The much heralded VIP Professional
is now available but at a cost, both money and otherwise. Price
in the UK is £179.95 which might be higher than anticipated but
is nevertheless an excellent price for a fully integrated powerful
spreadsheet. The other costs? Firstly, the available version of
VIP is 'text' only, that is it does not use GEM but more importantly
there is only just over 30k available for the actual spreadsheet.
A GEM upgrade version is promised (via a coupon in the pack) when
you have either fitted TOS in ROM or upgraded to 1 Meg. It is a
superb program but does need that ROM to be effective.
The 1 Meg 1040 ST looks to be
a reality with the price in the US variously quoted as between $799
and $999. The rumours are that the 520ST in its present configuration
is no longer in production (Atari having sold 100,000) and that
a new 520ST with TV modulator will be available at a substantially
reduced price. Various press reports in the U.K. still say that
the 260ST will be launched shortly and Atari UK will not make any
firm comment about other models. Rob Harding of Atari has been quoted
as saying "We will launch a low level ST product this year" which
most reporters have taken to mean the 260ST but if the 1040ST is
introduced at the same price as the existing 520ST then surely the
520ST becomes the 'low level ST product'?
Got a modem? Then call up what
is said to be Europe's first commercially operating BBS supporting
the ST. The STPIP board operates 24 hours a day from Sheffield on
0742 667983 using 300 baud. Sysop is Quentin Reidford who has many
years BBS experience and the subscription charge is £5.75 payable
by Access online or by cheque. Although it is early days, the board
does look to have potential with public domain software for download,
a 'Talk to Atari' feature and the usual messages. Being a commercial
board it also has software and hardware for sale using credit card
facilities online.
Atari has finally sorted out the
long wrangle about the bundled software that should have come with
the early ST's. Digital Research failed to deliver its promised
products so Atari have shipped 1st WORD by GST as the word processor
and DB MASTER ONE, a database, in place of GEM PAINT. Also free
are MEGAROIDS, a superb true arcade quality Asteroids game and DOODLE.
If you haven't had these, get in touch with your dealer now.
The CES show in LAS VEGAS in early
January saw many more software titles 'soon to be available' for
the ST. Among those to look out for are STAR RAIDERS from Atari,
probably the classic computer game of all time, in a much improved
and highly detailed version. The demo version is quite stunning
and those who have played with early versions have been mightily
impressed.
From Activision is promised ALTERNATE
REALITIES, a series of three role-playing adventures originally
developed for 8-bit systems but considerably enhanced to take advantage
of the ST's greater power. These will be a long time coming though
with the first release scheduled for Christmas 1986. Microprose
had SILENT SERVICE, again a highly thought of game on the 8-bit
which is a simulation based on submarine warfare. Announced, but
not shown, was PRINTMASTER from Unison World, a utility similar
to Broderbund's PRINT SHOP. From Accolade comes SUNDOG -THE FINAL
LEGACY, an Elite style program originally developed for the Apple.
O.S.S. have PERSONAL PASCAL the first of several 'Personal' packages
from O.S.S. which is said to be up to the usual O.S.S. high standard.
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