*---== CPU NEWSWIRE ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---* """""""""""""""""""""""""""" "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine" _____________________________________ from STR Publishing Inc. """""""""""""""""" May 04, 1990 No.4.18 ======================================================================= CPU NewsWire Online Magazine¿ featuring STReport ~ Online __________________________ Post Office Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32205 ~ 6672 R.F. Mariano Publisher - Editor _________________________________________ Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EDT BBS: 904-786-4176 12-24-96 HST/14.4 FAX: 904-783-3319 12 AM - 6 AM EDT _________________________________________ ** F-NET NODE 350 ** 500mb Online ** STR'S owned & operated support BBS carries ALL issues of CPU/STR Newswire and An International list of private BBS systems carrying CPU NewsWire for their users enjoyment __________________________________________________________________ > 05/04/90: CPU Newswire¿ #418 The Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine! ---------------------------- - The Editor's Podium - CPU REPORT - CPU STATUS REPORT - PACE REPORT - ROCHESTER REPORT - WAACE UPDATES - ATARI CALLING! - SOFTWARE THEFT - CPU CONFIDENTIAL --=* EYEWITNESS REPORT -> PACE SHOW & ROCHESTER SHOW *=-- --==* SOFTWARE RENTALS HURT! *==-- ---====*** PAGESTREAM 2.0 ANNOUNCED! ***====--- ========================================================================== CPU NEWSWIRE¿ "Only UP-TO-DATE News and Information" -* FEATURING *- Current Events, Up to Date News, Hot Tips, and Information Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports ========================================================================== CPU/STR's support BBS, NODE # 350 invites systems using Forem ST BBS to participate in Forem BBS's F-Net mail network. Or, Please call # 350 direct at 904-786-4176, and enjoy the excitement of exchanging ideas about the Atari ST computers through an excellent International ST Mail Network. ========================================================================== AVAILABLE ON: COMP-U-SERVE ~ DELPHI ~ GENIE ~ BIX ========================================================================== > The Editor's Podium¿ The PACE show in Pittsburgh last weekend had many things that can be said for it, most of which are not too complimentary. However, for now lets look at a few of the more positive comments made and heard at the show for the first time. During the STReport seminar a strong indicator of things to come in future was clearly illustrated. After polling the audience to see if any realized just what the indicator was, (most had no idea) the indicator was described. Atari has set a marvelous precedent with the STe. Not a soul in the hall realized the outstanding significance of the STe. It is the FIRST machine ever released by Atari (under the Tramiels) that is upgradable in the field. And further, it was indicated that this was designed into the machine at its inception. This landmarks the fact that Atari is listening to the users and has indeed begun to positively respond. Hopefully its not too late. The time is right for the userbase to continue its valuable input to Atari Corp. Never, in Atari's history have they been so responsive as now. Even though, the handwriting is on the wall, if they don't get the product out to market NOW the developers are not going to hang on to empty promises and broken dreams. The course of current events is truly unbelievable at this time, the software theft going on in the Atari arena is at what appears to be an all time high or, in our opinion the level is the same, its the brash, blatant manner in which they are going about their activities that is making it all the more visible. The final analysis is that Atari has to get off its duff and begin to ship machines in the USA ..in earnest. This business of "talk with no action" has really gone far enough. The userbase has, because of Atari's inactivity, received a far different message than most of us who are in closer contact with Atari have received. They feel that Atari has forsaken them and that its "free-for-all" time. This is sad. While a frustrated and deprived userbase is a very dangerous and volatile situation Atari continues to seriously procrastinate. This is now MAY 1990 and still NOTHING of note has hit the dealers. What the heck is going on out there? Another dealer has sadly closed his doors right here in Jacksonville, Fla. The userbase appears to be of the opinion that Atari is "not interested in the USA market and they (the users) are going to "get what they can" while the getting is good. This is Atari's fault plain and simple. Sure, time can correct this situation, but really, time is getting quite scarce. Five months into 1990 and we still wait... Ralph.... ********************************************************************** :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT: _________________________________ To sign up for GEnie service: Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369. Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that). Wait for the U#= prompt. Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN. **** SIGN UP FEE WAIVED **** The system will now prompt you for your information. THE GENIE ATARI ST ROUNDTABLE - AN OVERVIEW ___________________________________________ The Roundtable is an area of GEnie specifically set aside for owners and users of Atari ST computers, although all are welcome to participate. There are three main sections to the Roundtable: the Bulletin Board, the Software Library and the Real Time Conference area. The Bulletin Board contains messages from Roundtable members on a variety of Topics, organized under several Categories. These messages are all Open and available for all to read (GEnie Mail should be used for private messages). If you have a question, comment, hot rumor or an answer to someone else's question, the Bulletin Board is the place to share it. The Software Library is where we keep the Public Domain software files that are available to all Roundtable members. You can 'download' any of these files to your own computer system by using a Terminal Program which uses the 'XMODEM' file-transfer method. You can also share your favorite Public Domain programs and files with other Roundtable members by 'uploading' them to the Software Library. Uploading on GEnie is FREE, so you are encouraged to participate and help your Roundtable grow. The Real Time Conference is an area where two or more Roundtable members may get together and 'talk' in 'real-time'. You can participate in organized conferences with special guests, drop in on our weekly Open COnference, or simply join in on an impromptu chat session. Unlike posting messages or Mail for other members to read at some later time, everyone in the Conference area can see what you type immediately, and can respond to you right away, in an 'electronic conversation'. ********************************************************************** > CPU REPORT¿ ========== Issue # 65 ---------- by Michael Arthur Remember When.... In 1981, a company called Metacomco Inc. introduced its first product, a Portable BASIC Interpreter written in the BCPL language (a predecessor of C), and how that very product was later modified to become ST Basic? Or how (in the process of trying to get Amiga Corp. to license their 68000 Pascal Compiler) Metacomco first became involved with Commodore, later porting what became AmigaDOS (which was also written in BCPL) to the Amiga? CPU Systems Roundup XXVII¿ ========================= Dream Systems VI: The More Things Change.... --------------------------------------------- Part I of this Series featured a list of "Peripherals of Note", or computer peripherals and systems which are both innovative in the microcomputer industry, and are unique in their perspective markets. While there were probably newer computers and peripherals that could have been included, the list was generally accurate. In this section, a list of "Dream Systems", or configurations of several powerful computer systems, has been formed in order to analyze how far current computers can truly approach the "State of the Art" using current hardware peripherals. I have chosen not to include variables like operating systems and software in this analysis, and to concentrate on the actual computers' hardware capabilities, the greatest amount of mass storage you could attain, and the best graphics that system could provide. While operating systems and software are a definite factor in a computer system, software can generally be easily added or ported to a computer system. Also, I wanted to aim for the best hardware itself, to which you could add the necessary software. However, since many of the high-end microcomputers featured here are beginning to rival workstations in both performance and price, this essay will now include some low-end workstations in its analysis, in order to both study the state of high-end microcomputers as compared to low-end workstations, and to see whether these microcomputers outperform some workstations in certain aspects.... After doing some research, I found several configurations that could truly claim to be "Dream Systems". Shown in no particular order, here is my list: (Warning: Do not be surprised by the Retail Prices Shown.) System #1 --------- - ALR Power VEISA 110, with 33 MHZ 80486 Module - Total Cost of System: $22,670.00 Dollars This IBM Compatible is a system with a 33 MHZ 80386 chip, 5 Megabytes of RAM (and a 64K CPU Cache) onboard, 3 PC AT and 3 EISA Expansion Slots, and a Cheetah DTP Disk Controller, which (with 4 Megs of RAM onboard as a disk cache) provides for greatly increased Disk I/O speed.... To further enhance this system, I would add a 1 Gigabyte Magneto Optical Drive made by Maxtor, which uses Removable Cartridges to store data, a Hercules Graphics Station Card with a TI 34010 Graphics Processor, a 3Com Etherlink II Card, which provides an Ethernet port, and an NEC Multisync 4D Monitor. So with this system, you would have: ALR PowerVEISA 110 w/4 Megs of RAM (Cost: $5800.00) ALR 33 MHZ 80486 Upgrade Module (Cost: $3200.00) Cheetah DRAM Board, w/4 Megs of RAM (Cost: $1000.00) Cheetah DPT Disk Controller (Cost: $1500.00) Maxtor 1 Gigabyte Magneto-Optical Cartridge Drive (Cost: $8000.00) Hercules Graphics Station Card (Cost: $1024.00) 3Com EtherLink Card (Cost: $345.00) NEC Multisync 4D Monitor (Cost: $1800.00) VGA Graphics Resolution: 320*200 with 256 Colors out of 256,000 640*480 with 16 Colors Displayable out of 256,000 SuperVGA Resolutions: 640*480 with 256 Displayable Colors out of 256,000 800*600 with 16 Colors out of 256,000 TIGA Resolutions: 512*480 w/16 Million Displayable Colors 1024*768 with 256 Colors out of 16 Million Faults with System: None whatsoever. Unless you think that a system's quality is based solely on its cost.... System #2 --------- - Macintosh IIfx w/SuperMac Video Board - Total Cost: $23,750.00 This Macintosh uses a 40 MHZ 68030 with a 40 MHZ 68882 Math Chip, Four Megabytes of RAM (and a 32K CPU Cache), 6 NuBus Expansion Slots, and a 1.44 Meg High Density Disk Drive. It uses the SWIM (Sander-Woz Integrated Machine) Disk Controller chip to allow the Mac to read/write to MS-DOS and OS/2 formatted disks. Also added is a Mac IIfx DRAM Expansion Board, with 4 Megs of RAM, To FURTHER enhance this system, I would add Mirror Technologies' RM600 Magneto-Optical Drive, which uses 650 Megabyte Removable/Erasable Cartridges like those found for the NeXT drive, an Adaptec Nodem, which is an Ethernet LAN Interface Unit that plugs into the SCSI slot, and a National Semiconductor Maccelerate Board, which is a DMA (Direct Memory Access) Controller that makes data transfer operations up to three times faster than before. Also, I would add a Taxan Ultravision 1000 Monitor to accompany the SuperMac Spectrum/24 Video Card, which lets the Mac have a 1024*768 display with 16 Million colors at the same time, and makes Mac Quickdraw operations display 5 - 10 times faster than before. The reason I didn't include Apple's 8/24 GC Video Board (which uses an AMD 29000 RISC chip to perform QuickDraw operations 30 times faster than normal) is because it only supports a 640*480 resolution, while the SuperMac Board supports a larger 1024*768 resolution.... So with this system you would have: Macintosh IIfx w/4 Megs of RAM (Cost: $9900.00) One Apple Mac IIci 4 Meg DRAM Expansion Kit (Cost: $1000.00) Maccelerate DMA Controller Card (Cost: $600.00) Adaptec Nodem Ethernet Unit (Cost: $500.00) Mirror RM600 Magneto-Optical Cartridge Drive (Cost: $3500.00) Spectrum/24 III Video Board (Cost: $4500.00) Taxan 980 20-Inch Monitor (Cost: $3700.00) Macintosh II Resolution: 640*400 with 256 Colors out of 16 Million With Spectrum/24 it has 1024*768 with 16 Million colors at the same time. Faults with System: An extreme amount of add-in peripherals. But other than that, it is a SUPERB system.... System #3 --------- - SGI Personal Iris w/Geometry Engine - Total System Cost: $25,500.00 This is a Silicon Personal Iris with a 20 MHZ R3000 RISC chip from MIPS Computer Systems, a R3010 Math Chip, and SGI's Geometry Engine chip, which is a graphics processor capable of calculating over 90,000 3D Vectors per second. It also has 8 Megs of RAM standard, a 170 Meg Hard Drive, a built-in Ethernet Port, and a color monitor.... So with this system you would have: SGI Personal Iris system w/MIPS R3000 chip (Cost: $25,500.00 total) SGI 170 Megabyte Hard Drive (Included in System) Iris Resolution: 1024*768 with 16 million display colors at the same time Faults with System: Hard Disk storage is mediocre, at best.... System #4 --------- - Amiga 3000/16 w/33 MHZ CSA Mega-Midget Racer - Total Cost of System: $15,500.00 This is an Amiga 3000 with a 16 MHZ 68030 and a 16 MHZ 68881 Floating Point Math Chip, 2 Megs of RAM (with no CPU Cache) onboard, 2 PC AT Expansion Slots and 4 Zorro III (32-bit) Slots. It also has an improved version of the Amiga's Enhanced Chip Set, which both boosts its graphics capabilities and features a Display Enhancer Chip (known in the Amiga world as the Amber "FlickerFixer" chip). The reason I featured the CSA Midget Racer Accelerator instead of the A3000/25 (which has a 25 MHZ 68030) is because the Amiga 3000 has a 16 Mhz memory subsystem that slows down system performance by inserting wait states on a A3000/25. Meaning that the A3000/25 only provides an increased processor clock speed (and a relatively minor speed increase) compared to the A3000/16.... With this system would be a GVP Impact SCSI Hard Disk Controller with 6 Megs of RAM Onboard, a 650 Meg Magneto-Optical Tape Drive from Briwall Inc., a CSA Mega-Midget Racer with a 33 MHZ 68030 and a 33 MHZ 68882 Math Coprocessor, a Taxan 980 Monitor, and an Ameristar Internet Package (an Ethernet board for the Amiga). So with this system you would have: Amiga 3000/16 with Enhanced Chip Set (Cost: $3500.00) GVP Impact SCSI HD Controller w/6 Megs of RAM (Cost: $1200.00) CSA Mega-Midget Racer Accelerator (Cost: $1700.00) Briwall 650 Meg Magneto-Optical Drive (Cost: $4500.00) Taxan 980 20-Inch Monitor (Cost: $3700.00) Ameristar Ethernet Board (Cost: $900.00) Amiga Resolutions: (Not including Overscan) 320*200 with 32 colors out of 4096 320*200 with 64 colors out of 4096 (Extra Half-Brite) 320*200 with 4096 colors at the same time (HAM Mode) 640*200 with 4 to 32 colors 640*400 with 2 to 16 colors (interlaced) With Enhanced Chip Set: 640x256, with 64 displayable colors out of 4096 1280x400, with 4 colors out of 64 (interlaced) Faults with System: No CPU Cache, and its DMA (Direct Memory Access) capabilities aren't fast enough to compensate for such a lack. Meaning that the CSA Accelerator Board may have a lesser effect on overall system performance than normally expected.... System #5 --------- - IBM RISC System/6000 Model 320 - Total System Cost: $17,000.00 This is a IBM PowerStation 320, with a 20 MHZ POWER Processor Chipset, 8 Megs of RAM (and a 32K CPU Cache), 4 "Enhanced MicroChannel" Expansion Slots, a Color Graphics Adapter with a Geometry Engine Chip and a color monitor, and a 1.44 Meg Disk Drive. Along with this would be a 3Com Ethernet Card for the RS/6000, and a 240 Megabyte Hard Drive. Interestingly enough, while the POWER Chipset does NOT use either ROM Chips or Microcode, it IS installed into the RISC System/6000 as a CPU Planar Board. Meaning that one can easily upgrade from a 20 MHZ Unit to 25 MHZ or 30 MHZ performance by simply replacing the CPU Planar Board, but that the POWER Chipset itself cannot be upgraded via the use of faster ROM Microcode.... So with this system you have: IBM RS/6000 PowerStation Model 320 (Cost: $17,000.00) 3Com Ethernet Card (Bundled with System) 240 Megabyte Hard Drive (Bundled with System) Color Graphics Adapter w/Monitor (Bundled with System) RISC System/6000 Resolution: 1280*1024 with 256 Colors out of 16 Million Faults of System: Hard Drive Storage is comparatively lacking.... System #6 --------- - Abaq Transputer w/300 Meg Hard Disk - Total Cost of System: $30,000.00 This is an Abaq Transputer with a 20 MHZ T800 Chip having a built-in Math Coprocessor, 4 Megs of RAM, and 4 Expansion Slots. Along with this would be two Abaq M112 Expansion Cards, each having 4 T800 Chips and 4 Megs of DRAM onboard, and one Abaq F104 Expansion Card, with 1 T800 chip and 1 Meg of RAM standard, for a total of 10 T800 chips and 13 Megs of System RAM. Since Helios can read/write to MS-DOS disks, and the ATW uses a Mega ST Motherboard as an I/O processor, an ABCO 300 Megabyte Hard Drive for the ST should be able to be used. So with this system you have: Abaq Transputer w/4 Megs of RAM (Cost: $8000.00) Two ATW M112 Expansion "Farm" Cards (Cost: $12,000.00 total) ATW F104 Expansion "Farm" Card (Cost: $2000.00) ATW X100 Ethernet Interface Card (Cost: $1100.00) ABCO 300 Megabyte Hard Drive for the ST (Cost: $3200.00) Taxan Ultravision 1000 Monitor (Cost: $3700.00) Abaq Resolutions: 1280*960 with 16 Colors out of 16 Million 1024*768 with 256 Colors out of 16 Million 640*480 w/256 Colors out of 16 Million (Double Buffered screens for high speed animation) 512*480 with 16 Million Colors at the same time Faults of System: Hard disk storage is decent, but comparatively weak. Also, it is the highest-costing system.... Here is a Graph of the features of each Dream System: Dream Systems List: (Comparison of each Systems' Optimal Features) _________________________________________________________________________ Dream |Main Chips,|MHZ Rate|Mass |Expansion|Graphics Displays/ | System |Megs of RAM| & MIPS |Storage | Slots |Best Resolution(s) | -----------|-----------|--------|----------|---------|-------------------| IBM 486 |Intel 80486| 33 MHZ |1 Gigabyte| Six (3)|512*480*16 Million | System |Eight Megs | |Tape Drive|EISA Bus|1024*768*256 Colors| -----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------| Mac IIci |68030/68882| 40 MHZ |650 Meg | Zero (3)|640*400*256 Colors | System |Eight Megs | |Tape Drive|NuBus |1024*768*16 Million| -----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------| SG Personal|R3000/R3010| 20 MHZ |170 Meg | One (1) | 1024*768 | Iris System|Eight Megs | |Hard Drive|VME Bus |w/16 Million Colors| -----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------| Amiga 3000 |68030/68882| 33 MHZ |650 Meg | Four (2)|640*256 w/64 Colors| System |Eight Megs | |Tape Drive|Zorro III|1280*200 w/4 Colors| -----------|-----------+--------+----------+---------+-------------------| IBM RS/6000|POWER Chip| 20 MHZ |240 Meg | Four (3)| 1280*1024 | System |Eight Megs | |Hard Drive|M-Channel|w/16 Million Colors| -----------|-----------|--------|----------|---------|-------------------| ATW | 10 T-800s | 20 MHZ |300 Meg | Zero (4)|512*480*16 Million | System | 13 Megs | |Hard Drive|Abaq |1280*960*16 Colors | -----------'-------------------------------------------------------------' Dream Systems List: Basic System Performance List _________________________________________________________________________ Dream |Dhrystones |Data Transfer| Linpack | Memory |Size,Type of| System |in VAX MIPS| Rate | MFLOPS |Path Width| CPU Cache | -----------|-----------|-------------|-----------|----------|------------| IBM 486 |13-16 MIPS | 33 Megabytes| 1.2 - 1.5 | 64-Bits |128K Static | System | | Per Second | MFLOPS | Wide |RAM (SRAM) | -----------|-----------|-------------|-----------|----------|------------| Mac IIfx |7 - 8 MIPS | 10 Megabytes| 0.2900 | 64-Bits | 32K SRAM | System | | Per Second | MFLOPS | Wide | | -----------|-----------|-------------|-----------|----------|------------| SG Personal| 16 MIPS | N/A | 1.4 MFLOPS| N/A | N/A | Iris System| | | | | | -----------|-----------|-------------|-----------|----------|------------| Amiga 3000 | 5.8 - 7 | N/A | .12 - .15 | 32-Bits |No CPU Cache| System | MIPS | | | Wide | | -----------|-----------|-------------|-----------|----------|------------| IBM RS/6000| 27.5 MIPS | 40 Megabytes| 7.4 MFLOPS| 128 Bits | 32K SRAM | System | | Per Second | | Wide | | -----------|-----------|-------------|-----------|----------|------------| ATW | 60 MIPS | 20 Megabytes| 125 - 150 | 32 Bits |4K SRAM Per | System | Sustained | Per Second | | Wide | Transputer | -----------'-------------------------------------------------------------' In the Mass Storage column, Tape stands for removable storage, and HD stands for fixed, or hard disk storage. VAX MIPS is approximately 1750 Dhrystones per Second. Also, the Expansion Slot Column now measures the number of available expansion slots in each Dream System AFTER installing the various add-in boards in each System Configuration. The number in parentheses is the total number of expansion slots in the system. CPU MacNews¿ =========== Apple Lowers Price of Mac Portable - Color Laptop Rumored --------------------------------------------------------- Apple Computer has recently announced that they are reducing the price of their Mac Portable line by $1000.00, as well as a $150.00 reduction in the cost of the Portable's 1 Meg DRAM Expansion Kit, which now costs $500.00. The Basic Model of the Macintosh will now cost $5000.00, while the 40 Megabyte Model will cost $5500.00. Interestingly, Apple says that this price decrease has been made in order to "jump start" sales, which have dropped dramatically since January. Also, rumors abound that Apple is planning to introduce a new version of the Mac Portable with a Color LCD Screen. It seems that the Japanese manufacturer of the Mac Portable's monochrome active-matrix LCD Screen is also developing a color LCD Display.... CPU AmigaNews¿ ============= FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COMMODORE EXTENDS POPULAR AMIGA PRODUCT LINE INTRODUCES TALENTED AMIGA 3000 AT "MULTIMEDIA LIVE" EXPECTED SHIP DATE: JUL 1990 NEW YORK, NY -- April 24, 1990 -- Commodore Business Machines President Harold Copperman and his aggressive management team today dramatically defined multimedia as the company introduced the latest in its popular line of Amiga personal computers at a live multimedia demonstration at the Palladium. The powerful and elegant new Amiga (R) 3000 brings enhanced performance capabilities and a new AmigaDOS (TM) 2.0 operating system to the company's line of multimedia products. "The 3000 marks the first step in Commodore's new Amiga product marketing strategy and reinforces our serious bid to capture greater market share within the business, government and higher education markets," said Commodore Vice President of Marketing C. Lloyd Mahaffey. "We've delivered an incredibly competitive hardware system featuring lower cost, higher performance and added communications capabilities." Mahaffey said key product features include a 16 or 25 Mhz, 68030 Motorola processor, a 68881 or 68882 math coprocessor, a true 32-bit architecture, 2 MB of memory standard (with an address space of over one gigabyte) and, as in all Amigas, true multitasking capability. The standard Amiga 3000 comes with a 40 MB hard drive and a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive and features a SCSI interface for added communication capability. Commodore also offers a 100 MB configuration. Suggested retail price is $3,299 for the 16 Mhz version, $3,999 for the 25 Mhz version and $4,499 for the 100 MB version. Shipments are expected to begin in July. Demonstration units are available at participating Authorized Commodore Amiga Reseller locations. Commodore Director of Product Marketing Walt Simpson said the price/performance of the A3000 results from the effective integration of the Amiga's three custom chips with five new custom gate arrays which serve a variety of functions including bus arbitration, RAM memory handling, SCSI device handling and video enhancing. The Amiga 3000 also features a new operating system, AmigaDOS 2.0, which significantly enhances the look and functionality of the platform, Simpson said. Besides the new look, standards have been created for all system utilities, icons, requesters and gadgets to permit ease-of-use by both users and programmers, he said. In addition, Commodore announced the inclusion of the AREXX (TM) interprocess communication protocol and programming language. The integration of AREXX into the AmigaDOS operating system will facilitate the control of external programs from within any application supporting AREXX, Simpson said. This feature, coupled with Commodore's new AmigaVision (TM) authoring system, creates a powerful multitasking environment for the creation of multimedia presentations. Along with the A3000 announcement, Commodore introduced a number of strategic products ..including: * AmigaVision authoring system; * Networking products providing connectivity with Arcnet, Novell (R) NetWare, Ethernet, TCP/IP and NFS standards; * Monitors, including 2024 high resolution monochrome and 1950 color multiscan; and * Commodore Amiga 10 Stereo Audio Compact Speakers. Commodore further announced an AmigaDOS 2.0 enhancer kit for A2000 series machines to be available in September. Availability of a 2.0 enhancer kit for A500 series machines will be announced at a future date. Commodore Business Machines, Inc., based in West Chester, Pa., markets a complete line of personal computers and peripherals for the business, education, government and consumer markets. The multitasking Amiga (R) line includes the Commodore Amiga 2000 (TM), the Commodore Amiga 500 (TM) and two enhanced products: the Commodore Amiga 2000HD (TM) and the Commodore Amiga 2500/30 (TM). Commodore's line of MS-DOS (R)-compatible computers includes the Select Edition (TM) and Professional Series III (TM). For more information on the Amiga 3000, contact Walt Simpson, director of product marketing, Commodore Business Machines, 1200 Wilson Drive, West Chester, PA 19380 or call 215-431-9100. COMMODORE UNVEILS NEW AMIGAVISION (TM) AUTHORING SYSTEM; INNOVATIVE TOOL PROVIDES KEY TO MULTIMEDIA APPLICATIONS EXPECTED SHIP DATE: MAY 1990 Commodore Business Machines President Harold Copperman today strengthened the company's leadership position in the multimedia market by introducing powerful multimedia authoring software. The new system can be used to create innovative applications ranging from complex business presentations to daily courseware. Commodore Vice President of Marketing C. Lloyd Mahaffey said the new software system, called AmigaVision (TM), significantly expands the multimedia market by providing an easy-to-use and affordable method for business, education, government and consumer users to develop new applications by creatively combining graphics, text, video and audio components. Shipping is expected to begin in May. The announcement was made as part of a live multimedia presentation at the Palladium. The company also introduced the latest in its Amiga (R) family of personal computers, the Amiga 3000, and a full line of networking products. Previously the domain of programmer-level professional users, multimedia can now be a tool for creative teachers, presentation professionals, computer-based trainers, instruction specialists as well as exhibit and display professionals. AmigaVision does not require previous programming experience and is operable through an intuitive user interface. Mahaffey said the Amiga is the only computer that was originally designed as a multimedia class machine. "AmigaVision is a significant development in multimedia," said Tim Bajarin, vice president of Creative Strategies International, a Santa Clara, California-based research firm, and publisher of MULTIMEDIA COMPUTING AND PRESENTATIONS. "With today's round of announcements, Commodore is positioned to make a major play for personal computer sales. David Archambauu director of business markets, said AmigaVision takes full advantage of the Amiga's built-in graphics, video and music capabilities. The system used the Amiga's native multitasking capability to allow users to run programs simultaneously. Unlike other authoring systems, AmigaVision is a non-intrusive environment which allows applications to run without the AmigaVision menus being visible, he said. Enhanced design capabilities allow for immediate on-screen preview while the presentation program is running. This allows the user to create unique user interface elements quickly with ease. AmigaVision provides a flow-chart type iconic interface programming environment featuring a single control screen/menu. The Amiga operating system's AREXX (TM) communications protocol support allows applications to interact with programs on the same or other networked machines. The system will be bundled with all Amiga 2000 and 3000 series machines. For existing owners, AmigaVision is available at Authorized Commodore Amiga Resellers for a suggested retail price of $149. Mahaffey said AmigaVision is a key component of Commodore's product marketing strategy for the Amiga family. While professional users comprise the majority of multimedia related markets today, future plans call for penetration into the consumer market as home users begin to discover the benefits of multimedia. For more information on AmigaVision (TM), contact David Archambault, director of business markets, Commodore Business Machines, 1200 Wilson Drive, West Chester, PA 19380 or call 215-431-9100. But ponder, if you will, this question: 1) Has any of Digital Research's GEM-based productivity software (like GEM Draw Plus, GEM Artline, or GEM Presentation Team) appeared for the Atari ST? 2) In what areas of the computer industry could Commodore successfully market the Amiga 3000, and how should Atari market the 68030 TT? > CPU STATUS REPORT¿ >>>>> LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS <<<<< ================= - Mountain View, CA SUN'S NETWORK FILE SYSTEM SELECTED AS LAN STANDARD ----------------- X/Open, an independent consortium of computer vendors currently developing a Portability Guide for Unix-based software, is selecting Sun's Network File System as one of its Standard Protocols for interconnecting different systems on a LAN Network. While NFS itself has been a de-facto standard for several years, and is featured in AT&T Unix System V 4.0, X/Open's announcement indicates that NFS will also appear in OSF/1, the new operating system being developed by the OSF, and in several other dialects of Unix.... - Santa Clara, CA INTEL SUES 80287 CLONE MAKER --------------- Intel Corp. has filed a lawsuit against Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) which charges that AMD has infringed on Intel's microcode copyrights for the 80287 Floating Point Math Chip. This lawsuit was made after AMD recently said that it was incorporating Intel Microcode into their upcoming 80C287 coprocessor. AMD and Intel have a long-standing cross-licensing agreement which (among other things) allows AMD to copy Intel Microcode, but not to distribute it in their products. Interestingly enough, AMD recently sued Intel, charging that this agreement meant that Intel would have to reveal the 80386 chip's design to AMD.... - Sausalito, CA AUTODESK ANNOUNCES AUTOCAD RELEASE 11 ------------- AutoDesk Inc., has recently introduced Release 11 of the AutoCAD Computer-Aided Design program. It will feature an advanced programming environment called the AutoCAD Development System (ADS), which allows other applications to dynamically link with AutoCAD to utilize its features or access data. It will also feature multiple-view plotting (for laying out, organizing, and plotting AutoCAD drawings from different perspectives), file locking and other Network Tools, commands to help reconstruct damaged AutoCAD Files, as well as several other improvements to AutoCAD's dimensioning capabilities and User interface. AutoCAD Release 11 will cost $3500.00, and will first be available for the 80386 chip. Previous AutoCAD owners can obtain upgrades for $500.00. Shipping Date: August - November 1990.. CPU Addendum: Last week's issue featured a story on the new PARSEC video ============ board for the ST. Datel Computers has recently announced that it will be selling the Topaz GEMulator (a Development utility allowing GEM-based Programs to be converted, so as to take advantage of the PARSEC's imaging and graphics processing capabilities) as a separate product. It is rumored that the Topaz GEMulator may only be available to ST Developers.... _____________________________________________________________ > SOFTWARE THEFT CPU/STR PROBE¿ Enough is Enough! ============================= IS IT EVER RIGHT??? =================== by R.F.Mariano From the onset of my computing experiences I have been more than aware of the dangers of software theft. First, let's get one thing straight, there is relatively little or no danger of prosecution to the user or the BBS operator who downloads or offers for download copyrighted software. This is the most common statement heard today throughout the industry. Folks, this is so callously untrue that it actually could mislead or "recruit" a newfy into the conclaves of the software thieves. There is always the ever present danger of legal action, loss of equipment and reputation. Second, in most cases when a program is documentation intensive a person may download it from a bbs and then purchase it after finding that they wish to use the program to its fullest potential. Again, horsefeathers! What actually happens is the author manages to sell a copy only to find out that there are a half dozen thieves that will benefit from the legit set of docs. (ala photocopier) Third, we find the most reprehensible act of all, the thief or prospective thief downloads the file, finds it not to their liking then proceeds to badmouth the product. This is their way of justifying the "try before you buy" premise. The problem is, there are those users who may have been discouraged from even investigating the product's potential at filling a need merely on the negative bleating of the software thief. The most deplorable situation is the "usergroup" who establishes a "lending library" under the club banner thus, making a feeble attempt at legitimizing this despicable practice, for the specific purpose of allowing its dues paying members to 'share for a fee' copyrighted software. There are those blather at every opportunity that this practice of renting is not illegal and will, once again, allow the user the opportunity to "try before buying" well these days 99% of the publishers provide FREE demos of their program offerings thus nullifying the "try before you buy premise" and the need to "rent" a fully working version of the program. STReport has always been a staunch supporter of Usergroups, yet we find ourselves facing a perplexing situation, this reporter is aware of the acute danger the ST market is in at this time. Part of which is the negative effect software theft has had on the developer community. Atari itself is greatly to blame for the serious problems that exist in our userbase, the dearth of machines the lack of proper publicity, and most of all the obvious absence of Atari the "computer company" in the public eye. But, getting back to usergroups, we find that there are those groups who, by their sleazy back room activities and/or their self righteous proclamations of legitimacy, cast a jaundiced aura of suspicion on all usergroups. These low-life groups must be brought to either an end or, at least, a full re-organization by eliminating the thievery they seem to by all appearances, through the use of rental libraries, condone and thrive upon.. STReport believes that education is the answer pure and simple. Sure, there are costs involved, some rather high. These costs must be met by a combination of the developers, users and Atari Corporation. All parties involved will benefit by a significant reduction in software thievery. The time to start is now, and start we must each and every one of us. Those who steal the software must be made to understand that everytime they boot, copy or trade the stolen program its the same as if they put a gun to the developer's head. _______________________________________________________ > PACE REPORT CPU/STR SHOW NEWS¿ The Bright Spots.... ============================= NORTHEAST ATARIFEST '90 REPORT ------------------------------ by Daniel Stidham This past weekend the Atari world converged on Chartier Valley High School in suburban Pittsburgh, PA for the 1990 edition of the Northeast Atarifest. Bruce Markey, president of the Pittsburgh Atari Computer Enthusiasts(PACE), organized an impressive collection of Atari developers in an idealy large and centrally located venue. Although it was apparent that the heroic efforts of Bruce and dedictated developers and vendors did not recieve a proportionate recompense of reward, let me defer critical commentary to those older and wiser. Allow me to proceed with--"just the facts". The PACE show definitely did not want for dedicated developer/ vendor support. Personally I would like to thank and commend the following for making my attendance both informative and entertaining: Alpha Systems, Branch Always Software, Best Electronics, Codehead Software, Diverse Data Products, Double-Click Software, Enigma Software, Gribnif(Neodesk folks), ICD Inc., Innovative Concepts, Michtron, Talon Technology, Toad Computers, Unicorn Publications, WizWorks Software, and Multi-Byte Computers. Vendors included Joppa, 1ST STop, Rite-Way, Cal-Com Inc., 2econd Childhood, and Music Sweet Music(I know that I _omitted_ someone!). Attending in official capacity, greeting show-goers and generally spreading good-will and cheer with her sweet smile and lovely appearance was Darlah J. Pine, successful and dedicated sysop of GEnies Atari Roundtable. Nathan Potechin of ISD Marketing(DynaCadd, Calamus), Canada, was very active throughout both days of the show. Nathan gave two excellent and thorough seminars on the Calamus DTP family of products. These seminars alone would have made this show a worthwhile trip. On Sunday Ralph Mariano hosted a lively ST Report workshop and introduced as his special guest, Bob Brodie, user-group co-ordinator of Atari Corp. worldwide. After some initial comments and rabble- rousing(grin) Ralph opened the workshop to questions. The "Ask Bob Brodie" show was very lively with the liveliest exchanges centering around Atari's future plans for 8-bit computer support (for more coverage of the ST Report seminar see the PACE VIDEO press release elsewhere in this issue of CPU Online). Needless to say Mr. Brodie was gracious and patient throughout, answering all questions and addressing every concern at length. Speaking of Ralph Mariano, he flew into Pittsburgh from Florida and was actively greeting showgoers/developers/vendors both days of the show. As a courtesy of ST Report he also passed out several hundred copies of a Calamus created Chaos Strikes Back spell list, which I'm sure he will include free with all hard drive purchases.. (smile). ------------------------------------------ Plethora of PACE show releases/upgrades... ------------------------------------------ Most developers delighted showgoers with exclusive PACE show scoops on their latest software/hardware releases and upgrades: -ALPHA SYSTEMS... George Morrison debuted St Protection Techniques, a software authors security cornucopia giving him versatile security tools. George was also demoing JAM MASTER, an inexpensive program that turns any midi keyboard into a four voice digital sampler. -DIVERSE DATA PRODUCTS... Demoed a new version of Sound-Off that is able to create outputted sound files of any format. Also debuted at the show: a slim-line version of their popular and rugged MFD 720 renamed the 720GS; the MFD 1440 dual 3 1/2 inch drive unit that contains a built-in drive B switch; MegaBoard II, a solderless SIMMS upgrade board that will install in _any_ ST system and allow plug-in SIMMS memory upgrades up to 4 megs; KX prototype being displayed--a hardware/software combo that allows hookup of an IBM AT style keyboard. -CODEHEAD SOFTWARE... Debuted HotWire! 2.1 and Multidesk 2.1. The HotWire! upgrade fixed some minor bugs, allows you to disable its screen saver animation, and install assign.sys files with the press of a key or click of the mouse. Alarms in HotWire! were also dramatically enhanced allowing 16 alarms and greater power over these alarms. Just one of the many new alarm features is a "snooze bar" radio button not unlike your bedroom alarm in function. Say you have an alarm go off when you are talking on the phone, you can hit the space key and send it into a timed snooze--it in effect causes the alarm to be put on hold until you can attend to it. MultiDesk upgrades include the ability to remove as many acc's as you want and the ability to chain MLT set-ups to a program, thus allowing custom accessory set-up for each application(no need to have the PageStream Appendix Acc in anything but PageStream!). -BEST ELECTRONICS... Was demonstrating their new Mega Click product that gives a Mega keyboard IBM style clicking along with their cornucopia of dynamite goodies for the Atari computer lines. -WIZWORKS SOFTWARE'S... Chet Walters was demoing a pre-release version of Mug Shot, a professional police mugger or entertainment giver. Chet will release many seperate data files giving this program endless possibilities for various apps including police work and all at the low price of 34.95! The tame version of Mac-A-Mug for the Mac is 250.00, so the value is apparent. Slated for release on June 14. W. David Parks of WizWorks was non-chalantly debuting his Multi Viewer Graphica commercial release 1.3(MVG). He plans on adding a scanner interface for the Migraph hand scanner. MVG looks like it may surpass Touch-Up! in many features, but as of yet, does not run on the big-screen monitors. Nothing like good ole American competition. Chet also announced ImageCat will soon be GEM-based(though it already uses a mouse in each seperate module) and have the ability to catalog GEM pics and Neodesk files. Keep an eye on Chet! ------------- Noteworthy... ------------- -ATARI USER'S ASSOCIATION(AUA) was making its first of many show appearances. Derek Signorini and Tony Parry were on hand to explain to showgoers what the AUA was all about. A free raffle was given courtesy of the AUA and included the following prizes donated from various developers: four Stik Grippers(Kevin Dugan donation), dBMAN V, Scan Art, Draw Art, Genius mouse, and Diamond Back and Cache among others. -MULTI-BYTE COMPUTERS displayed their Portable Power Case for the Stacy. The unit comes standard with a 4 hour battery(16 hour battery optional), extra space and fasteners for Spectre GCR and any other large cartridge, shoulder strap, extra pockets for books-diskettes-the charger-and two batteries, a zip-off top, quick blow fuses, and much more. Intelligent charger allows the 4-hour battery to be charged in one hour! Very attractive looking. $348 -DIAMOND BACK II was to be debuted at the PACE show but a last minute bug forced Bob Luneski to cancel out. From the flyers he brought it looks like quite an upgrade with the ability to back-up Spectre partitions on GEM formatted disks! -GRIBNIF was allowing sneak peeks at their booth of something very incredible that is due out very shortly...wait a minute, Dan and Rick swore me to secrecy-- I _promised_ I wouldn't say anything. All I can say is stay tuned! --------------- Incidentally... --------------- Oh, and when in Pittsburgh eat at the Greentree Inn--great soft-shell crabs! My thanks to Ralph Mariano for the tip-off. It makes me shudder to think what a changed and cultured man I would be if I got to hang out with Ralph _every_ weekend! 'Til next time... ____________________________________________________________ > PACE ON TAPE! CPU/STR InfoFile¿ The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly! =============================== "I WANT MY PACE VIDEO!" -------------------- Have you ever wondered what your favorite Atari developers looked like in the flesh? You've talked to them through GEnie and by phone and you've put all kinds of funny faces to their voices. Before I met Charles F. Johnson I imagined a conservative, balding fellow in his mid to late forties--anyone who has met Charles knows how far off I was! Wonder no more! Order your PACE video and enjoy 90 minutes of professionally scripted coverage of the 1990 Northeast Atarifest held in Pittsburgh, April 28th & 29th. ******************** FEATURING... ******************** o A 20 minute video collage of all developers and vendors, set to music to make it all go down better! o Four(4) revealing and informative interviews with top US market developers: - Charles F. Johnson and John Eidsvoog tell all! Little Green Footballs--THE UNTOLD STORY! - Dan Wilga and Rick Flashman of Neodesk fame reveal, "What's a Gribniff?" - Mike Vederman Double-Click's Veder-Man Uncensored! - Nathan Potechin of ISD Marketing Can you pick up his Canadian accent? Great interview! Hear Nathan sing "Oh Canada!"--or was that me... Discover the favorite pizza toppings of the software gods. Find out who's married, who's not and who's too busy enjoying life to care! Plus much, much, more! Ralph Mariano/Bob Brodie seminar footage. Some good, some bad, and some ugly questions made this an interesting and lively workshop! o PROFESSIONALLY SCRIPTED(no home-movie mish-mash) o PROFESSIONALLY DUBBED o Would have been rated G but because of the Michael Vederman interview parental guidance is suggested ******************** ORDERING INFO ******************** o ONLY 19.95 POSTPAID!(c.o.d. $3 extra) o Visa/MC accepted--(1) EMAIL your order in GEnie to D.STIDHAM o Checks accepted including your name, shipping address, phone, Visa/MC #, and card expiration date. C.O.D.'s may be EMAIL ordered also. (2) Call/write order to: AAA Images \ 3809 Feather Ln. \ make check Elsmere,Ky 41018 / to AAA Images (606)342-9129 / ____________________________________________________ > Stock Market ~ CPU NewsWire¿ Watchin' the Sheckles Grow! =========================== THE TICKERTAPE ============== by Michael Arthur Concept by Glenn Gorman The price of Atari Stock stayed the same on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, it went down 1/4 of a point, and on Thursday, went up 1/8 of a point. On Friday, the price of Atari Stock remained the same. Finishing up the week at 6 points, Atari Stock went down 1/8 of a point since the last report. Interestingly enough, while computer stocks were (on the whole) down, trading on Atari stock declined to a snail's pace.... Apple Stock was down 1 1/8 points from Friday, April 20, 1990. Commodore Stock was down 3/4 of a point from 4/20/90. IBM Stock was down 2 points from 4/20/90. Stock Report for Week of 4/23/90 to 4/27/90 _________________________________________________________________________ STock| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Reprt|Last Chg.|Last Chg.|Last Chg.|Last Chg.|Last Chg.| -----|------------|-------------|------------|-------------|-------------| Atari|6 1/8 ----|6 1/8 ----|5 7/8 - 1/4| 6 + 1/8| 6 ---- | | | | | | 15,200 Sls | -----|------------+-------------+------------+-------------+-------------| CBM |7 1/2 -1/4|7 1/4 -1/4| 7 - 1/4| 7 ---- | 7 ---- | |7 3/4 | | | | 84,100 Sls | -----|------------+-------------+------------+-------------+-------------| Apple|39 3/4 -1/2|38 3/4 - 1 |38 3/4 ----|38 7/8 +1/8|39 1/8 + 1/4| |40 1/4 | | | |1,039,400 Sls| -----|------------+-------------+------------+-------------+-------------| IBM |109 3/8 ----|108 7/8 -1/2|109 3/8 +1/2|108 3/4 -5/8|107 3/8 -3/8| |109 3/8 | | | | 981,600 Sls | -----'-------------------------------------------------------------------' 'Sls' refers to the # of stock shares that were traded that day. 'CBM' refers to Commodore Corporation. '----' means that the stock's price did not change for the day. ___________________________________________________________________ > MR. USERGROUPS CPU/STR Spotlight¿ "And now ladies and gentlemen.." ================================ ATARI CALLING! ============= by Hank Vize Well lightning can strike twice. Thursday, April 26, I received another call from Bob Brodie. It was exciting hearing from Bob again. This time I was able to get over the excitement faster. I was already sitting down. Bob related he needed a favor. I told him I would be more than happy to help if I could. He stated a group of performers and an electrical engineer were in route to St. Louis from Berlin, West Germany. (Or should that now read GERMANY) He said they needed equipment to use until Atari's equipment could be shipped to our local dealer, Randall's Home Computers. Bob said the group needed a 1040 ST, 20 Meg Hard Drive, and Monitor. Michael Fioretti, a St. Louis based video production specialist, was the contact person. EAUG Club member Larry Hutchison offered his system, but he did have a hard drive. Half an hour later, I called Bob to tell him we had secured all but a hard drive. He then gave Jeff Randall a call. He let him know of the upcoming special shipment and asked for help with the hard drive. Jeff and Tim spent the balance of the day and evening piecing together a hard drive from spare parts. Jeff called me the next day and said they finished at 10 PM and that it was a 20 Meg drive. Now that all the equipment necessary was accounted for, I needed to get in touch with Mike. Bob had given me his number. So I called to ask how to get the equipment to him. No luck, an answering machine. I knew the musicians were to arrive Friday and I guessed that Mike was picking them up at the Airport. I left a message for him to call. Friday afternoon he returned the call and was appreciative of the good news that we had equipment for the group to rehearse. I told him we had the 1040 ST, HD, and a color monitor for him. Mike inquired about the second system. Somewhat shocked I asked him what second system? He said they needed another system that would need to be comprised of a Mega 2, HD, monitor. This caught me off guard. I told him I would need more time to try secure the second system. Mike said that would be fine. That rehearsals were put off till Monday because the musicians equipment would not clear customs till then. He said the engineer, Werner Schaller, was mainly concerned about the computers and their compatibility with the programming code generated in Berlin. He wanted the computers as quickly as possible to begin any necessary adjustments of code. I told Mike I could understand his concern and asked him what would be the best way to get the computer system(s?) to him. He stated that the visitors would probably not see much of the city or area while they were here. Knowing I lived in Alton, Il. 25 miles North of St. Louis, he thought it would be a good idea to come to my house to pick up the equipment. A Sunday morning appointment was set. Its now Saturday and a call goes out to Ray Perry of the MDC RCC Atari SIG. I relay the story to Ray and ask for help. He said they could come up with a Mega 4, Megafile 20, and monitor. Fantastic! Everything seemed to be falling into place. Saturday afternoon I made the usual trip to Randall's to see what was new and pick up the hard drive. Much to my surprise was to see the German musicians, engineer, and Michael Fioretti at the shop. Great timing. After exchanging pleasantries. Mike informed me that the monitors must be Monochrome. WOW! Another obstacle. Mono's are hard to come by. I knew I could get one but the second might be more difficult. Again I told Mike, we would try to get that second monitor. That evening I received a call from Ray. He said everything was set up and needed to know how to get the equipment to the musicians. I invited him to my home Sunday to meet the visitors. I also asked if the color monitor could be exchanged for a monochrome. Ray said he would try to get one. Meanwhile I secured a second monochrome from another EAUG club member, Dave Holden, just in case. Sunday morning the visitors arrive and we all share coffee and doughnuts. Wolfgang Thierfeldt, Michael Rodach, Werner Schaller, Michael Fioretti, Dave Holden, his daughter, Erin(who kept the Germans entertained with her first year German), Ray Perry, and myself had a great visit. Mike brought with him a press kit of the performance, "Sanctuary". I will give details in another article. After a couple of hours of discussing the groups computer concerns, and sharing the excitement they have of their performance, we loaded up the equipment for the trip back to St. Louis. Sunday afternoon, reflecting on just what took place. I was thinking that if someone told me this time last week that I would be entertaining visitors from Berlin, West Germany, I would have told them no way! What a wonderful world we live in. If I hadn't been affiliated with an Atari user group none of this would be happening. Makes being a group President worthwhile. _____________________________________________________________ > A CITY DIVIDED! CPU/STR Spotlight¿ Pittsburgh has real problems.... ================================== OF PIRATES & POLITICS ===================== by R.F. Mariano To picture any of the developers I know personally on a bread line, simply put, infuriates me. For any developer to have to look to the linings of the cupboard is an outrage. Especially in our ST world. We have some of the finest software available for any computer and its all reasonably priced. Without hesitation, the lending library of one usergroup must be brought to a screeching halt and the crumball politics, the backbiting, threats, lies and innuendo coming from both usergroups must cease before anything positive can ever come to this area's users. Below, STReport presents a number of candid remarks exchanged by usergroup members of two opposing groups in the Pittsburgh area. It is quite clear that before this entire matter in PGH is cleared up it is going to get very nasty... The bottom line here is that the PACE show was torpedoed by software thievery and rediculous intra-club fighting and petty rivalry. It becomes difficult to understand how members of one local group can bemoan the activities of the 'other' group when there's so many "joint memberships". Clearly a choice must be made and above all else, the Rental of software must be halted. Msg#:16876 *ATARI_ST* 04-30-90 23:55:50 (Read 3 Times) From: PHILIP HANZE To: ALL Subj: PACE'S SHOW AND WHAT HAPPENED Well, the PACE show is now over! What a horror it was! The dealers heard these things all through the two days. Oh, your selling that? My friend has that....I'll copy it off of him! Atari and the vendors now consider Pittsburgh as a BIG Pirate community! Atari and the vendors also expressed a deep concern for a user organization called the ATari Elite. The Atari Elite is a group that rents software. Atari is asking that all members of the Elite resign immediately and put an END to the rentals! The different vendors are planning to NO longer support members of the Elite when they call for help. With Pittsburgh being such a pirate community and with the Elite renting the software and making it so mucheasier to pirate.... Pittsburgh will NOT have any new dealers until the Elite is disbanded! One individual even had the guts to go to a vendor and ask for his money back after telling the vendor that the software sold to him could be downloaded!!!!! As a member of the echo you can show your support, John Graham is the echo moderator (who has really been doing a lowsy job) and is one of the board members of the Elite express your anger with what this group is doing to the Atari community. Help us clean up Pittsburgh! Msg#:17255 *ATARI_ST* 05-02-90 00:54:48 (Read 1 Times) From: PHILIP HANZE To: JOSEPH MUHA Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 17249 (ATARI ELITE) Let me put an end to that JOe. I openly resign as a member of the Elite! for the above stated reasons. Msg#:17705 *ATARI_ST* 05-01-90 12:42:46 (Read 3 Times) From: JOSEPH MUHA To: PHILIP HANZE (Rcvd) Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 16876 (PACE'S SHOW AND WHAT HAPPENED) Your message has NO place in this NATIONAL echo! I am shocked that youfeel the need to continue to BASH the area's largest Atari computer group! Just because PACE is dying (dead?) you feel the need to fire another shot into a war which is LONG over. For your information, the Elite is RESPONSIBLE for the areas ONLY ST dealer! Get SOMETHING straight! Also, Graham has been doing a fantastic job after he got the messages into his BBS. Stop saying that he has not as if what you say is fact! Software rental is LEGAL, what you propose is not going to work. The membership of pace must feel tha same way, look how many you have lost over the years. If members of the Atari community feel that Pgh is a pirate haven, remember who ran the show! The ELite was not even present at the show, so it only follows that PACE must be presenting such an image. I know that you moderate this BBS phil, but since you posted the first volley, I feel that you should let a response go out nationally as well! If you do not have the guts to allow another point of view hit the nets, let me know! I am quite angry with you and your attitude toward the Elite. Atari cannot MAKE dealers choose to carry or NOT carry the product in an area. The people can with their dollars. The Elite has the largest ST membership, so it would be wise to be an ally of the Elite in Pittsburgh and not an enemy of your own cause! Msg#:18089 *ATARI_ST* 05-01-90 14:22:50 (Read 4 Times) From: PHILIP HANZE To: JOSEPH MUHA (Rcvd) Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 17705 (PACE'S SHOW AND WHAT HAPPENED) Joe, let me post what Bob Brodie had to say about PACE and the ELITE in Pittsburgh! Category 11, Topic 11 Message 95 Mon pr 30, 1990 BOB-BRODIE [AtariCorp.] at 19:21 EDT Jeff, The group in question did not have a booth. They did have members present at the show, I am told. What was incredible was the blatant way they discussed their practices *RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DEVELOPERS*!!!!! They had an obvious affect on the sales of software at this show. GRIBNIF sold about 1/10th of what they usually do. An example: someone bought a new paint program at the show from one of the software companies. About 45 minutes after making the purchase, he brought it back, requesting his money back. The vendor was surprised, as he gave an excellent price on the product, and it was still shrink wrapped. The explanation was that he wanted to return it because "his friend knew where he could get one for free." As far a future show for that area, good luck. I can't go to Atari and recommend we go back to that area. Word reached me before I got to the show about what was going on, and I was angry when I got there. Angry because these developers are my personal friends, angry because there are complaints about Atari not having a dealer (and now we know why!), and angry that the people at the show would be so cavalier in their attitude toward the developers. We all have to fight this type of activity any way we can. Here's what I did: I had gotten approved a very nice selection of door prizes for this show, a MegaFile 60, six sets of TOS 1.4, Gauntlet for the Lynx, Airball for the eight bit, AtariWriter 80 and an XEP-80. Quite similar to what I did for the MidWest Swapfest, except it was a 60 Meg HD instead of a 44 Meg removable. When I heard what was going on in that show, I decided to return all of the prizes to Sunnyvale. It is a shame, as perhaps some legitimate users might have won a nice door prize. But from what I saw, we just would have helped the wrong people out. So, all of the product came home with me, over $1000 worth of door prizes. I'm not going to go to Atari and ask them to support a group/show that doesn't support the developers and dealers that show upto support them. It just isn't right. BTW, I was in Rochester the day before, and I did give away everything to them that I planned to. They got the same prizes that I had planned to give at the PACE Show. that... was on GEnie JOe! Much more national than this! Wait to you read STReport this time around! The Elite MUST stop rentals NOW!!! Atari is demanding it! Your comments will be sent to Atari so they know whereyou stand......also, we are distributing the list to software companies who plan to not support people that endorse piracy. Msg#:18091 *ATARI_ST* 05-01-90 15:06:43 (Read 3 Times) From: JOSEPH MUHA To: PHILIP HANZE (Rcvd) Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 18089 (PACE'S SHOW AND WHAT HAPPENED) Atari cannot "DEMAND" the stop of rentals by the ELite! Send my name to Atari, just make sure you SPELL it correctly! No one is endorsing piracy.Also, if you read what you posted from Brodie, you will see that he stated that "The group in question did not have a booth. They did have members present at the show I AM TOLD. (My emphasis on the last THREE words). "Obviously this means that Brodie HIMSELF did not see this, and was merely TOLD by others about this. For all *I* know, it could have been PACE members, or people of NEITHER group, both groups, whatever! Rumours do NOTHING to help either group! You continualy preach about the need to stop computer wars, why not make the first step in stopping "group wars?" Message: 150 (#6101) - Reply to #149 Title: What will THIS accomplish? Base: General Messages Author: Joseph Muha To: Philip Hanze Posted: At 4:15:52 pm On 5/01/90 Replies: 0 I am not a subscriber to GEnie. I did read your post on Harvester. Also, I might add about your threat to send my comments to Atari, if you in ANYway are implying that I am promoting piracy, please have the guts to do so in-front of some witnesses. I could use a good lawsuit. If you are NOT implying this, I would like to know exactly what your point of the threat was. Phil, Brodie said, according to your post, that he HEARD that the group (he did not say Elite, but it was only a PARTIAL post, so I will give you the benefit of the doubt here and assume that is what he was refering to) was doing this. How can HE be sure that the people inquestion were Elite members if HE did not see it for himself? Why would ANYONE who pirated be so STUPID as to do it in front of developers. Now, I do not know a whole lot about piracy, nor do I advocate it, but ANY 3 year old knows that if you are going to steal cookies from the cookie jar, youdo not do it in front of mom and dad. Surely NO ONE is that stupid! If they are, then they should be prosecuted immediately! If I were to tell you that there is not a SINGLE pirate in the Elite or PACE I would probably be wrong. I am sure that there are pirates in every facet of the community and probably some non-aligned people as well, but that is no reason to attack an entire group with these petty wars. Just because one Democrat/ Republican/Liberal /Conservative/ Black / White / Moslem /Jew / Christian / European / American /Elite member / Pace member ... does something wrong we SHOULD not attack the entire group. These wars are childish and you should have enough sense to stop them now! Joseph Muha The Digital Man Bush Quayle '92 _/|\_ Atari Power! Msg#:17217 *ATARI_ST* 05-01-90 16:45:49 (Read 10 Times) From: RICK GIERL To: JOSEPH MUHA (Rcvd) Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 17212 (PACE'S SHOW AND WHAT HAPPENED) Sorry, Joe, but it was member(s) of the Elite that told Bob Brody that other members of the Elite were there. Be that as it may, this whole subject WAS NOT brought up by PACE, nor by ANYONE in PACE. It was brought up by Atari and by the vendors and developers at the show. THEY told us, not PACE telling them. Whether or not YOU believe software rental is legal, THEY don't - and they are going to take legal action against the Atari Elite AND their members if it is not stopped. My suggsetion to YOU is to get out of the way, before you find yourself in too deep. Msg#:17231 *ATARI_ST* 05-01-90 21:10:23 (Read 8 Times) From: JOSEPH MUHA To: RICK GIERL (Rcvd) Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 17217 (PACE'S SHOW AND WHAT HAPPENED) While I appreciate your suggestion, I would like to point out TWO things.I am not a member of the Elite nor have I been since December. I am moving and for that reason decided NOT to renew my membership. The second this is that there is at LEAST one software rental company that I can think of. Wedgewood Rental. I beleive that rental is OKAY UNLESS there is something in/on the package that states that is is forbidden. I can only say that I am 100% AGAINST piracy without a DOUBT! I also can say that I was not at the show (I wanted to go, but I was at work...RITE AID (sat) Mercy Hospital (sun) so *I* do not know what happened by NOT being there). I guess my entire point to you, Phil and everyone else is to let a court decide what action needs to be taken. Individual bickering only divides the Atari community and we REALLY need a unified voice! Msg#:17250 *ATARI_ST* 05-01-90 22:36:00 (Read 5 Times) From: RICK GIERL To: JOSEPH MUHA Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 17231 (PACE'S SHOW AND WHAT HAPPENED) Joe, I know there is at least one software company, as you mentioned. And, there is at least one other organization that rents Atari software. *I* will do nothing MYSELF to try to legally stop either as I have neither the resources nor the legal standing to do anything about it (as I am not a developer and/or vendor, I can't show any claim that those rentals have caused me (legal) damage. But others can, and will. I am glad to see that you are no longer a member of the Elite - although I will also say that your reasons don't include at least one that SHOULD be there. Be that as it may, just be aware that OTHERS (NOT PACE, not local people) are going to do everything in their power to put a stop to the ILLEGAL abuses of software rental. Rick Msg#:17252 *ATARI_ST* 05-01-90 23:14:25 (Read 2 Times) From: JEFF SOLOMON To: JOSEPH MUHA Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 16829 (PACE'S SHOW AND WHAT HAPPENED) As a the only LOCAL/Regional Computer distributor in the Pittsburgh area,I would like to post my views in regard to the statements made here inregards to the dealer support for Atari product. I beleive I can speakwith some expertise on the subject. First off, as Joe Muha has stated, TheAtari Elite is responsible for the ONLY Atari dealer in the area. As a distributor, the definition of a Dealer is one who: #1. Sells a full selection of the product line. #2. Gives accessory/software support. #3. Is authorized to repair and service product under contract to Atari. If The Elite, as they are called, are responsible to this dealer, it must be in spite of themselves. As a distributor, I've been approached on countless occasions to stock Atari & Atari related accessories and software. I have a large and somewhat vocal dealer base...loyal as well. And before I decided to carry these product lines, I took a poll to see if it had the dealer support in the region. Let me preface my next statement with a fact. Distributors and dealers sell hardware at relatively low margins. In order to make any product line profitable, we must be able to make our profit margins somewhere. That margin must be made in the selling of accesories and software. So.... as a result the effects of these rental practices are obvious, I am quite hesitant to even carry any related products in the Atari line. As a favor to a friend, I brought in 24 pieces of ST software last Xmas. 12 pieces I sold to a dealer, the other 12 still remain in my warehouse. The dealer that I sold this software to, returned the product 3 weeks ago. As a result of the rampant piracy in the area of this product, Pittsburgh is even lucky to have 0NE dealer selling the full line of product. And as a distributor, I'm not one to commit financial suicide by bringing on an unprofitable line. As those in this area well know, the dealers that carried Atari hardware... be it 8 bit, 16bit or second party product, have scurried to get out of the product line. Groups such as the Atari Elite and their rental policies of software do little to further dealer to user good will. A good way to kill a product is, to kill the support. And this group has done a good job to kill both. If a users group would like to promote support for their products, they should first show a move in the direction of good will and drop this questionable practice of renting software. I bet those developers that attended the Atari Show held this past weekend had coronaries when they found out that such a group existed here. And after reading some of the posts here this evening, I wouldn't blame them is they started to develop programs for other manufacturers instead. Anyway, you've got an opinion from a person who knows and understands this market. They are the facts of life, anyway you look at it. Sad... but true. Msg#:18081 *ATARI_ST* 05-02-90 11:13:05 (Read 6 Times) From: JEFF SOLOMON To: JOSEPH MUHA (Rcvd) Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 18074 (PACE'S SHOW AND WHAT HAPPENED) Dear Joe... every dealer I have, as a distributor, in this territory must contend with mail order competition. It is very naive to believe that a dealer stopped carrying Atari as a result of it! I'm sure is was a combination of things that made this dealer drop the line. All manufacturers have production and supply problems. It too, is a fact of life in this business! Since you are a person that relies on facts, let me make this statement. Every dealer I approached regarding the Atari product line, be it 8 bit, software, or accessories had almost the same standard answer. And that answer was negative. Many of these dealers remarked that there was a user group in the area that rented software. And be that as it may, they were more than hesitant to carry a product that had no software user support. That fact is quite evident by the results of the show held for Atari this weekend in Pittsburgh. Secondly, I was doing anything BUT complimenting the Elite for being responsible for having the ONLY dealer in the Pittsburgh region. Much to the contrary, it's a direct result, that groups such as the Elite have discouraged dealers to get into the business here in Pittsburgh. Also a distributor such as myself, who stocks a multi-million dollar inventory, I too find it hard to step up to the bar and become a willing 'victim'. I would appreciate it, that in the future, that you don't turn my remarks and intentions to suit your own feelings, as you did in your reply to me. Let me also make it abundantly clear, that these types of groups will never get any sponsorship from me OR any of the dealer base in this territory. I do, however, have a great amount of sympathy for the 'GOOD' Atari users in this region. I also have a great amount of sympathy for those who came here this past weekend to promote Atari product, only to find that their efforts were being thwarted. Atari has proven themselves to be an extremely innovative company. I commend them! It's most unfortunate that groups such as PACE must be the unwilling victims to such a questionable and debilitating rental policy, carried on by another group that just happens to be here in the same area. I had my own User's show 2 years ago. PACE called me and asked if they could attend this show. I in turn, welcomed them. They acted like Ladies & Gentleman. Their behavior was beyond compare. And the members of PACE can be proud of their groups high standards. In conclusion, I would like to state, the only reason I decided to post my feelings here about this situation that occurred here at this past weekends Atari Show, was to let in be clear how it appears to a computer distributor. Joe, you know me, so you know that I know practically every dealer in Western Pennsylvania. As just about the only stocking distributor in Pittsburgh, I think my feelings echo those of the majority the dealers I service. I wish all the Atari users well in this area. And I hope they can overcome this problem. I am sure, that if the dealers could see a profitable reason to support this product in the future, that they would have no problem what so ever in doing so. But as it stands now, We/They cannot, as a result of the untennable climate that exists here. Jeff Msg#:16822 *ATARI_ST* 05-01-90 10:00:02 (Read 7 Times) From: PHILIP HANZE To: ALL Subj: PACE SHOW If you have a membership to Genie....get on it and read about the frustration of the vendors with the show because of the piracy and the rental group called the Atari Elite! _____________________________________________________________ > AUA News CPU/STR NewsPlus¿ Atari Users Association News ========================= A.U.A. NEWSBRIEFS """"""""""""""""" by Derek Signorini The buzz word for the week is the Northeast AtariFest 1990 held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this past weekend. Everyone is talking about it. Many are calling it a disaster, as you probably will read in this publication or on the networks. From the AUA standpoint, many good things came out of this show. First of all, let me tell you that the AUA had a booth at the show where both Tony Parry and myself met many key people and also distributed about 500 copies of the AUA NewsBriefs newsletter to the show attendees. We also handed out many AUA Applications and answered many (MANY) questions about the AUA. We both were very pleased with the amount of information we were able to hand out at the show and are confident that we were very successful in getting the AUA publicly known. We also held a raffle of about 15 pieces of software including: Nevermind by Psygnosis, DrawArt and ScanArt by Migraph, a Z-Time Internal Calander/Clock by Terrific Peripherals, and DBman V by Verasoft. Late additions to the raffle include 4 Stik-Grippers donated by Kevin Duggan of Duggan Dezign, and 5 software packages donated by Data Innovations, Inc. which include Mystery Mansion(3), Diamond Cache, and Full Count Baseball. Many thanks go out to Duggan Dezign and Data Innovations for their generous contributions to the AUA. We appreciate your strong support of the organization. I would also like to add that the PACE organization did a fantastic job in preparing for the show and carried on all activities at the show in a professional manner. Tony and I felt very comfortable at the show and thank you for your support of the AUA. During the course of the weekend, Tony and I met several developers and many other "VIP's" in the Atari community including Bob Brodie and Darlah Pine of Genie. I can not stress how important it is to place faces to names and to meet people who you have communicated with but never actually met. Both Tony and myself feel that we were successful in representing the organization both professionally and accurately. I am sure that those people whom we spoke with will relate the same experience. Most importantly, we were able to meet several key usergroup people, including representatives from W.A.C.O., S.A.G.E., NEO-STAG, and NOVATARI. While most of these people were aware of the AUA and its activities, the AUA was still a mysterious organization to them. We hope that we were able to dispel this view and we look forward to working closely with you in supporting the Atari community. Furthermore, and most importantly, the AUA was greeted with a great deal of enthusiasm. The people that we met, and the users that joined the AUA this weekend were happy to see that the AUA was gaining momentum and were very optimistic of the future of the AUA and the ST community. Thank you all for your support and encouragement! On to business. As many of you are already aware, the AUA has broken ALL ties from the Atari Elite organization in Pittsburgh. As a result of this past weekend, both Tony and I have taken this break one step further by dropping the disk based magazine that the Atari Elite published to its members as a benefit of AUA membership. We have instead, decided that it would be in the best interest if the AUA published its own disk based magazine, name pending, that will offer more of an inclusive view of the AUA and its activities. With the Electronic Chronicles, we were unable to provide the type of newsletter that our members of the AUA deserved, so we will take this task at hand and publish our very own journal. Those members who have contributed to the AUA to receive this magazine will still receive the AUA disk magazine on time. We hope that you will enjoy what the new disk magazine has to offer! I am confident that it will be a great success! In that light, we are currently accepting articles for publication. If you have a desire to write, then do so! We will publish as many articles as we can in the new disk magazine. We are also looking for an artist skilled with Degas Elite who would like to contribute art work to the disk magazine. Please contact me at the address below for consideration. Next on the agenda. The AUA has changed mailing addresses again. This time, we have moved out of Pittsburgh about 15 miles south-west of the burgh to Canonsburg. Tony and I both agreed that driving 45 minutes one way to get our mail in order to have a "large city mailing address" was pointless and a waste of time. So, we have once again changed address. THE NEW ADDRESS IS: ------------------ THE ATARI USERS ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 123 CANONSBURG PENNSYLVANIA, 15317 We are in the process of having all of our mail forwarded from the old address to the new address and are also engaging in making all changes to existing printed material and ascii files. Whew! The AUA also has a new home base so to speak as far as Fnetting. We will now be supported by Node #350, * The Bounty ST BBS * and are also talking with the people of S.A.G.E. for support on their BBS. So for those members who need to contact me or to get updated info on the AUA, please call the Bounty at 1-904-786-4176 for the latest info on the AUA. I can be reached on that BBS as DC Signorini. I am also pursuing access to Usenet and hope to have an account there in the next few weeks. On a larger scale, the AUA is holding informal conferences on GEnie on sunday nights at 9:00 EST. If you can show up, then do so and give us your support. Both myself and Jon Clarke, from New Zealand, will be hosting the conferences. We can think of no better place to meet and bring our members (and others) up dated information on the AUA. During our conference, which usually lasts about one hour, Jon brings news of the AUA activities down-under, and I follow with new news from the US and Canada. This is a perfect time for you to ask questions! We encourage your participation and look forward to meeting you there! That is all for this article. Next week, I hope to bring you new news on the AUA. Also, for those contributing members, the AUA NewsBriefs should be on your coffee table as you read this. I hope that you enjoy the first issue of the NewsBriefs! See you all next week. Derek C. Signorini, AUA Coordinator THE AUA, P.O. Box 123, CANONSBURG, PA 15317 April 30, 1990 TO: The Atari Elite, Inc. P.O. Box 18293 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236 Gentlemen, Please accept this letter as my resignation from the Atari Elite organization. I find that I am unable to participate in your user group activities as long as you are practicing software rental. While I am not a legal expert, I am however, concerned with the all the issues that surround copyrighted software rentals. As most folks know, I have expressed my concern surrounding the practice of software rental for the better part of 1 1/2 years and as a result, most are aware that I have pleaded continually to put the rentals of software to an end. Seeing that I am unable to convince you to do so, I am therefore left with no other choice than to disassociate myself from the organization and tender my resignation. I hope that you will reconsider the continued practice of renting commercial software. Sincerely, Derek C. Signorini EDITOR NOTE: It is fully expected that there will be many more resignations submitted to Atari Elite before the situation in PGH is improved, but one thing must be pointed out.. STReport has it on ultra good authority that certain folks have been threatened with physical violence by demented and misguided individuals if they should "resign". As publisher of STReport first and as a concerned user second, let me tell you this.. Most emphatically, I would not hesitate to trip back to PGH to testify in a trial to bring down any clown who resorts to threats violence or intimidation. BE WARNED ...If anything happens to any persons opting to resign, ANYTHING! BE FULLY ADVISED, a complete report of all the threats we have records of will be forwarded to the Pennsylvania State Attorney General's Office in the form of full affidavits of disclosure. This publication will not rest until such time as the perpetrators are behind bars should anything occur. ______________________________________________________________ > WAACE '90 CPU/STR SHOW NEWS¿ "THE JEWEL OF EAST COAST SHOWS" ============================ For Immediate Release WAACE AtariFest '90 =================== The Washington Area Atari Computer Enthusiasts will hold WAACE AtariFest 1990 on October 6 and 7 1990. This event will be the premier East Coast event for people who are interested in software and hardware for Atari computers. The show will be staged at the Sheraton Reston Hotel in Reston, VA. Show hours will be from 10 am to 7 pm on both days. In addition to the shopping bargains available from over thirty vendors there will be a full round of demonstrations, tutorials, and seminars. A banquet on Saturday evening will feature a special speaker on Atari matters and Current Notes Magazine's "Author of the Year" award. Special mixers will cap off the evening's festivities. Approximately 3000 visitors from all over the USA, Canada, and other foreign countries attended the 1989 edition of the show. Admission charges are $5 for one day, with a 2-day pass available at $7. A discount rate is available for ticket purchases by user groups. Children under 12 will be admitted free. The Sheraton Reston Hotel is a spacious, attractive facility located in a parklike setting near Washington, DC. The hotel is offering a special room rate of $59 per night plus tax to Fest goers who reserve by August 6th. The hotel room rate includes 2-day passes to the show for room occupants. The WAACE show has established itself as the premier Atari event for East Coast Atari fans. Bob Brodie, Atari Corporation's, goodwill ambassador, has labelled the WAACE show as one of the two "must see" events for Atarians held in the USA. -----\\\\-////----- ATTENTION --------- Atari Vendors and Developers The above press release sets forth a bare bones outline of WAACE's plans for AtariFest 1990. This event has achieved considerable stature as a well organized, well attended, feast for Atari computer users. The 1990 event will be the 7th edition, and it marks the first time that the show will be held in commercial exhibit space with setup and layout handled by a professional firm. This will provide you, the vendor, with a more attractive and convenient setting. Since we no longer have to make way for other users of the facilities we will be able to offer longer show hours on Saturday and Sunday. Our demonstration rooms will also be open on Sunday. The space for sales areas, demonstration rooms, and seminars is arranged so that access to all facets of the show will be more convenient, thus making for a livelier, more "interactive" event on both days. Exhibit Booths The basic unit of exhibit space is a booth with dimensions of 8 ft x 8 ft. Each space will be provided with an electrical outlet. The attached diagram shows that there are approximately 60 such spaces available. Larger booths can be created by combining these basic units. We should be able to handle the requirements of 30 to 40 different vendors. The price for basic exhibit space is $500, with substantial discounts for early registration and for larger booth spaces as shown on the attached price schedule. Booth spaces are separated from one another by "pipe and drape" dividers. Setup and auxiliary services are provided by Arata expositions inc, a professional exhibit firm with experience at shows like the Federal Office Systems Expo, The Federal Microcomputer Expo, and the Washington MacWorld show. Arata is the OFFICIAL SHOW DECORATOR AND EXHIBIT SERVICE contractorand they will work with you to arrange your booth space, to handle shipments of materiel, and other such matters. Arata will be notified when you have registered with us and you will deal directly with them to make final arrangements, at your own expense, for the layout of your space and the services that you require. Computers Atari Corporation no longer supplies computers for use by exhibitors at shows. Those of you who are unable to carry the equipment that you need to the show may attempt to rent them from a pool of personal equipment that we will endeavor to assemble from our members. Past experience has shown that this pool is limited. WAACE will charge a rental of $100 for each machine and we will require a check for an additional $100 per machine as a security deposit. The security deposit check will be returned when the user is satisfied that his machine was returned in proper working order. Machines from the pool will be assigned on a first-come first served basis. Washington Area dealers may be another source of rental machines, but you will have to make your own arrangements through this channel. Costs Our exhibit space is no longer essentially free. The WAACE show has no deep pockets or personal fortunes behind it. We will, therefore need your money soon to cover substantial "up front" costs and to provide the kind of advertising that will attract visitors to the show. In order to encourage organizations to book early we are offering substantial discounts (see order form). Since WAACE is a NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION, the money you spend will be used to directly benefit the show. Advertising in national Atari media requires long lead times. Local advertising in Washington Area mass media will be scheduled as our resources permit close to show time. The attached pricing schedule reflects increased costs associated with space rental, exhibit space setup, security, and utilities. This year's price also includes advertising in the show program, which was a separate item last year. We recognize that small developers will find this price schedule burdensome. We advise such organizations to explore alternative ways to participate in the Fest. Some of these are described below. Combining forces to share a booth is one obvious way to keep costs down. Hotel Reservations The Sheraton Reston Hotel is a very attractive place to hold an affair of this kind. All of you are, I am sure, aware that the cost of exhibit space is directly tied to the number of hotel rooms that they rent out. Early hotel reservations on your part will keep the cost of exhibit space down and thus allow us to spend more on advertising. The $59 per night rate that they are offering is a good one for this area in October, which is one of heaviest convention months. Please reserve your hotel rooms early. Only space reserved by August 6th will be credited to our room count for pricing purposes. Alternative Participation It should be noted that all interests from the Atari community are welcome at our show, whether they rent booth space or not. We only require that everyone selling directly to the public use paid exhibit space to do so. Developers and publishers may, however, elect to forgo direct sales and participate in our demonstrations and seminars. Such participants may bring their products to the show for distribution to dealers for resale to the public. We have lots of space on our seminar schedule for people who want exposure to the public. Interaction with users in our demonstration rooms is also a good way to put your best foot forward. We will assist people who are introducing new hardware and software in obtaining exposure for their products in our demonstration rooms. We have a talented pool of sophisticated users who will work with you to set up your product and demonstrate it. If you require confidentiality we can arrange that, too. We hope that many of you will take advantage of this. The best way to do this is to give us plenty of lead time so that the users can be properly trained in the installation and use of your products. People who are introducing new products may find this show a good place to get the exposure they want. If these products can be featured in our advertising so much the better for all of us. Advertising space is available in the printed program at a modest cost. People who cannot make the show or who want to participate in the demonstration rooms may find this an effective alternative form of exposure (see pricing sheet for details). Icing On The Cake Right at the moment we have not lined up a banquet speaker with the necessary stature. We are also scheduling auxiliary events such as leadership workshops for users groups. We will be happy to add other special events to the program. Developer tutorials, programming workshops, MIDI Concerts, hardware clinics, press conferences, etc can all be arranged if you want to work with us. We want and appreciate your help in adding such features as will make this show even more attractive. Commitments We are asking that organizations who intend to participate in this show provide us with early notification of their intent. We will accept letters of intent to participate immediately. These letters should indicate the amount of booth space you expect to use and the amount of additional advertising space that you will need. Organizations submitting such letters of intent will be given first opportunity in choice of space once the official table layout diagram is published. Exhibitor Pricing for WAACE AtariFest 1990 Exhibitor Space consists of one 8 ft x 8 ft area divided from adjoining area by "pipe and drape". Layout of table space to be arranged between exhibitor and Arata Expositions Inc. Price includes booth space with appropriate signs, 1 table, one electrical outlet, and a half page ad in the printed show program. Additional booth space is discounted according to the table given below: Pricing Before After 1 July 1990 1 July 1990 1 space $400 $500 2 spaces $680 $850 3 spaces $880 $1100 4 spaces $1080 $1350 5 spaces $1280 $1600 Additional electrical outlets are available through arata expositions inc for an additional charge. Telephone services must be negotiated between the vendor and C and P telephone company. Advertising space is available in the printed program at a rate of $75 for a half page ad and $125 for a full page ad. Vendors may increase their half page ad to a full page for an additional $50. A 20 percent discount will be applied to orders paid for before 1 July. Advertising space can be reserved in advance, the final deadline for copy submission is 8 September. Payment Binding assignments of exhibit space will be made as soon as WAACE receives a deposit of one half of your total fees for space and advertising. Selection of exhibit space is on a first-come, first served basis. Only orders fully paid by 1 July will be eligible for the advance discount on space and advertising. All space not paid for by 1 July will be reassigned as payments are received. Contacts Further Information or clarification on matters not covered in this document is available from either of the people listed below: General Chairman: Russell Brown, 13757 Mapledale Ave, Dale City, VA 22193. Phone (eves) 703-680-2698. GEnie: R.BROWN3 Vendor Activities: John Barnes, 7710 Chatham Rd, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Phone (eves) 301-652-0667, GEnie: J.D.BARNES ______________________________________________________________ > ROCHESTER REPORT CPU/STR OnLine¿ Bob Brodie does it again! =============================== EYEWITNESS REPORT ----------------- ATARI IN ROCHESTER ================== by Marty Saletta Yesterday (4/28) Bob Brodie gave a talk at the Rochester Institute of Technology. I went with 8 members of my local ST user group, The Buffalo Region Atari Group (BRAG-ST). In total, I would estimate the total number of people who attended the talk would be about 80 at the Webb Auditorium at RIT. Mr. Brodie brought along with him a 4 MB 4160(?)STe, a 4MB Stacy, a Lynx, a Megafile 60 HD, and a 44 MB removable HD system. He spoke about each uni which lasted about 40 minutes, then took Q&A for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours(!). Maybe longer, I lost count...:^) Mr. Brodie mentioned that all the product he was showing were *not* vaporware, and were shipping "somewhere"... For you Lynx fans, he mentioned that he hoped that there would be over 20 games for the Lynx by X-mas. (The STe is shipping, but I believe Atari is having doubts about shipping the 4 MB version.) Bob then showed the Lynx commercial that was test-run in NYC and other places. I see it quite often living near Canada on the CBC. Mr. Brodie also mentioned that Atari feels that the 130XE is no longer a "power without the price" computer, and will phase-out the 8-bits. I am sad to hear this (I started out with a 400 many moons ago), but at the same time it is understandable. A 130XE + disk drive is just about the price of a 520STFM. He said that the last 130XE has been produced (a 50,000 run? but they'll be used in house for the exchange policy. Argue if you want, but the 8-bit era is over in the 90's. After the Q&A finished, there was a raffle of the 80-col card and the word processor built for it (8 bit), 5 or 6 TOS 1.4 upgrades (both 6 and 2 chip sets) and also the Megafile 60 HD he used for the demo. (Although I didn't win anything, other members in my BRAG group won the Megafile 60 and three TOS 1.4's...hey- gotta BRAG, right? :^) Oh yes, tickets were only $1 ea. for the raffle, and I guess the show was free. Also the *new* Lynx cart, Gauntlet, was a prize in the raffle. The show concluded with an auction of Atari products of a store that phased-out their Atari line. Several titles went under $4. VIP Professional, still in the cellophane wrapping, went for $10. I picked up Infocom's "Deadline" (ST), a Chinese cooking database (ST, for my girlfriend; I'm a vegetarian...:^), a Logo book (was bundled with the cooking program), and the 130XE and DOS 2.5 manuals (XE) all for under $6 total. After the auction the group left the Auditorium and went to a pizza party with Mr. Brodie, with tickets costing $4. BRAG did not stick around for the pizza. After seeing the show itself, I left disappointed. Not at all with Mr. Brodie; I was very impressed with him. I've been to several shows along these line (Atari, Apple, NeXT, etc.) and Mr. Brodie is one of the best speakers (and perhaps more importantly, *listeners*) I've seen. He is a real credit to the Atari family, and I hope he sticks around for a while (lifetime contract would be ok...:^) I think Atari can sleep at night knowing that Mr. Brodie is one of the people contacting the users who use or want to own and use Atari computers. If any Atari junkie has the chance to see and hear him talk, I recommend it. So why was I disappointed? Maybe because I am sick of the "game machine image Atari has. My girlfriend who also attended teases me about how my ST is a game machine (friendly, but others aren't that nice.) Although I am very happy with my ST (I couldn't have survived college without 1st Word, Thunder, Uniterm, etc.), I would like a faster unit and Unix. Faster unit and Unix. Ah ha! The TT! Let me state that if Atari introduced the TT (Unix, 68030, runs ST software too) for under $3000 a year ago I would have been first line for one (well, maybe not first, at least until I could have raised the money.) Now I'm not so sure about getting one ASAP, if at all. The great majority of questions was about the Lynx, local dealer problems, etc. There was one or two about the TT, but nothing much was said. Of course, this is because it is not being manufactured now which is understandable, but there seemed to be zero interest in the machine. One of the reasons I went to the show was to find info on it, but all I got was that the TT passed FCC tests and software was being worked on now. Mr. Brodie did not give a release date (i.e. "very soon", "September", etc.) which I think is a good thing. Instead of the "very soon now" or "{1,2,3,4} Quarter of next year", saying nothing about a release date will not make him (or Atari) look bad should the machine fail to appear (nah...that would it happen, would it? :^) If the TT appears late this year or early 1991, I will not buy one for at least two years. Why? First, I bought my ST in October of 1985, and I thought that this would be the machine that would defeat the Mac (or at lea come very close to it.) I didn't think that even Atari could mess it up. But what happened? Instead of getting the (then) under-$1,000 512K 68000 based machine (i.e. power) into colleges and business applications, it's sold through Toys R Us. Toys R Us? Think of Toys R Us. What do you think of? I think of 3-to-5-year-olds running up and down the store. If I don't want to buy a computer there, would upper-level executives? Or people in charge of universities? And what about support? I thought that Atari, having a reputation problem then, would give away ST's (or at least make a *huge* discount) to universities to follow Apple's lead. That would at least get them "in the door". And I don't think many places would turn down a free Atari computer because at least they would have been able to play games if nothing else. Let's hope Atari doesn't make the same mistake with the TT. So, to get back to the meeting: with three user groups represented, I should be able to assume that there was a deceint sample of Atari users. And if nobody had enough interest to press about the TT (at least get a few more "no comment at this time"'s from Mr. Brodie, should I, an Atari ST user, be worried? That is one thing I haven't figured out yet. Who is Atari going to aim the TT at? (Let me assume that the TT will be 68030-based, run some flavor of Unix, and be ST upward-compatable.) Will Atari try to sell the TT to the current ST userbase as an upgrade? I hope not, at least as a major source of sales. Sure, there are some of us who would love getting a much faster ST *and* Unix, but the majority (at least a good number) I'd guess of current ST users don't reall want Unix. (This will be debated here since about >90% of you reading this via Usenet are probably using Unix right now, either rn, readnews, etc.) I got to see for the first time a bunch of ST users (ok, just 70), but they didn't seem to know what a Unix is or if you have to feed it and burp it. That's fine, but why should Atari try to sell them a TT? I think they shouldn't. You can have a zillion computers sold, but how many will push Unix to the limit? How many will even use the Unix end of the machine? Ok, then who should Atari sell the TT to? How about schools? If they could offer a big-fat discount to high schools and colleges for a machine that runs both Unix and the pre-existing ST software line and bundle a bunch of PD and/or commercial ST software that shines on it, I think Atari would advance to the next plateau from "game machine company" to whatever in many eyes (important ones at that.) I would love to hear in about a year or so, people from the educational and business world saying "Atari finally made a *real* computer this time!" and us past and present ST owners (and 8-bitters for that matter) would just smile and say welcome to the world of Atari... Last week I attended a NeXT demo at my school, and I really liked the machine. The problem I have is that at over $10,000, I don't see myself getting one (unless I win the lottery or something, but since I don't play I don't see myself winning. It's a really fine computer that's worth the >$10K, but for the low-to-medium user like me? It's just not practical for what I'd use it for at home (little word processing, and Really-Not-Professional C programs...at least not the commercial type...) I suspect that there are a few others out there who would like to have a Unix computer, but can't afford the current crop. If the TT could fill this void (be under $3000) Atari's got a hit on their hands, *if* they sell it as a Unix computer first, ST compatable second. "Runs Unix and has a library of programs that can already be run on it too!" would be a nice pitch for the TT. I just can't see Atari hoping to sell the TT *only* to the current ST user base. To conclude (finally...), I hope no one takes the above as Atari-bashing, which has in the past been fashionable in these newsgroups. I've used an Atari computer since 1983, going through a 400,600XL,130XE, and finally a 520ST w/1 MB. I've sold everything except the 600XL (still 16K, no drive) and the ST. I am hoping I will not have to leave the Atari world. I'm really hoping Atari breaks into the "serious" market with the TT. Should they start to sell the TT to a more serious user market (not through Toys R Us), I'll be in line to get one. If I can play Kreskin for a moment, in five years time, I think I'll be working on a newer computer with a little Fuji symbol on it... __________________________________________________________ > CPU NEWSWIRE CONFIDENTIAL¿ Sayin' it like it is..... ========================= - New York City, NY ** COMPUTER SHOPPER TO DROP ST COVERAGE! ** ----------------- According to our investigative sources, Computer Shopper Magazine, the very popular bargain tabloid and virtual source of the majority of products available for the US computer market has plans of dropping support for the Atari St computers and has already dropped support for other 'orphaned' computer systems. - Baltimore, MD **** EUTHANASIA PLANNED FOR DESK SET II **** ------------- Reportedly, Desk-Set II has not been as well recieved by the userbase as expected. Atari is exercising its new found wisdom by planning a quiet retirement of this software offering, this info has been confirmed with a number of well informed members of the DTP community. - Los Angeles, CA. **** NEOCEPT ANNOUNCES MAJOR WORDUP UPGRADE **** ---------------- NEOCEPT has mailed notices containing upgrade information for Word Up, version 3.0. Recipients of this notice are to return their original Word Up disks, the mailing labels enclosed with the notice, a check or money order in the amount of $31.00 ($28 upgrade fee + $3 S&H). Purchasers of Word Up after 12/31/89 need only send proof of purchase (i.e., original dealer receipt, canceled check, or charge receipt) and $3 for S&H. For orders outside the US & Canada, add an extra $3. Upgrade requests received by May 15, 1990 will be processed by then. No upgrade requests will be honored after June 31, 1990. IMPROVEMENTS TO WORD UP INCLUDE: ------------------------------- 1) Proximity/Merriam-Webster Spell Checker dictionary with 116,000 words (140,000 for an additional fee). Dictionary is disk-based with small RAM dictionary and cache for speed. 2) Proximity/Merriam-Webster Thesaurus has 470,000 synonyms and is disk based to save memory. 3) Version 3.0 comes with a new set of higher quality and greater variety of fonts. There are eight typefaces - Serif, Book Serif, Sabns, Book Sans, Typed, Corporate, Distinctive, and Math in sizes ranging from 8 to 72 points. 4) Version 3.0 is fully functional even on a 520ST! All of the fonts are available and usable. Word Up 3.0 bypasses GDOS and automatically loads only the printer fonts needed to print a particular document. 5) The print quality is twice as good as before. For example, 9-pin printers can now output in 240x144 dpi (instead of the present 120x144) and there are now true 360x360 dpi fonts for 24-pin printers. 6) There is a new super fast text printing mode that uses your printer's built-in fonts (also includes pictures, bold, and underline). 7) Word up 3.0 can now import and export Word Writer and 1st Word/1st Word Plus documents. The 1st Word Plus import/export supports pictures and footnote/endnote conversions. 8) Multiple colunmns are easier to do. 9) The Automatic Hyphenation is 100% accurate. 10) Boxes and lines can be drawn around and in between paragraphs of text. 11) Page Preview will show a full page on the screen just as it will print. 12) There is now a Word Count and Free Memory indicator. 13) There are now Delete Word left and right keystrokes. 14) Dialog boxes features better numeric entry, with free-form placement of the decimal point. 15) To print with an Atari SLM804 Laser Printer or an HP LaserJet/IIP /III/DeskJet/Plus printers, Word Up 3.0 requires a new version of TurboJet which will be offered soon with an upgrade fee of $10. - ST. Louis, MO. *** SOFT-LOGIK ANNOUNCES PAGESTREAM 2.0 *** ------------- During an online conference last night, Deron K. of Soft Logik Publishing Corp. announced the release of Pagestream 2.0. PageStream 2.0 is fully integrated with Agfa Compugraphic's hinted outline fonts, as well as Adobe Type 1 IBM format (without hints.) PageStream displays these outline fonts on the screen plus prints them to dot matrix, laser, and PostScript printers with exquisite quality. PageStream draws polygons with Bezier cubic curves as well as the usual straight lines. PageStream 2.0 will load and save tags separate from a document. In addition, 2.0 will save a document as a template for future works of similar design. Version 2.0 allows for specifications of beginning and ending angles of arcs in 1/100 degree increments and allows for rotation in 1/100 degree increments. 2.0 allows the specification of font sizes in 1/100th point increments, and positions and sizes an object to the same 1/100th of a point. PageStream 2.0 allows larger maximum page dimensions (billboard size & beyond) plus the ability to easily 'bleed' objects off the page. THE UPGRADE FEE will be $75, and PgS 2.0 will retail for $299.95. Soft-Logik is also proud announce that it has signed an agreement to distribute the Image Club series of clip art and PostScript fonts for the Amiga and Atari markets in North America and Australia. The clip art library contains over 2000 EPS files. The images can be reduced, enlarged or distorted without losing any resolution. The type library, which is Adobe Type 1 compatible, contains over 600 licensed faces. Image Club has been developing art and type for the Macintosh for several years. This is a significant advancement that will bring professional PostScript fonts and EPS clip art to the Amiga and Atari markets. ________________________________________________________ > Hard Disks CPU/STR InfoFile¿ Affordable Mass Storage.... =========================== NEW PRICES! & MORE MODELS!! ============================ ABCO COMPUTER ELECTRONICS INC. P.O. Box 6672 Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672 Est. 1985 _________________________________________ Voice: 904-783-3319 10 AM - 4 PM EDT BBS: 904-786-4176 12-24-96 HST FAX: 904-783-3319 12 PM - 6 AM EDT _________________________________________ HARD DISK SYSTEMS TO FIT EVERY BUDGET _____________________________________ All systems are complete and ready to use, included at NO EXTRA COST are clock/calendar and cooling blower(s). -ALL ABCO HARD DISK SYSTEMS ARE FULLY EXPANDABLE- (you are NOT limited to two drives ONLY!) (all cables and connectors installed) * ICD HOST ADAPTERS USED EXCLUSIVELY * OMTI HIGH SPEED CONTROLLERS * * ICD ADVANTAGE HOST ADAPTERS * FULL SCSI COMMAND SET SUPPORTED * * SCSI EMBEDDED CONTROLLER MECHANISMS * 51mb #SGN4951 529.95 65mb #SG60101 619.95 80mb #SGN296 709.95 100mb #SG84011D 839.95 170mb #SGN2962 1369.95 260mb #SG60102 1849.95 >>ALL ABCO DRIVES ARE HIGH SPEED UNITS<< Ask about our "TAX REFUND SPECIALS" CALL FOR SUPER SAVINGS ON ALL OUR OTHER CUSTOM UNITS FROM 30mb --==*==-- SHIPPING AND INSURANCE INCLUDED ============================================ * SYQUEST 44MB (#555)>> ABCO "44" << REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE * - SYQUEST 44 MB removable media drive - ICD ST Host Adapter - ICD Mass Storage Utility Software - 3' DMA Cable - Fan & Clock - Multi-Unit Power Supply (1) 44 MB Syquest Cart. COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED AND READY TO RUN! >> SPECIAL NOW ONLY __$865.00__ << *** SPECIAL SYQUEST OFFER!! *** ORDER YOUR SYQUEST UNIT NOW AND GET A SECOND COMPLETE UNIT! ****** for $100.00 LESS! ****** -> DO IT YOURSELF BARE SYQUEST UNITS $625.00ea 2 for $1150.00 * cartridge included * Syquest Mechanism - 2 year warranty * TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT * SPECIALLY PRICED $1539.00 * SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS * - Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives - 50mb SQG51 $1279.00 30mb SQG38 $1199.00 65mb SQG09 $1339.00 85mb SQG96 $1399.00 LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS ***** COMING SOON! INSITE FLOPTICAL DRIVE ***** August-September, 1990 20 MB 3.5 FLOPPY DISK MASS STORAGE OPTICAL DRIVE! uses standard 3.5" floppy disks and Floptical disks Will access and read your present library of floppys $789.95 approx. CUSTOM CONFIGURATIONS AVAILABLE 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) *** ALL Units: Average Access Time: 24ms - 34ms *** ALL UNITS COMPATIBLE WITH --> SUPERCHARGER - PC-DITTO/II - SPECTRE/GCR LARGER units are available - (special order only) NO REPACKS OR REFURBS USED! - Custom Walnut WOODEN Cabinets - TOWER - AT - XT Cabinets - Keyboard Custom Cables Call for Info ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED -* 12 month FULL Guarantee *- (A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE) QUANTITY & USERGROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE! _________________________________________ DEALERS and DISTRIBUTORS WANTED! please, call for details Personal and Company Checks are accepted. ORDER YOUR NEW UNIT TODAY! CALL: 1-800-562-4037 -=**=- CALL: 1-904-783-3319 Customer Orders ONLY Customer Service 9am - 8pm EDT Tues thru Sat *********************************************************************** NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME to the Readers of; CPU NEWSWIRE ONLINE MAGAZINE featuring STReport Online Magazine """""""""""""""""""""""" "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine" NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY! Call any of the St Report Official BBS numbers (Listed Above) or Leave E-mail to St.Report - R.Mariano Be sure to include your full mailing address so your Compuserve kit can be immediately mailed to you! ATARI ST ARTS FORUM An overview The Atari ST Arts Forum is comprised of a set of communication tools which together create a unique environment where you can exchange information with a whole community (located in different parts of the world) who share your interest in the exchange of information and programs relating to Atari ST graphics and entertainment (games). The Atari ST Arts Forum, like all CompuServe Forums, is comprised of the following major areas: MESSAGES The Message Board of this Forum is where you will find many people corresponding with each other on a 24 hour basis. Being that message correspondence does not require you to be online at the same time as the person you are exchanging messages with, you can log-on at any convenient time to read your waiting messages and reply to them in order to keep a conversation on-going. This is one of the best methods for meeting new people from all different types of backgrounds and who are located in different parts of the world Enter "MES" at any Forum "!" command prompt or select the appropriate menu choice to access the Message Center. LIBRARIES The Libraries section of the Forum is a resource area containing thousands of programs, text files, picture files, help files, and text files such as past transcripts from online national conferences, professional reports, news, and reviews. Most text material can be read online or downloaded to your computer system for lasting reference. Our Libraries are also filled with a wide assortment of Public Domain and Shareware entertainment and graphics-related programs which will make your ST do some unbelievable things! Enter "LIB" at any Forum "!" command prompt or select the appropriate menu choice to access the Forum's Libraries. CONFERENCING Electronic Conference Rooms are areas where members gather for "live" conversation. You may find several members engaged in a regularly scheduled meeting or participating in a special conference hosted by a guest speaker. Impromptu Conferences among Forum members are always welcome! In addition, watch the News Flash and Conference Announcements for information on any scheduled Conferences. Enter "CON" at any Forum "!" command prompt or select the appropriate menu choice to access the Forum's Conference Center. ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements are written by the Forum Sysops and are designed to keep you apprised of any scheduled events, hot topics, new uploads, and other useful information pertaining to the Atari Community in general or the Forum. There are two announcements that are automatically displayed if you haven't read the latest update. The News Flash Announcement is displayed when you first enter the Forum, and the Conference Announcement is displayed when you first enter the Conferencing area. There are other announcements that are available for reading from the ANNOUNCEMENTS menu. These announcements include: The General Announcement, Message Announcement, Library Announcement, Membership Announcement, Sysop Roster Announcement, and New Member Announcement. Enter "ANN" at any Forum "!" prompt or select the appropriate menu choice to access the Announcements Section. MEMBERSHIP INTEREST DIRECTORY The Member Directory is an area where members voluntarily enter their interests or seek out other Forum members who share your interests. If you are in menu mode, you will be greeted with the Member Directory menu, which lists several choices for using the Member Directory. If you are in "Command Mode" (non-menu mode), you will be greeted with the "Member Directory !" prompt. Enter "MEM" at the main Forum menu/command prompt or select the appropriate menu choice to access the Member Directory. USER OPTIONS AREA The User Options area is where you can custom-tailor Forum and Messages Options to your preference. After making changes in the options area, you will be given the chance to make the changes permanent or temporary for session only. Any change made to the NAME, SECTIONS, or HIGH msg read options are considered permanent changes automatically by the Forum Software. Of course, you can always make changes to these options again if you change your mind. Enter "OPT" at any Forum "!" command prompt or select the appropriate menu choice to access the User Options area. Forum Manager/SYSOP and contract holder for all of the Atari Forums on CompuServe, including the Atari ST Arts and Entertainment Forum, is: Ron Luks [76703,254] Assisting Ron in the maintenance of the Atari Forums are: Mike Schoenbach [76703,4363]** Dave Groves [76703,4223]** Charles McGuinness [76701,11]** David Ramsden [76703,4224]** Dan Rhea [76703,4364]** Bill Aycock [76703,4061]** Dick Brudzynski [76703,2011] Don LeBow [76704,41] Keith Joins [76702,375] All the assistant Sysops marked with an "**" in the above list are responsible for overseeing all the areas of the Atari ST Arts and Entertainment Forum, including the message board, the libraries, the announcements, and the conference area. NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE NOTICE *********************************************************************** > A "Quotable Quote"¿ ================= "THE URGENCY OF A PROMISE MADE IS NO INDICATION OF ITS VALIDITY" ... Myron Foobar -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CPU/STR¿ "Your Independent News Source" May 04, 1990 16/32bit Magazine copyright ½ 1990 No.4.18 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of the editors, staff, CPU NEWSWIRE¿ CPU/STR¿ or CPU Report¿. Reprint permission is hereby granted, unless otherwise noted. All reprints must include CPU NEWSWIRE, CPU/STR or CPU Report and the author's name. All information presented herein is believed correct, the editors and staff are not responsible for any use or misuse of information contained herein. --------------------------------------------------------------------------