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1995-04-27
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===========================================================================
* ST Format - AUGUST ISSUE - CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE. Issue #61 *
===========================================================================
* *
* COMMENTS! The AUGUST ST Format has been on sale in Europe for *
* about a week. This summary is late due to the 4th of July, 3 *
* day weekend. It seems that the US MAIL does not move anywhere *
* on such Sundays and Mondays. Thanks again should go to Clive *
* Parker. At least US ST Format readers will get a preview of *
* what is in store for them once ST Format shows up here at *
* dealer shelves in about a week. I would expect STF61 in the *
* US on the 18th of July. Once again, if you appreciate reading *
* these summaries, please send a note of thanks to Clive Parker *
* on CIS. Of course another way to thank him is to drop STF a *
* line at: ST FORMAT/ 30 Monmouth Street/ Bath, Avon BA128W. *
* ...After thinking this over, people wrote in to praise Bob *
* Brodie at Atari Corp. and he gets his position and panoramic *
* corner office back, paid vacation...then leaves Atari for a *
* better job... Well, use your best judgement. Trenton will *
* just have to be sure he does not give Clive 4 weeks off to *
* look around and interview for another position. The best way *
* to thank Clive is to buy ST Format and/or subscribe! *
* *
* As for comments, I showed STF61 to 2 people, STeve Kipker and *
* Dr. Christopher Mau. The first word out of both of their *
* mouths on each occasion was, "wow." I think that sums up the *
* look of ST Format under the direction of its new editor, *
* Trenton Webb. With the 4th of July just days ago, the words *
* of Thomas Jefferson come to mind. "The tree of freedom needs *
* to be refreshed every once in a while with the blood of *
* patriots.." Well, ST Format seems to need a change of editor- *
* ship to reach new heights. STeve and I both are impressed by *
* what we perceive as a new look to STF! There are touches that *
* I especially like, like what is being done with Capt. Blunder *
* and the back page! Upon browsing through STF61, I am hopeful *
* that Trenton Webb will rank in my esteem up there along side *
* Mark Higham as my definition of the best of the best in *
* computer magazine editing. I always enjoy reading ST Format, *
* but this was something more joyous. I predict that once this *
* issue of ST Format hits the stands and dealer shelves in the *
* US, it will revitalize interest in the Atari ST. This is not *
* just wishful thinking. With two "wows" out of the mouths of 2 *
* jaded readers that digest STF from cover to cover every month, *
* there is something wonderful happening here. *
* *
* STeve's Atari Sales will take pre-orders on this issue #61 in *
* the US. Please read the accompanying BUY_IT.TXT file for *
* pertinent purchasing information. STeve's AtariNOTES! should *
* be out around the 15th of July. I have finished my part, but *
* STeve is making changes to the newsletter. So, look for *
* STeve's AtariNOTES!, issue #3, the end of the 3rd week of JULY *
* from the same file base from which you get the ST Format *
* summaries. You will be 1 of over 300 people that download *
* this newsletter-catalog each month. If your friends whine *
* that there is no support for Atari computers, they obviously *
* have not seen ST Format or STeve's AtariNOTES! So, make them *
* happy, put a copy of one or both into their hands today! *
* *
* There is no news that I can comment upon without stepping on *
* articles in the pages of this month's STF. Sales of Falcons *
* and STes are up in numbers at STeve's Atari Sales. With new *
* products for sale and on the horizon that take advantage of *
* the superior hardware of these machines (over the base ST), it *
* is of no wonder people are upgrading. *
* *
* *
* SUBSCRIBER'S: Unfortunately, this month I cannot give insight into *
* what is in the SUBSCRIBER'S NEWSLETTER. If you turn to page *
* 50 of STF61, you can get a glimpse. There is a ROCK 'N' ROLL *
* BARG'S offer for only subscribers. You lucky subscribers will *
* have to tell us what this is all about and who the "BIG BLOKE" *
* is that joined the staff of ST Format. *
* *
* This month's WONDERDISK is packed full with 11 games, applica- *
* tions, and utilities. You have to be an ST Format subscriber *
* to receive both the WONDERDISK and the superiorly commanding, *
* additional instructions and descriptions included with the *
* subscribers only newsletter. On the disk is a 4 player maze- *
* adventure-arcade-puzzle game named WYRD WAYS. You talk about *
* a game that has something for everyone, this is it! Another *
* game offering is PATIENCE, the solitaire card game simulation. *
* Continuing the subject of gaming, there is an editor for *
* CIVILIZATION. This cheat program should give your copy of *
* that game some more play time on your ST. In the realm of *
* entertaining applications, PSYCHO SCRIPT and RUNE CASTER *
* should keep subscribers entertained. The former is a hypnotic *
* show for your color monitor and the latter is a pseudo-fortune *
* telling program. Maybe you can get a job with a 1-900 fortune *
* telling phone service with it? As for utilities 2 IN 1 SHELL *
* is a timely offering. With this shell program you can install *
* and use a dozen archive programs through this easy to use *
* interface (if you can afford all the shareware registration *
* fees). No more having to deal with that command line inter- *
* face and having to remember all those one letter commands. *
* The other programs are familiar names or self-explanatory: *
* MEMWATCH, DC FLOPPY CONFIG, LED PANEL v2.5, and SPEEDO. What *
* is pure serendipity, or Clive Parker used RUNES, MEDIUM REZ *
* BOOTER is provided on the WONDERDISK. I have been searching *
* high and low for this program ever since I read about it in *
* the pages of STF in an article by Clive. I need it for my *
* STe, not only to boot-it up into medium resolution, but to *
* also speed boot-up. As it stands my STe takes 50 seconds or *
* more to reach the GEM desktop. Lastly, there is a program *
* called VERICARD, that checks to see if credit card numbers are *
* valid. I await input from STeve to tell me if it is useful or *
* not. All in all, I have to say that this month's WONDERDISK *
* should keep people busy, if not entertained. *
* *
* *
* THEME: TONG IN CHEEK makes the way for another cover that should be *
* converted into a poster. It also introduces the readers to *
* the cover story informing STF readers about 12 new applica- *
* tions for your ST, STe, or FALCON030 that have or are coming *
* from the forge of software developers! With an additional 6 *
* new applications reviewed, the future looks as hot as this *
* month's STF cover. *
* *
* WHAT'S INSIDE: STF reviews over 5 ST, STe, & FALCON game packages, *
* 1 of these is definitely new and runs on the ST. There are *
* also 2 game previews, one of these covers the space adventure *
* role playing game, ZERO-5, from Caspian Software. On the pro- *
* ductivity and hardware side, well over 22 productivity *
* software packages (over a dozen of these new), 4 hardware *
* items and a bunch of new CD ROM releases are reviewed and *
* rated. In the public domain sector STF reviews over 10 game, *
* 2 educational, 1 animation demo, and 1 utility program. There *
* are no JAGUAR reviews or previews this month. Considering all *
* the new products for Atari computers covered in this month's *
* STF, the JAGUAR is not missed. *
* *
* WHY BUY THIS MAG?!!: Besides the new "wow" look to ST Format and the *
* huge number of reviews this month, there are again 3 programs *
* of 7 that I find exceptional and worth having and using. *
* There is the 30 level platform game, WELL'ARD. This game is *
* of commercial caliber! WELL'ARD is SHAREWARE and protected by *
* code for limited access. The second program is ATARI VIEW 3, *
* a text file reader that is chock-full of options. This is *
* just the program to use to read these ST Format summaries, to *
* search them for what you are interested, and block capture the *
* text for sending to a printer or saving as a file on disk. *
* And, that is not all. The last program is TWINZ, a CONCENTRA- *
* TION type game. It is extremely addicting and the tiles have *
* differing graphics behind them that keeps it fresh, level to *
* level. A program that may interest others is WORDQUIZ 4, a *
* wordsearch puzzle generator, but there are problems with this *
* program. Please read the COVER DISK section of this summary *
* to get the details on this. And, there are 55 more drum *
* samples for use with QUARTET, given to STF readers 3 issues *
* back. *
* *
* On the feature and regular article side, if you have ever *
* considered installing TOS 2 into your ST, this is the issue *
* you must buy. This is proclaimed the COMPLETE TOS 2 GUIDE. *
* There are 4 separate parts or chapters: BUY IT, INSTALL IT, *
* TWEAK IT, and USE IT; 7 pages of TOS 2 coverage from a review *
* to a Clive DIY to 2 tutorials on its use. STF has 2 DIYs *
* (Do It Yourself). One is extremely timely, showing how to use *
* SENSIBLE SOCCER to simulate the WORLD CUP, slated for comple- *
* tion on July 17th. The 2nd DIY has CLIVE PARKER show you how *
* simple and easy it is to install the solderless TOS 2 upgrade *
* on the STFM. With an additional 5 pages telling you about and *
* how to efficiently use TOS 2, you should be as motivated as I *
* to get this into your ST. Since it is authored by Clive *
* Parker, you should know this is exceptional reading. And in *
* a time of changes, some things are still included, like a *
* CHRIS LLOYD feature article. This month it is an in-depth *
* compilation review of all the art packages out there for use *
* on the ST. Chris reviews and rates 9 of them, categorized by *
* how much they will lighten your pocket book. I neglected to *
* say that there is a mine full of STF GOLD this month, *
* including a review of the newly released DIAMOND BACK 3.01, *
* rated STF 95%! Of the 22 reviewed packages, a good number of *
* them can be found in the art program feature article. The *
* FALCON and the STe are very visual machines. This is a must *
* read for all Atarians trying to find uses for their machines! *
* Additional feature articles of special note are Trenton Webb's *
* continuation of last month's chronicle of the past 5 years of *
* Atari history and ST Format. *
* *
* GAMEBUSTERS gives in-depth coverage to FRONTIER, AMBERSTAR, *
* ELITE and CHAOS STRIKES BACK with smaller additional hints to *
* other ST games. ST ANSWERS continues to be a reason unto *
* itself for reading ST Format. This is continuing ST education *
* under the direction of professor Clive Parker and faculty. *
* Master the material each month and you too can be an Atari *
* computer expert. Lastly, FEEDBACK gives you the first real *
* insight into who is Trenton Webb, the new STF editor. From *
* his replies, you can determine if Trenton has command of the *
* English language, let alone eloquent or colorful enough to *
* carry on the chain of command at ST FORMAT's helm. "These are *
* the chronicles of the ST Format. Its on-going mission to..." *
* *
***************************************************************************
***************************************************************************
* *
* COVER DISK: This month's cover disk is packed with files, 4 of them *
* compressed. There is 1 sound utility demo, 1 arcade platform *
* game, 2 "educational games", 1 very pertinently useful *
* utility, and another collection of sound samples. *
* *
* WELL 'ARD is an arcade game that is commercial quality. There *
* are 16 levels to this game, distributed equally among 4 *
* worlds. The first world is a 4 level platform game. The *
* levels are multi-screened! The quality of the game is not *
* surprising once you realize the game is SHAREWARE. For you *
* to access the later worlds, you must register the game to get *
* a codeword from the author, a Citizen of the Realm (lives in *
* the UK). Worlds 2 and 3 are more platform action, but ST *
* Format in possession of the registration code tells us that *
* world 4 is one of shoot 'em up action. If you mind that your *
* on screen alter-ego looks like a 1-eyed, tank-T-shirt clad, *
* toothy fat thug, this game is not for you. *
* *
* DIGIT v1.1 DEMO is another functional music demo with its save *
* functions disabled. You can still load song files, modify *
* them and play them. This program has a ST keyboard interface *
* like MUSIC MON from last month's cover disk; i.e., you can *
* play music from the ST keyboard! This is just full of useful *
* options. You will be surprised, and you can load and save *
* sound samples from within this demo in the SAM format. I am *
* not too keen on music programs, let alone disabled demos of *
* them. But (a big BUT), the sale and use of them pay the bills *
* for many, and ST Format supports them to the fullest. The *
* STF staff promises a MASTERCLASS tutorial on the use of this *
* program next month. On the same page of STF instructions for *
* this program, STF informs you of problems with last month's *
* SAM 2 DISK cover disk demo and how to resolve them! Another *
* example of ST Format's excellent support of its cover disks. *
* *
* TWINZ is an excellent, addictive game of concentration. What *
* keeps it fresh, level after level, are the tile icons. You *
* match pairs of tiles, turning them over to see road signs, *
* car manufacturer emblems, air line logos, and much, much more. *
* With only 20 tiles per screen, you may think this game a lark, *
* but there is a time limit that you must beat to get to the *
* next screen full of tiles. I do not know if the game timer *
* speeds up from level to level, but it sure does seem so after *
* a while. I bet you can't just play one level! ENJOY!!! *
* *
* WORD QUIZ 4 is a word search generator program that once was *
* commercial ware, or still is. This program is listed to work *
* on all STs; it does not. It will not work on any machine that *
* does not have a blitter chip, nor can you shut down the *
* blitter and load it. If you have a MEGA or STe, you can send *
* as little as $5 to register this product. If you have a ST, *
* STF or STFM, you will have to buy the commercial release. *
* STeve is well stocked with these and will be happy to sell you *
* a copy. Trenton Webb was so enthralled by this program that *
* he used it to generate a reader promotional competition, but *
* more on that in THE LAST PAGE discussion of this summary. *
* There are 10 sample puzzles provided for you to print out or *
* modify. Clive Parker did an excellent one for STAR TREK tng! *
* For Anglophiles (a lot of US readers of STF are) word search *
* themes like ALLSTARS (cricket, soccer?), GROCERIES, or TV *
* SHOWS (if you watch a lot of PBS) may give you that enjoyable *
* insight into British life. Others like JURASSIC, JAGUAR, *
* SHAREWARE, CIRCUS and even BOOKSTORE may be more cosmopolitan *
* in their solutions. Of course they are included, THIS IS the *
* world's best selling ST magazine! *
* *
* ATARI VIEW 3.8 is the most wonderful of all this month's cover *
* disk offerings. It is a text file reader that is jam-packed *
* with useful options. And they are accessible by use of mouse *
* and/or keystroke. I would use this to read the ST Format *
* summaries. You can display by page, doubles spaced, single *
* spaced or dump the text in whole or parts that you choose *
* using its block function. It has a search function that comes *
* in handy if you want to skip down to those sections that I *
* refer to, when I write, "more on this later..." You can place *
* up to 10 markers. So, mark your place, search for that *
* section I mentioned, use the block functions to save the *
* to disk or send it to your printer, and then just jump back to *
* your marker and continue on your way. Did I not say it was *
* wonderful? You can move through the text line by line or page *
* by page. There is so much more, like readily available help *
* programed right into this viewer if you have questions about *
* an options. The viewer even lets you access your desktop *
* accessories! You just have to use this to appreciate all *
* these described features. To me this is the best gift this *
* month from STF to its readers, especially to those that read *
* ST Format summaries! *
* *
* SEBRA is THE monochrome emulator for ST color monitor users. *
* This is thoughtfully provided on the disk for those that do *
* not have a monochrome monitor to be able to boot up and use *
* the DIGIT demo. This has 3 different modes of operation and *
* if one is not compatible, try the other two. I have yet to *
* personally see a monochrome program that will not work with *
* SEBRA. SEBRA is ZEBRA in Swedish (so I am told). That sums *
* it up in one word. *
* *
* BOSS DRUM is a collection of 55 drum samples for STF readers *
* that bought issue 58. On that issue QUARTET was given away on *
* the cover disk. These are the promised drum samples mentioned *
* last month in the accompanying text to the 20 instrument *
* samples on the STF60 cover disk. I have written it once, if *
* not over a dozen time: this is another example of ST Format's *
* commitment to its readers to give them resources and infor- *
* mation they can use to get the most out of STF cover disk *
* offerings. And this support can extent over months, such as *
* in this case of 4 months of support for QUARTET! As for the *
* name of this collection, I can only guess that Bruce *
* Springsteen endorses their use. *
* *
* COVER DISK BACK-UP is included this month. The instructions *
* to this 800K+, disk back-up system are penned in the style of *
* an eloquent Oxford professor lecturing on the fine arts before *
* a body of the most astute scholars. I hope this motivates *
* people to read the instructions and use this program; before *
* you find someone like your 4 year old son has formatted your *
* STF cover disk and you have no back-up copy. *
* *
***************************************************************************
***************************************************************************
* *
* FEATURES: *
* *
* INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION is Trenton Webb's look at the future of *
* the ST and with this collection of review and previews of *
* software for the serious Atarian (serious meaning productivity *
* applications that can help Atarians achieve fame or fortune), *
* you will become a believer too! Reviewed are TWIST, a data- *
* base application; PAPYRUS, a DTP word processor; TRUE IMAGE, *
* a 24 bit art program; EASE, an alternate desktop (like NEODESK *
* or DESKFX); CLARITY FALCON, a sound and music D2D application; *
* MAG!X FALCON, faster and more compatible multi-tasking; *
* NOTATOR LOGIC, a complete music application; MUSICOM2/TRAKCOM, *
* another music package for digital recording and editing; *
* MASTERPHONE, turns your ST into a personal phone receptionist; *
* INTERFACE 2, a new resource file editor for use with all TOS *
* computers; THAT'S WRITE 3, a WYSIWYG word processor; and not *
* really the last, TELEPHONE SYSTEM, another program that turns *
* your ST into a personal receptionist that will screen your *
* phone calls and even lie for you. "I am sorry but Professor *
* Parker is not in, please enter your pin number to leave a *
* message." Beep boop beep. "Hi Trenton, been expecting your *
* call..." The future is here!........................... [21] *
* *
* ART FOR ART'S SAKE is a compilation of reviews of art program *
* for use on the ST. It should be no secret that Chris Lloyd is *
* one of the finest reviewers that write for ST Format. There *
* are 5 art programs ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD*** and in a Chris *
* Lloyd review that is a solid promise of excellence. Chris *
* Lloyd groups the reviews as follows: Public Domain -- CRACK *
* ART, PAD, and PAINT POT; Commercial Packages -- DELUXE PAINT, *
* TRUE PAINT, and PIXART; and The Big League -- CHAGALL, DA'S *
* PICTURE, and ARABESQUE PROFESSIONAL. In a side bar there are *
* listed all the art programs given away on past STF cover *
* disks. These are CANVAS (STF34), SPECTRUM 512 (STF36), PRISM *
* PAINT v1.1 (STF48), and HYPERPAINT 2 (STF 54). The latter 2 *
* are still in stock at STeve's and all can be ordered from ST *
* Format. Please see the attached BUYIT file for further *
* information............................................. [30] *
* *
* CD REVIEW by Clive Parker is a look at the world of CD-ROM. *
* He examines 1 GIGABYTE of software and graphics files. Only a *
* reviewer of Clive's caliber could succinctly summarize this *
* into 2 pages of text! Reviewed are ATARI PD AND SHAREWARE, *
* volumes 1 and 2; SPACE AND ASTRONOMY CD-ROM; and PROJECT *
* GUTTENBERG CD-ROM. I leave it to you to read this excellent *
* review and to learn about what PROJECT GUTENBERG is. I just *
* have to tell you that Clive found that ATARI PD... volumes are *
* much better than the GEMINI CD-ROM, that was previously *
* reviewed in the pages of STF. Now you have to read and find *
* out why or buy them upon this summaries relation of a Clive *
* Parker endorsement...................................... [48] *
* *
* STF'S DIY SS WC '94 translated is ST Format's Do It Yourself *
* SENSIBLE SOCCER World Cup 1994. If you own SENSIBLE SOCCER *
* try this DIY out and see if your ST predicts the winner of the *
* World Cup. STF tells you who won in their DIY simulation, *
* aptly demonstrating this DIY is not a waste of space. I think *
* it is Trenton Webb that tells us some interesting soccer facts *
* and trivia in a sidebar. There is a goal to this. He at the *
* end challenges you to try to best these stats in game play *
* using SENSIBLE SOCCER. This is an extremely timely DIY and if *
* you had any curiosity concerning soccer sims, this should fire *
* you up enough to try SENSIBLE SOCCER. So, July 17th is the *
* best day to do this with the finals on the tube (TV). After *
* Clive Parker's timely release of STAR TREK (TM): KLINGON WAR *
* on the WONDERDISK, which I was able to try out while the last *
* episode of ST tng was blaring in stereo throughout the house, *
* as the USS Enterprise came into battle to save the crew of *
* the USS Pasteur (why not USS Lister or Jenner?) from Klingon *
* warships. What can beat playing the final game of your DIY SS *
* WC '94 to the cheers and jeers of the actual World Cup finals. *
* Now you have an excuse to purchase that surround-sound home *
* entertainment system.................................... [70] *
* *
* NOW WE ARE FIVE is the continuation of Trenton Webb's look at *
* the past history of ST Format. Last month covered the 1st 3 *
* years. This month he looks at the other two years - to date. *
* Again he tells you about things behind the scenes of the Atari *
* world and ST Format's place in it as the magazine covered the *
* news and helped form it. He tells you more about the person- *
* alities that made STF what it was and where they are today. *
* I think this article series is important for Atarians to read. *
* Through it, you can see exactly how things have reached the *
* state they are in today -- good and bad. My summary of this *
* would include Trenton as follows: STeve Carey lays the new *
* foundation for STF; Mark Higham builds upon the foundation *
* and creates a palatial edifice in the world of computer *
* journalism; Paula Richards knocks out rotting timbers and *
* returns good taste and values to STF; and Trenton Webb *
* renovates STF and revitalizes the Atari World!. BTW in the *
* regular THE LATEST NEWS section, there is a STF promotional *
* competition that tests how well you read this 2 part history. *
* Please read that section of STF for details on how to enter *
* and win tickets to the FES 3 in London, England......... [72] *
* *
* TOS 2 UPGRADE: A Perfect Plug-in is a DIY by none other than *
* Clive Parker. Clive says this upgrade should take an hour and *
* afterwards you will have a NEW COMPUTER (talk about *
* re-vitalizing). Through a well illustrated tutorial with *
* carefully worded text to guide you past those in little, *
* potentially fatal details, you will be painlessly guided to *
* your new machine. This is another well written, well *
* organized DIY that has become synonymous with the name -- *
* Clive Parker........................................... [76]] *
* *
* MUSIC MON TUTORIAL is a STF MASTERCLASS to teach you how to *
* get the most out of this STF60 cover disk offering. Team *
* written by Andy Curtis and Frank Charlton, they shown you what *
* each and every one of those screen icons, buttons, and sliders *
* do. If you own the commercial version, it will be well worth *
* it to buy this issue to read this article. For you owners of *
* the MUSIC MON 2 demo, this may convince you it is time to *
* up-grade to the full, working version................... [88] *
* *
* T2: UPGRADE DAY is Clive Parker's follow up to his review of *
* STFM TOS SWITCHER, his DIY on TOS 2 installation, and his ST *
* ANSWERS TOS 2 coverage. Here Clive presents a virtual manual *
* on the features of TOS 2.06 and how to use these features. By *
* listing the "25 reasons for getting TOS 2.06," Clive tells you *
* what TOS 2.06 can do for you. He tells you how to install the *
* software side of this desktop interface, including how *
* XCONTROL fits into the scheme of TOS 2.................. [92] *
* *
***************************************************************************
***************************************************************************
* *
* ST Format REVIEWS AND RATES; Over 22 software programs and packages *
* are reviewed and rated, 1 of them is a new game and 5 of them *
* new productivity packages or significant updates. This month *
* Chris Lloyd looks at 9 art programs in his always thorough *
* manner and 5 of these are ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***. There *
* is more gold, the highest rated at 95% is DIAMOND BACK 3.01 by *
* Bob Luneski. It is no surprise that this is a solid product, *
* STeve Kipker was one of the beta testers. The other signifi- *
* cant productivity release is KOBOLD, the file management *
* system software. With MAG!X and the forthcoming EASE, it is *
* the time to switch from the old Gribnif stuff and replace it *
* with the sparkling new Systems Solutions products. I guess I *
* could send my money to Gribnif to update my NEODESK, but that *
* does little to help my Atari dealer. The INDIES CORNER has a *
* thorough review by Simon Forrester, the new staff writer, and *
* I am happy to say that he gives it a thumbs up. That is *
* because I am a booster of JV Enterprises and own a registered *
* copy of this game purchased from STeve's Atari Sales. Vote *
* with your dollars, every product you register with them helps *
* them live (pay rent, buy food), so they can write more *
* software for Atari Computers. Lastly, STF reviews the newly *
* released INTERNATIONAL SENSIBLE SOCCER and gives it a ***ST *
* FORMAT RATED GOLD***. I take it to meant that this is a *
* significant update and not just re-boxing to take advantage *
* of the World Cup hype. Since these writers, especially under *
* Trenton Webb, should know their "football" you should take *
* that into consideration in deciding to upgrade or not. As for *
* game previews, read Jonathan Nash's preview of ZERO-5 and see *
* why I have already set aside cash to buy this space adventure, *
* a step beyond ELITE 2. This will only playable on MEGAs, STes *
* and the Falcon 030. This is from Caspian Software (who else *
* could it be for NEW STe games?). *
* *
* On the hardware side, Clive Parker does his best to identify *
* the best value for your pound. It is too bad that 3 of these *
* items are regional sales items, at least for US readers. For *
* European readers, this is a boon. I predict that the ***ST *
* FORMAT RATED GOLD***, STFM TOS SWITCHER will be imported to *
* the US. I hope it revitalizes use of the STFM in the US. I *
* will reiterate, after TOS 2.06 is installed, it is like owning *
* a brand new machine, the change is so radical. You can next *
* install a 1.4 HD floppy drive and make the transformation *
* complete! (see the JUNE on-line issue of STeve's AtariNOTES!) *
* Before I forget, in a footer it is announced that ST Format *
* will be giving away 2 of these TOS 2 switchers. You just have *
* to define an acronym, which judging from the on-going threads *
* on the Atari ST Fido echo is not as simple to do as STF thinks.*
* (T is for Total, The, Tramiel, Tired [as in "Tired Ol'..."], *
* etc... the debate rages.) *
* *
* The guide to the top selling ST games in the UK is part of *
* SCREENPLAY this month. Called CHARTS, it is listed in the *
* TOC. SCREENPLAY and CHARTS can be found on page........ [53] *
* *
* Productivity Software [ATARIPRO] *
* *
* Crack Art ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***.................... [30] *
* *
* Pad ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***.......................... [30] *
* *
* Paint Pot............................................... [31] *
* *
* Deluxe Paint ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***................. [31] *
* *
* True Paint.............................................. [32] *
* *
* Pixart.................................................. [32] *
* *
* Chagall ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***...................... [32] *
* *
* DA's Picture ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***................. [33] *
* *
* Arabesque Professional.................................. [33] *
* *
* 3D Calc Plus............................................ [34] *
* *
* Music Mon 2............................................. [35] *
* *
* Silhouette v1.4......................................... [36] *
* *
* Diamond Back 3.01 ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***............ [37] *
* *
* HP Chrome v2.5.......................................... [38] *
* *
* KOBOLD ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***....................... [41] *
* *
* Hardware *
* *
* Multi-media Speakers.................................... [38] *
* *
* Gasteiner SCSI Drive ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***......... [40] *
* *
* Top Link Host Adaptor................................... [40] *
* *
* STFM TOS Switcher ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***............ [78] *
* *
* *
* SCREENPLAY: ST, Falcon, and Jaguar games reviewed and rated. *
* *
* The Final Conflict...................................... [58] *
* *
* Jimmy Connors Tennis.................................... [60] *
* *
* Merchant Colony......................................... [61] *
* *
* First Samurai........................................... [62] *
* *
* International Sensible Soccer ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD*** [64] *
* *
* Previews *
* *
* Club Drive.............................................. [54] *
* *
* ZERO-5.................................................. [56] *
* *
* *
* PUBLIC SECTOR; ST Format reveals the best in cheap ST software -- *
* FREE or almost free. There is no GOLD here this month, but *
* 1 of the educational offerings is rated high enough to be a *
* "must have" for those with children. This month I cannot find *
* fault the reviewers. It might be the good mood from seeing *
* some educational program reviews that is coloring my opinion, *
* but I think the reviews were quite good this month. There is *
* a warning about TRIYAHOO that explains what happened to my *
* hard drive partition, AND I DID NOT TRY TO CRACK THE CODE. *
* What a nasty program. The ST Sextet goes a long way in *
* letting FALCON users know what is out there for the ST that *
* will run on the Falcon. In the collection are WING LORD, *
* COLUMNS, BITRIS, PATIENCE, THURG AND MURG, and the STe-MEGA *
* program - VERTICAL MAYHEM. There is another one of those low *
* STF ratings (18%); but with a publisher's name of Dunce's Cap *
* (sic) Software, what does one expect? This month has over 8 *
* games; 2 educational; and 1 demo that are reviewed and *
* rated................................................... [42] *
* *
* Animation *
* *
* Futuretime 8............................................ [43] *
* *
* Education *
* *
* Keymaths 1.............................................. [42] *
* *
* Etc 1................................................... [42] *
* *
* PD Games *
* *
* ST Sextet (Falcon compatibles).......................... [43] *
* *
* Triyahoo................................................ [44] *
* *
* Frame of Mind........................................... [44] *
* *
* Indies Corners *
* *
* Again, I forgot to move the discussion of this section to down *
* here. To be fair about I guess I have to announce: Simon *
* Forrester Indie Reviews in ST Format! Or should I cut to the *
* chase and say Simon Forrester Deems TOWERS an Excellent DM *
* Clone................................................... [46] *
* *
* Towers.................................................. [46] *
* *
* Sword of Kings.......................................... [47] *
* *
* The BBS Directory....................................... [47] *
* *
***************************************************************************
***************************************************************************
* *
* REGULARS *
* *
* COVER DISK; Get more out of your STF cover disk with these *
* additional instructions that are well illustrated and by *
* someone that I cannot identify. All I can say is that they *
* out did themselves this month. This is the first issue where *
* I liked the official STF Cover Disk more than the WONDERDISK. *
* I hope I have drummed into people's heads that TWINZ and ATARI *
* VIEW 3 are worth the cover price of STF. WORDQUIZ 4 is icing *
* on the cake for owners of blitter equipped systems. Let us *
* not forget SEBRA. All these and more make for a MUST HAVE *
* cover disk............................................... [7] *
* *
* NEWS; I dearly loved Paula Richard's NEWS columns. She turned *
* me on to the SMART 1442, 14K baud FAX modem, which I also *
* love. But, it does wonders for my soul to see NO MORE *
* SNIPPETS (my brain always read it as 'SNIPES') and no more *
* Bob Brodie bashing. Instead there is a polite, timely and *
* informative news flash here about Bob resigning. STF even *
* had info that I was not aware of, and Bob still talks to all *
* by phone and GEnie. More international news pieces concern *
* Atari importing British citizens to complete ALIEN VS PREDATOR *
* and Atari's big presence (35 stations) at the Chicago CES. *
* There are so many news items here on the CD-ROM industry, you *
* will just have to buy this issue to read them. Finally, one *
* of the things I like about the new ST Format is the liberal *
* use of photos to enhance the ambiance of articles and stories. *
* Most of you know that the memory of one of my STs is at AERCO *
* in San Antonio, Texas for repairs. I was going to ask Jerry *
* of AERCO to send me a snapshot of the Alamo. Well, ST Format *
* beat the request in their illustrated coverage here of the 2nd *
* Texas Atari Festival. Thank you again for being prescient, *
* ST Format!.............................................. [12] *
* *
* FEEDBACK; Trenton Webb now sits in the hotseat and does an *
* excellent job of answering the letters of STF readers. One of *
* the most interesting letters lists 5 games that say "1Mbyte *
* required" on the box, but work on a 0.5Mbyte ST. Trenton *
* answers another letter, helping me to understand the distribu- *
* tion of STF in Europe. Another letter helps me understand why *
* I have such an affinity to Chris Lloyd reviews - more emphasis *
* on the visual over the aural. In as sidebar Trenton replies *
* to a letter from the author of AUTO-STEREOGRAM CREATOR about *
* the 7% STF Rating it received. Trenton is very diplomatic in *
* his answer and admits the rating to be harsh (I would say so, *
* matter of fact I did). What is of concern is that Trenton *
* informs us that only Clive Parker is the only person on the *
* STF staff that can see the images in them. I read somewhere *
* that only the most creative and flexible minds can visualize *
* auto-stereogram graphics. I myself cannot see anything in *
* them, but this may not bode well for the future in the case of *
* STF! Maybe they should make interpreting these a part of the *
* application review process at Future Publishing? Well, they *
* do have Clive and did have Andy Lowe. There are 8 other *
* entertaining or informative exchanges. Thanks Trenton for the *
* insight................................................. [95] *
* *
* SUBSCRIBE! This is the place for you non-subscribers to see *
* what was on this month's Subscribers Only WONDERDISK (see *
* the SUBSCRIBER'S section, well above) and the BETWEEN THE *
* COVERS NEWSLETTER. Once again it would behoove you to *
* consider subscribing. You get the WONDERDISK, STF's well *
* written additional instructions for WONDERDISK programs, *
* BETWEEN THE COVERS NEWSLETTER, and ST Format delivered to *
* your door. For US readers, I would do this before the dollar *
* falls any more against the pound if that concerns you. Of *
* course if you feel that you have to help your newstand dealer *
* earn the money for psychoanalysis and beer to cope with this *
* ever changing world, that is commendable................ [50] *
* *
* ST ANSWERS; seven (7!) jam-packed pages of answers to over 40 *
* of your difficult, techy problems to help you understand and *
* use your ST or FALCON. This month's topics include: GFA *
* Basic, Assembly language, STOS, Music and MIDI, software, *
* hardware, telecomm. problems and more. Clive Parker once again *
* examines one question and covers it in-depth. This month he *
* writes what amounts to a MASTERCLASS treatise on how to *
* create customized icons and install them into the TOS 2 desk- *
* top. The MASTERCLASS aspect comes into play for Clive uses *
* ICON JUGGLER and MAKEICON, two programs from the STF48 cover *
* disk. STeve and ST Format can both sell this back issue to *
* you. This is an essential part of Clive's complete coverage *
* of TOS 2. The cover says COMPLETE TOS 2 GUIDE. That it is, *
* and we have Clive to thank for it. Once again through a well *
* illustrated article with sidebars, examples and diagrams, the *
* reader will master TOS 2.06 iconology................... [86] *
* *
* GAMEBUSTERS; Cheats, hints, tips, and maps to help you enjoy *
* that game that has you tearing your hair out, including in- *
* depth solutions for FRONTIER, AMBERSTAR (winner of 25 pounds), *
* and ELITE. The CHAOS STRIKES BACK serial solution concludes *
* this month. There is a short tip for ISHAR and a short *
* solution for one of the levels of CANNON FODDER......... [65] *
* *
* CAPTAIN BLUNDER; I love what they are doing with him. This is *
* another cliff hanger installment. Will Captain Blunder return *
* for another month? Or will he asphyxiate in...? In between *
* the action, the captain hands out cheats on IKARI WARRIORS, *
* OPERATION THUNDERBOLT, VOODOO NIGHTMARE, and ESCAPE FROM THE *
* PLANET OF THE ROBOT MONSTERS. His manager steps in and *
* solicits tips for DRAGON'S BREATH, FUTURE WARS, and MANIAC *
* MANSION. Will the Captain be back? Stay tuned.......... [65] *
* *
* PIXEL PAINTING returns under the purview of Trenton Webb. And *
* it comes back in a big way with a Sci-Fi battle scene rendered *
* using POV RAYTRACE. I am glad that Jeff Thompson shared this *
* work of art with STF. Thank you Trenton for running it. With *
* all the beautiful POV art that has graced the pages of STF, *
* it makes me want to start rendering with POV. It is also a *
* good excuse to buy an accelerator board and upgrade the Ste *
* to 4 MEGs of RAM........................................ [98] *
* *
* What is that I hear? That familiar haunting tune...it's, it's *
* the return of the TWILIGHT ZONE! This marks the return of a *
* favorite section of mine, a place where you learn a little *
* more about the editor and his views on things. This month we *
* learn that Trenton Webb is a football (soccer) fan. He has *
* created a word search puzzler (most likely with WORD QUIZ 4 *
* with a WORLD CUP theme for STF readers to solve and mail in to *
* qualify to win A CUP. Also, defined here for the first time *
* is an STF staff definition of what those ST Format percentage *
* ratings really mean. It makes me feel good to know that I was *
* not off in my assessment that anything rated over 80% is worth *
* the trouble of acquiring. Another promotional contest and more *
* insight into STF staff next month? I eagerly await next *
* month's THE LAST PAGE................................... [98] *
* *
* SELF-EXPLANATORY REGULARS *
* BACK ISSUES............................................. [90] *
* SPECIAL OFFERS (bonus disk software & manuals).......... [90] *
* ESSENTIAL CONTACTS (phone numbers)...................... [98] *
* *
* NEXT MONTH.............................................. [15] *
* On a layout reminiscent of CIVILIZATION, ST Format invites you *
* to "VISIT ANOTHER DIMENSION," as they examine 3D on the ST. *
* Next month they promise an exclusive ISHAR 3 Cover Disk demo; *
* and reviews of ISHAR 3 (game), PAPYRUS (DTP word processor), *
* and RAINBOW (art program). There will be a MASTERCLASS lesson *
* on how to get the most out of this month's DIGIT v1.1 cover *
* disk offering. Also promised is a DIY on how to add a "video *
* socket to your machine." I really am curious what this is *
* about. Of course we have to see if Captain Blunder survives *
* another month of abuse. The main reason to buy next month's *
* issue will be to see if Trenton Webb can oversee the creation *
* of another "WOW" rated issue! *
* *
* This summary is early by 2.5 weeks. Actually, that means this *
* summary is 1 week late. I will not make any excuses. I will *
* just have to do better next month. This issue, STF61, has now *
* been on sale in Europe for over 1 week. It should be at the *
* US dealers in 5 days, the 18th of June. Look for STF62 on *
* August 9th in the UK and the middle of August in the US. *
* *
* In closing I hope everyone enjoys the bombardment of Jupiter *
* this month. What better way to observe the 25th anniversary *
* of the 1st manned landing on the moon? Of course there is the *
* World Cup finals, but without the US or the UK in it at this *
* point...well, there are the real soccer fans -- enjoy. I must *
* send special thanks to Clive Parker and hope he is not too *
* disappointed by this summary. Best wishes to Clive, Chris *
* Lloyd, Trenton Webb, and the rest of the STF staff, including *
* the new guy, Simon Forrester (can you discern auto-stereo- *
* grams?). And of course, best wishes to Dale. I hope you are *
* staying cool and enjoying dinner this month by the Berkeley *
* Marina, for memories' sake. *
* Ry *
* George Richard Yamagata *
* CIS [72030,140] *
***************************************************************************