🚀 go-pugleaf

/* Written 11:34 pm  Nov 12, 1989 by Bob_BobR_Retelle@cup.portal.com in uxf.cso.uiuc.edu:comp.sys.atari.st */
Some text deleted...
 
Atari Corp is a toy company which has established a reputation for being
poorly managed, and for its capricious treatment of its users, dealers
and suppliers.  While the "Atari ABC" may be the computer of the week now,
you may find yourself holding an obsolete system when they go off after the
next glittering gizmo and leave you with an unsupported orphan next week.
/* End of text from uxf.cso.uiuc.edu:comp.sys.atari.st */

	Try to control your passion there, Bob.  Take a breath...
  	I am a computer engineer at the U of Illinios
in Urbana / Champaign.  I am using an Atari with 2mb internal memory,
50 meg of hard drive, an 8Mhz 68000, and a (Robotics) courier 2400 to
write this note.  I also use it for two of my three classes and to access
the Library Computer system.  Don't you think "toy" might be an inappropriate
choice of words.  This system will out-perform the majority of the IBM hardware
out in the streets today.  In fact the IBM emulator on my Atari has a Norton
SI rating between 2.5 and 3.0 because of the power of the 68000 (RISC
architecture).  I can also read and format IBM formatted IBM DD/DS 3.5" disks,
and with some software and a couple of chips could emulate a Mac as well.
	I am a month from graduation as a computer engineer, and I consider
the Mega ST2 to be a fairly powerful machine (definitely out of the range of
toy).  I would further state that it can clearly outperform any IBM in its
price range for the majority of tasks a home user would want.  Do you beg to
differ with me ?  I got my system for slightly over $2000.  What do YOU
own.  I'll bet it's 1) more expensive or 2) less powerfull or 3) another
"toy" computer.
    On a similar note, Atari doesn't have a history of producing obsolete
equipment.  Do you consider the M68000 to be any more obsolete than the
equally new 80286 technology IBM uses?  If and when the TT is delivered, it
will use the 68030, which will still run my 68000 programs.  My ST software
library will not be wasted.  Please give a name to this "unsupported orphan
product".
	On the other hand, you are right about their tendancies to introduce
new ideas into the marketplace before they can back them up with hardware and
also about their lack of support for dealers.  Some entities like businesses
who require a full-service shop with personel knowledgeable about the products
would be ill-advised to get an Atari.  However, for my personal use, I have
*never* had to bring an Atari in for service.  The Atari has made a lot of
sense for me, and I don't regret having purchased it.  In the few cases where
there are trouble though, it will be more difficult (not impossible though,
I have a full-service dealer within 5 miles of where I live for example) to
get repairs.  Also, if you want to run protected IBM or MacIntosh software,
then an Atari is out.  Overall, though, I'll definitely take my Atari.
P.S.  I have used IBM's and Macintosh's quite a bit in school.  The IBM's are
too expensive and their software isn't nearly as user friendly.  The Mac's are
black and white on a too-small screen.  The Mac II's are very nice, but too
expensive.  There are my opinions.  I think most of us are *quite* familiar
with yours by now :)