User Profile

Richard Spowart


Richard is part of the Maggie team, a regular in the comms scene, and he's also a WAGer! Even though he's a very busy person he still took the time to answer a few questions!

Take it away Richard!

1. Describe your Atari setup

My major setup consists of a Falcon030, with 4MB of RAM, an internal 120meg HD and an external Gasteiner 730meg HD. Fitted inside is the Expose digitiser, with a (waiting to be added) genlock, both of which were purchased from Titan Designs. I also have an old Atari STFM sitting in its box in the wardrobe, The STFM doesn't get much in the way of use now. :-(

2. What is your Atari's main use?

Mainly, I use it for Maggie related stuff, writing articles etc, as well as stuff for Atari Computing. I also use it to grab pictures for my web site (this is done with Expose). I am also pretty active in the comms scene, being a regular caller (and soon to be a point, when I ring Colin Fisher-McAllum sometime RSN !!)

3. How long have you been an Atari user?

I've been an Atari user since the beginning of 1988, when I got my STFM ... and have been hooked ever since, despite getting a PC for work, I still intend to be active on the Falcon scene for a long time yet !! :-)

4. What is your favourite Atari program?

I guess my fave commercial Atari program is Apex Media, using it in conjunction with Expose to grab pictures etc. The package is just * so * powerful and still has the power to make heads turn, even now. I am looking forward to Apex Alpha when it gets released !! :-)

My favourite PD program is the incredibly ground-breaking CAB browser. Much more useable than MIE - maybe Microsoft should talk to ASH about doing a deal somewhere along the line ?? Now that CAB has been made a commercial product, it is nice to see that the author is getting some recompense for his work, he certainly deserves every single pound/deutschmark/dollar etc he can get!

5. What is your opinion of the Atari market today?

I would say it was pretty buoyant if you were at the recent Atari shows ... it just seems a shame that the average high street store no longer sells Ataris anymore. Still, it is their loss, in the long term .... :-(

The market looks much better abroad, however, particularly in Germany, Poland and Canada.

6. Any information about yourself ie your occupation etc.

ATM, I've been temping for Blue Arrow in Cambridge, and have been doing a variety of regular contracts for various organisations in the city itself. I'm working for an examinations institute ATM - it is going well and is generally a nice organisation to work for. The building is full of corridors but it is OK, I guess !! :-)