   
   
                    *---== ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*  
                           """""""""""""""""""""""""  
   
   
                      "The Original Online ST Magazine"  
                       -------------------------------   
   
  May 19, 1989                                             Volume III  No.88 
   
  =========================================================================  
   
   
                          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 EDT  
                    BBS:   904-786-4176    12-24-96 HST  
                    FAX:   904-783-3319  12 AM - 6 AM EDT  
                  _________________________________________  
   
                       **  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  
   
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------  
   
 > Issue: #88 STReport 
   ------------------- 
      - The Editors' Podium 
      - CPU REPORT 
      - "CHOPSTICK" LOUIE, FLYING HIGH! 
      - NEODESK 2.03 -=- Overview 
      - C.E.K.A.  DREAMS or HOAX?? 
      - SPEEDBALL - A Review 
      - ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL 
      - WAACE DTP Contest 
   
  =========================================================================  
      AVAILABLE ON:    COMP-U-SERVE  ~  DELPHI  ~  GENIE  ~  THE SOURCE  
  =========================================================================  
   
   
> The Editor's Podium  
   
       As Atari makes it's comeback more evident every day, there are still  
 those who feel a need to second guess every move Atari makes.  Perhaps they  
 feel they are justified by Atari's past performance.  One thing is for sure,  
 Atari is on the move and that is the best news we have to offer.  Perhaps  
 those who have their doubts should give Atari the benefit of a "show-me"  
 attitude rather than displaying blind disbelief.  
   
       When are we going to see the unity and decisive strength that comes  
 from being unified begin to materialize in the Atari community?  Lately all  
 we see is a constant procession of detractors who seem bent on keeping the  
 Atari Userbase in a constant state of disarray.  It would seem that by now  
 most folks would realize that as individuals we are much more effective  
 if we are unified and pursuing a common goal, ie; The success of Atari's US  
 comeback.  
   
   
   
                                       Again, thanks for your support!  
   
                                                     Ralph.....  
   
   
   
                                 ATARI IS BACK!  
   
  ************************************************************************  
   
   
                     :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:  
                      ---------------------------------  
   
        To sign up for GEnie service: Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.  
   
                Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).    
                           Wait for the U#= prompt.    
                     Type XJM11877,GEnie and hit RETURN.    
              The system will prompt you for your information.  
   
   
                 THE GENIE ATARI ST ROUNDTABLE - AN OVERVIEW  
                 -------------------------------------------  
 The Roundtable is an area of GEnie specifically set aside for owners and   
 users of Atari ST computers, although all are welcome to participate.  
   
 There are three main sections to the Roundtable: the Bulletin Board, the  
 Software Library and the Real Time Conference area.  
   
 The Bulletin Board contains messages from Roundtable members on a variety  
 of Topics, organized under several Categories. These messages are all   
 open and available for all to read (GEnie Mail should be used for private  
 messages). If you have a question, comment, hot rumor or an answer to   
 someone else's question, the Bulletin Board is the place to share it.  
   
 The Software Library is where we keep the Public Domain software files   
 that are available to all Roundtable members. You can 'download' any of   
 these files into your own computer by using a Terminal Program which uses  
 the 'XMODEM' file-transfer method. You can also share your favorite Public  
 Domain programs and files with other Roundtable members by 'uploading'   
 them to the Software Library. Uploading on GEnie is FREE, so you are   
 encouraged to participate and help your Roundtable grow.  
   
 The Real Time Conference is an area where two or more Roundtable members   
 may get together and 'talk' in 'real-time'. You can participate in   
 organized conferences with special guests, drop in on our weekly Open   
 COnference, or simply join in on an impromptu chat session. Unlike posting  
 messages or Mail for other members to read at some later time, everyone in  
 the Conference area can see what you type immediately, and can respond to  
 you right away, in an 'electronic conversation'.  
   
   
   
   
   
 ************************************************************************  
   
   
   
> CPU REPORT  
  ==========  
   Issue # 22  
   
   
 by Michael Arthur  
   
   
 Remember When....  
   
       In 1985, Lotus Development Corp. launched a HUGE advertising campaign  
 for Lotus Jazz, an integrated software package for the Macintosh which was  
 supposed to catapult it into the business market (something which was  
 desperately needed, as the Macintosh wasn't too popular in those days), and  
 how Lotus Jazz turned out to be a slow, buggy, and generally horrid product  
 that almost crippled the Macintosh's chances in the computer industry?  
   
   
CPU Systems Roundup VIII  
=========================  
   
   
             Practical Computer Systems I:  Power Without the Price  
             ------------------------------------------------------  
   
   
 Part II  
   
   
       In Part I of this Series, I showed a list of the most powerful Dream  
 Systems that could be configured in the low/middle end of the microcomputer  
 market, giving these systems (and the majority of home/small business  
 compute users) access to performance usually found in high end  
 microcomputers.  While there were newer computers and peripherals that  
 could have been included, the list was generally accurate.  Now I will  
 compare these "Practical" Dream Systems, stacking their various features  
 against each other to determine which ones you could safely consider the  
 "best".  
   
       And while this essay mainly concerns the greatest capabilities that  
 can be supplied for the major low/middle end microcomputers at a cost which  
 is reasonable to a large percentage of computer users, it can also help to  
 show which computer system in the low/middle end of the computer market is  
 both the most powerful, and a good example of "Power Without the Price".  
   
   
 Here is a Graph of the features of each Practical Dream System:  
   
                        Practical Dream Systems List:  
   
              (Comparison of each Systems' Optimal Features)  
 ________________________________________________________________________  
 Dream     |Main Chips,|MainChip|Mass      |Expansion|Graphics Displays/ |  
 System    |Megs of RAM|Speed   |Storage   |  Slots  |Best Resolution(s) |  
 ----------|-----------|--------|----------|---------|-------------------|  
 IBM 286   |Intel 80286| 20 MHZ | 100 Meg  |  Three  |320*200*256 Colors |  
 System    |  Two Megs |        |Hard Drive|IBM PC/AT|640*480*16  Colors |  
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|  
 Mac SE/30 |68030/68882| 16 MHZ |  60 Meg  |   One   |512*342 w/Monochr. |  
 System    |  Two Megs |        |Hard Drive|'030'Slot|                   |  
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|  
 Amiga 500 |68020 Chip | 11 MHZ |  65 Meg  |   Two   |320*200*4096 Colors|  
 System    |  2.5 Megs |        |Hard Drive|Zorro II |640*400 w/16 Colors|  
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|  
 Apple IIgs|65816 Chip |  7 MHZ |  40 Meg  |  Three  |320*200*4096 Colors|  
 System    |  Two Megs |        |Hard Drive| II/IIgs |640*400 w/16 Colors|  
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|  
 Mega 2 ST |68000 Chip | 16 MHZ |  65 Meg  |   One   |320*200 w/64 Colors|  
 System    |  Two Megs |        |Hard Drive| Mega ST |640*200 w/4  Colors|  
 ----------'-------------------------------------------------------------'  
   
 (Note:  The Apple IIgs CAN display its entire palette of 4096 colors in  
 one of its low resolution modes.)  
   
   
 Based on both this graph, and the System Descriptions, I have made these  
 Standings:  
   
 IBM 386 Dream System: Third Place  
   
       The IBM system is very well rounded in features, provides all the  
 power of a Dream System, and is priced reasonably enough for a large  
 percentage of computer owners when outfitted with Dell's 40 Megabyte Hard  
 Drive.  However, the cost for their 100 Megabyte Hard Drive boosts the IBM  
 System's price significantly, resulting in that its price/performance ratio  
 is not good enough for it to earn First Place, and BARELY keeps it from  
 getting Second Place....  
   
   
       Mac SE/30 Comparison:  The IBM is superior to the Mac SE/30 in the  
 number of Expansion Slots, amount of mass storage, and graphics  
 capabilities, is equal in the amount of RAM, and is inferior in processing  
 speed.  Since the Mac SE/30 also costs more, the IBM system ends up scoring  
 higher than the Mac SE/30.  
   
       Amiga 500 Comparison:  The IBM is superior to the Amiga 500 in  
 processing speed, amount of Mass Storage, and the number of expansion  
 slots.  It is roughly equal in graphics capabilities, and is inferior in  
 the amount of RAM.  However, although the IBM system scores higher than the  
 Amiga system in terms of performance, the Amiga system costs MUCH less than  
 the IBM system, whether it uses a 40 Meg or a 100 Meg Hard Drive.  This  
 causes it to beat the IBM system in price/performance, and since "Power  
 Without the Price" is the main factor in Practical Dream Systems, the Amiga  
 system scores higher overall than the IBM system, but only by a VERY tight  
 margin....  
   
       Apple IIgs Comparison:  The IBM is superior to the Apple IIgs in the  
 amount of mass storage, processing speed, and is equal in the number of  
 expansion slots, and its amount of RAM.  Since it is not inferior to the  
 Apple IIgs in ANY areas except (by a close margin) graphics capabilities,  
 and actually costs LESS than the Apple IIgs system, the IBM system scores  
 MUCH higher than the Apple IIgs system.  
   
       Mega ST Comparison:  The IBM is superior to the Mega ST in processing  
 speed, amount of Mass Storage, in the number of Expansion Slots, and is  
 barely superior in graphics capabilities, and is equal ONLY in the amount  
 of RAM.  Therefore, just as with the AMiga 500 system, the IBM scores  
 higher than the Mega ST in terms of system performance.  However, just as  
 with the Amiga 500 system, the Mega ST is MUCH better in the ratio for  
 price/performance than the IBM system, and, because of the "Power Without  
 the Price" test, causes the Mega ST to score higher overall than the IBM  
 system....  
   
   
 Macintosh SE/30 Dream System:  Fourth Place  
   
       Strangely, while the Mac SE/30 is unbeatable in processing speed, and  
 is well-balanced in almost every other area, it falters disgracefully in  
 graphics capabilities.  But since the SE/30, by using the 256K Mac ROMs,  
 has access to Color QuickDraw (and Mac II color) capabilities, this is not  
 a large factor unless you do not plan to add-on anything else to your Dream  
 System.  However, the Mac SE/30, though it is the most powerful system in  
 the group, is also the most expensive.  And since its price is FAR above  
 what many computer users would pay for a low/middle end system, the SE/30,  
 instead of taking First Place, loses drastically because of its lacking in  
 price/performance....  
   
       Amiga 500 Comparison:  The Mac is superior in the areas of processing  
 speed,  is roughly equal in the amount of mass storage, and is inferior in  
 the number of expansion slots, the amount of RAM, and its graphics  
 capabilities.  Also, since the Mac SE/30 System costs twice as much as the  
 Amiga system, but does not have the capabilities needed to give it a better  
 price/performance rating, the Amiga system scores higher than the Mac SE/30  
 system....  
   
       Apple IIgs Comparison:  The Mac is superior to the Apple IIgs in  
 processing speed and amount of mass storage, is equal in the amount of RAM,  
 and is inferior in the number of expansion slots, and its graphics  
 capabilities.  Also, since the Apple IIgs system's cost is somewhat close  
 to the Mac SE/30's, the Mac SE/30 has a vastly better price/performance  
 rating.  So if you can live without color graphics at the present time, the  
 Mac SE/30 scores MUCH higher than the Apple IIgs.  
   
       Mega ST Comparison:  The Mac SE/30 is superior to the Mega ST in  
 overall processing ability, is equal in the amount of RAM, number of  
 expansion slots, and amount of mass storage, and is inferior in graphics  
 capabilities.  Since the Mac SE/30 and the Mega ST are equal in so many  
 aspects, the main factor becomes price/performance.  And since the SE/30  
 costs almost twice as much as the ST, the Mega ST system scores MUCH higher  
 than the Mac SE/30, based on the "Power Without the Price" test....  
   
   
 Amiga 500 Dream System:  Second Place  
   
       Even though the Amiga 500 System was the cheapest setup in this list,  
 it managed to have a surprising amount of power.  Even though its processor  
 speed was the second-slowest of the group, its graphics capabilities were  
 very good, and its other features enabled the Amiga system to be a VERY  
 good example of "Power Without the Price", providing many of the features  
 of other systems with a lesser price.  In fact, the battle for First Place  
 in this essay was between it and the similarly configured Mega ST system,  
 which ultimately beat it in a TIGHT struggle....  
   
       Apple IIgs Comparison:  The Amiga 500 is superior in the amount of  
 mass storage, processing speed, and the amount of RAM, is equal in graphics  
 capabilities, and is inferior in the number of expansion slots.  While the  
 Amiga is more powerful than the Apple IIgs in terms of performance, as it  
 is also MUCH less expensive than the Apple IIgs system, the Amiga blows  
 away the Apple IIgs.  
   
       Mega ST Comparison:  The Amiga 500 is superior to the Mega ST system  
 in the amount of RAM, and the number of Expansion Slots, is roughly equal  
 in the amount of mass storage, and is slightly inferior in processing  
 ability and graphics capabilities....  
   
       The reason for the latter statement is that the Amiga can ordinarily  
 display a maximum of 32 colors in low resolution, and it takes a complex  
 amount of coding (and many processor-intensive operations) in order to  
 manipulate the Amiga's bit planes in HAM mode so the Amiga will display  
 4096 colors at the same time.  Since the Mega ST system is able to display  
 64 colors in low resolution, it is actually superior in this regard to the  
 Amiga system, and since, just as in the Amiga system, special programming  
 could be used to let the ST display 4096 colors at the same time, the  
 Mega ST would technically be superior to the Amiga system in graphics....  
   
   
       Also, given that the main focus was in price/performance, it is VERY  
 hard to judge which is the best of the two systems, since BOTH systems have  
 similar prices, have similar capabilities, and have equally superb  
 price/performance ratings.  In fact, the big difference between the two  
 systems is in processing speed.  Even though the 68020 is faster than the  
 68000 chip, the Amiga runs it at a slower speed than the ST runs its 68000  
 chip.  And since processing ability is an essential part of a system's  
 price/performance, the Mega ST system scores higher than the Amiga 500  
 system....  
   
   
 Apple IIgs Dream System:  Last Place  
   
       The Apple IIgs is, simply put, a real-life anomaly.  In some areas,  
 such as graphics capabilities and expansion capabilities, it has top of the  
 line features.  However, some aspects of the IIgs system, like its slow  
 65816 processor, are a sorry sight to behold.  Also, since it is priced  
 almost as high as a middle-end computer system, but does not have the  
 corresponding capabilities, the Apple IIgs has a bleak future indeed, as an  
 overpriced, underpowered computer does not last long in the computer  
 industry....  
   
   
 Mega ST Dream System:  First Place  - The Best System Currently Out There -  
   
       Providing many of the capabilities found in middle end computer  
 systems, while being priced towards the low/middle end of the market, the  
 Mega ST system has an excellent price/performance rating, and is a superb  
 example of its maker's slogan of "Power Without the Price", fully deserving  
 a First Place ranking....  
   
       Given that the Amiga 500 system also fit much of this description,  
 though, and seeing that the "Tiebreaker" between the two systems was the  
 ST's greater speed, one cannot help but feel uneasy at how very CLOSE the  
 Amiga 500 system came to matching the Mega ST system in hardware  
 price/performance, and what could happen if the Atari ST does not utilize  
 its potential by becoming the dominant standard in a market which it  
 currently has such an advantage in....  
   
   
       So as to account for future developments,  I have included a list of  
 Low/Middle End Entry Systems which would be affordable to almost all  
 computer users, so accurate comparisons can be made between present  
 Practical Dream Systems and future Entry systems.  While some of these  
 systems simply make minor modifications on old systems, and while all of  
 these systems lack some "Dream System" features in order to cost less than  
 2100 dollars, as shown by Atari's Laptop ST (known as the Stacey),  
 sometimes this is an easy tradeoff, which can result in a system with VERY  
 good price/performance, excellent functionality, and a computer which can  
 serve most home/small business user's needs just as well as a higher-priced  
 system....  
   
   
 Upcoming Systems' Features:  
 ________________________________________________________________________  
 Dream     |Main Chips,|MainChip|Mass      |Expansion|Graphics Displays/ |  
 System    |Megs of RAM|Speed   |Storage   |Slots    |Best Resolution(s) |  
 ----------|-----------|--------|----------|---------|-------------------|  
 Atari     |68000/68881|  8 MHZ |  20 Meg  |   One   |320*200 w/64 Colors|  
 Laptop ST |  One Meg  |        |Hard Drive| Mega ST |640*200 w/4  Colors|  
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|  
 IBM 8086  |Intel 80286|  8 MHZ |  40 Meg  |  Five   |320*200*256  Colors|  
 System    |640K of RAM|        |Hard Drive|IBM PC AT|640*480 w/16 Colors|  
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|  
 Mac Plus  |68000      |7.83 MHZ|  40 Meg  |  None   |512*342 in Monochr.|  
 System    |  One Meg  |        |Hard Drive|         |                   |  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------'  
   
   
 System #6, the Atari Laptop ST, comes with a 68000 chip, 1 Meg of RAM, an  
 internal 20 Megabyte Hard Drive, and a Mega ST Expansion Bus built in.  To  
 enhance this system, John Russell Innovations' JS-4096 Color board (which  
 allows the ST to display 64 Colors out of 4096 in Low Resolution) would be  
 used, as well as the Atari SFP-004 expansion board currently in development  
 which uses a 16 MHZ 68881 math chip.  Cost:  Around 2200-2400 dollars.   
   
 Resolutions:  320*200 with 64  Colors out of 4096  
               640*200 with 4   Colors out of 512  
               640*400 with Monochrome Resolution  
   
 Comparisons with Other Systems:  While many of the features of Atari's  
 Laptop ST (or the Stacey) are identical to the features of the current  
 Mega ST Dream System, and the STacey's mass storage is smaller than the  
 other systems', the main difference is that the STacey is a Laptop machine,  
 having much of the functionality of the current Dream Systems in a portable  
 case.  And since powerful Laptops could be considered Dream Systems in  
 themselves....  
   
   
 System #7, the IBM 8 MHZ 80286 System, is a Tandy 1000 TL with 640K of RAM,  
 five IBM PC AT Expansion Slots, an ABCO 40 Megabyte Hard Disk, an Orchid  
 Designer VGA Board, and an Amdek 732 VGA Monitor.  Cost:  $2600.00....  
   
 EGA Resolutions:  
                   320*200 with 16 Colors out of 64^[  
                   640*350 with 16 Colors out of 64  
   
 VGA Resolutions:  
                   320*200 with 256 Colors out of 256,000  
                   640*480 with 16  Colors out of 256,000  
   
   
 Comparisons with Other Systems:  This system, having powerful graphics, a  
 decent hard drive, and a good number of expansion slots, is a VERY  
 respectable IBM Entry System, which passes the "Power Without the Price"  
 test rather well.  In fact, the only thing REALLY preventing this system  
 from matching the Amiga and Mega ST Dream Systems in price/performance is  
 its comparatively slow processor.  However, this does not matter much to  
 beginning computer users, and this IBM Entry System has the potential to  
 QUICKLY become a factor in the low/middle end of the market, taking over  
 the markets that could belong to the Atari ST....  
   
   
 System #8, the Mac Plus System, is an Apple Macintosh Plus with 1 Meg of  
 RAM onboard, an 8 MHZ 68000 chip, an AppleTalk LAN Port, and a 40 Megabyte  
 Hard Drive from ABCO Inc.  Cost:  2600 to 2700 dollars....  
   
 Mac Plus Resolution:  512*342 with monochrome resolution  
   
   
 Comparisons with other Systems:  This Macintosh system, like the Apple IIgs  
 system, costs more than the other Systems, but provides far less in the  
 area of price/performance.  It has sub-par graphics, has no expansion  
 capability, and has no superior qualities with which to rationalize its  
 higher cost.  Given that it is the low end of the Macintosh Line, the Mac  
 Plus system is not as worthy of consideration as expected....  
   
   
       The main objective to home/small business users, when configuring  
 their own computer system, is not necessarily performance for its own sake,  
 but finding a system which has a decent price for its capabilities.  In  
 order to determine the system which provided the best price/performance in  
 this list, many otherwise exceptional systems, such as the IBM System and  
 the Mac SE/30 System, had to be forsaken simply because they were somewhat  
 too expensive.  But then, as shown by the Apple IIgs system, sometimes the  
 search for a Practical Dream System can weed out making a poor, though  
 tempting choice.  Interestingly though, as shown by the competition between  
 the Amiga and Atari ST Systems, it seems that, in researching Practical  
 Dream Systems to show how powerful a computer system could become while  
 still being affordable, one could make a very good assessment at the state  
 of the low/middle end of the microcomputer industry....  
   
   
 But ponder, if you will, this question:  
   
 How long will it take for other computer makers to produce systems  
 which are comparable in power to the NeXT computer and the ATW?  
   
   
                      --------=======***=======--------  
   
   
 CPU REPORT CONFIDENTIAL  
 =======================  
   
   
 Sunnyvale, CA      PC-SIG has recently completed a new version of its  
 -------------      PC-SIG CD-ROM Library.  Now in its sixth edition, this  
                    CD-ROM disk (which is in the High Sierra CD-ROM format,  
                    working with most CD-ROM drives) holds PC-SIG's entire  
                    library of 15,000 IBM Public Domain/Shareware programs,  
                    and comes with a text retrieval program to locate any  
                    program on the disk.  This is a necessary utility, as  
                    its disk directory (which has full file descriptions of  
                    each program on the CD-ROM disk) is over 3 Megabytes  
                    long.  Cost:  $495.00.... If you want more information  
                    on the PC-SIG CD-ROM Library, PC-SIG can be reached at  
                    1-408-730-9291....  
   
 Redmond, WA        As its next major OS/2 project, Microsoft is planning to  
 -----------        modify OS/2 so it can be easily ported to non-IBM  
                    systems.  This will mean that it will have to be almost  
                    completely written in C, and the OS/2 kernel itself will  
                    require considerable modification to allow OS/2's  
                    capabilities to be processor-independent.  This will  
                    allow OS/2 to compete with Unix in almost ALL computing  
                    arenas....  
   
                    However, since Microsoft's present OS/2 project, making  
                    an 80386-specific version which will take advantage of  
                    its special capabilities, is not likely to be completed  
                    before the Third or Fourth Quarter of 1990, this  
                    "Portable OS/2" is not likely to appear until around  
                    1992....  
   
 Mountain View, CA  Sun Microsystems has introduced the Sun-3/80, a new Unix  
 -----------------  workstation based on its 3/50 and 3/60 systems which  
                    uses a 20 MHZ 68030 chip with a 20 MHZ 68882 floating  
                    point math chip, comes with 4 Megs of RAM onboard, an  
                    Ethernet port for LAN Networking, 1 SCSI hard disk port,  
                    serial and parallel ports, and its own proprietary  
                    expansion bus, called the P4.  It also supports a  
                    resolution of 1152*900, with either monochrome or 256  
                    displayable colors at the same time....  
   
                    The interesting thing about the Sun-3/80 is that its  
                    base system will cost around $5000.00, without a  
                    monitor.  Since Atari's 68030 TTx (a version of the  
                    68030 TT which runs Unix and has an Ethernet port) will  
                    ALSO cost from $4500.00 - $5000.00, it seems that Unix  
                    Users will have TWO serious options for low-end Unix  
                    workstations.  And given that Sun has a MUCH greater  
                    reputation in that area than Atari....  
   
   
   
   
   
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------  
   
   Copyright 1989 Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the Atari Roundtables.  See  
     signup information in this magazine. May be reprinted only with this  
                    notice and signup information included.  
   
   
   
   
> HoloByte CO STR Feature  
  -----------------------  
   
   
   > "CHOPSTICK" LOUIE, FLYING HIGH! <  
   
                                            Spectrum Holobyte Conference  
                                                 ATARI ST ROUNDTABLES  
                                                      May 17, 1989  
                                             GEnie Information Services  
   
   
 Room 1, the General Club room.  
 Stenographer is Miss Jane Hathaway  
   
 Job     City         Room Sta Mail-Address  
   1 Jacksonville,FL     1   N [Ralph] ST.REPORT  
   2 Oakland,CA          1   N [Chopstick] HOLOBYTE  
   3 Indianapolis,IN     1   L [Holly] HS  
   4 Santa rosa,CA       1   N DOUG.W  
   5 Dune,CA             1   N [Cary] CGEE  
   6 Whitestone,NY       1   N R.ROBERTSON  
   7 Twins house,CA      1   N [Fred Beckman] FB  
   8 Passaic park,NJ     1   N [Vince-Cubed] V.AVERELLO  
   9 Baltimore,MD        1   N [bob] B.O.B.  
  10 Detroit,MI          1   N [William] W.LIGGET  
  11 Brookfield,CT       1   N [Mel] NIGHTDIVER  
  12 Pontiac,MI          1   N GORDON  
  13 Santa fe,TX         1   N R.URBANI1  
  14 Rochester,NY        1   N BOB.PUFF  
  15 Rockford,IL         1   N M.CARTWRIGHT  
  17 Brookfield,CT       1   N DARLAH  
  18 Ann arbor,MI        1   N [Pattie] UNICORNPUB  
  19 Wantagh,NY          1   N J.MUGNAI  
  20 Trenton,NJ          1   N MR.CHIPS  
  21 Fremont,CA          1   N TOWNS  
  22 Winston salem,NC    1   N M.MCCANN2  
   
   
   
 <[Holly] HS> Room is now listen-only.  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Hi everyone...  we're here for a formal conference tonight   
 with Spectrum Holobyte.... Joining us later will be Gilman Louie, but here  
 right now to field questions is Marissa Ong (I sure hope I spelled that   
 right!)  For those of you who are new to conference, please use /RAI to get  
 in line with your questions.  (Marisa with 1 s... sorry!  *blush*). You will  
 be allowed to speak one at a time.  I will try to ack your /RAI and let you   
 know who you follow.  When you're done with your question, please use GA,  
 for go ahead.  That lets our guest know you're finished.  When you're done  
 asking your question, please let me know also.  It helps move things along.  
   
 You might want to use a typeahead buffer to store your question. I'm told  
 that Gilman has arrived, also, now... Any opening remarks?  
   
 <[No.19] HOLOBYTE> Sure!  I apologize but Gilman "Chopstick" Louie is now  
 here.  Back from testifying about schools in San Francisco.  So I'll turn   
 it over to him.  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> was <[No.19] HOLOBYTE>.  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Let me start by thanking all of you for your input  
 regarding the ST.  I have to say that the ST community has been vocal on  
 this issue and that we have been "educated" on many of the issues that  
 affect the ST market.  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Thank you... I'd like to ask the first question if I might...  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Where did the nickname "Chopstick" come from?  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Chopstick was given to me by some pilots.  I'm  
 skinny and I'm Chinese American.  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Ah... thank you!  I always wondered about that!  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Jeff  
   
 <JEFF.W> Marisa (what a lovely name!), this whole ST/Piracy issue has   
 gotten quite messy and triggered a lot of ill feelings ..amongst ST owners  
 who resent the "guilt by association" that Gilman's letter seemed to  
 imply.  ..Recently, an "amended" letter that narrowed the scope of  
 Gilman's "accusations" a bit.  Will this be hitting all the magazine   
 publishers like the first letter did?      Thank you.  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> I "Chopstick" want to once again apologize any  
 inferences regarding "guilt by association".  That was not the intention.  
 I would point out that we have received over 100 letters via mail  
 regarding my letter.  Most, (over 90%) have been very supportive and   
 included the registration cards as a reminder that they were customers and  
 not pirates.  And, most people agree that the Atari ST need more support   
 and that they were doing their personal effort to support it by buying   
 products.  As far as the letters are concerned, we make the letters   
 available to all magazines.  We have no control over whether the editors   
 use or change the letters I've written.  Most of the ST users have not   
 taken my article out of context--and realize that we're all in the same   
 boat together.  As No.19 constantly points out, discussions like piracy  
 like discussions re - abortion.  It's a very hot topic, but one that we   
 don't shy away from.  
   
 <JEFF.W> Has your latest post been sent out to all the publishers who used  
 the first letter?  If they haven't, I hope you do so soon as a follow up...  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> We're planning to send out the entire threads to   
 the same publishers we sent the first letter to.  
   
 <JEFF.W> I think it will be VERY significant (and appreciated) to see that  
 despite the first letter SH will still be coming forth with new ST products.  
 Thanks.  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Thank you...  I'm going to change just a second to another   
 topic, near and dear to my heart.  (I'm sure we'll hit piracy again before  
 the night is out... :-)  Tetris for the ST... I own both the IBM and the  
 ST versions, and as an admitted Tetris addict, I am disappointed with the  
 ST version.  What is good in it is VERY good.  The graphics are better   
 than the IBM version, I think.  I like the block style better, but the   
 program seems to be "unfinished" and has some VERY rough edges.  Do you   
 have plans to keep updating Tetris?  And when might we expect them?  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> The original programmer for ST Tetris (over in   
 England) did a sub-standard job.  We won't be using him again.  The  
 programmer who finished up the ST version is now working for a bio-tech   
 company.  Unless we can find a qualified Atari ST programmer, we won't see  
 any fixes for Tetris.  Each Tetris version is dependent on the programmer  
 who's responsible for the conversion.  That's why the the ST version has   
 better graphics and menu support, but the sound suffers.  (OK, stinks!)    
 As far as the desk accessory version, we'd love to do a DA version, if we   
 could figure out how.  Our Mac expertise is greater than our ST.  We're   
 hoping to change that.  
   
 <[Holly] HS> That's very disappointing for me.  Who is working on the other 
 ST  
 programs for you, and couldn't they work on Tetris?  Falcon was/is terrific!  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> FALCON was developed by me!  The Amiga and ST   
 conversions were done by Rowan Software in England, through Mirrorsoft, our  
 sister company.  Since the original FALCON design was ours, we had more   
 control over the end result.  In the case of Tetris, we had suggested many  
 of the changes/corrections that users such as yourself pointed out, but   
 Mirrorsoft refused to do it.  Because it was good enough for their market.  
 So, we were forced to use a Mac programmer to finish the ST conversion.    
 We will point out that the ST version is almost identical to the Amiga   
 version (for whatever that's worth).  Basically, we decided to put out the  
 game, because although it doesn't have a DA version nor is the music very  
 good, the basic game is still extremely addictive and fun and worthwhile.  
 The only disappointing thing about the ST version is if you compare it to  
 some of the other versions we did (versus the Mirrorsoft versions).  It's  
 definitely better than the IBM version.  No.19 here!  As lead beta tester  
 on the ST version, I can say that when we submitted our first bug report   
 to the English programmer, his revision fixed only ONE bug.  A minor one,  
 at that, after 3 months of waiting for a new disk.  Chopstick here:  In   
 the final analysis, we all agree we need to do a better job on the ST.    
   
 <[Holly] HS> I do *love* the game.  How do you feel about the PD versions  
 floating around for the IBM and the Amiga?  (There is also a monochrome PD  
 version for the ST, and I know of an unreleased color PD version.) Thanks!  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Some of the PD versions are very good.  But they   
 lack some of the features of the commercial versions.  In addition, the   
 Soviets don't get any royalties from the PD versions..which they're using  
 to fund purchase of computers for school children.  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Mel...  
   
 <[Mel] NIGHTDIVER> Back in the BB there's been some talk about how much work  
 it is to adapt a program for the ST...I'm a nontechnical type... Can you   
 explain a little of what goes on to adapt a program for the ST?  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> There's 2 ways you can handle it.  You can write  
 your original program in a high level language like C, but the performance  
 of your program suffers greatly and the program looks identical from one   
 machine to the next.  (Which means that the game will look like the lowest  
 common denominator).  The other approach is to rewrite the program from  
 scratch in a low-level language like assembly and take advantage of   
 everything the machine has to offer.  This takes a great deal of effort  
 but is worth it by getting a much better product in the end.  If you look  
 at FALCON, for example, you can see a significant difference between the   
 IBM and Mac version and the Atari ST version.  It's obvious that the ST   
 version is far superior in graphics, frame rate than the originals.  This  
 could only be accomplished by a rewrite.  A rewrite using this approach   
 takes about 70% of the effort of doing the original version.  A port takes  
 only 10%, but then you get what you pay for.  
   
 <[Mel] NIGHTDIVER> Thanks. Done  
   
 <[bob] B.O.B.> I recall in 1 of the Falcon adds, something about "most of   
 the advanced avionics features of the AT version."   What are the   
 differences?  (What can AT do that St can't)?  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> The ST version was based on the original Mac version.  
 Since our ASATs (our military simulators we're doing for the government)   
 are being hosted on the ATs, our flight models are more accurate.  Yet, we  
 are planning to even upgrade FALCON AT with a later version released this  
 year--and hope to do the same with the ST version.  It doesn't have   
 anything to do with the basic capabilities of the hardware.  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Thanks, Bob... Vince...  
   
 <[Vince-Cubed] V.AVERELLO> Thanks, Mr Louie did you have any idea what   
 kind of uproar your letter would cause when you wrote it & would you do it  
 again ... ?  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Absolutely!  I think that the issue needed to be   
 brought up, because many publishers and developers agreed with my   
 statements but were afraid to say anything about.  They just refused to  
 develop software for this machine.  We felt that it was necessary to bring  
 this issue out on the table in order to clarify misconceptions and help   
 users and publishers educate each other about the ST market.  Many   
 programmers and publishers have been in contact with me and are very   
 interested, not only in the issues of piracy and copy protection, but   
 also express interest in delivering new products to the ST platform.  Many   
 are watching the sales curves of FALCON, Battlehawks 1942, DungeonMaster,   
 etc. as a barometer of what the market is really like.  Whereas the ST   
 sales have been not as strong as some of the other formats (in total  
 value), many companies are surprised by the success the product has had in  
 the marketplace.  They feel that if they can leverage their European ST  
 development effort with an American marketing and sales effort that there  
 are plus dollars to be made.  Many of us are formulating a similar   
 approach.  
   
 <[Vince-Cubed] V.AVERELLO> How is the ST version (sales) doing versus the  
 Amiga version (is the disparity still as bad) ???  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Hang on a sec!  Gotta get the sales figures! We're   
 still doing better overseas in ST sales.  
   
 <[Vince-Cubed] V.AVERELLO> Oh no sales figures ........  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Customer Support reports that they get more Amiga  
 calls than ST calls overall.  I believe DungeonMaster had the exact   
 opposite experience in terms of American vs. European sales.  We sold from  
 5/1 to 5/15 258 Atari ST FALCONs and 827 Amiga FALCONs.  This has been the  
 trend since release of both versions.  
   
 <[Vince-Cubed] V.AVERELLO>     
   
 <[Holly] HS> Thank you!  
   
 <[Holly] HS> William...  
   
 <[William] W.LIGGET> When playing falcon multiplayer at 2400 bps, its very  
 slow, and hard to control.  Will the upgrade improve the multiplayer  
 option ?  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Unfortunately, the next upgrade will not improve  
 the modem option.  We only recommend direct connection and threw the modem  
 option in as a extra freebie.  We do plan to upgrade the entire line   
 (including ST) next year.  This will solve the communications slowdown.    
 In addition, the new versions will be compatible with our new tank A-10   
 and helicopter simulations.  
   
 <[William] W.LIGGET> How does falcon perform with 9600 bps connection?    
 You can try it out yourself over a direction connection with a null-modem   
 serial cable.  flies fine, as far as I can tell :)  
   
 <[William] W.LIGGET> Thank you  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Doug...  
   
 <DOUG.W> Back to the "infamous Gilman Louie letter."... We recently had an  
 IBM customer at the store (where I work) that made a comment about the   
 piracy in the ST userbase.  I asked him where he got that impression and   
 he replied "oh, from that Spectrum Holobyte guy."  I can understand your   
 desire to get your feelings out into the marketplace and to other  
 developers but, have you considered the impact on non-ST  
 owners/developers?  I have to second Jeff's request that your follow-up   
 letters be sent to these magazines very soon.  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> First of all, I don't think it's relevant what an IBM  
 owner thinks about an Atari ST--considering his machine doesn't make any   
 recognizable sounds and has yucky graphics.  More importantly, though, is   
 how it affect ST publishers and developers.  Because these are the people   
 who are going to determine the success or failure of a machine platform.   
 The reality is what I said is what people believed--but were just afraid   
 to say anything about it.  And, the real issue needed to be put on the   
 table.  But, you may be preventing IBM (or Amiga or Mac) owners from ever  
 buying an ST, based on the "rumors" of piracy and "rumors" of lack of   
 support from ST developers.  This is not even mentioning the people that 
 don't  
 own a  
 computer yet.  IBM as well as Macintosh and Apple II all have piracy  
 problems.  And, as a percentage, may have less or more pirates per   
 thousand.  The issue is, that with a small installed user base, piracy has  
 a greater effect because a format has reached critical mass, every sale   
 (and I MEAN every sale) counts!  
   
 <DOUG.W> Also, if your primary target was ST Developers, why was it published 
  
 in non-ST specific magazines?  And if IBM, Mac, and Apple II have piracy  
 problems, why was the ST singled out?  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> But, I will stand by my observation (and this is not  
 rumor,but my personal observation) that the ST pirates are very well-   
 organized.  And I have personally been on these pirate boards for IBM, Mac  
 and STs.  It is these pirates that are hurting the rest of us--and I have   
 no intention of defending them or allowing them to hide behind the skirts  
 of the thousands of good ST users nor behind the incredibly poor marketing  
 efforts of Atari.  
   
 <DOUG.W> I think the message that *actually* came across will reduce the  
 potential ST userbase, and *not* the piracy.  This is the exact opposite of  
 what I (and *you*) want.  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> I don't necessary agree, based on the letters I've  
 received.  We haven't had any comments that customers are going to stay   
 away from the Atari ST based on my letter.  In fact, unless Atari makes a  
 better marketing effort, most new buyers haven't even heard of the ST.  
   
 <DOUG.W> I don't think you will receive letters like that, but that doesn't  
 mean those feelings don't exists.  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> You're probably right, but I felt strongly that a   
 statement had to be made and other companies weren't saying it.  They just  
 weren't publishing software for the ST.  We were very happy to see on the  
 Battlehawks 1942 board that people were saying buy the product to prove me  
 wrong.  (My God!  I really do hope I'm wrong--and we're betting part of  
 the company by committing to developing new ST products).  
   
 <[bob] B.O.B.> Do your update plans include smoother joystick response?  
 (faster sampling rate, smoother scrolling)??  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Another, absolutely!  The flight controls have been  
 totally rewritten courtesy of John Harris, creator of Frogger &   
 Jawbreaker. We're hoping to release this new version of FALCON ASAP.  
   
 <[bob] B.O.B.> Sitting next to me is someone who has flown REAL T-38's...  
 He says...."Nice job...Falcon is awesome!"  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Thanks!  Did he fly T-38's at Williams AFB?  
   
 <[bob] B.O.B.> Randolph AFB  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> You can tell your friend that we're still hoping to  
 make FALCON even better.  If you (or your friend) has any ideas for   
 improvements or suggestions, just let us know by posting your message here.  
   
 <[bob] B.O.B.> Great ... Thanks  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Ralph...  
   
 <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> A little discretion would have gone a long way, You  
 have, in all probability made many non-computer owners very leery of the ST  
 and it's userbase!  You may not have the access to the comments about  
 this...STers have heard them though.  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Ralph, you might be right...but nobody is going out  
 of their way to buy STs because they haven't heard about it.  You and I   
 both agree that Atari has done a miserable job in marketing and   
 distributing their product.  You should note, by the way, that similar   
 complaints were made against the Apple II back in the the late 70s and  
 early 80s.  The Apple II had a terrible piracy problem but it didn't   
 affect Apple's success with the product.  Apple continued to push hard on  
 their machine and got good business products like Visicalc to help sell   
 their systems to the business world.  It wasn't until the emergence of   
 Visicalc that Apple began its hyper-growth.  If Apple had to depend purely  
 on the home market, they would have failed.  It was only their success in  
 businesses and schools that Apple was able to overcome the stigma of   
 hackers and pirates.  Once there was a large enough installed base, we   
 game manufacturers were able to make a profit by selling games on the   
 Apple II.  
   
 <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Agreed....all I say is the need for ALL of us to work  
 together in one common direction is very necessary, that's the success of  
 the ST lines and Atari.     
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> I'm in total agreement.  We're all in the same boat  
 Ralph, you and I have talked a number of times--and we both want to stop   
 piracy as well as getting Atari to move into the US market.  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Jeff...  
   
 <JEFF.W> Mr. Louie, One last question (from me) about that letter.  What  
 response (if any) have you had from Atari Computer about the letter?  Would  
 you categorize it as supportive (or at least understanding)?  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Atari has not said anything regarding the letter  
 I will say that their subsidiary, Federated, is really helping out the ST  
 market by refusing to pay for ST products.  That it bought from publishers  
 and they're selling in their stores today.  If this is an indication of   
 Atari's support, we have major problems.  For Atari's defense, though, it  
 is working with us to include FALCON in every new ST that is sold.  We   
 take this as a very positive step by Atari to encourage new users by   
 providing quality software with their new machines.  Atari needs help,  
 too.  They want to be successful.  Keep writing to them.  Believe it or   
 not, they do listen.  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Thank you Jeff...  
   
 <TOWNS> Thank you.   For your information, Federated is (and has been)  
 operating as a SEPARATE company for some time now. Their business affairs  
 have nothing to do with Atari Corporation. If you have a problem with   
 Federated, I suggest you take it up with their management.  As for our   
 commitment. Yes, we do listen and we appreciate any comments we receive.   
 And you are right.. We do want to be successful.  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Thanks, Towns.  
   
 <[William] W.LIGGET> Are you currently working on any new military   
 simulators?? I myself would love to see an F-14 or F-15 carrier based   
 simulator.   
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Definitely!  We're working on tanks, helicopters,   
 cars or anything else made of metal that moves.  
   
 <[William] W.LIGGET> Thanks  
 <[Holly] HS> Thank you...  
 <[Holly] HS> That's it for the evening...  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Any final comments?  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Yes, I think one thing should be clear: in order   
 for this community to survive, all of us (users, developers, publishers   
 and Atari itself) depend on each other.  We all agree that the Atari ST is  
 a great machine.  And we all have a responsibility to do everything   
 possible to encourage growth, new ideas, new products and profits to all   
 those whose livelihoods (including Atari)_depend upon it.  
   
 <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Thank you for inviting me!  
   
 <[Holly] HS> Thank you for coming and spending time with us!  
   
   
   
   
   
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------  
   
   
   
> NEODESK 2.03 STR Review  
  =======================  
   
   
   
                                                       NeoDesk 2.03  
   
 By William Y. Baugh  
   
   
       Are you tired of looking at your same ol' boring icons.  Have you  
       ever wished you could change them?   Well,  Dan and  the folks at  
       Gribnif have  done it  again!   A new  upgrade, just  a couple of  
       months after  the tremendous  upgrade of  2.02, allows  you to do  
       just that.   It's fantastic!  Especially when all you pay for the  
       upgrade is  the  price  of  shipping...are  you  listening "other  
       companies" that  make you  pay for features that should have been  
       there in the first place?  
   
       This newest  upgrade, though  not as  extensive as  2.02, is very  
       asthetically pleasing.   They  have introduced  a new icon editor  
       which allows you to draw icons (or redraw  current ones)  for any  
       of the  desktop icons.   The  best feature of all is that you may  
       give each program its own unique  icon!   It's great  to let your  
       imagination run wild and create icons for your favorite programs.  
       I've done a few for Mark William's C,  Calamus and  for Opus 2.10  
       (which is  Opus, of  course).  Using the new editor, you may drag  
       in a question mark  which allows  you to  start from  scratch and  
       create the  new icon.   When  drawing, you see what the icon will  
       look  like  on  the  desktop  and  in  the  window;  selected and  
       deselected.   You may  move, copy and erase any part of the icon.  
       The editor is extremely easy to use and is actually  fun once you  
       get the  hang of  it.   Once the icon is drawn, you may enter the  
       name of the program in the Template area  so that  it knows which  
       program to  be with.   You  may also  use wildcards  for icons if  
       they're not being used  for a  specific programs;  such as fonts,  
       .TXT files, etc.  
   
       You may be saying "So what, I use text mode!"  Well, so do I, but  
       the  programs  you  drag   to  the   desktop  look   great  being  
       individualized.   It adds  a little  flair to  the normal looking  
       desktop.  
   
       I stress once again; if you own a  hard drive  and you  don't own  
       NeoDesk...what's  wrong?    Go  out  and  get  this  program it's  
       fantastic!!  
   
   
   
   
   
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------  
   
   
   
> C.E.K.A. STR FOCUS  
  ==================  
   
   
                                            CEKA - DREAMS or HOAX?  
                                            ======================  
   
   
       One can't help but wonder if the CEKA stories released to us at  
 STReport, select hard copy magazines, other personalities and companies in 
 the Atari Community are nothing more than an elaborate hoax or the ranting 
 and raving dreams of rather imaginative individual.  One thing is certain, 
 Mr. James McHugh owes a number of us in the Atari community a reasonable 
 explanation of the 'divine' revelations he has bestowed upon us.    
   
       After all, James McHugh called this Reporter, Micheal Arthur,  
 David Small and Richard Adams and a number of other folks in the Atari  
 Community (according to McHugh).  Just what is going on here?  One can't  
 help but wonder if you are indeed the perpetrator of an elaborate hoax or  
 the victim of delusions of grandeur.  One thing is for sure, you, and  
 anything you have to do with any company or product will be highly suspect 
 and questionable until the validity of anything you have to say or do is  
 infallibly verified.  
   
       Folks, when James McHugh originally called, (2 weeks before Anaheim)  
 he assured us he was sending a CEKA device to STReport for review purposes.   
 He did tell us it was not quite ready but that he had a press release to  
 coincide with the show, we said send it to us and we will see what we can  
 do.  It was at this time he told us that he would be showing the device  
 (prototype) at the Atari Booth.  And, after being told that James McHugh had  
 indeed spoken to others in our community regarding the emulator we felt this  
 lent some credence to it's validity.  As we all know now, it made no  
 difference what-so-ever!  As of this date, we have not received a review  
 copy.  
   
       We promised ourselves we would follow up on this situation and  
 either refute this hardware goodie or in fact, show beyond a shadow of a  
 doubt that the device (CEKA Emulator) does exist.  Actually, we courteously  
 provided access to CEKA products(?) and James McHugh for two press releases  
 and an interview with Micheal Arthur.  As a result, it will now be  
 difficult, at best, for the next aspiring young developer to gain access to  
 tell the userbase about a new product.  
   
       Actually, you begin to wonder just how far one must go in verification  
 of a press release, we supplied the Name, Address and Telephone number of  
 CEKA for anyone to use.  We called it and verified that it was McHugh's  
 number "he answered the phone!"  Besides, it would have been tragic if we  
 had ignored this information and it does become a reality.  
   
       We noticed a number of folks complained about not having enough info  
 about CEKA or that perhaps it was a fabrication on the part of the reporter  
 who submitted the articles.  All we can say about those types is we consider  
 the source, then dismiss it as sour grapes.  Here is the telephone number  
 and address, the phone number was included in the first press release in  
 STReport #84.  We now present the information ONCE again.  
   
                              C.E.K.A. / S.E.K.A.  
                c/o   James McHugh or John Winchentsen  
                                3031 Gough ST  
                          San Francisco, CA 94123  
                                415-474-2641  
   
       If, in fact, the CEKA/SEKA press release was a hoax, allow us to  
 shed some light on the remarks of the lesser informed, the press release 
 and  it's related information appeared in a number of hard copy 
 publications and  in more than one roundtable as a discussed subject.  
 Granted, it appears that some ultra 'considerate' person has taken the time 
 and trouble to attempt to create an uncomfortable situation involving 
 Richard Adams and DAVID SMALL (now litigants) and STReport by reporting the 
 same information to all of the above mentioned  folks.  We decided to bring 
 it out in the open for all to see the silly  games played behind the 
 scenes.  David Small has already verified in both  his roundtable and the 
 ST RT that he indeed had been contacted and was given the same information 
 that we at STReport were.  Richard Adams has contacted this publication 
 and also related to the fact that he too was called and given this 
 information.  
   
       Fellow Atari users, let's look at this cooly and see if in the next  
 few weeks we can unravel the situation (if one exists)...Let's see if we  
 can find out exactly who is at the bottom of this story and what the real  
 purpose was and is.  Who knows, McHugh may be 100% legit and then  
 again,...  
   
       STReport's Opinion:    
       -------------------  
       If this guy McHugh has indeed tried to purposely and with malicious  
 intent mislead the people involved in the CEKA thing all we can say is that  
 it is a cruel and very sick act to commit against SMALL and ADAMS at this  
 time.  To cause STReport to bring this out in the open for all to see and  
 judge is really stupid because now, all it can do is backfire into McHugh's  
 and CEKA'S face and loose any momentum or effectiveness it may have gained.   
 Further, we see it as a slap in the face of the entire userbase simply by  
 releasing this information in an obvious attempt to cause all the parties  
 concerned to commence to further bickering and friction.  As always, we  
 will make every attempt to vigorously pursue this issue until such time  
 that all the real intentions and goals are fully brought forward.  
   
   
   
   
   
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------  
   
   
   
> SPEEDBALL STR Review  
  ====================  
   
   
   
                                                              Speedball  
   
 by William Y. Baugh  
   
   
       Speedball is  a terrific  new release  for the  states from Image  
       Works Software and  The  Bitmap  Brothers  (being  distributed by  
       Cinemaware for  the states).   Speedball  mixes sports and arcade  
       action to make an amazingly fast action packed game.  
   
       The game consists of two teams of six  playing on  a steel-walled  
       pitch 90  feet wide  and 160  feet long; with walls 30 feet high.  
       Near  the  middle,  built   into  the   walls  are   two  doorway  
       "transporters"  that  will,  if  the  ball  is  thrown into them,  
       transport it  to the  opposite transporter,  retaining the balls'  
       velocity  and  angular  motion.    Also in the middle is the ball  
       launcher which will pop up out  of its  recess and  fire the ball  
       out at  random angles to start the game and after every goal.  At  
       both ends of the pitch are  the goals.   These  are "holes" built  
       into  the  wall  that  take  up  around  3/4  of  the  end  wall.  
       Positioned around the floor are four  bounce domes  which deflect  
       the ball  (if not  thrown over  them) but players may move freely  
       over them during game play.   The position  of the  domes changes  
       from game to game.  During play, tiles appear with either letters  
       coins rotating on the  floor.    Each  tile,  depending  upon the  
       letter, will  help you out in a certain manner.  These range from  
       allowing you to increase your stamina or decrease  the opponents,  
       protect your  team from being tackled, to turning the ball into a  
       weapon that when thrown will  tackle  an  opposing  player.   The  
       coins are collected during play and may be used after the game to  
       increase your attributes, buy more time,  decrease the attributes  
       of your next opponent or reduce the computers intelligence.  
   
       Before you  start playing, you have the option to either play One  
       Player Knockout, One Player League or  a Two  player game.   Once  
       one of  these are  selected, you  are presented  with a choice of  
       three team captains and their attributes.  You must select one of  
       the captains to play before you continue (Each one has his pluses  
       and minuses...).  
   
       The knockout consists of a ten  round elimination  where you will  
       play ten different teams and attempt to beat each one.  The first  
       rounds are relatively easy,  with  the  wimpy  teams  getting the  
       early rounds(After  you've progressed to the sixth round...things  
       start getting a little hairy).  There are three games  per round;  
       during this  time you must accrue 3 points to advance to the next  
       round (Scoring is broken down as thus: 2 points for a win,  1 for  
       a draw  and 0  for a  loss).   Before each game starts there is a  
       status  window  updating  you  on  your  current  status  towards  
       completing the  round.  Also displayed is your attributes (Power,  
       stamina and skill) as well as the other players stats.  
   
       The league play allows you to select the  duration of  the league  
       (anywhere from  1 to 100 weeks and you may save a current game in  
       progress and load it back in whenever you  like) and  gives you a  
       running  tally  of  total  points,  goals you've made, goals made  
       against you, the number of games played and your won/loss record.  
       Scoring is as follows:  100 points for a win, 20 for a draw and 5  
       for each goal.  It is vital during league play  to score  as many  
       goals  as  possible.  You  may  have  a  worse won/loss record as  
       another team, but if you've  been  scoring  left  and  right, you  
       should be  well ahead  of that team.  Your opponents are selected  
       at random during the first round; so be prepared to  (maybe) meet  
       up  with  one  of  the  toughest  teams your first game.  If your  
       playing a multiple week game, the  teams stay  in the  same order  
       after the  first round; so write them down!  You may want to know  
       who's next  in case  you need  to lower  their strength, stamina,  
       etc.         
   
       Now, onto  the game.   The actual game play is spectacular!  It's  
       fast, hectic  and frantic.   I  was hooked  the moment  I saw it.  
       Your  leather  and  studs  clad  men (similar to Roller Ball) are  
       initially positioned similar to that of a hockey game.   With two  
       men  up  on  the  half-pitch  line,  two men further back and the  
       goalie.  The ball launcher appears,  with ball  spinning and then  
       releases it in a random direction and speed.  You must be patient  
       at this time since you cannot  move until  the ball  is launched.  
       Once launched...the fun begins.  There are no rules to this game,  
       no penalties to worry about; the main premise is to score as many  
       goals possible,  any way  you can.   You may tackle your opponent  
       with the ball, tackle  one without  the ball,  tackle the goalie,  
       anything!  The main thing is to move the ball up-court and score.  
   
       Your men are controlled using the joystick.  Throwing the ball is  
       accomplished by either pressing the  button  very  quickly  for a  
       hip-high  shot  or  holding  the  button for a lob shot.  Getting  
       these two button-presses down is vital for playing the game.   It  
       is virtually impossible to score on a lob throw, you must be able  
       to throw the hip-high  shot for  scoring as  well as  passing the  
       ball.  What will probably make this part of the game hard is your  
       joystick.  If you are using an Epyx 500J; don't  even bother with  
       this  game.    You  cannot  get  the right response from the fire  
       button to do the different throws.  I use a TAC-2 joystick and it  
       works  great!    As  a  suggestion,  stay  to  stiff  fire button  
       joysticks.  
   
       As you play, you never lose  track of  the ball.   This  game has  
       terrific  scrolling  and  intelligence  built in to automatically  
       switch your players for you so that the  one closest  to the ball  
       is the active player.  If you do not want that particular player,  
       you may bring another  player from  off screen  to be  the active  
       one.  You get the hang of it after playing a couple of times.  
           
       Now the  hardest part  of the  game is when your opponent has the  
       ball near your goal and you must control the goalie.   The reason  
       this is  hard is  that you  control the  goalie AND the currently  
       active player!  If your not  paying attention  and are  using the  
       player to,  say, tackle from the right side, your goalie is doing  
       the exact same thing leaving the goal wide open.   This can  be a  
       real  nuisance  until  you  get enough practice and experience to  
       leave the guy alone and use just your  goalie for  defense.  This  
       feature is also unfair because the computer is not under any such  
       constraints;  thus  making  it   hard  (and   some  teams  nearly  
       impossible)  to  score  against.   As with other games; practice,  
       experience, luck (and the tiles) will help you persevere over the  
       tougher opponents.  
   
       I strongly,  highly and every other 'ly' recommend this game.  It  
       is definitely the hottest sports/arcade game out for the ST.   If  
       your looking for FAST action and great game play, check this out,  
       you'll love it.      
   
   
   
   
   
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------  
   
   
   
> ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL  
  ======================  
   
   
   
 - WillowBrook, IL.                   **** AeroChopper is OUTTA SIGHT! ****  
   --------------  
   
       AeroChopper is a flight control system not unlikley those found in the  
 model airplane community.  You have a hand held device that's identical to  
 those used by Radio Control hobbyists.  Coupled with the software provided,  
 you actually  can fly seven different aircraft and a 'copter.  So far most all
 who have tried this goodie say it is wild and well worth the investment.  
   
   
   
 - Sunnyvale, CA.                   ***  DESKSET TO BE 'THE CAT'S MEOW' ***  
   -------------  
   
       Although not intended to replace any DTP system currently available,  
 Atari's new Deskset is reported to be the word processor 'epitome'.  This  
 author can't wait to see, feel and use this new killer-diller!  Coupled  
 with Hyperplan and Wordflair, it sure promises to be a power house!  
   
   
   
 - Sunnyvale, CA.                   **** Scale-Able G-DOS Still ALIVE? ****  
   -------------  
   
       We all remember the stories about the scaleable G-Dos, you know, the  
 fully flexible GDOS that allowed scaling of the fonts..well, according to  
 our sources, we may yet see that program later this year.  Alleged to be  
 leaner, faster and more efficient, it too shows a great deal of promise.   
 Atari is really on the move.  
   
   
   
 - Jacksonville, FL.                             **** SCOUT WORLD 1989 ****  
   ----------------  
   
       Scout World Shows have almost become a National Institution at JAX  
 N.A.S. and we are about to enjoy another.  Last year's show was a  
 resounding success with well over 150,000 attendees.  ST J.A.U.G., a  
 Jacksonville Atari Usergroup had a forty foot booth last year and 22 Atari  
 ST computers up and running, this year, TWO forty foot booths are planned  
 and direct connects to CIS - GENIE - DELPHI will be in place.  Show dates  
 are 5-19,20,21-89  at Jacksonville Naval Air Station.  
   
   
   
   
   
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------  
   
   
   
> STR Spotlight  
  =============  
   
   
   
                                    The Best of Atari Desktop Publishing  
                                    ====================================  
   
   
      WAACE - Current Notes DTP Contest  
   
   
 All Atari computer users are hereby invited to submit entries to a Desktop  
 Publishing contest sponsored by Washington Area Atari Computer Enthusiasts  
 and Current Notes Magazine.  
   
 Entries must be submitted before the 8th of September 1989. Judging and  
 awarding of prizes will take place at the WAACE AtariFest on 7-8 October.   
 The contest is intended to showcase the kinds of business and personal  
 communications that are possible with 8 and 16 bit Atari computers.   
 Personal and Commercial categories in both 8 and 16 bit divisions give  
 everyone a chance to win.  
   
 The prizes will consist of valuable gift certificates for software and  
 hardware as donated by AtariFest supporters.  
   
 Copies of the contest rules are available from Current Notes Magazine at  
 122 N. Johnson Rd, Sterling, VA, 22170, from your local Current Notes retail  
 sales agent, or by downloading file the file DTPCONTS.ARC from the ST  
 Roundtable on GENie.  
   
 CONTEST RULES  
   
 The contest rules listed below provide the restrictions and other  
 guidelines governing the WAACE - Current Notes DTP contest:  
   
 1 Eligibility   
   - developers of DTP products or their employees are not  
 eligible.  
   
 2 Categories   
   - Submitted works will be judged in one of the following four categories:   
              1) 8-bit Personal,      2) 8-bit Commercial,   
   
              3) 16-bit Personal,     4) 16-bit Commercial.    
   
       Entries in the personal category will have been prepared for the use  
 of the submitter and his/her family.  Works will be deemed commercial if  
 they are intended for wider audiences including, but not limited to,  
 educational and social organizations, business clients, or the general  
 public. The judges may elect not to award prizes in categories for which  
 there are fewer than 4 entries.  
   
 3 Originality   
   - All work must be the original work of the submitter.   
 Submitter must certify that none of the subject matter or graphic images are  
 substantially derived from copyrighted works.  
   
 4 Ownership   
   - All submitted material becomes the property of WAACE and  
 Current Notes Inc to use as they see fit.  Material rejected as being  
 unsuitable will be returned only if the submitter provides return envelopes  
 and postage.  
   
 5 Limitation as to number   
   - No more than two entries will be accepted from  
 any one household in any one division.  
   
 6 Use of Atari Hardware and Software   
   - All work must use Atari computers.   
 Hardware from other manufacturers may be used as peripherals.  Hardware or  
 software that has not been available at retail to the public prior to 1 July  
 1989 may not be used.  
   
 7 Submissions   
   - All entries must be submitted as hardcopy accompanied by a  
 floppy disk containing all components needed to produce the document. Floppy  
 disks must be readable by standard Atari disk drives.  Each submission is  
 limited to 1 disk.  Hardcopy output may not amount to more than the  
 equivalent of 5 8 1/2 by 11 pages.  The submission disk must also contain a  
 text file providing complete instructions for generating the final output.   
 Products (hardware and software) used to create all graphics and text  
 components of the work must be specified.  
   
       Submissions must be accompanied by a letter giving the submitter's  
 name, address, and home telephone number and the title of the submission.  
 Submission of an entry constitutes affirmation that the submitter has read  
 and agrees to comply with the contest rules.  The organizers are not obliged  
 to provide opportunity for submitters to remedy defects in their  
 submissions.  
   
       All submissions are at the submitter's own risk.  The organizers  
 will not assume any responsibility for wear and tear that submitted material  
 is subjected to.  
   
       Submissions shall be sent to Current Notes Magazine, Attn: DTP  
 Contest, 122 N. Johnson Rd, Sterling, VA 22170.  
   
 8 Deadline   
   - all entries must be in the hands of the organizers by September 8 1989.  
   
 9 Taste   
   - The judges reserve the right to reject work that is offensive or  
 otherwise unsuitable for public display at a family event.  
   
 10 Award Criteria   
    - The awards will be made on the basis of the effectiveness of  
 submissions in conveying information.  Visual impact and related factors  
 such as style, arrangement, typography, and text content will be considered.  
 The judges may elect not to award prizes if none of the entries in a   
 category are deemed to be prize-worthy.  
   
   
         - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   
   
   
                             OFFICIAL ENTRY BLANK  
   
                    1989 WAACE - Current Notes DTP Contest  
   
   
 Please complete a separate entry form for each submission  
 ---------------------------------------------------------  
   
 Submitter's Name ________________________________________________________  
                              (please print)  
 Address: Apt _______________ Street:_____________________________________  
   
          City ____________________________ State ____ ZIP _______________  
   
 Home Phone Number:  ____ - ____ - ____________Bus:___ - ___ - ___________  
    
 Title of Submission: ____________________________________________________  
                      ____________________________________________________  
   
         [   ] 8 Bit  [   ] 16 bit   [   ] Personal   [  ] Commercial  
   
   I hereby certify that I have read the contest rules and that my entry  
   complies with them in all respects.  I certify that this submission is  
   my own original work and that none of the material is substantially  
   derived from any copyrighted work.  
   
   
         ______________________________________         _______________  
                      Signature                               Date  
   
   
       Send this form together with your disks and hardcopy output to:  
   
                              Current Notes  
                            122 N. Johnson Rd  
                           Sterling, VA  22170   
   
                     ** BEFORE -> 8 September 1989.  
   
   
   
   
   
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------  
   
   
   
> STReport InfoFile  
  =================  
   
    
    
                          ABCO COMPUTER ELECTRONICS INC.  
                                 P.O. Box 6672  
                        Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672  
    
                    _________________________________________  
    
                      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 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  
                        (all cables and connectors installed)  
    
               SEAGATE hard disk mechanisms - ICD Host Adapters used  
                                     EXCLUSIVELY  
                            OMTI HIGH SPEED CONTROLLERS  
    
         42mb #SG44710   619.00                     65mb #SG60101  719.00  
         85mb #SG840110  949.00                    132mb #SG3A1210 1049.00  
    
                        ALL Units: Average Access Time: 24ms  
    
                  LARGER units are available - (special order only)  
                  --------------------------  
    
                  ***  Available for ST - Amiga - Mac - IBM   ***  
    
                     LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS  
    
                             6 month FULL Guarantee  
                                   followed by  
                        6 month Parts & Labor Warranty  
                              (A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE)  
   
                           Call or Write for more info.  
   
   
 ** PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGES ABOVE THERE WERE TWO TYPO ERRORS IN LAST WEEK'S  
    NOTICE.   THE 42MB IS 619.00 AND THE 65MB 719.00.  WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY  
                                  INCONVENIENCE.  
   
   
   
   
   
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------  
   
   
   
> A "QUOTABLE QUOTE"  
  ==================  
   
   
   
                         "SMALL THINGS AMUSE SMALL MINDS"  
   
   
   
   
   
                                 "ATARI IS BACK!"  
   
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------  
  ST-REPORT Issue #88     "Your Independent News Source"     May 19, 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.   
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------  

