#Ados 2.0 Docs Released
34 messages in this thread
I was talking to a friend in NYC last night who bought the AmigaDos 2.0
references (Addison Wesley version) in Waldenbooks yesterday. It had an
August 1991 publish date – (what, Ados 2.0 allows time travel too!??! Is
that in the utilities drawer or the tools drawer ;^} )
wmc
The AmigaDos manual is by Bantam and my copy was dated July. I picked it up
at a local Software Etc. on Sunday. -Greg
I realized my mistake about the time I packed it in for the nite. I
just posted a correction – didn't want anyone to think it was the
RKMs. I'm going to NYC in 3 wks – hope its a litle cooler – where I
hope to pick up a copy. The local Software Etc has developed SEVERE
animosity toward the Amiga (heard a salesperson tell a prospective
customer that the 500 was a peice of trash and he should get clone
xyz…). They also will only stock games for the Amiga. Their
special order on books takes a lifetime and a half too!
What Software ETC is that? If you would, please E-Mail me the City
and mall of the store. We support the Amiga as much as we can given
local markets. Sadly, we do stock mostly games since that is over
90% of Amiga sales (Volume). If the ordering of books or software is
taking a long time, then they are doing something wrong. We have
gotten orders in as little as 2 days. It usually takes about 5-7
days.
Craig,
Santa Barbara, LaCumbre Mall. Last time I ordered Amiga manuals (RKMs) it
took 2 trips and two sales people to find them listed and 6 weeks to get
them.
The other problem is turn-over. I go in there about 2 times a month hoping
against hope to see signs of active Amiga support. Only once have I seen
the same person twice and that occurred only one time. The rest are late
high school/early college types who have only been exposed to MSDos and Mac
stuff, so of course they think it is the only thing going. So the Amiga
sits in a corner of the store, unplugged and turned off most of the time.
There is a store in Santa Maria Town Center Mall with much better AMiga
support, but an hours drive one way.
wmc
Thats terrible, let me see what I can do. I'll pass on your story
reguarding the poor service to my DM. Things like that shouldn't happen.
We've been working pretty hard the last year to fix problems like that. An
order should NEVER take more than 2 weeks and if it's going to be longer
than a week you should have been contacted and told of the circumstances.
Demo systems are in our stores for a purpose, and that is to demo the
systems and should never be turned off or unplugged! I can assure you ALL
of the Wiscosin stores have Amigas being demo'd and we support them very
well.
I can however relate to the staff a bit. Being a consumer type rather than
proffesional orientate chain, it's hard to get well-rounded personal in
computers. Hopefully, the problem there will be cleared up.
Craig Glaser (Software Etc Milwaukee) – via Whap!
As an Asst mgr here in Palm Desert, CA (near Palm Springs), I can tell you
that I've pushed Amigas till it hurts..I own an Amiga 500/5 meg/ 80HD that
I will stack up against any IBM/MAC we sell and make them look fo foolish!!
I also own a C-64, a286-12/3 meg/128HD/SuperVGA and STILL would rather
multitask on my 500…Our DM would like the names of the stores involved,
too…no room for slackers at Software Etc…Wayne, 76004,3000
Well, if you'd like yet another story of a SWEtc. that has poor amy
usually off, there is the one in Manhattan on 83rd and Broadway (that is
NYC, BTW 8). I rarely walk in there and see it on. They also don't even
have an Amiga books section anymore.
— Ethan
Craig,
I heard from #87 in Santa Maria (where Amiga service is good). They are
going to seed if they can exert some positive influence on the situation.
Thanks for all your help, and I'll try not to hold this store against the
chain.
wmc
Wayne:
Up here (about 75 miles north of you) the Software Etc store in Santa
Maria strongly supports the Amiga. All of the employees from the manager on
down own Amigas, and they go out of their way to keep shelves stocked with
interesting programs, as well as special ordering anything you need. I
guess it is manager dependent, but maybe a nudge from the main 7ffice may
help get your local store on track.
Clint <VRLI>
Clint,
I know – I've happily dropped a few bucks in the SM Sftwr etc. In fact if
I'm in SM, I always stop and check their shelves – and I don't feel like an
inferior species for looking at/buying AMiga stuff there!!
wmc
I love pointing out what a good job the Santa Maria Software Etc does,
Richard blushes so easily. <grin>
Hee, hee. Thanks, Wayne & Clint.
Now let's see if we can get some positive action here. When our District
Manager gets back from vacation next week, I will pass Wayne's complaint on
directly to her. In the meantime, I will contact the manager at the SB
store and do some polite informational development. She suffers at this
time from knowing very, very little about computers, and although she wants
to change, so far her development has been strictly MSDOS-oriented. Sad,
but a feature of the business and her location. If I could do her MSDOS
business I would be a very happy man (Well, as long as I don't lose my
Amiga business, of course).
Employee turnover at that location has been very high as the old staff has
been weeded very effectively, and, I think, for the most part, very
usefully. Look for more stable employees in the next month or so.
As for book orders, I have a feeling that's probably a real problem related
to how orders are handled @ that location. I will speak on that problem as
well.
Of course, if you don't mind the drive, I don't mind the business 🙂
Richard Cunningham, MGR Software Etc 087 104 Town Ctr West Santa Maria, CA
93454 (805) 928-0406
You know, of course, that this probably means I'll be asked to go sit in
down there for a couple of days…sigh…at least I have a good car stereo
system 🙂
tmm/Richard Cunningham
Die and go to BBS Hell 🙂
Richard:
Just don't let them keep you long! We need you right here. <grin>
Clint <VRLI>
If you're collecting Software, Etc. horror stories, I'll pass on the one
about the Austin location at Barton Creek Mall. I have been buying
software there for about 2 years, off and on. More off than on, because
they have *never* filled a special order for me. They happily take down
all the information, say they'll get it, and then . . . nothing.
When I check back in 2 weeks later, they mutter, look at a fische, and
take down the information again.
I've started driving across town to Babbages for my PC stuff, and using
BriWall mail order for my Amiga needs.
Loyd Blankenship
I'm glad that's not comming from my district (WI/Illinios). Something like
that would have that store's manager gone in a flash.
Craig Glaser (Software Etc Milwaukee) – via Whap!
That's an odd coincidence, Loyd.
You see, about mid-December, a former employee from that location came into
my store to see if he could get a job…I spent five minutes talking to him
and went into "Dive! Dive! Dive!" mode. He set off a warning bell about
every seventh word he spoke.
As I've said elsewhere, I'm collecting the entire thread (except for
Clint's snide remarks 🙂 for xmittal higher up, just in case it does some
good. I'm fairly optimistic about getting local response, but I don't know
how willing my DM will be to dirty someone else's waters. Your best
recourse is ALWAYS to file a customer complaint. It's not an easy thing to
do, but how can it hurt if you're already getting poor service?
Come to think of it, Loyd…considering the source, I'm discounting
coincidence. Fnord!
(how goes converting the lab to Amigas?)
tmm/Richard Cunningham
How does one file a customer complaint? I'd like to start seeing
some more books kept at my nearest stores, as well as the Amiga left on!
(And that doesn't mean with the insert workbench disk picture! 8)
— Ethan
Why should I bother filing a customer complaint when I've decided to do
business with another company? 🙂 After all, why should *I* care if they
lose business because that can't service the market. I think simply never
patronizing a store again and recommending against them to anyone who asks
or will listen is the *ultimate* customer complaint. Kinda harsh, but they
wanted to be capitalists . . . <g>
Loyd
Well, Loyd, you're right.
I wish you weren't, but you are.
On the other hand, wouldn't you love to have a fantastic store that serves
you well?
tmm/Richard Cunningham
Agreed Loyd, just not doing biz there anymore is certainly a complaint….
… but, wouldn't it be better to write a short memo to the company and
say, "I checked your store out, and decided not to shop there, because you
don't carry enough (amiga software/amiga business software/non-game amiga
software/amiga books/mags/etc). Just thought you'd like to know why I'm
not a customer, so you can do something about it if you care."
If we take as a given that we all benefit from good amiga dealers, then the
above would at least let them know what they need to do to get your
business back. Customers voicing concerns and suggestions is one way a
dealership can improve, no?
Actually, once when I did that the store manager called me up and asked for
further info, so that they would be in better tune with their customers.
Years ago, actually (apple // days). But I was impressed enough to go back
and try again. They did improve, until they went bankrupt 🙁
–jp–seattle–
jp–
I had the same experience. I sent my sister to the A.P.P.L.E. Co-op to
look at their Clones a few years back. I'd my A1000 there years before,
and had liked the people a lot. Their head saleman, I think his name was
Ken, was extremely unimformed about everything computer-related. My sister
and her husband, who had never owned a computer before, but had read all
the recommended buyers' guides and all, knew far more than this dweeb. My
sister summed up Ken with this statement, "Imagine going to a car
dealership and having the salesman say, 'Y'know, I've never driven a car
before, but I hear this kind is really good.' "
Later on, I stopped by to buy something with my dividend (the last $
they'd ever see from me as I'd canceled my membership). I complained about
their much-deteriorated Amiga section, and lousy salesmen. The manager
actually asked to interview me in back to find out why they were losing an
Amiga customer and an IBM Clone customer in one family.
I told her it was because she'd let go all the technical people and
hired touchy-feelie salesnerds. Not at computer person herself, she failed
to understand my point, and they eventually went out of business, too.
To quote Larry Niven, "Think of it as evelution in action."
————————————————————TL———-
er—that should have read:
To quote Larry Niven, "Think of it as EVOLUTION in action." I, uh,
meant to mispell that as a test to all the rest of you. I'm sure you all
caught it the first time. Good job.
————————————————————TL———-
For the following reason (file a complaint):
If stores stop carrying the Amiga (for whatever reason), people who have
little interest (or only casual interest) in the Amiga will notice that
it's no longer there (at worst) or will never notice that it IS there.
They will ass/u/me that the Amiga isn't very interesting (incorrectly) and
probably won't pursue getting one.
It should be obvious to any budding capitalist <smmiiille> that the more
customers for the Amiga there are, the more likely it is that people will
make new add-on products for the Amiga market. The more products there
are, the more people will be interested in buying the Amiga. We all win;
you get better products (or choice of more); we get to sell more of our
product.
Given the American's pre-occupation with 'image' it behooves all of us
in the Amiga market to help improve the Amiga's image.
First step, Ethan, would be to ask to talk to the manager. Explain your
concerns, and ask for the address of their district manager. Make it clear
you intend to pursue to your satisfaction, and once you have the address,
put your thoughts on paper and send them in. If you have a problem with a
specific employee, always mention that. If your concern is over stock
levels, try to be specific (at our level we have almost no control over
general stock levels; we can just try to get specific titles).
tmm/Richard Cunningham
It is just that most every Software Etc. I've been in at least
carries a few of the basic Amiga books. The RKMs are usually there, along
with some Abacus books and recently AmigaWorld books. This store simply
removed them all.
— Ethan
Drive up to Killeen. The people in the Killeen Mall, as small as the mall
is, know their Amiga stuff. Since I've been here the Amy stuff moved from
the back to the middle of the store. One of the sales reps is the C= rep
at the Ft. Hood PX. I've never had a problem with orders, but if I have to
order something I usually shop at the PX.
Bruce H.
-Via Whap!
I really don't have time to drive 1+ hours through Round Rock traffic to go
Amigashopping. Scott at Briwall is without doubt one of the best
salespeople I've worked with, and I don't have to leave my desk. I've never
had problem one with them — if something doesn't work like I thought, I
return it. No problem. Contrast this to the problems I've had with those
weasels at Creative Computing/Go Amigo!, and I'll call him back every time.
Loyd
Steve, did you deal with Go Amigo before it merged into Creative?
Cause I know that I liked Go Amigo a lot beforehand and I had been
wondering if they'd gone downhill. I take it you feel they have?
— Ethan
This is Loyd, on Steve's account. Yes, I dealt with them after the merger.
It was a nightmare.
Loyd
Lloyd,
There is a new Amiga only store open (sort of) in Austin. It is called
The StAtion, and is off Airport near Lamar. They can be reached @
459-5440. I just hope they can last longer than Amazing did.
-Homer
Yep. I got my 3000 from them before they opened. I think that they have
some problems (bad hours, poor software selection, general
disorganization), but they'll hopefully get over them.
Loyd
The time travel utility is on side three of the boot floppy.
Darn, I forgot to insert side three with the rest of the floppy!?!!
wmc