

                   *---== ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
                          """""""""""""""""""""""""


                     "The Original Online ST Magazine"
                      ------------------------------- 

February 24, 1989                                         Volume III  No.76

==========================================================================


                         ST Report Online Magazine 
                       ------------------------------
                           Post Office Box   6672
                           Jacksonville,  Florida
                                32236 ~ 6672

                                R.F. Mariano
                             Publisher - Editor
                 _________________________________________

                   Voice: 904-783-3319  10 AM - 4 PM EST

                     BBS: 904-786-4176  ~ 12-24-96 HST
                 _________________________________________

                      **  F-NET/FIDOMAIL NODE 350  **
               Our support BBS carries ALL issues of STReport
                                   and
                An International list of private BBS systems
                carrying STReport for their users enjoyment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  Highlights
                                  ----------
        ~ From the Editor's Desk                ~ CPU Report
        ~ STReport Reader - 1st Class!          ~ Leisure Suit Larry
        ~ Turtle 3.0                            ~ Manual Maker 2.0
        ~ ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL                ~ Fleetstreet 2.0

                **** ST REPORT'S CPU NEWSWIRE LIVES! ****
                  **   MEGA FAMILY SOON TO EXPAND!   **
             ****  LYCO SEZ  1040 "OLD & DISCONTINUED"! ****


 ========================================================================
 AVAILABLE ON:     COMP-U-SERVE  ~  DELPHI  ~  GENIE  ~  THE SOURCE
 ========================================================================


From the Editor's Desk:
-----------------------

      With Atari Corp. planning a systematic uphill reclaiming of the home
computer market in the USA, how can any true Atarian sit still?  Here at
STReport the wave of excited anticipation has never been so high.  
Usually, you hear well, let's wait and see.  Not this time though, we are
confident of Atari's forward thrust and can readily see the positive, 
enthusiastic attitude of the folks at Atari.

      We have noticed that a few other "publications" have felt a need to
put us down for our editorials and commentaries.  In the great words of
Rhett..."Frankly ..etc."  We feel we provide a viable service to the Atari
computing community and judging by the positive mail we are receiving from
both the States and Europe, we have been mandated to forge ahead and
continue as we have been.

      In the past, we have been "pro" mail order, it appears we may have
to "eat crow" because of the behavior of two rather prominent mail order
houses, LYCO for saying the 1040ST is discontinued and worse yet is CMO
who likes to use it's customers money (interest FREE!) Both items appear
in this issue.

      Happily, in the year of the FUJI, STReport has begun the first mail
out to our faithful readers and supporters!  If you're not on our mailing
list, please leave your full address in E-Mail or drop us a post card
with your address on it to our PO Box 6672, JAX, FL. 32205.

                                       Thanks for your support,

                                                Ralph....





**************************************************************************



  NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE

                          FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

    COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME

                              to the Readers

                         ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE

                         NEW USERS SIGN UP TODAY!

            Call any of the St Report  Official BBS numbers 
                    (Listed at the top of ST REPORT)
                                    or
                 Leave E-mail to St Report - R.Mariano

            Be sure to include your full mailing address so your 
              Compuserve kit can be immediately mailed to you!



  NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE



**************************************************************************





> CPU REPORT
  ----------
   Issue 10


By Michael Arthur


Remember When....

      In 1985, the 520 ST didn't have TOS in ROM, but Atari was showing a
260 ST (which would have had 256K of RAM), which just happened to have TOS
in ROM, with the result that the 260 ST with TOS ROMs had almost as much
memory free for applications as did the 520 ST without TOS ROMs?


CPU Systems Roundup II
=======================


             WORM Drives, Floptical Disks, and the Future of Storage
             -------------------------------------------------------


      In the time of the computer industry, advances in chip technology,
graphics, and RAM have occurred at an incredible rate.  While these areas
are very important, one field which (although it is just as vital to
computers) has not achieved the level of recognition as areas such as
microprocessors is the matter of storing all the information that
computers handle.

      As computers became more powerful, operating systems gained in
capabilities, and applications had more features, the need for ways to
store the data generated by all these computers grew exponentially.  While
Five Mb hard disks were reserved for power users as late as 1985, now 
20-40 Meg hard drives are the norm, with 150-300 Meg Hard drives being
the Power User's dream.  But as computers improve even more, it is a
certainty that even MORE storage will be needed.  In the past few years,
four technologies have emerged to fill the present and future need for
information storage:  CD-ROMs, WORMs, Bernoulli Drives, and most recently,
Magneto-Optical disks.

      CD-ROM's (or Compact Disk - Read Only Memory) read data from Compact
Disks through a pretty interesting process.  First, a laser emits a beam
of light which is reflected by a mirror into an objective lens, which
focuses it onto the optical disk.  Embedded into the disk are tiny pits
(or dots), and when the disk is rotated under the lens, the raised pits
reflect a greater intensity of light back to the lens than the rest of the
disk.  This increase in intensity is then detected by the read head, to
denote the digital data stored on the disk.  Laser technology is used to
pack an enormous number of "dots" onto the disk, resulting in that vast
amounts of data are densely compressed in Compact Disks.  CD-ROMs are made
in an unconventional manner, with disks being formed by stamping them, or
cutting them out of a smooth sheet of plastic film.  This, by the way, is
exactly how phonograph records are made in the music industry....

      CD-ROMs might be perfect for storing large databases of general info
that doesn't require revision often (such as encyclopedias, digitized
sounds, and dictionaries), but if you need to store huge amounts of your
OWN data (such as a series of AutoCad 3-D files with full schematics of
the space shuttle, or a complete catalog of ALL the source code produced
by a programming team from the program's inception) for archiving etc,
WORM (or Write Once, Read Many) drives may be your only option.

      WORM drives read data in a fashion similar to CD-ROM drives, but
they can also write data to disk (though this writing is permanent;  hence
the term, "Write Once Read Many").  This is done by using a laser to burn
holes directly onto the surface of the disk.  Since these holes reflect
much less light than intact disk areas, the decrease in beam intensity
which is caused is used to denote the data stored on the disk.  As with
CD-ROMs, the lasers are used to mark a great number of tiny holes in the
relatively small area of the disk, causing great information density, and
greater data storage capabilities....

      Most of us identify Bernoulli drives with the 20 Megabyte Removable
Cartridges made by Iomega Corporation.  This technology, though, is based
on a principle of physics that is used everyday....

      Bernoulli's Principle states that an increase in the flow of a fluid
on one side of a surface produces less pressure on the other side, and 
that a decrease in fluid flow on one side results in an increase in 
pressure on the other side.  For example, a plane's wings are made so the
speed of the airflow below the wing is greater than the speed above it,
resulting that the pressure below the wing is greater than the pressure
above it, producing a lift that helps the plane take off.

      Iomega used this principle in the Bernoulli Box by having a flexible
magnetic disk rotate very closely to a circular plate which contains the
magnetic read/write heads.  When the disk is spinning, the circular plate
draws in and manipulates air flow, lifting the disk up towards the plate
close enough that the head to disk spacing is VERY small (50 microns for
the Bernoulli Box).  Since the magnetic head does not actually touch the
disk (doing so would create pressure that would push the disk away from
it, and nullify the Bernoulli effect), head crashes are practically
impossible.  Also, since the disk is closely (but safely) aligned with the
magnetic head, more data can be stored and accessed, since the head can
accurately read/write from more tracks than otherwise possible.  Also,
given the general basis of this method, Bernoulli technology can be used
with other storage methods, in order to achieve even MORE reliable ways of
storing MUCH more data than before....

      Although these three technologies will be important, most of them
deal with archival storage, or storing massive amounts of data for later
retrieval.  Recently introduced, however, magneto-optical drives seem
certain to revolutionize the area of floppy disk storage.  The most famous
of these drives is the Sony drive that comes with the NeXT Computer.

      The disks for the NeXT drive use the same material as CD-ROM disks,
with a reflective "mirror" layer on top of a plastic film.  NeXT disks use
a single laser to both read and write data.

      To write data to the disk, first the drive applies a magnetic field
to the disk.  This field is oriented to write the binary digit 0 on the
disk.  Then, a laser is used to heat a sector on the mirror layer to its
Curie point, or the temperature at which the crystals in the mirror layer
change their polarity to match that of the magnetic field.  This makes
all binary data in the sector consist of 0s.  The drive then orients the
magnetic field to write the binary digit 1 on the drive.  The laser then
heats all the sector's areas where a bit must be set to a 1, to the mirror
layer's Curie point.

      To read data onto the disk, the drive first removes the magnetic
field.  When it uses the laser to aim a beam of light at the mirror layer,
a phenomenon known as the Kerr effect causes the crystal alignment to
alter the polarization of the reflected beam.  The amount of beam
polarization determines its intensity, and a polarizing filter in the read
head then determines whether a 0 or a 1 was read on the disk by the level
of beam intensity.  As in CD-ROMs, lasers enable a large amount of data to
be written in a very small space.

      But the NeXT technology, at $1500 a drive, and $50 a disk, is too
expensive, slow, and big (not all of us need 256 MB disks in regular use)
for conventional microcomputers.  To satisfy the needs of personal
computers, Insite Peripherals has developed the Insite I325 Drive, which
uses removable "Floptical" 3 1/2 Inch disks, each capable of storing up to
25 Mb of data.  Designed by Jim Shugart, one of the engineers behind
the original 5 1/4 inch floppy disk, Floptical disks are very similar to
high-density floppy disks used by IBM to hold 1.44 Megs of data, and can
be used by any computer with an SCSI interface.

      One serious problem with current floppy disks is that they tend to
wobble, making it difficult for the magnetic read/write heads to track the
data on the disk accurately.  So as to make it easier for the drive's
magnetic heads, floppy disks always have had a limited amount of tracks
per inch.  Insite Peripherals solved this by embedding an optical servo
track (using lasers to precisely etch the track markers) onto the surface
of conventional high-density disks.  An infrared LED is used to follow the
tracks, so magnetic heads can be aligned more precisely, preventing disks
from wobbling.  Since the read/write heads are made more accurate, lasers
can etch tracks on the disk more densely, and the LED can easily follow
the tracks, this allows MANY more tracks (15,000 per inch, as compared to
regular 3 1/2 Inch disks, which only hold 135 tracks per inch) to be used
on Floptical Disks.  Roughly translated, this means that MUCH more data
can be quickly stored and accessed from disk.

      In fact, Insite's drives have the same seek time (65 milliseconds)
as a Seagate 225, and the I235 is planned to match the cost of Seagate's
SCSI 20 Meg Hard Disk (at around $250.00), so it can go head to head with
current hard disk technology....

      Most of us take disk storage for granted.  While we get excited over
the newest computer, powerhouse microchip, or the latest and greatest in
computer graphics, no one really seems to consider what we all use to
store our data, whether it be the IRS 1040 Tax Form, the church 
newsletter, or Falcon.  But while information storage has received 
relatively little acclaim in the computer field, it is unquestionably a
vital part of all computers, both now and in the future....

              But ponder, if you will, these questions:

1)  With Magneto-Optical Drives, will current hard drives become obsolete?

2)  When will the technologies discussed above be widely used in low to
middle-end microcomputers, and who will first utilize them?


                    ------==========***==========------


   
> CPU REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
  =======================


Sausalito, CA       AutoDesk Inc. has started shipping AutoCad Version 10
-------------       for the Macintosh II.  Cost:  $2995.95, but for the
                    most powerful CAD package for microcomputers....

Chatsworth, CA      NMB Technologies has introduced the first 1 Megabit
--------------      DRAM chip with an access time of 60 milliseconds.

       **NOTE**     This new DRAM chip will allow computers running at
                    25-30 MHZ to be made without needing complex memory
                    caching schemes, which will dramatically reduce their
                    cost, and without having wait states, which will
                    greatly increase their speed.

West Chester, PA    Commodore displayed a new Graphics Card for the Amiga
----------------    2000 which will GREATLY expand the Amiga's dominance
                    in the graphics arena.  Not much is known at this time
                    about this board, but it is rumored to use 16 million
                    colors at the same time, and have a top resolution of
                    1280*960 w/256 colors at the same time.  There WILL be
                    more info on this board next week....

Flowery Branch, GA  DayStar Digital has just come out with the 33/030
------------------  Accelerator II, a new coprocessor for the Mac II/IIx
                    that uses a 33 MHZ 68030 and a 33 MHZ 68882 math chip.

                    Cost: $7000.00, not including the 4 Megs of 32-bit RAM
                    required to use it.  Since that will cost an added
                    $1600.00, maybe 8 or 16 MHZ isn't so bad after all....

                    Besides....It's only money....





-------------------------------------------------------------------------



> STReport InfoFile
  =================


                                    NAVARONE INDUSTRIES
                                    ===================


Navarone Industries currently has five products.  All of our products 
are for the ST (both 520 and 1040) and all of the MEGA  series.  All 
products include a cartridge which plugs into the cartridge port of the
ATARI.

The five are:

      1.  TimeKeeper:  The Navarone TimeKeeper is a battery operated
          clock/calendar cartridge which always knows the time and date.
          Software included provides several choices for versatile use
          of the TimeKeeper, including updating the computer with the
          current time and date when powered on.  The TimeKeeper 
          cartridge is 'flow-thru', meaning another cartridge may be
          plugged into it so as to not lose the cartridge port.  Retail
          price is $29.95.

      2.  Video Digitizer:  Connect a video camera, surveillance camera,
          VCR or any other video signal (not RF) and see the image on
          the ATARI screen.  Several grey scales are available as well
          as animation capabilities.  The images shown may be captured
          to disk in several formats for later use in desktop publishing
          programs.  $79.95.

      3.  Sound Digitizer:  Similar to the Video Digitizer, but samples
          of sounds are captured instead.  These sounds may be viewed
          through a pseudo oscilloscope on the ATARI screen or played
          back through the cartridge and externally powered speakers.
          Any of the sounds may be modified by stretching, squeezing,
          patching, even played backwards.  Imagine what a drop of water
          sounds like played backwards.  Both the Video and Sound 
          digitizers are quite educational.  $99.95.

      4.  ST-SCAN-S:  A combination of the Canon IX-12 sheet fed image
          scanner, cable, interface cartridge and software for a 
          complete package to be used in the desktop publishing arena.
          A page of information (max. 8.5 x 11) may be scanned with 
          several options including line art and half tones, along with
          adjustments for light and dark copy.  Four densities of 75,
          150, 200 or 300 dots per inch may be chosen.  Formats for
          storing the images are DEGAS, GEM (IMG) and PostScript.  A
          mini editor is also provided to 'clean up' any scanned images,
          including 'fat bit' manipulation.  The retail price of ST-
          SCAN-S $1239.00.

      5.  ST-SCAN-F:  The same package as #4 above, but including the
          Canon IX-12F flatbed image scanner instead of the sheet fed.
          With the sheet fed scanner, the item to be scanned is 'pulled'
          through the scanner, scanning as it goes.  The flatbed scanner
          is much more like a copy machine, in that the object to be 
          scanned is placed on a flat glass and the scanning mechanism
          moves across (beneath) it.  This method allows scanning most
          anything; boxes, bound pages in books, even your hand.  
          Everything else mentioned about the sheet fed scanner above is
          true for the flatbed except for the price. The flatbed scanner
          retail price is $1779.00.


      There are other products in the works, but that's the future...


We accept Master Card, Visa, COD and pre-paid check.  We ship UPS to
the USA and Canada.  Please call for pricing and availability.  
Generally, all orders are shipped the same day as ordered or the next
day if UPS has already picked up today.

         Our address and phone numbers are:

                           Navarone Industries, Inc.
                              454 Kenneth Avenue
                             Campbell, CA   95008

                   (800) 624-6545 (USA except California)
             (408) 378-8177 (in California, Canada or foreign)
                            (408) 378-3920 (FAX)





-------------------------------------------------------------------------



> STR Spotlight
  =============


                                 STReport READING PROGRAM
                                 ========================


(c)ASDE Inc.
151 Jolicoeur
Hull, Quebec
J8Z 1C8  CANADA


     The [STReader.prg] program in <STREADER.ARC> is a shareware
contribution Copyrighted program by ASDE Inc. and produced exclusively for
STReport.

     The program permits very quick loading of text files so that it is
almost as quick to use as the desk top <SHOW FILE> option.  It is however
vastly more sophisticated than the desk top reader,  since it permits you 
to go back and forth from one page to the next or previous page. It also
permits you to jump forward or back to any page number.  The program does
not scroll a page on screen but displays it all at once, this greatly
diminishes eye fatigue while reading long texts.  The title of the text
being  read as well as the present page number and last page number are 
displayed on the last line of the screen.

     A book like frame has been added around the text to create an more
pleasant reading environment.  Page changes, either forward or backward
are graphically displayed by a figurative page flipping of the right or
left top most corner.

     If you enjoy this program and would like to sample our other  fine
ST/Mega programs, send $5.00 and a blank disk together with a self 
addressed envelope.  In return we will send you a functional demonstration
version of GEOGRAPHY TUTOR the Electronic Atlas and GFA_BILD the program 
building utility which makes your GFA BASIC enormously more flexible and 
easy to use. 




Ed: Since the great surprise of being treated to this neat reader, we have
no regrets in endorsing this program.  We realize you really do not need a
reader program, but...this one is quite nice and has some really nice
special effects.  In fact, we recommend it's use to each and every one of
our readers and respectfully request that all who use this reader follow 
through and support the author.  We thought so much of the efforts of the
author we sent him a check to help his new company along and, as a result,
he has promised enhancements for the STReport Reader.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------




> STR Review
  ==========


                              LEISURE SUIT LARRY II
                              =====================


by Bill Baugh


        Leisure Suit Larry II or by its official name, Leisure Suit Larry
        goes Looking For Love (In Several Wrong Places), is a  new inter-
        active graphic  adventure from  the folks who are synonymous with
        adventuring, Sierra.  As the title  states, it  is a continuation
        of their  first LSL  game, with  nerdy ol' Larry Laffer being the
        main character.

        Graphic adventures have always fascinated me.  Being able to live
        out a  characters life, as in a book, is great for relaxation and
        escapism.  But up until recently, most of the graphic  games have
        been,  well,  quite  blocky.    With the insurgence of games like
        Chronoquest, Captain Blood and the grandaddy of them all, Dungeon
        Master, we  are finally able to see some of the true power the ST
        possess in the realm of graphics.  Well,  Sierra has  never truly
        taken the  ST to  its graphic  limits; but  they're trying.  With
        recent releases of Manhunter, Police Quest II, Kings Quest IV and
        of course  LSLII, you can tell that they are doing more than just
        porting over Apple programs.

        You can see the  improvement immediately;  from the  title screen
        until the  last hoorah  with Larry.  The game is also much larger
        than its predecessor.  Whereas the  original came  on two, single
        sided disks, LSLII comes on three double sided disks!  (For 520ST
        owners with SS drives, you may  send your  disks back  for single
        sided ones  for a  nominal fee.)   Al  has added options, such as
        picking the level of nastiness that you will play at,  and hiding
        the  parser  cursor  when  you  are not typing (allows for larger
        screen display).

        Now on to the story.   After  the  first  LSL,  Larry  has gained
        (surprisingly)  more  of  a  compassionate  view  towards  women.
        Rather than looking for a good time, Larry is ready to find "Mrs.
        Right"  and  settle  down  for  awhile.  The only problem is that
        Larry  has   accidentally   bought   something   the   KGB  wants
        desperately;  and   will  stop   at  nothing   to  get  at  (even
        seduction!).  This is probably one of the few games  in which you
        will enjoy dying in.  The story takes you from L. A., to a cruise
        ship, to a resort island, to a plane  then finally  to a tropical
        island in the middle of nowhere.

        I would like to say more but I can't without ruining the game for
        everybody.  I will say though, if you  like adventures,  this one
        is for  you.   It is very challenging and best of all, enjoyable.
        Also, Sierra deserves all the support we can give them.  They are
        really putting  out some quality games, all available for the ST.
        So if your in the mood for some fun, check out Leisure Suit Larry
        II, you won't regret it.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------




> STR Review
  ==========



                                         Turtle 3.0
                                         ==========


The Premier Hard Disk Back-up Utility
-------------------------------------

        There are  a lot  of different hard drive back-up programs out in
        the public domain, but  none (to  me) stand  up to  Turtle 3.0 by
        George  R.  Woodside.    Mr.  Woodside  incorporates an ingenious
        scheme in that he uses  a  RAM  disk  that  is  exactly  the same
        configuration  of  the  destination  floppy  disk.   This program
        flies!  Having the hard drive writing directly into the  RAM disk
        and then whole disk copying out to the floppy; it's quite amazing
        to see how fast it actually works.

        The program is full of  great  features,  all  accessible through
        drop down  menus.  You are able to set an archival bit so that in
        later back-ups, you may skip over programs that have already been
        saved, select  the number  of copies  you want to back-up and use
        the query mode to  pick and  choose which  files will  be copied.
        Also,  you  have  a  wide  variety of destination disk formats to
        choose from, with the RAM disk conforming to whatever is chosen.

        Since the program copies  the  files  using  TOS  and  no special
        compressions, you  may restore the drive using the desktop.  This
        may seem tedious, but with  having  very  recent  experience with
        this, I have found that it is definitely the way to go.


                              -----=====**=====-----


                                 Manual Maker 2.0
                                 ================


        Manual Maker is a new program from Craig W. Daymon that takes any
        ASCII  file,  such  as  a  README  file or docs for your favorite
        program, and turns it into a fully formatted,  double sided, font
        selectable, page numbered printout.

        The program  must run  under either GDOS or G+DOS, with GEM fonts
        and printer drivers.  None of these are  included.   Once loaded,
        you  have  the  ability  to  set page configurations, select what
        fonts  you  have  available,  select  justifications   and  print
        qualities (whether draft or final).  You also have the ability to
        embed commands  to perform  functions like   centering, boldface,
        etc.  As stated above, you also have the ability to print on both
        sides of the paper to make it look like an actual "manual".

        The program is very well written.  It may seem  a little  slow on
        formatting your document, but you must remember that it is having
        to reformat and "re-font" your entire document.  Give this a try,
        I think you'll like it.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------





> ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
  ======================



- Orange, CA.           ***** SIG HARTMANN CAMPAIGNS FOR ATARI *****
  -----------

     Sig Hartmann, Executive Vice President of Atari Corp will be present
at the main meeting to discuss 'Where Atari is heading'.  The meeting
usually lasts about 1 1/2 hours, and there will be a  room set up after
the meeting, where you will be able to talk to an Atari Rep., and dealers.
Our usual meeting is held at 11:00 am.  The meetings are at Chapman 
College, 333 N. Glassell Orange California. The 11:00 meeting is in 
Wilkenson Hall, Room 221.  The main meeting is held at 1:00 pm in 
Hashinger Lecture Hall.

For More Info:
                  call Dain Leese at (714)552-5185
                                   or 
                 Bill Bencivenga  at (714)633-4665.



- San Francisco, CA.       **** SPECTRUM HOLOBYTE TO UNVEIL E.B.S! ****
  -----------------

      In a bold move to maintain the lead in innovative gaming software,
preliminary plans for a superb Electronic Battlefield Simulation is right
around the corner.  It could mean you and the guy next to you, (that's
right, next to you!), will fight a common enemy ..the neat part is your
buddy can be a thousand miles away!  Six NEW titles are on the way for
1989!  G. Louie is an ST Fan!



- N.Hollywood, CA.           ***** CODEHEAD = HIGH LEVEL PROGRAMS! *****
  ---------------

      Chas. F. Johnson and John Eidsvoog continue to make "magic" with
assembly programming.  In plain terms; "these guys are good!"  Codehead
Software, the name of their company, is planning a number of superb 
releases in the very near future: Codehead Utilities [2 disks], HeadStart
[Extended Version] and FatBack [30-60 days].  Codehead also has G+Plus Dos
[2.1] and Multi-Desk [1.70] available ..folks, these programs have a 
proven track record and are among the very best available for the ST in 
the "make your life easier" area.  On top of all this action CFJ has also
released to shareware ..version 1.98 of his world famous "ArcShell".  

      Since this program is shareware, it up to all of us to show our 
sincere appreciation for his fine efforts and loyal support.  If you are 
using the program send him the few ducats he asks for...Arcshell has made
all our lives just a little easier.



- Rockville, MD.                   **** GEnie Assigns a NEW SYSOP ****
 --------------

      Darlah Hudson Pine, Head SysOp GEnie Atari Sigs, announced this week
the appointment of Douglas N. Wheeler to the position of sysop in the 
Atari ST RT.  To Doug we wish all the luck and success possible.  His 
'new' address will be Doug.W...



- New York, N.Y.                       ****  CLONING THE MAC  ****
  -------------

      Cloning the MacIntosh.  Many companies think about it.  Some have
even tried - for example, the Brazilian company Unitron.  But Apple's
threats of legal action have always put a damper on the idea.  Now, 
Taiwan-based Happy Joiner Company has shown two Mac-compatible gate-array 
chip sets at the Computex trade show in Taiwan.  The gate arrays include 
a real-time clock chip and floppy disk controller that's capable of
managing two 800k Mac floppy drives. The company, an uninterruptible power
supply (UPS) vendor, hasn't cloned the Mac ROM yet.  But according to 
Asiatrends, a newsletter on Asian sources of computer products that is 
published by the Trade Media in Hong Kong, Happy Joiner also exhibited a 
prototype Mac-compatible at the show.  Since Happy Joiner maintains the 
chip sets don't violate any existing Apple copyrights, the company 
apparently isn't worried about Apple lawsuits.  Happy Joiner doesn't plan 
on selling the Mac-compatible computers itself, but will sell its chip
sets to anyone who wants to design legal Mac ROM and legal software to run
it.



- Sunnyvale, CA.         ***** NEW ADDITION TO MEGA FAMILY! *****
  --------------

      Rumor has it that there is a 1mb MegaST in the works.  The gain here
is the use of the expansion buss.  The Mega family will soon become the
backbone of Atari Corp.  According to our source..



- Jersey Shore, PA.     *** LYCO COMPUTER SEZ 1040 IS DISCONTINUED ***
  ----------------

      Talk about SOUR GRAPES!!  Just because Atari will not supply mail
order, they now have their representatives telling folks the 1040STF is
outdated and discontinued...  just ask Joe!



- London, U.K.       ***** APPLE MUSIC LTD. sues APPLE COMPUTERS! *****
  -----------

      The group that revolutionized rock 'n roll wants the company that 
revolutionized the personal-computer industry to stop the music.  Apple 
Corps Ltd., the British-based concern once owned by the Beatles, said 
Apple Computer has violated a trademark agreement that prohibited the 
computer maker from marketing any musical product with the name "Apple." 
In a lawsuit filed this week in London, the Beatles' company asked a 
court to prevent Apple Computer from selling some of its most popular 
models, which are capable of playing or synthesizing music. (CTSY CIS)



- London, U.K.         **** ATARI UNVEILS POCKET SYSTEM IN UK ****
  -----------

      Atari Corp. displayed at London's Which Computer? Show this week
an MSDOS pocket computer that was designed by Distributed Information 
Processing Ltd. and made by Atari in Japan.  Atari hand held device weighs
about a pound and measures eight by four inches.  The 80C88 system offers 
a 40-col. by eight-line liquid xtal display and comes in 128K and 256K 
memory sizes.  ROM software includes OS, address book, diary, spreadsheet,
calculator and editor, it uses AA batteries." You first read about this 
goodie here in STReport before the Fall Comdex Show in Las Vegas.



- Williamsport, PA.  **** CMO USES FREE MONEY AT BUYER'S EXPENSE! ****
  ----------------

      COMPUTER MAIL ORDER CO. received an order for a monitor on the 13th
of January, 1989 and the customer received it on the 18th of January,
BROKEN & CRACKED!  When CMO was called they said they had no more in stock
and would refund the purchase price and S&H upon receipt of the defective
monitor.  CMO received the monitor back on the 27th of January..the
customer still has not received his refund, in fact, after much discussion
with 5 CMO representatives, it came to light that CMO cuts refund checks 
only after they have a certain amount of refunds to do.  It seems they are
"pressed" for time or manpower...or maybe your money???  How many of you
remember BLACK PATCH!!





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> STReport InfoFile
  =================


                              FLEETSTREET PUBLISHER 2.0
                              =========================


MICHTRON proudly announces the release of Fleet Street Publisher  2.0. 
When it comes to publishing on the Atari ST, no one does  it better than
Fleet Street and YOU!!!

Your wait for a full featured, bug-free Desk Top Publishing program  ended
when you discovered Fleet Street Publisher 2.0.  Now your  publications 
can have the extraordinary impact that only a Professional  Desk Top 
Publishing program can give them.

You can begin creating impressive newsletters, advertisements, business 
reports, and bulletins immediately with the most advanced Desk Top 
Publishing program available for the Atari ST.  Fleet Street  Publisher
2.0 has the features you want at a price you won't  believe (Read about
MICHTRON'S Special Introductory Offer below!!).

Fleet Street Publisheris not a scaled down DTP program for the ST,  but a
full-featured program rivaling the critically acclaimed Aldus  Pagemaker
for the Macintosh and Ventura Publisher for the PC.

Just think how much more impact your communications could have if you 
could, for example:

  o  Lay out your pages with headlines and columns
  o  Add graphics to illustrate or emphasize points in your text
  o  Use different type styles and typefaces
  o  See your page on screen as you work on it exactly as it will
     appear when you print it

Desktop publishing allows you to do all this and more, while retaining 
complete control over what goes on your page and where.

If you have a laser printer, or can obtain access to one, you can get 
near typeset quality fonts that can be controlled and used by Fleet Street
Publisher to further enhance the appearance of your printed  documents.

Fleet Street Publisher 2.0 provides all the features you would  expect of
a high priced system, but at the affordable price you have  come to expect
from MICHTRON.

The program runs on any Atari ST under GEM, so it's friendly  and very
easy to use. The pull down menus & WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get)
screen display lets you design and produce high quality  documents after a
short time with the program.


Advanced Text features allow you to:
-----------------------------------

  o  Type directly onto the page and/or read text from any ASCII
     word processing file. This includes files created on IBM and
     compatibles with appropriate software. You can even strip out
     word processor control codes automatically.
  o  Hyphenate (by algorithm), justify, kern text and create
     proportional spacing.
  o  Choose background ink tones (Shadings).
  o  Search and replace words and phrases.
  o  Place multiple tabs and indents.
  o  Vary line leading.
  o  Utilize the included typefaces in varying sizes from 4 to 216
     points with 1 Meg of memory.


Graphics features include:
-------------------------

  o  A complete library of ready-to-use graphic images.
  o  The ability to import graphic screens and scanned images from
     other software.
  o  A Pixel Editor for creating, adapting, and touching up work.
  o  A box and rule drawing tool that allows multiple line weights
     and shades.
  o  The ability to Intermix text and graphics easily.
     

Page make-up functions provide:
------------------------------

  o  Full page composition with multiple columns.
  o  Text editing while in page make-up mode.
  o  Easy picture re-sizing and cropping.
  o  The use of linked text blocks.
  o  Rotation of picture blocks in single-degree steps.
  o  Variable page sizes.
  o  Variable sized text blocks that can be set anywhere on a page.
  o  Function keys can be used to store text attributes.
  o  Page dummies that can include text style information.

      Printer Drivers are included for a host of printers including:  the 
Atari SLM 804 Laser printer and the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet+ 
and Series II Laser Printers.

      Fleet Street Publisher 2.0 is available from MICHTRON for $149.95. 
But now, for a limited time, MICHTRON makes an extraordinary offer.  We 
know that many of you have already purchased Desk Top Publishing 
programs; we also know that you deserve and want the best available.  
      
      So, until March 31, 1989, if you send us the actual Copyright page 
(No Photo Copies Please!) from any Desk Top Publishing program manual, we 
will send a copy of Fleet Street Publisher 2.0 for only $50.00, 
that's right, a $149.95 value for only $50.00.  Don't wait, order your 
copy today!

NOTE: Please include 5.00 for shipping and handling.



                      FLEET STREET PUBLISHER - MichTron Inc. 
                                  576 S. Telegraph 
                                Pontiac, Mich. 48053
                                  (313) 334-5700 





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> STReport InfoFile
  =================




Michigan Atari Expo Update --> Michigan Atari Computer Enthusiasts
                               PO Box 2785, Southfield, MI 48037

As you know, the Michigan Atari Computer Expo is scheduled for May 6&7,
at the Detroit Metro Airport Hilton, located in Romulus.  Show times are 
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The Exhibitor Kits were mailed on February 1, and we already have half our
booths committed for by large and small developers.  Some names you may
recognize are ICD, Migraph, Alpha Systems, Innovative Concepts, SofTrek, 
USA Media, CodeHead Software, Gribnif Software, BEST Electronics, 
ST Informer, Index Legalis, Mars Merchandising, Total Control Systems and
others!  Local dealers coming to the Expo include Rite Way, Computer 
Concepts, Joppa Computers and Basic Bits 'N' Bytes, just to name a few.  
The list of names increases weekly from "maybes" to "YES, I'll be there!"

User Groups will be able to obtain booths free of charge at the show by
simply reserving a table with MACE.  User Groups in the Midwest region
should be receiving information packets on the show in the next week or 
two,
but they may wish to contact us to make sure a kit is sent.  The kit will
also contain information on how they can participate in advance ticket 
sales and make some money for their club's treasury!  User Group booths 
will be placed near the ticket sales for maximum benefit to the clubs, as
many attendees will want to take advantage of the User Group Discount 
Program mentioned below.

User Group members will be able to obtain discounts from vendors
participating in the User Group Discount program.  This discount would be
above and beyond any special show prices!

For more information concerning the show, or to request a User Group Kit
for your club, please call 

                                 Pattie Rayl
                         MACE Convention Coordinator
                                     at
                               (313) 973-8825 
                                or, write to 

                                  MACE Expo. 
                            3487 Braeburn Circle
                           Ann Arbor, MI    48108





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> STReport InfoFile
  =================



         STReport PROUDLY welcomes the following BBS's to our system.
         """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

                   ST Place BBS       512-653-1248        Texas
                   TNT BBS            301-871-2552        Maryland
                   The Golden Gate    817-547-1734        Texas
                   STing BBS          616-891-8740        Michigan
                   Dragon Keep        904-375-3500        Gainsville

As we receive the listings from the sysops we will post them here to allow
everyone to update their STReport BBS list and keep it current.  

Please help us keep this list up to date, it will be made available on a
regular basis for verification.  If you have any additions or deletions to
make, please let us know at the BOUNTY 904-786-4176 or, in E-Mail to 
STReport on any of the major services.

                                  Thank you for your continued support!

                                                 Ralph......





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> STR Spotlight
  =============




Conf : ST Report
Msg# : 115  Lines: Extended  Read: 6
Sent : Feb 18, 1989  at 11:47 PM
Recv : Feb 20, 1989
To   : STReport
From : TODD HENDREKS at Node 3*Atari-OH!@Houston, TX
Subj : !


      Hi! Thanks for making ST REPORT a great ST Magazine! If you were a
hard back magazine, I'd get a subscription! I really enjoyed issue #75. 
There's a new deal for the Atari/Ultrascript thing. For a limited time 
only, you can get the ST Laser for $1300 and with Ultrascript (with 30
or so Postscript FONTS and 10 or so Ultrascript FONTS) for $1500. This 
deal will go in effect soon.. I hear. 

      Down here, in HouSTon, we already have some Atari commercials 
showing on Cable.  A 520STF is seen floating in the background and in the
foreground is a guy working on a business program and the ST "locks-on" to
the other computer and blowing it up.  All these charts and graphs fly in
formation and swoop inside the ST disk drive.  Then it shows a guy painting
on a wall, and the ST 'Locks-On" to that blows up the wall, with some of
the paint splashing on the painter, and all the paint flys in formation 
and "SWOOSH" goes inside the disk drive.  Then there's this stand up 
arcade game a kid is playing and the ST "Locks-On" to that and blows it 
up.  At the end it has a plug for the name/location of an ST dealer. (We
have four in HouSTon) So, the ST emphasizes on Business, Graphics, and 
Entertainment in that particular commercial.
 
  All is well down here in HouSTon.  All the stores are doing well selling
ST systems.  I just recently got Police Quest 2 and I love it.  I plan to
get a Mega 4 soon (Hopefully) BUT, if this 68030 hurry up and works well
and runs all or most of the ST stuff, I might get that.  When I get a Mega
or 68030 (I doubt I really need a 68030) I'd get HEAVY into animations and
sound digitizing, with maybe some DTP'ing and perhaps programming.  I have
a 520ST and I mainly use it for telecommunications.  I've had the ST since
June '86. 
 
                                             Thanks Again Ralph!

                                                   Todd


                          "1989 - ATARI'S QUEST"


                          --------======***======--------


Conf : ST Report
Msg# : 20  Lines: Extended  Read: 2
Sent : Feb 21, 1989  at 5:34 PM
Recv : Feb 21, 1989
To   : SYSOP
From : CEREBUS
Subj : ST Report


It has certainly been my pleasure visiting your fine BBS.  I spoke with
you on the phone during my first call, and briefly mentioned that I
co-Sysop an Atari ST BBS (Express) in Gainesville, FL called Dragon Keep. 
Don't let the name fool you.  We have a lot of very serious Atari users,
and act as a BBS for the AGUG group in G'vlle.  We are very committed to
the Atari (we have2 back-up ST's with hard-disks), and as I mentioned,
have been considering a move over to Forem.  We actually have the sware in
hand, and haven't finished our evaluation.  Our biggest complaint is the
lack of a script lanquage for setting up 'sub-systems' like Forem does
with it's bulletins.  We would also like to be able to change the option
letters on the main menu.  We are are very picky bunch of people.  We have
also been considering a move to an MSDOS clone since we could get
mulit-line capabilities.  Have you heard anything about second serial
ports for the ST?

About your wonderful ST Report Online Magazine: WE WANT IT!!!  What do I
need to do?  Is there any other way besides me calling long distance to
get your weekly updates? (I work in Jax, but cannot download files from
the system I work on).

I probably won't be in Jax to call back till next week.  Once again, it 
has been my pleasure visiting your most impressive realm...


                                      CEREBUS of DRAGON KEEP 
                                            (904)375-3500





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> THIS WEEK'S 'QUOTABLE QUOTE'
  ============================

      

         HATLO'S Crumbled Cookie
         =======================


            "The Fatal Disk Error occurs ONLY after you've done several
                    hours of work without performing a back-up!"



                           "1989 - ATARI'S QUEST"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ST-REPORTIssue #76   "Your Independent News Source"    February 24, 1989 
                   ALL RIGHTS RESERVED    copyright 1989
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Views, Opinions and Articles Presented  herein are not necessarily those 
 of ST Report or CPU Report.   Reprint permission granted, unless noted 
 otherwise.   All reprints must include  ST Report or CPU Report  and the 
 author's name.  All information presented herein is believed correct, ST 
 Report or  CPU Report, it's editors  and staff are  not  responsible for 
 any  use  or  misuse  of  information  contained  in  this  publication. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
