ST Report: 03-May-91 #718

From: Bruce D. Nelson (aj434@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 05/18/91-11:51:05 AM Z


From: aj434@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 03-May-91 #718
Date: Sat May 18 11:51:05 1991



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 > The Editor's Podium

     Yessir, Spring is finally here.  The Windsor  show is  on this weekend
 and the  faithful are  trekking from all over the North American Continent
 to 'pay attention' to the new products and of course get an  eyeful of the
 new offerings  from Atari  Corp.   The STe/TT/MegaSTe computers.  STReport
 will carry extensive, in-depth reports  about  the  Windsor  Show  in next
 week's issue.

     This month has some new and different things going on like a review of
 the TT in Byte magazine by Jerry Pournelle.  Seems  there are  a few folks
 who  were  unhappy  with  Jerry's  remarks.   Strange, though, many others
 thought he was fair and right  on the  mark.   And then...  to find people
 threatening  not  to  buy  Byte  magazine  or organize some kind of letter
 campaign because they didn't care for Pournelle's remarks is truly  in bad
 taste.  The man did exactly what he was supposed to do.. A hardware REVIEW
 of the TT030.  STReport felt  his remarks  in the  review, considering its
 being done  with such  short notice, were absolutely fair to Atari and the
 TT, after all a software review it wasn't intended nor  meant to  be.  The
 TT is  a wonderful  machine and  really needs  a stronger software base of
 support.  Although it will run most software written for the ST,  it still
 needs  a  software  platform  written  expressly for it where the software
 takes full advantage of all the TT's advanced features.

     Speaking of magazines, there are a number of rather upset folks in the
 Atari community  over non-payment  of software  royalties, commissions and
 column fees.  These are very credible people  in our  userbase.   In fact,
 this reporter  spoke to  a few of these folks and it would appear that the
 information is very true.   Look  for another  magazine to  fade away into
 the sunset.   The  NEW AtariUser  magazine made  it to the east coast this
 week and I must say, "its pretty nifty!"  Be sure to get your copy.  There
 seems to  be some kind of controversy over a certain type of ad in the new
 magazine, but then you  can't 'please'  everyone.   As far  as STReport is
 concerned  the  ads  were  fine  and  of course any attempts to contain or
 restrain those folks who paid for  the  ads  could  possibly  lead  to FTC
 headaches.  In any case, we are fully in support of AtariUser Magazine and
 we did not see where any ad copy was out of order.

     While on the subject of software, Word Perfect has a  new minor update
 out (04/18/91)  for the now very familiar and most likely last version for
 the Atari platform, version 4.1.  Yes, that's  right folks  even the "Ger-
 man" update thing has been dropped.  And Word Perfect is really a terrific
 word processor.  It should be  the premier  WP for  the ST/TT/STe platform
 yet WP Corp. in not inclined to do so.  Why?

     The warehouse  has inventory  and its  just about to start shipping in
 earnest.  The major distributors all 'round the  USA will  have product in
 about two week.

                                        Thing ARE getting much better!

                                              Ralph......




                           TODAY'S NEWS ..TODAY!

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 --------------
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 ----------------------------
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          Brian Converse      Oliver Steinmeier        Ed Krimen
                    Tim Holt                 Andrew Learner


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 > CPU REPORT?
   ==========


   Issue #109
   ----------

 by Michael Arthur


 CPU INSIGHTS
 ============


          RJ Mical, and the Rise and Fall of Amiga Computer Inc.
          ======================================================

     Gary Oberbrunner recently provided a great  source of  knowledge about
 this, by writing and posting this essay on the Amiga newsgroup (or message
 base) of Usenet.  It is a transcript of a  talk given  by R.J.  Mical, the
 programmer  who  designed  and  developed  the  Intuition  graphical  user
 interface for the Amiga, before  the  Boston  Computer  Society  in March,
 concerning the history of both the Commodore Amiga itself, and Amiga Inc.,
 the company who created it.  Except for  modifications in  its formatting,
 or presentation,  and various  notes placed  in this  text to provide more
 information on certain subjects, the content of Gary Oberbrunner's text is
 identical....


             The Early Days, Game Boxes, and the Guru Meditation
             ---------------------------------------------------

     On Monday  March 2, 1989, RJ Mical (=RJ=) spoke at the Boston Computer
 Society meeting in Cambridge.   Fortunately  I  was  momentarily possessed
 with an  organizational passion, and I took copious notes.  I present them
 here filtered only through my memory and my Ann Arbor.  My comments are in
 [square brackets].   What  follows is  a neutron-star condensed version of
 about three and one half hours of completely uninterrupted discussion....


          Amiga Computer Inc.  had  its  beginnings,  strangely  enough, RJ
          began, with  the idea of three Florida doctors who had a spare $7
          million to invest.

          They thought of opening a  department  store  franchise,  but (as
          RJ said)  they wanted  to try  something a bit more exciting.  So
          they decided to start a  computer company.   "Yeah,  that's it! A
          computer company! That's the ticket!  :-)"

          They found  Jay Miner, who was then at Atari, and Dave Morse, the
          VP of sales (you can  see  their  orientation  right  off..) they
          lifted from  Tonka Toys.   The  idea right  from the start was to
          make the most killer game box  they  could.    That  was  it, and
          nothing  more.    However  Jay  and  the techies had other ideas.
          Fortunately they concealed them  well,  so  the  upper management
          types still  thought they were just getting a great game machine.
          Of  course  the  market  for  machines  like  that   was  hot  in
          1982...

          They got the name out of the thesaurus; they wanted to convey the
          thought of friendliness, and Amiga was  the first  synonym in the
          list.   The fact  that it came lexically before Apple didn't hurt
          any either, said RJ.

          However, before they could  get  a  machine  out  the  door, they
          wanted to  establish a "market presence" which would give them an
          established name and some  distribution channels  - keep thinking
          "game  machine"  -  which  they  did  by  selling peripherals and
          software that they  bought  the  rights  to  from  other vendors.
          Principal among  these was  the Joyboard, a sort of joystick that
          you stand on, and you sway  and wiggle  your hips  to control the
          switches under the base.  They had a ski game of course, and some
          track & field type games that they sold with this  Joyboard.  But
          one game  the folks  at Amiga  Inc. thought up themselves was the
          Zen Meditation game, where you sat on the  Joyboard and  tried to
          remain perfectly motionless.

          This was  perfect relaxation from product development, as well as
          from the ski game.   And  in fact,  this is  where the  term Guru
          Meditation  comes  from;  the  only  way  to  keep sane when your
          machine crashes all the time is  the  ol'  Joyboard.    The execs
          tried to get them to take out the Guru, but the early developers,
          bless 'em, raised such a hue and cry they had  to put  it back in
          right away.


 (Note:   Recently, Commodore announced that the Term, "Guru Meditation"
          would not be in AmigaDOS 1.4....)


          When RJ interviewed with Amiga Computer (he had been at Williams)
          in July 1983, the  retail price  target for  the Amiga  was $400.
          Perfect for a killer game machine.  By the time he accepted three
          weeks later, the target was up to $600  and rising  fast.  Partly
          this was  due to  the bottom  dropping completely out of the game
          market; the doctors and the execs knew they had to have something
          more  than  just  another  game  box  to survive. That's when the
          techies'  foresight  in  designing   in   everything   from  disk
          controllers  to   keyboard  (yes   the  original   Amiga  had  NO
          KEYBOARD), ports, and disk drives began to pay off.

          The exciting part  of  the  Amiga's  development,  in  a  way its
          adolescence, that  magical time of loss of innocence and exposure
          to the beauties and cruelties of the real  world, began  as plans
          were made  to introduce it, secretly of course, at the Winter CES
          on January 4th, 1984.


            CES, THE AMIGA'S ADOLESCENCE, AND "BUSINESS IS WAR"
            ---------------------------------------------------

       The software was done ten days before the  CES, and  running fine on
 the simulators.    Unfortunately when the hardware  was finally powered up
 several days later, (surprise) it  didn't  match  its  simulations.   This
 hardware, of  course, was  still not in silicon.  The custom chips were in
 fact large breadboards, placed vertically around a central  core and wired
 together round  the edges  like a  Cray.  Each of the three custom 'chips'
 had one of these towers, each one a mass of wires.   According to  RJ, the
 path  leading  up  to  the  first  Amiga  breadboard,  with  its  roll-out
 antistatic flooring, the antistatic walls just  wide enough  apart for one
 person to  fit through  and all  the signs saying Ground Thyself, made one
 think of nothing so much as an altar to some technology god.

       After working feverishly right up to the opening minutes of the CES,
 including most  everybody working  on Christmas, they had a working Amiga,
 still in breadboard, at the show in the booth in  a special  enclosed gray
 room, so  they could give private demos.  Unfortunately if you rode up the
 exhibit-hall escalator and craned your neck, you could  see into  the room
 from the top.

      The Amiga was, RJ reminisced, the hardest he or most anyone there had
 ever worked.  "We worked with a great  passion...my most  cherished memory
 is  how  much  we  cared  about  what  we were doing.  We had something to
 prove...a real love for it.   We  created  our  own  sense  of  family out
 there."   RJ and  Dale Luck  were known  as the "dancing fools" around the
 office because they'd play  really  loud  music  and  dance  around during
 compiles to stay awake.

       After the first successful night of the CES,  all the marketing guys
 got dollar signs in their eyes because the Amiga made  SUCH a  splash even
 though they  were trying  to keep  it "secret."  And so, they took out all
 the technical staff for  Italian food,  everyone got  drunk and  then they
 wandered back  to the  exhibit hall  to work some more on demos, quick bug
 fixes, features that didn't work, and so on.  At CES everyone worked about
 20 hours a day, when they weren't eating or sleeping.

     Late  that  night,  in  their  drunken  stupor,  Dale  and  RJ put the
 finishing touches on what would become the canonical Amiga demo, Boing.

    At last! ...The true story is told.


        THE COMMODORE YEARS:  AMIGA FUTURES, AND BUSINESS AS USUAL
        ----------------------------------------------------------


      After the CES, Amiga Inc. was very nearly  broke and heavily in debt.
 It had  cost quite  a bit  more than  the original $7 million to bring the
 Amiga even that far, and lots more time and money were needed  to bring it
 to the  market.  Unfortunately the doctors wanted out, and wouldn't invest
 any more.  So outside funding was needed, and quick.

      The VP of Finance balanced things for a little while, and even though
 they were  $11 million  in the  hole they  managed to  pay off the longest
 standing debts and  keep  one  step  ahead  of  Chapter  11.    After much
 scrounging, they  got enough  money to take them to the June CES; for that
 they had REAL WORKING SILICON.   People kept  peeking under  the skirts of
 the  booth  tables  asking  "Where's  the  REAL  computer generating these
 displays?"

       Now money started flowing and interest was really being generated in
 the media.   And  like most  small companies, as soon as the money came in
 the door it was spent.    More  people  were  added  -  hardware  folks to
 optimize and  cost-reduce the  design; software  people to  finish the OS.
 Even the sudden influx of  cash  was  only  enough  to  keep  them  out of
 bankruptcy, though; they were still broke and getting broker all the time.

       How much WOULD have been enough?    RJ said that if he were starting
 over, he'd need about $49 million to take the machine from design  idea to
 market.   Of course  Amiga Inc.  had nowhere near that much, and they were
 feeling the  crunch.    Everybody  tightened  their  belts  and persevered
 somehow.   They actually  were at  one point  so broke  they couldn't meet
 their payroll; Dave Morse, the VP of Sales, took out a second  mortgage on
 his house to help cover it, but it still wasn't enough.

       They knew they were going under,  and unless they could find someone
 quick to buy them out they were going to be looking for jobs very shortly.
 They talked  to Sony,  to Apple, to Phillips and HP, Silicon Graphics (who
 just wanted the chips) and even Sears.  Finally...they called Atari. (Boo!
 Hiss!   [literally -  the audience hissed at Jack Tramiel's name!]  Trying
 to be discreet, RJ's  only personal  comment on  Jack Tramiel  was (and it
 took him  a while  to formulate  this sentence) "an interesting product of
 the capitalist system."  Ahem.

       Apparently Tramiel has  been  quoted  as  saying  "Business is War."
 Tramiel  had   recently  left   Commodore  in  a  huff  and  bought  Atari
 "undercover" so that by the time he left C= he  was already  CEO of Atari.
 Realizing that  Commodore was  coming out with their own hot game machine,
 Tramiel figured he'd revenge  himself on  them for  dumping him  by buying
 Amiga Inc.  and driving C= down the tubes with "his" superior product.  So
 Atari gave  them half  a million  just for  negotiating for  a month; that
 money was gone in a day.

       Of course Tramiel saw that Amiga Inc. wasn't in a very good
 bargaining position;  basically  unless they were bought they were  on the
 street.  So he offered  them 98  cents a  share; Dave  Morse held  out for
 $2.00.   But  instead of bargaining in  good faith,  every time  Morse and
 Amiga tried to meet them halfway their bid went down!


               Amiga Inc.:   "Okay, $1.50 a share."

               Jack Tramiel: "No, we think we'll give you 80 cents."

               Amiga Inc.:   "How about $1.25?"

               Jack Tramiel: "70 cents."


 And so on...

       Even Dave Morse, the staunchest believer in the concept that was the
 Amiga, the guiding light  who made  everyone's hair  stand on  end when he
 walked into the room, was getting depressed.  Gloom set in.  Things looked
 grim.

       Then, just three days before  the month deadline  was  up, Commodore
 called.   Two days later they  bought  Amiga Inc. for $4.25 a share.  They
 offered them $4.00, but Dave  Morse  TURNED  THEM  DOWN  saying  it wasn't
 acceptable to his employees;  he was on the verge of walking out when they
 offered $4.25.  He signed right then and there.


       Commodore gave them $27 million  for  development; they'd never seen
 that much money in one place before.  They went right out and bought a Sun
 workstation for every software person, with Ethernet and  disk servers and
 everything.  The excitement was back.

       Commodore  did  many  good things  for  the Amiga; not only did they
 cost-reduce it without losing much functionality, they had this concept of
 it as  a business  machine; this  was a  very different attitude from what
 Amiga Inc. had been  working  with.    Because  of  that  philosophy, they
 improved  the  keyboard    [ha!  -  garyo]   and made lots of other little
 improvements that RJ didn't elaborate on.

       What could Commodore have given them that they didn't? The one thing
 RJ  wanted  most  from  them  was  an extra 18 months of development time.
 Unfortunately Commodore wasn't exactly rich right then either, so they had
 to bring out the product ASAP  [and when is it ever any different?]  Also,
 he said, they could  have MARKETED  it.   (applause!).   If he'd  had that
 extra  18  months,  he  could  have  made Intuition a device rather than a
 separate kind of thing; he could have released it much more bug-free.


 The Future
 ----------

       RJ's advice for A1000 owners: "Keep what you've got.  It's not worth
 it to  trade up.  The A1000 is really a better machine."  This may be sour
 grapes on RJ's part, since the  Amiga 2000  was designed  in Braunschweig,
 West Germany,  and the  version of  the A2000 being worked on in Los Gatos
 was rejected in favor of the Braunschweig-Commodore version.   However the
 A1000  compares  to  the  A2000,  though,  the  Los  Gatos 2000 would have
 certainly been better  than  either  machine.    C=  management  vetoed it
 because Braunschweig  promised a  faster design  turnaround (and, to their
 credit, were much faster in execution than the Los Gatos  group would have
 been) and  more cost-reduction,  which was their specialty.  Los Gatos, on
 the other hand, wanted a dream  machine with  vastly expanded capabilities
 in every  facet of the machine.  The cruel financial facts forced C= to go
 with the Business Computer Group, who did the  Sidecar in  Braunschweig as
 well, and quickly and cheaply.

       So they fired  more  than  half  the staff at the original Los Gatos
 facility, one by one.  That trauma was  to some  extent played  out on the
 net; no  doubt many  of you  remember it as a very difficult and emotional
 time.  There are now only six people  left in  Los Gatos,  and their lease
 expired in March, so thus expires the original Amiga group.

       And..that's  how  RJ  ended  his  talk;  the  rise and fall of Amiga
 Computer Inc.  The future of the Amiga is now in the  hands of Westchester
 and Braunschweig, and who knows what direction it will take?


             Q & A Session:  Boston Computer Society and RJ Mical
             ----------------------------------------------------

       I'll  just  make  this  part  a  list  of technical questions and
 answers, since that was the format at the talk anyway.  This  part is part
 technical inquiries and part total rumor mill; caveat emptor.


               Questions are from the audience, Answers are =RJ=.

                        -----------------------------

 Q: Can you do double buffering with Intuition?
 A: Pop  answer: No.  Thought-out: well, yes, but it's not easy.  Use
    MenuVerify and don't change the display while menus are up.  It's
    pretty hairy.


 Q: How big is intuition (source code)?
 A: The  listings (commented) are about a foot thick, 60 lpp, 1 inch
    margins.


 Q: Where did MetaComCo come into the Amiga story?
 A: MCC's AmigaDOS was a backup plan; the original Los Gatos-written
    AmigaDOS was  done with some co-developers who dropped out due to
    contract and money hassles when C= bought Amiga.  Then MCC had to crank
    EXTREMELY hard  to get their BCPL DOS into the system at the last
    possible minute.


 Q: Why no MMU (support in the Amiga's Operating System)?
 A: Several reasons.  Obviously, cost was a factor.  MMUs available at the
    time the Amiga was designed also consumed system time [this is what he
    said- I'm just the scribe]; although newer MMUs solve this problem they
    were too late for the Amiga.

    Second, the original goal of the Amiga was to be a killer game machine
    with easy low-level access, and an MMU didn't seem necessary for a game
    machine.

    Third [get this!] with an MMU, message-passing becomes MUCH
    hairier and slower, since in the Amiga messages are passed by just
    passing a pointer to someone else's memory.  With protection, either
    public memory would need to be done and system calls issued to allocate
    it, etc., or the entire message would have to be passed.  Yecch.  So
    the lack of MMU actually speeds up the basic operation of the Amiga
    several fold.


 Q: Why no resource tracking?
 A: The original AmigaDOS/Exec had resource tracking; it's a shame it died.


 Q: How is your game coming? [??]
 A: It's just now becoming a front-burner project.  It's number crunch
    intensive; hopefully it will even take over the PC part of the 2000 for
    extra crunch.  It's half action, half strategy; the 'creation' part is
    done, only the playing part needs to be written.  Next question. :-)


 Q: Will there ever be an advanced version of the chip set?
 A: Well, Jay Miner isn't working on anything right now...  [RUMOR ALERT]
    The chip folks left in Los Gatos who are losing their lease in March
    were at one time thinking about 1k square 2meg chip space 128-color
    graphics, although still with 4 bit color DACs though...and even stuff
    like a blitter per plane (!!) They were supposed to be done now, in the
    original plans; the chip designers will be gone in March, but the
    design may (?) continue in West Chester.  Maybe they'll be here two
    years from now.

 Q: What will happen to the unused Los Gatos A2000 design?
 A: ??????

         (Note:  Reportedly, this design eventually became the Amiga 3000's
         Enhanced Chip Set.)

 Q: Should I upgrade from my 1000 to a 2000?
 A: Probably not.  The 2000 isn't enough better to justify the cost. Unless
    you need the PC compatibility, RJ advocated staying with the
    1000.  After all the 2000 doesn't have the nifty garage for the
    keyboard...:-)  The A1000 keyboard is better built; you can have
    Kickstart on disk; it's smaller and a LOT quieter, [maybe not than the
    old internal drives!!!] and uses less power; the 2000 has no composite
    video out, plus the RGB quality is a tad worse.  Composite video (PAL
    or NTSC) is an extra-cost option with the 2000.


 Q: Have you ever seen a working Amiga-Live!?
 A: Yes, I've seen it taking 32-color images at 16fps, and HAM pictures at
    something like half that. [!!]  It's all done and working.  I don't
    know why it's not out.  It sure beats Digiview at 8 seconds per image!


 Q: What do you use for Amiga development tools?
 A: DPaint and Infominder, Aztec C, Andy Finkel's Microemacs.


 Q: What's the future of the A1000?
 A: They aren't making any right now; they're just shipping from stock.
    But they do claim that they intend to continue making them.

 Note:  Shortly after RJ   Mical's talk,  news surfaced  that Commodore had
        decided to  not make anymore Amiga 1000s, but to make a unified
        front with the Amiga 2000....)


 Q: Who is the competition for Amiga right now?
 A: The new Macs are so expensive, they're not a threat to the 2000, much
    less the 1000.  Atari's new stuff "doesn't impress me." [that's all he
    said.]


 Q: Why are the pixels 10% higher than wide?
 A: The hardware came out that way, and it would have been a pain  to do it
    any other way due to sync-rate-multiple timing constraints.






  """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

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                             =================

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     1. Dial 617-576-0862 with any terminal or PC  and modem  (at 2400 bps,
        dial 576-2981).
     2. At the Username prompt, type JOINDELPHI.
     3. At the Password prompt enter STREPORT.

 For more information call:
                 DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005
                                    or
    at 617-491-3393 from within Massachusetts or from outside the U.S.

 DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge, Mass.


                           SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
                           --------------------

 The 20/20  Advantage Plan  IS FANTASTIC!   And it features 20 hours online
 for just $20 a month!  The $20 is a monthly fee that covers  your first 20
 hours online via direct dial into one of DELPHI's two direct-access lines,
 or via a special Tymnet 20/20 Access code.   It  also gets  you additional
 hours at just $1.20 per hour.  And you get free access to several services
 on DELPHI as part of the Advantage Perks.

 Other telecom services may have additional charges.  Canadian Tymnet users
 have an  additional telecom charge.  Office Time access (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
 weekdays) may have an additional charge.   And  of course,  other restric-
 tions may apply.  But this is still an amazing deal!

 For more information please contact:

           DELPHI at 1-800-544-4005 and ask for Member Services.

                 DELPHI- It's getting better all the time!

 SPECIAL NOTICE
 --------------

           On Tuesday, May 21st, the ST Advantage will host the
                  first ST Online Panel Discussion ever.

          The topic will be 'Atari - Here today, gone tomorrow?'
                The following ST developers have committed:
                     John Eidsvoog - CodeHead Software
                    DA Brumleve - DA Brumleve Software
                          Tom Harker - ICD, Inc.

           The following ST developers have expressed interest:
                  Charles F. Johnson - CodeHead Software
                      Nathan Potechin - ISD Marketing
                       Jim Allen - Fast Technologies

                Additional ST developers are being invited.

             The Online Panel Discussion will begin at 10 p.m.
                              (Eastern Time)



  """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""




 > CPU STATUS REPORT                  LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
   =================



   Issue #19

 Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.




 - Merlin, Oregon                        LOCAL AREA NETWORKING FOR THE ST
   --------------

 A&D Software has announced The Universal Network for the Atari  ST.  The
 the networking system,  which costs $89.95 per node,  takes place in the
 background,  thus  freeing  the  user  to run normal  ST  tasks  in  the
 foreground.  Any number of ST stations can be linked using The Universal
 Network which runs on any Atari ST, although 1-meg of RAM is recommended
 so  as  to  let  all software to  run  effectively  within  the  network
 environment.



 - Long Beach, California            NEW LASER PRINTER UTILITY FOR THE ST
   ----------------------

 Software  Development Systems (SDS) has released the  Deskjet  Utilities
 Pak for the Atari ST.  The $34.50 package allows ST users to set up  the
 fonts,  character sets,  and printer attribute configurations on the  HP
 Laserjet  (and compatible) laser printers.  Deskjet Utilities  Pak  only
 uses  9k of RAM and can be set up to work with the ST's  new  extensible
 control panel.

 Deskjet  Utilities  Pal allows Degas Elite,  Macpaint and Gem  .IMG  (ST
 proprietary  format)  files to be printed on the laser  printer  in  all
 their glory.  Also, because the package can be loaded alongside existing
 Atari  ST word processing software,  it can be set so as not  to  permit
 other software to reset the laser printer's configurations.



 - Washington, D.C.                IBM AND ASYMETRIX CHALLENGED BY
   ---------------                     ZOOMRACKS INVENTOR

 Paul Heckel,  inventor of Zoomracks,  and who defeated Apple in a  legal
 challenge over Hypercard, is now challenging both IBM and Asymetrix over
 the  alleged use of his patented software in a product called  Toolbook,
 which is produced by Asymetrix and bundled with some PS/2 computers.

 Mr.  Heckel is the president of Quickview Systems,  which he founded  in
 1982 to market Zoomracks and received patent protection in 1984.



 - Milpitas, California                     QUANTUM PROFITS ALMOST DOUBLE
   --------------------

 Quantum,  an independent manufacturer of mass storage systems used in  a
 variety of computers including desktop workstations, personal computers,
 notebook and laptop computers,  reported a 97% increase in sales for the
 fiscal year ending March 31,  1991, resulting in $877.7 million in sales
 and a net income of $73.9 million for the year. Much of the increase was
 attributed  to Apple's inclusion of the 1-inch high,  3.5-inch 40MB  and
 80MB drives in the new Apple Classic and LC computers.



 - Norcross, Georgia                   HAYES CUTS 9600 BAUD MODEM PRICES
   -----------------

 Responding  to growing competition in the 9,600 bit/second modem  arena,
 Hayes cut prices about $200 on its V-Series and Ultra 9,600 modems.  The
 V-Series  dropped to $799 and the Ultra to $999.  The price cuts are  in
 line with those of Hayes' major competitors, including US Robotics.



 - Redmond, Washington                 MICROSOFT EXPANDS WINDOWS SUPPORT
   -------------------

 Users wishing to turn themselves into Windows gurus can now purchase the
 200-page  Windows  Resource Kit from Microsoft for  $14.50  (plus  $5.50
 shipping and handling.)

 The  kit  includes a collection of supplemental and  technical  material
 that  has been produced since the release of Windows 3.0.  The kit  also
 includes several software packages, including the hDC Memory Viewer, two
 utilities for creating or copying icons, and a screen saver utility.



 - Washington, D.C.                         ARE DESKTOP COMPUTERS DEAD?
   ----------------

 According  to a recent survey taken of nearly 1,000 people at the Lap  &
 Palmtop '91  show in New York,  the vast majority indicated  that  their
 companies  would  buy notebook or laptop computers as a  substitute  for
 desktop  computers.  Only  22% replied that their  companies  would  not
 choose the battery-operated systems over desktop PCs.

 Dataquest,  a Silicon Valley-based research firm, has predicted a 20-30%
 increase in laptop and notebook sales over the next three  years,  while
 desktop  sales will drop from the present 89% of the market to  slightly
 above half.



 - Austin, Texas                      NEW 486'S FROM DELL COMPUTER CORP.
   -------------

 Dell  Computer  Corporation has shown two new systems based  on  Intel's
 newly  released  stripped-down 20 mhz 486SX and souped up 50  mhz  486DX
 chipsets.  Both models use the 32-bit EISA bus,  and use a BIOS that can
 be upgraded by software instead of by changing chips.



 - Washington, D.C.                  PRESIDENT LEARNING ABOUT COMPUTERS
   ----------------

 President Bush is striving to show his concern for continuing  education
 and the White House's appreciation of the need for computer literacy, by
 learning to use a recently installed IBM PS/2. The president is learning
 to turn the computer on and off and exploring the ins and outs of how to
 write memos in WordPerfect 5.0.

 First  Lady  Barbara  Bush  is said  to  be  partially  responsible  for
 convincing the chief executive to learn something about computers - Mrs.
 Bush already carries a computer with her on trips.



 - San Francisco, California           BORLAND WORKING ON DBASE-LIKE
   -------------------------                MS-WINDOWS PROGRAM

 According  to  Borland International's President  and  founder  Philippe
 Kahn,  Borland  will produce a Windows-based database front end that  is
 compatible with the dBASE language from both a 'dialect' and data access
 standpoint within the next 12 months.  The software technology will  use
 Borland's  existing Paradox database engine as its 'back-end'  and  will
 handle  both existing dBASE-language applications as well as dBASE  data
 files.



 - Manhasset, New York               RESELLERS SKEPTICAL ABOUT IBM AND
   -------------------                       COMPAQ PRICE CUTS

 Attempting to be more competitive with clone manufacturers,  Compaq  and
 IBM have recently lowered prices on their 386SX systems.  Compaq lowered
 dealer  prices on a 386SX system with a 40-meg hard drive to $1,399  and
 IBM brought its Model 55SX with its 386SX microprocessor and 30-meg hard
 disk to $1,797.

 Even though these are big price drops, dealers are still not happy since
 their costs on the systems are still above the list prices of comparable
 computers  from  respected  clone manufacturers such as  Dell  and  Zeos
 International.

 IBM  and Compaq have always been viewed as a good buy because  of  their
 reliability and support,  a major survey of users published in the Sept.
 25,  1990  PC Magazine showed that,  while both companies enjoy a  solid
 reputation, some clone makers rated higher in reliability and service.





          _______________________________________________________






 > ACCEPT UG OFFER! STR InfoFile          Free ACCEPT Membership offer
   =============================





        ***************A Special Offer from ACCEPT****************

 The Advanced Computer Club of El Paso, Texas is having a once in a
              lifetime special offer: Free Membership!
 That's right, from now until the end of June, 1991, ACCEPT is
 offering a free 3 month trial membership to any Atari user in the
                     United States of America.

                 ---===Membership includes:===---
       A three month subscription to Atari Interface Magazine

         A three month subscription to Atari User Magazine

   Access to our entire pd library of over 250 megs of software!

               A free disk listing our entire library

                A free disk sampling of pd software
       ($2.00 shipping fee. Sorry, we aren't made of money!)

     Special access to our private BBS: STE-EP at 915-821-9220

               Discounts from Jenkins' Computer Store
 (When you order from their toll free line, 1-800-880-6938, let 'em
  know you are a member, and receive an automatic 10% discount!)

 Technical help from the only Atari user computer group in all of West
          Texas, southern New Mexico, and eastern Arizona!

 What's the  catch? Nothing!  We are just attempting to gain a few new mem-
 bers, and hope that you will be impressed enough to join us full time once
 your trial  membership expires.   If  you do not have a user group in your
 area, why not join  us?   Membership fees  are only  $20.00 per  year, and
 include all of the above, except for a year, not 3 months!

 Simply fill  out the  form below,  detach it, and mail it in.  Once we get
 you in our computer, you will be receiving all the club stuff for the next
 three months,for  free!  But you have to hurry, this offer expires on June
 30, 1991.

     -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                  -CLIP-

                       Free ACCEPT Membership offer


 NAME __________________________________________DATE: ___/___/___

 ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________

 CITY: _____________________________ STATE: _______ ZIP:_________

 TYPE OF COMPUTER: ________________

 WHERE DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS OFFER? ____________________________

 PLEASE RETURN THIS COUPON TO:

                             ACCEPT USERGROUP
                             10953 YOGI BERRA
                              EL PASO, TEXAS
                                   79934

                               ATT: TIM HOLT

                          OFFER EXPIRES 6-30-91.
                VALID ONLY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
   ACCEPT IS A PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT COMPUTER USER GROUP, FOUNDED IN 1987.
                  OFFER SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

                    Current members exempt from offer.


                                  -CLIP-
     -----------------------------------------------------------------





 > STR Portfolio News & Information           Keeping up to date...
   ================================



                         THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM
                         =========================


 On CompuServe


 by Walter Daniel  75066,164


     The big news this week was David Stewart's  program 60COLS.EXE.   This
 program is  a demo  of software  he is developing that reduces the size of
 each character in order to have a 60 column by 10 row screen.  The library
 filename  is  60BY10.ZIP;  it  includes  the program, documentation, and a
 character data file.  The demo  allows you  to type  upper- and lower-case
 characters on  the screen.  I tried it and found the display readable, but
 then I still have young eyes.  David reports that he is working on  a word
 processor and  a Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) utility that will allow
 other programs to use the 60 by 10 display.

     Keith Comer tried 60COLS and decided he could improve it.  His upload,
 CDATA.DAT is  a new font file for 60COLS that must be renamed CHARDATA.DAT
 to replace the original one.  I found the display  more legible  with Kei-
 th's fonts.

     David  Stewart  also  uploaded  40COLS.ZIP, a program that will format
 text files for the Portfolio 40 column  screen.    (Is  this  guy  busy or
 what?)   He's also  working on a file viewer that uses the 60 by 10 screen
 code.  You may recall that David also  uploaded a  program named  80COLS a
 while  back  that  allowed  flipping  the display between columns 1-40 and
 41-80.

     A complete list of the files in the  libraries of  the Atari Portfolio
 Forum was  uploaded this  week (see PFCISL.ZIP).  The file unzips to 128k,
 so don't even try to do so on your Portfolio.

     The ever-prolific BJ Gleason uploaded a  short program  that will dis-
 play the  number of  days since  you installed the batteries (see BM.ZIP).
 I've always kept a slip of paper inside  the battery  compartment with the
 date  of  battery  installation  written  on it, but the advantage of BJ's
 program is that you can tell your Portfolio to remind  you every  time you
 boot.   The program  is a  regular EXE  file, but it can be called by your
 AUTOEXEC.BAT file.



       _____________________________________________________________





 > STE Memory UG STR FOCUS                   Using SIMMS successfully
   =======================




                 UPGRADING THE MEMORY IN YOUR STE/MEGASTE
                 ========================================


 by Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.


 It  seems some of the most asked questions by STe/MegaSTe owners is  how
 to upgrade their memory,  what type of SIMMS to use,  where to get them,
 and what is the best price.  In this article I'll attempt to answer some
 of these questions using information compiled from one of the major  on-
 line networks.

 Computer  Shopper  has ads for some of the lowest SIMMS  prices  around.
 Pick  up one and browse though it and you'll find 100's of  places  that
 have  SIMMS on sale at 100's of different prices.  One place that  keeps
 getting  mentioned  for having the lowest prices on SIMMS  is  The  Chip
 Merchant.  Their prices fluctuate almost daily,  so call to double-check
 before  ordering,  don't trust that the prices in a magazine  are  still
 current.

 (NOTE:  I recently read of someone having a bad experience with The Chip
 Merchant,  but most people,  myself included,  have not had any problems
 with them.)

 Since  December,  SIMMS  prices  have been  rising,  so  expect  to  pay
 somewhere  in the $43-$50 range (per chip - you will need 4 chips to  go
 to 4-megs).   That means you will pay somewhere between $170-$200 to up-
 grade to a full 4-megs.

 Now onto the hardware stuff...

 FIRST  - Remember,  upgrading your memory will void your warranty, so it
 is always best to wait until after your warranty expires.  Always unplug
 your  system before working on it and ALWAYS make sure you  don't  touch
 the power supply (it can still 'bite' even if the system is  unplugged).
 Also,  make sure that you are properly grounded so that no stray  static
 electricity can inadvertently kill some part.

 SECOND - Some basic information about SIMMS (remember,  you want to  buy
 SIMMS,  not SIPS).  SIMMS are eight chips that come on a little card and
 are approximately 1" high x 3" to 4" long.

 There  are  two  basic types of SIMMS available that will  work  in  the
 STe/MegaSTe,  the 8x1mb (megabit) Macintosh type and the 9x1mb IBM type.
 The 8x1mb usually is a little cheaper but the 9x1mb will work in an  IBM
 (if you would ever anticipate that need).  But make sure they are either
 8x1mb or 9x1mb SIMMS and not 8x4x256k or something else.

 SIMMS  come  in both low- and high-profile  models.  Again,  it  doesn't
 matter which one you get as both will work just fine in the STe/MegaSTe.
 Also, since the STe/MegaSTe will handle any SIMMS faster than 150ns, and
 since no-one sells SIMMS slower than that,  it doesn't matter what speed
 you buy.

 THIRD  - Removing the old SIMMS (on a STe,  I assume the MegaSTe will be
 similar).   Open  the  case (this will void  your  warranty),  with  the
 keyboard facing you. You will see two metal RF shielding covers, a large
 one  that  covers the main mother-board and a smaller one  (towards  the
 rear)  that covers the SIMMS.  The smaller one is the only one you  will
 need to remove.

 Once you have taken off the smaller metal shield, you will see four 256k
 SIMMS  in four slots.  Make a note of which direction they  are  facing.
 They are easy to remove but you will need to exercise some caution while
 removing them. There is a little plastic clip on each side of each SIMMS
 which locks them in place. Just move the clip to the side, which unlocks
 it. (NOTE: This clip is easy to break off if you are not careful! I know
 of  a local Atari tech who found this out the hard way on  his  personal
 STe and now has rubber bands holding his SIMMS in place.) Gently  'rock'
 the SIMMS toward you,  and they should pull out easily. (NOTE: Don't use
 force, they are easy to pull out once the tabs/clip is unlocked.)

 FOUR   - Installation  (for  a STe but the MegaSTe should  be  similar).
 Just do the reverse of the above procedure.  Just snap the 1meg SIMMS in
 place, making sure they face the same direction as the originals did and
 re-lock the plastic tabs/clips.

 If you are upgrading to 4-megs,  just put one of the new SIMMS into each
 socket,  lock them back in and go to procedure number FIVE.  If you  are
 just upgrading to 2-megs,  install one SIMMS in the first socket and the
 other  in  the third socket (the first socket is the one  at  the  rear,
 furthest away from the keyboard).

 One thing that you need to know if you're only upgrading to 2-megs,  you
 can't  use your old 256k SIMMS in the other banks (i.e.,  slots) to  get
 2.5-megs  of  memory.  The STe/MegaSTe's hardware just won't  allow  it.
 There is some software floating around that supposedly will allow you to
 access the extra .5 megs of memory,  but it has had 'mixed reviews'  and
 many people report problems when they use it.

 FIVE   - You are almost through! Now just re-install the metal RF shield
 and put your case back together and you're all done.

 Before  doing this you might want to power up your system and make  sure
 all  of your connections are tight.  If you only upgraded to 2-megs  and
 find that you don't get video when you power-up,  you probably installed
 the two SIMMS in the wrong sockets.  Unplug the system again, remove the
 two SIMMS and put both of them in the opposite sockets.

 The  actual removal and installation is much simpler than what it  seems
 to be in this article.  It will probably only take you 10-15 minutes  to
 do the whole upgrade.

 Credits To:
                                 J.Douglas
                          Ron Grant - GXR Systems
                 Johnathan Budil - Fiction Collective Two
                                Brien King
                               Cory Chapman



        __________________________________________________________






  ***********************************************************************


                    :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!! <-

         GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
            Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission


  ***********************************************************************






 > The Flip Side STR Feature           ".... A different viewpoint"
   =========================




                    A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT
                    ==================================


 by Michael Lee

 There  have been some interesting discussions on the various  major  on-
 line  services  recently.  These  discussions cover a  wide  variety  of
 subjects and sometimes get quite lengthy.  Starting this week, I'm going
 to  attempt  to 'digest' and compile some of the ones that I  found  the
 most interesting (this weeks is about laser printers from the  SoftLogik
 RoundTable  on  Genie).   Keep in mind when you  read  these  'digested'
 topics,  that  many  covered 10-30 different posts from  2-10  different
 people. Not being a professional writer, I only hope that I can keep the
 original 'flavor' intact.

 Also,  I've  re-started including some posts from the ST  RoundTable  on
 Genie. But due to their new rules and the normal limitations this column
 is subject to, I will be forced to do more paraphrasing and thus, I will
 not  be able to give the original poster proper credit.  (If I give  him
 credit, then I'm quoting from him - a Catch-22 situation.)

                             ----------------

 About the new DC Shower, from AGASSI on Delphi...
    ...my DC Shower  arrived yesterday and I had a chance to try  it  out
    today.  I've got to say that the folks at Double Click always seem to
    develop  the  absolutely most innovative utilities that  seem  to  be
    EXACTLY  something  that  I  can use.  DC  Shower  is  definitely  no
    exception!  It  will view 17 different picture types,  [it  has]...an
    excellent  text  file  viewer (including a  hex  mode),  as  well  as
    extracts ARC, LZH, ZIP and ZOO files faster than anything else on the
    market  (except  for DCopy,  which is only a few seconds  faster  per
    megabyte...).

    ...[viewing] text files is very quick...since all of the modules  are
    memory resident,  yet [the modules] take up very little memory. Also,
    since  each  portion  is a module,  Double  Click  is  promoting  the
    addition of more "modules" to the system, suggesting that even a full
    fledged  text  editor  could replace the  current  text  viewer...Hot
    stuff!

                              ----------------

 Some misc.  comments by STACE - Mark Booth - (RT Sysop) from the Gadgets
 RoundTable on Genie...
    I've  had  a couple of other folks that had  some  printing  problems
    right  after they installed System 6.0.5.  In these  cases,  however,
    they weren't able to get ANY output at all. In both cases, going back
    and  re-installing  the  System software again  (6.0.5)  fixed  their
    problems. I think I will stick with 6.0.4 for a while.

 About  problems  with Touch Up saved Macpaint  files  from  STACE - Mark
 Booth - (RT Sysop)...
    From what I have read,  apparently Touch-Up saves MacPaint files in a
    slightly incompatible format.  In other words,  it doesn't save in  a
    "true"  Mac format.  I believe everyone has been saving files out  of
    Touch-Up  as  .PI3 Degas pics and then converting  them  to  MacPaint
    format using PI32MAC.PRG (available in the ST RT libraries).

                              ----------------

 About new GFA support, from John Barger (GFA-Software) on CIS...
    ...I'm  now  running  the software support  section  of  GFA-Software
    Technologies  Inc.  (a  US  subsidiary of  the  German  company  GFA-
    Systemtechnik). We produce, among other things, a product called GFA-
    BASIC.  It combines the intuitive syntax of BASIC with the structured
    programming  of PASCAL and C,  while possessing a speed of  execution
    similar  to C or ASSEMBLER.  C and ASSEMBLER code can be bound in  to
    GFA-BASIC  programs as well.  GFA-BASIC is extremely  portable.  Code
    written with one version of GFA-BASIC can be ported,  with little  or
    no modification,  to any of over nine versions (including:  ATARI  ST
    and TT,  AMIGA, MS-DOS, WINDOWS 3.0, OS/2 and UNIX)...If you have ANY
    questions write or call:

      John Barger
      GFA-Software Technologies Inc.
      27 Congress St.
      Salem, MA 01970
      Tel: (508) 744-0201
      FAX: (508) 744-8041

    ...Right now ALL ATARI users can buy the MS-DOS version of  GFA-BASIC
    for 50% off. Give us a call for more info.

 Question from Gary Gray (Megabyte Plus) on CIS...
    I am interested in the availability of GFA TT.  I am a dealer at this
    point my primary distributor is Pacific Software. Will I need to wait
    till they have GFA TT in stock,  or can I order direct from the above
    address.

 Answer from John Barger (GFA Software) on CIS...
    At the moment the ONLY way to get ANY GFA-Product is from us  direct.
    We  are still wondering whether or not to go through secondary  dist-
    ributors.  (That...does not include anything that they bought  BEFORE
    we stopped using ANTIC as the US distributor.)

    AS  for  the TT version (3.6) I'm not sure how we are going  to  work
    that.  (IE:  Upgrade, separate product, or something else.) Give me a
    call Friday next week (MAY 3rd) and I should have and answer.

                              ----------------

 Paraphrased and compiled posts from the ST RoundTable on Genie about the
 Quantum LPS105S...
    The  Quantum  LPS105S,  105-meg hard drive that  has  been  discussed
    recently  on Genie and in ST Report (issue 716) is a bare drive  that
    still requires a host adaptor,  case,  power supply, cables, etc. You
    cannot just buy one and plug it into the back of your  computer.  ICD
    sells  a hard drive kit that has all of the needed items included  in
    it.

    Since the Quantum LPS105S is so fast,  quiet,  small, inexpensive and
    has  such  a low-power demand,  it makes an excellent  internal  hard
    drive  for the MegaST and is recommended by ICD.  ICD also  sells  an
    internal hard drive installation kit for the MegaST.

    One thing you should know,  if you put an internal hard drive  inside
    the MegaST, you will not be able to use the Atari laser printer.

                              ----------------

 Which  Postscript  Laser  printer to buy?   Here's  some  questions  and
 answers from the Soft Logik RT on Genie (Note:  many of the replies were
 compiled from 2-4 posts)...

 Question from M.Buckhold...
    ...I'm wanting to buy a postscript laser, but can't decide which one.
    I am a freelance typesetter and designer,  working with Pagestream on
    a Mega ST4,  with ultrascript and SLM804. I need to upgrade to a good
    Postscript  Laser  that  does well with  small  type.  I'm  currently
    looking at:
      * QMS PS-410
      * NEC Silentwriter2 L-90 (great price at only $1595.00)
      * HPIII with Adobe ps cartridge or Pacific Page cartridge

 Answer from Mike Angier...
    I  use the NEC Silentwriter II Model 90 and have nothing  but  praise
    for this machine.  Compared to the Cannon-based machines (HP et  al),
    the NEC has some of the best quality blacks that I have seen. The NEC
    is 6 ppm and can be connected either serial, parallel or LocalTalk.

    The  toner/photodrum unit is more expensive than the  HP  equivalent,
    but  per page it is very close...The NEC toner drum unit (one  piece)
    sells  for about $170 but is rated at 8000 pages and 5% coverage  (be
    careful with IBM, they rate their carts at 2.8% coverage)..

    Compared to the HP's, the NEC uses true Adobe Postscript v52.2 with a
    16.7  MHz  68000 cpu...much faster than  emulator  cart's.  The  only
    problem that I've had with the NEC is that some large type-3 files do
    not print on legal size paper with only 2 meg.  Upgrade memory on the
    NEC to 4 megs lists for $499 and sells for about $350.  This  problem
    only occurs with 8 or 9 of my 120 or so fonts.

 Answer from FRED.M...
    ...I  think  the HP-III would be a good choice with  its  "Resolution
    Enhancement" to provide 600 dpi looking output (though it's still 300
    dpi).  From  what I've heard,  if you go the cartridge route get  the
    ADOBE Postscript cartridge for best compatibility plus its faster.

 Answer from David B...
    I agree with Fred in regard to the ADOBE PS cart.  My school,  due to
    budgeting and the mix of computers we have, selected the Pacific cart
    and while it isn't at all bad,  there have been a few times I've  had
    to either take a file to a friend's house or redo a drawing due to  a
    very fancy fill or mask.

 From John & Dee Dee Martin...
    Good luck with your decision on buying a laser printer.  I know  what
    Dee Dee and I went thru when we "bite the bullet".  You want to  make
    sure you make the right choice.

    After  looking at quite a few sample printouts and comparing all  the
    cost factors, we kept going back to the HP III with the Adobe (NOT an
    emulator)  cartridge.  2 extra megs of RAM (it comes with 1)  and  we
    felt like we configured it about as best we could...One nice  feature
    of  the  HP  III is that the toner/drum assembly  is  one  unit.  You
    replace both at the same time for approx. $60-75 mail order.

    Do yourself a favor and get a sample printout of the same page before
    you  make a decision.  The appearance of 400-600 dpi from the HP  III
    made  the particular sample(s) we looked at,  stand out like  a  sore
    thumb.

 Answer from Mike Loader...
    The QMS 410 has a couple of advantages:
      First, auto HP/PS sensing. No buttons to push to switch emulations.
      It 'tastes' the docs to find out what they are.

      Second, it's fast.  Real fast.  68020 at 16MHz. If you go the cart-
      ridge  route,  you  will  be looking at least 3  times  longer  for
      printouts.

      Third, there's only 1 disposable, and it's clean.

      Fourth, it has SER, PAR and AppleTalk built in, and if you are net-
      working, it'll queue incoming docs from different sources. Wow!

      Fifth, it has 45 fonts, not 35. Plus 2 font slots.

      Sixth, it has 2MB expandable to 6.

      Seventh, it's designed to take a PostScript level 2 upgrade  board,
      which few of the other available printers advertised as capable of.

      And lastly, eighth, it's a great little printer!

    (But  don't  expect to print legal to it from  PageStream  without  a
    legal cartridge yet!)

                              ----------------

 Paraphrased from a post from the ST RoundTable on Genie about the  where
 to find the cheapest price for 1040STe...
    Joppa (1-800-876-6040),  Toad Computers (1-800-448-TOAD) and  Zepher/
    STPlus (1-800-759-1110) are three places that have some of the lowest
    prices  around for the 1040 STe's.  Their prices are usually  in  the
    $385-$399 range,  but could fall lower.  If you want a STe and  don't
    need  a  local dealers support (or don't have a  local  dealer),  you
    might check these two places out.

                              -----------------

 Question from John Fournier about TT/GCR problems on the Gadgets  Round-
 Table on Genie..
    How  many other TT030 owners out there have not been able to get  GCR
    to  work?   Mine  freezes up after pressing [RETURN] to go  into  Mac
    mode.  It lights the floppy lights on both drives, sends something to
    the modem, and freezes. [It] also seems to relocate the screen for an
    instant. Anyone else have this problem....

 Answer from STACE - Mark Booth - from the Gadgets RoundTable on Genie...
    My local dealer has been unable to make Spectre GCR work on his TT as
    well.  A Spectre 128,  however, is reported to work fine. I suggested
    he try disconnecting the floppy cable on the GCR, just to see if that
    made a difference. I have not talked to him since to see what results
    he had.

    Apparently,  some  TT's are more incompatible with Spectre  GCR  than
    others.  I  have  personally  used a TT that worked  just  fine  with
    Spectre GCR.  Unfortunately, your report of problems is not the first
    report.  One fellow in Canada had to exchange his way through 3  TT's
    to find one that worked with Spectre GCR.  In his case,  Spectre  128
    worked just fine as well.

    I  don't know what steps (if any) Gadgets is taking to try  to  solve
    this  mystery.  I honestly don't think the "blame" is in the  lap  of
    Gadgets.  It seems pretty obvious that something about the design  in
    the TT is causing the problem.  The very same GCR that wouldn't  work
    with  my dealer's TT worked just fine on two  different  ST's.  Since
    some  TT's  work  fine  and others don't,  my  best  guess  would  be
    something along the lines of weak bus drivers or similar. Perhaps the
    TT,  by  its  very design,  just can't handle as much "load"  on  the
    cartridge port as the ST???

                              ----------------

 Some comments about 'Just Another War In Space' from John Thornburgh  on
 the ST RoundTable (Cat. 9, Topic 6, Message 17) on Genie...
    I  decided  to  try this game out.  I really wouldn't  say  it's  too
    complicated;  getting the basic controls down wasn't that  hard.  The
    tutorial is no problem.

    But the game is definitely hard. After the tutorial, I tried scenario
    #2. At the default difficulty (750), I got blown away! So I turned it
    down to 100,  and managed to win.  The I tried 300. The problem there
    is  the  enemy disappears (goes into hyperspace) when I start  to  do
    well,  so I've never won,  though I don't lose either.  This is a bit
    frustrating.

    All in all,  looks to be an interesting game.  I do wish some of  the
    controls  were  a little better.  I'd like the ability to  program  a
    course, not just a heading and thrust setting, for example.

                              ----------------

 Until next week.....



       ____________________________________________________________






 > PRODIGY - FOR REAL? STR Spotlight          Problems in La-La Land
   =================================




                     MORE OF A PRODIGY THAN WE THINK?
                     ================================



 By Linda Houser Rohbough


     The Los Angeles County D.A's Office made known that it  is considering
 additional charges  against Prodigy,  a computer information service oper-
 ated by Sears Roebuck & Co and IBM.  The D.A.'s office said its investiga-
 tion into Prodigy to include possible criminal and civil violations invol-
 ving alleged unfair business practices  and  unauthorized  access  to com-
 puters and  computer data.   They said a file called STAGE. DAT created by
 Prodigy software to facilitate processing is the file in question  and the
 reason for the expanded investigation.

     The L.  A. County  District Attorney is formally investigating PRODIGY
 for deceptive trade practices.  Computer users nationwide, are free to an-
 nounce the  fact of the investigation.  Anyone can file a complaint.  From
 anywhere.

 The address is:

                        District Attorney's Office
                     Department of Consumer Protection
            Attn:  RICH GOLDSTEIN, Investigator Hall of Records
                      Room 540320 West Temple Street
                           Los Angeles, CA 90012

     Please, Goldstein doesn't want  phone calls,  he wants  simple written
 statements and  copies (no  originals) of any relevant documents attached.
 He will call the individuals as needed, he doesn't want  his phone ringing
 off the  hook, but  you may  call him  if it  is urgent at 1-213-974-3981.
 PLEASE READ THIS SECTION EXTRA CAREFULLY.  YOU  NEED NOT  BE IN CALIFORNIA
 TO FILE!!  THE COUNTY IS REPRESENTING THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.  This ISN'T
 limited to L. A. County and  complaints are  welcome from  ANYWHERE in the
 Country or the world.  The idea is investigation of specific Code Sections
 and if a Nationwide Pattern is shown, all the better.

     The stigma that haunts child prodigies is that  they are  difficult to
 get along  with, mischievous  and occasionally, just flat dangerous, using
 innocence to trick us.  I  wonder if  that label  fits Prodigy,  Sears and
 IBM's telecommunications network?

     Those of  you who  read my December article know that I was tipped off
 at COMDEX to look at a Prodigy file,  created when  Prodigy is  loaded ST-
 AGE.DAT.   I was  told I would find in that file personal information from
 my hard disk unrelated to Prodigy.  As you know, I did find copies  of the
 source code  to our  product FastTrack,  in STAGE.DAT.  The fact that they
 were there at all gave me the same feeling of  violation as  the last time
 my home was broken into by burglars.

     I invite  you to  look at your own STAGE.DAT file, if you're a Prodigy
 user, and see if you found anything suspect.  Since then I  have had nume-
 rous calls  with reports of similar finds, everything from private patient
 medical information to classified government information.

     The danger is Prodigy is uploading STAGE.DAT and taking a look at your
 private business.   Why?   My guess is marketing research, which is expen-
 sive through legitimate channels, and unwelcomed by you and I.   The ques-
 tion now  is:   Is it on purpose, or a mistake?  One caller theorizes that
 it is a bug.  He looked at STAGE.DAT with a piece of software  he wrote to
 look at  the physical  location of data on the hardisk, and found that his
 STAGE.DAT file allocated 950,272 bytes of disk space for storage.

     Prodigy stored  information about  the sections  viewed frequently and
 the data  needed to  draw those  screens in  STAGE.DAT.   Service would be
 faster with information stored on the PC rather then the  same information
 being downloaded from Prodigy each time.

     That's a  viable theory  because ASCII evidence of those screens shots
 can be found in STAGE.DAT, along  with AUTOEXEC.BAT  and path information.
 I am  led to  believe that  the path and system configuration (in RAM) are
 diddled with and then  restored to  previous settings  upon exit.   So the
 theory goes,  in allocating  that disk space,  Prodigy accidently includes
 data left after an erasure (As you know, DOS does not wipe clean the space
 that deleted  files took  on the hard disk, but merely marked the space as
 vacant in the File Allocation Table.)

     There are a couple of problems with this  theory. One  is that  it as-
 sumes that  the space was all allocated at once, meaning all 950,272 bytes
 were absorbed at one  time.   That simply  isn't true.   My  STAGE.DAT was
 250,000+ bytes after the first time I used Prodigy.  The second assumption
 is that Prodigy didn't want the  personal information;  it was  getting it
 accidently in uploading and downloading to and from STAGE.DAT.  The E-mail
 controversy with Prodigy throws doubt upon  that.   The E-mail controversy
 started because  people were  finding mail  they sent  with comments about
 Prodigy or the E-mail, especially negative ones, never  arrive.   Now Pro-
 digy  is  saying  they  don't  actually  read the mail, they just have the
 computer scan it for key terms, and delete those messages because they are
 responsible for what happens on Prodigy.

      I received a call from another user group who read our newsletter and
 is very involved in telecommunications.  He installed and ran Prodigy on a
 freshly  formatted  3.5  inch  1.44  meg disk.  Sure enough, upon checking
 STAGE.DAT he discovered personal data from  his hard  disk that  could not
 have  been  left  there  after  an  erasure.  He had a very difficult time
 trying to get someone at Prodigy to talk to about this.

     There's a file called 'fraudigy.Zip' that  I suggest  all who  use the
 prodigy service  take very  seriously.  The file describes how the Prodigy
 service seems to scan your hard drive for  personal information,  dumps it
 into  a  file  in  the  prodigy sub-directory called 'STAGE.DAT' and while
 you're waiting and waiting for that next menu  come up,  they're uploading
 your stuff and looking at it.

      Today while in Babbages's, I was talking to a friend when a gentleman
 walked in, heard our discussion, and piped in that he  was a  columnist on
 Prodigy.   He said  that the  info found in 'fraudigy.Zip' was indeed true
 and that if you read your on-line agreement closely, it says that you sign
 all rights  to your computer and its contents to Prodigy, IBM & Sears when
 you agree to the service.

      I tried the tests suggested in 'fraudigy.Zip' with a virgin 'Prodigy'
 Kit.   I did two installations, one to my often used hard drive partition,
 and one onto a  1.2Mb floppy.   On  the floppy  version, upon installation
 (without logging  on), I  found that the file 'stage.Dat' contained a lis-
 ting of every .Bat and setup file contained in my  'c:' drive  boot direc-
 tory.    Using  the  hard  drive  directory  of Prodigy that was set up, I
 proceeded to log on.  I logged on, consented to the agreement,  and logged
 off.  Remember, this was a virgin setup kit.

      After logging  off I  looked at  'stage.Dat' and 'cache.Dat' found in
 the Prodigy subdirectory.  In those  files, I  found pointers  to personal
 notes that  were buried three sub-directories down on my drive, and at the
 end of 'stage.Dat' was an exact image copy  of my  pc-desktop appointments
 calender.  Check it out for yourself.

     I had  my lawyer check his STAGE.DAT file and he found none other than
 CONFIDENTIAL CLIENT INFO in it.  Needless to say he is no longer a Prodigy
 user.


 Note:
 This item  was forwarded  to STReport as a service to all readers, we hope
 we got the credits right, if  not let  us know  and we  will correct same.
 STReport felt  that due  to the sensitive nature of these points of infor-
 mation, it would be best to get this out to the users as soon as possible.



          ______________________________________________________





 > SEURAT UPDATE STR InfoFile                      UPDATES GALORE!
   ==========================



 =========================================================================
 PRESS RELEASE                                   SKWare One / P.O. Box 277
 April 30, 1991                                  Bunker Hill, IL 62014 USA
 =========================================================================
         THE COLORSCAN PROGRAM TURNS YOUR MiGRAPH HANDSCANNER INTO A
                         C O L O R    S C A N N E R ! !

                  An AMAZING New Product from SKWare One!
                    IT DOES WHAT NO OTHER PROGRAM CAN!

     Don't you wish your MiGraph Handscanner could SCAN IN COLOR  as easily
 as it  does in  Black-and-White?   Wouldn't that be wonderful? Well, guess
 what, IT CAN!

     No, it doesn't require  hardware modification.   ALL  YOU NEED  is the
 Amazing New  COLORSCAN program  from SKWare  One! COLORSCAN converts those
 scanned monochrome .IMG files  that the  Handscanner produces  into sharp,
 detailed brilliant COLOR PICTURES!

     COLORSCAN's Great  Color Conversions  can be  saved in virtually every
 Atari Picture Format, eight in  all!  You  choose  from  Degas, NeoChrome,
 TINY, Deluxe  Paint .IFF,  Atari HyperPaint,  the NEW GEM COLOR .IMG files
 (in ST/TT format), & extended  range  (20-color)  SPECTRUM  Files  (in STe
 colors)!

     COLORSCAN  is  fully  STe-4096-Color  Capable  and contains a powerful
 multi-featured palette editor  so  you  can  customize  your  colors! Yet,
 COLORSCAN  is  simple  to  use,  with  a host of convenient features (like
 self-scrolling windows) and lots of options.

     I can't compare the  COLORSCAN program  to any  other program, because
 the totally NEW COLORSCAN is UNIQUE! There simply is NOTHING ELSE LIKE IT!
 And, it's as easy as 1 - 2 - 3! Just load your scanned .IMG file, click on
 the Convert  button, and watch as COLORSCAN's fast and powerful algorithms
 turn black bits into a dazzling color picture  that develops  right before
 your eyes!  Just save  your great  picture and you're ready for another...
 and another!

     COLORSCAN produces remarkable  results  at  a  surprisingly affordable
 price! (Have  you priced  a color  scanner lately?) If you own the MiGraph
 Handscanner, the COLORSCAN program is a MUST BUY!

                               C O L O R S C A N
                                IS ONLY $59.95!
       With 6,000-word User's Manual on-disk (prints two-side on DeskJet).
                  (Requires Color Monitor and 1-Meg ST/STe)
                            MasterCard/VISA accepted
                THE ONLY WAY you can get the Amazing COLORSCAN
       is to send your Check, Money Order, or Credit Card Information to:
          SKWare One / P. O. Box 277 / Bunker Hill, Illinois 62014 USA
                              Order Yours Today!
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 SHIPPING: SKWare One pays postage on all USA AND CANADIAN orders.
 For overseas orders (not  on North  American continent),  include an addi-
 tional $3.00  for surface  mail or an additional $4.00 for air mail deliv-
 ery.
                        (All prices given in US dollars.)
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 UPGRADE POLICY:
        All Upgrades Are Free For Six Months From Date of Purchase!
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
        GEM, GEM Desktop and GDOS are Trademarks of Digital Research, Inc.
       ATARI, ST, STe, TT, and NeoChrome are Trademarks of the Atari Corp.
             DEGAS and DELUXE PAINT are Trademarks of Electronic Arts.
                   MiGraph Handscanner a Product of MiGraph, Inc.
                    COLORSCAN is a Trademark of SKWare One, Inc.
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 COLORSCAN will debut at the Windsor-Detroit International Atari  Fest, May
 4-5.   Come see  it in action if you want to see if it's as good as I say!
 (It is!)  Or, download the COLRIMG8.LZH from GEnie or other major national
 BBS (requires  IMGVIEWR.PRG to  view). Having  pre- viewed  COLORSCAN at a
 local show last week, what I heard was  "You made  THAT picture  with this
 program? Uhh,  how can I get a copy?" If you have to see it to believe it,
 then you'll be convinced by seeing COLORSCAN!
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  ANNOUNCING
                      S E U R A T   V E R S I O N    2 . 2
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  The BEST BARGAIN in Atari ST Graphics Programs CONTINUES to get BETTER!
 SEURAT Version 2.20 adds UNIQUE FEATURES to what was already a GREAT DEAL
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Now you can Create and Edit  Graphics  in  virtually  EVERY  ATARI PICTURE
 FORMAT: Degas,  TINY, NeoChrome,  Deluxe Paint .IFF, MacPaint, and GEM IMG
 files, including the NEW  GEM COLOR  .IMG files  (any size  color .IMG, in
 ST/TT  format;  SEURAT  is  the  first program to support these Color .IMG
 files)! Yes, Now SEURAT Loads and Saves Eight Atari Picture Formats!

 EIGHT Image Buffers! Instead of having to work on only a single  .IMG file
 in a single image window, with SEURAT you can edit and exchange between up
 to eight .IMG (and Degas and Tiny and IFF...) files at once!

 Whether you are using the full resources of SEURAT to create and edit Mono
 .IMG's  for  your  Desktop  Publishing  or giant Color .IMG's, you can use
 powerful raster  tools and  work in  a familiar  Paint Program environment
 with full-screen access to .IMG's! Enjoy the best of both worlds!

 NOW STE-4096-COLOR Capable! SEURAT's Powerful Palette Editor, with video--
 like color controls which modify whole palettes with  a single  mouse str-
 oke, now  works in  BOTH STe  AND ST  modes.  And, if you work on a ST, it
 will save your pictures with STe-compatible colors!

 SEURAT will load lo-rez COLOR pictures directly into the MONO  program and
 convert them  to mono  .IMG files,  and loads mono .IMG and pix into COLOR
 and converts them into medium-rez Color .IMG! Lo-rez  color converted with
 editable dithers  for superbly  detailed printing  of color images! SEURAT
 re-scales color pix to correct  for  monitor  aspect  ratio, automatically
 reproducing the true proportion of color images.  No more squashed conver-
 sions!

 PRINT FROM SEURAT! With built-in drivers  for HP  DeskJet (and  LaserJet &
 all HP-compatibles),  and Epson  Nine-pin, too!  DeskJet driver outputs at
 75/150/300 dots-per-inch in BOTH  Portrait and  Landscape orientation, and
 it's positionable on the page to the dot! But that's not all...

 Complete  PRINTIMG.PRG  (it's  included  with  SEURAT)  for GDOS printing!
 PRINTIMG.PRG offers the same capabilities as desktop publishing  programs
 like PAGESTREAM  and CALAMUS.  Images can be scaled to ANY size, from Full
 page down to "thumbnail-sketch," re-proportioned, stretched or squished to
 fit, can  be placed  anywhere on the page you want it, and in either port-
 rait or landscape orientation, all on any printer for which  a GDOS driver
 exists! (GDOS program not supplied.)

 With BOTH  BEZIER and  SPLINE CURVE  DRAWING Tools!  Lets your ST draw for
 you, with a virtually  infinite variety  of natural-looking  curved lines.
 Quick and  easy-to-use, they  really speed up your drawing! And SlowMouse,
 variable-speed mouse makes free-hand drawing easier, too!

 FAST Multi-Ratio Zoom (2X to 8X) and BEST ZOOM Interface!

 SO MANY FEATURES! System, Degas and GDOS TEXT fonts to scale, style, color
 and rotate!  11 block  functions to shape & twist image blocks; 92 color &
 mono fill  patterns; 42  brushes including  user-defined and multi-colored
 brushes; 4  graphic write  modes &  21 block  & mask  write modes; circle,
 ellipse & filled disc in free, repeat & concentric modes;  round & square-
 cornered rectangles  & solids;  rays; airbrush;  clear-circle & clear-box;
 vertical, horizon- tal & free lines; polylines & polygons in  line-edge or
 spline-curve; area  & seed  fill; user-set  clipping; color remap; mirror;
 screen shift, flip, invert  &  rotate;  fill  editor;  brush  editor; line
 editor; gobs  of great  disk functions like Format and a Super File Direc-
 tory; and a hundred or so other features & tools  that there's  no room to
 mention here...  Whew!

 INDISPENSIBLE for  GEM .IMG  graphics for  your Desktop  Publishing!  More
 graphic tools and operations for creating and editing .IMG files  than ANY
 OTHER PROGRAM  (no matter  how much  it costs)!  And NOW COLOR .IMG FILES,
 TOO! SEURAT Loads and Saves Almost EVERY Atari Picture Format!

 DON'T BE MISLED by SEURAT's continued LOW PRICE!  VERSION  2.2 is  a POWER
 TOOL that out-performs many of the "big-name" programs!
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                              SEURAT VERSION 2.20
                                IS ONLY $39.95!
              Two-disk set, with 36,000-word User's Manual on-disk:
                    COLOR AND MONO Programs! You Get BOTH!
          Plus 195 utility and application files (fonts, fills, pix)!
                  (Requires 1-Meg ST with doublesided drive)
                            MasterCard/VISA accepted
                   THE ONLY WAY you can get a copy of SEURAT
       is to send your Check, Money Order, or Credit Card Information to:
          SKWare One / P. O. Box 277 / Bunker Hill, Illinois 62014 USA
                              Order Yours Today!
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 SHIPPING: SKWare  One pays  postage on  all USA  AND CANADIAN orders.  For
 overseas orders (not on North American  continent), include  an additional
 $3.00 for surface mail or an additional $4.00 for air mail delivery.
                     (All prices given in US dollars.)
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 DeskJet DOC  Printer Disk  Also Available:  You can  print out a self col-
 lating two-sided copy of the 92-Page User's Manual on the  Hewlett Packard
 DeskJet in draft mode with this print package.  (You just print the LEFT.-
 DOC, put the stack of paper  back in  without re-arranging  it, then print
 the RIGHT.DOC,  and end  up with a collated copy of the User's Manual pri-
 nted on front and back sides, with staggered margins, ready for binding.

 If you want a copy of this print package, just ask for the "DeskJet DOC
 Printer Disk" and include an additional $3.00 ($4.00 overseas air mail).
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 UPGRADE POLICY: All Upgrades  Are Free  For Six  Months From  Date of Pur-
 chase!   And, yes,  SEURAT owners,  announcement of Version 2.2 means that
 YOUR upgrade disks will be coming in four to six weeks!
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    GEM, GEM Desktop and GDOS are Trademarks of Digital Research, Inc.
    ATARI, ST, STe, TT, and NeoChrome are Trademarks of the Atari Corp.
               PAGESTREAM is a Trademark of SoftLogick, Inc.
            CALAMUS is a Trademark of DMC/Diteck International.
         DEGAS and DELUXE PAINT are Trademarks of Electronic Arts.
   SEURAT, COLORIMG, MONSURAT, and PRINTING are Trademarks of SKWare One
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------






 > STReport CONFIDENTIAL                 "ATARI NEWS & EVENTS FIRST!"
   =====================




 - Waltham, Ma.                      SYQUEST TO FACE SOME COMPETITION!
   -----------

 Ricoh is now offering a 50mb removable hard disk that is directly compared
 with the  Syquest 44mb.   Features  of Ricoh  versus Syquest are, improved
 dust seals, smoother operating  ejection  mechanisms,  cooling  air intake
 filter, better service is offered and of course, 6mb of higher capacity.

 The unit  is somewhat more expensive, but it is detailed as a far superior
 unit.  The bottom liner is the benefits  to the  user, as  competition be-
 comes keener, the user can only benfit.




 - Ann Arbor, MI                    THE WINDSOR SHOW -> THIS WEEKEND!
   -------------


 The Windsor  Atari Users  Group of  Windsor, Ontario, Canada and the Wash-
 tenaw Atari Users Group of Ann Arbor, MI  are hosting  the Windsor/Detroit
 International AtariFest  on May 4-5, 1991 at the St. Clair College of Arts
 and Technology in Windsor. Don't miss this show -- it's a BIG one!!!


  Thirty-Six Exhibitors!

  Exhibitors attending the show include:

  Atari US              Atari Canada           Branch Always Software
  Canoe Computer        Channel One Computer   C-HQ, Inc.
  Clear Thinking        CodeHead Software      Computer Services & Supply
  Computers Plus        Consortium Software    DA Brumleve
  DataQue Software      Double Click Software  Gadgets By Small
  Gribnif Software      Goldleaf Publishing    ICD, Inc.
  Intrinsic Software    ISD Marketing          JMG CompuShoppe
  JMG Software          MegaType               Micro Creations
  MS Designs            Musicode Software      Nice & Software
  PDC Distributors      Phil Comeau Software   Rimik Enterprises
  Sav-Tech              SKWare One             Taylor Ridge Books
  Unicorn Publications  What's This?           Wiz Works


  Seminars!

 Seminars will be held  throughout both  days by  companies such  as Branch
 Always,  CodeHead  Software,  DataQue  Software, Gadgets By Small, Gribnif
 Software, Goldleaf Publishing and ISD Marketing to name just a  few! Jeoff
 Earle, general  manager of  Atari Canada  and Bob  Brodie, manager of User
 Group Services for Atari US will hold a joint seminar on each day as well.


  Door Prizes!!

 Don't forget to drop  your ticket  stub in  the Door  Prize barrel  at the
 WAUG  user  group  booths.  Door  prizes  include a Grand Prize drawing on
 Saturday for a complete  Calamus,  Font  Editor  and  Outline  Art package
 donated  by  ISD  Marketing  and  a  Grand  Prize  drawing on Sunday for a
 complete 1040STE  system  with  color  monitor  donated  by  Atari Canada!
 (Note: You  do not  have to  be present to win the 1040STE system. Info on
 door prize drawings is contained in the show brochure.)


  Highlights

 Come see the new SST 68030 upgrade from Gadgets By  Small in  action! Stop
 in  at  the  JMG  Software  booth  for the first public showing/release of
 HyperLINK. See the new  Hotwire  and  MultiFile  updates  at  the CodeHead
 booth...and bring  your original  CodeHead software disks for upgrading at
 the show! Check out  the  many  new  products  being  carried  by Goldleaf
 Publishing. Get  your copy  of Menu  Plus at  the Rimik Enterprises booth.
 Stop at the Gribnif  booth to  see their  Call NeoDesk  accessory, NeoDesk
 3.02, NeoDesk  CLI, CardFile 3.0 and more! In fact, there's so much to see
 at the show we can't possibly tell you about it all. Come  on out  and see
 it all for yourself!


 For more information on the show, contact:
       Craig Harvey, President of WAUG - Ann Arbor at (313) 994-5619
                                    or
       Brian Cassidy, President of  WAUG - Windsor at (519) 966-0305


                  Windsor/Detroit International AtariFest

                              Seminar Schedule


           Time       Saturday                  Sunday
           ---------  ------------------------  -----------------------
           10:45      Atari Users Association   DataQue Software

           11:30      JMG Software              Rimik Enterprises

           12:15      Branch Always Software    Gadgets By Small

            1:00      Atari Canada and US       Goldleaf Publishing

            1:45      DataQue Software          CodeHead Software

            2:30      Gribnif Software          Atari Canada and US

            3:15      Goldleaf Publishing       Branch Always Software

            4:00      ISD Marketing             ISD Marketing

            4:45      Gadgets By Small





      _______________________________________________________________







 > Hard Disks STR InfoFile            TAX TIME SPECIAL OFFERINGS!....
   =======================




                      NEW LOW PRICES! & MORE MODELS!!
                      ===============================
                     >> INCOME TAX REFUND SPECIALS <<
                       ** EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY! **

                      ABCO COMPUTER ELECTRONICS INC.
              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 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 ONLY!)
                   (all cables and connectors installed)

    * ICD HOST ADAPTERS USED EXCLUSIVELY * OMTI HIGH SPEED CONTROLLERS *
      * ICD ADSCSI+ HOST ADAPTERS * FULL SCSI COMMAND SET SUPPORTED *
                  * SCSI EMBEDDED CONTROLLER MECHANISMS *

                   WE PAY SHIPPING!!!  >BLUE LABEL UPS!<

                           Conventional Shoe Box
                 ADD 35.00 for 4 BAY TURBO Cabinet w/250w PS
            Model        Description      Autopark       Price
            ==================================================
            SGN3038      31Mb 28ms   3.5"    Y          419.00
            SGN4951      51Mb 28ms   3.5"    Y          479.00
            SGN6277      65Mb 24ms   5.25"   Y          519.00
            SGN6177      62Mb 24ms   3.5"    Y          549.00
            SGN1096      85Mb 24ms   5.25"   Y          575.00
            SGN1098      96mb 25ms   3.5"    Y          649.00
            SGN2055     105mb 19ms   3.5"    Y          762.00
            SGN6277     120Mb 24ms   3.5"    Y          889.00
            SGN1296     168Mb 24ms   3.5"    Y         1019.00
            ==================================================

                      ****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******
              ---- FOR USE IN MEGA, MEGA STe & TT030 SYSTEMS ----

    >>>> 96mb SCSI HARD DRIVE Mech 25-28ms 3.5" ...ONLY $349.00!! <<<<

                 16mhz CPU UPGRADES AVAILABLE & INSTALLED

             ABCO is now taking orders for MEGA STe Computers!
                   Call for special Introductory prices!

                      ****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******

               >>> ALL ABCO DRIVES ARE HIGH SPEED UNITS <<<
                     (500 - 600k per sec @ 16 - 33ms)

           CALL FOR SUPER SAVINGS ON ALL OUR OTHER CUSTOM UNITS
                         FROM 30mb 28MS @ $419.00!

                                 --==*==--

       * 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.

                   WE PAY SHIPPING!!!  >BLUE LABEL UPS!<

                  COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED AND READY TO RUN!
                 --->> SPECIAL NOW ONLY __$ 645.00__ <<---
                        EXTRA CARTS:      $  74.50
                        DRIVE MECH ONLY:  $ 349.95

   * TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT *
                       SPECIALLY PRICED ** $1229.00 **

    * SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS *
         - Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives -
             50mb SQG51   $ 939.00      30mb SQG38    $ 819.00
             65mb SQG09   $ 969.00      85mb SQG96    $1059.00

                 LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS
                      CUSTOM CONFIGURATIONS AVAILABLE

                   WE PAY SHIPPING!!!  >BLUE LABEL UPS!<

           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 - GCR
           LARGER units are available - (Custom Configurations)

                      *>> NO REPACKS OR REFURBS USED! <<*

       - Custom Walnut WOODEN Cabinets - TOWER - AT - XT Cabinets -

            * SLM 804 Replacement Toner Cartridge Kits $42.95 *
                       * Toner Starter Kits $49.95 *
                       * Replacement Drums $183.95 *

                 MANY other ATARI related products STOCKED
                      ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED

                       -* 12 month FULL Guarantee *-
                         (A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE)

                   WE PAY SHIPPING!!!  >BLUE LABEL UPS!<

                 QUANTITY & USERGROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
                 _________________________________________

                     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

                ABCO is EXPANDING!!  CALL FOR INFORMATION!




       ____________________________________________________________




 > A "Quotable Quotable"
   ====================




                     "MANY A TROJAN HORSE WAS FOUND...
                         ...TO BE A PAPER TIGER!"

                                                  ...Ziggy Zagnut




 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
                  STReport International Online Magazine?
     Available through more than 10,000 Private BBS systems WorldWide!
 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
 STReport?           "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE"            May 03, 1991
 16/32bit Magazine        copyright = 1987-91                     No.7.18
 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
 Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
 the editors, staff, STReport? CPU/MAC/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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