Midnite: Hello and welcome to the Midnite Forum…. With us tonite is my good friend and co-host … Robert Baker of New Product Information fame…. Also Mark Brown from the world famous….. magazine INFO Mag….. will be here as well.
INFO Mag: y
Midnite: Tonite's forum is open to the floor as usual. No, it's not. But you can get GEOS info from the GEOS forum located in the main CIN menu. Ladies and gentlemen also here tonite is RJScott known to be associated with Amiga computers.
RJScott: The Q-Link Auditorium is capable of accomodating up to 200 guests, however, only YOUR name and the names of our SPEAKERS (up to a total of 4 names), can be seen on your screen. In order to see how many guests are present, press F7 and select "Leave The Auditorium" but don't leave. At that point simply list the public rooms until you see the Auditorium and the number of guests. "Talking" as in other rooms in PEOPLE CONNECTION is disabled in the Auditorium in order to provide speakers with the proper environment for a Forum. In order to ask a question or to comment you may press F7 and use ASK A QUESTION. At the end of the line, press return ONE time to continue typing. In order to "send" your question or comment, press return TWO times. All questions/comments are received in the order sent. A speaker may choose not to "broadcast" certain items. Duplicates are commonly discarded, as well as any items that are received incomplete or unintelligible. We ask that you keep the questions/comments pertinent to the topic of the Forum, rather than digress from same. Thanks for your cooperation! And now for a preview of Forums scheduled here. Following is a list of scheduled events in the Q-Link Auditorium for the period ending June 26th. Remember, all events are scheduled to be held at EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME here on Q-Link! 6/20:World:Computers:10p.m. 6/21:Q-Link:Auction!:5p.m. 6/21:NEW:News:Talk:11p.m. 6/22:Commodore:Forum:10p.m. 6/23:Guided:Tour:9:30p.m. 6/24:Butterfield:Forum:10p.m. 6/25:Electronic:Arts:10p.m. 6/26:STUMP:THE:SYSOPS:10p.m.
QuestionHow long does it take you to put out an issue??
Midnite: Mark, any comments?
INFO Mag: Is that one for you or for me, Jim? It takes INFO two months, if we don't sleep
QuestionWill there be a free-software program drawing?
Midnite: Sorry, no.
Questionis there any truth to the rumor that BSW is planning to market an update to GEOS?
Midnite: The update of GEOS itself is the C-128 version about to be released. Version 1.3 is current… on the C-64
QuestionIS there any new games or other programs for the c-128 coming out soon? .
Midnite: THE BEST program I've seen for the C-128 native mode…. is Lou Wallace's BASIC 8. It is SUPER in graphics and as a super aid in programming…. your 128 to do more than you ever dreamed…. Also, Infocom still has their Trinity (and a couple more…. coming this year.)
QuestionDoes anyone know of a Forth-83… standard operating system available for the native Commodore 128 mode of the C128?
RBAKER: MasterForth from MicroMotion is supposed to be Forth-83 with macro assembler, etc…. These are for C64, haven't seen anything for C128 mode yet.
QuestionIs there a release date know for the Amiga 500?
Midnite: The end of this month (June) however, a few dealers have reported receiving some already.
QuestionHow do I connect a Star Sg-10C to geos?
Midnite: You can use GEO Print Cable that is available for $30-45.
INFO Mag: The A500 IS out, at least in "demo quantities". We just heard today that the first real shipment is in a truck that broke down somewhere in Maryland… I don't make this stuff up!
Questionhow do you down load a program
Midnite: You may ask any QGUIDE that is on-line or go to QLink Help.
QuestionIs the A500 a good by for the money???
Midnite: The best price is FREE. However, I think the price is reasonable.
QuestionIs there an updated version of Disk Mast er IV or is that latest.
RBAKER: That is the latest version for now. I've been to busy with the New Prod Info section to do any… additions for now.
INFO Mag: By the way, you can get a higher quality and less expensive C64-to-Star cable Redmond Cable (206-882-2009)
QuestionIs there any truth that there Info mag is going under???
Midnite: Mark, any comments?
INFO Mag: We are doing better than ever… with a new distribution setup that will get us into stores all over the place where INFO wasn't available before.
QuestionWhich of the following assemblers : Merlin 128, LADS 128, and Power ASM 128 would you reccommend for use on the C128?
RBAKER: Merlin is supposed to be the one everyone is switching to these days. Jim says they give good…
INFO Mag: "Available soon at a store near you…"
RBAKER: support.
QuestionIs there alot of software out for it????
Midnite: I would assume you are talking… about the Amiga 500, all software…. will run on it that the 1000 ran , (providing you have the memory).
QuestionWill Geos128 be sold separately, or bun- dled as it is with the 64C? Q-link included in the same way in the bundle if yes to the first question?
Midnite: My understanding is that it will only be available seperately.
INFO Mag: We list 500+ products for the Amiga and estimate 800+ are probably out there…. with 1500+ public domain programs available now.
Midnite: Mark Brown, from Info Mag, what new programs have you seen for the C-64?
INFO Mag: Just got in Cauldron from Broderbund… a nice Halloween-type adventure game… Also, a collection of 8 classic games… including Revenge of the Mutant Camels and Huvver Buvver, called Yak's ???
Questionwhat is this
INFO Mag: Just got in Street Sports Baseball, and it looks good, too.
RBAKER: This is the Midnite Aud., an open forum on any CBM related item.
INFO Mag: For the Amiga, we now have a Genlock, and a Sidecar should be delivered Monday
Midnite: I can also mention that I got Super Star Ice Hockey, from Mindscape, …. '1942' and 'Ghosts and Goblins' both from a CA company …..
INFO Mag: ONe of the hottest new games I've seen f or the C64 is The Sentry from Firebird.
Midnite: called Capcom who are licensing MANY new arcade games for the C-64. Also, Timeworks has … Partner 64 available now and looks excellent. Don't forget to also check the CES reports from RBAKER's New Information Section…..
CommentI've heard tell of an entire disk of terminal programs available for the Volks 6480 modem available by mail order somewhere. Do any of you have any information on that?
Midnite: I haven't heard…..Mark or Bob?
INFO Mag: OH, almost forgot! We got in C64 Defende r of the Crown and it is IMPROVED over the Amiga version, with great graphics, music, and better gameplay. VERY nice.
QuestionWill graphics + multiprocessing really keep the Amiga alive, now that the bottom is dropping out of the prices of IBM ATs and their clones since intro of the PS series?
RBAKER: Yes, there is very little competition in the Video production and sound capabilities…
INFO Mag: The folks on the Telecommunications SIG here should be able to help find that telecom disk.
Midnite: Seems to be a BIG resurgence in video games for our favorite computer (C-64).
RBAKER: of the Amiga — and this is where the multi tasking is really needed. Amiga 500 should really open this market!
Questionwhat are the 8 classic games???
INFO Mag: I was just thinking of the resurgence of C64 games, myself, Jim.
Midnite: Mark ?
INFO Mag: Attack of the Mutant Camels,… Revenge of same, Huvver Buvver, Sheep in Space, and more.
QuestionWhat is cbm??
INFO Mag: The collection is called Yak's something or other. Yak's Legacy? I can't remembe r.
Midnite: Commodore Business Machines, Commodore Electronics LTD (Limited)
INFO Mag: How about some good rumors or gossip?
Midnite: Bob, what NEW things are you doing these days?
RBAKER: We just added two new message boards in the New Product Info section… One for the PC-10 and IBM clones plus another just for C128 specific items. We also added CES archives in the download library just today along with the latest Briwall prices.
QuestionIs Ikari Woriors out, and is there a vidio game out like it..??
Midnite: From Datasoft, (but the rumor is they have been bought) it is complete and nearly ready to ship.
INFO Mag: Now from EA, Jim.
QuestionWhen will I be able to purchase the new GEOS 128 and from who?
Midnite: Probably end of this month, but I'd bet middle July…. from Berkeley softworks or any fine computer retail outlet.
Questionhow much do good games cost???
RBAKER: Most are under $29 typically, some are still up to $39, but prices are coming down.
CommentWhen is HABITAT COMING????
Midnite: Any comments QGUIDES?
INFO Mag: Real Soon Now…
QuestionHow can I make a game with GOOD graphics ?????
Midnite: For the C-128, BASIC 8.
INFO Mag: You might check out Activision's Gamemaker software. It is great. By the way, I talked with programmers from LucasFilms at CES in Chicago who say they have beta-played Habitat….
QuestionWhat is the best BBS Color Graphics program around that is easy to use???
INFO Mag: and say it is FANTASTIC and well worth the wait.
Midnite: C-NET is very popular as well as Color Term.
QuestionWho all is here?
RBAKER: Jim Oldfield from Midnite/INFO Mag, Mark Brown from INFO Mag, myself Robert Baker from… Qlink New Products plus a few Qlink people as well.
Question(Firstly, can we talk about Fast Hack'm, and if so, what is the latest version out right now?)
Midnite: I believe version 3.99 has been out for a few months.
INFO Mag: 4.0 is the latest. There are rumors of a 4.1 or beyond, but they aren't true.
CommentHabitat is being tested extensively before release, no release date has been set yet. When it's available, a notice will appear in "Don't Miss", in the FREE Customer Service Center. 🙂
RBAKER: From your local dealer or any mailorder house.
Commentisnt v4.2a the latest?
INFO Mag: There will be trumpets sounded from the highest towers when Habitat is released.
Midnite: /
QuestionWhere can I get the Activision gamemaker ?????
RBAKER: From your local dealer or any mailorder house.
INFO Mag: Like I said, versions beyond 4.0 are fiction, as far as we can tell.
QuestionWhat version C-Net I heard they are are weak as water and the olny one with good C/Gs is 12.0 but I don't like it (the Price) $69.95
INFO Mag: But, then, I've been wrong before!
Midnite: Punter boards go for one hundred dollars! 12.0 is current, there are quite a few opperating….. but another good one is the Syntech BBS Construction Set…. VERY user friendly, easy to set-up ANY config you can do on a C-64.
QuestionWhat is :)
RBAKER: The 🙂 is a standard use of Qgraphics, turn your head sideways and it should look like a smile!
CommentGraphix-Net is a BBS that is almost exactly like HABITAT on the way it operates and it will be released soon! It is has HiRes Graphix and animation and music and Joystick control.. of course you need a terminal to call but the terminal if free and will be uploaded to Qlink!
INFO Mag: 😉 wink :] chagrined
RBAKER: NO, they are copyrighted material as far as we know.
QuestionComment: I have 4.5A right with me now, it has a lot more of the 128 copiers tha t the 4.0 release did not have. About Gamemaker. My opinion, very slow to work with, etc. C-net: Seems to me released to quickly, with Us BBS'rs ending up loosing any of them that go up do to the ABUNDANT prog raming errors in it.
Midnite: /
QuestionAre the Fast Hackem Parematers allowed to be uploaded to Q-Link?
RBAKER: No, they are copyrighted material as far as we know.
CommentOhh yea… Graphix-Net is $59.95 and is lower in price than Cnet! (its also better!)
RBAKER: /
QuestionWhere and what is the price of BBS cosru Opps CONSTRUTION set?
Midnite: Syntech is available for 39.95 and all info can be found in RBaker's section under Briwall ad.
Comment:() Big Mouth
RBAKER: /
CommentAny Programer of the lowest basic knowledge can fic C-net up and the thing thatis nice about the basic form of the program is that it can be edited and so on..
Midnite: I've had a Punter board up and running for many… years and I can attest to the difficulties that you…. run into when setting up a BBS….. However, Punter Protocol is STILL the most reliable CBM version of transmission….. and now there is PunterNet which links 60+ BBS's on a national network.
CommentRBaker.. The terminal is copyrighted but has permission to be uploaded to Qlink. There is no charge for the terminal for Graphix-Net.
INFO Mag: If you'd like to try writing your own BBS, you might want to get The BOSS, a set of BASIC telecommunications commands from Softtools.
CommentAnd The FASTEST.. (punter)
Midnite: /
INFO Mag: There is a user modifiable Generic BBS included that you can work from. /
QuestionI wrote my own bbs and i just cant seem to get the punter working at 1200 bauds with the interupts activated! why?
Midnite: The source code for C1 Protocol is public domain and available from Punter himself….. log on STARSHIP BBS (217-356-8056) and his address is there. Mark, before we end, any INFOrmation you'd like to share?
INFO Mag: Just like to share once again that we are pleased as punch…. to have MIDNITE aboard, Jim.
QuestionMidnite.. INFO Mag … RBaker…What are your opinion of HiRes BBs's and there efect on text BBS's in the Future.. (like in a year or so)
RBAKER: Any comments Mark or Jim?
INFO Mag: I think there will be plenty of room for both.
RBAKER: Seems to be the general opinion in my area as well. There are valid reasons for both to exist.
QuestionDoes S. Punter still run a bbs? if so what is the # to it?
INFO Mag: I hope to be active in HABITAT but will still spend much time in regular QLink areas, myself.
Midnite: I forget his # but I have it listed on my bbs (217-356-8056).
CommentPlease recommend beginner's term for 1660, thank you Very pleased about MIDNITE here ! I think INFO is very good thank you for doing it
INFO Mag: Thank you for reading it!
Midnite: Thank you all and good nite! See you in INFO(midnite)!
INFO Mag: Nite all!
RJScott: For Q-Link, I'd like to thank Midnite, RBAKER, and INFO Mag for taking part in the Midnite Forum. For those who may have arrived late or if you'd like a permanent transcript of the Forum it will be made "live" in our Archives. Look for it later in the month in our JUST FOR FUN area under Auditorium information. (Located in the NEW P.C. Society.) Thanks once again and good night!
RBAKER: Good Night!
Q-Link: The MIDNITE Forum has ended. Please check the Box Office in PEOPLE CONNNECTION for further events to be held here in the Q-Link Auditorium.
RJScott: Following is a list of scheduled events in the Q-Link Auditorium for the period ending June 26th. Remember, all events are scheduled to be held at EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME here on Q-Link! 6/20:World:Computers:10p.m. 6/21:Q-Link:Auction!:5p.m. 6/21:NEW:News:Talk:11p.m. 6/22:Commodore:Forum:10p.m. 6/23:Guided:Tour:9:30p.m. 6/24:Butterfield:Forum:10p.m. 6/25:Electronic:Arts:10p.m. 6/26:STUMP:THE:SYSOPS:10p.m.