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From: kimes@ihlpe.ATT.COM (Kit Kimes)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Sound Familiar (Tramiel Inc.)
Message-ID: <2117@ihlpe.ATT.COM>
Date: Thu, 1-Oct-87 09:45:30 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihlpe.2117
Posted: Thu Oct  1 09:45:30 1987
Date-Received: Mon, 5-Oct-87 07:40:08 EDT
References: <5441@utcsri.UUCP> <852@atari.UUCP> <2265@druhi.ATT.COM>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories - Naperville, Illinois
Lines: 46

In article <2265@druhi.ATT.COM>, med@druhi.ATT.COM (DrapalME) writes:
> 
> But seriously, folks, didn't you enjoy the new product announcement.  It
> probably would be more appropriate if the release date was changed to
> "by Christmas", just in time to overhang the market...
> 
> *** FLAME ON *** (maybe I should have done this a few lines sooner..)
> 
> Need I go on with more examples:
> 	1) How about the CD-ROM... Haven't heard about that one since
> 	   last Christmas...

This article contained several good points about the action (reaction)
time of Atari.  It is common to announce a product before it is actually
available but it isn't kosher to deliberately announce a product you
have no intention of building.  I don't know that Atari is guilty of
this with the Atari PC.  They still have not officially said that they
have abandoned the project.  I don't think it is fair to pick on the
example of the CD-ROM player though.  From the very beginning of the ST
era, Atari had hoped that they could product this item but they NEVER
said it would be available 'real soon now'.  They were very upfront
about the fact that they would not produce it if they could not get the
assemblies at a price that would allow them to offer this product at
a reasonable price.  I think that it was a wise decision.  Although
CD-ROM players are available for PC compatible computers, they have
not been big sellers (or profit makers) and I don't expect them to
be until such time as the available software (plasticware?) begins to
drive the market.  I can remember those early days.  I wanted one in
the worst way and envisioned all kinds of great things--interactive
video games, fast search time for any subject in the encyclopedia, etc.
I said to myself "here is reason enough by itself to buy an ST".  Looking
back, I think most of that was wishful thinking.  Most people would be
better off to spend the money on a hard disk (avoid flames about 40 
folder limit).  It gives nearly instant access time and allows you to
pick the programs you want on the disk.

I still think that Atari does have the users interests at heart but it is
obvious that they don't feel the need to hire enough people to make some
of these thinks happen in a timely manner.  I just hope that the latest
diversion (aquiring Federated) doesn't further erode their ability to
service their primary market.


					Kit Kimes  
					AT&T--Information Systems Labs
					...ihnp4!ihlpe!kimes