AOH :: SBDIG11.TXT

Sound Blaster Digest #11

























                             SOUND BLASTER DIGEST 
           
                                  Number 11
                             October 1991 Edition. 
 
                   A newsletter for Sound Blaster Enthusiasts. 
 
                     Edited and Published by Brad Barclay. 
 
           Made possible by the contributions of Sound Blaster users. 
                                          
                                   /\ 
____________________________      /  \/\ 
                            \    /      \      ________________________________ 
                             \  /        \    / 
                              \/          \  / 
                                           \/ 

                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   =================

                    Title                                   Page
                    -----                                   ----

                    From the Editor's Desk....................1
                    From the Mailroom.........................2
                    From the Assistant Editor's Desk..........3
                    COMMERCIAL REVIEW:  MASTERBLAZER..........5
                    C/MS and the SB ver 1.5...................7
                    Advertisements............................8
                    Subscriptions.............................9
                    Included Files...........................10
                    Want-Ads.................................10
                    Next Month...............................11
                    Living in a Stereo World.................11
                    Wrapping It Up...........................13
                    Want-Ads.................................13

                                        FORMS:
          
                    SUBSCRIPTION FORM........................14
                    BBS REGISTRATION FORM....................15
                    AD ORDER FORM............................16
                    DEMO TAPE ORDER FORM.....................17
          
          
          COPYRIGHT NOTICE:  This issue of the SOUND BLASTER DIGEST (SBD) is
          Copyright (c) 1991 Brad Barclay, and may not be copied, in whole or
          in part without the written consent of Brad Barclay in Canada, any
          country that is a part of the Berne Copyright Convention, or any
          country that is a part of the Universal Copyright Convention.
            Brad Barclay hereby gives consent to any and all readers to copy
          the Sound Blaster Digest at will, conforming to the following
          criteria:
               1) The file SBD0011.ZIP may be distributed freely by any
          person or agency, so long as no funds are received for profit. 
          Charges for Media costs is allowable.
          
               2) The file SBD0011.ZIP must be distributed in it's whole and
          original form:  any changes, additions or deletions, in whole or in
          part of this or any of the accompanying files is a breach of this
          copyright agreement.  The only changes allowed to this ZIP file is
          the addition or deletion of the ZIPfile comment.  Any other
          modification to the distribution ZIP file is a breach of this
          copyright agreement.
          
               Any person violating this copyright agreement is subject to
          punishment as prescribed by local copyright laws.
          
                                                       Page 1
          
          FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK:
          =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
          
               Hi everybody, and welcome to the SBD issue #11.
          
               First off, please notice the copyright notice on the Table Of
          Contents page.  I really didn't want to do this, but at least 1
          person thus far has made it necessary.  I was hoping that people
          out there would have more decency to copy the work of others, and
          on the most part, they did.  Sadly, there are a few out there who
          ruin this for everybody, and for those few, the copyright notice is
          necessary.  You probably never even heard of the violating literary
          work:  luckily I, with the help of a few Sysop friends, was able to
          curb it's distribution before any damage could be done.
          
               Anyhow, on to more happy news.  There's a new product that is
          going to be out this month that isn't big enough to require an
          entire article about it, but which deserves mention here anyways. 
          THE COMPLEAT MUSICAL CHAIR is a CD-ROM containing nearly every file
          available on the SBD's Home BBS, THE MUSICAL CHAIR.  It contains
          some 300 Megs of Shareware, and about the same amount of Music
          files.  It's a limited run, but the cost just can't be beat:  $99
          for the disk.  See the enclosed ad in the file COMPLEAT.TMC for
          more details.
          
               Also, it has been heard here through a publication in
          Australia sent to the SBD's office this month called THE AUSTRALIAN
          SOUND BLASTER & AD LIB JOURNAL that a new product for both Sound
          Blaster and Sound Blaster Pro users alike will be available
          sometime soon.  It is going to be a special cable which will
          automatically adjust the volume for recording sound samples to make
          better recordings.  Thus far we have no confirmation from Creative
          Labs on this, so tune in next month to see if there are any
          developments on this product.
          
               Anyways, that's what we have this month from my desk.  Hope
          you enjoy this month's issue!
          
          
                                                       Page 2
          
          FROM THE MAILROOM:
          =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
          
               The mailroom is a very busy place this month.  Just to give
          you an idea how busy we are, there are 50 letters here that need to
          be processed, half of which contained diskettes with programs that
          authors wanted me to evaluate, other newsletters people wanted me
          to comment on, articles for this (and future) editions of the
          digest, and even people just requesting programs and music files
          from me.
          
               There is some good news about this:  I have finally bought a
          3.5" disk drive to be able to read 3.5" disks off of.  And it's
          only a 720k drive, so that disks written by myself in my drive can
          be read by anyone owning a 3.5" disk drive.
          
               Now for those of you who want to mail disks:  this is okay,
          although no longer can I process those requests from readers who
          want me to copy programs for them.  Only send disks if you are
          sending an article, a program for us to evaluate and possibly
          review, or if you're sending an advertisement to us.  Things like
          this are okay, but please don't just send me a box of disks and ask
          me to fill them up:  this takes too long, and I really don't always
          have everything people want (I have had requests for filling disks
          full of .MOD files, and I don't even have enough .MOD files to do
          so).  If you want any Sound Blaster files, try calling one of the
          quality BBS's included in our list.
          
               Now someone commented on my decision in last issue's Digest to
          provide a separate newsletter for subscribers only.  The reader was
          concerned that those who didn't subscribe would be left out in the
          cold.  My response to this:  you have nothing to worry about.  All
          that the Subscribers-only newsletter deals with is subscribers
          issues: details about special offers for subscribers only, about
          returning faulty disks, and all that various information that needs
          to be sent out to subscribers that non-subscribing members aren't
          concerned about.  This was done to save space in the regular Digest
          (how many of you out there really need to know things like details
          about subscription renewal?).  Subscribers still get the exact same
          SBD as non-subscribers, they just also get an extra little
          newsletter (last month it was only some 3 pages long).  Special
          files for subscribers are about the same:  last month they received
          a .VOC file that would have been too large to distribute with the
          regular edition.  You don't lose any quality by not being a
          subscriber:  if you are you just get some of the extras you paid
          for.  So don't be worried:  the SBD will continue with its fine
          record of being the best Sound Blaster magazine in the world for
          both subscribers and non-subscribers alike.  
              
                                                       Page 3
          
          FROM THE ASSISTANT EDITOR'S DESK:
          =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
          
          Written by Todd Clayton, Assistant Editor.
          
               Back to the 'ol word processor once again for another month
          of babbling incoherence.  Geez, one of these days I'll invest in a
          real program instead of using Norton Commander.  But, until then
          I'll just keep slinging away.
          
               Once again you ask "What is he going to drone about THIS
          month?"  Well, Brad suggested that I address the topic of
          donations. Corporate and private.  As you see in so many freeware
          and shareware products, if you enjoy the use of our
          program/services, it is requested that you make a small donation. 
          But, being as we are doing this for the user, we don't ask for
          much, and we don't expect much.  However, we have poured over our
          vast lists of wants and needs, weeded the extravagant out, and come
          up with a small list.  Allow me to delve further into this topic.
          
               What are we looking for?  Well, typically we are asking for a
          small donation, probably in the $5-$15 range, any currency (it
          would be quite interesting to actually SEE a Russian Ruble, or a
          French Franc or a Deutchmark) will be accepted.  Or, if you have
          ANY "obsolete" equipment, i.e. an EGA card, a 360K drive, or a
          monitor or a printer, we will take those also.  For instance, I
          run off an old XT with a CGA card and a MONOCHROME monitor, no
          printer, just a Sound Blaster.  ANYONE can see the potential for
          an upgrade.  Even Brad runs off a 286, with a 360K and a 720K
          drive.  We've already had 1 EGA card donated, as well as the use
          of a CD-ROM drive for a day, so you won't be in the minority.  If
          you do have such equipment, just let us know by dropping a line or
          letter to Brad c/o the Digest, and we will pay shipping and
          handling.
          
               Now for our corporate readers, we have a slightly more
          "decadent" request list.  First and foremost, Brad needs a filing
          cabinet.  We have been inundated with mail and requests, and the
          paperwork is getting out of hand.  Although we have just recently
          filled ALL of our subscription backlog, we are still heinously
          un-organized, and a place to store our "junk" would be most
          appreciated.  Secondly, how about a photocopier? Or even better
          yet, a Fax machine with the photocopy option?  Next, possibly
          office space in the Toronto area, a single room for a few days a
          month?  Lastly though we get back to the old hardware topic.  Many
          companies when they upgrade in systems, tend to literally throw or
          give away their old equipment.  Keep us in mind please!  That's all
          we ask.
          
                                                       Page 4
          
               Now, I must admit that a few of our requests are a little
          far-fetched, but there really isn't any harm in asking now is
          there?  Three last notes and we'll let you get on with this months
          issue...
          
               In the RELAY-NET conference, my friend Jeff Woods, Sysop of
          the Musical Chair BBS in Toronto, came across a letter about our
          magazine from a person named "Jeff Nadre."  He basically slandered
          our magazine left right and centre by using every four and five
          letter word known.  We welcome your criticism, be it good or bad. 
          But, we would appreciate it to be constructive. There is always
          room for improvement, but such slanderous letters are a waste of
          our time and yours.
          
               Keep those articles and game reviews coming!  You are what
          makes our magazine worth doing, You are the reason that we're
          doing this!  Would you like to see your name in print in an
          international magazine?  If so, send us a letter in either 360K
          5.25" or 720K 3.5" format (or even the archaic HARDCOPY format)
          and we'll probably use it. 
          
               Last, but not least, due to the immense number of requests
          for software, I would request that if you want a piece of
          software, or simply some soundfiles to play with, send your
          requests to the Sound Blaster Digest, c/o Todd Clayton.
          
               Of course, we don't deal with copyrighted software, and we
          request a donation of $5 to cover shipping.  As usual, 360K and
          720K formats only. 
          
               Anyhow, back to the Digest, and enjoy the show!
          
                                 --------------------
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                                                       Page 5
          
          COMMERCIAL REVIEW:  MASTERBLAZER
          =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
          
          From Lucasfilm Games & Rainbow Arts
          
          A review from Aaron Turpen
          
               I just got my Sound Blaster card about a week ago and I'm so
          excited about it, that I haven't really left my computer (well,
          except for work and food) since I got it!  I stumbled, through a
          friend of mine, upon this little publication--which isn't really
          so little anymore--and read all the issues I could find.  I
          thought that, since I enjoy the Sound Blaster Digest so much, I'd
          make a contribution.  Well, here it is:
          
               MASTERBLAZER is an excellent arcade game that features not
          only great game play, beautiful graphics, and excellent animation,
          it also features some good music and sound.  The graphics are some
          of the best I've ever seen in a game (especially the menu screen
          with a detailed, rotating asteroid that holds the home-base for
          the games).  The game is basically soccer with space-age additions
          and changes.  The goals move from side to side on each side of the
          field and the players (two, you and your opponent) are each inside
          a small, floating vehicle.  You must pilot your vehicle (which
          isn't hard, since most of the navigation is done for you, as the
          game explains) towards the ball and move it to the opponent's side
          of the field and score a goal before your opponent (either
          computer-driven or another player) can get the ball either from you
          or before you and score on your side.  The game play is simple, but
          challenging--even the computerized players offer a good challenge.
          
               The Sound Blaster support isn't really great, since the game
          seems to have been originally created for AdLib or some other
          sound card.  The sound is all music, but there are good points.
          The music during game play is a good, driving rhythm that serves
          to keep you hyped through the game and actually helps your play. 
          When I disconnected my speakers so I couldn't hear the sound, I
          played much worse because I didn't have a rhythm for motion.  The
          music isn't complex and isn't really anything to write home about,
          but I can say I've heard worse.
          
                                                       Page 6
          
               As for the game's really bad points, I would say there are a
          few, but they are, thankfully, few.  The biggest one is the little
          MASTERBLAZER logo that comes up (along with some really annoying
          music) while the game is making disk reads.  Besides that, there
          is, during tournaments, a pixel blow up at the end of the winner.
          It's a pretty bad pixel phase.  It's WORSE than ANSI.  But other
          than that, I would say that this game is well-worth the money if
          you are looking for a fun arcade-type game that is simple, and
          not overly exotic.
          
          Scales:             [-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10]
          
          Graphics:           XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
          Game Play:          XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
          Originality:        XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
          Sound/Music:        XXXXXXXXXXXXX
          
                                 --------------------

 
        \  /  
      ___\/___    Live and on the             Now in stereo!  
         ||         air from Toronto!  
        /||\                              Experience the difference of: 
         ||       The Musical Chair 
        ====             at              1000's of Adlib and SB music files 
       ======      (416) 724-6018          50 gaming doors online 
        ====                                7 mail networks (incl. Usenet!) 
         ||    _______       5 lines!       1 crazy and caring sysop 
         ||   |.. . ..|   HST & V.32bis! 
         ||   |.......|    _____           Megs of new files daily!!!! 
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      ||||||||| ..... | . |. . .| 
     ||||||||||.... ..|...|.. ..|         What's missing?     U R! 
 
      Now with CD Rom files!   We are the music file supplier to CARRS! 
        More files!  We're the home of THE SOUND BLASTER DIGEST too! 
 
        **** PLEASE SEE OUR TWO PAGE AD INCLUDED WITH THIS EDITION ****
              **** OF THE SBD FOR A SPECIAL OFFER FROM TMC! ****

                                                       Page 7
          
          
          C/MS AND THE SB VER 1.5:
          =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
          
          Written by Brad Barclay
          
               Many of our readers may remember in one of our first issues,
          we spoke of why Creative Labs removed those C/MS chips:  you know
          the ones, they played 12 voice stereo music using AM technology,
          compatible with the Game Blaster?  Back then we told you it was to
          reduce the cost of the Sound Blaster, an idea which backfired.
          
               Well, we're changing our story.  Thanks to the help of
          Stephen Wagh, Vice President of Brown-Wagh Publishing, the main
          distributor of the Sound Blaster world-wide, we now know the true
          reason as to why Creative Labs removed the C/MS chips and decided
          to sell them separately.
          
               According to Mr. Wagh, the chips were removed because many
          software companies flat out told Creative Labs that no longer
          would they support the AM technology in order that they could
          pursue the better sounding FM technology, which was also supported
          by more devices.  
          
               According to Mr. Wagh, Creative Labs did have a savings on
          removing the C/MS chips that was not passed directly on to the
          consumer:  by about $6 US per card.  But the money that was saved
          on the some 250 000 Sound Blasters made without the C/MS chips was
          used to licence the Text-to-Speech converter from First Byte, Inc.
          "providing royalty-free license to all users and developers, and
          including the sample Dr. Sbaitso application." the SBD was told by
          Mr. Wagh in a recent letter.
          
               According to Mr. Wagh, after the changes in packaging,
          documentation, and product promotional pieces, Creative Labs
          actually incurred a loss, which they willingly incurred to make
          the Sound Blaster a better product.  And as we all know, in order
          to make everyone satisfied, they did sell separately the C/MS
          chips for those who wanted them.
          
               With the release of the new Pro card, which has no C/MS
          support, it would appear that C/MS is nearly dead and gone.  No
          new software has been published using the C/MS technology in the
          past few years.  But for you die-hard fans, old software is still
          available on many BBS's, including song files and players.  But
          whatever the future of C/MS, it will sing forever in it's tinny
          stereo voice in the hearts of all original Sound Blaster users.
          
                                                       Page 8
          ADVERTISEMENTS:
          =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
          
               Do you run a BBS?  Have you written a piece of software?  Do
          you write custom music?  If so, you may be interested in an
          advertisement in the SBD.  Thousands of SOUND BLASTER users read
          the SBD every month, and many even have it delivered right to
          their door.  So if you give some sort of special support to those
          people who use the SOUND BLASTER, advertising in the SBD would be
          the logical choice!
                    
               Here's a list of our rates, effective August 1st 1991:
                    
          Number of lines:                                Cost:
          ---------------                                 ----
          
               0 - 5                                   $3 / Month
               6 - 10                                  $5 / Month
              11 - 20                                  $7 / Month
              21 - 40                                 $10 / Month
              41 - 60                                 $15 / Month
          
               Lines are limited to a maximum of 80 columns.  All costs are
          in Canadian dollars.
          
                                 --------------------

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 ̳³    °°°  -Ú Ã¿Ú¿Ú¿Ú¿Ã         Crowds of CHATS !       0905-58042    ³³¹±±
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                                                       Page 9
          
          SUBSCRIPTIONS:
          =-=-=-=-=-=-=
          
               Having a hard time finding the newest copy of the SBD on your
          favourite local BBS?  Why not consider a SBD subscription?  A
          subscription entitles you to 12 great issues, one a month, packed
          full of SB and SB Pro news and reviews.  Subscribers also get
          special bonus files not available anywhere else, plus special
          offers on software and support!  Nowhere else can you find this
          sort of deal for your Sound Blaster needs.
          
               Subscriptions make great gifts also!  If you'd like to send a
          gift subscription with a special 'First Issue' message, just send
          that message along with your subscription form filled out to the
          receiver of the subscription, and it will be sent along with their
          first disk!
          
               Simply fill out the attached form, and enclose the required
          amount...it's that easy!
          
                                 --------------------

                    SOUND BLASTER CARD in support of
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      úúúOFFICIAL S/BLASTER DISTRIBUTIONúúúúúúú 1-(416)-225-8942     N
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       úúþ   úúúúúÞ úúúúúúú    ºÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ Brian & Brent Bourne º C
              úú ÞÝÞÞ    þúúúúúº³ÝÝÝÝÝÛÛÛÛÛÛ³úúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúúº
     ú ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÞÄÄÄÞ ÄÄÄÄÄÄ  º³ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ³ ÜÜÜÜÜ  SUPER   Ü     º B
       ÄÄÄþÄÄÄÄÄÄÞÝÄþÄÞ ÄÄÄÄÄÄ º³ÛÛÛÛÛ ÜÜÜÜܳ ÛÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜ ÜÜÜ Ü ÜÜÜ  º B
      úúÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÞÝÄÄÄÞ ÄÄÄþÄÄ º³ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛ³ ÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÛ Û Û Û ÛÜÜ  º S
         ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÞÝÄÄÞÝþ ÄÄÄÄ  ºÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙúúúúúúúúúúúBBSúúúúúúúúº
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      úúúú ÜÛÛÛÛ°ÞÝ  ßþþþ úúú  ULTRA LIST DISTRIBUTION SITE
       þ   ÛÛÛÛ²°Þ  úúúúú      FIDO NET
        þ  ß°°°°ß       þ      HOME OF THE SONIC NET
                            þ  SPECIALIZING IN ADLIB/BLASTER FILES
                               OFFICIAL SBD DISTRIBUTION SITE!

          
                                                       Page 10
          INCLUDED FILES:
          =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
          
               Here's a small list of this month's included files:
          
                    COMPLEAT.TMC--      A special offer from Jeff Woods, the
                                        Sysop of THE MUSICAL CHAIR in
                                        Toronto.
          
                    MUPPETS.CMF --      The Muppets Theme as transcribed by 
                                        Yvan Rodrigues.
          
                    SBDBBS.LST  --      The SOUND BLASTER DIGEST REGISTERED
                                        BBS LIST.  Now a separate file for
                                        your convenience!
          
                    ENDTRK.VOC  --      A true reproduction for the Sound
                                        Blaster Pro of the end track from the
                                        original British release of 'Sergeant
                                        Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band'.
                                        (subscribers only)
          
                    ENDTRK2.VOC --      The mono version of the above.
                                        (subscribers only)
          
                                  -------------------
          
          WANT-ADS:
          =-=-=-=-=
          
               Interested in meeting or getting to know other Sound Blaster
          users in your area?  Wanting to trade Shareware and PD software
          abroad?  Then why not try a WANT-AD in the SBD?  It's only $1 CDN
          per month, and at that sort of price everyone can afford to buy
          one!
          
               Just fill out the included WANT-ADS form, and include a cheque
          or money order for the correct number of months you wish to have
          your want-ad published, and mail it to us!
          
               Advertisements for new software, hardware, or BBS's are exempt
          from using the WANT-ADS:  please use one of our other services for
          these.  The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse any want-
          ad.
                                                       Page 11
          
          NEXT MONTH...
          =-=-=-=-=-=-=
          
               Here's what we hope to have for you by next month:
          
               First off, the SBD would like to be able to send out its
          first ever .MOD/.NST file, as created here at SBD World
          Headquarters.
          
               Secondly, this month we're attempting to begin a business
          venture with some of the biggest names in the Sound Blaster support
          business, from games to utilities, for press information and review
          copies of new software with Sound Blaster support.  If this deal
          goes through successfully, then we should be able to bring you
          information on new Sound Blaster software before any other source
          can get it to you!
          
               Also, we're hoping to be able to give you a review on a
          software program from Turtle Beach Systems called Recording Studio
          Professional.
          
               Next, we have in the works some special articles of special
          interest to Sound Blaster Pro users.
          
               And lastly, be on the lookout for a special limited-time offer
          to order 'The Best of the SBD:  Year 1', a disk containing the best
          reviews, articles, editorials and included files of the year.
          
               All this and more next month.  We hope to catch you reading us
          then!
          
                                  -------------------
          
          LIVING IN A STEREO WORLD:
          =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
          
          Written by Brad Barclay.
          
               The Sound Blaster Digest in the past 11 months has started off
          as a small publication which quickly grew:  sometimes to
          proportions which we couldn't always handle!  And since we began
          last December 1st, we have given out many special offers, and we've
          always attempted to delve into new areas supported by the Sound
          Blaster.
          
                                                       Page 12
          
               One of the biggest questions people have asked me in the past
          few months, with the introduction of the new SB Pro card, is if
          they should switch.  My answer has never changed:  it depends on
          what you want to do with the card.  Now I can list off specs from
          the top of my head over and over again by now, but most people want
          to know:  how does it *sound*?
          
               Well, we're going to give you the chance to find out. 
          Starting this month, we're going to offer the SOUND BLASTER PRO
          DEMO TAPE to our readers so they can decide for themselves.  Side 1
          is composed entirely of digitized data music: .VOC files and .NST
          files played in full stereo.  Side two will be comprised entirely
          of FM music (hopefully in stereo, but due to problems with playing
          stereo .CMF's on an XT system, this may not be possible at this
          time).  Not all of the music included will be SBD original.  The
          ones that aren't ours are songs that have been released by the
          authors into the Public Domain, and thus may be freely copied by
          anyone.
          
               And best of all, the tape isn't copyrighted:  you may copy and
          use the songs contained on the cassette however you wish.
          
               Just fill out the enclosed form, enclose a cheque or money
          order for $7.50 CDN ($7.50 US for United States orders, and $10 CND
          for overseas orders), mail it to us at the address on the form, and
          a 1 hour (60 minute) audio cassette will be mailed to you with all
          the songs as explained above.
          
               We think you'll be impressed.
          
                                 --------------------
          
                   °°°±±±²²²  COMPUTER CONNECTION BBS  ²²²±±±°°°
                 
          ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ»
          º    Please feel free to call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week  º
          º     for one of the largest ranges of Sound Blaster files   º
          º                      in Australia                          º
          º                Call Australia 08 326 2388                  º
          º                9600 V32/2400/1200/300 baud                 º
          º               GIVE VICKI CRAWFORD A CALL NOW               º
          ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ
          
          
                                                       Page 13
          
          WRAPPING IT UP...
          =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
          
               Well, this month's issue may have seemed to go by pretty
          quickly, but we think that we did a pretty good job with what we
          had.  It may not have had as much quantity as some of our past
          issues, but it sure did have the quality.
          
               As Todd expressed earlier, we appreciate your comments, both
          good and bad,  but we do appreciate it if it's constructive.  This
          hasn't ever been a problem but once (and besides, I can't see
          anyone paying the money for a stamp just to tell us off), but
          destructive criticism is a waste of both your time and ours.  We
          get it, we read it, and we file it under 'R' for "Recyclable
          Paper" (yes, the SBD recycles.  In fact, sometimes in the past some
          of our subscription disks have been recycled from donated disks: 
          we blank them entirely: we don't just erase the files, but nullify
          the bytes on the disk, then we reformat, mark any bad sectors as
          such, and copy our files to be shipped out onto the disk.  We only
          did this for one month when we were very strapped for cash, and no
          complaints were received.  But I digress).
          
               Anyways, here's this month's thank-you's:  many thanks to
          everyone who contributed to this month's issue:  without you I
          doubt if I could make the SBD anymore!  Also many thanks and
          greetings to our new subscribers.  We'd also like to thank the
          Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) for going back to work
          during negotiations:  I was getting very annoyed at having to stand
          in line for long periods of time just to find out that I may or may
          not have mail waiting.
          
               Also thanks to all who wrote and phoned in, and, as always I
          would personally like to thank the ever lovely Karen O'Hearn,
          forever the love of my life:  you make the difference in my life.
          
               Hope to see you back next month!
          
                                 --------------------
          
          WANT-ADS:
          =-=-=-=-=
          
           ------------------------------------------------------------------
          
          Sound Blaster contacts to swap/create files
          Call 0905 754151 BBS, 0860 891893 Voice, 0905
          755017 (Fax) or write/mail disk to Jon Brooks
          39 Tetbury Drive, Warndon, Worcester, WR4 9LG
          England
          
           ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Page 14
          
                       SOUND BLASTER DIGEST SUBSCRIPTION FORM 
                       ====================================== 
           
            Please enclose a cheque or money order (sorry, I don't accept 
          any major or minor credit cards) for $25 CDN for Canadian orders,or
          $25 US for American orders.  Overseas enclose $30 Canadian funds,
          payable on a Canadian bank.  Please fill out all the spaces
          provided (except where marked optional), and mail it to the address
          below.  MAKE CHEQUE/MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO BRAD BARCLAY!
           
           
            NAME:_____________________________ 
           
            
            MAILING ADDRESS:  Street address:_____________________________ 
                              
                              City, Province/State:_______________________ 
                              
                              Country, Postal/ZIP Code:___________________
           
            PHONE NUMBER (don't forget the area code!):___________________
           
            DISKETTE TYPE:  (check one): 
                              _                         _ 
                             [_]  5.25"                [_]  3.5" 
           
           
            OPTIONAL:  Please fill this out if possible. 
           
               Age:____________    Sound Blaster version:_______________ 
           
               Occupation:________________ 
           
               Most frequently called BBS (name only):__________________ 
           
           
            COMMENTS:  Please fill this out also! 
           
            How would you rate THE SOUND BLASTER DIGEST (circle one): 
           
                     POOR       FAIR       GOOD       EXCELLENT 
           
                     1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10 
           
            Please mail this form, along with any additional comments to: 
           
                                SOUND BLASTER DIGEST 
                                  c/o Brad Barclay 
                                   36 Sutter ave. 
                                  Brampton, Ontario 
                                  CANADA.  L6Z 1G7
                                                       Page 15
          
                        SOUND BLASTER DIGEST BBS REGISTRATION  
                        =====================================  
            
            This is a free service of THE SOUND BLASTER DIGEST, intended to 
          allow greater access to Sound Blaster files.  Please fill out all 
          blanks (except where marked optional), and send to the address  
          below:  
            
            LIST INFORMATION:  
            
               Name of BBS:____________________________________________  
                 
               Sysop's Name:___________________________________________  
            
               City, Province/State:___________________________________  
            
               Phone Number (remember the area code!):_________________  
            
               Min/Max Transmission speed:_____________________________  
            
            
            OTHER INFORMATION:  
            
            Although not included in the BBS listing, this information is  
          important for our records.  
            
            How long has the BBS been running:_________________________  
            
            Do you have a Music/Sound Card conference, message area, or    
           
            file area set aside?:______________________________________  
            
            Does your BBS support and Sound Blaster files?:____________  
            
            Anything else you can think of to say that would show off your 
            BBS, please write it down here:  
            
            ______________________________________________________________ 
           
            ______________________________________________________________ 
           
            ______________________________________________________________ 
           
            ______________________________________________________________ 
           
            ______________________________________________________________ 
             
           
            Mail this form, along with any extra comments to:  
            
                                SOUND BLASTER DIGEST  
                                  c/o Brad Barclay  
                                   36 Sutter Ave.  
                                  Brampton, Ontario  
                                  CANADA.  L6Z 1G7  
          
                                                       Page 16
          
           
                    SOUND BLASTER DIGEST ADVERTISEMENT ORDER FORM 
                    ============================================= 
           
            Please fill out this form, and mail it, along with a cheque for
          $5 (in US funds for American orders, and in Canadian funds for 
          Canadian orders), along with an ASCII only, typed copy of your 
          ad, and mail it to the address below.  PLEASE MAKE CHEQUE/MONEY
          ORDER PAYABLE TO BRAD BARCLAY!
           
            
            NAME:_____________________________  
            
            
            
            MAILING ADDRESS:  Street address:_____________________________  
            
                              City, Province/State:_______________________  
            
                              Country, Postal/ZIP Code:___________________  
           
            PHONE NUMBER (don't forget the area code!):___________________ 
           
            BEST TIMES AVAILABLE:_________________________________________ 
           
            
            Please mail this form, along with your cheque and a copy of the
          ad as described above, along with any other comments to: 
            
                                SOUND BLASTER DIGEST  
                                  c/o Brad Barclay  
                                   36 Sutter ave.  
                                  Brampton, Ontario  
                                  CANADA.  L6Z 1G7  
          
                                                       Page 17
          
                    ORDER FORM:  THE SOUND BLASTER DIGEST DEMO TAPE
                    ===============================================
           
            Please enclose a cheque or money order (sorry, I don't accept 
          any major or minor credit cards) for $7.50 CDN for Canadian
          orders, or $7.50 US for American orders.  Overseas enclose $10
          Canadian funds, payable on a Canadian bank.  Please fill out all
          the spaces provided (except where marked optional), and mail it to
          the address below.  MAKE CHEQUE/MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO BRAD
          BARCLAY!
           
           
            NAME:_____________________________ 
           
            
            MAILING ADDRESS:  Street address:_____________________________  

                              City, Province/State:_______________________  

                              Country, Postal/ZIP Code:___________________ 
           
            PHONE NUMBER (don't forget the area code!):___________________ 
           
            MUSIC FORMAT:  In which Sound Blaster music file format are you
                           the most interested?  (Circle all of interest).
           
                  .CMF   .JMP   .MID   .MOD   .NST   .ORG   .ROL   .VOC   


            Please mail this form, along with any additional comments to: 
 
                                SOUND BLASTER DIGEST 
                                  c/o Brad Barclay 
                                   36 Sutter ave. 
                                  Brampton, Ontario 
                                  CANADA.  L6Z 1G7