cr1@beach.cis.ufl.edu (Anubis) (03/28/90)
Hello World. First off, is there a hard drive defragger available for the ST, preferably something PD? Second off, we've all heard everyone's opinions on if atari is going to fold and why they seem to be abusing their users. Such a dedicated lot we are, aren't we? Anyway, why can't some of these guys who work at atari who have net access attempt to get an official statement from atari, maybe even from someone IMPORTANT at atari? To me, Atari seems to be the single most stupid corporation in the world. (Advertise? Hey, what an idea! Let's ADVERTISE the fact that the ST can emulate a mac, ibm, cpm, etc...etc...HEY, maybe an 'Uprgrade your Mac to an ST' campaign...WOW! WHAT A %$%#$%#@ concept! Ooops, flame off...). I give up. Oh Great Gods of Atari, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?! -- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= * Christoper Roth * "Machines have no * InterNet : cr1@beach.cis.ufl.edu * Conscience..." =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Post No Bills-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
gl8f@astsun9.astro.Virginia.EDU (Greg Lindahl) (03/28/90)
In article <22758@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU> cr1@beach.cis.ufl.edu (Chris Roth) writes: > Anyway, why can't some of these guys who work >at atari who have net access attempt to get an official statement from >atari, maybe even from someone IMPORTANT at atari? Usenet isn't a place where official things get said, generally. The financial information we've been discussing is the kind of thing your stockbroker gets; No company with a comp.sys.* group posts things on it that would be seen as an advertisement. But you will see Atari people here answering technical questions. And that's very useful for some of us. Thanks, guys! Of course, if you make a posting here with the attitude of "I'm asking Atari a question, they should answer me!" you'll probably become disappointed. This is the newsgroup of the rabble, not the company; Atari people happen to participate here, but they don't run the group. We rabble types are happy to comment about just about anything, though. Greg Lindahl gl8f@virginia.edu I gave my lunch for space-sickness research.
boyd@fsucs.cs.fsu.edu (Mickey Boyd) (03/28/90)
In article <22758@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU>, cr1@beach.cis.ufl.edu (Chris Roth) writes: >Hello World. > >First off, is there a hard drive defragger available for the ST, >preferably something PD? > Well, the ICD utilities include a defragger (I think) and are free. The catch is that you must own an ICD host adapter to use them (they are about to come out with a new line of HA's, might want to wait if you are about to purchase). Also, Michtron's Turbo HD kit includes a defragger. I do not know which is better, if any. The next part is a long semi-warm flame, skip now or forever hold your peace. >Second off, we've all heard everyone's opinions on if atari is going >to fold and why they seem to be abusing their users. Such a dedicated >lot we are, aren't we? Anyway, why can't some of these guys who work >at atari who have net access attempt to get an official statement from >atari, maybe even from someone IMPORTANT at atari? To me, Atari seems >to be the single most stupid corporation in the world. (Advertise? >Hey, what an idea! Let's ADVERTISE the fact that the ST can emulate a >mac, ibm, cpm, etc...etc...HEY, maybe an 'Uprgrade your Mac to an ST' >campaign...WOW! WHAT A %$%#$%#@ concept! Ooops, flame off...). > >I give up. Oh Great Gods of Atari, WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?! > I am beginning to believe that Atari managment is more dedicated to making money than making a good product, and then making money. This is the general trend in American business, and it sucks for a product like a personal computer because it robs users of much desired support. I think Atari would move to selling fried pigskins if they thought they could make a buck. They just do not care that a computer product can REALLY take off given the proper support, they would just rather make a quick buck off the sale of the hardware, and let third parties risk tangling with the wiles and whims of supporting a computer product (people are notorious for changing their minds for no good reason). This is the basic difference between a company like (I hate to say it) Apple, and Atari. Apple does stand behind their products (over-priced as they are), and does help other companies and dealers do the same thing. A relationship with Atari starts and ends with the purchase of equipment. The sad thing is that the product is so potentially marketable, the only computer coming close in terms of user-friendliness being the $$$Mac$$$. There are enough people that KNOW that Atari hardware is really good, very cheap, and has some really good stuff written for it, to make this line of computers a success. But to do this, Atari has to get involved. One thing that would really help would be to somehow get the info that most Atari users learn by expensive trial and error out to the general potential and new buyer: What software is really worth the money! I know that there are many great non-game packages available for the ST (Pagestream 1.8, Neodesk, Michtron stuff, Codehead stuff, GBS stuff, Neocept stuff all comes to mind). The problem is that for every excellent program in every catagory, there are 3 or 4 lemons that would discourage anyone from ST line. Atari should endorse good software (or at least WORKING software), and distribute this info with their computers. Another great idea would be to distribute some high-power PD stuff with them (look at the NeXT, it comes with GNU C!!). There are many PD packages for the ST that completely outclass any comercial product of the same type (Uniterm, IMHO would fit this description). I think that an envelope with about 10 disks full of good PD, shareware, and a working software list (perhaps on an STwriter file, with STwriter of course) should be given away with every ST. They could also include demos of stuff, which would help the new user decide where to plunk his cash down initially (which is the critical time to help people, if they get pissed in the beginning, there will not BE a later for that product). It really annoys me that all the makings of a successful line of computers (empire style) are here: Good machines, good software, good online support (GENIE, etc), enthusiasm of many owners (Atari people have always known that they had some really good stuff, and nobody knew about it. This creates a rather defensive attitude in many, and quite rightly so). Atari has managed to create incredible potential, and then throw it away like complete morons! The funny thing is, they DO still make money, and they are a BIG company. The Tramiels are not at all displeased with the cash they have received for the sale of Atari equipment, because it is a LOT of cash. Thus, for the intended goal (making bucks), they are a success. But they could be a MAJOR success. In other words, I think that flaming Atari for being ignorant of basic marketing strategy is incorrect. They do know, but that is not what they are after. They want to make cash NOW, and have the option of moving on later if Atari users turn fickle and go buy IBM's or something. What they are ignorant of (heehee) is that they are CREATING that situation themselves. Yeesh, enough. This is now a registered book, I am sorry of the length. Before I send this off, I want to make something clear. This is MY current opinion. It might change in 10 minutes, or I might take it with me to the grave. This is the nice thing about opinions. If you would like to make a comment about my opinion, send it to me. Do not clutter up the net with opinions of opinions. Instead, make your very OWN opinion, and post IT to the net. I am sick of flame wars with old messages indented 4 deep in them. I have seen too many messages get butchered down to a few lines (via reply mode) that no longer carry their original meaning. >-- >=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >* Christoper Roth * "Machines have no >* InterNet : cr1@beach.cis.ufl.edu * Conscience..." >=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Post No Bills-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------+------------------------------------- Mickey Boyd | "Nobody can be exactly like me. FSU Computer Science | Even I have trouble doing it." Technical Support Group | mail: boyd@fsucs.cs.fsu.edu | - Tallulah Bankhead ---------------------------------+------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------