CompuServe Messages

"Never in the short history of desktop computer technology has a platform gone out of production and become more valuable than it was when originally produced." This is true, but I really think the actions of people like myself buying up additional units to use as spares was a potent force in that price run-up. Unfortunately, neither can produce statistics to support our respective points. The Amiga is also unique in that it has a very large market following in Europe which may have played a great part in Escom's decision to pick up the whole kit and kaboodle. It's noteworthy that no American entity – even after all the bragging of Jim Drew and CEI – even made a meaningful bid. (No, Dell doesn't count – they made an offer they knew would be refused.) I have no doubt that the Amiga offers unique advantages for video. In fact, if you'll recall, I was among the first to opine that I felt the Amiga could survive handily as a niche machine – and I still believe that's possible. But from what I've seen of Escom's performance to date, even that proposition is doubtful. The marketplace is shifting, Frank. Computers are adaptable commodities. If a machine doesn't fit your purpose off the shelf, plug a card or two in. Personally I don't think even Apple will survive the Wintel stampede as a viable, large scale company. They too, in my opinion, are doomed to nichedom. There's absolutely no doubt that Commodore blew the game a long time ago. It has nothing to do with the technology and everything to do with the failure to market it. I'm not a friend of any platform. I use the machines as tools and that's about it. The realities are simply that I don't think the Amiga can overcome the dynamics of the marketplace as it exists today – the players on the Amiga side are just too weak. Jerry