Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    	Omnitek isn't much of a help.  That organization has troubles
    upstairs.  The staff is stagnant, and they bellyache about lack
    of customer loyalty.  I've been to both stores, too, but I only
    return when I am desparate.
    
    	I went over a while ago to Newton.  I've forgotten the name
    of the place, something like the Computer Connection perhaps?  What
    a difference.  Very helpful people who were enthusiastic and fun!
    Every Friday night a group of regulars cram the place for
    demonstrations and compare that with Omnitek.  They could better
    arrange a wake.
    
    	Good luck with your Amiga.
    
    							Cheers,
    							Rick

    Anybody try "Computer Eyes" in New Hampshire.
    The entire store is devoted to Amiga hardware and software.
    They carry the Abacus line of Amiga books.
    Also they sell your old equipment,software on a commission basis.
    They crry a variety of magazines, public domain software, and the
    Amiga magazine disks.
    	I got my subsystem 500 from them as well as most of my software.
    	Their prices are the best I've seen.
    

     The trouble with the software that is available is that it's not
    all in one place. Sometime the names are changed to protect the
    innocent (I.E. the arcade game of bank panic is gunfight.).
    
     I have seen an article in Amiga World. That MicroEd carries a line
    of software for education as well as Religious Programs. If you
    care to write to them for a list its:
    
     MicroEd, Incorporated
     PO Box 24750
     Edina, MN 55424
     Phone: 612-929-2242
    
     Also Unicorn carries a line of educational software.
    
     My kids enjoy Donald Ducks Playground (Teaches about Money)
    
     You can get programs that teach about music fundamentals etc. check
    the ads in Amiga World.
    
    
                                  for what it's worth

    re: .2---I live just 7 minutes from System Eyes (I assume that's the
    store you meant) so I drop by every week or two.  I've seen better
    prices mail-order, but not in a retail store.
    
    Steve told me they will be stocking all of the Fred Fish disks soon.
    (I'm not sure when "soon" is.)
        John Sauter

    
    Amiga world December 1988 list software available for the Amiga.
    Some of the titles are not availble but most are.  Under educational
    software they list 203 titles.  If you cannot get a hold of the
    magazine then send me mail and I will mail you (U.S. mail that is)
    a copy of the artical.
    
    Harry
    

    I object to the implication in .0 that nudity is unhealthy.  Please
    keep such personal convictions to yourself.
    
    
    				-- edp 

    re .0 huh???
    
    Ive seen very little gore,nudity etc in games available
    
    one or two are a little rough (the decapitation of the cartoon
    warrior in "barbarian" for example churns my stomach a little)
    But these games are designed more for adults that young children.
        

    <POSSIBLE FLAME ON>

    What do you class as "Mysticism"? I have a game called "the golden
    Path" which is about a priest searching for enlightenment by
    helping the poor/saving animals/ocassionally fighting a demon or
    dragon/bandit. The story follows very closely to several oriental 
    legends and I thouroughly enjoy the game (studying oriental history
    as a hobby for 8 years what do you expect) 
    
    I have also had hours of fun with "the Bards tale" a hack & slash
    the monsters game the purpose being to build up enough experience
    to defeat the evil wizard and return peace and prosperity to the
    land...
    
    if this is the style
    of "Mysticism" that you object to then I support .-1 which politely
    asks you to keep your personal convictions to yourself.
    <POSSIBLE FLAME OFF>
    
    Specificly what software/software house(s) do you have a problem
    with?
    
    Have you had any experience with microsoft basic/dpaint
    if so I can show you how to write your own stuff (if you have
    the time and inclination)

    I agree with the "donald ducks playground" game philosophy
    it not only teaches children about money but enforces the
    philosophy that you gotta work for what you want in this world.
    an excellent game for young children.
    
    I have heard that "winnie the pooh in the 100 acre woods"
    is supposed to be very good also - but I havnt seen this game 
    myself.
 
    It may have been previously mentioned, but there is also the
    DISCOVERY educational software available (although I dont know
    how suitable it would be for very young children)
    
    What would you like your children to learn eg: spelling/maths/reading
    recognising colors/shapes/letters/numbers/objects/what?
    
    I have not seen any "bible" orientated s/w around
    
    Phil

    
    John:
    
    To get started in communicating with your VAX at work, I'd suggest
    that you get my highly rated (by me) Starter disk.  It contains
    an excellent VT220 emulator and necessary software for unpacking
    files that you may find on the corporate net or any commercial nets
    that you may subscribe to.  It also contains most of the best Public
    Domain and Shareware software that enhances the Amiga environment.
    
    To get the disk, just send me a blank floppy and I'll return it
    the next day.  It comes with instructions, but most newcomers need
    some help with the finer points of downloading, ie; file format,
    XMODEM versus KERMIT, etc.  If all else fails, you can ask here
    or call me personally.
    
    As far as your choice of a modem... I've heard of the Codex, but I'm
    not sure it's a Hayes compatible.  DEC modems are in general non-Hayes
    compatible (I think there might be a newer model that is??).  Why is
    Hayes compatibility a good thing?  Because most terminal software
    expects it.  The software always sends out an AT command before dialing
    or hanging up.  You CAN make any modem work, but it's a little more
    nerve-wracking for beginners. 
    
    A good 2400 baud Hayes modem is the SupraModem, which is available
    for around $130-140 mail order (consult a recent AmigaWorld).  Any
    standard RS232 cable will work fine, and should cost around $20.
    Any computer store that sells an IBM modem cable would also be a
    good quick source.
    
    Printers:  In order to make the best use of the Amiga's printing
    capability, two files are required...
    
    WORKBENCH:DEVS/PRINTER.DEVICE  (Needed do do ANY printing whatsoever)
    WORKBENCH:DEVS/PRINTERS/NAME_OF_YOUR_PRINTER (This is the actual driver)
    
    The first file (PRINTER.DEVICE) is already in the DEVS directory
    on your WorkBench disk.  This file is needed to get ANY printer
    to work.
    
    The system software that came with your Amiga has a large number
    of drivers for popular printers on the Extras disk, but the
    LA50/LA75 is not included.  There is an LA50 driver available here
    on the DEC net, but there's a catch...
    
    The latest release of the Amiga system software (v1.3) has tremendously
    enhanced printing capabilities over the 1.2 software.  In order
    to make use of these capabilities (much greater speed, anti-aliasing,
    smoothing) you MUST have 1.3 versions of both the PRINTER.DEVICE
    and the actual printer driver.  The catch is that the printer driver
    for the LA50 hasn't been rewritten for the new capabilities of 1.3.
    
    So, if you really want to use your LA50, you can keep the 1.3
    PRINTER.DEVICE, but you'll have to settle for a 1.2 printer driver.
                                                                         
    Re: Morality, children's software, etc...
                                      
    I think one of the greatest and most useful things a child can do
    is learn to type (I wish I had).  There are several good typing
    programs available, but 'Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing' is considered
    the standard, and is available in Apple, IBM, Amiga, Atari formats. 
    
    As far as personal tastes go, unfortunately, there are no rating
    standards in place for consumer software as there is in the motion
    picture industry.  I happen to enjoy bloody combat games (usually
    the blood is mine) and in newer systems like the Amiga and Atari,
    with detailed graphics, the violence can be quite explicit.  In
    lieu of a formal ratings system, the best you can do is to read
    magazine reviews or ask for comments in this notesfile.  Sometimes
    the title can provide some clues as to the content, ie; I doubt
    that 'Sex Vixens from Space' would be your cup of tea.  As far as
    fantasy and role playing, well, these games are quite popular on
    ALL computer formats, so you can expect to continue to see more
    of these.
    
    If there's to be a debate on this subject, it might be better to
    bring it up in Soapbox (which I can't seem to find anymore).
    
    Ed
    
    
    
    

    for the record - the soapbox conference is now at PEAR::SOAPBOX
    
    Phil

    Some games that are good, clean fun... All nonviolent, all staying
    out of the areas that .0 is concerned about.
    
    Commercial:
    
    Marble Madness - Push a marble along narrow, twisting paths, past
    hazards like vacuum cleaners, dissolving puzzles and ice.
    
    Little Computer People - Kids can entertain and take care of a little
    man who lives behind the screen.
    
    Tetris - Maneuver puzzle pieces as they fall from the top of the
    screen.
    
    Public domain:
    
    Tetrix - PD knockoff of Tetris.  (Not recommended: another version
    called Tertis.)
    
    Gravity Wars -  Two spaceships shoot at each other, but their missiles
    are pulled about by the gravity of nearby planets.  A strategy game,
    not a shoot-em-up.
    
    Wheel of Fortune - Play against two computer opponents.  Uses Amiga
    voice synthesizer, and Vanna is multitasking!  May be online as
    WOF.ARC or WHEEL.ARC.
    
    As for modems, unless you already have the Codex modem, it's probably
    not worth the expense.  Two reliable 2400 baud modems are the Zoom
    Telephonics MX24, under $120, and the Supra 2400, under $150.
    
    Wes Plouff