🚀 go-pugleaf

Well, after examining the response to my MIDI question, the general
chatter in the comp.sys.atari.st news, and, more than any other single
person, Richard Covert,  I have decided *not* to buy an Atari anything.

Atari has had its head stuck [...] since before I used to sell the 800/400's 
eight years ago.  I have no doubt that there are innovative people working
at Atari, but the _machine_ that is the structure of the company is slow,
inefficient, and lacks focus.


BUSINESS__
Atari will *never* be considered a business computer.  They shouldn't attempt
to wear that label.  They could, however, actively `interface' with what's
going on in the business world in order to support those users who require
both what the Atari is good at, as well as business-type applications (e.g.:
spreadsheets).  

Atari has a name for games; an arena they've been thrown out of by Nintendo.
Atari has a name for graphics, though not quite as good as Amiga, & Mac II.
Atari has a name for sound.  MIDI built in is a nice feature, but unless this
is your exclusive use, there are better systems out (even in terms of
cost-effectiveness).  These shortcomings can all be overcome, though. TT?  ATW?

THE_CRUX__
What Atari also has a name for (over 8 years) is poor support, both for the
users/developers, and the stores who sell their products.  Let's focus on the
business & marketing people, as well as whatever Tramiel is `in charge'.  This
general area is where the heart of the problem lies.  And frankly, yes, I do
think I could do better.  Judging from the talk here, so do many others.

Marketing has done a very bad job.  With no focus, what is their target?
It is possible to design and build a wonderful, wonderful system, but the
engineers don't decide what to build.  That's under the direction of the
upper echelon.  

RECAPPING__
Well, I didn't want this to be a novella.  I just thought a better focus
for criticism (well deserved) would be the "decision makers."  
Simply put:




                          Atari, 
          
                       You blew it.



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                             |
Brandon G. Lovested          |	"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped,
		             |	 indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered!
brandonl@amadeus.WR.TEK.COM  |	 My life is my own."  
                             |
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