Editorial
You didn't need to be so nice. After all, your voting in the September, 1985 Antic survey was anonymous. We were ready to make major changes in the magazine – if there was a clear trend showing that readers wanted something new.
But from the over 400 Antic readers who mailed in the survey questionaire, the overwhelming response was that Antic is fine just as it is. Some readers even used the survey's additional comments space to beg Antic not to change.
The prevailing attitude is summed up by a comment scrawled on one survey, and echoed by many others: "The best thing about Antic is that it is a magazine strictly for Atari and delivers what readers want."
In 13 of the 20 editorial categories surveyed, a majority of Antic readers do not want any changes in the present coverage mix. Typically about 30% of the readers want more coverage of a topic, while another 20% want less – with the remaining 50% wanting coverage to stay the same.
MORE PRODUCT NEWS
We were suprised to find that 60% of you want even more product reviews and information about new products. Wasting no time complying with your wishes, this issue features extra pages of Atari product reviews.
Antic always strives to publish news of significant new Atari products. But during the past 18 months, new software only trickled in. Now the product drought finally seems to be coming to an end – much to the credit of Antic readers who wrote letters to software publishers after our "We Won't Take It Anymore!" editorial in May, 1985.
53% of the survey respondents want more Atari news. The old pre-Tramiel Atari was laying low towards the end, and the new Atari Corp. had little time for press relations during their year-long superhuman effort to create a new product line. Now that Atari computers are making waves in the market again, you'll see additional in-depth coverage of Atari news here (and on ANTIC ONLINE).
PRACTICAL & TUTORIAL
We weren't surprised to find that 66% of you want more type-in practical applications software. We're always searching for good practical submissions to publish. We also enjoy trying to fill reader requests to create specific application programs – especially applications that have never been available on the Atari before.
A whopping 72% asked for more utilities and tutorials. Antic's most popular type-in software programs are clearly those that demonstrate how to tap the power of your Atari computer more effectively. We have always considered this the magazine's bread and butter – and we're glad you agree.
TYPICAL READER
The survey indicated that the typical Antic reader is an intermediate (62%) BASIC (96%) programmer who owns an Atari 800XL (50%). Printers are owned by 77% of you, while 44% own modems.
We were impressed to learn that 91% of Antic readers are disk drive owners – despite what some software publishers have claimed about Atarians.
Another impressive statistic is that 38% of you do some programming in assembly language. The usage of other languages in the survey was much lower – Logo 15%, C 11%, ACTION! 9% and Forth 8%.
8-BIT FOREVER
Though many readers complimented the new ST section, many also expressed fears that Antic might desert Atari's 8-bit computer line. It's my pleasure to put an end to such fears. No way will Antic ever turn away from the million-plus owners of Atari 8-bit computers. You have my word on it!
What did readers think was the worst thing about Antic? A frequent comment was, "There isn't enough of it. It's published only once a month – I develop withdrawal symptoms after seven days." Now that's the kind of complaint we like!
Here's another pledge from Antic: Just because readers are happy with the way we are meeting your needs now, it doesn't mean we won't he ready to make rapid changes in response to any emerging needs in the changing Atari market.
As one reader wrote, "Some say this kind of reader poll is just for marketing purposes. But the way your magazine has changed with the times, I believe you actually do care what we think."
Yes, Antic does care what you think.
James Capparell
Publisher
