Gunstar

It is sometimes quite ironic how fiction becomes something so close to reality sooner or later...also how the more things change, as they say, the more they stay the same; I recently downloaded an Atari ST menu disk "image" and once I converted it back to disk and loaded it up on my ST, I got quite a suprise and laugh at the first thing that popped up on the screen, it said: "NUKE IRAQ" in huge, bold, red letters and at the bottom it says "100% Saddam free disk" (a joke refering to Saddam as a "virus"-most menu disks check for a computer virus at the beginning and announce; "your computer is 100% virus free" if it is so.) Obviously the disk was made around '90-91...

That is a Virge GX graphics card with ports you don't see on the back side for hooking up a SVGA monitor and Stereo outputs. Its capable of a highest resolution of 1024x960x24-bit true color (16.7 million colors), also allows me to run the latest PC video games...Naw, just kidding! It's what I [now] believe to be an old Magic Sac card for running classic Mac software on the ST. I picked it up off of E-bay from a guy who called it a "mystery" ST cart, who was later told it looked like a Home-made Spectre 128 (also for Mac emulation, but with the newer 128k Mac roms, as opposed to the 64k roms in MagicSac). I payed $2 for it. But, I have had little luck getting it to work with Spectre 128 software, which leads me to believe that the Roms are either no good, or it is actually the older Magic Sac with the 64k roms that are not compatible with the newer versions of Spectre. I haven't located the older Magic Sac/spectre software yet to try out my theory. But, I only bought it as a curiousity for pennies anyway, so if it is actually non-functional, no big deal. I did open it up and it looks to be in working oder...

What exactly would be my "tip of the day" in this? How to clutter up your room with electronics?

IIRC, the 2600 driving rotaries only do about 5ppr, maybe as high as 10, but I'm pretty sure it's less. While yours and JediJeff's are something like 25ppr, right?

Unique idea with the use of the pennies, but how secure are they from falling out? I've used a similiar and secure technique fo using lugnuts, I think I use 3/8, but the size isn't as important as long as they fit. I used 2 lugnuts, perfectly centered, one on top of the other in each of the four quarter sections and then dripped in hot wax to permanently secure them into place, hot glue would work too. It's perfectly balanced and weighted to feel like the arcade ones (which I'm sure yours is too), just another option that I know is permanently secured...maybe your is too...I'll post a pic later...if anyone is interested.

I'm pretty sure either power pack will work with either disk drive, those things (drives) are built with a "cushion" to withstand slighltly different amperages and those amperages (A) are close enough that it shouldn't be a problem, otherwise they would have had different part numbers. But, if you want to be overly cautious, I pretty sure the black powerpack goes with the SF354 with the long 1.5" button&slanted face plate, and the beige one goes with the other "+" face drive with the 1/2" button. The "A" (amps) specs are the most important ones to look at, since the Volts are the same anyway (output specs are also what's important). The VA specs are basically another way of telling Watts (W). But I think either powerpack will work fine with either drive. Amperages are all fractions less than 1amp anyway, so there should be nothing to worry about as far as burning out any circuits.

Hi guys! I also think the ST StarWars games are very good, but may I suggest a VERY excellent clone on the ST called StarFighter...it's a StarWars arcade clone, with solid, shaded polygon graphics that looks very good and is very smoth and fast, plus, is has some very cool movies at the beginning of it. should be able to find a copy at most FTP sites. Also, forgive my ignorance, but I'm not as knowledgable as I should be with web browsers. I know Netscape, Explorer and MSN, but I'm unfamiliar with Opera. I'm curious about this; is it a browser? Is it for the PC's or is it an Atari browser like CAB? I'm always looking for something unique and possibly better than Netscape or Explorer...What exactly is Opera?

That is pretty sweet for an hour job! i bought some drivng controllers and was going to do something similiar, but then I decided I wanted one of the nice JediJeff ones, so my driving controller are still used for my 2600...I did make my own arcade stick though! (see "show me your collection" thread)

YOu must understand that I'm talking about the "cheap" way, if your just getting into MIDI for kicks and don't know how serious you'll become, if you do become serious, then you can invest big bucks in the stuff, but you might as well get a modern computer to work with at that point too. There's no sense in buying some $500++++ keyboard if your using an old 80's ST computer and free software! I payed $20 for my entire ST setup and $20 bucks for the keyboard and $10 bucks for the MIDI cables. the software was free=$50 bucks for a perfectly good, great working condition MIDI setup that also plays classic vids, I use it for wordprocessing, database and circuit drawing programs...and Jaguar development. Oh, and about solid state electronics tending to go bad after about 15 years or so...what do you do to them? Shoot them with Tazers?!? My stuff all still works as good as the day it came out of the factory, no problems at all. Most of my stuff (can be seen in the "Midi on the ST" thread) is AT LEAST 15 years old and some as old as 20-25 years! It works PERFECTLY. I do know how to repair them and keep them in good condition if I had too, but I haven't had too! My Oscilliscope is from 1972, solid state, and it works GREAT! But if you want to spend hundreds or thousands on modern equipment to "mess around with" be my guest...if your doing "serious" stuff on an old ST with a modern keyboard then, uhmm...your argument is just a bit "off." If your using ALL modern equipment, seriously and/or professionally, then why are you commenting in a "vintage" ST section where those of us who are having fun and being nostalgic about the old equipment are hanging?

yep. Native source code is available. I have it, I got my copy with a ton of other cool stuff on the Starcat cd. Well worth the purchase. It's my understanding that the development cd tha B&C is now selling also has a ton of cool demos, tools and source code that is different from that on the Starcat cd (a lot is also the same). So maybe you should check that out too, I will.

I've always left mine in and have had no problems with it since I bought it in late '95. I don't leave cartridges in the cd unit though, I take them out when done, but I DO leave a cartridge in the slot, just not plugged all the way in, this is to keep dust out.

OK guys, here is the pics of my setup Clint asked for, the ST is running Sweet 16 currently, but I no have a lot of midi software for both the ST and one for my XE too. Most of the ST midi software has been legally released as PD or freeware, so there's plenty for people to use without paying for something like Cubase, which even has a "lite" version in the PD now, which is still VERY powerful. Left to right is my 1040ST with my Casio keyboard using the Sweet16 software, next is my 130XE, which is also MIDI ready with software (though that's just it's desktop currently onscreen), next in line is my Oscilliscope (great for checking out musical waveforms as well as using it for electronic circuits, etc.), my mess of electronic equipment and stuff I'm working on, and finally at the end is my PC, which is used for transfering files from the net to my ST, works as a server for my 8-bit with A.P.E. and a development system, along with the ST for my Jaguar dev. system (which is on top of the ST moinitor). I have other Atari 8-bits and a bunch more stuff, but this is all I have room for right now, and it barely all fits... I'll be moving into a bigger place soon, so this stuff can have it's own room along with my other computers which will be setup and hopefully a Falcon will join them too at some point in the future...

I have a Casio CZ series that I picked up at a Goodwill, with a stand and instruction,everything, for $20 bucks. Look at swapmeets, thrifts, fleamarkets, etc for cheap keyboards that are very good, just like 15 or so years old. I have mine setup with TONS of ST midi software, most of which has been released into the publicdomain or as freeware at this point, and there are digitizers available for the ST which, in conjunction with the ST and the keyboard, they can allow the keyboard to play much more realistic sound samples than they were originally made to do. My Casio lets you record new sounds into it's sound bank, so you can prettymuch hook a microphone up to the digitizer (that's hooked to the ST with software) and record any instrument, sound or voice that you want (or even download them from the net) and together, this equipment seems to me anyway, to work just a good as a mocern keyboard, just a few more steps to take is all. I have a new picture of my setup I'm posting in another thread here in the ST section...

Give Clint some time. He said he'd have them out (BI/WN) by the end of the month, at least notify you guys if not already shipped by then...he's working as fast&hard as he can on this project...and trying to get the ball rolling on a lot more now that this one is starting to ship. Like Jason said, lots of good stuff coming...but it takes time&money, so buy BI/WN and other projects MAY get along sooner...

I highly recommend the procontroller, even many games that weren't originally design for the controller can take advantage of it in many ways; IS&IS2 you can use the extra buttons to select weapons that would normally require using the keypad, it makes it much more convenient, AvP has strafing, but using the kepad makes it a real pain, with the procontroller, those strafing buttons are Z&X buttons and make it a joy to use that movemnet option, the list goes on and on, any game that uses the keypad extensively is greatly improved with the procontroller because the left&right buttons as well as the X,Y&Z buttons are mapped to the location of the 4&6 buttons and 7,8,9 buttons respectively, about the only keypad use you will encounter is the easier to reach 1,2&3 buttons with the procontroller... I'd be patient and wait for some E-bay auctions, I have three procontrollers, and two I got off of E-bay, brand new, for $25&$30 respectively, the $25 dollar one was a GoAtari auction I won. Those prices INCLUDED shipping, the auction price was less! They are rare, but not THAT rare, the dealers just want to make bank on them. If you want a good price, look for their auctions and don't buy directly from their websites, unless you want to overpay for it!

Umm...neither verion of the game even came out until '95...

I love Hoverstrike (well, at least the CD version) and do think it's quite well done considering the Jag's well-known texture mapping limitations.. but I think the above may be a weeeeeeee bit exaggerated. i really don't think so, it may not have the "filtering(blurry)" effect that those systems have, but it doesn't need too, the resolution of the textures (again I'm refering to ONLY the 10 new levels in HV:UL) is VERY high and WELL animimated, go check out one of those levels again, and get in as close as you possibly can; Look Ma! No Blockiness! and it SMOOTH animation! look at the enemies closely too, like those "balls" with solar-panel "wings" ( the ones on the "Bio" levels)they stay super sharp close-up too!

I really like cybermorph too, but to each their own. All I know is it seems to be one of those games that people either love or hate, guess it's a personality thing...*shrugs* There are a lot worse games to do all the stuff above with, like Double Dragon 5 or SuperCross 3D, etc...

Well, I was a bit disappointed with the framerate in HV when I first got it, mainly a problem when you turn or get hit by enemy fire, but I learned the controls and got good at it and enjoyed it enough to finish it. Then I bought the CD version because I really wanted a better version of the game, and the back of the box said improved controls and such, plus ten new missions (not two mention the secret missions-another 8 I believe-those are on the cart too though, but I didn't know it at the time). I was VERY pleased with the cd version, not only a smoother frame rate (though not perfect), but tighter controls and the ability to adjust (in the options menu) how your hovercraft handles and turn on/off the bumping and rocking when hit by the enemy (real handy if you getting disoriented from that). Also, the cd version has a code to turn off the texture mapping right down to the wire-frame polygons like Battlezone, and the frame-rate is SUPER smooth&fast this way. Over all, HS:UL (CD) is one of my favorite games on the Jag, also, the graphics are FAR superior too the cart, higher res textures everywhere, very cool light-sourcing and the new missions have texture mapping that will BLOW YOUR MIND! looks as good as N64 or even DC/PS2 textures! It's animated textures too! Very cool.

Welcome to the Jaguar fan club! I have newer systems like the Dreamcast and Xbox (like them both a lot), but I too, find them collecting a lot more dust than my Jaguar! I LOVE the Jaguar and think it's the greatest system ever. I also have the Jag's contemporaries like the PSX, SATURN, 3DO and 32X, they all get play time, but the Jag is always used much, much more. I like Bubsy, but yes, it is hard, you'll get better at it and farther though, if you get too frustrated, with Bubsy or any other Jag game, there is a "cheat sheet" for most Jag games, like codes for all the levels in Bubsy (link at bottom). Definately get Pitfall, Flashback and Rayman, these are all great. Even Zool 2 is fun, but also harder like Bubsy, though not quite as difficult. You'll Definately want Iron Soldier 2, get the cd if you get your Jagcd back, but it is available on cart, just no movies or music. Also Battemorph and HoverStrike :UL are good on the CD, some other good cd titles too, depending on what you like, you'll like Baldies, and I think you'll like Syndicate (that's cartridge), and probably theme park. Congrats on your purchase. http://www.atarihq.com/jaglynx/jag/jagcheat.txt

Well, I'm set with my ST and Pentium 1 PC with win95/98! I never really understood the fuss over something like this when a new OS or application comes out! Does your old OS/ app like win98 or photoshop suddenly stop working when a newer version comes out? NO! That win98 photoshop worked good enough for you yesterday with your Jag development, why wouldn't it be good enough today? I say to hell with XP and XP compatible apps. I'll probably have them one day, but I'll just use the same computers and software I use today for my Jag, tomorrow! The only thing that would stop me is the computers melting down, and I have spares and spare parts&boards, so let the world chug forward with new crappy MS stuff. I'll just use my crappy MS "antiques" and my Atari ST to develop for my "antique Jag." Although I do intend to get a linux machine in the future too!

He HAS to be basing his "comparison" on a POOR memory! I have both the Jag and 32x versions right in front of me right now, and Jagdoom makes 32x doom look like the difference between Donkey Kong (the original) and Donkey Kong Country! Much smaller screen area on the 32x, less color depth, piss-poor lighting (in comparison), flat, one-sided sided sprites (as opposed to 8 sided "3D" one in Jagdoom), slower frame-rate...I can go on and on! Obviously still biased for some odd reason and just now realizing what a shmuck he sounded like before, so he's trying to qualify with out out-right admission of total error! There is not a single game on the Jag, that is also on the Genesis, 32X, or Snes that is not on a par or better on the Jag (and I'm talking just the 16-bit ports here, if we include games made for the Jag, the 16-bits don't come close[Oh!, and 32X Doom is a poor port of JagDoom by the way]), that's an undeniable fact, all you have to do is see them side-by-side and the proof is undisputable!!! I HAVE seen them side-by-side, I HAVE all these systems! Glad you have a Jag Midwest and glad your enjoying at least SOME of the games, but come back to reality here! PLEASE!

I have a friend that has/had Tempest X on the PSX, and although it had some more color "warping" in it, he said he liked the (hidden) tempest2000 version on the disk better, then he saw my Jaguar version and said it was better than both X and the hidden 2000 on the PSX! I've heard the PC version sucks compared to the Jag version, but I can't back that up, just heard it...