Joe. Here's the first batch of letters, I've added replies to some, but feel free to use or not use whatever you see fit:- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Sir, Although I have had my Atari for several months, I have not yet got to grips with it. So really I am a complete beginner, never having used a computer before. In fact, to be honest, I am a bit scared of it. So really I need an 'idiots guide' to the Atari. I hope your new mag can help. Mrs. J. P. Featherstone. (Reply:- There's nothing to be scared of Mrs. Featherstone, your atari is very friendly. We'll try our best to help you get the most from it, though if you've any specific problems, you'd probably find sending your queries to our Q&A team will be the most helpful to you.) (We could do with a beginners corner, there's a number of people who have only recently started using Atari computers.) Dear Sir, I am returning the questionaire from the first issue of Atari Computing. I must say that I find the magazine really excellent, long may it continue. I started out with an STFM in 1989 and graduated with much heart searching to a Falcon three years ago. I was very tempted to move over to a PC, but resisted the temptation mainly because of my investment in Atari software. I shall continue to support Atari Computing as long as you publish it. Mr. R. A. Stevens. (Reply:- Thanks for the support, Mr. Stevens. It's appreciated.) Dear Sir, good luck with Atari Computing, we all will rely on you! First issue is splendid. Useful, informative and well written. Ted Richards. (Reply:- [fx: blush] You're so kind.) Dear Sirs, Thank you for filling the Atari gap - I hope it is successful. Please don't both to get into colour - it will only put costs up and it doesn't help all that much. I would rather have a few sheets of plain A4 with information at regular intervals than see you cost yourselves out of the market. I notice that you do not have one Atari BBS in the list on page 13 of issue 1. Micro-Link (01726 884725) at Mevagissey, Cornwall has quite a bit of software for sale at reasonable prices. John Cloke. (Reply:- Thanks for the info. Yes, colour at the moment is an impossibility, the cost is so high. Unless of course the subscriber base keeps going up and up...) Dear Sir, Thanks for producing this magazine. I was so cheesed off when Atari World and then ST Format packed up. I've only just got into Computers and both magazines helped an awful lot. Magazines have made understanding Ataris much easier. Simon Gratton. (Reply:- We're only too glad to help, Simon.) Dear Sirs, Thank you for the first issue of Atari Computing, which was both very welcome and interesting. I feel that the overall setup and content was well balanced and if this is kept up on proceeding issues, then your team and the magazine will be very successful. My only reservations are with the 'Cover disks', the main problem with the last few of ST Format's disc was the repeat of programs that we already had, (either from magazines or PD libraries). I realise that this is a difficult thing to avoid, but hope that you will keep this in mind and try to avoid this wherever possible. Please also use plenty of letters and Q&A pages and if possible a regular 'for sale' column. I believe that the ST has remained successful because of it's reasonable price and ease of initial learning compared to PC's, and many users have one because it allowed them into computing while on a low budget. Only when ST Format finished did I ever feel I might have to move onto a PC and dreaded the massive cost and learning curve it would take just to reach the same level I was at with my ST and assure you, your magazine has come as a great relief and I wish it every success. Bill Reid. Joe:- The above is heavily edited. (You should see the length of the original:) (Reply:- Thanks, Bill. As far as the reader disks are concerned, we're trying to obtain the newest versions of as many programs as possible to put on future ones. We're also thinking of putting colour screen shots of programs reviewed inside the magazine on the disks to help offset the disadvantages of mono printing.) Dear sirs, Great start well in the tradition of ST Review and Atari World. Suggest you spend the money on quality and quantity of articles and pages than hi-tech colour at this point in time. I have been sent popular 'bookstore' monochrome American Atari mags. T. C. J. Spencer. (Reply:- Our thoughts exactly, Mr. Spencer.) Dear Sirs, If possible could you publish a list of all hardware and software suppliers including the postal address, not just the telephone number or email address. this also happens in ST Applications and I suspect it is assumed that we are all on-line or should be, but were not! Also could you publish a full list of the programs and versions supported by Interactive and Cyberstrider. this would save sending blank disks to Joe or Denesh on spec to see if programs the user has registered have been updated. Finally, please make it clear who/where we send future subs to, who/where we get the reader disk from and also the costs of obtaining AC from the rest of the world. (I have interested contacts in the USA!). Thanks. Steve Whitehead. (Again heavily edited). (Reply:- I'll leave this one to you, Joe;) Dears Sirs, Good luck with your venture, let's hope it succeeds for all our sakes. Frank Tilly. (Reply:- We hope so too, Frank.) Dear Sir, œ15 for a 3 issue sub with disks is too much. why not a PD library to copy the disks at a lower cost? Black and white makes the mag look amatuerish. How about a free readers ads section? John Hayward. (Reply:- Any thoughts, Joe? He's one of only about 2 people who don't like the mono repro. Although, obviously a lot would like colour if it could be afforded.) ------------------------------------------------------------------- There are more, but without names or similar. I think there's probably enough here for now anyway, don't you;-) ATB, Martin.