1994 by GEnie ========================================================================== This file is brought to you by The Commodore 64/128 RoundTable on GEnie This file may be published or excerpted in User Group newsletters providing credit is given in this manner: "Copyright 1994 by GEnie From the Commodore 64/128 RoundTable File#:#####" This file maybe be distributed, if distributed whole and unaltered, on , croll, uit ? non-profit BBSs or non-profit networks. For more information on GEnie call by modem: 1-800-638-8369 (8-N-1 300/1200/2400) Enter: HHH Then reply: xtx99018,commrt Then enter: Commodore And enjoy! ========================================================================== Good news, Commodore 64/128 users....Susan Lamb still writes stuff for our platform ! She still uses her 64's and 128's, and is coming out with some new graphics and fonts too. Where did I find all this out? From this transcript, so you should start reading it right away, and find out more. The conference was interesting, informative, and a truly enjoyable experience. You owe it to yourself to read it. This was just one of a series of conferences that is bringing and has brought some of the movers and shakers in the Commodore arena. Look for and download other conferences from the libraries and look for future scheduled conferences so that you can be part of them. You'll be glad you did. The following conference was hosted by GEOS-TIM (Timothy Hewelt), captured and edited by THE.OUTLAW (Cam Stewart), and C128-QT.Pie (Sherry Freedline) handled the behind the scenes communication chores. :-) Tim =============================================================================== Welcome to the Susan Puhn-Lamb Conference! ! ! Susan is one of the original GeoPaint artists. We will be covering four topics tonight: 1. Susan's start with computers and graphic design 2. What she is doing now. 3. Hints for the would be artist. 4. Miscellaneous topics Welcome to the conference Susan, and thank you for coming. Thank you Tim... This is my first time on Genie, so please excuse any stumbling! Well you seem to be an old pro. Anyway, I have been seeing articles written by you. Many of them in GeoWorld. Getting disks with your art and fonts on them, and I've been wanting to meet you for a long time. So this is a special treat for me! Thanks again... I'm in the process of trying to write more about GEOS. I'll be asking you about that in a few more topics. Moving into our first topic "The Beginnings". Susan, can you tell us a little about how you got involved in computer graphic art? Well, I'm a fine artist and work as a commercial artist. When I got hooked on computers, it was just natural to do graphics. Which computer eased you into this area? March 1984 I bought a used Commodore 64! Were you a professional artist before computers? Got paid for it? Yes... I worked over ten years for the San Diego Union/Tribune as an advertising artist. You seemed to have been using GEOS, since it's beginnings. Is this True? And can you tell us how you got into GEOS? Yes, I bought the very first issue of GEOS in July of 86. I've been with it since. What attracted you to it? I couldn't afford Macintosh yet wanted to do desktop publishing. When I found out GEOS would do it at a fraction of the cost, I was thrilled. I then created clip art and fonts and decided to write articles as a means of promoting them. Yes, I noticed in some of the old geoWorlds that you had written some articles concerning geoPublish. Did you do any newsletters of your own? Not one to send out, but I've done many different samples as well as for other people. Susan, I downloaded your Ensemble newsletter, looks real nice printed out on my color inkjet (BJ-600). Do you still do the newsletter? Actually, the first article I wrote was for RUN It was about desktop publishing and became the lead article for that issue. Do you remember when that was? I had that issue here... let me look.... March 88 I'll have to dig through my RUNs and read it. :D I noticed that you have apparently worked with a lot of the "big Names" of the GEOS past. Can you remember any instances where your contacts with some of these people was especially memorable? Well, I got cards and Christmas presents from Brian Dougherty and other Geoworks people. Well, getting a present from Brian is impressive. BTW Do you still use your Commodore at all? Yes I do... I'm getting ready to fire it up to design some new GEOS clip art and GeoPublish templates. Great! Now I will open the floor to anyone that has a question concerning the beginning. Questions about the "old days" Sherry has a question <[Sherry] C128-QT.PIE> Susan, was it hard to switch from drawing with pen and paper to drawing on a computer screen? Yes, very difficult. I have tried many graphics programs, but find the tools in GEOS the easiest to use. Over the years, it has become much easier. It's sort of a building process of elements rather than just drawing. <[Sherry] C128-QT.PIE> Have you ever tried using a graphics tablet such as a Koala Pad? Was this more difficult? I have a Koala pad, but never got that much out of it. <[Sherry] C128-QT.PIE> Thanks Susan :) Randy Harris has a question <[Randy Harris] R.HARRIS1> Susan, how did you come to use a Commodore 64/128? At the time, it was all I could afford. Also, I had read many good reviews about the 64. Steve VanderArk, author of numerous articles for RUN, Gazette, Commodore World has a question. <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> Thanks, Tim! Hi, Susan! Have you ever used the light pen? I have tried it a few times and find it, well, interesting... Yes, that's anbother tool I've tried... also Computereyes with video camera. I have to admit, I am spoiled with scanners on the IBM now. <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> What did you use to create the clip art on the Run disks? I used the Flexograph light pen with the Commodore. I never really cared for the GEOS driver for it. <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> Excellent stuff! I've talked up your work quite a few times! thanks! <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> My pleasure. We will move to the next topic, "What are you doing now?" You were speaking about writing more about GEOS at the beginning of the conference. What project is this, and can you tell us about it? I am writing for the GWReps newsletter, Geobytes and thinking of coming out with something of my own. I want to do a catalog that is a source book and include how-to articles as well. For both PC/GEOS and Commodore GEOS. Sounds like you are going to be busy! I know that I can say that I'm happy about the Commodore GEOS work for probably a lot of the people in this room. But I realize goals change and with those changes you need to adapt to new technology.... What computers are you using now, besides the trusty old Commodore? I have several 64's and 128's as well as a 286 and 386 PC I don't seem to be able to give up on old computers! That's great well, GEOS is a nice system no matter what it runs on :) amen I notice that you are a GeoWorks rep now. How long have you been serving in that capacity? Just a couple of months now. It is really a nice experience. It's funny how people view you a little different with that GWRep in front of your name! There are some really nice folks working there. Steve Main has done a nice job getting the group together. The floor is open to audience questions. The topic is what is Susan Lamb doing now? What kind of printers do you use, have you tried the new inkjets and what do you think of them? Right now I'm using a cheapo dot matrix. IBM GEOS does a wonderful job with it. I'm thinking of getting an Inkjet... probably color. The prices are coming down fast! A friend just sent me printed samples... they are breathtaking. That is, color injet at 720 dpi! Okay, moving into Hints for the budding computer artist. Are there some hints tht you could give for those budding Commodore graphics artist? Some that come to mind. Or any shortcuts, or ways of doing wonderful things on the computer screen? Well, I would never use a pencil or bruch tool unless I was trying to create a child-drawing effect. I usually use a connected-line tool to draw objects. I believe, in GeoPublish, it is a Spline tool. In Ensemble, they are "Polyline tools" So your prefer the vector type drawing tools? As I said, I create drawings by building up different elements of an object. Susan, do you still find yourself doodling on paper for layouts of graphic projects or do you use your computer for all the layout start to finish? I do sketch things out and scan them to trace with the drawing tools. That is my main way of working now. I also use grid tools to design geometric borders and objects. Shawn Logsdon, a dieHard 64'er, has a question. Just a quick question: do you think GEOS 128 is worth the upgrade to a 128d? I've yet to use it or see it and would like some input on it I only have a plain 128, but use several drives with it. For me, this is plenty. You contributed to a couple of disks in the series that RUN magazine put out- The Power Pak GEOS sereries. You had a series of fonts that you had designed and there are a couple that are my favorites, because of their looks and how well they scale up in point size with geoPublish. Those two are Bonanza and Santa Maria. Are there other fonts in your series that scale up in size as well as these two? Some scale better than others. One secret is to enlarge them by multiples of the point size. In other words, enlarge a 24 pt. font to 48. Otherwise, it doesn't scale properly. By the way, those two fonts were designed to take advantage of the bitmap properties. What do you think of when designing a font? is it a "mood" type of thing where you try to express a certain feeling or do you just improve on a font that already conveys a message like a broadway type font? <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> I've always loved "George". Very very versitile and changes sizes well and smooth too with those round edges. Actually, I use actual existing typefaces as a starting point. Some of them I even used computereyes to capture from type books. Some of them were completely from my mind, though. Shawn has another question....go ahead Shawn GEOS is a relatively new genre for me, so these questions may seem a bit simplistic, but how precise is the output on a lser printer from GEOS? I've seen several different examples, and some were good, others less than impressive... Which is reality? With the laser fonts, the output is as good as with any computer. That is, if you use GeoPublish and object-oriented artwork. And would you venture to say that geoPublish holds rank with Pagemaker? Some issues of GEOWORLD were so well printed, a Macintosh could have created them. Nice... :) Well, I think GEOS does have what it takes to do a fairly good job at publishing though I would draw the comparison between what a saw means to a lumberjack and what it means to a cabinet maker. the same tool used by both people produce different results? Yes, one can rival Pagemaker with the right equipment And, as JB says, the right operator. Are there anymore questions concerning hints and shortcuts? We are open to Miscellaneous questions also. Steve VanderArk has a question <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> Susan, did I hear you say that you are working on new Commodore GEOS clip art? Well, I have found it very easy to create clip art with Ensemble. There are now tools to convert to bitmap art and, therefore convert it to Commodore. This also goes for the fonts in Ensemble. It just takes a bit of work to make bitmap fonts for Commodore. <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> How do you convert from PC to Commodre? I can do the actual converting on the IBM. I use Big Blue Reader to transfer the work to Commodore disks via the 1571 drive. <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> Thanks :) Sherry Freedline, writer for the Commodore World and host in this RT has a question <[Sherry] C128-QT.PIE> Susan, do you use any Commodore graphics software programs other than GeoPaint? I have tried other programs... I started with Doodle. But, I really prefer working entirely with GEOS. Susan, are there any projects that you are especially proud of that you have done? First, the RUN Power Pak disks and then the clip art I created for Geoworks for Ensemble. I just finished a project for the company that will be announced at the end of the month. It was my favorite project. The clip are that you are working on for the Commodore. Is it similar to what you have done before, or is it radically different? Several years have passed and I'm much better at computer art. It will be a great improvement, if I say so myself! Then it will be Fantastic! I have always admired you work Are there any other questions? Randy Harris has a question <[Randy Harris] R.HARRIS1> Is your new Commodore artwork sponsored by GW or some other vendor, or on your own? The new artwork will be my own. I'll be on GEnie when it is ready and announce it. <[Randy Harris] R.HARRIS1> Shareware? I am exploring shareware as a possibility... by registering, one can get more. <[Randy Harris] R.HARRIS1> Thanks for coming tonite!! It's great to hear you're 'back'!! You say you will be on GEnie. I realize this is your first time you have been on GEnie. What are the when and why's of your next visits? I am Information Secretary of the AGD, that has a presence on GENIE. We will be coming aboard to answer questions for those people. Should be within a month or so. Also, I want to keep in touch with the German Users Group members, Thomas and Marcus. AGD? Association of GEOS Developers. OIC Are there anymore questions? BTW: Thomas Haberland (from Germany!) is a sysop on GEnie's GeoWorks RT <[Randy Harris] R.HARRIS1> I'm sure this is a shot in the dark, but any chance GW could come up with GEOS v3? Unfortunately, Geoworks doesn't have the resources to support Commodore GEOS at all. They are still a relatively small company. GW isn't planning to do that, no. Doug Cotton is from Creative Micro Designs and they now have GEOS Commodore distribution rights <[Sherry] C128-QT.PIE> How about CMD, Doug? Thanks Doug. Any more questions? CMD doesn't have the source to attempt it, Sherry. Nor do we have the equipment that the source was originally made on. <[Sherry] C128-QT.PIE> ok, thanks :) <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> I just wanted to say thanks to Susan for all the great work she's done. I have always thought that her work was the best that GEOS had to offer in the way of clip art and fonts. So thanks a lot! I'm glad to see you hanging around here! I hope to see you again soon here. I would like to thank you, too , before I open the room to talk. It has been a wonderful conference, and it is great to hear that you are still using your Commodores. Thank you, Steve. I've been away from the Commodore version for awhile, but do plan to return! And, Thanks Tim for inviting me! I really appreciate you taking your time to visit us. I'm happy to see there are still people using their Commodore equipment. The room is going to be open forum now. You may get up and stretch. My husband bought me a 64 for 50 cents at a thrift shop and a 1571 drive for $9. <[Sherry] C128-QT.PIE> wow 50 cents? wow What is the address of that thrift shop? :D LOL <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> Hey, bud, the line starts here! The thrift shop people thought it was a keyboard only Did they ever find out differently? No... they don't even know what a computer is. LOL! Just as well. I guess there exit for the information superhighway hasnt been built yet ;D Folks. Is it too late to ask what's probably a stupid question? <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> No way! There are no stupid questions in this room. Only ones that need an answer. Fire away though we make no guarantee for the answers at 12:00! Is there anyway to combine two GeoFile docs. together and form one? I would say no (it's been a while) You would have to transfer each item <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> There is no way to do it directly, no. There is still an active GEOS and Commodore community out here, Susan. <[Maurice] M.RANDALL2> GeoFile's biggest drawback is it's lack of an import function. And I'm sure they will be glad to hear that you are still producing for it. Hey... the Commodore computers still do a great job! That is for sure. Especially when you team it up with a Laser printer You bet they do. I'm still running two business's out of mine. Yes, and the prices are so good now. <[Randy Harris] R.HARRIS1> ...and a CMD Hard Drive! Are the CMD hard drives that good? <[Randy Harris] R.HARRIS1> Does a bear go in the woods? That's what I wanted to hear!!! <[Sherry] C128-QT.PIE> LOL! CMD hardrivers are excellent! Only half way, Randy. Then they are coming out again LOL! <[Randy Harris] R.HARRIS1> Meant eh other kind of 'go'! <[Steve] S.VANDERARK> Good night, Susan. Nice to chat. Good night, folks... well, I have to go myself, thank you for coming :) I must go... husband looking neglected! Nite Sue Thanks for coming in Susan <[Bill] G.GUNTER> Bye, Susan <[Sherry] C128-QT.PIE> Good Night Susan! It's been a pleasure chatting with you tonight! Thank you! Great! Night all!