Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!rutgers!ames!sdcsvax!ucbvax!WALKER-EMH.ARPA!InfoMail-Mailer From: InfoMail-Mailer@WALKER-EMH.ARPA.UUCP Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit Subject: Undeliverable Mail Message-ID: <8708170451.AA26086@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> Date: Mon, 17-Aug-87 00:31:00 EDT Article-I.D.: ucbvax.8708170451.AA26086 Posted: Mon Aug 17 00:31:00 1987 Date-Received: Tue, 18-Aug-87 01:04:33 EDT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Distribution: world Organization: The ARPA Internet Lines: 556 Mail was not delivered to the following users because there were bad address(es) in TO and/or CC field(s): info-atari UNDELIVERED-MESSAGE: ---------------------------------------------------------------- Received: from BBN.COM by WALKER-EMH.ARPA ; 17 Aug 87 04:14:48 GMT Received-2: from score.stanford.edu by BBN.COM id aa12554; 17 Aug 87 0:13 EDT Date: Sun 16 Aug 87 19:23:41 PDT Subject: Info-Atari8 Digest V87 #70 From: Info-Atari8 @ SCORE.STANFORD.EDU Errors-to: Info-Atari8-request@Score.Stanford.EDU Maint-Path: Info-Atari8-request@Score.Stanford.EDU To: Info-Atari8 Distribution List: Reply-to: Info-Atari8@SCORE.STANFORD.EDU Text: Info-Atari8 Digest Sunday, August 16, 1987 Volume 87 : Issue 70 This weeks Editor: Bill Westfield Today's Topics: Address of Future Systems WISCVM going away? Re: Atari 2600 specs/instruction set/programming Monitor question September 1987 ANTIC TOC Is there a vi editor for the 8-bits? 2600 programming docs Requesting information about the 800 compatible computers shrink.com for use in constructing FROST BASIC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 13 Aug 87 12:01:39 GMT From: topaz.rutgers.edu!appelbau@RUTGERS.EDU (Marc L. Appelbaum) Subject: Address of Future Systems To: info-atari8@score.stanford.edu A while ago Indus (the makers of the Indus GT disk drive), was taken over by Future systems, does anybody have there address? Thanks, Marc -- -Marc L. Appelbaum Arpa:appelbau@topaz.rutgers.edu Uucp:{ames, cbosgd, harvard, moss, seismo}!rutgers!topaz.rutgers.edu!appelbau Bitnet:appelbaum@zodiac.bitnet GEnie:M.APPELBAUM MOM's BBS:(201)-938-6906 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Aug 87 09:43 EDT From: John R. Dunning Subject: WISCVM going away? To: Info-Atari8@Score.Stanford.EDU What effect will the threatened disappearance of WISCVM have on the distribution of mail, and, more important to me, the program archives? Is the implication that there really will be a *complete* separately maintained archive on RADC-SOFTVAX or Score or something, as opposed to relying on LISTSERVs? ------------------------------ Date: 13 Aug 87 05:21:30 GMT From: ihnp4!chinet!cabbie@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU (Richard Andrews) Subject: Re: Atari 2600 specs/instruction set/programming To: info-atari8@score.stanford.edu In article <2296@mmintl.UUCP> tedi@mmintl.UUCP (ted ives) writes: >Does anyone know where I can find information about: > >a.) The hardware (i.e. specs on the chips, instruction sets, etc.) > >b.) How to program it, i.e. is there any assembler, or do people just use > eproms or what? The way to develop for the system is to use a 1200XL and a few odds and ends that you make yourself. (a static ram chip on a cart board that the 2600 would see as a ROM is a good place to start.) Use MAC-65. That is the only assembler that will cut it. > >I am basically interested in finding out how the whole thing works, with an >eye to maybe writing a game for it. > > Thank you in advance for any pointers you might have, > Chris Michael I have successfully obtained a set of documents from Atari on programming the 2600 game system. It mostly covers programming the TIA but gives a general overview of the system. Also you will find my notes on the 2600 helpful. I will post these to the net. The person that you want to talk to at Atari is Tom Sloper. Hope this helps. Rich A. P.S. If you do write a game for it, Tom Sloper would be very interested in it. -- ******************************************************************************* Any opinions expressed above are my own. Rich Andrews They can be yours too. Please send $19.95 to.....ihnp4!chinet!cabbie ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Aug 87 09:46 EDT From: John R. Dunning Subject: Monitor question To: Info-Atari8@Score.Stanford.EDU What, if any, recommendations can anyone give me about decent monitors for 8-bitters? I'd much prefer color, though I'd like to hear what's good in mono, too. Thanks. ------------------------------ Date: 13 Aug 87 19:22:26 GMT From: ihnp4!ihlpf!store2@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU (Kit Kimes) Subject: September 1987 ANTIC TOC To: info-atari8@score.stanford.edu SEPTEMBER 1987 ANTIC TOC Theme: Work and Play page article 6 I/O BOARD Letters from Readers. 15 HALL OF FAME: ATTACK ON THE DOOMSTAR An update on David Plotkin's PD game from 1982. This arcade style game is patterned after the attack in Star Wars. 20 ATARI ANIMATION: LESSON 4 This lesson covers artifacting to give the impression of more colors and shades. 26 DESKTOP NUMBER-CRUNCHER This BASIC program gives you the ability to use your 8bit Atari as a desktop calculator, add text and then print the whole page out. It also supports the CX85 keypad. 30 MIGHTY MAILER A powerful, versatile, easy to use mailing list program that allows you to search on any part of the name/address, print on labels, envelopes or letters and update entries easily. 35 GAME OF THE MONTH: BE THE EGGMAN An intriguing, non-war game that appeals to players of all ages. BASIC. 36 PRODUCT REVIEWS Software Hardback (Orion Micro Systems) System-80 V2 (Small Systems Innovation) Trailblazer (Mindscape Inc.) 39 DISK BONUS: MAXIMILLIAN B The latest game from J. D. Casten. ANTIC felt this was too complex for readers to type in, so they added it as their bonus program this month. 40 ANNUAL % RATE Figure out the real percentage of gain you're earning from your savings and investments. BASIC. ***********BEGIN THE ST RESOURCE SECTION********** 50 DOLLARS AND SENSE A review of this home financial management program from Monogram Software. (Version 1.1) 53 PURSUIT OF THE GRAF STRIVIAL A trivia game for your ST written in GFA BASIC. Easily modified for ST BASIC. 55 ST PRODUCT NEWS AND REVIEWS Software MIDI Recording Studio (Dr. T's Music Software) Phantasie II (SSI Software) Books Introduction to MIDI programming (Abacus Software, Inc) New Products (description only) Wizard's Crown (SSI), Rings of Zilfin (SSI), Colonial Conquest (SSI), Minigolf (Artworx), Bridge 5.0 (Artworx), MasterPlan (ISD Marketing), Shuttle II (MichTron), Perfect Match (MichTron), GFA Draft (MichTron), SuperConductor (MichTron), The Copyist (Dr. T's), 4-OP Deluxe (Dr. T's), Barbarian (Psygnosis Limited), Terrorpods (Psygnosis Limited), True BASIC V2.2 (True BASIC Inc), Advanced Business System (Beckemeyer Development tools), ST Toolbox (Navarone Industries), Clip Art [four disks] (The Font Factory), K-Roget (Kuma Software), Big Mike's Slot Machine Parlor (Michael Nowicki), Filesafe (Michael Nowicki), Real BASIC (Computer Crossware Labs), Home Casino Poker (Dubl Dubl Funware), Borrowed Time (Activision), My Letters, Numbers and Words (Stone and Associates), News Station ST (Reeve Software), Disk Master (Reeve Software), World Class Hockey (Reeve Software). ***********END THE ST RESOURCE SECTION************ 61 SOFTWARE LIBRARY This section contains all the program listings for the articles in this issue. 82 TECH TIPS This section is a collection of tips and short programs from readers or collected from various Users Groups newsletters. Coming next month: Football Predictor, Antic TelePrompter, Checkbook Balancer & Educational Bonus Games. Comments: Regarding my comments last month, I'm happy to report that Analog Computing did ship a combined July/August issue about the end of July. They still deny that they have any financial difficulty and claim that this will help bring the release date ahead of the cover date. I don't see how it changes anything since they were a month late in getting it out. Maybe going back to a bi-monthly publication schedule would help both ANTIC and Analog Computing, but I know they wouldn't want to do it. Kit Kimes AT&T-ISL 1100 E. Warrenville Rd. Naperville, IL 60566 ...!ihnp4!iwvae!kimes ------------------------------ Date: 13 Aug 87 16:03:51 GMT From: mtune!codas!novavax!potpourri!pkopp@RUTGERS.EDU (Paul Kopp) Subject: Is there a vi editor for the 8-bits? To: info-atari8@score.stanford.edu I just saw a posting in comp.sys.atari.st. The poster asked if there was a "vi" style/type editor for the st. I've had the same question in mind for quite awhile but I would like to know if one exists for the 8 bits. I know there's one for the IBM PCs but that's the *only* one I've ever seen on micros. I don't expect a full featured vi editor...even someones hack in assy. language (or even better, in ACTION!) would be nice. Gould Inc., Computer Systems Division, in Sunny South Florida ** The opinions (if any) expressed are my own. ** Mail paths?, oh yea mail paths: ...!{seismo,sun,pur-ee,brl-bmd}!gould!pkopp ...!{ihnp4!codas,allegra}!novavax!gould!pkopp ------------------------------ Date: 13 Aug 87 05:32:32 GMT From: ihnp4!chinet!cabbie@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU (Richard Andrews) Subject: 2600 programming docs To: info-atari8@score.stanford.edu Atari 2600 Programming Notes ---------------------------- The Atari 2600 (old version) is a useful and flexible SBC for general purpose applications. There are 2 old versions of the 2600 game and they differ only in board layout and physical dimensions. The early version (the one I worked with) measures approx. 4" X 6" and has a 6507, 6532, and a TIA chip onboard. The TIA programming notes are not available at this time. The board also has a place on it for a 24 pin chip. I installed a socket in this area for my eprom. I also installed a 7404 inverter for the chip select to the eprom. The memory map is as follows: 6532 --> $0080 - $0F80 Eprom --> $1000 - $1FFF (top of memory) TIA --> $0000 - $007F The 6532 is a multi-purpose chip and has 128 bytes of RAM, 2 parallel ports, and an interval timer. The RAM is mapped to the area of $0080 - $00FF. The parallel IO is mapped to $0280 - $0283. Using the same names as Atari did for the 8 bit computers the ports are mapped as follows: PORTA --> $0280 PACTL --> $0281 PORTB --> $0282 PBCTL --> $0283 Each pin is addressable and can be configured as either input or output. To set up a pin for output write a "1" into the DDIR (Pxctl) and to set up for input write a "0" into the register. The ports differ slightly in output drive capabilities. PORTA is a TTL drive only and PORTB is a push-pull type of output and can drive darlington transistors directly. The current available is 3.0 ma at the pin. The 6532 also has an interval timer on board. The timer can count from 1 to 255 divider cycles. Yup there is a programmable divider on board the unit. The divider can be preset to divide by 1, 8, 64, or 1024. The input to the divider is the system clock. The reader is recommended to read any data sheet on the 6532 for more details. You should install a reset switch onboard the unit so that a reset is available should the CPU not 'come up' properly or the system crash. The 6507 can address only 8k, therefore program and I-O space is limitated. Program code cannot be greater that 4 k in size. This is usually sufficiant for most general purpose applications. The CPU clock is derived from the TIA. The TIA divides the crystal clock (3.58 Mhz) by three to obtain 1.19 Mhz for use by the CPU. Not exactly real high speed, but sufficient for most uses. I have used the 3.58 Mhz clock and divided it by two with a J-K flip flop and have had no problems. The advantage of this is that you don't need the TIA chip and the CPU then runs a little faster (1.79 Mhz instead of 1.19 Mhz). Programming Caveats ------------------- 1) There is no stack therefore JSR's are not allowed. (I think!). 2) You have to provide for your own reset vector. This would be located at the very top of your EPROM code. 3) You can use a 2716 or a 2732 for your EPROM. I usually use 2716's. 4) Don't forget to CLC, CLV, or CLD before you start your actual program. These may be unnecessary for some applications but I leave nothing to chance. (Remember: The generation of random numbers is too important to be left to chance!) 5) There is no IRQ available on the CPU therefore IRQ handling is non- existent. The ideal development sytem for this is an Atari 8 bit computer running MAC-65. The normal system equates could be used and when it is time to actually put the program into EPROM, you would .include the 2600 equates instead of your computer equates. Don't forget to .set your offset so that the code can be used by your PROM programmer. Bit Wise Memory Map ------------------- ------------------------------CPU addresses--------------------------------- 6507 --> | 12 | 11 | 10 | 09 | 08 | 07 | 06 | 05 | 04 | 03 | 02 | 01 | 00 | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6532 | cs0 | | | rs | |CS1 | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- EPROM | CS | | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TIA | cs0 | | | | |cs3 | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- * lower case indicates active low. ** rs is ram select line More Hacks ---------- You could remove the TIA chip and replace it with another chip of your choice. You will then have to provide a divide by 3 or a divide by two circuit for the CPU clock. I have done this and replaced the TIA with a J-K flip flop in a divide by two configuration and have had no problems. This eliminates the need for the TIA and speeds up the processor due to the increased clock speed (1.79 Mhz vs. 1.19 Mhz). Most of the chips shipped with the 2600 should handle this increased speed. I got my board from Best Electronics in California. A set of prints for the 2600 come in very handy when configuring (hacking) the system. Rich Andrews -- ******************************************************************************* Any opinions expressed above are my own. Rich Andrews They can be yours too. Please send $19.95 to.....ihnp4!chinet!cabbie ------------------------------ Date: 13 Aug 87 19:57:34 GMT From: uunet!steinmetz!nyfca1!brspyr1!daves@seismo.css.gov (Dave Schubmehl) Subject: Requesting information about the 800 compatible computers To: info-atari8@score.stanford.edu I own a 48K Atari 800 system with an 850 interface, 810 single density disk drive, and about 50 disks worth of programs. (Also a Gemini printer and modem, but they're attached to my Zenith Z-150 right now...) The 800 was damaged when I was travelling. It exhibits the following symptoms; the bottom row of keys on the left-hand side of the keyboard (Z,X,C,V) give no response when pressed, and pressing either shift key causes the cursor to do a "carriage return -- linefeed" sequence. I have taken the machine apart, reseated everything I could, and cleaned the contacts on the keyboard's pc board, but to no avail. As it is now, the 800 is useless for anything except bootable games that use the joystick. As I see it, I have several options; 1) Try to get it repaired. I've seen ads in Antic for a company that will repair (or replace) an Atari 800 for 39.95 inclusive. Has anyone dealt with this company? (They also sell replacement chips boards, and repair manuals.) 2) Scrap the current 800 and buy a used 800. Around here (Albany, New York area), complete systems are going for $200-500 depending on what's included. I don't really need a complete system (even though another disk drive or two would be nice...), and $200 is stretching my intended budget for this. 3) Scrap the current 800 and buy a compatible machine such as an 800XL, 65XE, or 130XE. Are all of these compatible with the 800? Will they work with my existing hardware peripherals? Will my software work on these machines? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each machine? I understand that the extra memory in the 130XE can be used as a ram disk. Is this true? I've seen prices in Antic ranging from $79-139 depending on the machine. I was also told that Atari was/is running some kind of promotion where they will send you a NEW 800XL if you send them $35.00 and and your broken 800 or 400. Does anyone know if this is still true, and if so, is an 800XL what I want? (I already bought a used 400 with 32K so that my daughter can play some games, but a lot of the software that I want to use is 48K only, and therefore useless on the 400). In summary, I would appreciate any information that you have about my problem and the potential solutions that I've outlined. Thanks in advance...... -- |Dave Schubmehl | UUCP Map: daves@brspyr1.UUCP | |BRS | UUCP Path: seismo!rochester!steinmetz!brspyr1!daves | |Latham, NY 12110 | or: ihnp4!dartvax!brspyr1!daves | |(518) 783-1161 -------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Posted-From: The MITRE Corp., Bedford, MA To: info-atari8@score.stanford.edu Subject: shrink.com for use in constructing FROST BASIC Date: Fri, 14 Aug 87 15:25:43 EDT From: jhs@mitre-bedford.ARPA Oops, I seem to have never posted SHRINK.COM. Here it is, for those who lack it. It is needed to convert the FROST BASIC files back to a bootable disk. Sorry for the oversight. -John Sangster ----------------------------c-u-t---h-e-r-e----------------------------------- begin 600 shrink.com M__^T +8 1&XZ___& ,P 1#$Z*BXJF___KP7]!B [M) #3$NTYH?0 N:(I8>- M"@.EB(T+ Z63C00#I92-!0.I0(T# ZE2C0(#J3&- .EG8T! 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