*UP MICRO-BYTES ONLINE #1 ------------------------------------ EDITOR'S NOTES by Paul McAleer Well, hello all faithfu l MBers out there! I'm sure this is something you didn't expect to see...an online version of MB. Actually I have the free time to do this, so I imagined an online version might be better because important info can get to you faster. First and foremost, let me sincerely apologize for the long delay in #7. I fear that the printed copy is lost in the mail somewhere between Berwyn and South Dakota. However, that's also what MBO is for . . .important info in #7 with "URGENT!" labeled on them. One note of importance is a change in my GEnie address; I'm no longer D.MCALEER1. You can now reach me at PAUL-MB, and yes, MB is for Micro- Bytes. :) Now on the availability of MBO. I'm going to release two versions: one packaged inside a reader program for the 64, and a straightforward ASCII format text file. Remember that the Commodores use PETSCII...you'll have to convert it. Most term programs do this with the push of a key. Well, I've jabbered enough. On to the feature articles! Be sure to send us feedback on MBO! Thanks for your support. Paul McAleer -=*=- TABLE AND CHAIR OF CONTENTS ------------------------------------ EDITOR'S NOTES Paul discusses the new MBO. WHAT'S AHEAD IN 1992 The complete MB (hardcopy) editorial schedule for 1992! IT'S MISTER CLAUS! Santa makes an appearance on GEnie! DOODLE TO ASCII Paul checks out this neato converter program. INFO FROM #7 Thanks to the Post Office, #7 is delayed. :( But the good news is that YOU get the important info right here! Right now! ------------------------------------ -=*=- WHAT'S AHEAD IN 1992 It's what you've all been asking for . . . the complete Micro-Bytes editorial schedule for 1992. We have a lot planned, so let's whet your computing appetite! #8 - February 1992 DESKTOP PUBLISHING: Who would've "thunk" it...the 8-bits in DTPing! Check out how we put together an issue of MB, and more! #9 - April 1992 WORD PROCESSING: The word crunching revolution has taken its grip! Now check us out as we compare the major contenders in the field. #10 - July 1992 GRAPHICS: We all know that the 64 and 128 are two of the most power- ful graphics computers available. Now we'll tell you how to unleash their savage power, graphically! #11 - September 1992 MUSIC: The Commodores are virtual composers! But how can you create your own music? Transcribe it? It's all here. PLUS, the Stereo SID Cartridge! #12 - November 1992 BEST OF 1992: We once again honor the very best Commodore products of the year! Editor's Favorites, the Deep Sixers, and much more! As you can see, it promises to be quite a year! Stay tuned for more! -=*=- IT'S MISTER CLAUS! That's right, boys and girls! Santa Claus is online GEnie! Ho ho ho! Well, you all know that I'm no Santa but Kris Kringle himself is now online. You just might see Santa at an RTC soon! Plus, you can learn more about Christmas, and who Santa Claus really is. It has great makings for a National Enquirer story, but it's all true! All you have to do is type *SANTA at any GEnie prompt. From that menu, you can access all sorts of Yuletide information! Drop in today! -=*=- DOODLE! TO ASCII review Now you can create magnificent ASCII Art...but is it art? by Paul McAleer It all started innocently enough. I was just meandering around the GEnie Users BB, and I ran into a little topic called ASCII Art. So I decided to venture in. What my eyes saw were visions of loveliness all in ASCII, no less! But what was this art form? Punch Art, as it is commonly called, is art made from the ASCII characters. So I entered the contest one week. I imagined I'd just show that I couldn't compete with the likes of "Targon" and "Phoenix." But then I discovered that this Punch Art was FUN! Then it happened. Someone named "Rowsby Woof" posted an Amiga pic that was hauntingly real. Then I learned that he used a converter to translate an art format to ASCII. It was clever! I headed to the FlagShip to do a keyword search on ASCII. Aha. 1 file called DOODLE -> ASCII. It's an old program, from 1986. However, the results are satisfactory. I wouldn't say super, but then again it is just ASCII we are dealing with. A few of my RUNPaint (converted to DOODLE!) pics were reproduced faithfully. The program itself is simplistic; just enter the filename. My main problem with DOODLE TO ASCII is its lack of multi-drive support. I do most of my work on my 1581, which is drive #10. But DOODLE TO ASCII needs #8. So I have to send about 3 lines of code to the drive before booting. Annoying! But overall, if you want to see your art in ASCII format for the rest of the computer world to see, download it. It's worth the money you spend. Rating: A- -=*=- IMPORTANT INFO FROM MB #7 All I can say is, "Thank you, US Postal Service." TIPS FROM POTPOURRI: Potpourri is MB's new reader tips column. If you have any gems, send them to PAUL-MB. - Video Tutorials and a Backup: Here is a $10 tip from Craig Ernster, whose user group turned this into a doozy! Are you prone to power outages in your area? If so, hook up your VCR to your computer (NOTE: this technique has been described in all the 'major' Commie mags) and record, say, your geoPublish session. If a power spike occurs, you can back up the tape, watch what you did, and then redo it easily! Plus these serve as tutorials. Craig mentioned that he recorded a QLink session and handed it to someone interested in Q. He joined soon thereafter! - Super Snapshot & the 1571: Before you want to copy files or disks, exit the menus and type @U0>M1 with a return. This will place your drive in 1571 mode. Then hold down the C= key and hit the cartridge button. Now enjoy even faster copying! FROM THE BEST OF 1991: Since we don't want to reprint ALL of the text, we're including "just" the names of the winners. Here we go: 1. RAMLink (CMD) 2. RAMDrive (CMD) 3. Maverick v5 (Software Support) 4. geoPublish (GeoWorks) 5. Fun Graphics Machine v6 (Ron C. Hackley) 6. CMD Hard Drives (CMD) 7. gateWay (CMD) 8. Street Rod (Electronic Arts) 9. GeoPower Tools (Softdisk) 10. HandyScanner (Rio) The Deep Six Awards made a return appearance as well. These "honor" the 6 worst products of the year! 1. Fun House (Hi-Tech) 2. Double Dare (GameTek) 3. High Rollers (Box Office) 4. Remote Control (Hi-Tech) 5. WipeOut (ShareData) 6. Sim City (Broderbund) -=*=- That concludes our first MB Online. We hope you've enjoyed it! See you soon! - Paul McAleer Dennis Page Rick Kephart **** End of File ****