@2{Beginners Dungeon Part II @3 }By R. Barry Jones @4 Welcome to part II of my AMOS Beginners column. I haven't had a lot of time to write articles or program in Amos lately. This is why you may be reading this in Issue 10 of Amoszine and not Issue 9 which it may be in. Today is the 4th of October, Amoszine is supposed to be out at the start of every month. @5(You only made it m8 coz I was waiting to hear from A Smith and Paul Overy! - AG) @4 Never mind this column might make it, Issue 8 was almost a month late because, according to Andy G, most of the contributors hadn't sent anything in. @5(It was the truth, sorry but I can't make peeps send stuff in on time when issues are late on being released. The reason issue 7 was late was down to a few late contributors who promised goodies. So, in turn, issue 8 was late because peeps had less time to get their stuff done! As for this issue, well, it's the same old story folks! Every issue from now on will be a couple of weeks late unless you can help me out and send your things in a week or two sooner. C'mon, let's get Az back on schedule peeps @1:-)@5 OK RBJ, sorry to hog your article, I'll leave the rest to you - AG) @4I have had no letters from any of you beginners since my first article. Remember this dudes - If you don't ask for help you won't get it and we all need some problems solved at some time. @1 Here are some recommendations for all you beginners: @2 AMOS MANUAL. ============ @3 Included with Amos or try Amiga Format -------------------------------------- @5 I hope all you lot who got Amos from a coverdisk bought the manual, if you havent and havent programmed before then dont be surprised if you get confused and pull your hair out. Im an Amos Pro user and the Manual for Pro isnt that bad, its not brilliant but it will get you started. I havent seen the manual for the original AMOS but Ive heard it is a pile of ardvark`s cack. @4 Rating: #47/10 @4(Its almost essential, it details all of the AMOS commands) @3ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS GUIDE TO AMOS VERSION 3. ============================================= @3Written by Steve Bye. Phone him at F1 for details. -------------------------------------------------- @5 I know most guys think this guy is a lamer but he has done a teriffic job on this. It's well written and easy to understand, expect to be writing programs in Amos very soon after buying this. It's pretty cheap too as it's an E-Book. The latest version, version 3, contains something like 5+ new Chapters which are good reading to all levels of Amos coders, and according to Steve, the other chapters have been updated. This comes on 2 disks, one contains the text and the other disk is packed with Source code, sound effects, graphics and a couple of music modules. There's only one fault with this product and that is the interface, you have to double click on each Chapter to read it from Workbench, I think Steve used this so you could program in Amos while reading it by using the Amos multi-tasking thingymajig (Left Amiga key+A). Advice: Buy DMC GOLD, also from F1, and copy convert all the text files so that you can read them using DMC. If you do this, dont pass it on as it is Licenceware not PD. @5I have done this using Magnum Pro (yes, from F1) and I've included some modules on it and the interface is much better. @4 Rating: #49/10 @4(Might have got a 10 if it wasn't for the interface). @5 ADVICE TO STEVE: Write some "How to program [game type] in Amos" E-Books. Im sure they`ll sell well and make you some dosh and help me and others in the process. @2 AMIGA GAME MAKER`S MANUAL WITH AMOS BASIC. ========================================== @3Written by Stephen Hill. Contact Sigma Press on 01625 531035, or if ------------------------------------------------------------------- you have a Fax machine - 01625 536800. -------------------------------------- @5 This book was first published in 1992 and deserves to be reprinted as long as there are Amos users somewhere on the planet. Stephen Hill, who also co-wrote the Amos Pro Manual, has done a good job on this. This book covers Shoot em ups, RPG`s, adventures and a whole host of other stuff. @5 The authour has made it easy to understand and all you beginners will be coding some cool stuff quickly after reading this. There is only one teeny weeny problem here, the source code listings dont come on disk free with the book but I think you`ll be able to get the source code from Sigma Press if they still do the offer. Hang on a tic, there is one more problem. When this book was written the only copy of AMOS out was Amos Classic, most of the code assumes you have this version as most of the code which uses sound and graphics assumes you have the Amos Extras disks which came with the original pack. The Amos Extras disk contains loads of Amos Bob and sound banks. I personally dont have a copy of the disk myself yet but I do think its in the PD, I know you can get a copy of this disk from ONLINE PD but Ive forgotten the code. ONLINE PD usually advertise in the popular Amiga Mags if you want to contact them. @4 Rating: #48.75/10 @4- A fantastic book. Shame about the no support disk as standard. @4That's all for this issue folks. I was going to do some source code for ya but I havent had much time on my Amiga recently because Ive started a 2 year Computer Studies course at college and my head is crammed with another programming language - Turbo Pascal 6 on the PC. Basically this language is complete crap but the lecturers like it, and if that wasn't enough, I'm learning another language - Spanish. @3 Next Issue: @5More Articles Source Code (I promise) Amos Related stuff reviewed. @4 Last issue I said I was going to write about Bobs, Amal etc. whatever you want. I havent done this for two reasons: @3a) You humans disnt contact me to ask me what you want and b) Been busy doing college work. @4 IF YOU DUDES WANT TO CONTACT ME YOU CAN REACH ME AT: @165 Maengwyn St Machynlleth Powys SY20 8EE.