Whatever Acorn may say, the Atom has been effectively abandoned. Whether it goes the way of the ZX80 and MK14 depends largely on the people who use it. Let's begin by looking at what we have.

The Atom is based around the 6502 processor, running nominally at 1MHz. Its operating environment is provided by a very fast 4K BASIC and a 4K operating system. It has nine graphics modes, the highest providing a resolution of 256 x 192 using 6K of RAM - when not needed for graphics, this may be used for programs. Standard outputs are provided for cassette, TV, monitor (RGB or monochrome) and Econet. In addition, two ports carry the bus lines and a single Eurocard may be attached internally. All major components are socketed, allowing easy replacement in the event of a fault.

Sockets are present for 12K of RAM, a floating-point ROM and an extension ROM. By adding the 6522 VIA, a Centronics-type printer can be used and sixteen input/output lines are made available - a further four lines are present at the cassette port, as is an audio output.

Atom Basic is very fast. Despite being three years old - a long time in terms of computer design - it is still faster than that in any other computer under £200 and is fast enough to permit real-time games programming. However, the Atom really comes into its own when used in conjunction with its in-built assembler, which may be freely mixed with Basic, providing the best of both worlds - a feature only found on the Acorn range.

When it comes to expansion, printers, and the (very expensive) 96K disc drive, can be easily added. The Atom is capable of directly addressing 38K of RAM and cards are available for 16, 32, 64 and 128 and 256K additions - the latter being 'sectored', in the manner of a fast disc. A BBC Basic language card and a colour card are produced by Acorn. A plethora of toolbox ROMs have been produced and Acorn themselves do both a word-processing and a spreadsheet ROM.

As the Atom normally only supports a 32-column text screen, and doesn't allow mixed text and hi-res graphics, another ROM has been produced (it should be ready by the time that you read this from Procyon), which supports a 42-column screen in Mode 4, with text windowing and user-definable characters. Acornsoft's (cassette-based) Database package also adapts easily to being blown into a 4K EPROM. To save you having to open the case, a four-way ROM adapter can be bought.

Software abounds. Virtually all the arcade favourites have been done and both Acornsoft and Elinca have business packs. The current situation is that Acornsoft and Acorn will continue to supply Atom software/firmware for the foreseeable future - although nothing new will be produced - and to supply technical back-up. Atoms are no longer being made or promoted and existing stocks are being heavily discounted by dealers, with prices as low as £50 being quoted. However, do not expect much dealer support at these prices. Anyone who buys an expanded Atom for less than £150 has got a bargain, even by today's standards.

On the software side, none of the major houses will now accept Atmo material, with the exception of A&F, who are pledged to support the Atom until the middle of next year at least - their fortune was founded on Atom material and they feel they owe a debt to their Atom customers. Program Power's range is still available by mail order but Bug-Byte are now entirely retail, so their packs will be largely unavailable. What you will now see is a return to the early 'cottage industry' days of Atom software. The rest is up to you. So how do you stop the Atom from becoming extinct?

First, support those suppliers, big or small, who support your machine. Support your user groups - there are various local groups and a national one (see our user group listings). Support the magazines that support you - Acorn User will continue to run Atom features for as long as there is a viable readership - and, if you discover a new routine, let us know, so everyone can share it. Got a new application or an exciting new game? Send it in.

If you're marketing your own ideas, send us a sample and we'll try and review it - we get very little sent in these days from commercial sources. Above all, show off your Atom! You have a versatile and controllable machine, useful in many applications. It's a classic design and one that has a useful life for many years to come. Below is a list of those suppliers who actively support the Atom. This list is not in any way intended to be a recommendation, just a source list - anyone we've missed out, let us know who you are and what you're doing.

1. Acorn/Acornsoft (software, firmware, technical support)
2. A&F Software (software, toolbox ROM)
3. Program Power (software, toolbox ROM, ROM adapter, colour board)
4. Elinca (ROM adapter, business software, cases)
5. Focusplan/Procyon (ROM adapter, toolbox ROM, screen ROM, book)
6. Timedata (memory cards, books)
7. Solidisk/Audio Computers (memory cards)
8. Ross Software (shape table ROM)
9. Watford Electronics (toolbox ROM)
10. Willow Software (toolbox ROM)
11. Ecce Productions (software, book, Atom tape reader for BBC)