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From: rjd@faron.UUCP (Robert DeBenedictis)
Newsgroups: net.micro.atari
Subject: Re:  520ST to be sold by toy stores
Message-ID: <442@faron.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 22-Jan-86 10:23:50 EST
Article-I.D.: faron.442
Posted: Wed Jan 22 10:23:50 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 24-Jan-86 21:31:33 EST
References: <8601091514.AA03049@ucbvax.berkeley.edu> <345@ccivax.UUCP>
Reply-To: rjd@faron.UUCP (Robert DeBenedictis)
Organization: The MITRE Coporation, Bedford, MA
Lines: 26
Keywords: networks 520ST modem
Summary: Computer companies should provide user net

In article <345@ccivax.UUCP> guest@ccivax.UUCP (What's in a name ?) writes:
> ...
>
>Perhaps Atari will put an "electronic software store" on-line via
>telenet or something so that shoppers aren't paying $6.00/hour to "Read
>the Ads", but they could Buy the Software for $6-$20 using their VISA.
>The Software could be down-loaded, just like any other bulletin board,
>but the documentation, micro-floppy... could be sent via regular mail
>or picked up at a local "specialty store" in two or three days.
>Of course they could still pick up $1-$2/hour for "just browsing" and
>still be a "Nice Place to Shop".

I think this is a great idea!  When new machines come out, computer
companies have a hard time getting people to buy them because there is so
little software and user support.  What if Atari had built in one of those
new single-chip 1200 baud modems (additional cost probably < $100) and
provided free terminal software and an 800 number or TYMNET access or
something so people could exchange public domain software and information
about their machines nation-wide.  I think this would have helped the 520ST
get off to a better start.  

I wonder if anyone else has any ideas about this.  I know for sure that the
net would be an important consideration for me in buying a computer -- I
know I can always get answers to common problems, software reviews, etc. for
several machines (Mac, PC, Amiga, etc.).  I think that people without direct
access to Usenet would probably find such information even _more_ valuable.