This month, it's been a real struggle to find something useful to talk about. After the doom and gloom of CU Amiga leaving the scene, followed by a small number of software houses opting out of the Amiga in search of 15 minutes of fame and profit in the cut-throat PC market, it's been relatively quiet. I've actually re-written this article from scratch twice. From musing about the PowerPC as both an alternative and complementary technology to the MMC, to a discussion about the November Box being more than just a development kit - both became waffling rubbish. So not much change from any other month then...
The iMac, Apple's rather impressive looking new Macintosh, has been causing something of a stir and looks set to become one of the top selling home computers of all time. A small poll of proud new iMac owners found some interesting results - 15% bought an iMac as their first ever computer purchase, and 13% are replacing a PC compatible. Add this to the wealth of poor comments about Windoze 98, and the growing industry support for Linux, and you'd be forgiven for thinking that perhaps the era of the 'alternative OS' is about to arrive. When the November Box hits the development community very soon, the Amiga is all set to take advantage of this interesting, and very welcome, change in the computer industry.
However, things aren't looking up for every system. The Acorn platform is looking woefully lost in light of the abandonment of a new generation of RiscPCs. An Acorn owning friend of mine even joked that the Amiga now has more of a future than the Acorn (tsk! After all his interest in the MMC and OS 5...). "I'm surprised how it's maintained its supporters despite being dead so long, well done to you all", he added. Well, it's dedication, you see, part of which probably stems from the home computer revolution during the 80s - lots of computer literate hobbyists, interested in getting the most out of their machines and knowing what works and what doesn't. The thriving support from people and companies, the community atmosphere and the lack of interest in hype. An elegant solution to a problem will always be superior to the brute force approach.
Plus the arrival of the World Wide Web as a serious resource, coinciding nicely with the demise of Commodore... perhaps? I tried to work out how the Amiga would've survived without the web, and I can't really see how. The BBS scene would probably be huge, and information would've trickled out, but the web has been so much more instrumental in keeping the Amiga, and other machines, alive - particularly in the eyes of the media. No wonder Micros**t are trying so hard to dominate the Internet. Which leads me into my work at Suite101.com...
As you no doubt already know, after all my subtle hints and comments, I was asked to write a monthly editorial for Suite101. Suite101 are a bit like Yahoo, but use selected editors to find relevant links, write articles and maintain discussions about their favourite subjects. I didn't realise the potential until just after joining... Suite101 have a partnership with Micros**t Canada and MSN... hmmm, an ideal opportunity to spread the Amiga word right in the heart of Micros**t territory? (A couple of Macintosh users in the computing section seem to have the same idea...)
As a result, I'm steering clear of too much MS-bashing and personal criticism and commentary. Suite101 isn't really the place for it anyway. Instead I'm going to use my Amiga editorial to try and highlight the positive aspects of the Amiga - the applications, the hardware, the benefits. It's an ideal opportunity for us to help spread the word to potential Amiga users and developers, as well as a way of shifting public opinion away from the idea that the only computers are PC compatibles running Windoze. But I need your help...
October's edition of my Suite101.com topic will feature a very brief introduction to getting your Amiga online. Alright, it's not really aimed at the average visitor here, it's mainly targeted at new or inexperienced Amigans - as well as proving to people at large that you don't need a PC to get on the Internet. (One PC user I've dealt with didn't even realise a Macintosh could use the Internet, let alone an Amiga...) Having got only 1000 words maximum to play with, it was a bit of a trouble writing the article to fit - so specifics have been thrown out.
Here comes your part: on the discussion area I'd like you to post anything related to the subject of getting an Amiga online. For example:
Questions, and answers to people's questions, would also be great. I don't care what level of user you are - from absolute novice to Dave Haynie, it makes no difference. I look forward to seeing you on the discussion area, and don't forget to pass the word to others too. This is a major public relations opportunity!
Suggestions for the November editorial are also welcome. Ideally I'd like to cover the November Box, but information may not be available by the submission deadline - so DOS/Windows compatibility is one possibility instead...
Last month I was moaning about a lack of Zorro serial cards. Even the second-hand market seems to be a no-hoper. However, I have some good news... a new serial card has been unveiled!
According to Software Hut, a German company called RBM have released the IOBlix, a Zorro-II card which features an impressive stack of four serial and two parallel ports, as well as options for sound modules, ethernet and 1.44 Mb disk drive support. It stretches the term "Serial Card" a bit, but who cares?
Any snippets of news on the following subjects:
Please try to quote sources wherever possible. Thanks in advance!