What Good is an Atari Portfolio ------------------------------- Written by Mr. Portfolio There has been many a time that I have been asked by curious onlookers, "gee that little computer is a neat toy, but what good is it ??". One of my answers is that the address book has been the most useful part of the Portfolio, and that is even in a way that Atari really never intended it to be used. As a square dance caller, I have found the address book to be very useful. I used it to catalog a bin of records. This resulted in my getting a list that told me of everything I had in the bin. For a collector, the address book would be indispensable, with the first line being used as a title, the address book becomes a real useful general purpose database. There are a few programs out now that allow the user to view his/her address file on a PC, and allow the user to import/export from Windows Cardfile .CRD files. Eventually I get asked about games on the Portfolio. I have used my Portfolio for different games, one of the best games around is written by B. J. Gleason, it is called Spinner 1.0 For those of you who have never heard of Spinner 1.0, the following diagram sort of describes it: _____________________________ -| | | |xx|yy|yy|xx| | | |- | |--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--|--| | -| | | | | | | | | | |- ----------------------------- In this diagram there are 20 numbers marked from 1 to 20, randomly spread throughout the little boxes. By using right and left cursor keys , the numbers move around either clockwise or counter clockwise. Pressing the spacebar swaps the numbers in the boxes marked xx and yy. The object of the game is to manipulate the numbers, until they are all in order from left to right, starting at the leftmost box. I found this game quite challenging, especially near the end when almost all of the numbers were in order. Play is fairly fast, the program itself is an EXE file, so no other programs are needed to play it. All in all, Spinner 1.0 is a really good game, B.J. Gleason has gone out of his way with this one. ST Transfers with the Parallel port. ------------------------------------ Finally, there is a program out for the Atari Portfolio called STFOLIO.ARC, it allows you to hook up your ST to the Portfolio. With the special program and the special cable that you make, (it is not too hard, I have seen the Diagram that is enclosed in the arc file), you can send files to your Portfolio from your ST. The program uses the Parallel port on the Portfolio, and is almost identical to the one on the IBM. Flight Simulator for The Portfolio ---------------------------------- There is now a program out called FS.EXE that allows the user to fly a little plane across the Portfolio screen. The program does not have any graphics, it has a neat propeller sound, and uses the up and down arrow keys to move the plane up or down. Landing the plane is easy, you just move the down cursor until the plane touches the bottom of the screen, then it says: Safe Landing. The game itself is rather small and easy, it really is just a novelty that wears off soon, but it is still kind of neat. Terminator II and the Atari Portfolio ------------------------------------- In the year 1991 the second terminator has struck, and the boy hero of the movie has an Atari Portfolio. The kid makes real good use of the Portfolio, during the movie there are real close up shots of the Portfolio while the kid proceeds to plug a magnetic card into an automated banking machine. The magnetic card appears to be hooked up to the Portfolio through a cable, a program on the Portfolio is scanning the card, and after 20 seconds it tells the kid what the pin number is. The kid explains to his friend that his mother showed him how to modify little computers, he then withdraws $300.00 of money (not his money). (That's one real good use for the Portfolio, but I hope this one never hits the market...). Banking and the Portfolio ------------------------- In keeping with the above, one real good use for the Portfolio is to use it as an electronic checkbook. With proper use of the spreadsheet, you can keep real good control at you fingertips of where your money goes. The example below illustrates this: --------------------------------------- | Date | Action | Amount | Balance | |--------|----------|--------|----------| | Jul 6 | Deposit | $100.00| $100.00 | | Jul 7 | Withdraw | $50.00: +C4-D3 | ------------------------------------------ In the above example, the first line , July 6 and its contents is the start of the worksheet. The formula in block D4 takes the previous balance from block C4, subtracts the amount from block D3 and puts the updated balance in block D4. This type of worksheet can be used to keep track of bank deposits and withdrawals, and another similar worksheet can keep track of purchases, right down to the penny. I used this system for months when I was in college, and it resulted in a savings of $100.00 or more per month, by just being able to have the info at my fingertips. One piece of advice, if you are going to use a system like this, save your output file on a ramcard, and call it something like Bank0706.wks, it makes things easier as you update it. The first four letters of the filename should be descriptive, the next two letters are the month and the last two is the day, as you update your list, change the filename to correspond with the latest update's date. As a final note, I am listing a good portion of the PD files that are available for the Atari Portfolio. The list comes from Atari Canada's BBS. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- PK361.EXE PC compatible ARC utility to unarc BBS files in this area ---> NEW Files: SPIN.EXE Number Puzzle FM.COM Atari Files Manager FS.EXE Small flight simulator, Not much on graphics but fun PCRD11.ARC newest version for Windows 3.0 - Cardfile file compatible with Portfolio address book (needs VBRUN100.ARC) FLASH.ARC BSE Flashcard software drivers for connecting and HD to the Portfolio - contact BSE 714-832-4316 BLKBST.BAS Arcade game (needs PBasic) DIGDEC.ARC Card trick program DIGDEC.DOC Docs for above DZN.BAS Puzzle (needs PBasic) DZNRUL.TXT Docs for above TEXTCO.ARC Removes returns from text files except at the end of paragraphs TIMEZN.ARC Reset system clock when you are in different time zones TYPIST.COM Typing practise for the small keyboard TYPIST.DOC Docs for above VADER.BAS Space invaders (needs PBasic) ---> Conversion Programs AG2POR.ARC Lotus Agenda macros to export Agenda data to Portfolio DRYSK.ARC Diary files to sidekick PRTCRD.ARC Convert address book ADR files to Windows 3.0 Cardfile CRD files ( VBRUN100.ARC Win 3.0 Visual Basic Runtime for above WPCAL.ARC Covert WordPerfect Cal to DRY ---> DEMO Programs: PGSH21.ARC Fastest Demo available PSI.EXE Demo program for the Portfolio ---> Utilities: 60BY10.ARC Program to change screen to 60 col by 10 lines ACDPW2.ARC Password protect your data files ADDRES.EXE Address file viewer ADDRES.SIT Mac Hypercard stack allows import/export, requires StuffIt ARCEX.ARC Portfolio "Un-ARC" utility AUTOEXEC.BAT Example startup file BAT2EXE.ARC Compile batch files, output runs on the Portfolio BATTST.ARC Battery tester for Portfolio BM2.ARC Battery reminder program BXD26.ARC Debugger, runs on the Portfolio CONFIG.SYS Example config file DOSEDI.COM DOS command line editor, remembers last few commands you entered FT.COM Parallel module file transfer prog GREP.ARC Text search program HDIR.ARC Horizontal directory LISTFG.COM displays fragmented files LOGOS.ARC custom screens NEWPORT.ARC Tech Overview of Portfolio accessories PASSWORD.ARC Password Protection Utility for Portfolio PDD2MENU.ARC Driver for Radio Shack Portable disk drive PFBACKUP.ARC Backup utility PORTHELP.ARC excellent help files PORTUTIL.ARC Setup files for the Portfolio, update, autoexec, config etc. PRTTXT.ARC Textfile Create HOT KEYS on the Portfolio using ANSI.SYS PTOOL.ARC A set of excellent Portfolio utilities. SDIR24.ARC Sort directories SM.COM Change screen mode from dos prompt of batch file SNATCH.ARC Grab PC screen shots and run them on the Portfolio SRCH.ARC Search diary and address files for a string STRIP.ARC Strips carriage returns from ASCII files UPDT107.COM Lastest update VDEL.COM Prompts y/n before any delete file operation ---> Word Processing: OUTLINE.ARC Outline text editor for the Portfolio WS_EDIT.ARC Word Star like editor for Portfolio ---> Programming: PBAS45.ARC Latest version of Basic with coms support PBE13.ARC PC editor to create PBasic programs SPB.EXE Removes unneeded lines and REM statements from PBasic progams ZBASIC.ARC Compact basic product that runs on the Portfolio ---> Communications: ACOM11.ARC Terminal Program DIAL.ARC Xterm dialer PFBOOT.ARC Serial interface program to load terminal PORT8BIT.ARC Tech document describing connecting Portfolio to Atari 8 bit PORTTOST.ARC Files to GET Xterm on the Portfolio without files transfer SLAVE.ARC Host program (Portfolio to any terminal supporting X-Modem) STFOLI.ARC Parallel file transfer XTERM2.ARC Terminal program, includes XMODEM file transfer capability ---> Graphics: PORT_ART.ARC Graphics pix demonstration SKETCH.ARC Sketch program for the Portfolio ---> Applications: CBASE.ARC Create scripts to collect data in the field CC3.BAS Metric conversion, requires BASIC CLOCK.EXE Large Portfolio Clock FUNCTION.ARC Function analysis uses graphics to plot x-Y diagrams MERLIN.ARC Game OHM.ARC Ohmeter Program for Portfolio OTHELLO.ARC Othello runs on portfolio (set the screen to static) PBASPRGS.ARC Assorted basic programs PC.ARC Programmer's calculator PCHESS.ARC You play chess against the Portfolio PIM.ARC Personal Info Mgr. fully operational program PORTPRGS.ARC Assorted Games, LIFE, PVIEW, SM, TT PTONE.ARC Generate tones via file or keyboard QUICK.ARC Input you cheques in the field and upload to Quicken later. SHERLOCK.ARC Adventure game SIMON.ARC Simon game TETRAD.ARC Tetris game for the Portfolio TRON.ARC Motorcycle game YANKEE.ARC Music for the Portfolio ---> Misc Files: PORTABLE.ARC Portable Addiction, a newsletter on Portable products The next area below has a list of UK files that are available for the Atari Portfolio. Dear Portfolio user, This file contains a short overview of the contents of the Portfolio Public Domain disk. The contents are collected on 23 april 1990 from files of the Atari-NET BBS of Atari (Benelux) B.V., this BBS contains Public Domain software collected all over the world. Atari-NET is reachable at +31 3473 77584 and +31 3473 77376. [Benelux is the combination of The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg] Directory File Description [abc.def is a proposal for the English name of a program] (root) CED.DOM Remembers DOS cmds, recallable using cursor keys. Less powerful (smaller) than DOSEDIT. UNCRASH.COM Resets crashed programs using [FN]-B FILELIST.BAT Batch shows directory of system (1) OHM.EXE Convertion colour codes of resistors ATTR ATTR.COM Set/reset file attributes (hidden etc) ATTR.DOC BATCHIO ALARM.BAT Very handy batchfiles by Sjoerd DEMOEXEC.BAT Spoelstra. BEL.BAT [call.bat] BREED.BAT [wide.bat] MEMO.BAT STIL.BAT [quiet.bat] LAAD.BAT [load.bat] SERVE.BAT SMAL.BAT [small.bat] REKEN.BAT [calc.bat] ZOEK.BAT [search.bat] FAKE.COM This file is REQUIRED for these batchfiles !! APPBATCH.DOC Please read this documentation! BUCKETS BUCKETS.INF Program for database programmers, calculates BUCKETS.PRG the number of BINs (buckets) required. BUCKETS.TXT DBFREAD DBFREAD.DOC Database conversion program by Sjoerd Spoelstra. DBFREAD.EXE Suitable for DBase III and clones like clipper MEMBERS.DBF Foxbase etc. DIAL AT.COM Extra (DIAL) programs's for the XTERM2 DIAL.BAT serial comm program. DTR.COM REMOTE.BAT WAIT.COM DOSEDIT DOSEDIT.COM Powerful program that recalls previous DOS commands DOSEDIT.DOC using cursor keys, edit and knows about ALIAS functions. FUNCTIO2 FUNCTIO.DOC Draws graphs of x-y functions, written by FUNCTIO.EXE Sjoerd Spoelstra. TIPS PRTFTIPS.TXT Hints by an American journalist. TIPS.TXT Hints by Sjoerd Spoelstra PFBOOT BINHEX.COM These files allow the installation of a comm program CHKSUM.COM using a serial interface WITHOUT built-in comm HEXBIN.COM software [which lacks in DIP 1.42]. LOAD.BAT PFBOOT.BAT MS-DOS PC with serial port is required. PFLOAD.EXE This way, a parallell interface can be saved by README.DOC people who only need a serial interface. XTERM1.COM XTERM1.DOC XTERM1.HEX PFCIJF KLNA3H1.SDF Teacher's score list program by Sjoerd [marks] PFCIJF.DOC Spoelstra. PFCIJF.EXE [Unlikely to be usable in the USA because the pupil score system is different. Dutch use 1 (bad)..6(just sufficient)..10(excellent). PFCLOCK CLOCK.EXE Screen filling clock program by Paralax. CLOCK.TXT PF_DEMO ATADEMO.EXE Graphic (shop) demo by Sjoerd Spoelstra D1.TXT D2.TXT D3.TXT DEMO.BAT TRAAG.COM [delay.com] WENS.EXE [xmaswish.exe] RG READ.ME Various tools, collected by Richard CIFER.COM Gigengack. Read READ.ME file first. QUERY.COM SORTF.COM STRIP.BAS RPNCALC RPNCALC.DOC HP-41 compatible calculator, read doc file FIRST RPNCALC.EXE because of directions about screen setup. SDIR24 SDIR24.COM Directory utility SDIR24.DOC SDL S.BAT Directory utility SDL.COM SDL.DOC TBASIC CODES.TBI Tiny BASIC, this basic doesn't know string functions. README.1ST Read doc first. TBASIC.ASM TBASIC.COM TBASIC.DOC WCX WCX.COM Word Count utility WCX.DOC WS_EDIT EDIT.COM Wordstar like editor EDIT.DOC W_SHEET AUTOKOST.WKS Various worksheets: Car costs [carcosts.wks] HYPOTEEK.WKS Mortgage [mortgage.wks] NSKOST.WKS Rail costs [railcost.wks] XTERM2 XTERM2.COM Latest version of serial comm program XTERM2.DOC with: XModem, ASCII up/download. OTHELLO OTHELLO.COM Othello game, read doc because of OTHELLO.DOC screen setup directions. (1) Adapt for own system That concluded the lists of files that are available for the Atari Portfolio. Next month I will be adding an update, see you then. This is it for now, there will be more Portfolio news to come next month. Russ Campbell, Mr. Portfolio.