Entry 0743: Blog: 1

Strange plea for Win98....

This might sound odd, particularly given my hatred
of MS that I just wish I could take the world back
to say year 2000 and to a time when I could surf
seamlessly, and use my Win98 machine without problem.
Amazing to think that I was on dial-up the last 
time I felt truly comfortable on a computer. Since
Jan of this year 2007, I have struggled endlessly 
with the internet and security software. At times,
like just, I have even flicked on an XP machine 
that the office gave me, for fear of security issues
only to switch it off, cus I really couldn't wait
any longer for the thing to kick in....

Anyway, to my gripes.

I use to be able to start this Win98 machine and
run all my applications, without internet connectivity
and use all my applications without being bombarded
with update checks. Can't do that anymore. I have
had to disable Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Flash cus
nothing but nothing that links to these won't work
without the wretched internet check. Adobe are the
absolute pits, cus it works in the background and
doesn't even tell you its doing it. So, I cannot
view PDFs off line anymore. And as to Flash well
that is the single most painful piece of intrusive
software I have ever come across. If I go to any
site that has Flash it locks the machine up. Its
not the application I hate, its the update checking
that Adobe instigate. Adobe are fast becoming worse
than Microsoft and I hate them both.

Next up is the dreaded virus checker. I could bash
Norton to death, but I see no point. They truly are
crap now and deserved of the crap world of home
entertainment computing that has destroyed my serious
computer interest. But, AVG are no better. I have a
couple of very nice Norton Utilities that in year
2000 would have worked without fault. Those being
Norton Disk Doctor and Norton WinDoctor. Both of
which kept this machine running perfectly. I was
unable to utilise them with the later versions of
Norton cus of LiveUpdate and Norton dropping
support for Win98. They may say that one of their
app's supports Win98, well it doesn't. Not if you
are running a Win98 machine with a Pentium 550.
Anyway, now to run WinDoctor or DiskDoctor I have
to disable everything and that means also pulling
the plug out the network hub... And why. Well you
tell me. The culprits are interfering applications
that insist on doing things in the background
without your express say so. And, again, why, I dunno,
there really isn't a good reason. Its just that we
live in a computing world where suppliers of
software feel that by interfering with your computer
and checking stuff on your behalf, you're more likely
to support the application....

Point of interest.... Take any MS OS today and all
the crap you need to support this and then strip
the computer back step by step to a lower spec machine
and you will steadily see the OS fall over. Although
there is supposed to be a an optimum computer spec.
for using MS these days, it falls far far short of
what is actually needed. All those that say they
have no problem running MS will have reasonable kit.
Not all the world can afford to keep upgrading. Vista
is the biggest con of all time.

So what's wrong with upgrading kit, I hear you say.
This is pretty common... and has always been the
case. [ pauses ]... I would agree with this sentiment
if I thought for one minute things were more efficient,
more usable, more beneficial etc etc. Sad thing is,
if we go back to 2000 I was doing everything on my
computer that I am today, but with one exception,
I no longer am allowed to enjoy fluid use of the
internet. And all the supported software that I use
has buggered up my OS cus they insisted on blind
updates that wrecked the application. There was no
regard for the hardware status of this computer, they
all used as a benchmark the latest kit on the market.
Abandoned, is how I feel. And just a touch crippled.

To me computing reached a pinnacle in 2000. Software
like Photoshop was just perfect for me. Norton ran like
a dream and I was enjoying my computing, albeit with 
crappy MS. Today, I cannot surf without lockups, I 
cannot run my disk utilities without support, and I
cannot use the network without fear of the support
applications ringing home and stalling applications.
This is not progress....

So why don't I get the XP machine running. The answer
to this is simple... XP is crap ( goodness me ) This
OS represents absolutely everything I hate about
computing today... Simply food without taste. I am
not even going to humour an OS that needs a check
home each time it wants to wipe its own bottom. The
pits... the absolute pits. This Xp machine I have
is a Pentium 1.4GHz, twice the speed as this Win98
computer, and yet it cannot do a simple thing without 
great pauses. Like uninstall software. Why does it take
forever for the application to kick in so I can
uninstall something. The OS checks the whole of two
hard drives before proceeding. That doesn't happen
with Win98. And the search facility is a joke... 
I can fully search the Win98 machine in a fraction
of the time the XP machine does... And they have
the same hard drive capacities. Difference is the
actual OS and drive set up on XP.

And so, in conclusion. Progress in computing has
not helped me. I feel more remote now than I ever
have. And this drives me further backward to a 
time when computing was easy and fun. We haven't 
moved on, we have all been fooled into thinking
that these purveyors of software know what they are
doing.... Trust me, they don't.

Just my thought

scuzz

Entry 0743: Blog: 2

I had this problem with the Amiga, where when I was online
with the Amiga and Miami using the ethernet, with say
an MS machine on the network, the SCSI drive with Samba
on it would run through a continuous loop. This was
identified using Scout and SnoopDOS..

[ response from helping hand to query ]

In Miami, set the IP type, netmask, and gateway of your 
interface to DHCP. Then press the 'TCP/IP Settings...' 
button and enable DHCP there. Send your hostname as well. 
Set 'Get Dynamic DNS Servers' to 'verify&add'. Hopefully
that will solve your general connection problem.

[ Then my general realisation of the problem ]

Your comments made me realise I was not doing something 
I usually do when I run the interface on my network... 
( ie when as an assigned IP address for machines not on 
the broadband network ) When I put online the Ethernet for
this network I force NMBD by activating a script from an 
icon I have on the workbench backdrop.

WAIT8
run>nil: samba:bin/nmbd -D
run>nil: MiamiSysCtl -w inetd.toomany=50

Before, I was using dialup so not using ethernet for my 
internet ( just a modem ) so when I checked YAM I wasn't 
using the ethernet. Then I would activate differing computers 
from running NMBD and putting the interface online and not 
the DIALER. I would then run another script from an icon on
the desktop as follows:

Wait8
Run SMBFS Volume="PCComputer" Workgroup=Amiga user=scuzz
Service=//Amiga/c/amiga

This then activated the PC drive as an icon on the workbench 
and was accessible as a drive on the Amiga. I have several 
icons on the desktop setup this way to access drives on 
other machines. Thing is I naturally ran NMBD when I put 
the network interface online and forgot I would need to do
the same to use the ethernet for the broadband. So I just 
fired up the interface ran NMBD and then YAM and there was 
one loop as the computers talked to each other and they 
realised who each was and the loop stopped. Job done. 
Missing the obvious. But talking here made me realise. 
So thanks for that.

Process for putting Amiga online on the PCMCIA ethernet 
interface:

First click my CardReset tool to get over that bug with 
the PCMCIA interface. Click Suspend and the card goes on line:

I then fire up Miami and finding the Inteface that has the 
specific IP addresses set up for my local network I put 
this online.

I then run the NMBD script from an icon I created for the 
following script:

WAIT8
run>nil: samba:bin/nmbd -D
run>nil: MiamiSysCtl -w inetd.toomany=50

I then get that single looping hard drive sound as the 
computers talk to each other.

I then click my icon for the drive on the other PC that I 
want to access:

Wait8
Run SMBFS Volume="PCComputer" Workgroup=Amiga user=scuzz
Service=//Amiga/c/amiga

And then that drive appears on the workbench and I can access 
that drawer as a normal Amiga drawer. I have these set up 
in DOpus.

[ FOR INTERNET and Broadband ]

For Broadband I need to do the same, but instead run the 
NMBD after I have gone on line with the Interface set up 
with DHCP and not my local network, and like magic when I 
run YAM the looping is no more. It is wonderful that
you can set up Miami with differing configs for interfaces.

scuzz

Entry 0743: Blog: 3

Hi

The one thing that always warms my heart when I have the 
Amiga on is the steady click of the floppy drive. I kinda 
got lonely in here these last few days since I moved stuff 
around, so I have set up an A1200 in here so I can play 
some Space Invaders and carry on with my various dice stuff. 
I gotta say I still find Space Invaders very addictive. 
The one I have here is called Amoeba which is pretty basic, 
but cool all the same. This is freeware from a group called 
Late Night Developments.

info...

Commodore Amiga (1988, "Amoeba Invaders") : included in 
the cover disk that came with the ST/Amiga Format Magazine 
(November 1988, Issue number 5).

More info...

Large Invader : 10 points.

Medium Invader : 20 points.

Small Invader : 30 points.

UFO : 50 to 300 points.

TIPS AND TRICKS
* When you start the game, your base will be in the 
bottom left corner of the screen, below the buildings. Your 
goal is to blast the invaders into dust. Keep in mind that 
once the invaders make it to either the right or left 
edge of the screen, they will drop down a row and head in 
the opposite direction. You should plan your strategy to 
prevent them from making it to an edge.

* A good strategy is to start blasting out the columns on 
the opposite edge of movement. This is if the invaders 
are moving right, the start blasting out the leftmost 
columns first. This way, their return trip is longer and 
you have more time to deal with them.

* Do not attempt to hit the invaders dead center. They fire 
their laser bombs from dead center and your shots will collide, 
wasting your shot and letting them move closer to an edge.

* Speaking of shots, you can only have one shot out at a time 
so make it count.

* Use your buildings to your advantage. 'Peek' around 
buildings to get shots and blast a hole in the middle of 
your buildings to give you protection while you knock out 
columns of invaders. Keep in mind, this protection will only 
last about 2 columns before the invaders blow open a hole 
wide enough to destroy your base.

* Every other wave of invaders starts one row lower. 
Eventually, the waves will start one row above your 
buildings. Be prepared to do some fast shooting to keep 
them from getting any lower because once they reach your 
level, the game is over.

* When you are down to taking out the last invader on a wave, 
that invader will zip across the screen. The strange thing is 
that the invader travels faster going left to right then going 
right to left. Keep this in mind when trying to shoot it.

* The mystery saucer (or UFO) will appear at random times. 
If you have a good shot at it, try to hit it. Don't go out of 
your way, however, to go after it; it isn't worth the risk or 
time wasted.

* The Hidden Message Trick : To get the hidden message, you 
must do the following :

1) When the demo starts, you need to press the following keys 
at the same time on the machine : LEFT, RIGHT, FIRE, 1 
PLAYER START, 2 PLAYER START.

2) Continue to press these keys rapidly as fast as you can.

3) If you are successful, the message ('TAITO COP') will 
appear under the high score.

* Shot Counting Trick : To get 300 every time you hit 
the mystery saucer. It is named the 'Furrer Trick' named 
after Eric Furrer who perfected it. To do this trick, 
perform the following :

1) Once the new level begins, start counting the shots 
from your base.

2) When you have fired 22 shots, stop shooting and wait 
for the mystery saucer.

3) Use the 23rd shot to blast the mystery saucer.

4) After this, start counting shots again, this time count 
only to 14.

5) Use the 15th shot to hit the mystery saucer.

6) Continue using the 14 shot rule until the level is finished.

7) At the next wave, start with the 22 shot rule, then use the 14 
shot rule to finish that wave.

8) Remember, all shots count regardless of hits or misses.

Trivia

A company called Logitec manufactured a bootleg of Space 
Invaders with a color monitor. While most of the screen 
remains B&W, the green is actually generated by the PCB 
(Printed Circuit Board) and although it looks very much 
like an overlay it's not. Back then this pirated PCB, because 
of it's design and minimal memory room on the PCB, (remember 
we are talking old technology), the game was very complex 
for it's time. It used an old 8080 processor which unlike 
the Z80 processor, it had its limitations. When this game 
was first designed it was originally going to be released 
as a B&W game and not color. The green is done by taking a 
segment out of the video processing area of the PCB and 
pulling it down with a bipolar prom to generate the affect. 
There are actually 2 video lines on this pcb - 1 for B&W and 
the other for sync and color.

Well there you go

scuzz

Entry 0743: Blog: 4

Hi

Thinking on that 1500 thing, I started to think of just how
sad it was that I busted up the loft where the Checkmate
was. It was an amazing find that, but totally out of context
now given that all the kit was split up. We all no doubt have 
our own special computer world, with everything just the
way we want it. And when Amiga folk start selling their kit,
they do more than that, they actually destroy a small but
important fragment of their world. That is why when the
cards start falling over the old Amigans tend to sell nearly
everything. The bits and pieces can never make up the 
sum of the whole. So breaking up a computer area that
has almost organically grown isn`t a good thing to have
to experience. I often wish I could rebuild some of these
worlds from where I get kit, and perhaps even sit a while
and go back in time and watch the fun the users had
during their time when say first programming, using BBS,
installing that first accelerator, mucking around with PD
and playing games for the first time. These moments
can`t be bought on Ebay. They are treasured by the
computer guys themselves, and not the kit. I guess the
best we can do is recall these moments. I guess thats
why I cling to my Amiga. Cus there really will never be
anything like it again in my lifetime. We were lucky.

scuzz

Entry 0743: Blog: 5

The Kickstart Guide to the Amiga
Ariadne Software Limited

This is a great book...

Ariadne Software were involved in assembly code programming on
8-bit micros, such as Commodore PETs (MTC PILOT , MSC PILOT
and PETNET ) The BBC Micro (NPL's Microtext authoring system
and Robocom's Bitstik CAD packages ), and Commodore 64
(Microtext again, plus Compunet terminal ). They also did some
' C ' programming on PCs but were not impressed.

Back in 1985 Dave Parkinson and Mike Boiley of Ariadne Software
with the help and support of Commodore wrote Amiga journals
for developers of Amiga software. This book is the updated version
of this . They state that the Kickstart Guide is not intended to
replace the official Amiga technical manuals but intend to give
comprehensive details on how the machine works.

PART 1 Introduction to the Amiga

The Commodore Amiga is an amazing machine in terms of its
clever hardware, its multi tasking software, and its advanced
WIMP ( window mouse icon pointer ) user interface.... 

[ Then follows a general overview ]

It goes on to explain and describe in detail things like:
68000, PAD, gate, Kickstart Memory, IO chips, etc
Then onto Amiga tasks and processes, libraries and AmigaDOS

Someone has underlined ' ASM68K on the Fish disks is worth 
investigating.

Section 1: Introducing the 68000
Then More about Memory
An introduction to multi tasking
Then onto Amiga Exec
Section 2 then talks about Amiga Libraries

I love this bit... A Final Twiddle - ATOM

... discussing the shortcomings of memory ' hunks '...
This was given a short-term fix in release 1.1 by means
of a utility program called ATOM. ( ALink Temporary Object
Modifier ) used in conjunction with Lattice 3.03 and Alink.

Goes then on talk about Amiga Devices

In Part V we find ourselves debugging the Wack
Then onto Amiga Graphics...
And finally Getting Started in ' C '.... 

' The Commodore Amiga is probably the most advanced
wide-market Microcomputer ever produced, both in terms
of hardware, and in terms of the system software. The 
Amiga uses a state of the art message-passing, multi-
tasking operating environment.... etc etc '

You get the idea.

This is an amazing book. 265 pages in A4 format and
filled solid with Amiga facts and details. I hadn`t seen
it before and managed to get this along with some other
books.

scuzz

Entry 0743: Blog: 6

Hi

For those even remotely interested in what I have been up to
I would advise as follows:

This week I have mostly.... Been obtaining a couple of Atari's
cus I was determined to set one up with the Atari monitor I
got last month. I am going to see how easy it is to do some
of the basic tasks I undertake on say this Amiga, just to
compare. I have never really used the Atari, and that was cus
of the monitor. 

The second Atari provides a much much better boxed version
of a machine I currently have, and I will advise on that later.

[ PS: Atari machines that arrived safely were the Atari XE
and the Atari 520ST ]

I also won a very rare computer today, so rare, that there is only
one entry on the internet relating to the machine that gives any
detail. As ever, more on that when the computer arrives.

[ PS: Rare machine arrived safely : The BIT79 Home Computer ]

I am off to Lymington Thursday to pick up the Acorn RISCStation
machine, and the guy has promised me a display of what it can do,
so that should be interesting.

[ PS: Collected RISCStation with RISC OS 4: All working ]


I have my finger in the NeoGeo pie at the moment and I am starting
to source and acquire a  bag of WonderSwan stuff.... 

I have also obtained another programmable calculator, this time to
get all the books that came with it. Just wish my fingers were a
touch smaller. 

[ PS: CASIO arrived safely cpmplete with magic program book ]

On the gaming front I have ended my time with Lara on the PS2
which is quite sad. Playing FIFA now and 1812 Munich in the
European Cup... Andy Gray does make me giggle. I actually 
watched Andy play in the flesh when he was at Wolves. I am
ready to complete Xenosaga, though first I am having a mad
session on the DreamCast and ReVolt.

Watching ALIAS Series 3 ( finished that now ) and the very sexy
Charlize Theron in the sci fi dvd Aeonflux ( not bad ). Listening to
the Editors and Snow Patrol and the latest by Linkin Park.

Tonight I was chuffed to bits to finally get hold of an Amiga 3000T
Service Manual which should prove most useful. 

[ PS: Amiga 3000T manual arrived: Classic  ]


On the Amiga front I am generally suplementing books to the 
library. I may get another A500, for what reason escapes me 
at the moment....... Just remembered ... To check my PD disks 
when I am in this room which is normally reserved for this 
A1200, A1200 tower and A4000. There is literally just enough 
space in this room for me to sit in, as I am completely surrounded 
by Amiga kit. I love being in here to be honest. There are few 
things in life that make me feel more relaxed and happy than 
this Amiga Sanctuary. If you have never allowed the Amiga to 
simply wash over you, absorbing you totally, then you really
will not understand. I am most fortunate to still have my 
Amiga world.

Magic.

scuzz
Amiga1200 WB3 Blizzard 1230 IV 32MB RAM Miami YAM