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From: RSMAGRUD@WEIZMANN.BITNET (Randy Magruder)
Newsgroups: net.micro.atari
Subject: I hope this reaches someone
Message-ID: <8512182332.AA05869@ucbvax.berkeley.edu>
Date: Wed, 18-Dec-85 11:52:00 EST
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.8512182332.AA05869
Posted: Wed Dec 18 11:52:00 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 20-Dec-85 05:42:21 EST
Sender: usenet@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The ARPA Internet
Lines: 62

Hi.

This is my first attempt at participating in this info service. I
Hope someone confirms receiving this.

 I am a new Atari 800XL owner.  Here in Israel, the 520ST hasn't been
released, so all I know about the Amiga and the 520ST is what I read
in some magazines and on this forum (???).

I once read in CREATIVE COMPUTING (I think) something about a chip
called AMY which supposedly has 10.75 octave range and 8 voices.  It =
was supposed to be offered in a computer called the 600 XEM, though
I've heard no further news on this computer.  Does anyone know if it
is going to be produced? IF the AMY chip is still alive and well?
If it will be released in a cartridge for use in XL machines?

Also, today I was in Tel Aviv searching computer stores for answers
to an interesting question concerning MICROSOFT BASIC II.

It supposedly comes with a book, a cartridge, and an extension diskette.
the cartridge has 16K of memory, while the diskette carries 3.5K.  I have
a diskette which, I was told, has ALL Of MICROSOFT BASIC II on it.

I don't understand what is going on here.  Why didn't ATARI  release
the whole package on a diskette? Was this to prevent copying? Can
MICROSOFT BASIC II work totally on diskette?  The only OTHER explanation
I can think of is that the 3 1/2 K extension diskette is supposed to be
copied as a set of file management programs (like DOS and AUTORUN etc.)
But again. I DO NOT KNOW, and no one here can seem to tell me.  I hope
this isn't too terribly amateur for you folks.

Also, is MICROSOFTs flight simulator also called SUBLOGIC?? I've never
seen one advertised by microsoft, just by sublogic.

Now for a few comments.

I've been reading with interest the advertisements and debates about
three hot computers:  Amiga, 520ST and MACintosh.

If Amiga is indeed twice the price of the 520ST, then I really don't
think that the extra money spent is WELL spent, considering the 520ST's
characteristics, which seem to rival, if not top, those of the Amiga.
As for the Mac, we are dealing with a super-Atari for 1/4th the price
of a Mac, to which the only disadvantage seems to be a lack of software,
and I'm always weary of PROMISES by software companies to develop software.
I'm still waiting for PASCAL for the Atari, promised years ago, but never
delivered (to my knowledge).

But then again, if any new computer has to have thousands of programs
ready to run upon its release, then there will never be another successful
computer breakthrough, because people want software FAST!

And in closing my LONG first entry to this thing, let me add that its
been my experience that Man is usually loyal to three things, in this
order:
        1) His religion
        2) His country
        3) His computer

so you'll never meet an objective computer owner...

                     Rsmagrud@WEIZMANN.BITNET