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Silicon Times Report Issue 0647
*---== ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
_____________________________________
from
STR Publishing Inc.
""""""""""""""""""
November 23, 1990 No.6.47
==========================================================================
STReport Online Magazine¿
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32205 ~ 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
_________________________________________
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EST
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FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EST
_________________________________________
** Fnet Node 350 * FidoNet Node 1:112/35 * NeST Node 90:03/0 **
STR'S privately owned & operated support BBS
carries ALL issues of STReport Online Magazine
and
AN INTERNATIONAL LIST OF PRIVATE BBS SYSTEMS
carrying STReport Online Magazine for their user's enjoyment
__________________________________________________________________
> 11/23/90: STReport¿ #6.47 The Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine!
-------------------------
- The Editor's Desk - CPU REPORT - CPU STATUS REPORT
- PORTFOLIO NEWS - 2M Amigas Sold - SEAGATE MECHS
- Stock Report - ABC History? - STR Confidential
* ATARI/COMDEX > ANOTHER LOOK!*
* WHY KENAN LEFT! *
* ATARI IN SAUDI ARABIA! *
==========================================================================
ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE¿
The _Number One_ Online Magazine
-* FEATURING *-
"Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
Current Events, Original Articles, Hot Tips, and Information
Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
==========================================================================
STReport's support BBS, NODE # 350 invites systems using Forem ST and
Turbo Board BBS to participate in the Fido/F-Net Mail Network. Or, call
Node 350 direct at 904-786-4176, and enjoy the excitement of exchanging
information relative to the Atari ST computer arena through an excellent
International ST Mail Network. All registered F-NET - Crossnet SysOps are
welcome to join the STReport Crossnet Conference. The Crossnet Conference
Code is #34813, and the "Lead Node" is # 350. All systems are most
welcome to actively participate. Support Atari Computers; Join Today!
==========================================================================
AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON: GENIE ~ CIS ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ FIDO ~ F-NET
==========================================================================
> The Editor's Podium¿
Here we are a week after Comdex, and all the smoke is just about
completely cleared. This week's issue contains a pair of articles that
are ..well, to say the least, "illuminating and thought provoking". While
STReport anxiously craves to show support for Atari as it is the computer
we chose and our being Atari enthusiasts is a fact. Still, we are report-
ers, as the name STReport implies. After having received a number of
'attaboys' for our last two issues, this week STReport received a chal-
lenge from a group of developers to present their view of Comdex and
current events. We have done just that in an honest attempt to be impar-
tial. We now ask that the two articles be read with objectivity in mind
and understanding for the plight of the Developers in heart.
Additionally, STReport extends to any responsible party an opportunity
to submit, for publication after approval, a reply to the articles con-
tained herein. It is our basic endeavor to involve as many of the readers
in the contemporary issues as possible. We feel the input from every
reader is more than just 'valuable'. It is absolutely needed. None of us
cares to see the ST become an orphan or at best, an engine without fuel.
The fuel being the products of the developers. Fact.. the developers are
upset, very upset!
Ralph.......
***********************************************************************
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COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME
to the Readers of;
STREPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE
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be online in no time at all!
WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (Nov. 21)
THANKSGIVING FILES FOR ATARI 8-BITS
The following files are available in LIBRARY 1 of the Atari 8-Bit Forum
(GO ATARI8) in honor of Thanksgiving thanks to Lawrence Estep:
CORNCP.BAS - Cornucopia by Joey Latimer from 11/84 Family Comp.
FALL.BAS - Falling Leaves from Family Computing magazine
SUGRPM.BAS - "Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy"
TURCHS.BAS - Turkey Chase game by Steven C.M. Chen
TURKEY.BAS - A beautiful holiday turkey from Family Computing
TURPNC.BAS - Turkey Panic text adventure from Family Computing
WSHBNE.BAS - Pull the Wishbone game from Family Computing
If you have any Thanksgiving-related files you would like to share,
please upload them to LIBRARY 1. Upload time is free of standard
CompuServe connect charges.
COMDEX NEWS
SYSOP*Ron Luks combined all the various ST, STe, and TT press releases
from COMDEX and uploaded it to LIBRARY 1 of the Atari Arts Forum (GO
ATARIARTS) as COMDEX.PR.
Portfolio-related press releases are available in LIBRARY 1 of the
Atari Portfolio Forum (GO APORTFOLIO) also under the filename COMDEX.PR.
Additional COMDEX NEWS REPORTS are available in STReport's STR646.ARC,
ZNT546.ARC. (available in LIBRARY 1 of the Atari Arts Forum).
NEW TETRIS-LIKE GAME
A new Tetris-like game is now available in LIBRARY 1 of the Atari ST
Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS). Collapse is a low resolution game, object of
which is to align similar block rows in three or more.
Check out file COLLAP.LZH.
NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE
***********************************************************************
> CPU REPORT¿
==========
Issue # 92
----------
by Michael Arthur
Dream Systems¿ VIII
===================
DREAM SYSTEMS VIII: POWER WITHOUT THE PRICE?
=============================================
Part II
In the computer user's quest for faster and more powerful systems
that will do more in less time, much of the focus in the computer industry
has been on high-end products like the NeXT workstations or 80486-based
IBM Clones. Unfortunately, the extreme cost of these "Dream Systems"
forces the ordinary user to look for alternatives that both approach the
power levels of the high-end "Dream System" and are reasonably affordable.
In short, the search for "Power Without the Price"....
This essay features a list of "Practical" Dream Systems that could
be configured from the major microcomputer standards in the low/middle end
of the market. I ignored variables like operating systems and software,
and concentrated on the actual computers' features and speed, the largest
hard disk you could attain, and the best graphics that system could
provide. While operating systems and software are a definite factor in a
computer, I wanted to aim for the best hardware that would make operating
systems and software perform faster and be more versatile to the user.
All of the Practical Future Systems shown cost from $2500 to $5000,
since surveys have shown that many computer owners own systems that are in
that price range. Also, all of the Dream Systems have at least 2 Megabytes
of RAM, since this is quickly becoming a requirement for running major
software applications.
After doing some research, I found several configurations that could
claim to be "Affordable Dream Systems". Shown in no particular order,
here is my list:
(Warning: Do not be surprised by the Retail Prices Shown.)
System #1: - Tandon SL 486/25 with Expanz Data Compression Card -
---------
Total Cost of System: $4980.00 Dollars
This IBM Compatible is a system with a 25 MHZ 80486 chip, 2 Megabytes
of RAM onboard, 3 PC AT (and 1 PC XT) Expansion Slots, a 1.44 Meg Floppy
Disk Drive, and a 40 Meg Hard Drive.
To further enhance this system these components are added: Infochip's
Expanz data compression card (which would be used to allow the 40 Meg Hard
Drive to store up to 80 Megabytes of Data), a CompuAdd SuperVGA Graphics
Adapter, and a Dell SuperVGA Color Monitor.
So with this system, you would have:
------------------------------------
Tandon SL 486/25 with a 25 MHZ 80486 chip (Cost: $4000.00)
CompuAdd Extended VGA Graphics Adapter (Cost: $ 280.00)
InfoChip Expanz Data Compression Card (Cost: $ 200.00)
Dell SuperVGA Color Monitor (Cost: $ 500.00)
VGA Graphics Resolution: 320x200 with 256 Colors out of 256,000
640x480 with 16 Colors Displayable out of 256,000
SuperVGA Resolution: 640x480 with 256 Displayable Colors out of 256,000
800x600 with 16 Colors out of 256,000
Faults with System: None whatsoever. A Superb system, with a decent
amount of expansion slots.
System #2: - Macintosh IIsi w/NuBus Adapter Board -
---------
Total Cost of System: $4880.00
This Macintosh uses a 20 MHZ 68030, Two Megabytes of RAM onboard, an
internal 40 Meg Hard Drive, 1.44 Meg High Density Disk Drive, an AppleTalk
Networking port, and a built-in Video Adapter chip. It uses the SWIM
(Sander-Woz Integrated Machine) Disk Controller chip to allow the Mac to
read/write to MS-DOS and OS/2 formatted disks. Added to this is a NuBus
Adapter Board that gives the Mac IIsi one NuBus Expansion Slot, and an
Apple 12-inch RGB display.
So with this system you would have:
-----------------------------------
Macintosh IIsi w/2 Megs of RAM and Keyboard (Cost: $4030.00)
Apple 12-inch RGB Monitor (Cost: $ 600.00)
NuBUs Adapter Board (Cost: $ 250.00)
Macintosh II Resolution: 640x400 with 256 Colors out of 16 Million
Faults with System: - No Floating Point Math Chip, for spreadsheet
applications.
- Only One Expansion Slot.
System #3: - Atari TT030/2 with 33 MHZ 68030 Chip -
---------
Total Cost of System: $3550.00
This is an Atari TT030/2 with a 33 MHZ 68030 chip, 2 Megs of RAM
onboard, an internal 50 Meg Hard Drive, a 720K Floppy Disk Drive, an
AppleTalk Port, and 1 VME Expansion Slot as Standard. An Atari PPC-1246
Multisync Monitor has been added.
So with this system you would have:
Atari TT030/2 with 2 Megs of RAM (Cost: $3000.00)
Atari PPC-1246 MultiSync Monitor (Cost: $ 550.00)
Atari STe Resolutions: (Supported by TT)
320*200 with 16 displayable colors out of a 4096 color palette
640*200 with 4 Colors out of 4096
640*400 in Monochrome
Atari TT Resolutions:
320*480 with 256 Displayable Colors out of a 4096 Color Palette.
640*480 with 16 Colors out of 4096
1280*960 in Monochrome
Faults with System: 1 Expansion Slot is not enough for many users. Also,
no "Expansion Slot Box" is available to remedy this
fault.
System #4 - Amiga 3000/16 with 2 Megs of RAM -
---------
Total Cost of System: $4100.00
This is an Amiga 3000 with a 16 MHZ 68030 and a 16 MHZ 68881 Floating
Point Math Chip, 2 Megs of RAM (with no CPU Cache) onboard, 2 PC AT
Expansion Slots and 4 Zorro III (32-bit) Slots. It also has an improved
version of the Amiga's Enhanced Chip Set, which both boosts its graphics
capabilities, features a Display Enhancer Chip (known in the Amiga world
as the Amber "FlickerFixer" chip). This system also has a built-in 40 Meg
Hard Drive, and a Commodore 1950 Multisync Monitor has been added.
So with this system you would have:
-----------------------------------
Amiga 3000/16 with 40 Meg Hard Drive (Cost: $3300.00)
Commodore 1950 Multisync Monitor (Cost: $ 800.00)
Amiga Resolutions: (Not including Overscan)
320x200 with 32 colors out of 4096
320x200 with 64 colors out of 4096 (Extra Half-Brite)
320x200 with 4096 colors at the same time (HAM Mode)
640x200 with 4 to 32 colors
640x400 with 2 to 16 colors (interlaced)
With Enhanced Chip Set: (most capable graphics modes shown)
640x256, with 64 displayable colors out of 4096
1280x400, with 4 colors out of 64 (interlaced)
Faults with System: None....
System #5: - Mega STe/4 with 16 MHZ 68000 Chip -
---------
Total Cost of System: $2700.00
This is a Mega STe with a 16 MHZ 68000, 4 Megs of RAM onboard (and a
32K CPU Cache), 1 Mega ST Expansion Slot, an AppleTalk port, a 720K Disk
Drive, and a built-in 80 Megabyte Hard Drive. Along with this would be an
Omnimon Rainbow Monitor from Wuztek Inc., which is capable of handling all
of the STe's resolutions.
So with this system you have:
-----------------------------
Mega STe/4 with 16 MHZ 68000 (Cost: $2000.00)
Wuztek Omnimon Monitor (Cost: $ 700.00)
Atari STe Resolutions:
320*200 with 16 displayable colors out of a 4096 color palette
640*200 with 4 Colors out of 4096
640*400 in Monochrome
Faults with System: - No Floating Point Math Chip, which could be useful
in future spreadsheet applications.
- Many users need more than the 1 Expansion Slot
provided by the Mega STe.
System #6: - Macintosh LC with built-in Video Adapter Chip -
---------
Total Cost of System: $2930.00
This Macintosh uses a 16 MHZ 68020 and has Two Megs of RAM onboard, an
internal 40 Meg Hard Drive, a 1.44 Meg High Density Disk Drive, an
AppleTalk Networking port, and the Video Adapter and SWIM Disk Controller
chips found in the Mac IIsi. It also has a proprietary expansion slot.
Added to this system is an Apple 12-inch RGB monitor.
So with this system you have:
-----------------------------
Macintosh LC with 2 Megs of RAM and a Keyboard (Cost: $2630.00)
Apple 12-inch RGB Monitor: (Cost: $ 600.00)
Macintosh LC Resolution: 640*480 with 256 Displayable Colors out of a
16 Million Color Palette.
Faults of System: - No Floating Point Math Chip.
- Only one card (Apple's IIe emulator board) is
available for the LC's proprietary expansion slot.
- Like many of the new middle-end systems available,
the Mac LC only has 1 Expansion Slot.
Here is a Graph of the features of each Dream System:
:DREAM SYSTEMS LIST:
(Comparison of each Systems' Optimal Features)
_________________________________________________________________________
Dream |Main Chips,|MHZ Rate|Mass |Expansion|Graphics Displays/ |
System |Megs of RAM| & MIPS |Storage | Slots |Best Resolution(s) |
-----------|-----------|--------|----------|---------|-------------------|
IBM 486 |Intel 80486| 25 MHZ | 80 Meg |Three (4)|640*480, 256 Colors|
System | Two Megs | |Capability| PC/AT |800*600, 16 Colors|
-----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
Mac IIsi | 68030 | 20 MHZ | 40 Meg | One (1) |640*480, 256 Colors|
System | Two Megs | |Hard Drive|NuBus | |
-----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
Atari TT030| 68030 | 33 MHZ | 50 Meg | One (1) |320*480, 256 Colors|
System | Two Megs | |Hard Drive|VME Bus |640*480, 16 Colors|
-----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
Amiga 3000 |68030/68881| 16 MHZ | 40 Meg | Four (4)|320*200,4096 Colors|
System | Two Megs | |Hard Drive|Zorro III|640*256, 4 Colors|
-----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
Mac LC | 68020 | 16 MHZ | 40 Meg | One (1) |640*480, 256 Colors|
System | Two Megs | |Hard Drive| LC Slot | |
-----------|-----------|--------|----------|---------|-------------------|
Mega STe | 68000 | 16 MHZ | 80 Meg | One (1) |320*200, 16 Colors|
System | Four Megs | |Hard Drive|Mega ST |640*200, 4 Colors|
-----------'-------------------------------------------------------------'
1 VAX MIPS approximately equals 1750 Dhrystones per Second.
Also, the Expansion Slot Column now measures the number of available
expansion slots in each Dream System AFTER installing the various add-in
boards in each System Configuration. The number in parentheses is the
total number of expansion slots in the system.
:Dream Systems List:
Basic System Performance List
_________________________________________________________________________
Dream |Dhrystones |Data Transfer| Linpack |Size of Bus|Size,Type of|
System |in VAX MIPS| Rate | MFLOPS |Architectr.| CPU Cache |
-----------|-----------|-------------|----------|-----------|------------|
IBM 486 | 9-12 MIPS | 8 Megabytes | 0.9 - 1.2| 16 Bits | 32K SRAM |
System | | Per Second | MFLOPS | Wide | |
-----------|-----------|-------------|----------|-----------|------------|
Mac IIsi |2 - 4 MIPS | 10 Megabytes| Has No | 32 Bits |No CPU Cache|
System | | Per Second |Math Chip | Wide | |
-----------|-----------|-------------|----------|-----------|------------|
Atari TT |5 - 7 MIPS | N/A | Has No | 16/24 Bits| 32K SRAM |
System | | |Math Chip | Wide | |
-----------|-----------|-------------|----------|-----------|------------|
Amiga 3000 | 3 MIPS |Up to 33 Megs|Up To 0.1 | 32 Bits |No CPU Cache|
System | | Per Second | MFLOPS | Wide | |
-----------|-----------|-------------|----------|-----------|------------|
Mac LC | 2 MIPS | N/A | Has No | 16 Bits | 32K SRAM |
System | | |Math Chip | Wide | |
-----------|-----------|-------------|----------|-----------|------------|
Mega STe | 2 MIPS | N/A | Has No | 16 Bits | 32K SRAM |
System | | |Math Chip | Wide | |
-----------'-------------------------------------------------------------'
MFLOPS - Million Floating Point math Operations performed Per Second
SRAM - Static RAM memory (many times faster than DRAM chips)
MIPS - Million Instructions performed Per Second
> CPU STATUS REPORT¿ >>>>> LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS <<<<<
=================
- Cambridge, MA LOTUS BUYS ITS OWN WORD PROCESSING DIVISION
-------------
Lotus Development has recently purchased Samna Corp., a prominent
Microsoft Windows applications developer, for $65 million. Lotus is
offering $18.84 a share for Samna, which currently makes two Windows-based
word processors (Ami and Ami Professional). Samna will become the Word
Processing Division of Lotus, and its Microsoft Windows programmers will
help make Lotus' other products (like Lotus 1-2-3) fully based on the
Windows standard.
Lotus will also be diversifying its line of products (read: sources
of revenue) with this deal, while Samna will use Lotus' marketing and
development resources to make Ami Professional a dominant standard in the
Windows word processing market. Interestingly, Jim Manzi (the President
of Lotus) has said that Lotus "intends to provide tight integration
between (Ami Professional) and our spreadsheet and graphics products under
development for Windows 3.0." This indicates that Lotus is now porting
both its 1-2-3 spreadsheet and its FreeLance Plus graphics program to
Windows 3.0, and that Lotus is now fully backing its future on Microsoft's
standard....
- West Chester, PA COMMODORE SELLS 2 MILLIONTH AMIGA
----------------
Commodore Ltd. has recently revealed that it has sold over two
million Amigas worldwide. In an announcement this week, Commodore had
said that Amiga sales "have increased dramatically" in 1990. Of interest
is the fact that Commodore announced that it had sold its 1 millionth
Amiga in early 1989. Since the Amiga was introduced in 1985, it seems
that Commodore has doubled its rate of Amiga sales since it first reached
the "1 million computer" mark, and that the Amiga is gaining popularity
after initially slow sales.
- Las Vegas, NV LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR SOFTWARE SHOWN AT COMDEX
-------------
One of the more innovative items shown at Comdex was Globalink's
GTS (Globalink Foreign Language Translator). This DOS-based program is
capable of translating ASCII documents written in foreign languages at up
to 20,000 words per hour. Meant to help human translators in efforts to
translate long documents, this $1000 product is able to interpret idiom,
context- and subject-specific text, in addition to "literal translation"
features found in other computer-based translators. GTS also provides
clearer and less "stilted" translations of documents, and features a
modifiable dictionary of words. Globalink is also making versions of GTS
geared towards documents dealing with computers, law, and commerce.
One drawback to this program is that users must purchase a version
of GTS for each "translation direction". For example, if you own the
"English to Spanish" version of GTS, and you want to translate English
text into French, you have to buy the "English to French" version of GTS
for another $1000.00. Globalink also supports the German, Russian, and
Chinese languages in its library of translation tools. However, GTS is
quickly becoming popular among international businesses and embassies,
who have experienced vast improvements in the time it takes them to do
their translation work.
- Washington, DC US SOFTWARE SALES UP 24.4 PERCENT
--------------
The Software Publishers' Association has recently revealed its
statistics about the collective revenue of 150 of its member companies
over the 3rd Quarter of 1990, in order to help judge the financial growth
of the softwre industry. The SPA has found that among its members,
international sales increased by 61.2 percent, while worldwide software
sales grew 34.1 percent. Interestingly, DOS/Windows software sales (which
were up 31.9 percent) surpassed that of Macintosh software sales (only up
5.5 percent), and Windows applications sales are quickly approaching the
level of Macintosh program sales. Other findings are that:
- Windows applications sales grew by 213.1 percent.
- Spreadsheet sales were down 1.4 percent, while Word processor
sales were up 37.1 percent.
- Sales of entertainment software were down 19.2 percent, while
educational software sales were up 23.7 percent.
- Desktop Publishing Software sales were up 44.3 percent, to $47.4
Million. Interestingly enough, MS-DOS DTP packages accounted for
$28.2 million in sales, while only $18.4 million worth of
Macintosh DTP software was sold.
***********************************************************************
: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.
-> NOW! GENIE STAR SERVICE IS IN EFFECT!! <-
***********************************************************************
> SEAGATE MECHS STR Spotlight¿ "What's the Story, Jerry??"
===========================
SEAGATE MECHANISMS AND RELIABILITY
==================================
by R.F. Mariano
Over the past few months, a number of those who supply assembled hard
drives to the ST community seem to be "experiencing" problems with certain
versions of the Seagate Hard Disk Mechanism.
Sure, I am wearing the hat of one who is directly involved in the
marketplace that sells and services mass storage devices. Since 1985,
Seagate mechanisms have been used in most all the systems assembled here.
Some 1,485 drives later, there has only been 16 instances where the
Seagate mechanism was directly responsible for the "in the field" problem
that arose. Compared to the number of Seagate mechanisms that are in the
field that we can account for, and those that failed, the percentages are
very good. Of course, we can look at the failure rate of the removable
drives and find a number of them have croaked, as have the carts themsel-
ves. And we will find that the manufacturer's warranty leaves a great
deal to be desired. Does this mean the manufacturer should be avoided?
Of course not. And neither should Seagate. Unless of course there are
OTHER less obvious reasons for bad-mouthing Seagate incessantly and recom-
mending another manufacturer repeatedly. Remember Rodime, "the very best
..." And oh how great the Miniscribes were touted to be... until. Oh
well, nobody's perfect.
If we were to begin comparing other problems and component failure
rates, we can start at the DMA Cables, and certain versions of formatting
software that has caused video problems and Fat Table problems. But these
are all part of the business, nobody's perfect. When the revisions came
through for the Host Adaptors, there were "growing pains" and again fat
tables fell victim, but as stated earlier, nobody's perfect.
Then came the power supplies in the "shoebox" cabinets, that for a
while in 1987, the doggone things were dropping like flies, especially
those cabinets that came from a certain supplier in Texas, the power
supply boards were replaced without question, but the inconvenience factor
and replacement logistics were a bear. But.....once again, nobody's per-
fect.
After calling Seagate's Customer Service Department it was discovered
that yes, they had a problem with the EARLY 3.5 drives and then, only with
the 20mb 3.5" drive in most cases. The spindle would stick. At one point
in time, Seagate had in their instructions to never install the drive
upside down, that is the circuit board facing up, yet a number of sup-
pliers of assembled drives did just that! With little or no problems.
Now it is discovered that the problem can be alleviated (in some cases) if
one were to flip the drive mechanism over and re-install it in the cabi-
net. Seems this changes the resting point of the spindle.
As for certain versions of utility software finding itself incompat-
ible with some of the Seagate mechanisms, "this occurance is a result of
the ongoing forward movement of Seagate in programming their onboard
systems to give the very best performance to the overall computing com-
munity and not a "special interest niche," they said. Frankly, it would
appear that the responsibility lies with the software publishers to main-
tain an up to date version that complies with the hardware, not the other
way around. Right Bruno?
How very easy it is to recall the Adaptec story, when at one time you
could only use the Adaptec because it was the controller to have... then
miraculously, the OMTI came crashing upon the scene and now, it is the
only one to use. Strange though, many of the users now own Adaptec and
find the software does only the barest of functions well. Why this
vacillation? Could it be that the OMTI 3500 series controller market has
been cornered? Who knows.
One thing is for sure, SEAGATE is going to be around for many years to
come, perhaps a lot longer than those who are, "oh so busy", bad-mouthing
a good company that provides a fine, affordable product to the entire
computing community.
The time has come for all folks in the hard disk arena to realize that
the Hard Disk Mechanism Business does not revolve around the Atari Niche
market, in fact, in most cases, the Atari market must comply with the big
picture. Seagate ships far more drives per month than any other manufac-
turer of the mechanisms. And although they may be the Volkswagon of the
hard disk world, they're quite reliable.
__________________________________________________
> Stock Market ~ STReport¿ And the Band Marches On....
=======================
THE TICKERTAPE
==============
by Michael Arthur
The price of Atari stock rose 1/8 of a point on Monday, but dropped by
1/4 of a point on Tuesday. On Wednesday it was down by 1/8 of a point,
and the price of Atari stock was up 1/8 of a point on Thursday. On Friday
the price of Atari stock went up 1/8 of a point, ending the week at $2.25
a share. The price of Atari stock was at the same price on November 16
that it was on November 2 and November 9.
Apple Stock was down 3/8 of a point from Friday, November 9, 1990.
Commodore Stock was up 1 3/4 points from 11/9/90.
IBM Stock was up 3 1/2 points from 11/9/90.
Stock Report for Week of 11/12/90 to 11/16/90
_________________________________________________________________________
STock| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
Reprt|Last Chg.|Last Chg.|Last Chg.|Last Chg.|Last Chg.|
-----|-------------|------------|------------|------------|--------------|
Atari|2 3/8 +1/8|2 1/8 -1/4| 2 - 1/8|2 1/8 +1/8|2 1/4 + 1/8|
| 221,700 Sls | 33,200 Sls | | | 31,400 Sls |
-----|-------------+------------+------------+------------+--------------|
CBM |7 1/2 + 1/2|7 3/4 + 1/4|7 7/8 + 1/8| 8 + 1/8|8 3/4 + 3/4|
| | | | | 266,200 Sls |
-----|-------------+------------+------------+------------+--------------|
Apple|36 1/4 +3/4| 36 - 1/4| 37 + 1 | 36 - 1 |35 1/8 - 7/8|
| | | | |1,634,000 Sls |
-----|-------------+------------+------------+------------+--------------|
IBM | 113 +2 3/4| 112 - 1 |113 1/2 |112 5/8 -7/8|113 5/8 + 1 |
|3,453,300 Sls| | +1 1/2| |2,269,700 Sls |
-----'-------------------------------------------------------------------'
'#' and 'Sls' refer to the # of stock shares that were bought that day.
'CBM' refers to Commodore Corporation.
________________________________________________________________
> STR Portfolio News & Information¿ Keeping up to date...
================================
PowerBASIC PROGRAM COMPILER CARD
for the
PORTFOLIO PALMTOP COMPUTER
ctsy CIS
While the Atari Portfolio Palmtop Computer has the most commonly used
software applications built-in, individual and corporate buyers have felt
that the go-anywhere computer would be even more useful if they could
quickly and easily develop their own unique programs. To give users this
application flexibility, Atari Computer has introduced the new PowerBASIC
Portfolio Compiler Application Development Card.
The PowerBASIC Compiler is a true compiler that can be used by anyone
to develop fast, efficient .COM or .RUN files directly from their own
source code. Company officials note that the files are directly execut-
able on the Portfolio and perform at 4 to 100 times the speed of an in-
terpreted BASIC program.
Developed by Spectra Publishing of Sunnyvale, CA, the compiler is a
compact version of the firm's highly popular PowerBASIC Compiler (formerly
Borland's TurboBASIC (TM)) that operates on IBM (R) and compatible per-
sonal computers. PowerBASIC is the first compiler that has been specially
designed for the palmtop computer market.
FAST PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
------------------------
Spectra officials note that programs are easy to develop and run on
the Atari palmtop. Using the one-pound computer's built-in editor, users
simply enter their source code directly or download it from another com-
puter. Then, the user types the name of the file on the system's typewri-
ter-style keyboard and an executable program is completed and ready to
run.
"The Portfolio is great to slip into your attache' case, coat pocket
or purse," Joe Byrd, Spectra's general manager commented. "Because the
palmtop computer is so energy-efficient (it runs for weeks on standard AA
batteries), it's ideal for professional people who are on-the-go. While
the built-in spreadsheet, text editor, calculator and other programs will
be used for day-to-day activities, everyone needs the ability to have
programs that are convenient and/or unique to their organization or their
way of working. We've provided a fast, easy and economical method of
developing those programs to help the user release the power of the Portf-
olio."
TRUE COMPILER
-------------
Sam Tramiel, CEO for Atari Corporation, said that the PowerBASIC
Portfolio Compiler provides a very powerful, enhanced version of BASIC.
"This is a complete, high-level language that features structured program-
ming elements, floating-point arithmetic, dynamic strings and comprehen-
sive data file manipulation capabilities," he noted. "It gives users
access to all of the Portfolio's built-in capabilities. PowerBASIC proves
that the Portfolio is a serious computer for serious users who do more
than sit at a desk but don't want to lug around a laptop computer all of
the time."
With PowerBASIC, people who develop their own applications programs on
the Portfolio have a complete stream of structured programming elements.
Data files can be accessed in either sequential, random-access or binary
modes. This allows for manipulation of individual lines, records or bytes.
The floating-point arithmetic conforms to IEEE standards and has a full
complement of math functions.
PowerBASIC supports a full complement of relational and logical
operators, as well as true dynamic strings. To produce quality applica-
tions software, users can debug their programs using PowerBASIC's built-in
trace debugging system.
Atari officials note that the PowerBASIC Portfolio Compiler Applica-
tions Development Card should be available through Portfolio dealers
across the country in less than 60 days. Suggested retail price is under
$100.00
For more information, contact:
Greg Pratt, General Manager,
Atari Computer, 1196 Borregas Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94088
(408) 745-2000, FAX (408) 745-2088.
ctsy CIS
[72567,707]
DOSCMD.ADR 04-Nov-90 3505
Title : DOS commands for Portforlio: Syntax and examples
Keywords: DOS MS/DOS COMMAND ATARI PORTFOLIO
A synopsis of DOS commands with syntax and examples of use. Includes
examples of * and ? wildcard use. It can be kept conveniently in the
the Atari Portfolio as an Address Book (.ADR) file. This allows quick
data-base-like access. An essential supplement to the PF/DOS "HELP"
command for infrequent users of MS/DOS (especially Macintosh users
like me).
[JAPP [/A/C/D/E/S/W/C]
Only one allowed
Takes you directly to ADDR BOOK,CALC,
DIARY,EDITOR or SETUP
BREAK [ON,OFF]
BREAK (no arg)-reports current state
BREAK ON -Fn B halts immediately
BREAK OFF -Fn B halts at next screen or keyboard activity
CD [dir string] (Change Directory)
CD -returns current dir
CD \ -changes to root dir
CD A:\DATA\NEW
CD .. -moves up one level
CD NOTES (no \) -move down one level
CHKDSK [disk][/p] (list disk content)
CHKDSK a: -lists memory useage of disk
/P =one page at a time
CLS (clear screen)
CLS -also homes cursor and window
COPY [path1] [path2]
COPY DATA.TXT TEMP.TXT
COPY *.TXT A:\DATA\*.*
COPY TEMP?.TXT C:\*.SAV
* =wildcard, ? =single char wildcard
DATE [mm-dd-yy]
DATE 10-26-90 -sets date
DATE -returns current date, asks for new one (RETURN keeps current)
DEL [path] (Delete file)
DEL MORTG.TXT
DEL A:\DATA\TEST.*
DEL A:\DATA\TEST?.TXT
* =wildcard ? =single char wildcard
DIR [path][/p][/w][>] (List directory)
DIR A:\DATA -lists files,size,date &
DIR time on default or
/P =one Page at a time
/W =names only across screen Width
FDISK [n] (set RAM disk size)
FDISK 16 -sets the size of the C:RAM disk to 16K also does cold start:
all data lost
FORMAT [disk][/V] (disk format)
FORMAT A: -formats card in a: all previous data lost!
/V will ask for volume name after format
HELP (Lists DOS commands)
HELP -lists only, no syntax or examples
MD [disk][path][dirname] (Make dir)
MD A:\HOME\DATA
MD DATA -creates directory DATA below current disk\directory
OFF (PF off (standby))
PATH [path1];[path2]... (search path)
PATH A:\;C:\;C:\MAIN\PROGS
PATH ; -reset to current working dir Sets search path for any executable
command looking for a file, esp. in .BAT files
PROMPT [text][$n$m..] (set sys prompt)
PROMPT PRTF $p -Prompt=Prtf a:\data>
$d=cur date $t=cur time $p=cur dr\dir
$v=DOS ver# $n=cur drv $g= >
$l= < $b= | $_=CR-LF
$s=space $h=backsp
RD [drive][dir] (remove directory)
RD A:\DATA
-directory must be empty
REN [path]file1 file2 (Rename)
REN TESTDAT.WKS NEWDAT.WKS
REN A:\FINAN\MONEY.WKS TEMP.*
-both names must have same path
RUN [path][file] (Run mem card prog)(used ONLY for certain Portfolio mem
card progs)
RUN A:\FIXIT.COM
SET [chrstr1]=[chrstr2] (set synonym)
SET -returns current definitions
SET NAME=DAVID
SET NAME= -removes setting
(used mostly in .BAT files)
TIME [hh:[mm:[ss]]] (Set time}
TIME -returns cur time and req new
TIME 06:17:29
TYPE [path]filename[/p] (Type file)
TYPE C:\NEWDAT.TXT -displays file contents
TYPE TESTDAT.TXT/P -ditto, 1 p at time
VERIFY [ON,OFF] (File write verify)
VERIFY ON
VERIFY OFF
VERIFY -displays current setting
VER (DOS version number)
VER -prints DOS version number on screen
VOL [disk] (Display Vol number)
VOL a: -displays label for disk a:
(see also LABEL)
< [device] (Redirect input from dev)
After any command requiring input
Devices: PRN -parallel port
AUX -serial port LPT1 " "
COM1 " " NUL -no output
CON -console(kybd) FILENAME
(> [device] (Redirect output to dev)
After any command producing output
Devices: PRN -parallel port
AUX -serial port LPT1 " "
COM1 " " NUL -no output
CON -console(kybd) FILENAME
________________________________________________________
> THE FUTURE & ATARI STR PROBE¿ Taking a long, hard look...
============================
ATARI/COMDEX - ANOTHER LOOK
===========================
ARTICLE ONE
-----------
IS ANYTHING DIFFERENT NOW?
==========================
by Elliott Steinberg
Comdex for Atari this year was an *utter disaster*!! Mind you now,
this is my opinion and my opinion only. But to back it up I'd like to
take a moment or two to point out the glaring warning signs and screaming
evidence that this is and will be the case.
All questions were asked this week, after Comdex, and were answered
by developers whose identities will be kept anonymous for obvious reasons.
[Q] Did Atari have an elaborate display of the famous laptop, Stacy
on display?
[A] No, the only Stacy units to be seen were those brought in by
developers who were displaying their wares in the Atari booth.
One would think, with the thousands of dollars spent in develo-
ping the Stacy, Atari would have at least had a number of them on
display, if only for midi applications. The most I saw was maybe
two.
[Q] Were Atari's three ABC (Atari Business Computers). Atari's MS-
Dos Clones on display?
[A] Nope, nowhere to found, not even a mention of them this year.
[Q] How was the attendance this year at Atari's display compared to
last year's in the west hall?
[A] Attendance from the showgoers was maybe 1 TENTH of last year's,
when Atari was in the West Hall. It was like a "ghost town",
very few people even *cared* about the TT or the Mega-STe, most
folks gravitated toward the Portfolio display. Clearly 65% of
the Atari booth was dedicated to the Portfolio. The entire Sands
Convention Center was not well attended, it was like Atari was
exiled in Siberia.
[Q] Do you think the TT030 will be able to hold its own against the
new line of contemporary machines now hitting the US market?
[A] The TT030 pricing is LUDICROUS! They (Atari) are living in a
dream world where they seem to see the Amiga as their only com-
petition and all pricing is against only the Amiga and not aga-
inst THE PC'S AND MAC'S THAT ARE RAVENOUSLY EATING THEIR LUNCH.
[Q] Did Atari live up to the expectations of the userbase and develo-
pers who waited patiently for this year's "spectacular showing"?
[A] People were pretty much waiting for Comdex to see if Atari had
any surprises left. There were no pleasant surprises. The TT is 3
years obsolete, the STE 4 years obsolete at best. The Portfolio
was the big crowd catcher this year. Every third person wanted
to see the "MS-Dos compatible machine."
[Q] Have you any idea why E. Kenan decided to drop the entire USA
thing he was to head up? And do you feel the new man, Gregg
Pratt will be the man for the job?
[A] After many discussions with other developers and some folks at
Atari, there seems to be two different stories circulating that
describe why Elie left. The first, in a nutshell, relates to how
Elie was describing how he was going about making the changes and
personnel realignments when he was interrupted and informed that
the plan was far too expensive. At this point, Elie informed
them that he was not asking for approval but merely outlining his
plans and goals and that he fully intended to proceed. At this
point he was again informed that it was much too expensive. Elie
stood up turned and in so many words, "hit the road". The second
briefly related, is basically the same in that he was told he
could not do this or that because of either expense or
inconvenience. So, Elie who had an ironclad, non-interference
clause went back to France.
As far as G. Pratt is concerned, I'll quote what I've heard
myself from many of the developers throughout the show, "Greg
Pratt seems to have little or no real technical grasp, he may be
the most enthusiastic appointee so far, but how can he relate to
anything that may effect us good or bad?"
There you have it folks, there was quite a bit of casual conversation
also where old familiar expressions were heard like the "Titanic", the
"Hindenburg", The San Francisco Earth Quake, O'leary's Cow and many other
descriptively colorful ways the developers used to illustrate their con-
fidence (frustration) in the future of the ST and Atari. In all fairness
it must be said that most felt the Portfolio had a very bright future
indeed as long as the same leaders who made the ST a 'success' were not
allowed to make any decisions effecting the Portfolio.
ARTICLE TWO
-----------
THE DOLL HOUSE OR HOUSE OF CARDS
================================
by Larry Karowski
Just about two years ago a former, long time Atari employee told me
that the only way you could possibly understand Atari completely is to
compare Atari to three kids with a doll house. What, you say, compare
Atari to a doll house? Yup, stop for moment and think about it...
Christmas, 5 years ago, Daddy bestows upon his three sons a rather
elaborate doll house to play with. The number one son organized the doll
house and placed various dolls and toys in each room and then went outside
to play with his new car. Son #2 didn't like the way the dolls and toys
were arranged, so he changed some of them around. Then he too, went out
to play with his friends. Son #3 then came in and loudly exclaimed;
"Those brothers of mine haven't the first idea about playing with doll
houses! I will absolutely have to do this myself to make sure its done
right!" And so, he proceeds to re-arrange all the dolls and toys in the
entire house! Content with his elaborate efforts, he then went outside to
admire the stars. By this time, the first son came back and promptly blew
his top because the doll house was completely re-arranged without his
permission. He began throwing some of the dolls out because they weren't
with the right toys.
Now, let's reword the previous paragraph changing dolls to people and
toys to jobs.
Christmas 5 years ago, Jack bestowed upon his three sons a new com-
puter company to "play" with. The number one son organized the Company
and placed various people and jobs in each room and then went outside to
play with his new car. Son #2 didn't like the way the people and jobs
were arranged, so he changed some of them around. Then he too went out
to play with his friends. Son #3 then came into the building and loudly
exclaimed; "Those brothers of mine haven't the first idea about playing
with computer companies! I will absolutely have to do this myself to make
sure its done right!" And so, he proceeds to re-arrange all the people
and jobs throughout the entire company! Content with his elaborate
efforts, he then went outside to admire the stars. By this time, the
first son came back and promptly blew his top because the company was
completely re-arranged without his permission. Since many of the people
were unable to finish the jobs assigned them, due to the outrageous con-
fusion, he, in a fit of temper, began firing some of the people.
Crazy way to run a business isn't it..
But lets look at Atari today.. In the past year, the company was so
disorganized it seemingly, was unable to order monitors to sell with its
computers.. Then.. when they did manage to get some computers into their
warehouse to sell to its surviving dealers, there are no monitors to sell
with the computers. This level of expertise was so bad, as far as having
the monitors and computers available at the same time, that Pacific soft-
ware (The largest Atari distributor) and Talon Tech both carry and sell
competing mono and color monitors so that the remaining Atari dealers can
purchase them to sell with the computers they "occasionally" obtain from
Atari.
Last March there were rumors posted on GEnie that the Mega computers
were going to be discontinued. Atari spokespersons immediately got on-
line and vigorously denied this statement. However, since that time (8
months ago) Atari received only ONE large shipment of Megas.. (approxim-
ately 100) which were quickly sold out (in spite of there being no mono-
chrome monitors available). In August and September Atari received and
shipped a whopping grand total of 23 Mega computers. Everyone bemoans the
fact that Atari does not advertise.. TRUE, but that's not the real prob-
lem! From all angles of observation, it would seem that Atari hasn't
enough money to manufacture and ship large quantities of computers, (let
alone do the R&D). As a result, the few computers they do make, they sell
most all in Europe. The advantageous international money exchange rates
forces this to happen.
Lo & behold, Atari has announced the all NEW Mega STE. This sounds
great, but lets take a good look at the "facts". This computer has not
been seen nor is it owned by any developers, which means no new software
that takes advantage of its new features. Unfortunately, it can also mean
its more than likely a long way from being ready for sale in the USA. It
has not been FCC Type Accepted (approved). Can you spell sometime next
year? It is not selling in Europe yet so that could mean add a minimum of
another 4-8 weeks before it ships outside the USA. (Could it be that
Europe is trying to clear out the Mega ST 1 computers first?) This very
easily can translate into a longer delay to allow dealers worldwide to
sell out their existing Mega ST inventories. This may mean that the
earliest we will see the new megas is late first quarter. Perhaps early
June if all else fails.
Now comes the TT, it was announced over TWO years ago and is still not
in distribution here in the USA. Strange, how Atari announced in Septem-
ber that they would be selling the TT at Comdex. Everything was going to
happen the first week of November. Then, on the first day of the show,
Atari tells the developers the absolutely great news, the double whammy...
NO TT'S FOR SALE THIS YEAR.. NO MEGAS FOR SALE THIS YEAR. Christmas is
going to be a LUMP OF COAL. Now, it seems the TT was NOT FCC approved
even though numerous Atari employees said it was. Perhaps Apple's announ-
cements of dramatically lower prices and NEW PRODUCTS that ARE ready to
ship caught Atari by utter and complete surprise, (its not that they
weren't forewarned by the online press months ago). And, as a result,
they were forced to redesign the CPU to make it more competitive to the
Apple line of inexpensive computers. This might have forced Atari to
re-submit the now 32Mhz TT.. No one knows! Atari will not tell its
dealers and developers who have remained loyal anything at all! Why?
Possibly, Atari was planning all along to give them the biggest letdown
yet this year. There will be many loyal developers and dealers going to
different computer platforms now, if they can financially do it at all.
Speaking of going out of business. Where have all the big, reputable
developers/publishers gone? MichTron & Antic Software are OOB. Three
years ago, between the two of them they published 3 or 4 new programs a
month. Antic told the developers of their great Cyber programs to shove
off because we are not interested in selling a new program for the ST.
There is no market. MichTron refused to publish HiSoft's new Assembler
for the ST saying they couldn't afford to print the manuals, they would
LOSE TOO MUCH MONEY! What lose money? No market... What has Atari done
to us? Microsoft, Imagen, and many others are no longer interested in
doing any further development for the Atari Platform. WHY?? Big game
companies (like Microprose) that have games developed in Europe for the ST
refuse to sell them in the US stating there is no market and they don't
care to deal with Atari.
The loss to the Atari community worldwide is staggering... Soft Logic
is now concentrating on software for the Amiga, Migraph is doing great in
the PC market. Numerous developers from Antic Software are working at
Auto Cad in the PC market. MichTron's Gordon Monnier and Tim Purves seem
to be working for GEnie. These folks and guys like Tom Hudson, Dan Moore
and many other GIANTS who started with the ST and who know it inside and
out have left the Atari market only to TRY AND MAKE A DECENT LIVING.
Atari, why have you done this to them and the users! You had some of the
greatest developers in the industry killing themselves to support you and
you didn't support them at all. Instead, you found it necessary to punish
the more outspoken developers, you just had to be vindictive!
Well Atari, it would appear your actions toward the great developer
corps. you once had, that supported you, has come back to bite you right
in the butt. Amazingly, even for this Comdex, the "make or break" Comdex
for you, it was easy to make the plans to shun all but the few that
"worked" in YOUR booth at the Sands Exposition Center. A closed dinner?
A public relations masterstroke!? Traditionally, this event was looked
forward to by many developers and staunch Atari supporters, this year you
even turned your back on them. Some say it was because of a serious case
of the cheaps! Worst of all, You didn't help those who were there a bit a
bit, all you did was mislead to them, telling them the new computers, the
new advertising, the new marketing plan, the great Elie Kenan, the year of
Atari, all these great things are going to happen in a few months.. talk
about a stroke job... every year the same things are said and they still
have not happened. Now, as a direct result; at this time there isn't but
one or two developers who believe * anything * worthwhile will happen in
the ST market.
The last new major software program introduced to the US market by a
US developer was Wordflair over a year ago and it too was born through
controversy at Sunnyvale. No one, not a single soul in their right mind,
is writing big, major programs for the ST. There are some small utilities
being written by Codehead, Double Click and Gribnif. But Codehead and
Double Click have stated publicly that they are going to start writing
software on other CPU's as they can not survive solely on Atari sales.
During the Christmas season, most software houses do 75% of their
business. Selling software for Christmas Presents and after Christmas
sales of software to people who have purchased or received a Computer for
Christmas. Since Atari will not be selling any Megas, Mega STe or TT's
during this coming Christmas season, most software developers will lose
even more business.
People who want a new, modern computer for Christmas are not going to
wait for Atari to get off its dead a** and ship the new TT030 and Mega
STe. Granted, there are 1040STe units and SC1435 Color Stereo monitors in
the warehouse, but who would buy a 1040STe now when they can have a Mega
STe with the new fancy desktop in a few months? Besides, most folks are
fully aware of Atari's generous trade-in and upgrade policies.. NONE!
They know they'd have to sell the 1040STe privately to get anywhere.
There is no doubt that many folks wanting a nice Christmas will go out and
purchase a new, IBM MS-DOS Clones with windows or one of the new, inexpen-
sive Macs. These are people that Atari will, unfortunately, lose forever.
Next week:
An honest look at the new bundles Atari has announced.
Are they for real?
_____________________________________________________________
> STReport CONFIDENTIAL¿ "BLOCKBUSTER ATARI NEWS FIRST!"
=====================
- Sunnyvale, CA. MegaSTe/TT - VME CARDS ARE AVAIALABLE
--------------
The TT & Mega STe will properly support 3U VME cards. VME card man-
ufacturers seldom make 'drivers' for their cards. It is usually left to
the software developers. The VME card mfgr. doesn't usually know what
type of system the card will be used in. If say, somebody wanted to do an
8-line BBS for the MegaSTe/TT that worked with the Green Springs Octal
Serial Port Industry-Pak(tm) VME card, he would start by writing the
Rsconf/Bconmap drivers for the computers. This would enable the 8 addi-
tional serial ports to behave just like the existing ports. Then he would
write a BBS that basically worked with COM1: through COMx: As far as I
know, there is little reason why most available 3U VME cards wouldn't work
in the TT/MegaSTe. There is company in Germany (Rhotron(sp?)) that has
4,8,12, and larger VME expansion cages available along with data collec-
tion cards with datalogging software, A/D convertors, and more. All of
this would be very FCC class-A oriented, so it shouldn't be difficult for
an enterpreneur to bring over the pond. There was a company at Comdex
showing a 6U form factor 16 Mhz '286 card that was sure the card could be
designed for a 3U slot, although the cheapest card his company made was a
$3000 robotics-control card. The Slot(s) are a natural for something
along the lines of AT-Speed, etc.
- San Francisco, CA. NINTENDO INTROS SUPER FAMICOM!
------------------
Now, at least in the Japanese market, Nintendo has introduced its own
replacement system called Super Famicom. It's the successor to the Fam-
icon - short for family computer - that has been sold only in Japan for
several years. Super Famicom sells for about $167 in Japan. An improved
video system, with 512 kilobytes of RAM for video alone, will allow more
latitude in animation, larger objects on the screen, and up to four in-
dependently scrolling backgrounds for depth effects. The new machine
reproduces up to 32,768 colors, and there are new visual effects as well.
This systems can also be fitted with an optional modem.
A digital-signal-processing (DSP) chip permits lifelike synthesis of
voice and sound effects plus music that can be patched into a stereo
system. Super Famicom's software format will NOT be compatible with
current Nintendo systems. Nintendo hasn't announced plans to bring the
new machine to the U.S. market yet, but many will be watching whether or
not Super Famicon becomes a popular hit in Japan. "Except for culture
specific games," says NEC vice president of software Bob Faber, "the
Japanese market is a good predictor for U.S. sales.
- San Diego, CA. FTL BREAKS SOUND BARRIER!
--------------
FTL is working on a solution to the lousy sound on the IBM.. they've
got a little DAC board that plugs into the printer port on a PC that lets
you connect an external amplifier and get digitized sound in games...
(like Dungeon Master for instance.. :)
It's true that other sound boards are available, but the big advantage
of this one is its price... it's *FREE*
..! They plan to include it with
the IBM version of Dungeon Master, and freely publish the software needed
to use it, in hopes of having other software companies adopt it as an
inexpensive standard. Leave it to FTL to come up with an SUPER idea like
that...!
- Sunnyvale, CA. ATARI PART OF DESERT SHIELD!
--------------
ATARI MARCHES INTO THE DESERT WITH VIDEO GAMES FOR TROOPS
---------------------------------------------------------
by Mike Langberg,
Mercury News Staff Writer
Denied a real war to keep them busy, U.S. troops stationed in the Persian
Gulf are getting a hightech distraction from Atari Corp. of Sunnyvale: the
company's Lynx hand-held video game system, offering electronic conflict
through games such as Blue Lightning, Electrocop, Gauntlet and Slime
World.
Atari is shipping 15 Lynx Kiosks, each containing four of the portable
units, to military recreation centers in Saudi Arabia. The USO and Defense
Logistics Agency are promising delivery by Christmas.
"We're sending U.S. technology to Desert Shield," said Atari chief ex-
ecutive Sam Tramiel, taking a gentle poke at Atari's much bigger Japanese
competitor, Nintendo.
Atari is donating the kiosks and games, valued at $50,000, to the milit-
ary.The company is also offering a special deal to Desert Shield GIs eager
to zap space aliens: a Lynx unit, game cartridge and six AA batteries for
$120, one-third off the retail price of $180.
Shortly after U.S. troops arrived in Saudi Arabia, a soldier wrote Atari
asking for a sun visor to help him play Lynx games in bright sunshine.
Atari decided to donate Lynx units after more letters arrived from sol-
diers seeking everything from more game cartridges to desert proof car-
rying cases.
DAVID.CAGLE
- Rockville MD. SPECULATION RISES ON EXISTANCE OF "PANTHER!"
-------------
I would guess that the "Panther" is NOT an ST. First, the ST cartr-
idge port only has a 128K address space (the carts in the SEGA Genesis
have a 1MB add. space). Second, the ST has no sprite capabilites. And
even the STE has a limited capability for scrolling (try to make an ST
recreate some of the scenes in some of the newest Genesis games like
Phelios and Thunder Force III). Third, the ST can still only display 16
colors (without tricks)to the existing STE, the main logic behind using
the ST hardware would become irrelevant. The only reason you would want
to use the ST as a frame would be to provide an easily accessible software
base (like the XE game machine). Since none of the existing programs
would use the new features (most don't even use the STE features and
'most' of the world has been able to purchase STEs for almost a year!),
all the existing works would pale next to the Genesis or Turbo.
Also, the few reports (rumors) that do exist claim that the system has
multi-planar scrolling and hardware scaling.
As an educated guess...I would speculate that the "Panther", if it
exists, uses an 8 or 16mhz 68000. It probably has sound comparable to the
Lynx (except in Stereo), a derivation of the Lynx chipset for scaling, a
new sprite engine (at LEAST 80 sprites...hopefully more), a 4096 color
palette (maybe 32,768) with 256colors in 320x480 ala the TT. Since Atari
has expressed an interest in a 'CD-ST' in Europe...a CD-ROM as an option
or perhaps even a standard feature is possible.
The main reason I chose these features (THEY ARE TOTALLY MY CREATION,
NONE OF THESE NUMBERS IS BASED UPON ANYTHING MORE THAN SPECULATION) is
that ALL of them can be derived from hardware that already exists in
Atari's arsenal (except the sprite chip, which really MUST have 80 sprites
just to be competitive with the other systems).
I wish someone at Atari could give me a 'hint' as to whether or not I am
even close to correct on this one...but I guess we will have to wait and
see if the 'Panther' ever surfaces.
Matt K.
Matt, we have been assured, that to see a Panther one must go to the Zoo
as there are no Panthers at Atari. re: Bob Brodie
____________________________________________________
> Hard Disks STR InfoFile¿ Affordable Mass Storage....
=======================
NEW LOW PRICES! & MORE MODELS!!
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HOLIDAY SPECIALS!
** EFFECTIVE -> 11/19/90 **
ABCO COMPUTER ELECTRONICS INC.
P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672
Est. 1985
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Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EDT
BBS: 904-786-4176 12-24-96 HST
FAX: 904-783-3319 12 PM - 6 AM EDT
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HARD DISK SYSTEMS TO FIT EVERY BUDGET
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All systems are complete and ready to use, included at NO EXTRA COST
are clock/calendar and cooling blower(s).
-ALL ABCO HARD DISK SYSTEMS ARE FULLY EXPANDABLE-
(you are NOT limited to two drives ONLY!)
(all cables and connectors installed)
* ICD HOST ADAPTERS USED EXCLUSIVELY * OMTI HIGH SPEED CONTROLLERS *
* ICD ADVANTAGE+ HOST ADAPTERS * FULL SCSI COMMAND SET SUPPORTED *
* SCSI EMBEDDED CONTROLLER MECHANISMS *
Conventional Shoe Box
Model Description Autopark Price
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SGN4951 51Mb 28ms 3.5" Y 519.00
SGN6177 62Mb 24ms 3.5" Y 619.00
SGN1096 85Mb 24ms 3.5" Y 649.00
SGN6277 120Mb 24ms 3.5" Y 889.00
SGN1296 168Mb 24ms 3.5" Y 1069.00
SGN4077 230Mb 24ms 3.5" Y 1669.00
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WE HAVE A COMPLETE LINE OF 3.5 LOW PROFILE HARD DRIVES
for
USE IN MEGA ST COMPUTERS AND RELATED CONFIGURATIONS.
20mb #AI020SC 379.95 30mb #AIO3OSC 419.95
50mb #AI050SC 449.95 65mb #AI065SC 499.95
85mb #AI085SC $559.95
MEGA ST Internal Hard Drives
CONNOR HIGH PERFORMANCE MECHANISMS
>>> ALL ABCO DRIVES ARE HIGH SPEED UNITS <<<
(500 - 600k per sec @ 23 -33ms)
CALL FOR SUPER SAVINGS ON ALL OUR OTHER CUSTOM UNITS
FROM 30mb 28MS @ $419.00!
Ask about our "REBATE SPECIALS"
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SHIPPING AND INSURANCE INCLUDED IN COMPLETE UNIT PRICE!
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* SYQUEST 44MB (#555)>> ABCO "44" << REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE *
- SYQUEST 44 MB DRIVE - ICD ST ADVANTAGE PLUS H/A
- ICD Utility Software - 3' DMA Cable
- Fan & Clock - Multi-Unit Power Supply
(1) 44 MB Syquest Cart.
COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED AND READY TO RUN!
--->> SPECIAL NOW ONLY __$719.00__ <<---
*** SPECIAL SYQUEST OFFER!! ***
ORDER YOUR CUSTOM SYQUEST UNIT NOW AND GET A SECOND COMPLETE UNIT!
***** for $50.00 LESS! *****
* TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT *
SPECIALLY PRICED ** $1329.00 **
* SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS *
- Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives -
50mb SQG51 $1039.00 30mb SQG38 $1019.00
65mb SQG09 $1109.00 85mb SQG96 $1119.00
LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS
CUSTOM CONFIGURATIONS AVAILABLE
Listed above are a sampling of the systems available.
Prices also reflect various cabinet/power supply configurations
(over sixty configurations are available, flexibility is unlimited)
*** ALL Units: Average Access Time: 24ms - 34ms ***
ALL UNITS COMPATIBLE WITH --> SUPERCHARGER - AT/PC SPEED - SPECTRE/GCR
LARGER units are available - (special order only)
*>> NO REPACKS OR REFURBS USED! <<*
- Custom Walnut WOODEN Cabinets - TOWER - AT - XT Cabinets -
* SLM 804 Replacement Toner Cartridge Kits $46.95 *
Replacement Drums; CALL
Keyboard Custom Cables Call for Info
ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED
-* 12 month FULL Guarantee *-
(A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE)
QUANTITY & USERGROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
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DEALERS and DISTRIBUTORS WANTED!
please, call for details
Personal and Company Checks are accepted.
ORDER YOUR NEW UNIT TODAY!
CALL: 1-800-562-4037 -=**=- CALL: 1-904-783-3319
Customer Orders ONLY Customer Service
9am - 8pm EDT
Tues thru Sat
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> A "Quotable Quote"¿
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"MANY A TRUTH WAS SAID IN JEST"
...Marvin Trotenberry
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STReport Online Magazine¿
Available through more than 10,000 Private BBS systems WorldWide!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport¿ "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" November 23, 1990
16/32bit Magazine copyright ½ 1990 No.6.47
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
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.
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