Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!netcom!seitz
From: seitz@netcom.UUCP (Matthew Seitz)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Just gripin'...
Keywords: gripes software naught
Message-ID: <17941@netcom.UUCP>
Date: 3 Dec 90 00:40:20 GMT
References: <249@stbimbo.UUCP>
Organization: Netcom- The Bay Area's Public Access Unix System {408 241-9760 guest}
Lines: 57


I retract my earilier statement that Atari ST is dying.  What is dying is

1.  Dealer support, and

2.  Interest by the general computing public and major software publishers.

Outside of these two areas, there are lots of signs of strength:

1.  There are plenty of ST periodicals.  I just picked up a half dozen.  Some
of these are available at general computer stores (not just Atari dealers).

2.  New software and hardware products and updates to old products are still
being released.  I've read reviews this week of 3 68030 upgrades.

3.  Atari is still making and improving on the ST.  The STe is shipping.  The
Stacy is shipping.  TOS 1.4 is shipping.  The TT and Mega STe sound darn close
to shipping..e

4.  There are plenty of mail order shops with lots of titles available.

No, the ST doesn't look like it's going to replace DOS or the Mac as the most
popular computers.  It doesn't even look like were giving the Amiga much to 
worry about.  But why does that have to kill the Atari?  Isn't there enough
room in the market for a fourth computer standard?  Just because the ST is #4
doesn't make it dead.  It just makes it #4.

Owning a popular computer makes your life easier.  More software, more dealers.
But just becauase a computer isn't popular doesn't make it inferior.  It just
means you have to work a little harder to find the parts you need.  But if you
take that time, you may have a better computer than if you took the first IBM
clone that got stuck under you're nose.

Yes, I'd love for Atari the be the most popular computer.  I'd like there to
be plenty of dealers, and Borland and Microsoft writing software for it.  But
those aren't the critical issues.  The critical issues for me are:

1.  Is there another computer that can do what I'm doing with my ST for less
    money?

2.  Is there another computer that can do what I'm doing sufficiently better
    to justify paying more than I do for my Atari ST?

3.  Is there another computer than can do something my Atari can't, and is worth
    paying more than I do for my Atari ST?

I think the ST/TT family can survive as a #4 computer.  I think there are
enough users and developers out there that I'll continue to find the software,
hardware, parts, and support that I want and need.  It may not always be as
easy as with an IBM or Mac.  But with a little work, I can have a better system
for less money than with either of the big two.
 
   
-- 
					Matthew Seitz
					seitz@netcom.UUCP
					netcom!seitz