  
                *---== CPU NEWSWIRE ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
                       """"""""""""""""""""""""""""
                  "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
                   _____________________________________
                                   from
                            STR Publishing Inc.
                            """"""""""""""""""


  January 26, 1990                                                No.4.04
  =======================================================================
  
                       CPU NewsWire Online Magazine
                                 featuring
                             STReport~ Online
                        __________________________
                          Post Office Box   6672
                          Jacksonville,  Florida
                               32205 ~ 6672
  
                               R.F. Mariano
                            Publisher - Editor
                 _________________________________________
                   Voice: 904-783-3319  10 AM - 4 PM EDT
                  BBS:  904-786-4176   12-24-96 HST/14.4
                    FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EDT
                 _________________________________________
  
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                    STR'S owned & operated support BBS 
                  carries ALL issues of CPU/STR Newswire
                                    and
               An International list of private BBS systems
             carrying CPU NewsWire for their users  enjoyment
    __________________________________________________________________
   
 > 01/26/90: CPU Newswire  #404  The Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine!
   ---------------------------- 
     - The Editor's Podium                   - CPU REPORT
     - BBS TERRORISM                         - EYEWITNESS REPORT NAMM
     - PC-DITTO II (sigh)                    - WOA/1990 Anaheim
     - DynaCADD 1.7                          - CPU Confidential 
  
           ---===*** LOWBALLERS DESTROY ATARI'S IMAGE ***===---
             --==**  ATARI TO PASS ON SPRING COMDEX??  **==--
                  --==* MAC LAPTOP CHOKES ON MIDI! *==--
  
 ==========================================================================
                               CPU  NEWSWIRE
                     "UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
                              -* FEATURING *-
        Current Events, Up to Date News, Hot Tips, and Information
             Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
 ==========================================================================
 CPU/STR's support  BBS, NODE  # 350  invites systems using Forem ST BBS to
 participate in  Forem BBS's  F-Net mail  network.   Or, Please  call # 350
 direct at 904-786-4176, and enjoy the excitement of exchanging ideas about
 the Atari ST computers through an excellent International ST Mail Network.
 ==========================================================================
       AVAILABLE ON:      COMP-U-SERVE  ~  DELPHI  ~  GENIE  ~  BIX
 ==========================================================================
    
 > The Editor's Podium 

     As we hail an end to  January and  1/3 of  the first  quarter of 1990,
 what have  we seen?  Well for starters, the Lynx was very well received by
 those able to find and purchase  this little  jewel.   The STE  was warmly
 welcomed in  all parts  of the world except the USA, hmmm another punch in
 the nose of the US Userbase.  Whomever  is allowing  this continual insult
 and outrage  to occur  must go.  Use the revolving door for some real good
 one time.  Enough  of this  harping, everybody  can see  for themselves at
 this point  as it  is painfully  obvious Sam  and Atari  apparently had NO
 intention of  keeping any  of the  promises made  at the  very last online
 conference he merely told us what we wanted to hear.  tsk.tsk.tsk.

     The Lynx  may very  well carry Atari through 1990, now it appears that
 there are no less than eight LCD manufacturers  wooing Atari  for the deal
 to make them use in the Lynx.  Six are reported to be mediocre and two are
 top quality.  Anyone wanna take bets as to which is selected?  

     The new control panel  (X) and  its CPX  modules should  prove to push
 Atari and  its software technology to the forefront of creativity and ease
 of use for the developer corps.  Time will tell.  In this issue we present
 an in  depth overview  of the  NAMM show,  and many  other interesting and
 exclusive items of interest.

                              Thanks again for your strong support,

                                            Ralph.......



 ps; Next Week, the story behind FaST Technology....




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


                    :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
                     _________________________________

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

               Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
                         Wait for the U#= prompt.

                 Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.

                       **** SIGN UP FEE WAIVED ****

           The system will now prompt you for your information.


                THE GENIE ATARI ST ROUNDTABLE - AN OVERVIEW
                ___________________________________________

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

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

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

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

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

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



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






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

   Issue # 51


 by Michael Arthur


 Remember When....

       In 1980, a newly formed company called Apollo Computer introduced
 the first workstation, the Domain DN100, with characteristics such as an
 integrated network and a $60,000 price tag, and when, in 1982, Sun
 Microsystems introduced its first workstation, naming itself after the
 Stanford University Network terminal?


 CPU Systems Roundup XXII
 =========================

             Theories behind Graphical User Interfaces in Computers
             ------------------------------------------------------

       In 1988, Tim Oren wrote a series of articles called the
 "Professional GEM" series, in order to teach aspiring ST GEM programmers
 needed tips on the internals of writing GEM Applications.  In this essay,
 Tim Oren has provided a great source of knowledge about both the very
 ideas that GEM and Mac Finder are based on, and information that could be
 very helpful in designing User Interfaces for applications.  His article
 is shown unchanged....

                           ANTIC PUBLISHING INC.
                              COPYRIGHT 1988
                          REPRINTED BY PERMISSION.

    Professional GEM  by Tim Oren
    Column #8 - User Interfaces, Homily #1

    AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!

       In response to a number of requests, this installment of ST PRO GEM
    will be devoted to examining a few of the principles of computer/human
    interface  design,  or "religion" as some would have it.  I'm going to
    start  with  basic  ergonomic  laws,  and try to draw some conclusions
    which  are  fairly  specific to designing for the ST.  If this article
    meets   with  general  approval,  further  "homilies"  may  appear  at
    irregular intervals as part of the ST PRO GEM series.

       For  those who did NOT ask for this topic, it seems fair to explain
    why  your diet of hard-core technical information has been interrupted
    by  a sermon!  As a motivater, we might consider why some programs are
    said  by  reviewers  to have a "hot" feel (and hence sell well!) while
    others are "confusing" or "boring".

       Alan Kay has said that "user interface is theatre".  I think we may
    be  able  to  take  it  further, and suggest that a successful program
    works a bit of magic, persuading the user to suspend his disbelief and
    enter  an  imaginary  world  behind  the  screen,  whether  it  is the
    mathematical  world of a spreadsheet, or the land of Pacman pursued by
    ghosts.

       A  reader  of  a  novel  or  science  fiction  story  also suspends
    disbelief to participate in the work.  Bad grammar and clumsy plotting
    by  the author are jarring, and break down the illusion.  Similarly, a
    programmer who fails to pay attention to making his interface fast and
    consistent  will  annoy  the user, and distract him from whatever care
    has been lavished on the functional core of the program.

    CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE

       Before  launching  into  the discussion of user interface, I should
    mention  that  the general treatment and many of the specific research
    results  are drawn from Card, Newell, and Moran's landmark book on the
    topic,  which  is  cited  at  the  end  of the article.  Any errors in
    interpretation  and application to GEM and the ST are entirely my own,
    however.

    FINGERTIPS

       We'll  start  right  at  the user's fingers with the basic equation
    governing positioning of the mouse, Fitt's Law, which is given as

          T = I * LOG2( D / S + .5)

    where  T  is the amount of time to move to a target, D is the distance
    of  the  target  from  the  current position, and S is the size of the
    target,  stated  in  equivalent  units.   LOG2  is the base 2 (binary)
    logarithm  function,  and  I  is a proportionality constant, about 100
    milliseconds  per  bit,  which corresponds to the human's "clock rate"
    for making incremental movements.

       We can squeeze an amazing amount of information out of this formula
    when  attempting  to speed up an interface.  Since motion time goes up
    with  distance,  we  should  arrange the screen with the usual working
    area  near  the  center,  so  the  mouse  will  have to move a smaller
    distance  on  average  from  a  selected  object  to  a menu or panel.
    Likewise,  any  items which are usually used together should be placed
    together.

       The  most  common operations will have the greater impact on speed,
    so  they should be closest to the working area and perhaps larger than
    other icons or menu entries.  If you want to have all other operations
    take  about  the same time, then the targets farthest from the working
    area  should  be  larger,  and  those  closer  may  be proportionately
    smaller.

       Consider  also the implications for dialogs.  Small check boxes are
    out.   Large  buttons  which  are easy to hit are in.  There should be
    ample  space  between selectable items to allow for positioning error.
    Dangerous options should be widely separated from common selections.

    MUSCLES

       Anyone  who  has  used  the  ST  Desktop for any period of time has
    probably  noticed  that  his  fingers  now know where to find the File
    menu.   This  phenomenon  is sometimes called "muscle memory", and its
    rate of onset is given by the Power Law of Practice:

        T(n) = T(1) * n ** (-a)

    where T(n) is the time on the nth trial, T(1) is the time on the first
    trial,  and  a  is  approximately  0.4.   (I have appropriated ** from
    Fortran as an exponentiation operator, since C lacks one.)

       This  first thing to note about the Power Law is that it only works
    if a target stays in the same place!  This should be a potent argument
    against  rearranging  icons,  menus,  or dialogs without some explicit
    request  by  the  user.   The  time to hit a target which moves around
    arbitrarily will always be T(1)!

       In  many  cases,  the  Power  Law  will  also work for sequences of
    operations to even greater effect.  If you are a touch typist, you can
    observe  this  effect  by  comparing  how  fast you can enter "the" in
    comparison  to  three  random  letters.   We'll  come  back shortly to
    consider what we can do to encourage this phenomenon.

    EYES

       Just as fingers are the way the user sends data to the computer, so
    the  eyes  are  his  channel  from  the  machine.   The  rate at which
    information  may  be  passed  to  the user is determined by the "cycle
    time"  of  his  visual processor.  Experimental results show that this
    time ranges between 50 and 200 milliseconds.

       Events separated by 50 milliseconds or less are always perceived as
    a  single  event.   Those  separated by more than 200 milliseconds are
    always seen as separate.  We can use these facts in optimizing user of
    the computer's power when driving the interface.

       Suppose  your application's interface contains an icon which should
    be  inverted when the mouse passes over it.  We now know that flipping
    it  within  one  twentieth  of  a second is  necessary and sufficient.
    Therefore,  if a "first cut" at the program achieves this performance,
    there  is  no  need  for  further  optimization,  unless  you  want to
    interleave  other operations.  If it falls short, it will be necessary
    to do some assembly coding to achieve a smooth feel.

      On the other hand, two actions which you want to appear distinct or
    convey  two  different  pieces  of information must be separated by an
    absolute   minimum  of  a  fifth  of a second, even assuming that they
    occur  in  an  identical  location  on  which  the user's attention is
    already focused.

       We  are  able to influence the visual processing rate within the 50
    to  200  millisecond  range  by changing the intensity of the stimulus
    presented.   This  can be done with color, by flashing a target, or by
    more  subtle  enhancements such as bold face type.  For instance, most
    people   using  GEM  soon  become  accustomed  to  the  "paper  white"
    background of most windows and dialogs.  A dialog which uses a reverse
    color  scheme,  white  letters  on  black, is visually shocking in its
    starkness, and will immediately draw the user's eyes.

       It should be quickly added that stimulus enhancement will only work
    when  it  unambiguously  draws attention to the target.  Three or four
    blinking  objects scattered around the screen are confusing, and worse
    than no enhancement at all!

    SHORT-TERM MEMORY

       Both  the information gathered by the eyes and movement commands on
    their  way  to  the  hand  pass through short-term memory (also called
    working  memory).   The  amount  of  information  which can be held in
    short-term  memory  at  any  one time is limited.  You can demonstrate
    this limit on yourself by attempting to type a sheet of random numbers
    by  looking back and forth from the numbers to the screen.  If you are
    like  most  people, you will be able to remember between five and nine
    numbers  at a time.  So universal is this finding that it is sometimes
    called "the magic number seven, plus or minus two".

       This  short-term  capacity  sets  a  limit on the number of choices
    which the user can be expected to grasp at once.  It suggests that the
    number  of  independent  choices  in  a  menu, for instance, should be
    around  seven, and never exceed nine.  If this limit is violated, then
    the  user  will have to take several glances, with pauses to think, in
    order to make a choice.

    CHUNKING

       The  effective  capacity of short-term memory can be increased when
    several  related  items  are  mentally  grouped  as a "chunk".  Humans
    automatically  adopt  this  strategy  to  save  themselves  time.  For
    instance, random numbers had to be used instead of text in the example
    above,  because people do not type their native language as individual
    characters.  Instead, they combine the letters into words and remember
    these  chunks  instead.  Put another way, the characters are no longer
    considered as individual choices.

       A  well  designed interface should promote the use of chunking as a
    strategy  by  the  user.   One  easy way is to gather together related
    options  in a single place.  This is one reason that like commands are
    grouped  into  a single menu which is hidden except for its title.  If
    all  of  the  menu  options  were  "in  the  open",  the user would be
    overwhelmed  with  dozens  of  alternatives at once.  Instead, a "Show
    Info"  command, for instance, becomes two chunks: pick File menu, then
    pick Show.

       Sometimes  the  interface can accomplish the chunking for the user.
    Consider  the  difference between a slider bar in a GEM program, and a
    three  digit  entry  field in a text mode application.  Obviously, the
    GEM  user  has  fewer decisions to make in order to set the associated
    variable.

    THINK!

       While  we are puttering around trying to speed up the keyboard, the
    mouse,  and  the  screen, the user is actually trying to get some work
    done.   We  need to back off now, and look at the ways of thinking, or
    cognitive processes, that go into accomplishing the job.

       The  user's  goal  may  be  to enter and edit a letter, to retrieve
    information from a database, or simply draw a picture, but it probably
    has  very  little  to do with programming.  In fact, the Problem Space
    Principle  says  that  the task can be described as a set of states of
    knowledge,  a set of operators and associated constraints for changing
    the  states,  and  the  knowledge  to choose the appropriate operator,
    which resides in the user's head.

       Those  with  a  background in systems theory can consider this as a
    somewhat  abstract,  but  straightforward, statement in terms of state
    variables  and  operators.   A  programmer might compare the knowledge
    states  to  the  values  of variables, the operators to arithmetic and
    logic  operations,  the  constraints  to  the rules of syntax, and the
    user's knowledge to the algorithm embodied by a program.

    ARE WE NOT MEN?

       A  rational  person will try to attain his goals (get the job done)
    by  changing  the state of his problem space from its initial state to
    the  goal  state.   The  initial state, for instance, might be a blank
    word processor screen.  The desired final state is to have a completed
    business letter on the screen.

       The  Rationality Principle says that the user's behavior in typing,
    mousing, and so on, can be explained by considering the tasks required
    to  achieve  the goal, the operators available to carry out the tasks,
    and  the  limitations  on  the  user's  knowledge,  observations,  and
    processing  capacity.  This sounds like the typical user of a computer
    program  must  spend  a  good  deal  of  time  scratching his head and
    wondering  what  to  do  next.   In  fact, one of Card and Moran's key
    results is that this is NOT what takes place.

       What  happens,  in fact, is that the trained user strikes a sort of
    "modus  vivendi" with his tool and adopts a set of repetitive, trained
    behavior  patterns  as the best way to get the job done.  He may go so
    far  as  to  ignore some functions of the program in order to set up a
    reliable  pattern.   What we are looking for is a way of measuring and
    predicting  the  "quality"  of  this  trained  behavior.   Since using
    computers  is  a human endeavor, we should consider not only the speed
    with  which  the  task  is  completed,  but the degree of annoyance or
    pleasure associated with the process.

       Card and Moran constructed a series of behavioral models which they
    called  GOMS  models,  for  Goals-Operators-Methods-Selection.   These
    models  suggested  that  in  the  training process the user learned to
    combine  the  basic operators in sequences (chunks!) which then became
    methods  for reaching the goals.  Then these first level methods might
    be  combined  again  into  second  level methods, and so forth, as the
    learning progressed.

       The  GOMS models were tested in a lengthy series of trials at Xerox
    PARC using a variety of word processing software.  (Among the subjects
    of  these experiments were the inventors of the windowing methods used
    in  GEM!)   The  results were again surprising: the level of detail in
    the models was really unimportant!

       It  turned  out  to  be sufficient to merely count up the number of
    keystrokes,  mouse  movements,  and thought intervals required by each
    task.   After  summing  up  all  of  the tasks, any extra time for the
    computer  to  respond,  or the user to move his hands from keyboard to
    mouse,  or  eyes  from  screen  to  printed  page  is  added in.  This
    simplified version is called the Keystroke-Level Model.

       As an example of the Keystroke Model, consider the task of changing
    a  mistyped  letter on the screen of a GEM word processor.  This might
    be  broken  down as follows: 1) find the letter on the screen; 2) move
    hand to mouse; 3) point to letter; 4) click mouse button; 5) move hand
    to keyboard; 6) strike "Delete" key; 7) strike key for new character.

       The  sufficiency  of  the  Keystroke  Model  is  great news for our
    attempt  to  design faster interfaces.  It says we can concentrate our
    efforts  on  minimizing  the  number of total actions to be taken, and
    making  sure that each action is as fast as possible.  We have already
    discussed  some  ways  to  speed up the mouse and keyboard actions, so
    let's  now consider how to speed up the thought intervals, and cut the
    number of actions.

       One  way to cut down "think time" is to make sure that the capacity
    of short-term memory is not exceeded during the course of a task.  For
    example,  the  fix-a-letter  task described above required the user to
    remember  1)  his  place in the overall job of typing the document; 2)
    the  task he is about to perform; 3) where the bad character appeared,
    and  4)  what  the new character was.  When this total of items creeps
    toward seven, the user often loses his place and commits errors.

       You  can appreciate the ubiquity of this problem by considering how
    many  times  you  have made mistakes nesting parentheses, or had to go
    back  to count them, because too many things happened while typing the
    line to remember the nesting levels. The moral is that operations with
    long   strings  of  operands  should  be  avoided  when  designing  an
    interface.

       The single most important factor in making an interface comfortable
    to  use is increasing its predictability, and decreasing the amount of
    indecision  present at each step during a task.  There is (inevitably)
    an  Uncertainty  Principle which relates the number of choices at each
    step to the associated time for thought:


         T = I * LOG2 ( N + 1)


    where  LOG2  is  the  binary  logarithm  function,  N is the number of
    equally  probable  choices,  and  I is a constant of approximately 140
    msec/bit.   When the alternates are not equally probable, the function
    is more complex:


         T = I * SUM-FOR-i-FROM-1-TO-N (P(i) * LOG2( 1 / P(i) + 1) )


    where  the  P(i)  are  the probabilities of each of the choices (which
    must  sum  to  one).   (SUM-FOR-i...  is the best I can do for a sigma
    operator   on-line!)   Those  of  you  with  some  information  theory
    background will recognize this formula as the entropy of the decision;
    we'll come back to that later.

       So  what  can  we  learn from this hash?  It turns out, as we might
    expect,  that  we can decrease the decision time by making some of the
    user's  choices  more  probable  than  others.  We do that by means of
    feedback cues from the interface.

       The important of reliable, continuous meaningful feedback cannot be
    emphasized  enough.   It  helps the beginner learn the system, and its
    predictability makes the program comfortable for the expert.  Programs
    with  no  feedback, or unreliable cues, produce confusion, dissonance,
    and frustration in the user.

       This  principle  is  so  important  that  I  going  to give several
    examples  from  common  GEM  practice.   The  Desktop provides several
    instances.   When  an  object  is selected and a menu drops down, only
    those choices which are legal for the object are in black.  The others
    are dimmed to grey, and are therefore removed from the decision.  When
    a  pick  is  made from the menu, the bar entry remains black until the
    operation is complete, reassuring the user that the correct choice was
    made.  In both the Desktop and the RCS, items which are double-clicked
    open  up  with  a  "zoom  box" from the object, again showing that the
    right object was picked.

       Other  techniques are useful when operator icons are exposed on the
    screen.   When  an  object  is  picked,  the legal operations might be
    outlined,  or the bad choices might be dimmed.  If the screen flashing
    produced  by  this is objectionable, the legal icons can be made mouse
    sensitive, so they will "light up" when the cursor passes over - again
    showing the user which choices are legal.

       The  desire  for  feedback  is so strong that it should be provided
    even  while  the  computer is doing an operation on its own.  The hour
    glass  mouse  form is a primitive example of this.  More sophisticated
    are  "progress  indicators" such as animated thermometer bars, clocks,
    or  text  displays  of  the processing steps.  The ST Desktop provides
    examples in the Format and Disk Copy functions.  The purpose of all of
    these  is  to  reassure  the  user  that  the operation is progressing
    normally.    Their  lack  can  lead  to  amusing  spectacles  such  as
    secretaries leaning over to hear if their disk drives are working!

       Another   commonly  overlooked  feature  is  error  prevention  and
    correction.   Card  and  Moran's  results  showed  that in order to go
    faster,  people  will tolerate error rates of up to 30% in their work.
    Any  program  which  does  not give a fast way to fix mistakes will be
    frustrating indeed!

       The  best  way to cope with an error is to "make it didn't happen",
    to quote a common child's phrase.  The same feedback methods discussed
    above   are  also  effective  in  preventing  the  user  from  picking
    inappropriate  combinations of objects and operations.  Replacement of
    numeric  type-ins with sliders or other visual controls eliminates the
    common "Range Error".  The use of radio buttons prevents the user from
    picking   incompatible   options.    When  such  techniques  are  used
    consistently,  the  beginner also gains confidence that he may explore
    the program without blundering into errors.

       Once an error has occured, the best solution is to have an "inverse
    operation"  immediately available.  For instance, the way to fix a bad
    character  is  to  hit  the backspace key.  If a line is inadvertantly
    deleted, there should be a way to restore it.

       Sometimes the mechanics of providing true inverses are impractical,
    or  end  up  cluttering  the  interface themselves.  In these cases, a
    global  "Undo" command should be provided to reverse the effect of the
    last operation, no matter what it was.

    OF MODES AND BANDWIDTH

       Now  I am going to depart from the Card, Newell and Moran thread of
    discussion to consider how we can minimize the number of operations in
    a  task  by  altering the modes of the interface.  Although "no modes"
    has  been  a  watchword  of  Macintosh  developers,  the term may need
    definition for Atarians.

       Simply  stated, a mode exists any time you cannot get to all of the
    capabilities  of  the  program without taking some intermediate step.
    Familiar  examples are old-style "menu-driven" programs, in which user
    must make selections from a number of nested menus in order to perform
    any  operation.   The options of any one menu are unavailable from the
    others.

       Recall  that  the  user  is  trying  to  accomplish work in his own
    problem  space,  by  altering  its states.  A mode in the program adds
    additional states to the problem space, which he is forced to consider
    in  order  to  get  the job done.  We might call an interface which is
    completely  modeless  "transparent", because it adds no states between
    the  user  and  his  work.   One of the best examples of a transparent
    program  is  the  15-puzzle  in the Macintosh desk accessory set.  The
    problem  space  of  rearranging  the  tiles  is  identical between the
    program and a physical puzzle.

       Unfortunately, most programmers find themselves forced to put modes
    of   some  sort  into  their  programs.   These  often  arise  due  to
    technological limitations, such as memory space, screen "real estate",
    or  performance  limitations  of peripherals.  The question is how the
    modes can be made least offensive.

       I  will  make  the  general claim that the frustration which a mode
    produces  is  directly  proportional  to  the  amount  of  the  user's
    bandwidth  which it consumes.  In other words, we need to consider how
    many  keystrokes,  mouse  clicks,  eye movements, and so on, are going
    into  manipulating  the  true  problem  states, and how many are being
    absorbed  by  the modes of the program.  If the interface is wasting a
    large  amount  of  the user's effort, it will be perceived as slow and
    annoying.

       Here we can consider again the hierarchy of goals and methods which
    the user employs.  When the mode is low in the hierarchy, and close to
    the  user's  "fingertips", it is encountered the most frequently.  For
    instance,  consider  how  frustrating  it  would  be  to have to hit a
    function key before typing in each character!

       The  "menu-driven"  style of programs mentioned above are almost as
    bad,  since usually only one piece of information is collected at each
    menu.   Such  a program becomes a labyrinth of states better suited to
    an adventure game!

         The  least  offensive modes are found at the higher, goal related
    levels  of  the  hierarchy.  The better they align with changes in the
    state  of  the  original  problem,  the  more they are tolerated.  For
    example,  a  word  processing program might have one screen layout for
    program  editing,  another  for writing letters, and yet another while
    printing  the documents.  A multi-function business package might have
    one  set  of menus for the spreadsheet, another for a graphing module,
    and a third for a database.

       In  some  cases  the  problem  solved by the program has convenient
    "fracture lines" which can be used to define the modes.  An example in
    my  own  past  is  the RCS, where the editing of each type of resource
    tree  forms  its  own  mode,  with each of the modes nested within the
    overall mode and problem of composing the entire resource tree.

    TO DO IS TO BE!

       Any narrative description of user interface is bound to be lacking.
    There is no way text can convey the vibrancy and tactile pleasure of a
    good  interface,  or  the  sullen  boredom of a bad one.  Therefore, I
    encourage  you  to  experiment.  Get out your favorite arcade game and
    see  if  you can spot some of the elements I have described.  Dig into
    your  slush pile for the most annoying program you have ever seen, run
    it  and see if you can see mistakes.  How would you fix them?  Then...
    go do it to your own program!

    AMEN...

       This  concludes  the  sermon.  I'd like some Feedback as to whether
    you  found  this  Boring Beyond Belief or Really Hot Stuff.  If enough
    people  are  interested,  homily number two will appear a few episodes
    from  now.    The  very next installment of ST PRO GEM will go back to
    basics  to explore VDI drawing primitives.  In the meantime, you might
    investigate  some  of  the  Good  Books on interface design referenced
    below.

    REFERENCES

         Stuart K. Card, Thomas P. Moran, and Allen Newell, THE PSYCHOLOGY
    OF HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale,
    New  Jersey,  1983.   (Fundamental  and  indispensible.  The volume of
    experimental  results  make  it  weighty.   The  Good Parts are at the
    beginning and end.)

         "Macintosh User Interface Guidelines", in INSIDE MACINTOSH, Apple
    Computer,  Inc.,  1984.   (Yes,  Atarians,  we have something to learn
    here.   Though  not  everything  "translates", this is a fine piece of
    principled design work.  Read and appreciate.)

         James  D.  Foley,  Victor  L. Wallace, and Peggy Chan, "The Human
    Factors  of  Computer  Graphics Interaction Techniques", IEEE Computer
    Graphics  (CG  &  A),  November  1984,  pp.  13-48.  (A good overview,
    including  higher  level  topics  which  I  have  postponed to a later
    article.  Excellent bibliography.)

         J.  D. Foley and A. Van Dam, FUNDAMENTALS OF INTERACTIVE COMPUTER
    GRAPHICS,  Addison  Wesley, 1984, Chapters 5 and 6.  (If you can't get
    the article above, read this.  If you are designing graphics apps, buy
    the whole book!  Staggering bibliography.)

         Ben   Schneidermann,   "Direct   Manipulation:   A   Step  Beyond
    Programming  Languages", IEEE Computer, August 1983, pp. 57-69.  (What
    do  Pacman  and  Visicalc have in common?  Schneidermann's analysis is
    vital to creating hot interfaces.


 But ponder, if you will, this question:

 1)  What other potential applications exist for this research into optimal
     human/computer interaction with a user interface?






        __________________________________________________________




 > BBS TERRORIST CPU/STR Spotlight   The extremes a creep will go to....
   ===============================



                                                  PROFILE OF A SICKIE
                                                  ===================

 by Dana P. Jacobson


      For over a year, three of Greater Boston's Atari bulletin boards have
 been pestered by a 'known' user  who has  been flooding  the message bases
 with  obscenities,  threats,  and  fake  names.  For  most  of us who call
 bulletin boards; and especially those of us who run one, this is not "too"
 unusual.   This case is a little more unusual however, because the user is
 extremely persistent in his endeavors.  Most remote users of these systems
 have learned to, at least, try and ignore this person. The SysOps of these
 boards (myself included) have worn out fingers hitting  the delete  key on
 his messages  and fake  accounts.   This user  has been  deleted from just
 about every legitimate BBS in the area, and his hatred  for this happening
 to him  grows.   Until recently,  he has been resigned to the fact that he
 has to log on  to boards  under assumed  names to  keep active.   Then, he
 decided to  get revenge  on those  of us  who originated his mass deletion
 from the area boards.  As he put it, we were heading  a conspiracy  to ban
 him from  all boards.   Well,  I have to admit, we were spreading the word
 about him wherever we saw his name.  Conspiracy, no.  There's an unwritten
 bond  between  SysOps  to  help  each  other  protect the integrity of our
 boards, so this was a natural occurrence among us.

      This "pest" finally got fed up with what was happening to him (HE got
 fed  up  -  what  about  us?)  and  decided to retaliate.  One of the last
 bulletin boards to delete this guy's account was  BCS/Atari, run  by Harry
 Steele.  It was Harry's contention that if you left the guy alone, he'd go
 away.  Well, as  per normal,  this user  didn't go  away and  continued to
 leave  abusive  messages  on  the  BBS.   Users were complaining more than
 usual, so Harry reluctantly deleted the account.  I happened  to be online
 (BCS/Atari has  2 lines) when the person logged on after being deleted. He
 re- registered and Harry engaged him in Chat.  Having WizOp access (we run
 MichTron BBS),  I was  able to  "spy" on  the chat discussion and find out
 what this user was up to.  Without going into  detail, the  essence of the
 "discussion"  ended  with  this  user  threatening to do something to make
 Harry sorry for deleting him.  A few  hours later,  the three  major Atari
 boards in the area were crashed, and the majority of files were deleted!

      The  next  day,  there  was  a  message on another local BBS, from an
 individual calling himself the  "Bbs  Vigllante".    In  that  message, he
 stated what he had done, and why.  He then went on to state that until his
 "demands" were met (to  be aired  later), that  this trashing  would occur
 again.   Needless to say, the three respective WizOps were speechless, and
 hurried to restore their boards.  The phones were busy that day  trying to
 reconstruct the  events of  the night  before.  Let me try and reconstruct
 the background leading up to this heinous destruction,  starting back over
 a year ago.

      I belong  to the  South Shore Atari Group (SSAG), since its "revival"
 just over two years ago.  Kevin Champagne, owner of the newly opened Atari
 store, Computer  Cache, talked  to former SSAG members and offered to host
 the meetings.  The members took him up on it, and SSAG was reformed.   The
 old group  had its  own BBS,  and Kevin offered the new group a discounted
 copy of MichTron BBS. The group bought it, and were back online as well as
 meeting  regularly  again.    Since  the  SysOp  of  the former SSAG board
 allegedly had a "tainted"  past,  some  of  the  members  of  the Steering
 Committee wanted  access to the new BBS to "keep tabs" on it.  Well, after
 a few months of access, we  lost it.  The SysOp  felt "restricted"  in his
 running the  BBS, and  wanted to  do it  his way  without any "watchdogs".
 Heated discussions went on for  a  couple  of  months,  and  the committee
 requested that  the BBS software be returned.  Meanwhile, on of the ST SIG
 SysOps was our "friend, the pest", who at that time, was a  typical active
 and regularly-contributing user on the boards.

      To  make   the  connections  between  this  user  and  the  "soon-to-
 be-defunct" SSAG board, we learned that this SysOp managed to  make a copy
 of  the  board's  userlog,  containing  among other info, the passwords of
 every user!  I was given this info much later, by the  person who  ran the
 BBS,  after  the  SSAG  BBS  was  down,  and tensions diminished among the
 parties involved. By the way, the BBS went down shortly after, and some of
 those who  ran that board quit the group.  Now that this SysOp didn't have
 a BBS  to "hang-out",  he began  to frequent  the other  Atari boards more
 often.   On occasion,  he'd log on under aliases, starting message threads
 that were  anti-SSAG  because  of  our  involvement  in  that  board going
 offline. Also,  this past  summer, Computer Cache closed its doors, adding
 more fuel to this user's anger - he now had no access to a nearby computer
 store; and he also blamed SSAG for the store's demise.

      Now  his  activity  on  the  local  boards was increasing, and he had
 numerous phony accounts which we kept deleting.  He also was using some of
 the former-SSAG board's accounts, to keep his anonymity.  As we learned of
 these accounts, we deleted them. When  he called  under his  real name, we
 cautioned him  to act  responsibly to retain his access.  We warned him on
 numerous occasions, we restricted his time-limit, and finally  deleted his
 "good"  account.  None  of  this  kept him from calling and continuing his
 abuse of SSAG and the closing  of the  store. His  tirades grew.   When he
 lost  one  account,  he'd  create  another.  He  called  other  boards and
 continued his tirade there.  One by one,  he lost  most of  his legitimate
 accounts, and many phony ones - still no end in sight, even now.

      The old  SSAG board was back on-line, under a different name now; and
 had no connection to the usergroup.  Our  frustrated  user  became  a user
 there again,  but was  not made  a SysOp again.  The board went down a few
 months ago for personal reasons, and  our user  was again  blaming that on
 SSAG.    Just  a  short  while  ago, that board was back again, supposedly
 running on a pirated version of FoRem BBS.  I have no idea if there is any
 validity to  this, and  the "source"  of this information was, you guessed
 it, our "pal". The reason he told us, supposedly, was that the BBS was now
 a pirate  board. Now,  since Computer Cache was closed, and there were "no
 good" stores nearby, he  resorted to  piracy to  obtain new  software.  He
 "snitched" on  his local  source because  he even  got himself dumped from
 there!  He even called the author of FoRem to turn the board in (I thought
 there was  "honor among thieves!"). Now this guy is really furious. He now
 has to call long-distance pirate boards to obtain his software!   Again, I
 only know  what this  user has  left in  messages about  the alleged local
 pirate board. I have talked voice with the  person allegedly  running that
 board, and he says no, not that he'd admit to running one, but he added he
 wasn't even up.  I can't verify that information.

      Now, our pest is running out  of local  sources for  anything, public
 domain or  pirated.  He's left my bulletin board alone for awhile, and has
 resorted to calling the last three  boards that  he had  legitimate access
 to.    His  comments,  threats,  etc.  have  not  stopped however.  He has
 continued to get even with those who have been conspiring against him, for
 giving him such a bad time (is this guy for real?).

      On  the  evening  of  December  30th,  I  happened  to  log on to the
 BCS/Atari BBS while our "friend" was online.  Having the access to  do so,
 and being  the curious  type, I  went to  check up  on what  he was doing.
 Thanks to Tim Purves,  author of  the MichTron  BBS, I  was able  to use a
 "screen-display" command  which enabled  me to  actually "see" what he was
 doing.  He  was  engaged  in  Chat  with  the  SysOp,  and  I  watched the
 conversation progress.  The SysOp (Harry Steele) was telling the user that
 users were finally fed up with  this guy's  antics on  the board,  and his
 access  was  about  to  be  taken  away,  again,  only for good.  The user
 complained that he was being wrongly  treated, and  pressure by  the other
 users should  not be used against him.  Well, since the board is backed by
 the BCS, Harry was obligated to listen to  its members.   Our  user didn't
 want  to  listen  to  reason.    Personally, I don't think he's capable of
 reason!  The discussion went on for  a  bit  more,  and  finally  the user
 threatened to get even, to make "us" pay for how we were treating him.

      About 8:00  am the next morning (an ungodly hour for me on a Saturday
 morning!), I got a phone call from Harry.  He  told me  to go  check on my
 BBS (Toad  Hall EBBS).   I  turned the  monitor on, and was faced with the
 ST's desktop instead of the usual BBS's "call- waiting" screen.  The first
 thing I thought to myself as I tried to wake up was that there was a power
 outage in the area that night, and Toad Hall got "hit".   When I "clicked"
 on the  BBS run  program, I  got that  dreaded message to check the drive.
 Something was seriously wrong.   I  got back  on the  phone and discovered
 that not  only was my BBS down, but so was BCS/Atari and Harbour Light BBS
 (the former in-house BBS of Computer Cache, now run elsewhere).

      I asked Harry what happened, and he informed me that around 3:00 that
 morning, his  wife was  awakened by the BBS's hard drive making an unusual
 amount of noise so she went to investigate.  She turned on the monitor and
 saw "me"  deleting files  from the  hard drive!   She knew "something" was
 wrong, so she hit the reset  button to  the ST.   Apparently,  someone had
 systematically deleted files from all three boards in the "darkness of the
 night.

      The BCS/Atari board was fortunate that Mrs. Steele was awakened.  The
 damage to  that board  was limited  to one of two hard drives connected to
 the BBS.  The culprit was "stopped" before he got to the second hard drive
 which wasn't  backed-up at all.  The affected drive was recently backed up
 a few days before the "attack".  Harbour Light was  also fortunate.   That
 MichTron board  is running  on an  IBM-clone, and  the internal set-up was
 different from the Atari-run boards.  The "terrorist" didn't know,  or was
 unaware of  how or where to look to find all the files.  So, little damage
 was done, and back-ups of the system files and the affected downloads were
 relatively current  as well.   Toad  Hall was hit the hardest.  Just about
 every file on the 48-meg hard drive was deleted.  All that remained were a
 few hard  drive utility  files, and  a few  other worthless ones.  To make
 matters worse, the most current back-up of the system files  and downloads
 were in  an area of the hard drive which had a lot of available space, not
 on floppies.  The most recent floppy back-up was from  late-August, almost
 4-month's old!

      Well, all  three boards  were restored and back on-line by the end of
 the day.  Once things were as back  to "normal"  as possible,  we tried to
 piece together  how this  was accomplished, and who did it.  The "who" was
 fairly obvious from the start.    After  seeing  the  messages  on various
 boards  in  the  area  from  the "Bbs Vigllante" (his spelling, not mine!)
 stating what was done, why, and  further threats,  we knew  there was only
 one suspect: our disgruntled user.  But how?

      Well, we  knew that  he had  the old  SSAG userfile.   Now all of the
 affected SysOps had been  users on  that board  before the  usergroup took
 back the software, almost a year ago.  All of us had changed our passwords
 to be sure that  the  one  we  used  on  the  SSAG  board  wasn't repeated
 elsewhere.   Or did  we?  Apparently, one of the SysOps did not change his
 passwords (to keep from embarrassing that person, I won't reveal  who, but
 it wasn't  me!). Our  Bbs Vigllante finally used his purloined userfile to
 call various boards, looking for one where that same user had high access.
 From there, he got WizOp access to all three boards, using one password to
 gain others.  Once  that access  was his,  the systematic  deletion of the
 boards was  simple.   After seeing  the additional threatening messages on
 other boards, two of us immediately downgraded all users with SysOp-access
 or higher,  knowing that  the Vigllante  had copies of all three userlogs.
 One system didn't do  so  immediately,  and  subsequently  was  uploaded a
 pirate file  which was  downloaded twice  before discovering  it.  We were
 more concerned with getting the boards  back to  normal than  checking out
 uploads.  The file was subsequently deleted, and users on all three boards
 were told to change their passwords  or  expect  that  the  possibility of
 their accounts to be misused was inevitable.

     To this  day, not all users have done so, so there is still a password
 abuse on all three  boards.    We're  currently  considering  deleting the
 entire  userlist  and  starting  from  scratch.    This would be a drastic
 measure, and we're considering others.  Our first  concern was  to protect
 our boards  from similar  "terrorism" and  finding a way to bring the "Bbs
 Vigllante" to justice and end this abuse.

      We  voice-validated  all  high-access  password  changes.    Those we
 couldn't contact  are still  "demoted" until  we do  so.   Some of us have
 taken further precautions  and  enhanced  our  password  menus  to include
 secondary (or more) passwords.  We've also tried to point out to, not only
 our users, but on other boards as well,  that passwords  should be changed
 regularly on every board a user calls; and not to use the same password on
 other boards.  We learned what could happen, the hard way.

      Meanwhile, the threats have continued.    I've  included  a  bunch of
 these messages  captured in my term program's buffer for proof, should the
 opportunity be made available  to use  them against  the vigllante.   He's
 also  resorted  to  "BBS  extortion",  making demands on the three trashed
 boards AND the SSAG.  Briefly, these demands include: WizOp  access on all
 three  boards,  a  public  apology  for  the  way HE's been treated, and a
 monthly column in the SSAG  Newsletter  (non-edited)!    If  these demands
 aren't met,  then we  will be leaving ourselves open to similar, or worse,
 attacks.



                          Dana P. Jacobson
                          WizOp - Toad Hall EBBS
                          Boston, MA
                          617-567-8642





          ______________________________________________________






 > BBS GRIEF  CPU/STR Spotlight  Boston Computer Society gets involved...
   ============================





                FROM THE MIDDLESEX NEWS, FRAMINGHAM, 1/9/89
                ===========================================


 A hacker, apparently using a year-old  list of  passwords, has  managed to
 crash three Atari-based computer bulletin-board systems in the Boston area
 and is now threatening to do the same to a fourth.

 Calling himself the ``BBS Vigilante,'' the hacker has,  over the  past two
 weeks, gained  phone access to the internal operating systems of the three
 systems, one of them run by  the Boston  Computer Society.  He has deleted
 hundreds of files, including scores of messages and programs left by users
 and even the software that runs the boards themselves.

 Harry Steele, who runs the Boston  Computer Society  Atari board  from his
 Medford home,  said the  hacker, using  the purloined  password of another
 system operator, cracked into his system early on Dec. 30. But around 3:15
 a.m., he  said, his  wife was  awakened because  "she heard the hard drive
 going cuckoo."   She  turned on  the monitor,  saw what  was happening and
 promptly shut the machine, he said, adding he was especially lucky because
 the hacker was deleting files on a disk drive he had backed up just  a few
 days before  - rather   than a second drive that had about 400 programs he
 had never backed up.  Still, Steele said it took  him eight  or nine hours
 to  fully  restore  the  roughly  20  megabytes of software the hacker did
 delete.

 Toad Hall, an East Boston system,  was not  so lucky.  Although the system
 operator there had backed up his files, he had done it on a section of his
 disk drive that the  "Vigilante"  managed  to  delete.    Steele  said the
 sysops strongly  suspect the culprit is a teen-ager once involved in a BBS
 and club run by a now-defunct software store. As an active member,  he was
 able to  gain access  to that  BBSs' password list, of which he apparently
 made a copy.

 When the store closed about a  year ago,  Steele said,  he turned vicious,
 calling up  Atari-based boards and leaving nasty messages for users. Faced
 with complaints from other users, the  system operators  kicked him  off -
 something they  had to  do several  times because he was using a number of
 assumed names.

 What the board operators did not realize, Steele  said, was  that the list
 the kid  had included  some names and passwords of either system operators
 or "co-sysops,"  people who  maintain conferences  on the  systems and who
 generally  can  gain  entry  into  the system's internal programs over the
 phone lines.

 In December, he threatened to take the systems  down. Then,  after he did,
 he left messages threatening to do it again.  Steele said that if need be,
 he and the other operators can  simply  shut  their  systems  down, delete
 their  password  files  and  then  not  give  anyone access until they are
 contacted by telephone to ensure they  are 'real.'   One  board, which the
 hacker has  threatened to  crash, now  requires all  users to send in a $1
 check with their name  and telephone  number on  the back  before they are
 given more than three minutes worth of access.

 Steel also  said the  problem, beyond  dealing with this kid, is that many
 people use the same password  on  all  the  systems  they  log  onto, even
 though most  systems ask  them not  to. If  the sysops or co-sysops on the
 list had used different passwords on each system,  the hacker  might never
 have been able to gain access, he said.

          Fred, the Middlesex News Computer, eagerly awaits your call. With
          a computer and modem, you can call him,  any time,  day or night,
          at; (508) 872-8461. 





       _____________________________________________________________







 > NAMM 1990  CPU/STR FOCUS    Eyewitness Report NAMM Show...
   ========================



                                                  N.A.M.M. 1990
                                                  =============


 by Mike Rosen and Eric Casteel
  
  
                                 Flash!!!

     For the  first time  in history, Roland Corp. U.S.A. is supporting the
 Atari ST with  a  BRAND  NEW  line  of  computer  synthesizer  modules and
 software! These  modules are  called the  CM32L,CM32P and the CM64.  These
 modules fit perfectly underneath any Atari monitor and are MIDI compatible
 with any  MIDI keyboard  or controller.   In  fact, the NEW Sierra On Line
 games support the CM32L.  The software is  called Artist  and is developed
 by  the  same  folks  who  brought  you  Pro-24  and  Cubase, thats right;
 Steinberg.   This software  is geared  for the  novice and  has very sharp
 graphical  interfacing  surprises.    (I  can  feel  a  review  comming on
 already!).

     Passport Designs Inc. has a revolutionary  new division  called; Music
 Data.   This new division makes a product that has songs on floppy disk in
 standard MIDI file format.  These disks are smartly packaged  in a compact
 audio disk case and range in all kinds of styles of music to satisfy every
 taste and desire in music appreciation.

     Also, at  NAMM, I  was quite  surprised to  see the  large quantity of
 STACY 4's.  Most of the major publishers had them on display demonstrating
 their most current software. (Dr.T's had three of them!)  Which by the way
 was wonderful since the Apple Laptop cannot handle midi software at all.

     Digidesign demonstrated "Sound Tools for the MEGA 2 and 4".  This is a
 hard disk sampler/recorder that has previously only been available for the
 Macintosh SE  and Mac II.  The Atari version will be available late march.
 Digidesign  also  showed  C-Labs  famous  Notator  SL,  as  well  as their
 editor/librarians.   Hybrid Arts is planning to come back strong this year
 with thier  updated versions  of the  products that  put them  on the map.
 Also from Hybrid Arts, is the ADAPT II Hard Disk recording system that has
 done very well in Europe and is now  getting   much more  attention in the
 USA.

     Those fine  folks from Dr.T's very proudly showed thier new hot seller
 Tiger Cub.  This program gives you a great sequencer,  graphic editing and
 quickscore music  notation for  only $99.00!   Also showing at Dr.T's were
 KCS Level II 3.0  with  quickscore,  Copyist,  Tiger,  and  XOR (Universal
 Editor/Librarian).

     Steinberg was showing Cubase version 1.5 that features the new Dynamic
 MIDI manager.  Also shown was the new editor/librarian for the EMU Systems
 Proteus.    This  editor/librarian  supports  M.ROS  for  a  multi-tasking
 environment with Cubase.   Speaking  of  multi-tasking,  Intelligent Music
 showed a  multi-tasking operating  system that works in a GEM shell.  This
 allows any TOS program to work in a multi-tasking environment!

     Atari had, what could easily be deemed, office  space in  the upstairs
 portion  of  the  convention  center.    Quite  different  a location from
 previous years.  As a matter of fact, I had  to ask  four different people
 where to  look just  to find  it, and  even then,  I walked right past the
 entrance!  Once I got there however  I  was  impressed.    It  looked very
 professional and  the location  was away from the noise, hustle and bustle
 that you so easily get used to putting up with after a couple of  hours of
 walking around  show's main  floor.   Atari featured  the Hotz  box and of
 course, had record producer/engineer  Jimmy Hotz  demonstrating it.   Also
 featured was  the Megafile  60 and the Megafile 30 removable media storage
 systems.

 All this and much more will be reviewed and discussed  in the  March issue
 of ST World.

                                        Mike Rosen
                                             Eric Casteel 







     ________________________________________________________________

  



 > WOA ANAHEIM STR FOCUS      The show must go on!
   =====================


                                       WORLD OF  ATARI SHOW -> ANAHEIM, CA.
                                       ===================================



                              WORLD OF ATARI
                              ============== 
                             APRIL 7 & 8 1990
                          

 WORLD OF ATARI will be held  at the Disneyland Hotel,  Anaheim California,
 on April 7th and 8th.  For Reservations, Car Rentals  and Airline tickets,
 call:  1-800-842-9034.    The  hours  of  the  show  are 10 am till 6pm on
 Saturday, the 7th  and on Sunday;  10am till 5pm.   Admission is $5.00 per
 day or $7.00 for both days.
   
 Atari Corporation will feature their full  line of  products.   Of course,
 many of  the companies  we are  all familiar with will be displaying their
 latest products. 

 Preliminary Exhibitor Listing;
 -----------------------------
               Avant Garde                   Best Electronics              
               Computer Games +              FAST TECHNOLOGY
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               Mid-City Compu-Soft           Micro Creations
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 > pc ditto II (sigh) CPU/STR Spotlight   What's up Doc?
   ====================================


 ctsy GEnie Atari RT

                                             AS THE THE CHIP FLIP-FLOPS
                                             ==========================




 C.HAGGERTY; posts...
  
 Well, I might as well add my story to this tale of woe! I finally received
 PCDII today  after nearly five months of waiting and checking this RT on a
 frequent basis. Unlike others, my unit appeared in good condition with all
 nessasary parts,  and I  had little problem in following AG's installation
 proceedures. I might even be able to fit  the board  in my  old 520ST with
 some modifications, but alas, My unit locks up after trying to boot DOS.

 Usually I  get 4 bombs, but occasionally it just freezes.  Although I seem
 to have a good connection with the clip I may try soldering it tommorow to
 see if  this will help. On a editorial note...  During these long months I
 have followed discussions on the RT  about PCDII  with great  interest.  I
 have felt  all along that AG had some difficulties beyound its control and
 would make it alright in the  end.   Now however,  we see  a product which
 simply  does  not  work,  wh  ich  AG  knows  not to work, continued to be
 shipped, apparently without regard for the user.   Furthermore, since AG's
 last message  over a  week ago acknowledging the problem we've received no
 communication of any kind.  Come on Bill!  Would it kill you to take 5 min
 everyday or  two to  give us  some idea on how it's going? Please take the
 time to help your users and save your reputation.

                                                  Craig H. Haggerty M.D.



 E.BURGESS; posts,
  
 Well it seems a few of them work ,so they arent all  bad. Now  if they can
 find out  what the  diff between the ones that work and the ones that dont
 they'll have the problem solved

 Jan 24, 1990
 W.C.JENKINS; posts,
  
      Well,  I  got  this  piece  of  garbage  in  the  mail  today  called
 "PCDittoII"  No,  mine  is  not  working  either.  I installed everything,
 everything looks fine, but I can't  get past  the "not  installed properly
 prompt."

     One source  of problem  is the clip is in no way, shape, or form tight
 on the 68000, it keeps popping off. 

      I'll be darned if I'm going to pay someone to solder it on.

      There are too many reports here of units being soldered and still not
 working (after  a $60 or so ADDITIONAL EXPENSE!).  Not to mention machines
 being damaged in the process.

      This is real garbage.  I should be allowed to use the  "s" word here,
 Avant Garde deserves it.  The unit does not work as advertised period.  In
 my opinion, this is fraud.

      I'm sending the unit back tomorrow.  If I do not get a refund pronto,
 this will become a mail fraud matter.

      What  really  gauls  me  is  that Avant=Garde knows that virtually no
 boards are working, they've admitted that here, yet  they seem  to go   on
 shipping  boards  that,  apparantly  are  no  better  than the boards they
 shipped before?  What does that mean?  As long as they ship something they
 can access another $154?

      As far  as I  am concerned,  Avant-Garde owes  me more than $154. How
 about all the money I've wasted here on  Genie following  and anticipating
 this piece of garbage???

      Well, here is one poor consumer who feels he has gotten the shaft.

      Darn!
  


 DOUG.W; posts, 
  
     W.C. Jenkins,  my dictionary  defined Fraud as "deception deliberately
 practiced." I think you'd have a tough time  proving that  Avant Garde did
 this deliberately.

 --Doug
  ------------


 R.LOWREY; posts,
  
 Well, I  received my  PCDII today.   I  haven't installed  it yet, as I am
 waiting for my EE friend to come over and assist.  I'll let you know  what
 happens, but  from the  likes of  the messages  here, it doesn't look very
 promising to me.

 I will say that without even trying it, the 68K "clip" looks  pretty hokey
 to me--I  realize that  with our  68K's soldered in, AG had little choice,
 but this looks like  trouble to  me.   Hoping I'll  have the  2nd one that
 works,

 Robert L.
  ------------


 NEVIN-S; posts,
  
 Robert, some  other GEnie fellow has his working (saw a message here a few
 days ago) so you would be number 3..! <grin>

 I do not know if/why Bill  is still  shipping. I  am in  NYC and  he is in
 Florida.   Oh well. Hopefully he will drop by here soon and fill us all in
 on what is going on.

    --Nevin
  ------------


 DON.WYMAN; posts,
  
 I just joined the  DOA club.  I got  my DITTO-II  today and  have the same
 problems  as  everyone  else.  It  asks  for  a  Dos  disk  and  goes into
 never-never land.  The drive spins a couple of times and just  lays there.
 I haven't even started to figure out how to find room for this monster.  I
 have a 1040ST that  requires removing  the drive  in order  to get  the RF
 shield off.   Is this thing supposed to fit under the RF shield?  I had to
 bend the pins of the clip  inward on  one side  to get  it to  stay on the
 68000.   I tried to find the upload of the programs just in case it was in
 the software but couldn't find it.  Does anyone know where it is?  Sad but
 still hoping. 

   Don Wyman
  ------------


 DAVESMALL; posts,
  
 This is  really sad.   I feel for both "sides" here because I was involved
 in a similar mess when the Translator One first shipped.   A  hundred went
 out, probably 90 came back as "bad".

 So, it  turns out  the HP MIDI chips weren't up to spec on some ST's.  And
 there was ringing on the write-data line. And and and and...

 Eventually kinda sorta, we  got  the  Translator  working;  the  final ROM
 version,  which  would  have  fixed  formatting for many drives, was never
 done.  By then, I was gone from dP.

 I feel sorry for Bill that it's turned out this way, and  ask you  all not
 to let  this "avalanche".  He's an honorable guy; I've seen it many times.
 Give him a chance to straighten things out, and I feel sure he will. 

 Making the transition from  tested prototypes  to fullscale  production is
 just awful, and Bill got burned by it, clearly.  I've had it happen too --
 I had to desolder lots of  HP chips  that were  under spec,  for instance.
 The  GCR,knock  wood,  was  trouble  free,  but  that was my second try at
 reading Mac disks.

 I know some of you are frustrated beyond belief, but  hang on  a bit.   My
 guess would be Bill's not on GEnie not because he won't take the heat, but
 because he's working his tail off resolving the  problem.   Similar things
 happen here in a crisis, too.

 Other products  arrived with  bugs, too,  as you'll  see elsewhere online.
 They're cleaned up.

 So give him time.  He's shown us what he can do; he needs time to  do it. 
 I  don't  think  he  would  keep  shipping known bad boards; he might have
 shipped a large batch of bad boards *all  at once*,  and be  getting a bad
 rap.

 Just from  what I know of him personally, I would be very hesitant to even
 return money on a PCDII. He knows what  he's doing;  give him  a chance to
 fix this mistake, and I bet he comes out with a good, clean one.

                         -- Just my two cent's worth.

                               -- thanks, Dave / Gadgets
  ------------



 J.ALLEN27; posts,
  
 I'd like to second Dave's feelings, I have seen it work and it is a really
 nice Pc emulator.  I don't understand the size and many just won't be able
 to use it but I think Bill will come through.  I have talked to him and he
 seems to be hot on the trail.   It seems  all the  boards shipped...almost
 all... are  just fine.   It  is somekind  of difference  in the circuit in
 different STs that is the root of our troubles. He tested a bunch of "bad"
 boards in working machines...1040s like Nevins...and they work fine. There
 is some difference between those systems and other STs that is screwing up
 the process.  

 Apparently, and  a look  at the scope confirms, the PCDII is not "crashed"
 when it freezes on the DOS boot.  The V30 is in  control but  the transfer
 mechanism used  to switch  between 68000/V30 is not working right.  It may
 be as simple as the pullup resistors used in different machines.  But with
 the V30  running OK  it is  not somekind  of major timing screwup like not
 being synchronized with RAM timing, etc.  When he ask  me if  I thought he
 should go  up and  spend daily  periods online  I said...NO.  It made more
 sense to nail down what's wrong  and have  good news  rather than  come by
 each day  and get  dumped on.   I  think the unit returns and this mess in
 general has he and Ginnie pretty bummed.  I'd give him another week before
 looking for  blood.  I also think the first thing he needs to do is send a
 unit across  town to  CPU NewsWire/STReport  and let  them do  a review so
 someone in  the press  can get a solid, hands on look see, and report back
 impartially. 

 What AG is going through is  a HW  developers worse  nightmare, mostly his
 fault, but a nightmare.  A feel really bad for him, and any developer that
 tries so hard to put out a nice product and gets into  trouble.   It's not
 like the  aren't trying and are sitting back counting our money planning a
 good vacation, this market has been their lives  for years  now.   This is
 where they make their living and you just don't #$%@ in your own backyard.
 Dave had no trouble, I had some trouble, and AG  is in  trouble...no black
 and white, all gray scale. Just like life.

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



     Above, we  presented a  number of  online posts,  (open letters), from
 obviously concerned individuals  who  were  kind  enough  to  present both
 viewpoints;   that   of   the   highly   vulnerable   customer   and   the
 developer/manufacturer.   When all  the smoke  clears, the  bottom line is
 still evident,  that the customer; (a)- comes first, and (b)- must be kept
 abreast of  the developments  in this  situation.   We strenously disagree
 with the  premise that  the online  presence or  the obvious  lack of this
 presence  is  justifiable.    If  anything,   an  online   presence  would
 undoubtedly place many minds at ease....  

     In fact, a simple statement expressing; 

     "Shipment of  all units  has been  suspended pending the discovery and
     rectification of the apparent problem,  as  soon  as  this  problem is
     corrected shipment of PC-DITTO II will resume in earnest."  

     But no....   shipments  go on as if there is nothing the matter.  Why?
 And why is the statement  being  made  to  visitors  amidst  the  floor to
 ceiling stacks  of PC-DITTO  II that  are being packed and shipped by Bill
 and his family, (Wife, Mom and Dad) that the major  cause of  his problems
 is Atari?   Also  why is  this board for PC-DITTO II so big?  We feel Bill
 should be searching for the problem  with the  units and  NOT shipping any
 more until is recognized and fixed.

     We have  the opinion  that Bill  Teal will eventually come through for
 his trusting customers and as  such,  for  those  with  the  fortitude for
 patiently waiting  then this  is, of course the only way to go.  For those
 who simply must have an MS Dos emulator yesterday, then by all means, take
 the steps  necessary to  accomplish your goals.  Complaining and posturing
 veiled or direct threats does nothing but bring forward the  alarmists and
 doomsayers.   The hardware  business is  quirky at  best and  at times the
 results are less than disappointing.  Ask Atari.  <grin>  Over  the course
 of the  next few weeks we are sure to see this problem situation alleviate
 itself through the discovery of the cause and I might add, its  sure to be
 corrected.


     Another in the long list of those who care enough to comment....


             RE: AVANT-GARDE'S UNFORGIVABLE CUSTOMER RELATIONS

      I just  thought I  would bring  you and  everyone else up-to- date on
 what I consider a very disturbing policy by Avant-Garde.  Let me  begin by
 saying that  I believe  that Avant-Garde has created a superior ST product
 in PC Ditto and  PC Ditto  II.   However, their  policy toward  their past
 customers is like a garbage dump in July. In other words, it stinks.

 Case in point:
 -------------

      I purchased  PC Ditto long before PC Ditto II was released.  However,
 I neglected  to  register  my  copy  with  Avant-Garde  by  their "Upgrade
 deadline" (a  deadline I was unaware of though I visit several local Atari
 dealers very regularly).  I of  course thought  that upgrades  would start
 when  the  improved  product  was  released which would be the intelligent
 though incorrect assumption.

      When I wrote Avant-Garde to find  out how  to upgrade  my copy  of PC
 Ditto to PC Ditto II, I received a rude reply from a Mrs. Ginny Teal.  She
 told me that Avant-Garde ended their  upgrade  policy  on  June  30th 1989
 (approximately 7  months before  PC Ditto II actually began to ship).  She
 said that they had  only offered  an upgrade  on a  temporary basis.   For
 their loyal  customers who  had missed  that deadline their upgrade policy
 was as follows:  "Go down to the store and buy a  new one  at full price."
 She furthermore  made the  absurd claim that honoring their upgrade policy
 would mean that Avant-Garde would never be able to make a profit  and that
 their  dealers  would  all  abandon  them.    She  also claimed that I had
 probably purchased PC Ditto  just to  try to  get a  discount on  PC Ditto
 II...Not at  all true,  but even if I had what would it matter.  One would
 always expect to be able to upgrade a product like this.

      Apparently Avant-Garde  cares  little  about  their  loyal customers.
 They are  more than  willing to  take your money, but don't expect them to
 return that loyalty in any way.  PC Ditto is still being  sold by  all the
 local dealers and I still see it in all the mail order ads.  These dealers
 should put up a  sign that  warns customers  not to  buy PC  Ditto because
 Avant-Garde is  coming out  with PC  Ditto II  and not  allowing people to
 upgrade.

      I called Avant-Garde in December of 1988 to find out when PC Ditto II
 was to  be released.   The  person I  spoke to in customer support told me
 that it would be on the  market in  February of  1989.   I think  that the
 entire  idea  of  having  a  deadline  for upgrades is a ridiculously poor
 policy, but I only missed Avant- Garde's upgrade deadline by  less than 60
 days. They missed their release date by nearly a year.

      It is certainly not a matter of money that prompts this letter, it is
 my  outrage  at  Avant-Garde's  terrible  customer   support.     I  am  a
 professional business  consultant.   I make  my living teaching businesses
 how to operate more successfully and  profitably.   Avant-Garde's customer
 "support" would receive a failing grade.

                                                       Bill Jurinjak


 LATE ARRIVAL
 ============

 Fri Jan 26, 1990
 AVANTGARDE; posts,
  
     We haven't read all the e-mail and messages yet, but we wanted to give
 you an update of where we are.

     First, all of the pc-ditto II boards we have shipped  have been burned
 in  before  being  shipped.    However,  when the boards were installed by
 users, they failed to boot up.  So, we know the boards  are OK.   Thus, we
 felt the problem was related to the machine hardware.

     Since we  learned of this last week, we purchased five 1040 STs.  Four
 had the same problem as users  had  (DOS  would  not  boot),  but  a fifth
 worked.  We compared all the machines.  This is what we found:

 1.   The machines  are Rev.1; different from what we have seen before (and
     the schematics for the 1040 differ as well).
   
 2.  We swapped all the socketed  chips  between  the  working  1040  and a
     non-working  1040.     The  working  1040  still  continued  to  work.
     Consequently, the socketed chips (GLU,MMU,DMA) are not affecting
     pc-ditto II. 

 3.  The working 1040  has  the  video  shifter  soldered  in,  whereas the
     remaining  four   non-working  1040s   had  socketed  video  shifters.
     (Furthermore,  the  other  machines  in  our  stable  which  work have
     soldered video shifters). 

 4.   It doesn't  make sense that the shifter should be the culprit, but we
     did take a non-working  1040, removed  the video  socket, and soldered
     the shifter.  The machine  still worked, but the pc-ditto II continued
     to fail. 

 5.  We also replaced the 373 and 244 buffer chips with AS parts, but to no
     improvement.

     In  the  past  couple  of  days,  we learned that we could disable our
 interrupts,  and  everything  works  fine  (DOS  boots).    And,  we  have
 determined that  the failure is due to a timing difference between various
 machines.  In  collaboration  with  Jim  Allen  at  FaST  Technologies, he
 concurs with our analysis of the hardware differences so far.

     It appears  that the  fix will  be nothing more than a software update
 (to change the timings), which will  be  uploaded  to    this  network the
 moment we  work it  out.   In any  event, we  are   close on  the heals of
 finding this bug very shortly and  getting a fix to everyone who needs it.

     We'll be back online with the good news in the next few days. 

                                             Thanks for your patience.

                                                       Avant-Garde


 EDITOR NOTE;  

 Lookin' good Bill but one thing is painfully  missing, what  about all the
 folks who  own and  use the Mega style Atari computer, you make no mention
 of one at all....  There are three (3) available  here for  testing at our
 facilities.   And, we are certain, there are many anxious users waiting to
 hear if the Mega units will get along with PCD II considering the Blitter.





      ______________________________________________________________





 > CALAMUS - ISD Sales CPU/STR Feature  Good things are on the way.......
   ===================================




 from Nathan Potechin of ISD

     One element remains constant in the  history of  printing, despite all
 the  changes   and  upheaval;   the  effort  to  improve  the  quality  of
 reproduction and  to increase  the flexibility  of the  layout. During the
 first step-up  from hand-  written originals to typeset printed  editions,
 the easier distribution of books and flyers stood  in the  foreground as a
 distinct advantage  of various methods of reproduction. While in principle
 nothing has greatly changed since then, an inked  matrix colors  the paper
 that passes  through, the  publishing technology  of the twentieth century
 has  rapidly  developed  since  then.  The  traditional  lead  printer was
 replaced by  the typesetter,  which in  turn was replaced by the method of
 cathode-ray  beams,  and  which   was  finally   replaced  by   the  laser
 imagesetter, which represents today's state of the art method.

     In the  course of  this development  the typesetting  process has also
 gone through many changes, from hand  setting with  a composing  stick, to
 key in  photoprinting commands,  to the current method of using a computer
 terminal for word processing. The methods have become  much more automated
 and  unfortunately  as  a  consequence  also  much more abstract. It is no
 longer immediately clear what a coded command sequence has to do with, for
 example, a right justified paragraph.

     Shortly following  the rise of the personal computer a new typesetting
 method was introduced. "What  you see  is what  you get"  (abbreviated  as
 "WYSIWYG") is  the promise  of the new layout and printing programs  which
 allow the user to see the end product of his work on the monitor  while he
 is still  involved in  the creating  process. This  allows the computer to
 carry  out  enough  working  operations  so  that  many   corrections  and
 subsequent treatmentS  are no  longer necessary.  The  document is created
 alone on the desktop. This process is therefore called Desktop Publishing,
 or DTP  for short.  Ever since  Desktop Publishing has expanded beyond the
 normal  computer  output  possibilities  into   the      field   of  laser
 imagesetters, it has become of increasing interest to professionals.

     Unfortunately, it  became apparent  that the WYSIWYG system was not as
 good in  practice  as  in  theory.  On  some  machines,  for  example, the
 typesets looked  somewhat different when printed with a laser printer than
 they looked on  the  monitor,  and  their  appearance  changed  again when
 printed  with  imagesetters.  Sometimes  hair-thin  lines were not printed
 precisely. The key to  these problems  lay within  the applied technology.
 The  DTP  concept  came  into  being  in  a time when interface processing
 between the computer  and  periphery  equipment  was  very  slow  and when
 computer memory space was very expensive and therefore hardly measured. In
 order to save time and  memory  space,  the  documents  were  sent  to the
 printer in  compressed form.  This led  to a record language which allowed
 the computer and printer to agree upon  the  layout  of  a  page.  As this
 language  became   standardized,  it   was  possible  to  equip  automatic
 imagesetters with a special  computer to  translate this  language, the so
 called  "Raster  Image  Processor"  (RIP).  The  user  was  then  able  to
 theoretically hook up any computer with any printer  as long  as they both
 understood the same language.

     In  practice,  however,  the  situation  was  not  this simple. Subtle
 differences in the language, "dialects", began  to develop  that sometimes
 led to  difficult outputs.  In addition,  since each computer, printer and
 imagesetter has its own typesets, its handling became  even more difficult
 and misunderstandings  more common.  And finally,  most DTP programs could
 not or could only partially show complicated layouts on   the monitor (for
 example, letters  in different  sizes or  text set on a  diagonal). At its
 best you had "WYSIAWYG" ("What you see is  almost what  you get").  It was
 necessary  to  output  many  test  prints  and continually add corrections
 before the final copy was produced.

     All of these problems led us to use a completely new starting point in
 the conception  of Calamus. Calamus has the entire output logic built into
 the program itself. Thus, the output devices no longer have anything to do
 with the  processing of the documents. They receive the finished layout of
 each page as a bitmap, and a bitmap cannot be falsified.  In addition, the
 bitmap  output  requires  minimal  claim  from  the output device. A large
 memory or special processor  is no  longer   necessary. This  saves money!
 However, because the amount of data to be processed is so large, much more
 efficient interfaces are required.

     Therefore, Calamus  works primarily  with DMA  transfer.   In order to
 make    it  compatible  with  the  LINOTYPE  imagesetter  the  Calamus LI2
 Interface  was developed, which also  uses the  DMA Interface.  It doesn't
 matter to   Calamus  whether the  bitmap is sent to an imagesetter or to a
 monitor.  That's why the monitor can show the document in exactly the same
 form as  that which will later come from the imagesetter.

     The advantage  for the user: it is possible to photo print any complex
     document right away Without a single test copy and without risk.

     Calamus marks  the beginning  of a  new generation  of DTP  use in the
     professional field.

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


 > DynaCADD CPU/STR Feature   The Beginning... First in series.
   ========================


     DynaCADD is the next generation in Computer Aided Design and Drafting.

          Fully interactive 2D and TRUE 3D Capabilities.  
          All calculations are accurate to 16 decimal places. 
          Math Coprocessor support
          Extremely user friendly GEM Icon based interface.
          Uses Pull Down menus, mouse, keyboard and function keys.
          Macro keys
          Command Line Interpreter
          Online context sensitive documentation
          On Screen command help line
          Outstanding Moniterm support

 3D View Capabilites
 -------------------

     Multiple 3D views can be opened  and modified  at anytime.   Geometric
 Coordinate  Planes  (GCP)  can  be  changed  instantly.  Translation of 3D
 coordinate planes.  Work can be done in any combination of views  with all
 views updating  constantly.  Automatic generation of any orthographic view
 including user defined  auxiliary  views.    Entities  can  be selectively
 hidden in any view thus allowing easy generation of orthographically sound
 views.

 Dimensioning
 ------------

     Auto Dimensioning features:

          Mechanical and Architectural formats.
          Full 2D and 3D Dimensioning.
          Absolute control over dimensioning extents and text.
          Optional modification of dimension text.
          True horizontal and vertical base line and chaining.
          Circular Radius, diameter and enter line.
          Automatic linear and angular  tolerancing in  any of  3 different
          styles.
          Text orientation using any one of the three different systems
          (unidirectional - angled - aligned)
          Dimension text precision can be set from 0 - 9 decimal places.

 Line Weights and Styles
 -----------------------

          Three  line   weights  for  use  with  all  entities  and  visual
 representation both on the screen and through the output. Up to sixty four
 user definable line styles can be selected.


 This is  the first  of an  anticipated 10  - 15  segments covering all the
 different aspects of DynaCADD 1.70  ....





      _______________________________________________________________




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


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

 by Michael Arthur

 Concept by Glenn Gorman


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


   Apple Stock is at the same price it was on Friday, January 15, 1990.
            Commodore Stock is up 1/4 of a point from 1/15/90.
               IBM Stock is up 3/4 of a point from 1/15/90.


               Stock Report for Week of 1/15/90 to 1/19/90

 _________________________________________________________________________
 STock|   Monday   |   Tuesday   |  Wednesday  |  Thursday  |   Friday    |
 Reprt|Last    Chg.|Last     Chg.|Last     Chg.|Last    Chg.|Last    Chg. |
 -----|------------|-------------|-------------|------------|-------------|
 Atari|8 3/8  - 3/8|8 3/4   + 3/8|8 1/2   - 1/4|8 3/8  - 1/8|8 1/4   - 1/4|
      |            |             |             |            | 29,100  Sls |
 -----|------------+-------------+-------------+------------+-------------|
  CBM |8 3/4  + 1/2|9 1/8   + 3/8|8 3/4   - 3/8|8 5/8  - 1/8|8 1/2   - 1/8|
      |            |             |             |            | 73,100  Sls |
 -----|------------+-------------+-------------+------------+-------------|
 Apple|34 1/4  -1/4|34 7/8  + 5/8|33 1/4 -1 5/8|32 3/8  -7/8|34 1/4 +1 7/8|
      |            |             |             |            |2,367,300 Sls|
 -----|------------+-------------+-------------+------------+-------------|
  IBM |98 1/8  +1/4|100 1/8   + 2|98 7/8 -1 1/4|99 1/2  +5/8|98 5/8  - 5/8|
      |            |             |             |            |1,648,700 Sls|
 -----'-------------------------------------------------------------------'

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





          ______________________________________________________
  
  
  
 > FTL ONLINE CONFERENCE CPU/STR Feature   FTL'S Wayne Holder .. 
   ===================================== 
  
  

 =========================================================================
 (C) 1989 by Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the  Atari Roundtables.   May be
 reprinted only  with this  notice intact.   The Atari Roundtables on GEnie
 are    *official*    information    services    of    Atari   Corporation.
 =========================================================================

 January, 24,1990

                          <[Sysop] JEFF.W>
 On behalf of the Atari ST Roundtable, I welcome all of you to the 
 FTL RealTime Conference on GEnie.  Before getting started, I 
 invite all of you to join us next week for an RTC with Lauren 
 Flanegan-Sellers.  Lauren is the president of Blue Chip 
 International and will be with us to talk about WORDFLAIR, the new 
 document processor for the Atari ST.

                 And now, let's commence with the FTL RTC.

     For those of you who are new to computing or have been in remote 
 seclusion for the last two years, FTL is the producer of one of 
 the most sophisticated and popular games for the ST and Amiga (and 
 soon, the PC), DUNGEON MASTER.  It is very rare for one game to 
 fire the imagination and enthusiasm of players the way that 
 DUNGEON MASTER has.  It is almost a cottage industry unto itself 
 with hint books, hint disks, maps, and an unending amount of 
 online chatter between players trying to help each other finish 
 this game.  DUNGEON MASTER has done this.  And now, it has spawned 
 a sequel.  After much anticipation amongst DM fans, FTL has 
 released CHAOS STRIKES BACK for the ST.  CHAOS STRIKES BACK is 
 proving that sequels aren't always a pale shadow of their 
 successful predecessors! <grin> 

 Our guests are Wayne Holder, President of FTL, Doug Bell, and 
 David Simon.  

 Gentlemen, my thanks to you for being with us this evening.  
 Before we start throwing questions at you, would you like to 
 introduce yourselves and make any opening comments? 

                               <FTL>
 Greetings everyone.  And, thanks for the great response to Chaos 
 Strikes Back I'm not much at introductions, so I guess that's all.  

                          <[Sysop] JEFF.W>
 DUNGEON MASTER has been a tremendously popular game.  And it looks 
 like CHAOS STRIKES BACK is no slouch when it comes to popularity
 also.  Did you have any idea when doing DM that this would be the 
 case? And what do you attribute their popularity to?

                               <FTL>
 Well, we had a "hunch" that DM would do OK.  I guess because we 
 felt we were trying to do a type of game that had never been done 
 before.  That is a game that blends real-time action with a rich 
 environment to play in.  I guess the closest analog to what we 
 were trying to do was to create the dungeon equivalent of a 
 "flight simulator".

 With CSB we were trying to build upon our game "technology" and 
 develop ways to develop new scenarios without needing changes to a 
 lot of code.  In this sense, CSB was a bit of an experiment, and 
 we were a bit nervous about releasing it.  Originally we intended 
 to make CSB require the original DM game (hence the comment on the 
 back of the box which we had already printed bookoo thousands of 
 before we changed our minds.) This would have limited CSB to the 
 original graphics But, after testing, we decided that we needed to 
 add new monsters and other graphics.  So, we went with two disks.

                          <[Sysop] JEFF.W>
 DM and CSB each came out much later than everyone thought they 
 would.  Obviously, you didn't compromise the integrity of these 
 games by trying to meet expected release dates.  But why does it 
 take so long to get a new game out, especially with CSB, seeing 
 that the basic game mechanics had already been worked out 
 previously (in DM)?

                               <FTL>
 The basic CSB scenario was done quite a while ago.  But, we were 
 also working on moving Dungeon Master to many new computers.  
 During this conversion we kept finding problems with compatibility 
 between CSB (which was being designed on the Atari) and these new 
 computers.  Because we didn't want to dig ourselves into a hole 
 with these new computers, we had to do a lot of redesign to plan 
 for everything fitting in the future.  In the long run, I think 
 everyone will benefit more, even if it perhaps is a bit 
 frustrating for our users sometimes.  (were sorry!)

                          <[Sysop] JEFF.W>
 Thanks.  One last one from me (for now).  Which computer systems 
 are DM and CSB available/to be available on? 

                               <FTL>
 Currently in the USA Dungeon Master is available for the Atari ST, 
 the Amiga, and the Apple IIgs.  In Japan, Dungeon Master is 
 available on CDROM for the Fujitsu "FM Towns" computer (a 386 
 IBM PC style computer.) the Sharp X68000 computer, and the NEC PC-
 9801 computer (just shipping next week.) Soon DM will be out for 
 the IBM PC in the USA and also the Apple Macintosh (although 
 perhaps not as soon for the Mac.) For CSB, it is currently only 
 available for the Atari ST (because we like you.) but will soon be 
 out for the Amiga.

                          <[Sysop] JEFF.W>
 And we like -you- too! Thanks.  

                             <JRHARRIS>
 Thanks, Jeff, and thanks to FTL for two great games two quickies.
 Even though I haven't finished CSB, yet, when can I expect the 
 next sequel and can we please have a 'multiple save' feature? 

                               <FTL>
 We hope to have at least another game out this year, but I can't 
 say much more because I'm not sure which of the several games we 
 have in development will come out when.  Actually, I'd like to get 
 some more feedback on whether people would like another "expansion 
 set" like CSB And, if it should be "harder" or "easier" than CSB?

 Sorry, I forgot about your "save" question.  We've received many 
 requests for this and we'll look into supporting it for future 
 games.  (Wayne looks left toward Doug Bell who will have to code 
 it :)

                        <[Chris] C.MCKINSEY>
 Do you plan on making a ][gs version of CSB and if so when may we 
 expect it's release?

                               <FTL>
 Currently, we're not sure about the IIgs.  We lost our IIgs expert 
 last year and we have not yet found a good replacement for him.  
 However, we are very pleased with our IIgs sales and we'd "like" 
 to do a IIgs version.  

                          <[Sysop] JEFF.W>
 BTW, JRHARRIS votes for a "three-quel" to DM.  <grin> 

                         <[JimR] J.RATKOS1>
 Now that Atari has been shipping ALL their units with D/S drives 
 do you foresee that your products in the future will take 
 advantage of this, if not just to "add" more sounds, graphics for 
 those with 1meg or more and to speed up loading time? 

                               <FTL>
 Well, this is a difficult question, because my intelligence 
 indicates there are still quite a few single sided systems out 
 there I don't think we can abandon them.  Especially since many 
 are in Europe where we have great sales.  But, I understand your
 desire to take full advantage of your computer.  We have 
 considered going to multiple disks and supporting a double-sided 
 or hard disk install, but there are still some unresolved 
 technical problems with this.

                            <J.RATKOS1>
 I think that the way that it has been done in the past is 
 agreeable to most of us but there are some of us who will always 
 want more <grin>, and yes to another expansion set.

                               <FTL>
 BTW, I am online about once a week.  Please post your votes on how 
 you'd like an expansion set to be.

                         <[Jeff] JBEADLES>
 First of all, Yes to another expansion set.  Two questions.  
 First, are there plans to allow DM/CSB to be installed on hard 
 disks, and second, are there plans for user-created adventures, 
 ala Oids? 

                               <FTL>
 Currently, we can't support installation to a hard drive and still 
 run on a 512K ST.  We have to take complete control of the machine 
 at boot to recover enough RAM from the system.  So, we have these 
 hard choices again.  Usually, we opt for the answer that gets our 
 games into the hands of the most people.  Although, we are working 
 on ways to make this work for future games.

 Sorry.  Again I forgot your second question.   We have plans to 
 slowly introduce the elements of a complete user configurable 
 game.  However, there are still many technical questions to solve.  
 What we will do is to continue to add new pieces to the puzzle.
 For example, the Champion Portrait Editor is an example of a 
 module which gives you a little more control for customizing 
 your games.  Look for more modules like this in the future.

                            <MIKE-ELLIS>
 First I would like to commend you for producing (in my opinion) 
 two of the best games I have ever seen.  However, I was 
 disappointed when I found that the Amiga version was better in 
 that it supported many more sounds, etc.  My question is this, 
 "Why didn't the ST version of CSB support these enhancements? 

                               <FTL>
 Well the Amiga version requires more RAM than the ST version.  (1 
 meg vs 512K.)  Also, the Amiga has special sound hardware which 
 the older STs lack.  However, we are planning on supporting the 
 new STe machines which have great sound hardware.  The sounds on 
 the ST are currently very difficult to do without slowing down the 
 game.  With the new hardware on STe we can add some optional 
 sounds for the new machines to use.

                            <T.KURILLA>
 Hello, I've just about completed CSB, but I want to solve it with 
 the CSB characters.  Is there a way to obtain both Kazai and Lor? 
 And if so, could I  get a hint? 

                               <FTL>
 No, sorry, they don't like each other very much and we had to 
 separate them so that they wouldn't fight all the time.

                         <[Vinny] SALVIUS>
 Thanks, Jeff.  You guys had discussed the possibility of taking 
 the DM code and turning it into scenarios other than fantasy.  
 What do you have in the works? A space Station futuristic type 
 thing perhaps? 

                               <FTL>
 Yes! Perhaps.  We have a futuristic game in development now.  
 Please send me your thoughts on the regular board.  Perhaps you 
 can influence what we do?

                            <D.BIXLER1>
 First let me say.  As a programmer, I have much admiration for the 
 people at FTL.  It must be absolutely fun working on games such as 
 DM in stead of EXCITING business packages.  Now the two questions: 

 1) As a programmer, I would think that a good way to create a 
 different feel and "quick" game generation would be to create 
 libraries which contain the "frames" necessary for displaying 
 different objects, monsters, WALL TYPES, etc.  (As far as I know 
 you may already do this).  Do you think that doing so could help 
 create the sequels quicker, and at the same time make a world of 
 difference in the look and feel of the sequels?  (All you would 
 have to do is edit the libraries and select the objects/ monsters 
 which will be used in the next software release) 

                               <FTL>
 Sigh, I wish that creating a new game was as simple as hacking new 
 code The hard part always turns out to be the "details" which 
 everyone enjoys so much.  (Except sometimes the programmers.)

                            <D.BIXLER1>
 2) As a user, I have heard NOTHING (0) about CSB, can you tell me 
 what the major differences are from DM (What is the Champion 
 Portrait Editor)? 

                               <FTL>
 OK.  CSB continues the original DM adventure.  In CSB you discover 
 that Chaos has foreseen his defeat in the DM scenario, and has 
 planned a revenge upon the world, which, if successful, will 
 restore him to power CSB is based mostly on the DM code, but adds 
 several new modules on a separate "utility" disk.  One is the 
 Champion Portrait Editor which can pluck Champions from one saved 
 game, allowing you to edit their appearance, and then insert them 
 into the new CSB scenario.  Also, you can use the CPE to edit the 
 pictures of Champions in any DM or CSB game while the game is in 
 progress.  The second new feature is the "Hint Oracle" which is a 
 powerful deity (named "John") who can read your saved games for 
 CSB and offer specific hints on your current situation.

                             <F.KISH1>
 Anything to speed up booting?????? Perhaps a key disc in drive A 
 for Hard Disc users (even at extra sigh, cost??)

                          <[Sysop] JEFF.W>
 This was really covered earlier.  Anything else to add to this 
 issue, Wayne? 
                               <FTL>
 No, except that we are sorry it takes so long to load.  But, there 
 is a lot of stuff to load.

                           <L.HUNNEFIELD>
 Hi FTL! I just wanted to say thanks for the games you have 
 produced thus far.  I was curious if you were ever going to do a 
 Sundog II?

                               <FTL>
 We might.  I assume you'd like it? 

                           <L.HUNNEFIELD>
 Absolutely.  Preferably with a Dungeon-Master-like interface and 
 graphics.  That was a GREAT game!!! 

                               <FTL>
 One thing I mention from time to time, is to suggest that people 
 write us (us the PO box in the the front of the manual.)  We read 
 every letter and so do the programmers and game designers.  This 
 helps us get a "feel" for what people want.

                          <[Sysop] JEFF.W>
 For everyone's information, the DM topic is in Category 9, Topic 
 39...

                               <FTL>
 Yes, I am active in cat 9 

                          <[Sysop] JEFF.W>
 ...and the CSB topic is in Category 9, Topic 38.  And Wayne's 
 email address is.  ..FTL! Gee, that works out great!

                       <[Brian] B.LOSCHIAVO>
 In DM, which is the best combo of characters to complete the game?

                               <FTL>
 Actually, it's mostly up to you regardless of who you choose, your 
 characters will advance far beyond their starting stats before you 
 get even halfway into DM.  I normally say that reincarnation is 
 better in the long run, but makes for a tougher start.  If you can 
 get past level 4 (the worms) with reincarnated Champions, then 
 you're probably home free.

                     <[love broker] J.DOTSETH1>
 Hi Wayne, thanks for the great games, two quickies first, is there 
 any talk of supporting MIDI on future games and what do you have 
 to say about the anti-climax rumors going around??

                               <FTL>
 Sorry, do you mean MIDI for music?  And clarify "anticlimax".

                     <[love broker] J.DOTSETH1>
 O.K.  MIDI as a sound track in the background and people have said 
 the game is very anti-climatic at the end, I think they want their 
 monitor to melt or something.

                               <FTL>
 With regard to Midi.  We may support more music options in the 
 future.  But so far it doesn't seem to be requested very often.  
 With regard to the ending.  I suppose we suffer from the fault 
 that we put all of our effort into the scenario rather than a 
 fancy ending animation.  This is a difficult choice.  We 
 understand that after you've put in 70 plus hours you're expecting 
 a really amazing ending.  However, to live up to most peoples' 
 expectations would probably require a second disk.  (DM and CSB 
 are tough acts to follow.)

                          <[Eric] E.WEEKS>
 Although I would be one of the first to buy an expansion set, 
 there are times when those old dungeon walls seem a bit dreary.  
 Question: what is the status of the character extractor utility? I 
 hope you still bury the character information in the extracted 
 file so no one can find it.  

                               <FTL>
 I have assigned the task to one of our programmers.  I hope to 
 have it completed in about a week.  (see cat 9 top 38 for 
 details.)

                        <[DARK_ELF] K.WELTY>
 I was wondering if you ever considered the option of offering the 
 ability to link multiple computers together (MIDI or RS232) to 
 create a true multi-player version? 

                               <FTL>
 Yes, we actually did a multiplayer game a while ago, but we never 
 released it.  Watch this space...

                          <[Al] A.HORTON>
 I hope my question is not redundant.  Three people in my home play 
 CSB.  I would love to back it up, but can't.  Is there a way that 
 key disks, doc copy protection, or code wheels could be used as 
 copy protection?

                               <FTL>
 Actually, we think our current protection is less hassle than a 
 code wheel or manual based protection.  Also, we do offer a backup 
 disk as a mail-in offer.  (see the front of the Manual.)

                        <[Ralph] ST.REPORT>
 Just wanted to say "Thank You" for many hours of first rate
 entertainment derived from DM/CSB.

                               <FTL>
 Thank you!! 

                           <L.HUNNEFIELD>
 Well, I just wanted to know when you will be printing a "hint 
 booklet" for the CSB.  

                               <FTL>
 We're considering it.  What specially would you like? Send me your 
 thoughts in cat 9.

                            <J.RATKOS1>
 You mean there is still hope for RVP? (fond memories of CES '87)

                               <FTL>
 No, sorry.  But something new is a brewin...

                         <[kiwi] J.CLARKE6>
 When will you release CSB to the South Pacific, ie New Zealand? 

                               <FTL>
 You mean you don't have it?

                         <[kiwi] J.CLARKE6>
 Not even close.

                               <FTL>
 Well, I'll check into this.  If you like you can order direct.  
 call USA <FTL> (619) 453-5711 and ask for Silvia or Debbi.

                          <[Sysop] JEFF.W>
 Thanks everyone for all your questions.  Wayne, any closing 
 comments before we pull the plug? 

                               <FTL>
 Thank you all for attending!!! And, talk to me in cat 9 top 38.  
 See you all later!

                          <[Sysop] JEFF.W>
 Thanks again to Wayne Holder, Doug Bell, and David Simon from FTL 
 for being with us.  

 Please join us next week for the Wordflair RTC with Lauren 
 Flanegan-Sellers.






        __________________________________________________________





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



 - Los Angeles, CA.        ******  MAC LAPTOP CHOKES ON MIDI SW!  ******
   ---------------

     By  the  time  you  read  this,  the 50,000 piece order of Mac Laptops
 should have reached Cupertino  or should  I say  the CANCELLATION  of that
 order and  the notice  thereof WILL  have reached  Cupertino.   It seems a
 certain alert individual asked that a program or two be  shown on  the MAC
 LAPTOP at  NAMM, thus  placing the  Mac rep  in the hot seat, he exclaimed
 that there was a problem in the circuit design that  would not  allow midi
 software to  run using the laptop....  The individual who asked to see the
 software run was given a Cross Pen and  Pencil set  by the  grateful folks
 from the  music house  who had ordered 50,000 laptops.  They are currently
 looking very carefully at the Stacy Midi controller.  Yep, thats  the name
 folks and  its claim  to fame  is it is the only laptop midi-controller in
 the industry with 2-4mb of power ram available for the musicians.



 - Sunnyvale, CA.                      ******  AUSTERITY AT ITS BEST? *****
   --------------
  
     Seems Atari has decided to force its users to fund AT&T unjustly.   Oh
 well. Perhaps  after throwing  away $100,000,000 to $300,000,000 on a dead
 electronics chain, (Federated, you don't  have  $750  for  five  2400 baud
 modems.   Don't tell  me, are the "cheaps" creeping back into the hallowed
 halls of Sunnyvale?



 - Sunnyvale, CA.               *******  NEW MONITORS FROM ATARI  *******
   --------------

     They are alledged to be made by Sony  and the  picture quality  is 1st
 rate.   (Now throw  in a  trinitron tuner!)   The really great part is the
 absolutely fantastic sound quality!  The way my dealer explained it, there
 are now  2 speakers.  One on either side of the monitor.  Now the ST sound
 chip supports 3 voices and with this new  monitor, 2  voices come  out one
 speaker and one comes out the other.  The effect is spectacular! 



 - Sunnyvale, CA.            ********  MONOCHROME MONITORS SCARCE! ********
   --------------

     Hmmmmm, history  repeats itself...   remember  when the color monitors
 seemed to phhhhft into the woodwork?  Well, thats what has happened to the
 mono monitors  this year!!  WHY??  Can't our favorite fearless leaders get
 their act together?  Or is is a case of  the right  hand not  knowing what
 the left hand is doing and both thought the other took care of it??



 - San Antonio, TX.          ******  DEEP DISCOUNTING IS DUMB!  ******
   ---------------

     Recently, a Texas Atari dealer took the intitiative to do a mailout to
 special customers and friends,  this  mailout  was  for  the  promotion of
 advance sales of the Stacy it went like this..
 From: STACE [Mark]                 at 17:23 EST
  
 Seems our good friends at Computer Emporium are determined to be the first
 on the block to sell STacy at the lowest prices around... 
 Just retrieved a postcard from our  club mailbox  containing the following
 information:

                          The Atari STacy Laptop
                  Computer Emporium is now taking orders
                     for the new laptop ST from Atari.
                       1 meg of memory is standard.
                      20 meg hard drive is optional.
                             ORDER YOURS NOW!!

                            $1129.95 with 1 meg
                   $1499.95 with 1 meg/20 meg hard drive
                                 ACT NOW!
                         (Quantities are limited)

 Not to  worry dear hearts..  Their quantities ARE limited, they have none.
 And, according to our descrete sources, they have only two units on order.
 Incidently, it  was also  made known  that in all probabilities, they will
 be hard pressed to ever recieve the Stacy machines.

 While on the subject we see where good ole J  & R  Music is  at it again..
 this time  we find  the price  most folks found so hard to believe when we
 told you about it three weeks ago is now in effect.  They are  selling the
 520 STF for $299.95.  And... they said it could never happen. 



 - Chicago, IL                ****** STE TO BE IN POWER PACK DEALS ******
   -----------

     According to  our sources,  the STE will be the machine shipped in the
 power pack deals that ARE in  the works.   For  Atari's positive marketing
 push in  the USA.   In this instance, this is the best news yet for all of
 us, as it means  the userbase  is going  to grow,  thus renewing developer
 interest all the way 'round.



 - Atlanta, GA.        ******   ATARI MAY NOT BE AT SPRING COMDEX?  ******
   -----------

     Why  must  our  favorite  computer  company always play games like the
 obviously late debutant at the 'coming  out ball'.   Perhaps  the decision
 makers at  Sunnyvale have  forgotten the  rest of  the real  world who are
 desperately TRYING to support them.  These folks  need to  know in advance
 of these  shows so  the proper travel and accomodation arrangements may be
 made.  Let's get off our  indecisive little  duffs guys  and get  with the
 promotional program!  After all, this is 1990.   COMDEX is the name of the
 game.  Bar none.

     How about a CEO who is present at an industry show and spends the best
 part  of  the  day  watching  a  football game instead of glad-handing and
 promoting the business????  Not bad....   Guess  that company  has all the
 business it can handle.  


 - Toronto, Canada     **** SEYBOLD & CEPS WILL MAKE ATARI DTP SHINE! ****
   ---------------

     Sam Tramiel,  of Atari  Corp. has gone and done it again, in his usual
 fashion of seeing the  silver lining  in an  otherwise dark  cloud, he has
 decided to  take full  advantage of  these shows and will have Atari's DTP
 systems there in force to once and for all prove  to the  crowds that this
 is the  system to  own.   Therefore, keep your eyes open for the schedules
 of these shows they should be very revealing as far as Atari is concerned.







       _____________________________________________________________




 > Canadian Expo CPU/STR InfoFile Our neighbors to the north do it again!
   ==============================



 Press Release
 -------------



               The Second CANDIAN ATARI USERS' CONVENTION
               ==========================================

 The largest gathering ever of Atari computer users  in Canada  is expected
 at the  upcoming Second Canadian Atari Users' Convention to be held at the
 Airport Hilton Hotel On April 1, 1990 from 10am to 6pm.  

 Sponsored by  the Toronto  Atari Federation,  one of  the largest computer
 user  groups  in  North  America,  the  Convention will offer the public a
 once-a-year opportunity to see what is  new and  exciting in  the world of
 Atari.  There  will  be  exhibits,  seminars  and demonstrations by a wide
 variety of retailers, guest speakers,  user  groups  from  Canada  and the
 U.S., software developers and hardware manufacturers. "

 Show  Special"  prices  offered  by retailers, Public Domain software from
 user groups and reduced room rates at the  Airport Hilton  ensure bargains
 for everyone. 

 A special feature will be a major exhibition by Atari Canada, where a full
 range of their product  line,  from  8-bit  computers  and  game machines,
 through 1040ST's, Mega 2's, Mega 4's and PC clones will be on display. 

 One of  the biggest  draws is  sure to be the recently released and widely
 praised Atari Portfolio, an MS-DOS compatible  computer which  fits in the
 inner pocket of a business suit and the latest new Atari STE and STacy. 
 Other highlights  include new  products, several from Europe, which enable
 the ST line to emulate IBM and Macintosh machines quickly  and more easily
 than ever  before.   The Second  Canadian Atari  Users Convention is being
 held at the Airport Hilton Hotel,  located on  Toronto Airport  Stip, 5875
 Airport Rd., Mississauga, Ontario. 

     For more information contact our Public Info-Line at (416)
          425-5357, or the TAF On-Line BBS at (416) 235-0318

                                *    *    *

  
                       ATTENTION ATARI USER GROUPS:

 The  Toronto  Atari  Federation,  sponsor  of the upcoming SECOND CANADIAN
 ATARI USERS' CONVENTION, is a non-profit users' group whose sole aim is to
 serve the  Atari community in Canada. As a user group, we understand fully
 how attendance at computer shows can amount to a major item in  the yearly
 budget. However,  we feel strongly that user groups are key players in the
 world of Atari. Therefore, we are offering a special, reduced  rental rate
 for booths to all Atari user groups. As an Atari user group, your fee will
 be 57% off the  regular Exhibitor's  Rate. That  is, you  pay only $125.00
 Canadian. The  SECOND CANADIAN  ATARI USERS'  CONVENTION will certainly be
 the major Atari event of the year. The  previous Convention  was a runaway
 success, and  we are  determined to  outdo ourselves in 1990. We hope that
 you will want to share in the excitement with us.  This special  offer for
 usergroups is  subject to  the availability  of booths. Only one booth per
 user group at this special price.  To ensure that your user group does not
 miss out, please respond as soon as possible. 
  
        For more information, please do not hesitate to call me at:
                            (416) 477-2085 or,
               Mike Searl (TAF President) at (416) 245-5543.

  * Please note that booths rented at the special reduced rate for user
 groups may not, in every instance, be a standard 10' x 10' due to the
 shape of the room.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------

 Dear Exhibitors

      The Toronto Atari Federation is pleased to announce an event
 of special  interest to Atari dealers and user groups. The SECOND CANADIAN
 ATARI USERS' CONVENTION will be held  on  April  1,  1990  at  the Airport
 Hilton Hotel, 5875 Airport Rd. Mississauga, Ontario.

      This special  event comes as a direct result of the demand, both from
 dealers and users, which  followed the  highly successful  "First Canadian
 Atari  Users'  Convention,"  held  in  November,  1988. That show exceeded
 everybody's expectations, drawing a crowd of over 2,000  attendees in just
 5 hours,  generating a great deal of business for participating retailers,
 receiving very favourable reviews  in magazines  such as  Antic, STart and
 Computer  Shopper,  and  attracting  a  surprisingly  large  percentage of
 attendees from outside the Toronto area and from the United States.

      A conservative estimate of attendance for the upcoming  show is 3,000
 attendees, making  this event the largest gathering of Atari users ever in
 Canada. Dealers can look forward to  immediate contact  with a  very large
 segment of  the Atari  market. For  dealers this is the premium segment of
 the  market  -  attendees  are  eager,  enthusiastic  and  ready  to  make
 significant hardware and software purchases. Users will be drawn by a very
 wide variety of exhibitors and other attractions.

      Exhibitors' costs will be  kept as  low as  possible, since  we are a
 non-profit users'  group whose only aim is to serve the Atari community in
 Canada. Admission prices will  also be  kept low  in order  to attract the
 largest crowd possible.

      The SECOND  CANADIAN ATARI USERS' CONVENTION will feature, retailers,
 displays by software developers and hardware manufacturers, guest speakers
 conducting a day-long series of seminars in our lecture rooms, and a major
 exhibition by Atari Canada. The Airport Hilton Hotel is an excellent hotel
 with  the   highest  reputation   and  first-rate  convention  facilities,
 conveniently located on  the  Toronto  Airport  Strip  near  several major
 expressways and  right on  the public  transit system.  Room rates will be
 specially discounted for everyone connected with the Convention.

      Our promotion  of  the  Convention  will  be  even  more  dynamic and
 professional  than  in  1988,  supported  by  a  much  larger  budget. The
 advertising campaign will include  major  newspaper  advertisements, press
 releases, posters, pamphlets, and a BBS campaign across North America.

      If you  are interested  in obtaining more information on how to be an
 exhibitor at Canada's Atari  event of the Year, please  feel free  to call
 one of  the phone numbers listed below or leave mail on GEnie to M.SEARL1.
 Booths will measure 10'x10' and will be curtained  on three  sides; one 8'
 table, draped.  One Hydro outlet is included in the booth price.Power bars
 and extension cords are the responsibility of the  exhibitor. Extra tables
 are also  available for  a nominal charge. We expect all booths to be sold
 well before the show  date. To  confirm your  participation in  the Second
 Canadian Atari  Users' Convention, please respond as soon as possible. For
 inquiries, do not hesitate to call me at (416) 477-2085  or Mike  Searl at
 (416) 245-5543.  A FAX  number will  be provided from Feb 1st to April 1st
 for your convenience. The number will be (416) 245-5089.

                                                  Yours truly,
                                                  Paul Collard, 
                                                  Convention Coordinator
                                        The Canadian Atari Users Convention





        __________________________________________________________





 > Hard Drive Info CPU/STR InfoFile   Affordable Mass Storage
   ================================ 
  
  


                        NEW PRICES! & MORE MODELS!!
                       ============================


                      ABCO COMPUTER ELECTRONICS INC.
              P.O. Box 6672  Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672
                                Est.  1985
                 _________________________________________

                   Voice: 904-783-3319  10 AM - 4 PM EDT
                     BBS: 904-786-4176   12-24-96 HST
                    FAX: 904-783-3319  12 PM - 6 AM EDT
                 _________________________________________
                                        
                   HARD DISK SYSTEMS TO FIT EVERY BUDGET
                   _____________________________________
                                        
   All systems are complete and ready to use, included at NO EXTRA COST
                 are clock/calendar and cooling blower(s).
                                        
              ALL ABCO HARD DISK SYSTEMS ARE FULLY EXPANDABLE
                 (you are NOT limited to two drives ONLY!)
                   (all cables and connectors installed)
                                        
                   RUGGED SEAGATE HARD DISK MECHANISMS 

   * ICD HOST ADAPTERS USED EXCLUSIVELY * OMTI HIGH SPEED CONTROLLERS *

         32mb #SG32238   549.00              42mb #SG44710   619.00
         51mb #SGN4951   629.00              65mb #SG60101   689.00
         80mb #SGN296    729.00             100mb #SG84011D  949.00
        130mb #SG1244D  1099.00             145mb #SG3A421  1110.00
        170mb #SGT41776 1389.00             260mb #SG1244Q  2169.00
                          320mb #SGN7788Q 3295.00

           Listed above are a sampling of the systems available.
      Prices also reflect various cabinet/power supply configurations
    (over sixty configurations are available, flexibility is unlimited)

              ***** TAX RETURN SPECIALS ARE IN EFFECT! *****
                                     
           ***  ALL Units: Average Access Time: 24ms - 34ms  ***

    ALL UNITS COMPATIBLE WITH --> MAGIC SAC - PC-DITTO/II - SPECTRE/GCR
                                        
             LARGER units are available - (special order only)

        * Removable Media Devices NOW Available (44mb) Syquest 555 *
                      * SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICES *

                    EXTRA CARTRIDGES: 97.95  (anytime)

               * SYQUEST 44MB (#555) REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE *

     - SYQUEST 44 MB removable media drive     - ICD ST Host Adapter
     - ICD Mass Storage Utility Software       - 3' DMA Cable 
     - Fan & Clock                             - Multi-Unit Power Supply
                          (1) 44 MB Syquest Cart.

                 Completely Assembled and READY TO RUN!  
                              ONLY $869.00  
  
 We would offer floppy drives..  but Computer Shopper has 'em at  the right
 price.  And.. you can plug 'em right into our cabinets and power supplies.
 Low-Boy OR Standard Case (designed with  room  for  another  3.5  OR 5.25"
 drive)  They're made for user expansion!  TRUE UPGRADE-ABILITY!
   
   * TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT *
                        SPECIALLY PRICED  $1529.00 

    * SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS *
         - Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives -
          50mb SQG51   $1299.00           30mb SQG38    $1219.00
          65mb SQG09   $1339.00           85mb SQG96    $1399.00
                       
                 LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS

       - Custom Walnut WOODEN Cabinets - TOWER - AT - XT Cabinets - 
                      ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED

                       -* 12 month FULL Guarantee *-
                         (A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE)

                 Quantity & Usergroup Discounts Available!
                 _________________________________________

                     DEALERS and DISTRIBUTORS WANTED!

                 Personal and Company Checks are accepted.

                            ORDER YOURS TODAY!

                       904-783-3319    9am - 8pm EDT






      _______________________________________________________________



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




         "Those that can.. DO!   Those that cannot ..CRITICIZE!!"


                                           ... A moment of stark reality


  



 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CPU/STR           "Your Independent News Source"         January 26, 1990
 16/32bit Magazine         copyright  1989                      No.4.04
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 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.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------

