From: aa399@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Len Stys)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Bob Brodie comments at the Connecticut Atarifest
Date: 20 Aug 92 00:14:07 GMT
Reply-To: aa399@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Len Stys)
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)


In a previous article, peters@allvax.enet.dec.com (Don Peters TAY1-1/D7 DTN 227-3173  19-Aug-1992 1409) says:

>Some people have already commented on what Bob Brodie said at the
>Connecticut Atarifest that took place last weekend. I've just reviewed
>the notes I took while he spoke and hopefully I can pass along some new
>information.
>
>  - the RAM board holds a max of 14 Megabytes, and is not proprietary
>    in its design. Atari used a board since they could squeeze more
>    memory on the Falcon than if they had just used SIMMS.

We shall see when the price is released for this board...

Will Atari screw us or will they pay us back for our loyalty?

The truth is now!

>
>  - There is supposed to be a 1 Meg machine available. But, since the
>    operating system takes 2 Meg, I asked how a 1 Meg machine was
>    possible. He didn't know the technical details on this.
>

I'm sure anyone who read the Atari Advantage article had the same question,
why is it that Bob Brodie didn't find the answer?

>  - Developer DSP documentation is shipping "this Thursday"
>

I'm surprised it was shipping two months ago.

>  - Atari hopes to avoid the 3 month long lead time for FCC certification
>    by going thru an independent lab. One of their people has said that
>    the Falcon030 "should" pass without any problem, and this is why they
>    expect to have machines for the USA by mid to late October.

They shouldn't announce a release date unless they are SURE that it
will be released at that time.  I'm surprised that Atari didn't learn
its lesson with about 80% of its products.

>
>  - 32Mhz operation is not possible, according to Atari. But Brodie did
>    say that other developers (e.g., Jim Allen) have surprised them and
>    made the hardware perform faster...

I have no problem with 16 MHz as long as it is quick.

>
>  - The SC1224 will be able to handle 16 bit "true color"
>
>  - He gave a hint that later machines might have a 68040 processor.
>

Oh, I think this is obvious.  What I want to know is will these
machines be at least 32 MHz?  Will they have greater resolutions?
Will they have a great case?  Will they be expandable?

>  - The mouse port is still under the case, as in the 1040 series.
>

Yes, I guess we knew that the BIGGEST gripe among Atari users would
not get fixed.  WAY TO GO ATARI!  You sure listen to your users...

I've learned never to do things half-assed in this world.  If you are
planning to do something, do it right or don't do it.

>  - Marketing info and price will be announced at the Duesseldorf fair.
>
>  - 75 Falcons are now in the hands of developers.

About two months ago, I heard that there were 500 HUNDRED sent to
developers.

If there are only 75 in the hands of developers, forget a large
number of title for at least six months.


>
>
>  - As to a question as to what would be the new bottom line computer
>    after the Falcon was released: "No comment".

NOW, this is VERY VERY VERY dumb!!!  I hope Atari isn't planning an
A600 because if they are, I'll go IBM compatible.  I swear.
They should make the Falcon 030 the bottom line computer and everything
up from there.

Unless of course they are talking JAGUAR.

>
>  - If anyone wants more technical info on the Falcon030, contact Bill
>    Rehbock at Atari (Voice: 408-745-2082, Fax: 408-745-2083).
>
--