AtariWriter

Article summary

AtariWriter is a word processor program for the Atari 8-bit computers released by Atari, Inc. as a 16 kB ROM cartridge in 1983. The program was fast and easy to use, while still having enough features to allow the creation of complex documents. It was a success for the platform, with at least 800,000 units initially sold, not including international versions and later updates. It was among the company's most successful software products, and among the best selling word processors on any platform at the time. Atari introduced Atari Word Processor, its first branded word processor, in 1981. Reviews unanimously praised its features but also noted its usability problems, including its difficult user interface and demanding system requirements. When the new models of the computers were introduced, the XL series, Word Processor was abandoned in favour of a simpler program that would run on any machine. William Robinson, author of Datasoft's Text Wizard, was hired for the new software project, with him modifying the program to run from a cartridge. Positive reviews followed its release, with concerns also raised about the lack of mail merge and a spell checker, and the absence of printer drivers for any printers other than Atari's. To meet the demand for non-Atari printers, at least 25,000 copies of an add-on printer pack were sold through direct sales and the Atari Program Exchange.…

Key claims

1. release date: 1989 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
2. release date: 1983 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
3. release date: 1987 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
4. release date: 1988 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95
5. release date: 1983 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
2. The record states that the release date is "1989". What evidence would count against this claim?
3. The record states that the release date is "1983". What evidence would count against this claim?
4. The record states that the release date is "1987". What evidence would count against this claim?
5. The record states that the release date is "1988". What evidence would count against this claim?
6. The record states that the release date is "1983". What evidence would count against this claim?
7. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
8. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

1. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1334341231