ST Report: 24-Jul-92 #830

From: Bruce D. Nelson (aj434@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 07/26/92-01:31:12 PM Z


From: aj434@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 24-Jul-92 #830
Date: Sun Jul 26 13:31:12 1992


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 July 24, 1992                                                      No.8.30
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                 WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (July 24)

 VENDOR LISTING UPDATE BEING PREPARED...

 We're preparing an update to the VENDOR.DAT file that works with the
 VENDOR.ACC utility.  (This is a quick and easy database of current vendors
 in the  Atari community  that runs  as a  .PRG or .ACC and written by Bill
 Aycock.)

 If you have any  additions  or  corrections  to  our  current information,
 please  post  a  message  or  send  an Email to Ron Luks 76703,254 or Bill
 Aycock 76703,406 as soon as possible.

 INVISION ELITE

 INVISION Elite is a black  and  white  paint  program.    It  has  been in
 intensive  development  over  the  past  year  and a half and is now being
 introduced  to  the  market  from  Power  Thought  Software.  Download the
 following files from LIBRARY 10 of the Atari Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS):

  INVIPR.TXT - Announcement of INVISION ELITE, mono paint program
  INVDM2.ARC - Demo of mono paint program, part 2 of 2
  INVDM1.ARC - Demo of mono paint program, part 1 of 2
 NEW IN ATARI VENDORS FORUM (GO ATARIVEN)

 Now  available  in  LIBRARY    17  --  the  newest Calamus SL demo.  A big
 download, but worth it.

 Also look in  Library  11  for  PG22B.LZH,  a  patch  for  version  2.1 of
 PageStream updating  it to  version 2.2B.   Brought to you by the folks at
 Soft-Logik.

 The folks from CODEHEAD TECHNOLOGIES have uploaded a series of  files that
 will enable  you to  print out  font charts of all the available URW fonts
 available for Calligrapher.  The files  are  now  available  for  most all
 printers in LIBRARY 16.

 NEW SYSOP IN ATARI 8-BIT FORUM

 Please join  us in  welcoming SYSOP*Jeff Kovach 70761,3015 to the staff of
 the Atari 8-Bit Forum (GO ATARI8).


                  THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM ON COMPUSERVE
                          HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AN
                OFFICIAL SUPPORT SITE BY ATARI CORPORATION

            "GO APORTFOLIO TO ACCESS THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM"



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 > From the Editor's Desk             "Saying it like it is!"
   """"""""""""""""""""""

     There comes a time when reality must be faced and  the bottom  line be
 respectfully acknowledged.   In  the online  scene, this time has arrived.
 There has been a  large  number  of  our  readers  who  have  voiced their
 unhappiness with  the current  state of affairs on GEnie in the ST RT.  In
 fact, they've gone so far as to fix  "blame" on  those who  operate the RT
 including Darlah.   In  STReport's opinion, there is no blame to be placed
 on anyone at GEnie.  Apparently, we are all seeing the culmination of many
 unseen efforts and 'behind the scenes' pressures being applied.  

     In  our  opinion  Darlah  is,  like  STReport's  readers  and  GEnie's
 subscribers, caught in the middle.   There appears to be a great deal more
 occurring 'behind the scenes' than most folks are aware of.  For example a
 rather pointed request was directed, a short while  ago at  another online
 service.  The request was simple; dump STR's account blah, blah, etc.. and
 online participation will increase.  Naturally,  in a  mostly professional
 world, such requests are routinely brushed aside as unethical, detrimental
 and more importantly a waste of time.
   
     Facts are facts.  On GEnie, in the ST RT, the downloads  and ancillary
 usage accredited to STReport's Online presence is far from _not_ being "of
 a  significant  value"  as   represented  by   certain,  obviously  biased
 individuals who  seem to  have their  own strange agenda.  STReport's goal
 is to continue to present the _whole_ truth to the  users.   We will never
 support the  Pollyanna like  "tell 'em  what they need to know" premise or
 allow others to dictate our policy or content in any manner.
  
     This past week, a confirming and "frighteningly accurate"  story about
 Atari broke  in Forbes  Magazine dated  08/03/92.   Everyone involved with
 Atari, even remotely, should read this article.  Elsewhere in  this issue,
 appears  a  synopsis  of  the  article.   No doubt, we will soon be seeing
 Forbes  enjoying  the  reputation  of  being  a  "National  Enquirer" type
 publication at  the hands of those "wreckspert information masters" in the
 Atari arena.  Especially  since Forbes  has now  paralleled, fortified and
 verified STR's Atari critiques reported in the past five years that gained
 us the unique distinction.  No matter, if and when they, once  again, come
 forward  with  such  absurdities,  it  will  only further substantiate our
 sincere contentions; they are  truly engaged  in a  campaign of  utter and
 complete disinformation.  Obviously, showing absolutely no respect for the
 intelligence of the userbase.  For Atari to have any kind of  a shot  at a
 decent future,  the games,  politics, and  favoritism must be brought to a
 screeching and complete halt.  Jack is back and is in full  control of the
 company.   Believe this... the frivolity and enemy cultivation by a few at
 Atari is going to have to halt or,  its all  over but  the crying.   Atari
 _needs_ all the friends it can get.
   
     In closing, its far more important to realize Atari's now embarking on
 a venue of new  product releases.   Products  like the  Falcon and FSMGDOS
 that will  use Bitstream  Fonts.   Its all very exciting.  Now, if only we
 can get the message  across to  certain people  in Sunnyvale  to use their
 energies and  budgets to  promote the  new product  lines and once and for
 all, forget the silly politics and  vendettas.   STReport has  always been
 highly  supportive  of  the  Atari  hardware  lines,  its  ease of use and
 reliability.  Our differences with Atari  can be  narrowed down  to only a
 person or two.
   
     STReport's overall goal is to establish beyond a doubt, one basic fact
 we support Atari, its  hardware and  its userbase.   We  will not however,
 sell the  readers short for a moment.  STReport wants nothing more than to
 be among those witnessing the grand resurgence of  Atari in  the worldwide
 computer marketplace.   This  can only  be done with the confidence of the
 users and  the  continued  support  of  _all_  loyal  Atarians.   STReport
 believes the  userbase, worldwide,  is willing  to forget  the ills of the
 past and is ready  to build  the future  along with  Atari.   Now, the big
 question;    Is  Atari  ready?    Only,, by their policy making decisions,
 production, marketing and promotional efforts along with their willingness
 to begin anew will we know.


                                   Thank you for your strong support!

             Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine




                           THE STORM IS COMING!


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  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:
  """""""""""""""""""""""
          Lloyd E. Pulley Sr. Dana P. Jacobson         Michael Arthur
          Lucien Oppler       Brad Martin              Judith Hamner
          John Szczepanik     Dan Stidham              Joseph Mirando
                    Steve Spivey        Doyle C. Helms

  Contributing Correspondents:
  """"""""""""""""""""""""""""
          Michael Lee         Richard Covert           John Deegan
          Brian Converse      Oliver Steinmeier        Tim Holt
          Andrew Learner      Norman Boucher           Harry Steele
          Ben Hamilton        Neil Bradley             Eric Jerue
          Ron Deal            Robert Dean              Ed Westhusing
          James Nolan         Vernon W. Smith          Bruno Puglia
                              Clemens Chin


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      Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
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 > CPU STATUS REPORT                LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS 
   =================
  
    Issue #30

    Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
  
   
  -- EA to Develop Games for Sega SD System
  
 Electronic Arts (EA) has announced it has signed an agreement with video 
 game maker Sega.  The agreement allows EA to continue to publish game 
 cartridges for the Sega Genesis home game system and also allows for 
 the publishing of software for the new Sega compact disc (CD) system 
 planned for US introduction in November of this year.
  
 Sega President Larry Probst said in a prepared statement: "Sega CD has a 
 chance to become the first successful CD peripheral for interactive 
 entertainment and enhance 16-bit market growth for several more years."
  

  
  -- IBM to Promote 486SLC2 Chip on TV
  
 IBM's new 486SLC2 microprocessor - which is said to nearly quadruple 
 performance of mid-range PCs - will be launched with a five week TV 
 campaign and a print campaign in PC trade publications.  The TV spots 
 will include 30-second commercials on the Olympics, "Nightline," "Good 
 Morning America" and the Professional Golfers Association championship.
  
 The campaign features a race car and includes a headline reading, "This 
 PS/2 SLC is so fast, it comes with its own speeding ticket."
  

  
  -- Companies to Eliminate CFC Usage
  
 Apple Computer Inc. announced today it has eliminated the use of ozone-
 depleting chlorofluorocarbons -- better known as CFCs -- to clean elect-
 ronic assemblies and manufacturing equipment.  Sources say that Apple 
 was responsible for dumping 270,000 pounds of CFCs into the atmosphere 
 in 1990.
  
 Intel Corp. has pledged to end all CFC use by year's end, while IBM re-
 cently announced it has ended all CFC use at its disk drive plant in San 
 Jose, Calif., a facility that had the nation's largest amount of CFC 
 emissions in 1987.
  
  
  -- IBM Cuts Prices by up to 30%
  
 IBM this week cut some PC prices by up to 30%.  The price cuts came on 
 various configurations of IBM's models 35, 56, 57, 70, 90 and 95 desktop 
 Pcs, as well as on its laptop and notebook-size portables. They ranged 
 from about 4% to 30%, with most of them falling in the 20-30% range.
  
  

  -- Apple Posts 3rd Quarter Profits
  
 Apple Computer has posted revenues for the third quarter ended June 26, 
 1992, of $1.740 billion, a 13.8% increase from the $1.529 billion 
 reported in the third quarter of the prior year. According to Apple, net 
 income for the third quarter of fiscal 1992 was $132 million, as com-
 pared to a net loss of $53 million in the third quarter of fiscal 1991.

 Apple's international sales were 44% of net sales, which the company 
 claims is unchanged from the third quarter of the prior year.
  
  

  -- Intel Delays P5 Chip
  
 Industry sources say that Intel Corp. is delaying for a few months 
 release of its next-generation microprocessor, code named P5, in order 
 to have more time to ensure a problem-free introduction.

 Intel says the delay also will allow the firm to improve the manufac-
 turing process for the chip "and in the interim to make more of its 
 current high-end chip, the '486, whose sales are exceeding expectations. 
 The '486s and the P5 would share the same production lines."

 Ziegler adds, "Intel said there were no problems with the P5 design, but 
 that the delay would allow a more extensive test of it, both internally 
 and with users such as personal computer makers."

 A few years ago, a bug found in the '486 as Intel began to accelerate 
 production became an Intel embarrassment.

 The P5 contains about 3 million transistors on a sliver of silicon, more 
 than two times as many circuits as on the 486. It will be at least twice 
 are powerful as the 486.
  
  

  -- NeXT Joins Object-Oriented Consortium
  
 NeXT Computer Inc has become the latest company to join the 250-member 
 Object Management Group (OMG). The consortium, promotes the cohesive 
 development of object-oriented software technology. Other leading 
 developers that hold membership in OMG include Anderson Consulting, APM, 
 Canon, DEC, Group Bull, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Novell, Olivetti, Software 
 AG and SunSoft.

 OMG is an international organization supported by information system 
 vendors, software developers and users. The group promotes the theory 
 and practice of object-oriented technology in software development. Its 
 charter includes the establishment of industry guidelines and object 
 management specifications to provide a common framework for application 
 development.

 OMG says conformance to these specifications will make it possible to 
 develop a heterogeneous applications environment across all major 
 hardware platforms and operating systems.

 OMG seeks to foster object technology's growth and influence its 
 direction in four areas: overall architecture, reference model and 
 terms, applications programming interfaces (APIs) for objects and 
 applications and distributed object management services.



  -- Compaq Reports 2nd Quarter Earnings up 43%
  
 Compaq Computer Corp. today reported second quarter earnings of $29 
 million (or 35 cents a share), up 43% over profits of $20 million (23 
 cents) a year ago. Revenues in the quarter rose 15% to $827 million, 
 compared with $718 million in the second quarter of 1991.


 According to Eckhard Pfeiffer, president of Compaq, said that Compaq's 
 new aggressive pricing policy has helped it become a worldwide price 
 leader.


      _______________________________________________________________





 > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine          The wires are a hummin'!
   """""""""""""""""""""""""""""
         
          
              
                            PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
                            =====================
             
              
  On CompuServe
  -------------
  compiled by Joe Mirando
            
          
             
 From the Atari Productivity forum.

 I guess that sometimes even a SYSOP doesn't have all of the information
 right at his finger tips.  SYSOP Ron Luks tells Mike Fulton of Atari:

   "Mike:
     I was just asked if the latest HD software supports partitions bigger
     than 32 Mb.  I know that ICD software does, but that only works on
     their hardware.  I've used HDX ver 5.0, but never wanted to set up a
     big (>32Mb) partition, so I couldn't give an answer.  Can you tell me
     if ver 5.0 can handle the big partitions, and if not, do you guys have
     a version "in the wings" that will support bigger partitions?"
           
 Mike replies and provides some useful information:

     "AHDI has supported large partitions since v3.0.  (Although you do
     need TOS 1.04 or later... I think.)  I've got a 50mb partition on my
     drive at home for example, and I've seen bigger ones than that. 
     Basically, to do bigger partitions, one makes the cluster size larger. 
     A cluster is the 'atom' that makes up files in GEMDOS.  In small
     partitions, a  cluster maps out to two physical sectors.  In larger
     partitions, more sectors are used per cluster.  But I guess that
     sometimes, too much of a good thing (even a large hard drive
     partition) is not such a good thing."

 Stefan Daystrom tells Mike Fulton:

     "I don't feel confident using partitions greater than 16 meg because
     the diagnostic program (and companion defragmenter) I use the most, DL
     II, doesn't work with them.  Is there an equivalent program you can
     recommend (to analyze and fix lost clusters, crosslinked clusters, and
     the like) that does work with any size partitions?"

 Albert Dayes of Atari Advantage Magazine answers:

     "Hard Disk Sentry by Beckemeyer works with large partitions (BGM)
     works on any host adapter (supra/bms/icd/atari) for only $50."

 Meanwhile, people all over are anxious to hear about Atari's next entry
 into the computer market.

 Ron Luks asks Jeff at Intersect Software:


     "Since you're one of the best HW guys around, let me direct this
     question to you, but anyone with the answer please feel free to jump
     in.

     Although I've never received any direct info about the upcoming
     'Falcon 030' (or whatever its called), we've heard enough rumors that
     it will contain a SCSI (or SCSI2) connector instead of the Atari's DMA
     port.

     Since I hope to run most of my current software on the new machine if
     I get one, I am faced with how to move over all my programs.  Floppies
     are a pain, but I have this Supra FD-10 (10Mb floppy system) that
     could prove quite handy.  However, without the DMA connector, I cant
     just plug this unit in-- OR CAN I?  The back of the Supra FD-10 has
     the usual DMA cable and DMA pass thru connector. It also has a 3rd
     connector which the manual says is for daisy chaining to a SCSI
     connector like the Macintosh uses.

     Will I be able to get a cable made that will allow me to connect the
     FD-10 right to the SCSI (or SCSI2) port of the new machine?  And if
     so, would I use the same SUPRABOOT driver to boot the FD-10 to the new
     system?  I understand you won't be able to give me a definitive answer
     without seeing the new machine yet, but how about a good guess?"

 Jeff replies and shares his thoughts and gives us all a lot to look
 forward to:
 -
     "A good guess, hmmm....

     I would hope that the Falcon has a ACSI port (DMA) since the Atari
     Laser needs this port to connect to the computer.  IF it doesn't have
     a ACSI port then I hope...expect that Atari is planning on a SCSI
     video laser controller.

     In the first case (has a ACSI port) then it (your Supra 10 meg Floppy)
     should plug right in and the Atari HDX (V5.0) software should allow
     you to use your 10 meg Floppy since it supports removable media. 
     Everything I have heard says that it will have a SCSI port not a SCSI
     2 port.  The SCSI 2 drives are still pricey and are limited to very
     large sizes =>300 megs or more.

     There may be a big brother to the Falcon released next year that has a
     SCSI 2 port => => considering all the Audio DMA, Appletalk LAN DMA and
     56001 DSP DMA ports it needs VERY fast HD access.  My suppliers have
     IDE drives in all sizes from 20 to 400 megs but SCSI drives below 200
     megs are harder to get.  This may be why we hear that the INTERNAL
     FALCON drive is going to be a IDE.

     If the Falcon has a SCSI port like the TT then the Supra SCSI plug
     should plug right into it.  Cables (MAC Configured) for the TT are
     easily available and average about $10.00 (half the price of the Atari
     custom ACSI cable).  The SPECS I've read on the Falcon suggest that
     this machine is targeted at the following markets in this order:

  1) PROFESSIONAL (high end) music industry.  In this field it's a knock
     their socks off "Power with out the Price" computer that sets as many
     standards as the ST did in "85".
  2) Personal Computer  For the typical American it must play games and
     this machine has that and more.

  3) Who could ask for more, it potentially could be used in LAB
     applications, on boats for EXTENSIVE SONAR imaging, the same monitor
     could also display a Camera image in a window.  It could be used in
     the medical field in Ultra Sound imaging, DOPPLER (passive) Sonar
     (measures the velocity of flow in blood vessels to find narrowing in
     blood vessels) and more."


 Again, Albert Dayes of Atari Advantage Magazine supplies information:


     "With a SCSI-2 host adapter one can mix SCSI-2 and SCSI-1 devices on
     the same bus without any problems.  There is extra commands in SCSI-2
     specifically for audio CD-ROM drives so to starting audio on a CD-ROM
     drive will be standardized. Also the fast SCSI allows for 16-bits or
     32 bits rather than the 8-bit transfer (oops that should be in
     addition to 8-bit transfer).  In the IBM hardware forum there quite a
     bit of talk regarding SCSI-2 and SCSI-1 devices on the SCSI-2 bus so
     most of it could be very useful to people who have both SCSI-1 and
     SCSI-2 devices."


 Jeff from Intersect replies to Albert saying:

     "I didn't know they allowed SCSI 1 on a SCSI 2 buss.  For sure the
     plugs are different <grin>.  That's good news, I'll have to read up on
     the specs for SCSI 2."


 George Richardson jumps into the conversation and says:

     "Ron, you can get a cable made up to connect any SCSI Hard disk
     directly to the Falcon without a host adapter. All you need to do is
     supply power.

     However, the driver need to be of the same type required to run the
     hard drive on the TT. I don't believe Supra's software supports this.
     ICD's software will support it, but allows formatting and installation
     only if there is one of their host adapters in the system, and since
     there is no ACSI bus on the Falcon, that means that it would have to
     be set up on a TT machine which has both SCSI and ACSI ports.

     The only software that I know that supports the whole mess without any
     strings is Atari's HDX 5.X software."


 George also later posts:

     "Ron, you can get a cable made up to connect any SCSI Hard disk
     directly to the Falcon without a host adapter. All you need to do is
     supply power.

     However, the driver need to be of the same type required to run the
     hard drive on the TT. I don't believe Supra's software supports this.
     ICD's software will support it, but allows formatting and installation
     only if there is one of their host adapters in the system, and since
     there is no ACSI bus on the Falcon, that means that it would have to
     be set up on a TT machine which has both SCSI and ACSI ports.

     The only software that I know that supports the whole mess without any
     strings is Atari's HDX 5.X software."


 Albert Dayes tells Ron Luks:

     "If you run an ICD host adapter you can use the DMA cable to the SUPRA
     FD-10 and be able to chain everything together without any problem. 
     I've noticed when connected other SCSI devices up to the SCSI port on
     the back of the SUPRA host adapter it locks up the bus.  It appears to
     be related to the STe Hard Disk problems in the past.  I've also
     noticed that I can't hook up my Supra directly to a Atari STe since
     both the power and lights and busy lights come and on and the bus gets
     locked up.  But by putting a ICD AdSCSI adapter before the SUPRA it
     works just fine.  Some things work just fine on the Supra bust most
     seem to have a problem.  I don't remember if Supra ever came out with
     something to fix the problem with SUPRA's host a adapters or it could
     be mine is just and older model (Supra v2.0 dma thru and Apple SCSI
     thru) on the back."


 Pat Augustine asks a question that popped into my mind while reading these
 posts:

     "But how are you going to use an ICD Host Adapter on a machine that
     doesn't have a DMA?  None of mine have anything but DMA connectors.

     For that matter, I would imagine you could take the ICD host adapter
     out and go straight to the SCSI drive (or Adaptec/OMTI adapter), but
     that would mean you would lose the benefit of that wonderful ICD
     software.  Which I don't want to lose.  I've been thinking along these
     lines, too, since I have two external ICD hard drives, and don't want
     to give up 180M of storage. Or the software. Sorry, Atari, but I'd
     rather use ICD hard drive software than yours."


 Albert Dayes, again from Atari Advantage Magazine replies:

     "You don't need a DMA connection to attach an ICD adapter you could
     just use SCSI right?  If it is looking for an ICD host adapter in the
     chain it should only look for it in the SCSI point of view rather than
     the DMA.  I'm sure ICD will address the issue when the FALCON is
     shipping.  They already addressed the issue of using ICD software on
     NON ICD equipment if you own an ICD adapter."

     Well folks, that's all for this week.  I realize that I didn't even
 touch on the Atari Art or Atari Developer forums, but I thought that most
 would enjoy the discussion of what running your current hard drive with a
 Falcon 030.  Tune in again next week for more questions and answers.


        ___________________________________________________________




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



                         THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM
                         """""""""""""""""""""""""


 On CompuServe!


 by Judith Hamner  72257,271



     The Connecticut AtariFest '92 is looming closer. If you are planning
 to attend, why not drop by the forum and discuss your plans. You may have
 a chance to meet your on-line friends in person. CTLYNX.TXT describes the
 Lynx tournament to be held at the Fest. Head-to-head play will be featured
 along with hands-on demos of the latest games.

     Programming mystics will be interested in THETAO.COM. This is a PBREAD
 file featuring the TAO of programming. PBREAD is available in the forum
 library.

     STDATE.ZIP is another aid for Star Trek fans. Now you can easily
 convert from stardates to the Gregorian calendar and back again. This
 program has been modified for the Portfolio from source found on another
 forum.

     Peter Bennett has created an electronic dice game. DICE.COM requires
 pbrun.com, the PowerBasic runtime module to operate.

     In response to a forum member's request, several useful utilities have
 been located which work on the Portfolio. These were found in other
 forums.  RENDIR.COM is a command to rename a directory. KILDIR.COM will
 delete a directory along with all the files it contained. 

     METRO.ZIP is a database of the telephone exchanges in the Washington
 D.C. metro area. This program from another forum was also modified for the
 Portfolio by BJ Gleason. Now you can use the phone number to determine the
 area a place is located.
         
     Peter Bennett has come up with a new game for the Portfolio. Zeros is
 an addictive little game written in PowerBasic. ZEROPB.ZIP includes the
 pbrun.com file needed to run the game. ZEROS.ZIP is for those who already
 have the pbrun file.   

     Dr. Helmut Fender has uploaded several useful programs for the
 Portfolio. UKCODE.DBF is a datafile designed to be used with CODE.COM.
 This is a database of London telephone exchanges and postal codes which is
 helpful to determine in what part of town a place is located. TD.COM will
 tell you facts about today. QY.COM is a unique clock that tells the time
 in words.

     The Connecticut AtariFest is preparing an interesting experiment for
 their younger guests. Junior and Senior High School students learn desktop
 publishing  while producing a daily newsletter for the show. CTKIDS.TXT
 contains the details.

     Don Thomas has uploaded PCLRES.TXT which contains the resolution to
 the situation described in earlier postings.



    __________________________________________________________________




 > The LINK STR InfoFile          NEW!   External SCSI host!
   """""""""""""""""""""

  



                               THE LINK(tm)
                               ============



                            AN ALL NEW EXTERNAL
                             SCSI HOST ADAPTER
                                    FOR
                            ATARI ST COMPUTERS




 Press Release:  For Immediate Release
 Rockford, Illinois, July 22, 1992 

     ICD,  Incorporated,  a  leading  designer and manufacturer of hardware
 enhancements for Atari  computers,  today  announced  The  LINK,  a highly
 integrated external SCSI host adapter for all Atari ST computers.

     For the  past five years ICD has enjoyed an enviable reputation as the
 world leader of interfaces connecting Atari ST computers  to SCSI devices.
 Not willing to rest on its laurels, ICD is always looking for ways to push
 the envelope for data transfer rates,  to use  the latest  in hardware and
 software technology  in order  to continually redefine state-of-the-art in
 the Atari ST host adapter market.  This path has  given ICD  customers the
 fastest possible  hard drives, with uncompromising compatibility and speed
 at competitive prices.

     The LINK, from ICD, allows Atari owners even more flexibility in their
 choice of hard drives.  The LINK is an external SCSI host adapter designed
 to plug in to a standard 50 pin  centronics style  SCSI connector.   In an
 attractively-designed molded  case measuring  just 2.5  inches by 3 inches
 and less than .75 inches thick (63x76x19 mm), The LINK will fit  into most
 any SCSI  environment.  The LINK is powered by the termination line of the
 target SCSI device and will support up to 8 SCSI devices.  This allows the
 use of  external SCSI  drives originally designed for the Apple Macintosh,
 IBM PC, Commodore Amiga, NeXT, Atari TT and Falcon, or most other standard
 SCSI drives  with Atari  ST, STE,  Stacy, and STBOOK computers.  Just plug
 and go.  Since most drives require no modifications, The LINK won't affect
 the drive manufacturer's warranty.

     The LINK, along with ICD's highly acclaimed software, also gives multi
 platform computer owners unprecedented flexibility.  If the  SCSI drive is
 formatted under  MS-DOS with  FDISK, the  user can directly read and write
 files from Atari computers under TOS using the ICD driver, IBM PCs running
 PC-DOS or  MS-DOS, and Amiga computers running AmigaDOS 2.1 or later using
 the integral CrossDOS utility.

 Thomas Harker, President of ICD, explained;
  
     "This is a real breakthrough in SCSI support  for Atari  ST computers.
     Not  only  is  this  a  great  value in hardware connectivity, but the
     software that comes with it is unbeatable."

     CD-ROMs are now supported!   Since  The  LINK  supports  extended SCSI
 commands  we  wrote  MetaDOS  drivers  to  support the SCSI-2 standard for
 CD-ROM players.  Floptical drives  are  now  fully  supported!    With the
 Insite Floptical  drive you can read and write IBM-compatible floppy disks
 at 720K,  1.4Mb,  and  21Mb  configurations  on  your  Atari  ST computer.
 Magneto-optical drives  are also  supported!  We now support virtually all
 R/W optical drives in the 3.5 and 5.25 inch formats."

     The ICD LINK is competitively priced  and  will  be  premiered  at the
 Atari Messe  in Duesseldorf,  Germany in August.  ICD is taking orders now
 with shipments expected in  mid-August.   The LINK  comes with  a full one
 year warranty.

     For further  information, contact  Thomas Harker  at ICD in the United
 States by phone (815) 968-2228 extension # 120 or fax (815) 968-6888.

     The LINK is a trademark of  ICD, Incorporated.   Other  trademarks are
 those of their respective holders.



                             ICD, Incorporated
                               1220 Rock St.
                          Rockford, IL  61101 USA

                       Telephone:    (815) 968-2228
                       Facsimile:    (815) 968-6888
                       Sales....:    (815) 968-8550




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

                             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.

     If you spend more than 200 minutes online a month, you'll save money
 by enrolling in DELPHI's optional 20/20 Advantage Plan.   You'll enjoy up
 to 20 hours online each month for the ridiculously low price of just
 $20.00!  And if you go over that 20 hours, the rate goes up to only $1.20,
 still 1/5th the price of other services. 

     There is no signup fee for joining the Basic Plan.  There is a fee of
 $39 when you join the 20/20 Advantage Plan, a one-time $19 signup fee and
 your first month's $20 fee.

     These connect rates apply for access via Tymnet or SprintNet (within
 the continental United States) during home time (7 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays
 and all day weekends) or via direct dial around the clock.  Telecom
 surcharges apply for daytime or international access via Tymnet or
 SprintNet.  See Using DELPHI online for detailed information on telecom
 surcharges.

   For more information, call: DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005

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

                         :IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
                     DELPHI INTRODUCES THE 10/4 PLAN.
     Effective July 1, 1992, all Basic Plan members will be upgraded to the
 10/4 Plan and receive 4 hours of usage each month for only $10!  For full
 details, type GO USING RATES.  SprintNet home time to begin at 6:00 p.m.! 
 Effective July 1, 1992, you may access DELPHI via SprintNet beginning at
 6:00 p.m. local time without incurring a telecom surcharge.  To find the
 SprintNet node nearest you, type GO USING ACCESS.


                 DELPHI- It's getting better all the time!



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




 > DELPHI DOIN'S STR Feature              Looking over Delphi...
   """""""""""""""""""""""""




                                WAZZUP DOC?
                                ===========




 by Doyle C. Helms Jr.
 Software Editor @ ST Report

     I will be doing a weekly feature on the major on-line systems and
 what they hold in store for you the user.  Each week I will examine what
 is in store for your file downloading pleasure.  I will occasionally drop
 in on some of the "forums" and see what is being said about various
 software titles.  This software is not limited to commercial applications,
 the discussions will also surround the Public Domain and Shareware scenes.

      Let's skip any further chit-chat and jump right into the 
 heart of things...

      Delphi- The ST Advantage
                Your Sysops are:
                          Clayton Walnum (ANALOG4)
                          Charles Bachand (BACHAND)
                          Gordie Meyer (BIBLINSKI)
                          Bryan Schappel (BBKBRYAN)

     Let's take a quick look at Delphi-ST Advantage history in the Atari
 community. Don't fret CIS (Compuserve) users, I will be featuring the
 ATARIPRO/ART/VEND and etc. areas next week. :) 

     WAAAYYY back in the early days of ANALOG magazine when the Atari
 computer was a strapping 8-bit monster among the computers of that day,
 ANALOG magazine and their staff came on-line with Delphi to support their
 magazine and Atari computers by virtue of helping the users understand
 just how-to-do-what. The ANALOG sig on Delphi was MUCH more than just an
 area where to post and download files, the ANALOG sig also supported the
 users via "The FORUM". The FORUM is a free form discussion area where
 users could discuss problems with using an application or just problems 
 with everyday life. Once the ST computer came on the scene, the ANALOG sig
 was anything but slow in supporting Ataris' new baby.  The tradition that
 was demonstrated in the 8-bit sigs was also VERY much alive in the ST
 computer support sigs! This tradition continues even to this day. Even
 though the ANALOG/ST-LOG magazine has gone the way of Antic/STart and
 others, Delphi-The ST Advantage has continued its' total support of the
 entire computer line. The sysops in the ST Advantage sig on Delphi are
 some of the friendliest, knowledgeable and personable people you could
 ever wish to meet.

      Let's take a look at what is happenin' in the ST-Advantage sig this
 week.

    
 Data-Lope
 Shareware authored by David M. Seberg
             P.O. Box 420466
             San Diego, CA 92142-0466

     Data-Lope is a HPDJ (DeskJet) envelope/database program that comes
 VERY close to commercial quality envelope printing application. A HP
 DeskJet (or compatible) printer is required to print with this program. I
 currently use an Epson Action Laser II printer with all HP emulations
 modes available and I have no complaints with Data-Lope printing.
 Data-Lope use a nicely implemented GEM interface. Data-Lope includes
 extensive on-line help. The accompanying documentation is very well
 written and covers the features of the program completely. If you have a
 HPDJ or compatible printer and you need the ability to address envelopes,
 you need this program. Currently found in the RECENT ARRIVALS database on
 Delphi.

      
 F10 Address Book
 Shareware authored by Frank Vuotto
             F10 Software
             P.O. Box 2201
             Taos, New Mexico 87571

     The F10 Address Book is a easy to use name-address-tele# database. The
 program is quickly learned and implemented into everyday use. This program
 can contain up to 50 records per alphabetic letter. This program will also
 dial the requested number if you place you tele-receiver close to you
 monitor speaker. The author states that he has had limited success with
 this method of dialing. The phone can also be dialed using the MODEM
 option with the AT command set. The modem has to be sent the ATH0 (hang up
 modem) command after the number has been dialed.

     Mr. Vuotto has also authored several other shareware applications.
 These are: ROBO BOP-Graphic MIDI Rhythm Editor, LEXLAX01-Lexicon LXP1
 Editor/Librarian Desk ACC., TX81-ZIP TX 81Z- Librarian Desk ACC., TIME
 SHEET- recording studio point of sales and log book. 

 Spider 2.0 Solitaire Game (low rez color only)

     Spider 2.0 Solitaire card game is for low rez color only. But oh my
 how nice the colors are in this game! This game runs on classic ST's and
 also TOS 2.05 MSTE also. The graphics in this game are quite nice and game
 play is mouse controlled. The interface is similar to what is found in
 STOS quality games. There is a help option available which will "cheat"
 and show you the next best move. High score tracking is also available. If
 you a computer card player, and especially a solitaire player, you will
 enjoy this game!

 DBWRITER version 1.8 Word Processor
 FREEWARE by David Becker

     DBWRITER is almost a full featured word processor for the Atari
 ST/MSTE. Mr. Becker has been working on this program for quite a few
 months and it is growing into a commercial quality program much like ST
 WRITER ELITE from Atari/Dr. Noonan. Mr. Becker states that the program
 originally started as an experiment in alternative user interfaces. Well,
 suffice it to say that Mr. Becker has achieved his goal with DBWRITER 1.8!
 I have not had enough time to really dive into DBWRITER, but from what
 little I have used it, it might well replace WordWriter as my primary word
 processor for non-professional layout work. DBWRITER also has a Thesaurus
 and dictionary that the users can customize for there own particular
 needs. DBWRITER also has the ability of a small address book/cardfile
 database for mail merge operations. If you haven't tried this program, and
 you would like to see something different in word processing, check out
 DBWRITER 1.8!

      Here are some other files found in the RECENT ARRIVALS data of The
 ST-Advantage:
                     MUNCHIE   Game
                               Ms. PacMan style game written in GFA 
                               Basic with the new GP Graphics 
                               Engine.Docs Included. Great Graphics

                     ROBO BOP  MIDI v. 1.9
                               Graphic MIDI editor that works with 
                               any drum machine or Synth. MANY 
                               options! From F10 Software

                     SPX Viewer 1.8
                               View SpeCtrum eXtended graphic 
                               files. Color monitor required!
                               Will not run on TT!

                     MOD Files! Musical STe STEreo
                               RAM JAMin'! Gotta have it!

      Well, that about does it for this weeks look at the ST Advantage
 files on Delphi for the Atari ST/STe/TT. Next week I will feature CIS
 (Compuserve) and some more Delphi of course!

 Serial Side Note: Rumor has it that InterNet can be accessed through
 Delphi!  I will look into this and let you know more about this rumor.
 Until then...



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


 > TAYLOR RIDGE NEWS STR InfoFile   AES Quick Reference & GFA TOOLKIT
   """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""




                         THE TRB REFERENCE SERIES
                         ========================



 Manchester, CT. July 17, 1992

     Taylor Ridge Books has announced the release of AES Quick Reference,
 the first volume in the new TRB Reference Series, featuring a complete
 guide to the AES library of functions, as well as an overview of the TOS
 operating system.  In this 100-page volume, each AES function is covered
 thoroughly, including a brief description of the function, sample function
 calls for both assembly language and C, and notes on function usage. Also
 included are complete program shells that assembly language or C
 programmers can use as templates for their own programs.

     The AES Quick Reference's logical and attractive layout makes it easy
 to locate quickly the information programmers need.  Each function begins
 on its own page and features the function name and number in large type at
 the top.  Moreover, the entire AES function library has been organized in
 alphabetical order, further facilitating the location of a particular
 function.

     The AES Quick Reference sells for a low $11.95 plus $3 P&H ($4 outside
 the U.S.).  An optional disk containing the program shells is available
 for an additional $5.  The second volume of the series, VDI Quick
 Reference, will be released in August 1992, with the third volume, TOS
 Quick Reference soon to follow.



                       GFA-BASIC PROGRAMMING TOOLKIT
                       =============================

 Manchester, CT. July 17, 1992

     Taylor Ridge Books has announced the release of The GFA-BASIC Toolkit,
 Volume 1, which contains a wealth of programming routines for GFA-BASIC
 programmers.  Written by John Hutchinson of Fair Dinkum Technologies, The
 GFA BASIC Toolkit provides novice to intermediate programmers with over 50
 useful routines they can plug directly into their programs.  Whether the
 programmer needs to unravel the mysteries of file handling or just wants
 to add digitized sounds to his program, the Toolkit offers a treasure
 chest of routines for making programs more professional.

     Included in this volume are routines to load and save picture files,
 flip screens, clip graphic elements from a screen, display graphics with
 various video effects, play both regular sounds and digitized sound,
 control a blitter chip, and much more.  Even advanced programmers are
 likely to find some helpful gems tucked away within its pages.  Priced at
 $34.95 plus $3 P&H ($4 outside the U.S.), The GFA-BASIC Toolkit comes with
 a complete manual and a disk that includes an extensive sample program, as
 well as all the routines in the book.

 The GFA-BASIC Toolkit or the AES Quick Reference may be ordered from:

                            Taylor Ridge Books
                                P.O. Box 78
                        Manchester, CT  06045-0078

 Books may also be purchased with Visa or MasterCard, please call:

                              (203) 643-9673
                                    or
 ordered via electronic mail on:
                              Delphi    CompuServe     GEnie
                              ANALOG4   70303,3633     C.WALNUM1




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

                    :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
                     _________________________________

                       To sign up for GEnie service:

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

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



 > LEGAL RIGHTS III STR FOCUS!       STEALING FROM THE CALIFORNIA TAXPAYERS
   """""""""""""""""""""""""""




                    THE GREAT SCHOOL COPYRIGHT ROBBERY
                    ==================================



 by Albert Silverman

 From the Mac RT on Genie


 Introduction

     This  is  the  third  article  in a series on "piracy"--with a reverse
 twist.  This series currently includes the following articles:

 (1)  Great Software Licensing Hoax   (LEGAL RIGHTS PIRACY1)
 (2)  Software Copyright/License Quiz (LEGAL RIGHTS PIRACY2)
 (3)  Great School Copyright Robbery  (LEGAL RIGHTS PIRACY3)
 (4)  San Diego County--Truth Squad   (LEGAL RIGHTS PIRACY4)
 (5)  ADAPSO and SPA--Trade Pirates   (LEGAL RIGHTS PIRACY5)
 (6)  Aldus--Snaring a Pirate Chief!  (LEGAL RIGHTS PIRACY6)

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

     This article deals with the computer software industry's piracy of the
 legal  rights  of  computer  users,  both in the California public schools
 (grades K-12) and in the  colleges  and  universities  across  the nation.
 Although my  direct K-12 experience is with the California public schools,
 there is no question but  that  this  software  industry  piracy  is being
 actively pursued  nationwide. The  direct cost comes out of the taxpayers'
 pockets; the  indirect  cost  is  a  loss  in  the  integrity  of computer
 education.

 STEALING FROM THE CALIFORNIA TAXPAYERS

     In 1983,  the California  Department of  Education placed the computer
 software industry in charge of  "educating"  the  public  school districts
 about the  nature of  the software copyright laws! This was purportedly to
 permit the districts to enforce  the  laws  and  PREVENT  software piracy.
 Instead, the  naive school districts found themselves on the RECEIVING end
 of piracy by the software industry.

     Under  a  charter  grant,  the  industry's  legal  disinformation  was
 furnished  to  the  public  schools  by  the  "International  Council  for
 Computers  in  Education"  (ICCE),   an   industry   "front"  organization
 established to keep the schools in line--the industry's line, that is. The
 ICCE (since  renamed the  ISTE, for  undisclosed reasons)  does not openly
 admit  its   industry  sponsorship,   but  claims   to  be  a  "nonprofit"
 organization which is devoted to the pursuit of  public school educational
 matters involving computers. Perhaps an impressive- sounding name will put
 the victims off the track.

     A major software industry  perversion of  the copyright  law, designed
 specifically to  pirate the  legal rights  of computer users in the public
 schools, is embodied in the following ICCE cornerstone definition:

     "Back-up Copy: The Copyright Act is clear in  permitting the  owner of
     software  a  back-up  copy  of  the  software to be held for use as an
     archival copy in the event the original disk fails to  function." This
     definition is  promoted (by  the ICCE) to the schools in the following
     set of software handling instructions:

 (1) You can make only ONE backup copy of a computer program.

 (2) You MUST use the ORIGINAL copy until such time as it  might be damaged
     during use.

 (3) If,  and only if, the original copy is damaged during use, you may use
     a backup copy, but only on an INTERIM basis while a new  original copy
     is being purchased from the software publisher.

 (4)  As  soon  as  the  new  original  is received, it MUST be placed into
     regular service (just like  the  preceding  original  copy),  with the
     backup copy being returned to the "archives."

     If these  instructions are followed, the school district will PURCHASE
 a copy of the program for EVERY disk that is damaged, from whatever cause!
 YOU know,  of course,  that only  one original copy need be purchased (for
 use on a single computer at a time), no matter how many  disks are damaged
 during use.  The accepted  method is  to use  the backup copy on a regular
 basis, with the original being put  aside for  use only  in making further
 backup copies as might be necessary.

     Imagine the  cost to  the school district (translation: the taxpayers)
 incurred by following this perverted software industry "interpretation" of
 the  copyright  law.    Also  imagine  the  cost to the harassed classroom
 computer teacher who attempts to obey  these ludicrous  instructions. Also
 imagine the  effect of  telling such  deliberate LIES both to students and
 other school personnel, in order to advance COMMERCIAL interests.

     Preposterous, you say? Not  to the  San Diego  Unified School District
 which, while  constantly yelling  and screaming  for "more money" from the
 taxpayers, has no problem in  stealing  from  the  taxpayers  to  line the
 pockets of  the software industry with undeserved profits! Presented below
 is a letter from this school  district's General  Counsel, Christina Dyer,
 to Dr.  Thomas Payzant,  the district superintendent. This letter contains
 "her" legal opinion, provided in response to a  request from  Dr. Payzant.
 This request  was made in order to answer my pointed criticism of the ICCE
 copyright law interpretation being  used by  the San  Diego Unified School
 District. Be sure to read the final two paragraphs of this opinion, if you
 only skim through the rest; they  are likely  to have  you rolling  in the
 aisles. However,  as a courtesy to Ms. Dyer, try to hold down the laughter
 as you read them; believe it or not, she is deadly serious!!
                                   ****

 DATE:  September 9, 1988

 TO:  Dr. Thomas W. Payzant Superintendent

 SUBJECT:  Computer Program Copyrights

     By letter dated August 2, 1988,  Mr. Albert  Silverman asserted, among
 other  things,  that  the  International  Council  for  Computer Education
 ("ICCE")  policies  on  the  use  of  copyrighted  computer  programs  are
 in-correct. The ICCE is of the opinion that, absent specific authorization
 by the copyright owner, only a single archival  copy may  be made  of each
 purchased computer  program copy  and that such copy is to be held for use
 as an archival copy in the event the original disk fails to  function. The
 California  State  Department  of  Education  has  recommended that school
 districts adopt the ICCE policies on computer program copying.

     Mr. Silverman, on the other hand, is of the opinion that multiple disk
 copies may  be made from a computer program contained in a purchased disk,
 and that the copies may be  used in  lieu of  the purchased  copy. In this
 manner, the purchased copy would not be exposed to the risk of destruction
 and would always remain available for  the purpose  of making additionally
 needed  copies.  In  support  of  his  contention,  Mr.  Silverman cited a
 November 9, 1987, San Diego County Counsel opinion  advising that multiple
 archival copies may be made from a single purchased computer program copy,
 and that an archival copy may be placed  in use  in lieu  of the purchased
 copy to eliminate the risk of damage to the purchased copy.

     In response  to Mr. Silverman's contentions, we previously opined that
 a court examining the issue would rule that  copyrighted computer programs
 may  be  copied,  without  the  copyright  owner's permission, only in the
 manner suggested by the  ICCE and  the State.  By letter  dated August 23,
 1988, Mr.  Silverman appears to have requested a written opinion from this
 office setting forth the rationale supporting our conclusion.  In order to
 enable you to respond to Mr. Silverman, we set forth below our analysis on
 the foregoing issue.
 DISCUSSION

 Section 106 to Title 17 of  the United  States Code  details the exclusive
 rights of copyright owners, and states in relevant part:

 "Subject to  Sections 107  through 118,  the owner of copyright under this
 title has the exclusive right to do and to authorize any of the following:

 (1)  To replace the copyrighted work in copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."

     Absent a statutory exemption, the unauthorized duplication of a copy-
 right owner's computer program is an infringement of the copyright owner's
 rights. (Atari, Inc. v. JS & A Group, Inc. (D.C.Ill., 1983) 597 F.Supp. 5,
 8.) 17 U.S.C. Section 117 sets forth two exceptions. Section 117 states:

     "Notwithstanding  the   provisions  of  section  106,  it  is  not  an
     infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program to  make or
     authorize the  making of  another copy  or adaptation of that computer
     program provided:

 (1) that such a copy or adaptation is created as an essential  step in the
     utilization of  the computer program in conjunction with a machine and
     that it is used in no other manner, or

 (2) that such new  copy or  adaptation is  for archival  purposes only and
     that all  archival copies  are destroyed  in the  event that continued
     possession of the computer program should cease to be rightful.

     Any exact copies prepared  in accordance  with the  provisions of this
     section may  be leased, sold, or otherwise transferred, along with the
     copy from which such copies were  prepared,  only  as  a  part  of the
     lease,  sale,  or  other  transfer  of  all  rights  in  the  program.
     Adaptations so prepared may be transferred only with the authorization
     of the copyright owner."

     The first  exemption listed above refers to the placement of a program
 into a computer,  or  "inputting"  of  it.  Inputting  a  computer program
 entails the  preparation of  a copy.  (Micro-Sparc, Inc.  v. Amtype Corp.,
 (D.C.Mass., 1984) 592 F.Supp. 33, 35.) Computer programs  written on paper
 cannot be  used at  all in  a computer without being translated ("copied")
 into machine readable form; and programs on disks  cannot, as  a practical
 matter, be used without first being loaded ("copied") into a memory device
 in the computer. (Apple Computer, Inc. v. Formula Intern., Inc. (C.A.Cal.,
 1984) 594  F.Supp. 617,  621.) Because  a person  must input  a program in
 order to  use it,  each use  constitutes a  potential copyright violation.
 (Micro-  Sparc,  Inc.  v.  Amtype  Corp.,  supra,  592  F.Supp.  33,  35.)
 Subsection (1) 117 (1) was enacted simply to permit the rightful possessor
 of a program to input and use it. The permission to copy stated therein is
 "strictly limited to inputting programs." (Ibid.)

     The purpose of the second exemption in Section  117 is  to protect the
 use of a copy against a particular type of risk: "destruction or damage by
 mechanical or electrical  failure."  (Atari,  Inc.  v.  JS&A  Group, Inc.,
 supra, 597  F.Supp. 5,  9.) Computer programs are stored in a wide variety
 of media, and not all are subject to  mechanical or  electrical failure. A
 paper copy  may be  burned or  shredded, yet  it could not be destroyed by
 mechanical or electrical failure. The medium of storage determines whether
 the "archival"  exemption under  Section 117 applies. Section 117 does not
 apply where the dangers of destruction are "physical" dangers. "Where, and
 only where, a medium may be destroyed by mechanical or electrical failure,
 the archival exception protects the  owners  of  programs  stored  in that
 medium by granting them the right to make back up copies." (Ibid.)

     Although a  program stored  on a disk, instead of a computer's memory,
 is less susceptible to destruction or  damage by  mechanical or electrical
 failure, "it is not completely immune from such a mishap." (Vault Corp. v.
 Quaid  Software  Ltd.,  (E.D.La.,  1987)  655  F.Supp.  750,  759,  citing
 Micro-Sparc, supra, 592 F.Supp. 33, 35 n.8.) Accordingly, a program stored
 on a disk could  be  destroyed  or  damaged  by  mechanical  or electrical
 failure, and  may be  copied to  the extent  authorized by Section 117(2).
 (Ibid.)

     While it appears reasonably clear that an archival copy may be made of
 a computer  disk by  the rightful  owner thereof,  the Courts  have yet to
 define the precise meaning of  the  term  "archival"  as  used  in Section
 117(2). The Court in Atari held that the defendant therein could not avail
 itself of Section 117(2) to market a device which, essentially,  served no
 purpose other than to make copies of Atari's video game computer programs.
 Atari's programs were  contained  in  an  electronic  circuit,  or "chip,"
 housed within  a plastic  cartridge. The chips were "read only memory" and
 could neither be reprogrammed or erased. Under these facts, the Court held
 that archival  copies could  not be made of the programs because they were
 not susceptible to  destruction  or  damage  by  mechanical  or electrical
 failure.

     In Apple,  the Court  addressed only the exemption provided under sub-
 division (1) to Section 117. The Court therein stated its  opinion "should
 not be read as attempting to construe, in any way, the meaning or scope of
 subparagraph 2 [to Section 117]." (594 F.Supp. 617, 620 n.2.)

     And in Micro-Sparc, Inc. the Court held, in part, that  Section 117(2)
 did  not  authorize  the  making  of  disk  copies  of  computer  programs
 originally sold in paper form in a computer  industry magazine.  The Court
 stated the magazine purchaser could not authorize a third party to put the
 programs in disk form because  the  paper  programs,  although  subject to
 physical dangers,  were not subject to destruction or damage by mechanical
 or electrical failure. (592 F.Supp. 33, 35-36.)

     We note, however, that the copyright statutes contain only three other
 exceptions for  "archival" copying.  (Atari, Inc.  v. JS  & A Group, Inc.,
 supra, 597 F.Supp. 5, 10, n.2.) Libraries and archives may make a  copy of
 an unpublished  work "for purposes of preservation and security . . ," (17
 U.S.C. Section 108(b)) and may make a replacement copy of a published work
 that  is  "damaged,  deteriorating,  lost,  or  stolen,  if the library or
 archives  has  after  a  reasonable  effort,  determined  that  an  unused
 replacement  cannot  be  obtained  at  a  fair  price." (17 U.S.C. Section
 108(c)).

     Finally,  17  U.S.C.   Section   112(a)   authorizes   a  broadcasting
 organization which has the right to transmit a particular work, other than
 motion pictures or other audiovisual works,  to  make  one  copy  or phono
 record of  a broadcast  program embodying  the work,  if the copy or phono
 record is used solely for the  organization's own  transmission within its
 own area,  "or for  purposes of archival preservation or security . . . ."
 (17 U.S.C. Section 112(a)(2)). The copy or phono record must  be destroyed
 within  six   months  from   the  date   of  the  program's  first  public
 transmission unless it is  "preserved exclusively  for archival purposes."
 (17 U.S.C. Section 112(a)(3)) In addition, public educational institutions
 are expressly authorized to make thirty copies or phono records of certain
 works, provided  all copies  and phono  records are destroyed within seven
 years, "except  for  one  copy  or  phono  record  that  may  be preserved
 exclusively for archival purposes . . . ." (17 U.S.C. Section 112(b)(2))

     Given the  foregoing, we  are of  the opinion that in enacting Section
 117(2), Congress intended to grant owners  of computer  programs the right
 to make  an archival  copy of each program where the program was purchased
 in  a  medium  susceptible  to  destruction  or  damage  by  mechanical or
 electrical failure, as opposed to mere physical damage. We believe Section
 117(2) parallels archival duplication  rights  granted  by  Congress under
 Sections 108  and 112  inasmuch as Section 117 plainly states it is not an
 infringement for "the owner of a copy of a computer program to make .  . .
 another copy . . . of that program provided . . . that such new copy . . .
 is for archival purposes only . . . ."

     The term  "archival" means  "of, relating  to, contained  in, or cons-
 tituting   archives   or   records."   (Webster  Third  New  International
 Dictionary, 1981.) The term "archive," in turn, means,

 "1. a:  place  in  which  public  or  institutional  records  (as minutes,
     correspondence, reports, accounts) are systematically preserved . .

 b: a  repository for  any documents  or other materials esp. of historical
     value . . .

 c: any repository or collection esp. of information." (Webster, supra.)

     In our view, Congress intended to permit the  making of  only one copy
 of each lawfully acquired computer program copy, and that such new copy be
 used for "archival purposes only." This interpretation is  consistent with
 the provisions of Section 108 and 112 wherein authorization is granted for
 the  reproduction  of  single  copies  of  protected  works  for  archival
 purposes.  Archival  purposes  would  ordinarily  be those relating to the
 preservation of the new copy in a repository.  In our  opinion, the actual
 use of  the new  copy in  day-to- day operation would be inconsistent with
 its use for "archival purposes only."

 CONCLUSION

     Not  unlike  many  issues  in  law,  the  question  of  the  scope  of
 permissible copying  of copyrighted  programs is subject to debate. We are
 of the opinion a Court would  conclude  Congress  intended  to  permit the
 making  of  a  single  archival  copy  of  each lawfully acquired computer
 program copy, and that  such  archival  copy  be  used  only  for archival
 purposes. We  further believe  a Court would determine that day-to-day use
 of an archival [backup] copy would be inconsistent with the  provisions of
 Section 117(2).

 Sincerely,

 CHRISTINA L. DYER
 General Counsel


 JOSE A. GONZALES
 Assistant General Counsel

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

 INCREDIBLE!!
     This is  a classic exposition of the software industry's copyright law
 "interpretation," provided to the San Diego Unified School District (under
 challenge from outside the system) as a justification for its adherence to
 the ICCE software handling guidelines.

 CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

     The intent of the "archival backup" provision of the copyright  law is
 clearly  to  avoid  financially  and operationally penalizing the software
 user,  due  to  the  fragility  of   the  computer   storage  medium.  The
 universally-accepted practice within the computer-using community at large
 is to  use a  backup copy  as a  day-to-day (working)  copy, while setting
 aside the original copy for use only in making more backup copies as might
 be necessary to replace disks damaged during use. In accordance  with this
 practice, only  ONE original  copy need  ever be  purchased for use on one
 computer at a time.  By contrast,  the perverted  software industry (ICCE)
 copyright law interpretation expressed in "Dyer's" opinion requires that a
 NEW COPY BE PURCHASED FROM THE  SOFTWARE PUBLISHER  to replace  every copy
 that is damaged during use, for whatever reason!

     Since following the correct interpretation of the copyright law is FAR
 cheaper for the schools (and hence  for the  taxpayers) than  is following
 the grossly distorted software industry interpretation, two very important
 questions arise.

 (1) WHY  should  any  school  district  (such  as  the  San  Diego Unified
     District,  which  also  has  its  own  legal  staff that is supposedly
     capable of interpreting  the  law  on  its  own)  follow  the industry
     interpretation.

 (2) WHY  did the California Department of Education grant the industry the
     right to  indoctrinate  the  public  schools  with  its  own "special"
     copyright law interpretation?

     Can it  just be possible that someone within the California Department
 of Education was  (illegally)  compensated  by  the  software  industry in
 exchange  for  permitting  the  industry to indoctrinate the public school
 districts its own heavily-biased copyright law  interpretation? Or  can it
 just be possible that someone within the San Diego Unified School District
 was (illegally) compensated by the software  industry in  exchange for the
 district's cooperation  in forcing  its computer-using personnel to follow
 the ICCE software handling guidelines? These are indeed crucial questions.
 Isn't  it  high  time  that  California  taxpayers and/or parents get some
 straight answers from those who are responsible?
 STEALING FROM THE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES NATIONWIDE

     EDUCOM  was   created  by   ADAPSO  (the   computer  industry's  trade
 association) in  1987 to  promote the industry's "anti-piracy" campaign in
 the colleges and universities throughout the  nation. This  proud creation
 was announced  in an  ADAPSO report to the industry, and was claimed to be
 for the purpose of "preparing a program directed  to the  higher education
 community which will be implemented in 1987."

     EDUCOM  claims  to  represent  "a  non-profit  consortium  of over 450
 colleges  and  universities  committed  to  the  use  and   management  of
 information  technology  in  higher  education." What a marvelous sense of
 humor! As "a service to the academic community"  (the humor  comes rushing
 to the  fore), EDUCOM  published in 1987, for distribution to the academic
 community, an engaging and  imaginative  little  pamphlet  entitled "USING
 SOFTWARE: A  Guide to the Ethical and Legal Use of Software for Members of
 the Academic Community."

     The following  quote from  this publication  is preceded  by a numeral
 "one" within a large red circle and stands out prominently on the page.

 Quote #1

 "UNAUTHORIZED copying of software is illegal."

 The Purpose:

 to hide  the fact  that there are two situations, under the copyright law,
 in which you ARE permitted  to  make  unauthorized  copies  of copyrighted
 software

 The Truth:

 (1) The  making of backup copies of copyrighted computer software, without
     the authorization of the copyright owner,  IS permitted  under Section
     117(2) of the copyright law.

 (2) The  making of  an unauthorized copy of computer software, without the
     authorization of the copyright  owner, IS  permitted for  the specific
     purposes detailed under Section 107 ("fair use").of the copyright law.

 The following  quote appears in a little question-and-answer session about
 using software. In response to the question "What do I need to  know about
 software and  the U.S.  Copyright Act?,"  we find  the following (have you
 seen this before?):

 Quote #2

     "If you have purchased your copy, however, you  may make  a backup for
     your own use in case the original is destroyed or fails to work."

 The Purpose:

 to persuade you that the purchased disk must be used until such time as it
 might be damaged, thus  increasing  the  sale  of  replacement  copies for
 damaged original disks

 The Truth:

     A backup  copy is  made and placed into regular use, in order to guard
 the ORIGINAL (purchased) copy against damage or destruction  by mechanical
 or electrical failure.

     EDUCOM  is  very  determined  to  impress  upon the software user that
 he/she is not permitted  to use  unauthorized copies  of computer software
 simultaneously. A  past master  in confusion and obfuscation (so what else
 is new in legal-rights piracy?), EDUCOM  will twist  around a  question to
 mean something  that it does not and then answer the perverted question in
 order to emphasize some particular point. As an example of this technique,
 consider  the  answers  given  to  this question, in a little question and
 answer session about using software:

 Question

 "Can I loan software I have purchased myself?"

 Answer

 "Copyright law does not permit you  to run  your software  on two  or more
 computers simultaneously  unless the license agreement specifically allows
 it."

 The Purpose:

 (1) to convince you that  you  are  using  the  software  under  a license
     agreement, whether or not this may be the case (note the use of "the,"
     rather than "a," preceding the word "license").

 (2) to  convince  you   that  you  are  never  entitled  to  use  multiple
     unauthorized  copies  simultaneously  without  the  permission  of the
     copyright owner

 The Truth:

 (1) If you have not entered into a license agreement, you own the title to
     the software and are not therefore using it under a license agreement.

 (2) Copyright  law may  (under a "fair use" exception) permit the use of a
     single purchased copy on two or more computers simultaneously.

     But note that the response does  not  answer  the  question  which was
 asked! The  question which IS being answered is: "Can I lend a copy of the
 software which I have made myself,  while keeping  and using  the original
 copy?" The  answer to  this question is "no," UNLESS there is a "fair use"
 exception. This is due  to the  transfer provision  of Section  117 of the
 copyright law,  which requires  that any  unauthorized copies that are not
 destroyed be transferred along with the original copy from which they were
 prepared.

 Summary

     The common  thread which links the ICCE and EDUCOM, in their piracy of
 the legal  rights of  software users  in educational  institutions, is the
 perverted copyright  law interpretation  which states that a single backup
 copy can be made for (temporary) use in the event  that the  original disk
 fails to  function. Apart  from this,  EDUCOM is  promoting the industry's
 so-called "software license, which  is  discussed  in  the  first  of this
 series on  piracy--with a twist. EDUCOM's effort in this area is (falsely)
 to convince the  software  user  in  the  colleges  and  universities that
 copy-related user conduct is regulated by the license agreement.

     It is  perfectly clear that these two organizations (both of which are
 masquerading   as   "nonprofit")   are   disseminating   their  "copyright
 information"  in  order  to  advance  the  commercial self-interest of the
 computer software industry. They are NOT  working for  the benefit  of the
 educational institutions (i.e., for the public good).

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

     Read all  about it in "THE COPYRIGHT GAME, ETC.--A Strategic Guide for
 the Computer Software User," by Albert Silverman. ISBN  0-9527435-1-8. 330
 pages in nominal 8-1/2"x11" format, softbound with an attractive cover.

     What is the purpose of this book? Replacing the legal Mumbo-Jumbo with
 plain English,  it  provides  an  all-inclusive,  detailed,  and impartial
 explanation  of  the  computer  software  copyright laws, using past court
 cases for clarification of obscure language in the  written letter  of the
 law.  Since  there  is  NO commercially-generated distortion, it is likely
 that you will  find  some  surprises;  i.e.,  which  run  contrary  to the
 industry's self-serving  "interpretation" of  the law. Thoroughly debunked
 is the industry's attempt  to pirate  your legal  rights by  the use  of a
 phoney  "licensing  strategy."  Included  is  a  detailed and entertaining
 analysis of several leading Software License  Agreements. In  summary, you
 are  provided  with  sufficient  and accurate information (i.e., the legal
 FACTS) to permit you  to  handle  your  computer  software  in  the manner
 intended  by  the  U.S.  Congress,  while  safely  ignoring those industry
 perversions of the law which seek to gain for it an unfair  advantage.. at
 YOUR expense.

     Exposed in  great detail is the outrageous software industry piracy of
 the  legal   rights  of   unsophisticated  software   users  (directed  by
 unconcerned  educational  administrators)  within  the  California  public
 schools. For  the  first  time  ever,  this  well-hidden  scheme  has been
 unearthed  (with   supporting  and  incriminating  documentation  from  my
 extensive research into the inner educational  sanctum) and  is being made
 public.  Although  this  ongoing  effort is particularly well organized in
 California, the premier "computer state," it  blankets the  entire nation,
 leaving no educational level uncovered.

     The disastrous  result of this exceptionally cozy relationship between
 the computer software industry and the California Department  of Education
 is explained.  If you  are at  all concerned  about the  way in which this
 illicit  educational-commercial  "partnership"  affects  the  integrity of
 computer education  in your  public schools and drains away your tax money
 to line the software industry's  pockets  with  unwarranted  profits, this
 book is essential reading.

     What will  NOT be  found in  this book?  Since its  sole purpose is to
 ensure that  you understand  precisely what  conduct is  required for your
 (simultaneous) compliance  with federal  copyright law and state licensing
 law, there  are no  sermons about  your "moral"  or "ethical" obligations.
 That  is,  it  is  only  your  hard  and  fast LEGAL obligations which are
 addressed. The industry's "moral suasion" is most often an attempt  to get
 the  software  user  to  obey  the  law;  i.e., it is a substitute for the
 economically-unfeasible prosecution  of  small-  scale  violations  of the
 copyright law. On the other hand, there may also be a piratical attempt to
 make an end-run around the law. That is, when there is NO ground for legal
 action against  the software  user, the  industry may seek to gain its own
 way, either by shaming the user  with claims  of immoral  and/or unethical
 conduct or  by the  use of a phoney (and usually coercive) "license." This
 book sorts it all out for you.

                                 -------- 

     The  price  of  $19.92  (check  or  money  order)  includes  $4.50 for
 handling,  shipping  by  UPS,  and  sales  tax  if shipped to a California
 address.  A  street  address  is  required  for  shipping  purposes.  Off-
 the-shelf delivery from:

                             INTELLOGIC PRESS
                               P.O. Box 3322
                            La Mesa  CA  91944

                                 --------

     Any questions?  If you  want information  about the  subject matter of
 this article, or if you want  more information  about my  book, send  me a
 message by  GE Mail.  My GEnie  mail address  is A.SILVERMAN4.  Or you may
 write to me at the  above  address,  enclosing  a  stamped, self-addressed
 envelope if you would like a reply.



      _______________________________________________________________




 > BRACE!! '92 STR SHOW NEWS                EXCLUSIVE SHOW REPORTS
   """""""""""""""""""""""""




                                 BRACE '92
                                 =========
                               SHOW REPORTS



     Well we did it! As far as I am concerned we pulled off one of the
 biggest attractions in these parts of the U.S.A. The developers where TOP
 NOTCH and very informative even to the NOVICES. I felt like a kid in a
 candy store. Every where I turned there was excitement to be found. The
 only thing missing was the Lions and Tigers and Bears, OH MY! The seminars
 were just as good as the demo's. Even though Ralph put the Atari sales
 rep on the hot seat, I felt there was a good reason for it. Since  I "are"
 a salesman myself, I could feel some concern for his position. When direct
 questions were being asked, it would have sat easier with most of us if he
 were straight forward and to the point.So I will give us all a pat on the
 back and a "JOB WELL DONE" to all that made it possible, the supporters of
 ATARI. 

                                   Russell Nicotri - BRACE Member

                                 \\\~~~///

     Since I was lashed to the camcorder for most of the show, I don't have
 a real feel for the '92 Atarifest. Perhaps I will in several weeks, when
 I've finished editing the video.

     I did get to help some in Registration with Mary, a very nice lady
 from KAUG. From what I saw there we may want to consider how we handle
 things associated with the registration desk for the next show.

     The most important reaction to the show has to come from the Dealers.
 Since I didn't make the follow-up banquet, I don't know how they felt.
 But, those few BRACE members who worked on the show should feel immensely
 satisfied to have brought it off so well. Especially, Cliff for all of his
 efforts at organization and Sheldon for his contacts with the Dealers.

                                   Earl Newborn - BRACE Librarian

                                 \\\~~~///

 This year's ATARIFEST impressed me as being more action packed than any
 previous year. We were blessed with software developers who had a wide
 range of interesting programs to show off. We also had folks in process of
 developing new programs. This type of input into a show like ours is
 invaluable.

 All in all, from the perspective of an individual who has a narrow
 interest range in computing, this was a great show. Next year I would
 urge anyone who wants to see the cutting edge of computers to attend. The
 only drawback to the whole show was that I couldn't afford to buy one of
 everything. IBM users- WAKE UP!!

                                   Mike Zenowitz- BRACE Newsletter Editor

                                 \\\~~~///

                    They came...They saw...They spent.
                    So went the third BRACE AtariFest.

     On June 18, several hundred Atarians from North Carolina and
 neighboring states converged on Asheville to get a chance to see first
 hand some of the most innovative new products for their Atari computers
 and to meet the developers and vendors.  They were not disappointed!

     The show had something for everyone, from light-hearted games to
 industrial strength business applications.  For those just interested in
 learning about Atari computers, there were educational seminars and enough
 information from developers to fill a large volume.  By starting time at
 10:00 am, the hall was bustling with activity.  The pace was hectic for
 the next several hours.

     Between the displays, seminars, door prizes (graciously donated by
 vendors and developers), and newfound Atari friends, there was something
 to do all the time.  If you missed it, you missed a good show.  I'm
 already looking forward to next year and the new technology it might bring
 to the show.

                                   Van eSTes - BRACE President


                                 \\\~~~///

 From GEnie's ST RT
 
 Category 11,  Topic 7
 Message 179       Sun Jul 19, 1992
 HAINES                       at 17:37 EDT
  

     Well, after a few hours sleep, I thought I would post here for any
 monitoring this topic as to what was shown at the show. Starting at the
 front door was Accusoft, which has some really excellent and very clean
 monochrome img files on a very wide variety of topics. I bought a sample
 pak from them, consisting of 8 of their most popular disks, each with a
 viewer program, for $24. It also came with a nice disk holder. Next was
 Worldcomm, with Chris Roberts. I saw him inside at several booths, but
 never saw him outside. He might have decided to look more than sit. 

     Registration desk next, with the Knoxville Atari Users Group (KAUG)
 table beside it. They were showing some nice demo stuff when I went by,
 but I don't think they were showing any product. When you went in the
 front door to the main hall area, all the booths were on your left.

     The first was Lexicor Software, which was showing the Phase 4 paint
 and rendering software. They were running a videotape showing previous
 efforts, and these could only be described as stunning. Some were done on
 the Matrix card, some on their 24 bit video card. These videos were
 incredible. You would never believe the video. If you ever saw the movie
 Tron, you would have a idea of the possibilities. They just started there.
 The video was a little worn, but running at every show would make it so,
 because anyone that looked at it stayed for a while. Very impressive. 

     Next was SDS, showing the Deskjet Utilities pack, Newdesk icon editor,
 and a product I was very excited about, the Logitech Fotoman Camera. This
 is a new product, to be on the market August 15. It is a 372 by 256 pixels
 256 grayscale camera than can take and digitally hold 32 pictures. The
 software was very nice, and controlled the camera, though it still has a
 few features they want to add. The SDS fellow (can't read his name) told
 the guys at the Lexicor booth to smile, and snapped their picture. He
 placed the Fotoman in its cradle, and selected the directory function in
 the software. In a few seconds, a thumbnail preview of all the pictures in
 the camera appeared on screen. They can be saved in TIFF, EPS, and another
 I don't remember (IMG?). It connects to the serial port, and runs at 9600
 baud now, release version will possibly run at 14 to 19k, depending on how
 reliable they find these to be. At 9600 it is really fast. A seamless,
 quick, and impressive way to get pictures in to the ST. They hope to have
 a Calamus SL import module later. Priced at $700 for complete system, to
 $100 if you already own the hardware. Separate versions for ST or TT
 though, some specific functions needed for each. 

     Next was Step Ahead Software, showing Tracker ST and Gemvelope. I
 think Nevin was a little late getting in, but he did make it, and showed
 these excellent products to many interested users. 

     Craig Harvey of Edhak fame was next at the Clear Thinking booth,
 showing his fast and excellent file/memory/disk/next editor. He was also
 showing a Metapsychology primer program (?) which several people bought as
 a package along with Edhak, I think it allows you to look at (I don't know
 about editing) your head. Nothing really like it in the ST market, one of
 the buyers can explain it more easily than I. 

     ABC Solutions was showing First Publisher 2, tbxCad, Kspread 4 and
 Kspread Lite, First Word Plus, and the one I really liked, Firstgraph. If
 you have played with he demo, you know this is an extremely powerful
 graphing package. It is also very fast. They showed me the current
 versions speed by having a 3d bar graph drawn, with a perspective view
 shown from off center. He then grabbed a camera view icon, and dragged it
 around, changing the perspective. Redraw was basically instantaneous. Very
 fast, very clean. You can place labels anywhere on the graph, rotate then,
 etc. Very powerful for the price. They were upgrading the other packages
 at the show. 

     Next was DSA, showing their new product, the DP graphics engine. This
 is program for drawing graphics, sprites, background screens and more, for
 inclusion in your GFA Basic programs, somewhat similar to the utilities in
 STOS, but more full featured. they were showing 3 games programmed in the
 engine, for a total of less than 30 hours programming time. One was Ms
 Pacman, the other an invaders clone, the other a nice platform game, as
 good as anything I have seen out of Europe. Smooth graphics, detailed
 sprites, and nice sounds. Looks good. They are also going to mail out a
 shareware drawing program, they showed a version of it at the she, but it
 was not complete enough to let loose. It has several functions not present
 in any of the drawing programs I have seen, including the ability to grab
 any portion of a picture and create an instant border around it. It has
 text, and very interesting gradient fill brushes that can change
 gradients as they move, making very nice pictures. It looks like a good
 replacement for Printmaster. 

     Next was a music booth, but I can't read what I have written. I don't
 know much about the music scene, but the software was very professional
 looking, and the sounds very nice. Someone else can cover this. 

     Next was the Codehead double table. They needed it. From the time John
 got there and set up, till he left, there was a group of people around him
 2, and sometimes three deep, watching him put Calligrapher, Megapaint II,
 and Avant Vector through their paces. If he sold as much as people were
 interested, it should have been very successful. 

     Across the way was Joppa Software, showing their Straight Fax software
 for the ST. They held a seminar, telling of the possible future features
 to be included in the software as newer Fax modems come to the market, and
 invited anyone to come over to their booth and try the fax software, using
 a hand scanner or a page scanner. They have Pagestream and Calamus export
 drivers, and the fax pages produced from these are virtually
 indistinguishable from the original produced on a laser printer.

     Beside them was Maxwell CPU, showing off Silhouette, the American, low
 priced alternative to the European programs, combining autotracing and
 editing of bitmap and vectors in one program. Very impressive. 

     Mobile Ohm Software was next, they got in a little late, I only got a
 peek, showing some music software. 

     Twilight Zone Software was showing Transcendence BBS, which looking
 very nice and full featured.

     Steinberg-Jones had a seminar room set up, where they showed their
 wares and held their seminar. Very interesting abilities with their
 programs. The demo they held was like something off a rock concert stage.
 I may have missed someone, as I jumped around some. 

     Ralph from STReport did have a table, and was handing out "No More
 Real Soon Now" and STReport badges. He was a very interesting person to
 talk to. A lot of people think he is down on Atari, but I found him to be
 up on Atari, kind of down on the people at Atari, or certain ones anyway.
 The seminars were very well attended. 

     Don Terp of Reed Mountain Press spoke some on publishing, but mainly
 on how to use your system to run a business, and stay in business. 
     Joppa spoke on the features they have in their software, and future
 development. 

     A KAUG member put on an interesting beginning Midi demo, as he is the
 leader of his church choir, and uses his ST and midi software and
 keyboards to make church music! Definitely a long way from the Rock and
 Roll we usually associate with the St and Midi. Steinberg-Jones had a very
 nice seminar demonstrating the abilities of their products, with very wild
 sounds issuing forth. 

     Ralph of STReport's seminar was very well attended. He is pretty
 upbeat about Atari this year, with the wait for the new machines, and
 feels that Atari can make a real comeback, but they have to push the new
 machine. If they wait, they will loose the advantage of the advanced
 technology for the price like they used to have. He more or less stated
 that a lot of the details everyone has been hearing from europe about the
 Falcon contain a lot of the truth. He also urges everyone to write to
 Atari to encourage them to push now. When he asked who plans to buy one of
 the new machines, almost the entire room raised their hands. 

     Mike Groh of Atari had no formal presentation, but instead had a
 question and answer period. He would not confirm or deny the Falcon and
 its release date, but stated that if others in the company had stated it
 might have a fall 92 release, that there might be a release then, as Atari
 is always in product development, he just was not able to say what. 

     He stated the ST Stylus had been dropped because of the extreme
 manpower needed to get market penetration with this type of new product.
 He stated that the ST Book would not be sold here now, but is being sold
 in other parts of the world. A 4 meg version, maybe or maybe not with
 backlit screen will be available here later in the year, possibly fall
 92. 

     FSM GDOS is to be rewritten so that it can use fonts that can be
 obtained at any PC store, though he did not say which, Ralph thinks
 Bitstream. He spoke about the advertising Atari is doing, and markets they
 thing they can move into. 

     A lot of questions, many of which he could not give real answers to,
 as the questioners knew, they were just hoping for a little slip, but Mike
 was on top of it. Other than the above, and a little info on Multitos,
 nothing new was released. Well, I probably missed as much as I saw. I
 thought it to be a very successful show. I don't know about how many
 attended, but every time I left a seminar, the hallway was packed.
 Computer Studio had a line a the cash register each time I went in. I know
 I enjoyed it, and hope it was good for the developers.

                                 \\\~~~///

     For those that couldn't attend the show, I think you missed one of the
 best little shows in the south.

 A special thanks to the following;

 Accusoft-ST:
 ------------
 I will be spending quite a few days looking through all the Clip-Art disks
 I got. ABC Solutions: Sorry I was unable to visit your  booth. Everytime I
 started over your way, I was called to do something else.

 Clear Thinking:
 ---------------
 Will try the  Metapsychology Primer in a couple of days. I hope I don't
 prove to be sane, it's more fun when your slightly crazy. CodeHead
 Software: John, thanks for checking on my version numbers. DSA: Every time
 I looked, your booth was full of kids playing your software.

 Computer STudio:
 ----------------
 For the User group support year round.  And for the 8-bit trade in special
 on the MegaSTE.

 Joppa Software Development:
 ---------------------------
 Sorry I didn't get a chance to visit your booth until close to closing
 time. From what I could see, your product does look like the one for me.
 Have a safe trip back.

 KAUG:
 -----
 Thanks for the assist with the registration desk.

 Erik White (KAUG):
 Good seminar.

 Lexicor Software:
 -----------------
 Thank you again for the door prize. Maxwell CPU: With all the IMG clip art
 I got at the Accusoft-ST booth, your program will get a work out.

 Reed Mountain Press:
 --------------------
 For the second year in row, you've packed the seminar. Am looking forward
 to reading your new book.

 Software Development System:
 ----------------------------
 As soon as I pick up my new MegaSTE tomorrow, I will install the NewDesk
 ICON CPX.

 STReport International Online Magazine:
 ---------------------------------------
 Another lively, packed (standing room only) house in the seminar room.

 Step Ahead Software:
 --------------------
 Nevin, sorry to hear about the flight snafu, but glad you made it. Your
 southern drawl is getting better. Twilight Zone Software: Glad you make to
 the show this year.

 Applied Audio Marketing and Steinberg/Jones:
 --------------------------------------------
 Sorry I didn't get a chance to visit your demo room.

     Thanks to developers for submitting door prizes. The attendees are
 going to be busy using them.

 Once again, thanks to all for making this show winner.

                                             Cliff Allen BRACE

                                 \\\~~~///

     The Blue Ridge AtariFest '92 was another spectacular success.  Our
 show staff did a fantastic job of organization and making sure everything
 went smoothly during the show.  Exhibitors were kept busy throughout the
 day at their booths, seminar sessions drew nice crowds, door prizes were
 spectacular and abundant, and our own Computer STudio staff had nary a
 dull moment as Saturday become our best sales day ever, blowing away even
 last year's Blue Ridge AtariFest record-setting day.  Several of our
 non-Atari customers who dropped by for the show came away so impressed
 that they're now talking with us about a possible 'upgrade' to the Atari
 platform!  <big grin>

                              Sheldon (Computer STudio - Asheville, NC)

                                 \\\~~~///

     Most everything good to say about "The Best Lil' Ole Atari Show" in
 the SouthEast has already been said. The user participation and enthusiasm
 levels were far greater than predicted.  The new software demonstrated was
 outstanding and the discussions of plans for even more powerful versions
 in the future.  The seminars were all quite informative with the last two
 seminars (STReport's & Atari's) being "standing room only".

     Congratulations are in order to Sheldon Winick, Brace and all the
 great folks who worked diligently to bring such a successful show about. 
 The dinner after the show was outstanding.  The menu was _all_ American
 and made from the freshest of fresh ingredients.  Believe me, the fare was
 superb.  A hearty "WELL-DONE" to all.



       _____________________________________________________________




 > LOOKIN' AROUND STR Feature              LOOKING GENIE OVER.....
   """"""""""""""""""""""""""





                           ALL AROUND GENIE - #2
                           =====================



 Compiled by Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
 Senior Editor of ST Report


 A few posts that I found interesting in my travels around Genie.  Most 
 are related to computers and/or the ST, some are not.

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

 From the Jerry Pournelle RT - Category 4,  Topic 11 - Message 165...

 Warning!

 Do *not* have a bored gerbil in the house right before you plan on going 
 to bed!  A gerbil with a toilet paper roll is noisy for only a few 
 minutes; a bored gerbil can be noisy for hours.

                      -----------------------------
  
 Last week I had some posts from the Jerry Pornelle RT that were talking 
 about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and computers.  Here's two more articles 
 about CT Syndrome from Al Fasoldt that were found in the Atari ST RT 
 file library -

                   2 columns on carpal tunnel syndrome 
                   ***********************************



 Copyright (c) 1990, The Herald Company

 WRIST INJURY EMERGES AS HAZARD OF COMPUTER USE

 BY AL FASOLDT

 Staff Writer


 Can your computer hurt you?

 Five years ago, this would have been a silly question. But recently, 
 many computer users have begun to notice stiffness and pain in their 
 wrists and hands.

 The stiffness can even turn to an actual injury. In its worst case, the 
 injury can make it impossible to move your hands.

 The name for this problem, caused by repetitive typing on keyboards, is 
 "cumulative trauma disorder." When the stiffness turns into injury, the 
 most common injury is called carpal tunnel syndrome.

 It's a serious matter. Both my wrists are injured from carpal tunnel 
 syndrome, and there are times when they hurt too much to let me type. 
 Two of the editors I work with suffer from it, too.

 The problem has been around a long time. The old name for carpal tunnel 
 syndrome was "jackhammerer's syndrome" -- an indication that workers who 
 operate those large mechanical hammers were the first to complain to 
 doctors.

 In both jackhammer operation and keyboard typing, the wrists can be 
 flexed hundreds or thousands of times in rapid, jerky movements. After 
 years of this sort of abuse, nerves and cartilage can become pinched 
 inside the wrist.

 Carpal tunnel syndrome can be avoided in two ways -- by changing your 
 typing style (holding your wrists steady while putting all the motion in 
 your fingers) and by using a keyboard and typing table that make easy 
 typing possible.

 If you feel stiffness in your wrists or a tingling feeling in your hands 
 and fingers while typing or after you've used your computer, be sure to 
 mention the problem to a doctor. Sometimes treatment can be as simple as 
 wearing a wrist brace for a few hours a week. But if you delay, the 
 problem will only get worse.

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

 Copyright (c) 1992, The Herald Company

 KEYBOARD WORK CAN HURT

 By Al Fasoldt

 Staff Writer


 I want to buy a new gadget. You may think it's silly, but ever since I 
 saw it advertised, I've wanted it.

 It's an electric pepper mill. You push a button on the top, and it 
 grinds out your pepper at the dinner table. You don't have to twist it 
 at all.

 Don't laugh. This isn't one of those old Bob Newhart electric-fork 
 jokes. An electric pepper mill is a real thing - and very much needed 
 around my house.

 Both my wife and I have carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by an adult life-
 time of typing on keyboards.

 WE'RE BOTH EDITORS, and I'm a writer and computer programmer. She types 
 faster and harder than I do, and I type for longer periods each day. The 
 result has been steady damage to our wrists, concentrated in the tunnels 
 that provide a passageway for the nerves, arteries and tendons that run 
 from our arms to our hands.

 What happens is a progressive narrowing of the tunnels until they choke 
 off the passageway. The constant pressure can make both hands immobile.

 Some days are worse than others. On the good days, carpal tunnel 
 syndrome shows up as nothing more than a tingling numbness along the 
 edge of the palm. On the bad days, the wrist swells up from pain and 
 locks up. Even the slightest movement is impossible when that happens.

 WE EACH HAVE wrist braces, supplied free by the company we work for, and 
 the ergonomics experts - specialists in adapting working spaces and 
 equipment to workers - who interviewed everyone at the office have 
 prompted the purchase of new chairs. And we now have wrist rests on some 
 of the keyboards we type on.

 But the problem has not gone away. It is an occupational hazard.

 In the late 1800s, doctors used to call carpal tunnel syndrome 
 "jackhammerer's disease." The rapid pogo-stick-like jerking motion of a 
 jackhammer can wreck a worker's wrists in a couple of years.

 Later, as the technology of the work force changed, carpal tunnel 
 syndrome was referred to as the "secretary's disease." But now, with 
 computer keyboards common in many homes and most offices, anyone who 
 types for long periods can succumb.

 THE FIRST DOCTOR I went to when I felt a numbness on the edges of my 
 palms, eight years ago, told me I had a case of tennis elbow in my 
 wrists.

 "Stop playing tennis and racquetball for a while," he said.

 Since I hadn't played tennis or racquetball in about 15 years, I found 
 another doctor. This one knew a little more about modern injuries. She 
 diagnosed the problem after a couple of quick tests.

 At my last checkup, another doctor looked at the medical history form I 
 had filled out and asked how long I had been using a computer. He looked 
 at me in a strange way, as if he were going to share an embarrassing 
 secret, and told me he, too, had carpal tunnel syndrome.

 YOU MAY HAVE it, too. One estimate that I saw placed the number of 
 possible sufferers at 20 million in the United States alone. Of that 
 number, the study said, 80 percent - that's 16 million - may not realize 
 what is causing their pain and stiffness.

 If you have the kind of pain or discomfort I'm describing, tell your 
 doctor to check for carpal tunnel syndrome and other hand-disabling 
 problems that can result from keyboard work, such as tendinitis. And 
 find ways to give your wrists a break when you are typing.
 You may even want to have the doorknobs at your home or office changed 
 to levers so that you don't have to do a lot of twisting. There are many 
 other things that can be done; your health insurance company should have 
 some tips.

 And you might look, as I'm doing, for that electric pepper mill. Some 
 gadgets are just plain common sense.

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

 From the Jerry Pournelle RT - Category 4, Topic 6 - Messages 332-340...

 R.CHUANG [Raymond]...
  
 ...I'm now seeing the new Maxtor 7213A (nice drive, IMHO) sold for 
 around $350 or so. Uses the same drive parameters (16 heads, 683 
 cylinders, no write-precomp, landing zone 683 and sectors/track 38) as 
 the Maxtor LXT-213A and Conner CP-3204F.

 B.NASH [BNASH]...
  
 ...I am not familiar with Maxtor's designations. What is the capacity of 
 the 7213A?

 V.PUNKKA [Gmalu]...
  
 Could the Maxtor 7213A be a 213 MB drive? At least my 7120AT is a 120 MB 
 one.

 R.CHUANG [Raymond]...
  
 ...the Maxtor 7213A has a formatted capacity of around 212 MB.

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

 From the Jerry Pournelle RT - Category 4,  Topic 16 - Message 287...
  
 ============ ALERT - Major computer viruses on the loose! =============

 George Bush virus  - Doesn't do anything, but you can't get rid of it
                      until November.  

 Ted Kennedy virus - crashes your computer, but denies it ever happened.

 Warren Commission virus - won't allow you to open your files for 75 years.

 Jerry Brown virus - blanks your screen and begins flashing an 800 number.

 David Duke virus  - Makes your screen go completely white.

 Congress virus    - overdraws your disk space.

 Pat Buchanan virus - shifts all output to the extreme right of the screen
                      and prohibits importation of any new files.

 Dan Quayle virus  - forces your computer to play "PGA Tour" from 10:00 am
                     to 4:00 pm six days a week.

 Bill Clinton virus - mutates from region to region - we're not exactly
                      sure what it does.

 Richard Nixon virus - a.k.a. the "Tricky Dicky virus" - you can kick it
                       out, but it always makes a comeback.

 H. Ross Perot virus - same as the Jerry Brown virus, but with nicer fonts
                       and it appears to have had a lot more money put into
                       its development.

 Andre' Marrou virus - erases unnecessary programs, disconnects your net-
                       work and makes yours a stand-alone machine,
                       abolishes shared resources, and improves produc-
                       tivity by eliminating limits on resource allocation.

 The above virus bulletin is from the MN Libertarian May-June newsletter.

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

 From the Atari-ST RoundTable - Category 14, Topic 11 - Message 146 - 
 from V.PATRICELL1 [Vince]....
  
 I am not aware of anyone who will refill the toner carts for the SLM804. 
 I guess the cost would be about the same, though, because the cart 
 itself is just a inexpensive piece of plastic.

 However, E. Arthur Brown (1-800-322- 4405) will rebuild the SLM 804 drum 
 unit for you. You must send them both your old drum and toner hopper 
 assembly and they will completely clean the toner hopper assembly and 
 give an anti-static treatment to the magnetic dispersant roller. Then 
 they empty and vacuum the excess toner auger assembly, clean and anti-
 static treat the wiper blades, apply a de-oxidizing treatment to the 
 drum surface and buff to a mirror finish. All this for only $39.95 and 
 they will re-do it within 90 days if you are not completely satisfied.

 I have never tried this since I was reluctant to send in my toner hopper 
 and be without my laser for a couple of weeks, but they advertise this 
 in their catalog. I have ordered software from them and find them very 
 reliable, though.

 From the Atari-ST RoundTable - Category 18, Topic 20 - Message 89 - from 
 C.KLIMUSHYN

 Greetings All,

 Since it's almost been a year to the day that I smugly left the Atari 
 World for DOS it's fitting I write this letter. I return from the dark 
 side battered, bruised, and broke.

 It's not that I couldn't handle the PC's operation. I learned to write 
 my own config.sys and autoexect.bat files, I learned the difference 
 between expanded and extended memory (when is a 1 meg of RAM not a meg 
 of RAM <grin>), and I even had DR. DOS' graphic interface Viewmax (which 
 is stripped down GEM anyway) doing a reasonable imitation of my ST.

 The problem was I always needed one more thing, be it a soundcard or an 
 extra meg of RAM. The last straw came when I found myself walking out of 
 a tradeshow with a new motherboard to replace the one in my eight month 
 old computer so I could run Wing Commander II "smoothly."

 I really don't care if another program ever comes out for the ST, I'm 
 content with my system as it is. If Falcon comes out and looks like it 
 will give me another 4 years of minimal needs to upgrade like my faith-
 ful ST, I will strongly consider buying one no matter if the rest of the 
 world has gone DOS-Mad.
  
                       ---------------------------

 More on "Modem Addictus" from the Jerry Pournelle RT - Category 4, Topic 
 40 - Message 61...

 KSPROUSE [Ken],
  
 I not only have "modem addictus" I also have information OVERFLOW! There 
 are TONS of things on GEnie that I would like to be reading both in the 
 Round Tables and here in *BASIC service bulletin boards.  On top of this 
 I do have internet access and even with only a small sub-set of netnews 
 feed to my system I can't keep up with all the information that flows in 
 about telecommunications, ham radio and emergency medical services. Add 
 to this company email, a user group bulletin board that I run for one of 
 our product lines and email from internet GEnie and CIS$ and there are 
 times when I feel like "This is your brain on computers, any questions?".
 H-E-L-P!

 Good thing I do enjoy it all. One thing I have noticed is that I find 
 myself having to make a choice nowadays. Do I want to read that new 
 Michael Critchon book I just got, or do I want to catch up on netnews 
 and what's new on GEnie. Tough choice.

 The thing that really scares me is that my children have discovered that 
 the best way to communicate with me as of late is to log-in on the Unix 
 system and leave me mail. I've just got to get away from the tube more 
 often. Even now I'm watching the evening news (on tape because I stayed 
 at work late) and entering this message. I'm saying some of this tongue 
 in cheek but it really does have it's serious side. Got to go, the wife 
 wants the phone line. (of which I have three but this one has the wide 
 area service on it)

  Ken Sprouse / N3IGW
  GEnie mail KSPROUSE
  Internet sprouse@n3igw.pgh.pa.us
  Compu$erve 70145,426
  Packet radio n3igw@w2xo.pa.usa.noam

           

        __________________________________________________________




 > ATARI ON THE CHEAP STR Spotlight       FORBES 08/03/92 SERVES TOAST!
   """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""




                              TOAST ANYBODY?
                              ==============



 Paraphrased by Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.


     Here's basically what the August 08, 1992 FORBES article said - PLEASE
 people, I am not  saying these  things, I'm  paraphrasing what  the Forbes
 article said...

     Basically the  article said  the same things that have been said here,
 in STReport, for years. The T's are 'penny-wise and pound  foolish'.  Jack
 still hasn't  realized that  what worked  for him  at Commodore - spending
 almost nothing on marketing, pro- motion or overhead, but undercutting the
 competition with cheap computers - won't work in today's market.

     The author goes onto give some examples of Jack's bad decisions and/or
 cheapness....

     Buying Federated  for $67  million, losing  $124 million  in the first
 year and putting his son Garry - then in his mid-20's - in charge.

     Holding  back  the  7800  Prosystem  videogame  for 18 months and then
 deciding to upgrade an older system  that couldn't  compete with Nintendo.
 When Atari  did release the Model 7800 in '86 they spent about $300,000 to
 promote it while Nintendo and Sega spent $15 million each  promoting their
 systems.  Now Nintendo has 80% of the market.

     Even  when  Atari  finally  came  out  with the Lynx, according to the
 author a superior system to Nintendo's Gameboy unit, Atari again  went the
 cheap  route  and  spent  almost  nothing  on national advertising.  Also,
 because Atari had cut their software development to  almost nothing, there
 were only 4-5 games for the Lynx compared to more than 80 for the Gameboy.
 Atari's cheapness helped result  in the  Gameboy today  having 81%  of the
 market  and  16,000  outlets,  while  the  Lynx  has  3% of the market and
 available in less than 3,000 stores.

     Another example he gives of the T's cheapness is the confidential memo
 to  Sam  T.  that  was  leaked.    The  one where Gary T. refused to allow
 computer games president (at that time) Michael Katz  to spend  $54 to air
 freight two  game cartridges  to an important large client.  And how Atari
 employees say that Jack T. checks expense accounts to make sure tips don't
 exceed 15%.

     The article's  author tells  how Jack bought Atari for $240 million in
 promissory notes and built up the sales to just under $500 million  by '87
 and how  the stock  traded at 16 in the same year.  Then he shows that the
 sales were down to $258 million last year and the stock now  trades in the
 1 5/8  range.  Not only was last year bad, he says that this year (so far)
 will be worse.  Atari had losses of  $14 million  on $44  million in sales
 for  the  first  quarter  and  (according  to company sources), the second
 quarter will be even worse.  He also tells how 27 Atari exec's have either
 been fired  or resigned  in the  past 30 months.  How since Atari lost the
 Nintendo suit, that Jack T. has taken day-to-day operations away  from Sam
 and is  in charge  of the company himself.  He even took over Sam's 'fancy
 corner office' and moved Sam into a normal office, next to purchasing.

     Let's see, what else...according to the author, Atari's European sales
 have 'collapsed' (to use his word) to $209 million last year - this was in
 comparison to $342 million in '90.

     He does talk about the Falcon 030 and  the Jaguar.   But  according to
 him,  industry  sources  say  that  Atari  needs  at  least $40 million in
 promotions to give them a real chance to succeed and that's about  all the
 cash that Atari has on hand.  Plus, Atari needs $24 million a year just to
 meet its normal operating overhead.

     He quotes one anonymous  Atari official  as saying,  "The Tramiels are
 not stupid.  But their formula for success worked only once.  They are not
 adaptable people."

     My personal opinion is the author isn't going  to be  investing any of
 his money in Atari stock anytime in the near future.



             _________________________________________________





 > STReport CONFIDENTIAL    "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips"
   """""""""""""""""""""



 - Chicago, IL                                 MacSEE 2.0 SHIPPING!
   -----------

     MacSEE 2.0 will commence shipping on Monday, July 27, 1992.  It is our
 utility for  both reading  and writing  to/from a  Macintosh HFS formatted
 disk.  Supported media  types include  800K Spectre  format floppies, 1.44
 Meg Mac floppies, Spectre GCR format HD partitions, and Mac formatted hard
 disks including removables such as SyQuest drives formatted  with standard
 apple, PLI,  Disk Manager,  and QuikCore  formatted packages (and probably
 others).

     The program sports a  GEM user  interface, and  is capable  of dealing
 with both  MacBinary files  and raw  Mac files. MacBInary is used when you
 wish to be able to transfer a file  back to  the Mac  and keep  it intact.
 Raw Translation  is used for transferring data (i.e. TIFF pics, Postscript
 files, SoundTracker MOD...etc).  Retail price is $59.95 and through August
 6, '92  we will  be running a special for all pre-paid orders received (up
 to 25) at $39.95.



 - Sunnyvale, CA                                WHERE IS SAM?
   -------------
  
     According to our inside source, the representations made in the Forbes
 article are absolutely accurate.  So much so, that a parallel was drawn on
 one incident related in that article.   It  seems something  quite similar
 occurred in 1977 at Commodore when Jack was in charge.  He sent his oldest
 son Sam on an extended leave to "mull things over".  Sam is on an extended
 vacation at  this time.   In the meantime, the flitting stories around the
 office is a few heads  will  roll  very  shortly  and  resumes  are flying
 furiously.   Also, more cost cutting measures are about to take place.  It
 is said that any expense not directly connected with the  new products and
 their delivery will not exist.
   

   
 - Santa Fe, NM                 NETWORKS READY TO DROP ATARI CONNECTS
   ------------
  
     Reports  are  filtering  in  that  Ataris  relay connects are close to
 dropping the  connections  even  though  Atari  is  footing  all  the long
 distance charges.   It  seems a  large number  of the connecting nodes are
 beginning to realize the  network is  being polarized  and divided  by the
 actions  of  Atari's  Director  of  "Communications".   The Atari Explorer
 Online Conference has seen  a number  of nodes  "locked out"  recently and
 this action  by Atari's Director of Communications (Conference  Leader) is
 seen by many as an act of vengeance and serving  no useful  purpose at all
 except to  cause further  separation in the network and ill-will for Atari
 Corp. on an International level.






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


                      STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON"
                      """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""



 > A "Quotable Quote"        "...SIGNIFICANT VALUES ARE CLEAR..!"
   """""""""""""""""




                             "MONEY TALKS.....
                                    and
                             BULLHOCKY WALKS!"




                                        ... a wise old man



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




 > ABCO SPECIALS! STR InfoFile      * NEW 1992 Prices!  MORE Products! *
   """""""""""""""""""""""""""        --------------------------------

     Special for the Summer! 15% off on all orders of 150.00 or more!

                       ** 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
                 _________________________________________

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                    FAX: 904-783-3319  12 PM - 6 AM EDT
                 _________________________________________
                                        
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                 are clock/calendar and cooling blower(s).
                                        
            *-ALL ABCO HARD DISK SYSTEMS ARE FULLY EXPANDABLE-*
                    (you are NOT limited to two drives)
                   (all cables and connectors installed)
                      - Available for all Platforms -
                                        
               * ICD LINK HOST ADAPTERS USED EXCLUSIVELY * 

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                SQN1096      83mb  3.5"      Y       519.00
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            FULLY ASSEMBLED SCSI DRIVES w/o ICD LINK Available
               ADD $35.00 for 4 BAY SUPER CABINET w/250+w PS
              EXOTIC TOWER CABINETS AVAILABLE Call for Info!
              PLEASE NOTE: The above is partial listing only!

        FAST TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATOR UPGRADES AVAILABLE & INSTALLED

                                   *****
                 >> ABCO proudly offers ATARI PRODUCTS <<
              Call for ABCO's * HIGHLY COMPETITIVE PRICING! *
                  ATARI COMPUTERS * STILL THE BEST VALUE!
                                   *****
               Original Atari Mouse replacement: $35.00 NEW!

           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! *
                            ** 800-562-4037 **
                         "WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL"

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

     * SYQUEST 44MB (#555) >> ABCOFILE "44" << REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE *

          --->> LIMITED TIME SPECIAL! NOW ONLY __$ 579.00__ <<---

                   WE PAY SHIPPING & INSURANCE!  >UPS!<
                                (Cont. USA)
                  COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED AND READY TO RUN!
                    Cart and Utility Software Included!

                        EXTRA CARTS:      $  69.50
                        DRIVE MECH ONLY:  $ 339.95

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

   * TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT *
                     SPECIALLY PRICED ** $895.95.00 **
                       Includes: * TWO * cartridges!

    * SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS *
         - Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives -

         ** 50mb SQG51S   $759.00     105mb SQG105S    $959.00 **
                  Or, YOUR choice of Hard Disk Mechanism!

                 LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS
                      CUSTOM CONFIGURATIONS AVAILABLE

                 ** ANNOUNCING THE NEW! -> ABCO CD-ROM! **
                       :Special Introductory offer:
                            ABCO CD-ROM $489.95

           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)

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

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

                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-$186.95 *

               ABCO is PROUD to announce the  acquisition of
               the exclusive  U.S.A. distribution rights for
               ** Bitblit Software's ///Turbo Board BBS. **
               This fine Atari ST  BBS  system  software and
               user support is available through ABCO to all
               Turbo customers in the USA.  Call for current
               pricing.

               >> MANY other ATARI related products STOCKED <<
                      ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED

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

                   WE PAY SHIPPING & INSURANCE!  >UPS!<
                                (Cont. USA)
                 QUANTITY & USERGROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
                 _________________________________________

                     DEALERS and DISTRIBUTORS WANTED!
                         please, call for details

                     VISA - MASTERCARD - NO SURCHARGE!
                   Personal and Company Checks 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!

                   SEND FOR YOUR NEW ABCO CATALOG TODAY!
                  THE CATALOGS ARE DONE! &  BEING MAILED!





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 STR Online!           "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE"         July 24, 1992
 Since 1987      copyright (c) 1987-92 All Rights Reserved          No.8.30
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