#CBM loses $3.5M for qtr
15 messages in this thread
I read that the Amiga computers were part of the reason the Sears bid was
disputed. Something like they substituted a different keyboard (I think the
bid specified 100+ keys) and maybe an accelerator board, but that
particular configuration did not have prior FCC approval, something
apparently required by the bid. ===Scott.
Scott,
While what you say may well be true…it'd be odd if it were. The
Amiga doesn't use "generic" keyboards…they must be specific to the Amiga,
thus it'd be difficult to substitute keyboards for the Amiga…since I know
of no substitutes for the Amiga keyboard.
Also, configurations don't need FCC approval…just the separate
parts, that is…the computer, monitor and any add-on parts need FCC
approval, but you don't have to set up that specific configuration and get
it approved.
Don
RE #: 116812 TO: Don Curtis/SYSOP 76703,4321
Don, C-Ltd made three different substitue keyboards for the Amiga before
they went under. I believe that I've seen reports of this part of their
product line being picked up by another company– can't remember who,
though.
Also there have been reports from various persons on AmigaTech (month or so
ago) that one of the OmniKey keyboards for PCs has a dip-switch setting
labeled "Amiga". No one verified whether or not it actually worked in an
Amiga (I assume A2xxx) but it was labeled as such.
-Chas
I have heard that Northgate (don't know if they're any relation to OmniKey)
has a switchable keyboard that works with the Amiga 2000 and 3000. A
fellow on BIX claims to own one.
-Mike
Charles,
While I don't have one, I can confirm that Northgate's ad for their
Omnikey Ultra does specifically mention Amiga compatability.
Lloyd
Don, a wild guess, but perhaps they used A1000 keyboards returned in the
swap?
— Ethan
Ethan,
I'd bet dollars to dougnuts that the returned A1000 keyboards went
into the trash. A reputable company doesn't take used parts and sell them
as new. Commodore is a reputable company.
In my opinion…the idea behind returning the keyboards was to take
the A1000's out of circulation…not to add to their production (or spare
parts) stock.
Don
Don,
The A1000 keyboards COULD be used for dealer/demo and developer units that
are not for sale to the general public. They could also be cannibalized
for replacement parts. Having them on hand for developers of CDTV is not a
bad idea– depending on how many CDTV keyboards have been produced.
-Chas
Chas,
Cannibalizing is no different than selling the whole keyboard as
new, you don't sell used parts as new parts…period. Also, the cost of
cannibalizing is probably higher than the cost of a new part.
Dealer demo units are no different than new units, they just have a
lower price to the dealer…they should be new units, not part new, part
used.
IF they wished to sell them to developers and sold them as USED
parts (at about 1/3 the cost of a new part) fine…as long as it's made
very clear it's a used part.
But aside all that…the A2000 (and I presume the 3000, but don't
know) keyboard is compatible with the A1000 keyboard (and vice versa). So
why not just use the 2000 keyboard. A connector adaptor is all that's
needed.
Don
Don,
I don't have it handy but I think I read a message a couple of weeks
back that said that someone at SIGGRAPH asked CBM about the CDTV keyboards
and if they were recycled 1000 keyboards — the answer was that they are
indeed the same but new, CBM did a new production run on them. Then again,
I may be hallucinating.
-sja
Northgate apparently makes a keyboard that will work with an Amiga,
their top-of-line model.
..tony m…
Scott,
Yep, that's what the story said. Sears had included the Amiga, but
the contract called for a keyboard with more keys than the Amiga keyboard
provided. The accelerator board also did not meet the level of FCC
approval that the contract required. However, the story also stated that
there were other bid discrepancies not related to the Amiga, so Amigas,
alone, were not the only reason Sear's bid was overturned.
Steve
What I heard was that though the Amiga had less keys than they required,
the contract was not rejected on that basis; i.e. the contract was
rejected, it was not due to the lack of extra keys, though that was
mentioned in the report, it was due to several other things that were not
Amiga-related.
John
John,
Yeh, I remember something to that effect. On a positive note I've
seen the Amiga prominently mentioned on Computer Chronicles, now, twice in
two months. Latest was a repeat of an earlier show, but it's about time
something other than PCs and Macs get the spotlight.
Steve
Scott,
According to "Computer Reseller News" the Amiga had nothing to do with the
loss of the contract. Among the 16 reasons for rejection were such as the
laptops offered weighed more than the required 16 pounds and Sears had
substituted 286 machines in many cases where 386's were specifed.
Greg
Greg White / MicroSearch 72230,1617
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