WHO CARES?
You will note in the News section that Atari are
looking to encourage User Groups once more. From conversations with
Fiona Mantell of Atari, I believe that they are genuinely interested
in trying to do something to help but, like the users themselves,
they are unsure as to exactly what can be done. In the past Atari
users and User Groups have been quite vociferous in their complaints
but often short on constructive ideas, so will it be any different
this time? Do User Groups really care anymore? Judging from the
abysmal response to our own efforts to give them publicity via the
Resource File, it seems not. Take a look at the Resource File in
this issue and you will see the number of groups who supplied
details. There are many more groups that I know about and that I
know are active but I am not going to include them unless they send
in the details. Why not? Because if the secretary, or whoever, is
too apathetic to spend a few minutes to tell the world about the
group, how am I to know whether they want new members? Maybe they
don't want anyone else to join them or maybe they are just so badly
organised that I would feel embarrassed at encouraging a new owner
to go along. Atari User Groups in the States get together to
organise Fairs (with considerable support from Atari) at which up to
5,000 Atari owners may attend. What hope is there of groups in this
country, who can't even manage to write down their meeting details,
doing likewise? Prove me wrong, User Groups. Write to me, and to
Atari. I just want your details, Atari wants your details and your
constructive ideas.
I have been playing around with Fleet Street
Publisher in getting this issue together and you should notice some
worthwhile changes to the format. Whilst, at the time of writing,
the program is limited in its output for professional use, any
newsletter editor should take a look. It takes a long time to use to
its fullest extent but will be well worth it. A brilliant program
that will be reviewed shortly.
Talking about changes you will find other changes
in the look of PAGE 6 following a change of printer. You may also
have noticed that the cover price has been increased to £1.20. Sorry
about that, but long term readers will have noticed that the number
of pages has increased since we started covering the ST and several
other factors combined to force an increase which should have been
applied at least two issues ago. The cost of paper has risen
alarmingly over the past year and postal rates have also increased.
We will keep the U.K. subscription rate as it is for as long as we
can but have had to make slight increases on the overseas rates.
These reflect purely the postage costs for overseas mail. Please see
page 3 for details.
I promised last issue to mention the recent survey
but, to be honest, the comments were so many and so varied that we
have run out of time in trying to analyse them. We currently have
over 30 A4 pages of suggestions and comments to digest! All will be
read and one or two have already been acted upon. Be assured that
any comments you made will be read.
The summer months will be more hectic than ever
with a 'major event' for us planned for Issue 29. We also have to
recover from the April show and plan for PCW in September. I'll tell
you more next issue.
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