Atari/Atari Games VaxMail 1988 Jed Margolin ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::LIEBSTER 4-JAN-1988 14:39:28.82 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: PAYMENT OF CONSULTANTS/CONTRACTORS STARTING THIS YEAR WE WILL BE PAYING CONSULTANTS AND CONTRACTORS THROUGH PAYROLL INSTEAD OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO AUTOMATICALLY KEEP TRACK AND GENERATE YEAR-END 1099 INFORMATION. THIS WILL APPLY TO ALL CONTRACTORS OR COMPANIES THAT ARE NOT INCORPORATED. A CHECK REQUEST AND W-9 FORM SHOULD BE SENT TO MY ATTENTION FOR PAYMENT AND WILL BE PAID ON THE REGULAR PAYROLL CYCLE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OR ARE IN DOUBT AS TO WHO IS OR ISN'T A CONSULTANT/CONTRACTOR, PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL. THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION. SHERRY EX. 3761 ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::DENCKER "Andrea Dencker" 6-JAN-1988 11:43:21.06 To: @SYS$MAIL:MANAGEMENT, @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER, HUTTON, SUMNER,DENCKER CC: Subj: New person on board in Publications Dept. Effective next Monday, Jan. 11, we have a new person in the Publications Department. Rosalind Hutton replaces Pat Cook as a technical writer. Rosalind will be responsible for writing the text for all of our techni- cal publications, and she will also be doing some page layout with one of our new Macintoshes. Rosalind has a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Arizona. She came to us from SEI Information Services Co. in San Jose, where she also was a technical writer. Before that she worked at Space Age Publishing in Santa Clara. She was a mechanical engineer for 3 1/2 years in Colorado, Oregon, and Arizona. Among the more interesting things she has done is teach English at Hunan University in the People's Republic of China. Please welcome her and feel free to introduce yourself; her extension is 3719, and her username is [HUTTON]. Andrea ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::ROTBERG "Professor of Gonzo" 6-JAN-1988 20:34:27.93 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Stress Diet Having been under a bit of stress lately, I have found that the diet given below has a remarkable way of dealing with STRESS. THE STRESS DIET --- ------ ---- Breakfast --------- 1/2 Grapefruit 1 Slice of whole wheat toast 8 oz. Skim milk Lunch ----- 4 oz. Lean broiled chicken 1 Cup steamed zuchinni 1 Oreo cookie Herb tea Mid-afternoon Snack ------------- ----- Rest of the package of Oreos 1 Quart Rocky Road ice cream 1 Jar hot fudge Dinner ------ 2 Loaves of garlic bread Large Pepperoni and mushroom pizza Large pitcher of beer (light!) Entire frozen cheesecake eaten directly from the freezer *********************************************************** *********************************************************** DIET TIPS ---- ---- 1. If no one sees you it it, then it has no calories. 2. If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, they cancel each other out. 3. When eating with someone else, calories don't count if you both eat the same amount. 4. Food used for medicinal purposes NEVER counts against your diet. Such as: Hot chocolate, brandy, toast, and Sara Lee cheese cake. 5. If you fatten up everyone else around you, then you look thinner. 6. Movie related foods don't count against your diet because they are simply a part of the entertainment experience and not a part of one's personal fuel. Such as: Milk duds, popcorn with butter, junior mints, and red liccorice. 7. Cookie pieces contain NO calories. The process of breakage causes caloric leakage. - Gonzo - ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::TOLONEN 7-JAN-1988 18:32:31.36 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,TOLONEN CC: Subj: New Assignment for Kevin Hayes Effective ective January 1, 1988, Kevin Hayes , Vice President, Operations, has been given a new assignment as Executive Vice President of Atari Operations Inc. and will take charge of the day-to-day operations of that organization. Reporting to Kevin are Richard Adams, Vice President AOI for the U.S. Southern Region , and Satish Bhutani, Vice President AOI for the U.S. Western Region. Kevin has moved and will be temporarily located next to the front lobby in Building 675. Please welcome Kevin to his new position. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::ALBAUGH "Dr. Bizarro" 8-JAN-1988 09:54:51.76 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: Yet another Greenhills Bug The following Greenhills C bug (version 1.8.0) caused a really obscure bug in the stats package on XYBots. I have kluged around it on all the stats packages I "control", but those of you who are winging it on your own, or just generally multiplying unsigned shorts occasionally, should watch out! The following code fragment: unsigned int coins,time; ... time = (unsigned short)time * 60; produced the following assembly: MOVEQ #0,D0 MOVE.W D3,D0 *fr MULS #60,D0 note that it "knew" that D0 was unsigned, and that the constant 60 (which is clearly positive) would fit in a short, but it used a MULS. Changing the second line to: time = (unsigned short)time * (unsigned short)60; fixes the problem (this time). ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::LOGG 11-JAN-1988 13:06:07.80 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: AMS DNL The new AMS have a newer version of the software. This means the old DNL EPROMs will not work! But there is a solution. I have created a different version of the EPROMs which will work with this software. Read DNL.DOC in CHARM$USERDISK:[LOGG.AMS] for all the details. Everything works the same, just burn the EPROMs from a different file. Ed Logg ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::FRYE 13-JAN-1988 08:58:54.58 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,FRYE CC: Subj: PARKING TOMORROW AT 7:30 AM CAL AIR WILL HAVE A CRANE HERE AT 675 TO LIFT A NEW COMPRES- SOR ONTO THE ROOF. PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE BUILDING IN THE PARKING AREA JUST OUTSIDE THE ADMIN AREA (THE PARKING SPACES FACING THE BUILDING) THANK YOU, BOB ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::CAMERON 13-JAN-1988 09:58:07.51 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: ROOF YEA! The crane is coming tomorrow to lift the hot tub onto our new roof sun-park. The park benches and shade trees aren't arriving until Friday. Boy Howdy, isn't this exciting!?! Fun in the Sun ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::CAMERON 13-JAN-1988 10:17:30.50 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: From: KIM::ALBAUGH "Dr. Bizarro" 13-JAN-1988 10:12 To: ERNIE::CAMERON Subj: RE: ROOF Actually, the hot tub has, for some months, been located in that big metal box that Meyette tells everybody is an environmental test chamber. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::SHEPPERD 14-JAN-1988 12:01:56.94 To: @sys$mail:junk,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: Texas tea I usually disdain recommending investment opportunities, however, I think this gizmo is worth mentioning. First a little background: As oil is pumped from the ground either on dry land or especially from under the ocean, water is usually also included in the fluid (sometimes on purpose because water is injected into the well to help with the oil extraction). The oil/water sauce is typically run through a simple floatation extractor which removes some of the free oil by letting it float the surface of a tank then skimming it off. This method removes none of the dissolved oil (oil molecules bonded to or trapped between water molecules). This filtered water would then be dumped overboard in the case of an off-shore well or into some nearby river or lake in the case of an on-shore well. As you might imagine, the water systems in areas where there are active oil wells gets pretty contaminated with oil. Fish, birds and plants die off. The EPA has established some standards for a maximum oil/water mixture and oil/sand (oily sand is also sucked from off-shore wells) that can be dumped into the local environment. The standards are set based upon what the current technology can provide (perhaps also via bribes). The gizmo: Glenn Gilley of Gilley and Associates has developed what is known as a Solvent Extraction Method (SEM) of removing free and dissolved oil from production water. It looks quite neat in its simplicity; it uses centrifugal force to remove the free oil, injects a gas (solvent) into the water to attract the dissolved oil and later extracts the solvent from the cleaned water to be recycled. It can purify water to far in excess of the current EPA standards which (I hope) will prompt the EPA to tighten up their standards. The machine has only 1 moving part (a pump) and takes up roughly 1/10 the space of the current SEM systems. Minimum investment is $10,000. I have a prospectus in my office if you care to look at it. I also have a 10 minute video tape with a demo on it. And to satisfy the SEC: THIS MESSAGE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THESE OR ANY SECURITIES. ds x1711 ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SHEPPERD 20-JAN-1988 17:58:28.78 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: You want to change what? A couple people have asked about a "global search and replace" function. There wasn't one yesterday, but there is one today. The next time to login or RESTART, type: $ GSR file where "file" can be a wildcarded filename or a single file. It will prompt for a search string (can't be null), whether the search string is a TPU regular expression (normally No, the default) and whether you want a case sensitive search (normally No, the default). It will then open each file, do a global search and replace through the file and write out a new one in the same directory as the source if there were any changes. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::HORN "Erich Von Horn" 18-JAN-1988 17:37:08.88 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: I WILL HAVE A NEW TEST CART FOR YOU TUESDAY EVENING - ERICH OF HORN ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::HORN "Erich Von Horn" 18-JAN-1988 17:57:00.86 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: PLEASE IGNORE MY LAST MESSAGE PLEASE IGNORE MY LAST MESSAGE IT WAS SENT TO THE WRONG PEOPLE! ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::GROSSMAN 21-JAN-1988 10:20:56.35 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Congratulations to Becky and Rob Rowe Becky and Rob are the proud parents of a baby BOY, Jonathan Brady Born 11:13 p.m. yesterday, 7 lbs. 11 1/2 oz. After a long hard labor, Becky and Jonathan are resting comfortably. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::CHING 21-JAN-1988 10:54:59.31 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: IT'S NEW!!! IT'S EXCITING!!! ATTENTION ALL CONSUMERS: Tired of using that old, beat up-looking tupperware, or worse yet, imitation tupperware? Well, it's about time you bought some new ones. Come on over and take a look at the latest Tupperware Catalog. They've got some cool colors now a days. And for all you people with young children, they've got some great stuff to make traveling with their meals a little easier. They've got some classic toys, too. So come one, come all, and come to my Tupperware Party if you like. ( Thurs, Jan 28, 7:30 PM ) RSVP to this address or call x1714. For you married men, don't forget to ask your wives about this. Or better yet, put in an order and give it to her for Valentine's Day. Not the most romantic gift, but it's just as good as the Food Processor you gave her last year. Catalog is in my office. Come and take a look at the new, exiciting world of Tupperware!!!! (What a commercial. Shut up, Nat) ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::HOFF 25-JAN-1988 14:16:52.54 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: VPIX users: current and future If you currently use or expect to use VPIF, a tool that allows one to view picture files on the GPX terminals, then read on. This program, running on the GPX's in the LSI CAD lab, has a nasty problem. It takes almost all of the cpu. EVEN WHEN THE DISPLAY IS STATIC AND THERE IS NO APPARENT PROCESSING OCCURING. The batch queues grind to a sub-crawl. This stops LSI design unnecessarily. So please, if you use VPIF get what you need then log off. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 29-JAN-1988 11:05:59.34 To: MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: games names. It was funny when you told a salesman that the new game was "drivin' " and he thought it was about a drive-in movie. I mentioned the word "drivin' " to someone and they thought it was a golf game. erwin ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MCCARTHY 1-FEB-1988 18:37:35.95 To: @sys$mail:hardware,MCCARTHY CC: Subj: Obsolete RAM ICs. Be warned ! Do you use 2Kx8 static RAMs. (6116 variety). We recently were looking for 100,000 - 500,000 of these ICs at 150nS only to find that most major companies are obsoleting this part in favor of 8kx8 static RAMs. Pat. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::FRYE 2-FEB-1988 08:02:54.03 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: BUILDING VISITOR THIS AFTERNOON I WILL BE ESCORTING OUR INSURANCE REP. THROUGH BOTH BUILDINGS FOR OUR SEMI-ANNUAL INSPECTION AND FIRE SPRINKLER TESTING. PLEASE DISREGARD ANY BELLS, IT'S ONLY A TEST. THANKS, BOB ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::PAAUW 2-FEB-1988 15:41:59.73 To: MARGOLIN,MONCRIEF,DOWNEND,VANELDREN,PAAUW CC: Subj: TWIG FILES SENT TO MAINFRAME The TWIG files have been transferred to National's mainframe for pre- route simulation, which should match the simulation results from the Mentor workstation. The first attempt failed 2/1/88 and the National engineer is currently massaging the files. I don't expect any major problems and still expect mask release about Feb. 15 and protos in mid-March. The steps remaining before mask release are pre-route simulation, fault grading (one pass, gratis), place & route, post-route simulation. -- Don ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::ALBAUGH "Dr. Bizarro" 3-FEB-1988 10:58:49.38 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Unsolicited Testamonial (Mexican Restaurant divison) Let's say, for the sake of argument, that you like Mexican food. You like Casa Azteca, but sometimes would like something a little more well... "Mexican". La Milpa suits your taste, but you would rather not wait 2 hours for a one hour meal. Well, have I got a deal for you. Last Saturday I was in exactly the situation described above and my wife suggested that we try out a new little place called "Gardenia", in Abel Plaza. I am now glad La Milpa was so crowded. I will continue to go there sometimes because: a) There have Chicken in mole sauce everyday (not just Sunday). b) They are closer to my house. c) They are a bit dressier (although they aren't the Ritz and Gardenia is not a dive.) d) I like the people there. But Gardenia is a VERY attractive alternative. Yes, they have Mexican hot chocolate (like La Milpa). Yes, they have the tomato/onion/cilantro salsa, like La Milpa. (Casa Azteca has neither). PLUS, they have Penafiel sodas, which I remember fondly from my school days and can get at neither of the others. I had the Verde, while my wife had an enchilada/chile relleno combo. Both were excellent. And they have all sorts of neat stuff on the menu which I intend to try.... So why am I telling you? After all, I was one of La Milpa's first customers and now all you riff-raff are lining up and keeping me waiting. Well, we were only the fourth party on Saturday night, while La Milpa was spilling onto the sidewalk. I am afraid these folks won't last long enough for me to eat my way through their menu if they don't get some more business soon. So... cruise over 17 (pardon me, 880) on Calaveras and turn right on Abel, then left into the parking lot. Gardenia is at the far left of the little shopping center. Try it, you'll like it. Mike ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::OHARA 5-FEB-1988 08:53:04.10 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,OHARA CC: Subj: My Schedule & Phone lists I have posted a new schedule at each mailstation, on my door, with Yvette the receptionist, and various individuals thruout our two Buildings. Hopefully this will make it for you to find me, it also describes the process thru which one may get Supplies from me. Also, I have available Phone lists in three formats: Phone numbers only: 3 column 8 1/2 x 14 dated 28 jan 88 4 column 8 1/2 x 11 dated 1 feb 88 4 column 11 x 17 on demand Phone numbers, Mail stops, Vaxmail Nodes or Accounts Booklet style 8 1/2 x11 dated 28 jan 88 2 page 11 x 17 2 page 11 x 17 on demand 2 page 8 1/2 x 11 (same as above, reduced) on demand On demand means that I'll make them for you as you ask for them. If yours are dated more than a year ago they are hopelessly out of date, there have been a large number of changes since then (If they are undated this is still true). thanks james ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::SYSTEM "Colossus/Guardian" 6-FEB-1988 20:00:25.87 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: Charm The current Charm is actually one of the new Vaxen. It doesn't have ANY disks of its own. Instead, it is using GAWD's system disk for system, page and swap files. CHARM$USERDISK is located on Kim, so Kim does the file serving for Charm's userdisk. It may crash because DEC says the system can't be hooked up like this, but I did it anyway. You will know if they were right. For some things, you may notice that this system is about 3 times faster than the old Charm. However, since it does its page and swap access via Ethernet, it may slow down quite a bit for other things. Also, it won't run MAC65, the BSO assembler or TECO. I believe that the 780 Charm's system disk has some kind of problem which has been the reason for 780's crashes recently. I dual-ported Charm's disk controller last weekend so that you could get to the userdisk even if Charm was down. As it happens, the problem in the system disk seemed to cause both Kim and Charm to crash, so it has been disconnected. A 780 won't work without a system disk which is why I tried hooking things up this way. Perhaps by tuesday the disk will have been fixed and I can put things back to normal. dms ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 8-FEB-1988 16:01:25.36 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: GAWD - Gettin' Alot of Work Done... The new VAXen are hooked up and appear to work. Kim and Charm's SYS$BATCH default to running on the compute server (GAWD) and we strongly recommend that you use BATCH for all your compiles, assemblies, links, PPS utilites and any other compute bound tasks. You'll find that your jobs will complete in 1/3 to 1/4 the time it would take on an un-busy 780 (there used to be such a thing as an unbusy 780, but I think such a thing is extinct these days). I believe it will be faster to batch even "tiny" compiles than to run them interactively. Besides, you'll automatically get a log of any errors. There are two commands (.COM files actually) that make it easy to use the batch stuff: AT and BATCH. Use AT in place of an "@" on a .COM file that you would normally run interactively to cause that file to be executed in batch mode. Use BATCH to execute a DCL command in batch mode. For example: $ AT A_COM_FILE $ BATCH MAKE MY_PROGRAM MAC65 users are out of luck for a little while yet. MAC65, LINKM, TECO and the BSO 68000 assembler will only run on a 780. You should switch from using TECO to TPU; from LINKM to LLF; BSO to Intermetrics. If these system problems give me a break, a new MAC65 written in C should be useable by April. DEC will be out this coming thursday to "install" the new VAXen, so I'll have to take them apart and put them back in the box wednesday night. They should be back online by noon thursday unles DEC breaks them. dms ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::DEPEW 9-FEB-1988 08:41:43.96 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Empire Strikes Back One of our licensees in England is in desperate need of an Empire Strikes Back game in order to do a conversion on to software for the home computer market. Is there anyone out there who has an Empire Strikes Back game who will help me out by loaning the necessary elements to convert a Star Wars game to an Empire Strikes Back? Please contact me if you have any clues as the location of such an animal. Thanks: Becky x3704 ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::DRIVER 9-FEB-1988 16:11:11.66 To: MARGOLIN CC: Subj: foo ~INIT = $on control_y then goto endmake\n$on error then goto endmake ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$on warning then goto endmake\n$ oldver = f$verify(1) ~DEINIT = $ endmake:\n$ t = 'f$verify(oldver)\n$ exit drive : drive.hex $ BEEP "DONE" drive.hex : drive.ol drivesubs.ol db.ol racecor.ol driveasm.ol sort.ol coms.ol clouds.ol strig.ol tables.ol s42code.ol gmain.ol link.ol dash.ol duart.ol movable.ol main.ol driveloc.opt $ LLF drive,drivesubs,db,racecor,coms,clouds,movable,strig,dash,- GMAIN,LINK,DRIVEASM,SORT,TABLES,s42code,duart,main,- driveloc/OPT/OUT=drive.hex/SYM drive.ol : drive.h drive.c $ gcc drive o R drivesubs.ol : drive.h [.univcad]drivesubs.c $ copy [.univcad]drivesubs.c tmpdsubs.c; $ gcc tmpdsubs o R $ ren tmpdsubs.ol drivesubs.ol $ del tmpdsubs.c; db.ol : drive.h db.c $ gcc db o R racecor.ol : racecor.trk $ trktos racecor racecor $ asm68 racecor $ pur racecor.s driveasm.ol : driveasm.asm $ asm68 driveasm dash.ol : dash.c ptrtab.h modelboard.h dashimages.h $ gcc dash R trk.ol : trk.c $ gcc trk R tables.ol : tables.asm pytable.asm sincos.asm col.asm $ asm68 tables s42code.ol : s42code.c $ gcc s42code o R gmain.ol : gmain.asm $ asm68 gmain sort.ol : sort.asm $ asm68 sort link.ol : link.asm $ asm68 link coms.ol : coms.c drive.h modelboard.h $ gcc coms R clouds.ol : clouds.c drive.h $ gcc clouds R movable.ol : movable.c drive.h $ gcc movable R strig.ol : strig.c trigtab.h $ gcc strig o R duart.ol : duart.c $ gcc duart R ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 11-FEB-1988 15:19:57.45 To: @SYS$MAIL:HARDWARE,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: MCR SLEEPsync......... Those of you who were interested in or concerned about the 8Kx8 SRAMs from Toshiba which had in their specification, 'internally syncronous,externally asyncronous': I have tentatively set up a meeting with the sales rep and a Toshiba engineer who is a specialist in memory devices (EPROMs, RAMs, mask ROMs, etc). He should be able to answer any questions regarding the 'address activated circuit technology' that some had voiced concern about. Any other memory topics would also be welcome. May I have a raise of hands of those who would like to attend a meeting that has been tentatively set up for Tuesday, February 23 at 4:00PM. erwin ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 11-FEB-1988 15:24:54.14 To: ERNIE::ARVIDSON,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: RE: MCR SLEEPsync......... I do. Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::SHEPPERD 12-FEB-1988 16:05:11.66 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: cdefs There are a couple of changes which you might want to include in your LOGIN.COM file to eleminate the recurring problems with cdefs.com moving or becoming obsolete etc. A CDEFS.COM is permanently located in UTL$COM. This file references a system logical name IM_TOOLS: which will change with future releases (if any) of the intermetrics tools so without making any changes in your procedures, you will always be using the latest release of the tools. There are instances where one must keep using an older release of some tools. In this case, you can assign the logical IM_OLDTOOLS to IM_TOOLS before calling CDEFS.COM. At this time, there are no old IM_TOOLS so both names point to the same directory. $ assign IM_OLDTOOLS IM_TOOLS !if you don't want new versions !as they are released. $ @utl$com:cdefs !gets the Intermetrics tools logicals The GreenHills C compiler is called up via a foreign command. It appears everyone has a different word for invoking the C compiler so I can't do a common command file to set it up. There are however, two logical names to assist in defining your GreenHills C compiler startup: GH_EXE and GH_OLDEXE GH_EXE will always point to the latest release and GH_OLDEXE will point to the previous release. At this time, GH_EXE and GH_OLDEXE point to the same directory. Use it thusly: $ GCC :== $GH_EXE:CCOM68 !for the current release $ GCC :== $GH_OLDEXE:CCOM68 !for the previous release ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::ALBAUGH "Dr. Bizarro" 19-FEB-1988 18:49:38.85 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: Abject apology, with forelock tugging Since I've been raving about how those $%#&* hardware guys keep screwing up the coin switches, I guess it's my turn to eat crow. The reported problem with mech-multipliers on Blasteroids is in fact my fault. Those poor coins went through two processors and at least 4 subroutines before I twisted them at the last possible moment. Anyway, all this is really pretty straightforward on the standalone audio board. The rightmost switch gets hooked to the rightmost bit (D0). The rest follow in order (up the byte right to left). These single bits get translated into two-bit (what else, at least in the U.S.) fields that get sent to the game board, but again, rightmost is rightmost. Should we bring up 6502 based boards that connect their coins to the MSB's MSBs of the inputs? In case you wondered, the rightmost switch connects to D7 (actually the rule is that rightmost goes to the bit that falls out first when you shift). Anyway, it's supposed to be the 6502 coin routine's problem to get things straight before sending them on to the game, and the S.A. board does it right. On a separate-mech game (e.g. Xybots), everything stays consistent again, the rightmost mech is for the rightmost player. But players are number left to right (0..3), whereas bits are numbered right to left (fun, huh). This is still not too confusing, until I re-converted the Gauntlet-style coin routine, as hacked for S.A. Audio, back to System I style. The software is clearly wrong, and can be fixed in one of two ways. I can change which mech I consider "right", leaving right the more valuable mech. Or I can change the wording of the coin options, acknowledging that the Left mech gets the higher value. I vote for option one, but will listen other arguments. Can get some mercy by pointing out that if I didn't have to keep changing this stuff I wouldn't keep breaking it? Didn't think so! Mike ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 23-FEB-1988 09:28:55.70 To: MCCARTHY,ALBAUGH,MARGOLIN,SNYDER,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: Reminder... Meeting with Toshiba this afternoon at 4:00. Place: engineering conference room. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::FRYE 23-FEB-1988 16:10:23.97 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: INTERIOR PAINTING, 675 STARTING MONDAY, 2/29 PAINTERS WILL BE HERE TO PAINT EXTERIOR OFFICE WALLS, SOME HALLWAYS, AND THE ENGR. & MAIN CONFERENCE RMS. SINCE MOST OF THE PAINT- ING WILL BE IN THE ENGINEERING AREA, A MAP WILL BE POSTED OUTSIDE THE ENGR. CONF. RM. INDICATING AREAS TO BE PAINTED THANKS, BOB ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 23-FEB-1988 16:51:13.40 To: ALBAUGH,MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: MEETING CANCELLED. Sorry, but the applications engineer was detained in Palo Alto and couldn't be here 'til after 5:00. He may have time for us tomorrow afternoon and will let me know. I'll keep you informed. erwin ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 23-FEB-1988 18:45:50.79 To: JOE,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: Slapstic The part number for the Driver Slapstic is 137412-117. Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::PAAUW 25-FEB-1988 14:59:29.31 To: DOWNEND,MARGOLIN,MONCRIEF,VANELDREN,PAAUW CC: Subj: TWIG released to mask The TWIG chip passed the final post-route simulation and was released to mask on Tuesday, Feb 23. The protos should be here in about four weeks ( officially 4-6 weeks, most likely 4). -- Don ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::FRYE 2-MAR-1988 15:00:55.23 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: 675 WAREHOUSE MANUFACTURING IS MOVING A PRODUCTION LINE INTO OUR WAREHOUSE AND IS PRESENTLY INVOLVED IN REMOVING EXCESS MATERIALS & CLEANING UP THE WAREHOUSE TO SUPPORT THIS OPERATION. ON TOP OF ALL THIS I'M MOVING IN FURNITURE FOR TENGEN. WE REALLY NEED TO TIGHTEN OUR BELTS ON THIS ONE AS EVERY SQUAR FOOT IS NEEDED. I HAVE MOVED GAME CABINETS AND OTHER RELATED ITEMS INTO THE CENTER OF THE WAREHOUSE TO MAKE ROOM FOR FURNITURE. ENGINEERING PLEASE CHECK TO SEE THAT WE DO NOT DUMP ANYTHING OF VALUE, SUCH AS THE PIN BALL GAME WHICH SHOULD GO INTO ARCHIVES. ON 3/10 ALL REMAINING ITEMS WILL BE DUMPED. WE DO NOT HAVE STORAGE SPACE FOR ALL THE EMPTY GAME CABINETS, SO PLEASE BE SELECTIVE. THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO CLEAN OUT UN- WANTED ITEMS IN YOUR AREA, BUT PLEASE DO SO BEFOR 3/10 AND PLACE ITEMS IN THE DESIGNATED DUMP AREA. THANKS, BOB ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 2-MAR-1988 20:29:13.31 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: DIO model 288 Finally, the DIO model 288 talks to the VAX. This programmer has 8 32 pin sockets so it can program 1 megabit EPROMS. It has 512k of ram (same as the IMI). It appears to be somewhat slower than the IMI but it is no doubt faster than waiting in a line for the IMI. Unlike the DIO model 29A, this programmer has an automatic family/pin code selection mechanism that actually works. There's even a way for the VAX to find out the real F/P code after it automatically figures one out. So, it is no longer necessary to specify a DEVICE command to the DIO procedure if you are programming devices larger than 27128's. The VAX will force an auto f/p select and report the other manufacturers parts that may be interchanged with the ones you are programming. Until I get a switch box built up, you can switch between the 29A and the 288 by unplugging and replugging the RJ11 connector (telephone type) from the light blue (29A) and dark blue (288) DB25 connectors lying behind the two units. If you need to upload a set of EPROMS but want the data to appear in the uploaded file as though it were 16 or 32 bit words, you can do that with the /WORD=nn option on the UPLOAD command. I think you will also have to specify the whole range too. For example, if you want to upload 4 27256's into a file as 16 bit data: DIO> UPLOAD your_file_name 0-1FFFF/WORD=16 Both the 288 and the 29A (with the GANGPAK) will do this. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::THEURER 4-MAR-1988 15:36:16.06 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: MacPaint to PIF/RAD conversion, and EASY picture digitization Here are a couple utilities to make life easier for somebody: 1. Convert any MacPaint file to a PIF/RAD file. Read charm$userdisk:[theurer.mac]mp.doc for details. 2. Digitize a picture and get a PIF/RAD file, almost as easily as running the Xerox machine. The digitization is done on Mary Sumner's scanner / Mac II system. "Publish Pac" program scans your picture and produces a MacPaint file (bi-level or halftone style 1 bit deep). (You can specify the size of the resulting picture). Then execute the MacPaint to PIF/RAD conversion. This works really well on line drawings. Coming Real Soon Now: Conversion of TIFF files (scanned pictures with 256 grey levels) to RAD. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::BELL "Component Engineering - Ext 1750" 4-MAR-1988 16:45:52.89 To: MARGOLIN CC: Subj: using .COM files with AVL You cant get there from here... Because I had to have AVL support ANY terminal types, yet still needed timeouts, I had to use QIOW's for the inputs. The QIO's are to the terminal, and a file isnt a terminal. I'd have to write the program using FAB's (file access blocks) and RAB's (record access blocks) which would more than quadruple the code... at least thats what the systems folks tell me. I think I could do it with a call to SMG$READ_COMPOSED_LINE, which allows for timeouts and doesnt do anything thats terminal specific. I'll try to get around to it next week or so. I tried using a .COM file with another program that uses SMG$READ_COMPOSED_LINE and it worked. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 4-MAR-1988 19:07:33.52 To: @sys$Mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: More on the 288 I forgot to mention how to enable the DIO 288 for VAX access. The message COMPUTER CONTROL should appear on the top line of the LCD display. If it doesn't, then press one of the arrow keys repeatedly until the message RS232 PORT shows up on the top line of the display. (If pressing the arrow keys doesn't change the top line of the display, then press any of the number keys until the 288 beeps, then try again with the arrow keys. I.e. bang any or all the buttons until the DIO cries for you to stop.) After you get the RS232 PORT message, press ENTER twice. After the first ENTER, the message COMPUTER CONTROL will appear in the lower window (if not, press the arrow keys until it does) and after the second ENTER that message will replace the RS232 PORT message. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::MCCARTHY 7-MAR-1988 10:29:29.88 To: @sys$mail:hardware,Jackson,leon,MCCARTHY CC: Subj: Scidesign schedule. There is a scheduling problem with the Scidesign schematic entry stations: Not enough stations for current projects. Here are the Projects that I know of: SAC Audio board. McCarthy et al. Field testing with Cyberball and Escape... April/May/June. Cyberball. Snyder. Field testing April/May. War. Stempler. For two projects, War and Quarterdeck. MOB. McCarthy. New Motion Object chip development (schematics only). Blitter. Snyder. New Motion Object technology We need to get together briefly to decide on some time allocation scheme to take care of these projects. If you know that you will not need a station at any particular period, please reply now so that we can see how big the conflict really is. It there are any more projects requiring Schematic entry time this month please relpy to me also. Pat. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::WIEBENSON 7-MAR-1988 14:05:31.91 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: breathe deep Not being a proponent of central air circulation systems, I have a concern that with all the activity in the back of 675 that we will be breathing a lot of exhaust fumes for a while throughout the building. Does anyone know/care? Of course the people in 715 are exposed to that stuff all the time and they seem healthier than us in 675 so maybe it's good!? ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::BROWN 9-MAR-1988 12:21:11.11 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,BROWN CC: Subj: ACME TRADE SHOW As many of you may be aware, this coming weekend, March 11 through 13, our industry will be sponsoring its annual ACME Trade Show in Reno, Nevada at the Bally Grand Hotel and Casino. This is the first time that this trade show has been held in the western United States. Though we have officially limited the number of Atari employees who will be formally attending the ACME Show on "company business", I would like to clarify that any and all employees are welcome to attend this function "on their own time and expense". It is unlikely that another major Coin-Op industry trade show will be held this close to the Bay Area any time in the foreseeable future, and as such, this is an ideal opportunity for those who have never attended to do so. Hide Nakajima ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 12-MAR-1988 21:51:19.28 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: Some new stuff Have you been steamed at MAKE, the quemanager, DIO or IMI lately? Well, I just added somemore junk that may REALLY make you mad. On the other hand, you might like it. For the IMI and DIO, the system will broadcast a message to all terminals logged in with a username that matches the top level directory specified in the FILE command announcing that "your roms are done" when they are done programming, verifying or uploading or any other stuff that you might do. (I'll try to fix it to be more discriminating later). It remains to be seen if this is a good feature or not. I'm sure you'll let me know one way or the other. I have found that the message returned at the completion of a batch job leaves a lot to be desired (i.e. bla_bla completed with status of "%NONAME-E-WHAT, Undecodable message number %X09898080" or some such nonsense. So, I tried to fix that. There's a new program to do the announcing and there's some changes to MAKE.EXE and MAKE.COM. One key point is that the notification of completion of a job started with a DCL BATCH or AT command is done by an announcing program rather than the que manager. As a result, your job may not actually be complete until a couple seconds AFTER you get the message. Sorry, but this appears to be the only way I can get meaningful messages to your terminal from make. If you cause your make procedure to exit with a status code between 0 and 4, then one of the following messages will be broadcast to your terminal: code 0 = Completed with warning(s) code 1 = Normal successful completion code 2 = Completed with error(s) code 3 = Completed with information message(s) code 4 = Completed with fatal error(s) i.e. $ EXIT 2 would signal completion with errors. Any other codes will be translated to the VMS message that it may represent and sent to your terminal. For example, if you trapped the error status from some VMS utility and exited your procedure with that status, then the appropriate VMS error message would be broadcast to your terminal. In addition to these changes (and partly to better use the messge facility), I've added three special macro names to MAKE: *, < and >. These names represent the current root filename (*=whole root; < is name portion only; > is type portion only). You may use these macro names anywhere in the makefile except in a dependency list which wouldn't make any sense anyway. The macro is not expanded until it is used in a method stream. The following example (an excerpt of MAKE's makefile) uses this feature along with the new announcing program to blast reports of compile and link errors AS THEY OCCUR during the make. Using this feature makes the methods for the files quite small (in the case of the .c files, a single macro call): FILES = #H, make.c, macro.c, token.c, parsedir.c, file.c ~INIT = $ cc := cc/deb/lis ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ wo := write sys$output ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ mess_severity == 1 ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ mess_map = "0020401234222240323444444" ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ set noon ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ goto skip_stchk ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ status_check: subroutine ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ cs = 'p1' .and. 7 ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ if cs .gt. 4 then $ cs = 4 ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ if p2 .eqs. "" .or. cs .eq. 1 then $ goto 10$ ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ if cs .eq. 0 then $ mc make_system:notify "Warning(s) while making ''p2'" ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ if cs .eq. 2 then $ mc make_system:notify "Error(s) while making ''p2'" ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ if cs .eq. 3 then $ mc make_system:notify "Information message(s) while making ''p2'" ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ if cs .eq. 4 then $ mc make_system:notify "Fatal error making ''p2'" ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$10$: cs = cs * 5 + 'mess_severity ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ mess_severity == 'f$ext(cs,1,mess_map) ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ exit %x10000001 ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ endsubroutine ~INIT = #(~INIT)\n$ skip_stchk: ~DEINIT = $ get_out: exit mess_severity ! Define some macros to blast old .LIS, .OBJ and .MAP files ! NOLIS = $ if f$search("#<.LIS;") .nes. "" then $ delete #<.LIS;* NOMAP = $ if f$search("#<.MAP;") .nes. "" then $ delete #<.MAP;* NOOBJ = $ if f$search("#<.OBJ;") .nes. "" then $ delete #<.OBJ;* ! ! Define a macro to delete the old root file NOROO = $ if f$search("#*;") .nes. "" then $ delete #*;* ! ! Define a macro to call the status checker/announcer routine SCHK = $ call status_check '$status' #* ! ! Define the macro for the .c to .obj method C = #(NOLIS)\n#(NOOBJ)\n$ wo "CC #<"\n$ cc #<\n#(SCHK) ! ! Define the macro for the .mar to .obj method M = #(NOLIS)\n#(NOOBJ)\n$ wo "MAC #<"\n$ mac/lis/deb #<\n#(SCHK) ! ! Define the macro for the .msg to .obj method MS = #(NOLIS)\n#(NOOBJ)\n$ wo "MESS #<"\n$ message/lis #<\n#(SCHK) ! ! Define macro to be used before link is called L = #(NOROO) L = #L\n$ if .not. mess_severity then $ goto get_out L = #L\n$ wo "Linking #*" ! ! make's dependencies make : make.exe make.exe : make.obj macro.obj token.obj parsedir.obj file.obj #L $ LINK/nomap MAKE/OPTIONS #(SCHK) make.deb : make.obj macro.obj token.obj parsedir.obj file.obj #L $ LINK/nomap/deb/exe=make.deb MAKE/OPTIONS #(SCHK) make.obj : make.c #H #C macro.obj : macro.c #H #C token.obj : token.c #H #C parsedir.obj : parsedir.c #H #C file.obj : file.c #C notify.obj : notify.c #C notify_getstuff.obj : notify_getstuff.mar #M ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::FRANZELLA "Yvette" 14-MAR-1988 14:49:50.04 To: MARGOLIN CC: Subj: message Peter Kibben of Tech Sales would like you to phone him regarding TRW. 727-7200. 3/14 1:39 ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::PAAUW 14-MAR-1988 18:45:44.61 To: @SYS$MAIL:HARDWARE CC: Subj: MEETING: WED, MAR 16, 1:30, EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE. Gene Cavanaugh is with a Mississippi consortium called the Institute for Technological Development. This is a cooperative effort between the government, academia, and industry to try to develop a better base for high tech industry in Mississippi. The entire group has initial funding of $20 meg and the advanced microelectronics section has the largest share of this. The engineering manager for this section is Bill Durham from Texas Instruments. The group's plan is to generate local industry by encouraging spin- offs from projects they initiate. According to Gene, the group has about 14 engineers and 14 Sun workstations with a very wide variety of software packages. They are planning on getting VTI's tools. The group's recent work has included megacell development for NCR, Thompson, and others. Gene wants to come by with Bill Durham to see if we have any basis for joint projects. Some possibilities include them doing designs for us for little or no NRE in return for manufacturing rights or their licensing some of our designs to market. (Gene specifically suggested licensing the PIXI or Calfee's RISC). I've tentatively scheduled a meeting with Gene Cavanaugh and Bill Durham in the executive conference room at 1:30 on Wed. March 16. Please let me know if there is any interest in this meeting. -- Don ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 15-MAR-1988 15:20:48.43 To: ALBAUGH,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: GSP text routines /* This program shows how to put up text on the screen using the GSP text routines. The routines shown, and some others to do things like draw polygons, lines, and rectangles, are in the file 68_gsp.c in kim$userdisk:[margolin.gspex] */ DisplayTest() { int i; char line[100]; DOWN_340(); /* Load up the 340 code */ while(1){ next_gsp_buffer(); /* Allocate a new GSP command buffer */ clear_gsp_screen(BLACK); /* Clear the scrn */ xy_font("This is the small font", /* string */ 100, /* X coordinate */ 100, /* Y coordinate */ WHITE, /* Color */ 0); /* 8x8 font */ sprintf(line,"DISPLAY CYCLE %d",i++); xy_font(line, /* string */ 30, /* X coordinate */ 200, /* Y coordinate */ WHITE, /* Color */ 1); /* 16x16 font */ end_gsp_buffer(-1); /* Switch buffers, start display */ } } ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MCCARTHY 16-MAR-1988 10:15:59.28 To: @SYS$MAIL:HARDWARE CC: Subj: HARD TIMES FOR RAM ICs This message from Erwin indicates the severity of the RAM chip shortage in the industry at present. First, 2Kx8 slow (100-150nS) have been obsoleted by most manufacturers. Now we can't get 8Kx8 at the right speed. This problem is going to add $12-$14 to the cost of the board. Pat. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 16-MAR-1988 10:00 To: MCCARTHY,BURNIAS,ARVIDSON Subj: 8Kx8/80ns SRAMs for Vindicator. Pat, Due to the extreme difficulty in locating these parts, I have advised purchasing (Mary) to go ahead and order 55ns parts from Motorola (MCM6164C-55) at high cost to us (over 6 dollars). Between Mary and myself, we have contacted over 20 manufacturers or their representatives with the result that there is no chance to obtain 80 or 85ns parts in time for Vindicator production. If you have any objections to using 55ns parts, please let us know immediately. There seems to be three reasons that 80ns is not available: 1. The manufacturer does not make slower than 55ns, 2. The manufacturer does not make faster than 100ns, 3. The manufacturer will not be producing speeds in the 70 to 85ns range until many weeks or months from now. erwin ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::FRYE 24-MAR-1988 07:18:14.93 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: BUILDING VISITORS THIS FRIDAY MORNING, 3/25 AND MONDAY, 3/28 I WILL BE ESCORTING VISITORS THROUGH BOTH OUR BUILDINGS. BOB ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::WIEBENSON 24-MAR-1988 11:04:23.53 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: what's the trick? Anybody know of a defined proceedure and designated personel to procure the supplies and parts we need for development and those endless runs of field test and sample units? All I get is frustrated when I spend all day trying to track down this person and that person and run up against the enevitable shortages. We are a production line in our own right with all the games we build up here, but we simply don't have the stores or supply channels to support it. If there aren't enough 512's for us to do all those field tests then we have to cut back on field tests. If there are enough 512's then where are they? Are they hard to get on purpose so we will respect their value? This is one game I don't enjoy. (and it's not just 512's) ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::WOOD 25-MAR-1988 14:51:09.98 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Acquisition of real property Atari Games has entered into negotiations to purchase approximately 15.6 acres of land in San Jose at the corner of Tasman and Vista Montana near North First Street. Final negotiations have not been completed and the possibility does exist that the deal may not go through. If everything goes well, we are expecting to finalize the purchase of the property during the latter part of April or the first part of May. The purpose in buying the property is to build a series of buildings, the first one being for Manufacturing. It is anticipated that if all goes according to schedule, Manufacturing would move into the new facility by March 31, 1989. Thereafter, a second building will be started with the expectation that company personnel in building 675 would move into that building during the first half of 1990. We will keep you advised on the status of the company's plans as they develop. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::OHARA 28-MAR-1988 12:30:46.90 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,OHARA CC: Subj: New Postal Rates As you may have heard Postage Rates are increasing as of 3 April 1988. I just recieved the official notification of this from the Post Office, and this is what they said: for 1 oz or less: 25 cents for each additional oz: 20 cents Post Cards 15 cents Canada (1st oz) 30 cents International (1/2 oz) 45 cents Express Mail Domestic 1/2 pound $8.75 less then 2 lbs $12.00 less then 5 lbs $15.25 less then 5 lbs $15.25 little has changed besides this but I have left copies of the official notification on various Bulletin Boards. Thanks james ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 31-MAR-1988 10:48:40.14 To: @SYS$MAIL:HARDWARE,JACKSON,POPKIN,FRITTS,DIEU,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: FYI: New IC socket p/n's & cross reference to old. IC SOCKET SUMMARY 3-31-88 The following is a summary of the part number conversion from the old IC socket series, 79-42Cxx, to the new series, 17925x-xxx. Open framed sockets are specified for those with row-to-row pin widths of 0.600" and 0.900". Open or closed may be specified for 0.300" or 0.400". OLD P/N NEW P/N DESCRIPTION ROW FRAME of FRAME of WIDTH NEW P/N OLD P/N 79-42C08 179259-008 Socket,IC,8ckt 0.300 Open or closed Open or closed 79-42C14 179259-014 Socket,IC,14ckt 0.300 Open or closed Open or closed 79-42C16 179259-016 Socket,IC,16ckt 0.300 Open or closed Open or closed 79-42C18 179259-018 Socket,IC,18ckt 0.300 Open or closed Open or closed 79-42C20 179259-020 Socket,IC,20ckt 0.300 Open or closed Open or closed none 179259-022 Socket,IC,22ckt 0.300 Open or closed n/a none 179259-024 Socket,IC,24ckt 0.300 Open or closed n/a none 179259-028 Socket,IC,28ckt 0.300 Open or closed n/a 79-42C22 179258-022 Socket,IC,22ckt 0.400 Open or closed Open or closed none 179258-024 Socket,IC,24ckt 0.400 Open or closed n/a none 179258-028 Socket,IC,28ckt 0.400 Open or closed n/a 79-42C24 179257-024 Socket,IC,24ckt 0.600 OPEN * Open or closed 79-42C28 179257-028 Socket,IC,28ckt 0.600 OPEN * Open or closed none 179257-032 Socket,IC,32ckt 0.600 OPEN * n/a 79-42C40 179257-040 Socket,IC,40ckt 0.600 OPEN * Open or closed 79-42C42 179257-042 Socket,IC,42ckt 0.600 OPEN * Open or closed 79-42C64 179256-064 Socket,IC,64ckt 0.900 OPEN * Open or closed * The OPEN frames of the new parts with row-to-row spacings of 0.600" will be approved such that they will accept an axial leaded component (capacitor) mounted in-line with the two third pins from one end and with PC mounting holes spaced 0.300" apart. The socket with 0.900" row-to-row spacing may have the axial leaded component placed either in-line or across the socket's direction. EXAMPLE: _______ location/orientation of axial component for | sockets with 0.600" row-to-row spacing. | V ___________________________________________________ | [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] []--|-------------- | .------------------. .------------------. | | | XX | | | | | | XX | | | | 0.600" | | XX | | | | | | XX | | | | | '------------------' '------------------' | | [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] []--|-------------- '---------------------------------------------------' | | | | ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DOOM "Doctor Doom" 1-APR-1988 11:56:52.54 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: ex It has come to my attention that a variety of dangerous and addictive mind-altering drugs are being used and/or distributed here at work by Atari Games employees. In fact, some of these substances have reportedly been supplied, free of charge, by the company itself. This is intolerable and must stop immediately. First of all, a large number of workers are apparently addicted to the powerful stimulant caffeine. These so-called "caf-fiends" will go to any lengths to get their morning fix, even if it involves taking the last available dose and leaving a quarter cup of coffee in the pot for the next poor addict. Others abuse the substance known as "Jolt", apparently because they feel its well-known eye-bulging effects make them more physically attractive. Coca-Cola may have removed the coca from the formula, but it still has the cola - a caffeine-rich nut which leaves its victims feeling "wired" and "awake". Chocolate also contains caffeine, and users will obtain their "bars" any way they can, even procuring them from innocent young girls. Caffeine has been shown to cause insomnia, heart arrhythmias, mild delirium, and broken chromosomes, and is regarded as possibly hazardous to the fetus during the first three months of pregnancy. Ethyl alcohol is another psychoactive drug used by certain employees. This substance has been distributed at various Atari Games functions, ("brainstorms" and "parties"), despite the fact that it is highly addictive and extremely toxic. Its use may result in disorientation, impaired insight and judgement, diminished intellectual capability, and throwing up on your shoe. (Prizes have even been awarded to encourage the latter.) Many of our employees display the tell-tale bloated look, flabby muscles, and chronic degeneration of the typical alcohol abuser. Some days you can hardly walk down the halls without seeing someone who is apparently in the midst of an acute delirium tremens episode. Finally, certain employees have been observed toking on nicotine cigarettes while at the workplace. With no regard for the health threats posed to themselves or others, these "ash-holes" suck one "butt" after another to get their foul chemical gratification. As with all stimulant drugs, the stimulation of the brain is followed by a period of depression, which reinforces the user's dependence. The user may require larger and larger doses to achieve the same level of central stimulation. Side effects include coughing, bronchitis, emphysema, death, and smelly clothes. Use during pregnancy and breast-feeding is contraindicated, although one cigarette immediately following conception is probably okay. The second-hand smoke inhaled by nearby non-smokers has been shown to be hazardous, and is particularly annoying to those who are allergic or otherwise sensitive to cigarette smoke, and are just trying to do their job without having to breathe someone else's personal pollution. These forms of chemical abuse cannot be ignored any longer by Atari Games Corporation. Therefore, on Monday we will be conducting tests to weed out the "druggies" in our company. These tests will be as private and non-invasive as possible, but you will understand if there is some slight discomfort or embarassment involved. It will be necessary to take blood, urine, and fecal samples, as well as a small amount of liver, lung, and brain tissue for analysis. Please refer any questions to my secretary, April. Frankly, some of you have been behaving as if your bodies were your own, and as if whatever you choose to eat, drink, inhale, sniff, or take by enema were your own business. Let me remind you that Atari Games is in business to make money, not to support your decadent drug habits. If you damage your bodily tissues, you hurt our profit margin. This we will not tolerate. Remember, you work for us. Atari Games. We own you. DD/af ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::BROWN 1-APR-1988 15:36:38.40 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,BROWN CC: Subj: 401(K) CERTIFICATES WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THE CERTIFICATES (ESPECIALLY THE ROLLOVERS) ARE INCORRECT. HOLD TIGHT, HANG IN THERE, BEAR WITH US; WE ARE GETTING THE MESS (OOOPS!) SITUATION CLEARED UP AND WILL GET CORRECTED COPIES. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::RAINS 1-APR-1988 16:08:51.59 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: Sam Comstock I am pleased to announce that Sam Comstock has been promoted to the position of Supervisor of Animation. Sam has been with Atari for nearly five years, and had eight years of animation experience prior to joining us. Sam came to us from LucasFilm, where he worked in the special effects animation department on such films as 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and 'Return of the Jedi.' He started out at Atari in a consumer software group, working on game graphics for Sesame Street cartridges for the Atari 2600 VCS. Sam was transferred into Coin-op when we began work on computer generated graphics for videodisc games. He was responsible for the beautiful art which was created for a videodisc version of Road Runner (which, unfortunately, was never manufactured). Since then, he has worked on a varitey of products, and most recently completed both Xybots and Blasteroids. Using his vocal talents, he has also narrated or appeared in some of our sales and promotional video tapes. Please join me in congratulating Sam on his promotion, and please cooperate with him as he assumes his new duties. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 1-APR-1988 18:42:53.16 To: MOORE,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: Marty's mini-emulator Marty asked me to give you my input on his proposed mini-emulator, probably because at one time I was considering doing something similar. If there is only going to be one built it is not a cost-effective use of Marty's time. Buying a cheap emulator would undoubtedly require an enormous amount of time to debug and is, again, not a cost effective use of Marty's time. If there are to be several made the danger is that various people will not be happy unless it duplicates or surpasses the functions of the AMS. Doing a full scale emulator is not a cost effective use of Marty's time. Making an emulator whose functions are transparent to the target hardware is not trivial. Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::DAVE 5-APR-1988 06:36:19.66 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: how to save the company money I'd appreciate it if someone could tell me who is in charge of maintaining the grounds, and specifically who is in charge of the sprinkler systems? I have pointed out that the sprinklers are watering the asphalt several times but I must not have found the right person yet. It is particularly offensive in the face of a drought to see a sprinkler head in front of the building discharging water at the rate of AT LEAST 50 gallons a minute directly into the gutter because it has been broken for months!! in addition, the watering cycle lasts so long the grass becomes saturated and water just runs off. THIS IS COSTING THE COMPANY MONEY!!!! while i'm at it, the faucet on the left in the executive rest room gets stuck on very easily, which can easily waste a gallon/10 minutes. thank you in advance for help finding the person responsible. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::DAVE 11-APR-1988 06:09:44.82 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: once more with feeling shame on whoever is in charge of maintaining our facilities. i still haven't found anyone that knows whos really responcible, so that's why i keep sending this to junk. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!! READ MY LIPS....D R O U G H T THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM IS STILL SPEWING WATER INTO THE GUTTER AND THE REST OF THE SPRINKLER HEADS TEND TO WATER ASPHALT TO. we should be cutting back on the watering schedule to the bare minimum. please excuse my spelling errors, it's too early and i'm too upset. p.s. i'd hate to make this a weekly exercise. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 15-APR-1988 20:32:21.92 To: @sys$mail:engineer,ohara,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: NEWS print... I had nothing to do with obtaining the "new" paper that has found its way into our line printers. James O'hara is responsible for all aspects of the printer paper and ribbons for all the company printers. If you have SERIOUS objections to the current newspaper that we're printing on, then please direct your courteous comments to OHARA. Thank you in advance for your patience. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::BROWN 25-APR-1988 13:57:48.22 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,BROWN CC: Subj: 401(k) CERTIFICATES ANYONE NOT YET RECEIVING THEIR SECOND, CORRECTED ROLLOVER CERTIFICATE, PLEASE CALL JUDY. (SORRY FOR THE LAST NO-MESSAGE) SANDI ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SUTTLES "Yo speako TECO" 25-APR-1988 16:50:18.52 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,SUTTLES CC: Subj: MCI credit card calls (not AT&T) For the select few of you who have opted to get an MCI credit card, you can now make credit card calls from our phone system. You'll note that there is a local number on the back of the card for you to call, in order to get a dial tone for placing an MCI credit call. This number is now in the system speedcall directory. So, to make such a call: Pick up the phone. DO NOT DIAL 9. Instead, dial #624 (four buttons, pound, six, two, four). This happens to be pound, M, C, I. You must then wait for the dial tone (different from the ones you get here). Now dial the number you want to call. Again you'll get a tone. Next, dial your credit card number. Your call will go through (and be billed to your card) if you did it all right. Contact me if you have problems with this procedure. For those of you concerned with AT&T cards: This is possible because it is a workaround. I'll check into the possibility that AT&T has a similar service; I doubt that they find it necessary. It is still the best I can offer to dial #600 (pound six hundred) for an AT&T operator, and place the call by voice (operator assisted). There is a change in the works to make it possible in a few months to dial some kind of access code like the MCI guys. As usual, if you have complaints or suggestions, let me know, and I'll probably find a way to screw it up. sas ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SUTTLES "Yo speako TECO" 25-APR-1988 17:26:07.17 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,SUTTLES CC: Subj: sprint FONcard calls I shoudna dunnit. I KNEW I shoudna dunnit. Sprint FONcard users: Your magic number is #678 (pound six-seven-eight) INSTEAD of dialing nine for an outside line. Remember to wait for the tone, or Sprint wont get all the digits. #678 deosn't stand for anything, it's just easier to remember than some others. Is there anyone else I forgot? sas ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DOWNEND 25-APR-1988 18:08:31.47 To: ROTBERG,MARGOLIN,DOWNEND CC: Subj: MultiDIR/NEW-Sync H/W cost In reviewing the MultiSync Hardware costing a couple of areas appear low, and I would expect them to be issues for contnetion at the initiation meeting. I would recommend revising them. 1) 27512 OTP EPROMS: I checked with Rod Petersen, and we have never bought 27512 OTP's for less than $4.80. We have a supply at that price through September. After that, the price goes to $5.30. I suggest using $5.30. I also suggest costing the elctronic hardware WITHOUT EPROMS since the price and quantity can vary so much. I suggest that the EPROM Cost should be a separate item on the final assembly cost estimate placed right under the elctronics cost. 2) SRAMs: As of today, on Vindicators which is in production, 8k x 8 SRAMS vary in cost from $5 for 100 nS to $8 for 55 nS. Gary has a qoute on Toobin (production in June) for 1k x 4, 25 nS SRAMs of $7.65. I have no information to forcast where SRAM cost are going, but prudence suggests using a cost around $5-6. 3) Raw PCB cost: The lowest price we have for a recent PCB purchase (Blasteroids) was $.34 per sq. inch. this was a small PCB (100 sq. in.) and they made them "2-up" to reduce cost. A recent quote on the larger Toobin PCB (200 sq. in.) came to $.38 per sq. in. I suggest revising Mult-sync PCB costs accordingly. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DURFEY 29-APR-1988 11:32:56.95 To: MARGOLIN CC: Subj: Visitiors at 6675 From: KIM::DROBNY "Buddy Flyback" 28-APR-1988 14:21 To: DURFEY Subj: FYITB From: KIM::FRYE 1-DEC-1987 13:46 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK Subj: VISITORS AT 675 TOOMORO MORNIN' I WILL BEE ESCORTIN' AN AABBRRAAIISSEERR (FOR THE PROPIRTY ONER) THRUOUR BILDIN' FOR A LOOK SEE. BOOB ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::WOOD 29-APR-1988 18:14:28.95 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: Property acquisition This is to confirm that today we purchased 15.6 acres of land at the corner of Tasman and Vista Montana near North First Street in San Jose. We plan on commencing construction within the next several months, subject to obtaining the necessary approvals from the City of San Jose. We will keep you advised as the date firms up on construction. As soon as we have the approved site development plan from the City of San Jose, we will put the plan on display. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::BRAD 2-MAY-1988 13:48:50.21 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,BRAD CC: Subj: FOR SALE 19" RACK. A very well constructed metal rack. Half size (about 3 feet tall) Almond color. $70. DRAFTING TABLE. Nice, good condition. Made in Italy. $95 Coffee Table. Dark hardwood. Very good condition. (Dimensions: ~2.5' x 5') $70. ADM terminal. Works fine. In ok condition. $20. All prices are negotiable. If interested call x3788 or reply via vaxmail to this station - brad - ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::THEURER 2-MAY-1988 17:25:34.58 To: @SYS$MAIL:ANIMATORS,@SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: New Improved VPIF For those who don't know, VPIF is a tool which runs on the GPX workstations near Chris Downend's office. It will display any PIF or RAD file stored on the VAX. As of 5/2/88 there is a New Improved VPIF: * faster * fewer bugs * more user friendly (you don't need to touch the keyboard anymore after the first session) * new features: > supports RAD files > supports palettes up to 8 bits deep > supports squashed pictures (stretches them vertically) > for those files with a lot of cels, it puts out 1 window at a time now and waits for you to hit the middle button before continuing. > remembers the last 5 directories you used (from previous sessions) to make directory selection easier For complete documentation, print charm$userdisk:[theurer.ws]vpif.doc For help, call Dave Theurer at x1725. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::THEURER 2-MAY-1988 18:21:13.56 To: @SYS$MAIL:ANIMATORS,@SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: conversion of Mac pictures to RAD format Have you got some Mac pictures you want to use in your game? Yes: Have I got a tool for you. mac_to_rad will convert 3 different kinds of Mac pictures to RAD format: > color pictures produced by PixelPaint, one of the greatest paint tools on this planet. It can convert a file with up to 256 colors down to 16 colors. > grey scale scanned pictures > MacPaint (1 bit deep) format black/white pictures. It's easy to use. Practically all you need to know is the name of the file you want to convert. To learn more about mac_to_rad, print charm$userdisk:[theurer.mac]mac_to_rad.doc No: Why would anybody want to use Mac pictures? A few reasons: > better looking text: there's hundreds of fonts in MacPaint format > need pictures scanned in & don't want to trace them: the scan conversion process (on the Dest scanner in Pubs) takes about 10 minutes. It works PERFECTLY with line drawings. It does 16 level grey scales also. > a number of superior paint tools are available on the Mac: color PixelPaint will blow your socks off. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 3-MAY-1988 16:06:20.82 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: Precious water wasted (or who's in charge?) Whoever is in charge of the sprinkler system or responsible for reporting pipe breakage: There's a broken 'pop-up' sprinkler head adjacent to the north-east building entrance (a few yards from the doorway, outside Components Eng). ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 6-MAY-1988 12:24:44.30 To: MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: IC sockets, 24ckt/.400. I spoke with Bill Hedgepeth of Pinnacle Sales about the availability of JAE sockets (our only source, now). There is none in U.S. stock at this time. He will FAX Japan this afternoon and request 320 pieces which will take about three days. Our options of lead plating are tin and gold (gold being nearly twice as much). I said we would prefer the tin plating but we don't know what Japan has in stock. Question: Can you afford to wait a few more days for tin if it turns out that they only have gold in stock? I will call Bill at 1:45pm to give him the go-ahead to have parts shipped from Japan. The three days mentioned above is travel time only. erwin ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::WIEBENSON 6-MAY-1988 12:32:30.07 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: One born every minute Yes, I was suckered by an ad to go to the new "Good Guys Clearance Center" despite my conviction that the Good Guys aren't (good). What a waste of time! They are trying to sell pre-owned, abused, and reposessed stuff at prices that many other stores sell brand new stuff for. For advertising purposes they throw in a couple of loss-leaders, but they're obsolete junk anyway. All they really sell is trouble, and the only thing they give away is a hard time. Have I been clear enough? ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 6-MAY-1988 13:22:55.65 To: ARVIDSON,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: IC sockets, 24ckt/.400 Yes, we can wait a few more days for tin if they have only gold in stock. If the difference is more than a week I would go for the gold if it is necessary. Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 6-MAY-1988 13:56:53.42 To: KIM::MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: RE: IC sockets, 24ckt/.400 The sockets will be requested by FAX this afternoon. The Japan factory is closed today so won't act on the request until Monday. The tin plated leads are usually the ones that they stock. I was told that this socket is not stocked in the U.S. and orders should be placed early. erwin ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 9-MAY-1988 19:10:49.90 To: JACKSON,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: MultiSync I have the Inputs for the MultiSync Board. When do you want them? Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::HERETIC "To be, or not to be?" 10-MAY-1988 09:55:17.06 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Thought for the day ... and He spake, and He said, "Let there be Tuesday," and it was so. And He saw what He had done, and it was terrible, and He hid his head in shame... ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 12-MAY-1988 10:13:45.89 To: MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: Your sockets, 24/.400, 179258-024. Your sockets are available from JAE, Japan, and will take about two weeks. They wish to stock their southern California facility at this time for our use later this year. Can you take a guess at our usage for the next six to eight months? They also want to know when they will receive a purchase order for the 320 parts. I promised to return their call this afternoon to respond with the answers to these questions. erwin ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 12-MAY-1988 12:48:51.69 To: ARVIDSON,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: 24/.400, 179258-024 Each game uses 32 sockets. We expect to be in production within the next six months. I expect we will produce at least 1,000 games. If you will provide me with ordering information I will find someone to order them. Thanks, Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 12-MAY-1988 13:28:23.26 To: KIM::MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: RE: 24/.400, 179258-024 The manufacturer is JAE with p/n DICF-24C-E2. I was quoted 32 cents each for 320 pieces. Whoever places the order should talk to Mariane at Pinnacle Sales, (408) 249-5129. erwin ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SUTTLES "Talk data to me..." 13-MAY-1988 15:05:07.08 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,SUTTLES CC: Subj: pseudophones It's officially working. Atari Games people can call Tengen people office-to-office without using outside lines (we pay for each and every outside call, even local ones). It works the other way too. The good news: You may dial any Tengen extension (including 0 for operator) following a 6. Because we knew this was coming, the extensions are all three digits, so a four digit number starting with a 6 is a Tengen phone. They can also call over here, by preceding your extension with a 6 (they already know this). The bad news: we cannot forward phone calls between facilities. This may or may not be coming in the near future. Things you should know: There is a delay between the connection to the tie line and the time Tengen hears Atari people (it doesn't seem to be as bad the other way). This may (or may not) change. DON'T transfer outside calls over tie lines. As soon as you drop out, so does the outside call! This also applies to conference calls. Once a tie line is involved, you CANNOT FLASH. So, any features like add-on, consultation calling, hold, are unavailable to you while talking to Tengen people. James has already included Tengen people and numbers in the Atari Games phone list. THESE ARE NOT OUTSIDE NUMBERS. You can't get to them through Pacific Bell. Tengen has one outside number, (408)435-2650. This goes to their switchboard, and the desired party or extension must be asked for. If you wish to give out a number for Tengen, this is the ONLY number. Methinks the 64xx number group has been issued to Hewlett Packard. Calls going over the ties are treated as inside calls by both systems. For those who can tell what extension a call is coming from, incoming Tengen calls come from extensions starting with 0 (so they can't be dialed). You can't tell what Tengen extension is calling you; and they can't tell who we are (we have strange extension numbers over there, too). When you have problems (notice I didn't say IF), let me know. To save all of us some time, I already know that there is a delay between everybody being able to hear. Sometimes the call doesn't go through, for no known reason (dial again). In this event, you'll hear their error tone, which is similar to ours, but markedly different. You'll be able to tell whose switch didn't like what you did. You won't be able to do anything about it. sas ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 16-MAY-1988 18:53:51.59 To: FRYE,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: a Leak The carpet near my window is wet. Appears to be a leak. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 18-MAY-1988 10:27:31.27 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: New LLF I just released v2.5 of LLF. There are no functional differences between this and previous versions. This one is a VAX re-make of the sources after all the changes were installed during the port to MS-DOS, Atari/ST, etc. I added a couple of bits in the .OB/.LB file format to accomodate the new MAC65. If you use the /ERROR option on the command line while you are LLF'ing an old .OB or .LB file, you will be notified that the object file format is obsolete and you should remake it. You can choose to remake the file(s) in question or ignore the message. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 18-MAY-1988 10:42:49.19 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: A new MAC65 Attention 6502 programmers! The is a request for volunteers to test the new native mode MAC65. It's substantially faster than the old one, however, there are also some substantial differences that you may not care for at this time. If you are using the HLL65F macros, the new one won't work yet. You can print or vu CHARM$USERDISK:[SHEPPERD.MACXX]NEWMAC65.TXT for more details if you are intrested. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::MCCARTHY 18-MAY-1988 11:39:00.74 To: @sys$mail:junk,MCCARTHY CC: Subj: Hex calculator response Thanks for the huge response to my hex calculator request for information. The results are : HP 16C, programmable, $70 approx. : four people say its great (if you don't mind paying the price.) Casio CS-100, solar powered, $15-20 at Best : six people reported that it does the job and you can't beat the price. Lots of people here are using this one. Casio fx-451 : Favoured by one, its the only one that has all the scientific functions as well. TI-36, solar powered : Owned and liked by one person, borrowed by many. Texas Programmer : Hated by many, liked by no-one, the keys bounce. Pat. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 18-MAY-1988 13:09:05.05 To: GAWD::SHEPPERD,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: RE: A new MAC65 Does the Blue Box work with whatever it is that LLF produces? ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SHEPPERD 18-MAY-1988 14:00:30.26 To: KIM::MARGOLIN,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: RE: A new MAC65 Yep. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 26-MAY-1988 15:38:22.68 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: A new downloader This is specifically to 6502 programmers. I have released a new blue box downloader (the vax end) that will accept any file type that the DIO/IMI will accept, including .VLDA. This downloader also allows for a third parameter that is an address to which to download. For example, the blue box command for a download might be: { filename 10000 10FFF 8000 } vlda load which would download the data in the file from hex 10000 to 10FFF to memory addresses 8000 to 8FFF. This effectively does a block move of the raw data, it doesn't relocate any symbolic addresses. You may find this useful when downloading different banks for the FC. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::LIEBSTER 31-MAY-1988 13:44:26.66 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: 401k YTD on Bonus Check 401(k) year to date balances are incorrectly showing on your bonus checks This will be corrected by your next pay date. payroll ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::MCCARTHY 1-JUN-1988 11:51:43.14 To: @sys$mail:hardware,MCCARTHY CC: Subj: Hardware meeting summary notes The original of this document will reside (for a few months) at KIM$USERDISK:[MCCARTHY.HARDWARE]hdw52788.mtg Report on Hardware meeting on 5/27/88 Attendees : Albaugh, Downend, Hoff, Ly, Mc Carthy, Paauw, Snyder, Stempler, Theurer. Summary of discussions: . Planned deactivation of components from the AVL . Components group are currently reworking the AVL to fully implement an Active/Inactive catagorization. Pat Mc Carthy will recieve a list of all 137xxx and 37-xxx parts to make an initial pass at determinimg what parts will be active. This will then be reviewed by all the other engineers. The exact mechanism has not been determined. There were a whole bunch of questions ranging from "What happens when we reach 137999-xxx", to "How does an inactivated part be made active (CER?)". A little (or a lot) of information from components about what is happenning would be appreciated. . Industry RAM shortage . There continues to be a shortage of Static RAMs. 8Kx8, 55nS and 70nS were recently a problem. If anyone has current price/availability on any RAM ICs mail it out. Maybe we can log it in a central place and keep track of RAM trends on an ongoing basis. . Stamp hardware integration (MOB et al.) forum . Pat Mc Carthy successfully introduced the MOB asic on 5/23. Vendor selection will take palace by 6/3. At the same meeting a standard chip set for stamp hardwares (standard and medium res.) was suggested and favourably received. The chip set would probably comprise 5 chips (MOB, VAD, PRI, SAS, LB2). Initial work has been done by Pat and Doug in determining the functional divisions of the chips. The following expressed a willingness to be involved on some level. Contribution levels are : level 1 - Discussion group only, level 2 - Discussion group and possible IC design, level 3 - Total involvement. Sam Ly : Level 1 Pat Mc Carthy: Level 3 (MOB chip in process ) Doug Snyder : Level 2 (possibly the PRIority chip ) Don Paauw : Level 1.5 (back end involvement & maybe the SAS chip) Gary Stempler : Level 2 (Possibly the VAD chip) Mike Albaugh : Level 1. If anyone else wishes to contribute some effort please let Pat know. As soon as we have something to offer, the programmers will get involved. . Classes, Matrix of hardwares . The subject of doing classes was once again brought up. After much discussion (and with direction from Chris Downend) we decided that we would do one and see what the interest level was. Pat and Rusty will prepare something for a ROMALOT class. . Standardization of TTL families . The list of TTL families is large. We need some consensus on which families are preferrable for stocking purposes in engineering, and make full use of the economies of scale on production. The general agreement was : 7400 and 74L00 series should not be used (except for 7406, 7407) and we do not need to maintain stock of them. The preferred families to use, in order of preference are : 1. 'LS00 series 2. 'F00 series 3. 'AS00 series "F" parts were preferred over "S" because of better cost/performance. 'S00, 'ALS00, 'C00, 'HC00 and 'HCT00 series will still be used where necessary. This is not a Golden rule. It is a voluntary convenience to help reduce costs and maintain better stock. . Earl . Earl Vickers is leaving sometime in June. . Next meeting . Interest level in these meetings as expressed by attendees is high. We will continue to try to do one every month or two, preferrably the last Wednesday of the Month. Anyone can call a meeting. Just send out a VAX mailer to sys$mail:HARDWARE with your suggested topic or topics. If you received this mail then you are on the sys$mail:hardware distribution list, probably because you asked to be on it at some time. There is no obligation to come to a meeting just because you are on the list. We will try to publish summaries. If you have some contribution to make (or complaint to air) about hardware topics just come on down. Technicians, programmers, managers etc. are all welcome. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SUTTLES "Talk data to me..." 1-JUN-1988 14:24:22.28 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,SUTTLES CC: Subj: phone problems MCI, our long distance carrier, has had some fiber optic cables cut between Hayward and San Fransisco. San Fransisco is apparently the nearby distribution center for regional traffic. A portion of our access to the world is therefore cut off. Calls within the 408, 415, and 707 areas are not affected. Any other call (including international) will find a higher rate of busy rejection. Since it is external to our system, you can't camp on. This happened early this morning. At first, it seemed like we wouldn't be affected much at all, but as the busiest period of the day (now, you guessed it) approached, our access dropped to nearly nil. While writing this memo, I've been asked 7 times for a workaround, and also have spoken to MCI about it. The good news is that the problem will be fixed by this evening (they estimate 6 PM). And the workaround is to wait if you can, because in order to make a call, you must dial the Atari operator and ask her for the long distance operator. Then you must make an operator-assisted call--tell the long distance operator the number you need and she will connect you. If she says you can dial direct, tell her our lines are down and you can't. They'll be hearing that a lot today. A word to the wise: Operator assisted long distance is one of the most expensive calls you can make. In summary: If you need to call out of the 408, 415, or 707 areas: Wait til tomorrow if you can; otherwise dial 0 and tell Robin or Yvette that you need an AT&T operator. They'll connect you, and tell them what number you want. This offer expires at the end of today (they will NOT connect you to an AT&T operator after the lines are repaired). sas ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SUTTLES "Talk data to me..." 1-JUN-1988 15:06:14.08 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,SUTTLES CC: Subj: more phone stuff The AT&T operators are known to tell people, "If you dial 10-ATT or 10288, you can dial direct." WE CAN'T. Our switch is too old. It was designed, built, and programmed long before the phone network breakup. We are getting an upgrade which should make it possible, but we don't have it yet. If you want to make a long distance call (non 408, 415, 707), and it has to be today, it has to be done by voice. If they insist, tell them you want the call to be operator-assisted (cuz we'll pay for it that way anyways). Please tell those who need to know but don't read VAXmail regularly. sas ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SUTTLES "Talk data to me..." 2-JUN-1988 12:17:30.31 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,SUTTLES CC: Subj: MCI lines ... have been repaired. You may now dial direct. MCI warns that since the lines were down yesterday, traffic is expected to be a little heavy today. If you encounter a busy signal provided by the outside network, simply try again in a few minutes. To make things a little easier, you may use the SAVE/REPEAT functions; when you get the outside busy, FLASH, and dial a pound-4. You'll be reconnected to the busy signal. Hang up. When you want to try again, simply dial pound-7 (don't dial 9 first). Your saved phone number will be dialed instead. This should work for any outside call, including international. By the way, this feature is available and useful all the time, not just today. The Atari-operator-getting-the-long-distance-operator offer has expired. They are no longer supposed to extend calls to the long distance operator for you, so please don't put them in the uncomfortable position of explaining it to you--don't ask them to. Please pass the word. sas ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 3-JUN-1988 10:15:45.69 To: @SYS$MAIL:HARDWARE,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: Part numbers pending inactive status Components Engineering has begun the process of trimming the fat from the QPL by inactivating Atari part numbers for ICs that are no longer used or are obsolete. These parts will be removed from the active QPL and placed on a data base containing inactive parts. From time to time I will send out a mail messege that will refer you to a parts list in an EDT file in my directory, [ARVIDSON.AVL.REVIEW]. The file is for your review and will contain a list of ICs planned for inactive status. If you feel that some parts should remain active, please send me a listing of those parts. Old part numbers (37-xxxxx) remaining active will be converted to new part numbers (137xxx-xxx). The first list of IC part numbers planned for inactivation can be found in ERNIE$USERDISK:[ARVIDSON.AVL.REVIEW]9X-1.LIS. They will be inactivated in two weeks. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 6-JUN-1988 13:12:17.77 To: ARVIDSON,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: Inactive Parts What does it mean for a part to be "Inactive"? Does it mean it will not appear on the AVL in Datatrieve? Does it mean that Manufacturing will scrap existing stocks of said "Inactive" parts? If I want to use an "Inactive" part will I have to fill out a CER? Some of the parts I am using on Driver and Stun Runner are being reported as "Inactive" They weren't "Inactive" when they were first put on the parts list. What is the deal? Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 7-JUN-1988 09:59:20.17 To: MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: Response to your questions. What does it mean for a part to be "Inactive"? Inactive parts are placed on a database for presently unused or unspecified parts. This means that they are not found on MANMAN or not known to be used on any project in development. The new-project parts lists as found in PC Design directories are researched to determine parts used in projects under development. If a part was inadvertently removed, it will be replaced. Does it mean it will not appear on the AVL in Datatrieve? Inactive parts and obsolete parts are removed from the AVL but not from Datatrieve. They are merely transferred from the database containing active or frequently used parts to a database for unused parts. There are six databases used and here are their Datatrieve names: reserved parts = DB3, active parts = DB4, inactive parts = DB5, obsolete parts = DB6, spare parts/marketing = DB7, approved vendors/part numbers = DB8. DB8 contains a status code for all vendors' part numbers: 0 = approved, 1 = restricted, 2 = temporary, 3 = disqualifed. When accessing Datatrieve directly, it is important to look at the status code. For a complete explanation see Rick Meyette or Jeff Bell. Does it mean that Manufacturing will scrap existing stocks of said "Inactive" parts? No. Removing seldom-used parts from the active list just clears the clutter from the database. It does not effect the physical inventory. If I want to use an "Inactive" part will I have to fill out a CER? I think not. A message or note to Jeff should do it. Ask Jeff or Rick Meyette for details. Some of the parts I am using on Driver and Stun Runner are being reported as "Inactive" They weren't "Inactive" when they were first put on the parts list. Send a list to Jeff and it should be taken care of. What is the deal? The purpose is to reduce the enormous size of the approved parts list, remove seldom-used or obsolete parts and speed up searches. Included in this clean-up process is the conversion of old part numbers (37-xxxxx, etc.) to new (137xxx-xxx, etc). All of this was started on 4-6-88 and the job must be complete by 10-6-88. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 7-JUN-1988 17:21:40.02 To: MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: F.Y.I. Regarding your questions about inactivating numbers and the AVL and Datatrieve, sometime ago I created a summary chart of the Datatrieve domains that contain the various status of parts. You may be interested in this one sheet outline so I'm going to send it to you via your next mail message. I already have a hard copy if you prefer to copy it. erwin ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 7-JUN-1988 17:22:21.56 To: MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: 9 3-8-88 NEW AVL / QPL FILES (DOMAINS) DTR Domain DB2 Part number & status codes | ____________| | | DB3 Status = 0, reserved DB4 Status = 1, active DB5 Status = 2, inactive DB6 Status = 3, obsolete DB7 Status = 4, spare parts/marketing DB8 QPL (including vendor status codes) | _________________| | | 0 = approved 1 = restricted (!) 2 = temporary (*) 3 = disqualified Example: PR PN,GENERIC,DES,MFG,VPN,STATUS OF STUFF ______ | prints vendor status code ____| or : PR PN,GENERIC,DES,MFG,VPN,STATUS VIA VSTATUS OF STUFF __________________ | prints vendor status ____|  9 ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::VICKERS 8-JUN-1988 13:39:34.53 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Buy! Sell! For sale: 1 used refrigerator, 5' x 2' x 20", 11 cubic ft. (I know, the numbers don't work out.) Runs great, perfect for home OR OFFICE. Great secret hiding place for the kids. Gold/yellow. $50 or I'll trade it for a used 35mm camera. For sale: 1 Cross Classic Black ball pen/pencil trio. The warranty's still good long after you're dead. Why wait 5 years when you can get it now? Best offer. Various data books - TI, etc. Free, but ask me before you take them - there are a few I want to keep. Casio fx-115 scientific calculator, high-power solar cell. Free (well, actually it's Atari's.) First reply gets it (unless Brad wants it to stay in the audio group.) You don't get to take possession until Friday. Also, an assortment of office furniture, filing cabinets, desks, telephone, cubicle space, all FREE!!! And, if you act now, you can receive, at no additional charge, one fully equipped JOB!!! Oh yeah, there's one of those folding artist's lamps too. Wanted: 1 camera, used, cheap, working, preferably 35mm. This camera should take great pictures and require little or no knowledge, skill, talent, or intelligence. It should also be below $50 if at all possible ($75 max.) Reply to this VaxMail box or x3781, or (xxx)xxx-xxxx. Earl ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::HOFF 8-JUN-1988 19:40:22.45 To: RAINS, MOORE, VANELDREN, DOWNEND, PAAUW, MONCRIEF, MARGOLIN, FYI::DAVE, FYI::LY, FYI::BURNIAS, FYI::WALLIN, REFF::HOFF CC: Subj: VADRS chip in prototype fabrication and 256k VDRAM shortfall VADRS and 256k VDRAM's: Purchasing's difficulty in getting 256k VDRAMS for the "DRIVER" project in Q3, Q4 88 has alerted me to the analogous potential problem for Sys3d in '89. The word from TI's Jon Henricks (Field Sales Engineer) is that fab lines are being converted from 256k DRAM and VDRAM to 1M DRAM and VDRAM, that the parts are hard to get now and will be harder to get in the future. This is just one vendor's plan. The VADRs chip is currently on the fabrication path. It is useless without 256k 120ns Video RAMS. It will not work with 1M Video RAMS. Using 1M parts would require redesign starting at the TTL prototype stage and would take an estimated 9 monthes to get to engineering samples. The other chips in the system will work with 256k or 1M or ... video RAMS (Sorter, Gobot, Zippy, Clippy, Maggie). Dave and I are contacting vendors (Hitachi, TI, Fujitsu, Mits, NEC, Toshiba) and working with purchasing to get a feel for 256k VDRAM availability in '89, '90. Consequently, I asked Robert Pescosolido to investigate what we could do to suspend the VADRS. He has put the VADRS fabrication on hold just prior to mask making. Suspension of the job incurs no additional cost, avoids the mask charges (10 - 15K) and will not impact the Sys3d video schedule if the hold is release before GOBOT CIF is released (expected at the end of August). I expect/hope that once the VDRAM vendor information is in, and the tea leaves are read, we will feel adequately comfortable in releasing the VADRS for fab. Also, Mary Burnias has offered to invite the vendors in individually to discuss their plans for the 256k VDRAM's. Who wants to attend these sessions? I'd like to get a head count by the end of Thurs 6/9. ---------- Rick and Jed, I think only TI has come in to discuss long term 256k VDRAM plans with you and that the suggested vendor sessions would not duplicate your prior efforts. Is that correct? Morgan ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 10-JUN-1988 12:21:34.69 To: @sys$mail:everybody,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: Downtime The good news is some of the new disk space has arrived. The bad news is that I'll need to take down Kim, Gawd, Ernie and Icy for unspecified intervals at various times over the next few days. This is going to be a painful and time consuming process and take a great deal of cabling and re-cabling to get the whole thing to work. So you'll get a better feel for what I'm up against, here's what has to be done: Format and verify the new disks (in process 6-8, hours/drive). Shutdown Gawd and hookup the new drives to it, reboot. Dismount (logically) Kim's userdisk from the cluster. Mount Kim's userdisk and the new disks on Gawd only. copy all the files from kim to the new disks (should take about 3-4 hours). Mount the new disks on the cluster as KIM$USERDISK. Shutdown Kim and disconnect the 2 drives that were KIM$USERDISK. Adjust all hardware and software parameters indicating that Kim has only 1 disk and reboot. Format and verify these disks so they can be plugged into a different controller (6 hours/drive or so). Shutdown Ernie and hookup one of the newly formatted disks in place of ERNIE$DUA1:, reboot Ernie standalone mode. Copy ERNIE$DUA0 to the new ERNIE$DUA1 (will take about 2 hours), disconnect ERNIE$DUA0, hookup the old ERNIE$DUA1 and reboot. Shutdown ICY. Pull all the boards out of Icy and Bib (Bib has been shutdown since yesterday) and trade cabinets. Hookup the drive removed from Ernie (needs no reformatting) and the other drive from Kim to Icy. Hookup the little drive that was on Icy to Bib. Adjust software letting Icy and Bib know that they now have disks and reboot them. As you might well imagine, this is going to take SOME time to complete and due to vacation conflicts, I'd like to get going on it immediately. I propose the following schedule, and if unless there are some serious objections, this it roughly what'll happen: Beginning tonight (6/10/88) 19:00 - shutdown Gawd and dismount Kim$userdisk. The copy from Kim to gawd will run overnight. Tomorrow (6/11/88) 10:00-12:00 Kim will be down to disconnect drives. Icy will be shutdown from about noon saturday until monday. When or if the Zippy DRC batch job currently running on Ernie completes on sunday, I'll begin the Ernie disk to disk copy. If not, then I'll do it next week. In summary: This eve, Kim and Gawd will be down until about noon tomorrow. Icy will be down tomorrow through monday. Bib will be down until monday. Ernie will probably be down all day sunday. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DOWNEND 10-JUN-1988 15:45:36.40 To: MONCRIEF,MARGOLIN,ROTBERG,HALLY CC: Subj: Mult-sync and VRAM's A flag has been raised that 256K VRAMS as used in Multi-sync are in short supply now, and may become even scarcer as VRAM manufacturers convert 256K Fab lines to 1MEG VRAM fab lines. Just in case this really happens, I would like to know what contingencies we have, if any. 1) Can Multi-sync be re-designed to use (1) 1Meg VRAM for (4) 256k VRAMs? if not... 2) Can Multi-sync be re-designed to use (1) 1Meg VRAM for (1) 256k VRAM? (and then only use 1/4 of the 1Meg part...ugh) 3) Are there software implications if the VRAM size changes? If so, what software changes and to what extent? I am not really going to worry about this in a serious way until about January '89. StunRunner production is tentatively planned in June '89. We would have to start a PCB re-design in a January timeframe to have it ready for June production. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 13-JUN-1988 13:27:17.98 To: KIM::DOWNEND,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: RE: Mult-sync and VRAM's 1. No 2. Yes/No 3. No ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::MORRIS 17-JUN-1988 15:17:15.46 To: @sys$mail:engineer CC: Subj: Unix make now on VAX For all those out there who are unix fans, I have just put a unix-like make in utl$exe:umake.exe. This is pretty much like UNIX make, with rules etc. If you know the unix make go ahead and use it. Otherwise I will post the documentation and send another mail message for those who don't know UNIX make syntax but would like to learn. The main advantage of unix make is that the makefiles are a lot shorter as it knows how to make a .o (or .obj) from a .c so you don't have to specify them in the makefile. (Note for unix hackers, use $$ to get a $ in the method line). Any bug reports, requests to this address. Jim. PS Any one have a machine readable form of unix make documenation?? ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::MORRIS 17-JUN-1988 18:30:08.49 To: @sys$mail:engineer CC: Subj: Documentaion for Unix make Initial documention for the unix make (UMAKE) can be found in: charm$userdisk:[morris.vaxutils.make]make.doc This is not exactly the same, (No library or sccs support). However it is mainly correct, especially for the sort of thing we are likely to use it for. I may update the doc file sometime in the future. A good article on how to use make appears in a couple of issues of the C users Journal. (I have a copy if you want to copy it). Jim. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SUTTLES "Talk data to me..." 20-JUN-1988 20:47:46.45 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,SUTTLES CC: Subj: Instant reruns I've had to do some substantial work on the editor command shell. When I did, I found I never finished the documentation. Some of you weren't around then; all of you may wish to look at it. It's in DOK:EDIT.TXT. I have addressed the issues of want/not wanting default extensions, and want/not wanting memory, as well as "it don't work with /RECOVER right after the EDT". Of course, bug reports to this address. sas ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SNYDER 21-JUN-1988 15:10:52.29 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: new hardware Does anyone out there have a need for growth/shrink motion objects for up-coming game projects. I have a new growth/shrink motion object hardware up and running and need to know what new projects may require such a hardware. The current version is a medium-res hardware capable of filling about 2/3 of the screen with motion objects. These objects are not position (scan-line) limited and the grafix data is run-length encoded with 16 to 256 colors per object. Growth objects can vary from 1 to 16 times the data stored in the grafix ROM. Shrink objects can vary from 1/64 to 63/64 times the data stored in the grafix ROM. Objects are controlled with the standard parameter RAM control blocks. A lo-res version of this hardware would be capable of filling about 1 1/2 screens with motion objects. Depending on the complexity of the playfield and alphanumerics that went along with the growth/shrink motion objects, the hardware would cost about $150-$200 for lo-res and $250-$300 for medium-res. Since the motion object grafix are run length encoded, the cost of motion object grafix ROMs may be less than for standard hardwares. If you have a need, or think you may have a need for this type of hardware, please respond to this address or x1790. Thanx, Doug ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SUTTLES "Talk data to me..." 22-JUN-1988 17:45:22.77 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,SUTTLES CC: Subj: Making VAX mail a little easier to use For those of you who want mail to be a little smarter than the lame horse it is, there are some options. They are spelled out in DOK:MAIL$PRINT.DOC (type it). You can have messages printed at a printer nearby, and you can use the editor of your choice for editing your messages. If you use mail infrequently, it isn't worth the effort; but for many it just might be. Look into it, and see if it's for you. sas ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 23-JUN-1988 17:32:49.51 To: POPKIN,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: Driver ADSP Board When you make the Driver ADSP Board REV A: 1. Change the copyright year to 1988. 2. Change 'Born in the USA' to 'Made in USA' . Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 29-JUN-1988 09:05:15.23 To: @SYS$MAIL:HARDWARE,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: AMI Gate Arrays Steve Hayes of I-Squared now reps AMI who is a supplier of gate arrays. They have some unexpected free time in their schedule this afternoon and would like to present their gate array capabilities if anyone has an interest. If you would like them to come by (between 2 and 4 pm) let me know. erwin ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 29-JUN-1988 12:46:56.96 To: ARVIDSON,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: AMI Gate Arrays The last time we used an AMI Gate Array was in the Vector Generator for Star Wars. Two or three years later when I needed it for TomCat, AMI had scrapped the tooling. They were willing to redo it; for about $20K. I will NEVER use an AMI Gate Array again. Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::BELL "Component Engineering - Ext 1750" 29-JUN-1988 17:35:12.86 To: MARGOLIN CC: Subj: FOR VENDOR CURR VEND VENDOR CODE ADDRESS 3 VENDOR NAME FLG ADDRESS 4 ADDRESS 1 ZIP PHONE ADDRESS 2 CONTACT NAME TYPE STATUS NA0150 NAMCO AMERICA INC. 343 GILBRALTAR SUNNYVALE, CA 94089 0 0 NA0151 NAMCO LTD. 2-8-5, TAMAGAWA OTA-KU, TOKYO 146, JAPAN 0 2468521 0 ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 1-JUL-1988 16:33:46.75 To: JOE,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: Driver Sound On the Driver Sound Board, Connectors J3, J4, and J5 are reversed. Pin 1 is on the left. Pin 1 should be on the right. Please relabel the schematic to reflect pin 1 on the Right. Also add a '1' on the silkscreen to the right of these connectors. I do not want any traces changed. Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::DENTON 11-JUL-1988 15:25:33.25 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: TENGEN TAPES STARTING MONDAY, JULY 11, EMPLOYEES WILL BE ABLE TO ORDER TENGEN RBI CARTRIDGES. WE WILL TAKE ORDERS MONDAY THRU WEDNESDAY. EMPLOYEES MAY PURCHASE UP TO 3 CARTRIDGES AT $28.89 EACH (INCLUDES TAX). CARTRIDGES MUST BE PAID FOR WHEN ORDERED. YOU MAY PLACE YOUR ORDER WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE: KAREN GRAHAM 675 ANN DENTON 737 MARIE JULIAN 735 ORDERS WILL BE READY FOR PICK-UP ON FRIDAY, JULY 15TH. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 11-JUL-1988 19:23:00.94 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: New MAC65 I just distributed a maintenance release of MAC65 (version 7.1) that fixes a couple of bugs in internal memory managment as well as removed some extraneous characters and blank lines that sometimes appeared in the list file. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 14-JUL-1988 09:46:33.91 To: @SYS$MAIL:HARDWARE,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: Part numbers planned for inactivation. Components Engineering will be inactivating another group of Atari part numbers of ICs that have no known present usage or are obsolete. This list is contained in the file, ERNIE$USERDISK:[ARVIDSON.AVL.REVIEW]37-2.LIS and will be inactivated in two weeks. These parts will be removed from the active QPL and will be placed in a data base containing inactive parts. If you feel that some parts should remain active, please let me know. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 14-JUL-1988 17:00:33.00 To: CHARM::STUN,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: RE: STUN Runner Status Report Kindly use 'MultiSync' as the description for the hardware, unless you are actually planning on using System 3D. Please advise if this is so. Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::MARGOLIN 15-JUL-1988 14:05:53.74 To: POPKIN,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: ADSP Rev A For the Driver ADSP Rev A Board, I need a Rev A schematic and a Rev A Parts List. Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::HORN "Erich Von Horn" 19-JUL-1988 15:38:45.32 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: BAD RECEPTION, IS THERE ANY HOPE! Because of all the radio waves put out by the different machines in this area my reception is not excellent. In fact I can't even pick up my favorite stations. Now if we were to install a big intena on the roof and wire jacks to all the labs and offices we might be able to get those good stations. I jote yes on on getting better reception. How about you? sincerly, Mr. Radio ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::PAAUW 19-JUL-1988 18:51:19.51 To: DAVE,DOWNEND,HOFF,MCCARTHY,MARGOLIN,LY,STEMPLER,SNYDER,PAAUW CC: Subj: GPX LOCATIONS We currently have two GPX's for use in IC design in the CAD lab. One was slated to be moved into the new 3D lab and the other was to go into one of the PPS rooms. We also have two AED terminals but no CPU's to run them on. Morgan has asked that both of the GPX's be moved into the 3D lab. The advantages to this would be keeping all of the IC resources together and would make both GPX's convenient to the 3D team. The disadvantage would be that anyone needing a graphics terminal for other designs would need to intrude into the 3D lab. I currently see very limited non-3D use for the second terminal: Pat may need to do some touch-up on his gate array and Doug may need some time for the ASAP at a later date. Simulations, DRC's, etc could be run on the other CPU's. If anyone has any strong feelings on the matter, please let me know. Otherwise, we'll plan on moving both of the GPX's into the 3D lab along with the manuals and the Versatec plotter. The actual move won't take place for at least two weeks. -- Don ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 20-JUL-1988 16:22:50.55 To: PAAUW,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: LETA Are there up-to-date specs available for the LETA? I only need 2 quadrature inputs. Can LETA be packaged in a 20 pin skinny DIP? Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::PAAUW 22-JUL-1988 12:18:02.77 To: MARGOLIN,PAAUW CC: Subj: RE: LETA There is an updated copy of the LETA-II spec in the components file or I have an extra copy that you may have. The LETA-II should fit into a 20 pin DIP but this would reqiuire a new te test fixture and a new test program for VTI's Sentry test. This would cost a few thousand dollars. The piece price wouldn't change much, if at all, so it would be hard to justify a new package. -- Don ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::OHARA 26-JUL-1988 11:42:40.49 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,OHARA CC: Subj: shredding of "confidential" papers An accident happened today when the shredding was put out for Mobile Shredding to shred, it was thrown in the dumpster! This was an unfortunate misunderstanding but the question been asked if it is necessary to search thru the muck to retrieve it, so it can be shredded before throwing it away. I don't know so I'm asking for your opinion; send replies to OHARA, or a note in the mail will do and I will forward them on and keep record for future reference. While I'm on my soapbox a couple of other points: A. I see no reason why end sheets need to be shredded, yet 1/3 to 1/2 of the shredding I pick up is just the sheets that come at the end of listings and such. This cost the company $25 to 35 worth of corporate money each month or so ($400 a year or more). B. The shredding is not trash despite the fact that it eventually ends up there, I do not appreciate the candy wrappers and such that seem to find their way into the shredding. enuff said and apologies to those who don't need to hear this james ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 26-JUL-1988 13:19:50.01 To: OHARA,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: Shredding Item 1: Let me see if I have this right. You want to use expensive Programmers' time to separate the end sheets of program listings so you can save $25 per month? Also, I disagree that the end sheets are unimportant. The end sheets would allow an individual to know what programs people are working on. People generally choose program titles representative of their content. The end sheets would tell an industrial spy what programs to target for acquisition. I expect you are already saving more than $25 per month from the execrable printer paper you bought. Item 2: As I understand it, the reason for shredding things is to prevent them from falling into the hands of our competitors. I use the shred pile to get rid of old schematics (although, fortunately, not this month). I would not like the result of my last two years' work wasted because you did not think it was all that important to have things properly shredded. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::OHARA 26-JUL-1988 14:07:23.39 To: KIM::MARGOLIN,OHARA CC: Subj: RE: Shredding I do not intend to make the programmers rip sheets off some people do as a matter of course. I agree with your point about the names it didn't occur to me until now. I, however, break my back weekly cleaning up the mess in the printer room and sometimes this gets to me. Further, is my time more valuable picking up what may not be confidential (not everything is) proctecting it from some hypothetical 'spy' or is it more valuable for me to make sure everyone is properly supplied? As far as the 'execrable' paper is concerned everyone told me that it was no big deal what the quality of the paper was so I did the obvious thing and have been paying for it ever since. Note if you need better quality paper for some project all you need to do is ask, you HAVEN'T so far. I'm sorry you got bent out of shape james ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::PAAUW 26-JUL-1988 15:00:43.21 To: MARGOLIN,MONCRIEF,VANELDREN,WALLIN,PAAUW CC: Subj: TWIG lead time In the process of getting a quote from National, I found that their production lead time is out to 14 weeks for ASIC's. I am not aware of the schedule for Hard Drivin' but this lead time should be kept in mind for the TWIG chip production orders. For reference, the National quote was for $2.50 in 10k quantities. -- Don ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::OHARA 27-JUL-1988 08:06:59.39 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,@SYS$MAIL:TEAMTACO,OHARA CC: Subj: shredding Thank you all for your responses, it is clear to me that alot could be read into a name. I will make sure that things are taken care of more responsibly in the future. However, wouldn't it be more confidential to shred things right away, for example; have a shredder in the printer room (they are made to feed like trash cans and are somewhat sealed so the dust is minimal and don't sound any louder then a line printer these days) and shred the stuff daily and have the janitors throw it away every night. This would heighten the security of our operation somewhat, since it now stacks up in the warehouse until there are enough boxes to make it worthwhile to call Mobile Shredding, the boxes are unattended, and not locked up (no room for this). just a suggestion, thanks james ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::ARVIDSON 27-JUL-1988 11:57:28.63 To: MONCRIEF,DURFEY,BEHENSKY,MARGOLIN,ARVIDSON CC: Subj: Custom potentiometer, 3.5 turn. I just received a quote for prototyping four samples of the three-turn (3) potentiometer: $250 approx. 5 weeks ARO. Normally the charge is $1000. They recommend prototyping the 3-turn because it's easier and faster to do than the 3.5-turn. If the resolution is satisfactory on the 3-turn samples, then it will also be satisfactory on the 3.5-turn. The choice of 3 or 3.5 will then be based on the steering wheel stops. As soon as a purchase requisition is written, I will order the samples. erwin ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 27-JUL-1988 12:58:18.49 To: OHARA,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: Shredding We had our own shredder and did our own shredding. When it broke the company decided not to fix it because sending it out was supposedly cheaper. By the way, the printer room is scheduled to disappear. The printers will go in the computer room. (Bad place for a shredder.) Nonetheless, it would be nice to have our own shredder again. Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::OHARA 27-JUL-1988 13:20:23.37 To: KIM::MARGOLIN,OHARA CC: Subj: RE: Shredding I agree, new shredders have been sealed somewhat to cut down on the dust whether this is enough or not I don't know. Also a shredder up to the volume we seem to generate costs about $3 or 4 grand. Also, please except my apologies for snapping back at you yesterday. thanks james ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DOWNEND 27-JUL-1988 15:27:20.51 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: Current 1 MEG EPROM Prices Mary Burnias gave me this information today: 1) 1 MEG EPROM, 200 NS, 32-pin, 128kx8: TOSHIBA: TC571000D-20/TC571001D-20, 10K QTY. $23.35 each HITACHI: HM27C301-20, 10K QTY. $19.50 each 2) By comparison: (2) 27512-200 EPROMs cost about $13.00 (6.50 each) (2) 27512-200 OTPs cost about $10.70 (5.35 each) (1) 231000-200 ROM costs about $ 4.15 (plus $3500 mask chrg, 2500 min qty) 3) CONCLUSION: 1 MEG EPROMs are still not cost-effective compared to an equivalent number of bits in 27512's. 4) Mary is getting more quotes. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::FUJIHARA 4-AUG-1988 19:32:22.73 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: NEW EMPLOYEE As of Monday, August 8, marketing/sales will have a new secretary, Georgia Mongelluzzo. Her office will be located where Jackie Sherman was previously. Jackie will now resume full-time rsponsibilities as a marketing/sales administrator and will no longer be doing "double duty" as the department secretary. Jackie will be moving to the office adjacent to her old one, and can be reached at her same extension. If you'll be interfacing with Georgia, please introduce yourself when you get a chance. M. Fujihara ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::DECK 8-AUG-1988 13:53:21.16 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Remember Lisa Ellision? If you do, Lisa is STARRING in a comedy-musical called CHICAGO at the Sunnyvale Performing Arts Center near Fair Oaks and El Camino. 550 E. Remington. The show dates are Aug 11-14(this Thurs,Fri,Sat,Sun), and Aug 18-20(next Thurs,Fri,Sat). Showtimes are 8:00 P.M. except for the Sunday show which is at 7:00 P.M. Tickets are $8. Lisa is playing the lead "Roxy" and would love it if any Atarians who knew her went. For more information you may call the box office at (408) 733-6611 or VAXMAL to [DECK] or [FLANAGAN]. Make sure you say hi if you go!! Bob ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::THEURER 8-AUG-1988 14:29:20.28 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: ST System for sale From: Owen Rubin [70715,542] Subj: St for Sale 1040ST w/ 2 meg memory and updated TOS in EPROM Built in DSDD drive (720K/3.5" floppy) and reconditioned mouse included. Both color and monochrome monitors "Monitor Master" monitor select switch 80 Mb Fujitsu Hard disk with Adaptec Controller and Berkeley Microsystems Interface card. (this disk is 100% compatible with Atari's hard disk and uses the Atari drivers.) Epson FX-85 printer (less tnan a year old) and LONG cable. Hayes 1200 modem (the "real thing, not a compatible) Much software including a legit copy of Mark Williams C compiler, just recently updated and includes the C Source code debugger. Additional SSDD external floppy drive (360K/3.5" floppy). Magic Sac cartridge: runs 75% of all Macintosh programs at full speed; uses hard disk. Many games in original boxes. Solid Oak monitor and disk drive stand (computer sits under and in front of this unit) Total market value of this package is around $3800. Owen will take $2000 or make him an offer. If you want just 1 or 2 pieces, call and make him an offer. Call him at home(xxx-xxx-xxxx) or car(xxx-xxx-xxxx) or work(xxx-xxx-xxxx). ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 8-AUG-1988 15:07:37.18 To: BURNIAS,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: Micron VRAMs I tested the Micron VRAMs over the weekend and they work. I have submitted a CER for Micron MT42C4064-120 and -150. They also make a MT42C4065 <-- (last number is different) which would probably work but were not the ones we tested. Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::MARTIN 10-AUG-1988 10:30:44.94 To: MARGOLIN CC: Subj: JAE #DICF-24C-E2 JED, I NEED TO SPEAK TO YOU ASAP REGARDING THIS JAE SOCKET. JAE HAS QUOTED 12 WEEKS, WHICH I KNOW IS UNACCEPTABLE. THEY HAVE 8000 STOCK OF JAE #DICF-24C. THE QUESTION IS, CAN WE USE THEM??????????????????? ALSO WHAT IS THE CORRECT ATARI PART NUMBER????????????????????????? PLEASE CALL ME OR HAVE ME PAGED, I AHVE TRIED TO GET AHOLD OF YOU FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. I REALLY NEED YOUR INPUT. HELP.............................................................. THANKS MELANIE 3930 ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 10-AUG-1988 14:58:50.40 To: MARTIN,MONCRIEF,ARVIDSON,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: VRAM Sockets 1. According to Erwin, JAE #DICF-24C without the E2 suffix is 0.6" wide instead of 0.4" wide. There are therefore not useable. 2. Rick and I have decided that we will build the first 100 games with sockets for the VRAMs (32 per) and solder the parts in thereafter (unless there are problems with the VRAMs or if manufacturing objects). 2. There are other parts with 12 (or more) week lead times. 12 week lead times on the sockets would be ok. 3. JAE has lied about the availability of sockets before. When I needed 320 for prototypes in May they promised two week delivery. I actually received them last week. I would just as soon not buy anything from them. 4. Erwin says he gave you information on sockets with machine tooled pins. Please look for it and find out cost and delivery for 3200 pieces. 5. While I am generally not available in the morning, I am here every afternoon and most evenings. I read my VAX mail every day and I always respond to messages sent to my attention. 6. The following is the AVL entry for the VRAM socket, 179258-014: PART STATUS IS: ACTIVE PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION 179258-024 Socket,IC,24ckt/.400,Stamped,Phos_br,Tin MANUFACTURER VENDOR PART NUMBER STATUS TRANS DATE ROBINSON-NUGENT ICN-244-S4-T DISQUALIFIED 10-MAY-1988 ROBINSON-NUGENT ICN-244-S4-G DISQUALIFIED 10-MAY-1988 JAPAN_AVIATION_ELECTRONICS DICF-24C-E2 APPROVED 11-MAR-1988 JAPAN_AVIATION_ELECTRONICS DICF-24A-E2 APPROVED 11-MAR-1988 Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 10-AUG-1988 15:01:06.21 To: MARTIN,MONCRIEF,ARVIDSON,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: VRAM Sockets In the previous message, for the VRAM part number, change from 179258-014 to 179258-024 Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::OHARA 12-AUG-1988 14:30:34.10 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,OHARA CC: Subj: traffic If you haven't heard I was just there: I couldn't see the smoke but the cops were rerouting everyone. 880 is closed from montague to First st (both ways) and 101 is closed from 13th st to De La Cruz Blvd. I'm sure this will stop traffic until well into the evening, so expect to take the long way around. As far as I can tell both Brokaw and Montague are clear to go accross 880, but gridlock is already evident on Montague! Take it slow going home and take care. james ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::MILTY 12-AUG-1988 15:02:14.89 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: RE:TRAPHIK NEWS SEZ THIS IS A TOXIC CHEMICAL EXPLOSION.!!!... THE WINDS ARE BLOWING WEST TO EAST......IF YOU HAVE A CHOICE.......MAYBE TAKE SAN TOMAS INSTEAD OF 680 ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::FRYE 15-AUG-1988 09:59:48.62 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: CHANGING OF THE GUARD EFFECTIVE THIS DATE, PLEASE WELCOME BACK BRENDA AND LEROY COLLIER AS OUR JANITOR- AL CREW. SORRY ABOUT THE SHORT NOTICE ALL THE WAY AROUND. BOB ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::DENTON 15-AUG-1988 10:53:04.18 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: GAUNTLET CARTRIDGE GAUNTLET CARTRIDGES MAY BE PURCHASED FOR $28.89 (THIS INCLUDES TAX). PLEASE SEE: KAREN GRAHAM X3738 OR ANN DENTON X 3941. THANKS, ANN DENTON ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::DENTON 15-AUG-1988 14:23:40.73 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: GAUNTLET CARTRIDGES AND 720 TSHIRTS GAUNTLET CARTRIDGES CAN BE PICKED UP 8-16-88. THREE IS THE LIMIT. ALSO, WE HAVE 720 TSHIRTS BOTH ADULT AND CHILDREN SIZES. THANKS, ANN DENTON ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DOWNEND 15-AUG-1988 16:06:40.84 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: 1 meg EPROM's Mary Burnias has procured (10) 1 meg EPROM samples for internal use. See me if you need some. They are Mitsubishi M5M27C100K-150: - 128K x 8 - 150 nS - 32-pin package - A16 is on pin 24 which makes them more compatible with a 28-pin 1 meg ROM. - CMOS, 50mA active, selected Mary gave me a data sheet too. Since 1 meg EPROMS cost around $20.00, there are not viable in production products, but they can be used in prototypes and in ROM verification and/or hardware verification situations. The equivalent memory in (2) 27512's costs $12.00 total. This is for 200nS parts in both cases. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 18-AUG-1988 19:35:47.43 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: MAC65 7.3 Just released, MAC65 7.3. This version has two bugs fixed. One was were it was incorrectly reporting errors on numbers greater than the current radix and the other was were it was incorrectly handling null operands in .BYTE, .WORD and .LONG directives (it should have stuck in 0's). I've changed the feature where statements with undefined opcodes, macros, or psuedo-ops were assumed to be .WORD's. Instead an error message will be printed. If you relied on that feature, you can turn it back on with .ENABL .WORD ;re-enable the .WORD feature Commas between arguments on .BYTE, .WORD and .LONG are optional now. The macro case such as: .MACRO SOME A B C D E F .word B D F .ENDM will not generate errors or extra 0's if, for example, the arguments D and F are blank. (It will generate a single word of 0 if B is also blank). The up-arrow character (^) means different things at different places in the source. In a MACRO argument, it means the following non-space character is the delimiter to the macro argument. For example: macro_call ^\argument with spaces and commas in it\ means to pass all the text between the two '\'s as argument 1 to the macro. This has been a problem where you want to pass an ^ as an argument to a macro (such as ^H0F0). I added a funtion whereby you can change the escape character to something else to avoid these collisions. For example: .MESCAPE expression ;expression must resolve to a value ;between 0x21 to 0x7E .MESCAPE '~ ;changes it to tilda The previous escape character is saved (one level of nesting). You can restore the previous escape character by using the .MESCAPE op without an argument. For example: .MESCAPE '~ ;change escape char to tilda .INCLUDE FILE ;input file that has ^'s in macro args .MESCAPE ;restore the escape char One other change, which I made under protest and would be happy to put back, is in the checking of overflow. Values placed into a byte must now be between the values -128 <= n <= 255 and values placed into a word must be between the values -32768 <= n <= 65535. It used to allow bytes of -256 <= n <= 255 and words -65536 <= n <= 65535. You may be irritated with error messages if you use the ^C (1's compliment) operator in any of your expressions that have bits 7 or 15 set. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::RICE 19-AUG-1988 13:00:40.99 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: New test pieces from Sega Two new test pieces are testing at this very moment down at Emerald Hills Golfland. Both are from Sega. 1) Dynamite Dux- looks like a potential kit. Joystick and two buttons. One button jump and the other is punch. Gameplay is a Woody Woodpecker character that roams the streets picking up treasures, bombs, guns, and other items using these for fire power against oncoming so-called enemies. These enemies are believe it or not, moose heads and dog heads. At the end of the first wave, there is a big Mr. Fire Blaze that he character must put out with the water guns he picks up. The game is a two player on 25 cents per play. Not one person played the game while I was there. 2) Power Drift- Another expensive looking driving game from Sega. This one is an Outrun perspective dune buggy type driving game. Has the same graphics as Galaxy Force. These graphics make the game very difficult to play because they are so washed out and it is hard to get a good feel for the track. The player chooses from 5 categories of tracks and starts on one of five tracks within that category. Player must place in what appeared to be a predetermined finish before he can continue. The game has steering wheel, shifter, gas and brake pedals. Coinage is set on 50 cents per play. If you all have a chance to go out and see these games please do so. Capcom is also testing Rough Ranger at Emerald Hills. This is the Rolling Thunder rip-off. Oh ya, one more thing. SNK just had a distrib. meeting introducing P.O.W. It is another low priced game for us to compete against. Price will be $1995ish. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::MCCARTHY 22-AUG-1988 11:35:33.08 To: @sys$mail:hardware,MCCARTHY CC: Subj: Scicards - Scidesign - plots If you are a SCICARDS scidesign user and you want to be able to plot schematics then you will want to put the following in your login. Remove your old definitions of SDBATCHPLOT and SDPLOTIT if you have any. $ ASSIGN ERNIE$SYSDEVICE:[LIBRARIAN.COM] SCICOM $ SDBATCHPLOT :== 'at' SCICOM:SDBATCHPLOT $ SDPLOTIT :== @SCICOM:SDPLOTIT $ SCIDPLOT :== @SCICOM:SCIDPLOT Mostly you will only use the SCIDPLOT command (SCIDesign PLOT). This executes SDBATCHPLOT which in turn executes SDPLOTIT unless you switch it off. Type SCIDPLOT on its own for a brief help message. Pat. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::BRAD 25-AUG-1988 10:42:52.82 To: SALWITZ,STERN,MARGOLIN,CHING,MOTT,BRAD CC: Subj: CDGAME Please comment on the description of the CDGAME that I handed out and return to me. thanks - brad - JED: please pass the game description to Steph when you are finished. Thanks ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::THEURER 29-AUG-1988 11:22:10.53 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,@SYS$MAIL:ANIMATORS CC: Subj: COLOR PRINTER Subject: DIY COLOR printing From: Dave Theurer [theurer.cop.tek]tek.doc Date: 8/25/88 We now own a Tektronix 4693D color printer (300 dots/inch thermal wax transfer). We have the capability to print RAD and PIF files from the VAX via an IBM PC. Within 3 weeks the IBM PC will be removed from the path and we will have a direct connection from the VAX to the Tektronix printer. Each page costs 35 cents. Please give me your suggestions for making the following procedure better. ----------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary procedure: 1> Take your RAD or PIF file and create a TEK print file: a> On the VAX, "run [theurer.cop.tek]tek". Answer the "20 questions". See discussion at end for more info on this program. 2> Turn on the PC: a> Turn it on. Wait for the C:\> prompt. Hit CR if it asks any questions. b> Type at the C:\> : cd \tek 2> Send the TEK print file from the VAX to the PC: (~~ 90 seconds) a> Type NFT and wait for the NFT> prompt. b> Type at the NFT> : copy charm::[directory-of-your-TEK-file]your-TEK-filename.TEK Enter your password if it asks. This takes about a minute. Wait for the NFT>. c> Type at the NFT>: exit 3> Send the TEK print file from the PC to the Tektronix: (~~ 90 seconds) On the PC: a> Type at the C:\TEK> totek your-TEK-filename.TEK This takes about a minute. The Tektronix should say IMAGING at this time. When it's done sending, it'll say C>\TEK again. b> Type at the C:\TEK> del your-TEK-filename.TEK If you don't do this we'll quickly run out of disk space on the PC. 4> Turn off the PC: a> Type at the C:\TEK> park b> Turn it off. -------------------------------------------------------------------- "20 questions" program: > NOTE: most of the questions have a default which will work. Just hit CR. > Takes cells from RAD or PIF files and lays them out on a big bitmap(whose size you specify), adds some information, then converts the bitmap into a TEK print file. > Range of cells to print: > You can print any range or combination of ranges of cells. > It lays your cells out from left to right, top to bottom on the bitmap. You specify size of gaps: > between cells > around the edge (borders) > Bitmap size: > You specify the size of your bitmap in pixels. The program makes a guess for you, but it doesn't guess very well if you have a lot of cells of different sizes, or a lot of really big cells. > The printer expands your bitmap to fill the page, maintaining the original aspect ration. If you give it a small bitmap, it will get magnified more than if you give it a big one. > A page can contain 2440 x 3198 dots, so if your bitmap is > 1000x1000 it gets magnified 2.44 X. > 500x500 it gets magnified 4.88 X. > To get a picture in portrait orientation that looks about the same scale as > lo res game screen use size 175,228 (lo res game screen is 21 dots/inch) > RAD screen use size 520,680 (RAD screen is 64 dots/inch) > NOTE: if you are going to print several pages and you want them all to be the same size, you MUST SPECIFY THE SAME SIZE BITMAP for each page. > NOTE: if there isn't enough room on the bitmap you specified for all the cells you want, it gives you a warning but doesn't generate the second page. You have to rerun the program for subsequent pages. > You specify picture orientation on page: > portrait print area is 8.13" x 10.66" (for skinny pictures) > landscape print area is 10.66" x 8.13" (sideways printing) (fat pictures) > You specify aspect ratio (for those pictures with rectangular pixels). > It inserts cell info(cell # and size) at the bottom left corner of each cell if you request a vertical cell-to-cell gap of at least 10 pixels. > It inserts an "info zone" containing palette & file info at the bottom of the bitmap: > You get to specify the height of this "info zone" in pixels. If the program needs more room for the cells you specify, it will rob from this info zone. If there is extra room, the program will expand the height of the palettes. > It inserts a palette for each set of 16 colors used. The height of each palette depends on how high you specify the "info zone" to be. > It inserts file information below the palette. > Grids: > Tic marks around the edge of each cell may be requested if you don't want to mar your picture. > Grid lines through the picture may be requested. > You specify the grid spacing, grid color, and grid origin. > NOTE: if you want tics, you must specify at least 1,1 cell-to-cell separation, and a top/bottom border of at least 1. > NOTE: there are a few color matching problems (for purplish bluy especially) which can be fixed if somebody will volunteer to do a color translation algorithm. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::MEYETTE 29-AUG-1988 11:59:13.83 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: NEW FORM DESIGN I have a spec sheet and application notes on a digital passive infrared sensor module for anybody that might be interested in it. This module will sense both changes in temperature and changes in reflection of a target area with a logic signal output. ram ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::KLEIN 29-AUG-1988 12:23:15.46 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: DON DAVIS/ROBERT SHEFFIELD DON DAVIS HAS A NEW POSITION WITHIN ATARI AS THE MANAGER OF TAXES AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS. HE WILL CONTINUE TO REPORT TO ME. HIS OFFICE IS LOCATED TWO DOORS FROM THE EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE ROOM, BETWEEN H.R. AND SALES. WITH THIS MOVE FOR DON, WE HAVE HIRED A NEW COMPANY CONTROLLER. ROBERT SHEFFIELD COMES TO US FROM TELEVIDEO SYSTEMS INC. HIS OFFICE IS LOCATED NEXT TO MINE. AS ALWAYS, PLEASE EXTEND DON AND ROBERT YOUR FULLEST COOPERATION. JOHN KLEIN ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::ALBAUGH "Dr. Bizarro" 29-AUG-1988 20:21:58.01 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: bugs in gen_eer.asm Apparently Cyberball was the first project to use more than two High score tables with the "official" code. There were bugs in 5 of the 8 (10?) places where I had conditional assembly. It's going to take a while to re-merge their fixed version with the "mainstream" code, so PLEASE let me know if you are "privately" maintaining your own copy. I will then let YOU know what needs to change to maintain compatability. I was hoping to put this off until I had MAC68K (my kingdom for ifdf!) but obviously it can't wait... Sorry, (AGAIN!) Mike ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::LOGG 31-AUG-1988 10:56:51.55 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: TRIAD Does anybody know anything about TRIAD and what it is like to work for them? Any info you have would be appreciated. Please send it to this address or call x1732. Thanks Ed Logg ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::RUBIN 1-SEP-1988 12:11:30.51 To: @sys$mail:junk CC: Subj: Party Time Well, its party time again: "Tropical Iniberation II, this time its personal!" will be held at the home of Owen Rubin on Spet. 24th starting at 2:30 P.M. The rules are simple: 1). Bring swim suit and towel to use the pool. 2). Bring something to burn, uh, cook, on the BBQ for dinner. (Hambuger and hot dog buns will be provided as well as all necessary add on's) 3). Bring something to throw into a blender which "could" be used to make a tropical drink (strawberrys, peaches, coconuts, bananas, pinapple, etc.) 4). You may pass on 2 & 3 above and bring a blender instead (it will be returned but it may be a bit sticky!!). I will provide hambugers and hot dogs. (I need about 5 blenders and this offer is good to the first 5 to 6 people who RSVP as such.) 5). Bring along a side dish to share (if your so inclined) as this will ease my work load. I will be providing the following: LOTS of ice, rum, vodka, sodas and waters (some beer will be available), chips, nuts, vegetables, and other assorted munchies as I happen to find at the Price Club. 6). Children are always welcome. 7). Maps will be available or you may call for directions. I have not made a map at this time as CalTrans is not yet done rearranging the streets in my area and they are currently subject to change at any time (They have changed 3 times this week!) As a special incentitive to attend, the first 40 or so adults that arrive at the party will receive an official Tropical Iniberation II T-shirt. They are only available in Large and in blue. If there is enough demand for additional shirts, they will be available for $10.00 each after the first 40 are gone. Please RSVP by Sept 17th so I may get a final count. Days: (xxx)xxx-xxxx. Other times and messages: (xxx)xxx-xxxx. -Owen- ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::MORRIS 1-SEP-1988 17:07:32.43 To: @sys$mail:engineer CC: Subj: Compressing Archiver ZOO now on VAX A new utility called ZOO is now in utl$exe. It creates a very tightly compressed archive of files. e.g. $ zoo a t.zoo *.* - this will save all the files in the current directory in the archive called t.zoo. It remembers the directories the fils were in and can be used to save directory trees. It produces more tightly compressed data than ARC. It is also available in source form, and executables for amiga, IBMPC, XENIX. (See me for source). The full documentation is in DOK:ZOO.DOC To use it do $ ZOO:== $utl$exe:ZOO.EXE in your login.com file. $ zoo h prints out a help message. Save disk space, archive all your seldom used files into a zoo archive!! Jim. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::SALWITZ 7-SEP-1988 11:14:42.59 To: @BS.DIS CC: Subj: Further adventures in Mind Mapping DRIVING AND SHOOTING GROUP ------- --- -------- ----- SORRY.. I have been very busy with Cyberball and have not done my home work on time. The two top games in our group (in order) were: FLIGHT SIMULATOR (Stephanie Mott) POWER CRUSHER (or whatever) (Nick Stern) We will have our 2nd meeting (further discussion) on Tuesday, Sep 13 at 2:00 pm. If this is not good for you.. please let me know. I have sent this to ALL members of the group, including those not attending the first meeting. Its not to late to participate. JFS PS. Once again, my apologies, blame it on Dave Ralston. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::SALWITZ 7-SEP-1988 11:14:42.59 To: @BS.DIS CC: Subj: Further adventures in Mind Mapping DRIVING AND SHOOTING GROUP ------- --- -------- ----- SORRY.. I have been very busy with Cyberball and have not done my home work on time. The two top games in our group (in order) were: FLIGHT SIMULATOR (Stephanie Mott) POWER CRUSHER (or whatever) (Nick Stern) We will have our 2nd meeting (further discussion) on Tuesday, Sep 13 at 2:00 pm. If this is not good for you.. please let me know. I have sent this to ALL members of the group, including those not attending the first meeting. Its not to late to participate. JFS PS. Once again, my apologies, blame it on Dave Ralston. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::ATLIST 8-SEP-1988 15:41:31.48 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: SMOKING IN THE BUILDING HAS ANYBODY SEEN THE SO CALLED ATARI "NO SMOKING IN THE BUILDING" POLICY? OR IS IT SOME CRAZY RUMOR? .....CURIOUS..... ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::CAMERON 8-SEP-1988 15:46:18.80 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: I've smoked a few power supplies in my day. Does that count? ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DROBNY "Buddy Flyback" 8-SEP-1988 16:03:16.79 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Charcoal filter Caps? ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::BORNN "SUZY-Q" 8-SEP-1988 16:06:53.87 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: ARE WE TALKING CIGS OR ATTITUDES? ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::ATLIST 8-SEP-1988 16:34:57.11 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Re: Smoking From what has been seen around here some employees have been forced to go outside to have a cigarette. I guess they haven't even been told that there was a designated smoking area. What's goin on? Can we or can we not smoke cigarettes at our own working area ie. office or cubicle? I understand there must be a formal written company wide policy. I do not recall ever seeing one. ....Real Curious.... ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SUTTLES "Talk data to me..." 8-SEP-1988 20:07:27.73 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,SUTTLES CC: Subj: smokers' rights It's hard to take seriously a complaint about lack of information from someone who complains anonymously... There are some well known areas designated smoking and non-smoking. The most well known non-smoking area is the cafeteria. The most well known smoking areas are the "facilities" offices. Arbitrary question: Why do we need a formal policy established? Can't you guys work it out? Since you seem to feel the need to repeat the question, here's a suggestion to help you find a middle ground: Suggestion for smokers: In deciding whether or not to smoke within your work area, use a little common sense. If you are the only smoker in your cube group, please realize that all of your air is shared; step outside. If you have roomies (cubies?) that smoke, they can't reasonably complain if you do. Take the temperature now and then, and see if anyone cares. Suggestion for nonsmokers: If the smokers are in your cube area, let them know it bothers you, and ask them to do it elsewhere. If you/they are in different hardwall offices, it shouldn't be potent enough to annoy you. If you are particularly sensitive to smells, ask them to close their door, and consider closing yours. Either/both of you should put a post-it note or some other indication that you are open for business, lest people are reluctant to interrupt a closed-door meeting. If your objection to smokers is that it "looks ugly", then don't look. Ugly is in the eye of the beholder, and you wouldn't want everyone who didn't approve of your looks to gripe at you, would you? Incidentally, don't bother trying to convince smokers to stop; they have been beaten over the head with "it's bad for your health", "it will kill you", "it's offensive", and any other reason for quitting that you can think of. If they haven't quit by this time, it isn't because they don't know; it's because they don't want to quit anyways, or they can't. As a former smoker, I can guarantee they don't do it to annoy you, and it is very difficult to stop. If they had a physical deformity or some other handicap, you would look past it. Consider the addiction to tobacco in the same light. By this time, they have been told by everyone, including the voters at large. sas ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::DAVE 9-SEP-1988 07:05:51.69 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: SMOKING I THOUGHT I WOULD POINT OUT THAT THE SURGEON GENERAL HAS DETERMINED THAT SECOND HAND SMOKE IS BAD FOR THE HEALTH OF NON-SMOKERS. I CAN PERSONALLY VOUCH FOR THE FACT THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING CIRCULATES SMOKE INTO CLOSED HARD OFFICES. THE NUMBER OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE "NO SMOKING IN THE BUILDING" POLICIES IS FAST BECOMING A MAJORITY IN THE VALLEY. EMPLOYEES THAT DON'T SMOKE ARE SICK LESS OFTEN, MORE PRODUCTIVE. FINALLY, I WONDER WHAT THE LEGAL POSITION OF A COMPANY WILL BECOME IF A NON-SMOKING EMPLOYEE GETS LUNG DISEASE, AND A COMPANY HAS NOT AT LEAST ADOPTED CURRENT COMMUNITY STANDARDS TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF ITS EMPLOYEES. JUST A THOUGHT ....... SINCERELY, DAVE "WHERE'S MY CABERNET?" SHERMAN ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::CAMERON 9-SEP-1988 08:52:04.14 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: killer drugs Yesterday Congress passed a bill to allow the death penalty as punishment for drug related murders. The exception to this, of course, is if you are a soldier killing in the line of duty while taking drugs that are government issue. Let's hear it for Zero Tolerance! ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DROBNY "Buddy Flyback" 9-SEP-1988 09:43:14.95 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: smoking And you may very well say to yourself "This is not my pack of cigarettes!" And you may very well say to yourself "That is not my beautiful cubicle!" And you may very well say to yourself "That is not my beautiful box of cigars!" SAME AS IT EVER WAS! SAME AS IT EVER WAS! SAME AS IT EVER WAS! ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::MORRIS 9-SEP-1988 13:15:20.82 To: @sys$mail:junk CC: Subj: Smoking Here's my 10 cents worth. One person smoking can affect a number of people not smoking. Isn't this a democracy???? Seriously I think the company should have a No Smoking Policy then there would be less chance of employee conflicts, pass the buck to the executive commitee. Jim "I'll kill anyone smoking in my space" Morris. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::HORN "Erich Von Horn" 9-SEP-1988 13:28:36.72 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Smoking Sorry if all you fanatical non-smokers are insulted! I for one do like to smoke when I do my heavy coding. I find it helps my concentration. I think that anyone who is so upset about smoke, that they would deprive others of that pleasure, even when it does not effect them directly is on really stupid trip. I feel that if I smoke in my lab and the smoke does not reach others then I am doing my part. I can't hear the line about "the smoke goes into the ventalation system and then poisons everyone", that is a bunch of B.S.. If you feel so strong about it, why no just wage a war on smokers. Start those campaigns, get your guns... If I sound strong winded, then maybe you should reread the mail messages that you "Non-smokers for a better universe" have send out! ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::PIERCE 9-SEP-1988 13:34:30.74 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: In response to Jim "I'll kill anyone smoking in my space" Morris, I reply: I'll smoke anybody killing in my space! MSP ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::PETERSEN "Rod" 9-SEP-1988 13:52:48.42 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: SMOKING Manufacturing has been told that effective August 22, 1988 that this is officially a "NO SMOKING" company. It doesn't sound like the message has gotten around. What's the deal here? ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::MELCHOR 9-SEP-1988 14:10:19.22 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: PUFF POWER WELL I JUST TOOK UP SMOKING CIGARETTES ABOUT 17 MINUTES AGO TO SEE WHAT ALL THE COMOTION IS ABOUT AND YOU KNOW, I LIKE IT !!! BUT ALREADY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TREATING ME FUNNY. WIHT ALL THIS INFO ON HOW BAD IT IS FOR YOUR HEALTH (HARRUMPH, COUGH, COUGH) EXCUSE ME,...OH YEAH, AND HOW THE OZONE LAYER IS THINNING AND ALL I FOUND THAT IF I JUST SPRAY THE SMOKE I EXHALE WITH THIS CAN OF LYSOL THE AIR AROUND ME SMELLS GREAT AND I CAN STILL ENJOY THE COMPANY OF MY NON SMOKING CO-WORKERS. NOW THAT I'VE TAKEN UP THIS GREAT ADDICTION (MY OWN CHOICE) CAN SOMEONE WITH EXECUTIVE POWER TELL ME IF THERE IS A POLICY. JESS "GOT A SMOKE?" MELCHOR ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::CAMERON 9-SEP-1988 15:22:03.78 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: smokin' I can't seriously believe that anyone here wants any kind of rules or "policy". I thought we were all big kids now. I'm sure we can effectively police ourselves. If we can't, what's a few fist fights now and then. Let's just do what we know best around here. Skip the effort of making "policy" and let's make a new game, BLOOD WAR ON SMOKERS. Think of the possibilities! Screen one: You are on BART, someone in your car lights up a cigarette, You push the trigger on your uzzi and jelly blast the place. Violence sells!Let's get a team together and make megabucks and forget this nitpicking. Carole (I'd pay a quarter to blast a smoker) Cameron ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 9-SEP-1988 15:51:41.93 To: MARTIN,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: 101 PGA Sockets The Driver ADSP Board uses a 101 pin PGA socket (179236-001). According to ManMan we have ordered (and received) 32 sockets. There are no purchase orders for more. Every ADSP Board needs one. Would you look into it, please? Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::WEST 9-SEP-1988 15:54:31.87 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: where there's smoke... Ahem... Ladies and Germs, may I suggest that: 1)nobody smoke---it's bad for you 2)Atari hand out Rules of Grammar to all engineers and programmers, along with a dictionary 3)some programmers take a remedial "English as a second language" course MLW p.s. If I sound like I'm on a high horse, just follow with a scooper. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::PAAUW 12-SEP-1988 11:39:41.52 To: @STAT CC: Subj: VTI USER'S GROUP MEETING -- OCT 20-21 1) The 1.6 micron cell compiler library is now installed in our tools. 2) The VTI user's group meeting will be on October 20 & 21. VTI has sent me a form requesting the names of the persons planning to attend. If you want your name on the list, let me know by September 21. -- Don ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::CHING 12-SEP-1988 11:57:33.55 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: New Tupperware Catalog... Yes, the Fall 1988 Catalog is out. If you would like to see it, stop by the Treasure Hunt Lab. We have moved a little. We're in the Omega Lab, the one nearest the "center" Engineering door. (The door near the Central Conference Room.) The Treasure Hunt Lab is now the 2nd door on the left across from the old Toobin' Lab. Natalie ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::OHARA 12-SEP-1988 13:07:23.35 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,OHARA CC: Subj: new mail station There is a new mail station in the hallway outside Components, towards the back of 675, it's designated 675-3 (the one by the Xerox 1055 is 675-2, the one in the open area in Engineering is 675-1). All mail for the five groups located back there; System 3D, Applied Research, Components, Prototype Assembly, Video Edit Lab, is delivered there. Interoffice and US Postal Mail is also pick up there twice daily between 10-11am and 2-3pm. While I'm here I thought I might speak to some other subjects concerning mail of interest to you all: I pick up US Postal Mail 4 times daily in 675; not before 9, and 10 in the morning (9am mail goes with me to the post office) not before 2 and 3:50 in the afternoon, 9am and 3:50pm I pick at the lobby. 735, 737 and Tengen, Inc. get mail Pick up twice daily after 10am and 2pm. If you can get it to my office by 4:20 pm it will go that day. First Class Mail should get to its destination in not more then Three Days, International Air Mail takes 5 days altho this varies from Country to Country. Postal Express will get there within 24 hours (Sat, Sun and Holidays included!). I have a scale in my office which automatically gives the rates. Finally, a suggestion: If you want your mail to be delivered in the morning or want to avoid the forwarding delay of 7 days when we move (I know that this is a long way off but address changes tend to be slow so...) then your address should be as follows: (your name) Atari Games Corporation optional: ### Sycamore Drive ###= 675, 735, 737 PO Box 361110 Milpitas, CA. 95035-1110 I mention this because after our physical move I will have to forward all street mail but will continue to pick up Box mail. Also Box mail tends to come quicker, as it gets presorted in San Francisco (thats what 95035-1110 does for us) Thank you (sorry to be so long winded) gems ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::TOLONEN 12-SEP-1988 16:48:14.10 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,TOLONEN CC: Subj: SMOKING REGULATIONS DATE ISSUED: AUGUST 22, 1988 (EVEN THOUGH THE POLICY WAS OFFICIALLY APPROVED TODAY, THE ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE ON AUGUST 22, 1988, THUS THE ISSUE DATE.) PURPOSE: TO PROTECT THE NON-SMOKING EMPLOYEE AND TO COMPLY WITH MILPITAS CITY LAWS. POLICY: EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, SEVERAL WORK AREAS ARE HEREBY DESIGNATED AS NON-SMOKING AREAS. THIS APPLIES TO ADMINIS- TRATION, MARKETING, FINANCE, MANUFACTURING AND PURCHASING. IN ALL OTHER AREAS NOT ADDRESSED ABOVE, AN EMPLOYEE HAS THE RIGHT TO DESIGNATE HIS/HER IMMEDIATE WORK AREA AS A NON- SMOKING AREA AND TO POST THE SAME WITH APPROPRIATE SIGNS, TO BE PROVIDED BY ATARI GAMES. SMOKING IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED IN CONFERENCE AND MEETING ROOMS, RESTROOMS AND HALLWAYS. IN ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER THE SMOKING POLICY, THE RIGHTS OF THE NON-SMOKER WILL BE GIVEN PRECEDENCE. SMOKING IS PERMITTED IN THE DESIGNATED SMOKING AREA OF THE EMPLOYEE CAFETERIA AND OUTSIDE. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::VANELDREN 13-SEP-1988 10:25:35.69 To: @SYS$MAIL:VANGANG, @SYS$MAIL:RAINSGANG CC: Subj: SMOKING POLICY ??????? Before the ____ hits the fan and editorial opinion begins hitting the screens on terminals throughout the company, I'd like to make a couple comments regarding the recently announced smoking policy. First of all, neither Lyle or myself had any input whatsoever regarding that policy. I personally have objections to singling out certain departments as "non-smoking areas" while neglecting to mention others. Does that mean that entire departments go on or off the "non-smoking list" as department heads change from smokers to non-smokers, or vica versa?? I also am quite puzzled as to why we had to issue a previously unknown policy retroactively. What does that say about those of us who have been violating this policy for the last 3 weeks?? And now for some personal editorializing of my own: 1. Personally, I agree with the announced policy, other than the departmentalizing of non-smoking areas and the retroactive effectivity. 2. I believe that each employee does have the right to work in an environment where smoke does not endanger his health or significantly affect his comfort or productivity. 3. I believe that smokers should have the right to smoke in areas where they are not endangering anyone's health other than their own, nor significantly affecting anyone else's comfort or productivity. 4. I wonder why I wasn't consulted regarding the Smoking policy?? Dan Van ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SUTTLES "Talk data to me..." 13-SEP-1988 12:34:17.39 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,SUTTLES CC: Subj: policy-making policies This is it. This is where the smoke (what else?) hits the fan. There are two things I want to say: There are some additional oddities that Dan was too couthful to point out, and I would like to make public my extreme disappointment in the necessity of any policy at all. First, the peculiarities that strike me: Since part of the policy's justification was to comply with Milpitas law, which I have been told states that there is no smoking even in individual offices, does that mean that Engineering (the largest "non-designated" area) does not have to comply with the law? What are the penalties for non-compliance? And are the violators of the last three weeks excused from them? If so, why not the next three weeks? If not, what is the point of a post-dated rule, and when does it become effective? What about the rights of non-smokers outside? We're all on the same planet, you know. If I can tell if the guy on the other end of the building is smoking because of the ventilation system, don't you think when we are both outside, in the same room, so to speak, I can tell if he lights up? Nevermind that each one of us comes to work in a motor vehicle that emits more airborne poison by itself than all the smokers in the company combined, I demand the right (as a non-smoker, thus given priority by the policy) to go outside and breathe untainted, pure smog. While I can't do anything about the thousands of smokers we share the air with, the 20 or so that are unfortunate enough to work at Atari MUST go through withdrawal or leave the Santa Clara valley. Again, since I am a non-smoker, I have precedence, and therefore, this is automatically the new policy. Exactly where is the designated smoking area in the cafeteria? Since over half of the company's work space is now designated no smoking, those smokers that are concientious and actually making an effort to be considerate, will put off their need til lunch, and take advantage of said designated smoking area in the cafeteria, moving smoke that would have been distributed throughout two buildings into one concentrated space (where people are trying to eat). The smoke can't be forced to stay in the designated area. From the point of view of non-smokers who also eat (that includes most, I believe), is this better? Lastly, I do not dispute the necessity for a formal policy regarding smoking. It has become quite apparent over the last several days. I am, however, thoroughly disappointed that we cannot be adults and come to mutually acceptable agreements without having our corporate mommies settle the fighting. "He was trying to kill me" and "That's cuz he was smoking in my space" are both inappropriate positions to hold, let alone defend. Wherever there are children, though, there will be Peacemakers. Actually, these are two sides of the same coin. It is difficult to formalize a reasonable settlement between two parties in dispute, and set them down into rules that are equitable regardless of point-of-view and personal values. Ask anyone who's gone through divorce, or even considered it! Everyone loses. It becomes necessary to legislate rights when, and only when, rights are not respected without the laws and policies that are otherwise put in force. The first time some atrocity is committed, there are no applicable laws; they are enacted to avoid/punish subsequent offenses. However, if we would respect the rights of others, there wouldn't be a need for these things. Or the other side of that coin: if THEY would respect OUR rights, WE wouldn't have to legislate against THEM. Doesn't anyone see the WE are THEY and vice versa? As always, complaints to this address. I, at least, will make peace with those who have a different opinion than myself. sas ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::MILTY 13-SEP-1988 16:09:10.97 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: THE "P" WORD ......AND ANOTHER GOOD IDEA, THE POLICY REGARDING THE MAKING OF POLICY....... FROM THE "LET'S POLICY 'TILL IT HURTS" CAMPAIGN ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::LICHAC 14-SEP-1988 09:03:24.60 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: COMPANY POLICIES EFFECTIVE TODAY, THE SANTA CRUZ DRESS CODE POLICY WILL BE ENFORCED IN THE MECHANICAL DESIGN AREAS UNTIL THE ATARI POLICY IS APPROVED RETROACTIVELY....... NO SHIRTS NO SHOES NO SERVICE THE MANAGEMENT ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::CAMERON 14-SEP-1988 09:26:28.99 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Coffee Regulations Date Issued: May 26, 1978 Even though the policy is being announced today, the verbal policy has been in effect for over ten years. Purpose: To keep coffee-stimulant available at all times of need. Policy: Any person who drinks coffee, will be required to make a new pot of coffee if that person takes the last cup. Enforcement: Any employee found not complying with this policy will be sentenced to clean hardened sludge from coffee pots for a period not to exceed one month and will also be subjected to working in Mechanical under the direction of "Captain Windex" until the employee achieves a whole new attitude. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::ROTBERG "Professor of Gonzo" 15-SEP-1988 14:27:58.44 To: GROSSMAN,STUN,HALLY,BURGESS,COMSTOCK,RAY,ROTBERG,MONCRIEF,BEHENSKY,MARGOLIN,MOTT CC: Subj: Status report STUN RUNNER STUN RUNNER GAME DEVELOPMENT STATUS STUN RUNNER DATE: 8 SEP 88 PL: MIKE HALLY DATE STARTED: 28 APR 88 9 JUN 88 PROJECT LEADER: HALLY START DATE: 2 MAY 88 LAB: STUN RUNNER EXT: 1727 OR 1720 NUMBER: 571 TEAM NU MULTISYNC | | SCHEDULE or | MISSED DATES | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PROJECT START: < 2 MAY 88> 1ST REVIEW: < 6 JUL 88> 8 JUL 88 MULTISYNC PCB DEBUGGED < 1 AUG 88> 2ND REVIEW: < 2 SEP 88> 24 AUG 88 15 AUG 88 3RD REVIEW: 14 OCT 88 FOCUS GROUP 16 NOV 88 4TH REVIEW: 13 JAN 89 FIELD TEST: 10 FEB 89 PROD RELEASE: 19 APR 89 FGA 4 JUN 89 SOFTWARE: Andy to be working on traffic smarts. Ed has been working on converting the project over to the Arium development system, and that process is now completed. The shot collision algorithm has now been fully debugged. Ed is moving on to implementing the tunnel splits, and then on to implementing driving in the large open areas to be added to the game. HARDWARE: Still waiting for the GSP code for the new MultiSync board before being able to convert over to it. GRAPHICS: Will to be working on additional traffic(Carrier Van,Authority car, Transport Truck) and sparks !!!!!!!!!! Sam to be working on new tunnel sections( pieces under construction, some backgrounds to fit outside tunnel). Kris to be working on additional sub-station pieces and the intro lab room. MOST IMPORTANT: Have not yet recieved a priority list from R&D !!!!! From: MIKE::BORNN "SUZY-Q" 15-SEP-1988 16:08:57.58 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: WANTED *****WANTED***** I AM MOVING OUT OF STATE AND PLANNING ON TAKING MY FULL GROWN CAT. FIRST OF ALL, I NEED A VERI KENNEL [TRAVEL BOX]. IF ANYONE OUT THERE IN VAXLAND HAS ONE THEY WANT TO GIVE UP OR SELL REASONABLY, HERE'S YOUR BUYER. ALSO IF ANYONE HAS EXPERIENCED TRAVELING WITH A PET, I'M INTERESTED IN ANY FEEDBACK YOU MIGHT HAVE. THANKS IN ADVANCE, SUE ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::DAVE 15-SEP-1988 16:27:05.44 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: DON'T END UP LIKE ME SINCE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT (OF LUNGS, THAT IS) I WISH TO WARN EVERYONE: THE PEOPLE THAT PLAN WHEN MOVES OCCUR DON'T GIVE A S___ ABOUT YOUR HEALTH. WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR YOU TO MOVE (YOU KNOW IT'LL HAPPEN TO YOU AGAIN SOMEDAY) PUT UP A STINK (SORRY) WAY AHEAD OF TIME NOT TO BE MOVED IN FOR AT LEAST 3 WEEKS AFTER THE NEW AREA IS COMPLETE. OTHERWISE, YOU TOO CAN ENJOY CONGESTED LUNGS, RAW THROATS, AND THAT WONDERFUL TASTE OF CARPET ADHESIVE AND PAINT FUMES IN YOUR MOUTH. INSIST ON YOUR RIGHT TO HAVE THE CHEMICALS BAKED OUT OF THE AREA BEFORE YOU MOVE IN. WHAT REALLY MISTIFIES ME, IS WHAT THE RUSH WAS TO MOVE US? I SUSPECT IT WAS STRICTLY THE CONVENIENCE OF WHOEVER WAS MAKING THE SCHEDULE. (YES I MEANT MISTIFY, SINCE THATS WHAT I'M CURRENTLY BREATHING.) SINCERELY, AND I HOPE THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES ARE PAYING ATTENTION, DAVE "WHAT'S OSHA'S NUMBER?" SHERMAN ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::DAVE 15-SEP-1988 16:27:05.44 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: DON'T END UP LIKE ME SINCE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT (OF LUNGS, THAT IS) I WISH TO WARN EVERYONE: THE PEOPLE THAT PLAN WHEN MOVES OCCUR DON'T GIVE A S___ ABOUT YOUR HEALTH. WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR YOU TO MOVE (YOU KNOW IT'LL HAPPEN TO YOU AGAIN SOMEDAY) PUT UP A STINK (SORRY) WAY AHEAD OF TIME NOT TO BE MOVED IN FOR AT LEAST 3 WEEKS AFTER THE NEW AREA IS COMPLETE. OTHERWISE, YOU TOO CAN ENJOY CONGESTED LUNGS, RAW THROATS, AND THAT WONDERFUL TASTE OF CARPET ADHESIVE AND PAINT FUMES IN YOUR MOUTH. INSIST ON YOUR RIGHT TO HAVE THE CHEMICALS BAKED OUT OF THE AREA BEFORE YOU MOVE IN. WHAT REALLY MISTIFIES ME, IS WHAT THE RUSH WAS TO MOVE US? I SUSPECT IT WAS STRICTLY THE CONVENIENCE OF WHOEVER WAS MAKING THE SCHEDULE. (YES I MEANT MISTIFY, SINCE THATS WHAT I'M CURRENTLY BREATHING.) SINCERELY, AND I HOPE THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES ARE PAYING ATTENTION, DAVE "WHAT'S OSHA'S NUMBER?" SHERMAN ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::MORRIS 16-SEP-1988 12:21:45.23 To: @sys$mail:engineer CC: Subj: YANA - Yet Another New Assembler Yet another new assembler. I have received the latest and greatest (their words!) assembler from Intermetrics. They say there are no bugs in this version!! If you would like to use it you must do the following in your login.com: $ @gawd$sysdevice:[c68r5v0]cdefs.com ! setup new interc stuff Then to use the old assembler use: $ asm68 To use the new assembler use: $ asm68000 or $ asm68010 or $ asm68020 Which ever one better fits the processor you are using. If you try out this new assembler please report any bugs to me, thanks. Following is the online docs for the assembler: 1 ASM68 Assemble a 68000 (68010, 68020, 68881) program with the InterTools Cross Assembler. ASM6800 prog.68k [options] ASM68010 prog.68k [options] ASM68020 prog.68k [options] Output is a file of object text (prog.ol) and optional listing files. 2 Listing_options Fifteen switches control the listings generated by the assembler. 3 /A Generate source listing and show included source. 3 /G Generate global symbol table listing. 3 /L[=lfn] Specify the name of the listing file. The /L[=lfn] switch causes the listing to be written to file `lfn`. If lfn is omitted, write to source_file.lis. 3 /NOI Suppress listing of conditional assembly directives. 3 /NOMC Suppress listing of macro invocations. 3 /NOMD Suppress listing of macro definitions. 3 /MA Show all macro expansions. 3 /MG Show expansion of macro lines that generate object code. 3 /PG[=lines] Set lines-per-page to lines. If lines is omitted, suppress pagination. 3 /PS Show code generated for structured syntax. 3 /SO Generate source listing. 3 /SYM Generate symbol table listing. 3 /TR Trim comments from listing. 3 /UNL Show unassembled source. 3 /X Generate cross-reference listing on source_file.lis. 2 Include_Options Use these options to specify the directories in which the assembler will look for include files. 3 /I=(dir1[,dir2,...]) Define user include directory(ies). Up to 32 permitted. 3 /MI=mfn Pre-include file mfn into source stream. 3 /SY=(dir1[,dir2,...]) Define system include directory(ies). Up to 32 permitted. 2 Code_Generation_Options These switches are used to force PC-relative addressing or to specify the offset size of branches. These options mimic the assembler OPT directives. 3 /ABS Force absolute addressing. 3 /BRS Use 8-bit addressing for forward (undefined) branches. 3 /BRW Use 16-bit addressing for forward (undefined) branches. 3 /FRS Use short addressing for forward (undefined) references. 3 /PCO Force PC-relative addressing in absolute section. 3 /PCS Force PC-relative addressing in relocatable section. 2 Misc_Options 3 /DE Generate symbolic debugging information. The default is no symbolic debugging information. Symbol information can be displayed with the SYMLIST symbol list utility, and can be be read by the XDB symbolic debugger. 3 /E[=efn] Write all error messages to efn. If efn is omitted, suppress all messages. 3 /FO Fold all identifiers to upper case. 3 /O=ofn Write object module to file ofn. 3 /W[=n] Suppress warning messages of severity less than or equal to 'n' (default 10). 3 /V The /V switch causes the compiler to display a verification message at each phase of the compiler. @(#)m/r/c68kv/asm68.hlp 1.3 ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 16-SEP-1988 13:58:24.07 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: Intermetrics tools In response to Jim's previous mail message(s), I think you should be using one of the following logical names instead of GAWD$SYSDEVICE:[bla_bla]: $ @IM_OLDTOOLS:[COM]CDEFS !to use the previous version of ! the InterMetrics tools $ @IM_TOOLS:[COM]CDEFS !to use the current version $ @IM_NEWTOOLS:[COM]CDEFS !to use the newest version What will happen is IM_NEWTOOLS will always be set to point to the newest release of the Intermetrics tools. After sufficient testing of the tools, IM_TOOLS will be set to point to that version and IM_OLDTOOLS will be set to point to the previous version. You will be notified of any or all of these changes, and they are unlikely to occur more often than the lifetime of a game project. As an example, the current assignments are: IM_OLDTOOLS points to version 3.1 IM_TOOLS points to version 3.1 IM_NEWTOOLS points to version 5.0 If version 5 is accepted, the names will be changed to: IM_OLDTOOLS will point to version 3.1 IM_TOOLS will point to version 5.0 IM_NEWTOOLS will point to version 5.0 I recommend you NOT use physical device names (such as gawd$sysdevice) since they are subject to change. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DURFEY 16-SEP-1988 14:27:20.23 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Sailing How would you like to sail on a 100 foot antique sailing vessle for one half a day on the bay?? Cost is $30.00 including BBQ chicken lunch (bring your own drinks). Time is Sun, Sept. 25 from noon to 6:00 pm. Moored in China Basin, SFO. Coast Guard Zero Tolerance enforced (no drugs). For further info contact Cyndy Petroka at 433-5240. Need to reserve your place by Sept. 23. (Cyndy used to work at Atari a few years ago) ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 16-SEP-1988 20:50:10.95 To: @sys$mail:everybody,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: U say U cain't spel? Me either... This is for EDT and TPU users; WMC users will not find this utility of any value. During the printer room shuffle I found a program that I believe was left behind by the consumer group. It's a spelling checker/corrector from DEC. I installed it on all the systems today. It seems to be kind of neat. It's a lot better than Webster and the Unix spelling checkers. The only pain might be the editor. It only allows you to edit one line of text. To use it type: $ SPELL/KEY=EDT filename I think you'll want the /KEY=EDT otherwise it defaults to a WPS keypad for editing and it's anybody's guess what that is. The first time it runs, it'll ask if you want a personal dictionary created (defaults to yes). I recommend it. It then displays your file in a window with the questioned words highlighted. The word highlighted the brightest is the one it is currently asking about. In the lower window it displays a list of words that it thinks you meant (if any). Use the left/right arrow keys to select the correct word and type return to select it. All the words in the file matching the questioned word will be corrected (if the global replace option is in effect). You may also use the up/down arrow to switch to the other options line and either type the first letter of the command and return or use the arrow keys and return to select the option. Your personal dictionary is an ASCII file located in your home directory (SYS$LOGIN:PERSONAL.LGP) and you can edit it and add words of your choosing. You may also have multiple dictionaries or none. The command line options: /NOPERSONAL !selects no personal dictionary /PERSONAL=file !selects file other that PERSONAL.LGP /DICT=(file[,...]) !selects multiple dictionaries /OUTPUT=file !gives a new name to output file ! the default is the same name as the input /NOOUTPUT !if you don't want an output file. ! you can still add words to your ! personal dictionary though The only syntax requirement for dictionary files is that there be spaces or new-lines separating the words in the file. Words may appear in any order. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::OHARA "gems - faster then a speeding pullet" 19-SEP-1988 08:48:11.01 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,OHARA CC: Subj: Phone List New phone lists are now available from my office, they are dated 15-SEP-1988. There have been a lot of changes and additions in the past month so I suggest you make the effort to get one. Also the format has changed slightly, it is now two sided with Atari Games phone list on one side and Tengen, AOI, and Offsite numbers on the back. This was forced by our recent expansion but has the added benefit of allowing me to include miscellaneous numbers such as the credit union, etc. As always fone or find functions still work. Finally, let me take the opportunity to thank Jeff Bell without whom the list would not exist in the formats available now. However, he does not maintain the list, so give all changes, additions, and deletions to me via OHARA, x3746 or leave a message with Steph. thank you, gems ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DOWNEND 23-SEP-1988 17:09:31.47 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: SAC Audio PC Board Cost Based on Data in the cost accounting system (MANMAN), Here is some Cost data on the SAC Audio PCB: Cost w/o EPROM'S: $118.56 (5) 27512's: 30.00 ------- Total: 148.56 This is based on the initial Cyberball release quantiyi (oops) quantity of 350 PC boards. It includes some very good prices though: - 4-layer PCB @ $24.00 or $.288 per sq. inch (10.75x7.75 inches) - 68000, plastic, 8 MHZ @ $3.40 - 8k x 8 100nS SRAMs @ 3.55 - (14) esoteric caps in the filter @ $10.00 total (Thanks, Erwin) - Yamaha chip set (YM3012 & YM2151) @ $33.86 total I have detailed printouts for anyone that is interested. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::MCCARTHY 23-SEP-1988 19:11:30.15 To: @sys$mail:hardware,MCCARTHY CC: Subj: Another meeting It is time to have another meeting of hardware people. Rich Moore, John Ray and Chris Downend have agreed of come and discuss some long term issues. How about this Wednesday (9-28) at 2.00 pm. Agenda is more or less the same as the last time. The topics are still current. Agenda : planned deactivation of components from the avl Industry RAM shortage. Stamp hardware integration (MOB et al.) forum. Any other business. Classes. Matrix of hardwares. Pat. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 25-SEP-1988 16:58:59.33 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: The new color plotter I finally got the damn device driver and print symbiont working for the color printer. I can't recommend writing VMS device drivers and symbionts as a recreational activity. Anyhow, it's quite simple to use. You might want to define a word to short cut it even further: $ PRINT/QUE=TEK filename.type The system will assume a .LIS filetype (sorry, can't make it not do that) and Dave Theurer's TEK writer program(s) create files with null filetypes so you will typically have to suffix a period (.) to your filename. The only qualifiers on the print command that do anything are the /QUE and /NOTIFY. All the others (such as /HEAD/FLAG/BURST etc) are accepted but ignored. If you use /NOTIFY, the system will beep your terminal when it has finished sending the file to the printer but before the printer has imaged and printed your picture (it'll probably be done doing those by the time you get to the printer room). If there's an error either in the file or with the transfer of the file to the printer or with the printer itself you will be notified ONLY if you use the /NOTIFY switch on the PRINT command. If you don't use /NOTIFY and there is an error, the system will not tell you and it will simply toss your picture into the bit bucket. I recommend you always use /NOTIFY. There are 3 errors that may be reported: 1) %SYSTEM-F-DEVOFFLINE, Device not available... which means the printer is not plugged in and/or turned on. 2) %RMS-F-ILLREC, Illegal record type which means the file preamble is incorrect. See Dave Theurer if you get this error. The Tektronix printer requires a specially formatted file with several thousand bytes of information about how to format the picture, how the colors are defined etc. You can only print files that have been correctly formatted. If there is an error in the format, the system will return this error. 3) %SYSTEM-F-DEVCMDERR, Device command error which means the printer generated a fault condition. This may be due to bad data in the file, various timeouts or the printer ran out of paper or ribbon. There may be a bunch of other errors generated by the job controller, symbiont routines, run time library and others that just haven't popped up yet. If you get any of these, let me know. Now a word about the printer. The Tektronix printer appeared to be the best of all the color printers that were available within a $10k budget. It still appears that way, however, it does require some TLC. I believe you may need to clean the heads after printing around a dozen pages or so. The cleaning procedure is very easy, not the least bit messy, takes only about 30 seconds and can make all the difference in the world on the clarity of your print. If your picture appears a little fuzzy or has blotches in it, then the heads need cleaning. Come see me if you want to learn how to clean it. We haven't measured it yet, but have been told that it costs about 35 cents to print a picture. So please be reasonable about how many pictures you print. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 25-SEP-1988 16:58:59.33 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: The new color plotter I finally got the damn device driver and print symbiont working for the color printer. I can't recommend writing VMS device drivers and symbionts as a recreational activity. Anyhow, it's quite simple to use. You might want to define a word to short cut it even further: $ PRINT/QUE=TEK filename.type The system will assume a .LIS filetype (sorry, can't make it not do that) and Dave Theurer's TEK writer program(s) create files with null filetypes so you will typically have to suffix a period (.) to your filename. The only qualifiers on the print command that do anything are the /QUE and /NOTIFY. All the others (such as /HEAD/FLAG/BURST etc) are accepted but ignored. If you use /NOTIFY, the system will beep your terminal when it has finished sending the file to the printer but before the printer has imaged and printed your picture (it'll probably be done doing those by the time you get to the printer room). If there's an error either in the file or with the transfer of the file to the printer or with the printer itself you will be notified ONLY if you use the /NOTIFY switch on the PRINT command. If you don't use /NOTIFY and there is an error, the system will not tell you and it will simply toss your picture into the bit bucket. I recommend you always use /NOTIFY. There are 3 errors that may be reported: 1) %SYSTEM-F-DEVOFFLINE, Device not available... which means the printer is not plugged in and/or turned on. 2) %RMS-F-ILLREC, Illegal record type which means the file preamble is incorrect. See Dave Theurer if you get this error. The Tektronix printer requires a specially formatted file with several thousand bytes of information about how to format the picture, how the colors are defined etc. You can only print files that have been correctly formatted. If there is an error in the format, the system will return this error. 3) %SYSTEM-F-DEVCMDERR, Device command error which means the printer generated a fault condition. This may be due to bad data in the file, various timeouts or the printer ran out of paper or ribbon. There may be a bunch of other errors generated by the job controller, symbiont routines, run time library and others that just haven't popped up yet. If you get any of these, let me know. Now a word about the printer. The Tektronix printer appeared to be the best of all the color printers that were available within a $10k budget. It still appears that way, however, it does require some TLC. I believe you may need to clean the heads after printing around a dozen pages or so. The cleaning procedure is very easy, not the least bit messy, takes only about 30 seconds and can make all the difference in the world on the clarity of your print. If your picture appears a little fuzzy or has blotches in it, then the heads need cleaning. Come see me if you want to learn how to clean it. We haven't measured it yet, but have been told that it costs about 35 cents to print a picture. So please be reasonable about how many pictures you print. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::BENZLER 27-SEP-1988 12:32:59.13 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,BENZLER CC: Subj: Name That Game!!! Why "Hard Drivin'?" We are looking for alternative names for Hard Drivin' and would like your input. So this is your chance to be creative or at least cast a vote for your favorite name. (Now, Ms. Mott, we know that as a former computer systems specialist you may have ways to stuff the ballot box in favor of your name choice, but we'll trust you to try and remain impartial.) The following is a list of names that have been suggested for the Moncrief group's driving simulator game. Take a few moments of creative energy and try to add new alternatives to this list or just vote for your favorite. Send your reply to this address. Thanks a lot! --Linda Hard Drivin' Slipstream Heavy Pedal Crash N' Burn Motor Mania Pocket Rocket Bondurant Sears Point Saleen Cobra Lean Mean Driving Machine 'Stang Mustang Sally Radical Rider Racing Madness Replay Simu-drive Ferrari Contash 'Vette Cobra Spin Out Free Wheelin' Lead Foot Flat Out!! Haulin' Eh? NO 55 (circle/slash) Can't Drive 55 Clutch Poppin' Gear Grindin' Drivin' Stunt Racer Real Drivin' Hot Racer Off Road Suicide ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::BENZLER 27-SEP-1988 14:27:17.20 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,BENZLER CC: Subj: Name That Game!!! Wow! Great response so far. Keep those votes coming in!!! Here's a few more new ideas for your consideration: Wipe Out Floor it! Wheels of Death Over Drive Cool Rider Double Clutchin' Stunt Car Cross Country Stunt Man Autobahn Stunt Driver Own the Road Stunt Trainer Cherry Stuntulator R.P.M. Simu-Stunt Road Test Super Challenge Driving Road Hog Head On Test Driver And more! --Linda ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 27-SEP-1988 14:44:46.36 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: Symbols? We don't need no stinking symbols... I just released v2.6 of LLF. There are a few minor modifications to the source code to correct compile time problems for C68k and Xenix. These changes were mostly confined inside conditionals, but some were not. The one other change was the addition of an feature to exclude symbols from the output file. To use this feature, you'll need an option file. Stick the word NOSYMBOL (can be abbreviated) between the FILE or LIBRARY command and the open paren. For example: FILE NOSYM ( fred ) will exclude symbols defined in fred from the output file. If you use this on a LIBRARY command, then all symbols defined by all the files extracted from the library will be excluded from the output file. If, on the command line, you don't specify a /SYM or do specify a /REL, then the NOSYMBOL option is ignored. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DOWNEND 28-SEP-1988 10:08:47.35 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: SCOM IC Class As you may know most of our games use the SCOM serial communications chip as the interface between the main game PCB and the SA or SAC audio PCB's. We are going to have a class on SCOM. The goal is to give you what you need to: 1) comfortably design SCOM into your design. 2) write your own SCOM driver and talk to a SA or SAC audio PCB. 3) use the existing utility software package and its SA/SAC audio PCB handler. Gary Stempler will describe SCOM internal operation, interfacing, and operating characteristics. Rusty Dawe will describe how the RPM sound driver program on the SA/SAC PCB uses the SCOM chip including error handling and do's and do'nts for the programmer. Mike Albuagh will describe how the Utility Software code handles sound-related calls and how it interfaces with RPM on the sound PCB. MEETING: SCOM CLASS WHEN: FRIDAY, 9/30/88 @ 11:00 AM WHERE: Central Conference Room ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::THEURER 28-SEP-1988 14:18:17.73 To: @SYS$MAIL:ANIMATORS,@SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,THEURER CC: Subj: Easier Color Printing Thanks to a LOT of extra work by Dave Shepperd you can now print directly to the Tektronix color printer from the VAX. The printing program has been updated to automatically print your file after it is generated. The updated documentation for printing a RAD or PIF file is located in [theurer.cop.tek]tek.doc Dave T...... ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::BENZLER 29-SEP-1988 11:49:48.43 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,BENZLER CC: Subj: Name That Game Wow! There are too many of you to thank individually, so... Thanks to all of you who responded and especially to those who added to the list of alternative names for Hard Drivin'. I will be compiling a complete list of all suggestions and will review them all with the engineering team and the marketing/sales group this week. Just FYI, there were many votes to keep Hard Drivin' and, as for new suggestions, Crash N' Burn and Stunt Racer seem to be the most popular. Thanks again! --Linda ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::BRAD 30-SEP-1988 16:37:04.30 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,BRAD CC: Subj: R E M I N D E R If, for some reason, you haven't seen the posters around the building we are starting a BIBLE STUDY every thursday from 12pm to 1pm in the Central Conference Room starting October 6. We are starting off with a self study series designed to give a broad survey of Christianity using easy to follow booklets. Booklets may be obtained from Chris Downend (x1719). * MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDAR * Hope to see you then! - brad - ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 3-OCT-1988 14:02:38.85 To: BERT::BENZLER,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: RE: Name That Game You forgot "Street Legal" . Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SNYDER 5-OCT-1988 10:57:21.82 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: growth motion objects GROWTH MOTION OBJECT HARDWARE REQUESTS Engineering Conference Room Thursday, October 6, 1988 at 2 PM Many people have expressed their interest in using the new growth motion object hardware. At this time, Quest is the only implementation of that hardware. The Quest hardware has a horizontally scrolling playfield of 64x30 stamps that is visible in a 32x30 window on the left hand edge of the screen. On the right hand edge of the screen is a 10x30 strip of alphanumerics. Each scan line of the scrolling playfield has its own HSCROLL value. Both playfield and alpha pictures have one word specifiers. Overlayed above the playfield, are the growth motion objects. The interface to the programmer is very similar to that used in other hardwares except that 2 new parameters (MOSIZE and MOPRI) have been added to specify the size and video priority of each object. These motion objects are built up in two 8-bit deep frame buffer that can be swapped every 1, 2, or 3 frames. Each frame, about 1 1/2 screens of motion objects can be drawn in the frame buffers. Quest will soon start PCB layout, so if anyone has requests or ideas about additions or features to add to the current board, please attend the meeting at the time and place given above. Since technician and engineering time is at a premium now, if your suggestions or ideas are not heard from at this time, it may significantly delay when these new features were available on a working hardware. Thank You, Doug Snyder ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::BOHANNON "Steph" 5-OCT-1988 11:18:23.38 To: MARGOLIN CC: Subj: message Hi Jed! Could you stop by my cubicle sometime after 1 this afternoon. I'd like you to choose your ten year service award so I can place the order. Thank You Yvette (x5850) ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::MCCARTHY 5-OCT-1988 11:59:22.91 To: @sys$mail:hardware,MCCARTHY CC: Subj: Hardware meeting notes. Notes from Hardware meeting on 9/28/88 Attendees : Albaugh, Arvidson, Downend, Hoff, Ly, Mc Carthy, Mc Namara, Meyette, Moncrief, Moore, Ray, Snyder, Stempler. The original of this document will reside (for a few months) at KIM$USERDISK:[MCCARTHY.HARDWARE]hdw92888.mtg Summary of discussions: . Glenn Mc Namara was welcomed as a new Tech. Assoc. for Johns team. Mike Huy Nguyen is a new engineer working on system 3-D with Morgan et al. A new engineer (Ted ???) will be starting in a couple of weeks in Johns team. We still have two open requisitions for techs or tech associates, one each for Chris's and Rich's team. . Components: Rick Meyette and Erwin Arvidson gave an account of what is happening with the deactivation of some of the older components. Thanks, guys, for coming by. If you need to re-activate a component call components, or give them a CER. RAM IC availability is still a problem. Current pricing for static RAMs is about $3.60 - $6.00 for 8Kx8 (depending on how soon you want them and what speed you need) and around $12 for 32Kx8. Erwin was asked to source 32Kx8 parts as they will be used on ESCAPE... VRAMs and DRAMs are major problems for those using them. If anyone can summarize either the current V/DRAM or Static RAM situation with pricing information, please VAXMAIL it to me or sys$mail:hardware. Rich Moncrief expressed concern at the lack of central information about components and component costs using either AVL or DATATRIEVE. Rick Meyette suggested that the TR card program that they are working on may help that situation. . Planning. The rest of the meeting was devoted to long term planning and discussion of hardware issues. Most people expressed a general lack of strategic planning, coordination, direction, communication, and/or goals. Rich, Chris and John indicated that in finding a solution to these problems they had no desire to dictate, but would rather let the Engineers define the direction to go. They suggested four main areas that could be defined as long term goals. These were : Common hardware chip set Standardization Cost reduction New design innovation Analysis of Competitor products was added by Rick Moncrief as a valuable exercise. John Ray suggested a coordinated monthly meeting as a valuable communications exercise. Rick Moncrief suggests that as a group we have the talent to do the best, lowest cost hardware of any of our competitors, then asks what will we have a year from now. A strategic planning session was set up for 10.00am on Thursday, with Rich Moore, John Ray, Chris Downend, Pat Mc Carthy, Gary Stempler, Doug Snyder and Rick Moncrief attending. Lyle Rains joined in the discussion towards the end. Some notes from this meeting : It was stated that the current target is for 8-10 new game start-ups in the coming year. The existing hardwares were stated as : Driver, 3-D, Romalot, Qdeck/War, Cyberball, Tetris, Growth-Motion, though Romalot, Qdeck/War, Cyberball and Tetris were closely related to each other. . Chip-set / cost-reduction / standardization. A Common hardware chip set leads to both Standardization and Cost reduction. The STAMP chip set was stated as the basis of a high quality $100 stamp type hardware. The VAD chip is expected to save $10, the Shifter chip $5-$8 depending on what extra hardware features were required. Doug expressed interest in a doing a Priority Chip with many applications. Continued use of stamp type hardware for a significant portion of our products is expected. This makes a cost effective stamp chip set a very desirable asset. . Innovation. New design innovation was required to provide growth opportunity. Current or new innovative hardware ideas are: Driver (Moncrief et al). System 3-D (Hoff et al). Growth Motion (Snyder). Growth and rotate (new suggestion). Ala Assault. Bit Map (new suggestion). Possible a TMS34010 and a TWIG, or some other low cost bit map system. Some new innovative hardwares should be developed in advance before a game project and programmer is assigned. Doug demonstrated the value of this with his Growth Motion Object hardware. . Analysis of Competitor products: Doug, Gary and Rick agreed to cost out some of our competitors hardwares. The general feeling was that our competitors have no significant electronics cost advantage over us for equally capable hardwares. The main difference between competitor games and our games was the quantity of memory, (program and graphics). We appear to use twice as much memory. . Support: The main requirements for support at the moment are in AUDIO hardware and an ASAP development system. The S.A. Audio board did the job it was required to do i.e. separate Audio technical advances from Project schedules and provide a common standard audio configuration. The SAC audio board on the other hand is far to expensive for what it does. Until someone can come up with a more effective way to do what we want in terms of generating audio there will probably be little on no hardware effort put into audio. We can try to cost reduce both the S.A. board and the SAC board but that is not the most effective use of a Hardware engineers time at the moment. Rick suggested that the ELSIE chip may be a solution. That is an Analog devices 2100 DSP packaged with RAM, ROM, TIMER and Serial port all in one chip, available sometime nest year. Doug suggested that the ASAP chip may also provide a solution. Lyle suggested that an ASAP development system was a high priority as no development on the ASAP chip (expected early next year) could be done until one was available. Doug, Pat and Gary agreed to get together soon to work out some of the fundamental issues. Current plans expressed by the engineers are :- Pat : Incorporate MOB into Romalot, (MOBALOT) Design the VAD chip, Work on ASAP development system. Doug : Continue development on Growth Motion object Convert Growth MO hardware to use ASAP when available Work on ASAP development system. Gary : Continue War/Qdeck Possibly look at a new Growth/Rotation method. Work on ASAP development system. Thank you for reading this far. Comments and discussion on all of the above are welcomed. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::BRAD 5-OCT-1988 17:53:08.33 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK,BRAD CC: Subj: Don't Forget! Bible Study starts tomorrow in the Central Conference room from 12:00 to 1:00. If you don't already have your booklet you can pick one up tomorrow at the first meeting. See ya then! - brad - ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DOWNEND 7-OCT-1988 12:29:39.92 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER, GROSSMAN, BJORKQUIST CC: Subj: Buying prototype material in excess of $50.00 As in the past, we can put through a check request to get a check cut to buy items in the $50-$500 range. Here is the new part: Checks will be issued Wednesday mornings for check requests received by Cyndy up to the previous Monday. This means you have to plan ahead (horrors) up to one week. Worst case: If you turn in a check request Tuesday afternoon, you will get your check 8 days later. Best case: If you turn in your check request Monday afternoon, you will get your check 2 days later. If you are asking Karen to get something for you, be sure to give her time to find out what it costs too. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 7-OCT-1988 17:46:23.84 To: @DISTR.LIS,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: Sega Space Harrier PC Board Costs At Rick's request I have done an estimate of the PC Board costs for Sega's Space Harrier. Where possible, prices are taken from Downend memo, 4 Oct 88, P.O.W analysis. Not having a board set to examine, I have made a lot of guesses. Assumes maximum amount of memory. CPU Board ICS $121 PC Board @$0.35/sq. in. 8x10??? $ 28 ---- $149 ROM Board: ICs $102 PC Board @$0.35/sq. in. 4x10??? $ 14 ---- $116 Sound Board ICs $ 90 PC Board @$0.35/sq. in. 8x10??? $ 28 ---- $118 Control Board ICs $132 PC Board @$0.35/sq. in. 8x10??? $ 28 ---- $160 Grand Total for CPU Board, ROM Board, Sound Board, and Control Board: $543 CPU Board --------- 68000-6 2 $3.50 $7.00 27256 19 $3.00 $57.00 8Kx8 SRAM, 150 ns 4 $3.50 $14.00 2Kx8 SRAM, 120 ns 2 $2.00 $4.00 Custom (PALs?): 315-5025 (CPU, Sheet 4, 9S) 1 $1.25 $1.25 Misc: 8255-2 PIA 2 $4.00 $4.00 25 MHz Osc Module 1 $2.50 $2.50 Reset IC at 5B? 1 $2.00 $2.00 ADC0804 8 bit A/D 1 $1.00 $1.00 4051 Analog Mux 1 $ .50 $ .50 TLP521 Quad Opto-Coupler 4 $0.50 $2.00 VLN2003 Quad Trans. array 5 $0.50 $2.50 8 Position DIP Switch 2 $0.40 $0.80 ToTaL TTL: 52 $0.30 $15.60 Connectors: Yamaichi Type Conn., 50 pin 3 $1 $3 Yamaichi Type Conn., 34 pin 1 $1 $1 AMP Type Conn, 10 pin 1 $1 $1 AMP Conn., 50 pin 1 $1 $1 AMP Conn., 26 pin 1 $1 $1 ------ Total $121 ================================================================================ ROM Board: --------- 27256/27128/2764/64k SRAM 32 $3.00 $96.00 82S153, PROM? 1 $2.00 $2.00 ToTal TTL: 6 $0.30 $1.80 Yamaichi conn, 40 pin 2 $1 $2.00 AMP conn, 10 pin 1 $1 $1.00 ------ $102.80 Sound Board ----------- Z80A 1 $3.00 $3.00 27128 4 $3.00 $12.00 2KX8 SRAM 3 $2.00 $6.00 82S153, 256x8 PROM 1 $2.00 $2.00 16 MHz Oscillator Module 1 $2.50 $2.50 Audio: TL497A 1 $2.00 $2.00 AD561, (DAC1022) 10 Bit D/A 1 $5.00 $5.00 4066, Analog Switch 1 $0.30 $0.30 MF6, Switched Capacitor Filters 2 $2.00 $4.00 YM2203, YM3014 Yamaha Chip Set 1 $34.00 $34.00 TL084 1 $0.50 $0.50 Connectors: Molex Conn, 6 pin 1 $1 $1 Connector, 34 Pin 1 $1 $1 Connector, 10 pin 1 $1 $1 ToTaL TTL: 52 $0.30 15.60 ------- Total $89.90 Control Board ------------- Custom or unknown: 315-5049 custom, 64 pins 2 $12.00 $24.00 315-5119 (Sheet 1, 6S) 1 $2.00 $2.00 315-5025 (Sheet 3, 4N) 6 $2.00 $12.00 315-5012 (Sheet 4, 910E) 1 $2.00 $2.00 315-5120 (Sheet 4, 9F) 1 $2.00 $2.00 315-5118 (Sheet 6, 3R) 1 $2.00 $2.00 Z80 1 $3.00 $3.00 27128 6 $3.00 $18.00 2764 1 $2.00 $2.00 8Kx8 SRAM, 150 ns 2 $3.50 $7.00 2Kx8 SRAM, 120 ns 6 $2.00 $12.00 1Kx4 SRAM, 55ns 3 $2.50 $7.50 PAL16R4 1 $1.25 $1.25 PAL16R6 3 $1.25 $3.75 ToTaL TTL: 98 $0.30 28.40 Connectors: Yamaichi conn, 40 Pin 2 $1 $2 Yamiaich conn, 50 pin 3 $1 $3 ------ $131.90 ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::THEURER 10-OCT-1988 17:10:27.50 To: @SYS$MAIL:ANIMATORS,@SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: RAD file manipulations [theurer.pps]radmod.doc : Description of radmod program. (10/10/88) There's a new program that does those things to rad files that you've always wanted to do. RAD file operations: > double or halve each cell in H or V direction > flip each cell around H or V axis > rotate each cell 90,180,270 or n degrees > scale each cell specified percentage in H and V directions RAD file analysis: > display pixel values in hex on the screen > tabulate palette usage for each cell & put results in a list file. > tabulate pixel usage for each cell & put results in a list file. To execute program: $ run [theurer.pps]radmod and answer all the questions Notes: > No picture information is lost when cells are rotated or scaled. The cell is automatically made bigger to hold the picture if necessary. If the cells are changed in size, then they will probably be rearranged on the rad page. > This is a new program and may have a bug or two. So if you use it and it does something weird, please save the file & write down what you did. > It does the operation specified to ALL the cells in the file. > It creates a new file with only the cell and palette information from the original file. It doesn't copy any funny stuff you might have on your pages that's not in a cell. And it doesn't copy over animation parameters. > It's fast. > If you want it to do more, lemme know. From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 11-OCT-1988 17:20:50.89 To: @sys$mail:engineer,@sys$mail:animators,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: Color printer probs. There appears to be a bug in the color printer device driver for the VAX. It will crash the system (BERT) sometimes for some reason, especially if more than 1 file is qued up. I suspect it is due to the driver spending too much time in kernel mode at an elevated priority which may be causing some ethernet traffic data overruns. So until I can figure out how to fix it, I've put a band-aid on it by forcing a time delay of 4 minutes between prints. It seems to take nearly that long to make a print anyway, so you may not notice a difference except your terminal won't be beeped until the timeout has lapsed. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::ROTBERG "Professor of Gonzo" 12-OCT-1988 10:26:49.91 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Observations on life... "The great tragedy of my life is that in my search for the Holy Grail everyone calls True Love, I see myself as Zorro, a romantic and mysterious highwayman -- and the women I desire see me as Porky Pig." Harlan Ellison (from "Grail", 1981) ah-d'bee, ah-d'bee, ah-d'bee That's All Folks.... - The Gonz - ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::BOHANNON "Steph" 14-OCT-1988 16:28:16.38 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: "RULES & REGS" TO ALL EMPLOYEES: BECAUSE WE ARE HAVING DIFFICULTIES KEEPING UP WITH OUR SCHLADGE CARDS, SPECIFICALLY THOSE ADSSIGNED TO CONTRACTORS, EFFECTIVE MONDAY OCT. 17TH EVERYONE WILL BE REQUIRED TO CARRY THERE SCHLADGE CARDS WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES. IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THE DOOR. IF YOU FORGOT YOURS YOU WILL HAVE TO GET A DUMMY CARD FROM YOUR DEPARTMENTS SECRETARY, IF YOU'VE LOST YOURS PLEASE REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY TO SANDY BROWN WITHOUT DELAY. ABSOLUTLY NO CONTRACTOR BADGES WILL BE GIVEN TO ANYONE ACCEPT CONTRACTORS, SO PLEASE DON'T ASK FOR ONE. IF YOU ARE A TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE TALK WITH SANDY BROWN ABOUT GETTING A TEMP SCHLADGE. THIS IS NECESSARY TO KEEP OUR SECURITY SYSTEM EFFECTIVE. THANK YOU, HUMAN RESOURCES ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::HOFF 14-OCT-1988 16:49:00.41 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: IKOS simulation accelerator The IKOS simulatom accelerator arrived Oct 3. has been installed and, to the best of my knowledge, is working. The unit is a general purpose digital simulation accelerator which, if one has or makes the conversion libraries, can work with gate array and standard cell libraries from VTI, LSI Logic, Fujitsu, Gould/AMI, National Semiconductor, Mitsubishi, NCR, NEC, OKI, Toshiba, Texas Instruments, Thomson-Mostek, Intel ... It expects a Futurenet net list. We have software from IKOS to convert VTI .fns and .hns to this format and we have the IKOS software to use these VTI libraries: VSC100, VGT100. Use with other libraries requires that one buy or build the files required to describe the timing and interconnect of the target library. Dave, Sam and I took a 2 day introductory course at IKOS on Oct. 10,11 and now know how to get started. The unit is in the CAD lab just off the System 3D lab area. Expected first use will be Sam determining the vector coverage of the GOBOT test. Second use is expected to be by Dave on the Clippy chip or on the diagnosis of the Zippy. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SUTTLES "Talk data to me..." 14-OCT-1988 17:15:40.92 To: @sys$mail:junk,SUTTLES CC: Subj: "Rules & Regs" continued There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that we will be putting Schlage controllers on the restrooms by Monday. We don't have enough sensors on hand to do this, nor do I have the time to install them. sas ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::BRAD 17-OCT-1988 13:01:38.95 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER,BRAD CC: Subj: CUSTOMIZED TO DO lists available Custom designed 'TO DO' lists are available for photo-copying. FEATURES consist of: * CUSTOM Monday thru Friday (2 days per page) on 8.5 x 11 paper (suitable for 3-hole punch) * Hours calibrated on the half hour from 8am to 8pm. * PRIORITY A task area (things that are urgent) and PRIORITY B task area (things that are not so urgent) with task duration. * PHONE/SEE/E-MAIL area * NOTES area. * Seperate PROJECTS area for that week. Stop by my office to see a working example. - brad - x3788 ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 18-OCT-1988 10:30:02.25 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: A new DOWND I came to my attention a couple days ago that the /SYMBOL and /NOSYMBOL options in DOWND didn't work quite right, so I think I've fixed it (again). The options can now be used in a .DLC file and/or on the command line, however, the command line overrides any used in a .DLC file. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::BELL "Component Engineering - Ext 1750" 20-OCT-1988 17:29:36.99 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: Checking Assembly Parts Lists Assembly Parts Lists created on node BERT with Wordmark-Composer may now be validated against the Approved Vendors List as well as the Document Control Cardfile. The user will receive a report via VAXMAIL containing a summary of all un-resolved entries found. To invoke this utility: 1) Log in to node BERT using your own account. 2) At the VAX system prompt ($) type: @ATARI$AVL:CHECKLIST 3) Follow the prompts to enter the Parts-List Filename (no extension is required (example, 'A0123456-01' not A0123456-01.WM')). If the Parts-List is not found in the directory [GRAHAM.TERRI.PARTSLIST], CHECKLIST will prompt you to enter another directory-name where the file may be found. 4) When you receive a 'New Mail' prompt, enter your mail and examine the report. You may print or file the report as you would any normal VAXMAIL message. Short cuts - You can define a word in your LOGIN.COM file to invoke CHECKLIST (i.e. $CHECK :==@ATARI$AVL:CHECKLIST ) You can enter the file specification on the same line as the CHECKLIST command (i.e. @ATARI$AVL:CHECKLIST A0123456-01) ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::WOOD 21-OCT-1988 11:22:58.57 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: Atari Games launches new subsidiary--Tengen Japan Atari Games Corporation has formed a new subsidiary company called Tengen Japan which will design and develop consumer entertainment software for home game and computer systems as well as coin-operated video games. The company is an extension of the U. S. based software company, Tengen Inc., which was established in December of 1987 and currently is developing and marketing video games for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Tengen Japan will be based in Tokyo and headed by Kazuo Matsunaga, President, who has a broad base of experience in research and development for entertainment products, as he most recently was responsible for the engineering R&D efforts at Namco Limited. Tengen Japan is located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Tengen Inc. and Tengen Japan are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Atari Games Corporation, a California-based company that prioneered the video game industry. Since its inception in 1972, Atari Games has produced over 150 video games and currently has the largest R&D staff in the United States. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::RAY 24-OCT-1988 17:02:08.64 To: @SYS$MAIL:HARDWARE,RAY CC: Subj: Hardware Meeting 10/17/88 Notes Hardware Meeting 10/17/88 J.Ray 10/24/88 Attendees: Chris Downend, Tim Hubberstey, Pat McCarthy, Rick Moncrief, Rich Moore, John Ray, Doug Snyder, Gary Stempler. Sorry for the late posting of these notes. Tim Hubberstey was introduced as a new hardware engineer for NU Team. It was reported that Doug, Pat, and Gary had done some initial planning for the ASAP development system. It is planned to be based upon a PC clone with one or two additional custom boards external to the PC. Gary is working on a new audio board called SAD. Doug determined that the priority chip will not save him any money in his growth motion object hardware, so he will pass on designing it. Three tasks were given to Tim: 1. Priority chip (for MOB and other hardware systems). Tim will start by getting up to speed on the MOB chip set and the VTI tools. 2. Help with ASAP development system. Doug will farm out portions of the system to Tim in 2-4 weeks. Tim will start by getting up to speed on the ASAP chip. 3. Rotate hardware investigation. Gary and Tim will both look at competitor's rotation hardware and propose concepts for an Atari rotation hardware. Please let me know of any additions or corrections. Thanks!! John ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::HOFF 25-OCT-1988 12:26:32.98 To: @SYS$MAIL:HARDWARE CC: Subj: IKOS Accelerator For the DOS ignorant (like myself): Along with the IKOS manuals there is a now DOS reference guide to help people using the AT based IKOS system. The book is in the CAD lab: "DOS QueCards" from QUE. Morgan ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::WOOD 26-OCT-1988 10:33:21.33 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: Satish Bhutani resigns from Atari For everybody's information, the following is the press release that was issued yesterday regarding the resignation of Satish Bhutani: Satish Bhutani, Vice President of Sales, resigned from Atari Games Corporation today for personal reasons. Satish will remain with the company through the end of October. Shane Breaks, Vice President of International Sales, will substitute for Satish and will fill the vacant position for the time being. "We are sorry to see Satish resign his post. We will miss him." commented Hide Nakajima, President of Atari Games. To date, a permanent replacement for the position of Vice President of Sales for Atari has not been announced. Shane Breaks, Vice President of International Sales, Jim Newlander, Regional Sales Manager, and Elaine Shirley, Customer Service Manager, are available to handle all sales inquiries for Atari Games. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::JACKIE 26-OCT-1988 16:51:29.77 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: FAREWELL TO GREG RICE AS YOU ALL KNOW, GREG RICE IS LEAVING ATARI AND HIS LAST DAY IS FRIDAY. WE WILL BE SENDING HIM OFF AT EL TORITO'S ON THURSDAY EVENING AFTER WORK PLEASE COME BY TO SAY GOODBYE AND WISH HIM LUCK, CUZ HE'LL NEED IT! JACKIE ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::SHEPPERD 26-OCT-1988 20:20:51.70 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: YAPP - yet another pre-processor I did a Macro PreProcessor for Mike to use as a front end to AS68K until MAC68K is up and running. It is essentially MAC65 with 40% of its guts cut out. It occurs to me that it might be useful for other things. The first thing I thought of was to have it generate the initialiser code for a large array of structures in one of my C modules. For example, the C source currently looks something like this: struct whatever name[] = { { init,init,init,etc...}, { init,init,init,etc...}, etc... }; where struct whatever is a rather large structure with (in my case) 13 items. I found it rather a pain to code it up and especially a pain to change the struct. The C macros are no help since one cannot apply defaults, skip arguments or make any decisions about any argument. The source code before sending it through MACPP would look like: .macro init opt=0,def=1,value=0,name="some_string",comma=1 .if ne,comma { opt,def,value,name }, .iif { opt,def,value,name } .endc struct whatever name[] = { init value=100,name="this string" init opt=2,def=8 init init name="some other string" init value=99,comma=0 }; The default values (strings actually) for each item are placed on the macro definition after an equal sign behind its cooresponding keyword. The macro is called with arguments specified by keyword for only those arguments that are relevant. This makes it a whole lot easier to read and maintain. Since MACPP was really meant for an assembly language source code, there'll be cases where it'll screw up on C code (such as with semicolons in macro arguments). But you might find it useful for some things. There's a brief documentation file in DOK:MACPP.DOC that you can look at for more details. It'll help if you already know MAC65 statement syntax. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::STARK 27-OCT-1988 15:36:26.81 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: Cost Estimates If anyone is doing cost estimates for new/proposed games, I've gone through the trouble of entering the pertinent data on the VAX spreadsheet (Graphic Outlook). This allows you to change one number and AUTOMATICALLY recalculate the rest of the cost estimate. It prints out quite nicely also. It's also yours for the taking...see me. Gary Stark ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 27-OCT-1988 16:09:51.47 To: @sys$mail:back40,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: A new printer Finally, there's a printer hooked up in the back. It's in the hallway just outside the new 3D cad area (currently hiding behind a Cyberball game). You might want to make the following assignment in your login.com file so all printouts default to that printer: $ assign/nolog TTQ4 SYS$PRINT Otherwise, you can direct prints to that printer with the /QUE=CAD$PRINT or /QUE=TTQ4 wherever a /QUE option is allowed. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::MCCARTHY 27-OCT-1988 18:40:56.39 To: @sys$mail:hardware,MCCARTHY CC: Subj: Updated parts cost information The parts cost data files that I have been keeping have been updated to include a PARTS RECEIPT HISTORY from Manman. This shows if a part has been purchased recently, a vendor code, a P.O. number, the price, how many were ordered, and how namy have been received. Its sheds new light on what parts we have been using in production. As always, you can get your own copy by printing ee$userdisk:[mccarthy.costs]*.lis This includes a file called AREADME with a little more information. If you find this information useful, or have other comments or suggestions, send me a REPLY. Pat. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DOWNEND 31-OCT-1988 16:40:43.63 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: Another 3-D image projector - this one is at a local bar Optional Field trip (costs to be borne by the employee): WHAT: A 3-D projection in space gizmo - "you will want to reach out and touch them but they are not there". WHERE: Oasis Nightclub/Bar/Disco 400 N. First, San Jose (cross street: Julian) ...popular with S.J. State people or so I hear... WHEN: This week only (?), opens about 3 PM every day, evening is best due to better lighting or lack thereof. WHY: Can we make a coin-op product out of this thing? With or without video? DETAILS: Somebody called Momoda, and Momoda gave him my name and then he called me so this is out of the blue... 1) Company is Grand Mirage, 1322 White Oak Rd., Campbell, CA 2) President is Steve Welck - (408) 377-5334 3) They have a demo unit installed at the Oasis for a limited time which makes viewing rather convenient. If we are interested Steve said they could set up a unit here at Atari Games for a week or so. 4) The product is called a "Real Image Projector". Through a set of optics and a focusing mechanism, they scan a real 3-D object (must be physically present) and re-project in a specified space. The current display at the Oasis is called "Asteroid Storm" and is made of a ping-pong balls. 5) Steve described an Oasis customer who came in with a real chain saw as part of a halloween costume (no chain) and started it up! Steve got him to take it into the "box" and start up the chain saw. The other customers then could test their nerve by waving their hand through the projected chain saw. 6) Steve says one unit is permanantly installed at the Magic Castle Night Club in Hollywood in the Houdini room. If you toss a quarter in a fish bowl, a skull is projected into the room and it blows a party favor at you. He says it is a big hit. 7) One product is called the model 50. It is 30" high, 30" deep, and 50" wide. The opening or viewing port is about 14" x 18". "An object can come out about 36 inches," according to Steve. A model 50 with injection molded optics costs under $1000. They have made smaller units with 30 inch optics and a viewing port about 9" x 15" for under $500. 8) He is sending me some literature. At this point it seems more like a curiosity, but you never know. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::MCCARTHY 2-NOV-1988 12:39:37.19 To: @sys$mail:hardware,MCCARTHY CC: Subj: Programming PALs on the DATA I/O Programming a PAL with correct data ? The data I/O interface program for the PAL programmer has been modified. When you type TYDIO filename without any extension, the program checks that the JEDEC file is dated later that the .PDS file. If you modify the .PDS file but forget to compile it, TYDIO will tell you that the .JDC or .JED file is not current, and then asks you to confirm that you want it downloaded. The rules are : TYDIO first looks for a .JDC file (includes simulation vectors), a .JED file (no simulation vectors) and a .PDS file (source) The .JDC file is downloaded if : it exists and it is dated later than the .PDS and .JED files (if they exist) else the .JED file is downloaded if : it exists and it is dated later than the .PDS and .JDC files (if they exist) else you are notified if the .PDS file is dated after both .JED and .JDC files if they exist and you are asked to confirm that you want to continue. You can bypass all this if you need to (say you want to download an earlier version) by including the filename extension and optional version number after the TYDIO command. Report bugs to me if you please. Also, MAKE can be used to compile PALs, and it doesn't mess with sys$print, or purge your directory like PAL2 does. If you are interested in the format, call or reply. Pat. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::SHEPPERD 2-NOV-1988 19:07:45.06 To: @sys$mail:junk,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: Aye Capt'n..she's takin' on water... Oh, hep me...hep me....My house is falling. I believe my house may be sinking into the bowels of the earth, or at least one corner of it. Does anyone know of a contractor that can fix this or a contractor who says they can but really can't (I'll avoid these clowns). Please respond via vaxmail. ds ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::SUTTLES "Talk data to me..." 3-NOV-1988 10:43:17.36 To: MARGOLIN,SUTTLES CC: Subj: Schlage cards You were right. There are exactly four resonant frequencies per card, and which freq vary depending on the card number. They are in the range of 3 to 27 megahertz, according to the book. There are twelve bits used to specify the facility number! And there are fifteen in the card number itself. With four frequencies to choose from, that's 7 decimal digits of precision! Thot you'd like to know. sas ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::THEURER 3-NOV-1988 14:25:54.97 To: @SYS$MAIL:ANIMATORS,@SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: RADMOD update 11/3/88 Several new features have been added to RADMOD, a RAD file cell manipulation program: > translates colors of pixels and/or palettes > scales to specified size as well as to specified percentage of original size. > replicates a cell (copies it to a range of cells) > moves a cell to another cell number > copies a cell with no changes > summarizes palette and pixel usage for specified range of cells > displays RGB values for all palettes > displays cell on your terminal screen (low 4 bits of each pixel in hex) More documentation for the program is in [theurer.pps]radmod.doc Any problems, call me x1739. Dave ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::DAVE 7-NOV-1988 06:36:00.36 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: warning/danger..contains 100% politics The decline and fall rarely happens over night. Slowly, imperceptibly, people stop caring, stop believing in the system. First it's born cynics that see the cracks in the structure. It takes years of being reminded by those "in the know" that only a fool does anything but think of his/her own self interest before it starts becoming "obvious" to everyone. in our own case, the co-opting of the news media is almost complete. the talking heads ramble on about who's surging in the polls, or who had the best "sound bite" today. facts? that would only confuse the "issues". we see an endless parade of experts mast******* each other and moaning about how awful the election process has become. you bored by the time it comes time to vote??? thats because you're supposed to be! I bet one more generation of bored, ignorant voters ought to be enough for the puppet masters behind the likes of ronnie and george to go public. "But that mike guy is so cold and distant and bush is such a decent family man sort of guy". you know the bush campaign has the best ad-men that money can by, you really got to hand it to them if they can sell you georgie. where is all this going, you ask? Well .....surprise! I'm not going to endorse a vote for mikey, although if i had to chose between tweedle bee and tweedle dee, I pick dee. What I really want to remind you of is that there are other choices, like the libertarian candidate, peace and freedom (remember those nuts?), etc. I am always amazed that the same people that complain about the nonentities dished up by the repudemic party don't want to "waste their vote" by voting other than "2" party. If these two don't make you think third party, what will? Ron Paul is the libertarian candidate. (I think that's his name, but gosh it sure is hard to remember having only heard it once in the electronic media.) libertarians have more good ideas in two planks of their platform than the whole demoblican party's. (mommy.....what's a platform?) (any guy with two first names has gotta be a flake......) the only slam against the libertarians is that they may want to go to far in trimming the government. but I figure by the time they reach national prominence they will tone down a bit. oh, and don't forget to vote all incumbents out. LET'S GET A LITTLE POLITICAL CHATTER GOING OUT THERE IN LEFT FIELD OK? ps: i posted some articles detailing the wonderful record of the bush/reagan years on the environment on the bulletin board outside dan's office. as you read think about bush's latest "we can't afford to take that risk" ads. pps: do you really want the former head of the gestapo in charge of our banana republic in the making? ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::DAVE 7-NOV-1988 06:52:21.54 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: misspelling I apologize for mispelling mast********. I just forgot the G. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::ALBAUGH "Dr. Bizarro" 10-NOV-1988 11:39:07.28 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: New version of make I have just unleashed a new version of make (landon's make). The difference is that it is no longer confused about filenames ending in commas, and filenames are case-insensitive, so you can be a little more cavalier about "spelling" and in particular you can delimit filenames in macros with ", " and use the same macro for dependancies and lists of args to DCL commands. Flames to me if it breaks, Ciao, Mike ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::HOFF 10-NOV-1988 18:07:16.05 To: @SYS$MAIL:HARDWARE CC: Subj: gate array lIbrary for the IKOS Being that we have an IKOS library for VGT100 (2.0 micron gate array) and no one is using it or plans to use it, Being that Pat Mccarthy has a keen current interest in using on the IKOS simulator the VGT200 library (1.6micron gate array) and other persons are likely to prefer the VGT200 to the VGT100, I propose to swap the IKOS VGT100 that we have for the IKOS VGT200 that we do not have but want. (The swap will avoid a $1000 to $5000 library charge from IKOS that we would incur on acquiring an additional library.) Unless there is some significant input to the contrary, the swap will occur Tues morning Nov. 15. IMPACT: After that time we will no longer be able to simulate VGT100 on the IKOS. After that time we will be able to simulate VGT200 on the IKOS. There is no impact on our ability to simulate either of these libraries using VSIM. Please respond to this vaxaddress by Monday if you disaggree with this proposal. Morgan ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT:: 11-NOV-1988 09:40:49.97 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: 675 REPAIRS TOMORROW WORKMEN WILL BE INSTALLING FLOOR TITLE AND REPAIRING CARPETS. I STRONGLY ADVISE STAYING AWAY FROM OUR BUILDING SATURDAY DUE TO THE HALLWAY BEING GRIDLOCKED AND ODOR WHICH MAY BE PRESENT DUE TO THE CEMENT BASE. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::RAY 11-NOV-1988 15:56:50.43 To: @SYS$MAIL:VANGANG,@SYS$MAIL:RAINSGANG,@SYS$MAIL:TEAMTACO,FUJIHARA,BENZLER,MOMODA,RAY CC: Subj: Wasted Time It seems to me that a great deal of time is being wasted waiting for meetings to get started. It is getting worse because people start showing up late because they know it is not going to start on time anyway. I suggest we break this vicious cycle by starting meetings no more than 5 minutes late starting Monday, 11/14. Hand-in-hand with this is better scheduling of length of meetings as well. I propose that we plan on 2 hours for game reviews, initiations, and other "major" meetings. I further propose that these meetings be held at 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. That way, they start when people should be at work, they finish about lunch time, they start when people should be back from lunch, and they end before most people should need to leave work. One last request: If you are expected at a meeting but are unable to make it or will be late, please have the courtesy to contact the person in charge of the meeting to let him/her know they should not wait for you. Following these suggestions should help reduce stress and reduce wasted time. I would appreciate your comments on different or better ways to accomplish these goals. I would also appreciate your comments if you see flaws in my suggestions. Thanks for listening!! John ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::HARPER 14-NOV-1988 10:28:33.55 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: Quest Software Design ATTENTION: All Software Designers interested in the QUEST (Growth Motion) Hardware....(if not delete me now). There will be a meeting on TUESDAY, NOV. 15 at 2:00pm in the ENGINEERING CONFERENCE ROOM to discuss common software to be used on the QUEST hardware. This is mainly for programmers who plan to use QUEST, to specify a software "kernel" for the system. Among other topics will be, Motion Object Driver, Playfield Driver, OS routines, Collision and Utilities. Please be familiar with Rusty's animation sequence/command format, as the current Motion Object Driver is based on this. Please read/print [HUNT.DOC]ANIMDRIV.MEM before attending this meeting. Thanks! Dennis PS: This is a required meeting for all programmers starting new projects on the QUEST hardware -- you know who you are! ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::OHARA "gems - faster then a speeding pullet" 15-NOV-1988 08:44:12.33 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY,OHARA CC: Subj: Phone Lists, Tengen's change Tengen has changed their phones due to the installation of their DID's so those of you who call them from time to time may want a new phone list. Also we have had several newhires and terminations so I have published a new one. It is dated 15 Nov 1988 so throw those old ones away! gems ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::RAY 15-NOV-1988 17:50:11.53 To: @SYS$MAIL:VANGANG,@SYS$MAIL:RAINSGANG,FUJIHARA,BENZLER,MOMODA,RAY CC: Subj: Brainstorming Follow-Up Brainstorming Follow-Up J. Ray 11/15/88 Many ideas were brought up at the Brainstorming Session at the end of September. We all agree that we do not want these ideas to "slip through the cracks". After the session, I made a list of all of the items that I feel we needed to follow up on. This list is now posted outside of my office. Feel free to look this list over and write down any comments or additions you feel appropriate (or tell me). We have begun work on some of the items: Initiation Process Review Process "Carefrontation" "Pitch Session" "Walkabout Friday"tm Some of the initial thoughts associated with these topics are also posted outside of my office. If you feel that one of the items is not getting the priority it deserves, please let me know. If you have a desire to work on one of the topics, please let me know that as well! Thanks! John ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::MARGOLIN 16-NOV-1988 13:41:00.57 To: ROBBINS,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: VRAM Sockets with machined pins PART STATUS IS: ACTIVE PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION 179272-024 Socket,IC,24ckt/.400,Machined MANUFACTURER VENDOR PART NUMBER STATUS TRANS DATE AUGAT 1824-AG141D APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 AUGAT 824-AG66D-ESL APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 AUGAT 824-AG66D-ES APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 ROBINSON-NUGENT ICE-244-S-TG APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 ROBINSON-NUGENT ICE-244-S-TG30 APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 MARK_EYELET_INC M1024-412D APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 MARK_EYELET_INC M1024-411D APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 MARK_EYELET_INC M1024-410D APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 MARK_EYELET_INC M824-412D APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 MARK_EYELET_INC M824-411D APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 MARK_EYELET_INC M824-410D APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 ELECTRONIC_MOLDING_CORP 17424-01-461 APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 ELECTRONIC_MOLDING_CORP 17424-01-445 APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 ELECTRONIC_MOLDING_CORP 17424-01-446 APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 AMP_INC 916086-6 APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 AMP_INC 916086-5 APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 AMP_INC 916086-4 APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 TEXAS_INSTRUMENTS C72244-99 APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 TEXAS_INSTRUMENTS C72244-59 APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 TEXAS_INSTRUMENTS C72244-09 APPROVED 12-AUG-1988 ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 16-NOV-1988 14:33:58.89 To: ROBBINS,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: Sockets for VRAMs Only the first 100 Driver Main Boards will use sockets for the VRAMs. (179272-024, 32 per board). The VRAMs are MOS devices and therefore are static sensitive and require proper handling. By using sockets for the first 100 boards we will be able to more easily take care of any initial VRAM handling problems. Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::PPS 16-NOV-1988 18:40:46.69 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: Celprocess Revision 1.50 A new version of Celprocess has been released. Changes Implemented: 1) Corrected printed output on Mixed Palette Stamps 2) Added .BYTE stamp codes for NES processing Review your output .MAC or .ASM files in particular for any unforeseen effects (read BUGS) introduced. Any problems should be respond to this VAX name. NOTE: In cases of emergency, the previous version is also kept in the usual place (UTL$PPS). Rich ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MOORE 17-NOV-1988 11:05:18.80 To: @SYS$MAIL:HARDWARE CC: Subj: Hardware Engineer COOP applicant I received a resume from a design engineer interested in a coop position at Atari next Spring (from Mid-March to Mid-September). He espressed a strong interest in Video games, citing previous favorites of I,Robot, Karate Champ, & Asteroids. He is attending Drexel University in Philadelphia which has a well integrated coop program: coop experience is required to receive a degree. He has already worked at RCA back east for his first coop assignment. He will have what Drexel calls a "Pre-Junior" standing, which means he has completed classes in Digital Design, Electrical Instrumentation, Microprocessors and mini-computers, as well as others. I need to respond back to him on November 28 if we will have an "opening" for him next year. Please respond to me if YOU anticipate having hardware designs in progress next spring thru summer which could benefit with an additional engineer. Since this applicant will not have completed his degree, there will naturally be more "training" reponsibilities than usual when working with a coop engineer. Thanks, Rich ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::RAY 17-NOV-1988 18:11:08.61 To: MARGOLIN,RAY CC: Subj: Apology Jed-- I do not have any desire to encroach on your responsibilities as Hardware Engineer for S.T.U.N. Runner (STUN). In fact, I realize that you are essential to the success of STUN. I know that you have invested a great deal of time in the hardware and have an interest in seeing it through to production. I apologize for not ensuring that you were involved in the recent decision to change the audio board on the prototype from the Hard Drivin' audio board to the SAC board. Lyle expressed a desire to have music in the game before the Focus group next Tuesday, and the Audio group felt that this would be the easiest way to go. I made the mistake of asking Tim to look into exactly how we should do this -- I should have asked you or at least asked Tim to ask you. I assumed that since this is just a temporary change and that we needed it done right away, you and Rick would prefer that we handle it. I will try to keep you involved as much as possible. I hope you will be somewhat tolerant though, if we don't do a perfect job of keeping you involved. But feel free to remind me that you are being left out if you notice we are neglecting you! We are currently trying to get a second system going so the programmers can continue working on one system while we put the other system in ROM in the cabinet. It appears as though it is a technician job, but we will let you know if we need your assistance. Feel free to come by and check with Glenn on the progress. The Focus Group starts Tuesday afternoon at 4:00. I hope you can attend! Thanks!! John ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::THEURER 18-NOV-1988 18:17:05.60 To: @SYS$MAIL:ANIMATORS,@SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: Color printer The color printer program, TEK, has been modified slightly. The last question still asks if you want to print the picture now, but it also informs you that it will delete the file after printing (to avoid directory clutter and wasted disk space), AND it gives you an opportunity to request 1,2, or 3 copies to be printed. Remember, each copy costs $ .40, so think cheap. Dave Theurer ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::PPS 22-NOV-1988 17:15:25.35 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: Celprocess 1.51 Released New version of Celprocess released. Fix was to output text for NES format. No other changes should have occurred. Rich ___________________________________________________________________________ From: SANDY::HOFF 22-NOV-1988 19:44:51.87 To: @SYS$MAIL:HARDWARE CC: Subj: Ikos release notes for version 4.08 We now have IKOS Simulation System version 4.08 and the corresponding release notes. The software is installed and the release notes are in the CAD LAB binder "IKOS simulation System: Library Tools User's Guide" ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::RAY 23-NOV-1988 00:06:26.36 To: BEHENSKY,MOTT,MARGOLIN,DURFEY,MONCRIEF,MELCHOR,CAMERON,COMSTOCK,NOBLE,MOSER,BRAD,DIEKNEITE,MCNAMARA,HALLY,ROTBERG,BURGESS,RAY CC: Subj: Thanks! Thank you all for your outstanding contributions to bringing STUN Runner to Focus Group! The game has progressed very rapidly to this point due to all of your efforts. I feel that the game was very well received by the focus participants. We still have a long way to go, but this is certainly a major milestone. Keep up the good work! Thanks! John ___________________________________________________________________________ From: ERNIE::SHEPPERD 23-NOV-1988 19:02:10.99 To: @sys$mail:engineer,SHEPPERD CC: Subj: New features I just released new versions of MIXIT, DOWND, DOWNC, IMI and DIO. These versions dasupport the extended Motorola S record format files (no symbols though). Since they all use common I/O routines, the only change made to all but MIXIT was a relink. MIXIT had another file qualifier option added (/MOTOROLA). If this version of MIXIT breaks your program(s), you can get the old one back by defining the following before running it: $ MIX*IT :== $UTL$ARCHIVE:MIXIT This new feature may be significant only the the Arium users. The Arium command you will need to use to make ROMable data files is: srec -e input_file output_file.mot [then ftp output_file.mot to the Vax] To summarize, the file types currently accepted by MIXIT, DOWND, DOWNC, IMI and DIO: The first two formats can be MIXIT output or DIO or IMI upload type only. You certainly won't get what you might expect if you feed a .ASM or .MAC file to one of those utilities. The MIXIT commands are used as examples here, but the file types are what are used to specify the format for all the other utilities: $ MIXIT >OUT filename.ASM !or filename.bla_bla/ASM 68k assem format >OUT filename.MAC !or filename.bla_bla/MAC MACxx assem format The remaining formats can be either input or output: >IN/OUT filename.DLD !or filename.bla_bla/DLD MOStech load format >IN/OUT filename.HEX !or filename.bla_bla/TEK Extended TEKHEX format >IN/OUT filename.ROM !or filename.bla_bla/ROM Atari .ROM format >IN/OUT filename.LDA !or filename.bla_bla/LDA DEC LDA format >IN/OUT filename.VLDA !or filename.bla_bla/VLDA Atari VLDA format >IN/OUT filename.INTEL !or filename.blabla/INTEL Intel hex format >IN/OUT filename.MOT !or filename.bla_bla/MOT Motorola S record >IN/OUT filename.anything_else !or filename/IMAGE binary image format the default filetype in all cases remains .VLDA. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::AUDIO 30-NOV-1988 16:04:40.09 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: What I did on my summer vacation There will be a multi-media event this Friday at 12:30 in the Central Conference room, with a slide show, environmental audio recordings, custom 3-D Viewmaster slides, and commentary. Topics include: Global Destruction of the Rainforests Radio For Peace International Compare and Contrast San Jose CA and San Jose CR The Search for Signs of CIA involvement in Costa Rica Sloth--Animal or State of Mind? Many of the slides are by 3 of my neighbors who are world-class professional nature photographers/biologists. These slides are just amazing--weird and disgusting insects, and birds and bats and toads and cats and lots of other jungly critters. I got permission to show them on the condition that I use the slide show to raise money for the Monteverde Conservation League, an organization which is working on reforestation, education, and expanding the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to protect endangered species from having their habitat converted to Burger King pasture land. So, I'm requesting a $2 donation per person. ($25 will buy an acre of rain forest, so a little bit goes a long way. And I'll have them send Atari a nice "ownership" certificate.) If anyone has a Viewmaster viewer sitting in their toy box at home (or their toy box here, for that matter), please bring it--it'll help speed up the 3-D portion of the show. See these critters now, before they (and we) go extinct. Earl ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::CAMERON 30-NOV-1988 22:20:56.48 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Burger King pasture land conversion WE MISS YOU, EARL!!! ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::OWENS 1-DEC-1988 11:44:58.89 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: Splatter House The Game you've all been waiting for is up and running in the Eng Common Area. Happy Slicing, RLO ___________________________________________________________________________ From: MIKE::DENTON 7-DEC-1988 13:14:09.55 To: @SYS$MAIL:JUNK CC: Subj: CARTRIDGES FOR SALE PACMAN CARTRIDGES ARE $26.21 EACH (INCLUDES TAX) GAUNTLET AND RBI CARTRIDGES ARE $28.89 EACH (INCLUDES TAX) CONTACT ANN DENTON OR ELAINE SHIRLEY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::DOWNEND 7-DEC-1988 15:11:55.95 To: @SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: It's all done with mirrors There is a gzmo in the focus group viewing room that you should check out. It projects an image of a real object in space - in this case, pingpong balls. Does it have application in a coin-op game? Let me know if you think it has potential... a) Could be used to "float" video from one CRT on top of another... b) Could be used to project a fascinating image - people might drop a quarter in just to see: - a chain saw; wave your hand thru it. - Rambling Ray appears and tells a joke. - a skull appears, calls you names and "spits" at you. - ???? c) people might pay to get inside and project their head or body part d) ??? d) ??? ___________________________________________________________________________ From: BERT::WOOD 12-DEC-1988 11:28:45.24 To: @SYS$MAIL:EVERYBODY CC: Subj: New Tengen manufactured NES cartridges The attached news release announces a very important event to all of us. Over the next few weeks it will attract the attention of this industry, the media and consumer public. The information and image we, as employeees, give to the outside world will have a great impact on how we are perceived. For this reason, Rogers & Associates of Los Angeles has been retained to answer ALL inquiries of our new venture. In this way the information released can be accurate, consistent and professional. Specifically, refer any calls to Ron Rogers or David Ellis at (213) 552-6922. Your strict cooperation is appreciated. TENGEN TO MARKET FIRST INDEPENDENTLY PRODUCED NINTENDO-COMPATIBLE GAME CARTRIDGES; EXPECTS SALES TO MORE THAN DOUBLE NEXT YEAR SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, December 12, 1988 -- Tengen Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atari Games Corporation, has introduced the first independently produced and manufactured Nintendo-compatible video game cartridges. The company will launch its new line of vide game cartridges with three current hit titles, including Pac-Man, Gauntlet and RBI Baseball. The games will be available at Tengen's national network of authorized retail outlets immediately. The new cartridges provide complete compatibility with the Nintendo Enter- tainment System (NES). The Tengen cartridges are manufactured in the United States and built to the highest quality standards. Nintendo is the world's largest manufacturer of video game software and hardware. Introduced in 1986, Nintendo has gained 100 percent of the manufacturing market for Nintendo-compatible games, more than 80 percent of the home video game machines market, and projects 1988 U. S. sales to exceed $1.7 billion. The new cartridges were developed in respnse to widespread consumer demand for Tengen titles, according to Randy Broweleit, Senior Vice President of Operations. "In the past, Nintendo was the only manufacturer of NES game cartridges. The only way to market games for the NES format was to have Nintendo produce them. As a result, Nintendo had total control over the supply. "As the popularity of video games increased," Broweleit continued, "both retailers and consumers became frustrated by the unavailability of some of our most popular titles, like RBI Baseball and Gauntlet. Having control over the manufacturing of our own products became a necessity. "This development puts us in control of our own destiny," Broweleit said. "Until now, we were only able to satisfy a fraction of the demand for our products. Controlling the manufacturing of our own cartridges will help bring product supply more in line with actual consumer demand." Pac-Man, Gauntlet and RBI Baseball will be complemented by four all-new titles which will be introduced at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on January 7th. These include NES-compatible versions of Atari Games arcade hits, Super Sprint, Rolling Thunder and Vindicators. Tetris, a unique skill game developed in the Soviet Union, will also be introduced at WCES. The new products will be available early next year.\ Tengen will also enter the home computer game market this winter with the introduction of four new gams: RBI Baseball, Blasteroids, Road Blasteers and Rolling Thunder. The games will be produced in all popular home computer formats including IBM, Apple and Commodore. Headed by President, Hide Nakajima, Atari Games was formed in 1985 as a result of the break-up of the old Warner Communications-owned Atari Inc. Atari Games is a manufacturer of quality arcade games, and has extensive research and development resources. Over the past 17 years it has created arcade hits such as Pong, Asteroids, Centipede, Gauntlet and Super Sprint. Tengen Inc. was created by Atari Games in 1987 in response to the growing demand for home entertainment software. Adapted directly from the most popular Atari Games arcade games, Tengen home products have the same graphic excitement and high-quality sound as the arcade versions. During its first year, Tengen's initial produce line will general $35 million in revenues. With the new manufacturing capabilities, Tengen projects 1989 sales to more than double. Tengen Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atari Games Corporation, and is headquartered at 1901 McCarthy Boulevard, P. O. Box 360782, Milpitas, California 95035. Atari Games is a privately held company and is not affiliated with Atari Corporation. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::HALLY 15-DEC-1988 14:33:35.41 To: @[HALLY]STUN CC: Subj: STATUS STUN RUNNER STUN RUNNER GAME DEVELOPMENT STATUS STUN RUNNER DATE: DEC 16, 88 PL: MIKE HALLY DATE STARTED: 28 APR 88 9 JUN 88 PROJECT LEADER: HALLY START DATE: 2 MAY 88 LAB: STUN RUNNER (MULTISYNC) EXT: 1727 OR 1720 NUMBER : 571 TEAM NU | | SCHEDULE or | MISSED DATES | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PROJECT START: < 2 MAY 88> 1ST REVIEW: < 6 JUL 88> 8 JUL 88 MULTISYNC PCB DEBUGGED < 1 AUG 88> 2ND REVIEW: < 2 SEP 88> 24 AUG 88 15 AUG 88 3RD REVIEW: < 10 NOV 88> 4 NOV 88 14 OCT 88 FOCUS GROUP: < 22 NOV 88> 16 NOV 88 4TH REVIEW: ****** 13 JAN 89 ******************** FIELD TEST: 10 FEB 89 PROD RELEASE: 19 APR 89 FGA: 4 JUN 89 ACTION ITEMS: 1. CONVERSION OVER TO THE MULTISYNC HARDWARE COMPLETE. JED IS NOW REMOVING/ADDING OUR SPECIFICS TO THE MAIN BOARD. 2. WE ADDED A HOVERING TYPE VEHICLE THAT SCANS FOR THE PLAYER AND ALERTS THE AUTHORITIES. 3. WE ARE REDESIGNING THE PROBOT TYPE FLYING VEHICLE THAT SHOOTS AT THE PLAYER. 4. WE WILL BE ADDING THE ANIMATED BIRD THAT FLIES IN THE TUNNEL WHICH WILL BE WORTH BIG BONUS POINTS.(SAM C. DOING GRAPHICS) 5. WE INSTALLED SELF-CENTERING. 6. WE ADDED A SCORE DISPLAY AT POINT OF VEHICLE IMPACT. 7. THE TUNNEL IS BEING SET UP THIS WAY: LEFT TUNNEL-SLOWER BUT EASIER RIGHT TUNNEL-FASTER BUT HARDER 8. WE WILL BE DESIGNING A NON-PLAY BEZEL AREA FOR SCORE,MPH,AND BOTH OF THE TIMERS. 9. NEW AUDIO IS BEING WORKED ON FOR THE NEXT MILESTONE. 10. WE WILL NEED TO START AN UPRIGHT CABINET DESIGN AFTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON FOR OUR FIELD TEST IN FEB. 11. WE ADDED BACKGROUND MANAGEMENT AND LOW RES BACKGROUNDS. 12. WE ADDED EXPLOSION MANAGER. 13. WE ADDED COAST. 14. WE ADDED NEW CAR AT DEPOT. 15. WE ARE ADDING A WEDGE WHICH IS A SOLID OBJECT TO AVOID. 16. WE TRIED POT JOYSTICK. ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 15-DEC-1988 18:15:18.54 To: ROTBERG,HALLY,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: 34020 34020 ----- I have obtained the following information from Jeff Twombly of TI about the 34020: Samples will probably be available in April if the first silicon works. Production quantities will probably be available in August/September if the first silicon works. My prediction is that early '90 is more realistic. Jeff's prediction for prices in early '90 is: 34020 32 MHz $150-$160 40 MHz $210-$225 1MB VRAM $30-$45 ($66 now) 1MB DRAM $15-$18 The 34020 has a 32 bit external memory bus and would therefore require eight VRAMs. Eight 1MB VRAMs would thus be 1M Byte VRAM which is what the Driver Turbo has now. The 34020-40 has instruction cycle time of 100 ns verses 160 ns for the 34010-50 that we are currently using. Taking into account the 32 bit data bus and the ability of 1 MB VRAMs to write four pixels at a time, the maximum fill rate of the 34020-40 would be 80 MegaPixels/sec. The other instructions would execute 66% faster than on the 34010-50. A 34020-40 and eight 1MB VRAMs would cost $450-$585 in early '90. Even if the costs were acceptable it would not be prudent to plan on the 34020 being available in time for June '89 production of Stun Runner. Jed ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::MARGOLIN 16-DEC-1988 17:20:15.60 To: STUN,MARGOLIN CC: Subj: GSP Memory Map Driver GSP Memory Map ------------------------- TFR 0000 0000 to 000F FFFF (64K Words) Shift Register Transfers POLY 0200 0000 to 020F FFFF (64K Words) Fast Polygon Fills CWR0 F400 0000 Write to Pixel Register (Used by Fast Polygon Fills) CWR1 F480 0000 Control Bits latch on Address Writes (No Data) F480 0000 /TFR_SE = 1 F480 0010 SCROLL = 0 F480 0020 PS0 = 0 F480 0030 PS1 = 0 F480 0040 F480 0050 F480 0060 F480 0070 LED = on --------- F480 0080 /TFR_SE = 0 F480 0090 SCROLL = 1 F480 00A0 PS0 = 1 F480 00B0 PS1 = 1 F480 00C0 F480 00D0 F480 00E0 F480 00F0 LED = off CWR2, CRD2 F500 0000 R/W Color Table: Red (D8-D15) and Green (D0-D7) CWR3, CRD3 F580 0000 R/W Color Table: Blue (DD0-D7) PMEM FF80 0000 to FFFF FFFF (512K Words) Normal Memory Accesses Note: TFR, POLY, and PMEM are the SAME physical Memory. They just see it organized from different perspectives. ====================================================================== Graphics Addresses -------------------------- PMEM $FF80 0000 + $1000 * Line# [Full Turbo] MultiSync is probably double mapped, starting at $0FF80 0000 . ___________________________________________________________________________ From: CHARM::THEURER 19-DEC-1988 19:03:52.74 To: @SYS$MAIL:ANIMATORS,@SYS$MAIL:ENGINEER CC: Subj: color printer & RADMOD changes 12/19/88 BIG change to > TEK, the color printer program and > RADMOD, the RAD file creator/modifier They now accept several different file formats: RAD PIF (Prehistoric Image Format) IFF (or ILBM) from the Amiga PICT, MacPaint, and TIFF from the Macintosh Please use these conventional extensions: .RAD .PIF .IFF .PICT .MPNT .TIFF Since RADMOD can now be used to convert foreign graphics files to RAD format, I will no longer be supporting ILBM_TO_RAD and MAC_TO_RAD, the original format conversion programs. -------------------------------------------------------------- More changes for RADMOD users: > Changed REMA (remap) function so user can specify the color at which to start remapping (for example, if the 1st 4 colors are just the way you want them and not to be remapped, then specify 4). > Added ability to open multiple files of any type for merging into one final rad file. You can use this to combine RAD files or Amiga files or whatever combination you like. Unfortunately, the problem of different palettes has not been addressed, so files you combine better all use the same palette. > Added check feature when creating a cell to automatically clip a picture that is too big to fit on a RAD page and warn the user of this. This was necessary because of the new ability to import graphics from formats with larger cells than RAD supports. > Added check feature when creating cells to avoid writing over existing cells. If you're about to overwrite an existing cell it will now warn you and ask for guidance. > Removed DUBH,HALH,DUBV,HALV from menu (but if requested they still work) because you can get the same results by using SCAL. Note: [theurer.pps]radmod.doc contains documentation on all changes to RADMOD as well as a perfunctory operational description. ___________________________________________________________________________ To: CURRENT PROJECT TEAMS From: MARKETING, ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT Subject: PROPOSED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CHANGES Date: December 19, 1988 As you may already know, we would like to implement several changes to improve our current project initiation and development process. The purpose of this memo is to document the proposed changes/additions so that we can move forward with improved communication, efficiency, and most of all, even better products. Please review and comment on any additional improvements you can offer. As a starting reference, we summarized some of the flaws in our present system, many of which were brought up in our recent brainstorm sessions: Lack of overall company direction/strategy. Low awareness of the market conditions, product requirements. (Communication not there). Projects inititated prematurely in some cases. Inconsistent presentation of game proposals at initiation. Need for more player feedback throughout the development. Poor definition of the development process with some teams taking on their own approach. (e.g., how they interface with support groups). Teams working in isolation too much. Difficult to provide input that will be heard unless that individual qualifies to have an opinion by playing the game frequently and being involved early in development. Ineffective product reviews (vague objectives, too premature, and too much of a dreaded event for the team). Difficult to evaluate product potential when field tests plagued with bugs, tuning needs. Need time for more testing, distributor sampling. Need more accurate forecasting methods for sales volumes. We believe many of these problems can be resolved by adapting the current development process. Other issues can be addressed by incorporating some of the ideas that we mentioned throughout the brainstorming process. John Ray is documenting many ideas on how we can improve our overall effectiveness. Attendees: Marketing, sales, engineering management, project teams. Purpose: This meeting will be held approximately every quarter to help engineering select a game concept or modify their current projects. Marketing will provide information on competition, players, game design trends, etc. Ideally, marketing and engineering will provide a list of the type of games they feel are appropriate to initiate, based on the market and the current projects already in development. A summary of the meeting and a video tape will be made available. We all feel it would be much more productive if we break up the initiation process to include meetings prior to a formal initiation packet. These additional meetings will serve as "checkpoints" to insure that the proposed project is in line with current company needs and objectives. PRODUCT STRATEGY MEETING: In addition to the marketing input meetings, each team that is up for a new project should have an informal discussion with marketing and engineering management to review current product direction. Any rough concepts that are being considered could be discussed briefly to get initial reactions from those present. PITCH SESSIONS: Attendees: Marketing, engineering management, project teams, and any employee who wants to pitch their concept. Purpose: Individuals or groups will have an opportunity to describe their game idea to all teams who are interested. Marketing will screen all game concepts before they are further developed for a pitch session. A "product champion" from the marketing group will be assigned to provide direction and support. Pitch sessions should be videotaped for those unable to attend. Details of the format/incentive for pitch sessions need to be worked out. Tom Steiner has provided a handout on a proposed format and is working on a videotape on "How to Pitch", which will be available for reference. CONCEPT APPROVAL MEETING: Attendees: Marketing, engineering management, project team. Purpose: Once the team has selected a project idea, it should be "concept" approved by engineering management and marketing before going to a full initiation. In the concept approval process, it is the core game play that will be critically evaluated. Feedback is given at this early stage to avoid wasted efforts in preparing for a full-blown initiation. The marketability issues will also be evaluated (price point, product need, sales potential). Once the idea is approved, a marketing product manager will be assigned to the team and a project number will also be given. If the concept is not approved, the team selects another concept and holds another concept approval meeting. Preparation Details: The project team should work on the concept for no more than two weeks before holding the concept approval meeting. The following items should be covered: Theme/game play. The basic, lowest level, moment-to-moment action. What does the player actually do? How do the controls affect the action? How do opponents/playfield elements respond to what the player is doing? Simple sketches illustrating the look of the game? Controller types and actions. Type of hardware used. Unique research or engineering tasks that would have to be performed (new hardware, new playfield software, marketing studies, etc.) INITIATION MEETING: Attendees:... Marketing, engineering management, project team Purpose: The next stage would be the initiation meeting which should be a work session where specific game design issues are evaluated and input is given for final direction of the project. Specific items that need to be defined in the initiation packet: 1. Theme/storyline 2. Game objectives/goals 3. Controllers and function 4. Wave progression 5. Action flow (example of moment-to-moment action in one wave/level). 6. Audio requirements (use of speech, style of music) 7. Animation/graphic treatment, playfield description 9. Player Adversaries 10. Cabinet direction 11. Hardware considerations 12. Cost estimates (set limits on cost, EPROM count, etc.) 13. Development schedule (include goals for first review) 14. Marketing issues/considerations 15. Storyboards of various phases 16. Picture of sample screen if video is novel (RAD tool as an example) 17. Team personnel. We would also like a section to include "marketing issues" which would cover the product logic (targeted locations/players), critical elements of the game to maximize its success, possibility for multiple product configurations, price points, timing in the marketplace, etc. The assigned product manager can provide this section of the packet after discussing with the project leader. Storyboards are a critical tool for the initiation meeting. Rather than concentrate on a few, highly detailed, color boards, it would be more effective to have numerous quick sketches which depict the type of player interaction that can be expected. If the attendees agree that the game is well-defined and on the right track, then the game is initiated. (If there are problems that still need to be addressed, then the team can make appropriate changes/additions and schedule another initiation meeting) When and why we review games needs to be more flexible, although ideally, the current number is about right (4 before field test). If there are specific concerns raised by the team or marketing/management, then this should be addressed at an informal review. If there are changes in the market conditions which would impact the project then a review could be scheduled as well. In any case, reviews should be mutually determined by the project leader and the product manager, with an agreement on the goals for that review. The product manager will be informally evaluating assigned projects more frequently throughout the development process. By doing this we hope to eliminate any surprises at reviews (e.g., major problems with the game concept or playability heard for the first time.) PRIOR TO REVIEWS: In order to get more thorough and constructive feedback during the review process, the project team should have the game playable for the 24 hours preceding the review. This should allow everyone time to formulate comments and feedback. The P/L should send out notices of the review date/time. A day before the review, all attendees should receive a list which documents the agenda items for discussion and the goals of the review. A brief description of the current state of the game as well as changes since the last review should be included so attendees understand what they should be evaluating. DURING REVIEWS: Consistent review of all agenda items should be done in a structured way to make sure it is fully discussed. The team should critique their game first, discussing known strengths and weaknesses. If the team discusses what they plan to do to address known weaknesses, then they can avoid hearing redundant negative comments. Another thought is to have the P/L and product manager review game play. Especifics much like we do in a focus group. We should objectively revisit the goals of the project as set forth at initiation what are the strengths of this game and how can we capitalize on it. Directional input and action items should be verbally summarized at the end of the review so that all attendees have a clear understanding of the outcome. POST REVIEWS: The project leader should document the results of the review and include a list of all action items and subsequent changes in scheduling if impacted. Revision of project goals should also be specified if necessary. What we should avoid is amibiguity in the direction we are taking (e.g., concern raised about the lack of a goal in the game (we will "look into it.") As a rough guideline, we should continue to schedule reviews at certain stages of development, much like in the past: First review objectives typically include evaluation of the first-pass look and feel of the game (rough graphics and player control) and hardware demonstration, if new or unique application. Second review objectives are to demonstrate a near-complete wave or level, with concentration on the moment-to-moment action. Player comprehension is generally an issue at this stage. The focus group schedule can be discussed, depending on the confidence level of the project. By the third review, a feel for the game progression should be evident as multiple waves are done. Adversary interaction, level of decision-making, player goals, and measurement of performance are some of the more critical elements that should be in the game The fourth review is usually after focus group and before a field test. If a focus group has been conducted, then we revisit any directional changes at this review. Game elements that need to be included for field test are also discussed at this review. Post field test reviews vary in number and frequency, depending on what we learn from player reaction, game statistics, etc. We have relied on focus groups (30 players) and field surveys (20-40 players) for our external evaluation of product. Where needed, we can consider doing earlier focus testing, and perhaps more in-depth interviewing of players who are recruited from field surveys. When necessary we can call in playtesters (either internal or external) to provide additional in put in the development process. FOCUS GROUPS: The purpose is to determine perceived strengths and weaknesses of a product, comprehension issues, and a sense of who the product may appeal to most. When we have specific concerns about a product we will consider earlier focus groups. As an example, if controls are a major directional issue, then we can conduct a controller test. Other examples include theme or unique game format. In some cases, it may be appropriate to skip a focus group altogether depending on the confidence level of the game. FIELD TESTING: The purpose of the field test varies in stages. As with the entire development process, the time required for testing depends on what we learn at each critical stage. The product manager publishes a field test schedule which indicates the number of units required and timing for prototypes and pre-production units. Specific objectives for each field test should be defined once discussed with the team. The objective of the first field test is to measure initial earnings potential in a typical arcade. Player feedback is gathered from the field to again look at strengths and weaknesses of the game, and to profile the player base. The second field test is started once the issues from the first test are addressed to some extent. This test is also intended to be a longevity test where earnings and the learning curve are evaluated for a period of 6-8 weeks. Next test units are used to measure street location potential and also to test various coinage options or difficulty variables. The fourth round of testing is to evaluate earnings/appeal out of the area. Whenever possible, we will push to have samples available at least four weeks prior to finished goods for distributor testing. These are typically pre-production units which ship with a tuned program, and may need to be updated to a production version at a later date. Throughout the testing process, game tuning is an ongoing objective, as it is a dynamic process up through production. Near the conclusion of the testing process the product manager will provide a "sales volume forecast" which will be based on the collective field test results to date, the current market conditions, the product price, and the production timing. We have also reinstituted the tradition of having RIP meetings for every project with the intent of increasing our experience base. Final product evaluation will be discussed, as well as how we could have improved any part of the development process. This meeting should be scheduled by the product manager and project leader, and would be most effective if it occurs after we have objective field feedback from production shipments. DISTRIBUTION: R. DAWE B. FLANAGAN M. HALLY D. HARPER P. KWINN E. LOGG G. LICHAC R. OWENS M. PIERCE D. RALSTON J. SALWITZ G. STARK K. TURNER S. SOITA COPIES: L. BENZLER S. COMSTOCK C. DOWNEND B. FULLER M. FUJIHARA J. MOMODA R. MOORE R. MONCRIEF H. NAKAJIMA L. RAINS J. RAY P. TAKAICHI D. VANELDEREN ___________________________________________________________________________ From: KIM::BURGESS 22-DEC-1988 11:22:52.10 To: @STUN.DIS CC: Subj: status report STUN RUNNER GAME DEVELOPMENT STATUS DATE: DEC 22, 88 DATE STARTED: 28 APR 88 9 JUN 88 LAB: STUN RUNNER (MULTISYNC) EXT: 1727 OR 1768 NUMBER : 571 TEAM NU ------- SUPERVISOR: JOHN RAY PROJECT LEADER: MIKE HALLY SENIOR PROGRAMMER: ED ROTBERG JUNIOR PROGRAMMER: ANDREW BURGESS ANIMATORS: SAM COMSTOCK WILL NOBLE KRIS MOSER TECH: GLENN MCNAMARA | | SCHEDULE or | MISSED DATES | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PROJECT START: < 2 MAY 88> 1ST REVIEW: < 6 JUL 88> 8 JUL 88 MULTISYNC PCB DEBUGGED < 1 AUG 88> 2ND REVIEW: < 2 SEP 88> 24 AUG 88 15 AUG 88 3RD REVIEW: < 10 NOV 88> 4 NOV 88 14 OCT 88 FOCUS GROUP: < 22 NOV 88> 16 NOV 88 4TH REVIEW: ****** 13 JAN 89 ******************** FIELD TEST: 10 FEB 89 PROD RELEASE: 19 APR 89 FGA: 4 JUN 89 ACTION ITEMS: 1. JERRY MOMODA HAS DISTRIBUTED THE FOCUS REPORT, AND THE METTING TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES PRESENTED IN THE REPORT WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR SOMETIME DURING THE FIRST WEEK BACK FROM THE HOLIDAYS. 2. ED ROTBERG WILL BE ON VACATION THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS. 3. MIKE HALLY AND ANDY BURGESS WILL BE WORKING ON GAME DESIGN AND GAME GOALS DURING THE CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR WEEK. 4. THE FOLLOWING GRAPHICS ARE BEING ASSIGNED AND DESIGNED BY THE ANIMATION TEAM: DEPENDENT ON FINAL SCREEN RESOLUTION ISSUES ------------------------------------------- MAPS OF PLAYER PROGRESS MORE OUTSIDE BACKGROUNDS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH SPECIFIC POINTS OF REFERENCE TO FURTHER CLARIFY POSITION TO THE PLAYER PLAYER CONTROL PANEL NEW CHARACTERS FOR DISPLAY PURPOSES ATTRACT SCREENS GENERAL GRAPHICS ---------------- REDESIGN OF EXISTING OBJECTS ( PROBOT, WEDGES, MINES ) GOLDEN GATE TYPE BRIDGE FOR THE PLAYER TO CROSS ADDING TO THE CONCEPT OF TRAVELLING OUTSIDE JUMP RAMPS NEW HYPERSPEED SHADOWS ( ALA STAR TREK ) ORNATHOPTER ( FLYING MECHANICAL BIRD ) NEW 200' DIAMETER TUNNEL PIECES 5. THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF RECENTLY COMPLETED ADDITIONS TO THE STUN RUNNER GAME: MULTI-SYNC BACKGROUND MANAGER EXPLOSION MANAGER ( ALA BATTLEZONE ) TAP THROUGHS PLAYER COAST NO DEATH IN BOOST MULTI-SYNC LO-RES BACKGROUNDS NEW PLAYER VEHICLE PARTS AT DEPOTS WEDGES ( DEFLECTION OBJECTS ) MINES ( HAZARDS ) 6. THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF PROPOSED ACTION ITEMS TO BE DESIGNED AND IMPLEMENTED: MAP DISPLAY ( PLAYER PROGRESSION ) AT DEPOT CONTROL PANEL DISPLAY FOR SCORE, MPH, AND TIMERS VEHICLE JUMPS MORE TUNNEL ( PLAYFIELD ) LAYOUT THEME/GOAL DESIGN PROBOT ACCURACY ( SHOOTS AT THE PLAYER ) IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW DRONES ( ORNATHOPTER, ETC ) ATTRACT MODE JOYSTICK VS. STARWARS CONTROLLER REVISIT GAS PEDAL DRONE TO DRONE COLLISIONS AND AVOIDANCE MORE SOUNDS 7. WE WILL NEED TO START AN UPRIGHT CABINET DESIGN AFTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON FOR OUR FIELD TEST IN FEB. 8. UPON RETURN FROM THE HOLIDAYS, THE STUN TEAM WILL BE DESIGNING A PLAN OF ATTACT IN PREPARATION FOR FIELD TEST ___________________________________________________________________________ From: GAWD::ALBAUGH "Dr. Bizarro" 22-DEC-1988 13:52:33.16 To: @sys$mail:engineer CC: Subj: More software rot If you do not now, nor will you ever, use a single 6502 for your game _and_ coin processor, just delete this now and save some time... Now, for you PotShot and Tetris programmers (and any others who are into "cheap" in a big way). Norm Avellar found yet another coin bug. It seems that if MECHS=2, the "middle-mech-multiplier" is _not_ applied to the left mech. I can only assume this was on purpose, because the code goes to some effort to do it. I also could swear I changed it a long time ago. But then again, I would have guessed that the copy of nucn65 in sys$sysdevice:[utilities] was no more than two versions out of date too... Anyway, the latest (today) version of nucn65.mac is in ee$userdisk:[albaugh.6502.coin], and will be in wherever the standard place should be if someone will let me know where that is (I can never unravel AUDIO's logicals). The version in sys$sysdevice:[utilities] is unbelievably old and crufty, so it is almost certainly _not_ being used by anybody. Maybe I ought to delete it and see who screams :-) Any suggestions? Mike ___________________________________________________________________________