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  January 19, 1990                                                No.4.03
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                       CPU NewsWire Online Magazine
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 > 01/12/90: CPU Newswire #403  The Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine! 
   ---------------------------- 
     - The Editor's Podium                   - CPU REPORT
     - pc-ditto II  OUCH!                    - Beckemeyer Report
     - THE BEAT GOES ON!!                    - Cordless Mouse II
     - AUA NewsBriefs                        - CPU Confidential
                              -------------
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 > The Editor's Podium

     It is difficult, at best, to  present a 'smiling face' week after week
 when one realizes all is not well in our computing community.  Considering
 all the positive promises presented to the developers at the  Atari Comdex
 reception  and  of  course,  the  promises  made during a number of online
 conferences, none of which  have amounted  to anything  remarkable, one is
 left  with  a  one  word  question  in  mind....  WHEN?   And where is the
 advertising, the merchandising and most of all, the product?
  
     Although not generally known throughout the Atari computing community,
 there  are  those  at  Atari  (at  the  top) who feel that Stacy should be
 retired.  You are not hearing things.  Retired is  the nice  way of saying
 there are serious regrets for having gone forward with this project and if
 it could  be reversed  such would  be the  case.   The bottom  line in the
 "Stacy Affair"  will no  doubt, surface  in a  short while.  Could this be
 because of type acceptance problems?  The Stacy is not  a "dumb terminal".
 Or is it?
  
     After  having  had  the  enjoyable  pleasure  of  meeting  Andy Marken
 personally at Comdex, I find it  absolutely amazing  to learn  that he and
 his firm,  Marken Communications,  are history with Atari as of the Feb 1!
 The man was "everpresent" at the Atari Comdex  display, he  was, without a
 doubt, the  unofficial ambassador  for Atari.   He made every visitor feel
 important and welcome.  At CES, he was responsible for more sale  than any
 one else  at the hospitality suite.  Oh well, so much for hoping to see an
 end to the old, bizarre Atari business practices.  This  matter is covered
 elsewhere in this issue.

     Are these indications of Atari attempting to withdraw from a prominent
 position in the computing public's eyes?  Perhaps,  the continued  lack of
 producing timely  results and  keeping promises  is finally catching up to
 those at Atari who feel the userbase is, indeed, a mushroom patch  in need
 of fertilizer?   Time  will tell.   In the meantime, keep your eyes on the
 ole faithful revolving door, word is, its going  to 'heat  up' pretty good
 over the next 90 days...

     One fact  that must  be said  time and time again, the computers Atari
 offers are absolutely among the finest to be had. (IMHO)  If  only I could
 say the same about the company and its strange ways of doing business.

                                    Thanks for your support,

                                             Ralph....


    NOTICE: Poolfix2.prg is NOT to be used, please wait for version 3.


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


   Issue # 50
   ----------


 by Michael Arthur


 Remember When....

       In 1644, a 16-year old Frenchman named Blaise Pascal designed one of
 the first mechanical calculators,  the  Pascaline,  which  was  capable of
 accurately  adding  numbers  up  to  9  digits large, in order to help his
 father  figure  out  Tax   Levies,  and   when  Alan   Turing,  a  British
 cryptographer/mathematician, invented the Turing Machine (a device capable
 of eulating any mechanical  process)  in  order  to  solve  a mathematical
 puzzle, or  when the  Turing Machine later became the foundation for ideas
 behind computer technology?


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

                      Implications of Superconductivity
                      ---------------------------------


       Electricity is a vital part of our lives.  It powers our cities,
 runs our industries, and our needs for transportation could not be met
 without it.  Indeed, without electricity, civilization as we know it would
 come to a grinding halt.  But even as electricity plays a needed role in
 today's world, we must recognize that since mankind cannot, at the present
 time, produce an infinite amount of electricity, ways must be found to
 make technology utilize it efficiently.  Recently, a phenomenon called
 superconductivity has received great notice as a way of actually doing
 this.  But in order to understand how superconductivity will affect our
 lives, we must first understand how it functions.

       Conductivity is defined as the ability to transmit electrical
 current.  This occurs when a stream of negatively charged electrons is
 sent, or funneled, through a conductor, leading them to positively charged
 protons, so their interaction will cause electricity.  In ordinary
 conducting materials, such as iron, copper, and other metallic substances,
 electrons are loosely funneled through the conductor, which loosely
 controls their direction.  This means that that, as they are sent through
 ordinary conducting materials, some of these electrons are able to break
 away from the "stream", and crash into adjoining electrons.  The impact of
 this collision causes energy to be generated as heat which would otherwise
 have become electricity.

      In comparison, superconductive materials tightly control the flow of
 the electrons, so they aren't able to break away and collide into each
 other.  This results in all of the electrons being used to create
 electricity, and that none of the potential electrical energy is lost as
 heat energy.   An added advantage to superconductive materials is that
 they generate far more intense magnetic fields than ordinary conductors.

      But ever since it was discovered in 1911, superconductivity was only
 achieved at temperatures approaching absolute zero, the temperature
 designated as 0 Kelvin, at which substances have no molecular motion,
 resulting in the total absence of heat.  This meant that superconductors
 could not be practical for any use, since the price of maintaining such
 cold temperatures, in terms of both the cost of liquid helium, the only
 substance capable of being that cold, and the inconvenience of the big and
 bulky equipment required to handle it, would be prohibitive.

      This has recently started to change.  In 1986, scientists at IBM's
 Zurich Research Labs used a class of metallic oxides known as ceramics as
 superconductive material.  This substance was able to maintain super 
 conductivity at the temperature of 35 Kelvin, far above absolute zero.
 Over the past three years, the scientific community has further developed
 this class of ceramic compounds so they remain superconducting at 
 temperatures up to 98 Kelvin, or Minus 283 Degrees Fahrenheit.  While this
 might also seem prohibitively cold, it is well above the temperature at
 which liquid nitrogen can be used as a coolant.  Liquid nitrogen is
 inexpensive and relatively easy to handle.  This means that
 superconductivity could soon be in common use, and that its implications
 can be fully seen for the first time.

       One of the most obvious benefits of superconductivity is in the
 production and transmission of electricity.  Electrical generators make
 electricity by a spinning turbine which rotates a magnet in a magnetic
 field.  If superconductors were used, not only would more electricity be
 made, as it could be a more powerful magnet, but none of the potential
 energy would be lost as heat.  Also, current metallic wire in use as
 electrical lines can lose 5-8 percent of the electricity they transmit
 from power stations.  If superconducting material were used in its place,
 no electricity would be lost, and millions of dollars in the area of
 energy production would be saved.   However, since current superconductors
 cannot maintain their superconductivity in normal conditions, changes in
 developments of superconductive material will be necessary before this
 occurs....

       Magnetically levitated trains, or maglevs, are another development
 which stands to benefit from superconductivity.  These trains can run 
 up to 300 miles per hour because unlike ordinary trains, they levitate on
 a bed of magnetic fields, generated by powerful magnets positioned on the
 ground, and are propelled by other magnets located on both sides of the
 train.  It is a very promising technology, as there is no danger of going
 off the track in a derailment, and that, unlike trains, its great speeds
 aren't hindered by friction caused by being in contact with the ground.

       Superconducting magnets can now be used to generate more powerful
 magnetic fields, so these trains can go a lot faster than normally
 possible.  Japanese maglevs currently use superconducting magnets because
 of this, but the equipment needed to store the liquid helium they required
 was very expensive.  Liquid nitrogen can more easily maintain the smaller,
 more powerful superconducting magnets that will probably be used in
 maglevs.  The new developments in superconductivity can even help the
 medical field.  Magnetic resonance imagers (or MRI Scanners), which are
 used to take detailed pictures of human tissue, operate by using
 superconducting magnets.  These devices have cost up to a million dollars
 before, mainly because of the equipment needed to store liquid helium. Now
 liquid nitrogen can replace liquid helium, and with much less required to
 store it, the price of these lifesaving devices will drop dramatically.

       But even though superconductivity will quickly benefit parts of our
 lives, its implications will not truly be seen until materials that
 maintain their superconductivity at room temperature are developed.  Even
 though the present developments in superconductivity stand to benefit
 mankind greatly, the fact is that it wouldn't be feasible, or efficient to
 force the vast majority of our technology to add on equipment to store
 liquid nitrogen so it will work.  Electrical lines, for example, cannot
 use current superconductive material.  In this case, room temperature
 superconductors would be optimal.

       One very important area that would benefit from room temperature
 superconductors is computers.  The IC's in today's computers generate a
 great amount of heat, with the result that most computers today require
 fans to keep them operational.  Room temperature superconductors not only
 would allow them to be very compact, but could allow for much faster
 designs, especially in super computers.  Mainframe-speed computers could
 be the size of laptops, as superconductors allow systems to be designed
 with extreme chip density, as there would be no worry of overheating, and
 superconductivity would allow integrated circuitry to function far more
 efficiently.   And as computers themselves are attaining a continuously
 greater role in civilization, the benefits of superconductivity multiply.

      Eventually, room temperature superconductors will improve our lives
 in the future.  Space technology will vastly improve, as more powerful and
 efficient satellites help our technological civilization collect and 
 transfer information, space stations become more versatile, and the 
 prospects for colonizing the stars loom over the horizon.  It will, in
 all certainty, be used in weapons of war, as fighters and bombers become
 more sophisticated, using better stealth technologies to evade and destroy
 the enemy.  But while superconductivity is still relatively new in the 
 research lab, its implications are infinitely vast, and at the rate of 
 development, one cannot doubt that within the next decade, those
 implications, both the ones mentioned here, and those yet to be imagined,
 will advance our civilization into the twenty-first century....


          Computer Security, an Internet Worm, and the Morris Trial
          ---------------------------------------------------------

       Robert Tappen Morris, a former Cornell University Computer Science
 graduate who created a worm which crippled around 7000 Unix computers
 connected to the Internet compuer network in November 1988, is now being
 tried in court.  Charging that he intentionally created and released a
 worm into the Internet network which caused millions of dollars in
 damages, the prosecution intends to obtain a conviction based on the
 1986 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, which makes it a felony to cause more
 than $1000 dollars in damages via a computer virus.  Interestingly enough,
 it seems that this Law does NOT require that the damage be intentionally
 caused....

       The alleged damages caused by the Internet worm consist of lost
 computing time on the Unix systems, and the wages for the computer experts
 needed to completely eliminate the virus from Internet.  This damage has
 been estimated to have cost several million dollars.  Interestingly
 enough, it seems that the Internet worm prompted the creation of several
 computer security agencies, which later halted the spread of many other
 computer viruses....

       Robert Morris wrote a computer worm which was designed to defeat
 security flaws in the Unix operating system, and to slowly replicate
 itself inside systems running Berkeley Unix.  It used several methods,
 including accessing debugging code left in E-Mail software by system
 administrators (or Sysops), and by accessing "back doors" built into the
 security program which allowed easy entry into a system.  It has been
 determined that the ONLY effect that the Internet worm had on Unix systems
 was to use up an extensive amount of CPU time, which slowed system
 operation to a tremendous degree.

       Curiously, programmers examining the source code of the Internet
 Worm have determined that it was actually a programming error (read: bug)
 that caused the worm to replicate so quickly once it was inside Unix
 systems.  It would simply "fill up" the system with copies of them, and
 its copies would, in turn, replicate themselves.  This process eventually
 took up so much CPU time that system operation ground to a halt.  Morris'
 defense intends to use this to prove that the both the worm's release into
 Internet, and its replication (which caused the damage) was accidental,
 and did not cause permanent damage.  Meaning that he may not be liable for
 any alleged damages....


 But ponder, if you will, these questions:

 1)   How  quickly  does  the  computer  industry  really  change,  in both
     developing new technologies and migrating from obsolete systems?

 2)   What are  ways that programmers can prevent "bugs" from popping up in
     programs?

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


 CPU STATUS REPORT
 ==================


 Alameda, CA        Sun has recently introduced a Network Bundle for the
 -----------        TOPS LAN Network which includes Inbox 3.0, an E-mail
                    System, and TOPS Version 3.0.  The DOS version of this
                    update supports the Mac Hierarchical File System (HFS),
                    and can run in extended memory....

                    Centram Systems, maker of the TOPS LAN Network, has
                    also been "spun off" by Sun Microsystems into an
                    independent subsidiary, instead of remaining a division
                    of Sun.  It seems that TOPS, an Appletalk-compatible
                    LAN Network with a base of 60,000 users, has been under
                    intense competition, and that Sun may plan to sell
                    TOPS....



 West Chester, PA   Commodore has appointed Walter Simpson as its Director
 ----------------   for Product Marketing, and named Jeff Scherb as Vice
                    President of CATS (Commodore Application and Technical
                    Support).  Responsible for Amiga Developer support,
                    Jeff Scherb will be overseeing efforts to boost the
                    Amiga software base in the fields of Unix, education,
                    and multimedia software....

                    Walter Simpson, who has been involved with the computer
                    industry for over 20 years, intends to heighten
                    Commodore's marketing strategies for consumer and
                    educational sales, as well as the business and
                    Government computer markets....



 Tokyo, Japan       Sony has announced that its News workstation, which has
 ------------       taken a great percentage of the Japanese workstation
                    market, will support OSF/1, the new Unix-based OS being
                    developed by the Open Software Foundation.  Also, the
                    OSF has confirmed that the Mach operating system (used
                    in the NeXT computer) will be part of OSF/1....



 San Jose, CA       U.S. Memories, a planned consortium of American
 ------------       computer companies which was designed to boost the U.S.
                    DRAM chip industry, has been disbanded by Sanford Kane,
                    its CEO, due to a lack of support.  Formed in May 1988
                    by seven companies, including IBM, DEC, National
                    Semiconductor, and Hewlett-Packard, U.S. Memories was
                    to become a $1 billion dollar venture to restore mass
                    production in the U.S. of DRAM memory chips, in order
                    to ensure a secure supply, and to retake some of the
                    75 percent of the $9 Billion dollar DRAM Market now
                    controlled by Japanese companies....

                    In order for U.S. Memories to have been formed, its
                    member companies needed to contribute $500 million in
                    capital, with the rest financed by loans.  But
                    interestingly enough, the recent drop in DRAM prices
                    doomed the consortium, as companies like Sun and Apple
                    rejected U.S. Memories because of the current plentiful
                    supply of DRAM chips, and as several of its sponsor
                    companies grew wary of its usefulness.  Many analysts
                    now say that this may indicate that American companies
                    are more interested in short-term gains than long-term
                    benefits....






           _____________________________________________________





 > PC DITTO II  CPU/STR Spotlight   TO BE OR....NOT TO BE?
   ==============================


  msgs CTSY GEnie Atari ST RT

 Below, is a message  sent to  present and  future owners  of the  now very
 famous, PC DITTO II, hardware PC emulator for the Atari ST computers.
 by its merchandising manufacturer, Avant Garde products.

     Category 19,  Topic 2
     Message 183       Tue Jan 16, 1990
     AVANTGARDE                   at 12:56 EST
  
     To: All PC-DITTO II owners

     We have  just read  the message  traffic for this past weekend, and it
     would be an understatement to say  we have  messed up.   We apologize.
     For those  that did  not get disks, we are sending them out.  Somehow,
     with all the parts that go into each package, a few disks were missed.

     For those with boards that are not working,  we are  investigating the
     bad  boards.    Since  the  board  design does work, the problem is in
     manufacturing.  To  bring  you  up  to  date,  we  began  checking the
     programmed parts  this morning.   So  far, they appear to be ok.  That
     leaves the parts soldered on the  board.    As  soon  as  we  find the
     problem part,  we will be back online immediately to let you know what
     we learned. Our manufacturer will  have  to  replace  or  rework those
     boards, if a part they received from their supplier was bad.

     What I  can say is this, please do not damage the pc-ditto II.  We can
     and will return your monies if they are returned as we shipped them to
     you. We  promise that  if you have a bad board, we will make it right.
     Soon. Please understand that  this  is  a  big  undertaking  and we're
     small.  WE do answer the phone, but the calls have been long and many.
     Furthermore, with the bad  board problem  identified, we  are spending
     all of  our time trying to locate the problem and rectify it.  We will
     not let you down.  The product  works well  when it  works.   We won't
     leave you  hanging.   Please hang  in there  a little longer.  We will
     have answers for all your problems.


 Editor Note;
          Since the advent of  PCD II  shipping, there  has been  much more
          than  just  a  few  complaints  about a disk missing or a booklet
          missing.  How about at the  time of  this writing,  there is only
          ONE  PC  DITTO  II  that  this author can literally attest to its
          running ok and it is thirteen  hundred miles  away in  NYC.  This
          one as we understand it is a pre-production version that was hand
          tested thoroughly  prior  to  its  delivery  to  Nevin  Shallit a
          reporter for ST Informer.  And I might add, the first one sent to
          him did not  work.    Incidently,  that  is  apparently  the only
          version delivered in a timely manner to any publication.
  
          It would  appear that a good 90-99% of those who received the new
          product  recently  have  had  negative  results  with  either the
          installation, the  software, the booting or missing components to
          the product, disks, booklets etc.  We have  seen posts  and notes
          from  virtually  all  over  the  country  from folks experiencing
          varying degrees of serious  difficulty with  this release version
          of PCD  II.   Perhaps the  best thing  to do would be to ship the
          units back to AG and await a re-release  of a  working version of
          the product.  After all, since there are no warranty cards packed
          with the units, thus no registration per se,  and after recalling
          the "hairsplitting"  going on over the time limit on the 'special
          prepayment offer' it would be  a  wise  and  prudent  decision to
          return all  questionable units and please, do it with a recipient
          signature required.



     We now present, for your perusal, the various reader reactions  to the
     course of current events concerning the Avant Garde position taken and
     responses forwarded to the users....




 Category 19,  Topic 2
 Message 201       Wed Jan 17, 1990
 D.BURKHALTER                 at 18:57 CST
  
 Anyone who plans to return their PCD II damaged to AG should send it  back
 insured and  certified!   Just in  case (I  got burned by CMI but doubt AG
 will do this) a problem arises.  Keep  your stub  and the  slip that comes
 back  until  you  have  your  refund.   No point in losing $154 because of
 stupidity.  If something happens YOU  are responsible   proving  that they
 received the  board back.   Also  send a letter with the return and make a
 copy.

 Burned before to the tune of $300,

 -Dave

 Editor Note:  
               To  clarify   a  point   mentioned,  D.   Burkhalter  has  a
               considerable  amount  of  equity  involved with the now well
               known situation of CMI,  who  closed  down  their operations
               with a number of individuals left "holding the bag".



 Category 19,  Topic 2
 Message 202       Wed Jan 17, 1990
 E.GORELIK                    at 20:28 EST
  
  Avant-Garde:

     I'm not looking for a refund at the present time, but I am looking for
 a working unit, and my chances  of receiving  one among  the present batch
 would seem  to be near zero.  So please be kind enough to hold up my order
 till you have something that you can ship with justifiable  assurance.  To
 make  things  easier  on  us  both,  if you've already sent me a unit I'll
 simply refuse delivery and ask UPS to return to sender,  then wait  till I
 hear an announcement from you that proven working units are now going out.
 Though, as I say, this doesn't indicate that I want  a refund.   Good luck
 on getting it all together.

     I also  hope to  see a  message from you on this thread addressing the
 question of to solder or not to solder and to fit inside your ST or not to
 fit inside your ST.

     I wasn't  one of  those who read into your last message that you would
 refuse to take back any  units  that  have  already  been  damaged  due to
 unfortunate attempts  to cut  and solder.   Rather, I saw it as a cautious
 statement not wanting to encourage anyone to experiment  irresponsibly  or
 unnecessarily, and possibly for other reasons wishing to retain an  option
 on deciding how to handle any given case rather than commit yourself  to a
 policy with  unknown implications.   I also wasn't among  those who waited
 with breath  all but  suspended for  months for  your long-delayed product
 and then  mangled their ST's and ran up big bills trying to get it to work
 when you finally sent it out but remained inaccessible by  phone or modem,
 but I  would like  to see them receive some consideration and fair play in
 this, damaged units or no, and I also believe they'll get it. 


 D. Burkhalter:
 That sounds like excellent advice, though I think in this  case, where I'm
 refusing delivery, that might be unnecessary.

  ------------
 Category 19,  Topic 2
 Message 203       Wed Jan 17, 1990
 B.MORTON5                    at 20:30 EST
  
 AVANT-GARDE:   I received  the pcditto II in good shape.  UPS forwarded it
 to me at my  new address.     As for  me, I  am looking  forward to seeing
 PCdittoII run.  Let us all know soon what is the problem.  Best Wishes.

 Bev Morton

 Editor Note;
               Be advised,  it would  appear that  Ms. Morton gave the unit
               delivered  a  visual  and  not  a   functioning  inspection.
               Perhaps  Ms.  Morton  would  care  to  let  us know how well
               behaved the unit is once installed.



 Category 19,  Topic 2
 Message 204       Wed Jan 17, 1990
 L.BUDNICK                    at 20:19 CST
  
 Well, THEY say silence is golden, but, I  feel that  time has  come to add
 my nickel's worth to this thread.

     I, like  many, sent  in my  $$$ to Avant-Garde with the expectation of
 getting PCDII at a discounted rate.  I  had expected  to see  this product
 delivered within  a month  or two from the time that I submitted my check.
 Well, S**T HAPPENS! If you have been around the computer  business for any
 length of  time at  all, this is not the first time, nor will it likely be
 the  last  time  a  product  is  planned  to  be  delivered  and  is LATE!
 Additionally, it  is surely not the first time a delivered product has had
 major problems once it was delivered.

     For those continuing  to  whine,  mostly  the  same  people  that were
 whining about  the product  being late, you also have a responsibility for
 finding yourself in the  position you  find yourself.  You are responsible
 for taking  the RISK  in sending in $$$ for a product that was still being
 developed.  I think over the course of this entire ordeal, Avant-Garde has
 given each  of us  the opportunity to change our mind and to get our money
 back. This offer was  made during  the delay  in shipments  and again with
 the discovery  of the  product not  being operational  when it finally did
 ship. Further, Avant-Garde has offered  their  apologies  for  the current
 situation,  and  has  indicated  that  they  are  working  to  resolve the
 problems.  What more can they do under the circumstances?

     I ordered PCDII because I felt that AG had provided me with  a quality
 product in  PCDI. I  believe that  given an opportunity to get the current
 problems resolved, they  will  offer  that  same  quality  in  their PCDII
 product. This  is a  risk that I think is worthwhile taking for the amount
 of $$$ involved, and the potential  benefit  I  will  derive  should  I be
 correct. Again,  this is my decision, and the responsibility for that risk
 continues to be mine.

     I suggest if you  feel you  got the  SHAFT and  the risk  is no longer
 worth it,  quit your  whining, request  your money  be returned, and don't
 waste the time of those of us who follow this thread for  support from AG.
 If whining is your thing, go do it in category 18!

     To AG, I certainly have not given up the ship.  Keep on, keeping on! I
 for one continue to look forward to a  quality product  being available in
 the  not  to  distant  future.  Thanks  for your support to-date, and I am
 awaiting the arrival of your new  product with  the same  FAITH as  when I
 originally sent in my check.

     Lorne.... (perhaps silent for too long, but not long enough) :-)

 Editor Note;
               Suffering in  silence for more than a quarter of a year is a
               bit much, especially when  the phones  are emitting constant
               busy  signals  or  a  non-recording answering device is busy
               devouring customer's long distance  dollars.   Certainly, if
               people were  able to reach a living responding person at the
               other end 3/4 of the unrest would not be evident.  Nobody is
               asking that  the ship  be abandoned,  they are simply asking
               for a life vest.....


 Category 19,  Topic 2
 Message 205       Wed Jan 17, 1990
 J.ALLEN27                    at 21:47 EST
  
 Hey Nevin, I don't have an ST hooked to the phone, can you upload the SW? 

 I am beginning to wonder about the packaging  the boards  were shipped in.
 I haven;t  seen the  packaging, can you describe it to me, if there was  a
 plastic bag was it pink or did it look like "polaroid filter"  material. I
 spend $1  each on  the antistatic  super bags  I ship T16s in. Maybe these
 things were getting zapped in shipping?  I  have  to  believe  they tested
 these  ubits  before  shipment,  but  they  are  definitely not happy with
 blitters when they are working. If you sending them back  for repair, just
 send the  big board,  even if you soldered the "clip" on you can still get
 the main board fixed.
  ------------

 Category 19,  Topic 2
 Message 206       Wed Jan 17, 1990
 N.RECHTMAN1                  at 22:25 EST
  
 I thing AG made a big mistake not making a  cartridge version  or at least
 an external  unit like Supercharger, which seems to be from what I've read
 really easy to use and work with AG,  why don't  you reconsider  your poor
 design.



 Category 19,  Topic 2
 Message 207       Wed Jan 17, 1990
 K.MULLIKIN                   at 19:36 PST
  
 Has anyone  tried to  get PCDII  to fit  with the  center post removed and
 leaving the RFI shield out?

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

 Category 19,  Topic 2
 Message 208       Wed Jan 17, 1990
 J.GARRISON5                  at 22:37 EST
  

   T.HESTER1,

     I agree with you that the potential benefits of a  working PCD  II are
 worth waiting for, but I disagree with your assessment of the capabilities
 and knowledge of the various people  who  have  received  their  PCD II's.
 While your  reference to  the "JCL  sign" might have merit if only a small
 percentage of people  could  not  understand  the  instructions,  it  is a
 completely inappropriate  analogy in  this case.   So far, NO one has been
 able to get a production PCD II to work.  That is, 100% of  the people are
 "misunderstanding"  AG's  instructions.    As  far as I'm  concerned, that
 falls under the category of "Poorly Written Documents".   Either  that, or
 AG has shipped defective boards and/ or software to its customers.

     As far  as the  actual knowledge  of some  or all  of the customers is
 concerned, as an electrical engineer I can tell you just from my attention
 to  this  category  that  several  of  the  people out there (J.ALLEN27 in
 particular) are  QUITE competent,  full-fledged EXPERTS  in these matters.
 But that  shouldn't even  come into  consideration here,  since PCD II was
 supposedly designed to be a  user-installed  device  not  requiring expert
 knowledge.   The mere  use of the phrase "self-professed experts" tends to
 insult those  you said you did not intend to demean.  It MAY  yet turn out
 that the "average joes" HAVE screwed up by misunderstanding AG's seemingly
 inadequate documentation and attention to detail in  the area of packaging
 a complete  product, but  I doubt  it.   Your  advice and thoughts on this
 subject, even  though you obviously  meant well, hit a little  wide of the
 target.

                                     J. Garrison

 Editor Note;
               Obviously,  many  of  the  'complaints'  both  pro  and con,
               involving this  PCD  II  matter  are  going  to  reflect the
               charged personal  feelings of those most effected by what is
               going on, namely those who have bought and paid for a device
               they now  possess and  it flat  out does  not perform at any
               level of expectation.  This is the crux of the  matter, when
               a  user  makes  a  purchase  in  the  computing community he
               expects support and justifiably  so, especially  when we are
               looking  at   an  'in   the  field'  hardware  installation.
               Presently, most folks with a problem  may call  the AG phone
               number and  expect either  a non-recording answering machine
               or unending busy signals.    This  method  of  diligent user
               support soon would wear anyone's patience thin.

  ------------
 Category 19,  Topic 2
 Message 209       Wed Jan 17, 1990
 A.KLYM                       at 20:36 PST
  
 In my  attempt to install my PC-DITTO II into my old 520 ST,  I removed my
 center post.  I have not had my RF shield for some time.  
  ------------


 Category 19,  Topic 2
 Message 210       Wed Jan 17, 1990
 W.CHOW                       at 23:56 EST
  
 J.ALLEN,

 i looked at the bag the board came in again, it's still  pink with bubbles
 all over :-)

 whoops! pop goes that bubble...
  ------------


 Category 19,  Topic 2
 Message 211       Wed Jan 17, 1990
 S.STAHL1                     at 23:24 CST
  
 At the  risk of  complicating matters  more, I'd  think that  many of AG's
 customers deserve  compensation  for  the  money  spent  on  the fruitless
 installation attempts;  dealers charged  from $50  to $100, wasn't it, for
 installation?  I'd suggest sending copies of the  bills to  AG, especially
 if the boards have to be installed twice.
  ------------

 Category 19,  Topic 2
 Message 213       Wed Jan 17, 1990
 F.GIOMBOLINI                 at 22:45 MST
  
 I want to repeat my plea - Please if anyone has the pcdittoII files please
 upload them here. I need them to check out my board.  Avant Garde says its
 ok.  I am indebted to you - thanks, Fred
  ------------

 Category 19,  Topic 2
 Message 214       Thu Jan 18, 1990
 NEVIN-S                      at 04:48 EST
  
 For everyone's information, I spoke with  Bill Teal  last night.  He is of
 course very  aware of the problem, and is working feverishly to locate the
 specific culprit.  He said as much  here  a  couple  of  days  ago,  but I
 thought folks would like to here it once again. He will come on line again
 as soon  as he  has any  more information,  and asks  you to  just hang in
 there. Anyone  who returns  their board  will receive a refund, of course.
 But of course he hopes you will hold on a bit longer while he  tracks down
 the specific problem.

                                                       Nevin

 Editor Note;

          While it  is all  well and  good to  allow the  situation to calm
 itself, this process could easily be accelerated by  having a  "warm body"
 answering  the  telephone  offering  a  reasonable explanation for what is
 actually happening.  The old "personal  touch" goes  a mighty  long way in
 giving good customers a reason for waiting for a much anticipated product.
 While it is nice to see that a few (very  few) have  been able  to discuss
 this situation  with Avant  Garde, the  majority of  users nationwide have
 not. 
  






        __________________________________________________________






 > BECKEMEYER DEVELOPMENT  CPU/STR OnLine
   ======================================



            **********    A N N O U N C E M E N T    **********

             SHAREWARE MULTITASKING MICRO RTX FOR THE ATARI ST!!!


       (OAKLAND, CA) BECKEMEYER DEVELOPMENT TOOLS has released a version
       of their multitasking operating system, MICRO RTX, as shareware
       for the Atari ST line of computers.

       MICRO RTX is a fully multitasking real-time operating system
       which adds multitasking extensions to TOS, Atari's native
       operating system.  MICRO RTX can run standard TOS and GEM
       programs without modifications and offers additional operating
       system services for applications, such as interprocess
       communication, installable device drivers, file and record
       locking, device control, real-time prioritization of tasks,
       efficent memory management, event signaling, message passing,
       and much more.

       Full programming documentation is included with the shareware
       version, including source code to "C" bindings for popular
       Atari ST "C" compilers.

       End-user registration is a modest $35, which includes the program
       disk and printed manual.  Full developer status with technical
       support services is $75.  An advanced commercial version which
       includes an unlimited binary redistribution license is $250.

       
       CONTACT:
                        BECKEMEYER DEVELOPMENT TOOLS
                        P.O. Box 21575
                        Oakland, CA 94620
                        (415) 530-9637
                        BBS: (415) 530-9682



 In an online note from D. Beckemeyer;


     Ralph (ST-Report), there's so much to  MT C-Shell  and VSH  that it is
 hard to  describe in  a few  lines of text.  I don't know all the policies
 here on GEnie yet regarding commercial announcements of  that sort.   I'll
 give a short description here and check into\ uploading some more detailed
 info.

     MT C-Shell is an operating system for the ST.  It is a general purpose
 multitasking/multiuser OS.  It has as standard a Unix-like user interface.
 It has login IDs and passwords and has a command-line interface called the
 C shell,  patterened after  the Berkeley Unix C shell.  Really the C shell
 is just a program that accepts commands and acts on them.  MT C- a variety
 of ways, such as special configuration files, batch files etc.  The unique
 thing about MT C-Shell is that it is TOS compatible.  It emulates  the TOS
 system and can run TOS and GEM programs.  

     It is  also a  fully multitasking  system in  its own right, with many
 advanced  features  --  like  installable  device   drivers,  interprocess
 communication,  priorities,   etc.  etc.     Because   of  all  the  "user
 customization" possible with the MT C-Shell  system, it's  hard to exactly
 what the  system does  since it  can do  whatever you want -- it's hard to
 draw the line as to wh what is  MT C-Sell  and what  is an  application or
 configuration.  

     Basically, MT C-Shell gives you a system where you can run commands in
 the background while you continue to work and it also allows you to set up
 your system  with a  modem or  terminal for  multiuser use. There are also
 hardware expansdion ioptions for up to 12-users on a Mega  ST (or upgraded
 1040 or 520).

     VSH  is  a  GEM  "outer  layer"  for  MT  C-Shell.    It  includes GEM
 applications,  accesoryies  and  device  drivers  for  "virtual terminals"
 inside GEM windows, where you can have several MT C-Shell sessions visible
 and active at the same time on one screen.   Right now, as I type  in this
 message in  one GEM  window, I  have other windows where I can switch over
 and run any commands I desire.  The  windows are  all running  at the same
 time, output may occur to any window asynchronously.  The comands and jobs
 started in a window even continue to run when the window is closed and not
 visible -  the output will be waiting there in the window when you open it
 again.  You can  also use  a VSH  command window  from the  Desk menu from
 within another GEM application.

     Regarding upgrades,  most upgrades  of BDT products involve sending in
 the disk with a $5 charge.  The exceptions are MT C-Shell  which is $10.00
 and  Hard  Disk  Toolkit  V2.00  which  comes with a new manual and has an
 upgrade fee of $15.00

     These are the most recent versions of our software; 

          Micro C-Shell is 2.74, Hard Disk  Toolkit is  2.04 and  hard Disk
          Sentry is  1.20.   MT C-Shell is also Version 1.20.  Sentry, Hard
          Disk Toolkit,  and VSh  are also  available for  download by reg.
          owners on the BDT BBS at (415) 530-9682.

     I hope this answers everyone's questions without being too long.

                                        David -- Beckemeyer Development


 CONTACT:
                        BECKEMEYER DEVELOPMENT TOOLS
                        P.O. Box 21575
                        Oakland, CA 94620
                        (415) 530-9637
                        BBS: (415) 530-9682







       ____________________________________________________________





 > NEODESK REVISITED! CPU/STR FOCUS   An interesting series of tests...
   ================================



                A COMPARISON OF NEODESK AND ATARI'S DESKTOP
                ===========================================



 an interesting study conducted by the folks a Gribnif...

      We were sitting around the other day and decided that we had  never 
 really  done a direct comparison of the speed increase of  NeoDesk  over 
 the built-in desktop.

      For these tests we used a Mega ST4 with the Blitter turned on.  The 
 machine  was equipped with the newer TOS 1.4 and was running on a  SM124 
 monochrome monitor.   We also repeated the tests on a Moniterm Viking  2 
 monitor.   Apart from the NeoDesk Control Panel,  no other software  was 
 running  (when  the Moniterm was used the Moniterm driver  software  was 
 also  running).   A plain out-of-the-box copy of NeoDesk 2.05 was  used.  
 The newer TOS 1.4 was used since it is supposed to have the latest  (and 
 fastest) version of the built-in desktop.

      Since a manual stopwatch was used,  there is probably error  margin 
 of about .3 second.   All tests were done three times,  best time of the 
 three was used.

      We created a folder with 800 files within it.   This directory  was 
 then  scrolled  from top to bottom with a series of  different  options.  
 This was done by holding the mouse over the scroll arrow and holding  it 
 down  until all the files had been scrolled.   When NeoDesk was used  to 
 display text all the file size, date, and time displays were left on (to 
 be identical to the built-in desktop as possible).

 On the SM124 monochrome monitor:

 Type of Test                     NeoDesk 2.05     Built-in Desktop
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  min:secs          min:secs

 With a window that was the full
 width of the screen and 2 icons
 high (show as icons)............   0:07.4            0:57.1

 With a window that was the full
 width of the screen and 5 lines
 high of text (show as text).....   0:48.5            5:30.2

 With a window the full size of
 the screen (show as icons)......   0:08.7            1:24.5

 With a window the full size of
 the screen (show as text).......   0:58.6            6:23.8


 On the Moniterm Viking 2 monitor:

 Type of Test                     NeoDesk 2.05      Built-in Desktop
 -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  min:secs          min:secs

 With a window that was the full
 width of the screen and 2 icons
 high (show as icons)............   0:05.7            0:37.7

 With a window that was the full
 width of the screen and 5 lines
 high of text (show as text).....   0:30.7            2:17.2

 With a window the full size of
 the screen (show as icons)......   0:06.4            (see below)

 With a window the full size of
 the screen (show as text).......   0:48.31           6:07.3


      It  seems  that the built-in desktop is has problems  displaying  a 
 window  the  size of the Moniterm screen if it is full  of  icons.   The 
 built-in  desktop  can only display up to 249 icons in a window  at  the 
 same time.   If you attempt to display over 249 icons in the same window 
 it will start behaving in some rather peculiar ways.   It will refuse to 
 scroll and when it does scroll it will do so incorrectly.  Seems that no 
 one  ever bothered to see if the built-in desktop could handle a  screen 
 of the size of the Moniterm.  Because of this we were unable to test its 
 scrolling speed on a full size window on the Moniterm.

 More interesting information discovered while doing these tests:

 Maximum number of files viewable in a full screen window:

 Type of display                  NeoDesk 2.05      Built-in Desktop
 -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   # of files         # of files

 SM124 Monochrome, Icons..........     64                 49
 SM124 Monochrome, Text...........     18                 18
 SM124, with no text, size, or
   date display (only NeoDesk can
   do this).......................     72                n/a
 SM124, with no options, in small
   text size (again, only NeoDesk
   can do this)...................    128                n/a

 Moniterm, Icons..................    368                249*
 Moniterm, Text...................    147**              147**
 Moniterm, no text options (only
   NeoDesk can do this)...........    441                n/a

 Moniterm, no text options in
   small text size (again, only
   NeoDesk can do this)...........    880                n/a

 *  Due to a bug in the built-in desktop, it will only display the first 
    249  icons  that can fit in a window. In theory it  could  display  a 
    total of 300 icons.

 ** With  all file size,  date,  and time information displayed both  the 
    built-in  desktop  and NeoDesk display the information in  3  columns 
    wide.   Unlike  the built-in desktop,  you can turn off the  multiple 
    column display with NeoDesk.

    Most of the speed increase in NeoDesk derives from one simple  thing.  
 We  do  not  use the VDI (Virtual Device Interface) part  of  the  Atari 
 operating  system.   This is the part that handles all  screen  drawing, 
 blitting,  and text drawing.  The built-in desktop (and just about every 
 other  program  available for the ST) depend heavily  on  the  VDI.   By 
 writing our own drawing,  blitting, and text drawing routines in our own 
 high-speed code which uses the LINEA we are able to create a MUCH faster 
 environment.   Sure this requires much more work, but we think the above 
 numbers speak for themselves.

 For more information contact your dealer or:

                             GRIBNIF SOFTWARE
                                PO Box 350
                            Hadley, MA.  01035
                              1-413-584-7887



     ------> Look for Gribnif on CIS in the Atari Vendor Forum.<------




         _________________________________________________________






 > CPU/STR Tech Notes   5 1/4 drive connections.....
   ==================



        Correct Pinout to add your own 5 1/4 drive to the ATARI ST.


 34 Pin Drive Connector     Atari 14 Pin Din Connector      Signal
 -----------------------|-------------------------------|----------------|
           2 - - - - - -|- - - - - - - * - - - - - - - -| Media Change   |
           4 - - - - - -|- - - - Not USED!!  - - - - - -| In Use         |
           6 - - - - - -|- - - - Not USED!!  - - - - - -| D3 Select      |
           8 - - - - - -|- - - - - - - 4 - - - - - - - -| Index Pulse    |
          10 - - - - - -|- - - - - - - 5 - - - - - - - -| D0 Select      |
          12 - - - - - -|- - - - - - - 6 - - - - - - - -| D1 Select      |
          14 - - - - - -|- - - - Not USED!!  - - - - - -| D2 Select      |
          16 - - - - - -|- - - - - - - 8 - - - - - - - -| Motor ON       |
          18 - - - - - -|- - - - - - - 9 - - - - - - - -| Direction      |
          20 - - - - - -|- - - - - - -10 - - - - - - - -| Step           |
          22 - - - - - -|- - - - - - -11 - - - - - - - -| Write Data     |
          24 - - - - - -|- - - - - - -12 - - - - - - - -| Write Gate     |
          26 - - - - - -|- - - - - - -13 - - - - - - - -| Track 00       |
          28 - - - - - -|- - - - - - -14 * - - - - - - -| Write Protect  |
          30 - - - - - -|- - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - -| Read Data      |
          32 - - - - - -|- - - - - - - 2 - - - - - - - -| Side Select    |
          34 - - - - - -|- - - - - Not USED! - - - - - -| Ready/Media cng|
       (Any ODD Pins)- -|- - - - - 3 and 7 - - - - - - -| Logic Ground   |
          _______________________________________________________________

 * NOTE!!!
          A jumper  Must be  installed between  pins 2  and 28 of the drive
          itself This connects the Media Change Signal to the Write protect
          signal. This  is required  only if you intend on removing a disk,
          inserting a new one and getting  a new  directory by  hitting the
          (ESCape) key.





      _______________________________________________________________






 > FTL RESPONDS! CPU/STR Spotlight   FTL tries hard to satisfy!
   ===============================



                   THE FINE ART OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
                   =====================================



 FTL Replies;


  
  News Flash from Gestapo Headquarters!
  - - -
 Regarding the  debate over  my request  to stop uploading saved games.   I
 think I  can propose  an alternate  solution.   As I  mentioned before, my
 concern is  primarily protecting  our copyrights.   I really don't want to
 discourage people from trading  Champions.   However, currently  the saved
 game file  contains more than the Champion stats.  In discussing this with
 my staff we came up with the idea of creating a utility that would extract
 only the  Champion data  from a  game file and convert it into a form that
 could be uploaded and directly read  by  the  Chaos  Strikes  Back Utility
 disk.  Would this be an acceptable solution?


 Editor Note;

 to FTL....
          Not only  is the solution offered by you (FTL) excellent, it also
 illustrates clearly, for all to see,  why this  company is  the success it
 is..   These good  people recognize the true value of customer support and
 offer themselves to this ens unselfishly.  Many  thanks are  offered for a
 quick and  equitable solution.   Your  sense of  humor is to be applauded.
 Your handling of  this  entire  situation  could  easily  be  a  lesson in
 diplomacy and good will all of us can learn from.  Again, thanks.

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

  Regarding the Champion picture files.  
           Here, is a description of the format of these files.
                          (All offsets in bytes)

    offset   0: 0x91A7  Magic number for Portrait file
    offset   2: 0x000A  System reserved use
    offset   4: 0x0001  Identifies file originates from Atari ST
    offset   6: 0x0001  System reserved use
    offset   8: 0x0001  System reserved use
    offset  10: 0x0000  System reserved use
    offset  12: 0x0000  System reserved use
    offset  14: 0x0000  System reserved use
    offset  16: "NICKNME",0 Nickname (8 bytes total incl zero delim)
    offset  24: "CHAMP TITLE",0 Title (20 bytes total incl zero delim)
    offset  44: portrait data See note 3.

  - - -
  Notes:
  1. Title is optional (first byte may be zero), but all Champions must
     have a NICKNAME (offset 16)

  2. Valid characters for nickname or title are uppercase A-Z, comma,
     period, semicolon, colon, and space.

  3. Portrait is 464 bytes (32 pixels wide by 29 lines tall)
     saved in Atari planar format as follows:
   line 1 <16 bit plane 0> MSB is leftmost pixel
    <16 bit plane 1>
    <16 bit plane 2>
    <16 bit plane 3>
    <16 bit plane 0> LSB is rightmost pixel
    <16 bit plane 1>
    <16 bit plane 2>
    <16 bit plane 3>
   Lines 2-29 repeat as above.


  4. Color palette is not saved in file but is assumed to be as follows:
   color  0: 0x0000 Black
   color  1: 0x0333 gray
   color  2: 0x0444 gray
   color  3: 0x0310 brown
   color  4: 0x0066 cyan
   color  5: 0x0420 brown
   color  6: 0x0040 green
   color  7: 0x0060 green
   color  8: 0x0700 red
   color  9: 0x0750 gold
   color 10: 0x0643 flesh
   color 11: 0x0770 yellow
   color 12: 0x0222 gray
   color 13: 0x0555 gray
   color 14: 0x0007 blue
   color 15: 0x0777 white

  - - -
     If  anyone  writes  any  useful  utilities  with this info I'd like to
 receive  a copy.  Send it to: 

                               Wayne Holder
                         C/O Software Heaven Inc. 
                       6160 Lusk Blvd.   Suite C-206
                          San Diego, Calif 92121.





        __________________________________________________________


  
  
  
 > THE BEAT GOES ON  CPU/STR Spotlight   When, sweet William, when?
   ===================================
 
 
 
                              LOOMING ON THE HORIZON, THE MUSHROOM PATCH!
                              ==========================================


 by R.F. Mariano

 The indecision, the vascillation, the obvious lack of direction....
 and the most detrimental, a total lack of continuity in inter-departmental
 communication are  going to  be our ruination.  (recently overheard in the
 far reaches of the west coast at a certain fortune 500 computer company)


 In the past we have read;

 "Atari, in keeping with Sam Tramiel's promise that the US was Atari's main
 market and  that "ATARI  WAS BACK" in the US, introduced two new computers
 in Dusseldorf Germany, THE WEEK AFTER THE ATARIFEST IN DALLAS TEXAS."

     "The Atari Show in Dusseldorf Germany was a  great success  for Atari.
     There were  lots and  lots of  exhibitors and people. The diversity of
     the programs being shown at this show were simply amazing.  There were
     ST's  driving  knitting  machines,  making vinyl signs, playing music,
     designing all kinds of tech things, word processors up the  kazoo, and
     all kinds of top quality, serious software."

     "Atari had  4 STE's  and 4 TT's at the show.  The STE's were playing 2
     Atari games that were not impressive (graphics wise)  The TT's had one
     (single  screen)  demo  that  also  was  not  very impressive.  It was
     interesting that Maxtor, a German company, had a board there that they
     plan to  sell in  week or  two that  had graphics comparable (better?)
     than the TT and they had  some really  nice graphics  demos to  put on
     their  screen  (digitized  on  a  MAC  II).    Their  board  was  very
     impressive."

 Response at the show was NOT VERY FAVORABLE TO THE STE. 

               Comments heard included:

     "The STE brings the ST's graphics and sound up to the level of the    
      Amiga 500".

     "It's too  little to  late" .  "The STE should have been put on sale 2
      or 3 years ago, its already outdated!"


       A major English newspaper  mentioned  that  they  doubted  if anyone
 would write  software for  the STE  and if there was no software why would
 anyone purchase the STE?

     "The TT was more impressive  but  with  everyone  accustomed  to Atari
 showing  products  a  year  or  two before release, people were NOT overly
 excited.  The case had an unusual design that looked nice but did not seem
 to be  very functional.  Most people seemed to think the TT was there more
 to keep people from abandoning Atari more then that it was close  to being
 ready  for  sale.    It  was  interesting  to  find that for the past year
 everytime one  heard the  expression "TT"   they  also heard  about how it
 would  have  UNIX  and  be  expandable  (read:  card  slots) but the TT at
 Dusseldorf did  not have  UNIX and  could not  be expanded.   According to
 Atari, the  expandable Unix  version of  the TT  will be  along 3-6 months
 after the first TT is sold."  ....sure but when?  And where??

     "The ST in Germany is, and at the same time, was considered a hi-tech,
 state of  the art,  business machine.   The vast majority of the computers
 sold, are sold with a mono monitor.  But the German folks  feel that Atari
 has lost  the price  and performance advantage that it once had over other
 computers.   Sales of  the Megas  and ST's  are slowing  in their computer
 stores.    So  Atari  Germany  went  and  sold a bunch of 520's to a large
 discount chain store. (where has that happened before??)  This  caused the
 dealers to  get even  more upset but managed to keep Atari Germany's sales
 up over last year.  It seems  to  be,  Atari  Germany  is  losing computer
 dealers equally as fast as they are in the USA."

     "Interesting  thing  about  this  is  that Atari Germany has made up a
 special "blue box"  for  the  520  with  nice  graphics  and  bundled some
 software with  it. Very similar to what Atari England has been doing.  The
 only difference is that all the Ataris sold  in England  are for  the home
 market.   The vast  majority of computers sold in England are 520's with a
 color monitor."

     IT LOOKS LIKE ATARI HAS FIGURED OUT THE BEST WAY TO SELL  THE 520'S IS
     TO BUNDLE SOME SOFTWARE WITH THEM AND SELL THEM AT A DISCOUNT TO CHAIN
     AND DISCOUNT STORES.  --> THE POWER PACK DEAL <--

     But rather than really  going after  this market  they are  coming out
 with a  top of  the line  Unix machine.   What  do they really want to do?
 Sell 520's to discount stores or sell TT's  to computer  stores."  Perhaps
 both.....

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

 The above  commentary first  appeared in  SEPTEMBER of 1989, regarding the
 undefined plans of Atari and its international marketing  goals.   The sad
 part is here we are already into the first quarter of 1990, and everything
 that was speculated in the above passage seems to have been cast in stone!
 Even down  to the  "broken promise syndrome."  "WE WILL RELEASE IN THE USA
 FIRST"  As time has shown,  this statement  became the  punch line  to the
 slogan "Atari is back".  Obviously, both became the "JOKE OF THE YEAR".

     It appears  as if  Atari's marketing plan is to sell discounted 520's,
 bundled with at least 10-12 software packages, to discount stores and mail
 order  houses.    Until  the  TT  is  released, how will the loyal dealers
 survive? Do they think all the dealers will eagerly return and line  up to
 purchase the  new "STE  " &  "TT" computer  lines when  and if they become
 available in the USA?  You can bet your bottom dollar that as soon  as the
 TT ensemble  is generally  available the  mega style  and type ST computer
 will go the way of the DoDo bird.  (Remember the 800XL-130XE  scheme?)  Oh
 sure, there are those who will say otherwise, but face reality, you cannot
 stop progress ..no matter how much it hurts.  Even if its not perceived as
 progress.   Is it  really progress?   Or  simply a  lateral move to market
 already passe designs?

     Its becomes very interesting to note that in  Germany, the  ST is sold
 as  a  business  machine,  in  England  it is sold as a home computer/game
 machine, and in the US it is sold as a computer.  
  
     As we grope about in the quagmire of; 

          o    what is type accepted and what is not.
          o    which product is on the mass marketer's shelves.
          o    which version of the Portfolio is going to survive. 
          o    whether or not the STE will be in the mega style case.
          o    when these new products will be on sale.
          o    when the national advertising (TV) will occur.

     These are but a  few of  the constantly  asked questions  we are posed
 with week in and week out, it is easy to see where the users and potential
 users are being driven to other markets.   It is  time to  really begin to
 push  Atari  and  its  leadership  to  the  threshold of new added success
 despite themselves.  Regretfully,  it is  easy to  see where  they haven't
 really learned  a darn  thing from  1989, the  rank politics  are still in
 evidence, the non-sense of who is  trying to  "shine" in  the bosses' eyes
 continues at  an unbridled pace and those who are involved are far to busy
 with their  dumb corporate  in-fighting to  grasp the  everyday, real life
 happenings  in  the  computer  world  that really count.  It is absolutely
 absurd to see a fortune 500, 400 million dollar corporation represented on
 almost all  fronts by  amateurs.   Atari must clean up its image and do it
 with much haste.






         ________________________________________________________




 > ATARI'S IMAGE CPU/STR SOUND OFF   A candid opinion...
   ===============================


  
                                                  THE IMAGE OF ATARI
                                                  ==================


 by Dave Scarpa


     There has been much made of the fact that the Atari line  of computers
 are  not  taken  seriously  as  powerful  personal  computers.  Some blame
 Atari's long association with the video Game Market.  Some  also blame the
 fact that  image doesn't fit in with the IBM suit and tie crowd.  If Atari
 is aiming to hit more of the business  crowd with  its line  of PC's, then
 they are  indeed missing  the mark.  I make that comment because I believe
 the dealers could go along way  in furthering  Atari's cause  by improving
 their own image.

     I speak specifically of a dealer in my area.  And I am not saying that
 all dealers are the same.  When you walk into  my local  dealer's shop the
 first thing  that greets  you are  sales people  often wearing very casual
 clothing, usually jeans  and  tees.    Now  I  am  not  saying  that these
 individuals do  not know their product, I know they are quite well versed,
 however I doubt if an executive who is looking to invest lots of money for
 his company  will think so.  I know from being in the retail business that
 the image you present to the  consumer goes  along way  to influence their
 opinions of your product.

     Once you  get by the sales people what greets you next is a shop which
 is always quite a mess.  In evidence  are broken  computers on workbenches
 with their innards hanging out, not a sight to likely to convey confidence
 in possible new customers!   The  place also  is generally  in a  state of
 disarray,  parts  a  strewn  here  and  there,  along  with the items that
 they've come out of.

     I am not on a personal attack of Atari dealers and I hope most dealers
 operate with  a measure  of professionalism, for if the Atari line is ever
 to be given its due, then the dealers, the lifeblood of Atari, must be the
 ones who  convey this  message to the consumer.  To do so the dealers must
 be ready to lift Atari's image above that of a gaming machine and hacker's
 delight, to  one of a serious PC.  To accomplish this task dealers must be
 ready to present themselves in the  most  professional  way  they  can and
 shed the  old image  of a  computer hobbyist,  and present  a new one as a
 computer professional.






       ____________________________________________________________




 > "THE MOUSE" CPU/STR Review    Practical Solutions' Infrared beauty.
   ==========================




 by Lloyd E. Pulley


 Last week,  CPU/STR had a so-called 'review' of Practical Solutions' new 
 Cordless Mouse.   After reading this 'review',  I came to the conclusion 
 that  it  was  more  of a press release than  a  review.   It  told  you 
 everything you ever wanted to know about Practical Solutions',  a little 
 about  their  new  Infrared  technology but  almost  nothing  about  the 
 Cordless  Mouse (aka The Hamster).   The following are a few  pieces  of 
 information that I found lacking in the CPU/STR article,  things that  I 
 felt were needed to make a good review....

 First,  there was no description of the mouse or it's  receiver.   After 
 reading the review,  a reader didn't know if the mouse was 8" x 5" x  2" 
 or 4" x 2.5" x 1" (the later is the closest).

 The mouse is approximately the same width as the Atari mouse,  a  little 
 bit longer (about 3/8") and a trifle shorter (about 1/2").  It fits very 
 nicely  in the palm of the average adults hand.   The receiver is  about 
 2.25"  x 2.5" x 1" and what little power that it uses is drawn from  the 
 mouse  port  on  the  ST.   The  receiver comes  with  a  cord  that  is 
 approximately  3 ft.  long (1.5 meters according to  the  specifications 
 ....but  what  red-blooded American knows how long  that  is?   Give  me 
 feet/inches any day of the week!).  The cord is long enough that you can 
 put the receiver just about anywhere you want.   Both the mouse and  the 
 receiver  are a nice light-grey color;  just a little lighter  than  the 
 normal ST/Mega case.

 Two,  the  'review' told you nothing about what type of power the  mouse 
 uses.  Does it use 22 9-volt batteries or just two AAA batteries?

 The  Cordless  mouse will work with two AAA  batteries  (not  included).  
 I've found the best ones to be the new Alkaline's (according to a recent 
 Consumer  Report article that I read,  all Alkaline batteries  are  just 
 about the same....but I degress).   The average user will get 6-8  weeks 
 from a set of Alkaline batteries.  A user that uses their computer 10-16 
 hours  a  day will probably have to replace them a  little  more  often.  
 Just like anything else, there will be some users that get 6 months from 
 a  set  of batteries and others that will only get two  weeks,  but  the 
 average  should  be  6-8 weeks.   Also,  you can  use  the  rechargeable 
 batteries  with the Cordless Mouse.   Of course,  since these have  less 
 power  (1.25v  compared  to 1.5v  for  a  non-rechargeable),  they  will 
 replaced more often.   Under normal conditions,  a rechargeable  battery 
 should last 7-10 days.   The batteries fit in the underside of the mouse 
 and  are very easy to replace (my wife has 2" nails and has  no  problem 
 replacing the batteries).

 Third,  nothing  was said about the special anti-static  silicon  rubber 
 coated ball that almost eliminates the need for cleaning the mouse (I've 
 had  my  cordless  mouse for over two months now  and  I  still  haven't 
 cleaned the rollers/ball and I had to clean my Atari mouse almost  every 
 week).  Plus, this special ball allows the mouse to roll very freely and 
 smoothly.

 Fourth,  nothing  was  said about the 600 mm/sec  tracking  speed.   The 
 Cordless  Mouse  receiver  has  a  built-in  micro-processor  that  will 
 internally  increase  the acceleration the faster you  move  the  mouse.  
 This almost eliminates the need for most software mouse accelerators.

 Fifth,  also ignored was the fact that the Cordless Mouse has a 200  cpi 
 high  resolution.   This is almost double what the normal  Atari  mouse.  
 This means that you don't have to move the mouse as far to do things  on 
 the screen or need as much desk space.

 Sixth,  nothing  was  said about how the mouse  automatically  shuts-off 
 after  8-10  minutes of non-use.   This feature was put in to  save  the 
 batteries life.  (It's possible in future versions of the Cordless Mouse 
 that this might be a user modifiable feature.)

 Seventh,  nothing was said about being able to use the mouse from up  to 
 five  feet  away  from the receiver (you're no longer  encumbered  by  a 
 cord).  At one PHAST meeting (PHoenix Area ST users...<plug>) I was able 
 to  set a demo up on the desk and then set in the audience and  run  the 
 demo.

 Eighth,  nothing  was said about the price of the  Cordless  Mouse.   It 
 retails  for $139.00 but you can pick them up mail-order  for  $99-$109.  
 That  does make it one of the more expensive mouses (mice?   meese?)  on 
 the market.  Is it worth it?  Let me put it this way, my wife would kill 
 me (and probably be found not-guilty by reason of justifiable  homicide) 
 if  I ever got rid of my Cordless Mouse (Audry II).   After a couple  of 
 days of use (yes,  it does take a little while to get used to  it...just 
 like  it  would take a couple of days to get used to a Jaguar  if  you'd 
 been  used to driving a Model T),  my wife started referring to the  old 
 Atari mouse as 'The Tank!'.

 That  about does it.   I've done reviews before,  but this is the  first 
 time I've ever reviewed a review.

                                                  Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.



 Well, Lloyd, now that you have 'reviewed the review' I must admit you made
 the  difference...    hopefully,  folks  will try this infrared beaut out.
 Mark at Practical Solutions has  a  real  winner  in  the  works  with the
 cordless mouse.






        ___________________________________________________________





 > Stock Market ~ CPU NewsWire
   ===========================


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

 by Michael Arthur

 Concept by Glenn Gorman


       Atari Stock  went up  1/2 of a point on Monday, and went down 1/8 of
 a point on Tuesday.   On  Wednesday it  was down  1/4 of  a point,  and on
 Thursday, it went up 1/8 of a point.  On Friday, Atari Stock went down 3/4
 of a point.  Finishing up the week at 8  3/4 points,  Atari stock  is down
 1/2 of a point from the last report.


      Apple Stock is down 3 1/4 points from Friday, January 5, 1990.
            Commodore Stock is down 1 1/2 points from 1/05/90.
               IBM Stock is down 1 7/8 points from 1/05/90.


               Stock Report for Week of 1/08/90 to 1/12/90

 _________________________________________________________________________
 STock|   Monday   |   Tuesday   | Wednesday  |  Thursday   |   Friday    |
 Reprt|Last    Chg.|Last     Chg.|Last    Chg.|Last     Chg.|Last    Chg. |
 -----|------------|-------------|------------|-------------|-------------|
 Atari|9 3/4  + 1/2|9 5/8   - 1/8|9 3/8  - 1/4|9 1/2   + 1/8|8 3/4   - 3/4|
      |            |             |            |             | 101,800 Sls |
 -----|------------+-------------+------------+-------------+-------------|
  CBM |9 5/8  - 1/8|8 7/8   - 5/8|8 5/8  - 1/4|8 1/2   - 1/8|8 1/4   - 1/4|
      |            |             |            |             | 266,800 Sls |
 -----|------------+-------------+------------+-------------+-------------|
 Apple| 38    + 1/4|37 5/8  - 3/8| 36   -1 5/8|34 1/2 -1 1/2|34 1/2   .00 |
      |            |             |            |             |1,534,800 Sls|
 -----|------------+-------------+------------+-------------+-------------|
  IBM |100 3/8 +5/8|99 3/8   - 1 | 99    - 3/8|99 7/8   +7/8|97 7/8   - 2 |
      |            |             |            |             |1,347,700 Sls|
 -----'-------------------------------------------------------------------'

     Short term  interest in  Atari stock  has been  low thus placing it in
     similar light to Texas Air etc...


      'Sls' refers to the # of stock shares that were traded that day.
      'CBM' refers to Commodore Corporation.






          ______________________________________________________




 > WORD FLAIR!!  CPU/STR FOCUS   A few words from its creator....
   ===========================



                     WORD FLAIR - PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
                     =================================



 Mon Jan 15, 1990 WORDFLAIR

 From: Lauren Flanegan-Sellers
       Blue Chip Software Inc.

     Howdy! Sorry I took so long to reply to all  your messages.   We still
 have not  received any  GEnie documentation,  and I  just haven't had time
 until now to figure it out myself.  Thank you  Lloyd and  Jeff for passing
 on our telephone conversations in my absence.

     First, I'd  like to thank all of you for you interest in Wordflair and
 for buying our product.  I designed the product nearly four years ago, and
 we have  spent the  past two  years coding for the Atari.  So we are happy
 it's finally out, and  find all  of the  interest and  comments gratifying
 ..even  the  complaints.    We  are committed to making Wordflair the best
 document processor  on any  machine, so  keep those  ideas and suggestions
 flowing.  We're listening!

     Perhaps a  little history  will clairify some of our design decisions.
 We originally licensed Wordflair to Atari.  As a small  development house,
 we thought  it better  to focus on product and let Atari use its marketing
 "muscle" to help us achieve maximum distribution.  The ST  market was just
 unfolding, and we thought that such a great machine would take some market
 share away from Apple.  We didn't think  we were  a big  enough company to
 sell  our  software  to  Atari's  projected  "jillions  of users."  And ..
 MacWrite had certainly gotten a big  assist from  Apple and  Claris, so we
 thought the  same idea  would work with Atari.  In hindsight, perhaps that
 was a naive position.  

     At any rate, one  of Atari's  covenants was  that Wordflair  be a GDOS
 product.   As part  of our  agreement, Atari  was to  supply GDOS, printer
 drivers,  a  spellchecker,  and  hyphenation  dictionaries   in  different
 languages.    For  a  variety  of reasons we terminated our agreement with
 Atari just before COMDEX.  It was an  amicable, mutual  termination and we
 remain on excellent terms with Atari.  However, the net result was that we
 had to  launch Wordflair  1.0 with  GDOS and  a limited  number of printer
 drivers, and  minus Atari's spellchecker.  That is why Wordflair's initial
 SRP is the rather low, $99.95.  In our view, Wordflair 1.0 is an excellent
 solution to  the creation  of short,  compound documents,  and offers real
 value to Atari users.

     We plan significant upgrades  to Wordflair  over the  next year.    We
 have a  long wish list and will add your comments and suggestions as we go
 along.  Just make sure that you send  in your  customer registration cards
 so that you will be able to take advantage of the attractive offers coming
 very soon.

     We  will  mail  out  FX-80  and  NB15  printer  drivers  along  with a
 maintenance upgrade, version 1.01, to all registered users this week.  The
 FX-80 printer driver should  have been  on the  distribution disk  but was
 inadvertently omitted.   Please  excuse our error.  We should have checked
 out the master disk Atari gave us more carefully.  It won't  happen again,
 I promise.  The upgrade fixes a bug that we missed in our testing. (SIGH)

     In  version  1.0  the  printer  fonts  were not closed completely upon
 exiting which could interfere with other  GDOS programs  for those  of you
 using multiple assign.sys files.  This problem has been fixed with version
 1.01.  As a temporary workaround, you can reboot after using Wordflair and
 before using another GDOS program.

     As Lloyd  Pulley has  told you, we are working on more printer drivers
 including support for 24 pin printers and the HP deskjet.  We  are also in
 the process  of evaluating  spellcheckers and  thesauri.  We are currently
 leaning toward Proximity.   As soon as we complete our evaluation and have
 a firm ship date, we will send a mailing to all registered users offering
 a  very  attractive  upgrade  price  for the new features.  Other features
 coming include postscript support, hyphenation, faster importation of .img
 files and importation of comma delimited format into our record files.

 The following are answers to Tom Moore's questions and comments: 

     Although  you  cannot  overlap  regions,  you  can imbed them like the
 children's barrel game.  Try imbedding text regions in the  white space of
 graphic regions  to add  comments or  text to imported meta or .img files.
 Set the grid to scale first, and turn snap on  to help  align the imbedded
 regions.   Overlapping regions  are on  our list but will not be among the
 first upgrades.  We do plan a number  of improvements  to the  handling of
 .img files including auto optimization.  For now, note the dimensions of
 the original  and draw  out a graph region of the same size using a scaled
 grid, snap and t-square  before importing  the file.   You  can remove any
 imported graphic  by double  clicking on  the graph  region at the "Remove
 Picture?" box.  Also doing macro page layout in the title mode  speeds the
 redraw significantly when positioning graphics.

     The term  "regions" originated  with the  Xerox Parc  interface,  Alan
 Kay's group.    Regions  is  a  term  widely  used  in  Macintosh software
 programming and object oriented programming in general.

     That's all for now.  Will try to be less wordy in the future but I had
 some catching up to do.  We will  put a  Wordflair demo  on GEnie  soon so
 keep looking.

     Thank  you  again  for  all  of  your  support.    I  look  forward to
 communicating with you often via GEnie.

                                        Lauren Flanegan-Sellers





         ________________________________________________________





 > AUA NEWSBRIEFS CPU/STR InfoFile     AUA * OFFICIAL * Updates.....
   ===============================



                          ATARI USERS ASSOCIATION
                          =======================
                                NEWSBRIEFS
                                ==========


 by D.C. Signorini


      Once again I will start this column by thanking all  of you  who have
 taken the  time to  write or call me concerning the revamping of the Atari
 User's Association.  When I first considered taking on this project, I was
 a bit concerned about not generating enough support.  I am, however, happy
 that I did decide to take on the AUA!

      I would like to take this time to change a request that  I originally
 made concerning  the people  who had  sent their application's in prior to
 December 1989.  In my  first  article,  I  stated  that  it  would  not be
 necessary to  send in  a new application.  Due to some loss of data during
 the transition of the AUA from New Jersey  to Pittsburgh,  I am requesting
 that  EVERYONE  take  the  time,  and  the .25 cent stamp and send in your
 applications again.   Because  we plan  on offering  PRE-DECEMBER 1989 AUA
 members an  extension or a special offering, I want to be certain that all
 of the data that I have at this time is  correct and  that no  one will be
 left  out.    So,  if  you  have already sent in your application prior to
 December, 1989, then I  need you  to take  a moment  and fill  out the new
 application and  send it  to me.  If you  have not  as of now sent in your
 application, then what are you waiting for??

      I attempted to give Bob Brodie a call this week, however, much  to my
 dismay, I  got his answering machine.  Bob is at the NAMM show and will be
 un-available until January 22.  I intend to give him  a call  at that time
 to discuss  the future  of the  AUA and  the, much anticipated, support of
 Atari Corp.

      This past week, a gentleman from Wisconsin called me to inquire about
 the AUA.   He  was a  bit concerned  in that he felt as though the AUA may
 become a capital venture  and  will  be  solely  interested  in  turning a
 profit.   People, while  I encourage feedback of all types, I must be able
 to stress to you that this is far from the truth.   The AUA  was re-formed
 to unite  the Atari  Community.   The Atari Elite, the user group that has
 elected to back me and my efforts in the AUA is a non-profit organization.
 I have  no intention  of making  the AUA  a money  making venture.  I have
 stated before, my sole goal is to unite the ST  community under  one name.
 If any  profit is  made, it  will be  turned back  into the AUA to make it
 better and stronger.  The more  funds that  I can  generate by membership,
 the more  benefits I will be able to offer the entire community.  Granted,
 a newsletter  published only  4 times  a year  will hardly  keep anyone in
 touch with the world. However, it is a start.  In time, with your support,
 I wish to publish that newsletter 12 times a year.  But as you  know, this
 takes a lot of hard work by us and of course, strong support from you.

      Somehow  the  AUA  application  got  published before the information
 about joining the AUA and much to my  dismay, I  am sure  that many people
 were a bit confused or did not know what was going on.  Well, finally, the
 information about membership is  here.   Again, you  can join  the AUA for
 free or  you can show support by taking advantage of the other 2 packages.
 You have nothing to lose if you join for free!

      This week, I regretfully  accepted  the  'resignation'  of  Joe Muha,
 Public Relations  Officer of the AUA.  I am very grateful for all the help
 that Joe gave me in getting the AUA off of the ground  again, however, Joe
 found very  little time,  in his busy schedule, left to devote to the AUA.
 He has promised to return in a few months.  I wish Joe all of the  luck in
 his new career and congratulate him for graduating from College. 
  
                     ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 To Whom it may concern,

      I am writing this letter upon request in order to clarify some events
 that have occurred in the past 3 or so months concerning the  Atari User's
 Association.

      In the later part of 1989, when the AUA was first placed up for grabs
 by R. Guidagno, I was  first  to  offer  my  support  by  taking  over the
 organization with  the backing  of the Atari Elite of Pittsburgh.  While I
 am still very enthusiastic about the success of the AUA, I have found that
 I  have  very  little  time  to  devote to the organization and instead of
 giving a half-hearted effort, I have  decided to  take a  back seat  so to
 speak for  a while until I graduate from college and get settled in my new
 home in Cleveland, OH.

      I am very confident that DC Signorini will  continue on  with the AUA
 in a  positive direction,  and I  have agreed to work with Derek when I am
 able to help with new ideas and how-to's.  I  am very  appreciative of all
 of the  support that  I received  from the  Forem crossnets, and I am sure
 that the AUA will be a huge success.  I hope that in 6 or 7  months I will
 again be  able to  be a leader in the AUA, but for now, I need to take the
 time to get started in my new career.  I  wish Derek  the best  of luck in
 his new  endeavour, and  I also hope that all of the Atari people give him
 the support that he needs to get the AUA off of the ground again!

                                             Sincerely,

                                           Joseph V. Muha 

                                   Director, Public Relations 
                                    Atari User's Association

                      ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

      That's it for this week.   Remember, I  can be  reached on  GEnie and
 Compuserve.   I am  also working on getting a third phone line to facilite
 better  service  to  the  users  calls.    Below  you  will  find  the AUA
 information pack and the AUA application...

                                             Always Atari,
                                             Derek C. Signorini 
                                             AUA Coordinator

 GEnie:   DC.SIGNORINI    FIDO 129/96.2: DC Signorini CIS  :  72327,1060   
 Fnet node #19: DC Signorini

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

 Information Pack
                           AUA MEMBERSHIP FEES

 PACKAGE ONE:  ACTIVE DUAL AUA/ATARI ELITE MEMBERSHIP --  $15.00

         Includes one year DUAL memberships to both the
         Atari User's Association AND the Atari Elite.
         Your benefits include:
                 o Subscription to the Atari Elite
                   Electronic Chronicles, the newsletter
                   on disk sent 6 times a year. Contains
                   the newest in PD software, reviews,
                   columns, advertising, etc... Compare
                   this to the $79.00 subscription fee
                   to STart Magazine.
                 o Subscription to the AUA newsletter
                   published (projected) 4 times a
                   year.
                 o Enhanced Access time on the Atari
                   Elite BBS supporting 19,200 baud,
                   120 megs online, FIDO, and FNET.
                 o Special purchase prices offered by
                   the Atari Elite.  With the Atari
                   Elite's buying power, you can pick
                   up on some good deals!
                 o Special group discounts at Microtyme
                 o Special purchase prices offered by
                   the AUA.  Once again, numbers talk!
                 o Special mailings from both the Atari
                   Elite and the AUA.
                 o ANY AND ALL BENEFITS of being a member
                   of the LARGEST Atari User base in the
                   world!

 PACKAGE TWO:  ACTIVE AUA MEMBERSHIP -- $5.00

           Includes one year membership to only the Atari
           User's Association.
           Your benefits include:
                 o Special purchase prices offered by
                   the AUA.  Once again, numbers talk!
                 o Special mailings from the AUA including
                   the AUA newsletter published 4 times a year.
                 o Membership in the Largest Atari User Base
                   in the world!
                 o Special group discounts at Microtyme

 PACKAGE THREE:  NON-ACTIVE AUA MEMBERSHIP --  $$ FREE $$

           Includes one year membership to the Atari User's
           Association.  This membership does not entitle you
           to any mailings made by the AUA but still makes
           you eligible for any special purchase prices
           offered by the AUA or any group discounts offered by
           Microtyme.
           All you have to do is fill out the application, and
           update your membership application once a year.


        Microtyme is an Official AUA Supplier at 1-800-255-5835

 --------------------------- Clip Here ---------------------------

              //////////  //      //  //////////        ** ** **
             //      //  //      //  //      //         ** ** **
            //      //  //      //  //      //          ** ** **
           //////////  //      //  //////////          **  **  **
          //      //  //      //  //      //         ***   **   ***
         //      //  //////////  //      //        ***     **     ***

           THE ATARI USER'S ASSOCIATION        SUPPORTING THE REVOLUTION 

   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>  MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

     Thank you for your interest in the Atari User's Association.
     Please take the time to complete this application and mail it 
     to the address below.
   
 =========================================================================

 First Name:_____________________ LastName:______________________________
 Address:________________________________________________________________
 City:________________________________                              ST:____
 Zipcode:____________________
 Country:_____________________________
 Age:(optional)_______________________
 Telephone: ( ) - _________________  Occupation:__________________________
 [    ]  Check  here  if  you  want  your name on the AUA Public Membership
 Directory
   (This will allow you to be placed on national mailing lists for Atari
    ST products and information)

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

 HARDWARE: [ ]520ST  [ ]1040ST  [ ]MEGA 2  [ ]MEGA 4  [ ]STacy  [ ]Other
 MONITOR : [ ]COLOR  [ ]MONO [ ]OTHER:____________________________________
 DRIVES  : [ ]DSDD   [ ]SSDD [ ]HARD DRIVE Model/Size:____________________
 PRINTER : [ ]9 Pin Dot Matrix [ ]24 Pin Dot Matrix   [ ]Laser  [ ]DeskJet
     Printer Model:____________________________________________________
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     Modem Model:______________________________________________________
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 =========================================================================
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 =========================================================================

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

      ------------------------ Clip Here ---------------------------






       ____________________________________________________________





 > GDOS EXPLAINED CPU/STR InfoFile
   ===============================


 John Townsend posted the following information regarding G-Dos in response
 to a series of questions from L. E. Pulley.  
  
  Lloyd,

  Let me explain a few things about GDOS to you.

  1. The ASSIGN.SYS file: This file is nothing more than a listing 
     of the various device drivers and the corresponding fonts that
     are loaded whenever an application calls them. Now, let's talk
     a little about some of the questions you had:

     a. Each device driver is a file on the disk that is loaded. They
        each have an 8 character filename and a 3 character extender.
        If you look at one of your ASSIGN.SYS files, you will notice 
        that the device drivers are the unusual looking lines as they
        have numbers in front of the filename. They usually look like
        this:

        21 PRINTER.SYS                  ; Printer Driver for SLM804

        The driver line is usually followed by lines that look like 
        this:

        ATSS10LS.FNT
        ATSS12LS.FNT
        ATSS20LS.FNT
        31 META.SYS                     ; META Driver for Easy Draw

        You will notice that the last line is another driver. This is
        the start of another section that consists of the driver and
        the fonts that are used by that driver.

     b. You expressed some confusion over the use of the drivers and
        what they actually did. Well, each driver is given a device 
        number in the ASSIGN.SYS file. This is also an Atari standard
        that is defined in the Developer's Documentation and the GDOS
        Installation manual. The standard is as follows:

        Device Identification Numbers
        ------------------------------

        Device Type                         Device Number
        -----------                         -------------

        Screen                               1 - 10
        Plotter                             11 - 20
        Printer                             21 - 30
        MetaFile                            31 - 40
        Camera                              41 - 50
        Tablet                              51 - 60

        As you can see, this is why your printer drivers have device 
        numbers like 21 and 23. Now, a word of caution. Most of the 
        GDOS Programs out there count on your Printer being device 21
        and will have problems printing if you don't have the device
        defined as Device 21. There are programs out there (like 
        OUTPRINT.PRG from MiGraph) that will allow you to change the 
        device number to print to.

        As for what a META.SYS file is.. This is a driver for MetaFiles
        and should be defined as device 31. This is where most GDOS 
        applications expect this device driver to be located. As for 
        what a METAfile is.. well, a METAfile is a stored picture of 
        VDI Commands. The most common example I can give you is the 
        .GEM files that Easy Draw creates. These are MetaFiles.

     c. As for your GEMSYS folders, we should clear that up right now.
        You only need one GEMSYS folder. This folder can contain all 
        of the fonts and drivers you ever use. To fix this problem, you
        are going to have to figure out which set of screen fonts
        printer fonts, and drivers you wish to use and then create an 
        ASSIGN.SYS file accordingly. This is not an easy problem to
        solve. If you would like help with this, please leave me Email
        and I will try to help. But, there is no reason to have 6 
        different ASSIGN.SYS files. You really only need one.

     d. You will notice that DeskSet II uses a driver called MEMORY.SYS
        This driver is a special driver that allows an application to 
        treat memory as a GDOS device and then do VDI commands to memory.
        To my knowledge this driver is only used with DeskSet II.


  -- John

  PS. Lloyd, keep those questions coming! I am going to get you setup 
      properly with GDOS if I have to call your house on my own time 
      and spend three or four hours setting you up! <grin>
  ------------


  
  Lloyd,

   * Ding * 

 GDOS: Round 2! <grin>  Anyway, this is fun! Let me try to answer
  some of these questions!

 The META.SYS driver should be  in  your  ASSIGN.SYS  file  and  located as
 device 31.   You  should just put it in the ASSIGN.SYS and not worry about
 it.  Any application that needs to use it will  look for  it and  find it.
 It won't affect the applications that don't use it.

 Most  of  the  GDOS  applications  out  there  assume that your printer is
 defined as GDOS device number 21.  So, you and  your friend  some have the
 printer defined  in the  ASSIGN.SYS file  as device  21.  The only problem
 you could run into is if you had two printers (like an SLM804 and some Dot
 Matrix Printers)  and had  them hooked  up at the same time.  The only way
 you could do this would be  to  install  the  default  printing  device as
 Device 21.   The  other could be device 22 or 23.  A word of warning  tho,
 most GDOS applications assume a device number of 21. The only one   that I
 know  of  that  doesn't  is  OUTPRINT.PRG  (the printing program for  Easy
 Draw). So, if you had two printers and needed to use both under  GDOS then
 this  would  might  be  a  case  for two ASSIGN.SYS files. Is this  making
 sense?  If not, please say so... maybe I can clear this up later.

 The Printer Driver does control the output on  the printer.   However, the
 Printer Driver  has to get it's fonts from somewhere, so it loads them off
 disk.  Therefore, an  additional reason  for bad  quality could  be poorly
 designed fonts.

 Maybe I  should take a second and explain what GDOS does.  GDOS stands for
 Graphic Device Operating System.   What  this means  in English  <grin> is
 that GDOS  is a  method for allowing devices to interface to the VDI.  VDI
 stands for Virtual Device Interface.   The whole  idea behind  VDI is that
 it allows  you to  do _device  independant_ output to devices.  This means
 that you can still  have programs  that worked  on 180x180  DPI Dot Matrix
 Printers still  work years  later when you have 1000DPI Laser Printers and
 the only thing that would change  would be  the driver  and fonts  for the
 printing device.   The  program would need NO changes at all. (assuming it
 is written properly to begin with)

 So, to sum up what GDOS does in one sentence..  GDOS is the Interface that
 allows you  to hook up devices to the VDI and do Device Independent output
 to them.  Is this making  any sense  at all?  Is this  looking like Greek?
 Am I talking to myself? <grin>

 One comment  I would  like to  make..  GDOS isn't perfect and I don't want
 to give anyone the impression that I think it is.  It has some  flaws that
 need fixing  and hopefully  we will get to those soon (please don't ask me
 when.. you should know better! <grin>)

 On a  final note,  thanks for  asking some  great questions  and keep them
 coming. This is fun and maybe the readers will learn something!

  -- John Townsend
     Atari Corp.

  PS. I can see it now.. John's little GDOS Talk: As told to Lloyd Pulley!
      <grin> 

 Oops.. I  missed a  couple of  questions.. Darlah..  The GDOS Installation
 Utility is shipped with Microsoft Write and is an Atari  Product.   I will
 see what I can find out about it's release, etc.

 I also  would like  to point  out that  there is NO such thing as a stupid
 question! Please ask.  I will  answer anything  I can.   Well,  until next
 time...





       ____________________________________________________________






 > CPU NEWSWIRE CONFIDENTIAL   Sayin' it like it is.....
   =========================



 - Sunnyvale, CA.              ****** MARKEN COMMUNICATIONS FIRED!!! ******
   -------------

     In a  surprising and devastating revelation, we found that Atari Corp.
 has, in its infinite wisdom, fired perhaps the best public  relations firm
 ever representing  Atari Corp.  The information comes from a very reliable
 source, that Sam fired Andy Marken and his company effective Feb. 01 1990.
 Apparently  the  revolving  door  is  moving  even better than we thought.
 While on the subject, there are strong indications that the  door will not
 slow down as there are three more prime candidates headed its way.




 - Sunnyvale, CA.              ***** ATARI WILL ATTEND CEPS & SEYBOLD *****
   --------------


     According to  our source,  Atari has had a change of heart, and is now
 planning on attending these shows.  Its nice to see  someone out  there is
 tuned into  reality and  plans to  help Atari polish its image and grow in
 1990.




 - New York City, N.Y.           ******* STE UN-ANNOUNCED FEATURES! *******
   -------------------


     CPU NewsWire's sources have come through in fine style once again.  It
 seems the  STE has  a number  of marvelous features that have gone quietly
 un-publicized!  Here's the scoop... First, the 4096 color control panel is
 out. Also,  the TOS 1.6 bug fix program is also out. Also, I saw technical
 docs for the STe. It has  some more  hidden features  which Atari  has not
 told anyone  about yet,  such as a built in digital master volume control,
 and even bass and treble controls for the audio!




 - Timonium, MD.          ****** PORTFOLIO UPGRADE IN THE WINGS? ******
   -------------


     An internal Portfolio memory upgrade  you  say?    Sounds interesting.
 Could be  they changed 62256s to 621024s.  Suddenly, you have 512K with no
 noticable power consumption increase.  And who said there would never be a
 '286 version  of the  Portfolio?    Ah.. yes the big question is; will the
 newer Portfolio be compatible with the  early versions?     Could these be
 the reasons  we are  seeing the original device on sale in discount houses
 already?   (ie; Price  Savers)   The answer  is ....YES     (watch all the
 denials fly, until, that is, the actual deals hit the streets)





 - Los Angeles, CA.           ***** PROMINENT DEVELOPER MIFFED! *****
   ---------------


     Charles F.  Johnson, in  a recent statement expresesed his displeasure
 with editor and publisher of ST Informer, a monthly ST  oriented hard copy
 publication.

 To Rod McDonald,

     I  really  didn't  appreciate  the  cheap  shot  you took at me in the
 "Potpourri" column of the  latest ST  Informer.   If we're  going to start
 playing the  game of "who stole ideas from whom", I can mention _more than
 one_ feature of the Start Selector/Little  Green Selector  (or of CodeHead
 Software's MultiFile/MaxiFile)  that seems  to have mysteriously found its
 way into UIS II or III.  But I  won't, because  I don't  like playing that
 game.

     "Whining" was a very apt title indeed for that section of your column.
 Your  remarks  were  uncalled-for,   untrue,  and   unprofessional.    I'm
 disappointed in  you and in ST Informer; I thought your magazine was a cut
 above this kind of inane backbiting.  Apparently not.

                                             Charles F. Johnson
                                      Little Green Footballs Software


 Editor Note;
          <sigh> somebody ought  to  tell  Mr.  McDonald,  some  things are
          better left unsaid..





 - Sunnyvale, CA.       ***** POWER PACK CONCEPT MAY NOT HAPPEN HERE *****
   -------------


 The "Power  Pack" is  the idea (selling in England) to bundle the 520 with
 about 10 titles, mostly games, some home user  applications. It  is not an
 announced promotion.  I don't know of plans to introduce it for the second
 quarter, although I think its a good idea.
                                                  Elizabeth Shook
                                                  Atari Corporation

 Editor Note; 
          The power pack concept was  fully  detailed  in  our  special CES
          Report #402a  wherein it  was shown  at the reception/hospitality
          suite.  Surely, after the success  it  has  shown  in  Europe, it
          wasn't a  "testing of  the waters" here in the States and has yet
          to be decided?  If so, this is  just another  nail.....  Wouldn't
          it be  nice to know just who is the spokesperson for Atari and be
          able to rely upon the information forwarded by same?




 - TORONTO, CANADA          ******  TOS 1.4-1.6 GETS A BAD RAP!  ******
   ---------------

  
 A READER WRITES; I am trying to get TOS 1.4 in Toronto,  and so  far, have
 been unsuccesful.   Last week I phoned Atari Canada and was told that they
 were out of stock and had no idea when ("one week, one  month, two months,
 we don't know") they would be getting new stock.  

     Today I  phoned a  local dealer  (SaveTech) and  was told that TOS 1.4
 will no longer be available because it is being replaced by TOS  1.6 which
 is  shipping  inside  the  new  STe  (already selling in Canada).  Is this
 true?  I was also told that it  would be  a 2  chip set.  I have  a 1040ST
 (Rev.C)  with  the  6  chip  TOS  1.0  and  don't want to go to 2 chips if
 possible.  Accurate info  would be  greatly appreciated.  (I might  end up
 ordering 1.4 mail order from the U.S.)  Thanks.

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

 At  this  point,  we  must  clarify,  there  is  no  basis in fact for the
 statement that TOS 1.4 is being replaced by TOS 1.6.  There  is however, a
 two chip  and a  six chip set containing TOS 1.4 presently available.  The
 time frames for delivery is another question.  Past performance concerning
 delivery timeliness should speak adequately for this matter.




 - Chicago, IL.       *****  ATARI DEALERS CONCERNED ONCE AGAIN  *****
   ------------

  
     "There were  FOUR versions  of the STE marked on the box this one came
 in, with four different part numbers."   "What the heck does  Atari expect
 me to  do order  a number  of each,  when the deciding factor is the SIMMs
 installed in it.?"  This was the strong message the dealer who  called was
 trying to  convey to  Atari.  Our humble opinion is that; Dealers will not
 order 2 or 4 meg STes, not when it makes  sense economically  to order one
 type of computer (the basic version) and add SIMMs as they are called for,
 in the field, by the customer.  Besides,  if dealers  refuse to  order the
 variety of  pre-configured models, it would seem that Atari should be wise
 and prudent enough to allow the configuring of the memory  to be  a DEALER
 INSTALLED OPTION.   ESPECIALLY  since they  recently enjoyed a $10,000,000
 write-off in the 3rd Quarter of '89 due to dropping  DRAM prices.   In any
 case, the  smart money  folks say  make a  single model. ie; a 1mb (dealer
 upgradable) mega style, 2 piece unit,  STE  and  set  all  kinds  of sales
 records.






         _________________________________________________________


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


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      _______________________________________________________________




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



 CPU NewsWire,

                  "OFTEN IMITATED  ..NEVER DUPLICATED!!"


                                           ... A moment of truth






 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CPU/STR           "Your Independent News Source"         January 19, 1990
 16/32bit Magazine         copyright  1989                      No.4.03
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
 the  editors,  staff,  CPU  NEWSWIRE  CPU/STR  or  CPU Report.  Reprint
 permission is hereby granted, unless otherwise  noted.   All reprints must
 include CPU  NEWSWIRE, CPU/STR  or CPU  Report and the author's name.  All
 information presented herein is  believed correct,  the editors  and staff
 are not responsible for any use or misuse of information contained herein.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------

