** MagiC roundup / 2546 words **

MagiC 6

Mark Wherry, Shiuming Lai, Rod Eggleston and Joe Connor team up to survey this latest version of MagiC across ALL the supported platforms...

MagiC 6 is arguably the most important MagiC release since the first releases because for the first time the same version is available for Atari, MacOS, Windows, Hades and Milan. We've covered MagiC before so if you're new to the subject it's worth reading Mark Wherry's primer of MagiC 5 in AC#8.

MagiC 6 was released last summer in Germany after six months of intensive programming and English releases, apart from MagiC Milan, were available at the Spring AMS show in the UK show back in April. Most of the improvements are "under the bonnet" so let's take a closer look.

Shared Libraries

Many new features of MagiC 6 have been implemented as shared libraries, which have been supported since MagiC 5.2 - a release that never made into English.

Shared libraries add new functions that can be used by any programs running with MagiC. The idea is not dissimilar to the Auto folder programs we have been using for years, but unlike these Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) applications, shared libraries are loaded and unloaded as required. Other platforms have supported this concept for years - you may be aware of DLL (Dynamically Linked Library) files on Windows, and it's great to see MagiC taking up good ideas from other platforms.

For programmers, MagiC's shared libraries offer a standard way of implementing a clean plug-in architecture within their programs, which is most welcome. For non-MagiC users, Julian Reschke has released a special beta version of MetaDOS that allows MagiC shared libraries to be used on machines not running MagiC. It should however be noted that any MagiC enhancements implemented as shared libraries will be of no use to non-MagiC users, as programs must specifically call a shared library for its abilities to be harnessed.

New Look

On start-up we're treated to a user (re)definable IMG file - the MagiC logo by default, and tiled background. The text that previously whizzed up the screen is now written to a text file called BOOT.LOG which resides in the root directory of the boot drive which makes it much easier to read.

The window management routines have been rewritten for better performance and sport a new look if you are running at a resolution supporting more than 16 colours. The new look window design is implemented by a shared library and the individual elements (the closer, title bar, scroll arrows, and so on...) are stored in a standard GEM RSC file. This has opened the door for hackers to re-design MagiC's windows and already we've seen the emergence of MagiC "themes" which are similar to themes for MacOS 8.5 and Windows.

** On Reader Disk Logo **

Currently these have to be installed piecemeal but it would be easy to program a desktop manager style utility to reduce this procedure to a point and click affair.

** MACOS.GIF here **

MagiC 6 now allows vector and proportional fonts to be used as system fonts, which means they are displayed on menus and in dialog boxes. Menus and sub-menus also gain a new, modern 3D-look.

MagXDesk

MagiC 6 includes MagXDesk 4 which is a compact, fast and memory efficient desktop with many loyal fans. Amongst the improvements is a progress indicator in MGCOPY (the file copier) and MGSEARCH (the file-searching tool) is now Year 2000 compatible.

MagiC Platforms

One of MagiC's greatest strengths is its ability to run on a variety of systems apart from "real" Atari machines including MacOS and Windows based machines. One of the advantages to running MagiC on one of the latter systems is that powerful machines are available at a lower price point, and include all the upgrades you'd ever need for your real Atari including massive hard disks, high-resolution colour display, memory and so on. You effectively do get two machines in one box and the ability to switch between them on-the-fly.

We've previously covered both MacOS and Windows versions of MagiC so there's no need going over the basics again. Both are already established as reliable replacements/upgrades to the real thing and are used by many serious programmers, writers and enthusiasts within the Atari community. For MagiC Mac/PC users, the version number jump to 6 was unusually large but at least now MagiC version numbers are consistent across all platforms so let's take a look at the individual MagiC implementations.

MagiC on a Falcon

When MagiC 6 runs on a Falcon, it really starts to look attractive, with clean, elegant colour graphics. The dynamic, solid image window dragging and sizing is classy, but starts to feel lethargic with bigger windows or as soon as the graphics mode is raised from 16 to 256 colours.

The good news is MagiC 6 runs with real gusto on Centek's CENTurbo II Falcon accelerator. Screen updates have a fluid response, making this multi-tasking system a real joy. If your monitor can handle it, install the CENTScreen software display enhancer to extend resolutions, run huge virtual screens and 640x480 in 65,536 colours, all under MagiC! Check our advice boxout.

For the purpose of this article Shiuming set out to see how far he could push his Falcon under MagiC... First of all, I set it to 640x480 in 65,536 colours, to look at some photographic images. Crisp and colourful, but static. Quickly load up GEM-Demo to show off some slick animated effects, though still something missing... Sound! My hi-fi system is downstairs, not a great problem because most of my CD collection is also stored as perfect digital copies on my Falcon (Atari software being so economic on space, I have to fill those drive partitions with something, right?). Fire up an AIFF player and shake the walls with glorious stereo sound coming straight off the hard disk. Wonderful. Log on to the internet and collect my email. Lots of messages. Start CAB and surf the web. Check the time, must remember to take a screenshot of it all for the magazine. Done, saved, and the music never faltered once.

** CT2MAGIC.TIF **
** Caption **
Contrived Screenshots number 23: Even at 640x480x65K, MagiC feels surprisingly snappy
** /caption **

** MagiC on a Falcon boxout **
Top Tips
CENTScreen under MagiC 6

Using CENTScreen's enhanced graphics modes in TOS is very simple. When Set video... is selected from the desktop menu bar, up comes a greatly improved settings dialog.

** CENTSCRN.GIF **
** Caption **
CENTScreen's replacement control panel for TOS
** /caption **

This doesn't work with MagiC's own resolution selector, so Centek provides a utility called Video Mode, which is a stand-alone version of the CENTScreen control panel. It can be run as an accessory and lets you set the attributes for each colour mode.

** VIDEOMOD.GIF **
** Caption **
Centek's Video Mode gives access to CENTScreen's parameters
** /caption **

For example, here you can see we've chosen a dimension of 800x592 pixels for 16-colour mode. Apply, or save, then open MagiC's resolution selector.

** CHGRES.GIF here **

The default mode is the highest resolution, and this is the one that gets patched for the enhanced mode. Simply click OK.
** /MagiC on a Falcon boxout **


MagiC Hades

** HADESMAG.GIF **

Rod Egglestone's interest in graphics, coupled with his daughter's art course, demanded a serious image manipulation, multi-tasking environment with loadsa RAM and maximum processing power - reason enough to buy a Hades...

As I am totally committed to the Atari platform Hades 060 was the only solution. Having heard of MagiC for Hades and being in touch with Invers Software regarding Calamus upgrades and associated modules I was prepared to accept the fact that it would have to be in German. As the English version of the jinnee desktop was about to be released by System Solutions the whole hardware and software configuration fell into place. And what a combination it has turned out to be!

Another advantage of MagiC is the AES which is essential for certain programs' display, such as MyMail depicted in the screenshot. Also, additional features are accessible in CAB and background and faster printing is possible using HD-Driver and NVDI. Just three minor niggles - unless it's my ineptitude:

** UL **
* It is essential to always manually turn on the data and instruction caches in Hades control accessory.
* I can't get Photoline to run under MagiC.
* The boot procedure for the ATI Mach 64 graphics card uses Nova drivers and an options menu should be displayed to choose resolution. However, under MagiC this disappears, but if you remember which key to press when presented with a blank screen all is well!
** /UL **

** HADES060.GIF here **


MagiC Milan

MagiC Milan is fundamentally different to the MagiC versions for Atari, PC and Mac. It doesn't include built-in VDI functions, it only includes a rudimentary (X)BIOS and accesses all hardware-specific functions via the Milan TOS ROM.

This concept should ensure the Milan remains "future-proof" leaving the Milan developers free to develop future enhancements with confidence they should also work under MagiC. For example, if additional serial interfaces were added these would automatically be available under MagiC. The same applies to specific XBIOS calls which are automatically executed from ROM if they are not handled by MagiC.

This pragmatic combination of MagiC and the Milan flash-upgradable TOS ROMs does makes sense but leaves some limitations compared with MagiC Atari/PC/Mac, specifically:

** UL **
* Any boot image specified in MAGX.INF is ignored. This feature uses the LOAD_IMG.SLB library and would require changes to the Milan ROM-VDI.
* Some programs, for example, MGEDIT and MGNOTICE, require NVDI to be installed because not all the functionality is included in the Milan ROM-VDI.
For many years NVDI sold because its screen rendering routines were unsurpassed and it gradually established itself as the best GDOS replacement at least in part due to its ongoing support for the latest printers. Although NVDI is now an essential add-on for use with MagiC Milan you have to manually disable the screen drivers and allow the low-level Milan screen drivers to be used instead. This quirky situation remains to be resolved satisfactorily.
* [Control]+[Alternate]+[Delete] leads to a warm-start from the Milan ROM-TOS but not under Milan MagiC.
* The type and number in u:/dev don't actually correspond to reality but may be rectified in future releases.
* Background-DMA is not supported.
* Resolution change using CHGRES.PRG is not supported. Instead device 1 should be entered in MAGX.INF and the resolution selected using Milan's own low-level VDI driver.
** /UL **

Joe Connor has been using the German release of MagiC Milan for some time...

MagiC Milan has given my Milan machine a second chance. Although I'm fully aware a properly configured MiNT, N_AES and desktop combination is a powerful working environment I personally became frustrated after weeks of tinkering with setup files and the machine sat idle for months (just one of the reasons I never wrote a follow-up to my first Milan article) until the release of MagiC Milan. Milan owners can now make the same choices as other Atarians between TOS, MiNT and MagiC.

MagiC Mac

** MM604.GIF here **

Many Mac specific features have been implemented in MagiC Mac 6 thanks to leading MagiC Mac programmer Thomas Tempelmann. To begin with, compatibility issues have been resolved, including those concerning MacOS 8.1 and the newer HFS+ Mac filing system.

For anyone using a printer, the direct output using the serial interface has been improved and further enhancements will be noticed if you are using an Epson Stylus Color or Photo model. Networked printing facilities have also been updated and MagiC Mac 6 now implements proper background disk access, as on other MagiC platforms.

While there are more changes than we have space to cover, existing MagiC Mac users will welcome the configurability of special key combinations like [Command]+W, and the fact it is now possible for ST-High resolution to be simulated on Macs that don't support mono display modes.


MagiC PC

** MPC600.GIF here **

A big advantage to version 6 of MagiC PC is the inclusion of Falcon compatible XBIOS sound emulation routines, so that PC users can now also benefit from applications such as GEMJing and experience a noisier environment! Other minor improvements include better handling of the mouse pointer when switching between MagiC and Windows, enhanced clipboard conversion and the removal of the 96Mb limit on Atari memory.

Conclusion

MagiC 6 is a mature product which brings the latest OS concepts to all Atari enthusiasts and its continued development across a variety of platforms makes it one of the key products in the Atari marketplace.

** boxout 1 **
The MagiC Documentation Project

Normally in such an article it is customary to condemn the lack of English programmer's documentation and use this as an excuse for the lack of English software. However, this time I am pleased to announce that the complete programmer's documentation for the latest release of MagiC (6.10) is now available in English, and this is thanks to the MagiC Documentation Project.

The idea was originally raised by Guy Harrison following a discussion in the comp.sys.atari.st newsgroup and John Whalley decided to take up the torch and act as the host and co-ordinator for the project. After obtaining permission from MagiC co-author Andreas Kromke, he appealed for translators to work on the German documentation. Here, the baton was passed to prolific Atari translator and TransAction member, Peter West, who single-handily translated the entire set - an enormous undertaking for which I'm sure many people are eternally grateful, myself included - Thanks Peter!

Atari Computing have been given permission to include the project on the next release of the renegadeCD, but in the meantime the files can be downloaded from:

http://www.whalley.demon.co.uk/atari/mdp/index.html
** /boxout 1 **


** boxout 2 **
Which Mac/PC?

The quoted requirement for MagiC PC is a computer running Windows 95/98/NT (3.51/4) with 16Mb RAM. Although not mentioned, you will need a powerful processor too - I tried running it on an old 100 MHz Pentium and it was s-l-o-w. Pretty much any current PC will be suitable to run MagiC PC.

The quoted Mac requirements are for a Macintosh with a 68030, 68040 processor with 8Mb memory or a PowerPC processor with at least 16Mb memory.

The Mac situation is of most interest to Atari enthusiasts looking for more power because the older Mac machines used the same Motorola processors as Atari machines so MagiC runs particularly well on these machines. The icing on the cake here is that most Mac users can barely give them away because they are out of date as Macs, so bargain prices are the norm. This is even true of 68k PowerBooks where the Apple Duo models, which offer faster portable computing than any real Atari machine, can be picked up second-hand from around œ200.

Machines fitted with the first generation of PowerPC processors like the 601 are best avoided because their 68k code emulation is too slow. Later PowerPC chips like the 603 and 604 are best, but for blistering performance it has to be the Pentium toasting G3/G4 models.
** /boxout 2 **

** product boxout **
MagiC 6

Authors:
Andreas Kromke and 2B

Publisher:
ASH
http://www.application-systems.de

UK Distributor:
System Solutions, 17-19 Blackwater Street, East Dulwich, London, SE22 8SD
Tel: +44 (0)181 693 3355
Email: sales@system-solutions.co.uk
http://www.system-solutions.co.uk/
** /product boxout **