  
                  *---== ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
                         """""""""""""""""""""""""
                                       
                                       
                     "The Original Online ST Magazine"
                      _______________________________


  October 20, 1989                                        Vol III  No.110
  =======================================================================
  
                         ST Report Online Magazine 
                        __________________________
                          Post Office Box   6672
                          Jacksonville,  Florida
                               32205 ~ 6672
  
                               R.F. Mariano
                            Publisher - Editor
                 _________________________________________
                   Voice: 904-783-3319  10 AM - 4 PM EDT
                     BBS:  904-786-4176   12-24-96 HST
                    FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EDT
                 _________________________________________
  
                          **  F-NET NODE 350  **
              Our support BBS carries ALL issues of STReport
                                    and
               An International list of private BBS systems
               carrying STReport for their users  enjoyment

    __________________________________________________________________ 
    
 > Issue: #110 STReport            The Online Magazine of Choice! 
   ------------------- 
     - The Editors' Podium                   - CPU REPORT
     - KILLER QUAKE                          - SPA Convention Report
     - Forbes 400 & J.T.                     - VIVA La Revolution!
     - PAGESTREAM 1.8 Notes                  - ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL

           ---===***  ATARI ST LINE GOES MAIL ORDER!  ***===--- 
        ---====****  NEW VP & SALES MANAGER APPOINTED!  ****====---    
         
  =======================================================================
       AVAILABLE ON:      COMP-U-SERVE  ~  DELPHI  ~  GENIE  ~  BIX
  =======================================================================
    
 > The Editor's Podium

     Most of  those folks  attending the  WAACE show  felt that the message
 from Atari was honest and positive  in many  respects.   But... the bottom
 line is performance.  And performance is certainly not Atari's forte.  For
 the past three years Atari has  had one  excuse or  another to  offer it's
 userbase  in  this  country  concerning  the  conspicuous scarcity of real
 National Advertising.  They  "excused themselves"  because of  the lack of
 Dram,  the  lack  of  machines  (European Sales) and finally this year the
 excuse is the lack of distribution points.  It certainly  appears that the
 first item on the agenda is to properly promote the product. Consequently,
 distribution points will follow quite strongly on their own.   If however,
 one  tries  to  wait  for  the  distribution  outlets  to  simply  "have a
 happening" as  a  result  of  the  merits  of  the  product,  it  would be
 inexhaustibly more  appropriate to  enlist the  aid of "Peter Pan" or "the
 tooth fairy".  

     Atari must leave "dreamsville"  and  establish  a  firm  foundation in
 marketing and  advertising.   We all  know by  their past performance that
 they; Sam, Lenny, Gary, Augie and subordinates feel they "know-it-all" and
 have the  entire marketing scheme in the USA "figured out".  And so folks,
 as  a  result,  we  head  into  another  of  the  "wait  'till  next  year
 situations".
   
     This  Holiday  season  will  see  an  ad  campaign from CBM (Commodore
 Business Machines) the likes of which the USA has never seen, and  what do
 we  see  as  either  a  parallel  or  counter effort on the part of Atari?
 Nothing, absolutely nothing.  Well, not quite, we hear of them threatening
 certain  of  their  more  outspoken  dealers  with  "paybacks" and we find
 certain developers being conveniently passed over  when they  sent out the
 notices for  the Portfolio developer kits and now, we are starting to hear
 the "Wait 'till next year" statements again.  

     Are we going to be told that 1990  will be  the year  of Atari?   Yup!
 How guilty  we, at STReport, feel having been part of the 1989 fairy tale,
 where we too told of this year being Atari's year and of Atari being back.
 They are  back alright, back to their old tricks of "wait 'till next year,
 we'll knock your socks off".  Hmmm it appears that the dealers etc.. can't
 afford  (literally)  to  wait  any  longer.  Many are almost barefoot now!
 Coupled with the old,  familiar 'behind  the scenes'  threats and innuendo
 they have  fallen back  to many  of their baffle 'em with BS routines once
 again. 

     We are told of the STE  and the  Stacy and  they are  'supposed' to be
 here for 1989 and God knows we want these goodies on the dealer's shelves,
 but where are they?  Oh sure, the Portfolio is on sale here and thankfully
 so, it  is creating  a positive  stir.   The STE  and Stacy are on sale in
 Europe even though we were promised explicitly by  Sam, "the  new products
 would be  sold in  the US  marketplace first".  So much for another broken
 promise.  When will we see,  "the eloquently  fantastic daydream,"  of the
 Atari "Aircraft  Carrier" that's  been turning  into the wind for the last
 four months and is now  about  to  "launch  it's  planes"  (new products).
 Unfortunately, somebody  forgot to pull up the ANCHOR!  When we were first
 told this metaphor we thought it  was a  bit far  fetched.   Now, with the
 inevitable passage  of time,  we are  convinced it's  simply another light
 headed fantasy.
  
     With the retirement of Sig Hartmann comes the end of  an era  of solid
 cooperation and  good information  exchange.   For example, as recently as
 the WAACE show, there  were  certain  accords  and  friendships  made that
 seemed to  pave the way for a positive effort on all our parts to rekindle
 the spark of enthusiasm for Atari.   Now,  unfortunately, we  appear to be
 facing a  new era  of "vendettas,  golden assurances" and carrot chasing".
 Sig will be missed along  with  most  of  the  time  honored, professional
 dedication that will be and/or has been cast aside by the "young turks".  

     Considering the  quarter we are in, the year has almost gone by and we
 really have nothing to show but  an opportunity  to rehash  scenarios that
 are  all  too  similar  to  those  in  the  past.    Why is it that Apple,
 Commodore, IBM etc., manage to  continually  get  product  to  the market.
 While Atari  renders to  it's "resurgence" and "aggressive" penetration of
 the US Market relatively  little but  excuses!   And a  comical display of
 executive hirings, resignations and firings. 

     Hopefully, after  hearing the results of the recent SPA Convention, we
 can perhaps tell ourselves that there is a  remote possibility  that Atari
 will be  here stronger  than ever  next year.   Frankly,  as far as we are
 concerned,  after  all  the  repeatedly  broken  promises,  assurances and
 release  dates,  we  simply  must  adopt  a rather optimistic but positive
 attitude that they (Atari) will do the right thing for the beginning  of a
 new decade.  The 1990's...


                                 Thank you for your support
                                         Ralph....


 Errata: In  Issue # 109, Jeff Williams and Sandy Wilson were inadvertently
 referred to  as Mr.  & Mrs.  Williams.   ..Cupid, STReport  will never be!
 Sorry folks.




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


                    :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
                     _________________________________

      To sign up for GEnie service: Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.

               Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
                         Wait for the U#= prompt.
                    Type XJM11877,GEnie and hit RETURN.
             The system will prompt you for your information.


                THE GENIE ATARI ST ROUNDTABLE - AN OVERVIEW
                ___________________________________________

 The Roundtable  is an  area of GEnie specifically set aside for owners and
 users of Atari ST computers, although all are welcome to participate.

 There are three main sections to the Roundtable:  the Bulletin  Board, the
 Software Library and the Real Time Conference area.

 The Bulletin  Board contains messages from Roundtable members on a variety
 of Topics,  organized under  several Categories.   These  messages are all
 Open and available for all to read (GEnie Mail should be used for private
 messages).  

 If you  have a question, comment, hot rumor or an answer to someone else's
 question, the Bulletin Board is the place to share it.

 The Software Library is  where we  keep the  Public Domain  software files
 that are  available to  all Roundtable members.  You can 'download' any of
 these files to your own computer system by using a  Terminal Program which
 uses the 'XMODEM' file-transfer method.  You can also share  your favorite
 Public Domain programs and files   with   other   Roundtable   members  by
 'uploading' them  to the  Software Library. Uploading on GEnie is FREE, so
 you are encouraged to participate and help your Roundtable grow.

 The Real Time Conference is an area where  two or  more Roundtable members
 may  get  together  and  'talk'  in   'real-time'.  You can participate in
 organized conferences with special guests,  drop  in  on  our  weekly Open
 COnference,  or  simply  join  in  on  an  impromptu chat session.  Unlike
 posting messages or Mail  for other  members to  read at  some later time,
 everyone in the Conference area can see what you type immediately, and can
 respond to you right away, in an 'electronic conversation'.



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

  
  
  
 > CPU REPORT
   ==========
  
 Issue # 37 
 ----------


 by Michael Arthur 
  
  
 Remember When.... 
  
     Steve Wozniak, after surviving a plane crash in 1981, left Apple to go
 back  to  college,  and  organize  the Us Generation Festival of music and
 Technology, and when, two years later in 1983, having lost  $20 Million on
 the Festival, he went back to Apple to help work on the Macintosh? 
  
  
 CPU Systems Roundup XII
 ======================= 
  
          Dream Computer Systems IV:  Is RISC worth the Reward? 
          ----------------------------------------------------- 
  
 Part II 
  
  
       In Part I of this Series, I showed a list of the most powerful Dream
 Systems that could be configured from both the microcomputer industry, and
 the growing crop of low-end workstations.  While there were probably newer
 computers and peripherals that could  have  been  included,  the  list was
 generally accurate.   Now  I will compare the Dream Systems, their various
 features being stacked against each  other  to  determine  which  ones you
 could safely consider the "best". 
  
       However, the cost of these Dream Systems, which is admittedly out of
 the reach of the  majority of  computer users,  may cause  some to believe
 that configuring  such a  list is  useless.  But analyzing how far current
 computers  can  truly  go  with  current  peripherals  not  only  helps in
 realizing  the  capabilities  of  our  machines, but can be useful in both
 setting priorities for the level of price/performance in  our systems, and
 in defining more clearly what we should demand from our computers.... 
  
  
 Here is a Graph of the features of each Dream System: 
  
                            Dream Systems List: 
              (Comparison of each Systems' Optimal Features) 
 _________________________________________________________________________ 
 Dream      |Main Chips,|MHZ Rate|Mass      |Expansion|Graphics Displays/ |
 System     |Megs of RAM| & MIPS |Storage   |  Slots  |Best Resolution(s) |
 -----------|-----------|--------|----------|---------|-------------------|
 IBM 486    |Intel 80486| 25 MHZ |1 Gigabyte|  Seven  |800*600*16 Colors  |
 System     |Eight Megs |17 MIPS |Tape Drive| AT Bus  |1024*768*256 Colors|
 -----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
 Mac IIci   |68030/68882| 25 MHZ |650 Meg   |  Three  |640*400*256 Colors |
 System     |Eight Megs |4 MIPS  |Tape Drive|NuBus    |1024*768*16 Million|
 -----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
 SG Personal|R3000/R3010| 20 MHZ |170 Meg   |Currently|1024*768*16 Million|
 Iris System|Eight Megs |16 MIPS |Hard Drive| Unknown |                   |
 -----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
 NeXT       |68030/68882| 25 MHZ |256MB Tape|  Three  |1120*832 w/Monochr.|
 System     |Eight Megs |5 MIPS  |670 MB- HD|NuBus    |(Color in future)  |
 -----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
 SPARCStat. |SPARC/W3170| 20 MHZ |650 Meg   |  Three  |1152*900*256 Colors|
 System     |  16 Megs  |12 MIPS |Hard Drive|S-Bus    |                   |
 -----------|-----------|--------|----------|---------|-------------------|
 ATW        | 10 T-800s | 20 MHZ |300 Meg   |  Four   |512*480*16 Million |
 System     |  13 Megs  |100 MIPS|Hard Drive|Abaq     |1280*960*16 Colors |
 -----------'-------------------------------------------------------------'

  
     In the  Mass Storage column, Tape stands for removable storage, and HD
 stands for fixed, or hard  disk  storage.    Also,  while  there  are many
 measurements  to  determine  the  number of MIPS (Million Instructions Per
 Second) that  a system  can do,  in this  case, one  MIPS is  equal to the
 ability to compute approximately 1500 Dhrystones per second.... 
  
  
 Based on  both this  graph, and the System Descriptions, I have determined
 these Standings: 
  
 IBM 386 Dream System:  Third Place 
  
     The IBM Dream System is  truly  a  good  example  of  a  Dream System,
 providing powerful  capabilities, and  being very well rounded in features
 which are superb in themselves.  The IBM Dream System's  capabilities have
 increased steadily,  and now,  with the  80486's blazing  speed, there are
 virtually NO weaknesses apparent in this  system.   Resulting in  that the
 IBM Dream  System dominated many of the Dream System Comparisons.  But the
 ATW's great speed, and the Personal Iris' graphics capabilities managed to
 stave off the IBM's ascension into First Place.... 
  
     Mac  IIci  Comparison:    The  IBM  is superior to the Mac IIci in the
 number of Expansion Slots, amount of  mass storage,  and processing speed,
 is  equal  in  the  amount  of  RAM,  and  is  inferior  only  in graphics
 capabilities.  Therefore, the IBM scores higher than the Mac IIci.... 
  
     Iris Comparison:   The  IBM is  superior to  the Personal  Iris in its
 amount  of  Mass  Storage,  is  roughly  equal  in  the  amount of RAM and
 processing speed, and is inferior in  graphics capabilities.   So,  if you
 can live  with the  Iris' small  amount of mass storage, then the Personal
 Iris scores higher than the IBM.... 
  
     NeXT Comparison:  The IBM is superior to the NeXT in processing speed,
 graphics capabilites,  and # of Expansion slots, is equal in the amount of
 RAM, and is inferior only in the amount of mass storage.  But since  it is
 inferior by  only a  slight degree,  the IBM  scores much  higher than the
 NeXT.... 
  
     SPARCStation Comparison:  The IBM is  superior in  the amount  of Mass
 Storage, #  of expansion Slots, and processing speed, is equal in graphics
 capabilities, and is inferior only in  the amount  of RAM.   Therefore, if
 you can afford more RAM in the future, the IBM scores much higher than the
 SPARCStation.... 
  
     ATW Comparison:  The IBM is superior in the # of Expansion  Slots, and
 Mass Storage,  and is inferior in the amount of RAM, processing speed, and
 graphics capabilities.  So  if  you  can  wait  for  an  ST/ATW Compatible
 Magneto-Optical drive, and can bear having 4 Expansion Slots, then the ATW
 scores higher than the IBM.... 
  
  
 Macintosh IIci Dream System:  Tied for Fifth Place 
  
     With the Macintosh IIci, the Mac Dream System  has not  only been able
 to keep  most of  its processing capabilities, as well as all of its other
 features, but is now drastically reduced in price.  It is well balanced in
 features, and  has a nearly unbeatable lead in the graphics arena.  But it
 seems that the reason it placed so poorly, given its capabilities, is that
 the system  speed of  the other  systems have increased dramatically.  The
 increased speed caused by RISC technology (both in  the RISC workstations,
 and the  80486 system) just surpassed the Mac's 68030 chip, and ultimately
 became the deciding factors in a VERY tough set of comparisons.... 
  
     Iris Comparison:  The Mac is superior in  the amount  of Mass Storage,
 and is  equal in  its amount of RAM.  Since it is inferior in system speed
 and graphics capabilities, which are  more  important  than  inherent Mass
 Storage, then the Personal Iris scores MUCH higher than the Mac IIci. 
  
     NeXT Comparison:   The  Mac is  superior in graphics, is roughly equal
 in the amount of RAM and expansion slots, and is slightly inferior  in the
 amount of  Mass Storage  and processing  speed.  But while the NeXT scores
 higher than the Mac IIci, since its listed advantages could  be considered
 equal to  the Mac's features, then the main tiebreaker is the NeXT's lower
 price.... 
  
     SPARCStation Comparison:  The Mac is superior in its graphics 
 capabilities, is equal in the amount of Mass Storage, and Expansion Slots,
 and is  inferior in system speed and amount of RAM.  So, as always, if you
 consider system speed more important than graphics, then  the SPARCStation
 scores  higher  than  the  Mac  IIci.    However, this is also a difficult
 decision.... 
  
     ATW Comparison:  The Mac IIci  is superior  in Mass  Storage, graphics
 capabilities,  and  price,  and  is  inferior  in  system  speed, its # of
 expansion slots,  and its  standard amount  of RAM.   Since  both of their
 lists of  advantages have  the same  number of  items, one has to consider
 which list of advantages is more important.  However since,  while the Mac
 IIci  System's  advantages  are  VERY  important,  the ATW's list has some
 equally important items, the ATW and Mac IIci are tied in this Essay.... 
  
  
 SGI Personal Iris Dream System:  Second Place 
  
     The Personal Iris made  a strong  introduction into  the Dream Systems
 list,  with  processing  speed  and  graphics  capabilities  rivalling  or
 surpassing the best of  the rest.   However,  while it  is superb  in many
 areas, its worst weakness, its relatively mediocre amount of Mass Storage,
 combined with the ATW's overwhelming speed advantage, kept it from getting

 First Place.... 
  
     NeXT Comparison:   The  Iris is superior in processing speed, graphics
 capabilities, amount of RAM, and color graphics, while  it is  inferior in
 the amount  of Mass  Storage.  So if you can wait for better mass storage,
 then the Personal Iris scores MUCH higher than the NeXT.... 
  
     SPARCStation Comparison:  The Iris is superior in processing speed and
 graphics capabilities,  and is  inferior in the amount of Mass Storage and
 RAM.  However, while both lists  are tied,  the Personal  Iris' advantages
 are more  important.   As such,  the Personal  Iris scores higher than the
 SPARCStation.... 
  
     ATW  Comparison:    The   Personal  Iris   is  superior   in  graphics
 capabilities and Mass Storage, and is inferior in processing speed and its
 amount of RAM.  Since the  ATW's advantages  are probably  more important,
 the ATW scores higher than the Personal Iris.... 
  
  
 NeXT Dream System:  Tied for Fifth Place 
  
     The NeXT  system is  extremely well  balanced in  features, and has an
 excellent set of options.    However,  in  processing  speed  and graphics
 ability, the  main areas  by which most workstations are judged today, the
 NeXT has not improved at all, and got stormed.  But while it scored higher
 than the  Mac IIci,  since its defeats were more clear-cut than the Mac's,
 it ended up being tied.  Since NeXT Inc. is developing both a color board,
 and  a  68040  upgrade  for  the  NeXT,  its  current  ranking may only be
 temporary.... 
  
     SPARCStation Comparison:  The NeXT is superior in  the amount  of Mass
 Storage and  price, is  equal in the # of expansion slots, and is inferior
 in system speed, amount of RAM, and graphics capabilities.  If you  can do
 without  a  Magneto-Optical  drive  for it, the SPARCStation scores higher
 than the NeXT. 
  
     ATW Comparison:  The NeXT is vastly superior  in Mass  Storage, and is
 inferior  in  everything  else,  including graphics, # of expansion slots,
 amount of RAM, and system speed.  So if you can wait for an  ST Compatible
 Magneto-Optical drive, then the ATW scores MUCH higher than the NeXT.... 
  
  
 SPARCStation Dream System:  Fourth Place 
  
     The SPARCStation  1 is  a superb  Dream System, being well balanced in
 features that are VERY powerful in themselves, and  with capabilities that
 are very  good.  But not good enough.  Unfortunately, many of its features
 are surpassed by the competition (often  by  a  VERY  small  margin).   It
 hasn't  stood  up  against  other  systems using RISC technology, like the
 Personal Iris and ATW, and while it has excellent merits  on its  own, its
 loss of  several "photo  finishes" causes the SPARCStation Dream System to
 be ranked lower.... 
  
     ATW Comparison:  The SPARCStation is superior to the ATW in its amount
 of  Mass  Storage  and  standard  RAM, is roughly equal in high resolution
 graphics, and # of expansion slots,  and is  inferior in  system speed and
 low/middle resolution  graphics.   Since both  are tied in items, one must
 consider which items are  more  important.    Since  CPU  Report considers
 system speed and virtual superiority in graphics to be more important than
 the amount of RAM and expansion slots, then if you  can wait  for a larger
 Hard Drive for it, then the ATW scores higher than the SPARCStation. 
  
  
 ATW Dream System:  First Place 

                 - The Best System Currently Available - 

     With its  parallel processing  and graphics  capabilities, the ATW has
 managed to maintain a  level of  performance above  the rest  of the Dream
 Systems.   While some  of its  advantages have declined in superiority, by
 virtue of the RISC systems'  improved  speed,  or  the  increased graphics
 abilities of  some systems,  the ATW  has kept a considerable edge.  Also,
 while it is well-rounded in many ways, several of its  weaknesses, such as
 the amount  of Mass Storage, can be improved easily enough for them not to
 be crippling.  But the competition  has gotten  much rougher  for the ATW,
 though it  doesn't seem  that it  will be able to dethrone its First Place
 ranking.... 
  
     The ATW has great potential in  the workstation   market,  as it could
 set a  new level  of price/performance  for many profitable aspects of the
 industry.  However, with  such  supercomputer-like  speed,  the  ATW Dream
 System's ideal market could be the emerging market for minisupercomputers,
 or systems that achieve speed slightly below true supercomputers, but with
 a fraction of their cost.  Given that minisupercomputers with capabilities
 equal to the ATW Dream System now cost from $250,000 to a  million or more
 dollars, the  ATW could  end up  becoming a  leader in the low-end part of
 that market.  But ONLY if  Software Development  for the  ATW is supported
 STRONGLY, and  if Atari's  efforts to make the ATW accepted as a worldwide
 standard are MUCH better than its  previous efforts  to make  the Atari ST
 popular in the US.... 
  
     So as  to account  for future  developments, I have included a list of
 Upcoming Dream  Systems,  so  accurate  comparisons  can  be  made between
 present and  future computers  meeting the "Dream System" status.  Some of
 these are merely improvements  on old  systems, but  others are completely
 new systems which show excellent potential.... 
  
 Upcoming Systems' Features: 
 _________________________________________________________________________ 
 Dream     |Main Chips,|MainChip|Mass      |Expansion|Graphics Displays/  |
 System    |Megs of RAM|Speed   |Storage   |Slots    |Best Resolution(s)  |
 ----------|-----------|--------|----------|---------|--------------------|
 Atari     |68030/68882| 16 MHZ |  80 Meg  |Five     |640*400*16 Colors   |
 TT030/6   |Six Megs   |        |Hard Drive|VME Bus  |1280*960 w/Monochr. |
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+--------------------|
 Amiga 3000|68030/68882| 25 MHZ |  80 Meg  | Seven   |320*200*16 Million  |
 System    |Eight Megs |        |Hard Drive|Zorro III|1024*768 w/16 Colors|
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+--------------------|
 Sun 3/80  |68030/68882| 20 MHZ |650 Meg   |   One   |1152*900*16 Million |
 System    |  16 Megs  |        |Tape Drive| P4 Bus  |                    |
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+--------------------|
 Mega 4 ST |68030/68882| 16 MHZ | 500 Meg  |   One   |640*200 w/4 Colors  |
 System    |Four Megs  |        |Hard Drive|Mega Bus |1024*768 w/16 Colors|
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------'

  
 (Note:   Keep in mind that some of these specs are not final, and that the
 actual systems will probably differ in some way from the  systems that are
 shown.) 
  
 System #7,  the Atari TT030/6, has a 16 MHZ 68030 chip with a 16 MHZ 68882
 Math Chip, Six Megs of RAM and an 80 Megabyte  Hard Drive  as standard, as
 well as a VME Expansion Bus with five slots.  Cost:  $4000 dollars. 
  
  
 Resolutions:  320*200 with 256 Colors out of 4096 
               640*400 with 16  Colors out of 4096 
               1280*960 with Monochrome Resolution 
  
     Comparisons with Other Systems:   Many of the features of the TT030/6,
 such as speed and amount of  RAM, have  already been  surpassed by current
 systems.    However,  while  its  graphics  capabilities are comparatively
 mediocre, they are suitable  for its  price range.   Given  this, it seems
 that the 68030 TT will make its niche in the price/performance area of the
 market, in which it stands an excellent chance of success. But ONLY if one
 is able to easily replace its 16 MHZ 68030 with 20 and  25 MHZ processors,
 and if VME Graphics Boards come out for it.... 
  
  
 System #8, the Amiga 3000 System, is an Amiga 3000 with a 25 MHZ 68030 and
 a 68882 math chip, 8 Megs of RAM  and an  80 Meg  Hard Drive  as standard,
 and 7 Zorro III 32-bit Expansion Slots.  Cost:  Around $8000 dollars.... 
  
  
 Normal Resolutions:  (Compatible with Amiga 500/1000/2000 computers) 
                   320*200 with 32 colors out of 4096 
                   320*200 with 64 colors out of 4096 (Extra Half-Brite) 
                   320*200 with 4096 colors at the same time (HAM Mode) 
                   640*200 with 4 to 32 colors 
                   640*400 with 2 to 16 colors (interlaced) 
  
 A3000 Resolutions:  (specific to Amiga 3000) 
                   320*200 with 16 Million Colors at the Same Time 
                   640*400 with 256 Colors out of 16 Million 
                  1024*768 with 16 Colors  out of 16 Million 
  
  
     Comparisons with  Other Systems:   With its superb graphics resolution
 and processing  speed equalling  that of  many current  systems, the Amiga
 3000 Dream  System shows  superb workstation-class capabilities.  However,
 with its price boosting it into the low-end  workstation market,  where it
 faces products  made by  much larger companies with a better reputation in
 the workstation field, it may not fare as well as the Atari TT030/6, which
 ironically is noticeably less powerful.... 
  
  
 System #9, the Sun 3/80 System, is a Sun 3/80 with 8 Megs of RAM, a 20 MHZ
 68030 chip, a 20 MHZ 68882 Math Chip, and 1 expansion slot.  Added to this
 are Pinnacle  Micro's 650  Meg Magneto-Optical  Drive, and  two Sun Memory
 Expansion Kits, with 4 Megs of RAM Each.  Cost:   25,500  dollars....  Sun
 3/80 Resolution:  1152*900 with 16 Million Colors at the same time.. 
  
  
     Comparisons  with  other  Systems:    The Sun 3/80  System provides an
 awesome set of Dream System capabilities, including 24-bit color graphics,
 a Magneto-Optical  Drive, and large amounts of RAM.  While its speed isn't
 at the caliber of the current Dream Systems, the Sun 3/80 promises to be a
 VERY good contender in the low-end workstation area.... 
  
  
 System #10,  the Mega 4 ST System, is a Mega 4 ST with 4 Megs of RAM and 1
 Expansion Slot.  Added to this are FAST Technologies' upcoming  add-on for
 Turbo 16,  which uses a 16 MHZ 68030, and a Multisync 4D Color Monitor for
 Image Systems' Video Card for the Mega ST, with a 1024*768 resolution, and
 a 16 MHZ 68882 math chip to go in the  Video Card's  math chip  socket, as
 well as a 500 Meg Hard Drive from ABCO Inc.  Cost:  $9000.00 dollars. 
  
 Mega ST Resolutions:  320*200 with 16 Colors out of 512 
                       640*200 with 4 Colors out of 512 
                       640*400 with Monochrome Resolution 
  
 Image Systems' Card: 1024*768 with 16 Colors out of 4096 
  
     Comparisons with  other Systems:   With  these extensions,  the Mega 4
 System gains capabilities worthy of many workstation-class systems, with a
 state  of  price/performance  rivalling  the Amiga 3000 and Atari TT030/6.
 Given that this type of power is available now for the Mega, it seems that
 the ST  Userbase will  have little to worry about in the area of good Mega
 ST Expansion Options in the future.... 
  
  
     It seems,  though,  that  the  state  of  the  Workstation  Market, as
 exemplified in the array of Dream Systems, has grown considerably in power
 over the past several months.    With  competition  for  First  Place more
 fierce than  ever before,  it seems that performance alone may not win the
 battle for the Low-End Workstation market.    With  there  being  no clear
 leader in the vital area of processing ability, around which the whole 
 concept of  RISC chips  is based,  low-end Workstations  will have to find
 other advantages, such as  graphics, in  order to  become more  popular in
 this industry.... 
  
     These  Dream  Systems  also  indicate certain future trends which will
 occur with microcomputers.  Megapixel displays (screens with  1024*1024 or
 better resolution),  will become  the main  targets in the graphics arena,
 while 8 - 24 bit color displays (showing  256 to  16 Million  colors) will
 quickly be  a necessity.  Also, with the advent of 4 Meg SIMM RAMs, 4 Megs
 of RAM will soon become standard.  However, this Dream Systems essay gives
 little indication as to the chip architecture, whether it be CISC or RISC,
 that will end the RISC Wars, the current  struggle to  become the dominant
 RISC chip standard.... 
  
  
 But ponder, if you will, these questions: 
  
 1)  In what areas are single-processor systems more suitable for computing
     tasks than parallel processing systems? 
  
 2)  With the capabilities of current low-end workstations, it seems 
     probable that upping the TT's speed to 20-25 MHZ won't  make an impact
     in the  workstation market.   Given  that an  inexpensive 68040 system
     would not only  be  easier  to  design,  but  could  revolutionize the
     industry, would  it be  best for  Atari to concentrate on developing a
     68040-based Atari TT, or an Atari  TT040, and  drop plans  for another
     68030 TT? 
  
  
                              ---===**===---
  
  
  
 CPU REPORT CONFIDENTIAL
 =======================
  
  
 Tokyo, Japan        The Japanese Fair Trade Commission (or FTC), has 
 ------------        confiscated evidence in a continuing investigation of 
                     charges that Apple Computer Japan and its sales agents
                     broke Japan's Antimonopoly Act, by engaging in price 
                     fixing for Macintosh computers. 
  
                     This investigation is centered on charges that Apple 
                     Japan tried to force independent Dealers who imported 
                     Macs to sell their systems at a set price.  There is 
                     also evidence that Apple Japan may have obstructed 
                     sales and maintenance efforts of these dealers.  If 
                     Apple Japan is found guilty, it would be interesting 
                     to see if the public outrage would hurt the Mac more 
                     than the resulting actions in the business world.... 
  
 Morristown, NJ      AT&T has recently released AT&T Unix V Release 4.0, 
 --------------      their new version of Unix.  It features compatibility 
                     with Microsoft Xenix and Berkeley Unix BSD 4.3, two 
                     popular versions of Unix, Sun's new Open Look GUI 
                     (graphical user interface) for Unix, and their Network
                     File System, and other new abilities.  The Source Code
                     for AT&T's new Unix will cost $100,000, which is 
                     actually less than it charged in the past. 
  
                     Given that the OSF, or Open Software Foundation, only 
                     charged $1000 for the OSF Motif GUI for Unix, it will 
                     be interesting how the OSF will price OSF/1, their 
                     upcoming version of Unix, to be competitive.... 
  
 Sunnyvale, CA       MIPS Computer Systems has now licensed its MIPS Rx000 
 -------------       RISC chip architecture to Sony, just after licensing 
                     it to NEC.  Sony will release versions of its News 
                     Workstation using the MIPS R3000 chip, and has said it
                     will use ECL (emitter-coupled logic) technology, more 
                     commonly used in mainframe circuitry, to develop a 
                     100 MIPS version of the R3000 chip.  This follows a 
                     move by Bipolar Technologies to develop an ECL version
                     of the SPARC chip. 
  
                     However, Fujitsu is now licensing Sun's SPARC RISC 
                     chip, and several Japanese computer companies are 
                     licensing RISC chips from other US Companies.  Given 
                     these companies' battle to defeat NEC's dominance of 
                     the Japanese computer industry, it seems that the 
                     Japanese workstation market is in for VERY interesting
                     times.... 
  
 Palo Alto, CA       Hewlett Packard has announced the PaintJet XL, a new 
 -------------       version of its color printer line which can print 2-3 
                     times faster than the HP PaintJet.  The PaintJet line 
                     is able to display over 16 million colors at 180 dpi 
                     resolution.  It can do this on normal printer paper, 
                     by using the same inkjet technology used in its 
                     DeskJet printers.  Cost:  HP PaintJet - $1400.00, and 
                     HP PaintJet XL - $2500.00.  For more information, call
                     1-800-752-0900....





      ______________________________________________________________ 







 > KILLER QUAKE STR Feature  A natural disaster brings reality into focus.
   ========================



                                                       RUDE AWAKENINGS
                                                       ===============


 by R.F. Mariano


     The human condition dictates  that we  become so  involved in  our own
 little worlds,  ie., ours  is Atari  and it's  relations with the userbase
 (Developers, Dealers and Users).   And as a result, we soon loose grasp of
 the big  picture.   Then, mother  nature comes along and demonstrates just
 how frail man really  is.   This earthquake  1989, has  dramatically shown
 it's  devastating  power.    In  just under 16 seconds it immobilized more
 territory and communities than any Army did in all of WWII.   We thank the
 good Lord  above that  he spared  as many  folks as he did, especially our
 friends at Atari in Sunnyvale. 
  
     You now start to ask, why  is this  in STReport?   Easy,  we have been
 involved with  Atari and  it's decision  makers for some time now, usually
 scrutinizing their every move  and being  a GPA.   In  reflecting on these
 activities and the responses from Atari via  Sam, Leonard, Gary, Augie and
 Antonio, we find that the entire  matter is  really minuscule  compared to
 the enormity  of the  earthquake's murderous devastation.  As a result, we
 at STReport have reconsidered our position and have come to the conclusion
 that  life  is  simply  too  short  to devote the majority of our time and
 effort to a cause that is not really a cause  but a  disaster unto itself.
 The  bottom  line  is,  we  will  not  be  devoting  much attention to the
 shortcomings of  Atari's inept  leadership.   Instead, we  desire that the
 users  and  the  marketplace  to  experience  the  constant flow of flawed
 decisions for themselves and if they, (the marketplace and users) feel all
 is fine, then so be it.

     At  this  point,  I  respectfully  request that my developer status be
 rescinded.  Effective 10/01/89.  And of course,  with it  all "agreements,
 benefits, privileges and access to the developer areas incorporated in the
 online services".  It is with  a heavy  hand that  I voluntarily  ask that
 this be  done, for  I fully  believe the Atari ST computer is an excellent
 machine, but I will not tolerate any attempts,  no matter  how indirect or
 subtle, at censoring the information or news contained in STReport. 

     In our  future issues,  we are  going to devote the better part of our
 efforts in singing the praises earned  by those  firms and  developers who
 support  the  excellent  ST  computer  equipment.   To point out one major
 fact, we have never found fault with the ST line, the concept is fabulous,
 our loudest  objection was  directed toward the handling or, should we say
 the mis-handling of what could have been the most successful computer line
 in the  history of the home computer business.  We, along with most of the
 userbase, are very  enthusiastic  and  quite  positive  concerning  the ST
 family of  computers.   And at  the same  time, find the company's present
 unprofessional  leadership  dismal.     One  point   that  is  exceedingly
 aggravating; a certain Atari "braintrust" passionately wishes to establish
 that Atari's computers are 'inexpensive' enough to be tossed in  the trash
 when broken and another be purchased.  A disposable computer! 
  
   Ah yes, the BIC lighter of the computer world. (hysterical laughter)

     We have  heard most  all the  stories of  temper tantrums, indecision,
 vicious vindictiveness and bland accusation that seem to  permeate the top
 floors in  Sunnyvale.   It becomes  quite pathetic when certain of the top
 executives are 'afraid' to present information to the very top for fear of
 being  insulted,  screamed  at  and/or  belittled.  After a number lengthy
 sessions of enlightenment in the past few weeks,  we now  clearly see 'the
 why and  wherefore' of  the majority of baffling and rather unsatisfactory
 decisions emanating for those 'hallowed halls'.

     In contrast, 99 and 9/10ths percent of the folks working at Atari are,
 without a  doubt, among  the very  best to  be found in the industry.  The
 authenticity of this statement is easily seen if  one considers  this;  If
 these folks  were not  the very best ..then where would Atari be with it's
 present leadership?  It sort of sounds like the old story in the military,
 no matter  how many officers and academy 'whiz kid' grads are 'in charge',
 it's the Chiefs, Sergeant Majors, LDO's  and the  Mustangs who  really get
 the job  done and  done right.   Atari has some of the very best people in
 the business in those positions.  Thank God!





     _________________________________________________________________





 > PAGESTREAM 1.8 STReport InfoFile    Right around the corner....
   ================================


  
  
 Preliminary Notes on PageStream's Improvements from Mike Kazmaier.

 This message was posted on the Soft-Logik BBS in the general category. 
   
 Hi, I thought I would take some time today and answer some commonly asked 
 questions around S/L: 
   
                    1) When will the bugs be fixed?  

 Most of the ones we know about will be fixed with the  next release. There
 are some  pseudo bugs/limitations  that may not be fixed/improved with the
 next release. It is our intent to fix anything that causes the  program to
 crash and to fix any features that are not working. The problem gets to be
 in definition of what is working and ultimately there will  be a trade-off
 between how  severe the limitation is and how long it will take to improve
 it and how many users it affects, and how hard it is  to work  around, and
 how much better the version is than what is in release. 
   
                    2) How long will that take?
  
 It is  hard to  tell. As  you can see there are many factors to weigh when
 trying to decide if you are finished. Actually as long  as we  support the
 program we  will never  be finished, and we plan on supporting the program
 for a long time. The question then becomes  is it  better than  what folks
 have now  and should we keep it from them to work on it more. What we have
 in beta testing now is getting to be better than what you all have  now so
 I think we can't be too far from releasing the next version. 
   
                    3) How will I get the next version?
  
 You will  get a  newsletter in  the next few weeks if you are a registered
 owner, and it will explain how you get it! 
   
                    4) When will I get the newsletter?
  
 Half of the S/L Review Newsletters  are back  from the  printer, we should
 get the rest of them next week. BUT we can't send the newsletter out until
 the upgraded versions are ready or us or the dealers  will be  swamped for
 requests of 'non-existing' S/W. 
   
                    5) What will the next version specifically?
  
 The next  version is  1.8 on  both machines and will contain bug fixes and
 the following improved features: 
    
     a) Speed improvement: graphic import and manipulation, printing,      
        bootup.
  
     b) Font  manager for manipulation of font paths with unlimited numbers
        of fonts possible, and saving of the fontlist to save bootup time.
  
     c) IFF import module now supports HAM, imports pictures as  objects,  
        imports 24bit ASDG color images, can specify x,y dpi.
     
     d) PostScript  printing now supports crop and registration marks,     
        tiling pages are labeled, can change screen angle and frequency,   
        can send  unlimited downloadable  PS fonts  regardless of printer  
        memory.
     
     e) Many improved printer drivers and import modules.
     
     f) Arc/ellipses now draw from the middle and are more intuitive.
     
     g) Program quits properly even with multiple documents.
     
     h) Column outline is now dashed line. 
   
                                                       Mike Kazmaier






      ______________________________________________________________
  
  
  
 > LASERBRAIN STR FOCUS  Laserbrain and other Mysteriously missing prgs.
   ====================



     Whatever became of Laserbrain 1.5?  That fine  piece of  software from
 Europe that we keep reading about in the European magazines?  (UK ST WORLD
 AUG 1989 #42)  From our little birdie we are told that this program (fully
 translated)  found  it's  way  into  the USA and Sunnyvale for evaluation.
 Apparently, it was not up to "standards."   Having never  seen the program
 ourselves, we  are left  only with  the opinions  of others.  Since having
 been told, in an overseas interview, "it is  high quality  Epson Emulation
 and is  very solid", this would give us cause to believe that perhaps it's
 time to allow us, (the users), to make the decision as to it's quality and
 not shelve  these things  for months  on end.  The open marketplace is the
 best test of a program's quality.  Remember Microsoft Write?
  
     As part of an ongoing "looksee" we request  that those  of our readers
 who have submitted software or know of someone who has submitted software,
 let us know, it seems there has been  quite a  bit of  unreleased software
 sent to  Atari that  has "fallen  into deep  crevices, never to be seen or
 heard from again"....  Hmmm, you wonder where the programs went?   We have
 heard from  the rumor mill that most of the programs have gone to the same
 person who was given the responsibility to effectively bring the CD ROM to
 market in a timely fashion.  A long, long, time ago...........    
  
  
  
  


   ____________________________________________________________________




 > Atari Stock ~ STReport
   ======================


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


 by Glenn Gorman



    Atari stock dropped 1/8 of a point on Monday, 1/8 on Tuesday and 3/4 on
 Wednesday. On  Thursday  it  rose  1/8.  And  on  Friday  it  dropped 7/8.
 Finishing up  the week  at 9  3/4 points.  Down 1 3/4 of a point from last
 week.

    During the past week, the whole stock market took a plunge.

                                                           

                          +---------------------+
                          |  ATARI STOCK WATCH  |
                          | Week 10-09 to 10-13 |
 +=======+==========+===========+=============+============+=============+
 |       |  Monday  |  Tuesday  |  Wednesday  |  Thursday  |  Friday     |
 +-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
 | Sales |     948  |      692  |       5205  |      1274  |    2089     |
 +-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
 | Last  |  11 3/8  |   11 1/4  |     10 1/2  |    10 5/8  |   9 3/4     |
 +-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
 | Chg.  |  -  1/8  |   -  1/8  |     -  3/4  |    +  1/8  |  -  7/8     |
 +=======+==========+===========+=============+============+=============+
 | From > THE CAVE ST BBS <> 609-882-9195 <> 300/14400 HST <> F-NET #351 |
 +=======================================================================+






    ___________________________________________________________________




 > REVOLUTION!  STR Feature  The time has come for ALL voices to be heard!
   ========================





                               INTRODUCTION
                               ------------

     There is a war going on in the United States and, if you are  an Atari
 computer   user, you are a part of it.  The allies are the  manufacturers,
 publishers and users of Atari computers.  They  are the  front line people
 doing what  they can  to see  that the system survives.  They, as you, are
 the people who face the ridicule  from  the  universe  of  IBM,  Amiga and
 Macintosh proponents  to support  a conviction in the really best computer
 value available.

     To proclaim a war,  there must  be a  cause... essential  basic values
 worth  fighting  for.    In  this  case, these values hinge on the need to
 expand our family of Atari owners and users. We must face the reality that
 our family  of Atari  users is  not growing  in the  United States... it's
 shrinking.  This fact should be disturbing to you.   The passion  you have
 for your  computer will likely crumple to disgruntled aggravation as fewer
 companies support your investment and more and more users switch to a more
 popular system.

     Many of  us have  been waiting for Atari to fight this war for us.  We
 have listened to commitments to run advertising and  support users' groups
 and trade  shows.   We have also been exposed to Jack Tramiel's philosophy
 that "Business  Is War".   In  many instances,   Atari  has made admirable
 efforts to  strengthen their  domestic position.   For  instance, over $67
 million   dollars  was poured  into a  chain of  retail electronics stores
 known as the Federated Group.  The theory was that by owning a significant
 retail outlet, they could dictate the amount of  shelf space  and customer
 assistance dedicated  to Atari  computers and games.  While the theory was
 sound, they were not prepared to invest the  added millions  of dollars it
 would take  to salvage  the risk.  Atari has also supported the user shows
 with their presence and dealer support by loaning  equipment for  the show
 and providing seminars.

     Atari's dilemma is that the return on invested dollars is best  paying
 off overseas right now.  Prices  are  higher  there,  piracy  is  a lesser
 threat, and  the consumer  can view  the Atari line of computers without a
 tainted prejudice for another system   which is  not as  well established.
 Yes, it  appears Atari  can not get a fix on what needs to be done for the
 U.S., but there is already enough work keeping  up with  European demand. 
 "Business Is  War" means  exactly that and Jack  Tramiel is going to fight
 for businesses' primal need... PROFITABILITY.

     Looking into the crystal ball, Atari will certainly  find some success
 with the Portfolio and other attempts to approach the PC market.  They may
 see their domestic cash flow swell  when  they    do.    As  a  result, an
 increasing PC  consumer base  will be supporting the Atari name which will
 drown out our cries for support with our  XL, XE,  ST and  MEGA machines. 
 Already, the Atari magazines have covered the Portfolio.

     Artisan Software  believes that  there is a hidden army of Atari users
 who realize that, if anyone is going to fight this  war,   we   must do it
 ourselves.  Since Atari Corp. and third party developers are simply profit
 machines, they are always  going to  spend as  little as  possible to sell
 their products.     After all, that's what business is all about.  Yet, if
 someone were  to mastermind  an ultimate  attack to  enhance United States
 sales of Atari computers, Atari would support its' success.

     Artisan Software  is asking  you to join in on the ultimate user-based
 campaign to attract an expanding universe of Atari owners and  users.  You
 may participate as intensely as you wish, but your every effort will  go a
 long way by reading this material and doing whatever you can.

     The campaign is called "THE    REVOLUTION".    It  will  be  in effect
 throughout 1990  and scheduled  to continue through the 90's.  The premise
 will be to optimize the power of "word-of-mouth"  advertising.   This form
 of   advertising   is   the   least  expensive  and  the  most  effective.
 Concentration will be on a calendar of projects which will  strike targets
 in cumulative force.  You will find participation fun and easy.

     No one  appears to have a firm idea how many Atari users there are  in
 the U.S.,  many say there about 100,000 ST compatible  machines out there,
 but that can not be verified.  Atari, understandably,  keeps this a secret
 so they do not scare away potential developers.  Regardless how many there
 are of  us, we  have the potential to exercise a lot of power.  If united,
 we can not be ignored.

     The benefits you reap from this project are  plentiful. First  of all,
 you will  see Atari  users band  together as  a nation  for the very first
 time.  You will  witness  significant  news  coverage  and  experience the
 growth of  new companies  emerging to  support your system.  You will also
 discover it increasingly easier  to find  friends and  colleagues using an
 Atari computer.  Best of all, you will have fun.

                                                  Respectfully,

                                        Donald A. Thomas, Jr. President, 
                                                  Artisan Software






    ___________________________________________________________________





 > TOS 1.4 STReport OnLine      A partial listing of features....
   =======================


 ctsy CIS

 Read action !
 #: 11956 S9
    17-Oct-89  06:13:28
 Sb: #11946-Why won't it work?
 Fm: Ed Waldorph 73637,42


       There are several utilities plus a couple of fixes in an ARC file in
 ATARIPRO.  I think the file is TOSFIX.ARC.

       There have been several messages on the subject and there  is a file
 in LIB 8 called NEWTOS.TXT that lists some of the changes.

          Warm and cold boot from the keyboard 
          (Cntl/Alt/Del and Cntl/Alt/RShft/Del) 
          Move files by holding 'Control' 
          Copy, Move, Delete interrupted by 'Undo' 
          Time/Date stamp unchanged during Copy/Move 
          Autoboot GEM applications 
          Possible to change destination name during Copy/Move if conflict 
          Skip available during multiple Copy/Move 
          400 file limit in desktop window removed 
          Folders can be renamed
          Single-disk copies require fewer swaps 
          File Selector redone 
          40 Folder bug essentially fixed
          Directory damage will not result from error 
          Fat search routine optimized Disk caching allowed 
          Duplicate filenames no longer allowed 
          Archive attribute bit now works 
          Program Fastload implemented

       So  far,  this  is  all  the  user available features that have been
 published.  Many of the changes are visible only to programmers.

                                     Ed


 Editor Note:   It is sad that the this version of TOS has  been around and
 in  use  since  last  year  and  still,  there  is  NO formal list of it's
 functions provided by Atari.  Oh! yes, there has been  promises of  a list
 and there is supposed to be an extensive listing available for programmers
 but alas it is at least another  four  to  six  weeks  away...    It seems
 somebody is  economizing and  is going to incorporate this listing in with
 the "new" programmer's newsletter from Atari.  Seems it would be the right
 the thing  to do if they simply placed the list out in the open for all to
 see, especially since anyone  who  has  purchased  the  chips  since being
 released to the users in general has gotten zero documentation.  But then,
 all one need do is consider  who  is  making  the  decisions  to  keep the
 mushroom patch alive and well.


 CTSY GEnie RT

 Category 14,      Topic 28
 Message 200       Wed Oct 18, 1989
 W.MCGUIRE         at 21:43 EDT
  
     The Atari  Portfolio is  a lovely,  revolutionary little machine.  How
 sad it is to report that I've discovered  what may  be a  major bug  in it
 which will make it useless to most users.

     I have  an address  file of  about 10k and 300 cards that I frequently
 load and save.  I've found that the Portfolio regularly scrambles the data
 in a  few cards every few loads or saves.  What is most common is that the
 first line in a card is  chopped off.   Since  I can't  afford to  lose or
 scramble even  a digit  in this file, the machine is worthless to me, even
 dangerous.  I will have to return it.

               Can anyone else confirm that this bug exists?

     I would like to  think  that  Atari  could  fix  the  problem,  but my
 experience  with  an  ST  over  the  last  few  years  has taught me to be
 extremely wary of the company.   For a  long time  I suffered  the loss of
 text buffers  on the ST, before learning from a number of reliable sources
 that the "ghost typist" bug  was  the  result  of  a  flaw  in  TOS. Atari
 continually  refused  to  admit  the  bug  existed  (even  though  it  was
 well-known to knowledgeable developers, like Jeff  Wilson at WordPerfect),
 and failed  to take  care of  the problem  for me.   Atari  has acquired a
 well-earned reputation of treating its dealers, developers and  users like
 dirt.

     Buyers, beware.   It  may well  be worth  waiting a  few weeks for the
 Poqet, and paying more money for a palmtop  machine that  will be bug-free
 and well-supported.







     ________________________________________________________________




 > The Crystal Ball STR Spotlight        "Play it again Sam...."
   ==============================



  
                             A SPECIAL REPORT 
                                   from 
            The SPA (Software Publishers Assn) fall convention.

   

     Attending  this  convention  was  reported  to  be  a  very  uplifting
 experience.  Amiga had  excellent representation  in attendance,  (a large
 delegation).   Atari had Sam Tramiel and Antonio Salerno (first time Atari
 has attended in 2  years).   Both companies  made some  rather astonishing
 announcements.

     One was  that Amiga did a brand awareness study (product recognition).
 They showed people the names of 4 computers,  1 fictitious  computer name,
 and of  course, the  Amiga name.  They then asked them which computer they
 had heard of or, had knowledge  of.   More people  said they  heard of the
 fictitious name!  It's a sure bet that the same would be true of the ST.

     Atari's President,  Sam Tramiel,  speaking about new technology at the
 Conference, told the developers that Atari was going back to  what it knew
 best!  He pondered about the "good old days" when they made 400,000 C-64's
 a month.  He said that Atari wanted to 'seize'  the home  computer market.
 And that  to do that they would have to aggressively market the 520ST, and
 hopefully, price it at  under $300.   Sam  said this  campaign would begin
 late this  year or  early next  year.   (looks like  the year  of Atari is
 really going to be 1990!)

     Antonio Salerno reported that he has  been promoted  to Vice President
 of software  and is  directly responsible to Sam Tramiel.  Antonio has two
 main responsibilities,  getting developers  to write  applications for the
 Portfolio and  to re-establish the ST developers.  He mentioned that Atari
 was making many changes in the way they deal with developers.   New people
 are being  hired to  insure the  timely publishing  of a newsletter and to
 expedite other developer services.

  Antonio Salerno mentioned that Atari was really 'starting over' again.

                    - They have New Management        
                    - A New Engineering Team 
                    - New Goals 

     And.. they are going to spend the money necessary to make it all work.
 Atari is  aggressively advertising  the Portfolio and is beginning to plan
 the campaign to seize the home market.  Atari is going to  battle Nintendo
 and Tandy and try to take the home market by force.

     Amiga has  announced that  they are  going to spend around $20 million
 advertising the Amiga this  Christmas  season.    At  the  Conference they
 showed their  new advertising.   The  print advertising  was OK but the TV
 commercials  were  OUTSTANDING.    They  will  attract  lots  and  lots of
 attention.    Amiga  is  planning  on  doubling  the size of their support
 staffs.  They are hiring more people as you read this.

     It appears both companies have come to the  realization that  they can
 not just  design an  outstanding product and say here it is.  They are now
 going to start -* MARKETING *- their products.





    ___________________________________________________________________







 > ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL    "Sayin' it like it is...."
   ======================




 - Los Angeles, CA.     **** LUCASFILM PUTS AMIGA'S BEST FOOT FORWARD! ****
   ----------------


       Lucasfilm's  new  ad  division  launches  its  first  Major National
 Campaign today  for Commodore Business Machine's Amiga personal computers.
 The $20 million campaign features three spots centering  around a computer
 whiz named Stevie who uses his personal computer to levitate his house (on
 the screen) and to trick the girls next door into  thinking he's appearing
 on a rock music award show.

       One spot  features celebrities  such as  Los Angeles Dodgers Manager
 Tommy LaSorda; former House Speaker Tip  O'Neill; composer  Burt Bacharach
 and  astronaut  Buzz  Aldrin.    All  of  whom come to Stevie the computer
 wonder's room for help on various projects.

       Lucasfilm produced the ads for Commodore's agency.   Special effects
 such as  the levitating house were done by Industrial Light and Magic, the
 same team that worked on such Lucas films as "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and
 "Star Wars."      --  This is the Year of Atari?  --

                                           



 - Sunnyvale, CA.     ***** ATARI REJECTS EFFORTS OF "WONDER AGENCY"! *****
   --------------


     According to  our informed  sources, the  "PREMIER" advertising agency
 with the proven track record that reportedly "put the MAC on the map", has
 met  with  stiff  resistance  concerning  it's planned ads for Atari Corp.
 Additionally, it is reported that the entire ad campaign alluded to at the
 time this agency's appointment was made known, is now all but history.  Oh
 well, this was going to be the year Atari re-entered the US  market with a
 vengeance.., Or  was it  last year?   No, maybe the year before.  Wrong it
 WAS this year!  Don't  worry  Bunky,  they'll  do  it  next  year..... Sam
 "promised"...





 - Chicago IL.                   ****  ATARI CD ROM STILL A MYSTERY!  ****
   -----------

     Back at the beginning of July, 1989  we were told all about the coming
 of the CD ROM we quote; "Actually, the hardware is  finished and  has been
 for a  while.   The current  version plays  both Audio and CD-ROM formats.
 The current  hold-up is  that we  are waiting  on a  release until several
 companies that are working on applications for the CD-ROM player are ready
 to release  them.   A CD-ROM  player without  software isn't  of much use.
 Currently, CD-ROM  units are shipping in limited quantities to Developers.
 If you are a registered developer and are interested in  a developer unit,
 give Gail  Johnson a call at Atari.  BTW, we also have hired a person (his
 name is Rick Meyers and he is overseeing the CD-ROM  project.    Any other
 questions?"       -- John   

     It appears that the only thing the CD Rom can do so far is play music,
 as it does on various desktops around Sunnyvale.  Since we have touched on
 music,  how  about...    MIDI  and  musicians, have you seen the new multi
 paged, full color, glossy brochures that Commodore is  sending its dealers
 advertising the  Amiga?   It features B.B. King promoting the Amiga as the
 'foremost' computer for music and music composition.  Oddly enough, he was
 saying that about the ST series of Atari computers just a short while ago!
 Of course, in the advertising business, you go  where the  money is.   Has
 anyone noticed that Amiga software is now exhibited in non-computer stores
 such as Walden Books,  etc.   ST software  hardly exists  outside of ATARI
 computer  stores,  why?    Also,  since  Commodore  has begun it's opulent
 marketing pageant, it appears that ATARI  has 'till  about the  end of the
 first quarter  of 1990  to counter  this immense  drive or they could very
 possibly lose significant ground to the  Amiga  in  the  US  home computer
 marketplace.   Also, the "newest" rumor is rather interesting.  Seems that
 Microsoft made mention that, if Commodore sells 100,000  units by  the end
 of the  year, they will port their software to the AMIGA ...  Also, as for
 the STEs  and TTs,  they are  tantalizing, but  first..   what happened to
 STACY and  especially the  * HOTZ  Box *  that was  plastered all over the
 place at Anaheim's World of Atari Show?  Anybody know?




 - Sunnyvale, CA.       *****  NEW NATIONAL SALES MANAGER APPOINTED!  *****
   --------------

     Mike Morand, Atari Corp. announced the  appointment of  Bill Crouch to
 Vice President  of Sales  on 10/16/89.   Crouch will bring a great deal of
 marketing experience with him to Atari Corp.   Most recently  of Televideo
 Corp. ,  Bill has been successful in marketing  Apricot Inc, TTX Computer,
 ACTRX  Corp.  and  was  Director  of  Sales  &  Marketing  for  Commodore,
 overseeing the  sales and  marketing of  the VIC  20 and C-64.  We wish to
 extend our best wishes and success to Bill.




 - New York City, NY   *** FORBES 8TH ANNUAL REPORT LOOKS AT J. TRAMIEL ***
   -----------------

             The Forbes 400 - October 23, 1989:  Jack Tramiel

     Atari Corp.  Zephyr Cove, NEV. and Saratoga,  CA. 61,  married, 3 sons
 all in  business. Polish born Kaufman Idek Tramielski, survived Auschwitz.
 Army, odd jobs after US arrival 1947.  Sold used typewriters Bronx, set up
 Commodore  Portable  Typewriter  1954.    Major Canadian financial scandal
 sullied reputation;  avoided bankruptcy  with equity  from investor Irving
 Gould.   Fierce cost  cutter; Commodore became feared microcomputer power.
 Dispute with Gould; Tramiel out in  1984.   Picked up  moribund Atari same
 year, cut  staff deeply.   Brutally  demanding boss:  "Our generals are in
 the trenches, so more of them get killed."   Atari  success puts Tramiel's
 wealth to $370 million.




 - New York City, NY         ****  ATARI PRODUCTS GO FULL MAIL ORDER!  ****
   -----------------

     The Christmas  1989, catalog  from J&R Music World lists the following
 items for sale via mail order:

     -    ATARI  520ST-fm     $399.95        -    ATARI 1040ST   $579.95
     -    ATARI  SM124        $159.95        -    ATARI SC1224   $319.95
     -    ATARI  MEGA2        $1099.95       -    ATARI MEGA4    $1499.95
     -    ATARI  SF314        $159.95        -    ATARI DTP SYS   -CALL-

     Well now, the resurrection of mail  order seems  to be  for real.   We
 received the  catalog just  two days ago direct from J&R, and there is our
 'favorite computer  company'  listed  there  right  along  with Commodore,
 Amiga, NEC,  Zenith, Epson  Toshiba and  many more.   At least they are in
 good company.  For what it's worth, it may be  just in  time to  see Atari
 BACK in  the mail order world before we are not seeing them at all.  It is
 rumored that they are  at an  alarming all  time low  in having  active ST
 dealers nationwide.  The entire line of Atari ST computers and accessories
 were  pictured  with  excellent  product  descriptions  accompanying  each
 picture.   And they were listed in the "Home Computer Systems" area.   J&R
 1-800-221-8180  Bad part is... No service!



 - Sacramento, CA               *****  DEALERS VERY UNHAPPY AGAIN!  *****
   --------------
   
     In yesterday's Sacramento Bee,  ATARI  ran  a  full  page  ad  for the
 Portfolio.   Great, huh? ...Wrong.  ATARI just shot themselves in the foot
 again, and substantially enraged the local  dealers.   No where  in the ad
 does it say "For more information see your local dealer", or "For names of
 a local dealer in your area  call...",  Instead,  ATARI  inserts  it's 800
 number and says "To order call Atari directly"!

     We only  have 2 ATARI dealers in the greater Sacramento area which has
 a population of over a million people and is the  California State Capital
 and BOTH dealers are close to not carrying any products from ATARI.
  
                                                            DS 

 Editor Note; 
     Atari has  stated it would use direct sales for the Portfolio, but one
 would think that IF dealer(s) in  a given  area are  stocking the product,
 then it  would be  in Atari's best interests to promote sales in that area
 through it's dealer(s). "Such Wreckxpert marketing!"
    






   _____________________________________________________________________




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 > A "Quotable Quote"
   =================


         "WHEN A BUSINESS FORGETS THAT CUSTOMERS PAY THE BILLS....
                     THE BUSINESS IS SOON FORGOTTEN!"

                                   excerpt from: Lenbo's Flippiant Follies


                             "ATARI IS BACK?"

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ST-REPORT  Issue #110   "Your Independent News Source"    October 20, 1989
                    ALL RIGHTS RESERVED  copyright 1989
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
 the  editors,  staff,  ST  Report  or CPU Report.  Reprint permission is
 hereby granted, unless otherwise noted.    All  reprints  must  include ST
 Report or  CPU Report  and the  author's name.   All information presented
 herein is believed correct, STReport or CPU Report, it's editors and staff
 are not responsible for any use or misuse of information contained herein.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------


