Conference 7.286::atarist

I recently analyzed the BSR CD-ROM package.  The drive interfaces to the system
with a paddle card.  The paddle card converts the drives's private buss to
8 bit AT.  At a minimum, a SCSI interface would be desirable.  If a hard disk is on
on the system with SCSI compatibility, then it might be possible to connect the
CD-ROM to it.  At a minimum, the drive's private buss to SCSI would be necessary.
Of course if the drive's private buss to ASCI (Atari's flavor of SCSI connection
to the DMA port) is available, then you would be set.  If an AT to ASCI adapter
exists, then the problem is solved.  Perhaps Atari has such an animal.

The next problem will be a software driver.  The BSR CD-ROM comes with a DOS
compatible driver.  However this driver talks through the AT buss.  The Atari
driver may be able to talk to the BSR unit.  I'm not at all familiar with what
Atari has.

If the Atari CD-ROM driver can talk through a SCSI interface, and if a drive's
private buss to SCSI adapter is available, and if a ASCI to SCSI adapter exists
on the system (most likely if a hard disk is attached), then it may be possible.

Incidently, the drive is a Mitsumi CRS-UF.  My brochure does not show any
interface cards.  I would suggest you contact Mitsumi and ask what they
have.  Mitsumi has an office in Melville, NY., phone (516)752-7730.  I would
be interested with what you find out.

	Steve

    
    talking about CD-ROMS: there are a lot around meanwhile, but most of
    them either for MS-DOS or for UNIX. If one manages to get a drive 
    working on the Atari, what about the data compatability? Is the data
    on a CD-ROM in a standard format or is it OS-dependend? Can I go out
    and buy a dictonary (or cliparts) on CD and then can read it with any OS?
    
    Bernd
    
     

	re: .-1

	I was under the impression that the data storage formats of most
	data CDs was either ISO9660 or High Sierra. Both DOS and Unix (and VMS
	for that matter via LAD) have drivers that convert to a "known" format
	from the point of view of the system.

	One would think that if a CDROM drive could work on such a variety of
	platforms, it *might* be a SMOP to write a driver. I believe that
	even Apple has a CDROM driver as well.

	fwiw,

	/pjh

    
    there is a cheap CD-ROM driver around, which comes on the floppy for
    the book "Scheibenkleister". What I was thinking of is: assumed I buy
    a CD with let's say a cataloque for chips, the data must be plain ASCII
    that every database program can read it. So far so good for text, what
    about if this cataloque has some pictures of the chips. In which format
    do they come? Is it a picture format that I can display on the Atari?
    And I believe that the biggest advantage of a CD is to store a huge
    amount of graphics.
    
    Atari sells the CD-ROM for about 300.-$ in Germany. When I was asking
    the dealer he said that a problem is the supply with CDs. It seems that
    there are not many around for the Atari. I see that the problem would
    not be a big one if I'd buy a CD for any computer, and import the ASCII-
    data to my database program. But I don't know how this works if they
    store data on the CD that includes a picture for each record...
    
    I have seen a PD-software cataloque on a CD for MS-DOS. But this CD
    also contained a (MS-DOS-) database program to access the cataloque.
    I simply don't want to spend money on a drive if I'm then dependend
    on CDs from Atari (if that is the case, and that is what I don't know).
    
    Bernd 
    
    

    I think that as far as Clip art is concerned, as long as it is in PCX
    format (an IBM standard), Pagestream can use it. I doubt if the actual
    programs written to CD would understand Atari's Operating System.
    

    
    the base note was talking about a CD-ROM driver from Atari. Was this
    driver released free of charge, and if so, is it available for down-
    loading somewhere?
    
    Bernd
    
    

	 The latest release of the ICD host adapter software has the
	drivers for connecting a generic SCSI CD reader. It will read
	both ISO and High Sierra formats. You can load both drivers at
	boot and then choose a different drive icon for each format.
	They suggest using drive Y and Z. They also have a short file
	explaining how to set up your autofolder and write a config.sys
	file. I haven't tried it yet but I plan to when I can get some
	free time and a little ambition. I usually get the urge to tear
	into my ST about every couple of months and then I will add 
	something on or change something. I don't know why, I just HAVE
	to do it.8-). 

						Bob

How do we get an update to these drivers ?

Brynn.