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+\centerline{\bf Atari-ST \TeX}
+\medskip
+\noindent
+In the February issue of \TeXline, an implementation of \TeX\ for
+the {\sc Atari-ST}~(by Tools {\sc gmbh}) was reviewed. An alternative
+implementation, this time by the \TeX sys, {\sc st\TeX},
+is the subject of the present review. The review copy was supplied as six
+diskettes in compressed format contain \TeX, \IniTeX, \LaTeX, \BibTeX, \SliTeX,
+\AmSTeX, as well as the screen preview program and associated fonts for a
+wide range of magnifications. A shell menu, installation program
+and a number of other utility programs are also included. The
+review program was version~1.0 of \TeX~(version~2.92) and runs on
+the 1040~STF and any of the larger machines. The use of a hard
+disk is highly recommended, though the program will run happily on
+a two disk drive system.
+
+To start with, it's good to see that the program comes equipped
+with a {\sc gem}-style shell environment, so that the cycle of editing,
+processing and previewing~(and even printing) can all be achieved
+without the need to revert back to the desktop to load in the
+individual application programs. To help tailor your own shell
+environment and to deal with different system configurations, the
+use of environment-variables~(similar to {\sc unix}) is supported and
+these can be specified in a set-up file either using an editor or
+from within the shell environment itself. Options specified in the
+set-up file appear highlighted in the menu and can be invoked
+either by using the mouse to select the desired option or by
+directly using the function keys, the meanings of which are
+reflected in a separate bar menu at the bottom of the screen.
+Additionally, the use of command interpreters, for those who
+prefer it to the menu, is also supported.\par
+The present implementation was tested using \LaTeX\ sample files.
+The format~(e.g. |lplain.fmt|) to be used can be specified in the
+shell menu and is automatically loaded whenever \TeX\ is invoked.
+As expected, no major problems were encountered.\par
+Unlike the Tools implementation, here the screen previewing and
+printing are done by separate programs. Although printer drivers
+were not supplied, it appears from the documentation that a number
+of printers are supported, including {\sc Epson-fx}, {\sc Epson-lq} and the
+{\sc hp}-Laserjet. Consequently, as regards print quality, this could
+not be properly assessed.\par
+The screen preview program once started, loads in the \dvi\
+file of the current document being processed showing the first
+page by default. Alternatively, the various options for the
+preview program can be prespecified in the set-up file or set from
+the shell menu. The display uses a default screen resolution of
+100 dpi, and the text appears quite legible. The physical page
+limits are also highlighted by default. The text can be moved
+around by selecting the appropriate option from the menu bar or
+alternatively using the cursor keys short cuts provided. The
+{\sc return} key pressed repeatedly has a stepping action, moving the
+text from right to left and then down when the right edge of the
+text is reached. The mouse can be used to set the top-left or
+bottom-right corners of the text. This can be forced to be
+the new reference point which can then be returned to using the
+{\sc home} key. Options for moving to the next or previous page as well
+as skipping a number of pages in either direction have also been
+provided. In addition, the text can be viewed at standard
+reduction ratios of 4:1 and 9:1. Other magnification factors can
+also be selected as long as the appropriate fonts are available,
+otherwise the program automatically uses substitute fonts. The
+standard fonts supplied cover a range from |\magstep0| through
+to |\magstep5|. As an added bonus, the preview program permits
+the inclusion of bit-mapped graphics. Graphical data stored in
+{\sc degas} format need to be converted first using a utility program
+supplied as part of the package. Unfortunately, despite numerous
+attempts, the preview program kept complaining about `Bad File'
+format, thus ignoring the graphical information.
+
+I am
+impressed with this latest effort, which is quite thorough and
+does not appear to have any serious bugs. Details of the various
+aspects of the implementation are covered in accompanying
+leaflets, a copy of which is included on the diskettes in \dvi\
+format. It is also encouraging to see that some of the
+enhancements suggested in the February issue of \TeXline\ have been
+implemented here.
+
+Finally, I would like to suggest a number of improvements for
+future versions. To begin with, the use of environment variables
+should be extended to allow the path for various output
+files~(e.g. {\dvi}, {|.log|, {|.aux|}, etc.) and also the
+read-, write- and even graphic files to be independently
+specified. Secondly, I feel that inclusion of {\sc gem} slider bars in
+the preview program would be a very welcomed addition, since
+it provides an indication of what portion of the text is being
+viewed and is more natural for people familiar with {\sc gem} for moving
+around a document. Provision of some sort of magnifying glass for
+viewing a selectable portion of text at a readable magnification,
+while in reduced or tiny modes, would be an added advantage. One
+last point concerns the log file of the preview program. At
+present any warning messages or messages regarding font
+substitutions are written to a file and on exit the user is
+reminded to read this log file if it has been generated. This is
+inconvenient since it would mean either leaving the shell menu or
+loading this log file into the editor in order to read it. Apart
+from this I have noticed that this log file keeps ending up in the
+editor sub-directory~(Why?). I suggest that an option be provided
+for the user to assign a separate window to this log file so that
+any messages issued by the program can be read and acted upon by
+the user interactively.
+
+The price of {\sc st}\TeX\ on its own, as described above, is \quid85.00,
+but when bought together with the {\sc hp} LaserJet driver the figure is
+\quid188.00. Bought with the dot matrix drivers, the combined total ({\sc
+st}\TeX\ with {\sc dvidot}) is \quid160.00. Both driver packs can be bought
+separately, at \quid128.00 and \quid100.00 respectively. \TeX sys also offer
+{\sc st}{\mf MF}, their \MF\ implementation at \quid68.00. It is difficult to
+say whether the iniquitous {\sc vat} would be applicable if you purchased
+directly from \TeX sys.
+\smallskip
+\rightline{\sl Bijan Djahansouzi}