Revolution Handbook - Abridged
From: Len Stys (aa399)
Date: 12/23/89-09:29:36 PM Z
From: aa399 (Len Stys)
Subject: Revolution Handbook - Abridged
Date: Sat Dec 23 21:29:36 1989
This is an abridged version of The REVOLUTION Handbook.
It contains the main points of the handbook but we still encourage you to
read the complete version.
The REVOLUTION(tm) HANDBOOK
by Donald A. Thomas, Jr.
=1989 ARTISAN SOFTWARE
all rights reserved
CONTENTS
--------
INTRODUCTION ......................................
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS .............................
GENERAL PRINCIPALS ................................
BENEFITS TO ENTREPRENEURS .........................
PLEDGES ...........................................
HOW TO APPLY THIS HANDBOOK ........................
COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK PROTECTION ................
ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACTS ...........................
* WHAT I CAN DO AS AN INDIVIDUAL ....................
INTRODUCTION
------------
There is a war going on in the United States and, if you are
an Atari computer user, you are a part of it. The allies
are the manufacturers, publishers and users of Atari
computers. They are the front line people doing what they
can to see that the system survives. They, as you, are the
people who face the ridicule from the universe of IBM, Amiga
and Macintosh proponents to support a conviction in the
really best computer value available.
To proclaim a war, there must be a cause... essential basic
values worth fighting for. In this case, these values hinge
on the need to expand our family of Atari owners and users.
We must face the reality that our family of Atari users is
not growing in the United States... it's shrinking. This
fact should be disturbing to you. The passion you have for
your computer will likely crumple to disgruntled aggravation
as fewer companies support your investment and more and more
users switch to a more popular system.
Many of us have been waiting for Atari to fight this war for
us. We have listened to commitments to run advertising and
support users' groups and trade shows. We have also been
exposed to Jack Tramiel's philosophy that "Business Is War".
In many instances, Atari has made admiral efforts to
strengthen their domestic position. For instance, over $67
million dollars was poured into a chain of retail
electronics stores known as the Federated Group. The theory
was that by owning a significant retail outlet, they could
dictate the amount of shelf space and customer assistance
dedicated to Atari computers and games. While the theory
was sound, they were not prepared to invest the added
millions of dollars it would take to salvage the risk.
Atari has also supported the user shows with their presence
and dealer support by loaning equipment for the show and
providing seminars.
Atari's dilemma is that the return on invested dollars is
best paying off overseas right now. Prices are higher
there, piracy is a lesser threat, and the consumer can view
the Atari line of computers without a tainted prejudice for
another system which is not as well established. Yes, it
appears Atari can not get a fix on what needs to be done for
the U.S., but there is already enough work keeping up with
European demand. "Business Is War" means exactly that and
Jack Tramiel is going to fight for businesses' primal
need... PROFITABILITY.
Looking into the crystal ball, Atari will certainly find
some success with the Portfolio and other attempts to
approach the PC market. They may see their domestic cash
flow swell when they do. As a result, an increasing PC
consumer base will be supporting the Atari name which will
drown out our cries for support with our XL, XE, ST and MEGA
machines. Already, the Atari magazines have covered the
Portfolio.
Artisan Software believes that there is a hidden army of
Atari users who realize that, if anyone is going to fight
this war, we must do it ourselves. Since Atari Corp. and
third party developers are simply profit machines, they are
always going to spend as little as possible to sell their
products. After all, that's what business is all about.
Yet, if someone were to mastermind an ultimate attack to
enhance United States sales of Atari computers, Atari would
support its' success.
Artisan Software is asking you to join in on the ultimate
user-based campaign to attract an expanding universe of
Atari owners and users. You may participate as intensely as
you wish, but your every effort will go a long way by
reading this material and doing whatever you can.
The campaign is called "THE REVOLUTION". It will be in
effect throughout 1990 and scheduled to continue through the
90's. The premise will be to optimize the power of
"word-of-mouth" advertising. This form of advertising is
the least expensive and the most effective. Concentration
will be on a calendar of projects which will strike targets
in cumulative force. You will find participation fun and
easy.
No one appears to have a firm idea how many Atari users
there are in the U.S., many say there about 100,000 ST
compatible machines out there, but that can not be verified.
Atari, understandably, keeps this a secret so they do not
scare away potential developers. Regardless how many there
are of us, we have the potential to exercise a lot of power.
If united, we can not be ignored.
The benefits you reap from this project are plentiful.
First of all, you will see Atari users ban together as a
nation for the very first time. You will witness
significant news coverage and experience the growth of new
companies emerging to support your system. You will also
discover it increasingly easier to find friends and
colleagues using an Atari computer. Best of all, you will
have fun.
Respectfully,
Donald A. Thomas, Jr.
President, Artisan Software
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
---------------------
Below are some questions and answers regarding "The
REVOLUTION". You may be able to satisfy any inquiries you
have by reviewing this material.
Q. WHAT IS "THE REVOLUTION"?
A. "The REVOLUTION" is a structured user-based campaign
design to enhance Atari computer sales in the United
States by primary use of "word-of-mouth" advertising.
It is made up of users and companies across the nation
who wish to support the cause.
Q. WHAT IS "WORD-OF-MOUTH" ADVERTISING?
A. "Word-Of-Mouth" Advertising is the most valued form of
advertising for any reputable business. While paid
advertising boosts public awareness, it is often by
someone's recommendation that high ticket purchases are
made. In basic terms, word-of-mouth advertising is the
act of voicing your opinion about a product or service
in a favorable way. In addition, "The REVOLUTION"
campaign is designed so that all our voices are focused
toward specific targets at any one given time.
Q. WHO IS COORDINATING "THE REVOLUTION"?
A. ARTISAN SOFTWARE President, Donald A. Thomas, Jr., plans
to coordinate the campaign.
Q. WHAT IS ARTISAN SOFTWARE?
A. Artisan Software is a California based software
publisher dedicated to the Atari ST and MEGA computers.
Q. WHY IS ARTISAN SOFTWARE DOING THIS?
A. Artisan Software currently offers three products for the
ST computer. This is not the place to talk about them,
but you will find separate ASCII text files about them
on this diskette. While Atari users support their
products, it has become disenchanting to realize that
the Atari user base is not large enough to keep sales at
a profitable pace. Rather than diverting attention to
non-Atari computers, it has been Artisan Software's
decision to expand the Atari computer user base.
Q. WHAT SPECIFIC ATARI COMPUTERS ARE REPRESENTED?
A. Although Artisan Software publishes only ST/MEGA
compatible titles, it is recognized that the 8-bit
community has just as much to be proud of over their
systems too. Atari video game systems, cartridges and
PC compatible products are not represented here.
Q. WHAT DOES ARTISAN SOFTWARE HAVE TO GAIN BY COORDINATING
"THE REVOLUTION"?
A. Frankly, a lot. First, Artisan Software will expand its
exposure of it's products to the existing base of Atari
users. Secondly, this base will grow and, therefore, so
will sales.
Q. WILL IT COST ME MONEY TO PARTICIPATE?
A. Not necessarily. As an individual, you are asked to
become a registered participant by making a minimum
pledge of $15 to help initiate the cause for the first
year. Pledges for more than that amount is encouraged,
but you are not required to pay any amount at all to
participate.
Part of your pledge will cover the costs of
distributing "The REVOLUTION HANDBOOK" and other costs
such as phone use and coordinating costs. Corporate
pledges are also invited if you wish to show your
company's support and benefit from the campaign.
Other costs to you depend on the projects you
voluntarily elect to work on. In most cases, it is
simply a few letters and postage stamps per week.
It is important to register your participation
regardless of the size of your pledge. Your
registration becomes an integral necessity to provide a
statistical analysis as to the size of the movement, the
primary use of the computers and estimated growth
patterns. It is also important that you register
individually. Individual and group registrations are
maintained by separate accounting methods to insure the
integrity of individual participation statistics.
Q. WHAT ELSE WOULD MY PLEDGE COVER?
A. There is a form in this HANDBOOK which you are requested
to complete and mail-in. It requests information about
you, your profession, the computer(s) you own and what
you use it for primarily. This and other information
will be combined with all the other participants for
many reasons. These statistics help provide a marketing
"map" for decision making and planning. Your
pledge will help subsidize this effort.
Artisan Software also hopes to connect a special
on-line modem hotline for 24-hour access to news and
data exchange. Artisan Software's voice line will
double as a verbal hot line for questions and answers
as well. This will also serve as a tool to inform
potential new Atari owners of user group activities
and the location of dealers in their area.
Q. HOW DO I KNOW IT WILL WORK?
A. Try to imagine the impact at the 20/20 news studios in
New York if they receive 10,000 to 50,000 letters in one
week informing them of a movement and requesting
coverage. As responsible reporters, they will not be
able to ignore it. The national coverage will be
obtained free of charge and this is only one project
for the first year.
Consumers are most effectively swayed by the vocal
majority and we have the power to yell and scream within
a coordinated effort. WE WILL SELL MORE ATARI COMPUTERS
THAN EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE.
Q. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO PARTICIPATE?
A. You do not even have to own an Atari computer to
participate. You simply have to be living and breath{ing
and willing to support the issues described in the
campaign. There are no age requirements and absolutely
no discrimination based on color, creed, sex, religion
or species.
Q. WHY DOESN'T ATARI COORDINATE THIS EFFORT?
A. The Tramiel family took the reigns of Atari nearly five
years ago and, if you look at the facts, has made
incredible progress in that time. Jack Tramiel is one
of the shrewdest entrepreneurs alive today and this is
documented by having founded Commodore and his short
turnaround time of Atari. The overall Tramiel
expertise, however, lies in business decisions based on
financial variables as opposed to marketing and research
variables.
It is the opinion of Artisan Software that user
dedication and commitment to the Atari computer is more
intense than it ever was by Commodore users when Jack's
Commodore introduced the Vic20 and the C64. It is
unlikely that Atari Corp. could conceive that a
coordinated "army" of Atari users might be formed to
make a difference in the foreseeable future.
This HANDBOOK describes activities which are designed to
provoke news coverage. While we may not obtain the
specific goals detailed, the news it generates will be
quite healthy for the cause. Atari could not be as
successful by taking this course of action because their
motives would be seen purely self-serving as opposed to
benefiting all involved.
Q. HOW SOON WILL RESULTS BE SEEN?
A. This project is directed toward the new computer buyer.
Those people have been convinced by propaganda that
other systems are better. The efforts to "deprogram"
this thinking is a long process which snowballs as time
wears on. With the estimated current base of Atari
users, however, substantial progress should be seen by
end of 1990.
Q. HOW WILL RESULTS BE MEASURED?
A. Atari has declared that their computer sales by nation
is confidential. The success of this program is based
on that statistic. It is hoped that many Atari Dealers
will join the crusade and report sales growth compared
to last year in the form of percentages. This keeps
actual figures confidential, but still provides a
measure to evaluate success. Third-party increased
sales can also be measured this way.
Q. HOW LONG MUST I PARTICIPATE?
A. Chances are you already participate by subscribing to an
Atari computer magazine, attending user group meetings,
buying quality software and peripherals and recommending
the Atari computer to friends. The difference is that
these same activities will be focused in a nation-wide
campaign to gain attention outside of the current Atari
user family.
You will be working on projects sychronized with
thousands of users elsewhere in the nation. If we all
stomp our feet at the same time, imagine the tremors we
can create. We hope we can count on you for quite some
time.
Q. OK, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO SPECIFICALLY?
A. Your participation is needed on four levels.
First, read this HANDBOOK and fill out the form
included. Send the form to Artisan Software today.
Secondly, go out of your way to discuss "The REVOLUTION"
with your user group or other Atari users. Provide them
copies of this HANDBOOK. Verbally encourage them to
participate. Also, approach your local dealers.
Encourage them to distribute copies of this HANDBOOK to
their customers. Permission is granted to copy and
distribute this HANDBOOK if the copyright and authorship
is acknowledged when you do. Exceptions to this include
professional duplication in a bound and covered book to
be sold for profit. The distinction should be clear,
but contact Artisan Software if you have any questions.
Your active involvement to spread the word about this
campaign is a critical component to its' success.
Third, write your favorite Atari magazine and ask them
to provide consistent coverage of this campaign.
Finally, follow this HANDBOOK as completely as you are
willing and able.
Q. WHERE DO I SEND MY REGISTRATION?
A. Send all correspondence, including registrations to:
"THE REVOLUTION" c/o ARTISAN SOFTWARE, P.O. Box 849,
Manteca, CA 95336.
GENERAL PRINCIPALS
------------------
There are some basic principals which are important for all
of us to agree to. These principals become our foundation
for all other participation.
One of the most significant principals is that we all do
what we can to stop the most blatant forms of piracy.
Artisan Software's philosophy that passing to a friend a
copy of a program, to determine if he likes it, is not a
high crime. This is IF the friend buys it after deciding to
use it. This philosophy is not shared by all publishers nor
is it, technically, legal. This philosophy's downside is
the difficulty of paying for something you already have in
your possession.
Slowing piracy plays a critical role in Atari's success.
Even if, per capita, piracy is no worse in the Atari
community than other computer communities, our lower user
base amplifies the problem. While any form of unauthorized
duplication and distribution is wrong, the foundation of
"The REVOLUTION" is to pay for the software you use. If you
obtain a title and never use it, you must turn to your own
values, otherwise, "The REVOLUTION's" policy will ask that
you buy it through legitimate means. In addition, "The
REVOLUTION" urges you to report pirate boards to Artisan
Software or persons who profit by selling unauthorized
copies of software. Please understand that these people are
destructive. Type: "I'VE JOINED THE REVOLUTION!" if you
come across these boards and hang up.
If we make any effort in this area, we will see
improvements. In short order, publishers will see the
difference and be even more encouraged to support our common
cause. In addition, cleaning our closet will attract more
publishers and new users.
Another critical principal is to be prepared to accept all
fellow members and our growing base of Atari owners as
family. Be prepared to assist them and depend on them. New
customers will be referred to "The REVOLUTION" members. The
impression you offer them will make a difference in their
buying decisions. Be positive and supportive.
If we get each others way, take an initial approach that a
combined effort may prove beneficial. Recently, closely
scheduled Atari shows caused for there not being a show at
all in that area. We need to look for ways to avoid these
problems.
Another significant principal is that of good communication.
Remind others what needs to be done, offer new ideas and
creative approaches and never hesitate to proclaim your
status as an Atari user to anyone. Apply a great deal of
friendly peer pressure.
It is encouraged to capitalize on "The REVOLUTION's"
concepts and strategies to gain recognition for you, your
company or user group. Please do not do this directly
against a competitor. Do not use this campaign to attempt
to pull user group members away from an existing one or to
sell products away from another dealer in this way.
Be supportive of activities enacted by other groups or
individuals. Thank them for their interest and help. If
there is a show in your area, try to attend. Join a users
group. Contact Artisan Software to help you find one or for
advise on starting one.
Please encourage your relatives, neighbors and friends to
participate, but never participate under an alias to boost
representation. We have an obligation to maintain real
numbers and a visual integrity. One individual can destroy
the efforts of all of us by participating with wrongful
actions or under false pretenses. You may write letters for
other people if you have them read, sign and understand the
position they are representing.
To insure consistency within the campaign, label each and
every project "The REVOLUTION". This will reinforce
retention and give us strength.
Please remember that what we wish to accomplish is make the
consumer aware of the Atari alternative and its' benefits of
owning an Atari computer. The sales will come naturally as
a result of accomplishing just that. We will not sell
everyone and would be fooling ourselves to think so. We
just want our computer on their shopping lists.
BENEFITS TO ENTREPRENEURS
-------------------------
If you profit in any way from the existence of Atari
computers, you are being asked to help support this
campaign. You have many benefits coming to you as a result
of the inevitable success of us all working together.
With an annual registered participation, you will receive
the following benefits:
1) Access to the list of registered individuals who support
the campaign nationwide for a nominal charge. This list
consists of qualified Atari enthusiasts who will be the
prime prospects for any direct mail advertising you may
wish to implement.
Artisan Software will also maintain a list of Atari
dealers throughout the U.S. and this list is available
as well.
2) Marketing data and information can be assembled using
the registration forms. A verifiable count of Atari
consumer trends can be established while Atari maintains
their secretive policy to such statistics. This
information may assist your considerations to release
new products or decide where your advertising dollars
might best be spent.
3) You will also have limited rights to integrate "The
REVOLUTION" in your marketing plan with promotional
stickers and/or literature such as "WE SUPPORT 'THE
REVOLUTION'". A logo is being assembled and will be
sent to you for such purposes.
4) An effort to educate the consumer of the harms of piracy
and piracy-like activities will be an integral part of
the campaign. Your pledge will assist in this
effort.
5) Companies can make one phone call to Artisan Software
and have the network of Atari publications exposed to
the latest news and information regarding their
products. A professional press release will be written
in your behalf and issued directly to their offices.
6) As participation grows, other companies may provide
discounts to other companies who participate.
PLEDGES
-------
YOU DO NOT NEED TO MAKE A PLEDGE TO PARTICIPATE. You may
choose to pledge any amount you wish. The funds will cover
administration of press releases, public relations and a
host of other functions. The use of the word "pledge"
references your endorsement of the marketing plan and your
purchase of the services the plan provides.
The plan is an unprecedented campaign to benefit the
exposure of Atari computers. It is a commodity packaged and
marketed by Artisan Software. As participation grows, you
will find access to a network of benefits increase in
context to this manual. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MAKE A
PLEDGE TO PARTICIPATE WITH THIS CAMPAIGN, IT MERELY HELPS TO
FINANCE THE ONGOING SUPPORT EFFORTS OF 'The REVOLUTION'.
Individuals
Have yourself counted as an individual user of Atari
computer and a member of this marketing plan.
User Groups
Users' Groups are highly endorsed by this campaign and
you have a nationwide network of users, dealers and other
groups backing you up.
Dealers
We are going to get people in your area to shop you more
often anhT2 help you develop a low-budget public relations
campaign. Many projects suggested can put money directly
in your pocket.
Distributors
Make the commitment to back a campaign that backs you and
all of your dealers. Your registration helps to keep us
informed of the important businesses which make up the
network.
Software Publishers
If you are small, we know how hard it is to make it with
Atari computers. We want to help you. We will help with
marketing strategies, recommend ad designs, and look for
every way possible to get your name known and recognized.
If you are sizeable software company, you have a lot of
Atari titles at stake with the success oM?~ this campaign.
Help assure the longevity and get some healthy PR for
supporting a worthwhile marketing plan.
Third Party Hardware Developers
Now is your opportunity to back a solid campaign to
attract more customers. We need your help to do it.
Atari Publications
For an entire year, this campaign endorses subscriptions
and advertising in your publication.
HOW TO APPLY THIS HANDBOOK
--------------------------
A good portion of this HANDBOOK details specific activities
by classification. Many participants will fit more than one
category. Everyone is asked to refer to the section titled
"WHAT I CAN DO AS AN INDIVIDUAL". This section is the most
critical because it includes the comprehensive calendar of
activities for 1990 by week. Other sections should be
referred to depending on your position in the Atari computer
world. There are separate sections for Atari publications,
software developers, users' groups, dealers and more.
Please bear in mind, that you are only being "requested" to
participate with any of the activities. It is of paramount
importance that you believe in the premise of the activity
and are prepared to stand by your convictions and
statements. Do not succumb to peer pressure to do any
suggestion stated here if you do not believe in it
yourself.
It must also be stated that none of these activities are
malicious nor meant to be. If representing "The
REVOLUTION", be polite, straight forward and non-abrasive.
Artisan Software assumes no liability for false claims,
slander, or any violation of law as a result to following
these suggestions. If any of these activities, for any
reason, is a violation of your state or local law, it is
your responsibility to alter or refrain from that activity
according to the law. There really are not any suggestions
made herein that should put anyone at such risks, but it is
critical that you understand the point made anyway.
Some of the activities may invoke the curiosity of reporters
who may contact you for more information. You may represent
the "The REVOLUTION" under the following conditions:
1) The concept of "The REVOLUTION" and the organization of
activities herein are protected by copyright. You may
not elude that you, or an independent group or company,
are in a position to speak on an official capacity of
having created or organized this program. You may speak
freely of your convictions representing yourself. Share
any information regarding the program as published and
speak about the specific activities you participated in.
2) If referring to Atari computer specifications, please
make certain your facts are correct. If you are not
certain, declare that fact. Never knowingly make false
statements about the computer's abilities or about
any company's policies.
3) Do not speak poorly of other brand computers in a
spiteful way. Always indicate Atari's known
superiorities while maintaining respect for the
competition. The competitor makes fine products,
whether we like it or not, and we will lose integrity if
you put them down.
4) In most cases, you should not make any quotes which
specifically names a price. If you are needing to use a
price, then refer to it as an approximation. We are all
working as a team and we do not wish to obligate dealers
to a misquoted price.
5) While we may have occasional frustrations with Atari, do
not voice them on an official basis. Every company has
its shortcomings and it is in our interest to attract
new buyers with the confidence of a solid company
backing their purchase. Do not lie about these issues,
either.
6) Refer to the campaign as "The REVOLUTION". Do not
officially refer to the program as "The ATARI
REVOLUTION". Since this campaign does not belong to
Atari, Atari would have every right to not wish its
trademark as a part of the campaign name. On an
official basis, our motive is to "build consumer
awareness about the best computer values" which happens
to be the Atari computer.
7) "The REVOLUTION" does encompass all XL, XE, ST and MEGA
compatible computers. It does NOT include video games,
PC compatible or other non-related products.
8) Please refer unanswerable questions or uncomfortable
approaches to Artisan Software. You may also refer them
if you simply do not wish to speak to them or merely
wish to pay courtesy. Ask them to call (209) 239-1552
or write P.O. Box 849, Manteca, CA 95336.
9) Keep checking Atari publications for progress, news and
other information.
10) If you desire to use the Atari namesake, for various
purposes, contact Atari for permission first. Artisan
Software will be happy to put you in touch with the
right people.
Please continually communicate with Artisan Software and
offer suggestions, report success stories and other relative
details. As registered participants, you have access to
Artisan Software 24 hours a day. It is expected that you
use that privilege.
COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK PROTECTION
----------------------------------
The contents on "The REVOLUTION HANDBOOK" are copyright 1989
by Artisan Software, however, Artisan Software waives the
right of protection to copy and distribute the book. You
may not sell the contents of the book, but you may sell the
materials used to copy it and the cost of distribution as
long as it is done at a nominal charge.
"The REVOLUTION(tm)" is a trademark of Artisan Software. To
utilize the power of the name for profit (printing on
T-shirts, coffee mugs, etc.), contact Artisan Software.
Other tradenames and trademarks referred to in this book
belong to their respective buisness entities.
ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACTS
-----------------------
It may be helpful to understand the full implication of this
program if we make some statements believed by many to be
fact. The point is that people believe these are facts
whether they are or not. It will be our duty to set the
facts straight.
ATARI IS A GAME COMPANY . . .
Following Atari's tremendous success in earlier years with
the 2600, many people still believe that Atari is a video
game company who makes games look like computers. They also
continue to see professional Atari games in the arcades.
These are built by a separate company now, but this is not
widely known or easy to explain. This impression people
have makes it difficult for them to imagine buying a
business or educational computer with the Atari logo on it.
It will be our obligation to persuade people that Atari is a
computer company who also makes great games... not the other
way around.
ATARI WENT OUT OF BUSINESS . . .
Since so many companies have been shut down by the
viciousness of the industry and the fluctuation of consumer
demand, many think Atari is out of business. Even if they
see the product in stores, they feel the retailers are still
trying to unload overstock. Buyers stay away from perceived
risks.
THERE ISN'T SOFTWARE AVAILABLE FOR THE ATARI COMPUTER . . .
Once people are exposed at all to the Atari computer, they
instantly recall not having seen any compatible software at
the stores they frequently shop. This makes it difficult to
convince them that plenty of software is truly available.
In addition, you and I are accustomed to mail order and
driving distances to obtain such software. Others have a
point when they indicate they would not have that problem
with another system.
THE ATARI COMPUTER ISN'T COMPATIBLE TO ANYTHING . . .
This statement can be so aggravating because they often do
not need "compatibility"... they just think they do.
Irregardless, the populous is convinced the Atari computer
is incompatible to anything else. If we point out emulation
software/hardware they feel they may as well get the real
thing to begin with.
THERE'S NO SUPPORT FOR THE ATARI COMPUTER . . .
Recently, Artisan Software experienced a defective Atari
monitor. When attempting to get it repaired, it was pointed
out that only Atari can remedy the situation by exchanging
it for a fee. No one could even test to see what was wrong
first. This example of odd servicing, combined with the
scarceness of dealers, contributes to the feeling that
service and support is difficult.
THERE ARE NO DEALERS IN MY AREA . . .
Often an Atari dealer may be closer than one thinks, but due
to strapped advertising and leasing budgets, they may be
tucked away in some corner. We are going to help those
dealers obtain exposure.
THE ATARI COMPUTER CAN NOT DO WHAT OTHER COMPUTERS DO . . .
In some cases, this may be true. Likewise, the other
computers may not be able to do what the Atari can do.
Chances are, the Atari can do MORE than the others at any
given price point. It will be our job to help communicate
the proper facts regarding this issue.
WHAT I CAN DO AS AN INDIVIDUAL
------------------------------
This is the heart of the campaign. If ever you heard:
"Every vote counts!", it certainly does here. The first
portion deals with a national schedule of events. The
second part of this section deals with general things we
could be doing. The calendar not only represents the
specific things to do, but what the rest of the nation will
be doing simultaneously. This collaborated effort will
enable us to be noticed by doing individual projects all at
the same time. It's like all the atoms in a chair shifting
to one side at one time; all of them have to move to make
the chair jump, but what an accomplishment when they do! If
you do not understand the projects mentioned or have
comments, please contact Artisan Software at (209)
239-1552.
It is important that you do not take the actions
recommended, until the scheduled date. Attempt to prepare
your letter writing projects over the prior weekend and have
them in the mail by Noon on the Tuesday of that week. The
impact will only be felt if Atari users across the country
are seen following a movement in a synchronized pattern.
Please look ahead and consider any group projects which can
be prepared in advance. Users' Groups may wish to help
pre-print form letters to pass out at meetings.
If you go on vacation or are away from home, we encourage
you to take and follow this calendar while you are on the
road. That's how important every individual is! If nothing
else, please make an attempt to catch up if you miss any
weeks. DO NOT PRE-MAIL ANY LETTERS BEFORE THE DESIGNATED
WEEK... THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Some of you will understand the "marketing" value of these
projects more than others. Please explain your
understanding and encourage others to participate. You may
wish to help others write effective letters or become their
"REVOLUTION" team captain by coordinating events and
communicating with Artisan Software about your progress.
Do not become discouraged. We can tell you right away that
many projects will seemingly not have any immediate
measurable results. This program is carefully designed to
maximize exposure of the Atari computer and you are
guaranteed to accomplish this. There may be reasons to
reinforce some activities. For instance, if some of the
targets for letter writing receive this HANDBOOK, they will
know in advance what to expect. Therefore, you may be
notified through your favorite Atari publication of a
follow-up activity or slight changes to the scheduled
dates.
The designations of "NATIONAL WEEK" herein are not official
government declared holidays. They are referencing our
national efforts for that particular week.
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<<< The Calendar is posted in another section >>>
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OTHER THINGS AN INDIVIDUAL CAN DO
1) Whenever you are in Toys 'R Us or another store that
sells computer software, act as if you do not know and
ask employees if particular titles are "Atari
compatible". Be polite, but walk away when they say
"No".
2) Start a Coffee and Donut Club at work. Take any
proceeds and buy yourself some enhancements for your
Atari computer.
3) Learn a programming language. Some are really not that
difficult. Develop software for fun or profit.
4) Learn a few specifications about your Atari computer
which makes it different from other computers. Study
why those things make the Atari computer better.
5) Be as optimistic about Atari's future as possible. You
now have the power to make big things happen in it's
favor. Avoid unnecessary criticisms.
6) If you are an investor, put a little money behind Atari
stock when you see Atari make positive moves in favor of
your computer.
7) Support Artisan Software's continuing efforts to see
"The REVOLUTION" through. Register your participation
with the enclosed form.
<<< The registration form is in another section >>>
You may be able to capture the registration by just switching the number of
lines to 60 in the system configuration menu on Free-Net then you won't have
the problem of having to edit out the "press space to continue" message.
Just print it out, fill it in, and send it in...
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