-------------------------------------- SYNDICATE ZMAGAZINE May 1, 1988 Issue #104 (c)1988 APEI/Ron Kovacs -------------------------------------- Editor in Cheif : Ron Kovacs Asst Publisher : Ken Kirchner Managing Editor : Tom Reade Technical Editor: W. Keith Whitton ______________________________________ Contents ______________________________________ |*|Editors Desk |*|GEnie Survey Results |*|Atari Trek '88 Computer Show |*|ZMag Technique |*|10 Commandments of Telecomputing |*|Commentary on Atari |*|Newswire |_|___________________________________ ______________________________________ Editors Desk ______________________________________ by Ron Kovacs Along with this issue of ZMagazine we are publishing the commentary from Rex Reade in ST-Report Issue #33. Please note that comments made in the article are those of the original author and do not reflect the opinions of this magazine. Opposing points of view are welcome and encouraged. This month we start our third year of weekly publication. Never thought it would continue this long. Thanks to everyone who has supported us from the beginning. ______________________________________ GEnie Survey Results ______________________________________ Well, the results are in from the Atari 8-Bit RoundTable survey! They are, to say the least, interesting. Here are the results, by question: QUESTION #1 =========== What is your age group? 15 and under 2% 9 users 16 to 20 7% 31 users 21 to 30 27% 120 users 31 to 40 45% 203 users 41 to 55 18% 80 users 56 to 65 3% 3 users 66 and over 0% 1 user As you can see, the vast majority of the users are between 21 and 55 years old. 98.5% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #2 =========== What is your sex? Male 98% 439 users Female 2% 10 users Well, not many ladies in our midst. 98.9% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #3 =========== What Atari 8-bit computer do you use most often? 400 0% 1 user 800 9% 42 users 600XL 0% 0 users 800XL 36% 164 users 1200XL 1% 6 users 130XE 53% 237 users As this shows, the majority use the 130XE machine. Also, from this, we can see that 90% of the users have 64K of RAM or more because the 800XL, the 1200XL, and the 130XE are all 64K+ machines. 99.1% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #4 =========== What disk drive do you use most often? Atari 810 5% 21 users Atari 1050(stock) 38% 170 users Atari 1050(mod) 37% 166 users Percom 3% 13 users Indus 11% 50 users Other 6% 28 users From this, it would seem that the vast majority can handle either enhanced density or true double density (89%). 98.7% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #5 =========== What is the memory of your Atari 8-bit computer? 16K 0% 0 users 48K 6% 29 users 64K 21% 95 users 128K 41% 185 users 256K 21% 93 users 320K 6% 28 users 512K 2% 10 users 1Mb 2% 7 users Not Sure 1% 4 users This data tells us a lot. 93% of you have 64K or more, while 72% of you have 128K or more! Only 1% had no idea of what their machine was capable of in terms of RAM. That means that you are a knowledgable lot! 99.3% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #6 =========== What modem do you use? Atari 1030/XM301 31% 140 users Atari SX212 15% 95 users Other Atari 5% 23 users Other modem 47% 215 users From this, we can estimate the number of 300/1200 baud users. We know that the 1030/XM301 and the other Atari will be 300 baud, so that is 36%. The rest is guess work, but a fair estimate of 1200 baud users would be in the range of 45%. 98.2% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #7 =========== If you use an interface, what interface do you use? None 35% 155 users Atari 850 21% 95 users ICD unit 39% 171 users Other 5% 22 users This has to make ICD happy! This information, along with that in question #6, make the estimate of 1200 baud users much better. 97.6% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #8 =========== How long have you used Atari 8-bit computers? Under 1 year 2% 11 users 2 to 4 years 47% 213 users 5 to 7 years 43% 195 users More than 7 years 7% 31 users That's a lot of people for a long time! If you multiply this out, you find that we have somewhere between 1618 and 2445 years of Atari 8 bit experience in the RoundTable! 99.1% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #9 =========== What other computers do you now own and/or use? (more than one answer allowed) Atari ST 13% 57 users C64/128 4% 19 users Amiga 2% 7 users Apple ][ 4% 17 users Macintosh 3% 12 users IBM PC 29% 131 users RS Color Comp. 2% 9 users Large Mainframe 18% 81 users None 47% 210 users The surprizing areas here were the ST and the None categories. Relativly few Atari 8-bit owners have STs and almost half have/use no other machine. 98.0% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #10 ============ For what purpose do you use your Atari 8-bit computer? (more than one answer allowed) Games 73% 328 users Word Processing 72% 323 users Home Inventory 21% 93 users Telecomputing 79% 354 users Business 23% 104 users Education 23% 102 users Art/Music 28% 125 users Programming 37% 166 users Other 15% 68 users This is really saying that not all Atari 8-bit owners actually have a game machine. It seems that many use the computer as a serious tool. 99.1% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #11 ============ What programming languages do you use? (more than one answer allowed) BASIC 92% 408 users Machine Lang. 31% 137 users Action! 14% 60 users Pascal 8% 35 users C 13% 58 users Pilot 5% 23 users Logo 9% 39 users LISP 2% 10 users Cobol 4% 18 users Forth 5% 21 users Other 6% 28 users To me, it was a shock at how few people use Action!. 97.4% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #12 ============ How do you rate your programming skills? I don't program 8% 34 users Beginner 29% 130 users Average 48% 218 users Expert 10% 45 users Professional 5% 24 users With all these average and above programmers, you'd think that we'd see more software coming out for the Atari 8-Bit. 99.3% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #13 ============ In what format do you prefer that files be stored in the RT Library? ARC 53% 239 users Scrunch 2% 11 users Shrink 2% 8 users Disk Comm. 7% 33 users SCOPY 1% 3 users Other format 1% 3 users No compression 8% 38 users No preference 25% 114 users So, ARC is the clear preference of the users. 98.9% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #14 ============ Do you prefer that program documentation be: Part of the 41% 181 users compressed file As above, but 34% 150 users also available as a seperate file As a seperate 24% 107 users file only This one is hard to call. Just about an even split, with the first having a slight edge. 96.5% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #15 ============ What terminal program do you use? Express! 72% 324 users Amodem 10% 46 users Back Talk 2% 11 users Home Term 2% 10 users XE Term 7% 33 users Other 6% 25 users Looks like Express! is still the leader in term programs. 98.9% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #16 ============ What DOS do you use most often? Atari 2.0/2.5 52% 234 users SpartaDOS 33% 148 users MYDOS 6% 25 users SmartDOS 4% 18 users DOS XL 2% 9 users HappyDOS 1% 3 users MachDOS 0% 1 users Other 3% 12 users Hmmmm....Looks like ICD is doing well with Atari 8-bit users! Ofcourse, the old standard Atari DOS is still number one. 99.1% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #17 ============ How often do you use the RT Bulletin Board? Never 12% 50 users Almost never 25% 109 users Sometimes 33% 144 users Most times 8% 34 users All the time 22% 97 users This tells us that many of the Atari 8-bit RT seldom use the BB area. Some of the comments that we received might explain why. Only 95.6% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #18 ============ How many files per month do you download from the Library? None 8% 34 users 1 - 5 52% 224 users 6 - 10 23% 101 users 11 - 15 11% 46 users 16 - 20 2% 8 users 21 - 30 1% 6 users More than 31 3% 12 users It would seem that almost everyone takes advantage of the Library. Only 94.9% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #19 ============ Are you an active member of an Atari User Group? Yes 46% 208 users No 54% 242 users Sad, but true. 99.1% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #20 ============ What is your occupation? High Scl. 4% 20 users College St. 6% 25 users Computer Pro. 17% 75 users Teacher 2% 7 users Other Pro. 43% 195 users Self Employed 6% 29 users Other 22% 99 users 99.1% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #21 ============ Have you ever ran a Bulletin Board System on an Atari 8-bit? Yes 20% 89 users No 80% 363 users 99.6% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #22 ============ When you have a problem with your Atari 8-bit, who is the first person that you contact? A friend 30% 133 users Your User Group 19% 85 users Local BBS SysOp 13% 56 users A GEnie SysOp 3% 15 users Other 34% 153 users 97.4% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #23 ============ How many hours per month do you spend in the Atari 8-Bit RT? Under 2 39% 172 users 2 to 5 36% 158 users 5 to 7 11% 48 users 7 to 10 4% 18 users 10 to 15 2% 8 users More than 15 7% 32 users Only 96.0% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #24 ============ Do you find the information in the Atari 8-Bit RT to be: Not useful 2% 9 users Somewhat useful 50% 202 users Very useful 48% 193 users Sadly, only 89.0% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #25 ============ In general, what is your opinion of the operation of the Atari 8-bit RT? Very poor 0% 1 users Poor 1% 3 users Fair 4% 18 users Average 9% 38 users Good 38% 156 users Very good 34% 140 users Excellent 13% 51 users Again, only 89.6% of the users answered this question. QUESTION #26 ============ Is there anything that you would like to change in the RT? Yes 23% 93 users No 77% 304 users Only 81.3% of the users answered this question. That is the end of the survey results. As you can see, in the areas where the users were asked for direct input on the RT, the number of people that answered the question dropped off sharply. This is perhaps due to the idea that the users were afraid to leave negative comments. In retrospect, I see that this was not made clear at the start of the survey, but the SysOps have no way to know who leaves what answers. The only exception would be questions like #26 where you have a chance to leave comments. That goes via GE-Mail, so your user address is there. The other 25 questions are totally anonymous. Most of the comments that we did receive fell into one of two topics.... The GEnie Bulletin Board is bad, or... Atari needs to do ---------------- . The comments about the BB have been sent to GEnie. Atari, in the form of Neil Harris, has the comments about Atari Corp.. Let me just say thanks again to all who took part in the survey. The data that we gathered from it has helped us set a new course for keeping the Atari 8-Bit RoundTable on track and alive! ...Marty... SysOp MARTY.A ______________________________________ Atari Trek '88 ______________________________________ MAY 14-15 1988 The Atari users groups of the greater Pacific Northwest are proud to bring you the second annual ATARI TREK COMPUTER SHOW. ATARI TREK88 will be held, Seattle Center Flag Pavilion, from 10am to 6pm May 14th and 15th, 1988, admission will be $3 and children under 12 free. Admission fee entitles you to a chance of winning one of dozens of door prize drawings held through out the show. There will be exciting exhibits and displays by vendors from all across the country and by users groups. For further information and available vendor participation for ATARI TREK88, contact: Dave Hanthorn (206)232-3009. ______________________________________ ZMag Technique ______________________________________ Modifying your PR: Connection and MIO by WK Whitton Just as ICD has continued to support the Atari 8 bit computer, so shall Zmag! And speaking of ICD, how would you like to be able to modify your PR: Connection? -For what possible reason? you ask. Well, it seems that there is a problem with using Atariwriter Plus and the PR: Connection (although of the several Atariwriter+/PR: Connection owners I interviewed, none experienced this problem). When you reload the spellchecker, the RS232 handler is also reloaded. Now the old 850 interface doesn't allow this, you load it one time (remember that horrid, whiny -Booooooooooop!), and therefore there is no hassle. But being of advanced design, the PR: Connection will allow reloading of the handler. So.........as you back in and out of the spellchecker, the RS232 handler keeps reloading, thus pushing the MEMLO up and up, and suddenly... Kee-rash! Here's what you need to do to an OUT OF WARRANTY PR: Connection to alleviate this problem. 1. ___ Lay the PR: Connection face down on a soft surface. 2. ___ Remove the 4 Phillips head screws from the bottom of the unit and set these aside. Also, turn the unit over, and remove the top cover, placing it in a safe place. 3. ___ Note the Revision number marked on the upper right hand side of the PC board. If it is Rev. 4 or higher you are in luck, as this modification was thought of and the board was laid out to accommodate it easily! If it IS REV 4 or higher, please perform step 4. If it is LOWER than REV 4, please perform step 5. There is NO need to do both as they do the same thing, but on a different version of the PR:. 4. ___ Hold the PR: Connection with the 3 ports facing you. Look directly behind the port connector marked R2. You will observe 2 little -silver dots-, these are called -solder pads-. They will be marked -R1 off-. That's just what they do, they turn off the R1 port! Solder a 4- #22 wire to each of these solder pads. 5. ___ Remove the pc board from its housing and turn it over. In the center of the board you will notice an IC that looks like it is square (Its cool but square...heh heh). Notice one side of the chip has a dot plainly visible on it. This is pin 1. Count around the outside of the chip, moving toward the right, and locate pin 36. Solder a 6- piece of #22 wire here, and then place the board back into its case. Solder a 4- piece of #22 wire to ground. 6. ___ Obtain a small toggle switch, and mount it in a convienient location on the case of the PR: Connection. 7. ___ Solder the two wires to the switch. 8. ___ Replace the cover on the unit, and away you go! Here are some additional hardware notes: While at the PACE computer show, I beheld something interesting on an MIO on display there. Instead of the solid panel on the MIO that I become accustomed to seeing, there were two screen-like panels to allow free airflow. When I inquired of Tom about the availability of these panels, he said that MIO owners could obtain these by getting intouch with ICD. He only asks that you have a mental picture of the layout of the side of the MIO where the on-off switch is. Tom informed me that there were two different configurations, and thus 2 different possibilities of panels to obtain. And lastly, if you are the owner of an Atari 1050, and you have upgraded it with the -Doubler- from ICD, you know how wonderful the high speed and true double density can be! If for some reason the IC installed in U10 should ever go bad, you can obtain a replacement by sending the original, along with $7 to the good folk at ICD, and they will send you a replacement. Well, if you don't own products from these fine folk, I trust I have shown you that ICD provides virtually unmatched user support in the Atari 8 bit world! You can do no better than to purchase any of their fine products! ICD's address and phone are: ICD 1220 Rock Street Rockford, ILL 61101-437 Voice: 815-968-2228 BBS: 815-968-2229 Keep those Atari's hummin! WK Whitton (Mr. Goodprobe) ______________________________________ 10 Commandments of Telecommunication ______________________________________ Author unknown These are a few things that will help you to be good, polite members of a BBS system. They are not set in stone and there may be more that the SYSOP has set for the system you call. Which brings us to rule number one: 1. Read all notices. Including New User notices, system bulletins and messages left by the Sysop in the message base to the users. This is where you learn about how the system runs and when changes are made. 2. Follow the rules. You are a guest in the Sysops/Owners computer. The Owner has a right to set the rules just as you have a right to set house rules for your guests. Alot of systems are set up for a particular reason. It is not polite to try to force your way in someone else's system. 3. Take your time and use the menus. Almost all BBS systems allow you to enter something like ? when you need a Menu. Some also have a -panic- command like -Menu- that brings you back to the Main Menu if you get lost. Most things are clear if you take your time. One suggestion is the first time you get on try all the choices on the Menus to wee what they do. 4. Leave a message once in awhile. If nothing else say something about yourself. Someone has to start talking before a conversation get going. I've seen a lot of conversations on BBS systems start with -Why did you buy a computer/ modem?-. Only going to the File sections of a BBS is like going to a party and sitting by yourself at the food and eating. Sounds kind of strange when put that way. 5. Keep your language and discussions clean and legal! BBS systems are used by all kinds of people of all ages. Unless the Sysop has a Smoking section...don't smoke. Before you type something ask yourself if you would say it in Church. That's a good rule of thumb. You can express yourself without getting vulger, can't you? It only start the ball rolling to worse things. 6. Type in lower case and take your time. HAVE YOU EVEN TRYED TO READ SOMETHING TYPED IN ALL UPPER CASE. ALSO HAVE YU EEER TRED OT READ SMETHING THT HDA ALOT OF TPYOS. THIS IS USUALY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PERSON TRYED TO BE SUPERTYPER AND TYPE FASTER THAN THEY COULD. ALSO ITS A SIGN THAT THER PERSON WAS TO LASY TO CORRECT THE MISTAKES. Grammar is only important to the extent that other users can understand what you are trying to get across. It's not a term paper or formal letter, but we would all like to understand what you are saying. 7. Stay on the topic. If you change the topic, change the message header. All BBS system message bases that allow this. If the message base you are in is about ST Support, talk about something to do with ST Support. 8. If you find a good PD or Shareware program upload it to the proper section. This is how the new programs got there that you see. Either someone uploaded it to a BBS that the Sysop calls or someone uploaded it to this BBS. Someone was nice enough to see that you got it. Alot of people only call a few BBS systems and don't come across programs that the others don't have. We are not all rich. Just upload when you have them and use the message base also. 9. Don't use BBS systems that allow stolen software. This will hurt you in the long run. Do you want to see a computer system die fast? Then you will have a $1000 paper weight on your hands. Would you work for free? 10. Last but not least, leave the Sysop(s) suggestions and comments nicely. They, like all people, do not like to be commanded to do something, or being cursed at, because the download section is acting up. You can be sure if the suggestion is worth while it will appear. ______________________________________ Newswire ______________________________________ Captured from Delphi 835 27-APR 21:27 General Information Atarians Rejoice (?) From: DFSCOTT To: ALL This is a Computer Shopper exclusive story. Atari Corp. is undergoing another corporate restructuring, but this time more massive than before. A division company, to be known as Atari Computers, is being formed. Charles Babbitt has been named Atari Computers President, and Anthony Gould his Vice President for Sales. Although still under the umbrella leadership of the Tramiels, it appears at this time that a semi-autonomous company in the manner of Amiga Corp. is being spun off. In an exclusive interview, Atari chief spokesman Neil Harris told this reporter that Babbitt has been given two months to form a new corporate strategy for Atari Computers. During that period of time, says Harris, Corporate leadership has ordered no one at Atari Computers to speak with the press. Nonetheless, Babbitt was cornered into releasing general information to Computer + Software News about a special packaging arrangement of the Mega 4, perhaps for sales to Value-Added Resellers. It apparently has yet to be decided what role current Atari Corp. Management will play in leading the new Computers division. More details as they become available. D. F. Scott ______________________________________ A SERIOUS OBSERVATION ______________________________________ by T.-Rex- Reade Bless those Atari ST users, they are a hardy bunch of folks.....or are they? Have they been pushed and shoved to their limit? Is the time near for these folks to say, -We are sick and tired of being sick and tired-? This author has been doing some informal research for the last 23 days, in and out of all three of the major network services CIS, Delphi and GEnie to try and find out why the Atari userbase is showing storm clouds on the horizon. Folks, the results, although informal, are quite surprising! The main theme is coming from three major areas in the userbase, (a) The users(consumers) (b) The DEVELOPERS (hardware & software) (c) The RETAILER/SERVICE CENTERS. You say, what is going on that would have all these folks upset? ABSOLUTLY NOTHING! That's right, nothing is going on. That is the entire problem....The thrust is a lack of reaction to the wants and needs of these three major areas in the Atari Community by ATARI CORP........ FIRST, Let's take a look at the consumer's dilemma, according to the vast majority of messages read and articles written, the users have been all but forgotten by Atari Corp. some of the user complaints: 1- Why is Atari so busy selling overseas while we wait endlessly here at home? ATARI is a U.S. based company! 2- Where is this PROFESSIONAL Dealer/ Service Center Network? 3- Why is the new software so sparse? 4- Why can't Atari perfect GEM and GDOS? 5- Why do we have so many problems with the built-in DISK DRIVES? 6- Why can't we buy the new ROMS (mega) being shipped in the new 1040s and Mega STs? Playing favorites? After doing some snooping, I managed to find a few answers to the sampling of problems mentioned above that are facing the users.....The answer to the first question is PROFIT! The answer to the second question was harder to come by ..but this is close to what most agreed would make a reasonable cause, Atari, in their infinite wisdom of being a US based Company is sending most of the new products overseas and therefore business people who have done market studies find the product unavailable except in extremely limited quantities and therefore are reluctant to invest in an outlet dedicated to Atari products. Thank the Lord for the few hardy souls who put up with all the heartache and pressure. (more about the dealer dilemma in a moment) Sparse software has been blamed on many reasons... actually if one MAJOR hurdle were overcome the other lesser reasons would be easy. That major hurdle is Atari Corp. itself! (we will get to that when we discuss developers). Skipping GDos and Gem for now, we jump straight to a very nasty subject ....THE DISK DRIVE MYSTERIES.... I looked carefully into this one because it is involved, here it is, as seen by this author.... 1- Too many Vendor changes (those who sell the drive to Atari) 2- Outrageous economization of drive design 3- Insufficient in-the-field knowledge of all the changes. Looking at the first, there are no less than 4 different styles of drives in use...why? The early SF314 with the square eject button was excellent. The same goes for the very early internal drive that came with the 1040ST. That internal drive was the best Atari released. Why? Well how many of you have the -escape blues-? You know, switch the disk and hit the esc key for a new directory....work every time?...not in the new drives...what? it wont read a 10 sector format?....you mean the drive speed is not up to par and it came that way? Folks, these problems are NOT products of imagination, but in fact, were pointed out to me by Developers and service centers from different areas of the country. ATARI take note.... In trying to be fair, it was decided to call Atari and ask a Service Tech about what could be done with a drive that was misbehaving, chosen was the re-read the same drive with a different disk, escape key problem. Here is what we got for help....Was connected with a -Tech- and after explaining the problem 4X!,, He got the idea and stated that it may be due to loose ROM chips, (how many times have you heard this one?), the advice we got was to pick up the computer to about a foot over the desk and drop it!!!! It was at this point that I asked to speak to the person in charge of service....ok we waited, (holding on) a secretary came on the line and asked if she could help,(explain the problem again), she said hold on for moment. After a few seconds a LOUD BOOMING voice was on the other end of the phone, obviously this fellow was using a distorted and echo filled speaker phone..oh well....he tried to explain that the problem we were seeing is due to one of three things a) Rom chips (their favorite) b) the controller chip c) the Yamaha chip. The net result was if none of the above helped, send in the unit for repair or exchange. Not once was mention made that drive may be of the newer type, (lighter and smaller), and therefore not totally compatable with the machine. He never even mentioned that the problem may be caused by the drive...... Allow me to clarify the new drive, (lighter and smaller), that's how to recognize it at a glance.....in my opinion, it is plainly cheaper in material and shabby in performance...a host of messages blamed the programmers for using weird formats and all sorts of other reasons...I blame the drive....after having 2 Brand New 1040s with the new Roms delivered to me. I went crazy with drive problems....until I took older drives and placed them in my Brand Spanking New 1040s, now....all is perfect! Only a small number of service Centers could tell us how many different drive vendors Atari has dealt with.....from 3 to 6 different vendors. About the new roms ...Atari has no info for a person calling on the phone about them.....interesting, since I have 'em at this time..... The MAJOR reason for slow software releases is ATARI CORP. According to a number of prominent software developers who shall remain unidentified at this time, the biggest problem that they have is Atari Corp. itself....lack of communication, lack of up to date information and most of all a very serious lack of cooperation and confidence on the part of Atari to work hand in hand with the third party developers. My opinion is, advise Atari to be either in the hardware or the software business but NOT half way in both! Best bet Mr. Atari is to continue making your hardware the very best there is and start ADVERTISING and SELLING ST products in the U.S.A.! LEAVE THE SOFTWARE TO THE SOFTWARE SPECIALISTS! Mr. Developer, I hope Atari gets the message, I fully understand the undeniably poor position you are in....every time you approach Atari about a new concept or need help with a new routine, they give you the stonewall or a big welcome and NO help or cooperation... could it be Atari wants all the new ideas released through themselves? Does that make any sense? You bet it does...just ask the guy who originally wrote AtariWriter, or get the real story behind ST Writer or better yet discuss this very opinion with a developer, (off the record), you'll get the straight story and be amazed! What about this -new- release of micro word this alledged super word processor, it was dead before it was release because it came out far too late....Where is the -HIGH POWERED- Thesaurus and Spell checker so heavily touted? Too many last minute changes?? perhaps your programmers need some business sense, or is the spellchecker and thesaurus just more VAPORWARE? While you are at it, ask the developer about the horror story called GDOS and how Atari can't find someone who understands it well enough to write a tutorial about it. Or so they say.... Finally, the dilemma faced by the Sales and Service Centers...these guys really take the abuse.....Backorders, Vaporware and Insults from irate customers.....Nice things to come in to every morning, right?....No wonder more and more dealers are stocking computers from the -other- companies. One question to all the dealers we spoke to was of all the customers you sold the original ST to, how many are still using an ST? The answer was quick in coming....-ABOUT HALF- we asked why?.....again a fast answer, -because Atari is busy supporting a European market, we can't deliver here in a timely fashion and the so called new product development has turned into a nightmare of Engineer dreams and show pieces but nothing for the consumer to buy-...-take the laser printer for an example, it's already out classed and over priced by some real good name brands-! The only new item of any consequence has been the Mega ST....or has it? We asked a simple question about it also, Has the Mega lived up to your expectations and is it a reliable machine.....Three shops said we didn't have enough room or time to hear about the Mega ST...however the majority said basically it is a good machine but it seems Atari never really finished it before releasing it! Also, since it's release none of it's potential has been made readily available to the US market place..oh yes, there is plenty of Action in Europe.... Author's Note: I personally own quite a bit of Atari Equipment and really enjoy using it. Where else can one get a computer that will run the software of three computers [1] IBM, [2] MacIntosh [3] ST? Atari, you can have the most advanced Computer in the world, but if you do not advertise and allow it to grow in the USA. To the GIANT USA marketplace, it simply doesn't exist! Now, with the news of reorganization, I am faced with the rumors of Atari Stereos and Microwaves, ala Federated, if there is any chance of this ..for heaven's sake, either change the name of the Computer Lines or USE ANOTHER NAME! ....what's with the calculators and propeller beanie hats with the Atari name and LOGO on them?.......hey, Atari, PANASONIC(c) you ain't! Or is business THAT bad? I get worn down with all the shortfall going on....Just last week I was explaining to a few folks at the clubhouse about the wonderful things my computer system could do... everyone was very interested until I told them the name...I went deaf with the HYSTERICAL laughter in the room! Sad......but never the less, true... argh! I AM one of the diehards and am willing to make very loud noises in hopes of someone out west (CA) hearing me.......Never give up hope folks. COME ON ATARI, LET'S GET WITH THE PROGRAM SHOW US SOME REAL SUPPORT! NATIONAL ADVERTISING FOR THE ST MARKET THE ST IN THE USA NOW! GIVE DEVELOPERS REAL SUPPORT AND HELP! T.-Rex- Reade CIS - 73710,1052 Delphi - REXREADE GEnie - REX.READE 04-29-88 Any and all opposing views are welcome, the views or opinions stated in the above article are not necessarily those of ST Report or it's staff. This article may be reproduced only if it's entirety is unchanged. ______________________________________ Syndicate ZMagazine Issue #104 5/1/88 (c)1988 American Publishing Enterprises All Rights Reserved ______________________________________