CompuServe Thread

#Cis and HMI

16 messages in this thread
#208266From: Ron LegroAug 14, 1995 8:27 PM
Here's what we need to do: All Amigans on CIS must sign a petition to the CIS powers vowing to quit the service if HMI is *not* ported over. Then they can do the math and figure out which is greater: The cost of having someone port HMI code over to the Amiga, or the lost monthly revenue from our collective usership. Besides, those of us who use AP would, I am sure, be willing to underwrite to a fair value the cost of a HMI upgrade. This decision ought to be a no-brainer. The CIS folks ought to consider why America On Line has virtually no Amiga usership. It's because you have to have Windows, or a Mac, or MS-DOS, or GeoWorks, to run their interface. Nothing like cutting off potential membership, but I suppose the tyranny of the majority is all the bean counters are thinking about these days. — from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, via Amiga AUTOPILOT v1.80 [Are you asleep at the stick?]
#208275From: Hank DuckmanAug 14, 1995 9:20 PM
Ron; <Then they can do the math and figure out which is greater: The cost of having someone port HMI code over to the Amiga, or the lost monthly revenue from our collective usership.> I agree and would certainly sign such a petition. Maybe Cis is calling our bluff? Pax Vobiscum! Hank from northern N.J. running A2000 GVP'040@33
#208286From: stephen savnerAug 14, 1995 11:01 PM
Hank, I've been following this thread for awhile now, and have become somewhat dissatisfied with how CIS is conducting it's business. There are too many other options open to me "and you" for getting the info we need. I.E. AmiNet, UseNet, ect… If CIS wants to call my bluff, Then more power to them. Let them run their business anyway they want to, but without me as a customer. Right now i'm taking an wait and see attitude. If they do not port HMI over to the Amiga, then i'll be saying so long, and thanks, but no thanks! Well, enough of this rant. I'll just sit back down and listen.;) Stephen…AutoPilot 1.80! E-Mail "savner@clubmet.metrobbs.com"
#208354From: Betty Clay/SYSOPAug 15, 1995 10:45 AM
If you like it here – isn't it a bit self-defeating to leave while we can still access this forum? And wouldn't it just encourage CIS to NOT port it if our membership begins to dwindle away? —Betty
#208396From: stephen savnerAug 15, 1995 2:31 PM
Betty, I said "If" they don't port it, and that i'm going to wait and see. This all refers to the comment about CIS calling my(our) bluff. I do like it here and am not planning to leave any time soon. But that is subject to change. What i'm tryimg to say is that, i would not cry over leaving CIS if they choose not to support my choice of computer. There are too many other sources of info available to me and you. Stephen…AutoPilot 1.80! E-Mail "savner@clubmet.metrobbs.com"
#208433From: Betty Clay/SYSOPAug 15, 1995 7:48 PM
I understand, Steve – but we didn't want you to leave! —Betty
#208449From: stephen savnerAug 15, 1995 8:58 PM
He,He,He. Scary thought, isn't it? I guess, from all the talk, that i'll be around for awhile yet. Stephen…AutoPilot 1.80, Mosaic1.2, Gui-FTP, Gopher, ALynx, CD-Rom and three hard drives. All on one A500! E-Mail "savner@clubmet.metrobbs.com"
#208305From: Betty Clay/SYSOPAug 15, 1995 12:31 AM
Hmmmmm…..don't know if that would work. THat needs some thought. —Betty
#208346From: Gerald BonnstetterAug 15, 1995 9:22 AM
Ron, Before we start up a petition, I think it would be best if everyone that cares would send a quick, polite and clear email to Feedback that we don't like losing the ASCII interface and that we want the HMI libraries for the Amiga. // \X/ Amiga lives? Gerald Bonnstetter, Bonnsoft
#208361From: michael mcbrideAug 15, 1995 11:10 AM
Gerald, Yes! I've already done this, and ask that all others involved here to do the same. The Autopilot forum is, after all, only one cul de sac in the vast Compuserve neighborhood. But Go Feedback takes you directly to where THEY live! It'll garner much quicker attention there. Mike,CyberGrafx.3D
#208367From: Betty Clay/SYSOPAug 15, 1995 11:25 AM
I think you are right, Gerald. In almost every endeavor, personal letters carry more weight than petitions. —Betty
#208534From: gary vassalottiAug 16, 1995 1:16 PM
I sent such a note, and the response was quite amusing…. They said they are concerned for their 'sight impared' members…. The message follows: ——————- Action! Subj: Feedback reply (Ref #3100) Date: 04-Aug-95 07:59 EDT From: CompuServe > [70006,101] Customer Service Representative Re: Migration from ASCII Interface Thank you for using Feedback! I am writing in response to your concerns regarding the future of the ASCII interface. I am glad to try and address your concerns about CompuServe's migration away from ASCII. CompuServe is converting to HMI as it moves toward up-to-date, user-friendly graphical interfaces that meet the needs of today's customers. Graphical capability is a given on today's personal computer systems and more and more content online is tailored for the access by graphical interfaces. As CompuServe advances into this new marketplace, it is vital that we put our resources into these new technologies while smoothly transitioning away from outdated protocols. However, we recognized early on in this process that maintaining high-quality service to our visually impaired members presents a challenge to CompuServe that we are committed to resolving. Today, we are looking at hardware and software solutions that will provide equal access to members who need special assistance in viewing or operating CIS client software. Because of the state of some of these technologies, we do not yet have a specific solution to the challenge of equal access. However, we're not going to abandon those members who presently depend on terminal emulation/ASCII for access. Some of the products we have examined, or are examining, include: ScreenPower for Windows, ProTalk for Windows; Slimware Window Bridge; Windows Master; and ProTalk32 (an as yet unreleased product). Since the transition will take more than a year, we are al,so looking for new products to come on the market that will offer even more advanced solutions and are putting a great deal of effort to searching them out. Some of the products I mentioned above have very promising features and we are evaluating them further. Others, upon evaluation, clearly do not meet our needs. Though we have not made any decisions as yet on what technologies we will adopt, I wanted to share this information with you. I hope it helps reassure you that we are devoting effort and resources to create a solution that will meet your needs and conform to our quality and reliability standards. We also welcome input and feedback from you and other sight-impaired members to help us achieve a solution that will allow us to smoothly transition away from HMI and make it possible for you to employ the next generation of interface technology. Thanks for your feedback. Jaime Gary Vassalotti Using AP 1.80
#208597From: Jonathan BlackwellAug 16, 1995 8:43 PM
And of course, this will require the sight empaired to buy new systems to run the new software they will have to buy… -Jonathan MAC Quadra/486PC compatible courtesy Amiga, Emplant and BB. Emplant beta tester. Running AP v1.80. E-mail: JonathanB@delrina.com http://www.delrina.com
#208662From: Terry CooperAug 17, 1995 9:25 AM
Hi Gary, PMFJI, but isn't it funny how the FEEDBACK! reply you received from Jaime at CIS talks about Windows solutions only; not another platform in sight, not even a Mac! Is this a sign of things to come? <<…allow us to smoothly transition away from HMI…>> AWAY from HMI? When was this announced? <bg> Ciao, Terry Cooper, Sailing the fjords on Autopilot.
#208360From: michael mcbrideAug 15, 1995 11:10 AM
<<All Amigans on CIS must sign a petition to the CIS powers vowing to quit the service if HMI is *not* ported over.>> I agree completely, and will sign said petition as soon as it is available. We must not let this issue remain idle. Only constant push will bring about the required change! Mike,CyberGrafx.3D
#208440From: Asha DeVelderAug 15, 1995 8:09 PM
Ron, <Here's what we need to do: All Amigans on CIS must sign a petition to the CIS powers vowing to quit the service if HMI is *not* ported over.> I am of the belief that boycotts should be the LAST line of action, not one of the first. Even so, if CIS does not allow/support the porting of HMI to the Amiga then they're basically saying that our business is not enough to make that worth while for them. If that's the case, then our leaving isn't relevant either (since when/if they do drop ASCII we won't have access here anyway). No, I think write in campaigns and a good strong effort to find a programmer in the Columbus OH area that will do this for us would be much more constructive than threatening CIS with our departure. Additionally, we might want to talk with some of the folks from other platforms (Psion, Unix, Sun, etc.) and see if we can present a more united front to the powers that be. You can catch a lot more flies with honey than you will with viniger! Asha @}–`–,-