From nntp.msstate.edu!ukma!wupost!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!malgudi.oar.net!yfn.ysu.edu!ysub!psuvm!cunyvm!ndsuvm1!mtus5!jjmcwill Sun Jan 12 23:06:47 CST 1992 Article: 2462 of comp.sys.atari.8bit Path: nntp.msstate.edu!ukma!wupost!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!malgudi.oar.net!yfn.ysu.edu!ysub!psuvm!cunyvm!ndsuvm1!mtus5!jjmcwill Organization: Computing Technology Services, Michigan Technological Univ. Date: Sunday, 12 Jan 1992 18:31:51 EST From: Jeff McWilliams Message-ID: <92012.183151JJMCWILL@MTUS5.BITNET> Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit Subject: 8-bit publication Heads Up, Atari 8-Bitters!! This Is For YOU! Beginning 1992, the Atari 8-bit computers- and the community of USERS who still cherish these machines- have been officially discarded by Atari Corporation. BUT WE REFUSE TO ROLL OVER AND DIE AT ATARI'S COMMAND!! We believe there are enough of us left to pursue our 8-bit interests independently of Atari Corporation. Would you like to see a common forum in which users, developers, and vendors can communicate? A print medium wherein advertisers can be assured of reaching their intended audience, and where users can look with confidence for information about new products? A user- oriented publication to fill the void left by the collapse of ANTIC and ANALOG? My name is Jeff McWilliams, and I'm a dedicated 8-bit user. I want to present the Atari 8-bit community the chance to gather under one publication dedicated exclusively to the Atari 8-bit computers. A magazine that will unite our community and give it the strength it needs to survive. A forum where users can ask tough questions and read unvarnished product reviews. A magazine whose ads will be almost exclusively from 8-bit vendors. I propose a write-in campaign to Atari Interface Magazine, asking for a separate, exclusively 8-bit magazine called "Atari Classics". Atari Interface Magazine already has a strong presence in the Atari community. For several years AIM has been a combined ST/8-bit magazine whose publishers have indicated a willingness to support the Atari 8-bit community as long as interest warrants it. NOW is the time to ask them for our own magazine! As Campaign Manager, I will act as the focus for this effort. Now, you might be wondering, "WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?". That part is EASY! Just SEND me your NAME and POSTAL MAILING ADDRESS. I will mail you a FREE Information Kit describing our goals in greater detail. Included with the Kit is a stamped postcard on which you can express your interests and willingness to subscribe to an exclusively 8-bit magazine. (Or, if you disagree with our approach, you can just toss it away and that will be the end of it- BUT WE DON'T THINK YOU WILL!) You'll also be invited to indicate your willingness to PARTICIPATE in the magazine DIRECTLY by being a regular columnist, editor, or just writing about a special project you did or review a product you used. Ben Poehland, the former 8-bit Editor of Current Notes Magazine, is fully supporting this campaign and has offered to donate his services to "Atari Classics" when repairs to his fire-damaged home are completed later this year. The cutoff date for receiving the postcard responses is: MARCH 31, 1992. If by that time I have received 500 positive commitments via postcard, they will all be sent to AIM along with a petition requesting the formation of our proposed exclusive 8-bit publication "Atari Classics". If I receive less than 500 replies, then we will know that the 8-bit community has indeed become a lost and hopeless society. TIME IS RUNNING OUT. THIS MAY BE THE LAST OPPORTUNITY YOU WILL HAVE TO KEEP YOUR MACHINE ALIVE AND SHARE EXPERIENCES WITH FELLOW USERS. IMPORTANT!! Only the OFFICIAL Campaign postcards will be accepted! Those responding by other means will be mailed an Information Kit with which they can register their official response. Regrettably, due to limitations of time and cost, the Campaign will be restricted to addresses in the USA only. However, unofficial responses from outside the USA are welcome and will be included in the final count. PLEASE DO NOT SEND MONEY! If anyone wishes to assist the Campaign, they can do so by posting this release in its unmodified entirety to other on-line services, BBS's, usergroups, friends, and vendors. Additional assistance can be rendered by gatheringnames and addresses of Atari 8-bit owners and furnishing them to me so I can mail them an Information Kit. If you're REALLY SERIOUS about keeping your Atari 8-bit classic computer alive, be sure to obtain the Information Kit and return the included postcard appropriately filled in. Every day more 8-bits get stashed in attics or closets, or simply thrown away. Atari's Classic 8-bit computers- the 800/XL/XE machines- are every bit as useful and productive today as they were in the heyday of 8-bit technology. They deserve a better fate than the local landfill! CONTACT ME: Jeff McWilliams 2001 G Woodmar Drive Houghton, MI 49931-1017 GEnie: J.MCWILLIAM3 INTERNET: jjmcwill@mtus5.mtu.edu