Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!SFAUSTIN.BITNET!Z4648252 From: Z4648252@SFAUSTIN.BITNET (Z4648252) Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st Subject: Re: What an Atarian is like Message-ID: <890401.10403604.033065@SFA.CP6> Date: 1 Apr 89 16:40:37 GMT References: Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The Internet Lines: 35 I've had the ST system since summer of 1985 and was NEVER an Atari fan (no flame). Prior to that, I had an Altair during the 70's, an Apple II while overseas, purchased a Vic 20 when I returned Stateside, bought a Commodore 64 after a year, needed a commercial grade word processor and went back to the Apple II series (Apple //e). I became bored with the //e and bought the ST. All of these computers indicate that deep down inside, I'm after something but I'm not sure what. I mainly use my computer for writing and love to do hardware hacking. In the latter, I miss the //e, it was a pure joy to hardware hack on. I have done a little of that on my Mega ST2, but fear hurting the $$$$ ram chips so I tend to keep my fingers away from the motherboard than what I would normally do. Backing up a little.... During 1985, I was aware of both the Amiga and the ST. Gosh, I don't want to get into any speculation of "if I knew the current ST situation, the availability of the Amiga 2500, etc." and if I would have continued with the ST or not. Thinking that way can worry one to death, especially if he is participating in his hobby as an enthusiast. My Mega ST2 is *fast* and *friendly*. Using Spectre 128, a monochrome monitor and (only) a 20 meg hard drive, I can use any MAC software that I need for my writing needs (FullWrite--the ONLY way to go!). Using a Hewlett Packard DeskJet printer, I can get near typeset quality output. I'm in love. I've got games but rarely play them--instead, I prefer to make $$ off of my ST via doing writing and some DTP assignments for others at the local university. The original thread wanted to know what th my "Joe End User" testing. Only through the ST line have I been able to reach such levels. In short, I tend to get bored with a computer system after two years. The ST system for me is approaching four and I'm still amazed with the box. Larry Rymal