WEST OF SCOTLAND ATARI USER GROUP (Affiliated to The Association of Atari User groups) Issue number SEVEN, August 1996 The future ? We only have one more meeting and one more newsletter before the September Annual General Meeting. As a result of discussions I've had with various people both in our group and elsewhere I have included with this newsletter a series of detailed, and perhaps controversial proposals. Next months newsletter will have the AGM Agenda so if you have any other proposals you wish placed on the Agenda then please get in touch ASAP. I think that this meeting will be even more important than our inaugural one in February and I would urge everyone to make the effort to attend. Of course there will be those that for geographical and other reasons will not be able to attend your voice and opinions still needs to be heard, so PLEASE get in touch with your thoughts and ideas. The first 6 months The WeST of Scotland Group has been more successful than I dared hope, but the rising numbers have brought there own problems. At the moment the Railway Inn can just about cope with the numbers attending, and the amount of hardware that is at the meetings. With the very wide spread of geographical locations that members come from it will always be impossible to satisfy everyone with a location. I would suggest that unless anyone comes up with a better alternative, that the Group nights remain there at present. Financially, the groups situation is somewhat artificial at the moment. We have been very lucky that several issues of the newsletter have been copied on a photocopier, free of charge. This is a situation which cannot continue and the Newsletter must be self financing from now on. Due to the ever increasing circulation printing the entire newsletter out on a home printer is no longer feasible either. The financial future There is no way round the problem that something has to change in the way the newsletter is produced for it to remain a viable proposition after the September AGM. As a group we need to maximise our income and reduce our costs. All the following figures are for the WSAUG as it stands now with the current membership. If STAG goes ahead as proposed, then there will be no additional costs. Each member will be contributing to the financing of the newsletter. I have costed getting the newsletter photocopied at The Erskine Hospital Print Shop (which is the cheapest I could find) and using them to photocopy the WSAUG newsletter as it now stands I will still be able to produce a 10 page, 4 weekly printed Newsletter, in a similar format to the present. To allow this the subscription rates will have to be raised slightly as follows. An adult or family ( ie An adult and any number of Under 18's) membership subscription would be increased to 14 per annum Under 18 members who have no adult member in their family would now pay 7 per annum. This rise will have to occur whether or not STAG comes to fruition if the newsletter is to continue. Therefore it will be my suggestion and recommendation that no matter what other action we decide to take in light of my other proposals for the groups future that, as of September 1996 we alter the subscription ruling to the above format. Having just waded through 3 columns of heavy reading I don't want you to think I'm in any way downbeat about the newsletter or the WSAUG or Atari User Groups. The Atari User Group Community is expanding throughout the UK at an amazing rate. As well as the Scottish Groups that have been mentioned in recent Newsletters there are new Groups that we have established contact with in Wessex, Manchester, Yorkshire Wales and Coventry, as well as internationally in New Zealand and Nova Scotia. Via the internet we are in constant touch with most of the prominent Atari users throughout the world, and have access to the latest shareware as soon as it becomes available. So it's time to expand and provide a support Group for all Scotland's Atari Users as well as any Atari Users from outwith Scotland who wish to get involved. Introducing STAG Scotland's TOS/Atari Group Al Goold (Chairman - WSAUG) 15 July 1996 STOP PRESS !! ST FORMAT CLOSES In the last couple of days word has leaked that ST Format is to close it's doors after the next issue (Issue 86 ?) This news is brand new and not yet officially confirmed, but take it from me. it's closing. Where this leaves the ST Format sponsored shows in September, and our plans to run a mini-bus to them is anybodys guess. As I type this on the 15th July Mike Goodman who is organising the shows is still on holiday and doesn't know about the closure yet. This closure makes it even more important that Newsletters like this keep going to keep the off line Atari community aware if what is going on. That and supporting any new magazine that may appear (see Mike Kerslake's Letter in this issue. Stationary The WSAUG now has an account with a mail order Stationary supplier who can supply things like paper, printer ribbons and inkjet cartridges at excellent prices. All orders over 30 are delivered free. So if you think you'll need a ribbon or a cartridge or anything else in the stationary line give me a call. The intention would be to add a very small surcharge to each order that would go straight into the groups funds.An example is an HP500 Black cartridge at 18.50(appx) That is a saving of several pounds on most places, and would put 1 into club funds. They also have an excellent but limited offer on white A4 paper at the moment, so get in touch quickly. IN THIS MONTHS ISSUE.... Financial report There was going to be a preliminary financial report in this months issue to back up the editorial position. However due to the urgent news about ST Format and the Atari Shows and the Stationary offer, I have had to leave it out for reasons of space. Suffice to say that we have enough to have this and the next issue of the newsletter produced via the Erskine Hospital Print shop. A full financial breakdown will be available at the AGM. Other Atari User groups News of the unfortunate demise of one group, while another in England is going from Strength to strength. Due to the demise of his TOS User's Group, Paul has kindly agreed to devote some of his efforts to writing for us, so in this issue we have the first in an occasional series of articles, this one on "The Perfect TOS set up" as well as a couple of software reviews. A New ATARI Mag ?? As one door closes.... An interesting letter from Mike Kerslake, please reply to Mike if you can help. (Especially in light of STF's closure, the more letters of support he gets the better.) Mike Kerslake has a track record in publishing, so this idea is not `pie in the sky'. ED's JUKEBOX Due to space restrictions This will be missing again this month (sorry folks). I am aiming to keep the newsletter to a maximum of 10 pages. As you'll see I have reduced the spacing between the lines to try to get more in though. Hopefully this won't make it too hard to read. The last couple of pages include the proposals, and the last page can be removed and used for your replies.I really do need people to get in touch regarding this. The decision to go ahead will have to be taken at the AGM and we will have to start collecting subscriptions then to fund the next newsletter. ====================================== NEWS FROM OTHER ATARI GROUPS/CLUBS ====================================== As of the August meeting we will also have the entire Interactive and CyberSTrider collections available on Group nights. If you supply your own disk, we will fill it with PD for you for 50p. We are considering branching out, and buying Blank Floppy disks so that you can buy a disk and PD from us. If you are looking for any PD software please see Sandy or me at the meeting. TOS User Group Hello all :) I'm afraid I have to inform you all that my TOS User Group project is no more :'-( Various factors have led me to the decision to end it all and I'm going to put my efforts into other things such as conferencing on 42BBS and on CIX as well as writing articles for magazines and newsletters. (some of Paul's work appears in this newsletter - AG) Thanks to all those who helped and although it's the end of TUG - it sure ain't the end of PW !!! :-)) Slinte Mhath, Paul Walsh ========== Wessex Atari Group (*OB*http://www.compulink.co.uk/~mrgs/wag/welcome.htm*OB*)Another new Atari User Group is born. The South of England is now catered for with this new group. Who said The Atari was dead? Getting Started This is a new Atari User Group started in May 1996 by four Atarians in the South of England. Mick Lock, Roy Goring, Chris Good, Alan Baker. The four got together, and on-line to 42BBS chatted with the Sysop Colin Fisher-McAllum, they decided they would try and start the group, eventually opting for the temporary name of WAG, other offers had been put forward (ah Roy) but were pooh- poohed by the others because of the abbreviated form of the name. Help from 42BBS Colin opened an area on 42, and WAG was launched. (*OB*WAG on the Web, as seen by CAB*OB*)Lots of messaging ensued on 42, with Alasdair Goold (your beloved Chair :-) being roped in as 'Special Advisor', and Colin as [fx French accent] 'Patron'. Several other people joined, at this time it was free, some from the Midlands who were unlikely to attend the meetings. First Meeting The first meeting was held in June, unfortunately only eight turned up, but a lot was discussed and the main aims of the group were formed. Aims These are to promote communication and support to all Atari Users on whatever platform they use. This prompted the theme for the second meeting which is to be an 8-Bit demonstration by off-liner Brenden O'Neil who has a 1Mb 130XE with 4 built in operating systems, and a load of other 8-Bit stuff. Newsletter It is hoped that a Newsletter will be produced in the near future, this will be in HTML format so will require CAB to read it. The newsletter will be incorporated into WAG on the Web (see below). WAG on the Web At the meeting in June the first copy of the 'WAG on the Web' pages were on view. These were designed by Chris Good. The new logo by Mick Lock was also seen for the first time. The pages were very impressive and everyone was pleased that WAG would have a presence on the Web. For those with internet access the URL is:- http://www.compulink.co.uk/~mrgs/wag/welcome.htm or follow the link from WSAUG pages on http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/magicka/homepage.htm For those who do not have internet access or who are off-line and want a copy, they can be obtained via 42BBS or Cix as WAG????.LZH (???? = date in mmyy) or by sending two disks and return postage to Roy Goring. Tumblevane PDL On the WAG pages you will also find an advert for Tumblevane PD Library. They are assisting WAG in publicizing their presence to off-liners by putting a flyer in all orders that go out. "Your intrepid reporter Dan Sarf" WAG Contact:- Roy Goring Goring Grange Brockhampton Road Havant PO9 1NT (Do you have to put England?) Tel & Fax:- 01705-611847 roy@gorring.demon.co.uk rgoring@cix.compulink.co.uk New Atari Mag (A letter from Mike Kerslake) Dear all Atari-users I am starting to canvass support for a new printed Atari magazine. Firstly, my idea of doing another printed Atari magazine came about because of the failed rescue attempts regarding Atari World, plus the decline in ST Format, along with the failure of ST Applications to try and fill the gap (something which has amazed and depressed me!). I also heard that certain people who were interested in doing another magazine have decided not to. The only other English-language Atari magazines originate from North America, and due to the high postal costs, are very expensive. Considering that the Atari is still having shareware and commercial products released for it, there must still be some sort of market for a decent magazine, although admittedly this market is small, and will get smaller as time goes on. Anyway, I am prepared to put up some money, plus some time to try and get a magazine off the ground. But, I need help, both editorially, and financially. I have contacted a couple of the well-known Atari faces, and there was some interest shown by them, but I really need some more offers of help before they will really commit themselves. To give an idea of what amounts of money are involved, here's a few figures: To print 500 copies (initially) of a 60 page A4 magazine, with a glossy cover, would cost in the region of GBP 2.00 per copy, to distribute this by post would cost approx another 50p per copy. Therefore, to break even, each copy would have to have a cover price of GBP 2.50. If the circulation figure went up, then there would be a slight reduction in per unit cost. Obviously the hope would be that we could attract some paid advertising which would help balance the books. Now the question is how many people would be prepared to buy this magazine at GBP 2.50? There's no margin for error in our costings, so basically we would need to sell all 500 copies to break even. That's the stumbling block really, and putting up the cover price would probably deter many potential readers. Getting the money together for the first issue is also a major problem. I'm prepared to put up some seed money, but I'm looking for 5 or 6 other partners prepared to put up a similar amount, and who must be prepared to lose at least some of this money, if things didn't work out. Hopefully any loss would be minor, but this seed money would probably not be paid back for quite some time. Therefore it's a gamble, and not for the fainthearted! There is no intention of running this magazine as a profit-making machine, as that is not really possible, all we can hope and strive for is to cover our costs and have sufficient in the kitty to produce future issues. What is absolutely vital is that anyone at all interested in Atari computers would buy a copy, otherwise it simply will not survive. The cover price would remain as low as is possible, and the quantity of editorial to advertising would remain extremely high. You wouldn't feel as though you had really just bought a mag full of plugs for other titles, as is the case with one well-known ST magazine! In conclusion, although I have probably sounded a bit negative, that is only to make any potential investors aware of the risks involved, but by spreading the risk, then at least any loss would be small. But on the positive side, there is a very loyal Atari-using bunch of people who would be prepared to buy such a magazine, and I personally think, given a bit of time and effort, a new decent Atari magazine could certainly exist for some time yet. If anyone wants to talk seriously with me about the magazine, then please do feel free to email me at: mike@coconut.demon.co.uk or write to me at 42 Larch Hill, Handsworth, Sheffield, S9 4AJ. I am contactable by phone/fax on 0114 261 8940, but PLEASE call within office hours Monday - Saturday. Any ideas for the editorial side of things are also very welcome, after all, I'm not being cynical when I say it is your magazine! An indication of how many people would be prepared to buy the magazine would also be very helpful, so even if you can't offer financial or editorial help, then please just let me know if you would buy a copy at GBP 2.50. I guess that is all for now, and I await with great interest, any comments or suggestions! All The Best, Mike Kerslake The Perfect TOS Set-up ? The 'minimum standard' TOS set-up consists of a computer (obviously), a floppy disk drive (usually built-in) and a TV for display. This is by no means ideal but, due to the design of TOS based computers, is extremely workable. Taking into account your personal budget, you should aim for a few additions and improvements to your set-up. There are three components of your system that you should consider the main parts and give priority to when it comes to upgrade time. These are: your display; your disk drive(s) and your printer. Depending on what you use your machine for you will want to attain a degree of professionalism in some parts of your system while 'making do' in others. Let's begin with the display, for the moment assuming you use only the three basic ST resolutions. To begin with many people use a TV for display and indeed many still do. If you use you computer mainly for games or other leisure graphics based applications then a TV is all you will probably need. Using a dedicated computer monitor will give a better display but may be an unnecessary expense in your case. If you use mainly games but often find yourself using text based applications such as word processors or databases also, then you may consider a medium resolution monitor that can display both of the STs colour modes. If you mainly use business applications like word processors, databases or DTP packages then you should certainly consider purchasing a high resolution monitor. The display of a TV is not very sharp for text and can lead to a certain amount of strain on the eyes. A medium resolution monitor will give a sharper image but will not allow access to the full 640 by 400 pixel display of high resolution. The two drawbacks of using a dedicated high resolution monitor are the lack of colour and the inability to display low/med resolution. It isn't a great deal of hassle though to use a TV for the occasional game but a high resolution. monitor for serious work. If you want to use every ST resolution there are three options: The cheapest and also least effective option is to use a colour display (tv or monitor) and a monochrome emulator for 'monochrome only' programs. The problem is of course you still do not have the clarity of a true hi-resolution monochrome display as the fake hi-resolution display is usually rather fuzzy. Some monochrome emulators use a scrolling screen to show all of the information on two medium resolution screens one atop the other. There are also colour mode emulators for the monochrome monitors but these are very often incompatible and don't show actual colour. The most obvious option is to have two monitors - one for low and medium resolutions and one for high resolution. The drawbacks here are of course the cost of buying two monitors instead of one and also having to swap monitors around. A monitor switch-box can be used to make life a little easier by allowing both monitors to be connected at once. The third option is to buy a monitor that is capable of displaying all three resolutions - a multisync monitor. These monitors are more expensive, you can expect to pay three times the cost of a high resolution monitor, but they offer great versatility of display modes and only take up one spot on your desk. A multisync is also more future-proof as you can take full advantage of TT, Falcon and graphics card modes without having to upgrade your monitor too. Next time I'll move on to disk drives and other storage media. Paul Walsh GEM Trek by Jrgen and Uwe Holtkamp A freeware game that runs on all TOS (and compatible) systems in ST-High and above. As the authors themselves admit - this is not a very original game idea. Basically it's battleships with graphics and sound that make you think of a well known science-fiction series from the USA. That said, it is a very good implementation of the classic and is worth having in your collection. The game is lovingly encased in an excellent GEM interface with neat graphics and cool digitised sounds. When a 'hit' is scored there is the sound of a klaxon as well as 'explosions' and other effects. The graphics are of high quality - drawings of the starships from Trek. The game play flows well with the only interruption being an alert box when an entire ship is destroyed, perhaps a visual signal on the board would be less obtrusive? The game is played in a window with it's own menu bar (for use under a multi-tasking system or as a desk accessory - yes it runs as a DA too!) but installs a standard menu if it is started as an application. The game is played in the main window with the two players' boards side by side, one for the computer and one for you. A two player option might have been nice but it is no great loss that there isn't one. When starting a new game the ships are placed on the board by choosing from another window, shift-click-hold is used to rotate and choose - I think this may be a little cumbersome if you don't have a click & hold button on your mouse or trackball but as I can't think of a better way to do it, I'll just shut up! Overall, a very good GEM implementation of a classic game. Apart from the few minor niggles I have mentioned it's a game worth getting - don't forget - if you like it you can show your appreciation to the author via the InterActive software support scheme (Joe Connor's stable - I mean his scheme - I'm not a psychiatrist :-). GEM Trek is Freeware, donations are accepted and this is supported in the UK by InterActive. Paul Walsh RELEASE OF "BIRD OF PREY" CD ROM (Picked up from online) It takes real Falcon enthusiasts to create a Falcon-only CD, and no doubt about it, Matt Norcross and Scott McConnell are the ultimate Falcon enthusiasts. They use every aspect of the Falcon, from its MIDI and digital recording capabilities using Cubase Audio to its graphics and animation features using Apex Media. These two are uniquely qualified to give you a complete and comprehensive collection, and this is exactly what they have done in "Bird of Prey," their first CD-ROM for the Falcon030. Matt and Scott, who front the band "Any Questions?" and are owners of the industrial-music oriented Floating Fish Studios (which, in character as Ttam Troll and MC2P4, they will proudly tell you stands in the shadow of Three Mile Island's cooling towers), have spent the last six months collecting, collating, and sorting Falcon software from diverse sources. And being observant of what has already been done in terms of Falcon-only CD's (All Things Falcon, Transmission), they felt it was particularly important to put together a disc that was up to date, avoided duplication of others' efforts, and was application-heavy and light on filler, like graphics files and MOD's. Files come from diverse sources, but particularly from GEnie, their own BBS, and other files they have hand collected from sources around the world. They didn't see any point in creating yet another disc that includes a copy of the Umich/Merit Falcon archive, so files from this source have been kept to a minimum. Again, the focus was really to provide a wide variety of files (some of which are very hard to find) that can help someone really get to know and use their Falcon030 to its fullest -- much the way Matt and Scott have tried to do themselves. This limited-edition disc includes professionally produced full-color printing (in jewel case) and a two color silkscreen. At just $29.95, it's truly the best disc for getting the most out of your Falcon030. ----------------------------------------------------------------- From the liner tray of "Bird of Prey": This CD ROM contains what we at Floating Fish Studios consider to be the very best public domain and shareware software available for the Atari (and C-LAB) Falcon030 today. You have at your fingertips, "the ultimate Falcon collection!" These files have been collected from around the world and are now assembled, for you, on this one CD ROM. In addition, you will find pictures, films, and information regarding Floating Fish Studios and the band "Any Questions?". We hope the software and examples on this disc will be helpful in the exploration of your Falcon030 and your own creativity. "The Floating Fish Studios 'Bird of Prey' CD ROM is the ultimate Falcon collection. This disc is filled with software that no Falcon user should be without. Over 649MB of pure excitement waiting to be unleashed! Over 21,000 files!" ----------------------------------------------------------------- Triple Yahoo by Stuart Denman A shareware dice game for all TOS (and compatible) systems Triple Yahoo is based on the dice game, Triple Yahtzee a variation on the popular original. Those of you who enjoy the original version or poker dice (which the commercial dice game is based on) will no doubt feel at home with this excellent GEM implementation. For the uninitiated here is how the basic game works: you are given 5 dice, you roll the dice up to three times, retaining those dice that help towards a scoring combination similar to draw poker. Most of the combinations are based on poker with combinations such as straights or full houses. The scorecard is divided into two sections: the upper section for all multiples of each number (all ones/all twos etc.) and the lower section where the more elaborate combinations like the straights or full houses are noted. Each column of scores is totalled, one for the top section and one for the bottom - if you score over a certain amount in the top section an additional bonus is awarded. The two scores are added to produce a grand total. If you are playing with other players then the aim is to be the highest scorer over a number of rounds, the game is equally enjoyable when played solo, aiming for a high score. In Triple Yahoo there is, unfortunately, no option for competition play but there is a high score table so it is easy to keep track of the best scorers and the triple version of the game takes about as long as three rounds of the original anyway. In the Triple version, the game is varied further by playing over three score boards, the second and third having a multiplier to the final score. Each point on board two is doubled for the final tally and tripled for board three. This leads to a need for great tactical play and as the author says there is a lot more to the game than just the luck of the dice! The presentation of the game is excellent. The dice, scoreboards and high score table are each shown in separate windows and some clever programming prevents you from having to select a window before clicking in it. The game should run on any TOS system including graphics cards and 030 machines. If your machine is DMA sound capable (STe upwards) then you get some very amusing sampled sound effects to accompany your game, including comments when you get either a very good or very bad score. My favourite is the 'Dragnet - Dah dah dum dum' noise when you score a zero. (Which, of course, I never hear!) The graphics are reasonable as far as they go with varying levels of animation for the dice. The program is fully aware of newer AES's which means that you get 3D objects if your system (AES 4+/GENEVA etc.) can cope. This kind of GEM based game has a real future in the TOS world and more software authors should take note of the positive aspects of this approach. Triple Yahoo originates from the USA and is shareware supported in the UK by CyberSTrider. Paul Walsh SOFTWARE PIRACY The WeST of Scotland Atari User Group does not condone software piracy and will not allow the group meetings be used to copy commercial software. 1996 MEETINGS All meetings will take place within the upstairs lounge of The Railway Inn, Main Street, Howwood. The doors will be open from 7pm . The formal opening of each meeting will take place at 7:30pm. The proposed dates for the meetings to be held in 1996 are as follows. All dates are provisional at the moment and will depend on both the response to the groups as a whole, and the suitability of the Railway Inn. 1996 MEETINGS 6 AUGUST 3 SEPTEMBER - AGM 1 OCTOBER 29 OCTOBER 26 NOVEMBER 24 DECEMBER - NO MEETING Next Month............ The full agenda for the WSAUG AGM and any replies or queries about the proposals that have been added on to the end of this newsletter. Also further news about the closure of STF. The last 2 pages of this newsletter are devoted to the proposals for the "merger" of the various Scottish Groups. If this proposal is accepted it will at one stroke nearly double the readership, and thus the possible contributors, of the newsletter. ATARI Shows. We are seriously looking at running a mini-bus down to the 2 Atari Shows. The hire of the minibus would probably be free, although we would be responsible for fuel. Probably 2 nights B&B would be involved. If you are SERIOUSLY interested get in touch with either Sandy or me ASAP. seating will be at a premium, and several have been taken up already. Basically if there are 12 seat, the 1st 12 to respond will get them. CREDITS This Newsletter was prepared using Papyrus Gold with N.V.D.I.4 and printed at 300 dpi on a Hewlett Packard Deskjet 500C. Thereafter photocopied by the Erskine Hospital Printing Department (Tel No. 0141 812 1100) Editor: Al Goold 15 July 1996 ( WSAUG, 1996) STAG Scotland's TOS/Atari Group For some time I have been concerned with the sudden explosion of user groups and the apparent dilution and duplication of effort in their operation, particularly given the geographical proximity of the existing groups within Scotland. In that context I believe there is a strong argument for a national Scottish Atari group. I propose this would take the form of an "umbrella" organisation and would collate all memberships under a single heading and subscription. The group would be affiliated to the UKAAUG and would be known as STAG (Scotland's TOS/Atari Group). STAG's members would be made up, initially, of the component parts of WSAUG, the Central Scotland Atari User Group (CSAUG), the TOS Users' Group (TUG) and the Atari User Group of Scotland (AUGS). In addition we will actively seek new members - the combined membership of the existing groups is currently around 100. I have already spoken to the organisers of all the above mentioned groups, who agree in principle to the proposal. Each area could retain a local group and, for example, the 4-weekly meetings that WSAUG have at the moment would be continued under the heading STAG(WeST). However, other meetings could be established by more distant members as the group hopefully expands. There are already moves to have STAG(EaST) meetings arranged on the opposite fortnight to STAG(WeST). The main difference to the situation we have now would be a centrally produced and funded newsletter, with a single subscription for all members. I would see each group existing in its own right, making use of a central resource for information & advice, the newsletter and other services. I also expect smaller groups could form, in the likes of Inverness and Aberdeen and further afield, that take the newsletter as a way of keeping themselves up to date with general news and utilising the resources of the greater group - also, offering articles or reviews back to the newsletter and making themselves known outside their local area. Isolated individuals could even subscribe without feeling that they were a distant part of a far away organisation like WSAUG - I feel that the name 'WeST of Scotland Atari User Group' has inhibited some potential members from joining because of the geographical implications. The new group would allow people from all over Scotland, as well as elswhere in the country, to participate. The proposed steering committee of STAG would form along these lines: Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Junior Representative, Web-master, and representatives from STAG West, STAG East, STAG Central, and STAG Northern. It would be possible for one person to hold 2 posts on the committee, but that person would only have one vote. Any posts not filled at the AGM could be filled by a committee vote at a later stage should it become necessary. Any other posts that were deemed appropriate could also be established later. I have taken soundings from various interested parties, all of whom have been supportive of the proposal. I have various realistic ideas, in addition to subscriptions, for helping to finance the newsletter which would remain in the same basic format as the WSAUG one, and would be 10/12 pages long every 4 weeks. It would have an extended Classified Ads section due to the links with Fraser Blacklaws and AUGS. The biggest difference to the present WSAUG newsletter would be a different cover and perhaps articles from more diverse sources. I have no intention or desire to launch a disk magazine to attempt to rival Atariphile. I would, in fact, hope that STAG will maintain and strengthen it's existing links with 42BBS/FFF, the Wessex Atari Group (WAG) and UKAAUG. We should also seek ways in which to promote STAG and bring it to the widest possible audience both in Scotland and elsewhere. My intention is to open a STAG topic within the existing atari.user.gps conference on CiX, and Colin Fisher-McAllum has said he will continue to support Scottish User groups via 42BBS with both message and file areas. The WSAUG WWW page will be updated to reflect the change to STAG and may be used to advertise various Atari related companies. I feel that the various on-line activities outlined here, along with the paper based newsletter is the best way to keep us all in contact with each other. An adult or family (ie an adult and any number of under-18's) membership subscription would be 14 per annum under-18 members who have no adult member in their family would pay 7 per annum. Alasdair Goold Chairman - WSAUG 16th July 1996 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NAME: Member No: I would urge you to complete the attached form and return it to me as soon as possible. Use the form as a guide only, feel free to bring up any relevant points you wish. If you feel that you could play an active part in the group via the committee or in any other way, let me know. The postal votes for the committee will be organised via the next newsletter. There will be only 1 vote per subscription. ie family subscriptions attain 1 vote as do under 18 members. If any under 18 member of such a family wished an independent vote they would have to subscribe as an unattached under 18 member. Honorary members do not have a vote. I agree/disagree with the formation of STAG as outlined (Give reasons if you disagree) I agree/disagree with the choice of the name STAG (Give another option if you disagree) I agree/disagree with the subscription rates as outlined in respect of the newsletter (Give reasons if you disagree) I would/would not like to be more involved in the organisation of STAG (Describe what you would like to do ie Committee, write articles etc) Any other ideas you have regarding the formation of STAG I agree to pay my subscription of 14/7 for Family/Junior membership of STAG Signed (parent/guardian if under 18)