🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <CMM.0.88.624863922.cmm1@cunixa.cc.columbia.edu>, cmm1@CUNIXA.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU (Christopher M Mauritz) writes:
> Well, unless you are a diehard Atari fan (I know, there are still a few
> left), I would advise you to buy the 25mhz 386 now (if you do indeed
> need it now).  Besides, if you want to use it for work you would be
> much better off with an industry standard 386 rather than the TT (if it
> ever does hit the market).  You'll be able to get software for nearly
> every application at reasonable cost and not have to worry about the
> lagging support of Atari Corp and vaporware promises.  It is really to
> bad.  The 68030 is such a nice mpu compared to the Intel mpu's. (add ^
> an o here)  Besides, who needs another workstation with non-industry
> standard 16 bit slots.  C'mon...what a waste...Although I would like to
> see the TT fly, I don't think you will see it happen (That is IF you
> ever see a TT up close and personal...Ha!)


Not only are 80386 PC computers available there have been some really great
prices in misc.forsale for 25 MHZ 80386 computers with 1024 x 768 x 16colors
color graphics. something beyond the power of a TT, I believe. Also, the ads
I have seen indicate that the 80386 PCs have 32 bit, 16 bit, and 8 bit 
motherboard busses, so can use a whole spectrum of IBM PC plugin boards (things
like hard disk on a card, internal modems, additional serial i/o, eprom
burners, geez just all sorts of things that Atari customers are too cheap
to want to buy!!).

I am waiting for UNIX Sys V with X Windows to hit it big on the IBM PCs.
I expect my next computer will be an Intel 80486 with UNIX and X Windows.
And plenty of card slots.

So, that kinda leaves Atari and the VaporWare TT/P (for Plastic, sheez what
a great name for a computer. A Plastic computer. Oh boy!!) for someone else to
buy!!

> 
> Now that I've got my own little 68030 worksation (named after a popular
> red fruit <grin>) and have it actually in front of me (yes, you can
> actually see and touch it!), I can't believe how slow my ST seems in
> comparison.  All I use my ST for now is Air warrior and an occasional
> game.  Best of luck in your computer search!
> 
> Chris Mauritz

Actually, Chris Mauritz has a valid point that no one at Atari can deny.
That is 
	DELIVERY
		DELIVERY
			DELIVERY

Atari announces a product and then Cries "FCC!! FCC!! FCC!!" as if no other
computer maker is subjected to testing by the FCC. Only Atari has to be delayed
by FCC testing!! So, Atari announces a product and months (or years in the case of
the CD ROMS!!) go by and no delivery. And finally when they do deliver it is
much less then the announced product. The Mega ST is an example of this. The
Blitter is less powerful then it was promised. And even the DMA port isn't
buffered, so you can overload it if you use a couple of hard drives and the
Atari laser printer. Some robust business computer that Mega turned out to be!!

So, from past experience we can expect a CHEAP 68030 machine from Atari that won't
be expandable and will be margin in other aspects.

Godd luck Atari!!

Richard (The Whiner (tm) ) Covert

P.S. As much as I am disappointed by the TT and what it implies about Atari
I still like my ST better then a Mac. In that regard I like to close my posts
with a description of a program that I like about the ST.

This message ends with my endorsement of the WERCS Resource Construction Set
marketed by MICHTRON. It is very easy to use to build RSC files for a whole
host of langauges. WERCS has a utility to convert DEGAS pictures into icons
that can be included in your RSC. WERCS has a TEST mode where you can see if
your buttons work. WERCS can convert RSC from other RSC editors. All in all,
I find WERCS to be an excellent tool for the ST programmer!!

rec