LETTERS


Put pen to paper - or better still send us an email and have your
say...

Programming matters?

Thank goodness you're still around!
I spent most of this month worrying about the demise of what is probably the main thing still keeping the platform alive. Like Matthew Bacon, I feel programming is the way to contribute to TOS survival. But as time rolls on and talented TOS programmers leave this platform, TOS advance will grind to a halt.
I think fully commented listings printed in the magazine instead of tutorials and essays on programming technique would be more useful. That's how I learnt to program my Spectrum and it's the method which worked so well in ST world (RIP).
Specifically I want to learn how to program a desktop accessory, how to display text and pictures in a window and how to interact with the user. I managed to achieve this by working through the excellent commented Cadenza source code you recently included on Reader Disk but I'd prefer to do it with a copy of Atari Computing, a pencil and a bit of paper. I wonder how many others feel the same way?
A library of useful routines would be really useful too!

Saif Ahmed, Tunbridge Wells, via email

So long as people like yourself continue to subscribe and send in contributions Atari Computing we'll stick around! Our HiSoft BASIC specialist Reader Disk already includes loads of useful routines so check out our Reader Offers on page 9!
We do agree it is important to encourage programmers. Although we currently have no plans to extend our programming coverage beyond our regular HiSoft BASIC series and the specialist Reader Disk there's always room for feature articles - check out page 12 of this issue.,br> You're actually the first person to ask for more - are you sure your name's not Oliver?

Including printed listings in magazines seems a waste of resources, we include the listings on disk to save typing them but if determined to do it the old fashioned way why not print out the listings and type them in manually - or am I missing the point?


Stateside sorrow

I have just had a depressing conversation with Toad Computers here in the US. They are no longer be supporting the Atari platform.
Does losing the last Atari outpost in the US mean we have to abandon our platform when it breaks? Carl J. Hafner, Hawley, Pennslyvania, USA

Kent at Systems For Tomorrow (SFT) replies
I am happy to report that Toad was not the last Atari Dealer in the United States. We feature a growing product line, including companies like System Solutions, HiSoft, Electronic Cow, WB Systems, and many more you read about here in Atari Computing.
Systems For Tomorrow
Email: sales@SystemsForTomorrow.com
WWW URL: http://www.SystemsForTomorrow.com
Tel: (816)833-4738
(800)875-4943 (Orders Only Please)
Fax: (816)252-3611
Mail: Systems For Tomorrow, PO Box 3034, Independence MO, 64055, USA
Retail: 11006 East Winner Road, Independence MO 64052, USA


We are not the last Atari dealer either - check out these other fine US dealers:

  • ATY Computer: (510)836-2309
  • B&C ComputerVisions: (530)295-9270
  • Best Electronics: (408)243-6950
  • chroMAGIC: (417)623-7393 or (888)660-4041
  • Computer Dungeon: (708)547-7085
  • STeves: (530)661-3328


Jammy Dodger!

My brother recently bought a 33k6 USRobotics Courier modem from the local rubbish dump for the princely sum of one pound. Amazingly it worked but didn't always register a dial tone. After an email exchange with USRobotics they informed him it was still under guarantee and they repaired the modem free of charge! Jammy little *$#^%*&#*-+!

Si Gardner, SysOp, Meon Valley BBS +44 (0)1705 632199

Great story, it just goes to show how wasteful our society is. You might like to get your own back by checking out the Little Brother's Handbook web pages at: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/arnel/lbh/


Platform problems!

My Atari 520 upgraded to 4Mb has been unplugged for the last five months since I bought a PC - which I bought to help me with my City & Guilds DTP course because I was not making any headway with my Atari.
Like others I love my Atari and would like to continue to use it but only have space for one computer. I'm wondering if the Reader Disks and CDs you offer can be used on a PC then I could have the best of both worlds! I'm sure there are other beginners moving to other platforms who would like to retain the Atari magic.

Mrs C Davis, Ashton-u-Lyne

The good news is you can have the best of both worlds and make use of Atari Computing Reader Disks and the STraTOS CD-ROMs. There are an ever increasing choice of Atari emulators available from Freeware (PaCifiST) through Shareware (TOXBOX, WinSTon) to commercial (Gemulator and MagiC PC) available.
Which one is likely to suit your needs best depends what you want to do. PaCifiST is the odd one out because it concentrates on running Atari games which traditionally break programming rules. The other emulators concentrate on running cleanly programmed GEM applications and although each offers particular advantages/disadvantages any of these can be persuaded to work with DTP applications such as Timeworks, Calamus and Papyrus.


[] Please send letters and editorial contributions on disk to:
Atari Computing
65 Mill Road
Colchester
Essex
CO4 5LJ
England
Or by email to: editor@ataricomputing.com
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