Press release                                           (11th August 1996)
==========================================================================
Mike Kerslake, a magazine publisher with over fifteen years experience has 
signed up Frank Charlton, ex features editor for ST Format and Joe Connor, 
ex Reader Disk/Public Arena editor for Atari World as joint editors for a 
NEW printed Atari magazine called Atari Computing.

The launch issue of Atari Computing will feature sixty A4 pages crammed 
with quality editorial. We're delighted to welcome contributions from 
respected and well known journalists including Graeme Rutt, Jon Ellis, 
Denesh Bhabuta and Kev Beardsworth.

We're delighted to announce we've signed a deal with the two leading disk 
based magazines, AtariPhile and Maggie to publish regular sections within 
the magazine. If you've never seen a disk magazine before we think you'll 
be amazed to find out what you've been missing!

The launch issue will be on sale at the forthcoming Atari shows so why not 
attend and meet us? The shows will be held on Saturday September 28th in 
Birmingham and Sunday September 29th in London, for more details about the 
shows contact: Goodman International, Telephone: +44 (0)1782 335650.

Issue one preview
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Issue one is still in the planning stage but here's just some of the 
articles we're working on:

* News and gossip put together by Graeme Rutt and Frank Charlton including 
  details about the Atari Computing website.
* Software reviews including HD-Driver by Jon Ellis, Deadlands by Nial 
  Grimes.
* PD/Shareware reviews of Start Me Up!, CoMa, 7up, and INcontrol by Joe 
  Connor, Denesh Bhabuta and Carl Lofgren.
* Review of MagiC 4 by Kev Beardsworth and preview of MagiC v5 by Thomas 
  Binder.
* Music and MIDI primer by Ed McGlone.
* RSC file editing introduction by Mark Baines.
* Introduction to Comms by Harry Sideras and Internet feature by Frank 
  Charlton.
* User group reports co-ordinated by Al Goold including feature on Spanish 
  Atarians by Andrew Harvey
* Atari Jaguar coverage
* Guest pages for AtariPhile, Maggie and Calamus User
* Q&A and letters pages

Remember this list is provisonal, some articles may not appear and others 
may take their place!

Background
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Following the closure of Atari World earlier this year it has just been 
announced ST Format, the final UK newstand publication, has also closed. 
It's the end of an era in the UK which for the first time since 1987 has 
no Atari newstand presence.

The men in grey suits are telling us to move onto other platforms but hang 
on a minute, let's take stock of the situation...
- Atari machines can be purchased and repaired on a shoestring
- Atari machines can produce superb printed output
- Atari machines can surf the Internet and run BBSs
- Atari machines can form the nucleus of a digital music studio
- New software of better quality than ever before is still being released!

That doesn't sound like a dead platform! The Atari platform has been 
emulated by just about every other platform, we're owners of cult 
machines! Have you ever noticed ex-Atarians animatedly talking about the 
'Good old days' it's a feel good factor missing from all the current 
machines.

We don't need a new platform but we do need information and a printed 
magazine is undoubtedly the best way to ensure we see in the new 
millenium!

Apart from a darn good read the other thing most of us like is some new 
software to play with. The Reader Disk concept offers all readers the 
chance to get their hands on the hottest new software around along with 
exclusive versions not available anywhere else. We intend to offer one 
Reader Disk to accompany each issue, buy it or not, the choice is yours!

What we need, now more than ever before, is your support. It's going to be 
tough to keep going so we're initially planning bi-monthly releases -but 
this could change, it's really up to you! Instead of wishing us luck post 
a cheque to reserve your copy today!


Ordering
==========================================================================
As we're sure you'll appreciate launching a new magazine is a risky 
business requiring pinpoint budget management. Our print run will be 
conservative and we don't expect to have a stock of back issues.

We're not a newstand publication so don't bother looking in the shops. The 
Atari platform needs this magazine and we need your subscription so do 
yourself and us a favour, take out a subscription or order an evaluation 
copy today!

>>> Fast feedback request -->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
If you're on-line we'd like to hear from you right now! We're keen to get 
an idea of demand for the mag. To reserve copies send an empty email with 
the title line: KEEP and if you'd like two copies simply add the number 
afterwards: KEEP 2 etc, thanks for taking part!
Email: atari_w_admin@cix.compulink.co.uk

Subscriptions
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Many of you (and most of us) lost money following the Atari World debacle 
and we're determined not to make the same mistake. Atari Computing 
subscriptions are refundable at any time. Cancel your subscription in 
writing and we'll return any outstanding credit to you, minus a deduction 
to cover our costs. If you order an evaluation copy we won't cash your 
payment until we've printed the magazine, simple eh?

United Kingdom
--------------
Send cheque/PO made payable to the 'Atari Computing Group' to:

Mike Kerslake
42 Larch Hill
Handsworth
Sheffield
S9 4AJ
Telephone/Fax: +44 (0)114 2618940 - 10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday
Email: mkerslake@cix.compulink.co.uk

Initially we're offering a single evaluation copy or three issue 
subscriptions at the following rates inclusive of post and packing:

************ All prices in UK Sterling where œ = British Pounds *********
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                   |         |         |            |                  |
| Evaluation Copy   | UK      | Europe  | USA/Canada | Other            |
|-------------------+---------+---------+------------+------------------+
| Magazine only     | œ 3.00  | œ 3.50  | œ 4.00     | œ 5.00           | |
With Reader Disk  | œ 5.00  | œ 5.50  | œ 6.00     | œ 7.00           |
+-------------------+---------+---------+------------+------------------+
|                   |         |         |            |                  | |
Subscription      | UK      | Europe  | USA/Canada |                  |
|-------------------+---------+---------+------------+------------------+
| Magazine only     | œ 9.00  | œ11.50  | œ12.00     | œ13.00           | |
With Reader Disk  | œ15.00  | œ17.50  | œ18.00     | œ19.00           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

If you want to order a magazine and none of the above rates apply to you, 
just email us and we will give you a price.

If you're outside the UK
------------------------
- Make certain your payment is *in Sterling* drawn on a *UK* bank address
  The following methods work:
  -International Bank draft/cheque in Sterling
  -Eurocheque made out in Sterling
  -International Post Office cheque payable in Sterling
  -Cash, Sterling, in a registered letter!

Country specific information
----------------------------
Canada:    Canadian Post Office money orders made out in Sterling are 
           perfect and inexpensive!
Australia: We don't want any of your pretty plastic Aussie dollars :-)
(N/Z)      Get down to your local Post Office and get a money order made 
           out in Sterling, it's not expensive.
Europe:    In general Post Office money orders or Eurocheques are the best 
           way to pay.
USA:       What a nightmare! Can we suggest a day trip to a Canadian post 
           office? An International money order (add œ5 to order total) 
           made out in Sterling drawn on a UK banking address is currently 
           the best solution.
           Sterling Amex travellers cheques (add œ5 to order total) or 
           cash, Sterling, in a registered letter are acceptable.

We aim to make Atari Computing available directly from authorised User 
groups and other outlets around the world and wherever possible please 
use your local distributor:

Germany
-------
Thorsten Butschke
Email: Thorsten_Butschke@s.maus.de (No emails >16K please)

Other
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We're expecting to be able to announce local support for Scandanavia, 
Australasia and North America RSN!...


Advertisers
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We have a limited number of pages set aside each issue. These are 
realistically priced to attract everyone in the Atari marketplace. To 
discuss your requirements please contact Mike Kerslake at the address 
above.


Submissions
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We're always on the lookout for talented new contributors so if you've 
got an idea for an article please do get in touch.


Who are we?
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Atari Computing is financed by the Atari Computing Group, based on CIX, 
and dedicated to supporting the Atari platform. Membership of the group is 
by invitation only. We're looking forward to Issue 1 as much as you are!

Regards

The Atari Computing Group (A|C|G)
