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From: grr@cbmvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: BYTE's review of the 1040ST
Message-ID: <1404@cbmvax.cbmvax.cbm.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 13-Feb-87 03:02:44 EST
Article-I.D.: cbmvax.1404
Posted: Fri Feb 13 03:02:44 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 14-Feb-87 14:06:07 EST
References: <9171@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU>
Reply-To: grr@cbmvax.UUCP (George Robbins)
Organization: Commodore Technology, West Chester, PA
Lines: 48

In article <9171@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU> appelbau@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU (Marc L. Appelbaum) writes:
>
>In the Feb. issue of BYTE Dave Menconi reviews the 1040st.  He
>critizies it for not having a RF modulator.  Does the AMIGA or the Mac
>have one? NO!  Neither of them have standrard ports!! The ST does!!
> Marc L. Appelbaum                         "Insanity is just a state of mind"

Please!  Most magazine reviews contains substantial factual errors and
editorial biases or oversigts.  Frequently, they are produced working
under a deadline, by a person of moderate technical abilities who has only
limted experience with the equipment.

Sometimes the equipment does not represent production features.  Often the
article is dated or based on dated information.

If you have fault with an article the best course is to send a clearly reasoned
letter to the editor and perhaps you will get some satisfaction.

HOWEVER (slight flame) please verify your "facts" first.

1) Not all 1040's are equipped with rf modulators - for those ST's not equipped
   with modulators, are modulators available?

   An external modulator is available from Commodore for the Amiga.

2) Standards are *UNSPEAKABLY* relative.  The ST conforms more closely to the
   defacto standards in the PC area than does the Amiga.

   Neither the ST or Amiga "Centronics Compatible" printer connectors are
   capable of meeting the specifications for driving a real Centronics
   Printer!  Both have the same signals, but the Amiga does require a
   different cable than IBM or the ST...

   Both the ST and the Amiga have a subset of the RS232 control signals. The
   sex is different.  It is a subject of great religious controversy which is
   the correct sex for a terminal or computer.  Even the RS232-C standard seems
   subject to interpretation on this issue.  The Amiga does include some
   definitly non-standard signals on the connector.  (slap that wrist...)

   
My intent is not to start any argument about these issues, just to point out
that things are not as black and white on these and other issues as your
posting asserted.  Flame wars are often stated by confusion and half-facts
stated with undue heat and authority...
-- 
George Robbins - now working for,	uucp: {ihnp4|seismo|rutgers}!cbmvax!grr
but no way officially representing	arpa: cbmvax!grr@seismo.css.GOV
Commodore, Engineering Department	fone: 215-431-9255 (only by moonlite)