🚀 go-pugleaf

For the most part, I'm in agreement with Simon...  I can't comment on any
possible effects the new Amigas  might have on Atari (this was the first time
I'd ever even heard of the A500--I'm kind of out in the computer booneys (sp?))
, but, having worked at a computer store that also developes Atari software,
I've experienced first-hand the problems of vaporware and Atari developer
support.  In regards to vaporware, both Atari and Jack Tramiel have reputations
for producing mounds of the stuff, and that can make it very hard to sell what
you already have.  In regards to developer support, oooohhhh, shudder.  When
my store ordered their developer pack, it came (about 4-6 weeks after we'd sent
for it) in a box that was about a foot square, with the five or so disks at the
bottom of the box (they weren't destroyed, thank goodness).  There was a number
given in there for developer's support--in the person of Richard Frick.  When
we called that number, about 50% of the time he wasn't around (he always seemed
to be at a show someplace, or preparing for one, or on vacation).  If he wasn't
there, most of the time there was NO ONE ELSE to answer our questions.  If he
was there, about 40% of the time he could give us a helpful answer over the
phone.  Another 20% of the time he said he'd send us some sample code (which
either never came, or came after we'd called and asked for it several times--
several WEEKS later).  The rest of the time he'd not be able to give us an
answer.  Because of this terrible developers enviroment, our programers were
basically unable to get anything done until OSS Pascal came in!  In fact, the
person who was still using the Developer's C often refered to the OSS Manual
to try to figure out just what a routine was asking for!
    In contrast to this, let me relate an experience I had with the OLD Atari:
A teacher friend of mine loaned me his copy of the old PILOT language to fool
around with.  For some reason, I wanted to do the equivalent of PEEKing and
POKEing in that lang., but the manual didn't tell you how to.  So, I just dug
out my 800 number for Atari (gee, what's an Atari 800 number?!), called them
up, and asked.  The lady who answered said she'd send me some information and
asked me for my name and address (didn't ask for any proof of ownership, or
anything) and told me she'd get the info right off.  Two *DAYS* later it came:
a 50-60 page photocopied reference of technical pilot info and internal memos!
I was floored.  Ah, for the old days...
    As for the Atari PC, I don't know if I agree with Simon or not...  It seems
 to me that nobody in the business world will even look at you if they don't
see the name IBM or IBM clone--take for example the weekly magazine, Computer
World--when they did a report on the recent CES show, they didn't even mention
the Mega machines, just the PC... Oh well.
 
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What I'd like Atari to do... (or Scott Udell's pipe dreams)
 
Wouldn't it be great if Atari started an major tradein/upgrade policy?
Take for instance Apple and the Apple II--I hear that you will be able to
upgrade an Apple II+ to an Apple IIGS with a board upgrade that,  while still
expensive, isn't the price of a new GS.  Say if you could send in your 1040
and enough $ to cover the extra cost (beyond cost of parts recoverable from the
1040) plus enough to make some profit, and Atari would send you back a Mega
machine...  They are already doing this on a small scale with 520s--you can
send in your 520 along with $90 to get a motherboard refit (or is it a complete
ly new machine?), that would include roms (even if your old unit didn't have
them), the r/f modulator, and the newest revision of the motherboard.  They
can then scavenge the rest of the parts for re-use.  Such a trade in policy
would also stop any possible flood of way-underpriced used 520/1040's from
hitting the market, there by hurting Atari's profits in the sales to completely
new ST owners....  Hey... JT?  ST?  LT?  Allan? Neil?  You guys listening?
Hey, knock knock...  anybody in Atari paying attention to us?
 
 
Comments, anybody?
 
                                        Scott Udell