#Emplant Status Report
13 messages in this thread
Howdy…
Some of you folks have been tracking the Emplant's progress via me…so
here is the latest progress report.
* I mentioned earlier that UU had sent a postcard stating that they were
going to charge my card (this was received some weeks ago), although they
had not shipped yet. I had not yet gotten this charge…but the
accounting department today passed this on to me. They charged the card
on 9/16/92. I am pretty sure that charging a card 6+ weeks prior to
shipping product is frowned on by the various powers that be.
* I called UU today; although they have claimed in the past that they
have shipped units, I got the distinct *impression* (comments like, "Yeah,
we're finally going to get these suckers out the door") from them that
they were actually going to ship something. Of course, no one has
reported anywhere actually having one of these units.
* UU stated that they had finally squashed some bugs, and that all
orders up to those received two weeks ago would be sent out this week.
* I was told to call tomorrow to confirm that my card was going out.
They said that they could get it out tomorrow, potentially. I told them
that I *had* to have product before my credit card bill was due, plain and
simple (its due Friday). They said that they should be able to do this
for me, no problem.
So, here is the situation as it stands: UU finally agrees to be pinned
down. They claimed that they would give me ship date, tracking#, etc…so
we'll see if they will do so tomorrow. If they finally have something to
ship, I'll see it this week. No board by Friday, chargeback, plain and
simple.
I honestly believe that I'll be seeing a board this week. Whether or
not it works may be a very different story.
Jonathan, via AutoPilot // Only Amiga makes
\\// it possible…
Hi…
More information on the Emplant…
I called UU today, and was about to insist on a firm date…but they
provided it freely. The said that the software is finally stable, that the
boards are there, the packaging is in…everything is ready to go. Again,
while they kind of incriminate themselves by saying it, I was told that
"All initial orders (Mine included) will ship out by WED. You will have
yours on Friday at the latest!".
Well, my, pre-charged credit card bill is due on Friday…so if the
board is not in Friday…CHARGEBACK….
I hope to be able to tell y'all something by the weekend.
Jonathan
Thanks for the info, and . . .
Good Luck!
Can't wait to hear how it works.
Erik Flom
Erik,
Should be seeing it tomorrow…I called them yesterday, and they confirmed
that the thing was shipping. Additionally (I know that I am going to get
some funny looks on this one), I ordered a Sybil. The floppy disk
functionality is not included in the Emplant (as I learned at the 11th
hour), and you need one of these. Cost of the Sybil is $49.99 with an
Emplant. Presently, we are into UU for about $300…I hope that they can
deliver, and do it pretty soon.
BTW, I have monitored their BBS, and there have been a lot of
comments (pro and con) about Sybil. It seems that the thing works, but has
problems with Amax. Additionally, some folks get read functionality, but
not write.
Well, if UU is on track, there should be some interesting reading
here over the weekend.
Jonathan
Jonathan –
I ordered a Sybil a few months back, but have discovered I can only
connect it when I want to archive something. Luckily, it's all external
connections so it's pretty easy. My problem was, the docs say to adjust
the disk RPMS between 270 and 290 (or something like that) where the
normal is 300 or so. With Sybil installed, running 2.04, I couldn't format
disks, getting constant errors on track 79 (I think – I know it was always
the same track). I unhooked the Sybil and no longer have problems
formatting.
I've heard that the floppy tolerances were tightened up under 2.04 and
relaxed again under 2.1 (or 3.0 or whatever). As soon as I can get the
update I'll try again leaving it hooked up. Do you know if and when 2.1
(or whatever) will be readily available if it's not already?
Harry
Harry,
I have no idea regarding when 2.1 will be available…although I heard
that its release was going to be very soon now. I will keep an eye on
Sybil (if it comes)…I am not going to use it to write disks as much as
read them.
Thanks for the tip. I ain't going to mess around with disk RPMs,
that's for sure.
Jonathan
Jonathan, via AutoPilot // Only Amiga makes
\\// it possible…
Jonathan –
The RPM adjustment is actually mad via the Sybil connector (there's an
adjustment pot on it). According to the docs, it's necessary in order to
make the thing work right. Maybe for your application it won't be, but I'd
still talk to them about it if you have problems.
Harry
Jonathan,
If you can't access floppy without sybil and sybil isn't too
reliable (I have one which I've never really gotten to work correctly) how
does Emplant expect to access data? Does it access a Mac floppy?
Steven,
Right now, I have no idea how things work with the Empant…since it has
not arrived yet. However, it (supposedly) has the ability to access any
Amiga device, including CD-ROMS, CrossDos volumes, etc.
Jonathan, via AutoPilot // Only Amiga makes
\\// it possible…
Jonathan,
Why did you need sybil with it? I was sort of curious that if you
needed sybil, maybe you couldn't directly access a Mac floppy.
Steven,
Sybil allows the Emplant to access a Mac floppy…they sell it at half
price…so if Emplant is for real, and you want one, you can tack on $50.
Jonathan, via AutoPilot // Only Amiga makes
\\// it possible…
Jonathan,
OK, I understand. I have sybil, but haven't yet found out what to
do with it!! Now I know. If Emplant turns out to be for real then I'm all
set.
It's HERE !!! I too received my Emplant in todays mail. Let you know
tomorrow how it works out.
On the subject of MAC ROM's, if you dial into UU's BBS, you'll be able to
D/L a copy of their ROM image copier. It's a MAC app that'll take a
snapshot of rom and save it to a file. Copy the file to the Amiga and your
all set. MAC copyright laws state that you can archive the info, but only
use one version siumultaneously…I think.,..so check the law before you
inadvertantly break it.
Also UU have an update to the s/w available on the BBS.