Archive-name: atari-8-bit/faq
Posting-Frequency: monthly

Welcome to the comp.sys.atari.8bit/Info-Atari8 Digest/INFO-A8 discussion group!


                          Atari 8-Bit Computers

                     Frequently Asked Questions List

                            Revised 23-Jun-94


      Additions/suggestions/comments/corrections having to do with this 
                 FAQ List are requested.  Please send to:

                             Michael Current
                      mailto::mcurrent@carleton.edu
                     UUCP: ...!umn-cs!ccnfld!mcurrent
                        Cleveland Free-Net: aa700

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
     Introduction
1.1) What is this 8-bit Atari FAQ List?
1.2) What is an Atari 8-bit computer?

     Usenet
2.1) What is comp.sys.atari.8bit?
2.2) What other newsgroups are of interest to 8-bit Atari users?

     E-Mail
3.1) What is the Info-Atari8 Digest?
3.2) What is INFO-A8?
3.3) How can I access the Atari Archive by e-mail?
3.4) How can I retrieve files from FTP sites by e-mail?

     FTP
4.1) How can I access the Atari Archive by FTP? 
4.2) What is the Boston Archive?
4.3) What is the PVV Archive?

     Telnet
5.1) What is the Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG?
5.2) What is the Youngstown Free-Net Atari SIG?
5.3) What is the National Capital Free-Net Atari SIG?

     Gopher
6.1) How can I retrieve files from the Atari Archive through Gopher?

     World-Wide Web
7.1) What is the Atari Classic Homepage?
7.2) What is the Atari 8-Bit Home Page?
7.3) What is the Atari 8-Bit Resort?

     Prospero
7.5) How can I access the Atari Archive by AFS?

     Publications
8.1) What print magazines support the 8-bit Atari?
8.2) What disk magazines support the 8-bit Atari?

     File Formats
9.1) What's this UUEncoding stuff (.uu, .uue files) all about?
9.2) What is an .arc file?
9.3) Okay, how about a .dcm file?

     Emulation
10.1) What 8-bit Atari emulators exist for other computing platforms?

     File Transfer Solutions
11.1) What are the best telecommunications programs available?
11.2) Can I read/write 8-bit Atari disks on an IBM-PC?
11.3) Can I read/write DOS disks on an 8-bit Atari?
11.4) How do I transfer files using a null modem cable?

     Storage Media
12.1) What 5.25" floppy disk drives are available?
12.2) How can I use 3.5" floppy disks with my 8-bit Atari?
12.3) What do I need to connect a hard drive to my 8-bit Atari?
12.4) How can I use an IBM-PC as a storage device for my Atari?

     General Interest
13.1) What's the best DOS for the Atari?
13.2) What hardware has Atari created in the 8-bit computer line?
13.3) What are the pinouts for the...?
[to add: M.U.L.E./Mule, power supply requirements]

     Other Documents of Interest
14.1) What product developers or vendors support the 8-bit Atari?
14.2) Where is my nearest 8-bit Atari BBS?
14.3) Where is my nearest 8-bit Atari user group?

==============================================================
1.1) What is this 8-bit Atari FAQ List?

The Atari 8-Bit Computers FAQ List was created to provide answers to many
commonly asked questions found in news:comp.sys.atari.8bit, the 
Info-Atari8 Digest, and INFO-A8.  It is in a constant state of 
development.

Much of this FAQ List is geared toward providing information on the
various Internet resources available for 8-bit Atari users. 

Where to get the latest copy of this FAQ List:
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet-by-group/news.answers/atari-8-bit/faq
http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/atari-8-bit/faq/faq.html
news:comp.sys.atari.8bit, news:comp.answers, news:news.answers
mailto::mcurrent@carleton.edu
and many other places that archive Usenet FAQ Lists.

This FAQ List is automatically posted to news:comp.sys.atari.8bit, the 
Info-Atari8 Digest, INFO-A8, news:comp.answers, and news:news.answers, 
every 30 days.

==============================================================
1.2) What is an Atari 8-bit computer?

To be written.  Volunteers, anyone?

==============================================================
2.1) What is comp.sys.atari.8bit?

news:comp.sys.atari.8bit is the unmoderated newsgroup serving as the Usenet 
side of this discussion group.  All postings to news:comp.sys.atari.8bit 
automatically appear in the Internet's Info-Atari8 Digest and in BITNET's
INFO-A8.

Discussion related to the 8-bit Atari 400/800/XL/XE computers is valid on 
news:comp.sys.atari.8bit.

[I'd like to include the charter for news:comp.sys.atari.8bit here.  Anyone
know where to get it?]

==============================================================
2.2) What other newsgroups are of interest to 8-bit Atari users?
 
   news:comp.emulators.misc     (includes emulation of the 8-bit Atari)
   news:comp.sys.atari.advocacy (includes 8-bit Atari advocacy)
   news:comp.sys.atari.announce (includes announcements for 8-bit Atari users)

==============================================================
3.1) What is the Info-Atari8 Digest?

If you do not have Usenet access, but you do have Internet e-mail access,
you can access this discussion group through the Info-Atari8 Digest.

     To SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE to the Info-Atari8 Digest, send a free-
text request to mailto::info-atari8-request@naucse.cse.nau.edu.

     To CONTRIBUTE to the Info-Atari8 Digest, send your posting to
mailto::comp-sys-atari-8bit@cs.utexas.edu.  Postings sent here automatically 
appear on news:comp.sys.atari.8bit and in BITNET's INFO-A8.

     Note that any posting sent to mailto::info-atari8@naucse.cse.nau.edu 
will NOT be cross-posted to the Usenet side.  The maintainers are 
presently working to correct this.

The Info-Atari8 Digest maintainers (not moderators) are:
  Mike Jewison, mailto::mjewison@nereid.sal.ists.ca
  Mike Todd, mailto::snyder10@convex1.TCS.Tulane.EDU

Discussion related to the 8-bit Atari 400/800/XL/XE computers is valid in the
Info-Atari8 Digest.

==============================================================
3.2) What is INFO-A8?

If you do not have Usenet access, but you are on BITNET, you can access
this group through the INFO-A8 listserv.

The BITNET subscription commands are:

      tell listserv at marist register <your real full name>
      tell listserv at marist subscribe info-a8

This is not a standard BITNET mailing list.  It is a distribution of
the Internet's Info-Atari8 Digest.  In order to send mail to all of
the subscribers, both in BITNET and the other networks you should not
send your mail to the BITNET address (INFO-A8@MARIST) but instead send
to the Internet address: mailto::comp-sys-atari-8bit@cs.utexas.edu.

You may leave the list at any time by sending a "SIGNOFF INFO-A8"
command to LISTSERV@MARIST.  Please note that this command must NOT be
sent to the BITNET list address INFO-A8@MARIST or to
mailto::comp-sys-atari-8bit@cs.utexas.edu, but to the LISTSERV address
LISTSERV@MARIST.

Contributions sent to this list are automatically archived.  You can
obtain a list of the available archive files by sending an "INDEX
INFO-A8" command to LISTSERV@MARIST.  These files can then be
retrieved by means of a "GET INFO-A8 filetype" command, or using the
database search facilities of LISTSERV.  Send an "INFO DATABASE"
command for more information on the latter.

Please note that it is presently possible for anybody to determine
that you are signed up to the list through the use of the "REVIEW"
command, which returns the network address and name of all the
subscribers.  If you do not wish your name to be available to others
in this fashion, just issue a "SET INFO-A8 CONCEAL" command to
LISTSERV@MARIST.  More information on LISTSERV commands can be found
in the "General Introduction guide", which you can retrieve by sending
an "INFO GENINTRO" command to LISTSERV@MARIST.

The INFO-A8 maintainers (not moderators) are:
          HARRY@MARIST                    (A Harry Williams)
  mailto::RAVI@SPEEDY.MCNC.ORG            (Ravi Subrahmanyan)
  mailto::RAVI@MCNC.ORG                   (Ravi Subrahmanyan)
  mailto::BILLW@SCORE.STANFORD.EDU        (Bill Westfield)

INFO-A8 was created on December 9, 1986.

Discussion related to the 8-bit Atari 400/800/XL/XE computers is valid in
INFO-A8.

==============================================================
3.3) How can I access the Atari Archive by e-mail?

Downloading
-----------
BART - Brode's Archive Retrieval Thang - the Atari Archive e-mail file server

     To learn about using BART to access the Atari Archive, send e-mail to:
mailto::atari@atari.archive.umich.edu.  The subject of the message doesn't 
matter, but let the body of your message be:

help
send 8bit/0index

If you receive nothing within a day (it should take just a few minutes),
try including a line of this form:

path [your e-mail address]

BART automatically uuencodes binary files (so they may be mailed over the
Internet) and splits up large files into parts of about 30K or less.

Uploading
---------
Simply uuencode the file, (please split it into parts of 60 K or less)
and mail the result to mailto::lenn@atari.archive.umich.edu.  Please name
the parts in the subject line.  This is really helpful as the parts
usually don't arrive in the proper sequence.  Also, please include a 
message labeled "file transmission," containing a short description of 
the file, etc.  Shar files are also acceptable, but uuencoded is preferred.

==============================================================
3.4) How can I retrieve files from FTP sites by e-mail?

     There are several general-purpose FTP mail-servers.  These may be used to
retrieve any files available from anonymous FTP sites on the Internet.

     1) mailto::ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com with no subject line, and two-line 
body with line one help and line 2 quit 

     2) mailto::ftpmail@grasp.insa-lyon.fr (body: help ) Please, European 
users only. 

     3) mailto::bitftp@pucc.princeton.edu (body: help or ftplist for a 
list of anonymous ftp sites) 

     4) mail BITFTP@DEARN or to mailto::BITFTP@vm.gmd.de (body: help or 
ftplist for a list of anonymous ftp sites) (Europe only) 

==============================================================
4.1) How can I access the Atari Archive by FTP? 

     The Merit/University of Michigan Software Archives hold a huge number
of files for many computing platforms, including the Atari 8-bit
computers.  Our 8-bit Atari Archivist is Jody Lenn,
mailto::lenn@atari.archive.umich.edu; the Atari Archive as a whole is
maintained by Mickey Boyd, mailto::boydm@atari.archive.umich.edu.  The
best way to contact the Atari Archivists is
mailto::atari-archivists@atari.archive.umich.edu. 

  The convention for Anonymous FTP sites is to accept "anonymous" as your 
user name, and your e-mail address as your password.  All of the 
following FTP sites follow this convention.

Downloading
-----------
(Try the site nearest you first)

  a) ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit 
     (141.211.120.11, United States)

  b) ftp://wuarchive.wustl.edu/mirrors/archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit
     (128.252.135.4, United States)

  c) ftp://src.doc.ic.ac.uk/computing/systems/atari/umich/8bit
     (146.169.2.10, Great Britain)

    The following Australian FTP site apparently no longer mirrors the
Atari Archive:
  d) ftp://archie.au/alex/edu/umich/archive/atari/atari/8bit
     (139.130.4.6, Australia)

  e) 
ftp://info2.rus.uni-stuttgart.de/afs/umich.edu/group/itd/archive/atari/8bit
     (129.69.8.13, Germany)
                                           
  f) ftp://nic.switch.ch/mirror/atari/8bit
     (130.59.1.40, Switzerland)

  g) ftp://mirror.archive.umich.edu/
     This address takes you to a "randomly chosen" University of Michigan/Merit
Software Archives mirror site, but there's no guarantee the site you're taken
to mirrors the Atari directories.

Remember to set file type to BINARY when downloading non-text files
(.arc, .com, .dcm, etc.) by FTP.

Uploading
---------
Place uploads in:
     ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/New 
       (141.211.120.11, United States)

No uploads may be made to the Archive's mirror sites.

Remember to set file type to BINARY when uploading non-text files
(.arc, .com, .dcm, etc.) by FTP.  Also, please upload a short .text file
describing what your upload is, so our 8-Bit Archivist will be sure to place
it in an appropriate permanent directory.

Note that the atari/8bit/New directory is "write-only."

==============================================================
4.2) What is the Boston Archive?

     Here's an 8-bit Atari FTP site located at Boston 
University.  It is maintained by Adam Bryant, mailto::adb@albert.bu.edu.

     ftp://cs.bu.edu/PC/ATARI (128.197.2.2, United States)
(user name "anonymous"; password is your e-mail address)

==============================================================
4.3) What is the PVV Archive?

     This is an Atari FTP site maintained by Eyvind Bernhardsen,
mailto::eyvind@lise.unit.no.  PVV stands for ProgramVareVerstedet, or The 
Software Workshop, a student society at the University of Trondheim, Norway.

     ftp://nova.pvv.unit.no/pub/atari/8bit (129.241.36.207)
(user name "anonymous"; password is your e-mail address)

Uploads go to ftp://nova.pvv.unit.no/incoming/atari/8bit; Eyvind moves
them to the appropriate directory.  Please include a .readme file with
each upload, so people know what they're downloading. 

==============================================================
5.1) What is the Cleveland Free-Net Atari SIG?

     The Cleveland Free-Net is like a huge public bulletin board system,
and it is the hub system of the NPTN, the National Public Telecomputing
Network.  Anyone can access the Cleveland Free-Net via modem at (216)
368-3888.  Those persons with full Internet access can TELNET (this does
not mean FTP) to telnet://freenet-in-a.cwru.edu,
telnet://freenet-in-b.cwru.edu, or telnet://freenet-in-c.cwru.edu
(129.22.8.32, 129.22.8.51).  Applications for free accounts are handled
online, or you may browse the system as a visitor. Once logged-in, type
"go atari" to reach the Atari SIG.  Those who add their names to the Atari
SIG user directories are automatically members of the official Atari user
group C.A.I.N. - Central Atari Information Network. Send correspondence
and press releases to mailto::xx004@cleveland.freenet.edu. The Atari SIG's
8-Bit Computers Support Area is maintained by Michael Current,
mailto::aa700@cleveland.freenet.edu, the 8-Bit Technical Forum is
maintained by Craig Lisowski, mailto::aa853@cleveland.freenet.edu, and the
Atari SIG Manager is Len Stys, mailto::aa399@cleveland.freenet.edu. 

==============================================================
5.2) What is the Youngstown Free-Net Atari SIG?

Youngstown Free-Net (Youngstown, Ohio  USA)
telnet://yfn.ysu.edu or 192.55.234.27
Via Modem: 216/742-3072
Login: visitor

Youngstown Free-Net Atari SIGOps:

Joe Perkins (mailto::ac742@yfn.ysu.edu)
Joe Sabatino (mailto::ab588@yfn.ysu.edu)

Atari SIG (mailto::xx140@yfn.ysu.edu)

==============================================================
5.3) What is the National Capital Free-Net Atari SIG?

National Capital Free-Net (Ottawa, Canada)
telnet://freenet.carleton.ca or 134.117.1.25
Via Modem: 613/780-3733
Login: guest

National Capital Free-Net Atari SIGOp:

Christopher Browne (mailto::aa454@Freenet.carleton.ca)

==============================================================
6.1) How can I retrieve files from the Atari Archive through Gopher?

     The Atari Archive can be accessed in Gopher.  Try
gopher://gopher.archive.merit.edu:7055/11/atari/8bit to connect directly
to the Atari Archive's 8-bit directory.  I personally recommend this
method for downloading from the Atari Archive. 

You can also use gopher://src.doc.ic.ac.uk

or possibly gopher://wuarchive.wustl.edu

==============================================================
7.1) What is the Atari Classic Homepage?

Maintained by Eyvind Bernhardsen, mailto::eyvind@pvv.unit.no.  Point your
Web client to: 

http://www.pvv.unit.no/~eyvind/atari/

==============================================================
7.2) What is the Atari 8-Bit Home Page?

Run by mailto::ipoorten@cs.vu.nl (Ivo van Poorten).  The URL is: 

http://www.cs.vu.nl/~ipoorten/8bit.html

==============================================================
7.3) What is the Atari 8-Bit Resort?

This one is kept by mailto::un55@rz.uni-karlsruhe.de, Marek Tomczyk.  URL:

http://rzstud1.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/~un55/8bit.html

==============================================================
7.5) How can I access the Atari Archive by AFS?

Downloading
-----------
Just cd /afs/umich.edu/group/itd/archive/atari/8bit
[What is the propsero:// URL for this?]

Uploading
---------
Just cp the file into /afs/umich.edu/group/itd/archive/atari/8bit/New
[What is the propsero:// URL for this?]

==============================================================
8.1) What print magazines support the 8-bit Atari?

     Atari Classics
     5507 Longford Court
     Concord, CA 94521-1614
                                  1 Year  2 Years  3 Years
       USA 2rd Class Mail          $25      $46      $63 
       Canada Surface Mail         $30      $56      $78
       Other Foreign Surface Mail  $32      $60      $84
       European Airmail            $38      $72     $102
       Asia/Pacific Airmail        $40      $76     $108
       AC Software Disk (Anywhere)  $9      $18      $27

     Atari Magazyn
     Poland

     ATARImagazin (exclusively 8-bit)
     Power Per Post
     Postfach 1640
     D-75006 Bretten
     Germany
        39DM + 6DM p&p/6 months (3 issues)
        abroad: 39DM + 12DM p&p/6 months
        disk & membership: add 60DM

     Boot!
     LACE (London Atari Computer Enthusiasts)
     143 Richmond Road
     Leytonstone
     LONDON E11 4BT
     UK
     tel: 081-960 1605 (inside UK)
     tel: +44 819-601-605 (outside UK)
       75p / issue (quarterly)
     mailto::trew@sna.co.umist.ac.uk

     Current Notes
     122 N. Johnson Rd.
     Sterling, VA
     U.S.A. 20164
     tel: (703) 450-4761
     FAX: (703) 430-2618
     GEn: JOE.WATERS
     CIS: 74005,1270
        published monthly (excluding January and August)
        $27 per year ($48/2 years)
        foreign surface: $36/year ($66/2 years)
        disk subscriptions: $60/year ($115/2 years)
        foreign disk subscriptions: $71/yr ($137/2 yrs)
        air mail: Canada/Mexico $44; Cen.Am., Caribbean $57;
        S.Amer. Europe, N.Africa, $69; Mid East, Africa, Asia, 
        Australia, $80

     Historically Brewed
     Historical Computer Society
     10928 Ted Williams Place
     El Paso, TX 79934
        bimonthly, $18/yr, $3 single issue

     Irish Atari User
     Robert Paden
     54 Ardmillan Crescent
     Scrabo Estate, Newtownards, Co. Down
     Northern Ireland BT23 4PW

     New Atari User
     Page 6 Publishing
     P.O. Box 54
     Stafford
     ST16 1DR England
     tel: 0785-213928
     FAX: 0785-54335
             (bi-monthly)   Magazine only  Magazine and Disk
        UK                      #15.00          #25.00
        Europe (Air Mail)       #17.00          #32.00
        USA/Canada - Surface    #17.00          #32.00
        USA/Canada - Air Mail   #23.00          #42.00
                   Other countries as USA/Canada

     News-Paper
     DGS
     62 Thomson Ave.
     Balby
     Doncaster
     DN4 0NU
     England
     tel: +44-302-855-026 (10am - 7pm GMT only)
       U.K.: #6.00 / 4 issues
       Europe: #8.00 / 4 issues
       U.S.A.: #10.50 (US$21) / 4 issues
       Far East & Rest Of World: #13.00 / 4 issues
     mailto::dx107@cleveland.freenet.edu

     STAK Atari
     Revista STAK Atari
     Casilla 51552 STGO 1
     Correo Central
     Santiago de Chile
     Chile
       air: US$50                     (cannot accept checks or credit cards)
       magazine + disk, air: US$70

     Swiat Atari
     Poland

     Tajemnice Atari
     Poland

     T.W.A.U.G.
     P.O. Box 8
     Wallsend
     Tyne and Wear
     NE28 6DQ
     England
       UK: #1.95 1 issue
       UK: #11.00 6 issues (bimonthly)
       includes either disk or cassette

     Zong (exclusively 8-bit)
     KE-Soft
     Frankenstrasse 24
     D-63477 Maintal
     Germany
     tel: +49-6181/87539
     FAX: +49-6181/83436
        40DM/6 months (3 issues)
        magazine + disk: 55DM/6 months (3 mags., 3 disks)
        abroad: add 10DM p&p

==============================================================
8.2) What disk magazines support the 8-bit Atari?

     8-Bit Magazin
     Powersoft
     Markus Roesner
     Fachriastr. 9
     D-74226 Nordhausen
     Germany
     tel: (0)7135/2840

     Classic 8-Bit Atari
     Artacyis Publications
     639 W. Grace Suite #336
     Chicago, IL
     U.S.A. 60613
       $5 for sample disk

     DCW Magazine
     Richard Vermeulen
     Princessenpad 3
     5502 TV Veldhoven
     The Netherlands
        free introductory issue,
        7.50 Dutch guilders/disk
        outside Holland: add 6.00 guilders/disk

     Diskmagazin
     A.B.B.U.C. e.V.
     Wolfgang Burger
     Wieschenbeck 45
     45699 Herten

     Futura
     S. J. Murray
     71 Walker Road
     Torry, Aberdeen
     Scotland AB1 3DL
        $3 cash or L2 IMO for sample issue

     Mega Magazine
     A.N.G. Software
     Ridderkerksestraat 60
     3114 RK Schiedam
     Holland
        fl10.00/disk

     Strange Invasion
     Stefan Lausberg
     Koerschstr. 58
     D-70599 Stuttgart
     Germany
     tel: (0)711/45 51 71
       single issue 5DM
       6 issues (1/2 year) 25DM

     TOP-Magazin
     c/o Markus Roemer
     Schiefersteinstr. 10
     D-55606 Kellenbach
     Germany
     tel: (0)6765-420
     BBS: (0)345/78 80 148   (24 hours, 8N1, 16k8bps)
       25DM for 6 months (6 issues)

     User-Mag
     ATTN: Ulf Petersen
     Postfach 1103
     D-24318 Luetjenburg
     Germany
     tel: +49/4381/7678 
     BBS/FAX: +49/4381/4739  (24 hours, 8N1, 300-19200 bps)
       bi-monthly

==============================================================
9.1) What's this UUEncoding stuff (.uu, .uue files) all about?

     UUEncode/UUdecode is a UNIX utility that will convert a binary file into
100% printable ASCII characters, so that the file may be posted or e-mailed
anywhere a text message can go.  The 8-bit Atari is perfectly capable of
UUEncoding/UUdecoding as well.  On the Atari Archive:

Uudecode 1.2a by John Sangster - very functional.  Archive filenames:
ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Archivers/uudecode.bas
  just ENTER this into Atari BASIC
ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Archivers/uudecode.doc
  the User Manual

Yet Another UU-coder by ?John Dunning? - both decoding/encoding.  Filename:
ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Archivers/yau.arc - contains both 
yau.com and yaue.com.

Uudecode.com, Uuencode.com by ??? - "newer, cleaner, easier to use."  Filename:
ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Utilities/uue.arc - contains 
uudecode.com, uuencode.com.

Dumas UU-coder by John Dunning - should work w/BART-style split files. Fname:
ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Cc65/dumasuu.arc - contains 
uud.com, uue.com, CC65 sources.

==============================================================
9.2) What is an .arc file?

     A file with the extender .arc has been archived in a standard manner that
is common in the MS-DOS world.  This is done to make the file shorter,
so it takes up less space on your disk and it takes less time to transfer 
between computers.  The Atari Archive contains several 8-bit Atari archivers 
fully compatible with this standard, including:

Super Un-Arc 2.3, Super Arc 2.0 by Bob Puff - highly recommended.  Filenames:
     ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Archivers/superarc.arc - both 
Super Un-Arc and Super Arc
     ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Archivers/suprarc2.arc - just 
Super Arc
     ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Archivers/supunarc.com - an 
un-arc'd copy of Super Un-Arc
     ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Archivers/supunarc.uue - 
uuencoded copy of supunarc.com

==============================================================
9.3) Okay, how about a .dcm file?

     A .dcm file is a format unique to the 8-bit Atari which is used to convert
entire disk images into files.  To work with .dcm files you'll need:

Disk Communicator 3.2 by Bob Puff.  Archive Filenames:
     ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/dskcom32.arc
     ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Archivers/diskcomm.arc

==============================================================
10.1) What 8-bit Atari emulators exist for other computing platforms?

1) ST Xformer, from Branch Always (see companion vendor/developer list)
     a freeware 8-bit Atari emulator for the Atari ST.
     [how about a URL!]

2) PC Xformer 2.0, from Branch Always (see companion vendor/developer list)
     a freeware 8-bit Atari emulator for DOS/Windows/OS/2
     [how about a URL!]

3) "The German PD emulator for DOS"

Don't expect much from this program, it isn't done yet.  URL:

ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Misc/at800xl.zip

4) "The 8-bit Atari emulator for X/Windows"

Nearing release, from Frank E. Barrus, mailto::feb6399@ultb.isc.rit.edu

==============================================================
11.1) What are the best telecommunications programs available?

     Here are some of the more popular PD/shareware terminal programs 
available on the Atari Archive:

BobTerm, shareware by Bob Puff
     Emulates: VT52
     Text: 40 columns in gr.0; 80 col. w/ XEP80
     File Xfer: XMODEM, YMODEM, FMODEM
     Autodial: Yes
     Archive filename: 
ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Telecomm/bterm12.arc

Kermit-65, public domain by John Dunning
     Emulates: VT100
     Text: 40 columns in gr.0; 80 col. in gr.8; 80 col. w/ XEP80 (sort of)
     File Xfer: Kermit
     Autodial: No
     Archive filenames:
          ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Telecomm/k65v37.arc - the 
latest version
          ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Telecomm/k65doc.arc - the 
documentation
          ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Telecomm/k65src.arc - the 
source code

OmniCom by CDY
     Emulates: VT100
     Text: 80 columns in gr.8
     File Xfer: XMODEM, Kermit
     Autodial: No
     Archive filename: 
ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Telecomm/omnicom.arc

VT850, shareware by Curtis Laser
     Emulates: VT100/VT102 (plus complete VT220 keymap)
     Text: 40 columns in gr.0; 80 col. w/ XEP80
     File Xfer: none
     Autodial: No
     Archive filename: 
ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Telecomm/vt850b1.arc

==============================================================
11.2) Can I read/write 8-bit Atari disks on an IBM-PC?

     There are several programs on the atari.archive of this variety.  Note 
that these require a DOS and disk drive on the Atari end capable of the SS/DD 
180K format (SpartaDOS, MYDOS, etc.; XF551, Indus GT, etc.).  The programs are:

ATARIO by Dave Brandman w/ Kevin White - Reads SS/DD 180K Atari disks.  
     ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Diskutils/atario21.arc

SpartaRead by Oscar Fowler - Reads SS/DD 180K SpartaDOS disks.  Filename:
     ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Diskutils/sr.arc

UTIL by Charles Marslett - Reads/Writes SS/DD 180K Atari disks.  Quite popular.
     ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Diskutils/dskutil.arc
     (Older versions are contained in pcxfer.arc, util.arc, and ataridsk.arc)

MyUTIL by Charles Marslett and Mark Vallevand - Try this one first!  URLs:
     ftp://nova.pvv.unit.no/pub/atari/8bit/utilities/disk/myutil.readme
     ftp://nova.pvv.unit.no/pub/atari/8bit/utilities/disk/myutil.zip

==============================================================
11.3) Can I read/write DOS disks on an 8-bit Atari?

If your highest-capacity floppy drive on your Atari system is the
Atari 1050, you won't be able to use ATARIO, SpartaRead, or UTIL.  You
still have the following alternative:

Mule by Rick Cortese - Read/Write 180K MS-DOS disks with an Atari 1050
drive or equivalent.  Very limited.
     ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Diskutils/mule.arc - includes 
Atari Mule; Action!, Turbo C sources
     ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Diskutils/mule.exe - IBM Mule
     ftp://atari.archive.umich.edu/atari/8bit/Diskutils/mule.txt - 
descriptive blurb

==============================================================
11.4) How do I transfer files using a null modem cable?

This section by mailto::cb541@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (James R. Gilbert)

A:  Simply put, you need a terminal program and an RS 232 port on
    each computer.  The RS 232 ports need to be connected
    together using a 'null modem cable'.

    For up to 4800 bps, no flow control lines need be
    connected.  Just cross the transmit and receive lines
    and join the grounds together.  (Transmit is pin #2,
    receive is pin #3 and ground is pin #7 on the 25-pin
    port.)

    The right hand pin on the 'long' side of a female 'D'
    connector is #1.  There are 13 holes on this 'long'
    side, 12 holes on the 'short' side.  The numbers go from
    #1 on the right to #13 on the left on the 'long' side
    and from #14 to #25 from right to left on the 'short'
    side. #25 is closest to being under #13.  A male
    connector is the mirror image of this.

    Most terminal programs allow a null connection, without a
    carrier detect.  Notably, '850 Express!' does not.
    
    A convenient way to make a null modem cable, up to about
    30 feet long, is to use two female DB25 connectors and
    some three or more conductor cable.  Using the two DB25
    female connectors allows unplugging your modem and
    plugging in the null modem cable.  This also avoids the
    confusion of the wide variety of serial port jacks on
    different computers.  Almost all computers connect into
    the modem via a DB25 connection.

    The SIO port on the Atari cannot be used directly.  An
    850 Interface Module, P:R:Connection, Multi I/O, Black
    Box (by Computer Software Services) or similar device
    that provides an RS232 port must be used.
    
    On the Atari, the port is a female DB9.  So you need a
    male DB9 to male DB25 modem cable to connect to your
    modem. So why not use this cable as your null modem
    cable as well?
    
    For higher speed connections, above about 9600 bps on the
    8-bit, you need the flow control lines.  You also need 
    a Multi I/O or Black Box, which use the PBI (parallel bus),
    then you can go higher than 9600 bps.

    Following are pin assignments for a DB25 pin RS 232 C
    port.
                 13                       1
                  o o o o o o o o o o o o o
                   o o o o o o o o o o o o 
                  25                     14
 
          (Above is female, male is mirror image.)
 
1.  Protective Ground        12.  Select Alternate Rate
2.  Transmit Data            15.  Transmit Clock (sync)
3.  Receive Data             17.  Receive clock (sync)
4.  RTS (Request to Send)    20.  Data Terminal Ready
5.  CTS (Clear to Send)      22.  Ring indicator
6.  Data Set Ready           23.  Select Alternate Rate
7.  Signal Ground            24.  Transmit Clock
8.  Carrier Detect
    
    A high speed cable would need not only pins 2 and 3 crossed
    but also pins 4 and 5 as well as 6 and 8.  Or better
    yet, make a true 25 wire, straight through cable and use
    a commercial null modem.  A commercial null modem is
    just a small device with the correct lines already
    crossed.

    (DTE = Data Terminal Equipment, i.e., your computer.
     DCE = Data Communications Equipment, i.e., your modem.)

==============================================================
12.1) What 5.25" floppy disk drives are available?

 original by: mailto::Krishna@max.tiac.net (Glenn M. Saunders)

--KEY---------------
*=my recommendations 
**=good for easy mass storage, but slow 
***=same as ** but with nice Z80 CP/M system in which CP/M drive acccess 
is parallel only thus faster.

Manufacturer    Name            Sides/density   Data rate/name/notes
------------    ----------      --------------- ----------------------
Atari           810             SS SD           19.2k standard 
Happy           810             SS SD/DD ?      Warp speed
Atari           1050            SS SD/ED        19.2k standard 
Happy           1050            SS SD/ED/DD     Warp speed USDoubler/
Super Archiver  1050 *          SS SD/ED/DD     Ultra Speed 50+K
Speedy          1050            SS SD/ED/DD     78K mode (European)
			             	        unknown DOS restrictions
Atari		XF551 *		DS SD/ED/DD	38K burst mode (USD comp.)
				Will do 720K	XF DS system now considered
				w/3.5" mod	"standard".
				from CSS
Percom		Various/RFD **	Various
				Any IBM mech
				from SS/SD 
				5.25 to 720K
				3.5"		19.2K standard only
				NOTE: no ED     Unique DS system
Trak		Various	**	See above	Caching system for speedup
						Unknown compatibility in
						fast mode with MYDOS and
						Sparta
						Unique DS system
Indus 		GT		SS SD/ED/DD	Synchromesh mode usable
						with SDX and DOSXL only.
Astra		Double-D?	DS SD/DD?	standard /LEDs and such
Rana		1000		SS SD/ED/DD	standard /LEDs and such
                                                can format disks on a
						stand alone basis
Floppy board	various	*	Any standard	very fast parallel
						DOS-transparent
						Requires Black Box
						DS system configurable for
						XF Percom or ATR style
HDI		various		Any standard	very fast SIO? European
SWP             ATR-8000 ***	Any standard	standard
				except 1.2 and  unique DS system
				1.44 meg (HD)
Atari		1450XLD drives  DS SD/ED DD?	standard, requires DOS4
						unusual DS system
						Only prototypes exist
Atari		XF521		3.5" system	Unreleased

==============================================================
12.2) How can I use 3.5" floppy disks with my 8-bit Atari?

to be written.  volunteers?

==============================================================
12.3) What do I need to connect a hard drive to my 8-bit Atari?

 original my mailto::Krishna@max.tiac.net (Glenn M. Saunders)

Corvus		?		10 megabytes	Fast but still relatively
						slow I/O, kludge through
						joystick ports for 800.
						Rare
Supra/K-P	N/A		various		Some limitations on drive
						type and size and total
						number of drives in sys.
ICD		Multi I/O	various		256 byter per sector
						restriction.  256K and
						1 meg ramdisk models.
						Printer and modem, modem
						will handle 14.4K baud
CSS		Black Box	various		Will handle all SCSI drives.
						Allows 9 drive access for
						MYDOS.  Currently the only
						modem interface with CTS/RTS
						hardware flow control. 19.2K
						ready.
SWP		ATR-8000	unknown limits  Rare daughterboard for hard
						drives.  I/O is probably 
						fairly slow on this baby and
						there may be DOS restrictions.

==============================================================
12.4) How can I use an IBM-PC as a storage device for my Atari?

 Original by Dave Paterson, mailto::d.paterson2@genie.geis.com

SIO2PC is a cable and software combination that lets you use your PC as up
to 4 drives for your 8-bit.  Drives can be SD, ED, DD or custom sizes up to
16 megs.  SIO2PC also lets you redirect the printer output to your PC
printer or to a file on the PC.  High speed drives are emulated (a la US
Doubler).
 
All these functions are transparent at the Atari end; you never notice the
difference between SIO2PC and regular drives, except that the SIO2PC drives
are faster than any others (except Ramdisks and PBI interface drives).

SIO2PC is a shareware product from Nick Kennedy, whose contact information
may be found in the companion vendor/developer list.

[Atari Archive filename(s) should be placed here!]

==============================================================
13.1) What's the best DOS for the Atari?

     This is a matter of opinion, but general consensus is that all 8-bit Atari
users should treat themselves to either MYDOS or SpartaDOS to appreciate the
power of the system.  MYDOS is modelled after Atari DOS 2.0S/2.5, but provides
subdirectory and hard-drive support.  SpartaDOS is a completely different
command-line DOS modelled after MS-DOS, though it is perfectly capable of
reading all Atari DOS and MYDOS disks.  SpartaDOS 3.2g is disk-based; 
SpartaDOS X 4.21 is cartridge-based and includes many additional features.
SpartaDOS is available from Fine Tooned Engineering (see companion vendor/
developer list); MYDOS is freeware from Wordmark Systems (Charles Marslett
and Bob Puff).
     It is recommended that all 8-bit Atari users own at least DOS 2.5 for
complete compatibility with existing software, and then choose either SpartaDOS
or MYDOS as they see fit.  DOS 2.5, MYDOS and SpartaDOS are all available on
the Atari Archive.  URLs:
[URLs here!]

==============================================================
13.2) What hardware has Atari created in the 8-bit computer line?

Computers:
     400            (1979) 8-16K, membrane keyboard, 400/800 OS
     800            (1979) 8-48K, two cartridge slots, 400/800 OS
     1200XL         (1982) 64K, early XL OS, F1-F4 keys, 4 LEDs
     600XL          (1983) 16-64K, BASIC, PBI, XL OS
     800XL          (1983) 64K, BASIC, PBI, XL OS
     65XE           (1985) same as 800XL minus PBI
     130XE          (1985) same as 65XE with 128K plus ECI
     800XE          (1987?)same as 130XE but only 64K. Mostly eastern Europe.
     XE Game System (1987) same as 65XE plus Missle Command, detach. keybd.

Peripherals:
     410 Program Recorder  (Japan and Hong Kong versions)
     810 Disk Drive      SS/SD 90K with DOS 1 or DOS 2.0S, MPI&Tandon vers.
     820 Printer           (40 col.)
     822 Thermal Printer   (40 col.)
     825 Printer           (80 col.), req. 850
     830 Modem             (300 baud acoustic, req. 850, with Telelink I)
     835 Modem             (300 baud, with Telelink II)
     850 Interface Module  (4 9-pin serial, 1 15-pin parallel ports,
                            beige & black metal versions )
     1010 Program Recorder (Sanyo and Chelco versions)
     1020 Printer/Plotter  (print/draw in 4 colors)
     1025 Printer          (7-pin dot matrix, 80 col.)
     1027 Printer          (80 col., letter quality)
     1029 Printer          (7-pin dot matrix, same as Commodore MPS-801)
     1030 Modem            (300 baud, with 1030 Express!)
     1050 Disk Drive       (SS/ED 128K with DOS 3 or DOS 2.5)
     XC11 Program Recorder
     XC12 Program Recorder 
     XM301 Modem           (300 baud, with XE Term)
     XMM801 Printer        (80 col.)
     XDM121 Printer        (80 col., letter quality)
     XF551 Disk Drive      (DS/DD 360K with DOS XE)
     XEP80 Interface Module(80 col. video display and DB25 parallel port)
     SX212 Modem           (1200 baud, rarely with SX-Express! package)

Atari 8-bit vaporware computers: (note some are more vaporous than others)
     1200     1200XL internally, many slight cosmetic differences
     800XLF   800XL incorporating a FREDDY chip (as the XE's)
     1400XL   800XL plus modem, speech synth.(looks like a 1200XL)
     1450XLD  1400XL plus 5.25" floppy drive
     65XEP    65XE plus 3.5" floppy drive, 5" green monitor
     65XEM    65XE plus AMIE sound chip

Atari 8-bit vaporware peripherals:(note some are more vaporous than others)
     815      2 x SS/DD 180K with DOS 2.0D
     1064     64K RAM module for 600XL
     1090     XL Expansion System, for PBI, CP/M/MS-DOS/Apple II compatible
     XM128    12" green monitor w/ built-in 80-column card
     XC1411   composite 14" color monitor
     XF521    5.25" floppy drive - 1050 compatible, in XE style
     XTM201   non-impact printer
     XTC201   non-impact color printer

==============================================================
13.3) What are the pinouts for the...?

Serial I/O (Peripheral) Port (all machines):
   2   4   6   8  10  12
 1   3   5   7   9  11  13
1. Clock Input             8. Motor Control
2. Clock Output            9. Proceed
3. Data Input             10. +5/Ready
4. Ground                 11. Audio Input
5. Data Output            12. +12V
6. Ground                 13. Interrupt
7. Command

Cartridge Slot (all machines; two on the 800):
A  B  C  D  E  F  H  J  K  L  M  N  P  R  S
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11 12 13 14 15
 1. ~S4    A. RD4
 2. A3     B. GND
 3. A2     C. A4
 4. A1     D. A5
 5. A0     E. A6
 6. D4     F. A7
 7. D5     H. A8
 8. D2     J. A9
 9. D1     K. A12
10. D0     L. D3
11. D6     M. D7
12. ~S5    N. A11
13. +5V    P. A10
14. RD5    R. R/~W
15. ~CCTL  S. B02

Enhanced Cartridge Interface (ECI) (130XE and 800XE only):
A  B  C  D  E  F  H
1  2  3  4  5  6  7
A. Reserved   1. ~EXSEL
B. ~IRQ       2. ~RST
C. ~HALT      3. ~D1XX
D. A13        4. ~MPD
E. A14        5. Audio
F. A15        6. ~REF
H. GND        7. +5V

Monitor Jack (all but 400 and XE Game System):
  3   1
5       4
    2
1. Composite Luminance
2. Ground
3. Audio Output
4. Composite Video
5. Composite Chroma

Power Adapter Plug (all but 400, 800):
  7   6
3       1
 5     4
    2
1. +5V
2. Shield
3. Ground
4. +5V
5. Ground
6. +5V
7. Ground

Controller Port (4 on 400/800, 2 on all others):
1   2   3   4   5
  6   7   8   9
1. (Joystick) Forward Input
2. (Joystick) Back Input
3. (Joystick) Left Input
4. (Joystick) Right Input
5. B Potentiometer Input
6. Trigger Input
7. +5V
8. Ground
9. A Potentiometer Input

Parallel Bus Interface (PBI) (600XL and 800XL only):
    (from _Mapping the Atari, Revised Edition_ by Ian Chadwick)
 1  3  5  7  9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49
 2  4  6  8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50
  1. GND ground                2. External select
  3. A0 Address output         4. A1
  5. A2                        6. A3
  7. A4                        8. A5
  9. A6                       10. GND
 11. A7                       12. A8
 13. A9                       14. A10
 15. A11                      16. A12
 17. A13                      18. A14
 19. GND                      20. A15
 21. D0 Data (bidirectional)  22. D1
 23. D2                       24. D3
 25. D4                       26. D5
 27. D6                       28. D7
 29. GND                      30. GND
 31. Phase 2 clock output     32. GND
 33. NC Reserved              34. Reset output
 35. (IRQ) Interrupt request  36. Ready input
 37. NC                       38. External decoder output
 39. NC                       40. Refresh output
 41. Column address output    42. GND
 43. Math pack disable input  44. Row addr strobe
 45. GND                      46. Latch read/write out
 47. NC (+5v dc?)             48. NC (+5v dc?)
 49. Audio input              50. GND

 --850 R1-4 pinouts from: mailto::generic@rahul.net (Chris Rosenthal)
R1: Serial port (850 Interface Module):
5   4   3   2   1
  9   8   7   6
1. Data Terminal Ready (DTR, Ready Out)
2. Carrier Detect (CRX, In)
3. Send Data (out)
4. Receive Data (In)
5. Signal Ground 
6. Data Set Ready (DSR, Ready In)
7. Request to Send (RTS, Out)
8. Clear to Send (CTS, In)

R2: Serial port (850 Interface Module):
5   4   3   2   1
  9   8   7   6
1. DTR
3. Send Data  
4. Receive Data 
5. Signal Ground
6. DSR

R3: Serial port (850 Interface Module):
5   4   3   2   1
  9   8   7   6
1. DTR
3. Send Data
4. Receive
5. Signal Ground
7. RTS
8. -8 Volts
 
R4: Serial port (850 Interface Module):
5   4   3   2   1
  9   8   7   6
1. Send Data +
3. Send Data -
7. Receive Data +
9. Receive Data - (20 mA) 

  --850 P: pinout from: Jim Evans, mailto::donor@max.u.washington.edu
P: Parallel port (850 Interface Module):
      8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1
       15 14 13 12 11 10  9
1. Data Strob
2. D0
3. D1
4. D2
5. D3
6. D4
7. D5
8. D6
9.  
10. Data pins pull up + 5v 
11. Ground
12. Fault
13. Busy
14. -
15. D7

P: Parallel port (XEP80 Interface Module):
    13  12  11  10   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1
      25  24  23  22  21  20  19  18  17  16  15  14
    1. Strobe
  2-9. Parallel Data
   10. Not Used
   11. Busy
12-17. Not Used
18-25. Ground

==============================================================
14.1) What product developers or vendors support the 8-bit Atari?

     There are two files available:

1) Atari 8-Bit Computers: Vendors and Developers
Available from:
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet-by-group/news.answers/atari-8-bit/vendev
http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/atari-8-bit/vendev/faq.html
news:comp.sys.atari.8bit, news:comp.answers, news:news.answers
mailto::mcurrent@carleton.edu
and all other archives of Usenet FAQ lists.

2) "The Official **AC** Vendor List" is maintained by Atari Classics magazine's
Advertising Editor, Bob Scholar, r.scholar@genie.geis.com.  This list focuses
on North America, but all sources listed have been personally confirmed by the
AC staff.

==============================================================
14.2) Where is my nearest 8-bit Atari BBS?

     The "ATARI CLASSICS Atari Bulletin Board System listing" is maintained 
by Lawrence Estep, AC's Telecommunications Editor, 71450.1050@compuserve.com.

==============================================================
14.3) Where is my nearest 8-bit Atari user group?

     An 8-bit Atari user group listing is maintained by Atari Classics
magazine's Exchange Editor, James King, KAMARO_KID@delphi.com.

==============================================================
End of atari-8-bit/faq
==============================================================
