ST Report: 19-Mar-93 #912

From: Bruce D. Nelson (aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 03/20/93-06:35:20 PM Z


From: aa789@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 19-Mar-93 #912
Date: Sat Mar 20 18:35:20 1993



           *---== STReport International Online Magazine ==---*
                  """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
                  "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
                                   from
                              STR Publishing 
                              """"""""""""""


 March 19, 1993                                                     No.9.12
 ==========================================================================

                  STReport International Online Magazine
                          Post Office Box   6672
                          Jacksonville,  Florida
                               32205 ~ 6672
  
                               R.F. Mariano
                            Publisher - Editor
                 -----------------------------------------
                   Voice: 904-783-3319  10 AM - 4 PM EST

                        Support BBS Network System
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              1200 - 19.2bps V.32 - 42 bis 16.8 Dual Standard
                    FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EST
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          FNET. 350 : The Bounty *<Home of STR>*...1-904-786-4176
          FNET. 489 : Steal Your Face BBS..........1-908-920-7981
   _____________________________________________________________________


 > 03/19/93 STR 912    "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!"
   """"""""""""""""
     - The Editor's Desk      - CPU Report        - PORTFOLIO NEWS
     - Mac Clone Released     - Next Prez Quits   - CompuAdd Closes Stores
     - Ruling Favors BBS      - CTFEST'93 NEWS    - PEOPLE ARE TALKING
     - DORA DINGBAT           - BLUE RIDGE FEST   - STR Confidential

                       -* TOWNSEND LEAVES ATARI!! *-
                      -* MEGA-FALCON -> FOR REAL?? *-
                      -* NO FALCONS 'TILL APRIL?!? *-


 ==========================================================================
                  STReport International Online Magazine
               The Original * Independent * Online Magazine
                          -* FEATURING WEEKLY *-
                "Accurate UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
     Current Events, Original Articles, Tips, Rumors, and Information
             Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
 ==========================================================================
 STReport's BBS, The Bounty, invites BBS systems, worldwide, to participate
 in the  Fido/NEST/Atari F-Net  Mail Network.   You  may also  call our BBS
 direct at 904-786-4176, and enjoy the excitement of exchanging information
 relative  to  all  computers,  worldwide,  through  the  use  of excellent
 International Networking Systems.  SysOps, worldwide, are quite welcome to
 join the STReport International Conferences.  The Crossnet Code is #34813,
 and the  "Lead Node" is # 350.  All BBS systems are welcome and invited to
 actively participate.  Support your favorite computers;  Join Today!
 ==========================================================================
           CIS ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ NVN ~ GENIE ~ FIDO ~ FNET ~ NEST
               EURONET ~ CIX ~ CLEVELAND FREE-NET ~ INTERNET
 ==========================================================================

                               =============
                             * ATARI EDITION *
                               =============


     COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME

                              to the Readers of;
  
                  ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
                  """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
                  "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"

                         NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY!

               CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198

                 You will receive your complimentary time
                                   and 
                       be online in no time at all!

                 WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (March 19)

 VERSION 1.0.1 of PICSWITCH

 The long-awaited  update to  PicSwitch is  available for  download as file
 PICSW1.LZH  in  LIBRARY  14  of  the Atari Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS). This
 version  is  completely  overhauled,  with  an   easy-to-use  enhanced-GEM
 interface with  customizable windows, Mac-like controls, and pop-up menus.
 Supports 20 different image formats,  now  including  GIF,  IMG, Spectrum,
 Prism Paint, PCX, and IFF.

 COMPUSERVE LOWERS CONNECT-TIME RATES

 Hourly connect-time  rates are now lower for Standard Pricing Plan members
 when using extended services.  The new  charges are  $6/hour for  300 bps,
 $8/hour for  1200/2400 bps  and $16/hour  for 9600 bps access. The monthly
 membership fee, which includes  unlimited  connect-time  in  more  than 30
 basic  services,  has  increased  $1  to $8.95 (this pricing change is not
 applicable in all countries).

 FundWatch Online by Money magazine, a  powerful mutual  fund screening and
 reporting  service,  is  now  part  of basic services, which also includes
 CompuServe Mail, The Electronic Mall,  news,  weather  and  sports, member
 support services, reference and travel services.

 Rates for  Alternative Pricing  Plan members will remain at $6.30/hour for
 300 bps, $12.80/hour for 1200 and 2400 bps, and $22.80/hour  for 9600 bps.
 Also,  the  Membership  Support  Fee  under  the  Alternative Pricing Plan
 increases 50 cents to $2.50.

 Members currently under the  Standard Pricing  Plan will  automatically be
 billed at  the new  rates starting 28-Feb. For more information on the new
 rates or to join the Standard Pricing Plan, GO CHOICES.

 COMPUSERVE CUTS EUROPEAN SURCHARGES

 Members  can  now  access  via  European  CompuServe  nodes   and  pay  no
 communication  surcharges  during  non-prime time (19:00-8:00 local time).
 The resulting $2.20/hour savings  is  in  addition  to  the  reductions in
 connect-time  charges  available  for  all members on the Standard Pricing
 Plan.  For European access numbers, GO PHONES.

 FORUM MESSAGE CAPACITY INCREASED

 CompuServe has enhanced its  forum software  to allow  an increase  in the
 size of  messages. The maximum message size was formerly 96 lines or 2,000
 characters. With this change, the size  increases to  a maximum  of 10,000
 characters. Also, the message board capacity has been increased.

 NEW CENTIPEDE GAME FROM SCOTLAND!

 Download  file  CENTPD.LZH  from  LIBRARY  2  of  the Atari Arts Forum (GO
 ATARIARTS) for an excellent shareware version of Centipede  from Scotland.
 This  game  is  FULL  of  bugs (Spiders, Flies and of course, Centipedes!)
 Great sound, great graphics, great fun!  COLOR ONLY.

 RTS/CTS FLOW CONTROL FIX

 Download file SERFX2.LZH from  LIBRARY 2  of the  Atari Productivity Forum
 (GO ATARIPRO)  for Serial Fix 2 - RTS/CTS flow control with any TOS.  This
 patch for properly handling RTS/CTS flow control in  the ST's  serial port
 works  on  all  TOS  versions  from  1.00  to  4.01.  It also includes the
 TOS14FIX.PRG  code  for  TOS  1.04  and  1.06  users.    Use  with Atari's
 eXtensible Control Panel (XCONTROL).

 SCREEN SAVERS

 Download file  SAVER1.LZH from  LIBRARY 4  of the Atari Productivity Forum
 (GO ATARIPRO) for a package of 6 shareware screensaver modules for Warp 9,
 by  John  Dillenburg.  Modules  included are Freckles, Pyro Deluxe, Random
 Lines, Roaming Shapes, Random Shapes, and Fractal Symmetries.

 LASERJET 4 DRIVER FOR PAGESTREAM 2!

 Download file NEWPRT.LZH from LIBRARY 11  of the  Atari Vendors  Forum (GO
 ATARIVEN) for the New HP LaserJet 4, HP DeskJet 550c, HP DeskJet 500c, and
 PostScript printer drivers for Pagestream 2.

 OPERATE PORTFOLIO FROM PC

 Operate your Portfolio by using the  keyboard and  screen of  your desktop
 PC?  Check out the file BIG.ZIP from master programmers BJ Gleason and Don
 Messerli, now available in LIBRARY 2  of  the  Atari  Portfolio  Forum (GO
 APORTFOLIO).



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

            "GO APORTFOLIO TO ACCESS THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM"



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



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

     ST. Pat's day has come and gone, where's the Falcon?  Sure we've heard
 the rumors about there being two thousand of  them in  the warehouse ready
 to go.   Sounds  nice but  two thousand  is a  drop in  the bucket.  Atari
 needs, for the first time, to  do things  in a  big way.   They've  got to
 advertise the  Falcon, then  depending on  the response  they get from the
 public, ramp up to produce the quantities needed to satisfy the consumer's
 appetites.   But wait..  what do  we hear?   "We're  shipping to our loyal
 dealers first and then...."  

     Odd that there is  no mention  of placing  the Falcon  in distribution
 channels where it can do the company the most good in terms of marketshare
 and penetration.  Could it be they don't have the resources to  tackle the
 project properly?  Hopefully, this is not so, and its just a rabid case of
 cold feet.  I'm inclined to believe they don't have the warm fuzzy feeling
 over the  Falcon any longer and I might add I am inclined to agree.. after
 all with the incessant delays, any marketing advantage has long dissipated
 along with  the excuses.  The pricing on the Falcon at this time has taken
 away any competitive edge  it  had  in  that  area  and  when  compared to
 machines on other platforms the Falcon has indeed lost its luster.
   
     Its time  Atari took  note of  the situation  and made the appropriate
 changes.  That is, if they're  inclined  to  be  the  competitive, dynamic
 company  they  should  be  for  both  its  loyal  customer  base  and  its
 Stockholders.  Here we are, past the mid-point in March  and still nothing
 but noise and supposition.  Multi-Tos, Speedo GDOS and the Falcon... where
 and when?  Your guess is as good as mine........
    
             Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine




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



  STReport's Staff                      DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU!
  """"""""""""""""

                            Publisher - Editor
                            """"""""""""""""""
                             Ralph F. Mariano


          PC DIVISION         AMIGA DIVISION           MAC DIVISION
          -----------         --------------           ------------
          Roger D. Stevens    Charles Hill             R. ALBRITTON


  STReport Staff Editors:
  """""""""""""""""""""""
          Dana P. Jacobson    Michael Arthur           John Deegan
          Lucien Oppler       Brad Martin              Judith Hamner
          John Szczepanik     Dan Stidham              Joseph Mirando
                    Steve Spivey        Doyle C. Helms

                     Lloyd E. Pulley, Editor Emeritus

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



                             IMPORTANT NOTICE
                             """"""""""""""""
      Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
                              via E-Mail to:

                    Compuserve.................... 70007,4454
                    Delphi........................ RMARIANO
                    BIX........................... RMARIANO
                    FIDONET....................... 112/35
                    FNET.......................... NODE 350
                    NEST.......................... 90:21/350.0
                    GEnie......................... ST-REPORT


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

                      STR'S "BELIEVE IT?  OR.. WHAT?"
                    <>###############################<>

                "There is no comparison!  The Atari Falcon
                   is far superior to the PC platform."


                                                  Sam Tramiel, 08/92


     "My new office, which has a  better view  than my  old one,  is so far
     quite  satisfactory.  And  Richard  Miller  is  in my old office.  The
     Forbes article was a mish-mash and  misconstrued article  full of half
     truths.   We are anxiously awaiting the release of the Atari Falcon to
     bring us back to the forefront.  The article has given us some laughs,
     but otherwise has not affected us."

                                                  Sam Tramiel, 08/92


          "As I  said before,  all marketing  announcements will be made at
          Duesseldorf.  I will not comment on future models of the Falcon.

                 WE ARE TALKING TODAY ABOUT A MACHINE.....
                    WHICH WILL BE SHIPPING NEXT WEEK."


                                                  Sam Tramiel, 08/92


     "I've just returned from Asia, where  I  saw  the  first  Atari Falcon
     production coming  off the  lines.   Let's hope this new offering will
     make it in North America.  I know that the specs are great."


                                                  Sam Tramiel, 08/92


     "We have not yet even given the machine to the FCC.   And we  are only
     applying for  Class B approval.  According to our "experts", it should
     pass Class B."

                                                  Sam Tramiel, 08/92


            "......  We are not working for Wall Street but to
        make money for our shareholders and only think long term."


                                                  Sam Tramiel, 11/92

 psssst.
              FYI.... The Shareholder's equity is fine.... NOT!

                    The Stock is hovering around $1.12 

                    CHRISTMAS '92 has COME and GONE...
 AS HAS...

                      JANUARY 1993, FEBRUARY 1993...

                          FALCONS    ....anyone?

                 By the Way.... Does the Falcon work well
                                   with
            any... of the SLM Laser Printers??  NOPE!  NOT YET!
   

 Better yet... 

             Which _MAJOR_ US Software Developers & Publishers
                                    are
               producing NEW Software for Atari's FALCON???



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



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




  
                  Computer Products Update - CPU Report
                  ------------------------   ----------
                 Weekly Happenings in the Computer World
  
                                Issue #12
  
                             By: John Deegan
  
  

    MAC CLONE RELEASED BY NUTEK - NuTek USA Corp. has released a clone of 
 Apple Computer Inc.'s famous Macintosh, setting the stage for what anal-
 ysts expect will be a patent infringement suit from Apple.
  
    NuTek President/Founder Benjamin Chou says his company developed a 
 computer motherboard that will run most Macintosh applications, adding 
 NuTek plans to license the technology to independent computer makers at 
 a price of $899 each, and it has already gotten some orders from Europe.
  
    Chou told the wire service, "We have done this from scratch. This is 
 absolutely original." He said his engineers thoroughly documented their 
 work and consulted throughout the process with an attorney.
  
    Nonetheless, an Apple spokesman told AP late last week Apple does not 
 believe anyone can build a computer that runs Macintosh software without 
 infringing on Apple's patented technology.
   
  
    MICROSOFT SHIPS FINAL BETA VERSION OF WINDOWS NT - Microsoft Corp has 
 started shipping its final beta version of Windows NT to 70,000 custo-
 mers and software developers.
  
    The company said the pre- release version contains significant impro-
 vements in performance, application support, installation, ease of use, 
 networking and hardware compatibility.
  
    Windows NT is aimed at providing the power, reliability and openness 
 required for client-server computing.
  
   
    ZEOS OFFERS NEW SYSTEMS - Zeos International Ltd. has introduced 
 LiteLine, a new low-cost 486SX PC for the home user. The unit starts at 
 $1,495 for a 33MHz system with 8 meg of RAM and a 210MB hard drive. All 
 come with a Super VGA adapter and color monitor, MS-DOS and Microsoft 
 Windows.
  
  
    COMPUADD TO CLOSE RETAIL STORES - Computer retailer CompuAdd Computer 
 Corp. has announced it will close its national chain of stores by the 
 end of the year. The move will eliminate approximately 600 jobs.
  
  
    NEXT INC. PRESIDENT QUITS - After only a year on the job, Peter van 
 Cuylenburg reportedly has resigned as president/chief operating officer 
 of NeXT Computer Inc. The San Francisco Chronicle reports NeXT Chairman/ 
 CEO/founder Steve Jobs and van Cuylenburg decided the scaled-down com-
 pany no longer needs both a chief operating officer and a CEO.
  
    Van Cuylenburg's resignation come a month after NeXT said it will 
 slash its staff from 530 to 200.
  
  
    ZENITH DATA CUTS NOTEBOOK PRICES UP TO 13% - Zenith Data Systems has 
 announced price cuts of up to 13% on selected notebook computers.
  
  
    DELL OFFERS COLOR NOTEBOOK PRICED UNDER $2,000 - Dell Computer Corp. 
 has unveiled a color notebook computer priced under $2,000. Based on an 
 Intel '386 SL microprocessor running at 25MHz, the Dimension NL25C has a 
 suggested retail price of $1,999. The new system is a color version of 
 the company's NL25 monochrome notebook.
  
    The NL25C comes with a 9- inch, passive-matrix color VGA display, 2MB 
 of system memory, expandable to eight, an 80MB hard drive, pre-installed 
 MS-DOS 5 and a rechargeable NiCad battery that provides up to 5 hours of 
 operating time when using the system's power- management features.
  
  
    COURT RULES AGAINST SECRET SERVICE IN BBS RAID - A federal judge has 
 awarded $55,000 in damages to Steve Jackson, an Austin, Texas games pub-
 lisher.  The judgment against the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Attorney 
 and a Bell Communications Research (Bellcore) security expert came in a 
 27-page opinion by Judge Sam Sparks. The judge ruled that federal agents 
 were at fault in a 1990 raid that seized computer equipment at Jackson's 
 company.
  
    Jackson and three users of his BBS sued the Secret Service following 
 the raid, alleging their privacy rights had been violated when their 
 electronic mail was read.
  
    Reporting on the ruling, Communications Daily observed, "Jackson's 
 case was another episode in (a) law enforcement crackdown as (a) result 
 of (the) copying of (a) BellSouth administrative document on (the) 911 
 service from (the phone company's) computer service and posted to 
 several bulletin boards across (the) country."

    The judge ruled that:

    -:- Because the Secret Service failed to return equipment promptly, 
 Jackson lost $42,259 and ran up expenses of $8,781, which the federal 
 government should pay.

    -:- None of the authorities involved knew of Privacy Protection Act 
 that prohibits electronic mail from being read, and there was strong 
 evidence that Secret Service agents read mail of those using Jackson's 
 BBS. Therefore he awarded $1,000 to each defendant.
  
    Neither Jackson or his company were suspected of violating the law, 
 but federal agents were investigating a Jackson employee for alleged 
 computer-related crimes at his home. The employee has never been charged 
 in the case. Federal agents seized computers and hundreds of floppy 
 disks from Jackson's company and kept the information for several 
 months, forcing Jackson to lay off half his staff.
  
    Steve Jackson said that he is "overjoyed" and feels vindicated by the 
 ruling. Jackson said the case enabled him to prove federal agents "had 
 no business doing what they did." Jackson added, "It means that there is 
 more protection for bulletin boards, both for the bulletin board opera-
 tor and for the user who sends electronic mail."
  
    The Electronic Frontier Foundation, which helped cover legal costs of 
 case, applauded Judge Sparks' decision.
  
    "This case is a major step forward in protecting the rights of those 
 who use computers to send private mail to each other or who use 
 computers to create and disseminate publications," said EFF attorney 
 Michael Godwin.
  
    "Judge Sparks has made it eminently clear," he added, "that the 
 Secret Service acted irresponsibly. This case should send a message to 
 law enforcement groups everywhere that they can't ignore the rights of 
 those who communicate by computer."
  
    The ruling is being "hailed as a ground-breaking decision by computer 
 buffs and civil libertarians who have been watching the case for the 
 last three years. It was seen as a test case for extending First Amend-
 ment protections to computer information."
  
  
    SOFTWARE SALES HIT $5.75 BILLION IN 1992 - PC application software 
 sales were up 14.1% last year from $5.04 billion in 1991. The sales, 
 which reached $1.71 billion in the fourth quarter of 1992, totalled 
 $5.75 billion for the calendar year.

    That is the word from the Software Publishers Association, based on 
 its worldwide sales reporting program, in which member companies report 
 their sales of personal computer application software.

    Other announcements by the SPA in a statement from Washington, D.C.:

    -:- Units sales in North America increased 36% for the year and 40% 
 for the fourth quarter.

    -:- International sales out-paced growth in the North American 
 market. Revenues from international sales of U.S. software grew 25.1% 
 for the full year, while international sales in the fourth quarter were 
 up 31.7%.

    -:- Combined U.S. and international sales were up 18.1% for the year 
 and 17.3% for the fourth quarter. Worldwide units sales growth was 37.5% 
 for the full year and 44.2% for the fourth quarter 1992.

  
    __________________________________________________________________




 > BLUE RIDGE ATARIFEST'93 STR SHOW NEWS    "The Summertime Atari Event!"
   """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

  
                         1993 Blue Ridge ATARIFEST
                         """""""""""""""""""""""""



 Where: Westgate Shopping Center - Asheville, N.C.

 Take any major highway into Asheville  (US 19-23,  US 26  or I-40)  to the
 I-240  loop,  then  take  the  "Westgate/Hilton  Inn  Drive exit" into the
 Westgate Shopping Center parking lot.

                            When: 24-25, July 1993
                            Time: 10:am to 6:pm SAT
                                 12 Noon 'til 5pm SUN

 Points of contact:

               Van Estes, BRACE Pres.       Clifford E. Allen, V.Pres.
               704-685-8358                 GEnie: C.Allen17
                                            INTERNET: callen@UNCA.EDU
                                            704-258-3758

                              Sheldon Winick
                              GEnie: S.WINICK
                              Computer STudio
                              704-251-0201


                  Come for a day or come for the weekend,
                      but do come and enjoy yourself.


 Great Smokies Hilton Resort  Hilton Inn Drive        (704)254-3211
                  Toll-free reservation phone number 1-800-733-3211


 Radisson                    One Thomas Wolf Plaza    (704)252-8211
                  Rate: $62.00 per room (1-4 people)


          ====== Additional Hotel / Motel Information ===========

 Days Inn                       I-26 and Airport Road     (704)684-2281
                                I-40 Exit 55              (704)298-5140

 Econo Lodge                    US 70 East, I-40 Exit 55  (704)298-5519

 Holiday Inn                    275 Smoky Park Hwy        (704)667-4501
                        Toll-free reservation phone number1-800-HOLIDAY

 Red Roof Inn                   I-40 and US 19-23 Exit 44 (704)667-9803
                       Toll-free reservation phone number1-800-843-7663

 Buget Motel                    I-40 Exit 44 (Enka-Chandler)
                                   West Asheville  Exit       (704)665-2100
 Best
 Western Asheville Central  22 Woodfin St                 (704)253-1851

       ========= Local Bed & Breakfast lodging Information =========

 Aberdeen Inn                64 Linden Ave                (704)254-9336
 Albemarle Inn               86 Edgemont Road             (704)255-0027
 Applewood Manor             62 Cumberland Circle         (704)254-2244
 The Bridle Path Inn        Lockout Road                  (704)252-0035
 Cairn Brae B & B           217 Patton Mountain Rd        (704)252-9219
 Carolina B & B             177 Cumberland Ave            (704)254-3608
 Cedar Crest Victorian Inn  674 Biltmore Ave              (704)252-1289
 Corner Oak  Manor               53 St. Dunstan               (704)253-3525
 Cornerstone Inn            230 Pearson Dr                (704)253-5644
 Flint Street Inn           100 & 116 Flint Street        (704)253-6723
 The Lion and The Rose      276 Montford Ave              (704)255-7673
 The Ray House B & B         83 Hillside St               (704)252-0106
 Reed House                 119 Dodge St                  (704)274-1604
 The Wright Inn             235 Pearson Drive             (704)251-0789]
                                                          (1-800-552-5724)

 A more complete listing of Bed  & Breakfasts  can be  obtained through the
 Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.

 Reservations  should  be  made  immediately,  as July is the height of our
 tourist season.


                ===========  CAMP GROUNDS ================

           (reservations are a must during this time of season):

 Mount Pisgah:
     About 20 miles southwest  of Asheville  on the  Blue Ridge  Parkway at
 mile post  408.6 (National  Park Service). 690 acres. Elevation 5000'. One
 of the nicest campgrounds in Western North Carolina. 67 tent  sites, 70 RV
 sites. For reservations: P.O.Box 749, Watnesville, N.C. 28786; phone (704)
 235-9109. No  showers. Groceries  and resturant.  Nature program.   14 day
 stay limit.

 Lake Powhatan:
     4 miles  south of  Asheville on  State road  191, 3.5 miles west on FR
 806.  30  acres.  98  tent/rv  sites.  Reservation  available  thru Mistix
 1-800-283-CAMP.  Disposal   station.  No   showers.  Swimming;  lifeguard;
 fishing; nature trails; bicycles. 14-day stay limit.

     While in the area, you might  want to  consider a  little sightseeing,
 and include  a visit  to the Biltmore House here in Asheville (the largest
 single family residence ever built in the U.S.--its  a "castle").  A visit
 to the  Biltmore can be a full-day's activity as you will want to view the
 house, visit the winery, and walk some of the grounds and gardens.
 Hours:
          The House 9 am to 6pm         The Gardens 9am to 7pm
                         Conservatory 9am to 5:30pm 
          The Winery Monday-Saturday   11am to 7pm Sunday 1pm to 7pm

     Other areas of interest include; the Thomas Wolf home (adjacent to the
 Raddison), the Blue Ridge Parkway and Folk Art Center. A drive up the Blue
 ridge Parkway to enjoy the higher elevations and  incredible views  of our
 mountains.  Perhaps  a  hike  up  to  Mount  Pisgah  and look back down to
 Asheville(you can see Mt. Pisgah from  most  anywhere  in  Asheville).   A
 short drive  from Mt.  Pisgah will  take you to Sliding Rock (for those of
 you travelling with kids who are  still  kids  at  heart),  the  Cradle of
 Forestry (first forest school in the country), waterfalls, trout hatchery,
 etc. For the adventurous, white water rafting  on the  Natahala River near
 Bryson City (approx one and a half hours from here).

     There's  obviously  loads  more  to  see  and  do around Asheville (in
 addition to the Blue Ridge AtariFest and a  visit to  Computer STudio :-).
 If any  of y'all would like maps and additional tourist info of the area I
 might suggest contacting the Chamber of Commerce:

                    Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
                            151 Haywood Street
                               P.O. Box 1010
                            Asheville, NC 28802
                      704-258-6111 FAX: (704)251-0926


    ___________________________________________________________________





 > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine          The wires are a hummin'!
   """""""""""""""""""""""""""""
          
           

               
                             PEOPLE... ARE TALKING
                             =====================
              

               
 On CompuServe
 -------------
 compiled by Joe Mirando
              73637,2262




     Hidi-Ho friends & neighbors.  It was truly a beautiful day in my
 neighborhood today.  After last week's blizzard and this week's less
 violent, less damaging snows, the sunshine was a most welcome treat!  I
 was starting to feel like Jack Nicholson in 'THE SHINING'.  Yep, I sat
 down at my trusty 1040 STe and typed "All work and no play make Joe a
 dull boy" (although most people who know me would say that I was that way
 _before_ the snow fell).

 Well, let's get to the business at hand... 




 From The Atari Productivity Forum
 =================================



     On the subject of the Falcon030, Dan McNamee of Atari, tells Stefan
 Daystrom of Barefoot Software, (makers of some of the best MIDI software
 around):


     "We are only offering a 65meg HD option in the Falcon030. It's  just a
     standard 2.5" IDE hard drive, so you can replace it with whatever size
     you want.  I've seen them up to 500meg at reasonable prices."


 Stefan replies:


     "Just something I thought I'd mention:    From  what  I've  heard, IDE
     drives aren't  capable of  being as fast as the fastest SCSI-2 drives;
     this may limit (for those  interested  in  _that_  application  of the
     Falcon) the  Falcon to  4 tracks  of direct-to-hard-disk digital audio
     with the internal IDE drives, no matter _what_ the capacity.   Someone
     technical  I've  talked  to  in  the direct-to-hard-disk sphere says 8
     tracks would depend on a fast  enough _SCSI-2_  HD.   Of course, those
     users wanting the one-piece convenience of replacing the 65 meg with a
     higher-capacity IDE who _aren't_ interested in applications such as 5+
     tracks  of  direct-to-hard-disk  audio  or anything else requiring the
     utmost in speed needn't worry.  Just a factor those who are  should be
     aware of..."


 Dan tells Stefan:


     "Thanks for  the info.   I figured that the internal IDE would be good
     enough for at least 4 track, but much  beyond would  require something
     faster.

     Also, anyone  planning on  doing 8-track  recording is not going to be
     able to pick up and go any way due to the extra  hardware required for
     8-track, so  the addition of a fast external SCSI drive doesn't matter
     that much. ;-)"


 Stefan adds:


     "Indeed, the only "problem"  would occur  if someone,  not knowing the
     SCSI  vs  IDE  speed  scoop,  put  a huge capacity IDE in their Falcon
     thinking it would be "8-track ready"  with the  right audio interface,
     only  to  learn  once  the  8-track  stuff  comes  out that their huge
     capacity IDE was near useless for that application.  According  to the
     price  list  I've  seen,  D2D's  $599  audio interface will be 8-track
     ready, as  it  apparently  has  4  _stereo_  channels  of input/output
     (interpretable as  8 mono, presumably -- with enough stereo separation
     <grin!>); they have no add-on interface  planned with  fewer channels.
     Thus anyone  who first gets the 4-track software (which can do effects
     processing on the extra channels, if  I understand  it correctly) with
     this interface would be theoretically ready for 8 tracks with just the
     right software _if_ they were using a fast enough SCSI HD."


 Dan finishes up the conversation with:


     "Well, one would hope that some kind of  warning would  be included in
     the D2D manual. ;-)

     $599 to  take a  Falcon out  to 8  track is  great, though.  My friend
     spent more than that on his  first 4  track recorder  in the  80s. ;-)
     BTW,  he's  using  one  of  the  Hybrid Arts rack mount systems in his
     studio, and he loves the software.   I  don't know  if you  guys did a
     mailing to  your customers  after the  hardware/software split or not,
     but I do know that before the split, he had not heard from anyone in a
     while.   I'm sure he would love to hear about any updates you may have
     done."


 Mich Kabay asks about one of the best spreadsheet programs for the ST
 series:


     "Have Logical Design Works gone out of business? I tried reaching them
     at Los Gatos but the phone number I had was disconnected.

     I would like to know if LDWPOWER is orphan software; I have been using
     it with great difficulty on the  MEGA ST4  with MONITERM  Viking large
     monitor because it crashes every time the program tries to indicate an
     error. Imagine using a program that crashes when you make  an innocent
     typing mistake!"


 Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine tells Mich:


     "From what I remember I think Atari bought the rights to LDW power."


 QuickCis Guru Jim Ness adds a bit of comforting info (or not so comforting
 info, depending on your opinions) on another spreadsheet option:


     "Atari is  about to release Atari Works, an integrated word processor,
     spreadsheet and  database.    I  don't  recall  hearing  how  good its
     graphing  capabilities  are.    Since  it's  an Atari package, support
     should be around as long as they are."


 Mich posts:


     "Thanks, Jim!

     <<Since it's an Atari  package, support  should be  around as  long as
     they are.>>

     This is supposed to be reassuring??"


 Kyle Miller adds another option:


     "ABC Solutions  has  a very nice graphing package.  I can remember the
     name, but the reviews have been  pretty good.   I  think it  is called
     1stGraph."


 It's such a rarity to find a new ST user these days, that this post caught
 my eye.  Tom Yackel posts:


     "Hi.  I am a new member of this forum, and I was wondering  if I could
     get some general info!

     I am  an avid  IBM user,  but I  took a  job volunteering  for a local
     establishment that has a bunch of Atari 1040ST's laying around that at
     one time had been networked.

     My question  is: what  are these  computers?   What can they do?  What
     operating system do they run off of?  What can  I do  with them?   Are
     they worth anything?  Can they run DOS software?

     As you can see, my ignorance is vast.  Any informative advice would be
     greatly appreciated!"


     In the Atari Forums here on CompuServe, as in most places where people
 with similar interests can get together, humor and joking around is
 common.  But, unlike other "meeting spots", these Forums and the people
 who frequent them almost always provide constructive advice and reliable
 information.

 Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine tells Tom:


     "You have come to right place.  The Atari ST  series is  a 680x0 based
     computer series  just like the Apple Macintosh.  The operating systems
     is TOS which in many ways is similar to MS-DOS  on the  PC.   There is
     networking software in the form of PowerNet by PowerPoint software but
     it exclusive to the Atari currently.

     They can't  run  DOS  software  directly  but  with  an  emulator like
     Supercharger or  PC-speed or  AT-speed can run DOS programs.  They can
     read/write 720K MS-DOS formatted disks without any problem  since they
     use a filesystem which is very similar if not identical to MS-DOS.

     The version  of the  operating system  will tell you the age of the OS
     they have in ROM.  If they are 1040ST then they probably  have TOS 1.x
     series while  a 1040STe  can have  1.6x to  2.6 where  2.6 is the most
     current for the 1040STe. The ram in the  1040 is  at least  1 megabyte
     which the standard for the particular machine.

     There is  word processors, databases, spreadsheets, etc available too.
     Some are shareware or pd and others are commercial.

     If you don't plan to use  them you  can always  list them  for sale in
     this forum too.

     If you need more specifics just leave another message."


 Mike Mortilla, of ZNET, "scolds" Albert for being so helpful:


     "Gee, Albert, why didn't you tell him:

     Oh, those  old thing?  Nah, nobody  uses them anymore! Send them to us
     and we'll recycle 'em for ya'.  Yeah, that's  the ticket,  we're gonna
     recycle 'em.That's what you should have told him...

     All kidding aside, if they are not going to use them, by all means let
     us know.  I wonder if they  are  color  (SM  1224)  or  mono  (SM 124)
     monitors? Isn't  it interesting to think of all the STs sitting around
     dark... gives me the chills just to think about it... <grin>."


     Here's an interesting bit of information concerning the STOS
 programming language.  Mike Goodman of the International Shareware & STOS
 Shareware Service posts:


     "STOS fans may be interested to know that we have a selection of patch
     programs that enable STOS titles to run on the Falcon.  We should also
     have, in  the near  future, a  'zap' program  that will  enable you to
     update your existing 'compiled' programs."


 Head Sysop Ron Luks tells Mike:


     "Thats great news (I have some STOS games I'd love  to run  on the new
     Falcon when I get one.)  Are these freeware/shareware patches?  If so,
     could you upload them to our libs here?"


     Does anyone other than myself remember anything about Atari supplying,
 with each FALCON030, the connectors necessary to attach several different
 types of monitors to this new wonder-computer? I thought you might.  So,
 from our "Doesn't it figure" department, Stefan Daystrom of Barefoot
 Software tells us:


     "Latest I heard at the  Goodman  Music  show  this  past  weekend, the
     monitor  converters  will  be  ?teen  bucks  extra and sold separately
     (_not_ included in the box with the Falcon), at least in the US...

     The Falcon _has_ to  use a  nonstandard connector  with more  pins, so
     it'll be  adaptable to  SVGA, ST  Mono, or  ST Color (each having some
     signals the other ones  don't)  via  proper  cabling.    If  it  had a
     standard VGA  connector on  the back,  you couldn't use it with any ST
     monitors..."


     Since we've mentioned our "Doesn't it figure" department, I'd might as
 well mention the other department that gets a quite a workout:  The "I'll
 believe it when I see it" department.  Jim Ness posts:


     "Atari has said that the ST Book is for sale  in Europe,  but customer
     resistance in the US has caused them to not offer it here.  There is a
     redesign on the drawing board for some time off in the hazy future."


 Tim Myers posts from Europe:


     "The versions  of the  book available  here in  Europe were  1meg / 20
     megHD or 40megHD versions.

     AFAIK they  didn't sell because they have no ram expansion capability,
     no backlight and no cartridge port. I also don't think you can connect
     a mouse  directly to  them and  the mouse pad was awful. Some software
     compatibility was raised as well.

     I doubt  we'll see  it again  even if  Bob Brodie  says it's  in for a
     redesign!   Here in Europe the tried to target the music market for it
     but without at least the  cartridge  port..  it  was  doomed  from the
     start!

     A good  idea though. I've asked Bob Brodie about a FalconBook a couple
     of times but he won't say anything!"


 Jim agrees with Tim:


     "Yeah, a FalconBook would be a  good idea,  wouldn't it?   Probably be
     tough to shoe-horn all the Falcon stuff into a notebook, though.  From
     what I understand, the  early Falcons  in 1040  cases had  bulges from
     what was already stuffed inside."




 From the Atari ST Arts Forum
 ============================



 Aidan Heritage posts:


     "Daft question  time -  I have  photochrome, and  can view  the pics -
     which is great.  But can you actually save the files you  then create?
     Told you it was a daft question!"


 Hal Dougherty tells Aidan:


     "After you  get the  picture on  screen hit  the 's'  key (return also
     works), you will get a dialog box that shows the directory you started
     from.  At that point, just hit return.  If you have enough free space,
     the program will create the  new  file.      After  the  .pcs  file is
     created, use  pcsview3.prg to  view the picture.  For example.  If the
     file you started with was named:  JUNK.GIF the file name shown  in the
     dialog box  as it  comes up ready to save is still JUNK.GIF.  When the
     program saves the picture it changes the extension. You can change the
     name yourself before the save if you want.

     Now  you  have  access  to  a  huge bunch of pictures created on other
     computers... Only a lot of them are ST pictures I  saw as  far back as
     the DEGAS pictures that hit the cybernet a long time ago!  Any cartoon
     pictures you  find as  .GIF files  that have  the initials  HUD in the
     corner  are  ST  pictures  that  have been converted by other computer
     users.  They were drawn by the DEGAS author.

     Where in Europe are you located?   I'm  stuck  in  the  middle  of the
     blizzard of  1993.   (the snow is about gone now, but it was 18" in my
     front yard a day ago)"


 Aidan tells Hal:


     "Thanks for the help - it is much appreciated.  It is one of  the nice
     things about CIS that people leap in and offer help.  As to where I am
     in Europe, I am in the UK, about 30 miles north of London in  a little
     town (well, not that little actually) called Stevenage."


 Jaime Sacadura tells us:


     "I am  calling from  Lisbon-Portugal (near  Spain) ,  and I've used my
     Mega ST2 since 1988 with great pleasure and  productivity.   But times
     change and I was needing color in High resolution, high density drive,
     etc..  So I have placed an order at my dealer for a Falcon.

     I have just received my new Atari Falcon - 4Mb/65Mb  HD, imported from
     the UK,  last week.   (sorry,  I can't be blamed for not living in the
     USA :)

 So far :

     I Like - The speed and the compatibility with ST software.

     Dislike - Only half of the promised software was included; Calculator,
     Calendar, Talking Clock, 2 games, Tos 4.0.1.

     Not included - MultiTOS (only the manual), Atari Works, SpeedoGdos and
     also Falcon D2D, Audio  Fun Machine  and System  Audio Manager  (so, I
     have not tested sound yet).

     The latest  delays account  for the  missing MultiTOS, Atari Works and
     Speedo Gdos, but for the other 3 programs I can't  understand why they
     where not included (anyone have a hint?).  The UK exporter promised to
     send them as soon as they arrive but its annoying.

     Falcon Shareware - In the latest Atari Explorer Magazine, Ron Robinson
     in  his  "Ron's  Random  Ramblin'"  mentioned  4 interesting shareware
     programs for the Falcon - Mandelbrot Fractal, Frac!  , Pro-Tracker 2.1
     and Winrec  (available in Genie)  Can't seem to find these programs in
     Compuserve.  I'm beginning to think I am  in the  wrong Service  to be
     able to  access the  new flow  of interesting  software for the ST and
     Falcon.  At least after reading a couple of AEO's , Genie  seems to be
     a lot more interesting !!   I hope someone proves me wrong."


 Alex Kiernan tells Jaime:


     "To be honest I can't really remember seeing much in the way of Falcon
     stuff popping up on GEnie... most seems to have originated  on MAUSnet
     (a German  network) which is connected to Internet and is now rattling
     between FTP sites the world over."


 Sysop Bob Retelle tells Jaime:


     "I have at least a couple  of those  Falcon shareware/PD  programs you
     mentioned, but I haven't uploaded them here yet because I don't have a
     Falcon yet to check them out...

     Maybe you could be our "unofficial  tester" for  them...   I'll upload
     them tonight, and you can let us know how well they work."


 Michael Lamb asks how things are going in "Atariland":


     "After being  isolated in  the MS-DOS  world for three years now after
     serving time in the 8 bit Atari, ST, and Amiga,  how is  life with the
     ST? What  is its prognosis?  How about the 8 bitters?  How about Atari
     Corp?"


 Sysop Brad Hill fills Michael in:


     "Many people feel this will be a do-or-die  year for  Atari Corp, with
     their re-emergence  or final  failure depending  on the success of the
     Falcon. This  as  you  may  know  is  a  new,  specifically multimedia
     computer with  sound recording  capability.  The prognosis varies from
     barely realistic optimism to cynical pessimism,  depending on  who you
     talk  to.    In  the  meantime,  many  of  us  are  still working very
     productively with our original STs and STe's.  (I'm writing  this on a
     DOS  machine,  but  only  because  my  ST monitor is hibernating until
     Spring.)"




 From the Atari Vendors Forum
 ============================



     John Amsler asks the CodeHeads about a problem he encountered while
 using Warp9 with MultiDesk Deluxe:


     "I've got a MegaSTe4 running TOS 2.06 (which I got from you guys --
     Thanks!).

     Inside the AUTO folder I'm running (in this order):

                         AHDI    .PRG
                         SUPERBT .PRG   /* Version 7.2  */
                         SUPERBTA.PRG
                         WARP9ST .PRG   /* Version 3.73 */
                         LGSELECT.PRG   /* Version 1.8D */
                         MOUSDOUB.PRG   /* Version 1.1  */
                         G+PLUS  .PRG   /* Version 1.2  */

     As resident desk accessories, I've got:

                         G+Plus
                         MultiDesk Deluxe /* Version 3.4a */
                         DiskManager
                         XControl 1.0

     Inside MDD, I've got:

                         RAMFREE .ACX
                         STENO   .ACC
                         WARP9_CP.ACX

     Recently I've started to get the following error window:

                         Ouch!  Someone or something
                         grabbed the system vector
                         at $00000084 after this
                         non-resident DA did!  Better
                         not open any other MDXs.

     even if I merely go into MDD (right after bootup), click on
     WARP9_CP.ACX, _do nothing!_, and then click on the EXIT box.

     What am I doing wrong, or what do I have set up wrong?

     (The only recent change I've made to anything is to start using
     the Extend-O-Save modules with Warp 9.)"


 Charles Johnson, being the fountain of information that he is, tells John:


     "You should  make  sure  that  WARP9_CP  loads  as  the  last resident
     accessory  in  MultiDesk.    If  WARP9_CP  runs as a non-resident desk
     accessory (i.e. if you have it in your MULTDESK.MDX folder) you'll see
     that message.   To  load WARP9_CP as a resident accessory in MultiDesk
     use the 'Load Acc' button,  then  save  your  setup;  and  remember to
     remove WARP9_CP from your MDX folder."


 On the subject of the demise of Double Click Software, Beth Freeman posts:


     "Shame about  DC.  They did a good job, too.  Well, here's hoping that
     the people who were part of it will add their expertise to other Atari
     software producers...

     We do get complacent about such "institutions."  Well, I know I did my
     part.  I paid my shareware fee for DC Formatter, which I like and use.
     When they  got my  check, they sent me a better version, and some more
     of their shareware programs.  They knew what they were doing."


 John Amsler adds:


     "I've yet to be "disappointed" by sending in  shareware fees!   Almost
     always,  I  either  get  an  upgraded  version  or a manual or related
     programs or something else.  Shareware DOES work ... for  those people
     who are willing to HELP (or MAKE?) it work.

     Just  think  how  much  MORE the MANY fabulous utilities, accessories,
     programs, etc. would cost in the  "real" market!   Paying  a shareware
     fee of  $5 -  $20 is  a veritable  "steal," considering  how much they
     ENHANCE, IMPROVE, and EXPAND the Atari's capabilities."


 To which Beth posts:


     "Yes, a properly run shareware company  should give  you something for
     paying the fee.  Also it gives them a chance to show you some of their
     other products.  The main thing is that the programs  are well written
     and easy to use.

     I just  sent in  my $7.00 to Magnum Software for their ZSHELL program.
     Once I got it running,  it  was  great.  Of  course  if  you  read the
     instructions  carefully  (on  how  to  write  the  macro to invoke the
     program), it's a breeze.

     We shall see what comes of my $7.00 fee.  I just  sent it  in the this
     morning."




 From the Atari Portfolio Forum
 ==============================



     It has always given me a good feeling to see a "new guy" get involved
 with something new and find that there are people here waiting to help.
 Brad Barclay posts:


     "I'm new  to this  forum, and  new to CompuServe itself (it's my first
     night), and in fact, the Portfolio area was  one of  the major reasons
     for signing up.

     When I  bought my Portfolio, I got the Atari memory Expander + with it
     (Atari p/n: HPC-104), but no manual!  It has an extra card drive (as a
     drive B:)  which works great, but I can't use any of the extra 256K of
     RAM onboard!  I tried using  FDISK, but  to no  avail:   the portfolio
     still refused to recognize the device!  

     It's quite  a good  little gadget:   a small flat box that hooks fully
     into the bus port on the side, with a slot  for drive  B:, and another
     bus port (so you don't lose the bus by using the expander).  Having no
     manual, I have no idea how to access that memory.   Do  I just  have a
     bum unit?   If  so, let  me know.   It was free (the store I bought it
     from wanted to get rid of it), and it does  have an  extra slot drive,
     so I'm no complaining, but the additional memory would be great."


 Dave Stewart, editor of Re:Port, tells Brad:


     "I don't have a memory expander+, but I do have another type of memory
     expander, and it requires  that you  do a  COLD BOOT  (i.e. leave your
     batteries out  and let  everything run dead and reset itself, or press
     that pesky little switch in the battery compartment) with the expander
     plugged in.   You'll lose your C: drive data, but you'll probably gain
     the extra memory."


 Brad replies to Dave:


     "Thanks for the quick reply,  David,  and  it's  good  to  see another
     online-publication editor/publisher  online!  I'm the publisher of the
     WAFFER!  MultiMedia Digest and the Sound Blaster  Digest, possibly two
     of the  worlds farthest-reaching online magazines!  They, in fact, are
     the reason why i bought my Portfolio:  to keep track of various notes,
     appointments, phone numbers, and to do writing on the road.

     I'll have to check out your publication sometime soon...thanks for the
     quick reply!"


 Dave tells Brad:


     "No kiddin' -- I've  read both  your publications,  and I  really like
     them ...  I love  how you  embed midi  files and the like in your .WRI
     files ... a cool multimedia pub!

     Welcome to the Portfolio world.  We've also got ways to make  the Port
     do sound  and graphics,  so let us know ... maybe we can get a mention
     in WAFFER."



 Brad continues the conversation:


     "Hey, it's great to see a  reader  of  the  WAFFER!  MultiMedia Digest
     Online..especially  in  the  Portfolio  forum! [grin].  I was actually
     surprised when I first started this forum:  I never actually knew that
     the Portfolio  could handle  any graphics:  I was under the impression
     that it was entirely  ASCII only  until I  began using  the forum.   I
     can't wait  until later  on today  when my parallel transfer interface
     and a memory card are delivered  to  my  home  today  so  I  can start
     playing with some of the stuff I have downloaded from here."


 Sysop BJ Gleason tells Brad:


     "Don Messerli  is the graphics guru... his PGC, and PGX standards have
     been incorporated into various packages for the Portfolio.   There are
     some hypertext applications available for the Portfolio, as well as so
     snappy animation packages..."




     Well folks, that's about all for this week.  Tune in again next week,
 same time, same channel, so you can be as knowledgable about these things
 as Albert is.  See ya next time when we listen to what they are saying
 when


                            PEOPLE ARE TALKING



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                        TOP TEN DOWNLOADS (3/17/93)
                        """""""""""""""""""""""""""
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 > CT FEST'93 STR SHOW NEWS    
   """"""""""""""""""""""""

                           THE CT ATARIFEST '93!
                           =====================


                 JUNE 12 & 13, AT THE WINDSOR COURT HOTEL
                    WINDSOR, CT. (JUST ABOVE HARTFORD)


     Free Parking!
          Low Room Rates!
               More Vendors!
                    More Floor Space!

     Yep, that  ACT Atari Group is running another major NorthEast computer
 event.  Last year's successful  CT  Fest  had  over  700  attendees, which
 merited a  larger location,  so we've  moved a mile away (exit 42 on I-91)
 into bigger and better  quarters.   We're just  as convenient  to reach as
 ever,  and  only  two  hours  from  Boston  or New York! The new hotel has
 excellent room rates ($35.00 per room),  free and  plentiful parking, easy
 access from Interstate 91, I-95, I-90, I-84, I-80, an in house Sports Bar,
 a bigger ballroom and is located  just 1  mile from  Bradley International
 Airport (free shuttle service for hotel guests).

     We expect that an even greater number of vendors this year, surpassing
 the excellent turnout of  the  past  shows.    We  already  have tentative
 commitments from  A&D Software,  Gribnif Software, Barefoot Software, Toad
 Computers, Computer Studio,  Baggetaware,  Derric  Electronics, E.Hartford
 Computer   Repair,   MegaType   Software,  Wizztronics  and  GFA  Software
 Technology.  Last year we had  FOURTEEN user  groups, this  year we should
 have even more (We also expect an exciting 8 Bit contingent)!

     We'll  have  our  annual  New  England Lynx Competition, with multiple
 Comlynxed competitions underway at  all times.   Last  year's winners took
 home prizes  ranging from  games to  accessories to complete Lynx Systems!
 Bring your best player and join the fun.

     We'll have the Portfolio Corner,  staffed  with  industry  pundits and
 filled with  every imaginable  palmtop peripheral!  Last year we had a few
 Portfolios disassembled at the  booth, a  real insight  into surface mount
 technology!

     For those  of you  with an  eye towards  seminars, we'll  have them in
 abundance, last year's question  and answer  session with  Bob Brodie drew
 standing only crowds! In addition, we had John Eidsvoog's walk through the
 Codehead graphic tools, Jeff  Naideau  of  Barefoot  Software  showing off
 EdiTrack Platinum,  Dave Troy  of (Guess[ribbet]) Computers and many, many
 others.

     And to top things  off, come  out and  see the  Falcon 030  in all its
 glory.  By then we expect to see some rad new programs out and some really
 excitement!  All in all, we hope to have the best Northeast  show yet, and
 we look  forward to  your participation.  Make your plans now for the most
 exciting Atari Weekend this spring!

     For further information, call  Brian Gockley  at 203-332-1721  or Doug
 Finch at 203-637-1034.  We can also be found on GEnie in Category 11 or on
 Compuserve in the Atari arenas.   E-mail can  be directed  to B.GOCKLEY or
 D.FINCH7 on GEnie or to 75300,2514 or 76337,1067 on CIS.


   _____________________________________________________________________






 > STR EDITOR Mail Call     "...a place for the readers to be heard"
   """"""""""""""""""""


                         STReport's EDITOR MailBag
                         """""""""""""""""""""""""


                    Messages * NOT EDITED * for content
                    -----------------------------------


 Item    1770301                 93/03/13        18:17

 From:   D.D.MARTIN                      Diann D. Martin

 To:     ST-REPORT    -> ST.REPORT       R.F. Mariano

 Sub: An opinion

 Ralph,

  I was very interested in the following comments from Brodie's
 conference on Delphi in response to the question...

      What do you see as the demographics of the Falcon market?  And what
      platforms do you see as competition for the Falcon?

  .Bob @ Atari>
      The intent of the Falcon is to finally penetrate the home
      market with a machine that brings the promise of multimedia to
      the home user, and provides them FINALLY with a reason for them
      to purchase a computer.  Many thousands of people (unlike you and
      I) still fail to find a compelling reason to purchase a computer.
      We believe that the Falcon030 will give those people a new reason
      to consider purchasing a computer. In addition, there are some
      compelling professional applications that will make people that
      have specific professional needs (like MUSIC) that will place
      the Atari Computer line in the limelight of the computing world.

 Brodie's contention that a machine that "brings the promise of
 multimedia to the home user, and provides them FINALLY with a reason
 for them to purchase a computer," is, in my humble opinion, wishful
 thinking on Atari's part.  Multimedia?  Can you define that?  I've
 been around computers, and Atari computers in particular, for eight
 years and the promise of "multimedia" does nothing to compel me to
 even look to a Falcon purchase.

 John McWade, highly respected MAC desktop publishing pioneer, founder
 of PageLab, the world's first desktop publishing studio in 1985) and
 first commercial user of Aldus PageMaker had a very interesting
 editorial in his recent magazine, Before & After.  He was asked if
 desktop multimedia would be big like desktop publishing.  I found his
 answer put a finger on my personal feelings toward the "promise" of
 multimedia.

 -------------------Quote John McWade ----------------------------

      "Like software that's been really _big_, desktop publishing
 computerized centuries-old crafts.  Word processors, spread sheets,
 data bases and desktop publishing each succeeded by automating
 fundamental, long-established ways of doing things -- office
 management, accounting, publishing.  In other words, each improved
 what _was_ _already_ _there_.

      Multimedia...It's an idea drawn on blank canvas.  It's _made_
 _up_.  It has no infrastructure in business and industry, it has no
 academic underpinnings, no culture, no past.  It's not taught, taxed
 or regulated.  It's not a job.

      Multimedia is an artistic vision.  It is pure technology.  It is
 basically, an anti-gravity suit.  It's a restrictive one, too.

      The medium of publishing (data processing, accounting) is paper.
 Paper is elemental; it's in every land and culture.  Paper is natural
 and tactile and endlessly mutable.  It's light, cheap, copyable,
 transportable.  We color it, fold it, play with it, print it.  It can be
 read anytime and especially by anyone.  Paper labels one billion
 products.  We sign it, post it, pass it from hand to hand.  On it we
 write notes, express sentiments, confer degrees.  Heck, paper grows on
 trees.

      It's everywhere.

      Multimedia ties us to a screen.

      This is not to say it's not fun, because it is.  Nor that it has
 no potential, because it has some, notably in education.  But it's not
 primary, not like paper.

      I mention this, however, because it's a worry.  We keep hearing
 about _things_ -- video cards and audio boards and frame grabbers and
 film editors -- and this news applies pressure, like maybe we should
 be doing (or buying) something _more_.  You know, keeping up with this
 stuff because maybe it might be important.

      My guess: It won't be _important_.  Not in our generation.  Maybe
 never."

 -------------------End Quote-----------------------------------------

 I think McWade really hit the nail on the head.  First time computer
 buyers need to justify that first purchase.  Especially the home user
 market.  "What can we use it for?"  They look for the practical
 applications like word processing, record keeping, financial planning,
 and perhaps play games.  Multimedia just isn't _necessary_ to most
 home users.  Heck, I've been computing for 8 years and consider myself
 a relative "power user" and I couldn't justify the purchase of a
 Falcon for my own use based on the multimedia sales pitch.

 Atari Corp was way ahead with the original "Power Without The Price"
 slogan.  Their forte has always been to build a workhorse piece of
 hardware with the best user interface available at the best possible
 price.  Now they plan to sell an "artistic vision" and tell the
 public, "Oh, yeah, by the way, you can do word processing on it."
 It's kind of like selling a Renoir then telling the buyer "It will be
 great to cover up that crack in the wall."




 Editor Reply;

     DD, the  truth is......  we've been saying this for what seems like an
 eternity.  For our trouble we've been censored,  plastered with  all sorts
 of labels,  plotted against  and flat  out lied  about.  But then, come to
 think of it seems to come with the territory. :-)  The  turly sad  part is
 that  many  people  have  failed  to  see  the real message due to all the
 distractions generated by those who felt threatened by STReport's "telling
 it like  it is".   The  Flamers and the "Clique" have done their job well.
 They successfully obscured the truth long  enough for  the effects  of the
 truthful  situation  to  have  a  delitrious effect on Atari's well being.
 They should congratulate themselves for a  job well  done.   Misguided and
 malicious... but  well done.  The Falcon is Atari's hope... Think it has a
 chance?  We shall see.

             Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine




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 > DORA DINGBAT STR Feature                         A Smile or Two......
   """"""""""""""""""""""""



                               Dora Dingbat
                              by Al Haislip



 From the Jerry Pournelle RT on Genie
 Compiled by Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
  
  
      Dora Dingbat went shopping:

      "Hubby,  dear, I went shopping today, and you'll be proud of me 
      because  of  all  the money I saved.  I  bought  shoes,  a  new 
      compact,  -- I really one needed one -- a new dress,  and a new 
      purse  to  go with the shoes.  It goes just right with  my  new 
      dress,  too.  And  I got the cutest little  koala-bear  perfume 
      bottle for my dresser that you ever saw.

      "The best part of all,  though, is that everything was on sale. 
      So instead of $284.37, I only had to pay $192.12.
      
      Isn't that wonderful!  I saved $92.25. When you subtract $92.25 
      from the $192.12 I charged to your master card,  that means all 
      of these things only cost us $99.87.  Just think of  it.  These 
      things  would have been $284.37 if I had paid full  price,  but 
      since  our  cost was really just $99.87,  I actually  saved  us 
      $184.50. I saved us more money than I spent!

      "But  that's not all,  dear.  They had a $389.99 coat that  was 
      marked down to $299.98. I thought about buying it but I didn't, 
      so I saved another $389.99 which is what it was actually  worth 
      by not buying it.

      "So now we have $389.99 that I saved by not buying the coat  in 
      addition to the $184.50 I saved on the things I did  buy.  That 
      adds up to $574.49 we have now that we didn't have before.

      "All in one day, too!

      "I think I will go shopping again tomorrow."

    Dora Dingbat economics is the same the sort of garbage economics 
 Clinton is spouting in his pitch to snooker us with the whoppingest tax 
 bill ever.

    Clinton proposes vast new spending, but tells us it isn't spending 
 because he calls it, "investment." . . . I suppose a body could call a 
 chicken a goat if he wanted to, and some folks would be fool enough to 
 believe him. . . . Clinton's numbers bear some slight relation to 
 reality, but the relationship is indeed slight, and he tosses these 
 numbers about with reckless abandon.

    Clinton says he will balance new taxes with spending cuts and then 
 proposes a new tax on social security which he audaciously tells us is 
 not a tax but is, instead, a spending cut, and will therefore count as 
 balancing other new taxes.

    Shades of Dora Dingbat! It's no wonder they call him Slick Willie.

    He tells us we should "sacrifice," but when it was time to place his 
 own precious butt in jeapordy, he slicked himself far away from Vietnam 
 -- into England, where he spent his time not inhaling. At the time, he 
 said that, with his high I.Q., he was too smart to be drafted.

    He pleases one of his most faithful constituencies -- the teachers -- 
 by announcing he will not hear of using education monies to fund a 
 private school voucher system for those who are fearful of placing their 
 children in degenerated public schools. Then, with typical Clintonesque 
 hypocrisy, he sends his own kid to an elite private school because he, 
 "feels he should do what is best for her." . . . And never mind what 
 people with lesser means than the Clintons might feel is best for 
 *their* children.

    As for Willie's economic program: It will not reduce the national 
 debt. It will not balance the budget. It will not reduce the deficit, 
 although he will claim it does because, "Look at all the money we coudda 
 spent, but didn't, and if we'd gone ahead and spent all that money we 
 thought about spending, the deficit would be a lot higher than it is, 
 but since it's not that high, it's plain to see we reduced it."

    More Dora Dingbat.  Pfah!


     ________________________________________________________________





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



 - Sunnyvale, CA             TALIGENT GAINS ANOTHER OF ATARI'S "GEMS"!
   -------------

     Where  have  all  the  young  men  gone?? Gone to Taligent everyone...
 enough nostalgia, John  Townsend  is  about  to  join  his  good  buddy at
 Taligent, Ken  Badertscher.   John, long  known for  his staunch belief in
 Atari right or wrong,  and admired  by many  (including this  author), for
 his  ability  to  handle  many  rather  'sticky wickets' well.  Many of us
 online have had the opportunity to observe John  literally grow  up before
 our eyes.   He's done a fine job of doing so and will be missed.  While we
 may've not seen eye to eye on many issues, John had the  fortitude to also
 "say it  the way  he saw  it".  For that and that alone, He had my respect
 and admiration.

     Good luck to you John Townsend.  May all your successes be monumental.
 In all  seriousness John... the very best of luck and good fortune to you.
 May your future be filled with  the  wonders  and  enjoyment  only success
 brings.
   
 John posted the following about his departure;
 From GEnie's...
 Atari-ST RoundTable
 Category 14,  Topic 13
 Message 109       Wed Mar 17, 1993
 TOWNS [John@Atari]           at 19:51 EST


          Permission  to  reprint  this  message  is granted as long as the
          message is printed intact, as is.  Thank you.

     Hello Everyone.  I just wanted to  share  a  piece  of  news  with you
 personally before  it made  its way  to the rumor mill. I want you to hear
 this from me directly, not someone else.

     I officially resigned my position  as  a  Software  Engineer  at Atari
 Corporation on  March 16th, 1993.  I will work for Atari until the 26th of
 March.  After that I will be joining Taligent, Inc.  to work  on their new
 Object-Oriented Operating System products.

     First, I would like to tell you why I have made this decision.  I have
 been studying Object-Oriented Design (OOD for short) on  my own  for quite
 some time.  I have really developed an interest in the technology and wish
 to work with it.  When the opportunity arose at  Taligent to  do this kind
 of work, I jumped at the chance.

     Second,  I  am  _NOT_  leaving  Atari  because  they  are going out of
 business. Nothing could be farther from the truth.   In  fact, as  many of
 you know,  Atari is  working on  some really  exciting products.   Some of
 which you know about, some you don't (No, I won't tell you about them! ;-)
 that  I  think  have  a  very good chance of drastically improving Atari's
 marketshare on a number of fronts.  I wish them the greatest  success with
 these products.

     Third, just  because I am leaving doesn't mean that the world is going
 to end.  Atari still has _MANY_ talented  people working  for the company.
 They can  (and I  think will!)  get the  job done  and bring  to Atari the
 success that has evaded it for so long.

     Fourth, I will still be around.  I  plan to  get my  own GEnie account
 and I  will stop in on a regular basis and say hello.  I have many friends
 online and would like to stay in touch with all of you!

     Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for their support over the past
 5  years.    You  have  helped  to  make this one of the greatest learning
 experiences of my life thus far and I thank you for that.

     So, don't get mad at Atari for my departure.. they  didn't do anything
 to drive  me away.   In fact, they took steps to try to make me stay and I
 was happy here.  The fact is that an opportunity came along that I want to
 take and  I am  going for it!  I wish all of you the best of luck and look
 forward to seeing the  Falcon030 soar  with the  "eagles" of  the computer
 industry!

                                                  Sincerely,

                                                  John Townsend
  ------------



 - London, UK                      MEGAFALCON TO BE NAME OF NEW BIRD?
   ----------

     Our roving  supersnoop has been looking around again.  He's found that
 many of the promised "bundled goodies"  are missing  from the  package the
 single piece  Falcon030 arrives  in.   No sign of the Atari Works software
 being shipped with the machine.   In fact, no  sign of  the promised Atari
 Works at  all!  Surprisingly, current base level Falcons have no Cartridge
 port and no DSP.  For the "Serious  Music Package"  the cart  port is most
 definitely required.




 - New York City, NY                      ATARI, FALCON & THE FCC
   -----------------
  
     Unconfirmed reports  are filtering  in that  the new generation of the
 Falcon will  have _no  cartridge port_.   Bad  news for  the serious music
 guys.   Seems there  is far too much unwanted signal being radiated by the
 cartridge port.  Never was a problem in years gone by why now?   Also, its
 rumored  the   new  generation   Falcon  is  having  difficulties  gaining
 certification.  Here we go again folks.  More on this next week.




 - Baltimore, MD                        MULTI-TOS TO BE $75.00 US 
   -------------
   
     According to our sources its true, they say it could change ("you know
 how Atari is") but for now that's the MSRP and many folks are not happy at
 all with this amount.  Many say they've  already paid  for a  copy of GEM,
 the copy  that's in  the TOS  in ROM  chipset.   Its reported to come on a
 single floppy with MintWindows similar to the beta releases.




 - Houston, TX                              ADVANTAGE HISTORY?
   -----------

     Atari  Advantage   Magazine...  a   newcomer  and   pleasing  to  read
 publication is  apparently no  more.   Seems the  powers that  be felt the
 marketplace did  not offer  the opportunities  it should've.   Can't blame
 them for  not wanting  to operate  at a loss.  Not the first and certainly
 not the last.




 - San Diego, CA            SO, WHERE'S THE BIG DEAL OR PRICE BREAK?
   -------------
   
     "The MSRP for the Falcon030 14/65  (no monitor)  is 1899.00.   This is
 what we've  been told.   Many  of my fellow users have complained bitterly
 about the "jacked up" prices that  Falcon  carries."    This  was recently
 overheard by another of our friendly snoops.  Since its ever so timely, we
 decided to point out a few other points of comparative contention.

     The Falcon030 is _only_ a 16Mhz 68030.  That's quite the price tag for
 only 16  mhz.  When compared to the Clone world, it becomes ridiculous.  A
 486dx/33mhz with a 170mb hd, 1.44 & 1.2 mb floppies,  1mb Boca  SVGA Video
 Card, Pro  Audio Spectrum  Stereo in/out/midi  Sound Card,  64k Cache, 4mb
 80ns Ram (upgradable  to  64mb),  14"  28  dot  pitch  Non-interlaced SVGA
 monitor with  DOS 5.0  and Windows  3.1 can be had for the SAME MONEY as a
 Falcon030 with 14mb, 65mb hd running at 16Mhz and NO MONITOR!  If one were
 to include the cost of the monitor, the Falcon would cost much more.




 - Sunnyvale, CA                               ATARIWORKS FINALLY DONE?
   -------------

     The "final"  version of  the first  release version  is reported to be
 done... now, let's see how long it takes to make it to market.  Its not in
 the promised  bundles arriving in Europe at this time.  All this while the
 "true color" interpretation rages on.  Does the Falcon have  true color or
 not.   Is the  Falcon destined to be the ultimate Game machine?  Time will
 tell.  And since there is plenty of time...with no Falcons shipping in the
 USA yet.  Europe is first again.  Thanks Sam.....


        ___________________________________________________________


  
 > NVN WANTS YOU! STR InfoFile       Another Network Supports Atari!
   """""""""""""""""""""""""""




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 and waiting for you!
   
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 > STR Mail Call             "...a place for the readers to be heard"
   """""""""""""


                            STReport's MailBag
                            """"""""""""""""""


                    Messages * NOT EDITED * for content
                    -----------------------------------


 From Delphi's Atari Areas

 50378 14-MAR 17:30 General Information
      Conf
      From: BRYEDEWAARD  To: ALL

 Was anyone else disappointed with the Multi-TOS conference? It's all I can
 do to keep from spending my $1299 elsewhere at this point.

  1. I have had NO 16bit computer since November when I sold my MegaSTE for
     a Falcon to be released immediately. I have been using an 800XL
     exclusively since then.
  2. I have believed there was a perfectly good explanation EVERY time the
     Falcon was delayed, believing that a PHENOMINAL launch was
     about to take place.

 Now, I fear for the marketability of a machine that is at least 3
 quarters late. Every other platform will have DSPs soon, and it seems the
 window for this machine is closing. Now, I do not believe Atari will
 launch this machine with ANY fanfare, since Bob Brodie dodged the
 question of wether or not there will be advertising for the Falcon. I
 really thought this was the time a splash would be made, but after a
 dissapointing conference where there was old news and bad news, I don't
 buy that Atari cares about this machine much at all. I think the Jaguar
 is waht Atari really wants to concentrate on, and this Falcon is a
 secondary project. I'm really afraid of making a $1300 mistake now....

 When the Falcon IS available, I hope I've still got this money set aside
 for it, cause it won't take much to make me leave.

                                      The Greatly Confused
                                         -Bry

 50388 14-MAR 18:08 General Information
      RE: Conf (Re: Msg 50378)
      From: ABARBIERO    To: BRYEDEWAARD

 The much rumored DSP MAC is said to be Apple's excuse for another $10,000
 computer... the Centris and the LC III were built in numbers to tease the
 market, and no machines will be  built until  after the  P.O. come rolling
 in.

 Ask anyone who bought a IIvx what they think of Apple replacing the
 computer in a matter of months with a 040 for the same price, there is a
 big bait and switch going on right now,  I went into a MAC dealer asking
 about the Centris and all they could say was "buy an vx, and upgrade to
 040 later" This wasnt as bad as it sounded as the Centris os is only
 slightly faster than the faster 030s... that little EC040 at 20MHz is
 about the same as a 40MHz 030, and the 030 machine is cheaper.

 Atari is going to sell the Atari Falcon030, and they are going to sell it
 in sufficient quantities to insure enough NEW and interesting software
 for us all.  Atari Works is better than most of the competing software,
 and the interface cannot be beaten.

 THere is some serious work being done on the graphics capability of the
 F030... this machine stock can do everything the Super Nintendo can do
 with only 15% of the processor bandwith!

 Bry, you shouldn't have dumped the MSTe.. :-)  I have an acquaintance who
 sold a 20meg TT system and decided on a Centris 650... his waiting list is
 12 weeks long.  Several dealers have told him to buy something else while
 he waits.  This is all because he found the Spectre GCR too limiting...

 In other words... the F030 is selling in the UK... if the internet posts
 are to be believed.  I have a AEO person checking them out, and I will be
 checking with Atari on the rumors.

 Should be an interesting next 3 weeks.

 Andreas@AEO


 50420 14-MAR 22:52 General Information
      RE: Conf (Re: Msg 50388)
      From: CHRYSTAL     To: ABARBIERO


 I had asked Bob Brodie whether or not Atari will advertise the Falcon.
 That was some time ago and . . . no reply.  Since you seem to be in the
 know, just what is the story, Andreas?  Will there be any attempt to
 market the Falcon here, or will we be stuck with imported software that
 is hard to get and expensive?  Frankly, I'll soon be in the market for a
 new computer, and the temptation to go with a clone is getting stronger.
 And, I'm sick & tired of watching my stock in ATC bump along at 1-1/4.

 At this point I do think Atari owes its followers an explanation.

 Thanks.

                                 -- Chas. C.



 50516 15-MAR 23:44 General Information
      RE: Conf (Re: Msg 50503)
      From: CHRYSTAL     To: KENHELMS


 I recently saw an Infomercial for a machine called the "IQ Computer" (or
 something very close to that name) . . . $295.00 for the thing.  It's
 really a glorified calculator with some word processing functions and
 simple games . . . a great rat hole for someone to throw their
 hard-earned money into.  If they can sell THAT sort of thing on TV, why
 not one of those fantastic Falcons?  There are many who would sit down
 tonight and rip off a check to Atari if they were convinced that they
 were getting an easy-to-use machine with sensible software available.

                                   -- Chas. C.


 50517 15-MAR 23:54 General Information
      RE: Conf (Re: Msg 50511)
      From: CHRYSTAL     To: ABARBIERO


 Thanks for your quick response, Andreas . . . I knew I could count on you.

 Not only I but many others will be watching to see what Atari does with
 respect to marketing the Falcon.  I'm sure you're well aware of the level
 of cynicism out there which  -- I must add -- is of Atari's creation. 
 Neither I nor anyone else wants to buy a machine that has scant support
 on these shores.

 I do understand the problem of advertising vis a vis dealers/distributors.
 I also wonder if Atari is contemplating some way around the shortage of
 storefronts, for example, mail-order or TV sales (??).  Frankly, it
 doesn't require great intelligence to sell a product to many Americans --
 _if_ some creativity in approach is involved.  I believe that's true even
 for items with a high price tag such as the Falcon.  Let's hope the
 marketing gurus at Atari aren't too fried to come up with something even
 a teensy bit innovative.

 BTW, thanks for the telephone numbers . . . but I am still biased towards
 Made in the USA.

                                      -- Chas.



 50643 17-MAR 19:56 General Information
      RE: Conf (Re: Msg 50580)
      From: BRYEDEWAARD  To: CMILLAR (NR)

 Well, the reason I sold my MSTE was because I really believed Atari was
 excited about the Falcon, and it was the savior machine. I really didn't
 believe they would be so consistently late with things.

 I've been the biggest rose-colored-glasses wearer until my friends who
 have been into Atari as long as I started dropping out and buying other
 things. Now I get phone calls from them telling me all the great new
 stuff they've got, and I DON'T EVEN HAVE A FALCON YET, much less any
 dismal amount of support for it. I'm going to buy the Falcon, but I'm
 also going to worry like crazy until I see the market improve. This is
 the first time I've ever been so hard on Atari, but then, this is the
 worst the market has EVER been.

                I need call-block from my defected friends until I
                get my Falcon! :)
                                    -Bry



 50658 17-MAR 23:59 General Information
      RE: Survey of DOS users ;) (Re: Msg 50602)
      From: NORMW        To: ABARBIERO

 I think you have truly adopted the Atari rationale...stand still while the
 world marches on.  The schemes to increase speed are mostly multiprocessor
 oriented, which is exactly what Windows NT is targeting.  Current
 technology won't support buss speeds much beyond 100 MHz. Everything gets
 strained as you boost the speed, so parallel paths seem to be the answer.

 As the "electronic highway" and multimedia become realities, processing
 power will have to increase.  Current 386/486 won't hack it, and Atari
 offerings aren't even in the game.

 Today the government dropped another bomb on Atari.  The Dept. of Commerce
 decided to not place heavy penalties on the Koreans for dumping SIMMs.
 That means the price of them will drop...I was buying them for $24 a
 Megabyte before the fuss.  That makes the incredible decision to not use
 them in Falcon look even more foolish.

 Norm


 From the FNET .. a sign of the times.

 Conf : General Discussions
 Msg# : 5618/5622  Lines: 15  Read: 2
 Sent : Mar 17, 1993  at 8:27 PM
 To   : ALL
 From : ERIC RICH at Fnet Node 307, PayBax BBS node 307
 Subj : ATARI BBS

 Okay we need some help.  I come from Richmond Va and we have a local users
 group and a bbs called G.R.A.S.P.  which stands for Greater Richmond Atari
 Support Program,  we a currently going under and can just pay for the
 phone bill,  our hard drive system COMPLETLY crashed and depleated just
 about all of our funds.  If we do not get more users to join the sysop
 will shut down the board and switch to an IBM and 7 HARD years of work
 goes out the window perminatly.  If you would like to donate to the board
 or become a paying member it only costs $20.00 a year and you get all the
 privcledges to the board.  If you are interested in saving a great bbs and
 local users group we would all be greatly thankfull to you.  Contact Eric
 Rich at (804) 744-5291 between 2-10pm on weekdays and anytime on weekends.
  The board is currently down right now because of all the HD problems  the
 board should be back up AFTER the 25th of ThIS month,  please call me for
 the number.

                                   Thanks once again.
                                        -Eric Rich




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