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From: Bob_BobR_Retelle@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: FLAMES and SUPPORT IN THE MINUS REALM
Message-ID: <25040@cup.portal.com>
Date: 15 Dec 89 03:22:10 GMT
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Organization: The Portal System (TM)
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Actually I agree with Ken Soohoo about the languages supplied by Atari with
the ST...   my Atari 800 didn't come with anything at all.. the BASIC
cartridge was an option, so it was a nice surprise to have both ST BASIC
and LOGO supplied with the machine.  (Not that they ever got much use, but
it was nice anyway...)
 
The point is though, that I think (my opinion, based on long experience
of contact with a wide range of Atari owners) that most computer owners
DO want to learn to do some programming.  By supplying the languages with
the machines, Atari seems to be recognizing that fact (and actually the
manuals that came with ST BASIC and LOGO were surprisingly complete and
well written.. they weren't some quick hack, just thrown together as a
"freebie")
 
In actual fact, probably most of those "programmers" won't go very far, and
will end up becoming "users", but at least they'll have the feeling of having
learned to do something original with their expensive new toys..
 
Those that want to continue though, should have a good, "official" source
of information to proceed.  The third-party books are good, but I'd much
rather have an official document from the manufacturer to go by.  My Atari
"Technical Reference Notes" for my Atari 800 were probably the most used
set of documentation I had, and I think I have just about EVERY book ever
written by anyone on the 800.
 
Actually, much of this discussion is moot though, as Atari seems to be workin
right now on providing a way for "non-professional" programmers to have acces
to this kind of support.  It's a really encouraging move, and I hope it ends
up benefitting both the Atari owners who want to get more out of their
machines without "going Pro", and Atari Corp themselves...
 
BobR