______________________________________ ZMAGAZINE 75 OCTOBER 16, 1987 (C)1987 Ron Kovacs/Syndicate Services ______________________________________ ZMAG INFORMATION NETWORK (201)968-8148 ______________________________________ Publisher/Editor: Ron Kovacs Assistants: Ken Kirchner/Susan Perry ______________________________________ Xx INDEX 75 ______________________________________ <*> News Roundup------------Ron Kovacs <*> Hardware Review--------SX212 Modem <*> Atari News Update-----------CD ROM <*> Reflections----From Portland Exprs <*> 850 Modifications----By Mike Davis <*> Zmag Technique-------Mr. Goodprobe <*> Antic's 6th Shoppers Guide Part 1 ______________________________________ Xx NEWS ROUNDUP ______________________________________ This past week the Atari television ads for the XE Game System made it to local television. It was the first ad I have seen in a few years!! Good Luck Atari!!! The MEGAS are coming!! Look for them shortly in your area!! The SX212 has trickled down to us finally and this week we have a review of it. CompuServe is having a BBS author confrence tomorrow evening (10-17) at 9pm. If you are a member of the Atari8 SIG on CIS, Please make an effort to ask your questions to the authors of your favorite BBS program. Expected guests include, Jerry Horanoff, Keith Ledbetter, and many more.... WHITEHOUSE COMPUTER is out of buisness as you all might know. We will update you on this story next week. And finally, a non-computer report-- As I am editing the final draft of this weeks issue, I hear that the little 18 month old child, Jessica McClure has been removed from the well she has been trapped in for 57 straight hours. ______________________________________ Xx HARDWARE REVIEW ...By Bob Woolley SLCC... ______________________________________ For those of you with no modem, or a SIO connect 8-bit modem, or a 300 baud modem (leave anybody out?), Atari has got a great new product for you - the SX212 1200 baud modem. It has a standard RS-232 interface for those users with an 850, or an ST, or a P:R Connection and an SIO connector for those 8-bitters who lack an RS-232 box. It is Hayes compatible and even has a nice row of LEDs accross the front of the unit to keep you informed of its status (High Speed, Auto Answer, Carrier Detect, Off Hook, Receive Data, Send Data, Terminal Ready, and Modem Ready). The best thing about this guy is that it only costs $99.95 - List Price. A product of increasing integration, it is another level up on the path to single chip, 1200 baud, modems - much like the 300 baud XM301 that preceded it. I can remember my first RS-232 modem. It was also Hayes compatible, which seems to mean that it has to have 6 million switches set before your computer will talk to it. Not the SX212. Absolutely nothing to set on this guy. Move it from your 8-bit to your 16-bit system ... works just fine with no switch juggling. Aren't any to mess with, anyway. My X-Ray Vision tells me that there are jumpers inside, but it isn't something the average guy is going to fool with. I tried the 212 on my ST with FLASH. Although I am not any kind of TP expert, the modem worked just fine. It seemed to be perfectly happy with XModem downloads and such. Even the operator trying to interrupt my call didn't bring down the modem. Lots of garbage, but carrier stayed up. This is exactly what the computer industry needs - an affordable product that you just pull from the box and run ! When it came to my 8-bit system, I hit a little snag. Since the modem would connect to the SIO port, it has to either emulate an 850 and the Hayes modem, or not emulate the 850 and not work on my 8-bit. Guess which one I got?? Works just fine on the P:R Connection as a Hayes (knew that since it worked on the ST) . Didn't work at all as an 850. I tried a Status command to every address on the SIO buss and got no response from the SX. One thing for sure, no matter how it works, the modem requires a handler. Some devices load their own handler and some programs replace them with the handler that the program wants. So, without a handler, I had no chance to make the thing work. If the device didn't even talk to the CPU on the SIO buss, how could the handler talk to the modem? The XM301 modem came with an excellent communications program and plenty of documentation on disk to fully describe the handler necessary for that device. I quickly learned that an SIO cable (which is not included in the box - for obvious reasons. You can't use the SIO feature without the handler) and a version of EXPRESS will become available from Atari at some future date. I should hope so. Not requiring a P:R Connection or an 850 can save an 8-bit user as much as the cost of the modem itself. This is one of the greatest assets of this device, the ability to run without additional interfaces. Needless to say, this was most discouraging. Maybe a little hacking could help? There was (is?) a company called Advanced Interface Devices that made a simple RS-232 adapter for the Atari SIO buss. Since the SIO is already a serial buss that can be programmed to operate in almost any mode, they thought they could just write a handler and wire up a cable that would suffice for RS-232 operation. They produced the R-Verter and managed to do exactly what I described - run the SIO as an RS-232 serial interface. With this in mind, and a little more X-Ray Vision, it appeared that Atari was using the same method on the SX212. There is a two chip modem set, a couple of RS-232 receiver/driver chips, an audio amp, an LS logic chip, and some sort of clock generator inside this modem. It would be very unusual for a modem chip set to be able to talk to an Atari SIO buss directly (the XM301 uses a microprocessor to operate as a modem and to talk to the buss). So, I had to conclude that Atari used the R-Verter approach. Close inspection of the SIO pins indicate that the -Command line (pin 7) is not even connected in the SX212. No way to do SIO without that pin. No SIO means an RS-232 emulator. The only one that I am aware of is the AID R-Verter. So, I logged on to CompuServe and looked for an R-Verter handler in DL2. Luckily, I found exactly what I needed in a file called RVHAND.XMO. It is an R-Verter handler that has been re-compiled for use with HOMETERM. Following the RVHAND.DOC file, I created a copy of HOMETERM that would run on the R-Verter. Booted up on my SX212 and got the 850 status screen. Even though the modem is directly connected, the program thinks it is talking thru an 850. All the commands that I needed worked just fine on HOMETERM - downloads, disk directories, pauses, everything! Tom Neitzel has passed on the word that the same handler will allow the SX212 to run Amodem 7.4, a program that I am not familiar with, but is very popular. I have not tried to replace the handler in EXPRESS with the R-Verter code. I don't think that task will be as simple as re-compiling the code, since EXPRESS seems to use all available memory. None the less, those 8-bit users who own SIO connect 300 baud modems can upgrade to the SX212 and start tele-computing immediately with Amodem or HOMETERM. One or two more comments. The manual states that the modem cannot be used on an 800XL with a cassette recorder. The Motor line is fed into the modem and is grounded thru a 680 ohm resistor. This appears to upset the 800XL or the recorder or somebody. I don't see any significant differences between the 800XL and the rest of the Atari line in this respect, so expect this restriction to apply to all 8-bit models. A suggestion is made to place the modem on top of your disk drive and the phone on top of the modem. Some telephones have magnets in them - put it someplace else if you are not sure. Some disk drives generate considerable heat, while the SX212 seems very cool. I put my modem under my drive, leaving the vents on top of the drive clear for good cooling. The bottom line on this modem is that it is a great value for the money, performs well and can be used on either 8 or 16 bit systems with a minimum of expertise. The 8-bit software is not yet available from Atari, but even that can be fixed for the time being. No modem offers you so much for so little. Don't overlook this bargain!! ______________________________________ Xx ATARI NEWS UPDATE ______________________________________ Msg# : 3 Read: 1 Sent : Oct 13, 1987 at 10:40 PM To : ALL From : MR. GOODPROBE Subj : finally... It seems that our patience with our Beloved Atari is finally paying off. Please capture this message and spread it around to the faithful! Last Saturday in London Atari showed its CD Rom system, it will be compatible for all computers, and its presently available in a 350 meg format. We are promised it later this fall, but wouldn't look too hard for it till this coming summer. Now pull up a chair and I will type in an article I just found in one of our trade magazines that arrived yesterday. The headline reads: ATARI TO DISPLAY TRANSPUTER-BASED WORKSTATION AT COMDEX by Tom Moran INFO World Oct. 12,1987 Volume 9, Issue 41 In its first entry into the technical workstation market, Atari Corp. will show at Comdex prototypes of a workstation that will operate at 10 MIPS (million instructions per second) in its most basic configuration, the company said. Because the system supports the Inmos T-800 Transputer CPU, which is designed for parallel processor chips, users will be able to add additional transputers, perhaps as many as several hundred working on one application at the same time. In such a system -its actually very easy to have 100 MIPS for very small amount of money, - said Shiraz Shivji, vice president of research and development for Atari. We're aiming at a price point under $5,000 (for the basic system), but that doesn't mean we will hit it,- said Bob Gleadow, general manager of Atari's UK operation. The basic system will have one processor; more will be added in cards holding 4 processors each. Gleadow declined to estimate what a four-processor card might cost, based on the market value of the Inmos processor. -I'm sure the market price is a lot more than we intend to pay, so it wouldn't be a fair estimate.- The Unixlike operating system for the workstation will be Helios, under development by Perihelion Software of the United Kingdom. -Unix doesn't support great graphics, so this is like a cross,- said Gleadow. He confirmed that the company is working on a proprietary coprocessor chip for music and graphics functions. He also said that Atari is working on a chip that will add virtual memory capability to the Inmos transputer. Atari hopes to begin production in March or May. -there's more likely to be slippage on the software than on the hardware,- said Gleadow, noting an operating system is more prone to delays than a hardware design. The company will first market the machine to the United Kingdom and Europe building up languages and applications before introducing it in the United States. -We would like to see it there in late 1988,- said Gleadow. One of the applications being developed by a third party is a DOS emulation program, he noted. The workstation will include a very high-resolution monitor being made for Atari in the Far East, according to the company, Atari will provide for compatibility with the firm's Mega and St line of computers, a spokesman said. Well, it appears our beloved Atari, with the release of the long awaited Mega ST, the showing of their CD Rom system in London as announced this past Saturday on the Computer Chronicles (so nice to see Atari on the news!) and now this announcement, really are healthy and looking forward to the future..just another reason to BUY Atari! Is seems so long ago that that Atari was nearly totally out of the picture as far as the home computer world goes,and now they are alive, vibrant, and ready to take on the BIG guns of the micro-world. You and I of course will not be able to afford these systems mentioned in this article, but it will directly affect you and I as we can expect Atari to be around for a long, long time, and therefore receive continued product support, and that is super news! Finally, for those uninformed souls amongst us,a CD ROm system, is a mass storage device system, similar in some ways to a hard drive in that you can store large amounts of data in it. A CD ROM system can hold 500+ megs easily on a disk, (Atari has chosen a standard format which will hold 350 meg on disk), while a hard drive can hold large quantities of data, 20 and 30 meg being typical sizes of drives today, with them extending as high as 160 on a single drive. The difference between the two is that the CD ROM system is NOT prone to head crashes upon power failures as the hard drives are, you can change the data-holding disk in the CD ROM just as simply as popping in a new record, while with a hard drive -what you see is what you get-. The price too is much more affordable, and Atari plans to introduce its CD ROM device at $650, while the equivalent in hard drive storage would easily run you over $6,000! Until recently, CD ROM devices were read only, but I have great news! There is a fine gentleman over in the United Kingdom that has a read/write capable CD ROM system up and running on the ST, and he plans to introduce it next year, at a very affordable price. I don't know about you, but with each passing day, I am more and more amazed at how intelligent I was for buying an Atari system, and the list of reasons why is growing with each passing moment! Keep those Ataris hummin! Mr. Goodprobe (on lend from) Midtown TV Atari 8/16 Repair/Sales ______________________________________ Xx REFLECTIONS ______________________________________ A Lot Has Changed In The World Of Home Computing Since I Made The -Big- Decision To Get A Home Computer Back In Early 1983. After Looking Around At The Various Product That Was Available At The Time, I Decided I Wanted An Atari 800. It Seemed To Offer The Most Value, Had -Massive- Memory (48K) And There Was A -Sale- Going On At One Of The Local Electronics Stores. So In I Walked, Not Knowing A Disk Drive From An Interface, And After Thinking It All Over, Walked Out Armed With An 800, The 835 (-Little Black Box-) 300 Baud Accoustic Coupling Modem, An 850 Interface, And An 810 Single Sided Single Density Disk Drive. Now At The Time, Most People Were Not Buying The Disk Drive Initially Or The Interface, They Were Using Tape Storage Because Of The Cost Involved. But As The Salesman Said, -Disk Storage Is The Wave Of The Future, And With This Interface You Will Be Able To Expand Your System.- The Price Of The 800 Was $495, Discounted From Approximately $550 As I Recall. I Was Sure That I Had Everything I Would Ever Need To -Compute- For A Lifetime. I Got It All Home, And Started To Read The Various Instructions. Disk Operating System?? Formatting?? Bytes?? After About Two Hours, I Had It Put Together And Working, I Thought That To Be A Major Accomplishment. With My Modem, I Received A Demonstration Packet To Compuserve, Dow Jones, And The Source. I Had Never Realized That Any Of Those Services Existed Electronically. A Small Cartridge Came With The Modem, It Was Called -Telelink1-. It Allowed You To -Modem-, But There Was No Provision To Download, Or Even Save Text In Any Way. On Compuserve I Learned That There Was A Short 8 Line Program Called -Jterm- Which Was Available To -Pull- Another Bigger And More Powerful Program Called -Amodem-. Someone On There Was Nice Enough To Mail Me A Copy Of Amodem, So I Could Then Download. I Could NOT Believe It. Many BBS's Have Come And Gone In Almost Five Years, But Some Of The Ones I First Called Are Still Around. Boards Like MACE And MACE WEST, I Was In A New World, Public Domain Software And Information Exchange, The Only Problem Was The Long Distance Charges To Get THERE. Things Are Quite A Bit Different In 1987, PC Pursuit Changed The Prohibitive Cost Of Reaching Out Into That Electronic -World-, It Will Be A Tragedy If The -Average- Person Will Again Not Be Able To -Modem- Unless They Use Standard Long Distance Rates. A Lot HAS Changed In The Last Five Years Of Computing, But The One Thing That HASN'T Is The Genuine And Creative Constructive FUN An Ordinary Human Being Can Receive From A Little Grey -Machine- Sitting On A Desk. Computing Like Life Is An Unpredictable Adventure, A Learning Experience Without Bounds. I Don't Know What The NEXT Five Years Hold In Store Technology Wise, But I DO Know It Will Be Exciting, And For Me Personally It All Started With That Big Old Atari 800. C.K. Portland Express BBS. 503-244-3254 ______________________________________ Xx 850 INTERFACE MODIFICATIONS ...For BBS SysOps... ______________________________________ by Michael T. Davis Introduction: Since I run a BBS here in Ohio, I have the -need for speed- that most SysOps who run Atari (8-bit) based BBS' usually have. One of the things I discovered early in my BBS setup, though, was that the software I was (and am) using (Carina) did not handle premature logoffs well. Instead of detecting the loss of carrier immediately, it just timed out. I was almost positive there had to be a better way. The second problem I was encountering had to do with the fact that the 850 doesn't reset per se. To reset the interface, you have to toggle the power switch off and on. This can get annoying if you are constantly switching telecommunications software or if your 850 is in a hard-to-reach place. Solution One: (First of all, it would simplify matters greatly if you have a 130XE. While the modifications I am going to describe should work with all (8-bit), Ataris I can only give specific directions for the 130XE, as that is what I use. At points throughout the text, I will offer possible alternatives, when I am utilizing an XE-only feature.) The 130XE does not use trigger input four from the missing joystick four port. We can use this input on the GTIA chip (pin ten (10)) to monitor the Carrier Detect line in the 850 almost constantly. (By the way, this would be a good time to put in a plug for Sam's Technical Reference Sheets.. they're great for just this kind of work.) Anyway, first identify the Carrier Detect (CRX) line on port one of the 850. Looking at the port, CRX is the fourth pin from the left on the top row. Now follow this line into the 850. You are trying to find capacitor number 117 (C117). It will be the next-to-last capacitor in a row of capacitors. We will attach a jumper wire to the side of C117 that runs to the 6532 RIOT (RAM, Input/ Output, Timer) chip. Solder it in at that point any way you like. The other end is a bit tricky for non-XE owners. Actually, the XL series could probably follow the XE scheme, but the locations of the circuitry will be different. For XE/XL owners, solder the other end to pin 12 of the SIO port (either one). Pin 12 is the top right pin, as you look at the port. If you're doing this for a 400/800 setup, you might try pins 9 or 13. Note that using either of these, however, will prevent use for their original purposes (Proceed and Interrupt lines, respectively). This isn't too big of a deal, since no one has taken advantage of these lines to date. As for the computer side, simply solder a wire directly from pin 10 of the GTIA chip to pin 12 of the SIO port. Users of computer models other than the 130XE should connect this line from the GTIA to the appropriate SIO line...the same line they connected the jumper wire to in the 850. Now determining the status of CRX is simply a matter of a PEEK to location 53265 ($D011). It will be either on (1) or off (0). CRX provides an inverted output; that is, if you get a 1, then there's NO carrier, a 0 means there is a carrier. Solution Two: Find pin 1 of the 6507 in the 850. This is the Reset line (and it is active low). To reset the interface, we will run a line from this pin, through the SIO cable, to pin 39 of the PIA. Note that this will prevent the use of a cassette recorder (but then who does serious work on cassette nowadays, anyway). Connect a wire from pin 1 of the 850's 6507 to pin 8 of the SIO port. Now, the tricky part: in the computer, cut the trace to pin 39 of the 6520 PIA. MAKE SURE YOU ONLY CUT THAT ONE TRACE!!! Also, to make sure we are geting a clear signal, it would be a good idea to cut the trace at pin 8 of the SIO port in the computer, too. Then connect a wire from pin 39 of the PIA to pin 8 of the SIO port within the computer. To reset the 850 now, we need to lower bit 3 of PACTL (54018; $D302). In BASIC, this is accomplished with POKE 54018,52:POKE 54018,60. (60 resets PACTL to its original value and puts the 850 back in -normal- mode.) Note that if you wish to write an assembly language routine to accomplish this, you should use a suitable delay between the time that you lower the bit and the time you raise it back to logic one. Conclusion: If you have any problems, or you just want to get in touch with me, I may be reached on CompuServe's Atari 8-bit SIG (ATARI8). My User ID is 72337,2075. I am also online in Columbus, Ohio on most of the major Atari BBSes, including Pandora (614-471-9209) and ACEC (Atari Computer Enthusiasts of Columbus; 614-471-8559). BCNU Mike ______________________________________ Xx ZMAG TECHNIQUE ...Down with the Wave!... ______________________________________ by Mr. Goodprobe The wave! The sportscasters seem to have it in for this strange custom of sports fans across the country. This is he passing fad where spectators will stand up and move their carcasses in a weaving motion that is supposed to make it look like a -wave- in the stands. This type of support for some reason is not like by sportscasters as you pick up their constant denouncements of the participants in this American pastime. I have to admit it did look funny last week though as the -replacement- Browns were playing the -replacement- Bills last weekend. There were only 3 thousand fans in the stands, and a group of 3 were doing the wave in the stands...real convincing wasn't it? And we too have it in for the -wave- don't we? This that annoying weave of interference you get on your TV while you try to diligently type a letter to your relatives with Paperclip, or rid the world of the plague that is threatening it from the depths of outer space! Oh for the clarity, resolution and noise free operation of a monitor!!! But alas and alack, you are financially strapped and cannot afford the luxury of a monitor! There is hope and we shall proceed to describe two very simple modifications you can perform on your 8 bit Atari system that will clear things up for you in a hurry! Obtain a small cardboard tube, preferably the variety that is used the hold your favorite bathroom tissue. This is the perfect size, and is readily available. Next you simply wrap the extra RF wire from the RCA jack at the back of your Atari computer around this tube in tight, close coils, leaving just enough to reach to the back of your TV. Then tape this coil with tape, packing tape preferably would a good choice as it would have the best holding power and not take a large quantity to do the job. Now go ahead and turn your system on. You will note that as you move the coil to face different directions that the interference will lessen the most at one position or another, simply fasten the tube to stay in this position and all will be well. What you have done is actually tune the interference in a direction which is away from your system, and now you can enjoy a much clear picture. A second way to obtain these results is the purchase a small 3 foot section of RG-59 cable with the cable fittings on both ends, and an adapter that has an RCA style male fitting on one end, and a standard cable fitting on the other. Depending on the antenna input of your TV, you will be able to either plug the cable directly into your set, or you will need a balun to connect to the cable and then it will attach to the 2 screw terminals on the set marked -VHF-. The other end with the RCA male on it plugs directly into your computer. The only thing touchy on this setup is that the RCA male must fit TIGHTLY onto the computer jack, or the lessening effect of the cable will not be as great as the ground will not be too hot. Isn't amazing how something so simple can improve things so greatly? If you have any ideas or suggestions, no matter how complex or simple you may deem them to be, please send them along and we will pass them on to the Atari user. Know what I'd like to see... I'd love to see someone take many of the fantastic projects found in BYTE magazine, Radio-electronics and other great publications, and convert them for use on the Atari 8 and 16 bit computers. It bugs me to no end as I read these articles, when the author at the end states: -It would be a simple matter to convert this project to work on ANY home computer. You only need to...- as they proceed to state alot of bland nothings which really serve no purpose to help the user in adapting these projects for use with their system. Many of the readers do not have the knowledge to do such a changeover, and others such as my self do not have the time to complete this type of undertaking. Ah, you wonder what type of projects I am speaking of eh? How about: 1. A Bio-feedback monitor (R.E. Oct 86 pg.88) 2. A Frequency Generator 3. A Computerized Scanner (E.S.&T. June 84) 4. NE555 Oscillator Designer (R.E. June 86) 5. Computer Aided Loudspeaker Enclosure Design (R.E. June 86) 6. IC Tester 7. Modem (R.E. Nov. 85) 8. Computer Aided Power Control (M. E. Nov 85) 9. Eprom Programmer (R.E. Nov 86) 10. High Resolution Adapter (R.E. Feb 86) 11. Printer Buffer (R.E. Sept. 85) 12. Parallel-to-serial converter (R.E. Sept. 85) 13. High Resolution Video Capture Device (was suitable to send live action video via the modem) (Byte 87) 14. Remote Computer Control (1000' range) of Robot (R.E. 86) 15. Home Computer Controlled Laser Light Show (R.E. 87) And many, many more!!! Therefore, if any reader has the time to convert the pinouts and in some cases the software written to drive these devices, there is a grateful Atari community out here that will welcome the chance to continue the use of our Atari computers in new and novel ways! Keep those Atari's hummin! Mr. Goodprobe (on lend from) Midtown TV Atari 8/16 Repair/Sales ______________________________________ Xx ANTIC's SHOPPERS GUIDE for 1987 ...Part One... ______________________________________ ANTIC PUBLISHING INC., COPYRIGHT 1987 REPRINTED BY PERMISSION. THE SIXTH ANNUAL ANTIC SHOPPERS GUIDE By GREGG PEARLMAN, Antic Asst Editor ATARI COMPUTERS 130XE The Atari 130XE ($149.95) is a 128K- memory computer that's capable of running -serious- productivity software without any compromise -- word processors with built-in spelling checkers, large spreadsheets and databases, etc. Yet it also has Atari's traditionally excellent graphics and ease of programming. The 130XE runs all the software written for any previous 8-bit Atari model, and the keyboard action is nothing short of outstanding. Overall, the 130XE is the best value in 128K personal computers today. 65XE The 65XE ($99.95) is essentially the classic Atari 800XL repackaged in sturdy gray plastic to match the rest of the new Atari computer line. It is a worthy successor to 800 and 800XL, continuing in the tradition of the best 64K personal computers ever brought to market. Available for considerably less than the low list price at mass merchandisers, the 65XE is a fine choice for first-time computer buyers with its solid base of good software and self-teaching books. XE GAME SYSTEM The new XE Game System ($149.95) is an imaginatively designed two-piece 65XE computer that comes with a detachable keyboard, a light gun, joystick and bundled cartridge software including Flight Simulator II. Atari is also marketing new cartridge versions of some 18 hit arcade and disk games at $20 a piece. The Game System runs all previously released 8-bit Atari cartridges -- or you could connect it to a disk drive and run any 8-bit Atari disk software. Atari Corporation 1196 Borregas Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94086 (408)745-2000 (See the special START Buyers Guide issue for an in-depth look at the latest ST computers, software and peripherals.) BUSINESS & PRODUCTIVITY CALC MAGIC, CREATIVE PROCESS CALC MAGIC ($24.95, XL/XE and disk, AP0177) is a complete spreadsheet package, featuring programmable macros that enable you to run automated sequences, quick testing of multiple -what-if- conditions, pop-up menu windows and math functions including mean, standard deviation and variance. Standard spreadsheet .DIF files are supported. CREATIVE PROCESS ($19.95, 48K disk, AP0151) is a tremendous aid in report writing, for business or school. This outline processor features pop-up menus and can help you manage projects, make sense out of long meetings, or monitor works in progress. Creative Process supports the 130XE RAMdisk. The Catalog 544 Second Street San Francisco, CA 94107 (800) 234-7001. TURBOBASE The MicroMod TURBOBASE Integrated Business Application takes full advantage of the 1Mb RAMdisk capability of ICD's Multi I/O Board and speedy SpartaDOS 3.2. This program does the job for business owners seeking a central software system to handle all their financial and administrative data. TurboBase tracks customer and vendor addresses and phone numbers; accounts receivable and payable; inventory and payroll. It contains a word processor and a flexible report generator. $179.95, 48K disk. MicroMiser Software, Inc. 1635-A Holden Avenue Orlando, FL 32809 (305) 857-6014 SYNCALC, SYNFILE+, B/GRAPH The SYNCALC spreadsheet and SYNFILE+ database ($49.95 each, 48K disk) are the most widely used integrated productivity applications for 8-bit Ataris. Each program is powerful, while pop-up menus and clear commands simplify operation. SynCalc is compatible with VisiCalc .DIF files. B/GRAPH ($39.95, 48K disk) creates pie charts, 2-D and 3-D bar charts, line and area graphs. You can graph three factors with 100 data points each and convert instantly between graph types without re-entering data. B/Graph also reads and writes to SynCalc .DIF files -- enter data with SynCalc, then graph it with B/Graph. Electronic Arts 1820 Gateway Drive San Mateo, CA 94404 (415) 571-7171. BUSINESS MANAGER BUSINESS MANAGER is for the small businessperson who needs a simple accounting sy3t-m to track sales and inventory without getting lost in fancy features. Written in Atari BASIC, Business Manager also runs with BASIC XL from OSS. This program also takes advantage of the extra RAM in a 130XE. $49.95, 48K Disk. Reeve Software 29W150 Old Farm Lane Warrenville, IL 60555 (312) 393-2317. MILES PAYROLL SYSTEM This advanced, comprehensive payroll accounting system maintains cumulative totals for up to 50 employees per disk and features complete reporting, check writing and W-2 reporting. Covers all standard payroll deductions, unemployment insurance and worker's compensation. Easy to update for yearly IRS changes, the Miles package allows weekly, biweekly, semimonthly or monthly pay periods. $99.95, 32K disk, requires two disk drives. Miles Computing 21018 Osborne Street Building 5 Canoga Park, CA 91304 (818) 994-6280 ______________________________________ ZMAGAZINE 75 Please contribute!!! Issue #75 Volume 2 No.42 (c)1987 ______________________________________