From: gwmeyer@iastate.edu (Jane Meyer)
Subject: DELPHI CO Trasnscript
Summary: Sam speaks about the Falcon030
Keywords: transcript, tramiel, delphi
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 07:39:47 GMT

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                    Transcript of Formal Conference
                            August 13, 1992
                      Special Guest: Sam Tramiel
                 (copyright 1992, DELPHI's ST Advantage)


BIBLINSKI:Gordie>
   Good evening, everyone, and welcome to tonight's formal 
   Conference.  Our very special guest this evening is Sam Tramiel, 
   president of Atari Corporation.  This is Sam's first visit to 
   DELPHI, and he's here to make an official announcement to us 
   DELPHI members about Atari's newest 68030 based computer.  
   Hopefully, he'll like it so much here, that he'll be back for some 
   future Conferences.  <g>

   I'd like to remind everyone that we are formal tonight (not in 
   dress, but in behavior), so our format is a little more 
   structured than usual.  Sam will have some opening remarks, 
   after which he will take questions about those remarks, and 
   answer when he can.  He can't talk about everything, yet, but 
   we should be able to get a fairly good feel for what the new 
   machine is like.

   Because formal COs tend to take a bit longer than our regular 
   informal ones, we'd like to try to limit the questions to 
   tonight's topic, so we don't end up with a marathon session.  
   So, please don't stray too far from the topic at hand.

   To ask questions when the time comes, you need to use the 
   /queue command.  You'll be prompted for your question, then for 
   a brief description of the question.  To provide as many people 
   as possible with a chance to ask questions, we won't take 
   direct follow-ups tonight.  So, try to ask your question in 
   such a way as to be as complete as possible.  I'll be keeping a 
   list of who has questions and will be trying to let as many 
   people as possible ask them.

   Remember, too, that Atari will be formally debuting the new 
   machine in Dusseldorf, Germany, next week.  And they want to 
   keep some secrets for that event!

.Gordie>
   With that done, and everyone digesting it, <g>  I'd like to    
   thank Sam for taking a little time this evening to join us 
   here.

   Sam, the floor is yours.

.Sam>
   Good evening, all.  I'm very pleased to be here on DELPHI in 
   the Atari ST Advantage area for the very first time!  We're 
   excited to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of Atari 
   Corporation this year.  We're especially excited because this 
   is a time that we can introduce another milestone product to 
   the world.

   I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize some people that 
   have been close allies of Atari Corporation. The entire staff 
   of the Atari areas on Delphi, under the direction of Clayton 
   Walnum and Gordie Meyer have been providing stellar support to 
   our customers for many years now.  As most of you know, the 
   roots of the Delphi area were established in the days of 
   A.N.A.L.O.G. Magazine. Delphi has long been a supporter of 
   Atari products. Thank you Clay, Gordie, and the rest of the ST 
   Advantage staff for your support of our mutual customers.

   Tonight, we're pleased to be able to finally announce the Atari 
   Falcon 030 Computer.  This computer will be unveiled to the 
   buying public at the Duesseldorf Atari Messe in Germany next 
   week. The Falcon is a machine that we're very excited about.   
   We think that it places us back in the forefront of the "Power 
   without the Price" place in the market.

Here's the specs on the Atari Falcon 030:

  CPU:  Motorola 68030 running at 16 Mhz
  32-bit Bus
  Optional 68881 or 68882 FPU
  RAM: 1,4, or 14 megs
  Standard Atari Cartridge Port
  Motorola 56001 DSP chip

Expansion Bus:

  Internal direct processor slot for 386SX PC emulation, or other 
  coprocessor

Graphics:

  Super VGA graphics: 640x480 with 256 colors
  True color 16 bit mode allowing a display of up to 65,536 colors
  Accepts external video sync signal to allow high quality genlocking
  Overlay mode for easy video titling and special effects
  Overscan on TV's and ST Color monitors
  262,144 possible colors
  hardware-assisted horizontal fine scrolling
  BLiTTER graphics co-processor

Sound features:

  Eight 16 bit audio DMA record and playback channels
  Stereo 16 bit digital DMA input
  Stereo 16 bit DMA audio output
  SDMA sound/DMA Coprocessor

Standard Ports

  SCSI II port with DMA
  High speed LocalTalk  compatible  LAN
  Connector for analog RGB color (ST or VGA) or composite video
  RS232C serial port
  Bidirectional parallel port
  MIDI IN/MIDI OUT
  Stereo microphone input, miniature stereo plug
  Stereo audio out, miniature stereo plug
  Two joystick connectors
  Two enhanced digital/analog controller/light pen connectors

Data Storage

  1.44 Mbyte floppy disk drive
  Optional internal IDE Hard Disk

System software

  Pre-emptive Multitasking with adaptive prioritzation (MultiTOS)
  Inter process communication
  NewDesk desktop and eXtensible control panel
  Multiple window user interface;  number of windows limited 
  only by memory or software in use.

We see this computer as exceeding all of the multimedia 
   expectations of the computer buying public.  As well as being 
   an exceptional value as a home computer system.

Extensive testing with the Falcon has already been done on 
   existing software.  We are very pleased with the high degree of 
   compatibility.  For instance, PowerNet, a increasingly popular 
   LocalTalk networking solution works fine with no modifications.  
   Calamus SL, PageStream, WordFlair II, Cubase 3.0, STalker 3.0, 
   STeno, Arabesque, and many other well written applications will 
   work perfectly.

I'm taking the liberty tonight of responding to some questions 
   that have already been submitted by the Delphi Staff, in order 
   that we might conserve some time:


What monitors will work with the Falcon?

   The Atari Falcon030 will work with any VGA, or Atari ST 
   Color Monitor...SC1224 or SC1435

Suggested retail price?

   Sorry, tonight we will not be giving out the suggested retail 
   price of the Atari Falcon030.  That information will be 
   announced at the Duesseldorf Atari Messe in Germany next week.

Will there be a trade in plan?

   It is not our practice to offer a trade in plan directly from 
   Atari.  This is something that is up to the discretion of our 
   dealers.

Will there be a LAN?

   Yes, there is a LocalTalk port on the Atari Falcon030.  It is 
   fully compatible with the Atari Mega STE and Atari TT030.  
   PowerNet from DragonWare Software works fine with it.

Will there be a method to connect to a mainframe via ethernet?

   No, there is no ethernet connector on the Atari Falcon030

Why no detachable keyboard?

   We felt that offering the unit in this configuration was the 
   most cost effective.  Also, using the 1040STE case allowed us 
   to save on design costs, as it is the only unit (until the 
   Atari Falcon030) that has analog joy sticks in it.

Will the DEKA work with it?

   We do have a new keyboard controller in the Atari Falcon030.  
   We've not checked a DEKA unit with it yet. We'll have to get 
   back to you on that.

Have we hired a good technical writer, to document system interconnectivity, and add ons?

   Our developer documentation for the Atari Falcon030 has met 
   with rave reviews from all of the developers that are in 
   possession of an Atari Falcon030. YES, the documentation is 
   greatly improved.

MultiTOS- how is it configured, ram or rom, and what software 
   will run on it?

   MultiTOS is a combination of rom and disk based software.  Most 
   well written applications seem to work fine.  We've made 
   certain that our developers have been closely involved in the 
   enhancements of MultiTOS.  I'm confident that it will be HIGHLY 
   compatible with your software library.

Is there anything being done with multimedia, and/or speech 
   recognition software?

   Yes, Multimedia is one of the key area for the Atari Falcon030.  
   However, I cannot go into specifics at this time.  We do expect 
   to see a lot of exciting applications at the Duesseldorf Atari 
   Messe next week, though!

Will it be advertised? How big is the budget, is there an 
   agency, will it be in mainstream media, or specialty 
   publications?

   Sorry, we're not going to enter into those kinds of specifics 
   tonight.  We'll be making announcements on all of those things 
   either at the Duesseldorf Atari Messe, or shortly after it.

Any dealer incentive programs?

   Again, we will not discuss the marketing issues tonight. That 
   will be something that we'll pick up after the Duesseldorf 
   Atari Messe.

Any bundled software with the Falcon?

   Yes, there will be a number of things packaged with the Atari 
   Falcon030.  There will be a couple of games written especially 
   for the Atari Falcon030...LandMines, and a BreakOut kind of 
   game.  We will also have a Rolodex type of application called 
   Cal/Apt, a calculator application called ProCalc, and a Talking 
   Clock desk accessory.

Is there a lease/purchase plan?

   We already have such an arrangement in place for our products.  
   However it is more orientated toward business purchases than 
   home users.

That's it from us for now, we're ready to take questions from 
   the audience.

Gordie>
   Okay, folks.  Sorry for the delay.  There's a lot of buffer to 
   search through for questions.  Hang on a sec.

LMCCLURE>
   Will the Falcon retain that name after it's release? If not, 
   what will it be called?

.Sam>
   Yes, the name is the Atari Falcon030.

BRITFLASH:Brit>
   Will there be support for the future release of Apple/IBM OS 
   "Pink"?

.Sam>
   When we see it, we'll answer you. It's still in development.  
   ga

PWRIGHT:PaulW>
   Will it be able to run other operating system and which ones?

.Sam>
   With plugging in optional third party coprocessor boards, you 
   will be able to run PC type software, and maybe even MacIntosh 
   software.  ga

PIZZA_THIEF>
   Is some sort of direct-to-disk recording/edit package under 
   development (or slated for released concurrent with) the 
   falcon?  With the D/A converters it is reported to possess, 
   this should be relatively easy to write.

.Sam>
   Yes, there are several direct to disk recording systems under 
   development.  And we expect at least a few of them to be 
   debuted next week at the Atari Duesseldorf Messe.

ATARIO:Steve>
   Will memory upgrades be through SIMMs?

.Sam>
   Memory upgrades will be through a "Atari Falcon" ram board.

RMARIANO:Ralph@STReport>
   Sam, congratulations on the Falcon its quite the promising NEW 
   product. I understand 500 are to reach Europe within two weeks.  
   What is the time table for North America and the States in 
   particular?

.Sam>
   I'm happy that you have information on what is going to Europe.  
   But, you're wrong, the plans are for North America to have 
   machines by mid to late October.

BRYEDEWAARD:MegaRob>
   What kind of keyboard will the Falcon come with?  The old mushy 
   ST-style version, or the newer Mega ST/Mega STE/TT one?

.Sam>
   The Atari Falcon030 keyboard is the same wonderful keyboard 
   that you can find on a 1040STE.

MERICKSON:Miles>
   I noticed that the standard ACSI DMA port wasn't on your list 
   of "standard ports."  Does this mean that the Atari laser 
   printer will not work with the Falcon, or will a new controller 
   be made available for use with the Falcon?

.Sam>
   There are a number of fine third party developers that are 
   working on a SCSI to ACSI converter box.  ga

DAVIDNIELD:David Nield>
   Sam, Thank you for coming.  The introductory information was 
   great.  I would like to know what kind of digital recording the 
   Falcon030 is capable of:  Will the 16 bit digital recording be 
   useful for direct to disk recording or 'simply' as a sound 
   source for midi manipulative sounds?  Any light you can shed on 
   that aspect would be helpful.

.Sam>
   Yes, you can use the Atari Falcon030 for direct to disk 
   recording with appropriate software. Just plug a microphone 
   into the microphone input.

HOWBAR>
   Will the microphone input sounds directly, like the mac?

.Sam>
   Yes.

CHUNK>
   What kind of speed enhancments for the 030?

.Sam>
   I don't understand the question...it is using a 68030.

.Gordie> 
   Chunk, did you want to clarify your question? <no response>   
   I'd guess he wonders about using a faster 68030.

.Sam>
   The design and supporting chips is for a 16Mhz 68030, and 32 
   Mhz bus, which gives you a dynamite machine. Terrific 
   performance!   ga

TRIX:Trix>
   Will there be a port of Microware's OS-9 Operating system for 
   the Falcon030?

.Sam>
   We're in regular contact with Microware, and OS/9 works for the 
   most part just fine under the Atari Falcon030.

JBWHIT:JB>
   When will development tools that support the 68030, math 
   coprocessors and DSP56001 be available?

.Sam>
   The developer machines that have been shipping to select 
   developers for the past few months, have all the tools. A 
   complete 56000 debugger will begin shipping next Thursday.

.Ron <ym>
   You stated memory of 1, 4, or 14 Meg.  Why 14 Meg?  What's 
   wrong with 16?

.Sam>
   2 megabytes of RAM are masked out for backward compatibility 
   with ST I/O space.  We pride ourselves on maintaining downward 
   compatibility with all of our products.

STGUEST:Oliver>
   Sam, it was reported that Atari is going to introduce a new 
   software packet called ST-Sutra at the Duesseldorf  show next 
   week (source: Atari Journal, Germany). Could you give us some 
   details (features, price, availibility...)  Another software-
   related question: Can you confirm that there will be a MultiTOS 
   upgrade available for old STs (MC68000 machines)?  Thanks!

.Sam>
   We are saving this for Germany, Oliver. See you at the show! :)  
   MultiTOS will be available for the Atari TT030.  But we have no 
   plans at present to make it available for 68000 based Atari STs.

TURBONICK:Nick>
   You said that the Falcon can have 1,4,or 14 MB of RAM.  In the 
   14MB configuration, is some of that RAM "fastRAM" like the TT 
   has?  Will the '030 have "burst mode"  (or whatever it's called 
   when it fetches multiple longwords in one instruction) access 
   to that RAM?

.Sam> 
   All ram accesses are 32 bits wide.  By the way, the supertechy 
   questions are being answered by the ever capable Bill Rehbock. 
   :)  The ram does NOT operate in Nybble mode like an Atari 
   TT030.  ga

SGTR>
   32 MHZ bus. Does that mean that the Falcon030 is capable of 
   32MHZ to RAM,HardDisk etc... If not then what is the main 
   impetus ?

.Sam>
   That's a 32 bit bus, sorry for the confusion.  It means that 
   the Atari Falcon030 memory controller and DMA and video chips 
   access memory at 32 bits wide at a time.

HUDSONHARDY:Hudson>
   How will the TT and the Falcon relate compatability-wise?

.Sam>
   They are very compatible. The Atari Falcon030 is actually more 
   STE compatible than the TT030.

DPJ:Dana@STReport>
   Sam, first, welcome to Delphi.  In light of the recent Forbes 
   article, how do you feel the Falcon will do to re-establish 
   Atari in the marketplace?  It sounds like the Falcon will be 
   the finest Atari computer yet to come.  GA

.Sam>
   Regardless of the Forbes article, we feel that the Atari 
   Falcon030 is a giant step in personal computing.  It will help 
   Atari re-establish itself in the North American market.

.Gordie>
   Sam, one thing that sounds really exciting is the 8 channel 16 
   bit sound.  Won't that make the Falcon030 a virtual recording 
   studio in a box?

.Sam>
   Gordie, YES! We are very excited.  We forsee desktop editing in 
   the future with the Atari Falcon030.

.Gordie> 
   Have any MIDI developers been working on implementing that 
   capability?  That you know of, anyway?

.Sam>
   YES, a leading developer in the UK, around Cambridge, is 
   working on this type of software.

.Miles>
   In a previous message, you said "and maybe even MacIntosh 
   software."  Does this mean that the Falcon isn't compatible 
   with Spectre?

.Sam>
   The Atari Falcon030 does not have an external floppy connector, 
   and this of course makes it difficult to connect the existing 
   Spectre GCR. We simply do not want to comment on Dave Small's 
   behalf. :)

DAVIDSHORR:Dave>
   Would you comment on some of the changes that were necessary to 
   make the Falcon 030 more STe-compatible than its big brother 
   the TT030 (the 16meg address space seems to be one)?  Can the 
   Falcon run Spectrum Holobyte's Falcon<grin>?  GA.

.Sam> 
   Mostly custom chip issues. We haven't given Bill enough time to 
   try Spectrum Holobyte's Falcon yet! He's been working too 
   much!!

PHULSE2>
   Hi Sam & Co.  Two questions, first off, could you list the 
   various developers which have been working on products for the 
   Falcon?  Any  who previously dropped our computer and have show 
   a renewed interest with the Falcon?  Secondly, will the 
   'brains' of the Falcon be easily upgradeable to the inevitable 
   68040 release, or is that possible?  Thank you very much for 
   appearing here!   Max @ 734

.Sam>
   MultiTOS will indeed work with a 68040 platform.  On the first 
   question regarding developers, there are too many to mention 
   now.   And yes, some that were not working on our system are 
   now.  Such as NeXT developers because of the DSP 56000 which 
   opens the world to really exciting software.

DIGISOFT>
   Is there a true expansion bus or just a coprocessor slot, and 
   is 640x480 the highest standard resolution? ga

.Sam>
   Yes, there is a true expansion bus.  It is a direct processor 
   slot with all of the necessary goodies...interupts, etc. 
   768x480 in overscan is the highest standard rez.

.Ralph@STReport>
   Sam, all my info may not be accurate, but that is not the 
   question, I asked;  "What is the timetable for North America 
   and in particular, the USA?"

.Sam>
   With all due respect, we've already answered you. The US is 
   part of North America, and we plan mid to late October.

CHRYSTAL>
   As I see it, most Atari users have little criticism of the 
   hardware Atari produces, but are upset with the marketing of 
   that hardware.  The Forbes article also made that point.  If 
   not tonight, when will we learn what marketing strategy Atari 
   has for the Falcon?

.Sam>
   We felt that the present ST/STE family was not strong enough to 
   market in the US.  We have been waiting for this new product, 
   and we do plan to support it and market it in the US.  It will 
   be a hard battle, but we will put a good effort behind it.

.Gordie>
   Okay, folks, the clock on the wall says we have time for just 
   one more question.  And, that lucky person is...  NORM!

NORMAN238:Norm!>
   Will there be any "HANDS ON" looking at the Boston Computer 
   Society's Meeting?

.Sam>
   There will be hands, feet, etc on looking, touching, at BCS.  
   We will have more than one machine there, Norm.
   
   Thank you all for coming tonight.  We appreciate your support. 
   We've enjoyed our first visit to Delphi. Good night all, there 
   will be more information coming after the Duesseldorf Atari 
   Messe.  Good night!

.Gordie>
   That about fills up our time for tonight, folks.  I want to 
   thank Sam, Bob and Bill for dropping by.  Good night!

   This CO is officially over!

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