From: thester@nyx.cs.du.edu (Uncle Fester)
Subject: Re: Old Software
Organization: Nyx, Public Access Unix @ U. of Denver Math/CS dept.
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 92 03:20:36 GMT


Okay.  So we all agree that there's a problem, but nobody seems to have a
solution.  We probably can't get any help from Atari. ("probably", hell
I'd say "definitely not".)  So the only people that can help us is "us".

Sounds stupid doesn't it?  But that's the truth.  And right now
distribution of illegal copies of software is the solution.  But we agree
that piracy hurts.  As Todd Greenfield said, "...that point is moot."

I can't think of a damn thing that wouldn't require an act of Congress to
pass legislation making 8bit Atari users exceptions to copyright law.
It ain't gonna happen folks.

However, I do have a question that may provide some answers if the right
people read this and know from their experience what I am talking about:

Atari 8bits are orphans.  TI-99 is an orphan platform also.  Just what
happened to users of TI-99 computers?  Did the software for it go into
public domain or was it relegated to the oblivion that we now face?
If the TI-99 users were successful in reaching a solution to the problem,
what was it? (the solution)  I don't know because I don't know anyone that
owned on of them things.  Are there any other orphan computers out there
that managed to meet this problem and defeat it?  

The answer to the question of other orphans may not be what we want to
hear.  It's probably the same answer that we all know in our hearts. 
We're in the dumper.  

But what the heck!  We could make history repeat itself by doing something
that worked for Star Trek fans a quarter century ago. (yes, THAT LONG.)
Maybe we need to organize a huge letter writing campaign to not only Atari
but also computer related publications and  corporations that made
products for the Atari.  I know that there are lots of us Atari 8-bit
users just as there was lots of Star Trek fans that made NBC change its
mind and give Star Trek another season.  We could have another "
"season" also.  Do we believe in the machine enough to launch a truly
dedicated campaign that could only be effective if enough of us actually
followed through with the idea and not just paying lip service to it?  I
know in the past, most Atari users counted on "the other guy" to get
things done for him.  We couldn't afford an atitude like that if we really
want things to happen for us.  If there could be a way to set a
near-future date for the campaign to start, we could prepare for it by
spreading the word to make sure that as many users know about it and can
participate.  I seem to remember something about another "Atari
Revolution" that was a dismal failure though.  (but Atari itself screwed
that one, admittedly.)  What I am trying to say, is that there is no way
for our "voice" to be heard if it's just a puny little 'squeek' rather
than a massive 'roar'.  We have lain down in submission in the past and
let the times roll over us.  Will that happen again if we try to launch a
campaign that could help us rise up out of the dust and have another
"Golden Age of Atari"?  

It's either boot-strap ourselves up, or continue to bitch and moan and
pass pirated software.  

It's our choice.  Nobody else is going to make it happen for us.

Since I can only make suggestions and pose questions, I would like someone
else to help.  Some of you seasoned programmers and others with
connections to the right publications and people can help organise.  I
have never organised anything bigger than my desktop, so I need help.
I
Is this the way we should go, or does anyone have a better idea? 
(although this was really not my idea - I just followed up on it)

C'mon!  Let those MicroSoft microcephalics go rave in a dark corner
somewhere and let's do something!  Anything!

I am totally serious!  
Anyone else game?

Uncle Fester

--
:  Master,                        :       Uncle Fester       : Printed  :
:    Me and Rex took the kar      :   thester@nyx.cs.du.edu  : on 100%  :
:    to town. Stay home. Stay!    :         -or try-         :recyclable:
:       Ha ha ha ha.   The dog.   :    T.HESTER4 on GEnie    : phosphor :
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit