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*---== STReport International Online Magazine ==---* """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine" from STR Publishing """""""""""""" April 16, 1993 No.9.16 ========================================================================== 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 * THE BOUNTY BBS * * TURBO BOARD BBS SYSTEM * FNET 350 ~ Fido 112:35 ~ Nest 90:21/350.0 904-786-4176 USR/HST 24hrs - 7 days 1200 - 19.2bps V.32 - 42 bis 16.8 Dual Standard FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EST ----------------------------------------- FNET.. 18 : ///Turbo Board BBS Support...1-416-274-1225 FNET. 690 : PASTE BBS....................1-206-284-8493 FNET. 460 : The Atari ST Connection......1-209-436-8156 FNET. 350 : The Bounty *<Home of STR>*...1-904-786-4176 FNET. 489 : Steal Your Face BBS..........1-908-920-7981 _____________________________________________________________________ > 04/16/93 STR 916 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!" """""""""""""""" - The Editor's Desk - CPU Report - PORTFOLIO NEWS - 2mil DOS 6 Ship! - EDITOR'S MAIL - FALCON BROCHURE - CANON NOTEBOOK INTRO - ASHEVILLE FEST - PERFORMA EXPANDED - CTFEST'93 NEWS - FASTMICRO RIP! - STR Confidential -* REVOLVING DOOR EXTREMELY BUSY! *- -* ATARI STOCK VALUE PLUMMETS! *- -* "FALCONWAIT" THE TRICKLE BEGINS! *- =========================================================================== 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 phone The Bounty BBS direct @ 904-786-4176, and enjoy the wonder & excitement of exchanging information relative to 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 participate. Support your favorite computer! Teleconference 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 (April 16) PARTICIPATE IN GO GRAPHICS DIRECTORY! The Atari Forums will be participating in the fifth update of GO GRAPHICS, a picture catalog of some of the finest GIF images available for download from CompuServe! We'll be compiling our listing for inclusion THIS WEEKEND! Be sure to upload your new GIF pictures as soon as possible! NEW PRINTER DRIVER FOR DESKJET Download PrintAll Version 1.1 (file PRTALL.LZH in LIBRARY 9 of the Atari Productivity Forum -- GO ATARIPRO). A Printer driver program for the HP Deskjet 500 and 500C. Prints multiple file formats in color or black-and-white in multiple sizes and orientations. Latest version adds Prism Paint PNT support, Tiny low and medium-res .TNY and Sun Microsystems' "Rasterfile" .RAS support. Also numerous bug-fixes and speedups, ability to cancel without quitting and cancel long operations. This version supersedes PrintAll 1.0. New "CMYK" output options simulates Deskjet 550C output on 500C printers! SHAREWARE FROM DOUBLE CLICK IN ATARIVEN Double Click Software has decided to release DC Xtract Plus as SHAREWARE! Included in the LZH file are DC Xtract Plus 2.1v and a doc file. Download file XTRPLS.LZH from LIBRARY 13 of the Atari Vendors Forum (GO ATARIVEN). Double Click Software has also decided to release DC SEA as SHAREWARE! Make ARC/LZH/ZIP/ZOO into a self-extracting file. Download file DCSEA.LZH from LIBRARY 13 of the Atari Vendors Forum (GO ATARIVEN). MANY NEW FILES IN ATARIPRO! Lots of new files in the Libraries of the Atari Productivity Forum (GO ATARIPRO). Type BRO LIB:ALL to check out the most recently entries!! REVISED PRINTER DRIVERS FROM SOFTLOGIK SoftLogik has made the following two files available for download from LIBRARY 11 of the Atari Vendors Forum (GO ATARIVEN): PS2299.ARC - PostScript printer driver for ImageSetters and Color PostScript printers version 2.2.99. This is a temporary driver that fixes problems with v2.2.11 printing to Linos and Color PS printers. PS2211.ARC - Newest PostScript printer driver version 2.2.11. This driver is good for users printing to PostScript lasers. For users needing to print to Color PS and high-rez imagesetters, you should use the v2.2.99 driver. 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!" """""""""""""""""""""" STReport seems to bring out the "very best" in people from time to time. This past week for instance, we found an Atari aeo rep addressing mail directly to us in public demanding that it not be for re-print. Cute eh? It's sad to see educated people resorting to "throwing rocks" and then declaring that nobody may see them doing it except in their "closed" environment. It's not a real bother to STR since paraphrasing allows so much in the lines of "eloquent interpretation". The sad part is it leads to so much unnecessary non-sense proffered by those suffering from the empty barrel syndrome. (rolling downhill with a loose nut inside). To get back to the gist of this matter, its very evident the smoke and mirrors efforts have been stepped up considerably. What with the maligned, direct accusations being made by one aeo rep claiming STR turned a "positive into a negative" by our spotlighting Atari's "pressure plea". Which, by the way, was made directly to users imploring them to aggressively persuade their dealers into signing the new ADA. Nowhere was it mentioned that, even though the Falcon product may be shipped through a distributor, Atari will not permit the "intro level" product to be sold by anyone they do not first approve of. Also, they are prohibiting the sale of these intro devices via "mail order". In and for itself the concept is ok, but this is 1993 and its been proven time and again that such practices are not productive at all. Apple and the Clone markets have proven which is the right way to go. In Atari's case, the lack of marketshare or even mediocre penetration with be heightened when the insipid politics Atari aspires to intrudes, then and only then will the users understand the full scope of the new ADA. The mail order question has always been a sore point but if one stops to think for a moment, by prohibiting that mode of sales, Atari may either be planning to do so itself or, they possibly have reservations about being able to deliver large quantities of said product. Of course, the last big question is where is all the fancy promotions we were told would happen coincidently with the advent of the Falcon030 shipping in the USA? In the remainder of aeo rep's remarks, it was stated that those who were mentioned as having left Atari's employ were, in fact, "still in the driver's seat at Explorer". Really? STReport stands by its original report. He then continues to carry on about "real" news and which online magazine can do what for whom but never points out the bottom line. STReport will never be an "Atari mouthpiece". We will however, continue to tell the users exactly like it is. The good, the bad and the ugly. For example, we also reported the Book and the Laser printers cancelled, you don't see the reps saying anything about that. Not a peep! Of course not, there is no possible way of "stretching" the truth as it was done in the case of the revolving door. Still, when the smoke clears those people will be just as gone from Atari as they were when it was reported. As for "spin doctors", a term used by the aeo rep, nobody but nobody lays out a spread of smoke and mirrors like those who dare to try applying a label to others. Additionally, we find other Atari "mouthpieces" are very busy trying to raise more sand over the FCC's class B certification processes. One can only wonder if they really desire pushing this matter to the "wall". Its amusing to see these events unfolding as it points to frivolous acts of sheer desperation and indeed reflects hours and hours of time being wasted by those consumed with an obviously destructive and negative obsession. I can just imagine the results if the same energies were placed in an effort to get product out on time. The least they could do is read the rules and regulations before spewing forth non-sense. Atari's people have announced that the Falcons are here and shipping this week, in fact as of yesterday thursday April 15. If its true and the resale units are really shipping its great to see happening. If not and its only dealer demo units shipping then shame on them for once again raising the hopes of the faithful only to be let down with further disappointment. You see, we've been told the units that shipped are from those on hand and are intended as dealer demo units and that the units that arrived earlier this week must pass the QC checks and should ship within three weeks. These are reported to be the resale units. In any case, at least they're here in the good ole USA. 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 Robert Glover 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 About the scathing Forbes Magazine Critique of Atari; "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 About marketing plans and the future.... "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 A fantastic observation, considering the date it was made... "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 Again, the dates of the statement conflict with the facts now known.... "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 NOW HOVERING around $0.81 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! Wanna bet there won't be any? Better yet... Which _MAJOR_ US Software Developers & Publishers are producing NEW Software for Atari's FALCON??? Besides, who _needs_ a CARTRIDGE PORT anyhow! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS """"""""""""""""" Computer Products Update - CPU Report ------------------------ ---------- Weekly Happenings in the Computer World Issue #16 By: John Deegan CANON OFFERS NEW NOTEBOOK - Canon Computer Systems Inc. has introduced a new notebook computer with a built-in laser-quality printer. The NoteJet 486 weighs 7.7 pounds and incorporates a miniature Bubble Jet printer that prints laser-quality text and graphics at 360 dots-per-inch resolution on plain paper. An optional fax-data modem that can be plugged into one of the unit's two Personal Computer Memory Card Interface slots allows users to receive and print faxes on plain paper. Prices range from $2,499 to $2,999. Prices for the optional data/fax modem -- available in May -- range from $399 to $899, depending on speed. ADDITIONS TO PERFORMA LINE - Apple Computer Inc. is adding three systems to its Macintosh Performa line. The new computers -- Performa 405, 430 and 450 -- include a modem to connect with phone lines and come with America Online and Checkfree services. They also come with more educational software and games than the earlier Performa models. Apple said it expects the new machines to range from $1,300 to $1,850. MICROSOFT SHIPS 2 MILLION DOS 6 UNITS - Since its March 30 unveiling, the new MS-DOS 6 upgrade has been shipped to a record 2 million customers, publisher Microsoft Corp. says. The numbers does not include DOS 6 versions supplied to hardware manufacturers to ship with new PCs. DELL TO OFFER NextStep-BASED SYSTEMS - Dell Computer Corporation says it will offer buyers of its Intel 486-based personal computers and future products the option of equipping the system with Next Computer's NextStep for Intel processors. REPORT SEES PC SALES SLOWING - A new research report by InfoCorp predicts growth in worldwide PC sale will fall to 15.9% in 1993 from 17.6% in 1992. The study sees the second half of 1993 registering flat to negative year-to-year growth, compared to the second half of 1992. ABUSE OF A POLICE COMPUTER PROBED - Authorities are investigating a report that an Anaheim, Calif., Police Department computer was misused to find private information about a man targeted by abortion foes. Police Chief Joseph Malloy has been quoted as saying an unidentified employee used the computer to gain access to confidential Department of Motor Vehicles records for Chris Criner, who volunteers at a family planning clinic. The information included Criner's home address. Protesters picketed in front of Criner's home in February. "Civil-rights experts and abortion-rights advocates said releasing private information could endanger lives in light of last month's slaying of a Florida doctor by an abortion foe. Under state law, unauthorized disclosure of DMV records is a misdemeanor with penalties up to one year in jail plus a fine of $5,000." WRIST, HAND SITE OF MOST WORK-RELATED INJURIES - The reported incidence of repetitive stress injuries (RSI), the pain and related weakness caused by constant small movements such as those experienced by computer keyboard operators, have tripled in the past ten years, making RSI the number one cause of worker complaints to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Although more progressive European companies have made an effort to prevent such injuries through special regulations, outside San Francisco and affluent Suffolk County, New York, few local governments here in the US have given any serious attention office regulations that might reduce RSI injuries. The following steps are recommended to avoid such injuries: Computer operators should be encouraged to stretch frequently, moving head, neck, shoulders, and arms briefly to balance muscle tension. The worker should be seated properly with the chair providing firm support for the back, with either adjustment capability or shape that allows for the addition of a cushion. The seat height should be adjustable so that, with the operator seated, the keyboard can be used with the elbows in about 80- to 90 degrees of flexion. A freely adjustable footrest should be used to prevent fatigue. The keyboard should be positioned so that the operator's wrists are supported with an appropriate wrist rest, which maintains the wrists in a neutral position with the fingers comfortably on the keys. Work should be placed slightly behind, and to the side of, the keyboard at a comfortable reading distance and at the proper height to prevent a stoop-shouldered position. The computer screen should also be positioned at proper eye level. And, in some situations, specific keyboards or other adaptive equipment may be suggested for individual workers. ____________________________________________________________ > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" PEOPLE... ARE TALKING ===================== On CompuServe ------------- compiled by Joe Mirando 73637,2262 Hi there friends. I don't know about you, but I've had a busy week. What is it about springtime that both exhilarates and exhausts us? Maybe it's just the springtime equivalent of winter's cabin fever. Well at any rate, it's time for us to check out all of the great help offered by the Atari community here on CompuServe. Okay folks, it's time to rock and roll! From the Atari Productivity Forum ================================= On the subject of using ICD's LINK with an existing hard drive case, Frank Hence posts: "I have modified several cases to use the Link with a SCSI drive. Basically all you have to do is run the SCSI ribbon cable out the back a little with the appropriate LINK connector, its A standard SCSI connector. Then plug the LINK in externally, connect the DMA cable and away you go. If you have a distance problem the e SCSI ribbon can be longer than the back of the case. If you plug the LINK in externally then you can use it for other stuff if you wish.... Modifying a case outlet is no problem, Radio Shack sells a low priced nibbler, less than $10, just trim your hole to the size you need. Its my understanding that all Mega files are RLL, the SH204 was MFM. The Atari host adapter would work with either the Adaptec 4000a --MFM or 4070 RLL... The only far out problem you might encounter is the lack of power for the LINK, but most SCSI hard drives provide the right stuff..." Ian Burton asks Frank: "would that work with, say, a STacy? I want SCSI on my stacy, but I don't want any cables hang off the edge( though if I have to...)" On the subject of Atari Works spreadsheets, Carl Barron tells Albert Dayes: "ATARI's Works is only excel command not file compatible. I do not think I ever saw mentioned that it exports wk? files. It does import db3 files in the database part, so they can be imported into the spreadsheet. I use a spreadsheet rarely and only for fairly simple things, but I have found that lotus import valuable when grabbing software from other platforms." See that folks? Even Albert needs to ask questions on occasion. It's good to know that he doesn't know everything about computers (he knows most of it though). While we're talking about spreadsheets, Charles Eckert asks: "Does anyone have the file format for LDW Power .LDW files ? I've searched here and even in the Lotus forum for .WKS format but find nothing? I need the format in order to use LDW Power with another application. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!" Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine tells Charles: "The older WKS format is in development library in the Lotus Spreadsheet former. (GO LOTUS) choose spreadsheet and then choose development for the library. I haven't looked at *.LDW files yet but I assume they are similar if not the same as WKS files." Bob Wilson jumps in and posts: "Unfortunately they are not remotely the same. I tried twice to get the format from LDW when they were still around and got no response either time." Albert tells Bob: "File formats other than Lotus WKS (like WK3) require a NDA from Lotus. When you wrote (to) LDW did you ever follow up with a phone call? Or was this all via voice?" Bob replies to Albert: "All via letter. I figured if they did not care enough to have me support their native format that I certainly wasn't going to give a s--- either. B/STAT can read data from .WK1 files so support of the native LDW is not a high priority." In the spirit of inter-service cooperation, Rick Meredith posts: "I posted this on GEnie as part of a discussion of SDS's CPX Icon Editor and I though my friends on CIS would appreciate as well. ------------------------------ I spent the past weekend messing with the CPX Icon Editor and I've learned more about it, DESKICON.RSC and NEWDESK.INF than I would ever want to know.<g> I thought I would pass on what I learn so everyone could benefit from my experience. For those who thought differently, YOU CAN DELETE AND CUT ICONS WITHOUT MESSING UP YOUR INSTALLATIONS! The following should be in the manual in 24 point type. The problem is cause by delete or cutting an icon that is installed. The solution is to make sure that you delete the file installation before you delete or cut the icon. This, however, has no effect on program icons that are installed on the desktop. Apparently, instead of using the filespec for these icons, they use the icons location the RSC file. You will need to re-install these icons from the desktop to get the correct icon on your desktop. Since you will most likely have considerably more window icons than desktop icons, this is not much of a problem. Icons installed earlier in the NEWDESK.INF file have less priority over those which are installed later. This is how I found this out; I had an icon for WARP9*.* and an icon for *.ACX. I wanted the window to display WARP9*.* icon when the accessory was turned on and the *.ACX icon when the accessory was turned off. When I first did the installation, the WARP9*.* icon would show regardless of the extension. This was because the *.ACX icon was installed before the WARP9*.* icon. By deleting the *.ACX install (but not the icon itself) and reinstalling it, it worked as wanted it to. Going on the above information, I took my DESKICON.RSC file and cut and pasted it so that the icons that I wanted to have the least priority were at the beginning of the file and the most priority at the end of the file. Don't forget that the first 10 icons are "system" icons so start this with the 11th icon. I then went through the icons from front to back and did all of my installations. Now all of my icons are installed with the priority I want. Later, when I get a new program/file/folder that I want to installation, I just cut and paste the icon into the DESKICON.RSC file at the location that reflects the priority that I want to give it. I then install the icon to the file. That is followed by deleting and then reinstalling the icon links until I reach the end of the DESKICON.RSC file and once again everything is as I want it. Some other tips, the bigger your DESKICON.RSC and NEWDESK.INF files are, the slower your disk access, etc. will be. Try to keep these files as small as possible by using as few icons as possible and naming your folders and files so that you can use wildcards, and use one link to install several files to one icon. i.e. Instead of having one icon and one link for WARP9_ST.PRG and a different icon and link for WARP9_CP.ACC, use one icon for both files and use the link WARP9*.* so both files are assigned one icon with one link. If you do this for all of your links, you'll wind up with much smaller DESKICON.RSC and NEWDESK.INF files and a faster system. The CPX Icon Editor is great for this as it allows you to concurrently modify both your DESKICON.RSC and NEWDESK.INF files. I should mention that I have no connection to SDS other than being a very satisfied purchaser of their program." P.S. I did find a small bug in the CPX. If you select load file, bring up the file selector, decide that you don't want to load a file, hit cancel on the file selector, then hit the close button, the mouse buttons and keyboard don't work. There is no problem if you use the cancel button instead of the close button. ----------------- P.P.S. This message can be reprinted as long as it is reproduced in it's entirety and Rick Meredith, the Atari Computer Association of Orange County (A.C.A.O.C.) and CIS receive credit for it. Brian Gockley of ST Informer and the Connecticut ACT (Affiliated Connecticut) users groups posts: "Excellent, I always wondered about that. I wish that Atari would just buy the darn program and use it to make ALL of the icon assignments." Jay Craswell, one of the best developers ever to grace the Atari platform, tells us: "I know next to zip about flopticals but... Real Opticals I have. If you need 128 Meg per disk (40 to 50$ a piece) and a drive that speeds along like a HD then give me a call (or in your case E-mail) the drives are a little pricey but since you can use them as main store." Wow! Imagine a 128 meg removable drive. Now THAT'S impressive. Hard drives, hard drives. Everybody wants one, or a bigger one than they already have. Rafael Hermoso asks about hard drives for his Mega: "I have a Mega 2 ST upgraded to 4 megs with PC Speed inside. I would like to add an internal hard drive and was wondering what I needed besides ICD's micro host adapter. Which hard drives are best? Also, is a controller necessary? Which are recommended?" John Damiano at Transierra tells Rafael: "I like the Maxtor drives. They make a 130 meg one...very tiny." Ian Burton tells Rafael: "I called ICD a few weeks back and they said that they don't produce the micro adaptor anymore... hmmm I could have been misinformed. I needed it( still do) for my STacy 4..." And the debate over the exact meaning of "True Color" rages on. Tom Roscoe tells us: "In the rest of the world, true color is 24 bit color, 8 per R, G & B." Yeah, right. Would someone please tell Tom that this isn't the rest of the world... this is Atari! What makes it all the more disheartening is the fact that Tom happens to be correct. Charles Smeton posts: "In the "rest of the world" 24 bit color allows 16777216 color possibilities. Most people in the real world live in an analog system, where things are not quantized into digital steps. Who is to say that 162777216 is the maximum number of colors that allows us to assign a "True Color" to something?" Sysop extraordinare, Bob Retelle tells charles: "Charles, from everything I've read, it's Medical Science which has determined the maximum number of colors the human eye can differentiate. That number closely approximates the number of shades available with 24 bits, ie: 16 million. Any finer steps and the human eye can't detect them, any broader and it can. That's the whole point behind "true" color." Pattie Rayl of Atari Interface and Connect Magazines asks Bob: "If that's true, where the heck did the definition of true color being non-palatted colors come from?" Bob Retelle replies to Pattie: "I think that was an Atari invention..." Alex Kiernan jumps in and tells Pattie: "AFAIK Truevision (they of the Targa graphic cards, and .TGA files), back in about '84. They defined three classes (I may get this wrong as the specs are in the office): Indexed color - i.e. palette modes True color - no palette Direct color - a per-gun color palette (Direct color is basically true color, but allows you to build something like gamma correction into the hardware)." Alan Willford adds: "Sorry....but you really can tell the difference between 32k and 16 million colors. I have a ATI Ultra Pro at home and when I switch from 65k to 16 million there is a BIG difference on how much better images look. Not just advertising hype, it is a real difference." Alex Kiernan thinks aloud: "... If you had 32K colors all settable to (8, 8, 8) bits of resolution (or better (12, 12, 12) bits) you would (almost certainly) see no difference between 15 & 24 bit color, but we only have 32K colors at (5, 5, 5) bits, so for example in a blue sky, with a blue->white blend, we only have 5 bits of accuracy which gives _very_ banded results. With a 24 bit color card, you're getting 8 bits of accuracy (which can still show bands very effectively under the right conditions), with 36 bits you need monster images to start to see the problem." From the Atari ST Arts Forum ============================ Nigel Holmes pleads: "Please could some one help! How do I down Load a file to a apple mac Then convert it so that my Atari 1040st can run the program I have tried formatting the disk using apple file exchange so that it has the same format as a pc and then copping the down loaded software to the floppy but when it is put into the atari at home it read's the file as a document file not a program file,has anyone got any clues??" Sysop Bob Retelle tells Nigel: "The Atari looks at the filename extender to determine what kind of file it is. The only ones it will display with a program icon that will let you run them are files ending in .PRG, .TTP, and .TOS The problem is that most files you'll be able to download have been compressed with a utility like .ARC or .LZH to make them smaller and faster to download. Before you can use these files, you need to run the corresponding utility to expand them back to their original form. We have those utilities in Library 4 of the ATARIPRO Forum. You should download a file called ARCLZH.PRG that is a "self expanding" file which will uncompress itself when you run it, and will create both the LZH utility and the ARC utility, along with a handy "shell" program for running both these utilities. Let us know if you have any problems getting these things set up..!" Philippe Ciaric posts: "I am trying to write a Spectrum files viewer that would work on a PC with a VGA card. My concern is to get the colors working. l think I decompress the palette ok since the tones of color that are displayed make out how pixel colors map into the three 16 words palettes there is for one line. If somebody already wrote this, or know about such a utility program that would run on a PC, please let me know by mail." Ron Luks, the head honcho of Atari Forum sysops, tells Philippe: "I know of no such Spectrum viewer for a PC, but there is a considerable amount of interest in a program like this. Please keep us posted as to your progress." Alex Kiernan adds: "You need to grab the ST Picture Formats doc, I'm pretty sure its available on CIS, try searching for 'format' in ATARIFF." Now that's what I call cooperative people. Where else would you find people willing to take the time to help out someone who is writing a program for another computer platform? Peter Joseph posts: "Ok, if there must be a place here to discuss future options for Atari computer users then we should set up a section specifically for that, and if anyone (like me) doesn't want to hear about those options at this time, we have the option of deselecting that section when reading messages. Fair enough? :) I understand that you want your friends to have the best information possible in regards to buying a computer. However, the manner in which some are doing it here is very negative. They _are_ selling Macs and PCs over Atari, regardless of there reasons or ways of looking at it. I have nothing against that if that's how they feel, but I believe they should do it either in those respective forums or through CIS Mail, so as not to discourage those that still have some amount of hope for Atari. You know, contrary to popular belief, since we don't all make money from Atari computers, we don't all hate Atari Corp. Ralph continually rants about Atari's 'vendettas', yet that's exactly what he's been doing right along, although he doesn't seem to see it that way. My cousin recently told me he's considering buying a computer. Now he's had an Atari 8 bit for several years, and has probably turned it on about six times; I know 'cause that's about how many times he's called me to ask me how to use it. :o Anyway, he said he's looking at a PC and asked me what Atari was doing these days. I told him that it all depended on what he wanted in a computer. I told him that Atari is on kinda shaky ground right now. I told him that if he wanted to have compatibility with what the business world was doing, he'd need a PC compatible. I also told him that the PC was not going to be a cakewalk to use like his Atari was (which was more like a cliffwalk to him :) ). I didn't tell him that the PC will do a lot more than the Falcon, because that is much too subjective and I personally don't like to compare two completely different platforms. That's what I consider informative advice. He'll probably buy a PC because like millions of others, he feels he needs compatibility with the PC world. That's fine with me, I'll just tell him when he calls me that I don't know anything (even though I do) about how the PC's work. That way maybe he'll read the darn manuals. :) Anyway, maybe we'll have Falcons soon, and all this bantering will be as they say, fundamental? :) Until then, I'll take you up on that kick if I see you doing any counter-advertising. :) Later." Jim Ness tells Peter: "I agree that putting a subject like this into its own section is a good idea. Later this year, CIS is supposed to add more section capability to these forums, so that might be the best time. There are CIS rules against holding discussions here that are better held in one of the other forums. But, I think that if we keep to the topic of "Where, after Atari?" it would be legal. They're doing it on another online service, at the request of myself and some others of like mind." Sysop Brad Hill replies to Jim: "Hmm, I don't know. I'm not sure I could cast a vote in favor of a section with that title. That seems to presuppose that members will move on to another platform. "Other Platforms" seems better, though I understand that may not be possible. "Other Voices" is a section I've seen used in other forums for discussions that go against the grain." Dazzz Smith jumps in and says: "I think a better title would be "IF!". Plenty of scope there I think....:-)" Jim Ness comes back and posts: "Well, maybe the title isn't perfect, but it would be nice to have a place to post messages on what other platforms are out there, at least until Atari can offer a full line of computers. This would allow those who would rather not consider other platforms to ignore those messages. As long as that section does not do hardware or software support, it wouldn't be stepping on the toes of the other forums." Sysop Brad Hill posts: "Oh I agree, a separate section for discussions of other platforms makes sense. Maybe "Diving Off" would work? <g>" From the Atari Vendors Forum ============================ Ron Krysak asks about Spectre GCR: "A few years ago I purchased a GCR with hopes that I could make my daughters mega 2 ST emulate a MAC. Well it never got beyond the smiley face on the screen before it crashed. The Atari dealer was of no help at all, and wouldn't even take it (the GCR) back. My daughter took the mega to college and now that she's graduated, I have the computer and would like to make my investment in the GCR pay off, finally. At the time that we got it, there were a lot of problems. Have they been resolved and where do I go from here? My software is version 2.65, I think. Thanks for any help." Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine tells Ron: "The most current version of GCR is version 3.0 from the software point of view. What version of the system software (MAC OS) do you have? Do you have version 6.0.5 which is the recommended one? Did you install the software versus copy? If the system software is not installed it will not work very well if at all. Also since it is a Mega 2 has it been upgraded in any way? Has the ram been upgraded to 4 megs? What version of TOS are you using? It might also be a problem with the floppy being able to read the MAC disks themselves. Also what are you booting the machine from? A floppy disk or a hard drive? IN version 3.0 of the (GCR software) it includes some test programs which might be of some use for you. With regards to hardware. Is the roms inserted correctly (oriented to the correct direction)? Does the cartridge have a snug fit against you mega 2? Have you booted up clean with no desk accessories or auto folder programs? What type of host adapter (ICD/BMS/SUPRA/ATARI) do you have? What type of hard disk do you have?" Mark at Gadgets by Small tells Ron: "First, the current software version for Spectre is 3.0. However, while there were many bug fixes and improvements in Spectre 3.0, the problems with crashing you describe were not one of the "fixes". It sounds like you have a problem with: A) Bad set of system files B) Some hardware incompatibility C) Bad Spectre GCR cartridge. If you can give me a bit more info about your system (hard drive make and model, monitor, etc.) then I might be able to track it down. Also, give me more info as to the type of crash page you are receiving. Does it lockup or is it a Spectre page crash?" From the Atari Portfolio Forum ============================== Reed Early asks: "Have you heard if there is to be a new 1 MB card for the Portfolio? I understood a few months ago that OPTROL USA was to begin manufacturing one for about $200 US. If so I would like to know." Brian Johnson tells Reed: "I believe that there was a shortage of the chips required to make those cards, so they are not yet available. Optrol has come out with a 524K Flash Memory card. I recently purchased one, and am still putting it "through its paces". First impressions: (1) The card works! (2) My old port (ROM Ver. 1.052) has some small problems with some of the utilities. (3) The PC Card driver works, but is only set up for the default I/O address. (They have promised to teach me how to change that, but I have not yet received that info.) It needs a bit of polish, but shows a lot of promise for low-cost portfolio storage." Marcus Smaby tells us: "My aging portfolio is on its last legs. What is a good but not too expensive replacement for my trusty port that I can move some of my apps to. Is Atari considering a new version of the Portfolio?" Ron Luks tells Marcus: "Atari has not indicated that they have any interest in a new version of the Portfolio." BJ Gleason, sysop and programming genius, adds: "Atari [as far as we know] is not going to develop a Portfolio II. The closest you could get is the PC-3000 with the Portfolio emulation software from Atari [60 bucks]... The PC-3000 has the same internal applications, with the same file formats. The emulation software will allow you to run other non-graphics applications...." Sysop Marty Mankins jumps in as well and says: "The best replacement that will take your Portfolio files without too much trouble is the Sharp PC-3000. Unfortunately, it's been discontinued, but Damark (the closeout mail order place) still may have a few left at $399.95." Well friends and neighbors, that's it for this week. Now that the Falcon is supposed to be shipping, things should get pretty busy in the coming weeks and months. So remember to tune in each week right here and listen to what they are saying when... PEOPLE ARE TALKING *********************************************************************** IMPORTANT NOTICE! ================= STReport International Online Magazine is available every week in the ST Advantage on DELPHI. STReport readers are invited to join DELPHI and become a part of the friendly community of Atari enthusiasts there. SIGNING UP WITH DELPHI ====================== Using a personal computer and modem, members worldwide access DELPHI services via a local phone call JOIN -- DELPHI -------------- Via modem, dial up DELPHI at 1-800-695-4002 then... When connected, press RETURN once or twice and... At Password: type STREPORT and press RETURN. DELPHI's Basic Plan offers access for only $6.00 per hour, for any baud rate. The $5.95 monthly fee includes your first hour online. For more information, call: DELPHI Member Services at 1-800-544-4005 DELPHI is a service of General Videotex Corporation of Cambridge, MA. Try DELPHI for $1 an hour! For a limited time, you can become a trial member of DELPHI, and receive 5 hours of evening and weekend access during this month for only $5. If you're not satisfied, simply cancel your account before the end of the calendar month with no further obligation. If you keep your account active, you will automatically be enrolled in DELPHI's 10/4 Basic Plan, where you can use up to 4 weekend and evening hours a month for a minimum $10 monthly charge, with additional hours available at $3.96. But hurry, this special trial offer will expire soon! To take advantage of this limited offer, use your modem to dial 1-800-365-4636. Press <RET> once or twice. When you get the Password: prompt, type IP26 and press <RET> again. Then, just answer the questions and within a day or two, you'll officially be a member of DELPHI! DELPHI- It's getting better all the time! *********************************************************************** > CT FEST'93 STR SHOW NEWS The Summer Atari Event! """""""""""""""""""""""" 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, STReport's Dana Jacobson and Joe Mirando 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. _____________________________________________________________________ > TAKIN' A GOOD LOOK STR FOCUS! What is the Brochure really saying? """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" THE FALCON BROCHURE =================== by Bryan Edwards Today I picked up a Falcon Brochure at my local dealer, and after reading it, I've decided to do a little review of it. Why, cause I'm bored, but I hope you'll find this to be a valid analysis. The opening paragraph states: "Most computer manufacturers seem to think that the real world is black & white, or drawn from a limited palette of colors." This may have been true at one time, but certainly not in 1993, or even 1992 when this brochure was designed. "That sounds are nothing more than lo-fi noises" This is true, but I don't think this is a proper sentence. "And that the real world consists of people who don't care about cost, compatibility of new machines with older software, or 'improved' operating systems that cause problems instead of solving them, and who never need to work on more than one task at a time." What computer company is THIS referring to? Maybe some european computer? I think the introduction should have been more; "Up with Falcon" and less "Down with some vague unnamed computer maker". The next paragraph states: "At Atari, we know better." Finally! (that is) That rest is exciting and motivating until we get to the 2nd paragraph of "Proven Technology, Proven Software": "For video, the Atari Falcon030 doesn't just offer Super VGA graphics, but also true color 16-bit mode (up to 640x480 resolution, and up to 65,536 on-screen colors)." Reading from my F030 hardware manual, I'm under the impression that Truecolor is limited to 640x400 + overscan. Later in this section: "This level of integration and performance is what you'd expect from a company that has been making personal technology since 1985." This would have been the time to blur the facts. Most people know Atari has been around much longer than this. I would have said; "A name known for great computer products for two decades". "...as well as soon-to-be-released '386 PC emulation, or Macintosh emulation..." Is Atari going to release Macintosh emulation? Atari's brochures should not rely on third party products that have yet to be released. (Dave's Spectre for the Falcon isn't ready yet) The "A Sound Investment" section is fine, touting the DSP & 16 bit audio. The "A Colorful Sight" section, however, states: "That's why the Atari Falcon030 can display more than 65,000 colors from a palette of 262,144 colors..." According to the hardware manual, this is not possible. The most colors one can have from a palette of 262,144 is 256. The True-color modes don't use a palette, and are limited to a range of 65,536 colors. "The Fun Factor" section is short & sweet, and is purely motivational. The "Power Without the Price" section states: "Our audience is not the pinstripe clones or "blind lemmings", but those who want powerful, efficient, cost-effective tools." I like this one. Sounds kind of "elitist". "It marries the business experience we've gained with the Mega and TT line, the musical edge that the ST series has always had, and the incredible color and speed that remain the hallmark of our video game technology." I thought the ST, the Mega, and the TT were already "married". I wouldn't sub-divide the Atari line so much. I would emphasize evolution of computers over parallelism. Also, the Specifications list the data bus as being 32 bits. What was the final verdict on this one? One last note: I would have chosen a halfway attractive screen shot for the front cover. The monitor is showing what looks like a low resolution space game that is not in keeping with the multi-media theme, nor is it very colorful. Something splashy to go with the background of the cover (which is splashed with paint) would be better. If you read this all, thanks for the patience. If you have seen this brochure and have a different view, please share your ideas. This brochure has to keep me happy until my F030 comes in! :) Bry *********************************************************************** :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT: _________________________________ Set your communications software to Half Duplex (or Local Echo) Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369. Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt. Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN. GEnie costs only $4.95 a month for unlimited evening and weekend access to more than 100 services including electronic mail, online encyclopedia, shopping, news, entertainment, single-player games, and bulletin boards on leisure and professional subjects. With many other services, including the biggest collection of files to download and the best online games, for only $6 per hour. MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! Any time during your first month of membership if you are not completely satisfied, just ask for your $4.95 back. GEnie Announcements (FREE) 1. APRIL Birthdays - Don't Miss Your FREE Hour, Type.............BIRTHDAY 2. Genealogical HANGMAN RTC - Join the fun - 4/16 10pm...........GENEALOGY 3. TONY WETMORE RTC on GEnie Bulletin Board software 4/20........MAINFRAME 4. MS-DOS Emulator for TMS 9900 Processors.......................TI 5. Continuing Education COURSES Online......REGISTER Today.......CALC 6. SAVE hard disk space and WIN free software in.................MAC-PS 7. RTC, Germans & Floridians speak out against Florida violence..GERMANY 8. Nathan Potechin presents Outline Art 3.0......................ST 9. Disney Composer Don Dorsey - Special RTC Monday 4/19 in.......FLORIDA 10. VISIT the Final Frontier - SHOP at the Alaska Peddler.......ALASKASTORE 11. FREE CATALOGS: Fashions for Men, Women, Kids & Home...........LANDSEND 12. NEW: Get the latest edition of SELLING TO THE AIR FORCE.......AFSB3 13. Join Chris and Crew for 1st Atari TA in.......................BBS 14. NEWS AT SIX -- Discuss the HEADLINES with us, only in.........*PF 15. If you'd rather Do-It-Yourself, stop here first...............HOME ___ ___ ____ __ __ ___ to the |\ |\ | == |\ | _\ | || \/ || == | |/\| || _|| | | | | O || || _| J E R R Y P O U R N E L L E | || |_ | |__| |__ | || |\/| || |_ |__/\__||___||____/____/|____||/ |/ |___| RoundTable ================================================================ Your Host and Chief Sysop Jerry Pournelle.....JERRYP [Chaos Master] First Assistant Sysop Gary R. Utter..........GARY.UTTER [RT Manager] Second Assistant Sysop Timothy Pleasant..............T.PLEASANT [RT Archivist] Third Assistant Sysop Bill Dooley..............Bill.Dooley [RT Assistant] Chief Librarian R.B. (Brad) Andrews...............R.B.ANDREWS [RT Librarian] ================================================================ GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission *********************************************************************** > BLUE RIDGE ATARIFEST'93 STR SHOW NEWS "The Summertime Atari Event!" """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 1993 Blue Ridge ATARIFEST """"""""""""""""""""""""" FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION """""""""""""""""""""""""" The Blue Ridge Atari Computer Enthusiasts (BRACE) and Computer Studio invite you to participate in the Fourth Annual Blue Ridge AtariFest in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. Show dates and times are: Saturday July 24, 1993 10am - 6pm Sunday July 25, 1993 Noon - 5pm Just as in previous years, we have arranged for FREE Booth space for Atari developers!! (We're only requesting the donation of a door prize). We can promise both developers and show-goers an energetic and exciting show with as enthusiastic a crowd of Atarians as you'll find anywhere, plus the support of Computer Studio in the mall. We're once again taking over the Courtyard Shop (mall) area at Westgate Shopping Center for the show (location of Computer Studio), plus the use of vacant store spaces for seminar sessions. Seminar sessions will be 45 minutes in length, and developers are welcome to conduct a seminar on their product line or approved topic of their choice (seminar sessions are limited, so first come, first served). This year's show dates also coincide with Asheville's annual Bele Chere street festival, when downtown Asheville is closed to vehicular traffic and becomes what must be one of the largest street fairs in the country. Westgate Shopping Center is one of the primary Park-and-Ride shuttle centers for transporting people to and from downtown, and we've arranged to have the shuttle service pick up at the front entrance of the mall and drop off at the rear entrance, so everyone taking the service from Westgate WILL walk through the AtariFest exhibition area sometime during the day. This will be a great opportunity to showcase Atari and Atari related software and peripherals, and introduce them to people who aren't already Atari owners. Bringing in NEW blood is the key to the growth of this platform, and this will be our opportunity to begin that process with a captive audience. Additional discussions of the show, as well as confirmations of your participation, are welcome in GEnieMail and in the Blue Ridge AtariFest topic 13 in Category 11 here on GEnie. HOPING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON. HAPPY ATARI COMPUTING. IT'S HAPPENING IN ASHEVILLE! 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: 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 number 1-800-HOLIDAY Red Roof Inn I-40 and US 19-23 Exit 44 (704)667-9803 Toll-free reservation phone number 1-800-843-7663 Budget 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 restaurant. Nature program. 14 day stay limit. Lake Powhatan: 4 miles south of Asheville on State road 191, 3.5 miles west on SR 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 ___________________________________________________________________ > NVN WANTS YOU! STR InfoFile Another Network Supports Atari! """"""""""""""""""""""""""" NVN - THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK! =============================== Atari's ST/STe/TT/Falcon Computer platform has support on yet another telecommunications service! National Videotex Network (NVN) maintains an area just for our favorite computers. Type GO ATARI Order an extended NVN Membership of 6 or 12 months, pay for it in advance and receive a bonus in connect time at no additional charge. Choose from two subscription plans: 6-Month Membership ================== Pay just $30 for a 6-month Membership and receive a usage credit that entitles you to $15 of connect-time in the Premium services of your choice. Your total savings using this plan would be over $20!* 12 Month Membership =================== Pay $50 for a full year's Membership and get even more free time on-line. We'll give you a $25 usage credit to use in your favorite Premium services or try out new ones. You could save as much as $45.* NVN now offers Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). For a $2 per month service charge, customers may have their NVN online charges automatically debited from their personal checking accounts. Please contact Client Services for this new feature!/s For more information about either of these plans.. Please, give us a call at; 1-800-336-9096. *** 9600 BAUD USERS! *** *** $6/hour non-prime time - $9/hour prime time *** You can join NVN one of two ways... By voice phone 1-800-336-9096 (Client Services) or via modem phone 1-800-336-9092. NVN Highlights -------------- 1. For the newcomers.... 2. *** RECEIVE A $10 USAGE CREDIT FOR EACH NEW MEMBER YOU BRING US!! *** 3. Get your copy of DOS 6.0 Upgrade - FREE -! 4. HALF PRICE SALE for Training files for all of April. No fooling... 5. TV Buffs! Win a free hour online in the Television Forum during April! 6. The Fishing Forum needs anglers to test new fishing lures...FREE!!! 7. Check out the new Technology & Quality Management Forum... 8. Win free connect time and other prizes playing Fantasy Baseball! 9. Connect with other Teens - Wednesday nights at 9:00 pm (EDT)... 10. TAX TIME...ARGH!!! Type <GO ACCOUNTING> for immediate relief! 11. Expand your knowledge of all aspects of law from the comfort of home... 12. Refer to NVN for all of your reference needs... 13. Enjoy NVN services while saving time and money! _______________________________________________________________ > STR Editor's Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard" """""""""""""""""""""" Editor's MailBag """""""""""""""" Messages * NOT EDITED * for content ----------------------------------- Date: 10-Apr-93 19:15 EDT From: Bill Halvorsen [70347,1713] Subj: Going, Going, Get Out! Hi, Ralph. I'm sure you heard this a zillion times but in case you didn't Stacker is supposed to do a 3.1 release in a couple months that uses the same hooks into DOS that DoubleSpace does, so we'll be free of the synchronized config.sys/autoexec.bat and all that junk. I took Stacker off (used its uninstall utility which worked flawlessly once I had enough room to store my decompressed data) when I got a larger drive and think I'll wait for the update to compress again (still have 65 megs free but would like to have a lot more for future silliness). Anyway, I really enjoyed last night's STR because for so long you have shown incredible restraint in calling a spade a shovel, but now it seems you are going to show the company Atari's true colors, including less than wonderful escapades of its Wonder Man. Ah, the eloquent defending of each and every move, like that STUPID posting about dealerships, which shows beyond the shadow of a doubt what a lame, crippled and dead company we are talking about, astound me. They always have astounded me, left me wondering why people defend Papa J and his boys when all they have ever done is make one great machine for its time and then let its userbase be damned ever since. Yes, we're told you don't need dealers, you don't need support, you don't need ANYTHING AT ALL "as long as the machine does what you want it to." Yes, Ralph, I've been told WordPerfect 4.1 for the ST is vastly superior to 5.1 on the PC, that every Windows iteration is poison, and that the video capabilities of the ST blow away any/all PC's regardless of how they might be configured. Amazing stuff. I know there has been a lot of **** on GEnie but I don't subscribe and can't afford to, but would love to read some of the Minister's recent scriptures to the following flocks. Is there any way I could get some of the magic, vaunted ST musings from GEnie? I've just stayed interested because since I got the PC I've hated all the lies STers tell each other in order to keep themselves in the dark and happy (mushrooms). I have Current Notes back to 2/85 and sometimes think I should assemble all the misstatements. You know I don't claim any great computer knowledge, but have learned by leaps and bounds since 8/90 when the ST went out the door, and I'm still appalled when hearing of the ST still "kicking everyone else's ***" when in fact it doesn't. It was good back then, though I never thought QUALITY to be a factor in its manufacture. But the loyalists never concede an inch, and proclaim the vintage, broken software to be still vastly superior to that awful PC stuff. You and I know better, we have steenking PC's. Windows is no longer slow, crash prone, or awful if you have the machine and memory. But the misinformation, the delays... and I just don't get it. Back in '87 I had the $$$ to get a Mega and was VERY anxious to get it. I began to watch how the dealers were being mistreated, and watched them fold. I endured floppy drive/hard drive/monitor shortages when I wanted to upgrade. Now the Falcon. The Promise of Atari. A few neat things, others on the cutting edge when it was announced, now passe'. And folks telling other folks that essentially Atari has redefined what PCers know as SVGA, and last night on a local board a very knowledgeable gentleman redefined video motion standards for me. Yes, that the Falcon could do spectacular animations. I reminded him of my runtime Video for Windows, and that it distinctly doesn't show animations. It attempts (g) to show full motion video. Doesn't matter, whatever Atari does, it's better. Now I want to know: why have these people defended this Wall Street crusher of a company, who employs very few Americans but has parted with many talents. Oh, well. Ralph, what's the status of PC Report???? The glossies all suck, they're light years behind what a weekly can do. At any rate, what you have done with ST Report is tell the truth, and proven that the loyalists can't handle that. Gee, all the hype behind the high end DTP thing. Guess it swept America away... Type at you later. Bill (not an employee or spy for MS, but someone who has experienced CUSTOMER SUPPORT through their company - it's GREAT). Bill Bill; Thank you for the "observations" and candid comments. I'm sure there'll be those who will swear I put you to this letter. Truth is folks it came as a surprise to me. But then so the other twenty or so letters also. It seems people are indeed getting tired of Atari's shenanigans and especially of the "Good Director's" fun and games being played out in a number of directions. One can't help but ask the question; What is this guy trying to prove? He's playing a very sorry game mild in front of folks and downright dirty behind the scenes. He'll soon be known as a giant among PR failures. As for the "stuff" on GEnie, let me explain.. It's not really GEnie. It appears the contract holder in the ST RT who has seemingly permitted, if not indirectly and directly encouraged all the non-sense. GEnie has been very good to STReport and myself. I have no complaints with GEnie itself. As for the politics in the ST RT they're about as rampant and rabid as they get. Soon.. the piper will collect his just due. You can be sure of that. The whole story of what went on and who were the major players will be made public. If for no other reason than to set the record straight. They've had a wonderful time with their high rolling campaign of disinformation, but the truth will be known. I might add it'll go all the way back Comdex'89 where some very interesting stories began. The whole story about the failure of the World of Atari Shows will also be presented. PCReport is coming along just fine. I'll keep you and all the other ex-Atarians we know in the PC community posted as to when we are releasing our next issue. Take care and please stay in touch. Ralph.. __________________________________________________________________ > STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips" """"""""""""""""""""" - Sunnyvale, CA REVOLVING DOOR VERY BUSY! ------------- According to our sources, Mike Lindsay and Darren Meer, of Atari Explorer Magazine, Gail Bicani developer support person and Bruce Powell have left Atari's employ. Additionally, our reporters find that Atari Explorer Magazine may also have been shut down. Subsequently, Lindsay and Meer were reportedly offered "commissioned employment" consisting of selling subscriptions to the Explorer magazine which was reported to have been refused. In the last three weeks, Atari laid off twenty two employees including Mel Stevens the man who organized most all of Atari's show efforts, a veteran employee of nineteen years. Reportedly, about half of the Atari headquarters building is relatively devoid of people and the warehouse is alleged to be shutdown. "For all intents and purposes, Atari may as well be shutdown, even though they may claim to have about one hundred and fifty Falcons on hand" said one observer who asked to remain anonymous. Amidst these events and all the Falcon shipping delays and excuses, Atari's userbase is growing quite uneasy as to the final outcome. Further developments reportedly include information stating they've recently received a shipment of Falcons (last Tuesday) destined for shipment in the USA. But it was further added they must first go through Atari's QC thus, causing a possible three to four week delay in shipping these units. - New York City, NY ATARI STOCK HITS ALL-TIME LOW! ----------------- This past week, Atari Stock, being traded on the open market, hit an all time low of 81 cents per share! While this may be regarded by some as inconsequential, to the wizened "wall streeters", this is "not good". The significance of the drop is its occurrence at a time when Atari is very busy "trying" to introduce a new design (The Falcon030) to the world's computer marketplace. - Phoenix, AZ FASTMICRO CEASES OPERATIONS! ----------- IBM/Clone computer giant FASTMICRO closed its doors around the first of APRIL, they had a super duper clearance sale April 3rd and 4Th. Proof that the CLONE market is competitive enough to be considered vicious! Even though the competition is to the user's advantage. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON" """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > A "Quotable Quote" "WHAT'D HE SAY???? WHA????" """"""""""""""""" "...... We are not working for Wall Street but to make money for our shareholders and only think long term." Sam Tramiel, 11/92 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > DEALER CLASSIFIED LIST STR InfoFile * Dealer Listings * """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" --------------- ABCO COMPUTER CONSULTANTS ========================= P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672 Est. 1985 1-904-783-3319 ATARI-AMIGA-PC-CLONES-MAC HARDWARE, SOFTWARE & SUPPLIES """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" COMPUTER STUDIO =============== WESTGATE SHOPPING CENTER 40 Westgate Parkway - Suite D Asheville, NC 28806 1-800-253-0201 Orders Only 1-704-251-0201 Information Authorized Atari Dealer """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" MEGABYTE COMPUTERS ================== 907 Melbourne Hurst, TX 76053 1-817-589-2950 Authorized Atari Dealer """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" SAN JOSE COMPUTER ================= 1278 Alma Court San Jose, CA. 95112 1-408-995-5080 Authorized Atari Dealer """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" CompuSeller West ================ 220-1/2 W. Main St. St. Charles, IL., 60174 Ph. (708) 513-5220 Authorized Atari Dealer """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" (DEALERS; to be listed here, please drop us a line.) """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport International Online Magazine -* [S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport *- """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STR Online! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" April 16, 1993 Since 1987 copyright (c) 1987-92 All Rights Reserved No.9.16 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of the editors/staff of STReport International Online Magazine. Permission to reprint articles is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. Reprints must, without exception, include the name of the publication, date, issue number and the author's name. STReport and/or portions therein may not be edited in any way without prior written permission. STReport, at the time of publication, is believed reasonably accurate. STReport, its staff and contributors are not and cannot be held responsible for the use or misuse of information contained herein or the results obtained therefrom. """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""