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From: saj@chinet.chi.il.us (Stephen Jacobs)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: What the ST should be
Summary: Wishes
Message-ID: <1991Mar03.003414.4410@chinet.chi.il.us>
Date: 3 Mar 91 00:34:14 GMT
References: <1991Feb28.213727.46962@cc.usu.edu>
Organization: Chinet - Chicago Public Access UNIX
Lines: 23

I have a different wishlist.  I'd stick with the 68000 for a 'super-ST', in
part because there really would be applications broken by the hardware 
differences.  I'd like to see available memory increased to 16 MB, with the
starting configuration about 1 MB.  A megapixel monochrome mode and something
around 640 x 400 x 64 colors from a large palette would be nice for video, and
it would be cost-effective to tune the details so they could run on popular
multisync monitors.  It would be VERY nice to see TOS re-done to include the
best of the extensions (or at least the best of the PD extensions).  I'd like
the developers' compiler to be GNU C, with Atari-developed libraries so it
wouldn't be necessary to link with GNU libraries.  If at all possible, I'd 
like 1.4 meg floppies and a built-in rudimentary PC emulator (or some kind
of Atari-label PC emulator).  I have the highest regard for suppliers of host
adapters, but Atari should put a Mac-style SCSI port on the machine (as on
the TT).  Room in the box for a hard disk, and a way to support virtual memory
would be nice, but a built-in hard disk and VM out-of -the-box don't sound like
basic features (I know VM with a 68000 requires hardware support--still sounds
better than going to a 68010).  I'd consider 16 MHz the minimum acceptable
speed for a brand new machine, and would like to see more.  Networking needn't
be built in, but again, should be available with Atari label accessories, and
compatible with SOME standard that's out there already.
    Basically, I thing the Mega STe is a great beginning, but only a beginning.

                                          Steve     saj@chinet.chi.il.us