ST Report: 19-Jul-91 #729

From: Bruce D. Nelson (aj434@cleveland.Freenet.Edu)
Date: 07/21/91-11:02:27 PM Z


From: aj434@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Bruce D. Nelson)
Subject: ST Report: 19-Jul-91 #729
Date: Sun Jul 21 23:02:27 1991



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 July 19, 1991                                                      No.7.29
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 > 07/19/91: STReport  #7.29  The Original 16/32 bit Online Magazine!
   -------------------------
     - The Editor's Desk      - CPU REPORT        - Seagate Lay-offs!
     - SPA TOP SELLERS        - DEVELOPER MIFFED! - OVERKILL?
     - WILLY WEASELY NEWS     - PAGESTREAM 2.1    - TURBO BBS V 2

                    -* CBM ANNOUNCES 386SX NOTEBOOK! *-
                    -* SAFEWARE ANNOUNCES NEW PLANS! *-
                       -* LCD DEMAND SKYROCKETS! *-

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 > The Editor's Podium


     This weekend is the Brace  Show,  Blue  Ridge  Atari  Fest  1991.   It
 promises to  be one  of the  better one affairs scheduled for this summer.
 There will be a complete show report in next week's issue.

     Atari is making the comeback hoped for by so many.   Slowly  but its a
 definite comeback.  Now if the internal unrest in the entire userbase came
 be alleviated to a more acceptable level.  Oh, to be sure that will happen
 its just neat to think that it will happen fast.

                                       Off to the Blue Ridge Fest!

                                           Ralph........






                           TODAY'S NEWS ..TODAY!

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 > STReport's Staff              The regulars and this week's contributors!
   ================

                            Publisher - Editor
                            ------------------
                             Ralph F. Mariano


          PC DIVISION         AMIGA DIVISION           MAC DIVISION
          -----------         --------------           ------------
          Robert Retelle      Charles Hill             R. ALBRITTON


 STReport Staff Editors:
 -----------------------
          Michael Arthur      Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.     Dana P. Jacobson
          Lucien Oppler       Brad Martin              Walter Daniel
          Oscar Steele        Robert Allbritton        John Szczepanik
                              Dan Stidham

 Contributing Correspondants:
 ----------------------------
          Michael Lee         Richard Covert           Roger Stevens
          Brian Converse      Oliver Steinmeier        Ed Krimen
          Tim Holt            Andrew Learner           Norman Boucher
                              Ben Hamilton


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 > CPU STATUS REPORT                 LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
   =================

   Issue #29

   Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.


  --Toronto, Ontaria, Canada        COMMODORE MAKES 386SX NOTEBOOK
    ------------------------

 Commodore  has added the C386SX-LT,  a 386SX notebook computer,  to  its
 Canadian  line.  The C386SX-LT uses the Intel  386SX  processor,  weighs
 about  seven pounds and comes with a liquid-crystal  display  supporting
 the VGA display standard.  The machine also has an 82-key keyboard,  one
 megabyte of main memory,  a 40-megabyte hard disk drive, a 1.44-megabyte
 3.5-inch  diskette  drive,  parallel and serial ports,  and a  slot  for
 adding an optional 2,400-bit-per-second modem. Memory can be expanded to
 five megabytes.

 Commodore  said the machine will run for two hours of continuous use  on
 its nickel-cadmium main battery,  and can be recharged in an hour. Power
 management features can extend the battery life, the company said.

 The  suggested  retail  price for the C386SX-LT is  C$4,599  and  it  is
 available  now.  Commodore  said the unit has also  been  introduced  in
 Europe, but there are no current plans to sell it in the United States.



  --Scotts Valley, California       SEAGATE TO LAY OFF
    -------------------------

 As part of a massive restructuring of parts of the company,  Seagate has
 announced an 18% layoff,  about 1200 employees, from its US and European
 operations.   According to Seagate, the layoffs will be among "indirect"
 workforce -- people in human resources,  sales,  and other  white-collar
 jobs, not in manufacturing.

 "Seagate  is  still seeing very good demand for its product but  with  a
 severe price erosion, profits are down, and current revenues and profits
 do  not  support  the level of staffing that we  currently  have,"  said
 spokeswoman  Julie Still.  "Therefore we will put in place a  number  of
 cost reduction efforts including cutting advertising,  travel  expenses,
 and consolidating employees in locations" to reduce overhead.

 As part of the layoff, the company ordered that no log-ins be allowed on
 the  company's corporate computer system until after  the  announcement,
 for security reasons,  according to one source.  Guards were ordered not
 to escort any employees to their cars.



  --Boise, Idaho                    MICRON TECH ANNOUNCES 4,8 MB DRAM
    ------------                    CARDS FOR LAPTOPS

 Micron Technology is selling to computer manufacturers new 88-pin, 4 and
 8  megabyte IC DRAM cards that allow external memory upgrades  for  por-
 table computers and can be used in 16, 18, 32 and 36-bit systems.

 The company says it developed the cards to allow installation of  memory
 upgrades without opening,  and possibly damaging,  the system unit.  The
 card uses low power DRAMs surface-mounted on both sides of an ultra thin
 printed  circuit board about the width and length of a credit  card  and
 3.3 mm thick.

 The  cards  also include buffered input to ensure  compatibility  across
 platforms; individual memory bank selection for lower power consumption;
 parity  to correct data errors;  and stainless steel panels  to  provide
 better protection and heat dispersal than plastic does.



  --Tokyo, Japan                    FUJITSU BEGINS WORK ON SUPER-PARALLEL
    ------------                    PROCESSOR

 Fujitsu opened a special research center in Tokyo and announced plans to
 become a major developer of large scale parallel processor machines.

 Fujitsu  already has an experimental parallel processor  available.  The
 chip has a capability of one million million (trillion) FLOPS  (floating
 p oint operations per second).  Called the AP 1000,  the processor is  a
 reduced instruction set computing (RISC) design.

 The  firm's  eventual goal is to create what it calls a  super  parallel
 computer which is equipped with a million units of microprocessors.



  --Houston, Texas                  COMPAQ MOVES UP TO #377 IN GLOBAL
    --------------                  FORTUNE 500

 Compaq Computer Corporation has announced that it has moved up to number
 377 in Fortune Magazine's Global 500 list. Compaq held the 438th spot on
 last year's global list,  jumping up 61 spots this year.  Compaq  claims
 that it ranks number 125 on the Global 500 list in terms of profits,  up
 from number 182.



  --Singapore                       WESTERN DIGITAL ROBOTS MANUFACTURE
    ---------                       DISK DRIVES

 Western  Digital has opened a new 250,000 square foot assembly plant  in
 Singapore for manufacturing disk drives. What makes the plant unusual is
 that  it uses robotics to automate the entire assembly and test  process
 without a single manual station.

 Lynda Orban of Western  Digital said that the new plant can produce 5,000
 drives a day -- a new drive every 15 seconds -- with improved quality and
 at  a lower cost.  "This  not only  will improve  our quality control  by
 having  a cleaner environment for the manufacturing  process, and reduce
 the number of parts made inoperable by human error, but it will force our
 suppliers  to  increase their quality standards.   You see,  a robot will
 not fiddle with a screw to make it fit, like a person might.  If the part
 is not up to specifications, a robot  can automatically tell  and it just
 rejects it," she said.



  --Columbus, Ohio                  NEW PERSONAL COMPUTER INSURANCE FROM
    --------------                  SAFEWARE

 Insurance  company Safeware has introduced a new form of insurance  that
 combines a service contract with basic insurance for personal computers.
 The package is called Fix:It.   Dave Johnson,  Safeware CEO, said "mecha-
 nical breakdown of a PC can be just as significant" which is why  "we're
 cutting  through high-priced service contracts and  combining  insurance
 and service" in one policy.  The policy covers "all insurance  coverage,
 including lightening damage, fire, and theft."

 According  to  the  company,  the policy also covers  full  power  surge
 insurance,  covers all software used at no extra cost,  and offers  many
 repair facility options.  Interestingly, the cost of coverage is sharply
 reduced  if a surge protector is used with the personal  computer.  "The
 rate  varies depending on the deductible," said Johnson," and whether  a
 surge protector is present."

 Because  new machines usually come with some sort of  service  warranty,
 the  company  also has a plan whereby the customer stipulates  the  date
 when the manufacturers warranty runs out,  and the policy  automatically
 includes  the  service contract in with the basic  insurance  from  that
 date.

 For more information call Safeware toll-free on: 1-800-848-3469.



  --Santa Clara, California         NEW BENCHMARKS ALLIANCE FORMED
    -----------------------

 Benchmarks are nothing new in the computer industry,  but, to date, none
 have been published that take account of real life workload  situations.
 That's  where the Business Applications Performance  Corporation  (BAPC)
 comes into the picture.

 Formed on May 9 of this year, the BAPC has just announced the signing of
 Dell,  IBM, Intel, and NCR to its ranks alongside existing members which
 include Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and Novell.


                             """""======"""""



 > CPU PC STATUS REPORT                 LATE BREAKING INDUSTRY-WIDE NEWS
    ====================

    Issue #3

 Compiled by: Lloyd E. Pulley, Sr.


  --Purchase, New York              IBM PURCHASES METAPHOR COMPUTER
    ------------------              SYSTEMS

 In a move directly related to IBM's and Apple's recent decision to col-
 laborate on object-oriented programming, IBM and Metaphor Computer Sys-
 tems have agreed to merge, resulting in Metaphor being a wholly owned
 subsidiary of IBM.

 IBM already owned an interest in Metaphor. In September 1990, the com-
 panies established Patriot Partners, a joint venture to develop object-
 oriented application system software technology, designed to work with
 multiple operating systems and networks.

 The new IBM subsidiary will focus on integrating Metaphor's Data Interp-
 retation Systems (DIS) capabilities with complementary IBM capabilities.
 DIS combines a graphical user interface with relational database tech-
 nology, allowing non- technical business professionals to access mul-
 tiple databases and to construct their own applications."


  --Provo, Utah                     NOVELL AND DIGITAL RESEARCH TO MERGE
    -----------

 Digital Research has agreed to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of
 Novell, Inc. Both companies boards of directors have approved the deal,
 but still requires approval of Digital Research stockholders. The com-
 pany says no difficulties are expected in obtaining that approval. The
 merger is expected to be completed by October of this year.

 Digital Research, headquartered in Monterey, California, originated such
 industry standards as the CP/M operating system, DR DOS and Concurrent
 DOS. Novell, Inc markets network operating systems, and is the largest
 outside investor in Unix System Laboratories, the developer of Unix
 System V Release 4.


  --Los Angles, California          BORLAND/ASHTON-TATE MERGER:
    ----------------------          DBASE WINDOWS?

 In an announcement that rocked the database world and the software in-
 dustry in general, Borland announced it plans to buy Ashton-Tate (AT).
 The boards of directors of both companies approved the purchase, and now
 it hinges on approval of the shareholders and receipt of the required
 government approvals.

 The move was a totally unexpected as the companies seemed totally un-
 related for four reasons...

 The first is Borland has been thought of as a company that develops
 software for programmers, with its successful releases of its C com-
 pilers and its development of Object Windows.

 The second was the fact that Borland's database product Paradox is in a
 market by itself since it is incompatible with dBASE language products.

 Third was Borland's announcement to develop its own dBASE compiler for
 Windows and compatible with Paradox it calls Turbo Xbase (Infoworld,
 p.1, May 6, 1991).

 Fourth was AT's announcement over two years ago at the dBASE developers
 conference that it would release the dBASE Professional Compiler. Tim
 Lebel, product manager on the Professional Compiler for AT, was reported
 as saying in June that the product was not expected to be even in beta
 test stages for 4 to 6 months.

 Regarding whether Borland will combined its database product Paradox
 with dBASE language products, Miriam Liskin, an xBASE consultant and
 writer, commented, "My guess is they will keep supporting both Paradox
 and dBASE IV which are each great programs, and move to distinguish them
 over time. For end users it'll be a matter of which interface style they
 like.


  --Mountain View, California       ADOBE ACCUSES U-LEAD OF COPYRIGHT
    -------------------------       INFRINGEMENT

 A lawsuit filed by Adobe Systems against U-Lead Systems charges unfair
 competition and copyright infringement, violations of Lanham Act and the
 California Satuatory and Common Law for unfair trade practices.  Adobe
 seeks unspecified damages for, among other things, promoting and
 offering for review in trade publications, versions of Adobe's Photo-
 Styler software and documentation which were materially different from
 the version sold to the public.


  --Tokyo, Japan                    LCD DEMAND SKYROCKETS:
    ------------                    ROHM TRIPLES PRODUCTION

 Kyoto-based hardware maker Rohm says it will triple the production of
 its supertwist liquid crystal displays due to their increasing popu-
 larity for laptop computers, notebook-type computers and portable word
 processors.

 Rohm's LCD RCV6003 is based on what's called supertwist nematic (STN)
 technology. Due to the thin panel and the backlit tube, it is only 5.8-
 mm thick, and it weighs only 390g. The LCD has a resolution of 640 x 400
 pixels.


  --Washington, D.C.                SPA RELEASES TOP SELLING GAMES LIST
    ----------------

 SPA, the Software Publishers Association, has released the results of
 MS-DOS game software sales figures from Babagges, CompUSA, Electronics
 Boutique, and Waldensoftware for the month of May. King's Quest V has
 moved up one spot from number two to first place, but the big mover is
 Velocity's Jetfighter II; not in the top 25 last month, Jetfighter II
 has already jumped to number 2 position this month.


  -- New for the PC                 Procalc 3D Spreadsheet
     --------------

 Parsons Technology has announced the release of ProCalc 3D, a three
 dimensional spreadsheet package for IBM PCs and close compatibles.

 Procalc 3D offers the usual features of most spreadsheets, but also
 allows the stacking of multiple pages of data, forming a 'work cube.'
 While displaying information in the traditional two-dimensional format,
 data is automatically calculated in three dimensions as data is changed.
 To work with a cross section of data in depth, users issue a single
 command to rotate the work cube.

 ProCalc 3D has a suggested price of $89. The package requires at least
 512 kilobytes of RAM, but the company strongly recommends 640K. A hard
 disk is also required.


  -- New for the PC                 Pacific Micro's Mac-In-DOS
     --------------

 Pacific Micro has released a new version of Mac-In-DOS, its data tran-
 sfer software program between the Macintosh and IBM and compatible PCs.

 The new software runs under Microsoft Windows 3.0, and, according to the
 company, has the capability to format Macintosh disks in an IBM or com-
 patible disk drive. Text, binary, and graphics files can be exchanged
 between the two formats.

 The software lists two directories side-by-side on the screen. One list
 contains all the Macintosh files on a Mac diskette in the disk drive,
 and the other contains all the files from a selected DOS directory.
 Files can be copied from one side to the other, with conversion taking
 place immediately, according to the company.

 Mac-In-DOS is priced at $199 and comes on a single DOS 1.44 megabyte,
 3.5-inch floppy disk, which is simply loaded into the DOS computer. No
 additional hardware or software is required for either the DOS or Mac
 machines.


  -- New for the PC                 Carmen Sandiego Takes A Trip Into
     --------------                 America's Past

 Riding the crest of a popularity wave for its Carmen Sandiego series of
 games, Broderbund Software has now released "Where in America's Past is
 Carmen Sandiego?"

 The game is the fifth in the series of best-selling adventure/educa-
 tional games and requires players to track the criminal Carmen Sandiego
 and her gang through 400 years of American history.

 The company claims that the new software offers more than the previous
 games as it includes scanned VGA location graphics of American art.

 The game also comes with a 1,300-page encyclopedia of American history
 and culture, called "What Happened When."

 The games comes with VGA/MCGA, EGA, CGA, Tandy and Hercules graphic sup-
 port. Sound Blaster, AdLib, Roland MT-32, Tandy 3-Voice, and Tandy
 digital sound support is also offered.

 "Where in America's Past is Carmen Sandiego?" retails for $59.95 and is
 available now.


  -- New for the PC                 Worksheet Optimizer for Quattro Pro
     --------------

 Brubaker Software has begun shipping a version of Worksheet Optimizer
 for Borland International's Quattro Pro spreadsheet software. Worksheet
 Optimizer compresses spreadsheet data files.

 Dale Brubaker, president of Brubaker Software, explained that the soft-
 ware looks for inefficiencies in worksheet construction. For instance,
 cells that have been formatted but contain no data waste storage space,
 as do those containing "null strings" -- a label prefix and nothing
 else. Worksheet Optimizer can reduce the disk space a typical worksheet
 uses by 10 to 12 percent, Brubaker said.

 The software also speeds worksheet recalculation by methods such as
 eliminating repetitive calculations. Rather than have the same calcu-
 lation performed in 100 different cells, an optimized worksheet will do
 it once in a separate cell and then refer to the result.

 The suggested retail price for Worksheet Optimizer is US$99.95. Versions
 for Lotus Development's 1-2-3 and Symphony are also available.






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 > The Flip Side STR Feature           "...a different viewpoint.."
   =========================




                    A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT
                    ==================================


 by Michael Lee


 Page Stream 2.1 has finally been released.  Naturally with any program
 (upgrade) that has this many new features and so much additional power,
 there's going to be some confusion and questions.  Maybe the following
 posts will help answer some of your questions.

                             ----------------

 Some miscellaneous replies and comments from Mike Loader (Soft Logik)
 about the new version of Page Stream 2.1 - From CIS...

 There have been some comments that PageStream 2.1 is slower than version
 1.8 in screen re-draws and in printing time...
    2.1 is NOT slower than 1.8. Screen fonts display at the same speed.
    Outline fonts display slower, true, that's why bitmaps are used under
    22 pixels in high resolution.

    Creation times are identical to 1.8.  If you experience longer crea-
    tion times it is due to lack of memory.  The less memory available,
    the longer it takes to print. Think of it this way. PageStream tries
    to print the page in one pass.  If there isn't enough memory to do
    this, it creates it in pieces. It creates as much as possible, sends
    it, then creates the next part.

    Let's say in 1.8 you had room to create a page in one or two passes.
    That would be pretty fast. But if in 2.1 you have limited memory (due
    to a larger program, and outline fonts in use), then PageStream will
    have to take more passes at it...it might take 5 or 6 or even more
    passes. Each time it does a pass it has to create all the information
    above that pass before it can create the information in that pass.
    Speed is therefore not only a function of processor speed, but memory
    availability.

    Screen display: outlines are slow on screen on ST computers because
    of the speed of the processor.  But it can be faster if you have more
    memory (more than 2.5 megs).  A four meg system is best, because it
    provides memory for font caching.  When PageStream requires a Compu-
    graphic font, it asks the CG routines for a bitmap at a certain size.
    If there isn't enough memory it will only display the bitmap.  If
    there's enough memory it will cache it for later use.  Next time it
    needs the bitmap it will look in the RAM cache first.  But if you're
    using a low memory system (under 2.5 megs), you will not get font
    caching. Font caching makes PageStream MUCH faster.  2.5 MB might not
    be enough to invoke font caching depending on the document size and
    other utilities running.

    PostScript and PageStream outline fonts are not cached. Only CG fonts
    are cached. PostScript fonts are slow the first time they are acces-
    sed because the font outline data must be decrypted. (ie: when the
    first character is typed.)  Then they act at normal speeds. CG fonts
    print faster to non-PS printers than other types of fonts.

    ...Once again, 2.1 is NO slower than 1.8 if you have adequate memory.
    Yes, PageStream 2.1 uses more memory than 1.0, but as software has
    evolved, so has hardware. The average user no longer has a 520ST with
    512K and a single sided drive.

 Comments about the FONTEQIV.V2 file...
    The Fontequiv file can slow down PgS because of the way fonts are
    sorted.  The Fontequiv file essentially makes one font equivalent to
    another.  For example, it makes CS Times equivalent to PostScript
    Times equivalent to Tyme.  The file can be edited to remove fonts you
    don't use.  This is not documented at this time but a help file will
    be made available in the future.

    ...The CG fonts will not work without the fontequiv, fontss and
    plugin files. They must be added via the font manager. I believe this
    is the default setup. The manual shows an early screenshot with fonts
    installed in a PSFONTS folder. The standard is now the FONTS folder.

 Miscellaneous comments...
    Lowercase counters below baseline: professional fonts normally des-
    cend below the baseline because it increases readability. The fonts
    shipped with 1.8 were not as good as the new CG fonts.

    ....PageStream 2.1...is a high quality desktop publisher which re-
    quires sufficient hardware to be used. PageStream can no longer run
    in 512K from a single sided floppy without having the feature list of
    Publishing Partner. PageStream is the most advanced desktop publisher
    for Atari computers. Soft-Logik never advertised PageStream 2.1 as
    faster. We did advertise it as better and it is better.

    ...PageStream has always imported more types of graphics than any
    other Atari desktop publisher. The selection has always been respec-
    table, but the selection is even better now. PageStream does not
    limit you to only GEM and IMG, but offers almost every major Atari,
    Amiga, PC and Mac standard.

    ...the PostScript driver is now more efficient. It is also much more
    stable.  BTW, the Lino driver is not used in 2.1.  The PostScript
    driver is used for everything.

    For those who have not yet received their upgrades, there are still
    quite a few upgrades to be processed. Shipping is working as fast as
    they can to send them out.

                              ----------------

 Comments and replies from the Soft Logik RoundTable on Genie....

 About the different types of CompuGraphic fonts, why some work, why some
 don't and what to do about it - From J.Pierstorff...
    ...Make sure that the Type 1 fonts are in IBM Type 1 format and not
    Macintosh.  They are different, and only The IBM's work with Page
    STream 2.1.  There is a conversion program [MACTOIBM] that lets you
    convert Mac Type 1's to IBM Type 1's. It works well and is from
    MegaType.

    PageSTream reads the files to see what they are and it ignores the
    AFM PFB extensions.

 Why some fonts seem to be drawn faster than others - From Nevin Shalit..
    ...if you have bitmaps for your fonts the Type 1's should not be slow
    at sizes below 24 point. When the program draws vector fonts things
    do slow down a bit. Using a Type 1 font for body text and not having
    a bitmap ...well that would drive me nuts. Not having bitmaps for a
    font you use in headlines is fine...

 More from Mike Angier...
    ...the reason why some PS fonts sprint along while others seem to
    crawl is simply complexity. A font like ITC Machine which is made up
    of just a few straight line segments should be one of the fastest
    since calculating and filling straight lines is as simple as things
    can get, but a font like Commercial Script which is made up of only
    bezier curves should be much slower since the calculations are much
    more involved to fill a cubic bezier curve.

 More on this from J.Pierstorff...
    ...also realize that many public domain Type 1's were scanned and
    autotraced by programs like Fontographer (Macintosh). Autotracing
    "works" but usually produces a font with thousands of points more
    than are needed. This greatly increases screen re-draw time and
    print-out calculations!

                              ----------------

 Until next week.....



         _________________________________________________________






 > WILLY WEASELY! STR Feature     The "Whoopadoo Club", Willy's fan club!
   ==========================




                       WILLY WEASELY FANS - REJOICE!
                       =============================


 An Update
 ---------

 by Dana P. Jacobson


     Last week I noted that the initial printing  of the  hardcopy  version
 of  Willy  Weasely  comic  book  was  imminent.    Well, no sooner  than I
 reported that than the very next day I had "Willy Weasely's  Weasel Tales"
 in my hands!

     I saw  Rick Keene  at the  Atari Day at one of our local  dealers, the
 Bit Bucket, and Rick brought with him all  of the   ingredients pertaining
 to the  "Whoopadoo Club",  Willy's fan club. Included with membership is a
 great-looking membership card, a  Willy Weasely button, and a 20-page Wil-
 ly Weasely  comic book (the  first of what I hope to a long series of com-
 ics).  I was amazed to  see that the comic included  in its  pages a two--
 page centerfold  of  Willy's on-again/off-again girlfriend Bunny!  I heard
 stories that   the  Audobon  Society  is  up  in  arms  over  this obvious
 exploitation   of feminine  charm!!  Weasel lovers everywhere are standing
 up for  their rights, however, and Bunny's picture stays!

     Rick's popular Talespin comics featuring Willy are continuing  to be a
 favorite on  the online services and local bulletin boards. If you haven't
 seen them yet, for shame!  Look for ALLSFAIR,  WILLY, and  WILLY_3 on your
 favorite system - you will _not_ regret  it.

     While STReport  is the online magazine "headquarters"  representative,
 you may want to learn more immediately.  If so,  you  can contact  Rick on
 GEnie (R.KEENE2), or write him directly:

                                Rick Keene
                               P.O. Box 463
                             Natick, MA 01760

 You can  also join the Whoopadoo Club by enclosing a letter  with $6.00 to
 Rick at the above address.  This will also keep  you notified  of upcoming
 information.   So, what  are you waiting for?   Be the first on your block
 to become a member!!







  ***********************************************************************


                    :HOW TO GET YOUR OWN GENIE ACCOUNT:
                     _________________________________

      To sign up for GEnie service: Call: (with modem) 800-638-8369.

               Upon connection type HHH (RETURN after that).
                         Wait for the U#= prompt.

                 Type: XTX99587,CPUREPT then, hit RETURN.

                       **** SIGN UP FEE WAIVED ****

           The system will now prompt you for your information.

            -> NOW!  GENIE BASIC STAR SERVICE IS IN EFFECT!! <-

 In August, we will be bringing you a  very special  RTC in  room 5  of our
 conference rooms.  A surprise guest will be hosting this conference.  Look
 for the announcements closer to the time.

 We will  be attending  the Ashville,  North Carolina  Atari Fest tomorrow.
 July 20,  1991.   We are  looking forward  to seeing all of you there.  Be
 sure to check this one out.  It is a must to attend.

 We are in the process of firming up some very exciting formal conferences.
 Look for announcements of them in our banners.  Perhaps  even a  free con-
 ference is slated.  Watch those banners, folks.

 Our libraries continue to be very active with a tremendous amount of files
 uploaded continuously.   We  want to  take a few moments to thank everyone
 that is freely sharing by spending the time to upload.  We appreciate it
 more than you know.

 One  of  our  more  active  uploaders  is  S.YELVINGTO2  who  has uploaded
 everything from  an auto traffic game (file#20016 TRAFFIC.LZH), mouse con-
 trol D.A.(file#20015 N_MOUSE.LZH) to a  desk  accessory  to  format MS-DOS
 disks (file#20013 N_FORMAT.LZH).

 Interested in graphics? Be sure to check out the latest D.BORDONARO2 files
 that were uploaded. (file# 20065 to #20069) You will find  everything from
 a bow shooting an arrow at a target, to a Sopwith camel making a flyby.


                 Keep them coming..........till next time.


         GEnie Information copyright (C) 1991 by General Electric
            Information Services/GEnie, reprinted by permission


  ***********************************************************************





 > One Man's Opinion STR Spotlight   "kill the messenger"  Is this right?
   ===============================




                         CUTTING THROUGH THE FLAK
                         ========================


 By Dana P. Jacobson


     These last  couple of  weeks have been hot in New England.  A vacation
 is a time to relax, and that's just what I have been  doing.   But, I hate
 the kind of heat that's been around here lately.  By "here", not only do I
 mean the hot and humid weather of New England this  time of  year; but I'm
 also  referring  to  the  heat  that's  erupting  in  the  STReport arena,
 especially within these pages and the online services.

     What heat, you may be asking?  Well, if you have to ask, you're either
 not a  regular reader of STReport or you don't subscribe to the pay online
 services!

     Why is it that people are insistent in trying to  "kill the messenger"
 all of  the time?  All that I have been reading lately is that STReport is
 the harbinger of bad news, rumors, innuendo, and the like.   That STReport
 is anti-Atari  and does  nothing but  berate those  who support  it at the
 developer level.  There  are even  those who  suggest that  Ralph "retire"
 because of burnout and lack of focus.

     It's my personal belief that none of these "observations" are close to
 the truth.  It's my belief that if everything we learn about Atari and its
 supporters  (developers  _and_  users)  were positive, then STReport would
 reflect that same aura of positive perception.  But let's  face it, things
 aren't _all_  positive nor  should anyone pretend that they are.  To avoid
 the negative and just report the positive to  appease the  near-sighted is
 not fair  to anyone,  if you  really get  down and  think about  it.  Yes,
 positive editorials, articles, reviews, and the like are  desirable.  But,
 if any  of us  are of  the opinion that a topic, game, program, person, or
 company is not good  for some  reason or  another, then  shouldn't that be
 reported as such?  Of course it should.  Do you ignore it because it's not
 positive?  Some might claim that to do  so would  be better.   Personally,
 I'd love  to read  that Atari  was the  number one computer company in the
 world.  I'd love to read that all  programs were  fast and  bug-free.  I'd
 love to  hear that  I could afford my Atari dream machine and peripherals.
 I'd love to hear that Anonymous Software's new game would keep me glued to
 the screen  for hours  on end.  I'd love to learn that I had a dealer down
 the street with plenty of machines and software  to look  at or  buy.  I'd
 love  to  read  that  our  developers  were  selling  tons of software and
 hardware and were doing so well that they were back-ordered for weeks!

     Folks, it just ain't so.  So, what  do we  do when  STReport publishes
 this not-so-positive picture?  We take it out on STReport and its editors.
 Hey, why not?  They/it are/is the source for all of this  "bad" news; that
 not all  is as  rosy as we'd all love to believe it _should_ be.  And when
 you name names, or even imply them, the furor gets even worse!  God forbid
 if any  of us  say anything bad about the company or those who support it!
 For shame  that  any  of  us  have  an  opinion  that  doesn't  agree with
 everything we  see and hear!  Put these doomsayers out to pasture; or wor-
 se, ostracize them in public and then shoot them!   Get rid  of the source
 behind this  negativity and  all of  our problems will be resolved, right?
 Wrong.  All that would change is you wouldn't read about anything negative
 anymore.   You'd be  left with  just the  propaganda.  There are those who
 would rejoice at that possibility, I would not.

     Perhaps, Ralph and STReport should not get so involved in the politics
 surrounding  Atari.     Unfortunately,   that's  easier  said  than  done.
 Unfortunately, it's the true  politicians who  really enjoy  politics; and
 it's those  who aren't  who usually  enjoy taking the politicians to task.
 Then again, there are those who enjoy dabbling in both!

     So, where does that leave Ralph and STReport?  Right smack in the mid-
 dle, I'd  daresay.  Ralph is not a blind Atari follower, but if he had his
 druthers he'd want to be a follower.  He is, however, a  true advocate for
 the end  user.  His efforts to guarantee that STReport is out regularly is
 part of the proof.  His willingness to talk with anyone about  anything is
 well known.

     His contributions  to user  group shows  is highly commendable, and he
 supports them whenever he  can, however  he can.   He  maintains an online
 presence on  _all_ the  major services.  He maintains an open line of com-
 munication with his editors and writers to keep us/him informed  of what's
 going on.

     Am I  claiming that  everything that appears in STReport is the gospel
 truth and you should blindly and openly agree?   No  way.   Not all rumors
 turn out  to be  true.   Not all  opinions are correct in everyone's view.
 But I can tell you that STReport does  not make  up stories,  or report on
 things based  on unsubstantiated  rumor.  It would be journalistic suicide
 to do so.

     Before anyone takes me to task  for this  editorial, let  me state for
 the record that I was _not_ solicited for the above statements.  Ralph has
 been accused several times  of "using"  myself and  Lloyd Pulley  of being
 his/STReport's mouthpiece  while sitting  back and  keeping quiet.  I am a
 contributing editor to this magazine, but  I am  an Atari  user first. one
 who  has  an  investment  like  everyone else in the various equipment and
 software we use.  I am a proud  Atari  user  who  would  like  to  be even
 prouder.  I am quite active in the local Atari community, and try to main-
 tain similar activity here and on Delphi and  GEnie.   If my  two machines
 were simply  toys or a passing hobby, I'd behave accordingly.  I'd imagine
 that Ralph would do the same.

     If you have any comments to make about this editorial,  or STReport in
 general, I'd  like to hear them.  You can certainly take issue to anything
 that I have stated.  I have always been open to hear  opposing viewpoints,
 and STReport  has always  been amenable to publishing them.  Your opinions
 are welcome, and you can keep them  "off  the  record"  if  you  should so
 desire.  I can be reached on Delphi and GEnie, DPJ and D.JACOBSON2 respec-
 tively; or  you  can  contact  STReport  directly  on  any  of  the online
 services.

     STReport's online  addresses are listed at the beginning of any issue.
 On Delphi, reach us in the ST Advantage area; and on GEnie,  CAT 26, TOPIC
 2 are the open forums.

     In conclusion,  let me  reiterate that it's always the easy way out to
 take it out on the bearer of bad news.  No one has to like the  content of
 such news,  but with the good also comes the bad.  STReport has a _lot_ to
 offer its readers, both good and bad.  Be open-minded about it  all is all
 _I_ ask.  Regardless of how you feel, don't "kill the messenger".


                                             Until next time...


    __________________________________________________________________






 > Developer Miffed STR FOCUS         Fast Tech's Jim Allen speaks out!
   ==========================




 From GEnie..
 Category 15,  Topic 10
 Message 135       Wed Jul 17, 1991
 J.ALLEN27                    at 12:53 EDT


           Letter to the Editor of AtariUser Magazine

     Dear Mr. Editor,

     I am  writing to you to register my disappointment with the content of
 an article on page 11 of the July 1991 issue of AtariUser.  The article in
 question made  reference to the newest product released by my company FAST
 TECHNOLOGY, and reads as follows:

     "A quasi-related mini-controversy has been raging over Jim Allen's
      Turbo20 accelerator. It seems that Jim has redesigned his Turbo16
      and is driving "hand picked" 16Mhz 68000s at a higher clock rate
      to get still faster performance. A few critics forecast doom as the
      overdriven chips burn their way to oblivion, taking your computer
      with it. Jim claims quite to the contrary, his selection process
      determines the chips that can take the faster running without decay,
      and the ones that won't cut it aren't used. He stakes his reputation-
      a good one to date-on the reliability of the product. It's $329.
      FAST TECHNOLOGY, P.O.Box 578, Andover MA 01810, 508-475-3810"

     Since the issue hit the streets I have  received numerous  calls, let-
 ters, and  Email from  users, customers,  and customers-to-be, many orders
 were cancelled.

     The reason for cancellation was concern  about the  possible harm that
 the  Turbo20  might  do  to  their computers "as the overdriven chips BURN
 their way to oblivion".

     In a market this small, with so few  outlets of  Atari related product
 information left,  where the  user community is still smarting after being
 "burned" by bad hardware designs, I  find it  APPALLING that  a journalist
 would make such imflammatory statements, even in jest, or as a spoof.

     The user  community is  not composed of electrical engineers and other
 professionals who would know better than to believe  such statements. Most
 users are unfamiliar with these issues and look to the press for undestan-
 ding and enlightenment.

     No FACTS are cited, no "critics" are named  or quoted.  Yet the reader
 is left with the impression that people "in the know" have experience with
 these issues and have severe reservations about the product.

     Since Fast Technology is the world's foremost authority  on high speed
 68000 design, with the only 20+Mhz research program ongoing, it's unlikely
 anyone else in this market would be "in the know"  enough to  even comment
 on the subject.

     The specifics  of how Fast Technology qualifies parts for its products
 are trade  secrets. Over  200 68000s  have been  tested and  only ONE chip
 failed...a  12Mhz  part  that  accidently  got  into  a  shipment from our
 supplier.

     During 1990, Motorola redesigned the 68000  chip...for purely manufac-
 turing reasons,  to increase  yeild and  lower cost. Previous to this Fast
 Technology and other accelerator  makers used  a 12Mhz  68000 qualified by
 Motorola to  operate at  16Mhz...a 33%  overdrive. The  new chips are real
 16Mhz chips, and Fast Technology uses the same  testing method  to qualify
 these for  operation at  20Mhz...a 25% overdrive. The real truth is, these
 chips are faster than even  20Mhz  chips,  but  Motorola  doesn't  want to
 bother marketing the higher speed...can you say 68020, 68030, etc.

     During manufacture, all 680X0/68882 chips are "speed graded". This in-
 volves running the chips at the  highest  speed,  and  testing  the chips.
 Those that pass are rated at that speed, those that fail are tested at the
 next lower speed grade. So as an example,  all the  68030s start  out life
 being tested  at 50Mhz,  and are  then sorted,  even the  ones that end up
 being 16Mhz chips...a 300+% overdrive. No damage is done, to  the chips or
 the test fixture.

     There is  to my  knowledge, no "controversy" about the Turbo20, raging
 or otherwise. There is  no relationship  "quasi" or  otherwise between the
 Turbo20 accelerator  and Gadgets by Small. There is no danger of the 68000
 chip of the Turbo20 "burning up" and no danger of  a failure  causing harm
 to your computer.

     I would appreciate your publishing this letter, to let all of our cus-
 tomers know that their computers aren't about to explode, at least not due
 to the Turbo20.

                                        Respectfully yours,

                                   James C. Allen, President

                              Fast Technology
                                P.O.Box 578
                             Andover, MA 01810
                              (508)-475-3810

  Editor Note;
  ------------
     For those  of you who may not be familiar with Jim Allen, Fast Tech or
 his accomplishmwents, the facts   are  plain and  simple.   Jim blazed the
 accellerator path  in the ST platform when others were trying to produce a
 product that barely performed.  Fast Tech introduced their T-16 and it was
 a stormer,  a first  class, reliable performer.  This editor has three and
 this one I'm using now is going on  two years  in the  same machine.   The
 machine has  performed magnificently.   I might add that if anyone has any
 fears as to the reliablity of  Fast Tech,  its products  or Jim,  you have
 absolutely nothing to be concerned about.

     Its odd  indeed, this business of a piece of hardware that may toast a
 computer...  Thought I saw a whole topic  about this  very same  thing, "a
 product that  is not  only bad but downright dangerous.", miraculously ap-
 pear and then mysterously disappear (the whole topic) from an  online ser-
 vice's  ST  area.    While  the  one who uttered this nonsense is not even
 closely identified, (a professional courtesy), its plain and  flat out to-
 tal conjecture  and flimsey  opinion based  on absolutely nothing but moon
 dust.



      _______________________________________________________________





 > TURBO BOARD BBS Ver. 2 STR InfoFile    "How to get your own copy"
   ===================================




                    NEW FULL FEATURED PROFESSIONAL BBS
                                    FOR
                         ATARI ST/STE/TT COMPUTERS




                   Turbo Board ST Version 2 - Order Form
                   """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""


                                                    ______/_____/______


 SYSOP'S REAL NAME:_______________________________________________

 STREET ADDRESS   :_______________________________________________
 COUNTY/CITY      :_______________________________________________
 STATE/PROVINCE   :________________
 COUNTRY          :________________
 ZIP/POSTAL CODE  :________________

 VOICE NUMBER     :_______________________________________________
 BBS NAME         :_______________________________________________
 CURRENT SOFTWARE :_______________________________________________
 BBS NUMBER       :_______________________________________________
 FNET NODE #      :________
 FIDO NODE #      :________



 Amount  Enclosed: ____ $89.95 Canadian Dollars

                      (+ 8% PST if Ontario resident)
                      (+ 7% GST if Canadian resident)

                   ____ $89.95 US Dollars (If US or Foreign Resident)
                   ____ 45 Pounds  (UK or Commonwealth only)

 Delivery Options: ____ $6  for Airmail delivery (Canada and USA)
                   ____ $12 for Airmail Mail delivery (International)
                   ____ $25 for Express Mail delivery (North America only)

 Mail in update:   ____ $10 handling fee

            Total:_______


   DUE TO AN INCREASE OF N.S.F. (BAD) CHEQUES, WE WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT
    PERSONAL CHEQUES UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED.  ALL UNCERTIFIED
               PERSONAL CHEQUES WILL BE RETURNED TO SENDER.

 Please make out your Certified Cheque or Money Order payable to
 BITBLIT SYSTEMS.

 Send your Completed Order Form with payment to:

                              Bitblit Systems
                              1580 Liveoak Dr.
                              Mississauga, ON.
                              Canada, L5E 2X6

 American and Foreign  residents, remember to check for correct postage.

 Comments:_________________________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________


     --------------------------Cut here ------------------------------


 Turbo Board Update Policy Information                  Rev. Jun 28,1991
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Turbo Board Version 2  comes  complete with  Manual, System  Generator and
 all the files needed to get you up and running.

 We  have  our  Crossnet  TECH  SUPPORT  Conference  and our Support BBS at
 416-274-1225 for product support,  and you  may call  up to  download free
 updates, for a given revision  (ie 1.x versions, 2.x versions)

 All Customers may join our Tech Support conferences to support their given
 software versions.  (ie Version 2 Support conference)

 Mail-in Updates
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 If you choose to mail in your Turbo Disk for an update, please enclose $10
 for handling (certified cheque or money order).  We will update your Turbo
 disk with the latest update for a given version (ie V1, or V2).


 Our Policy on Software Piracy
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 We reserve the right NOT to support any  Turbo Board  Owner found pirating
 our software.     If we  have obtained proof that a person has done so, we
 will no longer support them.  Turbo Board is sold on a SITE basis, meaning
 that  you  may  run  the  software  on  more than one machine, ONLY if the
 machines are physically located  at the  same site  (Same Street Address).
 If not,  you are  running your software in violation of our Piracy Policy,
 and we reserve the right to  discontinue product  support and  report such
 conduct to the appropriate federal authorities.


                                   John Miller , ///Turbo Board Support



 Turbo Board ST Version 2
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   Turbo Board ST Version 2 is a total rewrite of our original BBS program.
 Over a year's work has gone into the total rewrite of Version  1, and Bill
 Miller has really outdone himself this time!  We think we have a very good
 BBS program indeed!  Version 2 IS Shipping!!

 The ///Turbo Board  Support bbs is running at bps rates from 1200-14400 if
 you would like to give us a call, the number is 416-274-1225.

 Our F-net  number is  node 18,  if you  are calling  from an ST bbs in the
 Fnet.

 Turbo Board Version 2 is only available through  Bitblit Systems.

 - Our Address:
                 Bitblit Systems
                 1580 Liveoak Dr.
                 Mississauga, Ont.
                 Canada  L5E 2X6


                   Turbo Board Version 2's NEW Features
                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 -Expanded User privileges and Bitmaps for Passwords
 -KByte/File Ratio System
 -Batch uploading & User File Description Editing
 -Ymodem-g uploads for HST users
 -BBS Handles/Real Name system
 -Full User File Editor
 -Masked Sysop commands ( For Co-sysops)
 -Many NEW Sysop Functions, including new File Editor and Password Editor
 -Execute files from Main menu commands
 -Sysop definable Prompts, and menus
 -Main Menu commands and functions fully programable (also Submenus)
 -Many New Copy and Save Functions for Fmail, and other files
 -Quick help edit prompt in message editor
 -Modular BBS, (Main Module only uses about 80K of memory) for greater
  free memory when running Binkley (Fido Mailer)
 -NEW Database, you can use  archives, and users can easily upload new
  database entries, entries have access levels
 -BBS handles line answering instead of modem
 -NEW SIG system for grouping message bases, fully configurable by Sysop
 -Quick Chat and DOS keys from local console
 -NEW Turbo System Generator with expanded features
 -UPDATE program for Turbo V1 and Forem ST Sysops to convert to V2
 -New Version 2 Manual (addendum for Version 1 Turbo Owners)

 -And many other new small features not listed here that are improvements
  over our Version 1.0

 -Version 2.0 is now running on our support bbs, and is available NOW.

 Pricing:
 ~~~~~~~~
 $89.95 US - USA and International List price
 $69.95 US - Special price for FOREM ST V2  and EXPRESS ST SYSOPS
             (With proof of ownership - manual cover or valid Fnet node)
 $29.95 US - Special Update offer for Registered Turbo Version 1 Sysops

             (Canadian residents may send CDN dollars instead of US)

                                 *******

 We have noticed that the people writing the new versions of Forem  ST have
 copied many  of our  newer features  that we had in version 1.0 of our BBS
 program.  Many of the sysops running Forem ST, look at Turbo Board and ask
 the Forem guys to include our new features.

 We  only  say,  you  can  go  with  the  leader,  or you can stay with the
 followers.  Why wait for new features, when you can  have them  now, as it
 will take FOREM a LONG time to catch up to us this time around.

 Turbo  Board  Version  2  is  the  MOST  ADVANCED AND POWERFUL BBS program
 available for the Atari ST.




     _________________________________________________________________






 > Hard Disks STR InfoFile          ***** ABCO SUMMER '91 SPECIALS! *****
   =======================




                       ** EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY! **

                      ABCO COMPUTER ELECTRONICS INC.
              P.O. Box 6672  Jacksonville, Florida 32236-6672
                                Est.  1985
                 _________________________________________

                   Voice: 904-783-3319  10 AM - 4 PM EDT
                     BBS: 904-786-4176   12-24-96 HST
                    FAX: 904-783-3319  12 PM - 6 AM EDT
                 _________________________________________

                   HARD DISK SYSTEMS TO FIT EVERY BUDGET
                 _________________________________________

   All systems are complete and ready to use, included at NO EXTRA COST
                 are clock/calendar and cooling blower(s).

            *-ALL ABCO HARD DISK SYSTEMS ARE FULLY EXPANDABLE-*
                 (you are NOT limited to two drives ONLY!)
                   (all cables and connectors installed)

    * ICD HOST ADAPTERS USED EXCLUSIVELY * OMTI HIGH SPEED CONTROLLERS *
      * ICD ADSCSI+ HOST ADAPTERS * FULL SCSI COMMAND SET SUPPORTED *
                  * SCSI EMBEDDED CONTROLLER MECHANISMS *

                   WE PAY SHIPPING!!!  >BLUE LABEL UPS!<

               Deluxe 2 bay Cabinet w/65w auto-switching PS
                   TIME PROVEN to be the most reliable!
            Model        Description      Autopark       Price
            ==================================================
            SGN4951      51Mb 24ms   3.5"    Y          479.00
            SGN1096      85Mb 24ms   5.25"   Y          549.00
            SGN2055     105mb 12ms   3.5"    Y          649.00
            SGN6277     120Mb 12ms   3.5"    Y          789.00
            SGN1296     170Mb 12ms   3.5"    Y         1019.00
            ==================================================
                 FULLY ASSEMBLED SCSI DRIVES DEDUCT $60.00
               ADD $35.00 for 4 BAY SUPER CABINET w/250+w PS
              EXOTIC TOWER CABINETS AVAIALABLE Call for Info!
              PLEASE NOTE: The above is partial listing only!

          CPU ACCELERATOR & MEMORY UPGRADES AVAILABLE & INSTALLED

        >> ABCO is now taking orders for 1040 & MEGA STe Computers! <<
                Call for VERY special Introductory prices!
                  ATARI COMPUTERS * STILL THE BEST VALUE!

           If you don't see what you want listed here, call us.
                Odds are we have it or, can get it for you!
                        AT THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICE!

                 "We service what we sell. (IF necessary)"

                      ****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******

       * SYQUEST 44MB (#555) >> ABCO "44" << REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE *

          - SYQUEST 44 MB DRIVE         - ICD ST ADSCSI PLUS H/A
          - ICD Utility Software        - 3' DMA Cable
          - Fan & Clock                 - Multi-Unit Power Supply
                          (1) 44 MB Syquest Cart.
                --->> SPECIAL! NOW ONLY __$ 645.00__ <<---
                   **** SCSI UNITS -> ONLY $585.00 ****

                   WE PAY SHIPPING!!!  >BLUE LABEL UPS!<
                  COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED AND READY TO RUN!
                    Cart and Utility Software Included!

                        EXTRA CARTS:      $  74.50
                        DRIVE MECH ONLY:  $ 349.95

                      ****** SPECIAL - SPECIAL ******

   * TWIN SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVES ... PROGRAMMER'S DELIGHT *
                       SPECIALLY PRICED ** $1019.00 **
                         Includes TWO cartridges!

    * SYQUEST 44MB REMOVABLE MEDIA DRIVE AND HARD DRIVE COMBINATIONS *
         - Syquest 44 Model [555] and the following hard drives -

             50mb SQG51   $ 819.00     85mb SQG96    $ 1019.00

                 LOWBOY - STANDARD - DUAL BLOWER CABINETS
                      CUSTOM CONFIGURATIONS AVAILABLE

                   WE PAY SHIPPING!!!  >BLUE LABEL UPS!<

           Listed above are a sampling of the systems available.
      Prices also reflect various cabinet/power supply configurations
    (over sixty configurations are available, flexibility is unlimited)

      ALL UNITS COMPATIBLE WITH --> SUPERCHARGER - AT/PC SPEED - GCR
           LARGER units are available - (Custom Configurations)

                      *>> NO REPACKS OR REFURBS USED! <<*

       - Custom Walnut WOODEN Cabinets - TOWER - AT - XT Cabinets -

            * SLM 804 Replacement Toner Cartridge Kits $42.95 *
                       * Toner Starter Kits $49.95 *
                       * Replacement Drums $183.95 *

               >> MANY other ATARI related products STOCKED <<
                      ALL POWER SUPPLIES UL APPROVED

                       -* 12 month FULL Guarantee *-
                         (A FULL YEAR of COVERAGE)

                   WE PAY SHIPPING!!!  >BLUE LABEL UPS!<
                 QUANTITY & USERGROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE!
                 _________________________________________

                     DEALERS and DISTRIBUTORS WANTED!
                         please, call for details

                 Personal and Company Checks are accepted.

                        ORDER YOUR NEW UNIT TODAY!

           CALL: 1-800-562-4037   -=**=-    CALL: 1-904-783-3319
           Customer Orders ONLY               Customer Service
                                9am - 8pm EDT
                                Tues thru Sat

                ABCO is EXPANDING!!  CALL FOR INFORMATION!




       ____________________________________________________________




 > A "Quotable Quote"
   ====================


                      "Small flakes are STILL flakes!"

                                     ....150 proof Bartender's Guide




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