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Silicon Times Report Issue 0720
*---== ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
from
STR Publishing Inc.
""""""""""""""""""
May 17, 1991 No.7.20
==========================================================================
STReport International Online Magazine
Post Office Box 6672
Jacksonville, Florida
32205 ~ 6672
R.F. Mariano
Publisher - Editor
-----------------------------------------
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are available along with
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__________________________________________________________________
> 05/17/91: STReport #7.20 The Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine!
-------------------------
- The Editor's Desk - CPU REPORT - MAC REPORT
- Start a Usergroup - GEM-View! Review - ICD SOFTWARE
- SYSTEM 7.0 RELEASED - Apple Stock Drops - CHANGING TIMES!
-* MEGA STE NOW CLASS B OK! *-
-* START MAGAZINE SUSPENDS OPERATONS *-
-* ST WRITER ELITE 4.0 RELEASED! *-
==========================================================================
ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
The _Number One_ Online Magazine
-* FEATURING *-
"UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
Current Events, Original Articles, Hot Tips, and Information
Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
==========================================================================
STReport's support BBS, NODE 350, invites systems using Forem ST and Turbo
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> The Editor's Podium
This issue is chock full of valuable information, it seems the Atari
marketplace is 'hunting' for its own place in the natural order of things.
Three weeks ago STReport pointed out the severity of Antic Publishing and
Start magazines's position. At this point in time, they (Antic) are nego-
tiating the sale of the magazine. According to our sources, contract
negotiations are fully underway... Of course, the results will not be
known until all negotiations are satisfactorily completed.
Lately one can find a rather sensible clamoring for Atari to "get
with it" and produce real Hard disk software or, license the outstanding
software ICD produces. Not a bad idea. But if one were to pay any atten-
tion at all to one Atari online rep, (a newfie), to ask for such a thing
appears to be a blow to Atari's heart. But then, another of Atari's on-
liners requested that suggestions be forwarded to the proper parties as
this newfie has no responsibilities in that area. Someone ought to let
this newfie know that the "Answer Man" show was cancelled decades ago. In
any case, the adoption of ICD's hard drive software is in our opinion an
excellent idea. And it would come at a time when Atari can use the excel-
lent PR such a move will generate.
Saving the best for last, according to our sources, the Atari Mega
STe is now Class B certified! The TT030 is next. In fact, if you listen
carefully, you can almost hear the echos of the cheers when the folks in
Sunnyvale were informed of the good news. Now, the trick is to get them
into the consumer pipeline. Also, it would appear there is some serious
grumbling concerning the ease of upgrading the MSTE1 to a unit with an
internal hard drive. Reports are trickling in that installation of a hard
drive is made rather difficult by the inclusion of a "molded plastic webb-
ing", honey combed affair inside the hard drive enclosure. As always,
lets wait and see. STReport is aware of an upgrade 'kit' of sorts and
that Atari would rather have their dealers or, at least have technically
qualified individuals do the installation. As soon as we have more info
concerning this matter it will be made available. In the meantime, the
'stripped down' version of the MSTE is not available in the States.. yet.
Therefore, it does not effect us at all. The MegaSTE4/50 is very good buy
and a substantially improved unit. If you are in the market, don't
hesitate get one. You'll love it.
Thanks once again for your strong support!
Ralph............
TODAY'S NEWS ..TODAY!
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> STReport's Staff The regulars and this week's contributors!
================
Publisher - Editor
------------------
Ralph F. Mariano
Staff Editors:
--------------
Michael Arthur Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr. Dana P. Jacobson
Lucien Oppler Brad Martin Walter Daniel
Oscar Steele Robert Allbritton John Szczepanik
Dan Stidham
Contributing Correspondants:
----------------------------
Michael Lee Richard Covert Roger Stevens
Brian Converse Oliver Steinmeier Ed Krimen
Tim Holt Andrew Learner Norman Boucher
IMPORTANT NOTICE
================
Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
via E-Mail to:
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WHAT'S NEW IN THE ATARI FORUMS (May 17)
ST WRITER ELITE 4.0!
Bruce Noonan has uploaded version 4.0 of ST Writer Elite! The following
files are now available in LIBRARY 1 ("New Uploads") of the Atari Produc-
tivity Forum (GO ATARIPRO):
STWEL4.ARC - ST Writer Elite 4.0 Word Processor
STWELD.ARC - Documentation for ST Writer Elite 4.0
STWGER.ARC - German and Spanish ST Writer Elite 4.0 Word Processor
PROGRAM OF THE WEEK FROM DOUBLE CLICK
DCRTCL.ARC, available in LIBRARY 13 of the Atari Vendors Forum (GO ATARI-
VEN). DC Right Call v1.0 gives you access to the file selector (including
alternate ones like UIS) or Maxifile(tm) with the press of the right mouse
button.
NEW FROM GRIBNIF IN ATARIVEN
The following new files are available in LIBRARY 8 of the Atari Vendors
Forum (GO ATARIVEN) from Gribnif Software:
FIXQUE.ARC -- A fixed NeoDesk 3.02 Printer Queue. The one included in the
PCH302.ARC would not print correctly, so download this file if you down-
loaded the older version of the PATCH program and you use the NeoDesk
Printer Queue.
FIXPCH.ARC -- This patch program will upgrade copies of NeoDesk 3 (ver-
sion 3.01) to the newer 3.02 version. This program fixes several small
bugs and problems, and adds some minor enhancements.
NEW IN ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM
The following new files are available in LIBRARY 1 of the Atari Portfolio
Forum (GO APORTFOLIO) courtesy of BJ Gleason:
STOPW.ZIP - A multidisplay stopwatch/event counter.
Up to 10 timers/event.
CLOCK.EXE - Turn your Portfolio into a BIG clock!
BM2.ZIP - Battery Monitor Version 2; smaller than the old version.
ADDRES.EXE - Address Viewer for the PC, Version 1.0
BATTST.ZIP - Battery Test for the Portfolio, version 1
THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM ON COMPUSERVE
HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AN
OFFICIAL SUPPORT SITE BY ATARI CORPORATION
"GO APORTFOLIO TO ACCESS THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM"
***********************************************************************
> CPU STATUS REPORT LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
=================
Issue #21
---------
Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
- Topeka, Kansas STAND-ALONE VIDEO TOASTER
--------------
NewTek, whose Video Toaster board for the Amiga acts as a stillstore,
switcher, titler, and video effects generator, among other things, has
announced that because of the fading Commodore Amiga market, it is now
selling a stand-alone Toaster system for $3,995.
The new stand-alone Toaster looks like a Commodore Amiga 2000, but it is
designed specifically for the broadcast TV market. The product features
a four-input production switcher which can perform cuts, fades and wipes
among any of seven sources including four video inputs. It also includes
a digital video effects generator, a three-dimensional animation package
called LightWave, a character generator, a paint program, 2 frame
buffers, a color processing engine called ChromaFX, and a frame grabber
and storer.
- Sunnyvale, California NEW CHIP SPEEDS UP WINDOWS
---------------------
The first user interface single chip controller microprocessor, the
W5086, has been introduced by Weitek. The W5086 incorporates in hardware
the key functions of Microsoft Window's graphic device interface and is
expected to increase the speed of the Windows environment and Windows
applications.
The new chip is expected to provide an increase of 25 times the current
speed of BitBlk transfers, which consist of moving the visual objects in
Windows and is expected to cut the average user's work-time in Windows
in half.
Weitek claims the W5086 is compatible with 80286 and 80386 hardware and
IBM Video Graphics Array (VGA) arrays, so it will run all existing non-
Windows software. Weitek expects the new chip to be available by this
fall through original equipment manufacturer video cards and be in the
$150-$200 price range.
- Phoenix, Arizona GUILTY PLEA IN 'SUNDEVIL' CASE
----------------
Sentencing is due on June 7 for Baron Majette, 19, also known as "Doc
Savage" who was arrested in late March as a result on the on-going joint
federal/state "Operation Sundevil" investigation. Majette plead guilty
in the Superior Court in the State of Arizona to a single count of com-
puter fraud, a third degree misdemeanor. Under Arizona state law, the
maximum sentence for this crime is 10 years and the 'presumptive sen-
tence' is 5 years.
- Manhasset, New York MAC VARS JUMPING TO WINDOWS?
-------------------
According to a report in this week's Computer Reseller News by Allison
Calderbank, several Macintosh VARs (value-added resellers), are drifting
toward Windows 3.0 applications because the MS-DOS GUI (graphical user
interface) offers better market opportunities.
Some industry observers feel that this could pose a very significant
problem for Apple, which has always relied on its position as having the
only strongly GUI-oriented operating environment to maintain customer
loyalty.
- Central, Hong Kong HONG KONG TO LEGALIZE SOME SOFTWARE COPYING
------------------
The Law Reform Commission's Copyright Subcommitte in Hong Kong has
proposed that copying of software products by end users should not be a
criminal offence. Although heavy penalties would still apply to
commercial copying and distribution of copyright material, the Business
Software Alliance (BSA and Software Publishers Association (SPA) face a
serious legal setback to their software protection efforts.
In the past, Hong Kong has had a flourishing software piracy trade,
catering principally to students and non-business users. There have been
many criticisms in the past of prices being much higher than in the USA,
and of a lack of user support.
- San Diego, California HEWLETT-PACKARD HELPING OUT AMERICA'S
--------------------- CUP YACHT RACERS
In the fast-changing world of yacht racing, computer technology is
essential in designing new boats and Hewlett-Packard is helping out the
American team headed by Dennis Conner.
Yacht building is as much an art as a science, but, while the three
years prior to the 1987 America's Cup races saw Dennis Conner's Stars &
Stripes team tank-testing models of 40 designs and building three full-
sized yachts, the greater use of computers has allowed them to tank-test
fewer than 15 models this time and build only one full-sized yacht.
Hewlett-Packard computer systems are also used by the New Zealand
challengers, and both teams use HP computers for both on-board tactical
evaluation, design, and simulation.
Besides working with yacht designers and the racing teams, HP is also
providing about 150 personal computers and workstations, along with
associated printers and plotters, for use during this week's World
Championship races.
- Cupertino, California SUIT FILED AGAINST APPLE
---------------------
Due to Apple Computer's disappointing third quarter financial results, a
lawsuit (Berley v. Sculley) was filed on May 7, 1991, against the
company and certain officers and directors for allegedly making
misleading statements regarding the company's prospective earnings and
business outlook. The lawsuit alleges violation of federal securities
laws.
- Scotts Valley, California BORLAND STOCK FALLS
-------------------------
Since Charlotte Walker, analyst for Labe Simpson and Co., issued a
report in which she said Borland would lose a copyright infringement
case with Lotus, Borland stock has dropped 2-3/4 to 48. Lotus has sought
a summary judgement against Borland claiming Borland's Quattro Pro
product violates the copyright on Lotus' 1-2-3 spreadsheet product.
David Bayer, an analyst with Montgomery Securities, said the outcome of
the case was far from clear and believed the market was overreacting. "I
think it (the stock fall) is overstating the case.
- Cupertino, California SYSTEM 7.0 NOW SHIPPING FOR MAC
---------------------
System 7.0, an upgrade to the Macintosh operating system is now shipping
according to a recent announcement by Apple Computer. Apple calls System
7.0 "the most significant enhancement to Macintosh since its intro-
duction in 1982". According to John Sculley, Apple's chairman and chief
executive officer, "System 7 sets a new standard, thereby widening the
gap between what one can do with a computer, and what one can do with a
Macintosh."
Among the features contained in the new operating system are:
Improved handling of fonts and desk accessories
'Virtual memory' which allows the automatic expansion of memory
available for applications
'InterApplication Communications' (IAC) which allows disparate pro-
grams to dynamically work together
'Data Access Manager' (DAT) which allows access to mainframe and
minicomputer-based SQL (structured query language) databases.
System 7.0 will be bundled with all Macintoshes within the next few
months, and those which contain System 6 software will include a special
card for a free software upgrade.
Those buying the PUK -- Personal Upgrade Kit -- get 90 days of direct,
toll-free telephone support, and those buying the GUK -- Group Upgrade
Kit -- get 180 days of free technical support. This is the first time
Apple has had a direct support hotline for its products, and is not
depending on dealers to answer buyer's questions.
Apple stated that it "expects most of the more than 4,000 Macintosh
applications currently shipping to be compatible with the new System 7."
- San Jose, California MEMORY REQUIREMENTS OF SYSTEM 7.0
--------------------
A minimum of 2 megabytes of RAM are needed to run applications under
System 7, but Apple officials say most computers now are being shipped
with 2 megabytes of RAM, even the Macintosh Classics. Of the 3 1/2
million Macintoshes in the US, 2 million of them have the necessary RAM
on hand to run System 7.0 software, said Apple USA President Bob Puette.
Even the 1 meg Macintosh Classics, which have become Apple's volume pro-
duct, will come with System 7 software but won't be able to run it with-
out a RAM upgrade. Dealers will be responsible to inform buyers that
their machines will not be able to run System 7.0 software, and will
have the incentive to sell buyers of the lowest-priced Macs more memory
at the time of purchase.
- San Jose, California APPLE REDUCES MEMORY PRICES
--------------------
Coinciding with the extra memory requirements of the recently released
System 7.0 operating system, Apple has announced a significant price
cuts of up to 41% for logic board upgrades and up to 57% for memory
kits. 2MB of RAM is required to run System 7.0.
- San Jose, California BILL GATES HELPS INTRODUCE SYSTEM 7
--------------------
Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman and co-founder, introduced new Microsoft
Excel features and a new version of the venerable Flight Simulator.
Despite their friction in court, where Apple is suing Microsoft over its
Windows product in a celebrated 'look and feel' case, the two firms
continue to work closely on product development and collaborated closely
on development of the Truetype technology.
Gates told the audience that he was wearing the same blue polo shirt
Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder, gave him in 1984 at the introduction of
the original Macintosh. Gates got a laugh when he said, "At that time
there were 15 developers and we all went out to dinner afterwards." At
this roll-out there were 2,000 developers. He concluded his address by
saying that Microsoft will have 8 major applications which take
advantage of System 7.
- San Jose, California MOST EXISTING MAC APPS WILL RUN ON
-------------------- SYSTEM 7.0
Most of the existing 4,000 applications will run on the new System 7.0
software, according to the company. Apple engineers say they tested 777
existing Macintosh programs and the 'top 500' ran on System 7.0 with no
problems.
- San Jose, California 100 NEW 3RD PARTY SYSTEM 7.0 APPS
-------------------- DUE BY AUGUST
In addition to the existing 4,000 applications on the market for the
Macintosh, John Sculley, Apple CEO, promised over 100 new applications
written specifically to exploit the power of the new software would ship
by August.
- San Jose, California APPLE SYSTEM 7.0 EXPLOITS WORKGROUP
-------------------- COMPUTING
Apple has leaped ahead of IBM in the area of distributed processing --
not with a different class of computers, but with a different class of
computer usage, so says Bob Puette, president of Apple USA.
The new System 7.0 software enables the processing of an application to
be offloaded to a different Macintosh while the user's machine processes
a different program, a feature normally found in far more sophisticated
networks and a feature designed to make it more attractive to corporate
users. Apple demonstrated this capacity on an LC which distributed an
application to a second Macintosh while it worked on a different one.
"Workgroup computing," with System 7.0, proclaimed Puette, now goes
"beyond connecting computers to a single printer." Workgroup computing
is also at the heart of several new products and features for the Mac.
The "publish" and "subscribe" options now found in several applications,
written specifically with System 7.0 in mind, enable users to make their
files available to others on their network without departing their
application, or pulling up a special network menu.
- Santa Clara, California CLARIS ANNOUNCES SYSTEM 7.0 PRODUCTS
-----------------------
Claris Corporation has announced the introduction of a series of new and
revised products designed specifically to utilize the features of
Macintosh System 7.0 operating system which began shipping on May 13.
The new products are a spreadsheet (Claris Resolve) which Claris calls
"the first Macintosh application designed from the ground up for System
7.0" and a word processor (MacWrite Pro), while those programs modified
for the new System 7.0 operating system are MacProject II version 2.5
and HyperCard 2.1.
- San Jose, California VENTURA PUBLISHER FOR SYSTEM 7.0
--------------------
Ventura Software has announced a new version of Ventura Publisher,
Macintosh Edition desktop publishing software that includes support for
the System 7.0 architecture.
System 7.0 features supported by the new version of Ventura include:
Publish and Subscribe, which is the ability of one document to have
dynamic links with another document; Interapplication Communication, or
the communication between applications; and Balloon help, a form of
system level help within and between applications.
______________________________________________________________
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IMPORTANT NOTICE!
=================
As a reader of STReport International Online Magazine, you are entitled to
take advantage of a special DELPHI membership offer. For only $29.95 ($20
off the standard membership price!), you will receive a lifetime subscrip-
tion to DELPHI, a copy of the 500-page DELPHI: THE OFFICIAL GUIDE and over
$14 worth of free time.
NOTE: Special offers can be found in your favorite Atari magazines:
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======================
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JOIN -- DELPHI
--------------
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
--------------------
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for just $20 a month! The $20 is a monthly fee that covers your first 20
hours online via direct dial into one of DELPHI's two direct-access lines,
or via a special Tymnet 20/20 Access code. It also gets you additional
hours at just $1.20 per hour. And you get free access to several services
on DELPHI as part of the Advantage Perks.
Other telecom services may have additional charges. Canadian Tymnet users
have an additional telecom charge. Office Time access (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
weekdays) may have an additional charge. And of course, other restric-
tions may apply. But this is still an amazing deal!
For more information please contact:
DELPHI at 1-800-544-4005 and ask for Member Services.
DELPHI- It's getting better all the time!
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
> ATARI BOSTON STR Feature A view of Atari life from Boston
========================
A BOSTONIAN AND HIS ATARI
=========================
by Norman Boucher
Hello my name is Norman, and I will try and give you an idea on what
it is like being an Atari user in the Boston area. First a little about
myself and how I got started on Atari. I had always liked video games, so
when I was in a local salvage store and spotted an 800XL for $25.00 I knew
that I had to have it. About a year late I moved up to a 130XE and tele-
communications. This was a whole new world for me. I learned of a
usergroup within a 30 minute drive so I joined. It was here that I saw my
first ST, also I met the owner of a computer store that sold Atari
Computers. Well it did not take long for him to get me into an ST.
I now own a 1040STfm, both Color and Mono monitors, a 40 meg hard
drive, a second floppy, and two 9 pin printers. of course hundreds of
disks with all sorts of PD stuff from the boards. I still like games but
find most of my time is taken up calling the boards. The only national
board I call is Delphi (NORMAN238). At the time I got my first ST I found
out about another usergroup closer to home. This group, South Shore Atari
Group (SSAG) was just what I needed. Before long I joined the Steering
Committee and am now assistant director. SSAG maintains a sig on Delphi
in the Boston node. Since the 20/20 plan things have been slow in the
Boston area but we still intend to keep the area going, so next time on
Delphi go to Boston and say hello. Well enough about me.
Last year, the Boston Computer Society's Atari groups along with help
and support of some of the other groups in the area hosted the New England
AtariFest '90. At this point I would like to say thanks to Kevin and Har-
ry for without their energy and determination we would never have gotten
the show off the ground. Thanks Guys!! I would like also to thank all the
vendors who helped make the show the success that it was, and if you would
like to see another one let us know. It helped having some great Atari
developers living and working in the area, and when these people decided
to come it made it that more easier to bring the others on board. It was
three LONG years between shows and I would not want to see it go that long
again.
A little about Boston. We seem to be blessed with not one but three
stores that carry Atari products. That seems above average compared to
the rest of the country. There is a forth store 2.5 hours away from
Boston that also carries our beloved machine. But for some reason all the
Atari users seem to be hiding. I mean with this much in the way of dealer
support you would think that every where you go there would be an Atari
user. I know there are a lot of usergroups around but there is also a l-
arge group of people who belong to more that one of these groups so it is
hard to tell exactly what the market is like. Boston is also home of the
Berkeley School of Music and I have met a few Atari users but for some
reason they don't want to mix with the rest of us. I would love some-
musicians to belong to some of the groups, I think all of us would benefit
from meeting and talking with these people. Of course Boston has the Bos-
ton Computer Museum which was just written up in Current Notes. I am sad
to say that living here I never been there and sorry to say it had to take
a visitor to our city to spotlight it. Boston is also home to the Boston
Computer Society the largest computer usergroup in the world. BCS supp-
orts all types of computers and is known worldwide.
It is my hope to tell you about the other groups in and around Boston in
future stories.
We in the Boston area seem to have it good, I mean not only three dea-
lers we also have some fine developers around. Jim Alan who shows up at
our meetings when time permits to the fine folks from Gribnif half a state
away. Those two are not the only well known Atari people around there is
Albert Braggata I am sure that You have seen his fine shareware programs
and picture files on the boards. There is also Rick Keene recently feat-
ured in ST Informer, and Dr. T's, the Guys who bring FoReM BBS and many
many more. The only support we can't seem to get out here is from ATARI
itself. There are places that say what can we have and Atari jumps to
help and places like Boston for some reason getting any kind of acknowled-
gment from them is like having all your teeth pulled.
Well in leaving I must say Boston is a great city!!! If you get the
chance come on by and visit us. I will be writing some more (I Hope) in
the future. Sometimes I go off the deep end, I get ticked off what can I
say I just don't know enough to keep my big mouth shut or in this case
keep my fingers off the keyboard. Remember if you want to yell at me for
my horrid style of writing or just want to say hello I am always on Delphi
(at least once a day) if you have any ideas on what you would want me to
write about again let me know. If you don't have a Delphi account you can
send me US Mail thru my group SSAG P.O. Box 129 Hyde Park, Ma 02136. I
might yell I might scream and I may throw a cream pie at some people but
I very seldom bite anyone.
***********************************************************************
:HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
_________________________________
To sign up for GEnie service: Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
Wait for the U#= prompt.
Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.
**** SIGN UP FEE WAIVED ****
The system will now prompt you for your information.
-> NOW! GENIE STAR SERVICE IS IN EFFECT!! <-
GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission
***********************************************************************
> STR Feature "...a different viewpoint"
===========
A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT
==================================
by Michael Lee
Do you know how to give an on-line magazine publisher a heart attack?
You give him a column that's 5-10k larger than he's expecting. That's
what I did this week. I had a backlog of posts from CIS and Genie that I
wanted to use up (I haven't been on CIS in two weeks, I'm afraid to see
how far behind I am there).
----------------
From D.A. Brumleve (Kidprgs) from the ST RoundTable on Genie...
If your child attends a preschool, day care center, at-risk program,
or Kindergarten-Grade 1, please be aware that my company is now
marketing a package which includes a 1040STe, 11 programs and disk-
box, mouse, and mousepad; used with a color monitor or tv, the
package provides a complete computer center for a school program
aimed at kids ages 2-7.
We presented this package at the Midwest Association for the
Education of Young Children conference in Des Moines this past week-
end [April 18-20] and it was well-received by everyone who gave it a
try.
Programs included with the package include PD and commercial
offerings which have been specially modified to suit the needs of a
classroom setting.
Please ask interested teachers/directors to contact me at 217-337-
1937 for our literature.
---------------
About the Gravis Joysticks from Ron Haidenger (Product Manager) on
CIS...
Advanced Gravis makes 2 models of sticks for the Atari. One is a
Switch (digital) Joystick and the other is our Amiga/Atari ST Mouse-
Stick.
The Switch Joystick was upgraded last year to include Turbo-fire and
adjustable switch points. When you tighten up the handle tension, the
switch contact locations actually respond to less stick handle
movement. There should not be many of the older non-turbo units left
out in the market...
The MouseStick is an optical joystick which can function as a Switch
Joystick or a mouse. It can be defined by the user for movement
control and button functions. As with all our joysticks, the
MouseStick has 3 fire buttons, a full-sized foam padded handle,
adjustable handle tension and microswitch buttons. The microswitch
buttons are rated for a MINIMUM life of 10,000,000 operations...The
MouseStick has added button power as they can be programmed to
perform several different functions such as Trim, Double Click, Click
& Lock, Adjustable Turbo Fire and more.
----------------
Some paraphrased comments by various Atari on-line representatives.
Maybe there's a tidbit here that might interest or help you. From the ST
RT on Genie...
...recently we [Atari] have seen networking packages for the TT030,
MegaSTe and the ST's. Of course, all of them are currently beta ver-
sions (the ST version requires a special cartridge) and aren't com-
plete yet, but the Atari users could be seeing some decent networking
software real soon.
...all I can say at this time is that we [Atari] are looking into
Multitasking for GEM.
...to make sure applications will work okay on future ST and TT
systems, with few or no modifications, programmers should use the VDI
for their output and stay independent of hardware.
...due to a limitation of the Spectre GCR and not the TT, the TT
won't be able to run Mac II software at this time.
...roms in the ST, STe and TT's are currently socketed.
...Atari is selling a system in Saudi Arabia that has TOS 1.2 done in
Arabic. It has an Arabic keyboard, character set and when you enter
text, it goes from right to left.
...programs that do their own Atari Laser Printer Output will pro-
bably be unable to use or run in TT Ram.
...some early developer versions of the TT030 had the 68881 floating
point coprocessors, the current systems are being shipped with the
68882.
...The STe and the TT030 have 3 channels for the GI sound chip and 2
DMA channels for stereo sound.
...to get a TT030 ram upgrade, you should contact the dealer where
you purchased your system. They are in short supply but available.
...while getting the TT030 certified as a Class B system has taken
Atari longer than they anticipated, they are not holding up its cer-
tification on purpose. As soon as it passes its FCC tests, it will be
certified.
...changing desktop resolutions on the MegaSTe and TT030 is as simple
as pressing a key. ALT 1-3 handles the three ST resolutions and ALT
4-5 handles the TT Low and Medium resolution (on the TT only).
...on the TT030, if you have problems running a program, try running
it in ST Medium or High resolution and in ST Ram.
...if you own a PTC1426 monitor, it has a small black switch on the
back that is labeled "VGA/TTC". This affects the horizontal timing
and screen width.
...most Atari PC's, the MegaSTe and the TT use a 6v lithium battery
pack for their real time clock. Since they are common in the PC
world, you might check with a PC service shop for one if your dealer
doesn't have one in stock.
...while in theory all new AA alkaline batteries are the same, in the
'real world', many things can effect their life span. How long they
set on the shelf, the tolerance of the length of the battery and
slightly different positive end buttons can all effect the life of a
battery cell.
...Lattice C/TT is basically an upgrade to Lattice C v5 that has been
recompiled improve performance by using the 68030 code itself (the
same with Devpac TT). Lattice C v5 and the regular Devpac will work
on a 68000 system, Lattice C/TT and Devpac TT will only work on the
68030 processor.
...Atari's SPF004 6881 board for the old Mega ST is implemented
identically to the MegaSTe's FPU, software that worked on the FPU in
the old Mega's will work with the MegaSTe.
...Currently, Atari's plans are to charge about $100 for the FSMGDOS
up-grade. The package would include FSMGDOS, FSM.CPX and the entire
Lucida font family. But these plans and charges could change by the
time of its release.
...if you want the full VME Catalog, contact VITA, VMEbus Inter-
national Trade Association, 10229 N. Scottsdale Rd, Suite E,
Scottsdale, Arizona 85253. They produce a directory of VME Compatible
Products, and a VMEbus Handbook that gives a full tutorial on the VME
specification.
----------------
Some comments from Paul Wu (WuzTEK/OMINIMON Peripherals) from the ST RT
on Genie...
...The NEC 3D is a good monitor but quite expensive...WuzTEK in
California (I work for WuzTEK) sells a plug 'm play multi-sync
monitor that retails for $549 complete with all cables. If you are
interested you may reach me by phone at 714-753-9253.
...[if a VGA monitor does not work with Omniswitch], there may be a
chance that [it] will not work with the Atari ST at all.
...The reason...is because VGA runs a 31 Khz horz. and optionally at
35kHz and the Atari ST displays 15.7Kz in color mode and 35.1Khz in
mono. That is why some VGA monitors will display ST's mono pictures.
Unfortunately, some VGA monitors does not support the higher 35Khz
frequency and therefore will not work with the ST. Beware! Know the
scanning frequency range of the monitor before you buy them!
----------------
Question from Stephen Holcombe on CIS...
I'm looking for a good C compiler for my ST, preferably as UNIX-like
as possible.
Answer from Bob Retelle (Sysop) on CIS...
...the Mark Williams C package uses a shell that is very UNIX like in
its commands. It also includes an emacs-like editor...
Answer from Greg Wageman on CIS...
...I've been working with Mark Williams C for several years now. It
is a very solid compiler, with lots of familiar Unix emulation fun-
ctions, a source debugger, and a resource construction set. The shell
is also very familiar to a Unix user, providing the most frequently
used commands...
----------------
Comments from Mark Kelling on CIS...
...I've seen the ATARI MEGA machines featured in several FOX network
shows over the past few months. First was on an episode of "Harry and
the Hendersons" where one character was using a MEGA 4 with ATARI
hard drive to type a newspaper (I think) article. Another time was in
a show called "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" There the MEGA was just shown
(for several seconds) sitting on a desk. It wasn't actually used.
----------------
From Doug Wheeler (ICD) on how to install the new upgrades of the ICD
software. From the ST RT on Genie...
------------------------------------------------------------------
Doug's Easy ICDBOOT Installation Instructions
------------------------------------------------------------------
1. After unARCing all the files, copy them onto a floppy disk or-
ganized just like an original ICD disk (ICDBOOT.PRG in an AUTO
folder, and most everything else outside the AUTO folder).
2. Reboot your ST and bypass the HD autobooting using CTRL-ALT-LSHFT
(remember, if you're using TOS 1.2 or later, wait until the
floppy light comes on before pressing CTRL-ALT-LSHFT).
2a. Occasionally, the programs in the AUTO folder on floppy disk will
not run after a warm boot. If ICDBOOT.PRG didn't run, run it
manually from the floppy disk.
3. Run HDUTIL.PRG and use the BOOT option to install the booter onto
your boot partition (usually C:). You can also use the CONFIG
option to reconfigure the booter the way you want.
4. That's it...reboot and your HD should autoboot with the new
booter.
----------------
From Frank Bell from the ST RoundTable on Genie...
...I had a look at MULTIGEM the other day and can say the following:
1. Software multi-tasking system, really! If a program is written for
multi-tasking, such as the included Clock program, it really runs
while your executing a program in another window. Otherwise you just
have up to 6 programs loaded at the same time and must jump from win-
dow to window to do your thing. The program is similar to Multifinder
on the Mac...
2. Up to 6 programs can be active at one time if no accessaries are
active. MULITGEM uses free accessary slots for control. Once a pro-
gram has ended, the slot becomes available for the next job.
3. It should work on all STs and TTs. Great big monitors too.
4. I understand quite a few normal ST/TT programs work right out of
the box. I didn't have too much time to play with the program and
never did read the manual but I had Turbo C, WordPlus, my terminal
program shell and editor running along with the above Clock.Prg and
two or three normal GEM windows open. I could either just click on
the window/program I wanted or click on one the accessary slots to
active the program. The Clock just ticked away all by itself in the
corner (most of the time, sometimes it wouldn't tick for a minute or
so). Programs that use the menu line cause no problems, the program
thats active owns it. Activate another program and it takes the menu
line.
5. Programs such as GEMIMI won't work. I suppose the same goes for
every Desktop program or program that takes over the complete desktop
from GEM...GEnie's Aladdin (ST version) would load part way but I
could never activate it.
If you have one of those big monitors or a multisync and a overscan
program, I used MegaScreen for 768x608 pixels, MULTIGEM is what we've
all be waiting for. But is also works on a normal ST or STE but the
screen is a little cramped. MULTIGEM also needs one of those VDI
accelerators. A T16, T20, T30, T40, ..., or SST must scream.
I think multitasking is just about here.
Oh, the price. I think its around $80.00, but as it hasn't come to
Austria yet the price is still open. The version I saw came directly
from the CeBit and was in the version 1.0. Update to the next version
is free.
----------------
From Keith Brooks (New Horizon Computer Systems) from the ST RT on
Genie...
I just demo'd a MegaSTe4 and TT030 at a large company in Calgary that
has offices from coast to coast and several in U.S. The program
demo'd was written in dbMan v5.1, the command files and DBF's came to
over 500k. (Their entire criteria is raw speed for this program.)
The top speed for their '386 machines running the uncompiled version
was 80 seconds. Their newest unit, an Everex 286/20mhz with Step-
Cache, ran the program in 67 seconds. Our clients MegaST4 (w/TOS 1.2)
got 107 seconds.
We took in the MegaSTe4 and our TT030/8Mb unit. The MegaSTe4 (with
16mhz cache turned on) run the program in 70 seconds, just 3 seconds
off the mark set by their Everex but 10 seconds faster than their
fastest '386. The TT030 (reminiscent of burning rubber and squealing
tires) ran the same program in 38 seconds!!! It ran the compiled
version in 24 seconds. The company couldn't believe it, so we ran the
tests 3 more times...all with the same results.
The subject of a hot rod computer in their boardroom brought some
higher ups down the hall. Serious stuff. Their EDP and accounting and
test departments will be hearing about it...
----------------
Question from Myles Cohen on CIS...
I just bought a STE. Included was a disk with an AUTO folder with
STE_FIX.PRG in it. I had heard that POOLFIX4.PRG was a good idea to
use with the STe, so I included both of these programs in my hard
drive AUTO folder...Now when my Hard disk initializes...I get a mes-
sage that says one of the programs in my AUTO folder does not follow
the XBRA conventions...Turns out that the culprit is POOLFIX. Can
anyone help me?
Answer from Dan Rhea (Sysop) on CIS...
...I suspect your problem may relate to the order the files are
[physically] in the AUTO folder. Not the way you see them sorted, but
in the older they are on the disk.
Copy the files to another folder (use another window) then delete
both files out of the AUTO folder (if you have more files in the auto
folder, copy and delete them too). Now, one at a time, move the files
back into the AUTO folder (put poolfix in first, then the other fix
file). Move the rest of the files back in the order suggested (if
any). Now reboot the system and see if your problem is still there.
If so you have that second folder to juggle things again. This
"might" fix things until someone can give you a definitive error.
Myles Cohen, with a 'happily burbling computer'...
...Dan's message straightened out the problem for me. I had STE-FIX
first in the AUTO folder, followed by POOLFIX-4. As soon as I
reversed them, the computer burbled happily and stopped sending me
the doesn't-follow-XBRA-rules message.
----------------
Some computer definitions from Dave Small that I found interesting. From
Cat. 4, Topic 16, Message 146 on the ST RoundTable on Genie...
"RSN" is Jerry Pournelle's "Real Soon Now" phrase, typically meaning
six months to forever.
"Two Weeks" is Atari's phrase to describe when their product will
pass FCC Class B. It typically means the same as "RSN".
"Yesterday" is a generic phrase typically used to mean "when I get
the d*mned software to compile...I mean, it SHOULD work first time!".
"Now Shipping" means that roses are Now Shipping for Mother's Day to
the person's relatives. It also typically means that if everything
turns out perfectly, the product will ship RSN, in Two Weeks.
"I don't know why it isn't at the dealers...probably stuck at the
distributors" means the product is Now Shipping.
"Feature" means a bug.
"Didn't Bother To Mention That Feature" means the bug was REALLY
embarrassing!
"The Manuals Are At The Printers" means that the company has pur-
chased a computer to write the manual on, and is now trying different
word processors out, particularly shareware ones.
"The Disks Didn't Duplicate Right" means that the disks don't exist,
and thus, couldn't duplicate right. It's all in your time pers-
pective. (In other words, "You're not thinking fourth dimensionally,
Marty" -- "Doc" Emmett Brown, "Back To The Future".)
I *do* hope that this Translation and Definition Guide will prove
useful to you.
A new edition will be posted RSN.
Grin, Dave / Gadgets
----------------
Until next week.....
_____________________________________________________________________
> MAC REPORT
==========
Issue #008
----------
by Robert Allbritton
*** System 7 Arrives
The Windows 3.0 killer version of the Macintosh OS has arrives, and it
looks to be everything that it claimed to be: the good the bad and the
ugly. A full review next week.
*** Apple Stock Plunge
Within three weeks, Apple stock has gone down over 25 points from a
high of 75 to about 50 this week. Lower earnings than expected are to bla-
me, but Apple seems to be having big problems transforming to a high vo-
lume computer maker. While sales of the Macintosh Classic remain strong,
sales of the Mac II line are up only slightly, and the new Mac LC, while
successful, is not nearly sharing the same sales figures as the Classic.
On top of that, a class action suit has been filed by Apple shareholders
who bought stock between January 17 and April 30. The suit charges that
Apple Executives, including Chairman John Scully, made misleading stateme-
nts about the company's outlook for earnings growth.
Earlier in the week, Apple stated that their third quarter income may
actually be below last years. This sent a shock wave through Wall Street
as Apple's rating has gone from buy, to hold, to sell in a little under
three weeks.
Everyone seems to believe that Apple as a company remains strong. They
are sitting on over $500 million in cash and have no long term debt. Howe-
ver for an investor, the stock is rapidly losing its attractiveness. Apple
claims the transformation from a low volume, high profit margin company to
a high volume, low profit margin company may take up to 18 months.
*** Radius lowers prices
In an attempt to match Apple's pricing on the Classic, IIsi and Mac
LC, Radius has lowered prices on several products. The Pivot monitor was
lowered $200 to $1,095. The GS/C greyscale interface was lowered $400 to
$995. The DirectColor/GX for 13" color video was reduced $300 to $795, and
Radius TV went down $600 to $2,195.
*** Apple orders second Cray.
Cray computer announced they received a $4.6 million dollar order for
a Cray Y-MP2E supercomputer from Apple. The computer will be installed at
Apple's main campus in Cupertino California this fall. The computer is
Apple's second Cray (they also have an older Cray X-MP that was installed
in 1986) The new Cray will be used in research and development and will be
linked via high speed networks (over 100 Megabytes per second) to scien-
tific workstations.
*** University of Maine integrates with Macs.
After considering several vendors, the University of Maine chose Apple
Computer and their Macintosh systems to fully integrate the campus. Macs
will find their way into every form of student and faculty life with com-
puters in dorms, classrooms, and eventually even Professors homes. The
Macs were chosen because of price, software, hardware compatibility with
existing systems and project training and support.
*** RasterOps introduces new video equipment
The ultimate Macintosh video board will be available from RasterOps
starting in June. The new 24XLTV supports 21 inch screens at 1,152 by 870
pixels with 24 bits of color (over 16.7 million colors at once) with real-
-time live video display in a window at 30 frames a second and video frame
capture from NTSC (American et al) PAL (European) and SECAM (French) video
sources. Also built into the board is live video out, and overlay that
will allow the mixing of graphics and video. The 24XLTV also supports Q-
uickDraw display acceleration and JPEG hardware picture compression all on
the board. How much for all of this? $4,995 - Screen extra. But remember
that this board has 4 megs of RAM, and is the equivalent of a small video
studio.
RasterOps also introduced a new 21" color monitor (Hitachi tube) for
$4,499 and a separate image compression NuBus board for $399, along with a
new display system for the Sun SPARC line of computers.
*** Apple joins Novell Group
Novell announced that Apple will participate in Novell's new Technical
Support Alliance. This new group will attempt to provide cross - training,
cooperative support, and product and information exchanges. Other members
include Borland, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NetFRAME,
Novell, Oracle, Ungermann-Bass and 3Com.
*** New configurations for Mac LC
In an attempt to speed up business sales for the Macintosh LC, Apple
announced two new configurations for the computer. Customers can now sub-
stitute the 512K Video Ram for the Keyboard in the LC for the same $2,499
suggested retail price (2 Megs of RAM, 40 Mb Hard Drive). This allows cus-
tomers to select the keyboard they want while giving them the expanded
colors that the 512K Video Ram offers (16,000 colors at once on the 12"
screen and 256 colors at once on the 13" screen.) The other configuration
offers the 512K video Ram, no keyboard, 8 Megs of Ram and 80 Megs of hard
drive storage for $2,999
Well, that's all for now - back to exams (3 more days, then its my
"last" summer before I have to deal with the Real World [and a job]) See
you next week.
_________________________________________________________
> ST WRITER 4.0 STR InfoFile ST WRITER ELITE VERSION 4.0!
==========================
ST WRITER ELITE VERSION 4.0
(Changes since 3.6)
- For users of the MEGA TOS (1.2) and the buggy disk-loaded version of
TOS 1.4 (1988), previous versions required you to move the mouse poi-
nter outside of the menu area at the top of the edit screen when pres-
sing the [ESC] key to return to the menu screen. This was done to
correct for a GEM bug which drops menus on the mouse, leaving holes in
the menu like swiss cheese. No problem with the original version of
soft-load TOS, 1.0, and 1.4 (1989). Now, the mouse automatically
drops out of the area (does NOT work in combination with Atari's MAC-
CEL2.PRG).
- Improvements to the form input (from disk file) have been made, and
bugs that caused screwy things on wrapping an insert word occurring at
the end of a line have been squashed.
- Support for Moniterm monitor. 160 columns by 57 lines, or 160 by 93
lines in hi-res flip-flop.
- ver. 3.6 had a bug in the floppy format routine which appeared on TOS
versions previous to TOS 1.2 (Mega TOS), and caused a fatal crash.
Fixed in 3.7.
- The mouse cursor state is neutralized at exit further enhancing run-
ning of the program from a shell.
- ALL PREVIOUS VERSIONS TO 3.8 WILL NOT RUN PROPERLY ON THE STe
COMPUTERS. THE TEXT AND BACKGROUND APPEAR THE SAME COLOR WHEN YOU
PRESS ^T TO TRANSFORM COLORS.
- Increased compatibility with AtariWriter+. Foreign characters now
translate into their ST equivalents correctly. You will still need to
edit out the AtariWriter+ global formatting data and tab settings.
- 4.0 is compatible with ALL resolutions on the TT.
- 4.0 will now fast-load, and on TT will load into fast TT RAM.
- 4.0 allows selection of 3 font sizes in TT Med and TT High
resolutions, and 2 sizes in ST High and TT Low.
- 4.0 combines menu screens into one screen. GEM is always active, and
alert boxes now work alone as opposed to in parallel with command box
alerts.
- 4.0 actually has two flavors: this one works fine in TT TOS 3.5 and
better, but TOS 3.1 has VT52 emulator color problems in Low Res TT
mode. The version for START magazine has a fix for this, and will be
available if and when START publishes again. You can also fix it by
using Quick ST 3.0 which bypasses the TOS routines.
- You can now set the default for tabs to 4, 5, or 8 for tab expansion
when loading non-ST Writer Elite programs. SETTING the default tabs
[Shift Tab] remains unchanged.
- The STWRITER.PRG file may now be modified to hold your default
settings for screen color on boot-up (black or white background is
ineffective on the Moniterm Moniter, it always has white background
with black text), tab setting, default file extender, and format line
settings. Your disk and STWRITER.PRG file must NOT be write-protectd,
so do it on a back-up copy just in case of a screw-up.
When you re-boot STWRITER.PRG, the new settings become the default.
If you want to return to the virgin settings, this option is available as
well.
As always, any bugs, let me know.
Bruce Noonan, M.D., Compuserve [72407,504] or Genie [B.Noonan]
Editor Note;
This program, ST Writer Elite, is one of our standby favorites. Many
to the good Doctor for keeping this jewel up to date. STReport was elated
to see this file available for download on CIS early Friday. For a "Not
for Sale", PD word processor, this beauty rivals many, many commercial
programs. Make sure you obtain this program. Its a good one.
________________________________________________________
> GEM-View STR Review "GEM-View is *THE* picture viewer."
===================
GEM-View -- SUPER HOT!
======================
by Ed Krimen
A new picture viewer came across comp.binaries.atari.st on Usenet
recently. Just what we all need is another picture viewer, right? Well,
GEM-View is *THE* picture viewer. Not only does it handle the mundane
GIF, Degas (uncompressed and compressed), and Tiny-Compressed images, it
also handles (and this from the included READ.ME file):
o DF Rasterfiles (a own format) [*.PDF]
o GIF Images [*.GIF]
o Sun Rasterfiles [*.SUN]
o STAD Images [*.PAC]
o IFF Imagefiles (SOME, NOT ALL, searching for desc.) [*.IFF]
o GEM-(X)Image Files (*.IMG)
o GEM-Metafiles (Vector) (*.GEM)
o Neochrome Rasterfiles (*.NEO)
o Art-Director Rasterfiles (*.ART)
o Degas Images (*.P[IC][123])
o Tiny-Compressed Images (*.TN[123Y] )
o Doodle Monochrome Rasters (*.DOO [640x...] )
o Spectrum 512 Images ( *.SPU, *.SPC )
o X Bitmap-File (a bitmap C-Source description) [ *.XBM ]
There are quite a few good picture viewers for the ST, including
ViewGIF 1.2, Giffer, PicSwitch, and DSlide. Each of them have unique fea-
tures, but I have not seen anything so feature-packed as GEM-View.
For starters, all of GEM-View's output is done in a GEM window.
Since the program can be run as a program or a desk acce
ssory, it's very
versatile. When run as a desk accessory, you can have a picture in a win-
dow along with all your other open windows.
When GEM-View is selected under the DESK menu on the desktop or
run as a program, the first thing that appears is a small log window in
the lower left portion of the screen. This non-scrollable window displays
the title of the program, its version number, and author, Dieter
Fiebelkorn, all in the smallest system font to fit as much info in as lit-
tle space. Before you've recognized this however, a file selector has
appeared so that you may select a picture to view. Once a file has been
selected, it's current configuration, including original picture type,
size, number of colors, is shown in the log window.
By this time, GEM-View is converting the picture, if conversion is
necessary, to the current screen resolution and color capabilities. If
you're running GEM-View in monochrome and you've selected a color picture,
it will automatically convert the picture to monochrome, including dith-
ering and resizing if the picture is larger than your current screen size.
If required, it goes through a couple of color remapping and screen com-
pression sequences. It also tells you how long it takes to load and proc-
ess the picture. The neat thing is that it actually tells you this in the
log window as it's happening. Oh, and before I forget, not only does it
show the info in the log window as it's doing its converting, but it does
everything in the background. Yes, this program multitasks!! So, you can
select a GIF picture to convert, and while it's doing that in the backgr-
ound, you can do other stuff, like write a review of a new program or your
new unauthorized biography of Jack Tramiel. The down-side to this is that
the system is slowed down considerably when it's doing the conversions. I
suppose this would be a good reason to get a TT or a 68030 upgrade. <grin>
So, once the picture is finished converting, it outputs the image
to a full-screen window. If the image doesn't fit on the screen, you can
scroll the image using the usual scroll bars on the GEM window. Or, you
can hold down the right mouse button on the image and use the mouse to
scroll the picture inside the window. Some spectacular, advanced features
are revealed when you hold the right-mouse button over the scroll bars.
These features include saving the picture, sizing the window, clipping the
picture, rotating the clip, setting the brightness, dither or halftone,
and a few other things.
I used GEM-View with MonSTer, which is a program that creates a
1280x960 monochrome, 1280x480 4-color, or 640x480 16-color virtual screen
depending upon which ST resolution you've chose to boot in. GEM-View
works perfectly with this, and I'll assume it works with the large
Moniterm monitors as well the TT resolutions.
When I was looking through the READ.ME file, I was expecting to
find the ubiquitous shareware plea, but there wasn't one -- only Dieter's
Usenet signature file. This program is easily of commercial caliber. I'd
be surprised if it isn't sold by itself or at least bundled with another
commercial program in the future.
There are many more features in GEM-View that I haven't mentioned.
If you ever view pictures on your ST, you should get a copy of this
program.
_________________________________________________________
> USERGROUPS STR FOCUS Starting a Usergroup
====================
SO YOU WANT TO START A USER GROUP?
==================================
A primer for starting
your own user group
by Tim Holt
ACCEPT of El Paso
The computer sits on your desk, shiny, new and ready to take you on a
cruise that you have never been on before. You got your word processor,
your spreadsheets, your data bases, and all the other neat things that the
guy at the computer store could sell you. You tax rebate check is gone,and
you wife wants some results from that expensive "toy". You crank up the
word processor, and start into the 576 page manual:"Make sure interface A
is solidly connected to your camshaft before you begin any operation of
your wing nut removal system..." It is going to be a long time before
grandma gets her letter.
How could you avoid the hassles of computer ownership? How could you
find out how part A slides "easily into slot B"? And most importantly,
will grandma ever get her letter? Well, you could go back to your dealer,
but chances are they would have to fit you in between customers, and
frankly, they thought you were smart enough to figure the computer out
before you bought it. It would be EMBARRASSING to go back to them. You
convinced them that you were smart, and going back would prove they were
wrong. The best bet would be to find another computer user, who was in
the same mess you are in now. Another user who could guide you through
the programs.
Even better, a group of users who could help you, whose brains you
could pick, and who wouldn't make you feel too stupid. What you need is a
USER GROUP. What do you say? There is no user group in your area? Well,
why not start your own? In this series of columns we will hopefully desc-
ribe how someone can get a user group going in their area. What to look
for, what to avoid, and how to keep that club going even after it you have
it well established. Of course, this is just a generic outline of how to
get a UG going. The rest will be up to you. Like art, the limits in any
user group are the limits of your imagination. You will do things that we
have never tried, and some of the things we have tried won't work for
you. But hopefully, this series will let you at least see the way to go.
This week's topic:
WHAT, WHY and WHERE of a user group:
1. The first questions are, what is a user group, and do I belong?
A user group is defined here as a group of people with some
sort of similar interest: ie. The computer. This group meets
together, either formally or informally to discuss how to make
the computer a more useful tool for them. If you do not think
that you are getting all you can out of your computer, then you
might enjoy the services of a user group. If you are a master
of everything about computers, then a user group would be a
great place to display the fruits of all your hard work. In
other words, a user group can be fun for just about everyone.
2. Why form a user group?
Wouldn't just talking to your friends be enough? Well, this
idea works if all of your friends own exactly the same things
you do. Chances are they don't. Chances are also pretty good
that your friends are not using the computer for the same
purposes you are. The old cliche that two heads are better
than one works well here. Input from a wide variety of sources
is extremely important. You didn't buy the first car you ever
saw, or the first computer.You shopped around and got a
variety of ideas. A user group facilitates the wide
variety of inputs, the bantering around of new ideas. Some
fellow from the other side of town or in another city, might
have a solution to your problem that your inner circle just
can't figure out. The sharing of ideas is THE major reason
user groups are formed.
3. Okay, I want to form one. How do I do it?
Well, you just can't expect a user group to form overnight.
Some careful considerations are in order BEFORE you even have a
first meeting.
Consideration #1: Will your area support a user group?
Get a feel for how many other similar computer users there are
in your area. If you are the only one in a 300 mile radius,
chances are a group won't work. However, if you know of several
other people with your type of computer, chances are there are
many others that you do not know about. (Kind of like roaches:
if you see one, there might be thousands in the walls...) Put
a feeler up on a local BBS that supports your computer. Ask the
dealer nearby if they would ask customers about starting a
group. Put a poster up in the local computer store saying that
a user group is forming, and to call you if they are
interested. This should give you a pretty good idea. Make an
effort to let it be known about an organizational meeting that
you will have. Make the date and time convenient for most
people. The organizational meeting for our group was held in a
food court at a local shopping center. The reason being, the
mall was well known, easy to get to, centrally located, and
neutral. Folks might have qualms about going to some stranger's
house. If you find that a few people are interested, great.
Don't be discouraged by a low turnout either. Our first meeting
had 5 people show up!
Consideration #2: Where are you going to meet regularly?
Well, you can't keep meeting in the middle of the mall, so you
had better find a place that facilitates your club. I will give
you several things to look for in a meeting room:
Lots of chairs (for the big crowds!), lots of tables (gotta put
those computers somewhere) and lots of electrical outlets. If
you know a place that meets those criteria, go for it. (This
also knocks out most peoples homes.)
-Public libraries usually have meeting rooms that they will let
you use. They SHOULD let you use them if you tell them you are
a non-profit organization. Since your taxes help pay for the
library, most cities allow clubs to use the meeting rooms in
libraries.
-Public schools also make nice meeting places. Lots of chairs,
etc, however, most schools are not open on Saturdays, which is
a traditional meeting day. Check with your local school
district on their policy towards clubs using the facilities.
-Churches usually have meeting rooms and tables with chairs.
If you have a close relationship with a local church, go
ahead and ask them if you can use the room once a month. They
might ask for a small donation, and if it isn't too outrageous,
go for it.
-Local computer dealer: The guy that sold you the computer
might have an open area in the back of the shop that you can
use. This is especially nice for you because you get to use
their computers, and see the newest gadgets right in the store.
It is also nice for the dealer, because he gets a group of
users that are always looking for the newest and neatest stuff,
and he essentially has a captive audience for a few hours. Good
for you, good for him.
-Other options: I have heard of clubs meeting in banks,
Shriner's Halls, Bingo Parlors, the local college, you name it,
they meet there.
Remember though, if you can save money, do so. If you have a
choice between a free place and a $5 a month place, go for the
free one if they are similar.Some places make you sign an
agreement for a period of time,say, a year. Don't sign one that
says YOU will have to pay so and so. YOU will get stuck with
the bill if something happens. Try to find a place that has no
monetary restriction, such as security deposits. That's why our
club meets in a library. We have an agreement that says our
club will meet there the second Saturday of each month for an
entire year. No other user can use the facility during our
time, from 12:30pm until 3:30pm.
Consideration #3: How will the group be structured?
Traditionally, a club of ANY kind has the basic officers:
President: The grand marshall. He oversees all the goings-on of
the club. This person sets the agenda of the club, and is
responsible for making sure that things run smoothly. (In many
clubs, the president is EVERYTHING! Don't let this happen. For
one, he will get burned out real fast, OR he will go on a power
trip that will alienate the rest of the membership.When things
go well, the president looks good. When things go poorly,the
president look s real bad! If you have a traditional club, make
sure the president shares responsibilities with,
Vice President: This guy fills in for the president when the
president is away, sick, or resigns, as in the case of our
club! Sometimes, the president just flips out, and the vice
president must be there to fill in.(I would tell you about our
flipped out president, but there are still a few in El Paso
that are sensitive about it...)
Secretary: This person is in charge of the club's office work.
Mailing out letters, filing newsletters, keeping the membership
informed about the goings on in the club. Also, the secretary
often will take the minutes of the meeting to be read at the
next meeting. The duties of the secretary are often closely
related to the
Treasurer: He is in charge of the club's money. Your club will
have to get a bank account and this person is in charge of it.
Make sure it is someone trustworthy. Also, make sure there
are specific guidelines for how money should be spent. Can the
treasurer take money out of the account by himself, or must two
officers sign for money? Can the officers spend money BETWEEN
meetings, or must all transactions be approved by the
membership? All of these questions must be answered BEFORE
anyone should be allowed to play with the money. Sure as shoot,
if you spend money, someone will ask why, and since the
membership money was paid by the members, they will demand an
accounting. They have the right to one at any time. It's really
their money. Sometimes, the officers of a club will get cocky,
and think that the money belongs to them. That is why safety
guidelines should be established, to protect everyone.In many
smaller clubs, the secretary and the treasurer are usually the
same person.
This traditional method is rather like a triangle, with the
president at the top, and the regular members at the bottom.
There are other ways to structure the club as well. ACCEPT has
no officers per se, but rather a three member executive
committee that meets on occasion. There are no RULES that say
your club must have things a certain way. Our group started out
with the traditional officers, but evolved into what we have
now. No one way is correct. You may decide that officers are
needed, or you may decide that officers are a pain. If it feels
good, do it. Can't decide? Well, that's one of the neat things
about user groups, someone will always come up with an idea.
(Sometimes the ideas are pretty lousy, but every once in a
while, a gem of hope comes through.)
So you have decided to form a group, you got a meeting place and have dec-
ided on the organizational aspects. Next time, we will discuss how to get
members, and what you have to offer them in order to keep them.
__________________________________________________________
> CHANGING TIMES! STR Spotlight What is going on??
=============================
EVOLUTION IN THE ATARI WORLD
OR
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY REMAIN THE SAME!
An observation...
by Ralph F. Mariano
Lately, we clearly find the DTP publishing arena seeming to dominate
the entire marketing perspective for Atari's computer sales efforts. Is
this really the picture Atari Corp. cares to portray? Could it possibly
be we are in on the very beginnings of a substantial change in Atari's
marketing and penetration priorities? Is the current crop of Atari com-
puters destined to be primarily aimed at the DTP market? Has there been
some type of clandestine arrangement made to favor certain software pack-
ages which are aimed at niche markets only? Is Atari slowly leaning to-
ward the high priced, specialty application and productivity market?
Read.. A "verticle niche" market. Are the days of the "home computer" for
everyone over? Could be. Let's try to begin an examination of the 'big'
picture.
Since the plethora of online conferences at the beginning of the year,
how many of the projected goals of those conferences are actually in exis-
tance? How many are driving the Atari userbase and market in the USA to
new and dizzying heights? How many here-to-fore unheard of publishers of
magazines, reviews, software and newsletters have picked up the Atari
story of success and begun to cover the fine example of how to do business
in the USA and succeed? Well, so far one author/reviewer tried and bec-
ause he spoke the truth... the clique and its lemmings found it absolutely
necessary to attack this man. How very original and indeed what a wonder-
ful manner in which to win unrivaled support for Atari. Well done folks.
As an example, Jerry Pournelle was sent a TT030 to try, examine and
review. Of course, everyone held their breath hoping for a magnanimously
positive exclamation from Jerry. Or did they? From what is known now,
some were very busy trying to place their software in the running to be
reviewed along with the TT, nothing wrong with that. Except Jerry
receives large quantities of both hardware and software every week. It
would have been nice if he and the TT were 'prepped'. That is to say,
have the software already installed on the TT's hard disk and ready to
use. To expect Jerry to set-up the TT, install software and THEN do a
review is a bit much. Then to top off the scene he is bombarded with a
level of arrogance which drove to decide to drop the whole idea.
Well, Jerry said he "liked" the TT but that he was less than pleased
with the software that was available specifically for it. Immediately,
the "war hounds" were foaming at the muzzles ready to kill. Unfortunat-
ely, these "representatives of the Atari userbase" failed to realize one
fact. Pournelle was to do a hardware review! He was not to carry on over
any single software offering or indeed indirectly promote a particular
company or individual's software offerings. It was, after all, a TT030
HARDWARE review.
Amazingly, when this occurred, a number of questions arose:
Was every software publisher who still supports the Atari platform "notif-
ied to send software to Pournelle in hopes of getting a favorable review
along with review of the TT?
Was it really necessary for all the hate mail? Did the so-called leader-
ship in the Atari arena take all things into consideration and then act in
the best interests of Atari and its supporting developers?
How in heaven's name can Atari ever hope to project the image of a mature
anxious to learn and progressive userbase when continually, an immature
"gang up on and get even" type attitude seems to permeate each and every
reaction to negative or disagreeable commentaries?
To continue, tragically we find a MAJOR software publisher, Word Per-
fect Corp. has dropped future development for the Atari lines. Up to this
point we all were hopeful that the porting of later versions of Word Per-
fect for Atari Germany would lead to the USA getting a full update. The
PRESTEGE lost by this unfortunate occurance is serous. This wouldn't be
so bad if it were JUST Word Perfect but when one considers how many others
are doing or have done the very same thing it fast becomes a tragedy. It
IS a tragedy! Now, there are rumblings of a re-worked Word-Up in the
works. Could this be a coincidence?
The ST/TT/STE Computer line is very well designed, easy to use and of
course among the most user friendly ever made. Then why, WHY aren't they
readily accepted in the computing world? This is not an easy answer but
there ARE answers to this problem and surprisingly, there are good solu-
tions available too! Can someone say advertise and provide an ample supp-
ly of product to the USA market?
National wholesale distribution is a large part of the big picture,
thankfully, its now in place. Advertising is the rest of the picture, so
let's see some real publicity for these fine machines. Perhaps the new
arrangements of joint advertising ventures will bear fruit. Make people
aware of the superb Atari Computers and the machines will sell themselves.
Out here in the trenches, anyone who mentions the machine or demonstrates
it experiences this all the time. Folks are amazed at what a great com-
puter it really is. Most all say the same thing, "HOW COME WE NEVER HEARD
OF IT?" That is the easiest question to answer, because Atari doesn't
really advertise. Its time they did and did it heavily with a vengeance.
____________________________________________________________
> Hard Disks STR InfoFile ***** ABCO PRICE CHANGES! *****
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P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672
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Listed above are a sampling of the systems available.
Prices also reflect various cabinet/power supply configurations
(over sixty configurations are available, flexibility is unlimited)
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LARGER units are available - (Custom Configurations)
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____________________________________________________________
> A "Quotable Quotable"
====================
"......A KINDER, GENTLER ATARI"
...Sam Tramiel
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16/32bit Magazine copyright ½ 1987-91 No.7.20
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Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
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