*---== ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE ==---*
                  """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
                  "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"
                                   from
                            STR Publishing Inc.
                            """"""""""""""""""


 September 13, 1991                                                 No.7.37
 ==========================================================================

                  STReport International Online Magazine 
                          Post Office Box   6672
                          Jacksonville,  Florida
                               32205 ~ 6672
  
                               R.F. Mariano
                            Publisher - Editor
                 -----------------------------------------
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    __________________________________________________________________

 > 09/13/91: STReport  #7.37  The Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine!
   -------------------------
     - The Editor's Desk      - CPU REPORT        - PORTFOLIO NEWS
     - Know your Modem!       - The Flip Side!    - ColorScan Review
     - CODEHEAD NEWS!         - The Garden of..   - STR Confidential

                        -* MEGA STe -> HOBBLED! *-
                          -* THE CAGLE EXPOSE! *-
                   -* EXCLUSIVE! -> CT. SHOW REPORT! *-

 ==========================================================================
                  ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE 
                     The _Number One_ Online Magazine
                              -* FEATURING *-
                     "UP-TO-DATE News and Information"
       Current Events, Original Articles, Hot Tips, and Information
             Hardware - Software - Corporate - R & D - Imports
 ==========================================================================
 STReport's  support  BBS,  NODE  350,  invites  BBS systems, worldwide, to
 participate in the Fido/F-Net Mail Network.  Or,  call Node  350 direct at
 904-786-4176, and  enjoy the excitement of exchanging information relative
 to the Atari ST computer arena through an excellent International  ST Mail
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 STReport Crossnet Conference.  The Crossnet Conference Code is #34813, and
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 participate.  Support Atari Computers;  Join Today!
 ==========================================================================
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 ==========================================================================

 > The Editor's Podium

   
     What is an Atari Basher?????  Many, many truly concerned folks in
 this ever shrinking Atari arena have been accused of being an Atari
 basher.  One might find that most of the interesting folks you meet on the
 online services are telecommunicating for more than one reason.  The
 majority frequent these services for information, friendship, good debates
 and of course, up to date files.

     Back to my question, what is an Atari Basher... A difficult question
 to answer for any honest answer that sounds even the slightest bit
 accommodating will bring out the Atari lemmings and apologists in a hurry.
   
     In any case, here goes;  There is really no such thing as an Atari
 basher.  To be a basher, one must absolutely hate everything about Atari. 
 Its people, products and very existence.  There is no such person or
 thing.  There are however, those who LOVE the hardware and HATE the
 company.  There are those who LOVE the hardware and silently TOLERATE the
 management.  And finally, there are those who have LOVED the hardware and
 couldn't take any more double talk from the company's management and now
 are on other platforms.  Bet you even know a few of those or at least
 about them.
   
     Developers are in a precarious position, many of them will, in
 private or under the veil of be kept anonymous, tell you "the hardware has
 always been good but that the company's management is among the worst in
 recorded history."  They do quickly add that they are not bashing Atari. 
 They are genuinely concerned for both themselves and the users who Atari
 built themselves upon.  The working classes worldwide, those on a fixed
 income.  Remember the old company slogan?  Power without the Price?
   
     Dealers are also being forced to dance on eggshells.  Should they
 become too vocal in voicing their dissatisfaction, they know that product
 flow, support and other factory/dealer factors will become non-existent or
 severely hampered.  Why is it the apologists and those who continually
 defend never ask, "where are all the dealers?"  "Why have the majority
 left?"  Actually, there many questions that should be asked and are not. 
 Why?  Because, it seems, people who should be asking the questions are,
 amazingly, either intimidated by anticipation of Atari's reaction (usually
 vindictive) or are still hanging on to a non-existent hope of a miraculous
 cure to the current problems.  It takes hard work, not miracles.
   
     In defense of Atari....  Yes folks that's right.  But I speak of the
 hardware only.

     In my business, I have a total of 17 machines in use.  Three are part
 of what I call major work stations, one is our support BBS and the
 remainder are in use in the shop.

 The three work stations are 

 A)- (1) Mega4 STe with a built in 105mb, 260mb outboard, SF314, Omnimon
 Monitor and a KX P4450 laser.

 B)- (1) Mega4 ST w/Turbo16, Image Systems 24" Monitor, Omnimon Monitor,
 260mb hard disk, Canon Flatbed Scanner, SLM605 Laser.

 C)- (1) 1040STe 4mb, 105mbHD, Indus GTS-100, Omnimon Monitor.

     All hard disk systems, including the built in unit, are controlled
 with and formatted by ICD's great hard disk utility software.

     As all can see, I am heavily involved with Atari hardware.. very
 heavily.  And yes, I do criticize Atari's policies from time to time.  I
 think their hardware is superb, always have and probably will for many
 months in the future.  One thing is for sure, I will continue to use my
 equipment until such time as it no longer satisfies my needs.  And
 hopefully, I will be able to update my systems with newer, more advanced
 Atari computers. 
  
     To see people invite others to LEAVE the Atari community simply
 because they disagree with one person's opinion is immature and
 offensive.  The Atari community of users is a diverse and rather large,
 outspoken body of good people.  Every so often, there creeps in those who
 feel they are doing the right thing by asking those who have something
 less than charitable to say about the current conditions in the Atari
 market to leave, go get a different computer... etc.

     Personally, I am sure these folks think they are helping but in
 reality, they are doing far more damage than Atari itself.  Why chase
 those who CARE enough to open up say what is hurting them?   It doesn't
 make sense.

     Atari is the one(s) who must listen and try to correct the ills in the
 ever shrinking marketplace.  Not some misguided user demanding that other,
 dissatisfied users leave the userbase.

     Its odd to see these happenings taking place while those who could
 blunt or offset the hostility are obvious by their silence.  Yet... at
 other times they are most vociferous.  One can't help but wonder if these
 so called 'leaders' have any idea that by their silence they are condoning
 the 'lynch mobs'.  People, think about this.... if enough of the unhappy,
 dis-satisfied users do LEAVE.... what or who would be left?  Yep, thats
 right... even the best of us, you included, have at times been irked about
 one thing or another about Atari.   Suppose, just suppose every user who
 was ,at one time or another, irked at Atari 'jumped ship' or was invited
 to leave and did just that?  It would be a disaster.

     I am ever so grateful, for those who speak up about problems they or
 their friends are encountering with Atari as thats the best way to get
 them  resolved by Atari.  And I might add, in most cases, this is exactly
 what happens.  Atari is contacted by the user and the problem gets solved.

     Have I EVER seen Atari invite a user to leave and get a different
 computer?  Nope.....  Atari in all its ways, still realizes that a
 customer (user) even unhappy at times is STILL a customer.  One that CAN
 be made happy, can be satisfied.  Once they leave.... all is lost.  Not
 only for Atari, but for all of us.   

                         As always, thanks for your strong support!
  
                                                  Ralph









                           TODAY'S NEWS ..TODAY!

  """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""



 > STReport's Staff              The regulars and this week's contributors!
   ================

                            Publisher - Editor
                            ------------------
                             Ralph F. Mariano


          PC DIVISION         AMIGA DIVISION           MAC DIVISION
          -----------         --------------           ------------
          Robert Retelle      Charles Hill             R. ALBRITTON


 STReport Staff Editors:
 -----------------------
          Michael Arthur      Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.     Dana P. Jacobson
          Lucien Oppler       Brad Martin              Judith Hamner
                    John Szczepanik          Dan Stidham

 Contributing CorrespondEnts:
 ----------------------------
          Michael Lee         Richard Covert           Roger Stevens
          Brian Converse      Oliver Steinmeier        Ed Krimen
          Tim Holt            Andrew Learner           Norman Boucher
          Ben Hamilton        Harry Steele             Steve Cooke
           

                             IMPORTANT NOTICE
                             ================
      Please, submit letters to the editor, articles, reviews, etc...
                              via E-Mail to:

                 Compuserve.................... 70007,4454
                 GEnie......................... ST.REPORT
                 Delphi........................ RMARIANO  
                 BIX........................... RMARIANO 
                 FIDONET....................... 112/35       
                 FNET.......................... NODE 350   
                 NEST.......................... 90:19/350.0   


                   "REPORTING ABOUT ATARI NOT FOR THEM."

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


     COMPUSERVE WILL PRESENT $15.00 WORTH OF COMPLIMENTARY ONLINE TIME

                              to the Readers of;
  
                  ST REPORT INTERNATIONAL ONLINE MAGAZINE
                  """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
                  "The Original 16/32bit Online Magazine"

                         NEW USERS; SIGN UP TODAY!

               CALL: 1-800-848-8199 .. Ask for operator 198

                 You will receive your complimentary time
                                   and 
                       be online in no time at all!


                      NEW "WIN $25" WINNERS ANNOUNCED

 Congrats to Clayton Walnum  for winning  a $25  CompuServe credit  for his
 upload of the game NOIDS to the Atari Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS).

 Congrats also  to Stuart  Coates for  his winning upload DIVERT.LZH to the
 Atari Productivity Forum (GO ATARIPRO).  Stuart wins a $25 CompuServe
 credit for his contribution.

 NEW PLAY-BY-MODEM GAMES IN ATARIARTS

 The following files are now available in LIBRARY 1 ("New  Uploads") of the
 Atari ST Arts Forum (GO ATARIARTS) courtesy of Forum member David Becker:

 BGAMMO.ARC - Online backgammon can be played over the phone lines with a
 modem. Many options including the ability to play the computer make this
 a fun and challenging monochrome game. Freeware.

 PAIGOW.ARC  - Las vegas style PaiGow poker. Play against the computer or
 over the phone line with a friend! Monochrome freeware.

 PROGRAM OF THE WEEK FROM DOUBLE CLICK

 Last week's Double Click program of the week will drop DTR at the touch
 of a key!  Download file DCDDTR.ARC from LIBRARY 13 of the Atari Vendors
 Forum (GO ATARIVEN).

 NEW FROM CODEHEAD SOFTWARE

 CodeHead  has  made  arrangements  to  carry the very best vector graphics
 package for the ST/TT:  Avant Vector, an object-oriented graphics program.
 Avant Vector  features sophisticated automatic tracing abilities that will
 allow you to convert bit-image graphics  to vector  graphics consisting of
 lines, curves, and filled shapes.

 This program  is really incredible!  Find out more about it by downloading
 CodeHead's demonstration file, AVDEMO.ARC,  from LIBRARY  16 of  the Atari
 Vendors Forum (GO ATARIVEN).  Also download file AVPR.TXT for the complete
 press release of Avant Vector, plus additional information  on another new
 software   package   called   Repro  Studio  (a  next-generation  graphics
 program).

 NEW IN ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM

 Intuit Software in Menlo Park, California  is investigating  the expansion
 of their  product line  into the  palmtop market.   To  help determine the
 features and potential of this  growing  area,  they  have  contracted the
 services of a research firm to assemble an informative focus group.

 If you would like a member of this research firm contact you, please
 read and respond to message # 16218 from Don Thomas of Atari Corporation
 in the Atari Portfolio Forum (GO APORTFOLIO).  This is a great
 opportunity to become instrumental in the adapting of popular software
 to the Portfolio.

 Information on  a new  Spell Checker  to be available for the Portfolio on
 November  1  is  now  in  LIBRARY  1  of  the  Atari  Portfolio  Forum (GO
 APORTFOLIO) as SPLCHK.TXT.

 ANNOUNCING THE NEW COMPUSERVE PALMTOP FORUM

 The CompuServe Palmtop Forum covers all palmtop organizers and computers
 other than  the Portfolio, which will remain in its own forum. Please drop
 by and take a look around.  Type GO PALMTOP at any CompuServe
 service prompt.

                  THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM ON COMPUSERVE
                            HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AN
                OFFICIAL SUPPORT SITE BY ATARI CORPORATION

            "GO APORTFOLIO TO ACCESS THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM"


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




 > CPU STATUS REPORT                  LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS 
   =================
  
    Issue #37

 Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.
  
   
  -- Novell Bags Two Pirate BBSes
  
 Novell says it recently filed copyright and trademark infringement law-
 suits and executed separate seizure orders against the Wish List and Red 
 October, two California BBSes.  Novell said it took the action based on 
 the alleged selling of pirated software by the BBSes.
  
 The defendants in both cases are alleged to have sold and distributed 
 pirated Novell Netware operating system software as well as hundreds of 
 other software programs from large and small vendors. Novell says that 
 settlements are pending in both cases.
  
 According to sources at the Software Publishers Association (SPA), this 
 is the first of many similar actions that is expected in the near 
 future.
  
  
  -- Prodigy Continues to Add New Services 
  
 Even though Prodigy, a IBM-Sears joint venture, continues to loose 
 money, it also continues to add new services.  Marking its first 
 anniversary, Prodigy introduced local classified ads and a new bill-
 paying service. Other new services are expected, such as a 'Background 
 on the News' service.
  
  
  -- Nintendo Set for National Launch of
     The Super Nintendo Entertainment System
  
 Nintendo of America Inc., a subsidiary of the world's largest manufac-
 turer and marketer of video games, Nintendo Co. Ltd., is gearing up for 
 Monday's national launch of its 16-bit Super Nintendo Entertainment 
 System (Super NES).
  
 Nintendo feels that the Super NES will sale 2 million hardware units 
 and 6 million pieces of software in 1991. Super NES will come packaged 
 with "Super Mario World" and will carry a suggested retail price of 
 $199.95. They hope to have 10 Super NES game paks available by Christ-
 mas.
  
  
  -- IBM and Apple Expected to Produce
     Palm-Size Computer
  
 Rumors say that IBM and Apple Computer Inc. are gearing up to form a 
 joint venture in multimedia computing and to cooperate on radio com-
 puter links. According to the New York Times, industry executives and 
 trade reports are saying the first project will be a palm-sized com-
 puter that can play CD-ROMS with a computer that can communicate by 
 radio waves to follow.
  
  
  -- Slow US Economy Slows Down Japanese
     4-meg DRAM Production
  
 The word from Japan is three top semiconductor makers there will reduce 
 production of 4-megabit DRAM (dynamic random access memory) chips 
 because of slow US economic recovery.
  
  
  -- Sharp Claims Color LCD Breakthrough
  
 The LQD011 is a color liquid crystal display (LCD) which Sharp claims is 
 only 12mm thick and consumes just six watts of electricity. Sharp claims 
 this 8.4 inch thin film transistor (TFT) based product is due to a new 
 "edge light" technology.
  
 The price for the new color LCD will be $3,700 and the company hopes to 
 begin producing the screen in quantity in April, 1992.
  
  
  --Hayes Introduces the Smartmodem Optima 96
  
 Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. has added the Optima 96 to its Smart-
 modem line. While the Optima 96 does not have all of the features of the 
 Hayes Smartmodem Ultra, it is expected to be priced very aggressively to 
 compete against the low-priced 9600 baud modems currently on the market.
  
 The Optima 96, is a V.32 modem that provides standard CCITT V.32 connec-
 tivity for 9600 baud line speeds and CCITT V.42bis error-control and 
 data compression for data throughput up to 38.4 Kbaud.  The Optima 9600 
 also supports CCITT V.22bis (2400 baud), CCITT V.22 (1200 baud), and 
 CCITT V.21 (300 baud), as well as industry standards 103 (300 baud) and 
 212A (1200 baud).
  
 Optima 96 communicates asynchronously and synchronously as well as sup-
 ports Hayes AutoSync, a standard Smartmodem feature that allows the sys-
 tem's asynchronous communications port to transmit data synchronously, 
 which Hayes says eliminates the need for an SDLC or Bisync card.
  

  -- Microsoft Continues to Grow
  
 Bill Gates, Microsoft Corp. chairman, feels that his firm will continue 
 to grow despite the slumping computer industry. Mr. Gates credited Win-
 dows for most of the growth.
   
 For the fiscal year ending June 30, Microsoft's net income grew 66% to 
 $463 million based on a 56% sales increase of $1.8 billion.


  -- Hitachi Sets Record!
  
 According to Hitachi, it has set a new data transmision record of 10 
 gigabits per second across a 100 kilometer distance. The old record was 
 1.6 gigabits per second across 40 kilometers.
  
 The reason for this radical increase is a new super-fast optical element 
 that Hitachi has developed, "APD". This is considered to be an important 
 technology in the creation of Integrated Services Digital Networks which 
 can involve trasfering millions of bits of pictorial data.
  
  
  -- The Fast Just Got Faster, Telebit
     Introduces the World's Fastest Modem
  
 The Telebit T3000 was recently announce by Telebit. The company claims 
 it is the fastest on the market, capable of sending up to 57,600 bps. 
 The modem is compatible with other V.32bis, V.32 and 300, 1200, 2400 bps 
 CCITT and Bell modems. 
  
 According to a company spokesman, the T3000 uses the standard V.32bis 
 and the V.42bis data compression standards.  But where most of the 
 V.32bis modems only provide speeds up to 38,400 bps, the T3000 is 50% 
 faster. Using a 4:1 data compression routine, realizes the full capacity 
 of the V.32bis modem.
  
 The retail pirce of the T3000 is $1,095 and it carries a two-year 
 warranty.
  
  
  -- GAO Finds Stock Market Computers
     Not Adequately Safegarded
  
 A study by the General Accounting Office (GAO) of the nation's six com-
 puterized stock exchanges - New York, American, Midwest, Pacific, and 
 Philadelphia, as well as those of the National Association of Securities 
 Dealers, which oversees the NASDAQ over-the-counter market - found that 
 only the NASDAQ system had adequate safeguards. Between them, the six 
 exchanges handle over 98 percent of nation's estimated $2 trillion 
 annual stock trading volume.
  
  
  -- To Help Reduce Overcrowed Jails, Computers
     To Keep Track of Defendents Living at Home
  
 Next month, Marion County, Indiana will start a pilot program which will 
 involve computer tracking of defendents in criminal cases who live at 
 home and are awaiting trial.  What makes this program different is that 
 it is the first that will keep track of individuals awaiting trial and 
 is hoped to reduce overcrowded jails.
  
 A computerized telephone system will call each defendent as often as is 
 deemed necessary. When the call comes, the defendant will take a photo 
 of themselves with a camera attached to a TV-like unit. The image will 
 then be transmitted to the Volunteers of America office in Indianapolis, 
 a national Christian human services organization who have agreed to in-
 stall the units and report violations to the court.
  
  
  -- Hay Buyers/Sellers Helped by
     Purdue University
  
 Indiana farmers can now easily link up with prospective hay buyers and 
 sellers by using a special computer system that was established by the 
 Purdue University.
  
 Using computers, modems and a BBS system, the callers can search the 
 database for buyers or sellers of their hay crop. The hay locator system 
 runs on a 3B2 system under Unix System V.  The modem access number is 
 317-494-6643.
  
  
  -- National Semiconductor Looses
     $168 Million for the First-Quarter
  
 National Semiconductor Corp. announced a first-quarter loss of $168 
 million based on sales of $411 million down from $442.7 million a year 
 ago.





  """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

                             IMPORTANT NOTICE!
                             =================

 As a reader of STReport International Online Magazine, you are entitled to
 take advantage of a special DELPHI membership offer.  For only $29.95 ($20
 off the standard membership price!), you will receive a lifetime subscrip-
 tion to DELPHI, a copy of the 500-page DELPHI: THE OFFICIAL GUIDE and over
 $14 worth of free time.  

  NOTE: Special offers can be found in your favorite Atari magazines:

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 for just $20 a month!  The $20 is a monthly fee that covers your first 20
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           DELPHI at 1-800-544-4005 and ask for Member Services.

                 DELPHI- It's getting better all the time!



  """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""




 > CONNECTICUT SHOW STR SHOW NEWS            "What a wonderful day!"
   ==============================




                         Connecticut Atarifest '91
                         =========================




 by Harry Steele & STeve Cook
            BCS/Atari


     Ah!  What a wonderful day for the Connecticut AtariFest '91.  You
 couldn't ask for a more perfect summer day. Warm, low humidity, just
 great.  STeve Cook and I left Boston Friday afternoon for the 3 hour trek
 to the Hilton Hotel in Bridgeport, CT.  Before I forget... Many Thanks to
 my wife Joanne for agreeing to babysit for my two greyhounds, two cats,
 two rabbits, one mouse and STeve Cook's two playful dogs.  The 'puppy'
 being a 13 month-old, 100-pound German Shepherd.

     After checking into the Hilton, STeve and I gravitated to the Lounge
 to see who we might find.  Lo and behold, Bob Brodie, Rick Flashman and
 Jeff Lomicka talking about Dusseldorf.  They really know how to put on an
 AtariFest.  Bob was happy, I think, to see the boys from Boston again. 
 Bob mentioned to me that the CT Fest will be a fairly small show and he
 didn't let the group get carried away with enthusiasm and turn it into a
 national Fest like we did last year at the New England AtariFest '90 in
 Boston.

     Well, 6:00 A.M. comes early, Mickey "D's" for breakfast, started
 setting up for the Fest at 8:00 A.M. STeve Cook and I were representing
 The Boston Computer Society - Atari Users Group.  The Connecticut
 AtariFest '91 was sponsored by the FACE and STARR user groups along  with
 Computers Etc.  Brian Gockley did an outstanding job of putting on this
 Fest.  Everything ran smoothly and was well organized.


 Attendees:
 ----------
 Atari Corp:
     Bob Brodie, Director of Communications, always a major attraction, was
 his usual great self, talking to everyone.   When Bob gave his seminar,
 the whole show floor emptied out into the seminar room leaving most of the
 vendors to themselves.  Many left their own booth to hear Bob's talk which
 was highlighted by his personal responses to the many questions that were
 asked by the audience.

 Atari  Explorer:
     John Jainschigg, Publisher, Editor for Atari's flagship magazine.  His
 technical know-how and clear writing style is well known in the Atari
 world.  John gave an exciting lecture on how Atari Explorer magazine is
 published.

 Applications & Design Software:
     Angela Gockley demonstrated the Universal Item Selector 3.3 and the
 much awaited Universal Network.

 The Boston Computer Society:
     Atari Users Group, STeve Cook and Harry Steele, talked to many Atari
 enthusiasts, selling PD library disks, IMG clip art, PageStream PD fonts. 
 The hit of their booth was the GOGO Dancer demo both monochrome and color
 versions. A donation of a BCS 'T' shirt was made to Bob Brodie. He tried
 to pay for it, but we wouldn't let him.

 GEnie:
     Darlah Pine was unable to attend due to a family crisis.

 GFA Basic:
     John Barger demonstrated the latest upgrade to their powerful
 programming language which is capable of transporting its code and
 programs to run on MS-DOS machines.

 Gribnif Software:
     Rick Flashman, Dan Wilga and the lovely Tricia Metcalf demonstrated
 the famous Neodesk 3, as well as a plethora of new products: Cardfile 3,
 STalker 3, STeno 3, and Arabesque.

 Alternative Hardware:
     Leo Taylor and Joe Mardo had several customized hardware products in
 wooden cabinets and towers.  Their best demo was an Atari running a PC CAD
 program running an expensive HP color printer/plotter which amazed most of
 the attendees.

 SoftLogik:
     Bill Caferelli and Bernie Paist demonstrated Pagestream 2.1 with color
 printouts, and were so busy talking to people that they didn't get a
 chance to see any of the seminars.

 ST Atari Road Runners user group:
     Eleanor Andujar and my old friend Madeline, who is just a joy to talk
 to, worked their user group booth selling software at unbelievable prices.

 Step Ahead Software:
     Nevin Shalit showed Tracker/ST, a sophisticated address book/mail
 merge/label printing program. At his seminar, Nevin demo'ed Retouche and
 DiDot.

 Taylor Ridge Books:
     Clayton Walnum displayed his C-Manship Complete book on everything you
 need to know to program in C.

 TidBit Software:
     Jeffrey Lomicka showed the GOOD Back-Up Utility, a hard disk backup
 program with a unique incremental backup method and checksum capability to
 encourage you to back up your hard drive frequently.

      All in all, a good time was had by all. The group hopes to have
 another CT AtariFest again sometime in the future.  The next time, being
 bigger and better.

 "After hours" thoughts:

      All of those who remained until the final hour of the CT AtariFest
 were treated to a question and answer session with Bob Brodie.  One of the
 things that Mr. Brodie discussed was the Professional Systems Group and
 the AEGIS Program. I feel this is definitely a step in the right direction
 and should have been started way back in 1985. Reaching out to work with
 developers and dealers is truly necessary if the Atari computer is to
 remain a viable alternative.
  
      Mr. Brodie discussed WORD UP 3.0, although no release dates were
 mentioned. When Atari purchased the rights to WORD UP, they brought half
 of the staff (one person) from NEOCEPT back with them. This is enabling
 them to continue the development on WORD UP. The new WORD UP will utilize
 FSM GDOS. FSM GDOS is expected to be ready in October.
  
      The TT is selling very well and the new ones will have a 1.44 Meg
 floppy disk drive with the appropriate controller chip. UNIX for the TT
 may be in developers hands this December.
  
      The engineers and designers at the Design Facility near Dallas are
 burning the midnight oil, Bob says.  If you see them leaving at 8:30 in
 morning, they didn't just get there, they worked all night long. I wonder
 what new surprises Atari has up their proverbial sleeve?
  
      Bob related some encouraging and humorous "war stories" about some of
 the many shows he has attended.
  
  
 Don't Be a BIG BLUE LEMMING!  Make your own decisions, check-out an Atari! 
                    (STeve's new Atari slogan! -grin-)


        __________________________________________________________

  


 > The Flip Side STR Feature         "....a different viewpoint"
   =========================



                    A Little of This, A Little of That
                    ==================================


 by Michael Lee

                             ----------------

 A helpful hint from R.Belanger - Cat.  24,  Topic 1,  Message 272 - From 
 the Cooking and Baking Roundtable on Genie...
    I do re-use dryer sheets, but not in the dryer. Instead, I capture 
    the "used" sheets to use to clean my monitor screen. It's far cheaper 
    than buying "screen wipes" and provides the same antistatic quality 
    that is beneficial for monitor or TV screens.
  
                            ------------------

 Comments about Powermonger from KWAI on Delphi...
    Gee, I've never reviewed any game before. So bear with me please. 
    Basically, Powermonger plays alot like Populous; you struggle to 
    attain greater power in order to wipe out the enemy. I haven't played 
    Populous for some time, but I think you have to kill every single 
    enemy in order to win the game.
  
    However, in Powermonger, this is not necessary (thank goodness!). 
    There is a scale on the screen, and if it tips steeply on your side, 
    you can retire and thus win the game. Powermonger has more details; 
    characters move about to fish, chop trees, make weapons, etc. The 
    sprites are smaller, due to the enormous amount of info. displayed on 
    the screen. You can zoom in to get a better look or pick up specific 
    objects. The enemies you will face can be of several different 
    groups, so strategy is a must if you want to win the game. I find 
    Powermonger more involving than Populous, for you have to gather 
    people to build a bigger army, ensure that food is always available -
    - otherwise, you will see your followers leaving you. Also, it is 
    better to have stronger weapons, so you will need time and resources 
    to make them. Sometimes, you have to make enough boats to transport 
    your army across the vast ocean to another land.
  
    Once you have conquered a land, you may save it to disk. Overall, 
    Powermonger is a great game. I like Populous, and Powermonger even 
    more, but both games are unique. I hope this helps!
  
    P.S. In order to save a game, you will require the on-disk special 
    formatting utility. However, mine doesn't work and ECA had to format 
    my game disks. Check with your dealer if this problem has been fixed.
  
                              ----------------
  
 Just to show you that not everything is serious when you're online, here 
 are some jokes that you might enjoy - from the TeleJoke RoundTable on 
 Genie...
 From E.Merrill - Cat. 5, Topic 3, Message 7...

    The Pessimist's guide to Engineer-talk
       (what they say - what they mean)
    --------------------------------------
    
    "That's interesting"
    - Wow! I've never seen anything remotely like that before.

    "We'll just run diagnostics"
    - I wonder if that'll give us a clue.
  
    "So we've eliminated XXX"
    - It's probably XXX, but it's bloody hard to get at.
  
    "I've just powered it down"
    - I tripped over that bloody power cord again
  
    "Ok, that's good"
    - What the heck was that noise?!?
  
    "We've noticed some failure evidence"
    - Something's burning...
  
    "If you'll just..."
    - I don't want to be the one to blame when it crashes
  
    "Yes, you'd expect to see that..."
    - Hell, that's stuffed as well!

 Some limericks from Stephen Kahn...
    There once was a System called DOS,
    Which threw all its users for a loss.
    Don't worry, said Bill,
    Just take this pill,
    And my GUI will cover your OS.

    There once was a company called Big Blue,
    That grew very peeved with Bill and his crew.
    Replied our cool dude,
    "Don't come unGUID,
    You can have your Windows and OS/2."

 Fourty-Five different definitions of what the initials IBM stand for. 
 Compiled from about 30-40 different posts...
  
    1)  <I>'ve <B>een <M>ugged
    2)  <I> <B>uy <M>oney
    3)  <I>t's <B>etter <M>anually
    4)  <I> <B>ought <M>acintosh
    5)  <I>'ve <B>een <M>isled
    6)  <I>t <B>it <M>e
    7)  <I>tty <B>itty <M>achines
    8)  <I>t <B>ombs <M>any
    9)  <I>gnorant <B>ull <M>anure
    10) <I>diotic <B>ovine <M>anure
    11) <I>ncessant <B>owel <M>ovement
    12) <I>ttiy <B>itty <M>orons
    13) <I>nferior <B>ut <M>arketable
    14) <I>diotic <B>rainless <M>utants
    15) <I>ncredibly <B>oring <M>achinery
    16) <I>tty <B>itty <M>icroprocesser
    17) <I>ntroverted <B>rain <M>auler
    18) <I>mbeciles <B>ecome <M>anagers
    19) <I>nstall <B>igger <M>achines
    20) <I> <B>ecame <M>acintosh
    21) <I> <B>lame <M>icrosoft
    22) <I>cky <B>lue <M>achines
    23) <I>diotic <B>ull Meter
    24) <I>diots' <B>ewilderment <M>achines
    25) <I>diots <B>ought <M>e
    26) <I>mmense <B>ins of <M>oney
    27) <I>mperialism <B>y <M>arketing
    28) <I>mpractical, <B>ut <M>arketable
    29) <I>n a <B>efuddled <M>anner
    30) <I>ncest <B>reeds <M>orons
    31) <I>ndustry's <B>iggest <M>istake
    32) <I>nert <B>lue <M>onoliths
    33) <I>nstalled <B>y <M>asochists
    34) <I>nstitute of <B>roken <M>inds
    35) <I>ntrepid <B>ureaucratic <M>adness
    36) <I>nvoluntary <B>owel <M>ovement
    37) <I>t <B>eats <M>attel
    38) <I>nescapable <B>ut <M>ediocre
    39) <I> <B>arely <M>ove
    40) <I>ll <B>egotten <M>achine
    41) <I>t's a <B>roken <M>achine
    42) <I>nternational <B>it <M>anglers
    43) <I>nteresting <B>ut <M>eaningless
    44) <I>dolized <B>y <M>orons
    45) <I> <B>e needing more <M>oney
  
                             ----------------
  
 General discusion about UNIX for the TT - From Ron Luks (Sysop) - From 
 CIS....
    I agree that this is a niche market that Atari could quite profitably 
    exploit, but its all dependent on getting a solid UNIX implementation 
    out the door. Lets keep our fingers crossed that something solid is 
    shown at Dusseldorf shortly.
  
 More comments from Jeff (Intersect Software).....
    I absolutely agree with you. Unless a "solid" implementation of UNIX 
    is released I don't see a future for Atari. TOS or otherwise. On the 
    other hand if a SOLID UNIX is released and the rumors of Client-
    Server GEM are true then I see a brighter future for the ST.
   
    From what I've been able to glean from MANY sources (all rumor). Unix 
    implementation was done. Some Optimization was still needed but BETA 
    testing was proceeding in Germany.
   
    Projects for UNIX that still needed implementation were:
  
    1) ST Emulation under UNIX in a window. A massive undertaking that 
    justifiably would take many months.
  
    2) Appletalk networking.
  
    3) Client-Server Unix to GEM terminal (ST). A project that I heard 
    rumors about and thought, "wow finally someone is thinking".
  
    Client-Server Unix to GEM Terminal would have two modes determined by 
    the type of client, X-windows terminal or ST running a GEM terminal 
    emulation.
  
    If a X-Windows terminal a series of X-Windows commands mimicking the 
    appearance of GEM windows would be used or if a GEM terminal (ST or 
    PC running a GEM emulation) it would work something like the Instant 
    Sound and Graphics emulation for Interlink.
  
    Instead of sending graphics BIT BY BIT it's sent as a series of GEM 
    VDI commands. The IGS Terminal Emulation then passes those commands 
    to GEM in the local ST. So 10 bytes could draw a scroll bar, 8 bytes 
    a box with a fill pattern, etc. X-Windows is done the same way in the 
    Client-Server mode but X-windows is much more massive/flexible and 
    requires a multi-thousand dollar terminal.
  
    Let's face it, right now very few university students (except for the 
    Science and engineering students) use the University Unix mainframes 
    because the operating system is too difficult for them. This scheme 
    would solve that problem.
  
    With Client-Server UNIX to ST software released and TT UNIX available 
    we might be able to see some ST's sold to university students for 
    their use on the University's Mainframe. With 520 STe's with monitor 
    selling for less than $600 (street price) it's the least expensive 
    way for them to get GUI terminals (ASCII terminals are available at 
    about $300.00). The University might be able to get an even better 
    price direct from Atari.
  
    In the long term it's more than a niche market. Apple (under JOBS) 
    went to great pains to insure the University "niche". Those 
    University students eventually become Teachers who have a say in the 
    Public school computer purchases.

    If UNIX does manage to evolve into a "standard" for the common man it 
    will be because of GUI. Atari could have a major role in this over 
    the long term if they follow through on UNIX and Client-Server GEM.

 From Loc Duval...
    Hello, that's me again... Here some news on ASV, the Atari Unix for 
    the TT.
  
    It is now finished and I have tested the beta release in Germany 
    during the Atari Dusseldorf Show.
  
    Unix has been converted by a UK firm: Unisoft. It is a Unix System V 
    release 4 with some BSD tools. X-Windows 11.4 has been ported by US 
    company. Just like Motif 1.1.2.
  
    Over this you have an amazing GUI called X-Wish, running under Motif, 
    and developped by french firm: NSL (Non Standard Logic). You also 
    have an amazing tool for Motif programmers: X FACEMAKER. It is an 
    very friendly Interface Maker for Motif applications.  All this is in 
    standard on the 320 Mo hard disk, given with the TT/X.
  
    You also have: The GNU C compiler The GNU C++ compiler The GNU source 
    Level Debuger NFS/RFS An ethernet board (on the VME bus) A new mouse 
    with 3 buttons...
  
                              ----------------


 Until next week.....



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


                    :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
                     _________________________________

                       To sign up for GEnie service:

      Set your communications software to Half Duplex (or Local Echo)
                     Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.
               Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
                         Wait for the U#= prompt.

                 Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.


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 more  than  100  services  including electronic mail, online encyclopedia,
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 only $6 per hour.

 MONEY BACK  GUARANTEE!   Any time during your first month of membership if
 you are not completely satisfied, just ask for your $4.95 back.




         GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
            Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission


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





 > ABOUT ATARI STR Spotlight         "Just expressing themselves..."
   =========================



                            TWO DIFFERENT VIEWS
                            ===================


 Compiled by Michael Lee
  
                             ----------------
  
 From Dan Fruchey - Cat. 18, Topic 16, Message 78 - from the ST Round-
 table on Genie...
  
 Dear friends and Atari faithful; I am now writing a letter which I con-
 sider extremely painful but necessary. I have done my best to support 
 Atari, as an owner of the original 16K 800 through the 520 ST and 
 through various upgrades culminating in a MEGA 4 with all the Atari 
 peripherals including hard disks and a laser printer.
  
 I have staunchly defended the corporation and its products in print, on-
 line, and through various conferences.
  
 I have bought (and written for) the magazines, sold my own Atari pro-
 ducts (and found I couldn't made an adequate return due to slow sales), 
 supported the products of other vendors, I even tried to open my own 
 Atari computer store but investigation of the concept led me to the 
 conclusion that the market could not support a store and the corporation 
 who sells the machines was unwilling or unable to supply an adequate 
 volume of machines that would help me develop the market further in my 
 area.
  
 I served as disk librarian and board member for an Atari users group 
 that at one time consisted of over 300 members and I have watched it 
 dwindle to a hand full of die hards who either could not afford another 
 machine or could not believe that the Atari market was simply a ghost 
 who refused to lie down along with the Altair, Adam, and other machines 
 whose time had come and gone.
  
 I watched the Atari computer stores dwindle. Even this week I accom-
 panied an Atari die hard to one of the once-great San Francisco Bay Area 
 Atari only computer stores and watched him pick the latest products from 
 a 30% off bin for a "moving" sale. The store had progressively gone 
 through smaller and smaller storefronts until this month when they were 
 selling off their Moniterm monitor, Atari laser printer, floor model 
 computers, and other standard store paraphernalia at a cash register 
 that was plastered with a poster that boldly proclaimed "All Sales 
 Final."
  
 I worked with St Applications until they folded, proudly wrote for STart 
 until their demise, and in the end I lost a great deal of money in sup-
 port of the Atari market still fighting to proclaim the wonders of "The 
 Computer That Jack Built."
  
 From a virtual flood of hardware and software I watched the flow dwindle 
 and in some areas have watched the availability of software and hardware 
 completely vanish. From a well established base of Atari developers and 
 renowned manufacturers I have watched support and new applications dwin-
 dle until I could not even obtain support for good products that were 
 once the pride of the Atari line.
  
 I still provide support to the few businesses that are standing by their 
 Atari machines due to a lack of funds (although they have ALL chosen new 
 systems to purchase once their financial picture gets better - including 
 large companies that have been major supporters of Atari DTP in their 
 catalogs and advertising). Both of the dealers in my area who supported 
 the Atari solution dried up almost a year ago, one sells only IBM 
 through  a much smaller storefront and the other made the decision too 
 late and no longer owns his own business). Our closest dealer is 65 
 miles away.
  
 I still love my Atari machine. It is fast, easy to use, and the output 
 is superb. The hardware is all the things the corporation is not and the 
 promises and rhetoric which issue forth from Atari headquarters is no 
 longer believed. My Atari friends and I simply nod is understanding pity 
 when Atari announces a new product, knowing it will arrive too late with 
 too many shortcomings and not enough support (either from the corpora-
 tion or disillusioned developers) to ever make the machine into what it 
 was meant to be.
  
 I still keep and use my Atari for only one purpose - desktop publishing. 
 But this market cannot truly support the corporation when so many other 
 areas are lagging or non-existent. I salute the developers and many 
 manufacturers who have made wonderful products that have made me still 
 use my machine for a short while longer. Particularly Nathan Potechin 
 and the fine staff of ISD who receive my admiration and respect. It is 
 my fondest wish that they would develop Calamus for the PC market. It 
 outstrips anything available and I believe they would not be disap-
 pointed.
  
 It is with sorrow I admit that I recently committed myself fully to the 
 PC market. The hardware, software, support, and user base all exist in 
 this market on a level that is staggering. I have found that Atari can 
 no longer lay claim to the "Power Without The Price" motto as their 
 systems and software are, in most cases, no longer state-of-the art and 
 most software is no longer ported to the Atari platform and very few 
 developers dedicate the time to create new applications and entertain-
 ment products specifically designed for the Atari market. The 60 million 
 PC users in North America wield clout that we 250,000 Atari users will 
 never achieve and our attempts at addressing this problem with our 
 favorite hardware manufacturer have failed miserably.
  
 With all of its bumps and warts (DOS, etc.) I know that the companies 
 will answer their phones tomorrow, not a machine politely informing me 
 that the phone has been disconnected and there is no forwarding number. 
 I can choose from a variety of software manufacturers who currently work 
 to upgrade their products, not pick the only product that is still being 
 supported in a field of drifting relics.
  
 What more can I say? I have done all that I can and it is not enough. 
 There is no word of encouragement I can offer, no parting wisdom that 
 will somehow change an unchangeable blindness of that part of the 
 Tramiel clan. Good luck my fellow Atarians, you will need it. For myself 
 I will hold onto my machine and treasure it till the keyboard freezes up 
 and the cables fray but I can longer support the unsupportable. As 
 rapidly as possible I am changing my files over to my new system knowing 
 that it may take many years for the PC market to achieve the maturity 
 and functionality Atari users experienced since the mid 1980's. To those 
 of you who also go my way I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you 
 in another GEnie forum and in magazines of another type.
  
 I'll look back to read your comments but forgive me if I don't reply. 
 The issue has been decided, it is not a happy choice but a necessary 
 one. I'll always treasure the knowledge and pleasure I derived from the 
 system, I'll always treasure the friendships made. But I will never go 
 back.
  
 Unhappily, Dan Fruchey, Former STart DTP Contributing Editor, Former ST 
 Applications Columnist, Former Atari Computer Club Board Member (ST ACE 
 of Northern California), Former Atari Enthusiast
  
  
                      ** And Now, The Other Side **
  
 From WALLY - Cat. 18, Topic 16, Message 82 - from the ST Roundtable on 
 Genie...
  
 I've no doubt that Atari is in a slump right now, but they have a pretty 
 sturdy plan laid out and are doing their best to follow it.  Things are 
 actually _starting_ to look up, even though the road is a long one and 
 we are just now taking it.
  
 I've read the entire thread in this topic and have this to say:
  
 I'm stationed at the Coast Guard Air Station in Sitka, Alaska. Computer 
 support of any kind up here is nonexistant, and you just can't drive 
 somewhere to find it; there aren't any roads leading off the island.
  
 Everytime I've had a question, wanted to make a purchase, or needed 
 service I've been more than happy with Far North Computer and Cave Creek 
 Computer. They offer expert service, expert advice, expert everything.
  
 My setup is 110% usable by anyone...
  
 In the last 1 1/2 years, I've had eleven friends buy MS-DOS type com-
 puters. Two bought Packard Bell Legend-types, three bought differing 
 models of Radio Shack's T1000, the other six bought God knows what 
 (Dell, Leading Edge, etc...)
  
 Of these eleven people only two are still using their computers, and 
 they hate them. One of the guys with the PB actually quit GEnie because 
 his computer was too hard to use. None of them can afford any of the 
 software they want for their computers. None of them can afford to get 
 the cards necessary to have joysticks and hand scanners and the like. 
 All of them come to me for help using their computers and I give them as 
 much help as is humanly possible. They still don't know how to use their 
 computers (something like un-ARCing a file is completely out of their 
 reach, and they keep little notebooks to help remember procedures, 
 etc.).
  
 Inevitably, when showing them how to use their computers the issue of my 
 computer comes up, i.e., "Hey Wally, what kind of computer do you have? 
 What makes it easier to use?" Inevitably, I bring them to my set-up for 
 a demo. They honestly can't believe a computer would be that easy to 
 use. Likewise they can't believe the low prices I pay for software that 
 does what they want to do. Software they have been putting off buying 
 because it was so expensive for their machines.
  
 I have two friends that bought Mac's. They have as much wrapped up in 
 their keyboard, monitor, modem, 40 meg HD, and computer as I do with:
  
  1040STe w/4meg RAM
  Emerson Multi-sync
  Seagate 85meg HD w/ ICD host +
  Migraph hand scanner
  SupraModem 2400
  KX-P1124 printer
  
 Like my IBM-type friends, they often need help using their computers, 
 and can't afford software. Like my IBM friends, they wish they had 
 bought an Atari.
  
 Of course, up here the lack of service makes ALL computers equal in 
 attaining service...
   
 I will be buying a SuperCharger (286, I hope), but I will never buy an 
 IBM-type computer and dump my Atari.  Why?  Because this little Atari 
 will do everything any other computer will do.  Why?  Because I can make 
 this little Atari do whatever I want it to do.  Why?  Because I don't 
 have to worry about being snubbed for what type of IBM clone or Mac I 
 own at computer stores and in RT's.  Why?  Because I have all the pro-
 grams and support I need and more things are coming out every month.  
 Why?  Because I don't have to pay IBM/Mac prices for hardware and 
 software.  Why? Because I am not a POWER USER, just a computer user.
   
 I am not a dyed-in-the-wool Atari fanatic, just a computer user happy 
 with his setup.
  
  Regards,
  
   Wally
    the kayaking hermit
    in Alaska


         ________________________________________________________

  



 > Codehead News! STR InfoFile        Automatic vectoring has arrived!
   ===========================



  For immediate release
  
  CodeHeadQuarters
  September 12, 1991
  --------------------



         CODEHEAD SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES AVANT VECTOR & REPRO STUDIO!
         """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""



 Automatic vectoring has arrived!

 CodeHead Software is releasing two powerful new high-end graphics and
 image manipulation packages for Atari computers -- Avant Vector and
 Repro Studio!  We're proud to bring these excellent state of the art
 products to North America. 

 At CodeHead Software we're quite selective about the software we use
 personally.  Not very many programs get a big "WOW!" out of us.  But to
 say that we found Avant Vector and Repro Studio impressive is a major
 understatement ... in fact, they blew us away!


  --==* Avant Vector *==--

 Avant Vector is an object-oriented graphics program, with sophisticated
 automatic tracing abilities which allow the conversion of bit-image
 graphics (such as IMG files or Degas drawings) to vector graphics
 consisting of lines, curves, and filled shapes.  Vector graphics have
 several big advantages over bit-image graphics; the most important is
 that once an image has been converted to a mathematical vector
 description, it can be scaled up or down to any size without losing
 detail or looking "blocky". 

 Bit-image graphics can be imported into Avant Vector in many formats,
 including IMG, TIFF, IFF, and Degas (both compressed and uncompressed),
 and also vector graphics in the CVG (Calamus), GEM (GEM 3 metafile), and
 EPS (Encapsulated Postscript) formats.  You can save vector graphics in
 CVG, GEM, or EPS formats (in Avant Plot) for use in desktop publishing
 applications.  New drawings can also be created from scratch with Avant
 Vector, and up to seven graphics windows can be opened at once with
 cut-and-paste and merge functions.  The graphics created by Avant Vector
 can be imported into most popular Atari DTP programs, and can also be
 printed directly from within Avant Vector itself, with support for the
 Atari Laser, NEC 24-pin, and Epson 9-pin printers. 

 In a recent review of seven auto-tracing programs for the Mac, PC, and
 Atari ST/TT in a European magazine, Avant Vector was rated the best of
 the bunch!  The reviewer gave Avant Vector high marks for its totally
 unique "manual tracing" mode, which snaps curves and points along a bit
 image AS YOU DRAW THEM!

 The most amazing thing about Avant Vector is its smooth, almost
 transparent interface and extremely simple, consistent operation.  You
 can learn everything you need to get around in minutes, and be creating
 extraordinary graphics in no time at all!

 There are two versions of Avant Vector.  The high-end version, Avant
 Plot, contains extensive plotter support for serious professional
 applications, and EPS file import/export features.  Both Avant Vector
 and Avant Plot are available immediately. 


  --==* Repro Studio *==--

 Repro Studio is a next-generation graphics program with a dazzling array
 of professional features.  Available with or without a hand-held scanner
 (256 gray level), Repro Studio is the first ST graphics program to let
 you create and edit images with true grey tones, as well as standard
 monochrome or color images in many different formats. 

 In Repro Studio the dots that make up your image can be set to a grey
 level instead of being simply on (black) or off (white).  If you have a
 standard ST monochrome monitor, grey scales won't be shown on screen but
 rather are displayed as fill patterns.  But you _can_ edit them and
 manipulate them with Repro Studio for use with DTP applications and in
 professional printing situations.

 In addition to its grey level capabilities, Repro Studio has an enormous
 number of powerful tools for working with bit-image graphics, including
 flexible cut-and-paste functions, many shape and fill options, bezier
 curves, lasso and masking functions, pixel prioritizing, raster
 "screens" for printing purposes, anti-aliasing and dithering, the
 ability to combine pictures in many ways, the ability to read and use
 GDOS, Calamus, and Adobe Postscript fonts, and much more.

 Repro Studio is able to load many different types of graphics files,
 including IMG, TIFF, Degas, Art Director, and Neochrome formats.  After
 editing, touching up, or scanning, images can be saved in any of the
 above formats, or as Postscript files. 

 Repro Studio comes with or without a 256 gray scale scanner.  It is
 expected to be available by the end of the year, and like its companion,
 Avant Vector, will work with all ST, STe, and TT computers. 


  --==* Pricing *==--

 Retail pricing for Avant Vector and Repro Studio is as follows:

     Avant Vector ............ $ 495
     Avant Plot ..............  1195

     Repro Studio ............   195
     Repro Studio w/scanner ..   895


  --==* Special Introductory Prices *==--

 If you place your order before December 31, 1991, you can purchase Avant
 Vector or Avant Plot for the following prices:

     Avant Vector ........... $ 445 (a savings of $50.00)
     Avant Plot .............  1095 (a savings of $100.00)

 Order directly from us before the end of the year and save!  (Most major
 credit cards accepted.)

 For further information contact:

                             CodeHead Software
                               PO Box 74090
                           Los Angeles, CA 90004

                           voice (213) 386-5735
                           fax   (213) 386-5789


       ____________________________________________________________






 > Once upon a Time... STR Feature    "In the Garden of Atari..."
   ===============================



 In the Garden of Atari...

      Once upon a time there was a beautiful garden that had some, if not
 the finest, fruit to be found anywhere in the land of Tram.   This Garden
 was ruled by a wise and successful King of many years experience.  This
 Lord of the Garden had produced another Garden some ages ago(relatively
 speaking) that was the most successful of its kind.  The Garden Lord was
 tiring of the effort that had to be put forth to maintain this "new"
 Garden.  The Garden Lord said to his sons, "Here ye my sons, I will
 entrust this Garden to your hands, water it, feed it and make it grow as
 you have seen your father do for many years".  The sons, Princes of the
 Garden as they became, took the burden from their father and said "Father,
 we will do as you bid us, we will make you proud!".

      So the Princes planted the Garden with a new plant.  This plant was
 unlike any other in any of the other Kingdoms.  The plant, as the Princes
 so named it, was "Estee, Pride of the Land of Tram".  Word soon spread
 about the "Estee" plant and many came to see the wondrous new fruit from
 the old Lords' Garden.

      Many people from lands across the Great Sea came to see the Estee
 plant and wonder.  These people soon sent emissaries from their Lords to
 find out if they could purchase the fruits of the mighty Estee plant.  The
 "Keepers of the Garden" agreed to sell them the fruits of the Garden. 
 The Princes of the Garden agreed also.  So when the Plants starting
 producing the wonderful fruit, it was almost all shipped by the Great
 Sailing Ship to the land of Urope across the Great Sea.

       The people in the land of Tram received enough of the Estee fruit to
 whet their appetite for more, much more.  The Tramites approached their
 Princes about receiving more of this wonderful fruit that there Great Land
 produced.  Alas, the word from the Castle, Vale of the Sun, was not so
 encouraging.  The Princes proclaimed to the people that there is not
 enough fruit to go around.  The shipments to the Land of Urope had
 seriously caused shortages of Estee fruit available to the "Home Folk". 
 But do not fret said the Royal Family, for we will see that the Tramites
 get all they want from now on.  The people believed their Rulers and were
 pacified.

      Time passed.  The people cried for more Estee fruit.  The Word from
 the Vale of the Sun was the same," You will be receiving the Estee fruit
 that we promised real soon now".  The Tramites waited.  Time passed...

      The peoples from the other Kingdoms soon forgot about the Estee fruit
 and went about their everyday business with there own gardens, producing
 competing fruits for sale to the people of the many Kingdoms across the
 Great Land.

      Time passed...

      The people of the Land of Tram wanted more of their Estee fruit. 
 They had worked The Garden, plowed the rows, fed the plants and put many
 pounds of sweat into their home Garden fruit.  Still they received only a
 small percentage of Estee for their labor.  The Word from the Castle was
 that the majority of the Estee fruit would be sold to the local people
 first then the remainder would be sent to the Land of Urope.  Time
 passed...

      Soon MANY of the Tramites became disenchanted with the Royal Family
 and its many promises.  These people the left the Kingdom of Tram for
 other more honest and truthful lands where the people were given what the
 Lords promised.  

      Friction began to rise within the Court.  Some of the formerly
 well-liked officers of the Court of Atari were dismissed.  The people were
 shocked! Why are these the people to be removed from the Court, they are
 the most trusted of all in the Court of Atari.

      Suddenly, with a flash of light and the odor of cordite, there
 appeared two wise old wizards.  These wizards had been in the land of Tram
 long before it was known as Tram.  These Wizards were all about the land
 talking and listening to the people of this good land.  One Wizard named
 Troperts, approached the Princes of the Garden and foretold of bad things
 to come if the people of Tram were not given the priority over the
 Uropeans.  The other Wizard named Tenz, also approached the Princes and
 told them only things he knew they wanted to hear.  Troperts  was then
 frowned upon as a cynic and rabble rouser.  "Leave our Court!" said the
 Princes to Troperts.      



 to be con't......


            __________________________________________________


 > COLORSCAN STR Review                        Color IMG processing
   ====================




                          COLORSCAN by SKWare One
                          =======================



 by Doyle C. Helms



                           Color IMG processing

      Color Scan is a program that processes dithered IMG files from any
 source (MI-GRAPH hand scanner or ANY scanner that can produce dithered
 scans).  From within this program you load and manipulate these images
 with user definable color palettes or pre-defined default palettes.  Once
 the image has been completed, you can then save the finished image in one
 of many formats.

 DOCUMENTATION-

      The documentation for COLOR SCAN comes on the program disk
 pre-formated for immediate printout.  The documentation is very well
 written and understandable to even the most novice user.  Mr.  Webb's
 writing is enjoyable and humourous.  The manual amounts to 16 pages with
 no table of contents or index.  There is a "quick reference" printable
 document for fast lookups, so indexes or content tables are really not
 required for a manual this short.    

 PERFORMANCE-

      I have used this program for several weeks and have processed 100's
 of images in just about every possible option and I can gladly report of
 NO problems.The program runs only in ST low rez.  COLOR SCAN will run in
 ST (8 true gray scale, or 16 psuedo-gray) or the ST(E) true 16 gray
 scale.I am currently using a Mega 2 with a T-20 accelerator.  The program
 is of a very acceptable speed (in processing) at 8MHz.  The 20MHz mode is
 just a sheer joy to work with!

 USEFULNESS-

      This program can be a useful as ANY paint program.  How useful is a
 paint program? Well, it can be as much a pleasure as any game(more so to
 me) for passing time, expressing creativity etc.  I personally enjoy
 scanning images and then mixing them in various ways to produce a work of
 art <large humble grin>.  In my experience with video scanners,I have
 found that this program in conjunction with Touch-Up/hand Scanner far
 exceeds the capture of very small details that Computer Eyes could never
 achieve.  Once I have an acceptable scanned color(which is not difficult
 to achieve) image I then save the image in its native format (IM0, color
 IMG format).  I then save the image as either a TNY or Spectrum file.  The
 Spectrum file is saved in 20 color format vice the standard 16.  The other
 SAVE options include DEGAS PI1 and PC1 and IFF (which saves the file full
 length vice a cropped image in DEGAS or TNY if the image is larger than
 screen size).  COLOR SCANned color IMG files can be exported over to
 SEURAT 2.21+ for editing and saving in any foramt.

 USER INTERFACE-

      The interface for option selections is standard GEM buttons and
 dialogs.  Eaassyy! COLOR SCAN uses your currently selected fileselector of
 choice (UIS, LGS, etc.)     

 OVERALL IMPRESSION-

      Excellent! Currently this is the only program of it's type for the ST
 and darn well worth the price.  If you own a scanner of any type that will
 produce a dithered image you owe it to yourself to purchase this program. 
 The use of your scanner will increase exponentially! 


                         PROGRAMMING NOTES

         COLORSCAN was written entirely (no machine code nor compiled
 assembler) in GFA BAsic Version 3.5 and compiled in GFA Basic Version 3.5E
 Compiler.  GFA Basic is a product of GFA Systemtechnik.{If I had not told
 you this you would have NEVER guessed it!} 

                          SKWare One, Inc.
          [P.  O.  Box 277, Bunker Hill, Illinois 62014 USA]


       ____________________________________________________________




 > KNOW YOUR MODEMS STR FOCUS       A Comparison of High Speed Modems
   ==========================



                     A Comparison of High Speed Modems
                 Compatibility/Features/Differences/Prices

               Including: HST, V.32, V.32bis, V.42, V.42bis

              By Mike Ehlert, SysOp: PACIFIC COAST MICRO BBS

                      USR HST/V.32bis (805) 494-9386
                      USR HST 14.4k   (805) 497-3456
                      CC Speedmodem   (805) 496-7320
                            FidoNet 1:102/1001

 Edited by Jeff Rigby for the Atari Forum


                            A High Speed Modem
                            ==================

 Are you thinking of going to a High speed modem?

     2400 bps can be very slow for transferring large files.  Modems
 advertised as 4800 are really only 2400 with data compression such as
 MNP-5 or even just software data compression.  There are now some new 2400
 BPS modems with V.42bis, which claim 9600 bps Thruput.  Don't be fooled. 
 A 2400 bps modem with error correction will NOT be significantly faster
 when transferring compressed files such as ZIPs.  An actual 9600 BPS or
 faster modem will make a tremendous difference in your transfer time. Most
 9600 BPS users never want to go back to 2400.  There is a lot of confusion
 and mis-information about 9600 bps and faster Modems.  I wrote this to
 help clarify and point out the differences between the different modems
 available IBM compatible machines.

                            
                                 The CCITT
                                 =========

     The International Consultive Committee for Telegraph and Telephone
 (CCITT) set the V.32, V.32bis Standards in 9600 bps communications.   They
 have also set the standards of 1200 and 2400 bps in Europe which differ
 from the "BELL" standard in the US.  

     Unfortunately the V.32 standard was very expensive to implement for
 the modem manufacturers and several non standard 9600 protocols were
 developed and implemented since the release of the V.32 standard in 1984. 
 The HST has already become the industry standard in the IBM BBS world.   

     Since the release of new LSIC (Large Scale Integrated Circuits) that
 make the V.32 9600 baud modems very cost effective and the fact that the
 V.32 CCITT standard is a Public Domain (no license or royalty), there is
 more price competition going on with these than with the HST, which
 currently has no true competition.

                       Half Duplex Vs.  Full Duplex
                       ============================

     Half Duplex is When Data is Transmitted in one Direction at a time. 
 Full Duplex is both directions at once.  2400 BPS modems are Full Duplex
 The HST Modem uses an improved form of Half Duplex, in which one direction
 is transferring at high speed while the other direction is sending ACK/NAK
 signals at a slower speed.  A similar method is used on the Speedmodem.

     V.32 modems use Full duplex, which in most cases does not improve
 performance when used on a BBS.  There is one way to take full advantage
 of a Full Duplex Modem: By using a protocol called Bimodem to upload and
 Download at the same time at 9600 bps in each direction! Unfortunately
 Bimodem has not become very popular.  Most BBS's and users still use one
 direction transfer protocols such as Zmodem or YModem-G.

                       What is MNP, HST, V.32, V.42?
                       =============================

                                    MNP
                                         
     MNP (Microcom Networking Protocol) levels 1-4 are methods of error
 correction in which the two modems connected verify the integrity of the
 data transmitted.  Error correction is required for several streaming
 protocols such as Ymodem-G in which the protocol sends a constant stream 
 of data and lets the modems do the error correction.  This requires a
 clean, noise free line as streaming protocols will abort if line noise
 interferes too much.  These MNP Levels are used in almost all High Speed
 Modems Made today, But Just because two modems both have MNP it does not
 ensure that they will both talk to each other at over 2400 baud.

     MNP Level 5 is for data compression.  Since All BBS's have their files
 archived in ZIP, LZH, GIF or some such compressed format (try to ZIP a LZH
 file), MNP5 can actually increase the overhead by attempting to compress
 the file further.  Therefore BBS's leave MNP5 turned off, and so should
 the BBS callers.

 HST
 ---
     HST stands for "High Speed Technology" - a method of communicating at
 high speeds which was developed by US Robotics in 1984.  The original HST
 modems were 9600 BPS by using a 9600 bps channel in one direction and a
 300 (later 450) bps "back channel" in the other to send ACK/NAK signals
 for confirmation of data - a half duplex mode - often referred to as
 "ping-ponging".  In 1989 USR improved the HST to run at 14400 bps by
 further optimizing their proprietary method.

     All HST's sold now include the 14400 bps speed as well as the original
 9600 bps mode.  Because the HST 14400 bps is the raw speed, It allows the
 HST to transfer pre-compressed files such as ZIPs at faster speeds than
 any other 9600 bps modem: over 1700 Characters per second (cps).  The HST
 has become the "BBS-Standard" in high-Speed modems.  More BBS's use the
 HST than any other type of modem, including the V.32.

     As of January 1st 1991 all HST modems also include the V.42/V.42bis
 error correction and data compression (not to be confused with V.32).  The
 HST's can also be upgraded to the HST "Dual Standard" allowing it to also
 be V.32 compatible.  The price is significant for this upgrade however,
 and in very few cases is any speed gained.  V.32bis modems from USRobotics
 use an all new circuit board.  Previous models cannot be upgraded to
 V.32bis.  There IS a trade-in/trade-up program, but it's a not cost
 effective at $575.00 plus your old modem in trade.

 V.32
 ----
     V.32 is a 9600 Baud standard that was established by the CCITT back in
 1984.  V.32 is full duplex (9600 bps in both directions at once). 
 Normally this would be impossible, but using a technique called "echo
 cancellation", one modem can filter its own tones from the phone line,
 enabling it to pick out the signals from the other modem.  However, echo
 cancellation requires that high speed modems include built-in digital
 signal processor (DSP) chips, which is the main reason V.32 and V.32bis
 costs so much.  V.32 also includes a fallback to 4800, if line noise
 becomes a problem at 9600.  The V.32 standard also provides an optional
 error-reduction scheme, called "trellis-coded" modulation (TCM).  TCM
 allows 9600 modems to check for transmission errors with a redundancy bit,
 which results in fewer errors on noisy lines.  Most V.32's include this
 option, but some do not.

 V.32bis
 -------
     It was first realized in 1989 that it is feasible to push V.32 up to
 14400 bps, the same speed as the HST now runs.  This requires even better
 echo cancellation and an overall improvement in receiver quality, so it is
 also more costly to produce than the V.32.  V.32bis has not yet officially
 been finalized by the CCITT, but as of January 1st US  Robotics has
 started shipping a new version of their Dual Standard Modem which includes
 V.32bis in an early but functional form.  USR plans to update their DS
 ROMS when the CCITT actually release the completed V.32bis specification,
 scheduled for mid 1991.  It's expected that other Modem manufacturers will
 not be able to offer the V.32bis technology until the 4th quarter of 1991.

 V.42
 ----
     V.42 has nothing to do with actual modem speed, but how the error
 correction and data compression schemes interface.  When the CCITT
 approved V.42 in 1988, they decided to include two different error
 correction and data compression schemes.  The first one is MNP,(short for
 Microcom Networking Protocol) MNP classes 2, 3, & 4 handle error
 correction.  Note that MNP-5 was not included in the V.42 standard because
 it is only used for data compression.  MNP was made an official standard
 due to the large number of modems that currently use it.  

     The Second method is the preferred method, known as LAP-M (Link Access
 Procedure for Modems with only MNP is called "V.42 Compatible" and one
 with LAP-M its known as "V.42 Compliant".  If a V.42 Compliant connected
 to a V.42 compatible, it would first try to Handshake with LAP-M, and
 after it realized that the other modem is not Compliant, it would try the
 MNP Method, and they connect.

     Most V.32 modems are fully V.42 compliant, but they do NOT have to be,
 according to CCITT guidelines.  So when purchasing a V.32 modem make sure
 that it is also fully V.42 compliant, not just V.42 compatible.

     There are now some 2400 baud modems which are also V.42bis compliant,
 so since the LAP-M gives 4:1 data compression they are advertised as "9600
 throughput", which really can be misleading and confusing.  Don't be
 fooled by any throughput claims.  The raw speed is what matters when
 transferring compressed files such as ZIPs.

 V.42bis
 -------
     V.42bis is a new CCITT standard for data compression techniques, which
 was approved in late 1989.  To Support V.42bis, a modem MUST support both
 LAP-M and MNP-5, unlike the Standard V.42 in which LAP-M is only an
 option.   V.42 provides a maximum data compression of 4:1, giving a 9600
 bps modem a throughput of up to 38400 bps.  MNP only offers 2:1
 Compression.

     As I said above, data compression is not very useful when transferring
 pre-compressed files, (such as ZIPs) from BBS's.  V.42bis has a special
 ability, (unlike MNP-5) to determine if the file can be compressed further
 or not before making the an attempt to do so.  Therefore v.42bis will not
 slow down a ZIP transfer, and may even speed it up a little bit.

     Since V.42bis is implemented in firmware, many V.42 compliant modems
 can be upgraded to V.42bis with a new ROM chip.

 Speedmodem
 ----------
     A less expensive method of 9600 bps communication can be achieved
 without using the CCITTs method of "echo cancellation", so that a digital
 signal processor is not needed, making the cost much less expensive.  This
 method is used on the Compucom Speedmodems.  The Speedmodem uses Dynamic
 Impedance Stabilization (DIS) to increase the reliability of the telephone
 interfaces signal-to-noise ratio of the telephone line by increasing the
 clarity and power of the signal, and automatically compensating for
 impedance variations on the phone line.  This reduces the probability of
 line noise, allowing the Protocols to transfer files with less overhead. 
 It also has a faster fallback rate of 7200 bps if too much line noise
 exists for 9600 bps communications.  This makes the Speedmodem stand up to
 worse line noise conditions at a faster rate than V.32 can handle.

     The Speedmodem is available in two versions.  the "Speedmodem-Champ",
 and also the "Speedmodem-Combo".  The Combo is the same modem with the
 addition of a 9600 bps Fax, and a Voice-Mail system as well.  The Combo
 comes with BitFAX by Bitcom, and supports any other 3rd party FAX software
 which uses the standard CCITT AT-FAX command set.  The Voice-Mail software
 is currently still under development, which will allow your computer work
 similar to an answering machine, using the hard disk to store voice
 messages, and allowing several different message areas or "Mail-Boxes" to
 be accessed from a touch tone telephone.  

     A Data Compression called CSP (CompuCom Speed Protocol) is used to
 yield a compression of up to 4:1, giving a throughput of up to 38400 bps. 
 This however, like MNP5 will not be effective when transferring compressed
 files from BBS's, such as ZIP files.

     DIS and CPS are proprietary methods owned by CompuCom, Sunnyvale, CA.
 Because this modem is very inexpensive more people can afford to buy it,
 which could cause it to gain popularity quickly.  It is still a new
 product, but hundreds of BBS's are showing support for it.

     The one drawback to this modem is that it will connect to HST and V.32
 modems only at 2400 bps.  It will connect to other Speedmodems at 9600
 bps, and the Combo version will connect to Fax machines at 4800 or 9600
 bps.

 What Next?
 ---------
     By mid 1991 the V.32bis standard will be finalized, and by the years
 end several 14400 Bps full duplex modems will be on the market.  There is
 already talk of the CCITT releasing another standard, V.32ter in 1992,
 which will be for 19200 bps.  Since these modems are expected to cost
 considerably more than the V.32s currently on the market, they will be out
 of the price range of most BBS users.


 WHAT TO LOOK FOR
 ----------------

 THROUGHPUT:
 ==========
     You'll see ads claiming that you can attain 19200 bps or 38400 bps
 with a 9600 bps modem - this is true only if you are using MNP5 or other
 forms of data compression on uncompressed data or text files.  Any 9600
 bps modem using compression can transfer at that effective rate.  But for
 BBS use, where files are already compressed (such as ZIPs, LZHs, GIFs)
 MNP5 will actually slow down throughput by attempting to compress a file
 that is already compressed.  Generally when using a modem for BBS
 transfers, its the RAW speed of the Modem and not the throughput which is
 important.

 Figures of around 1700 cps by the HST modems are attained through
 proprietary methods not yet available on other modems.

 CONFIGURABILITY:
 ================
     In High Speed Modems, there is a lot more to configure than on a 2400
 bps modem.  Be sure your modem comes with NVRAM (Non-volatile Random
 Access Memory) that can store your modem configuration, making long init
 strings unnecessary.  Also many modems have dip switches to set the
 default configuration, which also simplifies things.   

 Your Hardware
 =============
     Can your computer hardware support the speedy new modems at their
 highest speed?  Can the BBS you are connected to support these speeds? 
 Generally NO.  Most serial ports/Hard Disk combinations can't support over
 19,200 baud.  Large RS-232 buffers can help and some effort to match the
 hard disk performance to the size of the RS-232 buffer would be advisable. 
 HD caches also help on slower PC systems.   Multi-line BBS systems suffer
 from time/job splicing further reducing their speed.

     Most Modem manufacturers are recommending that MNP5 and V.42bis not be
 used (configured off in NVRAM) in BBS systems.  There are two reasons for
 this, only one is mentioned by the Manufacturer.  The first is that ZIP
 compressed files don't show any decrease in transfer time since the
 V.42bis (4:1) compression can't further compress an already compressed
 file.  The second is that the majority of the BBS system hardware can't
 support a sustained 38,400 baud.

     Why offer Modems with transfer speeds over 19,200?  High end computer
 systems (UNIX and mainframe systems) can and usually do use speeds over
 19,200.      

     PC software usually has an option for 38,400 baud even though most
 PC's can't sustain those RS-232 rates.   There are HIGH end PC RS-232
 boards that can easily handle those speeds especially the EISA designed
 boards.  

     The Atari ST uses a 68901 for it's serial communication.  The Midi
 port uses a combination of 68901 and a 6850.  Several years ago I was
 involved in a project to use the MIDI port as a LAN and we needed to find
 the maximum transfer rate of the Midi port.  Turns out that it's speed is
 limited by the interrupt priority determined by the Glue chip and figures
 out at 31,500 bits/sec (baud).  The serial port has the the same
 limitation so no RS-232 speed above 19,200 is available in the Control
 panel or in Commercial Software.  (The next RS-232 speed above 19,200
 would be 38,400 baud and the max RS-232 (hardware rate) is somewhere below
 31,000 baud)

 The Atari TT for compatibility reasons only supports 19,200 in it's
 control panel but one RS-232 port can transfer at 91,000 baud and the
 others are surely capable of 38,400.  So we should see commercial software
 supporting those higher speeds by 92.  

 If Considering a USRobotics Modem
 =================================
 You only need to worry about whether you want the HST (which can be
 upgraded later to V.32), or the new Dual Standard which is HST, V.32 and
 now V.32bis as well.

 If Considering a V.32
 ========================================
 Some questions to ask:

                   Can you afford the USR "DS" instead?
       Is it V.42 compatible, V.42 compliant, or V.42bis? compliant
           If its not V.42bis or compliant, can it be upgraded?
                    Do Local/National BBS's support it?
                      What is the warranty? 5 years?

 If Considering a Fax/Modem
 ==============================
 some questions to ask:

          Does it both send and receive Fax (some are SEND only)
                  Does it support 3rd party FAX software?
           What's the Fax transfer speed Is it 4800 or 9600 bps?
                       What's the modem DATA speed?
                    Does it support MNP, V.42, V.42bis?
                    Does it support other compression?
                    Do Local/National BBS's support it?
                      What is the Warranty? 5 Years?


 Modem Compatibility Listing:
 ---------------------------
     These modems will usually be downward compatible with 2400 bps and
 slower modems, Which means they are also CITT V.22bis and Bell 103/212A
 compatible.  Most have an auto-fallback mode that will detect the highest
 negotiable bps rate.  If the modem is V.42 capable, it will fall back to
 MNP if the other modem is not LAP-M  capable, but is MNP capable.  Modems
 supporting MNP will connect with data compression/error correction with
 other MNP modems at the highest bps rate common between the two.  The
 speeds listed here are the actual Raw speed, and not the possible 
 throughput that can be achieved using data compression.
  
 Listed in alphabetical order by brand name - 

 Generic V.32 only
     Made by a number of companies using the CCITT method of communicating
     at 9600 bps.
     These are expected to become outdated as V.42 is added to most V.32
     modems.
     - Talks to other brand V.32 modems at 9600 bps.

 Generic V.42 Only
     If a modem is V.42 or V.42bis only, and not V.32, then it is only a
     2400 bps modem, and can only talk to other V.42 modems at 2400 bps
     (with supposed 9600 throughput using data compression) This is not
     considered a 9600 bps modem and should be avoided.
     - Talks to other brand V.42 modems at 2400 bps with LAP-M.

 Generic V.32 with V.42 (and/or V.42bis)
     These modems follow CCITT V.32 standard for communicating at 9600 bps,
     and also have V.42 data compression and error correction.
     - Talks to other brand V.32 modems at 9600 bps
     - Talks to other modems with the V.42 option at top negotiable rate.

 (Some Generic Brands include:
     Anderson Jacobson, Cardinal, Codex, Computer Peripherals, Digicom,
     E-Tech, Farallon, Fastcomm, General Datacom, Intel, Magic, Mastercom,
     Microcom, Multi-tech, NEC, Practical Peripherals, Prometheus, Radcal
     Vadic, Shiva, Telebit, Telenetics, USD, and many others just
     appearing.  Some of these offer LAP-M and V.42bis, and some do not.)


  Hayes V-Series:
     The early Hayes V-Series uses a proprietary method of communicating at
     9600 bps.
     - Talks other Hayes V-Series modems at 9600 bps.

  Hayes V-Series V.42:
     The Hayes V-Series V.42 uses the proprietary method of communicating
     at 9600 Baud but will incorporate the V.42 data compression and error
     checking.
     - Talks to other V.42 modems at 2400 with error
     correction/compression.
     Talks to other MNP modems at 2400 using error correction/compression. 
     Talks to other Hayes V-Series at 9600 bps.

  Hayes ULTRA:
     Uses CCITT V.32 and method for communicating at 9600 bps.
     Has MNP5 abilities.
     Has LAP-M abilities
     - Talks to Other V.32 modems at 9600 bps
     Talks to other modems with the V.42 option at top negotiable rate.
     Talks to other Hayes V-Series at 9600 bps

  Telebit Trailblazer:
     Uses proprietary PEP method of communicating at 9600 bps.
     Has MNP5 abilities.
     - Talks to other Telebit Trailblazers at 9600 bps.
     Talks to other MNP modems at 2400 baud with error correction/
     compression  

  USR Courier V.32:
     Uses CCITT V.32 method of communicating at 9600 bps.
     offers MNP5 abilities.
     - Talks to Other V.32 modems at 9600 bps.
     Talks to other modems with the V.42 option at top negotiable rate.
   
  USR Courier HST: (old version)
     Uses the USR proprietary HST method of communicating at 9600 Baud.
     Has MNP5 abilities.
     - Talks to HST type modems at 9600 bps.

  USR Courier HST: (current 14400 bps version)
     Uses the USR proprietary HST method of communicating at 9600 and 14400
     bps.
     Has MNP5 abilities.
     - Talks to HST DS's at 14400 bps
     Talks to HST (current) at 14400 bps
     Talks to old 9600 HST's at 9600 bps.

  USR Courier HST DS:
     The Dual Standard incorporates both the proprietary HST method of
     communicating at 9600 and 14400 bps,  and the CCITT V.32 method of
     communicating at 9600 bps.  (and V.32bis 14400 bps on units made after
     1/1/1991)
     Has MNP5 abilities.
     - Talks to Other V.32 modems at 9600 Bps.  
     (V.32bis models will talk to other V.32bis modems 14400 bps)
     Talks to other DS's at 14400 bps
     Talks to 14400 HST's at 14400 bps
     Talks to old 9600 HST's at 9600 bps.

 COMPUcom Speedmodem
      Uses the Proprietary DIS method of communicating at 9600 bps.
      Has 7200 and 4800 bps Fallback
      (Speedmodem-Combo Has CCITT FAX V.27ter & V.29)
      Has MNP5 abilities.
      Has CSP abilities.  
      (Speedmodem-Combo) Talks to Group III Faxs at 9600.
      -Talks to other Speedmodems at 9600 bps.
      Talks to other MNP modems at 2400 bps with error correction/
      compression

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Manufacturer           Toll Free       Charge Call     Support BBS 
 ============          ==============  ==============  ==============
 Anchor                (800) 541-2318
 Anderson Jacobson     (800) 438-8520  (408) 435-8520
 Cardinal                              (717) 293-3000
 Codex                                 (508) 261-4000 
 Compucom              (800) 228-6648  (408) 732-4500  (408) 738-4990
 Computer Peripherals  (800) 854-7600  (805) 499-5751  (805) 499-9646 
 Digicom               (800) 574-2730  
 E-Tech                                (408) 982-0270
 Farallon                              (415) 596-9100
 Fastcomm              (800) 521-2496  (703) 620 3900
 General Datacom       (203) 574-1118
 Hayes                 (800) 241-9625  (404) 441-1617  (800) 874-2937
 Intel                 (800) 538-3373                  (503) 645-6275
 Magic Modems          (800) 622-3475
 Mastercom                             (213) 834-6666
 Microcomm             (800) 822-8224  (617) 551-1000
 Multi-Tech            (800) 328-9717
 NEC                   (800) 222-4632  (408) 433-1250
 Practical Peripherals (800) 442-4774  (818) 706-0333
 Promethues            (800) 477-3473  (503) 624-0571
 Radcal Vadic          (800) 482-3427  (408) 432-8008
 Radcal Milgo          (800) 327-7909  (305) 846-1601
 Shiva                 (800) 458-3550  (617) 864-8500
 Telebit               (800) 835-3248  (408) 734-4333
 Telenetics            (800) 822-4267  (714) 779-2766
 USD                   (800) 631-4869  (205) 430-8000
 USRobotics            (800) DIAL-USR  (708) 982-5001  (708) 982-5092

                             Price Comparisons
                             =================
     Many Modem Manufactures offer BBS Sysop special prices directly, at
 50% off retail price.  Then the Sysop must agree to use the Modem on the
 BBS for some set amount of time, and include a banner in the logon screen
 mentioning the presence of the modem.

          Generic Brands         Retail          Sysop

          V.32 Only    EXT       $650-$1,000    ???? 
          V.32/V.42    EXT       $700-$1,000    ????
          V.32/V.42bis EXT       $700-$1,200    $339+

 Software Included: Varies (most externals come without software) Warranty:
 Varies 1-5 years


 Cardinal
 --------
 V.32/V.42bis MNP 5 EXT       $350-$400    $300+

 9600, 4800, 2400, 1200, 300, 1200/75 Baud Rates

 V.32, V.22bis, V.22, V.21, Bell 103 & 212A Standards

 AT Command set with Extensions, NVRAM, Auto Speed Conversion/Adaptive
 circuitry.

 Software Included: None
 Warranty: 1 year


 Hayes                    Retail      Sysop
 ------------------------------------------
 Ultra V.32/V.42          $1,199      $599
 V-Series V.42 (not V.32)   $999      $499
 V-Series 9600              $799      $399

 Software Included: None
 Warranty: 2 years

 COMPUcom                 Retail      Sysop 
 ------------------------------------------
 Speedmodem Champ (INT)    $169        N/A
 Speedmodem Combo (INT)    $279        $169

 The Combo includes BitFax and Voice-Mail software
 Warranty: 5 years

 Intel                    Retail      Sysop
 ------------------------------------------
 9600EX                     $799      $399

 Software included: None
 Warranty: 5 years

 Practical Peripherals    Retail      Sysop
 ------------------------------------------
 V.32/V.42  EXT             $699      $339
 V.32/V.42  INT              N/A      N/A

 Software Included: None
 Warranty: 5 Years

 Note: Originally these modems had several incompatibilities with other
 V.32 modems such as USR.  I'm told that P.P.  has now fixed the bugs, and
 is now shipping a reliable product.

 Telebit                   Retail       Sysop
 --------------------------------------------
 T1000                      ???        ???
 T1500 V.32                 ???        ???
 TrailBlazer INT            ???        ???
 Trailblazer EXT            ???        ???
 T2500 V.32/V.42            ???        ???

 (anyone have info on these?)
 Warranty: 5 years

 USRobotics                Retail       SysOp
 --------------------------------------------
 Courier Dual Standard E   $1,595       $699 
 Courier Dual Standard I   $1,395       $649 
 Courier V.32/V.42 EXT     $1,099       $599   
 Courier V.32/V.42 INT       $949       $577   
 Courier HST 14.4  EXT       $995       $449
 Courier HST 14.4  INT       $895       $405
 DS Upgrade Kit for HST EXT  $599       $300
 DS Upgrade Kit for HST INT  $499       $250
                                            
 Software included: None
 Warranty: 2 Years (extended warranties available for $25 per year)

 Document updates:

 Date       Release    Comments
 ----       -------    --------
 10/30/90   1.0        Initial Release.  Should have run a spell checker!
 11/08/90   1.1        Spelling fixes, V.32bis update, Speedmodem update 
 01/10/91   1.2        USR V.32bis Update, other minor corrections
 01/15/91   1.3        USR V.32bis corrections, Speedmodem update, more
 spelling
                       fixes.  Thanks to Remco Treffcorn
 02/13/91   1.4        Minor corrections, thanks to Bill Garfield





         ________________________________________________________




 > STR Portfolio News & Information            Keeping up to date...
   ================================



                         THE ATARI PORTFOLIO FORUM
                         =========================

 On CompuServe


 by Judith Hamner  72257,271


     Discussion on the forum message board centered on the topic of how 
 information should be distributed. Don Thomas posted a special price offer
 on  the developer's technical reference manual. Several members objected
 to the  non-disclosure agreement required of developers. A very intense
 debate on the subject ensued. An interesting sideline of the discussion
 was the proposal  for a "hacker's guide" for the Port.

     David Stewart had a special offer of his own for a forthcoming
 spellchecker on ramcard. There were also some favorable comments from
 membars about David's newsletter Re:Port. David has posted a price list
 for his Port products in the library. Look for REPRIC.DOC. SPELL2.TXT
 contains details of the spell checker offer.

     Several requests for help from new users prompted discussion of the
 best methods for file transfer between the Port and an ST or Mac. This 
 discussion always seems to produce new ideas. There are also several
 products dedicated to easing this transition.

     More members have purchased Flashdrives to use with their Port and
 other DOS computers. The inital reaction is that these little units are
 very  useful for expanding storage. Steve Schlanger reported that BSE is
 working to try to interface with some other palmtops.

     Larry Land reported on an ad for an A/D datalogger peripheral. David
 Hayden has been collecting information for a forthcoming  article on
 battery life. Some very interesting information has been shared in 
 COmmunity Square.



          ______________________________________________________

  
  
 > STReport CONFIDENTIAL                         "ATARI NEWS FIRST!"
   ===================== 




 - New York City, NY                        MEGA STE 1 -> HOBBLED!
   -------------------

     Seems the hardisk compartment is not capable of accepting an
 installation of a hard disk mechanism.  Hmmm the electronics are not there
 either.  What's this?  It looks like an instant replay of the "mutha
 board" episode of last year.  Remember??  The mega ST 2 that was
 intentionally made almost impossible to upgrade to 4 megs??  Well the
 "Troll of Misery" at Atari is at it again.  The Mega STe has what we will
 affectionately call the "Mutha Cover".  It, the cover for the hard drive
 comparrtment will not allow the installation of a hard drive.  Unless, of
 course, one purchases and uses the Atari installation kit.  Which by the
 way, is NOT available.  Why Atari??  Why this footshot now?  Didn't yo
 learn anything from the 'mutha board' episode?   tsk, tsk, tsk.
  




 - Palatine, IL                MISSION SOFTWARE RELEASES NEW DRIVER
   ------------

  
  Missionware Software (software with a mission) now has:

                            >>> DeskJet 500 <<<

 A text printer driver available for:      *** Printer Initializer ***

 This text driver was written by Bob Carpenter for Missionware Software and
 has been fully tested with a DeskJet 500.  Look for it as file "DJ500.PDT" 
 (It's a very short file and therefore not compressed.)

 What *is* Printer Initializer?  It's the "Ultimate" printer control
 accessory developed by Missionware Software to help *you* better control
 your printers.   With it, you can create your own text drivers!

 * Completely user customizable (but comes standard with drivers for
   Epson, Diconix and now DeskJet printers.)

 * Controls any printer on either the serial or parallel port...

 * Permits control of up to 6 printers from 1 desk accessory slot...

 * Works with any GEM program...

 * Permits you to easily and conveniently send commands to your printer
   for selecting fonts, styles, pitch and point sizes, type output,
   line feeds, carriage returns, line spacings; in essance, you can
   easily control *anything* your printer can do from this one program
   without having to embed control codes in the host program!

 * The program comes with a special install program that creates the
   drivers and a desk accessory that later users the drivers for printer
   control.

 * The programs work in either color or monochrome...

 * The desk accessory is fully compatible with MultiDesk (Copyright
   CodeHead Software)...

 * Our programs are not copy protected (they are serialized and
   personalized!) and are installable on your hard disk...

 * The program, with the DJ500 driver, is now available for $24.95
   direct from Missionware Software or your favorite dealer.  If not in
   stock, have your dealer order from Pacific Software Supply, our
   number one distributor.

 * If you don't own an Epson or Diconix or DeskJet, you can still
   create your own drivers for whatever type of printer you have.
   Missionware will also help you create a driver for free.  Just
   contact us directly either via the mail or on-line.

 Our address is:      Missionware Software
                      354 N. Winston Drive
                      Palatine, IL   60067-4132

 Personal checks, money orders and bank checks are acceptable.

 If you'd like to contact us online, we're on BIX (jtrautschold), CIS
 (73250,572) and GEnie (J.TRAUTSCHOL).  We also have demos available on all
 3 services.  Look for the file PRT_INIT.ARC for a fully functional driver
 install demo and tutorial (save function is disabled and the desk
 accessory is not included.).

 We look forward to helping *you* better utilize *your* printer...Use it to
 it's fullest potential!  For $24.95, you can't afford not to!




 - San Diego, CA                                HOLOBYTE NOT HAPPY
   -------------

     Hate to say this, but if the Atari ST version of Flight of the
 Intruder sells as many copies in the next 3 months that it sold the first
 month (which is usually the strongest month), we won't even make back the
 cost of testing the gaem -- let alone development.  Check with me in a few
 months if you're interested in how many copies we would sell.

 Essentially, the number is so small that even if we could sell an equal
 number of copies to STE owners, it wouldn't be worth the extra cost of
 programming.

                                                  No.19





 - TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL                    ISRAEL'S READY... IS ATARI?
   ----------------


  1073.3.16743.1 Atari Israeli factory, bankruptcy? 9/6/91 18:33 36/1838
         bill@mwca.UUCP (Bill Sheppard) Lines 1 to 14 of 36 (38%)

     ---I thought this might be of some general interest (don't kill the
 messenger!):

 Northern California Jewish Bulletin, 9/6/91, page 16:

 "Israel finally OKs Atari deal, waiting for Tramiel"

     "After months of haggling and intrigue, Atari and Israel have cleared
 what may be the final hurdle allowing the computer company to set up a
 plant in Israel - but snags and wild rumors still persist. "The Israeli
 Cabinet gave its OK Sunday to the final phase of a deal for Atari to build
 a $150 million computer-parts plant there."

     The article continues giving the troubled history of the deal,
 detailing the specifics of the factory and associated investment company,
 and various accusations of foot-dragging on both sides.

 Continuing:

     "Meanwhile, a new twist further casts the deal in doubt - a rumor that
 Atari will file for bankruptcy. "[Israeli] Treasury officials said Sunday
 that an investigation by the accountant-general showed the computer giant
 is close to bankruptcy - placing doubt on whether the government will
 receive any returns from its generous package of grants and tax breaks to
 the factory."  .. "Investment analysts in the Bay Area who follow Atari
 stock were entirely unaware of the Israeli Treasury report that Atari may
 go belly-up; Lee Isgur, an analyst at Volte and Welty and Co. laughed at
 the possibility - which he considered absurd - of Atari folding. "'If it
 were true, then their financial statement [released in early August] would
 be fallacious and they would be in jail,' said Isgur." --
  
           1073.3.16743.2 Re: Atari Israeli factory, bankruptcy?
        9/8/91 18:06 40/2541 saj@chinet.chi.il.us (Stephen Jacobs)

     There are some interesting points here which are worth kicking around. 
 The first is that Lee Isgur was an unfortunate choice as an expert, since
 he's an old Atari fan, and I believe he is or was a fairly big
 stockholder.  The next is that while Atari is clearly sick, the assets (on
 paper) are so much greater than the liabilities (on paper) that bankruptcy
 seems out of the question.  Basically, after the Federated deal collapsed,
 Atari was financially a burnt-out shell.  Now that it's generally back on
 its feet (although a lot smaller), it would be silly to ask for court
 protection.

     But there's a VERY interesting complication: Atari's second-biggest
 stock-holder, and a major creditor, is Warner Communications (or
 Time-Warner..  It can get confusing keeping up with company names
 sometimes), a company that's in VERY SERIOUS trouble.  That probably has a
 lot to do with Atari's bond repurchases in the last year:  Warner needed
 cash now, rather than more cash later.  If Warner's position in Atari was
 turned over to trustees, interesting (and not necessarily pleasant) things
 might happen.

    Were Atari to file for bankruptcy any time soon, not only would the
 recent financial statement look like fraud, the bond repurchases would
 look like looting of the assets by insiders.  The courts frown on that,
 too.  

     So given that the really nasty work of the last couple years is over,
 and that a bankruptcy would invite multiple legal problems, I think we'll
 have Atari to kick around for a couple more years, at least.

                                   Steve      saj@chinet.chi.il.us




 - Dallas, TX                                  THE CAGLE EXPOSE!
   ----------

 CTSY FNET

 Conf : ST Report
 Msg# : 14763/14771  Lines: Extended  Read: 200
 Sent : Sep 11, 1991  at 5:19 PM
 To   : All
 From : Nathan Prichard at The Melting Pot BBS, Dallas,TX
 Subj : Atari's BBS?


      For some interesting comments from the former sysop of Atari's
 BBS, here is a recent message from that same BBS.
                -------------------------------------------

 Message : 20049 [Open]  9-10-91  3:49pm
 From    : David Cagle
 To      : Mike Adey
 Subject : #20024 BBS Program trouble
 Sig(s)  : 1 (General)
    
     When I started at Atari's End-User Technical Support area (in March
 1990) There was one other tech person and 8 people in the Customer
 Relations department. My job was to help people with ANY of the products
 that Atari made (ranging from the original 2600 game machines up to the TT
 computers). Starting last October, the Customer Relations department lost
 some people because they had decided to leave the area. That cut the
 department down to about 5 people. Then in January '91, they took two
 people out of the department and moved them to different departments in
 the company, thus leaving 3 people in the department which is the main
 link with the customer.
    
     In mid-June, they laid-off one of the 3 people left in the department.
 That left 2 people to man the phones and take care of all the orders that
 were coming into the company from the customers that either couldn't find
 a dealer in their area or had dealers but the dealer didn't have any stock
 to sell them.
    
     While all this was happening, they laid off the only other tech, thus
 making me the only end-user tech (that happened in Aug '90).
    
     Then, in July, one of the last two Customer Relations people announced
 that he was going to go back to college and that he would be gone in
 Mid-Aug. Plans were made to get one of the people who had left the
 department back in January (and had then been laid off by the company in
 June) to come back and fill the vacancy. This plan was vetoed by Sam
 Tramiel. His reason being that the company had lost money during the
 previous quarter and that we had to cut back.
    
     With 600 calls coming into a department on a DAILY basis, plus having
 hundres of orders to handle during a week, it was decided that the
 technical support position would be phased out and I would be moved into
 Customer Relations. At this point we had over a month and a half of
 processed orders that needed to be filed and many months of inquiry
 letters needing to be answered, but we didn't have time to get to them
 during a standard 8-hr shift because we were constantly answering the
 incoming calls. We told of this, Sam Tramiel indicated that if we
 couldn't get the job done in the normal shift, either take the stuff home
 and do it there or stay late... but you won't be getting any over-time pay
 for this because "we have to start running this comapny like a Japanese
 company, and Japanese employees stay late all the time for no extra pay."
    
     At this point, both myself and the other gentleman in the department
 started looking for new positions elsewhere. He left the company on Aug.
 30th and I left the company on Sept. 6th. I have no idea what's going on
 at Atari at this point.
    
     Having used Atari computers for that last decade as my personal
 computer of choice, this really hit me hard. But... I felt that it was the
 best thing for me to do. I had been with the company for 18 months and I
 had never received a review of my work with the company.
    
     I will continue to push the Lynx game system as the hand-held game of
 choice, but I am seriously considering phasing out my Atari computer
 system at home for an IBM PC clone.
    
     I hope this explains everything... if you have any questions, drop me
 a line here or on GEnie. My mail address there is ROBOCOP.

 EDITOR NOTE:
 ============

     "In Japan....."   Gimme a break!!!!  This is the USA Sam!  Just in
 case you hadn't noticed!  You know, the country where most of your
 company's stockholders are.  Come to think of it, why don't you try
 following some of the better known Japanese Customs practiced in the
 Japanese business community?  

     Also (FYI) in Japan, the average lifespan of loyal, dedicated
 employees is much shorter than in the USA.  This is a direct result of the
 exploitation of the human resource in Japan.  Is this what you are
 alluding to??  You want MORE outta your loyal workers and wish to pay them
 less??  TRY STARTING AT THE TOP!
    
     Also in Japan, as one industry leader in the Atari Community remarked
 after reading this note, HARI-KARI for failures, is a traditional Japanese
 practice.




 - Orem, UT                             WORD PERFECT SEZ IT LIKE IT IS!
   --------


 Dear ......

     Thank you for your letter about WordPerfect Corporation's Atari
 development. I understand your concern.

     Each product we produce is set up as its own profit center. The
 revenues from the product must be able to support the resources dedicated
 to it. When we first started working on the Atari version we hoped that it
 would do well and be able to support ongoing improvements. This has not
 been the case. Though it would be nice to have the full 5.0 functionality
 in the Atari product, the revenues recieved are not enough to finance a
 full-fledged 5.0 development effort.

     Although we have not been able to upgrade the Atari version of
 WordPerfect as we have the DOS version, we continue to support version 4.1
 with toll-free customer support and occasional updates with necessary
 corrections. We hope that WordPerfect 4.1 for the Atari will continue to
 be of use to the Atari community.

     I am recieving quite a few letters like the one you sent. Perhaps you
 could pass this information along to other with similar concerns.

     I hope you continue to enjoy using WordPerfect for the Atari. If you
 have further questions or concerns, please write again or call me at (801)
 228- 5004.


                                             Sincerely,

                              Liz Tanner Corporate Communications


            __________________________________________________




 > XTRA-RAM STR InfoFil    eXtra-RAM Deluxe, a SOLDERLESS memory upgrade
   =====================


                                XTRA-RAM Deluxe
                                ===============

                     Upgrade any ST using inexpensive SIMMs


     PDC proudly announces the release of the Xtra-RAM Deluxe, a SOLDERLESS
 memory upgrade board that works on all STs and uses new cutting edge
 technology.

     Xtra-RAM Deluxe allows ST users to upgrade their machines using
 inexpensive SIMM boards.  Xtra-RAM Deluxe boards are fully compatible with
 all STs, including the older ones with weak MMUs (a special adaptor is
 included for those machines).

     The Xtra-RAM Deluxe retails for $169.95 (unpopulated, without memory)
 and is available through dealers nationwide.  PDC is offering Xtra-RAM
 Deluxes at a special rate of $139.95 for a limited time.  Also available
 are 2MB and 4MB versions at the special rate of $259.95 and $369.95
 respectively.

     The Xtra-RAM boards are high quality memory upgrades that have been
 proven again and again with over 10,000 satisfed customers around the
 world.


                                      PDC
                           4320-196th SW, Ste. B-140
                              Lynnwood, WA  98036

                 206-745-5980 - Call if you have any questions
                 800-255-8220 - Call to place an order anytime



       ____________________________________________________________





 > Hard Disks STR InfoFile          ***** ABCO SUMMER '91 SPECIALS! *****
   =======================




                       ** EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY! **

                      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 ADSCSI+ HOST ADAPTERS * FULL SCSI COMMAND SET SUPPORTED *
                  * SCSI EMBEDDED CONTROLLER MECHANISMS *

                   WE PAY SHIPPING!!!  >BLUE LABEL UPS!<

               Deluxe 2 bay Cabinet w/65w auto-switching PS
                   TIME PROVEN to be the most reliable!
            Model        Description      Autopark       Price
            ==================================================
            SGN4951      51Mb 24ms   3.5"    Y          479.00
            SGN1096      85Mb 24ms   5.25"   Y          549.00
            SGN2055     105mb 12ms   3.5"    Y          649.00
            SGN6277     120Mb 12ms   3.5"    Y          789.00
            SGN1296     170Mb 12ms   3.5"    Y         1019.00
            ==================================================
                 FULLY ASSEMBLED SCSI DRIVES DEDUCT $60.00
               ADD $35.00 for 4 BAY SUPER CABINET w/250+w PS
              EXOTIC TOWER CABINETS AVAIALABLE Call for Info!
              PLEASE NOTE: The above is partial listing only!

          CPU ACCELERATOR & MEMORY UPGRADES AVAILABLE & INSTALLED

        >> ABCO is now taking orders for 1040 & MEGA STe Computers! <<
                Call for VERY special Introductory prices!
                  ATARI COMPUTERS * STILL THE BEST VALUE!

           If you don't see what you want listed here, call us.
                Odds are we have it or, can get it for you!
                        AT THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICE!

                 "We service what we sell. (IF necessary)"

                      ****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******

       * SYQUEST 44MB (#555) >> ABCO "44" << REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE *

          - SYQUEST 44 MB DRIVE         - ICD ST ADSCSI PLUS H/A
          - ICD Utility Software        - 3' DMA Cable 
          - Fan & Clock                 - Multi-Unit Power Supply
                          (1) 44 MB Syquest Cart.
                --->> SPECIAL! NOW ONLY __$ 645.00__ <<---
                   **** SCSI UNITS -> ONLY $585.00 ****

                   WE PAY SHIPPING!!!  >BLUE LABEL UPS!<
                  COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED AND READY TO RUN!
                    Cart and Utility Software Included!

                        EXTRA CARTS:      $  74.50
                        DRIVE MECH ONLY:  $ 349.95

                      ****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******

   * TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT *
                       SPECIALLY PRICED ** $1019.00 **
                         Includes TWO cartridges!

    * SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS *
         - Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives -

             50mb SQG51   $ 819.00     85mb SQG96    $ 1019.00
                       
                 LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS
                      CUSTOM CONFIGURATIONS AVAILABLE

                   WE PAY SHIPPING!!!  >BLUE LABEL UPS!<

           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 COMPATIBLE WITH --> SUPERCHARGER - AT/PC SPEED - GCR
           LARGER units are available - (Custom Configurations)

                      *>> NO REPACKS OR REFURBS USED! <<*

       - Custom Walnut WOODEN Cabinets - TOWER - AT - XT Cabinets -

            * SLM 804 Replacement Toner Cartridge Kits $36.95 *
                       * Toner Starter Kits $59.95 *
                       * Replacement Drums $179.95 *

               >> MANY other ATARI related products STOCKED <<
                      ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED

                       -* 12 month FULL Guarantee *-
                         (A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE)

                   WE PAY SHIPPING!!!  >BLUE LABEL UPS!<
                 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

                ABCO is EXPANDING!!  CALL FOR INFORMATION!




       ____________________________________________________________




 > A "Quotable Quote"                 STReport's Editorial "Cartoon"
   ==================



                   "Doing business without advertising 
                                    is
                  like winking at a girl in the dark.....

           You know what you are doing, but nobody else does..."

                                        .... a wise and prudent observer



 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
                  STReport International Online Magazine
     Available through more than 10,000 Private BBS systems WorldWide!
 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
 STReport              "YOUR INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE"    September 13, 1991
 16/32bit Magazine          copyright   1987-91                     No.7.37
 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
 Views, Opinions and Articles Presented herein are not necessarily those of
 the editors/staff,  PCReport, STReport, AMReport, MCReport.  Permission to
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 must include  the name of the publication, date, issue #  and the author's
 name.  The entire publication and/or portions therein may not be edited in
 any way  without prior  written permission.   The  entire contents, at the
 time of publication, are believed to be reasonably accurate.  The editors,
 contributors and/or staff are not responsible for the use/misuse of infor-
 mation contained herein or the results obtained therefrom.
 """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""