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Silicon Times Report Issue 0633
*---== ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
_____________________________________
from
STR Publishing Inc.
""""""""""""""""""
August 17, 1990 No.6.33
=======================================================================
STReport Online Magazine¿
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32205 ~ 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
_________________________________________
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EDT
BBS: 904-786-4176 USR/HST Dual Standard
FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EDT
_________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________
> 08/17/90: STReport¿ #6.33 The Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine!
-------------------------
- The Editor's Desk - The Flip Side - CIS NEWS
- PIRACY SUX! - WAACE Updates - MIST News
- SHOW SCHEDULING - GLENDALE Updates - SUPPORT?
* TT030 COMPUTERS ON SALE IN EUROPE? *
* CANADIAN DEALERS TO GET TT030 IN 2 WEEKS! *
* STARK BBS AUTHORS ACCUSED! *
==========================================================================
ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE¿
"Only UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
-* FEATURING *-
Current Events, Up to Date News, Hot Tips, and Information
Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
==========================================================================
STReport's support BBS, NODE # 350 invites systems using Forem ST BBS to
participate in Forem BBS's F-Net mail network. Or, Please call # 350
direct at 904-786-4176, and enjoy the excitement of exchanging ideas about
the Atari ST computers through an excellent International ST Mail Network.
==========================================================================
AVAILABLE ON: COMP-U-SERVE ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ BIX
==========================================================================
> The Editor's Podium¿
As the summer winds down, one can't help but notice the increased
interest in the release dates on the TT030. While on the subject, a very
reliable source has reported in to us today that the TT030 is on sale at
this time in Europe. If such is actually the case then of course, it
can't be too far behind for the USA. Streport has been told that the
TT030 units will be at most Canadian dealers within two-three weeks.
Also, the monitor for the TT has received class A type acceptance from
the FCC. No word on whether the TT030 itself has passed yet. PSST, there
is a 32Mhz TT030. and it is rumored that we may see in production before
too long. Hot rumor of the week.. "Is there TWO completely different
68030 third party upgrades about to hit?" Time will tell....
Can you say Mannesman Tally? Good! Now, can you say SLM605? Sure
you can. There you have it short and sweet, there's no onboard memory, 6
instead of 8 pages a minute. But a tad smaller and a little less expen-
sive. Now the bottom line, will it too be bundled with Calamus? If so,
it'll be a terrific deal for everybody.
Somewhere, in the deep dark reaches of the dens of corporate warriors,
there comes the rumor that a certain newcomer to Atari (been there about
two years) is trying to pull off a squeeze play. Amazingly, the game this
turkey is playing is going to bite him right in the wazoo. Oh well so
much for common sense and higher education, for some folks it just never
seems to fit. The scenario resembles that of a flea on an elephant's back
with rape in its eye! And on a final note.. Where, or better yet what is
happening with the Atari Explorer Magazine and all those unfulfilled
subscriptions?
Mother nature wreaked havoc on north Florida friday afternoon and
evening. Power failures one after another due to severe T-Storms and high
winds. Thus, STReport was late in getting to you. I apologize for the
delay even tho it was unavoidable. Thankfully, there was no damage to the
equipment.
Thank you for your strong support,
Ralph........
For IRAQ:
***_REMEMBER THE U.S.S. STARK!_***
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> The Flip Side STR Feature¿ A different viewpoint....
=========================
A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT
==================================
by Michael Lee
Did you notice that the column has a new name? I told you folks in my
first column, that this column would be a hodge-podge of things that I
felt would be of interest to the ST community. I felt that the new name
reflected more of the actual content of the column than the previous one
did.
Also, it looks as if the column has taken a different direction from it's
original intent (I warned you that this might also happen). In general,
you will find the column will be be devoted to tidbits of information
from the three major on-line services; CIS, Genie and Delphi. If pos-
sible, I'll include the whole message with the author's name and only
edit it for brevity, spelling and grammar. There'll be other times when
a topic is discussed in several posts and/or on several different net-
works. In those cases I'll usually attempt to compile the main thrust of
the different posts into one discussion.
------------
Here's some interesting information on OS9/OS6800....
Category 3, Topic 45
Message 8 Mon Aug 13, 1990
CYCLONE [BillSheppard] at 00:13 CDT
OS-9 is a multi-user, multi-tasking operating system for 680x0 and
683xx based computers, though it originally ran on 6809-based computers
like the CoCo. It is currently primarily used in the industrial world
where it is used to control assembly lines, acquire data, drive
instrument displays, control CD players, and many other tasks. It is
used as the operating system of choice for the CoCo 1/2/3, and is
available for the Mac, Amiga, and ST. It is strictly software, and
generally includes the OS (which boots from floppy or hard disk and
replaces TOS while active), C Compiler, linker, debugger, editor, and
many, many utilities. It looks a lot like Unix to program for or to
use, with similar commands and utilities available.
No windowing package has been commercially released for the ST, but
there are several people working on a variety of packages. The most
promising is being done for the ST, Amiga, Mac, and MM/1, a new
multimedia computer based on OS-9 being released shortly. This
windowing package will allow _binary_ compatibility between all four
computers - you could take the same compiled program and run it on
either or all machines.
There are word processors/spreadsheets/databases available, as well as
other utilities, much of it public domain. Basically, it's a very fun
operating system to use for programming/hacking, and there is a great
amount of untapped power in the ST as far as OS-9 is concerned. Also,
with the release of the MM/1 I believe OS-9 will become better known in
the US marketplace for micro-computers (even though it is already the
third most widely used OS after MS- DOS and UNIX).
Cost for OS-9 on the ST is $600, which includes everything I mentioned
above. Call me at (800) 475-9000 for more information.
Bill Sheppard
Microware Systems Corporation
(Note: From Genie. Edited slightly to keep it short as possible.)
---------------
There is some good news coming from Germany for all of our Spectre users.
A group of students at the Suttgart University have developed an Apple-
Talk hardware emulation for the ST called STalk (tm). The Students net-
worked with a Mega ST4 and a Mac SE and were able to transfer files over
TOPS without any problems. Also tested successfully were Public Folder,
BroadCast and NetTrek.
The board has been thoroughly tested, is fully functional and is already
in mass production. The board only supports AppleTalk and does not sup-
port Midi or ST mode uses.
The board and the STalk (tm) software will sell for 550 Deutschmarks
(about $330 US). If you're interested, contact:
Fearn & Music,
Roemerstr. 22, D-7000 Stuttgart,
West-Germany,
Tel. +49-711-602489, Fax: +49-711-6493711
By the way, the same group has also made a high-res printer driver for
the Atari SM804 Laser-Printer.
(Note: Compiled from various posts on CIS and Genie)
----------------
If you are interested in the Apple Talk board but you don't particularly
care to order things all the way from Germany, Gadgets by Small has a
MegaTalk board in the works. It's not ready for release yet, but it is
supposed to be available later this year. The Gadgets' board will be
called MegaTalk and it will support AppleTalk, Mac Midi, ST mode (2
additional serial ports) and a full blown Mac SCSI port.
What does all of this mean to the average user? It means that you will
be able to network your Mega on a real AppleTalk network. It means you
can use Apple LaserWriters and Mac compatible fax modems. It means you
will be able to run Mac MIDI software. It means that you will be able to
access the full line of Mac hardware devices, hard drives, scanners, etc.
Due to space limitations, the board has to be internal, and FCC approval,
the MegaTalk board currently only works in a Mega ST and it's ques-
tionable whether there will be one available for the regular ST's, STe's,
or STacy's. The projected price on the MegaTalk board is $299.95, but
that is subject to change.
(Note: Compiled from various posts on CIS and Genie)
Until next week......
_________________________________________________________
> STR Mail Call¿ Letters to the Editor
=============
ctsy CIS
Date: 12-Aug-90 00:50 EDT
From: Charles Hill [76370,3045]
Subj: STR- Dream Machines
Ralph, RE: STR632/CPU Dream Systems VII
An interesting comparison of machines. There are, however, a couple
of errors in the specifications. Add-on peripherals for the Amiga 3000
call for a GVP SCSI/RAM controller card w/6 MB of memory ($1200). The
Amiga 3000 has a SCSI controller on the motherboard, and can support up to
18 MB of 32-bit RAM on the motherboard. Price listed in Amiga World
(Sept. '90, p 88) for ZIP 4-meg RAM chips (80 ns) is $64.00 each- with 4
per 4 Mb. $512 gets you 10 Megs on the motherboard.
(Price now--- $11,312)
The introduction paragraph specified an NEC MultiSync 4D monitor, but
gave the Commodore 1950 Multisynce instead. Better, 'cause they are
essentially equivalent and the CBM monitor is cheaper. Instead of using a
Mega Midget Racer 33 MHz ($1700), the best solution would bea Supra Turbo
040 board; running a Motorola MC68040 at 25 MHz- blowing the benchmarks
all to heck. This board was demonstrated at AmiExpo (June) in Chicago and
will retail in October for $1295. If you prefer a released product, the
GVP 030/50 board, running a 68030/882 at 50 MHz is much better performan-
ce. Price is $2495. Benchmarks are changed quite a bit.
This brings the total cost of the A3000/16 Dream system to $10,907
(with the Supra 040) or $12,407 (with the GVP/50).
A HAM-E graphics box for the Amiga 3000 system would be nice. Price is
$300 and the following graphics res modes are added:
320x200-----------256 colors (or 256 greys) on screen out of 16.7 million
320x400-----------256 colors (or 256 greys) on screen out of 16.7 million
320x200 HAM-------262,144 colors on screen out of 16.7 million
320x400 HAM-------262,144 colors on screen out of 16.7 million
Price on Amiga now $11,207 or $12,407 depending on coprocessor board.
The grid chart listed the top-end Amiga res at 1280x200- but that can be
interlaced to 1280x400. It also listed 640x256 (a PAL res) which can also
be interlaced to 640x512 (PAL systems). NTSC dimensions are 640x200 and
640x400 w/o overscan.
Note with the GVP/50 accelerator, the Amiga performs at 10-15 MIPS
(reported from local users with BYTE benchmarks and GVP/50 cards in A2000
systems); and at .35 MFLOPS. The Supra/40 board would raise those numbers
to 15-25 MIPS and 4-9 MFLOPS (Computerworld & Supra benchmarks).
One other detail is that the Atari TT system fails to include a
monitor. Does the TT price include a monitor? What type; as wouldn't a
color monitor preclude the highest res? If it needs a monitor- give it a
NEC 3D for $595. Price now is $11,295.
On a side note, both the Atari and Amiga systems have Transputer subsys-
tems available. (Darn that ATW system looks nice!)
Apple considers a keyboard an option. Add $259 to the Mac IIfx price if
you want to type (Apple extended keyboard)- pushing the price to well over
$24,000.
-Chas
--------------------------------------------------------------
> PIRACY SUX! STR FOCUS¿ "..."keep your mouth shut or.."
=====================
PIRATE SUPPORT IN EL PASO
=========================
by Tim Holt
In the old days, the axiom was that silence was golden. A good child
was to be seen and not heard. Nowadays this old saying has been perverted
to read "keep your mouth shut or you will get sued." Same effect, just a
different message to achieve the end. Well, something happened to me on
the STE-EP BBS that really has me biting at my chomps. I am torn whether
to speak, keep my mouth shut, or some happy in between. I decided to
speak, and perhaps in the course of the article, you will agree. As
president of the local user group, I suppose it is my duty to talk about
these things:
On Sunday, July 29, 1990, a person logged onto the ST Club's BBS
under the name "Joe Pirate". This person logged on as a visitor, and all
the information that they left about themselves, was of course, incor-
rect. This person left one message to me, saying "I left a file in the
Utilities area for you. Use at your discretion."
I went to the utilities area, and there was a file called
"PIRATE.LZH". At first I was weary, because in the past I have taken a
very anti-pirate stand on thIS BBS. Was it a virus plagued plant, that
will kill my system? (As a matter of fact, most screens that you come
upon have anti pirate messages on them.) Anyway, I got the file, unlzh'ed
it, and started to read. The contents knocked me on the floor. There,
listed before me, was the listing of files available on a local well
known "reputable" ST BBS. As a matter of fact, the Sysop is a former
member of the ST Club! Pagestream, Space Ace, Dragon's Lair, Hotwire, War
Head, and on and on it went. (We later calculated at Jenkins' that this
bbs had at least $4000 worth of games ALONE at the retail price.) His BBS
had a better selection than Jenkins' Computer Store! Games from Europe,
Word Processors from Germany, and on it went. I printed out the listing,
and it was 10 pages of just two file areas! (The BBS has at least 7 file
areas, with even a "Classic by Request" area for programs that are no
longer published. I hope you get the picture, we are talking BIG TIME!
So, I was faced with another mystery: was this a real file, or was
this a fake "plant" intended to embarrass me and the club? Well, if you
see a house burning down, you don't check first to see if the owner wants
it burned, you call the fire department, and that's what I did. I went to
Jenkins' Computers and asked them who they would call. They gave me a few
names, and even called a few places themselves. (Software Publishers
Association was supposed to have a toll free number to report pirate
boards. No such listing.) Called a few software distributors, a few
dealers, a few developers. No one knew who to call. We finally called
Ralph at ST Report. He said he would help.
Anyway, the turning-in of the person responsible for this is not the
point of this article. I am writing this to examine the effect of this
one BBS YOU, the average user. You don't think you are not effected
because you never heard of this BBS? Think again, Bubba. Whether or not
this is a true pirate BBS is not the point. (There are actually several
pirate BBS's in El Paso, even though one was shut down by the police
several years ago.) So anything I mention about this particular BBS,
simply multiply it by the number of pirate boards here, or in your town.
A little background: El Paso, Texas is a city on the extreme edge of
west Texas. Population 500,000+. Include Juarez, Mexico, and the smaller
communities of Southern New Mexico, and the population of the area is
well in excess of 1.5 million people. There is one store in this entire
area that sells Atari programs: Jenkins' Computer Store. The nearest
store that sells Atari programs is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, over 300
miles away. So, if you can't get a program at Jenkins', and you need it
quick, well, you got a 5 hour drive up to the nearest Atari store. And
that store doesn't even service Atari computers, it just sells software.
So you see, we are pretty Atari isolated out here in El Paso. In talking
to Jim and Tom at Jenkins', Jim once told me that there are approximately
1000 Atari ST's in the El Paso area.
In July, 1990, Jenkins' Computer Store sold 10 Atari programs. TEN!
The number after nine! For the entire month! 10 programs to an installed
base of 1000 computers! That was the month Dragon's Lair came out.
Script came to Jenkins' that month. AND, for the past 6 months, Jenkins'
has run a special that if you buy 2 programs, you get one free. So essen-
tially, they are giving a 33% discount. And still, they could only sell
10 Atari ST programs. They are not overpriced, as all programs they sell
are sold at the retail value. Now I realize that retail is more than mail
order, but after taking into account the discount, and no shipping, we
are talking essentially the same prices. Get the picture? Okay. Now Tom
and Jim can't figure out why the good customers from the past aren't
coming in anymore to buy programs. Then they get a copy of the file
listing that I got on my BBS. Suddenly, it all becomes too clear to them.
The reason no one is buying is because the darn things are being given
away free on the pirate BBS's around town. Hey, why the hell pay $199 for
Pagestream when you can spend an hour downloading it for free? Same for
Space Ace, and Dragon's Lair, all the other tons of freeware available on
the pirate BBS.
Put yourself in Jim Jenkins' shoes. You own a store that sells com-
puters. Your prices from Atari give you a minimal margin, so you must
make your true profits in selling software. (Go ask Tom or Jim what they
pay for an ST-E. You'll laugh at the meager amount they make on each one
sold.) You have to pay overhead, and you have to keep just enough in the
bank so that you can order new items when they become available. (Plus it
is also nice to eat once in a while as well.) In one month, you sell just
TEN titles of ST software. 10! Now I never was real good at math, but
that don't pay the piper. Okay, now, if you were Jim, wouldn't you wonder
why the support from the users has dried up? And wouldn't you be a little
more than a bit angry when you find that one of the "stalwarts" of the ST
community in El Paso, is running a pirate board, out of his house, with
more than $4000 in game software alone on it?
Amazingly, on this BBS, there are games and programs available that
your software distributor hasn't even heard of yet? You go over to your
inventory, and you see the $199 version of Pagestream sitting there,
gathering dust, it become obvious what is going on. And the 10 copies of
Dragon's Lair, the 15 copies of Space Ace, the two copies of ChronoQuest
II, Hammerfist and Klax. All are sitting there, all are gathering dust,
eating up space, and yes, money. Because something that is taking up
display space is eating money if it isn't "moving". This jerk, running a
pirate BBS out of his home as a "hobby", or as he sees it, a "public
service", is denying you your livelihood. This one person, by giving away
the things you are trying to sell, is essentially destroying your
business.
No matter what you may think of dealers and Jim and Tom, they are
still people doing their darndest to try to make a living. They have
kids and wives and mortgages just like all of us.) And some yahoo, is
actually stealing away customers from them so that he may feed his ego, so
that he may be "the king of the hill". Well, I don't know how you would
react, but I sure as hell would be VERY angry.
Okay, so what do you do? Well, you can't turn the guy's BBS off, even
though you can send his name and number to a few well placed folks, so
you do what is THE ONLY SOUND BUSINESS MOVE: You start selling less and
less Atari software. It only makes sense. Start selling more and more
IBM software, and IBM machines. I have been going into Jenkins' for the
best part of four years now, and I can tell you, what once was an idea
about selling clones, is now something that takes up half the store.
Longtime ST Club members will tell you about the times gone by when
Jenkins' was a true "Atari dealer". Now, the ST, ST-e and the software
areas are growing smaller and smaller. Why stock something that everyone
in town has a copy of anyway? AND that is where the pirates are hurting
you, whether you realize it or not! Because eventually, Jenkins', and
every other dealer that sells ST software is just going to throw their
hands into the air and say "To hell with it. If the pirates want the
business, they can have it." (I know you have been into Jenkins', looked
at the selection, and said to yourself "Geesh, they have had that program
sitting there for two years. Don't they get any NEW stuff?")
And so, Atari software and hardware support in El Paso will dry up
faster than a puddle in the west Texas sun. So what if you want to have
your computer fixed? Well folks, if Jenkin's stops, folks in El Paso
would have to drive all the way to Tucson, Arizona. Why would they stop
repairing St's? Simple: NO MONEY IN IT. No money in a machine that is a
great machine, but if you can't sell any software, which is THE BREAD AND
BUTTER OF ANY COMPUTER STORE, YOU CAN'T MAKE A PROFIT. Clones are the way
to go. Go in, ask Tom how many IBM software packages they sold last
month. Then ask them how many ST packages they sold. You will be shocked.
But please, don't be shocked when they stop selling ST software. You
should have seen it coming. And tell the guys that run those "public
service" BBS's how thankful you are that now you have to drive to Albu-
querque to get a new game, or to replace Wordwriter with Word Perfect.
And if you think that this problem is localized to the El Paso area,
think again. Those clever Medway Boys are everywhere. And so are the
BBS's. I can write about the problem here because I have first hand
knowledge of the BBS's and of Jenkins' Computers. So next time you come
across a friend who has "a great new copy of a game" that he wants to
give you, well, think again. Because the short term gain of a new prog-
ram, is not worth the long term loss of Atari support, Atari dealers, and
eventually, Atari computers.
Tim Holt
President
ST Club of El Paso, Texas
Editor Note:
The information supplied by Mr. Holt has been forwarded to those
parties most interested in such information. Its situations such as this
that really makes publishing STReport worth while. To be able to help a
usergroup on a first hand basis is really what we are all about.
While we all recognize the extreme danger software theft poses to our
frail ST community, it must also be emphasized that the market has been
allowed to shrink to untenable dimensions by the current management team
at Atari. They too, must share the responsibility for the grevious loss
of outstanding dealers from coast to coast. In fact, even now as pointed
out in the above article, the dealer mentioned above is not making an
equitable profit on the sale of Atari hardware. WE all must ask loudly
WHY? Must the real profits all be pasted to the manufacturer and the few
loyal dealers left throughout the USA be dealt the crumbs? (Its worse in
Canada, more on this next week) Is this the right thing to do? Will this
practice ensure the preservation of the existing dealers and promote the
opening of new dealers? Not hardly.
Imagine for moment, if you will, ..the USA marketplace has 1.5 million
ST computers in use.... Nice eh? With that type of number, the effects
of software theft would most certainly be minimized and more importantly,
there would be a better opportunity to spend software profit dollars in
curtailing software theft. It is impossible now because this market is
hanging on by a gossamer thread.
------------------------------------------------------------
> STARK AUTHORS ACCUSED! STR Spotlight¿ "..everything Confiscated"
====================================
STARK BBS AUTHORS ACCUSED
=========================
From the Xanadu BBS St. Augustine, Fla.
Message : #238 of 239 Lines: 88
Status : Public - Extended
Base : STark Support Base
From : Sysop
To : All
Date/Time: Wed 15-Aug-90 at 08:57 pm
Subject : A Very Important Message
Replies : None
******** N O T I C E **********
Many of you are obviously wondering why David Brown has been unable to
provide an update to STark in over 4 months. The truth of the matter is
that neither David's nor Jason's computer was struck by lightning.
Both David and Jason Dickens have been accused of illegal use of a
phone code. Consequently, both of their computers, along with many other
items, were seized by the police. Apparently, Jason Dickens gave David
the code and told him that he had permission to use the code to help
support STark. Obviously, he was lying. Jason is now denying that he
gave the codes to David at all, and naturally since Jason is a minor and
David is not, they are going after David.
ALL STark source code (Backups, Printouts, Etc) was taken along with
the computer. David has yet to get ANY of this back and is still fighting
to do so. Needless to say, this is why we do not have a new update to
STark. Jason Dickens has totally cut himself off from working on STark
but may be withholding a copy of the source code from David. This we do
not know.
The next question you will most likely be asking is why you haven't
been told this until now. David expected for this whole deal to work
itself out by now. He felt that this was something that was better kept
to himself for personal reasons, for the good of STark (he felt that this
could damage its reputation as a BBS), and because things he isn't
allowed to talk about concerning his court case. We agreed and we hope
that you do also. However, David just found out that the trial has been
delayed until November of this year. Greg and I (Jason Brunken) felt
that it was no longer fair that none of you knew the truth, we confronted
David and he agreed. We felt that it wasn't fair to use our BBS's as
volunteer support systems when we weren't allowed to give all available
information to the many frustrated users. As you can see, this problem
is not only having an effect on David and STark, but also a STRONG negat-
ive effect on its support BBS's and the sanity of their SysOps.
David IS doing his best to get us an update to STark. All of what you
HAVE been told is true, David has acquired a new ST but is STILL waiting
on the correct RAM chips to be sent. He has been working on the script
language to install in STark when possible and hopes to have a demo
available very soon. The big question is what is in the future for
STark. The answer is one of two solutions.
1. If David does retrieve the source code (From Jason, or from his hardw-
are) we will have an update fixing almost all known bugs VERY quickly.
2. David will rewrite STark for us. Obviously, this is less desireable,
but it's better than nothing at all. He feels confident that he can
get it done fairly quickly.
The main point is that STark IS NOT dead, it may be a while, but we
will be supported with new and better versions.
The only other problem that we can think to address is why people are
not receiving STark in the mail... Again, one of two possible
answers.
1. David is understandably broke and running way behind. He IS NOT out
to rip people off and will eventually get the product to the user if
he receives there money. If you are having problems with this just
call him voice and remind him, he will get it to you eventually.
2. People are sending their STark orders to Jason Dickens, not David,
and he is keeping their money without sending the product. This has
happened to countless people, however there is not much David can do
about it. It says a LOT about Jason's character.
At this point, all we can tell you is that if you have any further
questions, call David, but please remember that he has ALOT on his mind
right now. I'm sure he will do his best to help you under the present
circumstances. He is available Voice at (502)-897-1582 or you can leave
E-Mail on Xanadu to 'STARK SUPPORT' and it will be forwarded to him.
It is big relief for us to be able to tell you this. It has been a
cause of great stress for all of us. I know that many of you may be very
angry, but I sincerely hope that you won't give up on STark. If there was
ever a time that STark needed support by its SysOps, it's right now. For
the time being, we have many 'module' type add on's being written and
will continue to try and find a fix to as many bugs as possible. I guess
that's about it for now...
Thanks for your Support
Greg Xynides, Jason Brunken,
And most of all
Twilight Zone Software.
__________________________________________________________
> GLENDALE!! STR SHOW NEWS¿ "The Premier West Coast Show"
========================
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ATARI COMPUTER FAIRE version 4.0b *
* ...also known as "THE GLENDALE SHOW" *
* *
* September 15 and 16, 1990, at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, *
* 1401 Verdugo Road, Glendale, California. Hours are 10 AM - *
* 6 PM Saturday, and 10 AM - 5 PM Sunday. Admission is $5.00, *
* or only $3.00 with any Atari User Group membership I.D. *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Glendale Atari Faire is a User Group sponsored tradition in South-
ern California, the West Coast's Premier Atari event since 1986. This
will be the fourth show in five years at the same large auditorium in
Glendale, California, just a few minutes from Burbank Airport and con-
venient to all of the metropolitan Los Angeles area. An attendance of
over 4,000 is realistically anticipated, considering previous year's
performances. Last year's Glendale show was canceled due to conflicting
dates with another show, which was then itself canceled.
With one month left before the show, organizer John King Tarpinian
says that he is nearly sold out of the original floor space planned for
use in the Glendale Civic Auditorium. He adds that if demand keeps up,
convenient, quality additional space can be arranged. John says that the
developers that appeared at the recent San Jose World of Atari show are
booked for Glendale, plus lots more. Publicity for the Glendale show,
including the vendor list, has been low key until now to avoid drawing
attention away from that San Jose show.
Here is the Glendale Show List of vendors, both of confirmed and
unconfirmed "but likely" to attend. There are 45 of them so far, plus at
least five user groups, making Glendale perhaps the biggest US Atari show
of all time!
ATARI Corporation American Music
Best Electronics Bill Skurski Enterprises
Branch Always Software BRE
Beckmeyer Carter Graphics
CodeHead SoftWare Computer Network
C.O.P. D.A. Brumleve
Datel Double Click
FAST Technology Gadgets by Small
Gold Leaf Gribnif
Groves School of Music ICD
ISD King's Domain
Lexicor MegaMax
Michtron MicroCreations
Mid-Cities Migraph
Neocept Practical Solutions
Safari Fonts S.D.S.
Sierra Seymour-Radix
SliccWare STart
ST Informer ST Journal
Sprokits Supra Corp.
Talon WuzTek
XETOERIX Zubair Interfaces
Z*Net News Service ... and more to come!
Atari Corporation has promised major support including a very large
display of the entire Atari Computer line of products. You can expect to
see LOTS of the ST, STE, MEGA, STACY, PORTFOLIO, LYNX, and even the TT030
computers. Many of Atari's employees will be on hand to show and discuss
the machines. Advertising and promotion of this user-group show is being
provided through the generousity of Atari.
User Groups will include HACKS, ACES, ACAOC, NOCCC, SBACE, BACE, and
more. Volunteers from the groups will be providing the support for the
entire show, including setup, loading and unloading, security, and staf-
fing. They will also be available for short periods to assist vendors in
their booths. All volunteers will be given a custom Canvas Tote Bag and
Sun Visor (this is California!) with the Atari emblem on each. These are
limited production and will be for volunteers only, NOT for sale! There
will also be three $100 drawings, one each day of the effort, for volun-
teers only.
Many seminars are already booked, including several with ATARI's BOB
BRODIE, other officials, and technical support people. Other seminars
that are planned at this time:
* Desktop Publishing with CALAMUS - Nathan Potechin of ISD
* Software Speeding up the ST/TT - Darek Mihocka of BRA-SOFT
* Int. Assoc. of Atari Developers - Nathan Potechin, Chairperson
* INTRODUCING NEODESK 3 - Rick Flashman of Gribnif
* DAVE SMALL TALKS/MAC EMULATION - Dave Small of Gadgets by Small
* NEW FROM CODEHEAD - Charles F. Johnson of CodeHead Software
* Kids and Atari Computers -
* PC Emulation -
* ST Magazines and Online Newsletters -
...with more to be added and announced at the show.
Door prizes, including a wide variety of software, accessories, and
computer paraphanalia, will be awarded every hour, with some extra special
drawings as well.
LODGING INFORMATION:
The Burbank Hilton weekend rate is $59 per day. This hotel is ad-
jacent to the Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena Airport, and will be where the
Atari Corporation employees will be staying. Contact the Burbank Hilton
at 818-843-6000. The Glendale Holiday Inn is the closest hotel to the
show itself, and the weekend rate is $89 per day. Contact the Holiday Inn
at 818- 965-0202. These rates and hotels are neither endorsed or guaran-
teed by the organizers. Neither hotel is within walking distance to the
Auditorium. This is Los Angeles, folks... expect to use CARS. Don't
worry about traffic jams in this area, however.
DIRECTIONS TO THE SHOW:
Once you have found Glendale, which is a Northern central suburb of
Los Angeles): Take the Mountain exit of the "2" freeway and go West (down
the hill) one block. Or, from the "134" freeway, take the Glendale Avenue
exit, and go North one mile (Glendale Ave will become Verdugo Road). The
Glendale Civic Auditorium, 1401 Verdugo Road, is on the NORTH side of
Verdugo. Large parking lots are on the WEST side of the building, with
metered parking for TEN CENTS AN HOUR.
The final booth sales, seminar schedule, and advertising space in the
program are being arranged now. More information is available from the
show organizer, John King Tarpinian, 818-246-7286, or by mail at 246 North
Brand #321, Glendale, California, 91203.
___________________________________________________________
> MIST NEWS! STR SHOW NEWS¿ Updates on the upcoming show.....
========================
MIST Plans Atari SwapFest II
Nashville, IN August 25,1990
For a second year, an Atari SwapFest is planned at Nashville Indiana
on Saturday, August 25, sponsored jointly by the user groups at Indianapo-
lis and Bloomington known as MIST (Mid-Indiana ST). The SwapFest will be
a meeting of minds and computers, in the beautiful Indiana countryside.
Nashville is only minutes from many lovely gift shops, two state forests,
and the Hoosier National forest.
MIST Atari SwapFest II will open at noon August 25 at the Brown
County Inn motel in Nashville at the corner of Ind. 135 and 46. Nashville
is about 40 miles south of Indianapolis, and 15 miles east of Bloomington.
Admission will be free.
For swap, for sale or just for display... whether it's 8-bit or ST...
even game machines... all are invited to bring software, hardware, gadg-
ets, accessories, books, magazines, etc. Commercial sales and displays
also are invited. There will be door prizes from local vendors, and Atari
Corp. Raffle tickets will cost $2.00. There will also be a mini Midi--
Maze tournament.
Tables will be available for set-up at 11 a.m. with commercial ven-
dors given first choice at that time. Closing time is 4 p.m. Table space
will be free to non-commercial attendees, on a first come, first serve
basis. Registration for vendors will be a whopping $10.00. Tables are
standard motel dining room type (capable of seating three on each side),
and covers will be provided by the motel. Our rental arrangement with the
motel, however, is a low-budget deal and you should supply your own sign-
holders and other fixtures. The motel will supply electrical power, but
it is from a limited number of wall outlets so exhibitors will need to
take along their own extension cords and plug strips.
Here's the latest show update... (as of 8/15/90) Among the folks
scheduled to attend:
ASCII
Atari St Computers In Indianapolis user group.
They will have their collection of PD disks.
Co-sponsors of the show along with...
BL.A.ST BLoomington Atari ST user group. The other
co-sponsor.
Atari Corp. Well, they won't actually _be_ here, but they have
made available six sets of TOS 1.4, along with
AtariWriter 80 for the 8-Bit folks. These items
(along with others) will be raffled off at the 'Fest.
($2.00 per ticket)
Dorothy Brumleve Critically acclaimed author of KidPrgs, including such
hits as KidPainter, and KidPublisherProfessional.
...and a real nice lady. (grin) She'll be donating a
copy of one of her programs to our raffle.
Sterling Kelly Webb Author of Seurat 2.0. A fine drawing program, first
seen on one of the STart magazine disks. The new
version is now a commercial release. Mr. Webb will be
donating a copy of Seurat 2.0 to the raffle.
MS Designs A creator of outline vector fonts for Calamus and
Outline Art (and PageStream soon). Carl is from
Urbana Ill, and he'll be bringing his fonts to
demonstrate and sell.
Cal Com A dealer from Kokomo, IN. They will be bringing an
extensive collection of software, and maybe some
hardware as well.
One Stop Computers A Dealer from Chicago, Ill. Myles will be bringing
software, and other stuff, I'm sure.
T & H Electronics A software dealer from Fort Wayne, IN. Mike will
be bringing some of his software, and may also
contribute to the raffle.
AIM The Atari Interface Magazine. They will be bringing
their large collection of PD disks, along with other
goodies, I'm sure.
ACORN UG Atari Computer Owners Resource Network. A user group
based in Fort Wayne, IN.
CRAG UG Calumet Region Atari Group. An Atari user group
located in Merrillville, IN.
EastSide Atari UG A user group based in Alton, Ill.
This event is shaping up to be a high quality show, so make sure that you
come on out and support this fine usergroup sponsored effort!!
For more information, leave mail on GEnie to WLORING1, or:
Call the BL.A.ST BBS at 812-332-0573 2400bps, 24 hours.
Write us at BL.A.ST, PO Box 1111, Bloomington, IN. 47401
Call me by voice at 812-336-8103
Brought to you by MIST (Mid-Indiana ST), the merging of the ASCII
(Atari St Computers In Indianapolis) and BL.A.ST (BLoomington Atari
ST) user groups. Thanks for your interest, and we'll see you at the
'Fest!!
William Loring
_______________________________________________________________
> CIS SETUP STR InfoFile¿ Self Help info File....
======================
Many people find it useful to have an 'Alternate' set of terminal
parameters for use on CompuServe. "Terminal parameters" define the type of
terminal emulation used, screen width, page length (the number of lines
displayed before CIS stops and prompts for the next page), etc. All mem-
bers have a Default set, normally defined when you first join the system.
Defining an Alternate set, normally for use with a second computer with a
different dispay, is pretty easy.
STEP 1: Log On to CompuServe.
It doesn't matter which computer you use to log on, though since you'll be
setting up the display for your Alternate Computer, it makes sense to use
the Alternate so you can check out the display directly.
STEP 2: GO TERMINAL.
This is the area of CIS where you set your terminal parameters, and is
Free of normal connect charges (communication surcharges still apply ...
GO RATES for more info on surcharges.)
Elect to change SESSION settings (as of this writing, #5 on the Terminal
menu), then choose Terminal Type/Parameters (#4) on the next menu.
STEP 3: change whatever you want.
This might be a different terminal type (eg. VT52, etc. Unless your com-
puter or terminal program uses a special mode, the generic OTHER is recom-
mended), screen width, page length, etc. The menus are easy to follow, and
help is available for each option in the normal CIS fashion by typing
HELP. Remember, this is a free area, so especially if you're directly
connected to a CIS node, there's no need to rush.
One thing to watch out for: some areas of CIS do not support screen
widths less than 40. No harm if you set a lower value, but when you enter
these areas (including Forums), your screen width will be reset to 40.
It's also worth noting that the Page Length setting does not apply in
Forum messages, so those with 'short' screens will need to use the
Control-S and Control-Q to pause text transmission as they read messages.
STEP 4: Check how things look. Display Okay? Time to exit.
STEP 5: Type the command:
PRO
This will take you to the PROGRAMMING AREA. (No GO is necessary)
PRO is a special area of CIS where you can, among other things, do all
kinds of customization. Note that PRO is *NOT* a Free area, so regular
connect charges will resume as soon as you exit the Terminal menu.
PRO looks somewhat intimidating, because all you'll see is an enig-
matic "OK" prompt. However, this time through, all that's needed is to
type a single command:
TER DEF FNAME/RATE:ANY
For "FNAME," substitute any name (up to 6 characters) that you want to
use for your Alternate Computer terminal parameters.
What you're doing is DEFining a TERminal setting. CIS will note the
parameters currently in effect, and save them on it's end under the name
that you specify.
By adding the "/RATE:ANY," you also tell CIS that this set of paramet-
ers is for ANY baud rate at which you may log on (a handy short cut.)
End of set up ... you can now use a GO command to continue elsewhere
or just log off.
That's all there is to it!
What? How to *USE* it, you say?? Ah .. almost forgot <grin>
Normally, when you log on and give your UID#, CIS uses your permanent
terminal parameters. However, now that you have another set of parameters
defined, you can tell CIS to use that instead. All that's necessary is to
append the name of your Alternate Settings to your UID# with an asterisk.
Like so:
User ID: 76704,41*FNAME
As an extra bonus, should you want to use your Alternate set in the middle
of a session, you can enter PRO, then type something like this:
TER IS FNAME
Of course, you're not limited to just one Alternate set. Following the
procedure outlined above, you can define several.
If you find that your settings aren't quite right after all, you can
repeat the process and overwrite the old definition, using the same name
(CIS will note the definition already exists and ask for confirmation,) or
delete it entirely (TER UNDEFINE FNAME.) Note that CIS considers BAUD RATE
to be a unique feature of each terminal definition. If you always specify
ANY as the rate, this shouldn't be a problem.
You can get a list of any alternate settings you may have currently
defined in PRO by typing TER LIST LOCAL.
That's it! Hope you find this file useful. If you have questions, as
always, please don't hesitate to leave a message to the SYSOP, and help
should be on the way shortly.
By the way, setting parameters in PRO is an endlessly fascinating
subject. If you are curious, you can get the WHOLE story, by entering PRO,
then typing:
TER HELP ...
(Make sure you include the ellipsis.) This will scroll the Complete
Terminal Help file. Do be warned it's approximately 27k worth of text, so
make sure you have your text capture on, and sufficient space, before
starting.
_________________________________________________________
> SHOW DATES?? STR FOCUS¿ About the need for co-ordination...
======================
ctsy GEnie
THE SCHEDULING OF ATARI SHOWS
=============================
by J.D. Barnes
There has been a certain amount of heated interchange on this subject
recently. I have started a new topic in order to give this matter the
attention that it properly deserves without tying the issues to a par-
ticular event be it San Jose, Glendale, Dusseldorf, WAACE, or BCS.
In that vein, I offer the following modest proposals:
1). Shows that entail "official" Atari presence must be announced publicly
at least one full year in advance. Approval must be secured from
Atari Corporation prior to the public announcement. In order to
secure approval the sponsoring organization must submit a formal,
written, proposal to the appropriate official at Atari at least 14
months in advance of the show date.
2). All shows that receive "official" blessing must be posted in this
category (The user groups and shows category) at the time their public
announcement is released. The status of shows as "official" and "non-
official" must be clearly indicated in the topic header.
3). Atari Corporation should develop a consistent policy for defining the
level of support that they provide to "official" shows and to "non-
official" shows.
4). The format of "official" shows must be standardized in such a way as
to provide visitors, developers, and show sponsors with guidance as to
what can be expected to take place. Ancillary activities such as
developers' workshops, product seminars, user tutorials, and social
functions need to be clearly set forth so that the shows will be worth
attending.
4). The developers as a group must formulate a consensus regarding the
levels of presence that they are willing to promote at shows that fall
into the two categories.
5). Dealers and other non-developer vendors should likewise get together
and produce a set of guidelines for participating in these shows.
6). Every attempt must be made to obtain a sensible distribution of shows
in location and timing.
The above document is necessarily terse and incomplete. I have given
a great deal of thought to this issue, but have refrained from taking a
position because, as one of the principal agents of the WAACE show, I can
alienate vital allies by doing so. The climate, however, has become so
sultry that I feel compelled to break my silence.
I hope that all concerned parties can take the time (and it will take
a great deal of time) to look at this issue objectively. The proposal
outlined above obviously needs a great deal of fleshing out. There are
many contentious issues buried between the lines. This work should be
undertaken in a spirit of professionalism. The Atari community does not
have so many resources that it can afford to waste them by continuing to
follow the laissez-faire modus operandi that has prevailed in the past.
The function of shows is to provide a "presence" that can be used to
actively promote the development of new software and hardware for Atari
computers. The limited resources that are available for providing this
presence must be marshalled in a coherent and effective manner if anyone
is to realize any benefits from it.
As one who has been involved with the WAACE show for the last 6 years
or so, I can say that putting together one of these affairs is not some-
thing to be undertaken lightly. As our show has increased in visibility
and sophistication we have found ourselves spending more and more effort
in bringing each year's edition to fruition.
Personally I recognize that there are elements of the above suggestion
that have "pipe dream" written all over them. Would that it were not so.
If Atari Corporation had the resources of DEC, IBM, or Apple it might be
possible to realize the ideal that I have formulated. If, however, we fail
to operate in a more professional manner we will find ourselves spinning
our wheels faster and faster for less and less return.
After reading the post-show analysis on the San Jose affair and the
thread on the Chicago event in November, I am prompted to remark on
several topics:
1) Show timing: Conventional wisdom dictates that it is best to do shows
at times when people are willing to spend money. The Christmas buying
season is one such time. Show promoters will naturally want to take
advantage of this. This means that there will be a lot of shows in
the October-November time frame. This is OK if the events can be
spaced and organized in such a way as to enhance the market.
I suspect that August is a poor time because too many people have
vacations the like on their minds. In that sense the San Jose show should
be counted a success. Past experience on other matters tells me that
April is a poor time because people are exhausted from their struggles
with the IRS. Likewise January-March is poor because people are exhausted
from the potlatch activity of Christmas. I recall a modest success with a
WAACE regional event in May (of '87?).
On this basis it is unreasonable to set up a standard that states that
shows should be separated by some fixed amount of time. Schedules need to
be published in advance and the kinds of support that each effort is to
receive need to parcelled out in some rational manner.
2) Regional vs National: I am not quite sure what constitutes a
"National" Atari show. The definition would include a significant
presence by Atari, hopefully with solid showings of their latest tech-
nology. There should be enough other activity in the form of work-
shops, seminars, and demonstrations to attract users from a wide
geographic area. The level of such activity should be sufficient to
attract developers interested in their own professional advancement.
Above all, national events must be scheduled far enough ahead of time
to allow potential participants to organize their schedules to accommodate
the events. The Atari market is too small to support more than about 3 or
4 "national" events per year. It would be best if these events could move
around within large regions such as the Northeast, California, the Mid-
west, and the Deep South. The Atari community has largely failed to get
its act together on this score.
The requirements for housing and for accommodating a large number of
visitors almost invariably dictate that "National" shows will be held in
formal settings with attendant high costs for exhibit setup.
"Regional" shows, on the other hand, should not expect to attract
users from very far away, they should not depend on Atari for major sup-
port, and they should not expect to draw developers and vendors from
outside their regional base. Such shows would logically be the product of
significant collaboration between user groups located within a few hours'
travel of one another.
Anyone who goes to the trouble of organizing a show will naturally
want to do as well as they can to get some "name" attractions, but the
organizers should realize that these people will be heavily committed to
national shows, to trade expositions, and to Atari shows abroad.
Regional shows will normally be able to use much less expensive ex-
hibit space and they will have fewer of the promotional costs of a nation-
al show. While participation will cost developers less it should also be
realized that the user base on which these shows draw will be more
restricted. Vendors who travel a long way to take advantage of cheap
booth prices will find that their travel expenses are far greater than the
booth costs. They should not be surprised if they fail to make money on
such shows.
I, for one, would welcome joint sessions by user groups as a good way
to learn something and build bonds within the community. This kind of ac-
tivity is difficult to coordinate without some sort of an overall guiding
spirit within the community.
3) The Role of the User Community:
Folks have made a number of comments about how much the Bay Area user
community "deserves" a real national show. I think it is fair to say
that the groups who truly "deserve" such things are the ones who work
together to make them happen. The people in these groups should know
their local markets and they should be aware of local opportunities
for obtaining space for staging the events. The ideal mechanism for
scheduling and staging national shows would be a close collaboration
between local user groups, Atari Corporation, and an appropriate
trade association, such as the IAAD. I suspect that there is not
enough profit in this business over the long haul to warrant the par-
ticipation of an independent commercial entity in this activity.
4) Coordination:
There are too many "loose cannons" in the current process. There is
a real need for coordination so that these activists can synchronize
their broadsides for maximum effect. For better or for worse this
coordination role falls squarely on Atari Corporation. While users
currently feel that they can communicate with Atari, we have yet to
see a long view or any active leadership. Perhaps these shows are
simply not important enough to warrant the kind of work and expense
that such an active role would imply.
5) The retail side:
The fierce competition that exists in the Atari marketplace seems to
dictate that everyone who has something to sell needs to get a bite of
every apple in the barrel. We see a pattern wherein some stores and
mail order houses will travel great distances to compete against one
another in hawking the same wares. Of course users seems to base
their assessments of satisfaction on the great bargains or novel items
that they bring home. Software repackagers seem to gauge their suc-
cess on the number of products that they "sell out" of.
These factors combine to give typical Atari shows a "flea market"
aura, while other measures of progress or interest take a back seat.
It should be noted that many large trade shows in the computer arena
do not permit direct sales of any kind. Examples include the Federal Com-
puter Conference, the DEXPO shows, the Federal Microcomputer conference,
COMDEX, and the Federal Office Systems Expo. These shows attract people
because of their information conten
t, not the opportunity for bargains.
Of course these shows cater to the business and government purchaser, who
could not buy anything on the spot in any case. COMDEX, NAMM, and CES
fulfill these roles for Atari Corp, but the end user is effectively
isolated from these events.
There is no immediate solution to the problems that Atari shows face
as they compete with one another for the attention of the user community.
The matter needs more thought and more leadership than it has been given
to date.
_______________________________________________________
> WAACE Fall/'90 STR SHOW NEWS¿ "The Premier East Coast Show"
============================
WASHINGTON AREA ATARI COMPUTER ENTHUSIASTS
==========================================
The Washington Area Atari Computer Enthusiasts (WAACE) is a
confederation of seven user groups in the National Capitol Area that have
hosted an AtariFest for the last six years. These user groups are
NOVATARI, A.U.R.A., FACE, GRASP, WACUG, MACC, MAST, and represent over six
hundred faithful Atarians. Our show has historically been held in the
Fairfax High School, a very inexpensive location, but lacking in
facilities. Our show has done well in the high school attracting 2500 to
3500 attendees and 30 to 40 vendors each year. The only negative comment
about our show was its location in a high school.
This year we lost our Fairfax Schools Adult Education Program sponsor-
ship and were no longer able to use the high school facilities. As a
result, after an exhaustive search for similar low cost facilities of
sufficient size to put on a quality show, we ended up in more expensive
convention space. This year's WAACE AtariFest will be held in the Sheraton
Reston Hotel. The Sheraton has 500 rooms, 950 free parking spaces and over
20,000 square feet of convention space.
The move to the Sheraton will allow us to put on a more professional
show. The facilities are well laid out and very accessible. AtariFest is
the only event scheduled at the hotel for the weekend which makes life for
the Fest attendee much easier since all activities will be in the same
wing of the hotel. The professionalism of the show has been enhanced with
the use of a professional show decorator, Arata Expositions. Arata has
experience with the Federal Office Systems Exposition show in Washington
DC and is very qualified. The result is that we will have a very
professional looking show in a fine facility.
This event will be the premier East Coast event for people who are
interested in software and hardware for Atari computers. The show will be
staged at the Sheraton Reston Hotel in Reston, VA. Show hours will be
from 10 am to 7 pm on both days. In addition to the shopping bargains
available from over thirty vendors there will be a full round of
demonstrations, tutorials, and seminars. A banquet on Saturday evening
will feature a special speaker on Atari matters and Current Notes
Magazine's "Author of the Year" award. Special mixers will cap off the
evening's festivities. Approximately 3000 visitors from all over the USA,
Canada, and other foreign countries attended the 1989 edition of the show.
Admission charges:
$5.00 for one day
$7.00 for a 2-day pass.
Discount ticket purchases are available for usergroups.
Children under 12 will be admitted free.
Seminars
Seminars will be presented at the WAACE AtariFest on both 6 and 7
October 1990 from 1100 am to 6:00 pm. The seminars will be concern a
variety of topics of interest to the Atari User community. If you would
like to participate in the Seminar series then contact the WAACE AtariFest
Programs Coordinator, Charles Smeton at (301), 465-8628 or Genie:
C.S.SMETON, CIS:73047,2565.
Speaker Organization
Ralph Mariano ST Report Online Magazine
David Troy TOAD Computers
J. Wrotniak Debonair Software
Nathan Potechin ISD Marketing, Inc
D.A. Brumleve Educational Software
Paul Lee Double Click Software
Keith Gerdes
Mike Vederman
Bob Brodie Atari Corporation USA
TBA Codehead Software
TBA Gribnif
_____________________________________________________________________
> AUA NEWSBRIEFS STR FOCUS¿ Atari Users Association NEWS......
=========================
Greetings, and happy August. In my last installment, I brought to
you the Atari Users Association User Group Affiliation Program and its
application. We are eagerly awaiting to see this program launch into an
uncontrollable fury! (Well, actually, not quite as furious....) The UGAP
program will surely make the latter half of the year an exciting one,
nonetheless.
This week, I would like to discuss a few events that have taken place
in the past few weeks, and I encourage our members and prospective members
to express their views and drop us a line or two. The AUA was formed "of
the people" and your input is very important to us. All of the advice
slash suggestions are taken into deep consideration. Not a day goes by
when we do not receive a few letters with praise and support from our
members along with suggestions on how we can make the AUA a little bit
better.
Event number one. As you know by now, the AUA has merged with the ST
Exchange group. The STX, is an organization that was formed by Eric
Lambeth and functions as a public domain/shareware exchange group.
Members send a disk full of NEW PD software to the Exchange, and the
Exchange in return sends a new disk with NEWER software back. This is a
fantastic program, and we are happy that the AUA can bring this program to
its members. At any rate, we encourage all of our members to take
advantage of this program. The STX program is FREE. The only thing you
pay for is the price of the postage stamp to get your disk to the
exchange. We are currently working on an index diskette that we will sell
for a very low fee around $3-$4 to cover the expenses of the program and
when that disk is completed, we will encourage everyone to support the
program by buying it. If you stop and calculate how much software you can
get from the exchange, and the comparable costs of downloading the same
amount of software from the pay services, you will see that you are
getting a great deal!
THE FOLLOWING IS INFORMATION CONCERNING THE STX:
==========================================================================
Atari ST Software Exchange (STX) A division of the AUA
==========================================================================
THE FOUR GOALS OF STX:
----------------------
1. Distribution of Inexpensive Software
2. Technical Support
3. Product Information & Support
4. News for ST users
(Note: The Mega Computers, STe, and all computers compatible with
the ST line are simply referred to as "ST" in this article.)
GOAL #1: DISTRIBUTION OF SOFTWARE
---------------------------------
STX offers its members the chance to get great software for virtually
no cost at all. Instead of purchasing PD disks at huge sums of money or
paying for download time from networks, our program is inexpensive.
In addition, included on each disk mailed out of the Exchange are
lots of timely articles like software reviews, technical notes,
programming tips, and more, all free of charge. You will probably find
it difficult to get these articles and programs elsewhere, and you will
certainly find that it costs you much more than the ST-Exchange!
(If there are software reviews, programming articles, etc. that you
have written, please mail them in! We would love to have them!)
Although people from any country may exchange programs, it is
impossible to understand all the languages used by Atari users. (Polish,
French, German, and others.) It is therefore difficult to trade disks
because of the language barrier.
This problem is a very difficult one, and it has been only
partially solved. Spanish & English text are acceptable here at the
exchange. Other languages are, unfortunately, unreadable to us. If
you are bilingual, you might wish to help us out. You can become the
regional organizer of the ST-Exchange. What this means is that if you
happen to live in Paris & speak French, you could accept disks from
French speakers around the world, translate their requests to English,
and mail them to ST-Exchange central here in the USA, and vice versa.
(If you wish to translate this demo disk, please go right ahead!)
Of course, you are entitled to make copies of all the disks you
process for us as compensation. The only problem with the system is that
the international mails can slow this process down very much. If you can
come up with any better ideas, please be sure to let us know!
GOAL #2: TECHNICAL SUPPORT
--------------------------
A large number of ST users have no way to get help with their
computer and other hardware. Some are lucky enough to live near an
Authorized Atari Repair Center or Atari Dealer, but many are left to
fend for themselves.
While the STX group cannot fix your computer for you, we can
usually give suggestions to you. If not, we can ask other members to
help you, and if we still don't have the problem solved, we'll call
Atari for you and get everything straightened out. This is an especially
important feature for people who live in a country outside the USA and
have no access to an online communication service.
The average American can usually call up his local Compuserve number
and contact Atari, but for someone who lives in Finland, Malaysia, Colom-
bia, or even the rural United States, the costs of calling Atari or using
Compuserve would be huge. (Not to mention the fact that they may not
speak fluent English!)
In the past, we have helped people convert IBM hard disk drives for
use on an ST, and fix troublesome disk drive errors. If you have such a
problem, please don't hesitate to ask us about it!
GOAL #3: PRODUCT INFORMATION
----------------------------
Magazines are influenced by their advertisers. For example, a
recent issue of an Atari magazine reviewed a certain game. I know about
twenty different people that own this game, and each says that it is the
worst game they have ever played. This magazine, however, gave the game
very high marks. Suspiciously, there was a full page advertisement for
the very same product in that very same issue of the magazine.
We at STX accept no advertising. We don't care what anyone thinks
of us. We have no worries about giving a bad review to a bad product. We
let you know which products are cheaply made- which magazines refuse to
offer refunds on their subscriptions- which companies don't support their
products. With STX, you can be certain you are getting an HONEST review.
GOAL #4: NEWS & INFORMATION
---------------------------
If you live far away from an Atari center of activity such as Los
Angeles, you may find it difficult to get RECENT and IMPORTANT news about
Atari. You can subscribe to an Atari magazine, but the costs are usually
high (especially if you have to subscribe to a foreign magazine) and the
information is not recent.
As of May 21 1990, STX will include the most recent issues of
popular online magazines STReport and Z-Net on all of its outgoing
diskettes. These newsletters are published weekly, so your information
is absolutely current.
HOW IT WORKS:
------------
The ST-Exchange is free of any charge. You simply send a diskette to
us, after filling it Public domain programs, shareware, software reviews,
etc. The disk will then be copied to the club library, and it will then
be formatted and filled with new programs from our library. (You may send
a list of requested files from the listing on this disk. If you do not,
randomly selected files will be placed on the disk.) After copying, it
will then be mailed back to you.
You can send as many diskettes as you want with each mailing. For
every ten disks, you will receive a free bonus disk.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND FILES THAT ARE ALREADY IN THE CLUB LIBRARY! THIS
DEFEATS THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE. Please be very careful not to
send any viruses.
PLEASE ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO:
ST-Exchange
c/o Eric Lambeth
2635 West Alta
Springfield, MO 65810 USA
When sending disks in the mail from one country to another,
remember to wrap them in aluminum foil. If you do not, they may be
erased by the X-ray machines used by Customs.
If you want to get an updated copy of this text file or the whole
demonstration disk, get an updated diskette listing, or ask any other
questions, you can contact STX online at GEnie as E.LAMBETH1 or CIS as
72040,56.
Eric Lambeth is a welcome addition to the AUA and we welcome him
aboard. At the time of this publishing, Eric notified us that he had just
received about 150 new diskettes containing all new software for the
library. So, if you are looking for a hard to find program, you can
contact the AUA or STX to find it.
After all of the reading I have been doing lately, I have seen a
change take place in the Community. It appears as though Atari Corp. is
finally going to make a turn for the good. Don't quote me, but I really
do think that Atari has finally awaken, sort of like the dragon that has
been asleep for a thousand years. If my prediction is correct, we are
going to see some massive changes in the next few months. Too good to be
true? Let's wait and see. We here at the AUA will remain ever confident.
Next, we have inside information that is revealed Atari is planning a
massive advertising campaign in the USA. Is this possible? After all the
times we have heard this, it is difficult to believe. However, we will
have to wait and see if our sources are true.
In closing, the Summer edition of the NewsBriefs Newsletter is at the
printer and is expected to be completed by August 22. We are going to
work diligently to get it out in the mail, with the NewsBriefs Disk
Magazine following by about a week. We apologies for the delay, but we
ran into unexpected problems that made us push back the dates a few weeks.
We hope that with experience, we will not make these same mistakes
again, and promise to continue to deliver AUA publications on time.
(Well, ok, I will tell you what happened. When will Derek ever realize
how important hard drive back-ups are?) Keep your letters and applica-
tions flowing. We hope to appear at the WAACE show boasting a huge back-
ing in the community, so please help us meet this task. Remember, member-
ship to the AUA is FREE! Take advantage of it! If you are hesitant, and
would like to see s sample of the AUA publications, you can do so by
sending $2.00 to the AUA address and we will send you a demo package of
the NewsBriefs Disk Magazine, a Demo of the AUA/STX PD disk, and a copy of
the AUA NewsBriefs Newsletter. Enjoy the rest of summer!
////////// // // ////////// ** ** **
// // // // // // ** ** **
// // // // // // ** ** **
////////// // // ////////// ** ** **
// // // // // // *** ** ***
// // ////////// // // *** ** ***
THE ATARI USER'S ASSOCIATION UNITING THE ST COMMUNITY
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Thank you for your interest in the Atari User's Association.
Please take the time to complete this application and mail it
to the address below.
========================================================================
First Name:_____________________ LastName:______________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________
City:________________________________ ST:____ Zipcode:__________________
Country:_____________________________ Age:(optional)____________________
Telephone: __________________________ Occupation:_______________________
[ ] Check here if you do NOT want your name placed in the AUA Public
Membership Directory (This will allow you to be placed on national
mailing lists for Atari ST products and information.)
=========================================================================
I have had my Atari ST since (approx. date):_____________________________
HARDWARE: [ ]520ST [ ]1040ST [ ]MEGA 2 [ ]MEGA 4 [ ]STacy [ ]Other
[ ]Spectre GCR [ ]PC DITTO [ ]PC Speed [ ]SuperCharger
MONITOR : [ ]COLOR [ ]MONO [ ]OTHER:____________________________________
DRIVES : [ ]Internal [ ]External [ ]HARD DRIVE Size of Hard drive:____
PRINTER : [ ]9 Pin Dot Matrix [ ]24 Pin Dot Matrix [ ]Laser [ ]DeskJet
[ ]Daisywheel [ ]Other
MODEM : Max Speed [ ]300 [ ]1200 [ ]2400 [ ]4800 [ ]9600 [ ]14,400
OTHER PERIPHERALS________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
=========================================================================
Primary Use of your Atari Computer: (check all that apply)
[ ]Home Finance [ ]BBS [ ]CAD [ ]Business [ ]DTP [ ]Games/rec
[ ]Graphics [ ]Programming [ ]SpreadSheets [ ]WordProcessing
[ ]Music [ ]Communications [ ]Database [ ]Other:_____________
=========================================================================
If you are a member of a User Group, Please fill in:
UG Name: ________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________
City _________________________________State _____ ZIP ________Country____
BBS # ______________________________________No. of Members_______________
President's Name:________________________________Phone:__________________
Newsletter Name:_________________________________________________________
Comments:________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
========================================================================
EMAIL ADRESSES: (please include fnet / fido Handles)
FNET Node:________________________ FIDO Node:__________________________
USENET:_________________________________________________________________
GENIE:_____________________________ COMPUSERVE:_________________________
DELPHI:________________________ OTHER:__________________________________
Please list any ideas you have about what the AUA can do for you as an
end user:_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________Use reverse if necessary!!!!!!
Please list your favorite software titles: _____________________________
________________________________________________________________________
If you have a friend who may be interested in the AUA, please list his
name and address here so that we can contact him/her about the AUA:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Where did you get this application:_____________________________________
=========================================================================
MEMBERSHIP FEES: [ ] Non-Active AUA Membership -- $ FREE $
[ ] Non-Active AUA Membership +
1 Sample Newsletter & Disk -- $ 2.00US/once
[ ] Active AUA w/NewsLetter -- $ 5.00US/year
Please Select ONE [ ] Active AUA w/Newsletter (Foreign)-- $ 7.50US/year
[ ] Active AUA W/Newsletter & Disk -- $ 15.00US/year
[ ] Active AUA w/Newsletter & Disk
(foreign/airmail) -- $ 18.00US/year
(All membership fees must be sent in US Dollars payable to AUA)
=========================================================================
Mail application to:
The Atari Users Association
P.O. Box 123
Canonsburg, PA 15317
______________________________________________________________
> SUPPORT? ..WHERE?? STR Spotlight¿ An exercise in futility!
================================
SATISFACTION --- AT WHAT PRICE?
==============================
by R. F. Mariano
Often, we read about how folks sincerely regret having made emotional
decisions while involved in a stressful situation. Recently, Atari saw
fit to lock out all the developers on GEnie. Why? Because they didn't
have accurate records at Atari concerning who was or was not a registered
developer. We actually felt compassion for Dan McNamee who had to take
'heat' from those developers who were upset with this decision.
Actually, GEnie's software is more than sophisticated enough to have
permitted the selective de-activation of those accounts not readily ac-
counted for. But as we are told, the "Blanket Lockout" was done because
it would consume less of Atari's 'manhours' and salary dollars than the
more graceful selective and diplomatic method. In other words, they did
it using the less 'expensive' approach. When asked about the severity of
the blanket lockout, A. Salerno made it quite clear he felt it was defina-
tely "in the best interest of the developers" and "that they should be
grateful for the added security." Odd reasoning at best.
In the past, certain of Salerno's vindictive decisions ie; Locking out
ABCO Computers from the developer area, (claiming violation of non-
disclosure; ABCO NEVER made ANY statements about Atari) when in fact it
was a kneejerk, retaliatory action against STReport (who never signed a
non-disclosure agreement.) These and other decisions have been seriously
questioned as being in Atari's best interests. Sig Hartmann, a former
vice president of Atari (now retired) exclaimed loudly, when he heard of
Salerno's actions against ABCO, "it was a dumb thing to do!" Especially
coming on the heels of an amicable agreement reached between Hartmann and
Mariano at last year's WAACE show. The vengeful, punitive actions taken
by Atari and Salerno have in every case, continued to come back to haunt
Atari on more than one occasion. Until such time as the wrongs are
corrected there is no doubt that the haunting reminders will continue.
Salerno's relationships with his subordinates and most developers has
been rather bumpy from the very beginning of his tenure with Atari. For
example, from when he shared an office (Garry's old corner office) with
another Atari exec, a relatively successful gent, Salerno has been busy
trying to "help this fellow out" by any means possible. (Remember the
Stacy incident Antonio?) Better yet, how about FREE developer kits and
access being handed out??
Salerno personally assured this reporter that a certain midwest dealer
would "regret the day" he made it known that he had TOS 1.4 available
(quietly approved by Atari and Salerno well before its official release)
in Eprom for those customers who had purchased a Moniterm Monitor. Addi-
tionally, in a recent poll informally conducted, many of the developers
who have heard all of the promises made by Salerno (the fabled Aircraft
Carrier Analogy) have begun to expect little if anything near what was
promised.
Additionally, most folks who have had any dealings with Salerno have
come away less than satisfied with the results attained. In fact, many
folks in the Atari arena have expressed an ardent desire to not have to
deal with Salerno a second time after the initial 'hard to forget' ex-
perience.
STReport's editor has, on more than one occasion, been verbally ac-
costed by Salerno and amazingly, even accused of having surreptitiously
planted eavesdropping devices in his office! (paranoia reigns supreme)
In truth, we DO have eavesdropping devices at Atari and lately,
particularly in and around Salerno's office. These devices are called
people who work at Atari and are thoroughly disgusted with Salerno and his
methods of dealing with people. Thus, the ongoing flow of accurate infor-
mation. psst...They all turned you down recently, didn't they Antonio...
for C. Cherry's position.
Is the friction really worth it?
Am I taking honest look at the BIG picture??
Are the threats and scheming the right course of action?
Is the "behind the scenes pressuring" to force changes the right way?
Do I really think threatening to fire people will silence the truth
Are my present decisions good for Atari in the long haul?
...all questions A. Salerno should be asking himself.
Atari is now involved in streamlining its operations from the very top
on down. And has apparently recognized many of the internal problems
including the vicious games of "getting even with those who are critical
of Atari or making waves". Atari, through its new leadership, has recog-
nized the fact that all of these "get even" or "punitive efforts" have
done nothing to help promote a positive image throughout the USA's home
computer marketplace. They have instead, proven to be totally counter
productive.
Through the course of the next few weeks, we shall witness the gradual
emergence of the 'new' lean, more efficient and conscientious Atari.
Most of all, Atari is on the mend and moving forward in a positive direc-
tion. Hopefully we will see the new broom "sweep all the slates clean."
The slate "needs to be cleared for everyone." Atari needs all the good-
will and positive support they can possibly garner. As time progresses,
Atari will rightfully become the industry leader they deserve to be and
STReport will be right there along with you, our readers and Atari users,
celebrating the resurgence of Atari in the USA.
_________________________________________________________
> Hard Disks STR InfoFile¿ Affordable Mass Storage....
=======================
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**********************************************************************
:HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
_________________________________
To sign up for GEnie service: Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
Wait for the U#= prompt.
Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.
**** SIGN UP FEE WAIVED ****
The system will now prompt you for your information.
**********************************************************************
> A "Quotable Quote"
=================
"The Pen is ALWAYS mightier than the Sword!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
STReport¿ "Your Independent News Source" August 17, 1990
16/32bit Magazine copyright ½ 1990 No.6.33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
the editors, staff, STReport¿ CPU/STR¿ or ST Report¿ . Permission to
reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Each reprint
must include the name of the publication, date, issue # and the author's
name. The entire publication and/or portions therein may not be edited in
any way without prior written permission. The contents, at the time of
publication, are believed to be reasonably accurate. The editors,
contributors and/or staff are not responsible for either the use/misuse
of information contained herein or the results obtained therefrom.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
