Amiga Market Survey
67 messages in this thread
Please answer the following questions.
1) What software packages does the Amiga market need? What software
packages do you need that you can't find on the Amiga? What application
would you use these packages in? What price range is acceptable for each
product?
2) What hardware does the Amiga market need? What hardware packages do you
need that you can't find on the Amiga? What application would you use these
packages in? What price range is acceptable for each product?
3) What applications that currently exist do you think could be made much
better? i.e. the application does the basic things, but needs more
features, or a program is problematic, and needs fixing. How could they be
improved or fixed? What is an acceptable price for these upgrades?
4) What Amiga development companies that you have had relations with have
treated you well as a customer? What have they done to make you happy?
5) What Amiga development companies that you have had relations with have
not treated you well as a customer? What have they done to make yo unhappy?
Can they fix what they've done? How?
Please be as descriptive as possible. You may respond either publically in
this forum, or you may email me. Thank you for your time.
Darin, SPC Superbase Technical Support
Darrin,
Here is what I feel is needed in the Amiga market as per your specific
questions:
1: A spread sheet with all the functionality of 1-2-3, with a good
amiga
interface and a manuel designed for beginners. There are some
powerful SS
out there for the amiga but are klunky to use and the documentation
assumes
prior SS knowledge. in the $150-$300 SRP range.
Also a good small business accounting package ie Peachtree,
Pacoucli $100-
$200
2: SCSI II controllers, hd caching cards, and fax/voicemail
$150-$200 ?????? $200-$300
3: Quality low cost CAD software, ie Autosketch. Draw 2000 is a good
start,
but needs some specific upgrades to be usable on it's own, better
dot
matrix support, I could get very specific on this if needed. >
$200.00
4: Precision Software <G> thier (ex)presence here on CI$ was very
handy and
responsive
5: CADvison, their support is non existant. I bought a XCAD and
there was no
# or address to contact them, I had a defective disk and had to
finally
rely on another owner of the product to copy it for me before I
could use
it (I could on and on about this too).
..Steve
Whap!ping from beautiful coastal South Carolina
Darin,
A port of Oracle.
Don
1. I can think of many software packages the Amiga needs! How about a
general conversion package that can convert most common PC/Mac formats to
common Amiga formats? Something like Word for Word on the PC, but that
would convert: A. Common word processor formats; B. Convert graphic formats
easily (this would be really great for the novice), but with ittle in the
way of image manipulation (users could spend money on something like
ADPro/Imagemaster for this); C. Convert sound files. I would buy this in a
minute.
On second thought, a decent idea processor would be great. Make it a
general package, with a storyboard mode….so it would appeal to the
'professional' Amiga crowd.
My biggest complaints with Amiga software is that there is always
something important left out of general application software…I cannot
import EPS into ProPage and have a preview; I cannot do simple page
numbering with ProPage; Imagemaster is desparate need of new, bound
manual…just once, I would like a package to cover all of the obvious
bases! On the other hand, most 'dedicated' amiga stuff (video and
animation, 3D..) is done quite well.
2.Hardware: I am still waiting for a solid graphic upgrade solution on
the Amiga…right now, I like DCTV; others like HAM-E, and others like the
Firecracker…yet, I cannot use any of them with DpaintIV. This is more of
a CBM problem.
3. See number 1…I would love to see a wordpro that uses scaleable
fonts, and gets the inter-character spacing right! I use ProWrite, but its
not yet there, even yet. We shouldn't have to upgrade for basic features.
4. GVP and ASDG have done really well by me, although ASDG seems to have
gotten a bit sloppy with their last upgrade. GVP's tech support, although
very overworked, has always had the right answer for me. Plus, they
upgraded my old hard drive card (a Cltd. Kronos…complete trash)…I was
happy to send them $90 for the upgrade, and get stability. I also like
Black Belt Systems, but I think that Ben and company really need to
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[ continuation ]
cover some basics that have been overlooked. When the README files are
substantially larger than the shipping manual, you have a problem.
I would also like to mention another problem…one of distribution of
products. Today, I needed a certain program ASAP, due to a sudden client
decision (which was quite unreasonable on their part)…the software is
CDROM-FS, done by Canadian Prototype Replicas. I found out that there was
NO WAY to get the software overnight, from anyone in North America!! Only
two folks had it in stock…one was Amagination in NYC, which refused to
ship it to me at any price (I will NEVER buy anything from them, EVER!), an
some dealer in Ontario that was referred to me by the actual developer (who
also could not ship it). Not one mailorder outfit had it in stock, and
most never heard of it. Some told me that the publisher was out of
business, or that the product was discontinued (i.e.,Creative and Go
Amigo). This is an extreme example, but I will probably lose out on this
client because of it…and I will have less money to spend on the Amiga as
a result.
Jonathan
– via Whap!
Jonathan, in regard to your last comment in the previous message: "Someone
told me the publisher was out of business, or that the product was
discontinued (i.e. Creative and Go Amigo)"
1. These two companies are the same now.
2. We've had lots of problems, and I don't believe we're alone in this,
with their sales department staff telling callers that our product is
discontinued, that Oxxi (or Precision or Aegis) is out of business, or that
there is no tech support for the product ordered — simply because they
didn't have it in stock, and wanted the opportunity to sell the caller
something else instead.
3. I wonder if other mail order companies do the same thing?
Regards, Whap!penned…
Pat @Oxxi (310) 427-1227
Pat–
Honestly, I'll never order from them again. On my quest for CDROM-FS, I
got answers ranging from the honest "We don't have it, and it make take a
few days…or longer" (that was from Safe Harbor) to simply being hung up
on (Montgomery Grant…that was how desperate I was to get that software!).
Jonathan
Try Hypermedia the makers of the Fred Fish CD they have.
Tony–
I'm thrilled with the way Hypermedia does business. They have operator
service drones answering their calls…it was impossible to request next
day delivery, or to ask even the most basic of questions. The Hypermedia
folks are not available from 9-5, period.
Jonathan
– via Whap!
As you probably know, CDROM-FS is made by a Canadian guy. He's not a big
company, I think he still lives with his parents. He probably has another
job. Welcome to the Amiga market. His US distributor is Vertical, Inc.,
who I'm sure has it in stock. Any dealer could call them to get it.
They're in Texas. As for why some dealers and distributors lie… I dunno.
They do. I just love it when they say a certain company is out of
business. Usually, it's just a face-saving gesture, but it's seriously
misguided. The sales droid says, gee, the computer says we can't get it,
the company must be out of business. Instead, the truth probably is that
the distributor isn't paying their bills on time and the supplier refuses
to send them more product. How do distributors make money? By borrowing
money (in the form of product) from developers.
John–
I'd like to express my most heartfelt thanks for your time and help. I
really appreciate it.
Jonathan
– via Whap!
Jonathan,
Xetec sell their CDROM file system separately and have a good upgrade
policy. The software is now version 1.54 and is getting better all the
time. The install program is a joy and writes a mountlist for you. The
package also includes a really good CD player front end with 3d buttons and
all !!!
Andrew
I have version 1.5 of the Xetec CDROM software and was wondering what has
changed (or been added) to the 1.54 software. Also, as of the 1.5 release,
the Xetec CDROM filesystem only works with the Chinon drive. Has this
changed with the 1.54 release? I would sure love to use the faster NEC or
Toshiba CD-ROM drives instead of the Chinon drive.
Sunny, The interface is smarter…there is a CDTV emulation gadget and
general improvements all round. I am using 2 of the new Toshiba drives
without any problem at all. They are much faster than the Chinon.
If you are registered on their BBS you can download the update (once you
have been given access to the registered owners section)
-Andrew
Andrew,
Ahh..but will it handle a GVP Series II/Toshiba 3201 combination? I was
understand that the Xetec CDROM file system was intended for Chinon, but
*MIGHT* work with others.
Jonathan
I had heard that it would support the GVP boards. You tell the filesystem
to use gvpscsi.device instead of scsi.device. I`m using the Xetec software
with Toshiba CDROM drives with no trouble at all. In fact they fly :^)
Call Marty Flickinger at Xetec I`m sure he can answer your questions.
-Andrew
Andrew..
Thanks for the reply. I'll give Marty a call…I've already got a ROM that
I'm dying to try out.
Jonathan
I also had to wait to get CDRom-FS. It is a very small market for a
product that has no advertising and is just beginning to have many targets
(CDRom on Amigas). The Xetec software is also good and you can get them to
ship it the same day. Both products seem to work pretty well. Did you
require CDRom-FS specifically? Both are fairly transparent in actual use.
Heck, they'll even coexist running at the same time!
….Mark Sterling 74335,1677
Mark:
Happy Easter to you & yours. When are you going to invite me down south
to see this wonder-CDRom-FireCracker system of yours? <hint, hint>
Michael
….from the north coast
Mike,
Yeah, maybe now that I'm no longer a customer you could come down and
see me some time. P^) P^) P^) Aww gee I just couldn't resist. Don't take
that the wrong way.
Actually you are welcome to come down some time to see how it works. I
don't have a tremendous amount of CDRom stuff to see other than the NASA
Voyager discs and Fred Fish roms. Call me at work some day and we can set
up a time.
….Mark Sterling 74335,1677
Mark,
I'd like to see the NASA stuff sometime… I'll ya a call as things start
to slow down a little this spring.
Michael
….from the north coast
Mike,
Sounds fine to me. I might be able to show a lot more of the NASA stuff
in a few weeks with some new versions of software.
….Mark Sterling 74335,1677
Mark-
First off, since I was using GVP and Toshiba hardware, I assumed that
CDROM-FS was the way to go.
Also, the CDROM market must be heating up to some degree 🙂 since
everyone I talked to reported shipping CDROM-FS as quickly as they got
them.
Jonathan
I do think the market is heating up. The Xetec software works OK with The
GVP/Toshiba combo. My friend has a Toshiba drive and the 33mHz GVP combo
board. He did say that diskchanges did not always work automatically.
….Mark Sterling 74335,1677
Mark–
Thanks for the info.
Jonathan
– via Whap!
That's what this forum is all about. Feel free to ask away. There's a lot
of valuable tihngs to be learned here, if you prod the right people with
the right questions.
John,
Well, actually…I was the person that talked to you in person last week
about this subject; I know that everyone's time is at a premium, and it was
extremely nice of you to have taken out that time for some Amiga advice. I
was expecting to get yelled at, actually, since that is what most folks
would do. Makes me feel better of all the times I got rung up during the
weekend for some desperate advice, and didn't get upset with the caller.
Jonathan
Yeah — the last time this was reported (from Creative, about Precision
Superbase product, that "the product has been abandoned, and it has no tech
support"), when we called them on it, the manager of sales droids there
said "FAX me a formal memo about this, and I'll distribute it to my guys."
Like the word of the developer that the product upgrade is in development,
and the fact that they themselves can call here and have the call answered
for tech support, wasn't evidence enough!
Regards, Whap!penned…
Pat @Oxxi (310) 427-1227
Jonathan,
Call HyperMedia they distribute the software. Be sure to speak to one
of the owners. Their there after 4PM central time, before that a service
answers their calls and you could get lost in the shuffle. I called and
spoke to Chris I believe and he sent the software out 2nd day as per my
request. They only take American Express (believe it or not) and their
number is: 414-632-3983
Paul-
Thanks for the tip. However, getting through to Chris is really an
experience. I was intercepted by answering service drones…I hope that
this is their vacation time!
Jonathan
The readme for Imagemaster isn't anywhere NEAR as large as the bound
manual, Jonathan. It's 50 pages of wide-spaced (80 column on 60 lines) type
with LOTS of blank lines. The manual is over 200 pages of info.
I'm not arguing that we can improve it, in fact there is no question about
that, but you'll be more credible if you don't exaggerate.
For every comment like yours, we have comparable comments praising the
manual – written in on registrations, even.
–Ben
Ben,
Excuse me for the hyperbole, Ben…I was really referring to the physical
dimensions, but I sure I wasn't clear. However, I still maintain that the
readme is way too large, and that the manual should be updated asap.
Jonathan
That is being done. Imagine how long it would take to write such a thing.
Now think longer than that, and you've got it. :^)
–Ben
Ben–
Looking forward to the new docs with great anticipation.
Jonathan
Hardware needed:
A cheap multi-serialport card. $50 range like on the other machines.
VCR tape backup.
Cheap OCR software and hardware. I can get a decent OCR program WITH a hand
scanner for $110 at the local office supplies warehouse for my IBM, yet
it's several hundred just for software on Amiga.
-Dave
Yeah, the software is _real_ decent. But, I strongly suggest _against_
using a handscanner for OCR. From my experience, it ended up being faster
for me to type in the information than to attempt to grab the text via a
handscanner and convert it with the OCR software. Partly because of the
difficulty in getting a 'straight' scan, but also because of the difficulty
of getting two scans aligned side-by-side.
–Eet–
They have scanner trays for around $20 that align the scanners for a nice
sweep. I agree that a full page scanner would be nice, but there is a price
hit for the occasional user.
-Dave
really? I'd never encountered such a tray; I think that might well make
hand-scanned OCR worthwhile.
Today must be Tuesday. I never could get the hang of Tuesdays.
I was just up at the local Computer City (a superstore) and they had a
shelf stocked with them for $24. Reasonable, I guess. I imagine you could
call some MO places and ask if they carry them. I don't think they are
unusual.
-Dave
Personally, I feel that the biggest problem that needs to be solve is
co-existing with other machines. I chose the amiga because it fits my
needs, but I don't want to be an island unto myself. To this end, software
and hardware should be developed to make this easier.
1. Software. From what I understand, there is a software IBM PC emulator
on the Mac platform that actually performs decently. I would be willing to
pay around $200 for this type of software, provided the performance was
decent. The object is not to turn my amiga into a PC (like I said, I CHOSE
the amiga because I liked it best), but to be able to get by in a pinch.
Tools that make cross-platform working easier (I consider the money I spent
on CrossDOS the best amiga software investment that I have ever made).
2. Hardware. An industry standard high density floppy drive. I understand
that this already exists, but I haven't seen it yet (worth $150-175).
Something to stick in my video slot. I don't do film editing. I don't put
graphic on tape or operate a touch screen information kiosk. Just provide
me with a card that will significantly enhance the screen that I am looking
at every day. Better resolution. More colors. You get the idea. The
main thing is it must be totally transparent. If I want to diddle with
hardware/software compatiblity, I'll swap to an IBM. Depending on
features, such a card is worth $275-500.
3. Applications. Most business type software is in need of enhancement.
Spreadsheets, wordprocessing, etc… I think that a WP for the amiga along
the lines of WORD for Win. would be worth around $175-200 (about the "swap"
prices that are offered on the other platform). It should be able do
automatic indexing, tables of contents, and provide minimal DTP support.
4. Development Co.s. Consultron and Lattice(SAS) both stand out in my
book. Not so much for user support (I've never had a reason to call), but
for the fact that the product worked exactly as advertised, at a reasonable
price, and with a
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Bill:
As far as I'm concerend, PC compatability is now covered quite well. I too
feel that Cross-Dos is a tremendous value… the rumors are that this
filesystem compatability will be built in to the next release of AmigaDos.
Consultron is also now selling a software PC emulator, that on an
accelerated Amiga should give decent performance… I doubt it is much
different than IBeM or the other pakage uploaded here more recently, but it
does give you the peace of mind of buying the package from a company that
will give you both phone and BBS support. Cross-Dos v.5 packaged with
Cross-PC reatils for around $50 to registered owners of Cross-Dos, $79 to
new users. Then, of course, there are the hardware packages: Supra, GVP and
Vortex all have cards for the 500, and CBM continues to support the
BridgeBoards (and has reduced the price of the XT & AT boards, probably in
preparation for the release of a 286 BB). MAC-2-DOS and Amax both make MAC
files available to the Amiga, and since most new MACs (dare I say,
virtually ALL new MACs?) have SuperDrives which will save files to a MSDOS
formatted disk, again, making it easy to transfer to the Amiga.
BTW, The new version of CrossDos DOES support: the new CBM high Density
floppy, msdos HD floppy's AND the 2 MEG floppy's that are just starting to
show up.
Also, I agree with you that a video display standard must be set so that
add-ons like a HAM-E or FIRECRACKER can be added to ANY Amiga, and display
all Amiga software, out of the box! I'm sure it's easier said than done,
but I expect some major improvements from CBM in this regard.
Remember, we have had a tremendous amount of backwards compatability with
the Amiga OS. This may have held baack some advancement in Amiga
technology… I heard rumors that 2.0 actually lost some of it's more
advanced features for the sake of compatability. CBM is going to have to
make the decision to let go of that stand, and introduce the next
generation of Amiga… and that will, no doubt, make as many people angry,
<continued>
>>> "probably in preparation for the release of a 286 BB" <<<
opps… make that "386 BB"
Michael
….from the north coast
as it will happy.
And, I would like to 'second' your vote of confidence in Consultron.
Cross-Dos is such a tremendous value… performing exactly as promoted, and
costing so little…. it has to rank up there as one of the MUST HAVE
programs for any Amiga owner.
Michael
….from the north coast
I agree about CrossDOS, and one added benefit, the upgrade for registered
users is only $20 and that includes CrossPC. The drawback is they aren't
shipping yet.
Last I heard it would be May.
Bill
– via Whap!
O.K., couldn't resist… Here's my thoughts –
High density floppies should have been standard equipment on all Amigas
long ago.
A 386 BB should have been out long ago also… Commodore _should_ be
working on releasing a 486 BB by now.
CDROMS are ancient history. Personally, I'll never buy a CDROM because I
always want to be able to update my files. Try Read-Write magneto optical
technology, Commodore.
Now, for another push to keep up with current technology, I think 16MHz
Amnigas should have ben standard equipment long ago. (16 MHz is considered
a dog in PC compatible markets) And yeah, I know 'But the Amiga multitasks,
etc… – It's just that I'm tired of trying to defend the slow (default
7MHz) Amigas now standard equip.
Did sombody say price??? Two of my friends just (each) bought 486 33Mhz
Super VGA 4MB memory with 120 MB hard drives (PC compats) for under
$2,000.00. Wake up, Commodore and offer a little more bang for the buck!
For example, I'd like to see default standard Amiga resolution (all
Amigas) at twice what it is now (say, about 1280×800). I'd like to see 4 MB
32 bit memory standard at least for the Amiga 2000, and priced at under
$1500.00… with a 120 MB hard drive thrown in for good measure.
Oh, well… I could go on (don't even get me started on software
thoughts), but I'd like to hear a few reactions to these comments, please.
Thanks, – Dave
What machine do you think is 'standard'? The majority of machines I
encounter are running at 25 mhz (with 030s).
Today must be Sunday. I never could get the hang of Sundays.
David…
I'm not sure why your wish list was directed to me, but I have to ask why
you are comparing the low end of the Amiga line to an enhanced, upgraded
pc?
I'm not convinced there is a better $399 computer on the market than the
Amiga 500. CBM still offers the mass market the best value there is. For
$399, a parent can get their kid a color computer that ignites the
imagination, is easy to use, doesn't require all kinds of hardware add-ons
to be put to use, doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and doesn't need to be
reconfigured for each piece software run.
Of course I want to see the high end advance, and the technology move
forward. I'd like to see everything you have on your wishlist too.
But the Amiga should not be measured against the PC. PC compatability is
nice, but it should not be what CBM strives for in the Amiga. That would be
a waste of resources. Increased FILE COMPATABILITY across platforms is more
desirable to me than program compatability. When I need or want to run PC
programs, on run them on my PC. Amiga users must start to see the forest
for the trees.
Michael
….from the north coast
I'm not convinced there is a better $399 computer …
True, but why is the A2000 so much more than the A 500 ? Street price is
about $600 more, retail about $900 more !!!! What does that buy you ? Some
slots a bigger case and and a more powerful power supply ??? A direct
comparison PC->Amiga would be a 286-AT with 1 Meg, keyboard, case power
supply, street price $400. True it isn't as powerful as an Amiga, but it
is 12 MHz (when was the last time you saw a PC (any model) running less
than 10 MHz ?) But we are talking manufacturing cost. Don't tell me it's
advertising or R&D, the machine is old (in terms of computer development).
The advertising is nil. Why should there be such a cost spread between the
A500 and the A2000? Probably so Irving Gould and his cronies can gouge
everyone. Of course that is my opinion., but until Mr. (and I use the term
loosely) Gould explains any of his actions, that will have to stand, in my
mind, as the only reason.
CBM, wake up !! Advertise !!! Look at Apple and all their ads back in
1984. Did they present a computer ? No! Marketing hype ! Did it work ?
You tell us ! Did they price gouge for their product ? Yes ! But they are
trying to be more in line with PC prices recently. PS: They have 24-32 bit
color graphics !
Paul,
Cost, or increases in price from one model to another usually has
very little to do with the actual cost of the parts. Far more often it had
to so with preceived value of the additions.
I wouldn't trade my 2000 (now a 2500) for a stack of 500's.
Don
Not the issue. If CBM wants to charge $400 for an A500, when it costs them
$300 to make, okay. If they want to charge $1500 for an A2000 when it cost
them $400 to make it, okay. But if CBM wants to keep current users happy,
and get new Amiga owners to boot, then why not charge $600 for an A2000.
You said it yourself, you would not trade your A2500 for a stack of A500s.
But the average buyer these days can get a 1 MB 386 SX (read that as SuX)
with SVGA and a hard drive for less than the STREET PRICE (Street price is
around $999, and list around $1,400, last I checked) of an A2000. Now
where is the perceived value ? To someone intimately familiar with the
Amiga still might go with the A2000.
What about all the Amiga owners looking to trade up, and all they see is
the same machine ? True, a new OS, but for the average user, what has
really improved ? A college student who might like to do video, should
(s)he spend $1,000 on a full system, which (s)he can expand at a later
date, or spend $1000 on a cpu and keyboard ?
The issue might be value if CBM would spend more on advertising than Irv
Irv Gould's salary. But they aren't. It could be an issue about how
wonderful a machine the Amiga is, if more people new (again) what a value
it is. It might be an issue about wonderful Amiga technology, if this were
1986, and CBM advertised.
But this is 1992. PC's are cheap the Amiga isn't. The technology is 6
years old and the prices haven't changed that much. I agree the Amiga is a
wonderful machine. But it is too pricey when you examine the poor R&D
efforts, poor marketing and low cost competition.
Paul,
The point is…the manufacturer set the price point where they can
make maximum profits. Too high, they don't sell enough and profits drop.
Too low, and they can't sell enough to make a decent profit. Essentially,
what the unit costs to produce (including overhead, R&D, etc.), reasonable
profit plus "what the market will bear".
CBM has apparently decided that their maximum profit is right where
the unit is selling…..after all, that's CBM's only responsibility…to
make a profit.
Certainly they have try to keep their customers happy…but the
bottom line is THE bottom line. They could have the happiest users in the
world, but if they're not making a profit…they won't be around very long.
Don
I understand "The Bottom Line". But take OS-2 for example, In the first
year it was offered, the price was over $500, and by the end of the year
it's installed base was under 5000 WORLD WIDE! It didn't get any better.
And as BYTE (I think) magazine put it, was it better to sell 5000 copies at
$500 ? Or maybe IBM should have sold 50,000 copies at $50 ? True, 5,000
manuals is cheaper than 50,000, so the bottom line was showed a higher
profit. But because that first year was so poor, Microsoft dropped OS-2
support. Will OS-2 ever take off ? I doubt it. Could it have taken off if
it had undersold Windows from the start, even though it was a poor product
? Even money, but it's chances would have been better.
All I'm saying about the Amiga is CBM should do more. Sure the stock
holders (i.e: Irv Gould) are happy in the short term. But are they
reinvesting profits ? Apparently not as quickly as Compaq, Apple, Novell
and any other computer equipment manufacturer you can name. Eventually
this will catch up with CBM, and in the dog-eat-dog world of computers, all
the price slashing and all the advertising and all the R&D will come too
late. I hope CBM makes me eat my words, I really do.
Paul,
The price had nothing to do with MicroSoft dropping support of
OS/2, it was because the product was a pile of junk…at any price.
There are those that think that IBM kept the price up in order NOT
to sell too many copies of the original version of OS/2. IBM knew it had
severe flaws but in order to maintain at least a tiny bit if credibility in
the marketplace.
Withdrawing it would have been a complete disaster as would have
thousands of dissatisfied users.
Don
David,
Apparently you don't understand CD-ROM. It never WAS intended as an
updateable medium…it's a publishing medium. Should I infer from your
comment that you don't buy books either?
[ continuation ]
minimum of unneccessary hassle. One other that stands out is Comeau. This
is simply because whenever I check in to AmigaTech on CIS Mr. Comeau is
there giving support, free advice, and chit chat. If I ever step up to
C++, I know I will happy with his product.
5. 6. Publishing! You didn't mention this one, but I would give my eye
teeth for good books on the amiga. Especially programming. I program my
amiga for the fun of it, but I am not a developer, so that source of good
info is not really available to me. There are NO books to fill the void.
If I could find good books on AREXX, C programming on the amiga,
specialized programming (database, graphics, etc…) on the amiga, etc… I
would buy them all. They would have to be solid books though, not beginner
fluff or strictly technical jargon, but something that would provide me the
means to go from my current level of expertise to a higher one. If you
could revive the Amiga World Tech Journal that would be a great start!
Bill
– via Whap!
Yes, Bill! — Books! More Books! I have an non-computer-fanatic friend
(or two) with an Amiga running an A-Max on it. Just this morning he was
saying, it would be really nice to have a book, about an inch thick, of
information about the device, emulation, the support it provides, etc.
Regards, Whap!penned…
Pat @Oxxi (310) 427-1227
I agree, I know the installed base is not huge, but it would have to be
more profitable to release some Amiga specific books (on hardware and
software) where there is a huge void, than it would be to release another
book on WordPerfect for DOS (where there is already 500 or more).
Bill
– via Whap!
This is another vote for a good spreadsheet, a la Microsoft Excel.
Darin:
This is a very interesting list of questions. Are you guys going to
undertake the implementation of the suggestions you get?
I am personally in favor of seing more ARexx support in products. Not
only in providing ports but also providing macro making features. ARexx is
a very powerful tool and fairly easy to learn, (or so I've read), but for
the average user, it involves a steep learning curve that they may not even
want to get into if they merely want to immediately produce results with
the software. Take for example a program like QED which offers not only an
ARexx port but also built in ARexx macro making capacity. ProWrite could
certainly benefit from such a facility. Another good example is the program
available here called artdmm.lzh which is a macro maker for The Art Dept.
Something like this should be included with The Art Dept or something
similar should be developed with templates for other ARexx supporting
programs.
Speaking of ProWrite, I really like this program's intuitive style and
once I started using a software postscript interpreter with my HP
compatible Epson Laser, the output wasn't half bad. The graphic importing
still leaves alot to be desired. Since the program now supports postscript,
why not allow for the importing of eps or postscript graphics?
How about bringing Deluxe Video up to date and developing a program like
DPaint that works with 24 bit or DCTV?
On the hardware front, I sure would like a CDTV CDROM drive for my 3000.
A hybrid card that would marry the features of the upcoming 24 bit DMI
Resolver and GVP's Impact Vision 24 would also be nifty. There are add on
boxes for the 500 and 2000 that offer additional slots, how about one for
the 3000? I'm thinking of a box about the size of my 3000 that would fit
neatly under it and offer a few additional expansion slots, maybe an extra
drive bay or so, and a couple, or more, of switchable video slots capable
of accomodating a toaster etc. Device Independent Graphics is a must and
heck the above mentioned magic
[ MORE ]
[ continuation ]
box may even be able to utilize PC video cards.
It would be nice to have some real parallel processing. I don't want to
switch between 68040 and 68030. I want to be able stick a 68040 card in my
3000 and run both processors at the same time. That would sure speed things
up a bit. I recently read an Article in the Ney York Times about a dude
that developed a language called Linda that allowed for parallel processing
on some networked PC's. It claimed that the results exceeded that of a Cray
supercomputer. It seems that the Amiga would be a natural for something
like this. It sure would be thrilling to render and view some 24 bit
Imagine animations in real time.
– Richard
The Amiga marketplace would do well if there were several "native"
Token-Ring communications boards and appropriate software to allow me to
connect my Amiga directly to an existing Token-Ring LAN at work which is
strictly big-blue flavor. Additional software will be required to make my
Amiga fully functional in such an environment (eg; data sharing, data
format conversions, device access (eg; file servers, printers), compatible
electronic mail packages (Lotus NOTES?), IBM 3270 emulation (CUT and DFT),
etc; etc; etc.).
Another software need in the communications area is a full TCP/IP
implementation which includes SLIP, but does not require a HAM radio, or an
Ethernet or Token-Ring card, does not use the X.25 protocol, and doesn't
require UNIX. The current AmigaNOS TCP/IP implementation (for AmigaDOS) is
best used for radio nets, not for asynchronous dial-up to a remote TCP/IP
host using the SLIP protocol, over a standard telephone line and existing
asynchronous modems. Another version that was designed for a "native"
Token-Ring card would also be needed.
Another hot item in my wish list is an Amiga port of IBM's Xedit/Kedit file
editor (with full REXX/ARexx support, of course). I contacted Mansfield
about this but they weren't interested at the time (they developed Kedit).
Another wish item is a "native" word processor which supports foreign
languages (translations, or spelling checker, or ??).
Once the T-R cards and software become available, somebody then needs to
incorporate SQL capabilities into existing Amiga database/spreadsheet
products for remote inquiries (ala IBM mainframe), et cetera (or design a
new one).
If the T-R cards and software become a reality, then somebody should start
designing some routers, bridges, communications hubs, etc; that are based
on an Amiga versus a messy-dos machine.
How about faster floppies (not just more capacity or caching, but higher
data throughput)?
– Using Whap! (from Southern Illinois) (Internet: ca0008@siucvmb.siu.edu)
Actually, the TCP/IP implementation that Commodore sells is very good. I'll
have to look up whether or not SLIP is supported. I've been using the
Ameristar/Commodore stuff for about four years now, and I'm very satisfied.
Steve
The CBM TCP/IP implementation is Ethernet only, and from what is listed on
the flyers for their implementation, no mention is made of SLIP.
– Using Whap! (from Southern Illinois) (Internet: ca0008@siucvmb.siu.edu)
Darin –
With respect to software packages I would like to see for the Amiga, here
are three:
– Fully validated Ada compiler
– IBM 3270 Terminal emulation package
– Reasonable set of CASE (Computer Aided Software Engineering)
Tools.
Jeff Schweiger
A couple of ideas:
HARDWARE:
A simple no frills 24bit video card that would support the 24bit IFF
standard. Software to enhance the 2.04 workbench (IE 24bit backgrounds)..
Cheap network solutions to coexist with existing networks (Novell,
AppleTalk, etc…) I know that OXXI has something like this but I don't
see it advertised so I do not know much about it. Too bad, I might buy a
package if it fit my companies requirements.
Amiga specific file sharing like that found on the MAC. Maybe even run
coexisting with AppleShare.
New sound digitizers (still waiting for the AD1016 from the Perfect Sound
people)
Skip the Hicap disk format and jump to the super hi-density 2.88 format.
Make it a standard. Variable speed drives would be nice too.
Bridgeboard ISA bus extender to accept 16 bit PC cards.
SOFTWARE:
A real spreadsheet that will save and read other formats like Excel, Lotus,
and will even import those macros.
A word proccessor that has the same features as above. (import word, wp,
and other commonly used word proccessors.)
Data sharing between programs would be awesome!
New Video Toaster modules. A digital effects editor for the toaster.
Perhaps a toolkit for developers.
I could go on and on and when I have time, I will. Anyway, there you go, I
don't want much, really!
The Amiga is the greatest machine I could ever own. We need hardware and
software to keep it there!
-Jonathan
Jonathan…
I got the data sheet from Oxxi, and their software looks amazing. I think
that it definitely would fit your company's requirements.
As for Appletalk…Progressive has the Doubletalk board.
Jonathan
– via Whap!