Let me introduce myself: I'm the new Editor here at START. For the last seven years, I've owned four Atari computers, been a member of three Atari user groups and read every Atari magazine that I could find. And as a long-time Atari owner myself, I want to make sure that START is the magazine you want, if you see something in START you like, write and tell us. If you see something you don't like, tell us that, too. In other words, write!

This special Business issue has a lot here for you if you already use your Atari in business- or if you think you might. To see how some businesspeople have already put their ST s to work, read Gigi Bisson's article, "Getting Down to Business." If you're shopping for business software, "File It" will help you choose the best database manager and "Figure It" will help you select a spreadsheet. Then learn how the ST's graphics power can help your next business presentation in "Show It."

Are you a newsletter editor? Is desktop publishing something you want to learn more about? Then read Helmi Kobler's article "The ABC'S of Desktop Publishing" for a truly helpful and understandable tutorial.

And there's so much more in this issue that I can only hit the highlights: On the music scene, Jamie Krutz reviews two new Sonus MIDI products and Mard Naman takes you behind the footlights with the Pointer Sisters and their ST whiz, Greg Whelchel. In "The Multipower ST," START Senior Editor Frank Hayes gives you the latest word on ST multitasking and more. And Carol Brimeyer helps you New Owners (and old!) ease the birthing pains of adding a new printer to your ST.

On this issue's START disk, three great disk utilities lead the way: the START Selector, the Director and Lock & Key.

Copy the "START Selector" from your START disk into the AUTO folder on your boot disk and it will replace the GEM Item Selector in almost any program you run after booting up! The Director is a disk librarian with an important difference: you can use your favorite database manager to sort and organize your file list! And with Lock & Key, you can hide your disk files from prying eyes- electronically.

Our main program this issue is Alex Leavens's CardSTak, a unique and powerful free-form "card file" database manager. You'll think of a dozen uses for CardSTak the first time you try it- it's just that kind of program! Finally, if you're in the mood for a little relaxation, try Wall Street, an extremely accurate (and playable) stock market simulation by Tony Lovell.

Over the years, I've used Atari computers for everything from screenwriting to courtroom computer graphics. I pushed the limits of my computers and sometimes they pushed me past my limits. That's when I'd stop and take out my back issues of Antic or START and look for help; I usually found it, too. I hope START will do the same for you.

So enjoy this issue - read it, run the programs and then write and tell me what you think. And if you like what you see, pick up that phone or pen and become a START subscriber. Thanks.