Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Silicon Times Report Issue 0912
*---== STReport International Online Magazine ==---*
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
from
STR Publishing
""""""""""""""
March 19, 1993 No.9.12
==========================================================================
STReport International Online Magazine
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32205 ~ 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
-----------------------------------------
Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EST
Support BBS Network System
* THE BOUNTY BBS *
* TURBO BOARD BBS SYSTEM *
FNET 350 ~ Fido 112:35 ~ Nest 90:21/350.0
904-786-4176 USR/HST 24hrs - 7 days
1200 - 19.2bps V.32 - 42 bis 16.8 Dual Standard
FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EST
-----------------------------------------
FNET.. 18 : ///Turbo Board BBS Support...1-416-274-1225
FNET.. 75 : Bloom County BBS.............1-415-965-9347
FNET. 350 : The Bounty *<Home of STR>*...1-904-786-4176
FNET. 489 : Steal Your Face BBS..........1-908-920-7981
_____________________________________________________________________
> 03/19/93 STR 912 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!"
""""""""""""""""
- The Editor's Desk - CPU Report - PORTFOLIO NEWS
- Mac Clone Released - Next Prez Quits - CompuAdd Closes Stores
- Ruling Favors BBS - CTFEST'93 NEWS - PEOPLE ARE TALKING
- DORA DINGBAT - BLUE RIDGE FEST - STR Confidential
-* TOWNSEND LEAVES ATARI!! *-
-* MEGA-FALCON -> FOR REAL?? *-
-* NO FALCONS 'TILL APRIL?!? *-
==========================================================================
STReport International Online Magazine
The Original * Independent * Online Magazine
-* FEATURING WEEKLY *-
"Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information
Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
==========================================================================
STReport's BBS, The Bounty, invites BBS systems, worldwide, to participate
in the Fido/NEST/Atari F-Net Mail Network. You may also call our BBS
direct at 904-786-4176, and enjoy the excitement of exchanging information
relative to all computers, worldwide, through the use of excellent
International Networking Systems. SysOps, worldwide, are quite welcome to
join the STReport International Conferences. The Crossnet Code is #34813,
and the "Lead Node" is # 350. All BBS systems are welcome and invited to
actively participate. Support your favorite computers; Join Today!
==========================================================================
CIS ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ NVN ~ GENIE ~ FIDO ~ FNET ~ NEST
EURONET ~ CIX ~ CLEVELAND FREE-NET ~ INTERNET
==========================================================================
=============
* ATARI EDITION *
=============
COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME
to the Readers of;
ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY!
CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198
You will receive your complimentary time
and
be online in no time at all!
WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (March 19)
VERSION 1.0.1 of PICSWITCH
The long-awaited update to PicSwitch is available for download as file
PICSW1.LZH in LIBRARY 14 of the Atari Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS). This
version is completely overhauled, with an easy-to-use enhanced-GEM
interface with customizable windows, Mac-like controls, and pop-up menus.
Supports 20 different image formats, now including GIF, IMG, Spectrum,
Prism Paint, PCX, and IFF.
COMPUSERVE LOWERS CONNECT-TIME RATES
Hourly connect-time rates are now lower for Standard Pricing Plan members
when using extended services. The new charges are $6/hour for 300 bps,
$8/hour for 1200/2400 bps and $16/hour for 9600 bps access. The monthly
membership fee, which includes unlimited connect-time in more than 30
basic services, has increased $1 to $8.95 (this pricing change is not
applicable in all countries).
FundWatch Online by Money magazine, a powerful mutual fund screening and
reporting service, is now part of basic services, which also includes
CompuServe Mail, The Electronic Mall, news, weather and sports, member
support services, reference and travel services.
Rates for Alternative Pricing Plan members will remain at $6.30/hour for
300 bps, $12.80/hour for 1200 and 2400 bps, and $22.80/hour for 9600 bps.
Also, the Membership Support Fee under the Alternative Pricing Plan
increases 50 cents to $2.50.
Members currently under the Standard Pricing Plan will automatically be
billed at the new rates starting 28-Feb. For more information on the new
rates or to join the Standard Pricing Plan, GO CHOICES.
COMPUSERVE CUTS EUROPEAN SURCHARGES
Members can now access via European CompuServe nodes and pay no
communication surcharges during non-prime time (19:00-8:00 local time).
The resulting $2.20/hour savings is in addition to the reductions in
connect-time charges available for all members on the Standard Pricing
Plan. For European access numbers, GO PHONES.
FORUM MESSAGE CAPACITY INCREASED
CompuServe has enhanced its forum software to allow an increase in the
size of messages. The maximum message size was formerly 96 lines or 2,000
characters. With this change, the size increases to a maximum of 10,000
characters. Also, the message board capacity has been increased.
NEW CENTIPEDE GAME FROM SCOTLAND!
Download file CENTPD.LZH from LIBRARY 2 of the Atari Arts Forum (GO
ATARIARTS) for an excellent shareware version of Centipede from Scotland.
This game is FULL of bugs (Spiders, Flies and of course, Centipedes!)
Great sound, great graphics, great fun! COLOR ONLY.
RTS/CTS FLOW CONTROL FIX
Download file SERFX2.LZH from LIBRARY 2 of the Atari Productivity Forum
(GO ATARIPRO) for Serial Fix 2 - RTS/CTS flow control with any TOS. This
patch for properly handling RTS/CTS flow control in the ST's serial port
works on all TOS versions from 1.00 to 4.01. It also includes the
TOS14FIX.PRG code for TOS 1.04 and 1.06 users. Use with Atari's
eXtensible Control Panel (XCONTROL).
SCREEN SAVERS
Download file SAVER1.LZH from LIBRARY 4 of the Atari Productivity Forum
(GO ATARIPRO) for a package of 6 shareware screensaver modules for Warp 9,
by John Dillenburg. Modules included are Freckles, Pyro Deluxe, Random
Lines, Roaming Shapes, Random Shapes, and Fractal Symmetries.
LASERJET 4 DRIVER FOR PAGESTREAM 2!
Download file NEWPRT.LZH from LIBRARY 11 of the Atari Vendors Forum (GO
ATARIVEN) for the New HP LaserJet 4, HP DeskJet 550c, HP DeskJet 500c, and
PostScript printer drivers for Pagestream 2.
OPERATE PORTFOLIO FROM PC
Operate your Portfolio by using the keyboard and screen of your desktop
PC? Check out the file BIG.ZIP from master programmers BJ Gleason and Don
Messerli, now available in LIBRARY 2 of the Atari Portfolio Forum (GO
APORTFOLIO).
THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM ON COMPUSERVE
HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AN
OFFICIAL SUPPORT SITE BY ATARI CORPORATION
"GO APORTFOLIO TO ACCESS THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM"
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> From the Editor's Desk "Saying it like it is!"
""""""""""""""""""""""
ST. Pat's day has come and gone, where's the Falcon? Sure we've heard
the rumors about there being two thousand of them in the warehouse ready
to go. Sounds nice but two thousand is a drop in the bucket. Atari
needs, for the first time, to do things in a big way. They've got to
advertise the Falcon, then depending on the response they get from the
public, ramp up to produce the quantities needed to satisfy the consumer's
appetites. But wait.. what do we hear? "We're shipping to our loyal
dealers first and then...."
Odd that there is no mention of placing the Falcon in distribution
channels where it can do the company the most good in terms of marketshare
and penetration. Could it be they don't have the resources to tackle the
project properly? Hopefully, this is not so, and its just a rabid case of
cold feet. I'm inclined to believe they don't have the warm fuzzy feeling
over the Falcon any longer and I might add I am inclined to agree.. after
all with the incessant delays, any marketing advantage has long dissipated
along with the excuses. The pricing on the Falcon at this time has taken
away any competitive edge it had in that area and when compared to
machines on other platforms the Falcon has indeed lost its luster.
Its time Atari took note of the situation and made the appropriate
changes. That is, if they're inclined to be the competitive, dynamic
company they should be for both its loyal customer base and its
Stockholders. Here we are, past the mid-point in March and still nothing
but noise and supposition. Multi-Tos, Speedo GDOS and the Falcon... where
and when? Your guess is as good as mine........
Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport's Staff DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU!
""""""""""""""""
Publisher - Editor
""""""""""""""""""
Ralph F. Mariano
PC DIVISION AMIGA DIVISION MAC DIVISION
----------- -------------- ------------
Roger D. Stevens Charles Hill R. ALBRITTON
STReport Staff Editors:
"""""""""""""""""""""""
Dana P. Jacobson Michael Arthur John Deegan
Lucien Oppler Brad Martin Judith Hamner
John Szczepanik Dan Stidham Joseph Mirando
Steve Spivey Doyle C. Helms
Lloyd E. Pulley, Editor Emeritus
Contributing Correspondents:
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Michael Lee Richard Covert Scott Birch
Brian Converse Oliver Steinmeier Tim Holt
Andrew Learner Norman Boucher Harry Steele
Clemens Chin Neil Bradley Eric Jerue
Ron Deal Robert Dean Ed Westhusing
James Nolan Vernon W. Smith Bruno Puglia
IMPORTANT NOTICE
""""""""""""""""
Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
via E-Mail to:
Compuserve.................... 70007,4454
Delphi........................ RMARIANO
BIX........................... RMARIANO
FIDONET....................... 112/35
FNET.......................... NODE 350
NEST.......................... 90:21/350.0
GEnie......................... ST-REPORT
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STR'S "BELIEVE IT? OR.. WHAT?"
<>###############################<>
"There is no comparison! The Atari Falcon
is far superior to the PC platform."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"My new office, which has a better view than my old one, is so far
quite satisfactory. And Richard Miller is in my old office. The
Forbes article was a mish-mash and misconstrued article full of half
truths. We are anxiously awaiting the release of the Atari Falcon to
bring us back to the forefront. The article has given us some laughs,
but otherwise has not affected us."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"As I said before, all marketing announcements will be made at
Duesseldorf. I will not comment on future models of the Falcon.
WE ARE TALKING TODAY ABOUT A MACHINE.....
WHICH WILL BE SHIPPING NEXT WEEK."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"I've just returned from Asia, where I saw the first Atari Falcon
production coming off the lines. Let's hope this new offering will
make it in North America. I know that the specs are great."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"We have not yet even given the machine to the FCC. And we are only
applying for Class B approval. According to our "experts", it should
pass Class B."
Sam Tramiel, 08/92
"...... We are not working for Wall Street but to
make money for our shareholders and only think long term."
Sam Tramiel, 11/92
psssst.
FYI.... The Shareholder's equity is fine.... NOT!
The Stock is hovering around $1.12
CHRISTMAS '92 has COME and GONE...
AS HAS...
JANUARY 1993, FEBRUARY 1993...
FALCONS ....anyone?
By the Way.... Does the Falcon work well
with
any... of the SLM Laser Printers?? NOPE! NOT YET!
Better yet...
Which _MAJOR_ US Software Developers & Publishers
are
producing NEW Software for Atari's FALCON???
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
=================
Computer Products Update - CPU Report
------------------------ ----------
Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
Issue #12
By: John Deegan
MAC CLONE RELEASED BY NUTEK - NuTek USA Corp. has released a clone of
Apple Computer Inc.'s famous Macintosh, setting the stage for what anal-
ysts expect will be a patent infringement suit from Apple.
NuTek President/Founder Benjamin Chou says his company developed a
computer motherboard that will run most Macintosh applications, adding
NuTek plans to license the technology to independent computer makers at
a price of $899 each, and it has already gotten some orders from Europe.
Chou told the wire service, "We have done this from scratch. This is
absolutely original." He said his engineers thoroughly documented their
work and consulted throughout the process with an attorney.
Nonetheless, an Apple spokesman told AP late last week Apple does not
believe anyone can build a computer that runs Macintosh software without
infringing on Apple's patented technology.
MICROSOFT SHIPS FINAL BETA VERSION OF WINDOWS NT - Microsoft Corp has
started shipping its final beta version of Windows NT to 70,000 custo-
mers and software developers.
The company said the pre- release version contains significant impro-
vements in performance, application support, installation, ease of use,
networking and hardware compatibility.
Windows NT is aimed at providing the power, reliability and openness
required for client-server computing.
ZEOS OFFERS NEW SYSTEMS - Zeos International Ltd. has introduced
LiteLine, a new low-cost 486SX PC for the home user. The unit starts at
$1,495 for a 33MHz system with 8 meg of RAM and a 210MB hard drive. All
come with a Super VGA adapter and color monitor, MS-DOS and Microsoft
Windows.
COMPUADD TO CLOSE RETAIL STORES - Computer retailer CompuAdd Computer
Corp. has announced it will close its national chain of stores by the
end of the year. The move will eliminate approximately 600 jobs.
NEXT INC. PRESIDENT QUITS - After only a year on the job, Peter van
Cuylenburg reportedly has resigned as president/chief operating officer
of NeXT Computer Inc. The San Francisco Chronicle reports NeXT Chairman/
CEO/founder Steve Jobs and van Cuylenburg decided the scaled-down com-
pany no longer needs both a chief operating officer and a CEO.
Van Cuylenburg's resignation come a month after NeXT said it will
slash its staff from 530 to 200.
ZENITH DATA CUTS NOTEBOOK PRICES UP TO 13% - Zenith Data Systems has
announced price cuts of up to 13% on selected notebook computers.
DELL OFFERS COLOR NOTEBOOK PRICED UNDER $2,000 - Dell Computer Corp.
has unveiled a color notebook computer priced under $2,000. Based on an
Intel '386 SL microprocessor running at 25MHz, the Dimension NL25C has a
suggested retail price of $1,999. The new system is a color version of
the company's NL25 monochrome notebook.
The NL25C comes with a 9- inch, passive-matrix color VGA display, 2MB
of system memory, expandable to eight, an 80MB hard drive, pre-installed
MS-DOS 5 and a rechargeable NiCad battery that provides up to 5 hours of
operating time when using the system's power- management features.
COURT RULES AGAINST SECRET SERVICE IN BBS RAID - A federal judge has
awarded $55,000 in damages to Steve Jackson, an Austin, Texas games pub-
lisher. The judgment against the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Attorney
and a Bell Communications Research (Bellcore) security expert came in a
27-page opinion by Judge Sam Sparks. The judge ruled that federal agents
were at fault in a 1990 raid that seized computer equipment at Jackson's
company.
Jackson and three users of his BBS sued the Secret Service following
the raid, alleging their privacy rights had been violated when their
electronic mail was read.
Reporting on the ruling, Communications Daily observed, "Jackson's
case was another episode in (a) law enforcement crackdown as (a) result
of (the) copying of (a) BellSouth administrative document on (the) 911
service from (the phone company's) computer service and posted to
several bulletin boards across (the) country."
The judge ruled that:
-:- Because the Secret Service failed to return equipment promptly,
Jackson lost $42,259 and ran up expenses of $8,781, which the federal
government should pay.
-:- None of the authorities involved knew of Privacy Protection Act
that prohibits electronic mail from being read, and there was strong
evidence that Secret Service agents read mail of those using Jackson's
BBS. Therefore he awarded $1,000 to each defendant.
Neither Jackson or his company were suspected of violating the law,
but federal agents were investigating a Jackson employee for alleged
computer-related crimes at his home. The employee has never been charged
in the case. Federal agents seized computers and hundreds of floppy
disks from Jackson's company and kept the information for several
months, forcing Jackson to lay off half his staff.
Steve Jackson said that he is "overjoyed" and feels vindicated by the
ruling. Jackson said the case enabled him to prove federal agents "had
no business doing what they did." Jackson added, "It means that there is
more protection for bulletin boards, both for the bulletin board opera-
tor and for the user who sends electronic mail."
The Electronic Frontier Foundation, which helped cover legal costs of
case, applauded Judge Sparks' decision.
"This case is a major step forward in protecting the rights of those
who use computers to send private mail to each other or who use
computers to create and disseminate publications," said EFF attorney
Michael Godwin.
"Judge Sparks has made it eminently clear," he added, "that the
Secret Service acted irresponsibly. This case should send a message to
law enforcement groups everywhere that they can't ignore the rights of
those who communicate by computer."
The ruling is being "hailed as a ground-breaking decision by computer
buffs and civil libertarians who have been watching the case for the
last three years. It was seen as a test case for extending First Amend-
ment protections to computer information."
SOFTWARE SALES HIT $5.75 BILLION IN 1992 - PC application software
sales were up 14.1% last year from $5.04 billion in 1991. The sales,
which reached $1.71 billion in the fourth quarter of 1992, totalled
$5.75 billion for the calendar year.
That is the word from the Software Publishers Association, based on
its worldwide sales reporting program, in which member companies report
their sales of personal computer application software.
Other announcements by the SPA in a statement from Washington, D.C.:
-:- Units sales in North America increased 36% for the year and 40%
for the fourth quarter.
-:- International sales out-paced growth in the North American
market. Revenues from international sales of U.S. software grew 25.1%
for the full year, while international sales in the fourth quarter were
up 31.7%.
-:- Combined U.S. and international sales were up 18.1% for the year
and 17.3% for the fourth quarter. Worldwide units sales growth was 37.5%
for the full year and 44.2% for the fourth quarter 1992.
__________________________________________________________________
> BLUE RIDGE ATARIFEST'93 STR SHOW NEWS "The Summertime Atari Event!"
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
1993 Blue Ridge ATARIFEST
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
Where: Westgate Shopping Center - Asheville, N.C.
Take any major highway into Asheville (US 19-23, US 26 or I-40) to the
I-240 loop, then take the "Westgate/Hilton Inn Drive exit" into the
Westgate Shopping Center parking lot.
When: 24-25, July 1993
Time: 10:am to 6:pm SAT
12 Noon 'til 5pm SUN
Points of contact:
Van Estes, BRACE Pres. Clifford E. Allen, V.Pres.
704-685-8358 GEnie: C.Allen17
INTERNET: callen@UNCA.EDU
704-258-3758
Sheldon Winick
GEnie: S.WINICK
Computer STudio
704-251-0201
Come for a day or come for the weekend,
but do come and enjoy yourself.
Great Smokies Hilton Resort Hilton Inn Drive (704)254-3211
Toll-free reservation phone number 1-800-733-3211
Radisson One Thomas Wolf Plaza (704)252-8211
Rate: $62.00 per room (1-4 people)
====== Additional Hotel / Motel Information ===========
Days Inn I-26 and Airport Road (704)684-2281
I-40 Exit 55 (704)298-5140
Econo Lodge US 70 East, I-40 Exit 55 (704)298-5519
Holiday Inn 275 Smoky Park Hwy (704)667-4501
Toll-free reservation phone number1-800-HOLIDAY
Red Roof Inn I-40 and US 19-23 Exit 44 (704)667-9803
Toll-free reservation phone number1-800-843-7663
Buget Motel I-40 Exit 44 (Enka-Chandler)
West Asheville Exit (704)665-2100
Best
Western Asheville Central 22 Woodfin St (704)253-1851
========= Local Bed & Breakfast lodging Information =========
Aberdeen Inn 64 Linden Ave (704)254-9336
Albemarle Inn 86 Edgemont Road (704)255-0027
Applewood Manor 62 Cumberland Circle (704)254-2244
The Bridle Path Inn Lockout Road (704)252-0035
Cairn Brae B & B 217 Patton Mountain Rd (704)252-9219
Carolina B & B 177 Cumberland Ave (704)254-3608
Cedar Crest Victorian Inn 674 Biltmore Ave (704)252-1289
Corner Oak Manor 53 St. Dunstan (704)253-3525
Cornerstone Inn 230 Pearson Dr (704)253-5644
Flint Street Inn 100 & 116 Flint Street (704)253-6723
The Lion and The Rose 276 Montford Ave (704)255-7673
The Ray House B & B 83 Hillside St (704)252-0106
Reed House 119 Dodge St (704)274-1604
The Wright Inn 235 Pearson Drive (704)251-0789]
(1-800-552-5724)
A more complete listing of Bed & Breakfasts can be obtained through the
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Reservations should be made immediately, as July is the height of our
tourist season.
=========== CAMP GROUNDS ================
(reservations are a must during this time of season):
Mount Pisgah:
About 20 miles southwest of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway at
mile post 408.6 (National Park Service). 690 acres. Elevation 5000'. One
of the nicest campgrounds in Western North Carolina. 67 tent sites, 70 RV
sites. For reservations: P.O.Box 749, Watnesville, N.C. 28786; phone (704)
235-9109. No showers. Groceries and resturant. Nature program. 14 day
stay limit.
Lake Powhatan:
4 miles south of Asheville on State road 191, 3.5 miles west on FR
806. 30 acres. 98 tent/rv sites. Reservation available thru Mistix
1-800-283-CAMP. Disposal station. No showers. Swimming; lifeguard;
fishing; nature trails; bicycles. 14-day stay limit.
While in the area, you might want to consider a little sightseeing,
and include a visit to the Biltmore House here in Asheville (the largest
single family residence ever built in the U.S.--its a "castle"). A visit
to the Biltmore can be a full-day's activity as you will want to view the
house, visit the winery, and walk some of the grounds and gardens.
Hours:
The House 9 am to 6pm The Gardens 9am to 7pm
Conservatory 9am to 5:30pm
The Winery Monday-Saturday 11am to 7pm Sunday 1pm to 7pm
Other areas of interest include; the Thomas Wolf home (adjacent to the
Raddison), the Blue Ridge Parkway and Folk Art Center. A drive up the Blue
ridge Parkway to enjoy the higher elevations and incredible views of our
mountains. Perhaps a hike up to Mount Pisgah and look back down to
Asheville(you can see Mt. Pisgah from most anywhere in Asheville). A
short drive from Mt. Pisgah will take you to Sliding Rock (for those of
you travelling with kids who are still kids at heart), the Cradle of
Forestry (first forest school in the country), waterfalls, trout hatchery,
etc. For the adventurous, white water rafting on the Natahala River near
Bryson City (approx one and a half hours from here).
There's obviously loads more to see and do around Asheville (in
addition to the Blue Ridge AtariFest and a visit to Computer STudio :-).
If any of y'all would like maps and additional tourist info of the area I
might suggest contacting the Chamber of Commerce:
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
151 Haywood Street
P.O. Box 1010
Asheville, NC 28802
704-258-6111 FAX: (704)251-0926
___________________________________________________________________
> ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
=====================
On CompuServe
-------------
compiled by Joe Mirando
73637,2262
Hidi-Ho friends & neighbors. It was truly a beautiful day in my
neighborhood today. After last week's blizzard and this week's less
violent, less damaging snows, the sunshine was a most welcome treat! I
was starting to feel like Jack Nicholson in 'THE SHINING'. Yep, I sat
down at my trusty 1040 STe and typed "All work and no play make Joe a
dull boy" (although most people who know me would say that I was that way
_before_ the snow fell).
Well, let's get to the business at hand...
From The Atari Productivity Forum
=================================
On the subject of the Falcon030, Dan McNamee of Atari, tells Stefan
Daystrom of Barefoot Software, (makers of some of the best MIDI software
around):
"We are only offering a 65meg HD option in the Falcon030. It's just a
standard 2.5" IDE hard drive, so you can replace it with whatever size
you want. I've seen them up to 500meg at reasonable prices."
Stefan replies:
"Just something I thought I'd mention: From what I've heard, IDE
drives aren't capable of being as fast as the fastest SCSI-2 drives;
this may limit (for those interested in _that_ application of the
Falcon) the Falcon to 4 tracks of direct-to-hard-disk digital audio
with the internal IDE drives, no matter _what_ the capacity. Someone
technical I've talked to in the direct-to-hard-disk sphere says 8
tracks would depend on a fast enough _SCSI-2_ HD. Of course, those
users wanting the one-piece convenience of replacing the 65 meg with a
higher-capacity IDE who _aren't_ interested in applications such as 5+
tracks of direct-to-hard-disk audio or anything else requiring the
utmost in speed needn't worry. Just a factor those who are should be
aware of..."
Dan tells Stefan:
"Thanks for the info. I figured that the internal IDE would be good
enough for at least 4 track, but much beyond would require something
faster.
Also, anyone planning on doing 8-track recording is not going to be
able to pick up and go any way due to the extra hardware required for
8-track, so the addition of a fast external SCSI drive doesn't matter
that much. ;-)"
Stefan adds:
"Indeed, the only "problem" would occur if someone, not knowing the
SCSI vs IDE speed scoop, put a huge capacity IDE in their Falcon
thinking it would be "8-track ready" with the right audio interface,
only to learn once the 8-track stuff comes out that their huge
capacity IDE was near useless for that application. According to the
price list I've seen, D2D's $599 audio interface will be 8-track
ready, as it apparently has 4 _stereo_ channels of input/output
(interpretable as 8 mono, presumably -- with enough stereo separation
<grin!>); they have no add-on interface planned with fewer channels.
Thus anyone who first gets the 4-track software (which can do effects
processing on the extra channels, if I understand it correctly) with
this interface would be theoretically ready for 8 tracks with just the
right software _if_ they were using a fast enough SCSI HD."
Dan finishes up the conversation with:
"Well, one would hope that some kind of warning would be included in
the D2D manual. ;-)
$599 to take a Falcon out to 8 track is great, though. My friend
spent more than that on his first 4 track recorder in the 80s. ;-)
BTW, he's using one of the Hybrid Arts rack mount systems in his
studio, and he loves the software. I don't know if you guys did a
mailing to your customers after the hardware/software split or not,
but I do know that before the split, he had not heard from anyone in a
while. I'm sure he would love to hear about any updates you may have
done."
Mich Kabay asks about one of the best spreadsheet programs for the ST
series:
"Have Logical Design Works gone out of business? I tried reaching them
at Los Gatos but the phone number I had was disconnected.
I would like to know if LDWPOWER is orphan software; I have been using
it with great difficulty on the MEGA ST4 with MONITERM Viking large
monitor because it crashes every time the program tries to indicate an
error. Imagine using a program that crashes when you make an innocent
typing mistake!"
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine tells Mich:
"From what I remember I think Atari bought the rights to LDW power."
QuickCis Guru Jim Ness adds a bit of comforting info (or not so comforting
info, depending on your opinions) on another spreadsheet option:
"Atari is about to release Atari Works, an integrated word processor,
spreadsheet and database. I don't recall hearing how good its
graphing capabilities are. Since it's an Atari package, support
should be around as long as they are."
Mich posts:
"Thanks, Jim!
<<Since it's an Atari package, support should be around as long as
they are.>>
This is supposed to be reassuring??"
Kyle Miller adds another option:
"ABC Solutions has a very nice graphing package. I can remember the
name, but the reviews have been pretty good. I think it is called
1stGraph."
It's such a rarity to find a new ST user these days, that this post caught
my eye. Tom Yackel posts:
"Hi. I am a new member of this forum, and I was wondering if I could
get some general info!
I am an avid IBM user, but I took a job volunteering for a local
establishment that has a bunch of Atari 1040ST's laying around that at
one time had been networked.
My question is: what are these computers? What can they do? What
operating system do they run off of? What can I do with them? Are
they worth anything? Can they run DOS software?
As you can see, my ignorance is vast. Any informative advice would be
greatly appreciated!"
In the Atari Forums here on CompuServe, as in most places where people
with similar interests can get together, humor and joking around is
common. But, unlike other "meeting spots", these Forums and the people
who frequent them almost always provide constructive advice and reliable
information.
Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine tells Tom:
"You have come to right place. The Atari ST series is a 680x0 based
computer series just like the Apple Macintosh. The operating systems
is TOS which in many ways is similar to MS-DOS on the PC. There is
networking software in the form of PowerNet by PowerPoint software but
it exclusive to the Atari currently.
They can't run DOS software directly but with an emulator like
Supercharger or PC-speed or AT-speed can run DOS programs. They can
read/write 720K MS-DOS formatted disks without any problem since they
use a filesystem which is very similar if not identical to MS-DOS.
The version of the operating system will tell you the age of the OS
they have in ROM. If they are 1040ST then they probably have TOS 1.x
series while a 1040STe can have 1.6x to 2.6 where 2.6 is the most
current for the 1040STe. The ram in the 1040 is at least 1 megabyte
which the standard for the particular machine.
There is word processors, databases, spreadsheets, etc available too.
Some are shareware or pd and others are commercial.
If you don't plan to use them you can always list them for sale in
this forum too.
If you need more specifics just leave another message."
Mike Mortilla, of ZNET, "scolds" Albert for being so helpful:
"Gee, Albert, why didn't you tell him:
Oh, those old thing? Nah, nobody uses them anymore! Send them to us
and we'll recycle 'em for ya'. Yeah, that's the ticket, we're gonna
recycle 'em.That's what you should have told him...
All kidding aside, if they are not going to use them, by all means let
us know. I wonder if they are color (SM 1224) or mono (SM 124)
monitors? Isn't it interesting to think of all the STs sitting around
dark... gives me the chills just to think about it... <grin>."
Here's an interesting bit of information concerning the STOS
programming language. Mike Goodman of the International Shareware & STOS
Shareware Service posts:
"STOS fans may be interested to know that we have a selection of patch
programs that enable STOS titles to run on the Falcon. We should also
have, in the near future, a 'zap' program that will enable you to
update your existing 'compiled' programs."
Head Sysop Ron Luks tells Mike:
"Thats great news (I have some STOS games I'd love to run on the new
Falcon when I get one.) Are these freeware/shareware patches? If so,
could you upload them to our libs here?"
Does anyone other than myself remember anything about Atari supplying,
with each FALCON030, the connectors necessary to attach several different
types of monitors to this new wonder-computer? I thought you might. So,
from our "Doesn't it figure" department, Stefan Daystrom of Barefoot
Software tells us:
"Latest I heard at the Goodman Music show this past weekend, the
monitor converters will be ?teen bucks extra and sold separately
(_not_ included in the box with the Falcon), at least in the US...
The Falcon _has_ to use a nonstandard connector with more pins, so
it'll be adaptable to SVGA, ST Mono, or ST Color (each having some
signals the other ones don't) via proper cabling. If it had a
standard VGA connector on the back, you couldn't use it with any ST
monitors..."
Since we've mentioned our "Doesn't it figure" department, I'd might as
well mention the other department that gets a quite a workout: The "I'll
believe it when I see it" department. Jim Ness posts:
"Atari has said that the ST Book is for sale in Europe, but customer
resistance in the US has caused them to not offer it here. There is a
redesign on the drawing board for some time off in the hazy future."
Tim Myers posts from Europe:
"The versions of the book available here in Europe were 1meg / 20
megHD or 40megHD versions.
AFAIK they didn't sell because they have no ram expansion capability,
no backlight and no cartridge port. I also don't think you can connect
a mouse directly to them and the mouse pad was awful. Some software
compatibility was raised as well.
I doubt we'll see it again even if Bob Brodie says it's in for a
redesign! Here in Europe the tried to target the music market for it
but without at least the cartridge port.. it was doomed from the
start!
A good idea though. I've asked Bob Brodie about a FalconBook a couple
of times but he won't say anything!"
Jim agrees with Tim:
"Yeah, a FalconBook would be a good idea, wouldn't it? Probably be
tough to shoe-horn all the Falcon stuff into a notebook, though. From
what I understand, the early Falcons in 1040 cases had bulges from
what was already stuffed inside."
From the Atari ST Arts Forum
============================
Aidan Heritage posts:
"Daft question time - I have photochrome, and can view the pics -
which is great. But can you actually save the files you then create?
Told you it was a daft question!"
Hal Dougherty tells Aidan:
"After you get the picture on screen hit the 's' key (return also
works), you will get a dialog box that shows the directory you started
from. At that point, just hit return. If you have enough free space,
the program will create the new file. After the .pcs file is
created, use pcsview3.prg to view the picture. For example. If the
file you started with was named: JUNK.GIF the file name shown in the
dialog box as it comes up ready to save is still JUNK.GIF. When the
program saves the picture it changes the extension. You can change the
name yourself before the save if you want.
Now you have access to a huge bunch of pictures created on other
computers... Only a lot of them are ST pictures I saw as far back as
the DEGAS pictures that hit the cybernet a long time ago! Any cartoon
pictures you find as .GIF files that have the initials HUD in the
corner are ST pictures that have been converted by other computer
users. They were drawn by the DEGAS author.
Where in Europe are you located? I'm stuck in the middle of the
blizzard of 1993. (the snow is about gone now, but it was 18" in my
front yard a day ago)"
Aidan tells Hal:
"Thanks for the help - it is much appreciated. It is one of the nice
things about CIS that people leap in and offer help. As to where I am
in Europe, I am in the UK, about 30 miles north of London in a little
town (well, not that little actually) called Stevenage."
Jaime Sacadura tells us:
"I am calling from Lisbon-Portugal (near Spain) , and I've used my
Mega ST2 since 1988 with great pleasure and productivity. But times
change and I was needing color in High resolution, high density drive,
etc.. So I have placed an order at my dealer for a Falcon.
I have just received my new Atari Falcon - 4Mb/65Mb HD, imported from
the UK, last week. (sorry, I can't be blamed for not living in the
USA :)
So far :
I Like - The speed and the compatibility with ST software.
Dislike - Only half of the promised software was included; Calculator,
Calendar, Talking Clock, 2 games, Tos 4.0.1.
Not included - MultiTOS (only the manual), Atari Works, SpeedoGdos and
also Falcon D2D, Audio Fun Machine and System Audio Manager (so, I
have not tested sound yet).
The latest delays account for the missing MultiTOS, Atari Works and
Speedo Gdos, but for the other 3 programs I can't understand why they
where not included (anyone have a hint?). The UK exporter promised to
send them as soon as they arrive but its annoying.
Falcon Shareware - In the latest Atari Explorer Magazine, Ron Robinson
in his "Ron's Random Ramblin'" mentioned 4 interesting shareware
programs for the Falcon - Mandelbrot Fractal, Frac! , Pro-Tracker 2.1
and Winrec (available in Genie) Can't seem to find these programs in
Compuserve. I'm beginning to think I am in the wrong Service to be
able to access the new flow of interesting software for the ST and
Falcon. At least after reading a couple of AEO's , Genie seems to be
a lot more interesting !! I hope someone proves me wrong."
Alex Kiernan tells Jaime:
"To be honest I can't really remember seeing much in the way of Falcon
stuff popping up on GEnie... most seems to have originated on MAUSnet
(a German network) which is connected to Internet and is now rattling
between FTP sites the world over."
Sysop Bob Retelle tells Jaime:
"I have at least a couple of those Falcon shareware/PD programs you
mentioned, but I haven't uploaded them here yet because I don't have a
Falcon yet to check them out...
Maybe you could be our "unofficial tester" for them... I'll upload
them tonight, and you can let us know how well they work."
Michael Lamb asks how things are going in "Atariland":
"After being isolated in the MS-DOS world for three years now after
serving time in the 8 bit Atari, ST, and Amiga, how is life with the
ST? What is its prognosis? How about the 8 bitters? How about Atari
Corp?"
Sysop Brad Hill fills Michael in:
"Many people feel this will be a do-or-die year for Atari Corp, with
their re-emergence or final failure depending on the success of the
Falcon. This as you may know is a new, specifically multimedia
computer with sound recording capability. The prognosis varies from
barely realistic optimism to cynical pessimism, depending on who you
talk to. In the meantime, many of us are still working very
productively with our original STs and STe's. (I'm writing this on a
DOS machine, but only because my ST monitor is hibernating until
Spring.)"
From the Atari Vendors Forum
============================
John Amsler asks the CodeHeads about a problem he encountered while
using Warp9 with MultiDesk Deluxe:
"I've got a MegaSTe4 running TOS 2.06 (which I got from you guys --
Thanks!).
Inside the AUTO folder I'm running (in this order):
AHDI .PRG
SUPERBT .PRG /* Version 7.2 */
SUPERBTA.PRG
WARP9ST .PRG /* Version 3.73 */
LGSELECT.PRG /* Version 1.8D */
MOUSDOUB.PRG /* Version 1.1 */
G+PLUS .PRG /* Version 1.2 */
As resident desk accessories, I've got:
G+Plus
MultiDesk Deluxe /* Version 3.4a */
DiskManager
XControl 1.0
Inside MDD, I've got:
RAMFREE .ACX
STENO .ACC
WARP9_CP.ACX
Recently I've started to get the following error window:
Ouch! Someone or something
grabbed the system vector
at $00000084 after this
non-resident DA did! Better
not open any other MDXs.
even if I merely go into MDD (right after bootup), click on
WARP9_CP.ACX, _do nothing!_, and then click on the EXIT box.
What am I doing wrong, or what do I have set up wrong?
(The only recent change I've made to anything is to start using
the Extend-O-Save modules with Warp 9.)"
Charles Johnson, being the fountain of information that he is, tells John:
"You should make sure that WARP9_CP loads as the last resident
accessory in MultiDesk. If WARP9_CP runs as a non-resident desk
accessory (i.e. if you have it in your MULTDESK.MDX folder) you'll see
that message. To load WARP9_CP as a resident accessory in MultiDesk
use the 'Load Acc' button, then save your setup; and remember to
remove WARP9_CP from your MDX folder."
On the subject of the demise of Double Click Software, Beth Freeman posts:
"Shame about DC. They did a good job, too. Well, here's hoping that
the people who were part of it will add their expertise to other Atari
software producers...
We do get complacent about such "institutions." Well, I know I did my
part. I paid my shareware fee for DC Formatter, which I like and use.
When they got my check, they sent me a better version, and some more
of their shareware programs. They knew what they were doing."
John Amsler adds:
"I've yet to be "disappointed" by sending in shareware fees! Almost
always, I either get an upgraded version or a manual or related
programs or something else. Shareware DOES work ... for those people
who are willing to HELP (or MAKE?) it work.
Just think how much MORE the MANY fabulous utilities, accessories,
programs, etc. would cost in the "real" market! Paying a shareware
fee of $5 - $20 is a veritable "steal," considering how much they
ENHANCE, IMPROVE, and EXPAND the Atari's capabilities."
To which Beth posts:
"Yes, a properly run shareware company should give you something for
paying the fee. Also it gives them a chance to show you some of their
other products. The main thing is that the programs are well written
and easy to use.
I just sent in my $7.00 to Magnum Software for their ZSHELL program.
Once I got it running, it was great. Of course if you read the
instructions carefully (on how to write the macro to invoke the
program), it's a breeze.
We shall see what comes of my $7.00 fee. I just sent it in the this
morning."
From the Atari Portfolio Forum
==============================
It has always given me a good feeling to see a "new guy" get involved
with something new and find that there are people here waiting to help.
Brad Barclay posts:
"I'm new to this forum, and new to CompuServe itself (it's my first
night), and in fact, the Portfolio area was one of the major reasons
for signing up.
When I bought my Portfolio, I got the Atari memory Expander + with it
(Atari p/n: HPC-104), but no manual! It has an extra card drive (as a
drive B:) which works great, but I can't use any of the extra 256K of
RAM onboard! I tried using FDISK, but to no avail: the portfolio
still refused to recognize the device!
It's quite a good little gadget: a small flat box that hooks fully
into the bus port on the side, with a slot for drive B:, and another
bus port (so you don't lose the bus by using the expander). Having no
manual, I have no idea how to access that memory. Do I just have a
bum unit? If so, let me know. It was free (the store I bought it
from wanted to get rid of it), and it does have an extra slot drive,
so I'm no complaining, but the additional memory would be great."
Dave Stewart, editor of Re:Port, tells Brad:
"I don't have a memory expander+, but I do have another type of memory
expander, and it requires that you do a COLD BOOT (i.e. leave your
batteries out and let everything run dead and reset itself, or press
that pesky little switch in the battery compartment) with the expander
plugged in. You'll lose your C: drive data, but you'll probably gain
the extra memory."
Brad replies to Dave:
"Thanks for the quick reply, David, and it's good to see another
online-publication editor/publisher online! I'm the publisher of the
WAFFER! MultiMedia Digest and the Sound Blaster Digest, possibly two
of the worlds farthest-reaching online magazines! They, in fact, are
the reason why i bought my Portfolio: to keep track of various notes,
appointments, phone numbers, and to do writing on the road.
I'll have to check out your publication sometime soon...thanks for the
quick reply!"
Dave tells Brad:
"No kiddin' -- I've read both your publications, and I really like
them ... I love how you embed midi files and the like in your .WRI
files ... a cool multimedia pub!
Welcome to the Portfolio world. We've also got ways to make the Port
do sound and graphics, so let us know ... maybe we can get a mention
in WAFFER."
Brad continues the conversation:
"Hey, it's great to see a reader of the WAFFER! MultiMedia Digest
Online..especially in the Portfolio forum! [grin]. I was actually
surprised when I first started this forum: I never actually knew that
the Portfolio could handle any graphics: I was under the impression
that it was entirely ASCII only until I began using the forum. I
can't wait until later on today when my parallel transfer interface
and a memory card are delivered to my home today so I can start
playing with some of the stuff I have downloaded from here."
Sysop BJ Gleason tells Brad:
"Don Messerli is the graphics guru... his PGC, and PGX standards have
been incorporated into various packages for the Portfolio. There are
some hypertext applications available for the Portfolio, as well as so
snappy animation packages..."
Well folks, that's about all for this week. Tune in again next week,
same time, same channel, so you can be as knowledgable about these things
as Albert is. See ya next time when we listen to what they are saying
when
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
***********************************************************************
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
=================
STReport International Online Magazine is available every week in the
ST Advantage on DELPHI. STReport readers are invited to join DELPHI and
become a part of the friendly community of Atari enthusiasts there.
SIGNING UP WITH DELPHI
======================
Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access
DELPHI services via a local phone call
JOIN -- DELPHI
--------------
Via modem, dial up DELPHI at 1-800-695-4002
then...
When connected, press RETURN once or twice
and...
At Password: type STREPORT and press RETURN.
DELPHI's Basic Plan offers access for only $6.00 per hour, for any
baud rate. The $5.95 monthly fee includes your first hour online.
For more information, call: DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005
DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge, MA.
Try DELPHI for $1 an hour!
For a limited time, you can become a trial member of DELPHI, and
receive 5 hours of evening and weekend access during this month for only
$5. If you're not satisfied, simply cancel your account before the end of
the calendar month with no further obligation. If you keep your account
active, you will automatically be enrolled in DELPHI's 10/4 Basic Plan,
where you can use up to 4 weekend and evening hours a month for a minimum
$10 monthly charge, with additional hours available at $3.96. But hurry,
this special trial offer will expire soon! To take advantage of this
limited offer, use your modem to dial 1-800-365-4636. Press <RET> once
or twice. When you get the Password: prompt, type IP26 and press <RET>
again. Then, just answer the questions and within a day or two, you'll
officially be a member of DELPHI!
TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (3/17/93)
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STREPORT ONLINE ISSUE # 9.11
ATARI EXPLORER ONLINE
MTOS FORMAL CO TRANSCRIPT
SPEED OF LIGHT GIF VIEWER
STZIP 2.2
Z*NET MARCH 7, 1993
COMPUTER COMPARISON
ATARI POWER USER MAGAZINE
TERADESK 1.30
VIRTUAL REALITY HOUSE
All of the above files can be found in the RECENT ARRIVALS database for at
least one week after the posting of this list. Please Note that in the
case of online magazines, only the most current issue in the database at
the time of this compilation is considered for the Top 10 list. Also, for
all files, a submission is eligible for the Top 10 list for only four
weeks after its original uploading.
DELPHI- It's getting better all the time!
***********************************************************************
> CT FEST'93 STR SHOW NEWS
""""""""""""""""""""""""
THE CT ATARIFEST '93!
=====================
JUNE 12 & 13, AT THE WINDSOR COURT HOTEL
WINDSOR, CT. (JUST ABOVE HARTFORD)
Free Parking!
Low Room Rates!
More Vendors!
More Floor Space!
Yep, that ACT Atari Group is running another major NorthEast computer
event. Last year's successful CT Fest had over 700 attendees, which
merited a larger location, so we've moved a mile away (exit 42 on I-91)
into bigger and better quarters. We're just as convenient to reach as
ever, and only two hours from Boston or New York! The new hotel has
excellent room rates ($35.00 per room), free and plentiful parking, easy
access from Interstate 91, I-95, I-90, I-84, I-80, an in house Sports Bar,
a bigger ballroom and is located just 1 mile from Bradley International
Airport (free shuttle service for hotel guests).
We expect that an even greater number of vendors this year, surpassing
the excellent turnout of the past shows. We already have tentative
commitments from A&D Software, Gribnif Software, Barefoot Software, Toad
Computers, Computer Studio, Baggetaware, Derric Electronics, E.Hartford
Computer Repair, MegaType Software, Wizztronics and GFA Software
Technology. Last year we had FOURTEEN user groups, this year we should
have even more (We also expect an exciting 8 Bit contingent)!
We'll have our annual New England Lynx Competition, with multiple
Comlynxed competitions underway at all times. Last year's winners took
home prizes ranging from games to accessories to complete Lynx Systems!
Bring your best player and join the fun.
We'll have the Portfolio Corner, staffed with industry pundits and
filled with every imaginable palmtop peripheral! Last year we had a few
Portfolios disassembled at the booth, a real insight into surface mount
technology!
For those of you with an eye towards seminars, we'll have them in
abundance, last year's question and answer session with Bob Brodie drew
standing only crowds! In addition, we had John Eidsvoog's walk through the
Codehead graphic tools, Jeff Naideau of Barefoot Software showing off
EdiTrack Platinum, Dave Troy of (Guess[ribbet]) Computers and many, many
others.
And to top things off, come out and see the Falcon 030 in all its
glory. By then we expect to see some rad new programs out and some really
excitement! All in all, we hope to have the best Northeast show yet, and
we look forward to your participation. Make your plans now for the most
exciting Atari Weekend this spring!
For further information, call Brian Gockley at 203-332-1721 or Doug
Finch at 203-637-1034. We can also be found on GEnie in Category 11 or on
Compuserve in the Atari arenas. E-mail can be directed to B.GOCKLEY or
D.FINCH7 on GEnie or to 75300,2514 or 76337,1067 on CIS.
_____________________________________________________________________
> STR EDITOR Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard"
""""""""""""""""""""
STReport's EDITOR MailBag
"""""""""""""""""""""""""
Messages * NOT EDITED * for content
-----------------------------------
Item 1770301 93/03/13 18:17
From: D.D.MARTIN Diann D. Martin
To: ST-REPORT -> ST.REPORT R.F. Mariano
Sub: An opinion
Ralph,
I was very interested in the following comments from Brodie's
conference on Delphi in response to the question...
What do you see as the demographics of the Falcon market? And what
platforms do you see as competition for the Falcon?
.Bob @ Atari>
The intent of the Falcon is to finally penetrate the home
market with a machine that brings the promise of multimedia to
the home user, and provides them FINALLY with a reason for them
to purchase a computer. Many thousands of people (unlike you and
I) still fail to find a compelling reason to purchase a computer.
We believe that the Falcon030 will give those people a new reason
to consider purchasing a computer. In addition, there are
some
compelling professional applications that will make people that
have specific professional needs (like MUSIC) that will place
the Atari Computer line in the limelight of the computing world.
Brodie's contention that a machine that "brings the promise of
multimedia to the home user, and provides them FINALLY with a reason
for them to purchase a computer," is, in my humble opinion, wishful
thinking on Atari's part. Multimedia? Can you define that? I've
been around computers, and Atari computers in particular, for eight
years and the promise of "multimedia" does nothing to compel me to
even look to a Falcon purchase.
John McWade, highly respected MAC desktop publishing pioneer, founder
of PageLab, the world's first desktop publishing studio in 1985) and
first commercial user of Aldus PageMaker had a very interesting
editorial in his recent magazine, Before & After. He was asked if
desktop multimedia would be big like desktop publishing. I found his
answer put a finger on my personal feelings toward the "promise" of
multimedia.
-------------------Quote John McWade ----------------------------
"Like software that's been really _big_, desktop publishing
computerized centuries-old crafts. Word processors, spread sheets,
data bases and desktop publishing each succeeded by automating
fundamental, long-established ways of doing things -- office
management, accounting, publishing. In other words, each improved
what _was_ _already_ _there_.
Multimedia...It's an idea drawn on blank canvas. It's _made_
_up_. It has no infrastructure in business and industry, it has no
academic underpinnings, no culture, no past. It's not taught, taxed
or regulated. It's not a job.
Multimedia is an artistic vision. It is pure technology. It is
basically, an anti-gravity suit. It's a restrictive one, too.
The medium of publishing (data processing, accounting) is paper.
Paper is elemental; it's in every land and culture. Paper is natural
and tactile and endlessly mutable. It's light, cheap, copyable,
transportable. We color it, fold it, play with it, print it. It can be
read anytime and especially by anyone. Paper labels one billion
products. We sign it, post it, pass it from hand to hand. On it we
write notes, express sentiments, confer degrees. Heck, paper grows on
trees.
It's everywhere.
Multimedia ties us to a screen.
This is not to say it's not fun, because it is. Nor that it has
no potential, because it has some, notably in education. But it's not
primary, not like paper.
I mention this, however, because it's a worry. We keep hearing
about _things_ -- video cards and audio boards and frame grabbers and
film editors -- and this news applies pressure, like maybe we should
be doing (or buying) something _more_. You know, keeping up with this
stuff because maybe it might be important.
My guess: It won't be _important_. Not in our generation. Maybe
never."
-------------------End Quote-----------------------------------------
I think McWade really hit the nail on the head. First time computer
buyers need to justify that first purchase. Especially the home user
market. "What can we use it for?" They look for the practical
applications like word processing, record keeping, financial planning,
and perhaps play games. Multimedia just isn't _necessary_ to most
home users. Heck, I've been computing for 8 years and consider myself
a relative "power user" and I couldn't justify the purchase of a
Falcon for my own use based on the multimedia sales pitch.
Atari Corp was way ahead with the original "Power Without The Price"
slogan. Their forte has always been to build a workhorse piece of
hardware with the best user interface available at the best possible
price. Now they plan to sell an "artistic vision" and tell the
public, "Oh, yeah, by the way, you can do word processing on it."
It's kind of like selling a Renoir then telling the buyer "It will be
great to cover up that crack in the wall."
Editor Reply;
DD, the truth is...... we've been saying this for what seems like an
eternity. For our trouble we've been censored, plastered with all sorts
of labels, plotted against and flat out lied about. But then, come to
think of it seems to come with the territory. :-) The turly sad part is
that many people have failed to see the real message due to all the
distractions generated by those who felt threatened by STReport's "telling
it like it is". The Flamers and the "Clique" have done their job well.
They successfully obscured the truth long enough for the effects of the
truthful situation to have a delitrious effect on Atari's well being.
They should congratulate themselves for a job well done. Misguided and
malicious... but well done. The Falcon is Atari's hope... Think it has a
chance? We shall see.
Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine
***********************************************************************
:HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
_________________________________
Set your communications software to Half Duplex (or Local Echo)
Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
Wait for the U#= prompt.
Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.
GEnie costs only $4.95 a month for unlimited evening and
weekend access to more than 100 services including
electronic mail, online encyclopedia, shopping, news,
entertainment, single-player games, and bulletin boards
on leisure and professional subjects. With many other
services, including the biggest collection of files to
download and the best online games, for only $6 per
hour.
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! Any time during your first month
of membership if you are not completely satisfied, just
ask for your $4.95 back.
GEnie Announcements (FREE)
1. Our Bulletin Board Is FREE All Weekend in....................ASTROLOGY
2. Come discuss the ethics of euthanasia in......................RELIGION
3. TAX DAY IS ALMOST HERE: Personal Tax Edge Software - $19 at...PARSONS
4. SAVE ON MODEMS: 14,400 send/receive fax by BestData........DIRECTMICRO
5. COURSES in COMPUTER PROGRAMMING and BUSINESS. Register in.....CALC
6. Role Playing Game Association meetings held Wednesdays in.....TSR
7. Get LAST MINUTE TAX HELP for Business, Personal Returns.......HOSB
8. GE-MUG limited offer, free Disk Of the Month (DOM) in.........MAC
9. NEW Color Disney Photos just released and Special RTC in......FLORIDA
10. Going out for SEAFOOD RTC--Mar 19 9pm Pacific.................LEFT
11. The Family Pet with special guest DR.RICH in..................FAMILY
12. Get LAST MINUTE TAX HELP for Business, Personal Returns.......HOSB
13. ----->The LAMPS are lit<---- Awards presented over at......SHOWBIZ
14. MultiTOS Preview, Falcon030 News..............................ST
15. Think you're smart, let's find out in.........................TRIVIA
.________________________________________________..______________________.
|=[]=========== Welcome to the... ===============||=[]====Reference======|
|""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""||""""""""""""""""""""""|
| ###### ###### ## ## ## ## ###### | BULLETIN BOARD.M605;1 |
| ## ## ####### ## ## ## | RT CONFERENCES.M605;2 |
| ## ### #### #### ## # ## ## ## ## ### | SOFTWARE LIB M605;3 |
| ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## | |
| ###### ###### ## ## ##### ###### |PRODUCT SUPPORT M606;1 |
| THE GENIE MACINTOSH USERS GROUP ROUNDTABLE | MACPRO RT..... M480 |
!________________________________________________!!______________________!
._______________________________________.
|=[]======= Tonight in the RTC =========|
|"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""|
| THE GE-MUG HELP DESK!! |
| |
| Having problems with your Mac? |
| Stop by the Macintosh Help Desk for |
| the answers! |
| |
| 8-10pm EST -- CHANNEL 3 (400;4) |
| 11pm-1am EST -- ROOM 1 (605;2) |
!_______________________________________!
GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission
***********************************************************************
> DORA DINGBAT STR Feature A Smile or Two......
""""""""""""""""""""""""
Dora Dingbat
by Al Haislip
From the Jerry Pournelle RT on Genie
Compiled by Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
Dora Dingbat went shopping:
"Hubby, dear, I went shopping today, and you'll be proud of me
because of all the money I saved. I bought shoes, a new
compact, -- I really one needed one -- a new dress, and a new
purse to go with the shoes. It goes just right with my new
dress, too. And I got the cutest little koala-bear perfume
bottle for my dresser that you ever saw.
"The best part of all, though, is that everything was on sale.
So instead of $284.37, I only had to pay $192.12.
Isn't that wonderful! I saved $92.25. When you subtract $92.25
from the $192.12 I charged to your master card, that means all
of these things only cost us $99.87. Just think of it. These
things would have been $284.37 if I had paid full price, but
since our cost was really just $99.87, I actually saved us
$184.50. I saved us more money than I spent!
"But that's not all, dear. They had a $389.99 coat that was
marked down to $299.98. I thought about buying it but I didn't,
so I saved another $389.99 which is what it was actually worth
by not buying it.
"So now we have $389.99 that I saved by not buying the coat in
addition to the $184.50 I saved on the things I did buy. That
adds up to $574.49 we have now that we didn't have before.
"All in one day, too!
"I think I will go shopping again tomorrow."
Dora Dingbat economics is the same the sort of garbage economics
Clinton is spouting in his pitch to snooker us with the whoppingest tax
bill ever.
Clinton proposes vast new spending, but tells us it isn't spending
because he calls it, "investment." . . . I suppose a body could call a
chicken a goat if he wanted to, and some folks would be fool enough to
believe him. . . . Clinton's numbers bear some slight relation to
reality, but the relationship is indeed slight, and he tosses these
numbers about with reckless abandon.
Clinton says he will balance new taxes with spending cuts and then
proposes a new tax on social security which he audaciously tells us is
not a tax but is, instead, a spending cut, and will therefore count as
balancing other new taxes.
Shades of Dora Dingbat! It's no wonder they call him Slick Willie.
He tells us we should "sacrifice," but when it was time to place his
own precious butt in jeapordy, he slicked himself far away from Vietnam
-- into England, where he spent his time not inhaling. At the time, he
said that, with his high I.Q., he was too smart to be drafted.
He pleases one of his most faithful constituencies -- the teachers --
by announcing he will not hear of using education monies to fund a
private school voucher system for those who are fearful of placing their
children in degenerated public schools. Then, with typical Clintonesque
hypocrisy, he sends his own kid to an elite private school because he,
"feels he should do what is best for her." . . . And never mind what
people with lesser means than the Clintons might feel is best for
*their* children.
As for Willie's economic program: It will not reduce the national
debt. It will not balance the budget. It will not reduce the deficit,
although he will claim it does because, "Look at all the money we coudda
spent, but didn't, and if we'd gone ahead and spent all that money we
thought about spending, the deficit would be a lot higher than it is,
but since it's not that high, it's plain to see we reduced it."
More Dora Dingbat. Pfah!
________________________________________________________________
> STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips"
"""""""""""""""""""""
- Sunnyvale, CA TALIGENT GAINS ANOTHER OF ATARI'S "GEMS"!
-------------
Where have all the young men gone?? Gone to Taligent everyone...
enough nostalgia, John Townsend is about to join his good buddy at
Taligent, Ken Badertscher. John, long known for his staunch belief in
Atari right or wrong, and admired by many (including this author), for
his ability to handle many rather 'sticky wickets' well. Many of us
online have had the opportunity to observe John literally grow up before
our eyes. He's done a fine job of doing so and will be missed. While we
may've not seen eye to eye on many issues, John had the fortitude to also
"say it the way he saw it". For that and that alone, He had my respect
and admiration.
Good luck to you John Townsend. May all your successes be monumental.
In all seriousness John... the very best of luck and good fortune to you.
May your future be filled with the wonders and enjoyment only success
brings.
John posted the following about his departure;
From GEnie's...
Atari-ST RoundTable
Category 14, Topic 13
Message 109 Wed Mar 17, 1993
TOWNS [John@Atari] at 19:51 EST
Permission to reprint this message is granted as long as the
message is printed intact, as is. Thank you.
Hello Everyone. I just wanted to share a piece of news with you
personally before it made its way to the rumor mill. I want you to hear
this from me directly, not someone else.
I officially resigned my position as a Software Engineer at Atari
Corporation on March 16th, 1993. I will work for Atari until the 26th of
March. After that I will be joining Taligent, Inc. to work on their new
Object-Oriented Operating System products.
First, I would like to tell you why I have made this decision. I have
been studying Object-Oriented Design (OOD for short) on my own for quite
some time. I have really developed an interest in the technology and wish
to work with it. When the opportunity arose at Taligent to do this kind
of work, I jumped at the chance.
Second, I am _NOT_ leaving Atari because they are going out of
business. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, as many of
you know, Atari is working on some really exciting products. Some of
which you know about, some you don't (No, I won't tell you about them! ;-)
that I think have a very good chance of drastically improving Atari's
marketshare on a number of fronts. I wish them the greatest success with
these products.
Third, just because I am leaving doesn't mean that the world is going
to end. Atari still has _MANY_ talented people working for the company.
They can (and I think will!) get the job done and bring to Atari the
success that has evaded it for so long.
Fourth, I will still be around. I plan to get my own GEnie account
and I will stop in on a regular basis and say hello. I have many friends
online and would like to stay in touch with all of you!
Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for their support over the past
5 years. You have helped to make this one of the greatest learning
experiences of my life thus far and I thank you for that.
So, don't get mad at Atari for my departure.. they didn't do anything
to drive me away. In fact, they took steps to try to make me stay and I
was happy here. The fact is that an opportunity came along that I want to
take and I am going for it! I wish all of you the best of luck and look
forward to seeing the Falcon030 soar with the "eagles" of the computer
industry!
Sincerely,
John Townsend
------------
- London, UK MEGAFALCON TO BE NAME OF NEW BIRD?
----------
Our roving supersnoop has been looking around again. He's found that
many of the promised "bundled goodies" are missing from the package the
single piece Falcon030 arrives in. No sign of the Atari Works software
being shipped with the machine. In fact, no sign of the promised Atari
Works at all! Surprisingly, current base level Falcons have no Cartridge
port and no DSP. For the "Serious Music Package" the cart port is most
definitely required.
- New York City, NY ATARI, FALCON & THE FCC
-----------------
Unconfirmed reports are filtering in that the new generation of the
Falcon will have _no cartridge port_. Bad news for the serious music
guys. Seems there is far too much unwanted signal being radiated by the
cartridge port. Never was a problem in years gone by why now? Also, its
rumored the new generation Falcon is having difficulties gaining
certification. Here we go again folks. More on this next week.
- Baltimore, MD MULTI-TOS TO BE $75.00 US
-------------
According to our sources its true, they say it could change ("you know
how Atari is") but for now that's the MSRP and many folks are not happy at
all with this amount. Many say they've already paid for a copy of GEM,
the copy that's in the TOS in ROM chipset. Its reported to come on a
single floppy with MintWindows similar to the beta releases.
- Houston, TX ADVANTAGE HISTORY?
-----------
Atari Advantage Magazine... a newcomer and pleasing to read
publication is apparently no more. Seems the powers that be felt the
marketplace did not offer the opportunities it should've. Can't blame
them for not wanting to operate at a loss. Not the first and certainly
not the last.
- San Diego, CA SO, WHERE'S THE BIG DEAL OR PRICE BREAK?
-------------
"The MSRP for the Falcon030 14/65 (no monitor) is 1899.00. This is
what we've been told. Many of my fellow users have complained bitterly
about the "jacked up" prices that Falcon carries." This was recently
overheard by another of our friendly snoops. Since its ever so timely, we
decided to point out a few other points of comparative contention.
The Falcon030 is _only_ a 16Mhz 68030. That's quite the price tag for
only 16 mhz. When compared to the Clone world, it becomes ridiculous. A
486dx/33mhz with a 170mb hd, 1.44 & 1.2 mb floppies, 1mb Boca SVGA Video
Card, Pro Audio Spectrum Stereo in/out/midi Sound Card, 64k Cache, 4mb
80ns Ram (upgradable to 64mb), 14" 28 dot pitch Non-interlaced SVGA
monitor with DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1 can be had for the SAME MONEY as a
Falcon030 with 14mb, 65mb hd running at 16Mhz and NO MONITOR! If one were
to include the cost of the monitor, the Falcon would cost much more.
- Sunnyvale, CA ATARIWORKS FINALLY DONE?
-------------
The "final" version of the first release version is reported to be
done... now, let's see how long it takes to make it to market. Its not in
the promised bundles arriving in Europe at this time. All this while the
"true color" interpretation rages on. Does the Falcon have true color or
not. Is the Falcon destined to be the ultimate Game machine? Time will
tell. And since there is plenty of time...with no Falcons shipping in the
USA yet. Europe is first again. Thanks Sam.....
___________________________________________________________
> NVN WANTS YOU! STR InfoFile Another Network Supports Atari!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""
National Videotext Network (NVN)
================================
National Videotext Network (NVN) has recently added an Atari ST Forum
to it's growing lists of available services. The Atari ST Forum is ready
and waiting for you!
Order an extended NVN Membership of 6 or 12 months, pay for it in
advance and receive a bonus in connect time at no additional charge.
Choose from two subscription plans:
6-Month Membership
------------------
Pay just $30 for a 6-month Membership and receive a usage credit that
entitles you to $15 of connect-time in the Premium services of your
choice. Your total savings using this plan would be over $20!*
12 Month Membership
-------------------
Pay $50 for a full year's Membership and get even more free time
on-line. We'll give you a $25 usage credit to use in your favorite
Premium services or try out new ones. You could save as much as $45.*
For more information about either of these plans, give us a call at
1-800-336-9096.
NVN HIGHLIGHTS
==============
For the newcomers....
- Introducing a great new tool to make your JOBSEARCH more effective.
- Amateur Radio comes to NVN! Old-timers and newcomers, visit the Ham
Shack.
- The secret of *fast* sales prospecting...
- Attachment Capabilities are now in Email!!!
- Subaccounts are now blocked from Premium Plus services...
- Go Treasure Hunting with the folks in the Numismatic Collectors Forum.
- Why wait an extra day to see U.S. Gov't product/service procurements?.
- The NVN On-line Billing Service is Back - with Enhancements!
- Shake the Last of the Winter Blues the EAASY Way!
- What are eight *advantages* of searching online for information?...
- NVN's Movie Forum presents....You Pick The Oscars contest...
- Tell the best FISH STORY and WIN time on NVN!
- Introducing the Mental Health Forum with a registered Psychiatrist on
board!
-=* 9600 BAUD USERS *=-
$6/hour non-prime time - $9/hour prime time
You can join NVN one of two ways.
By voice phone 1-800-336-9096 (Client Services)
or
via modem phone 1-800-336-9092.
________________________________________________________________
> STR Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard"
"""""""""""""
STReport's MailBag
""""""""""""""""""
Messages * NOT EDITED * for content
-----------------------------------
From Delphi's Atari Areas
50378 14-MAR 17:30 General Information
Conf
From: BRYEDEWAARD To: ALL
Was anyone else disappointed with the Multi-TOS conference? It's all I can
do to keep from spending my $1299 elsewhere at this point.
1. I have had NO 16bit computer since November when I sold my MegaSTE for
a Falcon to be released immediately. I have been using an 800XL
exclusively since then.
2. I have believed there was a perfectly good explanation EVERY time the
Falcon was delayed, believing that a PHENOMINAL launch was
about to take place.
Now, I fear for the marketability of a machine that is at least 3
quarters late. Every other platform will have DSPs soon, and it seems the
window for this machine is closing. Now, I do not believe Atari will
launch this machine with ANY fanfare, since Bob Brodie dodged the
question of wether or not there will be advertising for the Falcon. I
really thought this was the time a splash would be made, but after a
dissapointing conference where there was old news and bad news, I don't
buy that Atari cares about this machine much at all. I think the Jaguar
is waht Atari really wants to concentrate on, and this Falcon is a
secondary project. I'm really afraid of making a $1300 mistake now....
When the Falcon IS available, I hope I've still got this money set aside
for it, cause it won't take much to make me leave.
The Greatly Confused
-Bry
50388 14-MAR 18:08 General Information
RE: Conf (Re: Msg 50378)
From: ABARBIERO To: BRYEDEWAARD
The much rumored DSP MAC is said to be Apple's excuse for another $10,000
computer... the Centris and the LC III were built in numbers to tease the
market, and no machines will be built until after the P.O. come rolling
in.
Ask anyone who bought a IIvx what they think of Apple replacing the
computer in a matter of months with a 040 for the same price, there is a
big bait and switch going on right now, I went into a MAC dealer asking
about the Centris and all they could say was "buy an vx, and upgrade to
040 later" This wasnt as bad as it sounded as the Centris os is only
slightly faster than the faster 030s... that little EC040 at 20MHz is
about the same as a 40MHz 030, and the 030 machine is cheaper.
Atari is going to sell the Atari Falcon030, and they are going to sell it
in sufficient quantities to insure enough NEW and interesting software
for us all. Atari Works is better than most of the competing software,
and the interface cannot be beaten.
THere is some serious work being done on the graphics capability of the
F030... this machine stock can do everything the Super Nintendo can do
with only 15% of the processor bandwith!
Bry, you shouldn't have dumped the MSTe.. :-) I have an acquaintance who
sold a 20meg TT system and decided on a Centris 650... his waiting list is
12 weeks long. Several dealers have told him to buy something else while
he waits. This is all because he found the Spectre GCR too limiting...
In other words... the F030 is selling in the UK... if the internet posts
are to be believed. I have a AEO person checking them out, and I will be
checking with Atari on the rumors.
Should be an interesting next 3 weeks.
Andreas@AEO
50420 14-MAR 22:52 General Information
RE: Conf (Re: Msg 50388)
From: CHRYSTAL To: ABARBIERO
I had asked Bob Brodie whether or not Atari will advertise the Falcon.
That was some time ago and . . . no reply. Since you seem to be in the
know, just what is the story, Andreas? Will there be any attempt to
market the Falcon here, or will we be stuck with imported software that
is hard to get and expensive? Frankly, I'll soon be in the market for a
new computer, and the temptation to go with a clone is getting stronger.
And, I'm sick & tired of watching my stock in ATC bump along at 1-1/4.
At this point I do think Atari owes its followers an explanation.
Thanks.
-- Chas. C.
50516 15-MAR 23:44 General Information
RE: Conf (Re: Msg 50503)
From: CHRYSTAL To: KENHELMS
I recently saw an Infomercial for a machine called the "IQ Computer" (or
something very close to that name) . . . $295.00 for the thing. It's
really a glorified calculator with some word processing functions and
simple games . . . a great rat hole for someone to throw their
hard-earned money into. If they can sell THAT sort of thing on TV, why
not one of those fantastic Falcons? There are many who would sit down
tonight and rip off a check to Atari if they were convinced that they
were getting an easy-to-use machine with sensible software available.
-- Chas. C.
50517 15-MAR 23:54 General Information
RE: Conf (Re: Msg 50511)
From: CHRYSTAL To: ABARBIERO
Thanks for your quick response, Andreas . . . I knew I could count on you.
Not only I but many others will be watching to see what Atari does with
respect to marketing the Falcon. I'm sure you're well aware of the level
of cynicism out there which -- I must add -- is of Atari's creation.
Neither I nor anyone else wants to buy a machine that has scant support
on these shores.
I do understand the problem of advertising vis a vis dealers/distributors.
I also wonder if Atari is contemplating some way around the shortage of
storefronts, for example, mail-order or TV sales (??). Frankly, it
doesn't require great intelligence to sell a product to many Americans --
_if_ some creativity in approach is involved. I believe that's true even
for items with a high price tag such as the Falcon. Let's hope the
marketing gurus at Atari aren't too fried to come up with something even
a teensy bit innovative.
BTW, thanks for the telephone numbers . . . but I am still biased towards
Made in the USA.
-- Chas.
50643 17-MAR 19:56 General Information
RE: Conf (Re: Msg 50580)
From: BRYEDEWAARD To: CMILLAR (NR)
Well, the reason I sold my MSTE was because I really believed Atari was
excited about the Falcon, and it was the savior machine. I really didn't
believe they would be so consistently late with things.
I've been the biggest rose-colored-glasses wearer until my friends who
have been into Atari as long as I started dropping out and buying other
things. Now I get phone calls from them telling me all the great new
stuff they've got, and I DON'T EVEN HAVE A FALCON YET, much less any
dismal amount of support for it. I'm going to buy the Falcon, but I'm
also going to worry like crazy until I see the market improve. This is
the first time I've ever been so hard on Atari, but then, this is the
worst the market has EVER been.
I need call-block from my defected friends until I
get my Falcon! :)
-Bry
50658 17-MAR 23:59 General Information
RE: Survey of DOS users ;) (Re: Msg 50602)
From: NORMW To: ABARBIERO
I think you have truly adopted the Atari rationale...stand still while the
world marches on. The schemes to increase speed are mostly multiprocessor
oriented, which is exactly what Windows NT is targeting. Current
technology won't support buss speeds much beyond 100 MHz. Everything gets
strained as you boost the speed, so parallel paths seem to be the answer.
As the "electronic highway" and multimedia become realities, processing
power will have to increase. Current 386/486 won't hack it, and Atari
offerings aren't even in the game.
Today the government dropped another bomb on Atari. The Dept. of Commerce
decided to not place heavy penalties on the Koreans for dumping SIMMs.
That means the price of them will drop...I was buying them for $24 a
Megabyte before the fuss. That makes the incredible decision to not use
them in Falcon look even more foolish.
Norm
From the FNET .. a sign of the times.
Conf : General Discussions
Msg# : 5618/5622 Lines: 15 Read: 2
Sent : Mar 17, 1993 at 8:27 PM
To : ALL
From : ERIC RICH at Fnet Node 307, PayBax BBS node 307
Subj : ATARI BBS
Okay we need some help. I come from Richmond Va and we have a local users
group and a bbs called G.R.A.S.P. which stands for Greater Richmond Atari
Support Program, we a currently going under and can just pay for the
phone bill, our hard drive system COMPLETLY crashed and depleated just
about all of our funds. If we do not get more users to join the sysop
will shut down the board and switch to an IBM and 7 HARD years of work
goes out the window perminatly. If you would like to donate to the board
or become a paying member it only costs $20.00 a year and you get all the
privcledges to the board. If you are interested in saving a great bbs and
local users group we would all be greatly thankfull to you. Contact Eric
Rich at (804) 744-5291 between 2-10pm on weekdays and anytime on weekends.
The board is currently down right now because of all the HD problems the
board should be back up AFTER the 25th of ThIS month, please call me for
the number.
Thanks once again.
-Eric Rich
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON"
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> A "Quotable Quote" "More Smoke & Mirrors!"
"""""""""""""""""
"68030 @ 16Mhz??
IS IT _STILL_ 1990?
GET REAL!!"
Alfred B. Neuman Esq.
Orphan Registrar
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> ABCO SPECIALS! STR InfoFile * 1992 SPRING Prices! MORE Products! *
""""""""""""""""""""""""""" ------------------------------------
** EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY! **
NOTICE: ABCO will BEAT OR MATCH * ANY *
Advertised or Invoiced price * WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD!!
ABCO COMPUTER CONSULTANTS
=========================
P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672
Est. 1985
_________________________________________
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
_________________________________________
HARD DISK SYSTEMS & DESIGNS TO FIT EVERY BUDGET
_________________________________________
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)
- Available for all Platforms -
-* ICD LINK & ADSCSI PLUS HOST ADAPTERS USED EXCLUSIVELY *-
WE PAY SHIPPING & INSURANCE!!! >UPS!<
(Prepaid Orders - Cont. USA)
*_*_*_*
*** NEW!!! ULTRA MODERN "SUPER STYLE" ABCOFILE CASE ***
DELUXE Cabinet W/100w Auto PS & Blower $129.00
<<<ABCO Mini-Tower $ 179.95>>>
Case & ICD LINK or ADSCSI PLUS Host [Hard Disk Ready] $ 269.95
* ABCO Mini-Tower $ 319.95 *
-STAND ALONE SCSI READY PRODUCTS-
partial listing
Model Description Autopark Price
==================================================
SGN4951 51Mb Y $ 319.95!
SQN1096 85mb Y $ 369.95!
SQN2055 130mb Y $ 395.95!
SQN1296 213mb Y $ 565.95!
SQN4055 340mb Y $ 799.95!
==================================================
UNITS ARE FALCON (SCSI) READY!
Pricing; applicable to IBM - MAC - AMIGA
IDE - SCSI - ESDI
MODERN TOWER CABINETS AVAILABLE Call for Info!
PLEASE NOTE: The above is partial listing only!
Many other configurations available.
20mb - 3.5gb
NOTICE - NOTICE - NOTICE - NOTICE
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
SPECIAL PURCHASE! * 83mb - 1345mb * Hard Disk Mechanisms
Call for SUPER PRICING!! Limited Time Only!!
IDEAL FOR USE IN: IBM - MAC - AMIGA!
FAST TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATOR UPGRADES AVAILABLE & INSTALLED
*****
>> ABCO proudly offers: ATARI PRODUCTS <<
MAC PRODUCTS - AMIGA PRODUCTS - PC PRODUCTS
Call for ABCO's * HIGHLY COMPETITIVE PRICING! *
ABCO COMPUTER SYSTEMS * STILL THE BEST VALUE!
*****
If you don't see what you want listed here, call us.
Odds are, we either have it or, can get it for you!
* GUARANTEED * AT THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICE! *
"WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL"
****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******
* SYQUEST 44MB (#555) >> ABCOFILE "44" & "88" *
* REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES *
--->> LIMITED TIME SPECIAL! NOW ONLY 44MB $ 639.00! <<---
SCSI port READY 88MB $ 789.00!
with
ICD Link add 88.00
COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED AND READY TO RUN!
ONE Cart Included!
44mb CARTS: $ 69.50
88mb CARTS: $ 109.50
44mb MECH ONLY: $ 359.95
88mb MECH ONLY: $ 529.95
****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******
* TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT *
SPECIALLY PRICED ** $ CALL! **
Includes: * TWO * cartridges!
* SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS *
- Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives -
** 50mb SQG51S $ CALL! 105mb SQG105S $ CALL! **
Or, YOUR choice of Hard Disk Mechanism!
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)
* IBM/MSDOS - AMIGA - ATARI - APPLE/MACINTOSH *
ALL UNITS COMPATIBLE WITH --> SUPERCHARGER - AT/PC SPEED - GCR
LARGER units are available - (Custom Configurations)
*** --> COMPLETE IBM CLONE SYSTEMS AVAILABLE! <-- ***
CUSTOM BUILT TO YOUR SPECS!
CALL FOR PRICING & AVAILABILITY
386/486 25 MHZ - 33Mhz - 50Mhz - 66Mhz
From $839.95
**** SPECIAL SPRING OFFER ****
INTEL 486, 64K CACHE, 4MB 80nsRAM, 174 MB HD, 1.2FLOP, 1.44FLOP
1 MB BOCA SVGA CARD, 101 KEYBOARD, DOS 5.0, WINDOWS 3.1 & MOUSE
$1350.00! - W/NI 14" 28DP SVGA MONITOR; $1550.00!
VESA/TRIDENT VIDEO - MULTI-MEDIA READY!
**** SPECIAL SPRING OFFER ****
COLORADO JUMBO 250 MECHS & TAPES AVAILABLE
*>> NO REPACKS OR REFURBS USED! <<*
Atari SLM 804, SLM 804PCV Laser Toner Kits
Memorex 2108, 5287
Oasys Laserpro 5287, 5308, Express 830, Express Series II
Silver Express, Gold Express
** $41.95 shipping Included **
Atari SLM 605 Laser Toner Kits
AT&T 593, CAF Laser, DSI Laser, DTP Systems, Epson EPL-6000
Facit P6060, Fontx Syslaser, Harris3M 2006, M-Tally MT905
Microtek Turbo PS, OAS Laserpro Executive, Packard Bell 9500
TEC LB 1305, Toshiba PageLaser 6
** $41.95 shipping included **
(TWO Toner Carts Incl.)
Panasonic Laser Toner Kits
Panasonic KX -P 400 series, Panafax UF-750 Facsimile
** $41.95 shipping included **
-- ALL TONER KITS * IN STOCK * --
* Toner Starter Kits-$62.95 *
* Replacement (804) Drums-$187.95 *
ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED
Now Available
BUSINESSES, - LEASE TO OWN WITH AT&T -
-* 12 month FULL Guarantee *-
(A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE)
WE PAY SHIPPING & INSURANCE! >UPS!<
(Prepaid Orders - Cont. USA)
QUANTITY & USERGROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
_________________________________________
DEALERS and DISTRIBUTORS WANTED!
please, call for details
COD, Personal and Company Checks accepted.
ORDER YOUR NEW UNIT TODAY!
CALL: 1-904-783-3319
Customer Orders & Service
9am - 8pm EDT
TUES thru SAT
ABCO is EXPANDING!! CALL FOR INFORMATION!
SEND FOR YOUR NEW ABCO CATALOG TODAY!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STReport International Online Magazine
-* [S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport *-
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
STR Online! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" March 19, 1993
Since 1987 copyright (c) 1987-92 All Rights Reserved No.9.12
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
the editors/staff of STReport International Online Magazine. Permission
to reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Reprints
must, without exception, include the name of the publication, date, issue
number and the author's name . STReport and/or portions therein may not
be edited in any way without prior written permission. STReport, at the
time of publication, is believed reasonably accurate. STReport, its staff
and contributors are not and cannot be held responsible for the use or
misuse of information contained herein or the results obtained therefrom.
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
