=========================================================================== * ST Format - AUGUST ISSUE - CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE. Issue #61 * =========================================================================== * * * COMMENTS! The AUGUST ST Format has been on sale in Europe for * * about a week. This summary is late due to the 4th of July, 3 * * day weekend. It seems that the US MAIL does not move anywhere * * on such Sundays and Mondays. Thanks again should go to Clive * * Parker. At least US ST Format readers will get a preview of * * what is in store for them once ST Format shows up here at * * dealer shelves in about a week. I would expect STF61 in the * * US on the 18th of July. Once again, if you appreciate reading * * these summaries, please send a note of thanks to Clive Parker * * on CIS. Of course another way to thank him is to drop STF a * * line at: ST FORMAT/ 30 Monmouth Street/ Bath, Avon BA128W. * * ...After thinking this over, people wrote in to praise Bob * * Brodie at Atari Corp. and he gets his position and panoramic * * corner office back, paid vacation...then leaves Atari for a * * better job... Well, use your best judgement. Trenton will * * just have to be sure he does not give Clive 4 weeks off to * * look around and interview for another position. The best way * * to thank Clive is to buy ST Format and/or subscribe! * * * * As for comments, I showed STF61 to 2 people, STeve Kipker and * * Dr. Christopher Mau. The first word out of both of their * * mouths on each occasion was, "wow." I think that sums up the * * look of ST Format under the direction of its new editor, * * Trenton Webb. With the 4th of July just days ago, the words * * of Thomas Jefferson come to mind. "The tree of freedom needs * * to be refreshed every once in a while with the blood of * * patriots.." Well, ST Format seems to need a change of editor- * * ship to reach new heights. STeve and I both are impressed by * * what we perceive as a new look to STF! There are touches that * * I especially like, like what is being done with Capt. Blunder * * and the back page! Upon browsing through STF61, I am hopeful * * that Trenton Webb will rank in my esteem up there along side * * Mark Higham as my definition of the best of the best in * * computer magazine editing. I always enjoy reading ST Format, * * but this was something more joyous. I predict that once this * * issue of ST Format hits the stands and dealer shelves in the * * US, it will revitalize interest in the Atari ST. This is not * * just wishful thinking. With two "wows" out of the mouths of 2 * * jaded readers that digest STF from cover to cover every month, * * there is something wonderful happening here. * * * * STeve's Atari Sales will take pre-orders on this issue #61 in * * the US. Please read the accompanying BUY_IT.TXT file for * * pertinent purchasing information. STeve's AtariNOTES! should * * be out around the 15th of July. I have finished my part, but * * STeve is making changes to the newsletter. So, look for * * STeve's AtariNOTES!, issue #3, the end of the 3rd week of JULY * * from the same file base from which you get the ST Format * * summaries. You will be 1 of over 300 people that download * * this newsletter-catalog each month. If your friends whine * * that there is no support for Atari computers, they obviously * * have not seen ST Format or STeve's AtariNOTES! So, make them * * happy, put a copy of one or both into their hands today! * * * * There is no news that I can comment upon without stepping on * * articles in the pages of this month's STF. Sales of Falcons * * and STes are up in numbers at STeve's Atari Sales. With new * * products for sale and on the horizon that take advantage of * * the superior hardware of these machines (over the base ST), it * * is of no wonder people are upgrading. * * * * * * SUBSCRIBER'S: Unfortunately, this month I cannot give insight into * * what is in the SUBSCRIBER'S NEWSLETTER. If you turn to page * * 50 of STF61, you can get a glimpse. There is a ROCK 'N' ROLL * * BARG'S offer for only subscribers. You lucky subscribers will * * have to tell us what this is all about and who the "BIG BLOKE" * * is that joined the staff of ST Format. * * * * This month's WONDERDISK is packed full with 11 games, applica- * * tions, and utilities. You have to be an ST Format subscriber * * to receive both the WONDERDISK and the superiorly commanding, * * additional instructions and descriptions included with the * * subscribers only newsletter. On the disk is a 4 player maze- * * adventure-arcade-puzzle game named WYRD WAYS. You talk about * * a game that has something for everyone, this is it! Another * * game offering is PATIENCE, the solitaire card game simulation. * * Continuing the subject of gaming, there is an editor for * * CIVILIZATION. This cheat program should give your copy of * * that game some more play time on your ST. In the realm of * * entertaining applications, PSYCHO SCRIPT and RUNE CASTER * * should keep subscribers entertained. The former is a hypnotic * * show for your color monitor and the latter is a pseudo-fortune * * telling program. Maybe you can get a job with a 1-900 fortune * * telling phone service with it? As for utilities 2 IN 1 SHELL * * is a timely offering. With this shell program you can install * * and use a dozen archive programs through this easy to use * * interface (if you can afford all the shareware registration * * fees). No more having to deal with that command line inter- * * face and having to remember all those one letter commands. * * The other programs are familiar names or self-explanatory: * * MEMWATCH, DC FLOPPY CONFIG, LED PANEL v2.5, and SPEEDO. What * * is pure serendipity, or Clive Parker used RUNES, MEDIUM REZ * * BOOTER is provided on the WONDERDISK. I have been searching * * high and low for this program ever since I read about it in * * the pages of STF in an article by Clive. I need it for my * * STe, not only to boot-it up into medium resolution, but to * * also speed boot-up. As it stands my STe takes 50 seconds or * * more to reach the GEM desktop. Lastly, there is a program * * called VERICARD, that checks to see if credit card numbers are * * valid. I await input from STeve to tell me if it is useful or * * not. All in all, I have to say that this month's WONDERDISK * * should keep people busy, if not entertained. * * * * * * THEME: TONG IN CHEEK makes the way for another cover that should be * * converted into a poster. It also introduces the readers to * * the cover story informing STF readers about 12 new applica- * * tions for your ST, STe, or FALCON030 that have or are coming * * from the forge of software developers! With an additional 6 * * new applications reviewed, the future looks as hot as this * * month's STF cover. * * * * WHAT'S INSIDE: STF reviews over 5 ST, STe, & FALCON game packages, * * 1 of these is definitely new and runs on the ST. There are * * also 2 game previews, one of these covers the space adventure * * role playing game, ZERO-5, from Caspian Software. On the pro- * * ductivity and hardware side, well over 22 productivity * * software packages (over a dozen of these new), 4 hardware * * items and a bunch of new CD ROM releases are reviewed and * * rated. In the public domain sector STF reviews over 10 game, * * 2 educational, 1 animation demo, and 1 utility program. There * * are no JAGUAR reviews or previews this month. Considering all * * the new products for Atari computers covered in this month's * * STF, the JAGUAR is not missed. * * * * WHY BUY THIS MAG?!!: Besides the new "wow" look to ST Format and the * * huge number of reviews this month, there are again 3 programs * * of 7 that I find exceptional and worth having and using. * * There is the 30 level platform game, WELL'ARD. This game is * * of commercial caliber! WELL'ARD is SHAREWARE and protected by * * code for limited access. The second program is ATARI VIEW 3, * * a text file reader that is chock-full of options. This is * * just the program to use to read these ST Format summaries, to * * search them for what you are interested, and block capture the * * text for sending to a printer or saving as a file on disk. * * And, that is not all. The last program is TWINZ, a CONCENTRA- * * TION type game. It is extremely addicting and the tiles have * * differing graphics behind them that keeps it fresh, level to * * level. A program that may interest others is WORDQUIZ 4, a * * wordsearch puzzle generator, but there are problems with this * * program. Please read the COVER DISK section of this summary * * to get the details on this. And, there are 55 more drum * * samples for use with QUARTET, given to STF readers 3 issues * * back. * * * * On the feature and regular article side, if you have ever * * considered installing TOS 2 into your ST, this is the issue * * you must buy. This is proclaimed the COMPLETE TOS 2 GUIDE. * * There are 4 separate parts or chapters: BUY IT, INSTALL IT, * * TWEAK IT, and USE IT; 7 pages of TOS 2 coverage from a review * * to a Clive DIY to 2 tutorials on its use. STF has 2 DIYs * * (Do It Yourself). One is extremely timely, showing how to use * * SENSIBLE SOCCER to simulate the WORLD CUP, slated for comple- * * tion on July 17th. The 2nd DIY has CLIVE PARKER show you how * * simple and easy it is to install the solderless TOS 2 upgrade * * on the STFM. With an additional 5 pages telling you about and * * how to efficiently use TOS 2, you should be as motivated as I * * to get this into your ST. Since it is authored by Clive * * Parker, you should know this is exceptional reading. And in * * a time of changes, some things are still included, like a * * CHRIS LLOYD feature article. This month it is an in-depth * * compilation review of all the art packages out there for use * * on the ST. Chris reviews and rates 9 of them, categorized by * * how much they will lighten your pocket book. I neglected to * * say that there is a mine full of STF GOLD this month, * * including a review of the newly released DIAMOND BACK 3.01, * * rated STF 95%! Of the 22 reviewed packages, a good number of * * them can be found in the art program feature article. The * * FALCON and the STe are very visual machines. This is a must * * read for all Atarians trying to find uses for their machines! * * Additional feature articles of special note are Trenton Webb's * * continuation of last month's chronicle of the past 5 years of * * Atari history and ST Format. * * * * GAMEBUSTERS gives in-depth coverage to FRONTIER, AMBERSTAR, * * ELITE and CHAOS STRIKES BACK with smaller additional hints to * * other ST games. ST ANSWERS continues to be a reason unto * * itself for reading ST Format. This is continuing ST education * * under the direction of professor Clive Parker and faculty. * * Master the material each month and you too can be an Atari * * computer expert. Lastly, FEEDBACK gives you the first real * * insight into who is Trenton Webb, the new STF editor. From * * his replies, you can determine if Trenton has command of the * * English language, let alone eloquent or colorful enough to * * carry on the chain of command at ST FORMAT's helm. "These are * * the chronicles of the ST Format. Its on-going mission to..." * * * *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** * * * COVER DISK: This month's cover disk is packed with files, 4 of them * * compressed. There is 1 sound utility demo, 1 arcade platform * * game, 2 "educational games", 1 very pertinently useful * * utility, and another collection of sound samples. * * * * WELL 'ARD is an arcade game that is commercial quality. There * * are 16 levels to this game, distributed equally among 4 * * worlds. The first world is a 4 level platform game. The * * levels are multi-screened! The quality of the game is not * * surprising once you realize the game is SHAREWARE. For you * * to access the later worlds, you must register the game to get * * a codeword from the author, a Citizen of the Realm (lives in * * the UK). Worlds 2 and 3 are more platform action, but ST * * Format in possession of the registration code tells us that * * world 4 is one of shoot 'em up action. If you mind that your * * on screen alter-ego looks like a 1-eyed, tank-T-shirt clad, * * toothy fat thug, this game is not for you. * * * * DIGIT v1.1 DEMO is another functional music demo with its save * * functions disabled. You can still load song files, modify * * them and play them. This program has a ST keyboard interface * * like MUSIC MON from last month's cover disk; i.e., you can * * play music from the ST keyboard! This is just full of useful * * options. You will be surprised, and you can load and save * * sound samples from within this demo in the SAM format. I am * * not too keen on music programs, let alone disabled demos of * * them. But (a big BUT), the sale and use of them pay the bills * * for many, and ST Format supports them to the fullest. The * * STF staff promises a MASTERCLASS tutorial on the use of this * * program next month. On the same page of STF instructions for * * this program, STF informs you of problems with last month's * * SAM 2 DISK cover disk demo and how to resolve them! Another * * example of ST Format's excellent support of its cover disks. * * * * TWINZ is an excellent, addictive game of concentration. What * * keeps it fresh, level after level, are the tile icons. You * * match pairs of tiles, turning them over to see road signs, * * car manufacturer emblems, air line logos, and much, much more. * * With only 20 tiles per screen, you may think this game a lark, * * but there is a time limit that you must beat to get to the * * next screen full of tiles. I do not know if the game timer * * speeds up from level to level, but it sure does seem so after * * a while. I bet you can't just play one level! ENJOY!!! * * * * WORD QUIZ 4 is a word search generator program that once was * * commercial ware, or still is. This program is listed to work * * on all STs; it does not. It will not work on any machine that * * does not have a blitter chip, nor can you shut down the * * blitter and load it. If you have a MEGA or STe, you can send * * as little as $5 to register this product. If you have a ST, * * STF or STFM, you will have to buy the commercial release. * * STeve is well stocked with these and will be happy to sell you * * a copy. Trenton Webb was so enthralled by this program that * * he used it to generate a reader promotional competition, but * * more on that in THE LAST PAGE discussion of this summary. * * There are 10 sample puzzles provided for you to print out or * * modify. Clive Parker did an excellent one for STAR TREK tng! * * For Anglophiles (a lot of US readers of STF are) word search * * themes like ALLSTARS (cricket, soccer?), GROCERIES, or TV * * SHOWS (if you watch a lot of PBS) may give you that enjoyable * * insight into British life. Others like JURASSIC, JAGUAR, * * SHAREWARE, CIRCUS and even BOOKSTORE may be more cosmopolitan * * in their solutions. Of course they are included, THIS IS the * * world's best selling ST magazine! * * * * ATARI VIEW 3.8 is the most wonderful of all this month's cover * * disk offerings. It is a text file reader that is jam-packed * * with useful options. And they are accessible by use of mouse * * and/or keystroke. I would use this to read the ST Format * * summaries. You can display by page, doubles spaced, single * * spaced or dump the text in whole or parts that you choose * * using its block function. It has a search function that comes * * in handy if you want to skip down to those sections that I * * refer to, when I write, "more on this later..." You can place * * up to 10 markers. So, mark your place, search for that * * section I mentioned, use the block functions to save the * * to disk or send it to your printer, and then just jump back to * * your marker and continue on your way. Did I not say it was * * wonderful? You can move through the text line by line or page * * by page. There is so much more, like readily available help * * programed right into this viewer if you have questions about * * an options. The viewer even lets you access your desktop * * accessories! You just have to use this to appreciate all * * these described features. To me this is the best gift this * * month from STF to its readers, especially to those that read * * ST Format summaries! * * * * SEBRA is THE monochrome emulator for ST color monitor users. * * This is thoughtfully provided on the disk for those that do * * not have a monochrome monitor to be able to boot up and use * * the DIGIT demo. This has 3 different modes of operation and * * if one is not compatible, try the other two. I have yet to * * personally see a monochrome program that will not work with * * SEBRA. SEBRA is ZEBRA in Swedish (so I am told). That sums * * it up in one word. * * * * BOSS DRUM is a collection of 55 drum samples for STF readers * * that bought issue 58. On that issue QUARTET was given away on * * the cover disk. These are the promised drum samples mentioned * * last month in the accompanying text to the 20 instrument * * samples on the STF60 cover disk. I have written it once, if * * not over a dozen time: this is another example of ST Format's * * commitment to its readers to give them resources and infor- * * mation they can use to get the most out of STF cover disk * * offerings. And this support can extent over months, such as * * in this case of 4 months of support for QUARTET! As for the * * name of this collection, I can only guess that Bruce * * Springsteen endorses their use. * * * * COVER DISK BACK-UP is included this month. The instructions * * to this 800K+, disk back-up system are penned in the style of * * an eloquent Oxford professor lecturing on the fine arts before * * a body of the most astute scholars. I hope this motivates * * people to read the instructions and use this program; before * * you find someone like your 4 year old son has formatted your * * STF cover disk and you have no back-up copy. * * * *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** * * * FEATURES: * * * * INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION is Trenton Webb's look at the future of * * the ST and with this collection of review and previews of * * software for the serious Atarian (serious meaning productivity * * applications that can help Atarians achieve fame or fortune), * * you will become a believer too! Reviewed are TWIST, a data- * * base application; PAPYRUS, a DTP word processor; TRUE IMAGE, * * a 24 bit art program; EASE, an alternate desktop (like NEODESK * * or DESKFX); CLARITY FALCON, a sound and music D2D application; * * MAG!X FALCON, faster and more compatible multi-tasking; * * NOTATOR LOGIC, a complete music application; MUSICOM2/TRAKCOM, * * another music package for digital recording and editing; * * MASTERPHONE, turns your ST into a personal phone receptionist; * * INTERFACE 2, a new resource file editor for use with all TOS * * computers; THAT'S WRITE 3, a WYSIWYG word processor; and not * * really the last, TELEPHONE SYSTEM, another program that turns * * your ST into a personal receptionist that will screen your * * phone calls and even lie for you. "I am sorry but Professor * * Parker is not in, please enter your pin number to leave a * * message." Beep boop beep. "Hi Trenton, been expecting your * * call..." The future is here!........................... [21] * * * * ART FOR ART'S SAKE is a compilation of reviews of art program * * for use on the ST. It should be no secret that Chris Lloyd is * * one of the finest reviewers that write for ST Format. There * * are 5 art programs ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD*** and in a Chris * * Lloyd review that is a solid promise of excellence. Chris * * Lloyd groups the reviews as follows: Public Domain -- CRACK * * ART, PAD, and PAINT POT; Commercial Packages -- DELUXE PAINT, * * TRUE PAINT, and PIXART; and The Big League -- CHAGALL, DA'S * * PICTURE, and ARABESQUE PROFESSIONAL. In a side bar there are * * listed all the art programs given away on past STF cover * * disks. These are CANVAS (STF34), SPECTRUM 512 (STF36), PRISM * * PAINT v1.1 (STF48), and HYPERPAINT 2 (STF 54). The latter 2 * * are still in stock at STeve's and all can be ordered from ST * * Format. Please see the attached BUYIT file for further * * information............................................. [30] * * * * CD REVIEW by Clive Parker is a look at the world of CD-ROM. * * He examines 1 GIGABYTE of software and graphics files. Only a * * reviewer of Clive's caliber could succinctly summarize this * * into 2 pages of text! Reviewed are ATARI PD AND SHAREWARE, * * volumes 1 and 2; SPACE AND ASTRONOMY CD-ROM; and PROJECT * * GUTTENBERG CD-ROM. I leave it to you to read this excellent * * review and to learn about what PROJECT GUTENBERG is. I just * * have to tell you that Clive found that ATARI PD... volumes are * * much better than the GEMINI CD-ROM, that was previously * * reviewed in the pages of STF. Now you have to read and find * * out why or buy them upon this summaries relation of a Clive * * Parker endorsement...................................... [48] * * * * STF'S DIY SS WC '94 translated is ST Format's Do It Yourself * * SENSIBLE SOCCER World Cup 1994. If you own SENSIBLE SOCCER * * try this DIY out and see if your ST predicts the winner of the * * World Cup. STF tells you who won in their DIY simulation, * * aptly demonstrating this DIY is not a waste of space. I think * * it is Trenton Webb that tells us some interesting soccer facts * * and trivia in a sidebar. There is a goal to this. He at the * * end challenges you to try to best these stats in game play * * using SENSIBLE SOCCER. This is an extremely timely DIY and if * * you had any curiosity concerning soccer sims, this should fire * * you up enough to try SENSIBLE SOCCER. So, July 17th is the * * best day to do this with the finals on the tube (TV). After * * Clive Parker's timely release of STAR TREK (TM): KLINGON WAR * * on the WONDERDISK, which I was able to try out while the last * * episode of ST tng was blaring in stereo throughout the house, * * as the USS Enterprise came into battle to save the crew of * * the USS Pasteur (why not USS Lister or Jenner?) from Klingon * * warships. What can beat playing the final game of your DIY SS * * WC '94 to the cheers and jeers of the actual World Cup finals. * * Now you have an excuse to purchase that surround-sound home * * entertainment system.................................... [70] * * * * NOW WE ARE FIVE is the continuation of Trenton Webb's look at * * the past history of ST Format. Last month covered the 1st 3 * * years. This month he looks at the other two years - to date. * * Again he tells you about things behind the scenes of the Atari * * world and ST Format's place in it as the magazine covered the * * news and helped form it. He tells you more about the person- * * alities that made STF what it was and where they are today. * * I think this article series is important for Atarians to read. * * Through it, you can see exactly how things have reached the * * state they are in today -- good and bad. My summary of this * * would include Trenton as follows: STeve Carey lays the new * * foundation for STF; Mark Higham builds upon the foundation * * and creates a palatial edifice in the world of computer * * journalism; Paula Richards knocks out rotting timbers and * * returns good taste and values to STF; and Trenton Webb * * renovates STF and revitalizes the Atari World!. BTW in the * * regular THE LATEST NEWS section, there is a STF promotional * * competition that tests how well you read this 2 part history. * * Please read that section of STF for details on how to enter * * and win tickets to the FES 3 in London, England......... [72] * * * * TOS 2 UPGRADE: A Perfect Plug-in is a DIY by none other than * * Clive Parker. Clive says this upgrade should take an hour and * * afterwards you will have a NEW COMPUTER (talk about * * re-vitalizing). Through a well illustrated tutorial with * * carefully worded text to guide you past those in little, * * potentially fatal details, you will be painlessly guided to * * your new machine. This is another well written, well * * organized DIY that has become synonymous with the name -- * * Clive Parker........................................... [76]] * * * * MUSIC MON TUTORIAL is a STF MASTERCLASS to teach you how to * * get the most out of this STF60 cover disk offering. Team * * written by Andy Curtis and Frank Charlton, they shown you what * * each and every one of those screen icons, buttons, and sliders * * do. If you own the commercial version, it will be well worth * * it to buy this issue to read this article. For you owners of * * the MUSIC MON 2 demo, this may convince you it is time to * * up-grade to the full, working version................... [88] * * * * T2: UPGRADE DAY is Clive Parker's follow up to his review of * * STFM TOS SWITCHER, his DIY on TOS 2 installation, and his ST * * ANSWERS TOS 2 coverage. Here Clive presents a virtual manual * * on the features of TOS 2.06 and how to use these features. By * * listing the "25 reasons for getting TOS 2.06," Clive tells you * * what TOS 2.06 can do for you. He tells you how to install the * * software side of this desktop interface, including how * * XCONTROL fits into the scheme of TOS 2.................. [92] * * * *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** * * * ST Format REVIEWS AND RATES; Over 22 software programs and packages * * are reviewed and rated, 1 of them is a new game and 5 of them * * new productivity packages or significant updates. This month * * Chris Lloyd looks at 9 art programs in his always thorough * * manner and 5 of these are ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***. There * * is more gold, the highest rated at 95% is DIAMOND BACK 3.01 by * * Bob Luneski. It is no surprise that this is a solid product, * * STeve Kipker was one of the beta testers. The other signifi- * * cant productivity release is KOBOLD, the file management * * system software. With MAG!X and the forthcoming EASE, it is * * the time to switch from the old Gribnif stuff and replace it * * with the sparkling new Systems Solutions products. I guess I * * could send my money to Gribnif to update my NEODESK, but that * * does little to help my Atari dealer. The INDIES CORNER has a * * thorough review by Simon Forrester, the new staff writer, and * * I am happy to say that he gives it a thumbs up. That is * * because I am a booster of JV Enterprises and own a registered * * copy of this game purchased from STeve's Atari Sales. Vote * * with your dollars, every product you register with them helps * * them live (pay rent, buy food), so they can write more * * software for Atari Computers. Lastly, STF reviews the newly * * released INTERNATIONAL SENSIBLE SOCCER and gives it a ***ST * * FORMAT RATED GOLD***. I take it to meant that this is a * * significant update and not just re-boxing to take advantage * * of the World Cup hype. Since these writers, especially under * * Trenton Webb, should know their "football" you should take * * that into consideration in deciding to upgrade or not. As for * * game previews, read Jonathan Nash's preview of ZERO-5 and see * * why I have already set aside cash to buy this space adventure, * * a step beyond ELITE 2. This will only playable on MEGAs, STes * * and the Falcon 030. This is from Caspian Software (who else * * could it be for NEW STe games?). * * * * On the hardware side, Clive Parker does his best to identify * * the best value for your pound. It is too bad that 3 of these * * items are regional sales items, at least for US readers. For * * European readers, this is a boon. I predict that the ***ST * * FORMAT RATED GOLD***, STFM TOS SWITCHER will be imported to * * the US. I hope it revitalizes use of the STFM in the US. I * * will reiterate, after TOS 2.06 is installed, it is like owning * * a brand new machine, the change is so radical. You can next * * install a 1.4 HD floppy drive and make the transformation * * complete! (see the JUNE on-line issue of STeve's AtariNOTES!) * * Before I forget, in a footer it is announced that ST Format * * will be giving away 2 of these TOS 2 switchers. You just have * * to define an acronym, which judging from the on-going threads * * on the Atari ST Fido echo is not as simple to do as STF thinks.* * (T is for Total, The, Tramiel, Tired [as in "Tired Ol'..."], * * etc... the debate rages.) * * * * The guide to the top selling ST games in the UK is part of * * SCREENPLAY this month. Called CHARTS, it is listed in the * * TOC. SCREENPLAY and CHARTS can be found on page........ [53] * * * * Productivity Software [ATARIPRO] * * * * Crack Art ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***.................... [30] * * * * Pad ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***.......................... [30] * * * * Paint Pot............................................... [31] * * * * Deluxe Paint ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***................. [31] * * * * True Paint.............................................. [32] * * * * Pixart.................................................. [32] * * * * Chagall ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***...................... [32] * * * * DA's Picture ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***................. [33] * * * * Arabesque Professional.................................. [33] * * * * 3D Calc Plus............................................ [34] * * * * Music Mon 2............................................. [35] * * * * Silhouette v1.4......................................... [36] * * * * Diamond Back 3.01 ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***............ [37] * * * * HP Chrome v2.5.......................................... [38] * * * * KOBOLD ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***....................... [41] * * * * Hardware * * * * Multi-media Speakers.................................... [38] * * * * Gasteiner SCSI Drive ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***......... [40] * * * * Top Link Host Adaptor................................... [40] * * * * STFM TOS Switcher ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD***............ [78] * * * * * * SCREENPLAY: ST, Falcon, and Jaguar games reviewed and rated. * * * * The Final Conflict...................................... [58] * * * * Jimmy Connors Tennis.................................... [60] * * * * Merchant Colony......................................... [61] * * * * First Samurai........................................... [62] * * * * International Sensible Soccer ***RATED ST FORMAT GOLD*** [64] * * * * Previews * * * * Club Drive.............................................. [54] * * * * ZERO-5.................................................. [56] * * * * * * PUBLIC SECTOR; ST Format reveals the best in cheap ST software -- * * FREE or almost free. There is no GOLD here this month, but * * 1 of the educational offerings is rated high enough to be a * * "must have" for those with children. This month I cannot find * * fault the reviewers. It might be the good mood from seeing * * some educational program reviews that is coloring my opinion, * * but I think the reviews were quite good this month. There is * * a warning about TRIYAHOO that explains what happened to my * * hard drive partition, AND I DID NOT TRY TO CRACK THE CODE. * * What a nasty program. The ST Sextet goes a long way in * * letting FALCON users know what is out there for the ST that * * will run on the Falcon. In the collection are WING LORD, * * COLUMNS, BITRIS, PATIENCE, THURG AND MURG, and the STe-MEGA * * program - VERTICAL MAYHEM. There is another one of those low * * STF ratings (18%); but with a publisher's name of Dunce's Cap * * (sic) Software, what does one expect? This month has over 8 * * games; 2 educational; and 1 demo that are reviewed and * * rated................................................... [42] * * * * Animation * * * * Futuretime 8............................................ [43] * * * * Education * * * * Keymaths 1.............................................. [42] * * * * Etc 1................................................... [42] * * * * PD Games * * * * ST Sextet (Falcon compatibles).......................... [43] * * * * Triyahoo................................................ [44] * * * * Frame of Mind........................................... [44] * * * * Indies Corners * * * * Again, I forgot to move the discussion of this section to down * * here. To be fair about I guess I have to announce: Simon * * Forrester Indie Reviews in ST Format! Or should I cut to the * * chase and say Simon Forrester Deems TOWERS an Excellent DM * * Clone................................................... [46] * * * * Towers.................................................. [46] * * * * Sword of Kings.......................................... [47] * * * * The BBS Directory....................................... [47] * * * *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** * * * REGULARS * * * * COVER DISK; Get more out of your STF cover disk with these * * additional instructions that are well illustrated and by * * someone that I cannot identify. All I can say is that they * * out did themselves this month. This is the first issue where * * I liked the official STF Cover Disk more than the WONDERDISK. * * I hope I have drummed into people's heads that TWINZ and ATARI * * VIEW 3 are worth the cover price of STF. WORDQUIZ 4 is icing * * on the cake for owners of blitter equipped systems. Let us * * not forget SEBRA. All these and more make for a MUST HAVE * * cover disk............................................... [7] * * * * NEWS; I dearly loved Paula Richard's NEWS columns. She turned * * me on to the SMART 1442, 14K baud FAX modem, which I also * * love. But, it does wonders for my soul to see NO MORE * * SNIPPETS (my brain always read it as 'SNIPES') and no more * * Bob Brodie bashing. Instead there is a polite, timely and * * informative news flash here about Bob resigning. STF even * * had info that I was not aware of, and Bob still talks to all * * by phone and GEnie. More international news pieces concern * * Atari importing British citizens to complete ALIEN VS PREDATOR * * and Atari's big presence (35 stations) at the Chicago CES. * * There are so many news items here on the CD-ROM industry, you * * will just have to buy this issue to read them. Finally, one * * of the things I like about the new ST Format is the liberal * * use of photos to enhance the ambiance of articles and stories. * * Most of you know that the memory of one of my STs is at AERCO * * in San Antonio, Texas for repairs. I was going to ask Jerry * * of AERCO to send me a snapshot of the Alamo. Well, ST Format * * beat the request in their illustrated coverage here of the 2nd * * Texas Atari Festival. Thank you again for being prescient, * * ST Format!.............................................. [12] * * * * FEEDBACK; Trenton Webb now sits in the hotseat and does an * * excellent job of answering the letters of STF readers. One of * * the most interesting letters lists 5 games that say "1Mbyte * * required" on the box, but work on a 0.5Mbyte ST. Trenton * * answers another letter, helping me to understand the distribu- * * tion of STF in Europe. Another letter helps me understand why * * I have such an affinity to Chris Lloyd reviews - more emphasis * * on the visual over the aural. In as sidebar Trenton replies * * to a letter from the author of AUTO-STEREOGRAM CREATOR about * * the 7% STF Rating it received. Trenton is very diplomatic in * * his answer and admits the rating to be harsh (I would say so, * * matter of fact I did). What is of concern is that Trenton * * informs us that only Clive Parker is the only person on the * * STF staff that can see the images in them. I read somewhere * * that only the most creative and flexible minds can visualize * * auto-stereogram graphics. I myself cannot see anything in * * them, but this may not bode well for the future in the case of * * STF! Maybe they should make interpreting these a part of the * * application review process at Future Publishing? Well, they * * do have Clive and did have Andy Lowe. There are 8 other * * entertaining or informative exchanges. Thanks Trenton for the * * insight................................................. [95] * * * * SUBSCRIBE! This is the place for you non-subscribers to see * * what was on this month's Subscribers Only WONDERDISK (see * * the SUBSCRIBER'S section, well above) and the BETWEEN THE * * COVERS NEWSLETTER. Once again it would behoove you to * * consider subscribing. You get the WONDERDISK, STF's well * * written additional instructions for WONDERDISK programs, * * BETWEEN THE COVERS NEWSLETTER, and ST Format delivered to * * your door. For US readers, I would do this before the dollar * * falls any more against the pound if that concerns you. Of * * course if you feel that you have to help your newstand dealer * * earn the money for psychoanalysis and beer to cope with this * * ever changing world, that is commendable................ [50] * * * * ST ANSWERS; seven (7!) jam-packed pages of answers to over 40 * * of your difficult, techy problems to help you understand and * * use your ST or FALCON. This month's topics include: GFA * * Basic, Assembly language, STOS, Music and MIDI, software, * * hardware, telecomm. problems and more. Clive Parker once again * * examines one question and covers it in-depth. This month he * * writes what amounts to a MASTERCLASS treatise on how to * * create customized icons and install them into the TOS 2 desk- * * top. The MASTERCLASS aspect comes into play for Clive uses * * ICON JUGGLER and MAKEICON, two programs from the STF48 cover * * disk. STeve and ST Format can both sell this back issue to * * you. This is an essential part of Clive's complete coverage * * of TOS 2. The cover says COMPLETE TOS 2 GUIDE. That it is, * * and we have Clive to thank for it. Once again through a well * * illustrated article with sidebars, examples and diagrams, the * * reader will master TOS 2.06 iconology................... [86] * * * * GAMEBUSTERS; Cheats, hints, tips, and maps to help you enjoy * * that game that has you tearing your hair out, including in- * * depth solutions for FRONTIER, AMBERSTAR (winner of 25 pounds), * * and ELITE. The CHAOS STRIKES BACK serial solution concludes * * this month. There is a short tip for ISHAR and a short * * solution for one of the levels of CANNON FODDER......... [65] * * * * CAPTAIN BLUNDER; I love what they are doing with him. This is * * another cliff hanger installment. Will Captain Blunder return * * for another month? Or will he asphyxiate in...? In between * * the action, the captain hands out cheats on IKARI WARRIORS, * * OPERATION THUNDERBOLT, VOODOO NIGHTMARE, and ESCAPE FROM THE * * PLANET OF THE ROBOT MONSTERS. His manager steps in and * * solicits tips for DRAGON'S BREATH, FUTURE WARS, and MANIAC * * MANSION. Will the Captain be back? Stay tuned.......... [65] * * * * PIXEL PAINTING returns under the purview of Trenton Webb. And * * it comes back in a big way with a Sci-Fi battle scene rendered * * using POV RAYTRACE. I am glad that Jeff Thompson shared this * * work of art with STF. Thank you Trenton for running it. With * * all the beautiful POV art that has graced the pages of STF, * * it makes me want to start rendering with POV. It is also a * * good excuse to buy an accelerator board and upgrade the Ste * * to 4 MEGs of RAM........................................ [98] * * * * What is that I hear? That familiar haunting tune...it's, it's * * the return of the TWILIGHT ZONE! This marks the return of a * * favorite section of mine, a place where you learn a little * * more about the editor and his views on things. This month we * * learn that Trenton Webb is a football (soccer) fan. He has * * created a word search puzzler (most likely with WORD QUIZ 4 * * with a WORLD CUP theme for STF readers to solve and mail in to * * qualify to win A CUP. Also, defined here for the first time * * is an STF staff definition of what those ST Format percentage * * ratings really mean. It makes me feel good to know that I was * * not off in my assessment that anything rated over 80% is worth * * the trouble of acquiring. Another promotional contest and more * * insight into STF staff next month? I eagerly await next * * month's THE LAST PAGE................................... [98] * * * * SELF-EXPLANATORY REGULARS * * BACK ISSUES............................................. [90] * * SPECIAL OFFERS (bonus disk software & manuals).......... [90] * * ESSENTIAL CONTACTS (phone numbers)...................... [98] * * * * NEXT MONTH.............................................. [15] * * On a layout reminiscent of CIVILIZATION, ST Format invites you * * to "VISIT ANOTHER DIMENSION," as they examine 3D on the ST. * * Next month they promise an exclusive ISHAR 3 Cover Disk demo; * * and reviews of ISHAR 3 (game), PAPYRUS (DTP word processor), * * and RAINBOW (art program). There will be a MASTERCLASS lesson * * on how to get the most out of this month's DIGIT v1.1 cover * * disk offering. Also promised is a DIY on how to add a "video * * socket to your machine." I really am curious what this is * * about. Of course we have to see if Captain Blunder survives * * another month of abuse. The main reason to buy next month's * * issue will be to see if Trenton Webb can oversee the creation * * of another "WOW" rated issue! * * * * This summary is early by 2.5 weeks. Actually, that means this * * summary is 1 week late. I will not make any excuses. I will * * just have to do better next month. This issue, STF61, has now * * been on sale in Europe for over 1 week. It should be at the * * US dealers in 5 days, the 18th of June. Look for STF62 on * * August 9th in the UK and the middle of August in the US. * * * * In closing I hope everyone enjoys the bombardment of Jupiter * * this month. What better way to observe the 25th anniversary * * of the 1st manned landing on the moon? Of course there is the * * World Cup finals, but without the US or the UK in it at this * * point...well, there are the real soccer fans -- enjoy. I must * * send special thanks to Clive Parker and hope he is not too * * disappointed by this summary. Best wishes to Clive, Chris * * Lloyd, Trenton Webb, and the rest of the STF staff, including * * the new guy, Simon Forrester (can you discern auto-stereo- * * grams?). And of course, best wishes to Dale. I hope you are * * staying cool and enjoying dinner this month by the Berkeley * * Marina, for memories' sake. * * Ry * * George Richard Yamagata * * CIS [72030,140] * ***************************************************************************