I would like to thank the members who attended the November meeting to vote for officers. The officers made a motion to simply keep the current officer staff with a "yes" or "no" vote being that no other people decided to run for office. The vote was unanimous and the officer's roster has stayed the same. Thanks also to Michael Weist who took pictures of the event.
I noticed a minute too late that our Secretary was not present, so I apologize for no "minutes" notes.
The big issues that were talked about were centered around purchasing a hard drive for the club's DOMs. The hard drive is needed for faster copying and categorizing of DOMs, something that is DESPERATELY needed in order to get DOMs out quicker and more efficiently. The club voted to purchase the hard drive setup which is needed to run the hard drive off of our equipment from Steven Ingalsbe for $250 and spend additional money to buy a larger hard drive. At present, we art still looking for a suitable hard drive.
Comming up in December, we will be having our annual Christmas bash, so come and join the fun! There will be a raffle, refreshments, a special gift from SPACE for all who attend, some game festivals, and many other exciting activities. PLEASE make a special effort to be part of the special Christmas celebration, December 14th.
Thanks for your loyal support of the club!
Your President,
Natan Block
!!!!EXTRA!!!!
There will be One (1) AMDEK color monitor for sale to CLUB MEMBERS ONLY for $35.00. You must a show membership card to purchase. If more than one (1) person wants it, all names of those wanting it will be put into a hat or other receptacle for a drawing to see who will be the one to purchase the monitor.
If you have already purchased one (at the OCTORER meeting), you will not be allowed to participate for the benefit of those who were not able to purchase one at that meeting.
Have you ever wanted to use a numerical keypad with programs like Synfile, Syncalc, or other programs that use their own DOS?
Most of these programs will not allow the use of a keypad handler for the CX85 keypad. I have an inexpensive solution to this problem.
The solution is to hardwire a keypad in parallel with the existing keyboard. This in itself presents no problems, however, you must know which terminals to connect to.
The basis of a keyboard , or keypad, it quite simple. It is a circuit which contains multiple momentary contact single pole single throw switches (spst). A doorbell button is a good example of this type of switch. When you press it, it completes the circuit and current is allowed to flow. When you release it, the current flow stops. If you have a doorbell in your home with a front doorbell and a back doorbell, the buttons for each probably share the same ringer. This is done by wiring both buttons in parallel so that either button can be pressed to complete the circuit, and ring the bell.
My keypad modification works the same way. And could be used to add a complete remote keyboard as well. Using a small piece of wire I jumped each terminal of my keyboard connector and mapped out which terminals , when connected, would produce a letter or number. Using this information, I connected switches between these terminals to product the numbers and functions that I wanted on my numerical keypad.
I did this modification to a 130XE which I use at work, and a Game Machine that I use at home. By keeping the wiring and color coding the same, I am able to use the same keypad for both machines.
I can not stress the importance of keeping a written record of the terminals and which color wire that you connect to them. Without this record, it is vey difficult to keep the wiring straight.
I have uploaded the complete documentation of how I did the modification to the SPACE BBS with the file name ADDAPAD.TXT. You are welcome to look it over and decide if this would be useful to you.
Good luck and Happy computing!
If you decide to do the mod, and need more help, just leave me E-mail on the BBS.
If you need to purchase a keypad, they are $7.95 from B&C ComputerVisions. The address is:
B&C ComputerVisions Phone: 3257 Kifer Road 1-800-969-8810 for orders only Santa Clara, Ca. 95051 1-408-749-1003 for information
If you don't have a modem - you can contact the Editor of this newsletter for a copy of the ADDAPAD.TXT file. His numbers on the back page.
1: OUTLINE OF DAYS EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
10:00-11:00 Cast arrival, stage and tables set-up. 11:00-2:00 Competition/Games for attendees. On stage-Questions/answers (drive pitch) for adults. 2:00-2:15 On stage-Guest speaker Importance of interpersonal communications, how BBS can accomplish this task. 2:15-3:00 On stage-Software display of user written programs-Utilities, Business apps, Games. 3:00-3:30 On stage-Awards judged by participants to be of the best quality. 3:00-5:00 Tournaments-high score prizes. 5:00-closing Pack up and ship out.
2: COMMITTEES NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH GOALS
A. Media Release Committee-Writes and delivers ads and spots to news publications and radio stations supporting public service announcments. This committee should also look for a means of getting required printing services for posters, banners and tickets at reduced rates.B. Business Support Committee-Responsible to find donors for logistical support of event. To contact potential donors of funds and in-kind donations for everything from coffee cups to building space. If we contact busineses early enough, they can help us HELP THEM! By annoucing our supporters in ads, and at the affair, they recieve community exposure showing support to non-profit organizations like ours.
C. Event Planners Committee-Will handle the scheduling and judging and volunteer staffing of events. Coordinate participation in software judging event. Determine prizes and tournament rules and solicit a prominant community figure/TV personality to be guest speaker.
3: COORDINATION OF EFFORTS
A. Each committee should select one individual who can be the ears for that committee. This person becomes the point point of contact for that committee to the other committees and for the event director. The committees should list the goals they hope to accomplish and the method they will use to achieve them. These lists are then sent to the event director.B. An event Director is needed to advise the committees concerning which of their listed goals should be given higher priority and to make suggestions to the committees about other possible resouces that may not be listed. The event director will report to the club at each meeting to inform the members of accomplished/current goals.
C. The event Secretary will maintain the list of supporters who have supplied monies/donations and who promise to supply items for the event. In every case possible we want names attached to each donation for the purpose of sending out thank yous when our project is completed.
Planning is the key to having a successfull event. The earlier we can contact the business community with our full schedule, the easier it will be for them to participate. The goal of this fund raiser is two fold; to raise enough funds to purchase the hard drive and to further benefit the club by exposing SPACE to Atari owners in the community who are not club members.
We will need the support of every member, with either direct participation or creative suggestions, to reach our goals. This will be a new experience for most of our members and may be a perfect opportunity to develop personal contacts for members who are in a sales or marketing position at work. The importance of volunteering will be stressed and every effort will be made to allow volunteers to work at their convienence. We want to leave no stone unturned when looking for potential funding sources so please attend the next (December) meeting and bring your ideas!
Balance as of DEC 5th 1990 was $830.44.
That included the purchase of the Hard Drive setup from Steve Ingalsbe for $250.00.
!!!!!!!!!!FOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!
The officers will be bringing food for a buffet style feed at the Christmas meeting. As of this printing, we have plates and flatware, coldcuts, buns, and fruit salad. Feel free to bring something to the meeting for the feed.
The library will be offering software for sale as usual, at the meeting or via the US mail. All disks are $3 each. If you can't make the meeting call Joe Danko at 777-9500 after 6 PM or mail your request to:
Joe Danko Mailed software will cost an 2766 Chisholm Av. N. additional $1 for each multiple N. St.Paul, MN 55109 of 3 disks or so.
BLANK DISKS will be for sale at 30 cents ($0.30) each.
DISK OF THE MONTH:
SIDE 1: * SPACE DOM 000 * MENU 026 * CANADA BAS 046 * DEC90SIDE1 000 * CAICS BAS 096 * THINGINTBAS 085 * MERRYXMAS 000 * CAICS DOC 053 * HOTDICE COM 093 * DOS SYS 037 * STATES CAI 019 * YMODEM TXT 092 * DUP SYS 042 * BIOLOGY CAI 019 * HELP DOC * AUTORUN SYS 001 * SPELL CAI 016
CAICS.BAS CAICS.DOC STATES.CAI BIOLOGY.CAI SPELL.CAI -
Computer Aided Instruction Construction Set in BASIC. Build
multiple-choice question tests to run on an ATARI. Includes some
demos.
CANADA.BAS - Check your knowledge of the geography of Canada.
THINGINT.BAS - Things in the night game. Requires a joystick.
HOTDICE.COM - Multiple player dice game.
YMODEM.TXT - Tech article on the YMODEM file transfer protocol.
SIDE 2: SPACE DOM 000 BIBS BAS 034 IDA OBJ 001 NOV90SIDE2 000 BIBS BAT 002 BIO LST 011 BIBS 000 BIBS BIF 063 TTP LST 045 DOS SYS 037 BIBS DOC 020 PIC LST 042 DUP SYS 042 PIC ABS 004 URI LST 016 AUTORUN SYS 001 URI OBJ 001 IDA LST 012 MENU 026 BIO OBJ 001 DOP LST 008 BIBSREADME 007 DOP OBJ 001 NIM LST 025 BIBS PIC 034 NIM OBJ 002 BIBS TXT 020 TIP OBJ 003
BIBS: Basic Indirect Buffer Servides.
This is a system developed by SPACE member john Novotny to
enable a BASIC programmer to 'hide' program code or large data
structures in the RAM under the BASIC ROM (Cartridge) in the
800XL or 130XE.
This next disk was compiled as one of a series SPACE will be making available especially for new users.
Side 1: * SPACE LIB 000 * DUP SYS 007 * BCALC COM 074 * DATABASE 000 * AUTORUN SYS 007 BCALC DOC 028 * EDIT_CALC 000 * DISKBASECOM 270 DEALERS DB 006 * DOS SYS 037 * DISKBASEDOC 195 024 FREE SECTORS
DISKBASE: A fairly friendly, powerful database program that uses a floppy disk for data storage instead of memory. Therefore the only limit to the amount of database records equates to available space on the user's disk.
BCALC: Taken from an old ANALOG, BCALC is a SPREADSHEET. Although not as powerful as SYNCALC, it is only 8K of code which leaves most of the rest for the sheet storage.
SIDE 2:
TEXTPRO: On this side is the premier ATARI word
processor/text editor. Along with it is a spelling checker.
This is not the latest version of TEXTPRO and there is no
documentation file. TEXTPRO comes with extensive HELP screens
and there is a short text file explaining the disk and the
basics of the spelling checker operation.
To read the text file, THISDISK.TXT, boot side 2, at the initial menu press CONTROL and hit 'M' to get the disk directory. Move the cursor to THISDISK.TXT and hit 'V' to view the file or press CONTROL and hit 'L' to load it into the editor. At this point you can press CONTROL and hit 'P' to get the 'Print to>P:' prompt on the STATUS line at the top. Hit RETURN to send the file to your printer. Hit the HELP key or press OPTION and hit '?' to see the main help screen. Press OPTION and hit O-9,< or > to see the various informative help screens. Hit START to get a scrolling list of commands and brief definitions. Press CONTROL and hit '1' to pause or resume the scroll.
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL DISK:
SIDE 1: * DOS SYS 037 * MENU 026 * PROGINDXM90 066 * DUP SYS 042 * DSKLIB31BAS 126 * HELP DOC 006 * >SPACE____< 001 * PROGINDXM87 018 * SPACEIDXXT1 079 * >LIB_INDEX< 001 * PROGINDXX01 018 * AUTORUN SYS 001 * PROGINDXM89 093
Side 1 is the SPACE software library index and database program which has been brought up to date. Just boot side 2 with BASIC and select DSKLIB31.BAS on the menu. When you get the DSKLIB31 menu key in the date to get started, then load one of the index files.
SIDE 2:
* DOS SYS 037 * AUTORUN SYS 001 * FIRE COM 071 * DUP SYS 042 * MENU 035 * SNOWFLAKBAS 010 * >SPACE____< 001 * XMASTREECOM 083 * SANTAGAMCOM 201
Side 2 consists of a series of programs for and about the Christmas season. The star of the lot is called SANTAGAM and is an arcade game whose object is to guide SANTA through the sky, catching presents dropped by angels while dodging clouds and moutains. Santa must land on the rooftops and climb down the chimney while dodging the trolls. Once inside the house, SANTA must deliver presents to the tree while avoiding the sleep walking residents and exit the house.
For those of you who don't modem!
Title: Space - New, Old??
Author: Larry Maxwell
To: All
Having lived in the Twin Cities and, been a member of TAIG, and then, moving back to "Silicon Valley" - home of Atari, I can tell you that you folks in SPACE have one of the BEST groups in the country. It really makes me feel bad to see all this "fighting?" among the group.
Although I now participate from a distance of 2,000 miles, I want you to realize that there are many of us outside your immediate area who really appreciate having SPACE around. It's a good group and should be maintained. You have a MUCH better group there than we do here "at Atari's home". Attendance here at a monthly meeting is considered to be "TREMENDOUS" if 6 or 7 people show up.
Take Care of it,
RICH MIER RESPONDS:
Title: Space - New, Old??
Author: Richard Mier
To: Larry Maxwell
Now that's good to hear. For once some one has something good to say about the club. Next mouth we will have another new member. He just dropped off a 1050 to get fixed.
Richard Mier
Title: Space - New, Old??
Author: Larry Maxwell
To: Richard Mier (Recvd)
I didn't really finish up the last time that I wrote. Out here, when we have an 8-bit meeting (once a month), we consider it a big success if 6 or 7 people show up. They tend to start anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes late because the people that have access to the building are always late. The last meeting that I went to listed about 45 - 50 minutes and the entire thing was taken up by one member playing a new game he had gotten (as a demo for the group).
That and a side dish of 3 small children running around the room raising hell (the parent in question doing absolutely nothing to try to control them). Count yourselves LUCKY. As I recall, your group was (hopefully IS) MUCH better managed. Hope you get over the "infighting" or whatever it is. Larry
Title: NEWER USER
Author: DON PFEIFFER
To: Nathan Block (Recvd)
I am a new user, 10 months, and have gotton mare help than I would have IMAGINED POSSIBLE. If a club cannot make enough money to support the cost of BULLITIN BOARDS, ETC,ETC. It will DIE. Members fighting with members can also cause the premature death of a good club. I would like to see SPACE still here in the future, I still have a lot to learn about my ATARI, and I don't think that the ATARI CORPORATION will take the time to tell me.
NATHAN BLOCK RESPONDS:
Title: NEWER USER
Author: Nathan Block
To: DON PFEIFFER (Recvd)
I appreciate that someone has taken the long look and has stuck up for the club. It is members like you that SPACE is here to support and will thrive on.
Thank you for your continued support of SPACE and let us know how we can help you out with your ATARI. Nathan Block
Title: "It's ALIVE!!!"
Author: Co-Sysop
To: All
From NOV 12 issue of COMPUTERWORLD:
"Atari Games Corp., a top maker of arcade video game machines based in Milpitas, Calif., said last week it plans to adapt its best-selling Hard Drivin' game to non-entertainment applications.
The game's sophisticated audiovisual effects will be used to develop specialized driving simulators for such applications as driver's education and to test the effects of substance abuse on driving skills. The low cost of the technology enables the company to build an advanced simulator for a fraction of the cost of other products with simular capabilities, Atari said."
HERE'S A POST FROM RICH ABOUT A CLUB IN DENVER.
TITLE: BBS IN DENVER
Author: Richard Mier
To: ALL
I've heard of a Atari Group in Denver that still operated their BBS on Floppy Drives. They knew nothing about MIO's, 256K XL's, 320K XE's, etc. When they got a deal to buy a 256K MIO for $70., they almost turned it down. Didn't know what it was good for. It was a person from HERE, SPACE, that was at that meeting and urged them to buy it and told them what it could do. If they hadn't bought it, he was going to. That person is going back there this winter and I'll be hearing more.
Richard Mier
Title: 1088K XL/XE
Author: Richard Mier
To: All
OK, the 1088K XL/XE is now available for the 800XL, 1200XL, 65XE and 130XE. The lastest START Magazine has a VERY Short article on it. It is an expansion board, $49.95 WITHOUT RAM.
Newell Industries
P.O.Box 253
Wyle, TX. 75098
(214)-442-6612
Ramdisk Software included. Not enough information given to know what DOS's it will work with or what size RAM's are needed to populate it. (256K or 1 Meg. Maybe even 1 Meg SIP's.????) It also doesn't say if any soldering is needed, but I'm sure it is. Anyone interested? Page 92 of the December START.
Richard Mier
Title: 3 1/2" XF551
Author: Richard Mier
To: All
Another new product out for the Atari. A 3 1/2" Conversion for the XF551. Complete with Sony Drive, $99.95. Deluxe Version, $139.95. The Deluxe Version allows the use of BOTH Drives, 5 1/4 and 3 /12 at the same time! Copy from one to the other! Caution now. To use either of these, I beleive you need SpartaDOS 3.2d or SpartaDOS X.
Computer Software Services
P.O.Box 17660
Rocherster, NY 14617
(716)586-5545
Visa/Mastercard accepted.
Richard Mier
For Sale/Wanted:
Title: DRIVE WANTED
Author: DAVID SHELDON
To: All
I'm looking for another drive for my 130XE. I'm new to the BBS and new to computers in general. I currently am using 130XE,(1) 1050, OKIdata P:, P:R: connection, and an Omnitel 1200 modem. I would like to get another 1050 w/U.S. doubler (the one I've got has U.S. doubler). Or any other drive that would work with my system would be cool too! Any advice? Any drives? I'm looking forward to the user group meeting! Leave me e-mail on the BBS. If you don,t modem, get ahold of the editor of this newsletter and he can forward the information to me via the BBS. Thanks.
Wanted:
Title: modem
Author: SysOp
To: All
If anyone has a modem for sale, especially a 300 baud 1030 or a XM301 There will be a buyer at the meeting for one.
Published by the Saint Paul Atari Computer Enthusiasts (SPACE), an independent organization with no business affiliation with ATARI Corporation. Permission is granted to any similar organization with which SPACE exchanges newsletters to reprint material from this newsletter. We do however ask that credit be given to the authors and to SPACE. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of SPACE, the club officers, club members or ATARI Corporation.