From: vince@sci.kun.nl (V.G.J.M. Stoks)
Subject: Re: Falcon
Organization: University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1992 10:36:53 GMT

In <1992Sep7.152822.3514@crc.ac.uk> naffara@crc.ac.uk (Dr. N.A. Affara) writes:

>One quick question first...
>Does anyone know if there is an atari emulator for the Archimedes?

Maybe - I don't know.

>A rather strange question and I suspect nobody here will know. Is there a 
>group for arc's?

Yes. comp.sys.acorn or something.

>Having heard all this discussion about the Falcon and what it can't and can do
>I thought I'd let you know what I think. 

Well?

>I am not really into music (well, not at all actually...) but the sound for the
>Falcon seem quite good. It should make games more interesting if nothing else.
>At the moment I have got a 520STFM (2.5 meg) and that's it. I am just starting
>to do lots of desktop publishing (a newsletter and college work). Working with
>Timeworks 2 from 1 floppy is getting a bit much (to say the least!) and my 
>younger brother is always trying to play games.

>So, I started looking for another second hand ST and a hard drive. Then I heard
>of the Falcon. The 4 meg version with hard disk sounds just like what I am 
>looking for but it will probably be right on the limit of my budget.

>A few questions about the Falcon....

>Will software from the ST work with the Falcon? (Specifically Timeworks 2 and
>games)

Any decent program should run. If it works on the TT, it will probably
work on the Falcon, too. Games are a bit of a problem, since they
often use dirty tricks for speed increase. Anyway, IF they would run,
they would not use the extra possibilities (sounds, graphics) so you
should get some Falcon-specific games. They should be QUITE nice.

>Will this software run any faster (what it actually feels like rather than 
>numbers please) and will it use the DSP or other extras or does it have to be
>rewritten?

Yes, it would certainly be faster. I remember reading somewhere that
average programs run about four times faster on a Falcon than on an
ST. You didn't ask for numbers, but surely a factor four will be
feeling a lot better. Programs written for the Falcon will be faster
than the same programs in ST version, because they will use the better
hardware (the processor in the Falcon isn't only faster, but has more
commands).

>When can I get one and how much will it be (:>)?

Well, you'll have to be patient. The 4M/65M version you mention is
said to cost 1800DM, which should be under 650 pounds (I don't know
the exact currency ratings by heart, forgive me).

>And now some thoughts on Atari...

>I agree with the fact that Atari could do with more (any?) advertising. But 
>when I thought about it, and saw some of those posts from amiga owners, I 
>realised that I hadn't seen any advertising for any make of computer.
>Maybe everyone's got the same problem...

I've seen a lot of computer ads. None by atari, but they really
should. A few years ago, the average reaction on hearing what type of
computer I own, was a giggle about a games machine. Nowadays, most
people hardly remember ever having heard of them. Bad thing.

>Atari may not be the best company but I don't think they are the worst. 
>_Personally_ I would much rather have an Atari than a (games console with 
>keyboard) Amiga.

Amiga isn't really THAT bad, you know.

>If I do upgrade to anything else it will be a Archimedes which we use at work.
>(It will not be a PC either, I can't stand them!)

I played with the same though some while ago. The A5000 (not sure
about this number anymore) sounded really good to me.

>Archimedes are a big step up in price though.

Indeed, that's why I decided to wait for the Falcon, which, at that
time, was promised to have a 68040 in it which would outrun an Arc.

>I wish there was more shops which stock Atari stuff. (Maybe the ST's are being
>phased out and replaced by Falcon and TT 030+040's?)

(Don't we all...) Umm, I only know for sure that the MEGA STe is going
to disappear. TT's are still faster than Falcons and I thought they
would remain as high end machines, at least until the Falcon 040.

>Sorry about the length of this post.
>Phil
>(E-mail naffara@uk.ac.crc)

>-- 
>Kryten (When Cat says why don't we raise the defensive shields?) "A superlative
>suggestion sir,with only two drawbacks: one,we don't have any defensive shields
>and two,we don't have any defensive shields.I know that,technically,that's only
>one drawback,but it was such a big one I thought I'd mention it twice".

Heh heh.

Sander SToks
vince@sci.kun.nl
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