take over again. One routine Is the 3D STARS from ANALOG 16 (1 don't have the magazine to refer to.) Also does anyone know how to modify the XF551 disk drive so that It can format the second side of disks as my 1050 has died." As the only way to access the second side of a disk on the 1050 is toflip the disk over and either use a writeprotect (disable) switch, or cut a notch in the disk, I assume you need help along these lines. If cutting a notch in the disk does not work then the XF551 must use the timing hole on the disk but I would be surprised f that is the case. I used to have an XF551 drive but it died fairly rapidly so I hardly got to know it, but someone out there still uses one and should know the answer to this problem. As to the machine code problem, I am sure one of our programming wizard readers wil provide the answer.
SOME IDEAS Graeme Fenwick from Dundee has pro bably forgotten he wrote this letter to Mailbag as it was tucked on the back of another letter and has only
just come to light Sorry, Graeme, let's know hear your Ideas:" I've not done much with my Atari Classic in the past year or so (having spent an unusually high amount of time on It just before that perhaps it's burn-out!), so I decided to mention a couple of things which other Atari users might be Interested in. For example how about a FREE scanner? Well, not quite, but you might be surprised that an Atari 1020 plotter with a light sensitive resistor and some suitable software can do just that. Okay the quality really sucks (contrast way too high, lighting's got to be right, sensor keeps falling off!) and it's pretty fuzzy, but for anyone who's interested a photo-resistor of 0 - 500 k/should do the job once its sensitivity has been dampened down and any extraneous light excluded. To be honest, you'll have to experiment. I could write an article about it but the idea needs refining (so does the software!). Of course, you'll need to connect your resistor across potentiometer pins and write the software to move the head (which the sensor's attached to ... scanning see!) and plot the resulting brightness. Again, it's probably best to experiment with rePage 6's New Atari User
solution, brightness and so on. A word of warning though a wrong connection to your Atari could prove hazardous to its health and sellotaping things to your printer head is a precarious idea at the best of times. Make sure you know what you are doing can't be held liable for any Atari-related accidents. I know the details are a bit vague, but it's just an idea, nothing more. Give It a go! Also, given the copyright discussion going on just now regarding software, couldn't the same be said of books? There must be plenty of Atari text that could go on the Net, if it's not already there - useful but rare stuff like De Re Atari. As far as the Atari bug goes I may be bitten again soon, or it may not be for years, with just occasional games of Elektraglide, Shamus, NYC and Pro Mountain Bike Simulator (a hidden gem, particularly in 2-player mode). Now that I look this letter over I realise I should have word-processed it, so I'll sign off with an apology to whoever's editing Mailbag this issue - sorry!" It's okay, Graeme, thanks for taking the time to write.