Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Amiga Update (1996-04-15)
-=========================================================================-
_ __ _ <>_ __ _ ||
/\\ |\ /|| || / ` /\\ || Amiga Update -News and Rumors
/__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ ||(A Very Ocassional Newsletter)
/ \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_ ||
BACK FOR THE FUTURE ||
-=========================================================================-
AMIGA and the Amiga logo are trademarks of Amiga Technolgies, GmbH
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
960415
M O R E O N T H E S A L E O F A M I G A T E C H
F I R M S T E P S T A K E N B Y A T T O I M P R O V E
N O R T H A M E R I C A N D I S T R I B U T I O N
A M I N E T 1 1 A N N O U N C E D
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A N O T H E R A P R I L S U R P R I S E
Amiga folk are beginning to distrust the month of April. Two years ago,
Commodore announced its voluntary liquidation after close of business on a
Friday in April (quite sneaky, that was). One year ago in April, it was
confusion after confusion as the remains of Commodore were finally disposed
of. At least that event seemed to have ended well - or did it? Just this
past Friday, Escom announced it was selling off Amiga Technologies, after a
dismal fiscal year. At least they didn't do it after close of business.
That event was significant enough that we've spent the weekend trying to
find additional information for you, which is why you're receiving another
newsletter so soon. We've come up with many interesting items and feel much
better about the situation this morning.
Just this AM we came across an piece of e-mail from one of the key players
at VIScorp. We think you'll find it very interesting - and encouraging. If
you don't read anything else in this newsletter, read the note from Carl
Sassenrath.
VIScorp
The first thing we did was try to find out some information about VIScorp,
the soon to be owners of Amiga Technology. VIScorp has been building set
top boxes for some time. These devices are designed to enhance your TV set,
providing everything from Internet hookup to home shopping. VIScorp had
already licensed the Amiga chipset from AT for use in their products.
Clearly, the main reason they're interested in Amiga is because of this
technology. They are not a computer company, and building and selling
computers would represent a change of business for them. At a time when
a key trend in business is concentrating on core product lines, this led
to our concerns about the future of the Amiga as a computer.
But there's more to this picture. A quick visit to the VIScorp home page
on the Internet revealed something surprising. The page shows a VIScorp set
top box prominently at the top, as expected. The rest of the page is mostly
links to Amiga sites around the Internet. These are not just any sites,
either. These are the key sites used by Amiga enthusiasts. The Amiga Web
Directory is there, as is the Aminet, both the real Amiga home page at AT
and the "so called Amiga home page" which kept us going during the hiatus,
and several other good links.
We looked a bit further. Turns out the Software Director (and Webmaster)
of VIScorp is Carl Sassenrath whom we just mentioned above. Mr. Sassenrath's
name is familiar to us from years past. He is an ex-Commodore Amiga employee
who held the title of Director of Operating Systems. A quick visit to his
home page turned up an impressive resume, including the following:
"Commodore Amiga, Inc., Manager of Operating Systems.
Designed and implemented one of the first Multitasking Operating Systems
for personal computers. The design included pre-emptive multitasking,
message based communications, dynamically loading libraries and devices,
interrupt system.
"Carl Sassenrath is a designer of Interactive Multimedia Technology,
Platforms, Tools, and Interfaces related to Interactive Television (ITV).
His history includes development of next generation ITV Systems and Tools,
the VIS Corp Cable Box Operating System,
the Commodore Amiga Operating System,
the Pantaray Digital Video Editor,
the CDTV CD-ROM Operating System,
CD-ROM Creation and Optimization Tools,
CD-ROM Motion Video Tools,
Atari Lynx Tools,
Amiga Logo,
Object Oriented Languages,
and more."
By Amiga Logo, we assume is meant the well regarded programming language
of a few years ago. Please see the copy of a note to and reply from Mr.
Sassenrath, below. Such things can be faked but I accept this as real. It
brightens a grey, snowy day in Wisconsin considerably.
VIScorp, in fact, seems to harbor a number of ex-Commodore Amiga engineers
and designers. (We don't have good information about the rest of the staff
yet, so we'll let it go for now.) It's just possible that the computer has
landed in the hands of people who are genuine Amiga proponents. Only time
will tell if this is part of the picture, or if the basic business plan of
VIScorp involves nothing more than a technology raid. At present, the
press releases, the note from Sassenrath, and the company's image at least
give good reason for hope.
We picked up a rumor that the price paid for AT was four times what Escom
paid for Commodore's remains. The implication is that VIScorp is better
capitalized than Escom. If so, and if they intend to continue Amiga
production, they would be in a better position to do so. The price quoted
was 40 M dollars. Keep in mind that VIScorp already had access to the
chipset they need for their set top boxes.
Good or Bad? Might Depend on Where You Are
It also seems where you are in the world has some influence on whether you
regard the sale as good or bad. Rumors only for this but supposedly
SoftWood, the principle American writer of Amiga productivity software,
regards things in a positive light while Digita, a principle competitor and
a British company, does not. Currently, Digita products are bundled with
the Amiga. Softwood products are not. Hmmm. We've also noted British
pundits making statements to the affect of "the future of the Walker
project and the Power PC products is now in doubt." We suppose that's true.
We do have doubts, for the moment anyway. We also have much more hope than
we did Friday.
WOA and VIScorp
If you've been reading "AmigaUpdate" for any time, you're aware that the
World of Amiga started in England this weekend. We learned Sunday night
that VIScopr was there with AT. We have no specifics at this time as to
what they might have said or what capacity they were there in, but we'll
keep digging.
New US Distributors!!
We also learned this weekend that AT has sacked American Distributor SMG!
We know this has been a topic of some heated discussion in the Usenet
groups for some time, between users and the SMG folks. Amiga industry
insiders do not agree with the SMG position that the A1200 can't be sold in
Amierica, believing there is room for both the A4000 and A1200 here. AT
apparently agrees with the industry folks. They have replaced SMG with
three (!!) distributors for America - Software Hut, CEI and
Micro PACE, plus North American manufacturer and sales source QuikPak of
Norristown, Pennsylvania. Whatever else is happening, someone at AT is
taking a pro-active, agressive approach. It's been a long time since we've
seen such actions in the Amiga market.
Below you will find the text of the fax sent to SMG to terminate the
agreement. Sometimes things just mysteriously appear in our mailbox. We also
found a copy of the fax from QuikPak informing SMG that they had been
terminated, reproduced below as well. You may find the last paragraph of that
letter reassuring, though note the date is before the sale to VIScorp.
Following this long winded introduction are some press releases, the text
of the faxes, and other information we've acquired on the topic. Finally,
we've included new product news - after all, the Amiga community continues
despite the changes. At least for now - and as the following item
indicates, we have hope we'll continue for some time to come.
Brad
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
N O T E F R O M C A R L S A S S E N R A T H
( R E A D T H I S I F Y O U R E A D N O T H I N G E L S E )
>From: Carl S.[SMTP:carl@sassenrath.com]
>Sent: Friday, April 12, 1996 2:51 PM
>To: Peter Ostrowski
>Subject: Re: amiga?
>
>: At 2:19 PM 4/12/96 -0400, Peter Ostrowski wrote:
>:
>: HI carl.. Im a happy amiga user who just found out the company you work
>: for has just bought (almost) the amiga.. DO you have any more info on
>: this.. I aslo heard that you worked on amiga dos os.. THATs cool.. Best
>: Dam Os I have ever used... If you have any info the what viscom has
>: plans for the amiga, Please email them to me.. I would be for ever
>: greatful..
>
>
>What I have been telling people is not to worry. We are all
>Amiga lovers here. Unlike ESCOM or even Commodore, VIScorp
>does not have a single IBM PC person in the development group.
>We are all solid Amigans from the very beginning. Personally
>speaking, I don't plan on killing the Amiga. In fact, I'm
>hoping to build one killer Amiga!
>
> Carl Sassenrath
> Director of Software, VIScorp
> URL: www.vistv.com
>
>PS: Please feel free to post or forward this anywhere and
>everywhere, as I am getting swamped with the same email
>question from so many dedicated Amigans. Keep the faith!
>This is for the better!
>
>__________________________________________________________
>Valid Addresses:
> EMAIL: carl@sassenrath.com (Please try this one first)
> or: carl@pacific.net (Only, if the above fails)
> or: carl@vistv.com
> URL: www.sassenrath.com
> or: www.vistv.com
> POST: PO Box 1510, Ukiah, CA 95482, USA
>
>NOTE: NO LONGER ON Compuserve, AOL, AppleLink, BIX, CIX or videostream.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
V I S I C O R P V E R S I O N O F P R E S S R E L E A S E
VIScorp Moves to Acquire Leading Technology Company
Letter of Understanding Signed by Escom AG, Amiga Technologies and VIScorp
Chicago, IL, April 11,1996 -- Visual Information Services Corp. (Nasdaq:
VICP, Bulletin Board), a developer of Interactive TV (ITV) set-top boxes to
enhance television use and viewing by providing Internet access and
electronic communications functions, announced that it has a binding letter
of understanding to acquire the assets of Amiga Technologies from Escom AG.
"We believe the Amiga television interface technology is clearly superior
to anything that now exists for ITV boxes," said William Buck, VIScorp's
chief executive officer. "Earlier this year, we licensed this technology
for our second-generation prototype box. The proposed acquisition of Amiga
would enable us to fully apply the proprietary technologies, patents and
copyrights that are vital to the appearance, user appeal and functionality
of our product."
The proposed acquisition would include the intellectual property of the
former Commodore Business Machines, except Commodore trademarks. Terms
were not disclosed. The pending acquisition would be subject to the
approval of both boards of directors.
Mr. Buck stated: "Aiding our time to market, the proposed acquisition of
Amiga would provide us with the installed base of our primary target market
for Internet-supported software program distribution, which may ultimately
lead to a new type of television network. This intended acquisition is
part of VIScorp's strategy to build market leadership in the fast-growing
field of ITV."
Mr. Buck explained that the proposed acquisition would give VIScorp
ownership of Amiga intellectual properties, including several that are
currently used in its set-top Electronic Device (ED), as well as control
over the supply of chip sets used in ED, Amiga inventories, and access to
the company's sales and distribution channels.
If the acquisition is completed, noted Mr. Buck, VIScorp anticipates
continued sales and support of popular Amiga computer models. Commenting
that the primary objective of the proposed acquisition is to give VIScorp
full access to the Amiga/Commodore technology to support development of its
ITV device, Mr. Buck said: "Our TVset-top interactive boxes would give
home users capabilities such as telephone reception and dial-up, facsimile,
pay-per-view options, electronic mail, access to online services, including
the Internet, and more."
Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
VISORP>
111 North Canal Street, Suite 933
Chicago, IL 60606>
Corporate Information Contact: Florine Radulovic
Voice 312.655.0903
FAX 312.655.0910
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
S E R V I C E M A N A G E M E N T G R O U P R E P L A C E D
As mentioned above, Amiga Technolgies has taken firm action by removing
their distributor SMG and replacing them with other organizations. SMG had
done little to promote the revived Amiga line in the Americas and
apparently regarded the A1200 as unsellable here. The replacement firms
are Micro PACE of Champaign, Illinois; Software Hut of Philadelphia,
Creative Equipment Inc. of Miami (CEI was a leading bidder for Commodore
during the liqidation) and QuikPak, of Norristown, Pennslyvania, which is
actually the North American maufacturing arm and sales source for the other
three. Two faxes of interest follow. Note that our copies are pretty bad.
We can't accurately read the name of the individual at SMG to whom that fax
was sent, nor some portions of either fax. Where we can't read them, we've
substiuted Xs for the unclear letters and added ?s.
The Sevice Management Group, Inc
Mr. Rick Stine (??)
10400 Little Patuxent Parkway
Suite 440
Columbia, MD 21004
USA
March 25, 1996
Notice of Termination
Dear Mr. Stine, {??}
This has reference to the Product Service Agreement dated November 10, 1995
between AMIGA Technologies, GmbH, Bensheim, Germany, and The Service
Managment Group, Inc., Columbia Maryland.
Persuant to Section X(X), this Agreement may be terminated by notice duly
given by March 31, 1996.
We hereby terminate the above mentioned Product Services Agreement in
accordance with seciton 8{?}(a) of this contract.
Further, this letter is to certify that the law firm of Fanich{?},
Schwarze, Jacobs & Nadel{?} PC, 1801 Market Street, Philadelphia, is
authorized to act on behalf of AMIGA Technologies, GmbH, having offices at
Berliner Ring 89, 5452X Bensheim/Germany, regarding the termination of the
above mentioned Agreement between AMIGA Technologies, GmbH and Service
Managment Group, Inc., dated November 10, 1995.
Best regards,
(signature)
Petro Tyschyschenko ppa Ralf Schmeid{?}
CEO Company Lawyer
----------
Mr. Paul X. Bielski, Jr. April 3, 1966
Service Management Group
10400 Little Patuxent Pkway
Suite 450
Columbia, MD 21044
Dear Paul,
I have just received notification from Amiga Technologies that SMG's
contract with Amiga Technolgies has been terminated as of March 31, 1996.
Specifically, I have received copies of both Amiga's U.S. legal counsel's
termination notice to you of March 22 and Amiga's confirmatory termination
notice to you of March 25. Therefore I must tell you that I am puzzled by
SMG's communications to me this week seeking additional product. As you
know, QuickPak is not only the exclusive North American manufacturer of the
Amiga products but now, with your termination, the only authorized North
American sales source for Amiga products. To privde a level playing field
ant to assure that all of the distributors in the Amiga market demonstrate
a significant committment to that market, QuikPak has established specific
volume levels for distributors to purchase product from us.
Unfortunately, SMG does not qualify as a distributor based on both current
and historic shipments to date. For your convenience I have listed the
current authorized distributors in North America. I recommend that you
contact and establish SMG as a dealer with one of these distributors, and
place your 7 piece order with one of these 3, all of whom inform us that
they maintain a constant inventory of Amiga Products for immediate
shipment.
Micro PACE Software Hut Creative Equipment
Champaign, IL Philadelphia, PA Miami, Fl
{omitting phone numbers and contact names. Brad}
Thank you for your interest in Amiga products. There are many new products
and programs in the works and over the next few weeks we are planning
several major announcments. We hope to see you continue to participate in
this market. If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to
contact me.
Best regards,
(signature)
David A. Ziembicki (?)
CEO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A M I N E T 1 1 A V A I L A B L E
TITLE
Aminet CD 11
AUTHOR
Urban D. Mueller (umueller@aminet.org)
CONTENTS
Aminet CD 11 contains, you already guessed it, about 1 gig of freely
distributable software. The newest archive included is from March 2nd.
Apart from the new software, the CD concentrates on maps collected from
various sources. The space is used as follows (after decompression):
670M of software newer than Aminet CD 10 (all time high!)
150M of high resolution maps covering most areas of the world
80M of top downloads
20M of commercial software: XiPaint 3.2, full version
XiPaint is a nice 24-bit paint program that works gfx boards and just
about any image format. It is licensed to the buyer of the CD only,
and not freely distributable. Check the upgrade offer that comes with
it.
The freely distributable part is composed as follows:
500 mods, most of them new
200 utilities
200 communcations programs
800 programs of other categories
plus 700 maps in 24-bit JPEG format, covering most areas of the
world. The maps have an index that is sorted by continent, and
a search facility.
ACCESS SOFTWARE
Still the well known Amigaguide based user interface with extensive
search facilities. Some bugs fixed. Included is now a search tool
for owners of single Aminet CDs (ie people who do not own Aminet
Sets).
PRICES
The CD can be ordered from the following addresses: (credit cards OK)
Germany: Stefan Ossowski (English spoken)
Tel: +49-201-788778
Fax: +49-201-798447
Email: stefano@tchest.e.eunet.de
Price: DM 25
USA: Fred Fish
Tel: +1-800-804-0833
Email: orders@ninemoons.com
Price: $19.95
Prices exclude shipping. Subscriptions are available. A complete index
is found in docs/lists/Aminet-CD-11.lha
Authors of software on the CD are entitled to one free CD. Send
HELP FREEBIES to aminet-server@wuarchive.wustl.edu for more info.
Aminet Set 1 and Aminet Set 2 are still available and give you,
together with CD 9 to 11, a complete snapshot of Aminet.
{Note: Amiga dealers can also supply you with copies of Aminet 11. Check
with your local dealer. Brad}
-=========================================================================-
_ __ _ <>_ __ _ || Brad Webb - available at:
/\\ |\ /|| || / ` /\\ || webb@malamute.med.ge.com
/__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ || bandr@globaldialog.com
/ \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_ || Portal -- XJumpdisk
-=========================================================================-
