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Text File | 1992-11-13 | 82KB | 1,911 lines

*---== ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---* """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine" from STR Publishing """""""""""""" November 13, 1992 No.8.45 ========================================================================== 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 200:35 904-786-4176 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 ~ TNET 100:3/0: ///Turbo Board BBS Support...1-416-274-1225 FNET.. 75 ~ TNET 100:28/0 Bloom County BBS.............1-415-965-9347 FNET. 350 ~ TNET 100:2/0 The Bounty *<Home of STR>*...1-904-786-4176 FNET. 489 ~ TNET 100:22/0 Steal Your Face BBS..........1-908-920-7981 _____________________________________________________________________ > 11/13/92 STR 845 "The Original * Independent * Online Magazine!" """""""""""""""" - The Editor's Desk - CPU Report - PORTFOLIO NEWS - NEW 486 Chip [SL] - PMC NEWS! - Diamond Edge Review - Tramiel RSN @ Comdex - Atari Safari - Syquest 3.5" Debut - Viewtouch & POWERDOS - STR MAILCALL - STR Confidential -* ATARI'S FALCON --> WHERE? *- -* ATARIANS CATCH FALCON FEVER *- -* TURTLE BEACH SOUND CARD SPECS *- ========================================================================== ST REPORT 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/TurboNet/Atari F-Net Mail Network. You may also call our BBS direct at 904-786-4176, and enjoy the excitement of exchanging information relative to the Atari and other computers worldwide through the use of excellent International Messaging Networks. SysOps, worldwide, are quite welcome to join the STReport International Conferences. The Crossnet Code is #34813, and the "Lead Node" is # 350. All BBS systems are welcome and invited to actively participate. Support Atari Computers; Join Today! ========================================================================== CIS ~ GENIE ~ DELPHI ~ BIX ~ 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 (November 13) BEST OF GO GRAPHICS... The Atari Forums have been invited to participate in Issue 4 of the "Best of GO GRAPHICS", a print publication produced by the Graphics Forums on CompuServe. We would like to include YOUR .GIF images! Please upload your 320x200 or 640x480 (or close to these aspect ratios) .GIF graphic images to LIBRARY 4 of the Atari Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS) as soon as possible. Deadline for participation is November 15, 1992. NEW SYSOP WANTED! Also a quick reminder that SYSOP*Ron Luks is still accepting applications for a MIDI/Music sysop. If you have experience and knowledge of MIDI in the Atari computer environment, please send a CompuServe Mail message to 76703,254 outlining your qualifications. VENDOR DATABASE UPDATED! Bill Aycock has uploaded VENDOR.DAT to LIBRARY 6 of the Atari Productivity Forum (GO ATARIPRO). This is an update to the VENDOR.DAT Atari vendor data file, which lists names, addresses, phone numbers, product info, and CIS UserIDs for developers and vendors of Atari products. Please see VENDOR.ARC in the same library for the viewer PRG/ACC and documentation. 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!" """""""""""""""""""""" Comdex, Comdex, Comdex.... that's about all you hear talked about this time of the year. Its right around the corner and while most all companies are dropping press releases left and right, what do we hear from the gurus in Sunnyvale? NADA... at least formally for public consumption. All that can be said at this time is to pay close attention to the doins' in the Atari Booth at Comdex. Is doubtful the Governor of Nevada will open the proceedings this year but... be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. On another note, I recently received the latest version of the Gemulator Software and the hardware card. I installed it into a 486/50 PC yesterday and so far, its a screamer. The whole machine is for that matter. Next week, we'll have an in-depth overview of Gemulator and the following week wrap up of our impressions of this first class effort. Remember to send in your questions for the GEnie ST RT Tramiel Comdex conference. It sure to be 'highly' informative. Ralph @ STReport International Online Magazine """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport's Staff DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU! """""""""""""""" Publisher - Editor """""""""""""""""" Ralph F. Mariano PC DIVISION AMIGA DIVISION MAC DIVISION ----------- -------------- ------------ Roger D. Stevens Charles Hill R. ALBRITTON STReport Staff Editors: """"""""""""""""""""""" Lloyd E. Pulley Sr. Dana P. Jacobson Michael Arthur Lucien Oppler Brad Martin Judith Hamner John Szczepanik Dan Stidham Joseph Mirando Steve Spivey Doyle C. Helms Contributing Correspondents: """""""""""""""""""""""""""" Michael Lee Richard Covert John Deegan Brian Converse Oliver Steinmeier Tim Holt Andrew Learner Norman Boucher Harry Steele Ben Hamilton Neil Bradley Eric Jerue Ron Deal Robert Dean Ed Westhusing James Nolan Vernon W. Smith Bruno Puglia Clemens Chin 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.......................... 90:19/350.0 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 "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 "The Atari Falcon will be sold with MultiTOS. It will be a combination of ROM and disk based." Sam Tramiel, 08/92 "I've just returned from Asia, where I saw the first Atari Falcon production coming off the lines. Let's hope this new offering will make it in North America. I know that the specs are great." Sam Tramiel, 08/92 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS ================= Issue #46 Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr. -- Hayes Unveils Portable Modem Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. has announced a $399 internal, credit card-size modem called the Smartmodem OPTIMA 2400 + FAX96 for PCMCIA. Hayes says the new unit supports CCITT V.42 error-control and CCITT V.42 bis data compression for data and fax transmission to 9600 bit/s. The firm sees the new modem as "a perfect complement for companies that have standardized on Smartmodem 2400 and OPTIMA 24 + FAX96 for the office and now want the advanced features for their portable computers equipped with PCMCIA slots." The unit supports Hayes AutoSync and is powered by a PCMCIA Bus, requ- iring no external power. It provides asynchronous communications to information systems, corporate hosts, corporate LANs and Group 3 fax machines. -- Canon Claims World's Smallest Fax Machine Canon has developed a small fax machine, which it is claiming is the smallest on the market. It is claimed to be smaller than that of NEC and Ricoh. The fax machine is even smaller than the keyboard of a regular notebook- type personal computer. It measures 29.7 by 11.1 by 3.1 cm., and weighs only 950 grams. The small size is due to a new image scanner developed by Canon. The transmission speed of this fax machine is 20 seconds for an A4-size document. The major advantage of this device is that it supports a B4- size document. The device can be hooked into a mobile phone or car phone to transmit and receive faxes. The retail price of this fax machine is not yet set. But it is expected to be around $1,650, according to Canon. -- New Group Shooting for Holographic Storage A group of Texas computer researchers have formed a company to market products that use a holographic data storage technology as an alternative to the floppy disk. Steve Redfield, founder/vice president of Tamarack Storage Devices Inc., said that holographic storage allows computers to store much greater amounts of data on a portable storage medium. The data is stored by laser beam in a version of the 3D images found on credit cards. He added the technology entails storing a holographic image of computer data on an optical storage medium, such as a crystal. Redfield says his firm hopes to have a prototype developed by next month and have products to market by the end of next year. -- Storage Technology Delays Iceberg Again Storage Technology Corp. has announced for the third time this year that it is delaying shipment of its Iceberg data storage system. The company said Monday it continues to encounter delays due to the complexity of integrating the software and hardware of the Iceberg subsystem. It also said that its recent experience with its other disk array product, Alpine, has led management to conclude that debugging Iceberg is likely to take longer than previously anticipated. -- Compaq, Motorola Announces Cellular Modem Compaq Computer and Motorola have teamed up to introduce an internal high-speed cellular modem. This is the first time that two companies of Compaq's and Motorola's stature have pooled their resources in this respect. Both companies say that the Compaq SpeedPaq 144 utilizes Compaq's cel- lular direct connection feature, a cable interface between the computer and a cellular phone to send data and faxes. The unit is compatible with various cellular phones, including Motorola MicroTAC, MicroTAC Lite and MicroTAC Ultra Lite, as well as the Nokia 121 made by Nokia Mobile Phones, Inc. The 144 modem can transfer data at up to 14,400bps plus send and receive fax transmissions at up to 9600bps. The unit supports MNP (Microcom Network Protocol) Class 10 error-detection and data compression. Compaq said that the internal device works in conjunction with Compaq's proprietary Enhanced Option Slot and consequently is not available for PCs produced by other computer manufacturers. The modem comes with Delrina fax software for both DOS and Windows use. Compaq said the SpeedPAQ 144 will have a suggested retail price of $649, and will ship in late November. -- Intel Offers New '486 Chip A new '486 chip for portable computers that is said to offer twice the performance at half the power usage of an earlier model has been introduced by Intel Corp. Intel's '486 SL microprocessor operates on 3.3 volts of electricity, down from the 5 volts required by most chips. Intel says that provides more computing time on battery-powered portable computers. The '486 SL produces twice the computing speed and performance of Intel's earlier '386 SL microprocessor, another chip designed to conserve battery power. -- Apple, Microsoft, Intel Bringing Video to PC's Apple Computer Inc. says it is preparing to introduce software that enables the playing of video clips on most IBM-compatible PCs. Apple says its QuickTime for Windows will give machines equipped with Microsoft Corp.'s Windows the same capabilities that Apple Macintosh systems have had for the past year. Apple has licensed the new technology to a number of software developers -- including Adobe Systems, Lotus Development Corp., Software Publishing Co. and WordPerfect Corp. -- which will build applications for it. Apple's announcement came at the same time Microsoft and Intel Corp. unveiled a competing product dubbed Video for Windows, based on Intel's new Indeo video digital technology. --IBM, NBC Test 'News On Demand' IBM and NBC are developing a personal computer-based system that will allow viewers to retrieve videotaped news reports on demand. Home personal computer users would not be able to hook up to the system. But businesses and other large subscribers would be able to call up video news, updated stock market summaries and internally produced training films or corporate announcements. The news reports will be supplied by NBC News and CNBC, the company's business-news cable TV channel, and will be updated hourly. -- Digital Introduces Alpha AXP Digital Equipment Corp. this week launched its much ballyhooed Alpha AXP, a new generation of computers that use the fastest chips available. Reportedly, the new computer line was first unveiled in Digital's South Queensferry, Scotland manufacturing facility last February with actual machines introduced today. The Alpha architecture is the first system to be based on full 64-bit RISC technology with speeds up to 200 megahertz. The DECCHIP 21064 was entered in the Guinness Book of Records in October as the world's fastest chip. Digital officials said their strategy is to offer users the most open and cost competitive of computing environments, as well as one that spans everything from the palmtop computer to the supercomputer. The architecture is scalable so it can change with new industry demands over the next 25 years. The company this week introduced Alpha AXP mainframe class systems, a departmental system, workstations and desktop/deskside servers. ________________________________________________________________ > ONLINE WEEKLY STReport OnLine The wires are a hummin'! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""" PEOPLE... ARE TALKING ===================== On CompuServe ------------- compiled by Joe Mirando From The Atari Productivity Forum ================================= Yes folks, it's Fall. The time of year when a young man's thoughts turn to... upgrading his computer? What the heck, why not? Just think of all of those wonderful upgrades out there just waiting for your computer. Alan Moore caught the bug just before he posted: "I have a MEGA STe 2Mb with 48Mb hard Disk, this version seems to be one of the first MEGA's to come on the market here. OK now for the question ? The computer has a 720K internal floppy disk drive can I upgrade this to a 1.44Mb type like on the latest MEGA's or isn't it worth doing, if it is worth the effort do I need to change the floppy controller chip? Any debate or advice on this would be appreciated." Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine, who must have been bitten by the same bug earlier, answers: "You can upgrade to a 1.44meg floppy but you need a new floppy controller chip. DreamPark had one for $100 and another company had another for $150. There are problems with reading MAC disks under GCR if you use Spectre. I've only seen the review of the DreamPark one in an old ST Informer of long ago. Haven't seen any other reviews of any of the other ones out there. Another choice is the floptical drive since you can read/write 720K and 1.44meg and 21meg floppies. Its an external and Purple Mountain Computers was running a special for $399 includes a floptical, 1 floppy, and ICD's LINK (scsi2 host adapter). Your Atari dealer may have a similar specials. The floptical is a SCSI unit and external." Alan has just been bitten by a new bug (thanks to Albert). Alan asks for: "Any more info on the floptical drive? Do you know of any magazine reviews on the floptical drive ? I am interested." Albert tells Alan: "No reviews on the floptical drive that I've seen on the Atari side. You might try the IBM hardware forum (GO IBMHW) and leave a message to INSITE. INSITE is the manufacturer of the floptical if you have technical questions. There are usually several threads on flopticals that you might read through as well. Purple Mountain Computers is selling the floptical also. You might check out the library for some recent press releases." DAZZZ Smith replies to Alan: "There's a floptical review in the december ish of ST Format Alan, and I think last months ST User. "You could try asking Atari Uk about it! Well no that probably isn't a good idea, I think Tony from GST had a bit of trouble trying to get one from them." Well, it looks like we've got all kinds of bugs biting this week. First the Floppy upgrade, and now Allan Gus asking: "Can anyone recommend the ultimate hard disk back-up utility?? I would like to find a backup utility for the Atari that will compress the data on the floppy disks... any thoughts??" Carl Barron tells Allan Gus: "I use Diamond Back from Oregon Research. It compresses if desired, does total/partial restores, handles 1.44 HD disks if you can support them. Tape support announced. Easy point and click interface. Anyway the important thing is it works..." When someone recommends a program, you normally should take it with a grain of salt. But when a sysop recommends a program, especially a backup program, you can be pretty sure that it will do everything that it says it will. Sysop Ron Luks tells Allan: "I use Diamond Back II on my system and recommend it highly. I don't use compression but others have and have reported that it works well." Good call, Ron! Hey, does a writer's opinion carry as much weight as a sysop's? Naaahhhh. One of the major areas that Atari computers have been lagging behind in is the world of networking. Networking is a fancy way of saying that more than one computer can use the same hard drive. While networks are not non-existent for the ST, they are scarce. Andrew Johnson asks: "I have been reading an advert for network hardware for the ST which claims to be LANTECH compatible. Does this mean that it can be used with PCs and MACs etc. It is called DATANET and the software is Universal Network? Has anyone actually used or seen it before?" Albert Dayes replies to Andrew: "I recall there was some hardware in germany that ethernet and novell network compatibility. I think it was called Bio-net. The price was quite high. The Universal Network supports, midi, lantech carts, and the lan ports on the TT and MegaSTe. I would assume that the FALCON will be supported as well. Dragonware is the distributor (406)-265-9609. They have an AtariTalk2 which is supposed to be an Appletalk compatibility software/hardware for all Atari computers (ST/STe/TT etc). This would allow you to connect to a MAC. I don't not how far development has gone with the project. You can get their full address by downloading the vendor.dat (the newest) one." Andrew replies to Albert: "I don't think that is the same product, the price for this is much more reasonable. It is 100 pounds sterling (dunno price in dollars) for one node which includes hardware and universal network software. If it is lantech compatible, does this mean the ability to be in network with macs and pcs? If this is so, then this could be the answer to the problem of networking PCs etc and ataris that I have seen so many messages on here about. I can try to get more info if anyone wants." Actually, Lantech is also the name of the company in Billerica, Ma that produces the Lantech 10 megaBit per second network for all Atari ST computers. Connection between Lantech and IBM or MAC networks is not possible because of the difference in the way that information is transmitted between "nodes". It is however, a very easy to use, inexpensive, and very fast network solution for the ST line of computers. One other nice feature of the Lantech system, as Brian Gockley of MacDonald Associates tells us, is that, even though you can use the software that is supplied with the cartridges without any problems whatsoever, if you wish to use a different piece of software, there is an option: "The network you are seeing advertised is the Universal Network from A&D Software located here in the USA. It works with older SGSNET boxes, LANTECH boxes, the built in LAN ports in the MegaSTe/TT/Falcon and with new MIDI/LAN/Cartridge connectors that are also available from A&D. It does not at present support connection with PCs or Macs. For further info, you can call 1-800-800-2563." Also in the networking arena, Thomas Beutel asks: "Will it be possible to connect the Falcon to an Appletalk network? Will the Falcon have Appletalk protocol software to handle file transfers and printers?" That busy guy from Atari Explorer Magazine, Albert Dayes, tells Thomas: "Dragonware was supposed to be working on such a product. That allowed a SCSI to ethernet card which would handle Apple-Talk protocols. The only other possible way is maybe with a Megatalk board from Gadgets by Small. I'm not sure if they have any drivers for the ST side though ... just the Spectre side." Well folks, we've been told that there would be FALCONs around by the end of October. Here it almost the middle of November, and no FALCONs are to be seen... either here or in Great Britain. Tony at GST software posts: "Falcon availability in the UK One of the main distributors in the UK is advertising the Falcon as available now and have confirmed (elsewhere) that it will be released in November. This would seem to confirm what Dazzz has been saying about the 14th of this month. However. According to a developer on CIX who has been trying to buy one they are expecting delivery in _March_ (and no one seems prepared to say which year)." Dazzz Smith, never one to miss out on the fun, tells Tony: "Well i'm gonna have a ring round a few places on monday the 16th of November (Purely out of spite) to everyone who is advertising Falcons in the UK press and ask them for immediate delivery on a large order of Falcons........." From the Atari Arts Forum ========================= Continuing a conversation from last week about which chess program for the ST is the "best", John Amsler posts: "It may have been Grandmaster Chess, a Motorola-oriented program that is available for the Macintrash and the ST. The only other program that I know of with those features is Chess Player 2150 by Oxford Softworks in England, although Colossus Chess X is also pretty good. The only American-made chess program of any significance is ChessMaster 2000 by Software Toolworks (the IBM version is up to ChessMaster 4000, I think). A fantaSTic program that excelled in speed chess was "Techmate" but that company folded back in 1986, not too long after it first came out. There's one other program available on Internet: GnuChess, I think it's called, but I don't know how well it plays or what it's features are. As far as chess databases are concerned, ChessBase stopped making their release for the Atari; currently the only one available is NICBase ... but that is indeed an OUTSTANDING software package!!!" Dan Danilowicz replies to John: "Thanks for the info. The mention of Colossus X jogged my memory... that's the one that I read about that supposedly "learns" its opponent. I'm trying hard to find the strongest program I can, so it'll do a little job for me. My sister (in Dallas) and I (in Detroit) have been engaged in an on-going battle with our computers. We post the moves they come up with, running their respective Chess programs, on my bbs. I've been running Chessmaster 2000 (1986 vintage)in my old Atari 8-bit, and have beaten her 386 clone running Chessmaster 2100 6 times and played to a draw once. (The draw came when I had to bring Chessmaster in to salvage a game that Colossus 3.0 seemed to be losing.) Rather than purchase CM 4000 to whip my unbeatable little Atari and end her frustration, she abandoned the 386 and went to Radio Shack and spent $150 on something called the Chess Challenger. It's won, the two times we've played, decisively, so I'm pressing the ST into service. Colossus X is the only ST Chess program I've read anything about. Do you know how well it compares to the others that you've mentioned? Do you know which one is rated the best?" John Amsler tells Dan: "I'm IMPRESSED that CM2000 running on your 8-bit (!) clobbered CM2100 running on a 386!!!! Wow!!! Perhaps you should post the game scores (the list of moves) to the Chess Forum here on Compu$erve. Drats, wouldn't you know it -- I can't find the owner's manual for Colossus Chess X. I'll look for it. I think I've got a file somewhere that rates the strengths of chess programs; I'll look for that also. Here's an extract from the Chess Player 2150 owner's manual: "Chess Player 2150 has a massive 93,000 byte library of opening moves and has an incredible option to learn through its play by the addition of strong moves to its openings library. It thus becomes a tougher and meaner opponent the more games you challenge it." Chess Player 2150 won the 1989 British Open Personal Computer Chess Championship, but I don't know who it beat. It DID, however, beat Colossus Chess X 9.5 - 0.5 and beat ChessMaster 2000 9 -1 in testing matches played at 30-45 seconds per move. Chess Player 2150 has a rating of 2087 on the ELO scale." On another subject, John Barnes posts: "The "other" online service has posted a banner indicating that Sam Tramiel will appear on an online conference live from Las Vegas on November 16th. Now, in my experience, online conferences are one of the worst possible ways to extract information because the dialog is limited by typing speed and the length of time it takes to cook up an answer, not to mention the slowness of the service itself. Given all of this I thought it might be nice to give Sam some homework by putting together a list of questions ahead of time so that he could prepare some nice answers and thereby get a lot of questions out of the way ahead of time. Please post your questions here and maybe we can collate them and send them to Sam early next week sometime. I have taken the liberty of posing a few questions of my own just to get the ball rolling: 1) Where are the Falcons? Are any currently being manufactured? 2). What kind of feedback has Atari been getting from dealers who see their Christmas sales as ruined? 3). What models of Atari computers can people buy from their dealers nowadays? 4). Can you name any developers who have produced new products to take advantage of the Falcon's special capabilities? Maybe some of the rest of you have nicer ways to phrase these questions that would be more certain of getting some sort of answer <g>." Brad Hill joins in the fun and posts: "Thanks for the note on the conference. Here are a couple of music-related question for Sam Tramiel. 1) Does Atari plan any more intensive targeting of the music industry in general, and the commercial recording niche in particular? 2) Is Atari building relations with the music software developers? Does he foresee increased development for the platform? 3) In light of the recent Forbes article: Will the company reverse its non-emphasis on marketing and publicity when the Falcon is ready? 4) Where does the TT stand? 5) Does Atari see the senior market, with its many first-time computer and digital instrument buyers, as a valuable market group? ...I like your questions, too. <g> Dazzz Smith jumps into the question seat and posts: "Although we in Europe are slated for the first batches of Falcons (Nov 14th?) we have yet to see any advance promotions of any kind, are any likely to be planned? I was stunned when Atari UK announced that they would not be attending ANY shows this year, especially in the run up to Christmas, are you so sure that the first batches are going to sell?" From the Atari Vendors Forum ============================ Rafael Hermoso posts: "I am in the process of buying a Mega ST and would like to know if it is possible to install an internal modem in it. I know ICD makes the Micro host adaptor. I s there any such modem device?" Albert Dayes of Atari Explorer Magazine tells Rafael: "I've haven't heard of anyone installing an internal modem inside of a Mega ST. Considering everything else people put in their machines someone may have done so already." Richard Cole asks Gribnif Software about STalker (the terminal program): "Three questions: 1) When I execute Stalker it gets part way thru loading the program then pauses for a few seconds while it accesses the A drive. If there's no disk in the A drive the whole process gets screwed up. Stalker also reads the A drive for a few seconds when I "quit". Is there any way to stop this? (I keep Stalker on my hard drive.) 2) I've configured Stalker and Steno to use 8 point text. Whenever I execute Stalker and dial someone as soon as the dialling begins Stalker switches to a 9 point text, which messes up the amount of text I can get on a screen. I've saved the configuration with 8 point text a number of times, but this doesn't help. What can I do to keep it at 8 point text? 3) Is there some way to configure Stalker so that it automatically brings up Steno as a type ahead buffer? (i.e. so that I don't have to execute Stalker and then go about "Invoking" Steno)." Domingo Alvear tells Richard: "I am not sure if this is your problem, but if you are dialing out using the dial directory, you might not have the point size set correctly for that particular phone number entry. Try using the "change for All" button that is in the dialog box. (I am not sure if this will work, since I haven't used STalker in a while. I just got my new modem after being without one on my ST for 5 months!)" Well fellow Atarians, it's time for me to go and leave some room for somebody else. Get ready for COMDEX, the mother of all tradeshows. It happens very soon now and there have been rumblings of some interesting things to be show by our favorite computer company. Let's hope that Atari knocks 'em dead at the show. That's all for this week friends. Tune in again next week and listen to what they are saying when..... PEOPLE ARE TALKING _______________________________________________________________ > STR Portfolio News & Information Keeping up to date... """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM """"""""""""""""""""""""" On CompuServe! by Judith Hamner 72257,271 This will be a catch-up column recapping the activity of the last month. Now that the summer doldrums are past the activity in the forum libraries has been brisk. SPAN2_.COM is a Spanish-English dictionary in PREAD format. The file can be executed from the command line. In the German language, JG100.ZIP contains a PIM for your PC which supports data exchange with Portfolio files. This is a shareware program and all prompts are in German. INSTAL.BAT is a replacement for the install batch file in the archive. For your PC, PDEMO.ZIP is billed as the ultimate Portfolio demo. SCRAB.BAS is a Pbasic timer program. Can be used to time turns for Chess or Scrabble. Great for solving arguments or maybe starting one. PBASIC is available in the forum library. Z.BAS is a Pbasic screen saver. It displays the current time at random locations on the screen. While you can't have Windows on your Portfolio, you can have your Portfolio on your Windows. PRTBMP.ZIP contains a .BMP file you can use as Windows wallpaper featuring your favorite palmtop. Don Thomas has a PowerBasic solution for those who are caught in the dilemma of not being able to use their serial interface without a terminal program for the Port. MKXTM2.ZIP contains source code which can be typed in to create the XTERM2 program on the Port. Another handy program for the Port is SETLNG.COM which can set the language option for the Port from a batch file. Just for fun try WUMPUS.EXE, the classic adventure game of Hunt the Wumpus. If you feel like making a little noise, here are some programs that might interest you. PHONE.COM creates the phone tones for dialing from a batch file. KEYCLK.COM will make the keyclick sound from a batch file. BEEP.COM will make the beep noise from a batch file. ALARM.COM makes the alarm sound from a batch file. ALARM.ZIP will change the sound of the Port's alarm. ERROR.COM will generate error messages from within a batch file. PA14.TXT and PA15.TXT contain the text of the latest issues of Portable Addiction. There have been some exciting announcements of new peripherals for the Port. INT.TXT contains the announcement of the Universal Interface from BSE. *********************************************************************** 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! *********************************************************************** > PMC BLOWOUT! STR InfoFile DON'T..... MISS THIS SPECIAL SALE! """"""""""""""""""""""""" PD/SHAREWARE DISK BLOWOUT ========================= Now Available! Our Hardware division has expanded so greatly that we have decided to sell off part of our Software holdings. We are selling our entire Public Domain/Shareware library to anyone: dealers/entrepreneurs (you can make a decent living all you need to do is invest some time) or end users (the prices are incredible). o 1260 separate disks o approximately 1500 disks total USERS o minimum purchase: 50 disks (we'll consider smaller amounts) o 50 disks: $2 each 100 disks: $1.75 200 + : $1.50 all disks should consist of 90% your own choice/10% grab-bag Shipping: $9.00 per order DEALERS/ENTREPRENEURS o complete library of 1380 disks o full catalog on disk describing 1260 disks o catalogers already in place to make new disks o 400 DS non-cataloged disks with new compressed files o Mac/Windows disks (about 400 DS disks full of compressed files) o 19,000 confirmed user mail list (available separately) Shipping: Negotiable We want to sell these disks immediately, which means that prices are negotiable. Contact us right away because sales are first come first serve. Purple Mountain Computers, Inc. 15600 NE 8th St. Ste. A3-412 Bellevue, WA 98008 1-206-747-1519 voice/fax PMC.INC GEnie *********************************************************************** :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT: _________________________________ To sign up for GEnie service: 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. October GEnie Billing Complete - To review your bill, type:...*BILL 2. Charleston SC - Access Number Change..........................*PHONE 3. Music to Your Ears: Christmas Music on CD at................NOTEWORTHY 4. RTC 11/15 -- Year-End TAX PLANNING strategies.................HOSB 5. Back By Popular Demand - The OW Sports League in..............ORBWARS 6. Sunbathing AU NATUREL (in November) on the....................LEFT 7. November Birthdays collect a =FREE HOUR= on November 15.......CHAT 8. Stereo System w/5-CD Changer ONLY $379 Delivered at...........ZBEST 9. RAVENLOFT Forbidden Lore Designer Bruce Nesmith...............TSR 10. Questions answered immediately in the NEW Mac HelpDesk........MAC 11. FONTember is filled with GEOS fonts in the....................FLAGSHIP 12. Coppola's BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA reviewed in...................SHOWBIZ 13. Visit GEnie at the Hartford, CT Pet Expo 11/14-11/15..........PET 14. WPWIN 5.2 announced with Grammatik 5, ATM, and fonts on.......WP 15. New Mac-compatible; new Toshiba color notebooks/prices on.....LAPTOPS Welcome ****** ******** ** ** ** To the ** ** ** ** ** GEnie ****** ** ST ** ** ** ATARI ** ** Roundtable ** ** ** ****** ** ** ** ** *** ** *** The Official Online Resource of Atari Corporation *** ** *** Atari ST Roundtable Real Time Conference Special Events Calendar Monday, November 16th....... -> * LIVE FROM COMDEX * <- -- Sam Tramiel -- Wednesday, Nov. 18 - Keith Gerdes {TraceTech} will be our guest to discuss his latest projects. These include DATA DIET v2.0 and DATA RESCUE. He is the author of numerous programs such as, Squish, DC Formatter, and DCopy Shell; just to name a few! Regular Open Conference every Wednesday night, 10PM EDT, 7PM PDT DTP conference every Monday at 10PM eastern in room 3. November's "Darlah's Treat of the Month" is now available at page 475;9. This month's treat is the Demo of "That's Write 2" in a _self extracting_ format. Product support for "That's Write 2" is available in the Atari Bulletin Board (page 475;1) Category 13, Topic 15. Thanks to Robert Engberson (COMPO) for providing this month's treat. Last Week's Top Downloaded Programs/Utilities: ---------------------------------------------- 26351 W9STSAVE.LZH X MUSE 921031 20992 254 2 Desc: A Warp 9 Extend-O-Save module. 26370 PSYCHO.ARC X J.KOCHER1 921101 52352 226 8 Desc: PYSCHO WORLDS - fast arcade action/w 26417 XBOOTIII.TXT X GRIBNIF 921103 5248 144 14 Desc: XBoot III - Graphical boot manager 26436 BALOON.LZH X MYECK.WATERS 921105 896 92 2 Desc: monochrome balloon for W9STSAVE.LZH 26430 ZARDOSIA.LZH X J.SCHRAM 921105 161792 79 8 Desc: A German MULE clone for mono only... 26432 NOSEY_II.LZH X F.VUOTTO 921105 20992 76 2 Desc: Multiple File Search Utility 26441 DOC_DEMO.LZH X D.HUBBELL1 921106 18048 72 10 Desc: The Doctor! v1.55 Demo 26443 AUTOFM10.LZH X GRMEYER 921106 17408 67 2 Desc: Auto File Mover utility GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission *********************************************************************** > DIAMOND EDGE STR Review "...a total, must have system package.." """"""""""""""""""""""" GETTING THE EDGE """""""""""""""" A review of; Diamond Edge.. The Hard Disk Maintenance Utility by Bill Pike (STEP) Diamond Edge is a program that contains just about everything you could ever want in a Hard Drive maintenance package. It was put together by Robert Luneski of Oregon Research Associates. This program along with Diamond Back II are a total system package that every Hard Drive owner must have. It will work on any virtually Atari System and Hard Disk, also floppys. Yes, I said must. The cost for Diamond Edge is $69.95 and very well worth every penny. Especially after you are attempting to recover data from a Hard Drive crash. Once you have spent maybe 3 or 4 hours trying to recover the files that you have been working on for 4 months, you do back up your Hard Drives every couple of days don't you? (not so subtle hint to purchase Diamond Back) Well I guess not if you are taking 3 or 4 hours to recover the data. You will find that $69.95 is very cheap. Much less costly then the wig you are going to have to buy to cover all the hair you are tearing out. First let's say that this is one of the easiest to use programs that I have seen and that the documentation is very kind to the novice, but thorough enough for the expert. The really important stuff has a check mark beside it. You do read the documentation before using a program don't you? Also there are selectable levels for warnings so that you can have extra alert boxes before you do anything or if you know what you are doing then you will only get the important warnings, your choice. There is even a section in the end of the documentation that will explain everything you wanted to know about a Hard Drive but were afraid to ask. Ok, down to the nitty gritty. Just what does Diamond Edge do? Diamond Edge is actually 5 programs in one. The programs are integrated into a single application program. The first area is the Disk Medic. This section of the program checks out the disk structure and file integrity. It checks to see if FAT tables 1 & 2 are the same, they should be. It checks for a valid boot sector. It checks for Invalid Directories. It checks for Unreadable Directory Sectors, Illegal File Names, Bad Directory Entries, Inconsistent File Size, Bad FAT entries, FAT chain collisions, and lost sectors. You can also automatically fix these problems as the program finds them or manually tell Medic to do so or not as you choose. Either way a file is written that lists the errors found and where they were/are. You are also able to test multiple drives, you can select which drives are to be tested and which are to be ignored. If the FAT Tables don't match you are given the option to make a Medic pass selecting either one or the other FAT Table [No Other Program allows you to do this]. You can then determine which table has the correct information or has most of the correct information. You can then select that FAT Table to copy to the invalid one. Disk Medic then makes its integrity pass and checks out all the files and directories. If you selected Auto-Fix the repair will proceed as the pass is made. You will see the disk map and what action the program is taking as it goes along. If you didn't select Auto-Fix you will get a display of the disk map and an ending choice to "fix","view", or "cancel", "view" shows you what errors were found and where. You also have the option of saving "Lost Clusters" to a disk file, this can be a real help in recovering text files. There are three methods of mapping out Bad Sectors, you can also select how many times to run the test. Read-Read: which reads each sector twice, this is non-destructive and will not effect the data on the disk. Read-Write-Read: the data for each sector is read off the drive then written back to the same sector then read again testing for a match, this also will not affect the existing data if it is OK. Write-Read: which writes a random pattern to each sector and then reads it back checking for matching data, Kiss any Data on the Partition Goodbye with this one. Of course the last method is the most effective. Isn't it nice to have a backup of the data? (second not so subtle hint to purchase Diamond Back) You will be presented a listing of the bad sectors and asked if you want to lock them out. You are also allowed to partition your Hard Drive. Diamond Edge supports Atari, Supra, BMS, and ICD formats. You can also just change one partition, hide/unhide a partition, save/restore partitioning information. Diamond Edge also supports the TT SCSI IDs. ...Whew!!, next section please! Here you have the Optimize Drive functions. Optimizing makes all of the sectors of a file congruous as well as packing all the files together into a single area of the disk. As files are written to and erased from your disk the file data gets more and more spread out over the disk surface. This is called file fragmentation. The poor drive mechanism has to flip all over heck and gone to find the data until it reaches the point of giving up and the drive crashes. Here is where Diamond Edge shines. I took a Hard Drive partition that was pretty well fragmented and made an image back up of it on floppy disks so that I could recreate the original. There were two other commercial Hard Drive Optimizers that I compared Diamond Edge to, Hard Disk Sentry from Beckemeyer Utilities (I was unable to compare with his new version, I did contact him several times, and was forced to use the old version). The partition I was working on was 11mbs and 85% full I ignored the disk testing time, Diamond Edge took a little under 4 minutes, which included optimizing for writing which the version of Hard Disk Sentry that I was testing with was unable to do, Hard Disk Sentry took 8+ minutes to optimize, TuneUp took over 10 minutes. Also with Diamond Edge you have the option to just compress the free space which just shoves all the files together without making the sectors congruous. This cuts the time way down and it is recommended to use this once the drive has been optimized. As you can imagine this is a LOT faster. If you optimize for reading, all the data is placed at the beginning of the disk while if you optimize for writing, the data is placed at the end of the disk. This is to let the read/write head move the least amount to do its thing. The head movement is the slowest part of disk access. ....NNNNNnnneeexxxttt! Diamond Mirror, this section of the program makes a backup file of the FAT Tables and Directory Structures, saving them to a disk file. When a file is deleted the first letter of the file name is replaced by a non-ascii character and the clusters that the file occupied in the FAT table are freed up for reuse. If you accidently delete a file and have not written to the disk all the data is there you just cannot get to it. If the drive has been recently optimized then all the data is in congruous sectors. The directory entry for the file hasn't been erased but is hidden. The directory entry contains the starting location for the file and how long it is. By retrieving the directory entry it is possible to "turn the sectors back on" and recover the file. However if the file was fragmented, pieces of the file were at different locations this won't work. Here is where Diamond Mirror comes in. It has remembered where the file was. Diamond Mirror can be set up to automatically run at bootup or once a day or once a week. I use the daily option, it depends on just how much reading and writing you are going to do to the drive each day, which one you select. There is also a Validation Program that will keep track of all the files on a partition via a checksum for each file, you have a choice of CRC (best) or Checksum. By using this in conjunction with Diamond Mirror you can rest assured that you recovered all of the file and that the file is good. Diamond Edge will make a file containing the Boot sector, Fat Table, and Root Directory of each Partition. These are saved and in the event of a catastrophic failure, you will be able to recover the disk as long as the controller and drive mechanism are functional. You are even able to recover SCSI partitioning information. You can also copy a 20 meg partition onto a 60 meg partition, zero a partition(which erases everything on that drive), unzero a partition (which restores the drive). "Wipe Partition" really zeros a partition. It zeros the directory and the FAT tables but also overwrites EVERY sector with random data. Everything on that partition is history period. "All Info" gives you data on how full every drive partition is and the percentage free including the totals for all partitions. "Print" gives you a printout of the screen information. One third (20 pages) of the book consist of just how a disk is structured and what parts do what. This is one of the most easily understood explanations that I have seen of a very complex subject. Editor Note; Bill Pike is probably the most widespread read ST software reviewer on the Atari platform. His reviews have always been highly informative reading while in-depth enough to satisfy both the casual user to the most 'vigorous' power user. ________________________________________________________________ > STReport CONFIDENTIAL "Rumors Tidbits Predictions Observations Tips" """"""""""""""""""""" - Los Angeles, CA SYQUEST ANNOUNCES 3.5" DEVICE --------------- The data sheet on the new Syquest SQ3105A - 3.5" Removable Hard Disk Drive reflects some very impressive specifications; 105 Megs, 14.5 ms average seek time, 1.175 to 1.95 Mbyte/sec Data transfer rate to/from media (4.0 Mbytes/sec to/from 64K buffer). the new mechanism has an 8 second spin up and stop time, and four modes; sleep(.35W), standby(.65W), idle(1.5W)and 4.5W during seek. The initial release version will not be in the SCSI format. - Hamburg, Germany FURTHER REPORTS RE: ALWIN STUMPF ---------------- The German PC weekly "PC Woche" (newsletter aimed at professional PC/Unix users, published by IDG Publications, a US company) this week reported some information relative to Alwin Stumpf departing from Atari Germany. They report that alleged rumors imply Stumpf left due to a dramatic difference of opinion and perspective between his and those of Jack Tramiel regarding the future of Atari. According to PC Woche the "Tramiel Clan" strongly favors the further development of a PC line (and wants to use a large majority of the available R&D money for this purpose), while Stumpf mainly wanted to concentrate on the 680x0 market and video games. Editor Note; This item which surfaced last week overseas, appears to fly in the face of everything we have ever heard from Atari. In fact, it borders on the ridiculous. However, its been presented to give the reader an opportunity to see for themselves the wide diversity of rumors flying about worldwide, due to the obvious scarcity of solid information coming forth from Atari "themselves". At a time when its most needed to keep the "troops smiling".... the silence is almost deafening. How about it Mr. Communications? - Rockville, MD Sam Tramiel Conference LIVE @ COMDEX ------------- The Atari ST Roundtable on GEnie will hold a live conference with Sam Tramiel from COMDEX on November 16th at 10:00 p.m. EST, 7:00 p.m. Las Vegas Time. While it is expected that Sam will be happy to speak on all matters related to the Atari line of products, it is certainly anticipated that most of the interest will focus on the status of the new Falcon computer as well as the products being shown at COMDEX. A number of questions have been collected during the past two weeks here on GEnie in the Feedback to Atari topic in Category 14. Most of those questions focused on Falcon SPECS and DELIVERY but there were also a few, more general, questions. All of this information has been forwarded to Bob Brodie in the hopes that informative answers will be prepared in advance. Accompanying Sam Tramiel will be Bob Brodie, Bill Rehbock and the rest of the Atari entourage. User turnout is expected to be heavy and the formal conference will be held in accordance with regular RTC rules. To join the conference on Monday evening, log on to the RTC by typing M475;2 at any command prompt or type 2 from page 475. If you can't make it, watch for the transcript in your favorite online magazine! - San Francisco, CA VIEWTOUCH TO HANDLE POWERDOS ----------------- PowerDos and PowerNet whose distribution rights and support were with Dragonware, have been sold by the programmer to ViewTouch Corporation. All support, programming and general information questions for PowerDos and PowerNet should be directed to either Gene Mosier at 503-344-7990 or Christopher Latham at PowerPoint Software 503-479-6635. __________________________________________________________ > STR Mail Call "...a place for the readers to be heard" """"""""""""" STReport's MailBag """""""""""""""""" Messages * NOT EDITED * for content ----------------------------------- FALCON FEVER & FALCON CONCERNS ABOUND.. From the FNET Conf : Atari ST Programming Msg# : 8597/8600 Lines: Extended Read: 1 Sent : Oct 25, 1992 at 7:55 PM To : ALL From : Ken Hollis at Fnet Node 3, Node 3 Atari-OH! in Houston, Subj : Atari Falcon closeup report --------------------------------------------------------------------- << Atari Falcon Close-up view report by Jigen (Ken Hollis) >> --------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, all of you know about the Falcon now, right? Well, I have been to the latest Atari show here in Houston, and I found out some interesting things about the Falcon. First, when I was there, Bob Brodie was showing off some nice software, including the Falcon's D2D (Digi-to-disk (?? -- name)) Direct to disk digitizing program. It was very elaborate, and even had a SMPTE-time track counter (to make it look realistic). Also, they showed off a demo called something like "Moving Pixels" which was a supposed commercial for Atari in Australia (so I heard from Bob Brodie) and was a very nice program -- it had realtime video, and some great kick-ass effects in the process. It was very nice in the 256 color mode. Also, I had a chance to look at programs that are compatible with the Falcon. Apparently it is quite compatible with the standard ST and TT files, but we tried using SoundTracker and Paula trackers on it, and there seems to be a compatibility problem with changing screen frequency and using the DMA sound chip. All in all, it was very interesting. Also, Bob hooked the Falcon up to the standard SC1224 monitor, and an incredible thing (that I thought) happened. They apparently have "mastered" hardware overscan, and once you change to 320X200 mode in 256 colors, double lines, the entire screen is used for the desktop and the graphics. Very nice ideas! Also, my brother had a chance to test a Fractal program on the Falcon that directly used the Falcon's DSP processor to do Fractal processing (math). Amazing thing was that it only took little under 10 seconds to do the math, when a standard ST took 84+ seconds to do it! Incredible. We also got to see Flight Simulator II on the Falcon - almost pure 60 fps, well actually about 45 fps, but what's the difference, no? Very nice. We also got to hear some digitized sound from a program that a developer made for the Falcon that used the Direct to Disk sampling. Apparently when Bob went to Boston, he went to the nearby sound shop, bought a Boston CD and a walkman, and sampled the darn thing at about 11:30PM! Egad. All in all, the Atari show (Atari Safari '92) was an excellent show. Everyone was there that we knew and met from the Safari '91. Bob Brodie was being very nice (but apparently was visibly tired) in asking questions and answered things. Things that he couldn't answer, he politely answered "I'm sorry, that information is classified". Not a bad fellow.. He seemed to know what he was talking about. The Falcon we saw was the German Falcon, with the German keyboard, and I canna' imagine what the American Falcon'll look like. It was a very nice computer all in all, and I recommend that EVERYONE go out and buy one. From GEnie's ST RT Category 14, Topic 31 Message 66 Mon Nov 09, 1992 CAPT.SPOCK [Kerim] at 19:00 EST Here is a rather involved question for Sam.... What I would like to know is what is Atari planning to do to address all of the internal management problems that they have faced for the past few years? I have been an Atari user since I was in middle-school, and I guess you could say that I've grown up with Atari. Now I am in the computing industry as the Marketing and Operations Manager for a consulting firm in Southern California. I would very much like to spearhead a new business unit within my company to provide support on the Atari line of computers, and I have begun to try and show the other managers in the company what the ST can do with Calamus SL. However, just as I have reservations about recommending an Atari computer to even close friends as a personal computer, I have serious reservations about putting company resources on the line to enter the Atari market. These reservations exist because of the constant negative information I hear about Atari's business practices. I am personally an Atari supporter until they say (oops, DAY) I die, but reality puts a damper upon my enthusiasm. I cite the lukewarm advertising for even hot products like the Lynx (what I saw, I liked. Why wasn't there more?), the continuing decline in perceived dealer support (notice I said PERCEIVED: even if Atari's total number of dealers has increased, it *feels* like the number is decreasing), and the constant revolving door in Atari's top management team. I don't want to hear glossed-over talk about an enthusiastic team ready to tackle Atari's problems, as that is the same pep-talk I've heard for the past few years. What is Atari going to DO? Is top management ready to take a risk by advertising, say, the Falcon on nation-wide TV? Is Atari ready to not only jump light-years ahead of the competition in terms of hardware, but also in terms of support for the consumer and supporting businesses? I believe Atari can be compared to Oldsmobile or Buick -- quality in product is up, meeting consumer wants is better...but, the competition will still win. What Atari seems to need is what Olds & Buick are now doing: offering "enhanced services" as a perk for buyers, just as Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Infiniti do. Yes, they probably lose some money in the process, but that money is being invested in rebuilding the corporate image. What is Atari going to directly do to rebuild their corporate image? Before I end (sorry to ramble), let me give you Atari's REAL corporate image: "Are they still in business?" "Hey, do you use a joystick for your input?" "Atari's can read a DISK? I thought they were cartridge-based." "Get a real computer." These are not college dorm-room comments, but the comments I *constantly* hear when telling professionals that I use an Atari. THAT is, painfully for both you & me, Atari's corporate image. Thank you. Kerim Broadbent From GEnie's ST RT Category 18, Topic 22 Message 75 Wed Nov 11, 1992 C.HERBORTH [-Chris-] at 23:42 EST Ed, Speaking of mute... Has anybody cornered Bob Brodie lately to ask about that "October '92" availability date of the Falcon030? I know this sad discussion is limping along in comp.sys.atari.st but hey, Bob shows up here ever now and then, right? -Chris- From GEnie's ST RT Category 14, Topic 20 Message 40 Thu Nov 12, 1992 J.ALLEN27 [FAST TECH] at 10:46 EST Two questions have been posed to Atari: A) Is the data path from memory to the 68030 32bits wide, or not? As an example, the MacLC has only a 16bit path, they saved $ on not needing 32bit wide this and that. It DEFINITELY has an affect on speed. B) Does the Blitter chip place its ADDRESS on the 68030 address bus when it performs operations, video, DMA, etc? This answer will determine whether a "cached" acceleration means can be used in the system, or not, and I would appreciate an answer. Now Towns will plead "I don't know.", and Rehbock will continue to dodge the question or not show up online. Just what does that say about the company, and their level of support for the new product, if they can't ANSWER those two simple questions. I've tried all private means possible, and am forced to come here, and ask. From CIS about DC Software #: 29471 S13/Double Click 11-Nov-92 19:34:54 Sb: #Still in business? Fm: Matt Seitz 75300,1721 To: all Is Double-Click still in business? What is their support phone number? From the FNET Conf : Atari 16/32 Bit Msg# : 1259/1263 Lines: 12 Read: 1 Sent : Nov 11, 1992 at 4:35 PM To : All From : Don Liscombe at Fnet Node 66, The Bre(/\)ery _ Ajax_Canada _ Subj : MultiSound board Clone Sound boards: With all of the new upcoming sound boards on the market, Turtle Beach Systems has lowered the price on its 16Bit Multisound board from $995 to $599 US. This board uses the Motorola 56001, and includes 4MB of ROM to store 383 16 bit digital recordings of 126 instruments. Connections allow for MIDI hookup, stereo record input, aux. line input, and a stereo output, and it comes with 5 utilities to work with it, in Windows 3.0/3.1. (mixer, diagnostics, software patch bay, record level, Proteus 1/XR interface). Me thinks the Atari Falcon better get a move on!! """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport's "EDITORIAL CARTOON" """""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > A "Quotable Quote" A sign of the times..... """"""""""""""""" "THE ISSUE IS NOT WHAT THE FALCON CAN DO.... BUT WHAT ATARI CAN DO FOR THE FALCON!" ....a concerned Atarian """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" > ABCO SPECIALS! STR InfoFile * 1992 HOLIDAY Prices! MORE Products! * """"""""""""""""""""""""""" ------------------------------------ ** EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY! ** NOTICE: ABCO will BEAT OR MATCH * ANY * Advertised or Invoiced price * WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD! ABCO COMPUTER CONSULTANTS ========================= P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672 Est. 1985 _________________________________________ Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EDT BBS: 904-786-4176 12-24-96 HST FAX: 904-783-3319 12 PM - 6 AM EDT _________________________________________ HARD DISK SYSTEMS & DESIGNS TO FIT EVERY BUDGET _________________________________________ All systems are complete and ready to use, included at NO EXTRA COST are clock/calendar and cooling blower(s). *-ALL ABCO HARD DISK SYSTEMS ARE FULLY EXPANDABLE-* (you are NOT limited to two drives) - Available for all Platforms - -* ICD LINK & ADSCSI PLUS HOST ADAPTERS USED EXCLUSIVELY *- WE PAY SHIPPING & INSURANCE!!! >UPS!< (Prepaid Orders - Cont. USA) *_*_*_* *** NEW!!! ULTRA MODERN "SUPER STYLE" ABCOFILE CASE *** DELUXE 2 bay Cabinet W/65w Auto PS & Blower $119.00 <<<Coming Soon! ABCO Mini-Tower>>> Case & ICD LINK or ADSCSI PLUS Host [Hard Disk Ready] $259.95 -STAND ALONE PRODUCTS- Model Description Autopark Price ================================================== SGN4951 51Mb Y 329.00 SQN1096 85mb Y 359.00 SQN2055 130mb Y 399.00 SQN1296 213mb Y 569.00 SQN4055 340mb Y 689.00 ================================================== Standard "Shoebox Cabinet style is also available Call for pricing applicable to IBM - MAC - AMIGA IDE - SCSI - ESDI MODERN TOWER CABINETS AVAILABLE Call for Info! PLEASE NOTE: The above is partial listing only! Many other configurations available. 20mb - 3.5gb NOTICE - NOTICE - NOTICE - NOTICE """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" SPECIAL PURCHASE! * 83mb - 1345mb * Hard Disk Mechanisms Call for SUPER PRICING!! Limited Time Only!! IDEAL FOR USE IN: IBM - MAC - AMIGA! FULLY ASSEMBLED SCSI DRIVES w/o ICD LINK Available ADD $35.00 for 4 BAY SUPER CABINET w/250+w PS EXOTIC TOWER CABINETS AVAILABLE Call for Info! PLEASE NOTE: The above is partial listing only! FAST TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATOR UPGRADES AVAILABLE & INSTALLED ***** >> ABCO proudly offers: ATARI PRODUCTS << MAC PRODUCTS - AMIGA PRODUCTS - PC PRODUCTS Call for ABCO's * HIGHLY COMPETITIVE PRICING! * ABCO COMPUTER SYSTEMS * STILL THE BEST VALUE! ***** If you don't see what you want listed here, call us. Odds are, we either have it or, can get it for you! * GUARANTEED * AT THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICE! * ** 800-562-4037 ** "WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL" ****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ****** * SYQUEST 44MB (#555) >> ABCOFILE "44" & "88" * * REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES * --->> LIMITED TIME SPECIAL! NOW ONLY 44MB $ 359.00 <<--- 88MB $ 489.00 WE PAY SHIPPING & INSURANCE! >UPS!< (Cont. USA) COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED AND READY TO RUN! Cart and Utility Software Included! 44mb CARTS: $ 69.50 88mb CARTS: $ 109.50 44mb MECH ONLY: $ 319.95 88mb MECH ONLY: $ 419.95 ****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ****** * TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT * SPECIALLY PRICED ** $695.95.00 ** Includes: * TWO * cartridges! * SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS * - Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives - ** 50mb SQG51S $559.00 105mb SQG105S $759.00 ** Or, YOUR choice of Hard Disk Mechanism! LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS CUSTOM CONFIGURATIONS AVAILABLE ** ANNOUNCING THE NEW! -> ABCO CD-ROM! ** :Special Introductory offer: ABCO CD-ROM $489.00 Listed above are a sampling of the systems available. Prices also reflect various cabinet/power supply configurations (over sixty configurations are available, flexibility is unlimited) * IBM - MSDOS - AMIGA - ATARI - APPLE - MACINTOSH * ALL UNITS COMPATIBLE WITH --> SUPERCHARGER - AT/PC SPEED - GCR LARGER units are available - (Custom Configurations) *** --> COMPLETE IBM CLONE SYSTEMS AVAILABLE! <-- *** CALL FOR PRICING & AVAILABILITY 386/486 33Mhz - 50Mhz - 66Mhz *>> NO REPACKS OR REFURBS USED! <<* Atari SLM 804, SLM 804PCV Laser Toner Kits Memorex 2108, 5287 Oasys Laserpro 5287, 5308, Express 830, Express Series II Silver Express, Gold Express ** $41.95 shipping Included ** Atari SLM 605 Laser Toner Kits AT&T 593, CAF Laser, DSI Laser, DTP Systems, Epson EPL-6000 Facit P6060, Fontx Syslaser, Harris3M 2006, M-Tally MT905 Microtek Turbo PS, OAS Laserpro Executive, Packard Bell 9500 TEC LB 1305, Toshiba PageLaser 6 ** $41.95 shipping included ** (TWO Toner Carts Incl.) Panasonic Laser Toner Kits Panasonic KX -P 400 series, Panafax UF-750 Facsimile ** $41.95 shipping included ** -- ALL TONER KITS * IN STOCK * -- * Toner Starter Kits-$62.95 * * Replacement (804) Drums-$187.95 * ABCO is PROUD to announce the acquisition of the exclusive U.S.A. distribution rights for ** Bitblit Software's ///Turbo Board BBS. ** This fine Atari ST BBS system software and user support is available through ABCO to all Turbo customers in the USA. Call for current pricing. ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED Now Available BUSINESSES, - LEASE TO OWN WITH AT&T - -* 12 month FULL Guarantee *- (A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE) WE PAY SHIPPING & INSURANCE! >UPS!< (Prepaid Orders - Cont. USA) QUANTITY & USERGROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE! _________________________________________ DEALERS and DISTRIBUTORS WANTED! please, call for details COD, Personal and Company Checks accepted. ORDER YOUR NEW UNIT TODAY! CALL: 1-904-783-3319 Customer Orders & Service 9am - 8pm EDT TUES thru SAT ABCO is EXPANDING!! CALL FOR INFORMATION! SEND FOR YOUR NEW ABCO CATALOG TODAY! """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STReport International Online Magazine -* [S]ilicon [T]imes [R]eport *- """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" STR Online! "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE" November 13, 1992 Since 1987 copyright (c) 1987-92 All Rights Reserved No.8.45 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" 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. """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""