READER COMMENT. . .

Your Bugs and Bytes feature on editing lock-up brought to mind my recent clash with the beast, and I thought that you and your readers might be interested to hear how I emerged victorious. After revising about fifty lines of a program, I tried to "CSAVE" hit Return, and found that the cursor simply disappeared. I hit Reset and tried again, but no go. I thought of the solution offered by the Basic Reference Manual (turn it off and lose your program!) and then I figured I better think again. After a number of unsuccessful ploys, I typed "BYE". Bingo! Up comes the Memo Pad. I had a feeling that when I hit Reset, everything would be Ready, and I wasn't disappointed. "CSAVE" started about two seconds later.

I can't guarantee that this will work every time, but it sure beats calling it quits and pulling the plug (or even listing after every few edits as you suggest). My victory may have been a small one, but it sure made me glad that I was born with a computer that has a little more range than "0" and "1".

By the way, if you want a little news filler, you might mention in the magazine that there is an effort being made to establish a National Atari Computer Net for radio amateurs (hams) on Monday nights at 8:00 p.m. EST on 14.329 MHz. The net has gotten off to a slow start because just when the publicity hit, the net control station W1UKZ, experienced some antenna trouble, and was off the air for some time. So if anyone is interested in getting on the radio and chatting about our favorite computer, please contact me.

Dear Editor,

Hi! Forgot to tell you that I think the screen layouts in # 1 are really nice, I haven't tried using them yet because I haven't made any copies. (I assume we have permission to copy those few pages(?) ) But I will use them next time I write a program.

While we are on the subject of permissions, that has bugged me for a long time, but have never known any publishers to tell it to. The notice that everyone puts in their magazines says that nobody can copy anything without your (written) permission. Right? Could it or should it not be changed or amended or something to allow copying of non-article type material? Like ads and especially coupons for information or to order with. Who wants to chop up their magazines? Especially, GOOD ones like yours, (had to put that in) I realize that most people probably ignore the notice and copy anything and everything, but wouldn't it make more sense to allow copying of specific things "legally"? If I'm totally wrong, let me know, it wouldn't be the first (or last) time. But at least I found somebody to complain to.

I have a feeling you may know more about this than I, but I thought I would mention them in case you haven't and wish to discuss them in the magazine. The following are ATARI Tech Tips that correct or prevent several problems and the Customer does NOT pay for them even if the machine is out of warranty. (I will skip those that do not impact the end-user, service tips, part number changes, etc.)

#2 - 400 / Oscillating paddle while using the Super Breakout cartridge. This shows up as a very erratic paddle. It is corrected by adding a capacitor on the motherboard.

#4 - 800 / Machine remains in 'SELECT' condition when using the Basketball cartridge. It is corrected by removing three capacitors from the motherboard.

#9 - 825 / RF Interference. To minimize the interference, be certain that the coax cable coming from the rear of the Computer, extends away from or is layed at right angles to the 1/0 and printer cables. As an additional precaution, do not cross the printer cable with the power adapter cables.

#12 - 800 / Machines with 48K RAM using Star Raiders may invert the display. This is corrected by replacing one of the IC's with a higher revision.

Those are the current ones that a Customer may have experience with. ATARI has recently released upgrades for both the 400 and 800 to prevent the problems that were caused by card movement. And of course the goldplated contacts.

So you are a Star Commander ... I love that game. I haven't been playing too much lately and my highest rank was Lieutenant, Class 1. Well, I played one game last week and made it to Warrior, Class 1. In another couple years, I might catch up with you! Do you know about the alternate hyperwarp procedure, the one you don't have to steer for? It also isn't documented in the game description. Well, if you don't know, you can travel to a sector that you want to go to. Then press 'L' and 'H' and it will jump you up to the above sector easily. It does miss occasionally, but not anymore than when steering. It's great for when you have lost your computer but not long range (it doesn't work when LR is broke). The first time I played SR, I didn't have the instructions and found it by accident. I don't know if it detracts from your score either. But is is nice to know about!

(continue on page 4)

It is okay to reproduce Portions of A.N.A.L.O.G. for your Personal use (ie. not for distribution). We encourage copying of certain things such as the graphic charts on pages 30, 3 1 and the driving controllers chart on page 35, both in Issue # I Copying ads instead of cutting the magazine is also allowed of course. The copying of articles for distribution or even to give to a friend IS NOT ALLOWED by us, nor legally. Even photocopying an article may be defined as illegal. The programs listed in the magazine are for individual use only, and may not be sold nor copied. The programs are covered under the magazine's copyright protection. We hope clears up all your questions, and thanks for the info on Control Data's support on the ATARI. Most people seem very happy with the service they have received on any of their ATARI computer products. -Ed.

Dear Sirs,

With regard to your "Editing Lock-up" page 35 (Jan/Feb). I had a similar problem editing a long program. I found the cause to be hitting "System Reset" while the editor was working. The editor is usually very fast in Atari, but sometimes a period of a few seconds elapses when an edit change is made. I impatiently hit the "System Reset" while working on a program only to find that the system crashed. For a while I was afraid that it was a hardware problem. Thanks for the magazines devoted to Atari users.

Buehler
Andover, MA

Dear Sirs:

Please find enclosed my readers questionaire. There are a couple of items that I would like to bring to your attention, and hopefully someone at Atari will take Notice also. I have amended a couple of questions on the form since I first filled it out. The first: On a scale of 1-10, the question, How would you rate your Atari? I changed my answer from a 9 to a 6. The other question: Would you recommend your Atari to a friend? I changed that from a Yes to a No. The reason for the changes in my original answers is that since I filled out the questionaire, I've had nothing but trouble from my Atari 800. The main problem stems from corrosion of the contacts on the memory cards, ROM cartridges, etc. All of the RAM cards have the "Lubiplate" on the contacts, but that doesn't seem to help anymore. I feel that a more permanent solution would be to allow us Atari owners to take out the troublesome ROM & RAM cards, and trade them in for the new style gold plated versions. This might cost Atari quite a bit, but it would be worth it considering the service and repair costs. Anyway I will be returning my system to Control Data and have them go through it. Until Atari comes up with a permanent solution I will not change my mind regarding those questions. just thought I would throw in my twocents worth.

Johnie R. Gager Spokane, WA

I will be interested in hearing from you after your system is repaired at Control Data. Along with the three step contact cleaning that will be performed by the service center, they upgrade various other areas in the earlier 400's and 8oo's. Now that's service. -Ed.

Dear Editor,

Thank you for sending me a copy of your magazine. The AXLON 256TM MEMORY SYSTEM for the Atari 800 is in final testing at this time. The AXLON 256 provides the capability to expand the Atari 800 to up to 256K-bytes of RAM using bankselect software. The system is designed to accornodate up to eight RAM memory modules. The system accepts AXLON's 32K RAMCRAM modules, two of which are included with the system, and/or Atari RAM modules. The system also includes the memory management software, interface card and cable, and has a dedicated power supply.

The software provided with the system is a modified DOS with the memory management software integrated into the system. The memory system simply acts like another disk on the 800. The user can utilize all the disk functions he presently uses.

The most obvious advantage of the AXLON 256 is speed. For example, the Atari 8 10 disk drive has a transfer time of 756 bytes per second, the AXLON 256 has a transfer time of 128,000 bytes a second.

I appreciate your interest. If you have additional questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Dear Sirs:

What can I say? Your magazine (newsletter) is the best thing to come along since the ATARI!! I am a little slow in getting this letter off to you because I was so involved in the articles and programs in your first issue! I have already come to respect your name - now just keep it up.

It was several years ago that I purchased a TRS-80, unsure of what I was going to do with it. I soon discovered that it couldn't mow the lawn or take the cat out! I wasn't discouraged, though. I had found a new

(continue on page 5)

hobby! At that time the TRS-80 and Apple were still being explored. Each new program brought about a new concept and ability for the micro. Now there is a dearth of software and hardware for the TRS-80 and Apple. It was only six months ago that I purchased an ATARI. I now search out and read anything I can on the ATARI, as I did with my TRS-80, but it's much more exciting because of ATARI's hidden abilities.

I look forward to your next issue. Please enter my subscription so I don't miss out. My local computer store sold out of A.N.A.L.O.G. almost overnight!

OWEN C. HOGLE
1080 South 15th East
Salt Lake City, Ut. 84105

Dear A.N.A.L.O.G.,

I have just received your first issue, and after reading it thoroughly, I decided that it was up to me and other ATARI users to submit information. We need support! My article defines the Peek & Poke statements to confused beginners. Even though I am not an expert myself, I hope when you read through my article that you consider I am only 14 years old and in the 8th grade

What the PEEK and POKE Are You Talking About?
by Robert La Ferla

If you have ever listed a program or have skimmed through a page in the BASIC Reference Manual, you may have come across "Peek" and "Poke". In this article we will take a look at what these do, so you can poke it into your computer.

At first it may seem confusing, but it is really quite simple. Poke can be used in either the direct or deferred mode, Peek can only be used in the deferred mode. That is, Poke can be used only in a statement.

Now look at what each do. Poke is used to insert information (data) into a memory location. It can only be reset or cleared by [SYSTEM RESET] or another Poke statement. Note: System Reset only clears Poke in the direct mode.

EXAMPLES:
Direct Mode
POKE 755,4 - (try this and you'll find yourself upside down)

How To Use
POKE aexp1, aexp2 (don't forget the comma)
aexp1 =decimal address
aexp2 =data to be poked

Now that you have learned how to POKE, let's see how to PEEK. Peek is used to retrieve the information (data) from a specified memory address; in other words the number in parentheses. Peek can only be used in the deferred mode (in a statement).

EXAMPLE:
IF PEEK(764)=63 THEN SOUND 2,0,10,8

How To Use
10 IF PEEK(aexp1)=aexp2 THEN ...
aexp1=memory address
aexp2=specified number
    OR
10 PRINT PEEK(aexp1)
10 PRINT PEEK(_$)

Here is a program that uses both "PEEK" and "POKE":

10 POKE 764,255: REM CLEARS KEYS PRESSED
20 PRINT CHR$(125) : REM CLEARS SCREEN
30 PRINT "ENTER THE LETTER 'B'"
40 IF PEEK(764)=21 THEN GOTO 50
45 GOTO 30: REM TRAP FOR INVALIDS
50 FOR C=1 TO 100 STEP 2
60 PRINT "THIS IS THE WAY TO PEEK AND POKE"
70 NEXT C
80 END