Excption UnixUtil features known and new vims detection, Exception is a set of error handling A few CLI utilities, including some view boot block, save and restore routines that provide a programmer with functionally similiar to the UNIX utilities bootblocks, several “Install” options and the ability to easily handle often difficult of the same names. Included are: Wc, more. Written in assembly. VI,56, to implement routines. Routines such as Head, Tail, Tee, Detab, Entab, and binary only. By Nic Wilson no more memory, file not open, read/ Trunc. Descriptions are given in the write error...etc. V0.6, includes source. included ‘.doc' files. By Gary' Brant RepString V1.0 By Gerald T Hewes Nice little Cli utility' to replace any type of string in any type of file with another KickFont Fred Fish DisklSO string of any type. VI.0, binary' only, For A-1000 owners, will permanendy shareware. By Luciano Bertato replace the topaz font on the kickstart Browser VI.6 disk with a font called “look”. Includes a (Update to FF134) TrekTrivia sample in the form of an IFF picture. A programmer’s “Workbench”. Allows Very' nice mouse-driven trivia type V3.0, binary only'. Also included is you to easily and conveniently move, program for Star Trek fans. Contains Benjamin Fuller's freely redistributable copy, rename, and delete files & 100 questions with additional trivia disks ‘SumKick' program. By Greg Browne directories from a CLI environment. Also available from the author. Binary' only, provides a method to execute eidier shareware. By George Broussard Launch Workbench or CLI programs. Binary Sample program showing how y’ou can only. By Peter da Silva load and execute a program in the workbench environment, then return to GeoTime VI .0 the CLI. Includes source. By Peter da A couple of interesting “clock” type Silva programs based on the “Geochron". Observe the earth’s shadow scroll across a map or globe in real-time, based on the system clock. VI ,0, binary' only, shareware. By Mike Smithwick
(continued) Fred Fish Disk 181 Sam VI.0 Another IFF sound player with several DPS VI .0 AMXUSP command-line options. Includes several Demo version of a program that will Amiga-ized version of the XLisp inter samples. VI .0, binary' only. By Nic allow7 you to take any IFF file and save it preter originally by David Betz. V2.00, Wilson as a totally self-contained executable file, includes source. By David Betz; Amiga without the need for any IFF-viewrers. work by Francois Rouaix SetFont V2.5 VI .0, binary' only. By Foster Hall (Update to FF75) Bally VO. 1 Allows you to change die system font MouseUtil V l.l Amiga port of tire former arcade game with various command-line options. Intuition based program to allow you to named Click, Lacks sound Cleans up all known bugs in FF75. V2.5, change your mouse speed without effects,promised for later updates. V0.1, includes source in C++. By Dave Haynie having to go through preferences. Vl.l, binary only, shareware. By Oliver includes assembly source. By Luciano Wagner Bertato
Tracker VO.Oa Fred Fish Disk 183 Print VI.0 Useful debugging routines similar in Small print utility designed to replace the function but more versatile to those of FixFd VI.0 "copy
TYPE MSSortTask CoordinateType «* RECORD Left, Contains the sub-tasks' main routine. Top : INTEGER; END;
MultiSort StandardCoordType « ARRAY {Q..4] OF CoordinateType; VAR The main module. RKey: RememberPtr;
PROCEDURE Re ieaseAllocations; The code was written in such a way that adding new sorts PROCEDURE InitMenuRec (VAR Ame.nu : Menu; is trivial. Simply code the sort (with a procedure declaration that left, top, width, height : INTEGER; text : ADDRESS) : MenuPtr; will match the ones for die existing sorts) in its own module, (* Initialize a menu record. *) making sure that UpdateDisplay is called after every code PROCEDURE InitltemRec (VAP. mi : Menultem; left, top, statement that might alter die value of an array element. Then width, height : INTEGER; Ctnd : CHAR; add a statement to the initialization section of module MSGLo- ItemFillPtr : ADDRESS) : MenuItemPtr; bal, calling AddAsort with the appropriate arguments. (* Initialize an item record. ") Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMPROCEDURE InitTextRec (VAR it : IntuiText; left, top : INTEGER; Caveat front, back : BYTE; Mode : DrawModeSet; Because one sort completes before the otiiers does not text : ADDRESS) : JntuiTextPtr; neccesarily mean that it is better than die rest. It only means (" Initialize menu text record. ■) that this particular implementation sorted the particular data PROCEDURE InitBorder(VAR border : Border; Left, Top : INTEGER; faster than the other sorts. If you try different implementations Front, Back, of the same sort (there can be some variations on die same count : 3YTE; Mode : DrawModeSet; theme; the books mentioned below had quite different imple Coords : ADDRESS; Next ; BorderPtr); mentations), you might find diat their performance varies greatly. PROCEDURE InitReq(VAR requester : Requester; Left, Top : INTEGER; width, height : INTEGER; gadget : GadgetPtr; Suggested Readings border : BorderPtr; If you’re interested in further reading on sorting, here are Text : IntuiTextPtr; Fill : BYTE); some books that will send you in the right direction; (• initialize a requester *) PROCEDURE InitCoordEntry(VAR coords : ARRAY OF CoordinateType; offset : CARDINAL; Algorithms and Data Structures left, top : INTEGER); by N. Wirth / Prentice-Hall. (■ Initialize coordinates *) PROCEDURE SetUpSlmpleBorder(VAR Coords: ARRAY OF CoordinateType; GadWidth, GadHelght : CARDINAL; Data structure using Pascal VAR border : Border; Left, Top : INTEGER; by Tenenbaum & Augenstcin / Prentice-Hall. Front, Back, count : BYTE; Mode : DrawModeSet; NextBorder : BorderPtr); Algorithms (* Initialize a border *) by Robert Sedgewick / Addison-Wesley, PROCEDURE AIlocateStandardBorder(Width, Height : CARDINAL; Front, Back : BYTE; Mode : DrawModeSet): BorderPtr; The Ad of Computer Programming (* Create a simple rectangular border *) by D.E. Knuth / Addison-Wesley. PROCEDURE AllocateReqBorder(Width, Height : CARDINAL; Front, Back : BYTE; Mode : DrawModeSet): BorderPtr; (* Same as AIlocateStandardBorder, with minor *) (■ variation for requesters ")
PROCEDURE InitGadget(VAR gadget : Gadget; Left, Top : INTEGER; width, height : i n t e g e r ;
(continued) flags : GadgetFlagsSet; (* Initialize an item record. *) Activate : GadgetActivationSet; BEGIN Type : GadgetTypeSet ; WITH mi DO Render : ADDRESS; NextItem ;= NIL; Select : ADDRESS; LeftEdge := left; Special: ADDRESS; TopEdge : = top; ID : CARDINAL; Width := width; User : ADDRESS; Height : = height; Text : IntuiTextPtr) : GadgetPtr; Flags :d (« Initialize a gadget *) KenuItemFiagsSet(ItemText, ItemEnabled) + HighComp; MutualExclude : = MenuItemMutualExcludeSet(); PROCEDURE AddGadgetToLIst(VAR GadList : GadgetPtr; ItemFill := ItemFillPtr; Left, Top : INTEGER; SeiectFill := NIL; width, height : INTEGER; Command :- BYTE(Cmd); flags ; GadgetFlagsSet; IF Cmd <> OC THEN Activate : GadgetActivationSet; Flags : = Flags + MenuItemFlagsSet(CommSeq) Type : GadgetTypeSet; END; Render : ADDRESS; Subitem :* NIL; Select : ADDRESS; NextSelect 0; Special: ADDRESS; END; ID : CARDINAL; RETURN (ADR (mi) ) User : ADDRESS; END InitltemRec; Text : IntuiTextPtr) : GadgetPtr; (* Initialize a gadget and add it to a gadget list *) PROCEDURE initTextRec (VAR it : IntuiText; left, top : INTEGER; PROCEDURE OpenSimpleScreen(width,height,depth : CARDINAL; front, back : BYTE; modeset : ViewModesSet; Mode : DrawModeSet; Title : ADDRESS) : ScreenPtr; text : ADDRESS) : IntuiTextPtr; (* Initialize menu text record. *) PROCEDURE QpenSimpleWindow(width,height,left,top : CARDINAL; BEGIN title : ADDRESS; WITH it DO flags : WindowFlagsSet; FrontPen :■ front; idcmpflags : IDCMPFlagsSet; BackPen := back; gadget : GadgetPtr; LeftEdge := left; screen : ScreenPtr) : WindowPtr; TopEdge := top; DrawMode :* Mode; ITextFont := NIL; PROCEDURE SetScreenColors(screen : ScreenPtr; I Text := text; data : ARRAY OF CHAR); NextText : = NIL END; END IntuiCommon. RETURN(ADR(it)); END InitTextRec;
PROCEDURE InitBorder(VAR border : Border; Left, TOO i INTEGER; Listing Two Front, Back, count : BYTE; IMPLEMENTATION MODULE IntuiComm on Mode : DrawModeSet; Coords : ADDRESS; IMPLEMENTATION MODULE IntuiConmon; Next : BorderPtr); BEGIN (* * * .) WITH border DO (* Common intuition-related routines. *) LeftEdge := Left; {* Originally written for the TDI package, *) TopEdge : = Top; (* but was quickly modified for the Oxxi *) FrontPen := Front; (* compiler. *) BackPen := Back; (* *) DrawMode := Mode; Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM(* (c) Copyright 1967 by Steve Faiwiszewski. *) Count := count; (* This program nay be freely distributed, *) XY := Coords; (■ but it is not to be sold. *) NextBorder := Next; (* Please leave this notice intact. ") END; * * * * * * * *,*,*.***.** * * END InitBorder;
FROM Termination IMPORT AddTerminator; PROCEDURE InitGadget(VAR gadget : Gadget; FROM Conversions IMPORT ConvStringToNumber; Left, Top : INTEGER; FROM Strings IMPORT StringLength; width, height : INTEGER; FROM Rasters IMPORT DrawModeSet; flags : GadgetFlagsSet; FROM ViewsIMPORT ViewModesSet, Hires, Lace, LoadRGS*?; Activate : GadgetActivationSet; FROM Irttuition IMPORT 3order, BorderPtr, Gadget, GadgetPtr, Type : GadgetTypeSet; GadgetFlagsSet, CustonScreen, Render : ADDRESS; GadgetActivationSet, WBenchScreen, Select : ADDRESS; GadgetMutualExcludeSet, Special: ADDRESS; GadgetTypeSet, IDCMPFlagsSet, ID : CARDINAL; WindowPtr, ScreenPtr, NewWindow, User : ADDRESS; NewScreen, ShowTitle, Text : IntuiTextPtr) : GadgetPtr; WindowFlagsSet, OpenWindow, OpenScreen, BEGIN Requester, IntuiText, MenuEnabled, WITH gadget DO MenuItemMutualExcludeSet, HighComp, NextGadget NIL; IntuiTextPtr, Menu, MenuPtr, Kenultem, LeftEdge := Left; MenuItemPtr, MenuFlagsSet, CommSeq, TopEdge : = Top; MenuItemFlagsSet, ItemText, ItemEnabled, Width := width; Height := height; Rer.emberPtr, AllocRemember, Flags : = flags; FreeRemember, InitRequester; Activation := Activate; FROM Memory IMPORT MemReqSet, MemChip, MemPublic; GadgetType := Type; FROM SYSTEM IMPORT BYTE, ADDRESS, ADR, TSIZE; GadgetRender := Render; SelectRender := Select; GadgetText := Text; PROCEDURE ReleaseAllocations; MutualExclude := GadgetMutuaiExcludeSet(); BEGIN Speciallnfo := Special; FreeRemember(RKey, TRUE); GadgetID ID; UserData User END ReleaseAllocations; END; RETURN(ADR(gadget)); PROCEDURE IfiitMenuRec (VAR Amenu : Menu; END InitGadget; left, top, width, height : INTEGER; text : ADDRESS) : Mer.uPtr; PROCEDURE InitReq(VAR requester : Requester; (* Initialize a menu record. *> Left, Top : INTEGER; BEGIN width, height : INTEGER; w i t h Amenu DO gadget : GadgetPtr; NextMenu := NIL; border : BorderPtr; LeftEdge ;s left; TopEdge := top; Text : IntuiTextPtr; Width := width; Height := height; Fill : BYTE); Flags := MenuFlagsSet{MenuEnabled}; BEGIN MenuName := text; InitRequester(requester); FirstItem NIL w i t h requester DO* END; LeftEdge := Left; RETURN (ADR (Amenu)) TopEdge : = Top; END InitMenuRec; Width width; Height := height; PROCEDURE InitltemRec (VAR mi : Menultem; ReqGadget := gadget; left, top, ReqText := Text; width, height : INTEGER; ReqBorder := border; Cmd : CHAR; BackFill := Fill; ItemFillPtr : ADDRESS) : MenuItemPtr; END; D o n 't M iss It! Amazing on Disk
Source Listings and Executables from the pages of Amazing Computing! Only $6.00p e r disk ($7.00 for Non-Subscribers)
Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM
Now Available:
Amazing on Disk # 1 & # 2
Amazing on Disk #/ complete source listings from AC 3-8 and 39 Featuring: Tumbling Tots (AC V3.8) Modula-2 FFP & IEEE Math Routines (AC V3.8) Gels in Multi-Fort Part I & II (AC V3-9) The Complete CAI Authoring System in AmigaBASIC (AC V3 9) and a few freely redistributable goodies like: B-Spread MenuEd & VGad programming tools featured in "The Developing Amiga” (AC V3.8).
Amazing on Disk ^2 complete source listings from AC 4.4 F eatu rin g : GetArgs.MSB (Passing Arguments to AmigaBASIC from CLI) AmigaBASIC Shared Library Assembler Header ('C' Source Code) MidtiSort: Sorting and intertask Communication in Modula-2 plus much more.... (Order Form on inside rear cover) Fred Fish Disk 186 Mackle FracGen V1.23 A versatile cli/macro-key initiator based (Update to FF142) A68k on POPCLI with a unique method A fractal generator program diat gener A 68000 assembler originally written in of "screen-blanking”. I won’t say more, ates fractal pictures from “seeds” that you Modula-2 in 1985 and converted to C by just try it! V 1.13, includes source. This create. This is unlike any of the other Charlie Gibb in 1987. Has been con is an update to FFl6l. By Tomas Rokicki “fractal generators” I’ve seen. It can be verted to accept metacomco-compatibie used to load and display previously assembler source code and to generate SetCPUV1.4 created fractal pictures, modify existing Amiga objects. Includes source. This is A program designed to allow the user to fractals, or create your own fractals. V V2.42, an update to FF110. By Brian detect and modify various parameters 1.23, binary only, update to FF142. By Anderson; C translation and Amiga work related to 32 bit CPUs. Includes com Doug Houck By Charlie Gibb mands to enable or disable die text/data caches, switch on or off the ‘030 burst MemoryClock Cards’O’RamaVl.O cache line fill request, use the MMU to A clock program that shows the amount A simple game that let’s you push your run a ROM image from 32-bit memory, of free fast ram, free chip ram, as well as memory. It is played with a deck of 32 and to report various parameters when the time and date. Includes source in cards, grouped in 16 pairs. The cards called from a script. VI.4, includes assembly code. By Roger Fischlin are shuffled and then displayed at the source. By Dave Haynie beginning of each game. Your goal is to MinRexx pick up as many pairs as you can, until A simple ARexx interface which can be there are no cards left on the screen. Fred Fish Disk 188 easily parched into almost any program. VI.0, includes source. By Werther Pirani Includes as an example the freedraw Bootlntro V1.0 program from FF1, Includes source. By Qt2 This program creates a small intro on the Tomas Rokicki A cute program that gives the time the bootblock of any disk, which will appear way many people actually do, I.E. “it's after you insert the disk for booting. The Null V0.0 nearly ten to Five”. Includes source in headline can be up to 20 characters. The A new dos device diat behaves like assembly. By Charlie Gibb scrolling text portion can be up to 225 “NIL:" but unlike “NIL:", it is a real characters. VI .0, binary only, By Roger handler. This makes it useful in lots of SimCPM V2.3 Fischlin situations where “NIL:" cannot be used. (Update to FF109) V 0.0, includes source. By Gunnar AHi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM CP/M simulator for the Amiga. DiffDir V1.0 Nordmark Simulates an 8080 along with H19 Diffdir compares the contents of two terminal emulation. Includes source. directories, reporting on differences such TextDlsplay Vl.i This is V2.3, an update to FF109. By Jim as fdes present in only one directory, A text display program, like “more” or Cathey; Amiga port by Charlie Gibbs and different modification dates, file flags, “less", but about half the size and Willi Kusche sizes, comments, etc. VI .0, includes handles all screen formats (pal/ntsc, source. By Mark Rinfret interiace/non-interlace, etc). V 1.1, Fred Fish Disk 187 binary only. By Roger Fischlin ExecDls V1.0 Diskperf A disassembler comment generator That's all for this edition of PD Serendip A disk benchmark program which runs program for the 1.2 Kickstart ROM exec ity. Until next time... on both Unix and the Amiga. This is an library image. Generates a commented update to FF48, with bug fixes and more disassembly of the exec library. V1.0, Gotcha! reliable measurements of die faster read binary only. By Markus Wandel and write speeds available under the —C.W. Flatte new7 Fast File System. By Rick Spanbauer, FastGro V1.0 enhancements by Joanne Dow A fractal program, simulating Diffusion- Limited Aggregation (DLA) as described HackLite Vl.0.0 in die December 1988 Scientific Ameri This is the latest version the Amiga port can in the Computer Recreations column. of Hack, with lots of Amiga specific This program is about an order of enhancements and neat graphics. Now’ magnitude faster than the “SLO GRO” includes an easy to use installation program described in Scientific Ameri Send your PDS Submissions to: program. This is HackLite Vl.0.0, binary can. V 1.0, includes source. By Doug only. By Software Distillery Houck CW.FLitte . c/o A mazing Computing P.O. Box 869 Fall River, MA 02722 The Amazing Computing Freely Redistributable Software Library announces the addition of...
New O rleans C om m odore Klub’s inNOCKulation Disk Version 1.5 To help inform Amiga users of the newer Amiga viruses and provide them with the tneans to detect and eradicate those pesky little critters!
Files and directories on the VRTest3.2 Boot-Block stuff inNOCKulation Disk include: ’f ” ches ™ ry f" ™ 5'5' " the user and allow their removal il SafeBoot2.2 found. Can check & INSTALL disks, etc. SafeBoot will allow the user to save custom boot sectors of all your Virus JTextS (dir) commercial disks and save them for such Various text files from various places CLI VinisCheckers (dir) an emergency. If a virus somehow (Amicus *24, PeopleLink, and manages to trash the boot sectors of a elsewhere!) describing the Virus(es) and AntiVirusII commercial disk, just run SafeBoot and it people s experiences and their prom The <;0frware Brewery (W. wilt restore the boot sectors, therefore recommendations; TVSB The Virus German). Disables a virus in memory. saving your ciiskl! Strikes Back”: satirical text describing future efforts to rid the universe of the ak Virus_Alert V2.0.1 dreaded (silicon) viruses! Interview with Corrects problems with the clock (caused Yet another anti-virus program with a the Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COMalleged SCA virus author! by malignant programs, perhaps not twist. Once mstalled on your boot disk a really a ■‘virus’’) (A500 & A2000) message is displayed just after a warm or cold boot notifying the the user that tire WB_VirusCbeckers (dir) Guardianl.l disk and memory are virus-free, and Checks for attempts at viral infection at forcing a mouse-button press before VirusX3-2 boot! Allows you to continue with a continuing. Runs in die background and checks disks normal bool (if desired). Includes a small for viruses or non-standard boot blocks utility program to permanently place he B ootB ackl whenever they are inserted. (Recognizes program on a copy of your kickstart disk. Saves and restores boot-blocks. Runs several viruses and non-standard boot from CLI only blocks. Removes virus in memory. Has a KiltVirus built-in "view boot blocks & other Removes (any?) virus from memory. Antivirus akaAVBB features.) Includes SEKA assembler source. VCbeckl2: Sentry Checks for SCA virus on disk or in X B oot Revision of VirusXl.Ol in Lattice C. memory. Converts a boot-block into an executable file, so you may use your favorite VieivBoot VCbeckl9 debugger (Wack, Dis, ...) to study it. Highly active mouse-driven disk and Checks for any virus or otherwise non memory virus-checker which allows you standard boot block to look at the pertinent areas (useful in yhe inNOCKulation disk also includes case you supect a NEW virus!) VirusKiUer icons and arc files. A graphically appealing and user friendly program by TRISTAR.
To order the inNOCKulation Amazing computing Ad^U A cb ^ inNOCKulation disk orders disk, send: $ sr r\r\ p.o. Box 369 W ^ ^ Fall River, MA 02722 ($7.00for non-subscribers) The AMICUS & Fred Fish Public Domain Software Library This softw are is collected from user groups and electronic bulletin boards around the nation. Each A m icus d iskis nearly full,
and is fully accessible from the W orkbench. If source code is provided for any program , then the executable version is also
present. This m eans that you don't need the C com piler to run these program s. An exception is granted for those program s
only of use to people w ho ow n a C com piler.
The Fred Fish disk are collected by M r. Fred Fish, a good and active friend of the Am iga. Note; Each description line below may include something like 'S-O-E-D', which stands (or 'source, object file, executable and documentation'. Any combination ot these letters indicates what forms ot the program are present. Basic programs are presented entirely in source code tormal.
AMICUS D M I AMOSJM 2 seritestc tests serial port commands Amiga Basic FYograms: A Basic programs: Graphics C programs: sensorp.c example of serial pod use (Note: Many of these programs are pre seni on AMICUS 3DSolids 3d solds modeSng prog, w/sample alib AmigaDOS object library manager, S-E prinintr.c sample printer interface code Disk 1. Several of ihese were converted to Amga Basic, datafiles ar text file archive program, S-E prtbaseh printer devtoe defintioas and are included here.) Blocks draws blocks fitobj auto-chops exeatable files regmtes c region lest program Addre^Book a simple address book database Cubs; draws cubes shell vmpe C ll shell. S-E seriace c source to interfece ono'f program Bail draws a bail Curer draws pcturas in re style ot Duet sq. usq Mo compression programs, S-E sctparaifet c set r e attributes ot the parallel port Goad program to convert CompuServe hex F Scape draws fractal landscapes YaehiC a ta rta r gare, S-E SetSeria! c set r e attributes (parity, d a e a s w il r e fifes so binary, S-D Wdden 3D drawing program, w/ hidden fine Make a wnpfe ■make' programming usity, S-E smgpfey c sngie pteyfiefe exarp'e e r e ife game, iraabon driven removal Emacs an early version of r e Amiga text eccr, S-E-D speechtoyc source to narrator and phonetcs demo ColorAh art drawing program JPad SBTpa paint program Assemfifer programs: timedeiyx simple timer oere DereeOraw toe Orawxng program r r e 3rd AC. SD OpdcaJ draw several cfoca iWfons Dsearch.asm binary search ccoe timerx e«ec supped tmer Uttoorts Elza ccrwrsafiona! computer psychologsi PartBci s t pe psiTi program qsortasm una conptiftto qsora) fira o n . scoce im rsaix more exec support tmer fincscms Otfieflo r e game as known as go' Shufle draws r e Six im in 3d wreirarrc and C lest program W KhFortc loads and rkspfeys at araUtf< system fonts Fa Maze 33 ratma^ game SpaaAi grapntesdemo s«t/mpasm setyrpO code ter Labce 3.02 prooess.1 and pnbasej assnabiar ref tee Be*: ROR boggfing 5rapfta osmo Speaks speech tally SVpnntf Uno* system V compatOe prnd(} autorcsvia wamngs of deadlocks * r &mregues3ers ShuQe draws 3D piares cf r e space shutle Sphere draws spneras ir eei-0 Una compaLtte treej) tacton, O-D consofeObit copy of r e FlKM console 10 chapter Soet-ng simple speUng program Spral draws coter spirals (ThsdsklormerlyhadlFFspecjicattenflesandexampies, Srce diskfent.txt warning 0! *sk fora Icadng bug Y0Y0 were zerb-grar.^ yo-yo demo, tracks Thr« Dee 3dfuteticnpiots r is spec is consiarrty updated, the IFF spec fues have been W k re .w lut ot Wefmes, macros, tu ic w s yo-yo to toe mouse Topograph, artificial topography moved to re * own dsk in r e AMICUScotoc&m) mpAlev.txJ preliminary copy of the input device chapter Executable programs: Wheels draws crde graphics John Draper AmJga Tutorials: License information on Workbench distribution lcense 3D ai» Modula-2 demo o! a rotaing cube Xenos draws t e a l planet landscapes Aianate describes animation aSgohtoms pnnter pre-release copy of r e Chapter on pnrw drivers, (root AJifoon sets a second icon image, displayed ABasJc programs: Tools Gadgets tutorial on gadgets RKM1.1 vlttd txt ‘dilTof .Id fife changes from verson 1.P lot. 1 when the qon is cicked Addre ssBook simple database program ter addresses Menus team about Intu tton menus v2flvi .dift *d*fr ol indude fife changes from verson 28 to 1.0 Am>ga Spen a stew but simple spe'l checker, E-D CardFto simple card Me database program AMICUS Disk 3 AMICUS Dtik 5 Fifes from the Amiga Link/ arc r e ARC fte corripresson proga Demo mjpwuxJow demo C programs: Arrtga Information Network must-have for telecom, E-D
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P.O. Box 869 Fall River, MA 02722-0869 Total: Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery L_ DIGI-VIEW c o l d ! Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM 3. Simply the Best. The ail new Digi-View Gold is the best video digitizer for Only Digi-View Gold: the Amiga. Period. Nothing else even comes close. Why? • Can digitize in all Amiga resolution modes from 320x200 The secret is that Digi-View Gold captures 2.1 million colors up to 768x480 (full hi-res overscan) in memory, giving you an incredible 100,000 apparent • Uses 2 to 4096 colors (including extra halfbrite) colors on screen simultaneously. • Uses exclusive Enhanced HAM for super fine detail And it’s easy lo use. Just focus your video camera • Is 100% IFF compatible and works with any graphics on any object or picture, and in seconds Digi-View Gold software turns it into Amiga graphics that glow with vibrant color • Can digitize 21 bits per pixel (2.1 million colors) for the and clarity. Whether you are creating graphics for desktop highest quality images possible publishing, presentations, video, or just for fun, Digi-View • Has advanced dithering routines that give an apparent Gold gives you dazzling images with amazing simplicity. 100,000 colors on screen simultaneously Digi-View Gold is designed specifically for the Amiga • Has powerful Image processing controls for complete IFF 500 and 2000, and plugs directly into the parallel port. picture manipulation Digi-View Gold's powerful image capture and manipulation If you want the highest quality graphics for your Amiga, software (version 3.0) now has complete control of color as easy as 1, 2, 3; then you need the new version of the and sharpness, full overscan, extra halfbrite, and a special best selling video digitizer of all time: Digi-View Gold. line art mode for desktop publishing. 'R equ res standard gender changer lor use with Amiga 1000. Video cam era required; not Only $199.95 included. NewTek sells a video cam era, copy stand, and the Digi-Droid autom ated tilter wheel Digi-View Gold is available now for Digi-View Gold. If your local retailer doesn't carry these products, call us at 913-354-1146. ew ek at your local Amiga dealer. N T Digi-View Gold is a tradem ark of NewTek. Inc. Amiga is a tradem ark of Com m odore-Am iga, Inc. Be seeing you!! Or call 1-800-843-8934 INCORPORATED L J J . O % < 5 £ ^ J O s N O } Hi Quality Version Available on AMIGALAND.COM# 7 3 / W $ p u o d ! I O