CompuServe Messages

Paul, First off, I don't think SGI has built a 'consumer' home computer, nor have they built a killer box for 90% of business. What they have done though, is build a desktop video machine that clearly destroys the high-end Amiga and Macintosh market. You may not realize this, but a nicely layed out toaster system is usually in the 10k range. I have customers who WANT more capability than what the Amiga can deliver. I intend to continue to carry Amiga and Video Toaster as they are quite viable products. I see the Indy as my high-end solution to users who need more than what the current Video Toaster has to offer. I also see the Indy as a system that preserves system value and as a box that will allow a reseller to make a profit, unlike the toaster business today. My excitement lies in the fact that SGI has dropped into the high-end of our desktop video market and basically have dared the other hardware manufacturers to beat them. Tell me, if Commodore was to build an AAA system and it listed for $4995, would you buy SGI or Amiga if the SGI were only a few thousand more. Most of my corporate buyers would NOT give the Amiga a second look, nor would you if your business was based on a need to produce video. Not that the Amiga would not produce video, but given the fact that most of our corporate customers either already have an Amiga, or generally have budgetted $20k toward a video solution, the Indy will shine in their eyes as they all know who and what SGI is. I think you need to understand something, something that apparently you do not see, and perhaps even SGI itself doesn't see. The mere fact that SGI has a entry-level box in the under $5k mark has redefined the playing field. I am exited as I have not seen a company attempt to redefine the market since Commodore did it in 1985 with the Amiga. The difference here is that SGI has the potential to literally dominate the market due to their already established good name, and the fact that their dealer network is designed to allow resellers to make money. This is not the case when an Amiga dealer works with NewTek. Let me address your software concerns. It is my belief that this box has the potential to DRAW a large group of graphics oriented developers who ARE NOT, in general, making money in the Amiga market to the Indy. These companies will fill the void that the big name software companies on SGI boxes are not willing to fill. ASDG and the Blue Ribbon Soundworks are already developing for it. If the Indy sells like I think it might, there will be a lot of money to be made in the less than $1k software range. Many will be willing to stoop over and pick up those dollars. Perhaps this makes my feelings clear on this. It is not the Amiga killer, today, a year from now–I guarentee it is from a desktop video perspective anyway. -mark= Otto Pilot Engaged..