CompuServe Messages

>- Archaic user interface. >>That depends. I hear PCpeople *laughing* at it while other PCpeople *love* it. I guess it has more to do with personal taste. After a whole day of working with windows I find working with the Amiga workbench quite relaxing. Well, if you look at from a task switching stand point, it's kind of robust. But that has all to do with the multi-tasking. What I mean by "archaic" and "uneven object support" is the lack of consistency in many operations. You might not notice it as a programmer, but things like having to switch to directory lists "by file name" to actually be able to easily find files (those chuncky and ectlectic sized icons are cute, but…) isn't likely to convert droves of people. Startup file configurations are exhausting, while those cryptic property command lines either require you to take out the manuals or most of the time don't work because the app doesn't support the parameters (which could be entirely proprietary). There are so many of the quirks that it is valid to say it's archaic. Now, don't get me wrong. There's still plenty to like and one must have respect for it, once one realizes it really hasn't changed much since 1985! The bottom line: unless your a long standing Amiga user, there is a real urge for improvement. >lack of ordinary peripheral services such as print spooler and other system events >>Agreed for the spooler. What about *other* events? Well, for instance, trappable system events such as closing a screen, formatting a floppy, you name it. For a multi-media computer not to make bloops and whams, for instance, upon such an event is weak. Now, I'm sure there's some enthusiastic hacker that has a PD program out there for x,y and z events, but that's not global support and easily accessible by new users. Besides, experience indicates that loading the system with a bunch of PD hacks is not advisable. Say, you're using your computer for *real* work. >- Lack of OS memory protection. >>Agreed and yet, not. As a programmer I *love* the way the Amiga does it. But I could, not wholeheartedly though, agree with an optional protection. I don't want to sound to harsh, but an "optional" protection? Doesn't that defeat the point? >smoothed-out Workbench. >>Grumble. Although I would be ready to compromise and accept an *ugly* windows-style interface if that could make the amiga survive. Well, nothing prevents from being once again as advanced and revolutionary as it was in 1985. Right? Just add a full decade of exponential computer science, interface design and enabling technologies to the mixture. How's that grab you? Besides, Windows isn't that ugly and Win95 certainly can be considered attractive. Anyway, I don't want to sound too aggressive with you. It's kinda nice carrying on accross the Atlantic like this. But this enterprise of reviving the Amiga requires great dexterity and diligence. Un super tour-de-force, n'est-ce pas? Christian