Midnite: Good evening everyone! Welcome to the Midnite Forum! The funny looking fellow in the corner is RBaker, well-known Commodore Commentator and King of the New Products Section on CIN! My fingers are controlled by Art Lewis..all around goodguy!
QuestionWhat kind of software do you make? Education, Buisness, games, or otherwise
Midnite: 'How To Get The Most Out of GEOS' (book and disk) from Midnite Press. Constellation Software … many titles being produced here in the States direct from England. 95% games…the rest business.
QuestionWhat do you think of GEOS?
Midnite: for the new owners it's an excellent way of beginning to use your computer, for the old timers it's a big cumbersome… It does an excellent job for what it's intended for. I would recommend it.
QuestionWHAT COMM SOFTWARE DO YOU RECCOMEND?
Midnite: It depends on what computer you prefer. Most of the best terminal software… is in the public domain… CommTermIII is my favorite for the 64 and Nezterm 5.3 is my favorite 128 program….In the commercial line..BobsTerm Pro from Progressive is a good seller for the 64 and 128.
QuestionGoodevening, Can you give us any info on any upcoming new releases of any kind ?
Midnite: Well…Just received a press release from Infocom who are releasing TWO new Adventure Games on June 15…One is the sequel to Planetfall…called 'Stationfall' and the other is a HORROR story…ala Stephen King…but I don't remember the title right now. Also….. check RBaker's section in CIN about the new Epyx releases. Also… look for a large number of titles being imported by a well-known Illinois Company from Europe… mostly game titles (Quinx …Pesky Painter…Kamikaze…ETC.
QuestionWhich is your favorite amongst the current crop of Hard Disks available for the C-64?
Midnite: My two favorite drives are the Lt. Kernal from Xetec and the ICT Mini Data Chief
QuestionDo you see any more/better games in the future that utilize the modem for a 2 player option?
Midnite: There is another one on the horizon shortly and I would assume since they seem to be doing well that others will jump on the bandwagon. As soon as I can think of the name…I'll tell you..Also.
RBAKER: By the way, there's a free two player modem chess game in the New Prod Info library area!
Midnite: many of the new PD BBSs are utilizing on-line gaming.
Questionis there a program that can make signs?
Midnite: Several for the 64..Print Shop…Newsroom…Print Master…Banner Machine…Certificate Maker… thelist goes on…check any Commodore Magazine.
QuestionCan you tell me how I can find a copy of the Payroll part of the Commodore Accoun ting series?
Midnite: COMB distributors was selling them and a mail-order company ….Computer Outlet in Ohio has them.
QuestionWhich is the fastest between the Xetec and the Lt Kernal, and are they easy to set up and use?
Midnite: No question…the Lt. Kernal is over 100 times faster than a 1541…no other drive on the market today comes close. The Lt. Kernal and ICT are both fairly easy to set up if you take your time and READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! I believe the Lt. Kernal may be a little more compatible with commercial software than the ICT but the ICT has some formatting advantages.
QuestionCan you tell me if Desk pack 2 is out?
Midnite: Yes it is. Check mail order firms.
QuestionWhat about games for the C128 only, making use of the extra memory.
Midnite: Ahoy! Magazine just published a C128 only game. Look to see more 128 specific programs in RUN as well. In the commercial field…only Infocom that I know of has written any game exclusively for the C128.
QuestionWhats your opinion on the leap to 2400 baud, can the 64c handle it? or is '1200 the Limit!'…
Midnite: The COMPUTER can handle 2400 baud with no problem…however it appears that the MODEM manu- facturers are having trouble putting one out that works well with the Commodore. The Avatex 2400 seems to work pretty well…but there have been a lot of complaints about the Hayes.
Questionhow much and how can i get newsroom
Midnite: Check in Compute's Gazette, RUN, Ahoy!, Info and Commodore Magazines.
Questionwhat is the best monitor considering the price and quality?
Midnite: For the price…Commodore's Monitor is a good buy. My favorite is the MJ-22 (Technica) That's for the 64/128 machines.
QuestionWhen is GEOS for the 128 due in the stores.
Midnite: They are tentatively stating the end of June. We may know more after the upcoming CES show.
CommentThis is not a question-just thanks for y our book on Geos-I am studying it.
RBAKER: Back on monitors, Commodore is coming out with the 2002 monitor …. the new universal monitor…
Midnite: Thank you JeanD (Your money is in the mail :>)
RBAKER: to replace the 1902 and 1080 monitors with digital & analog RGB plus composite inputs.
QuestionThe 'stock' power supply for the 64 can be overloaded fairly easily, is this a problem with running a hard drive? I know I had a problem with the Busscard and the SFD.
Midnite: Having run a BBS with the Lt. Kernal for the past three years…I can safely say that I am an expert on this….you DEFINITELY want a 7 amp power supply. Commodore's 5 amp Baby Power Supply has JUST ABOUT enough power to run the 64 and little else. The new 64C, however, DOES have a beefed up power supply as does the C128…and both of these should handle the hard drive with no trouble.
RBAKER: ICT Data Chief uses the serial peripherial bus so no extra load on the system supply.
Midnite: Good point, Bob…I forgot!
QuestionWhat is the status of Batteries Included via E/A?
Midnite: The papers should be signed by now…but have heard nothing else.
QuestionThe C128 has empty I.C. slots internally Do you know of anyone planning to make use of this. (ex: built in word processor)
Midnite: There have been rumors…but all Commodore will say is 'That's for future expansion'…who knows?
RBAKER: Check the New Product Info section for full info on Batteries Included deal. Was posted … some time ago from official press releases from EA. From conversations with Commodore earlier this week… the 1581 is now shipping and should be available thru dealers in about 1 to 2 weeks… Final retail price is now $299… ROM Upgrades are now available for C128, taking orders for 1571 ROMs which should be ready… shortly. A500 Amiga might be out before A2000… Commodore did a pilot production run and is ready for June deliveries if FCC would certify the… unit. A2000 is still slated for July. C128D is also coming some time in June. As mentioned previously, 2002 monitor is new universal monitor to be out shortly. No RAMdisk software is planned for 1700/1750 expansions, since several asked this before. That's the major items… more coming after CES. … Watch for a special section in CIN for CES reports from the show!
Midnite: MailPro from Proline, Superbase from Progressive… DFile from Michaelsoft, an some others but this gives you a good price range.
QuestionIs GEOS 128 going to be in color?
Midnite: Check the latest issueof RUN for a overview of many GEOS products including… a preliminary remark about the 128 version.
QuestionWhere can you get information on using the 1750 ram expansion.
Midnite: The Official Commodore Reference Guide published by Bantam.
QuestionAre there any new games on the horizen for wargamers and if so by who?
Midnite: The big craze that I've seen is Construction Sets such as SSI's. They are getting ready to release more Wargames in this vein.
Questionis there a difference between 51/4 disks and mini disks. Or are they the same.
Midnite: Mini disks are the 3 1/2 disks for computers like the Amiga and Mac and the new 1581 drive for the Commodore. The storage capacity is much greater and they are less prone to failure and abuse.
RBAKER: Comment on Batteries Inc. – deal was finalized & EA was to take over all operations as of 5/4/87.
QuestionI'm interested in writing my own games in assembly lang. and want to include quality hi-res screens. What recommendations for programs.
Midnite: I would recommend the Merlin Assembler, I still dabble with the PAL assembler….now called Buddy 128
RBAKER: You can call EA Customer Service at 415-578-0316 for ?'s on Batteries Inc. Prod's.
CommentThis is not really related but does anyone know of plans to improve Pc Pursuit so xfers are possible? Xmodem on PC works terrible.
Midnite: If anyone has a comment please do so.
QuestionWhat's the C128D?
Midnite: It is EXACTLY the same as a C128 except in a different package and with a built-in 1571.
RBAKER: And there's supposedly a fan in the main system box to cool the power supply!
Midnite: It looks similar to the Amiga 1000
QuestionAre there any problems with data fields if I buy FLASH! from Skyles?
Midnite: I've heard of no problems… there have been additions made to that product.
QuestionIs the C64 RAM exp. canned forever?
RBAKER: NO, the 1764 is shipping and should be available.
Questionwhat is your opinion on gunship
Midnite: I think it is the best Helicopter simulation I have seen to date
QuestionWhat is Basic 8 for the C128?
RBAKER: This is a new enhanced version of Basic from a third party developer that is almost ready for… release. I don't have many details but there have been messages in the New Prod Info area from… those involved with the development.
Questiondo you recommend the 1571 disk drive?
Midnite: It is far more reliable than the 1541 and has twice the storage capacity in 1128 mode
QuestionWhat are the best Flight Simulaters on the market?
Midnite: I believe the Amiga version of FSII from SubLogic is the best.
CommentA comment – I heard the C128D has 64K of VDC ram… not the 16K found in normal C128's
Questionwhat's the future of the Amig1000?
Midnite: It's my understanding that the 1000 is no longer being made. The 500 is virtually the same machine only with 256k built in. Rbaker can correct me if I'm wrong (but I'll neverr speak to him again!)
QuestionWhen did you start into Computers?
Midnite: You remember the night of the Last Supper?
RBAKER: A500 has 512K built in and expandable to 1MB
Midnite: ….well…it was a LITTLE while after that….about 1977 with a kit (KIM)..which nobody younger than Methusela remembers
QuestionJust a comment don't know about data fields but use a Skyles with 1 SFD & 1 CSI 10 meg. hard drive with no major probs. I use it on a BBS. Had to get updated ROM's for the drive tho.
Midnite: k
QuestionWhat about more ultra hires stuff your ultra hires.lnx was excellent in showing the 128 graphic capabilities.?
RBAKER: I think you're confusing me with another RUN author, I haven't done anything on graphics….. I'm mostly involved with utilities like Disk Master, compactor/uncompactor, etc.
CommentThx for all your efforts and contributions to Midnite & Rbaker
Midnite: You're welcome!
QuestionWill The 1764 ram disk software work on a C128, in C64 mode with a C1750?
RBAKER: I don't believe so, but I'm not sure.
Midnite: Big news in the publishing world. The Midnite Software Gazette/The Paper will now be published by and within Info Magazine operated by Benn Dennington and Marc Brown. All subscriptions will be fulfilled by them. I will continue to contribute editorially along with some other Midnite regulars. J. Oldfield That's all we have time for tonite folks. Before we go..do you hve anything to add Bob?
RBAKER: Just to keep an eye on the new prod info section. We're going to try something new for CES… I'll be trying to report nightly from the show on the latest happenings (as time permits). There are some other new things in the works as well, check my comments and questions msg board for an opinion question for comments. and Thanks for dropping by! Nite all!
Midnite: Thanks everyone…see you next month! info midnite