Mike Cross
							34 East Avenue
							Rudheath
							Northwich
							Cheshire
							CW9 7JE
							Tel : 0606 45953
							
							September '91


 Hi to all fellow ACC people.  At last I make another appearance of the
 ACC pages ;after a break of about 5 months.  The reason for the absence?
 Well, I have been busy coding and designing a game.  The game will
 hopefully be released early next year (1992) and is looking pretty big!
 I must take this opportunity to thank Ian Faichnie for the great
 graphics he has been so busy churning out in a never ending stream for
 `the game'  No more details as yet.
 
 Okay - my views on the great `include' debate. (Albeit a bit late!)  
 This debate is getting as ridiculous as the MCIBTYC debate that has ran
 for months in New Computer Express.  Raistlin is wrong.  Sorry Leon, but
 I think all coders should use the devpac include files.  There was a
 mis-undestanding on ACC 13 where Mark said I was against using include
 files - NOT SO!  I totally agree with MM with his stance against 
 the `include dodgers'  Include files really do improve code readability.
 I ALWAYS use ALL necessary include files for whatever I am coding.  
 Anyone who has a bit of sense should set up a Vd0: drive and copy all
 the desired include files to it.  This has the effect of speeding up
 assembly no end.  Using a Vd0: drive is probably about as quick as using
 an A590 hard drive.
 
 Unity and all that.  Yes, errmm I did actually once say that the Stolen
 Data disk mags are crap and I still believe that.  The tutorials and
 sources on SD 1-3 are DELIBERATLY bugged.  The articles are boaring,
 the mags come out `when the coders feel like it' and the producers have
 a massive ego problem.  Just because Mr Windmill has contact with
 Kreator who writes for Stolen Data is no reason for me to change my
 views.  The CSM disk mag is worse than crap . . . .

 The ACC Extras disk 2.  This disk which was promised a while ago seems to
 have gotten stuck in some kind of time warp.  I began producing ACC Extras
 2 in March 91, now 6 months later it is still not complete.  There are
 various reasons - but here are a few :-

 i)   A virus destroyed some of the disk sectors.
 ii)  I had to remove Blaines Galax code as it was featured on ACC 12.
 iii) I still have not finished writing the huge hardware doc on the disk.
 iv)  The disk is only 65% full.

 On the last point, if anyone has any source to go onto the disk; please
 send it to me.  That way I can finish putting the disk together and start
 to distribute it.

 Menu programs.  These seem all the rage at the moment.  I have coded one
 which knocks spots of everybody elses (bar none!) but I have not quite
 finsihed it yet.  MyMenu V1.0 has the following features (so far!) :-

 An executable file size of less than 3K!
 The ability to change fonts without having to re-assemble/link etc.
 The ability to change the actual menu items without having to change
 a raw gfx file, the source or executable at all.
 The obligatory scroll text routine.
 A brain file which controls everything!
 100% Hardware coding - No slow intuition gadgets.
 Starfields and lots of other 'pretty' effects.
 
 Not much as yet - but I WILL be adding a lot more.  I will add an Iff logo
 load option, music options and more. If anyone who uses menu programs alot
 has any ideas to add - let me know.

 Tutorials.  I have just knocked out a quick starfield tutorial.  Anybody
 having any ideas for a future tutorial please let me know (on the disk
 or in person)  Would anybody like to know how to code a boot-intro?  How 
 about bobs?  I hope to finish a plasma and sine scroll tutorials soon-ish.

 Terminator 2.  I am sure the majority of ACC readers have seen the
 exceptional film.  The ending has been bugging me for some time.  If 
 Judgement Day never happens (in the future) then the original bad Arnie
 would never had been sent back to 1984 in the first film.  If he had never
 been sent back - then neither would Kyle Rees (the first good guy)  If
 Kyle Rees had not gone back; Jon Conner would never of have been born.
 Yet at the end of the film after the world has been saved (yawn)  Why
 is the little brat still standing there????  Almost as confusing as a
 Back to the Future film!

 Coding boardom factor.  Does anybody else ever get this?  You have a great
 idea for a demo or new routine and begin coding immediatly.  After a while
 (usually when it starts getting hard) you have another idea for an even
 better program - and leave the first (well it was boaring anyway . . . )
 Soon the original program becomes just another name cluttering up your
 source directory.  I must have a source disk with about 30 half finished
 programs on it.

 Okay - enough waffling for now.  
 
 
 Mike Cross - Over & Out