=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*››        PRESIDENTS MESSAGE›           by ALEX PIGNATO››   M E R R Y        C H R I S T M A S›             AND A›   H A P P Y    N E W    Y E A R!››     When December rolls around we all›think of a FUN time with lots of good›things like seeing beautiful CHRISTMAS ›decorations, buying and receiving gifts›and visiting with family and friends.›However, I also always think of ›the fact that THE OL' HACKERS started›in December of 1985, therefore we are›going into our seventh  year. For an›8 BIT ATARI club, that's like a hundred›years of a humans life. We have managed›to stay afloat making new ATARI friends›along the way.››     Of course, we couldn't have gone›this far without the support and hard›work of our officers and members; so,›at this time, I would like to thank›each and every one of them so that they›know how much I appreciate all their›help and cooperation.››     Our volume of mail continues to›grow with news and disks from different›parts of the world, giving us a great›P.D. library and knowledge from other ›ATARI users. We continue to plumb the›depths of the 8 BIT without ever›coming near the bottom.....Wonder of›Wonders, is there no bottom level of›knowledge for the little ol' 8 BIT? The›deeper one goes, the more one realizes›the mighty power of these little DUMB›brutes. New programs are now coming out›of individual programmers, like TOM›ANDREWS, RON FETZER, BOB PUFF, JOHN›McGOWAN, and so many more, I cant begin›to name them.›     I see a rebirth of the 8 BIT, but›not in the normal way, but by a bunch›of die hards, and the people who are›getting second hand equipment from›those that have upgraded for whatever›reason. Our club had gone down from›its high mark two years ago, but has›since gone up 30% in membership just›this past year. Many of our new members›live out of the area, in other states,›and countries. ›Without sounding like a blowhard, I can›proudly and honestly say we have been›and are recognized as an active and›productive club.››     One problem should be mentioned›here. The question is whether or not›a spouse can get a divorce, naming›the 8 BIT as a correspondent?? Another›question, how can a small 8 BIT›computer manage to swallow up a whole›room in ones house? Anyone who has been›to my house can attest to the fact that›3 people in the room, eliminates all›extra space. Also I must catalog all my›disks which are spilling over onto the›floor. Lucky for me-RON FETZER and STAN›SCHENFELD must have sensed my problem,›and have come to the rescue. They have›collaborated on a 2 disk double sided›set that will catalog and label (in 2›sizes) and with the programs are all›integrated and which are all documented›for ease of use. They have donated the›disks to our club and they are going on›sale for $6.00 a set. ›     Check the throwaway that came with›this disk for more info. (Boy wasnt›that a sneaky way to run a commercial?) ››      Enough said, I hope you all have›a HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON, and GOOD HEALTH›all year through.››     ()()() THATS ALL FOR NOW ()()()