+Allan Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Does anybody know the history of Synapse's Filemanager? It's a little confusing because there is Filemanager+ and Filemanager 800. Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nezgar Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 I'd have to go back and re-listen, but something about this may have been mentioned in one of the ANTIC podcast interviews with Ihor Wolosenko, Steve Ahlstrom or Brian Lee: http://ataripodcast.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=synapse Looks like "FileManager+" is actually "FileManager 800+" according to the screenshots on AtariMania. I've never used FileManager, but I see similarities to SynFile which I have used, so it might be the basis of the later SynFile products... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Allan Posted August 21, 2018 Author Share Posted August 21, 2018 I'd have to go back and re-listen, but something about this may have been mentioned in one of the ANTIC podcast interviews with Ihor Wolosenko, Steve Ahlstrom or Brian Lee: http://ataripodcast.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=synapse Looks like "FileManager+" is actually "FileManager 800+" according to the screenshots on AtariMania. I've never used FileManager, but I see similarities to SynFile which I have used, so I have a feeling it might be the basis of the later SynFile products... Don't trust the entry on Atarimania.com too much. I want to get the facts to correct it. Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nezgar Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 I re-listened to a few ANTIC interview episodes this evening to find some specifics on FileManager.Episode 261 with Steve Ahlstrom has no mention of File Manager. Steve and Daniel wrote SynFile from scratch in Forth.ANTIC Interview 247 - Brian Lee mentions he joined Synapse around 1982 to head up a new Applications development division, to develop the next version of File Manager (SynFile).This article in ANTIC Magazine about Brian Lee - https://www.atarimagazines.com/v2n3/fillingthegap.html- shows he was a proponent of File Manager 800+ at The GAP stores while he was there before Synapse:ANTIC Interview 13 with Ijor Wolosenko mentions File Manager was the first thing that Synapse did (programmed by him and Ken Grant), and was very successful because of the hunger for software to run on people's new toys. File Manager was the first iteration of database software before SynFile. File Manager laid the foundations for the contacts that Ijor made to build Synapse into a larger publisher. (He suggests inventing what it means to be a software publisher)For File Manager, Ijor says he did the look of it, the structure of functionality offered, assembly programming for sorting functions and stuff. Which presumably means Ken did the rest.He also talked about how copy protection in File Manager was done in two ways: Using an modified disk drive, he taped on a nail to the R/W head and suspended it in a specific space with the stepper disconnected, so it scratched out a groove in the magnetic coating of the disk. The software would look for and ensure that it could find nothing there. He also developed the dongle for the joystick ports (The DataLock keys) using a Radio Shack electronics kit, with a very basic logic chip that would change digital outputs based on input, hired a student to solder the chips to the PCB's Ijor had cut to tiny bits with a radial arm saw, and then had a local college plastics department encase them in moulds using a hand injection machine as he brought in buckets of them. He claims it was the first dongle.It's interesting File Manager is not mentioned at all on the Wiki page for Synapse software, considering its foundational role of the company.Inverse Atascii comments about an ad for FileManager 800 "This is an ad for FileManager 800, which SynFile+ grew out of." - https://inverseatascii.info/2014/12/16/s1e6-synapse-synfile/ 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ijor Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 (edited) There is FileManager 800 and there is FileManager+ (or FileManager 800+, both names with and without 800 seems to be used). The "plus" version seems to be just a later version that was rebranded, possibly with new additional features. IIRC both are very similar. Btw, it's Ihor Wolosenko, not Ijor, no relation with me Edit: Forgot to attach screenshot ... added Edited August 24, 2018 by ijor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nezgar Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 Btw, it's Ihor Wolosenko, not Ijor, no relation with me D'oh! Your right. Thanks, not paying attention while making notes typing that post while listening to those podcasts that evening, and I guess your spelling was more prominent in my brain seeing it so often on AA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nezgar Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 With a bit more digging, I found the difference between FileManager 800 and FileManager 800+ in COMPUTE! ISSUE 57 / FEBRUARY 1985 / PAGE 73 https://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue57/review_syn_series.html SynFile+ is an outgrowth of two previous Synapse data base programs. The original one, FileManager 800, has been around for several years. It was fairly easy to use but lacked sophisticated features such as field totaling. This problem was addressed by the improved program, FileManager+, which became quite popular. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobus Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 For what it's worth, here a photos of all the versions I have: Filemanager 800, binder (may have had a slip cover - not sure), © 1981 Filemanager 800+, binder with slip cover, © 1981 The first SynFile version, comes in binder with slip cover case. © 1985 The second version of Synfile - uses extra 130XE memory. Much different packaging, copyright 1983,1985 And just for fun the PC version - package is still sealed but the outer box says © 1982 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobus Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Not sure if there is any connection, but here is Diskmanager - a tool to catalog diskettes. Copyright 1981 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Allan Posted August 26, 2018 Author Share Posted August 26, 2018 For what it's worth, here a photos of all the versions I have: DSCF1326.JPG DSCF1327.JPG Filemanager 800, binder (may have had a slip cover - not sure), © 1981 DSCF1325.JPG Filemanager 800+, binder with slip cover, © 1981 Thanks, Jacobus. From what I have seen so far, there was: Filemanager 800 = which was published in 1981. Then came: Filemanager+ in later 1981, which was still to early for 1200XL/800XL OS updates so it must have been just general program updates. Then they replaced Filemanager with Synfile. Also it doesn't seem that any of the Filemanager programs are XL compatible, adding for the reason to replace Filemanager with Synfile. Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Allan Posted August 26, 2018 Author Share Posted August 26, 2018 Not sure if there is any connection, but here is Diskmanager - a tool to catalog diskettes. Copyright 1981 Disk Manager 1.jpg Disk manager 2.jpg If you ever have the means of dumping the disk or scanning the manual, that would be fantastic. Thanks for al the pics. Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Nezgar Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Filemanager+ in later 1981, which was still to early for 1200XL/800XL OS updates so it must have been just general program updates. As per my August 23 post, FileManager+ added "sophisticated features such as field totaling" 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLund1 Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Are there working ATR's for all those versions? I mean cracked, no copy protections, versions available? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DjayBee Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Are there working ATR's for all those versions? I mean cracked, no copy protections, versions available? Except for DIsk Manager you can find all in my archive of cracks: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/252283-straight-cracks-from-farbs-atx-torrent/page-9?do=findComment&comment=3959654 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobus Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Synape - Disk Manager.ATRSynape - Disk Manager.LOG.txt OK here is a dump of the diskette along with the .log file from APE. Diskmanager requires an 800 with Basic - fails on an XL/XE. With Altirra it fails immediately with enhanced SIO enabled, and after a few seconds with it disabled. Sadly the copy protection is quite real and will need to be broken to go any further. I have included a screen shot of the title page for reference. I will try to find some time tomorrow to scan the manual. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marius Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Sorry for the rather off-topic response, but I couldn't resist... I am a huge fan of Synapse soft. Many titles are excellent. My entire music school administration (which is pretty huge, and it is official!) Is done on syncalc on my Atari 800xl. It's every time a joy to work on the administration. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Sorry for the rather off-topic response, but I couldn't resist... I am a huge fan of Synapse soft. Many titles are excellent. My entire music school administration (which is pretty huge, and it is official!) Is done on syncalc on my Atari 800xl. It's every time a joy to work on the administration. Could you please (if you haven't already) do a writeup on this? Perhaps a blog post here, or just start a new topic? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckybuck Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Hi Allan, Mathy told me about, just saw it today. Maybe Steve Hales has all the answers? All the best. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DjayBee Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 OK here is a dump of the diskette along with the .log file from APE. Diskmanager requires an 800 with Basic - fails on an XL/XE. With Altirra it fails immediately with enhanced SIO enabled, and after a few seconds with it disabled. Sadly the copy protection is quite real and will need to be broken to go any further. I have included a screen shot of the title page for reference. I will try to find some time tomorrow to scan the manual. The protection seems to be (mostly) identical to Filemanager+. I am working on a crack. Because many of us did not know about this program, please get in contact with one of the dumpers to get a full image including the protection for preservation. *thanks* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobus Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 The protection seems to be (mostly) identical to Filemanager+. That makes sense, I suspect that DiskManager is simply a runtime version of FileManager with a few changes to read the directory sectors. Here is a .pro dump - please let me know what else I can provide. Synapse Disk Manager.PRO.atrSynapse Disk Manager.PROlog.txt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DjayBee Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 That makes sense, I suspect that DiskManager is simply a runtime version of FileManager with a few changes to read the directory sectors. Certain menu selections make Filemanager load modules from disk. I could not find this in Disk Manager at first glance. Find attached a faked and working ATX-File, a cracked ATR and some documentation on the protection. Please test the crack. If it loads moduls from disk then it is quite likely that they also will check for the protection - as Filemanager does it. In this case let me know how to replicate this. Disk Manager (1981)(Synapse Software)(US).zip 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobus Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 and here is the manual DiskManager Manual.pdf 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zarxx Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Found in a collection I'm currently dumping. Was risky due to the legendary Synapse disk quality (worst one I've seen) but I was able to get a clean dump. DiskManager (1981)(Synapse Software)(US)[OS-B][BASIC].zip 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Larry Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 Bump... Does the ATR of Filemanager 800+ at Atarimania work? Using Translator A, it loads and comes up OK, but then if one of the modules are loaded, it hangs. Perhaps a different translator is required? (The Synapse demo of it piqued my interest.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+DjayBee Posted February 24, 2022 Share Posted February 24, 2022 1 hour ago, Larry said: Does the ATR of Filemanager 800+ at Atarimania work? Dunno. Try mine. FileManager+ v4D (1981)(Synapse Software)(US)[BASIC][OS-B][cr CSS].atr Or use SynFile which is the successor of Filemanager 800+. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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