wilmott@topaz.rutgers.edu (Ray Wilmott) (10/12/88)
-------------------- It just occurs to me that it's been quite a few months since I've bought any new software for my trusty old 800xl. Not because I'm not interested in doing so, but because I just haven't heard of anything "new and exciting" software-wise in a while. So I call on any of you out there with any info about recent (last 6 months or so) software that you'd recommend, to pass that recommendation along this way... Also, while on this topic, a few questions : Which of the old major 8-bit software companies are still producing new software for us at the moment? (ie- Datasoft, Infocom, Microprose, SSI, Epyx, etc). I've heard rumor that Infocom has now dropped us... is it true? Has anybody here actually seen this GEOS desktop DOS I've been hearing about lately? Is it really as good as what I've been hearing? (and who sells it and for how much?) And finally...my favorite Atari 8-bit game is Alternate Reality. I've been hooked on it for 2 1/2 years now (first the City, more recently the Dungeon). I know the next installment isn't out yet - that's one thing I *know* I would have heard about if it was. Anybody hear anything about when it's *due* to be released, or if Datasoft even *is* still planning to continue the series??? Much thanks in advance... -Ray wilmott@topaz.rutgers.edu
rjung@sal7.usc.edu (Robert allen Jung) (10/12/88)
In article <Oct.11.19.18.03.1988.6049@topaz.rutgers.edu> wilmott@topaz.rutgers.edu (Ray Wilmott) writes: >It just occurs to me that it's been quite a few months since I've >bought any new software for my trusty old 800xl. Not because I'm >not interested in doing so, but because I just haven't heard of >anything "new and exciting" software-wise in a while. Neither have I. But then, I haven't been following the software scene as rigorously as I used to (for Ataris of any kind). I've just been too busy. > So I call >on any of you out there with any info about recent (last 6 months >or so) software that you'd recommend, to pass that recommendation >along this way... I got FOOD FIGHT last month, and it's great. B-) >I heard rumor that Infocom has now dropped us... >is it true? Infocom hasn't "officially" dropped Atari ST/XE support, but they have a new policy of "only the _really good_ [their words] material will be translated". Eg, unless they can guarantee it'll go over big, ferget it. >Has anybody here actually seen this GEOS desktop DOS I've been hearing >about lately? Is it really as good as what I've been hearing? (and who >sells it and for how much?) I saw it at the Glendale Atari Faire, and posted about it here about a month ago. It does look like the ST desktop, and the author claims complete compatability (eg, can run from the desktop) almost all Atari software. It sits in a piggyback (aka ICD) ROM cartridge, and takes up only 4K RAM. It should have started shipping at the first of October. And by the way, it's the "GOE" (Graphics Operating Enviroment). --R.J. B-) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: These are my views, and mine alone. # ## # Mailing address: Beats me, just reply to this message # ## # (rjung@nunki.usc.edu?) ## ## ## #### ## ####
BobR@cup.portal.com (10/13/88)
Ray Wilmott asks: >Has anybody here actually seen this GEOS desktop DOS I've been hearing >about lately? Is it really as good as what I've been hearing? (and who >sells it and for how much?) The Graphics Operating System, from Total Control Systems is *BETTER* than *anything* you've heard about it...! Our user group was treated to a demo of GOE this week, courtesy of programmer David Sullivan and the Michigan Atari Magazine (MAM). The version we showed was a disk based demo version of the finished system, which will be released as a "double ended" cartridge. (You can plug another cart in on top of GOE). According to David, he's received the cartridges and GOE should be ready to ship very soon. I'm an 8-bit user from Waaay back, but my old brown tank 800 hasn't gotten much use since my shiny new ST came home... GOE could go a long way toward revitalizing the 8-bit scene though, much as GEOS did for the Commodore-64.. When GOE boots, you are treated to a VERY close "workalike" to the ST desktop. Your disk drives are represented as icons, and the ubiquitous Trash Can is present for deleting files... at the top of the screen is a "Menu Bar" virtually identical to the ST desktop's. Using the Keyboard, Joystick or *an ST Mouse*, you can "double-click" on a disk icon, which opens up a window and displays the disk directory.. in *either* text, or icons! Running an .EXE or .COM program is as easy as double-clicking on it, and you can copy files or disks by simply "dragging" them, just like on an ST... deleting is as easy as dragging the file to the Trash Can... The menus "drop down", and you can do many of the ST desktop functions from them... the demo we saw even had "desk accessories" like a system Control Panel and a Calculator! The cartridge itself will allow 40, 64 or 80 column displays, and there will soon be a "Developers' Kit" to allow GOE features to be used within your own programs. Other products in the GOE line will include a "Paint" program which will reportedly allow up to 128 colors, and will be "NeoChrome-like", and an 80 column wordprocessor (David asked Atari to loan him an XEP-80 so he could test his program on it, but they refused... XEP-80 owners will be happy to know that his word processor *DOES* work with it though) Future products include Desktop Publishing, Communications Terminals and DataBase programs, all using the GOE window environment... A few years ago, Commodore Business Machines revitalized the C-64 by packaging a copy of GEOS with every machine sold... apparently there had been talks with Atari to do the same kind of thing with GOE and the 8-bit Atari line, but Atari has apparently decided not to do it... For more info on GOE, contact: Total Control Systems, 4156 Tolowa St., San Diego, CA 92119 (619) 270-0111 (Ask them about the special user group purchase plan!) Disclaimer: I've got no connection with TCS, other than being an Atari 8-bit computer owner who's excited about this great new program..! BobR
jjung@sal42.usc.edu (John Jung) (10/14/88)
In article <10015@cup.portal.com> BobR@cup.portal.com writes: >Ray Wilmott asks: > >>Has anybody here actually seen this GEOS desktop DOS I've been hearing >>about lately? Is it really as good as what I've been hearing? (and who >>sells it and for how much?) It should cost about $70 from TCS. At the Glendale Faire, David Sullivan (author) was taking advanced orders for $50. >The menus "drop down", and you can do many of the ST desktop functions >from them... the demo we saw even had "desk accessories" like a system >Control Panel and a Calculator! (The calculator works because I told him there was a bug with it! :-) >The cartridge itself will allow 40, 64 or 80 column displays, and there will >soon be a "Developers' Kit" to allow GOE features to be used within your >own programs. Actually, GOE v. 0.9 (the one at the Glendale Show again) only had 40 and 64 columns. The author might have changed something since... >Future products include Desktop Publishing, Communications Terminals and David told me that he was going to write the Desktop Publishing program himself. >For more info on GOE, contact: Total Control Systems, 4156 Tolowa St., >San Diego, CA 92119 (619) 270-0111 (Ask them about the special >user group purchase plan!) Yes, call this place and order. When I saw it, I liked it very much. >Disclaimer: I've got no connection with TCS, other than being an Atari >8-bit computer owner who's excited about this great new program..! Me too. John