*************************************************************************** * FEEDBACK FROM MEGADISC USERS * * * * If you've got some comments or tips to tell other users, send them * * in on disk, and mention whatever Public Domain disk you'd like to get * * back by return of post. Any file from a Word Processor or Text Editor * * is fine, or even Notepad. * * * *************************************************************************** A LETTER FROM THE CREATOR OF PRINTEXT Dear Tim, Enclosed is a disk with the latest versions of Printext and ShortCut. The documentation for the programs is on the disk, too. Just place the disk in df0: at the Workbench prompt and it will boot up. Thanks for your donation! You are among the few who have sent a donation and I really appreciate it. I guess it's been a long time since you have sent your letter. It made a long trip all the way to my current address in Israel! (I'm now a first year computer-science student at Tel-Aviv University.) I was glad to read that my programs made it all the way to Australia!! I was glad to receive the copy of Megadisc. Before booting it up, I was sure it would be just like JumpDisk (Basic based and generally VERY SLOW!) but it was not... the Workbench environment is used the way it should be. The fact that all the articles and programs are but a mouse click away already makes Megadisc better than JumpDisk. My only suggestion is that more 'C' based programs be included on the disk (Utilities of the sort one finds on Amicus and Fish Disks). I would love to have any of my shareware programs included on your Megadisc. Please let me know if you feel that the updates on the enclosed disk are suitable for publication. Thanks again for your donation and for the copy of Amiga Megadisc (keep up the good work!!!). Opher D. Kahane 30 Gilboa Street Alfe Menashe 44851 Israel. ED: Thanks, Opher, for the words and particularly for the PRINTEXT and SHORTCUT which our Oz users will greatly appreciate. (And a gentle reminder to users - why not help make the concept of SHAREWARE work by sending Opher and people who place these great programs in the public domain a few bucks, such as $10. You'll give Australia a good name and they'll keep writing good software for us to use!) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ABOUT UPDATING SCRIBBLE!, THE WORD PROCESSOR & A COUPLE OF HINTS For all of those of you that use Scribble! as their word processing system first the good news - there is an update available. The bad news is that at the moment it is not available in Australia. I recently wrote to the company that puts out Scribble!:- Micro-Systems Software. They have advised me that version 2.10 is available. I checked my copy and found that it was version 2.01, so they have certainly had many upgrades. I recently phoned the company and can obtain the upgrade direct from them. They advised that you had to send US$3.95, your master disk, and the number of your registration card that was in the box when you bought your copy of Scribble!. I would suggest that you check with the company how much money should be sent as I was under the impression that the US$3.95 was for people in the USA. You can phone them on (305) 790-0770 or write to them at: MICRO-SYSTEMS SOFTWARE, INC. 12798 WEST FOREST HILL BLVD., SUITE 202 WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33414 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Be advised that they may take a long time to answer a letter. I wrote to them in November and received my reply in March 1988. I suggest a phone call, keep it quick, it won't cost you much, and you obtain an immediate answer to your query. The latest update includes the use of SETMAP command for international keymaps and incorporates a new archive requester that features directory listings which can be double clicked to change directories. I find this a very important additional feature because some of my data disks have up to 20 directories on them and I cannot always remember the exact way I have written a directory name. Currently if I cannot source it I have to go into CLI and type to screen the directory listing of that particular disk to find the answer. All of which is a real hassle. I for one will be sending off for the upgrade. On a different matter but related to Scribble! it may interest you to know that you can edit the temporary dictionary. Perhaps you have clicked on `learn' for a word only to find that it is incorrectly spelt. Don't panic, you can edit userdict (this is the file name where words are stored before they are added to the permanent dictionary) by using the Project Archive General menu. Call up the file and you will see on the screen all the words you have stored there. Edit the word you want as per normal editing methods. A Scribble! user ED: Thanks for the tips - this gentleman has told me that he'll be doing a review of EXCELLENCE! by the same software company for Megadisc7, and from the blurbs, the program looks like the ultimate Amiga-style Word Processor. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Megadisc, Here is a contribution that I thought would interest some people. It is to do with KickStart modification and is very easy . There are several other programs required to do this on the disk , I was impressed with the bootblock on MD5 . What did you use to create it ? Well the article is going to be something that everyone will want to do because it brings the drive up to nearly hard disk speed . I can also help anyone wanting to have the machine have a file system other than df0: . For payment should this article be accepted , please send me the theme disk "BAD", the "Amigan PD#12", Graphics Demos #1, PD Word Processor and the PD Utilities disk . Soon I will have an explanation on how to patch the KickStart disk to allow you to set the preferences you wish as default . I will probably have it for the next MegaDisc . Also on this disk is a font replacer and a replacement Topaz 80 font called "Aztek" . As well on this disk is a program called "DC-Power". It creates a dynamic window into RAM: and can be run in the background by holding down the right mouse button and , still at the same time pressing the left button . It is called back by doing the same thing . The left button while you are in the program , magnifies the screen . Sorry about not having an ".info" file for it but the version I got did not have an icon . By the way , if you want to kill the virus in memory , try the method as described on MD5 , that is hold down the Left Mouse Button and if the screen goes green , the virus is in memory . Reboot and hold down the Left Mouse button and Ctrl-A-A , and this will kill it . Another thing that I have put on this disk is a special System-Configuration file (this is what the Preferences tool sets) which opens a screen 704 columns wide and 276 rows high . The colors that I have chosen have little or no flicker in interlaced mode . Can anyone help me ? I was examining the KickStart 1.1 disk the other day and changed the bootblock to DOS instead of KICK and discovered that the disk has several useable programs and a complete Command directory . In this directory is a program call "SetPrefs" . This is an early version of the preferences program which does not allow you to edit the pointer , but does have one thing that the new ones don't . When setting the baud rate , after 192000 , the baud rate goes to MIDI . I don't have a MIDI interface and don't know if this works or not . Also, it doesn't have the message "Caryn and =rj= Love 4 ever" when you click on the four mouse buttons on the two pictures of the mouse in sequence four times each then change printer and click all the way down and then up again . Well I found a directory called WB and it has .info files and a driver program for some special programs that are known as ".iprogs" . The problem is that I cannot examine , run , or alter these in any way . Please help me !!!! Andrew "AdKix" Draper ED: Your disk much appreciated, Andrew, along with its rather interesting programs and articles. Unfortunately, for your Kickstart hack, there just isn't enough room on this issue for the other programs it needs to be achieved. I've put your "system-configuration" file on, however, and I'm using it myself to get a bit more out of the screen. Anyone who wants to use it should do the following: Copy your Workbench disk and call it WORKBENCH if it isn't already Boot up with the copy (just to simplify things) Put Megadisc6 in your external drive if you have one Open a CLI and enter: > copy megadisc6:system-configAD to Workbench:devs/system-configuration And now reboot with the Workbench disk and you should get more onscreen. The flash screen that you got on MD5 if you booted it up was done courtesy of a program called "BOOTBOY III" which is one of the hacker disks floating around. Check the one in this issue. Anyone who'd like to do the modification described by Andrew can contact him at (07) 2036131. And help him out with the Kickstart 1.1 problem. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Megadisc, Thank you for your great magazine. I'm sure that if you continue to output the same quality, MEGADISC will go a long way. Now to answer the questions on the subscription form: What topics would you like covered in future issues? Creating a custom workbench, i.e. trimming off things that most people wouldn't use, and including various utilities that could improve productivity, possibly including an example startup-sequence and some background processes such as POPCLI and MCLK. Some Ad.s for the cheapest software going around. There was recently a 50%++ off sale at United Computers in Clarence St., Sydney and I missed it. Perhaps you could steer readers towards the best places for price and service. Any other comments? Please include MORE public domain programs on your regular issues - your readers will love you for it! A shell here, a comms program there, provided with good documentation, would be a real bonus for them. Your big advantage over other computer magazines is that your readers don't have to type in the supplied programs - use it. Don't leave readers in the dark when advertising products. I've read so much in Megadisc about NORM JACKSON'S x-1000 Expansion system + SCSI + clock, but I still don't know who he is, where he is, or even a rough price of the equipment. If it's not too much trouble, could you please send some info on this. Your Megadisc indexes (in the SUBS & EXTRAS) drawer seem to be getting smaller. Please don't let this continue! Remembering which issue that certain something was on, can be a real problem, but having a handy detailed (and printed) index simplifies things greatly. Does your MYCLI theme disk contain CONMAN and DISKMAN? If not, would it be too much trouble to put them on, as I have ordered MYCLI and the other two seem to be on similar lines. Thanks. Once again, congratulations on your magazine, it has my whole-hearted approval. I've included my subscription for six issues, and I won't hesitate to do the same six issues hence if you maintain the current standard. DARREN WRAY. ED: Lots of good suggestions, Darren. About creating a Custom Workbench, definitely on the next issue - any volunteers? Quick and dirty: you can do without Demos, Utilities, Expansion drawers; and using a directory utility such as Diskman or DUIII, knock out all Keymaps, all printer drivers except yours, and all system fonts. Also the Narrator.device and Say command (unless you really want voice), and even Preferences once you've got it set up as you want it. As for more programs, yes! as in this issue - check out the programs drawer (and send in suggestions for the most useful ones to include). Info about Norm Jackson's devices - his address is 111 Palmer St, Woolloomoolloo, Sydney; his X-1000 512K ram expansion/SCSI interface lists at $990, 20 meg hard disk at $1290 (but we might prevail on him to reduce that for Megadisc users - just enquire at Megadisc). Point taken about the indexes - I'm having the same problem myself trying to locate things. Your suggestion re the MYCLI disk will be implemented - but you might also be interested in the DISKUTES theme, which has lots of goodies too along those lines. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ One or two queries - I noticed in the Subs & Extras/Subscribing drawer that the Amicus disks go up to 26. The Catalogue only lists up to 22; also that there are Amigan PD from 4 TO 14 not listed at all. An oops! perhaps? Or you are so busy putting together more Megadisc's you have not had the time to remedy the situation yet. Query two - If, in future updates of the Megadisc Catalogue, would it be possible to send the original outdated Catalogue with a stamped self-addressed envelope enclosed to have it updated? Small cost? No cost? $5.50? I would be interested to find out. More power to Megadisc! Yours sincerely: B. MARCHANT. ED: Yes, kind of an oops; also yes, busy with Megadiscs; and yes again, anyone with an outdated Catalogue send it in with SASE and you'll get the updated version by return of post. No cost to purchasers of MD. And there are a lot of new disks to be had (look in the MD_INFO drawer for a listing of all the new ones). ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear MD ed., I have decided to renew my subscription to Megadisc. This is probably no big deal for you but my recreational spending is severely limited and I have to weigh what I get against what I pay. Whilst I agree that "one man's meat is another man's poison", I have not been too happy about the lack of actual programs and far too many reviews in your last two editions. Particularly, in the provision of programs, your opposition has been far more value for money. However, I don't much like playing games and as I can't afford both editions, your free disks weighed heavily in your favour. Yours sincerely, WILLIAM M.KING ED: It is a big deal, Bill and though different people like different mixes, you're right in saying that programs have been a bit thin on the last 2 MDs, a situation that has been corrected on this disk, I hope. This is one reason to sift through the MD Catalogue, however - you can select those programs that you're interested in; there is quite a demand for hard info in the way of articles and reviews, and of course it also depends on who sends what in. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Megadisc ed., Thank you for sending Megadiscs no. 4 & 5 so promptly. They are up to your usual high standard. I have one small problem. I cannot load two pictures on Megadisc 5, the tiger and hi-eyes. I have returned the disc to you and would like a replacement please. I also have an update on the Southern Amiga Users Group. This group is now operating as a special interest group of the Australian Amiga Users Association and now meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm. The meetings are held at: Connells Point Public School Hall Riverview Road Connells Point The phone numbers and contacts remain unchanged. Keep up the good work! Yours faithfully, PETER EXTON ED: You got it Peter, and thanks for the User Group update - anyone else with such info, please send it in. And as for dud disks - there are always a few in a large quantity, so if you ever get one, just send it back in and it'll be replaced instantly, pronto, now. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Sir, 6 I would like to know if there are any demos around for the Amiga like the ones the hackers are doing over in England for the Commodore 64. Some of these demos are on the C-64 disk magazine and they are quite amazing even for the C-64, they come from Compunet. It would be very nice to include demos like this on the Amiga Megadisc. It would also be nice to put together a compilation of the latest Compunet demos for the Amiga. Yours faithfully, STEVEN CROCKETT ED: Steven, check out the Megadisc Catalogue which has all the public domain stuff I can get my hands on, including the latest demos. But if anyone gets any that should be included in the library, please call or send it in, and I'll send back any PD disk of your choice. The library now stands at about 230 disks! and it's growing fast. Also most welcome are any disks that anyone puts together, of whatever kind. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Megadisc ed, Megadisc 5 was the first time I had bought your disk. I have only owned my Amiga 500 for 1 month and have never used a computer before. I can see from Megadisc 5 that I am going to learn a lot about getting the most out of my Amiga. This brings me to my first point, I am interested in the CONSULTATION AND TRAINING you mention on Disc5. Being a novice I need help from the very bottom of the scale. What I would like to see is someone put together a training course on Video tape, you could have different tapes on many subjects. Why I say this is because it doesn't matter how much you read, you cannot beat face to face training, someone actually showing you what to do. I am a Shiftworker and I find it very, very hard to do a face to face course as my working times vary greatly and would make it impossible to attend a weekly course - there must be a lot of other people like me. You are to be highly commended on your stance on commercial advertising on Megadisc, but I can see a market on your disk for the private market. There must be a lot of people out there who are updating their equipment and wish to sell their second-hand equipment, also there are a lot of people out there who are looking to but a printer etc., but can't make the budget stretch to be able to buy one, but could possibly scrape together enough to buy a second-hand one from someone updating. For a fee you could have a FOR SALE and a WANTED page for the private market only. L. CARLOW P.S. MEGADISC 5 being my first one I have bought, I would like to say one word WOW! ED: I'm sure there is a good market for the training videos you mention, and I hope someone takes up the suggestion (too busy here!). The For Sale/Wanted is a good idea, except that MD appears every 2 months (or so), and news might be stale by the time it gets to interested parties. But people do ask me such things, and I could certainly keep a list of things here if anyone wants to send in the info. I'd also suggest use of Bulletin Board Systems if you have a modem: they usually have an Ads section for private users. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Ed., Here is a few more pictures that I have drawn, and a couple icons, I would have done more icons except I was busy drawing the pictures, and NO ideas would come into my head for a design for an icon. So I think I only did 4 or so....."SLACK, AY?!!!!".... Once again I have done a few HAM pictures. But most of them are in normal 32 colour mode.. The picture of MAX HEADROOM that I drew was one of the hardest I have had to do, so, you'd better give it a good mention!!!!!(haha).... As far as I can remember, I get 5 public domain disks, (not sure) if it is There will be a list of 5 PD disks that I would like... On this disk there is also some reviews on some games etc... I am not the best writer, but you might be interested in them!!! Better go now, Be ready for the next batch after this (ha!) Justin Trevena __ \ /OO / \/\/ /______ ED: Thanks for your second disk of fine art, Justin - see M-M-Max in the ArtGallery this issue. Likewise your reviews, and I think your writing is fine! What about an amazing Title icon for Megadisc 7? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Megadisc, I promised that I would send you some Fractal mountain pics, and I have. You will find them (in CLI mode) in a directory called Fractal (oddly enough). There is only one snag, they are in ILBM format which means that you have to load them into Deluxe Paint or such like to work with them. The Fractal mountains were generated using the Basic Programme "Fractal Mountains for Amiga" by Mathew Timmerman, in the August '87 edition of Compute! I have included the prog for your perusal, but you should consult the author about copyright. (The first time you run the prog, try entering values of 1.5 for variation and 107 for randomise seed.) A few things then in closing. Firstly, thanks for a great magazine (and so easy to use too). Secondly, I got Fish disc #47 mainly for the communications prog. but also for the juggler animation. But no matter what I try, I can't get it to work (yes I followed the instructions). Ah well! I guess I'll just have to get the more recent version on fish #97 (please find cheque enclosed). Thirdly, I am sending back my copy of your catalog for it's long overdue update. And last, but by no means least, when you called last, you said that you had a good P.D. wordprocessor for me. So you'll find the 6.50 enclosed for that as well. David Sloan ED: Thanks for the mountainous fractals, David - but I couldn't get them to show! on anything! What about another version? And have you tried the "Mandelbrot Set Explorer" (in the Catalogue)? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Sir, After buying several of your wonderful and informative MegaDisc disks, I have summoned up the courage to send in some work of my own and of some friends. I have devised this disk into 4 main areas, Music (some music from Deluxe Music by a friend of ours.),Pictures (some pictures drawn on Digi-Paint by my own hand.),Programs (various AmigaBASIC programs done by my brother and I as well as a friend.) and Articles (Hints on Faery Tale and an article on the hated virus.) I would also like to thankyou on a job well done in producing your mag-on-a-disk "MegaDisc". Your "magazine" has to be one of the best and most informative ,as well as fun,Amiga magazines to buy. I consider it better than the American counterpart "Jumpdisk". Yours sincerly, Carl Osterly. ED: Thanks for the disk, Carl, lots of time and talent went into it, obviously. I've pulled the Faery Tale hints into this letter, and the virus article is more or less dealt with in the VACCINE2.0 program. --------------------- Faery Tale Fast Docs. By C.Osterly. Magic. --------------------- Gold Rings = Stop time. Glass Vials = Restorative elixir. Jade Skull = Instant death to all enemies. Bird Totem = Gives you a top view of your immeadiate area.(Handy if you are lost.) Blue Stones = Allows travel across the land via stone circles. Green Jewels = Enable you to see in the dark. Crystal Orb = Shows hidden things that the character can't see. --------------------- Keys. -------------------- White = For old castles and manors. Grey = Rooms in the City Of Marhiem and the Watch Tower. Red = For secret entrances. Gold = For the maze in Hemsath's Tomb and the inner chambers of the King Marhiem's palace. Blue = For the Sorceresses Keep on the Isle Of Sorcery. Green = For entering normal buildings. --------------------- Weapons. -------------------- Dirk = Useless ! Get another weapon as soon as possible. Mace = Useful for killing Raiths. Better than a dirk ! Sword = The best of the lot ! (Even better with high bravery !) Magic Wand = Very powerful and flashy. Only useful for long distances. Bow = Useless,no good. Get a sword, mace or wand. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ END OF MD6LETTERS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~