Dear Atari users,

once again, we have some nice stuff for our beloved machines. We've got tired by fixing old Atari mices, "spamming" recent Atari dealers / hardware makers if they really are out of stock with Atari mices and/or converters for connecting some recent (PS/2, USB) ones.

Fortunately (for you ;) we have made a decision to produce own batch of hardware. What is this all about? Yes, we're going to produce completely new batch of PS/2 adapters for every Atari 16-bit computer! You can use any PS/2 mouse and connect it to your Atari. No need for soldering or changing the original case -- everything fits into nice little box connected by thin cable directly to your mouse port.

In case you already owns our previous piece of hardware -- SatanDisk -- you're aware of the fact we mean it seriously, you can count on quality, good support and communication and mainly -- damn fair prize! One PS/2 converter (we call it P2AM -- as PS/2 to Atari Mouse) will cost you only 15 Euros! Compare that prize to PeST or any other PS/2 converter...

But we're not done! Not only you can use this device for your Atari but in case you own also our enemy from the past (read: Amiga ;) you can use it here, too!

And finally, you can ofcourse buy (nearly) any of that fancy USB->PS/2 converters and connect USB mouse to your Atari in this way!

Since the SatanDisk production we gained also a lot of experiences and got quite a feedback from you, users, we've completely remade our "business websystem", you're going to be damn surprised how friendly and professional looking is now ;)

One last note: there wont be pre-order phase. So please take a very good look, when is the deadline for payment shipping. After this date we can't guarantee you will be able to buy anything. And of course, please, tell all your Atari/Amiga friends about this, you wouldn't believe how very late we received some requests for SatanDisk availability... be careful this time! ;)

Homepage ---> http://p2am.umpc.sk <---

It was originally planned to wait until this summers NAS before releasing a new version av AtarICQ. However, after a rather hard hitting bug was recently discovered and fixed it was instead decided to get a new release out as soon as possible.

The biggest noticeable addition to aICQ 0.172 is the ability to view GIF images as background in the contact list. This was made possible through a cooperation with PeP, who has been kind enough to supply a very, very nice OVL that decodes and processes the GIF data. Cheers for that!

A somewhat thorough complete list of changes:

* Implemented support for loading graphics via external load modules in form of dedicated overlays. (Look into the preferences dialog to set this feature up properly)

* Caching of background images implemented. By default AtarICQ will use a subdir (/cache) in its own workdirectory for storing the data. To change this, you need to tweak the cache dir within preferences dialog.

* After loading the GFXGIF.OVL the CPU cache will now be flushed before the client calls any functions within the OVL. Applies also to aicq.ovl!

* When put in compact mode (F10) the contact list will now use the native sliders of the AES, including a SIZER widget.

* Clicking the CLOSER widget on contact list while holding ALT-key, will trigger aICQ to remove the window TITLE.

* More optimised redraws of the TABs, resulting in much less

flickering when toggling between open TABs.

* Cookie jar is now read utilizing Ssystem() under MiNT. Under TOS/MagiC, the old method is still used.

* Under large gfx resolutions the scrollback setting could easily be defaulting to a much too small value, in case the message window height was increased. A check for this is now added after reading the config file. This problem could be noticed as a very serious scrolling problem, causing aICQ to lock up pretty good.

* In case COLOR_SELECT is not specified in the environment, AtarICQ looks if COLSEL.PRG is present in its workdir. (This prg is included in the zip file as of the 0.172 release)

Find the new release on the official AtarICQ website:

New issue (#51) of czech Atari 8bit diskmag FLOP has been published. Free download is on Flop website.

Very interesting to watch. Jack talks about his life before, during and after Commodore. Atari is mentioned several times.

I have compiled and build GEM interface to Links, you need a fast atari 020-060 with FPU with/without graphic card, under MiNT.

My archive is here (binary and sources):

http://didier.mequignon.free.fr/files/links-2.1pre33.m68kmint.tgz

More infos about Links here :

http://links.twibright.com/

Good tests !

Hello my friends,

I finally managed to do that port for atari. It´s one of my favorite games ever and all Nebulus (Tower Toppler) versions won´t run in 060 mode AFAIK and so the idea was started (beside that thought it would be easy to do *g*).

Port is slow, but playable on a fast machine (CT60, Milan).

Best left(!) click on the link or copy/paste it to your browsers addresse bar. Else it might not work during those commercials (free web hosting).

Thanks to mikro! Without him I would have given up before finalizing it!

Have fun!

Chris

I had a speach about the ATARIscene some days ago in Vienna, here are some photos

Small update to the GFA-BASIC Compiler:



- Reverted the \'$F%\' and \'$X\' modification, fixed the code which skips spaces. The command \'$ F%\' is now valid per the manual (extra white spaces).

Version 1.0.0 of the Atari ST, STE, TT and Falcon emulator Hatari has been released. A lot of things have been changed this time:

- The user's configuration files are now located in the directory ~/.hatari/ instead of the $HOME directory itself.
- Improved VDI resolution mode (resolution can now be changed in small steps).
- The 'Frame Skip 8' option can now be correctly selected, too.
- Fixed some bugs/problems in the GEMDOS HD emulation (with Fopen & Fcreate).
- Keyboard shortcuts for saving and restoring memory snapshots.
- Hatari can now be compiled with CeGCC, too.
- Fixed some problems with the FPU emulation. NeoN Grafix renders now right.
- Writing to floppy disk images works now also with TOS 4.0x.
- A lot of source code clean-up and beautification.
- Monochrome mode now runs in 71 Hz, and 60 Hz color mode now also really runs with 60 Hz refresh rate.
- Fixed memory snapshot files (some important data has not been saved before).
- It is now possible to automatically load/save memory snapshots at start/exit.
- Fixed some bugs in the file selection dialog.
- Some minor improvements in the GUI: Improved text edit fields, "Cancel" buttons can now be activated by pressing the ESC key, and Hatari asks the user before resetting and quitting the emulator.
- The Hatari executable is now relocatable (so the RPM can be relocated, too).
- It's now possible to enable special trace output with the "--trace" option.
- The size of the borders can now be specified in the hatari.cfg file.
- Fixed Spec512 screen plotting on big endian machines.
- Native screen conversion functions for 32 bpp host display mode.
- Reworked the command line options.
- Added missing read for "clr" in 68000 CPU mode.
- Cycle correct MULU/MULS/DIVU/DIVS in 68000 CPU mode.
- Support for 68000 instructions pairing
- Better emulation of exception stack frame (bus/address error), used in some protections.
- Don't change illegal 68000 opcodes $8, $a and $c if no cartridge is inserted.
- Ensure ACIA has consistent values when reset.
- More precise interrupt handling, allowing to mix CPU cycles and MFP cycles with greater precision.
- Various improvements in MFP emulation (stop/start timer without writing to data register, reading data register, handle pending cycles when timer "wraps" (i.e. data register reaches 0), ...). Supports programs using some very "fast" timers (Overscan Demos, ULM Demos) and requiring nearly cycle exact synchronisation with the 68000.
- Mostly correct wait states when accessing sound registers (add wait state for $ff8801/ff8803 when needed).
- Correct values of cycle counters read & write accesses for the most common cases used for fullscreen/hardscroll.
- Correct values for Video_CalculateAddress, taking into account frequency and left/right borders' state, needed for correct synchronisation between video and cpu.
- Improve top/bottom border removal, including 60 Hz bottom border, as well as "short" 50 Hz screen (171 lines)
- Support for all left/right border removal, including 0 byte lines.
- Support for hardscroll on STF, including the most recent ones using 4/5 lines.
- Support for 4 pixels horizontal hardscroll on STF (ST Connexion in Punish Your Machine)
- Small adjustements in cycle precise color handling (spec512.c)

ATARI COMPUTER ENTHUSIASTS
OF COLUMBUS, OHIO
VINTAGE COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAME SWAP MEET

September 13, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. EDT
Oakland Park Community Center
980 Lenore St.

All vintage and classic computers, video games, systems, accessories, games, and software invited!

Vendor and Flea Marketeer donation: Free!
Shoppers and onlookers donation: Free!

Further info:
chwbrown@ee.net Charles (614) 447-9789
rarenz@columbus.rr.com

http://www.angelfire.com/oh4/acec/acec.html

The CCAG 2008 Show is Coming Soon!

Buy, sell, trade, play, and see classic video games, computers, peripherals, memorabilia, and more at the Classic Computing and Gaming Show (CCAG) on May 24, 2008 at the American Legion Hall--Clifton Post, 22001 Brookpark Rd, Fairview Park, OH from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Vendors, clubs, and collectors will be displaying and selling their retrogaming and retrocomputing goods, from Pong and Atari to Nintendo, Apple and IBM to Commodore and everything in between with many set up for you to play with and explore. We have 4000+ square feet of space. Help us fill it all up!

For more information please go to http://www.ccagshow.com/

Landon Dyer writes about the early days at Atari

XSC, the Atari ST and Amiga music player for Mac OS X have been updated to v2.1.

The new version have a few new improvements:

- Universal binary, now runs native on both PowerPC and x86
- Spotlight support. Spotlight can now search inside SNDH-files
- Oscilloscope view

XSC v2.1 requires Mac OS X 10.4 or newer.

The Atari 2600 Video Computer System (VCS) - Gamasutra\'s \"A History of Gaming Platforms\"

Gamasutra has posted the latest book excerpt, this time on the Atari 2600 Video Computer System (VCS), as part of their \"A History of Gaming Platforms\" series.

From the article:
\"Gamasutra\'s A History of Gaming Platforms series continues with a look at the seminal Atari VCS, also known as the Atari 2600, the undisputed star of the early console rush - at least until the Great Crash of 1984. Need to catch up? Check out the first three articles in the series, covering the Apple II, the Commodore 64 and the Vectrex.]

Although not the first video game console and astonishingly primitive by today\'s standards, the Atari 2600 Video Computer System (VCS) became a fundamental part of Eighties culture and remains one of the most revered 8-bit gaming platforms ever designed. However, the explosive growth triggered by the 2600 led to The Great Videogame Crash of 1984, which toppled the industry and threatened the future of electronic gaming in America.\"

Even though they rearranged things as usual in the article, they only dropped one image this time, which was just a Kaboom cartridge scan, which I posted on Armchair Arcade.

The next article will be on the Intellivision, followed by the finale for Gamasutra, the Atari 8-bit. Enjoy!

The AC 2008 will take place the week-end of the 19th and 20th April

The 100 % atarian French convention, will take place as usual in the small town of Congis sous Theouanne, in the near from Paris. Take note of this date!

Like always, this edition will be under the sign of cosiness, relationship between, coder collectors, gamers. The Atari scene is still alive and dozens news productions sold every year. Come and test them or if you want just to discover again the game you have played during your childhood.

Travel information will be announced very soon.

If you wish to come to the AC2008 do not hesitate to contact Arethius

With best regards

The Retro-Gaming Connexion Team

About the AC:
Launched on 2002 under the name Jaguar Connexion, the convention only gathered a few atarians. Five conventions later, the Jaguar Connexion changes names in AC Connexion, in under to concentrate on the Atari Brand.

About the Retro-Gaming Connexion association.
Association under the law 1901, created in 2005 by 6 video games fans from different origins (journalist, multimedia animateur, swimming pool technician~E), this association aim to set up conventions in order to gather the gamer in a unique
atmosphere. It begun with the Jaguar Connexion which became shortly a reference in France, after 5 editions it was time to move on. Now the Retro Gaming connexion organises two conventions per year :
- The Retro Gaming Connexion : for all gaming systems
- The AC : For all the Atari gaming systems
If you wish to have further information on the activities of the Retro Gaming Connexion do not hesitate to contact us.

Contact :
Arethius
0033 6 12 52 83 16
Mail : retro-gc -at- laposte.net

http://www.retro-gc.org/
http://www.yaronet.com/forum.php?s=172
http://www.yaronet.com/forum.php?s=9

Hello,

I'm think about producing a new batch of CT63's (30 units). Actually I'm waiting for some answers from factories, assemblers, and distributors to check if it is possible at the same price (320 EUR).

I will inform you shortly.

Regards

The fun is just beginning in this explosive pack of games and tools for your Lynx! Enjoy the arcade action of ChopperX or Parafly, or kick back and relax with Password, High Roller or Blackjack. Looking for something really different? Give Sketch or Soundtool a whirl! No matter how you slice it, no Lynx fan will be disappointed with MegaPak 1.

Contact:
Contact Person: Dan Iacovelli
Organization: Video Game Summit
Telephone Number: (708) 273-6029
Email Address: VideoGameSummit@yahoo.com
Web site Address: http://avc.atari-users.net/VGS.html

Vintage Video Game and Computer Trade Show Announced

Chicago, Illinois – (December 31st, 2007) – Remember how much fun you used to have playing Atari, Nintendo and all kinds of games on your computer? Well, you will have the rare opportunity to play these great games again at the Video Game Summit, a video game and computer trade show. In fact, several dealers in retro games will be on hand offering games, controllers, systems and memorabilia and will be prepared to buy or trade for the games you have held onto since you were a kid. Who knows, you might just have an Atari cartridge worth $1000 or more collecting dust in your attic.

“Retrogaming,” the playing and collecting of vintage video and computer games, is more popular than ever. In fact, a dedicated group of programmers still issues new games for game systems, such as the Atari 2600, last seen in retail stores over fifteen years ago.

The Video Game Summit, now in its fifth year, brings together retrogamers from all over the country to swap stories, games and to compete in sanctioned tournaments. The event is open to the public and people of all ages with an interest in video games or computers are encouraged to attend. According to the event’s organizer, Dan Iacovelli, “we plan to have several gaming consoles set to free play and a trade room where collectors will be free to swap their extra games.” Best of all, admission is free!

The Video Game Summit will run from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and will be held in the Heron Point Building adjacent to the Fairfield Inn located at 645 West North Avenue in Lombard, Illinois. Registration is open now at http://avc.atari-users.net/Events/VGS_files/register.html.

Dan Iacovelli is available to answer any questions at (708) 273-6029 or VideoGameSummit@yahoo.com.

Dan Iacovelli is the chairperson of Atari Video Club and has published a retrogaming fanzine “Atari Zone” since 1993(for more information on AVC visit: http://avc.atari-users.net )

For information: http://avc.atari-users.net/VGS.html or
Contact: VideoGameSummit@yahoo.com or
Phone: (708) 273-6029

News of version 1.37:

- Search for folders (as well as files).
- No more problems with memory protection under FreeMiNT.
- If the TOS cannot produce extended objects (checkboxes) then these will be created by SuJi.
- GEMScript support for the following commands:
- AppGetLongName() : Returns \"SuJi\"
- Copy() : List -> Clipboard
- Quit() : Exit SuJi
- ToFront() : Top SuJi window
- More flexible output to the clipboard