AEX

Hi guys, More information on the CDAR-504/505 can be found below at Atari Explorer.com http://www.atari-explorer.com/protos-cdar504.html By the way, the 505 was a SCSI II unit, most probably a generic box, with an Atari designed shell casing. A number were built for various shows in 1992. If anybody has the instruction manual for the CDAR-504, please get in touch. Karl

Update 1.8 December 2003 ATARI EXPLORER (Click on the WWW button to access) New images of the Jaguar Duo, new images of the "second" version or 040 version of the Falcon Microbox, new information showing the cost of Jaguar software and Atari Corps. committment to the platform late into 1995. We hope to show even more before the holidays, so look back often! Happy Holidays from the Atari Historical Society Karl and Curt.

AEX Update - December '03 - 1.8 Atari Explorer has some new updates including new images of the Jaguar Duo, a revealing Atari article on Jaguar software costs, new shots of the Microbox Falcon 040 and more! We hope to add new updates before Xmas, time permitting, but in the meantime - Happy Holidays from the Atari Historical Society Karl and Curt (Click on the WWW button below to go to AEX...)

Hi Trooper, It's £5.00 Sterling (UK), Approx 8.50 Euro - Should be available worldwide through good computer/video game/magazine stores or your local(?) Virgin Megastore, Game or EB. This isn't really Jag related, so it should probably be moved to a more relevant forum - but hey, we all still read these things It's a good reference mag to get - but I actuall prefer GAMES magazine for overall content (although their VCS "Retro" guide was a joke!)... Karl

Got a copy today, Its just a re-hash of their previous Special sections which appeared in the main EDGE magazine - although at this stage, it seems they have avoided any section for any Atari product... (insert EDGE conspiracy theory here)... We'll see if they get around to an Atari "special" (not like the Atari issue we saw last year, which I suspect was partly paid for as an advertisement for Infogrames!!!) - but an Atari section on the 7800, Lynx or other "retro" Atari machine - needless to say, I wouldn't hold my breath as EDGE has never been very warm to anything Atari in the past. Karl

Ok, Thanks everyone - Had a look at the image, and I flipped it over as per the actual view and not the drawing view, which makes more sense when looking at it out of the mechanical drawing. Actually, I was just testing everybody to see if they noticed.... Bah Humbug Karl

Hi Micky, I haven't had time to check it out fully, but can you explain further what the mistake might be? If I've made one - sorry! Someone point it out to me and I'll correct it. Many thanks for the kind words, Oh, and krupkaj - great model - lovely work! Karl

Ferris, As Curt pointed out, the Carts look as if they would slide horizontally into the Panther like a VCR, but without the fancy VCR Door or mechanical drive system! Strange idea ergonomically, and it would be interesting to see how the cartridge would have been designed as to allow easy input and removal of the carts from this asumed horizontal insertion system. Sauron, If you look at the very end of the Panther page at Atari Explorer, you will see a Panther Dev System. It isn't known how many were made, but I heard that at least 20 systems were provided to Atari UK before the system was canned. Dev systems are usually given to pref. software partners first, those with a close relationship with Atari - when initial bug testing is completed and the Dev kits become more stable, they are usually provided to the wider developer community who sign an NDA and/or contract and pay for a Dev system set-up. Karl

Thanks Jason, We are VERY glad to share this with everybody, and if it wasn't for Curt's hard work behind the scenes, I couldn't share it with anyone! We have LOT'S more work to do, and so much more to show everybody - but it takes time, and it's great to be able to see the Panther as it would have looked like - who knows, maybe someone will put a Jag-on-a-chip in 10 years time and we can use the Panther case design for an anniversary edition Jag!!! And yes, I am very jealous of your sweet Jag collection!!! Karl

Hi everybody! I've been grinning from ear to ear after another daily chat with my co-historian and friend over at AHS HQ! Yes, Curt Vendel has unearthed yet another piece of History! We have put the first pictures of the casing design for the infamous Atari Panther online at our sister website AEX (Atari Explorer) tonight. Go to www.atari-explorer.com and click on the Panther headline icon. You can also download a larger GIF file of the system from the original drawing including the size measurements. The Atari Historical Society is working hard on many new sections at the Atari Museum website, and continuing to update its sister site AEX. We have much more to come, so it looks like a great Xmas, and an even better 2004 for Atari history! Very best Karl Morris

Clint, I have a spare (or 2) Competition Pro Joystick if you want it. Not sure if they still work (easily fixed), and you can customise them to your hearts content! Send me a private message or e-mail with your address and I'll send you one for Xmas! Karl

Hi Guys, I took a handful of my favourite A8 games and put them here with some comments. There are obviously many more "favourites" in the A8 library, but these stood out at the time... Karl http://www.atari-explorer.com/emulation-8bit.html

LinkoVitch, You can see all the ports here... http://www.atari-explorer.com/TT-design.html Click on the "eye" icon on the right-side menu for a graphic display. Best Karl at AEX

JagChris, You don't need a password to read the forums, just click on the link and read the forum of your choice. You only need to use your member login to post or reply to topics. If there is a problem with your password, let me know. Best, Karl Note: The AHS forums are for discussing topics of historical interest only, and where the AHS can help you with items of fact (or sometimes historical fiction!) - We always recommend AtariAge forums for all other topics, and of course, because AA is such a great place to be!

Guys, The deadline for Jaguar game reviews is nearing, and we will be ending submissions on October 31st. If you are a Jaguar fan, and want to be associated with the new Jaguar reviews section at Atari Explorer and see your name in lights (well, size 12 pixels), then please send your reviews in and help us make the section a good users reference to the system and its games. If you need info on how to submit reviews, check out the previous thread in this forum, or go to the Jaguar section at the AHS forums which you can select from the homepage of Atari Explorer. Come on guys, write a review! Karl

Mux, Thanks very much for MP3'ing that for everybody - it certainly brings back memories! I remember buying Lone Raider in 1985 with my brother, and as anyone who has seen the original box will know, it has pictures of the game on the back. I'll always remember my brother saying "I hope it doesn't look like that!", pointing towards those lovely blocky figures on the box... Needless to say, I told him it wouldn't look anything like that... Anyway... at least it was fun to play and I got my brother to contribute to the final purchase (Although I had to pay him back because I bet him the graphics would be better than the box art representations!) Ahh, memories! Thanks again Mux. Karl

Lovely! Just the music please Mux, thats much appreciated. Try and keep the MP3 size to a minimum if poss, as I am still a lowly modem user Cheers, Karl

Thanks Mux, That would be great - no rush, and no worries if you don't get around to it. Appreciate the reply. Karl

Hi guys and gals, Does anybody have an MP3 or WAV file of the Lone Raider Music. It played while the game was loading (on tape). If anybody has a spare copy of the original in its oversized plastic box, please get in touch. Thanks, Karl

Hey Vanman, check out www.atari-explorer.com and read the Mercenary tribute page, and check out the emulation section (ST/16-Bit) for Mercenary titles. Best Karl

Thanks for the news JagMod, I'd heard about some rumblings in developer circles a couple of weeks back when I met an associate of Geoff Brown for a few drinkies in Dublin, but it seems things came to a definate end for ATD, which is a real shame. ATD were a great group of people, and their talent won't be lost for long, thats for sure. As for Electric Dreams, well, they've also been around for a long time (made a few great Arcade to Atari ST conversions way back as well), and it seems many developers have hit hard times recently. With dev costs rising every year, and margins getting cut, studios need a BIG HIT title to make ends meet these days, and with so many games trying to attract the consumers attention, that isn't easy. Although, looking at most PS2 games (as an example), there is really only a few titles that make the grade in terms of A-List sales and genuine playabilty/originality/quality... So, perhaps a rethink is required for these studios/publishers, look at their current projects a little harder before we end up back in a 1984 scenario again! Karl @ AEX WWW.ATARI-EXPLORER.COM

AEX (Atari Explorer) WWW.ATARI-EXPLORER.COM Some small updates tonight, including a look at the ST Book FDD proto casing, a copy of the Atari Developers newsletter (.RSC) which officially announced the Falcon (contains mostly technical and programming info on GEM, AES etc), all the known commercial XE carts are listed with their respective cover pictures (and approximate rarity values). Some small updates to copy within the XEGS, Jaguar and other misc. sections of the site, and last but not least, a link to the official Taito 25th Anniversary site for Space Invaders (its a milestone but it also makes me feel old...). Much more to come, but these updates were ready and sitting on my hard drive, so I said, what the heck! Thanks for all the feedback and support to date, it's much appreciated and makes it all worthwhile. Keep those Jaguar reviews coming in, see the AHS forums for more info, or the post in the AA Jaguar forums. Best, Karl @ AEX

Thanks Hex, I am aware of Robert's great work at his site, which I have been a fan of for many years now. What we'd like to do at AEX is get a fresh perspective - fresh new reviews from the "mature" Jag fans out there, and to the newbies who have just gotten into either collecting or playing Jaguar titles - we want to hear from you. The reviews will be given the AEX treatment, with additional information so the reader gets the best possible overview of each Jag title, as well as additional graphics to pin-point the pros and cons of each game. We hope you can all find time soon to review a game or two. But please check out the full instructions, which can be found here: http://talk.atari-explorer.com (Go to the Jaguar Forum) Thanks everyone! Karl @ AEX

Hi there, Atari Explorer (www.atari-explorer.com) is currently updating its Jaguar section. We would like to include your Jaguar game reviews. We have had a great response so far through the AHS Forums, but thought we would open the flood gates through Atari Age. The best reviews will be listed, and credit given to those reviewers. Full instructions can be found here: http://talk.atari-explorer.com (Go to the Jaguar Forum) Appreciate your input. Karl at AEX

Hi guys, I made a Jaguar TTF font of the actual logo, I was going to make the entire Jaguar font-set from scratch, but haven't had time to do it. And, some of the letters would need to be "invented" because I have only seen a handful of the letters in Caps/Lower case etc etc. Anyway, I have attached the Jaguar Font (TTF) for you all, and all you need to do is unzip and install the font into your windows directory. You will find it in SHIFT > 1 or use the Windows Character Map program. If you use it, appreciate a credit or link to Atari Explorer. (www.atari-explorer.com). Best Karl jaguar.zip