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Amiga Update (1999-09-10)
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_ __ _ <>_ __ _ ||
/\\ |\ /|| || / ` /\\ || A M I G A U P D A T E
/__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ || -News and Rumors-
/ \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_|| (An Occasional e-mail
KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING || Newsmagazine)
======================================================================
AMIGA and the Amiga logo are trademarks of Amiga, Inc.
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990910
E T T U , G A T E W A Y ?
{See Editor's Thoughts and Introduction}
S T A T E M E N T F R O M N E W P R E S I D E N T
P H O N E C H A N G E S A T A M I G A
D I G I T A L I M A G E S Q U I T S
I W I N D O E S N ' T W A N T C = N O W
N E W S F R O M S A K U 9 9
A M I G A " F L E A " M A R K E T
T E X A S A M I G A S H O W
M O R E T H A N E X P E C T E D - F R O M P H A S E 5
I B R O W S E 2 I S A V A I L A B L E
I M A G I N E - N E W U P D A T E R E L E A S E
F X P A I N T O N S C H E D U L E
T H E B O X E R I S A V A I L A B L E !
B O I N G C O I N A V A I L A B L E
L I L J E D A H L C D R E L E A S E
Editor's Thoughts and Introduction:
GATEWAY OUT COMMODORES COMMODORE ... ?
Visitors to the Amiga web site already know it's not the place it
was. The entire American staff is no longer listed. Most of the
material which refers in any way to the building of Amiga computers in
the future have quietly vanished. The short and mostly meaningless
statement from the new head of the company pointedly refers only to
Internet Appliances. On top of that comes a story in "Business Week
Online" that a change of direction has occurred at Amiga. The company
has no plans to build anything. Instead, it will work on standards and
software for internet appliances and the like. The story, "Seems
Gateway Isn't the Friend Amiga Fans Thought It Was" has this to say:
"Gateway has dropped plans to build the new machine. Instead, it will
focus on creating a user-friendly interface that will link Internet
appliances over home networks. 'Amiga will be the Internet-appliance
infrastructure company. We don't intend to build anything,' says a
source close to the company. Gateway declines to comment."
As if that isn't depressing enough, the author (Steven V. Brull) adds
later:
"Amiga has dropped plans to engage in manufacturing and appears to
have broadened its ambitions by moving into the home-networking
territory targeted by behemoths such as Microsoft, Sun Microsystems,
and Sony. 'There won't be a whole lot that relates to the Amiga name,'
says one insider."
At the time Jim Collas was forced out as company President, we
wondered if it weren't at least partly over a difference in vision for
the future. From the beginning, Gateway has always said they were
interested in the Amiga patents for use in the upcoming Internet
appliance market. Thoughts of a computer were secondary at best. Jim
Collas and some others saw Amiga computers as part of the mix. It now
looks like their vision of the future was lost in the internal
struggle within Gateway and Amiga.
In fact, the time is ripe for an alternative to Wintel computers. Sun
Microsystems understands that but their vision - a low priced empty
box which just talks to a server somewhere - won't fly. You'd need to
have a Sun server in your home in order to use it there, or tie up the
phone lines or cable modem every time you wanted to do anything - play
a game, write a note; anything. Sorry, Sun, it's going to die just
like the Java Station did, and for the same reasons.
Computers companies may be lost but users are showing the way. Linux
isn't growing by chance - it provides the alternative that no one else
is. Now if only someone were visionary enough to market an easy to use
Linux box, maybe one with some real multimedia capabilities, a lot
more people could be brought into the fold ... Unfortunately, Gateway,
once a company with some vision and entrepreneurial spirit, now seems
to have little of either. It's become a corporate conservative. Such a
company will always live and grow, but it will never leave a legacy.
It bothers me that almost no-one is listening to the users, and
looking ahead based on what's current, but that's actually a common
practice of Information Technology organizations. Gateway is clearly
not able to do better than any other run-of-the-mill IT company. The
most they're likely to accomplish is to offer Linux in the common
form.
Speaking of patents, which we did a moment ago, it's been a buzz in
the Amiga community for some time now that Gateway has filed for a
whole series of new patents apparently deriving from their Amiga
activities. These patents are without a doubt Intel oriented. Remember
Gateway's talk about "no X86 solutions!"? Sounds like another change
of mind and not one that helps the Amiga.
So where does that leave us? You certainly shouldn't look to Iwin to
save us. Don't look to Phase 5 or QNX either. None of these efforts is
likely to be strong enough to do anything meaningful, if they do
anything at all. Unless I'm misreading what has happened at Gateway
very badly (oh, how I hope I am!) there is no more future for the
Amiga. The only conceivable "out" now would be if Amiga licensed the
building of computers by others, while retaining control of the
operating system (or environment), something they've talked about
doing in the past. There are no current indications they'll be taking
this approach.
Assuming the worst is true, the community will hang on for a while,
and "Amiga Update" will be here to report it. We don't have to turn a
profit, so we can stay with this as long as it's appropriate. The
community will dwindle away, probably becoming ever more lunatic
fringe as it dies. Already, it's too small to support many of the
companies that have been with us for a long time. Look at how many
have left to date. Stand by for more defections. As ad expenses for
Amiga products can no longer be covered by product sales, the ads will
end and the publications that carry them will follow. This is already
the trend, and without an Amiga NG, it'll pick up steam rather than
reversing.
We've noticed hate posts and calls for Gateway boycotts already
flying thick and fast in the Amiga newsgroups. This isn't likely to
have much affect on Gateway's decisions of course, though it will make
some people feel a bit better. The hate posts and the foul language
don't reflect at all well on the community and should stop now!
The Amiga community certainly isn't strong enough to make a
meaningful boycott that would hurt Gateway. However, Gateway may in
fact have made a tactical blunder, though it's affects will be
relatively mild. There seems to be a disproportionate amount of
Amigans who work in corporate IT organizations. They can't buy Amigas
for their companies of course, but they can influence whose PCs are
bought. Gateway will have a hard sell in the future in places which
will likely surprise it, if the sales force ever even knows why some
doors are now closed to it. I doubt it'll hurt them badly, but if
there truly will be no Amiga NG, people won't forget why. Gateway
would have done much better to have said nothing about computers. They
did say things about computers, and many (I for one) will never
forgive them if things truly are as bad as they look right now.
We trust you'll find this issue interesting.
Brad Webb,
Editor
----------------------------------------------------------------------
E-mail to the E-ditor:
Where have I seen this before? Ah yes, this seems to be a legacy from
the old Commodore days. Some things never change. Everytime we see a
bright spot on the horizion, it never fails that some way must be
found (or made) to screw it up. This is one piece of Amiga history I
really wish we could leave behind. Makes me wish we could find a way
run a company WITHOUT upper management.
--
BCNU,
Mark
~~~~~~
Mark,
Tend to agree with you. Actually, there is a way to run a company
without upper management, or at least with upper managment under some
sort of control. It's the cooperative system but it's pretty much out
of favor these days except in the farming community, at least in this
country. Wonder if anyone's ever tried that with a computer company?
Thanks for the thoughts,
Brad
======
2 Sep 1999
Brad,
When is the boat going to stop rocking???? As a Commodore/Amiga owner
since 1983, I began to have a little hope for Amiga. Perhaps Amiga
needs Steve Jobs, or a clone!
Virginia
~~~~~~
Virginia,
The boat may stop rocking very soon now. Unfortunately, that may not
be a good thing in this case. As we've often said, time will tell.
Brad
======
1 Sep 1999
Hi Brad,
Sometime ago I wrote you that my A2000 had been in the closet for a
couple years and that shortly after retirement; I dug it out, plugged
it in, bought IBrowse, Miami, YAM, PPaint, a couple of hundred dollars
in new hardware, etc., etc., etc. Also, I spend many hours trying to
get everything to work. Ordered a game which wouldn't work and another
game that they sent in PAL from a USA dealer! Even with all of this I
was still excited. Excited about the pending release of OS3.5, excited
about the new AmigaNG (which I intended to buy), excited about Mr.
Collas and the new and exciting direction that the Company (read
Gateway/Amiga) was taking. I have been a good ambassador for Amiga
these past few months, telling the story over and over again to
friends and acquaintances. Telling them that Amiga is back and to be
on the lookout for a kickass system in the near future. I even bought
a hat, a mug, a shirt, a pen, a mouse pad, and additional
software at the St. Louis convention.Shame on me!
With Mr. Collas leaving to pursue other avenues we have just lost a
very intelligent man, a top notch communicator, and someone that we
all put our faith in. Does anyone want to buy 100,000 plus shares of
Gateway? I wish him well, as I'm sure everyone (or most everyone)
does. Mr. Collas - check with Steve Jobs; I'm confident he can use a
good man like you.
Before I ramble any further I just want to say that I have had it
with Gateway/Amiga and the entire program. Read: I GIVE UP!!!
I have loved my Amiga for many, many years. I started out with
theC64, then the A1000, then the A2000. Rather than put the A2000 back
in the closet I am shipping same to my grandson so he can play Pacman,
Galaga, etc.
Now I must make a very tough decision: Do I contact Dell for a 600mhz
system or wait until the new G4 is released. Decisions, Decisions.
Color me gone!
gary
ps: I have loved your newsletters. You do a very outstanding job of
keeping everyone informed. Thank you.
~~~~~~
Gary,
There's no comfort in it I'm sure, but you're not alone in your
thoughts. While Gateway hasn't given the final word that there will be
no more Amigas, right now it sure looks like that's what they'll be
announcing later this month.
Thanks for the kind words about "AU". We'll be here for a while at
least.
Brad
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S T A T E M E N T F R O M N E W P R E S I D E N T
6 Sep 1999
Dear Amigans:
I wanted to make sure everyone knew that Jim Collas has chosen to
leave Amiga to pursue other interests and opportunities. I would like
to personally thank Jim for the leadership and vision he brought to
Amiga and the entire Amiga community over the past eight months. We
wish him the best of luck in his new endeavors.
I have been with Amiga since April of this year as the Chief
Operating Officer and I continue to be extremely excited about the
plans and strategies we have been working very hard on the past
several months. Those plans will continue with a great business and
technology leadership team focused on the emerging Internet Appliance
market space. As we finalize our plans in this area, we will
communicate those to the community.
I would also like to thank Bill McEwen for his many contributions to
the Amiga community and wish him the best of luck in his future
endeavors. Bill has been a steady and calming voice to the community.
Regards,
Thomas J. Schmidt
President
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P H O N E C H A N G E S A T A M I G A
1 Sep 1999
{Found this interesting post on the Net. Combined with the statement
above from Mr. Schmidt - pointedly avoiding mention of computers - and
the fact that the American staff is gone from Amiga's web page, it
certainly makes one pause for thought. Brad}
Does anyone know if something has changed with the phone system at
Amiga, Inc? Using the 888-676-3638 number, all I get is: "Your call is
being answered by Audix. Extension 12512 is not available. To leave a
message, record at the tone. Record at the tone. *beep*". I left a
message at 9:00 PST, no return call yet (granted, it hasn't been that
long).
The last time I called, it was after 10:00 AM in San Diego (and San
Jose, I see the number should also go to the Engineering group), so I
assume Amiga should be open for business, yet I got the same message.
I'm just trying to contact Developer Relations and see if I can get
involved with NG development (via NDAs or whatever other hoops), which
Amiga *should* be encouraging. Regardless, it seems to me that Amiga
should be projecting a more professional (and friendly) image. _If_
this is a recent change, it seems that drastic (and none too good)
changes may be taking place at Amiga/Gateway.
Comments?
Terry
----------------------------------------------------------------------
D I G I T A L I M A G E S Q U I T S
3 Sep 1999
To Amiga users worldwide,
Due to recent announcements and problems with Amiga, Digital Images
regrets that we will be suspending all AmigaMCC projects including
Sabrina Offline. Space Station 3000 and Wipeout 2097 will be released
as planned, but we will be suspending all other Amiga developments
until further notice.
Everyone behind Digital Images has enthusiastically supported the
Amiga through the good times and the bad times. But with the recent
troubles with Amiga, the entire team has unanimously decided to
suspend all Amiga developments (with the exception of Space Station
3000 and Wipeout 2097). We regret to have to take these measures, but
Digital Images cannot afford to spend time, resources and money
developing for a computer which now, as it seems may never appear.
We hope that everybody reading this understands our position as this
is the last thing that any of us would ever have wanted to do, but
Amiga have made promise after promise that something would appear, but
it has not.
We deeply regret this decision, but it is a final measure that has to
be taken. We wish that we wouldn't have to go this far, but we now
have no other option - it is the last thing that any of us wanted to
do. We would appreciate it if everybody understood our position and
wouldn't send e-mails of anger and abuse. We have done everything in
our power to avoid this, but it just isn't possible.
If the Amiga does indeed rise again, which we hope it does, we will
return.
We hope that you will enjoy our upcoming releases of Space Station
3000 and Wipeout 2097.
If you do have any questions or queries concerning this announcement,
please e-mail info@digital-images.demon.co.uk
We thank you all once again for your loyal and devoted support.
Kind Regards,
Stuart Walker
Digital Images
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I W I N D O E S N ' T W A N T C = N O W
09/03/99
Iwin Corporation has announced that because of the latest things
happend with Amiga Inc. there is no longer need for the Commodore
brand. Negotiations with Tulip will stop.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
N E W S F R O M S A K U 9 9
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Petro Tyschtschenko Spoke To Saku 99 Audience Via Telephone
ESPOO, FINLAND - September 5, 1999 - The biggest Amiga event in
Finland, Saku 99, was held yesterday and turned out to be success,
even though Petro Tyschtschenko of Amiga had cancelled his visit a
couple of days earlier. The show was visited by approximately 400-600
people during the day.
Although Mr. Tyschtschenko couldn't attend in person, he spoke
briefly at the show via telephone. He apologized for not coming and
asked the audience not to panic. Mr. Tyschtschenko also said that he
is not going to be fired and that he will meet with the new President
shortly. AmigaOS 3.5 will be released by the end of September and the
MCC is still on track, although it could be delayed a bit. He also
mentioned the up-coming Cologne show and hoped too see some of the
audience there. The speech will soon be available in MP3 format.
Saku 99 was organized and sponsored by the Finnish Amiga Users Group.
The show was also generously supported by Amiga, who donated two Amiga
A1200's for a raffle and gave away literally dozens of AmiColas, Amiga
Theme CDs, card games, mouses, mouse pads, socks, pens and other
promotional items. Haage & Partner, in co-operation with Amiga,
provided an AmigaOS 3.5 pre release for demonstration.
Warm thanks also to the Finnish exhibitors Amigator, Gentle Eye Ky,
Elysée Arena and Petsoff LP for making Saku 99 a truly memorable
event. In addition to the companies mentioned above, special thanks to
Broadline Oy, ClickBOOM, Digital Dreams Entertainment, Toysoft and
Tsunami Trading for supporting the user group with prize donations and
product samples, some of which were given away at the Saku 99.
Above all, the Finnish Amiga Users Group would like to thank the hard
working Amiga users who have volunteered their time, passion, talent
and even financial support for making this spectacular event happen. A
list of these individuals will be published in the next Saku e-zine.
There could never have been an event like Saku 99 without the
tremendeous support of the Finnish Amiga community.
Please visit http://batman.jytol.fi/~saku/english/ or our mirror site
http://tzimmola.tky.hut.fi/saku/english/, for further information.
E-mail inquiries may be sent to Janne Sirén (siren@mikrobitti.fi).
About Finnish Amiga Users Group
Finnish Amiga Users Group (Suomen Amiga-käyttäjät ry.) is a
non-profit organization for promoting Amiga computing and helping
Amiga users in Finland. Also known as Saku, after it's disk magazine,
the group is trying to accomplish it's goals by organizing meetings
and by publishing a disk magazine. Since 1993 the Finnish Amiga Users
Group and it's predecessors have released over thirty issues of the
disk magazine and held several public gatherings. Other
accomplishments include the Web site and Sakunet, a national Fidonet
style network of Amiga related bulletin board systems.
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A M I G A " F L E A " M A R K E T
990909
MCCC Flea Market Extravaganza '99
Flea Market Extravaganza '99
Where : The Brookside Convention Center, Hurst, Texas
When : Saturday, September 25, 1999
Time : 12:00 to 4:00pm
Admission : Free
Background
One of the main goals of last year's Extravaganza was to bring user
groups in the region together. We were successful! Members from the
Central Texas Amiga Computing Society (CTACS) in Austin
(http://www.main.org/ctacs/), the Tulsa Amiga Group (TAG), and the
X-otic Computer Systems of San Antonio (XCSSA) were present. Amiga
enthusiasts from Houston, College Station and other Texas and Oklahoma
locales were also in attendance. This year we are putting on our
thirteenth annual computer Amiga show with the help and support of
CTACS. So come and join us and show your support for the Amiga.
Amiga Computer Flea Market
Hardware and Software for Amiga computers, from members and
non-members, will be for sale. The flea market will be open to members
for a fee of 5% on items sold. A fee of 10% will be charged to
non-members on items sold.
Sellers:
Items for sale must be turned into a club representative. Prices are
set ahead of time and sales are handled by club representatives.
Arrangements MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE. Items will NOT be accepted on
the day of the show. There will be no exceptions. Items to be sold at
the flea market may be turned in at one of the chapter meetings or you
may make arrangements with one of these club representatives:
Mark Stodola Cedar Hill (972) 299-6824
Ned Kelly Arlington (817) 277-5825
David Owens Fort Worth (817) 847-5486
Dan Stockelman Dallas (972) 985-8522
Buyers:
Cash and checks accepted from members. Cash only accepted from
non-members.
Prices will be reduced at 3:00 pm.
Door Prizes
Drawings will be held throughout the day. You must be present to win.
MCCC Amiga Library
The entire MCCC library of Amiga computer disks, over 2,000 disks,
will be available.
Special Membership Offer
13 months for the price of 12. This offer is good for new or renewed
memberships.
Amiga Wares Available
Amiga Wares (shirts, caps and more) from Randomize, Inc.
(http://www.amigawares.com) will be available at the show.
Classes/Demos
A class/demo of the new 3.5 Operating System will be held if it is
released by the show. We are planning a class on AREXX by Don
Kassenbaum, from CTACS. Also demos of Music-X by another CTACS member
and using Amiga and MIDI by an MCCC Member are being arranged.
3.5 Operating System Available for Sale
Copies of the new 3.5 Operating System will be available for sale by
Exodus Multimedia.
Amiga 1200 Computer Raffle
A raffle drawing will be held at the close of the show for an Amiga
1200 Magic Pack. The A1200 is a brand new boxed Magic Pack, complete
with software and manuals, and without a hard drive, courtesy of Amiga
International in Germany. Tickets are $1.00 per chance, cash only.
Tickets will be available at the show and at the CTACS and at both
MCCC September meetings. You need not be present to win.
Amiga Computer Dealers
Exodus Multimedia (http://exodusmm.com), a local dealer/developer,
will be at the show. Exodus will have classic Amiga OS items for sale,
including the new 3.5 Operating System. Currently Exodus is working on
the first Amiga NG powered digital video workstation, Maverick! They
hope to have the Maverick at the show.
Space is available to rent for dealers, companies or user groups.
Please inquire on rates.
DIRECTIONS & PARKING
The Brookside Convention Center is located at 1244 Brookside Drive in
Hurst. To get to the Convention Center get to Highway 183/121 and take
the Precinct Line Road exit and drive south on Precinct Line Road.
After approximately 0.3 miles turn left (east), on Bedford Euless
Road. Drive 0.4 miles to Brookside Drive. The Convention Center is on
the southeast corner. There is plenty of parking space, and parking is
free.
Note
Amiga has delayed the release of the new 3.5 OS. The new Operating
System might not be released as of September 25th. We will do
everything possible to have 3.5 at the show. Thank you for your
understanding.
URL : http://www.cucug.org/amiga/aminews/1999/990910-mccc.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
T E X A S A M I G A S H O W
1 Sep 1999
Hi, Gang --
Just a word to all you *Texas Amigans* and other Southwesterners out
there that the Dallas-Ft. Worth Amiga user group, in cooperation with
the Austin Amiga user group, is hosting this year's annual Flea Market
Extravaganza on Saturday, September 25th, at The Brookside Convention
Center in Hurst, Texas, from 12 to 4 p.m.
It will be a lot of fun, with a great deal of used *and new Amiga
stuff* (including Randomize's Amiga Wares and OS 3.5) for sale.
Additionally, a raffle for a brand new A1200 (courtesy of Petro and
Amiga, International) will be held.
Have a look at:
http://www.startext.net/np/agm/fleamarket/fleamarket.htm
for more information.
Peace,
Steve Folberg
President,
*Central Texas Amiga Computer Society (CTACS)* Austin, Tx!
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M O R E T H A N E X P E C T E D - F R O M P H A S E 5
2 Sep 1999
Dear Amiga friends:
Without any regrets, I have to inform the Amiga community that we
have cancelled the BLIZZARD and the CYBERSTORM G3 accelerators. I hope
you will understand our reasons for that step, which I will outline
shortly:
We don't see a big future for the G3 processors in the Amiga, since
we will be shipping the G4 versions of our next generation BLIZZARD
and CYBERSTORM boards, starting by October 1999. The boards come in
for a similar pricing as the originally announced G3 boards (well,
sorry, you have to pay 10$ more for the 400MHz Altivec unit...)
You too can now join the gigaflop community now with these exciting
new products:
- PowerPC XPC7400 with Altivec
- Ready for SMP with Dual-XPC7400 configurations
- QNX Neutrino OS included
- Full Amiga 3.x legacy support included
- Ready to run LINUX PPC as well (for those who want it)
- and much more, read the specs in detail at http://www. phase 5.de
For all users who now finally decide to get one of these boards, we
have extended the preorder program one last time until September 15,
1999. Don't miss the deadline!
If you have placed a G3 order already, you'll of course get the G4
boards at no extra cost too.
-----
Wolf Dietrich, GM phase 5 digital products
wd@ufoo.phase5.de http://www.phase5.de
In der Au 27 61440 Oberursel Germany
Phone +49 6171 583787 Fax +49 6171 583789
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I B R O W S E 2 I S A V A I L A B L E
990903
It's been a long time coming, but now it's here and we know you are
going to LOVE it! Of course the big new feature in iBrowse 2 is
JavaScript support.
Most websites these days use Javascript, even if sometimes the
webmaster doesn't realise it. You see, it's all these fancy web page
design packages like GoLive and Dreamweaver. You drop a button here
and a graphic there, next thing you know you've got 50K of Javascript
on top of your HTML and anyone without a JavaScript-savvy web browser
is locked out.
But that's all in the past when you reward your Amiga with iBrowse 2
and its brand new Javascript interpreter.
It's not just about JavaScript you know, there's lots more in iBrowse
2, more than enough to ensure that iBrowse 2 remains, as it has always
been, the serious Amiga surfer's browser of choice. And now you can do
it all electronically...
After you you make your purchase you can immediately download the
30-day evaluation version and we will then email you a keyfile which
will unlock that version and magically transform it into the full
program.
Alternatively you can buy it in a box, bundled with Net&Web 2, and
have it delivered by normal mail.
Aw, come on, buy it man. It really rocks!
£34.95iBrowse 2 full*
£12.95Upgrade from 1.x*ser # **
£39.95iBrowse 2 with Net&Web 2
* These products are keyfiles (delivered to you by email) which
unlock the downloadable 30-day evaluation version. ** To buy the
upgrade, you must give us your 1.x serial number.
http://www.hisoft.co.uk/amigashop/ibrowse.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I M A G I N E - N E W U P D A T E R E L E A S E
990829
A new update release of the Imagine Amiga Constant Upgrade Program
(ACUP) is now available - V5.16. The update can be downloaded by ACUP
subscribers from the usual ACUP download area.
A brief list of changes are detailed below; Please refer to the
documentation included with the ACUP archive for a more detailed list
of changes.
Version 5.16:
o Reworked Detail and Stage editor menus to bring them into line with
Imagine For Windows.
o Detail editor: Save object "overwrite requester" improved.
o Added Lightwave and 3DStudio object export functions.
o Added three new primitive object types - Hemisphere, Rod and Box.
o Added new "sharp edges" option to the relevant primitive objects.
o Added new right mouse button "popup menu" functionality.
o Added support for double-clicking an object type within the
primitive object window.
o Added support for double-clicking a render size type within the
sub-project/render resolution window.
o Added "path length" option to Detail editor.
o Added two new "lite" procedural textures - Purplehaze and Caustics.
o Added three new procedural textures (in 040 and 060 CPU versions) -
SSFBumps, SSPBumps and SSRBumps.
o Optimized PPC version of the MPEG video creator; Now utilises the
custom PPC maths routines.
o Improved GUI; This includes the main editors, and the requesters.
o Added default X & Y aspect ratios to rendering resolution types.
o Added an Imagine Splash screen. This uses the OS3.x Datatypes, and
also supports the 24Bit datatype system if available.
o ...and Miscellaneous other changes/enhancements which are detailed
in the included AmigaGuide documentation.
Further information and screenshots can be obtained from the Imagine
for Amiga website at: http://www.cadtech.demon.co.uk/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
F X P A I N T O N S C H E D U L E
1999-09-07
Innovative is fully on schedule with the new graphics program
fxPAINT.
fxPAINT`s first day on sale will be, as scheduled, at the beginning
of November 1999 at the Cologne Show. That`s what the software company
"Innovative" from Herzogenaurach announced today. In order to document
the progress the project makes, new screenshots and new creates
pictures were added to the homepage. Everything announced in the
original announcement is already finished. So the project now is going
into its final phase before release. Since the announcement of
fxPAINT, many new features have been added:
o Support for grapic tabletts (tableaus)
o Full TIFF-support (except for LZW)
o Full support for AmigaOS 3.5 (printer, icons, workbench, datatypes)
o Ability to draw fire (with special Pyro Plugin for the fastest
creation
possible) - you find some examples to that in the fxPAINT-gallery.
o special Plugins e.g. to render an image on an own screen
o Support for the "ICS Color Calibration System" by Wolf Faust
o Histogram-functions
o fxALBUM-Albums now can be exported as HTML-files
o Online-Help-System (runs in multitasking)
o many more features, that are unique for the AMIGA and on all other
platforms
Innovative also underlines, that the preorder-offer will end on 1st
of November 1999. If you want to save 40.- DEM, you should order
fxPAINT now.
Yours sincerly,
Felix Schwarz
--
Innovative
c/o Felix Schwarz
Am Gründla 3
D-91074 Herzogenaurach
Germany
EMail: info@innovative-web.de
WWW: http://www.innovative-web.de/
Phone: +(0)049 (0)9132/3400
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T H E B O X E R I S A V A I L A B L E !
990910
From Blittersoft:
http://www.blittersoft.com/
The BoXeR range of computers offers the next step in Amiga systems.
Not only is the BoXeR 100% Amiga compatible (utilising all your old
software), but it is equipped to deliver the performance you require
for the future.
We have addressed the problems of high cost peripherals by
integrating active PCI slots to enable the support of standard PCI
cards such as state of the art Graphics, Ethernet, Sound Cards, Modems
and more.
The optional Zorro III adaptor board is available if you wish to use
your existing Amiga cards.
The all-new leading-edge design uses a single chip chip-set with AGA
feature and register compatibility, but has completely new logic to
achieve the highest performance and most flexible design.
Our Processor connector supports low cost PowerPC upgrades. This
expansion allows the on-board 680x0 to remain in place or be removed
when using appropriate emulation software for a PPC only systems. Both
G3 and G4 accelerators are planned.
The BoXeR FlashROM allows software and hardware upgrades for future
system enhancements.
BoXeR-4
£ 680.81 + VAT
BoXeR Tower Computer with 68040/40
Specification
o 100% Amiga compatible.
o Motorola 68040 or 68060 at 25-75MHz supported in a single processor
socket.
o Integrated chip chip-set, AGA compatible but with performance
enhancements.
o Most peripherals support high speed DMA transfers, increasing
throughput while reducing processor overhead.
o No CHIP RAM limits.
o 2 x 64-bit DIMM sockets (low cost) for combined use as FAST/CHIP.
o Dual IDE Hard disk interface, supports fast IDE modes, including
UDMA.
o Flash ROM 2Mb, 32 bit wide. Provides kickstart ROM's and resident
modules.
o High Density floppy disk drive interface, operating as DF0:
o CD-ROM audio input connector and mixer.
o Real Time Clock.
o 4 x Active PCI slots
o Amiga Video slot
o Expansion connector to support 2 x Zorro 3 slots
o Connector for full 64-bit PowerPC expansion card
Connectors
o Printer port (buffered with DMA transfers).
o RGB video.
o PS/2 Keyboard.
o PS/2 Mouse
o Serial port (buffered with DMA transfers)
o Amiga Joystick port
o Amiga Mouse port
o Stereo audio
o IDE - 40 pin (Dual) header
o Floppy drive DF0:/DF1: header
Features
o Choice of colour Tower (call for plain system)
o 64Mb RAM
o 6.4Gb UDMA Hard drive
o Keyboard and Mouse (PS/2)
o 68040/40 MHz CPU (Upgradable to 68060 or PPC)
o KickStart 3.1
o OS 3.5
o Multimedia Speakers
BoXeR-6
£ 765.92 + VAT
Specification
o 100% Amiga compatible.
o Motorola 68040 or 68060 at 25-75MHz supported in a single processor
socket.
o Integrated chip chip-set, AGA compatible but with performance
enhancements.
o Most peripherals support high speed DMA transfers, increasing
throughput while reducing processor overhead.
o No CHIP RAM limits.
o 2 x 64-bit DIMM sockets (low cost) for combined use as FAST/CHIP.
o Dual IDE Hard disk interface, supports fast IDE modes, including
UDMA.
o Flash ROM 2Mb, 32 bit wide. Provides kickstart ROM's and resident
modules.
o High Density floppy disk drive interface, operating as DF0:
o CD-ROM audio input connector and mixer.
o Real Time Clock.
o 4 x Active PCI slots
o Amiga Video slot
o Expansion connector to support 2 x Zorro 3 slots
o Connector for full 64-bit PowerPC expansion card
Connectors
o Printer port (buffered with DMA transfers).
o RGB video.
o PS/2 Keyboard.
o PS/2 Mouse
o Serial port (buffered with DMA transfers)
o Amiga Joystick port
o Amiga Mouse port
o Stereo audio
o IDE - 40 pin (Dual) header
o Floppy drive DF0:/DF1: header
Features
o Choice of colour Tower (call for plain system)
o 64Mb RAM
o 6.4Gb UDMA Hard drive
o Keyboard and Mouse (PS/2)
o 68040/40 MHz CPU (Upgradable to PPC)
o KickStart 3.1
o OS 3.5
o Multimedia Speakers
----------------------------------------------------------------------
B O I N G C O I N A V A I L A B L E
The Amiga "BoingCoin"
The front shows
Keep the Momentum Going!
Back for the Future
Back shows
www.amiga.com
www.amiga.de
BoingCoins are BRASS minted and about the thickness of a mouse cable!
We currently only accept Credit Cards, click below to purchase your
BoingCoins.
Payment by Credit Card
For alternate payment methods, please email:
boingcoin@allthingsamiga.com
TOP TEN Reasons to buy an Amiga "BoingCoin":
10. They make great stocking stuffers for Microsoft Employees!
9. Soon to replace the EURO as the currency of Europe!
8. AMIGA! Need I say more?
7. They make excellent User Group gifts.
6. Luckier than a stinky, old rabbit's foot.
5. They have a really neat Boing Ball logo on the front!
4. They make great paper weights!
3. Impress your PC friends! You don't see a PCCoin, do ya!?
2. "BoingCoin" just sounds sooo neat!
and the number one reason to buy an Amiga "BoingCoin":
1. They're Y2K compliant!
URL : http://www.allthingsamiga.com/boingcoin.html
$12 Amiga Boing Coin + S&H
----------------------------------------------------------------------
L I L J E D A H L C D R E L E A S E
12 August 1999
Jogeir Liljedahl, perhaps the most famous Amiga MOD musician ever,
has published his first music CD.
Jogeir Liljedahl was the composer behind such massive Amiga MOD hits
as "Guitar Slinger", "Mystified", "Face Another Day", "Out of
Silence", "G-Comp", "Physical Presence" and too many others to
mention. He has won several awards and prizes at Amiga demo- and
music-conventions and for years been one of the driving forces behind
the entire free MOD music movement that started around 1987 on the
Amiga computer.
He started the music-production group "Noiseless" in the early 90's
and they produced such music-disks as "Ambrozia", "Dizzy Tunes",
"Dizzy Tunes 2", "Full Moon" and others.
For years, Jogeir wanted to publish a CD with his music, but he
lacked the money to get the project off the ground. But in early 1999,
Bjorn Lynne, an old friend and also an Amiga musician, stepped in and
offered to release Jogeir's CD on his "LynneMusic Productions" label.
Bjorn Lynne was known as "Dr.Awesome" and part of the demo-group
"Crusaders" in the Amiga scene back in the late 80's and early 90's.
Bjorn "Dr.Awesome" Lynne has since then set up a small record label
and mailorder business specialising on music CDs by musicians from the
Amiga demo scene. Bjorn also writes music for computer games and has
released several CD albums, too. He decided to help Jogeir get his CD
released, and in August 1999 the CD was published on Bjorn's label
LynneMusic productions. Other artists CDs available through LynneMusic
are Chris Hülsbeck, Allister Brimble, Adam "Scorpik" Skorupa, Gustaf
"Lizardking" Grevberg and others.
Jogeir Liljedahl's first CD, titled "The Wanderer", costs £12 plus £1
p&p. It is only available to buy online or through mail order. To buy
online, visit http://www.lynnemusic.com. To purchase by mail-order,
make cheque payable to BJORN LYNNE and send to Bjorn Lynne / Longlands
House / Wakefield Road / Ossett WF5 9JS / ENGLAND.
For a free catalogue of professionally produced music CDs by
Amiga-musicians, simply write to the above address, and a free
catalogue will be sent to you.
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Amiga Update on the net:
All back issues available at:
http://www.globaldialog.com/~amigaupdate/index.html
Stop by and check out our archive!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1999 by Brad Webb. Freely distributable, if not modified.
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U P D A T E /__\\ | \ / || || || ___ /__\\ U P D A T E
/ \\_ | \/ ||_ _||_ \__// / \\_
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