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From: davidli@simvax.labmed.umn.edu
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy
Subject: Re: Atari-To-Amiga Convert Info Source!
Message-ID: <1991Jun24.233401.1@simvax.labmed.umn.edu>
Date: 24 Jun 91 23:34:01 GMT
References: <30289@know.pws.bull.com>
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The following article belongs in comp.sys.amiga.advocacy, NOT
comp.sys.atari.st.  Please ensure proper newsgroups are used.

In article <30289@know.pws.bull.com>, ai065@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Thomas Hill) writes:
> 
> darling@cellar.UUCP (Darling) writes:
>  
> %ai065@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Thomas Hill) writes:
>  
>>                                        Even Atari's best feature,
>> good MIDI software, is weakening as several of those authors port their
>> software to the Amiga.
>  
> %Ever met a professional producer, Tom?  We use the best programs available on 
> %any computer:  C-Lab's CREATOR/NOTATOR for sequencing, Digidesign's ATARI 
> %SOUND TOOLS for digital audio recording/editing, and POLYFRAME for patch 
> %editing.  None, I repeat, NONE of these have been ported to the Amiga.  And 
> %unless future Amiga machines clean up the severe MIDI timing problems they've 
> %got now, they never will be.
>  
>  In all my reading and experience with the Amiga, I have yet to hear one
> complaint about "severe MIDI timing problems". Care to back that up with some
> source material? Also, please re-read what I just wrote, as you seem to have
> taken it out of context. "Even Atari's best feature, good MIDI software, is
> weakening as several of those authors port their software to the Amiga." Did I
> mention any of the above titles? The answer is no, but I can promise you that
> I always deal in facts. After all, facts are what made me pick the Amiga over
> the ST and any other computer in it's price range. Here are a few quotes from
> the January 1991 issue of Amiga User International-
>  
>  "In 1985 Steinberg introduced an Atari sequencer called the Pro24. It was
> good, well ahead of it's time in some respects, and tt's dit rapidly
> gained professional acceptance."
>  
>  "The fact that Steinberg have released a Pro24 version on the Amiga is
> significant in several respects not least in that it indicates that Steinberg
> are now prepared to take the Commodore Amiga music market seriously. Make no
> mistake...the Amiga, from a technical viewpoint, can run rings around the ST
> but because of the lack of music software many musicians had, until fairly
> recently, been wondering whether professionally useable packages would ever
> arrive."
>  
>  "The Amiga version of the Pro24 is not a direct port of the original program-
> it's a complete re-write. The aim was nevertheless to produce an enhanced
> look-a-like, as opposed to an identical one, and this is something which has
> clearly been achieved."
>  
>  "With Pro24 Amiga all of this is taken one stage further because the program
> runs in the standard multi-tasking environment. Whereas machines like the ST
> are struggling to provide the sort of environment in which several programs
> can run simultaneously..."
>  
>  It goes on to say many nice things about the program. Anyway, beyond this
> there are several other Atari software vendors ported their MIDI software to
> the Amiga. Some of these (even titles you mentioned) are still in the rumor
> stage.
>  
>> On the other hand, Amiga sales are higher than ever.
>  
> %Bzzzt!  Commodore just posted its worst figures in 4 years.  
>  
>  Oh really? I'd love to hear where you got that information. I can post recent
> figures from the source that say we've just had one of the best years. Care
> for them?
>  
>>                               If you need any advice on file conversion,
>> where to buy Amiga-related hardware for the best price, information on the
>> Atari ST emulators out for the Amiga, or have any other questions related 
> to
>  
> %I'll save you the time, Tom.  Amiga ST emulators blow.  They're all slow, 
> %buggy, and none, I say again NONE, work properly with any MIDI software 
> %whatsoever.  Makes ME want to rush out and buy one, so I can play 32-million- 
> %coloured games instead of all that WORK I'm getting done now.
>  
>    As typed in from the Feb issue of Amiga World, page 109:
>  
>                                 BrainSTorm
>  
>         It had to happen and here it is! The MAST ATARI Emulator!
>  
>  Make your Atari friends envious - now your Amiga emulates yet another
> computer, this time the Atari. BrainSTorm is a software/hardware combination
> from MAST Germany that runs 98% of Atari software (approx.), including MIDI
> support. It even emulates the Atari keyboard click! All programs should run
> except the very small percentage that do direct DMA or program the MFP. It
> supports:
>  
> * 8mb Fast RAM, 2mb chip ram
> * all ST resolutions including color
> * full page monitor emulation with scrolling
> * Amiga serial & parallel ports
> * all Amiga drives (df0-df3) simultaneously
> * two ST's at same time in one Amiga!
> * almost ST speed, text is 120% faster, disk 108%
> * hardware emulates the ST custom chips, has sockets for Atari ROMS, and does
>   addr. translation
> * Atari PD support on our BBS
>  
> Price is $99
>  
>  Call MAST at (702) 359-0444
>  
> [END OF FILE]
>  
>  Other ST emulators, some in total software, exist for the Amiga also.
>  
>>                                      I have received several requests for
>> information to smooth the conversion from the Atari to the Amiga. I do this 
> as
>> a service to fellow computer users.
>  
> %You noble soul!  The self-sacrifice!  In turn, I offer to help YOU smooth the 
> %conversion of your lips from their present location to my sweaty posterior.  
> %I do this as a service!
>  
>  This kind of talk leads nowhere and isn't productive to the conversation. If
> you want to talk facts then I suggest you stay on the topic. I won't respond
> to such remarks as they have nothing to do with the exchange of facts. Please
> try to do the same.
>  
> %Tom, I haven't read such a heap of bunk it a long time.  If you're frustrated 
> %that your computer isn't being used in any professional environment, fine.  
> %But don't come over here and shovel propaganda and outright false statements 
> %in an effort to get others to join you in your malcontence.  Grow up.  A "my 
> %computer is better" rant under any other name smells equally bad, no matter 
> %how you may attempt to dress it up.
>  
>  You insult me and then tell me to grow up? I am willing to ignore attacks by
> insecure users in order to help those who need the kind of information I am
> providing. So far I have received mail from well over ten Atari users who
> need help in converting to the Amiga. This makes it worth cutting through your
> kind of message. If your not interested in leaving your ST for the Amiga then
> I'm glad to hear it, but don't make things rough for those who want to.
>  
>    Tom
>  
-- 

David Paschall-Zimbel		davidli@simvax.labmed.umn.edu