*---== ST REPORT ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---* """"""""""""""""""""""""" "The Original Online ST Magazine" ------------------------------- May 19, 1989 Volume III No.88 ========================================================================= 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/FIDOMAIL NODE 350 ** Our support BBS carries ALL issues of STReport and An International list of private BBS systems carrying STReport for their users enjoyment ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Issue: #88 STReport ------------------- - The Editors' Podium - CPU REPORT - "CHOPSTICK" LOUIE, FLYING HIGH! - NEODESK 2.03 -=- Overview - C.E.K.A. DREAMS or HOAX?? - SPEEDBALL - A Review - ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL - WAACE DTP Contest ========================================================================= AVAILABLE ON: COMP-U-SERVE ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ THE SOURCE ========================================================================= > The Editor's Podium As Atari makes it's comeback more evident every day, there are still those who feel a need to second guess every move Atari makes. Perhaps they feel they are justified by Atari's past performance. One thing is for sure, Atari is on the move and that is the best news we have to offer. Perhaps those who have their doubts should give Atari the benefit of a "show-me" attitude rather than displaying blind disbelief. When are we going to see the unity and decisive strength that comes from being unified begin to materialize in the Atari community? Lately all we see is a constant procession of detractors who seem bent on keeping the Atari Userbase in a constant state of disarray. It would seem that by now most folks would realize that as individuals we are much more effective if we are unified and pursuing a common goal, ie; The success of Atari's US comeback. Again, 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 into your own computer by using a Terminal Program which uses the 'XMODEM' file-transfer method. You can also share your favorite Public Domain programs and files with other Roundtable members by 'uploading' them to the Software Library. Uploading on GEnie is FREE, so you are encouraged to participate and help your Roundtable grow. The Real Time Conference is an area where two or more Roundtable members may get together and 'talk' in 'real-time'. You can participate in organized conferences with special guests, drop in on our weekly Open COnference, or simply join in on an impromptu chat session. Unlike posting messages or Mail for other members to read at some later time, everyone in the Conference area can see what you type immediately, and can respond to you right away, in an 'electronic conversation'. ************************************************************************ > CPU REPORT ========== Issue # 22 by Michael Arthur Remember When.... In 1985, Lotus Development Corp. launched a HUGE advertising campaign for Lotus Jazz, an integrated software package for the Macintosh which was supposed to catapult it into the business market (something which was desperately needed, as the Macintosh wasn't too popular in those days), and how Lotus Jazz turned out to be a slow, buggy, and generally horrid product that almost crippled the Macintosh's chances in the computer industry? CPU Systems Roundup VIII ========================= Practical Computer Systems I: 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". 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 | 100 Meg | Three |320*200*256 Colors | System | Two Megs | |Hard Drive|IBM PC/AT|640*480*16 Colors | ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------| Mac SE/30 |68030/68882| 16 MHZ | 60 Meg | One |512*342 w/Monochr. | System | Two Megs | |Hard Drive|'030'Slot| | ----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------| Amiga 500 |68020 Chip | 11 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| ----------'-------------------------------------------------------------' (Note: The Apple IIgs CAN display its entire palette of 4096 colors in one of its low resolution modes.) 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 when outfitted with Dell's 40 Megabyte Hard Drive. However, the cost for their 100 Megabyte Hard Drive boosts the IBM System's price significantly, resulting in that its price/performance ratio is not good enough for it to earn First Place, and BARELY keeps it from getting Second Place.... Mac SE/30 Comparison: The IBM is superior to the Mac SE/30 in the number of Expansion Slots, amount of mass storage, and graphics capabilities, is equal in the amount of RAM, and is inferior in processing speed. Since the Mac SE/30 also costs more, the IBM system ends up scoring higher than the Mac SE/30. Amiga 500 Comparison: The IBM is superior to the Amiga 500 in processing speed, amount of Mass Storage, and the number of expansion slots. It is roughly equal in graphics capabilities, and is inferior in the amount of RAM. However, although the IBM system scores higher than the Amiga system in terms of performance, the Amiga system costs MUCH less than the IBM system, whether it uses a 40 Meg or a 100 Meg Hard Drive. This causes it to beat the IBM system in price/performance, and since "Power Without the Price" is the main factor in Practical Dream Systems, the Amiga system scores higher overall than the IBM system, but only by a VERY 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 its amount of RAM. Since it is not inferior to the Apple IIgs in ANY areas except (by a close margin) graphics capabilities, and actually 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 processing speed, amount of Mass Storage, in the number of Expansion Slots, and is barely superior in graphics capabilities, and is equal ONLY in the amount of RAM. Therefore, just as with the AMiga 500 system, the IBM scores higher than the Mega ST in terms of system performance. However, just as with the Amiga 500 system, the Mega ST is MUCH better in the ratio for price/performance than the IBM system, and, because of the "Power Without the Price" test, causes the Mega ST to score higher overall than the IBM system.... Macintosh SE/30 Dream System: Fourth Place Strangely, while the Mac SE/30 is unbeatable in processing speed, and is well-balanced in almost every other area, it falters disgracefully in graphics capabilities. But since the SE/30, by using the 256K Mac ROMs, has access to Color QuickDraw (and Mac II color) capabilities, this is not a large factor unless you do not plan to add-on anything else to your Dream System. However, the Mac SE/30, though it is the most powerful system in the group, is also the most expensive. And since its price is FAR above what many computer users would pay for a low/middle end system, the SE/30, instead of taking First Place, loses drastically because of its lacking in price/performance.... Amiga 500 Comparison: The Mac is superior in the areas of processing speed, is 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 SE/30 System costs twice as much as the Amiga system, but does not have the capabilities needed to give it a better price/performance rating, the Amiga system scores higher than the Mac SE/30 system.... Apple IIgs Comparison: The Mac is superior to the Apple IIgs in processing speed and amount of mass storage, is equal in the amount of RAM, and is inferior in the number of expansion slots, and its graphics capabilities. Also, since the Apple IIgs system's cost is somewhat close to the Mac SE/30's, the Mac SE/30 has a vastly better price/performance rating. So if you can live without color graphics at the present time, the Mac SE/30 scores MUCH higher than the Apple IIgs. Mega ST Comparison: The Mac SE/30 is superior to the Mega ST in overall processing ability, is equal in the amount of RAM, number of expansion slots, and amount of mass storage, and is inferior in graphics capabilities. Since the Mac SE/30 and the Mega ST are equal in so many aspects, the main factor becomes price/performance. And since the SE/30 costs almost twice as much as the ST, the Mega ST system scores MUCH higher than the Mac SE/30, based on the "Power Without the Price" test.... Amiga 500 Dream System: Second Place Even though the Amiga 500 System was the cheapest setup in this list, it managed to have a surprising amount of power. Even though its processor speed was the second-slowest of the group, its graphics capabilities were very good, and its other features enabled the Amiga system to be a VERY good example of "Power Without the Price", providing many of the features of other systems with a lesser price. In fact, the battle for First Place in this essay was between it and the similarly configured Mega ST system, which ultimately beat it in a TIGHT struggle.... Apple IIgs Comparison: The Amiga 500 is superior in the amount of mass storage, processing 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, and the number of Expansion Slots, is roughly equal in the amount of mass storage, and is slightly inferior in processing ability 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 is the best of the two systems, since BOTH systems have similar prices, have similar capabilities, and have equally superb price/performance ratings. In fact, the big difference between the two systems is in processing speed. Even though the 68020 is faster than the 68000 chip, the Amiga runs it at a slower speed than the ST runs its 68000 chip. And since processing ability is an essential part of a system's price/performance, the Mega ST system scores higher than the Amiga 500 system.... 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 does not last long in the computer industry.... Mega ST Dream System: First Place - The Best System Currently Out There - 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", fully deserving a First Place ranking.... Given that the Amiga 500 system also fit much of this description, though, and seeing that the "Tiebreaker" between the two systems was the ST's greater speed, one cannot help but feel uneasy at how very CLOSE the Amiga 500 system came to matching the Mega ST system in hardware price/performance, and what could happen if the Atari ST does not utilize its potential by becoming the dominant standard in a market which it currently has such 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 in order to cost less than 2100 dollars, 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 just 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 |68000/68881| 8 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 Atari SFP-004 expansion board currently in development which uses a 16 MHZ 68881 math chip. Cost: Around 2200-2400 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 the STacey is a Laptop machine, 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 8 MHZ 80286 System, is a Tandy 1000 TL with 640K of RAM, five IBM PC AT Expansion Slots, an ABCO 40 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 40 Megabyte Hard Drive from ABCO Inc. Cost: 2600 to 2700 dollars.... Mac Plus Resolution: 512*342 with monochrome resolution Comparisons with other Systems: This Macintosh system, like the Apple IIgs system, costs more than the other Systems, but provides far less in the area of price/performance. It has sub-par graphics, has no expansion capability, and has no superior qualities with which to rationalize its higher cost. Given that it is the low end of the Macintosh Line, the Mac Plus system is not as worthy of consideration as expected.... The main objective to home/small business users, when configuring their own computer system, is not necessarily performance for its own sake, but finding a system which has a decent price for its capabilities. In order to determine the system which provided the best price/performance in this list, many otherwise exceptional systems, such as the IBM System and the Mac SE/30 System, had to be forsaken simply because they were somewhat too expensive. But then, as shown by the Apple IIgs system, sometimes the search for a Practical Dream System can weed out making a poor, though tempting choice. Interestingly though, as shown by the competition between the Amiga and Atari ST Systems, it seems that, in researching Practical Dream Systems to show how powerful a computer system could become while still being affordable, one could make a very good assessment at the state of the low/middle end of the microcomputer industry.... But ponder, if you will, this question: How long will it take for other computer makers to produce systems which are comparable in power to the NeXT computer and the ATW? --------=======***=======-------- CPU REPORT CONFIDENTIAL ======================= Sunnyvale, CA PC-SIG has recently completed a new version of its ------------- PC-SIG CD-ROM Library. Now in its sixth edition, this CD-ROM disk (which is in the High Sierra CD-ROM format, working with most CD-ROM drives) holds PC-SIG's entire library of 15,000 IBM Public Domain/Shareware programs, and comes with a text retrieval program to locate any program on the disk. This is a necessary utility, as its disk directory (which has full file descriptions of each program on the CD-ROM disk) is over 3 Megabytes long. Cost: $495.00.... If you want more information on the PC-SIG CD-ROM Library, PC-SIG can be reached at 1-408-730-9291.... Redmond, WA As its next major OS/2 project, Microsoft is planning to ----------- modify OS/2 so it can be easily ported to non-IBM systems. This will mean that it will have to be almost completely written in C, and the OS/2 kernel itself will require considerable modification to allow OS/2's capabilities to be processor-independent. This will allow OS/2 to compete with Unix in almost ALL computing arenas.... However, since Microsoft's present OS/2 project, making an 80386-specific version which will take advantage of its special capabilities, is not likely to be completed before the Third or Fourth Quarter of 1990, this "Portable OS/2" is not likely to appear until around 1992.... Mountain View, CA Sun Microsystems has introduced the Sun-3/80, a new Unix ----------------- workstation based on its 3/50 and 3/60 systems which uses a 20 MHZ 68030 chip with a 20 MHZ 68882 floating point math chip, comes with 4 Megs of RAM onboard, an Ethernet port for LAN Networking, 1 SCSI hard disk port, serial and parallel ports, and its own proprietary expansion bus, called the P4. It also supports a resolution of 1152*900, with either monochrome or 256 displayable colors at the same time.... The interesting thing about the Sun-3/80 is that its base system will cost around $5000.00, without a monitor. Since Atari's 68030 TTx (a version of the 68030 TT which runs Unix and has an Ethernet port) will ALSO cost from $4500.00 - $5000.00, it seems that Unix Users will have TWO serious options for low-end Unix workstations. And given that Sun has a MUCH greater reputation in that area than Atari.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1989 Atari Corporation, GEnie, and the Atari Roundtables. See signup information in this magazine. May be reprinted only with this notice and signup information included. > HoloByte CO STR Feature ----------------------- > "CHOPSTICK" LOUIE, FLYING HIGH! < Spectrum Holobyte Conference ATARI ST ROUNDTABLES May 17, 1989 GEnie Information Services Room 1, the General Club room. Stenographer is Miss Jane Hathaway Job City Room Sta Mail-Address 1 Jacksonville,FL 1 N [Ralph] ST.REPORT 2 Oakland,CA 1 N [Chopstick] HOLOBYTE 3 Indianapolis,IN 1 L [Holly] HS 4 Santa rosa,CA 1 N DOUG.W 5 Dune,CA 1 N [Cary] CGEE 6 Whitestone,NY 1 N R.ROBERTSON 7 Twins house,CA 1 N [Fred Beckman] FB 8 Passaic park,NJ 1 N [Vince-Cubed] V.AVERELLO 9 Baltimore,MD 1 N [bob] B.O.B. 10 Detroit,MI 1 N [William] W.LIGGET 11 Brookfield,CT 1 N [Mel] NIGHTDIVER 12 Pontiac,MI 1 N GORDON 13 Santa fe,TX 1 N R.URBANI1 14 Rochester,NY 1 N BOB.PUFF 15 Rockford,IL 1 N M.CARTWRIGHT 17 Brookfield,CT 1 N DARLAH 18 Ann arbor,MI 1 N [Pattie] UNICORNPUB 19 Wantagh,NY 1 N J.MUGNAI 20 Trenton,NJ 1 N MR.CHIPS 21 Fremont,CA 1 N TOWNS 22 Winston salem,NC 1 N M.MCCANN2 <[Holly] HS> Room is now listen-only. <[Holly] HS> Hi everyone... we're here for a formal conference tonight with Spectrum Holobyte.... Joining us later will be Gilman Louie, but here right now to field questions is Marissa Ong (I sure hope I spelled that right!) For those of you who are new to conference, please use /RAI to get in line with your questions. (Marisa with 1 s... sorry! *blush*). You will be allowed to speak one at a time. I will try to ack your /RAI and let you know who you follow. When you're done with your question, please use GA, for go ahead. That lets our guest know you're finished. When you're done asking your question, please let me know also. It helps move things along. You might want to use a typeahead buffer to store your question. I'm told that Gilman has arrived, also, now... Any opening remarks? <[No.19] HOLOBYTE> Sure! I apologize but Gilman "Chopstick" Louie is now here. Back from testifying about schools in San Francisco. So I'll turn it over to him. <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> was <[No.19] HOLOBYTE>. <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Let me start by thanking all of you for your input regarding the ST. I have to say that the ST community has been vocal on this issue and that we have been "educated" on many of the issues that affect the ST market. <[Holly] HS> Thank you... I'd like to ask the first question if I might... <[Holly] HS> Where did the nickname "Chopstick" come from? <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Chopstick was given to me by some pilots. I'm skinny and I'm Chinese American. <[Holly] HS> Ah... thank you! I always wondered about that! <[Holly] HS> Jeff Marisa (what a lovely name!), this whole ST/Piracy issue has gotten quite messy and triggered a lot of ill feelings ..amongst ST owners who resent the "guilt by association" that Gilman's letter seemed to imply. ..Recently, an "amended" letter that narrowed the scope of Gilman's "accusations" a bit. Will this be hitting all the magazine publishers like the first letter did? Thank you. <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> I "Chopstick" want to once again apologize any inferences regarding "guilt by association". That was not the intention. I would point out that we have received over 100 letters via mail regarding my letter. Most, (over 90%) have been very supportive and included the registration cards as a reminder that they were customers and not pirates. And, most people agree that the Atari ST need more support and that they were doing their personal effort to support it by buying products. As far as the letters are concerned, we make the letters available to all magazines. We have no control over whether the editors use or change the letters I've written. Most of the ST users have not taken my article out of context--and realize that we're all in the same boat together. As No.19 constantly points out, discussions like piracy like discussions re - abortion. It's a very hot topic, but one that we don't shy away from. Has your latest post been sent out to all the publishers who used the first letter? If they haven't, I hope you do so soon as a follow up... <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> We're planning to send out the entire threads to the same publishers we sent the first letter to. I think it will be VERY significant (and appreciated) to see that despite the first letter SH will still be coming forth with new ST products. Thanks. <[Holly] HS> Thank you... I'm going to change just a second to another topic, near and dear to my heart. (I'm sure we'll hit piracy again before the night is out... :-) Tetris for the ST... I own both the IBM and the ST versions, and as an admitted Tetris addict, I am disappointed with the ST version. What is good in it is VERY good. The graphics are better than the IBM version, I think. I like the block style better, but the program seems to be "unfinished" and has some VERY rough edges. Do you have plans to keep updating Tetris? And when might we expect them? <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> The original programmer for ST Tetris (over in England) did a sub-standard job. We won't be using him again. The programmer who finished up the ST version is now working for a bio-tech company. Unless we can find a qualified Atari ST programmer, we won't see any fixes for Tetris. Each Tetris version is dependent on the programmer who's responsible for the conversion. That's why the the ST version has better graphics and menu support, but the sound suffers. (OK, stinks!) As far as the desk accessory version, we'd love to do a DA version, if we could figure out how. Our Mac expertise is greater than our ST. We're hoping to change that. <[Holly] HS> That's very disappointing for me. Who is working on the other ST programs for you, and couldn't they work on Tetris? Falcon was/is terrific! <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> FALCON was developed by me! The Amiga and ST conversions were done by Rowan Software in England, through Mirrorsoft, our sister company. Since the original FALCON design was ours, we had more control over the end result. In the case of Tetris, we had suggested many of the changes/corrections that users such as yourself pointed out, but Mirrorsoft refused to do it. Because it was good enough for their market. So, we were forced to use a Mac programmer to finish the ST conversion. We will point out that the ST version is almost identical to the Amiga version (for whatever that's worth). Basically, we decided to put out the game, because although it doesn't have a DA version nor is the music very good, the basic game is still extremely addictive and fun and worthwhile. The only disappointing thing about the ST version is if you compare it to some of the other versions we did (versus the Mirrorsoft versions). It's definitely better than the IBM version. No.19 here! As lead beta tester on the ST version, I can say that when we submitted our first bug report to the English programmer, his revision fixed only ONE bug. A minor one, at that, after 3 months of waiting for a new disk. Chopstick here: In the final analysis, we all agree we need to do a better job on the ST. <[Holly] HS> I do *love* the game. How do you feel about the PD versions floating around for the IBM and the Amiga? (There is also a monochrome PD version for the ST, and I know of an unreleased color PD version.) Thanks! <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Some of the PD versions are very good. But they lack some of the features of the commercial versions. In addition, the Soviets don't get any royalties from the PD versions..which they're using to fund purchase of computers for school children. <[Holly] HS> Mel... <[Mel] NIGHTDIVER> Back in the BB there's been some talk about how much work it is to adapt a program for the ST...I'm a nontechnical type... Can you explain a little of what goes on to adapt a program for the ST? <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> There's 2 ways you can handle it. You can write your original program in a high level language like C, but the performance of your program suffers greatly and the program looks identical from one machine to the next. (Which means that the game will look like the lowest common denominator). The other approach is to rewrite the program from scratch in a low-level language like assembly and take advantage of everything the machine has to offer. This takes a great deal of effort but is worth it by getting a much better product in the end. If you look at FALCON, for example, you can see a significant difference between the IBM and Mac version and the Atari ST version. It's obvious that the ST version is far superior in graphics, frame rate than the originals. This could only be accomplished by a rewrite. A rewrite using this approach takes about 70% of the effort of doing the original version. A port takes only 10%, but then you get what you pay for. <[Mel] NIGHTDIVER> Thanks. Done <[bob] B.O.B.> I recall in 1 of the Falcon adds, something about "most of the advanced avionics features of the AT version." What are the differences? (What can AT do that St can't)? <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> The ST version was based on the original Mac version. Since our ASATs (our military simulators we're doing for the government) are being hosted on the ATs, our flight models are more accurate. Yet, we are planning to even upgrade FALCON AT with a later version released this year--and hope to do the same with the ST version. It doesn't have anything to do with the basic capabilities of the hardware. <[Holly] HS> Thanks, Bob... Vince... <[Vince-Cubed] V.AVERELLO> Thanks, Mr Louie did you have any idea what kind of uproar your letter would cause when you wrote it & would you do it again ... ? <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Absolutely! I think that the issue needed to be brought up, because many publishers and developers agreed with my statements but were afraid to say anything about. They just refused to develop software for this machine. We felt that it was necessary to bring this issue out on the table in order to clarify misconceptions and help users and publishers educate each other about the ST market. Many programmers and publishers have been in contact with me and are very interested, not only in the issues of piracy and copy protection, but also express interest in delivering new products to the ST platform. Many are watching the sales curves of FALCON, Battlehawks 1942, DungeonMaster, etc. as a barometer of what the market is really like. Whereas the ST sales have been not as strong as some of the other formats (in total value), many companies are surprised by the success the product has had in the marketplace. They feel that if they can leverage their European ST development effort with an American marketing and sales effort that there are plus dollars to be made. Many of us are formulating a similar approach. <[Vince-Cubed] V.AVERELLO> How is the ST version (sales) doing versus the Amiga version (is the disparity still as bad) ??? <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Hang on a sec! Gotta get the sales figures! We're still doing better overseas in ST sales. <[Vince-Cubed] V.AVERELLO> Oh no sales figures ........ <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Customer Support reports that they get more Amiga calls than ST calls overall. I believe DungeonMaster had the exact opposite experience in terms of American vs. European sales. We sold from 5/1 to 5/15 258 Atari ST FALCONs and 827 Amiga FALCONs. This has been the trend since release of both versions. <[Vince-Cubed] V.AVERELLO> <[Holly] HS> Thank you! <[Holly] HS> William... <[William] W.LIGGET> When playing falcon multiplayer at 2400 bps, its very slow, and hard to control. Will the upgrade improve the multiplayer option ? <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Unfortunately, the next upgrade will not improve the modem option. We only recommend direct connection and threw the modem option in as a extra freebie. We do plan to upgrade the entire line (including ST) next year. This will solve the communications slowdown. In addition, the new versions will be compatible with our new tank A-10 and helicopter simulations. <[William] W.LIGGET> How does falcon perform with 9600 bps connection? You can try it out yourself over a direction connection with a null-modem serial cable. flies fine, as far as I can tell :) <[William] W.LIGGET> Thank you <[Holly] HS> Doug... Back to the "infamous Gilman Louie letter."... We recently had an IBM customer at the store (where I work) that made a comment about the piracy in the ST userbase. I asked him where he got that impression and he replied "oh, from that Spectrum Holobyte guy." I can understand your desire to get your feelings out into the marketplace and to other developers but, have you considered the impact on non-ST owners/developers? I have to second Jeff's request that your follow-up letters be sent to these magazines very soon. <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> First of all, I don't think it's relevant what an IBM owner thinks about an Atari ST--considering his machine doesn't make any recognizable sounds and has yucky graphics. More importantly, though, is how it affect ST publishers and developers. Because these are the people who are going to determine the success or failure of a machine platform. The reality is what I said is what people believed--but were just afraid to say anything about it. And, the real issue needed to be put on the table. But, you may be preventing IBM (or Amiga or Mac) owners from ever buying an ST, based on the "rumors" of piracy and "rumors" of lack of support from ST developers. This is not even mentioning the people that don't own a computer yet. IBM as well as Macintosh and Apple II all have piracy problems. And, as a percentage, may have less or more pirates per thousand. The issue is, that with a small installed user base, piracy has a greater effect because a format has reached critical mass, every sale (and I MEAN every sale) counts! Also, if your primary target was ST Developers, why was it published in non-ST specific magazines? And if IBM, Mac, and Apple II have piracy problems, why was the ST singled out? <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> But, I will stand by my observation (and this is not rumor,but my personal observation) that the ST pirates are very well- organized. And I have personally been on these pirate boards for IBM, Mac and STs. It is these pirates that are hurting the rest of us--and I have no intention of defending them or allowing them to hide behind the skirts of the thousands of good ST users nor behind the incredibly poor marketing efforts of Atari. I think the message that *actually* came across will reduce the potential ST userbase, and *not* the piracy. This is the exact opposite of what I (and *you*) want. <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> I don't necessary agree, based on the letters I've received. We haven't had any comments that customers are going to stay away from the Atari ST based on my letter. In fact, unless Atari makes a better marketing effort, most new buyers haven't even heard of the ST. I don't think you will receive letters like that, but that doesn't mean those feelings don't exists. <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> You're probably right, but I felt strongly that a statement had to be made and other companies weren't saying it. They just weren't publishing software for the ST. We were very happy to see on the Battlehawks 1942 board that people were saying buy the product to prove me wrong. (My God! I really do hope I'm wrong--and we're betting part of the company by committing to developing new ST products). <[bob] B.O.B.> Do your update plans include smoother joystick response? (faster sampling rate, smoother scrolling)?? <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Another, absolutely! The flight controls have been totally rewritten courtesy of John Harris, creator of Frogger & Jawbreaker. We're hoping to release this new version of FALCON ASAP. <[bob] B.O.B.> Sitting next to me is someone who has flown REAL T-38's... He says...."Nice job...Falcon is awesome!" <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Thanks! Did he fly T-38's at Williams AFB? <[bob] B.O.B.> Randolph AFB <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> You can tell your friend that we're still hoping to make FALCON even better. If you (or your friend) has any ideas for improvements or suggestions, just let us know by posting your message here. <[bob] B.O.B.> Great ... Thanks <[Holly] HS> Ralph... <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> A little discretion would have gone a long way, You have, in all probability made many non-computer owners very leery of the ST and it's userbase! You may not have the access to the comments about this...STers have heard them though. <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Ralph, you might be right...but nobody is going out of their way to buy STs because they haven't heard about it. You and I both agree that Atari has done a miserable job in marketing and distributing their product. You should note, by the way, that similar complaints were made against the Apple II back in the the late 70s and early 80s. The Apple II had a terrible piracy problem but it didn't affect Apple's success with the product. Apple continued to push hard on their machine and got good business products like Visicalc to help sell their systems to the business world. It wasn't until the emergence of Visicalc that Apple began its hyper-growth. If Apple had to depend purely on the home market, they would have failed. It was only their success in businesses and schools that Apple was able to overcome the stigma of hackers and pirates. Once there was a large enough installed base, we game manufacturers were able to make a profit by selling games on the Apple II. <[Ralph] ST.REPORT> Agreed....all I say is the need for ALL of us to work together in one common direction is very necessary, that's the success of the ST lines and Atari. <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> I'm in total agreement. We're all in the same boat Ralph, you and I have talked a number of times--and we both want to stop piracy as well as getting Atari to move into the US market. <[Holly] HS> Jeff... Mr. Louie, One last question (from me) about that letter. What response (if any) have you had from Atari Computer about the letter? Would you categorize it as supportive (or at least understanding)? <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Atari has not said anything regarding the letter I will say that their subsidiary, Federated, is really helping out the ST market by refusing to pay for ST products. That it bought from publishers and they're selling in their stores today. If this is an indication of Atari's support, we have major problems. For Atari's defense, though, it is working with us to include FALCON in every new ST that is sold. We take this as a very positive step by Atari to encourage new users by providing quality software with their new machines. Atari needs help, too. They want to be successful. Keep writing to them. Believe it or not, they do listen. <[Holly] HS> Thank you Jeff... Thank you. For your information, Federated is (and has been) operating as a SEPARATE company for some time now. Their business affairs have nothing to do with Atari Corporation. If you have a problem with Federated, I suggest you take it up with their management. As for our commitment. Yes, we do listen and we appreciate any comments we receive. And you are right.. We do want to be successful. <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Thanks, Towns. <[William] W.LIGGET> Are you currently working on any new military simulators?? I myself would love to see an F-14 or F-15 carrier based simulator. <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Definitely! We're working on tanks, helicopters, cars or anything else made of metal that moves. <[William] W.LIGGET> Thanks <[Holly] HS> Thank you... <[Holly] HS> That's it for the evening... <[Holly] HS> Any final comments? <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Yes, I think one thing should be clear: in order for this community to survive, all of us (users, developers, publishers and Atari itself) depend on each other. We all agree that the Atari ST is a great machine. And we all have a responsibility to do everything possible to encourage growth, new ideas, new products and profits to all those whose livelihoods (including Atari)_depend upon it. <[Chopstick] HOLOBYTE> Thank you for inviting me! <[Holly] HS> Thank you for coming and spending time with us! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > NEODESK 2.03 STR Review ======================= NeoDesk 2.03 By William Y. Baugh Are you tired of looking at your same ol' boring icons. Have you ever wished you could change them? Well, Dan and the folks at Gribnif have done it again! A new upgrade, just a couple of months after the tremendous upgrade of 2.02, allows you to do just that. It's fantastic! Especially when all you pay for the upgrade is the price of shipping...are you listening "other companies" that make you pay for features that should have been there in the first place? This newest upgrade, though not as extensive as 2.02, is very asthetically pleasing. They have introduced a new icon editor which allows you to draw icons (or redraw current ones) for any of the desktop icons. The best feature of all is that you may give each program its own unique icon! It's great to let your imagination run wild and create icons for your favorite programs. I've done a few for Mark William's C, Calamus and for Opus 2.10 (which is Opus, of course). Using the new editor, you may drag in a question mark which allows you to start from scratch and create the new icon. When drawing, you see what the icon will look like on the desktop and in the window; selected and deselected. You may move, copy and erase any part of the icon. The editor is extremely easy to use and is actually fun once you get the hang of it. Once the icon is drawn, you may enter the name of the program in the Template area so that it knows which program to be with. You may also use wildcards for icons if they're not being used for a specific programs; such as fonts, .TXT files, etc. You may be saying "So what, I use text mode!" Well, so do I, but the programs you drag to the desktop look great being individualized. It adds a little flair to the normal looking desktop. I stress once again; if you own a hard drive and you don't own NeoDesk...what's wrong? Go out and get this program it's fantastic!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > C.E.K.A. STR FOCUS ================== CEKA - DREAMS or HOAX? ====================== One can't help but wonder if the CEKA stories released to us at STReport, select hard copy magazines, other personalities and companies in the Atari Community are nothing more than an elaborate hoax or the ranting and raving dreams of rather imaginative individual. One thing is certain, Mr. James McHugh owes a number of us in the Atari community a reasonable explanation of the 'divine' revelations he has bestowed upon us. After all, James McHugh called this Reporter, Micheal Arthur, David Small and Richard Adams and a number of other folks in the Atari Community (according to McHugh). Just what is going on here? One can't help but wonder if you are indeed the perpetrator of an elaborate hoax or the victim of delusions of grandeur. One thing is for sure, you, and anything you have to do with any company or product will be highly suspect and questionable until the validity of anything you have to say or do is infallibly verified. Folks, when James McHugh originally called, (2 weeks before Anaheim) he assured us he was sending a CEKA device to STReport for review purposes. He did tell us it was not quite ready but that he had a press release to coincide with the show, we said send it to us and we will see what we can do. It was at this time he told us that he would be showing the device (prototype) at the Atari Booth. And, after being told that James McHugh had indeed spoken to others in our community regarding the emulator we felt this lent some credence to it's validity. As we all know now, it made no difference what-so-ever! As of this date, we have not received a review copy. We promised ourselves we would follow up on this situation and either refute this hardware goodie or in fact, show beyond a shadow of a doubt that the device (CEKA Emulator) does exist. Actually, we courteously provided access to CEKA products(?) and James McHugh for two press releases and an interview with Micheal Arthur. As a result, it will now be difficult, at best, for the next aspiring young developer to gain access to tell the userbase about a new product. Actually, you begin to wonder just how far one must go in verification of a press release, we supplied the Name, Address and Telephone number of CEKA for anyone to use. We called it and verified that it was McHugh's number "he answered the phone!" Besides, it would have been tragic if we had ignored this information and it does become a reality. We noticed a number of folks complained about not having enough info about CEKA or that perhaps it was a fabrication on the part of the reporter who submitted the articles. All we can say about those types is we consider the source, then dismiss it as sour grapes. Here is the telephone number and address, the phone number was included in the first press release in STReport #84. We now present the information ONCE again. C.E.K.A. / S.E.K.A. c/o James McHugh or John Winchentsen 3031 Gough ST San Francisco, CA 94123 415-474-2641 If, in fact, the CEKA/SEKA press release was a hoax, allow us to shed some light on the remarks of the lesser informed, the press release and it's related information appeared in a number of hard copy publications and in more than one roundtable as a discussed subject. Granted, it appears that some ultra 'considerate' person has taken the time and trouble to attempt to create an uncomfortable situation involving Richard Adams and DAVID SMALL (now litigants) and STReport by reporting the same information to all of the above mentioned folks. We decided to bring it out in the open for all to see the silly games played behind the scenes. David Small has already verified in both his roundtable and the ST RT that he indeed had been contacted and was given the same information that we at STReport were. Richard Adams has contacted this publication and also related to the fact that he too was called and given this information. Fellow Atari users, let's look at this cooly and see if in the next few weeks we can unravel the situation (if one exists)...Let's see if we can find out exactly who is at the bottom of this story and what the real purpose was and is. Who knows, McHugh may be 100% legit and then again,... STReport's Opinion: ------------------- If this guy McHugh has indeed tried to purposely and with malicious intent mislead the people involved in the CEKA thing all we can say is that it is a cruel and very sick act to commit against SMALL and ADAMS at this time. To cause STReport to bring this out in the open for all to see and judge is really stupid because now, all it can do is backfire into McHugh's and CEKA'S face and loose any momentum or effectiveness it may have gained. Further, we see it as a slap in the face of the entire userbase simply by releasing this information in an obvious attempt to cause all the parties concerned to commence to further bickering and friction. As always, we will make every attempt to vigorously pursue this issue until such time that all the real intentions and goals are fully brought forward. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > SPEEDBALL STR Review ==================== Speedball by William Y. Baugh Speedball is a terrific new release for the states from Image Works Software and The Bitmap Brothers (being distributed by Cinemaware for the states). Speedball mixes sports and arcade action to make an amazingly fast action packed game. The game consists of two teams of six playing on a steel-walled pitch 90 feet wide and 160 feet long; with walls 30 feet high. Near the middle, built into the walls are two doorway "transporters" that will, if the ball is thrown into them, transport it to the opposite transporter, retaining the balls' velocity and angular motion. Also in the middle is the ball launcher which will pop up out of its recess and fire the ball out at random angles to start the game and after every goal. At both ends of the pitch are the goals. These are "holes" built into the wall that take up around 3/4 of the end wall. Positioned around the floor are four bounce domes which deflect the ball (if not thrown over them) but players may move freely over them during game play. The position of the domes changes from game to game. During play, tiles appear with either letters coins rotating on the floor. Each tile, depending upon the letter, will help you out in a certain manner. These range from allowing you to increase your stamina or decrease the opponents, protect your team from being tackled, to turning the ball into a weapon that when thrown will tackle an opposing player. The coins are collected during play and may be used after the game to increase your attributes, buy more time, decrease the attributes of your next opponent or reduce the computers intelligence. Before you start playing, you have the option to either play One Player Knockout, One Player League or a Two player game. Once one of these are selected, you are presented with a choice of three team captains and their attributes. You must select one of the captains to play before you continue (Each one has his pluses and minuses...). The knockout consists of a ten round elimination where you will play ten different teams and attempt to beat each one. The first rounds are relatively easy, with the wimpy teams getting the early rounds(After you've progressed to the sixth round...things start getting a little hairy). There are three games per round; during this time you must accrue 3 points to advance to the next round (Scoring is broken down as thus: 2 points for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss). Before each game starts there is a status window updating you on your current status towards completing the round. Also displayed is your attributes (Power, stamina and skill) as well as the other players stats. The league play allows you to select the duration of the league (anywhere from 1 to 100 weeks and you may save a current game in progress and load it back in whenever you like) and gives you a running tally of total points, goals you've made, goals made against you, the number of games played and your won/loss record. Scoring is as follows: 100 points for a win, 20 for a draw and 5 for each goal. It is vital during league play to score as many goals as possible. You may have a worse won/loss record as another team, but if you've been scoring left and right, you should be well ahead of that team. Your opponents are selected at random during the first round; so be prepared to (maybe) meet up with one of the toughest teams your first game. If your playing a multiple week game, the teams stay in the same order after the first round; so write them down! You may want to know who's next in case you need to lower their strength, stamina, etc. Now, onto the game. The actual game play is spectacular! It's fast, hectic and frantic. I was hooked the moment I saw it. Your leather and studs clad men (similar to Roller Ball) are initially positioned similar to that of a hockey game. With two men up on the half-pitch line, two men further back and the goalie. The ball launcher appears, with ball spinning and then releases it in a random direction and speed. You must be patient at this time since you cannot move until the ball is launched. Once launched...the fun begins. There are no rules to this game, no penalties to worry about; the main premise is to score as many goals possible, any way you can. You may tackle your opponent with the ball, tackle one without the ball, tackle the goalie, anything! The main thing is to move the ball up-court and score. Your men are controlled using the joystick. Throwing the ball is accomplished by either pressing the button very quickly for a hip-high shot or holding the button for a lob shot. Getting these two button-presses down is vital for playing the game. It is virtually impossible to score on a lob throw, you must be able to throw the hip-high shot for scoring as well as passing the ball. What will probably make this part of the game hard is your joystick. If you are using an Epyx 500J; don't even bother with this game. You cannot get the right response from the fire button to do the different throws. I use a TAC-2 joystick and it works great! As a suggestion, stay to stiff fire button joysticks. As you play, you never lose track of the ball. This game has terrific scrolling and intelligence built in to automatically switch your players for you so that the one closest to the ball is the active player. If you do not want that particular player, you may bring another player from off screen to be the active one. You get the hang of it after playing a couple of times. Now the hardest part of the game is when your opponent has the ball near your goal and you must control the goalie. The reason this is hard is that you control the goalie AND the currently active player! If your not paying attention and are using the player to, say, tackle from the right side, your goalie is doing the exact same thing leaving the goal wide open. This can be a real nuisance until you get enough practice and experience to leave the guy alone and use just your goalie for defense. This feature is also unfair because the computer is not under any such constraints; thus making it hard (and some teams nearly impossible) to score against. As with other games; practice, experience, luck (and the tiles) will help you persevere over the tougher opponents. I strongly, highly and every other 'ly' recommend this game. It is definitely the hottest sports/arcade game out for the ST. If your looking for FAST action and great game play, check this out, you'll love it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > ST REPORT CONFIDENTIAL ====================== - WillowBrook, IL. **** AeroChopper is OUTTA SIGHT! **** -------------- AeroChopper is a flight control system not unlikley those found in the model airplane community. You have a hand held device that's identical to those used by Radio Control hobbyists. Coupled with the software provided, you actually can fly seven different aircraft and a 'copter. So far most all who have tried this goodie say it is wild and well worth the investment. - Sunnyvale, CA. *** DESKSET TO BE 'THE CAT'S MEOW' *** ------------- Although not intended to replace any DTP system currently available, Atari's new Deskset is reported to be the word processor 'epitome'. This author can't wait to see, feel and use this new killer-diller! Coupled with Hyperplan and Wordflair, it sure promises to be a power house! - Sunnyvale, CA. **** Scale-Able G-DOS Still ALIVE? **** ------------- We all remember the stories about the scaleable G-Dos, you know, the fully flexible GDOS that allowed scaling of the fonts..well, according to our sources, we may yet see that program later this year. Alleged to be leaner, faster and more efficient, it too shows a great deal of promise. Atari is really on the move. - Jacksonville, FL. **** SCOUT WORLD 1989 **** ---------------- Scout World Shows have almost become a National Institution at JAX N.A.S. and we are about to enjoy another. Last year's show was a resounding success with well over 150,000 attendees. ST J.A.U.G., a Jacksonville Atari Usergroup had a forty foot booth last year and 22 Atari ST computers up and running, this year, TWO forty foot booths are planned and direct connects to CIS - GENIE - DELPHI will be in place. Show dates are 5-19,20,21-89 at Jacksonville Naval Air Station. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- > STR Spotlight ============= The Best of Atari Desktop Publishing ==================================== WAACE - Current Notes DTP Contest All Atari computer users are hereby invited to submit entries to a Desktop Publishing contest sponsored by Washington Area Atari Computer Enthusiasts and Current Notes Magazine. Entries must be submitted before the 8th of September 1989. Judging and awarding of prizes will take place at the WAACE AtariFest on 7-8 October. The contest is intended to showcase the kinds of business and personal communications that are possible with 8 and 16 bit Atari computers. Personal and Commercial categories in both 8 and 16 bit divisions give everyone a chance to win. The prizes will consist of valuable gift certificates for software and hardware as donated by AtariFest supporters. Copies of the contest rules are available from Current Notes Magazine at 122 N. Johnson Rd, Sterling, VA, 22170, from your local Current Notes retail sales agent, or by downloading file the file DTPCONTS.ARC from the ST Roundtable on GENie. CONTEST RULES The contest rules listed below provide the restrictions and other guidelines governing the WAACE - Current Notes DTP contest: 1 Eligibility - developers of DTP products or their employees are not eligible. 2 Categories - Submitted works will be judged in one of the following four categories: 1) 8-bit Personal, 2) 8-bit Commercial, 3) 16-bit Personal, 4) 16-bit Commercial. Entries in the personal category will have been prepared for the use of the submitter and his/her family. Works will be deemed commercial if they are intended for wider audiences including, but not limited to, educational and social organizations, business clients, or the general public. The judges may elect not to award prizes in categories for which there are fewer than 4 entries. 3 Originality - All work must be the original work of the submitter. Submitter must certify that none of the subject matter or graphic images are substantially derived from copyrighted works. 4 Ownership - All submitted material becomes the property of WAACE and Current Notes Inc to use as they see fit. Material rejected as being unsuitable will be returned only if the submitter provides return envelopes and postage. 5 Limitation as to number - No more than two entries will be accepted from any one household in any one division. 6 Use of Atari Hardware and Software - All work must use Atari computers. Hardware from other manufacturers may be used as peripherals. Hardware or software that has not been available at retail to the public prior to 1 July 1989 may not be used. 7 Submissions - All entries must be submitted as hardcopy accompanied by a floppy disk containing all components needed to produce the document. Floppy disks must be readable by standard Atari disk drives. Each submission is limited to 1 disk. Hardcopy output may not amount to more than the equivalent of 5 8 1/2 by 11 pages. The submission disk must also contain a text file providing complete instructions for generating the final output. Products (hardware and software) used to create all graphics and text components of the work must be specified. Submissions must be accompanied by a letter giving the submitter's name, address, and home telephone number and the title of the submission. Submission of an entry constitutes affirmation that the submitter has read and agrees to comply with the contest rules. The organizers are not obliged to provide opportunity for submitters to remedy defects in their submissions. All submissions are at the submitter's own risk. The organizers will not assume any responsibility for wear and tear that submitted material is subjected to. Submissions shall be sent to Current Notes Magazine, Attn: DTP Contest, 122 N. Johnson Rd, Sterling, VA 22170. 8 Deadline - all entries must be in the hands of the organizers by September 8 1989. 9 Taste - The judges reserve the right to reject work that is offensive or otherwise unsuitable for public display at a family event. 10 Award Criteria - The awards will be made on the basis of the effectiveness of submissions in conveying information. Visual impact and related factors such as style, arrangement, typography, and text content will be considered. The judges may elect not to award prizes if none of the entries in a category are deemed to be prize-worthy. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - OFFICIAL ENTRY BLANK 1989 WAACE - Current Notes DTP Contest Please complete a separate entry form for each submission --------------------------------------------------------- Submitter's Name ________________________________________________________ (please print) Address: Apt _______________ Street:_____________________________________ City ____________________________ State ____ ZIP _______________ Home Phone Number: ____ - ____ - ____________Bus:___ - ___ - ___________ Title of Submission: ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ [ ] 8 Bit [ ] 16 bit [ ] Personal [ ] Commercial I hereby certify that I have read the contest rules and that my entry complies with them in all respects. I certify that this submission is my own original work and that none of the material is substantially derived from any copyrighted work. ______________________________________ _______________ Signature Date Send this form together with your disks and hardcopy output to: Current Notes 122 N. Johnson Rd Sterling, VA 22170 ** BEFORE -> 8 September 1989. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > STReport InfoFile ================= ABCO COMPUTER ELECTRONICS INC. P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672 _________________________________________ Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EDT BBS: 904-786-4176 12-24-96 HST FAX: 904-783-3319 12 PM - 6 AM EDT _________________________________________ HARD DISK SYSTEMS TO FIT EVERY BUDGET ------------------------------------- All systems are complete and ready to use, included at NO EXTRA COST are clock/calendar and cooling blower(s). ALL ABCO HARD DISK SYSTEMS ARE FULLY EXPANDABLE (all cables and connectors installed) SEAGATE hard disk mechanisms - ICD Host Adapters used EXCLUSIVELY OMTI HIGH SPEED CONTROLLERS 42mb #SG44710 619.00 65mb #SG60101 719.00 85mb #SG840110 949.00 132mb #SG3A1210 1049.00 ALL Units: Average Access Time: 24ms LARGER units are available - (special order only) -------------------------- *** Available for ST - Amiga - Mac - IBM *** LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS 6 month FULL Guarantee followed by 6 month Parts & Labor Warranty (A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE) Call or Write for more info. ** PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGES ABOVE THERE WERE TWO TYPO ERRORS IN LAST WEEK'S NOTICE. THE 42MB IS 619.00 AND THE 65MB 719.00. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A "QUOTABLE QUOTE" ================== "SMALL THINGS AMUSE SMALL MINDS" "ATARI IS BACK!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ST-REPORT Issue #88 "Your Independent News Source" May 19, 1989 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED copyright 1989 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of ST Report or CPU Report. Reprint permission granted, unless noted otherwise. All reprints must include ST Report or CPU Report and the author's name. All information presented herein is believed correct, ST Report or CPU Report, it's editors and staff are not responsible for any use or misuse of information contained in this publication. -------------------------------------------------------------------------