 ______________________
/ DeskTracker History /

The core song player in DeskTracker is based on Replay STe, a NoiseTracker 
player written by Wizzcat in May 1991. Work on the GEM interface 
began in April '92 when I got my Mega/STE... a working version of it was 
completed in three weeks!

The original DeskTracker was written in GFABASIC 3.5 and provided a dialog 
box interface, but it did look quite like the version you see here. A year 
and a half's work later, I've added a lot and refined a lot. Don't be 
deceived by its relatively small size - I'd call it finely chizelled 
artwork!

This version is written in Lattice C 5.60. I really do recommend Lattice 
to anyone who is serious about Atari software production in the future... 
if Atari Corp use it I'd say that's a pretty good guarantee of its 
longevity.

============================================================================
___________________
/ Revision History /

Date     Version        Comments
26/04/93  1.00        First released version: main features were:
                      - Control panel runs in a window, animation bars and 
                        oscilloscope in separate windows,
                      - Memory functions,
                      - User allowed to change play frequency at any time
                      - DeskTracker can read in ICE packed MOD files as 
                        created by using the DATA pack in JAM Packer 4.0
                      - Load and decompress a new song while the previous 
                        one is playing
                      - Information bar
                      - Iconise DtMt by clicking on the Full-box
                      - Load old type 15-sample Noisetracker songs files 
                        as well as 31-sample

28/04/93  1.01        - ACC now installs correctly
                      - Fixed animation bars
                      - Now informs user if ATrak isn't running

05/05/93  1.02        - Now runs under MultiTOS.
                      - RUN_MOD.APP program for MTOS(see separate file)

18/05/93  1.03        - If DT finds a DTMT.INF file (usually in the root 
                        of A:\ or C:\ then the contents provides the 
                        default directory.
                      - Lower memory usage
                      - 2nd Shareware release

01/06/93  1.10        - ATrak boot program integrated into main ACC.
                      - Playback speeded up for cache memory users 
                        (Mega/STe, TT, Falcon).
                      - Hopefully works correctly on the Falcon.
                      - Select multiple files to add to memory using *.*
                      - Options and Shortcuts dialogs.
                      - Save default setup in DESKTRAK.INF.
                      - Arpeggio fixed
                      - Lower memory usage while playing
                      - Better compatability
                      - Conect bug fixed
                      - Protracker compatability
                      - 3rd Shareware release

15/07/93  1.11        - Oscilloscope and Spectrum windows can be iconised
                      - StarTrekker compatability

07/09/93  1.15        - Much smoother Spectrum window
                      - Spectrum and Oscillo positions can be saved and 
                        the windows can be set to automatically appear
                      - Some colour in Spectrum window
                      - Name changed to DeskTracker ST/STe (!)
          1.15-ST     - First version for Yamaha chip

27/09/93  1.16        - Auto-allocated memory for non-MTOS users
                      - Option to switch Falcon patch off
                      - Option to switch Fancy-load off
                      - Option to disable '50' button
                      - Title bar crash bug fixed
                      - Title bar now time based so it doesn't update too 
                        quickly on fast machines
          1.16-ST     - System Bell bug fixed
                      - Volume level more sensible

30/09/93  1.17        - Memory system revamped: Extra workspace needed by 
                        song reduced to 50K max rather than 150K
                      - Fixed an obscure sample repeat bug

07/10/93  1.20        - Fixed CIA Timing Routine
                      - Add Mem now accepts a .TXT file as list of MODs
                      - When in Mem mode, songs are pre-loaded to reduce 
                        wait inbetween songs (STE only)
                      - Hooks for external programs added
                      - Auto-open spectrum/oscillo bug fixed - panel is 
                        front window if several windows are opened at once
                      - Panel window is grey rather than hatched on 16+ 
                        colour screens (Low rez/TT/Falcon)

03/11/93  1.21        - Fixed Pattern Jump FX Bug

11/11/93  1.22        - Osc/Spec windows resizable by holding down LMB in 
                        relevant window
                      - Spectrum window redraw bug fixed
                      - Recompiled in Lattice C 5.60

27/12/93  1.23        - Oscilloscope redesigned and 4-track version 
                        added. Now no longer snaps to 100x64 grid
                        * Note: DESKTRAK.INF files from previous versions 
                        will not function correctly on versions 1.23+
                      - Tremelo effect implemented
                      - Smoothed ProTracker tempo effect

18/04/94  1.30        - Single binary now ST/STe/F030 compatible; uses 
                        Yamaha, DMA 8-bit or DMA 16-bit depending on 
                        what's available!
                      - Note delay effect cleaned up.

  ___________________
 / This program is  /
/    SHAREWARE!    /

DeskTracker has taken a lot of work by an overstressed university student!
If you like this program, please do send a donation. I will try to reply 
to all mail within a month, even if it's just a postcard to say I'm 
getting round to it. The address is...

        David Oakley
        6 Watlands Road
        Bignall End
        Stoke On Trent ST7 8QQ
        England

If you register for 5 sterling, you get...

    -   The current version of DeskTracker with all the trimmings left on

    -   Versions of the Tracker-player used in DeskTracker which can be 
        included as object files in your Lattice-C or GFABASIC-3 
        compiled programs or assembled and linked DevPac-2

    -   A demo of StormTracker, ASTRAsoft's new GEM-based MOD editor... 
        Like nothing you've ever seen before! It will work in ST medium 
        rez or most TT/Falcon resolutions and is MultiTOS enhanced with 
        all the background playing features you've seen in DeskTracker!

Please make all cheques payable to David Oakley and in sterling only. 
For international registrations, you must send travellers cheques, 
sterling cheques or cash - registered post is safest but costs a fair bit. 
When registering please state which model of Atari you have and which 
monitor you use. Also mention which version of DeskTracker you are using 
at the moment and where you obtained it, if you can remember.

If you've got an Internet address, email me at one of the addresses in the 
main doc and I'll tell you when I get your postal mail. It also helps me 
to send you updates in the future.

David Oakley [dxo@cs.bham.ac.uk]

