Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!unisoft!gethen!bdt!david From: david@bdt.UUCP (David Beckemeyer) Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st Subject: Re: Atari no-support? Message-ID: <153@bdt.UUCP> Date: 26 Feb 88 19:54:04 GMT References: <192@umn-d-ub.D.UMN.EDU> <864@usl-pc.UUCP> <1003@its63b.ed.ac.uk> <3334@watcgl.waterloo.edu> <318@nunki.usc.edu> Reply-To: david@bdt.UUCP (David Beckemeyer) Organization: Beckemeyer Development Tools, Oakland, CA Lines: 56 Keywords: developers In article <318@nunki.usc.edu> rjung@castor.usc.edu (Robert Jung) writes: > You know, after reading Matt Singer bash Atari's unprofessionalism, >I'm beginning to wonder: How many Atari software developers out here in >netland have *Major* gripes with how Atari supports the ST? > > I'm not a professional, nothing fancy, just a "Joe User" who thinks my >1040 ST is one of the best buys out there (just like the 800, when I >bought it many many years ago)...And I'm getting a little worried. Are >all you guys gonna give up on Atari, and I'll be stuck with a dead machine? >Is anyone in any decent PR/administrative position at Atari LISTENING >to us? Whaddabout Jack tramiel, the man who nobody ever gets to see in >person? DOES HE EVEN CARE??? > > (Okay, I might be going overboard, but I'm interested) > > --R.J. > B-\ > > >C'mon, if you've got something to say, let's get it out into the open... Do you really want to know? (y'all that is, not just Robert) Are you ready for the reality of it? You may not like the answer. Developers do have gripes with Atari. Some major gripes and some not so major gripes. But Atari has to push really hard to get us to speak up. Becuase everytime we flame Atari, we are potentialy hurting ourselves. First, we get on Atari's bad side. And when you're on their "black list" things get tough, believe me, I've been there (I may be heading there again). It takes some guts (and maybe stupidity) to speak up against Atari. Also when the Atari market is already not so good, it doesn't help to have the major developers flaming; the developers' own business is affected. That's why most developers just ride along, and keep to themselves about their gripes. That's also why the ST magazines (so-called journalists) never flame Atari. For one thing, some (like Antic) sell the damned products! They're sure as hell not going to flame their own wares! In the end, you are absolutly correct Robert, the regular "Joe-user" is the one that pays. We all took a risk; we hoped Atari would make it worthwhile. I've got 3-years and all my money in this thing; if the ST dies, all I've got to show for it is a lot of experience and a few new friends. And who at Atari is listening? That's a good question. But even better: what would they do about it anyway? To really discuss this, we need a new newsgroup: comp.sys.atari.flame I'm too much of a whimp to say much more (this week). But if things continue the way they've been going... I've got plenty to say (If anybody still wants to hear it). -- David Beckemeyer | "To understand ranch lingo all yuh Beckemeyer Development Tools | have to do is to know in advance what 478 Santa Clara Ave, Oakland, CA 94610 | the other feller means an' then pay UUCP: ...!ihnp4!hoptoad!bdt!david | no attention to what he says"