
                  *---== ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
                         """""""""""""""""""""""""
                                       
                                       
                     "The Original Online ST Magazine"
                      _______________________________
  June 30, 1989                                             Vol III No.94
  =======================================================================

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

                               R.F. Mariano
                            Publisher - Editor
                 _________________________________________
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                     BBS:  904-786-4176   12-24-96 HST
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    __________________________________________________________________
   
> STReport Issue: #94       The Online Magazine of Choice!
  -------------------
     - The Editors' Podium                   - CPU REPORT 
     - The Hand Held Wonder Toy!!            - OLD  GLORY!
     - Whetmore joins Bushnell!!             - CAPCOM SUPPORTS ATARI!
     - CALAMUS ~ In Depth Review!            - ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
     - CIS ACQUIRES THE SOURCE!!             - SMALL RESCUES STACEY!
 
       ---=== World of Atari Dearborn Commentary & Analysis ===---
   
  =======================================================================
     AVAILABLE ON:    COMP-U-SERVE ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ THE SOURCE ~ BIX
  =======================================================================
   
> The Editor's Podium

     We have in this  issue, among  other things,  our coverage  of the WOA
 show from  Dearborn Michigan.  All three of our correspondents agreed that
 the show had good  attendance on  Saturday, Sunday  was another  story, it
 seems WOA  was scheduled  up against one of THE major annual events in the
 great state of Michigan, "THE MICHIGAN 400 AUTO RACE".

     Recently, we received a copy of The Shareware  Connection, Issue  # 1,
 this is,  in our humble opinion, a needed service in the ST Userbase.  The
 newsletter is well written and shows  a  great  deal  of  promise  for the
 future.    We  highly  recommend  this newsletter to anybody interested in
 knowing the latest info about Public Domain and Shareware software.  Those
 interested can contact these folks at PO Box 2224 Arvada, Colorado 80001.

     Atari is  definitely a  company on  the move,  in the coming months we
 will witness even more change in  the structure  of this  growing company.
 Naturally,  as  with  all  growing  concerns,  there are the ever present,
 "growing pains".  In whatever form  they appear,  they must  be considered
 for only what they are and no more, simply put, don't try to read anything
 into what you are hearing  or  seeing,  we  have  found  that  even though
 whatever event  is presented as the 'whole' story, there is usually a very
 strong undercurrent which eventually ebbs and the real  story always comes
 forward.   We, the users, must encourage Atari to push ahead and strive to
 dominate the home computer market.  We can and must do this together.

     At STReport, our commitment  of non-partial  reporting of  the news in
 the Atari  userbase is  our bond.   As  far as  sugar coated diatribe, the
 chances of this occurring in this userbase are  slim to  none!   There are
 simply too  many folks  with more than a casual interest in Atari and it's
 activities.  That sort of press (propaganda) would not survive the time it
 took to  download it.   As  far as this magazine is concerned, we will, as
 always, call it like we see it.  In reality,  our paramount responsibility
 is  to  our  readers,  by  presenting  reliable  information, contemporary
 features and up to date news.  In doing so, the total commitment is met.  

                                           Thanks for your support!

                                                    Ralph.....
  



                             "ATARI IS BACK!"


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


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> CPU REPORT
  ==========
  Issue # 27


 by Michael Arthur


 Remember When....

       In June 1979, Seymour Rubenstein, founder of MicroPro International,
 introduced the WordStar word processor for CP/M, and  in April  1983, when
 WordStar 3.3 became the first version of WordStar for the IBM PC?


 CPU INSIGHTS
 =============

                  OS/2, DESQview, and the Future of the IBM PC
                  --------------------------------------------


       When  Microsoft  introduced  MS-DOS  in  1981,  one  of its greatest
 virtues was its support for an incredible (at  that time)  640K of memory,
 which was more than enough for any reasonable task.  At that time, though,
 Digital Research was offering  M/PM, a  multitasking version  of C/PM, and
 although it  did not catch on, it caused many PC owners to desire that DOS
 multitasked.  And while rumors of a multitasking DOS persisted (often when
 IBM/Microsoft  was  about  to  announce  a new version of MS-DOS), nothing
 became of them.

       In 1984, these rumors surfaced yet  again, when  IBM was introducing
 the IBM  PC AT.   By this time, as DOS programs had gotten larger and more
 powerful, 640K of RAM was no longer the large amount of memory  it used to
 be, and  PC users  began to  want support for more memory.  This time, IBM
 fueled the rumors by saying it was developing a new  DOS that  would fully
 use the AT's abilities, foremost among which was the new 80286 chip.

      At that time, QuarterDeck had come out with a program switcher called
 Desq, and Digital Research was making Concurrent DOS, a program that could
 multitask DOS  programs.   Although both programs used a windowing scheme,
 as  Concurrent  DOS  lacked  essential  features,  and  Desq  didn't truly
 multitask, they didn't become predominant.

      But  as  time  passed  on,  the  "multitasking  DOS"  rumors were not
 forfilled.  Then, in 1986, Intel developed the 80386 chip,  which featured
 both an  MMU chip  and a  virtual 8086  mode that allowed 8086 programs to
 multitask.  Seeing that the hardware  was in  place, many  began to demand
 that IBM provide the software to allow PC's to multitask.

       Thus it was cause for celebration when IBM announced OS/2 along with
 the PS/2 and MicroChannel in April 2, 1987.  Just as promised, it used the
 80286 chip's  capabilities, supported  up to 16 Megabytes of RAM, and most
 importantly, multitasked.  And although it didn't multitask  DOS programs,
 it did  have a compatibility box to run them.  But after the fanfare, some
 flaws about OS/2 began to emerge that spoiled the good news.


                        OS/2:  Trouble in Paradise


       Now I am not  talking about  bugs, or  inadequate features.   I mean
 mistakes  made  in  the  choice  of its features themselves, more commonly
 known as design flaws.   And  although OS/2  is a  very powerful operating
 system,  with  a  task-switching  algorithm/priority  scheme  that is more
 sophisticated than Unix's, a vast  array  of  facilities  for InterProcess
 Communications (or  IPC's, which allow tasks, or processes, to communicate
 with each  other),  and  is,  like  the  MicroChannel,  based  on previous
 minicomputer technology,  the fatal  reality may be that OS/2's foundation
 itself is not as sound as its many capabilities.

       Foremost among these design  flaws was  the decision  to support the
 80286 chip,  instead of  the superior 80386 chip.  The most obvious reason
 is that the Virtual 8086 mode would allow a 386-specific OS/2 to multitask
 both OS/2  and DOS  programs at  the same  time.  And as you may know, the
 current situation  (with  the  DOS  Compatibility  Box  stopping  all OS/2
 programs while  it runs  only one DOS program at a time) has not been seen
 as favorable.  One of the other reasons deals with programming for OS/2.

       The 80286 chip normally can only  address 16-bit  data segments that
 are 64K  in size.   This  is often  a hindrance to programmers, especially
 when writing large applications.  In  comparison, the  80386 chip supports
 32-bit data  segments that  can be  4 Gigabytes in size.  Also, one of the
 main allures of OS/2 was the  potential to  port minicomputer applications
 over to  it so  they could  be run with microcomputers, and those programs
 definitely use data segments larger than 64K....

       Another problem with OS/2 is that it is  far too  large.   OS/2 with
 the Presentation  Manager requires  2.5 Megs  of RAM  just for itself, and
 since OS/2 programs are  likely to  be larger  and more  powerful, an OS/2
 system  would   probably  require   around  7  Megs  of  RAM  for  optimal
 performance.   One corollary  to this  problem is  that as  OS/2 itself is
 large, it  is also  very slow.   Disk  access is 50 percent slower in OS/2
 than with DOS, and it is apparent that an OS/2  version of  a program will
 tend to  be slower  than a DOS version of the same program.  It seems that
 either OS/2's algorithms are not that  optimized, or  that OS/2  itself is
 simply so  large that  it slows down the machine.  And given the fact that
 versions of Unix for the 80386 don't slow  the CPU  down as  much as OS/2,
 maybe  it's  just  that  the  80286  isn't  capable of providing efficient
 multitasking....

       Around the time that people  were  discovering  the  flaws  in OS/2,
 Microsoft Windows  was introduced.   Immediately IBM Users began wondering
 when OS/2 would employ  Windows, and  IBM promised  that a  windowing OS/2
 (now  known  as  the  Presentation  Manager) would be available soon.  But
 while many IBM Users waited  for  the  Presentation  Manager,  a  few were
 seeking  other  ways  to  obtain a windowing multitasking operating system
 which would correct the handicaps found in OS/2.


                            OS/2 and DESQview


       While IBM/Microsoft  were  developing  OS/2,  and  the  IBM industry
 waited  for  a  multitasking  system,  a company called Quarterdeck Office
 Systems continued to improve and modify Desq, their  old program switcher,
 to remedy its deficiencies.  When the 80386 chip was made, and IBM did not
 modify OS/2 so it would support it (and as actual programming on  OS/2 did
 not start  until Early  1985, while the 80386 was announced in Early 1986,
 IBM could have done this), Quarterdeck began to dream of a new Desq, which
 would  not  only  multitask  DOS  programs  but become almost an operating
 system unto itself.  Ironically, this product became available just  a few
 months before IBM had started shipping OS/2 1.0.

       The product  that emerged, renamed DESQview, was now capable of much
 more than its predecessor.  Not  only did  it utilize  the 80386's virtual
 mode to  support multitasking,  but the  wizards at  Quarterdeck were even
 able to get it to perform DOS multitasking with the 80286, 8086,  and 8088
 chips,  something  which  was  considered  completely  impossible.  And in
 addition to this, DESQview only has about 1% of overhead,  meaning that it
 will run  DOS programs  about as fast as DOS itself, as well as being able
 to multitask them.  Microsoft Windows, on the other hand, takes up over 10
 percent overhead for its environment.

       DESQview  also  has  support  for the Lotus/Intel/Microsoft Expanded
 Memory Specification, or LIM EMS 4.0, so that it can handle up  to 32 Megs
 of RAM.   And  when used with a 80386, DESQview uses the 386's MMU (memory
 management unit) to provide memory protection, so an "ill-behaved" program
 doesn't crash or interfere with the system.

       And seeing  that any  operating environment, even a DOS multitasker,
 needs to have third-party support, Quarterdeck  designed the  DESQview API
 (Application  Program  Interface)  Toolkit,  which  allows  programmers to
 directly use DESQview's multitasking capabilities, as well as other things
 found in  a true  operating system.  The API lets applications use its IPC
 facilities to exchange data between its own tasks and other DESQview-based
 programs   Also, since  DESQview is a text-based windowing system, the API
 lets programmers access  its  menuing  and  windowing  routines  to design
 Macintosh-like features  into DESQview-specific  programs.  Also, DESQview
 supports PharLap's DOS Extender, which allows 386-specific DOS programs to
 take full  advantage of  the 32-bit  data segments of the 80386, be larger
 than 640K, and  multitask  along  with  normal  DOS  programs.    OS/2, in
 comparison, does not yet support the features of the 80386....

       But even though Desqview has so much going for it, there are a few
 factors that give OS/2 a great advantage as an operating system in the
 long  run.    One  is  that  even  though  DESQview multitasks current DOS
 programs, has guidelines to help make  future DOS  programs more powerful,
 and will  quickly support  new technologies, it is working within an aging
 standard, while OS/2 gives a newer,  more sophisticated  standard that was
 built from the ground up for technologies such as multitasking.

       A good  example of  this is  OS/2's LAN Manager.  Because Local Area
 Networks (or LANs) are becoming very  popular, and  OS/2 is  a single-user
 operating system,  IBM and Microsoft designed a LAN Manager for OS/2 which
 would handle every aspect of LAN Management, from the sharing of resources
 and data,  to ensuring  the LAN's  smooth operation.   Many LAN Makers are
 producing handlers to let their networks be controlled by the LAN Manager,
 and although  DESQview will  soon support  some of  the more popular LANs,
 OS/2's LAN Manager provides  the type  of comprehensive  organization of a
 Network that  only an operating system can perform.  Also, DESQview's API,
 while allowing DOS programs to have some features of OS/2,  cannot provide
 the same  type of  functionality that  OS/2 is  capable of, simply because
 OS/2 was designed from the beginning to support the sophisticated features
 that future programs will need....

       Another advantage  of OS/2  lies in SAA, a new strategy that IBM has
 implemented around OS/2 Extended Edition, a version of  OS/2 with Database
 Manager, an  integrated SQL  Database system that is compatible with IBM's
 DB2, a mainframe database standard, and Communications Manager,  which has
 utilities  to  allow  communications  between  separate  IBM computers and
 terminals.  Systems Application Architecture, or SAA, is  a common  set of
 guidelines that  will allow users to learn and use applications on any IBM
 system, from IBM Mainframes to the PS/2, more quickly, and for programmers
 to port  applications running  on one  IBM computer  to another IBM system
 more easily.

       SAA consists of three components:   CUA (Common  User Access), which
 defines Presentation  Manager as the standard graphical user interface for
 IBM applications, CPI (Common Programming Interface), which is  a standard
 set of operating system calls allowing IBM applications to be ported among
 OS/2, OS/400, MVS, and VM,  the  Operating  Systems  used  in  IBM's PS/2,
 workstation, and  mainframe systems.   CCS (Common Communications Support)
 standardizes the various terminal emulations and  protocols used  for LAN,
 modem/terminal communications  in IBM  systems.   This unified approach to
 computing could allow IBM Mainframe Users to integrate AT Clones and PS/2s
 into their  businesses, and would make the power of mainframe applications
 available to OS/2 Users.  However, since OS/2 Extended Edition will be the
 VERY first  application to  support IBM's  SAA, the success of SAA depends
 solely on OS/2.  And since the success of OS/2 is greatly dependent on the
 success of SAA, a "chicken and egg" dilemma is established....

       Also, most major DOS companies are making OS/2 products NOW, meaning
 that it  will shortly  have a  vast software  base.   In comparison, while
 major software  companies are  considering using  DESQview's API for their
 products, DESQview-specific  software probably  won't be  seen until after
 OS/2 software is readily available.  Of course, since DESQview can already
 multitask DOS software, this might not be that important.  But combine all
 this with  the fact  that both  IBM and Microsoft are putting their united
 support behind it, and  OS/2  has  a  good  chance  of  being  an emerging
 standard.   But ONLY  if one  of its  most grevious handicaps is corrected
 immediately....

       Most of the potential of OS/2  as  a  replacement  for  DOS  will go
 unrealized  if  programmers  cannot  use  new technologies with it, and if
 users cannot use it with new  systems.   IBM and  Microsoft have announced
 that they  are finally developing a 386-specific version of OS/2 that will
 take advantage of its capabilities.  These included  32-bit data segments,
 being able  to multitask both OS/2 and DOS programs, and using the 80386's
 special features for faster,  more  secure  multitasking.    However, this
 version of  OS/2, which should have been made in the first place, will not
 be available until Late 1990.  And it is reported that Intel  is preparing
 to shortly  announce the  new 80486  chip, which will replace the 80386 as
 the state of the  art.    And  assuming  that  IBM/Microsoft  won't  do an
 80486-specific version  of OS/2  until 1991,  when Intel  will probably be
 announcing an  80586 chip,  it is  more than  likely that  OS/2 will never
 truly be  at the forefront of computer technology, as IBM tries to make it
 catch up with the status quo of the high end of the market.   And as other
 products (such  as DESQview or Unix) will definitely take advantage of new
 technologies at a quicker pace, OS/2 could be  overtaken by  a system like
 Unix.  Unless, of course, Big Blue wishes otherwise....

       With  OS/2,  IBM  presented  the  final segment of its plans for the
 microcomputer of the Nineties.   The  other  two  segments,  the  PS/2 and
 MicroChannel,  have  also  faced  stern  criticism and strong competition,
 partly  because  of  the  industry's  tendency  to  be   cautious  of  new
 technologies.    But  there  are  other startling similarities between the
 MicroChannel's situation and OS/2's. In both cases, IBM offered a powerful
 new standard  which was vastly different from anything in its field, which
 garnered a  great  deal  of  controversy  in  the  IBM  world.    With the
 MicroChannel, though, the criticisms were not centered on any inadequacies
 or faults it had, but on  whether the  PC world  can afford  to completely
 switch to  a new  standard.   OS/2, though,  has several deficiencies that
 hamper its usefulness.  And even though it is supposed to be the operating
 system of  the future,  its inability to support state of the art products
 such as the 80386 limits its being feasible in high-end  systems, where it
 would be most useful.

       Also,  DESQview  has  many  attractive  aspects  which OS/2 does not
 currently have, making it a powerful alternative.  But even  though DOS as
 an operating  system will be around for a very long time, the fact is that
 for high-end users, DOS has already become obsolete.  So  at least  in the
 high end of the market, a sophisticated operating system such as OS/2 will
 be needed.  And even though Unix is a viable option, the dissention within
 its own  ranks could  cause OS/2  to win by default.  So is the real issue
 whether IBM  missed  the  fundamentals  with  OS/2,  forgetting  the basic
 tendencies and  preferences of its userbase in striving to make a superior
 product, or if IBM's timing in introducing OS/2 was faulty?



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


 Sausalito, CA      AutoDesk Inc. has introduced AutoCAD Release 10 for IBM
 -------------      80386-based IBMs running under DOS.  This version of
                    AutoCAD speeds up 3-D rendering/drawing operations by
                    20 percent, and uses PharLap's 386/DOS Extender to
                    break DOS's 640K limit....

                    AutoCAD for the 80386 chip will be shipping at around
                    Winter Comdex, for $3000.00, the standard price for ANY
                    version of AutoCAD.  However, existing AutoCAD users
                    will be able to upgrade for $100.00.

 Beaverton, OR      NCube has introduced the NCube 2 Scalar Supercomputer,
 -------------      a parallel processing architecture which uses from 32
                    to 8192 processors to execute up to 60 billion
                    instructions per second, and 27 billion floating point
                    operations per Second, or nine times the speed of a
                    Cray Y-MP.  Cost:  From $500,000 to $30 million....

                    However, while it does run Unix, the only software
                    package currently being made for the NCube 2 is a
                    Parallel Server Architecture version of Oracle Inc.'s
                    SQL Database System.  But then, with 170 customers
                    already waiting for delivery, the NCube 2 is certain
                    to revolutionize the industry....

 San Francisco, CA  Nintendo has obtained a preliminary injunction which
 -----------------  prohibits Atari Games, or its subsidiary Tengen from
                    selling the Tetris video game in the U.S.

                    Nintendo is suing Tengen, a subsidiary of Atari Games,
                    over the exclusive U.S. distribution rights to Tetris,
                    and since Tengen was selling a version of Tetris for
                    the Nintendo Entertainment System....

 Tokyo, Japan       In a recent agreement, Canon has decided to invest
 ------------       $100 Million dollars in NeXT Inc.  In return, Canon
                    will receive 16.67 percent of NeXT's stock, and
                    exclusive Far East distribution rights for the NeXT
                    Computer.  However, to prevent any potential takeover,
                    Canon cannot obtain more than 20 percent of NeXT Inc.
                    in the next 10 years....

                    This may be a golden opportunity for both NeXT Inc.,
                    who now has an excellent Asian sales network for the
                    NeXT System, and Canon, who has a valid entry in the
                    burgeoning Japanese workstation market....





 _______________________________________________________________________



> "OLD GLORY" STR Feature
  -----------------------


                                                  "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"
                                                  ========================


 by Ralph F. Mariano


   Theme: This is 1989, ..some things we must hold dear to our hearts!


         You're a Grand Old Flag, you're a High Flying Flag......


     The "Supreme  Court" has  decreed that you are a just a rag!  Ok to be
 burned, soiled and done with as any demented misfit cares to do with you!


 Flash Back!
 ----------
     Iwo Jima, Second World War, A  group  of  American  Soldiers  who have
 fought through  the blood  soaked volcanic ash of this pacific atoll begin
 to raise the Flag atop Mount Surabachi, ...

 Afterthought...
 --------------
     We, the people, would love to  see  this  "Supreme  Court"  tell THOSE
 soldiers that some puke can BURN the Flag of the United States of America!


 Flash Back!
 -----------
     An overview  of the  French population when the American Expeditionary
 Force arrived and pledged to help win the First World War in  the names of
 freedom, justice  and liberty for all.  The sight; "the French people with
 tears in their eyes saluting the American Flag" and treating the doughboys
 as if they were their own sons!

 Afterthought...
 ---------------
     How it easy it becomes to understand "the how and why" when the people
 of  nations,  whom  we  have  fought   and  died   for,  show  disrespect.
 Especially,   when they  observe our  "Highest Court"  in the land permits
 punks to desecrate the flag of our country.  How then, can  we ever expect
 those folks  in other nations to respect our flag or our citizens for that
 matter?

 A little history...
 -------------------
     The original circle  of  stars  in  "Old  Glory"  signifies  the first
 colonies to  become the  founding states.....but  how many people actually
 know what the colors of the flag signify?

 Red ..is for the blood spilled in defense of our country!

  White ..is for the purity of heart and thought! 
  
    Blue ..is for the undying loyalty of all Americans pledged to the flag!


 Why all the fuss?
 -----------------
    There comes a time in every man's heart when he murmurs to himself,
  
           "I stood all I can stand and I can't stand NO MORE!"

     Folks, what is happening to our  country?   It seems  to be  the right
 time to jump squarely in the face of every elected official from the local
 dog catcher right up to and including the oldest Senator and let them know
 that  what  is  happening  here  in  the  USA,  in  1989,  is not correct,
 respectful or at least, decent.  Whatever became  of stability, continuity
 and just plain common sense???  Common sense is really just...

                         "Doing the Right Thing."

 "Burning the  Flag of  the United  States of America is the SUPREME INSULT
 thrust upon each and every one of us. And especially  upon those  who have
 fought and died for our beloved country!"

     This recent  decision of the Supreme Court scares the pants off me, if
 this type of thought process is what "we the people" want ...then somebody
 had better show me where I am  .."cause there is not a single soul here in
 this part of the country who agrees with them saying, it's ok  to burn the
 flag!"

                               :REFLECTIONS:
                               =============

     The VietNam War Memorial, all those names, I'd love to see the Supreme
 Court tell those citizens or their families ..it's ok to burn the Flag!

     The Arizona Memorial, still a small but very  evident oil  slick comes
 forth as  a reminder  to today's generations that the memorial is actually
 the battleship itself.  Wonder which of the justices on  the Supreme Court
 would volunteer  to explain  the how  and why  it's ok to burn the flag to
 these citizens and their families???

     Two very dramatic and harsh examples of just how insulted and outraged
 the "SILENT MAJORITY" of the US population really is.  The boneheads in DC
 had better wake up and realize that the average US  citizen is  not a dolt
 being led  by a  public relations expert's leash!  The wave of indignation
 is in it's beginning stages, and as it's  magnitude increases,  it becomes
 very believable  that if  the course of current events and the attitude of
 our present "leaders" doesn't  change,  the  next  National  Election will
 reflect a record setting change in government.

         "IT'S TIME THEY STOPPED CUTTING EACH OTHER'S THROATS AND 
                     PAYED ATTENTION TO THE PEOPLE!!"

 Today's government must improve:

        a) It's attitude toward the common man.

        b) It's LACK of response to the 'little guy'.

        c) An obvious lack of understanding the majority of it's citizens.

     The  Supreme   Court  is  appointed  by  the  Executive  Branch,  (The
 President) and approved by a committee made up  of elected representatives
 of the  people...understandably, it  is difficult to remove a justice once
 appointed, but perhaps a PRESIDENTIAL MANDATE for either  a change  in the
 Supreme Court's  decision to  ok flag  burning, or  ...An AMENDMENT to the
 Constitution to prohibit desecration of the FLAG of  the United  States of
 America in ANY manner whatsoever, would be in order!
   
               (as long as it is NOT "debated to death" or 
              "footballed" in the "hallowed halls" forever.)

     The wheels  of government  however slow, must be kicked into high gear
 at this time to make sure that this "Lame Duck Supreme Court"  hasn't sent
 a message  to the enemies of Democracy and the USA, that the FLAG and it's
 bearers are fair game!



                            HELP SAVE THE FLAG!

     note:  Feel free to send this essay to your congressman, senator,  or 
            whomever...it may be duplicated at will.  Please, help get this
            outrageous ruling reversed!

                      PLEASE, DON'T BURN THE FLAG....

     I love this country, and what it  stands  for,  I  have  seen  what is
 happening in  other areas  of the world first hand and believe me, we have
 the GREATEST NATION the World and history has EVER known!

                                       Ralph F. Mariano





  _______________________________________________________________________



> WOA Dearborn STR Feature  An overview of the World of Atari Show
  ------------------------

                                       World of Atari Dearborn Michigan
                                       ================================

 Viewpoint #1                                June 24 and 25, 1989


 by Randall A. Kindig


     When the  name Atari is mentioned in the same sentence with computers,
 most people (at least those in  the  U.S.)  fail  to  see  the connection.
 However, to  a small  but loyal  group of  people, Atari is THEIR computer
 company.  For those people, those who wouldn't trade their  Atari computer
 for all  the Big  Blues or  Apples in  the world,  Atari means EXCITEMENT.
 This is the type of people who packed the World  of Atari  Show, held June
 24-25 in Dearborn, Michigan, only 10 minutes from the Detroit airport.  It
 was a large show, in terms of square footage, held  in a  very large, very
 plush, Hyatt Regency Hotel. However, unfortunately, the attendance was not
 as large  as the  facilities that  were provided.   Officials  of the show
 stated that  there were  an estimated  2800 people  over the 2 day period,
 which is certainly much smaller than the previous  World of  Atari held in
 the  Disneyland   Hotel,  but  would  have  to  be  considered  a  success
 nonetheless.  Saturday was definitely the best attended  day, with certain
 booths so packed it was almost impossible to walk through the aisles.

                         * The Format of the Show *

     One very  large conference  area was  packed with  Atari retailers and
 developers, including, of course, Atari Corp. itself.   In addition, there
 were  seminars  held  at  various  intervals  throughout  the  day in some
 additional reserved conference rooms right  near  the  exhibit  area, with
 most of  them scheduled  for Saturday.   The entry fee was $5 for a single
 day and $7 for the entire 2 days, which is more than reasonable.  In fact,
 if you  stayed at  the Hyatt, all it took was to show your room key to get
 free entrance.  A drawing was held on Sunday during  which many  pieces of
 hardware and software were given away to a lucky few (not one of which did
 this reviewer win!).  The prizes included a  couple of  XF551 disk drives,
 an  SX212  modem,  many  pieces  of  software,  and a color 520ST computer
 system.

                             * The Exhibits *

     The number of retailers and third party developers was very  large, so
 I may  have missed  one or  two.   But, the  following should  be a fairly
 comprehensive list.  Unfortunately, the map  given  out  at  the  show was
 inaccurate, apparently  due to the fact that some vendors who were to show
 up did not do so at the last minute. (more on that later):

 CodeHead Software 
 =================
     John Eidsvoog and the infamous  Charles  Johnson  (I  mean  that  in a
 complimentary fashion Charles!) were there showing their entire line of ST
 software.  This includes  G+Plus, Multidesk,  Hotwire, MidiMax,  and a new
 set of programs called Codehead Utilities.  This includes Multifile, which
 is a  multi-featured  GEM-based  file  handling  utility.  Another program
 allows  one  to  rearrange  the  AUTO  folder.    Art  Gallery  2.0  is  a
 multi-format graphics viewer/slideshow.  It will handle DEGAS,  TINY, NEO,
 SPECTRUM 512,  and ART  DIRECTOR format  pictures and  will even work as a
 desk accessory to load these formats into DEGAS  Elite.   There also  is a
 RAMdisk, print  spooler, disk copy program and many, many others.  This is
 an excellent value at only $29.95!  I was glad to see that their booth was
 always very  busy.   This is one company ST users definitely should go out
 of their way to support!

 Reeve Software 
 ==============
     They were showing their GOS operating system (ST Junior) for the 8-bit
 line.  One can almost imagine he's using an ST when on this program.

 CHAOS, 1ST Stop 
 ===============
     These  2  groups  (CHAOS  being  a  user  group  and  1ST Stop being a
 retailer) were  sharing  an  area  and  showing  the  new  real-time video
 digitizer, Vidi  ST.   This is  an excellent digitizer from Scotland which
 can capture frames from a VCR without needing  to   pause the  picture and
 many special  effects capabilites are built into the software.  I couldn't
 resist purchasing one!

 JRI 
 ===
     John Russell Innovations were showing their genlock for  Megas at $650
 suggested  retail,  the  $99.55  JATO  accelerator  board, and the ST4096C
 board.  The accelerator board may not work on those  ST's which  have slow
 RAM chips and has a switch to select between the enhanced 16 MHz operation
 and original 8 MHz operation.  The ST4096C retails for $49.95 and gives ST
 and Mega computers a 4096 color palette rather than the standard 512 color
 one.  It requires no soldering, trace cutting, or jumpers and claims to be
 compatible  with  all  existing  software.    It  requires  purchasing  an
 additional Shifter chip from Atari.

 Innovative Concepts 
 ===================
     They were showing 8-bit products primarily,  but also  had version 2.5
 of the  ST Xformer  available, which allows running some 8-bit software on
 the ST.

 ICD 
 ===
     They were showing their entire line of 8-bit and ST  hard drives.   In
 addition, they had their new tape backup system, which works at 6.5 MB per
 minute, has a built-in clock, SCSI and DMA ports, and stores 155.7 MB on a
 single cassette.

 Datafree Industries 
 ===================
     They had European magazines (which are fun to look through, some great
 products are  available  over  there).    Also,  they  were  showing their
 accelerator board  (that's 4  boards now  that I  know of!),  which has an
 external on/off switch, does not use a RAM cache, and retails for $119.95.
 They also had some RAM upgrades boards available

 Migraph 
 =======
     Migraph had  a very  large booth at the show.  Their primary focus was
 to show and sell their new hand scanner,  which is  bundled with Touch-Up.
 The scanner  has a  4 in.  scanning window and has scanning resolutions of
 100, 200, 300, and 400 dpi.  Price $429 for the package.  A new version of
 Touch-up  (1.5)  was  introduced  to  be  bundled  with  the hand scanner.
 Enhancements include hard drive caching so that it is now  limited only by
 hard drive  space rather than memory, an on-screen 2x magnifier, a bolding
 feature to make all or part of an image stand out, an on-screen locator in
 lightning  mode,   and,  best  of  all,  no  more  PSK  device  (for  copy
 protection)!  This new version should be available now and will be free to
 current hand  scanner/Touch-Up package  owners.  The hand scanner alone is
 $314, $15 of which will be refunded when Migraph receives the PSK from the
 previous version of Touch-Up.  For those that  only own  Touch-Up, version
 1.5 will  cost $35,  $15 of which will be refunded for the old PSK.  Thank
 you, Migraph,  for getting  rid of  the PSK!   There  was a  great deal of
 interest at this booth.

 Abacus 
 ======
     They were showing their entire line of ST reference books and had some
 good deals on them.  Abacus also had some of their software for sale, such
 as Datatrieve  and Assempro.   Also,  they were  offering BeckerCad for an
 introductory price of $95 (retails for $395) until July 15.

 InterSect Software 
 ==================
     Another great Atari-only software company, Intersect was showing their
 newest  version  of  Interlink,  and talking about the upcoming Masterlink
 telecommunications program.  They also were showing Revolver.

 Softrek 
 =======
     Wayne Buckholdt was showing the latest version (1.57) of Turbo ST, the
 speedup  program.    This  version  makes  window  redraws  faster,  has a
 Wordperfect and Word Writer speedup, is compatible with  more software (in
 fact, they  claim 100%  compatibility), can  use the Blitter chip on those
 machines which have one, and is 52K in size.  Version 1.6  is almost ready
 and will be split into color and mono versions to reduce the program size.
 He was also upgrading all previous  versions for  registered owners  at no
 charge during the show, with $5 being the normal fee.  I think Wayne was
 feeling some  heat from  the new  Quick ST created by Darek Mihocka (of ST
 Xformer fame) which is  available for  a $20  shareware fee  and which has
 most of the same features as Turbo ST.

 Imagen - They were showing the new postscript emulator, Ultrascript.

 Michtron/Microdeal 
 ==================
     This was another large booth.  They had a lot of software for sale, as
 well as a laser disk player/Journey  to  the  Lair  combo  which  could be
 hooked to  the ST  for $950.   They were also selling the new Fleet Street
 Publisher II Deluxe bundled with Ultrascript for $169  and Tempus  II, the
 ultra high speed text editor.

 ST World 
 ========
     Of course,  since Richard  Tsukiji was  organizer and  promoter of the
 show, ST World had a large  booth and  was selling  subscriptions to their
 magazine.

 GENIE -  GENIE was  showing their  online system and signing folks onboard
 GEnie ...Darlah and the whole gang where there! 

 Atari Corp.
 ==========
     Atari had 2 very large booths in the middle of  the exhibit  hall, one
 dedicated to  ST's and  the other for 8-bits.  They were again showing the
 STACY, the Portfolio, and Megafile 44.  The Megafile 44 provides 44  MB of
 storage capacity  and uses  a removable  cartridge.   It has  a fast 25 ms
 access time in an 8 in. by 5 in. by 1.6 in. cartridge.   They are claiming
 that this  gives ST  users "unlimited  hard disk  storage and data back-up
 capabilities."  The price  is "less  than $1200",  with cartridges running
 about $150.   No  word on  when it  would be  available.   They  were also
 giving out an International ST Software Catalog, which  was marked  on the
 front as  normally costing  $12.95, but was found to be published in 1987.
 The PC4, an 80286-based PC-compatible, was not shown.  They  were also not
 showing the  newly-announced Color  Portable Video Game System.  This is a
 direct shot at Nintendo and has a 4096-color palette, allows connecting up
 to 8  systems together for multi-player games, built-in 3.5 inch LCD color
 monitor, 16 MHz clock, is capable of using up to  16 MB  cards, uses  6 AA
 batteries, weighs  1 pound, is about the size of a videocassette, and will
 retail for $150.  

 Gribnif 
 =======
     A new version of  Neodesk, numbered  2.04, was  released just  for the
 show, according  to Gribnif.   It  was on  sale for the show price of $35.
 This version contains Moniterm support, is smaller (about  20.8K), and has
 support for the public domain BigScreen program.

 Sierra On-Line 
 ==============
     Showing several  of the  games in  their ST line, ie; King's Quest IV,
 Space Quest IV.

 Accustar 
 ========
     Another game  company, and  announcing that  a new  game called Winger
 would be available soon.

 Alpha Systems 
 =============
     They were  showing Digisound,  Switchback, Polydisk,  and other ST and
 8-bit software and hardware.  Digisound is a program to turn your  ST into
 an inexpensive drum type sequencer for $29.95.  Swithback allows switching
 between 2 programs in memory at once, a la Revolver.

 BEST Electronics 
 ================
     They had many 8-bit and ST items, such  as cartridges,  modems, spring
 key stiffeners and more for sale.

 FAST Technologies 
 =================
     Jim Allen  was showing  his Turbo16  accelerator board, which now will
 come in a single version and retails for  $299.   Jim claims  that this is
 the best  and most  compatible accelerator  on the market, stating that it
 has been tested even with Spectre 128.  It uses a 32K static RAM  cache so
 as to  speed up all aspects of running a program.  It uses CMOS components
 and is built such that it should be able to be used with the  new PC Ditto
 II because  it does  not cover the 16 MHz 68000 chip.  It will come with a
 desk accessory to  allow  shutting  it  off  (for  games).    As  with all
 accelerators, it  does require  soldering work, because the original 68000
 chip is soldered to the motherboard in the  ST.   It has  to be desoldered
 and a  socket and board is installed in its place.  it should be available
 July 1.  Jim was also talking about  some future  products his  company is
 working on,  such as a Blitter adapter so all machines can use the Blitter
 chip, a 68030/68882 accelerator board which require the Turbo16 as a base,
 a $250  genlock for  all ST's, a 640 X 480 color graphics board for Megas,
 and an inexpensive upgrade to change any ST's monochrome resolution to 800
 by 560.   Call  (508) 475-3810  to order  or get  info on any of the above
 products.

 Gadgets by Small 
 ================
     The whole Small family,  even the  'small' Smalls,  were at  the show,
 taking orders  for the  Spectre GCR,  which will allow reading and writing
 Mac disks directly in the ST drive with no interface.  It is scheduled for
 release by  August 1  and will  retail for  $299.   Dave stated that he is
 working some very minor  bugs out  of the  software while  the hardware is
 being produced.   $50  will hold  one for  pre-orders and Gadgets by Small
 will give owners of Spectre 128 a $100 rebate towards Spectre GCR.  In the
 meantime, there  was much talk about the first portable Mac, a STACEY with
 a Spectre GCR cartridge.

 Seymor Radix 
 ============
     They were showing and selling the new interface, DVT VCR, which allows
 using a  standard VCR  as a 360 MB tape backup system for hard drives.  It
 retails for $249.95, works at 8  megabits  per  minute,  and  fits  in the
 cartridge  slot.    They  were  also  selling  IMG Scan, the scanner which
 attaches to the print head of your printer.

     Some other vendors were at the  show, the  busiest of  which were Rite
 Way Computers of Warren, Michigan and Cal Com of Silverspring, MD.  
 They  had  many  great  deals  available and undoubtably were pleased with
 their sales.  Many local ST users groups were also present, such as CHAOS,
 GAG (my  favorite acronym at the show), GLASS, and MAGIC.  They all had PD
 disks available  at low  prices and  had demos  of various  sorts at their
 booths.

                        Exhibitors Who Didn't Show

     Several exhibitors were advertised in the pre-show fliers that did not
 show up.  Most notable was Avant-Garde, of PC Ditto fame.   Many attendees
 were disappointed that they couldn't get a look at the soon to be released
 PC Ditto II.  Show officials  stated that  Avant-Garde was  busy trying to
 get PC  Ditto II  into production  and decided  they would rather miss the
 show than not get it out on time.  Also missing was Astra, which  we later
 found out went out of business, Supra Corp. and Antic Publishing, all very
 important in the ST arena.  No reasons were given for these no-shows.

                           Seminars at the Show

        The seminars which were given at the show were as follows:

 Future of Atari - Given by Sig Hartmann and very well attended.  It
                    will be reported on in a later segment.

 Spectre 128 GCR - Also very well attended.  Dave Small is very
                    humorous and fun to listen to.

 Graphics Operating System - Alan Reeve

 Desktop Publishing - George Miller of Michtron

 Computers and Kids - Dorothy Brumleve, highly informative!

 National User Group Forum - No one showed up to host this one.

 What Turbo 16 Will Do For You - Jim Allen of Fast Technologies

 Programming in Hisoft BASIC - Again, George Miller of Michtron

 Quick ST and ST Xformer - Darek Mihocka, well attended!

                               Show Specials

     There were  many special  deals at  the show,  some of  which you only
 dream of.   As  the show  got closer and closer to the end, it seemed that
 some of the vendors were  trying  to  clear  their  stock,  with  the show
 attendees benefiting.  Here are only a few of the many specials I saw:

 Timeworks ST Publisher..................... - $55 - Cal Com

 Vidi ST.................................... - $149.95 - 1ST Stop

 SupraModem 2400............................ - $119.95 - Rite Way Computers

 Set of all 10 Abacus ST Reference Books.... - $80 - Abacus

    Interlink - $20 - upgrade to Masterlink - $20 - Intersect Software

 Turbo ST................................... - $35 - Softrek

 10 DS/DD disks............................. - $8.90 - Rite Way Computers

 and many, many others! 


               Sig Hartmann's Seminar on the Future of Atari

     Atari Corp's  Vice President Sig Hartmann gave a talk on the future of
 their company to a standing-room-only crowd  of enthusiastic  fans.  Those
 who  have  heard  Sig  speak  know  that  he  seems  like a down-to-earth,
 tell-it-like-it-is spokesperson.  The  talk lasted  over an  hour and many
 topics were covered.  

 We present some of the highlights:
 ----------------------------------

     1) Sig  stated that the ST now has 5000 titles worldwide.  He
     expressed  regret  that,   unfortunately,   few   "big  name"
     companies have  decided to develop for the ST.  He has talked
     to some of those companies, but has had little luck thus far.
     He did emphasize that the current software line is excellent,
     however.

     2) Atari will try to attend more conferences like the recent
     government technology show which was held in Sacramento.  Sig
     stated that Atari attending that show caused much interest to
     appear in their products.

     3) Atari is now  a  1/2  billion  dollar  company,  with 1800
     employees worldwide.

     4)  He  emphasized  the  U.S.  push this year and stated that
     Atari will try to build more product in the U.S. .

     5) When asked about  the rumored  enhanced ST,  with improved
     resolution and color, Sig would not confirm or deny, pointing
     out Atari's new policy of not  announcing a  product until it
     is about  ready to ship.  In fact, he put his job on the line
     and said that if Atari doesn't  ship by  the announced latest
     date, he personally will resign.

     6) When queried about recent and future advertising,  he said
     that 3 to 4 months  ago  their  was  some  advertising fairly
     localized  in  California,  where  Atari is based.  He stated
     that Atari did have a large ad budget  and more  will be done
     in the areas where Atari products sell well.  Sam Tramiel had
     said that it takes 3 things to sell  well: product,  ads, and
     distribution channels.  Now that they have product, the other
     2 items are being improved.  He emphasized  that all  of this
     will happen this year!

     7)  As  for  shipping  dates:    Portfolio,  Laptop,  and new
     handheld game machine -  September  1989.    TT  - guaranteed
     before end of year.

     8) Sig  stated that they have shipped 500 CD ROM units to 3rd
     party developers.  

     9) 100 Portfolios have been produced thus far.

     10) On the subject of TOS 1.4, Sig  said that  it is released
     to production  for new  machines.   Current ST owners can now
     get EPROMS from their dealers with the new TOS or  the dealer
     can order them from Atari.  If you don't have a local dealer,
     contact Sig by mail and he will get you a set.   No price was
     mentioned.

     11) He  stated that  Chris Roberts,  a long-time 8-bit and ST
     user, is now the User Group Coordinator.

     12) The ATW is currently available  only in  Europe.   It was
     released there  first because it was felt that the U.S. could
     not provide proper support.   It  is,  however,  awaiting FCC
     approval and is expected in the U.S. by the end of the year.

     13) The  dealer base  has expanded  in the  last 6 months and
     Atari expects many more by the end of  the year.   No numbers
     were given.


                                ----===----

 Viewpoint #2

 by D. Mitchell

     Due to  the extreme heat on Saturday morning, my car overheated on the
 way to Dearborn, thus and I  was forced  to drive  slower to  get there. I
 arrived  around  midday,  to  find  the  show area pretty well packed with
 people. I missed the  Sig  Hartmann  talk,  as  well  as  the  David Small
 seminar, but I'm told he really packed them in.

     The Atari  booth was rather tame.  Chris Roberts was there, as well as
 Sig, and a few no names. The Crazy Glued portable (STACEY) was there.  The
 keyboard felt  a bit  different, but a bit spongy.  Someone mentioned that
 the keyboard actually clicked. I did not think so.   Definitely not  an AT
 quality keyboard.   The  screen was a bit dim, and the contrast wasn't too
 hot either. It did have two built in  floppy drives,  and with  the screen
 down, the whole unit is hardly any bigger than a 1040ST.  I want it!

     Codehead was  about the  only software booth that was packing them in.
 They had their new product Codehead Utilities, which look pretty cool. The
 Gribnif booth  had Neodesk  2.04, and  SofTrek was  showing Turbo ST 1.57.
 This new Turbo ST is damn fast!

     START (Antic) didn't show.   Megamax  didn't show.   Bill  Teal didn't
 show. There was a _lot_ of empty space .

     Riteway computers  had a huge booth where they were selling just about
 anything.  Cheap disks, cheap magazines, etc.  BEST also had a large booth
 with all kinds of gizmos and parts for Atari.

     Two 16MHz boards were being shown.  Jim Allen of Fast Technologies was
 showing his board, now priced at $300.  Using Quick  Index 1.6,  it scored
 135% on  the CPU  memory test,  and over 200% on the other CPU categories.
 What this means to the average users is a 50%-60%  speed increase  on just
 about _any_  ST program.  I was able to verify this by benchmarking the ST
 Xformer, and sure enough, it was  50%-60% faster  (i.e. about  80% of full
 speed).  Turbo ST really flies with this board.  The board is turned on by
 an AUTO folder program, so no  external switches  are required, therefore,
 NO FCC  regulations are  not violated.   On  the other  hand, the Datafree
 board, which does have a switch and sells for about $130 has absolutely no
 effect  on  the  Xformer  and  may  speed  up  some programs by a mediocre
 20%-30%.

     GEnie has  a booth  set up with a modem to allow people to try out the
 service.  Atari sysops Darlah, Jeff Williams, Holly Stowe and Sandy Wilson
 were there.

 Migraph was demoing Touchup on the Moniterm monitor.  Real neat stuff.

     On Sunday, when the doors opened at 10am, no one showed up!   By 11am,
 maybe 20 or 30 people showed  up, and  many of  those were  repeaters from
 Saturday.  It picked up by around noon or 1pm, but thinned out soon after.
 Some booths started packing up around 3pm!

     The seminars on Sunday  drew  a  thin  crowd.    The  Xformer/Quick ST
 seminar  only  drew  about  40  people,  who stuck around for the whole 90
 minutes of the talk.  Ignac and D. Mihocka took turns demoing  the 7 Quick
 Utilities and the latest 130XE emulator.

     It was rather disappointing that the seminars weren't announced on the
 PA. (or  if they were, it couldn't be heard).  A number of folks announced
 their seminars themselves.  Also, the whole room only had one entrance and
 exit  door.    The  booths  close  to the door had lots of business, while
 booths stuck out way  in the  corner of  the show  area were  idle.  David
 Small's booth  and Jim Allen's booths were in that corner, and it appeared
 that they should have had more traffic.

     Richard Tsukiji  was predicting  5000 people would attend the show. In
 our humble  opinion, we  figured that  no more  than 1800  could have gone
 though on  Saturday, and  500 on  Sunday would  have been a miracle!  (not
 counting the repeaters) <grin>.

                                ----===----

 Viewpoint #3

                            World of Atari Show
                             Dearborn Michigan


 by Terry Russell

     For me, the day  started at  about 2am  Saturday morning  as I counted
 down the  minutes until  I started  the 237 mile trip to Dearborn Michigan
 from Akron, Ohio. 

     Going into  details on all  the booths at the  show would take forever
 as there many of them and the activity around them was quite heavy.

     Actually, it became very apparent  that it would be  impossible to see
 everything in the hall and still have the  time to  attend the interesting
 and informative  seminars and believe me, the seminars was where we wanted
 to be!

     At the Abacus display we noticed a new  item among  their growing list
 of products  that support the Atari ST, a new Cad program, (Computer Aided
 Design), BeckerCad, which is said to be a  full featured  system.    While
 not being overly knowledgeable about Cad programs, what was evident to the
 untrained eye  was indeed  quite impressive.     The President  and CEO of
 Abacus a  very friendly  and informative  person, Arnie Lee talked with us
 about Abacus, it's products and the Atari ST.

     Mr Lee proceeded to describe, in depth, their (Abacus) support for the
 ST market  and of  the new products currently available.  Additionally, he
 pointed out that existing books were sold  out and  that  they  were being
 re-published and  updated.  He illustrated the fact that the US market was
 still small and that they expanding as the market itself expanded.

     About 11:00 am, we proceeded  to  attend the "Atari's Future"  seminar
 with Mr.  Sig Hartmann, we found the room already full of fellow users and
 Dealers waiting for the seminar to begin.  As the  seminar was  brought to
 order, Mr.  Hartmann welcomed all of us.  Listening to him speak and later
 talking with him personally was the  high point  of the  entire show.   In
 person, he is such a friendly, knowledgeable person, I can't remember ever
 having met a person with so much charisma!   During  his talk  he answered
 questions in  a straight  forward and  sometimes humorous manner that kept
 everyone's attention.  He requested  we  "hang  tough"  with  Atari  as it
 rebuilds itself in the US Market place.  He assured that the 8bit would be
  supported along with the entire Atari product line.  He stated that "Jack
 wants to be one of the biggest in the USA home computer market!"  

     He also  pointed out,  "In order  to do  this you  have got  to have 3
 things, One is good distribution, a powerful advertising  budget set aside
 and the third thing, he stated; "Is products, and this is all gonna happen
 this year and next".  He told us  that Sam  is really  pushing and working
 his behind  off pushing  everyone in the Atari organization.  He said that
 the funding was available, and that Jack and  Sam planned  on spending it.
 He  said   that  after   last  year,  the  strongest  commitment  was  the
 strengthening of the US market.    When asked  about the  new Tos  1.4 Mr.
 Hartmann told  us that  Atari plans on providing it thru their dealers and
 distributors and that we should talk to our local dealers  about providing
 us  with  the  upgrade.

 Back  to  the  main  show  where  I  talked with the President of a fellow
 usergroup called Chaos.   I got  my socks  knocked off  as he demonstrated
 Vidi ST.   It  appeared to me as he showed it to me that he was as excited
 about it as I was and for good  reason.    Vidi  ST  is  a  cartridge that
 captures a picture that uses a 16 shade palette not just from a camera but
 also from VCR or TV or other composite devices in  1/50th of  a second (No
 waiting ), it's FAST!   You don't need a still picture for this champ.  It
 is the very first real time frame  grabber  out  for  the  Atari  ST.   It
 captures pictures  from the  source you  provide just  as fast as you send
 them to it.  Then you can watch what you  have stored  in ram  in playback
 mode, or  you can  display 16 different frames on the screen, you may then
 decide which you wish to save.  As I watched I saw how easy he was able to
 go forward  and backward  through the screens and the different modes that
 were available.  

     Next stop, Migraph with the Viking monitor set up to make me feel even
 more excited.  They were  demoing the  Newest version of Touch-Up software
 v1.5, which is a great program for the  ST graphic and desk top publishing
 enthusiasts such as myself.  Actually, anyone would be impressed by it. On
 display was  their new  hand scanner,  the picture  looked as  good on the
 screen as it did on the hardcopy.  Considering the great package deal that
 Migraph is  offering for  Touch up and the Scanner it is a must for anyone
 who wants a full featured, easy to use, product.

     I stopped next at  ICD's booth,  they were  selling goodies as fast as
 they put  them up  for sale!   It  seemed every where I looked someone was
 walking with one of there fine products  under  arm.    The  tape  back up
 system was a real hot item.  The 8bit lines seemed a little slow, but were
 made up for by many ST sales. 

     I stopped by CodeHead and was impressed by the fine products they were
 offering and it seemed that they had something for everybody!

     A big  disappointment to  me was that Avant-Garde Systems did not make
 the show.  As an owner of PC Ditto, I am really looking forward to the new
 PC Ditto II soon to be released.  

     I also  wanted to  get an  eye on  Atari's newest  release in the game
 market the Atari Color Portable Video  Game System  but it  was not  to be
 found anywhere!!

     Atari was  selling the Megafile 44 a removable cartridge hard disk, it
 stores 44 megabytes of data.  It has a 4  inch removable  cartridge.  It's
 access time is impressive with 25ms, and the size of the unit is only 8" x
 5" x 1.6".  The price will be less than 1200.00 and additional 44 megabyte
 cartridges  are  available  for  about  150.00  each.  It will make a nice
 addition to any system.  Also  on  display  was  Stacey,  the  lap  top ST
 computer that has 1 meg onboard, 3.5 floppy and hard drive.  It has a mini
 trackball that may be  used instead  of the  mouse and  packs a  heck of a
 punch with its storage capacity.

     Next, Turbo  16 for  the ST  was being demo'ed ...The ST flew with the
 upgrade installed.  Watching, as the screens popped in and out so  fast, I
 thought  it  was  an  AT  386  running!  There was nothing slow about that
 rascal and when he used it with Turbo ST it was like  it was  in 4th gear.
 Look out!..Michigan  400;   Atari is on the way. Turbo 16 has a list price
 of $349.99 and one version fits all machines.

     The Spectre GCR running on the new Atari Stacey!   How about  that, an
 Atari laptop running faster than the Mac SE and with a built in hard drive
 for a fraction of the cost of what  an Apple  costs.   Just another reason
 why Atari  is becoming  so popular.   The demonstration included loading a
 real Macintosh disk in  to the  ST systems  equipped with  the GCR  and it
 booting up.   With  products like this and PC Ditto II available, it makes
 one wonder why people pay MORE for LESS with other computers.

      I went to the Alpha Systems Booth next and spoke  with the President,
 George Morrison  about the  fine products They had on display.  By the end
 of Saturday there was very little  left to  sell as  the crowd  present at
 this booth  literally bought  everything but the tables!  Several times as
 he was demonstrating the hardware and  software, people  asked to  buy the
 demo units.   CODEHEAD  bought the  last 2  Ultra disks which is a two meg
 battery backed up Ram disk that plugs into the cartridge  port on  the ST.
 The software  provides many  features such as printer spooler ect. as well
 as having a clock option available too. It  will allow  you almost instant
 access to  that code  you want  to compile  and is alot faster than even a
 hard disk.  Also available was  their new  product Jam  Master which  is a
 full blown  Midi Sequencer complete with full digitized keyboard sampling.
 It has four voice polyphonic sound.  And is fully Gem driven.   Back Track
 was also  demo'ed and  offered for  sale, this  is a software program that
 allows the  user  to  utilize  the  backside  of  his  double  sided disks
 separately.    It  is  nice  when  backing  up  original S/S software that
 normally takes a whole  disk.   With this  product you  could take  2 Copy
 protected original  disks and  back both of them to one double sided disk!
 Beatbox ST Sound Digitizer and many products for the 8bit were present for
 demonstration too.

     Across from Alpha Systems was Best Electronics with anything you could
 ever want for the ST.  They had  things available  that most  dealers tell
 you are  unavailable!   I found  several items  that I personally had been
 looking for like a rebuild kit for a  mouse or  an extra  mouse cable.   I
 heard an  add for  the company was "If they don't make it you will find it
 at Best" and from all the products I saw on display I believe it...

     My next stop was at Gribnif  for  a  look  at  the  latest  version of
 Neodesk.   Neodesk is a desktop alternative and is it a class act. Imagine
 booting up your hard drive system  and instead  of wading  thru folders to
 boot your  favorite utility,  you find it on your desktop and after double
 clicking on it Neodesk does the work of finding it and booting it for you.
 The Icon Editor allows you to create Icons that are really great, and that
 is something that I would enjoy.  It  has many  features that  really were
 needed in  the normal  Gem desktop. The newest version makes it shine even
 more by being able to take advantage of  the new  TOS 1.4  when it becomes
 available.

     One of  the larger  booths at the show belonged to Michtron/Microdeal.
 They had an assortment of the fine products that they currently feature in
 the MichTron  Catalog.   Fleet Street  Publisher was  looking real good. I
 wanted to attend the seminar they had, but only caught the tail end of it.
 They said  that many  more features  are planned for Fleet Street's future
 releases.  At the  booth, I  spoke to  Tim Purves  about several  of their
 products including  Michtron BBS  3.0 program.   I run this on my bulletin
 board so I can say with the experience that this is one  powerful program!
 The built  in C like language makes it very easy to customize the BBS. The
 MCL language supports many of the C commands  and if  you know  a little C
 it's a  piece of  cake to use.  The BBS program comes ready to run, so you
 can learn as you use it.   It  has it's  own compiler  and a  well written
 manual.

     Sierra's  booth  was  displaying  their  new software for the Atari ST
 line.  Many of the popular and colorful programs that are released for the
 ST can  take advantage of the new Stereo hardware.  As I watched one of my
 favorites Kings Quest IV being played utilizing their stereo system  I was
 very impressed with the fantastic sound.

     SofTrek's newest version of Turbo ST is FAST.  The software blitter as
 it's called is fully compatible and what a speed increase you get with it!
 I watched  a demo  on one of the 16mhz boards for the Atari ST and a stock
 ST with Turbo ST  ..well, the Turbo ST equipped stock ST actually beat the
 one with  the new  accelerator in  it and  when ST  Turbo was added to the
 machine with the 16  mhz board  the results  were fantastic.   Softrek was
 offering free  upgrades to  their registered  owners as  a way of thanking
 them for the support they have shown. 

     I stopped by the JRI, (John Russel Innovations) booth and saw two very
 exciting new products.  One was the ST4096C color enhancement system which
 was selling for only 49.95!   It gives  the ST  the ability  to display 64
 colors at  one time  from a  selection of  4096 colors over the 512 it can
 select from.  The difference from 16 to  64 is  quite vivid  and the extra
 availability of  4096 colors  is fantastic.  The other product is one that
 has long been awaited  in  the  Atari  community,    Genlock  which allows
 interfacing with professional video gear. 

     There were many things at the  show I  did not  have the  time to look
 over, because I could only be present for one of the two days the show was
 on.  I would like to thank Ralph for giving me an opportunity to  share my
 experiences with  you.  If a World of Atari show opens near your hometown,
 you really should plan to attend it, you  will be  glad you  did!   In the
 meantime, enjoy using those great Atari Computers.



 Editor Note:
 ------------

     Where was  everybody on Sunday???  The Michigan "400" ran on Sunday...
 This was heard in a number of conversations concerning the weak attendance
 of  WOA  on  Sunday  of  this  past weekend.  According to CBS Sports, who
 telecast this National annual racing event, this year's  race was attended
 by the  largest crowd  in the  last twenty years.  We made mention of this
 fact, * the Michigan 400 Race being on the SAME day *,  because we noticed
 a number  of comments  pointing out  that Atari  was at fault for the poor
 attendance performance at this show...  

     Let's be fair here, Atari is  NOT at  fault, no  person or  entity is.
 Again,  a  set  of  circumstances,  blunders  and  lack  of a professional
 approach at the planning stages gave cause to this unfortunate occurrence
  
     (a) The show running so soon after the highly successful MACE Expo. 
     (b) Poor planning, in  as much  as the  WOA show  Co-Ordinators should
          have been more flexible in it's date schedules. 
     (c)  Those  folks  who  find  it  easy to blame Atari forget that WOA,
          although very nice  and  quite  entertaining,  is  a  totally for
          profit  business  venture  of  ST  World  Magazine.   Not Atari's
          responsibility! 





  ______________________________________________________________________



> An Inside View STR Feature     A candid View of W.O.A. Dearborn... 
  --------------------------


                                    ...From the Other Side of the Table
                                    ===================================


     There was  a sense  of excitement getting ready for the Dearborn World
 of Atari show.  For the first time we were going to  have 3  of us manning
 the booth and thanks to our newest sysop, Jeff Williams, we incorporated a
 raffle into the show.  Will it be worth it??  That was on my mind from the
 very earliest stage of preparation. 

     The  show  was  a  joint  effort  with  Sandy Wilson and Jeff Williams
 putting in more than their share.  We were still  excited when  it came to
 setting up.   Although  we wanted to set up the night before, that was not
 possible.  Due to the count of equipment being less than what Atari stated
 it should be, Richard Tsukiji was hesitant at being the distributor of the
 equipment.  I don't blame him.  I would not want to be responsible myself.
 Off to  the jacuzzi  we went to chill out....relax or heatup, depending on
 one's interpretation.  We would have plenty  of  time  to  set  up  in the
 morning.

     The first  day of  the show  was relatively busy.  I must admit that I
 did notice one thing about this  show that  was more  acute at  this show.
 People  were  serious.  They  asked  questions.    The  crowd  seemed very
 intelligent and informed as a whole.  It led me to come  to the conclusion
 that the  Michigan area  seems to  be in touch with what is happening with
 the Atari community.  It was nice to see. 

     The second day of the show was much quieter but  people came  back the
 second day  with questions  they did not think of the 1st day.  It gave us
 the time to solve problems they may have  and to  help them  in areas they
 might of not been aware of. 

     The second  day of  the show  I got the opportunity to mill around and
 talk to the others.  I heard more than once  that the  timing of  the show
 was the  reason for  the less  than assumed  turnout.  I now find out that
 their were  other factors  that contributed  to this.   Michtron mentioned
 that they  were very  happy with  sales.   To them  it was  a success.  It
 seemed like sales  were  high  all  over.    Fleet  Street  Publisher with
 Ultrascript seemed  to be very popular.  Tempus II was a hot mover.  Craig
 S. Thom, from ICD (my 8 bit sysop) told us more than  once that  sales for
 their hardware was high. He seemed to be VERY happy. 

     Milling  around  the  crowd,  with  a  sense  of  genuine care was Sig
 Hartmann.  He spent a great deal of time talking to a number of  people at
 the  show  as  well  as  myself.    We  discussed the GEnie as well as his
 concerns on Atari's voice in the community. His concerns on misinformation
 was very  obvious.  I have every belief that his concern is one of the key
 factors in prompting a good flow of accurate information. 

     I  was  disappointed  at  the  lack   of  PA   system  announcing  the
 conferences.   I must  say though  that they were attended well and people
 still managed to find out  the  times  etc.    The  conferences  that were
 planned were  varied and  quite informative.   It  was good  to see such a
 variety. 

     Although this is only a partial view of the show  from my perspective,
 it does  lend you  to answer that question I was pondering at the onset of
 preparing for this event. Will it be worth  it??   I think  so.   The term
 quality comes  to mind  vs quantity.   This  show had it.  The word caring
 comes to mind.  The dealers, software developers and retailers really gave
 you  the  sense  that  they  cared  what  the prospective buyer wanted.  I
 realize it goes with the territory but the feeling seemed to go further.

     Thank you Atari for helping  promote  this  show  and  others planned.
 With genuinely  caring about  the Atari  market and the consumers that may
 enter this world and already exist, it eases my mind that Atari  is taking
 steps to become a presence in this arena.

     When the  next WOA  show comes  to your neighborhood, take the time to
 check it out.  You will be glad you did. 

                                   Darlah J Pine
                              (Chief GEnie Atari Sysop) 





 _______________________________________________________________________



> Atari Stock ~ STReport     The "tale of the tickertape"...
  ======================


                                                   THE TICKERTAPE
                                                   ==============


 by Glenn Gorman



     Atari Stock  went of 1/4 of a point on Monday, 1/4 on Tuesday, and 1/4
 on Friday. Finishing up the week at 8 5/8 points. Up 3/4  points from last
 Friday.


                                                            Glenn Gorman

                          +---------------------+
                          |  ATARI STOCK WATCH  |
                          | Week 06-19 to 06-23 |
 +=======+==========+===========+=============+============+=============+
 |       |  Monday  |  Tuesday  |  Wednesday  |  Thursday  |  Friday     |
 +-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
 | Sales |    1075  |     5361  |       1287  |       683  |    2537     |
 +-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
 | Last  |   8 1/8  |    8 3/8  |      8 3/8  |     8 3/8  |   8 5/8     |
 +-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
 | Chg.  |    +1/4  |     +1/4  |       ----  |      ----  |    +1/4     |
 +=======+==========+===========+=============+============+=============+
 | From > THE CAVE ST BBS <> 609-882-9195 <> 300//9600 HST <> F-NET #351 |
 +=======================================================================+





  _______________________________________________________________________



> CALAMUS STR Review  The first of a series, comparing DTP programs..
  ==================



                                                       Calamus--From ISD
                                                       =================


 by William Y. Baugh


 Calamus, in my opinion, is the finest DTP out for the ST.  It is unrivaled
 in ease-of-use, speed and print  quality.    This  week,  I  will  give an
 overview of Calamus, then for next week, I will collaborate with Associate
 Editor Ron Brunk to compare Calamus to Pagestream.
   
 Once Calamus is loaded  (which it  loads quite  fast for  a large program;
 unlike Pagestream) you must first either load in a previously created file
 or start from scratch.  Once either is selected, you are presented  with a
 full size  view of  the page.   This view is changeable either by dropping
 down the View menu or by using  the  icons  in  the  upper  middle  of the
 screen.    The  three  icons  select between full page (which is presently
 displayed), normal display or a definable display which  defaults to 200%,
 but can  be set  to any size you are comfortable with.  I like about a 80%
 size, which zooms in, but still keeps the page width within limits  of the
 screen  (no  horizontal  scrolling).    Depending  upon the function being
 executed will dictate the size of the screen.  If you are  importing text,
 or doing massive font style changes, you will want to see the entire page.
 But on the other hand, if you're working on raster graphics, it's  nice to
 be able to have the page zoomed in for closer scrutiny.

 Now it's  time to  define the  work area  (framing).   Unlike other DTP's,
 Calamus handles this function  quite differently.   Under  the frame icon,
 there are  seven different  sub-icons; these are used to define the frames
 and what will be placed within them.   The frames  consist of  text, line,
 Raster  area,  Vector  graphics  (DEGAS, etc), Raster graphics (Geometric,
 definable shapes), header/footer and rotated text frames.  When each frame
 is  drawn,  the  icon  it  is  represented  by  remains in the frame, thus
 allowing easy  identification.   Also, every  frame has  its own "effects"
 icon that  allows you  to modify the existing parameters, choose different
 graphics, etc.  These  features are  the heart  of Calamus,  and where you
 will  probably  spend  the  most  time  working  from.   Once your page is
 complete, you may save it to disk as a layout.
   
 When each frame is drawn, you always have the ability to change  the size,
 either  multidirectional   or  proportional,   protect  the  frame  so  no
 accidental work or deletions occur, move, copy and delete frames.   If you
 have one  frame overlapping another, you may choose to move the frame into
 the background or keep it in the foreground.   This,  accompanied with the
 raster graphics,  can make some spectacular effects such as the GEnie logo
 Ralph created to use in the CPU Newswire.  There  are seven(!) overlapping
 frames in  this display  that creates  a very  unique texture.   This is a
 helpful function if you use the same page layout time and time again.

 Text input is handled conveniently with  the features  of the  text editor
 and special  functions found  within the  text sub-icons.  There are eight
 icons lining the top of the  text side  menu which  allow you  to view the
 selected character  set and  dictionary, display  text rulers, change font
 size and styles, create text macros and use  the built-in  clipboard.  The
 editor  is  a  separate  GEM  window  which  may be moved and sized as you
 please.  This feature also differs from most  DTP's in  that you  have the
 editor to  type with;  no more  typing in  the frame and hassling with the
 proportional spacing.  You may send your created text to  the desired text
 frame or  receive text from a frame.  The font and justification codes are
 displayed in the editor and may be changed  therein.   Within the windows,
 text rulers are offered to help in the formatting of the text.  The rulers
 display the margins, tabs, and the justification chosen.   You  may change
 any of these by clicking and holding the appropriate icon.

 For  larger  works,  importation  as  ASCII  or  from several popular word
 processors (WordPerfect, Wordwriter ST and 1st  Word) is  preferable.  The
 importation  of   text  from  the  word  processor  keeps  paragraphs  and
 structural aspects complete.  ASCII, on the other hand, can  be brought in
 structured or  unstructured; but  in creating  the file as ASCII, you lose
 some of the structure, depending upon the word processor.   One quirk with
 Calamus, that  can be  a real bear at the beginning, is the importation of
 text into preset columns;  especially when  the document  covers more than
 one page.   To  make the  importation work properly, you must first set up
 the pathways that tell Calamus where you want the text  to flow.   This is
 done  (appropriately  enough)  with  the  Text  Flow icon.  You may set-up
 whether you want the text to flow from column to  column or  from the last
 column to the next page, etc.  The confusion occurs in knowing exactly how
 to set this up and the right order and placement of mouse  clicks to allow
 you to  do this.   Once learned, it becomes second nature; but learning it
 is another story.  Also included in the  text features  is the  ability to
 block off sections of text and create footnote and index frames.    

 Once your work is on the screen, you will not be disappointed.  Calamus is
 a true, "WYSIWYG" program.  The screen resolution  is amazing;  only to be
 outdone by the printout.  I have been using Calamus to create a newsletter
 for my usergroup;  printing  it  out  with  my  KX-P1092  (9-pin) printer.
 Granted, the  print-out is  slow (around  20 minutes  for a  page) but the
 printing algorithm is efficient.  The printer will do three  passes a line
 creating a  spectacularly sharp image.  When the print-out is copied, it's
 hard to tell whether it was printed with a laser printer or not.  The only
 drawback to  using a  9-pin printer is that you lose the effect of varying
 degrees of shadowing.  This is not true for 24-pin printer where  there is
 only one  pass per  line.   Calamus supports a whole slew of printers with
 the drivers included with the program.

 Macros are available to expedite your work.  These text macros are  a must
 for  desktop  publishing;  especially  one  as  advanced  as Calamus.  The
 ability to store up to 21 different macros allows great  flexibility plus;
 no  more  having  to  dig  down  into  nested icons for a function you use
 continuously.  When you define a macro, you give it  a title  to reference
 through the  macro menu and a keyboard equivalent.  From the keyboard, you
 just press the control key and  the  defined  key  to  execute  the macro.
 Macros may be defined as "text, differing styles of text and instructions,
 plus formatting commands."

 A clipboard area is  also available  to make  life a  little easier.   The
 clipboard may be used as a temporary storage for blocks of text.  The text
 may be just part of a column ,headline, etc. or may be footnote entries or
 indexes.  These entries may be taken at a later time and inserted into the
 Header/Footer frames.  Any of these  may be  left in  the clipboard, while
 the original is deleted from the working page. 
   
 Calamus uses an incredible feature known as internal vector fonts.  Vector
 fonts differ drastically from GDOS  raster  fonts  in  that  they  are not
 predefined and  rigidly structured  to follow an ASSIGN.SYS file.  This is
 to say, you make the decision at the time of use as to how  large you want
 the font.   No  more having  to use font sizes that the manufacturer wants
 you to use. Within the fonts icon, you  may load  differing fonts,  or use
 the one  currently in  memory.   The sizes of the fonts range from 4 up to
 999.5 points in steps of 0.1!  Calamus comes with   two  font styles (Time
 and Swiss  are the  major ones  and a  Desktop font that is quite limited)
 with 13 variations on  these  fonts  (bold,  italics,  bold-italics). More
 fantastic fonts  are available  through ISD.   There  is also a great font
 editor (that also comes with fonts)  that may  be used  interactively with
 Calamus.    

 Once you  have your  text in  place, you may want to highlight it by using
 either line frames or the raster graphics frames.   Line  frames allow you
 to display either lines (of course) or arrows which may point to the text,
 title, picture  etc., to  emphasize a  certain aspect  of your  page.  The
 raster graphics  are interesting  in that  they allow you to choose from a
 variety of geometric shapes, fill, shadow, and framing  patterns to create
 very interesting  effects.  There are a number of different patterns, plus
 they are also user definable  (you  may  create  your  own).    With these
 graphics,  in  conjunction  with  the  line  frames, the possibilities are
 endless for creating special effects on  the page.   Another  eye catching
 feature is  the ability to rotate text.  When the frame is drawn, text may
 be imported or typed in the  editor, brought  into the  frame and rotated,
 with  no   distortion.     This  works  very  well  for  title  pages  and
 advertisements.

 Vector graphic frames are the areas  where DEGAS,  .IMG, .GEM,  etc. files
 are imported.   These window are like any other in that they may be sized,
 moved, and copied.    Importation  of  graphics  is  fast!    ISD's screen
 algorithm is  one of  the best! The importation and screen updating is the
 fastest I've seen yet on the Atari.  This becomes important when  you have
 multiple drawings on the screen and want to scroll vertically; other DTP's
 (Pagestream in  earlier versions)  took forever  recalculating and drawing
 the image.  With Calamus, it's a breeze.

 Being such a complex program, it can not be summed up in just a few pages.
 As I said before, a more indepth look and comparison with Pagestream is on
 track for  next week.  Also, if you get the chance, take a look at Calamus
 yourself, you won't be dissappointed.   






  ________________________________________________________________________



> Atari Hand Held  STReport InfoFile   A look at the New Game System.
  ==================================


                             A.P.C.E.S. -> THE UTOPIAN GAME TECHNOLOGY
                             =========================================



     The Atari  Portable Color  Entertainment System  has the entire gaming
 industry buzzing with enthusiasm  and  envy  for  "a  marketing  stroke of
 genius with perfect timing!"  Being an Atari computer enthusiast, agreeing
 with this statement is not easy  for  me  but  ..admittedly,  it  is true.
 Although the Atari APCES is more expensive (149.95 msr)and slightly larger
 than it's nearest(?) competitor, Ninetendo's lackluster Gameboy.

     The Atari  unit is  far more  sophisticated than  * anything  * on the
 market today,  it offers full color on a 3.5 inch LCD monitor with 160x102
 pixel resolution.  The monitor displays  dot matrix  graphics in  up to 16
 colors  at  a  time  from  a  possible  palette of 4,096 colors.  The unit
 operates on 6 "AA" batteries, an  AC  adapter  or  Auto  cigarette lighter
 adapter and  includes a headphone jack. A connecting cable can be employed
 to interconnect up to eight units for multi-player challenges.

     One feature that left handed users will enjoy is the screen images may
 be rotated  180 degrees, thus enabling the user to comfortably operate the
 eight direction control pad with either hand.

                A partial NEW Game Cartridge Release list:

 o California Games - Athletics at it's best...
 o Monster Demolition - Nasty Beast destroys all in it's path..
 o Impossible Mission - Spy vs Criminal Brain and his droids
 o Blue Lightning - Flying and jet fighter simulation...
 o Time Quests & Treasure Chests - from Dungeons to Outerspace Adventure..
 o The Gates of Zendocon - Aliens and Space wars...
                    (Average cost per cartridge 35.00)

     This gaming system was developed by Epyx, and prototypes were ready as
 early as  the January CES however, being "sworn" to secrecy at the time it
 was impossible to report a thing about the  unit.   Epyx will  continue to
 work closely with Atari in the development of new game cartridges and both
 companies are actively negotiating with a number of companies on licensing
 agreements and development programs for third party development.  





  _______________________________________________________________________



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



 - Dearborn MI.                  ***** SIG HARTMANN CLEARS THE AIR!! *****
   -----------

     Sig Hartmann   made  a very  simple and quite clear statement that TOS
 1.4 is available to Developers and those who need it NOW for a "particular
 purpose",  this  answer  was  in  reply  to a remark passed in the dealers
 conference yesterday, Sat 6/24/89, where an attendee blurted  out that TOS
 1.4 would NOT be available until Christmas.  

     In no way, did Mr. Hartman propose that TOS 1.4 in ROM was in full and
 general distribution.  Although the TOS 1.4 ROM chips are currently at the
 manufacturer,  the  actual  delivery  date  is  not known at this time, (a
 reasonable guess would be  SEPT).    Once  again,  for  those  who  have a
 definite need, they may, through their dealers or Atari direct, obtain TOS
 1.4 in EPROM (special exceptions only) until such time as  the regular ROM
 chips become available.



 - New York City, N.Y.       **** MINDSCAPE OFFERS SUPERB NEW GOODIES! ****
   -----------------

     The list  is formidable  and very reassuring that we, (STers), are "on
 our way to the front row"...STAR TREK -  The Final  Frontier; Gauntlet II;
 Fiendish Freddy's  Big Top  'O' Fun; Harley-Davidson..The Road to Sturgis,
 are among the new releases to be seen across the next year from Mindscape.
 Industry analysts expressed very positive remarks that Atari appears to be
 "on the way back".



 - Chicago, IL                     **** ACCOLADE SNUBS NOSE AT ATARI!! ****
   -----------

     It seems Accolade is releasing HARDBALL II for  the Amiga  and IBM but
 the Atari ST is OBVIOUS by it's absence.  
 In addition, they are releasing:
  
     Heat Wave;.......... (Offshore high speed racing), 
     The Cycles;......... (International Motorcycle Racing) 
     Eye of the Storm;... (Vietnam Huey simulation).
   
     Lastly, they are also introducing  their first graphic adventures..

     Conspiracy;......... The Deadlock Files (Spy thriller), 
     The Third Courier;.. (Infiltrate behind the Berlin Wall) 
     Don't Go Alone;..... (A Spooky Haunted House Scarem up)
  
     All for either the IBM, Amiga or Apple but no Atari... Maybe Sunnyvale
 ought to look into this?



 - Chicago, IL                    **** CAPCOM STRONGLY SUPPORTS ATARI! ****
   -----------

     CapCom instead, is expanding  it's  Computer  Gaming  Catalog  and has
 introduced a host of new titles some of which are:

     L.E.D. STORM........Driving challenge packed with danger!
     LAST DUEL...........Chivalry is not Dead, save a princess!
     SIDE ARMS...........Wearing a High Tech Space Suit, you fight Aliens!
     POCKET ROCKETS......Motorcycle Racing 600cc!
     FORGOTTEN WORLDS....Intergalactic Wars, Save the Earth!
     STREET FIGHTER......International Street Fight Competition!
     STRIDER.............Futuristic Swordsman battles strange enemy camps!

     Coming Soon on a monitor near you are:

     GHOULS AND GHOSTS...Sequel to "Ghosts 'N Goblins"
     CABAL...............a One man army fights against terrorists.
     BLACK TIGER.........D&D type, fight 3 Dragons to reclaim a kingdom.
     TIGER ROAD..........Ancient China, rescue kidnapped children.
     HUNT FOR THE FLYING CIRCUS
                         A World  War One flight combat game pitted against
                         the infamous Red Baron!

     Capcom has the faith in Atari's future and  shows it  by continuing to
 release quality entertainment software for the Atari ST community.



 - Almeda, CA.                             ****  CHEVY CORVETTES RULE! ****
   -----------

     VETTE! is  the name, Street Racing is the Game!!  Spectrum Holobyte is
 putting the finishing  touches  on  their  new  street  racing simulation.
 There are  four street  courses set  in San  Francisco...the graphics will
 leave you breathless, they are awesome!  Observation vantage points of the
 game are stunning.. front, rear, above, left, right, and helicopter.
 In the game you'll deal with cable cars, pedestrians etc..  There are four
 models of Corvette to  choose  from  ..they  have  outstandingly realistic
 attributes!  We are patiently awaiting our review copy...



 - Cupertino, CA.                    ***** WHETMORE JOINS BUSHNELL!!! *****
   -------------

     Russ Whetmore,  known as  a developer's  developer has  left Apple and
 joined forces with the "Father of the Atari",  Nolan Bushnell.   Whetmore,
 famous in  the Atari Community for Home Pak, Preppie and a virtual host of
 other dandy goodies, wrote MacDraw II  for Apple.   The  union of Whetmore
 and Bushnell should produce some dazzling entertainment software.



 - Littleton, CO.          ***** GCR STEADILY ADVANCING TO PERFECTION *****
   --------------

     August is the inaugural month for the GCR, and ....all indications are
 positively a GO.  The GCR will make it's grand appearance on time and it's
 fanfare will be the virtually error free operation one can expect from it.
 It is nice to see the GCR right on track.  It's going to be a busy summer.
 Also, for  all the  STacey fans,  had it  not been  for Dave and Sandy the
 STacey would never have been seen  at Dearborn,  seems some  rough weather
 gave it  a good  "G" force test.  Sandy pieced it back together with super
 glue!  Dave was busy hunting down the raw materials.  <grin> 



 - Columbus, OH.                  *****  C.I.S. ACQUIRES THE SOURCE  *****
   -------------------

     Amidst a flurry of related stories, the final  line to  emerge reveals
 that Compuserve Information Services (CIS) has purchased the Source, "lock
 stock and barrel".  CIS, owned  by  H.R.Block,  is  the  largest  and most
 popular of  the information  services offering worldwide access.  With the
 addition of the Source's facilities,  CIS  now  offers  a  wider  range of
 services and  in turn,  it's services are now available to many more users
 almost overnight.



 - Sunnyvale, CA.                       *****  ATARI COMES UP "LIGHT" *****
   --------------

     Seems the inventory count for the hardware brought to Dearborn  was no
 where near the same upon arrival back at Sunnyvale....  According to three
 different sources, this could amount to a sizeable loss.  The sad  part is
 no list was available to see who "borrowed" what at the show.





  _______________________________________________________________________



> PCP BBS List STReport InfoFile
  ==============================



                              Atari ST BBS's
                       Accessible through PC Pursuit
                As compiled by Neil Bradley and Gil Seward
                               For ST REPORT

    All BBS Phone numbers were verified during the month of June - 1989

    The following  is a  list of Atari ST BBS's that are accessable through
 the telecommunications network called PC Pursuit - a  division of Telenet.
 All the  numbers listed  below were verified by Neil Bradley or Gil Seward
 during the month of June, 1989.  The BBS's are listed by city, showing the
 PCP  outdial  node,  phone  number,  name,  highest baud rate, and the BBS
 software program used.  In the  "Note" column  are misc.  notes concerning
 individual BBS's.   "Priv"  means that  the BBS  is private,   requiring a
 system password for access.  "$" means there is a  user fee  for unlimited
 access.   "Multi" means  that the  BBS has  more than  one telephone line,
 allowing  multiple  users  on  at  once  (Currently  only  available using
 Michtron 3.0  and the DC Port).  Only one phone line formulti-line numbers
 are listed.  "Nights" means the  BBS is  available only  after 1700, LOCAL
 time for the BBS.

    Those of  you familiar  with PC  Pursuit will  notice that some outdial
 cities are not included in the below list.  This  is because  we could not
 find any current ST BBS's in those cities.  

    PC Purusit  is a  telecommunications system  that allows computer users
 all over the country to call other computer systems in 34 different cities
 throughout the  United States.  The basic cost of PC Pursuit is $30.00 for
 30 hours, and each additional hour costs $4.75 per hour.  There  are other
 options available  as well.   To  access PC  Pursuit you  need to know the
 local in-dial phone  number  for  Telenet.    Once  you  access Telenet/PC
 Pursuit, you  then tell PC Pursuit to connect to an outdial city, and then
 tell PC Pursuit to dial the BBS Phone number in  that city.     PC Pursuit
 supports 300/1200/2400 baud rates.   For more information about PC Pursuit
 you can contact Telenet at: 1-800-835-3638 (voice) or  1-800-835-3001 Data
 (300/1200/2400 baud).

    I apologize  to those BBS's that are not included in this list.  If you
 wish to be included in a future revision to this list, leave  a message to
 the Sysop  of ST  SYNCRONISITY (Gil Seward) at (415) 526-6471.  He has set
 up a user name of BBSLIST, password MORE for anyone who wishes  to provide
 updates. 
   
    Finally, I wish to offer my thanks to the number of SYSOPS who took the
 time to stop and "Chat" with me about the BBS project.   Special thanks to
 Dave Lockwood  of Meetpoint  Station (415)  782-8248 for his assistance in
 providing a list of BBS's for verifying.    

                               Neil Bradley

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

 PCP NODE      PH#       BBS NAME                      BAUD SOFTWARE  Note
 -------       ---       --------                      ---- --------  ----

                             Atlanta GA (404)
                              ---------------
 GAATL    425-2718       Marietta BBS                  2400  Forem   Priv
 GAATL    428-7237       Overmind                      2400  STADEL  

                             Boston, MA (617)
                             ----------------
 MABOS    595-0221       Atari (8-BIT)                 1200  NIGHT-LITE
 MABOS    567-8642       Toad Hall                     2400  MICH 3.0 Multi
 MABOS    396-4607       BCS Atari                     2400  MICH 3.0
 MABOS    471-2270       Games People Play             2400  MICH 3.0
 MABOS    328-9230       Harbour Light                 2400  MICH 3.0
 MABOS    582-0657       Mace West                     2400  MICH 2.1

                             Chicago, IL (312)
                             -----------------
 ILCHI    889-1240       Chicagoland Atari Users Group 2400  EXPRESS
 ILCHI    457-2219       Blue Moon BBS                 2400  EXPRESS
 ILCHI    213-9299       Northwest Passage             2400  EXPRESS
 ILCHI    690-3724       Lions Den                     2400  Carina
 ILCHI    695-8617       Dragon's Egg II               2400  Forem ST
 ILCHI    520-1780       Software Plus BBS             2400  ?
 ILCHI    916-0893       Crooked Dragon Inn            1200  Forem ST
 ILCHI    690-3724       Lions Den                     2400  Carina
 ILCHI    695-8617       Dragon's Egg II               2400  Forem ST
 ILCHI    520-1780       Software Plus BBS             2400  Other
 ILCHI    916-0893       Crooked Dragon Inn            1200  Forem ST
 ILCHI    364-5428       White House                   9600  Other    Priv
 ILCHI    295-5207       Black Knight's Manor          2400  

                            Cleveland, OH (216)
                            -------------------
 OHCLE    582-1904       Nerd BBS                      2400  Other    Priv

                             Colton, CA (714)
                             ----------------
 CACOL    887-553        West-Line BBS (Byron's BBS)   2400  Mich 3.0

                             Denver, CO (303)
                             ----------------
 CODEN    431-1404       Mile High BBS                 2400  Forem
 CODEN    452-4383       Diggers Tomb                  2400  Forem

                            Glendale, CA (818)
                            ------------------
 CAGLE    401-9611       The Abode                     2400  Other
 CAGLE    760-0943       Infinity                      2400  Forem

                             Houston, TX (713)
                             -----------------
 TXHOU    446-4933                                     2400  EXPRESS   
 TXHOU    486-1877       H.A.S.T.E.                    2400  MICH 3.0  
 TXHOU    261-0556       Knowhereland BBS              2400  Forem  
 TXHOU    339-2995       Megaboard                     9600  Forem
 TXHOU    556-5436       Dark Side of the Moon         2400  Forem 
 TXHOU    541-9160       The ATARI ST                  2400  MICH 3.0
 TXHOU    944-0108       Double-Click Software Support 2400  MICH 3.0
 TXHOU    827-8041       Floppy Wizard                 2400  Forem 
 TXHOU    776-3699       Bit Bucket                    2400  Forem 

                           Los Angeles, CA (213)
                          ----------------------
 CALAN    929-9449       USS Enterprise                9600  Forem
 CALAN    864-9740       Old Bailey                    2400  EXPRESS
 CALAN    634-8993       Target Range                  2400  EXPRESS
 CALAN    663-6886       The Luv Connection            2400  Forem MULTI,$
 CALAN    826-4288       MIDI Network                  2400  Forem
 CALAN    320-1541       Torrance Forem                1200  Forem

                           Minneapolis, MN (612)
                           ---------------------
 MNMIN    374-1707       Alha-Tech Computers           2400  Forem     $
 MNMIN    925-0900       KBAD                          2400  STADEL    
 MNMIN    784-8643       ****POOF****                  2400  STADEL    
 MNMIN    788-1833       ST WHolsealers Club II        2400  STADEL    
 MNMIN    544-5118       The Flight Line               9600  Forem     
 MNMIN    451-4005       Inner City BBS                2400  Forem   Priv 
 MNMIN    781-0823       MIDIAPOLIS                    2400  STADEL    

                              Miami, FL (305)
                              ---------------
 FLMIA    253-6918       Shadow's Keep                 2400  Forem     
 FLMIA    261-6096       Damage, Inc                   2400  XPRESS    
 FLMIA    271-0688       ASIM                          2400  MICH 3.0
 FLMIA    386-9764       Southern Atari Remote         2400  MICH 3.0

                             Newark, NJ (201)
                             ----------------
 NJNEW    242-3619       Newark BBS                    2400  Mich 3.0 Multi

                            New York, NY (212)
                            ------------------
 NYNYO    473-0542       Peoples BBS                   2400  MICH 3.0 Nites
 NYNYO    496-7660       West Side BBS                 2400  MICH 2.0
 NYNYO    604-3323       New York City BBS             1200  Oasis  (8-bit)

                             Oakland, CA (415)
                             -----------------
 CAOAK    436-6262       Ace Software                  2400  OTHER
 CAOAK    526-6471       ST Syncronisity               2400  BBS/ST
 CAOAK    834-1707       The Enhancer                  2400  BBS/ST
 CAOAK    236-8242       T.B.A.                        2400  Carina
 CAOAK    845-1789       MicroWorld                    2400  MICH 3.0
 CAOAK    436-6262       Ace Software                  2400  MICH 3.0
 CAOAK    695-9247       Bloom County BBS              2400  Forem

                            Palo Alto CA, (415)
                            ------------------
 CAPAL    782-4402       STu's Place                   2400  MICH 2.1
 CAPAL    790-1375       Tavern                        2400  Forem ST
 CAPAL    782-8246       Meetpoint Station             2400  Star-Net
 CAPAL    581-1787       Fo-Star                       2400  Star-Net

                          Philadelphia, PA (215)
                          ----------------------
 PAPHI    335-4805       Star Station                  2400  MICH 3.0  
 PAPHI    755-5667       Silver Dragon                 2400  MICH 3.0 Multi
 PAPHI    586-8705       ST Atari Haven                2400  MICH 3.0
 PAPHI    673-8384       Sector One                    2400  Forem

                             Phoenix AZ, (602)
                             ----------------
 AZPHO    242-3686       ST Base                       2400  1ST Base
 AZPHO    439-0995       Abyss                         1200  KBBS
 AZPHO    276-6102       Jefferson Software            1200  STADEL

                            Portland, OR (503)
                            ------------------
 ORPOR    292-1321       Fortune                       9600  Forem
 ORPOR    246-9712       3cpu                          2400  Citadel
 ORPOR    245-9405       Portland Atari Club           1200  Forem

                           Sacremento, Ca (916)
                           --------------------
 CASAC    364-0173       Dream Park BBS                2400  Forum
 CASAC    638-9923       Axolotl BBS                   2400  BBS Express
 CASAC    392-7279       Select                        1200  Carina
 CASAC    423-2544       Access                        1200  Carina

                            San Diego, CA (619)
                            -------------------
 CASDI    284-3821       S.D.A.C.E.                    2400  MICH 3.0
 CASDI    282-6815       Computer Outlet               2400  Mich2.1 (Nite)
 CASDI    691-7844       Computers Plus                2400  Forem   (Nite)

                            San Jose, CA (408)
                            ------------------
 CASJO    985-9219       Electronics BBS               2400  Forem
 CASJO    378-5450       Masters of Software           2400  Forem
 CASJO    998-9419       PI-NET                        2400  Forem
 CASJO    745-5308       Atari Base #1                 2400  MICH 3.0 Multi
 CASJO    985-8675       Kome                          2400  MICH 3.0
 CASJO    985-7573       The Board 5.1                 1200  MICH 3.0
 CASJO    353-4669       CompuCat LaserBreath Caverns  2400  Forem
 CASJO    986-0215       B.A.A.U.G                     2400  Mich 3.0

                         Salt Lake City, UT (801)
                         ------------------------
 UTSLC    565-0850       FACP-ST                       2400  Forem

                             Seattle, WA (206)
                             -----------------
 WASEA    271-8613       The Budget Board              2400  EXPRESS
 WASEA    822-4085       Studio                        1200  WILDCAT
 WASEA    562-0128       Xanth                         1200  BBS/ST



                            St Louis, MO (314)
                            ------------------
 MOSLO    394-9264       Orion BBS                     2400  Forem

                       Washington, DC (301/703/202)
                        ---------------------------
 DCWAS    967-6575       Bit Heaven                    2400  Forem
 DCWAS    250-7303       Merlin's Litterbox            2400  Forem
 DCWAS    577-3659       Vanguard Datasystems          2400  MICH 3.0
 DCWAS    425-5824       Hallucination                 2400  MICH 2.1
 DCWAS    641-9769       Gallifrey                     2400  Forem
 DCWAS    742-4056       The Attic                     2400 Express




 ________________________________________________________________________



> A "QUOTABLE QUOTE"
  ==================


                   "Tis better to be thought a fool...  
            ...than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt!"



                              ATARI IS BACK! 
                                        
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ST-REPORT Issue #94     "Your Independent News Source"     June 30, 1989
                    ALL RIGHTS RESERVED  copyright 1989
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Views,   Opinions and Articles  presented herein are not necessarily those
 of  ST Report  or  CPU Report.  Reprint  permissions are  granted,  unless
 otherwise noted.    Reprints must include  ST Report and/or CPU Report and
 the  author's name.  Information  presented  herein is   believed correct,
 ST Report  and/or  CPU Report, it's editors  and staff are not responsible
 for any  use or, misuse of the information contained in this publication.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

