====================================================================== _ __ _ <>_ __ _ || /\\ |\ /|| || / ` /\\ || A M I G A U P D A T E /__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ || -News and Rumors- / \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_|| (An Occasional Newsletter) KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING || ====================================================================== AMIGA and the Amiga logo are trademarks of Gateway, Inc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 980813 C U A M I G A I S D E A D I N F O M E D I A ' 9 8 M I A M I D E L U X E M A I L I N G L I S T S J F O R T H I S N O W F R E E W A R E ! C O L O G N E I I : I T ' S P E R S O N A L ! W E B C A M A N D I R C A T M A E # A M I G A U N I O F F I C I A L I R C C H A N N E L U L T I M A T H U L E - N O M O R E V I R T U A L E - M A I L F A N T A S Y G A M E C O M P U Q U I C K S P E C I A L S F O R U S E R G R O U P S T O R N A D O 3 D U P G R A D E P A X T R O N S U R V I V A L K I T P U T T Y S Q U A D A F T E R A L L N E T C O N N E C T V 2 A V A I L A B L E A M I N E T 2 6 C D - R O M S T U D I O P R O F E S S I O N A L V 2 . 2 0 C H E A T C O D E S - G E T ' E M H E R E ! T H E A M I G A I N F O R M E R A N N E X S E C T I O N ! Editor's Thoughts and Introduction: BAD NEWS ======== I hate to start an issue with bad news, but the top story of the moment is today's announcement of the death of the best selling Amiga magazine still around, the UK's "CU Amiga". The details are below. The Amiga market continues to shrink. It will continue to do so until Amiga Inc. completes its work and new models appear. It can't be helped, Amiga Inc. shouldn't rush faster than they can reasonably go, but it sure does hurt. MAYBE GOOD NEWS? ================ Along with the goings in our community, we do have some arrivals. There are several companies working on new games for the Amiga, some companies that have left the Amiga market are examining it again, and others continue to create good software. It's a confusing time, and one where all most of us can do is hold on and see what develops down the road. We'll report what happens, as it happens. AN AU "MINI-EXCLUSIVE" ===================== One item we learned through the digging of our intrepid AU staff, is that the games firm of Raven Software will soon be releasing the source code to their games "Heretic" and "Hexen". (Raven Software's only Amiga creation was the very popular "Black Crypt" a few years ago.) We don't know of anyone currently planning on doing Amiga ports, but who knows? A DOWNLOAD HIT ============== Programmers will be pleased to see our story on JForth, below. This excellent programming language is now free. The release swamped their server with downloads. We have the details. MUCH TO READ ============ Once you get past our lead story, we do have a diverse group of items for your reading pleasure this time, including the return of "The Amiga Informer Annex" after too long a time away. We also have a special item for our readers in the UK who might be interested in heading to the Cologne show. Check it all out below. Brad Webb, Editor ---------------------------------------------------------------------- C U A M I G A I S D E A D 13-Aug-98 It is with great regret that I have to inform you that the October 1998 issue of CU Amiga will be the last ever published. CU Amiga Magazine recently dipped into a state of unprofitability, from which it looked unlikely to emerge. The decision to close the magazine was taken by EMAP in light of the magazine's overall financial performance and the lack of prospects for any immediate or short term recovery. It is ironic that CU Amiga should close as the world's best selling Amiga magazine, but recently its financial returns have started to outweigh its overheads. While it has been customary for costs to be cut in order to stave off the closure of magazines, it was decided that CU Amiga would be laid to rest without suffering the indignities of having half its pages removed and the remainder printed on toilet paper in black and white. Neither will it be sold off to another company to be published on a shoe string and run into the ground. The CU Amiga editorial team were obviously very sorry to hear the news and would like to pass on their sincere thanks to everyone who has helped make CU Amiga such a success and so much fun to work on over its many years of existence. Tony Horgan Editor, CU Amiga Magazine ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I N F O M E D I A ' 9 8 Waaslandia Amiga Only User Group Announce InfoMedia '98 Dear Amigans, We are proud to present InfoMedia '98, one of the largest computer shows of the Benelux! On October 3rd (Saturday) and 4th (Sunday) 1998 the 2nd edition will have place in "het Bouwcentrum" in Antwerp, Belgium from 10.00h to 18.00h. It's a general computer fair, but this year the fair will be expanded with one or more extra halls, just for alternative systems. It's the intention to fill at least one big hall with Amiga! The total surface of the whole fair amounts to 6,000 square metres! The access price comes to 250 Bfr. (14 Fl./5 £./13 DM) or 200 Bfr. (11 Fl./4 £./10 DM) for big groups. You may expect companies, shops, organisations, user groups and many important notables from the Amiga world; some of them will give one or more seminaries. During those two days live IRC conferences will be held and we're also planning to set up some web cams. People who would like to experiment with the Internet can visit our cyberzone and the ideal place for a break is of course our big bar! ANNEX will perform their latest dance acts and AMIGA International, Inc. will have a big booth to offer you all the latest news! The UGN stand will be available too for all kind of user group information. On our web pages you can find many more information about this huge Amiga event: general info, the temporary list of exhibitors, hotel info, pictures from last year, a floorplan, travel information (don't forget to take a look at our roadmap), details about the IRC conferences, the seminaries, etc. Just surf to http://titan.glo.be/~waasland/infomedia98 and have a look! Also look out for our advertisements in many Amiga magazines. We are planning special bus trips to this fair from The Netherlands, France, Germany,... (visit our website for more info), so it may not be a problem to come over and attend those two magical days...! Amiga greetings Tony Mees Coordinator Amiga Hall waasland@glo.be ---------------------------------------------------------------------- M I A M I D E L U X E M A I L I N G L I S T S 12 Aug 1998 Anticipating the release of the first beta version of Miami Deluxe a few weeks from now, two new mailing lists have been created specifically for Miami Deluxe: miamidx-talk-ml List for discussions about Miami Deluxe miamidx-announce-ml List for announcements regarding Miami Deluxe. This list is moderated ("read-only"). To subscribe to any of these lists send SUBSCRIBE miamidx-talk-ml and/or SUBSCRIBE miamidx-announce-ml in the body of an email to "Majordomo@nordicglobal.com". Also, a few screenshots of Miami Deluxe ("hardware configuration", "interface configuration" and "LAN-Connect (IP-Nat/Masquerading and Firewall)" are available on www.nordicglobal.com now. They may answer some of the questions users have had about the functionality of Miami Deluxe. More information on Miami Deluxe, including a complete feature list and conceptual description, will be available in a few days. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- J F O R T H I S N O W F R E E W A R E ! 10th August 1998 JForth released as Freeware - May the Forth be with you...Always !!! Upgraded to OS3.1 With great thanks to the primary authors, Mike Haas and Phil Burk who have magnanimously decided to release this product (formerly priced at $179) as freeware, the Amiga now has another arrow in it's quiver. ***** NOTE - Print out the excellent manual. Not only does it give you invaluable information on the many tools provided, but there is also an excellent 3-stage tutorial ***** ***** Join the JForth mailing list !!! to subscribe send e-mail to MDaemon@ChaosSolutions.com with subscribe JForth-list as the only line in the body ***** What is it ? JForth is a programming language that allows you to interact with your Amiga. When you are programming in JForth, you are "inside" the language. You can access any data structure, test any routine, or use any development tool, right from the keyboard. This direct communication with the computer can improve your productivity, giving you additional time to improve the quality of your software products. JForth is based on the 1983 standard Forth language. Forth was first conceived by Charles Moore when he wanted a new language for controlling telescopes. He developed a language based on a dictionary of words. This dictionary can be extended by writing new words based on the old ones. Since Mr. Moore's original version, Forth has been translated to almost every type of computer from the biggest mainframes to the smallest microcomputers. Since a minimal Forth system can be implemented in just a few kilobytes of memory, it is often used in very small embedded computer systems for process control and robotics. Forth, however, is equally appropriate for larger, more advanced, computers like the Amiga. Forth is a very flexible language and can be adapted to larger computers without losing the flavor of the original language. JForth is an implementation of Forth designed specifically for the Amiga. JForth uses a 32-bit stack and compiles directly to 68000 machine code. This makes JForth faster than most Forths. JForth also provides an extensive set of tools for accessing the special features of the Amiga. You can call any Amiga Library routine by name and reference any Amiga structure using constructs similar to 'C'. JForth also has some special toolboxes that support simple graphics, Intuition menus, IFF files, and other Amiga features. These toolboxes can be used directly to simplify your Amiga programming. Source code for all these toolboxes is provided so you can customize them if needed or study them as examples of Amiga programming. JForth also provides over a dozen small sample programs for those, like me, who learn best by example. JForth also allows you to do things that are unique in the Forth experience, the most dramatic being CLONE. This exceptional utility allows you to create a totally independent, standalone version of your program of minimal size. Amiga Library Calls - JForth provides a system for easily calling any Amiga Library routine by name. It will figure out what 68000 registers the parameters go into and build the appropriate code. Thus you can simply pass parameters on the stack in the order described in the Amiga documentation. A number of toolboxes have been written for supporting specific parts of the Amiga Library including EZMENUS, Graphics, the Serial Device, ANSI codes, and much more. Amiga Structure Support - JForth provides the equivalent to all of the ".h" include files from 'C'. These ".j" files define all of the necessary structures and constants for passing information to the Amiga Library routines. Structures can be dumped interactively with all members shown by name and value for debugging by using DST. Upgraded to OS3.1 ! ARexx Support - ARexx is a language that helps various applications communicate with each other. A spread sheet program, for example, could communicate with a data base program. These tools help you write ARexx compatible programs. Assembler - JForth support two 68000 assemblers, one with Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) and one with Motorola like syntax. The RPN assembler can be used to create macros but the Motorola assembler is easier to read. There is also a Disassembler. Block Support and SCRED - For those who prefer the old fashioned BLOCK or SCREEN environment, we provide LIST, LOAD and the standard line editor. We also provide a WYSIWYG SCREEN editor called SCRED. (We recommend the use of normal text files with JForth). Clone - Clone can be used to generate small, executable images of your JForth programs. Clone will take a compiled JForth program, extract out all of the code and data needed to run it, and re-assemble a smaller version of it. All of the JForth development tools, the name fields and link fields and any other unused words are left behind. The final image size is comparable to images created using a 'C' compiler and linker. Images can be saved with a symbol table for use with WACK or other debuggers (if needed). The JForth Source Level Debugger can also be used with Cloned programs. Most programs will Clone without modification if they follow a few simple rules regarding run time initialization of variables or arrays containing Forth addresses. Debugger - JForth provides a source level debugger that allows you to single step through your code. At every step you can see what is on the stack. You can also examine the return stack, dump memory, set breakpoints, control execution, or even enter Forth commands. Floating Point - JForth support both the single precision Fast Floating Point and the IEEE double precision. These words conform to the Forth Vendors Group Standard. IFF Support - JForth provides general purpose tools for reading and writing IFF files. It also provides a toolbox specifically for ILBM graphics files. This allows you to use pictures, brushes, anims and animbrushes from a paint program, or other source, in your programs. JForth also provides tools for animation and presentation such as, blit, wipe, fade in, fade out, etc. Powerful graphics and animation programs can be created using these tools. Local Variables - Local variables can simplify the definition of complex words by eliminating much of the stack manipulation. Local variables are fast self fetching variables that allow reentrant recursive code to be written. Using regular VARIABLEs can make a word non reentrant. Modules - JForth's precompiled modules provide a method for rapidly accessing code that is used during compilation. This includes the Assemblers and Disassembler, and the Amiga include files. These modules are dynamically linked into the dictionary when needed. This way, they do not take up space in your normal dictionary, yet are instantly available. Multi-Standard - This system allows you to switch easily between JForth and the major standards - FIG , '79 , and '83. This is handy for compiling code written using other Forths. An ANSI compatable module is being worked on. ODE - ODE is an Object Oriented Development Environment similar in concept to SmallTalk. It allows you to define classes of intelligent data structures, then create as many copies of these data structures as needed. This technique can simplify programming immensely by making it easier to write reusable code. Profiler - This optimization tool monitors the operation of a program to find out where it is spending its time. Most programs spend most of their time in a small portion of the code By identifying this code, one can focus efforts at optimization where they are most needed. Textra - Textra is a powerful, yet easy to use, multi-window text editor designed for programmers. It uses the mouse to select text and allows Cut, Copy and Paste, operations between its windows. It also incorporates ARexx hooks that allows you to use provided macros (.textra files) for text processing (or write your own). Textra can communicate with JForth such that you can compile directly from the editor. If an error is encountered while compiling, Textra will highlight the error so the you can fix it quickly. Tutorials - Beginner, intermediate and advanced guiding you through the basics of the system. Miscellaneous debugger tools - Showhunks for analyzing Amiga binary files Graphics toolkits Anims and animbrushes ...and so much more !!! ALSO: A copyrighted story from 12 August reported the JForth server site was deluged with downloads, to the point where it just stopped working for about 7 hours. A quote from the story by Martin Randall: "{Site owner} Phil Burk {stated} 'I'm amazed. I never imagined their were this many Amiga-heads (programmers) still out there' "The final 24-hour tally was server logged as 1,649 hits as people continued to try and get on the site. "Hopefully, the ftp server will alleviate the strain in the days ahead." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- C O L O G N E I I : I T ' S P E R S O N A L ! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AmigaSoc does Cologne II: This time it's personal 3 August, 1998 AmigaSoc is organising a trip to Cologne for Computer 98. We'd therefore like to extend an invitation to all Amigans in the UK to come along. We're aiming to try and offer a cut-price trip (including accomodation, where possible, but on a first come, first served basis). Presently we're only able to deal with user groups (and also developers/retailers) primarily for convenience... but also to encourage people to join their local user group. Our choice for accomodation is the Hotel Berg (www.hotel-berg.com), who are offering quite an aggressive discount for groups. If you wish to stay somewhere else, you'll have to organise that yourself (but by all means, we're happy to include you in the flights). For other hotels in Cologne, have a look at www.cologne-hotels.com. Our chosen airline is British Midland who are also offering some good deals for groups, although Eurostar is also a possibility. In total, people can expect to pay less than 200 pounds for the flight and the accomodation. The accomodation only includes bed and (a fairly minimal) breakfast. We will require people to pay up front in order to book the flight and the accomodation. Naturally, AmigaSoc will not make any money from this. We are purely interested in encouraging as many people from the UK to come to Cologne this year as possible. AmigaSoc visited Cologne for the first time last year, and we firmly believe that if this show is anything like that, you'll be kicking yourself if you miss it. Imagine a show like the generic computer shows that used to be held in Earl's Court in the 80s. Imagine a show where 70% of those stands have Amiga stuff in there. Plus, we at AmigaSoc certainly don't want to miss any big announcements. We require all payments and bookings to reach us no later than the 20th September 1998. For further details contact andrew@uk.amigasoc.org. Andrew Elia http://uk.amigasoc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- W E B C A M A N D I R C A T M A E User Group Network (UGN) to Host Web Cam and IRC Conferences at the Midwest Amiga Exposition FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 6, 1998 Contacts: Wayne Hunt, UGN Administrator (wayne@amiga.org) Bill Borsari, UGN Events Coordinator (tekmage@amiga.org) Dave Pearce, M.A.E. (dpearce@amicon.org) The Amiga User Group Network (UGN) is proud to bring you its world famous Web Cam and IRC Conferences live from the Midwest Amiga Exposition on October 2, 3, and 4. If you cannot attend, then this is the best way to keep in touch with the latest news and developments from the show floor. Prominent Amiga personalities will be featured throughout all three days of the exposition. The UGN Web Cam will transmit images from the show to http://www.amiga.org/webcam. You can use any browser that supports automatic refreshing, or you can use WebTV off Aminet. There will be two IRC channels used for the show's events on the Amiganet IRC Network [http://www.amiganet.org]. #MAE98 will be used for official conferences, and #Amiga will be open for general Amiga discussion. Amiganet features Amiga-friendly servers free of channel takeover attempts. The following servers are part of the Amiganet IRC Network: - whiterose.us.amiganet.org (USA) - thule.no.amiganet.org (Norway) - kth.se.amiganet.org (Sweeden) - fastlane.au.amiganet.org (Australia) - linux.us.amiganet.org (USA) - stayfree.uk.amiganet.org (UK) The User Group Network exists to provide a valuable resource for all Amiga user groups. Not part of an Amiga user group? Let us help you form your own! For latest information, see the UGN Web Page and the Midwest Amiga Exposition Web Page http://www.amicon.org/mae.html. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- # A M I G A U N I O F F I C I A L I R C C H A N N E L 1 Aug 1998 The #amigaUni official IRC channel. ----------------------------------- Opened on 25th July 1998, the #amigaUni IRC channel can be found on the ArcNet server network. The channel is open on Saturday and Sunday nights, from 8pm BST for as long as people keep talking. We're here to talk about almost anything, from the Amiga to Zool, or anything inbetween. ArcNet servers are as follows : · ch1.arcnet.vapor.com · de1.arcnet.vapor.com · fr1.arcnet.vapor.com · nl1.arcnet.vapor.com · nl2.arcnet.vapor.com · uk2.arcnet.vapor.com · uk3.arcnet.vapor.com · us1.arcnet.vapor.com · us2.arcnet.vapor.com Look out for me (Agima), my brother (Cheez), and the people who aided in organising the channel, Gus "DrJekyl" Haines, and Bev "Manatee" Hillier. We look forward to seeing you there soon! The official amigaUni mailing list ---------------------------------- Need to talk? Got something to say, but nowhere to say it? Do you want to talk to other Amiga owners? You need to join the aUML. Aided by my mailing list colleagues Simon "SimD" Dick and Mark "Tecno" Wilson, the list is a public list for anyone subscribed to it to make postings and recieve answers. In the last half-month, I counted 100 posts, and the traffic can only increase. To become a part of the aUML, and join people such as myself, Gary Peake, Alan Crandall, and CU Amiga PD.Net reviewer Dave Stroud, just follow these oh so simple, but oh so rewarding instructions : 1. Send an e-mail with a blank subject line to majordomo@amigauniverse.ml.org, with "subscribe auml" in the body. If you are subscribing an address different to the one you're currently using, add that address on the end. 2. Send this mail. You will recieve a confirmation mail asking if you are sure you want to join. Follow the instructions in this mail and you will be added to the aUML. 3. Have fun! Upon joining, you will recieve a post welcoming you, telling you how to UNsubscribe, and detailing the rules. We look forward to your company and postings. I hope you will be willing to participate in both ventures, and help aU become a success. I'd also like to thank Gary Peake for allowing me to make this post. Regards, Peter Price (peter@amigauni.u-net.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- U L T I M A T H U L E - N O M O R E V I R T U A L 10 Aug 98 Ultima Thule Software would like to inform everyone that the First Virtual Internet Payment System will end on 17 August. This is due to First Virtual and not a decision made by Ultima Thule Software. You will no longer be able to register Thor or WebTV using First Virtual after Midnight US Pacific Daylight Savings time on 17 August. We are currently looking for an alternative solution to allow payment by credit card. So far no decision has be made on a replacement service. However, everything we have found so far is more expensive than First Virtual. As a result, there is a possibility that the registration fees will have to be increased. Now is a good time to register Thor or WebTV, before any possible price increase. You can get a First Virtual buyers PIN *free of charge* until 17 August. To apply for one just use your browser and go to http://www.firstvirtual.com/services/shopper/signup.html or call First Virtual at 1-800-570-0003. Ultima Thule Software would like to thank everyone who has registered Thor and WebTV for supporting Shareware. --------------------------------------------------------------------- E - M A I L F A N T A S Y G A M E Eternity Announces New Email-Based Fantasy Game Ladies and Gentleman, We proudly present our new project. ETERNITY will introduce a new game for Amiga and PC at the Amiga fair in Cologne. You will find us in the ACT/ETERNITY boot. This new kind of strategic-game has both an innovative concept and design. It's named "Tales of Tamar". Basically it's an Internet-Fantasy-Game using Email to place your moves for the playing rounds. It`s a game like "Kaiser", "Fantasy-Battle", or "Hanse" and combines this kind of game with the Internet. The technology of the game makes it possible to play with a nearly infinite number of players within the world named "Tamar" controlled by the ETERNITY-Server. You may fight against the computer as well as against other players. The game is fully compatible to the PC-Version. Like other Fantasy-Worlds "Tamar" knows other races like orks and elves. The player takes controll over his own realm and has to make it big, strong and wealthy. It`s possible to make a progression on to emperor. Other races will be played by the computer. Further information about our game you will find on our new homepage: http://eternity.amiga-software.com/ Please do not hesitate to contact us for further Interviews and questions. We are always looking for good Graphic-designers and Musicians as freelancers. If you are interested you may contact us via IRC-Server irc-germany.net channel #amiga from 9 p.m. Please look for the Nicks:Arka, Ice, Xin, CeaBear, Banana, Zenti or Wolfen. Kind regards Martin Wolf The highlights of our game are: handpainted Graphics raytraced animation sequences 'locale' support scalable Hardware-Support built-in Online Games built-in Online Chatroom built-in FTP-Update built-in Player to Player Mail very complex battle-technology trading between players tournaments between players battles between players feudal-System magic and contest between magicians 'a never ending story' gameplay The minimal requirements for your System are: 68020 with 4 MB RAM (68040 with 32 MB RAM recommended) harddisk AGA ( gfxcard recommended ) paula 8 BIT (soundcard recommended) support of the first wavetable for amiga (see ACT/Marc Albrecht with prelude) support ppc-card (Warp-OS) CD-ROM recommended ---------------------------------------------------------------------- C O M P U Q U I C K S P E C I A L S F O R U S E R G R O U P S Compuquick Announces Special for Members of Amiga User Groups in the U.S. Columbus, Ohio 8/8/1998. Compuquick Media Center is offering Amiga 1200HD computer systems with a 170MB hard drive, Magic software bundle (including Scala MM 300), NTSC versions, for the special price of $389.00 US. This offer is valid through September 30, 1998. User group members may order amiga 1200HDs in quantities of one or more. All Amiga lovers who could not take advantage of a similar special offer in May 1998 can now do so. For further information please contact us at 614-235-1180/3601 or at our website at http://www.infinet.com/~comquick/. Randhir Jesrani Compuquick Media Center ---------------------------------------------------------------------- T O R N A D O 3 D U P G R A D E Eyelight Announces Tornado 3D V2.0 Upgrade and It's Free For 1.X Owners ROME, ITALY (August 5, 1998) Eyelight is pleased to announce that the long awaited 2.0 "Professional" update to Tornado3D is ready. Tornado3D is a state-of-the-art 3D graphics package for the Amiga, geared towards the professional market. Tornado3D 2.0 adds new hi-end features, many of them never before available on the Amiga, to the already powerful arsenal of Tornado3D 1.5 and is a free upgrade for customers of V1.x. Registered users can request V2.0 for free from Tornado3D's web site at http://www.tornado3d.com "There are still many professionals in the Amiga market, but in 3D graphics up-to-date software and speed are not an option and they find increasingly difficult to stay competitive with existing tools," said Massimiliano Marras, Eyelight's CEO. "That's why we focused on supporting modern hardware such as the PowerPC processors and 3D accelerated graphics cards. Those Amigas, coupled with AmigaOS's realtime heart and the many unique features of Tornado3D, are the best replica of a graphics workstation we can think of -and we have used many of them." Tornado3D 2.0 builds on the firm ground of V1.5 and adds features like Meshpainting, Dynamic Fractal Triangles, Bones and Muscles, Meta Organic Modeling, Hairs and Fur and an internal programming language. And while price for V2.0 went up to $520.00 both competitive upgrade and educational discounts were introduced to allow everybody to become part of the ever growing family of Tornado3D users. Tornado3D is the pionieer product of Eyelight, a 3D Graphics and animation firm located in Rome, Italy. Please contact Mrs. Paola Barbon at +39-06-51965487 or send email to info@tornado3d.com for more information. Eyelight Via del Serafico, 64 00142 Rome Italy voice: +39-06-51965486/7 fax: +39-06-51965488 e-mail: info@tornado3d.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- P A X T R O N S U R V I V A L K I T Paxtron Corporation Announces Amiga Survival Kit, First Aid For Your Amiga AMIGA SURVIVAL KIT (FIRST AID FOR YOUR AMIGA) LET'S FACE IT, AMIGA SERVICE CENTERS AND AMIGA PARTS ARE GETTING MORE DIFFICULT TO FIND TO KEEP YOUR AMIGA RUNNING. Protect your investment now with the AMIGA SURVIVAL KIT from Paxtron. Each kit for the C64, A500, A2000, A3000 and A4000 contains the popular easy to install replacement chips to allow your computer extended life for years and years. Each kit corrects 90% of all Amiga failures, which include up to 28 symptoms. Replacement chips are of the "plug-in" type (unless otherwise noted) and contain full instructions allowing any end user with a screwdriver to get their computer up and running in most cases. Kit #1 - Amiga 500 2.05 Operating System ROM 8520 CIA Paula 8364 (391077-01) Gary 5719 68000-8MHz CPU Brand new internal floppy disk drive Amiga Diagnostician Final Test diskette New battery Original A500 Service Manual Kit #2 - Amiga 2000 2.05 Operating System ROM 8520 CIA Paula 8364 (391077-01) Gary 5719 68000-8MHz CPU Brand new internal floppy disk drive Amiga Diagnostician New Battery Final Test diskette Chip puller Kit #3 - Amiga 3000/3000T 8520 CIA DMAC-4 (390537-04) Ramsey-4 (390544-04) Buster Gary 5719 8372B-Agnus Amber (390538-03) 390526 ROM 390527 ROM 390528 ROM 390529 ROM Service Manual A3000/3000T Chip puller Kit #4 - Commodore 64 6526 - Complex Interface Adapter 6567 - VIC NTSC (6569 PAL) 906114 PLA 901225 Character ROM 901226 Basic ROM 901227 Kernal ROM CBM Diagnostician Chip puller Kit #5 - Amiga 4000 We're working on it. Check out our web page "http://www.paxtron.com/" for our prices. Paxtron Corporation Web Page: http://www.paxtron.com/ E-mail: paxtron@cyburban.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- P U T T Y S Q U A D A F T E R A L L Alive Mediasoft Announces Putty Squad Putty Squad is coming to the Amiga! Yes that's right - Putty Squad is finally going to be released courtesy of Alive Mediasoft. This little platform game caused quite a stir in the Amiga community when it was dropped by its creators upon completion of the game. Ever since then, Amiga owners have been crying out for someone to take it on and get it released....well, their waiting is over! Putty Squad is 100% complete. It will be released on disk for the A1200 with a possibility of a CD-ROM version. Putty Squad is hard-drive installable and is compatible with 060 and 030 Amigas. Testing is currently underway on 040 and PPC. RRP £14.99. Pre-orders are being accepted now at only £12.99 (plus £1p+p) The release date of Putty Squad depends on the response we get from the users. We would be pleased to receive the support of anyone who wants us to release it. A simple e-mail saying "yes - I would like Putty Squad" or whatever will be great, this way we can get a feel for the sort of demand there will be. E-mails should be sent to: stevenalive@innotts.co.uk Please include your email and postal addresses. DONT FORGET - 100% OF YOR MONEY IS PUT BACK INTO THE AMIGA - ONLY WITH ALIVE! (Special Thanks go out to Andrew Korn for his help with the release of Putty Squad) Steven Flowers Director. (Stevenalive@innotts.co.uk) Alive Mediasoft Ltd PO Box 940 Nottingham NG17 7FA Tel/Fax: 01623 467 579 Email: StevenAlive@innotts.co.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------- N E T C O N N E C T V 2 A V A I L A B L E Active Technologies Announces Availability of NetConnect v2 10th August 1998 NetConnect v2 Finally Available! NetConnect v2, the easiest and most comprehensive Internet compilation, was finally released this month and should be available from your favourite Amiga dealer. The Amiga Format gold award-winning Internet compilation is based around 11 commercial programs, individually worth over £150. These consist of: AmiTCP-Genesis (brand new TCP/IP stack), Microdot-II, Voyager, AmIRC, AmFTP, AmTalk, AmTelnet, AmTerm, NetInfo, X-Arc (Winzip style archive management tool) and the Contact Manager (centralised address book that stores all your user information, web site, ftp servers and chat channels). You are given all you will need to and get the most from the Internet. By using the new Genesis Wizard, a user should be able connect to the Internet in a matter of minutes. Ideal for both an Internet and/or local area network connection. For further information about NetConnect v2, visit http://www.active-net.co.uk/ The RRP is 59.95UKP, available directly from: Active Technologies Oval House 113 Victoria Road Darlington County Durham England, DL1 5JH. Tel : +44 (0)1325 460116 Fax : +44 (0)1325 460117 http://www.active-net.co.uk/ e-mail : sales@active-net.co.uk .or from Haage&Partner and their worldwide distributors: HAAGE&PARTNER Computer GmbH Schlossborner Weg 7 61479 Glashuetten Germany Tel : +49 (0)6174 - 96 61 00 Fax : +49 (0)6174 - 96 61 01 http://www/haage-partner.com/ e-mail: mail@haage-partner.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A M I N E T 2 6 C D - R O M 9 Aug 1998 Aminet 26 CD-ROM is available! Suggested Retail Price DM 25.00 Subscription price DM 19.80 US$1 = DM 1.77 given current exchange rates. ******* Ordering information: The most convenient method of placing an order is to use our electronic order form located at http://www.schatztruhe.de/order.html. You can also send an E-Mail to stefano@schatztruhe.de including your address and the products you wish to order. ******* Aminet CD 26, dated August 1998, contains 1 gigabyte (uncompressed) of software in thousands of archives. Since the release of Aminet CD 25 more than 500 MB new software has appeared. The commercial highlight is the full and unrestricted version of XiPaint 4.0, the famous 24-but paint program. Contents of Aminet 26 Directory Size Files Contents biz 36 MB 109 Business software comm 37 MB 147 Communications demo 115 MB 81 Graphics & sound demo dev 30 MB 101 Development software disk 10 MB 29 Disk & HD tools docs 55 MB 75 Documents game 129 MB 178 Games gfx 36 MB 74 Graphics software hard 3 MB 19 Hardware related misc 43 MB 60 Miscellaneous mods 266 MB 347 Music modules mus 21 MB 65 Music software pix 104 MB 147 Pictures text 9 MB 59 Text software util 28 MB 225 Utilities Stefan Ossowski -- Stefan Ossowskis Schatztruhe Gesellschaft für Software mbH Veronikastr. 33 - 45131 Essen - Germany Phone: ++49-201-788778 Fax ++49-201-798447 mailto:stefano@schatztruhe.de http://www.schatztruhe.de/ Visit our Web site and join our mailing-list. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- S T U D I O P R O F E S S I O N A L V 2 . 2 0 Use Studio v2 to get the most out of your printer. Studio includes powerful Amiga Workbench drivers for use with your application. Additional software allows printing of images directly from disk in 8-Bit or 24-Bit precision. Studio is directly supported by various printer manufacturers and always includes drivers for their latest printers. Studio v2 introduces the first professional Color Management System (CMS) on the Amiga ensuring that printer colors match your screen colors or any other type of source. The system can easily be calibrated using a scanner. Many printer calibration files are already included. The included printing application allows printing of image formats like IFF ILBM, TIFF, PNG, JPEG, OS 3 Datatypes, and many more. Images are printed from disk without the need for much memory. More than 54 of the latest dither methods are supported. Studio printer software provides you with many image enhancement functions on a mouse click: blur, sharpen, automatic contrast anhancement, mirror, invert, and many more. Features: Includes powerful Workbench printer drivers for DeskJets, LaserJets, all PCL compatible with up to 1200dpi, Canon Bubble Jets, Epson Stylus/Photo. and most 24-pin printers Full control of your printer's features. Setup software for the latest LaserJet, Epson, Canon and Panasonic printers. Prints with up to 8-bit or 24-bit precision, calculations are made in up to 96-bit. 54 of the latest dither methods are supported. Offers the first Color Management System (CMS) on the Amiga, ensuring that the colors printed match the colors on your screen. Easy greyscale or color calibration of the software using a scanner. External output modules for Canon BJC, Epson, Deskjet, IFF ILBM and others. Multitasking and ARexx support. Plus much, much more... System requirements: Amiga with Workbench 2.04, 3.0, 3.1 or higher Minimum of 1,5 MB memory CDROM drive Full version only DM 69,- Cross-Update from other commercial printerdriver systems only DM 49.- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- C H E A T C O D E S - G E T ' E M H E R E ! 8 Aug 1998 Hi! We decided to release all cheatcodes for Genetic Species. This list shows all areas where a cheatcode can be used. --------------- FrameCount - Enable FrameCounter. DangerZone - Maximum Weapon Ammo. FoxMulder - Maximum Weapon KillPower. Caffeine - Immortality FullCircle - Remove Player Shot Collision. Goldbeer - Disable Artificial Intelligence. Sober - Enable Artificial Intelligence. SatanClaus - Remove All Weapon NoiseFactors Scorpions - Disable Puzzle Board. AlienRace - Make The Player Invisible To All Enemies. Chainsaw - Change The Death Sequence A Bit. JumpingJack - Enable Jumping Bunny Function. HellRaiser - Reset Weapon Reload Time. MindFields - Unlock All Doors. Sissies - Able To Carry Everything. Fuck You - Surprise! RushHour - Exstream Enemy Movement Velocity. Astronomical - Enemies Will Never Retreat. Elite - Exstream Enemy Shot Rate. Muppet Show - Set Shade Factor To $D000 Retribution - LevelCode For Stage0 Dysfunctional - LevelCode For Stage1 Antimatter - LevelCode For Stage2 EyeOfTheStorm - LevelCode For Stage3 Ambrosia - LevelCode For Rocket Launcher Cncd - LevelCode For Plasma Gun Iris - LevelCode For Flechette Polka B. - LevelCode For Assault Rifle Parallax - LevelCode For Mini Gun SpaceBalls - LevelCode For Flame Thrower 3LE - LevelCode For Tazer Stellar - LevelCode For Ind. Drill Puzzle - LevelCode For Stun G. Launcher Kefrens - LevelCode For Pistol Impact - LevelCode For Sil. Pistol Silents - LevelCode For Fire Axe Scoopex - LevelCode For Aut. Pistol Deathrow - LevelCode For Hugger Acid Loonies - LevelCode For Laser Mine Impulse - LevelCode For Mantis Beam Depth - LevelCode For Laser Rifle Floppy - LevelCode For Hand Grenade Gods - LevelCode For Poopie Artwork - LevelCode For Data Disc Rage - LevelCode For Violet Keycard C-Lous - LevelCode For Red Keycard Subacid - LevelCode For Green Keycard Balance - LevelCode For Blue Keycard Efreet - LevelCode For Bio Toxin TBL - LevelCode For Save Game VirtualDreams - LevelCode For Orange Keycard --------------- Some of these codes make funny effects, others will make the game easier, however most of them completely spoil the gameplay. We suggest the use of "Caffeine" (Immortality)' "Dangerzone" (Weapon Ammo) and "Sissies" (Carry Everything) for an enjoyable experience. Our website www.marble-eyes.dk will as usual keep you up to date with future events. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- _ __ _ __ _ ____ _ _ The AMIGA /\\ |\ || |\ || || \\ / I N F O R M E R /__\\ | \ || | \ || ||-- \\ / \\__| \||_ | \||_ ||___ _/\\_ Section ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Tiger's Bane Preview Tiger's Bane, from Longbow Digital Arts, is a sideways scrolling helicopter shoot-em-up that both novice and expert shoot-em-up fans should enjoy. This is definitely not a copy-cat game. It has unique controls, interesting missions, appealing screen transitions, and good sound effects. I especially liked the animated pointer that works with both joystick and mouse. Tiger's Bane is a single player game, but does allow you to select air support that gives you computer controlled airships to help you in battle. You may find the controls a bit difficult at first since they are likely different from other similar games you've played. If you leave the controls at the default setting you can do almost everything with the joystick which eliminates the need to memorize keyboard functions. The options screen allows you set up the controls however you like with either keyboard, joystick, CD32 joypad, or a varied combination. The graphics are not exactly stunning, but bear in mind that it runs on any Amiga with 1 Mb Chip and 1 Mb Fast RAM. The game allows you to select from many different choppers, each with its own individual flight control characteristics. Mission briefings will often recommend which one to choose. Missions are rarely the same and many aspects of the game happen randomly, such as weather conditions. The missions themselves vary according to your performance. It's obvious that much foresight went into this game and considerable time was spent on its intelligent programming. Tiger's Bane has three difficulty levels: Much Too Easy, Regular Flavor, and, Extra Vicious. I found Much Too Easy to be plenty tough for me and highly recommend staying in the training mode for a while before beginning the actual levels. I also recommend at least reading the quick start section of the docs before beginning play. There is plenty of in game online help, and comes with good documentation so you shouldn't be left with any unanswered questions. Installation is as simple as unarchiving the LHA file to wherever you want it on your hard drive. Tiger's Bane is well worth the registration fee and should keep you coming back for more, but download it and judge for yourself. I give it a B+ rating. Tiger's Bane is shareware and can be downloaded at http://www.kanservu.ca/~longbow/. The game is fully playable, but is crippled in that it only lets you play a few missions. Once the US $10 registration fee is paid, a code is sent to you that unlocks all the missions. It was tested on an A1200 060 with 18 Mb of RAM. Longbow Digital Arts, General Delivery, Providence Bay, Ontario, P0P 1T0, Canada. Email: longbow@sympatico.ca Rating: B+ By Jerimy Campbell © 1998 Jerimy Campbell and Eldritch Enterprises ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Amiga Update on the net: some issues available at: http://www.sharbor.com/amiga/news/ (in html format) Australian Mirror Site: http://www.comcen.com.au/~paulm/index.html All back issues available (in ASCII text) at: http://www.globaldialog.com/AdventureCentral/AU/index.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1998 by Brad Webb. Freely distributable, if not modified. ====================================================================== _ __ _ <>_ __ _ A M I G A /\\ |\ /|| || / ` /\\ A M I G A U P D A T E /__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ U P D A T E / \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_ amigaupdate@globaldialog.com ======================================================================