jacobson@uxe.cso.uiuc.edu (12/19/88)
I have a friend who is looking for a computer to do MIDI work with. He is looking at either the ST or Amiga. Myself I have the Amiga, so I am not well versed on the ST but I do know of its strong history in the MIDI and Music area so I am recommending he at least look at it seriously. I have some concerns about the things I have read here over the net about apparent problems of company support, lagging sales and efforts in the US. I have read also those notes (and have heard elsewhere) of what looks like a large exodus of ST developers away from the machine. What I would like to know for the sake of my friend is more definate information about what the facts are concerning the lack of dealers (and support), whether the desertions by developers are as bad as some say, and so on. I am concerned if the notes and rumors I hear are at all true, then I should forwarn my friend of the "orphaning of the ST". Support in terms of developers and dealers is getting strong for the Amiga, but these notes I read here make me wonder about the ST. I know that the dealership support here in Champaign Urbana has been pretty absent (I believe the "dealer" is an ST enthusiast who sells "mailorder" stuff out of his home but I don't hear much about him). At the same time I remember early during the ST-Amiga Wars the rumors and iduendos about Commodores problems, potential demise, and the persistent myth about software lack that was hard to shake even once the software became abundant. So I want to make informed recommendations to my friend about his choice of a first computer, one hopefully that is in the market firmly in terms of dealer/company/developer support. So if the negative stuff I have read/heard is exaggerated I would like to hear so from you who know your ST and where it currently stands. I would appreciate email on what you know about the real facts on Atari Support, dealership problems (such as lack of), developer support (new software or if developers have largely abandoned the ST?). I don't want to make the mistake of taking what could be merely rumors/bad press to my friend as he decides on a computer. I like people to make informed decisions on computer choices- not colored by rumors, company propaganda, etc. Also if anyone of you out there have a list of ST music software, with descriptions of what it does I would like to get a email copy (if you have such in a file on your systems). I have given my friend several long lists of the daily growing Amiga music stuff, but I know that with the built in MIDI port, and the ST's initial lower price, many musicians went for it strongly and the software appears to be a little more mature for the ST. Any information on MIDI software for the ST would be much appreciated (lists, reviews, and the such). Thanks for your time in reading this, and for any information you can email me that I could give to my friend. I think both the ST and Amiga are the best computer choices out there, but I would like for more information on the negative things I have mentioned above in order to have a hopefully better informed perspective on what is really true. Rumors of the negative type tend to grow and get enlarged out of perspective, and I am wondering if this is the case for the ST. Russ Jacobson 615 E. Peabody Drive Illinois Geological Survey Champaign, IL 61820 217-244-2425 (office) 217-384-6983 (home)
jacobson@uxe.cso.uiuc.edu (12/19/88)
Since I wrote this note I did have a chance to talk to the local "dealer" (he only sells 1040's and 520's, Megas cost too much for him to meet dealer requirements). He indicated to me that the "developer exodus" is mainly US. Since Atari has currently concentrated on the European market where they can sell most of what they make, the US market is pretty negletected for now (he has hard time even getting 1040's). He seemed to feel that European sales and software development are where most things are going on. He hopes that someday the US development of software will pick up again, but did indicate that most of it was low to dead for now. Again I am interested in any more details on this----and if anyone can confirm the info I got from the local dealer (who is an ST enthusiast and student at U of I). Also he indicated to me that my friend who wants to do MIDI applications should plan at least on the 1040, since the better applications need 1 MEG to operate fully. Is this correct, or could he get by with a 1040. The price on a 1040 is too high for his budget (the dealer can only get a few and cost is high right now). Thus if he chooses ST could he get by with a 520 ST for MIDI applications?????? Also below you can find my net addresses, forgot to put up when I sent this note yesterday. jacobson@uiucuxe jacobson%uiucuxe@a.cs.uiuc.edu jacobson%uiucuxe@uiuc.csnet [ihnp4,pur-ee,convex]!uiucdcs!uiucuxc!uiucuxe!jacobson
saj@chinet.chi.il.us (Stephen Jacobs) (12/19/88)
On a related topic to the referenced article: There are A LOT of MIDI 'toy keyboards' around suddenly. I'm talking about Casio and Yamaha PCM key- boards in the $150 range. Are these of any value to a non-musician who'd like a 'digital jukebox'? Are they of any interest to a musician (I'm thinking especially of a professional player of the Fender-Rhodes electric piano, a device with excellent tone but no dynamics to speak of)?
rona@hpdml93.HP.COM (ron abramson) (12/22/88)
I don't have time to reply to this note but, I JUST CAN'T HELP MYSELF!!! IN MY OPINION: There is plenty of good software available for the ST. Also, most of this software is very reasonably priced! I've rarely had to contact Atari directly so I can't evaluate their support. Once when I did ask for the answer to a question, someone from Atari called me back in less than a week and I was satisfied. Thank you, Atari. Most of the support I've needed has come from fellow users and they have been GREAT! If your friend has access to the net and/or a users group, I can't see that support will be too much of a problem unless he plans to do something far more technical than I've attempted. I'm not sure if developers are abandoning the Atari, could that be because there is a pretty good base of software already available? For just about any standard application you can name, I can probably mention a good (maybe not great) software product that will meet the needs of most users. So, maybe that's the reason? Would you develop another "C" compiler when there are already several top quality compilers available? I can't recommend MIDI software because I don't use the stuff. But really, I just have to get back to work! All in all, the Atari still seems like a pretty good value to me. Ron Abramson P.S. Insert standard disclamer