CompuServe Messages

>> Other than a UNIX workstation, which PC do you know that >> could format two floppy disks simultaniously, run a paint >> program and word processor and download a file at the same >> time? OS/2 based machines can do all the above. Other than the formating, Macs can do the above also. OS/2 is something like $60. Not a bad deal for a PC person. The Macs have _very_ poor multitasking, but for 98% of what _most_ people do, it does okay. Apple has also promised pre-emptive multitasking early next year, with memory protection. Something that only OS/2 has today. Even AmigaDOS does not offer memory protection. >> Granted, it is the PERCEIVED problems of the Amiga that bothers >> everyone. We know that it is superior technology, for now. Superior technology is not just a features list. It is also useability. The PC world has access to the one thing the Amiga has always lacked, mainstream applications. No matter how cool the AGA chipset is, if they can't run Microsoft Word, the average person won't care. Sad but true. The "real" world has certain dictates about "standards", these are networking issues, application availability, raw computation speed. These are places C= has choosen not to focus. The Amiga moves graphics around with the best of them, but a chipset don't get my spreadsheet recalculated any faster. Also, the built in 24 bit graphics are not there. Most PC/Mac machines ship with 16 bit color as a minimum. Most can goto 24 bit by adding a VRAM chip to an empty socket. This is not the Amiga's fault, it's a fine machine. But how recently has C= updated it? The rest of the world is charging ahead and C= is re-cycling '030 based machines. Even the graphics chip sets are starting to appear on PC's, and Apple is have great success with their AV machines. If AAA ever ships, what CPU will it ship with? '060 would be cool, but I bet if it ever ships, it's with an underpowered '040. The sad truth is that C= squandered a great lead, in the end which will ship sooner, a fixed Mac OS, or a 90's Amiga? The root of the problem is CBM. Look how they sell things. They are limited to specialty shops. CD32 should be in every K-Mart, Sears, and Toys-R-Us in America. Kids play with the games while their moms shop. _That_ sells games. Putting them in a Mom'n Pop store only moves machines to dedicated people by word of mouth. Same with Amigas, get them in the superstores. The local Amiga store is visited by the already blessed. Get them out where the great unwashed shop. That is how you sell computers. I hope they get the chance to get their act together. Then they could show the world what could be done with a new Amiga. Hoping for the best… —- Andrew