PD & Shareware

Reviews

Software: Graph v1.20

Category: Business
Reviewer: Joe Connor
Status: Shareware
System: All Ataris
Score: 58%

Graph is capable of creating graphs from ASCII data which can either be entered directly into the program or imported in ASCII format. The program comes in two flavours, a special version for Falcon/TT users with an maths coprocessor and an ordinary version for mere mortals running other machines.

Dialogs provide comprehensive control over all aspects of graphical output

Graph uses outline fonts to generate graphical output in GEM Metafile format so either SpeedoGDOS or NVDI 3/4 is required for optimum results. Without GDOS graphical output is not possible. Most of the program dialogs are non-modal which makes Graph perfect for use under a multitasking OS such as MultiTOS, Geneva or MagiC.
Graph can display up to fifteen plots on the same graph in various formats including the entertaining 'Camembert' format, which didn't take long to figure out is the French equivalent of pie chart format!
However Graph is a complex program with dozens of options I couldn't explore because no documentation apart from a brief readme was included in the archive I received.

The unregistered version is fully functional and if you fancy a flutter registration costs £12 directly with the author.


Software: Start Me Up! v1.10e

Category: Utility
Reviewer: Neil Martin
Status: Freeware
System: All Ataris running MagiC 3. N.AES or MultiTOS
Score: 84%

Start Me Up! places a single, movable "Windows 95" style button on the desktop from which all drives, folders, files and programs may be accessed.

Using Start Me Up!
A file can be dragged from any open window and dropped onto the Start button then directed to a program or location via the Start Me Up! menu system;

Add a Windows 95 style button to MagiC

holding down the [Control] key during the drag operation switches from copy to move operation and holding down the [Alternate] key allows files to be renamed en route.
Unfortunately Start Me Up! is laborious to set up. However using the excellent, detailed documentation in ST-Guide format you should be able to configure your START.SET file using any ASCII text editor - but watch out for the confusing use of tab characters.
Once setup you'll really begin to feel your efforts were worthwhile. There's even an option to enable Start Me Up! to keep track the AppLine button bar and position the Start Me Up! button neatly at the end of the bar.
I don't like the look of the Start Me Up! button - the drag box seems ungainly but even this can be edited in a resource file editor.
For a quick look copy XMEM_MGR.PRG (bundled with MagiC) into your MagiC APPS folder, reboot and run START.APP from the desktop - it comes with its own START.SET file so, although it won't be customised for your system you'll get a good idea of what's possible.
Start Me Up! can even be used as an alternative desktop "The world's smallest desktop!" and is one of those seemingly trivial utilities you won't be able to do without once it's set it up and working.


Software: AppLine v2.1e

Category: Utility
Reviewer: Neil Martin
Status: Fairware
System: All Ataris running MagiC 3 or later
Score: 90%

AppLine is another Windows 95 type utility for MagiC users. It provides an AV protocol aware button bar which dynamically grows and shrinks to display a button for each program in memory. The at a glance display makes it easy to switch between programs. Files can be dragged and dropped to the button of any program which supports the AV protocol and the file is passed to the program. Double clicking on any button brings up a menu offering the same functions as the MagiC popup menu.

Appline looks like the Windows 95 application bar...

... but it's more flexible

AppLine should be installed in the MagiC Applications folder but runs fine from the desktop. The button bar can be configured to appear anywhere on screen and can even be offset to avoid iconified programs. The documentation, in ST Guide format, is concise and easy to follow but the APPLINE.INF file is so well structured and commented which makes it easy to edit. I used AppLine for weeks before reading the documentation - and discovered some features I'd missed!

If you install Start Me Up! alongside AppLine you have a Windows 95 clone (only neater!) and the only other icon needed is a trashcan. Access and control of programs is as quick as clicking on an icon - and much faster than diving into deeply nested folders without the hassle of juggling windows around the screen.

All I need now is some interesting wallpaper or a background picture - I've never seen so much bare desktop!


Software: The Croft Soft Newsletter Issue 3

Category: Disk magazine
Reviewer: Chris Good
System: All Ataris
Score: 73%

This is the third issue (July '96) of the Croft Soft Newsletter from three man team Colin and David Polonski and Kevin Wilcox. They've been producing Atari games software since 1994, including Mole Mayhem and Trader 2.
They have recently formed the Atari Authors Association (AAA) and also produce a Star Trek Newsletter called Trek Talk.

CAB displaying the main contents page

The CSNL is in HTML format and while not filled with stunning graphics the style is simple and effective. This issue is double the size of the last one and is packed with news, including lots of Atari info, a top ten of Atari simulations, reviews of the latest Kandinsky, MenuInfo and the Warp disk magazine.
Their top ten simulations although good should surely include Sim City, Jimmy White's Snooker and Micropose Golf? Profile is a new section about well known Atari personalities. In this issue Harry Sideras spills the beans on his Atari history and current setup - I wonder who's next?
Each issue should be inserted into your CS folder where it links up with the other issues via a menu, a neat idea.

This issue is certainly an improvement over the previous two and although not as slick as AtarPhile it's well worth a read, may there be many more.

Software: Pysgham v2.0

Category: Utility
Reviewer: Denesh Bhabuta
Status: Postcardware
System: All Ataris
Score: 64%

Pysgham creates virtual drives from folders which can then be seen by TOS or any application as a real drive. It enables you to access deeply nested folders and files quickly and easily.

For example if you keep all clipart in the path
H:\IMAGES\CLIPART\BITMAP\IMG\
then you may assign it the virtual drive M: so that all the image files will appear in the root directory of drive M. The benefits are a faster route to your often used files and a less cluttered desktop.

You can install up to eight different virtual drives on your hard disk. Similarly, virtual files can be set up where you only need to enter two characters corresponding to the original. Additionally, write protect and verify for each drive, virtual drive and partition can be set individually. Pysgham is postcardware - if you use the program send the authors a postcard.


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