#Amiga-Compuserve CD
19 messages in this thread
All Amiga owners with a CD-Rom drive please take note: You might have
noticed in the 'What's New' section of Compuserve something mentioning the new
up-and-coming CD coming out for Compuserve members. This item is currently
planned for IBM-PC compatible computers, with a MAC version in the works. While
I haven't heard anything about one being planned for the Amiga, I would like to
know – why not? Let's give the Amiga a louder voice on Compuserve by answering
the survey about CD-Roms (GO CCD) and getting a 2.95 usage credit to boot!
Why do I think this is a good idea?
Well, for one, all of us who have invested in a CD-Rom drive for our Amigas
would very much like to USE this item, and there simply isn't all that much out
there for the Amiga on CD-Rom. Perhaps we can convince the makers of
Compuserve's CD that it would be in Compuserve's interest to make one, SINCE I
feel that many Amiga users (with CD- Rom drives) might be attracted to
Compuserve simply if such an item as a bi-monthly CD for the Amiga was put out.
People who otherwise don't use compuserve would.
Just imagine – there are already a HUGE selection of Amiga Public
domain and shareware files here on Compuserve. Each CD could contain some of
the latest demos, graphics, tech utilities, tips, etc… on each one. It could
also contain IFF's translated from Compuserve's graphics forums translated from
their original GIF's (don't you hate waiting for the translations with GIFmach
or some other utility?). I am certain it could, of course, contain the same
text-based articles that will appear in the regular Compuserve CD. And imagine
having the Amiga file finder database immediately accessible from CD-Rom
instead of paying for it with each use here on Compuserve (they are planning on
doing something like this for the IBM disk, so it certainly could be done with
the Amiga!).
So what does everyone say? The IBM disks are going for 7.95 plus tax
and S & H, but also gives you a $5.00 usage credit. I know that would sound
great to me, and I'd even be willing to pay a little more than that to get it
if I had to!
Please let's continue to support our favorite computer. GO CCD , answer
the survey, and mention in the end of the survey (where you may comment ten
lines worth of info) that you would like to see the same or similar product for
the Amiga, and that you would spread the word about it and Compuserve if they
did create such a product. What does everyone say? Remember, the future of this
machine of ours is truly more in our hands than ever before!
–Steve–
The scale of the Amiga market means that there is no way the Amiga CD
could be that cheap.
If you want bi-monthly CD-ROM of Amiga freely redistributable software,
what's wrong with Fresh Fish?
—
Dale L. Larson, Intangible Assets Manufacturing
Dale, must you be so negative, an Amiga Compuserve CD would be great Not only
could they put all the Amiga specific file on it, but also all general data
files from other area's, like Type 1 Fonts, clip art, graphic files ect… As
an Amiga dealer, I have seen a increasing interest in CD-ROM drives from my
customers, mainly because I have demonstrated and promoted Amiga CD for about 6
months now. In the last 2 months, I've installed 5 CD-ROM drives in Amiga's
myself. (And I'm a small dealer). If you want to see how sucessful a Amiga
shareware CD can be ..look at Aminet CD-ROM from Walnut Creek. They have sold a
lot of them and I've sold a lot myself. Game titles can be hot too if versions
are available for not only CD32, but AGA and ECS machines. Look at Labyrinth Of
Time by Terra Nova Developement, It's great, it works in HAM mode, so it works
on CD32, CDTV and any Amiga with a CD-ROM drive and 1 Meg Chip Ram. I am back
ordered a lot of them, with paying customers ready to get it when they come in.
Like they say…great software sells hardware, so Amiga developers should take
note..hot CD Titles will get more Amiga owners to get CD-ROM drives. And don't
forget the CDTV owners who parnet the CDTV to their Amiga's to access Aminet
and Fred Fish CD's among other titles.
Ray Tronix Micro Systems [B
Mind you, I'm not at all disputing the value of Amiga CD-ROMs or the fact
that there is a market for them.
I just stated a couple of facts relavant to the specific Compuserve CD ROM
mentioned. First, even if you could sell tens of thousands of them, you
can't sell nearly as many of them as you can PC CD-ROMs, so you probably
can't sell them for $9 ea. Second, most of the Amiga freely
redistributable software is already very well represented on Fish and
AmiNet, and those two already overlap a lot. I don't think that there is
a good market for a third overlapping CD of general Amiga freely
redistributable software. There might be a good market for more
specialized collections.
—
Dale L. Larson, Intangible Assets Manufacturing
Then why a Compuserve shareware PC CD-ROM? PC shareware collections on CD-ROM
must run in the dozens. Many are basically the same, some are more specialized.
There are more than two Amiga PD/Shareware CD-ROM's out now, there is the AMUC
CD-ROM from Canada plus others from Europe. The specialized collections for
Amiga on CD-ROM would be great, I agree. I still think Compuserve has a great
deal of data and programs for Amiga that is not represented on any other CD-ROM
at the moment. If Compuserve came out with a Amiga CD-ROM, whether it's $9.00
or a higher price, I'd buy it.
Ray
Dale, when Sony puts out Compact Disks (not the music ones, but computer
software disks) for 60 CENTS a pop and sells them to distributors for $1.00
ea., and recordable CD's cost about $4.00 each, WHY does the scale of the Amiga
market mean that an Amiga-based Compuserve-based CD isn't possible? Granted, I
don't expect them to sell it at 7.95 each, but even at 20.00 each, I think it
would be a good deal. And the Fish disks are great too, BUT they don't have all
the neat demos or MOD files or GIF's that Compuserve has access to. Of course I
expect, if one were put out, it would contain some crossover of material – but
so will the material with the PC-based Compuserve CD contain crossovers of
PC-based material.
The idea behind the Compuserve CD (herafter referred to as CCD) is to
be a complementary resource to meld with Compuserve itself. Shopping the mall
with GIF's of products on CD, so that you don't have to waste valuable time
(and money) downloading a picture or imagining a product thru text-based
descriptions. Or access to the file-finder offline rather than online, saving
time and money again. Access to shareware offline, so that everyone can get a
chance to examine it, rather than deciding if they want to spend the money
downloading it (or demos, OR MOD's, etc., etc., etc.). And it would be a rather
up-to-date resource, with interviews with those in the industry (Maybe even you
yourself!).
So THAT's why I think it is a good idea. Something like this could only
generate interest in the Amiga, and keep the faithful with our system. Or do
you prefer everyone getting out as soon as possible, seeing all the more
available demos and products on PC and MAC based platforms? (No offense meant –
just a rhetorical question).
–Steve–
It's easy to put out a low-quantity CD. If you think that a CIS CD at $20
or so would be a good deal and not overlap too much with Fish and AmiNet,
maybe you are right. I just wanted to make sure that those points had
been considered.
—
Dale L. Larson, Intangible Assets Manufacturing
Steve-
Disks cost $1.25, maybe a little less now, in lots of 50,000 with jewel
boxes and basic cover art. An Ami CD that didn't overlap with Fish and
AmiNet would be relatively specialized, and would probably go for -at
least- $20. Still, not necessarily a bad thing – it could be wonderful
even. But CI$ seems to be only interested in doing such things on a
massive scale, so I don't know what kind of success you'd have trying to
persuade them otherwise.
Paul
This seems to be true. And I am only one voice amongst a throng of IBM
users. But if we could somehow persuade those at Compuserve who head the CD
section, wouldn't it be great? I mean, think about it – any articles trhey are
creating for the disk could just as easily be supplied to the Amiga (if it's in
ASCII or any other format). The pictures would probably be GIF's anyway, so
shopping the mall with images would again be simple on the Amiga. While I'm
certainly not 'in the know' about this thing, it certainly seems to me to be a
worth- while project.
Perhaps I should explain my ineterest in the above a little further:
Very recently, a friend showed me a CD he got that was purchased as a
magazine-on-a-CD. I think it was called CD-ROM TODAY or some such. It's for MAC
users as well as PC users, And this thing impressed the HELL out of me! Why? It
contained regular articles, of course. It also contained some of the most
amazing shareware I've ever seen for the IBM PC game market (DOOM and
WOLFENSTEIN 3D. If you've seen them, you KNOW what I'm talking about.). I
thought, "hey – this stuff is great! There's nothing like THIS out for the
Amiga!".
But wait – there's more.
It also contained playabble demo versions of commercial software.
Interplay's STAR TREK 25th Anniversary game was on there – while you could play
the entire first 'episode' of the game! I know I'd seen advertisements of the
game before, but I never really wanted to BUY the thing until I played it! It
occurred to me that they also make a version of the same game for the Amiga –
I'm sure Interplay would have no problem creating a similar version for the
Amiga world to sample! And other companies as well – many times I've seen or
heard about a game, yet I never wanted it until I sat down and USED the thing!
I'm CERTAIN many other companies would LOVE to use this format in order to
allow users a chance to really get to know what their program is about. With
the Amiga market showing no possibility of GROWING (at least for the next year
or so, if not forever) then third party developers and programmers should JUMP
at the chance to demo their software in this way, making it available to as
many people as possible!
Anyway, the CD also contained many different utilities, shareware programs,
etc., etc., etc. It also contained the full text version of War of The Worlds,
The Time Machine, Dracula, Frankenstein, a few of Edgar Rice Burroughs books,
another author's recently published book, and about twenty or so other books
(quite a few on the Internet as well, as there was a special section with
utilities and such for that). In other words, this thing was BRIMMING with
style and substance! I didn't just have to READ about a product – I could try
it out myself! It contained more info than I'd ever get thru in the next 2
months – but it was Exciting! I have seen the future of information processing
– and CD-Rom is a MAJOR player in it!
Well, off my high horse and soapbox. I just thought that if CIS could put
together something like that, well, then the Amiga community would flock to it.
All of us with CD-Roms, that is. But hey, it's cheaper than ever now anyway. I
saw an ad in Amiga World the other day advertising a single speed drive for
only 125.00 (I can't imagine why anyone would need a faster drive on the Amiga
– no programs have been written that require it – yet). So here's my vote for a
CIS Amiga CD!
Long live the Amiga!
–Steve–
Creating a CD costs a minimum of $60/hour for the programming time. How long
does it take to produce one of these CD disks ? CI$ expects a minimum return on
investment, so the question is, is the market TRULY large enough to make it
worthwhile ?
Steve:
For $2.95, I guess I'll put in my $.02! 🙂
Thanks! We need all the support we can get now! (And for a $2.95 usage
credit, what's the big deal?)
–Steve–
Hey Steve,
How about every six months or so we make a compilation of the Compuserve
Amiga librarys on CD? Definitely something everyone could use.
you listening sja…
//
Gary Vander Mei on Auto-Pilot \X/
That sounds like a great idea too! There's Fred Fish and Aminet CD's, why
not a Compuserve CD?
–Steve–
Not many Amiga users have CDROM drives. You can't get around that fact.
Historically, Compuserve has plenty of justification for avoiding Amiga
support.
> "Historically, Compuserve has plenty of justification for avoiding
Amiga support."
Therefore, should I conclude that the money I spend using CIS is less
valuable than that of PC and Mac users? Sorry. I don't buy it.
CompuServe provides a service that I want. In return for that service, I
pay them money. Regardless of what kind of computer I use, I'm just as
valuable as any other CompuServe client. Therefore, I have the right to
request the same level of support as anyone else.
Wayne
I didn't say they were right – I said they had plenty of justification, as much
as any other computer-oriented provider. The return on investment doesn't
justify it, they say. And this is a fine example of a real-world situation
where someone offered to port a part of their technology (HMI) for free, but
they declined.
Compuserve does provide you the same service that someone else gets. That
doesn't mean they have to give you a custom version of whatever software
they're making for other platforms. You must realize that the Compuserve intro
pack has been in the top ten in sales for months and months at your favorite
larger PC chain stores. Other companies would kill to have a $50 product in
the top ten. Even selling a copy to each and every Amiga owner wouldn't
compare.
Steve,
It's not very likely that CompuServe will consider CDs for the Amiga. It's not
very expensive to get the CDs manufactured once you have all the data but it
has taken a lot of time and money to compile everything for the first CD. I
know some of the people who are working on that project. I used to work for
CompuServe in Germany and will start with CompuServe here as soon as I have
been granted permanent residency and I will be happy to tell them that Amiga
users want the CDs too. However, I doubt that CompuServe will be willing to put
in the amount of work necessary, even if someone would volunteer to compile
enough stuff for free. Actually, I doubt that CompuServe will make any profit
at all with the CDs. It's more just a service and the price of the CD does not
cover the money put into it. If you can find out how many Amiga users have a
CD-rom drive and have evey one send a message to them (70006,101 or GO
FEEDBACK) there may be a chance thought. I have a CD-rom drive myself and would
also like to have Amiga-CDs
— Quinten
If an Amiga developer produced the CD's, CompuServe might be interested in
helping to distribute them, but I also agree that it is unlikely CI$ would
ever be willing to produce it themselves.
-= Vance =- Image Master
Flying high on Black Belt Systems' Imagemaster R/t!