computist scan 72

[72 |COMPUTIST a U.S. $3.75 Canada & Mexico $7 -9555) for $12.95 each plus approximately $4.00 for shipping, depending on where you live. Softkey hunger pangs! I have found on Beneath Apple DOS and & The new BBS NEWS Column & A fat issue to help with those From Richard Brooks: The best price that Beneath Apple ProDOS is from Silicon Ex- press (1-614-927 fs esse SSS SS Se Se FSS ee eee Se ee; . i E Subscribe to {t= i i | COMPUTIST a 1 | a Boy Sate 2p a e ry t Qe Five ue “ : i | B QvinO we Exp. | | ! | i ou ore: '1- my Send US funds drawn on US bank. + Please allow 4-8 weeks for Ist issue or add $1.25 for postage and we will send your Hi istissue by 1st Class mail. + Send check/money order to: J | COMPUTIST 33821 E Orville Rd Eatonville WA 98328 (206) 474-5750 i f oe Only $24 for your first 8 issues COMPUTIST BULK RATE 33821 E Orville Rd U.S Postage Eatonville WA 98328 PAID Tam: Tacoma WA Permit No. 269 O A new subscriber O Renewing my current subscription O Changing my address (Please include last mail label) COMPUTIST 33821 E Orville Rd Eatonville WA 98328 (206) 474-8750 ee Se eo ee me oe me oe ¢ X COMPUTIST #72 Readers Data Exchange green Senor 1 [COMPUTIST Charles R. Haight Editor Tom Acree Associate Editor Karen Fitzpatrick Circulation Jeff Hurlburt Reviews COMPUTIST is published by SoftKey Publishing. Address all advertising inquiries to: COMPUTIST Advertising Department 33821 East Orville Road Eatonville, WA 98328 (206) 474-5750 Mail all RDEX letters to: COMPUTIST Apple-RDEX or IBM-RDEX 33821 East Orville Road Eatonville, WA 98328 +» COMPUTIST does NOT purchase editorial material. The entire editorial content consists of information submitted to COMPUTIST for publication in the shared interests of all COMPUTISTs. * Unsolicited material (manuscripts, letters to the editor, softkeys, A.P.T.s, playing tips, questions, etc.) are assumed to be submitted as letters-to-the-R DEX-editor for publication with all and exclusive rights belonging to COMPUTIST. + Entire contents copyright 1990 by SoftKey Publishing. All rights reserved. Copying done for other than personal or internal reference (without express written permission from the publisher) is prohibited. + The editorial staff assume no liability or responsibility for the products advertised in this newsletter. Any opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of COMPUTIST magazine, its staff or SoftKey Publishing. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Rates (for 8 issues): $24 Canada/Mexico .....$34 $54 * Send subscription inquiries to: COMPUTIST Subscription Department 33821 East Orville Road Eatonville, WA 98328 + Domestic Dealer rates: Call (206) 474-5750 for more information. * Change Of Address: Please allow 4 weeks for change of address to take effect. On postal form 3576 supply your new address and your most recent address label. When we receive your notice of change of address, we will send you a acknowledgement card. If you do not receive the acknowledgement card after 2 weeks, send another notice or call us direct. Issues missed due tonon-receipt of change of address may be acquired at the regular back issue rate. We are not responsible for missing issues 90 days after mailing date. If you do not receive an issue at the usual time each month, please call or write. ‘Apple® is a trademurk of Apple Computers. IBM® is the IBM A ademas. J Readers Data EXchange New COMPUTIST readers using Apple Ils are advised to read this page carefully to avoid frustrationwhen attempting tofollow a softkey or entering the programs printed in this issue. What is a softkey, anyway? Softkey is a term which we coined to describe aprocedure thatremoves, or at least circumvents, any copy-protection on a particular disk. Once a softkey procedure has been performed, the re- sulting backup copy can usually be copied by the normal copy programs (for example: COPYA, on the DOS 3.3 System Master disk). Commands and control keys Commands which a reader is required to perform are set apart by being in boldface and on a separate line. The return key must be pressed at the end of every such command unless other- wise specified. Control characters are preceeded by “ctrI”. An example of both is: 6 ctriP Type 6. Next, place one finger on the ctrl key and then press P. Don’t forget to press the retum key. Other special combination keypresses include ctrl reset and open-apple ctrl reset. In the for- mer, press and hold down the ctrl key then press the reset key. In the latter, press and hold down both ctrl and open-apple then press reset . Software recommendations ‘The Starter Kitcontains most of the programs that you need to “Get started”. In addition, we recommend that you acquire the following: + Applesoft program editor such as “Global Pro- gram Line Editor (GPLE)”. Assembler such as “Merlin/Big Mac”. *Bit-copy program such as “Copy II Plus”, “Locksmith” or “Essential Data Duplicator”. +Word-processor (such as AppleWorks). *“COPYA”, “FID” and “MUFFIN” from the DOS 3.3 System Master disk. Super IOB and Controllers This powerful deprotection utility (in the COMPUTIST Starter Kit) and its various Con- trollers are used in many softkeys. (It is also on each Super IOB Collection disk.) Reset into the Monitor Softkeys occasionally require the user to stop the execution of a copy-protected program and directly enter the Apple’s system monitor. Check the following list to see what hardware you will need to obtain this ability. Laser 128: Your ROM includes a forced jump to the monitor. Press ctrl return reset. Apple II+, //e, compatibles: 1) Place an Inte- ger BASIC ROM card in one of the Apple slots. 2) Use anon-maskable interrupt (NMI) card such as Replay or Wildcard. Apple II+, compatibles: 1) Install an F8 ROM. with a modified reset-vector on the computer's motherboard as detailed in the“Modified ROM’s” article (COMPUTIST #6 or Book Of Softkeys II ) or the “Dual ROM’s” article COMPUTIST #19). Apple /e, //c: Install a modified CD ROMon the computer’s motherboard that changes the open-apple ctrl reset vector to point to the moni- tor. (This will void an Apple lic warranty since you must open the case to install it.) Apple //gs: If you have the 2.x ROM, there is ahidden Classic Desk Accessory (CDA) that al- lows you to enter the monitor. In order to install the new CDA, you should enter the monitor (CALL -151) before running any protected pro- grams and press # return . This will turn on two hidden CDAs, Memory Peeker and Visit Moni- tor. Thereafter press openapple ctri esc to go to the Desk Accessories menu. Select Visit Monitor and there you are. Use ctrl ¥ to exit. Recommended literature «Apple II Reference Manual (or Ie, Ic, etc.) «DOS 3.3 or ProDOS manual Beneath Apple DOS & Beneath Apple ProDOS, by Don Worth and Pieter Lechner, from Quality Software Typing Applesoft programs BASIC programs are printed in a format that is designed to minimize errors for readers who key in these programs. If you type: 10HOME:REMCLEAR SCREEN The LIST will look like: 10 HOME : REM CLEAR SCREEN Applesoft inserts spaces into a program list- ing before and after every command word or mathematical operator. These spaces don’t pose a problem except when they are inside of quotes or after a DATA command. There are two types of spaces: those that have to be keyed and those that don’t. Spaces that must be typed appear in COMPUTIST as special characters (0). Allother spaces are there for easier reading. NOTE: Ifyou wantyour checksums to match, only type spaces within quotes or after DATA statements if they are shown as (0) charactors. SAVE the program atperiodic intervals using the name given in the article. All characters after a REM are not checked by the checksum program so typing them is optional. Typing Hexdumps Machine language programs are printed in COMPUTIST as hexdumps, sometimes also as source code. Hexdumps are the shortest and easiest format to type in. You must first enter the monitor: CALL -151 Key in the hexdump exactly as it appears in the magazine, ignoring the four-digit checksum (S and four digits) at the end of each line. When finished, retum to BASIC with: 3D0G BSAVE the program with the filename, ad- dress and length parameters given in the article. Typing Source Code The source code is printed to help explain a program’s operation. To enter it, you need an “Assembler”. Most of the source code in older issues is in S-C Assembler format. If you use a different assembler, you will have to translate portions of the source code into something your assembler will understand. Computing checksums Checksums are 4-digit hexadecimal numbers which tell if you typed a program correctly and help you locate any errors. There are two types of checksums: one created by the CHECKBIN program (for machine language programs) and the other created by the CHECKSOFT program (for BASIC programs). Both are on the “Starter Kit”. If your checksums do not match the published checksums then the line where the firstchecksum differs is incorrect. CHECKSOFT instructions: Install Checksoft (BRUN CHECKSOFT) then LOAD your pro- gram. Press & to get the checksums. Correct the program line where the checksums first differ. CHECKBIN instructions: Enter the monitor (CALL-151), install Checkbin at some outof the way place (BRUN CHECKBIN, A$6000), and then LOAD your program. Get the checksums by typing the Starting address, a period and the Ending address of the file followed by actrl Y . SSSS.EEEE ctrl ¥ Correct the lines where the checksums differ. Writing to the RDEX editor RDEX (are-decks) stands for: Reader's Data EXchange. We print what you write. When you send in articles, softkeys, APTs, etc., you are sub- mitting them for free publication in this maga- zine. RDEX does not purchase submissions nor do we verify data submitted by readers. If you discover any errors, please let us know so that we may inform our other readers. Remember that your letters or parts of them may be used in RDEX even ifnot addressed to the RDEX editor. Correspondence that gets pub- lished may be edited for clarity, grammar and space requirements. Because of the great number of letters we receive and the ephemeral and unpredictable appearance of our volunteer staff, any response to your queries will appear only in RDEX, so it would be more appropriate for you to present technical questions to the readers and ask for their responses which will then be placed in the Apple-RDEX. How to get a free library disk ‘Whenever possible, send everything on Apple format (5.25" - DOS/ProDOS or 3.5" - ProDOS) or IBM format (3.5") disks. Other formats are acceptable but there may be some delay as we look for someone to translate it for us. (/f you use a 5.25" disk, when we print your letter,we will return your disk with the current library disk copied onto it.) Use whatever text editor youlike, but tell us which one. Put a label on the disk with your name (or pseudonym) and address (if you want to receive mail). Don’t reformat any pro- grams or include them in the text of your letter. Send Applesoft programs as normal Applesoft files and machine language programs as normal binary files. We have programs to convert them to the proper format for printing. If you are sending source code files, and you are not using the S-C Assembler, send them as normal text files. When to include a printed letter Don't include hardcopy (printout) unless: a. You are writing about a bug or other printing error. b. You are writing to ask for help. c. You are answering another readers help re- quest. d. You are writing about your subscription or sending an order for back issues or software. Bugs, requests for help and answers to re- quests for help are bumped to the head of the line and go in the very next issue. All other letters are printed in the order that we receive them. Writing to get help When writing to request help, be sure to include ALL relevent information. The more in- formation you include, the easier it is to find a solution. There's an old saying that goes “A properly framed question includes 90% of the answer”. How to get mail If you are interested in receiving mail from other readers, be sure that we have a current address. If you use a pen name and want to receive mail, we need to have your address. Our readers privacy is important, so we will not print your address unless you specifically say too. How to write to RDEX authors When writing to one of the RDEX authors. Write your letter and seal it in an envelope. Put your retum address, the authors name (as it appears in RDEX) and the correct postage on the envelope. Put this envelope into another and send it to RDEX. We will put the correct address on your letter and mail it for you. Help Line ‘These readers have volunteered their time to help you. Please call only within the given time frames (corrected for your time zone). No collect calls. Jack Nissel (Disk Protection, 7-10PM EST) (215) 365-8160 " Pikctroukc Bulitin Board Syviam (BBS) Dave Goforth is the sysop for the Computist BBS. The number is: (206) 581-9292. If you already have a User ID# and password, sign-on using the User ID#. If you are a new user, it may take a day or so to validate your new ID# and password, la copy: rightful. NX You have a LEGAL RIGHT to an unlocked backup copy of your commercial software. Our editorial policy is that we do NOT condone software piracy, but we do believe that users are entitled to backup commercial disks they have purchased. In addition to the security of a backup disk, the removal of copy-protection gives the user the option of modifying programs to meet his or her needs. Furthermore, the copyright laws guarantee your right to such a DEPROTECTED backup .«'Ttis not an infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program to make or authorize the making of another copy or adaptation of that computer program provided: 1) that such a new copy or adaptation is created as an essential step in the utilization of the com- puter program in conjunction with a machine and that it is used in no other manner, or 2) that such new copy or adaptation is for archival purposes only and that all archival copies are destroyed in the event that continued possession of the computer program should cease to be ‘Any exact copies prepared in accordance with the provisions of this section may be leased, sold, or otherwise transferred, along with the copy from which such copies were prepared, only as part of the lease, sale, or other transfer of all rights in the program. Adaptations so prepared may be transferred only with the authorization of the copyright owner.” United States Code title 17, §117 y, Readers Data Exchange COMPUTIST #72 Canada & Mexico $7 U.S. $3.75 [72 |COMPUTIST | Table a of Contents Editorial Note ...... The Product Monitor 2088: The Cryllan Mission Bad Duds Cartooners Copy II Plus, 9. Printing Out the Parm Name: Correction: Bums Don’t Star .. Crusin’ on Crylla: 2088 .. Geometry Gnarly Golf. Great Western Shootout.. Laser Force ..... Matching Madnes No Foolin’ Postcards .. Skate or Die The Legend Of Blacksilver Uninvited Nox Warlock Workers Wanted (Dark Castle) RDEX Contributors .....sossssssessee Most Wanted Softkeys .....++csssses Softkeys: Addition & Subtraction 36 Aesop’s Fables Ie 3, Algebra 1 36 Algebra 2 36 Algebra 3 36 Alphabet .... An Introduction to General Chemistry Balance... Balance of Power 1990 v. 2.08 COMPUTIST #72 Biosolve .... 14 Bubble Ghost (GS, 20 Building memory Skill: Calendar Crafter v1.: CBS's Pathwords ..... Charlie Brown’s 1,2,3' Chessmaster 2100 v1.1 Children's Writing & Publishing Center .. Conquering Decimals * and /. Conquering Decimals + and -. Conquering Fractions; * and /. Conquering Fractions; + and Coordinate Math .. D.C.Heath/MB Dark Lord... DataEast Games Decimal Concepts Decimal Discovery Decimals) Delta Drawing 3.33 .. Explora-Classic series Explora-Science Whales Fraction Concepts .... Fraction Practice Unlimited Fraction Recognition Fractions ... Freddy’s Puzzling Adventures Frogger ..... Galaxy Math Games Galaxy Search . Garfield Companion Garfield Triv: Geometry (GS) Ghostbusters Gnarly Golf (GS) Gnee or Not Gnee Grammar Examiner Graphics Studio Guiness World Records .. Homeworker. x : Houghton Mifflin Math Course’ Ice Demons .. Ivitation to Math series Kid Niki. King of Chicag Kittens, Kids, and’a Frog Magic Slate Magic Word Master Match Math And Mc 19 Math Blaster 20 Math Blaster Plus Math for Everyday Livin; Math in a Nutshell Math Masters..... Math Tutor (Percents .. Mathematics Skills ... Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing (IIe McGraw Hill Compucat Quizware Memory Castle Meteor Multiplication Microzine #3 Microzine #8 Microzine #9 Microzine #10 .. Microzine #11 .. Microzine #12 .. Microzine #13 .. Microzine #15 .. Microzine #16 .. Microzine #22 .. Microzine #23 .. Microzines and Microzine Jt Mixed Numbers Moptown Hotel Mr. and Mrs. Patatohead Mr. Pixel’s Programming Paint Set Mystery Matter Mystery Objects Number: Opposite Organic Chemistry Pacman... Peanuts Math Matcher Percentages... Perplexing Puzz! Pick the Numbers Picture Perfect .. Pirates! GS Pixelwerks Platoon Police Quest Pool of Radiance Quest Strategy Checker Rainbow Painter . 19 Ratios & Propotions .... 36 _Great Western Shootout Read ‘N Roll 1.1 Read-Write-Publish Reading Comprehension Robomath Sailing Through Story Problems Scuffy and Friends ..... Sensible Speller (ProDOS) Sierra Programs Silicon Dreams SOKO-BAN Solving Quadratic Equations Spelling Bee Spelltronics. Spy’s Adventure in South America. Square Pairs Star Tre] Stickers Study for Success Success With Typin Super Print... Tales of Fantasy .. Talking Stickybear Opposites Test Drive II: The Duel (IIgs) Test Taking Made Easy .. The Boars Store * The Boars Tell Time The Duel:Test Drive I The Game Show .. The Games: Winter Edition The Wonderful World of Paws .. Time Capsule .. Times of Lore... Townbuilder Transylvania VCR Companion. Voyage of the Mimi ‘What makes a Dinosaur sore . Where in the USA is Carmen SanDiego ... Where in the World is Carmen SanDeigo? (GS). Who, What, Where, When, Why Whole Number Operations WISCR Intelligence Test ... Wood Car Rally ..... Word Attack Plus! Spanish. World Geograph...... World History Adventure Xenocide (GS)..... Bitkeys: © ! Borg Laser Force... Math Blaster Mystery The Hunt for Red October. APTs: Anti Gravity Autoduel .. Bard's Tale II .. Neuromancer ... Pool of Radiance Track & Field . Victory Road Xevious .. Zany Golf Playing Tips: Defender Of The Crown (IGS) Leisure Suit Larry ...... Moebius... Pool of Radiance Print Shop Compani Robocop .. Tower of Myraglen Wasteland..... Who Framed Roger Rabbit Wings Of Fury ... Features, Notes and such: A Bug in Prentice Hall Science Courseware 15 A note on Stickybear encrypted sector.. An accelerated He & EDD 4 .... Finding the licencee’s name in GEOS .. ABUG in Teacher’s Tool Kit Series A reader review of the Trac Card.. An Explanation of Self-syne Bytes Another reason why Cookbook Cracks might not work .. BBS News... Feedback (To SysOp) General Messages Time Saver News.. Bos UbUAD Readers Data Exchange Beginners Guide to“PACMAN” deprotection. .... Bogus 18 sector disks’ Bug in Type! softkey. Bugs in Pool of Radian Changing levels on Tetris (Ile) Cheats, Hints, and Tips for Neuromancer Comments & possible help to other readers .... Comments on IBM Ragging Converting Print Magic Graphics to Publish It! .... Copy Protecting Your Own Disks with ProDOS ... tt Determining when individual files can be removed from a Protected Disk DOS 3.3P (for protected) Enhancing DOS 3.3 FIND.CAT Enhancement Half & quarter Tracks .. Installing GS/OS on Sierra 3D Adventures Lifting the Lid on COPYA Making Jack Nicklaus Greatest 18 Holes of Championship Golf play faster ..... Moving Destroyer GS (Epyx) to Hard Disk .... Note on '84 & 85 MECC dis] Notes on programs published by Micrograms Notes on Time Out and Appleworks 2.. Notes on Ultima IV and V ... Print in Color with Appleworks Put Autoduel on a 3.5” diskette... Reading From Protected ProDOS Disks Removing the Manual Check from Pirates! GS . Running other programs from your Hard Dis! Super 6.0 FastcopyA Fun with Super 6.0 Fastcopy A... Tur Dig Dug into a BRUNable File .. Ultimapper V..... . IBM Softkeys: _ 688 Attack Sub... 38 Battle Ches: 38 Battle Hawks Chuck Yeager’s Advanced Flight Simulator v1.0 Shinobi ... IBM Feature & Notes: Le watiee Seen 2 sum ICE jeune . Catching with Submissions? That’s right! This large issue marks the beginning of a concerted push to catch up with submissions. As of the next issue (#73) we willbe current with the March submissions which will put us back into “real time” printing. And that means everything will be going into the next issue instead of waiting for several months. That also means that we will be able to tell you what issue your article is going to be printed in. If you don’t see your material in the next issue, call or write and let us know. It may be one of the articles that requires extensive editing and got bumped to the next issue. ee Qooooo0o00000000 Doo —a00 —_ There are currently over 1,040 BBS members and another 50 or so subscribers on the board. Thanks to Ed Croft, we now have a clock in- stalled on the BBS. Another subscriber has do- nated a registered version of GBBS (which numerous callers have recommended.) As Mr. Haightstated, there will be a lot of changes going on in the beginning (many have already oc- curred). As of now (24 Mar), I've changed the logon routine for faster logon & it will show the user# that you are about to logon as so, if you make a mistake & type the wrong user# or re- ceive line noise you can press return at the pass- word prompt and reenter your user#. You may also list users starting at a specific user# if you wish (in case you remember Joe is user# 600 & something, you don’t have to go through the first 599 users). The Computist index is available for downloading in the “EDITORIAL” file base as well as an on-line index in the “On-Line” area. The file base has two versions, one is in Apple- works data base (ADB) format and the other is a standard ASCII (TXT) text file. The ADB ver- sion is shrunk with Shrinklt and will fit on a single 5.25" disk (140K). The text version is not archived and requires at least a 3.5" disk. Both contain the same information with the exception that one may be slightly newer than the other as indicated by the extension (.##) which indicates that it is complete thru issue ##. This index is available courtesy of J.L. Walters. General Messages Welcome all new users to the Computist Ss. This message base is designed for all public messages between users on this system. It is accessible by everyone and the only restriction to it’s use is that] ask that you keep conversations and language in good taste. The only other thing Iask is that you do NOT use this area or this BBS as a means to discuss or setup ‘PIRATE’ meet- ings... This BBS is based on the principle that “All owners of legally purchased software have a right to make backups of that software.’ and not for the purpose of redistributing it to others. See. the bulletin ‘PIRACY & us’ for more info on this... Again, welcome to the BBS & enjoy... <<<SYSOP>>> Note #2 Date: (No Clock Installed) To: ALL From: (User #226) Subj: THE MOST WANTED LIST The most wanted list seems to be forever growing... The problem as I see itis that 18 sector programs abound.. (The new Electronic Arts for instance). I was compiling a list of the software on the list and what protection it uses.. Thought that this would be of some help to the teeming millions out there... I can’t help soft, half, bit or hard key the disks since] eitherno longer have an original or a copy of the programs.. Edward Teach Note #5 Date: (No Clock Installed) To: ALL From: (User #543) Subj: HOT TIP Hey I don’t know if this works or what it does....(since I don't have the software)....but in Cavern Cobra hit Cl-R. If this really does anything let me know what eh??? CTRL-R starts the game Cavern Cobra... <sysop> Note #8 Date: (No Clock Installed) To: ALL From: (User #531) Subj: MATHBLASTER PLUS IIE Does anyone out there know how to crack Mathbiaster Plus for the He on a3 1/2 disk? I have found cracks for both the IIgs version and for the 5 1/4 inch version on Compuserve. Ifyou 4 know, please leave me a message. My user ID is 531. Thanks. Note #9 Date: (No Clock Installed) To: SYSOP From: (User #1051) Subj: NEW MEMBERSHIP 1 RECEIVED THE COMPUTIST TODAY AND SAW ON THE FRONT PAGE ABOUT YOUR BBS, HAD TOCALL AND FIND OUT WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT, AND TO WISH YOU LUCK IN YOUR VENTURE. ALSO WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU NO SLIP OF PAPER WAS FOUND IN MY COPY, SO I WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW MY NUMBER ON MY SUBSCRIPTION LABEL TS #0215, IF THAT WILL HELP ANY ON VALIDATION TO THE BBS. THANX, SCOTT Just about everyone's label says 0215 (02 = Feb, 15 = day that the issue was mailed...) The slip of paper was only in the issues for those that paid the BBS membership cost already ($10 annual fee for full access)...<sysop> Note #10 Date: (No Clock Installed) To: ALL From: (User #622) Subj: MIGHT & MAGIC II DOES ANY ONEKNOW HOW TOKRACK MIGHT MAGIC II ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED DISK A CAN BE COPIED BUT WHEN YOU TRY TO SAVE ANY CHANGES IT WILL NOT SAVE THEM. MY USER ID# IS 622 THANKS Note #11 Date: (No Clock Installed) To: ALL From: (User #1052) Subj: BUNCHA STUFF... Heya y'all... well I love the magazine, and I love the board. So what's left? This message isto * any assembly hackers out there... I’m interested in doing a ‘LIFE’ for the GS or //e, so if youcould offer advice, etc. I’d sure love the input. Also, does anyone know about an implementation of LiSPontheGS? It would take uphellish amounts of memory but I think it would be a worthy project. I’m still working on learning the Tool- box routines, maybe I'll attempt it later (with a little (read: lot) help from my friends). So that’s about it for now... ciao, Thankee, Dan W. AKA The Gray Lensman. Note #23 (Reply to #11) Date: 4 Mar 90 (06:44) Fro: ser #1062) Subj: BUNCHA STUFF... I know of two LISP compilers for the regular i/ series. Check out page #20 of Computist #71 for their addresses. JsH Note #12 Date: (No Clock Installed) ALL (User #837) Howdy all- Ihave been along-time subscriber to Hardcore Computist and have learned a lot from my com- plete set. I think this BBS will bea greatenhance- ment. Any teachers reading this might want to call my BBS- THE COLONY (209)233-2937 1200 BAUD 8N1 24 hours. Lets help each other deprotect educational wares before the kids kill the originals. Loogie Hacker from Clovis, CA Note #22 (Reply to #6) Date: 4 Mar 90 (06:42) To: SYSOP From: (User #1062) Subj: BBS Since this BBS is up and running now, why not offer a telecom disk to the readers. The disk would contain several packing/unpacking pro- grams, as well as a telecom program or two for the regular // series and the IIGS. The telecom programs that come to mind are Talk is Cheap (older version) and Freeterm GS (a rotten pro- gram, but at least it is free). JsH Reply: If l understand you correctly, you mean give this away for uploading articles or softkeys, etc. for publication. This may not be a bad idea however, as it stands, Computist is in no position to purchase such items for promotional entice- ment on acontinuing basis. But, what I will dois this. From 1 April to 30 April, whoever sends in the most information for publication, I will per- sonally donate as prizes the following: 1. Quicken (Checking & Finance software) for the Apple lleicigs (complete with documenta- tion & registration card, never used).. 2. Freeware disk containing: Shrinklt, FredWriter, and other useful freeware utilities for both the Helc and GS. 3. Five disks (3.5") containing SoundSmith (shareware) which is the newest music generator for the IIgs (4 disks are music files for the pro- gram) which requires GS/OS $.02 Does this sound like a reasonable start? Whoever sends the best full featured article will receive their choice of the above. The personwho sends the most information by volume will re- ceive their choice from the other two. The third will carry over to the next contest. The submis- sions may be submitted through the BBS or mailed directly to Computist (remember, it must be received by 30 April if mailing)... Any com- ments concerning this are welcome (good, bad, or suggestions), I'm not richer than Computist butifit generates support then’ lldowhatI can... One more thing, Iwill personally give to the first person who can get 100 new subscribers (or talk acurrent subscriber into renewing) by Dec 31st 90 their choice of software or hardware up to $100 in value. Be sure to tell them to say “YOU” recommended the magazine. Whoever get's this will surely have earned it & I will also throw in an additional item (appropriate to their ma- chine) as a surprise bonus. The contest will officially end when a single person reaches the 100 mark, whether it be a week, month, or last day of 90. <<< SYSOP >>> Note #26 Date: 5 Mar 90 (16:55) { To: ALL From: (User #1052) Subj: PROTREE BBS Thave an old (pre-GS) version of ProTree’s ALFA BBS system around here, with manuals. This system reminds me of it. Personally, I’m a long-time fan of GBBS but who knows if they’re still around? My nickel’s worth, D.W. aka The Gray Lensman Note #35 (Reply to #26) Date: 10 Mar 90 (21:49) From: (User #601) Subj: PROTREE BBS Being new to BBS’ ing I can’t talk from expe- Tience butall of the Apple boards I have seen until now are GBBS. R.G aka Dragon Master Note #27 Date: 5 Mar 90 (17:41) To: ALL From: (User #357) Subj: GREETINGS Isend greetings to all fellow Computist nuts & fellow Hackers! T’mso happy I canhardly contain myself. It’s here! Long live computist and the computist BBS! Now on to business. Tam seeking someone who has a copy of the “fastcopy” program from the old locksmith pro- gram that runs on the GS. I have tried to follow the article in the magazine but was repeatedly unsuccessful. (mark that up to clutch error) Anyway, if anyone out there has accomplished this feat I would like very much to speak to you. Please send me E-Mail or if convenient give me acall voice at (513) 277-2400 -I'llaccept aquick collect call just be sure and state the nature to the operator. Thanks for the help!! Note #29 Date: 8 Mar 90 (20:03) To: ALL From: (User #1099) Subj: WALT DISNEY SOFTKEY DOES ANYONE KNOW OF A SOFTKEY FOR WALT DISNEY CARD AND PARTY SHOP AND WALT DISNEY COMIC STRIP MAKER. THERE IS ONE IN ISSUE #50 BUT ITDOESN’T WORK FOR MY DISKS. PLEASE HELP AS I HAVE LOST THE ORIGINALS THAT CAME WITH THE PROGRAMS AND TONLY HAVE THE BACKUPS. MY BOX IS 1099. Note #30 Date: 8 Mar 90 (21:58) To: SYSOP From: (User #1100) Subj: COMPUTIST Idon’t know who started up Computist but it is what I've been looking for, for a long time. (ever since I got my gs!) a year ago. I just gota copy of your mag. A friend of mine, who just happens to be floating around the world on the Carl Vinson, subscribes to your mag and he sent me the latest issue he got. Already it has been useful. I got Children’s publishing center cracked thanks to your mag. Anyway’s I’m looking for- ward to being validated. Thanks, Paul Charles Haight started Computist in 1981 (1 think) & is stillrunning it today. Used to be doing much better but with everyone’ s help it can soon return to it's former glory... We' re working onit Readers Data Exchange slowly but surely and in the right direction. Thanks to all of it's loyalists... < sysop> Note #31 Date: 10 Mar 90 (14:09) To: ALL From: (User #60) ‘Subj: HELLLLLLLP Hil can't follow exactly the softkey for super Print 3.5" vers as it is in the Computist. And, since my version is just a little different; I can’t krack it. Also, does anyone have a krack for Carmen Europe on the 3.5" disk Thanks—send E-mail to Mike Paterno Note #34 Date: 10 Mar 90 (21:31) LL From: (User #543) Subj: HARDWARE hey people i don’t know about you guys, but i'd like to see a nmi-card in the hardware comer for the gs. a few of the programs are shutting off the control panel and access to the monitor...a few rom routines wouldn't be bad either... (or does anyone know how to get around this prob- lem???) It seems tome that the easiest way around this would be to find the code that disables the CDA access and disable it (since it's normally always there the code should be relatively close on all Programs that do this - provided it's not en- coded.) I’ mnot that familiar with my GS yet, how ‘bout anyone else, any suggestions? <sysop> Note #36 Date: 10 Mar 90 (21:55) To: ALL From: (User #601) Subj: GNARLY GOLF HELP!!! Does anyone Know how to install Gnarly Golf on a hard drive, the manual says it is. possible but when I put it on the hard drive it hangs up. I'm using GSOS on a CMS 60meg drive. Any Ideas? Dragon Master Have you checked the manual? A lot of protected (guessing) programs require that the original still be in the drive for it's protection check routine. If it's not protected, some require certain path names for subdirectories. Another possibility is to look at the system folder (ifusing GS version) on the original & see if there is anything that is not in the system folder on the hard disk (usually in the TOOLS, DRIVERS, and SYSTEM SETUP folders), if so copy the missing piece(s) to the HD system folder...<sysop> Note #56 Date: 17 Mar 90 (23:30) To: SYSOP From: (User #601) Subj: GNARLY GOLF Ttuses a key disk protection, when you run it from a 3.5 copy it will ask for the original; but from the hard drive it hangs up before that. Sounds like it's using a hard encoded Volume name for the disk. To verify this try copying all files to the HD (just as they are on the 3.5, don’t make a separate subdir) and rename the HD volume to the same name as the Gnarly Golf disk and try it (if it works just like the copy then the Volume name is hard encoded, you gottafind it & change it to accept any prefix). Ifthis don’ twork, then their still doin’ something else (hopefully, you have ensured that you have all the same | SystemI/System.Setup/files on your HD as are on the disk as well as Fonts & Drivers)...<sysop> Note #41 Date: 11 Mar 90 (11:07) To: ALL From: (User #547) Subj: DUNGEON MASTER I'M LOOKING FOR A SOFTKEY THAT WILL LET ME USE THE SAVE GAME OP- TION. Note #43 Date: 11 Mar 90 (18:31) To: SYSOP From: (User #1100) Subj: COMPUTIST Ineglected to tell you that I will be sending in for subscription tomorrow 12 March. Ican’t wait for the back issues or for the new ones. I have been spreading thenews about the pub down here (Antioch, the Bay area) and hope that we can keep it alive Note #44 Date: 11 Mar 90 (20:28) To: SYSOP From: (User #71) Subj: CLOCK CARD Do you still need a clock card for the BBS. If you do need one, I have a street electronics Business Card I would like to give away. The COMPUTIST #72 only problem with this card is it phantoms out slots (That's what remember, Ihaven’t used the card in two years) but it does put out a ProDos time. Let me know if you can use it. Nope, we already received a Thunder clock from another subscriber... Thanks anyway... <<<SYSOP>>> Aoumovs Note #46 Date: 12 Mar 90 (19:11) To: ALL From: (User #831) Subj: HELLO HELLO I LIKE TO KNOW DOES ANY ONE LIVEINCALIFORNIA ANDICANGET YOU ON A FEW GOOD APPLE BBS AND IBM IF YOU AND:ARE YOU ON MEDCOM IF YOU AREI AMPIONEER ANDICANGET YOU A FEW PEOPLE THAT WILL HELP YOU WITH ANY THING OK THANKS SEE YATELL ME IF ANY ONEIS IN CALI AND IS ON MEDCOM OK SEE YEAH Note #47 Date: 12 Mar 90 (20:08) To: ALL T'mcalling from San Diego, so you won't see me up here more than once a week, do to expen- sive phone bills and the like, but I was just wondering if any other San Diego users are on the system yet?? Also, if anyone is on networking sites, you can reach me on a few pro-line boards.. My addresses there are: alank@pro-beagle alank@pro-grouch Tam also thinking of putting up a bbs down here in the SD area, in which I will support COMPUTIST subscribers and the like. Alan P.S. If anyone is thinking of putting up a bbs soon, lemme know because I have written a VERY good bbs system from modemworks, which BLOWS away almost everything I have seen so far in the Shareware/PD scene... Note #49 Date: 14 Mar 90 (17:09) ALL From: (User #1116) APPLE IGS LIBRARY! His, ‘yall! 1 just logged on here for the first time, and, yes, I DO subscribe to Computist. I would appreciate some mail from you guys because I feel a little lonely at the moment. Anyway, how many of you out there would like to see an Apple IIGS-specific file library? On many other BBS'’s there’s one, and it would be great if there was one... What do you people think? Thanks for reading! —Eric Mumford Note #61 (Reply to #49) Date: 21 Mar 90 (18:29) From: (User #1093) Subj: APPLE IGS LIBRARY! Eric, I am relatively new to Computist (since issue #68), and new to BBS's (since the begin- ning of March). I would LOVE to see an Apple Ilgs specific file library - I have not really much to upload, but would upload what little I do have. If you write back, but don’t see me respond, it’s because I am calling from Connecticut and it is relatively expensive to call here, but I will call back. Reply: You will in the future (soon?)... <sysop> Note #64 (Reply to #61) Date: 22 Mar 90 (17:58) From: (User #1116) Subj: APPLE IIGS LIBRARY! ‘You think phone expenses are bad from Conn... try calling from New York! Horrible... [have an Apple IGS and, well, I have LOTS of things to upload if David Goforth would only validate them as uploaded them. Istill have to pack them, etc... What local BBSs do YOU call in Conn.?1 could probably call THEM and we could com- municate. A popular Apple board up here in ‘york is Plain Vanilla: 1-518-462-5953. I call there often: it’s an excellent board. I'm gonna check out the file section and get outa here. The phone bill is ringin up higher and higher every minute... See you later! —Eric See the TIME SAVER NEWS at the end of this <sysop> Note #54 Date: 17 Mar 90 (06:30) To: ALL From: (User #502) Subj: CHUCK YEAGER’S AFT Isent some notes up to the file base on Chuck _COMPUTIST #72 a ee Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer. If there are any questions, send me a message. Note #53 Date: 16 Mar 90 (23:54) best Apple software around. We have at least400 users. I just remembered that I have also seen a very slicknew BBS software by a programmer in CA. One of the local boards here in Wichita is testing it (it is Net capable). Scott Note #57 Date: 18 Mar 90 (10:33) To: SYSOP From: (User #1126) Subj: SUBSCRIPTION Jam asubscriber to COMPUTIST, butdidnot receive my ID number in issue #71 as the article described. The number on my mailing label is 0215 if that is of any use. Please advise me as to how I can gain full access to the board as a subscriber. Thanks in advance Don Increased access is granted to all current subscribers (which you now have), FULL access requires that you be a BBS member $10 annual ‘fee sent to Computist (same address as subscrip- tions) or calling with Visa/MC to same phone # as subscriptions... <<< SYSOP >>> Note #62 Date: 21 Mar 90 (18:46) To: SYSOP From: (User #1093) Subj: $10 ACCESS David, Isentmy $10 into Computistona form that they sent to me a week ago. I was curious to see whether you had received the money and updated my access. I would like to know, how- ever I shall not be back until another week has passed, for this is long distance, and Ido not like giving that much money to the phone co. that often. Please respond. Thanx, Bret. Please allow 7 days after mailing for valida- tion <sysop> Note #67 Date: 23 Mar 90 (20:32) To: (User #1062) 4 From: (User #1082) Subj: CRACKS Jim, T’mhaving a heck of atime with a program called Accelerated Reader. The author even has a message in the sectors that you'll have to work hard to see this one in COMPUTIST.....would you like a try at it? I’ve been meaning to call or write to you about it for along time. Also I have Toy Shop and Bureauc- racy that I'd like to see finally cracked. Thanks Jack Note #68 Date: 24 Mar 90 (05:27) To: ALL From: (User #357) Subj: WASTELAND CRACK. Ihave had Wasteland for about 8 months, and LOVE the game. Butitrequires you to start with the key disk and this week mine started acting hokey! I desperately need acrack for WASTE- LAND by electronic arts before I lose it forever. Thanks Starbuck (ohio) Note #69 Date: 24 Mar 90 (18:17) To: ALL From: (User #675) Subj: DARK ACTUALLY thisis aimed towards EdTeach.. But Does anyone know how to Disable the Rune Check in Dark Heart Of uKKrul? Also.. look on your local bbs for a3.5 edition of prince of persia!. a friend of mine transferred the Sides onto a prodos 3.5 disk and added more Tooms and a new lvl! laterz jim TT Feedback (To SysOp) Note #4 Date: 3 Mar 90 (10:26) To: ALL From: (User #726) Subj: QUESTION Just a question - will you be providing an INDEX, say in AppleWorks DataBase format for Computist??? That you can download?? I have an older one from an Ad one of the subscribers putin a long time ago, but it is kinda old now and I just haven't (yeah, I know, lazy) gotten busy to update it myself! Joe Oliver Re: It’s available now in the EDITORIAL file base area... <sysop> Note #5 Date: 3 Mar 90 (16:21) To: SYSOP From: (User #452) Subj: DOCS 1 was really pleased to see that J have full access to the Computist BBs right at the start. Calling from WI, I get tons of line noise so you might see some erratic stuff. Anyway, is there some way I can getdocs on the BBS software. you use? Isn't Applenet shareware or freeware. If 1 knew more about the system, I could save some time (read $$$) on the board. Please let me know what you can do and what] can do to support this project Kindest regards, TOP GUN All the software & docs are on the Gopher Hole BBS (206)584-6621 (same cost as calling here) but would take up quite a bit of space onthis system since there are several versions (not counting this one)... Up till version 1 3f it was free(2.x is now shareware)... As for saving time use the copy buffer to save all displays to disk as fast as possible & review them at your leisure with a text editor. <sysop> Note #6 Date: 4 Mar 90 (12:12) To: SYSOP From: (User #1079) Subj: STUFF ; Nice to finally see the. BBS up. I already subscribe and would like full access. How dol go about this? Also, I’m not too crazy about REAL names since ] don’t even use one on my own bbs. Hopefully things will grow around here. You may want to look into GBBS Pro as BBS soft- ‘ware, as it runs compiled and a LOT faster. Anet seems like c-net for the commodores. Also look into the U.S. Robotics deal for a 9600 baud modem. Can't beat “em. Since I've been running aBBS for several years now I’d also like to offer any help that you may need, I just would like to keep the LD bills to a minimum. I'm getting a copy of GBBS to try out & may put it up (if the cost allows). As for the 9600 baud (if we can't afford GBBS, it may be awhile). Your real name is only required at Logon to verify you as a Subscriber or BBS member (you can change your handle or nickname in the “P” ersonal data section from the Main Menu. About the best help I can get right now is finding a routine that will allow YMODEM protocols to be added... <<< SYSOP >>> Note #11 (Reply to #7) Date: 9 Mar 90 (20:48) To: SYSOP From: (User #1079) Subj: STUFF WELL, since I have accounts on both GEnic and AOL T'll keep you posted if I see anything that may be of help with anet. As for verification, my subscription is under the name Paul Giguere, Thave submitted a few articles in the past and have subscribed since about issue 20. Nice to hear about GBBS!!! I've done a LOT of modding on that system. Feel free to ask, as it is a bit weird till you get used to it. Know of any patches or extras that would allow support of GBBS with the Datalink 2400? <sysop> Note #15 (Reply to #14) Date: 11 Mar 90 (00:15) To: SYSOP From: PERFESSER (User #1079) Subj: STUFF The people I talked with seem to think that either the CTS 2400 or 2424A driver OR the multi-speed driver should work. What version of GBBS and which ACOS are you planning on using? Note #9 Date: 8 Mar 90 (20:37) To: SYSOP From: (User #1082) Subj: RDEX SECTION Is this a section for new deprotects? I'd appreciate access to it if it is. Thanks This section is for Feedback, leaving the SysOp a message... <sysop> Note #10 Date: 8 Mar 90 (20:39) To: SYSOP From: (User #1082) Subj: GBBS Readers Data Exchange Sylintond ala ember GBBS is on its way. I sent it UPS on Monday....the clerk told me it should arrive by Friday...ha ha I'll bet....Anyway good luck. IfT can help with anything, even non-BBS related, give me a yell. : Note #17 Date: 18 Mar 90 (00:27) To: ALL From: (User #457) Subj: ADD A MODIFICATION think you should add a read text/appleworks WP file function in the file transfer area. This would be easier for some. to read short text files rather then download them. Most term programs have-some sort of capture feature and it would be faster. Just thought I would pass this along. Re: If the file is an ASCII text file (shown by a file type of TXT) then you can currently select ‘D’ownload and answer ‘A’scii to the protocol selection and the file will be displayed just as though a VIEW command had been given. A true view command will be added later (either on ANET or GBBS)... PLEASE DO NOT SELECT ASCII PROTO- COL FOR SHK FILES - YOU WILL RECEIVE GARBAGE & CANNOT HALT THE PROCE- DURE UNTIL THE ENTIRE FILE IS READ!!! <sysop> Note #18 Date: 21 Mar 90 (16:39) To: SYSOP From: (User #1129) Subj: HELLO... Tam a subscriber and I did not receive the slip of paper mentioned in the article. The Address I left is the one the post office decided that they would give to me when they changed it rather than the box # associated with the current sub- scription. 4 Use the Personal data section from the main menu & ensure that your address matches that which you use for Computist. Validation is done by verifying Name & Address (especially zip code) against their data base. Read the BBS Layout bulletin to see what access you actu- ally have (you should be able to get into all areas granted to Subscribers - Increased). <sysop> Time Saver News ES RE 1, Before, dialing (or right after. logon), set ON- 2. Quickly go through all new messages in each message base as fast as possible, DO NOT READ THEM. Do the same in the Files areas, Bulletins, & On-line sections (listing what is there)... 3. You do not have to wait for the menu to be displayed in the Main, Files, or Message areas before making a selection. These areas support ‘HOT KEYS’ (immediate execution of a com- mand). Also go to the ‘P’ersonal data section to view the menu. 4. Then LogOff, save the buffer to disk & review it at your leisure. If you wish to reply to a message, write the message as a text file and save it (be sure to make note of the original message base and message number). Figure out what files you'd like to download from the listings and makenote of their Base # and filename. Once this is done then: 5. Call back & get your files. Go to the message base that you want to write to. If areply, select ‘R'ead - ‘Individual - #, and then ‘R’eply and send your text file using ASCII trarisfer. BE SURE THAT YOUR TEXT FILE CONTAINS NO BLANK LINES (include at least a single space before the carriage retum <CR> if you need an empty line) as the system uses this as a end of entry marker. Then enter a blank line and select ‘S’ave. 6. The Message base also supports a ‘F'ile tag system (which must be used if the message is more than 79 lines long). This works as follows: Select ‘Reply (or ‘W’rite - to user # - subject), enter a brief statement (at least one character MUST be entered prior to a<CR>), enter ablank line and select ‘F'ile. Enter the filename of the file you wish to attach to this message and send using XMODEM (XModem ProDOS is recom- mended if available). After the transfer is com- plete, then select ‘S'ave. If using this method, the file may be shrunk (archived) prior to sending for even faster transmission. Example: 1st call: Screen shows ‘Connected xxxx baud at time’. Press ESC to bypass the intro screen. Enter user # and password. Press ESC again to bypass the NEWS. All new messages addressed to you will be displayed (if private) or indicate the base & message # (if public). Press ‘N’ext after each message is fully displayed & the menu appears at the bottom of the screen (we'll read and answer them later). As soon as the Main Menu starts to appear, press ‘MRN’ (this will take you to the ‘M’essage Base and ‘R’ead all ‘N’ew messages. When you 5 a see “Last message read”, press ‘4RN’ (this skips the E-MAIL and FEEDBACK bases which you read at logon and goes to base #4 and again “R’eads all ‘N’ew messages). Repeat this num- ber sequence until all bases (that you are inter- ested in) have been read. Remember to skip E- MAIL, FEEDBACK, & RDEX (these are private only & you will see anything here for you at logon, the rest ya can’t view anyway). Then press ‘QFF’. This will ‘Q’uit the mes- sage base (returning to the Main Menu and then take you to the ‘Files area and list all ‘F'iles. When the last file is displayed (indicated by “Press RETURN to continue”) press RETURN then ‘2F’ (tomove to thenext file area and list the files there), Repeat this thru all the file bases you wanna see. If you wish to read the bulletins or go to the On-line section, press ‘Q' followed by ‘B'ulletins or‘O'n-line. These areas do not support the HOT KEYS (except for ‘Q’uit, ‘H’ang up, & ‘T’ime stats), so you must wait for the menu & the command line to appear before making a selec- tion. Once you've done this, press ‘HY' for ‘Hang up’? ‘Y"es! You now have all the file listings, new messages, and anything else you want and spent less than 10 minutes on the BBS. Now save the copy buffer, pull out your favorite word processor and read what you’ve got. If ya wanna answer any of the messages or leave messages then write your message and save it as a text file - BE SURE THERE ARE NO BLANK LINES (must contain at least a single space before the <CR>) -and save it. If it's a reply, then make note of the original message base & message #. Also make note of any files that you may want to download and the base that they are in. 2nd Call: Call back using the ESC features to bypass the intro smff. Enter the message base that you'll be writing to (ex: M3) as soon as the Main Menu starts. If replying press ‘RI#' for ‘Read - ‘P’ndividual - original message number. After the message is displayed & the lower menu appears press ‘R’ for Reply. This way you need notknow the user # and it also sets up the thread routine (discussed later). If not replying, press ‘W#’ for ‘W'rite to user number and enter the topic or title of the message & verify it as being correct. Now to send the file. Set your terminal pro- gram to send ASCII text & send the file you saved. It will be as though you were a super typist and transfer the file as text (you MUST use ASCTI or the copy buffer if you're experienced). The file must be less than 79 lines at 80 (or less) characters per line (for more char’s per line, use less lines). After the file is transferred (just a few seconds) select ‘S'ave. Repeat this for each message, remembering to change bases as neces- sary. Next, press ‘QF#" for ‘Q' uit the message base -goto ‘F’ile area - base number (notnecessary for base #1, also if less than ‘10" then you must press CR.) Select ‘D’ownload and enter the filename you want to download. Select X Modem for proto- col (ASCII protocol will ONLY work for TXT files. ATTEMPTING TO USE IT WITH ANY OTHER FILETYPE WILL DISPLAY GAR- BAGE & CANNOT BE STOPPED UNTIL THE ENTIRE FILEIS TRANSFERRED, NO HAND- SHAKING IS PERFORMED!!) Set your end up to receive the file (XModem ProDOS is recom- mended, but Standard and CRC will also work.) Repeat this for all the files you want. That's it... Now for an overview of all the commands and menus used with this system (it may be awhile before we go to GBBS so hope- fully this won’t be in vain.) Use the following with the BBS LAYOUT diagram. Main Menu This is the artery that takes you to other various areas of the BBS. Time Stats: Shows your time limit on the system used and time remaining for this call. Works the same in all areas, Goodbye (Hang up): Logs you off the BBS. Works the same in all areas. Quit section: Exits the current section and returns you to the Main Menu. Call the SysOp: Pages “ME” if I’m there, I usually answer if at all possible. Please limit this to necessity and have specific questions (know what you wanna ask). I try to make this as short as possible because I’m usually very busy and trying to be courteous because "YOU" are pay- ing for the call. 2: A question mark in most areas will redis- play the current menu. The main reason for this feature is that you will soon be able to disable the menu displays from the personal data section. M/F/P/B/O: From the Main Menu you will be taken to the appropriate subsection (Message area, Files area, Personal data, Bulletins, & On- Line programs respectively. List other BBS’s: Lists other bulletin boards with an option to ‘A'dd to the list. Help: Displays what each command (key selection) means & does. Personal Data: Each user canchange his/her handle or nickname (this does not affect yourreal name displayed at logon), your address (this will NOT change your subscription address, you must notify Computist), screen width (normally 40 or 80), screen height used for pausing the display (recommend zero which will disable it for the fast Process described above), phone number (please check this for accuracy), computer, age, spe- Gialty knowledge, file enclosures (should be ‘Yes to allow tagging messages with files), carbon copy (allows sending duplicate messages to dif- _ ferent users, normally ‘N’o as it will ask after each private message if ya wanna send another copy), and the user list (to list all users on the system). Bulletins: This is where news about the BBS is placed, it is a read: only area. To read any message just type the number of the bulletin (and press retum if less than two digits). On-Line: These are external files that allow for various additions to the BBS. Here you can renew or subscribe to Computist or view the on- line index (currently under revision). A message “Program not available” will appear if it is not currently active (this does not mean you're de- nied access but that it’s an upcoming addition - if you see it, you have/will have access). Torun any program type the program number (plus <CR> if less than two digits). Message Base This is where you read/write all your corre- spondence, letters, inputs, etc. It is broken down into several sections with descriptive titles. List: will display all the available message areas. To change to another message area simply enter the number of the base. Read: will display a submenu for selecting what messages you wish to read. (New) since your last logon, (Forward) start- ing at a specific message number, (Reverse) starting at a specific message number, (Selec- tive) messages written to/from a certain indivi ual, (Marked) messages written to you, (Individ- ual) read just one message by number, (Abort) don’t read any. When you read a message it will show a header indicating, Area (with message # and indicate if private or a reply to another message), Date written, To, From (with user #), Subject, and File (if there is a file attached it will also show how many blocks there are), and then the mes- sage. ‘After displaying the message, a menu will at the bottom of the screen. This includes: (Again) to redisplay the message, (Reply) sends a reply to this message and threads it, (Delete) this message if to/from you, (Next)reads thenext message in forward or reverse order as you se- lected, (File) sends the attached file shown in the header to you via XModem, (Thread) finds the message that thisis a reply to & displays it, (Quit) returns to the Message base Menu. Write: you must specify the user number you are writing to (0 = All, 937 = SysOp) use 937 for all leters to the Editor, Charles Haight, Com- putist, etc. & specify who it's to in the ‘subject” space. You may press <CR> at this promptto list the users, this will then ask if you'd like to start the list at a specific user #. Answering “Y’es will prompt you for the starting user #, ‘N’o will give you the opportunity to search by name (or partial name). Pressing <CR> by itself will list all users. After entering the user #, you'll be prompted for a subject, after that enter your message (75 line max). For blank lines press SPACEBAR <CR>, a<CR> by itself will indicate that you are through entering your message & a menu will appear at the bottom of the screen. Now you can (List) the message with line numbers, (View) the message without line numbers, (Continue) add- ing to the message, (Edit) a line in the message, (Replace) specified text in the message with new text, (Save) the message, (Abort) quits to the Message base Menu, or (File) attach a file with this message. Attach files BEFORE saving and remember to save the message AFTER sending the file. Note: Attached files MUST be sentireceived using XModemonly!!!Text for the message MUST be sent using ASCII and DO NOT select “F” ile before sending a message in ASCII. Scan: will ask for the starting message num- ber, then list info about the messages giving, message #, To, From, Subject, and Date. It does not display the actual message. Delete: will delete a message thatis writtento or from you. % File Base This is where all files for downloading are and where you upload files to. It is broken down into several sections with descriptive titles. File List: Lists all files in the current base available for downloading. Search: Search the file list for specified data (will find all occurrences of a specified string). List: Lists available file areas. To change to another file area simply enter the number of the base. Upload: Send a file (you to me) in either XMODEM or ASCII. Download: Receive a file (me to you) in either XMODEM or ASCII. Note: ASCII protocol can ONLY be used with standard (uncompressed) TEXT files. Use XMODEM for ALL other files. This includes both uploading and downloading. AWP and ADB (appleworks) files must be sent using XModem- ProDOS or must be compressed before sending. If an appleworks file is sent in it's original format using any other protocol, it will turn out as garbled text and be unusable. Examine: Shows contents of a specified file that has been compressed with Shrinklt. About the BEST way to save money on long distance charges for uploads is: If you happen to be amember of America Online you can put your uploads there and leave mail to “Go4th” or“AKA Gopher”. Or if you have numerous files (or lengthy ones after they're compressed), send them on disk (5.25 or 3.5) to: Computist BBS c/o David Goforth 11015 Old Military Rd SW Tacoma, WA 98498-1524 Please include a short note as to what you'd like me to do with them (you need not be ex- plicit). Computist BBS — An AppleNET BBS ‘Computist subscribers - Members should read message #2 in the ‘Members Only’ message base for more info. Unless otherwise stated, all message bases (except E-Mail) may be published in Computist magazine (Unless the message “) requests that it not be published - will as a feature for automatic (- 7 NV 7 Main Menu Online Programs Menu selection)... (Message areas & Mail )ulletins and articles |__| (#) Rum the program Chinese [Base 1 of 8} Public Access ile section loads) (O)nlis ams. " 5 ie eee ow ) pte (G)oodbye (hang up) (QUuit to Main Menu Base #'s & titles work the same as the message base. (Chall the SysOp ‘6pm - midnight’ _(G)oodbye (hang up) 1, L want to joint 2. Most Wanted List Files Menu (L)ist other BBS's (2) w display menu 3. Renewal (Visa/MC) 4, Back Issue Order ave , L (Help with these commands 5. 10B Controllers 6. Forward Mail (dite bering @rearch the fle list / | 7.Computist.index 8, File Validation (plead (you—> me) (D)ownload (me —> you) ( . ~~ \ (L)ist file areas (T)ime statistics Bulletins Menu r (#)Move to Base (Examine file contents (Read the bulletin (L)ist bulletins Personal Data Menu (G)oodbye (hang up) (Qhuit the file transfer section (T)ime statistics (Handle ot Sir name (P)assword change ’ (G)oodbye (hang up) (Quuit the bulletin section (yocation City, State) Age Command: List file bases LABOUTTHIS BBS 2. HOWTO DOWNLOAD |_| (ysthof screen oe | Nae (Type of computer (#) Phone number 1 Public Access 3.HOWTO UPLOAD 4. MEMBERSHIP (©)arbon Copy Pile enclosures : e-News 6. WELCOME (2) display this menu (@) Time stats 2 Bu « non-Apple I : 7. SUBSCRIBE 8. BBS LAYOUT 3 Editorials <—Computist Index HERE!!! 9. LEGAL RIGHTS 10. CREDITS (U)ser List (*) Page Pause ; os (__11. CoMPUTIST 12, RATES J \Grodoye Hang up) Qs J 6 arr. : 7 Softkeys & Bit C Command: 8 [Area 1 of 7] General (Public) (89 msgs, 5 new) 8 Temp ° my Press ctrl S to Shows current area(1 above) of all areas authorized (7 above) , . frees cit 8 = and the ttle if the bose (GENERAL CR ALE os eshitmpies areas will soon be added for: DOS 3.3, PRODOS, & 1 = Limited Access, 2 = Increased Access, 3 = Full Access Message Bases —File Areas On-Line Programs 1,General (Public) Public Access Subscribe On-Line (*) E-Mail (Private) IBM & Non-Apple II Feedback (Sysop) Classified Ads RDEX Inputs (Write Only) 2.Subscribers Only Editorials Most Wanted List Playing Tips On-Line Renewal (*) Back Issue Order (*) 3.Members Only —_ Hardware Projects Computist Index AP.T. (**) JOB Controllers (*) Softkeys/Bit Copy On-Line Mail (***) And any other areas/features that may be added .... (*) Requires Visa or Mastercard (**) Advanced Programming Techniques (***) We will forward your letters by US Postal Service to other being public). Will also show the total number of messages in this base & the number of new messages since you last logged on (this will NOT appear in Private only bases such as E-Mail & FEED- BACK). Messages Menu (Ryead messages (Wyrite a new message (S)can all messages (D)elete one of your messages. (L)ist message areas (Time statistics 2 (G)oodbye (hang up) (Qhuit message section Command: List bases #Name 1 General (Public) 2E-Mail (Private) <—will not get published!!! 3 Feedback (to SYSOP) <— User # 937 4 Classified Ads 5 RDEX Inputs <—will get published in COMPUTIST!!! 6 Subscribers only <— Both Public & Private messages are allowed 7 BBS members only <—Both Public & Private messages are allowed Readers Data Exchange Command: Examine Archive (This works only on SHK & BXY files) Enter the file to examine: amdos NuFx Archive... (indicates an SHK file & displays the following.) Date of Creation: 11-Aug-1989 25:25pm Date of Modification: 11-Aug-1989 25:25pm. Name Type Blocks Modified Compaction Endfile New.disk non 1 563400% 1 Type “NON” indicates a shrunk DISK (either 5.25 or 3.5) & the ‘Compaction’ works for all files but not for disks. Willfix this inthe {future to indicate which size is being used (as a rule of thumb, all ‘GS should be 3.5 and everything else 5.25)... Command: Goodbye Hang up? Are you sure? (Yes or No): Yes Thank you for calling Computist BBS Time spent: 10 minute(s) Goodbye ... You can LOG OFF from any section of the BBS with the “G" oodbye command. <none> COMPUTIST #72 TX Jeff Hurlburt The PRODUCT saat MONITOR RATINGS www SUPERB wen EXCELLENT wr VERY GOOD ww GOOD a FAIR 8 POOR 6e BAD € DEFECTIVE Mushrooming Software As observed last issue, numbers and quality of II series entertainment wares has never been better; and, the same holds for utilities, produc- tivity products, and educational packages. In- credibly, after more than three years of less than enthusiastic Big Green attentions, the IIgs is in real ‘danger’ of emerging, overall, the best-sup- ported of any super-res “personal computer”! This month's column, the biggest PM ever, samples just a bit from each category. 2088: The Cryllan Mission $69.95 Victory Software wow Requirements: 1.25 MB Apple IIgs, one 3.5" drive. Second drive recommended. In the summer of 2087, Earth's fledgling Anes Agency began to receive a series of star- tling reports from an exploration craft in the Tau Ceti sector. Not only had the crew of the S.S. Houston discovered an Earth-type planet, “Crylla”, inhabited by peaceful, friendly human- oids, they had actually deciphered the language and been assigned an ambassador. By the time contact with the explorers had to be suspended (Crylla moved ‘behind’ its sun vis-a-vis Earth), Space Agency scientists couldhardly wait for the knowledge windfall sure to come. But they did wait... and wait... and wait. Needless to say, the follow-up “Crylla Mission” which makes plan- etfall barely a year latter is not the delegation of expectant researchers originally planned. With weapons specialists, science officers, and a doc- tor, your party of six trouble shooters is grimly determined to find out what happened, and, if necessary, shoot the trouble! ‘When, some centuries later, Star Fleet draws up the guidelines which become known as the “Prime Directive”, you can bet that someone will bring up Crylla to drive home the hazards of cultural contamination. Just why is one of your team’s discoveries as you piece together the remarkably verbose stories, hints, and social commentaries of Cryllan citizens, surviving Terrans, and others you encounter. Yet, with a few easily sensed exceptions, what you discover in conversations has less real impact upon ulti- mate success than upon ‘atmosphere’, level of involvement, and overall enjoyment. * 'Cryllan Mission” 's extensive prose adds a thought-pro- voking depth unique in an Ultima-type map/ maze scenario. (Hint: ‘Talk’ to everyone, but avoid copious note-taking.) As to how Earth's ace ‘fact-finders’ deal with what turns out to be acultural disaster: that is something you deter- mine in a quest spanning the cities, ruins, and labyrinths of two continents. Crisp top-down countryside maps, detailed cityscapes, and self-mapping 3-D perspective forward-view mazes give “ 'Cryllan Mission” a ‘look’ and feel very reminiscent of SSI’s popular “Questron II"/gs. This time, however, you guide the development of six multi-attribute charac- ters, deal with elaborate weapons and armor systems, and direct your party in challenging, partially animated, tactical combats against a variety of opponents. Unfortunately, while the latter can be very entertaining, an overly gener- ous character development scheme results in near invulnerability and ample (even excessive) wealth about midway in the adventure. Opting for “computer controlled” combat helps move things along; so, you are able to concentrate upon exploration and the location of items needed for mission completion. Featuring speedy GSOS 5.0 windows for maps, text, and monster/mazescape displays “ *Cryllan Mission” employs virtually an ‘out of the box’ format, and, nevertheless, achieves a COMPUTIST #72 smooth-running, surprisingly user-friendly in- terface. (What? You mean all that ‘5.0 mouse- and-windows stuff works?!) Victory Software’s first release IS bound to deliver a hefty dose of encouragement to many would-be IIgs game de- signers. Meanwhile, players can ‘sign up’ for 30- 40 hours of solid adventuring and a good story in “2088: The Cryllan Mission”. Postcards $29.95 Activision/Mediagenic (Additional blank cards: $7.00/100) we Requirements: Apple IIgs, one 3.5" drive, Imagewriter or compatible printer, super-res paint utility. Color ribbon recommended. (64K II version available) Summer, the #1 postcard-sending season, is just around the bend; and Activision’s “Post- cards” could be the perfect medium for showing off your artistry, your wittiness, and your com- puter, all in one fell swoop. Available in separate versions for IIgs (color super-res) and II+/Ile ($24.95, B/W hires), the package is, blatantly, something of a gimmick. Included on-diskette are ten unpopulated scenes (beach, desert, moon- scape, ...), plus more clip-able artwork for Struc- tures (Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, ...), Objects (umbrellas, Easter Island Stoneface,...), Trans- portation (blimp, flying saucer, ...), People (hula dancer, alien, tourist, ...), and flocks of Ani- mals— about 150 pieces in all. The Ile package adds a simple cut & paste drawing/printout util- ity; IIgs users are expected to rely upon a full- featured painter, like Activision's “Paintworks Gold”. Admittedly, the artwork IS cute and distinc- tively ‘post-cardsy’; AND—the gimmicky part— you also get 25 blank-front 6.5" x 4.5" postcards with (on back) “Place Stamp Here” box and “Postcards by Activision” along the card center. PLUS, there's a glue stick for pasting your print- ‘outs to the card fronts! (Clever; however, if Activision supplied a tractor-feed card carrier sheet, the glue wouldn’t be necessary and post- card: production would be easier.) Assuming you don't re-size the on-screen display, : a finished My first card— the standard waving space creature on a city street with “Wish You Were Here!” caption—tumed out so well] almost hate to send it. Supplied with idea-packed manual, , clip art listing, and order blank for more cards, “Postcards” makes bragging about your vacation more fun than ever. Geometry $79.95 Broderbund ww Requirements: 512K Apple IIgs, one 3.5" drive. Second drive recommended. Intended for textbook supporVenrichment, Broderbund’s new educational package takes the user from elementary concepts, through Plane and Solid geometry, to the beginnings of analytic geometry. “Points, Lines, Planes”, “Congruence”, “Right Triangles”, “Areas and Volumes of Sol- ids”, and “Coordinate Geometry” are representa- tive of the ten chapters which, not counting separate problem and proof displays, average some 25 super-res screens apiece. To better indi- vidualize each presentation, users may select just a unit’s “Tutorials” ‘or “Problems”, or both. In addition, a “Classical”/"Simplified” setting ad- justs material to more closely follow approaches used in currently popular textbooks. Rendered in dithered-color 640-mode, “Geometry” delivers attractive textbook-look screens with boldface and color highlighting to enhance legibility. A simple click on a corner ‘tums’ the page (forward or back) at, roughly, 5- 10 seconds per update. Not, to be sure, *book speed’; but, then, you can also hop quickly to any part of the presentation— both “Contents” and a comprehensive “Index” are always on-line— and, the ‘computer pages’ ARE a good deal more active than pulp and ink. Aside from pull-down “Reference”, “Hint”, and “Solution” options, you will often find click-able text in green high- lighting to flash the lines of an “Acute Angle”, fill-in “Base Area” of a figure, etc..Other buttons may show a proof or call up “More” discussion. No textbook, of course, can offer“*Geometry” *s user-changeable figures (thatis, unless you've been staring at a proof too long). This powerful leam-by-doing aid lets you mouse-diddle line relationships (e.g. in triangles, a rotating quadri- lateral, etc.), ‘grow’ and stretch solids, and much more, all right on the ‘page’, while obtaining continuous numeric/descriptivereadout(s)of key figure parms and characteristics! As you may recall from your last encounter Readers Data Exchange with math studies, there is no such thing as an error-free math text. True to this tradition, “Geometry” 's developers occasionally allow a single drawing to stand for three or four prob- lems, with the result that angles shown as obtuse are actually acute, lines which must be parallel are shown diverging, etc..I've seen just oneclear case of mislabeling; but, in the “Area of a Trape- zoid” discussion, one finds “.5 x h x (b1 + b2)= .5 x (hx bl) + (hx b2)"! Mildly disconcerting; still, considering quantity of material presented, the few ‘obvious’ errors fall within normal “for the student to discover” limits. Fine as a ‘quickie’ reference and stand-alone refresher (e.g. for SAT prep), “Geometry” shows to best advantage as a ‘light up your lines’, interest-stimulating support resource. Including “QuickPrint!”, a handy super-res screen dump CDA, the complete course comes on three mini- diskettes with handsome 25-page User’s Guide. Gnarly Golf $29.95 Britannica we Requirements: 512K Apple IIgs, one 3.5” drive, The last time I checked, our trusty IIgs had failed to sprout a coin slot. So, why does Britannica’s new 18-hole mini-golf arcade (for 1-4 persons) eject players who “run out of strokes"? If, as seems likely, the aim is to encour- age replays, then “ ’Gnarly” designers have miscalculated. Like the “Zany’ ” guys at EA, they’ve over-valued the lure of ‘getting to the next hole’ and under-valued just about every- thing else. Asa lone player, I would much prefer to challenge a ‘Best Score’ and see all the holes. When two, three, or four computer golfers start a game, it’s because they want to PLAY— not watch, while the player who owns the computer (and gets to practice) demonstrates his/her exper- tise. “Gnarly Golf” does start you with six strokes, award a number of strokes equal to par for each hole finished; and, if an experienced player is first in the shooting order, new players can learn much about how to approach the hole. Aiming is simple— you ‘spot’ your target with a mouse pointer— and over-powering a hole shot won't send it over the cup. Further reducing the advan- tage of practice, “Gnarly Golf” ’s thrée-click ‘shot meter’ (to control power and spin) runs somewhat slower than the ones you'll find in Accolade’s games or EA's “World Tour Golf”. Remaining strokes and current scores (based” upon holes finished, length of holed shois, etc.)” are continually updated at.the comers of. the. display; but (another mistake), the game fails to maintain a High Scores roster on-disk. With the exception of small spot-like balls which show no rolling motion, “Gnarly’ ” offers very good ‘production value’ including classy 3- D lettering, background music, good physics, a set-your-own-golf-ball-coloroption, ari animated golf ball guy who performs a different routine to set the theme for each hole; and a bizarre set of nicely illustrated single-screen challenges built around pool tables, rat mazes, prison cells, ant hills, toys, and much more. The shot, rebound, etc, sound effects work well enough; but, consid- ering the variety of opportunities for something more elaborate (e.g. water traps, air vents, hot griddles, leaky hoses, flipping trowels, conveyor belts, ..). they qualify as ‘just adequate’, Sup- plied on two mini-diskettes, “Gnarly Golf” is too easy, low-conipetition stuff for adilts, but a cute, entertaining ‘starter challenge’ for younger play- ers. Warlock $39.95 Three-Sixty Pacific toy Requirements: 512K Apple figs; ~~ > one 3.5" drive. Joystick recommended. Spanning twenty split-level screens (or “Levels”), Three-Sixty’s “Warlock” is a super- res arcade adventure showcasing gem-like fig- ures, superb animation, and full-range sound. As the dauntless Warlock, your objective is to col- Ject eight key objects and then wrest the stolen Karma Jewel from the evil HE’s clutches. Eight-direction KB/joystick movement and your staff’s fire button are all you need to climb stairways, swing across deadly pools, ... and blast hordes of zombies, ghosts, goblins, etc. (i.e the ‘cannon fodder’ class monsters) as well as major Jeague horrors like giant spiders and fire -belch- ing golems. Shots cost Power points and each hit from a monster or trap reduces Vitality (0000= Dead). However, you can start with up to 4000 Power and 5000 Vitality; so, even for the un- skilled beginner, there’s plenty of play; and plenty more, once you lear to recognize snares and become adept at collecting the numerous Power/ Vitality/Armor-boosting goodies. Forests, graveyards, ruins, underground tun- nels, lakes, shrines, ...: it would be fun to just ‘page through’ the colorful, richly detailed gamescape; but you can’t. Youmust EARN your way; and, with no Game Save (an unfortunate deficit), getting beyond Level 7 represents a fairly stiff challenge. Durable fun, “Warlock” is agreat super-res/super-sound showoffpiece (and, if you need another excuse, perfect for entertain- ing younger visitors). Cartooners $59.95 Electronic Arts ww Requirements: 1 MB Apple IIgs, one 3.5" drive. Second drive or hard disk recommended. “Cartooners” makes it easy for even young computer users (e.g. ages eight and above) to produce ‘for real’ super-res cartoons complete with colorful scenery, animated characters, “speech balloon” dialogue, and music and/or sound effects. At up to 2000 frames each, a “movie” can, depending upon user “Speed” set- ting, easily run several minutes, which means a finished product can pack plenty of entertain- ment value. Aimed squarely at the ‘computers for kids’ market, Electronic Arts’ two-diskette package includes both a well-organized, ‘serious’ 60- page manual, and acute, easy-reading “Look and Play” booklet. The latter introduces early readers to the program's facilities for movie playback and beginner editing. In“Look” you just click on the ticket(s) of up to six selections to watch. “Play” works much the same; but, you also get VCR-style controls (FF, Rewind, Play, Record) and have access to full editing capabilities (in- cluding standard “File” pull-down options for loading any non-ticket movie). Originally, selec tions are limited to the short-run movies supplied (e.g. “Animal Boogie”, “Bad Wolf”, “Park Play”, .); but, since you can change ticket names, any twelve movies can be available for easy click-on playback. ‘The ‘trick’— the reason it’s so easy to pro- duce cartoons— is that “Cartooners” supplies a Jarge cast of expertly drawn animated actors. All the user has to do is add Mouse, Bunny, Duck, Piggy, Dog, ete. and ‘tell’ him/her what to do. For instance, you might click on Mouse, place him, and then ‘tell’ him (via pull-down “Action” choices) to Walk Slowly Right. Now, as each ‘Record’ click advances the frame count, Mouse will perform some walking motion and move to “the right. Mouse’ cari also tim oné’ Way of thé © other and face the front. Duck can walk and fly, Bunny can hop, Butterfly flaps, ...; repertoires vary, but, in general, you can select an action (or * “freeze”) and set speed and direction for each actor whenever you wish. To handle situations where Mouse must walk in front of Bunny, behind a tree, etc., each actor’s ‘Foreground ight levels and, as with may be changed in afy™ frame. Lamp posts, bushes, kettles, campfires, and. other props are also considered “actors”. With few exceptions (e.g. Flower can change color), props can be ‘told’ to stand still or move around; but, only a very few, like Explosion, are ani- mated, Another kind of “actor”, the stretchable speech balloon, comes in “standard”, “exclama- tion”, or “invisible” versions, and can include text in various fonts, sizes, styles, and colors, * Obviously, by the time you add one or more “Scenery” backgrounds and several “Music/ Sound Effects” pieces both of which are set- table on a frame-by-frame basis—- PLUS muulti~ frame ‘Cut and Paste’ editing ...; well, a movie CAN become a fairly sophisticated, “slick” pro- duction, Music/sound stuff can be imported from EA's “Instant Music”, any paint utility can pro- duce backgrounds, and new prop-type actors are available from “Deluxe Paint II” as “Brushes”. (There areno utilities to permit user development of fully-animated actors.) Whereas RAM space seems to be the chief factor restricting number of backgrounds and sound selections employed in a movie; speed considerations, ultimately, limit number and complexity of actors on-screen at any given time. ‘As might be guessed from the IMB RAM requirement and separation of resources onto System/Program and Art diskettes, “Cartooners” does not function comfortably on 1.25 MB sys- tems having only one drive. With two drives you can easily achieve swapless boot-and-Look/Play operation; but creation of larger movies and scenery/actor/sound additions are bound to en- tail some planning to maintain developer con- venience (e.g. grouping movies with the resources they employ on other “ART” diskettes). Add the fact that movie files are optimized for simplicity, NOT compactness, and ‘the cat is out of the bag’. For all its claims of single-drive useability, “Cartooners” merely tolerates two-drive setups and really prefers to run on hard disk. Boasting a range of creative possibilities far beyond ‘kiddie level’, “Cartooners” can deliver advanced ‘knock your socks off’ results, yet adroitly manages to make even beginner prod- ucts ‘look good’. From developing pizazzy lead- 7 ins for videotaped presentations— the manual describes the simple IIgs-to-VCR connection required— to entertaining young users, “Car- tooners” is consistently fun, consistently classy. Copy II Plus, 9.0 $39.95 Central Point Software wwe (Current Owner Updates: $18.00/$23.00 for manual plus onelboth diskette formats) Requirements: 128K/80-col. Apple II series, one 5.25" or 3.5" drive. Second drive recommended. Probably, almost no one was surprised when “Copy II Plus” garnered over 80% of the Ist- place “Utility” category votes in our recent “Best New Stuff” survey. Over the years, as Apple introduced new DOS’s, “Copy II’ ” has consis- tently out-performed Apple’s own disk utilities, served as a reliable bridge among operating sys- tems, and permitted speedy backup of many protected products. The Version 9.0 package includes UTILI- TIES and BITCOPY software on both 3.5" and 5.2" diskettes. BITCOPY utilities for both for- mats and Auto Copy parms for all supported products are supplied on the mini-diskette; the 5.25" diskette includes only the 5.25" BITCOPY and parms for products released in 5.25" format. Using “Copy II’ " 's new Compare Files func- tion, I was able to quickly verify that “UTILI- TIES" is identical on the two formats. (Compare Files will check any two ProDOS files and allows you to specify whether or not differences should be displayed or just the number of mismatches.) Other improvements include use of “all available memory” to speed copying, an “any way you like” catalog sorter, and function selection (in UTILITIES and BITCOPY) via arrow keys, let- ter keys, or mouse. (BUG NOTE: Regarding the failure of Sort Catalog to update pointers, as reported by Dave Goforth in the last issue... First, Dave deserves a pat on the nose— pat, pat— for zeroing-in on a potentially nasty problem and getting the word cout. Central Point is aware of the problem, ex- pects to have it fixed soon, and will supply free replacements to Version 9.0 purchasers. I’ll let you know when mine arrives.) Naturally, you can count upon finding addi- tions to Auto Copy’s already extensive collec- tion of entries. “Copy II’ ", evidently, does not drop parms, even for rather ancient products. If an Auto. Copy entry produces a “Not Found” message, scroll through the supported products. list decidi olden oldie’ is missing. (One source of confusion is that, from revision to revision, a product’s name may undergo minor changes; “Bard’s Tale” may become “Bards Tale”, etc..) As in earlier versions, “Copy II Plus, 9.0” starts up in its ‘standard’ ProDOS and DOS 3.3 UTILITIES mode. Besides Copy and Compare Files, UTILITIES lets the user obtain Catalogs (with or without file lengths, hidden characters, deleted files), Verify the readability of file(s) or diskettes, check 5.25" drive speed, View TEXT (with or without hex values) ina file, Delete files, Undelete files which have not been over-written, Lock/Unlock files, Rename files or volumes, Change the name of a DOS 3.3 boot program, Create sub-directories, and display a file-by-file Mapofsector usage. (The latter, however, merely puts *’s on an un-numbered dot grid.) One powerful new capability, being able to launch ProDOS Applications from a user-created menu (saved on-diskette), lets you, in effect, expand UTILITIES functions. UTILITIES will Format diskettes in DOS 3.3 8.25" only) or ProDOS (with option for GSOS's preferred 2:1 interleave). Selecting “Options” allows setting Date (on older machines lacking a built-in clock/calendar), mouse speed, and Printer slot. (Setting the latter automatically causes UTILITIES to offer a “Printout Y/N” choice for Catalog, Compare, View, etc. functions.) All in all, it's small wonder that “Copy II’ ” always wins space on a hard disk or that II users lacking ahard diskroutinely copy UTILITIES.SYSTEM to “System” and “ProDOS Utilities” diskettes. As for handling “protected” software, “Copy II’ ” offers a comprehensive set of editing and copy functions called BITCOPY. On the Universal Frustration Scale, few expe- riences rate above having an un-archived disk- ette bomb in the midst of some design task or at acrucial moment in game play. Anti-copy “‘pro- tection”, while of dubious benefit in preventing the unauthorized unfair mass distribution of a product, definitely makes archiving more diffi- cult for legitimate purchasers. (An ironic twist is that many protection schemes significantly in- crease the likelihood of diskette failure and, thus, make archiving all the more necessary.) One possible solution— the ‘standard’ first rry—is to run the appropriate BITCOPY (3.5" or 5.25” from UTILITIES), pick Auto Copy, and type-in the target program's name. If the product is listed— sometimes there will be several “ver- sion” choices— and, if the protection hasn't been changed, there is a fair chance that, in just a minute or so, you'll have the desired backup. ‘Easy’ alternatives for unlisted products in- clude a series of Auto Copy “Try ...” entries shown alphabetically along with product names. While most are simply convenient Manual Bit Copy presets (e.g. “Try Nibble Count”, etc.) a few relate to specific manufacturers. Sometimes, justa slight modification of an existing parm, via Partial Auto Copy, is the answer. In fact, acheck of Computist’s own pages may yield the needed PAC parms or even an entirely new parm set you can key-in to Manual Bit Copy. (Either way, you can use Edit Parm Entry to produce a new record for future Auto Copy access.) Sometimes the easiest approach is ‘none of the above’; and you'll find yourself cursoring-down to BITCOPY’s Sector Editor. Once a part of UTILITIES, the Sector Editor was moved to each BITCOPY several revisions ago in order to take advantage of modifiable parms. In 3.5" BITCOPY, selecting the option opens an 80-column TEXT screen showing about half of a sector (17 rows, 16 bytes-plus-ASCIL text per row) plus the 12 “tag bytes” used in Mac formats. (Scrolling permits viewing all 512 data bytes.) Pressing “M” toggles between “Block” and “Track/Sector/Side” access. In 5.25" BIT- COPY, Sector Editor offers only a 40-column TEXT screen and Track/Sector access to diskette data. Since Sector Editor displays program code and data the way it looks when read-into/written- from memory, you will usually be able to view program messages, namesof accessed files, names of adventure characters, etc.. You can peruse diskette contents, obtain screen or disassembly printer Dumps, do editing and write the changes, and Scan the diskette for strings of text or hex bytes. All of the above, naturally, work fine on “open”, unprotected software. To work with diskettes protected via changed sector address/ data prefixes, checksum mods, etc., a Patch op- tion lets you ‘tune’ Sector Editor’s Read/Write routines. Pre-set choices include ‘standard’ and ‘loose-error-checking’ versions of both 16-sec- tor DOS 3.3/ProDOS and 13-sector DOS 3.2, plus “Custom”. As illustrated in last month's column, with the correct Custom Patch entries in hand, copy protection need not be a barrier to editing adventure game characters. Other appli- cations include elimination of unwanted routines (e.g. squashing a CALL which turns off Control Panel access), direct modification of directories, salvaging of data from damaged files, ..., AND defeating copy protection. Especially on 3.5” media, Sector Editing a few bytes may be suffi- cient to defuse protection, leaving you with a fully functional backup. Note: Due to a curious oversight— I called Central Point to make sure— Custom parms for Sector Editor patching must be user-entered each _ Session, whether or not the correct parms are included in an Auto Copy file. (If they are, YOU have to jot down the needed parms and type them in.) Selecting “Edit Parm Entry”, you are free to change Auto Copy parms and create new entries. You can even ‘tell’ Auto Copy to do sector editing as part of its copy process; BUT, as of _ Version 9.0, you cannot simply save and, later, reload a Custom Patch for use by Sector Editor. When the protection gets really tough, the Really Tough get Manual Bit Copy. With nearly ninety parameters to manipulate, selecting MBC puts you at the helm of a nuts-and-bolts ‘tailor-to- fit’ copy machine. Supporting your efforts are Hi-Res Disk Scan (to quickly locate tracks and half-tracks with useful data), Nibble Editor (to display/analyze/modify the ‘raw’ bytes actually stored on a track), AND the newly rewritten Version 9.0 manual. Much more than a function- by-function user’s guide, this 189-page ‘bible of backup’ describes parameters, discusses disk hardware and ProDOS/DOS 3.3 formats (includ- ing track and sector organization, encoding, inter- leaves, etc.), surveys protection methods, and adds helpful appendices. Appendix E, for ex- ample, is a table for converting Decimal/Hex/ Binary to 4-and-4 disk encode bytes and 6-and- 2 translate values. Yet another BITCOPY func- tion, Manual Sector Copy is an MBC-like option (with its own parameters) for tackling sector- oriented protection methods. As indicated earlier, “Copy II Plus” has, for some time, managed to satisfy Apple II users amidst changing operating systems, machines, and media formats. In Version 9.0, however, the “one package for all’ idea has very nearly reached itsculmination. A 9.1 release might offer a Sector Editor with directly loadable custom parms, an option to copy 5.25” diskettes to IIgs RAM disk, a Purge Catalog option, and a better Disk Map- per. DOS 3.3 users would, most certainly, appre- ciate a mod to allow manipulating ‘3.3 files without having file names shortened, filled with dots, and otherwise ProDOSed. (If you still own anancient ‘3.3-only “Copy II’, don’teven think about overwriting it.) There IS room for im- provement within an ‘all II's’ approach— well, “all I's” EXCEPT 64K machines—but, with thie advent of GSOS 5.0, not much enthusiasm for tying IIgs “Copy II’ ” performance to Ile/IIc limitations. For starters, in GSOS 5.0 ($50.00 for package with manuals), Apple’s ‘stock’ Finder has achieved a marked speed advantage in virtually every copying task: Copy Disk W/O format: OS 5.0= 1:23 vs C29.0= 2:32 Copy a test folder: OS 5.0 = :08.1 sec. vs. C29,0 = 18.6 sec.. (Note: In the above, source and destination media were 2:1 interleave formatted. GSOS was set for 256K of cache. “Copy II’ "ran with DSR's Diversi Cache set to 256K.) Speed, plus supér-res displays, windows, and the benefits of being able to work with 16-bit applications using a 16-bit operating system, all lead to an obvious conclusion. Version 9.1, 9.2, ..., whatever; Central Point must, eventually, deliver “Copy II Plus/gs”. Though hard-pressed by competitionin some. areas, “Copy II Plus” remains a unique, powerful combination of disk utilities— the ‘indispen- sable tool’ for all Apple II users. Current owners can hardly lose on the update; the Compare Files function, alone, should be ample incentive. As for new purchasers, just a few minutes with the 9.0 manual will erase any doubts. You can wait for the next revision— there will always be a ‘next revision’— but, today, you won't find a better utilities value than “Copy II Plus, 9.0”. Fast Frames, Updates, Etc. Great Western Shootout 37 Back in the ancient days of personal comput- ing, you may have typed-in a neat little SoftSide game named “Blast Away”. In Britannica's modern version ($29.95, for 512K IIgs), you get the same point-and-shoot challenge, but with ten super-res Western backdrops, authentic gun battle sound effects, smooth-action mouse-aim crosshairs, second player (altemate turns) op- tion, and targets that shoot back! As in law enforcement ‘training villages’, your objective in cach single-screen shootoutis to nail animated ‘pop-out’ figures of outlaws while leaving any innocent bystanders unscathed. Slowness and/or misses let the outlaws shoot back and costs Health points, as docs hitting a bystander. Zero Health ends the game. (To even the odds, the program occasionally displays a small Red Cross patch. Hitting itrestores Health.) Each shootout is good for a minute or so of moderately easy through fairly rough action, with scoring based upon outlaws potted and level. The top four scores are maintained on diskette. Including directions for moving to hard disk, “ 'Shootout” offers quick restart and plenty of addictive action. Crusin’ on Crylla: 2088 A good guide to party composition is your standard U.S.S. Enterprise “away team”. One doctor can Handle all healing chores; a science officer supplies large-area map views (via “Ter- tain” and “Life Form” scans); and, you need the fire-power of your four weapons: specialists. Explore the Ruins thoroughly; the Caverns are good for loot and honing combat technique; take care of things in Adion before entering Cramur. Transports are expensive and you cannot take them into mazes; Heavy Armoris a better invest- ment. The. best weapons are won from elite enemy guards. Finally, two items which should have been included in your mission briefing (i.e. the manual): 1. To enter a transport you’ ve pur- chased, the first step is to move onto the transport figure and ‘click’; 2. Any resurrected team member will have reduced attributes. Don’t waste time trying to cure this condition (you can’t); after a day or so the attributes will retum to normal values. Laser Force © This super-res Britannica release ($29.95, for 1.25 MB IIgs) delivers 75 single-screen tests of your ability to run around, get stuff, and blast tobotoid monsters. As in “Spindizzy” and similar arcades, each 3-D perspective gamescape is composed of blocks, ladders, and platforms, with movement permitted in four directions plus up/ down, Featuring attractive graphics, decent sound, AND the opportunity to design your own games- capes, “Laser Force”, nevertheless, manages to bomb in the area most critical to arcade enjoy- ment: player control. Using a joystick, you dis- cover that an upper-right push equals Forward (ie. away from you on the game surface) and lower left is Backward (toward you); L/R stick pushes are for L/R movement; and forward/back pushes are for Up/Down. Such a silly, unnatural feeling arrangement is bad enough (especially since, with a spare button to activate Up/Down, the mess could easily have been avoided); the cruncher is that, often, the program simply fails torecognize stick moves. (You've gotyour Flight- Stick— properly centered as per game readouts— pushed all the way to the right; and you just sit there!) Keyboard input is more responsive; but, once again, you must adjust to a wacky layout (“O" is forward, “N” is reverse, ...)— and, in any case, KB is NOT asensible control choice for this kind of game. No joystick, no deal. The Legend Of Blacksilver ¥+x From the creators of “Questron” and “Legacy of the Ancients”, this Epyx single-charactermap- maze adventure ($49.95 for 128K Apple Il) sends you into the lands of Bantross to thwart the evil ambitions of Baron Taragas. (Having discovered aveinof magic-enhancing Blacksilver, the Baron Readers Data Exchange has reinvigorated the monster minions of legen- dary wizards, added some of his own, and threat- ens anew reign of terror, chaos, and cataclysm.) Rendered in double-hires, the game sprinkles its large continent with Questron-type cities (where you find shops, gaming parlors, banks, opportu- nities for profitable mini-quests, etc.) and Leg- acy’-type Temples (where you find the Archives -withstheir magical “exhibits”). Mostof the actionis set in five large top-down. view castle/labyrinth areas and forty 15x15 3-D perspective forward-view mazes. Advancing your character’s rank boosts attributes, improves skill in using the modest nine-spell magic system, and helps you to survive the numerous non-tactical combats. Mainly, however, the challenge boils down to maze-busting as you collect a plethoraof gems, keys and other artifacts, solve assorted puzzles, and contact key personages. (Note: For players who prefer to avoid mapping, Epyx’s “ "Masters Collection Hint Book” is a bargain at $7.99.) Two-voice ‘old Apple’ sound/music, double-hires artwork, and ajoystickcontroloption are pluses; the somewhat splotchy text isn’t. Supplied on four diskette sides, with map and illustrated manual, “ "Blacksilver” is long-play adventuring fun concluding with apromise: “Your valor may one day be tested again”! Workers Wanted 9 Granted, when signing-on for a quest, you anticipate that Evil will do its worst. Hardships are to be expected; and, besides, ‘blood, sweat, and tears’ make for great story telling at the Adventurers’ Inn, Sometimes, however, a very promising challenge bogs down, Evil is upstaged by game mechanics, and you may find it difficult to separate questing from a stint on the chain gang. In the tradition of “Impossible Mission II”, “Conan”, and similar ‘extended arcades’, Three Sixty's “Dark Castle” ($44.95 for 768K IIgs) challenges you to overcome fourteen obstacle- packed chambers and overthrow the Black Knight. Aside from dealing with the usual rats, bats, spiders, (zombies, flying monkeys, dragons, ...), you will be required to climb ropes, swing across chasms, leapnimbly amongst floating isles, AND collect a few key artifacts and weapons. You've got just five lives; but potions help ward off the bites of pissant baddies; and, the place is littered with nice throwing-size rocks, which tum out to be your stock monster poppers, It can be fun to tackle DC's super-res ‘puzzle chambers’; but, several flaws tend to putadamper onplayer enjoyment. Typical of such games, you “learn by dying’; and, with no Game Save, bor- ingly repetitious restarts are unavoidable. More. bothersome, the program seems to have trouble deciding just where your action figure is vis-a-vis monsters, the background, and collectable ob- jects. Naturally, control suffers; and basic ma- neuvers, like moving down a ramp or picking up items, are sometimes ridiculously difficult. Good animation, fair sound, and crisp artwork go'just so far; expect to WORK for your fun in “Dark. Castle”. Featuring digitized sound effects and four- quadrant movement in a simulated 3-D games- cape of well over 100 partially-animated super- res frames, Activision’s “The Last Ninja” ($39.95 for 512K IIgs) aims to put you IN your very own martial arts movie. Oddly, despite a considerable investment in sound effects and artwork, the game falls short when it comes to matching user controls to action figure movements and out- comes. Crossing any of the numerous stepping stone hazards involves several