#C=A and Timothy Leary
15 messages in this thread
Bill,
Thanks for the comment. I don't know if Leary makes good or bad news but I am
intrigued by the emotions he's brought out in many people. Even more
interesting, to me, is that I didn't hear any complaints about his previous
project(s). Perhaps I wasn't listening then.
-Jim
On the other hand, maybe nobody wants to attack Big Blue or the mess they've
foisted upon the computer community.
The Amiga is a nice easy target, and doesn't upset any big apple carts. Ever
see anyone try to boycott food?
Regards, Larry.
Larry,
Which recent Commodore (Amiga?) stories appeared to be poorly researched? If
they've been labelled as rumors, I won't apologize for them. Readers
constantly ask for the "latest rumor", and as long as a rumor doesn't degrade
anyone or anything (company, computer, etc.) I run them as I get them.
However, there are occasions when I've flat out screwed up, and I do like to
know when it happens. Of course, there are also times when folks just *think*
I've screwed up <smile>. I prefer to think that the latter case happens most
often. Undoubtedly, informed readers may disagree <sheepish smile>.
-Jim
James,
The first of the two I mentioned was the one concerning CBM uploading driver
software to this forum. It was not CBM, which could have been ascertained quite
easily by checking the uploader's name and asking the question.
The second was in the 'rumor' tone, but was stated as if it wasn't, being
attributed to some unnamed person within CBM. We fielded a lot of questions on
that one, and more than a few people were upset that they had just bought
something virtually on the eve of marvellous releases from CBM.
Regards, Larry.
Larry,
As you probably know, I took a lot of heat for the Amiga driver story. The
explanation that accompanied it seemed unambiguous to me and I accepted it as
coming from CBM (knowing the forum administrators would never allow an upload
of this significance unless it was authentic). I'd probably check every
potential story directly through "official" CBM sources, but many within the
company (particularly in sales) don't respond to calls (most recent example:
the Leary story, 8 calls and no response). In all fairness, I've had this
problem only with the sales department (two individuals in particular). The
software folks, in contrast, are very accomodating. However, I don't want to
ramble too much about this. Basically, your comment is correct – I was wrong
in the attribution but not on the substance (the driver was available).
To your second point about nebulous sources, non-attribution is a true pain in
the butt. I feel the same way about stories that I read but I recognize that
some people just won't talk for attribution. If the story indicated a "senior
executive" or " highly placed source", you can be sure it was either a VP or a
senior manager at the company. Why they would want to feed a phony story is
something only they could answer. Too often, I received verbal or written
information, only to have the source say "oh, but don't print my name." Some
are timid, some are talking out of school, and some are undoubtedly planting
disinformation. These latter should leave business and go into government or
the spy business.
-Jim
As a writer, when I report on a technical issue, I know better than to listen
to salespeople or even senior VPs, especially when it comes to details. You've
got to get some better contacts within Commodore if you are going to report on
technical issues. These sales and marketroids do *not* know the facts, even
though they may be willing to promote them as gospel. If you would have
verified your stories with someone who knows what they are talking about, then
you wouldn't have run those (incorrect) stories.
You called _Commodore_ about T. Leary, got no response, and you think _that's_
an example of a company not being accomadating? You sure they just didn't write
you off as "Searching for an Enquiring Mind"? Man, if you called _my_ company
with a stupid, time wasting question like that, I'd assume it was a prank call
and hang up. <shaking head> –Ben–
Jim,
The story relative to the under $3000 50 Meg HD, 9 Meg 68030 Amiga and
the 'soon to be released 4th Amiga' which you attributed to sources inside CBM
are examples of stories that have been flatly denied by CBM engineers here in
the Forum. Considering that these are they guys who would be designing any
such machine….and since they didn't just 'no comment', but flatly denied any
such machines…..I would suspect that either your sources are playing games
with you…or they have a development team well hidden from the rest of the
hardware/software engineers working on the Amiga….which to be honest, sounds
even more unlikely.
Since a story of a newer machine can kill sales of the current machine
(look at what happened to the Osborne, et al) I would think that something of
that magnitude, and stated in such positive terms (as in 'CBM WILL be
selling..') should be cross checked to confirm it's validity before publishing
it. I'm not saying the stories aren't true (althou I suspect they aren't), I'm
saying that we can't confirm or verify them thru our 'normally reliable AND
knowledgeable sources' at CBM.
Don
Don, As I missed the incident & dont read OLT I can on ly respond in general. I
suppose the fact that the info COULD infact hurt the company (any company)
would be a reason why a strongly worded flat out denial might possibly be
offered. Since I have lived thru many of these only to have the person(s)
changing their story when the time is convient}i I reserve judgement. Lets
truly hope that C= does have these in the works for immediate delivery then
maybe by Xmas 88 some of them will materialize! Who Knows! Fernando (*Please
note the above message WAS sent TIC)
Fernando,
I can assure you that there will AT SOME TIME, be a 4th Amiga. When
that time is, and what that machine will be I can't say. I can say that it
will NOT be a 68030 based machine, with 9 Meg RAM and a 50 Meg HD for less than
$3000.
Don
Thanks Don, I snuck into Amiga thru the back door (the 500) so most of what is
being discussed/rumoured is way out of my bracket anyway. Although a 68030based
9meg Amiga w/a 50 meg hd for less than $3000 sounds like a T.Leary dream at
best! (Dont get me wrong C= A WANTS to produce a machine I might hock
everything but the liklihood seems well ……(ad your own comments)) Lastly I
would *hope* that C= A does come out with a 4th & a 5th & a 6th etc as they
eventually gain their rightful place in the market. Have a Merry Xmas, & a
Happy 88! Fernando. (In regards to the last msg TIC=Tongue in Cheek but Im sure
you knew that)
Fernando,
Ah….ok, I completely missed the meaning of TIC….gottcha! Have a
good year!
Don
Larry:
Yes, I have! 73, bill
Jim-
Since you have been around since ths, how is it that you are still "intrigued"
by the strong emotions Leary arouses? Hysteria in the United States (or Haiti
or anywhere) is hardly new or surprising. Are you surprised that the press
treats Gary Hart worse than they would treat a serial killer? I am not.
// Jim
James:
Many others have expressed the issues far better than myself but the
idea of someone boycotting CBM because Leary chooses to write software for an
Amiga is about as absurd as boycotting General Motors because a drunk driver
killed someone while driving a GM car.
As to not buying his software, someone else said that rather well too!
I personnally am not much into games so I doubt that I would buy something that
he wrote. I don't personally have anything against Leary, I think he is more
of a victim of his own advice than anything else. If he has recovered from his
self-imposed mind blowing drug experiances then more power to him.
73, Merry Christmas, bill