#Newcomer
19 messages in this thread
Hi,
I am a long standing user of the Apple IIGS. It lacks only one thing; the
ability to do DTV effectivly. Otherwise it is a great computer (I am loyal).
Now that I want to get into DTV, I have just purchased an Amiga 4000-30, 2+4
megs of RAM, 120 HD. Scala MM 210 and DLPaint 4 AGA. I will be collecting all
this stuff on Tuesday.
I have been lurking on the AMIGAARTS Forum(which convinced me to go AMIGA
rather than MAC or IBM clone) and now I have joined this one. I expect I will
be coming up with many dumb questions as I try to fathom a new operating
system. I have been used to a very intuitive GSOS platform and will need all
the help I can get if I am to get up and running asap. I have no specific
questions yet (I havn't got the system) but are there any tips or pitfalls I
should look out for. I also subscribe to GEnie. Is there an Amiga RT there?
Looking forward to making a lot of new on line friends. I live in Plymouth,
England BTW.
-=<<<<<< Delivered by Co-Pilot v. 1.4 >>>>>>===-Andrew Letchford=–=UK=-
Hi Andy,
Welcome to the Amiga, there are loads of really helpful people in this
forum, (even some in the UK.. <g>) I find I get most of my quetions
answered by just lurking!
You'll have no trouble with your new 4000 I'm sure, where did you get
yours from I'm in the UK too and am on the brink of upgrading my Amiga to
a 4000/030 but am still shopping around IMHO I think the Amiga is just as
intuitive as the Mac, even with 100% more mouse buttons.. good luck!
Steve
Steve
Steve,
I am getting my amiga from a freelance recomended to me. He is in Swansea,
South Wales. I am purchasing also the VideoPilot V330 from Apollo Mercury.
They are coordinating the whole deal for me and I am taking all my video kit up
to see them set it up and have a run through. I am paying a little more for the
4000 (Freelance profit margin) but at least the system will have been
thoroughly tested with my kit before I take it. I have never met these people
but they seem very friendly and helpfull. I will let you know how it goes.
-=<<<<<< Delivered by Co-Pilot v. 1.4 >>>>>>===-Andrew Letchford=–=UK=-
Andrew,
What is the VideoPilot V330 from Apollo Mercury? Sounds like a Euro-only
product that we don't hear enough about.
//Jonathan,
\\//via AutoPilot
Jonathan,
VideoPilot is a computer controlled editing system(hsrdware and software)
which utilises the Amiga to set up comprehensive edit lists to edit and ease
the production of videos. Among its features are:
1. Assemble and insert edit, audio dub and preview. 2. Script management to
move, copy, insert and delete shots, save script to disk and print. 3. Built
in Amiga titler using all DPaint compatible fonts. 4. Some special effects. eg
stills, slow motion and accelerate plus control prompts for external equipment.
eg Genlocks, mixing desks and AV processors. 5. Full 3 machine A/B roll.
Wide range of domestic VCRs and Camcorders supported and all domestic formats
VHS, SVHS, 8MM & HI-8 in any combination. Supoorts LTC, VITC & RCTC.
Made in France but export support is Apollo Mercury Ltd, Swansea, South Wales.
I have only just got this stuff so I cannot give an assesment of its value. As
I get it up and running I will report on its capabilities if anyone wishes.
-=<<<<<< Delivered by Co-Pilot v. 1.4 >>>>>>===-Andrew Letchford=–=UK=-
>>I also subscribe to GEnie. Is there an Amiga RT there?<<
Ah, well, ah, yes, but I'm sure not going to tell you about it. <g>
Learning the basics of getting around the Amiga OS and using the shell
will be pretty easy for you if you have any experience at all in working
with command line interfaces, and the Amiga GUI (WORKBENCH) isn't called
'INTUITION' for nothing <g>. All in all, I think you will be amazed at how
quickly you become productive with your new system. I would recommend that
if you are planning on doing animation, 3D rendering or a great deal of
image manipulation that you pick up some more memory for your new
machine… 4 meg of fast ram gets eaten up pretty quickly when you're
using heavy duty spohisticated application programs _and_ graphics.
AmigaUser Forum is a terrific place to get help on the basics of working
with your new computer and posting a question here will generally get you
all the help you need. Stay in touch with the folks in AmigaArts as you
start to use your software… we have MANY DTV amateurs and pro's that
frequent the forum and are always willing to help out. We even have a DTV
specialist available to field questions. Frank Vanella runs a commercial
studio using Amiga's, PC's and MACs and has a ton of experience with
traditional equipment and the TOASTER. Feel free to post any DTV specific
questions to him in the AmigaArts Forum: Frank Vanella – 76527,723.
Michael,
Thanks for the welcome. I have no problem with GEnie and get around using my
CoPilot offline manager to access and do whatever I want to do. Does Auto pilot
have similar capability?
Memory: Yes I will get the full 16 megs just as soom as the price of RAM
drops. Someone told me he thought the price had peaked.
I talked with Frank Vanella. Nice guy and very helpfull.
-=<<<<<< Delivered by Co-Pilot v. 1.4 >>>>>>===-Andrew Letchford=–=UK=-
Andrew,
AutoPilot is multitasking auto-nav comm software for the Amiga and CIS
that not only handles mail and messages like an offline reader, but can be
driven by scripts to access just about anything on CIS. It automatically
creates catalogs of files and will download those you select… and it
allows the viewing of GIF images as they are being read online… it has a
message history feature that allows you to get to the 'parent' of a new
message, and lots more neat stuff. There is a demo of AutoPilot available
for downloading in lib 9 of AmigaVendor (GO MAIGAV filename: AP.LHA the
docs are in AP.DOCS).
I'm glad you hooked up with Frank. I'm sure that others, like Peter and
Erik will be invaluable to you as you enter the world of Amiga grpahics
and video.
Andrew-
I'm still so new that pitfalls seem to lurk everywhere. I have an A1200
and also DPaintIV. The computer has a VERY noisy floppy drive (like and
old C-64 drive with the heads out of alignment). Getting resolution of the
problem from CBM service center has been tough. DPaintIV: very good.
There's a lot to learn. EArts did a good job on the documentation. There
are tutorials every chapter. Also, there are some books and videos out for
it.
Setting up the A1200 was not difficult. The hard drive comes installed.
The documentation on retrieving backups was either nonexistant or I
couldn't find in the mess they refer to as documentation. There is good
ref. material out there. Also, many user groups, etc. Here in rainy
Portland, Oregon USA we have the NW Amigausers Group (NAG). They have
weekly meetings and their own BBS.
Don't let my attitude get to you. I have to bear in mind that I was almost
drug kicking and screaming to computer using. That was after a medium
level motorcycle wreck that left me in a wheelchair for 6 months.
Computers seemed like a good way to pass the time. Had a C-64 from then
until this March.
GEnie: I found their net to be almost unusable. Spent a lot of time and
didn't get around much. Very s—-y menu setup. They do have what appeared
to be a large base for Amiga. I got onto a motorcycle forum and had a very
tough time getting past the menu headers. A nice lady wanted me to buy an
expensive book to learn how to function on their BBS. Perhaps my modem was
set wrong or something simple. I canceled after 3 days and they had the
gall to charge me full rip. I've got the spot for them to kiss. Enough on
them, got my attitude working.
CServ has smooth menus, for the most part, and a very helpful bunch on the
nets. If they can help me, anyone has a chance.
Everett
Oregon
Everett,
Sorry to hear about your M/C accident. Hope you are fully recovered now.
I agree the GEnie interface is lousy but I have an off line program (the same
one I am using to log on here) which does it all for me. It is Apple IIGS
specific so I am hoping there is something similar for the Amiga.
-=<<<<<< Delivered by Co-Pilot v. 1.4 >>>>>>===-Andrew Letchford=–=UK=-
Andrew,
Look in AmigaVendor, Library 9 for AP.LHA (AutoPilot). This is a working
demo with some of the features disabled. Try it out, see if you like the
way it works (and the way it saves you money in connect time) and then
register. For getting started, you will probably want to download
APDOCS.LHA, even though they are in sad need of updating – and will get it
in the next week or so, schedules permitting. What is in them is still
true, and they still tell you how to get started, but they do not cover
the new features added since they were uploaded.
—Betty
Betty and Steve,
Thanks for the welcome and info on Autopilot.
I am accessing this forum from my Apple IIGS at the moment. I have yet to
obtain a comms program for the Amiga. I assume Autopilot needs a Comms program
to access CIS or does it do the lot.
I don't think I can transfer stuff from my IIGS to the Amiga easily without
some form of terminal program. Downloads will have to wait awhile.
I need a good cheap reliable terminal program. Any recommendations?
-=<< Delivered by Co-Pilot v. 1.4 on the IIGS===-Andrew Letchford=–=UK=-
Andrew,
My best suggestion would be for you to find a chapter of ICPUG that is
near you and get a good term program from their library. Certainly their
dues would cost you less than almost any term program you might buy, and
once a member you can get copies of almost anything they have in their
libraries – which are VERY extensive. I'm pretty sure they have an entire
disk of terminal programs, all good and all tested, and kept pretty much
up to date. If you don't know where to find an ICPUG chapter, let us
know. There are several members online here, and we'll help you locate
them.
—Betty
Betty,
I think I know what ICPUG means; International Commadore ? User Group?
I don't know of one in UK. -=<<<<<< Delivered by Co-Pilot v. 1.4
>>>>>>===-Andrew Letchford=–=UK=-
Andrew
ICPUG means Independent Commodore Products User Group. They are all over
the UK – a national club supporting all computers Commodore has ever made.
I don't know where you live, but I'm sure we could locate a group near
you, and they are MOST helpful – knowledgeable, too.
—Betty
Welcome aboard! I think your going to like your new Amiga!
We all try to answer questions around here, so there shouldn't be to much
trouble getting answers around here. We may argue a bit, too, around
here, but that's what makes it fun!
Bob Comer — Cruising the nets on AutoPilot from Cheyenne, Wyoming
Thanks for the welcome Robert. I am sure I am going to enjoy exploring the new
beast.
-=<<<<<< Delivered by Co-Pilot v. 1.4 >>>>>>===-Andrew Letchford=–=UK=-
Welcome aboard, and thanks for introducing yourself! If you have any
questions, please ask.
Steve
We're delighted to have you join us, Andrew. There are many very
knowledgeable people on this forum, and you will get lots of help here.
Just ask.
—Betty