problems with arc/arcx
j...@mitre-bedford.arpa.uucp
correctly on the modern 8-bitters (XL/XE)? John Dunning reports that the
version I sent him does NOT. It does however work fine on his 800 and on
my 800XL with OMNIVIEW. Others would probably have to run the Translator
Disk. That sounds rather silly, so I would like to get a more compatible
version.
-John Sangster / j...@mitre-bedford.arpa
con...@msudoc.uucp
Is Atari purposely killing the 8-bits?
This question is, for the most part, brought on by the recent "high"
prices put on the XE machines. Coupled with the already low ST prices
it's obvious that the decision to go with either an XE or an ST is being
made for the buyer. Other things that seem telltale are A.) The "game"
title was slapped on the new XE machine, B.) The 3.5" drive and 80
column card do not exist. (Sorry gang, but unless I can _buy_ it, it
doesn't exist. That's only fair. I dont buy things with promised money,
and I can't purchase promised products.) C.) When ICD wanted more
Parallel bus information to build the MIO box, they had to sign
non-disclosure agreements. A _FAR_ cry from the open-architecture of
Atari past which even distributed the source code to the OS, D.) Atari's
recent telling the guy who did the ST's 8-bit emulator that he couldn't
touch the OS code.
None of these events are the actions of a company with an interest in
the 8-bit's future. That's fine, since they aren't making as much on the
8bit as they are on an ST, but I'd like to know if this is the
committed direction. I, and something like 2 or 3 million other people
have hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars tied up in 8-bit hardware, and
would like to think that if Atari is no longer interested in marketing
the machine, they would at least release it to the public domain to
allow third party small time vendors support the existing owners of the
machine or build compatible upgrades. Like the Commodore-128 or the
Coco-3, a new machine that would only really interest existing owners,
but would give them a 'full power' machine that they can keep their
existing software and periperhals going on.
Terry Conklin
ihnp4!msudoc!conklin The Club (517) 372-3131 now w/2400
con...@mich-state.edu The Club II (313) 334-8877
Marc L. Appelbaum
> The 3.5" drive and 80 column card do not exist.
> they had to sign non-disclosure agreements.
As for the 80 column card I saw one working at the Allentown Atari
Expo! Recently there was a posting on GEnie from one of the ATARI Base
SYSOPS concernig the XEP-80. He said it is in production. He didn't
say when it should be out. Also the 1200baud modem it getting ready
to come out. As for the 3.5" drive I don't remeber hearing an
OFFICIAL announment just a lot of rumors.
Now the non-disclosure agreement is a standard form for all companies.
Just because the old Atari didn't make people sign them doesn't mean
the NEW Atari should do the same. All the agreement says is that the
info we give is not to be given out. Now I'm sure if you had a valid
reason for the info they would be glad to give it you.
I really don't think ATARI is killing the 8bit. Things just take
time. There are new version of AtariWriter Plus coming out for the
XEP-80. Also if you think they're killing it, how about giving some
suggestions. All I've seen is complaints!
--
Marc L. Appelbaum
Arpa:appe...@topaz.rutgers.edu Bitnet:appe...@zodiac.bitnet
Uucp:rutgers!topaz!appelbau GEnie: M.APPELBAUM
Hans Breitenlohner
>..... Now I'm sure if you had a valid
>reason for the info they would be glad to give it you.
>
Chadwick, the author of "Mapping the Atari") has been able to get
listings or documentation for the XL operating system would appear
to be cause for disagreement with this.
Neil Harris
8-bits?
One way to answer that would be to give you a tour of our warehouse. If you
could see the number of 8-bit computers and software in inventory, you'd
know we are highly motivated to keep the line going.
Regarding the new XE Game System, which on the first glance is a slap in
the face to those who know how powerful the 8-bitters are -- this system is
purely a strategic move on our part. In order to keep the 8-bit line going,
we must do two things:
1. Get the computers available in more stores, and
2. Get new software developed for them.
Software is not being developed by and large because of problem #1. So
which stores do we go to? The mass merchants, who sold the bulk of the
hundreds of thousands (not, unfortunately, millions) of Atari 8-bit
computers out there, are currently retreating from the computer business.
K-Mart carries NO computers. Ditto for Montgomery Wards. And for J.C.
Penney's.
On the other hand, these same stores are doing a fabulous business in game
systems like Nintendo, Sega, and, of course, Atari.
The solution, from a business point of view, was to develop a product that
would be appealing to the mass merchants (and also to the public which buys
there), one that also accomplishes the corporate objective of revitalizing
the 8-bit line.
So what we have with the XE Game System is essentially a 65XE in disguise.
Internally it contains 64K of RAM, the standard OS and BASIC in ROM, two
joystick ports, SIO port, etc. It is completely compatible with the current
8-bit line, including software.
Physically it is more appealing to those who don't want a computer but who
do want to play games. The main console simply has the 4 console keys from
the XE (Start, Select, Option, and Reset), plus the cartridge port and
connectors. The keyboard is a separate unit which plugs into the console.
When someone buys the XE Game System, they get the complete package --
console, keyboard, light gun, and 3 programs (including a new version of
Sublogic's Flight Simulator including scenery, all on a single cartridge).
We expect stores to do a great business in these. We'll make available the
current library of cartridge software, plus we're converting some disk
programs into cartridge format for this system. As time goes by, we expect
to see dramatic increases in sales for 8-bit software -- hopefully, this
will also include practical applications as well as games. This should in
turn encourage developers to create new titles for the 8-bits.
Once things get moving again in the mass merchants, the current supply of
8-bit computers should also get moving through the dealers -- after all,
they make a better value than the game systems, and take up less space.
So, those few of you out there who are looking at Atari management as the
evil group who are plotting to quash the 8-bit line, you have it all wrong.
We're trying hard to keep things moving forward. Without the distribution
and the software, no amount of advertising and new hardware development
could work. The XE Game System is our best hope to keep things moving.
--
--->Neil Harris, Director of Marketing Communications, Atari Corporation
UUCP: ...{hoptoad, lll-lcc, pyramid, imagen, sun}!atari!neil
GEnie: NHARRIS/ WELL: neil / BIX: neilharris / Delphi: NEILHARRIS
CIS: 70007,1135 / Atari BBS 408-745-5308 / Usually the OFFICIAL Atari opinion