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___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::RAINS 2-JAN-1987 10:27:26.19
To: @sys$mail:engineer
CC:
Subj: Computer Health Note #3
VAX-edrin Headache #3
You've been poking around somewhere in another directory (something like
SYS$USERDISK:[FRED.STUFF.MORESTUFF.EVENMORESTUFF]) and now you have found
something you want to get back to or reference with out so much directory name
baggage. Sure, it doesn't happen often, but when it does, what a pain! Well,
take the recommended dose of the new and improved Name Directory command (ND
for short).
ND allows you to give the current directory an easy to remember (and easy
to type) logical name by simply saying:
$ ND EASYNAME
Now you can refer to the file you are interested in by referencing
EASYNAME:FILENAME, or you can go to other directories and come back with a
GOSUB EASYNAME.
You can use the DEASSIGN command to free up any logical names you have
created with ND. These temporary logical names automatically go away when
you log out.
You create this complex command by putting the following symbol
definition in your LOGIN.COM file:
$ ND :== ASSIGN 'F$ENV("DEFAULT")
One small caveat, though. The use of logical names has a certain downside
because the system will translate them even when you don't mean to. I would
not suggest naming a directory with the same name as a command. So names like
MAIL are probably not a good idea (although MAILDIR should be fine).
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::RAINS 2-JAN-1987 10:49:15.06
To: @sys$mail:engineer
CC:
Subj: Computer Health Note #4
VAX-edrin Headache #4
So you say that you send a lot of mail to JUNK and ENGINEER, and you're
tired of waiting forever for the DCL prompt to come back?? Well what you need
is a command that will spawn off at separate task to send the mail and leave
you free to do other things.
Just so happens, I have this one already bottled and called POST. First,
you edit your mail message with a standard editor (EDT, TPU, VI, etc.) and
then you issue the command:
$ POST MESSAGE.TXT "@SYS$MAIL:JUNK"/SUBJ="Blah, Blah, Blah..."
After a few seconds, you'll get a spawn message and your DCL prompt will
return. You will be informed when the posting is complete, but you won't have
to wait for it before you go on to other things.
To use POST, you need the following symbol definition in your LOGIN.COM:
$ POST :== SPAWN/NOWAIT/INPUT=NL:/NOTIFY MAIL
WARNING: WHEN YOU LOG OUT WITH SPAWNED SUBPROCESSES ACTIVE, YOU KILL THE
SUBPROCESSES. SO IF YOU LOG OUT WHILE POST IS STILL RUNNING, NOT ALL THE MAIL
WILL GET DELIVERED.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::RAINS 2-JAN-1987 17:29:51.46
To: @sys$mail:engineer
CC:
Subj: Computer Health Note #3 Revisited
WELL I DECIDED TO SPLURGE FOR NEW YEARS EVE. I MADE THE RESERVATIONS MONTHS IN
ADVANCE. I CALLED AHEAD 1/2 HOUR BEFORE TO SEE IF THEY WERE BEHIND SCHEDULE.
I WAS TOLD ABOUT 10 MINUTES. SO I SHOWED UP ON TIME. I WAITED 50 MINUTES BEFORE
I LEFT. ALL I RECIEVED WAS VERY INSINCERE APOLOGIES, AND THE STATEMENT (I QUOTE)
" WELL BY THE TIME YOU GET ANY WHERE ELSE IT WILL BE JUST AS LONG A WAIT".
SO WHERE WAS THIS, YOU ASK. A DIVE CALLED "LE MOUTON NOIR"
THIS PLACE HAS GOOD FOOD, BUT I REFUSE TO WAIT FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING
REAMED OUT IN THE POCKET BOOK. GOOD FOOD DOES NOT MAKE UP FOR AN ATMOSPHERE
OF HOSTILE SNOBBERY.
P.S. THIS IS NOT A SNAP JUDGEMENT, AS ON A PREVIOUS VISIT FOR A SPECIAL
OCCASION I WAITED MORE THAN AN HOUR AFTER BEING SEATED TO RECIEVE
(AN ADMITTEDLY GOOD) DINNER.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::RAINS 5-JAN-1987 13:07:15.19
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: Computer Health Note #4 Revisited
VAX-edrin Headache #4 Revisted: New, Improved Version
After consulting with Steve Suttles, we have a more robust version of the
POST command which works as a batch job rather than a spawned process. It
corrects many of the problems and deficiencies of the old version (which, quoth
Suttles, "...only works if everything is right.").
The new command is used by putting the following symbol definition in your
LOGIN.COM file:
$ POST :== @UTL$COM:POST
The calling format is different from the old POST command. The new
format is:
$ POST MESSAGE.TXT DISTRIBUTION "SUBJECT" /ETC
where: MESSAGE.TXT is the text of your message (.TXT is the default extension).
DISTRIBUTION is a comma-separated list WITHOUT EMBEDDED SPACES OR QUOTES
listing the recipients of your message.
"SUBJECT" is a quoted string with the subject text.
/ETC is miscellaneous switches and qualifiers of the MAIL command.
A batch log is sent to MAIL$LOGIN:POST.LOG, so you can see any problems
which may have occurred. (MAIL$LOGIN is where your mail files are.)
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::RAINS 6-JAN-1987 17:11:09.61
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: TO BREAKOUT OWNERS OR DESIGNERS
We are looking for Coin-op versions of BREAKOUT and SUPER BREAKOUT and any
technical or creative design information relating to them. This is in regard
to a possible copyright infringement action. Anyone with hardware or design
documentation please contact Dennis Wood at X3765, or reply to me via VAXmail.
-Lyle
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::DOWNEND 6-JAN-1987 17:53:23.98
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: Contest update
As you may recall, Atari sponsered a contest based on Gauntlet II. The
player had to complete a secret task in a secret room in order to receive
a secret code number. The player then submitted the code number to Atari, and
if it was valid, then their name was entered into a drawing for prizes
totaling over 10,000 dollars in savings bonds. Linda has been administrating
the contest which officially closed 12/19/86. A drawing was to be held
yesterday, but Linda would like to try to reach contestants with invalid
entries to confirm whether they botched up a legitimate entry or were just
taking a wild guess. The drawing will occur tommorrow though, regardless.
We have 417 entries from 349 unique individuals plus 35 invalid entries.
About 3000 Gauntlet II kits were sold into the domestic base of 8000 units.
(THESE ARE CONFIDENTIAL NUMBERS - FOR ATARI PERSONNEL ONLY !!)
And the winners are...
...to be continued
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SHEPPERD 8-JAN-1987 16:15:37.28
To: @sys$mail:engineer,@sys$mail:wpuser,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: New prompts
Have you ever wished the system would display the current default directory
name somewhere so you could easily tell where you were? Well, now there's
a utility to do just that, compliments of LVR. It'll change the prompt
string to include the current directory spec (no device or node name) to a
maximum specifed length or 32 chars whichever is less. For example, it
makes my prompt string look like:
[SHEPPERD] K$ !for my home directory
[UTILITIES.COM] K$ !for UTL$COM:
It constructs the "K$" by extracting the first character from the node name (K
for KIM, E for ERNIE, etc.) and sticking on a dollar sign and a space. You can
change that by defining the string you want to the global symbol PROMPT$TAIL.
You can limit the total size of the generated prompt string (so as not to eat up
too much of your command line space) by defining a value less than 32 to the
global symbol PROMPT$MAXLEN. The utility attempts to squeeze the rightmost
directory names into the space allocated and will truncate to the left all that
won't fit but replacing it with one of "[...", "[.." or "[." depending
on how much room there is.
To use this feature, you must execute UTL$COM:PROMPT sometime after you've
logged in (such as in your LOGIN.COM file). Then you must use the set default
commands SD, CD, DC, GOBACK or WHERE (GOSUB and RETURN are obsolete now because
VMS has DCL commands called GOSUB for go to subroutine and RETURN for return
from subroutine). For example, place the following commands in your LOGIN.COM
file:
$ CD :== @UTL$COM:CD !Change Directory (what GOSUB used to do)
$ SD :== @UTL$COM:SD !Set Default directory
$ DC :== @UTL$COM:GOBACK !change directory back
$ WHE*RE :== @UTL$COM:WHERE !display the set default history
$ PROMPT$MAXLEN == 20 !only if you want to limit the string length
$ PROMPT$TAIL == "What now boss? " !only if you want something different
$ @UTL$COM:PROMPT !setup the prompt stuff
CD and SD don't require full directory specs to change directories. The
procedures will attempt to figure out what directory you are talking about
by looking around both up and down from the current place in the
directory tree. You also needn't specify the "[]"'s nor dots. For example,
$ SD TEST
will hunt around in your directory tree looking for a [.TEST] directory.
SD with no argument simply displays the current default directory. CD is
similar to SD except that it remembers the directory from which you came
and the next CD you execute without an argument will return you to the
previously set directory. DC does a GOBACK to the directory you just
returned from. WHERE shows the complete history (stack) of where you've
been and from where you came. Try them, you'll like them.
Note that if you change your default directory with the DCL command
SET DEFAULT either explicitly or via a command file instead of using the
CD, SD or DC commands, the prompt string will not change so it won't
reflect the current directory. WHERE will always update the prompt string
as will @UTL$COM:PROMPT.
Report trouble to KIM::RAINS.
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 13-JAN-1987 15:56:38.87
To: ERNIE::TOLONEN,MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: Atari 401K Plan
I have a question about Atari's 401K Plan as described in the recent handout
entitled "WELLS FARGO BANK RETIREMENT ADVANTAGE PLANS SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION
FOR THE RETIREMENT ADVANTAGE PLAN OF ATARI GAMES CORPORATION."
In Section 16 (HOW AND WHEN ARE BENEFITS PAID?) under the heading "Benefits
Earned Under This Plan" it states:
"Following your termination of employment, your vested account balances
will be distributed to you in a lump sum, in periodic payments over a specified
term, or in a combination of both methods."
My question involves the next sentence:
"Plan assets allocable to your accounts will be valued as of the
Valuation Date (see Question 8) coinciding with or immediately preceeding
the distribution."
Question 8 says that the Valuation Date is the last day of the sixth and twelfth
months of the Plan year. I assume this means June 30 and December 31. (Please
correct me if I am wrong.)
Therefore, according to the Plan, if I contribute $5,000 to the Plan in the
next five months and leave before June 30, my Plan assets allocable to my
account will be valued as of December 31, 1986.
What happens to my $5,000?
What happens to the company contribution?
(Who is the Plan Administrator?)
Jed
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::TOLONEN 13-JAN-1987 17:13:10.04
To: KIM::MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: 401(K) PLAN
DEAR JED,
I THINK YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON IN THE COMPANY WHO READ THAT DOCUMENT!!
I WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS IN REVERSE ORDER.
THE PLAN ADMINISTRATORS ARE DENNIS, JOHN KLEIN AND HIDE.
YOU WOULD NOT LOSE ANY MONEY YOU PUT INTO YOUR PLAN, BUT I WILL HAVE TO GET
MORE INFORMATION FOR FOR YOU ABOUT THAT WORDING IN THE PLAN. I UNDERSTAND
THE QUESTION. LET ME GET BACK TO YOU TOMORROW WITH A COMPLETE ANSWER.
THANKS,
JUDY
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SALWITZ 15-JAN-1987 17:58:47.27
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: renumber that macro!
Some major changes are being made with-in our facilities which in one
way or another will affect all employees. These changes have been
approved and will be put into effect at this time.
SECURITY
To beef up our warehouse security, the two gates separating the manuf-
acturing warehouse from the engineering portion will be kept locked at
all times. The locks have been rekeyed, employees requiring access
through these gates must check out the key from the main lobby.
GAMES
A program has been undertaken to restore our archive games to working
condition whereby they will be retained as archives and at the same
time be available for use by the employees.
The front lobby of 675 will be utilized for this purpose.
All archive games
will be marked with an "ARCHIVE GAME" sticker, and
any game so marked will not be permitted to leave the building.
PLANTS
A decision has been made as to the disposition of our interior plants.
Our plants for the most part are deteriorating adding little
enhancement to our buildings. During the pass two years, several
methods have been tried in hopes of up-grading, but have failed.
In September we aquired the services of an interior landscape con-
sultant to evaluate our plant problems. The results of his survey
allowed us two choices: One being to overhaul (transplant, feed,
and maintain) our existing plants. This sounded pretty good until
we were told that only about twenty-five plants out of all the
plants in the building were worth the efford.
Our second choice, which we decided had more merit, was to remove
all the plants from the buildings and replace them with new ones.
Going along with our second choice created still another problem.
To replace plant for plant would not be an equitable solution as
many of our employees do not have plants in their offices or work
stations.
Giving careful consideration to all aspects, we feel we have arrived
at a conclusion befitting all our employees. The following guide
lines will be put into effect for both the manufacturing and
engineering buildings.
1. New plants will be placed in all common areas, lobbies,
cafeteria, lunnch rooms, and executive offices.
2. Employees are permitted to have personal plants in their
offices and/or immediate work area. The maintenance of
these plants will be the responsibility of the employee.
3. All "Atari" plants (with containers) are to be removed
from our buildings, no exceptions please. Employees
wishing to take their "Atari" plant home are encouraged
to do so with the stipulation that their plant not find
its' way back into our buildings. (Just think, this
would make a nice Valentine's gift for that someone
special).
Our new plants are expected to start arriving shortly after
Valentine's Day. We ask that all the plants be removed by Friday,
February 13th. (How about that for timing ?) Any "Atari" plants
remaining in the buildings after this date will be disposed of.
So I won't be accused of a Saint Valentine's Day massacre, the
clean-up will begin the following Monday.
Three final items:
Please be careful when removing plants from the building, plastic
bags if needed can be obtained from the main lobby.
The plants located in our main lobby and cafeteria are to remain
until replaced with new ones.
Finally, if you have a persoal plant that fits the description of
an "Atari" plant, please contact me for conformation.
Thanks again for your support. Bob
___________________________________________________________________________
From: CHARM::FCDOOM 2-FEB-1987 12:45:05.43
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: plant confusion
There have been some complaints in recent times about the quality of the
dual audio pot. (At low volume setting the two channels are badly
unbalanced.)
Also, this pot is difficult to source. (Only two sources, both with long
lead times.)
Also, this pot is not cheap ($2.25-$2.50).
??? IDEA ???
Replace the pot with a 256 position electronic audio volume control. The
components would be : 2 DAC-08 ICs (one for each channel) $0.80 each, 1
74ls273 @ $0.30 and about 8 discrete compoments ($0.01 each). Total component
cost is $2.00 and about $0.16 for the extra board space.
How it would work.
Putting the game into self-test after power-on would cause a volume
adjust screen to come up. The volume would be adjusted using the regular
control panel controls (maybe while the game goes thru an attract sequence
with audio enabled). The volume level would be stored in the game EEPROM.
On power-on the volume level would be set from the EEPROM.
I am considering this as a direct possibility on the new SA (stand alone)
Audio board currently in development for Catacombs and probably a few other
games. The only disadvantage that I see is operator familiarity and ease
of use. I am sure that many of you see other problems.
What do YOU think.
Replies to theis address will be appreciated.
Pat Mc Carthy.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::DENCKER "Andrea Dencker" 3-FEB-1987 14:26:36.31
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,DENCKER
CC:
Subj: IBM PC (or Macintosh) program for creating banners
Dave,
Please try the following:
WRITE SYS$OUTPUT %XFF439EB1/%X10000
WRITE SYS$OUTPUT %XFFFFFF43
Jed
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SHEPPERD 4-FEB-1987 13:32:14.52
To: MARGOLIN,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: DCL
So?
%XFF439EB2 = -12345678.
%X10000 = 65536.
-12345678/65536 = -188.38 in either Hex or Decimal
%XFFFFFF43 = -189.00 in either radix.
Conclusion: %XFF430000 is not equal to %XFF439EB2.
Dividing is not the same as and will not produce the same result as shifting
right. It looks as though you wanted to (-12345678. & -65536.)/65536. which is
the only way you can make sure a shift and divide will produce the same result.
If, on the other hand, you wanted a result in Hex, you should have used FAO:
write sys$output fao("!XL",%XFF439EB2/%X10000)
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 4-FEB-1987 13:37:07.40
To: KIM::SHEPPERD,MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: RE: DCL
SAD FAIRWELLS
IT IS WITH GREAT REGRETS THAT I SAY GOOD-BYE. NO, I'M NOT LEAVING, BUT
MY PLANT IS.
MY PLANT AND I HAVE SHARED AN OFFICE TOGETHER FOR EIGHT LOVING YEARS.
SURE, THERE WERE GOOD TIMES AND BAD TIMES, BUT WE STUCK IT OUT. SHE ALMOST
DIDN'T SURVIVE HAVING "PROFESSIONAL" CARE, BUT SHE'S BACK TO GOOD HEALTH
NOW.
SO, SHE'S BEEN FIRED, TERMINATED, ASKED TO GO. WHERE WILL SHE GO? SHE
WILL GO HOME WITH ME, DEFEATED AND BROKEN. I KNOW SHE WILL DIE THERE. SHE
IS USED TO FLUORESCENT LIGHT, NOISE AND STRESS. THE QUIET DARKNESS WILL END
HER LIFE.
AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME WITH NO DAILY COMPANION AT MY SIDE? IT IS
TRULY A SAD STORY
TRYING NOT TO SOB,
CAROLE
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 4-FEB-1987 16:16:34.14
To: ERNIE::CAMERON,BEHENSKY,ERNIE::MOTT,CHARM::SHEPPERD,ALBAUGH,DURFEY,MARGO
LIN
CC:
Subj: Doors
From: KIM::JED 2-FEB-1987 11:13
To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY
Subj: SECURITY, GAMES, AND PLANTS
Some major changes are being made with-in our facilities which in one
way or another will affect all employees. These changes have been
approved and will be put into effect at this time.
DOORS
A decision has been made as to the disposition of our interior doors.
Our doors for the most part are deteriorating adding little
enhancement to our buildings. During the pass two years, several
methods have been tried in hopes of up-grading, but have failed.
In September we aquired the services of an interior landscape con-
sultant to evaluate our door problems. The results of his survey
allowed us two choices: One being to overhaul (transplant, feed,
and maintain) our existing doors. This sounded pretty good until
we were told that only about twenty-five doors out of all the
doors in the building were worth the efford.
Our second choice, which we decided had more merit, was to remove
all the doors from the buildings and replace them with new ones.
Going along with our second choice created still another problem.
To replace door for door would not be an equitable solution as
many of our employees do not have doors in their offices or work
stations.
Giving careful consideration to all aspects, we feel we have arrived
at a conclusion befitting all our employees. The following guide
lines will be put into effect for both the manufacturing and
engineering buildings.
1. New doors will be placed in all common areas, lobbies,
cafeteria, lunnch rooms, and executive offices.
2. Employees are permitted to have personal doors in their
offices and/or immediate work area. The maintenance of
these doors will be the responsibility of the employee.
3. All "Atari" doors (with containers) are to be removed
from our buildings, no exceptions please. Employees
wishing to take their "Atari" door home are encouraged
to do so with the stipulation that their door not find
its' way back into our buildings. (Just think, this
would make a nice Valentine's gift for that someone
special).
Our new doors are expected to start arriving shortly after
Valentine's Day. We ask that all the doors be removed by Friday,
February 13th. (How about that for timing ?) Any "Atari" doors
remaining in the buildings after this date will be disposed of.
So I won't be accused of a Saint Valentine's Day massacre, the
clean-up will begin the following Monday.
Three final items:
Please be careful when removing doors from the building, plastic
bags if needed can be obtained from the main lobby.
The doors located in our main lobby and cafeteria are to remain
until replaced with new ones.
Finally, if you have a persoal door that fits the description of
an "Atari" door, please contact me for conformation.
Thanks again for your support. Jed
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::DOWNEND 4-FEB-1987 18:16:09.67
To: STEMPLER,MCCARTHY,MARGOLIN,SNYDER,HOFF,MOORE
CC:
Subj: Nice feature for our Hardware
It would be very nice if Hardware designs allowed for RAM to be placed in the
Program EPROM sockets during development. Applied Microsystems charges several
thousand dollars for 128k bytes of Emulation RAM. If we could put a piggy back
board in the EPROM sockets and run a couple of jumper wires to bring R/W to the
piggy back, we could give the programmers lots of emulation RAM for cheap. 32k
by 8-bit SRAMS cost $15-20 quantity one. Four of them are needed to make
128k...so for less than $100, we can replace what Applied Microsystems charges
several thousand dollars for.
I would like to see this feature added to PCB's as well as wirewraps if it
didn't cost to much. I imagine all that needs to be done is to make the EPROM
address space writable and bring the appropriate R/W signal to a buffer capable
of driving the new load. This signal would also have to be accessible to the
piggy-back board. Gary Stempler suggested a jumper pin as used on SystemI to
configure the progam space for 27128/27256. This could then be eliminated in
production.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::FRYE 5-FEB-1987 09:11:53.97
To: @SYS$MAIL:VANGANG,RAINSGANG,KIM::WOOD,ERNIE::EVELYN
CC:
Subj: WAREHOUSE SECURITY
As a result of the new security restraints placed on the warehouse, I
have received complaints primarily due to inconvenience. I agree that
that the gates being locked is a nuisance, as I access the warehouse
more so then others.
The decision to strengthen our warehouse security came as a result of
the east side door being left opened four times in a one week period.
At the present time, we are involved in adding additional security
measures which are due to be completed this month. Once completed,
the system may allow us to re-evaluate our present situation with
respects to the warehouse.
Until then, your cooperation is appreciated, Thanks, Bob.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::RUSTY 5-FEB-1987 12:00:35.52
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,RUSTY
CC:
Subj: Radar trap on McCarthy...
Jed, the warehouse is not a legal fire exit from your office area.
This is why the fence was permitted in the warehouse.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: CHARM::ROTBERG "Professor of Gonzo" 5-FEB-1987 14:38:57.60
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: Be the first on your block...
Yo!
Here are some definitions to (further) customize TPU to add a few features
that I have grown to love on other EDT systems. The funtions added are:
GOLD/Q quit
GOLD/ctrl_Z exit
GOLD/ctrl_W toggle between 80 columns and 132 columns
GOLD/B go to buffer ( = )
GOLD/backspace flip the preceeding two characters
Here is the code to add to your local TPUINI.TPU file:
!
procedure edr$flip !flip preceeding 2 characters
move_horizontal(-1);
edt$delete_char;
move_horizontal(-1);
edt$undelete_char;
move_horizontal(2);
endprocedure
!
procedure edr$set_screen !toggle screen size
if edr$scr_size = 80
then
edr$scr_size := 132;
else
edr$scr_size := 80;
endif;
set(width,main_window,edr$scr_size);
set(width,aux_window,edr$scr_size);
set(width,message_window,edr$scr_size);
endprocedure
!
procedure edr$buffer ! support routine for GOLD/ctrl_B
LOCAL buffer_ptr ,
create_variable_string,
term_char,
buffer_name ;
! This is to move to a new buffer and map it to the main window. If
! the buffer does not exist, create it with the NO_WRITE attribute.
! Get the name from the user.
buffer_name:=read_line('Buffer: '); ! get line from user
edit (buffer_name, trim, upper, OFF); !bite off all white space
if (buffer_name = edt$x_empty)
then
message ('No buffer specified');
return 0;
endif;
! IF it exists just map to it.
buffer_ptr := edt$find_buffer(buffer_name);
if buffer_ptr = 0
then
edt$x_make_buf_var := buffer_name;
create_variable_string := edt$x_make_buf_var + "_buffer := create_buffer
(edt$x_make_buf_var)";
execute (create_variable_string);
! Now get the pointer back, we know it is the last buffer in the list
buffer_ptr := get_info (buffers,'last');
! SET (NO_WRITE, buffer_ptr, ON);
set(eob_text, buffer_ptr, '[End of '+buffer_name+']');
endif;
map(current_window,buffer_ptr);
return 1;
endprocedure
!
!
edr$scr_size := 80;
!
!
define_key('edr$buffer',key_name('B',shift_key),"switch buffer");
define_key('quit',key_name('Q',shift_key),"quick quit");
define_key('edr$flip',key_name(bs_key,shift_key),"flip");
define_key('dms$exit',key_name(ctrl_z_key,shift_key),"quick exit");
define_key('edr$set_screen',
key_name(ctrl_w_key,shift_key),"toggle size");
!
Good Luck --
Ed R.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::DROBNY "Buddy Flyback" 6-FEB-1987 14:23:52.31
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: AMS 68010's
For those of you that use or maintain any of our AMS 68010
systems, I have in my possession a complete set of schematics of the
hardeware. I have actually had them for a while but never used them
until yesterday when I came across a problem in one of the "Probe Tip"
Pods. These schematics proved extremely valuable for I was able to
fix the problem for about $1.59 instead of the minimum $1000 that
Applied would charge us. So if you need them or would like to make a copy,
see me, but be prepared to stand in front of the copy machine for
awhile for there are alot of pages to be copied. By the way, I have the only
copy in the building so we must keep track of them or back to the $1000
purchase reqs. that are always so much fun to push for signatures.
Be There, Aloha.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::BENZLER 9-FEB-1987 09:51:01.19
To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,BENZLER
CC:
Subj: ATARI GAMES HOME SOFTWARE SALES
If you haven't already heard the news (and even if you have), Atari is
number one (and number two!) in European home game software sales!!!
(Of course, we're talking bout Atari Games-designed coin-op product that
has been licensed to European home software companies.)
As far as we know this is an unprecedented event. Never before has one
company held both the number one and number two places in sales at the same
time.
Gauntlet, released by U. S. Gold, became the number one selling game
across Europe for the '86 Christmas season; this is the highest achievement in
the computer games industry in the European market. (Last year the top
selling game at Christmas was Commando and in '84 it was Ghost Busters.) When
the Christmas numbers were compiled, Gauntlet had sales well in excess of
100,000 units of software. As Gauntlet continues to sell during the next few
months, it is expected to become the best selling game in two years!
In addition, Paperboy, distributed by Elite Systems, became the number
two game at Christmas, also selling in excess of 100,000 units.
The success of Gauntlet and Paperboy have created a great deal of
interest in other products from Atari Games. Indiana Jones and Road Runner
have been licensed, on very favorable terms, to U.S. Gold. Super Sprint and
720 are currently subject to various offers from major European software
publishers. Even the three Star Wars games and I, Robot are now being sought
after by certain publishers, despite the market's normal orientation towards
"current" properties.
So pat yourselves on the back and let's keep up the good work!
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SYSTEM 10-FEB-1987 11:22:09.03
To: @sys$mail:everybody.uaf
CC:
Subj: System down time
You may have noticed that you sometimes get hardware errors (parity errors
etc). This is due to a cancer in disk drive DUA1:. According to a newspaper
article, the drive suffers from excessive lubricant build-up on the heads
which causes read/write errors. The drive maker, Fujitsu, has claimed to have
solved the problem, however, the company from whom we bought it, Emulex,
claims they haven't. We have been told that Fujitsu will either send us a
new drive of the same kind with the problem fixed, or a different kind that
we can use until they can find one that doesn't have that problem. In either
case, it'll be a few days before we get it. So in the meantime we are going
to remove the drive from the system completely. In order to do this, we need
to move 500,000 blocks worth of files off of Kim's userdisk to Charm's.
The system will need to be shutdown for about 3-4 hours to rebuild the
currently 2 volume disk to a 1 volume disk. This procedure will begin
this evening (tues 10-Feb-1986) beginning at about 6pm.
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SHEPPERD 10-FEB-1987 18:09:46.18
To: @sys$mail:Engineer,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: New and improved LLF
Thank you for your comments and suggestions on the digital volume control
suggestion. Those replys can be seen in [mccarthy.psu]dacpot.txt.
The biggest concern voiced was "lack of familiarity and ease of use". The
other major concern was "what if the 6502 goes crazy and turns up the
volume to the max".
As stated before I basically agree that ease of use is a major issue. The
best solution I have is to put either a two way return to center toggle
switch or else two buttons inside the coin door, for VOLUME UP and VOLUME
DOWN. I am considering membrane switches for this purpose (plus the extra
functions of 'aux credit' switch and 'enter self test' switch. This
membrane panel would either stick to the audio PCB, or it could be remotely
mounted (stuck to a cleat) near the coin door. With this arrangement, there
is no need to enter self test to set volume.
I am also looking into the idea of an interlock on the volume latch to
avoid the problem of the 6505 going crazy. Two writes would be required to
change the volume level.
Here is a summary of the other changes that are being made to the original
design, based on the well attended design review held on Jan 15.
. The address bus buffers were removed, (deemed not necessary)
. The data bus buffer was removed, (deemed not necessary)
. The spare 27256 ROM socket was removed. More than 32k bytes of program
memory requires the use of a 27512.
. The IRQ counter chain design was not altered. (The alternatives suggested
were either not feasable or were too costly.)
. IRQ acknowledge was added. (This was inadvertently left out)
. The audio op-amps supply voltages were heavily filtered.
. The CPU can be run from either 1.79 Mhz or 3.58 Mhz. When run from 3.58
Mhz, the cpu must be a 65c02 (cmos version).
. The Bank select and address decode circuitry was simplified to a single
PAL ic.
Pat.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 13-FEB-1987 07:53:26.88
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,ARVIDSON
CC:
Subj: National Semiconductor.
IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THIS SATURDAY AT ATARI. OUR NEW PLANTS WILL BE
HERE, AND THAT LEAVES 48 HOURS REMAINING ON OUR REQUEST TO HAVE ALL
ATARI PLANTS REMOVED FROM THE BUILDINGS. CAUTION, DON'T WAIT TILL
SATURDAY TO TAKE YOUR PLANT HOME, IT WILL BE GONE. SINCE I'VE RE-
CEIVED ONLY A FEW CALLS AS TO PERSONAL PLANTS, IT LOOKS LIKE I'LL BE
BUSY SATURDAY. AS TO THE PEOPLE WHO CONTACTED ME, YOUR PLANTS ARE
SAFE.
JUST A REMINDER, THE 'ATARI' PLANTS ARE NOT 'RETURNABLE'
A WORD ON THE NEW PLANTS:
THE PLANTS WILL BE PLACED THROUGH OUT OUR BUILDING, THE LOCATION AND
SIZE OF THE PLANTS ARE THOSE OF THE INTERIOR PLANT CONSULTANT, AND
MOST IMPORTANTLY, THESE PLANTS DO NOT BELONG TO ATARI.
COME MONDAY, YOUR SUPPORT WILL HAVE MADE OUR BUILDINGS A LITTLE
MORE CHEERFUL.
THANKS, BOB
print
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::FRYE 23-FEB-1987 09:18:54.37
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: What's in a name?
Tomorrow, 3/23 Cal-Air will be in our building to work on our A/C system.
They will be installing a transfer system for the main lobby which should
correct our door closing problems. The main door between design services
and the lobby may be blocked off for a while to complete this work.
The second work area involves enineering, just outside the conference
room, through Gary Stempler's office, the printer room and into the
computer room. A return duct will be installed down the hallway in
front of the printer room.
Cal-Air is sensitive to our engineering routine and will make every
efford to complete this job with the least amount of disruption and
are hoping for completion in one day. Thanks, Bob
___________________________________________________________________________
From: CHARM::LOGG 25-FEB-1987 09:44:40.38
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj:
File: CHARM::[LOGG.AMS]DNL.DOC
Date: 12/5/86
The AMS fast download has been upgraded. The changes are shown below.
Dave Shepperd will soon release a new DOWND which pass the symbol table to the
AMS as TEKHEX records. This means one download will load the symbols and data.
1. The AMS will now print any characters that are not part of a TEKHEX
or LDA record. For example, if you started the download (pressed
<ESC><ESC>) before the LLF finished, then any LLF messages will be
displayed. In addition, the sentinel "%" for the TEKHEX record will
be displayed at the beginning of each record.
2. The AMS will now count the number of "." and generate a <CR><LF> when
the count exceeds 80. The terminal no longer need be set on WRAP.
In case you missed all the information on the fast downloader, here it
is again. There is no need to give up compatibility with old HEX files. The
new downloader will support extended TEKHEX, LDA and SYM files. To get the new
downloader do the following:
1. Burn 2 27128-3 EPROMs from the file CHARM::[LOGG.AMS]U55U56D128.LDA
starting at 4000 and ending at BFFF. Label them LOGG-U55 and
LOGG-U56 with the current date. Please label the outside of the
AMS so that we do not send the AMS out for service with these
EPROMs.
2. Replace the new U55 and U56 EPROMs with the ones in the AMS. They
can be found on the PCB connected to the ribbon cable. On power
up you will notice that there are CRC errors. Please ignore these.
When I know how to CRC the EPROMs I will release a new version.
The current version has a CRC value of 273D.
3. In your LOGIN.COM file define the symbol DNL. Please see the DOWND
documentation if you need more information. For example, it is
possible to tell DOWND to download several files at once. More
importantly one can tell DOWND not to load all the uninitialized
data by specifying the starting and ending addresses.
DNL :== MCR DOWND /DELAY=0 /RECORD=250 /ADD=start:end
4. To use the new downloader, perform the following steps. The AMS will
display a "." for each record read successfully. The letter "X"
will be displayed when an transmission error occurs. But don't
worry because the downloader will ask the VAX to retransmit the last
record. A sample download is:
>DNL type this on the AMS as usual
$ DNL filename.xxx<ESC><ESC> download filename.xxx
.................... "." for each record read
> successful completion
A new version of DOWND has been released. This one, in conjunction with
Logg's new AMS Eproms, will allow for downloading symbols. It works
just the same as the old DOWND except it has two new options:
/NOSYMBOL - if you don't want symbols downloaded
/SYMBOL_ONLY - if you want only symbols (no data)
It will normally download symbols if there are any in the .HEX or .VLDA
file(s).
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::FRYE 2-MAR-1987 11:38:51.91
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: KEY
ANYONE HAVING A KEY #LL-228, I NEED TO HAVE THE USE OF IT FOR A FEW MIN.
THANKS,BOB
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::BENZLER 2-MAR-1987 12:53:26.48
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,BENZLER
CC:
Subj: A MESSAGE FROM THE RECREATION COMMITTEE
LATELY, NWNL HAS BEEN ENCLOSING THE WRONG MEDICAL AND DENTAL CLAIM FORMS
WITH THE "EXPLANATION OF BENEFITS" SHEET THAT IS SENT TO US AFTER A CLAIM
HAS BEEN SUBMITTED. OUR CLAIM FORM IS WHITE AND IS THE ONLY ONE WE SHOULD
USE. IF YOU RECEIVE A TAN COLORED FORM, DESTROY IT; IT IS PRE-PRINTED
FOR ATARI (US) CORP AND WILL ONLY INCREASE THE CONFUSION IF IT IS USED
FOR OUR CLAIM USAGE.
I HAVE TALKED WITH OUR CLAIM REP, WHO WAS ALREADY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM
AND HE SAYS HE WILL TRY TO RESOLVE THE MATTER.
SANDI
HUMAN RESOURCE
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::DROBNY "Buddy Flyback" 10-MAR-1987 14:23:54.73
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: Sandy Feet
Just when you thought you had it all figured out, we go and change everything.
What has been changed:
Each user on all the systems now has a unique UIC (User Identification Code)
which makes the cluster software officially released. You no longer need to use
DECnet to copy files back and forth between systems. You shouldn't even need to
copy files back and forth at all (except for backup purposes). For those of you
who have directories on other systems, you can access your files (for read and
write) from any system by using the device names of node$USERDISK (userdisk(s))
or node$SYSDEVICE (system disk) for example:
$ DIR KIM$USERDISK:[FRED]
Please avoid using the old (DECNET) method with KIM::, CHARM::, etc. We'd all
appreciate it and so will you. I suggest that you use logical names to point to
the various disks on which you may have directories. I think that you'll find
the cluster much more convenient especially with PRINT, IMI and DIO procedures.
The next thing we changed was the way the ques work on Kim and Charm (Sandy will
soon be joining this group). They operate from a common job que manager file so
each "knows" about the other's ques (both print and batch). Using the cluster
software we were able to make the two line printers spool from a common
SYS$PRINT. The consequence of this is that the items you asked to be printed on
Kim for example, may in fact be printed on Charm's line printer and visa-versa.
So, look in the baskets of either printer for your printout. At the moment, the
batch ques work the same as they always have. You can still reference them as
SYS$BATCH, etc. but they are really named KIM$BATCH or CHARM$BATCH, etc. As for
the letter quality printers, you can use the PRINT command from either Kim or
Charm to either the NEC spinwriter or the Diablo 630 in the common area:
$ PRINT/QUE=LQ0 your_file !NEC spinwriter
$ PRINT/QUE=RAINS$LQ your_file !Diablo
What will be changed:
I'm requesting input from everyone before I make the next major change. If you
have some serious objections, then maybe I won't do it this way:
I plan to combine all the user authorization files of all the systems into one
common file. After this is done, all users will have an account on ALL the
systems, however, each user's account will point to a single directory located
on what will be called his/her "home" system. For example, my home system would
be Kim, so which ever system I logged into, my default directory would be
KIM$USERDISK:[SHEPPERD] so the LOGIN.COM in that directory would be run at
login. Some one else's home directory may be on a different system. Those of you
with accounts on multiple systems will have to specify (if it isn't obvious to
me) which one they want as their home directory. There are some benefits to this
procedure at present, namely the IMI and DIO could be run by anyone without
having to have accounts on Kim and Charm nor would they have to copy files
around or change defaults or whatever. You would no longer need node names on
the mail distributions and indeed you should NOT put node names on the dist
lists, since everyone will have only one MAIL file (in or off of your home
directory) and all systems will know about all the users. This would make
sending mail quite a bit faster (probably almost as quick as sending to someone
on the same node as you). Kim and Charm's batch queues could be combined so that
batch jobs would be scheduled alternately between them to better even the load.
Techincally you could switch systems (via a SET HOST) if you found the one you
were on was too busy, however, you'd be jumping from the frying pan into the
fire if you switched from say, Kim to Ernie, Sandy or Mike during the day. I say
this is technically possible, but Ernie, Sandy and Mike don't have the same
software installed as Kim and Charm (and visa-versa) so your jobs probably
wouldn't run on those systems anyway. We will be adding more Kim's, Charm's and
Ernie's to the cluster in the next few months so the SET HOST scheme may become
more of a possibility. We plan to make the first new VAX a processor dedicated
to batch jobs. You'd still be able to SET HOST to it, but you may not want to if
it has 4 to 6 batch jobs running on it all the time. More about this as things
develop.
These features, however, do not come free. The cluster node that has the user
authorization, mail, network, job que and rightslist files has to remain up or
the whole cluster would grind to a halt (crash). I'm going to put those files on
the system with the highest reliability whichever one that might be. Accessing a
file through the cluster costs both CPU time and access time. The raw data rate
is roughly 1/2 of what it is via a locally connected disk and between 10 and 25%
of both systems invloved in the I/O dissappears during the transfer. We are not,
for most of the applications that we run on Kim and Charm anyway, anywhere near
being I/O bound so that might not even appear noticeable.
Starting today, everybody has an account on every computer. This means that
MAIL "knows" about everyone on every node all the time. You no longer need
to specify a node name when mailing to someone, and you should remove all
references to node names in any .DIS files that you may have made. MAIL
will stil work if you use a node name, but you'll find to be MUCH faster
if you don't (and everyone else will benefit from the reduced CPU loads too).
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::FRYE 16-MAR-1987 15:51:03.20
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: "The Sands Of Atari"
Ok, ok, ok...It's back to the way it was (sort of). If you login to a system
where you have a local LOGIN.COM in a directory on the local USERDISK named the
same as it is on your home system, then the system will execute that login,
define SYS$LOGIN to point to that directory and SET DEFAULT to the new
SYS$LOGIN. If not then it'll execute your LOGIN.COM on your home node and leave
your default there. For example:
User FRED's home directory is KIM$USERDISK:[FRED]
He also owns the directory CHARM$USERDISK:[FRED] and it has
a LOGIN.COM file in it.
He also owns the directory ERNIE$USERDISK:[FRED] and it doesn't
have a LOGIN.COM file in it.
He has no directory on SANDY
If FRED logs in on CHARM, it'll execute the LOGIN.COM file in
CHARMUSER$DISK:[FRED] and set his default there too.
If he logs into ERNIE or SANDY, then, since there's no LOGIN.COM file,
it'll execute KIM$USERDISK:[FRED] and leave his default at KIM.
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: CHARM::SHEPPERD 17-MAR-1987 20:27:13.58
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: DOWND
More changes. DOWND used to blow up if you tried to download too big of
a file, now it'll try to download what it can instead. It may still exit
with error status on KIM until Kim can be re-booted to reset an errant
sysgen parameter.
There is a problem with DCL in that it won't return to the requesting
program the complete command line if using the MCR facility. You MUST
follow the program name with whitespace to delimit user stuff from
DCL stuff. For example, in the case:
$ DNL := MCR DOWND
$ DNL/ADDR=0:1000 fred !or
$ MCR DOWND/ADDR=0:1000 fred
DCL will use the expression DOWND/ADDR=0:1000 (which is what the expression
will be after the DNL symbol substitution) as the filename of the program to
run and will "eat" the /ADDR=0:1000. DOWND asks DCL for the remaining
command line parameters and is given only "fred".
You can get around this by one of the following ways:
$ DNL /ADDR=0:1000 fred !always follow the DNL with a space or
^ this space is important
$ MCR DOWND /ADDR=0:1000 fred !ditto
^ watch this space
$ DNL = "MCR DOWND " !define DNL with a trailing space or
^ this space is important
$ DNL := $DOWND !define DNL as a foreign command
The setup time for DOWND increases linearly with the size of the input file
in ADDRESS SPACE, not necessarily with the quantiy of data. This is because
it builds a memory image of the data to be loaded. If you compile 1 byte at
address 0 and one byte at address 1000 (hex), the file is assumed to be 65k
bytes big even though there's only 2 bytes in memory. Two things happen as
a result of this. One is you may exceed your virtual memory quota (most people
have about 8Mb of quota). The second is the excessive time it'll take VMS to
deliver n megabytes of virtual memory. If you know what the address limits
are of the data you want to download (or MIXIT, it has the same restrictions),
then specify them. It's fastest if you specify both a lower and upper limit.
It's slightly faster still if you specify to exclude symbols (/NOSYM), even if
the file you are downloading has no symbols in it.
On a similar note, when using MIXIT, I suggest that you select a binary file
format wherever possible; VLDA is the most flexible. Not only are the files
smaller, but MIXIT, DIO, IMI and DOWND can process them many times faster
than they can the TEKHEX and ROM formats. A number of you are taking .HEX
files, MIXIT'ng them into .ROM files then doing something else with them.
If that something else doesn't involve editing or assembling, then you should
be MIXIT'ng them into a VLDA file (VLDA files can be appended).
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SHEPPERD 18-MAR-1987 18:49:39.97
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: Take a BATCH of this...
There's a new batch que on Kim and Charm that you are free to use which will
alternately submit jobs on each system in order to balance the batch job load. I
highly recommend that you use this, or at least try it a few times to see if it
really works. After a breakin period, I will make the procedure the default. In
your LOGIN.COM (at least those on Kim and Charm), place:
$ assign 780_BATCH SYS$BATCH
or, if you'd rather not "break" SYS$BATCH, then do submits as:
$ SUBMIT/QUE=780_BATCH bla_bla...
or,
$ SUB*MIT :== SUBMIT/QUE=780_BATCH/NOTIFY...etc.
If you are one of those people with directories on both Kim and Charm, then
read on...
There could be a problem if you submit a job on Kim, it starts up on Charm
executes your LOGIN.COM file on Charm and that LOGIN.COM doesn't setup the same
environment as you've setup on Kim. Your batch job may fail because some symbol
or logical name hasn't been defined as expected or some such thing. When
we first went to common system authorization file, I chose to force everyone
to use a LOGIN.COM file in a "home" directory in order to remove these kinds
of problems, but that caused other problems instead. Soooo, I put it back the
way it was. Now with the BATCH system, it becomes yet again slightly different.
(I think this is how operating systems get so confused; the designers have to
use bandaids to make the system compatable and really make a mess of
things).
What happens in BATCH is the system finds which disk the file you have submitted
lives on. It then "pretends" to have logged in on that system for the purposes
of looking for your LOGIN.COM and setting SYS$LOGIN. This will not work under
all circumstances, such as submitting a .COM file that lives on a different
node. Also the node conditionals that you may have in your LOGIN.COM file
will NOT be fooled by this. Anyway, try it. I will probably work fine for your
simple day to day stuff such as compiles, links etc.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: SANDY::DAVE 23-MAR-1987 10:30:45.21
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: A RECOMMENDATION
EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT FROM 8 TO 10 PM THERE'S A GREAT SHOW CALLED
"NEW VISIONS" ON THE VH-1 MUSIC CHANNEL (10-B ON GILL CABLE)
IT FEATURES FUSION JAZZ, JAPANESE JAZZ, JAZZ JAZZ, AND JUST PLAIN BIZARRE
VIDEOS YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE NO WHERE ELSE. TRY IMAGINING A MIX OF
SPYROGYRA
SADAO WATANABE
MARK EGAN
FRANK ZAPPA
FRESH AIRE/WINDOM HILL
MILES DAVIS
JEAN LUC PONTY
ETC.
AND ONE OF THE BEST FEATURES IS THAT EACH WEEK THEY HAVE ONE OF THESE GUYS
AS THE GUEST V-J, SO ITS GOT A DIFFERENT ANGLE EACH TIME.
CZECH IT OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 23-MAR-1987 16:28:05.30
To: ERNIE::BROWN,MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: RE: CONTEST DEADLINE
New Slogan:
" Come Play With Us"
Jed
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::DOWNEND 25-MAR-1987 17:16:46.03
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: 680x0 Processor Prices
PG&E HAS INFORMED ME THAT ON SUNDAY, APRIL 12 THIS BUSINESS PARK WILL BE
WITHOUT ELECTRICITY FROM 6AM TO 4:30PM.
PG&E WILL BE ADDING ADDITIONAL VOLTAGE TO THIS AREA AS WELL AS INSTALLING
A NEW TRANSFORMER FOR OUR BUILDING.
PG&E WILL RECONFIRM THIS DATE AT WHICH TIME I WILL DO THE SAME, (KEEP IN
MIND, THERE WILL BE NO ACCESS INTO OUR BUILDING DURING THE SHUTDOWN).
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::DOWNEND 1-APR-1987 18:11:15.56
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: FYI: Surface-mount IC's - PCB processing
The Atari PCB line is building about 650 NAMCO-designed Rolling Thunder
PC Boards. Each Rolling Thunder PCB has (2) surface mount devices (SMD).
They are plastic flat packs with gull-wing leads. Each SMD has 80 pins
on 20-25 mil centers; there are 24 leads on two sides and 16 leads on the
other two sides.
Normally, the SMD's are attached first, using "vapor-phase" or "re-flow"
equipment, and then the pin-in-hole parts are wave-soldered as a second step.
To do this successfully however, requires the use of certain types of fluxs
during wave-solder and a FREON wash after wave-solder. Since Atari does not
have the right flux/wash, we cannot use that processing method. Instead, the
PCB's will be wave soldered here at Atari as usual, then the PCB's will be sent
out to have the SMD's attached as a second step. They will hand-solder each pin
of the SMD. The Cost: $3.00 per PCB ($1.50 per part).
___________________________________________________________________________
From: CHARM::SHEPPERD 1-APR-1987 20:27:12.00
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: downd
I noticed that the AMS dev sys Xoff's the vax after a DOWND before it
has a chance to type out the stats, so it doesn't run SLEEP. I fixed
that by making it not type out the stats anymore. After the download
it quietly goes to sleep without any messages. If for some reason
you want to see the stats, you can include a /STAT on the command
line.
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::FRYE 9-APR-1987 09:45:59.61
To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY
CC:
Subj: FACILITIES BITS & PIECES
POWER SHUTDOWN Just a reminder, the power will be off for both 675 and
735 on Sunday, 4/12, from 6 am to 4:30 pm. All perishables should be re-
moved from department refrigerators and this would be an opportune time to
defrost.
MEN'S SHOWERS Both showers are running full force.
VOLLEYBALL Because of your concerned effords in keeping the sand out
of the building, a mini foot shower has been installed in the patio.
FOCUS ROOM Auditors will be using the focus room starting Monday and
through the end of April.
Thanks, Bob
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::GROSSMAN 9-APR-1987 10:19:25.95
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: VTI Application Notes
Put it in print and it's bound to be wrong. The 80-pin SMD's in Rolling
Thunder are being soldered on at a cost of $3.00 each, total of $6.00 per
board, not the originally quoted $1.50 each, $3.00 per board.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::DENCKER "Andrea Dencker" 13-APR-1987 19:40:42.52
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,DENCKER
CC:
Subj: Telephone area codes (online info)
The TXG and TXH terminal ports on Kim crapped out so I moved all the terminals
that were connected to any of those lines to alternate ones. So if your
dev_sys (most were dev sys's) doesn't work, it may be because I hooked it
up wrong or unhooked a port that was recorded as being unused but it
really was.
The following lines were disconnected because they were recorded as being
unused:
TXB7: edt_user in the Rustbucket
TXD1: edt_user in the ceiling (??)
TXD7: edt_user in the Audio lab
TXF4: edt_user in the Rustbucket
TXF5: ams_68k in the Rustbucket
TXG6: blu_box in the Rustbucket
The following lines were moved:
From: To: Type Location
TXG0: TXF5: edt_user Klein's office
TXG1: TXI2: edt_user Shepperd's office
TXG2: TXA0: blu_box Margolin's lab
TXG4: TXA4: blu_box Morris's lab
TXG5: TXA5: blu_box Horn's lab
TXG7: TXA6: imi_prog IMI programmer
TXH0: TXA7: blu_box Audio dev sys I
TXH1: TXB7: ams_68k Audio Omnibyte I
TXH3: TXD1: blu_box Thrasher lab
TXH4: TXD3: blu_box Wiebenson's DND
TXH6: TXD7: blu_box Dawe's lab
TXH7: TXF4: blu_box Dungeon lab
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::FRYE 20-APR-1987 14:42:36.64
To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY
CC:
Subj: EARLY BIRD LUNCHERASE
Tomorrow, Tuesday we will need to shut off the cafeteria grills and hood
at 1:30 pm for cleaning and testing of the halon system. Be sure to get
your order in early. All other services will remain the same.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::CAMERON 20-APR-1987 14:49:01.79
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj:
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE FIRST CAFETERIA ON THE MOON?
The V6R5 SOFTWARE RELEASE BULLETIN, V6R5 SOFTWARE STATUS BULLETIN, and a cover
letter for the V6R5 software are now in the black binder labelled "SOFTWARE
STATUS BULLETINS" in the cad lab. The cover letter lists some major changes
to V6R5 and also covers standard cell incompatibilities between V6R4 and V6R5.
-- DON
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::EVELYN 21-APR-1987 08:14:01.30
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: Secretary's Week
April 22, HAPPY SECRETARIAL DAY to all the bosses out there.....
From manufacturing..... Two gentlemen resembling Bartles & Jaymes are
looking into the possibility of a joint mafg. - engr. road blaster day.
Customer Service..... requesting that the perpetual volleyball trophy be
placed in their area for awhile.
Rec committee..... A road blaster for each employee ???
Egineering..... FOR SALE, ONE USED SKATE BOARD RAMP, disassembly extra.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::PPS 22-APR-1987 17:32:03.57
To: @sys$mail:engineer
CC:
Subj: Soliciting input on new PBUTIL
A purchase order is being put through to replace the 303A-001 DATA I/O
logicpak adaptor with the 303A-011A V02 adaptor. (We get a $50 refund for
trading in the old one.)
With the -011a we can program most makes of PALs and IFPLs. Without it we
cannot program any PALs. The only thing we loose is the ability to program
the Signetics 100 series (82S100 - 82S106). I have complete literature on
the -011A. Come by if you want to see it.
The assumption is being made that the ability to program the Signetics 100
series is no loss. If this is incorrect then speak quickly.
Pat McC.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 23-APR-1987 12:45:52.32
To: MCCARTHY,MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: DIO
Are the 82S123, 129, 130, 131, 137, and 185 part of the Signetics 100 series
that we will no longer be able to program?
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MCCARTHY 23-APR-1987 19:38:59.97
To: KIM::MARGOLIN,MCCARTHY
CC:
Subj: RE: DIO
It has been brought to my attention that the men's shower room has been
turned into a messy laundry room.
For the benefit of all, please remove excess clothing and towels when
through using the showers.
Wall lockers have been provited for this purpose and if needed, additional
lockers can be provited.
Thanks for your cooperation.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::FRYE 30-APR-1987 11:34:03.33
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: CORRECTION
Jed
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 7-MAY-1987 16:47:38.06
To: POPKIN,MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj:
179157-060 CONNECTOR,HEADER,60CKT,RIGHT-ANGLE,.10_CENTERS
Jed
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SHEPPERD 7-MAY-1987 17:09:14.20
To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: A new and improved LLF
I just released version 2.1 of LLF, so watch out. There were a number of
bugs in the cross-reference feature which should have caused an acc-vio
failure or at least jibberish to be printed if anyone had asked for one.
There is also a bug in the VAXC optimizer that I haven't been able to
isolate which may have caused some unusual problems. The latest version is
compiled with that level of optimization removed (so far, no problems).
The two most visible changes with this version of LLF are the sticky
directories on the input filenames and the FILE and LIBRARY commands
in the option file.
The sticky directories behave exactly the same as all the other VMS
commands; subsequent files in a list inherit the node, device and
directory of the file preceeding it. For instance:
$ LLF one,fred:two,three
the file "three" inherits the device and directory specified by the
logical name "fred:" on file two. If you don't want that, you need
to say:
$ LLF one,fred:two,sys$disk:[]three,four,...etc.
the SYS$DISK:[] will restore the default to the current default directory.
The FILE and LIBRARY commands in the option file allow for you to get around
the 1024 character limits placed on the DCL command line input. You can
specifiy as many files as you need and they will be processed in the order
that they appear in the FILE/LIBRARY directive(s) and also in the order
in which the option file appears in the command line input. For example,
an option file named FRED.OPT contains:
FILE ( one.ol two.ol )
LIBRARY ( three.lib )
FILE ( four.ol )
and a command input of $ LLF five,fred/opt,six will process the files
in the following order:
five,one,two,three/lib,four,six
As with command input, the default file types of .OL, .OBJ or .LIB will
be used on the files specified in the option file and the sticky directories
behave the same as on the command line except the directories are not
remembered across FILE or LIBRARY directives (i.e. each new FILE directive
starts with a default of SYS$DISK:[]).
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 11-MAY-1987 16:41:28.43
To: MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON
CC:
Subj: Resistor Network, Ladder.
I talked to Glen Miller, the sales rep for MuRata. He would like to obt
ain
pricing. What was the small quantity that you wanted to order now? What produc
tion
quantities would you like pricing for? The question came up as to which values
are
matched to 0.25%; we assume that 1K's are matched to each other and that 2K's ar
e
matched to each other. Am I correct is assuming that the 1K's and 2K's are matc
hed
to each other also? He said that these would have to be special ordered since n
one
of the resistors are matched to 0.25%.
erwin
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 11-MAY-1987 17:48:22.82
To: ARVIDSON,MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: R2R Resistor Network
Irwin, I am sending you a copy of my correspondance on the R2R Ladder Network.
The question of what matches within 0.25% has never come up before. In order
for this thing to work, each "R" must be within 0.25% of every other "R".
Since "R" is nominally 1K, 0.25% is 2.5 ohms so that each "R" is plus or minus
2.5 Ohms and each "2R" is plus or minus 5.0 Ohms. If the "R"s don't track
with the "2R"s, it doesn't work. The absolute tolerance on "R" is not critical,
only the relative tolerance.
2 April 1987
Atari Games Corp.
675 Sycamore Drive
P.O. Box 361110
Milpitas, CA 95035-1110
Dear Richard,
As Evelyn suggested I am faxing the drawing for the R2R Resistor
Network for which I would like a quote.
I would like the quote for quantities of 1K, 5K, 10K, and 25K.
I expect the game that I am considering this part for will be produced
in the 3rd Quarter this year.
I would also like cost and delivery information for 100 prototype
units.
Sincerely yours,
Jed Margolin
Senior Staff EE
Atari Games Corporation
Jim Calhoun
Moulthrop Sales
Sincerely yours,
Jed Margolin
Senior Staff EE
Atari Games Corporation
Phone: (408) 434-1730
FAX: (408) 434-3776
A person (non-exempt) has all 12 days of sick time acrued by the end of
the year. This person then contracts hepatitis and not wanting to loose
their two and a half weeks bonus sick pay, comes to work and infects the
entire company and then everyone has to go home.
just a thought
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 18-MAY-1987 16:01:46.97
To: MONCRIEF,MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: VRAMs
Rick,
The Hitachi Video RAMs are: HM53461P-15
The Mitsubishi VRAMs are: M5M4C264P-15
Jed
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::FRYE 19-MAY-1987 08:54:18.85
To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY
CC:
Subj: COMPUTER ROOM A/C
I have quotes from Centralab and from LTI for R2R Networks which I
got as a response to my drawing which specified 0.25% matching.
For an 8 bit network, 0.25% gives an accuracy of 0.64 LSB.
0.5% would give an accuracy of 1.28 LSB. Since this figure is
greater than one LSB, there would be no point using 8 bits.
I want to stay with 0.25% matching, especially since we have quotes from
two companies who say they can do it.
The quote from LTI came via Moulthrop Sales which also employs a
gentleman by the name of Jim Calhoun. (Could he be the very same
Jim Calhoun referred to in your message?)
Jed
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 21-MAY-1987 07:33:42.74
To: KIM::MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON
CC:
Subj: RE: R2R
OK on the 0.25%.
Yes, it's the same Jim Calhoun. I wonder why he didn't mention LTI.
Maybe he assumed that I knew about the LTI quote.
I'll watch for other potential sources.
erwin
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MCCARTHY 26-MAY-1987 17:34:13.95
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,MCCARTHY
CC:
Subj: cost data
Several months ago, we converted LETA to a CMOS Gate array and called it
LETA II. The old HMOS part is no longer available. It works fine (I think)
in Trackball/opto-coupler applications. Apparently, there are additional
circuit precautions needed if you plan to use it to read switches - the
fast transition of a switch together with the long control harness, causes
latch-up....see below...
...........................................................................
From: SANDY::PAAUW 29-MAY-1987 13:41
To: DOWNEND
Subj: leta II
Ed said that the program would crash due to the Leta. I checked with Doug and
he said that the switch inputs were ringing below ground, probably due to the
length of the cables. This can cause SCR latchup in CMOS and this was apparentl
y
the case with the Leta's. The Leta chips would get very hot until power was
removed. This is a classic symptom of SCR latchup.
Doug replace the Leta with a lsttl part that also wouldn't work. The inputs
would occaisionally be asserted onto the data bus even when the chip was not
enabled. This would cause the program to crash. A Schottky part seems to be
able to handle the ringing and is working OK for now. Doug believes that
the cure for the ringing would be to place series resistors in series with
the input wires.
In any case, I believe that the problem goes farther than the Leta and that
SCR latchup is not surprising under these circumstances.
I just realized that I'm sending this only to you. Could you forward this
to the others and to myself? Thanks.
-- Don
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::BRAD 1-JUN-1987 14:15:34.06
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,BRAD
CC:
Subj: 2 column text utility
If you write text files often you may have found yourself frustrated
editing your file if it contained columns. Now there is a utility that will
take an ascii file and process it into two columns. To use this utility add
this line to your login.com:
$ col*umn :== $ utl$exe:2col
To use the utility, edit your ascii text file and include the
appropriate commands (see below). I suggest using EDT or TPU since it appears
re-editing an ascii file in WORDMARC is a pain. I mention re-editing because
you may want to go back to your text file and touch it up after you process it
thru the utility.
All commands should be preceded by a carriage return and followed by a
space. No more than one carriage return is allowed between column commands.
There are just a few commands in two catagories: 1) column commands and
2) formating commands.
The column commands are:
{L put following text in the Left column.
{R put following text in the Right column.
{N treat text as is [default].
} end the current column.
The formating commands are:
{CL<arg> set left margin by <arg> [default = 0].
{CR<arg> set beginning right column by <arg> [default = 40].
{CR<arg> set right margin by <arg> [default = 80].
{S<arg> set spacing between columns by <arg> [default = 5].
{P<arg> set spacing between paragraphs by <arg> [default = 1].
Process your text file after you have typed in the appropriate
commands by typing:
$ column
at the '$' prompt. When you run the utility it will prompt you for your input
file. The output file will be the same name as your input file but with the
extension: .2COL. You can also indicate your input file and your output file
on the commandline like this:
$ column infile.txt outfile.2col
The default extensions are: .TXT for the input file and .2COL for the output
file.
There is also help available on how to use this utility. Just type:
$ column ?
And the list of commands will appear. Or you can contact me if you have
problems.
There are no guarantees with this utility, and if you do something
wrong it will just usually blow up. But it is much easier to use then trying
to format 2 columns in an editor.
- brad -
___________________________________________________________________________
From: CHARM::LOGG 3-JUN-1987 09:56:04.00
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: I just have to get this off my chest!
Petersen/Wallin reports that things are really crazy in the EPROM market.
We have contracts for delivery of large quantities at reasonable prices, but
the spot price in the market is up to $12.00 for 27512's; hence deliveries
have gotten flakey and Peteren suuspects the manufacturers are slipping
our orders to fill more lucrative orders. Atari recently had to buy 10,000
27512's through distribution at $8.15 to meet current commitments. Rod
Petersen also suggests we use $8.00 as the cost for 27512's until things
settle out in the EPROM market. In the mean time, they have been working
with Erwin Arvidson to get more vendors on the AVL - I believe Rod said that
Toshiba, Mitsubishi, TI are now on the AVL for 27128/27256/27512. Manufacturing
reports that the Toshiba's program much faster than AMD or any of the others.
Also Toshiba and Mitsubishi have a fallout rate of about 1/2 % as opposed 1 %
with AMD. Wallin also said they will be looking for ROM vendors since we have
a verbal quote of $2.50 for 23512 ROM's from Sharp (masks extra - about $2000).
Getting 200 ns parts is a REAL problem, getting 250 ns parts is easier, and
Manufacturing would like to use 250's instead of 200's wherever possible or
even "slightly not possible". Engineers should evaluate their timing and
be prepared to make a judgement call in this respect.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::FRYE 7-JUN-1987 16:53:31.78
To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY
CC:
Subj: MA BELL
Maybe I was just the last to discover this, but the VMS SEARCH
utility is a bit spiffier than most of us give it credit for. There is,
for example, the /MATCH qualifier. The simplest real useful example of
this I came up with is:
$ search/match=and *.s "MOVE.W",",-(SP)"
Which will type out all the lines containing the two strings, i.e. find the
places that GreenHills 1.8.0 screwed you by pushing a word, rather than a long,
as a parameter. /Match also has other neat possibilities.
Explore and Enjoy
Mike
___________________________________________________________________________
From: MIKE::HUDSON 15-JUN-1987 10:55:06.60
To: MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: PR STATUS
ATARI GAMES CORPORATION is looking for a new name and logo that can be
recognized within the entire home computer/video game world.
We are having Mindscape of Northbrook, Illinois, convert our coin-op
games for home computers and video game machines. We, therefore, need a
logo and name that shows no resemblance to our present company name and
logo nor can it be a derivative of our present name and logo. Please
keep in mind we, as a coin-op manufacturing company, are not changing
our name, just creating a new name and logo for our games to be
distributed under the home consumer software market. So, let's go
creative and think of something completely NEW!
This is a contest for all Atari employees, not just those
with artistic ability!
We have 2 contests; one for those who are good with words can submit
a name for our name contest, while those who are artistic can submit
a drawing for our logo. If you have an idea for both, submit both.
Entries will be judged by a selected committee of fellow employees and
any name or design that is chosen to represent our company will win a cash
prize of $250 for a name and $250 for a logo.
All entries become the sole property of ATARI GAMES CORPORATION.
Deadline for entries: June 30, 1987.
Submit entries to: REBECCA DEPEW
Legal Assistant
675 Sycamore Drive
Milpitas, CA 95035-1110
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::WIEBENSON 17-JUN-1987 15:16:44.26
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: Through the nose
Apparently the FCC is spending a lot of time trying to take from the
modem users (US) and give to the phone companies (THEM). I just heard
something about a $5/hour tax suggested! What's going on?! This same
FCC is responsible for program-length commercials being allowed on TV,
...shopping channels, get rich quick shows, and mindlessly violent
cartoons. With communications technology advancing so rapidly, I think
we need a FCC with a little forsight and a combined IQ in at least the
three figure range. It might also help if they only recieved paychecks
from one employer.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SHEPPERD 17-JUN-1987 15:39:49.36
To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: LLF v2.2
Announcing version v2.2 of LLF so watch out, it may blow up. There are a
great number of changes in this release mostly in order to complete the
port to the Atari ST, and hopefully nothing much different than v2.1
(the one you've been using) as far as the VAX is concerned.
Differences you might want to know about:
The command line processor has been replaced and no longer uses callbacks to the
VMS's CLI. This means that the command line interpreting may not be as robust as
is used to be. It also means command qualifiers may be abbreviated to 1
character (no check for ambiguity is done). Commas between filenames are treated
as white space so white space may substituted for commas. Multiple option files
are allowed and they allow two new options:
FILE (filename ...)
LIBRARY (filename ...)
There may any number of filenames specified in either of the commands separated
by white space or commas. Specifying filenames in a FILE directive allows LLF
to run slightly faster than forcing it to extract filenames from a library.
I also should reiterate the points about constants expressed in an option file.
They are interpreted as constants are in C, that is assumed to be decimal unless
prefixed with a 0 which means octal or a 0x (or #) which means hex. Comments
are delimited with a double dash (--) or exclamation point (!) and end-of-line.
The C comment construct of /* and */ can also be used to comment text across
multiple lines.
More details about LLF may be found in DOK:LLF.DOC
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::ALBAUGH "Dr. Bizarro" 17-JUN-1987 15:49:38.86
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: Dave Wiebenson's Nose
Warning!! The UV ROM eraser can do more than erase your chips. While
erasing 16 27512s (with a "White Water" sticker on them), I returned to
find that 10 of the ROMs magically turned into 27256s!! Now this is either
an act of God or the act of a slimeball. Please note that my sticker was
still on the ROMs (like I wouldn't notice!!).
A little peeved...
Dennis
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SHEPPERD 18-JUN-1987 15:42:57.39
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: VMS bites again...
LLF now uses the C argc/argv argument convention to get the command line stuff.
DCL specifies that no single argument be greater than 256 chars and that the
total of all arguments be no greater than 1024 chars. Unfortuneatly, commas
do NOT delimit arguments when using the argc/argv system, you must use white
space. For example:
file1,file2
is 1 argument as far as DCL is concerned, whereas:
file1, file2
is 2 arguments. A problem shows up when you have a very long list of filenames
such as you might have in a makefile and DCL assumes that list to be one
argument. You'll get a nasty message:
%DCL-E-TOOLNG, Argument to too damn long, shorten it up you turkey
or words to that effect. To fix that problem, insert spaces between one or more
filenames instead of or in addition to commas.
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SHEPPERD 18-JUN-1987 16:07:22.42
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: Don't believe everything you read...
I lied. Two hundred fifty six (256) is the limit, not the aformentioned
1024 regardless of whether you use spaces. Sorry, the option file is the
only solution.
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::BROWN 19-JUN-1987 11:57:10.53
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,BROWN
CC:
Subj: PICNIC TICKETS
EMPLOYEES WHO WANT TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR OUTSIDE GUEST MAY DO SO
TODAY THROUGH MONDAY MORNING. WE HAVE TO GIVE THE PARK A FINAL COUNT BY
MONDAY NOON. THE PRICES ARE $10 FOR ADULTS, AND $6 FOR CHILDREN.
TICKETS MAY BE PURCHASED FROM SANDI, HUMAN RESOURCES.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SHEPPERD 19-JUN-1987 20:04:01.67
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: MAKE and LLF
Now that you may need to use an option file with LLF, it has been
mentioned that it can be a bit more of a pain to use a single
dependency list in your MAKEFILE. The following is an excerpt from LLF's
makefile. The commas in the VMS lists are required for VMS's LINK
utility and the spaces surrounding the commas are required so MAKE
doesn't screw up. LLF does not require commas between filenames so
they are not included in the Atari ST build lists. LLF now allows for
multiple option files, so you may leave your LOCATE commands and stuff
in your current option file and create another one in the method
section of your makefile. So, good luck figuring out what this does:
! ALLx are the dependency lists for a VMS version build
! (commas are required by LINK and spaces are optional, but...
! spaces are required by MAKE and commas are illegal, however,
! it works if there are spaces surrounding the comma)
ALL1 = timer.obj , symdef.obj , symbol.obj , reloc.obj , qksort.obj
ALL2 = pass2.obj , pass1.obj , outx.obj , object.obj , memmgt.obj
ALL3 = mapsym.obj , llf.obj , lc.obj , insert_id.obj
ALL4 = hashit.obj , grpmgr.obj , gc.obj , fnf.obj , dsubscale.obj
!
! ALLSTx are the dependency lists for an ATARI ST version build
ALLST1 = timer.ol symdef.ol symbol.ol reloc.ol qksort.ol pass2.ol pass1.ol
ALLST2 = outx.ol object.ol memmgt.ol mapsym.ol llf.ol lc.ol insert_id.ol
ALLST3 = hashit.ol grpmgr.ol gc.ol fnf.ol
llf.ln : #(ALLST1) #(ALLST2) #(ALLST3) makefile.
$ bla_bla ...
$ create llf.tmp !make a temp option file
FILE ( srtlib:tosstart
sys$disk:[]#(ALLST1)
#(ALLST2)
#(ALLST3)
)
LIBR ( srtlib:srtlib )
$ LLF/OUT=LLF/MAP/err/rel llf.tmp/opt
$ delete llf.tmp;*
llf.exe : #(ALL1) #(ALL2) #(ALL3) #(ALL4) makefile.
$ bla_bla ...
$ LINK/map/exe=LLF #(ALL1),#(ALL2),#(ALL3),#(ALL4)
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::DURFEY 23-JUN-1987 10:52:10.71
To: MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: this is a copy of Chris' status repr
From: KIM::BJORKQUIST 17-JUN-1987 15:38
To: DURFEY
Subj: F
From: KIM::DOWNEND 17-JUN-1987 15:03
To: @ALPHAGANG.DIS
Subj: News Note 6/17/87
Here's a quick dump of recent events:
1) Managers and up enjoyed a dinner of sushi with Mr. Nakamura last week.
Nothing significant was announced - highlights included a speech by
Mike Hally extolling the wonderful success of APB at the Distributor
Meeting (he even thanked everybody for helping - your're slipping Mike),
AND Mr. Nakajima showed us all how to balance a plate i
AND Mr. Nakajima showed us all how to balance a plate on the edge of another.
2) Atari has entered into an agreement with Mindscape to have them publish
home computer versions of two of our games (Gauntlet and 720 I think).
We are also talking to them about publishing our two Nintendo cart products:
Temple of Doom and Gauntlet. This would be for the US market on the
Nintendo NES game machine. We cannot use the Atari name in the consumer
market for these products. This explains why we are looking for a new
name other than Atari.
3) Atari is actively looking to buy an arcade chain. We have hired a
consultant to assist in the search. In anticipation of getting
arcade operations going, we are also looking for a name - this
one SHOULD include the word Atari, such as Atari Adventure.
4) APB sales went very well at the Distibutor meeting that occurred
6/2-6/4 in South Carolina. It looks like Dave will actually have to
FINISH the program...although he's still asking for "just two more
weeks"...
5) ROBOX is coming up for Field Test in early July - just before Flanagan
goes off to tie the knot.
6) keely and Norm are working hard to have Tank ready for field test in
Kelly and Norm are working hard to have Tank ready for field test in
latew July or early August - timing looks perfect for AMOA introduction
if they can stick to the schedule.
7) Rasteriods has decided to NOT use interlace; resolution will drop form
from 6c40x480 to 640 x 240. Rotberg is talking to some model makers
(including ILM) to make models of his three ships which he and Alan will
digitize to use in the game video. Ed has alos moved his schedule UP one
month...
8) Cyberball hardware is finally coming up after a longer than expected
de-bug time.
9) ROBOX is using a very dense PCB layout that pushes manufacturing tolerances
to the limit. Manufacturing is worried, but we are goin to try it and see
how it goes. If major problems show up we will have back off.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::CAMERON 24-JUN-1987 08:18:28.64
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: 1988
AS PART OF OUR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, EACH ATARI PERMENENT EMPLOYEE AND THEIR
FAMILY MEMBERS ARE TO RECEIVE A COMPANY
T-SHIRT AND A COUPLE OF ROADBLASTERS.
PLEASE DROP BY THE CAFETERIA TOMORROW,
THURSDAY BETWEEN 11AM AND 1PM TO PICK
UP YOURS. EMPLOYEES NOT ABLE TO PICK UP
THEIR SHIRTS AT THIS TIME MAY DO SO NEXTWEEK.
ALL TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES WILL RECEIVE
ROADBLASTERS THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE REC.
COMMITTEE REACHED THEIR GOAL OF 500
PARTY GO'ERS, COME EARLY AND HAVE FUN.
THANKS, BOBZZZZZ
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::CAMERON 24-JUN-1987 15:34:32.17
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: PICNIC GOODIES
MIKE,
If you are interested in the real 720 PC Board costs, Read On.
(The two boards, stuffed and tested, come to either $753.15 or $870.94,
depending on whether or not the cost is "frozen".)
Jed
*********************** W A N T E D *********************
WE WOULD APPRECIATE PICTURES, OR THE NEGATIVES OF PICTURES TAKEN AT THE
ATARI BIRTHDAY PICNIC. WE HAVE SOME BUT WOULD LIKE TO DISPLAY AS MANY AS
WE CAN. THIS CAN BE ON A "ON LOAN" BASES (THEY WILL BE RETURNED0, OR WE
COULD PRODUCE OUR OWN FROM NEGATIVES YOU SUPPLY.
PLEASE REPLY TO ME BY VAX MAIL, PHONE, OR A VISIT.
SANDI (FOR THE RECREATION COMMITTEE)
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::WOOD 9-JUL-1987 10:26:08.93
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: NEW NAME FOR HOME COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND ARCADES
The company has been searching for a new name that it could use in marketing
its home computer software. Mindscape, Inc. has been selected by us as the
company to distribute our home computer software. Presently, we are
planning to have Commodore 64 and Atari ST versions of Gauntlet and a
Commodore 64 version of Paperboy available in the stores this Christmas.
Other titles and other formats will follow as they become available.
Additionally, we are actively engaged in trying to open new arcades.
We have received quite a few suggestions from our contest for a name
and logo for our home computer software line. We have also asked
informally for suggestions of names we could use for our arcades.
Again, we have received quite a few suggestions. Upon consideration
of all the names we received, the Executive Committee felt that it
would be advantageous to have one name that could be used for both
our consumer products and for our arcades.
The Committee has selected four names that it would like to receive
your comments/inputs. The four names are as follows:
Alpha Zone
Quarter Deck
XYZYX (this is not a misspelling)
Ganesis
If you could send your comments to me by vax mail or by intercompany
mail along with your rating of each name on a scale of 1 to 10 (10
mail along with your rating of each name on a scale of 1 to 10 (10
being the highest), I would appreciate it. Please note that when it
comes to the arcades, we plan on still using "Atari" with the name
that is finally selected. For example, the arcade sign might read
"Atari Alpha Zone" or "Atari XYZYX."
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::RAINS 9-JUL-1987 12:41:23.56
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: 'nuf said
As the young engineer reached the cafeteria, many people were already
there. Most of the seats were taken, and employees continued to drift in. He
found a place along the back wall and leaned lightly against it. He looked
around at groups of his co-workers engaged in quiet conversation as they waited
for the meeting to start. His eyes drifted down towards the floor to his feet,
and then up to the shiny, new employee badge clipped to his shirt pocket. He
removed it and read his name, "Ernest D. Seiner." He looked at his picture and
thought how pale the face was, and how the eyes were half closed...
He was startled by a sudden greeting, "Hi, Ernie." He quickly replaced the
badge, trying to hide a slight embarrassment. He looked up to return the
greeting. "Hi, Wanda. How are you?" He looked at the programmer who had
started at Atari the same day he had. They had become friends during the past
month. It had seemed that everyone else in engineering had been here FOREVER,
and it had not been easy to break into the small social circles in the
department. So they had kept each other company during lunches, and had shared
new "tricks of the trade" and other discoveries.
The room had grown crowded while he traded small talk with Wanda. The
volume of conversation was rising as people waited impatiently for the meeting
to begin. Ernie saw people across the room move aside to allow a man through
the crowd. He recognized the man as Lyle Rains, one of the Vice Presidents of
Engineering, though Ernie had met him only briefly during his introductory tour
of Atari facilities. He could see the VP was talking, but couldn't hear what
was being said. A hush started like a wave at the front of the room, and rolled
quickly towards Ernie's position along the side wall. He heard a fragment, "...
called you here." A few people in front chuckled as the rest of the crowd
settled into their seats and strained to hear what the VP was saying. His voice
seems so quiet, Ernie thought.
The VP looked alternately at the ceiling and the floor, and then furtively
across the crowded room as he addressed the assembly, "I need to talk to you
today about drug usage." Ernie saw several people roll their eyes look at each
other in apparent disgust. He felt Wanda looking at him, but he didn't look
back. In the back of the room, a guy named Mike Hally quietly quipped, "What's
wrong, aren't we using enough?" A few people laughed uneasily.
The VP waited for silence and continued. "There have recently been several
reports and allegations brought to our attention about drug use within Atari.
These reports have come from inside and outside of the company. They are not
about specific individuals, but about usage throughout the company. I am here
to tell you that the management of the Atari will not tolerate drug usage by our
employees.
"If you are using drugs, you cannot do your best work for yourself or the
company. You may also hinder others from doing their work well. You give Atari
a bad reputation in the business community. Use of drugs is both illegal and
bad for you." The VP's face was gravely neutral, but his voice was tense.
"I hate to be here telling adults what they already know, at least as much
as you hate to be listening to it, but I don't want any misunderstanding." His
voice got louder now, as he spoke the words with slow precision, "If you are
caught using drugs on company property or are found to be under the influence of
drugs while at work, you will be fired. The same day. No exceptions, no
questions."
Ernie thought to himself, so this is what it's like working in the real
world. He smiled inwardly. It's just like high school, he thought. Other
things flashed through his mind as well. Things like a cluster of figures near
the back entrance of the warehouse he had seen during his facilities tour. Like
the familiar heavy sweet-smokey odor he had smelled wafting through the
ventilation system one late evening as he read some technical manuals in his
cubicle. He had assumed it was the night gaurd or janitors, since he thought
everyone else had gone home for the night.
Well, I only smoke a little marijuana at parties occasionally, Ernie
thought, He's not talking to me. Ernie started suddenly as he realized that the
VP was staring straight at him. Or through him. Ernie wondered if his inward
smile had leaked onto his face. The VP's gaze quickly shifted away to other
faces in the room and Ernie relaxed heavily back against the wall.
"Don't do it here. Don't do it at all. End of statement." The VP waited a
few long seconds and then left the room as quietly as he had entered. People
rose from their chairs and engaged in hushed conversations as they slowly
filtered out of the room.
Ernie and Wanda walked in silence back towards their cubicles. Halfway
down the hall, Wanda asked in a whisper, "What was that all about?" "Dunno," he
said, though he felt he really did. "See you at lunch."
___________________________________________________________________________
==============================================================================
Regarding Lyle's Parable:
Jed
_____________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::BROWN 9-JUL-1987 16:35:27.29
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,BROWN
CC:
Subj: PICNIC T-SHIRTS
WE HAVE FOUND THAT ON SOME OF THE T-SHIRTS THE GOLD COLOR COMES OFF AFTER
ONE OR TWO WASHINGS. THE PRINTER TELLS US THAT THEIR MAY HAVE BEEN A
A POWER SURGE DURING THE PRINTING OF SOME OF THE LOTS, THUS THE COLOR
MAY NOT HAVE BEEN BAKED ON AS WELL, BUT HE DOESN'T THINK ALL THE RUNS
WERE AFFECTED. THEY WILL, HOWEVER, REPLACE ANY SHIRTS THAT ARE DEFECTED.
SO, IF YOU FIND THAT THE GOLD ON YOUR LOGO IS NO LONGER, OR IS SLOWLY
DISAPPEARING, PLEASE RETURN IT TO ME. I WILL THEN TAKE A INVENTORY OF
SIZES NEEDED AND REORDER.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WAITING FOR LARGE AND X-LARGE SHIRTS. WE WILL ORDER
THEM AT THE SAME TIME WE REORDER THE REPLACEMENTS FOR THE DEFECTED
SHIRTS.
WE DON'T WANT TO DRAG OUT THIS PROCESS, SO I WILL SET A DEADLINE.
PLEASE HAVE YOUR DEFECTED SHIRTS (CLEAN, PLEASE) TO ME BY 7/17.
SANDI
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::MILTY 9-JUL-1987 16:37:15.40
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: MEMO
Jed
___________________________________________________________________________
From: MIKE::HAYES 14-JUL-1987 09:43:54.23
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: Stolen car stereo
Some nice person stole my car stereo (parked at the side of 735)sometime between
6a.m. and 3p.m.yesterday.It could happen to you !!!!!
The only minor consolation is that there were so many bits of it left behind on
my car floor my car floor that the obviously amateur thief probably has an unsal
eable
item on his/her hands.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::MEYETTE 14-JUL-1987 10:35:58.25
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: STOLEN CAR STEREO's
THERE HAS BEEN A RASH OF SIMILAR THEFTS AROUND THE NEW BUILDINGS OFF OF
NORTH FIRST STREET, ON THE NORTH SIDE OF 237. THE THEIFS ARE PROBABLY DRUG
ADDICTS THAT NEED TO SUPPORT THEIR HABIT. THESE GUYS THINK NOTHING OF USING
A CROW BAR TO GAIN ENTRY INTO YOUR CAR, AND WILL WORK IN BROAD DAYLIGHT IN
FRONT OF A ROW OF WINDOWS.
IT WOULD BE WISE IF YOU HAVE A "MARKETABLE" STEREO IN YOUR CAR, TO PARK IN
AN AREA WHERE YOU CAN KEEP AN EYE ON IT MOST OF THE DAY.
RAM
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::PPS 14-JUL-1987 11:25:33.40
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: Logical Name for PPS Utilities Directory
Warning, I released a new version of the IMI stuff (MIXIT, DOWND and DIO
to follow shortly). This release fixed a bug in file handling when word
sizes were greater than 8 bits and the file was greater than 128k bytes
(MIXIT, DIO and DOWND have the same bug). Also, UPLOAD will now work on
the IMI although it won't re-mix the data back into non-8 bit words.
That is, if you programmed 2 Eproms with 16 bit data and upload those
two Eproms into a file, you'll get a file with 2 sets of 8 bit data
not what you started with.
New feature: You can get Eprom checksums without programming them or
even downloading any data to the IMI. The checksum displayed is the
number that the IMI would compute, not necessarily what your self
test would compute (Lipson is working on a more robust version).
To get them, type IMI at any terminal (it'll say something about not
being able to run the IMI if you're not at the IMI's terminal, ignore
that), do a DEVICE and FILE selection as usual and type
IMI_COMMAND: CHECK start-end
Example:
$ IMI
IMI_COMMAND: FILE TEST 16
IMI_COMMAND: DEV 27512
IMI_COMMAND: CHECK 0-1FFFF
IMI_COMMAND: EX
$
If you have trouble with this release, you can use the old one by:
$ ASS KIM$SYSDEVICE:[OLDIMI] IMI$SYSTEM
before typing IMI.
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::HORN "Erich Von Horn" 16-JUL-1987 11:17:15.75
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: break ins
I also had a breakin on my car. They didn't get much, just three dollars,
an empty check book, my drivers licence, social security card, and birth
certificate. But they smashed my right window to smitherines to get the
stuff. I had desided to install a cianide car alarm, so that these bad
people won't get away. (thats "have" not "had" on line 4, word 3 -- oops)
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SUTTLES "Yo speako TECO" 16-JUL-1987 12:00:23.01
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,SUTTLES
CC:
Subj: Hit (aka smash and grab) and run
Due to popular demand, MIXIT can now output a file suitable for assembly by the
68000 assembler. The file type is .ASM. The code is not inserted in any
particular section nor is the PC set to anything (it could be "included" by a
different module. The code is placed in DC.B statements, 16 bytes per line
unless otherwise specified (with the /REC=n qualifier). Blank spaces are skipped
with the DS.B directive. To date there are now 8 different output formats that
can be created by MIXIT (and DIO/IMI uploader) and 6 input formats that can be
read by MIXIT (and DOWNC/DOWND and DIO/IMI programs).
The first two formats must be output only (MIXIT won't read them properly):
$ MIXIT
>OUT filename.ASM !or filename.bla_bla/ASM 68k assem format
>OUT filename.MAC !or filename.bla_bla/MAC MAC65 assem format
The remaining formats can be either input or output:
>OUT filename.DLD !or filename.bla_bla/DLD MOStech load format
>OUT filename.HEX !or filename.bla_bla/TEK Extended TEKHEX format
>OUT filename.ROM !or filename.bla_bla/ROM Atari .ROM format
>OUT filename.LDA !or filename.bla_bla/LDA DEC LDA format
>OUT filename.VLDA !or filename.bla_bla/VLDA Atari VLDA format
VLDA is the default input and output type.
>OUT filename.anything_else !or filename/IMAGE binary image format
___________________________________________________________________________
From: CHARM::SHEPPERD 16-JUL-1987 16:36:25.09
To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: Ooops...This is one I meant to send
There's a new version of DOWND installed today. The /SYMBOL and /NOSYMBOL
options will work now (they worked before, but only if they were in the
DLC file...oops).
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::WOOD 17-JUL-1987 14:26:34.41
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: ONE LAST TIME FOR SOFTWARE AND ARCADE NAME
I received quite a few responses regarding the previous four names that
had been selected as possible names that we could use in conjunction
with marketing our software and using as the name for our arcades.
Before making any final decisions, the Executive Committee wanted to
make a request once again for any suggestions for a name that we could
use for both our home computer software and our arcades.
You may submit as many names as you like. $250 goes to the submitter
whose name is selected. I would appreciate receiving your entries
no later than next Friday, July 24. Thanks.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::ALBAUGH "Dr. Bizarro" 20-JUL-1987 08:48:19.77
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: "Always fan, flex, and joggle", and other lost wisdom
The new SLAPSTIC II IC's are currently being built by NCR. NCR has informed
us that, due to the small size of the die (and therefore long wire leads) and
the pinout arrangement, wire shorting during packaging will probably cost us
a minimum of 5-10% in bad parts.
We can't do anything about the wire length but a new pinout would help some-
what.
The implications of a new pinout are:
1) The new SLAPSTIC's would be incompatible with all existing cart boards so
any kits to the field would need new cart boards. I believe this is usually
the case anyway.
2) All current projects using a new SLAPSTIC would have to adjust to the new
pinout. The change would consist of rotating the pins on the SLAPSTIC,
which would be fairly simple.
3) ??
Please send me your opinions on this.
In fact, the last time I sent mail to sys$mail:engineer I couldn't find
anyone who received it, so if you don't have anything to say, just reply with
a blank.
Thanks,
Don
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 21-JUL-1987 13:15:23.57
To: GROSSMAN,MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: Parking The Department Truck
Please ask the people who use the department truck to show some
consideration for others when they bring it back. For a while
now it has been parked outside my lab area in, what is for Moncrief's
group, a prime parking area.
Jed
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SHEPPERD 22-JUL-1987 15:50:03.21
To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: A new TPU section
A new feature exists in the TPU section file in UTL$EXE. This feature is a
balance checker. To use it you position the cursor on an opening double quote,
curly bracket, square bracket, angle bracket or double quote and type Gold
control B. TPU will search (only forward at the moment) for a matching closing
character and select all the text enclosed including the opening and closing
characters leaving the cursor pointing to the character after the closing one.
Nesting is allowed to any level except for double quotes which cannot be nested
at all (it'll stop at the first occurance of a double quote after the opening
one).
It will display a message if the cursor is not on one of the opening
characters '"{[(' or if there is no matching closing character. In either case,
the cursor is not moved.
If you want to know how it works or if you want to make your own version,
you can look in KIM$USERDISK:[SHEPPERD.VAXTPU]GOLDB.TPU for the program.
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: MIKE::AVL 22-JUL-1987 16:22:11.79
To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,AVL
CC:
Subj: Phone Lists
If you do like old Xerox'd phone lists, you can get those too, in several
formats. The following files are updated daily and may be copied to a
suitable printer.
ATARI$PHONE:PHONE.LIS (names & numbers in 3 columns, 132 columns wide)
ATARI$PHONE:PHONE1.LIS (names,numbers,mail stop & Email address
in one column, 80 columns wide)
ATARI$PHONE:PHONE4.LIS (names & numbers in 4 columns, 158 columns wide)
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 22-JUL-1987 17:18:18.92
To: ERNIE::WOOD,MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: RE: ONE LAST TIME FOR SOFTWARE AND ARCADE NAME
Charlie Weaver!!!!!!!!!
Wally Cox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul Lynde!!!!!!!!!!!!!
all DEAD! DEAD! DEAD!
There was more to Secret Squares than they lead us to believe!
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 29-JUL-1987 15:13:50.59
To: KIM::DROBNY,MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: RE: Secret?
I think Totie Fields was a regular until she, too, passed on.
Jed
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 31-JUL-1987 16:30:02.82
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: Robox
Jed
___________________________________________________________________________
From: CHARM::ESCAPE "Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters" 31-JU
L-1987 16:30:20.33
To: KIM::MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: RE: Robox
Ouch!
Bonnie
___________________________________________________________________________
From: CHARM::LOGG 31-JUL-1987 16:35:10.16
To: KIM::MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: RE: Robox
funny.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::CAMERON 3-AUG-1987 09:42:36.84
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: ROBOX
SITUATION: You are about to give a little party for some of your close
intimate friends. You would like to show a video befitting the occasion.
SOLUTION: Find a video rental store that has "PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE".
This is probably THE worst movie ever made. It is so bad that it is
totally hilarious. The plot is simple enough, Aliens from outer space arrive
to rob graves. It's Sci-Fi and horror all in one. The special effects
feature aluminum foil ashtray-like flying saucers lit with free-from-Radio
Shack flashlights. The acting is incredibly bad (even though Bela Lugosi
stars). All the while the story unfolds, it is narrated with a serious voice
left over from Movietone News.
If you like flying saucers and creepy cemetaries, you won't want to
miss this one. It's the best! (or the worst)
Make sure you have a lot of popcorn on hand.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::WOOD 5-AUG-1987 16:01:32.01
To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY
CC:
Subj: ATARI GAMES ACQUIRES BARREL OF FUN ARCADE CHAIN
Effective July 30, 1987 Atari Games Corporation and Barrel of Fun, Inc.
of Savannah, Georgia have finalized an agreement for the sale of Barrel
of Fun's entire chain of arcades. As of September 1, 1987 all of Barrel
of Fun assets will be transferred to a new subsidiary of Atari Games.
All arcades, which are primarily located in six southeastern states,
currently operate under the name of "Barrel of Fun" or "2001 Entertainment
Center." The arcade chain was founded in 1977 by Herbert C. Skinner,
former chairman, and Richard W. Adams, former President and CEO. Adams
will remain with the company and report directly to Atari President,
Hide Nakajima.
Commenting on the company's strategic move, Nakajima says, "This
transaction was clearly a part of our long-term objective to expand
our business through arcade operations. This acquisition complements
our existing efforts in opening new locations, and much of our future
growth will be concentrated in this end of the business."
Herbert Skinner added, "The association between the two companies has
been a very compatible one from the start, and I am pleased that Atari
Games will be stepping in to continue developing the business with the
same enthusiasm in which it was started."
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::BROWN 6-AUG-1987 10:08:11.57
To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,BROWN
CC:
Subj: VISITORS UP DATE
DUE TO SECURITY AND SAFETY REASONS, THE FRONT LOBBY (SYCAMORE DRIVE SIDE
OF BUILDING) IS OFF LIMITS TO UNESCORTED AND/OR UNSUPERVISED VISITORS.
PLEASE DIRECT ALL GUEST AND VISITORS TO THE LOBBY GAME ROOM. YOUR
COOPERATION IS APPRECIATED.
HUMAN RESOURCES
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 6-AUG-1987 12:05:43.50
To: MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON
CC:
Subj: Your tantalum capacitor requirement.
O.K., HERE'S YOUR LAST CHANCE. WE ARE ABOUT TO PUBLISH OUR NEXT ISSUE
OF THE ATARI NEWSLETTER AND WE STILL DON'T HAVE A NAME FOR IT.
FROM THE LIST BELOW, CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE(S) AND LET ME KNOW WHICH ONE(S)
THEY ARE. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS, DON'T BE BASHFUL, SHARE THEM WITH
ME.
1. GREAT MOMENTS OF ATARI
2. THE ATARI WIRE
3. ATARI HEADLINES
4. LIFE AT ATARI
5. THE ATARI STORY
LET ME HEAR FROM YOU.
SANDI
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::JACKIE 7-AUG-1987 09:42:14.90
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: IT'S A BOY!!!!!
I am looking for Batman comics and anything else having to do with the
comic/TV characters Batman, Robin, and Batwoman. If you have anything I
would be very greatful if you could let me use it
/borrow it. I am doing some research on the stuff. You can drop the material
off at my(Erich horn's) office or the office of Mark West. Please leave a note
as to who it belongs to and weather you want it back!
Erich, ext 1742
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SHEPPERD 13-AUG-1987 11:29:09.60
To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: Getting a directory
Have you ever wanted to get a directory from within your VAX program? Well, I
had written an fdirectory function for PPSNET some time ago, so I extracted it
and made a C callable subroutine which you can use. From C, you call it
via:
int fdirectory(string,length,array);
char *string; /* pointer to directory/filename to search */
int length; /* size of buffer in bytes */
char *array; /* pointer to buffer where directory goes */
It returns odd values if it worked ok otherwise it returns even values. If it
returns a 3, then that means your buffer wasn't big enough to hold the whole
directory, although it returns as much directory as would fit in your buffer.
The buffer contains stream data according to the following:
byte 0 - length of longest filename returned (useful if you're
trying to format the screen to hold a given number
of columns).
byte 1 - code byte: 0 = filename follows, 1 = directory name
follows
byte 2 - length of name that follows (0 = end of list)
byte 3-n - name
byte n+1 - code byte
byte n+2 - length
...
A directory name will preceed all the filenames that appear in that directory.
There's an example program (UTL$MAC:FDIR.C) that you can look at or run by:
$ MCR UTL$EXE:FDIR what_ever
To use it with your program, you'll need to link in UTL$OBJ:FDIRECTORY.
For example:
$ LINK FDIR,UTL$OBJ:FDIRECTORY
Happy directorying...
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: MIKE::BELL "Component Engineering - Ext 1750" 11-AUG-1987 17:27:
10.63
To: MARGOLIN,OWENS
CC:
Subj: 136052 MEMORY MASTERS
PART
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
136052-0101 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,10H
136052-0102 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,10J
136052-0103 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,10K
136052-0104 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,10L
136052-0105 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,200R
136052-0106 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,200S
136052-0107 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,200T
136052-0108 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,200U
136052-0109 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,200V
136052-0110 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,200W
136052-0111 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,200X
136052-0112 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,200Y
136052-0113 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,210R
136052-0114 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,210S
136052-0115 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,210T
136052-0116 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,210U
136052-0117 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,210V
136052-0118 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,210W
136052-0119 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,210X
136052-0120 IC,Pr_EPROM,421,137444-200,210Y
136052-XXXX IC,Programmed_Devices,Driving_Simulator(421)
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::FRANZELLA "Yvette" 14-AUG-1987 13:41:18.09
To: MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: message
Before I go on a rampage and change TPU too much, I thought I'd solicit
input from you guys first. Unless there are no objections, I'll install
the following new single key commands (sometime next week):
Gold/E - Edit another file. Reads a file into a buffer named the same
as the file and marks the buffer for write on exit.
Gold/F - Read a new file into the main buffer. Writes the old
contents of the main buffer if it has been modified.
Gold/N - Next buffer. Cycles the current window to the next buffer
to which there is a file assigned (i.e. MAIN -> AUX ->
xxx -> MAIN).
Gold/B - map specified buffer to the main_window.
In addition, I'll add a new line mode command: DIRECTORY which will put
a directory listing into a buffer and map the aux_window to it. You will
be able to cursor to the filename you want to read and Gold/I, Gold/U,
Gold/E, Gold/F or INCLUDE it by specifying a special character (as yet
unnamed) as the filename argument to those commands.
With the exception of Gold/E, none of those keys are currently defined in our
section file (Gold/E does the same as control E, increment tab stop). If you
have defined any of those keys to mean something special for you, then your
definition will win. If enough of you don't want me to use those particular
keys, then I can be persuaded to use different ones.
I'll also consider additional features for TPU now that I'm back hip deep
into the section file and while I still remember how to program in TPU.
New feature:
Gold/control_a - Adjust balance. Select a range that starts with one
of "({[< or ends with one of ")}]> and type Gold/control_a.
TPU will adjust the range adding the appropriate number of
opening or closing characters to the beginning or the end
of the range respectively. Double quotes are balanced by
forcing there to be an even number of them in the range with
additional characters placed at the end unless the first
character in the range is NOT a double quote in which case
the extra character will be placed at the beginning.
The cursor will be left at the end of the range and select
will be reset. THE PASTE BUFFER IS USED AS TEMPORARY STORAGE,
ITS CONTENTS WILL BE LOST.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: MIKE::BORNN "SUZY-Q" 28-AUG-1987 08:39:16.31
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: HELP
THIS MAY SOUND CRAZY BUT I'M IN NEED OF A STRAITJACKET. YES THAT'S RIGHT
STRAITJACKET. IF ANYONE OUT THERE IN VAXLAND HAS ONE OR KNOWS WHERE I
COULD BORROW ONE PLEASE REPLY TO THIS ADDRESS OR CALL X3919.
BY THE WAY, THIS IS FOR A SKIT I'M DOING ON WED.
THANKS,
SUE
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 28-AUG-1987 16:12:57.07
To: MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON
CC:
Subj: Resistor Network Quote.
PART VENDOR
NUMBER DESCRIPTION MANUFACTURER PN
179237-068 Socket,IC,PLCC,68pin BURNDY QILE-68-P410T
179237-068 Socket,IC,PLCC,68pin ITT_CANNON LCS-68-02
179237-068 Socket,IC,PLCC,68pin JAE_ELECTRONICS_INC PLPS-68-T
179237-068 Socket,IC,PLCC,68pin MAXCONN MH-PLCC-68-T
179237-068 Socket,IC,PLCC,68pin METHODE 213-068-001
179250-068 Socket,IC,PLCC,68pin AMP_INC 821574-1
179251-068 Socket,IC,PLCC,68pin THOMAS_&_BETTS/ANSLEY PCC-068T-01
179252-068 Socket,IC,PLCC,68pin TEXTOOL/3M 268-6234-50-35
77
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::ALBAUGH "Dr. Bizarro" 1-SEP-1987 16:26:50.82
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: Change to S.A. Audio board Coin Counters
THIS SUMMER I WORKED AT ATARI. IT WAS FUN. HERE ARE SOME OF THE
KEEN THINGS I LEARNED. MOST OF THE ENGINEERS AT ATARI ALREADY KNOW THESE
THINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE REAL SMART.
1) ALWAYS PUT A B OR N AT THE END OF SIGNALS THAT ARE ACTIVE LOW!
YOU'LL BE SORRRRRY IF YOU DON'T!
2) ALWAYS DRAW A CIRCUIT THAT DOES SOMETHING THE SAME WAY EACH
PLACE YOU USE IT, EVEN IF IT COSTS AN EXTRA INVERTER.
AFTER ALL WHEN YOU ALREADY HAVE 40,000 OTHER INVERTERS IN YOUR
CIRCUIT WHATS A FEW MORE BETWEEN FRIENDS?
3) DON'T BE AFRAID TO >>>STANDARDIZE<<< IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.
VLSI CIRCUITRY ISN'T A CREATIVE EXERCIZE LIKE PAINTING AND
A SCHEMATIC SHOULDN'T LOOK LIKE IT WAS DRAWN BY PICASSO.
4) TRY TO GO HOME BY ELEVEN, OR YOU WON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU
DID THE NEXT DAY.
WELL THAT SHOULD BE ABOUT 1,000 WORDS, TIME FOR MY REMEDIAL MATH
CLASS NOW.
THE NEW MILEAGE RATE ALLOWED BY THE IRS FOR BUSINESS USE OF A CAR AS OF
SEPTEMBER 1, 1987 IS 22.5 CENT A MILE.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::FRYE 9-SEP-1987 08:17:05.60
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: FACILITIES UP-DATE
Have you ever "lost" an edit? Changes you made once mysteriously
evaporated from later versions of the same file? The cause was probably
"too many cooks". Yasee, both EDT and TPU create the output file (the
edited version) when they exit. It is some manipulation of the file
at the time it started. If you begin an edit session while somebody
else is editing the same file, you'll both start with the same data.
You each make your own changes, and when each of you finish, each of you
writes a new version with your changes incorporated. The one who exits
LAST will create the highest-numbered version, in other words, the current
file. The poor guy who exits first has his changes evaporate.
"Big deal" you say! Well it is, if it is your data that is lost.
And the real pain of it is that this almost never happens except when deadlines
are close and you can't afford the time to find it or fix it.
Well, there's a cure. You can ensure that you don't step on anyone
else; but you can't stop them from stepping on you. On the other hand, nobody
wants to waste their effort; if all concerned are careful not to start an
edit while another is in progress, it will never happen.
There exists a command file that does all kinds of nice things for
you, including checking for existing journal files (made automatically when
you edit a file). It also finds an editor initializer file, if you have one,
so you don't have to specify it every time, or copy it to each directory in
which you intend to edit.
To use it, define (in your login.com) EDT or TPU to mean @UTL$COM:EDT
or @UTL$COM:TPU (your choice). You may use both, if you are bilingual. The
command files are in fact identical, and find out which editor to run by the
name of the command file you use. They check for existing journal files, for
both editors (they know about each other), they do the initializer search,
they know about the /READ_ONLY and /RECOVER qualifiers, and so on. They will
NOT enter the editor if there is a journal file open. They will not enter
the editor if an old journal file exists. If you're just looking, you can
specify /READ_ONLY and it will remind you of the danger (of overwriting some-
body else's changes) and let you in.
In general: If you already define symbols that call out the editor
you want, replace the EDIT/EDT or EDT verb part with @UTL$COM:EDT (and similarly
for TPU). If the first thing after the name of the editor is a slash, you'll
need to put double quotes in it, as follows:
for use
$ EDT :== EDIT/EDT $ EDT == "@UTL$COM:EDT """ ! note quotes
$ HEY :== 'EDT' SYS$NAG:NAG.DAT $ HAY :== @UTL$COM:EDT SYS$NAG:NAG.DAT
$ AGAIN :== EDIT/EDT/RECOVER $ AGAIN == "@UTL$COM:EDT ""/RECOVER"
For those of you in engineering who use (or used) "E", that is the
initializer locating logic installed here. If you have an EDT inializer
file you always want to use, do:
$ define edtini sys$login:edtini.ini ! or wherever it is
$ define tpuini sys$login:tpuini.ini ! tpu version of the same
As usual, if you find problems that I've missed, let me know.
sas
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::BRAD 24-SEP-1987 16:27:36.37
To: MARGOLIN,BRAD
CC:
Subj: TOMCAT
I still have TOMCAT's audio stuff that we did. Do you need it or can I
delete it?
- brad -
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SUTTLES "Yo speako TECO" 25-SEP-1987 16:04:43.23
To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,SUTTLES
CC:
Subj: oldies but goodies
Tired of waiting while you try to simply login at the IMI terminal? I've created
an account, IMI (no password), that you can use to login at the IMI terminal.
Virtually NO environment is established ( i.e. no local logical names and few
global symbols) so you won't be able to use any of your favorite short
cut commands and logical names, but neither will you have to wait forever just
to get a lousy DCL prompt.
At present, only 4 symbols will be known IMI, DIO, SD and GOS. You'll have to
set default to your disk and directory and/or @ one of your favorite com files.
This account has no home directory so you won't be able to upload any files.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::DOWNEND 5-OCT-1987 10:49:43.14
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: Current Info on 27512 EPROMs
There were a few other odds 'n ends, but that's the bulk of his report.
I'll let him fill in the details when he get's back.
-Lyle
___________________________________________________________________________
From: MIKE::JAMERO 8-OCT-1987 08:43:51.08
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: ATARI IRELAND'S TELEX NO. CHANGE
I think I finally got all the bugs out of the IMI program. It appears to
correctly handle 65kb Eproms with any word size. I'm sure I don't have
to tell you to report failures to this address.
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SHEPPERD 12-OCT-1987 13:59:34.06
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: More IMI stuff
I forgot to mention the problems with UPLOADs. If you try to upload data when
KIM is real busy (like anytime during the day), you MAY get "data overrun"
errors. Sorry, but there appears to be nothing I can do about that at the
moment. Second, the IMI has a bug in it where it forgets to stop transmitting
upload data after it overflows any 65k boundary and there is no way that the VAX
can stop it. The VAX will, however, write the uploaded data to your file (if it
didn't get data overruns) even if the IMI doesn't stop when it's supposed to.
You will have to press the "exit" button on the IMI programmer to get it to stop
sending.
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SHEPPERD 13-OCT-1987 12:13:52.05
To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD
CC:
Subj: A new and improved LLF
Release 2.4 of LLF has been installed. This version fixes a problem with
forward referenced local symbols colliding with undefined global symbols.
This problem made some undefined globals seem to "disappear" by not being
reported as undefined or even being listed on the link map.
It also fixes a problem where the names of files that were multiply defining
globals were not correctly identified.
There are also a couple of new features in the option file:
LOCATE ( seg seg ... : NOOUTPUT);
The NOOUTPUT option instructs LLF to exclude any code or data in the listed
segments from the output file. It may appear anywhere in the list of other
LOCATE address options. I.e.:
LOCATE ($$seg14 : 0x10000 TO 0x10FFF NOOUTPUT) -- exclude ram area
You may DECLARE a symbol to have a value of TIME which is the 32 bit value
returned from the RTL (VAX-C, GEMDOS or whatever OS LLF is using) function
time(). It will match the value that is decoded and displayed on the map.
I.e.:
DECLARE (your_variable : TIME) -- put a time stamp in output file
ds
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::FRYE 14-OCT-1987 13:08:16.50
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS
While I think of it, let me pass along the right people to contact...
Hally/Lipson are considering a game based on the Hardware Jed designed for the
Driver project. In a traditional game set-up, I would expect that Hally/Lipson
would want the usual Audio - a 6502 running RPM to drive Yamaha/POKEY/T.I. 5220
speech. For Jed's reference, Pat has designed the Stand-alone (S.A.) Audio PCB
which will be used first in XYBOTS. It is envisoned as the standard audio base
for our games and Pat will continue to support it. It includes everything from
the 6502 to the TDA 2030 amps as well as a few other goodies. It talks to the
main game processor through a serial chip (SCOM) that Gary Stempler designed (
500-gate gate-array). This is probably old news to most of you, but I don't
want to assume too much.
Incidently, Brad Fuller has a mandate from Rains to find an alternative to the
expensive (~$30.00) and sole-sourced Yamaha chip set. The audio group and Pat
are looking into sampled sound generated via a dedicated 68000 and a DAC.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::DOWNEND 22-OCT-1987 10:49:04.48
To: MARGOLIN,HALLY,LIPSON
CC:
Subj: PT-MAn audio
One aspect of my mail message on the audio for PT-man was not clear.
Hally/Lipson are free to choose any audio system they feel is best for
the product including the TMS-320 based design used in Driver. The only
point I was trying to make is that IF Yamaha-based sounds are desired, then
the SA Audio PCB is the preferred implementation.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: CHARM::MORRIS 26-OCT-1987 18:32:13.72
To: @sys$mail:engineer
CC:
Subj: New ASM68 does NOT work
Occasionally I've been asked how to make TPU search for \n's in a file. TPU
can do it, but it is a bit messy. I've needed to do it from time to time too,
so I figured out a way to make it less messy and built it into the section
file. This new procedure allows you to use all the features of TPU's pattern
matching expressions, so I'll briefly point out the functions:
ANY(string) !matches any character in the string
ARB(int) !matches an arbitray string of int characters
LINE_BEGIN !matches beginning of line
LINE_END !matches end of line
MATCH(string) !matches all chars up to and including string
NOTANY(string) !matches any character NOT in the string
REMAIN !matches all characters to end of line
SCAN(string) !Matches the longest string of chars that does
not contain any of the chars in string
SCANL(string) !same as SCAN but will cross record boundaries
SPAN(string) !matches the longest string of chars that only
contains the chars in string
ANCHOR !search without moving off current position
(advanced uses)
The pattern operators (which have equal precedence) are:
| !alternation (logical or)
& !concatenation (logical and)
Strings must be enclosed in either single quotes ('string') or double
quotes ("string"). Parentheses may be used around subexpressions.
No other operators are allowed. Some examples:
"abc" !find string 'abc'
'a' & 'b' & 'c' !find string where a before b before c ("abc")
LINE_BEGIN & 'fred' !find string where "FRED" is first thing on line
LINE_BEGIN & " " !find line beginning with a tab
^ there's a tab character here
')};' & LINE_END !find line where ")};" is the last thing on it
LINE_BEGIN & ANY("0123456789") !find line beginning with any number
SPAN('0123456789') & '$' !find a local symbol
"Oh goody, how do I use this spiffy thing", you ask? You have two choices. You
may type GOLD/PF3, enter the search pattern and terminate it with another PF3 or
you may open a buffer (GOLD/B to some empty buffer), enter your search pattern
in that buffer, go back to the buffer you want to search through, type GOLD/PF3
=buffer_name terminating with another PF3. If TPU liked your expression, it'll
search the buffer as always with PF3 finding the next occurance just as before.
If TPU didn't like your expression, you'll get various nasty messages. If you
use the buffer method then, of course, you can edit the buffer to fix your
problem (or change what you want to seach on). Typing GOLD/PF3/PF3 will prompt
for a "Search string (RE): " to which you can type a search expression or
the =buffer_name and terminate it with a carriage return, KP4 or KP5. You may
also notice that some extra stuff was inserted in your search string buffer
the first time you use it, please don't change the extra stuff or you'll find
your search string will always fail.
If you're really intrested, here's a big example of a complex search sequence
(stolen from a TPU procedure to find the next word, the variable edt$x_word has
been defined as a string of the characters that may delimt a word):
! Redefine the forward word skipper:
!
! don't move off current character position
(
anchor
&
! if on eol,then match that
(
(line_end)
|
!leading spaces,on a word delimiter
(span(' ') & (any(edt$x_word) | edt$x_empty) ) )
|
!no leading spaces, if on a word delimiter, move to second grp non-delimiter cha
r
( span(edt$x_word) !skip all the leading delimiters
& scan(edt$x_word) !skip all the non-delimiters
& span(edt$x_word) ) !and skip all the next delimiters
|
!no leading spaces, on a real word, go to next word
(scan(edt$x_word) & span(edt$x_word))
|
!no leading spaces,on a last real word of line, match rest of line
REMAIN
)
&
! after matching, skip over trailing spaces if any
! except if match occurred at the eol. In this case,don't skip over blanks
(line_begin|span(' ') | edt$x_empty)
;
! End of forward word skipper
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SUTTLES "Yo speako TECO" 27-OCT-1987 15:51:00.72
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,SUTTLES
CC:
Subj: for sale (sigh)
Ole reliable:
'72 Volkswagen Super Beetle. Very good shape. 72,000 miles on body,
at least 10,000 left on tires, 300 miles since engine rebuilt. No accidents.
$1,300 or best offer.
Old, faithful, and heartbroken:
1961 Morgan Plus/4. I don't know what else to say. This is a genuine
antique, still with all Morgan parts. Each (of 200 per year) Morgan is hand
made. In 1961, they boasted a TR-3 engine, a Jaguar gearbox, Lucas electrics,
and an all-wooden frame and suspension. They are no longer imported because
Morgan won't degrade performance to meet U. S. federal emissions requirements.
This specimen is in excellent condition. It was special ordered (as I presume
all are) by a friend of my family (in 1960), and after about two months, traded
to my father. He gave it to me. It has 36,000 miles on it, and has never been
used for "transportation". It hasn't been driven in the last 5 years, and has
been garaged for its entire life. If purchased for restoration, none will be
necessary on the engine or electronics; only one body panel has rust and most
of the upholstery is unworn; all is quite serviceable. I'm asking $13,000.
There is a discount if you give me visitation rights. Also included is the
definitive book on Morgans (1938-1969, if I remember right), itself a classic
in automotive terms (it was purchased in 1972). It is fascinating to read
just by itself! (although not worth 13 grand by itself.)
Subject: IP utility for conversion of IFF (Amiga) files to PPS .pif files
From: Dave Theurer
File: charm$userdisk:[theurer.amiga]ip.doc
What it does:
IFF (Interchange Format Files) are created by most AMIGA graphics programs.
These graphics files may be uploaded to the VAX and converted to PPS .pif
files using the new IP (Iff->Pps) utility.
This program converts a single IFF picture file to pb 0 in a PPS .pif file.
These files may be up to 5 bits deep.
Why bother:
The Amiga has some excellent paint tools.
The Amiga color digitizer works better than the Atari digitizer and it has
an extra bit of picture depth (32 colors instead of 16).
What it won't do:
> This program can not change bit depth. That should be done on the
Amiga using Deluxe Paint or whatever before uploading the file to the VAX.
> No merging or cropping of pictures is supported. This may be done after the
conversion using the PPS.
Operation:
The Amiga file we've uploaded and now wish to convert is called dragon.
Type in: @charm$userdisk:[theurer.amiga]ip dragon
Wait while it converts the file.
When it says >>Enter output filename (CR for dragon.pif):
Type in the output PPS .pif filename or hit CR if the suggested name is ok.
When it prints "PPS .pif file: dragon.pif" you're all set:
pb 0 in dragon.pif will contain the converted picture.
Please reply if
> you have any problems with this utility.
> you have a utility on the VAX to change a picture's bit depth.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 3-NOV-1987 12:59:34.37
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: Generator For Sale
For Sale:
Coleman/Powermate OHV1600 Portable Generator.
1400 Watts Continuous. Used 1.5 hours.
At Home Depot (where I bought it) it sells for $449.95 + Tax.
Orchard Supply sells it for $549.95 + Tax. (Their model comes
with an Ammeter.)
My price: $400.00 .
(I am selling it because, although this model is considered quiet
for a generator, it is still too noisy for me.)
Jed X1730
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::DOWNEND 3-NOV-1987 15:17:34.33
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER
CC:
Subj: kudos
Xybots is in production. 81 were built last week starting 10/26/87 and 65 were
built yesterday. (11/2/87). Production is working 12 hour days to make up for a
slow start. Recognition is in order for several contributors to this
significant product. It was developed in near record time and uses new
electronics throughout. Even the cabinet is a brand-new design with an internal
plywood structural sheet running the length of the cabinet.. Only the
power-supply assembly is "old" in terms of being used in a previous game.
1) Bob Flanagan and Ed Logg: This programming team took the product from
project intiation to production in less than one
year! It was initiated 10/28/86; production
started 10/26/87. This includes a significant
re-design switching from "Gauntlet characters" to
robots. Overall, the design manages to squeeze a
great visual sensation from limited hardware.
2) Doug Snyder: Doug designed one of the cheapest video hardware
set-ups we've seen in a long time. The board,
without EPROMS or the associated SA audio PCB,
costs about $105 (total cost is under $260 for
materials including amps). In addition Doug
worked very closely with Fujitsu engineers to
design a standard cell custom IC that contributed
significantly to the cost-effectiveness of the
product. It worked first time with apparently
good yields and even at elevated temperature
for over 100 hours.
3) Leon Fritz: Leon laid the densest 4-layer PC board in Atari
history. It pushes all the guidelines to the
limit. Manufacuturing was afraid they would not
be able to build it efficiently, but after
tweaking their equipment, all appears to be O.K.
4) Pat McCarthy: Pat designed and re-designed a new SA audio PCB
that combines all audio functions from the 6502
to the audio amps. Hopefully, this PCB will
become a standard audio platform for subsequent
games. Pat took great care to minimize noise
in the analog section and did much of the PCB
layout himself.
5) Gary Stempler: Designed the gatearray serial communication
chip SCOM which also worked first time. This chip
simplified the video-audio interface and
did so at a modest cost.
Did I leave "your" name out? I know there are other important contributors.
Cris, Sam, Earl, Milt, Mike J., Marty V. Mike A. come immediately to my mind.
Please let me say "thanks" to all of you, and to the six listed above
in particular. It took a lot of cooperation and coordination to pull off such
a significant new-design in near record-time.
Ed Logg is always cautious until he sees how the prodcuct sells. Let's hope the
players find the game as appealing as we do. But regardless of the product's
success in the marketplace, the technical achievement still stands.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SUTTLES "Yo speako TECO" 9-NOV-1987 09:45:24.70
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,SUTTLES
CC:
Subj: lodging
The Zybots bonus split meeting is coming up and I have been assigned
the catagory of engineering. The allocation of bonus in the past has
been unstructured and sometimes rather arbitrary. I would like to set up
a meeting to discuss this betwwen all of the engineers. Topics include:
1. Semi-standard Audio Boards
2. Custom chips
3. Circuit innovations
4. System innovations
5. Anything else
If we (the engineers) put our minds to it, a more equitable system of
bonus allocation could be formulated. If you are interested in attending
this meeting, it will be in the Engineering Conference Room at 2:00 PM
tomorrow (Nov. 10).
Thank You
Doug
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SNYDER 11-NOV-1987 10:51:28.83
To: @SYS$MAIL:HARDWARE
CC:
Subj: XYBOTS hardware
The Xybots hardware meeting has been changed from Friday (tomorrow) at
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
Thank you
Doug
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::GROSSMAN 17-NOV-1987 17:01:17.00
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: WELCOME TO A NEW ANOTHER NEW ATARIAN
DUE TO THE PLANT SHUT DOWN BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS, THE LAST
CHECK RUN FOR DECEMBER WILL BE ON DECEMBER 17TH. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT
ALL INVOICES, CHECK REQUESTS, BUSINESS REPORTS, ETC. ARE INTO ACCOUNTING
NO LATER THAN NOON ON DECEMBER 16TH (EARLIER WOULD BE APPRECIATED).
THE NEXT CHECK RUN WILL BE BACK ON SCHEDULE STARTING WITH WED. JANUARY 6TH.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL @ 3761..... SHERRY
___________________________________________________________________________
From: ERNIE::CAMERON 19-NOV-1987 12:03:25.52
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,LIEBSTER
CC:
Subj: HOLIDAY
Graphic Outlook is very powerful when you know how to use it.
Unfortunately, that's a problem. We only have two copies of the manual.
It has a respectable quantity of information in it's HELP facility; however,
that's not always the most desirable mechanism to access it. So we've trans-
formed the help file into a (somewhat) structured document with a table of
contents and an index.
THERE IS A LIMITED QUANTITY available in the printer room. The
duplication costs were prohibitive, and office services will not absorb
any more printings. So please don't take one if you'll just lay it in a
corner. If you can (and will) really make use of it, by all means, take one.
If we run out, and REALLY need more, your department's budget will have to
pick up the tab. For those who don't know where the "printer room" is
or can't get there, let me know you want one, & I'll send it through
interoffice mail.
sas
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MARGOLIN 23-NOV-1987 19:42:23.56
To: MONCRIEF,BEHENSKY,MARGOLIN
CC:
Subj: Multi-Sync Turbo
Jed
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::SUTTLES "Yo speako TECO" 24-NOV-1987 11:42:35.65
To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,SUTTLES
CC:
Subj: a new tool
Did you ever have a new tool and wonder what you could do with it?
In KIM$SYSDEVICE:[UTILITIES.LANG] you'll find a C program and com file
(and several supporting files, which is why it has a directory of it's own)
for doing language translation comparisons. Read no further till you need to.
LANG searches the specified C program for directives (specified as
constants--unless you are Ed or Bob, you'll have to change them) that delineate
areas of text constants. Within those bounds, it spits out (to temp files)
any strings it encounters.
LANG.COM runs the program, giving it wildcard capability, and follows
it with a DIFF run of the temp files, providing the cryptanalysts with a side-
by-side comparison of phrases in (currently) English-French, and English German.
The basic program is easily modified. It doesn't know much about C
programs, including (excluding?) comments. It can be easily fooled. It is
presumed that you're trying to work within its boundaries, not find exotic
stuff that won't work. If you need help with using or modifying it, let me
know.
sas
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::FRYE 1-DEC-1987 13:51:54.05
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: VISITORS AT 675
Jed,
here is the part number for the socket described below: 179258-024.
As yet there are no approved sources.
The AVL description is: SOCKET, IC, 24/.400, STAMPED, OPEN FRAME.
Characteristics: Open frame, inside frame dimensions to be determined.
Spacing of pin rows = 0.400".
Stamped contacts, may be single or dual beam.
Phospher bronze or Beryllium copper contacts, tin plated.
PC board mounting, tin plated leads.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: CHARM::MORRIS 10-DEC-1987 10:16:23.07
To: @sys$mail:junk
CC:
Subj: Condo FOR RENT
FOR RENT.
1 bedroom, 720sq ft, condo.
Situated in Santa Clara, a nice complex with pool, spa, cabana,
gymnasium and laundry rooms.
This unit overlooks the garden and pool.
Available after January 8, 1988. Rent $675/Mo.
(With option to assume 10.5% Adjustable loan).
Users on MIKE may now submit Component Evaluation Requests on-line by typing
'CER' at the VAX system prompt ($). The program will prompt for information
about the component, and forward the request to Component Engineering for
processing. The user should be prepared to answer specific questions such
as Atari part number, vendor part number, vendor contact and phone numbers.
The program allows for several comment lines, in which the user may include
whatever information may be appropriate. If additional information and/or
samples are required, the Component Engineer assigned to each request
will contact the requester if needed. The user will be notified when the
CER has been completed, and the results of the evaluation.
The command, 'CER' will become effective upon your next login or RESTART on
MIKE.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: CHARM::DECK 18-DEC-1987 14:03:54.81
To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK
CC:
Subj: Hearty Congratulations!!!
It's the FIFTH in the continuing series! Owen Rubin's SEMI-BIANNUAL (tm)
New Year's Eve Party...
When : December 31st 8:30 PM 'til ???
What : Beer, Wine & Munchies provided -- bring something creative
Where: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxx-xxx-xxxx (car phone xxx-xxx-xxxx) (work phone xxx-xxx-xxxx)
Please RSVP ASAP.
Maps available upon request -- just call Owen or see Ed Rotberg when he's in
a good mood.
___________________________________________________________________________
From: KIM::MCCARTHY 22-DEC-1987 14:26:49.07
To: @sys$mail:hardware,MCCARTHY
CC:
Subj: Meeting minutes