#Uk Amiga Press Conf!
38 messages in this thread
All,
This is a message from AT about a dealer/distributor meeting in the UK:
Amiga Technologies will hold a press confence, a dealer meeting and a developer
meeting on the 16th and 17th of August, 1995. The Amiga press as well as the
national press will attend the first event organized by the new Amiga
Technologies GmbH. Dealers and developers will be able to hear current status,
plans and projects from Amiga executives.
The conference will take place at the Sheraton Heathrow Hotel,
The occasion will be used the introduce the virtual I-Glasses in the UK for the
first time.
Agenda Press, Dealer and Developer meeting, London, 16-17/08/95
16/08/95 Press meeting. Moderated by Jonathan Anderson
15:30 – 16:00 Registration & Demo I-Glasses
16:00 – 16.05 Greetings Petro Tyschtschenko
16:05 – 16:25 Amiga distribution UK (J. Smith)
16:25 – 16:45 Virtual I-Glasses presentation (Premiski)
16:45 – 17:05 Break I-Glasses demo to the attendance
17:05 – 17:35 Presentation Amiga Technologies (PTY)
17:35 – open end Questions & Answers.
17/08/95 AM Dealer meeting Moderated by John Smith
08:30 – 09:00 Registration & Demo I-Glasses
09:00 – 09:05 Greetings Petro Tyschtschenko
09:05 – 09:25 Amiga distribution UK (J. Smith)
09:25 – 09:45 Virtual I-Glasses presentation (Premiski)
09:45 – 10:05 Break – I-Glasses demo to the attendance
10:05 – 10:35 Presentation Amiga Technologies (PTY)
10:35 – 12:00 Questions & Answers. Demo Glasses
17/08/95 PM Developper meeting Moderated by Jonathan Anderson
14:00 – 14:30 Registration & Demo I-Glasses
14:30 – 14.35 Greetings Petro Tyschtschenko
14:35 – 14:55 Amiga distribution UK (J. Smith)
14:55 – 15:15 Virtual I-Glasses presentation (Premiski)
15:15 – 15:35 Break I-Glasses demo to the attendance
15:35 – 16:05 Presentation Amiga Technologies (PTY)
16:05 – open end Questions & Answers.
Regards,
Gilles Bourdin Public Relations Tel +49 6252 709 195 Fax
+49 6252 709 520 — Amiga Technologies GmbH Berliner Ring 89 D-64625 Bensheim
Germany —
All,
Is anyone going to attend one of these days to see if there is anything new to
report from AT ?
Muir
Nothing particularly new and exciting was said about the Amiga. The conferences
were really just attempts to boost morale, the overall message being Amiga Is
Back, or "back to the future" as Petro liked to put it.
A few interesting points emerged during the press and dealer Q&A sessions. The
developer one is still happening as I type this and many of the developers I
spoke to before leaving the hotel (I had a previously arranged hospital
appointment, worst luck, else I would have been there too) intended to vent
their spleens over one issue or another; it sounded like it might be quite a
volatile session 🙂
Anyway, interesting points:
When asked directly if the 060 support for the A4000/060T was the Phase 5
product, AT withdrew from its former position that yes this was indeed the
case. Now "it might be". My spies tell me that Phase 5 and AT have been unable
to agree on a price; AT is plainly looking for an alternative product, which
may well be the GVP 060 board (my guess) that is expected quite soon. However,
AT's expectation that the A4000/060T will be available in November seems
optimistic.
Probably the most important thing that came from these conferences was that
Petro made it quite clear that all future plans for the Amiga (which once again
were described only in vague terms) depend entirely on how well the 100,000
A1200s they are building sell this Christmas. Privately over coffee Petro
reminded me that Escom AG was a public company and that a profit will have to
be turned in order to gain the continued support of the shareholders. (Of
which, of course, Manfredd Schmidt is the main one (51%), with Seimens having a
10% stake I believe, although that figure could be out of date.)
Petro spoke publicly and at some length of future CD-ROM support — essential
now as they are pushing all Amigas on the multimedia ticket — being
incorporated into the A1200 by redesigning the motherboard so that there will
be a specific expansion port to plug it into. So an external optional extra
still, but it can be added without taking up the PCMCIA or trapdoor. He spoke
also of the desire to make an MPEG board for this CD-ROM drive. Jonathan
Anderson (ATUK general manager) promised that developers would be provided with
this device at least six months before it is released (should it happen, that
is, which depends on how much money AT makes this Christmas…)
Gilles Bourdin spoke of the existence of an alternative professional Amiga
development system should SAS not want to get back on the ride. He would not
name names except to say it is German and it is not Maxon C. Gilles also spoke
of having proper Internet software "ported" to the Amiga and his plans for an
Amiga web site. Again, this is some distance down the road and is linked also
to TV set-top box plans (of which surprisingly little was said).
Although John Smith (ATUK sales manager) said only that UK Escom shops are
"highly likely" to be stocking Amigas, Petro later said that the UK Escom shops
would "definitely" be stocking Amigas. Two other UK High Street chains —
Comet and Tandy — look set to be stocking Amigas also, but John Smith shied
away from giving absolute confirmation. There was much concern among the
independent dealers that these chain stores would undercut them. John Smith
said that if they do, he will reduce the margins so that the chain stores can't
undercut them. He wanted a "very organised" market place.
There were further concerns from dealers that the price would plummet after
Christmas or after the next manufacturing run, leaving dealers with stock they
could sell only for a loss; they wanted price protection. Both the dealers and
the press expressed concerns about the 399 GBP price point. To the dealers John
Smith said the price would not fall; to the press he said that it was feasible
that the A1200HD model might possibly fall to the non-HD price later next year
(leaving us to infer that the straight A1200 would have to fall by 100 GBP.)
When all had been said, the general reaction of the dealers was that not enough
details had been given, even in answer to specific questions, to bolster their
confidence. A number of dealers remarked to me that they were disappointed that
the AT people were not taking notes of the many concerns that they were
expressing.
On the whole the press were discontented to start with and the Q&A session was
a little rowdy. At one point Jonathan Anderson entered into a public "oh no you
didn't; oh yes I did" argument about whether a message had been left on an
answering machine or not. When someone suggested that he was giving special
treatment to one Amiga magazine, he accused the rest of the press of not trying
hard enough to find out information.
Not surprisingly the press closed ranks, and the questions thereafter became
more pointed. Jonathan Anderson was visibly uncomfortable. It was left to Barry
Thurston — who was really only there to run the visual presentation (which
gurued in front of the dealers 🙂 — to rescue the press session with some
sensible, down-to-earth comments about why the Amiga is still currently better
for certain multimedia applications than anything else (despite the "really
very good" PC version of Scala which is imminent 😉
The press and dealer conferences were not a total waste of time, but neither
were they anywhere near a success. Probably more good than bad came from them,
but ATUK in particular has an awful lot of work to do and I'm not convinced
that six staff, no matter how good they may be at their jobs, is enough to do
all that needs to be done. The conferences had a rushed and slightly amateurish
feel to them, perhaps reflecting the enormous pressure the ATUK staff are
currently under.
More than anything else they need to provide press and dealers with concrete
information about the future commitments. I came away from these conferences
with the impression that they cannot provide this information because the
future is still very much in the balance.
Lastly, of the 100,000 A1200s being built this year, the UK will get 50,000 to
60,000 (John Smith wants 60,000), Germany will get 35,000, leaving as few as
5,000 for the rest of the world.
Oh yes, and there is a very strong possibility of a World of Amiga happening on
Nov 24-26, held at The Horticutural Hall, Westminster. (Further details from
PBA Events: 01462 480024 voice, 01462 480023/481591 fax, 0831 273135 mobile.)
Jeff Walker, JAM magazine
jwalker@cix.compulink.co.uk
Jeff,
Thanks very much for your report. It's a bit hard for us to get information
about meetings in England.
—Betty
My pleasure.
Jeff Walker, JAM magazine
jwalker@cix.compulink.co.uk
Jeff,
Thanks a lot for such a comprehensive answer and update.
From this and the dealer meeting in the US I think your assessment of things
hanging in the balance for the Amiga is right. This is a real shame as I am
sure that what is needed after the acquisition is a firm position to make
dealers, developers and potential customers have faith that AT is really
committed to making the Amiga successful again.
At this stage, vague statements and no firm plans, coupled with the high
machine prices really does reflect AT's uncertainty over the future.
Well I sincerely hope these machines shift well so that AT can come off the
fence and commit resources to really develop the technology further.
Fingers crossed.
Muir
Well, AT does have a firm position when speaking, it's just that when asked
questions there are too many vague answers.
It could be that the questions are unfair at this stage.
The Amiga has not been present in UK shops for some 18 months. At the back of
everyone's mind (and I'm speaking just about the UK market here) is the
question: "Can the Amiga make a comeback?" You can see it in the eyes of all
ATUK staff, you can hear it in their voices, you can infer it from their
actions, or rather their non-actions.
The immediate future of the Amiga as a home computer would appear to be in the
hands of Joe Public in the UK and Germany. If they buy it, phew. If they
don't……?
I don't think there is much AT can do except get the machines out there and see
what happens. They have no advertising budget to speak of, so ultimately it
will be up to the dealers to splash Amiga in their shops and educate potential
buyers about it.
AT were asking for this kind of support from the dealers yesterday. The dealers
asked for a few things themselves, like point-of-sale material, to which the
responses were either vague or a categoric "Sorry, can't do it" or "That'll be
up to the distributor". Petro jumped in and emphasised that last point. What he
said amounted to: AT doesn't have the money to spend on these things, so AT
will ask its distributor(s) to spend their money on these things.
Jeff Walker, JAM magazine
jwalker@cix.compulink.co.uk
Jeff,
>>AT were asking for this kind of support from the dealers yesterday. The
dealers asked for a few things themselves, like point-of-sale material, to
which the responses were either vague or a categoric "Sorry, can't do it" or
"That'll be up to the distributor". Petro jumped in and emphasised that last
point. What he said amounted to: AT doesn't have the money to spend on these
things, so AT will ask its distributor(s) to spend their money on these
things.<<
Hmm, this is interesting. Typically, if you want the distributor to do the
promotion, then the cost of the merchandise to the distributor should be
substantially lower. Part of the profits to the distributor should pay for
promotional costs. IMHO, looks like its going to be a "grass-roots" campaign!
🙂 We have the Internet so let's use it!
Some suggestions:
1. ESCOM/Amiga Technologies (AT) should purchase the domain name of
"amiga.com".
2. AT should setup and maintain a Website with vendor and contact info
(including links to Amiga vendor websites).
3. Amiga vendors and publications should setup a website to inform consumers on
their products/merchandise.
4. AT should underwrite development of an "Amiga Internet Kit" which should
include a Web browser with eMail, newsgroup reader and UUEncoder/Decoder, as a
module to AmigaOS 3.X.
I know that an Amiga Homepage already exists and perhaps AT should underwrite
the costs to develop and maintain that site. The annual costs is negligable in
comparison to a traditional ad campaign.
Not sure how the "Amiga Internet Kit" should be developed. Suggestions? Dale
are you reading this? 🙂
Regards,
John Chang
John,
<<Part of the profits to the distributor should pay for promotional costs.
IMHO, looks like its going to be a "grass-roots" campaign! 🙂 We have the
Internet so let's use it!>>
Sounds very accurate to me. Have you shared your ideas with AT?
Cheers, Marty
ProActive Images Inc.
Marty,
You said and I quote, "Sounds very accurate to me. Have you shared your ideas
with AT?"
No, I have not. This should be a "no brainer" and hopefully they already have
plans to implement such a program.
Regards,
John Chang
Not sure about (1), but (2) is something Gilles said he was doing, (3) is
already happening here and there, and (4) is something Gilles said he intended
to do.
While discussing this subject Gilles referred us to the address on his business
card (amiga-tech.de) and followed that with the statement: "The domain already
exists", so maybe (1) is not part of his plans.
I doubt if SDL will spend much promoting Amiga, except in its own Silica Shop
sales literature maybe. (Although SDL hasn't been officially confirmed as a UK
Amiga distributor, I think we can take it for granted that SDL will be a UK
Amiga distributor, and probably the main one. But I dream of being wrong about
this 😉
AT has prepared some leaflets for the A1200 and A4000. They are headed "Amiga
AXXXX Multimedia" and the only other words on the face of the leaflet are
"Animation, Video, Multitasking".
The back of the A1200 leaflet emphasises value for money and the point that
games and productivity software for the Amiga costs less, which is ambiguous
because it is a compound statement. Besides, it is not entirely true these
days, and getting less true all the time.
The back of the A4000T leaflet emphasises true multitasking.
"Really?" says Mr Joe Public to Mr Shop Assistant "So what's that then?"
"Ah…" says Mr Shop Assistant. "Er…"
The backs of both leaflets also feature the slogan: "Amiga computers for people
who want more than just a PC".
"Oh," says Mr Joe Public to Mr Shop Assistant after reading the slogan. "So how
much is a PC then?"
"Ah…" says Mr Shop Assistant. "Er…"
Jeff Walker, JAM magazine
jwalker@cix.compulink.co.uk
well you should see some of the multitasking of the amiga now
it can run minix <170 dollars us.> a unix clone compatible with v7 of unix
and amiwin2.0 <80 dollars us> Runs Xwindows apps on the amiga
both of these demo programs are available from the aminet/comm/
and misc/x windows apps
I'm not denying the Amiga's multitasking abilities, merely that "true
multitasking" is not exactly something Mr Joe Public is going to get excited
about.
Jeff Walker, JAM magazine
jwalker@cix.compulink.co.uk
>>"true multitasking" is not exactly something Mr Joe Public is going to get
excited about.<<
Yes, unfortunately multitasking is something you only appreciate after you've
really used it for a while.
Marion Deland
CROSSINGS – Newsletter for Amiga/PC/Mac compatibility
Unfortunately, multitasking is still something people won't get excited as the
only reference will be Win95, which does not exactly multitask yet (well, not
until everyone have a bi-pentium, and all true 32 bit apps…)
Win guys just don't understand when I show them I'm downloading some stuff
while formatting a floppy while writing some text. Comments usually are: well,
that's fine, but your floppy formatting will take ages, and your downloading
speed has been reduced to nothing…
Fred.
Frederic Botton from Paris, France
fbotton@cix.compulink.co.uk
Jeff,
"I'm not denying the Amiga's multitasking abilities, merely that "true
multitasking" is not exactly something Mr Joe Public is going to get excited
about."
I would say its something he or she won't appreciate. To set-top box
designers/developers and multimedia companies like ourselves. Multitasking is
a significant advantage in flexibility and performance.
True, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Public probably don't care a fig about multitasking, but
once they see how fast and easy it is to find out what is on TV tonight, WE the
developers and service providers will appreciate how much easier it is to offer
them such conveniences.
Regards,
John Chang
Agreed 100%, but I'm not sure "true multitasking" is what should be pushed on a
leaflet. It's the "true" that is confusing. Most people now understand the term
"multitasking" — or at least what Microsnot^H^H^Hoft defines it as — but
chucking a "true" at them is only going to confuse matters, especially when no
one will be able to explain the difference to them. But it's only a leaflet, no
big deal.
Jezz I wish something exciting would _happen_ rather than just get talked about
😉
(I know, I know, patience is a virtue and all that.)
Jeff Walker, JAM magazine
jwalker@cix.compulink.co.uk
Jeff,
In the October issue of Amiga Shopper (out already!) White Knight are taking
orders for the Amiga Technology 4000/60T, with 2/4MB RAM, 1.2GB SCSI II drive,
AT 2525 pounds sterling, including VAT. Given the lead time of magazines, who
do they think they are kidding?
Pete
Ian Greenaway from White Knight was at the dealer conference. He proclaimed his
extreme displeasure at the news that no on-site warranty will come with the
A4000T — although Claire Rudd (ATUK service & parts), who was sitting behind
me, whispered in my ear that John Smith was wrong and that an on-site warranty
would come with the A4000T.
Very few A4000Ts will be allocated to the UK. Dealers are probably wise to seek
advance orders.
Jeff Walker, JAM magazine
jwalker@cix.compulink.co.uk
Jeff,
My point was how could he advertise a firm price (which he must have fixed some
while ago to get into that issue of the mag), when apparently ESCOM itself has
yet to announce a price?
Pete
SDL rang round the dealers a few weeks ago with the new prices. SDL always get
told first.
ATUK has confirmed the A4000/040T at GBP 1899 + VAT (=2231) and the A4000/060T
at GBP 2099 + VAT (=2466). Both come with 1Gb HD and 6Mb ram.
Jeff Walker, JAM magazine
jwalker@cix.compulink.co.uk
Jeff,
"You said Not sure about (1), but (2) is something Gilles said he was doing,
(3) is already happening here and there, and (4) is something Gilles said he
intended to do.
While discussing this subject Gilles referred us to the address on his business
card (amiga-tech.de) and followed that with the statement: "The domain already
exists", so maybe (1) is not part of his plans."
OK. So long as a domain name exists, I really don't care if it is
amiga-tech.de or amiga.com. Good to hear that he is either considering or
implementing the suggestions I mentioned.
Regards,
John Chang
I understand that Peter Kittel talked more about this at the developer
conference. Something about reestablishing the old tech support address.
(Forgive me for being vague, never having been a developer I've never been
privy to these things.)
Gilles is setting up consumer support, Peter is setting up developer support.
Jeff Walker, JAM magazine
jwalker@cix.compulink.co.uk
well it's already being done sort of
they have their own web site
futurenet.co.uk is a very good source of amiga info and products
netscape is being ported to the amiga soon,so is hotjava,and amazing
developments wrote good email software/servers/
try admail.lha from the aminet,i'll upload this soon
That info looks really cool!
Thanks lepido.
Rafa <Motorola Inside> from Berlin, thanks to AP1.80
>…olive oil is the way to go.<
Lepido,
>netscape is being ported to the amiga soon< Where did you hear this? Can you
give any details?
Tom
well no since i'm not doing it…Matt something or other<ratios > is porting it
Lepido,
Thanks! I hope it happens.
Tom
Lepido,
<netscape is being ported to the amiga soon,so is hotjava>
This is good news! Did you hear anything about possible release dates?
Asha
@}–`–,-
no No no….
but I do know that Ratios is doing it,which is mentioned also at
portal.com/futurenet.co.uk
Lepido,
If you hear anything further on the porting of Netscape or Hot Jave, please
post it here! Thanks!
Asha
@}–`–,-
John, great suggestions.
Istill think the A1200 should be bundled with the browser stuff – a real
"Internet in a box" (can I say that on CIS 😉 ). Its got to be the cheapest
way to go for a new user.
Daring to be different, Amiga on the Internet, Lotus on the Interstatee
> "Internet in a box" (can I say that on CIS 😉 )
Sure! CompuServe owns the company that makes that product!
I know, that's why I made the comment 🙂
Steve
Daring to be different, Amiga on the Internet, Lotus on the Interstatee
Steve,
>>John, great suggestions.<<
Thank you for the compliments. They are not original. Just wanted to voice
them.
>>I still think the A1200 should be bundled with the browser stuff – a real
"Internet in a box" (can I say that on CIS 😉 ). Its got to be the cheapest
way to go for a new user.<<
Perhaps. A standard API should be made available to the AmigaOS for the
Internet stuff. Who knows. 🙂
Regards,
John Chang
Jeff,
>>AT doesn't have the money to spend on these things, so AT will ask its
>>distributor(s) to spend their money on these things.
Then why buy it at all? It seems that the "other" bidders had made firm
commitments (talk) about the great need to advertise, this is going to be as
Mickey Mouse as EuroDisney. (Perhaps a Saudi Prince will rescue the Amiga)
Jim
Jaywal Productions, Inc.
Escom bought Commodore to stick that badge on its new range of PCs, and the
Amiga technology to put in TV set-top boxes. If they can sell Amiga computers
on the "cheap" multimedia ticket they will do so, and further develop the
platform; if they can't sell what they've already got, then perhaps it's not
worth developing further.
Jeff Walker, JAM magazine
jwalker@cix.compulink.co.uk
Bully for them, bad for us.
Jim
Jaywal Productions, Inc.