DEAR ANTIC,

In the process of compiling this article, we learned that Norse poetry is not the only reading material enjoyed in Scandinavia; ANTIC also has a following there, as it does in many other parts of the globe. Readers of our magazine abound in such diverse places as Hong Kong, Italy, Panama, and even the sun-drenched West Indies!

To create this sampling of our readers, we randomly selected one representative from each country on our subscription list, and wrote to that person, requesting a short autobiography and a photograph.

Because we (and they) were forced to contend with a deadline, as well as with the vagaries of international mail service, we accurately predicted that some members of our random group would be unable to participate. However, we're extremely pleased to present the following letters from those readers who managed to respond. All of them were anxious to share a bit of themselves with you.

These readers are not only unanimous in their enthusiasm for ANTIC; they're also an interesting and varied assortment of people who are united beyond race, age and nationality by a common love of computing.

We had to condense these letters for publication, but we valiantly attempted to maintain the flavor of each writer's individual style. We hope that all of our guest writers are pleased with our editing, and, in some cases, our translations. Now, without further ado, we will let our international pen-pals speak for themselves ..

ARGENTINA
Tulio Jawerbaum
Ramon Falcon
1406 Buenos Aires Argentina

I am 45 years old, and manage a wire and tube distribution company. At work,I program (in RPGII) an IBM 34 system with seven terminals. At home, as a hobby, I program an Atari 800 computer with 48K, and use an 810 disk drive, a 410 cassette recorder and an Epso printer. I use this system to relax and to study mathematics. My son (who is studying to be a computer systems analyst) and my two daughters also enjoy the computer. I'm sorry to say that I can't write in your whimsical manner, because of my poor English.

AUSTRIA
Emanuel Sellner
Burgstallstr. 27
A-4523 Neuzeug, Austria

I was born on November 6, 1960, in Steyr, Austria, which is best known for Steyr bikes and cycles. At present, I study computer science at the University of Linz.

I own an Atari 800 with 48K, an 810 disk drive and an Epson FX-80 printer. I use the computer for my studies, e.g. to test algorithms. Privately, I use the Atari to manage my library and record collection. In my spare time, my friends and I play video games with the computer.

Other Atari enthusiasts should feel free to contact me.

BELGIUM
Roger De Spiegeleer
Rue de la Fonderie, 59
7100 La Louviere, Belgium

I am 31 years old. Since the advent of electronic flippers and war games, I've developed a passion for gaming. I first went crazy over Pong, and found contentment by playing it in restaurant lobbies.

In 1980, when I was finishing studies in clinical psychology at University of Liege, I bought the VCS 2600. The enclosed photo shows my daughter and me on our way to purchase the machine. The machine was the greatest -- it had everything! In 1982, I bought the 400, and then I have ordered most of the programs for it from the U.S. The kindness and high degree of professionalism of vendors for these products is extraordinary. This is much appreciated, because of the lack of software in Belgium. There is only one store here and it imports anything but Atari and APX software. However, I am very pleased with the Micro Video store in Paris. At last, I have a place to go to talk about Ataris with other people who love them!

BRAZIL
Cecilia Z. Castro
Av. Afonso Pena 4040/1001
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais,
Brasil -- 30000

I am in my junior year at Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais, where I study computer science. I first saw a computer as a high school junior in San Jose, California, where I lived with relatives from1979 through1980.

I share my Atari 400 with my parents and four brothers. I'd like to use it more seriously, but I do miss the help of a disc drive and a printer (which I plan to buy someday in the future). So, we mostly use the computer to play video games.

My dad is the one who loves it the most - he's what you would call an authentic "MAMA's boy." (ANTIC, Vol. 2, No.1)

CHILE
Renato M. Miranda
114 Correo 35
Santiago, Chile

I am l8 years old and in my last year of high school. Besides living in Chile, I have lived in Ecuador and visited the United States.

I started on the Atari 400 at my father's computer store in Quite, Ecuador. At the end of 1982, we moved back to Chile, where we now own a computer store called Compu Ram and sell Atari computers and programs.

My main interests concerning the Atari computer involve its wonderful graphics and sound capabilities. At present, I am working on a Chilean geography-teaching program and a 3-D Structure-rotation program.

FRANCE
Rene J. Choulet
29 Avenue du Stade
92500 RueiI-MaImaison, France

I am 39 years old and work in the corporate finance department of a bank. I had long used a computer in my office, but I wanted one at home for recreational and educational use. In 1982, after having seen a demonstration of the Atari 800, I bought one of the first Ataris sold in France -- an 800 with 48K and a 410 recorder.

We have used the Atari almost exclusively for playing games bought in the U.S. or typed in from ANTIC. We will soon have a printer and I will then teach BASIC to my wife and sons.

I am not yet ready to write technical articles and teach tricks to your readers, but I wish to start some personally ambitious projects soon, such as file managing and budget planning. However, I am waiting for a less expensive, more efficient disk drive, as well as more time - I usually get home at 8 p.m.

HONG KONG
Anthony Kwok
10, Shing Yip Street
5/F, Kwun Tong
Kowloon, Hong Kong

Born in Hong Kong and educated in England, I graduated from Manchester University in 1978 with a B.Se degree in computer science. I remained in England and worked with Plessey Controls Ltd. as an engineer.

After two years of designing hardware, I turned to software development and joined ICL as an operating systems designer. Then, having suffered through one of the worst winters ever, I returned to the tropical climate of Hong Kong in 1982. That was the beginning of my involvement with Atari. I was offered a job as the Regional Technical Manager of Atari International(HK) Ltd.

Obviously, working with micros is quite different from mainframes. You cannot play pacman on ICL computers!

ICELAND
Thorarinn Jonsson
P.O. Box 12
270, Varma-Iceland

I got a letter from you yesterday about representing Ireland, but I'm from Iceland! Please excuse my English, as it is very bad and is written with the help of my pocket dictionary.

I was born in New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A. In August, 1947, I left the U.S.A. with my parents to live in Iceland (they were students from Iceland). Now, 40 years later, I can hardly write or speak English, but I understand some. I own an Atari 800 with 48K and an 810 disk drive. The computer is used for computer programming in BASIC, and also for recreational pursuits.

This is almost everything there is to say about me. I'm single, have no wife and kids, own nothing ... no car, no house. I'm very fat and bald, so you do not get a photo of me.

ICELAND
Haraldur Vidisson
Hraunbraut 34
200 Kopavogur, Iceland

My first acquaintance with computers was when I worked in the loan department of a bank. I took a course in BASIC, and started working as a computer operator at the same bank. Two years later, I got a job as a programmer on an IBM S/38 at Iceland's largest shipping company.

There, through my colleagues, I discovered the Atari. I liked Atari from the start and bought one of my own quite soon after I first saw one in action. Today I own more than 30 games, along with the Assembler and BASIC cartridges.

ISRAEL
Nadav Yehiel
14 Lea St., Apt. #13
Tel-Aviv 69412 Israel

I am a 29-year-old computer technician and have been working with computers for eight years. I am primarily interested in personal computers for graphics.

I had always wanted to buy a home computer, but only recently did I find the one I wanted, the Atari 800. Since it's very easy to program and operate, I wrote a few programs for my son. These include math programs and some programs for painting on the screen with a joystick. The next step will be to redefine the character set so that he will be able to learn the Hebrew alphabet.

ITALY
Roberto Bianchini
36 Regina Giovanna
Milan, Italy 20129

I am glad to tell you who I am and what I do in my life. Born in Milan, Italy, on July 20, 1962, I now attend the Medical School at the University of Milan.

Approximately two years ago, I discovered that using a computer was, like sports, an amusing -- yet intelligent - way to spend my free time; that's why I bought my Atari 800!

I have looked for "medical" software, but my efforts have been in vain. I would be very grateful to your great magazine if you would let me know of the existence of any such software.

NEW ZEALAND
Murray Steedman
122 Mill Rd.
Whangarei, New Zealand

I was living in Australia when I became interested in home computers and computing. I chose the Atari because of its superb graphics and the tremendous availability of software. Also, four of my friends owned Ataris, so the exchange of ideas and programs made my life a little easier.

In New Zealand, I run my own gymnasium, and I've used the Atari to help me run the business. I've written programs on diets, nutrition, workouts and the financial aspects of running the gym.

For recreation, I like playing adventure-type games. However, I find software availability in New Zealand is limited, so I correspond with friends in Australia and America and usually get programs and advice when I require them.

PANAMA
Guillermo R. Gonzalez
Apartado 24, panama 9A
Panama, C/A

I was always interested in computers. For this reason, I went to study at the Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, U.S.A., where I received a Master's degree in computer science.

Because of its low cost and excellent graphics and sound capabilities, I bought an Atari 800, which I have used for two research projects. One project involved the use of INTER-LISP; the other was a program designed to teach little kids how to use the clock.

I now use the Atari to keep students records, play games and study machine language. I will be glad to hear from other Atari users worldwide.

PORTUGAL
Carlos da Silva Pereira
Rua Pinheiro Borges, 22-3. c
Alfragide 2700 Amadora, Portugal

I am a Portuguese architect, aged 38. I live in the neighborhood of Lisbon together with my wife and two children. I was introduced to video-game systems two years ago through the Atari VCS. Having owned this excellent system,I developed a greater interest in computers, so I decided to buy one which would be applicable to my professional life and useful in my spare time.

I bought an Atari 800 with disk drive and cassette recorder, and am studying Atari BASIC so that I can apply it to business use in the near future. I am also interested in utilizing the Atari's graphics capabilities.

I would like to say how much I appreciate Atari software and its excellent sound and graphics capabilities, which make the Atari one of the best home computers on the international market.

SCOTLAND
Gordon Sinclair
#~2 Hillside
Mosstowie By Elgin
Moray, Scotland

I am a 31-year-old social worker who lives in a small village. I have been interested in computing for a number of years, but I only recently purchased an Atari 800 and a 410 recorder.

I also obtained an Assembler Editor cartridge, because of my desire to learn more about machine code, but quite frankly found it to be limited in comparison with other products on the market. There are no Atari clubs in this part of Scotland; therefore, if anyone is interested (particularly in America), I would like to exchange notes and tapes on Atari computing. I would stress, however, that I am but a beginner, and my understanding of computing is somewhat limited.

SWEDEN
Dick de Jounge
Narvavagen 21
S-114 60 Stockholm, Sweden

Computing was a pastime occupation when I purchased my Atari a year ago; Pac-Man became my favorite, as well as that of my family. My interest in computing has since become more serious, thanks to my joining the Datagallerierna (a distributor chain for personal computers), and my Atari VisiCalc program, which has been good support.

Now, computing is not only a pastime occupation, it is also part of my livelihood. Nevertheless, it is still great fun!

I hope that software programs will continue to mature in usefulness, to the benefit of the home computer owner.

SWITZERLAND
Walter Luc Haas
Pilgerstrasse 5
CH-4055 Basel, Switzerland

I have an Atari 800 and I use it for recreational as well as professional purposes.

I write regular columns with reviews of games -- one for a Swiss newspaper, and others for Swiss and German magazines. I get to play games, games, and more games, which I also collect. I have thousands of them.

I came to my present vocation after having studied Protestant theology and French/German history, and after having been a teacher. I find freelance journalism, with an emphasis on game reviews, to be a fascinating way to spend one's life.

Because of the subject matter, I have become something of an expert on gaming, and I must say that my Atari computer has contributed to my education in this area. It opened up a whole new world of gaming for me, from which I have received a great deal of pleasure.

TAIWAN
Masahiro Mori
P.O. Box 988
Taichung, Taiwan R.O.C.

I am one of the Atari lovers. I am 13 years old. I like the Atari because it is easy to use. I use my Atari to program, and I have written a lot of programs. Most of them are graphics programs. (I have enclosed one of them with this letter. It generates five circles, which combine to make an Olympic symbol. I use my computer almost every day, but not when I have homework. Sometimes I use it to play games, though.

I would like to learn a lot from ANTIC, because there is nowhere else to learn from, and I wish all the subscribers could get to know one another.

WEST INDIES
Stewart Gordon
PO. Box 244
St. John's, Antigua, West Indies

Thank you for your letter, but I would like to point out that I do not live in the French West Indies, but in the West Indies. That is probably the reason that I have only received one ANTIC magazine these past few months.

I am 11 years old, and have lived in the West Indies, the U.S.A., Korea and Indonesia. My father bought me an Atari 400 in Hong Kong in 1981, but I sold it before leaving Indonesia. I bought my Atari 800 in Miami, when I was on my way to Antigua to live.

I use my Atari for games and for typing, word processing, and writing simple programs.