Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!lll-winken!aunro!ersys!mforget
From: mforget@ersys.edmonton.ab.ca (Michel Forget)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Atari 540ST Questions
Message-ID: <937m33w164w@ersys.edmonton.ab.ca>
Date: 28 May 91 05:43:31 GMT
References: <91144.152942U43610@uicvm.uic.edu>
Organization: Edmonton Remote Systems, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Lines: 59

U43610@uicvm.uic.edu writes:

> 1)  How are the graphics?

The graphics are good.  640 X 400 in Monochrome, 640 X 200 in Medium 
Resolution w/ 4 Colors and 320 X 200 in Low Resolution w/ 16 Colors.  
Programs like Spectrum allow you to draw pictures with as many as 512 
colors on screen at once in Low Resolution.  The Monochrome display is 
crisp and enjoyable to use.  There are many graphics programs available 
to use.

2) Is there a CAD system available for the Atari ST units?  How GOOD is it?

There are several CAD programs, although I have never used them.  CAD 3D 
2.0 is supposed to be impressive, as are other CAD programs.  I do not 
know the production status of these products, but if they are not being 
sold anymore you may be able to purchase them used{

> 3)  How good is the mouse system on the unit?

The mouse isn't bad at all.  It has two buttons, and looks fairly good.  
It is a nice mouse, but there are third party mice available if you don't 
like it.  The Atari mouse is FAR BETTER than the Mac mouse, which I have 
to use at school.  It has a better response and moves faster.

> 4)  How available is software?  Is it expensive? Is is widly pirated?

There are many software packages available for the Atari ST, but not 
nearly as many as the IBM systems.  Atari is a smaller company, and has a 
smaller share of the market.  The programs are of excellent quality in 
most cases, with a few exceptions.  Software usually sells{for prices 
between $70-$100, except in the case of Word Processors which are between 
$120 (Word Writer W/ Dictionary & Spell Checker) and $200 (Word Perfect 
and the others{).

> 5)  What storage devices are available?  Is there a floppy dbuilt in?

Yes, there is a 720K floppy drive built in.  The older systems had 360K 
floppies, but the newer ones don't.  It is fairly fast, but don't expect 
miracles.  It seems faster than the IBM counterparts, though.  There are 
also the usual assortment of Hard Drives available.  I haven't seen any 
CD-Roms yet or Optical Drives yet, though.  There are removable Hard 
Drive cartridge systems and 10 MEG floppies, though.

> 6)  Is there a telecommunications package for the Atari ST?

Yes.  There is also a serial (and parallel) port on the machine.  The be 
best communications package I have seen is Interlink, which pretty much 
covers all the bases.  Th9e only thing it doesn't have is Zmodem, which 
is supplied by another (PD) program.

> Ken


<<  ----------------------------------  >>
<<  ersys!mforget@nro.cs.athabascau.ca  >>
<<     mforget@ersys.edmonton.ab.ca     >>
<<            Michel Forget             >>
<<  ----------------------------------  >>