Disk Maggie 28 by Reservoir Gods [web] & Maggie Team
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q
Some annoying personal prequel drivel before you
get to the real 'Readme.txt'. This was written
in the period shortly after the New Year festivities.
First Impressions of the New Millenium....
It is about four minutes after zero hour, the Northampton horizon
flickers like an epileptic moth fluttered into the dimmer switch for the
whole sky, comet-tailed fireworks arc and explode overhead, and we hop
uneasily between recent rainfall dribbled puddles in the garden, as we
add our share to the firepower going off above.
The elation is total, the annoying 'pre-release' hype, which only served
to turn a lot of people off the idea, gladly forgotten, and we feel
really properly connected to the whole millenium thing, perhaps for the
first time.
Quite different, a few minutes before, where we were watching the
official London-based party, in a booze fuzzed and frankly over-
comfortable state. The fireworks were 'just an idea' that someone in our
party had a bit earlier. "Show the people in London how it's done!". It
was 'just an idea' that everyone else around gloriously joined in with,
all at that same moment!
The explosions seem to merge into one continuous roar, the strobing
grows ever more intense. Some deeper throatier booming explosions add
their weight, as if someone got too far into the party spirit, and
decided to detonate some liquid petroleum gas storage tanks on the other
side of town!?
Our work done, we gleefully watch the rest of the show unfold in the
heavens. Very slowly, and reluctantly, the sound and light subsides. The
new century and millenium have been announced with a due sense of
celebration. We go back inside satisfied. I notice then, that lacking
proper outdoor footwear and after recklessly rushing outside, my feet
are somewhat damp....
Second Impression of the New Millenium....
Well, the lights are still on.
I did check up on some of the earlier worldwide celebrations, to see how
they got on. The first major report coming from New Zealand, as they
approached their midnight hour, I was half-anticipating everything
technological, background cityscape lighting, news report and all, to go
'Fizzle-Glug' on the count of zero. Needless to say, it didn't. The
panicked trip to the local supermarket to stock up on candles, water
purifying tablets, and bear-traps, happily wasn't needed after all.
Could have been interesting, in a scary sort of way, if it had all gone
wrong though?
"This is your special correspondent reporting from the first outpost of
civilisation to go down before the Millenium Bug... The darkness closes
in, the shadows lengthen, and a supernatural kind of panic takes over,
perhaps for all time... Good night!"
Third Impression of the New Millenium....
And this lot is still working.
We're just into the second of Jan now, so my system clock on my Falcy is
telling me whilst I'm writing this. I went back to Rushden for a while,
logged on, and the internet, or at least the bits of it important to me,
all worked too.
But us Atarians knew we were going to make it through the double-zero,
months ago! Not like those poor fretting PC owners, wondering if their
huge investments in Y2K-proofing, really did the trick or not?
Even for them, sometimes fate deals a kind hand?
Naah! They're PCs, don't forget!
Okay, handing you over to
official 'Readme.txt' now!
Well, it's the 21st Century now, and we're still here! Computing and
coding, Atari style, is still here too, with the promise of more and
better to come. Also, our own personal enthusiasm is undimmed, even if
it hasn't translated too successfully to an early release date for this
issue of Maggie!
(Pedant note, let's not get into this "The new millenium doesn't really
start until next year" business. You may be correct, but all the decent
parties have gone by already!)
Well, what happens if you click around the place?
STe intro fans, there is one for this issue, you lucky people! Just go
for the 'STe_only.prg' lurking in this directory, there you will find a
nice tasteful little intro by KUA, the new Greek kids on the Atari
block! It is STe only, as it uses some STe specific hardware features
missing from the 'FM, and works 'partially' on the Falcon at best.
What's inside, is what you have all been waiting for, and such treats
as our long-delayed, but incredibly detailed Error in Line report, tons
of assorted reviews, the final instalment of the 'how to' guide to
completing 'Running', even three separate hardware reviews that each
offer their own insights into the possible future of computing without
Wintel. (Not to mention news of the recent revival of another hardware
platform beginning with the letter 'P', under the banner of the MinT
O/S!)
You may also pick up traces of gloating at Bill Gates's reverse at the
hands of the US Supreme Court. Now I never thought I'd be grateful for
the activities of a bunch of American lawyers!! I suppose if you hang
around long enough, anything becomes possible?
(New topic) As you know, this year is the tenth anniversary year of
Maggie, and the next issue, will be the official tenth birthday issue.
All suggestions and contributions will be welcome, very welcome, as I
sure don't feel like doing this one all by myself! A bit more detail
about our preliminary plans for the tenth birthday are inside.
We will be catching up with a lot of people at the forthcoming SV2000
Convention this Easter in sunny Gdansk, well it will be the latter end
of April, so the last of the winter chill should have gone by then?
Easter is later this year, not until the latter part of April, so we've
got a bit more time to practice our floor-sleeping skills, also might
be an idea to get a man with a pneumatic drill set to 'intermittent'
mode in my bedroom at night to simulate the nocturnal noises of
Requiem!
Until then, enjoy this issue and see you next time.
CiH, February 2nd 2000
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