

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


  July 21, 1989                                             Vol III No.97
  =======================================================================
  
                         ST Report Online Magazine
                        __________________________
                          Post Office Box   6672
                          Jacksonville,  Florida
                               32236 ~ 6672
  
                               R.F. Mariano
                            Publisher - Editor
                 _________________________________________
                   Voice: 904-783-3319  10 AM - 4 PM EDT
                     BBS:  904-786-4176   12-24-96 HST
                    FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EDT
                 _________________________________________
  
             **  F-NET NODE 350 ** FIDOMAIL NODE 1:363/37  **
              Our support BBS carries ALL issues of STReport
                                    and
               An International list of private BBS systems
               carrying STReport for their users  enjoyment

    __________________________________________________________________ 
    
 > Issue: #97 STReport        The Online Magazine of Choice! 
   ------------------- 
     - The Editors' Podium                   - CPU REPORT 
     - Fast Tech. 16mhz ST Upgrade           - Doc Holiday Part II
     - WAACE AtariFest 10/89                 - IS ALL MAIL ORDER BAD?
     - ISD GEnie Conference                  - BLITTER UPGRADE! $49.95!!
     - Atari Stock Report                    - ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL      
    
  =======================================================================
       AVAILABLE ON:      COMP-U-SERVE  ~  DELPHI  ~  GENIE  ~  BIX
  =======================================================================
    
 > The Editor's Podium

     We must,  in all  fairness, state  that the  disappearance of Category
 26's topic #2 last weekend was not a deliberate act on the  part of anyone
 at GEnie or Atari.  The system suffered a minor crash.  Which, by the way,
 was corrected by Monday  noon.   We made  mention of  this because  we saw
 where a  message string  had started  on F-Net  insinuating there had been
 censorship of some kind.  Again, this was not the case and all is restored
 from  the  internal  error  (crash)...(  I  never  thought  * I * would be
 defending GEnie!).  Alas, fair is fair.

     To all those who are busy fussing and  fuming, lighten  up.   Atari is
 taking the  steps needed to grab more than a simply a share of the market.
 What we have unfolding is beginning to take place, "somebody" at Atari has
 a flair  "ala theatre".   Be  prepared for the 'fanabulous fanfare' and at
 the same time be ready to see a  NEW Atari.   Aggressive,  competitive and
 finally awakened  to the  wants of  the market.  Before 60 days are behind
 us, it will have begun to fully take place. 

                                  Thanks for your support,

                                           Ralph.....





                             "ATARI IS BACK!"


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


                    :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
                     _________________________________

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

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


                THE GENIE ATARI ST ROUNDTABLE - AN OVERVIEW
                ___________________________________________

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

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

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

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

 The Software Library is where we keep the Public Domain software files
 that are available to all Roundtable members.  You can 'download' any of
 these files 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'.



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

 FOR YOUR  INFORMATION: If you use a Courier HST or Dual Standard, and have
 to enter the (AT &M0) when  calling GEnie,  try this,  place the following
 after the  phone number in your dial directory:   ;M0O    That's it and it
 does work no more strange behavior.

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





 > CPU REPORT 
   ==========
   Issue # 31

 by Michael Arthur


 Remember When....

       A small joystick company called Amiga Corp. ventured  into an effort
 with Jay  Miner, the  designer of the Atari 400/800 chipset, to create the
 'ultimate arcade machine', called the Lorraine,  and how  Jay Miner's goal
 was to create a machine capable of running a realistic flight simulator?


 CPU Systems Roundup  X
 ======================

          Practical Computer Systems II:  Power Without the Price
          ------------------------------------------------------


 Part II


       In Part I of this Series, I showed a list of the most powerful Dream
 Systems  that  could  be   configured  in   the  low/middle   end  of  the
 microcomputer market, giving these systems (and the majority of home/small
 business compute users) access  to performance  usually found  in high end
 microcomputers.    While  there  were newer computers and peripherals that
 could have been included,  the list  was generally  accurate.   Now I will
 compare these  "Practical" Dream  Systems, stacking their various features
 against each other to determine which ones you  could safely  consider the
 "best".

       And while  this essay mainly concerns the greatest capabilities that
 can be supplied for the major  low/middle  end  microcomputers  at  a cost
 which is  reasonable to  a large percentage of computer users, it can also
 help to show which computer system in the  low/middle end  of the computer
 market is both the most powerful, and a good example of "Power Without the
 Price".


 Presented here is a Graph of the features of each Practical Dream System:

                        Practical Dream Systems List:
              (Comparison of each Systems' Optimal Features)
 ________________________________________________________________________
 Dream     |Main Chips,|MainChip|Mass      |Expansion|Graphics Displays/ |
 System    |Megs of RAM|Speed   |Storage   |  Slots  |Best Resolution(s) |
 ----------|-----------|--------|----------|---------|-------------------|
 IBM 286   |Intel 80286| 20 MHZ |  70 Meg  |  Three  |320*200*256 Colors |
 System    |  Two Megs |        |Hard Drive|IBM PC/AT|640*480*16  Colors |
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
 Mac Plus  |68020/68881| 16 MHZ |  70 Meg  |  None   |512*342 w/Monochr. |
 System    |  Two Megs |        |Hard Drive|         |                   |
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
 Amiga 500 |68020/68881| 14 MHZ |  65 Meg  |   Two   |320*200*4096 Colors|
 System    |  2.5 Megs |        |Hard Drive|Zorro II |640*400 w/16 Colors|
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
 Apple IIgs|65816 Chip |  7 MHZ |  40 Meg  |  Three  |320*200*4096 Colors|
 System    |  Two Megs |        |Hard Drive| II/IIgs |640*400 w/16 Colors|
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
 Mega 2 ST |68000 Chip | 16 MHZ |  65 Meg  |   One   |320*200 w/64 Colors|
 System    |  Two Megs |        |Hard Drive| Mega ST |640*200 w/4  Colors|
 ----------'-------------------------------------------------------------'


 Based on both this graph and  the System  Descriptions, I  have made these
 Standings:

 IBM 386 Dream System: Third Place

       The IBM  system is  very well  rounded in features, provides all the
 power of a Dream System, and  is  priced  reasonably  enough  for  a large
 percentage  of  computer  owners.    Also, its price/performance ratio has
 improved very well since the last  Dream Systems  Essay, but  its somewhat
 high price still keeps it from getting First or Second Place....

       Mac Plus  Comparison:   The IBM  is superior  to the Mac Plus in the
 number of Expansion Slots, and graphics capabilities, is  roughly equal in
 processing speed and amount of mass storage, and is inferior in the amount
 of RAM.  Since the Mac Plus System also costs more, the  IBM system scores
 higher than the Macintosh.

       Amiga 500  Comparison:   The IBM is superior to the Amiga 500 in the
 number of  expansion slots,  is roughly  equal in  processing speed (given
 that the IBM System doesn't have a math chip), amount of Mass Storage, and
 graphics capabilities, and is inferior in the amount of RAM.  But although
 the IBM  and Amiga  Systems are  roughly equal  in many aspects, the usual
 deciding factor of price/performance cannot be used by  itself, since both
 systems are  near the  same price  range.  Therefore, the decision becomes
 partly based on whether you think the amount  of RAM  in a  system is more
 important than the number of expansion slots.  Since CPU Report thinks RAM
 is more important, and given the Amiga's cheaper  price, the  Amiga system
 scores higher  overall than the IBM system, but only by an EXTREMELY tight
 margin....

       Apple IIgs Comparison:  The IBM is superior to the Apple IIgs in the
 amount of  mass storage,  processing speed,  and is equal in the number of
 expansion slots and graphics capabilities, and  is inferior  in the amount
 of RAM.   Since the IBM System also costs less than the Apple IIgs system,
 the IBM system scores MUCH higher than the Apple IIgs system.

       Mega ST Comparison:  The IBM is superior to the Mega ST in processor
 speed,  the  number  of  expansion  slots, and barely superior in graphics
 capabilities.  It is equal in the  amount  of  Mass  Storage,  and  in the
 amount of RAM.  However, even though the IBM System scores higher in terms
 of system performance, the Mega ST  is  much  less  expensive,  and scores
 higher in terms of price/performance.  Since the "Power Without the Price"
 test is valid here, the Mega  ST scores  higher than  the IBM  system, but
 only on a technicality....


 Macintosh Plus Dream System:  Fourth Place

       The Mac  Plus System  has retained most of its processing speed, and
 is well-balanced in almost every other area.  However, it is very inferior
 in  graphics  capabilities,  which  cripples its chances against the other
 Systems.  Since it also is one of the most expensive systems, its ratio in
 price/performance is  comparatively weak.   This,  ultimately, prevents it
 from becoming a top contender....

       Amiga 500 Comparison:  The  Mac  is  barely  superior  in processing
 speed, roughly equal in the amount of mass storage, and is inferior in the
 number  of  expansion  slots,  the  amount   of  RAM,   and  its  graphics
 capabilities.   Also, since the Mac Plus System costs much more, the Amiga
 system scores higher than the Mac Plus....

       Apple IIgs Comparison:   The Mac  is superior  to the  Apple IIgs in
 processing speed and amount of mass storage, and is inferior in the amount
 of RAM, the number of expansion slots, and its graphics  abilities.  Also,
 since the  Apple IIgs  actually costs  MORE, and the Mac Plus System has a
 vastly better price/performance rating,  if  you  can  live  without color
 graphics, then the Mac scores MUCH higher than the Apple IIgs.

       Mega ST  Comparison:   The Mac is superior to the Mega ST in overall
 processing speed, is equal in the amount of RAM and  mass storage,  and is
 inferior in  the #  of expansion  slots, and graphics capabilities.  Since
 the Mac costs much more, the Mega ST is superior in price/performance, and
 scores higher  than the  Mac Plus  System, based on the "Power Without the
 Price" criteria....


 Amiga 500 Dream System: First Place - The Best System Currently Available

       In the first Dream Systems Essay, the Amiga 500 System was the least
 expensive  setup  on  the  list,  having a surprising amount of power, and
 well-balanced features which made it a VERY good example of "Power Without
 the Price".  In fact, the only reason that it wasn't First Place before is
 because of its processing  speed.    However,  the  Amiga  500  System has
 improved in this regard, causing it to take First Place.

       This  may  not  fare  as  well  for  the Atari ST's future, since it
 indicates that the Amiga  may  be  both  technologically  superior  in the
 average  user's  system  configurations,  and  better  in  terms of "Power
 Without the Price", Atari's slogan.  However, since the Amiga  won only by
 the virtue of a 68020/68881 combo, the Atari ST still has the advantage of
 time, given that the Amiga market has become somewhat saturated  with such
 products,  while  the  US  Atari  ST market is fairly underdeveloped.  But
 since Atari is coming out with the 68030 TT, the Amiga's advantage  may be
 shakier than  expected.   But ONLY  if the 68030 TT is aimed at the middle
 end of the computer market, and only if  it provides  a significant enough
 improvement over both the ST, and its potential competitors....

       Apple IIgs  Comparison:   The Amiga 500 is superior in the amount of
 mass storage, processor speed, and the amount of RAM, is equal in graphics
 capabilities, and is inferior in the number of expansion slots.  While the
 Amiga is more powerful than the Apple IIgs in terms of performance,  as it
 is also MUCH less expensive than the Apple IIgs system, the Amiga blows
 away the Apple IIgs.


       Mega ST Comparison:  The Amiga 500 is superior to the Mega ST system
 in the amount of RAM, the number of Expansion Slots, and processing speed,
 and  is  roughly  equal  in  the  amount  of  mass  storage  and  graphics
 capabilities....

       The reason for the latter statement is that the Amiga can ordinarily
 display a  maximum of  32 colors in low resolution, and it takes a complex
 amount of coding (and many  processor-intensive  operations)  in  order to
 manipulate the  Amiga's bit  planes in  HAM mode so the Amiga will display
 4096 colors at the same time.  Since the Mega ST system is able to display
 64 colors in low resolution, it is actually superior in this regard to the
 Amiga system, and since, just as in the Amiga system,  special programming
 could be used to let the ST display 4096 colors at the same time, the Mega
 ST would technically be superior to the Amiga system in graphics....

       Also, given that the main focus was in price/performance, it is VERY
 hard to  judge which  system is  the best, since BOTH systems have similar
 prices,   have   similar   capabilities,    and   have    equally   superb
 price/performance ratings.   But  since it  isn't inferior  to the Mega ST
 System in ANY regard, the Amiga scores higher than the Mega ST....


 Apple IIgs Dream System:  Last Place

       The Apple IIgs is, simply put, a real-life anomaly.   In some areas,
 such as  graphics capabilities  and expansion  capabilities, it has top of
 the line features.   However, some  aspects of  the IIgs  system, like its
 slow 65816  processor, are  a sorry  sight to  behold.   Also, since it is
 priced almost as high as a middle-end computer  system, but  does not have
 the corresponding  capabilities, the Apple IIgs has a bleak future indeed,
 as an overpriced, underpowered computer with no obvious  benefits does not
 become TOO popular in the computer industry....


 Mega ST Dream System:  Second Place

       Providing  many  of  the  capabilities  found in middle end computer
 systems, while being priced towards the low/middle end of the  market, the
 Mega ST  system has an excellent price/performance rating, and is a superb
 example of its maker's slogan of "Power Without  the Price".   However, it
 hasn't improved significantly since 1985, and doesn't support the 68020 or
 68030 chips which could  give it  added capabilities.   It  seems that the
 Mega  ST,  in  this  predicament,  has  the  capability to slip behind its
 competitors in a fierce market....

       Given  that  the  Amiga  500  system's  only  advantage  in hardware
 price/performance was the variety of add-in boards out for it, the Mega ST
 does have the potential to overtake  it in  this area,  if new accelerator
 boards for  the ST are introduced.  However, since 68020/68030 support was
 vital for the Amiga  System's performance,  it will  soon become necessary
 for the  Atari as  well.   But this  is also  an indication  of what could
 happen if  the Atari  ST does  not utilize  its potential  by becoming the
 dominant standard in a market which it currently has an advantage in....

       So as to account for future developments,  I have included a list of
 Low/Middle End Entry Systems  which  would  be  affordable  to  almost all
 computer  users,  so  accurate  comparisons  can  be  made between present
 Practical Dream Systems and  future Entry  systems.   While some  of these
 systems simply  make minor  modifications on old systems, and while all of
 these systems lack some  "Dream  System"  features,  as  shown  by Atari's
 Laptop ST (known as the Stacey), sometimes this is an easy tradeoff, which
 can  result  in  a  system  with  VERY  good  price/performance, excellent
 functionality,  and  a  computer  which can serve most home/small business
 user's needs as well as a higher-priced system....


 Upcoming Systems' Features:
 ________________________________________________________________________
 Dream     |Main Chips,|MainChip|Mass      |Expansion|Graphics Displays/ |
 System    |Megs of RAM|Speed   |Storage   |Slots    |Best Resolution(s) |
 ----------|-----------|--------|----------|---------|-------------------|
 Atari     |68000      | 16 MHZ |  20 Meg  |   One   |320*200 w/64 Colors|
 Laptop ST |  One Meg  |        |Hard Drive| Mega ST |640*200 w/4  Colors|
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
 IBM 8086  |Intel 80286|  8 MHZ |  40 Meg  |  Five   |320*200*256  Colors|
 System    |640K of RAM|        |Hard Drive|IBM PC AT|640*480 w/16 Colors|
 ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------|
 Mac Plus  |68000      |7.83 MHZ|  40 Meg  |  None   |512*342 in Monochr.|
 System    |  One Meg  |        |Hard Drive|         |                   |
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------'


 System #6, the Atari Laptop ST, comes with a 68000 chip, 1 Meg of  RAM, an
 internal 20 Megabyte Hard Drive, and a Mega ST Expansion Bus built in.  To
 enhance this system, John Russell Innovations' JS-4096 Color  board (which
 allows the ST to display 64 Colors out of 4096 in Low Resolution) would be
 used, as well as the Turbo-16 Accelerator Board made by FAST Technologies,
 which uses a 16 MHZ 68000.  Cost:  Around 2400 dollars. 

 Resolutions:  320*200 with 64  Colors out of 4096
               640*200 with 4   Colors out of 512
               640*400 with Monochrome Resolution

 Comparisons with  Other Systems:   While  many of  the features of Atari's
 Laptop ST (or the  Stacey) are  identical to  the features  of the current
 Mega ST  Dream System,  and the  STacey's mass storage is smaller than the
 other systems', the main difference is that it is a  Laptop system, having
 much of the functionality of the current Dream Systems in a portable case.
 And since powerful Laptops could be considered Dream Systems in
 themselves....


 System #7, the IBM 80286 System, is a Tandy 1000 TL with 640K of RAM, five
 IBM  PC  AT  Expansion  Slots,  an  ABCO  65 Megabyte Hard Disk, an Orchid
 Designer VGA Board, and an Amdek 732 VGA Monitor.  Cost:  $2600.00....

 EGA Resolutions:
                   320*200 with 16 Colors out of 64
                   640*350 with 16 Colors out of 64

 VGA Resolutions:
                   320*200 with 256 Colors out of 256,000
                   640*480 with 16  Colors out of 256,000


 Comparisons with Other Systems:  This system, having  powerful graphics, a
 decent  hard  drive,  and  a  good  number  of  expansion slots, is a VERY
 respectable IBM Entry System, which passes  the "Power  Without the Price"
 test rather  well.   In fact, the only thing REALLY preventing this system
 from matching the Amiga and Mega ST Dream Systems in  price/performance is
 its comparatively  slow processor.   However, this does not matter much to
 beginning computer users, and this IBM Entry System  has the  potential to
 QUICKLY become  a factor  in the low/middle end of the market, taking over
 the markets that could belong to the Atari ST....


 System #8, the Mac Plus System, is an Apple Macintosh  Plus with  1 Meg of
 RAM onboard, an 8 MHZ 68000 chip, an AppleTalk LAN Port, and a 65 Megabyte
 Hard Drive from ABCO Inc.  Cost: $2300.00.

 Mac Plus Resolution:  512*342 with monochrome resolution

 Comparisons with other  Systems:    This  Macintosh  system,  while having
 sub-par  graphics  and  no  expansion  capability, while being in the same
 price range as the others, probably won't become much of  a factor  in the
 industry, as  there are  many systems with better price/performance ratios
 and functionality.  However, given that it is the low end of the Macintosh
 line, it  is worthy  of consideration as a Macintosh entry system, but not
 by much....

       The main  objective to  home/small business  users, when configuring
 their own computer system, isn't necessarily performance for its own sake,
 but finding a system which has a decent  price for  its capabilities.   In
 the  course  of  determining  the  system which provided the best ratio of
 price/performance in this list, it seems that, just as in other aspects of
 the computer  industry, price has become less of a factor than performance
 in quality computers.  Many of the Dream Systems which  were too expensive
 before,  such  as  the  IBM  and  Mac  systems, have dropped in price to a
 reasonable level for the  middle end  of the  market, while  keeping their
 versatility.   But then,  as shown by the Apple IIgs system, and the power
 shown by the relatively cheap Amiga system, price/performance  is still an
 important part  of the search for a Practical Dream System.  Interestingly
 enough, the  growing competition  between the  Amiga and  Atari ST Systems
 shows that,  in researching Practical Dream Systems to show how powerful a
 computer system could become while still being affordable,  one could make
 an  interesting  assessment  of  the  state  of  the low/middle end of the
 microcomputer industry....


 But ponder, if you will, these two questions:

 1)  If marketed properly, how large is the potential  for a  good computer
 aimed at the home/small business market?

 2)   Is it already too late for the Atari ST to become a dominant standard
 in the US home/small  business market,  given the  Amiga's emerging growth
 and the popularity of MS-DOS systems?







  _______________________________________________________________________



 > FAST TECHNOLOGY STR Tech Notes      A 16mhz ST?  You bet!
   ==============================


 by R. F. Mariano

     After  unsoldering  the  68000  CPU,  66  pins!,  removing it and then
 installing a socket in my mega ST4 motherboard, the Fast  Technology 16mhz
 upgrade was  ready to  be inserted in the socket.  The entire installation
 began at about 10AM  this past  monday and  was complete  by approximately
 11:30AM ...same day <grin>.

     The feeling  of apprehension  was quite  evident as  I reached for the
 push button on the power distribution  panel.    Well,  she  booted rather
 smartly  and  presented  me  with  the  desktop  with  eyeblink speed.  My
 friends, most of the articles you will read about these accelerator boards
 will be  absolutely loaded  with the  "facts and figures"... you know, all
 the fancy formulae and  charted performance  lists.   For this article, we
 will take  a different approach we are going to go for the "look and feel"
 results.

     Granted, most folks probably are not using Word  Perfect every  day on
 their Atari  ST, well  I do!   And  now with  the Fast Technologies 16 mhz
 board, I may never  stop  using  it.    Actually,  the  difference  in the
 performance of the program is superbly evident when one uses the scroll or
 goes from the top to the bottom of  the document.   The  speed increase is
 MORE than  just evident,  it's a  dramatic improvement.  A number of areas
 that magnify the speed increase most  is when  one spell  checks an entire
 document or  uses the  Thesaurus.   Another is  the "cut,  paste, copy and
 reveal codes functions.  The cut and paste is sure  footed and faultlessly
 swift.   Copy is as quick as the mouse click is and scanning in the reveal
 codes area is 2-3 times as quick and  many times  smoother.   In fact, the
 overall performance  of Word  Perfect has  improved quite  a bit.   Want a
 guesstimate? ..40-50% better in overall performance than without  the Fast
 Tech 16mhz board. 

     Word  Writer  ST  Ver.  2.00  is  another beneficiary of the Fast Tech
 Board, this program now has the  "zip" it  should have  had from  day one.
 The 'reformat'  document is  very quick  now, (seems like lightning).  The
 dictionary  and  thesaurus  are  quick  and  provide  seemingly effortless
 performance.   Knowing the  number of  folks who  simply 'love' their Word
 Writer ST, it becomes very easy  to recommend  the Fast  Technology 16 mhz
 upgrade if  for nothing else than the super increase in the performance of
 the "old favorite workhorse". 

     How wonderful  to observe  the doors  in Dungeon  Master actually move
 with smooth, swift action.   Additionally, the battles with the baddies is
 quite a bit better and faster reaction times  for you  mean better overall
 action.   The test  with Dungeon  Master was easy, a set of characters was
 put together and off we went.  We are at the matrix at this time. The best
 part is  seeing how  nice Dungeon  Master behaves  and... how quick it now
 loads.  Some of the battle techniques will need some added polishing.

     Those of you who simply must zip through the sky  in your  Falcon will
 find this  baby performs like never before!  Super smooth and sleek!  Just
 as  the  title  of  the  game  implies.    The  strafing   of  the  ground
 installations really  shows off  the 16mhz upgrade the best description is
 simply ..WOW!

     With the increasing number of speed enhancing boards  available in the
 ST market, it can become a tough decision in making the choice of which to
 buy.    In  our  humble  opinion,  TURBO16  seems  to  offer  the  highest
 performance possible  with the ST until the 68030 is ready.  It offers the
 best overall design, construction and compatibility  of any  speedup board
 and is  the only  true accelerator  on the  market for the ST.  We noticed
 that the program TURBO ST 1.60 from Softrek and TURBO16  are a  super hot,
 unbeatable combination.  The bottom line here is ..the hardware upgrade is
 superbly designed and does exactly what  it  was  designed  to  do  with a
 minimum  of   fuss  and   bluster.    We  are  particularly  pleased  with
 compatibility of TURBO16 it appears to work flawlessly  with most programs
 we employ  on a  daily basis.  In addition, it will work perfectly with PC
 DITTO and SPECTRE 128.  Jim Allen, the designer has taken the  extra steps
 to ensure  the performance  of TURBO16 and we must say in plain words, "It
 does everything it is supposed to do and does it well!" 


 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                            FAST TECHNOLOGY INC.
                               P.O. Box 578
                             Andover Ma. 01810

 or call....
                              1-508-475-3810





   _____________________________________________________________________



 > Doc Holiday STR FOCUS    The 'Doc' shoots straight from the hip!
   =====================


 In keeping with the STReport Tradition of "Telling it like it is"...
 We present:


 Date: 7/15/89 
 from: Doc Holiday; Flash BBS St. Louis MO.
 to: ALL

     I wrote the letter, not as a negative shot at Atari, but  to hopefully
 cause the  user base to recognize that their definition of what Atari's US
 plans are and Atari's may be  two different  things.   We, as  loyal Atari
 users tend  to view  things emotionally  and based  in what  we would like
 Atari to be in the US.  

     These are our expectations.  Atari, on the other hand,  is constrained
 by  resources  and  possible  time  lines  and  may not be able to achieve
 anywhere near our expectations in the US market.   The  difference between
 our expectations and Atari's reality is dissatisfaction_.  

     The commentary  I've read on Atari lately has been nothing but upbeat.
 "Atari is on  the  move...".    "To  where",  is  more  than  a rhetorical
 question.   Developing a  concept of  just exactly where, "where" is, will
 help alleviate discouragement between our  hopes  and  dreams  and Atari's
 reality.  

   Since Atari  is not  going to just tell us the whole, unvarnished, truth
 (they have  stock to  sell), my  series of  questions were  more geared to
 cause  people  to  reflect  and  provide  a  basis  for  making  their own
 determination about where "where" is.  Raving about a new  product is good
 as long  as we  remember it  isn't out until it's for sale on our dealer's
 shelf.  Until then, it's only  a potential  product and  representative of
 R&D efforts and marketing tests.  

     FCC certifications do take time, but this, "long time Atari user", can
 easily remember many products that  were  announced  and  never delivered.
 There  are  surely  examples  of  Atari  advertising  and  public interest
 efforts.  However, gauge the volume of these events and  where they occur.
 The intent  is to  gain insight  into what  Atari's national plans are and
 just how extensive they are.   We  want  to  bring  our  expectations down
 closer to Atari's reality. 

     I  define  user  support  a  bit  differently  than participating in a
 mini-trade show.   The  shows  are  great  and  help  bring  Atari  to the
 attention  of  many  in  the  areas  they hold them.  User support though,
 concentrates on what they do, and  how well,  to help  users with problems
 from broken  or defective  products, to support of User Groups.  There are
 some positives and negatives  here.   How many  folks out  there got stuck
 with the  famous "three  month color  monitor"?  Did you see a recall or a
 special trade in offer?  Do  you see  a difference  between Atari customer
 support and  that provided by Word Perfect Corp?  My intent here is not to
 throw barbs at Atari but to help put them in perspective.

     Since any effort to gain a national perspective needs input  from many
 sources nationally,  Dorothy's comments  about successes in her area are a
 piece of that puzzle.  Judge  Atari by  what they  are doing,  not saying.
 Collect  info  on  advertising  and  recognize that the medium they choose
 shows the market they are targeting.  It's all part of the final answer of
 the question, "Where is Atari going?"

  
 July 20, 1989
 -------------

      Well, it's  me again.   Doc Holiday, with another letter just full of
 thoughts to stir your imagination  and  ire.    While  I  can't  afford to
 participate in  the commercial  on-line services,  I do  have some friends
 that are able.  Through their help, I caught some  of the  reaction online
 to my  last letter  in ST  Report as I watched over a friends shoulder and
 was given second hand  feedback from  others.   I seem  to have  stirred a
 number of people to comment, and to be honest, that was my intent.

      I asked  last week,  "if Atari is on the move, I'd like to know where
 to?"  This is not a challenge, nor a negative  shot at  Atari.   I simply,
 want to know.  

      Sam  Tramiel  has  been  reported  as  saying that Atari will make an
     effort to re-emerge in the US market.  Just what does that mean?
   
     Does it  mean increase  sales by  10% or  increase profit  from the US
     market by some percentage?
   
     Is that effort to be restricted to ST's or all Atari products?
   
     Does it mean give Nintendo a stiff competition in the game market?
   
     Do they want to target the ST toward the home market, business market,
     or what?
   
 Simply put, what, exactly, does this term "re-emerge" mean?

      The editorials I've read all point to a bright future  for Atari this
 year and  hint at  definite moves in the US market.  Even the stock market
 likes all this positive talk.  Great.  I'm all  for that.   However, since
 we all  define what  the future  should be in terms of our own desires, we
 have a built in dissatisfaction maker.  For example, what  does the phrase
 "Atari will  re-emerge in  the US market this year", mean to you?  Does it
 mean taking on Apple and IBM in the business and  government markets?   Or
 do you think in terms of increasing home sales to new Atarians?  Or do 
 you  expect  both,  plus  taking  on  Nintendo  in  the  game  market  and
 revitalizing the 8-bit line?  Regardless of how  you define  your image of
 "re-emerge",  this  is  your  expectation.    Also,  collectively, we have
 expectations that will average somewhere between  the extremes  of staying
 as things are and running Nintendo, Apple and IBM out of business.

      In corporate  Atari, the real world is at hand.  There are production
 deadlines,  raw  materials  and  parts  requirements,  shipping headaches,
 distribution plans,  R&D efforts,  advertising, and management goals.  The
 management goals drive the joint  efforts  of  their  staff  toward common
 objectives.   There is someone in charge reviewing progress on assignments
 and making  decisions.   They know  what "re_emerge"  means.   They have a
 defined  plan  for  this  FISCAL  year  that  can be quantified and needed
 resources predicted.  This is reality, and it's different from our various
 expectations.

      The difference between our expectations and Atari's reality 
 is our dissatisfaction.  If Atari's re-emergence in the US market does 
 not meet our expectation of ...(you fill in the blank)..., then we 
 are dissatisfied.  A normal human reaction.

      Look at this in a positive way.   Dissatisfied loyalists get vocal in
 a negative  way  and  many  of  you  don't  like  this  counter productive
 behavior.   So, how do we minimize the descent?  Through knowledge of what
 Atari's real  plans are.   I'm  not suggesting  that Atari  blab all their
 corporate plans,  but rather  that we,  as a collective user base, use our
 eyes and ears to make our own definition of reality and that we accept the
 good  news  with  the  bad,  and  not  attempt  to shout down the bad news
 carriers.

      Trade shows and demonstrations  of  prototypes  of  new  products and
 software  is  exciting.    Such  displays  (WOA)  show  the  strength of a
 company's R&D effort or their ability  to  buy  good  products  of others.
 However, there  is a long time-line between a new product announcement and
 its appearance on your  dealer's shelf.   There  may also  be a difference
 between  product  announcements  and  plans for "re-emergence".  In short,
 they may have nothing to do with this year's plans, or everything.  How do
 we know which?

      I already mentioned watching, listening, and I'll add reading all the
 news concerning Atari.  I'll add to that the key  ingredient of  keeping a
 national market in perspective.  Staging a mini trade show (Atari-fest) in
 6 or  8  or  10  cities  is  not  a  major  advertising  effort  tied with
 re-emergence in  a national  market.   Primarily, the  goals of mini-trade
 shows is to attract dealers.  As these  shows are  successful in targeting
 an area  in great  need of  Atari's attention,  they most definitely are a
 step in the right direction.  

     Advertising in  technically  oriented  magazines  reaches  that select
 readership at  whatever subscription numbers the publication boasts.  This
 item is not mentioned as a slam at Atari.  It is a sound effort and should
 be  successful.    But,  what  does  it  tell  you  about  an effort for a
 "re-emergence".  Where would you expect  to see  advertising if  your goal
 was to  take on Big Blue and Apple in business (is that your dream?) or if
 you were seeking to expand in  the  home  market?    Is  Atari advertising
 there?  If so, how much?  And where?

      The foregoing  illustration is  intended to point you toward making a
 value  judgement  about  the  advertising  you  see  in  relation  to  the
 "re-emergence" effort.   How big a "re-emergence" does it point toward and
 how quick?  What  is the  target market?   How  large is  that market? The
 indicators  of  what  products  are  available where, in what quantity and
 cost, and what advertising occurs where and how often, will  help you form
 an opinion  about Atari's  reality and  how well  our image of their goals
 compares to that reality.  Our goal is  to minimize  our disappointment by
 bringing our expectations closer to Atari's plans.  We can still enjoy the
 new product announcements and news of planned products or R&D efforts that
 are on  the cutting  edge of  technology.  We can still be proud of our ST
 computers and their capabilities and their excellent cost  to power ratio.
 We  can  boost  Atari  in  our  User  Groups  and attend shows and buy new
 products.

      But let's get our heads out of the  clouds and  keep our  feet on the
 ground.   Judge the  future by  what is  real today,  keeping in mind past
 behavior.  When you  examine what  you see,  I think  you will  reduce the
 scale  of  your  expectations  on  Atari's "re-emergence" in the US market
 considerably.  Such  an  adjustment  is  not  being  disloyal,  it's being
 realistic, and it prevents future dissatisfaction.

                               Doc Holiday,
                         Flash BBS, (314) 434-6147
                    St Louis, MO (An ST Report Booster)



     _________________________________________________________________




 > WAACE ATARI FEST STR NewsPlus   Usergroups helping Atari and the users.
   =============================




            Washington Area Atari Computer Enthusiasts (WAACE)
                          Fifth Annual Atarifest 
                  Scheduled for October 7th and 8th, 1989


     The Washington  Area Atari  Computer Enthusiasts (WAACE) has announced
 that the fifth annual Washington  D.C.  area  Atarifest  will  be  held at
 Fairfax High  School, 3500  Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, Virginia on Saturday
 and Sunday, the  7th  and  8th  of  October.    Atarifest  is  a computing
 exposition featuring  the Atari  line of  personal and  home computers, as
 well as the complete  line of  entertainment systems.   The  show features
 educational   seminars   covering   nearly   all   areas   of   computing;
 demonstrations of various applications of Atari  computers, including MIDI
 music,  desktop  publishing,  and  entertainment; and exhibits by software
 publishers and hardware manufacturers  showing the  latest developments in
 the Atari world.  In the past, representatives from Atari Corporation have
 been on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.

     This year's theme is "The Atari Alternative," and the goal  is to show
 how Atari  computers can  be used  in business  and in  the home.  It will
 include demonstrations of both  eight-bit (400/800/XL/XE)  and ST software
 and hardware.   Whether  for creative  endeavors, helping with some of the
 household paperwork, or just to have fun, the organizers of  Atarifest '89
 intend  to  show  how  the  "Atari  Alternative"  can  meet and beat other
 computer systems in its class, and why Atari Corporation's motto is "Power
 Without the Price."

     WAACE  is  a  confederation  of  Atari  user  groups  in the Maryland,
 Virginia, and Washington, D.C.  area,  each  dedicated  to  supporting the
 Atari community  in their  respective areas.  Atarifest is co-sponsored by
 the  Fairfax  County  (Virginia)  Public  Schools'  Office  of  Adult  and
 Community Education,  and the  emphasis has  always been  on educating the
 public about computers and their uses.  The 1985 Washington  Atarifest was
 one of  the first  such shows,  which are  now held in more than 10 cities
 across the nation.

     Atarifest has grown in  popularity, attracting  thousands of attendees
 each year.   This year, organizers hope to attract over 5,000 people.  The
 show is open to all persons  who have  an interest  in computing,  and the
 FREE ADMISSION and hourly door prizes (including an Atari hard disk drive)
 encourage attendance by those who may not yet own an  Atari computer.   It
 is especially  designed to  have something  of interest for everyone, from
 diehard Atarians to mainframe systems managers to computer neophytes.

     Fairfax High School is located  at  3500  Old  Lee  Highway,  just off
 routes 29  and 50  in Fairfax,  Virginia.   The school can conveniently be
 reached from the Vienna Metro station (Orange line) by taking  the Fairfax
 Cue bus.   Hours  of the show are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, and
 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Most user group demonstrations  will be
 conducted on  Saturday only.  For further information, call John Barnes at
 (301) 652-0667. 
  
                     For further information contact:

                    Gary Purinton       (703) 264-8826
                    John Barnes         (301) 652-0667

                          Vendors should contact:

                    Johnna Ogden        (703) 450-3992.




   _____________________________________________________________________



 > Lowballers STR FOCUS       All Lowballers are not in Mail Order..
   ====================

                                             IS ALL MAIL ORDER BAD?
                                             ======================

     OF COURSE NOT!  Saying that would be very unfair.   Where would we, on
 the east  coast, be  without mail order?  The east coast of the USA is the
 Atari frontier both in dealer representation and in dealers.   Without the
 services of  mail order  almost all the users "out east" would do without.
 There are really only two reasons mail order is making  it at  all, first,
 is  lack  of  actual  dealers.    And  secondly,  not all, but many of the
 existing dealers are simply charging too much money!   Some  are even list
 price plus!     So, in  looking at  the alternatives  the users, "out this
 way", must rely on  mail  order  or  travel  hundreds  of  miles  to "shop
 wisely".   As always is the case a few rotten apples still spoil the whole
 darn barrel.  At least that's the way it appears.

     What types of people are dealers?   Well, in  most cases,  the dealers
 are  just  like  you  and  I,  average everyday folks who are enthusiastic
 supporters of computers in general.   Or, like  myself, they  are hardware
 hackers  who  have  been  at  it  most  of  their  lives.  When one visits
 everytown USA, and walks into the local dealer's shop they  look and sound
 almost alike...the  dealer tries like crazy to be helpful, is usually very
 active in the usergroups in his vicinity and it trying desperately to stay
 afloat.  Why?  Because, ..the lowball artists are killing the business!

     There  is  however,  a  flip  side  to  this coin.  In most cases, the
 lowballer finds that he must lowball everything he has for sale because he
 has established that sort of reputation for himself.  The sad part is that
 the other  dealers forced  to compete  with this  clown are  also hurt and
 thus, it  marks the  beginning of  the end  for all concerned.  Unless, of
 course, the consumers come to the  rescue  and  send  a  clear  and simple
 message to  the cut  throat lowball  artists by not dealing with them.  Oh
 sure, the savings may be there, but when you think for a  moment who takes
 advantage of  the "deals"?   In  most cases, those who can least afford to
 lay out the dollars and take the risk of being abandoned!  

     Now the problem becomes  compounded, the  "what if"  questions abound!
 What if  the dealer,  mail order or not, folds?  What if the guy who got a
 deal finds he has no where  to go  in the  event of  an equipment failure?
 Now the  biggie, will  the factory  who allowed  this dealer, by virtue of
 it's silence, stand behind the dead  or  almost  dying  device(s)  the now
 defunct lowball artist sold?

     We only  brushed on  the hardware angle above, now let's glance on the
 software end.  How can a userbase sit still when they know that all around
 them, there  are mail  order houses  doing their best to destroy the local
 dealer?  Are we to become a nation of mail order patsies?  Or will most of
 us shop wisely and use mail order when it is totally in our best interests
 and patronize our local dealer as  much as  possible.   If in  the case of
 software, we  see that  the dealer has a $279.00 price tag on that hot new
 DTP package and Slimeball Inc. has it for  $139.00, it's  hard to  pass up
 that "bargain".   If  we, the consumers are ever to be in a position where
 we are sure that when we purchase the software, we are getting  the latest
 version and  that the program's documentation is fully understood, then we
 must allow the local dealer the chance to at least compete!  

     People, when you see this type of price slashing it  usually is what's
 known as  a blow-out,  the mail  order house  may have a large quantity of
 older versions on hand, and thus, they tag low to "blow 'em out the door".
 So,  who  is  left  with  the  headaches  of  paying  the upgrade fees (if
 possible) etc.?  Yup, you guessed it.   The bargain  hunter.   Many of the
 software  publishers  have  gone  to  the direct sales method to avoid the
 sleeze ball operations, we hope they all go direct to dealers and dump the
 distributor nets  who feed  their own  discount operations...like one huge
 scam in Penna. does.

     Of course, a lowball house can  NEVER stay  in operation  very long if
 the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and software publishers refuse
 to allow their products to be lowballed.  If they don't police  the market
 a  little  better,  the  shakeout  of  the  small  dealers  is going to be
 horrendous.  Usually, it is the beginning of the end as far  as the market
 is concerned. 





  ___________________________________________________________________   
  

 > ISD CONFERENCE STReport OnLine   ISD and Co. Has startling NEWS for us!
   ==============================





 <JEFF.W> Welcome  to the ISD Real Time Conference.  Before introducing our
 guests, here is some background about  how a  formal conference  like this
 one works.

 <JEFF.W> Outside  of our  guests and myself, no one can speak until I take
 them out of "listen only" mode.  To  get my  attention so  you can address
 your questions and comments to out guests, you can /RAIse your hand.  Just
 type in:   /RAI  <and hit RETURN>.  I will send you a message  letting you
 know that  I've seen  your raised  hand and  tell you  when you're turn is
 coming up.

 <JEFF.W> If you need help with  anything, just  send me  a private message
 using the /SENd command.  Currently, my RTC job number is 2, so to send me
 a question about something, enter something like:


 <JEFF.W> If you find you have to leave before the conference is  over, use
 the /EXI  to return  to the  Atari ST  Round Table,  or /BYE to log off of
 GEnie immediately.

 <JEFF.W> Now,  on with  this evening's  Real Time  Conference.   I am very
 pleased  to  have  representatives  of  ISD  as  our  guests.   ISD is the
 publisher of several fine ST productivity applications, including Calamus,
 Calamus  Font  Editor,  (the  upcoming)  Calamus Outline, ST Accounts, VIP
 Professional, and MasterPlan.   The  intent  of  this  RTC  is  to address
 information, questions, and comments about the Calamus family and DynaCadd
 products.

 <JEFF.W> With  us tonight  are Nathan  Potechin (President  of ISD), Shawn
 Wheatcroft  (Head  of  Customer  Support),  and a good friend of the Atari
 community, Julius Oklamcak, who recently moved  from Atari  Canada to ISD.
 Julius' official title at ISD remains a mystery <grin!> but he is a man of
 many valuable and diverse talents (Nice to see you back  online, Julius!).
 Nathan, Shawn,  and Julius  are sharing the same ISD account, so each will
 answer questions when they touch on areas they are most familiar with.

 <JEFF.W> I will now turn this over to Nathan Potechin, who has  an opening
 announcement to make and then we will start taking questions.  Nathan...?

 <[Nathan] ISD>  Good evening everyone. It is my pleasure to participate in
 our (ISD's) second official formal conference on GENIE.  Before Jeff opens
 the floor  to everyone  I am  taking this opportunity to present a list of
 some of the features soon to  be  available  in  version  1.1  of Calamus,
 scheduled for release in September.  These features include:

 *    A  completely modular  concept. You may use and activate exactly what
     you need, no more or less. All functions have been broken out.

 *   Leader Tabs. The ability to define the white space  in any  tab with a
     "leader" character.

 *   In our style selection, we have added Condensed and Extended.

 *      Hyphenation  definition.    User definable selection of minimum and
     maximum word length etc..

 *   Rotate any vector graphic based frame, line or raster frame etc.

 *   Define the white space in pictures from transparent to solid to white.

 *   Text flow around irregular shaped objects from screen rasters.

 *   Tiling. Printing in parts.

 *   Save clipboards and merge them with another file.

 *   Virtual copies over multiple pages

 *   256 grey levels for every pixel.

 <[Nathan] ISD> There are more features but I  believe that  this will give
 you all the general idea. Once this version is ready, the price of Calamus
 will increase. This will also be the first  time that  we will  charge our
 users  for  this,  our  first  upgrade.  Final  pricing  has  not yet been
 determined.

 <[Nathan] ISD> DynaCADD 1.60 has now been completed  and our  entirely new
 manual will  be finished  and published  within the next 4 weeks.  Some of
 the features added to version 1.60 include:

     *  Precision to 20 decimal places
     *  Math co-processor support
     *  Background plotting
     *  3 Line weights
     *  Up to 64 user definable line styles
     *  Major and minor markings
     *  Sectioning/Cross hatching in 2D and 3D
     *  Up to 256 hatch patterns can be stored
     *  15 Dynamic tracking modes for 2D entities
     *  2D solid fill
     *  Measure area, change text orientation
     *  Offset at user definable distances
     *  Insertion: solid, b-spline, Bezier curves, sectioning and hatching
     *  Function keys
     *  Compugraphic fonts...

 <[Nathan] ISD> Again, there are more features but  you can  appreciate the
 changes  from  those  mentioned  above.  DynaCADD  version  1.50  to  1.60
 inclusive now  retails for  US $995.00.  Considering some  of the features
 that have been added, this is a very inexpensive upgrade.

 <[Nathan] ISD>  Rather than  saturating us  all with  to much information,
 perhaps it would be better to proceed to the questions  now. But  before I
 do, I  will take this opportunity to thank you all for your support in the
 past, the present and into the future. We are proud of our products and we
 anticipate a great year.

 <[Nathan] ISD> I hope everyone has a good buffer :-)

 <JEFF.W> Thank you, Nathan.

 <J.D.BARNES> how  about mathematical  text, Nathan?  I want nice fonts for
 theoretical physics.

 <[Nathan] ISD> We have ordered the Math and Greek font  from Compugraphic.
 It will  be available  any day  now.   It does contain everything that you
 need.

 <J.D.BARNES> Thank you

 <[John Nagy] ZMAGAZINE> Your upgrade list is WONDERFUL for calamus.  I
 use it a lot and the new features are JUST what I need.  Any closer to
 POSTSCRIPT?

 <[Nathan] ISD> Are you asking for Hi-res output reasons John?

 <[John Nagy] ZMAGAZINE> for taking material to print shops, etc.

 <[Nathan] ISD> I have a driver here that produces 150,  300, 600  and 1200
 DPI images in PS format.  However it still does not work properly.  We are
 working on it John and the  second that  it is  ready I  will let everyone
 know.  We are also working on the CG interface as well.

 <[John Nagy]  ZMAGAZINE> Thanks.  That will make CALAMUS a real choice for
 the printer less folks.

 <[DC 'Fest] R.JOHNSON22> Nathan do you have any more on Outline?

 <[Nathan] ISD> The manual is all that we are awaiting at this  point.  The
 program is  complete. It  is literally a matter of weeks barring unforseen
 difficulties. 

 <[DC  'Fest]  R.JOHNSON22>  SPeaking  of  manuals,  is  there  another one
 available for Calamus?  I have the original, and it's hard to use.

 <[Nathan] ISD>  Seriously, we  are almost  finished it. Also sitting on my
 desk as we speak is the draft of the new promised book that we had written
 on Calamus,  The Font  Editor and Calamus Outline.  BTW, we will upload an
 index to the Calamus manual tomorrow for those interested.

 <[DC 'Fest] R.JOHNSON22> Okay, THANKS for a great product, and  thanks for
 the index! 

 <[Nathan]  ISD>  The  new  book  contains  tutorials  on everything and is
 excellent.

 <R.COBBLE1> What type of picture formats can calamus read and  how can you
 manipulate them after importation?

 <[Nathan] ISD> Most everything on the Atari can be imported both in Vector
 and Raster graphics. However, the only manipulation that we can do at this
 time is  optimize the drawing based on the original file format size, crop
 it and name it. 

 <R.COBBLE1> How does it handle IMG files

 <[Nathan] ISD> Without difficulty.  Simply, import them

 <J.D.BARNES> What about the interface to word processors?  including style
 importation with text?  A la ..Timeworks.

 <[Nathan]  ISD>  Currently  we  import  1ST  Word  Plus, MS Write and Word
 Perfect with formatting intact.  We  have  our  own  method  of  using and
 creating style  sheets and  macros. We  are not  a Ventura  clone but have
 created our  own manner  of implementation.   Our  new Editor,  soon to be
 released, will allow you to imbed all the codes that you wish.

 <J.D.BARNES> I prefer to embed my style notations in the WP document.

 <J.D.BARNES> I really to need to import text I do not like to type it into
 an editor.

 <[Nathan] ISD> You can always import text as ASCII. But  at this  time you
 cannot define your styles in your favourite WP, only our Editor.

 <A.H.DAVIS> OK  I'd like to know if it is possible to install an auto save
 feature!  I would like to see if I can save it by timer.

 <[Nathan] ISD> Interesting, with a user definable time limit?   Good idea.
 I will check on this with the Programmers.

 <A.H.DAVIS> Please!  ala Word Perfect!

 <A.H.DAVIS> Also  do you  have an idea about the way the manual feed works
 on a HP.  I have set it and find that it times out and I  can't get  it to
 wait for more than 2 pages.

 <[Nathan] ISD>  I have  Julius beside  me to  answer this for you since he
 wrote the driver.

 <[Julius] ISD> A.H. I will have to look into it.  Testing has been done on
 a unit that does not support manual feed.  GA

 <A.H.DAVIS> Last  one.   When do  you expect  Calamus for  the Mac and IBM
 world!

 <[Nathan] ISD> I received a garbled message just now.   Did you  ask about
 the Mac and IBM versions?

 <A.H.DAVIS> Yes, are they coming in the future?

 <[Nathan] ISD> yes but I have to say that Calamus on the Atari platform is
 dynamite.   I am  enjoying very  much competing  head on  against them and
 WINNING.

 <[Nathan] ISD> BTW, the Mac and IBM versions are next year for sure.

 <[Rick] GRIBNIF>  I would  like to see a future version of the Font Editor
 support (like several IBM and MAC ones do)  the importing  of "other" font
 formats that  the user  might own  and convert  them to Calamus format.  I
 presently own all these UltraScript and PageStream fonts.  And  second and
 final.    I  am  very  pleased  with the upgrade policy you hold...and was
 wondering if you have considered an upgrade policy (like some Mac programs
 do) so  that people  can subscribe (for $$$) and always receive the latest
 version as soon as it is released.

 <[Nathan] ISD> In answer to your first question...

 <[Nathan] ISD>  The  biggest  difficulty  would  revolve  around licensing
 agreements  and  all  other  legal  ramifications.  This  would be of more
 concern with Ultrascript fonts than Pagestream.

 <[Rick] GRIBNIF> I have already licensed  the  fonts  ..but  in  the wrong
 format.

 <[Nathan]  ISD>  In  answer  to  part  II...  I  think that too many Atari
 Publishers have irritated a few end users out there because of suggestions
 like yours. This makes me hesitant as I do not wish others to suggest that
 something happen to them previously and  they worry  that it  might happen
 again.   Of course we have never been guilty of anything of this nature. I
 really prefer to deliver what I am paid for at the time that I am paid.

 <[DC 'Fest] R.JOHNSON22> Okay...you  mentioned Winning  against the "other
 guys"...how so?  And how are sales?

 <[Nathan] ISD>  Sales are  going very  well based  on the actual number of
 viable Atari Dealers in North  America.  In  many  cases  I  have  had the
 personal privilege  of demonstrating  Calamus to  Mac and IBM  Dealers and
 without exception, they have become Atari DTP Dealers  on Calamus  and the
 Mega system.

 <[DC 'Fest]  R.JOHNSON22> Sounds  great.   I have  another "Q"...about the
 Fatal Internal error...

 <[Nathan] ISD> ????

 <[DC 'Fest] R.JOHNSON22> I feel like when I select CONTINUE, I'm living on
 borrowed time...what is usually the cause of it?

 <[Nathan] ISD> Please update your disk to the latest version and yes,
 if you  see the  message exit  or continue,  you are on borrowed time.  We
 recommend that you reboot if this message appears.   There  are 3 versions
 of 1.09 as a few difficulties were ironed out.  However, we are working on
 the 600 page new DynaCADD manual, I have not encountered an internal error
 yet.

 <[Nathan] ISD> Perhaps if you are more specific?

 <[DC 'Fest]  R.JOHNSON22> Well,  I usually  get it when dealing with text,
 the way I escape it is to continue, save, then re-boot.   But if  I do not
 delete the frame where the error occurred, it is sometimes reproduced.

 <[Nathan] ISD>  once a  file becomes corrupt, then you can only export the
 text as ASCII and dump the frame and redo it.

 <[DC 'Fest] R.JOHNSON22> Thanks.

 <[Holly] HS> Hi guys!  I have a couple questions, if that's  okay... Heck,
 I have 'em even if it's not okay... they just won't get asked. 

 <JEFF.W> It's okay!

 <[Nathan] ISD> BTW, as each version appears, they get better and better. I
 think that we are fairly clean now.

 <[Holly] HS> First off... have you given more  consideration to  a contest
 to promote font creation, Nathan?  FONTS!  MARS NEEDS FONTS! 

 <[Nathan] ISD> had the time to set the rules and parameters.  I will.

 <[Holly] HS> Ah... the dreaded time problem!  I can identify...  
 Secondly...

 <[Nathan] ISD> waiting with baited breath.......

 <[Holly] HS>  Have you  given any  consideration to helping market some of
 the nice fonts that have been getting put out like the Broadway font (nice
 font!) and Sol's multitude?

 <[Nathan] ISD>  That is  a tough question to answer quickly as many people
 have approach us directly just for that reason. All I can say  is that for
 a number  of reasons  at this  time it  is not  viable for  me to do so. I
 recommend shareware in the manner of A.H.DAVIS et al.

 <[Holly] HS> Hey, I never promised they'd be easy questions, Nathan.
 But, that's too bad in a way, although  it would  probably be  a nightmare
 legally.   Third... new topic...Have you heard any scuttlebutt about Atari
 hiring a new advertising agency?  Do you know who and what the plans might
 be?  

 <[Nathan] ISD>  Having just  spent a  few weeks on the road with Atari all
 over the southern US and Boston (Hi Rick)... I don't think that  they have
 made an  official announcement  but I heard that they have hired Shiat/Day
 as their new Ad agency.  These are  the people  that did  the '1984' Apple
 commercial.

 <[Nathan]  ISD>  This  is  more  in  the  type  of  progress  that  I find
 encouraging in  Atari  Corp.  today.  These  "road  shows"  are  also very
 encouraging. Both result in better market penetration in the US.  And that
 is GREAT news for us all!!!

 <[Holly] HS> Yeow Momma!  That's really good news!  Thank you, Nathan.

 <J.D.BARNES> Please comment on DynaCadd. I find it very pricey compared to
 EZDRAW or even Graphic Artist.

 <[Nathan]  ISD>  sigh.  There  is  no  comparison  between  these software
 packages.

 <J.D.BARNES> I would,  However  like  a  program  that  can  import object
 descriptions  files  and  make  them  in  to  objects.  A program that can
 import.

 <[Nathan] ISD> If you wish to draw any type of  comparison, try  using the
 top of  the line version of AutoCAD which we far surpass in features while
 reading and writing their file format if we so choose.

 <J.D.BARNES> AutoCadd can also do ASDCIOIO, nicht wahr?  do ASCII

 <JEFF.W> Do you understand the question, Nathan?  (I don't.  Sorry)

 <J.D.BARNES> It's a little abstruse. But It would be nice to import a list
 of command written with a text editor to create objects.

 <[Nathan] ISD>  You can  use DynaCADD's  DEF file  format exactly for this
 purpose to build your own objects.   ga

 <J.D.BARNES> thanks, I will look more closely.

 <[John Nagy] ZMAGAZINE> I'd like to  encourage full  speed on  MAC and IBM
 versions because  the complaint  I hear from pro layout and print shops is
 that they can't get workers who  already  know  CALAMUS,  and  new workers
 don't really want to master something that won't help at the next job that
 they get... where the employers are  more  "archaic"  and  use  "the other
 systems".   Cross-system versatility  will help the price advantage of the
 Atari platform for wider pro use too.  And thanks for a SUPERIOR system! 
 <[Nathan] ISD> I agree that cross system pollination benefits us all.  But
 in all  honesty, it will be next year before I have versions of Calamus on
 those platforms. In the meantime I am doing  my absolute  best to convince
 people that  we have  a VIABLE PROFESSIONAL alternative based on the Atari
 platform...Calamus.

 <[John Nagy] ZMAGAZINE> thassall from here Thanks!

 <[Steve M.] ANTIC> 1.  Will  Calamus  support  multiple  documents  in the
 future or... allow clipboards to be retained when a new document is opened
 to allow... cut and paste easily between documents.

 <[Nathan] ISD> Yes. Read the opening list of specs in the upcoming version
 1.1.  The ability to save and transfer clipboards will be there.

 <[Steve M.]  ANTIC> Sorry,  just got  in late.   2.   About importing text
 tags.  Would it be possible  to import  a file  with the  macro letters in
 brackets to denote font and style information?   Maybe in the future?

 <[Nathan] ISD>  Only with our new Editor and I'm not yet sure of its exact
 specs. I will let everyone know as soon as I can.

 <[Steve M.] ANTIC> 3. Instead of using Calamus Outline to achieve
 irregular text wrap, will you implement it directly into Calamus?
 Eg. Add and..

 <[Nathan] ISD> That was also in the list of new features of version
 1.1      :-)

 (Job 18)<[Steve M.] ANTIC> Maybe I should just  read the  transcript.  I'm
 done.   Thanks.

 <[Nathan] ISD> You're welcome

 <CAPT.COOK> Can you speculate on the future of the Calamus family...

 <[Nathan] ISD> like on the stock market?

 (Job 20)<CAPT.COOK>  any future products or modules beyond Outline and the
 Editor?

 <[Nathan] ISD> The next release from us will be Calamus  Outline Art.   At
 about the  same time  will be the new 300 page book on the Calamus family.
 This will be followed by the new version 1.1 of Calamus itself  which will
 include the  new Text Editor. The Linotype interface will be on the market
 any day now and the  Compugraphic  interface  is  in  development.  We had
 awaited news  of Ataris  but decided  to proceed  on our  own as we hadn't
 heard anything concrete.  Anything past  this would  be speculation  on my
 part.  Everything that I mentioned above will be available within the next
 quarter with the exception of the CG interface.... 

 <CAPT.COOK> So we can  be pretty  sure Calamus  is here  to stay  and will
 continue to develop.  Thanks, that's all,.  

 <[Nathan] ISD>  That is  for sure. We have another half dozen Compugraphic
 font families getting here next week also. Look on Genie for the new list.
 :-)

 <[DC  'Fest]  R.JOHNSON22>  Concerning  Outline...are the text distortions
 saved as vector graphics files...

 <[Nathan] ISD> Yes!!  

 <[DC 'Fest] R.JOHNSON22> and can  you  import  IMG  and  GEM  files  to be
 included in  the final  image?   This would  be useful in Logo design, for
 one.

 <[Nathan]  ISD>  Everything  goes  together  in  Calamus.  However   if  I
 understand correctly,  (you) one of the new modules allows the importation
 of GEM or IMG files for auto tracing and includes  the ability  to fill in
 the pattern.   ga

 <[DC 'Fest]  R.JOHNSON22> SO,  you could then have a vector file of an IMG
 pic, add text, and play with that some  more and  save the  whole thing as
 one object?   GREAT!

 <[Nathan]  ISD>  Yes.  Calamus  Outline  has  complete  text  manipulation
 ability.  I don't think anything is missing. In addition we can create and
 edit vector objects "freehand". ;-) 

 <J.RUSS3> Hello there Nathan.  I have two quick questions.

 <J.RUSS3> Can DynaCadd  read and/or write AutoCad DWG files?  And have you
 sold any copies of DynaCADD to universities or trade schools?

 <[Nathan] ISD> DynaCADD reads and writes DXF file  format 100%,  not their
 DWG files. Copies of DynaCADD have been sold into schools but not by us as
 we are the Publisher and there are many  people between  us and  the final
 sale. The  Atari educational  presence is improving and  I feel that their
 representation with products such as  DynaCADD  and  Calamus  will improve
 dramatically during the next 12 months.

 <DARLAH> Hello  Nathan: Do you know anything about the Atari Demo building
 program??? I have heard rumors and want to know if you know anything about
 it?? 

 <[Nathan] ISD>  Atari has  obtained the  rights to a Demo building program
 that is exactly what its title would suggest. Another good move by them in
 my opinion.  By next  week both  DynaCADD and Calamus will be available to
 the Dealers as a self running  tutorial.   It allows  us to  create scenes
 while adding  text describing our actions exactly. It will benefit both us
 and the Dealers.

 <JEFF.W> Will those demos be sent out by  software distributors  or should
 dealers contact ISD?

 <[Nathan]  ISD>  The  demo  will  be distributed by Atari throughout their
 Dealer network. That is for sure. They will be obtaining these demo's from
 all their 3rd party software vendors. If a customer wishes to see DynaCADD
 I no longer have to worry  that maybe  the only  CADD sales  person in the
 store is  out. They  can now show off the features by using this program. 
 ga

 <[Broadway] A.H.DAVIS> Last night I gave an hour demo of Calamus to  an ST
 group.   During the  talk someone  mentioned that they had been to Austria
 and seen a much later version of Calamus demo'd   Where are  they in terms
 of versions.  

 <[Nathan]  ISD>  The  version  of  Calamus currently available in Germany,
 Austria, etc. is the exact same as that available here.  There is  no down
 time as  the English is kept separate from the German resource.  Once they
 revise Calamus they only have to  change  resource  and  help  files which
 takes 2  minutes. However, once upon a time they released an alpha version
 of Calamus Plus. Basically there are far more icons on the screen but they
 have not been activated.

 <[Nathan] ISD> This is probably what you were told about Al.

 <[Broadway] A.H.DAVIS>  Also which  items should  one point out in demoing
 Calamus?  Any particular order or importance?

 <[Nathan] ISD> Speed, rotated text, scale the fonts, the quality  of same,
 optimize a scanned image from a distorted frame etc...

 <[Nathan] ISD> print, print and print.

 <[Nathan] ISD> create a style macro

 <[Nathan] ISD> I could go on and on, stop me someone. :-) what a
 question!

 <[Broadway] A.H.DAVIS>  I sure  had a  quiet audience after the printing!!
 Thanks. 

 <[John Nagy] ZMAGAZINE> Too  much to  hope: will  O-Line vector  output be
 standard GEM  format so  as to  be usable  in (heaven forbid) other DTP or
 drawing programs? 

 <[Nathan] ISD> I'm glad it went well. Was this demo to your User group Al?

 <JEFF.W> We'll come back to Al after John's question.

 <[Nathan] ISD> Sorry John. At this  time  Calamus  Outline  saves  only as
 either  a  Calamus  Outline  graphic  or  Calamus  Vector graphic. I don't
 anticipate any change to this at the present time.

 <[John Nagy] ZMAGAZINE> OK, was wondering because some of us  do a  lot of
 LOGO work for use by others.   Thanks tho. 

 <[Nathan] ISD>  You can  create any  logo with Outline, not to mention the
 Font Editor. Since these are all vector graphics they scale cleanly.

 <[Broadway] A.H.DAVIS> Here we have STace and Cace, I've demo'd for both.

 <[Nathan] ISD> Al, and anyone else, always mention  that if  they like the
 program   BUY it. :-)  <GRIN> Did you ask how many people were using a DTP
 package at the time? I am usually surprised by that answer myself.

 <[Nathan] ISD> Do you have Dealer support at your User group meetings?

 <[Broadway] A.H.DAVIS> I have someone who  was on  the cover  of the Atari
 publication that  is crippled and supports himself now with DTP.  He is so
 impressed by the Calamus demo that he asked if he can meet with me to show
 him the  ropes.   YEs dealer  support is  there, but they are hard core PS
 users.  They did find that there was a lot of interest  and would  like me
 to demo at store hours!.

 <[Nathan] ISD>  That's great  Al. If  you need  any assist in info, please
 ask.
  
 <[John Nagy] ZMAGAZINE> Let me clarify- I realize the potential for making
 logos with O-Line... just need a way to get it to other platforms.  Please
 consider making a way  other than  what I  do already  -- print,  scan the
 output to make an IMG file.  Thanks.

 <[Nathan] ISD>  I assume that for some reason you wish to design a logo on
 the ST and then transfer it over to a PC?  Why? Can  you not  complete the
 job with Calamus?

 <[John Nagy]  ZMAGAZINE> I  can,, but  the people  on the other end of the
 country that want to use it with Ventura or Aldus CANT.

 <[John Nagy] ZMAGAZINE> (use the logo I design, etc.)

 <[Nathan] ISD> what would happen if we wrote a print IMG. to disk driver?

 <[John Nagy] ZMAGAZINE> That would be 100% better than what I do now!  
 A vector can't be beat, but your solution is better than mine for IMG.

 <[Nathan] ISD> I will let you know but it is a good idea and I think we
 will.

 <[Boof MAST] R.JOHNSON22> There's another product from Germany  enroute to
 the states, I think it's called SIGNUM...is it any competition to Calamus?
 And one last thing.  I'd like to just ask you to  reconsider the  DC 'Fest
 Thanks!

 <[Nathan] ISD> SIGNUM can best be described as a technical word processor.
 It is not a DTP solution in  the  same  context  as  Calamus.  I  am quite
 familiar with it having first seen it 2 years ago in Hanover.

 <JEFF.W> Rick has some exposure to SIGNUM...

 <[Nathan] ISD> is he OK?

 <JEFF.W> He got vaccinated.  :-)

 <[Rick] GERDSENDER>  Our german  manual was written in it...it is Europe's
 answer to WordUp basically...with  bit mapped  fonts and  lots of document
 support....I doubt it will be any competition...the makers of Laser C have
 the rights to market it in the states (though they have not yet).

 <[Nathan] ISD> thanks Rick.

 <JEFF.W> Thanks Rick.

 <DFTURNOCK> HELLO NATHAN....   I second John's comment about the export to
 other file  format's.    It  is a  very much needed feature.  My wife does
 that sort of work and does a lot of logo design.   The people  she creates
 them for  only want the logos, not the finished product.  They want to use
 it in their own work

 <[Julius] ISD> Ok...Ok...I hear.  :-)

 <[Nathan] ISD> I agree that for Logo creators,  a separate  file format is
 needed.  We will take a serious look into this and advise.

 <DFTURNOCK>   I   also   agree   with   Nathan's  staying  away  from  the
 fests......The Detroit "HAM FEST" was an insult to the Atari users.
  
 <DFTURNOCK> It became a swap meet,  not a  chance to  meet the  people who
 create the products, which is what people expected.

 <[Nathan] ISD> are you referring to the WOA?

 <DFTURNOCK> yes I was referring to woa.

 <[Nathan] ISD> Part of the problem was the timing at the Detroit WOA

 <[Nathan] ISD> Since Patty held her show about one month prior.

 <M.GAINES> Is there a Timeworks -> Calamus transfer utility?

 <[Nathan] ISD>  No, there  is not.  Nor are there any plans to have such a
 utility.  Perhaps you  should  ask  Rick  since  he  has  a  great utility
 program.  Rick? Share your thoughts. Jeff..let him 

 <JEFF.W> Rick?

 <[Rick] GERDSENDER> Yeah, it deletes all CALAMUS.PRG files.

 <[Rick] GERDSENDER> <grin>

 <[Nathan] ISD>  Seriously, I  really cannot justify the time and effort to
 write such a utility. Sorry.

 <[Bob MAST] R.JOHNSON22> I would just like to add my  vote to  the GEM/IMG
 save option in Outline. My question has been answered already.

 <J.D.BARNES> I  would like  to remind people of the DTP contest for the DC
 Fest.  Fests are valuable for  many  reasons.  some  people  WANT bargains
 others want an education. Others want to meet exciting people.

 <[Nathan] ISD> exciting people??!! Lets go meet them. :-)

 <DAVESMALL> Have you tried out the Hyperscreen modification to the ST with
 your software yet?

 <[Nathan] ISD> No I haven't Dave. I haven't seen it.

 <DAVESMALL> Seems like if it runs on the Moniterm, it'll  probably work...
 ah well.

 <DAVESMALL> okay, next -->

 <BOBBRODIE> Nathan,  I am very impressed with what I have seen of Calamus.
 But have a large  investment in  some other  DTP programs...  Would you be
 willing to  release your file format so others could pursue the conversion
 utility?  We have several competent programmers in our group that would be
 willing to work on a PageStream/TimeWorks/ Fleet Street utility.

 <[Nathan] ISD> At this time, that is not a possibility, sorry. 

 <BOBBRODIE> Thanks.  OK Jeff, thanks a lot.

 <JEFF.W> Well,  this has  been an  exceptionally long RTC, but it has also
 been very informative!  We've run  out  of  questions  and  I  applaud the
 stamina of our friends from ISD!

 <JEFF.W> Let's  bring this  to a  close, but first, any parting shots from
 Nathan, Shawn, and Julius?

 <[Nathan] ISD> Again, it has been our pleasure to be  here. It  is just as
 interesting to  us. I hope to type to you all again.  You know where we'll
 be.."SET 16" in the Atari ST RT. Thanks everyone.

 <[Nathan] ISD> Thanks especially to Jeff. Great job!!

 <JEFF.W> <Thanks!>

 <JEFF.W> By the way, Julius, you know you are missed by all the developers
 out here in Online-Land, don't you?

 <JEFF.W> Best of luck to you with ISD, Julius!

 <JEFF.W> And many thanks to ISD!

 ========================================================================
  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.
 ========================================================================





  _______________________________________________________________________



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


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


 by Glenn Gorman



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


                                                            Glenn Gorman

                          +---------------------+
                          |  ATARI STOCK WATCH  |
                          | Week 07-10 to 07-14 |
 +=======+==========+===========+=============+============+=============+
 |       |  Monday  |  Tuesday  |  Wednesday  |  Thursday  |  Friday     |
 +-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
 | Sales |     392  |      532  |       1996  |      1674  |     831     |
 +-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
 | Last  |   8 1/4  |    8 ---  |      7 7/8  |     7 7/8  |   8 ---     |
 +-------+----------+-----------+-------------+------------+-------------+
 | Chg.  |    -1/8  |     -1/4  |       -1/8  |      ----  |    +1/8     |
 +=======+==========+===========+=============+============+=============+
 | From > THE CAVE ST BBS <> 609-882-9195 <> 300/14400 HST <> F-NET #351 |
 +=======================================================================+







  _______________________________________________________________________



 > SAME OLD TUNE?  STR Spotlight   "Those oldies but not so goodies"....
   =============================



                                        A VIEW FROM THE MUSHROOM PATCH!
                                        ==============================


 by R. F. Mariano


   Week after  week, we  wait and  listen to the promise of things to come.
 Sorry guys, somebody is starting to  turn the  lights on  and many  of the
 good folks  out there  who have  been waiting the good wait are themselves
 running out of patience.  

 The time has come:

         STOP TELLING US ALL ABOUT THE LABOR...SHOW US THE BABY!!!

     Even we are finding ourselves asking this question, yet we know things
 are in  the works.   Sure it's easy to say  .."let's wait and see", and by
 all reason we should.  It's just so darn difficult.
  
       The big question however.. Is Atari interested in what the users are
 saying?   We feel  that a  majority of the 'overly outspoken types' become
 such as a result of frustration with the 'oh so  very slow'  response time
 we see  from Atari.   Without  a doubt,  each and  every person expressing
 concern from the 'excitable' to the 'cool, calm, deliberate analyst' needs
 to be respected for being concerned and above all else, paid attention to.
  
     To belabor  the point about;  "When is Atari going to do something" is
 really moot.  In reality, telling us now that there is a  big push planned
 for  Christmas  is  ok,  but...     Considering the decent folks Atari has
 online, it must be agonizing for them to get online  and have  to continue
 to preach "have blind faith", "keep the faith", "think the good thoughts"!
 Hmmm, this sort of stuff should be called the "beatitudes" of Atari.  

     The "braintrusts" have decided that;  "we shall talk of  no machine or
 innovative idea  before it's time" ..an excellent concept, in fact, one if
 used properly,  can  establish  a  highly  accurate  and  regular  flow of
 information.   Atari, however,  seems to have misplaced one major element.
 The popular names  for  it  are:  'leader  info',  'preliminary  info' and
 advance information.   Recently,  we have  been hearing the name SHAIT-DAY
 trickling across the  wires....    This  is  a  bombshell!    This  is the
 advertising  and  consulting  firm  that  put  Apple  on  the map in 1984.
 Perhaps, the "NEW PAGE" in Atari's future has finally been turned!   

       We are  confident, since  hearing of  the new  and very professional
 agency  representing  Atari,  that  by  year's  end,  Atari  will  be in a
 leadership position in this market.  Remarkably, we feel it's not too late
 to realize any solid benefit of this Christmas' Sales opportunities.

     We at  STReport, although  having been  critical of Atari in the past,
 have for the last few months, APRIL - JULY, been asking that  the userbase
 exhibit patience and allow Atari and Sam Tramiel an opportunity to deliver
 all that was  promised  at  the  beginning  of  this  year.    (TWO online
 conferences [  CIS &  GEnie ] where certain dates and PROMISES were made).
 We  have  been  down  primrose  lane  a  time  or  two,  so  it's somewhat
 recognizable.   We do feel Atari will deliver later this year and that the
 "big" year for Atari will actually  be a  span of  time bridging  1989 and
 1990.   With 1990  and on being the years of real growth.  Now, if only we
 were able to see "some light" at the end of the tunnel....By  the way, who
 said.. "ATARI HAS ONLY TWO COMPETITORS   ...APPLE AND IBM!"???





   ____________________________________________________________________



 > GoGo & MegSTender STR FOCUS      New Products to make things nicer!
   ===========================



            MaxWell CPU Introduces GoGo-ST and the MegSTender!!

         MaxWell C.P.U.  (Computer Products  Unlimited) has announced their
 first commercial software product,  GoGo-ST. GoGo-ST is a utility designed
 to make running any of your programs a single mouse click operation.
  
         Built around a GEM interface, GoGo presents the user a window with
 15 selection boxes and the ability to load any program name into the boxes
 and save  these programs  as a  list.   To run a program one simply clicks
 once on the program box and the program is executed.   On  completion, the
 user is returned to GoGo-ST. Desktop accessories are accessible from GoGo.

         Valuable  clock  functions  have  been  built  into  GoGo-ST,  the
 simplest of which is a digital clock which updates every minute.  The date
 and time are editable.  There is also a LOG function which  keeps track of
 the time  you have  spent in  each program.  When you are finished for the
 day, simply choose to print the LOG information to your printer, to screen
 or  to  a  disk  file.   Desktop publishers, program developers, users who
 apply  the  ST  for  commercial  applications  will  find   this  function
 particularly useful for maintaining records of their activities.

         For the  true Power  User, one  can create  lists of programs with
 each list holding programs with a common purpose,  e.g., one  list of your
 communication  programs  and  dearcing  programs,  another  list with your
 desktop publishing programs, and yet another with your program development
 files.   And, GoGo-ST  allows the user to quickly scroll(using the up/down
 arrows) through each list.  As each list is picked its contents  is loaded
 to the window's 15 selection boxes.  This is true Arnold Schwarznegger 
 power; the  user could quickly access over 1000 programs.  There is also a
 FIND function that will search the program lists for any  length character
 string.

         GoGo-ST  presents  another  tilt  on getting the user quickly into
 production gear. Rather than click on a program name to  run it,  the user
 can choose  to create lists of work files (*.TXT, *.DOC, *.PI1, *.C, etc.)
 and click on the work file  name  instead.    The  work  file's associated
 program -  the program used to create it, will  run and the work file will
 be automatically loaded into the program. Now programmers with GoGo-ST can
 make lists  of their  program source codes in development and quickly load
 the file into their favorite editor.  MIDI users can create lists of their
 music files  for easy loading into their music programs.  Writers can make
 lists of their active  document files  to load  with no  fuss into  a word
 processor.

         The developers wanted to keep the program straight forward, to not
 clog the basic purpose of the program (to select and run a  program quick)
 with  features  upon  features.    Yet,  this  is  a program with powerful
 functions and a useful mission. Once on your Atari, you'll  wonder how you
 ever got  along without  it.   The Atari  ST community  will be pleased to
 receive a new third party  developer,  MaxWell  C.P.U.  (Computer Products
 Unlimited) and its first commercial software product,  GoGo-ST. GoGoST  is
 offered by MaxWell C.P.U. for $34.95.

      The MegSTender is an extension cord for the  Mega ST  keyboard and is
 being offered in lengths of 6, 8, 12 and 25 feet.  Regular phone line will
 not work as an  extension; however,  with MegSTender,  Mega ST  owners can
 leave their CPU  case and video in one locale and simply move the keyboard
 to a more desirable   location;    valuable    with  VideoKey  or  in MIDI
 applications.  25 feet  starts  at $24.95.  MaxWell C.P.U. 

                       (Computer Products Unlimited)
                              507 W. Baseline
                            Lafayette CO 80026 
                     (303)665-4849, BBS (303)666-4470.




  _______________________________________________________________________



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



 - San Francisco, CA.          *****  The Grand Revelation is Coming? *****
   -------------------


     Sam Tramiel  is alleged to be prepared to tell all about the future of
 Atari Corporation this September,  along with  complete info  on the Atari
 STacy, Portfolio and their planned futures.  However, the best thing is he
 will "finally go into depth" in explaining the TT and TTx.   Regarding the
 TTx, there  is one  plus, the machines will have SCSI ports, another, they
 will have Ethernet LAN ports, which is very important, along  with VME bus
 slots, 'very  popular'.   The TT  will have  a 68030  chip, and it will be
 compatible with the  existing  ST's  because  of  TOS  1.4  which  will be
 included in the ROMS.  However, it will be expensive.



   
 - Sunnyvale, CA.            ***** The  "HOT ROD" ST or Amiga Killer *****
   --------------

     The big "mystery machine" the ST-Plus is about to be unveiled, well it
 seems STart magazine (Sept.  '89) will  have complete  info on  this baby.
 Also, if  you do  get a  Mega, Fast  Technologies is planning to release a
 68030/68882 board for  the  ST/Megas  which  will  use  the  Turbo  16 Mhz
 Accelerator board  with 32k  fast ram  cache as a base.  That way, you can
 also get 68030 power.  AND  ..remember you  saw it  here first   over four
 months ago, There are STRONG rumors of an ST-Plus with 4096 color palette,
 TOS 1.4, 8 channel stereo sound, and one to four mb of ram!



 - San Francisco, CA.            ******  520stf ABOUND AT PRICE CLUB! *****
  ------------------

     In a not so surprising discovery,  we found  that the  Atari 520stf is
 being sold  in very  respectable numbers  through a mass merchandiser at a
 good price.  It's about time!  With this low end machine being circulated,
 it is  sure to  generate a strong interest in the "better" Atari computers
 and thus help in expanding the market in general.   This move  also should
 help dealers nationwide in overcoming the "computer recognition" stigma.



 - New York City, N.Y.              ***** 16mhz Heaven or Boondoggle? *****
   -------------------

     Amazingly,  we  find  folks  who,  by  day,  are meat market managers,
 freight shipping dispatchers,  agriculture  engineers  etc...  and  at the
 exact moment that they sit down in  front of the ST they become full blown
 Electronic Engineers and Expert Software Engineers. ("sly old grin")  "Can
 you image the power of this computer being that strong?"  Actually, we are
 leading up to the revelation that one of the major  magazines is  about to
 release the real "skinny" about ALL the accelerators, (SEPT.'89), becoming
 available in  the ST  marketplace.   We are  told this  comparison will be
 "ultra fair" and allow all the upgrades to begin at an equal level.  Right
 Alex?  (All using the _same_ TOS version  and blitter  chip in  the _same_
 machine).   Hopefully, this  will put an end to incessant flow of formulae
 and "expert" opinions on which is best.  Actually, the best accelerator is
 the accelerator suited to the each user's particular needs and budget.



 - Boston, MA.              ****** ATARI ADDS DOZENS OF NEW DEALERS! ******
   ----------

     According to  ultra reliable  sources, the  recent tour  by Mike Dendo
 along the east coast etc.. has  been highly  successful.   It appears that
 Atari  has  added  well  over  60  dealers  in  the  last few weeks..  The
 monumental push certainly appears to be on.  Look out IBM, Apples are only
 for dessert!



 - Cambridge, MA.    ***** FAST ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF BLITTER UPGRADE! *****
   --------------

     Fast Technology  Inc. has  announced the  release of  it's NEW BLitter
 upgrade.  "This  is  a  simple  installation,  it  readily  fits  in those
 machines which have no blitter chip",  reports Jim Allen, CEO.  He further
 stated the upgrade is  $49.95 plus  shipping.   The customer  supplies the
 Blitter chip.





  ______________________________________________________________________



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



               "Throughout recorded  History, only Fools have rejoiced when
                  the King slew the messenger who brought unhappy news"




                             "ATARI IS BACK!"

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ST-REPORT Issue #97    "Your Independent News Source"       July 21, 1989
                      ALL RIGHTS RESERVED  copyright 1989
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
 the  editors,  staff,  ST  Report  or CPU Report.  Reprint permission is
 hereby granted, unless otherwise noted.    All  reprints  must  include ST
 Report or  CPU Report  and the  author's name.   All information presented
 herein is believed correct, STReport or CPU Report, it's editors and staff
 are not responsible for any use or misuse of information contained herein.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------


