News - Oct.89 - Dec.89
From: Atari SIG (xx004@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 02/14/94-03:05:12 PM Z
From: xx004@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Atari SIG)
Subject: News - Oct.89 - Dec.89
Date: Mon Feb 14 15:05:12 1994
Time Capsule - News - Oct.89 - Dec.89
-------------------------------------
News Subject Title Date Posted
------------------ -----------
1989 SECOND QUARTER REPORT Oct.10,1989
The Cordless Mouse Oct.17,1989
WordUp 2.0 Oct.22,1989
STSCAN version 1.5 released Nov.15,1989
Developers form 'self defense' group Nov.15,1989
CompuFest '90 Dec.05,1989
JRI / Genlock Dec.22,1989
ISD / DynaCADD 1.7 Dec.22,1989
MichTron / Fleet Street 3.0 Dec.22,1989
Abacus / Portfolio Guidebook Dec.22,1989
Atari/Developer Partners Dec.24,1989
1989 Third Quarter Report Dec.26,1989
--------------------------------------
-Article #166 (373 is last):
-Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
-From: aa399 (Len Stys)
-Subject: 1989 SECOND QUARTER REPORT
-Date: Tue Oct 10 00:18:13 1989
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|ATARI|
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| LLLLLLLLLLLLLL|
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1989 SECOND QUARTER
REPORT
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Net sales for the quarter were $82.7 million compared to $102.5
million for the same quarter last year. Operating income was $5.4 million
compareed to 17.1 million, net income was $0.3 million compared to $5.6
million.
Net sales for the six months were $171.5 million compared to $200.8
million for the same period last year. Operating income was $11.6 million
compared to $32.4 million; net income was $3.6 million compared to $11.2
million.
The decline in revenue and profits compared to last year can be attributed
to two principal factors, exchange rate fluctuation and depressed video game
sales in the United States. Computer sales in Europe continued to grow
during the quarter despite a 10% price erosion due to adverse currency
fluctuations. Video game sales, primarily in the U.S. market, remained
depressed as a result of the alleged unfair monopolistic practices of an
international competitor, which are now the subject of litigation.
Since the end of the second quarter, we shipped several thousand
units of the Atari Portfolio, the new hand-held MS-DOS compatible personal
computer. Initial feedback from the marketplace has been very encouraging.
Production of Portfolio is ramping up in the third quarter and will be at
targeted production levels in the fourth quarter.
We also recently announced "Lynx," a new handheld color LCD game system,
and intend to begin shipping in volume during the fourth quarter of this year.
Sam Tramiel, President
||| ATARI
/ | \ corporation
ls
-Article #167 (373 is last):
-Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
-From: aa400 (Phillip M. Chow)
-Subject: The Cordless Mouse
-Date: Tue Oct 17 03:32:16 1989
Practical Solutions ships tailless mouse
Practical Solutions, Inc. announced The Cordless Mouse, a new innovation
in input control. Compatible with the entire ST computer line, The Cordless
Mouse utilizes the latest in infrared signal transmission technology to give
all mouse users long-awaited freedom. It can be operated from up to five feet
away from its base receiver, eliminating those old cable tangles, while provid-
ing faster and smoother mouse movement.
Company president Mark Sloatman states, "This new mouse will advance the
state-of-the-art for all input devices. Our mouse features a sleek, light-
weight, contoured design allowing ease of use for both right and left-handed
operators."
The Cordless Mouse uses an 8bit, 12 MHz CMOS CPU, which provides a high
resolution of 200 cpi and a tracking speed of up to 600 mm/sec. The Cordless
Mouse also has an automatic shutoff to extend battery life (two AAA batteries
required). No special gridplate or mousepad is necessary.
The Cordless Mouse is scheduled for release in October with a suggested
retail of $129.95. It comes with a one year limited warranty and unlimited
technical support. The company states that early response indicates an
overwhelming demand, especially for those who yse their mouse everyday.
Sloatman says, "Once you've used our mouse you'll never want to use any other.
Our goal at Practical Solutions is to continue to offer the most innovative
and reasonable priced products available today."
For further information contact,
Practical Solutions
1135 N. Jones Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 95716
(602) 322-6100
-Article #170 (373 is last):
-Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
-From: aa400 (Phillip M. Chow)
-Subject: WordUp 2.0
-Date: Sun Oct 22 08:28:06 1989
Neocept announces WordUp version 2.0
Neocept, Inc. announces the release of WordUp version 2.0. This new
version is said to have over 60 improvements.
In addition to Neochrome, Degas and IMG formats, GEM metafile pictures can
now be imported. According to company president Shelby Moore III, WordUp 2.0
does a better than average job of supporting text within metafiles, especially
those pictures that have been resized or cropped. GEM metafiles are especially
useful for incorporating high quality business graphics or technical
illustrations.
Other features that have been added in version 2.0, include multi-level
hanging indents, scaling of installed fonts up to 50 points, 360dpi 24-pin
printouts, foreign and extended character set support, and mail merge support
for Regent Base and The Informer.
Shelby stated that version 2.0 has greatly improved scrolling speed and
typing response. In addition, color monitor users now have the option to use
monochrome fonts for greatly improved readability.
Some of the other improvements inclde 40k more memory with 520ST, no more
crashing when manipulating pictures, does not turn mouse off with desk
accessories, and numerous other crashing type bugs fixed. Registered owners
should have received an upgrade form from the company by now.
WordUp is a full featured word processor that allows you to mix multiple
fonts and graphics in a document. WordUp has a suggested retail price of
$79.95. For more information contact:
Neocept, Inc.
547 Constitution, Unit A
Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 482-4446
-Article #180 (373 is last):
-Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
-From: aa400 (Phillip M. Chow)
-Subject: STSCAN version 1.5 released
-Date: Wed Nov 15 18:57:37 1989
STSCAN v1.5 released
Campbell, CA - Navarone Industries, Inc. announces the release of STSCAN
Version 1.5. Several new features are added along with enhancements of some
old features.
Four new disk file formats for saving scanned images include DEGAS Full
Screen, Tagged Image File Format (TIFF), Encapsulated PostScript and Compressed
TIFF.
DEGAS Full Screen format allows saving the full page, scanned image as a
72 dot per inch (dpi) file. The previous version allowed only a portion of the
image to be saved, due to the limitation of 32k fle format. Encapsulated
PostScript, TIFF and Compressed TIFF will now permit the scanned images to be
imported into a desktop publishing programs on the IBM, compatibles and
Macintosh computers.
STSCAN's Full Page scan feature has been enhanced to more accurately
represent the scanned image by presenting it on the display screen at 72dpi
rather than the previous 75dpi display. The Full Page scan also now accepts
halftone and intensity settings to preview the image.
At times, the size of the file to be saved may exceed a megabyte of data.
While saving the scanned image to a disk file, a progression box is now
displayed, indicating the progress of the save.
Several keyboard comands have been added to supplement the dropdown menu
selections. This helps to eliminate using the mouse for activatiing features
of the program. The user may now print directly to the Atari SLM804 laser
printer from within the STSCAN program.
A new program, STCOPY, is also provided with the package. STCOPY along
with the Atari SLM804 laser printer turns the computer system into a copy
machine. Scanned pages or previously saved .IMG files may be printed. A
dialog box allows up to 999 copies to be printed at once.
STCOPY does not use the Diablo 630 emulator, it uses its own interface to
the SLM804. A dialog box permits selection of either Manual or Automatic paper
feed.
STSCAN 1.5 plus the STCOPY program, priced at $25, is available from:
Navarone Industries, Inc.
454 Kenneth Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 378-8177
-Article #181 (373 is last):
-Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
-From: aa400 (Phillip M. Chow)
-Subject: Developers form 'self defense' group
-Date: Wed Nov 15 18:58:28 1989
Developers Form 'Self Defense' Group
____________________________________________________
Charge Atari 'hinders' development, by Nevin Shalit
Fairfax, VA - Disturbed by a series of actions by Atari Corporation, a
group of more than 35 people representing approximately 25 software developers
met on October 8th to create an official Atari ST Developers Association.
The meeting was held at the Quality Inn in Fairfax, Virginia and lasted
approximately one hour. There were two major complaints about Atari Corp.
that surfaced repeatedly throughout the meeting.
First, the developers were upset that Atari has done virtually no
marketing for the ST in the United States. Atari has promised many times to
launch a major advertising campaign to support the US ST market, but every year
the campaign failes to surface. Developers feel that without an effective
effort to sell more STs in North America, it will be increasingly difficult to
make a living developing software and harware for the Atari.
Second, the developers were equally upset at the limited technical support
Atari provides its thrid party vendors. Many in attendance commented that it
is very difficult to get technical information from Atari, that information
about the new TT and STE is impossible to obtain, and that almost none of them
were offered information that would have allowed them to develop for the
Portfolio prior to its release.
It appears, then, that the goals of the new developers association will be
to convince Atari to make a serious marketing effort to sell more STs in the
US, and improve the flow of technical information out of Sunnyvale.
The meeting was held with the understanding that comments would be on the
record for the press, but that the individuals who spoke would not be
identified. Many believe that Atari might retaliate against individuals who
"make waves," but that a group of leading developers would be not only a more
powerful voice but would also be immune to retaliation.
One developer complained angrily that every year Atari promises to launch
an adverising campaign but never delivers. He went on to note that Commodore
has just started a 15 million dollar media blitz for the Amiga including
television ads and multi page spreads in national publications such as Time
magazine. He was concerned that the ST was going to be left as a weak
"also-ran" in the personal computer market.
As te discussion continued concerning Atari's lack of advertising, many used the word "lies" to describe promises made and broken by Atari executives.
Developers said they were concerned about advertising because without
advertising, the number of new machines sold in the US is very small. Software
and hardware developers say they can not continue to make a living selling to
the same installed base; they need a constantly growing user base to whom they
can sell their products.
The lack of advertising is also connected in some manner to a lack of
dealers carrying the ST. One developer said that Atari has so few dealers it
"is pathetic." He went on to say that Atari believes that when they ship the
TT, dealers around the country will forget their mistreatment by Atari and
clamor to carry the it. This developer said Atari was sadly mistaken in this
belief.
Some developers offered suggestions of how to get Atari to advertise. One
idea under consideration is to sponsor a resolution at the next annual
stockholders meeting of Atari Corp requiring them to legally commit to spending
a large amount of money advertising the ST line in the US. "It would be real
hard for Jack to vote against that kind of resolution in public," one developer
said referring to Jack Tramiel. He went on to say that he plans to contact
leaders in the financial community with ties to Atari, such as Lee Isgur at
Paine Webber, to let them know that there are real problems in the Atari world
and to see if those who have financial leverage with Atari might be able to
shake up the executives in Sunnyvale.
Concerning technical support, almost everyone in the room was in agreement
that Atari's tech support to developers is very weak. Many comments were made
to the effect that Atari refuses to tell developers about bugs in the operating
system and to provide workarounds. It is up to each developer, then, to find
these bugs and solve them for him or herself. If Atari were more forthcoming
about the weaknesses in the machine, then developers could use the official
workarounds and concentrate on other aspects of development.
Similarly, the developers were livid that Atari plans to release the STE
very shortly while technical information about the machine is impossible to
obtain. Identical comments were made about the TT. There were a number of
Canadian developers in attendance and they all agreed that when an important
employee left Atari Canada a few months ago the level of tech support north of
the border dropped precipitously.
Most of the comments at the meeting were directed at Atari Corporation in
general but there were some who said that Leonard Tramiel, a son of Jack
Tramiel and head of Atari's System Software division, is specifically
responsible for much of the bad blood between developers and Atari Corporation.
During and after the meeting a significant number of individuals said that
Leonard Tramiel repeatedly insults developers in private and in public - at
trade shows for example - and that he is responsible for many bad decisions
that Atari has made over the years, including the poor flow of technical
informaton from Atari to its developers. Some in attendance at the meeting
voiced their hope that Leonard would leave Atari some day while others noted
that this might be possible, since Wang corporation recently fired the son of
Wang's founder.
Reached at Atari's offices in Sunnyvale, Leonard Tramiel said he was
"surprised" to hear these accusations. He said he does not know too many
developers and has never meant to insult anyone. "If I did say something [to
insult someone] then I apologize." He said that any developer who has a
problem with him should call or write him and say, "Hey Leonard, you are being
a jerk." He did say, however, that if there is a certain program he is
familiar with and simply does not like, and a developer asks for his opinion,
he will tell him straight out that it is "garbage." He added, however, that he
does admire a lot of ST software and pointed to Migraph's various applications
and Master CAD as examples of superior ST programs.
As can be expected, there was a certain amount of confusion at the
developers' meeting. Not everyone agreed on what the major focus of the new
developers association should be or who should be allowed to be a member.
Those in attendance thus decided to form a board of directors of 6 individuals
whose responsibility would be to write the bylaws of the group and to outline
the goals of the group. The six chosen for the board of directors were Gordon
Monnier of MichTron, Nathan Potechin of ISD Marketing, John Eidsvoog of
CodeHead Software, Rick Flashman of Gribnif software, George Morrison of Alpha
Systems and Jim Allen of Fast Technologies.
--
Used here with _Permisson_ :
ST Informer, 909 NW Starlite Place, Grants Pass, OR 97526
No. 29 - November, 1989
-Article #187 (373 is last):
-Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
-From: aa400 (Phillip M. Chow)
-Subject: CompuFest '90
-Date: Tue Dec 5 23:45:32 1989
COMPUFEST '90 IN OK
STix group hosts shoot-out show
by Rod MacDonald
_______________________________________________________________________________
OKLAHOMA CITY - ST Information eXchange (STix) is participating in the Oklahoma
CompuFest '90, a head to head computer show held at the Central Plaza Hotel in
Oklahoma City next March 16th-18th. This is one of the rare shows that pits
different systems against each other with a general public crowd.
STix Users group will be cohosting the show along with the Oklahoma Apple
Users group Computer EnthusiastS (OACES). Anticipated attendance is expected
to be more than 5,000 visitors.
This CompuFest runs concurrently with the Oklahoma State Department of
Education and the Oklahoma State Department of Special Education computer
literacy seminars. The attendance at the computer show is bound to contain
interested educators.
CompuFest '90 will be the 5th annual event. The experience gained in the
past will benefit both exhibiting developrs and the attending public.
This will allow people to compare Atari to the Apple, Macintosh, and Amiga
systems in front of a jury composed of the general public. Atari has the
chance to show off their "Power without the Price" systems and software. This
is by far the best opportunity available for developers to display their
products to students, parents, educators, business representatives and computer
hobbyists. Companies that develop for more than one platform will be
especially excited about the expanded opportunities provided by CompuFest '90.
This joint venture by the Oklahoma User Groups ensures that all previous
attendance records will be broken.
All activities will take place at the Central Plaza Hotel. Attendees will
find that the hotel is featuring special show rates. Developers can reserve
rooms through the STix organization when they reserve their booth space.
Developer extras include buffet breakfast all three days of the show, low hotel
fees, and a specially arranged Steak banquet (with special guest speaker) on
Saturday evening for a small extra fee. Developers will be pleased to find out
that standard booth rental is only $150, with double booths being $250 for the
3 day show.
Developers who want a show info-pack should contact; Steve Balch, Chairman
of Vendor Reservations, c/o CompuFest '90, PO Box 3077 Norman, OK 73070-3077.
--
Used here with permission from ST Informer
-Article #191 (373 is last):
-Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
-From: aa400 (Phillip M. Chow)
-Subject: JRI / Genlock
-Date: Fri Dec 22 23:13:53 1989
JRI introduces new Genlock hardware
John Russell Innovations has created an external Genlock
device for the STe series computer. Convention STs can use the
Genlock device after the addition of the STfm RAM plus board
described below. Formerly only capable of installation in the
Mega Computers, JRI has created an external version of their
Genlock device that will work with the new STe fomputers from
Atari. The device includes Super VHS High Band Y/C, features
external connection via RGB port, and requires no system
modification, no soldering, and no software. JRI also has an
$100 optional Super VHS High Band Y/C add-on board for their
Mega Genlock system.
JRI's Genlocking is accomplished entirely through hardware.
The device combines any low or medium resolution drawing or
animation program with an external video source (RS170/RS170A),
i.e.; VCR, Camera, etc. The device provides an additional RGB
jack for viewing computer images combined with an external video
source. A second RGB monitor can be used to preview computer
images prior to combining with video. High resolution (mono)
compatibility is retained, even though no Genlocking is
possible.
Included with the new Genlock hardware is a wired remote
control to enable/disable Genlock, reboot computer, select color
or monochrome mode, select video mode (keyed/nonkeyed), fade
control to dissolve from background image to computer image or
dissolve keyed computer image when selected. Announced price of
the new device is said to be $650.
Several other hardware items were also shown by JRI at
Comdex. Among them was the new STfm RAM for 520fm and 1040
computers. These new RAM upgrade boards will feature SIMM type
RAM modules for expansion to 4 Megs. The board will incorporate
the JRI 4096 color palette technology and will include the
connector for the optional GenLock expansion for the 520fm and
1040 machines. According to JRI, the price without RAM is $125.
Easy installation requires only minor soldering.
John Russell Innovations, P.O. Box 5277, Pittsburg, CA 94565;
(415) 458-9577
--
_pmc '92
-Article #192 (373 is last):
-Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
-From: aa400 (Phillip M. Chow)
-Subject: ISD / DynaCADD 1.7
-Date: Fri Dec 22 23:16:59 1989
ISD ups the ante with DynaCADD 1.7
ISD Marketing announced the release of DynaCADD 1.7, the
premier Atari ST CADD package, for the ST and TT line of Atari
computers. DynaCADD is also available now for IBM AT
286/386/486, PS/2 and 100% compatible systems. The PC version
of DynaCADD is completely identical to its ST 1.7 counter part,
allowing users to switch between Atari and PC environments
without any furthur training.
DynaCADD 1.7 now allows offsets for the 3 line weights to
be set to anything you want. In addition, an unlimited number
of user definable line styles can be created and selected.
Three new base entity types have been added and include SOLID,
B-SPLINES and BEZIER. As well, version 1.7 now allows you to
select entities in polywindow.
Sectioning and cross hatching now operate in 2D and 3D
mode. 3D sectioning/hatching can be activated on any user
definable plane. Up to 256 hatch patterns can be easily defined
using the Font Editor. Version 1.7 comes with 14 predefined
hatch patterns.
Along with measuring distance, angles and perimeters,
measuring areas has now been added. As well, GRID/AXIS major
and minor increments can now be defined by the user. AXIS
represents a working sheet of graph paper, while GRID can be
used to snap to specified locations.
A new Vector Font Editor can be used as a designer's tool
to create and edit high resolution vector fonts using a graphic
editor. Editing aids include: Bezier curves and B-splines;
unlimited number of vector cut & paster buffers; rotate,
stretch, mirroring horizontally or vertically, move, copy,
distort any character or vector; movable baseline, ascent line,
descent line; automatic calculation of kerning tables; optional
manual placement of kerning positions; definable zoom levels
using a movable zoom window; definable grid and snap. Character
resolution can be up to 64,000 by 64,000 and each font can
contain from 1 to 255 characters. The font editor also comes
with 10 Compugraphic fonts to get you started and true character
kerning has been added to the package.
DynaCADD 1.7 now supports 3 additional file formats which
include META files (out), CAD 3D to DynaCADD and Calamus CVG to
DEF. Plotter support now includes background plotting.
To wrap up, DynaCADD has a suggested retail price of $995
for both the IBM and Atari versions and includes math
co-processor support. Atari upgrades to version 1.7 are
available for $199.95 which includes a new manual. DynaCADD's
manual comes with 600 pages of documentation, 100 which are used
for 2D and 3D tutorials.
For more information contact: ISD Marketing, 2651 John St,
Unit 3, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 2W5; (416) 479-1882
--
_pmc '92
-Article #193 (373 is last):
-Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
-From: aa400 (Phillip M. Chow)
-Subject: MichTron / Fleet Street 3.0
-Date: Fri Dec 22 23:18:44 1989
Fleet Street 3.0 said to arrive in January 1990
MichTron was showing yet another improved version of their
Fleet Street Publisher 3.0 desktop publishing software. As many
of you know, Fleet Street Publisher (FSP) 3.0 was introduced at
the April '89 World of Atari show at Disneyland and was
scheduled to be released by mid summer. Since then, FSP 3.0 has
undergone many changes with added improvements and a targeted
release date for the fisrt part of next year.
A quick run down on the major features that made up FSP
3.0, at the time of past shows, included support for multi-page
documents, automatic page numbering, text wrapping around both
rectangular and irregular graphics, automatic kerning, frame
grouping, search and replace for text and attributes, vertical
text justification, 120,000 word expandable dictionary, repeat
feature for multiple duplication of text, effects and graphics,
plus text and graphic import modules that allow the program to
virtually support all paint, drawing and word processor
programs.
Documents created with FSP 3.0 could be output to dot
matrix printers, HP Laser and DeskJet printers, Atari SLM 804
laser printer, UltraScript, and PostScript devices. Although
GDOS and GDOS fonts could be used with FSP 3.0 for output, they
were no longer required.
The Deluxe version of FSP 3.0 added UltraScript built right
in. This allows your non-PostScript printers to print out
PostScript files. Also, because UltraScript is built right into
FSP, you can print directly thru UltraScript without leaving
FSP. This feature can save you a lot of time.
The newest versions of FSP 3.0 and Deluxe, shown at COMDEX,
have all the above mentioned features, with some very nice new
ones; these include importing vector graphics, phonetic spell
checking, loading and converting 2.0 docs to 3.0, import and
exporting Encapsulated PostScript files, hyphenation exception
dictionary, multi-lingual hyphenation (English, Italian, French,
German), and a Font Scaling Module.
The Font Scaling Module was created by Imagen, the folks
that brought you UltraScript. This module will allow FSP to use
PostScript screen fonts so that you will be able to see exactly
what you are going to get when you print. Imagen is allowing
software developers to licence this module to use within their
programs. This could open up a while new foor for ST
applications that ould like to take advantages of multiple fonts
and type sizes, but down't want the hassles of GDOS.
Look for Fleet Street Publisher 3.0 to release in January
of 1990. Pricing will be announced at that time. For more
information contact MichTron, 576 S. Telegraph, Pontiac, MI
48053; (313) 334-5700.
--
_pmc '92
-Article #194 (373 is last):
-Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
-From: aa400 (Phillip M. Chow)
-Subject: Abacus / Portfolio Guidebook
-Date: Fri Dec 22 23:39:50 1989
Guide-book released for Portfolio
A new Abacus book entitled The Complete Guide to the Atari Portfolio
was introduced at COMDEX. This book which is said to quickly make you a
Portfolio expert, including sections covering every aspect of Portfolio
operation from installing the batteries to creating batch files. Having
used both the Atari manual and this book, it seems like spending an extra
$17.95 for The Complete Guide, might be a good idea for beginning computer
users, If, however, you are fully versed in MS-DOS and Lotus 1-2-3, it
probably won't offer much.
Considering the speed at which this book was produced (a mere two
months after the machine was introduced) the information is remarkably
complete. There are a few typos and layout problems, and a glaring error
in the statement that all "Personal Computers use the MS-DOS or PC-DOS
operating system." I have a feeling Atari, Apple and Commodore might have
something to say about that. Otherwise it is a very handy book to have
next to you when learning how to use this nifty machine. Every possible
command and menu selection is mentioned, and normally discussed in detail.
For more information contact Abacus Software, 5370 52nd Street, Grand
Rapids, MI 49512 or call (616) 698-0330 for the dealer nearest you.
--
_pmc '92
-Article #195 (373 is last):
-Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
-From: aa400 (Phillip M. Chow)
-Subject: Atari/Developer Partners
-Date: Sun Dec 24 02:06:51 1989
Atari says, "We want to be partners"
Atari says they want to be a development partner. The most
fundamental change seems to be Atari's willingness to provide
customer data to developers so they have the information to
market their products.
At the COMDEX Atari Developers Hospitality Party, held on
Wednesday night of the COMDEX week, announcements were made by
Antonio Salerno of Atari. Antonio is the Vice President of
Applications, and is generally positioned to enhance developer
interests. Salerno introduced Charles Cherry, formerly with
Antic Software, as the new TOS development manager. Together,
they outlined an enhanced developer program that included
substantial discounts on equipment used for development,
increased Atari-Developer communications, and other assistance.
According to Salerno, "Atari is here to invest, in our
future and yours. Any developer who is shipping a product will
have access to our complete user base, ASCII Format, comma
delimited."
The provisions to be a registered developer have also been
tightened up. The conditions include: 1) Currently shipping an
Atari product, 2) Must re-register and sign a non-disclosure
agreement annually, 3) Maintain your "Softsource" listing, 4)
Provide a disabled version (Demo) of your product on-line, 5)
Provide a self running dealer demo, 6) Provide Atari with three
copies of your package with automatic updates.
"Softsource" will be a database on one of the major on-line
services. Atari will set up the on-line database and developers
will be expected to maintain their own program listing and
information. When "Softsource" is complete, Atari has promised
to transfer the database onto CD ROM and put it in every
dealer's store, with quarterly updates.
--
_pmc '92
-Article #196 (373 is last):
-Newsgroups: freenet.sci.comp.atari.news
-From: aa399 (Len Stys)
-Subject: 1989 Third Quarter Report
-Date: Tue Dec 26 19:34:42 1989
1989 THIRD QUARTER REPORT
President's Message
Net sales for the quarter were $81.4 millon compared to $98.8 million
for the same quarter last year. The net loss was $5.4 million compared to
net income of $.9 million. Net sales for the nine months were $253.0 million
compared to $300.0 million for the same period last year. There was a net loss
of $1.8 million compared to a net income of $12.1 million for the same
nine months last year.
This has been an encouraging yet difficult quarter for Atari. Towards
the end of the quarter we began shipping many new products which
represents our future. For example, we started shipping the Atari Portfolio,
our new hand held, MS-DOS command-compatible computer, and the
MEGA-FILE 44, our new removable media hard disk drive. Also, during the
quarter, we began shipping the STe computer, an improved version of our
core ST product. Additionally, during the fourth quarter, we expect to start
shipping Lynx, the new hand held color LCD video game system. However, to
reflect the dramatic drop in component prices, especially semiconductors and
disk drives, the Company has taken a special charge during the quarter of
approximately $10 million in respect of such inventory.
With the shipment of new products and less volatile DRAM costs in the
fourth quarter, we anticipate normalization of margins as and when
the inventories of older products are sold. Portfolio production is ramping
up now as planned. Initial sales appear consistent with our
expectations.
Sam Tramiel, President
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